Mthatha Express 25 April 2019 by Mthatha Express

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THURSDAY April 25, 2019 |0 047 050 4430 | Facebook: Mthatha Express | Twitter: @MthathaExpress | elizabethg@media24.com or express@media24.com

EDITOR: BETTIE GILIOMEE

Cyclists boosted by brand-new kit

Local company Build It, in Viedgesville, Mqanduli, changed the lives of local cyclists and boosted the Nguni Cycling Academy by donating brand-new kit. The academy has spent a long period struggling and competing in provincial and national tournaments without kit. The cyclists were elated on April 18 when Build It manager, Graeme Savage (60) stepped in to assist them. Savage is also involved in cycling, and enjoys mountain biking. From left are academy chairperson Luyanda Tetani and Savage with some of the cyclists wearing their brand-new kit. At the back are Built It managing director Meyrick Stockigt, Menzi Mboniswa and Nolwandle Sithole Gobidolo from Nguni Cycling Academy. PHOTO:HOSEYA JUBASE

KSD MUNICIPALITY: ANC REDEPLOYS MAYOR, SPEAKER AND CHIEF WHIP

Top three told to resign LUVO CAKATA

he African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape has instructed King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) municipality executive mayor Dumani Zozo, council speaker Nontyatyambo Gcingca and council chief whip Sihlwele Nyengane to resign from their respective positions. This was confirmed by ANC EC chairperson Oscar Mabuyane while on a courtesy visit to Nyandeni Great Place to meet King Ndamase Ndamase on April 22.

“A decision has been taken for the redeployment of the mayor, council speaker and chief whip and we believe that is the correct decision for the stabilisation of the administration within the municipality. “The unfortunate part is that the divisions we have witnessed in the municipality are from these three as leaders dividing the council and workers as well as dividing the organisation. So we are working on correcting the situation,” said Mabuyane. He further said they have identified people to fill the three positions on an interim basis while they look for permanent candidates to fill the vacancies.

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ANC from around Mthatha that they are looking at. Unconfirmed reports suggest that the ANC has now appointed Councillor Gideon Nelani, who served as mayoral committee member under the reign of Dumani Zozo, as acting mayor of the KSD municipality. Attempts to get confirmation of Nelani’s appointment from ANC provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayithobi proved unsuccessful as his phone went straight to voicemail. KSD spokesman Sonwabo Mampoza could not confirm the appointment either, saying it could only be confirmed at a special council meeting scheduled for tomorrow, April 26.

KSD municipal manager, Ngamela Pakade, confirmed the receipt of a resignation letter from council speaker Gcingca during a special council meeting that had to be aborted on April 20 as it could not quorate, saying the resignation letter was submitted to his office on April 19. Mabuyane also confirmed that the speaker and council chief whip Nyengane had resigned from their position, while the resignation of the mayor could not be confirmed. Asked whether they already had names of people to fill the top three positions at KSD Municipality on a permanent basis, Mabuyane said he was not at liberty to mention names only saying there are very senior comrades of the

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2 NEWS

MTHATHA EXPRESS | THURSDAY 25 APRIL 2019

Negotiations for king’s release underway LUVO CAKATA THE AbaThembu Kingdom has issued an impassioned plea to the public, civic organisations and non-governmental organisations to desist from organising any marches or other gatherings calling for the release of the jailed king, Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, without the permission and blessings of the Dalindyebo family. Spokesperson for the kingdom, Chief Zwelenqaba Mgudlwa, said such marches and gatherings had the possibility of jeopardising the sensitive and advanced negotiations

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on the release of Dalindyebo from prison. “Negotiations pertaining to the release of King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo are being handled by the family, led by acting king Azenathi Zanelizwe Dalindyebo and his council,” said Mgudlwa. “We therefore wish to urge people organising activities calling for the release of jailed king to desist from such activities, as they may jeopardise and possibly disrupt the negotiations which are now at a very sensitive and advanced stage,” he said. Prince Siganeko Dalindyebo added that the kingdom strongly believed that anyone with an interest in pursuing and assisting in the

release of the king had to do so with the blessings of the family. Prince Dalindyebo further slammed what he termed extortion and fundraising by people for their own personal gains, using the call for the release of the king for their own self-interests, saying those doing so were not fighting the same cause as the AbaThembu kingdom. The kingdom further revealed that the acting king had further consulted the victims of the crimes which had landed the king in jail, as part of the process to have him released from prison. Asked whether the negotiations were about release on parole or presidential par-

don, Prince Dalindyebo said negotiations were with the Office of the President, as they wanted Dalinyebo to be released on presidential pardon so that the king did not have the restrictions and burden of having a criminal record upon his imminent release. Presidency spokesperson Khusela Diko, when contacted for comment, referred queries to the Justice Department, saying presidential pardons of prisoners were handled by that department, which then makes recommendations to the president. Justice Ministry acting spokesperson, Max Mpunzana, could not be reached for comment as his phone rang unanswered.

Quest to have 35-year-old culpable homicide case investigated LUVO CAKATA DOCTOR Zola Mbanguta (56) of Ikwezi Township has embarked on a quest for justice following the mysterious death of his older brother, David Mbanguta, in a car accident, which occurred on November 13, 1983, on the R61 road near Corana outside Mthatha. Mbanguta alleges that his brother died in a car accident when a vehicle David was driving collided with a speeding police vehicle from the Madeira Police Station. He said a few days after the accident, an investigator was assigned to the case and took statements from his sisters and another passenger who were with his brother on the day he met his untimely death, but he has never heard from the police regarding the status of the investigation. Mbanguta is now on a quest to have the over 35-year-old cold case reopened and brought before a court of law, saying this will bring him and his family closure on the matter, as he feels that his older brother’s spirit is still wandering

Dr. Zola Mbanguta wants police to investigate the death of his brother over 35 years ago. PHOTO:LUVO CAKATA where he took his last breath due to the unsolved mystery surrounding his death. He has since written to the Police Minister Bheki Cele and the office of the National Police

Commissioner, Major-General Khehla Sithole, seeking their intervention, as he says he was told the Central Police Station in Mthatha could not locate the case docket from their archives and told him to rather produce a case number. Express has seen the correspondence which Mbanguta has sent to the national offices of the police minister and national police commissioner. The case has now been referred to the Eastern Cape SAPS Investigative Unit in Bhisho. When contacted for comment, Eastern Cape SAPS Investigative Unit head, Colonel Ntombizonke Twetwa, said she had referred the matter to their detective services unit for investigation, promising that the matter will receive the necessary attention. Twetwa further appealed to Mbanguta to be patient as the matter occurred over 35 years ago, saying they are still trying to locate the docket from their archives. Mbanguta has threatened to file a lawsuit against the Ministry of Police should the matter go unresolved.

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MTHATHA EXPRESS | THURSDAY 25 APRIL 2019

NEWS

KSD strike called off pending agreement LUVO CAKATA TRADE union leaders at King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Municipality have decided to indefinitely suspend their strike action, pending implementation of the agreement reached between them and municipal management, especially on the permanent absorption of employees under the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). The decision to suspend the strike followed the tabling of the ad hoc committee report on the feasibility of permanent employment of workers under the EPWP, which recommended permanent employment of more than 200 workers under the programme. KSD South African Municipal Workers Union chairperson, Lwazi Madyibi, said, as the union they welcomed the report and its recommendations. “We fully welcome the report as it proved our long-held suspicion that there was corruption involved in the employment of EPWP workers, as proven by the finding that about 98 workers under the programme could not be accounted for, whereas they were drawing salaries from the municipality,” said Madyibi. Anam Mkile of the Independent Municipal and Allied Trade Union (IMATU) also wel-

comed the ad hoc committee report saying they had now signed a memorandum of understanding with the municipal manager, which commits the municipality to speedily absorb the workers, with 156 EPWP workers set to gain permanent employment before the end of the current municipal financial year on June 30. Agreement was also reached on other matters that were contentious between unions and municipal management, including the payment of acting allowances that unions allege were unilaterally terminated by the municipality, as well as conversion of contract employment contracts to permanent status. The unions further said they hoped ANC Eastern Cape chairperson, Oscar Mabuyane’s moves to stabilise administration in the KSD Municipality would include the recall of the sitting Executive Mayor, Councillor Dumani Zozo, saying there could never be permanent stability in the municipality with the current mayor at the helm. The unions said they would not hesitate to embark on strike action again should municipal management drag its feet on the implementation of the agreement. KSD Municipality has again apologised to all affected stakeholders for the inconvenience caused by the strike action, which started on April 1 and was officially called off on April 16.

KSD Municipality workers were seen cleaning the Mthatha CBD after agreement was reached between unions and management to end the strike. PHOTO:LUVO CAKATA

Campaign launched to ensure safe initiation season LUVO CAKATA WITH the winter initiation season fast approaching, the OR Tambo District Initiation Forum has embarked on an awareness and advocacy campaign aimed at ensuring the safe passage of initiates during the upcoming winter initiation season. Chairperson of the forum, Chief Dalisizwe Dudumayo, said their awareness and advocacy campaign was aimed at educating communities, especially parents and boys who were about to undergo initiation, about the Eastern

Cape Customary Male Initiation Act of 2016. The act deals with various aspects pertaining to traditional male circumcision, including the prescribed minimum age to be eligible to undergo circumcision currently set at 18 and the health screening process to be completed before undergoing initiation, among others. Through the campaign, the forum will be visiting various traditional great places (Amakomkhulu) within the OR Tambo District, where they will be hosting public imbizos with community members, traditional

leaders and traditional surgeons. Dudumayo said they hosted the gatherings in partnerships with stakeholders such as the SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority. He said they host these imbizos with the aim of curbing underage circumcision, the mushrooming of illegal initiation schools and bogus traditional surgeons, which all contribute to the unfortunate death of initiates. Dudumayo said their awareness and advocacy campaign started on March 26 and would continue until the official launch of the winter initiation season, scheduled for June 20.

Three women arrested in connection with faction fight BABALWA NDLANYA FOLLOWING a series of arson attacks at Kwakhanyayo in Lusikisiki, the Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga, gathered nine members of a high calibre task team to conduct an operation at Zitha village, last week. According to the provincial police spokesperson, Captain Khaya Tonjeni, the operation was informed by evidence that was gathered around an arson incident at Sicambeni village, which happened on March 31. “During the operation, three women, aged between 54 and 64, were arrested and charged with arson. One man (35) was arrested for attempted

murder, following a shooting incident that happened on March 23, 2019. “All these attacks followed a faction fight between Sicambeni and Mgwedleni villages as their residents returned home from attending a traditional event,” said Tonjeni. According to him, during the attack, one man was murdered by the Zitha and Ngquza group. Tonjeni confirmed that the team had also reopened a case of murder which happened on March 11, 2018, which had been withdrawn by the Public Prosecutor due to lack of evidence. Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga, welcomed the breakthrough achieved by the team. “I was at Kwa Khanyayo and I saw the pain on the women’s faces, the devastation of private

property and suffering children who had to sleep on the mountain instead of going to school. “The team must investigate further and bring perpetrators to book,” said Ntshinga. The faction fight, in February, led to 22 homes being burnt to ashes and 300 family members being left homeless. According to the chief of the area, Sonwabile Jama, the fight broke out between Sicamba and Zitha localities, which were demanding a change in demarcation. Police spokesperson, Captain Nozuko Handile, said the three suspects appeared briefly in the Mthontsasa Magistrate’s Court. Their case was postponed until yesterday. The outcome of yesterday’s court proceedings were not known at the time of going to press.

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4 NEWS

MTHATHA EXPRESS | THURSDAY 25 APRIL 2019

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Deputy Minister of Labour, Inkosi Patekile Holomisa, Minister of Communications, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams and Minister for Sport, Recreation Art and Culture, Thokozile Xasa, attended the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Learnership launch in Mqanduli, last week. PHOTO:SUPPLIED

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REPORTER THE Department of Labour, in partnership with the Unemployment Insurance Fund and other stakeholders, launched the UIF Learnership in Mqanduli, last week. These stakeholders included Ntinga OR Tambo Development Agency, Walter Sisulu University (WSU), OR Tambo District Municipality and King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality. The launch was attended by the Deputy Minister of Labour, Inkosi Phathekile Holomisa. At the launch it was revealed that the UIF would inject about R500 million into joint programmes for the training of ex-mineworkers, the youth and UIF beneficiaries in the OR Tambo region over a period of three years. In the first programme, valued at R429 million, the department had partnered with WSU. WSU, in a three-year partnership, would play a grant manager role. It would second 100 learners into the training initiative. The UIF and WSU training would be conducted in two phases. It would focus on the development of skills in the areas of

hospitality, new ventures to develop small business, nut farming, carpentry, plumbing, computer repairs, software development, textile manufacturing and related areas. Training would be conducted in the following areas: Ingquza Hill, Port St Johns, Nyandeni, Mhlontlo and King Sabatha Dalindyebo. Speaking at the launch, Holomisa said the approach and interventions of the government were aimed at reversing and redressing the obvious and glaring injustices of the past. “The rationale for this intervention is to fund and equip dependents for a more inclusive economy. The UIF vision is to be an accessible and customer-centric UIF that contributes towards poverty alleviation,” said Holomisa. UIF commissioner, Teboho Maruping, said the injection was a government response to deal with skyrocketing unemployment following last year’s job and investment summits Maruping said the funding would focus on developing new skills to create new jobs, help in the developing of community-owned business and help drive public employment services. “Dealing with the scourge of unemployment, we needed a team effort.

“In terms of the partnerships, 70% of beneficiaries would be ex-mineworkers and the other 30% would be community members, especially the youth,” said Maruping. The acting chief executive of Ntinga OR Tambo Development Agency, Loyiso Mbiko, said recruitment into the training programmes had already started. This followed the road shows conducted in various districts in the province with traditional leaders, ward councillors, and community members. “Formal training would begin next month. “The agency was also looking to partner with TVET colleges, the Small Enterprise Development Agency and the Mineworkers Development Agency. “The programme would also target people in the age group of people between 18 and 50 years old. Trainees would be subjected to medical diagnosis to ensure their fitness for the intensive training,” said Mbiko. The Minister of Communications, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams said her department was inspired by the training initiative. She committed the department to providing online connectivity assistance when the need arose.

UDM blames varsity for student’s death BABALWA NDLANYA MEMBERS of the United Democratic Movement Youth Vanguard (UDMYV) have condemned the killing of a student, who was allegedly thrown to his death from a balcony at Walter Sisulu University’s Zamukulungisa Campus in Mthatha, recently, having been accused of theft. The UDMYV provincial treasurer in the Eastern Cape, Usivile Mboneli, said they condemned the behaviour of people who took the

law into their own hands. “We are blaming the Walter Sisulu University for failing to make sure that the students are protected,” Mboneli said. “The students in Eastern Cape universities are not safe at all. “If they (university management) cared enough, this (incident) would not have happened. “People are not taking their work seriously because there are security guards here, but they don’t do enough to ensure that these incidents do not happen,” said Mboneli.

He said they spoke to the UDM deputy president, Nqaba Kwankwa, about the situation at WSU. Kwankwa promised to visit the university in order to investigate after the general elections. “He said he would also check whether the security guards were doing enough to protect students and their belongings,” Mboneli said. At time of Express going to print WSU spokesperson Yonela Tukwayo had not yet responded to a request for comment.

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OMBUDSMAN Contact the Mthatha Express Ombudsman with reader complaints. Any complaints, queries or suggestions about content in the Mthatha Express may be sent to our ombudsman, George Claassen, at 083 543 2471 or 021 8513232, or at george.claassen@media24.com.

MTHATHA EXPRESS | THURSDAY 25 APRIL 2019

NEWS

Parents urged to use scholar transport BABALWA NDLANYA THE Department of Education in the Eastern Cape have urged parents to use scholar transport when transporting learners to schools. This followed an incident when a bakkie that was transporting seven learners to Gxaba Senior Secondary School in Libode overturned. No-one was injured in the incident. Department of Transport spokesperson, Malibongwe Mtima, confirmed the incident, stating that the victims were taken to hospital where they were treated for minor bruises. “As the department, we urge parents to use the scholar transport, not bakkies when transporting learners.

“Scholar transport is provided for primary through to senior secondary schools,” said Mtima. He said they hoped to hold a meeting with the parents of children from Gxaba Senior Secondary School, so that they could explain how the scholar transport worked. According to Mtima, people who don’t benefit from the scholar transport were parents who took their children out of schools in their localities and enrolled them in schools in town. “We understand that not all schools are benefiting from scholar transport. “The reason is that we get a grant from the national department which is not enough to help all the schools, but we are trying by all means to ensure that we meet their demands,” said Mtima.

Guards cry foul over delay in salary payments LUVO CAKATA MORE than 65 security guards, manning the Mthatha General Hospital and Gateway Clinic, are calling for the immediate termination of the contract between their employer and the Department of Health over salary payment delays. The guards, who are employed by Silver Solutions, a company contracted by the Health Department, have been experiencing delays in their payments, despite an agreement that salaries were to be paid on the 15th of each month. The guards started working for Silver Solutions in June 2018, but payment delays allegedly started in January 2019. COSATU chairperson for the Mthatha coastal region, Phumla Zantsi, said the non-payment of salaries constituted a breach of contract.

“As COSATU, we are calling on the government to prioritise the insourcing of security guards,” said Zantsi. Security guards, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of dismissal, spoke of low morale as a result of the delay, saying some faced eviction, as landlords demanded rent. Provincial Health Department spokesperson, Lwandile Sicwetsha, referred queries to Silver Solutions. Attempts to get official comment from Silver Solutions were unsuccessful as their phones rang unanswered. However, an official from Silver Solutions, who refused to give his name as he was not authorised to speak to the media, promised that employees would receive their salaries for the month yesterday (April 24). It was not known at the time of Express going to print whether the payments had been received.

OPEN DAY AT UNISA, MTHATHA Unisa invites all currently registered and prospective students to an open day.

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MTHATHA EXPRESS | THURSDAY 25 APRIL 2019

Crime awareness campaign held BABALWA NDLANYA BUTTERWORTH Cluster Women’s Network and Men for Change hosted a crime awareness campaign at Komkhulu location in Ngqamakhwe, last week. The campaign was held following the brutal murder of a girl (15) whose body was found dumped last month in the village. According to the champion of Men for Change, Sergeant Mfundo Siziba, they suspect that the man who killed the victim wanted to rape her, but after she refused to sleep with him, he allegedly dragged her to his home where he murdered her. “After I heard (about) this incident, I decided to speak with my team because I

knew that we needed to do something. We then visited the home of the victim; we found that the children were living in bad conditions, because they don’t have parents. “Both members from Men for Change and Women’s Network were touched by the situation, so that is why we brought groceries for them,” said Siziba. The groceries were handed over during an awareness campaign that was held in the locality. Police spokesperson, Captain Jackson Manatha, confirmed that the community members were warned during the awareness campaign about murdering children, stating that the law would take its course. He said the campaign was also attended by traditional leaders.

Pictured are the Mjojweni family with Butterworth Cluster Commander Brigadier Ngangema Xakavu and Sergeant Mfundo Siziba. . PHOTO:ANELE RAZIYA

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NEWS

8 NEWS

MTHATHA EXPRESS | THURSDAY 25 APRIL 2019

Workers exit employment with skills and certificates LUVO CAKATA

and other stakeholders for the skills transfer they benefited from, saying they will now use the certificates when applying for other employment opportunities. Ward 11 councillor, Mmeli Menzelwa, expressed his gratitude that the project not only benefited locals by giving them employment, but had further given them skills and certificates to last them a lifetime during their careers. Project steering committee chair-

WORKERS at the Presidential Intervention Bulk Water Supply project in Chris Hani Park have expressed gratitude for the skills and certificates they received upon the end of their employment, saying this would give them an advantage and aptitude to work on even bigger projects. Speaking on behalf of his colleagues during the handover of certificates on April 16, one of the trainees and employees on the water supply project, Phumelele Ntamo, thanked their employer Liviero Construction

Pictured are the certificate recipients. PHOTO: LUVO CAKATA

Churches support place of safety BABALWA NDLANYA MEMBERS of the Christian Interdenominational Movement (CIM) in Mthatha hosted a pre-Good Friday service in Mthatha last week, where they gave support to the children who are living in Bethany Home Place of Safety. They collected an offering which would be used to buy gifts for this home and would be donated on Sunday, April 28. According to CIM chairperson, Reverend Mzoxolo Mkabeni, the founders started the movement in 2014, with the aim of bringing together different churches and to be visible within the community. He confirmed that CIM is made up of congregants from different churches. “We don’t want to feed our church people spiritually only, but want to ensure that we also look after their needs,” said Mkabeni.

He said when they saw the situation the children at Bethany were living in, they were very touched and decided to adopt that home. He said every year, when they host a pre-Good Friday service, they do something for these children. He added that they had also done the same thing at Mpilweni Old Age Home in 2014 and 2016. He appealed to other congregants who are not under the umbrella of CIM to take part in the movement, because it was a way of showing love to other people. The director of Bethany Home Place of Safety, Rose Khasumbi, said she was humbled by what the members of CIM were doing to change the situation at Bethany. “The church members even come to this home and give us a full church service and donations. “Sometimes we receive groceries from them,” said Khasumbi.

woman, Faniswa Mrwetyana-Sikuza, said they were happy to witness the occasion that gives the recipients of the certificates a bright future as a result of the skills transfer project. Project Community Liaison Officer, Siphelele Vamela, praised the harmonious working environment that prevailed during the project, saying they had never had any disruptions to the project as a result of the harmony between the construction company and all stakeholders involved. A total of 10 workers received their certificates after a 5-day formal training course in pipe laying and brick laying.

Local teen model in need of votes BABALWA NDLANYA A TEEN model from Phase 2 in Mthatha is appealing to the community to show their support by voting for her as she has reached the semi-finals of the Miss Teen South Africa competition. Inga Vundisa (18) is a first-year student at the University of Western Cape where she is studying towards a BSc degree in applied geology. She said she was lucky enough to be selected as an ambassador. According to Vundisa, she is one of three Eastern Cape competitors left in the competition at the semifinal stage. “I also started the Ithemba campaign. It is basically a campaign in partnership with the African National Congress (ANC).

Miss Teen SA semi-finalist, Inga Vundisa. PHOTO:BABALWA NDLANYA “What I do is to look for challenges that people are facing and then,

with the help of the members of the ANC, I do what I can to tackle the challenge,” she said. She added that since she is staying in Cape Town at the moment, she has been doing her door-todoor campaign there. She has also supplied sanitary towels to needy learners in Delft. She said she still couldn’t believe that she had managed to make it to the semi-finals. “It was not easy because there were many other contestants from other provinces. Vundisa said if anyone had a challenge for her to tackle, she/he can send an e-mail to her at vundisa@gmail .com. “I appeal to you to help me to get to the finals by voting for me,” she pleaded. “To vote for me SMS ‘MTSA INGA’ to 47439,” she added.

MTHATHA EXPRESS | THURSDAY 25 APRIL 2019

10 NEWS

MTHATHA EXPRESS | THURSDAY 25 APRIL 2019

EC youth empowered with ICT skills training REPORTER

5), where some of their duties consisted of providing IT technical and data capturing support to schools and municipalities in the area. Chief officer of Corporate Affairs for Vodacom, Takalani Netshitenzhe, said that as part of Vodacom’s drive to create opportunities for unemployed youth, they are proud to be opening the door for youth to access skills development that will enable them to access opportunities they ordinarily would not have had access to in the past. “The skills training provided through our Youth Academy is aimed at bridging the skills gap that currently exists within the country’s ICT sector and equipping them with the necessary tools to thrive in an ever-increasing digital society. “By empowering the youth, we can enable them to empower those around them, and equip them with the required skills to enter the digital workplace of tomorrow,” said Netshitenzhe.

IN a continued effort to equip youth with digital skills and prepare them for today’s job market, Vodacom held yet another Youth Academy graduation ceremony, this time in Lady Frere. Forty five graduates from the province underwent 24 demanding months of theory, practicals and work-based placement training in A+ (entry-level computer service professional certification), N+ (mid-level certification for network technicians) and 3G connectivity, and were certified with diplomas in Information Technology Technical Support. The graduates participated in the Youth Academy’s established programme under one of four categories, including end-user computing (NQF level 3), cell phone and device repair management (NQF level 3), IT Technical Support (NQF level 4) and networking support (NQF level

Pictured are the group of graduates.

PHOTO:SUPPLIED

The Vodacom Foundation founded the Youth Academy in 2014 with the purpose of developing ICT skills in the youth of the country who would otherwise not have the opportunity to do so. The programme’s objective is to train unemployed youth, for free,

in ICT skills, and thereafter further develop them into ICT entrepreneurs with the capabilities to assist with the installation of IT equipment and provide instruction in high-end computer skills to visitors of the Academy’s training centres. “Equipping the youth with trans-

ferable digital skills has been proven to not only improve their employment opportunities, but will also greatly increase the labour market as a whole, its productivity and innovation, and will stimulate economic growth,” concluded Netshitenzhe.

New school uniform for Upper Zimbane S.P.S HOSEYA JUBASE UPPER Zimbane S.P.S situated in Payne location in Mthatha recently introduced its brand new maroon school uniform and at the same time, also awarded the best performing learners for the first quarter of the year. The event was not only about the change of the old uniform from black and white to maroon, but the event was also held to strengthen the relationship between the school and community to try to prevent any other possible burglaries. In 2017 the school was robbed by a group of armed men who took almost everything, including computers and laptops, which left the school’s learners without resources. School principal, Zukisa Tymre, said they awarded the best performing learners as encouragement to perform better during the final examinations of the year. The current pass rate for the first quarter stands at 88%.

Upper Zimbane learners celebrating their brand new uniform. PHOTO:HOSEYA JUBASE

He said the change of uniform was an initiative raised by parents during a meeting in 2018. Tyumre himself is an old scholar of Upper Zimbane. “I am happy to come back to work at the school, monitoring young children from rural areas to perform better in academics,” he said. He further added that his school hopes to produce the best performing learners in the rural areas. A Grade 7 learner, Siphumeze Mgwebi (12), was thrilled by the decision taken by the school to partner with the community and other stakeholders to make sure that they receive the necessary academic resources. “The uniform on its own plays a big role to us because we are coming from different backgrounds and some of our parents are not working. Everyday our teachers encourage us to work hard for these awards – also for our future,” said Mgwebi. Some of the organisations who contributed towards the uniform include Elliot Madeira Pharmacy and PL Madikane.

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MTHATHA EXPRESS | THURSDAY 25 APRIL 2019

Local cyclists boosted by brand-new kit HOSEYA JUBASE THE local branch of national chain store Build It, in Viedgesville, Mqanduli, has changed the lives of local cyclists and boosted the Nguni Cycling Academy by donating brand-new kit. The academy has spent a long period struggling without kit, while competing in provincial and national tournaments. The cyclists were elated on April 18 when the company manager Graeme Savage (60), stepped in to assist them. Savage is also involved in cycling, and enjoys mountain biking. The academy chairperson, Luyanda Tetani, described this intervention as the start of realising their cycling dream of having

full competing and training resources. Tetani told Express that he started the academy with his late friend, Simphiwe Mnguni, who had started cycling just before he died in early 2015. The kit has brought huge relief to the club, after a year of travelling the country without any. The academy currently has 18 cyclists and only nine bicycles, which is an indication that the club is seriously struggling in terms of sponsorship and resources. There are also a number of younger people, who are still looking to join the club, but are unable to because of a lack of resources. Tetani said they are experiencing challenges with bicycle maintenance and travelling costs as well as club infrastructure.

Nguni Cycling Academy cyclists are using the N2 from Mthatha to Dutywa and the R61 in Corhana for training. These roads are known for its high traffic volumes. Tetani urged people to assist them with indoor training facilities in order to accommodate all the cyclists. “We feel honoured by the Build It intervention and we know that they have been deliberating (on how to help us) for some time.” Savage said that when he came to Mthatha from Durban in 2015, he saw these cyclists really struggling. “I met Mr Tetani. He stopped on the road wanting to chat with me and I found that some of the riders did not have proper kit.” Savage said he immediately approached a number of corporate sponsors to assist,

but nothing happened until in 2018, when he decided to meet with Built It’s managing director. He said it was very important when you cycled to have proper kit because you need to be comfortable on the bicycle. “These young stars are riding all over South Africa; they are not specifically riding in the Eastern Cape,” he said. Savage urged the young stars to continue pushing their passion and keep on practising. He believed there was a bright future in cycling and warned the riders that they were not going to make money in the beginning, like in any sport. But he said the sport’s best riders, who went on to compete internationally in events like the Tour de France, could earn a lot of money doing so.

Tornado FC maintain top spot on league log table SELBY MADIKANE FOLLOWING their consistent, outstanding performances, Tornado FC are still leading the pack in the ABC Motsepe League. The Mdantsane-based side had to sweat for their 1-0 victory over fellow league

contenders, Bizana Pondo Chiefs, in East London on Saturday. Tornado came into the game with 63 league points, while Chiefs had 60. Tornado have to make sure that they win their last game but if they fail to do so, a win for Mthatha Bucks will be good enough for them to lift the trophy. Bucks were awarded soft points follow-

ing Future Tigers’ failure to arrive for their game in Mthatha. After 29 games, Tornado have 66 league points, while Bucks have managed to collect 65 points. PE Stars have had a fantastic season so far, after accumulating 62 league points in their 29 games. PE Stars embarrassed the East London side, Birmingham City, 8-1

at Saints Grounds in Gelvandale. Butterworth and Amavarara FC were not able to play their match due to inclement weather. Other ABC Motsepe League results: Yaka United 3-1 Highbury Bush Bucks 3-1 Peace Makers Matta Milan 2-2 Sibanye FC The Guys (w/o) 2-0 SUBS

Annual tournament to be held this weekend ANELE RAZIYA ZAGWITYI Village-based team, Celtics United, have invited all soccer and netball teams from around Butterworth, Mnquma and surrounding areas to take part in the second edition of their annual tournament this weekend. The aim of the tournament is to fight crime and decrease substance abuse by youth. They also wanted to develop sport,especially in rural areas, and bring about social cohesion through sport. Event organiser, Lonwaba Mgidi, said the teams who were interested in taking part in the event needed to register before

Friday (April 26). Mgidi said each netball team would need to pay a R150 entry fee, while each soccer team would need R300 in order to enter. He said the draw of the teams will take place at the High Hill sports ground in Zagwityi Village on 13:00 on Friday. The games will start on Saturday, April 27 in the morning, at the same High Hill Sport ground. The prizes for the winners will be gold medals, trophies and an unconfirmed amount of money. The runners-up in both soccer and netball will receive silver medals. For more information or to enter the competition, teams need to contact Mgidi on 078 754 7135 or 071 937 8555. X1VBRKJD-TE040419

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