THURSDAY May 2, 2019 |0 047 050 4430 | Facebook: Mthatha Express | Twitter: @MthathaExpress | express@media24.com
EDITOR: BETTIE GILIOMEE
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Flood victims receive safe shelter FLOODS: SHACKS, BELONGINGS ABANDONED AS RESIDENTS FLEE BABALWA NDLANYA
“We did not have a chance to take our books, our identity documents or any other important particulars. “Now I am stuck here. “I was supposed to go back to school in Ngcobo, but I did not go due to the flooding. “I don’t even have uniform,” said Gcelu. She said she would be writing her June exams soon, but now she does not have books or notes, so she does not know how she would manage to study. The Mayor of the Port St Johns Local Municipality, Councillor Nomvuzo Mlombile-Cingo, said the situation was very bad.
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HE Easter holidays were filled with hardship for the community members of Green Farm in Port St Johns, as they were forced to abandon their shacks due to heavy rains. A tearful Grade 12 learner, Nandipha Gcelu, said her family were sleeping when they were suddenly told to wake up because their house was flooding. “We did not have a chance to take our clothes because everything happened very fast,” she said. “We used a rope to cross the floodwater.
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MAIN PHOTO: Two people crossed a flooded bridge in Mnquma Village in Mbizana during the heavy rains last week. PHOTO:SUPPLIED ABOVE: Villagers have been left stranded by mudslides in Port St Johns when heavy rains hit the town last week Monday. PHOTO: FACEBOOK
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MTHATHA EXPRESS | THURSDAY 2 MAY 2019
Flood victims receive safe shelter CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1... She found different modes of transport to rescue stranded community members and took the affected people to different places of safety around Port St Johns. “The problem that we have is that our town was built for few people but now there are a lot of people who want to stay next to this town with the aim of getting jobs,” said Mlombile-Cingo. She also revealed that the other challenge they were facing was the water drainage system because the pipes were very old. According to Mlombile-Cingo, even though the Office of the Premier was trying to assist them, there were people who built houses on top of those pipes. “These are one of the things that we have to correct in this area. “Even though we are talking about a disaster now, we need to look into these problems. “There were 200 people who were affected, and this was not the first incident, as we had the same problem in 2013 even though I was
not the mayor then,” said Mlombile-Cingo. She said they were still busy trying to fix the streets when this tragedy happened. She confirmed that there was still a lot to be done because people are desperate to get places to stay; as a result, they would hold a meeting with the traditional leader of Chaguba Administrative Area in Port St Johns, with the aim of getting a solution to this. Meanwhile, the MEC for Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Fikile Xasa, also visited the victims last week. He said they appreciated the relief support from various stakeholders including the business sector, Boxer and Pick and Save Supermarket. “ AI Imdaad Foundation, which is a nongovernmental organisation, is also on site providing the much needed support,” Xasa said. “The Provincial Joint Operations Centre would be convened as a matter of urgency in order to get district and metro reports and assess the situation for intervention purposes,” the MEC said.
One of the homesteads that were covered by floods in Port St Johns.
PHOTO:SUPPLIED
Learners among the victims as heavy flooding leaves six dead BABALWA NDLANYA THE MEC for Education, Mlungisi Mvoko, said he had learnt with shock about the death of three learners, two from Bukazi Village in Flagstaff and one from Elubhacweni Village in Mt Frere, who all drowned during the recent floods. Yanga Solubambo (13) was in Grade 6 at KwaGuqa Senior Primary School and Aseza Mngcilo (13) was also in Grade 6 at Phandaphantsi Senior Primary School in Bukazi Village. Asiphe Buso (11) was a Grade 7 learner at Mzamo Primary School in KwaBhaca. According to the statement issued by the spokesperson for the Department of Education, Malibongwe Mtima, Buso was kept at home due to the rains, but was later sent on an errand. Unfortunately, on her way to do the errand, she was swept away and drowned while attempting to cross a makeshift bridge.
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“Meanwhile, Yanga and Aseza, are believed to have left their homes after school and gone to a nearby dam for a swim. “It is believed they drowned due to the heavy water current. “Their bodies were later recovered by police divers, who were called out to the scene following the incident,” said Mtima. Mtima said, although the incidents happened outside of school hours, upon hearing about the incidents, the department activated its social support services, in the form of psychologists and counsellors, to ensure that the traumatised learners and educators from all three schools would be counselled. According to Mvoko, the devastating news of a loss of a child is traumatic for any parent. He then urged the families to work with the department in ensuring that safety measures were always strictly adhered to. “We cannot overemphasise the importance of a life of any child. “Losing a child is every parent’s nightmare. “I hope these families and parents would find solace in the Almighty during this period of grief in their lives,” said Mvoko. Meanwhile, Kholeka Msebenzi (39), from Labane locality in Bizana, was also swept away while she was driving cattle from her home to another side of the river. Her niece, Simnikiwe Msebenzi, confirmed the incident. The Executive Mayor for Alfred Nzo District Municipality, Sixolile Mehlomakhulu, sent his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. “We urge all residents to remain calm and vigilant all the times. “All those living in low lying areas should monitor water levels and move to safer places,” he said. Police spokesperson, Captain Dineo Koena, confirmed that there were two other people who drowned in two different incidents in Mthatha. Koena said the first incident involved a tourist from Limpopo Province, who had drowned in Ngqeleni. She confirmed that another learner also drowned in Mthatha. Koena said she was not in the position to release the names of the deceased at the moment.
MTHATHA EXPRESS | THURSDAY 2 MAY 2019
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KSD municipality council elects a new troika LUVO CAKATA THE King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality, which covers Mthatha and Mqanduli, has a new troika in the form of Gideon Nyaniso Nelani as Executive Mayor, Thandeka Maqoko as council speaker and Mzukisi Nyoka as chief whip of the council. The three were unanimously elected during a special council meeting at Nkululekweni Council Chambers on April 26. Their election follows the resignation of former mayor Dumani Zozo, former speaker Nontyatyambo Gcingca and former chief whip Sihlwele Nyengane who were instructed by the provincial executive committee of the ANC to resign following weeks of unrest in the municipality which brought basic service delivery to a standstill. ANC provincial chairperson, Oscar Mabuyane, also previously accused the three
former troika members of being at the centre of the instability within the KSD Municipality. “The unfortunate part is that the divisions we have witnessed in the municipality are (being created by) these three leaders (the former troika of Zozo, Gcingca and Nyengane), who are dividing the council, KSD workers and the ANC,” Mabuyane was quoted as saying. Speaking shortly after his unanimous election, Nelani committed himself to bringing much needed stability to the municipality, promising to focus on bringing cleanliness to the Mthatha and Mqanduli towns after litter was strewn on the streets during the strike by municipal workers. He also promised to bring cohesive leadership, to address workforce grievances and to engage with stakeholders, as some of his immediate priorities. Two members of the previous troika in the
The newly elected Executive Mayor of KSD Municipality, Councillor Gideon Nyaniso Nelani. PHOTO:LUVO CAKATA
Stakeholders react cautiously to mayoral reshuffle LUVO CAKATA VARIOUS stakeholders within the King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Municipality jurisdiction have reacted with mixed feelings to the sudden change in troika leadership of the troubled municipality. This comes as the KSD municipal council recently elected Councillor Gideon Nelani as new executive mayor, Thandeka Maqoko as council speaker and Mzukisi Nyoka as council chief whip, replacing Dumani Zozo, Nontyatyambo Gcingca and Sihlwele Nyengane respectively. Pasika Nontshiza of Mthatha Stakeholders Forum, said they welcomed the removal of Zozo as the executive mayor. However, they rejected his deployment as a mayoral committee member, as they did not
deem him fit to hold any position of influence. Notshiza further committed the forum to fully cooperate with the new executive mayor, Nelani, as long as he and his leadership put the needs of KSD residents first. The Mthatha Residents and Ratepayers Association (MRRA) has also weighed in on the change, saying it did not expect anything extraordinary, as the new troika was part of the “rot and instability” within the municipality under the mayoral reign of Zozo. MRRA chief whip within the KSD council, Booi Malgas, further appealed to the ruling ANC to unify itself within council as its disunity affects KSD municipality as an institution while also calling on the new mayor to immediately ensure that workers are unified for the sake of stability within the institution. The South African Municipal Workers Un-
ion (SAMWU) has also welcomed the leadership shakeup at the municipality, particularly the removal of Zozo. The union had been calling for his removal for a long time, according to SAMWU KSD chairperson, Lwazi Madyibi. OR Tambo Chamber of Business secretary, Andile Nontso, said the organisation hoped that the new leadership would ensure basic service delivery, such as refuse collection, the fixing of potholes and the enforcement of municipal by-laws. Nontso further said the chamber hoped, as business, that treasury regulations, such as payment of municipal service providers within 30 days and 30% beneficiating by local small and medium enterprises, would be realised, as it has not recently been the case at KSD municipality.
form of Zozo and Gcingca were appointed as members of the mayoral committee by incoming Nelani. Zozo will now serve in his successor’s position as member of the mayoral committee responsible for rural and economic development, while Gcingca becomes mayoral committee member responsible for the special programmes unit. Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor Raymond Knock said his party would give the new incoming troika a chance, saying he “hoped the new leadership would work collectively with mayoral committee members, unlike the axed mayor who had been taking every decision by himself”. The party had earlier tabled a motion of no confidence in Zozo, which they subsequently withdrew following the election of the new troika. Members of other opposition parties were not immediately available for comment
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MTHATHA EXPRESS | THURSDAY 2 MAY 2019
Minister Zulu launches Inyamazane Fund BABALWA NDLANYA THE Minister of Small Business Development, Lindiwe Zulu, together with the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA), launched the Inyamazane Funding Scheme at Madzikane Sports Ground in Mt Frere, last week. The scheme is meant to support military veterans to access business finance for their small businesses and cooperatives. Zulu said they had put aside R30 million that would be used to help those veterans who want to boost their businesses. “We know that you were not given a chance and you did not get support; that is why we decided to stand up and do something. It is painful to see that when a loved one has passed away families had to go around asking for help, yet they worked hard for this country,” said Zulu. She confirmed that veterans were supposed to be given chances but that did not happen because there were no funds. She then handed over a certificate to the
members of South African National Military Veteran Association (SAMVA), who were trained to build houses. The Chairperson for South African National Veterans Association, Sobantu Luhabe said they were very happy to be given such an opportunity and they hope that the veterans would benefit a lot from this initiative. “We are happy because this shows that there would be a change as from now because this is a great opportunity,” said Luhabe. He said when they hosted their meetings it was painful but now, they see that there is light. Luhabe said the veterans were living a miserable life because no one wanted to help them. The situation had led to some veterans using alcohol more than necessary because they were trying to deal with their stress. “Even the places where we are standing are not in good condition. What our Minister did is not a mistake and we have to grab this opportunity by both hands,” said Luhabe.
Minister for the Department of Small Business Development, Lindiwe Zulu, handing over a certificate to the Chairperson of the South African National Military Veterans Association (SAMVA), Sobantu Luhabe, which showed that the veterans had completed training to build houses. PHOTO:BABALWA NDLANYA
Department works hard to reduce road accidents REPORTER THE Eastern Cape Department of Transport and its stakeholders have been pulling out all stops to improve safety on the province’s roads. MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Weziwe Tikana, said operations conducted in Butterworth and Idutywa had led to the arrest of 14 motorists for drunk-driving bringing to 26 the number of drivers who had been arrested since operations began. “Drunk-driving remains one of the high-
est contributing factors to fatal road crashes in the country and the Eastern Cape is not spared. I have pleaded with motorists to remain focused on the roads as they travelled back from their Easter weekend destinations,” said Tikana. She said since April 18, about 13 569 vehicles had been stopped and searched. They had placed much focus on removing vehicles which violated traffic regulations, promoting road safety and encouraging motorists to take breaks and stretch their legs at the various road blocks. Tikana also sent her condolences to the
families of those who lost the lives on the roads over the Easter weekend. Among those who lost their lives in road accidents over the Easter weekend are four people who died following a head-on collision that occurred on the R61 near Nyanga Senior Secondary School in Ngcobo when a Hyundai Sedan with six occupants collided with an Iveco Midi-Bus. The four victims died on impact. “Two other occupants of the sedan sustained critical injuries, while the driver of the midi-bus sustained slight injuries. “Speeding and overloading are suspected
to be the contributing factors towards the incident.” She said the 2019 Easter Weekend road safety report would be released by the Minister of Transport after the closure of the period. The risks on the Eastern Cape roads have been heightened, as the province has been experiencing heavy rainfall in most parts. “Our roads are wet and may be slippery with poor visibility. “We appeal to motorists to exercise patience, reduce speed and share the road,” said Tikana.
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MTHATHA EXPRESS | THURSDAY 2 MAY 2019
Rape accused stepfather abandons bail application LUVO CAKATA THE community of Mamfengwini Locality in Libode, which falls under Ward 8 of the Nyandeni Municipality, is breathing a sigh of relief after a 50-year-old suspect, arrested for allegedly raping his 14-year-old stepdaughter, abandoned his bail application. The community picketed outside the Libode Magistrate Court on April 25, as the suspect made a third appearance in court for what was supposed to be a formal bail application hearing. It emerged, however, during the brief court appearance, that the suspect had decided to abandon his bail application, apparently due to threats on his life from angry Mamfengwini community members. He opted instead to await trial in custody. Speaking outside the court after proceedings had concluded, Ward 8 councillor, Zolani Bodoza, said they were happy that the
suspect took the decision to abandon his bail application, saying they were now calling for the justice to take its course and ensure that the suspect, if found guilty, is handed the harshest sentence. The mother of the victim, who may not be named, said the suspect was arrested after teachers noticed something wrong with her daughter while at school. The girl then told the teachers that she had allegedly been raped, on more than one occasion, by her stepfather. Bodoza has further vowed that the community would mobilise for more community members to join them in court every time the suspect made an appearance. The accused will appear in court again today, May 2, when the Magistrate’s Court is expected to set a date for the regional court appearance, where the trial will be heard. The victim has been taken away from the community and is under the care of social workers.
Mamfengwini community members picket outside Libode Magistrate’s Court, calling for the court not to grant bail to a man accused of raping his 14-year-old stepdaughter. PHOTO:LUVO CAKATA
Members of two families killed in separate incidents BABALWA NDLANYA MEMBERS of two families were murdered in different incidents, last week. The first incident happened at Moyeni locality in Libode where a woman (56) and a girl (14) were murdered while they were in their home watching television. Police spokesperson, Captain Dineo Koena, said the suspect entered their home and shot the victims. They both died instantly. The acting Cluster Commander, Brigadier Mandlakhe Twala, condemned the act and described it as barbaric and cowardly. “It is only a coward that hurts or kills women and children. “The SAPS is committed in the fight against such crimes and we leave no stone unturned in order for us to bring the perpetrator/s to book,” Twala said. Meanwhile police officers from Elliotdale police station are investigating two murder cases where a woman (58) and her son (21) were murdered at their home at Cwebe locality in Elliotdale,
last week. According to the spokesperson, Captain Jackson Manatha, the victims were sleeping in separate rooms when the incident happened. “The son heard his mother crying in her room in the early hours of the morning. “He then went to her room and found an unknown man stabbing his mother,” Manatha said. “He tried to rescue his mother by fighting with the suspect. “Unfortunately, the attacker overpowered him and fatally stabbed him,” said Manatha. He added that the motive of the killing was not yet known. He urged that anyone with information could contact the Elliotdale police on 047 577 0011 or Crime Stop 08600 10111. The information would be treated confidentially. Butterworth Cluster Commander, Brigadier Ngangema Xakavu condemned the murders. He vowed that the Elliotdale police detective would work around the clock to bring the murderers to book.
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MTHATHA EXPRESS | THURSDAY 2 MAY 2019
Miss Mthatha 2019 finalists revealed LUVO CAKATA THE excitement is growing ahead of this year’s edition of the annual Miss Mthatha pageant, with the finalists that will be vying for the coveted senior and junior crowns being revealed. The finalists were announced at a reveal ceremony, which was held at Circus Triangle shopping complex on April 20. Miss Mthatha pageant founder, Sipho Ngceba of SME Entertainment, said the positive response they received from the public and social media platforms ahead of the main event had been overwhelming. He further said the finalists would now be doing various promotions and public engagement events to build up the excitement to this
year’s Miss Mthatha main event. Ngceba, however said there were still more finalists who would be added to the list, as some of the potential finalists are yet to complete their designated tasks for evaluation, as each category will have 16 finalists. Circus Triangle, which is the main sponsor and host for the pageant, has confirmed its readiness for the event, saying all technical and security measures were already in place to ensure successful hosting of the event, according to the complex’s marketing manager, Zebunissa Tan. The public is encouraged to follow developments and excitement, building up to and including the main event by liking the Mr and Miss Mthatha Facebook page. Miss Mthatha 2019 main event takes place at Circus Triangle on May 25.
The finalists who will compete for the coveted title of Miss Mthatha and Miss Mthatha Junior 2019, scheduled for May 25, have been announced. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Learners gained lots of experience, insight at German camp BABALWA NDLANYA ONE of the learners who represented South Africa at the Annual International Youth Camp, which was held in Germany from April 8-18, said he had learnt a lot from the experience. Solwethu Mpondonkulu, from Milton Mbekela High School in Qunu, said he had learnt a lot about how people were treated during the Nazi era. He said he also saw the places where those who were victimised were forced to stay. “I also learnt how these people were liberated (at the end of World War 2). “The experience is helping me to relate to the topics that I am learning at school, about the history of Germany,” said Mpondonkulu. He said before they were selected to participate in the camp, his school class was given an assignment about the values of Nelson Mandela. He said luckily his well-researched as-
Solwethu Mpondonkulu is one of the learners who represented South Africa at the Annual International Youth Camp. PHOTO:SUPPLIED
signment had led to his being selected to go to Germany. He said the information they learned in Germany would help them to teach other learners, particularly in the lower grades. Mpondonkulu added that they could also get job opportunities because of this information in order to assist learners. “What I can say to other learners is that they should study hard because next year more learners will be chosen to go to Germany.” He said they should put effort into their work in order to be chosen. The other learners who represented South Africa were Namhla Matanzima from Mthethuvumile Senior Secondary School in Cofimvaba, Lundi Binca from Ebenezer Nyathi Senior Secondary School in Sterkspruit, Nikita Bhokotya from Port St Johns High School in Port St Johns and Silindile Ntombela from Sthemb’inhlanhla Senior Secondary School in Manguzi KwaZulu-Natal.
The Annual International Youth Camp is a joint partnership programme between Anne Frank Haus from the government of Lower Saxony, Germany and the Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha. The existing partnership between the two institutions is the result of an international relationship arrangement between the Eastern Cape and Lower Saxony governments. According to the Nelson Mandela Museum, senior manager for public engagement and marketing, Nontlahla Tandwa, ever since the establishment of this partnership, more than 50 South African learners have been taken to visit the Anne-Frank-Haus Museum in Germany to engage with their European counterparts on issues of interest affecting the youth worldwide. “The International Youth Camp programme creates a platform for the youth to discuss and debate South Africa’s cultural diversity and other issues of human rights.”
Principals introduced to curriculum management programme BABALWA NDLANYA THE Eastern Cape Department of Education, in collaboration with National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT), hosted a curriculum management programme for all principals and deputy principals at the Trinset Education Leadership Institute in Mthatha, last week. The programme was meant to ensure that
the department met the targets of the National Development Plan, of providing optimal curriculum coverage. The plan states that the department must ensure 90% of learners master 50% or more of the curriculum in their languages, mathematics and science by 2030. According to the deputy chief education specialist, Thembani Mnconywa, the department trained circuit managers and subject advisers.
“They are the ones who will be training principals in their districts. “This would help them to manage teaching and learning in their schools. “This training is for all the principals in the province, but now we are focusing in the principals from senior secondary schools. “Their training will start from this month (May) until June,” said Mnconywa. Mnconywa added that after finishing this
round of training, they would start training other principals from junior and primary schools. He said that by doing this training, they wanted principals to know how to manage the curriculum and the policies related to it. According to him, the provincial office had a master plan which would be introduced in the districts but be managed at provincial level.
Nyandeni Kingdom facilitates building of RDP house
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LUVO CAKATA
owning a decent house has been realised.
A NEIGHBOURLY plea from the Nyandeni Kingdom to government, to build their destitute neighbour a house, has brought joy to Nokwezi Kizwana (57) as her dream of
Kizwana was handed the keys to her new house by Eastern Cape Finance MEC and ANC provincial chairperson, Oscar Mabuyane, while on a courtesy visit to Nyandeni
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Nyandeni resident, Nokwezi Kizwana, stands outside her new RDP house.
PHOTO:LUVO CAKATA
Great Place to meet King Ndamase Ndamase on April 22. According to Kizwana, the building of her house was initiated by the late Queen Bhongolethu Ndamase who first pleaded with the construction company that was building the Nyandeni Great Place palace to assist and build her neighbour a house a long time ago but that plea was not successful. The reigning King, Ndamase Ndamase, then took it upon himself after the passing away of Queen Bhongolethu to ensure that Kizwana gets a decent house. Kizwana was then identified as deserving of such assistance during a visit to the kingdom by Eastern Cape Human Settlements MEC Babalo Madikizela earlier this year who then promised to build her a house. Kizwana has expressed his gratitude to both the kingdom and provincial government for building her a house, saying she would now saying she will now sleep peacefully as the mud structure she had previously called home was not safe especially when it is raining or windy. Mabuyane further committed the provincial government to accelerating service delivery backlog in the Nyandeni area promising boreholes and tractors for agricultural purposes among other things.
MTHATHA EXPRESS | THURSDAY 2 MAY 2019
First-time voters talk about their hopes ahead of May 8 elections With six days to go to the much anticipated May 8 General Elections, Mthatha Express reporter LUVO CAKATA spoke to young readers who will be casting their votes for the very first time to hear their hopes and dreams and what it means for them to be taking part and casting their votes for the first time. ) Sisonke Maguma: Voting for the first time means I will have a say on who governs the country for the next five years and my vote gives me the ability to shape the future of the country going forward by exercising my right to vote for the political party of my choice. ) Lungiswa Mnqanqeni: I believe that voting is my voice and gives me a say on who and how the country is governed. I hope that my vote will help shape my future and that of the country for the better.
Sisonke Maguma.
Talita Xiva.
) Talita Xiva: I am very excited to be voting for the first time. My vote is very important as it gives me the choice to vote for the party that I believe will champion development and job creation for the youth of the country. ) Sandisiwe Mqolo: I look forward to voting on May 8 because my decision on who to vote for will be informed by the history and service delivery plans of the party. Exercising the right to vote is important, as it affords me the power to vote for the party of my choice.
Lungiswa Mnqanqeni.
Sandisiwe Mqolo.
Youth join commemoration of Chris Hani HOSEYA JUBASE AMAMPONDO aseNtshona Queen, Tina “Madosini” Ndamase, has called on young people to follow in the footsteps of the late South African Communist Party leader, Thembisile “Chris” Hani, who was assassinated on April 10, 1993. The queen was addressing a number of youth at the combined Chris Hani lecture and fashion show at Highness Club recently. The lecture also celebrated the role played by the late Winnie MadikizelaMandela. Speaking on behalf of the Hani family, Mphatheli Hani said they felt proud and honoured, as a family, to have the youth remembering Hani in this unique style. “A big part of the selfless struggles that Thembisile waged was to develop and expose African people to business opportunities,” said Mphatheli. Mphatheli said the future of the country was entirely in the hands of the youth but they needed proper guidance. He further said the lecture had played
a fundamental role in educating the youth about life and fighting social ills. “What I saw today actually showed the beauty out of pain and blood.” Mphatheli said they appreciated what had been done by the government in commemorating Chris Hani, but emphasised that a lot still needs to be done to address things like corruption. “As part of the heritage there are things named after Chris Hani, so we are happy as the Hani family,” he said. The lecture, by Kindness and Trading youth leaders, was organised ahead of the national Chris Hani commemoration which is held on April 10 every year. Public relations practitioner and marketing manager of Kindness and Trading Projects, Nelisa Qangule, said the memorial lecture was to embrace the great legacy left behind by leaders like Hani and Madikizela-Mandela. “We are saying in these 25 years of freedom we also had our emerging designers like Vuvum Design, who were exercising their freedom of expression while models embraced their African culture and humanity,” said Qangule.
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MTHATHA EXPRESS | THURSDAY 2 MAY 2019
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Young PSJ radio star advises jobless youth BABALWA NDLANYA A FORMER radio presenter from Sajonisi Youth Radio (SYR) in Port St Johns has advised youth who are still looking for a job to choose volunteering as one of the opportunities in order to gain experience.
Reverend Thoko Tshangela from the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, Reverend Matolonke Danisa and Pastor Kanyisa Mtshazi, from Ibandla Lase Mthini Evangelical Movement, prepare to preach at the Christian Interdenominational Movement in Mthatha. PHOTOS: BABALWA NDLANYA Reverend Enoch Sithonga, from United Methodist Church of South Africa and Reverend Zongezile Mani, from the Anglican Church, were part of the Pre-Easter 2019 church service which was held in Mthatha Town Hall recently.
Amanda Xala (23) also encouraged those who had studied journalism to use community radio stations as a launchpad for their careers. Xala said most employers needed people who already had some work experience. Xala has now joined Tru FM as the producer of current affairs, after spending a few months at SYR. “After I completed my in-service training at SYR, I was given an opportunity to continue working
Potato farmers, Andile Racaza and Bambelela Vuma, read pamphlets about how to farm with potatoes in Mthatha.
PHOTO:SUPPLIED
there. I was doing a Saturday show called Weekend Special, which is
Gospel singer’s new video goes viral BABALWA NDLANYA A GOSPEL singer, who is also the minister’s wife from the United Methodist Church of Southern Africa at Nqabara Circuit in Willowvale, has released a new single, titled Ungu Kumkani Wobungcwalisa.
Granny Theodora Fuyiwe Madaza is dressed to kill as she celebrates her 80th birthday at Matyeba locality in Mthatha.
Radio presenter Amanda Xala is now the producer of current affairs at Tru FM. PHOTO:SUPPLIED
broadcast at 3pm on Saturdays. “I did not know that by being given this opportunity, my management were paving my way to Tru FM,” said Xala. She said she was very excited when she received a call informing her that she had got a job. “I just want to thank the management and staff of SYR for supporting me and helping me to be the person I am today.” The head of news at SYR, Monwabisi Silanda, said they were very excited to see that they could produce presenters like Xala, who could spread their wings and fly to green pastures. “Presenters who are working for our radio station are youth, so we are very glad to see that we can manage to give them better experience, which they could use to pave the way for their future,” said Silanda.
Her video for the song has gone viral on social media. Nolwando Solwandle, a mother-offour, said she started singing when she was a child, at her grandmother’s church. She even went to represent the church in a competition at Medium Apostolic Church in Zion in Cape Town, when she 10. “After I completed my senior secondary school, I went to Cape Town. “That’s when I trained a gospel group called Luxolo Gospel Choir. “I then chose United Methodist
Church of Southern Africa as my home,” said Solwandle. She said after that, in 2011, she created a group of Wesley Guilders called Umkhosa Gospel Group, and they then released a debut album titled UMalusi nguYehova, which consisted of 13 songs. Then in 2016 she came back to the Eastern Cape, where she released her solo album, titled Mthandi Womphefumlo Wam, which consisted of 10 songs. “I then released another album, last year, titled Ndisondela Kuwe, which consisted of 14 songs. “I also made the video for my single which will be available soon,” Solwandle said. The vocalist said she used to sing at funerals and was encouraged by many people at those gatherings who said they wanted to buy her albums. She said those who want to get her album could go to Silulo Technology.
Gospel singer, Nolwando Solwandle.
PHOTO:SUPPLIED
They could also contact her via whatsApp on 073 975 5355 or contact her in 065 816 2779. You can also follow her on her Facebook page, Nolwando Solwandle.
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MTHATHA EXPRESS | THURSDAY 2 MAY 2019
Autism awareness walk held in Mthatha
HOSEYA JUBASE
She said currently there was only one school specialising in children with autism – Quest School in Port Elizabeth. “However, due to distance, finance and school fees, some parents can’t afford to send their children there, and the Department of Ed-
ucation came up with solutions that schools like Tembisa Special School must introduce designated classes, focusing on children with autism,� said Poswa. Currently, children on the autism spectrum in the OR Tambo district are using schools like Tsolo Special School, Tembisa Special School and the Sigcawu Schools. One of the awareness walk organisers, Dr Esethu Mntonintshi, from the Department of Paediatrics at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, said their purpose was to make society understand and accept children living with special needs. Mntonintshi said autism is something that affects all races and warned that people need to diagnose and speak out about their children living with autism. “Children with autism have different challenges like social connection, how to communicate with other people and intellectual difficulties. “The community, parents and friends need to come together to support these children,� said Mntonintshi. Meanwhile Tembisa Special School principal, Mzimasi Ban Magqabi, urged the government to build schools that will cater only for children on the autism spectrum. “There is a huge shortage of autism schools,� he said.
tional championships later this year. Bodybuilding results: ) Ladies’ beach bikini: Mdweshu Mbalentle, from Southern Wood, came first. Second position was awarded to Ongezwa Mbongonya, from Nyandeni.
) Athletic men’s physique: Was won by Baxolile Kenneth Masize, from Mthatha. ) In the juniors: Lonwabo Sajini from Butterworth won and Jika Masiwakhe from Bizana was crowned as the men’s overall winner and welterweight division winner.
CHILDREN with special needs across OR Tambo district, together with officials from the Department of Social Development and the Department of Education, walked to Mthatha central business district, to celebrate the uniqueness of autism. The autism walk started at the corner of Sutherland Street, progressing straight to Craister Street to All Saints Hall and it was aimed to educate communities about children with autism. During the autism awareness walk, parents expressed their dissatisfaction about the lack of intervention and services provided by government to assist their children, mentioning the shortage of autism schools in the Eastern Cape. The awareness march was the first of this kind to be held in Mthatha and the Department of Education in the OR Tambo district has committed to support schools adopting these children, like Tembisa Special School. Speaking on behalf of the OR Tambo Department of Education, Chumani Poswa said there were specialists like occupational therapists, audiologists and psychologists, who were employed by the district office, looking into the schools, training teachers how to treat learners
Learners came in their numbers to partake in the autism walk. with autism. Responding to the community outcry about a shortage of schools for children on the autism spectrum, Poswa said the department would do everything in its power to make sure that all learners received equal services and resources.
Bodybuilding show a success HOSEYA JUBASE THE chairperson of OR Tambo District Bodybuilding, Xolani Mbotya, has thanked all the sponsors who stepped in to make sure that the novice show was a success last week Saturday. According to Mbotya, the show was meant to develop bodybuilding across the rural areas and townships which fall under the district municipality. Mbotya said the idea behind holding a novice show was to get youth with fresh, raw talent on stage. Talking about the issue of gender equality in the sport, he said as administrators, they were trying, by all means, to attract women to participate in the sport and to get involved in decisionmaking. “Women’s involvement is challenging, but I think we at an advantage, since we have the stu-
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dents from WSU and at least the women there do show quite an interest. It’s small steps, but we will get there. We even had one of our female athletes participate overseas last year.� The Saturday show was held at Mnya Explosive Fitness House in the Mtakati Building, in Main Street, Libode. Nyandeni said the reason behind the show was to introduce the sport to new fans and competitors, and to uplift the up-and-coming athletes. “We intend to introduce bodybuilding into all the local municipalities,� said Mbotya. Mbotya described Saturday’s event as a successful show, as they had athletes travelling from Bizana, Cala, Dordrecht, Butterworth, Nyandeni and Mthatha to participate. The show was held ahead of an intermediate show, which will itself be held in preparation of the OR Tambo Championship on July 27 in Bizana, to select athletes to compete at the na-
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