The Rep 19 February 2021

RepFr i d ay, 19February 2021

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Officials visit schools in district

Covid compliance good, but

infrastructure issues identified

LOVE

ZINTLE BOBELO

Inadequate infrastructure in

schools was one of the

challenges pointed out by a

member of the provincial

legislature, Nonceba

Khontsiwe, who was assigned to

lead a delegation of education

department officials during

school visits in the Chris Hani

West district this week.

Khontsiwe, who visited

Thembelihle Primary School,

said the legislature had

embarked on school visits

annually to assess readiness and

identify challenges facing

schools across the province.

“We are visiting schools

according to the tradition of the

provincial legislature that every

January when schools open we

check whether schools are

ready for the opening, the

delivery of learning and

teaching support material and

whether classes start on the right

d ay,” Khontsiwe said.

The visits also entailed

checking that Covid-19

regulations were being adhered

to, including social distancing,

sanitising and the wearing of

masks, she said.

“We have come across a

number of challenges and have

realised that principals are not

aware of where to go when they

encounter a challenge.

”We have advised them to

make use of circuit and district

offices to resolve the problems.

”We have brought officials

from head office, especially the

infrastructure unit, to respond to

challenges raised because there

are always infrastructural

p r o b l e m s .”

Khontsiwe said the visit,

which started on Tuesday,

wo u l d continue till next week.

Some of the schools visited

this week were Maria Louw

High School, Kwa Komani

Comprehensive, Minah T Soga

Senior Primary and Thembelihle

Primary School.

She applauded the district

for ensuring compliance with

Covid-19 health protocols.

“We did not see any

challenges in terms of Covid.”

Highlighting the water

challenges confronted by the

district municipality, Khontsiwe

HAPPY VALENTINE'S: Locals were treated to a Valentine's dinner and live music performance from the local band, Imeva Sound

Session, at Mi-Coffee on Sunday with, back with from left, Viwe Tokwe and Ncebakazi Nyali, front from left, Bulelani Mabhoza, Phila

Phaliso, Xhanti Nokwali and Xola Mlandu Picture: SUPPLIED

mentioned the availability of

water tanks which were visible

at some schools.

“Water tanks are there in

case there is no water. That we

have looked at.

”It is, however, a matter of

increasing the number of water

tanks in some areas and we

have advised them to use

money from the schools

maintenance budget or request

it from the district office because

the district once bought many

tanks for the schools, but

apparently the schools did not

apply for the required number.

”The district department then

distributed these tanks to other

schools in the villages.”

Khontsiwe added that the

visits followed an identification

process by the education

department.

“The advice from the

portfolio committee was that

they must identify the best and

worst performing schools, those

with infrastructural challenges

and those in good condition.

“We will not visit all schools.

The pandemic is going to be

here for a long time unless we

change our behaviour and

accept we are living in a new

normal, therefore we must

protect ourselves, sanitise often,

and under no circumstances go

without a mask, and maintain

social distance,” she said.

Power cut protest: cops fire rubber bullets

ANDISA BONANI

The police fired rubber bullets to

disperse a group of Aloevale residents

who protested outside the town hall on

Wednesday evening, blocking traffic

on the N6 with burning tyres, after

electricity infrastructure was damaged

by a storm on Sunday.

Several areas in Komani were hit

with power outages caused by the

storm.

Affected areas included parts of

Mlungisi, where an electricity pole

transformer box caught fire, Melton

Gardens, where an electricity pole fell

to the ground and has not been fixed,

parts of Ezibeleni, Nkululekweni, Top

Town and others.

The municipality managed to repair

some during the week.

However, Aloevale has been

without power all week and frustrated

residents camped outside a substation

in Newvale to monitor technicians

from East London who were working

on site.

Ward 12 councillor Bulelani Mgoqi

said he was informed by the

technicians that they could not detect

the fault with the transformer, and

therefore could not assist.

Early on Wednesday evening,

Aloevale residents burnt tyres outside

the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality

(EMLM) technical services department,

demanding to speak to the manager,

Madoda Matola, who they said had

ignored their phone calls.

Resident Joyce George, 65, said the

municipality did not prioritise matters

concerning coloured people and was

quick to call police to intimidate them.

“Every time we raise our concerns

we are met with the police first before

the leadership, but you did not see that

when Ezibeleni burnt the town hall two

weeks ago.

“The mayor immediately availed

herself to speak to them, but because

we are coloured we are shot at without

anyone finding out what the trouble is.

“I survive on medication that needs

to be in the fridge and I am struggling

because the ice in the freezer which I

used these past few days has melted.

“Our children bath with cold water.

We are throwing away food that would

have been in a good state if there was

SERVICE DELIVERY

P R O T E S T:

Frustrated Aloevale

residents blocked

Cathcart Road with

burning tyres on

Wednesday evening,

when they were shot

at by police with

rubber bullets. See

more pictures on

Page 10 P i c t u re :

ANDISA BONANI

electricity. We pay for our services and

yet we have no electricity.

“They are quick to block us, even

indigent people when they do not pay.

This is unfair treatment.”

Another resident, Lamla Tsotso,

said it was sad that residents had to

resort to violence to be taken seriously.

Melton Gardens resident John

Plaatjie said they were dependent on a

borehole to access water, but it needed

power to function.

“We are stuck here without water

and electricity and there has not been

any communication from the

municipality which is very frustrating.“

“I spoke to Matola who initially

promised electricity would be restored

on Monday, but in our latest

communication, he said it could take

up to two weeks to fix the problem.“

EMLM spokesperson Lonwabo

Kowa said: “In Amberdale, there was

[storm] damage on the main line . . .

“Power lines in Melton Gardens

were also damaged, but a service

provider will be working to restore

power in the area on Thursday. In

Ezibeleni and Queendustria electricity

supply was interrupted on Monday and

the matter has been attended to.”

EMLM mayor Luleka Gubula

promised Aloevale residents their

power would be restored on Th u r s d ay.

Addressing residents outside the

town hall while the police and fire

fighters extinguished the burning tyres

and removed the debris blocking the

road, she said: “If we have to divert the

electricity connectivity from Aloevale

to another substation, that is what will

happen so there is power in the area.

“We treat all people the same,

regardless of their race or political

a f f i l i a t i o n ,” she said, adding that she

did not hesitate to come speak to them.

Gubula apologised on behalf of the

police for shooting at residents, who

merely wanted their voices heard.

“I would also like to apologise on

behalf of Matola for the way he

conducted himself. We have our own

ways of dealing with people [like him].

We did not anticipate fixing the cable

faults would take so long and we are

truly sorry things had to end this way.”

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2 Tel: (045) 839-4040 / editorial: mjekulal@therep.co.za / advertising: charodinev@therep.co.za 19 February 2021 THE R E P R ES E N TAT I V E

Two charged in kidnapping die

Only one of three accused left to stand trial after others allegedly commit suicide

NTSIKELELO QOYO

Two men accused of

kidnapping, allegedly

committed suicide rather

than face justice about what

happened to 20-year-old

Asanda Stemela, who went

missing in December.

Lungisile Sokhatsha, 35, and

Sakhubuzwe Mndi, 34, left their

co-accused, Sibusiso Ngesi, 27,

to stand in the dock alone in the

Lady Frere magistrate’s court on

Friday after they were declared

deceased on the morning of

their appearance.

The three men from

Vaalbank were arrested for the

kidnapping of Stemela, also

from Vaalbank, whom they

allegedly assaulted and

abducted over a stolen phone.

Reliable sources close to the

case state that Sokhatsha, a

sangoma, died last Friday after

spending a week in Frontier

Hospital. He had allegedly

drunk poison. Mndi was found

dead the same morning, having

allegedly hanged himself.

The two suspects, who were

out on bail, seemed to have

been driven to their early deaths

after Ngesi, arrested earlier this

month, implicated them in his

police statement. This was also

asserted by The Rep sources.

Details of a stabbing, murder

and forest burial, done under

cover of darkness, shroud the

death of Stemela, whose body is

yet to be recovered. A search is

currently underway in a

Vaalbank forest.

Stemela’s mother, Lungelwa

Mqokozo, said she was

heartbroken because she could

not even bury her son.

“The families of the accused

will bury them, but I do not

even have my son’s remains. I

am very hurt,” said Mqokozo.

In December Sokhatsha

❝ “The families of the

accused will bury

them, but I do not

even have my son’s

remains. I am very

hurt

Lungelwa Mqokozo

VICTIM’S MOTHER

allegedly went to Stemela’s

home to search for him. When

he was told by Mqokozo her

son was gone, Sokhatsha vowed

to “teach him a lesson” and told

the weeping mother to “be

strong”.

“I pleaded to Sokhatsha to

stop searching for my son

because he would return home

to get his phone. I said I would

confront him and if the phone

was not recovered, I would pay

for it myself. Before he left he

told me he would teach him a

l e s s o n ,” said Mqokozo.

According to her, they found

her son at his friend’s house

where they stabbed him. When

he fled to his father’s home they

pursued him, and proceeded to

beat him with a sjambok.

“His friend says they took

him and to this day we are yet to

find where he is,” added

Mqokozo.

According to police

spokesperson Namhla

Mdleleni, Stemela’s body has

not been found and an inquest

docket has been opened for

Sokhatsha and Mndi.

Ngesi was remanded in

custody and will make his third

appearance in court on

February 24.

FURNITURE RECOVERED

LOST AND FOUND: Nomzamo

neighbourhood watch members assisted in

recovering a number of unlawfully sold items of

furniture belonging to Sterkstroom resident

Nomsa Nyete. Nyete said her stepson had sold

her furniture in 2019 when she was living in

Cape Town. Intervention by

the neighbourhood watch yielded positive

results last week when most of the items,

including a double-door refrigerator,

headboard, dressing table, dining room suite

and washing machine, among others, were

recovered. Nyete was extremely grateful to get

her belongings back Picture: SUPPLIED

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Man arrested for rape of boy, 4

ANDISA BONANI

¿

24 Prince Alfred Street, Komani

PO Box 453, Komani, 5319

045 839 4040 / Fax: 045 839 4059

Chris van Heerden, vanheerdenc@arena.africa

Luvuyo Mjekula, mjekulal@therep.co.za

Charodine Visagie, charodinev@therep.co.za

www.therep.co.za

@RepKomani

A Ntabethemba man was arrested

for the alleged rape of a four-yearold

boy last Tuesday, after beating

the child’s grandmother who then

ran away, leaving the boy asleep in

the house.

The Rep Komani

the_rep_komani

The Rep subscribes to the Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and Online

Media that prescribes news that is truthful, accurate, fair and balanced. If we don’t live up

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The boy’s mother, who could not

be named to protect the identity of

the victim, said she only found out

about the incident on Tuesday

afternoon from the child.

“I learnt from my nine-year-old

niece that the uncle had arrived at

g ra n ny ’s house drunk and unruly on

Monday evening. The uncle beat

and pushed granny, who ran away

with my niece and left my child

asleep in another room.

“She thought nothing would

happen to him because he was just

a child. They slept at the neighbour’s

house that evening because they

were scared to go home.”

The mother said on Tuesday after

school she went to the

g ra n d m o t h e r ’s house to find out

about the previous night’s

commotion, where she learned from

her frightened little boy about the

alleged rape.

“He was reluctant to speak at

first, emphasising that uncle had

said he would kill him if he spoke

up. I promised that he was safe and

that nothing would happen to him.

“He told me about the rape and I

immediately took him to the clinic

where I was advised to open a case

with the police.”

The mother said she was

heartbroken by the incident and

hoped the perpetrator would face

the full might of the law.

She said the accused was

supposed to appear in court on

Monday, but had received a

message indicating a postponement

and a rescheduled appearance for

February 24.

Police spokesperson Capt

Namhla Mdleleni confirmed the

incident, and said a 3 5 - ye a r- o l d

man would appear before the

Barcelona magistrate’s court.

“It is alleged that the victim was

asleep on Monday evening when

the accused entered and raped him.

A case was opened and the police

traced the suspect and arrested

h i m .”

THE REPRESENTATIVE 19 February 2021 Tel: (045) 839-4040 / editorial: mjekulal@therep.co.za / advertising: charodinev@therep.co.za 3

EMLM losing out on town asset

Preschool fighting rats, stench from vagrants

NTSIKELELO QOYO

Enoch Mgijima is not a

pleasant neighbour to

have. That’s the sentiment

of Thistledown Preschool

manager Esther Dowling, who

says they have to endure rats,

unpleasant smells and an

occasional fire hazard from a

rundown municipal building

that has been left to shelter

va g ra n t s .

Thistledown, located at 10

Ebden Street, has the misfortune

to be next to what until two

years ago was known as the

Chris Hani Craft Hub.

The building, which is

becoming more like a haunted

house each passing day, is

owned by Enoch Mgijima Local

Municipality (EMLM), which

has seemingly run out of ideas

on what to do with the more

than 400m² of prime real estate.

It is overrun with weeds,

unsecured and becoming run

down. A cursory inspection of

the property shows even an

occasional fire being set inside

the building.

Dowling, who oversees the

care of children, says the vacant

building has become a health

hazard for the preschool.

“People used to get their

proof of residence there, but the

municipality has since shut that

down and moved it to the town

hall. It’s gone to wrack and ruin.

People are using the grounds as

a toilet. It stinks and the smell

comes to our place and the

children and parents are

complaining.

“The rats and mice that

come from there are constant.

“I have reported it, but

nothing has been done.

“Two years ago they cut the

grass, but I assume they just got

lazy because they left half of it

and set it on fire. They had to

call the fire brigade to put out

the fire because it was moving

towards our property.

“I just hope they will not do

that again,” said Dowling.

The dilapidated state of the

building is a far cry from what it

used to be when it used to host

the JC Marshall Art Gallery.

The gallery, which used to

curate the town’s public art, was

shut down at the behest of the

municipality, which, until

recently, used it as additional

LEFT BEHIND: The old home of the JC Marshall Art Gallery

and recently the Chris Hani Craft Hub is currently vacant,

overrun with weeds and sheltering vagrants. Enoch Mgijima

Local Municipality, the owner of the property, apparently has

no use for the once-elegant estate Picture: NTSIKELELO QOYO

office space. Sean Russell, of

Russell and Son, says it is sad,

because the building could be

used to generate income for the

cash-strapped municipality.

“It is not being utilised for an

income or management

structure like in days gone by.

“Vagrants have cut holes in

the fence and broken the

windows. In its day it was

stately and an asset to our town.

“It is a tragedy that it is now

being abused like that. The

property can bring in R30,000 a

month. Lease it at least and get

money to pay Eskom.

“To not use properties of that

quality to at least raise income

is an opportunity lost.

“The inherent value of the

property is its wooden features.

“The fact that fires are being

set is a tragedy. It will cost

millions to fix it if at any stage

they plan to sell it,” he added.

In reply to questions about

why the property was not

maintained and leased, EMLM

spokesperson Lonwabo Kowa

said: “It is unfortunate that the

building was broken into and

va n d a l i s e d .

“The municipality has begun

a process of leasing it out and

negotiations to that effect are

already underway.

“Before it gets occupied, it

will first be renovated. Leasing

out of properties is part of the

municipality’s revenue

enhancement strategy.”


Overflowing ditch floods homes

Houses, furniture, boundary walls left damaged

NTSIKELELO QOYO

Rains are good for dam

levels, but not for

Magxaki and Nomzamo

residents who frown at the sight

of a dark cloud looming.

On Sunday, Nomthandozo

Sopazi watched helplessly as

her stone boundary wall

collapsed after water flooded

her yard and almost submerged

her entire house.

Sopazi and her neighbours at

the Siphingo Circle in Magxaki

live in constant terror of the

flooding caused by a furrow

running next to the area, which

overflows when it rains.

The dirty water makes it

almost impossible to access the

area, flooding the street and the

houses.

The cost is an uninhabitable

home that could collapse in a

heavy storm. “My garage was

full of water. The whole back

yard was flooded — you could

not even get into the house.

“The boundary wall gave in

because there was just too much

water. I have never seen

anything like it,” said Sopazi.

“This is our life. The road is

becoming completely eroded.

“Our houses and furniture

are damaged and every year it is

the same story,” said Ayanda

Sali, another resident.

The residents said they had

asked the Chris Hani District

Municipality to excavate a

channel to redirect the running

wa t e r.

“We have been reporting this

furrow. If they could excavate a

channel this problem would

stop. It does not only affect us,

but people in New Vale as well.

“We have asked many times.

They said they would prioritise

it, but never came,” said Sali.

Meanwhile, it was no better

for Nomzamo residents who

said their houses had not been

built properly.

“I could not even sleep in

my house. It was flooding and

all I could do was try to save

some of my furniture,” said Peli

Mqeni.

Phumla Desemele said she

had to break open the base of

her doorway, which was meant

to keep water out, so that the

water could run out her house.

The frustrated residents said

almost every house in the area

got flooded. They blamed the

problem on lack of spatial

planning and a botched job that

had left them living with mops

and buckets.

“These houses have no

foundation. How can every

house completely sink in water

when it rains? Some of them

even leak.

“Clearly, this was shoddy

work and the municipality has

to assist us to fix them,” said

MESSY AFTERMATH: Siphingo Circle residents in Magxaki say they live in constant fear of

flooding. Water running from a furrow near the area has eroded the street and flows through

their homes, causing damage Picture: NTSIKELELO QOYO

Phikolomzi Jaxa. Chris Hani

District Municipality

spokesperson, Thobeka

Mqamelo, said the Magxaki

furrow was a storm

management issue and the

municipality would liaise with

the relevant authority.

“CHDM water services team

investigated the matter by

visiting the affected site.

“It was discovered that this is

a stormwater management issue

and as such the team will liaise

with the responsible local

municipality, Enoch Mgijima, to

jointly find a resolution,” said

Mqamelo.

Solar boreholes serve

about 4,000 families

ANDISA BONANI

About 4,000 households in

Bholothwa and Ntlambo

villages will benefit from a solarpowered

borehole system

constructed through a publicprivate

partnership between the

Chris Hani District Municipality

(CHDM) and a beverages

company, to alleviate water

shortages in the areas.

Coca Cola Beverages SA

(CCBSA) and The Coca-Cola

Company collaborated with the

CHDM to improve the lives of

residents from Bholothwa in

Enoch Mgijima and Ntlamba in

Engcobo municipality, where

access to water has been a

constant struggle.

CHDM spokesperson,

Thobeka Mqamelo, said the

solar-powered borehole system

consisted of a water pump that

would work through a filtration

system.

“The water will be pumped

from the filtration system into a

5,000l water storage tank which

will be placed on a 3m steel

stand.

“The tank stand and storage

facility are situated in close

proximity to the borehole to

allow for steam pumping. All

stored water will be gravity fed

to an outlet valve situated at the

base of the tank stand,” she said.

Mqamelo said the CHDM

was responsible for identifying

beneficiaries and appropriate

sites for the boreholes.

“Bholothwa and Ntlambo

villages were selected as one of

the dry areas hardest hit by

water shortages in the district, a

situation that has been further

exacerbated by the drought. Th e

project was fully funded by

CCBSA, which commissioned a

service provider as an

implementing agency.”

Both villages mainly rely on

underground water as they do

not have dams or streams.

Mqamelo said CCBSA's

contribution would assist

immensely in improving access

to water for communities in

water-scarce areas.

“Partnerships with the private

sector aimed at uplifting the

standard of living of people are

always welcomed, to realise the

true meaning of collaboration

towards a better life for all.

“The projects, which

showcases modern

technologies, bring muchneeded

relief to water-distressed

v i l l a g e s ,” she said.

NEW LOW: Komani businessman Sean Russell assists Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality to

pump water out of a trench where they are fixing a faulty cable that was reported last month

Picture: NTSIKELELO QOYO

No power month later

for preschool, churches

WATER IS LIFE: Bholothwa and Ntlambo village residents are soon to have a fully functional

solar-powered borehole system which will provide a sense of security in their constant battle

for access to water, thanks to assistance from Coca-Cola Picture: SUPPLIED

NTSIKELELO QOYO

After going more than a month

without electricity, Komanibased

Thistledown Preschool

may go yet another couple of

weeks before finally being able

to disconnect their generator.

On Tuesday, municipal

workers deployed to fix a faulty

cable affecting the school’s

power line watched idly while

local businessman Sean Russell

and his employees dug and

pumped water from a trench

because they had not brought

the equipment for the job.

The cable fault has been a

source of contention between

Thistledown, which is paying

R200 a day to keep the lights

on via a generator, and Enoch

Mgijima Local (EMLM) since

last month.

The Rep reported (“Ko m a n i

power outages persist”, January

22) about the outage affecting

Thistledown and neighbouring

churches in Ebden Street.

Having waited weeks for

assistance, Thistledown

manager Esther Dowling said

she was shocked to find that

municipal workers did not

even have tools to dig when

they finally arrived.

“I was told last Tuesday that

they would come to fix the

cable. It took 10 municipal

workers with one spade and

one pick two weeks to dig that

hole. It is not a big hole.

“I have been fighting with

them since January 8. Russell

and his workers are now here

to assist with the trench and

c a b l e ,” said Dowling.

At the site, Russell told The

Rep he was trying to help the

municipality where he could.

“I was called to help pump

the water from the trench so

that the technicians could fix a

joint. Unfortunately, when we

arrived the electricians on site

had no tools — no picks, no

spades, nothing. They cannot

even work on the site.

“They have left because

they cannot do anything. We

had to call WSSA to assist.

“We bought clamps to try

and stop the water, but the

unfortunate thing is that all

these properties from the

preschool to the churches have

not had power since January.

“We are here to assist and

capacitate the electrical

department in any way they

need help. As a community,

this is what we would like to

do. We would like to join

hands with the municipality as

much as possible to try and sort

out these scenarios,” he said.

EMLM spokesperson,

Lonwabo Kowa, said the cable

had been sourced and that

repairs would begin on

Th u r s d ay.


Forum assists jobless

youth to help curb

sky-rocketing crime

ANDISA BONANI

The newly formed

Mlungisi Development

and Anti-crime Forum,

established to assist the

community, plans to

elect an interim

structure on February

28.

The interim structure

will elect subcommittees

in several

cluster areas of Mlungisi

that will assist the

community with issues

such as crime, yo u t h

development, social

problems and

u n e m p l oy m e n t .

The forum’s interim

secretary, Sivuyile Yawa,

said the huge spike in

crime had been

discussed at a recent

meeting.

“Statistics received

from the Mlungisi police

station indicate crime

has increased by 80% in

our area, which is very

Deciding whether

to downsize a hard

decision in tough

financial times

The decision to downsize is often

not an easy one to make. Those who

have faced retrenchment or ongoing

salary cuts due to lockdown

restrictions should consider whether

their financial situation could

become more manageable if they

choose to downscale.

Adrian Goslett, regional director

and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern

Africa explains that as tough as it

might be, homeowners will stand a

much better chance of recouping

their losses and bolstering their

financial position if they sell before

they start falling behind on their

bond repayments.

“The process of adjusting to a

smaller living space is filled with

complicated emotions that are often

easier to deal with when you have

arrived at the decision willingly

rather than begrudgingly if and

when the bank forecloses on the

p r o p e r t y,” he says.

Understanding that this is not an

easy decision, Goslett explains h ow

downscaling can give homeowners

more financial freedom.

“The true saving in downsizing is

not necessarily the profit from the

sale, but what homeowners stand to

save on their monthly home loan

repayments. Sellers might not get as

much out of the sale as they had

hoped after factoring in all the costs

involved, such as the outstanding

bond amount, agent commissions,

cancellation fees, etc.

“But, after moving to a smaller

home, sellers will have more

disposable income in their monthly

budget to help them pay off or avoid

getting into further debt.”

concerning.

“The lengthy closure

of schools contributed

immensely because

the youth had nothing

to do all day and

instead indulged

themselves in

substances, which led

them to conducting

criminal activities like

house break-ins and

r o b b e r y,” he said.

Yawa said as part of

the forum’s efforts to

help develop

unemployed youth who

resorted to crime as a

means to make a living,

it had recruited former

“thugs” to join the

organisation.

These youths were

now working with Sean

Russell, of Russell and

Son Funeral Directors,

in his projects to keep

Komani clean.

“The young men will

work free of charge.

“However, we plan a

fundraiser so they may

get some sort of income

as some are not from

Komani and have no

family here.

“We have a

committee that is in the

process of collating data

of unemployed youth in

Mlungisi, whose details

will be sent to places of

employment that may

require skilled or

unskilled people.

“The district

municipality recently

called for unemployed

people to register with

them so they may be

considered when an

opportunity is available.

“We e n c o u ra g e

people to register,” said

Yawa .

He has been tasked

with being in charge of

youth sport

development in

Mlungisi.

The aim is to get the

youth to participate in

Another important factor is the

money homeowners will save on

maintaining a smaller home.

“Having a smaller space means

that your electricity and water bills

are likely to be much lower. If you

had a large garden, you will also

save on the costs of garden

m a i n t e n a n c e .”

Rather than focusing on what is

being lost, Goslett encourages

homeowners to focus on what they

stand to gain.

“Create excitement around the

new home by planning how each of

the rooms will look after moving in.

“For those who can afford it,

donate the items that will not fit into

the new home rather than sell them.

Knowing the donation will help

somebody in even greater need f can

often help one deal with the pain of

letting go of that item,” he explains.

As a final piece of advice, Goslett

recommends that if you are facing

financial pressure, it is always better

to take a proactive approach.

“If you need help deciding

whether downsizing is right for you,

speak to your financial advisor and

visit our website to find an agent

who can give you an accurate

market valuation of your home.

“As trained and Certified

Distressed Property Advisors

(CDPA), our agents are best

positioned to assist homeowners in

the current market and can offer a

way out that preserves their credit

and relieves them of their real estate

u n c e r t a i n t y,” Goslett says.

To get in touch with a real estate

professional from the largest brand in

real estate, see www.r emax.co.za.

SALES TEAM

sporting codes such as

cricket, hockey, netball

and rugby to keep them

busy and off the streets.

“While the grass on

the fields is still long, we

will ask some local

schools to avail their

fields to us so we may

p ra c t i s e .”

Yawa also spoke out

strongly against those

who took advantage of

poor people who

queued at the Mlungisi

and Queenstown post

offices to receive their

g ra n t s .

He said

unscrupulous people

forced desperate people

who travelled from

areas outside Komani

pay a fee for a place in

the queues.

“This is pure

exploitation of poor

people who sometimes

sleep outside the police

station because they

have no transport fare.

“Making them pay

for a spot in the queues

is corrupt and does not

assist in what

government is trying to

do because instead of

them taking home R350

for food, they end up

with R250 out of

d e s p e ra t i o n .

“The service by both

post offices is poor,

hence people stand

there all day without

being assisted.

“Something urgently

needs to be done

because the elderly are

even robbed while

standing there,” he said.

remax.co.za

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Volunteers fix

town’s potholes

State of Komani’s roads an absolute

disgrace, desperate residents complain

ZENANDE MPAME AND

LUVUYO MJEKULA

Potholes are becoming a

big problem in Komani

and residents have had

to take up the responsibility

of solving the problem.

On Wednesday, a

Mlungisi resident raised

eyebrows when she placed

an old tyre and a chunk of

polystyrene over a pothole in

the middle of Victoria Road.

Nombulelo “Sis Tsetse”

Nqayi said her aim was to

save people’s lives. “I thought

the pothole could cause a

serious accident and

witnessed two or three nearcrashes

involving

schoolchildren recently. I

have had enough of the

accidents on this road.

“I thought if the

municipality does nothing,

let me put this white stuff

[polystyrene] there so that

even at night it is visible.

”I am a caring resident,

but I am also very

disappointed in the ANC.

This road leads to town, I

don’t know why they patch it

instead of covering it with tar.

This is a disgrace, it is

e m b a r ra s s i n g ,” said Nqayi.

Meanwhile, two Victoria

Park residents, former teacher

Edmond Hartnick and

businessman Randall Hykes

took it upon themselves to

repair the potholes in their

community recently.

Hartnick said: “We are

only doing this from the

goodness of our hearts and

are not looking for praise.”

Hykes said certain

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KOMANI PARK R2 400 000

Neat and tidy property consisting of lounge, dining room, open plan

TV area, 3 bedrooms with built- in cupboards, main bedroom with

an en- suite and full bathroom at the passage. Beautiful kitchen

with lots of cupboard space. There are 3 outside flats that have their

own full bath rooms. Nicely paved with a swimming pool at the back

of the property. Automated gate and intercom. Low maintenance

property.

TAMI: 083 715 8764

FIRST: Mlungisi resident Nombulelo ‘Sis Tsetse’ Nqayi this

week placed an old tyre and polystyrene over a pothole in

the middle of Victoria Road ‘to save lives’ Picture: LUVUYO

MJEKULA

businesses in town were

calling for their help. The duo

and their team were seen

fixing potholes in New Rest

in the scorching sun recently.

Hykes mentioned that

they had received donations

of sand and cement from

community members who

acknowledged and

appreciated their efforts.

Taxi drivers at the Nonesi

Mall taxi rank had firsthand

experience of the terrible

roads. Olwethu Hinana said

driving in Queenstown was

like “an extreme sport as the

potholes are big”.

Hinana said only Cathcart

Road was passable in town,

but the faulty traffic lights did

not help either.

“I sometimes blame

community members for the

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The property prides itself of 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms of which one

is an en-suite. There is an entrance area leading to the open plan

lounge dining room and a spacious kitchen. There also is a small

room used as the ironing place, and exiting from the kitchen is a

large undercover area which can be used for entertainment. The

back rooms also have access to this area. The property is securely

enclosed.

XOLISA: 076 817 6892 REF: RXCM-0889

RENTALS

terrible roads in the location

because when they protest

they burn tyres on the road

and that leaves holes which

gradually develop into big

p o t h o l e s ,” he said.

Taxi drivers Mabhuti Skiti

and Ayabulela Klaas said the

road near the Whittlesea taxi

rank was also in a bad state.

Parts of Pelem Road were

riddled with potholes and

they said the road was so bad

they were forced to drive on

the pavement, a move that

attracts the ire of pedestrians

and nearby residents who, in

turn, sought to block the

vehicles by placing rocks on

the pavement.

EMLM spokesperson

Lonwabo Kowa had not

replied to questions by the

time of going to print.

ó


SOCIETY SNIPPETS

From birthdays to anniversaries to achievements to notices ...

Share your information with us:

mjekulal@arena.africa or fax (045) 839-4059

Happy birthday wishes are extended to Maureen van Vuuren, Joan

Hollis, Nana Owusu-Sekyere, Phophama Sandlana and Karli

Koegelenberg (February 19), Jeanette Hookins, Enid Greyling, Leon

Muller and Corne Roelofse (February 20), Lesley Pretorius (February

21), Albré Wagener, Chanelle Bredenkamp and Thea van Eeden

(February 22), Lesley Millar (February 23), Cheryl Petzer and Peter

John Winnaar (February 24), Adrienne Godley and Peter Staffen

(February 25), Elisma Hayes (February 26), Antoinette le Grange

(February 28), Done Viljoen (March 3), Gerda Cloete and Nicki

Dicks (March 4), Gerrit Marais, Lisa-Mari Smith, Evan Fincham,

Yolanda Russell, Elna Fourie, Chris Sutton, Tallie Fourie, Mark

Krautz, Cade Raasch, Colleen Aylesbury, Melissa Sass and Ayanda

Nomeva (March 5).

C o n g ra t u l a t i o n s on another wedding anniversary to Quintin and

Melinda Wentzel (March 7).

Condolences are extended to the families and friends of Liziwe

Peltenburg, Andile Mase, Patricia Vanqa, Mzwandile Hobo,

Thembela Makeleni, Lydia Ruiters, Mpukwana Mbambezeli,

Ethelina Mgwane and Mandisa Rasmeni.

P ro t e s t i n g

e ff e c t i v e l y

When the residents of our country

are unhappy about something the

default action they take is to go to

social media and moan about it

relentlessly, and in most cases end

up doing nothing much about it.

After a few days of shrill

complaints they settle down, accept

their fate and life moves on.

In the few cases that the problem

is bad enough and it happens for a

period they cannot endure, they

spring into action.

Unfortunately their actions to

express their anger are all too 1980s

and in most cases self-defeating.

Why would someone who is

protesting about non-removal of

refuse go out and trash his own

neighbourhood and throw garbage

all over the streets? Why would

someone protesting about a lack of

tarred roads in his area go and close

schools in his area and deprive his

own children of an opportunity to go

to school and receive an education?

Why would workers who are

unhappy with their boss burn down

the factory? Why would someone

protesting about crime in his area go

and blockade a national road or pelt

passing motorists with stones?

Why would someone protesting

about no electricity in the area for

days, go out and blockade the same

roads and burn tyres in his own

neighbourhood? Why would

someone protesting about the

absence of water go out and burn a

community hall? Why would

someone protesting about the choice

of a principal in his children’s school

force them to boycott school?

There are probably many other

examples of this behaviour that

people automatically engage in

whenever they are upset about

something. Are these methods

appropriate? Are they even effective

in making the powers-that-be listen

and solve whatever problem there

was? Do they even make sense?

Does it make those in charge,

whether at town hall or in the

IN TOUCH

Phumelele P Hlati

ministerial compound, worry so

much that they jump out of their

chairs and try to solve the problem

being highlighted?

I would argue that this form of

protesting is old-fashioned, and

shows a lack of innovation and

downright laziness. I would also

argue that it is rarely effective and

actually offers the powers-that-be a

way out as the pressure is not

brought to bear directly on them.

Why would someone at town

hall be shaken by people burning

tyres and rubble in their own

neighbourhoods and preventing

themselves from moving in and out?

I would suggest that people,

when dissatisfied with whatever they

are made to live through, should find

more effective ways to make their

voices heard. I would further suggest

those ways, but I might run the risk of

being charged with incitement and

promoting civil unrest so I’d better

not say anything further.

Suffice to say, show your

unhappiness to the person directly

responsible for it and leave the rest of

us to go about our lives in peace.

People must look for examples of

effective and peaceful protest around

the world and adapt them to suit

their circumstances. Now let us see

who is listening.

By the way, let’s go and register to

receive the Covid-19 vaccine when it

becomes available to the general

public.

KOMANI WEATHER

It appears there will be some relief

from the extreme February heat.

On Friday the temperatures will

vary between 14 and 27°C and it

will be partly cloudy, with a

moderate to fairly strong breeze.

The maximum temperature of

34°C on Saturday could prove

uncomfortable for some, and will

follow a minimum start of 14°C.

S u n d ay ’s minimum temperature

of just 12°C will be welcome, but

the maximum will be up to 26°C.

It will be partly cloudy and there

will be a moderate breeze. —

w w w. a c c u w e a t h e r. c o . z a

UNIQUE CELEBRATION: Komani-based Good Samaritan celebrated her birthday in style recently by showering staff

at Life Queenstown Private Hospital with gifts to appreciate the work the frontline workers put in during the fight

against the coronavirus pandemic Picture: NTSIKELELO QOYO

FACE 2 FACE with

QWhat do you do?

AI am a radio personality.

Currently I am a content

manager at Lukhanji FM.

What do you enjoy about it?

I enjoy that I am the boss to

the audience. They have to

listen to the information I

give them.

I also love brainstorming

ideas for the show to keep it

fresh and exciting.

How did you get into radio?

I have a passion for radio.

Fortunately I had a

background in media and

friends who were already in

radio who assisted me to get

in.

What type of show do you

host?

I host the midday show.

We bring joy to the

audience by playing great

love songs.

We also interview a wide

variety of people who talk

about current issues like how

young people can access the

job market.

What advice would you give

someone who wants to get

into radio?

You must love people first.

Know your strengths and

weaknesses so you can

always improve.

What is your motto in life?

“No matter what is

happening today, it is not

eternal. Eventually there will

be a change.”

Which place would you love

to visit?

I love to tour. I would love to

visit as many places as

possible.

What are the top five items

on your bucket list?

1. To have my own business.

2. To build a beautiful house

for my mom to live in.

/Face2face with Sivuyile Kanzi

3. To complete my sixth

qualification.

4. To have a very happy

f a m i l y.

5. To maintain my standard

of living because I love

extravagant things.

YO U R VOICE opinions on the street

What do you love about

Ko m a n i ?

I love the people who speak

the language that I

thoroughly comprehend and

the humble audience that I

have on my show.

What do you think about…

S I YA B U L E L A

NTSHINGA

It was back to school this

week for pupils. The Rep

reporter, Ntsikelelo Qoyo,

asked Komani residents

whether they thought

schools should reopen or

not.

Siyabulela Ntshinga

from Lady Frere

In my opinion some schools

are not ready. There is

personal protective

equipment (PPE) to be

considered and I am not sure

schools have properly been

furnished with it.

There is also the issue of

young children in preschools,

which is a totally

different matter when it

comes to regulating. The

MANDILAKHE

GCILITSHANA

NOMAKULA

SONKOSI

virus is here to stay and we

have to make plans to live

with it, but I do not think

there is enough education

and awareness to make sure

we curb the spread.

Mandilakhe Gcilitshana

from Fort Beaufort

I do not think we are ready

because I do not think the

government has done

enough to create awareness

about the virus.

In urban areas where

internet and television are

available it is not a problem,

but in rural areas there is still

a lot to be done.

I do not believe schools

in those areas have received

HAMSA

MOHAMMED

enough PPE. Even here I do

not think teachers are

enforcing the wearing of

masks, sanitising and social

distancing. It is done for a

few days then it stops.

We have to bear in mind

these children still have to go

back to their parents who

might be vulnerable to the

virus.

Nomakula Sonkosi

from Nomzamo

It is time. I do not think we

have any other options now.

The children have to go

back to school and get an

education. If there is another

wave the government will

just have to review it again.

DANIE

NEL

We do not know when the

virus will stop spreading and

they are running out of time.

Government must just

make sure schools have PPE.

Hamsa Mohammed

from the CBD

I think the decision is the

right one, but we really have

to see how it goes. Hopefully

the government has it under

control.

Danie Nel

from Top Town

Yes, definitely. I know the

children are scared — just

like the parents — but it is

time to go forward.


Wildlife caught with camera click

Komani photographer’s beautiful

work makes its way round the world

ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA

Local photographer Susan

S ch l e b u s ch has a knack for taking

wildlife and landscape pictures,

an eye she has been developing for the

past 15 years.

Some of her pictures are printed on

canvas, of which the majority are

elephants. They have found homes in

many parts of the world including

America, Australia, the Caribbean,

Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Schlebush is grateful to local

photographer Alasdair McDonald for

mentoring her and her fascination with

wildlife is clearly depicted in the details

of the creatures she has captured.

“Elephants, rhinos, zebras, giraffes

and birds are my favourites. I find the

manner in which these creatures

behave is amazing. They allow me to

take great action photos.

“My husband (Andries Schlebusch)

and I also enjoy birding and have taken

photographs of 367 bird species.

“We have been to several game

reserves including Addo, the Mountain

Zebra Park, Tala Game Reserve, Oribi

Gorge, Mpanga Lodge and some

private reserves in which some of my

pictures were taken.”

She hopes to take more wildlife and

landscape pictures at the Kruger

National Park when she retires.

Schlebusch said the best part about

taking landscape pictures and wildlife

was to be out in open spaces, feeling

close to nature and God.

“God has given us such a beautiful

PICTURE PERFECT: Susan

Schlebusch loves her camera more

than a smartphone P i c t u re :

SUPPLIED

country to live in. I enjoy taking

landscape photographs of sunsets and

sunrises at the beach as there is always

PASSION FOR WILDLIFE: Elephants, rhinos and zebras are some of Komani photographer Susan Schlebusch’s

favourite subjects Picture: SUPPLIED

a breathtaking surprise waiting to be

captured from every angle.

“Just when you think you have seen

all the beauty you can, something even

better comes up.”

The best photos for her are the ones

that show others the beauty that the

photographer has had the privilege of

witnessing.

“Pictures, to me, are about sharing

my passion for nature, special moments

with loved ones, memories and saving

them for my children and

grandchildren. Being able to marvel

and revisit the beauty of photos taken is

timeless.

“I love my camera better than a

s m a r t p h o n e ,” she says.

R2m roads upgrade a

boost for businesses

ANDISA BONANI

The Enoch Mgijima Local

Municipality (EMLM) kickstarted

its R2m rehabilitation

project in January to refurbish

Green and Bert Strauss streets as

part of its plans to revitalise and

beautify towns in its area.

The two streets, with a

distance of 0.8km combined,

are getting a much-needed

facelift that will provide smooth

access to the nearby businesses.

Last month, EMLM mayor

Luleka Gubula said the poor

state of Green Street had

affected businesses located in

the area.

“The street affected fragile

merchandise which would be

damaged before it got to the

consumer and this cost

businesses. We decided to do

maintenance work on the street

by patching dilapidated parts,

but from the Cathcart Road

corner we will strip off that

stretch of the street as it is

completely damaged,” she said.

The local authority used

internal expertise to work on

the road to minimise costs at

the already cash-strapped

institution.

The roadworks, which

began in mid-January, are set to

be completed by the end of

M a rch .

“The whole project cost

R2m, with 10 local labourers

participating and benefiting

from it.

“The roadworks will

encourage business activity and

bring comfort to motorists and

REFURBISHING

SURFACES: The

Enoch Mgijima

Local Municipality

began the new

year with a

re h a b i l i t a t i o n

project to

maintain and

upgrade some of

its potholeriddled

roads. It is

busy with three

projects in the

town P i c t u re :

ANDISA BONANI

commuters. This is one of the

three road rehabilitation

projects in Komani, including

Bells Road work, which is

already underway.

“The Fikile Gwadana Drive

patching project in Ezibeleni

will be completed before the

end of February.

“There are still a number of

roads that need to be upgraded

or maintained. The

municipality will keep repairing

as many roads as possible,

subject to the availability of

f u n d s ,” said Kowa.

Meanwhile, on Saturday,

Victoria Park residents took it

upon themselves to fill huge

potholes in the area’s main

road, which obstructs traffic,

leading motorists to use only

one lane of the road.

Grass-cutting equipment

missing, or under repair

ABONGILE

S O L U N D WA N A

Locals say the grass has not

been mown in most parts of

Komani for more than a year as

Enoch Mgijima Local

Municipality’s (EMLM) grass

maintenance equipment was

stolen.

According to a concerned

resident Azikiwe Xashimba,

this explained why cemeteries,

sportsfields, residential areas

and parks were overgrown.

Xashimba said: “I found out

about the stolen machines

from one of the municipal

workers. Top Town grass was

cut by members of the

Queenstown Bowling Club

and Queen’s College.”

He said this was a reflection

that the person in charge of

maintenance appointed by

EMLM was incompetent.

After a public outcry about

the lack of maintenance, The

Rep reported that the

Queenstown cemetery was

filthy and overgrown and

sports venues had fallen into

ruin, on January 22.

One employee told The

Rep: “We know the machines

were stolen ... between stages

4 and 5 of the lockdown. We

returned to work during stage 3

and there was no equipment.”

The employee said the grass

was being maintained with

only two machines at the

moment. They were used to

mow the Chris Hani Hexagon

this week and a portion of the

Memorial Gardens.

The second employee said:

“The storage place had a lock

and an alarm system. There

were more than seven

machines in the store.”

Komani4Me secretary

Jacqueline Wijtenburg

confirmed that only parts of

Top Town were maintained by

Queen’s College and the

Queenstown Bowling Club as

the residential area was huge.

DA councillor Tokkie

Deysel said: “I approached

people to assist in Komani Park

and Top Town. Mark Sahd and

Piet van der Walt played a

major role in assisting in

Komani Park. All over town

people are coming on board.”

EMLM spokesperson

Lonwabo Kowa said there was

a break-in at the storage

placein 2018 and materials,

including new mowing

equipment, were stolen.

“A case was opened with

the police. The municipality is

still able to maintain the grass,

but far less than the optimum

degree due to the theft and

mechanical problems. The

machinery is under repair and

operations will resume.”

He did not respond to

questions about the machinery

which employees alleged to

have been stolen last year.

MAINTENANCE ISSUE: Grass in the Queenstown and Frontier Museum garden has not

been mowed for a long time Picture: ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA


1

DOMESTIC

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1150

Funeral Notices

Contact Nofisa Makaula on tel: (045) 839-4040 / fax: (045) 839-4059 / e-mail: makaulan@therep.co.za or charodinev@therep.co.za

1

DOMESTIC

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1150

Funeral Notices

1150

Funeral Notices

1150

Funeral Notices

1150

Funeral Notices

1150

Funeral Notices

1150

Funeral Notices

1150

Funeral Notices

SITULO

RICHARD

MZAMO

Late of Ku-Mayeye,

EMcwangele,

Buffelsdorings

Born: 15.07.1940

Died: 06.02.2021

Funeral: Saturday

20.02.2021

Starting at home

at 8am (Methodist

Church of S.A.).

Thence to Ku-

Mayeye Cemetery,

eMcwangele for the

Interment at 10am

LALA

NGOXOLO

MBATHANE

MATSHAYA

XESIBE

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

MELANE

MASIZAKE

BORN: 1962-02-15

DIED: 2021-02-07

FUNERAL: 2021-02-20

(Saturday)

VENUE: Funeral service

will be held at home at

Mayaluleni Location

Qoqodala A/A Cacadu

District at 09:00 am

CEMETERY:

Qoqodala

TIME: 11:00am

PHUMLA NGOXOLO

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

ROBINSON ROAD 29

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

SIMAMA

TOZAMILE

BOETITJIE

LANCELOT

Late of 743/19

Chief Abiola,

Khayelitsha,

Mlungisi, Komani

Born: 05.05.1953

Died: 12.02.2021

Funeral: Friday

19.02.2021

Starting at home

at 9am (Ethiopian

Catholic Church).

Thence to the

Komani Town

Cemetery for the

Interment at 11am

LALA

NGOXOLO

DLOMO

SOPHITSHO

NGQOLOMSILA

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

PUNGUPUNGU

NOPROMISHINI

VUKUTA

BORN: 1937-10-07

DIED: 2021-02-09

FUNERAL: 2021-02-20

(Saturday)


will be held at home at Hala

No. 1 location Ndonga A/A

Cacadu district at 09:00 am

CEMETERY:

Hala No. 1

TIME: 11:00am

PHUMLA NGOXOLO

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

ROBINSON ROAD 29

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

KILANI

NOWELILE

NONTLAMBO

Late of Koppies,

ESixhotyeni,

Machibini, Lady

Frere District

Born: 03.07.1944

Died: 07.02.2021

Funeral: Saturday

20.02.2021

Starting at home at

8am (First Gilgali

Church in Zion).

Thence to the

Koppies Cemetery,

eSixhotyeni for the

Interment at 10am

LALA

NGOXOLO

MAMNUNE

XESIBE

NONDZABA

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

MABALA

THUMEKA

Born: 1981-11-05

Died: 2021-02-10

Funeral: Saturday

2021-02-20

Address:

761 New Location,

Sterkstroom

Venue: Home

@ 08:00

Cemetery:

Sterkstroom

Cemetery @ 09:00

Service conducted by

EYETHU FUNERAL

Contact: 083 242 2533 /

071 078 6184

MADIKANE

MALI

Late of 624

Extension 2,

EZitandini,

Whittlesea

Born: 16.03.1950

Died: 13.02.2021

Funeral: Saturday

20.02.2021

Thence to the

Dongwe Cemetery,

Whittlesea for

an early burial at

08:30, followed by

a service at home

at 10am

LALA

NGOXOLO

MANGXABANI

JOLA

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

WANDILE

JANTJIE

Born: 1975-09-09

Died: 2021-02-08

Funeral: Saturday

2021-02-20

Address:

2052 New Site,

Jamestown

Venue: Home

@ 09:00

Cemetery:

Ekuphumleni

Cemetery @ 11:00


EYETHU FUNERAL

Contact: 083 242 2533 /

071 078 6184

MTUTA

MANDLAKAYISE

Late of

eMcambalaleni,

eQolweni,

Cofimvaba District

Born: 09.05.1968

Died: 10.02.2021

Funeral: Saturday

20.02.2021

Thence to the

eMcambalaleni

Cemetery, Qolweni

for an early burial

at 06:30, followed

by a service home

at 08:30

LALA

NGOXOLO

MPINGA

MAWAWA

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

MLUNGWANA

NOSIPHO

PRECIOUS

Born: 1982-03-24

Died: 2021-02-05

Funeral: Saturday

2021-02-20

Address:

Ntabethemba,

Rocklands

Venue: Home

@ 07:00

Cemetery:

Rocklands

Cemetery @ 08:00


EYETHU FUNERAL

Contact: 083 242 2533 /

071 078 6184

MATSHOBA

NOMAKHAYA

MATHILDA “RHADI”

Late of R380

Tsehare Street,

White City,

Mlungisi, Komani

Born: 20.05.1933

Died: 12.02.2021

Funeral: Friday

19.02.2021

Starting at home

then to the

Nonzwakazi

Methodist Church,

Mlungisi for a

service at 9am.

The cortege will

proceed to the

Romanslagte

Cemetery,

Whittlesesa for the

Interment at 11am

LALA

NGOXOLO

MARADEBE

MTHIMKHULU

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

MDINGI

KESPA

Born: 1945-10-10

Died: 2021-02-12

Funeral: Saturday

2021-02-20

Address:

823 Zone 2,

Ezibeleni

Venue: Home

@ 11:00

Cemetery:

Queenstown

Cemetery @ 12:00

LALA NGOXOLO

SONDISA, NDIMA


EYETHU FUNERAL

Contact: 083 242 2533 /

071 078 6184

TAWANA

NONCEBA

NANCY

Late of 498 Mangcu

Street, New Bright,

Mlungisi, Komani

Born: 28.11.1933

Died: 13.02.2021

Funeral: Saturday

20.02.2021

Starting at home

then to the

St. Francis

Episcopal Church,

Mlungisi for a

service at 9am.

The cortege will

proceed to the

Komani Town

Cemetery for the

Interment at 11am

LALA

NGOXOLO

MAMKOENA

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

BULU

NOFENISHALA

TANDIWE

Born: 1943-07-31

Died: 2021-02-10

Funeral: Sunday

2021-02-21

Address:

Mcwangele Village,

Vaalbank

Venue: Home

@ 09:00

Cemetery:

Mcwangele

Cemetery @ 11:00


EYETHU FUNERAL

Contact: 083 242 2533 /

071 078 6184

OLIFANT

MAMORATUA

SINNAH

BORN: 1951-03-21

DIED: 2021-02-11

FUNERAL: 2021-02-20

(Saturday)


will be held at home

at Thornhill location

Ntabethemba A/A

Whittlesea at 09:00 am

CEMETERY:

Thornhill

TIME: 11:00am

PHUMLA NGOXOLO

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

ROBINSON ROAD 29

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

MGUDLWA

INAM

BORN: 2012-04-24

DIED: 2021-02-13

FUNERAL: 2021-02-20

(Saturday)


will be held at home at 2509

zone D Ezibeleni location

Komani at 09:00 am

CEMETERY:

Komani Town

TIME: 11:00am

PHUMLA NGOXOLO

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

ROBINSON ROAD 29

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

SIXAZI

NOMFENAZANA

ENGELINA

BORN: 1946-02-18

DIED: 2021-02-12

FUNERAL: 2021-02-20

(Saturday)


will be held at home at

Diphini Location

Mackysneck A/A Cacadu


CEMETERY:

Mackysneck

TIME: 11:00am

PHUMLA NGOXOLO

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

ROBINSON ROAD 29

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057


1150

Funeral Notices

GOGOTYA

NOKAYA

BEAUTY

BORN: 1939-07-25

DIED: 2021-02-08

FUNERAL: 2021-02-20

(Saturday)


will be held at home

at Goodstaff Location

Matyantya A/A Cacadu


CEMETERY:

Goodstaff

TIME: 11:00am

PHUMLA NGOXOLO

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

ROBINSON ROAD 29

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

JERRY

THEMBEKILE

Born: 1946/12/21

Died: 2021/02/12

Funeral:

2021/02/20

(Saturday)

Address:

225 Zone 3,

Ezibeleni,

Queenstown

Venue: Home

Interment:

Queenstown

Cemetery

REST IN PEACE

VINJWAS FUNERAL

SERVICES

073 404 4627/ 073 144 7371 /

073 911 2032

6

EMPLOYMENT

6151

Employment Offered

1150

Funeral Notices

NXILOLO

PIKKIE

ENGELINA

BORN: 1954-06-12

DIED: 2021-02-13

FUNERAL: 2021-02-20

(Saturday)


will be held at home at 1681

zone 2 Ekuphumleni

Location Whittlesea

at 09:00 am

CEMETERY:

Ekuphumleni

TIME: 11:00am

PHUMLA NGOXOLO

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

ROBINSON ROAD 29

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

GOXO

MOSES

Born: 07.02.1946

Died: 15.02.2021

Funeral: 20.02.2021

(Saturday)

Address: 8403 Unathi

Mkefa,Ezibeleni,

Queenstown

Venue: 8403 Unathi

Mkefa,Ezibeleni,

Queenstown

Time: 09H00 - 11H00

Interment: Queenstown

Cemetery

REST IN PEACE

ZONDWA

ELVIS SKEPE FUNERAL

DIRECTORS

073 269 0624

045 838 2490

6

EMPLOYMENT

6151

Employment Offered

QUEENSTOWN GIRLS’ HIGH

SCHOOL HOSTEL

POSITION FOR A MATRON AT THE HOSTEL

Anyone interested in applying for the above

ŽŝŽŶŵĂĚŽŽďŝĚĂĂĐŚ

ĂŝŶĞŽŶŝďŝůŝĞ

To supervise and see to the welfare of the

ďŽĂĚĞ

ĞŝĞŵĞŶ

ďĞĂďůĞŽŽŬŝŚĞĞŶĂŐĞŐŝů

ŽŵĂŝŽŶĂĞĞĮŵĚŝŽŝŽŶ

ŽŵĞŝŝĚŶŽůĞĚŐĞ

ŚĞĐĐĞĨůĂůŝĐĂŶŵůŝĞŝŶŚĞŚŽĞů

ŚĂĞ Ă ĂůŝĚ ĚŝĞ ůŝĐĞŶĐĞ ĂŶĚ ŽŶ

transport

ůŝĐĂŽŶŽďĞŝŶŝŶŐ

ůŽŚĞŝŶĐŝĂů

ŽĞĞŶŽŶ

ŵĂŝůĂůŝĐĂŽŶĂŶĚĐŽĞůĞĞŽ

ĂĐΛŐŚĐŽĂ

ŚŝŝĂŶŝŶĞŶĂůĂŽŝŶŵĞŶ

PERSONAL

Notices

2

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Immediate

Improvement of the R67 between

Swart Kei River and Komani

Eastern Cape, 20 January 2021: The South

African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd

(SANRAL) would like to notify motorists of

roadworks taking place on the R67 between Swart

Kei River and Queenstown.

Deviations have been constructed to avoid

stop-and-go sections on the road and traffic will

flow in both directions.

The section of the R67 between the Kamastone

turn off (km24.5) and the traffic circle (km33.2) will

be closed to the public for estimated duration of

18 months. Only local residents will be accommodated

on a gravel road that has been constructed

during this period.

The detour from the Kamastone turn off will be

an exisiting surfaced road (7km) to the R61 and a

further 10km from the T-Junction via the R61 to

Komani.

Motorists are advised to use caution when

making use of the road.

6

2180

For pottery and electric

pottery wheel. Contact

Sharon Hammond

R5000.00

0833306699

EMPLOYMENT

6151

Employment Offered

2

PERSONAL

Junior Picker/Stock Control position

available in automotive industry in

Queenstown.

Must be willing to learn, work hard, and be

able to work under pressure with accuracy and

attention to detail. Person must be diligent,

honest, trustworthy, and have Integrity. Must

be able to do stock checking, counting and

packing. Working with stock, so heavy lifting is

required. Computer Literate Experience will be

an advantage.

Fax CV to 086 566 8294.

6150

Employment Wtd.

Notices

045 839 4040

6

2180

EMPLOYMENT

6151

Employment Offered

6150

Employment Wtd.

Domestic worker looking for

a job for Mondays, Tuesdays,

Wednesdays and Saturdays

Contact: 082 947 7569

Reference:

Sandra: 076 285 1920

2

PERSONAL

Notices

11

LEGALS

2180

11010

Legal Notices

2

PERSONAL

Notices

11

LEGALS

2180

11010

Legal Notices

LOST OR DESTROYED TITLE DEED

Notice is hereby given in terms of

Regulation 68 of the Deeds Registries Act,

1937, as amended, of the intention to apply

for the issue of a certified copy of Deed

of Grant Number G134/1983 passed in

favour of HERBERT LUBABALO GCINGCA

in respect of certain ERF 928 EZIBELENI,

ENOCH MGIJIMA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY,

DISTRICT OF CACADU, PROVINCE EASTERN

CAPE, in extent 450 (FOUR HUNDRED AND

FIFTY) square metres which has been lost

or destroyed.

All interested persons having objection to

the issue of such copy are hereby required

to lodge the same in writing with the

Registrar of Deeds at Mthatha within two

weeks from the date of the publication of

this notice.

Dated at QUEENSTOWN on 19 FEBRUARY 2021.

VAN JAARSVELDS ATTORNEYS

65 Prince Alfred Street

P. O. Box 1577

Queenstown

5320

The Department of Education

represented by NKWANCA PUBLIC

HIGH SCHOOL invites service

providers to submit quotations for

supply and delivering of foodstuffs

for School Nutrition Programme

(SNP).

Opening date: 19 February 2021

Closing date: 26 February 2021.

Monday 22 February 2021 at 08:00

For more information please

contact the school.

11010

Legal Notices

11010

Legal Notices


Notice is hereby given in terms of regulation

68 of the Deeds Registries Act, 1937, of

the intention to apply for the issued of a

certified copy of Certificate of Registered

Grant of Leasehold No TL341/1989PECTN

passed by MALI ELIAS FANI, Identity

Number 2907295184083, Married by

virtue of Section 22(6) Act 38 of 1927,

which marriage does not have the legal

consequences of a marriage in community

of property in favour of ERF 385 ZOLA,

SITUATED IN THE ADMINISTRADIVE

DISTRICT OF TARKASTAD, which has been

lost or destroyed

All persons having objection to the issue

of such copy are hereby required to lodge

the same in writing with the Registrar of

Deeds at King William’s Town, within two

weeks after the date of the publication of

this notice.

Dated at Cape Town this 15TH day of FEBRUARY

2021.

CONVYEANCER

AIDAN KENNY

Level 1 No 5 Silo Square

V & A Waterfront

CAPE TOWN

8001

jkunneke@werksmans.com

021 405 5266

Ref: BUSI4703.910


Notice is hereby given in terms of

Regulation 68 of the Deeds Registries

Act, 1937, of the intention to apply for

the issue of a certified copy of Deed of

Transfer Number T43889/1998CTN passed

by QUEENSTOWN TRANSITIONAL LOCAL

COUNCIL to NTOMBIZANDILE FLORENCE

NKALALI, Identity Number 690604 0935 08 4,

Unmarried, in respect of

ERF 9437 QUEENSTOWN situate in the area

of the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality,

Division Queenstown, Eastern Cape Province

which has been lost or destroyed.

All persons having objection to the issue of

such copy are hereby required to lodge the

same in writing with the Registrar of Deeds

at KING WILLIAMS TOWN within two weeks

from the date of the publication of this

notice.

Dated at Queenstown this 4th day of FEBRUARY

2021.

Applicant:

Bowes McDougall Inc

27A Prince Alfred Street

QUEENSTOWN

lit3@bmcinc.co.za

045-8073800


Notice is hereby given in terms of Regulation

68 of the Deeds Registries Act, 1937, of the

intention to apply for the issue of a certified

copy of Deed of Grant Number TG9220/1999

passed by the MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE

COUNCIL FOR HOUSING AND LOCAL

GOVERNMENT OF THE PROVINCE OF THE

EASTERN CAPE to SODA NTSENGENTSU,

Identity Number 400819 5412 08 4,

Unmarried, in respect of

Unit No. 570 EKUPHUMLENI, SITUATE IN

THE ENOCH MGIJIMA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY,

DISTRICT OF HEWU, PROVINCE OF THE

EASTERN CAPE

which has been lost or destroyed.

All persons having objection to the issue of

such copy are hereby required to lodge the

same in writing with the Registrar of Deeds

at KING WILLIAMS TOWN within two weeks

from the date of the publication of this

notice.

Dated at Queenstown this 19th day of

FEBRUARY 2021.

Applicant:

Bowes McDougall Inc

27A Prince Alfred Street

QUEENSTOWN

lit3@bmcinc.co.za

045-8073800


11

LEGALS

11060

Sale in Execution

IN THE MAGISTRATES COURT FOR THE

DISTRICT OF THE EASTERN CAPE DIVISION

OF EASTERN CAPE

CASE NO: 94/2020

In the matter between:

WESLEY ROBERT HAYES

Execution Creditor

and

MELVILLE BARNARD

1st Execution Debtor

Plumb-Tech Plumber and Builders

CINDY BARNARD

2nd Execution Debtor

IN PURSUANCE of the judgment obtained in

the Magistrates court of Queenstown and the

Warrant of Execution dated 22nd of January

2021. Issued by the Magistrates court of

Queenstown, the goods listed hereunder will

be sold in Execution to the highest bidder on

the 4th of March 2021 at 57 Komani Street,

Queenstown @ 11:00am. In terms of section 66

of the Regional court Act 32 of 1944:

1x TV Cabinet

1x 3 Pce Black Lounge Suite

1x 3 Pce Black Lounge Suite

1x Cane Set

1x Red Coffee Table

1x Black Sleeper Couch

1x Acer Laptop

1x Samsung/Lg Blue Ray DVD Surround

System

1x Black Headboard With Dressing Table

1x Sharp TV 32

1x Wold TV 32

1x Silver Defy Microwave

1x Antique Leather Set Table, Mirror @2

Foot Stools

1x KIC White Fridge

1x KIC Deep Freezer

1x Silver Dishwasher

1x Silver Washing Machine

1x Steel Patio Table & Chairs

1x Pool Table

1x Black & Silver Lounge Suite

3x Four Wheelers

1x Tip Trailer (DYM 665 EC)

1x 6 Seater Billy Bench

1x White Dixion Fridge

1x All Gym Equipment

1 x Hyandai Bakkie ( DSF 963 EC)

DATED at QUEENSTOWN on this 12th day of

FEBRUARY 2021.

ATTORNEYS FOR EXECUTION CREDITOR

Wesley R Hayes Attorneys

5 Grey Street Queenstown

REF: WES HAYES /1 WSL -001

11030

Estate Notices

11

LEGALS

11060

Sale in Execution

Family of

patient

found

Help needed to find relatives of

another unamed patient

ZINTLE BOBELO

Afamily came forward to claim

their relative following a public

appeal made by social workers at

Frontier Hospital last week.

The Rep reported (“Hospital asks for

help with tracing family”, February 12)

that hospital social worker Babalwa

Pruscent had requested assistance in

tracing family members of two patients

who were admitted in December and

Ja n u a r y.

Pruscent said Tokoli Mose, who was

found by police officers in the street and

was admitted on January 12, was on

Monday taken home by his family after

The Rep had published an article last

Fr i d ay.

PROTEST

She said, however, that they were still

hoping to find relatives of the second

unknown patient.

“We still have one without identifying

particulars. Hawkers visited him and

alleged that they used to send him

around on errands, but he never told

them his name or where he hailed from.

“As a result they named him Lahlekile

and he’s been known as such.”

Pruscent said the man was believed

to be in his late 50s and had been

assaulted and found unresponsive by the

police near the Queenstown railway

station. He was admitted on December

27 with head injuries and was still

unable to talk.

Anyone who might be able to assist

can contact Pruscent on 045-808 4200.

DO YOU KNOW HIM? The unidentified man was admitted to

Frontier Hospital in December Picture: SUPPLIED

ESTATE

IN THE ESTATE of

the late MINAH

NOSIPHO DUNJWA

(Identity no.

600916 1025 08 0)

of number 2, Strelitzia

Street, Queensview

Park , Queenstown,

who died on the

20th May 2020,

Master’s reference

No. 002283/2020

(Grahamstown

Master’s office).

All persons having

claims against the

above Estate of Minah

Nosipho Dunjwa are

hereby invited to

lodge their claims

within thirty (30)

days from the date of

publication

of this Notice.

Citshane Dunjwa of

Number 2, Strelitzia

Street, Queensview

Park, Queenstown,

C/O Z.E. Sontshi

& Associates, P.O

Box 9206, No. 14

Prince Alfred Street,

Queenstown 5320, Tel/

Fax: 045 838 3460

Call MAVIS or

CHARODINE

045 839 4040

if your

business is

about to

celebrate a

special event/

birthday/

anniversary.

Call now

out more

about our

advertising

features.

BURN! BURN! BURN! Aloevale residents set several tyres alight at the gates of the EMLM technical services department demanding to

speak to the manager who had been ignoring them all week when they wanted updates about power outages in their area

Picture: ANDISA BONANI

FED UP: Angry

Aloevale residents

have given the

Enoch Mgijima Local

Municipality an

ultimatum: ‘R e s t o re

electricity in our area

immediately or face

our wrath.’ The area

has been without

power since Sunday

and 65-year-old

pensioner Joyce

George, pictured,

says she has been

struggling to store

her medication due

to the chronic power

outages A P i c t u re :

LUVUYO MJEKULA


SPORT SCENE

Covid stigma

addressed at

wellness day

graphic © liudmyla pushnova / 123RF.com

ZINTLE BOBELO

The Chris Hani

Development Agency

(CHDA) held a wellness

workshop for 50 employees last

week, covering issues such as

the stigma associated with

C ov i d - 19 .

CHDA CEO Andrew Hlubi

said after an engagement

session with employees, issues

relating to the stigma associated

with Covid-19 and wellness in

the workplace were brought

up.

“We allowed colleagues to

interact with health

professionals on the issue of

Covid-19 so they could address

any questions that they felt

management was not

addressing properly,” Hlubi

said.

“The key issue that we felt

was important to prioritise was

wellness. It is important that

employees have a healthy state

of mind and body.”

Living a healthy lifestyle by

being more active and

exercising and avoiding

substance abuse was also

covered in the programme.

“We are doing this on a

quarterly basis to make sure

they are in the right state of

mind and know where to go

when they need counselling.

“Also, they are free to raise

their issues with supervisors,”

he said.

Enoch Mgijima Local

Municipality sub-district nurse,

Zukiswa Katangana, spoke

about the stigma and health

measures with regards to

C ov i d - 1 9 .

“I stressed that we do not

want to stigmatise it, especially

in the workplace, because no

one asks to have the virus.

“I highlighted that numbers

were going down, but my

worry is that people become

r e ck l e s s .

“We all need to continue

implementing precautionary

m e a s u r e s ,” she said.

Bongolethu Ngozi, who

found the programme

informative, said it gave

employees a platform to voice

any issues they faced in the

wo r k p l a c e .

“We do have issues. One of

the problems is substance

abuse, specifically alcohol.

You find people do not

necessarily drink on duty, but

there are many underlying

issues.

“My expectations were met

today. The majority of workers

did not understand that they

could go straight to the unit to

c o n s u l t .”

CHDM wellness manager

Sibongile Sojola said people

suffered in silence as they did

not know how to deal with

these challenges.

“Wellness is important in

the workplace. It is important in

terms of productivity and to

reduce absenteeism because

people fail to come to work

because of these issues.”

Sound advice for

peaceful cohabitation

during lockdown

REP REPORTER

Lockdown restrictions have

forced us to spend more time in

our homes working, remotelearning

and co-existing with

the rest of the family indoors

over weekends.

This new normal has caused

many to relocate to homes

better suited to their new

lifestyles. If relocation is not an

option, then homeowners will

need to find creative solutions

to ensure peaceful cohabitation

between family members.

According to regional

director and CEO of RE/MAX of

Southern Africa, Adrian Goslett,

there are several important

ways a home could be creating

unnecessary tension in

household relationships,

limited space and financial

pressure being two of the most

common issues.

“Buyers looking to purchase

a new home have the chance to

avoid this by being careful

about their purchasing

decisions. Financial pressure is

among the most popular causes

for tension in relationships. If

homeowners are unable to

afford the monthly expenses the

property incurs (such as the

home instalments, rates, taxes,

levies, and other applicable

expenses), then it would be

advisable to consider

downscaling to something

more affordable,” he says.

The second most common

issue is a lack of space. With

many companies switching to

remote working, couples are

facing the challenge of having

to share a workspace or to

make do with a temporary setup

at the kitchen table.

Goslett says homes with

their own enclosed studies are

in such high demand that many

developers have switched their

plans mid-way through

construction to make third

bedrooms home office spaces.

“It is unlikely that the

situation is going to change any

time soon. Homeowners who

do have the budget should

consider renovating or building

onto their home to create an

office space if they do not

already have one. Not only will

this help alleviate some of the

tension and frustration in the

short term, but it should also

add great value to the home as

a medium to long-term

i nve s t m e n t ,” he recommends.

Those who do not have the

space or money to build a

separate study could consider

investing in some multifunctional

furniture.

Homeowners could easily

convert a bedroom into a study

by purchasing a Murphey bed

that can tuck away against the

wall when not in use.

While cohabitating in a

cramped home with limited

space is not ideal, there are

improvements homeowners

can make to create a more

comfortable living situation.

For households on the verge

of breaking point, it could be

useful to set up an appointment

with a RE/MAX agent just to

find out if their living situation

might possibly be improved.

“Sometimes homeowners

do not realise how much their

property has grown in value

and how much they stand to

make by selling.

“Similarly, homeowners

might not be aware of new

housing developments in their

price range or suburbs that offer

great value for money. Speaking

to a real estate professional can

help homeowners become

aware of all options,” he said.

To get in touch with a real

estate professional who can

help you find a home better

suited to your current lifestyle,

visit www.r emax.co.za.

LET’S TALK: Chris Hani Development Agency employees engage with Chris Hani District

Municipality wellness manager Sibongile Sojola, right, during a wellness day held last week for

employees Picture: ZINTLE BOBELO

Local soccer eager to

kick off after go-ahead

NTSIKELELO QOYO

Amateur soccer is set to make a

comeback as Safa has finally

given the green light for local

competitions to resume.

The ABC Motsepe and Safa

regional leagues will kick off

next month after an almost

three-month hiatus due to the

Covid-19 pandemic.

Last week, the soccer

federation gave the go-ahead to

local teams to return to t ra i n i n g ,

but spectators will still be

banned from the sidelines when

match days resume.

In a statement, Safa CEO

Tebogo Motlanthe exhorted

teams to adhere to the Covid-19

regulations, which include

screenings and keeping

registers.

“The association would like

to appeal to clubs, regions and

provincial structures to adhere

to Safa Covid-19 health and

safety directives at all times to

mitigate the risk of spreading the

v i r u s ,” Motlathe said.

The news will be a lift for

Komani-based team Seven Stars,

which has been in limbo since

last year after qualifying for the

ABC Motsepe playoffs when it

clinched the Chris Hani regional

league.

If Stars make the cut at the

playoffs, they will only be the

second team from the region,

with Amavarara who are also

based in Komani, to play in the

provincial competition.

Speaking on behalf of the

Stars technical team, Mlandeli

Bokweni said it was a relief to

finally get the long-awaited

news.

“We are happy because we

were starting to get worried and

unsettled.

“The stop-start training

sessions were affecting our

p r e p a ra t i o n s .

“We have been having

sessions since last week.

“There are still a couple of

areas we would like to address

before the playoffs.

“We had a friendly match at

the weekend and hopefully we

will have more with tougher

opponents before we head to

M t h a t h a ,” said Bokweni.

The ABC Motsepe playoffs

will be held in Mthatha from

March 26 to 28.

The ABC Motsepe League

will start on March 6.

The date for the Chris Hani

Regional League is yet to be

finalised.

OLD FOES: Seven Stars FC (in white) and Valgas FC squaring off in a Saf a regional league

match at the Dumpy Adams Sports Complex last year

Picture: ZINTLE BOBELO

THE Rep

SPORT

CONTACT

Friday 19 Fe b r u a r y, 202 1

US WITH SPORTS NEWS:

m j e k u l a l @ t h e re p.co. za

(deadline: noon Tuesdays)

Hope for club and school rugby

Return to play must be under strict regulations

MAXWELL LEVINE

Clubs and schools around

the country have been

injected with renewed

hope that there will be some sort

of rugby action this year after SA

Rugby announced the

commencement of training,

with immediate effect last week.

Last year was one to forget

for clubs and aspiring schoolboy

players who dreamt of

representing their schools at the

highest level and obtaining

junior contracts at various

unions around the country.

Regarded as the most

successful sporting code in SA,

with the Junior Boks boasting a

World U20 Championship, the

Blitsbokke having won the

HSBC Sevens Series on

numerous occasions and the

Springboks boasting three

World Cup titles, there is no

doubt that rugby is the number

one sport in this country.

In a statement, SA Rugby

CEO Jurie Roux said that due to

the easing of the level 3

lockdown regulations “a

recommendation was made by

the working group of SA Rugby,

consisting of members from SA

Rugby, provincial unions and

the South African Schools Rugby

Association (Sasra), to SA

R u g by ’s executive committee

who subsequently approved

amateur rugby, including

schools rugby, could commence

training with immediate effect,

but under strict conditions”.

The return to training, with

the hope of returning to play,

must, however, be under strict

regulations with clubs following

guidelines and requirements

and certain documents having

to be submitted to the unions

before training commences.

The resumption of amateur

rugby will follow a structured

approach to ensure that the

safety of players is taken into

c o n s i d e ra t i o n .

● Phase one: A minimum of

four weeks of non-contact

training. The emphasis during

this time will be focused on

fitness and strength training.

● Phase two: Following phase 1

(and if permitted by relevant

authoritative bodies) a minimum

of four weeks’ g ra d u a l

integration of contact training.

● Phase three: Return to play.

“It remains our collective

responsibility to ensure that the

players and coaches who

participate in the game of rugby

do so in an environment that

does no harm and mitigates

against the risk of unnecessary

READY TO RUMBLE: The Breakers are waiting in anticipation for the new rugby season to

start Picture: SOURCED

illness and injury,” the statement

concluded.

The Border Rugby Union,

through the administrator Basil

Haddad, has also issued a

communique outlining its return

to training and requirements.

“Only once we have

received consent to play, in due

course, from SA Rugby, can we

finalise and circulate fixtures for

the 2021 competitions,” he said.

SUMMER FUN

COOLING OFF: Komani

resident and family man

Johnny Arseniou took his

family out to the Yacht Club at

the Bonkolo Dam for some

water activity during the

scorching weather peaking at

more than 30°C last weekend.

He praised the wonderful

sight of abundant water in the

dam after it had been dry for

some few years, and watched

Emmanuel Psarras putting his

jet ski through its paces

Picture: JOHNNY ARSENIOU

The Rep 19 February 2021

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