The Rep 1 October 2021

RepFr i d ay, 1October 2021

THE

R6.50 (15% VAT incl) Since 1859

DOCCIE

PREMIERE

NEW YOUTUBE

D O C U M E N TA RY

EXPLORES

EVENTS LEADING

UP TO

QUEENSTOWN

MASSACRE

PAGE 7

Komani mourns death of

our much-loved Dr Pinzi

Respected doctor leaves legacy of loving God and others, and desire to 'change people's stories'

LUVUYO MJEKULA

The family, friends,

colleagues and staff of Dr

Nopasika Pinzi-Mgudlwa

expressed their sorrow at her

recent passing at the age of 49.

Pinzi-Mgudlwa passed away

on September 17 due to lung

cancer. She was diagnosed with

the disease in February 2020,

forcing her to close her practice.

In July, she developed spinal

metastasis.

“We have suffered a loss.

She was a parent, she was

everything to us at work, she

loved us,” Thozama Sana said at

Pinzi-Mgudlwa's memorial

service at St Michaels Church in

Komani on Wednesday.

Sana, a staff member at

P i n z i - M g u d l wa ’s practice, said

she started working for her after

her previous employer had

passed away in 2017.

“Dr Pinzi-Mgudlwa took me

in to work for her. She was a

faith-based woman. She loved

and trusted God. We started

everything with prayer at her

REMEMBERING A MOTHER: Life Queenstown Private Hospital midwives, from left, Phumeza Mathe, Bathandwa Ntlebi-Gawe,

Andile Ntsomi and Lutendo Mukwevho-Xela sharing their memories of the late Dr Nopasika Pinzi-Mgudlwa at her memorial at St

Michaels Church in Robinson Street on Wednesday. Pinzi-Mgudlwa, 49, sadly passed away from lung cancer on September 17

Picture: LUVUYO MJEKULA

service. She loved us incredibly.

She was a generous person.”

She recalled that Pinzi-

Mgudlwa last worked in July

2020. “We closed but she

carried on paying us even

though her business was closed

– that is Dr Pinzi. She was full of

love. It is so painful to lose

Nopasika but only God knows,”

an emotional Sana said.

Lutendo Mukwevho-Xela, a

midwife at Life Queenstown

Private Hospital said: “She was

not just a doctor, she was our

parent and she led us with pride

and dignity.” Mukwevho-Xela

spoke on behalf of several

midwives who worked under

P i n z i - M g u d l wa .

“She taught us the value of

humanity, the value of

understanding what it is to

change somebody’s life, what it

is to relate to a woman who has

been praying for that one child.”

Many of the speakers noted

P i n z i - M g u d l wa ’s strong faith.

“She did not want to act like

God. She told her patients, ‘I

might change your story but I

am going to put my Father first’.

“That is what she did when

she came to every ward and

delivered each and every baby,

she taught every midwife

standing here that ‘we need to

pray and say God, anything can

happen but we depend on you

to change this woman’s story, to

restore somebody’,” said an

emotional Mukwevho-Xela.

Pinzi-Mgudlwa, she said,

had instilled these values in all

of the midwives who worked for

Turn to PAGE 2

At DICLA Training and Projects ELShadai Hall (DICLA) premises

DICLA Training and Projects, with the presence of Managing Director, Mr Lizo Mandlendoda, closes Heritage Month with a bang!

“We celebrate heritage by ploughing back into our communities, our economy and our young people. With so many developments in

the company, such as the establishment of our very own radio station, a warehouse and an intake of more than 1000 students to be

trained in agriculture and other sectors, just to name a few, closing off this Heritage Month, themed #WarAgainstPoverty was a heartfelt

reflection on the incredible work our staff has put in. This is our heritage, creating world abundance through farming innovations.

From us to the rest of the Jazz Town and the entire world, we say HAPPY HERITAGE MONTH!

Tel : 045 838 1904 Cell : 074 864 7470 Fax : 086 272 6302

e-mail: admin@diclaprojects.com http://www.diclaprojects.com

Portion 54, 169 Maiden Head Farm, Queenstown (Whittlesea Road).

2 Tel: (045) 839-4040 / editorial: mjekulal@therep.co.za / advertising: charodinev@therep.co.za 1 October 2021 THE R E P R ES E N TAT I V E

Firefighters ‘sleeping’ while

residents left to battle blazes

Response only arrives 30 minutes after CPF chairperson's house burns down in Sandringham

NTSIKELELO QOYO

In recent months, Komani

residents have been

frustrated by the fire

department’s tardy response to

emergency calls.

Residents have reported the

truck arriving hours after being

called, and at times without

bringing water.

It seems unlikely the

situation will improve any time

soon.

According to Enoch Mgijima

spokesperson Lonwabo Kowa,

firefighters are no longer at

municipal offices 24/7.

He said the municipality no

longer paid overtime to

firefighters because of the

institutions’s financial

constraints. They were now paid

to be on standby from home.

“This is due to the

municipality’s financial recovery

plan aimed at improving the

financial status quo.

“As it stands, overtime work

for firefighters and other sections

was discontinued to decrease

the salary bill which the

municipality could no longer

keep up with.

“Instead of overtime, a

standby allowance is paid to

firefighters and when an

incident is reported, they drive

to the municipal office and then

to the fire site,” said Kowa.

Komani community policing

forum (CPF) chair, Mihle

Gogela, was the latest victim of

a fire that burnt his house down

recently in Sandringham.

Though his house and its

contents were completely

destroyed, he said it was thanks

to the efforts of neighbours and

other CPF members that the fire

did not spread to neighbouring

houses.

Gogela said what troubled

PORK RASHERS / STRIPS

BEEF BRISKET FRESH

MUTTON STEW

TOMATO SAUSAGE

PORKIE BANGERS

CHICKEN FEET

CHICKEN LIVERS

HAKE NO 1 LOOSE

SUGAR HULETTS 5KG

CHAMPION SAMP 2.5KG

DRINK-O-POP 200ML

GOLDEN APPLES 3KG

SPINACH BUNCH

R54.99 KG

R79.99 KG

R86.99 KG

R46.99 KG

R59.99 KG

R26.99 KG

R21.99 KG

R41.99 KG

R88.99 EA

R21.99 EA

R6.99 EA

R31.99 EA

R6.99 EA

E&OE-WHILE STOCKS LAST - LIMITED QUANTITIES - WE RESERVE

THE RIGHT TO WITHDRAW SPECIALS WITHOUT NOTICE.

WE WILL BE CLOSED ON SUNDAY’S INDEFINITELY.

SPECIALS ARE VALID FOR THE

1ST & 2ND OF OCTOBER 2021.

him most about the incident was

that firefighters had arrived 30

minutes after being called, when

the fire was already out.

“The first respondents were

CPF members and my

neighbours,“ he said.

“One of our members came

with a bakkie full of water to try

and help.

“Firefighters came 30

minutes later and if it had not

been for the efforts of the CPF

and my neighbours there would

have been a real catastrophe.”

Late response by firefighters

has become the norm in the

town with residents often left

alone to deal with blazes.

In November last year, The

Rep reported that Palmscape

resident, John Plaatjies, watched

his two dogs and 43 live

chickens die in a raging blaze

when the fire brigade did not

show up. ('Key to fire truck

missing', November 13 2020).

In the incident, Plaatjies’

relayed how he was told keys to

the fire truck were not at the

station and instead were with a

firefighter who had gone home.

On the same night,

firefighters could not respond to

another fire in Ezibeleni where a

church house burnt down,

nearly killing two men.

Ire towards the fire brigade

has been further stoked by

incidents of firefighters arriving

without water.

In March, The Rep reported

how firefighters were chased

away in Aloevale after arriving

hours late to the scene without

water, ('Toddler dies in house

fire', March 12 2021).

In the same week, a toddler

was burnt beyond recognition

while three other family

members barely escaped.

Residents were again left to

battle the flames themselves.

WHAT ARE

YOU DOING

FO R

KO M A N I ?

Send

us your

story via

WhatsApp

on 073-

025-

2220

and we

will

publish

it.

¿

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

NO HELP: The burnt contents of Komani community policing forum (CPF) chairperson Mihle Gogela’s house in Sandringham. It

burnt down last week and firefighters took 30 minutes to arrive at the scene Picture: SUPPLIED

Man accused of shooting businessman gets bail

ZINTLE BOBELO

Forty-six-year-old Mulatu Biru, who is facing

charges of attempted murder for allegedly

shooting local businessman Johnny Bowes,

was granted R3,000 bail in the m a g i s t ra t e ' s

court in Komani on Wednesday.

His court appearance follows an

incident reported by The Rep ('Local

business owner shot,' September 17) that,

according to a police report, Biru, who was

renting adjacent premises from Bowes in

Cathcart Road, allegedly produced a 9mm

pistol and shot Bowes in his double cab

bakkie outside his Superbrake business

premises. Biru was apprehended at the

scene and charged.

During his bail application, indicating

that he intended to plead not guilty, the state

opposed his release based on the

investigating officer's testimony that he was

a flight risk, he would evade trial and wo u l d

interfere with witnesses.

The investigating officer also testified

that Biru would conceal evidence once out

on bail as it was put before court that he had

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

ŽŚĞŽĚĞŝŚŝŶĚĂŽĨŚĞĚĂĞŽĨďůŝĐĂŽŶŽĨŚĞŵĂĞŝĂůůĞĂĞĐŽŶĂĐŚĞ

ďůŝĐĚŽĐĂĞĂĨĂŽĐĂŶĂůŽĐŽŶĂĐŽĂĞĸĐĞŽŶ

ŬŚĂŶŝŵΛŽŵďĚŵĂŶŽŐĂŽůŽĚŐĞĂĐŽŵůĂŝŶŽŶŽĞďŝĞĞĐŽŶĐŝůŽŐĂ

removed and hidden a cartridge at the time

of the incident.

“It is on record that even after allegedly

shooting the complainant, considering that

he was injured and there was blood in the

car, he followed him and still threatened

him in his office.

‘’That shows how violent the accused is

or was, the resentment he has against the

complainant, because he even forced him

to sign whatever paper the accused had in

his possession when he saw he could not

sign but was assisted by his employee,” said

state prosecutor Pamela Piliso.

Defence attorney Luzuko Mazaleni of L

Mazaleni Attorneys Inc argued that the

investigating officer did not have any factual

basis for suggesting his client would

interfere with witnesses.

“She admitted that the witnesses had

already deposed to statements of which the

docket was in her control. It was impossible

he would interfere with the evidence as it

was already in her possession. The cartridge

that was claimed to be picked up by my

client was never found in his possession, but

Pinzi was more than a doctor

Continued from PAGE 1

h e r. “That was our mother, she

knew our names, who we are. She

knew the pain we went through and

when she came to Life Hospital you

would see her smile.

“She was never angry at us even

if we did not follow her orders.

“She invested in us and she

would sit down with us and say I

want to change your story. She had

an ability to change you and would

do everything in her capacity to

make you bring that smile so that

you deliver each and every baby

with an open heart.” She created a

the investigating officer testified that he

picked it up on the premises and never

l e f t .”

The court found that the accused had

family ties and assets in Komani,

suggesting he would not be a flight risk.

“It is indefensible for every magistrate

to assume that the fact an accused person

is a foreign national or even that he or she

is an illegal immigrant does not justify bail.

‘’Superior courts have granted bail to

foreign nationals before, and their

nationality alone cannot be a basis for

denying bail. Our Constitution guards

against the arbitrary and unjustified

deprivation of accused persons’ rights to

f r e e d o m ,” said Mazaleni.

‘’It is the duty and responsibility of

presiding officers to ensure a thorough risk

assessment is performed to prevent a

sustained violation of the right to liberty,

justice and equality of foreign nationals.‘’

Magistrate Vuyiseka Myoli granted bail

with certain conditions.

The case was remanded until October

22 for further investigation.

happy atmosphere at both Life and

at Frontier Hospital as a doctor.

During her last days of life and

after being moved from the

intensive care unit, she chose to be

kept in the maternity ward.

“It was time for us to nurse her,

give her love. She trusted us.”

When she heard the news of

P i n z i - M g u d l wa ’s passing, Dr Robyn

Spring shared this message:

“Heaven gained an angel tonight.

Love you, my friend and colleague,

Dr Nopasika Pinzi. Rest easy, your

legacy will remain.”

Also see obituary and pictures

on Page 14.

THE REPRESENTATIVE 1 October 2021 Tel: (045) 839-4040 / editorial: mjekulal@therep.co.za / advertising: charodinev@therep.co.za 3

Chance for businesswomen to reflect

Health, wills

and financials

the focus

ZINTLE BOBELO

Self-care was the core

message of the day at the

Border-Kei Chamber of

Business (BKCB) women's

development breakfast last

Th u r s d ay.

As attendees were serenaded

by the sounds of local musician

Lungiswa Songelwa's live

performance at the Luxe Molen

Boutique Hotel, guest speakers

gave informative talks on health

and financials for women to

take home.

BKCB executive director

Lizelle Maurice said women

fulfilled many roles, but failed to

take care of themselves.

“Women juggle so many

things and they usually put

themselves last. Attending these

women's networking events is a

time out for introspection.

“When you have great

speakers like the ones we had,

who remind us that we actually

need to take care of ourselves, it

is a wake-up call for us to sit

back and reflect so we do things

d i f f e r e n t l y.

“Such gatherings are also an

opportunity to meet other

dynamic women because we

can all learn and find courage

from one another,” she said.

Maurice also encouraged

WOMEN TO WOMEN: The Border-Kei Chamber of Business host a Women in Development breakfast on T h u r s d a y.

From left, are Dr Lydia Jaceni, author Isebelle Blignaut, BKCB administrator Adre Bartis, BKCB executive director Lizelle

Maurice, Old Mutual area manager Violet Boucher and musician Lungiswa Songelwa Picture: ZINTLE BOBELO

women to join associations that

would empower them to avoid

struggling alone.

“It is an encouragement to

see other women who have

risen above their struggle. Do

not struggle where you are and

on your own. You can learn

from other women in business.”

First speaker of the day,

naturopath Dr Lydia Jaceni, who

owns the Komani Health Shop,

spoke on mental health and

unpacked aspects of mental

wellness. Author of I'm no

quitter I'm a Lupus warrior,

Isebelle Blignaut, who was

diagnosed with Lupus in 2007,

shared her journey as she fought

for her life over the years.

Old Mutual area manager

Violet Boucher asked the

attendees whether they had a

will in place and shared the

importance of having one.

“By the end of August we

had 78,000 lives lost due to

Covid-19. Nobody speaks about

❝ Do not struggle

where you are and on

your own. You can

learn from other

women in business.

Lizelle Maurice

the widows, widowers and

orphans left behind - 95,000

children were left orphans in the

past 12 months. The sad part is

their parents never spoke with

one another regarding finances.

“Can we put a will in place

to take care of our children in

the event of death? A will is

critical and solves a whole lot of

problems.

“As women, we are the

home- makers, the ones who

need to ensure that peace reigns

in the home,” she said.


Dam levels steady but

ongoing infrastructure

vandalism a problem

STILL LEAKING

Theft causing supply issues, sewer spillages, costly repairs

HALF FULL: A recent photo of the Bonkolo Dam, which is now at more than 50% of its holding capacity

SUPPLIED

Picture:

NTSIKELELO QOYO

While the department of water

and sanitation is warning of a

decline in the province’s dam

levels, the Chris Hani region is holding

steady, however, vandalism of

infrastructure is a serious problem.

In a press statement this week, the

department said despite recent rains in

some parts of the province, there had

been little impact on water levels, which

had dropped from 50.5% last week to

50.2%.

Komani dams have held steady, with

Xonxa still at 95% and Bonkolo at 55%.

The Whittlesea dams are still low, with

Waterdown hovering at 21%, while

Oxkraal is at 30%. The Doornrivier

Dam at Indwe is at 90.88% and

Molteno’s Paradise Dam at 90%.

Chris Hani District Municipality

spokesperson, Bulelwa Ganyaza, said

the main concern regarding wa t e r

provision in the region was the

vandalism of infrastructure, which was

causing water supply shortages. “Th e

district is currently experiencing high

incidents of theft and vandalism of

water infrastructure which are targeted

by vandals.

“This has resulted in massive

infrastructure damage, prompting

unplanned water supply interruptions

and recurring sewer spillages.

“These incidents also leave

permanent damage and adversely affect

the municipality’s finances due to costly

replacements and repairs.

“Currently, we have an incident at

Who-Can-Tell, in Whittlesea, where

one of the boreholes was ransacked and

major elements removed.

“The district has made provision but

this is also not adequate as the area is

vast and demand is high. We have

experienced this at the Mlungisi pump

station where vandals also caused

destruction to the fence through forced

e n t r y,” she said.

The municipality requests anyone

who has information about these

incidents to report them on the care line

0800-100-100.

DOWN THE DRAIN: These Frost Street leaks were published by

The Rep in November last year and 10 months later, residents in

the area still say it is running water unabated. Chris Hani District

Municipality spokesperson Bulelwa Ganyaza said the leak had

been attended to and that the municipality was unaware that it

had resurfaced Picture: SUPPLIED

WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR KOMANI?

Send us your story via WhatsApp on 073-025-2220 and we will

publish it.

It can be a cleaning campaign or pothole repair project.

Devastating fire causes damage to surrounding farms

ZINTLE BOBELO

A raging fire which swept through

Longhill on Thursday last week has left

a number of farmers calculating losses.

It was reported that farmers in the

Bonkolo area were alerted about the

blaze at about 4am on Thursday.

“This fire has caused about 6,000

hectares of veld damage, beside the

infrastructure damage that has also

been caused. Irrigation piping, stock

water piping, fencing. Fortunately no

buildings were burnt, thanks to the help

of firefighters and volunteers who came

to assist,” said local farmer Simon

Sutton.

According to Sutton, numerous

firebreaks had to be lit to try and stop

the spread. “Farmers and volunteers

normally use specialised blowers and

water pumps to contain veld fires.

“However, with the strong winds on

Thursday and the weekend, it was

almost impossible to contain this fire.”

Panic surged through the Top Town

area as residents feared the fire would

destroy their homes, especially those

close to the mountain. Enoch Mgijima

Local Municipality spokesperson

Lonwabo Kowa indicated that fire

fighters were dispatched and on site,

together with volunteers, to help

extinguish the blaze.

DESTROYED: A veld fire which erupted and engulfed Longhill on Thursday has caused damage to local

farmers Picture: SUPPLIED

“The fire was controlled. Top Town

residential area and the bigger part of

the Lawrence de Lange Game Reserve

were safe.” Kowa said the team burnt a

section of the grass as a fire controlling

t e ch n i q u e .

“This is called the back-burn and is

meant to ensure that the fire ceases

when it reaches the grass that is already

b u r n t ,” said Kowa as more volunteers

joined in the fight.

“The fire is presumed to have started

in the Zingquthu settlement as the

farmers there think the veld needs to be

burnt to stimulate new growth for the

coming season. However, this method

of yearly burning actually degenerates

the natural veld and is one of the

causes of soil erosion,” Sutton

highlighted.

“The fire was only completely

contained on Sunday evening. The last

I can remember a fire of this size was in

the mid 2000s. We have not had such a

fire in the last 10 to 15 years,” he said.

Komani Fire Protection Association

chairperson Peter Filmer said the

association was busy correlating

information so as to establish the

amount of damage caused. A meeting

was set to take place next week

Thursday following the incident.

Meanwhile farmers in Indwe

appealed to the municipality to

intervene after about 563 hectors of

grazing land was destroyed in a fire last

week Wednesday.

“A sheep and a lamb died. It was a

miracle that other livestock survived.

“There are about 200 cattle and 350

sheep without feed at the moment.

“We are trying to source help. These

fires have a negative impact because

there will be no production this year.

“We would appreciate all the help

we can get. We hope the government

will intervene because this is a

d i s a s t e r,” said Mthobeli Dintsi of Uitkyk

farm in Indwe.



Since my daughter went into

high school a few years ago,

the conversation I’ve had in my

head – what I call a personal

‘b o s b e ra a d ’–has been about

whether I have saved enough

for her to go to university.

I took out an education

policy when she was much

younger, but with education

fees having gone up so much

over the years, this question

keeps lingering in my mind.

My daughter is wo r k i n g

very hard at school so she can

go to university to do a BSc in

Information Technology, as she

wants to be a software

e n g i n e e r.

With the Fourth Industrial

Revolution (4IR) on our

doorsteps and the Covid period

having emphasised the

importance of technology in

our lives, I definitely support

her dreams to go into a

technology-focused career.

However, supporting my

daughter’s dreams doesn’t just

end with motivating her. It also

means great financial planning.

I’ve seen first-hand how

education has moved many

families from poverty to

p r o s p e r i t y.

It is also very important to

make sure our children study

towards professions that will

ensure that after all that money

is invested in their education, it

doesn’t go to waste. The biggest

challenge for many graduates is

they are sitting at home with

diplomas or degrees and are

struggling to find jobs.

This is not only caused by

the youth unemployment rate

that is at 63% for the ages 15-

24 years, according to the

recent Quarterly Labour Force

Survey (QLFS). It is also

aggravated by the fact that

many graduates have

completed courses and

acquired skills that are not in

Saving for tertiary education for our

children the best inheritance

Empower ment

Zone

Miranda Lusiba

KOMANI WEATHER

great demand in the country.

To recap the stats I

highlighted during

#YouthMonth, a recent article

revealed that the top 10 skills

SA businesses are struggling to

recruit for include: engineers

(18%); ICT (13%); foreign

language speakers (10%);

media and marketing

specialists (9%); artisans (8%);

C-suite executives (7%); senior

financial executives (6%);

health professionals and related

clinical sciences (5%); science

professionals (4%) and

accounting (1%).

We ’ve seen how many

students have struggled with

tertiary education fees, in the

#feesmustfall movement. And

how many children from socalled

“middle class” homes

did not qualify for National

Student Financial Aid Scheme

(NSFAS) funding.

As such, I decided a few

years back to opt for the

Fundisa Fund – a savings

scheme for further and higher

education launched by the

department of education and

the Association of Collective

Investments in 2007.

At the time, the government

committed R20m to a threeyear

pilot project to test if there

was demand for the savings

scheme. The Fundisa Fund

encouraged lower income

earners to save for their

children's further education.

Savers were able to open

savings accounts and receive

up to a quarter of what they

saved each year as a bonus. A

minimum monthly contribution

of R40 was required and the

SPEAKING UP

FACE 2 FACE with /

QWhat kind of work do

you do?

AI am a language

practitioner for the

department of justice,

interpreting different languages

for the audience in the court of

Ko m a n i .

What do you enjoy about your

wo r k ?

I enjoy working and interacting

with people who are different

native speakers because it puts

me in a position of challenging

my skills in terms of language.

bonus interest that could be

earned was up to R600 per year

for the education of a

nominated child. To be able to

see the return and benefit from

this interest, the advisable

investment term was five years.

This education fund has,

since 2018, been closed to new

investors though and it is now

only continuing to support

existing investors.

What are the three items you

cannot live without?

My spectacles, cell phone,

newspaper

What is your favourite

However, banks and

insurance companies offer

savings policies. Visit: https://

w w w. j u s t m o n e y. c o . z a / n e s /

2 0 2 0 / 0 2 / 0 5 / b e s t - way s - t o - s ave -

f o r- yo u r- ch i l d - s - e d u c a t i o n /

Education is the best

inheritance we can give our

children, and a ticket out of

poverty for most.

For more information,

contact me on: 068-029-8760

Bulelani Msizi

court interpreter

holiday destination and why?

I love the wildlife and rich

history of Mpumalanga.

The place is indeed

beautiful.

Which book are you reading?

The Long Walk to Freedom by

Nelson Mandela

Who is your role model?

My role model is Zakes Mda

What do you like about

Ko m a n i ?

Komani has groomed and

moulded me politically and

(voice-calls); 078-675-1297

(WhatsApp), or email:

m i ra n d a @ s t ra n g e c o n s u l t i n g . c o .

za or Ora4117@gmail.com

Miranda Lusiba is the

founding director of Strangé

Consulting – a boutique PR

agency specialising in

communications, freelance

writing, media relations,

reputation management and

media training.

NO TO VIOLENCE:

Walter Sisulu

University students

recently had a

candle light

ceremony to

remember students

that lost their lives

on gender based

violence. Chris Hani

District Municipality

deputy mayor

Noncedo

September was one

of the speakers on

the day's events

Picture: SUPPLIED

socially. I grew up here and the

people are warm and loving. I

feel at home here.

What advice would you give to

young people who would like

to work as court interpreters?

They should familiarise

themselves with other people’s

languages and never

underestimate the experience.

They unlock opportunities for

language practitioners.

What motivates you daily?

It is doing what I love and

excelling at it.

After the cool, wet weather that was predicted for earlier this week,

let us hope the damp, rainy conditions continue as forecast.

Friday is set to continue the rainy trend, with an 80% chance of a

thunderstorm forecast. There will be a fresh breeze and a minimum

temperature down to 9° and the maximum up to 22°C.

For the remainder of the weekend the minimum temperatures

will drop way down to just 3°C. On Saturday it will be cloudy, damp

and showery most of the day and will be overcasr with a moderate

wind.

Sunday will again start off at 3°C and it will be partly cloudy with

light showers possible throughout the day. There will be a moderate

breeze and the temperatures will range between 3 and 14°C. -

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

YO U R VOICE opinions on the street

What do you think about…

SOCIETY SNIPPETS

From birthdays to anniversaries to achievements to notices ...

Share your information with us:

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

H a p py birthday wishes to Dagmar Miles, Joan Terwin, Riaan Snel,

Ivan Heuer, Diane Peters, Alrick Smith and Susan Nel (October 2),

Peggy Bowes, Izak van Niekerk, Susan Humpel, Gavin Schaefer,

Greer Edkins and Jeandre Smith (October 3), Tanya Duncan, Marlin

Smith, Olwethu Ntuta and Frederika Snyman (October 4), Stanley

Westerberg, Diego Fisher and Margaret Boucher (October 5), Reg

Morgan, Jared Murray, Anna-Marie Greyvenstein and Lee Erasmus

(October 6), Kelly Nagel, Lana van Deventer, Teddy Govender and

Dhivea Govender (October 7), Shaun Petzer, Jackie Aucamp and

Henry van Staden (October 8), Hazel Wood, Nkuli Gamede,

Dambisa Ntuta and Trayshile Vellem (October 9), Anne Moore

(October 14).

Condolences are extended to the families and friends of Bulie

Makaula, Notali Magcuntstu, Nomhle Mathebe, Lindani Tomose,

James Zingitwa, Rummy Rengqu, Mzwabantu Nana and Nozwakha

Gabaza.

THANDO

M AT H A M O

Local government

elections are just a

month away and service

delivery remains a

thorny issue in

communities. The Rep

intern, Mbalentle Stofu,

asked the people of

Komani about their

service delivery

concerns and what they

wished their leaders

would change.

Thando Mathamo

SAKHUMZI

KLAAS

from Ezibeleni

Water and electricity

are the worst –

sometimes we have to

survive days without it.

We try to reach out to

the municipality but

they don’t help us. I

would like to see our

upcoming councillor

step up.

Sakhumzi Klaas

from Ndlovukazi

There is something

VERONICA

BARRAUD

positive about service

delivery. At times it does

cater for people and

ensure things get done.

Veronica Barraud

from Top Town

There is no service

delivery; they do not

fetch our rubbish. We

have to do everything

ourselves. The potholes

are shocking on the

roads. I hope our new

councillor will do

LUNGILE

MDLELA

everything in his power

to deliver.

Lungile Mdlela

from Sandringham

Service delivery is

poor. The previous year

my house was on fire

and I did not get any

help from the Enoch

Mgijima municipality. I

wish our new councillor

would be someone who

will pay attention to

people’s grievances. We

SUZANNE

VAN HEERDEN

are tired of promises and

no action.

Suzanne van Heerden

from Top Town

Load shedding lasts

for hours and affects our

work, especially now

that we work from home

and the network is very

slow. I wish our new

councillor would hear

us out when we cry out

for help. This is too

m u ch .


Marchers demand officials resign

Group accuse Emalahleni mayor, MM and CFO of corruption, poor services, irregular expenditure

ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA

Emalahleni residents and members

of a business forum embarked on

a peaceful march to Emalahleni

Local Municipality on Friday to

demand that mayor Nontombizane

Koni, municipal manager Velile

Makedama and CFO Xolani Sikobi,

vacate their positions.

They submitted a memorandum of

demands alleging the trio have been

involved in irregular expenditure and

tender corruption, as well as poor

service delivery.

Emalahleni business forum chair,

Xolisile Pemba, who led the march,

said they were demanding that the

three step down with immediate effect,

and for the Hawks to begin lifestyle

audits.

Some of their allegations were that

the municipal manager had been living

in a B & B since he started in his

position in October 2019.

Pemba said: “The infrastructure

manager, Yonela Maselana-Casa, who

left suddenly, was threatened by men in

front of the municipal offices at

gunpoint where she was told to resign

with immediate effect and the

municipal manager’s car was seen in

front of the woman’s house regularly.’’

Pemba alleged the acting supply

chain management manager had been

‘’acting’’ for more than two years to

manipulate tender processes.

Pemba alleged the municipal

manager and the CFO demanded R2m

upfront for tenders.

Sub-contractor Nomaswazi

Kunene said: “The MM was forced by

Cogta MEC Xolile Nqatha to

implement the 30% policy for local

contractors to benefit Emalahleni

p r o j e c t s .’’

This, she said, was after Makedama

refused to give 30% of the jobs to local

SMMEs.

Kunene said they had warned the

mayor about Makedama’s corrupt

tendencies.

She alleged that the irony was that

the mayor had exposed the corruption

in the previous administration which

was removed.

The memorandum of demands was

received by speaker Dumiso Kalolo,

with the council expected to respond

within 14 days.

Meanwhile, Hawks Captain Yolisa

Mgolodela said a report to start the

investigation was received.

Emalahleni municipal spokesperson

Luthando Nqumkana said the period

Makedama had stayed in a B & B, paid

for by the municipality, had ended, as

he arranged his own accommodation.

❝

[Maselana-Casa] was

threatened by men in

front of the municipal

offices at gunpoint

where she was told

to resign with

immediate effect.

Nqumkana said when the supply

chain manager's term lapsed, no one

was interested in the position.

As far as brown envelopes of R2m

to secure tenders were concerned, he

said fraud or corruption-related talk

was hearsay, and should rather be

reported to law enforcement agencies.

Regarding the 30%, he said the

municipality was forced to implement

the percentage policy for subcontracting,

but local businesses were

selective in their approach.

He said the Cogta MEC's

intervention regarding sub-contracting

was to negotiate 30% beneficiation,

but this was not the proper way of

doing things as they were assisting

emerging businesses to negotiate for

sub-contracting, with the budget far

less than the R30m tender value

required for sub-contracting, though it

helped local contractors.

‘’We accept it was our fault to make

IN PROTEST: Emalahleni

residents, led by a local

business forum, march to

the local municipality’s

offices recently

demanding that top

officials accused of

mismanaging the

municipality’s funds, leave

their jobs P i c t u re :

ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA

grounds for negotiations between local

contractors and those who won tenders

below the set amount for subcontracting.

We acknowledge that

some companies in our area benefitted

from the 30% sub-contracting and their

grades improved from where they were

p r e v i o u s l y,’’ Nqumkana said.

As far as threats to demolish

hawkers' shacks, Nqumkana said the

municipality was not aware of this.

‘’We will not tolerate allegations of

intimidation against anyone as people

have a right to protest action.’’

On the ‘’gunpoint’’ allegations,

Nqumkana said electricity manager

Maselana-Casa resigned from the

municipality to take up another

o p p o r t u n i t y.

School repairs potholes after

hit-and-run accident

Local documentary explores

the intense struggle leading to

1985 Queenstown Massacre

BRINGING CHANGE: Ekuphumleni High School pupils, teachers and SGB members are in an initiative

to eradicate potholes in Hewu following a hit-and-run accident on a pupil from the school. According

to witnesses, the car swerved to avoid a pothole and hit the 16-year-old matric pupil P i c t u re :

SUPPLIED

NTSIKELELO QOYO

After almost losing a pupil in an accident because of a

motorist swerving to avoid a pothole, Ekuphumleni

High School has directed its efforts into repairing all

the potholes in Hewu, Whittlesea.

Last week, pupils and teachers were shocked

when a matric pupil was involved in a hit-and-run

accident. According to witnesses, the 16-year-old

pupil was hit by a speeding car that swerved to avoid a

pothole.

She is using crutches and is no longer in hospital.

In a move to bring positive change in the

community follow the accident, Ekuphumleni High

School teachers, SGB members and pupils have now

have sworn to eradicate every pothole in the village.

“Potholes are everywhere. They are now a danger

to motorists and pedestrians,” said Ekuphumleni

acting principal, Mzi Mdlangu.

Since last week the school has fixed all the

potholes in the road near the school and they are now

fixing the road towards the Hewu Hospital.

“We have been frustrated by the deep, wide

potholes there have been since 2018, ignored by the

municipality. They resulted in an accident. The school

therefore resolved to start this initiative because we do

not want to see more pupils hit by cars as we are next

to a busy road,” Mdlangu said.

NTSIKELELO QOYO

The 1985 Queenstown Massacre was one

of the most traumatic events in the history

of the town, with 12 people murdered and

22 injured.

The the incident was the apogee after a

four-month long consumer boycott that

gripped the town and brought the local

economy to its knees.

The events leading up to the massacre

are now the focus of a new documentary,

Asithengi (We are not buying) - the rallying

call of the boycott.

It premiers today on YouTube and later

this year at tour festivals on the continent

and abroad.

In the words of those involved in the

boycott, the demands and aims of the

civic resistance and subsequent

consequences are narrated in intimate

detail, explaining what happened in

Mlungisi and Komani leading up to the

fateful day.

“The aim is to shift attention from what

actually happened on the day as little is

known of the preceding four months to

November 17. This documentary

captures the three months of intense

struggle between local black residents and

the might of the apartheid regime in that

small Eastern Cape town. A time when the

local black residents said, ‘Asithengi’,”

said the executive producer of the

documentary, Ayabonga Cawe.

According to the author and radio

personality, the capitulations of the then

white-only city council which had a

AYABONGA CAWE

meeting with boycott organisers about

bringing an end to the stalemate was proof

of the success of the strategies employed

by civic movements in fighting the

injustices of the regime.

“The boycott in many ways presented a

historic account of self-government in

black areas in South Africa, and an

example of the negotiated resolution to a

social impasse, long before Codesa in the

early 1990s. The boycott was only

suspended in April 1986.

“By then, almost all 35 white-owned

businesses in the town had closed or

suspended trading and PW Botha had

targeted the magisterial district of

Queenstown as part of the State of

Emergency regulations.@

The documentary was independently

produced by Xesibe Holdings, Cawe’s

company. It is available on the Xesibe

Holdings YouTube channel. Everyone

involved in the research and production of

the documentary is from Komani.


SANBS battles low blood stocks

Organisation experiences poor collection due to low turnout

REP REPORTER

The impact of the Covid-19

pandemic on hospitals has

stretched blood supplies in the

country, according to the South African

National Blood Service (SANBS).

Recently, the SANBS has

experienced poor collection due to,

among other challenges, low donor

turnout to mobile blood drives and

donor centres.

“While we continue to contend

with declining blood stocks, the

demand from patients has not slowed

down. Lifesaving surgeries and the

treatment of other illnesses still

demands that we consistently supply

much needed blood products. The

situation is critical and could become

dire if we fail to collect sufficient Group

O blood,” warned Dr Karin van den

Berg, SANBS medical director.

With less than three days blood

stock on hand, the SANBS once again

calls on donors to rally behind this

lifesaving mission to help save

thousands of lives.

“Our donors have always been

incredibly generous during times of

struggle and we need their help to

ensure that our blood supply stabilises

once more,” van den Berg said.

Hospital demand for blood has been at

its highest and the pressure from low

donor turnout has not helped the

situation at all. This is why, where

possible, the SANBS has extended its

donor centres’ operating hours for the

foreseeable future, to allow donors

more hours in the day to make their

donations.

“We commend the donors who

have kept us going despite the current

social uncertainties and general social

anxiety that plagues many people at the

moment. We especially implore donors

with O-positive and O-negative blood

to make their donation as they can

make the biggest immediate difference

to the situation we face right now,” va n

den Berg concluded.

Donors who are ready and willing

to roll up their sleeves and lend an arm

can find out more about where they

can donate blood by visiting

www.sanbs.org.za or by calling 0800

11 90 31.

The SANBS is, furthermore,

appealing to the public to make venues

available for blood drives. Suitable

venues include spaces accessible and

open to the public. If you are able to

host a blood drive, visit

www.sanbs.org.za to book a blood

drive and to see how else you can get

i nvo l ve d .

One blood donation gives

recipients a second chance with their

loved ones. Another Christmas to

remember, another summer holiday at

the beach, another birthday

c e l e b ra t i o n .

To become a blood donor, you

must:

• Be between the ages of 16

and 75 years.

• Weigh 50kg or more.

• Lead a healthy lifestyle.

• Consider your blood safe for

transfusion to a patient.

• Commit to donating blood

r e g u l a r l y.

“Don’t let South Africa run out of

safe blood. Donate today.”

CULTURAL CUTIE

JOYFUL EVENT

CELEBRATING TRADITION: Department of correctional services’ Sada area staff members recently held Heritage Day celebrations

in Komani dressed in colourful traditional attire Picture: LUVUYO MJEKULA

TRADITIONAL PRINCESS: Dikgabiso Msizi looked pretty

in red as she celebrated Heritage Day on Friday last week

Picture: SUPPLIED

Plea for help to find

a missing man

ZINTLE BOBELO

A family from Ilinge is appealing

to the public to assist in finding

25-year-old Siphesihle Xelelo

who has been missing for a

month.

His relative, Solomzi Xelelo,

said according to neighbours,

Siphesihle had left his house keys

in front of a neighbour's shack

and had not been seen since.

“My aunt, who also stays in

Ilinge, said she last saw him on

August 30 when he went to

collect his R350 social relief

grant at the post office in Ilinge.

HAVE YOU SEEN

HIM?: Siphesihle Xelelo

from Ilinge disappeared

without a trace P i c t u re :

SUPPLIED

“The neighbour who normally kept his house keys became

worried after days went by without him fetching the keys.”

“No one seems to know where he is and we are worried,”

he said.

Police spokesperson Captain Lariane Jonker said the matter

was reported to the police and an inquiry had been opened.

“The SAPS and a family member went to places the family

reported that the missing person frequently visited, but could

not find him.”

Jonker said on Tuesday police officials had also visited a

hospital, where a patient's relatives were being sought.

“The station commander visited the mother with a

photograph of the person in hospital, and she confirmed that it

was not him,” said Jonker, adding police were continuing their

i nve s t i g a t i o n .

Siphesihle was last seen wearing a navy jacket, brown

boots and black jeans. Anyone who knows his whereabouts

can contact Solomzi Xelelo on 072-947 2008.

What a slow economy means

for the property market

REP REPORTER

As we draw a close to the third quarter of

2021, the effects of the third wave of

Covid-19 infections combined with the

looting and protest actions following

former president Jacob Zuma’s arrest are

sure to be felt across most sectors of the

South African economy.

The question is whether this will have

an impact on the local housing market.

Adrian Goslett, regional director and

CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, says

that he expects activity within the local

housing market to level out in response to

the challenging economic circumstances

that lie before us.

“When unemployment increases,

spending power declines and fewer

buyers can afford to purchase property.

This translates into a buyers’ market where

the supply of properties outweighs the

demand from buyers. Those whose

salaries are affected might become unable

to afford the costs of their home loan,

which will mean that more properties will

enter the market, with some falling claim

to bank repossession and distressed

property sales. In time, this can put

downward pressure on asking prices,”

says Goslett.

The hope is that vaccination rates will

increase soon, as this should prevent any

further restrictions on economic activity

❝When unemployment

increases, spending

power declines,

spending power

declines and fewer

buyers can afford to

purchase property.

and allow for a period of recovery.

“Provided that the economy is allowed to

operate without any further restrictions, it

is possible for the economy to begin its

gradual recovery and for the downside

risks to the local housing market to be

c o n t a i n e d ,” Goslett postulates.

While unable to predict if and when

the property market will be affected by the

current economic conditions, Goslett

remains optimistic about real estate as an

investment vehicle. “Despite our current

economic outlook, our network recorded

an increase of 54% in reported sales. And,

while I know that the property market is

unlikely to remain this active forever, this

does paint a promising picture that the

demand for property exists even within a

struggling economy.”

Goslett advises homeowners to keep

an ear to the ground over the next few

months to remain aware of any changes in

the outlook for both the economy as well

as the local property market. “For a

deeper understanding on how your local

housing market is performing within the

current economy, reach out to your

nearest RE/MAX office and arrange an

appointment. Each suburb will have its

own unique micro-trends that might differ

from the trends that emerge within the

broader housing market. Chatting to a

local real estate professional can shed

some light on these unique trends and

keep homeowners better informed on the

state of their given market. This will help

them make better decisions around how

best to manage their real estate

i nve s t m e n t s ,” Goslett concludes.

For more advice on current trends or to

get in touch with an agent from the

wo r l d ’s largest brand in real estate, visit

w w w. r e m a x . c o . z a .



DA lays charges against CHDM

ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA

The DA has laid criminal charges

against the Chris Hani District

Municipality on account of

perpetual sewage spillages said to be

polluting the environment.

The charges were laid by DA MPL

Vicky Knoetze and DA Inxuba

Yethemba mayoral candidate Monde

Desha against CHDM municipal

manager, Gcobani Mashiyi, at the

Cradock police station.

Police spokesperson Priscilla Naidu

has confirmed that a case of

contravention of the national water Act

36 of 1998 was opened and that police

were investigating the matter.

According to Knoetze, the charges

were laid in terms of section 151 of the

national water Act after CHDM’s failure

to adhere to non-compliance notices

Municipality 'failed to comply with notices' over water pollution, sewage spills

regarding pollution as well as not

acting on directives issued by the

national department of water &

sanitation (DWS).

According to the Act, the offence

could result in a fine or imprisonment.

“The ongoing collapse of

wastewater treatment works [WWTW]

facilities across CHDM continues to

result in raw sewage spills polluting the

environment and numerous freshwater

s o u rc e s .

“On a daily basis, people must

navigate their way across rivers and

dams of sewage, while the pollution of

freshwater sources is wreaking havoc in

the Great Fish River,’’ Knoetze said.

She added that the promotion of

access to information Act (PAIA)

application indicated that noncompliance

notices regarding

pollution had been issued by the DWS

in almost every town in the district

since 2017.

‘’At least seven directives to stop

pollution resulting from failing

WWTW were issued,‘’ Knoetze said.

‘’The PAIA application revealed

that about eight freshwater rivers, of

which the Great Fish was one, were

polluted by raw sewage.”

This was due to infrastructure

being allowed to deteriorate to the

point of collapse.

‘’CHDM is either unwilling to deal

with or incapable of dealing with this

disaster of its own making.’’ She

believed the water and sanitation

function was best managed by local

municipalities which had more

capacity to deal with the health impact

in communities.

Polluted water sources and raw

sewage posed a huge health hazard to

people and had a negative effect on the

local economy. She added that the DA

had resolved more than 13,300 sewage

complaints since January 1 2021.

CHDM spokesperson Bulelwa

Ganyaza said the municipality had 52

pump stations and WWTW operating

24 hours a day. Ganyaza said 35 of

these were fully operational, while 17

were partially operational.

She said all directives had been

responded to and the challenges were

related to ageing infrastructure coupled

with population growth, which affected

the capacity of the sewer treatment

wo r k s .

Ganyaza said spillages were a

cause for concern. When these erupted

technical teams were deployed to

unblock the sewer lines using rods or

high-pressure jetting machines.

‘’We also ensure that areas are

treated to rehabilitate and conserve the

environment. Repairs are always

effected immediately. There are plans

to apply for funding, focusing on

infrastructure upgrades as most of our

infrastructure has reached its lifespan.’’

BRAAI TIME

CROWD FAVOURITE

N THE HEAT: Braai masters having fun at the Queens Casino and Hotel’s Heritage Mahala Moola event on Friday P i c t u re :

SUPPLIED

MOST POPULAR: Asonele Milela Mlenze was crowned Miss

Popularity at the Buhle Bendalo beauty pageant held in

Komani recently to mark Heritage Day Picture: SUPPLIED

QUEEN OF THE DAY LADY IN RED TOP MODEL

WINNING SMILE: The Buhle Bendalo beauty pageant was

held in Komani recently and Aphelele Mtwecu was named the

Queen of the contest Picture: SUPPLIED

RUNNER UP: The first princess at the Buhle Bendalo beauty

pageant was Aqhamile Kowa Picture: SUPPLIED

BEAUTY CONTEST: Indiphile Rondile was named second

princess at the Buhle Bendalo beauty pageant in Komani last

week Picture: SUPPLIED


Ilinge resident fears for his

life as sewage floods home

REFURBISHMENT PROJECT: Stakeholders and government officials gather to officially

launch the refurbished Queendustria sub-station on Tuesday. From left, are Mlungiseleli

Makhosonke, Eastern Cape Development Corporation CEO Ayanda Wakaba, Enoch Mgijima

Local Municipality chief whip Nombuyiselo Ndlebe, provincial department of economic

development, environmental affairs and tourism MEC Mlungisi Mvoko, Chris Hani District

Municipality deputy mayor Noncedo September, Camagu Futshane and founder of Twizza,

Ken Clark Picture: SUPPLIED

R24m upgrade of

Queendustria

sub-station is

welcome news

Residents, hospital and businesses to benefit

ZINTLE BOBELO

The Queendustria sub-station was officially

launched by provincial department of

economic development, environmental

affairs & tourism (DEDEAT) MEC Mlungisi

Mvoko, with Eastern Cape Development

Corporation (ECDC) CEO Ayanda Wakaba and

other stakeholders on Tuesday after undergoing a

a 24m refurbishment.

The now strengthened, refurbished electrical

infrastructure boasts a new 15MVA electrical

transformer, a refurbished 15MVA electrical

transformer, the installation and commissioning

of new current and voltage transformers and

surge arresters, plus the installation of 12 new

switchgear panels and a new security fence.

The Queendustria substation will now

distribute electricity to various Komani end-users

which include the business community of

Queendustria, the Komani Hospital and parts of

the Ezibeleni residential area.

Mvoko said a provincial economic stimulus

fund (PESF) was established by the provincial

government in the 2019/20 financial year to

support infrastructure projects that could create

much-needed economic activity.

“The fund is rooted in a decision by the

provincial executive council to allocate funds to

stimulate the local economy by targeting key

sectors that have a potential to turn around the

economy in the short- to medium-term,” said

M vo k o .

“The main objective of the PESF is to fund,

implement and monitor catalytic economic

development initiatives and projects aimed at

unleashing opportunities that grow the economy,

enable economic development, as well as grow

trade and investment.

“I cannot overemphasise the importance of

maintaining and upgrading service

infrastructure, and particularly electrical

infrastructure to support economic activity,

investment and growth.”

After experiencing persistent and intermittent

power outages which have reportedly caused

damage to local businesses, founder of Twizza,

Ken Clark, who represented the business

fraternity, welcomed the upgrade. “P r e v i o u s l y,

we suffered millions of rands worth of damage to

sensitive equipment because of power failures,

damaging sensitive electronic infrastructure.

“The results of the upgrade is that not only do

we have limited interruptions, we have a

controlled voltage which allows our equipment

to operate optimally and limits damage to the

equipment. This is how things should be.”

Clark appealed to all arms of government to

listen to businesses and pay attention to their

plea to help finance the refurbishment of the

Ebden sub-station.

“Komani Industrial Park had components that

reached the end of their lifespan with some

requiring immediate maintenance, particularly

substations and transformer components.

“In some areas, the electrical infrastructure

had reached a stage of collapse due to ageing

and inadequate maintenance as a result of

funding constraints,” said Enoch Mgijima Local

Municipality (EMLM) mayor Luleka Gubula.

She added that vandalism was a serious

problem but a plan was in place to tighten

security to safeguard municipal infrastructure.

“A number of sports facilities, halls and most

of our amenities have been vandalised but we

are in the process of procuring a security

c o m p a ny.

“Council realised that municipal security

personnel were not well-trained and had limited

resources and skills and we therefore realised

that this was not working for us.”

ECDC CEO Ayanda Wakaba confirmed that

the Ebden substation project involved

refurbishing, and was also being implemented

by the ECDC.

“The EMLM availed R14m as an urgent

intervention toward the project which will entail

installation of a 20MVA electrical transformer

including current transformers and voltage

transformers. The site was handed over to the

contractor on August 24 and is scheduled to be

completed in May 2022.”

The project is said to be funded by the EMLM

with the support of the municipal infrastructure

support agent and cooperative governance and

traditional affairs (Cogta).

HEALTH HAZARD: Smelly sewage floods the yard of elderly Ilinge resident Arthur Nkomo

every day, placing his wellbeing at serious risk Picture: SUPPLIED

MBALENTLE STOFU

A raw sewage overflow in Ilinge resident Arthur

Nkomo’s yard has left him fearing for his and his

animals’ l ive s .

“The dogs in my yard drink the water. I am

afraid they might get sick or die.”

Nkomo, 71, said the problem has started to

affect his personal life. “Sometimes I have to wait

until the bad odour tones down before I cook or

e a t ,” he laments.

He was desperately looking for a solution.

“I would be so happy if this matter would be

resolved. I live off my garden plants and now I

cannot eat because the plants are affected by the

sewage. Everything is wasted. Food is expensive

and the garden really helped cut costs because I

would only go to town buy meat. We had all kinds

of vegetables,’’ he said.

Nkomo said the situation worsened daily. “It

fills the yard and I even struggle to walk out of the

h o u s e .” He said people passing by his home

would point fingers and cover their nostrils

because of the smell.

“What is even scarier is that Covid-19 could

make things far worse, considering illnesses such

as bronchitis and pulmonary fibrosis. A person of

my age is at a higher risk of contracting such

illnesses. I am scared for my life and what I could

wake up to one day.”

He has tried to fix the problem on numerous

occasions. “I have tried to fix the problem myself,

but none of that has worked. I wish I knew how to

stop the sewage coming into my yard. I wish the

municipality would hear my cry and intervene.

Sometimes it dries and leaves black, stinky

patches on the pavement,’’ Nkomo added.

Nkomo said he was contemplating digging a

channel so that the sewage ran into neighbouring

houses so that they also suffered the same fate and

said he hoped that would bring a solution.

He alleged that a municipal truck serviced the

area at times but never reached his house, despite

having reported the problem on two occasions.

❝

I live off my garden plants and

now I cannot eat because the

plants are affected by the

sewage. Everything is wasted.

Food is expensive and the garden

really helped cut costs because I

would only go to town buy meat.

The previous week, a similar complaint was

raised by another resident in Mlungisi.

Chris Hani District Municipality spokesperson

Bulelwa Ganyaza said the municipality required

clear details including Nkomo’s address, a

reference number, which offices he visited to

report the matter before they could properly

respond. “The district receives a number of

customer complaints through different forms such

as walk-ins to our offices, via our customer care

line (0800 100 100) and ward councillors. These

complaints are attended to with feedback sourced

from the complaints to gauge their satisfaction

level on how the complaint was resolved. In this

case, it is not easy to advise on what transpired

with the issue referred due to lack of information

concerning the matter. We therefore kindly

request you to provide us with information related

to this particular incident for proper follow up

i n t e r n a l l y.”


1

DOMESTIC

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1100

In Memoriam

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

In Memoriam

1100

1150

Funeral Notices

1150

Funeral Notices

1150

Funeral Notices

1150

Funeral Notices

1150

Funeral Notices

1150

Funeral Notices

1150

Funeral Notices

HIGA

TATANA

BRIAN

Late of

Kolomane,

Whittlesea District

Born: 14.03.1928

Died: 18.09.2021

Funeral:

Saturday 02.10.2021

Starting at home

at 9am

(The Old Apostolic

Church)

Thence to the

Kolomane Cemetery,

Whittlesea for the

Interment at 11am

LALA NGOXOLO

MKWAYI

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

BEKEBU

Pikolomzi

Late of Elalini,

Bholotwa,

Lady Frere District

Born: 22.12.1975

Died: 19.09.2021

Funeral: Saturday

02.10.2021

Thence to the Elalini

cemetery for early

burial at 08:15am,

followed by a home

service at 09:00am.

LALA NGOXOLO

MQADI NGCWINA

JOLA

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

In loving memory of

SIVE MBUYISA

DLOMO

Died: 30/09/2020

A year ago you left our side, but

not a day has gone that you left

our hearts. Remembering you is

easy. Loved and missed by your

mother, father and brothers.

Continue to rest

in peace Mbongwe

1150

Funeral Notices

KILI

NYAKA

Late of

Ku-Tshatshu

Osezantsi,

Lady Frere District

Born: 13.01.1932

Died: 21.09.2021

Funeral:

Saturday 02.10.2021

Starting at Tshatshu

Cemetery, Lady Frere

for an early burial at

09:30am,

“Thence to the

followed by a home

service at 10am”

(Presbyterian Church)

LALA NGOXOLO

BHAYI MSUTHU

KHETSHA RUSSELL

AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

RAXANGANA

LUSANDA

“GENERAL”

Late of Debera,

Engcobo District

Born: 17.11.1986

Died: 18.09.2021

Funeral:Sday

02.10.2021

Starting at home at

9am

Thence to the

Debera Cemetery,

Engcobo for the

Interment at 11am

LALA NGOXOLO

MNDUNGWANA

BHEJULA

QWESHA

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

BUNGUZA

Nomthandazo

Gladys

Late of

9664 Dickens Street,

Newvale, Komani

Born: 08.08.1938

Died: 22.09.2021

Funeral: Sunday

03.10.2021

Starting at home at

9am (Penuel Church

in Zion)

Thence to the

Komani Town

Cemetery for the

Interment at 11am

LALA NGOXOLO

MAMKABANE

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

CINDE

Nolindile

Late of Emmangweni,

Qoqodala,

Lady Frere District

Born: 16.04.1959

Died: 15.09.2021

Funeral: Saturday

02.10.2021

Thence to the

Emmangweni

Cemetery, Qoqodala

for an early burial

at 08:30, followed

by a service at

home at 09:30

LALA NGOXOLO

MAMRUDULU

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

DYASI

BUBELE APHIWE

Late of 12 Wesley

Way, Victoria Park,

Komani

Born: 27.09.1981

Died: 24.09.2021

Funeral:

Friday 01.10.2021

Starting at home

at 8am (Uniting

Presbyterian

Church)

Thence to the

Lukhanji Cemetery,

Komani for the

Interment at 08:30

LALA NGOXOLO

MBATHANE

MATSHAYA

MKHUMA

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

BEDE

Nosayinethi

Evelyn

Late of 2728 Dahlia

Street, Unifound,

Mlungisi, Komani

Born: 07.07.1926

Died: 23.09.2021

Funeral: Saturday

02.10.2021

Starting at home

at 9h00 (Iliso Lomzi

Apostolic Church)

Thence to the Komani

Town Cemetery for the

Interment at 11H00.

LALA NGOXOLO

MAMGIQWA

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

WILLIAMS

FILEMON

Late of 9 Knysna

Street, Popcorn

Valley, Komani passed

away suddenly on

Wednesday,

22nd September 2021

in his 56th year.

Sadly missed and

deeply mourned by

his loving wife,

children, grandchildren,

sisters,

extended families and

friends.

The internment

will take place in

the Komani Town

Cemetery at 3 o’clock

on Saturday the 2nd of

October 2021 after a

Service commencing

at 2 o’clock from

the Apostolic Faith

Mission (AFM), Victoria

Park, Komani.

Friends kindly

accept the following

intimation.

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

WISO

WILTON

BORN: 1960-05-05

DIED: 2021-09-21

FUNERAL:

2021-10-03

VENUE:

Funeral service will

be held at home at

Nyanzela location,

at 09:00 am

CEMETERY:

Nyanzela

TIME: 11:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

MAQOKO

NONINA ADELAIDE

Late of 27 Zone 3,

Ezibeleni, Komani

Born: 17.12.1936

Died: 23.09.2021

Funeral:

Saturday

02.10.2021

Starting at home

then to the Lukhanji

Methodist Church,

Ezibeleni

For a service at 8am

The cortege will

proceed to the

Komani Town

Cemetery for the

Interment at 10am

LALA NGOXOLO

MAGABA

MNGQOSINI

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

NDABULA

ANDILE

PRECIOUS

BORN: 1963-12-07

DIED: 2021-09-22

FUNERAL:

2021-10-01

VENUE:


be held at home at

Mmangweni location

Upper Indwana A/A Cala

at 09:00 am

CEMETERY:

Mmangweni

TIME: 11:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

For all your advertising

needs call 045 839 4040.

* Our circulation area

covers 13 towns.

* We have an average print

order of 6500 copies weekly.

* Plus our readership is more

than 30 000 per week.

SALENI

NOPHUMZILE

BORN: 1940-01-09

DIED: 2021-09-21

FUNERAL:

2021-10-02

VENUE:


be held at home at

Mission location

Ngqanda A/A

Cacadu district

at 09:00 am

CEMETERY:

Ngqanda

TIME: 11:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

NZANZA

NANASE NANCY

BORN: 1931-09-30

DIED: 2021-09-21

FUNERAL:

2021-10-02

VENUE:


be held at home at

172 zone 1 Ezibeleni

location, Komani

at 09:00 am

CEMETERY:

Komani Town

TIME: 11:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

TSHAMBU

NOLUNGELO

NOMBUYISELO

ELIZABETH

BORN: 1950-08-07

DIED: 2021-09-22

FUNERAL:

2021-10-02

VENUE:


be held at home at

Rocklands location

Ntabethemba A/A

Whittlesea

at 09:00am

CEMETERY:

Rocklands

TIME: 11:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

TUPANA

SAWELA

EDWIN

BORN: 1957-07-08

DIED: 2021-09-21

FUNERAL:

2021-10-02

VENUE:


be held at home at

Eleven location

Mahlubini A/A,

at 09:00 am

CEMETERY: Eleven

TIME: 11:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

FUNCUZA

SIYANDA

ARMSTRONG

BORN: 1991-09-25

DIED: 2021-09-17

FUNERAL:

2021-10-02

VENUE:


be held at home at

Mtsalane location,

Rhodana A/A

Cacadu district

at 09:00 am

CEMETERY: Mtsalane

TIME: 11:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

DONDOLO

NONTOBEKO

EDITH

BORN: 1950-08-15

DIED: 2021-09-19

FUNERAL:

2021-10-02

VENUE:


be held at home at

Bullhoek village

Whittlesea

at 09:00 am

CEMETERY:

Bullhoek

TIME: 11:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057


1150

Funeral Notices

HAMZA

BUZANI

BORN: 1976-08-08

DIED: 2021-09-19

FUNERAL:

2021-10-02

VENUE:

Funeral service will be

held at home at Zingxondo

location, Mtsheko A/A,

Cacadu district

at 09:00 am

CEMETERY:

Zingxondo

TIME: 11:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

DUNA

ATHI

BORN: 1993-01-19

DIED: 2021-09-23

FUNERAL:

2021-10-02

VENUE:


be held at home

at Deckerts Hill

location Qamata A/A

at 09:00 am

CEMETERY:

Deckerts Hill

TIME: 11:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

MELENI

MANDISA

PATIENCE

BORN: 1972-09-28

DIED: 2021-09-24

FUNERAL:

2021-10-01

VENUE:


be held at home at 205

Kamte Drive Zone 2

Ezibeleni location,

Komani at 09:00 am

CEMETERY:

KOMANI TOWN

TIME: 11:00 AM

1150

Funeral Notices

NXALA

LINDEKA

BORN: 1972-11-22

DIED: 2021-09-19

FUNERAL:

2021-10-02

VENUE:


be held at home at

Mtebhele location,

Machibini A/A Cacadu

district

at 10:00 am

CEMETERY:

Mtebhele

TIME: 11:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

MPAMPI

VUYISWA

IVY

BORN: 1951-04-19

DIED: 2021-09-23

FUNERAL

:2021-10-02

VENUE:


be held at home at

Zola location,

Ntabethemba A/A

Whittlesea

at 09:00 am

CEMETERY: Zola

TIME: 11:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

MHLANA

SISIWE NOKWAKA

BORN: 1942-10-18

DIED: 2021-09-19

FUNERAL:

2021-10-03

VENUE:


be held at home at

Esiqhabeni location

Bolotwa A/A Cacadu

district at 09:00 am

CEMETERY:

Deckerts Hill

TIME: 11:00 am

1150

Funeral Notices

HOBO

MANDLAKAZI

BORN: 1984-03-15

DIED: 2021-09-23

FUNERAL:

2021-10-02

VENUE:

Funeral service will be

held at home at 2820

Ezitandini location

Ilinge Township

Komani

at 09:00 am

CEMETERY:

Ilinge

TIME: 11:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

6

EMPLOYMENT

6151

Employment Offered

1150

Funeral Notices

Funeral Service of the late

QAVANE

Funeka

Elizabeth

Born: 29.04.1956

Died: 28.09.2021

MEMORIAL SERVICE:

Wednesday, 6 October 2021

at Assemblies of God,

Ezibeleni, starting at 10am.

FUNERAL SERVICE:

9 October 2021

at Morrison Admin Area,

Ngcingwane, Dutywa

Time: 10am

Rest in Perfect Peace

MaDlamini

Jama Sjadu.

6

EMPLOYMENT

6151

Employment Offered

DISPATCH SUPERVISOR

A Manufacturing company based in

Queenstown is looking for an individual with

excellent communication and leadership

skills. The candidate will be working night

shift at our Dispatch Department and will be

responsible to make sure the correct stock

is being loaded onto the trucks, ensure all

paperwork and invoices are done correctly

and that the trucks leave the factory on

time. The candidate is responsible for the

coordination of all activities, reducing costs

wherever possible and making certain

products are dispatched on time and is of

good quality. Through analysis and effective

use of personnel and equipment , to select

the best way of meeting deadlines for fleet

to leave the factory. Working closely with

the production team to coordinate product

requirements. Strictly manage overtime

as well as ensure all paperwork is done

correctly and is submitted to payroll.

Educational Requirements

• Grade 12

• Diploma in logistics will be and added

advantage

Experience requirements

• 3-5 years’ experience

• Strong Knowledge of Logistics and

Dispatch Management

• Knowledge of pastel will be an added

advantage

Skills & Competencies

• Computer literate

• Work under pressure

• Team Player

• Leadership

• Planning

• Communication skills

• Employee relations

• Problem solving skills

• Time conscious

• Professionalism

Closing date 15 October 2021

Please sent CV to

Email: vacanciesqt@trudafoods.co.za

Use position you are

applying for as subject

11

LEGALS

11030

Estate Notices

In the Estate of the late

THEMBISILE NGCUNGCA.

ID NO: 6309166015080.

Last Address: 4 WILLOW

STREET, WESHOF,

QUEENSTOWN, 5319.

SURIVING SPOUSE:

FUNDISWA NGCUNGCA.

ID NO: 6705160764088.

ESTATE NO.

002691/2017.

In terms of Section 35(5)

of the Administration of

Estates Act 66 of 1965

notice is hereby given

that copies of the

First and Final Liquidation

and Distribution Accounts,

in the estate specified

above will be open for

inspection of

all persons with an

interest therein for a

period of 21 days from

the date specified or from

the date of publication

hereof whichever may

be the later, and at the

offices of the MasterS

Office GRAHAMSTOWN

and the Magistrates office

QUEENSTOWN. Should

no objection thereto be

lodged with the Masters

concerned

during the specified

period, the Executors

will proceed to make

payments in accordance

with the accounts.

MICHIEL JOHAN BESTER

BOWES, McDOUGALL

INCORPORATED, 27a

PRINCE ALFRED STREET

QUEENSTOWN 5319

Email:lit3@bmcinc.

co.za

TEL : 045 807 3800

DATE: 2021-10-01

In die boedel van

wyle

ALEWYN JOHANNES

DE KLERK,

identiteitsnommer

8001025024084

Getroud aan Elizabeth

Louisa de Klerk, wie

woonagtig was te

Longview Crescent 5

Balmoral, Komani

5319 en wie oorlede

is op 09 Augustus

2021.

BOEDELNOMMER:

003618/2021

Skuldeisers en

skuldenaars in die

bogenoemde boedel

word versoek om hul

eise in te lewer by

En hulle skulde

te betaal aan die

ondergenoemde

binne n tydperk

van 30(dertig) dae

gereken vanaf datum

van publikasie

Hiervan.

ELIZABETH LOUISA

DE KLERK

LONGVIEW

CRESCENT

BALMORAL

KOMANI 5319

0834272023

elzadeklerk@

yahoo.com

11

LEGALS

11030

Estate Notices

In the Estate of the late

LUNDI VANQA. ID NO:

45047055196083.

Last Address:19 RED

DUIKER STREET, MADEIRA

PARK, QUEENSTOWN.

SURIVING SPOUSE:

NONQABA PUMLA

NDUNGANE.ID NO:

5504110879083.

ESTATE NO.939/2018.

In terms of Section 35(5)

of the Administration of

Estates Act 66 of 1965

notice is hereby given

that copies of the

First and Final Liquidation

and Distribution Accounts,

in the estate specified

above will be open for

inspection of

all persons with an

interest therein for a

period of 21 days from

the date specified or from

the date of publication

hereof whichever may

be the later, and at the

offices of the MasterS

Office GRAHAMSTOWN

and the Magistrates office

QUEENSTOWN. Should

no objection thereto be

lodged with the Masters

concerned

during the specified

period, the Executors

will proceed to make

payments in accordance

with the accounts.

MICHIEL JOHAN BESTER

BOWES, McDOUGALL

INCORPORATED, 27a

PRINCE ALFRED STREET

QUEENSTOWN 5319

Email:lit3@

bmcinc.co.za

TEL : 045 807 3800

DATE: 2021-10-01

In the Estate of the

Late FIKILE SETI.

Identity number

701201559408 6

Born: 01/12/1970

Date of death:

09/06/2020

of 516 Mbombo

Street, Queenstown.

Estate

Number.2368/2020

Creditors and Debtors

in the Estate are

hereby required to

lodge their claims with

and pay their debts to

the undersigned within

30 (Thirty) days of the

publication hereof

01 ST OCT 2021.

NOMZAMO

MAPIPA

C/O N JACOB

ATTORNEYS INC

51A GREY STREET,

QUEENSTOWN

078 951 2059

For all your advertising

needs call 045 839 4040.

We connect you to your customers - in Print and Online

It’s worth

keeping

home in

top nick

Maintaining property

adds value

REP REPORTER

Maintaining a property is an ongoing

responsibility that all homeowners

need to undertake to protect the resale

value of their home. While certain upkeep tasks

need to be performed daily or weekly, others

can be incorporated into the annual Springcleaning

checklist.

“As tedious as some of these household

maintenance items might be, neglecting them

will inevitably result in costly repairs and the

overall devaluing of your property,” says Adrian

Goslett, regional director and CEO of RE/MAX

of Southern Africa.

To protect the investment value of the home,

RE/MAX of Southern Africa informs

homeowners of the features that ought to be

maintained on an annual basis at a minimum:

Protect your floors

To protect the state of the floors, large

appliances such as fridges, washing machines,

dishwashers, and tumble dryers should be

removed from where they normally stand so

that the build-up of dirt underneath it can be

cleaned. It is also recommended to have any

carpets professionally cleaned each year,

especially for those with pets. To prevent dents

from developing in the carpets, move heavy

items of furniture, such as beds and freestanding

wardrobes, to a different spot in the

room from time to time.

Gutters and roof tiles

Out of sight might be out of mind, but dirt

and debris can easily accumulate in your gutters

and can cause blockages and cracks, so be sure

to clear these out annually. To avoid a build-up

of mould which could cause leaks and other

damages, clean the rooftiles with a highpressure

hose roughly every two to three years.

Cupboards

To protect against stains and other damages,

unpack the bedroom, laundry and kitchen

cupboards at least once a year to give the

surfaces a much-needed wipe down. Spills

happen all the time and can leave cupboard

surfaces stained and mouldy. Clearing out the

shelves regularly can also prevent any

unpleasant odours from developing.

As a final word of advice, Goslett suggests

that homeowners prioritise and budget for their

annual spring cleaning. “It can be very easy to

keep delaying these maintenance tasks until

something eventually breaks or needs replacing.

But, prevention is always better than cure and

will end up saving homeowners a lot of money

in the long-run. Making monthly contributions

towards a home maintenance fund will also

help homeowners stay on-top of these chores.

That way, homeowners will always have money

set aside to afford any maintenance costs as and

when they arise,” Goslett concludes.

For more advice around homeownership or

get in touch with an estate agent from the

wo r l d ’s largest brand in real estate, visit

w w w. r e m a x . c o . z a .

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

Contact Charodine or Mavis on 045 839 4040

www.therep.co.za

The Rep Komani

the_rep_komani

@RepKomani

CLEAN UP: Keep your property in mint

condition to protect resale value


AT PEACE: A framed photograph of the late Dr Nopasika Pinzi-Mgudlwa surrounded by flowers at the popular doctor’s

memorial service at St Michaels Church on Wednesday. She passed away from lung cancer on September 17 P i c t u re s :

LUVUYO MJEKULA

FOND MEMORIES: Retshepile Smouse, left, and Thozama Sana,

colleagues of Dr Nopasika Pinzi-Mgudlwa, shared their fondest

memories of her at her memorial service on Wednesday

Celebrating the life of Dr Pinzi-Mgudlwa

Dr Nopasika Pinzi was the first

born of Joscelina Kholiswa

and Gilbert Masithela Pinzi’s

six children, born in 1972 at Mount

Frere (KwaBhaca). She recalled that

as a teenager the bible was the only

English book she had access to, so

she read it many times. This was the

initial seed to her spirituality.

She completed her primary

education at Jolobe Junior Secondary

School and high school at Ndamase

Senior Secondary School. She took a

gap year after matric in 1989 and

worked as a cashier in Mount Free in

1990. She started tertiary education

in 1991 at the University of Cape

Town (UCT) where she obtained her

MBCHB in 1997and returned to the

Eastern Cape for internship at

Livingstone Hospital in 1998 and

community service at All Saints

Hospital in 1999.

In 2000, she married chief

Dumisani Mgudlwa and they had

three children – Tutula, 20, Ndaba,

15, and nine-year-old Nozi. She was

named Nolwando and served the

royal family with grace and dignity.

She was a devoted, God-fearing

m o t h e r.

In 2001, when she had Tutula she

feared she would be removed from

NOPASIKA PINZI

the programme, but her character

earned her favour with the head of

department, professor Van der Spuy,

who allowed her to continue. She was

a diligent student and academic who

completed her studies in record time,

despite caring for her daughter and

sick mother-in-law.

She was always passionate about

obstetrics and joined the East London

Hospital complex in 2000. After

completing a year, she was accepted

as a registrar at UCT and proceeded

with specialisation in obstetrics and

gynaecology, qualifying as an FCOG

in 2005. She started as a junior

consultant at Frere in 2006. Mentoring

and coaching young doctors was her

passion. She was a skilled surgeon

with an exceptional work ethic. In

January 2008 she ventured into private

practice, taking over the practice of Dr

Kuda Chimusoro working with Life

Queenstown Private.

She quickly learnt the soft skills of

the industry and was forced to learn

business skills too at a fast pace.

Because of her passion for public

service and teaching, she joined

Frontier Hospital with Sindiswa

Tywabi as her CEO. At that time

Frontier did not have any local

specialist in its staff establishment. She

continued to develop herself, doing

short courses and attending SASOG

conferences and UCT refresher

courses.

She was a devoted Christian, never

ashamed of her faith. During delivery

and Caesarean section, she dedicated

every baby she delivered to God

before handing the baby to midwife

and parents. Dr Pinzi understood the

quote: “A healthy start is central to the

human life course, with birth holding

the highest risk of death, disability and

loss of development potential, leading

to major societal effects.” Not once

was she challenged for imposing her

religion. She formed many friends

among staff and patients, serving

Queenstown with a sense of pride. She

had strong relational skills marked by

respect for others, keeping boundaries

and trustworthiness. She has strong ties

with many friends and classmates.

She was diagnosed with lung

cancer in advanced stage 4 disease in

February 2020, forcing her to take

temporary disparity for a year and

close her practice. In 2021 she

volunteered her services as a

gynaecologist and joined the Eastern

Cape national committee into

confidential enquiry into maternal

deaths, a ministerial committee that

seeks to address causes of death

among pregnant mothers. Her

disability became permanent in July

when she developed spinal metastasis.

She sang Hymn 70 …Mandihambe

nawe Yesu kuzo zonke iindlela zam.

Izwi lakho mandilive lonke ixesha

Nkosi yam.

Her last words to her sisters on

September 4 were: “When you hit the

bottom and you cannot go any further,

the only thing to do is to rise.”

She was a hero of faith.

Dr Pinzi is survived by her four

sisters and nephews and nieces who

called her Momkhulu, Mafungwashe,

Umlungu wasekhaya. “Pasi has gone

too soon at age 49. To the babies she

delivered in her 12-year service: Grow

to be leaders in our community and

transform society.”

Rest in peace, you have earned

your rest kwezintlungu Mantunzela,

Mandala, Mamhlophe, Mkwananzi,

Mantsinga, Ntamonde. Umtshana wo

H l o n g wa n e

We will keep your love in our

hearts, till we meet again.

Dr Robyn Spring wrote: “H e ave n

gained an angel tonight. Love you, my

friend and colleague, Dr Nopasika

Pinzi. Rest easy, your legacy will

r e m a i n .”

MUCH LOVED: Dr Nopasika Pinzi-Mgudlwa was loved and respected by members of the

community and friends and colleagues joined her family in remembering her on Wednesday

SAD LOSS: A number of residents attended Dr Nopasika Pinzi-Mgudlwa’s memorial service at St

Michaels Church on Wednesday and expressed sadness at her passing


SPORT SCENE

graphic © liudmyla pushnova / 123RF.com

Ubumbo clinches inaugural Edwin

Nutse Ngculu heritage rugby tourney

Six U16 teams

competed in

the knockout

tour nament

FOR GLORY: Ubumbo Rugby

Academy (in gold and red)

beat Komani Rugby

Development in the final of

the Edwin Nutse Ngculu

heritage rugby tournament in

Mlungisi last weekend P i c t u re :

NTSIKELELO QOYO

NTSIKELELO QOYO

Spectators were treated to

quality entertainment last

Friday when amateur club

rugby boys showed their skills at

the inaugural Edwin Nutse

Ngculu heritage rugby

tournament in Mlungisi.

Six U16 teams competed in

the single knockout tournament

hosted by Mlungisi team,

Komani Rugby Development

(KRD) played over two days,

after the final could not be

squeezed in on Friday.

The winner was Ezibeleni

team UBumbo Rugby Academy

which had come back strongly

against host team KRD after

going into half time 5-0. A

never-say-die attitude and

punishing of handling errors by

KRD got them over the line,

finishing the match 15-20.

On the way to the final

Ubumbo had demolished East

London team Mdantsane

Hurricanes 28-0. They emerged

as early favourites alongside

their fellow finalists KRD which

beat Nqgamakhwe Lions 36-0.

Komani Rugby Academy also

failed a second-team.

Unfortunately, they did not

register a single win, losing to

Ubumbo and Hurricanes

without registering a single

point.

Ubumbo coach, Bongani

Nogilana, said the team’s

achievement was

overwhelming. “It moved me to

tears. This was our first

tournament and the desire to

win got us over the line. There

was some questionable

officiating, but in the end we

managed to win.”

Hlela Mbasana, coach of

KRD was equally impressed at

how the tournament went. “Fo r

a tournament that is just starting,

it was a success. Everything we

planned happened. Different

people in Komani supported us,

each contributing in a different

way.

“The trophy will rotate for 15

years and the team which wins

more than five tournaments in

that time will keep it. We would

like this to be the start of

something bigger and hopefully,

as we grow, we will have a

sponsor jump on board and go

on this journey with us. It is an

honour for Nutse, who invested

a lot into the sport - teaching

and coaching us. We want to

honour him while he is still

a l ive ,” he said.

Lack of sport facilities in rural

areas holding children back

AEROBICS ATHLETE

MAXWEE LEVINE

Sport at grass roots level is the

foundation of a healthy and

competitive sporting nation, but

the lack of adequate sporting

facilities and financial support

limits young, upcoming

athletes’ abilities to reach their

full potential.

This is even worse in rural

communities, where these

facilities are non-existent.

The only sporting facilities

available there are open soccer

grounds with natural grass or

gravel, where the young athletes

t share the fields with grazing

cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.

We have the department of

sport, recreation, arts & culture

(DSRAC), the national

federations and local

municipalities. Are these bodies

not supposed to make sport a

priority?

What is happening to the

Municipal Infrastructure Grant

(MIG) that is tabled year in and

year out in the municipal

budget? It seems sport is

blatantly ignored.

Mass participation among

young people is of paramount

importance. It builds discipline

and character and teaches the

values of life in general.

But instead of seeing these

young people on the sports

fields they are engaging in

alcohol and drug abuse and

unprotected sex.

Sport must not only be seen

as a business where a few make

NOWHERE TO PLAY: Limited or no sporting facilities are a great concern for children from rural

areas Picture: SUPPLIED

a profit. Structured sporting

events should be launched for

the benefit of all communities,

especially those in rural areas.

Lack of proper playing fields,

sports equipment and kit will

derail any prospect of

unearthing rough diamonds

hidden in these valleys.

Even schools in rural areas

don’t have fields. If they did it

could at least benefit the local

clubs and communities who

could form a partnership to

maintain the fields. For now,

schools operate in isolation and

play no meaningful role in the

development of the community,

apart from education.

Sport can be a gamechanger

in rural communities if

more attention is given to it.

DSRAC launched the Rural

Sport Development Programme

in 2016 in Mthatha. Is it

e f f e c t ive ?

The objective of the

programme was to revive sport

and unearth talent in rural areas

with the specific focus on areas

that are under the traditional

authorities and farms.

Its main focus was on soccer,

netball, rugby and athletics.

Five years down the line can

we see rewards? Instead we are

back with the same

c o nve r s a t i o n .

The hard truth is the lack of

facilities in rural areas is

stagnating the development of

children from rural areas.

FITNESS BUNNY: Aerobics athlete Simthandile Tongo was

in Bloemfontein last weekend to compete at the seventh

Thebe Fitness Academy aerobics competition. The

Aerobuild fitness club member took top honours at the

event, bagging first place in each of her categories, Hilo

and Step professionals Picture: SUPPLIED

THE Rep

SPORT

CONTACT

Friday 1 Oc to b e r, 202 1

US WITH SPORTS NEWS:

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

(deadline: noon Tuesdays)

Charity Cup in

aid of care centre

TOE TO TOE: Luyolo Nketsheni, in blue, in a bout against

fellow Mfuzo Boxing Club pugilist Azola Moses on Friday at the

Heritage Day tournament at the Thobi Kula Indoor Sport

Centre. The event was hosted by the Queenstown Boys Boxing

Club Picture: NTSIKELELO QOYO

Queenstown Boys Boxing

Club takes most medals in

Heritage Day tournament

NTSIKELELO QOYO

KICK-OFF: The annual Komani Veterans Annual Charity Cup 2021 in action at the Sandringham Sports Ground on Saturday

Picture: NTSIKELELO QOYO

Eight teams from across EC support Komani Veterans event

ZINTLE BOBELO

The Komani Veterans Annual Charity

Cup 2021 soccer tournament ended

with a bang on Saturday when teams

from Zwelitsha in King William’s Town

were announced the champions, taking

home the R10,000 grand prize.

Early this year, members of the Komani

Veterans, together with SA’s first Fifacertified

female soccer referee, Akhona

Makalima, visited Khayalethemba Special

Care Centre in response to the institution’s

plea for assistance.

The school is in dire straits after having

been vandalised over the years.

Sicelo Ndara, of the Komani Veterans

Football Club, said their ch a r i t y - d r ive n

team had decided to adopt the school for

this year’s annual charity tournament.

“The tournament was great and the

feedback we got from the participating

teams was positive and encouraging.

“As much as the tournament was just a

one-day event, our charity drive with

Akhona Makalima does not stop.

“We will soon have other fundraising

initiatives and we thank all the sponsors

that made the event a success,” Ndara said.

Eight teams with players above the age

of 35, from across the province,

participated and R3,500 worth of proceeds

went to Khayalethemba.

Komani Veterans were beaten 1-0 by

Zwelitsha All Stars in the semifinals.

Kingz SFC, the defending champions,

were beaten 1-0 by Gompo Greats.

Other participating teams included

Transkei Legends from Mthatha, Zwelitsha

All Stars, Port Alfred Masters, Ngcobo

Legends, Lady Frere Veterans, Komani

Veterans and Kingz Social FC from KWT.

Both teams drew a solid 1-1, with

Zwelitsha winning 6-5 on penalties.

Gompo Greats went home with the

R5,000 second prize.

Thabo Nkopo, of the Zwelitsha All Stars

Sports Club, said preparing for the

tournament was hard but they were happy

to have taken the cup.

“We knew the competition was going

to be tough.

“We are in a period of transformation

where we are trying to blend in new

p l aye r s .

“We rotated our players because of the

hot weather,” he said.

“The Under 15 boys who were ball

boys were given bags, t-shirts and caps.

“The charity initiative to rebuild the

structure at Khayalethemba is still a process

and we will go back to sponsors to request

d o n a t i o n s .”

Queenstown Boys Boxing Club (QBBC) pugilists came out tops in

the Heritage Day tournament at the Thobi Kula Indoor Sports Centre

on Friday, stacking up the most medals of seven clubs participating.

With 13 medals - eight gold and five silver - and featuring in five

of the best bouts in the event, they proved levels above their

competition.

The competition came from across the province, Mfuzo BC from

Grahamstown, Ekuphumleni BC- Dongwe, Bhanda BC- Whittlesea

with Manyano BC and Ndungwana BC both from Cofimvaba.

Mfuzo was the next best club with nine medals, six gold and three

silver, and Banda came in third with five gold and three silver.

The best bouts were Likhona Sizani (QBBC) v Anoyolo

Dudumashe (Ndungwana) in the 26 to 28kgs category, Azola Xhosa

(Ndungwana) v Liyabona Masandi (Mfuzo) in 39 to 44kg,

Mzwandile Saleni (QBBC) v Bantu Rati (Ekuphumleni) in the 57 to

60kg, Olwam Mana (QBBC) v Chumani Kondile (Mfuzo) in 48 to

50kg, Lihle Denga (QBBC) v Unam Mbambani (Mfuzo) in the 52 to

54 kg, Shaun Mziyilane (Ndungwana) v Siphosihle Mpolweni

(Mfuzo) in the 75 to 80kg and Thimna Ntetha (QBBC) v Njongo

Skweyiya (Mfuzo) in the 58 to 63kg.

QBBC manager, Mabuti Mapeyi was happy to have his boxers

back in the ring and was impressed with their performances.

“The last time we had this tournament was in 2019. I was

worried about ring rust but luckily we did have two minor

competitions in preparation for this.

“I was impressed with my boxers because in the preparation

tournament in Cofimvaba we lost heavily. I told them we just

needed to train harder and we used the two weeks productively. Of

the 16 fighters participating, we only lost four. I was impressed.

MTB RACE | 13.02.22 | ADDO POLO CLUB

80km Extreme | 60km Adventure | 30km Leisure | Junior 5km & 500m

LIVE THE RIDE

ROAD RACE | 19 - 20.02.22 | POLLOK BEACH

106km Classic | 55km Pursuit | Junior 2km & 500m

heraldcycletour @heraldcycletour heraldcycletour.co.za

The Rep 1 October 2021

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?