The Rep 18 March 2022

RepFr i d ay, 18 March 2022

THE

FREE!

The voice of Komani

Since 1859

ELECTRICITY

CRISIS

AMBERDALE,

MADEIRA PARK

RESIDENTS VENT

THEIR ANGER AT

EMLM OVER

POWER OUTAGES

PAGE 10

Retired Komani pastor

faces wrath of community

Mgijima

allegedly tried

to stage wife’s

‘suicide’

LUVUYO MJEKULA

Gender activists, political

parties and relatives of

retired Komani pastor

Mongameli Mgijima, 68,

accused of trying to kill his wife,

57, and staging it as a suicide,

came out in full force when he

appeared in court on Tuesday.

“Uncle must rot in jail. We

are his family and we trusted

him as an elder, but he has

shamed us.

“He stands in the pulpit and

preaches ‘thou shall not kill’ but

he is the first to [try to] kill.

“He is not a good example in

society and cannot be trusted,”

said relatives Nomathamsanqa

Xhoseni and Nonkululeko

Mgijima, both from Ezibeleni.

Another family member,

Bulelwa Mgijima, who is the cocoordinator

of a gender-based

violence action group within

the ANC, told The Rep in court

that they were appalled by the

incident.

“As the Mgijima family we

are not here to support him. We

say he must not get bail.

“He brought a wife to us, we

loved her and now he is

destroying her life.

“She was still traumatised by

the death of her children who

drowned [when she was

a t t a ck e d ].”

Bulelwa said her uncle was

raised in a church environment

and was a bishop at some point.

“He is disappointing us all

because of money. His son is

against his actions.”

Angry activists carrying

DEMONSTRATION: Angry women protest outside the magistrate’s court in Komani on Tuesday, calling on the court not to

grant bail to retired pastor Mongameli Mgijima, who is charged with trying to murder his wife Picture: LUVUYO MJEKULA

placards outside the court called

for the court to deny Mgijima

bail, submitting a petition via

the investigating officer.

Well-known women and

ch i l d r e n ’s rights activist, Petros

Majola, of Khula Community

Development Project, said he

was happy with the response of

other activists and residents who

demonstrated outside the court.

“The investigating officer did

say this was a gender-based

violence case. The president of

the country made a

commitment that a person

arrested for gender-based

violence would never be

released on bail,” Majola

asserted.

Meanwhile, the DA

Wo m e n ’s Network in Komani

said it strongly condemned the

“inhumane attempt of taking the

life of an innocent woman

covering itself up as a ‘suicide’”.

The network’s leader,

councillor Lunga Mangcu

Tokwe, called for no bail for

Mgijima and his accomplices,

saying gender-based violence

had become a buzzword with

no justice served in most cases.

Mgijima appeared in the

m a g i s t ra t e ’s court in Komani this

week, where he pleaded for

bail. He faces an attempted

murder charge.

Details of how he and three

accomplices allegedly attacked

his wife were laid bare in court

on Wednesday.

Investigating officer,

Sergeant Ntombokuqala Musa,

told the court that Mgijima’s

wife was lying in bed in the

couple’s New Rest home on

March 6 when her ordeal

began. She [Mgijima’s wife] said

he and three unknown men had

allegedly tied up her hands and

legs with plastic tape, and then

hung from the roof using a rope,

with her feet resting on a chair.

The three men then left the

room, leaving Mgijima behind.

Musa said her cries and

pleas for “f o r g ive n e s s ” had

fallen on deaf ears.

When she asked her

husband what she had done

wrong, Musa testified that

Mgijima had complained that

she [his wife] was in the process

of divorcing him, was taking

him off her medical aid and he

claimed she was abusing him.

He then went to pray in

another room and then returned

and allegedly kicked the chair,

leaving his wife to hang.

After a while, the rope broke

and she fell to the floor,

surviving the ordeal.

However, Mgijima allegedly

instructed her to lie and tell

people she had tried to commit

suicide or face being killed by

the three men.

After calling a tenant to help

MONGAMELI MGIJIMA

him, he drove his wife to the

hospital where she informed

nurses of her ordeal.

He was later arrested after

his son spotted his vehicle at a

local taxi rank, allegedly ready

to flee to Maclear. He reported

him to the police.

Mgijima was then arrested

and made his first court

appearance last Friday.

Musa said Mgijima’s wife

sustained a bruise to her neck

and a mark on her head and was

recovering in hospital.

Musa opposed bail, saying

Mgijima would, among other

things, interfere with witnesses,

including his wife.

He could evade trial and

members of the community had

submitted a petition pleading

with the court to keep him in

custody.

Musa said the three

accomplices were still at large

but she was following leads.

Mgijima had testified on

Tuesday that he would plead not

guilty to the charge.

When told he would put his

wife’s life in danger if released,

he responded: “Even under

these circumstances, I still love

my wife.”

The case was postponed to

March 22 for further bail-related

evidence.

Another tragic illegal electricity connection death

ZINTLE BOBELO

Just two weeks after the Enoch Mgijima

Local Municipality (EMLM) granted

amnesty to community members who

had illegal electricity connections,

resident Lungisa ‘Dzudzu’ Tabata lost

his life after reportedly tripping on a

wet surface and landing on illegal

electricity wiring near the Silvertown

informal settlement.

The 34-year-old was on his way to

work early on Monday when the

incident happened near Silvertown

informal settlement. Blaming the

municipality for negligence and not

taking swift action in addressing the

illegal electricity connection problem

plaguing areas of EMLM, family

member Bulelani Qowa said they were

considering taking legal action against

the municipality.

“The municipality is aware that

there is a [bridge] with exposed illegal

electricity wiring used by residents

going to work on a daily basis, but it

does not care enough to address this

problem. This is negligence on their

side because the situation has been like

that for years and it was previously

reported. This could have been

avoided. We have a problem in this

municipality where the safety of people

is not prioritised,” he said.

The illegal electricity connection is

from a nearby meter box and passes

over a bridge regularly used by

pedestrians, to informal settlements.

Tabata was only metres away from

his work place when the tragedy struck.

Qowa said Tabata had only been

employed for a month at his new job

and the family was saddened at his

sudden passing.

“He was a father and someone who

was just trying to make a living and for

him to die making his way to work is

painful to us.”

He said if officialdom continued to

turn a blind eye to the matter, more

lives would be lost.

“Whose child must die next for this

problem to receive attention? If people

from informal settlements had their

own houses as promised, dating back

to 2004, this could have been avoided.

People will continue to connect

because they are frustrated and no

solution is brought to the table.”

Sending condolences to the family,

EMLM spokesperson Lonwabo Kowa

said it was unfortunate that a life had

been lost as a result of an illegal

connection, indicating that residents

who made these illegal connections

were entirely responsible for the

incident.

“The municipality has for years

Turn to PAGE 2

2 Tel: (045) 839-4040 / editorial: mjekulal@therep.co.za / advertising: charodinev@therep.co.za 18 March 2022 THE R E P R ES E N TAT I V E

Emalahleni taken

to task over

R115,000 heist

HAPPY SHOPPERS

Forum raises suspicions regarding 2021 robbery

ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA

The Emalahleni Local Municipality (ELM) has been

accused of sweeping “damaging” information

involving the loss of more than R115,000 of its

revenue under the carpet, after an armed robbery

in 2021.

Emalahleni Business Youth Forum’s Xolisile

Pemba says not a single special council meeting

was called to discuss the matter.

“They are trying to micromanage the situation

because they understand the damage it could

cause to the community. It puts them in a

dangerous position because the residents are aware

of the corruption that is going on in the

m u n i c i p a l i t y,” Pemba alleged.

The forum wrote a letter to the municipality

demanding answers on why the loss of R115,

561.10 in revenue collected for services was not

brought to light.

Municipal spokesperson Luthando Nqumkana

confirmed both receipt of the letter and the robbery

incident. He said the driver of the municipal

vehicle had been transporting the money to a

Komani bank when armed robbers attacked him on

the R61 near Glen Grey.

A case of armed robbery had been opened at

Glen Grey police station, Nqumkana said.

Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Majola

Nkohla, said: “On Tuesday, November 16 2021, at

about 9.20am, the driver of the Emalahleni

municipal vehicle alleged that he was travelling

from Emalahleni to Komani when a white Nissan

bakkie with a blue light pulled him off the road.

“It is said that the driver was held at gunpoint

and suspects managed to steal cash and a

cellphone, before fleeing the scene.”

He said a case of armed robbery was under

investigation and no arrests had been made.

Pemba believes this may have been a planned

internal mission and he alleges that the person who

sent the driver to deposit the money in Komani,

took the money.

He questioned why the municipality had no

cash-in-transit security vehicle service provider as a

more secure method to transport the ratepayers’

m o n e y.

He added that the municipality had also

received an adverse audit outcome.

Pemba alleged: “The current CFO has asked for

a grace period to get the books in order. They will

cook the books until they get the opinion they want

and he has done worse than the former one who

had an unqualified audit opinion,” he said.

He added that the municipality still had a

supply chain manager who had been acting for

three years, but the post had been advertised.

“We have people acting in positions that should

be filled so that no one can ostensibly account for

anything in the municipality.”

He said he had no confidence in

Nontombizanele Koni as the mayor, saying the loss

of the money happened under her watch.

He wanted her to resign and for new leadership

to remove the CFO and the municipal manager.

However, Nqumkana said internal

investigations were under way and as soon as they

were finalised, a report would be submitted to

council.

He explained that the previous banking

contract, from 2016 to 2021, did not have the cashin-transit

provision.

“The new contract included this security.

During the robbery the municipality was in the

final stages of implementation. This included bank

processes and installations which were not in the

control of the municipality. The cash-in-transit

service was effected in December 2021 and is

currently functioning optimally.”

He said the audit opinion was to be tabled in

the council meeting of February 28 by the office of

the auditor-general.

Meanwhile, Emalahleni opposition councillors,

the UDM, EFF and the DA, elected after the

November 1 local government elections, did not

recall the issue ever being brought forward.

DA PR councillor, Mxolisi Oyiya, said: “I do not

recall the matter being discussed. If there is money

lost we deserve to hear about it in council, I do not

know why it is not being discussed.”

TOP PRIZE: First prize winner of a R2,000

Mabovula voucher, Ntombizodwa

Ncambacha, right, receives her prize from

staff member Zizipho Dyasi P i c t u re :

SUPPLIED

RUNNER UP: Second prize winner of a

R1,000 Mabovula voucher, Vuyiseka

Damesi, is pictured with her prize and staff

member Yonela Phanya Picture: SUPPLIED

FULL OF SMILES: The third prize of a R500 Mabovula voucher was won by Yamisa Mbele,

centre, who is flanked by staff members Benny Mazwi and Lamla Jeke Picture: SUPPLIED

Family speak out after father, 34, electrocuted

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18TH TO THE 21 ST OF MARCH 2022

Continued from PAGE 1

been advocating for the removal of

illegal connections.

“Disconnections have been

made but unfortunately

communities reconnect and this

leads to huge revenue losses for the

municipality. In some instances,

municipal officials have been

threatened and chased away during

disconnections. ”

He said the municipality still

called upon communities to refrain

from connecting electricity illegally

¿

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

to avoid loss of life. Meanwhile, the

EMLM had recently resolved to give

amnesty to residents whose meters

are bypassed or tampered with to

alleviate the scourge of illegal

electricity connections.

Mayor Thembeka Bunu revealed

this in a media briefing recently,

indicating that no penalties would

be applied to community members

who disclosed their illegal

connections within the specified

period, which started from March 1

and ends on March 31.

“We request households to take

advantage of this offer and be able

The Rep Komani

the_rep_komani

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

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

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ďůŝĐĚŽĐĂĞĂĨĂŽĐĂŶĂůŽĐŽŶĂĐŽĂĞĸĐĞŽŶ

ŬŚĂŶŝŵΛŽŵďĚŵĂŶŽŐĂŽůŽĚŐĞĂĐŽŵůĂŝŶŽŶŽĞďŝĞĞĐŽŶĐŝůŽŐĂ

to get a new beginning and pay for

municipal services from now on.

“Defaulting residents who have

not come forward to apply for

amnesty will be liable for a penalty

fee of R8,000 and a reconnection

fee of R400.”

Bunu said after the amnesty

period, service providers would go

door-to-door, adding that the local

authority was also rolling out the

smart metering system, a

cornerstone of the financial

recovery plan.

The smart metering system

involves changing current electricity

meters to smart meter boxes.

“The municipality will be on a

par with modern technology.

“The reading of meters will now

be conducted remotely and the

municipality will be able to monitor

and detect tampering and

bypassing. This will increase

revenue and reduce losses.

“The smart metering system will

be implemented in towns and

townships serviced by EMLM.

“We started with businesses

which are large power users in 2021

and are currently dealing with small

power users, auditing and changing

meters where necessary.

“In residential areas we have

started piloting the programme in

the Blue Rise area,” said Bunu.

She said service providers were

working with businesses in the

Komani CBD. “We request

TRAGIC LOSS: Lungisa Tabata

passed away on Monday after he

tripped and fell on illegal

electricity wiring near Silvertown

informal settlement, while on his

way to work Picture: SUPPLIED

cooperation from everyone.

Residents can visit the municipal

finance office at 25 and 26 Owen

Street or visit satellite municipal

offices in Whittlesea, Tarkastad,

Hofmeyr, Molteno and Sterkstroom

to apply for amnesty.

THE REPRESENTATIVE 18 March 2022 Tel: (045) 839-4040 / editorial: mjekulal@therep.co.za / advertising: charodinev@therep.co.za 3

All enjoy Mission Church’s

annual Harvest Festival along

with fundraiser auction

LEN’S NEWS

One of the highlights on the

Hilton Mission calendar is the

annual Harvest Festival.

Hilton Mission celebrated its

centenary in 2003 – wh i ch

means next year they will

celebrate 120 years.

The day began with the

community and visitors

gathering for a communion

service, giving thanks to God for

all the wonderful blessings He

has provided through the year.

This was followed by tea in

the hall, a time to reconnect

with old and new friends.

As always, there were plenty

of Miles and Brown families

present and Oscar Brown had

even come from Scotland where

he now lives.

The auction began at 11am

under the expert and energetic

direction of Simon Beal Preston,

who is also a local preacher.

He was assisted by Andrew

Breetzke.

The admin table was ably

run by Trish and Jess Beal

Preston, who recorded the bids

and the recipients of the sold

items.

A range of items were on

display such as plants, roses,

home-baked goods, wine,

frozen cuts of meat, biltong,

game hunts, sheep – dead or

a l ive !

This year a whole pig was

also on offer. There was even a

range of feed and seed on offer.

Another interesting offer was a

weekend away in a lovely

country cottage. Honey and

honey products were very

popular and a bentwood rocker

and matching table were

auctioned.

All the money made will go

towards the upkeep and the

work of the mission.

Beal Preston did a sterling

job as the auctioneer with his

helpers, Andrew and Mark

Breetzke, Kyle Brown and James

Snelling. Sam Breetzke did a

major job in coordinating

e ve r y t h i n g .

The day ended with

everyone enjoying building

themselves a burger after the

young men of the community

had made sure the patties were

well-cooked.

‘GAMBLING GAMES’

INVITATION TO BID

ROADMAC SURFACING CAPE INVITES SUBMISSIONS FOR RFQ SANRAL R.056-040-

2016/1-T1-T3:

PROVISION OF TRAININGS

P L AY I N G

FOR CASH:

Black United

FC, in blue,

and Juluka

United FC

played in the

final of a mini

tournament

at the Dumpy

Adams

Sports

Complex on

S a t u rd a y,

March 12

P i c t u re :

LUVUYO

MJEKULA

Suitably qualified, experienced and registered companies are hereby invited to submit proposals

to ROADMAC SURFACING CAPE (PTY) LTD for the following quotation:

CATCHING UP: Old and new friends take time to connect and support the Hilton Methodist

Mission Church’s annual Harvest Festival recently Picture: SUPPLIED

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Public Holidays 08:00-13:00.

QUEENSTOWN

24 MARCH 2022

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RFQ_ SANRAL R.056- 040-

2016/1-T1: PROVISION OF

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in urban areas

- SAQA US ID: 258923

- NQF Level: 02

- CREDITS: 2

RFQ_ SANRAL R.056-040-


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-SAQA US ID: 259622

- NQF Level: 02

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-SAQA US ID: 120330

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RFQ_ SANRAL R.056-040-


TRAINING:

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*NOTE TRAINING VENUE WILL BE PROVIDED ON SITE.

SUBMISSION DETAILS

Date and

Time

Friday, 25

March

2022 AT

16:00

Friday,

25 March

2022

AT 16:00

Friday,

25 March

2022

AT 16:00

Returnable

Schedules

• Quotation

• BBBEE

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• TAX

Clearance

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• CSD

• ACCREDI-

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• Quotation

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CERTIFI-

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• Quotation

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• CSD

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TIFICATES

All interested bidders should request the pricing schedule, Declaration forms and the list of returnable

documents from either of the contact persons listed below.

The training is to be provided in the town of Dordrecht within the Emalahleni Municipality.

BIDS WILL BE SUBMITTED BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE AND TIME VIA E-MAIL OR HAND

DELIVERED

The following person may be contacted in respect of enquiries:

Cyril Maluleke, Cell No: 068 116 7887, E-mail: Cyril.M@road-mac.co.za or

Thobelani Gingqwayo: Cell No: 060 383 1695, E-mail: Thobelani.G@road-mac.co.za.

CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR BID: Friday, 25 March 2022 AT 16:00

BIDS MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE AND TIME VIA E-MAIL TO:

Cyril.M@road-mac.co.za or Hand delivered to Roadmac Surfacing Cape (Pty) Ltd Site Office,

Vaal Maseru Bus Depot 1AB, Church Street, Dordrecht, 5435.

No late submissions or quotations submitted via telephonic, telegraphic, telex, or facsimile will

be accepted.

ROADMAC SURFACING CAPE (PTY) LTD reserves the right to withdraw any bids, invitation and/

or to re-advertise or to reject any bids or to accept any part of it. ROADMAC SURFACING CAPE

(PTY) LTD does not bind itself to accepting the lowest bid or to award a contract to the bidder

who scores the highest number of points.


61 of 68 BGMs want Gela to remain

Thandile Mpiti branch battling allegations of councillor ‘m i s t re a t e d ’, manipulation of membership

ABONGILE

S O L U N D WA N A

Nearly 70% of the ANC

branches in Chris Hani have

conducted their branch general

meetings (BGMs) ahead of the

regional conference, with the

rest expected to be concluded

by tomorrow.

ANC treasurer Madoda

Papiyana told The Rep that 61 of

the 68 BGMs wanted Wongama

Gela to serve his second term as

the party’s regional chairperson.

Papiyana said out of 110

ANC branches in the district,

6% had experienced some form

of manipulation with their

branch membership.

One of the branches he

alluded to was Thandile Mpiti in

Machibini, where party

members recently protested at

the regional office, demanding

their postponed BGM be

conducted with immediate

effect.

Akhona Qole, the former

ANC youth league chairperson

of the branch before it wa s

disbanded, along with his

branch members, alleged that

Thandile Mpathi, branch

ch a i r p e r s o n Thandazo Booi and

secretary Mlandeli Gxaba were

seeking to oust ward councilor

Vuyiseka Mkefa who they were

“mistreating”.

Qole had said the alleged

“mistreatment” of the councillor

emanated from Mkefa favouring

former ANC regional youth

league chairperson Zithulele

Sigonyela as the next regional

secretary instead of the current

regional secretary, Lusanda

Sizani, who they wanted.

The branch members were

also adamant that Papiyana was

meddling in the branch affairs as

he was working closely with

Booi and Gxatho to cause

disruption in the branch.

Qole said: “Even if they head

to the branch general meeting

they will not succeed because

the people of Machibini want

Babalo Madikizela for the

provincial chairperson position

and Sigonyela as the regional

secretary as he was born and

bred there.

“Booi and Gxatho are

mistreating a woman who is a

councilor, yet they are ANC

l e a d e r s .” However, Papiyana

said the Thandile Mpathi branch

membership had suddenly

increased, alleging

manipulation.

“People who are not

members were made to appear

members. This is where the

disputes in the ward began.

“The manipulation of the

ANC system created a huge

additional number of members

which are not recognised by the

branch, the region, the province

or nationally. The membership

of the branch for the past five

years had never exceeded 140.

“It is not true that the

councillor is being mistreated

for not favouring the regional

secretary [Sizani] because the

ANC leadership is appointed by

the branch members and not by

councillors. The ANC will not

frustrate its councilors.

“The role of the ANC is to

make sure that it supports its

employees, to make sure they

serve the people according to

the party’s manifesto.”

He said those appointed had

to be selected through the

correct process.

The treasurer added that the

people who were complaining

were not the “new joining”

members, but the old ones.

When membership

manipulation occurs, after

dealing with the appeals, the

national ANC office must

decide if a BGM should be held

in the affected areas.

This may require the removal

of falsely added members or

further investigation.

“We are ready for the

regional conference meeting to

sit, we just need to wrap up a

few BGMs which have not yet

been conducted. However if

more than 70% of the BGMs

have been conducted, the

conference is allowed to take

p l a c e ,” Papiyana said.

Booi said he had no

knowledge of the alleged

“mistreating” of the councillor

as the matter had not been

brought to their attention.

The only issue he was

familiar with was the BGM

meeting which party members

wanted to be held.

Gxaba and Mkefa could not

be reached for comment.

FINANCIAL RECOVERY PLAN

NEW ELECTRICITY SYSTEM: Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality artisan assistant Nduduzo Mjoli, left, and electrician

Edward Ramadwa busy installing smart meter boxes in Robinson Road after the mayor, Thembeka Bunu, announced

that the new smart metering system programme had started with businesses and would later be piloted in residential

a re a s Picture: ZINTLE BOBELO

EMLM seeks DBSA financing

for electricity infrastructure

ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA

With plans to refurbish the electricity

distribution network, Enoch Mgijima

Local Municipality is in talks with the

Development Bank of Southern Africa

(DBSA) to lend support for the 2021/

2022 and 2022/2023 financial years.

The state of the area’s infrastructure

requires urgent attention.

The refurbishment is estimated at

more than R487m, with the estimated

upgrade costs at just over R184m.

EMLM CFO Paul Mahlasela said

engagements had been held with DBSA

and other government organisations

over financial support to enhance the

electricity supply.

“We always have challenges. In

December alone four to five areas in

Komani were affected.

“We had to run around to do repairs

due to the old infrastructure. DBSA is

promising to assist us.

“Our preference is not really to get

loans, it is more that we wish to have

grants for funding.”

According to the council report, the

existing and dilapidated electricity

network, constructed between 1970

and 1985, has not been refurbished or

upgraded since.

The CBD medium voltage network

is said to be in a critical state and in

urgent need of an upgrade, with the

municipality also experiencing

overloads in Ezibeleni and Mlungisi.

The CFO added: “If we manage to

secure loans we will come back and

present to council because we cannot

just sign a loan agreement without the

approval of the council.”

The report also stated the existing 11

KVA underground network no longer

had the capacity to handle demand,

resulting in regular b r e a k d ow n s .

In addition, the speaker,

Noluthando Nqabisa, said Eskom was

unable to accommodate the demand

for electricity throughout the country.

This posed another threat to the

municipality, which relied on the power

utility as its service provider for revenue

collection.

For this reason, the management

proposed that the municipality start

towards having its own electricity

generation with a capacity that will be

sufficient to cover its demand. Future

growth will also be anticipated.

Nqabisa said people would soon get

tired of load-shedding and begin

seeking alternative sources which may

backfire on the municipality as far as its

energy revenue was concerned.

Mahlasala said: “We are also

looking at other alternative energy

sources of electricity and are engaging

the department of energy. We have

spoken to minister Gwede Mantashe to

source other alternative means.”

The council recommendation was

for EMLM to be assisted by the DBSA

local government support unit in the

development of a network development

plan for projects that can be done over

a period of seven years. According to

the council report, this has opened an

opportunity for municipalities and other

electricity utilities to build their own

power generation plants.

EDUCATION FIRST: Mbekweni High School pupils showing off their

new school shoes donated by the Ntabethemba Development nonprofit

organisation. A donation of books for the school library was also

handed over on the day

Picture: SUPPLIED

NPO hands over

shoes, uniforms,

helps fill library

ZINTLE BOBELO

A drive to stock Mbekweni High

S ch o o l ’s library came to fruition

when 324 books were handed over

by non-profit organisation

Ntabethemba Development last

Fr i d ay.

Plans to hand over the rest of the

collected books next term were

underway, said one of the members,

Asanda Gqoboka.

“The drive proved to be a

success. We managed to get a

donation of books from Walter

Sisulu University library in Mthatha,

Nelson Mandela University, the

National Library of South Africa, the

University of the Western Cape, as

well as private donors and

bookshops in Gauteng.

“We have collected school

uniforms from the members of the

NPO as well, which were also

donated to the schools,” she said.

“To ensure the books are being

used we will host reading clubs at

Mbekweni High and we also plan

on mentoring the pupils in

leadership roles.

“We will start with making some

of them librarians at their library as

we know some pupils from the rural

areas pass well in high school, but

are overwhelmed once they reach

varsity which sometimes leads to

them dropping grades.

“We want to expose them to

experiences outside the classroom.”

The handover was coupled with

school shoes donated by Bata and

school uniforms.

Manzolwandle Primary pupils in

Tentergate also received their share

of the items this week.

“We chose the schools because

we wanted to give back to the

community that moulded us to

become who we are today, to give

youngsters from disadvantaged

backgrounds hope and also to

encourage them to plough back to

their communities,” said Gqoboka.

An invitation to three members

of Ntabethemba to attend a retired

teachers farewell celebration at

Mthonyama Primary two years ago

led to the formation and r e g i s t ra t i o n

of the NPO in 2021.

“Upon their [members] visit they

noticed some of the pupils wore

either worn-out school items or

were without them.

“So they started contributing

from their pockets to buy school

uniforms, but only managed to buy

for two pupils.”

Pleas were made on social

media and more members got on

the bandwagon.

“We have recently partnered

with Woolworths on their ‘My

school, my village, my planet’ as

one of our fundraising tools.

“We want to get as many people

signed up as possible to be able to

fulfil our mandate of affording pupils

from rural areas the same

opportunities as those in urban

a r e a s .”

Visit and follow the NPO’s social

media platforms, Ntabethemba

Development, on Facebook,

LinkedIn and Instagram.


Komani beekeepers support first

EC honey and mead competition

Steward in training Edrich Verster’s chunky honey wins first prize in category

WINNING HONEY: Giane Verster proudly holds the bottle of chunk honey

that her brother Edrich won first prize for at the Eastern Cape Honey and

Mead Show at Hole-in-the-Wall Picture: SUPPLIED

LEN’S NEWS

Last week saw the beginning of an

historic first for the Eastern Cape

— the province’s own honey and

mead competition.

Komani was well represented by

Edrich Verster, who attended as a

steward in training. He was the

youngest member of the group. He also

entered his chunk honey which won

first prize in that class.

Jarl Heurlin entered his honey in the

open liquid honey and won a second

prize. Reg Morgan, a master honey

judge, attended as possibly the oldest

there and as one of the judges.

The event was organised by two

bee farmers, Simthembile Nzuzo from

Mthatha and Sisiphiwo Dingana from

Matatiele, who had the vision of

launching their own honey and mead

competition. They had, over the last

year, attended the Royal Show in

Pietermaritzburg and the national show

in Johannesburg, where they saw firsthand

how a competition worked. They

also submitted their own honey at each

show to test its quality.

During this time they were also

elected to the board of the South

African Bee Industry Organisation

(Sabio) to represent the Eastern Cape

bee farmers.

In 2019 the newly organised Honey

Ju d g e s ’ Guild of SA was formed to

HONEY TREE: Some of the entries

in the Eastern Cape Honey and

Mead Show at Hole-in-the-Wall last

week Picture: SUPPLIED

assist in setting up honey and mead

shows across the country. The guild is

responsible for the training of the

stewards who set up and run each

show under the direction of a chief

steward. The honey judges who are

invited to the show spend a day judging

the entries in each class. On this

occasion three judging tables were set

up. Reg Morgan, with learner judge

Elize Lundall-Magnuson, judged six

classes of liquid honey, from light,

medium and dark in the open classes to

the same for the novice section.|

The novice entries were the largest

seen for many years. Eddy Lear, who

chairs the Honey Judges Guild, judged

the select honeys which included:

lucerne, saligna, macadamia, black

iron bark, orange blossom and buffalo

thorn. He also judged the mead entries

but no prizes were awarded this time.

Tina Lear judged the creamed,

granulated and chunk honey, the wax

entries as well as the creative classes.

The aim of the guild is to provide

training and opportunities to work in

setting up and running a show. A good

sized group of experienced stewards

and judges arrived at the venue near

Coffee Bay. Also joining were about 12

beekeepers from across the Eastern

Cape. They came to be trained as

stewards and pitched in, tackling every

challenge with humour and energy.

On Thursday the board of Sabio

joined the group for their meetings.

The prizegiving on Friday was a

time of affirmation and joy wherein

most participants were presented with

an award or prize.

Exciting news at the end of the

show was that Sabio had decided the

annual bee conference for 2023 would

be held in Buffalo City and be hosted

by the Eastern Cape bee farmers.

The guild announced that Dingana

had been elected as vice-chair up to

the AGM to be held in November.

PRAYER WARRIORS

DAY OF SUPPLICATION: A women’s

World Day of Prayer was held at the

Crouch Memorial Congregational Church

recently. Different congregations,

including the Apostolic Faith Mission, St

David’s Anglican Church, St John’s

Methodist Church, St Teresa’s Roman

Catholic Church, United Reformed

Church and Victoria Park Methodist

Church joined in the day. From left, are

Lorenda Rooi, Berenice Levack, Lizzie van

Heerden, Mona Adams, Lorraine

Stegman, Felicity Maytham and Chrissie

and Brenda Daniels Picture: SUPPLIED

WITHDRAWAL / CANCELLATION OF INVITATION TO BID

The Ikhala Public Technical Vocational Educational and Training (IPTVET)

hereby withdraws/cancels the under mentioned BID. The bid was

advertised on National Treasury Portal, Ikhala TVET College website, Daily

Dispatch, The Rep & Aliwal Weekly.

Ref No:

Bid Number Description Publication

Date

ITVET-INFRA002/09/2021 APPOINTMENT OF A

CONTRACTOR FOR THE

CONSTRUCTION OF NONESI

CAMPUS ACCESS ROAD

17/09/2021

Ikhala TVET College would like to apologies to all the bidders who had

shown their interest in this bid, for any inconvenience this may have

caused.

We thank you for your interest in the above project.

All enquiries should be directed to Mr. K Tabo on 047 873 8800 or

email: khayalethu.tabo@ikhala.edu.za

ENOCH MGIJIMA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

PUBLIC NOTICE CALLING FOR INSPECTION OF THE

THIRD SUPPLEMENTARY VALUATION ROLL FOR THE

PERIOD 1 JULY 2019 TO 30 JUNE 2024

AND LODGING OF OBJECTIONS

NoticeisherebygivenintermsofSection49(1)(a)(i)readtogetherwithSection78(2)ofthe

LocalGovernment:MunicipalPropertyRatesAct2004(ActNo.6of2004)hereinafterreferred

toasthe”Act”,thattheThirdSupplementaryValuationRollfortheFinancialYears01July2019

to30June2024isopenforpublicinspectionattheMunicipalOfficeslistedbelow,onMondayto

Friday,duringofficehours07:45to16:30from11March2022to18April2022.Inaddition,the

SupplementaryValuationRollisavailableontheMunicipalwebsitewww.enochmgijima.gov.za

Aninvitationisherebymadeintermsofsection49(1)(a)(ii)readwith78(2)oftheActthatany

ownerofpropertyorotherpersonwhosodesiresshouldlodgeanobjectionwiththeMunicipal

Manager in respect of any matter including the category, reflected in or omitted from, the

ValuationRollwithintheabove–mentionedperiod.

AttentionisspecificallydrawntothefactthatintermsofSection50(2)oftheActanobjection

mustbeinrelationtoaspecificindividualpropertyandnotagainsttheValuationRollassuch.

TheformsforlodgingofobjectionareobtainablefromBudgetandTreasuryOfficesofthe

Municipality in Queenstown, Tarkastad, Hofmeyer, Molteno and Sterkstroom or Municipal

websitewww.enochmgijima.gov.za

• QueenstownOfficeUnit : Budget&TreasuryOffice,25-27OwenStreet

• TarkastadOfficeUnit : Budget&TreasuryOffice,12MurrayStreet

• HofmeyerOfficeUnit : Budget&TreasuryOffice,194MoltenoStreet

• MoltenoOfficeUnit : Budget&TreasuryOffice,39SmithStreet

• SterkstroomOfficeUnit : Budget&TreasuryOffice,58JohnVosterStreet

ThecompletedformsmustbereturnedtothefollowingaddressbyRegisteredMailandmarked

‘SupplementaryValuationRoll2021-22’andbepostedto:TheMunicipalManager,Enoch

Mgijima Local Municipality, Private Bag X7111, Komani 5320 or hand-delivered at the

addresses indicated above for the attention of The Municipal Manager during Office hours

07h45-16h30MondaytoFriday.

ForanyqueriesdonothesitatetocontactMsSRichard/FSimamaon045 8072030/31/33or

emailtoSRichard@enochmgijima.gov.za

MS NC ZONDANI

MUNICIPAL MANAGER

TOWN HALL

CATHCART ROAD

KOMANI


IN OUR

POSTBAG

graphic © liudmyla pushnova / 123RF.com

24 Prince Alfred Street, Queenstown or mjekulal@therep.co.za or fax

(045) 839-4059

Letters must be accompanied by the name and address of the author. A pseudonym should be

supplied where necessary. The editor reserves the rights to choose and edit letters to publish.

Defamatory and slanderous letters will not be considered. Letters have to be brief and to the point.

Please limit letters to 250 words or less

Criminal justice system

failing Ezibeleni people

LAID TO REST: The late chief Ngangomhlaba Matanzima was buried at Qamata Great Place in Cofimvaba. His recent

passing shocked the country Picture: ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA

FACE 2 FACE with /

QWhat does your work

entail?

AManaging daily work,

leading my team to

success; reaching monthly

targets; conquering new

obstacles; teaching,

empowering and building

new customer relations.

Q: What do you enjoy about

your work?

A: Meeting new people.

Q: What do you think is the

most important trait a

manager needs to have?

A: A manager must have

good communication skills

and work ethic, must be goal

orientated, must have

industry knowledge, be

positive and inspirational,

encouraging and supportive

and have good conflict

resolution skills.

Q: When you are working,

what do you enjoy the most?

A: Having a sense of humour

in the working environment

cheers most people up.

Working together in

harmony helps.

Q: What is your motto in

life?

A: The secret of life is to fall

seven times and get up eight

times!

Q: What do you enjoy about

Ko m a n i ?

A: This is the place I grew up

in, the place I know like the

back of my hand and also my

family is here.

Q: What is your favourite

dish?

A: I like to eat delicious food

and I always try to taste

different dishes. There are

many dishes I like. I prefer

spicy dishes.

Q: What are the three items

you cannot live without?

A: Phone, money and my

laptop.

NOSIPHIWO NYATI

a retail store manager

YO U R VOICE opinions on the street

What do you think about…

The criminal justice system is

dismally failing the people of

Ezibeleni. It begins with the cases

brought to the police to investigate

after a charge has been laid. It takes

a very long time before an offender

is apprehended and brought to

book. Drug peddling and use is

common and breaking of the law is

p r e va i l i n g .

If it happens that a criminal

investigator is successful in bringing

the case docket to the attention of

the prosecutor, it becomes a

mammoth task to have the accused

charged, prosecuted and judgment

meted out timeously by the law

enforcement officers.

I am very much perturbed as a

citizen, specifically in a case I

opened in 2019 against a

delinquent boy which has not been

finalised to date. It is a case of

crimen injuria stemming from the

contravention of the protection

order by the accused. This case has

been postponed more than nine

times up to February 21.

There were numerous

postponements before the case

went to trial. The case is often

delayed for judgment although it

has been fully deliberated by the

court. The strangest part of this all is

the failure to give reasons for this

delay. Both the accused and I have

been inconvenienced by this

unnecessary procrastination. None

of the people concerned are able to

attend daily chores and issues of

importance in our daily lives due to

these postponements. It seems as if

the bill of rights of citizens is

completely ignored and the

personal interests of the judicial

officers put forward. I appeal to all

powers that be to respect the rights

of the citizens of this country and

see to the timely discharge of

justice.

This delay, and at times failure,

to mete out justice is a cause for

concern. It is true that when justice

is delayed justice is denied. People

in this community have lost

confidence in the criminal justice

system as a result of malpractices.

Phakamisa Xashimba

KOMANI WEATHER

Generally, the temperatures in our forecast period are lower than they have

been of late, making for pleasant conditions rather than sweltering heat.

On Friday it will be partly cloudy, with a gentle wind. The minimum

temperature will be 14°C and the maximum 28°C.

There is a 40% chance of scattered thundershowers on Saturday. The

humidity will be bordering on the uncomfortable and the temperatures will

range between 13°C and 25°C.

The level of humidity will remain on Sunday, when scattered

thunderstorms are again possible. The minimum temperature will be 13°C

and the maximum 25°C. The wind will be fairly moderate. —

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

SOCIETY SNIPPETS

From birthdays to anniversaries to achievements to notices ... Share your

information with us:

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

NOMONDE

N D WA N D WA

Bullying in SA schools has

hogged the headlines in

recent times, with incidents

of violence reported across

the country. The Rep intern

Chuma Joni took to the

streets and asked residents

whether schools, teachers

and society at large were

doing enough to address the

problem of bullying.

Nomonde Ndwandwa

from Komani Park

I don’t think schools are

doing enough to make sure

that there is no bullying at

school. I think what happens

is that when children report

THUMEKA

DLANGAMANDLA

CHRISTEL

VAN WYK

being bullied at school, the

teachers do not act

immediately. They don’t

even call the parents of the

children involved and

engage with the head of the

school to make sure that they

take action immediately.

Thumeka Dlangamandla

from Bede

Teachers are not doing

enough. I am including the

department of education

because this happens right

under them. So I think the

department should place an

advert on TV and on social

networks that children use

HAIDER

GHULAM

more often so that they can

educate the children that

bullying is not good and so

that children can know

about it and not do it.

Christel van Wyk

from Newvale

I don’t think schools are

doing enough, more

especially teachers. They

should be more involved

with the kids so that they

know when children are

bullied and address the ones

that are bullying others.

Haider Ghulam

from Queenstown

SIBONGILE

NELI

No, it is not good. The

children should learn from

home, the parents should

teach the children at home

not to bully and the teachers

at school should do the

same. In that way things will

be better.

Sibongile Neli

from Sada

I don’t think they are

doing enough. If they

did, the rate of bullying

would not be as high as it is.

I think the parents too

should work along with

teachers so that this bullying

can stop.

C e l e b ra t i n g birthdays soon are Abongile Zongola (March 11), Ingrid Green

and JP Barnardo (March 12), Bianca le Roux (March 13), Neliswa Ben and

Edonique Winnaar (March 16), Nicholas Schenk (March 17), Roger Carthew

and Colette Heuer (March 19), Lara Walker (March 20), Hayley Lucas

(March 21), Joel Mekile, Graham van Heerden, Natasha Rossouw, Cheryl

Bosch, Courtney Aylwin and Candice van Zyl (March 22), Launa Smith, Jaco

Janse van Rensburg, Neil Langhein, Melissa Prinsloo and Jerome Jasson

(March 23), Phillip Nel, Denise Muller, Lizelle Mostert, Sean Russell, Dawn

Coetzee and Shannon Stone (March 24), Angela de Coning, Lynette

Havenga, Bryan Victor, Pieter Raubenheimer and Wayne Adonis (March

25), Jacques Jordaan (March 24), Andy Jerrard, Lourinda Richter, Kathy

Helm and Jaco Goosen (March 26), Lynne Terblanche, Peet van der Walt

and Chantel Brody (March 27), Ntosh Nguna, Graham Pohlmann, Dylan

Jacobs, Kayla Bekker and Val Green (March 28), Christa Watt, Hanneke

Coetzee, Veronica Ngomana, Deidre Schwartz, Amelia Martin and Siya

Mzileni (March 29), Charlene de Villiers and Malvin Charasika (March 30),

Jeanne Bowes, Karen du Preez and Ronel Taylor (March 31), Nazi Mjuleni,

Renisha Jackson, Danica Adams, Riana de Lange and Shania Mulder (April

1).

Peter and Verena Uhlig celebrate another wedding anniversary on March

19. Congratulations.

Condolences are extended to the families and friends of Nomadada Baleni,

Siphokazi Bunu, Pumla Burwana, Ethel Fele, Mirriam Makasi, Khayalethu

Maqina, Collin Mateke, Zanoxolo Mnqandi, Gerhard Odendaal,

Nonyameko Pambo, Nkululeko Skoma, Veliwe Tshali, Elwyn Bennett,

Malolo Nongxaza, Thando Klaas, Sivuyile Mbalula, Nonceba Singiza,

Wonga July, Amahle Ngculu and Andisiwe Mayekiso.


Population census to wrap up in

Chris Hani district by next week

Disaster

by the state

ZINTLE BOBELO

Residents in the Chris Hani district who

have not been counted in the Statistics

SA population census, can still expect

fieldworkers at their doorstep after an

extension was recently announced.

District manager Mawande

Mhlontlo said the process had to be

delayed for about a week due to

technical glitches resulting in census

2022 being extended until March 20.

So far, 110, 652 households in the

Chris Hani district have been visited as

at March 14.

Census held its first digital

population count this year, with 818

people in the district enumerating

themselves online.

“Those who have not been counted

must wait for people to come to them,

hopefully before Sunday, but we have a

wrap-up next week,” Mhlontlo said.

“Supervisors and fieldwork officers

will be doing what we call a mop-up,

reaching out to those we were unable to

contact. We still plead for the public’s

cooperation during this time.

“We are doing everything we can.

We even adopted the sweeping method

where fieldworkers are assisting each

other in covering areas that are still

behind. We also have vehicles assisting

us, on top of the ones that we have.

“We are trying to push to finish

everything by the weekend.”

He said challenges faced included

connection problems, especially in rural

Is it really easy for

SMMEs to get funding?

As per my previous columns, I

encourage small business owners to

look for funding when they want to

grow their businesses. However, I’ve

been asking myself a question for a long

time – if it is that easy for SMMEs to

access funding from institutions

assigned to assist small businesses?

In the past, I’ve taken time to look at

what is needed when seeking funding –

the number of required documents

could make anyone feel despondent,

even before starting the process of

applying.

When I look at my literacy and

education level, one would think it

would be easy for my kind of business

to apply for funding. Unfortunately, this

is not the case. After I saw the long list of

documents required for SMMEs to apply

for funding, I thought the level of

bureaucracy involved in this process did

not encourage me to continue.

The process is not user-friendly, and

some of the required documentation

needs us to pay money to get hold of it.

Some of the documents required

include company registration papers, a

business plan, tax and BEE certificates

and audited financial statements, to

name but a few. Most SMME owners

cannot do their audited financial

statements – they need to hire a

qualified accountant to produce these,

and this process doesn’t cost anything

less than R10,000.

Most SMMEs who own informal

businesses are not literate enough to do

their tax, too, so that process also needs

to be outsourced to a tax consultant.

This costs money which most SMMEs

do not have. So if I find this process so

daunting and expensive, how much

more for those who are less literate or

not as educated. The process is made so

complicated and daunting that most of

us don’t see the point of even going

through the pain of applying. Every year

during the state of the nation (Sona)

address, we all listen attentively to the

BE COUNTED: Statistics SA workers collecting data for the population

census in Magxaki, Mlungisi, from left, are Sisa Mankayi, Mandla Sibozo and

Lulama Koyana Picture: ZINTLE BOBELO

areas, however, the off-line strategy was

then conducted. People refusing to be

counted was another problem.

“Some people are refusing to be

counted because they are not interested

in anything brought by the government,

others are disgruntled because they

were not employed.”

He said in some areas where people

had refused to be counted, r e l e va n t

supervisors had managed to mediate

successfully, and turn the situation

around. Currently, the district has 1,418

refusals.

Empower ment

Zone

Miranda Lusiba

promises made to simplify the processes

for small businesses so there is less red

tape. Unfortunately, we have not yet

seen these promises in action.

Sadly, when talking to other

entrepreneurs, we have not heard any

small business owners saying their

businesses were helped by the

departments or organisations assigned

to assist SMMEs. If I’m wrong and there

are some SMMEs these organisations

have assisted, then I encourage them to

share their testimonies and how they

managed to make these processes work

for them. During the recent Sona 2022,

Ramaphosa announced that

policymakers are reviewing the

Business Act and other regulations to

reduce the regulatory burden on

businesses.

He also announced that he had

appointed a team led by

former Exxaro chief executive Sipho

Nkosi to cut red tape across the

economy. This newly appointed

team has been mandated to work with

government departments and agencies

to unblock investment and business

growth obstacles.

SMMEs listened to the speech with

caution because a lot of

announcements have been made in the

past that have not been implemented on

“That is a huge number. It is

concerning, but we try get details of

what is happening and we are in the

process of overturning those.

“According to the Stats Act, if you

refuse to be counted you can be

charged, found guilty and fined an

amount of up to R10,000 or be

sentenced to six months imprisonment.

“That is, however, the last resort.

“Normally when we find serious

issues like these, we escalate them to

the legal people who can start the

process of litigation if needs be.”

the ground. A perfect example of this is

the announcement made that SMMEs

are paid within 15 days of submitting

their invoices for work done with

government departments.

I have, in the past, worked on

government projects where I was subcontracted

by other business associates.

Unfortunately, because we struggled to

get our payments from these

government entities, I ended up writing

off some of these monies as bad debt

because I could see there was just no

intention to pay us after the work was

done. We were sent from pillar to post

until we gave up.

Business owners try not to be

negative when these announcements

are made, but we can’t help but be

cautiously optimistic. We are now

waiting to see if Nkosi’s task team,

appointed by the president, will really

help make it easy to do business with

the government. My plea to the

president and his support teams is to

police this process and check that every

department has bought into the vision of

making processes simple for businesses

and ensure it is implemented on the

ground. It would be nice to see some

testimonials coming out of this process,

where companies give credibility to this

ye a r ’s announcement.

Miranda Lusiba is the founding

director of Strangé Consulting – a

boutique PR agency specialising in

communication, media relations,

freelance writing, reputation

management and media training.

# p ra dv i c e

**Disclaimer: Miranda Lusiba &

STRANGÉ CONSULTING retain all title,

ownership and intellectual property (IP)

rights to these columns and trademarks

contained in all other information and

supporting documents as well. This is in

accordance with the SA: Copyright Act

98 of 1978 (amended) Intellectual

Property Laws Amendment Act 38 of

1997.

The first state of disaster was

declared in March 2020, an

announcement that ushered

in the era of face masks,

sanitisers and social distancing.

It also heralded the arrival of a

spike of deaths that many of us have

never seen in our lifetime, except

those, perhaps, who lived through

the World Wars.

Many of us lost family members,

friends and acquaintances which is

something many are still trying to

deal with.

The Covid-19 pandemic has

affected all of us and has

permanently changed the way we

live. It has also changed the way we

do business and it has been shown

that business can be conducted

without the customer and the seller

having to be in the same room.

It also revolutionised the way

people work as the workplace, in

many instances, can be anywhere

where there is a computer and

internet connectivity, without

compromising productivity.

However, while this may be so,

the return to a pre-pandemic state is

now inevitable.

When the Cogta minister

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

announced this week that the state

of disaster had been extended for

another month, many were left nots

o - c o nv i n c e d .

She said in her declaration in the

government gazette that the reason

was that the state was “taking into

account the need to augment the

existing legislation and contingency

arrangements undertaken by organs

of state to address the impact of the

disaster”.

This flies in the face of what we

were made to understand was the

stance of government about these

restrictions when they were

extended last month.

The government did say they

anticipated that this would probably

be the last time it would be

extended. So to many, it came as a

shock when Dlamini-Zuma

announced its extension for another

month.

The decision was met with great

disappointment by many

representatives of the sectors of

s o c i e t y.

I think the sector that has been hit

very hard by the continued

restrictions is definitely the sporting

sector, across the board.

Professional sport, in particular,

which relies heavily on paying

spectators to make ends meet and to

attract sponsorships, has been the

IN TOUCH

Phumelele P Hlati

❝ I see no reason why we

should even have

restrictions now when,

by all accounts, more

than 70% of the

population has either

vaccine immunity or

natural immunity caused

by previous Covid

infections.

hardest hit.

It has now been a full two years

since the big crowds were last seen

inside stadiums and other sporting

arenas.

Sportspeople are like gladiators,

they thrive on the adulation and

energy they get from the cheering

spectators.

The continued ban is not only

detrimental to them — it is

unjustifiable, no matter how you

look at it.

We had political rallies last year

when thousands of people gathered

in arenas and no major spike in

infections took place.

I see no reason why we should

even have restrictions now when, by

all accounts, more than 70% of the

population has either vaccine

immunity or natural immunity

caused by previous Covid infections.

The proposal by the department

of health to have 50% capacity in

arenas with vaccinated people is not

going far enough.

Too little too late.

As of Wednesday, we had 1,980

new Covid cases and add the fact

that the Omicron variant has been

shown not to be as deadly as the

ones before — it makes no practical

sense to continue with the

restrictions as they are.

We have to snap out of the

analysis paralysis we find ourselves

in and act boldly.

Lift the restrictions at once.

WORSHIP TOGETHER: At a recent prayer service are, from left, Karen

Maritz, Kirsty Watson, Rozanne Alt, Celia Breetzke, Rose McDougall,

Marinda Gribenouw, Diane Coetzee and Juanita Kapp Picture: SUPPLIED

Women unite in World Day of Prayer service

LEN’S NEWS

This year, the annual women’s World

Day of Prayer service was held in the

Wesley Methodist Church on Friday,

March 4.

England, Northern Ireland and

Wales were the countries that were

focused on and the colour scheme

was blue (for the sea surrounding the

land), green (for the grass) and grey

(for the buildings and people).

Marinda Gribenouw led the

worship beautifully and also shared

the Scripture “I know the plans I

have for you”.

The 32 Christian women

representing all the churches in

Komani braved the wearing of

masks, social distancing and hand

sanitising to share in this time of

worship together.


1

DOMESTIC

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1150

Funeral Notices

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

1150

Funeral Notices

1150

Funeral Notices

1150

Funeral Notices

1150

Funeral Notices

1150

Funeral Notices

1150

Funeral Notices

1150

Funeral Notices

BACELA

RITA

NOMPUMELELO

Late of

17 Van Heerden

Street, New Rest

Komani

Born: 18.11.1964

Died: 07.03. 2022

Funeral;

Saturday 19.03 .2022

Starting at home then

to the (St Theresa’s

Roman Catholic),

The cortege will

proceed to the Komani

Town Cemetery,

for the Interment at

12noon

LALA NGOXOLO

MAMGCINA

TYHOPHO XHAMELA

MBENGO

MZIWAMADODA

ERIC

Late of

R 183 Sixaba Street,

White City,

Mlungisi, Komani

Born: 26.08.1970

Died: 11.03. 2022

Funeral;

Saturday 19.03 .2022

Starting at home at

10am

(Ilisolomzi Apostolic

Church),

Thence to the Komani

Town Cemetery,


12noon

LALA NGOXOLO

MQWATHI DIKELA

NONI NTSWAYIBANA

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

NDARA

VELILE

JOHNSON

Late of

Upper Ngonyama,

Qoqodala,

Lady Frere District

Born: 11.06.1937

Died: 09.03.2022

Funeral;

Saturday 19.03.2022

Starting at home

at 9am

(First Apostolic

Church in Zion)

Thence to the Upper

Ngonyama Cemetery,


12noon

LALA NGOXOLO

MPAHLA

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

SIHELE

NOPHUMZILE

Late of

Mtwaku, Bolotwa

Lady Frere District

Born: 16.03.1945

Died: 03.03.2022

Funeral;

Saturday 19.03.2022

Starting at home at

9am

(Sipra Church in Zion)

Thence to the Mtwaku

Cemetery, Bolotwa


11:30

LALA NGOXOLO

MAMNCOTSHE

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

VUMAZONKE

KHAYALETHU

Late of

Lower Didimana,

Whittlesea District

Born: 28.12.1971

Died: 11.03.2022

Funeral;

Saturday 19.03.2022

Starting at home at

9am

(Methodist Church in

Africa)

Thence to the Lower

Didimana Cemetery,


12noon

LALA NGOXOLO

BHUKULA NKWALI

MKHWANAZI

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

NJOVANE

PUZILE

VELAKHE

Late of

Kwa Qithi, Nkolonga,

Lady Frere District

Born: 07.06.1954

Died: 07.03.2022

Funeral;

Saturday 19.03.2022

Starting at home

at 10am

(Salvation Church

Faith of Revival)

Thence to the Kwa

Qithi Cemetery,

for the Interment

at 13pm

LALA NGOXOLO

MQITHI

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

STUURMAN

MIHLALI

Late of

2185 Rosewood

Avenue,

Ezibeleni,

Komani

Born: 14.12.1978

Died: 13.03.2022

Funeral;

Saturday 19.03.2022

Starting at home then

to the

High Impact Family

Church, Ezibeleni For

a service at 09:30am

The cortege will

proceed to the

Komani Cemetery for

the Interment at 12

noon

LALA NGOXOLO

JOLA QENGEBA

MPHANKOMO

MCEKWE

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

DINGANI

NOMPITI

CHRISTINA

Late of

1249 Nkululeko

Avenue,

Molteno District

Born: 03.01.1941

Died: 10.03.2022

Funeral;

Saturday 19.03.2022

Starting at home at

9am

(African Methodist

Church)

Thence to the

Nomonde Cemetery,

Molteno, for the

Interment at 12noon

LALA NGOXOLO

MAMTSHATSHU

TUBANE MAHOSE

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

RUSSELL AND SON

FUNERAL DIRECTORS

Tel. 045 839 4012

THUNGWANA

(nee PONO)

ASANDA

Born: 13.06.1977

Died: 10.03.2022

Funeral: 18.03.2022

Address: 552 Pambo

Street, Khayelitsha,

Queenstown

Venue: St Theresa’s

Roman Catholic

Church at 10h00

Time: 07h00 at home

Interment: Komani

Town Cemetery

Lala Ngoxolo

MaDlomo

JADA

NOMAKATINI

FLORENCE

BORN: 1965-03-06

DIED: 2022-03-04

FUNERAL:

2022-03-19

VENUE:

Funeral service will

be held at home at

Sonwabile location

Sterkstroom

at 09:00 am

CEMETERY:

Sterkstroom

TIME: 11:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

MVANE

XOLISWA

PATRICIA

BORN: 1963-09-11

DIED: 2022-03-07

FUNERAL:

2022-03-19

VENUE: Funeral service

will be held at home at 1102

Zone 2 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

YEKO

NOLIFIN

ANNA

BORN: 1928-01-28

DIED: 2022-03-08

FUNERAL:

2022-03-19

VENUE:


be held at home at

Gxojeni location

Machubeni A/A Cacadu

district at 09:00 am

CEMETERY:

Gxojeni

TIME: 11:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

PHUNDUYI

NOBATHINI

NOZOLILE

DINA

BORN: 1950-06-20

DIED: 2022-03-11

FUNERAL:

2022-03-19

VENUE:


be held at home at 2250

Tyoksville location

Dordrecht

at 09:00 am

CEMETERY:

Dordrecht

TIME: 11:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

BAM

NOWINJINI

BORN : 1936-06-07

DIED : 2022-03-07

FUNERAL

2022-03-19


will be held at home at

Gushet location Mbulu A/A

Tsomo at 09:00 am

Cemetery: Mbulu

TIME: 11:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

SIYO-KEKA

NOMBULELO

ANGELINA

BORN: 1947-06-03

DIED: 2022-03-02

FUNERAL:

2022-03-19

VENUE:

Funeral service will be

held at home at 2552 Zola

location (Mabuyaze),

Whittlesea

at 09:00 am

CEMETERY:

Whittlesea

TIME: 11:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

MAQULA

MHAWU JOHN

BORN: 1940-04-04

DIED: 2022-03-09

FUNERAL:

2022-03-19

VENUE:


be held at home at

Heckney village,

Whittlesea district

at 09:00 am

CEMETERY:

Heckeny

TIME:

11:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

We connect you to your customers - in Print and Online

Contact Charodine or Mavis on 045 839 4040

www.therep.co.za

The Rep Komani

the_rep_komani

@RepKomani


1150

Funeral Notices

NJOLI

SAMSON

BORN: 1945-02-12

DIED: 2022-03-03

FUNERAL:

2022-03-20

VENUE:

Funeral service will be

held at home at Mthwaku

location Bolotwa A/A

Cacadu District

at 10:00 am

CEMETERY:

Mthwaku

TIME:

12:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

MATISO

NOMTHANDAZO

LUCIA

BORN: 1963-02-16

DIED : 2022-03-06

FUNERAL:

2022-03-19


will be held at home at

Upper Shiloh location

Whittlesea at 09:00 am

CEMETERY:

Upper Shiloh

TIME:

11:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

1150

Funeral Notices

MANGCU

NONTUTUZELO

WINNIFRED

BORN: 1964-02-23

DIED: 2022-03-08

FUNERAL:

2022-03-19

VENUE:



Ntloko Street Khayelitsha

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

MPOTULO

SIVIWE

BRADLEY

BORN: 1983-12-28

DIED: 2022-03-09

FUNERAL:

2022-03-19

VENUE:


be held at home at Taleni

location Qutsa A/A

at 09:00 am

Cemetery, Taleni

TIME: 11:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

1160

Funeral Directors

BANA

ANELE

BORN: 1982-06-08

DIED: 2022-03-11

FUNERAL:

2022-03-19

VENUE:



Hilton street Newvale

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

MAGWAZA

REGINA

Born: 1959-02-17

Died: 2022-03-07

Funeral: 2022-03-19

(Saturday)

Address: 953

Zone 3, Ezibeleni

Venue: Home

@ 09:00

Cemetery:Lukanji

Cemetery @12:00

Service conducted by

EYETHU FUNERAL

Contact: 045 839 6200

or 083 242 2533 /

071 078 6184

6151

Employment Offered

1150

Funeral Notices

MAQHINA

THEMBEKA

ADELAIDE

BORN : 1956-06-21

DIED : 2022-03-13

FUNERAL:

2022-03-19


will be held at home at 983

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

FANI

NQANDILE

Born: 1958-04-03

Died: 2022-03-11

Funeral: 2022-03-20

(Sunday)

Address: Ediphini

Qoqodala, Lady Frere

Venue:

Home @ 09:00

Cemetery:

Qoqodala Cemetery

@12:00


EYETHU FUNERAL

No. 23 |Joubert Street

Queenstown

Contact: 045 839 6200

or 083 242 2533 /

071 078 6184

6151

Employment Offered

1150

Funeral Notices

BLAYI

NGANTONI

ANTONY

BORN: 1957-05-22

DIED: 2022-03-05

FUNERAL:

2022-03-19

VENUE:


be held at home at

Eziteneni location,

Machibini A/A Cacadu

district at 09:00 am

CEMETERY:

Machibini

TIME: 11:00 am

KOMANI AVBOB

FUNERAL SERVICES

29 ROBINSON ROAD

QUEENSTOWN

Tel: 045 838 2771

Cell: 083 503 8057

MBONA

MPUMEZO

BRIAN

Born: 1970-09-09

Died: 2022-03-11

Funeral: 2022-03-19

(Sunday)

Address: R 70

Sishuba street

Mlungisi

Venue: Home

@10:00

Cemetery: Mlungisi

Cemetery@12:30


EYETHU FUNERAL

Contact: 045 839 6200

or 083 242 2533 /

071 078 6184

7

ACCOMMODATION

Townhouses

To Let

7070

BE

THE

FIRST

OCCUPANT

3 & 2 bedroomed

townhouses

for sale/

rent, in a new

development in

Ezibeleni.

Contact

066 473 8689

for more

information.

11

LEGALS

11030

Estate Notices

NOTICE

In the Estate of the

Late DENNAN RYAN,

Identity Number 640316

5066 08 5, of 11 DU

PLESSIS STREET,

TARKASTAD, EASTERN

CAPE, who was born on

16 MARCH 1964 and

died on 01 APRIL 2021.

Married in Community

of Property to surviving

spouse, SIVAGAMI-

SADHANA RYAN, born:

24 February 1966 with

Identity Number: 660224

0188 08 3.

Estate Number:

002865/2021

All persons having

claims against the

above-mentioned estate

are required to lodge

their claims with the

undersigned within 30

days after the date of

publication hereof.

EXECUTOR/

AUTHORISED AGENT

VISA GOVENDER

ATTORNEYS

38 Vorna Village

Vorna Valley

MIDRAND

1686

visa@visagattorneys.

co.za

0677873721

For all your

advertising needs

call CHARODINE

or MAVIS on

045 839 4040

P re p a r i n g

your home

for listing

photos

REP REPORTER

Most buyers begin the house

hunting process online, so it is

imperative for sellers to make a

good first impression with their

listing photos.

“Buyers will rule out options based on the

listing photographs alone, so it is worth

putting some effort in to make sure the house

looks as appealing as possible in the listing

p h o t o g ra p h s ,” says regional director and CEO

of RE/MAX of Southern Africa, Adrian Goslett.

The first way sellers can achieve this is by

hiring a professional photographer to take the

best possible images of the property. Most real

estate agents will recommend a photographer

that sellers can use in this regard and will

schedule the photoshoot on the seller’s behalf.

The reason so many real estate agents

choose to do this is because photographing a

room is far more complex than it seems. “If

caught at the wrong angle, rooms can appear

smaller than they actually are. Without the

proper lighting, the home could also appear

dark and dingy. That is why it is better to

involve a professional who knows how best

capture the features of the home,” Goslett

explains.

Before the photographer arrives, RE/MAX

of Southern Africa suggests a few steps sellers

can take to help make the home appear more

appealing in the listing photographs.

Boost Curb Appeal

To help make the home’s exterior more

enticing, sellers could add pops of colour by

planting something that is in bloom or by

adding a few pot plants.

Sellers should also make sure the area is as

clean as possible by removing all pet waste,

sweeping the driveway, clearing away loose

leaves, trimming overgrown vegetation, and

pulling out any weeds.

Interior preparations

Dirt and clutter shows up in professional

photographs, which is why sellers are advised

to sweep, vacuum & mop the floors before the

photographer arrives.

Sellers should also remove any visible

garbage, clean kitchen surfaces, scrub the

bathrooms, pack away clutter and personal

belongings, and ensure all beds are made.

To avoid becoming a target for potential

burglars who might spot the home online, it is

also advisable to conceal any valuable items.

Sellers should also turn on all lights and

open all curtains to ensure that the listing

photographs are well lit.

FUNANI

XOLA

Born: 1997-05-13

Died: 2022-03-07

Funeral: 2022-03-19

(Saturday)

Address: 1139 Zola

Location, Sterkstroom

Venue:

Home @ 10:00

Cemetery:

Sterkstroom Cemetery

@12:00


EYETHU FUNERAL


Queenstown

Contact: 045 839 6200

or 083 242 2533 /

071 078 6184

LINGANISO

NORORO

NONITILE

Born: 1925-11-13

Died: 2022-03-07

Funeral: 2022-03-19

(Saturday)

Address:

Emamfeneni,

Machibini

Venue:

Home @ 10:00

Cemetery:

Mamfeneni Cemetery

@12:30


EYETHU FUNERAL


Queenstown

Contact: 045 839 6200

or 083 242 2533 /

071 078 6184

A growing industrial concern in

Queenstown seeks to employ an

experienced

SKILLED MAINTENANCE

TECHNICIAN

Requirements:

• National Senior Certificate

• Valid Driver’s Licence

• Must be medically fit

• 2-3 years’ experience in a similar

role

• Must have excellent Welding,

grinding, cutting and fabrication

skills.

• Must be able to use industrial/

electrical/mechanical equipment.

If you feel you are suitable for any of

the above mentioned positions please

send us your updated CV and copies

of certificates to Fax 086 512 9128 or

email to hr@al-asr.co.za before the

closing date of the 01 April 2022.

QUEENSTOWN

The School Governing Body is seeking

to appoint a motivated, dedicated and

suitable General Assistant who has

experience in cleaning, teas and general

cleanliness.

Commencement date: 03 May 2022

Please submit Letter of Application, by

Girls’ High, or to admin@qtghs.co.za

Closing date: Friday, 01 April 2022

the right not to make an appointment. An

application in itself does not entitle the

applicant to an interview. If you have not

heard from us by the 29 April 2022 your

application has not been successful.

Retouch dated features

Those who have a little more time on their

hands should retouch any chipped paint on

the walls, repaint yellowing ceilings, update

outdated fittings, and fix any loose door or

cupboard hinges.

These small and often inexpensive updates

can do wonders at improving the overall

appeal of the home.

As a bonus, fixing these items also leaves

less for buyers to haggle down the asking

price on.

“Preparing a home for listing photos is a

necessary step to ensure that the home sells

quickly and for full value.

“If you are unsure of the steps to take to

ready your home for sale, consult a local real

estate professional who can provide some free

advice on the topic.

“Their experience can prove invaluable, as

they will know what buyers are looking for in

the area and can advise on what features are

worth updating and which can be left as is.

“This can save homeowners money on

unnecessary renovations and will also help

them achieve a higher asking price,” Goslett

concludes.

For more advice around homeownership,

visit the world’s largest real estate brand at

www.r emax.co.za.


EMLM blames old infrastructure as

residents, businesses suffer outages

Group demand action, saying jobs at risk with employers paying the cost, and ratepayers robbed

LUVUYO MJEKULA

Businesspeople and their

employees, pensioners, small

farmers and residents from the

Amberdale and Madeira Park areas,

who are fed up with constant power

outages, recently took their anger to the

Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality

(EMLM) technical services offices.

The group said power cuts disrupted

their lives.

“We have children wanting to do

school projects, but they cannot

because Wi-Fi is off because of power

outages.

“Then it is lights and we cannot

provide children with hot water to bath

for school – we have to cook water on a

stove or make a fire. It is as if we are

living in primitive times,” said Chris van

der Venter of Frontier Auto Traders,

about 4km on the road towards

Jo h a n n e s b u r g .

He said business owners were losing

income because of signal problems and

the situation was so serious some were

considering retrenching workers.

He also complained about thieves

taking advantage of load- shedding

s ch e d u l e s .

“Not everyone can afford to run

g e n e ra t o r s .”

One business owner said he had

spent 12 days without electricity,

running up a fuel expense of R24,000.

Employee Zolani Cawe feared for his

job. “My concern is that if the business

is running slow, we have to stay home

and the owners might close the business

then we will end up getting nothing.

“What really disappoints me with

this municipality is that these business

NOT IMPRESSED: Frustrated residents of Amberdale and Madeira Park areas turn up at the Enoch Mgijima Local

Municipality technical services offices recently to register their concerns over frequent electricity outages,

demanding answers Picture: LUVUYO MJEKULA

owners pay water and electricity bills

but go to the location, there are no bills

being paid, but there is electricity.

“The municipality must treat

everyone equally.”

An angry Dick Opperman, 59,

lamented: “I am a pensioner, I do not

have money. I cannot run my generator

full time and I have lost a lot of meat in

my fridges. Who is going to assist me

with that?”

Business owners also expressed their

frustration at having to use their own

trucks, fuel, money, personnel and time

to respond to never-ending electricity

faults – work that should be done by

the municipality.

A business owner lashed out at

EMLM: “Everything is falling apart [at

the EMLM] – this one is grabbing here

and this one is fixing there.” He said

one night they had to help the

municipal team with transport and

equipment.

“We had to assist them so that they

could put it in there because they do

not have any equipment to do so. Two

days after that there was a power

failure – they said it was a cable.

“We had to take our TLB again from

Frontier Auto Trader, get our own

operator, put in our own fuel, to be able

to open the trench where the cable was

lying so they could mend the cable.

“We are doing the job of the

municipality but we are not reimbursed

because they do not have equipment.

Where is all our rates and tax money

going to? It is not fair on us.

“As ratepayers, we are struggling.

There is a possibility that we will have

to cut salaries.

“Nobody is listening to our

grievances, the municipal manager is

not answering the phone. What is our

next option?”

EMLM technical services director

Zwelethemba Nkosinkulu told the

people that the main feeder for

Amberdale1, 2, 3 and Madeira Park

had a problem – old infrastructure. He

said the cable was not reliable.

“Even if we do the termination or

the joint, I cannot confirm we will give

you reliable power. I explained that we

have budgeted for that cable. The

proposal on the table is that we will do

an overhead supply line.”

EMLM spokesperson Lonwabo

Kowa said in a statement: “Municipal

infrastructure has now reached its

design stage [it has outlived its

lifespan] and needs to be replaced.”

As for constant electricity outages

experienced by residents and

businesses in the Madeira Park and

Amberdale1, 2 and 3 areas, Kowa said

the line that serviced the areas was

“severely stressed”.

This, he said, was due to the

development of new residential areas,

including New Horizon.

“There have been new industries

where smallholdings were converted

from farming to industries and some

Madeira Park residents adding flats to

their houses.”

He confirmed that a delegation

from the Amberdale area had visited

the technical services offices recently

to deal with the issues and “all

information was shared with them”.

Kowa said the line had been

prioritised for an upgrade in the

2022/23 budget.

Buhle Bendalo is back again, with a bang!

LUVUYO MJEKULA

“Yes, you heard it right, the

second annual Buhle Bendalo

beauty pageant is back and we

call on more young people to

join us on this journey again.”

So says Komani’s Unathi

‘Udz’ Debese, the founder of the

popular pageant.

She boasts: “We have added

some new categories this year

because the show is not only

about the pageant but also

raising awareness about different

issues affecting p e o p l e .”

She explains that among the

things the pageant aims to do

this year is having

developmental programmes

aimed at ensuring the young

people do not only walk away

with prizes, but skills,

knowledge and equipment that

will help them open even more

doors for other young people.

Buhle Bendalo is all about

giving a young child a chance to

brand themselves, says Debese.

“This year we have

motivation on different issues –

depression, gender-based

violence and teenage pregnancy.

“We will have workshops,

training for up-and-coming

models and also those wishing to

build their skills more.

“We are calling upon every

model who feels this is their

chance to partake in this

c o m p e t i t i o n .”

For more details, contact or

send a WhatsApp message on

066-268 0307.

“The team is also calling

upon people who wish to lend a

hand to our event in terms of

sponsorship to not hesitate to

contact us.

“We would appreciate

whatever help we can get from

people as anything is acceptable

in growing us at this point.

“We are nothing without the

help of the community as we are

doing this to uplift and bring

about change to the

c o m m u n i t i e s .”

YOUNG BEAUTIES: Last year’s

participants in the Buhle Bendalo beauty

pageant on September 25, with a

Heritage Day theme Picture: SUPPLIED

FLYING PROVINCIAL FLAG

GIVING BACK

FILLED WITH PRIDE: Sixishe Agricultural High School pupil Sinonelisile Nkomphela, left, and Nyasha

Tawanda of Freemantle Agricultural Boys School in Cacadu, is representing the Eastern Cape at the National

Schools Athletics Championship that started on Tuesday and is set to conclude on Saturday. They both

represent province in the U17 10km race walk. With them are sports organisers Bukho Shenxane, second from

left, and Mandla Dom, right Picture: SUPPLIED

GENEROUS GESTURE: RE/MAX Property Professionals and Classic Fabrics in

Queenstown recently handed out material to Phumelela Special Care Training

Centre in Ezibeleni. “Thank you, Classic Fabrics, for donating to this good

cause. It is companies like you that are always giving and assisting the

community when in need,” read a statement from RE/MAX Picture: SUPPLIED


EMLM set to sell

strategic land to

enhance revenue

Municipality seeking private-public partnerships

ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA

Investors are expected to make proposals for

Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality’s (EMLM)

strategic land development or sales, with the

aim of improving the economy and creating jobs.

This opportunity will come about after the land

audit has been concluded.

The strategy forms the first phase of EMLM’s plan

to enhance its revenue collection. This was

announced in a recent special council meeting.

The municipality seeks to sell portions of land to

businesses, in line with private-public partnership

(PPP) agreements, for the municipality to benefit

from profit-sharing arrangements or equity capital.

A list of vacant land parcels has been submitted

to valuators to determine the current market values.

The council report indicated EMLM was creating

an opportunity for more partnerships between the

municipality and business through the use of

blended finance – the strategic use of development

finance for the mobilisation of additional finance

towards sustainable development.

It also stated that the greater use of wellmanaged

public-private partnerships could improve

planning, thereby resulting in more rigorous project

assessment and accountability.

It could attract private financing for public

infrastructure projects.

EMLM will develop the terms of reference and

advertise for the submission of detailed proposals.

EMLM CFO, Paul Mahlasela, said the

municipality was not going to directly sell land, but

would propose the PPP requirements.

“In terms of the national treasury, there are

regulations and guidelines we must follow to forge

a public partnership because what we are looking

at is an option of getting revenue where the

municipality is also going to get a share from the

d e ve l o p m e n t s .

“We have identified potential land areas. If we

can follow this approach we can have the revenue

we need. We are looking at the N6, the land

between the garage and the [Bathandwa Ndondo

office park] complex. There is land next to the new

Big Daddy’s building on the N6.

“There are about six plots that are available that

can be sold in a triple PPP package from which the

municipality can get a share.

“There is also another piece of land next to the

former department of education which could

probably be used for housing development.”

He said documents were already drawn up to

❝We took a resolution

to invite proposals

from investors locally,

p ro v i n c i a l l y,

nationally and even

internationally to

develop our land

advertise the tender in public when all these pieces

of land were available.

“We are seeking approval. In the coming weeks

we will issue an advert.

“We will develop contracts but before that, we

will present the draft contracts to the council.”

Speaker Noluthando Nqabisa said: “In the last

council meeting we took a resolution to invite

proposals from investors locally, provincially,

nationally and even internationally to come and

develop our land for revenue purposes.

“After the land has been identified the pieces

will be advertised.”

Nqabisa said the EMLM human settlements

standing committee would go on a campaign to

verify who the land belonged to so that they could

reclaim any land occupied unlawfully.

She said the previous council took a resolution

to give Walter Sisulu University a piece of land near

the Bathandwa Ndondo office park complex.

“We will engage with WSU to see what their

plans are for that land. If they have no plans, we will

use it for development. We cannot give people land

and after five years there is no development.”

The council recommendations adopted were for

the council to approve the sale of strategic land for

development and investment through the use of

PPP agreements, subject to the approval of the

national treasury, in line with PPP regulations.

Also, to ensure the correct market values were

determined by the municipal valuator and supply

chain management processes were f o l l ow e d .

Also, that the PPP agreement between the

municipality and service provider be presented to

the next council meeting, and the budget and

treasury and technical services directorates facilitate

the process and report to council.

ELECTIVE CONFERENCE: The new Chris Hani South African Youth Council executive

committee members, front from left, deputy chairperson Esethu Sogwanqa, se c re t a r y

Zamikhaya Khondlo, chairperson Anele Hala, deputy secretary Gcotyelwa Mkuyana,

treasurer Asiphile Mini, back from left, additional members Sandisiwe Stofile, Unathi

Debese, Luhle Jack and Lutho Bleki Picture: ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA

New SAYC leaders to

lead youth on right path

ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA

The newly appointed South African Youth

Council (SAYC) executive committee in

Chris Hani plans to direct youth to adopt a

business mindset amid the unemployment

crisis they face.

This is according to the council’s new

ch a i r p e r s o n , Anele Hala, who was

appointed at the SAYC elective conference

at the Thobi Kula Indoor Sports Centre on

Friday. Hala had been serving as the ANC

Youth League convener in Enoch Mgijima.

His deputy chairperson is Esethu

Sogwanqa, from Walter Sisulu University

Pan Africanist Student Movement of Azania.

Zamikhaya Khondlo, from Youth Farming

Association, was appointed as secretary,

with Emalahleni SAYC coordinator

Gcotyelwa Mkuyana as deputy secretary.

Sakhisizwe SAYC chairperson Asiphile

Mini was appointed as the treasurer.

SAYC is a voluntary civil society youth

organisation that represents the interests and

aspirations of various youth organisations

affiliated to it.

Hala said the organisation also focused

on social issues that affected young people

which it could also refer to the municipality.

During the election conference,

representatives of 17 youth formations

were present.

Out of the 17, 16 voted for the new

leadership, but the South African Student

Congress abstained from voting.

“We do not have the reason why they

decided to abstain, but this is a

democratic country. In a democratic

space we need to make sure that the

majority prevails.”

Hala said top of the agenda in their

term was to have youth with a business

vision.

“We will not focus on the business of

tenders, but on businesses which will be

sustainable and are able to create jobs for

youth. This is how we plan to influence

the youth to make sure our goal is

a ch i e ve d .”

He said they also wished to create

awareness among the youth not to form

part of those who were destroying

community infrastructure, which has

been established as their inheritance and

for their benefit.

“We want young people to shift from

being used by people who have issues

with the current administration or regime.

“These are the things that the youth

council aims to iron out.”

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.

Police, business pull together to give pupils uniforms

ZINTLE BOBELO

The grandmother of a 10-year-old

Edlelweni Public Primary School pupil

who stated that she wanted nothing

more than a better education for her

grandchild, was overwhelmed with

emotion as she thanked local police

and businesses involved in the

donation of 20 school uniforms to

deserving scholars at the school

r e c e n t l y.

“I am a struggling elderly person

who sells sweets for a living. It is hard

to sometimes buy what he needs for

school under my difficult

circumstances. I am uneducated myself

because of the conditions I have lived

under. I do not know how, but today we

were among the chosen ones,” said the

tearful grandmother whose name

cannot be revealed to protect the

identity of the child.

Four schools, Mpendulo Primary,

Lukhanji, Edlelweni and Nonesi Public

Primary, were identified in a back-toschool

project initiated by the Mlungisi

police station community policing

forum (CPF), together with the social

crime prevention unit and local

business people. Five beneficiaries

from each school were given brand

new school uniforms. Zamaland Tavern

owner Linda Ngece had this year

assisted the project with R10,000.

After hearing that some children

were refusing to go to school as they

did not have proper school uniforms,

Ngece said he regarded it as imperative

to contribute towards the cause.

“This is a yearly project, but this

year I decided to put more in because

education is important. I am trying to

help families in need because I do not

want these youngsters to resort to

c r i m e ,” he said.

Department of education Chris

Hani West senior education specialist

Madoda Ndembe said the event

defined the kind of police force people

had in a democratic country, adding

that the education sector had been

aiming for such partnerships.

“We feel over the moon by this kind

of gesture. The department alone can

never fulfil the dreams of the youth in

SA, but once we forge partnerships, we

are able to take further steps than we

are doing as a department. This alone

says we are prepared to go further, and

if we join hands we can do that. We

started this project in 2015, but there

were hiccups on the way, with the

Covid-19 outbreak being one of the

major setbacks.”

Mlungisi CPF chair Mpho Tose said

working closely with the social crime

prevention unit of Mlungisi police

station, the members not only focused

on crime-related matters, but came

across challenges where schoolchildren

from disadvantaged homes, did not

have proper school uniforms.

“That is where we approach

different stakeholders who help in the

purchasing of these items. The back-toschool

project is not the only initiative

we are involved in.

“We have the schools’ safety

programme where we create awareness

around self-conduct and how pupils

should respect wearing a school

uniform and to stop the use of drugs on

school premises.

“It does not only end in schools, we

show visibility in areas around the

community as well,” said Tose.

FOR YOU: Mlungisi police and businesses handed over school uniforms to

pupils at Edlelweni Public Primary School recently. Present at the handover

were, from left, Zamaland tavern owner Linda Ngece, Lieutenant-Colonel

Thobeka Gcebe and department of education Chris Hani West senior

education specialist Madoda Ndembe Picture: ZINTLE BOBELO

THE Rep

SPORT

CONTACT

Friday 18 M a rc h , 202 2

US WITH SPORTS NEWS:

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

(deadline: noon Tuesdays)

Who can stop Progress?

Old Selbornians the latest to feel the wrath of defending champions in 59-10 drubbing in Kariega

MAXWELL LEVINE

Who can stop Progress?

Th a t ’s probably the

question on

e ve r yo n e ’s lips.

Three years, 15 matches

unbeaten, 1,200 minutes,

topping all the stats … wh i ch

raises the question (again): Who

can stop Progress?

It is not through lack of trying

on the part of their opposition,

but is through their sheer class,

pedigree and seeming to play at

a level above all their

competitors.

Old Selbornians were the

latest team to feel the wrath of

the defending champions in

their 59-10 drubbing at Central

Fields in Kariega.

Outplayed, out-thought and

out-muscled. Old Boys endured

anguish, hostility and brutality

for 80 minutes from a relentless

and unforgiving Progress side.

Even with numerical

advantage enjoyed by the

visitors due to the cards dished

out to the host for various

infringements, it did not improve

a ny t h i n g .

Instead they were further

subjected to more of the brutal

onslaught. If it had been a

boxing match, the towel would

have been thrown in, such was

the severity of the punishment at

hand, on and off the field.

Progress raced to a 35-5 lead

at halftime after a frenetic start in

which the hosts ran riot to take a

21-0 lead. They completed the

half century and opened their

way to the final.

It was a baptism of fire for

Old Boys in their first semifinal.

In Mdantsane, Harlequins’

flyhalf Nathan Fick was the hero

of the day when he

singlehandedly scored all his

side’s points in a titanic 15-12

win over host Swallows at the

Sisa Dukashe Stadium. That

included a last-gasp penalty

with the scores deadlocked at

12-all, to all but seal the

amazing win.

Swallows, the losing finalists

in 2020, came into the match as

hot favourites to advance to the

finals, but Harlequins had other

ideas. The fighting spirit of team

“Never Quit” should be

applauded.

After Swallows took charge

of the initial exchanges and led

12-3, Harlequins fought back,

first to go into halftime with the

deficit cut in half at 12-6 for

Swallows, then to go on and

complete the remarkable

turnaround in the second half to

not only level matters at 12-all,

but to snatch victory right at the

death.

What makes this match even

more enterprising is that

Swallows scored two tries while

all of Harlequins’ points came

from the boot.

Swallows only have

themselves to blame for the loss.

They had the perfect opportunity

to level matters with the scores

at 15-12. They were presented

with a penalty in added time,

but replacement Vusikhaya

Hanabe missed the resulting

spot kick which sent Harlequins

into a frenzy.

Big moments are meant for

big name players who have BMT

(Big Match Temperament).

Nathan Fick had nerves of

steel and the composure to raise

his hand when his team needed

him, and stepped up as the hero.

On the other hand,

Vusikhaya Hanabe crumbled

under pressure. Lesson learnt:

there is no substitute for a

reliable goalkicker.

CATCH HIM: Chriszaun

Slabert of Harlequins on the

attack against Border

champions Swallows in the

semifinals of the Eastern

Cape Super 14 rugby

competition Picture: SOURCED

Unfortunately, it seems

S wa l l ow s ’ woes continue in this

competition. For two successive

Super 14 tournaments they have

been their own worst enemy.

Has it anything to do with

pressure?

Has the hype around the

team taken its toll? Are they still

shell-shocked and have not

recovered from the painful loss

of the 2020 final?

In the meantime, it is a

repeat of the 2013 final between

Progress and Harlequins. EP

teams have risen and showed

their Border counterparts up.

For now, till the next

tournament in 2023, it is EP

two, Border none.

Good times,

milestones

at parkrun

RUNNERS’ PA R A D I S E

DANGER AVERTED

Last Saturday 85 people ran,

walked and jogged the course of

the Komani parkrun at the

Queenstown Golf Club in warm

weather conditions.

There were five happy

regular parkrunners who

recorded personal best times,

while there were visitors from

the Western Cape and KZN who

enjoyed the hospitality of yet

another well-organised event.

Sipho Xalabile became a

member of the Milestone 50

club by completing 50

parkruns.

LONG STRETCHES: Athletes, back from left, Bathandile Ntleki, Dali

Mgemane, Smartryk Rossouw, Jannette Samauls and Bayanda Mpahlwa;

and in front, from left, Janice McKerry, and Nondumiso Mbanxa from the

Komani Hiking Club (orange and red) and the Old Mutual Athletic Club

(green) as well as Queenstown Harriers (in black) took part in the Brac

Marathon 10km and 21km races in King William’s Town recently P i c t u re :

SUPPLIED

DEFENSIVE STRATEGY: A Tailor FC player clears the ball in the Mlungisi

team’s clash against Phoenix FC at the Dumpy Adams Sports Complex on

Saturday, March 12. With no ABC Motsepe league matches taking place, the

youngsters took to the field in front of a handful of spectators Picture: LUVUYO

MJEKULA

The Rep 18 March 2022

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