Wednesday 16 October 2019
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BOXER celebrates
Heritage Day in style
As the nation celebrated Heritage Day earlier this month, sta from Boxer Superstores across the country and in Bushbuckridge showed their passion and love for South Africa by wearing clothing to celebrate their heritage. Celebrating the important day in style by dressing up for work are Boxer Bushbuckridge sta (back from left), Felicia Mashego, Shirley Dlhamini, Queens Malele, Cynthia Sibuyi, Nana Silinda and Brilliant Mpangane. Front: Martha Ngwenya, Antoinette Mashego and Ntombi Nyalungu. Reaction to Grade 9 exit plan Tumelo Waga Dibakwane and Adriaan de Beer Makaneta said allowing pupils to exit pathway, and the technical/occupational “This disastrous plan by President Cyril the system after Grade 9 would aggravate pathway. The plan aims to send more Ramaphosa’s administration will further the already low standard of education. pupils into technical education. Under the disadvantage the poor and the future of the THE Department of Education’s “We already face a big challenge technical vocational stream, there was a country,” she said. proposal to issue Grade 9 certifi cates will of unemployment among university target of 10 000 artisans per year,” said “We want to know what the Grade 9 drastically lower the education standard graduates. Where do we expect a Grade Mhlanga. certifi cates will mean to these young in the country, according to education 9 learner to go to? The move will create He said the department had also people - especially given the fact that even activist, Hendrick Makaneta. problems for society as many lazy introduced new subjects, technical matric certifi cate holders as well as some The idea of the issuing of learners will opt to end their studies at mathematics and technical science, university graduates’ qualifi cations are Grade 9 certifi cates Grade 9,” he said. which could be referred to as applied gathering dust”. is to steer learners Basic Education Minister, Angy mathematics and applied science. All it would create is yet another who choose it Motshekga, made the proposal last “These were relevant in supporting generation of young people who were in the direction month when addressing the South areas of specialisation, and schools that unskilled and ill-equipped to enter the of vocational African Democratic Teachers’ Union’s off ers these subjects were currently being jobs market, she said. Meanwhile, Dr Lize training, says the national congress at Nasrec in unveiled in diff erent parts of the country, Barclay, senior lecturer in futures studies Department of Johannesburg. with the majority of them presently and systems thinking at Stellenbosch Basic Education. Basic education spokesperson, Elijah launched in Gauteng, ”explained Mhlanga. University Business School, argued that, Mhlanga, said the General Education He said the issue had been properly with a few changes, the exit plan stood to Certifi cate (GEC) would not be a ticket discussed in government previously. be a success. for pupils to leave school in Grade 9, However, there has been mixed reaction “There was nothing controversial with instead, they should continue in educational circles to the department’s using Grade 9 as a formal exit, some at vocational and technical proposed exit plan. countries in Europe and Asia had adopted colleges. Instead, it would DA shadow minister of basic education, the idea many years ago,” Barclay said. be an NQF registered Nomsa Marchesi, said the plan sought to Mhlanga also said that those who qualifi cation. further lower the quality of the country’s complete their last three years of high “The GEC certifi cate is education. She said the government school in vocational training would predicated on the three- should rather upgrade current syllabus be more employable and attractive to stream model which has at both schools and Technical Vocational recruitment specialists because they the academic pathway, Education and Training (TVET) would have skills that a particular industry Basic education spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga. the technical vocational institutions. requires. 2 COMMUNITY NEWS Wednesday 16 October 2019 Taps run dry as municipality Residents clean up Bhondweni River Masoka Dube previously did. We would like to thank the Bushbuckridge municipality who fails to pay Rand Water debts gave us a tractor and a truck to be A PROJECT to clean the fi lthy used to collect the garbage. We also Bhondweni River in Bushbuckridge, Tumelo Waga Dibakwane the communal JoJo tanks situated in the educate the public about the danger areas. These tanks are fi lled twice a day initiated by local resident, Daniel of dumping things into the river,” said as there are many private residences and Mathebula, has seen community members Mathebula. RESIDENTS of Sundra, Rietkol government institutions in the area,” uniting to improve living standards in the He said the challenges they and Eloff in the Victor Khanye Local they complained. The communities said area. encountered to keep the project going Municipality say they have been without they submitted a petition with 3000 Members of the Cottondale community included a lack of working equipment water for the past fi ve months. signatures to the provincial treasury, the in Bushbuckridge now regularly clean the and other related matters. The water problem is reportedly municipality and Cogta MEC, Mandla river, after more than 22 volunteers made Mpumalanga Department of Water caused because the municipality owes Msibi, requesting help, but their plea fell it their task to get up in the morning and and Sanitation (DWS) spokesperson, Rand Water R111 million. According to on deaf ears. Cogta spokesperson, George clean the river. Themba Khoza, has commended the residents in these areas, they only had “a Mthethwa, said they were not aware of “After realising that people were residents for their initiative. few drops” of water in their taps over the such petition that was allegedly submitted dumping garbage into the river, I “It is crucial that rivers and other last fi ve months. to the department. However, he conceded organised unemployed community watercourses are always kept clean, “There is a fear that water supply will be that he was aware of the water problems members and explained to them how healthy and free-fl owing. Pollution further reduced if the municipality fails to at the municipality and promised to meet important it is to clean the river,” project is one of the major challenges in our pay as there is still no agreement payment with the municipality to try and come up co-ordinator, Mathebula said. watercourses and negatively aff ects the plan between them and Rand Water,” with plans to pay the debt. “Fortunately, they understood me, and water quality and natural fl ows of our community members complained. “We will meet with the offi cials soon we started to clean the river in July,” he watercourses,” said Khoza. They said before this restriction, water so that we can check their progress with said. “We encourage communities to offi cials came up with a temporary the debt, and how can they repay the As is the case with other rivers in the adopt watercourses around them and solution to build up the water pressure money so that water supply can go back province, loads of garbage get dumped keep them safe and healthy at all during the day and evenings; then started to normal,” said Mthethwa. Rand Water into the river, one of the biggest in the times. the pumps early in the morning so that media relations offi cer, Justice Mohale region. “It is therefore crucial for households could get a measure of water said: “We are currently in discussions with “This is not a once-off thing, we are communities to take ownership of the in their taps. the municipality to fi nd a way forward on going to continue to cleaning this river to rivers and streams around them for “However, not all taps are fi lled how we can get our money and supply make sure that it gets back to a stage that water quality and water security in our suffi ciently and many residents rely on enough water to the communities.” it can serve the community again, like it water-scarce country,” he said. He pleaded and encouraged communities to protect the rivers and other watercourses from being used as dumping sites as pollution negatively aff ects water quality and can lead to waterborne diseases and environmental degradation. “The DWS appreciates the eff orts of some community members who have adopted rivers and streams and taken it upon themselves to keep the rivers and other watercourses clean and healthy,” Khoza said.
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“Get rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more Ephesians 4:31: hateful feelings of any sort.” Sales Manager: Amanda on 074-950-2616 or [email protected]
Ephesians 4:31: Wednesday 16 October 2019 COMMUNITY NEWS 3 Crime wave sweeps through Alexandra Tumelo Waga Dibakwane cellphones and then take whatever they Calcutta police’s communication offi cer, want. If there are females in the house, Sergeant Zanele Sibuyi, said many cases they rape them. of housebreaking and robbery were RESIDENTS of Alexandria in Some are lucky if the criminals leave registered at the police station. Bushbuckridge are living in fear, claiming without raping them. I know women who “We are currently busy investigating that criminals attack them inside their have been raped by these criminals,” said all those cases and we do have police homes. one resident. visibility in all areas that we serve. NEWSHORN has spoken to a number Another victim said the criminals broke However, people must keep in mind that of people who wish to remain anonymous into her house and robbed them of their we can’t be everywhere all the time and in fear of victimisation, who claim that phones and kidnapped their 10-year-old it is up to the community members to they know of “countless incidents in boy, took all their groceries, R3200 in always report criminal activities to us,” which people were raped, robbed and cash and three travelling bags. she said. victimised”. They also claim that police “We only realised that we were robbed She also dismissed allegations that Rapist, Obert Nyathi, is taken away from offi cers are involved in the criminal when we went to bed and one of our little police offi cers were working with the court by the police after being sentenced activities. boys was not in the house. We started criminals. to life in prison for raping a nine-year-old Residents say that in most cases the searching for him until the next day when “Those who are being threatened by girl. attacks occur around 9pm, when criminals we found him sleeping in the yard naked, criminals must come forward and we will either break down house’s doors or knock but with no sign of being raped,” said the deal with them. As for offi cers alleged to on the door and pretend to be a neighbour. victim. be involved in criminal activities, they Child rapist “Once they come inside the house they “We thenfound some of our stolen items will be dealt with when we catch them,” point a gun at you and demand money and dumped down the street,” she said. she concluded. receives life Boyfriend admits to killing Nyongane woman sentence Tumelo Waga Dibakwane The following day, the older daughter liked this. called other family members to inquire They need professional counselling as Tumelo Waga Dibakwane about her whereabouts, but to no avail. they have been through a lot since the A 36-year-old woman was allegedly Relatives and community members were death of their father eight years ago who killed by her boyfriend who hid her body called to assist. was also killed. Their grandparents also OBERT Nyathi (32) from Islington under a bed in Nyongane near Hazyview “One of the neighbours peeped through passed on soon afterwards,” a sobbing Village near Bushbuckridge will spend the last week. the roof into the locked bedroom and saw Nkosi said. majority of his life in prison after being Miriam Mashego’s body was discovered the keys on the fl oor. He then used a wire Meanwhile a suspect has handed himself found guilty of raping a nine-year-old girl. by her children and neighbours. to fi sh them out and opened the door to over to the Hazyview police where he Nyathi, who pleaded not guilty in Mashego’s children left for school and discover her body under the bed,” said confessed that he killed her during a fi ght the Mhala Regional Court last Friday, when they returned their mother was dead. Nkosi. over money. He was arrested and will received the maximum penalty for brutally “When they returned from school they It is suspected that a hammer had been appear in court soon. raping the girl in 2017, while he knew that phoned her but her phone was answered used to kill her as her skull was fractured. he was HIV positive. by someone who did not talk to them. Hazyview police and paramedics were The court heard that the young girl went “The children then noticed that their called to the scene, and she was declared into a bush to relieve herself when Nyathi mother’s room was locked, but eventually dead. Her cellphone was missing and no approached her, undressed and raped her went to sleep without knowing where murder weapon was found. YOUR and then gave her R200 to keep quiet she was,” said Elson Nkosi, Mashego’s “The family is traumatised by this. Her about the incident. brother. children are still too young to face things After noticing that the victim was GUARDIAN struggling to sit properly, her aunt, who cannot be named to protect the child’s ON THE identity, questioned her and was told about her ordeal. The court heard that Nyathi knew about N4 his HIV status at least two years before the rape and he did not use a condom. The sentence was welcomed by the family of the little girl. They told NEWSHORN that they were pleased with the work of the police and the country’s justice system. “We are very happy that Nyathi will be in prison for the rest of his life and our streets will be safe, because people like him don’t belong in our community. Our child is still young and has faced such tragedy, but at least the perpetrator has been brought to book,” said the family. Prosecutor advocate Matume Maake asked the court that Nyathi be sentenced to direct imprisonment and his name should be written in the sexual off enders Family members of Mariam Mashego, who was allegedly killed by her boyfriend during a register. ght over money last week, outside the house in which she died.
Young woman commits suicide with father’s gun TRAC IS Tumelo Waga Dibakwane past three years and the only way to counselling sessions and they had a ALWAYS THERE escape that pain was to commit suicide,” professional psychologist who is available the witness said. for consultations. FOR YOU ALONG RESIDENTS of Dwarsloop near They were also puzzled that she chose “It is very sad to hear that an innocent THE N4 TOLL ROUTE Bushbuckridge are still in shock after a to kill herself in a public place. soul was once again lost because of 23-year-old woman reportedly used her An inquest docket was opened at the depression. I believe that if she did talk father’s gun to commit suicide last week. Bushbuckridge Police Station and her to someone, she would be still alive. facebook.com/TracN4 @TRACN4route According to an eyewitness, who father was charged of negligence in This shows that we still need to do more instagram.com/TracN4 www.tracn4.co.za preferred not remain anonymous, the handling a fi rearm. campaigns and let all young people know TRACN4 woman took the fi rearm and walked to an The organisation that deals with that they can get help if they decide to open fi eld where she shot herself in the depressed young people, Xiluva Xamama, speak up,” she said. stomach. has again called on young people suff ering She urged young people to unite and “As a community, we are still shocked from depression to rather talk about it to fi ght the scourge. and ask ourselves what might have forced avoid desperate situations like this. Those in need of help concerning her to take her own life? She left a note Xiluva Xamama founder, Eulender depression or stress-related issues can saying that she had been in pain for the Nani, said the organisation off ered free contact her on 083 344 7667.
Raylee on 072-796-2936 or [email protected] 4 Wednesday 16 October 2019
Learn to be content He who makes up the messed up 0607751838 or 0793469926 Vincent Chawane (Emmanuel Assembly) Evangelist Morele Lindokuhle
Philippians 4:11-12 – “I am not is worrying. Everyone gets worried I ask you today to stop worrying MAY God bless you as we formless and dark. The Lord saying this because I am in need, when things are not going your and learn to be content. Learn to dine together on his Word. I intervened and created light. for I have learned to be content way. celebrate your own life, celebrate am born again, cleansed by In John 4:3, a Samaritan whatever the circumstances. I We worry about diff erent things, what you have, thank God for your the blood of Jesus Christ of woman as messed up, but after know what it is to be in need, and our worries are also infl uenced life, your family, your friends and Nazareth. My eternity will be an encounter with Jesus Christ, I know what it is to have plenty. by the diff erences we have as your state of health. spent with him. she was made up. I have learned the secret of being individuals. The diff erence in age, Do not miss a chance to enjoy He who makes up the messed She could not even keep it to content in any and every situation, social status, work position and the “little” that you have. We all up is the Lord. Ezekiel 37:1-10 herself and shouted around the whether well fed or hungry, level of education are but a few. must learn to be content, whether (The valley of the dry bones). village so that others could also whether living in plenty or want.” This should teach every person that you have plenty or less. Whoever Here we fi nd bones that are meet Him who makes up the One of the greatest forms of they are not the only one who has you see as being successful, having scattered, lifeless, hopeless and messed up. distraction in the life of any person worries. it all, remember they also went dry. This indeed is a messed It is indeed simple to meet However, even though everyone through a stage of having little or up situation. There is no sign Him. Believe in your heart and worries about something, Jesus nothing. of hope that anything good can confess with your mouth that says in the Bible: “Do not worry One person may eat from an come from the valley. Jesus is the Lord that will be about anything”. expensive restaurant and another Many times in life we your Divine Encounter. To be content means to be in a from hand to mouth or cheap food fi nd ourselves messed up by God bless you #BONA. state of peaceful happiness, a state at his home. The beauty of it is sickness, addiction, divorce, of satisfaction. Being content is a that no one will know what you drugs, infi delity, death, anger, choice, you either choose to worry have eaten. All the consumed food and many other things. or to be content. becomes a waste and ends up in the Often we fi nd ourselves in Most people who worry do so same place. absolute stress and anxiety, but about things that they do not have. Be content with what you have, when the Lord intervenes the Most worry about the future, where thank God for your food and dry bones are made up as they they are not yet. Worries deprive clothes, even if people call them receive fl esh, skin, breath, and us of the opportunity to enjoy the cheap, you are not naked! they regained life and become present happiness and we mostly And you are covered by the a vast army. When the Lord deprive ourselves of the joy we blood of Jesus Christ. intervenes you become made were supposed to have had in our Emmanuel Assembly is at up. Vincent Chawane. current situations. Croquet Lawn In Genesis 1:2 the earth was Evangelist Morele Lindokuhle.
André Brummer on 081-704-8591 or [email protected] Wednesday 16 October 2019 COMMUNITY NEWS 5 Parents should monitor online activities
Masoka Dube
ALONG with the explosion of social media over the past decade comes new challenges for parents and children who easily fall prey to professional con artists and criminals. For that reason, parents should constantly monitor their children’s social media activities to ensure that they did not fall prey to online monsters pausing as friends, Mpumalanga MEC for Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Security and Liaison, Gabisile Shabalala. Gabisile Shabalala said last week. Shabalala was speaking following an of the girl was discovered in a shallow incident in which a body, believed to be grave in the area,” said Shabalala. that of a 17-year-old girl, was exhumed in She has pleaded with the police to Glencore’s Lydenburg Smelter o cials and TVET College o cials celebrate the o cial Pienaar outside Mbombela recently. ensure that the suspect is brought to the opening of the Mashishing campus. The o cial opening of the college was held last She said online interaction between book as a matter of urgency. She has also week. young girls and online friends places called for lengthy sentences to be meted their lives in danger and had become an out to those found guilty of gender-based increasing concern as parents did not violence. have control over their children’s social “We are calling on all communities to Mashishing TVET College activities. Meanwhile, Shabalala thanked work with the government to bring an end the community for assisting the police in to this scourge,” Shabalala said. fi nding the girl’s body. She has encouraged women to rather “Police alone cannot prevent and walk away from abusive relationships o cially opened solve crimes. It is alleged that the body with boyfriends and partners and not to belonged to a girl, who was last seen wait until it is too late. Masoka Dube workplace, self-employment and on 28 September in Pienaar with a man Mpumalanga police spokesperson entrepreneurship. believed to be her boyfriend,” said Brigadier Leonard Hlathi has confi rmed The TVET Colleges provide an Shabalala. THE Mashishing Campus of the that the suspect, Vusi Nkosi was arrested invaluable service, in line with outcome “The discovery of the body came after Ehlanzeni Technical and Vocational last week. fi ve of the government’s national the police were informed by community Education and Training (TVET) College Nkosi was denied bail by the development plan, which is focused on members that they have spotted a shoe was offi cially launched last week. Kanyamazane Magistrates Court last week having a skilled, capable workforce to protruding from the ground in the area. TVET provincial spokesperson, Mxolisi and he is expected to appear in court again support an inclusive growth path, he Following an extensive search, the body soon Nzimande, said the college, which came said. into operation in January, had since The Ehlanzeni TVET College aims to transformed the skills and career prospects provide programme-based vocational of young people across the district. and occupational education. The construction of the campus was Poloko Baraganye, Glencore Human funded by Glencore’s Lydenburg Smelter, Resource Department Senior Business which injected R7 million into the project. Partner, said: “We believe Lydenburg “They approached the Mpumalanga Smelter has a responsibility to develop Department of Public Works about skills in our local community. We saw converting some of their facilities an urgent need for a TVET college in into a TVET college and engaged the Mashishing,” Baraganye said. management of Ehlanzeni College He said the college also provided skills to expand the college’s footprint to required by local industries and ensured Mashishing,” said Nzimande. graduates had relevant qualifi cations and “The proposal was well received by the stood a good chance of fi nding jobs or department and Ehlanzeni College and opportunities to start small businesses. Lydenburg Smelter formed a partnership Maryna Marais, the principal of to develop the project,” he added. Ehlanzeni College, said the new college He said TVET colleges play a pivotal off ers easy, aff ordable access to tertiary role in addressing South Africa’s skills education for parents who cannot aff ord shortages, directly equipping young to send their children to study outside people with relevant skills for the Mashishing. Consumer Protection Bill public hearings in Mpumalanga
Tumelo Waga Dibakwane Human Settlement national spokesperson, Xolani Xundu. He further said housing consumers who THE national Department of Human wish to build or buy new homes were Settlements have last week visited advised to verify builders’ registration communities in Mpumalanga to allow credentials and home enrolment public comment and participation in the beforehand with the NHBRC in order to formulation of the Housing Consumer be covered by the warranty fund. Protection Bill. “The aim of the Bill is to ensure The Cabinet approved the publication adequate protection of housing consumers of the Bill in August, which revokes the and eff ective regulation mechanism by current Housing Consumer Protection expanding the protection to consumers. Measures Act, 95 of 1998. It also aims to introduce eff ective The department will conduct public enforcement tools and prescribing information sessions in all provinces. appropriate penalties or sanctions to “As the new Bill, once passed into law deter non-compliance by home builders,” will allow the National Home Builders Xundu added. Registration Council (NHBRC), an He said that each of the forthcoming agency of the department, more effi ciency sessions were meant to reach as many in holding builders and contractors to consumers as possible all in the provinces. be accountable and ensure they abide by The targeted stakeholders will include set standards and regulations. It will also both public and private institutions, strengthen government’s eff orts to curb members of the public, civil society and the rise of unregistered builders,” said community-based organisations. /WWW.RACUS.CO.ZA Sales Manager: Amanda on 074-950-2616 or [email protected] 6 COMMUNITY NEWS Wednesday 16 October 2019 Province geared to tackle upcoming grade 12 exams Tumelo Waga Dibakwane chief invigilators,” he added. Majuba said the department had registered 56 838 candidates in the province this year. THE Mpumalanga Department of “Ehlanzeni district has more candidates Education is prepared for the upcoming compared to the other three districts grade 12 fi nal examinations that starts next and has registered 15 454 candidates Wednesday (October 23). followed by Nkangala district with Education MEC, Bonakele Majuba, said 14 805, Bohlabela with 13 634 and his department had already put plans in Gert Sibande with 12 945 candidates,” place to make sure that this year’s exams explained Majuba. He said the department progress smoothly. The exams end on 28 had enhanced security in all areas where November. Majuba said the department assessment material was delivered to had appointed chief invigilators and ensure incident-free examination, as invigilators whose training were happened in the past nine years. Vehicles successfully completed last month. transporting question papers would be The tourism monitors who have graduated last week in Mbombela. “There are 555 examination centres escorted accordingly by law enforcement that have been fully registered and out institutions, he said. of these, 37 are in independent schools,” Majuba said he was worried about Tourism monitors graduate to improve he said. Examination centres have been learners’ lack of interest in mathematics classifi ed in terms of risk profi les and and physical science as the number of Tumelo Waga Dibakwane all high-risk centres will have resident learners registered to write these subjects monitors. Selected high-risk centres will had declined by more than 10 000. MORE than 200 tourism monitors, have departmental offi cials serving as Last year 34 643 candidates registered who have graduated last week in to write maths, while this year only 28 Mbombela are soon to join the tourism 177 registered, while 28 131 candidates sector. registered to write physical science last This follows a tourism monitoring year compared to this year’s 24 044. training programme that was conducted “Our desire as a department is that we by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks make sure that more learners register and Agency (MTPA) and the Department of pass maths and science since they are Tourism. From left are Acting Head of Department, subjects that are very important towards According to tourism authorities, the Jabulani Nkosi, MEC Bonakele Majuba and the attainment of critical skills the monitors will ensure visitor’s safety Deputy Director-General for Curriculum, province needs for economic growth,” he and service excellence at various tourist Lucy Moyane. said. attractions in the province. Deputy Minister of Tourism, Fish Mahlalela, who also attended the graduation ceremony said skills development was an essential From left, Thulani Nzima, Fish Mahlalela, instrument to address poverty Phumzile Khoza and host employer from alleviation and job creation. the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, “The tourism monitor programme Sibusiso Mathonsi. is part of the broader government intervention that involves training, mentorship and deployment of the programme was primarily the unemployed youth in identifi ed tourist enhancement of tourism safety attractions and sites,” he said. awareness at key tourism attractions Currently, the programme is being and consequently reducing the number rolled out in all nine provinces, of criminal incidents that were directed including identifi ed protected areas against tourists. through partnership with organisations This would eliminate opportunities such as the South African National for such crime and it further aimed at Parks and the South African National integrating current tourism safety and Biodiversity Institute. Monitors were awareness initiatives into sustainable trained in the National Certifi cate in programmes. Tour Guiding NQF 4 and were provided “The exposure of these young with various training opportunities people through this programme has like customer care, tour guiding and empowered them with work experience communication skills. through placement at various tourist Mahlalele said the objectives of attractions within the province. “They have played a critical role in providing support and visitor services, especially in relation to tourism safety awareness, early warning and rapid response to incidents of crime and distress among those visiting our province,” said Johannes Nobunga, the CEO of MTPA. Nobunga said the collective eff ort of stakeholders demonstrated the commitment to the safety of all visitors and ensured that South Africa remained a destination of choice and proved that tourism was everybody’s business. “We cannot do this without partnerships with both public sector entities and industry in the form of product owners and service providers. “I would like to thank all stakeholders, particularly our host employers for absorbing these graduates into their business and the rendering of various public services, community policing centres, border posts, airports and shopping malls and recreational spaces in our country.“
For News: Tumelo on 072-314-7925 or [email protected] Wednesday 16 October 2019 COMMUNITY NEWS 7 NEWSHORN recognised at Owners urged to mayoral excellence awards vaccinate pets Sta Reporter they introduced the initiative as part of encouraging employees and stakeholders against rabies for their outstanding performance of NEWSHORN was awarded for excellence in service delivery. Masoka Dube outstanding performance in news “Our main aim as municipality is reporting at the second Bushbuckridge to make sure that service delivery ran Local Municipality (BLM) Mayoral smoothly at all times and this initiative is OWNERS of dogs and cats in Excellence Awards at the Manyeleti Game just a tap on the back of all the employees Mpumalanga have been urged to vaccinate Reserve. who did their best in their line of work, their animals against rabies. The award was received by Bohlabela under a constrained budget, but they still Rabies is a viral disease that causes senior journalist, Tumelo Waga performed their duties very well,” she infl ammation of the brain in humans and Dibakwane, on behalf of NEWSHORN said. animals. Humans can contract the disease Media. “As for the stakeholders, we want to say if they are bitten by animals that carry the “We are grateful for being recognised by thank you for supporting the municipality disease. the municipality because it proves that we and continue to do that, we are not Tumelo waga Dibakwane from The department’s call for animals’ are doing our job right. We will continue recognising you so that you can side with NEWSHORN receives the mayoral award vaccination is in line with the to serve the people of Bushbuckridge with us, but we are saying let’s work together from Bushbuckridge local municipality commemoration of the World Rabies Day accurate information and news around and in building a better Bushbuckridge. When speaker, Ruth Rakganya (left) and BLM which took place last week. outside their area,” Dibakwane said. we are wrong, let us sit down and talk.” communication manager, Aubrey Mnisi The Mpumalanga Department of Health BLM mayor, Sylvia Nxumalo, said said Nxumalo. (right). and the Department of Agriculture jointly conducted rabies awareness campaigns to sensitise the public about the danger associated with the illness. The campaigns Ndlovu presents radio at its best with digital station comprise vaccination of dogs and cats, health education on rabies and distribution Masoka Dube in 2017, broadcasting from Mamelodi, Ndlovu said one of their aims was of pamphlets about rabies. he never guessed that he would become to educate, entertain and to empower This year, the World Rabies Day was an employer to a bunch of 28 young listeners through their programmes. being commemorated under the theme MPUMALANGA-born entrepreneur, presenters. “We are re-working our app that will Vaccinate to Eliminate. Sibusiso Asserie Ndlovu’s digital radio Right from the start, the popular radio be accessed via Google Play Store and “This year’s theme focuses on animal station in Pretoria is bursting at its seams. station fi tted well in the Fourth Industrial iOS. We are currently working on a vaccination to eliminate rabies disease When Ndlovu started Capital Live SA Revolution, when it was operating as a broadcasting license for Tshwane region 6 globally. The day is celebrated annually podcast and music station, which is listed and we are hoping to launch the frequency to raise awareness about rabies prevention as a 100% youth-owned commercial in December this year,” he added. and highlights eff orts in the control of digital radio station. Ndlovu, who was born in Dwaleni the disease. Rabies is a fatal viral disease “In 2018 we started operating live with outside White River, studied in Gauteng. transmitted from animals to humans 28 creative presenters. The station is also a After graduation he returned to the resulting in damage to the brain and youth development project where we off er province, where he worked for Nelspruit spinal cord,” said health MEC, Sasekani in-service training for media graduates based publications, such as Lowveld Manzini. and also creates opportunities for talented Living, Mpumalanga CAPITAL and “In South Africa, people are usually media practitioners and a platform to Sunrise. infected by dogs, but other animals such showcase their skills in the industry,” said “I was a sales manager for Lowveld as cats, mongooses, jackals, bats and other Ndlovu. Living magazine by then but unfortunately wild animals can also infect people,” said “We partnered with many institutions the magazine was sold and the new owner Manzini. in the country and we have seen positive had enough staff to do the job and I was She said low awareness to seek health results from the people we worked with. laid off . Later, I went back to Gauteng and care after being bitten by an infected Sibusiso Asserie Ndlovu from Dwaleni near The station is all about showcasing to started my media company. I sleep well at animal, mostly dogs, cats and bats, White River is the founder of Capital Live the world that Africa and its people have night, knowing that I contribute positively claimed the lives of more than 55 000 SA, a digital radio station based in Pretoria. potential,” he said. into people’s lives,” he concluded. people each year worldwide, mostly in Asia and Africa. In South Africa, rabies is more prevalent Young entrepreneur counts on chickens to fi ght poverty in Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, Eastern Cape and Limpopo. “I then used an old disposed refrigerator Masoka Dube However, rabies deaths in humans are to build a homemade incubator that 100 percent preventable through prompt accommodated 88 eggs, but it later gave and appropriate medical care. Eight IT was when he realised the handful of me problems,” said Mkhabela. human rabies cases have been confi rmed chickens at home could be used to feed He said his business started progressing in South Africa this year, with one death his family that Sandile Mkhabela started after he used his food allowance to buy reported in Mpumalanga last year. breeding them and in the process not only another 200 chicks, but unfortunately, “All animal bites should be treated as started a new business but also a brighter after six months, he realised that the a potential for rabies,” Manzini warned. future. supplier sold him only male chicks. She urged people, who were bitten by an The 22-year-old entrepreneur, who was “At fi rst I was very stressed because animal, should immediately seek medical born and bred in Schoemansdal, Nkomazi, I had invested a lot of money to grow assistance. owns and runs Sucseed Investments, the chickens and they were useless to which specialises in poultry and eggs. Final year student, Sandile Mkhabela, me, because they were all cocks,” added Starting the chicken farming also taking care of his chickens. Mkhabela. encouraged him to gain more knowledge This did not deter him, however, as he about the industry and he then enrolled The chicken farmer’s message to the then managed to raise R15 000 to buy a for a Diploma in Agriculture in youth is to start businesses related to bigger incubator with a capacity of 1056 Plant Production at the University of what they have studied and not to wait on eggs. Mpumalanga (UMP), where is a fi nal year the government for handouts. “I want to “Mrs Nokthula Sambo, who is the student. encourage all young people in our country owner of Phakamile Investments, has The young chicken farmer, who grew to stop waiting and complaining about the also helped me a lot to grow my business, up in dire circumstances, said poverty government.” when she gave me a loan of R10 000 motivated him to venture into business to Makhabela’s business started three years earlier this year. I used the money to supplement their income at home. ago after he bought 14 hens, from which upscale my company, I managed to buy “As soon as I arrived at university I he collected 11 eggs a day. In the process 720 fertile broiler eggs to hatch and 200 took advantage of the free access to the he used to feed his family and he also sold broiler chicks. Now my challenge is internet to research the business. Being some eggs to the community. packaging and market penetration,” he an agriculture student also assisted me “I started selling the extra eggs to my said. a lot to have a better understanding of neighbours to get money to maintain my His immediate plan is to produce about the business I was venturing into,” said 14 hens. It was a wonderful experience for 2 000 chicks weekly and to increase his Mkhabela. me to wake up in the morning and collect egg production every month. “I spend most of my time researching the eggs. As I developed more love and Mkhabela said the university also During last year’s vaccination in rural areas, poultry businesses, which developed my passion, I continued researching more bought him 50 hens after seeing his many Mpumalanga residents took their love for the poultry industry,” he said. about the industry,” he said. poultry operation. dogs for vaccination. (File photo) Raylee on 072-796-2936 or [email protected] We cover Swaziland
Wednesday 16 October 2019 Union bowls out BBR cricket project CRICKET CLUB NOT PLAYING DUE TO LACK OF FUNDING
Masoka Dube
BUSHBUCKRIDGE Cricket Club’s (BCC) cricket team has been bowled out for a duck due to a lack of funding and sponsorships. BCC founder, Vincent Mokoena, said the team could not play a single game in this season, after the Mpumalanga Cricket Union (MCU) “failed to fund” them. This caused a stir among local cricket fans who want their team back on the pitch. The union is responsible for cricket development in the province. “Yes, it is true that currently, our team is not playing because we are no longer getting support from the union. When we approached the union about seven years ago, we were told that they had no budget. However, we were told they would divert money from elsewhere to accommodate us,” said Mokoena. “They supported us all along and then they stopped this year. Now we do not have money for transport, equipment or other related things. At the moment we are The total trying to get fi nancial value of the support. The sport transformation chapter support over stipulates that teams the past few based in previously years is disadvantaged areas R500 000 should be supported Bushbuckrigde Cricket Club will not be playing this season due to lack of nancial support from the Mpumalanga Cricket Union. fi nancially,” said Here one of the junior teams pose after a match last season. Mokoena. MCU CEO, Jaco not support cricket development in the in fi nancial diffi culties and have a negative had to streamline spending in the Visagie, told NEWSHORN that the province or the Bushbuckridge area,” impact on operations,” he said. Visagie area. However, they will still receive development of cricket in Bushbuckridge Visagie said. said the organisation had been unable to administrative support. remained a priority to them. “This support was given through savings secure additional funding for the current “It is also noted in our transformational “The total value of the support over that we build up over the past 10 years. season to assist with operational costs that and fi nancial committee meetings that the past few years is R500 000. It is, We can, however, never continue to use Bushbuckridge needed. should funding be secured, Bushbuckridge therefore, not true to say that we do the savings as it will put the organisation “With the fi nancial constraints, we is a priority to assist.” Thulamahashe Stadium vandalised during Bushbuckridge Picnic Festival Tumelo Waga Dibakwane One of the famous musicians on stage at the time was the well-known Tsonga and Swahili musician, Sho Majozi. THE Bushbuckridge Local Municipality Masuku said that although the fi eld has condemned the vandalisation of the was badly damaged, the municipality had Thulamahashe Stadium by fans who tried already prior to the incident put aside R10 to enter for free at the Bushbuckridge million in its 2019/20 budget to refurbish Picnic Festival hosted last week. the stadium. It is alleged that the stadium was She said the process of appointing a plundered by people who wanted to contractor to renovate the stadium was get into the stadium to watch the music underway. concert that was taking place. “We are planning to fi x the stadium in “Police tried to stop them by using phases, but at the moment we are in the rubber bullets but it was too late because process of appointing the contractor as we they broke down the fence and got into want to make sure everything is of good the stadium,” said acting municipal quality,” she explained. spokesperson, Maria Masuku. She said they have not yet established “We strongly condemn such act because the extent of the damage caused after the the facilities belong to the community and concert because the stadium was in need Thulamahashe Stadium’s fence was ripped apart by intruders during a musical festival it is a setback to local government because of renovations before this unfortunate that was held there last week. we will need to divert funds,” she said. incident.
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