13 August 2010 NEWS and FEATURES Page 5

MACK MAKHATHINI “Use only what you need, reduce, re-use, and recycle. THE Electricity Unit has Call to use power sparingly The days of wasteful usage, appealed to eThekwini be it energy or any other citizens to conserve energy. resource is over. This century Speaking at the tariff He explained the process Africa (Nersa) to “approve this financial year, and 25.8% grappling with ageing is about conservation,” presentation at the Moses that had led to the recent hefty tariff increases for and 25.9% for 2011 and 2012. infrastructure and a skills Govender said. Mabhida Stadium last week, increase in electricity tariffs Eskom”. The Eskom increase to shortage. “ is in the midst Head of the Electricity Unit, and detailed some of the He said this had followed a municipalities from 1 July this The unit’s Senior Manager of energy crisis and in Sandile Maphumulo, said a difficulties facing the unit. thorough public hearing year was 28.9%, and as a of Pricing and Marketing, eThekwini we encourage you plan for energy conservation Maphumulo said that process across the country, consequence, the average Deena Govender, thanked all to engage us regarding the was critical for industry to “supply capacity challenges” which had culminated in increases to eThekwini who had implemented tariff increase,” said prevent, or lessen the impact had forced the National Nersa granting Eskom an customers were 25%. energy reduction measures in Maphumulo. of load shedding. Energy Regulator of South average of 24.8% increase for He noted that the unit was the past two to three years. makhathinim@.gov.za Fillip for Durban film industry

VERONICA MAHLABA “Our role is to be a facilitator Films by three 2010 Talents in bringing investors,” said were screened. PLANS to promote Durban as Ross. One of them, Mark Kaigwa a filmmaking destination The plans were announced of Kenya, applauded the have been announced. at the recent Durban Inter- organisers for their wide The Durban Film Partner- national Film Festival, which search for talent in Africa and ship, which is due to be also included the launch of bringing together filmmakers launched soon is an initiative the Durban FilmMart. so they could collaborate. by the Durban Film Office, The FilmMart programme, He said he particularly Trade and Investment Kwa- run by the Film Office and the enjoyed the screening of films Zulu-Natal and the Durban festival, gives promising Afri- in the different venues. Chamber of Commerce. can filmmakers a chance to “It helped me see different Acting Chief Executive of the pitch projects to international sides of Durban and how Durban Film Office, Toni and local financiers and different people or cultures Monty, said, “We want to agents. react to certain films. As a RUINED: Zamokwakhe Ngcobo (right) shows Councillor Bheki Patrick Mfeka what create a relationship with It included workshops and filmmaker you must know remains of his house after it was destroyed by fire Picture: MACK MAKHATHINI national and international seminars for established and your audience,” said Kaigwa. film bodies.” start-up producers, run by The festival opened with a Monty said the initiative experts on film finance, screening of State of Violence. would provide a forum for marketing and distribution, Attending some of the Councillor aids bereft baker filmmaking businesses in and new media technologies. screenings were Rapulana Durban to lobby the govern- The festival, now in its 31st Seiphemo and Kenneth Nkosi MACK MAKHATHINI He alleges the relative later said Ngcobo. ment and forge links with the year, included more than 200 of White Wedding fame, came back drunk. “We had an Mfeka said he had international film industry. screening at venues across Mfundi Vundla and Fana COUNCILLOR Bheki Patrick argument and he took out a organised temporary shelter The initiative would let eThekwini. Mokoena of Generations, Mfeka has appealed to bush knife and we wrestled. for Ngcobo at Bhekisizwe established businesses net- The festival’s Talent Campus Hlubi Mboya of Isidingo and businesses to help a 52-year- “I asked three children who Community Hall in Block E work with and mentor other Durban section included 43 Tsotsi’s Presley Chweneyagae. old man whose Dassenhoek were in the house to run and the Jabulani Centre at filmmakers within the Film participants from 18 African Josh Appignanesi’s comedy, house was burnt down last away. Mariannhill in Roma offered Collective Programme and the countries. The section is dedi- The Infidel, closed the festival. week. “ We fought and I fled to a some groceries. Producers’ Skills Programme, cated to strengthening part- Oliver Schmitz’s Life, Above Zamokwakhe Ngcobo neighbour’s house where I “Sister Macro at the centre facilitated by the Durban Film nerships among up-and- All won the Best South African alleges the fire was started by spent the night,” said helped with blankets, Office. coming African filmmakers. Feature Film Award; Iranian a relative in a dispute that Ngcobo. groceries and some money “We are working with the They attended a five-day The White Meadows, directed arose after he returned from He awoke to find his four- for school uniforms, but we Film Office to link national programme of workshops and by Mohammad Rasoulof, won being treated for TB. room house burnt down. appeal for more people to and international filmmakers seminars, screenings and Best Feature; Indian film Ngcobo said he came back All his belongings had been come on board,” said Mfeka. to shoot films in the province events. Peepli Live, won Best First from hospital after two weeks destroyed, including beds, Since his election in 2006, and we are passionate about South African actors and Feature (it opens in South to find the relative occupying food, the children’s clothes the Councillor, with the establishing KZN as a film directors, attending the festi- African cinemas on August the house. “He asked me why and school uniforms as well support of businesses and investment destination,” said val to premiere their films, 13); and Waste Land (UK/ I came back from hospital as the stoves he used for charities, has rebuilt four Praline Ross, Trade and In- took time to train new talent, Brazil) was chosen as Best because I was suppose to die baking cakes to earn a living. burnt-down houses in his vestment KwaZulu-Natal Pro- helping them to learn more Documentary. there so that he can have my “I don’t know how I’m going ward. ject Manager. about the industry. [email protected] house.” to rebuild because I’m sick,” [email protected] She started the Women’s League As part of a series on the heroes honoured in eThekwini’s new street and building names, Andile Mnyandu profiles Charlotte Maxeke

Charlotte Maxeke Street excelling in States. But at the end Formerly Beatrice Street mathematics, of the US tour, the DAS BOOT: The South African Navy submarine Charlotte Maxeke, commissioned in languages and music. European organisers 2007 and named in honour of the redoubtable woman MULTI-TALENTED Charlotte Her dream from an deserted without Maxeke blazed a trail for early age was to be a paying the choir, women in academics, teacher and helped leaving them on the humanities. After her return amalgamation of the church Amec Conference, an event teaching and the clergy in the tutor many streets of New York to South Africa, she became with the Ethiopian Church. she attended regularly over early years of the 20th classmates after City, penniless and the first African teacher in the In 1912 the couple accepted the years. Century, a time when white school. CHARLOTTE without tickets home. Transvaal and married the an offer by Chief Enock She also earned a men dominated these After her family MAXEKE Fortunately, a Rev Marshall Maxeke. Mamba from Abathembu to reputation as a journalist and professions. moved to Kimberly in bishop of the US establish and run a college on was the first South African She was born Charlotte search of work, Methodist Church Pivotal role his farm. woman probation officer. Manye on 7 April 1874 at Maxeke, a gifted singer, recognised her name in a In 1918 Maxeke formed the She died in in Ramokgopa, Pietersburg. Her earned a place in an newspaper report on their In 1908 the Maxekes Bantu Women’s League, 1939 at the age of 65. mother was a teacher and her overseas-bound choir thanks plight and offered her a established the Wilberforce which later became the ANC Dr AB Xuma, a president of father a roads foreman and to a a solo performance at the scholarship to Wilberforce Institute for the African Women’s League, of which the ANC in the 1940s Presbyterian lay preacher. town hall. University in Ohio. Methodist Episcopal Church she was President for many described her as, “The She attended primary The choir left for in In 1903 she became the first (Amec) at Evaton in the then years. mother of African freedom in school in Uitenhage and high 1896 and performed across South African to earn a Transvaal and she played a In 1928 she returned to this country.” school in , the continent and the United doctorate in arts and pivotal role in the America as a delegate to the [email protected]