Limpopo Mirror 17 March 2023

All systems go for EFF’s planned shutdown

- page 6

Hostage drama at Makuya

By Elmon Tshikhudo and Silas Nduvheni

A very peculiar and uncomfortable “hostage drama” played out at the Makuya royal kraal on Tuesday night. One of the most senior leaders of the Vhavenda, Mailausumbwa Kennedy Tshivhase, had to spend the night at Makuya village after community members barricaded the

road and prevented him from leaving.

The dramatic series of events started last Thursday, 9 March, with the death of Thovhele Ntsweteni Makuya. The traditional leader died of an undisclosed illness at a surgery in Thohoyandou. Shortly after his death, his body was taken to a mortuary in Shayandima, but then it apparently disappeared.

Vhavenda tradition requires that he be buried three days after his death, but this did not happen, and a fierce family feud has now erupted.

According to Khotsimunene

Vho-Benny Makuya, the late leader passed away while being attended to by a doctor at a Thohoyandou surgery. At the time of his death, Thovhele Makuya was staying with his girlfriend at Muledane.

“We learnt that the girlfriend took him to a mortuary at Shayandima Industrial Site and we

later learnt it was also moved from there,” Vho-Makuya said. According to him, the family members wanted to perform the cultural rites before the burial ceremony but are unable to do so. “The villagers are angry, and they want to know what had happened to the body. We now suspect foul play. Why this hide and seek about the body?” he said.

In an interview on Wednesday, Mailausumbwa Kennedy Tshivhase, the head of the Tshivhase Dynasty, said that he had heard about the passing on of Makuya and was surprised as days passed without his being informed of the royal burial.

“Out of concern I, together with other people, visited the family on Tuesday (14th) just to find out what was happening and to give advice. We deliberated on the matter for a long time and at around 22:00 [realised that] the family still could not find each other. We decided to leave, having adjourned the matter for the following day,” he explained. “Just as we went to our cars, we found the way blockaded with burning tyres and other debris. We could not risk going out as the crowd was threatening.”

Tshivhase said that they had to retreat to the house and were kept hostage the whole night and were only able to leave the palace at around 07:00 the next morning. “The atmosphere was very hostile and we had to spend the whole night at Makuya’s house. We tried calling the police, but we could not, even though they were around,” he said.

Tshivhase said that he was extremely disappointed about the way the incident was being handled. “I went there to help, but ended up in a very compromising situation. I am a family member, and just before he [Makuya] passed on, he came to me and told me there is a problem that he needed my help with at his palace. But that was not to be, as he passed on before we could sit down. I am just happy that I am back home and safe,” he said.

The news about the (temporary) disappearance of the traditional leader’s body came as a shock, not only to the family members, but also to the community as a whole. The matter has also divided members of the royal family.

Muthuhadini Makuya, the spokesperson for the family,

said that they were not happy with the manner in which the late Thovhele’s wife (queen) and his girlfriend (mufarekano) were handling the matter.

Muthuhadini Makuya said that conflict had arisen between members of the Makuya clan and the girlfriend, because many believed that they had not been married in accordance with the traditional customs. He said that leadership feuds within the royal family had continued for the past seven years.

Mr Khuliso Netshiavha of Protocol Funeral Undertakers confirmed on Wednesday that the body of the deceased, Thovhele Makuya, was brought to them last Thursday by his wife and the girlfriend, soon after his death. The next day, the body was sent to the GPTR mortuary in Sibasa.

Mr Phumudzo Netshilindi, the manager of the mortuary in Sibasa,

confirmed that his mortuary had received the body of the deceased. He said that they were waiting for the wife and the girlfriend of the deceased to inform them when and where they would be taking the body. “We cannot allow any family members to come and take the body, other than the two who brought it to us soon after his death,” he said.

Mailausumbwa Kennedy Tshivhase was held hostage at Makuya and was only allowed to return home the next morning.

Thovhele Ntsweteni Makuya died last Thursday. Photo: Ndivhuwo Musetha

Two hardened criminals slapped with multiple life sentences

By Elmon Tshikhudo

Two hardened criminals received a combined 20 life sentences, amounting to 400 years of imprisonment, by the Thohoyandou High Court on Friday, 10 March.

Nyandano Mudalahothe (29) and Peter Mugovha (33) were found guilty on numerous counts of rape, robbery with aggravating circumstances, kidnapping, assault GBH, common assault and housebreaking. The incidents took place

around the Thohoyandou policing precinct over several years. The armed thugs broke into houses and brutally assaulted their victims before raping and robbing them of their belongings. Altogether 26 women, aged between 12 and 30, had been raped during their reign of terror, which began in 2011.

Mudalahothe received three life terms, while Mugovha was sentenced to 17 life terms.

Among this string of crimes was the brutal and shocking indent in 2015, where the two men, armed with firearms, broke into a house one night and dragged two sisters (aged 4 and 14) from their bedroom to their parents’ room, who were sleeping with their six-monthold sibling. The accused brutally assaulted the couple and afterwards forced the husband to have sex with his wife in front of their children.

The merciless criminals then took turns raping the 14-yearold child in the presence of her family before they robbed the victims of their cellphones and cash.

Sterling detective work paid off when the duo was finally arrested in 2016. The accused have made several court appearances since then and were denied bail until they were ultimately convicted and given multiple life sentences.

Gender activist Ms Riri Sengani, of Rinae Sengani Foundation, hailed the sentence, saying it would go a long way in restoring the people’s trust on the justice system. “As a foundation, we are excited, and we hope that other courts follow suit to make sure perpetrators never see the outside life. Saying that, however, we are pleading with the NPA to speed up cases like these, so that the victims can find closure and move on with their lives,” she said.

Limpopo’s police commissioner General Thembi Hadebe described the long sentences as an achievement for the province as two hardened criminals had been removed from society.

Ha-Makhuvha villagers get the last “taste” after stray hippo gets shot

By Maanda Bele

Ever wondered what hippo meat tastes like? The villagers at Ha-Makhuvha, situated near the Matatshe prison, decided to find out after a hippopotamus that had been terrorising the village for some time was killed by rangers from the Limpopo

VDM’s “ordinary” workers down tools to demand a pay increase

By Silas Nduvheni

More than 1 600 workers at the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) in Thohoyandou, of whom most are members of the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU), have downed their tools to take part in a go-slow strike for a salary hike since Monday, 6 March.

The workers refuse to return to work until their demands are met. They claim that the salaries of most of the senior employees (at level 3 and higher up) have been increased, while those of workers at level 4 and lower have stayed the same.

departments but to gather at the council chambers every day.

According to Mapholi, these workers have not had salary increases since 2017 and are also being neglected in terms of benefits such as pensions, car and housing allowances and medical aid schemes, while the senior officials’ benefits have been increased.

“We want them to increase the salaries of the workers from level 4 down to the lowest level too. We are also worried about the wasteful ways funds in the district are being spent. When they hire services providers, they allow them to charge abnormal fees and we want them to reverse it,” said Mapholi.

was disappointed and worried about the strike. “This is a nightmare for us, because how are we going to get by without water?”

Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET).

The hippo was shot last Thursday (9 March), and the meat was distributed among the villagers. Some cooked hippo stew, while others even made biltong.

The hippo had been spotted roaming the streets several times, but would often run to the nearby river.

The spokesperson for LEDET, Mr Zaid Kalla said the roaming hippo had been reported, but they could not find the animal in the first week of searching for it. “Our officials had to monitor the reported hippo frequently, until they finally found and destroyed it last Thursday. The meat was given to the community there,” said Kalla.

Mashudu Mamidze, one of the villagers who helped slaughter the big animal, said the villagers were scared to walk around at night because of the hippo. “We no lon-

Well-known former Thohoyandou attorney Mr Manie du Preez passed away in Krugersdorp on Tuesday, 14 March, after a brief battle against cancer. He was 63 years old. Du Preez was a founder member of the firm Booyens, Du Preez & Boshoff Attorneys who opened a office in Thohoyandou in 1987. This office closed in 2015, after Du Preez moved to Krugersdorp. Provisional funeral arrangements are for Saturday, 18 March, in Krugersdorp.

Mashudu Mamidze from Ha-Makhuvha’s hippo stew. “Tastes like beef, only the meat is tastier,” he says. Photo supplied.

ger felt safe because everywhere you would see its big footprints, and it was destroying our crops. We have a lot of maize and butternut crops around this village. The hippo was causing a lot of destruction at farms.”

Mamidze said he was glad it had been caught and killed. “I also received a portion of meat.

The meat is very fresh and tastes like beef, only, the meat is tastier. I am enjoying the meat and it has not given me any side effects. Only yesterday, I had biltong and pap for dinner, and I am feeling great,” he said.

Kalla reminded communities that they are not allowed to hunt damage-causing animals (DCA) themselves. “If an animal is spotted roaming around the village, it must be reported to the nearest Nature Conservation offices which, in this case, is Thohoyandou. Nature Conservation has the mandate to destroy DCA in terms of legislation,” said Kalla.

The secretary of SAMWU in the Vhembe District, Mr Khathu Mapholi, said that they had resolved not to report for duty at their respective

Ms Maria Mulovhedzi of Tshakhuma village, outside Thohoyandou, went to the VDM’s offices to purchase water on Tuesday (14 March) and

According to the VDM’s spokesperson, Mr Matodzi Ralushai, the meeting they had with the union’s representatives on Monday, 13 March, did not bear fruit as no agreement could be reached regarding a salary hike. “We don’t have enough money at this stage to increase the workers’ salaries. We will need R40 million to solve the worker’s salary grievances and benefits,” he said. Ralushai said negations would be held with the employees at senior level (those whose salaries had been increased) to try and find possible ways to reverse the monies they had recently received from the increment.

Retired principal now devotes his time to help struggling Grade 12s

By Kaizer Nengovhela

Mr Joseph Phungo, the retired principal of Manaledzi Secondary in Tshiozwi, has volunteered to help learners around the Sinthumule Kutama area who had failed their Grade 12 exams by teaching them and giving them a second chance to rewrite their subjects – free of charge – so they can still realise their educational dreams.

Phungo started his own centre for learning, called the Joe Phungo Foundation. With the help of 15 other voluntary educators, they teach different subjects to 159 learners who had registered to write their supplementary examinations

in June this year. The centre is situated at Gogobole, at Sukumani Kundani Secondary, where they offer tutoring in critical subjects, such as maths, physical science and languages.

“I saw a need in my community to help young people who struggle with their studies. My wish is to contribute towards an educated future nation, and this is the best I can offer to learners who failed Grade 12. I want to encourage those younger than me to choose their careers wisely. I have been doing this since the beginning of the year and sincerely hope it will pay off,” said Phungo.

“We do afternoon classes and try to work through the syllabus as quickly as possible, so

that, by the time their teachers start teaching the relevant subjects, they are already familiar with the work. I have also received positive responses from teachers so far, who say I am making their work much easier.”

Programmes like these, however, require support and Phungo said that they still needed stationery, computers, more tutors and other resources needed in a learning environment. He is calling on other retired educators to also reach out to their communities. “As a retired professional, I have come to realise that I can still make a difference. This programme can help a lot of children,” he said.

The main entrance of the Vhembe District Municipality’s offices in Thohoyandou remained open on Monday, 13 March, with no-one to assist customers while the workers went on strike.

Photo: Silas Nduvheni.

Nyandano Mudulahothe (left) and Peter Mugovha were sentenced to multiple life terms for their spate of violent crimes. Photo supplied.

Mr Ludwick Funyufunyu (front) is one of the voluntary teachers at the Joe Phungo Foundation that tutors learners who have failed Grade 12, to prepare them for the supplementary examinations they will be writing in June. Photo supplied.

Villagers at Ha-Makhuvha share the meat after a hippo that was terrorising the village was shot by rangers. Photo supplied.

SABC Livhu will have to wait two more weeks for bail application

By Elmon Tshikhudo

One setback after another seems to befall accused Limpopo comedian and businessman Livhuwani Madadzhe, popularly known as SABC Livhu. The 38-year-old, who stands accused of his wife’s murder, was supposed to have started with his bail application at the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (14 March), but much to the disappointment of those in the courtroom and the crowds that had gathered outside, the case was postponed again.

Before his appearance, hundreds of people, affiliated to different structures and led by a contingent of policemen, marched through the streets of Thohoyandou, waving their placards.

The court proceedings could not start on time because of load shedding, but when the power was restored, the police had their hands full trying to control the large number of people who tried to gain entry to the courtroom.

At first, two representatives from each structure were allowed to attend, but because so many different structures had shown up, they were limited to only one

representative per structure.

Unlike Madadzhe’s previous appearances, where he looked resigned and forlorn, he oozed confidence and was in high spirits on Tuesday. His legal representative, Advocate Ntsako Hlungwani, dressed in one of his colourful suits, presented his application in the form of a written affidavit. The six-page document was read by Hlungwani on his client’s behalf and was accepted by the court. However, the state applied for a further postponement to study the long document, and the date for the bail application was postponed again to 27 and 28 March. This in effect means that Madadzhe will have to wait two more weeks before he will know his fate.

In the affidavit, he pleads with the court to release him on bail, citing, among other things, the appalling prison conditions. He also points out that he needs to look after his five children; something he can only accomplish when his businesses are running. He assures the court that he is not a flight risk and that he is prepared to relocate to Gauteng, should he be released on bail, pending the finalisation of his case. He further indicates that he is going to plead not guilty to the charges as he has nothing to do with his wife’s death.

Hlungwani said he was confident that his client would be granted bail.

Madadzhe was arrested shortly after the body of his wife,

Lindelani Nengovhela, also known as Mme a Muofhe, was found in a water-filled trench in their yard on 28 January this year.

Only a day before her murder, Lindelani had withdrawn the charges of assault GBH she had laid against the comedian in November 2022. In celebration of this, the couple had reportedly threw a party at their house. Hours later, her body was discovered.

Owner of bogus nursing college arrested

By Kaizer Nengovhela

The Makhado police made a breakthrough last weekend when they arrested a 54-year-old woman who had been on the run since 2017. The suspect allegedly ran bogus nursing colleges and fraudulently registered unsuspecting students from Thohoyandou, Morebeng, Waterval, Polokwane and other places in Gauteng under the pretext that they would acquire their diplomas in nursing. According to a police statement, the victims were also assured of employment upon completion of their studies. The suspect’s fraudulent dealings came to light when the colleges were eventually discovered not to be authentic.

The students, who were determined to pursue careers in community nursing, were left bankrupt, spending months of studying and thousands of rands in fees, only be told that their qualifications were not legitimate. A full-scale investigation was launched by the South African Police Service, but

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the suspect allegedly fled the country.

Salome Judith Ngwana was arrested on Saturday, 10 March, after detectives from the Makhado SAPS received information that the suspect would be returning to South Africa from Nigeria, where she had been in hiding, via the OR Tambo International Airport at midday.

One of the victims, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that the college was presented in a very unprofessional and unethical manner.

“I was in a class of 40 young adults. I was always told that it is part of the module fee. I decided to contact the Health and Welfare Sector’s Education and Training Authority directly and was told that the college was not on their system. I then opened a case at the Chatsworth Police station. We were all there to receive a proper qualification, but instead we were scammed. It is absolutely frustrating to know that there are people out there who scam innocent people trying to make a better life for themselves. I put so much of

my time and energy into the college. I virtually scraped up my entire savings to have a better future, only to realise that my hard work was in vain,” the woman said.

Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed this. “After the matter was reported to the police, it was revealed that the college was not registered with the Department of Higher Education,” he said.

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has commended the members for arresting the suspect. “We have always maintained that criminals can run, but never hide, hence our dedicated team of investigators have finally brought the suspect in, who embezzled innocent students of millions,” said Hadebe.

Ngwana appeared in the Louis Trichardt Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 13 March, on charges of fraud and theft under false pretences. The case was postponed to 20 March for a bail application.

Police tried to control the large crowd that had gathered outside the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court during SABC Livhu’s court appearance on Tuesday. Photo: Elmon Tshikhudo.

Livhuwani Madadzhe during his court appearance on Tuesday.

Buses should be checked regularly for roadworthiness.

The future is starting to look much brighter for Nnditsheni Secondary

By Maanda Bele

The past few years have been the most difficult years for Nnditsheni Secondary School in Tshithuthuni village in Nzhelele. The school’s enrolment dropped and results have been very poor. In 2020 they reached a low with a matric pass rate of only 30%. Rumours were going around that the department planned on closing the school because of its bad performance.

Things were looking bad for Nnditsheni Secondary, but in spite all this, the school’s management refused to give up the fight, and today, the future of the school looks a lot brighter.

During Nzhelele East

Circuit’s Excellence Awards, held at the El-Shaddai Church in Ha-Rabali, Nzhelele on 23 February this year, Nnditsheni Secondary won the award for the Most Improved School.

This after the quintile 1 school managed to obtain a pass rate of 65.2% last year – a noticeable improvement from the 50% they received in 2021.

When the principal, Pastor Livhuwani Gladys Netshiongolwe eventually presented the award to the SGB, SANCO, the royal council and other stakeholders last Friday (10 March), she said the award was the result of unity, hard work and teamwork. “It is by the grace of God and through the support we receive from the teachers, SGB, parents, SANCO, royal council and the community that we were able

Passengers are encouraged to report bad driving or overloading

taken.

By Kaizer Nengovhela

Commuters, whether using a bus service or a taxi, are encouraged to report bad driving or unroadworthy vehicles to the various companies or to the relevant authorities.

This comes in the wake of several fatal accidents on the region’s roads the past month. In most of these accidents, driver negligence seemed to have been the cause.

to improve our results. This award serves as motivation to keep working hard, even though we are short-staffed.” She said the school currently had only five teachers, which was one of their biggest challenges.

This year, Netshiongolwe said, the school was aiming for a pass rate of at least 80%. “We are going to work even harder to make sure that we set the bar high. We believe that God will help us achieve this,” she added.

The chairperson of the SGB, Mr Thina Malise, said the SGB was very happy with the improvement the school was making. “We are helping the school where we can with the recruitment of new learners. We want to make Nnditsheni great again,” he said.

Local commuters have complained on several forums about overloaded buses and taxis, as well as aggressive driving and speeding. In some cases, commuters have resorted to blocking off roads in protest against the bus and taxi companies. But the bus companies said they had instituted various measures to monitor bad drivers and ensure that their vehicles were roadworthy. Some of them have even set up toll-free numbers where problems can be reported.

A regular commuter, who asked to remain anonymous, said that in the absence of a regulated system of transportation, anything went. “Reckless drivers, with a taste for lewd and vulgar music, will gamble with our lives,” he said.

“Most bus and taxi drivers don’t care about the safety of their passengers, they only worship money and their buses and taxis are not roadworthy. They drive like headless chickens. We just keep quiet because if you say something they’ll insult you.” He said the drivers’ bad behaviour got reported to the bus owners, but no action was

The Mabirimisa Bus company’s spokesperson, Ms Takalani Mabirimisa, said that ensuring that the necessary regulatory measures were adhered to before buses were allowed to transport passenger was very important. Buses must be roadworthy and the drivers properly registered. She also said that the safety of commuters was very important to them. “This (an accident) is bad for us, because our commuters are like family to us. We transport these people every day from their homes to work,” she said.

Mabirimisa said that they met with road and transport officers every month to check the roadworthiness of all buses. She said that commuters were welcome to report any bad driving by dialling the numbers displayed on the buses. She invited commuters to report problems to the commuters committee, who in turn will report to the management of the company. She said that disciplinary measures were taken against drivers accused of negligence and they would be suspended if found guilty.

On behalf of the Mulaudzi Bus Company, Ms Maria Mulaudzi said that the problem of late arrivals had been mostly resolved. “Our buses might be looking old, but they are roadworthy. We told our drivers to be punctual, otherwise we will lose our customers,” she said.

Mulaudzi said that commuters were encouraged to report bad driving and they displayed the phone numbers where commuters could complain inside their buses. They also

adhere to all legislation, such as having the necessary passenger liability insurance.

Mr Leo Gama, the spokesperson for the Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA), said that commuters should report problems using the customer-service lines provided. LEDA is the managing agency of Great North Transport (GNT). “Each bus has a number that will help commuters identify it. We urge commuters to take down that number and report it to us. Appropriate action will be taken if it’s found that the driver acted improperly,” he said.

Mr Patrick Mapengo from Do Light Transport said that whenever they received complaints from commuters about issues such as overloaded buses, they followed up by interviewing the driver. “We sit down with the driver and ask him why the bus was overloaded,” he explained. Mapengo said that all his company’s buses were roadworthy.

Mr Mashamba Maphaha, the chairperson of the Dzanani II Taxi Association, said that they had implemented a system where the taxis must display the customer-complaint numbers. When such a complaint is reported at the office, the driver is summoned to explain what had happened. A disciplinary hearing is held and if the driver is found guilty, he or she will be fined or even suspended.

Maphaha encouraged commuters to make use of the system and report drivers who make themselves guilty of bad driving or overloading.

Witvlag road blocked as commuters complain about GNT’s poor service

By Kaizer Nengovhela

Bus operators from the Great North Transport (GNT) bus company had to return to the depot on Thursday, 9 March, when protesting commuters from the Phadzima, Tshitavha, Vhulaudzi, Maelula and Murunwa areas blocked the Witvlag road to Murunwa.

The protesters are accusing GNT of rendering poor service, saying that the operators either do not arrive at the scheduled times to pick them up or, when they do, the buses are full and they get turned away.

The commuters say the monthly bus tickets they buy are going to waste as they must often take taxis. Those who cannot afford to take taxis have to go home, while those who can pay the extra money still arrive late for work.

They also complain about the condition of GNT’s buses, claiming that they are not always roadworthy and that they are putting their lives at risk by using unsafe buses.

The furious commuters are threatening to picket outside the bus company’s depot in Louis Trichardt to get their point across.

One of the commut-

ers, Mr Mushe Mabirimisa of Murunwa, said many workers had been laid off by their employers for constantly arriving at work late. “Clearly many workers lose their jobs, not because of their own fault, but because of the bus company’s incompetence. They send old and unroadworthy buses to our areas. Most commuters buy monthly tags to use the bus, but also have to keep extra monies on hand to take taxis on the days when the buses simply do not arrive,” he said.

The spokesperson for the Limpopo Economics Development Agency (LEDA), Mr Leo Gama, said bus services had a customer-service line that commuters could call, should they experience any problems. “Each bus has a number that

will help commuters identify it. We urge commuters to take down that number and report it to us. Appropriate action will be taken if it’s found that the driver acted improperly.”

He further said that GNT’s drivers had been made aware that punctual pick-up and drop-off of commuters was key. “If a driver experiences a breakdown, another bus is immediately sent to pick up the passengers. The changeover will affect the time, but we are not aware of buses not arriving on the routes at all.”

Gama said they would investigate whether GNT’s buses had arrived late for pick-ups and added that, if the buses were unroadworthy, the duty of traffic officers was to report this.

Last Thursday, protesting commuters stopped GNT buses from travelling on the Witvlag road to Murunwa. Photo supplied.

The principal of Nnditsheni Secondary School in Tshithuthuni village, Pastor Livhuwani Gladys Netshiongolwe, presented the Most Improved School award, which the school had won during the Nzhelele East Circuit’s Excellence Awards on 23 February, to the SGB, SANCO, royal council and other stakeholders last Friday. Photo: Maanda Bele.

The well-known manager of SARS’s customs division at Beitbridge, Mr Solly Marshall Mutepe (sitting in front with the cake), was surrounded by his family and friends who celebrated his 57th birthday with him at Tshikhwani on Saturday, 4 March. Photo supplied.

Vleifontein residents demand answers over abandoned library project

library was announced, community members, who described it as a beacon of hope and a valuable hub of information and education, were very pleased.

By Thembi Siaga

Residents of Vleifontein and the surrounding areas are demanding accountability after the contractor in charge of building the new multimillion-rand Vleifontein library allegedly abandoned the project. Work started in September last year, but the activities came to a standstill two months later.

When the project to build a

Learners from the local schools had also been eagerly waiting for construction to be completed.

Zwivhuya Singo, a Grade 11 student at Michael Denga Ramabulana Secondary School (MDR), said they had had great hopes for the library. “The library would have been beneficial for us, especially since we come from diverse backgrounds and some of us face distractions

and disturbances such as loud noises that prevent us from studying at home,” he said.

According to the Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure (LDPWRI) the tender of R10.55 million was awarded to Malerate Construction in July last year. The scope of Malerate Construction’s work included building the library, a guard house, fencing and open, paved parking.

One of the construction workers, Mr Peter Shishonga, said they were surprised when they learnt that the contractor had left without informing them. “We all lost our jobs,” he said and complained about also no longer receiving a social relief of distress (SRD) grant.

The owner of SureBuilt Hardware, Mr Elvis Mukwevho from Maila, said the contractor still owed him money for hiring his tipper truck. “He left without paying me a cent. I trusted him because I thought the project was going to benefit the whole community,” he said.

The spokesperson for the Department of Publics Works, Mr Witness Tiva, said that the contractor had submitted a letter of withdrawal on 5 December last year. After deliberating with the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, they decided to accept the

withdrawal and terminate the contract on 20 December last year.

“The contractor, among other things, mentioned issues such as community strikes, the costly demands of SMMEs, inclement weather and interest rate hikes that resulted in the company to withdraw. Up to this point, the contractor has been paid R743 093.15, based on the work that was agreed upon and completed.”

Regarding the money the contractor allegedly still owes SureBuilt Hardware, Tiva said the department had nothing to do with that, seeing that

the agreement was between SureBuilt and Malerate Construction.

The local councillor for Ward 20, Mr Vincent Malivha, disputed the accusations that community strikes had led to the abandonment of the project. He was of the opinion that the contractor had misquoted for the work and had opted to abandon the project. “The way forward is for the Department of Public Works to re-advertise the tender,” he said.

Mr Kenny Mathivha, spokesperson for the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, said they were also concerned about

the matter. “We want to see communities, children and adults accessing information and free access to the Internet through library services.”

Mathivha said the project would resume once a replacement contractor was appointed. “The replacement contractor is expected to be appointed in April this year (2023) and the project to be completed in May,” he said.

Limpopo Mirror first sent an inquiry to the project manager of Malerate Construction in February, and several times after that, but until now, he has not responded.

Residents of Vleifontein want to know what happens now after the contractor abandoned the new Vleifontein library project only two months after work commenced last year. Photo: Thembi Siaga.

The entrance to the abandoned Vleifontein library project. Photo: Thembi Siaga.

EFF determined to shut down the country in protest on Monday

By Victor Mukwevho

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Vhembe have vowed that this district will also come to a standstill during the EFF’s planned national shutdown next Monday (20 March).

Thousands of red berets are expected to disrupt services in the province when EFF members embark on protest action.

The chairperson of the EFF in the Vhembe District, Advocate TP Matodzi, said they had already concluded all the preparations for the shutdown throughout the country, including in Vhembe.

“It is all systems to go for the strike on Monday. The feedback we are receiving from members of the community is unbelievable. Workers from local companies and the government have been

coming to our offices to collect letters to show their employers that the red berets will be in town on Monday, so there is no way that they can make it to work,” he said.

The EFF is demanding that President Cyril Ramaphosa step down. In the first place, they are accusing him of dragging the country down as he has dismally failed to solve the economic crisis facing the country. They also demand his resignation because of the Phala Phala scandal. The EFF further demands that the government solve the load-shedding issue as many companies are forced to close their doors because of it, leaving thousands of workers without jobs.

During the shutdown, the EFF will be joined by the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU), which is the second-largest main trade union

confederation in the country out of 21 affiliated trade unions, representing around 800 000 workers countrywide. The chairperson of the Pan African Congress (PAC) in the Vhembe District, Mr Edzisani Madzunya, confirmed that they will also be joining the EFF in the upcoming local shutdown. He said that, as a party, they were also calling for President Ramaphosa’s resignation.

“Ramaphosa and the ANC have failed dismally to lead this country. We are tired of the never-ending load shedding. He has elected a bloated cabinet comprised of the state fund looters, and he is also embroiled in the Phala Phala saga. Let him go,” he said.

The EFF said they had already discussed the shutdown with the various transport services around the district and had their support as well.

Muswane communities complain about no water during imbizo

By Silas Nduvheni

water from our rivers, which we share with wild animals.

they were working around the clock to fast-track services.

TOP: Learners from Tshifhire Primary School who come from poor backgrounds received new shoes from Alicia Skin Care Solutions. The official hand-over was done at the school on Wednesday, 8 March. Photo supplied.

RIGHT: The Mukhethwa AP Foundation and Mukhethwa Fashion Design donated three boxes of sanitary pads, 16 pairs of school shoes and 22 achievement certificates to Mushaathoni Secondary School in Sendedza Tshavhalovhedzi Nzhelele last Friday (10 March). The foundation’s founder, Ms Mukhethwa Mukhesi, has sentimental attachments to the school, which is where she herself went to school as a young girl. The donation also formed part of her birth month celebration. Mukhesi was accompanied by the councillor for Ward 33, Cllr Khuliso Mukheli, Miss Nzhelele Matshidiso Mohau and Aluwani Raphalalani. Photo: Maanda Bele.

NOTICE ISSUED IN TERMS OF REGULATION 4(2)

OF THE EIA REGULATION, REGARDING THE APPROVED ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION FOR THE FARM

VERZAMELING VAN WATERS 31 LT SITUATED IN THE MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT OF VHEMBE, LIMPOPO

DMR REF: LP 30/5/1/3/2/11870 MP

FUTURE CAST TRADING CC have been granted an Environmental Authorization for application of Mining permit to mine

Aggregate issued by the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR).

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

In reaching the decision the Department looked into the following consideration:

(a) A public participation processes (PPP) was undertaken and the Applicant has satisfied the minimum requirement as prescribed in the NEMA EIA 2014 regulations for Public involvement

(b) The environmental impacts associated with the proposed mitigation measures as outlined in the BAR

(c) The closure and rehabilitation is included in the BAR.

(d) The environmental emergencies procedure is included in the BAR

(e) The environmental awareness plan is included in the BAR

(f) The quantum calculation of the financial provision for rehabilitation of the prospecting activities is included in the BAR.

NOTICE OF INTENSION TO APPEAL:

An appeal can be lodged against the decision as stipulated in the National Appeals Regulations of 2014 should you wish to appeal. The appeal must be lodged within 20 days from the receipt of the notification to the Minister of Environmental Affairs. The appeal must be lodged as prescribed in the National Appeal Regulations of 2014 by means of the following methods; Appeal to the Department of Environmental Affairs: Attention: Directorate Appeals and legal review

Email: appeals director- ate@environment.gov.za By post: private bag x 447, Pretoria,0001

By hand: Environmental House, corner Steve Biko and Soutpansberg Street, Arcadia, Pretoria,0083 Copy of the lodged appeal to the Department of Mineral Resources Attention: Regional

Manager: Limpopo Province Region Email: azwihangwisi.mulaudzi@ dmre.gov.za

Postal Address: Private Bag X9467, Polokwane,0700

Notice Date: 17 March 2023

During the Vhembe District’s mayoral imbizo, held at the Muswane Sports Grounds on Friday, 10 March, the communities around Muswane, Dumela and Mulamula villages, outside Malamulele, told Executive Mayor Dowelani Nenguda that they were placing their faith in him to help resolve the shortage of water in their area.

Mr Bennett Mabasa, who represented the communities, said water shortages in their area had become a big worry for them. “The taps are dry here in our villages, and we are forced to drink dirty

The borehole that was drilled at Muswane about two years ago has not provided us with a single drop of water,” Mabasa said.

An imbizo is one of the platforms municipalities use countrywide to engage with communities on service delivery and how it can be improved. Mabasa also said that Muswane and the surrounding areas needed better sports facilities to help keep the young people busy.

The VDM’s manager of technical services, Mr Wiseman Maluleke, acknowledged that water challenges in the VDM were a serious concern for communities and said

According to Maluleke, the transformer at Muswane was stolen by thugs. He said they were engaging with Eskom, so that it could be restored and the communities could have access to clean running water again.

Regarding the pipelines from the Nandoni Dam, Maluleke said the VDM was worried about illegal connections and urged the people behind these to stop their criminality. Nenguda said that while they would be drilling new boreholes in the affected areas, he would dispatch water tankers as a temporarily means for people to get clean water.

NOTICE OF CONSULTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESMENT REQIURED INTERMS OF REGULATION 7 (2) 2014TSHAMAKHERA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT C.C

TSHAMAKHERA ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT C.C have applied for Mining Permitin terms of Section 27 of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002. The applications cover portion of portion 51 of the farm: farm VERA 815M Ssituated in the magisterial district MUSINA with DMR Ref, LP 30/5/1/3/3/2/ 11905MP

Proposed development include activity 27, the clearance of an area of 1 hectaresor more, but less than 20 hectares of indigenous vegetation except where such clearance of indigenous vegetation is required for the undertaking linear activity or maintenance purposes undertaken in accordance with amaintenance management plan.

The proposed mining activity entails mining of sand, dimension stone and stone aggregate, the GPS coordinates for the proposed area are:

1.22.5642 29.7649

2.22.5631 29.7662

3.22.5657 29.7674

4.22.5668 29.7669

You can be involved in the Public Participation Process by:-sending a fax, email or mail with your name, contact details and concerns/questions relating to the project. Providing us with the names of additional people that can be contacted. All correspondence, which should be received on or after 21th March 2023 will be submitted to the DMR. All issues raised during the public participation process will responded to in writing to the Interested and Affected Parties (IAPs).

CORRESPONDANCE MAYBE DIRRECTED TO: MORA ECOLOGICAL

EMAIL: moraecological@gmail.com

FAX : 086 715 2735

The chairperson of the EFF in the Vhembe District, Advocate TP Matodzi.

The executive mayor of the Vhembe District Municipality, Dowelani Nenguda (standing in the middle), photographed with some of the councillors during the mayoral imbizo at the Muswane Sports Grounds on Friday, 10 March. Photo: Silas Nduvheni.

Art & Entertainment

Pfumelani wants to rescue relationships

By Thembi Siaga

When motivational speaker, relationship consultant and author from Tiyani village Pfumelani Ngobeni hosted a radio show on romance years ago, it made him realise just how many couples suffer challenges in their relationships. This inspired him to write a book that sheds some light on the topic of love and relationships, to help couples get through some of those obstacles.

Ngobeni’s book, titled A Hopeful Relationship, was launched recently , showcasing his influence in publishing circles.

Ngobeni (37) did his Bachelor of Arts, majoring in communication, translation and linguistics studies from the University of Limpopo a few years ago, and worked as a presenter and producer for GCR FM in Giyani in 2014.

Mulalo

His book gives advice to those who are already in a relationship. “There are a lot of things in a relationship that demand compromise, sacrifice and tolerance. If people read the advice I share in this book, maybe we won’t have so many single parents because of divorce or break-ups,” he said.

He said that the aim of his book was not just to help couples work through their problems, but to fight divorce and gender-based violence (GBV). “I want to make sure that people lead a healthy relationship and a happy life. I believe this book has the potential to change many people’s lives for the better,” he said.

The book also encourages those who have lost all hope in finding love with the right person.

Two years ago, Ngobeni established an online radio station, called North FM. According to him, many people phone in every day, seeking advice, and

Mizo Phyll is back

By Thembi Siaga

he is happy to see so many positive reactions, even on social media.

A Hopeful Relationship can be ordered directly from Ngobeni. Call him on 079 847 6158.

Pfumelani Ngobeni of Tiyani village. Photo supplied.

Mabogo releases her first book

By Kaizer Nengovhela Mulalo Ntsako Mabogo (34), a resident of Vleifontein, has released

her first book, titled 16 Missed Calls

The book deals with issues such as depression and anxiety, as well as gender-based violence.

Mabogo did her primary schooling at Eltivillas and she completed her matric at Makhado Comprehensive school. She grew up in Vhembe, where the issue of mental health was not a topic often discussed and, in fact, was mostly avoided.

Mabogo said that she had struggled with anxiety problems from a young age. “It is often very difficult to talk about mental illnesses, let alone acknowledge that one’s vision and judgements are influenced by the illness,” she said.

she once felt safe in, but the most precious thing that she held close was taken away by people she trusted,” Mabogo said.

During her journey, she felt at times that no God existed nor any good script was written for her, because she was experiencing heartache and headaches. “Every time I thought I was picking myself up to stand again, I was crushed. I started believing that maybe good things were only for the specific few and there’s no need to pray. Still, in all the experiences, I managed to pick myself up and stopped being bitter towards myself and started believing that something great can still come out of the broken vessel. I started to find hope from a broken glass, realising that its pieces can be used to cut out something only if it is used correctly,” she said.

“King of VenRap” Mizo Phyll is back with his latest single, called Missed Calls. The song, which was released on Wednesday, 8 March, promises to be yet another smash hit.

Born Livhuwani Aubrey Ratshiungo at Maniini Block J, Mizo Phyll is among Vhembe’s most successful musicians. Not only is he a well-established and popular rapper but a songwriter and entrepreneur as well. He has been in the music industry for more than 12 years now and has received multiple accolades, including winning the Best Tshivenda Hip Hop Track for his renowned single, Tshikandeledzi, at the SATMA awards in 2009, as well as the Hip Hop Artist of the Year award at the FAME SA awards in 2015.

Last year, he released a single called Phanda, featuring Makhadzi.

Speaking to Limpopo Mirror recently, Mizo Phyll said the enthusiastic reaction he got from his fans only proved South Africans’ love for hip-hop music.

“My fans are thrilled that I continue to rap and promote VenRap, especially at a time when Amapiano is starting to dominate the local music industry,” he said.

Missed Calls is derived from his upcoming EP. The song’s visuals

greatly complement the track, which is dedicated to his hardworking fans out there hustling to make a living. “This song is like an anthem for the hustlers, evoking a sense of humble rebellion and victory that listeners can feel when they listen to it. The lyrics ‘If I miss the money call, I’m re-dialling’ refer to a strong determination to work hard and hustle through the challenges of everyday life. My fans should definitely watch out for my EP, which I am busing cooking up, as it will make waves in the music circle,” he said. Missed Calls is available on all

Slender Girl produces another treasure

By Kaizer Nengovhela

local super-diva Makhadzi.

Mulalo Ntsako Mabogo has released her first book, titled 16 Missed Calls Photo supplied.

Her bouts of depression almost sent her to an early grave, and the pressure of being a single mother did not help. “This book speaks of all those experiences that a young girl can face in a community that

Mabogo said that, through psychological sessions and prayer, she experienced restoration from within. Through this book, she wants to encourage someone who has experienced the same fate that there is a rainbow after a storm.

Uhone Malindi, popularly known as Slender Girl, says she sings what she believes her fans will like. In terms of sound, she seems to have found her own style, and if you are a fan of house music, make sure to listen to her latest single, Nyimele

Born in Ha-Mavhunga, Slender Girl is one of the few successful local musicians who have made a name for themselves in the music industry. House music in particular has become one of the most popular music genres in Venda. Slender Girl’s own passion for house music was in-

During an interview, Slender Girl said that she was proud to be called a Venda musician, who enjoyed singing in her mother tongue, Tshivenda. When speaking to the Limpopo Mirror, she admitted that most Tshivenda singers were still facing a lot of challenges that hindered their success. “When you come from Venda, it is very difficult to find a stable record label that will get you to national level. But I believe in myself. I want to go out there and do it on my own, regardless of those challenges.”

She said that she was overjoyed with the positive response she had received from her fans with the promotion of her single on the different radio stations. “The messages and calls I received from my fans were overwhelming. We are receiving new orders every day. People love the song! I’m happy that it has sold so many copies in such a short time,” she said.

Slender Girl is also performing live at various venues around the province to promote the single.

On Thursday, 9 March, Musina FM delivered its State-of-Radio Address (SORA) from the Nancefield community hall, where the station manager, Mr Justice Langa, outlined, among other things, the station’s plans, challenges and achievements. Musina Municipality, Musina’s business community and residents gathered to listen to the SORA. Since reopening last year, the radio station has employed a total of 28 people; some of them as radio presenters and others to do administrative work. “We are trying to reach all the areas that fall under the Musina Municipality, but we are still in need of some important equipment, like flat-screen television sets or computers to make our work more user-friendly. We are appealing to financial donors to lend us a hand, so that the station can pay its employees on a regular basis,” said Langa. The staff at Musina FM posed for a quick photo during the SORA last week. Photo supplied.

“My schedule is very hectic because everyone wants me to perform in their area. I urge my fans to be patient and wait until I’m there to give them the best of my music.” She thanks all her fans who have been supporting her over the course of her music career.

Uhone Malindi, known as Slender Girl, has released her latest single, called Nyimele Photo supplied.

Venrap artist Mizo Phyll.

Photo: Our Capture Photography.

Art & Entertainment

Drummer boy leaves church members speechless

By Victor Mukwevho

A 12-year-old boy from Tshiseluselu village took the members of the Sabbatan Church completely by surprise during the church service last Saturday afternoon (11 March) with his exceptional percussion prowess.

Aluwani Netshianane, a Grade 7 learner at Damani Primary School, had his peers turning green with envy every time he started drumming away, leaving the congregation stunned with

Phalaphala FM looks back at bumper year

admiration.

Limpopo Mirror’s correspondent had a quick chat with Aluwani after the church service and asked him whether he considered becoming a musician one day. But the boy said he only played the drums for fun and to praise the Lord. “I just play in church for the love of God. I don’t see myself becoming a musician. I see a lot of musicians on TV, and I don’t think they are Christians by the way they dance. My parents always encourage me to love and serve the Lord.” All

MC Mabasa keeps the Tsonga culture alive

By Silas Nduvheni

Morris Mabasa, better known as MC Mabasa from the award-winning traditional Tsonga band, MC Mabasa and the Shigombe Sisters, would like to pass his singing and guitar-playing skills on to young people so that the Tsonga culture and traditions should not be forgotten.

Mabasa was born and raised in Muswane village, outside Malamulele. He started singing back in 1983 and recorded his first album, Makhelwane (neighbour) in 1990, after being inspired by veteran Tsonga artists Elias Baloyi and Thomas Chauke. This year, he is to release his 31st album.

MC Mabasa and the Shigombe Sisters comprise of himself as lead singer and composer, and his backing vocalists Alinah Mabasa, Ivy

Baloyi, Nomsa Baloyi and Thandy Baloyi. In 2022, the band won the Best Duo Group award at the Xitsonga Music awards.

But Mabasa said that, for many local artists, it is not easy to follow a music career. “We might release a hot new album today, and tomorrow you find it being copied and sold for as cheap as R10. (This is called ‘amaten ten’). The music industry is suffering because of these people who sell unauthorized copies of our songs for next to nothing, leaving us as poor as when we started,” he said.

Mabasa has his own recording studio at his home in Muswane village and he invited young aspirant singers to visit him and learn how he works in his studio.

For recording and live performances, MC Mabasa can be contacted on 076 1507 440.

he wants, he said, is to become educated and get a decent job. When asked if he was not even interested in becoming a gospel artist in future, he said he would love to do that, though he was adamant that he would then only be performing for Christians during church services. “I don’t want to mix with people who drink alcohol and use vulgar words on stage,” he said.

Ras Canly’s latest single is already a hit

By Maanda Bele

On 20 January this year, award-winning artist Funanani Canly Phalanndwa, or Ras

Canly as he is famously known, released a new single, called Thaidzo ndi Muloro. No-one is surprised about its great success. The song is from his upcoming album, but fans will have to wait for him to disclose when this album will be released.

Ras Canly (31), who hails from Tshiombo village, is a well-known dance-hall, reggae and hip-hop artist who has collaborated with many other popular artists such as Bomo Unlimited, Mizo Phyl, Prifix, Ramzeey, Metro Cmg, to mention but a few.

He has been making music for some years now. His song Vhutshilo Ri To Fhana, from his debut album Mbilu yanga (My heart), made history in 2017 when it became the first and only reggae song in the history of South African music to win the Song of the Year award at the Tshivenda Music Awards (TSHIMA). His second album, My Pride, won Best Male Artist at the TSHIMA in 2018. Both his albums The Journey (third album, released in 2019) and Hard to Believe (fourth album, released in 2021)

were nominated for Best Reggae Album of the Year at the South African Music Awards (SAMA). Other famous songs by Ras Canly include Hogo, Tshedza, No vha ni ngafhi, Hard to believe (title track), Dzuvha, Why, Too long, and many more.

“I am working with several artists on my next album, including Maumela Mahuwa from the TV soapie Muvhango. I love collaborating with other musicians,” the hitmaker said.

Ras Canly said he wanted to keep making good music and reach his goal of becoming an international artist. Multi award-winning artist Ras Canly. Photo supplied.

Vander the Artist aiming for the top galleries

By Thembi Siaga

Brian Luvhengo, who also goes by the name Vander the Artist, is a gifted young artist from Nzhelele Matanda. The 19-year-old’s

remarkable talent lies in drawing realistic pencil portraits, earning him much respect from art lovers.

Brian has had a true passion for art since he was a young boy. He was later in his life motivated by one of the local artists, Fulufhelo Mawela, known as Stiger the Artist.

After he had finished Grade 12 at Tshamakwatini Secondary School in 2021, Brian took a gap year and rediscovered his passion for drawing, which he said had started to dwindle a little during his secondary school years. He is currently studying art and design at the Tshwane North College.

He said that when

he had first started to share his artwork on Facebook, he had been amazed by the encouragement and feedback he had received. “I was pleasantly surprised. I did not anticipate such a positive response, and I gained many new clients,” he said.

Despite having already gained attention on social media for his impressive skills, Brian believes that he has much more to achieve. “I still believe that there is something special about the human touch that makes art so valuable and important in society,” he said.

Brian said he had made use of many Tube tutorials to refine his artistic abilities. He especially loves doing people’s portraits –whether they are just normal, everyday people or famous people, although he paints as well. He said he would like to start experimenting with painting clothes and shoes. “My ultimate goal is to own an art gallery one day and have my artwork featured on television and in magazines. I hope to become one of South Africa’s renowned artists. I will not rest until I make this happen,” said the determined young man.

Brian “Vander the Artist” Luvhengo can be reached on 079 866 0769.

Phalaphala FM closed the curtain to the 2022/23 financial year with a listeners-feedback session that was conducted live on air on Friday, 10 March. The management and listeners looked back proudly on what was arguably the station’s most glowing year to date.

Having reached 1.1 million listeners and meeting nearly all its financial targets, the Limpopo-based radio station has undoubtedly made great strides. Speaking during the show, Phalaphala FM’s head of programming, Ms Sharon Ravele, praised both her team and the listeners for keeping the Tshivenda radio station on the rise. “We are one with our listeners, and this is clearly visible through our growth in audience and revenue,” she said.

The SABC’s regional marketing manager for Limpopo, Ms Rudzani Mashamba, reflected on the importance of taking the brand to the people. In the past year, the station took their shows to Tshiawelo, as well as the Musina and Collins Chabane municipalities. Mashamba said he reckoned that they were able to get their brand out there for everyone. “We were with and among our listeners; in their homes and at their villages. We dined with them throughout the year, and it is because we are one with them that we were able to grow,” he said.

The station has had some challenges along the way, but Ms Paula Mathonsi, Phalaphala FM’s senior producer of programming, said they were sorting those out. “We are working with our partners and in-house technicians to solve our network and telephone challenges, so these problems will soon be a thing of the past,” she promised.

A concern raised by one of the listeners was the discontinuation of the serial dramas, with the station now opting for soapies instead. The listener said that broadcasting only soapies denied many drama writers and actors a platform to shine and limited creativity by having to listen to the same voices every day.

To this, the station’s senior producer: mandate, Mr Mulalo Ramarumo responded: “It is due to austerity measures that we can’t have serial dramas anymore, but the good thing is that with our soapies, we have a huge pool of writers who are working together to brew the best soapie content ever,” he said.

Brian “Vander the Artist” Luvhengo with some of his beautifully captured portraits. Photo supplied.

The award-winning Tsonga band, MC Mabasa and the Shigombe Sisters, performed live during the Vhembe District's Mayoral Imbizo on Friday, 10 March. The band members (from left to right) in action: Alina Mabasa, Ivy Baloyi, Nomsa Baloyi , Thandy Baloyi and the band leader, MC Mabasa. Photo: Silas Nduvheni.

Phalaphala FM’s programme manager, Ms Sharon Ravele, praised her team for their dedication and hard work. Photo supplied.

Oil flow bins handed out to “bush mechanics” as part of green project

By Silas Nduvheni

To address the problem of oil spillages, caused by bush mechanics operating around the Vhembe area, the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) and Recycling Oil Saves the Environment (ROSE) donated oil flow bins to all four municipalities within the Vhembe District.

This placement of oil flow bins forms part of VDM’s Greening Project. The handover took place at Thulamela’s Tshiulungoma Camp on Wednesday, 8 March. The four municipalities each received 10 oil flow bins to be distributed to mechanics operating around

Three young volunteers fix the potholes at Dzingahe village road

Community News

Potholes continue to pose a major headache for motorists across the Vhembe District. In some areas, though, residents are opting not to wait for the government to fix the roads one day but to make a temporary plan.

Limpopo Mirror caught up with three young men from Dzingahe village, outside Thohoyandou, while they were busy filling up huge potholes with soil on the busy internal road last Thursday (9 March). They do this voluntarily, but they say the monetary donations they get from motorists goes a long way in improving their lives.

Neani Tshikhudo, one of the volunteers, said that although they were worried about the damage caused by the heavy rains in their area, they were happy about the unexpected windfall it had provided them with. “We realised that the local road users were suffering because of the poor conditions of the roads after all the rain. The government cannot be everywhere at the same time to fix roads, and we thought that it would be good to take matters upon ourselves. That is why we decided to volunteer our services for the benefit of our society.”

Orifuna Muofhe added that they were happy that their efforts were seen and appreciated by the road users.

“People can see that we are helping them, and they really appreciate what we do. Some do not donate money, but their encouraging remarks motivate us to go on with our work. There is nothing more fulfilling than being appreciated by your own people, hence we will continue to do good for our people,” he said.

Pro Netshirembe said that although the team enjoyed the work, they did have a shortage of tools. “It does not discourage us to execute our work with pride, but it would be highly appreciated if Good Samaritans could assist us with equipment like picks, spades, wheelbarrows and shovels. That way, we will be able to do an even better job.”

Rights of disabled people protected by the Constitution, says IEC

Musina News

The outreach and training officer of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in the Vhembe District, Mr Khathutshelo Radzilani, said citizenship and democracy engagement must be essential elements of democratic practice if the government wants to fulfil its role of inclusiveness.

Radzilani was addressing people living with disabilities during an educational community engagement on citizenship and democracy at the Musina Disability Centre last Tuesday

(7 March).

“We target various stakeholders in these workshops to make people aware of the importance of democracy. Like all important stakeholders, people living with disabilities should not be left behind in our campaigns. That is why we dedicated this day to engage with them,” said Radzilani. He encouraged disabled people to participate fully in democracy. “We know about the many challenges and barriers that people living with disabilities come across on a daily basis. Previously, disabled people had limited

access to opportunities and services, leading to a systematic imbalance of representation, but now South Africa is a free and democratic country where everyone has the right to enjoy our hard-earned freedom without segregation,” he said.

Radzilani stressed that disabled people are protected by the Constitution of the Republic and their rights are guaranteed, including the right to vote. “People living with disabilities must enjoy equal opportunities in all spheres of life because they are an integral part of our society.

They should not be discriminated against, and they are entitled to represent themselves in all matters,” he said.

The deputy chairperson of the Musina Disability Forum, Ms Taki Motloutsi, thanked the IEC for organising the event. “It is really encouraging to know that, as people living with disabilities, we have the right to participate fully in the democratic activities of our country,” she said.

the area.

The Treeman Environmental Agency received 10 bags of cement, 100 metres of wire, six wheelbarrows and six spades. Mr Ndivhuwo Khantshi, the agency’s project manager, received the donation. The Treeman Environmental Agency is a Vhembe Biosphere Reserve demonstration project that aims to address the crisis around climate change and land degradation by planting trees and restoring degraded land. The project, based in Ha-Matsa village and formally registered in 2021, is 100% youth owned.

“We specialise in indigenous trees in the Southern African

region, such as marula, baobab, and pepper trees, and have planted and donated more than 1 000 trees to schools, churches and households within the Vhembe District Municipality over the past four years as a way to promote greening in action. We are ready to change life for the better for our communities by promoting greening and planting trees at churches and schools as well,” said Khantshi.

He said that the project also played an important role in protecting infrastructure and properties in the surrounding area from excessive heat and natural disasters, such as strong winds and floods.

Ray of hope for poor family from Dzimauli as mayor promises house

By Victor Mukwevho

The Mphigalale family from Tshibvumo village in Dzimauli was offered a ray of hope during an imbizo with members of the community on Friday, 10 March, when the mayor of the Thulamela Local Municipality, Cllr Athingozwidivha Sarah Rammbuda, promised to build the disadvantaged family a brand-new house.

The imbizo was arranged to give the local community an opportunity to highlight their service-delivery needs and concerns.

During the meeting, Rammbuda paid a visit to the home of Mr Aifheli Mphigalale from the Pfimbida section. Mphigalale has been living in a dilapidated mud house with his wife and six children for a very long time. In response to the call of those in need, Rammbuda pledged to build them a proper house. “We are

only asking that the family be patient for a little while longer, as the house will be constructed within the next financial year, which starts on the 1st of July 2023,” she said.

The family, along with other needy households, also received food parcels during the imbizo. Mphigalale’s wife, Ms Tendani Mphigalale, said she was very thankful to everyone who had gone to the municipality on their behalf and told them about their suffering. “I would like to thank Vhakoma, our headman, Thovhele Vho-Ratshibvumo Rammbuda and the government for visiting our family today. I never thought that, as poor as we are, such dignitaries would

ever visit us one day. We sleep in this one room with our six children and there is no privacy at all for us as parents. May the Good Lord bless you for what you have done to this family today,” she said.

From left to right: Pro Netshirembe, Neani Tshikhudo and Orifuna Muofhe voluntarily fix the roads at their home village of Dzingahe.

The outreach and training officer of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in the Vhembe District, Mr Khathutshelo Radzilani, said people living with disabilities were protected by our Constitution..

The project manager of the Treeman Environmental Agency, Mr Ndivhuwo Khantshi (second from left), Ms Rose Mathukha, representing the VDM, and some of the other councillors from the Vhembe District photographed during the handing over of building materials and oil flow bins at Thulamela’s Tshiulungoma Camp on Wednesday, 8 March. Photo: Silas Nduvheni.

The mayor of Thulamela Municipality, Cllr Athingozwidivha Sara Rammbuda, hands over food parcels to Ms Tendani Mphigalale (right) and Vhakoma Vho-Merriam Nemahunguwi during the imbizo at Dzimauli last Friday. Photo supplied.

The Mphigalale family’s homestead at Tshibvumo village in Dzimauli. Photo supplied.

Local designers still raving about First Style Designs’ fashion show in Thohoyandou

By Maanda Bele

Local designers are still raving about the fashion show hosted by First Style Designs at the Porche Villa Hotel in Tswinga on 18 February this year, where they showed off their unique designs on the runway.

The founder of First Style De-

signs, Ms Azwinndini Muvhango, said the aim of the event was to give local designers the opportunity to showcase their own designs and see what other designers were doing.

“Pop-up shops were also set up in front of the fair where their designs could be showcased. We had local designers like Melpree, Popi Meregi, Valore Diligenta from

VD Emporium, Simply Lushaka, Loud Designs, Enda Group, Africa Fashion Alive, Lekxie Elite Boutique, Agnes Ndou, J Maroka, and others.”

Muvhango was very satisfied that the show had gone so well. “We reached out to various stakeholders and the project was led by Jane International Luxe and Sandra Nngwedzeni Ndou. We also received support and funding from the National Arts Council, the National and Vhembe Department of Sport, Art and Culture, the Presidential Incentive, Univen FM, and Mazuwo Media. We managed to create employment for various companies and individuals, such as Porche Villa for locals, music DJs and makeup artists, and we managed to recruit 15 local models and one from Swaziland.”

Muvhango said First Style Designs recognised the textile and fashion industry as being among the largest and fastest-growing economic sectors in Africa. “The fashion show was about more than showing off the latest designs. It was about shedding light on perspectives. As we seek solutions to various challenges in Africa, First Style Designs is committed to promoting commerce between local entrepreneurs from catwalks to retail and developing a viable marketplace,” she said. She went on to say that First Style Designs would this year incubate designers and models to train them on various aspects of the business through a range of activities, including an artist development workshop. She said the only challenge they face was a low turnout because of a lack of connectivity, flooding and the weather.

“I would like to thank the people who took part in the project: Lindiwe Gigaba from AFA Company and her team, young artist DJ Jabulani, the MC and the photographers. By the grace of God, everything went well,” she said.

Scholars can apply for US exchange programmes

By Anton van Zyl

A delegation from the United States’ Mission to South Africa’s Public Diplomacy Section visited the Vhembe region earlier this month to, among others, raise awareness of the exchange opportunities that are available.

The delegates visited the University of Venda (Univen) and met with alumni of various U.S. government-funded exchange programmes, such as the Fulbright Foreign Student Program,

the Community College Initiative, and the Mandela Washington Fellowship.

According to Ms Heather Wright, a public diplomacy officer at the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria, the visit to Limpopo served several purposes. They also visited the University of Limpopo and various libraries, such as the Polokwane City Library. It helped them to gain greater insight into local universities’ priorities and to seek out new collaborations.

During the visit, the US Mission’s exchange programmes

were highlighted and people were encouraged to apply before the deadlines. Three main opportunities were highlighted, the first being the Public Diplomacy Section’s funding opportunities. Applications for funding must be submitted before April 30. Applications for one of the US Government’s flagship academic exchange programmes, the Fulbright Foreign Student Program, can already be submitted. This programme allows academic scholars to pursue their post-graduate studies in the United States.

The deadline for applications is 1 May.

The third programme, the Opportunity Funds Program, is for academically strong students of modest financial means and helps them seek partial and full scholarships for study in the United States. Applicants should not have commenced their undergraduate or graduate studies. The deadline for entries is 1 April.

To learn more about U.S. Government Funded Exchanges, please visit https://za.usembassy. gov/education.

New secretary for EFF in Vhembe

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Vhembe elected Seani Sadiki Lusunzi as their new secretary during the party’s regional general assembly, held at the Makwarela Community Hall last Saturday afternoon (11 March). Lusunzi replaces Tshilidzi Maraga, who has been appointed as the provincial chairperson of the EFF.

Vhembe Retired Educators Association (VREA)

will hold their first general election since if was started in May 2018.

Venue: Babylon Leisure Park, Thohoyandou

Date: 5 April 2023 Time: 10h00

All members are invited.

Photographed during the delegation’s visit to the Vhembe District are, from left to right, Ruth Koko (U.S. Embassy); Rendi Nemutandani (CCI alumna); Lufuluvhi Mudimeli (UNIVEN, SUSI alumna); Vusani Mavhungu (UNIVEN); David Tshidzumba (MWF alumnus); Thabo Dikgale (UNIVEN); Deon Mungadi (sports envoy alumnus); Heather Wright (U.S. Embassy); Segun Obadire (UNIVEN, IVLP alumnus) and Charmain Botha (U.S. Embassy).

Ntokozo Mpongos models another lovely dress by designer Thanyani Brand from the Enda Group. Photo supplied.

Model Thabelo Negogo rocks designer Muvhango Azwinndini’s beautiful designs on the catwalk. Photo supplied.

After the fashion show, designers and models posed for a photo. Photo supplied.

the specified period the Executrix shall proceed with the distribu�on of the estate to the beneficiaries. Dated at on this 28 February 2023.

Advocate RJ Makhera Chambers, Stand no: 741,Thohoyandou Block G Ext, Corner Gole & Tshedza Street, Thohoyandou Email: rjmakhera@gmail. com. REF RJ/EST/MHM/46/2022.

ADV R J MAKHERA CHAMBERS

NOTICE IN TERMS OF SECTION 35 (5) OF ACT 66 OF 1965

The first and final liquida�on and distribu�on account in the estate of the late RAVELE MABUNGO

ANDRIES ID NO: 310103 5185 084 of Stand no: 889 Thohoyandou P East, Thulamela Municipality, Vhembe District, Limpopo Province. Estate NO: 860/2022 shall lie for inspec�on at the offices of the Master of the High Court, Thohoyandou, for a period of twenty one (21) days as from the date of publica�on hereof.

Should no objec�on be lodged with the Master’s office within the specified period the Executor shall proceed with the distribu�on of the estate to the beneficiaries. Dated at on this 14 March 2023.

Advocate RJ Makhera Chambers, Stand no: 741, Thohoyandou Block G Ext, Corner Gole & Tshedza

Street, Thohoyandou Email: rjmakhera@gmail. com.

REF RJ/EST/RMA/3/2023.

ADVOCATE A G MPHANAMA

NOTICE IN TERMS OF SECTION 35 (5) OF ACT 66 OF 1965

In the Estate of the Late NEGUKHULA HULISANI (ID No.680827 5319 085) married to MAKUNGO THIHANEDZWI VERONICA (ID NO.710702 0117 087)

Last address: Box 3105

Shayandima 0945 3284

Shayandima, Estate No: 002280/2022

Master of High Court

Thohoyandou will be open for inspec�on for a period of 30 days from date of publica�on at the Master’s offices. Should no objec�ons be lodged with the Master’s offices during the specified period, the executor will proceed to make payments in accordance with the said account.

Signed at Thohoyandou on this the 13th of March 2023

Adv Mphanama AG Chambers, Site 616 Manini Block”K” por�on, Builders express road to Tswinga, Thohoyandou Tell:0159620101/

Email: advmphanama@ gmail.com Ref:EST/010/22

BENJAMIN MLOCHE ATTORNEYS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN TERMS OF SECTION 29 (1) OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES ACT 66 OF 1965

In The Deceased Estate of late TINTSWAKE VINCENT

MAGAGANI

ID No: 430701 5451 086,

Date of death: 14th 07 2022, ESTATE NO: 2499/2022, LAST

ADDRESS: House Number: 3135, Sec�on A, Giyani Township, Mopani District, LIMPOPO PROVINCE. All persons having complaints and claims against the above estate are called upon to contact the appointed Executrix within thirty (30) days of the publica�on of this no�ce.

The name of the Executor/Executrix is as follow: MAEMU SARAH

MAGAGANI, IDENTITY NUMBER 610217 0200 081 and the name of the agent is as follows:

BENJAMIN MLOCHE ATTORNEYS. Office No: 02, Sec�on A, Vahlave Complex, Giyani, P.o.box 6395, Giyani 0826.

TELFAX: 015 812 0189 /

CELL: 071 630 1831

REF: 15/2022EST/M

GLOBAL SOLUTION DEVELOPMENT (PTY) LTD

NOTICE OF BASIC ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROPOSED NEW DEVELOPMENT, NEW COMPLEX AND FILING/ GAS STATION AT DUMASI

VILLAGE, PORTION OF A FARM ON MPHAPHULI 28LT THULAMELA

LOCAL MUNICIPALITY OF VHEMBE DISTRICT, LIMPOPO PROVINCE. GLOBAL SOLUTION DEVELOPMENT

REFERENCE NO: GDS No�ce is given for a Basic Assessment (BA) process being undertaken on behalf of Mr Nekhumbe N (the proponent) for

the proposed new development, new complex and filing/ gas sta�on at Dumasi Village, por�on of a farm on Mphaphuli 28LT Thulamela Local Municipality of Vhembe District, Limpopo Province.

PROPOSED ACTIVITY

In terms of NEMA EIA Regula�ons,2014 as published in Government, Act 1998(Act No 107 of 1998),No�ce No 326 of 7 April 2017,the proposed establishment of a new development, new complex and filing/gas sta�on project triggers the following ac�vi�es : Ac�vity 14 and 27 of GNR 983 of 2014 , in terms of NEMA.

PROPONENT AND PROJECT LOCATION

Global Solu�on Development (Pty)Ltd is the Environmental Assessment Prac��oner (EAP) appointed by Mr Nekhumbe N to obtain an Environmental Authorisa�on for the proposed new development, new complex and filing/gas sta�on. The site is located at GPS Coordinates: La�tudes (S) 22º 57ʹ 04.14ʺS Longitudes (E) 30º33ʹ 47.33ʺE

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

PROCESS Interested and Affected Par�es (I&Aps) are invited to register and submit wri�en representa�ons or objec�ons to Global Solu�on Development (PTY) LTD.

Representa�ons should include your name, contact details (preferred method of no�fica�on e.g., Email address or fax number) and indica�on of any direct business, financial, personal or other interest in the proposed development. These may be submi�ed within 30 working days from the date of this publica�on. Sepoli R.D, P.O. BOX , SHAYANDIMA, 0945, Tel:081 824 5565, Cell:079 235 2106, Email:globalsolu�ondev@ gmail.com

KERN & DEKKER INC

No�ce to Creditors in terms of Sec�on 29 (1) of the Administra�on of Estates Act 66 of 1965 in the estate late: KGWARA INNOCENTIA SINGO

ID No : 660320 0400 088

DATE OF DEATH : 4 JUNE

2015

FROM: Stand 1223, Nancefield Ext 2, Musina, Limpopo

All persons having claims against the abovemen�oned estate must lodge it with the Executor concerned within 30 days (or as indicated) from date of publica�on hereof.

Name and address of executor / administrators of the estate: MRS. LOUISE DEKKER

C/O KERN, DEKKER & MUTHEVHULI INC. 105 Krogh Street P.o Box 25 Louis Trichardt 0920

REF: L DEKKER/IR/A17614

LIGEGE AND ASSOCIATES INC.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN TERMS OF SECTION 29 (1)

OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES ACT 66 OF 1965

All persons having claims against the undermen�oned estate must lodge it with the Executor concerned within 30 days (or as indicated) from date of publica�on hereof.

Estate no: 2504/2023

Master’s Office: Thohoyandou, Surname: MOTAU

Names: RAMBELANI NANCY, Date of birth:12-12-1950 Id No.5012120950084 Last address: Ha-Mutsha Date of death:2006-12-10, Name and Address of Executor or Authorised agent: Ligege and associates inc . House No. 689, Sibasa Street, Block P. West Thohoyandou, 0950, TEL:015 962 0509, EMAIL: info@ ligegeandassociatesinc. co.za

M K MULAUDZI

ATTORNEYS

NOTICE IN TERMS OF SECTION 35 (5) OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES ACT 66 OF 1965

First and Final Liquida�on and Distribu�on Account in the Estate of the late TSHABUSE NTIKEDZENI OF ID NO. 900416 5752 083, who died on 14TH of OCTOBER 2021,

Master’s Reference no: 2576/2021, Master’s office will be open for inspec�on for a period of 21 days from the date of Publica�on of the Master’s office. Should no objec�on be lodged with the Master’s office during the specified period, the executor will proceed to make payments in accordance with the said account. Dated and signed at Thohoyandou on this the 13th day of March 2023.

Executor: MK MULAUDZI

ATTORNEYS, Munaka Madilonge Medical & Maternity Centre, Office 12, 670 P West, Mphephu Drive, Thohoyandou, 0950

Tel/Fax: 015 962 0966

Cell: 060 659 6935

Email: mkmulaudzi a�orneys@gmail.com Ref: MKM/EST15/2021

MAKHUVHA E M ATTORNEYS

NOTICE IN TERMS OF SECTION 35 (5) OF ACT 66 OF 1965

The First and Final Liquida�on and Distribu�on Account in the Estate Late RAVHUDZULO RUDZANI

SIMEON, ID NO: 571018 5639 084 of THENGWE

MADZIVHANANI, HOUSE NO. A0020. Estate no:

1193/2020

First Names of Surviving Spouse: JOYCE GONANANI Surname of Surviving Spouse: RAVHUDZULO

ID No: 640619 0664 089

Magistrate’s office:

Thohoyandou Master’s office: Thohoyandou High Court Will be open for inspec�on for a period of 21 days from date of publica�on at the Master’s offices. Should no objec�on be lodged with the master’s office during the specified period, the executor will

proceed to make payments in accordance with the said account. Signed at Thohoyandou on this the 09th day of March 2023.

MAKHUVHA E.M ATTORNEYS

Thohoyandou Block P East House No: 773, Pfunzo Street.

Tel: 015 960 1488

Email: makhuvhaem a�orneys@telkomsa.net / makhuvhaema�@gmail. com

MASINDI T.E ATTORNEYS

NOTICE IN TERMS SECTION

35(5) OF ACT 66 OF 1965

The First and Final Liquida�on and Distribu�on Account in the Estate of the late MULAUDZI NALEDZANI BETHUEL of ID No. 630430 5067 084 of Tshisahulu, Limpopo Province, who died on the 2022-10-04, Ref No. 2024/2022, Master’s Office: Thohoyandou will be open for inspec�on for a period of 21 days from date of publica�on at the Mater’s offices. Should no objec�on be lodged with the master’s office during the specified period, the executor will proceed to make payments in accordance with the said account. Masindi A�orneys. Mphephu Drive, Thohoyandou 2010 Centre, Office no 1B, opposite Vhembe FM & GEPF , 0950, TEL: 082 536 5418, EMAIL: info@masindite a�orneys.co.za.

MUTHIVHITHIVHI ATTORNEYS

NOTICE IN TERMS OF SECTION 35 (5) OF ACT 66 OF 1965

Pursuant to the provisions of Sec�on 35(5) of Act, 66 of 1965, no�ce is hereby given that the First and Final Liquida�on and Distribu�on Account in the Estate of the Late NETSHIDZATI MUKONDELELI DANIEL of ID no. 361121 5130 080 who died on the 30-092020, of Ha -Mukununde Niani, Limpopo Province, Estate No. 1887/2022 will lie for inspec�on at

the Master of the High Court, Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province and the Magistrate’s Office, Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province, for a period of twenty one (21) days, calculated from the date of publica�on hereof.

SIGNED: Muthivhithivhi

K.A

Muthivhithivhi A�orneys

EXECUTOR

Stand no 445 P. East Thohoyandou opp Thavhani Mall

MVUNDLELA & ASSOCIATES

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN TERMS OF SECTION 29 (1) OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES ACT 66 OF 1965

In the estate of the late MUDAU MBANGISENI ROBERT who died on the 08th of December 2022. Masters reference 000245/2023. Creditors and Debtors are hereby called upon to submit the claims and to pay their debts within 30 days of the publica�on of this adver�sement.

Name of Authorised agent: MVUNDLELA & ASSOCIATES ATTORNEYS , House Number 553, Murangi Street, Block P East, Thohoyandou, 0950

TEL: 015 962 2953

FAX: 015 962 2913

EMAIL: info@mvundlela

a�orneys.co.za

REF: MVU/EST/PJ/883

NETSHILEMA

ATTORNEYS

NOTICE IN TERMS OF SECTION 35 (5) OF ACT 66 OF 1965

ESTATE OF THE LATE

TSHIVHASE ABEL

ESTATE NO: 0069/2023

ID NO: 531212 5713 085

Date of death 2022/09/28

Last address: Hamakhuvha Village Stand No 35. No�ce is hereby given that copies of the liquida�on and distribu�on accounts in the estate above will be open for inspec�on of all persons with interest therein for a period of 21 days from the date specified or from the date of publica�on hereof and at the Thohoyandou Masters of

the High Court. Should no objec�on thereto be lodged with the Masters concerned during the specified period, the executors will proceed to make payments in accordance with the accounts.

NETSHILEMA ATTORNEYS

INC

150 Tshedza Street,Block A,Sibasa. Po box 1440, Sibasa, 0970.

Tel: 015 004 1370

Email: admin@netshilema

a�orneys.co.za

Ref: Est ABEL TSHIVHASE

NETSHILEMA ATTORNEYS

NOTICE IN TERMS OF SECTION 35 (5) OF ACT 66

OF 1965

ESTATE OF THE LATE

MUSHIANE NYAMBENI

EMMA

ESTATE NO: 000099/2023

ID NO: 320229 0208 080

Date of death 2019/03/03

Last address: VUWANI HOUSE NO 12

No�ce is hereby given that copies of the liquida�on and distribu�on accounts in the estate above will be open for inspec�on of all persons with interest therein for a period of 21 days from the date specified or from the date of publica�on hereof and at the Thohoyandou Masters of the High Court. Should no objec�on thereto be lodged with the Masters concerned during the specified period, the executors will proceed to make payments in accordance with the accounts. The adver�sement should run on the 17TH March 2023.

NETSHILEMA ATTORNEYS INC 150 Tshedza Street,Block A,Sibasa. Po box 1440, Sibasa, 0970. Tel: 015 004 1370 Email: admin@netshilema a�orneys.co.za Ref: Est MUSHIANE

NOTICE OF THE APPLICATION OF SMALL FREE STANDING AND LOCAL CONVENIENCE IN TERMS OF SECTION 76 OF THE MAKHADO MUNICIPALITY SPATIAL PLANNING LAND USE MANAGEMENT BY-LAW 2016, STAND NUMBER 1082, RABALI VILLAGE

I, Tshilimandila Mamoletse Albertinah, being the owner of Stand 1082, Rabali Village hereby give notice in terms of section (92) of the Makhado Municipality By-Law 2016, that I have applied for a Small Free Standing and Local Convenience at Stand number 1082,Rabali village in terms of Section 76 of the Makhado Municipality Spatial Planning and Land Use Management By-Law (2016) read together with the provision of Spatial Planning and Land use Management Act (2013).

Details of the application will lie for inspection during normal office hours at the office of the Director: Planning and Development, Civic Centre, 83 Krogh Street, Louis Trichardt. For a period of 28 days from the 16th of March 2023 until the 13th of April 2023. Any objections or interest should be forwarded in writing to the office of the Municipal Manager, Makhado Municipality, Private Bag X2596, Louis Trichardt,0920.

Details of Applicant: Tshilimandila Mamoletse Albertinah, P.O Box 211, Nzhelele, 0955, Cellphone number: 0824941128.

NDIVHADZO YA KHUMBELO YO ITWAHO SMALL FREE STANDING AND LOCAL CONVENIENCE UYA NGA

KHETHEKHANYO YA 76 YA MAKHADO MUNICIPAL ITY SPATIAL PLANNING LAND USE MANAGEMENT BY-LAW 2016, STAND NUMBER A007, TSHIKWARANI

Nne Tshilimandila Mamoletse Albertinah, , mune wa tshitentsi tsha 1082 Ha- Rabali. Ndi khou nekedza ndivhadzo uya nga khethekanyo (92) ya Makhado Municipality By-Law 2016 ya uri huna khumbelo yo itiwaho kha masipala wa Makhado ya Small Free Standing and Local Convenience kha tshitentsi 1082, Ha- Rabali u ya khethekanyo 76 Makhado Municipality Spatial Planning and Land Use Management By-Law (2016) I tshi vhaliwa na manetshedzwa a Spatial Planning and Land use Management Act (2013).

Vhane vha takalela u vhala zwidodombezwa zwa Khumbelo iyi vha nga dalela ofisi ya minidzhere muhulwane wa kudzudzanyele na mveledziso wa Masipala wa Makhado. Manwala a khumbelo iyi a do wanala lwa maduvha a 28, dzi 16 Thafamuhwe 2023 u swika nga dzi 13 Lambamai 2023 . Zwothe zwi kwamaho khumbelo iyi vhanga zwilivhisa kha diresi I tevhelaho:Municipal Manager, Makhado Local Municipality, Private Bag X2596,Louis Trichardt,0920

Zwidodombedzwa zwa muhumbeli: Tshilimandila Mamoletse Albertinah, , P.O Box 211, Nzhelele, 0955, Cellphone number: 0824941128. Ad designed by Zoutnet Publishers

To advertise on our classified page, please contact us at Tel: 015 516 4996 or E-mial: luandi@zoutnet.co.za

Legals, Tenders, Vacancies and other classifieds

NOTICE OF THE APPLICATION OF SMALL FREE STANDING AND LOCAL CONVENIENCE IN TERMS OF SECTION 76 OF THE MAKHADO MUNICIPALITY SPATIAL PLANNING LAND USE MANAGEMENT BY-LAW 2016, STAND NUMBER C013N, MIGAVHINI VILLAGE

I, Mphephu Malindela Edward, being the owner of Stand C013N, Migavhini Village hereby give notice in terms of section (92) of the Makhado Municipality By-Law 2016, that I have applied for a Small Free Standing and Local Convenience at Stand number C013N,Migavhini village in terms of Section 76 of the Makhado Municipality Spatial Planning and Land Use Management By-Law (2016) read together with the provision of Spatial Planning and Land use Management Act (2013).

Details of the application will lie for inspection during normal office hours at the office of the Director: Planning and Development, Civic Centre, 83 Krogh Street, Louis Trichardt. For a period of 28 days from the 16th of March 2023 until the 13th April 2023.Any objections or interest should be forwarded in writing to the office of the Municipal Manager, Makhado Municipality, Private Bag X2596, Louis Trichardt,0920.

Details of Applicant: Mphephu Malindela Edward, P.O Box 452, Dzanani, 0955, Cellphone number: 0711773457.

NDIVHADZO YA KHUMBELO YO ITWAHO SMALL FREE STANDING AND LOCAL CONVENIENCE UYA NGA

KHETHEKHANYO YA 76 YA MAKHADO MUNICIPALITY SPATIAL PLANNING LAND USE MANAGEMENT BY-LAW

2016, STAND NUMBER C013N, MIGAVHINI VILLAGE

Nne, Mphephu Malindela Edward, mune wa tshitentsi tsha C013N, Migavhini. Ndi khou nekedza ndivhadzo uya nga khethekanyo (92) ya Makhado Municipality By-Law 2016 ya uri huna khumbelo yo itiwaho kha masipala wa Makhado ya Small Free Standing and Local Convenience kha tshitentsi C013N Migavhini, u ya khethekanyo 76 Makhado Municipality Spatial Planning and Land Use Management By-Law (2016) I tshi vhaliwa na manetshedzwa a Spatial Planning and Land use Management Act (2013).

Vhane vha takalela u vhala zwidodombezwa zwa Khumbelo iyi vha nga dalela ofisi ya minidzhere muhulwane wa kudzudzanyele na mveledziso wa Masipala wa Makhado. Manwala a khumbelo iyi a do wanala lwa maduvha a 28, U bva nga dzi 16 Thafamuhwe 2023 u swika nga dzi 13 Lambamai 2023. Zwothe zwi kwamaho khumbelo iyi vhanga zwilivhisa kha diresi I tevhelaho:Municipal Manager, Makhado Local Municipality, Private Bag X2596,Louis Trichardt,0920

Zwidodombedzwa zwa muhumbeli:

Mphephu Malindela Edward, P.O Box 452, Dzanani, 0955, Cellphone number: 0711773457. Ad designed by Zoutnet Publishers

THULAMELA MUNICIPALITY

EXTERNAL ADVERTISEMENT

Private Bag X5066 Thohoyandou 0950

Limpopo Province

Tel: (015) 962 7500

Fax: (015) 962 4020 (015) 962 5328

THULAMELA MUNICIPALITY HEAD OFFICE: THE ECONOMIC HUB OF VHEMBE REGION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER INVITE APPLICATIONS FROM SUITABLE CANDIDATES FOR APPOINTMENT ON THE FOLLOWING VACANT POSTS.

1. DEPARTMENT: CORPORATE SERVICES

DIVISION: AUXILLIARY AND TRANSPORT SERVICES

POSITION: DRIVER

POST LEVEL: 10

NUMBER OF POSTS: 01

ANNUAL SALARY: R237 454.92

REQUIREMENTS

• Grade 12 Certificate plus code 10 (C1) drivers license and Public Drivers License (PDP).

• Be able to drive outside the Jurisdiction of Limpopo Province eg Gauteng.

• Be able to check daily inspection form.

• At least 2-3 years experience in driving small vehicle and trucks.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Deliver official documents to various government institution.

• To collect official documents from Municipal satellite offices.

• To ferry officials for trips in and outside the jurisdiction of Limpopo Province eg Gauteng Province

2. DEPARTMENT: OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL MANAGER

DIVISION: INTERNAL AUDIT

POSITION: INTERNAL AUDITOR

POST LEVEL: 05

NUMBER OF POSTS: 01

ANNUAL SALARY: R484 840.92

REQUIREMENTS

• Grade 12 certificate plus National Diploma in Internal Auditing/ BTech in Internal Auditing/ B.Com Degree.

• At least 2-5 years in Internal Audit experience.

• Computer literacy including MS Office programs.

• Knowledge and understanding of standards (ISPPIA)

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop risk-based Internal Audit plan.

• Conduct audit assignment in accordance with approved methodology.

• Compile Internal Audit reports.

• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Senior Internal Auditor and Chief Audit Executive.

3. DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES

DIVISION: PARKS AND CEMETERIES

POSITION: GENERAL ASSISTANT

POST LEVEL: 15

NUMBER OF POSTS: 01

ANNUAL SALARY: R156 760.80

REQUIREMENTS

• Grade 12 certificate and testimonial confirming gardening experience.

• Minimum 1-2 years previous practical gardening experience as well as knowledge of plants and horticultural techniques.

• Be able to work under pressure.

4 Full colour adverts from as little as R2 050 p/month

george@zoutnet.co.za or marketing@zoutnet.co.za

NOTICE OF THE APPLICATION OF A SMALL FREE STANDING AND LOCAL CONVENIENCE CENTER IN TERMS OF SECTION 76 OF THE MAKHADO MUNICIPALITY SPATIAL PLANNING LAND USE MANAGEMENT BY-LAW 2016 AT STAND NUMBER 5, MATANDA VILLAGE.

I, Tshilimandila Nkhelebeni Piet , being the owner of Stand No.5 Matanda Village, hereby give notice in terms of Section (92) of the Makhado Municipality By-Law 2016, that I have applied for a Small Free Standing and Local Convenience Center at Stand number 5,Matanda village in terms of Section 76 of the Makhado Municipality Spatial Planning and Land Use Management By-Law (2016) read together with the provision of Spatial Planning and Land use Management Act (2013).

Details of the application will lie for inspection during normal office hours at the office of the Director: Planning and Development, Civic Centre, 83 Krogh Street, Louis Trichardt. For a period of 28 days from the 16th of March 2023 until the 13th April 2023. Any objections or interest should be forwarded in writing to the office of the Municipal Manager, Makhado Municipality, Private Bag X2596, Louis Trichardt,0920.

Details of Applicant: Tshilimandila Nkhelebeni Piet, P.O Box 211, Nzhelele, 0955, Cellphone number: 0824941128. NDIVHADZO YA KHUMBELO YO ITWAHO YA SMALL FREE STANDING AND LOCAL CONVENIENCE U YA NGA

KHETHEKHANYO YA 76 YA MAKHADO MUNICIPALITY SPATIAL PLANNING LAND USE MANAGEMENT BY-LAW 2016, KHA TSHITENTSI TSHA NOMBORO YA VHUTANU (5), KHA SHANGO LA MATANDA

Nne, Tshilimandila Nkhelebeni Piet, mune wa tshitentsi tsha nomboro ya vhutanu (5) tshi re Matanda, ndi khou nekedza ndivhadzo uya nga khethekanyo (92) ya Makhado Municipality By-Law 2016 ya uri huna khumbelo yo itiwaho kha masipala wa Makhado ya Small Free Standing and Local Convenience kha tshitentsi tsha nomboro ya Vhutanu (5) Matanda, u ya khethekanyo 76 Makhado Municipality Spatial Planning and Land Use Management By-Law(2016) I tshi vhaliwa na manetshedzwa a Spatial Planning and Land use Management Act (2013).

Vhane vha takalela u vhala zwidodombezwa zwa Khumbelo iyi vha nga dalela ofisi ya minidzhere muhulwane wa kudzudzanyele na mveledziso wa Masipala wa Makhado. Manwala a khumbelo iyi a do wanala lwa maduvha a 28, u bva nga dzi 16 Thafamuhwe 2023 u swika nga dzi 13 Lambamai 2023 .Zwothe zwi kwamaho khumbelo iyi vhanga zwi livhisa kha diresi I tevhelaho: Municipal Manager, Makhado Local Municipality, Private Bag X2596, Louis Trichardt,0920. Zwidodombedzwa zwa muhumbeli: Tshilimandila Nkhelebeni Piet, P.O 211, Nzhelele, 0955, Cellphone number: 0824941128. Ad designed by Zoutnet Publishers

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Greening and maintenance of all Municipal facilities.

• Maintenance of all Municipal cemeteries.

• Maintain and establish of new gardens.

• Control alien plants and weed control.

• Maintain and develop hard and dry gardens.

4. DEPARTMENT: GOVERNANCE

DIVISION: SPEAKER’S OFFICE

POSITION: CHAUFFER (DRIVER) FIXED TERM CONTRACT LINKED TO THE TERM OF THE SPEAKER

POST LEVEL: 08

NUMBER OF POSTS: 01

ANNUAL SALARY: R334 303.68

REQUIREMENTS

• Grade 12 certificate plus a valid code 10 (C1) drivers license with Public Drivers Permit (PDP).

• Defensive driving, VIP protection, Competency certificate for firearm.

• Valid firearm license, have received training as a Police Officer or a Traffic Officer or Security certificate.

• 2 years experience in related field.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure safe driving of the Speaker during imbizo and meetings.

• Ensure that the vehicle is clean, well maintained and serviceable at all times.

• Must keep all records of all trips.

• Must verify notes and location to be visited on a daily basis.

• Any other duties delegated by the Speaker.

5. DEPARTMENT: COMMUNITY SERVICES

DIVISION: ENVIRONMENTAL & WASTE MANAGEMENT

POSITION: GENERAL ASSISTANT

POST LEVEL: 15

NUMBER OF POSTS: 02

ANNUAL SALARY: R156 760.80

REQUIREMENTS

• Grade 12 Certificate and testimonial confirming cleaning experience.

• 1-2 years experience in cleaning/ refuse removal.

• Be able to work under pressure.

RESPONSIBILITIES

•

• Refuse removal from household, business and government institution.

• Cleaning of municipal building and recreation facilities.

• Sweeping of street, sidewalks, taxi rank and bus rank.

• Empty street and public dustbins.

• Removal of building rubbles from public places.

• Perform any other duties delegated by the supervisor.

NB. Application must be submitted on the signed Thulamela Local Municipality application form obtainable on the website:www.thulamela.gov.za. accompanied by comprehensive CV and certified copies of certificates to be forwarded to: The Municipal Manager, Thulamela Municipality, P/Bag x5066,Thohoyandou, 0950 or may be handed in at Office no.130B during working hours. People with disability are encouraged to apply. For administrative enquiries contact: Ramugondo R.R @ 015 962 7643 or Thenga A.R. @ 015 962 7775

Closing date: 06 April 2023

Should you not be contacted within 30 days after the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful. Qualifications and previous employment background check will be carried out to all shortlisted candidates.

Munzhelele is ready for Two Oceans

By Kaizer Nengovhela

Local long-distance runner Timothy Munzhelele is confident that he will do well in the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town, which takes place on 15 April. Munzhelele is in excellent form and even managed to win gold in the

SPAR Tzaneen Tuffy 4-in-1 Marathon the past weekend.

The athlete from Makonde, who competes under the banner of the Murray & Roberts Athletics Club, completed Saturday’s race in Tzaneen in just over two hours and 45 minutes. The week before he finished fourth in the Marakele

Marathon.

He was very happy to have won the marathon in Tzaneen.

“It was a tough race for me, but everything went as planned. I didn’t expect this to be such a fast race,” he said. Last year, he ended second in this race.

Munzhelele started running during his high school years at Nyadzani Secondary in Thengwe. “Everything comes from commitment and focus.

I am focused and determined because I run for a living, and with the support I get from my team, I hope for the best.”

He spends most of his time training. “I believe that sports will help me prepare for my future. Participating in sports helps you to succeed in other areas of your life as well. It makes you more focused and driven,” he said.

He acknowledged and thanked all the people who have sponsored him throughout his running career. “Many people have sponsored me financially, morally and encouraged me to work hard. If it were not for them, I don’t think I would have made it this far,” he said.

His advice to other athletes who want to achieve their goals is to stay focused and put everything in God’s hands.

Cross remembers the good old days

Published by Zoutnet

By Victor Mukwevho

The very first football captain of the first Venda Football Squad, Mr Robert “Cross” Phalanndwa (81), started playing football at the tender age of six years.

Ramulifho vows to win in Cape Town and have a go at the title

By Victor Mukwevho

Local middle-weight boxing

pugilist Fhulufhelo Ramulifho is optimistic that he will win the Western Cape Provincial Championship when he faces Dillion Solomon at the Sunningdale Sports Complex in Cape Town next Friday (24 March).

After a tough training session at the Sports and Art Centre on Monday morning, 13 March, the soft-spoken boxer from Thohoyandou said he was very confident that he would beat his opponent hands down. “I have been training very hard for the

past six weeks for this fight.

It is the most important fight in my boxing career. The winner of this fight will be able to challenge for the South African Championship title, so I will do all I can to win the fight,” he said. His training manager, John “Smoking Joe” Nemakonde, concurred with the talented boxer and said they were ready for the fight. “We can even fight Solomon anytime, anywhere. Our stable has only one national champion in Raider Muleba. It is time to produce more boxing champions from the Vhembe Municipality, and Ramulifho has all the potential to become

a champion,” he said.

When asked how a boxer from Limpopo managed to get to fight for the Western Cape Provincial Championship belt, he explained that boxing worked differently from other sporting codes. “In boxing, if there is a shortage of boxers in a certain division in one province, we take a boxer from another province to fight for the championship. Dillion Solomon is the only super middle-weight boxer in the Western Cape, while Ramulifho is the only super middle-weight boxer in the Limpopo Province, so they have to fight to improve their ratings,” he said.

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Born at Tshitereke village in 1942, Phalanndwa moved to Khubvi village in 1954. He played with other gifted young players such as Tshipuliso Nemavhola and T Khomunala for Goldville Young Tigers juniors in the mid-1950s. Because of his immense talent, he was recruited to join Thomengo FC in 1956, when he was only 14 years old.

“The first football team in Khubvi village, Thomengo FC, was formed by the late Mr Masindi Philemon Madula in 1955. It is not Khubvi Peace Makers as many people believe,” he said. Phalanndwa said he was elected as captain when the Venda Football Squad was assembled in 1963. He also excelled in athletics and represented his region in athletics meetings many times. In 1964, when he was in Standard 6 (Grade 8), the first squad of the Venda National Team was selected by the football administrators in those days, the late Mr Freddy Ambani and the late Mr Jonathan Netshisumbewa.

Maindis Ladies getting desperate and must beat the UWC students

By Frank Mavhungu

Maindis Ladies are still to win a league match this season. The team have failed to collect even a single point from the five matches they have played to date. Whether the Bungeni side will resurrect from the grave and beat the University of the Western Cape FC when they meet in their Hollywoodbets Super League match at the Malamulele Stadium on Saturday remains to be seen.

Mamuha

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The Venda National Team’s first game, Phalanndwa remembers, was against Musina XI, who had players from Zimbabwe and Malawi who were working at the mine. “Even though we lost the game 3-2, we outclassed them for the better part of the game as they had players who were participating in professional leagues in their countries,” he said.

When he was asked to give his opinion about the standard of the game in the country today, he said: “There are good players at the moment, but they keep the ball too long without passing it to other players. They are dribbling a lot while on the ball and are not really physically fit. In our time, players were not allowed to dribble past more than two defenders at a go. You had to pass the ball quickly. There was no time to play for the gallery,” he said.

Maindis’ latest humiliation was a 2-3 defeat at the hands of Coal City Wizards FC at the Puma Rugby Stadium in Emalahleni last Saturday. A quick glance at the league log

shows that the team’s strikers are not performing their duties in line with their job descriptions. Maindis have managed to score only three goals while conceding 13 in the five games they have played so far.

The chairman of the club, Mr Falaza Mdaka, is adamant that things will soon take a turn in their camp. He said that apart from the fact that they were planning to acquire the services of several experienced players as a matter of urgency, restructuring of the team’s technical staff was also necessary.

Beating the UWC will not be an easy task for Maindis Ladies. The UWC FC are lying in the second place on the log standings with 12 points, one behind the pace setters, Ma-

melodi Sundowns Ladies. Richmond United will enjoy the home-ground advantage in their match against University of Johannesburg FC that will be played at the Galeshewe Stadium in Kimberley. Thunderbirds Ladies will host City Lads at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Gqeberha. After crushing Maindis Ladies 3-2 last weekend, Coal City Wizards will travel to Polokwane for their match against First Touch Academy.

The other weekend fixtures are JVW FC vs TS Galaxy Queens, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies vs University of Pretoria Ladies, Durban Ladies vs Copper Belts and Royal AM vs TUT Football Club.

Robert “Cross” Phalanndwa.

At his ripe age today, Phalanndwa is still as fit as a bull, working as a vendor in the village. His secret “medicine”, he says, is to keep on exercising and refrain from eating fatty foods.

Local boxer Fhulufhelo Ramulifho (left) poses for a photo with South African female boxing champion Raider Muleba (middle) and training manager John “Smoking Joe” Nemakonde after a gruelling training session on Monday morning.

Fighting for survival: Maindis Ladies FC. Photo: Frank Mavhungu.

Timothy Munzhelele from Makonde won the Spar Tuffy 4-in-1 Marathon in Tzaneen on Saturday. Photo supplied.

CC, trading as Limpopo Mirror of 16B Joubert Street, Louis Trichardt. Typographically prepared by the proprietors and printed by D Brits, 1 Jeppe Street, Louis Trichardt

Muraleni United beat

Benny’s Care Academy

By Kaizer Nengovhela

Muraleni United continued to pave their way to the top of the log by beating Benny’s Care Academy 2-1 in their Safa Vhembe SAB match played at the Muraleni Grounds on Sunday.

United took the game to their opponents from the first whistle, with their strikers, Rotondwa Mashau and Euclid Kobone, pressing hard in search of an early goal. They took only seven minutes to open their account. Their bulldozer-striker, Rowen Mulamu, hooked in the ball after a scramble within the box.

The visitors from Tshiozwi did not lose hope, despite conceding

United Artists ready to spoil Happy Boys’ party

By Frank Mavhungu

After a break of two weeks, the teams affiliated to the Limpopo Stream of the ABC Motsepe League will be back in action this weekend. Most of the matches will be played on Saturday, while only three will be played at different venues throughout the province on Friday afternoon.

The match expected to be a crowd-puller will be between Mpheni Home Defenders and Munaca FC and is to be played at the Louis Trichardt High School Grounds on Saturday.

life and death for Munaca FC, who are fighting for survival in the relegation zone. Giyani Happy Boys are expecting a tough game against United Artists. They will meet the Xikukwani Stadium outside Giyani. Should they fail to collect the maximum points at stake and Home Defenders manage to win their match against Munaca, Happy Boys must forget about promotion.

Mikhado FC will entertain Musina United at the Rabali Stadium. Failure to

beat Musina on Saturday will mean that Mikhado will be relegated to the lower league.

Emmanuel FC will have a date with Winners Park at the Malamulele Stadium. Eleven Fast Tigers and PJ Stars will fight for league points at the Boyne Stadium outside Polokwane. The three fixtures scheduled for Friday afternoon are: City Motors vs Tzaneen United, Ditlou FC vs The Dolphins FC and Mighty FC vs Phinnet City.

an early goal. They continued to play like a team, with their midfielders dishing out some telling passes to the strikers. They came close to scoring in the 24th minute, but Siyaphela Maluleke shot wide from inside the box after beating two defenders in a row.

United increased their margin in the 67th minute. Mutshidzi Khangale scored after a corner kick from Ipfi Ramuedzisi. The game turned lukewarm in the remaining part of the second half as both sides adopted a wait-andsee pattern of play.

The visiting side scored their only goal in the 78th minute via Kevin Mahangwahaya after he finished off a pre-cooked pass from Matodzi Tshivhula.

VFA up against Polokwane City in Limpopo derby

By Frank Mavhungu

Venda Football Academy (VFA)

have reason to believe that they will manage to deposit at least one point into their league account when they host Polokwane City in their Limpopo derby at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Sunday afternoon. They need to collect whatever points are available, since only seven matches remain in the Motsepe Foundation Championship League.

This will be the second home match for VFA in a row, after they had played against JDR Stars at the same venue on Wednesday afternoon. (The result of their midweek match was not available at the time of our going to press).

Judging from the team’s performance in last Saturday’s Nedbank Cup game against Orlando Pirates, Polokwane City will clearly be lucky if by chance they manage to go back home with a point in hand. VFA managed to match Pirates pound for pound throughout the game,

making it difficult for the Buccaneers to enjoy the game.

The head coach of VFA, Mr Joel Masutha, is adamant that not only will his team escape the relegation axe, but they will finish their league programme in a respectable position on the log standings.

Although they will be playing in front of their home crowd, for VFA to grab the full points at stake will not be easy. City, or Rise and Shine as they are affectionately called, are currently shining on top of the log. Stopping VFA’s strikers, Edmore Chirambadara, Babatunde Adepoju and Lerato Mofokeng, will not be an easy task for the defenders of City.

City will pin their hopes on Puleng Marema, Simon Ramabu and Stevens Goovadia for goals. Goovadia is the team’s leading goal scorer with five goals. Should they fail to win the match and Casric Stars manage to beat Black Leopards, City will drop to the second position on the log standings, while Casric Stars will move to the top of the log.

Home Defenders must win the match to enhance their chances of promotion. They are currently leading the pack with 33 points, three ahead of Giyani Happy Boys. Home Defenders proved beyond doubt that they are ready for promotion when they narrowly lost to the DStv Premiership League side, Chippa United, in their Nedbank Cup match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth last Saturday afternoon.

On the other hand, the game will be a matter of

No peace for Tshivhazwaulu Peace Makers

By Frank Mavhungu

Tshakhuma RO United refused to smoke the peace pipe with Tshivhazwaulu Peace Makers when they crushed them 2-1 in their Safa Vhembe Regional League match that was played at the Tshakhuma Malaria Grounds on Sunday.

That the two teams were closely contesting for the league title was clear from the onset as the game was played in a see-saw manner.

Peace Makers soon realised that Sunday was not their day when they squandered two early scoring chances. In the first instance, their dribbling wizard, Hulani Mphephu, caused an upset when he shot wide from close range in the eighth minute. This after he had received a neat pass from Murendeni Mphuma just outside the box.

Lucky Tsharane was unlucky soon afterwards. He went loose from the right corner and unleashed a half volley from the edge of the box. The keeper of United, Mutshidzi Mundalamo, braved the shot and palmed the ball away for a corner kick.

United took the lead in the 29th minute. They were awarded a free kick in

the 25-metre area and Fhatuwani Mudau tried his luck with a ground-cutter. The keeper of Peace Makers, Ntakadzeni Mondelane, watched helplessly as the ball went beyond his reach.

Peace Makers found the equaliser nine minutes into the last stanza. Khathutshelo Majuta gave the ball the final touch after a scramble within the box.

Ndivhuwo Makhado scored the winning goal for United with a header later in the game.

Tshivhazwaulu Peace Makers were leading the pack before their match last Sunday against United. They dropped to the second place on the log standings with the defeat. RO United are now shinning on top of the league log.

Black Leopards geared to maul Casric Stars

By Frank Mavhungu

The head coach of Black Leopards, Mr Owen “Thifhuriwi” Da Gama, regards his team’s 1-0 victory over Magesi FC in their Motsepe Foundation Championship League match that was played at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday afternoon as a giant step in the right direction.

Matimu Tshabalala scored Leopards’ all-important goal in the 14th minute. This was the first win for Lidoda duvha under the guidance of Mr Da Gama. Mr Da Gama has further said that the victory would go a long way in boosting the players’ morale in their future games.

Black Leopards’ next fixture will be against Casric Stars at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Casric Stars are one of the three teams in the hot race for promotion. The Stars from Siyabuswa in Mpumalanga

were lying in the third spot on the log standings before their midweek game against Polokwane City, played at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium. (The result of the match was not available at the time of our going to press.)

According to Mr Da Gama, they are still aiming to win at least five of their seven remaining league matches, so that they can be safe regarding relegation.

Also on Saturday, Baroka FC will travel to Pretoria, where they will play against JDR Stars at the Soshanguve Giant Stadium. Baroka are still battling to come to terms with the 2-3 defeat suffered at the hands of Cape Town Spurs at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Tuesday afternoon.

Uthongathi FC will take on Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila FC (TTM) at the Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban. TTM are also fighting for survival. They were perched in the second-last position on the log stand-

ings before Wednesday’s match against Pretoria Callies.

The other weekend fixtures are: Venda Football Academy vs Polokwane City, Baroka FC vs JDR Stars, MM Platinum FC vs Magesi FC, Platinum City Rovers vs University of Pretoria FC and Cape Town All Stars vs Hungry Lions.

United Artists must keep an eye on Giyani Happy Boys’ striker, Mzomusha Mcineka.

Photo: Frank Mavhungu.

The goal scorers for Muraleni United, Rowen Molamu (left) and Mutshidzi Khangale. Photo: Kaizer Nengovhela.

VFA’s left winger, Lerato Mofokeng. Photo: Frank Mavhungu.

Lucky Tsharane of Peace Makers (right) protects the ball, while Muphulusi Mukomafhedzi of United tackles him from behind. Photo: Frank Mavhungu.

Black Leopards’ Malawian midfielder, Rafic Namwera.

Munzhelele wins gruelling SPAR

Tzaneen Tuffy 4-in-One Marathon

By Khathutshelo Raliphaswa

The 38-year-old Timothy Munzhelele from Makonde village in Vhembe dominated the men’s 42.2km race, the SPAR Tzaneen Tuffy 4-in-one Marathon, which took place on Saturday.

The marathon drew many the province’s top athletes, as well as athletes from across the country. The experienced Munzhelele fought off stiff competition from Phaladi Pholosho (second) and Isaac Mokgola (third) to clinch the gold medal.

Munzhelele, a previous winner of races such as the Land of Legends, is in prolific form this year. Last year, he ended second in the gruelling SPAR Tzaneen race, but he was

determined not to let the gold slip away again. The runner, from the Murray & Roberts Running Club, ended fourth in the Marakele Marathon earlier this month.

The past Saturday’s women’s race was dominated by Mamala Maponya, who was equally impressive in the 42.2km race, beating former Master’s champion in the Two Oceans Marathon Jane Mudau. The 60-year-old Mudau, who comes from Maniini village near Thohoyandou, is an icon among local and national athletes and is a never-ender. She just managed to beat Monica Erasmus, who ended third.

The half-marathon (21.1km) races were just as fascinating, with Ananius Masila being victorious in the men’s division

Ngwenani too strong for Rockers

By Frank Mavhungu

Rockers FC went back to Makwarela Township with their tails between their legs after they had suffered a 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Ngwenani Young Chiefs in their Safa Vhembe Regional League match that was played at the Ngwenani Grounds on Saturday.

The game was characterised by dangerous tackles. The referee, Mr Vincent Gogome, did not allow any of the culprits to go unpunished and flashed six yellow cards in the game.

As if they were going to bury Young Chiefs alive, Rockers

were the first to blow the trumpet. Their solitary goal came 16 minutes into the game. Their lethal striker, Maanda Malivha, forced his way through the defence of Chiefs and showed the keeper the wrong way with a ground cutter.

The home side fought back in the 28th minute. Ndaedzo Netshivhongweni’s header was too tricky for the Rockers’ keeper, Mukovhe Netshaulu, to handle. The score was still 1-1 at the end of the first half, despite numerous attempts from both sides.

Realising that Rockers’ midfielders were unstoppable, Young Chiefs then decided to play aerial balls from behind as

a way to frustrate the opposition. Their efforts did not pass without reward as they managed to claim the lead moments thereafter. Tshililo Khavhatondwi headed home, following a free kick taken by Mutshutshu Nkhumeleni.

Rockers pressed the panic button after Chiefs scored their second goal. They abandoned their positions and packed themselves with the striking force to attack in their numbers. They were severely punished for that. The home side scored two beautiful goals via Ndaedzo Netshivhongweni and Tshililo Khavhatondwi within a short space of time to bring the final score to 4-1.

and Rosaline Isaiah emerging victorious in the women’s division.

Calvin Malatji took top spot in the 10km race, with former Comrades Marathon champion Ludwick Mamabolo taking the veteran’s (over-40) title and finishing in second place overall. Violet Kamogelo won the women’s division with her impressive speed and agility.

Overall, the SPAR Tzaneen Tuffy 4-in-One Marathon was a great success, with participants of all ages and abilities coming together to celebrate their passion for running. The beautiful setting, sunrise, and vibrant atmosphere added to participants’ enjoying the event overall, creating a fun and unforgettable experience for everyone who was present.

VFA coach happy despite loss against Orlando Pirates

By Frank Mavhungu

The head coach of Venda Football Academy FC (VFA), Mr Joel “The Prophet” Masutha, has good reason to rejoice, despite the fact that his team will not take part in the quarter-final stage of the Nedbank Cup Competition. VFA were beaten 2-1 in their evenly contested game played at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg last Saturday evening.

Masutha said that his players had fought like real soldiers throughout the game, showing Pirates no

respect. This is despite his team’s campaigning in the lower division.

Asked why his team had been playing defensive football in the first 15 minutes of the game, Masutha said that this had formed part of their game plan to ensure that they did not concede any early goals.

He said that Pirates had been scoring early goals in their last five games and that they had not wanted to fall into the same trap. His game plan clearly worked for them as Pirates could only manage to break their wall in the 24th minute. Pirates’ goal was also scored against

the run of play as VFA were knocking on their door time after time at that stage.

The former Black Leopards mentor said that he was impressed by his team’s spirit of commitment as the players had not lost hope after they had conceded the first goal. He said that they would take the same spirit to their league campaign.

Asked whether he regarded the defeat as a blessing in disguise, so that they could concentrate on their league campaign, Masutha said that although lifting the Nedbank Cup would be a great achievement to the team, his primary focus now was

to ensure that VFA completed their league programme in a respectable position on the log standings.

VFA were playing against JDR Stars in their league match at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. (The result of the match was not available at the time of our going to press). Their next fixture will be against Polokwane City at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Edmore Chirambadara scored the solitary goal for VFA against Pirates, while the Buccaneers’ goals came via Kermit Erasmus and Thembinkosi Lorch.

The medal winners in the 42,2 km Men’s Open Category. From left to right are Phaladi Pholosho, Timothy Munzhelele and Isaac Mokgola. Photo supplied.

The ecstatic head coach of VFA, Mr Joel Masutha.

Photo: Frank Mavhungu.

Rotondwa Rammela of Young Chiefs escapes with the ball after beating Vule Mahalihali of Rockers (down). Photo: Frank Mavhungu.