Correctional officer teaches inmates music
World Aids Day commemorated >> Female inmate said that men must ‘love women and children’
9 December 2016
east griqualand
FEVER
SPORT
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Father Christmas visits Bergview Preprimary pupils
PHOTO: SIPHELELE NKETO
Correctional Services Officer Winile Msiya with his CD and the CD of the former inmate he helped.
SIPHELELE NKETO Siphelele@media24.com WINILE Msiya has been a Correctional Services Officer at Kokstad Medium Correctional Centre for 10 years, but not only does he keep inmates from escaping, he also teaches them music. His love of music started at the age of 13, as he grew up in his village Marwaqa outside Umzimkhulu. He sang at the Twelve Apostles Church and at family gatherings. “I conduct church choir and am a member of a family choir.” In 2013 he released his first CD, Kwanele, that contains 10 gospel tracks. Now he is preparing to release his second one containing 10 Afro-pop songs before end of the month. “Since becoming a Correctional Service Officer here I also teach inmates how to sing and assist them to form choirs while in incarceration. “I want them to be good examples when they go back into their communities. Male and female inmates have formed choirs and attend music classes.” At Correctional Services events inmates mostly perform Isichathamiya, gospel and hip-hop to showcase their show talent. Msiya said he is willing to get a recording company to help inmates record albums, because he wants to see them go far in music as did a former inmate, Nathi Mankayi, artist and songwriter, who has won numerous music awards. “A former inmate released an album with my assistance and for that I am thankful.”
Pupils taught about the aviation industry GRADE 9 and Grade 11 pupils from eight high schools were educated and encouraged to choose aviation careers at the International Civil Aviation Career Awareness Day in Harding on Monday. Umuziwabantu Mayor, Dixie Nciki encouraged pupils to do maths and science. “Many young people come from rural areas where there is little information about career opportunities. The municipality is happy to host International Civil Aviation Career Awareness Day because it will help many young people to understand the aviation industry.” Exhibitors from the aviation industry also encouraged pupils to be wise when selecting careers at tertiary level. - Supplied.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Father Christmas and a pupil at Bergview Preprimary School.
PHOTO: SIPHELELE NKETO
Lighting candles at the event (from left) Pastor Mabenge Xhanti, Eric Mfenqe (Kokstad Management Area Commissioner), Gugu Chonco (Regional Coordinator for Development and Care) and Zoleka Yokwana (NGO).
SIPHELELE NKETO Siphelele@media24.com
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ORLD Aids Day was commemorated at the Kokstad Medium Correctional Centre with prayers by staff, inmates and pastors last Thursday. Pastors from various churches, GKM councillors and officials from Department of Correctional Services attended. Inmates performed Isicathamiya and choral music. Candles were lit to give people living with HIV and Aids hope.
Zoleka Yokwana from a NGO working with TB and HIV victims encourages people to go for testing. The 16 Days of Activism For No Violence Against Women and Child Abuse was also commemorated with messages of hope given to inmates, especially women. Fever spoke to a 48-year-old female inmate who said she was abused by her boyfriend. “My boyfriend assaulted me many times and my son protected me by beating him. I was arrested with my son for beating the man. “When people talk about women
abuse I feel bad because I am also a victim of abuse and am serving a sentence with my son who was defending me.” Another 36-year-old female inmate told Fever that men must love women and children. “Some women are serving sentences for beating their husbands while protecting themselves.” Eric Mfenqe, the Area Commissioner from Kokstad Management Area encouraged men to smile at women and children and thanked stakeholders for giving hope to inmates.
BERGVIEW Pre-Primary School pupils received gifts from Father Christmas recently, bringing many smiles to pupils, teachers and parents. Pupil Somila Nonkevu was happy to receive a doll and pupils sang Christmas songs and wished Santa a happy Christmas. The school wishes pupils a happy Christmas and new year. - Supplied.
Coaches attend coaching workshop
SAPS warns stokvel clubs SAPS warning stokvel clubs to be vigilant and not become victims of crime and stokvel-related robberies and theft are prevalent at this time of the year. SAPS says stokvel clubs must be proactive and adopt reasonable measures to safeguard their money. “Instead of withdrawing large amounts of cash to pay club members, they must rather transfer money into bank accounts. “Members who do not have bank accounts should be encouraged to
open one. Clubs that have to pay cash to members, a practice which is inadvisable, should ensure they have a secure venue with adequate safety measures in place when dividing and paying members their share of the year’s savings,” said Colonel Thembeka Mbhele. Stokvel clubs are also encouraged to request local police to patrol the vicinity of the venue where they are to make payments to members as this will deter criminal elements.
“Members of stokvel clubs should be vigilant and take precautions to safeguard their money when making withdrawals at ATMs. They should not withdraw large amounts of money especially after hours when the streets are quiet and criminals are likely to be lurking around. They should rather ATMs in shopping malls during business hours when it is safer or where there are security officials on duty,” adds Mbhele. - Supplied. PHOTO: SIPHELELE NKETO
Masikhandi artist wants to ‘fill the gap’ SIPHELELE NKETO
PHOTO: SIPHELELE NKETO
Siphelele@media24.com
Philani Mbanjwa.
ARTIST Philani Mbanjwa (23) from Makhuzeni village in Bulwer, wants to fill the gap left by the late masikhandi artist, Mpatheni Khumalo known as “Mfaz’omnyama”, who died in 2001. Mbanjwa released his first album, Isamelihle, last year. In 2014 he performed with a masikhandi group, but left to do his own album last year. He is now promoting his album in Isipingo, Ixopo, Underberg and Pietermaritzburg and is receiving a lot of support and some people believe he can fill the gap left by
Mfaz’omnyama. “I grew up listening Mfaz’omnyama music and I want to perform at big events so that people will recognise my music.” Mbanjwa also plays guitar. He lost his mother in 2008 and his sister in 2013 and is supporting his unemployed brothers and cousins. “I got invites to perform at events and I receive money from people who support my music to feed my family.”
Coaches at the workshop.
SIPHELELE NKETO Siphelele@media24.com SPORTS coaches from Harry Gwala District attended a workshop at Shayamoya High last Friday. Sanele Shozi from Department of Sport and Recreation said the workshop was to teach coaches how to conduct games correctly. “We want to promote the act of ‘fair play’ to coaches before January when many games begin.” The workshop was attended by netball, football, athletic, boxing coaches and team managers and referees. Jean Nyembezi, head of coaches in Harry Gwala, said the workshop also helps coaches to get additional skills in coaching. “Sport is growing in the district, and not only in football, also in boxing and I am grateful for this.”