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Isolabantu News May 2017

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NOON I JOE SLOVO PARK I WOLVERIVIER IKWA 5 I KILLARNEY I ISOLABANTU NEWS DENS I MONTAGU I MILNERTON TABLE VIEW I WITSAND WIN A GARDENS SMARTPHONE. PAGE 3 MAY 2017

EMITES WELDER

the people`s eye

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DUNOON | JOE SLOVO PARK | WOLVERIVIER | KWA 5 | KILLARNEY GARDENS | MONTAGUE GARDENS | MILNERTON | TABLE VIEW | WITSAND

Cape Town informal settlements not saving water READ FULL STORY ON PAGE 3

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Little girl escapes falling building READ THE FULL STORY ON PAGE 3


...the people’s eye

2 / ISOLABANTU | MAY 2017 ISOLABANTU is a Xhosa/English monthly community newspaper. At Isolabantu we practic e ethical journalism, and strive to ensure the free exchange of information that is accurate, fair and thorough. We support the open and civil exchange of views, even views we find repugnant. Managing Editor

Peter Luhanga editor@isolabantunews.co.za 021 556 4777 061 438 3365 Sub-editor Warren Jeremy Rourke 021 424 2114 Design and Layout Somtoo Mekowulu

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Maths and science pupils to benefit from Study Buddy program PETER LUHANGA

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triving to improve secondary school pupils’ grasp of maths and science, Koeberg nuclear power station launched a Study Buddy program at Dunoon’s Inkwenkwezi Secondary school on Saturday, May, 20. “We are reaffirming that Eskom is implementing a program called Study Buddies. The Study Buddies program is being done together with Eskom employees and the South African Young Nuclear Professional Society (SAYNPS). We are working with Inkwenkwezi Secondary school and will be helping in tuition for maths and science students and will also be looking for other opportunities to work with the school in order to see in what ways we can help them,” said Riedewaan Bakardien, a general manager at the power station. Speaking at the launch, Bakardien said Inkwenkwezi is the first secondary school Eskom has engaged on the program but that they would be looking at other schools in close proximity to the Koeberg nuclear power station as well. Bakardien said Eskom employees will volunteer to teach maths and science tuition to improve the pupils’ grades. The power station’s stakeholder management manager Lewis Phidza, said by enhancing the pupils literacy in maths and science, they would be able to gain access to university and that over above this, it would also help them understand the nuclear industry in South Africa as to what it can offer them, from an employment and entrepreneurial perspective. “The intention is to first boost the pupils’ employability and for those that are gifted and entrepreneurial minded, they

could find a niche and be able to support and provide services to the industry,” said Phidza. Phidza said the power station is working in collaboration with the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa), and the South African Young Nuclear Professional Society (SAYNPS), targeting secondary school pupils and raising awareness on the nuclear industry while at the same time empowering them in maths and science. “We already have a nuclear power plant and want the pupils to be able to access it easily and understand how the technology works, as well as give them first hand opportunities to help enhance their understanding,” he said. He also said the power station has a nuclear awareness program and has partnered with the City of Cape Town and SAYNPS. With the partners, the power plant will roll out a five year school targeting program to create necessary nuclear awareness at community and school levels. Addressing the pupils, Phidza said the future of South Africa was in their hands and he advises them to take the Eskom championed Study Buddy program seriously. “This is one of the schools we are adopting. We want to find out what is preventing your progress. After June we will bring back the Study Buddy program. We are also trying to include other subjects in the program… and we are thinking of including accounting as well,” said Phidza, adding that they will also re-introduce nuclear debates in secondary schools in close proximity to the power station. SAYNPS chairman, Gaopalelwe Santswere, said they hosted nuclear outreach campaigns targeting pupils to ensure that

Koeberg nuclear power station stakeholder manager, Lewis Phidza, addresses Inkwenkwezi Secondary school pupils at the launch of the Study Buddy programs aimed at helping pupils improve their maths and science literacy. Photo: Peter Luhanga

Scientists affiliated to SAYNPS takes a selfie; in the background is Inkwenkwezi Secondary school pupils that turned out at the Study Buddy program launch on Saturday, May 20. Photo: Peter Luhanga

they can realize the importance of nuclear energy and to raise awareness of existing and potential future opportunities that the’ build’ program offers to the country. Grade 12 pupil, Anelisa Oriey, heaped praise on Eskom and its partners for selecting Inkwenkwezi as the first recipient of the Study Buddy program. Like fellow pupils, she said she had learnt a lot from motivational speakers and admitted her ignorance of disciplines such as maths and science. “We are so privileged with scientists and we didn’t know science and maths can open such vast opportunities,” said Oriey. Eskom donated a box full of scientific

calculators to the pupils in order to help them solve complex math problems. Receiving the donation, Grade 12 maths teacher, Nceba Mananga, who was representing the school principal, thanked Eskom for the donation. “I have been teaching here for many years. We have challenges… especially pupils doing maths, science, and accounting. We don’t have calculators and really want to thank the sponsors for this gift. Most pupils when we ask them during a math, science, and accounting class to take out their calculators, simply don’t have one because of their situation at home,” said Mananga.

Kuqokelelwe imali yokuxhasa iOperation Smile

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lona phulo lakhe layimpumelelo liqhutywa ngaba kwa Fair Cape Cares Foundation ibi lelo lokuqokelela iziciko zebhotile ukwenzela ukwenyusa ingxowa-mali ye Operation Smile. Ngowama 2016, abantwana abangaphezu kwamashumi amabini bathi bafuma uqhaqhonyango kwizigulo zabo ngenxa yomzamo owenziwe luluntu oluxhase iphulo ngokuthi beze neziciko zebhotile ezikolweni nakwindawo zoluntu kwiphondo ngokubanzi. Owona mcelimngeni ibikukufuma imigqomo yokufaka eziziciko ngobuninzi bazo. “Zininzi kakhululu eziziciko sithetha

ngazo apha,” utshilo uJoel Serman, oyimanejala yakwa Fair Cape Dairies. “E- Eversdal Primary kuphela sifumene malunga nama 400 000 eziciko kwaye utishala ebesebenzisana nabantwana ufumene ubunzima obukhulu,” utshilo uSerman. Isisombululo sifumaneka xa usindwezama was Dunoon, uMichael Caji, eze necebo kwabakw Fair Cape. “Ndibabonise umfanekiso wemigqomo endiyenze ngebhotile ndaze ndacebisa ukuba abakwa Fair Cape bazame yona. Bayithandile baze bafuna ndenze ezingamashumi amabini,”utshilo encume gqitha unkabi.

Usindwezama waseDunoon uZibonele Michael Caji obizwa ngelikaMzalwane wenze umgqomo osetyenziswa ngabakwa Fair Cape Dairies. Photo: Peter Luhanga


...the people’s eye

ISOLABANTU | MAY 2017 / 3

Cape Town informal settlements not saving water

of water to wash one car. During the week, his business was quiet but that it peaked on weekends, he said. Totsi was worried that should there be no water one day, his business would completely collapse, bringing an end to the possibility of providing food for his family. Ncentsani said should residents wake up one day and find that the water stand pipes were dry going to draw water at the nearby Diep River or at the Rietvlei was not going to be an option. When told that river water was contaminated with bacteria but could be boiled and then be safe for consumption, the squatter camp residents gathered during the interview, all answered at once, saying no they would never do that as people dump dead dogs and cats in the river and going to draw that kind of water to purify it for consumption was not an option at all. They said they would consider taking to the streets to protest and demand fresh water from the authorities. Meanwhile some residents of RDP houses are playing their part in saving every drop of water and are aware of the crisis through the City’s awareness campaigns. One such resident is Nolitha Cwayi, a 48-year-old mother of one child. She lives in Dunoon, section 28, near to the N7. Cwayi shares her revamped RDP house with seven family members. She set a rule in the house: no one can pee and then flush

the toilet, the toilet is only flushed when a family member has relieved themselves, referring to ‘number two’. Cwayi also said that they recycled their bathing water stored in buckets to flush faeces away in the toilet and they also used some of the bucket water to mop the floors. They do not use a geyser, instead the family heats water in a 12 litre heater and each one then takes 2 litres of heated water and mixes it with cold water measured in a 5 litre bucket. They then bathed and some days they just wiped themselves in delicate areas of the body so as to save 7 litres of water, she said. If the tap completely ran dry – should the drought continue – she said they would not be able to afford to buy spring water. Getting water from Deep River and the Rietvlei to purify was an option. Another RDP house resident, Charlotte Sash, a 44-year-old mother of five children, said her house was installed with a water meter device and when her daily allocation was finished she used water they had saved in buckets. Sash said that she was aware of the water crisis through the City’s awareness campaigns and was doing her bit to use water minimally, by not flushing the toilet when they pee. “Sometimes to save water we use a facial cloth to wipe ourselves and we don’t bath everyday,” she said.

Can you imagine life without a cellphone?

Dunoon resident, Nolitha Cwayi, has drastically cut down her household water usage and collects grey water whenever possible in order to flush the toilet. Photo: Isolabantu.

PETER LUHANGA

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s dam levels continue to dwindle at an alarming rate and there seems to be no possibility of relief from the unrelenting drought, some Capetonians living in RDP houses in the Dunoon township near Milnerton – aware of the impending water crisis – are taking drastic measures to cut down on their household water usage. For residents living in squalor in the informal housing of the township, the water crisis, is however, a different story altogether as they continue to waste water which might soon become a scarce resource. Mancane Ncentsani, a community leader in Dunoon’s West Beach 4 squatter camp told Isolabantu that the residents washed blankets and clothes on a running water tap, and when asked to use water economically, and wash from a bucket, they replied by saying that the community leaders did not pay for the informal settlement water and the water was therefore free of charge for everyone. Ncentsani said residents told community leaders that they did not have the mandate to instruct them how to use, or save, water. He said that while they knew of the impeding water crisis and the decreasing dam levels throughout the City of Cape Town, awareness campaigns aired on local radio stations, state television, and published in isiXhosa in a local newspaper, were ignored by the majority of the residents, who continued to carry on with their everyday lives as normal, by using the communal stand pipes, wastefully.

In addition to this, Ncentsani said that perpetrators vandalised the communal stand pipes, stealing the tap to sell at the scrap yard and water now continued to flow from the vandalised tap, often for more than 24-hours at a time. He said that when the City authorities were informed they merely provided a reference number and only turned up to repair the broken tap a day later. He said that last week, on Wednesday, May 17, a stand pipe water tap was stolen and he reported the incident to the City of Cape Town who provided him with a reference number but only came to repair it, on Thursday, May 18. On Wednesday, May 17, Isolabantu News shot a video of a broken water stand with fresh water gushing into the air. Ncentsani said this was not the first time that taps were stolen. In addition to this, the main stand pipe also leaks and they have to wrap plastic paper around it to try to stop the leaking but that this does not help, as water continues to drip. Also, some residents in RDP houses with water management devices, when their daily water allocation is depleted, went to fetch water at nearby communal stand pipes, saying that it was free of charge. Informal car wash businesses have somehow taken heed of the call to save water and were seen using buckets instead of hosepipes connected to squatter camp communal stand pipes. Luzuko Totsi, who runs Nompuncuko car wash, said he was aware of the drought through the City’s increasing awareness campaigns and so he stopped dousing customers’ cars with a hosepipe. Totsi said that he used four 20-litres buckets

W

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...the people’s eye

4 / ISOLABANTU | MAY 2017

Bins from bottles for Operation Smile

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ne of the most successful campaigns of the Fair Cape Cares Foundation has been the drive to collect and recycle bottle caps to raise money for Operation Smile. In 2016, over 20 children were able to have the life-changing operations, thanks to the general public who got behind the campaign and brought their bottle caps to a number schools, libraries and shopping centres across the Western Cape. One of the big challenges, however, was the bins in which the bottle caps could be collected. “We’re talking about a lot of bottle caps,” said Joel Serman, Fair Cape Dairies’

Marketing Manager. “At Eversdal Primary alone, close to 400 000 bottle tops were collected and the teacher responsible for the collections sometimes had trouble getting to her desk!” The solution was found when Michael Caji, an entrepreneur who lives in Site 5, Du Noon, approached Fair cape with a solution. “I saw a picture of bins made from bottles, and I thought it would be good for Fair Cape,” he said. “So I made two samples and showed them to the Marketing Department. I was very happy when they ordered 20 bins from me, and I hope to get another order for more bins very soon.

Dunoon’s Kwa 5 entrepreneur Mzwalane Michael Caji and Joel Serman, Fair Cape Dairies’ Marketing Manager. Photo: Peter Luhanga

Abafundi base West Coast baqhankqalazela umcimbi wothutho

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nani elivisayo labafundi base West Coast FET College liye lanqunyanyiswa bambi bagxothwa emva kogwayimbo obelukhalazela imeko yothutho oluxhaswa lisebe iDepartment of Basic Education (DBE). Olugwayimbo nolubendlongondlongo luthe lwakhokelela ekubeni kungabikho zifundo. Ngelithuba kue kwenziwa iinzame zimbi zothutho bafundi ngokutsho kuka Rhazia

Hamza olisekela-mphathi kulekholeji. “Isikhalazo sabafundi sesokuba abayifuni inkampani ethi ukuba iqhube nothutho lwabo. Inkampani etyunjiweyo ukuba ibathuthe iseneengxaki ngoko senze ilungiselelo neeteksi ntoleyo abafundi abayihesha ngophondo. Inkolisi yabafundi ibiluchasile ugwayimbo kuba ixhalabele iimviwo, ntoleyo ikhokelele ukuba boyiswe abafuna ukutoy-toya,” uHamza utshilo.

Kuvakala ukuba intaphane yabafundi abaphembelele oluqhushululu lusuka kwindawo ezifana neDunoon, eJoe Slovo Park ,eMilnerton, eKraaifontein nase Paarl. Abafundi bathethe neliphephandaba Isolabantu kodwa bengafuni amagama apho apapashwe kuba besoyikisela ukohlwaywa yikholeji bathe: kukho iinkampu ezimbini kulawulo lwe Students’

Representative Council (SRC), elinye iqela limele abafundi abahlala e-Atlantis kwaye inkoliso yabo bebenxamnye nogwayimbo kuba abachaphazeleki kwimeko yothutho. Elinye iqela lelo labafundi abahlala kude nendawo. UHamza ungqinile kwi Isolabantu News ukuba inkampani enikwe uxanduva lokuthutha ineengxaki kodwa wala ukubhentsa.

Indodana ityholwa ngokudlwengula umama wayo! Ixhego lase Atlantis kuthiwa lidlwengule intwazana ena-7

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madoda amabini atyholwa ngokudlwengula umfazi nentwazana eminyaka esixhenxe kwilokishana yase Atlantis. Omnye waba ngumfana ominyaka engama-21 yena kuthiwa uzithathele isondo kumama wakhe ominyaka engama 31. Ukanti uxhegodala ominyaka ingama 61 ujamelene nezityholo zokudlwengula umzukulwana ominyaka esixhenxe. Bobabini aba bavele phambi komantyi e-

Atlantis Magistrate Court ngolwesibini. Othethela iqela labatshutshisi iNational Prosecuting Authority uEric Ntabazalila‚ uthe bobabini abatyholwa abakazivumi okanye baziphiki izityholo abatyabekwa zona. UNtabazalila uthi aba barhanelwa bazakufaka isicelo sebheyile xa bevela enkundleni kwakho kwiveki ezayo. Ngaphandle kwenkundla kamantyi igquba labafazi ebelikhokelwe nguceba uBarbara Rass, okhokela kwa ward 32 uvakalise

uluvo lokuba lamadoda angavunyelwa ukuba abethwe ngumoya. “Silapha namhlanje sifuna ukuqinisekisa ukuba lamadoda awafumani bheyile tu kwaphela. Sixhasa amaxhoba odlwengulo kwaye asisayi kuvumela ubudlwengu bande. Sicela amadoda asincedise ekusixhaseni kumlo okumila kunje,” uthethe wenjenjalo oka Rass. Umfundisi we Atlantis’s Philadelphia Assembly Church u Lionel Keyster ubenongomnye wamadoda ambalwa

ebeze kuxhasa lomgushuzo ngaphandle kwenkundla kamantyi. UKeyster naye uthe uyayichasa ibheyile yalamadoda ngelith akhohlakele. “Ingalo yomthetho mayiqinisekise ukuba lamadoda abolela ejele. Amadoda aqotho mawame ngamxhelomny ngokuchasene nezenzo ezinje.,” utshilo uKeyster. UNtabazalila uthi elityendana linama 21 eminyaka lidlwengule unina ngoMvulo logama ixhego eli lenze umkhuba emini emaqanda kwangolomini.

and Xaba Furnitures opened its doors.

Axe and Spa are paying it forward as the

A lucky break and a story of success

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rom humble beginnings in the Eastern Cape to a busy workshop in Bothasig, two young brothers are showing what can be achieved with dedication, perseverance and a passion for excellence. Xaba Furnitures is fast becoming the place to go for bespoke furniture that is fresh and modern, but built with the skill and attention to detail that is the hallmark of great craftsmen. When Axolile (Axe) Madenyuka could not finish school because of family finances, he was determined that he would help his family financially and make sure that his younger brother, Asenathi (Spa) Madenyuka, would complete his education. Axe found his first job in 2009, at a carpentry company in Steenburg where he discovered that he had a talent and a passion for furniture making. “When Spa finished school, he joined me

in Khayelitsha and I began to teach him about furniture making,” Axe explained. “He loved working with wood too, and we began to get more work, but it was not always easy to work from a back yard. Our business was just carrying us financially but we did struggle”. Their main customers were the people living in the Khayelitsha Township. Then, one day, the boys’ sister came home from her job as a domestic worker to a family in the City Bowl and said that her employers were wanting to redo their kitchen. Axe asked if he could quote on the work, little knowing that his life was about to change. They won the commission and installed the new kitchen and then “a few weeks later I got a call from my sister’s employers and they offered me the help I needed to start up my own shop in a public area,” Axe said. In December 2015 the dream came true

“I was so excited, I could not believe that this was actually happening,” he said. His voice cracks with emotion as he remembers. “It was unbelievable that someone would help us so much. They paid the rent for the shop in Bothasig Mall and paid for the woodworking equipment that we needed. They still give us so much advice about running a business and dealing with customers. I will forever be grateful to them for their love and generosity.”

business grows by providing employment opportunities. They already have one full time employee, and are hoping to be able to train others soon. Follow Xaba Furnitures on Facebook for updated pictures of their products and customised ideas: https://www.facebook. com/XABAfurnitures. Or visit them at their shop, Shop 2 Bothasig Mall, Bothasig Cape Town, Western Cape.


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Idami iTheewaterskloof. CUTHA INDLELA OWASEBENZISA NGAYO NGOKU IBE NGAPHANTSI KWEELITHA EZILI-100 KUMNTU NGAMNYE KUSUKU NGALUNYE. Sebenzisa amanzi kuphela xa uhlamba impahla, ukusela nokupheka. Ukubona indlela yokuwasebenzisa: ngena ku: www.capetown.gov.za/thinkwater

C NGA NGAMANZI! NAKEKELA OKUNCINANE. YONGA KAKHULU


...the people’s eye

6 / ISOLABANTU | MAY 2017

Parents burn tyres as they demand registration of school

“W

e tried to do things in the proper way, but nothing happened”

Earlier this month on Thursday, May 4, protesters burned tyres and rubbish, blocking traffic on Freedom Way in Joe Slovo Park, Milnerton demanding the registration of Khozi Primary School. The protesters, mostly concerned parents, said they want the Department of Education to provide essentials like desks, chairs, paper, books, and crayons for learners. “We are going to keep on striking until [the department] gives us the right feedback,” Nodumo Mvunelo said. “We don’t want them to build a new school; the school is already here. We just want them to register the school and give us the materials. The teachers are already here and they are qualified.” Nearly 400 learners attend the primary school that was opened on 11 January by the community to combat overcrowding at Marconi Beam Primary School, a registered school just a block from Khozi. Teachers at the school, opened in prefab containers formerly used by Sinenjongo High School,

are volunteers. Students don’t have desks and write papers on the floor. The school has learners ranging from grade R to grade 8. In an email to GroundUp, the Western Cape Department of Education (WCED) said the lease of the land is over. It also said that the “the WCED needs the mobile classrooms” being used at the makeshift school “to relieve pressure elsewhere.” Protesters said learners are being turned away from Marconi Beam due to lack of space. “Every year this school is full and there is still a two year waiting list,” Phathiswa Dlokweni said. Both of her two children attend Khozi. “We want to save those kids. We don’t want the children on the streets.” Protester Asanda Khobinin said Marconi Beam is the only school that services the community and when students are admitted they are packed into classrooms of “50 or 60 learners.” The WCED said three mobile classrooms had been placed at at Marconi Beam and two at Tygerhof Primary to accommodate extra learners. They also said any schooling provided at Khozi would not be recognized

by the department, but pledged to “help to place children at nearby schools, as required.” The protest comes after concerned parents and community members marched to Parliament in April to demand the registration of of the school. They say they have yet to hear back from the Department of Education on the status of their complaint. “We tried to do things in the proper way, but nothing happened,” said one protester who asked not to be named. Ward four councillor Ursula Barends met with the protestors on the school grounds

to hear their complaints. She said she would visit Marconi Beam to see the overcrowding for herself and bring the issue of the unregistered school to the provincial government, but cautioned that as a local government official she was not directly responsible for decisions made by provincial level officials at the Department of Education. “I can take your grievances to the department and hear what they have to say,” Barends said.

officials from the North West government; the MEC, Ontlametse Mochware and Premier, Supra Mahumapelo are contributing money for the bursary. 16-year old newly selected ambassador, Botlhale Boikanyo, said she hopes to work towards promoting the African culture, “Lots of people follow different music genres such as hip-hop and other genres but I need to show young

people how beautiful our local traditional music is,” she said. The gala dinner for the Awards was later held in Cape Town where an umlungu maskandi singer, David “Qadasi” Jenkins performed together with the Nomititi group from the North West. The SATMA Awards has 40 categories including the newly introduced Best Cultural Radio Program Loyal Listener and Best Traditional TV Program Show.

—Trevor Bohatch and Ashraf Hendricks, GroundUp for Isolabantu

SATMA awards launched to enhance African Culture MISHECK MAKORA Over one hundred people gathered at Robben Island for the launch of the 12th South African Traditional Music Awards (SATMA) at Robben Island last Saturday. Several actors, television presenters, and other celebrities attended the glamorous event that was held at Robben Island. Some of the big names in celebrity circles in attendance at the Awards include Dingaan Mokebe and Phindile ‘Noni’ Gwala of the SABC soapy Muvhango. Former generations star Dumisani Mbebe was at the Awards while Kings and Chiefs from the North West province also attended, as they regard the event as being critical for the preservation of African culture. Speaking at the Awards, the Head of Department (HOD) for Culture, Arts, and Traditional Affairs for the North West

province, Nono Bapela, said they are happy to be hosting the event this year because arts and culture forms the back-bone of the North West economy. The province is the host for the awards this year. The meeting was held at Robben Island because arts and culture attracts tourism in South Africa and the Island is one of the biggest tourist attractions in South Africa. The Bokone Bophirima (North West) provincial government has pledged to pay fees for young people who wish to study arts and culture related programs. The cheque of R100 000 from the Kgetsi Ya Tsie Bursary and skills development fund was presented by Bapela. “The funding is from the office of the premier and it seeks to supply bursaries for talented and underprivileged learners who wish to pursue studies in the field of arts and culture,” said Bapela. She said even senior

Protest as men charged with rape of mother, and grandaughter 21-year-old Atlantis man allegedly rapes his 38-year-old biological mother, while a 61-year-old step grandfather, also from Atlantis, charged with raping his seven-year-old step granddaughter.

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hile the #MenAreTrash hashtag still reverberates on social media, a 21-year-old man appeared in the Atlantis Magistrate’s Court yesterday (subs: Tues) for allegedly raping his 38-year-old biological mother. On the same day, a 61-year-old man also made his first appearance on charges of raping his seven-year-old step granddaughter. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson in the Western Cape‚ Eric Ntabazalila‚ said neither accused have yet

entered a plea. Ntabazalila said both accused will apply for bail at their second court appearance on May 30. Outside the court on Tuesday, a group comprising mainly of women led by DA ward 32 councillor Barbara Rass, toyitoyed calling for the court to not grant bail to either accused. “We are here outside the court to oppose bail. We are supporting the victims of the heinous crimes. We are not going to tolerate the heinous crimes to continue,” said Rass.

“We are calling upon the good men to come out and support us. We are asking them to support us and get involved in the fight of crime against women and children. Only then will we dent the crime rate against women. We can’t do it alone,” she said. Atlantis’s Philadelphia Assembly church pastor Lionel Keyster was among the few men who joined the women in protesting outside court. Keyster said he was there to oppose bail being granted to the accused. “The justice system must implement tough

laws to punish these men committing heinous crimes. Fellow men must come and support us if they are agianst this heinous crime against our children and women,” said Keyster. Ntabazalila said the 21-year-old man is accused to have allegedly raped his biological mother on Saturday (subs: 20 May) evening, while the step-grandfather is accused of having raped his stepgrandaughter on the Saturday afteroon.


...the people’s eye

ISOLABANTU | MAY 2017 / 7


SPORT Matlala Komani poised to grab flyweight title

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alisizwe “Matlala” Komani will challenge Thembelani Nxoshe for the South African Flyweight title fight on 28 May 2017 in Coetzenberg sports complex. Matlala as Komani is known by the Boxing lovers will try and walk the footsteps of Baby Jake Matlala whom once held the same title back in 1989. The fight against Thembelani Nxoshe will not be an easy one as the pair seems to be perfectly matched in terms of their records. Both pugilists have tasted 5 loses, won 15 fights and have a Single draw. Everything including a number of rounds boxed and knockout power seems to be slightly similar. Dalisizwe Komani has not been the luckiest fighter in the division as he has come short of a world title before when he lost a split decision against Mfundo Gwayana in OR Tambo sports complex. Many of the guys he has faced went on to be world champions and we can mention names such as Magwaca, Budler, and Joyi. Mzoli tempi is a well-respected promoter in the industry and it is an open secret that he would not invest on a Boxer that he does not trust. While speaking to Zibonele FM tempi said that “we have given almost everything that Nxoshe’s handlers demanded in order to make sure that Komani fights in front of his home crowd”. The promoter also made it clear that Matlala winning this title mean livelihood to too many other up and coming boxers as it will mean he will have to defend in his Cape Town crowd.

This title bout will be a curtain raiser of a much talked about Xolisani Ndongeni’s first visit of Cape Town. Boxing fanatics will be travelling from all corners of this country to watch Nomeva fight for the first time in Cape Town and for the first time in South Africa since he launched his career under an American promoter. It is the same American promoter that leased Nomeva to Lizani events so that he can stay active. Ndongeni last fought in South Africa back in April 2016 won a 1st round knockout against a Tanzanian’s Emilio Norfat. If Nomeva’s performance is anything to go by it will mean boxing fans will be in for one of the shortest nights of Boxing. Nomeva was quoted in his gym’s media YouTube channel as saying “I like to make it short with my friends from neighbouring countries. I make sure that I put them in their places as earlier than I am expected”. He was referring to the fact that fans must expect an early night. If he wins this particular fight his record will be 23 fights with 23 wins. The tournament will be hosted by Mzoli Tempi’s Lizani events. This will be the first professional tournament to take place in the Stellenbosch area thanks to the Western Cape department of Sports and Recreation. The political landscape in the Inner City makes it very difficult to host a tournament in the inner city as promotional companies have to rely on sponsorships to host events as the one on 28 May.

The tournament will start at 13h00 and the doors will open at 12h00. There are also other 5 bouts on the under card that will feature local Boxers against other boxers from all around the country. The most anticipated fight of the evening will see Samuel “Tyson” Essau exchange leather against Mtsepua Mthembu of Atlantis. Mthembu is a man that has never seen the bell of the end of the fight in his whole career. All his 4 of his fights ended in knockouts, with him being knocked twice while he also knocked his foes twice too.

Other bouts: 4 rounds Cruiserweight Ben Hipkin (Somerset West) vs Mfundo Wongo (Khayelitsha), 4 rounds Strawweight Mzolisi Mthalane (CTN) vs Zusiphe Timakhwe (Atlantis), 4 rounds Jr flyweight Phumlani Mcanda (CTN) vs Onke Khanzi (NW), 4 rounds Bantamweight Lazola Jikazana (CTN) vs Sibusiso Mvetshane (NW). Weigh in id on Saturday at 11h00 am at OR Tambo Sports Complex —Isolabantu News


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Isolabantu News May 2017 by Iliso Labantu, the people's eye News - Issuu