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Thursday October 29, 2026 | 047 050 4430 | Facebook: Mthatha Express | mthathaexpress@novusmedia.co.za
Free cleft surgery returns
Operation Smile’s free cleft care programme returns to Mthatha from 29 October to 1 November. Families in Mthatha and surrounding areas are encouraged to contact Operation Smile for more information and assessment. Pictured are little Indiphile Lukhanyo Ndovela, who will return for cleft palate surgery in 2026, and his paternal grandmother and caregiver, Nokulunga Angel Sigijima. Read the full story on page 4. PHOTO: ZEKE DU PLESSIS
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MthathaExpress
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29 October 2026
Transport and Community Safety MEC Xolile Nqatha handed vehicles to bring services to communities.
PHOTO:BABALWA NDLANYA
Festive season safety operation launched in Mthatha BABALWA NDLANYA THE Eastern Cape MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Xolile Nqatha, officially launched the 2026/27 Safer Festive Season Operation at Rotary Stadium in Mthatha last week, confirming the commitment of law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to work together to ensure the safety and security of communities during the festive season. He handed over 155 vehicles to police stations to enhance police visibility, improve response times and strengthen crime prevention efforts across the province. Nqatha emphasised the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies, government departments and community structures in the fight against crime. “As we launch this festive season, we are authorised by the National Development Plan to ensure that we fight crime and people are safe. We know that we will never succeed as the police fighting crime if we are working alone. That is why the Department of Community Safety ensures that it encourages people to stand up and work with the police to fight crime,” he said. He said they were proud to work alongside other entities also fighting crime to help rid communities of criminal activity. Nqatha said when Mthatha was targeted by extortionists, they ensured that they were fighting this stigma. “Our hope is in you, community members. You must tell us when there is a problem. You must work hard to take ruling power in your areas. Also, you must work together and not take the law into your own hands,” said Nqatha. Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncatha said the day was very important to them and to the citizens of the Eastern Cape. He said they were there to ensure and affirm
that they were ready to protect the people of the Eastern Cape. “We have invited all law enforcement, from the community and from the law enforcement side. What we are saying here is that we are ready to protect the citizens. We will make sure that we are everywhere and cover every corner of our province. Our duty is to ensure that we create a safe and secure environment in the Eastern Cape,” he said. He stated that the police would not tolerate those who disrespected the law. He added that they wanted to make sure that those who committed crime went to where they deserved. “Our cells are going to be opened so that we can keep those people, so that they know that you do not treat people as if they are animals. We have distributed over 315 vehicles that have been utilised to deliver services. Our people want more vehicles; these are the tools of the trade for our members. It is not only vehicles that we have distributed, but we will also have members who will work overtime so that they can work longer hours. Those who will be working are going to be paid so that we can cover all the areas.” National Commissioner General Fanie Masemola delivered the Eastern Cape crime overview, highlighting problematic crimes, including stock theft, gender-based violence and femicide, and murder. “Stock theft is another serious concern in the Eastern Cape, particularly in rural communities, where livestock represents a vital source of income, food security, cultural identity and household wealth. For many farmers and livestock owners, the loss of cattle, sheep and goats is not merely a financial setback. It threatens their livelihoods, undermines agricultural production and places the economic stability of entire households at risk. Stock theft can also fuel conflict within communities and weaken confidence in the rule of law,” said Masemola.
Funds recovered for investment scam victim STAFF REPORTER | NOVANEWS THE National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Eastern Cape Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) has secured a forfeiture order for funds linked to an alleged investment scam in which Lungi Bobbs lost approximately R1.7 million. NPA spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said following the forfeiture proceedings, Bobbs had been fully reimbursed. An individual had contacted Bobbs and presented himself as a senior financial adviser and investment account manager. “The individual persuaded him to make an initial investment of approximately R4,000 in an opportunity purportedly linked to the London Stock Exchange. He was then instructed to download several applications, including AnyDesk, Binance and LSE, and to provide a PIN. These applications and instructions are suspected to have enabled unauthorised access to his bank accounts. Shortly afterwards, unauthorised transactions were made from his Standard Bank and Absa accounts. These included a payment of R69,000 from his Standard Bank account and several transfers totalling R1.6 million from his Absa account,” said Tyali. He added that Bobbs was later told that his investment had generated substantial profits, but that he needed to verify his Absa account before the funds could be released. This was allegedly part of the scheme used to deceive him and facilitate further unauthorised transactions. “The matter was reported to the South African Police Service and referred to the East-
ern Cape AFU. Working with SAPS, the AFU enlisted the assistance of the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) to trace the funds. The investigation established that money from his accounts had been transferred to an account held by Billionaire Industries (Pty) Ltd and then to an account held by Papzeedo Trading (Pty) Ltd. The FIC’s financial analysis played a crucial role in tracing the funds and identifying the accounts through which they passed. A temporary hold was placed on the targeted account in terms of section 34 of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001,” said Tyali. He said a court order confirmed the hold on 27 August 2026. According to Tyali, further investigations revealed similarities between this matter and several other reported cases involving alleged investment scams linked to Papzeedo Trading (Pty) Ltd in different parts of the country. He added that in those cases, victims were reportedly enticed by investment opportunities requiring an initial investment and then persuaded to download remote-access applications. Substantial unauthorised withdrawals were subsequently made from their bank accounts associated with the same entities, indicating a recurring modus operandi. “The forfeiture order disrupts the flow of suspected proceeds of crime and enables the recovery of funds for victims. Bobbs’s reimbursement demonstrates the value of collaboration between the Eastern Cape AFU, SAPS, the FIC and other stakeholders in tracing assets, pursuing civil forfeiture proceedings and recovering losses suffered by victims of financial crime,” said Tyali.
29 October 2026
MthathaExpress 3
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SACP condemns killing of Eastern Cape activist THE South African Communist Party (SACP) in the Eastern Cape has learnt with shock, anger and profound sadness of the brutal killing of Ernest Fipaza (63), from Bende Locality in Dutywa, who was reportedly gunned down at his home on the night of 23 October 2026. SACP district spokesperson, Vuyani Ndevu, said Fipaza was an active member of their movement and a contestant for the councillor position in Ward 10 of the Mbhashe Local Municipality ahead of the 2026 local government elections. He said his tragic death is a devastating loss to his family, comrades, friends and the broader community. “The SACP in the Eastern Cape condemns this senseless act of violence in the strongest possible terms. The killing of a political activist in the sanctuary of his own home raises grave concerns about the safety of political activists and the ability of our people to participate freely in democratic processes without fear, intimidation or violence,” he said. Ndevu added that no individual should lose their life for serving their community, participating in political activities or exercising their democratic rights. He said political violence has no place in South Africa’s constitutional democracy, and those responsible for this killing must be identified and brought to justice through a thorough and impartial investigation.
“We call upon the South African Police Service (SAPS) to urgently investigate the circumstances surrounding his killing, pursue all available leads and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. We further call on community members who may have information that could assist the investigation to come forward through appropriate channels,” said Ndevu. Ndevu added that the SACP in the Eastern Cape extends its heartfelt condolences to the Fipaza family, his loved ones, comrades and all those whose lives were touched by his commitment to community service. He confirmed that they stand in solidarity with the bereaved family during this painful period and call for the necessary support to be extended to them. As they approach the 2026 local government elections, this tragic incident underscores the urgent need to safeguard political activists and ensure that all political formations can participate in electoral processes without fear of violence or intimidation. “We call on all political parties, community structures and law enforcement agencies to work towards an environment of peace, tolerance and respect for democratic rights. We must not allow violence to silence political participation or undermine the democratic gains achieved through the sacrifices of our people. Those who resort to violence must be held accountable, and the right of every person to participate
in political life must be protected,” said Ndevu. The Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape, Lieutenant General Vuyisile Ncata, has condemned the fatal shooting of Fipaza and has announced the deployment of maximum resources to augment the local investigation team. Police spokesperson, Brigadier Nobuntu Gantana, said that according to information in police records, on Friday evening at around 19:30, two unknown suspects arrived at the victim’s home and argued with him. “The argument escalated into a physical altercation, and it is alleged that one of the suspects drew a firearm and fatally shot him. It is further alleged that they pointed firearms at the victim’s son and demanded the deceased’s firearm. They were shown a safe, which they broke open, but did not find any firearm before fleeing the scene,” said Gantana. She added that the suspects are still at large. Police have opened a case of murder with an additional charge of house robbery. “A task team from the Provincial Serious and Violent Crime Investigation Unit has been assigned to investigate the case. Anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects is urged to contact the leader of the investigating team on 071 475 2292. Information may also be shared anonymously via Crime Stop on 08600 10111,” said Gantana.
Ernest Fiphaza (63) was reportedly gunned down at his home on 23 October 2026. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Butterworth parents appeal for promised classrooms BABALWA NDLANYA PARENTS at James Ngoza Junior Secondary School in Butterworth are appealing to the Eastern Cape Department of Education to fulfil its promise to provide temporary structures for learners. Chairperson of the School Governing Body (SGB), Nolundi Gawula, said learners were using shacks as classrooms because there were no proper classrooms. She said it was not only learners who were affected, as teachers did not have a staffroom and were also forced to use a shack. “We used to have proper classrooms that were built by the department, but the school was far from the homesteads. This put the children’s lives at risk because we could not see them when they approached the school, due to its location. We then took zinc sheets from those classrooms and built shacks closer to us to assist them. We informed the department about this, and they promised to bring temporary structures,” said Gawula. She added that before making the promise, the department asked parents to find another site, saying the one they were using was not suitable for temporary structures. She said the parents had found another site, but after informing the department, they heard nothing further. Parent Sicelo Mbaleni said it was painful be-
cause it put the children’s lives at risk. “Weather conditions affect them a lot because the walls have holes and rainwater comes inside when it rains. We have tried several times to ask the department for help, but we are not winning. We are asking anyone who can assist us because this is also affecting the school’s enrolment,” said Mbaleni. Spokesperson for the Department of Education, Malibongwe Mtima, confirmed that they were aware of the situation, and the department was exploring all avenues to assist the school.
“We received the site only in January. We have completed professional services such as the quality survey. After visiting the site, we conducted a follow-up. We have two options. The first is to take prefabs from one of the schools in Dutywa, but first we have to check if they are still in good condition to be removed. If they are in good condition, we will take them. If not, we will build the school using blocks. Our plans are ahead of this,” said Mtima. He said a team from the province and the district had been sent to check if the prefabs were
Some of the classrooms at James Ngoza Junior Secondary School in Gcuwa.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
in good enough condition to be used. “If they are in good condition, the team will give us a report by the end of this week. Then we can start erecting temporary structures, because we will not be able to build now. We will place temporary structures and start building the school next year.” President of the Batho Pele Movement, Veliswa Mvenya, said she had visited the school some time ago and was told the department would bring temporary structures when she followed up. “I was doing a door-to-door campaign when I noticed that nothing had been done by the department to change the situation. I called a community member I know, asking about this school. He said I should visit it. When I arrived, the situation was very painful. When it is hot, learners are allegedly collapsing because of the heat. What I can say is that when the department does its planning, it must stop prioritising areas that are easy to reach,” said Mvenya. She accused the department of failing to conduct a visibility study before building the school. “They must stop saying they have built schools, yet there are still schools in this situation. In other schools, you will find there are only toilets and no classrooms. They must use Batho Pele principles, because this shows that at James Ngoza it was not applied at all,” said Mvenya.
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Water woes persist for Buffalo City Metro villages MANDLENKOSI MXENGI JUST days before the Local Government Elections on Wednesday, 4 November, a group of disgruntled residents from eMabaleni village and other nearby villages recently met with Buffalo City Metro Mayor Princess Faku to voice their frustrations over persistent water outages affecting several rural areas. Over the past few weeks, frustrated residents of Buffalo City Metro’s (BCM) ward 22, which includes eMabaleni, Mncotsho and Mhlabathi villages, embarked on service delivery protests, complaining about recurring water outages, housing delivery, sanitation, poor road infrastructure and other service delivery failures in the area. This prompted Mayor Faku to visit the ward and directly engage with residents, listening to their challenges and concerns at a community meeting held in eMabaleni community hall. Several political parties, including the ANC, DA, EFF and the UDM have been hosting election campaigns throughout Buffalo City in the build-up to the municipal elections. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has confirmed that all UDM councillor candidates in BCM have been included on the ballot paper, thus allowing UDM supporters in the Metro to vote for their preferred candidates on election day. The IEC announcement came after UDM ward and proportional representative (PR) councillor candidates were excluded from the ballot paper following late submissions of names allegedly caused by technical glitches in the system. During the meeting in eMabaleni, residents complained about lack of service delivery in their ward, including ongoing water outages, sanitation backlogs, lack of houses and poor maintenance of gravel roads. eMabaleni resident, Nomsa Dikana, said that, over the years, they have been raising the issue of persistent water outages and the
dire state of gravel roads with the municipality, through their ward councillor, but their grievances were never addressed. “The municipality has failed in maintaining and upgrading gravel roads in our village, and we are forced to use water fetched from nearby dams because water taps are always dry,” said Dikana. Another Ward 22 resident, Nimrod Nako said many people from his ward, including himself, have ditched the ANC and joined other political parties including UDM, following years of empty promises and poor service delivery. “All these years I have been voting for the ANC, but during the coming elections I will not vote for the ANC because of its empty promises and service delivery failures,” said Nako. In her response, Faku acknowledged the hardships caused by unreliable water supply and outlined immediate interventions that included the provision of water tankers and exploring boreholes as part of efforts to access clean water. “We are here because we understand the challenges that our people are facing. We cannot turn a blind eye to the daily struggles of our communities because every resident deserves access to clean, safe and drinkable water,” said Faku. On housing delivery, Faku committed that qualifying households would benefit from additional RDP houses to be built in eMabaleni, Mncotsho, Mhlabathi, Mbholompeni and Luxomo housing projects. Faku added that the Metro has allocated R5.8 million towards road regravelling projects and the upgrade of access roads across three wards in Buffalo City, including ward 22, as part of efforts to improve road conditions, accessibility and mobility for residents. Buffalo City’s Ward 22 comprises KwaNdayi, Luxomo, Mabaleni, Zone 17 Postdam, KuLogaxa, Mdantsane South, Mhlabathi, Nxamnkwana and Mbholompeni.
29 October 2026
Free cleft surgery comes to Mthatha FAMILIES and individuals in the Eastern Cape and surrounding areas needing cleft care are urged to come forward for free specialist treatment. Operation Smile South Africa (OSSA) is calling on families and individuals across the Eastern Cape and surrounding areas to come forward for free specialist cleft care at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha from 29 October to 1 November. The annual cleft surgical programme in Mthatha is part of Operation Smile’s partnership with the Eastern Cape Department of Health, aimed at strengthening comprehensive cleft care across the province. In October 2025, Operation Smile’s specialist volunteer medical team performed 32 cleft surgeries at Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital (NMAH), after screening more than 40 patients. This year’s programme has been extended to three surgical days. Access to timely, specialist cleft care A cleft is more than a visible difference. Depending on its severity, it can affect a child’s ability to eat, speak and hear and can contribute to dental and respiratory problems. Children and families may also face stigma, bullying and social isolation. The Executive Director of Operation Smile South Africa, Sarah Scarth, said, “Accessing specialist cleft surgery and comprehensive care can be difficult, especially for families living in rural communities. Operation Smile is here to change that by helping children and adults with clefts access specialist care closer to home. “We want families to know that they do not have to navigate this difficult journey alone. If you or your child is living with an unrepaired cleft, contact Operation Smile South Africa to find out whether you could be eligible for assessment and potential treatment.” The MEC for Health in the Eastern Cape, Ntandokazi Capa, said, “Our partnership with Operation Smile South Africa will bring together a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals, including cleft surgeons, anaesthetists, paediatricians, nurses, dentists, speech therapists, psychologists and other specialists. For families, this means access to the specialist care they need without having to travel far from home.” The surgical programme will kick off with patient screening on Thursday, 29 October, where each patient will receive a comprehensive medical assessment to determine their suitability for surgery. Every treatment plan is guided by the patient’s individual medical needs and well-being. For those who are approved for surgery, the programme provides care throughout the surgical and recovery process. The impact extends beyond the operating theatre “Conducting surgeries is just one part of our programme. It’s also about strengthening the skills and knowledge within the communities we serve. Our programmes create opportunities for local healthcare
Patient Naledi Mothoagae with her mother, Kutlo Mothoagae. PHOTOS: ZEKE DU PLESSIS
Patient Yonkimihla Linoyolo Makatini with her mother, Avela Makatini. professionals to work alongside specialist volunteers, sharing knowledge and skills across disciplines and helping to build local capacity for cleft care,” Scarth added. Since establishing its South African programme in 2006, Operation Smile has worked with healthcare partners and specialist volunteers to expand access to cleft care for thousands of patients. Don’t wait to get in touch Operation Smile is urging families to make contact before the October programme rather than waiting until the team arrives in Mthatha. Families in the Eastern Cape and surrounding areas are encouraged to get in touch. If you or your child has an unrepaired cleft lip and/or cleft palate, contact Operation Smile South Africa to find out whether you could be eligible for assessment and potential treatment. Contact Vuyo Somdaka on 073 580 6714 or infosa@operationsmile.org for information and assessment.
29 October 2026
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Premier targets tighter UFH cooperation PREMIER Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane engaged with the University of Fort Hare (UFH) Council at Lilian Diedericks House in Bhisho to strengthen cooperation between the Eastern Cape Provincial Government and the institution, with a focus on aligning university initiatives with the province’s development priorities. Mabuyane reiterated the institution’s significant involvement in the Eastern Cape’s history, education and development, highlighting the need for a constructive partnership that translates shared priorities into practical outcomes for students and communities. The engagement explored several areas of potential collaboration, including the proposed University Town concept for Bhisho, Alice and KuGompo City, the repurposing of the Bhisho Campus, and initiatives in agriculture and veterinary science to advance animal health, food security, rural development and scarce skills training. “Universities have a critical role to play in the development of our province, not only through teaching and research, but also by providing solutions to the challenges facing our communities. We must strengthen collaboration between government and institutions of higher learning to ensure that knowledge, skills and innovation translate into meaningful opportunities for our people,” said Mabuyane. Discussions also highlighted prospects of strengthening early childhood development, teacher education and teaching practice, as well as proposals for an KuGompo City Student Centre and student accommodation infrastructure development. Further areas of cooperation included public health administration, the preservation and documentation of the province’s history and heritage, and the alignment of institutional planning with the Provincial Development Plan.
“Universities, government, municipalities, communities and the private sector must work together to address the province’s development challenges and expand opportunities for young people and the broader Eastern Cape community,” said Mabuyane. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring that universities remain safe environments conducive to learning, research and innovation, with the wellbeing and success of students at the centre of institutional and government efforts. “The engagement will help identify priority areas for collaboration, clarify the responsibilities of the respective partners and establish a process for advancing the proposed initiatives. The Eastern Cape Provincial Government remains committed to strengthening partnerships with institutions of higher learning to build skills, support innovation, stimulate local development and improve the quality of life of the people of the province.” Reflecting on the engagement with the provincial government, UFH Council Chairperson, Dr Siyanda Makaula, said this is one of the steps towards reviving and tightening relations with the institution’s stakeholders. “The engagement provides an important platform for strengthening the relationship between the UFH and the Provincial Government. Through closer cooperation, we can explore opportunities to harness the University’s academic expertise, research capacity and institutional resources in support of provincial development priorities and the advancement of our students and communities.” The institution is further committed to enhancing existing partnerships with the provincial government and building on established institutional cooperation to advance shared priorities, enhance collaboration and support initiatives that contribute to the province’s development.
Three-day film camp set for Mqanduli BABALWA NDLANYA MZWANDILE Zakade, founder of Ilanga Film Production, confirmed he will host a three-day filmmaking camp for aspiring actors, writers and filmmakers at Zitulele location, Mqanduli, from October 30 to November 1. Participants will each contribute R200, which includes meals and certificates. The camp offers intensive practical training in Acting for Camera, Lighting, Directing and Editing, with participants producing their own short film. Zakade also confirmed that Ilanga Film Production is preparing to shoot a short film titled The Apple Seller, which will be filmed at Cofimvaba. He said he started Ilanga Film Production with a clear mission: to tell real stories about real people, rooted in Eastern Cape culture, that inspire, educate and create lasting social impact.
“What began as a community vision has grown into a working production house producing television series, short films and community-driven projects,” said Zakade. Zakade said his expertise includes cinematography (framing, lighting, camera movement), editing (Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro), sound design (Foley, dialogue editing, mixing and mastering) and post-production, including colour grading and visual effects. His selected filmography includes Izithunywa Zomthakathi Parts 1 and 2 (2023), Dark Shadow TV series (2024), and Pretty, Isimnyama, Dating My Brother, Betrayal, Rage and Uhambo Olude, in which he was a writer, boy grip and unit manager, and Gateway, in which he was a background actor. “My vision is to continue growing as a filmmaker, to create authentic stories, to collaborate with talented teams across South Africa and to use film as a tool for education, healing and social transformation,” said Zakade.
Fedelis Dube (coach and teacher at St Martin’s Private School), Paul Mkhefelele (14, lifting his trophy) and Frank Soglo (principal at St Martin’s Private School). PHOTO: BABALWA NDLANYA
Mthatha: Grade 8 maths star chases international glory BABALWA NDLANYA PAUL Mkhefelele (14), a Grade 8 learner from St Martins Private School in Mthatha, is preparing to compete in the American Mathematics Olympiad (AMO), an international competition to be held online on October 31, after finishing first in the national Olympiad competition. The competitions are hosted by the South African Mathematics Foundation (SAMF). His coach, Fedelis Dube, said this was not the first time Paul had achieved such a top position. “He obtained the same position when he competed in the Provincial Mental Maths Quiz Competition held in KuGompo City in 2025. We entered a lot of competitions, competing with other schools, but Paul managed to show his talent. He did it through his commitment, hard work and the support he got from the management of the school,” said Dube. He said their school had taken a new approach to learning, and they were confident they were moving in the right direction. “To see Paul achieving such a top position is a testimony to the hard work that has been invested in the learners. At provincial level, he obtained position one and also at national level he obtained the same position. This year he entered the Maths Olympiad Competition, a national competition in which all schools in South Africa participate,” Dube said. “Paul had again excelled and finished first. We are hoping that Mkhefelele will again make us proud at this level. I trust that he will do well because he is a committed young man and is always there when you need him. We always do lessons even
after hours. “Sometimes he would wake me up at night and ask me to check if he is doing right when he is practising maths. He has a bright future ahead.” Dube said Paul’s problem-solving and analytical thinking skills had impressed him, and he believed Paul had the potential to excel in such competitions. The principal of the school, Frank Soglo, said Mkhefelele was a superhero and was dynamic. He said he had also been his teacher from Grade 4 and that he had gone everywhere competing and overpowering other learners. “He is doing very well. This is not a surprise; we know that he is going very far because from Grade 4 he has had that spirit of competition. He concentrates on what he is doing. Others look at him as a young boy, but his brain is working so hard. We are excited because our school is flying high because of him. “He must keep on moving because his future is bright. We hope he does not allow anything to distract him. If he does not, he will have a bright future,” said Soglo. Paul said he had participated in the competition because taking part in maths contests helped develop problem-solving skills, critical thinking and analytical abilities, all valuable for future academic and professional pursuits. “I am planning to take Information Technology from Grade 10, but I can advise my peers to love mathematics because it is a valuable subject. I encourage my peers to approach maths with curiosity and persistence, as it can be beneficial for their academic and professional growth,” he said.
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29 October 2026
29 October 2026
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29 October 2026
REAL-TIME INTERACTIVE ELECTION MAP TO GIVE ACCESS TO LIVE VOTING RESULTS ON 4 NOVEMBER:
NovaNews,‘Die Papier’ and Nuuspod join forces for multi-platform election coverage SOUTH African voters will have real-time, district-by-district access to local government election results through an interactive map launched by NovaNews — part of an unprecedented media collaboration bringing together NovaNews, Die Papier and Nuuspod for comprehensive coverage of the 2026 local government elections on Wednesday, 4 November 2026. The interactive map, freely accessible without paywalls on NovaNews, will display live voting results as they are counted, empowering citizens to monitor outcomes in their own districts and across the country in real time. The platform transforms how South Africans engage with election
data, offering immediate transparency and community-level insights as results unfold. This powerful digital tool anchors the most ambitious joint election coverage initiative ever undertaken by the three platforms. For the first time, NovaNews, Die Papier and Nuuspod are pooling their full reporting resources to deliver uninterrupted, multi-language election coverage across live streaming, digital reporting and onthe-ground journalism throughout election day. Comprehensive coverage across platforms and languages With reporters deployed across multiple provinces, the collaboration ensures that
audiences nationwide receive timely, trusted election coverage in their preferred language and format: • Nuuspod, hosted by Izak du Plessis and South Africa’s leading Afrikaans news podcast on Afrikaans radio platform, will stream continuous live election updates and analysis throughout the day. The live feed will be embedded directly on both NovaNews and Die Papier websites. • NovaNews and Die Papier will conduct simultaneous live reporting, with journalists stationed at voting stations and key locations filing video updates and news reports in both Afrikaans and English. • NovaNews.co.za, the digital news platform of Novus Media, serves as the home of 20 community newspaper titles across the Western Cape, Boland, Eastern Cape, Free State and Northern Cape, reach-
Scan the QR code on 4 November to access the election coverage on NovaNews (left) or Nuuspod (right). ing millions of readers weekly in print and online —all without paywalls, with Lise Beyers as digital news editor. • Die Papier, Novus Media’s weekly Afrikaans newspaper, delivers quality journalism to Afrikaans-speaking communities across South Africa in print and online, under the editorship of Barnard Beukman. This historic collaboration represents a commitment to democracy, transparency, and accessible journalism — ensuring that every South African can follow their local government elections as they happen, without barriers.
Inaugural Butterworth 5km race set for Saturday ANELE RAZIYA A well-known event organiser from Royal Strides Athletic Club in Mnquma, Lulama Tase, has indicated that they expect more than a hundred athletes to participate in the inaugural Mbali SL Tase 5km race, which will be staged in Butterworth town this Saturday. He made his remarks when he was speaking with Mthatha Express about their preparations for the upcoming race event.
Tase said that, as organisers of the event, they are expecting more than a hundred athletes from Mnquma and surrounding areas to come and participate in the first edition of the Mbali SL Tase 5km race. “Our event is open to everyone and we expect athletes from different areas to come out with big numbers to participate to it,” said Tase. He said the 5km race is expected to start at 09:00 at King Street in Butterworth town and
go to Butterworth Training College (BTC), where the runners will turn and come back to finish their race where they started. Furthermore, he said all the runners who will be participating in the inaugural Mbali SL Tase 5km will be given T-shirts branded with the name of the race. By organising the event, Tase highlighted that they wanted to keep athletes active, and they also wanted to keep youth away from any wrongdoings in the communities.
He also mentioned that staging these types of events is an effort to contribute to the development of sport, particularly in areas like Mnquma, which are dominated by rural areas. In conclusion, he said all runners who performed well throughout the event will walk away with great prizes. Everyone who is interested in participating in the event must contact him on 078 755 1379 / 073 772 9676 for the purpose of registration and more information about the race.
Mqanduli football league registration opens ANELE RAZIYA AMATEUR football teams in Mqanduli near Mthatha are expected to start preparing for the upcoming brand-new league campaign for the 2026/2027 season. This follows the Mqanduli Football Association (MFA) announcing on Sunday, 25 October, that they have opened a registration process for teams who wish to participate in the Mqanduli promotion league. In a statement issued by the Chairperson of MFA, Sibusiso Gecwa, the association said, “The Mqanduli Football Association (MFA) is pleased to announce that the Promotion League Registration is officially open for the 2026/2027 season.
“All existing and new teams who wish to participate in the MFA promotion league are hereby requested to submit their club names for registration with immediate effect.” Outlining things that must be done by teams when they are registering, Gecwa said clubs are expected to submit ID copies or birth certificate copies of their players with a police stamp (SAPS-certified). Furthermore, he said teams are also expected to submit half-card photos for each player and complete SAFA registration forms. Teams are also requested to have valid active email addresses, and for affiliation, each club is expected to pay a R400 registration fee. Then, for player registration, clubs will pay
Horse owner’s death hits jockey hard LOCAL jockey, Linamandla Nkazana, says the death of horse owner, Ngawonke Bulala, will negatively affect his future, as he was fully dependent on the horse to make a living. Bulala was laid to rest this past Saturday in Mvumelwano, Qumbu, after being shot in June 2026. He was admitted to hospital and later passed away at the beginning of October. Bulala left behind his beloved horse, Isivumelwano, and his young jockey. Speaking on the sidelines of the funeral at Mvumelwano Sports Ground, an emotional Linamandla said he has lost all hope. “Losing the owner of the horse is a big blow to me because I don’t know how I am going to survive now. I don’t know who is going to take care of the horse,” he said. “He was like a father to me because he took care of everything. Even when we won a race, sometimes he gave me cash and bought me school items. “I will always miss buti Ngawonke. I was able to save money to buy school items, even the shoes I am wearing.” Linamandla started riding Isivumelwano in November 2025 and has so far won four races in Dutywa, Tsolo Junction, Ntabankulu and Maclear.
R25 per player. Prior to the start of the 2026/2027 season of the MFA promotion league, the association is expected to host a workshop on 1 November at the loveLife Centre (Ngangelizwe) where all teams are required to attend, because the workshop will be used to discuss all football matters including sharing information about
how the MySAFA System works. A workshop will be staged on 8 November at the same venue, and it will focus more on induction. Gecwa highlighted that they are yet to set a date for the kick-off of the season, but once they have wrapped up the registration process, they will be able to announce the date.
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Check yourself. Book your screening. Jockey Linamandla Nkazana during the funeral of Ngawonke Bulala, owner of the horse, Isivumelwano. PHOTO: HOSEYA JUBASE
Closing date 31 October 2026- Draw date 6 November 2026 - T’s&C’s apply NM10076135-TE291026 SAMXXX-QK070726