Mabuyane
ALFREDNZO:
Municipalitytacklesinvasive wattletoboostlivelihoods
THE Alfred Nzo District Municipality has responded to a call from the Ncwela Traditional Authority to assist with the eradication of invasive wattle at Ngqumane Village in KwaBhaca (Mount Frere)
This initiative reflects the municipality’s commitment to its three pillars of social stability, environmental protection and economic development, aligning with its Vision 2030 for thriving rural communities.
According to the spokesperson for Alfred Nzo District Municipality, Luncedo Walaza, wattle was introduced to South Africa around 150 years ago.
He stated that in South Africa, it does not face many natural pests or diseases to keep it under control As a result, it spreads excessively, growing where it should not, and has become one of the most destructive alien invasive species.
“It threatens agricultural land and pollutes vital water sources, including rivers and catchments. As part of the intervention, the municipality has provided five chainsaws with full personal protective equipment (PPE) and two drums for charcoal production to create economic opportunities for the community.
“This support will assist in both the eradication of wattle and the establishment of sustainable community beneficiation initiatives, including income generation through charcoal production,” said Walaza.
He added that the programme is led by the Chairperson of the Planning and Economic Development Portfolio Committee, Council-
lor Banele Qwayede, who emphasised the importance of preserving water resources and protecting arable land from invasive species to secure a sustainable future for their communities
Walaza stated that the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA), represented by Andile Ndaba, is committed to supporting the forestry project and linking the Ngqumane community to markets for wattle products, ensuring that the project yields long-term economic benefits
“The ANDM also confirmed that external stakeholders have expressed interest in providing financial and technical support to ensure the long-term success of the programme,” he said.
He further noted that this partnership demonstrates the municipality’s commitment to building socially cohesive, environmentally sustainable, and economically vibrant communities, while fostering joint action between government, traditional authorities, and strategic partners
One of the residents from the village, Mathemba Sishuba, expressed appreciation and welcomed the support provided by the district.
“This is an eye-opener for us as villagers because we did not know that wattle trees can generate so much The presence of ECRDA gave us information about the importance of forests, and we will use this opportunity to learn and find ways to benefit from and generate income through the forests we have in Ngqumane Village,” said Sishuba.
EFFORTS to reduce firearms in the streets recently yielded positive results in two separate incidents in the Joe Gqabi District
According to SAPS spokesperson, Captain Ursula Roelofse, in the early hours on Wednesday, 27 August, at about 01:30, SAPS members were informed by community members about a shooting incident at the Drayini location, Ngqayi area
"The members immediately responded, and they approached a man walking in the street; upon searching him, they recovered a firearm from his waist On investigation, he did not produce the licence to carry a firearm, and the 33-year-old man was immediately arrested " Roelofse added that in an unrelated case in Ugie on 28 August at about 04:30, SAPS members were busy with crime prevention duties when they received information about a male who was in
possession of a firearm at Monty's Tavern in Ugie
"The members followed up on the information The identified suspect was approached by the police, and they searched him He had a firearm on his waist and could not provide any licence
“The 32-year-old suspect was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm
Both firearms will be sent for ballistic testing for further investigation," Roelofse added
The Joe Gqabi District Commissioner, Major General Lindelwa Vellem, commended the members on the swift reaction that made the arrests and confiscations of unlicensed firearms
She extended her gratitude to the community members for sharing valuable information and for not tolerating this conduct that could put their lives in danger
"Together we will fight crime in our societies," she added
Alfred Nzo District Municipality responded to a call from the Ncwela Traditional Authority to eradicate invasive wattle in Ngqumane Village in Kwa Bhaca (Mount Frere)
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
ECfarmersfightlivestocktheft,promotewoolstandards
BABALWA NDLANYA
THE Provincial Chairperson of the Eastern Cape Communal Wool Growers Association in Mthatha, Andile Ndzendze, confirmed that farmers are currently hosting competitions aimed at uplifting and motivating others to maintain sheep of high standards in order to achieve better results
To achieve this, they recently hosted a regional competition at Ngqunge Cooperative shearing shed, outside Mthatha Ndzendze stated that farmers who won the regional competition will now compete at the district level
This competition will take place at Clarkbury Agricultural High School in Ngcobo from 10 to 11 September 2025
On the first day, the event will feature a congress and an initial competition, followed by a flock competition on the second day
Farmers competing at the provincial district level will represent several Eastern Cape districts, including Alfred Nzo, O R Tambo, Amathole, Chris Hani, and Joe Gqabi District Municipalities, among others
“In these competitions, sheep are judged in various categories, from young rams to mature rams They are assessed based on their wool production The government, especially the Department of Agriculture (DoA), is supporting us, and several other stakeholders are also providing their support,” said Ndzendze
He added that police officers focusing on stock theft were present during preparations for the event due to the increasing incidents of sheep theft
Ndzendze voiced concern that people are losing interest in rais-
ing sheep because of the ongoing issue of livestock theft; however, he emphasised that this would not deter their efforts
Ndzendze also urged the government to establish facilities where wool can be efficiently sorted and processed
He highlighted that owning 500 sheep of poor quality is not ideal
“For our sheep to reach high standards, we must have access to proper grazing fields to improve their condition "
He acknowledged that all municipalities are performing well, except the O R Tambo District, where a lack of access to commercial farming land remains the primary challenge
He further commented on the worsening issue of livestock theft, which he described as no longer just "stock theft" but akin to robbery
“When thieves arrive, they threaten the owners and challenge them to confront them if
they are brave enough This is why we invited police officers and representatives from King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality to be present We are using every tool at our disposal to combat this behaviour
“We are also developing a plan where every farmer must hold a proper branding certificate This includes tattooing sheep, as all sheep must be marked with tattoos, not knives
“If someone uses a knife for
marking sheep, they should be considered suspicious Times have changed, and we must follow proper procedures,” he added
Ndzendze also urged the government to install surveillance cameras in key areas to help municipalities monitor sheep movements through specific points
He explained that these measures are part of a larger effort to combat livestock theft and its associated challenges
MbhasheMunicipalityempowerscooperativesthroughtraining
BABALWA NDLANYA
THE comprehensive cooperative training programme hosted by Mbhashe Local Municipality in Xhora (Elliotdale), in partnership with the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), recently concluded a successful three-day initiative
The programme was focused on empowering local cooperatives through enterprise development and capacity building
The training drew enthusiastic participation from various cooperative groups across Xhora town Over the course of the programme, participants took part in interactive sessions and practical workshops led by experts from key development agencies, including the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA)
Spokesperson for Mbhashe Local Municipality, Babalwa Magqwanti, stated that the sessions focused on developing sustainable business strategies, building market-ready cooperatives, and influencing support mechanisms from both government and private sectors
According to Magqwanti, the training holds special significance for the rural economy of Mbhashe, where cooperatives play a vital role in job creation, food security, and community upliftment
“The programme has laid a solid foundation for equipping co-
operatives with the tools needed to navigate market challenges, access funding, and thrive sustainably Xhora, a town with a history of underdevelopment, was chosen as the host location in line with the municipality's commitment to equitable resource distribution
“This initiative also aligns with the municipality’s Local Economic Development (LED) strategy, which is embedded in the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) and supported through the annual budget,” she said
She added that the strategy seeks to uplift residents, improve livelihoods, and address unemployment by supporting small businesses and cooperatives
The training equips cooperatives with a better understanding of governance, roles and responsibilities, financial management, compliance and value addition
Magqwanti explained that it also bolsters their confidence to manage businesses more professionally
As a result, cooperatives are
expected to transition from informal subsistence operations to well-structured and sustainable enterprises
“This is not the first time such training has been held, and it certainly will not be the last
“The municipality remains committed to providing ongoing support to cooperatives for their long-term growth and sustainability The training was previously conducted in Idutywa in June 2023 and in Gatyana (Willowvale) in July 2019, with another session held in June 2024," she said
The spokesperson noted that cooperatives play an integral role in economic empowerment, enhancing social cohesion, and strengthening local economies
She highlighted that past training sessions have already yielded positive results, with several cooperatives now properly registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), South African Revenue Services (SARS), and other regulatory bodies
In addition, cooperatives have improved governance structures by keeping proper minutes, maintaining financial records, and complying with their constitutions
The municipality rotates these training sessions across its different administrative units
In the next quarter, the programme will be conducted in either Dutywa or Gatyana, ensuring inclusivity and balanced development
The municipality encourages cooperatives to prioritise teamwork and unity Members are advised to collaborate with transparency, accountability, and mutual respect to avoid conflicts and achieve long-term success
A representative from the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), Yola Mabongo, emphasised the corporation’s commitment to providing long-term support and fostering economic inclusion
Members of the Eastern Cape Communal Wool Growers Association from O.R. Tambo District at the Ngqunge Cooperative shearing shed in Mthatha after hosting a meeting preparing for two competitions that they are hosting this month.
PHOTO: BABALWA NDLANYA
Members of Cooperatives from Xhora (Elliotdale) equipped by Mbhashe Local Municipality. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
FOCUSON:CHILDHEALTHMONTH Antenatalultrasound studytransformsrural maternalhealthcare
IN honour of Child Health Month, the Discovery Foundation spotlights Dr Christopher Westwood, recipient of a Discovery Foundation Rural Individual Award.
His research on antenatal ultrasound services is reshaping maternal healthcare in rural South Africa
Born and raised in Cape Town, Westwood initially planned to become a teacher, beginning his studies in mathematics at the University of Cape Town before redirecting his career towards medicine
According to him, his family background influenced this decision, although never in a prescriptive way
His father, originally from Zimbabwe, studied English before becoming a doctor, while his mother and uncle pursued careers in teaching
“My dad never pressured me into medicine; he would have been just as happy if I had become a teacher The combination of these influences instilled in me a respect for education, service, and the pursuit of knowledge," he said
He now works as a family medicine registrar at Madwaleni Provincial Hospital in Xhora (Elliotdale)
Living just two minutes from the hospital with his wife, who is also a doctor, and their two young daughters, he has found a rare harmony between professional commitment and family life
“The best part is that I’m not sacrificing my family life I can see my wife and daughters during lunch It was my wife’s decision to complete her community service in Madwaleni that set the course for our journey into rural healthcare
“She always wanted to work more rurally When it came time for her commu-
nity service, she chose Madwaleni I followed soon after, and we ended up loving it even more than we expected ”
In this community, Westwood found both professional fulfilment and a critical healthcare challenge that shaped his research: the lack of access to basic antenatal ultrasound services
Why clinic-based ultrasound services matter
Westwood’s research is centred on the Xhora Community Healthcare Centre in the Eastern Cape
There, an unused ultrasound machine prompted a crucial question: Could offering ultrasound services locally encourage earlier and more frequent antenatal visits?
His study compares decentralised, clinic-based ultrasound services with traditional hospital-based care
He noted that in 2022, South Africa’s maternal mortality ratio stood at 109 6 deaths per 100,000 live births, underscoring the importance of accessible antenatal services
While approximately 69 9% of pregnant women in South Africa attend their first antenatal visit before 20 weeks of pregnancy and 75 5% complete the minimum four visits recommended by the World Health Organization barriers remain significant in rural provinces like the Eastern Cape Distance and infrastructure challenges often limit antenatal care access
His study is ambitious, involving the
review of 1,500 to 1,800 paper-based patient records from the past four years
“The nature of working at a rural hospital is that nothing is electronic The Discovery Foundation grant has been instrumental, providing funding for data capture assistance and transport costs ”
The research aims to determine whether decentralised ultrasound services, provided at clinics rather than hospitals, improve maternal outcomes by encouraging women to book earlier visits and return more frequently for follow-ups
If successful, the study could influence national policy and be scaled to other rural regions
“If all goes well, we hope to submit it for publication this year,” Westwood said
He added that South Africa continues to face significant child and maternal
FordSouthAfricaannouncesmajorlayoffs
FORD South Africa announced mass layoffs affecting over 470 workers at its Silverton vehicle plant in Pretoria and Struandale engine facility in Gqeberha Trade Union Solidarity confirmed, in a statement, that Ford South Africa has sent an official notice to the union and others in which the company announces its intention to retrench more than 470 employees
These retrenchments affect both the Silverton vehicle factory in Pretoria and the Struandale engine factory in Gqeberha
According to the notice, Ford says the
job losses follow a "realignment" of its production capacity to match current and expected market demand
In reality, this means the termination of 391 operator positions in Silverton, 73 at Struandale and 10 administrative positions
"We see this announcement as the beginning of possible greater job losses facing the entire automotive industry in South Africa," says Willie Venter, deputy general secretary of Solidarity
According to Venter, economic pressure, international political uncertainties, and the government s unfavourable
policies are causing this industry to become increasingly uncompetitive
"When an automotive giant like Ford takes such drastic steps, it is a warning to the entire sector
“We fear that further retrenchments in this industry may be inevitable if the circumstances do not improve quickly," he warns
Solidarity confirms that it will attend the consultation process under the guidance and supervision of the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and that all its affected members will receive full support
health challenges
Antenatal care is the first step in a vital continuum that determines whether children survive and thrive
Conditions such as anaemia, hypertensive disorders and untreated infections, contribute to poor maternal outcomes, while infrastructure limitations in rural areas exacerbate risks
Westwood explained that Child Health Month in South Africa, observed every August, serves as a reminder that the foundation for child wellbeing begins with antenatal care
By prioritising clinic-based ultrasound access, his work addresses one of the most fundamental gaps in maternal care
“If we can offer this service locally, it could save women the time and money of travelling to the hospital That’s a huge benefit in rural areas,” he added
and community initiatives to business developments and human interest stories that showcase the spirit of South African communities
"We will explore every possible alternative to limit job losses, and we will ensure that Ford not only fulfils its duty, but also that employees are treated fairly," says Venter
Solidarity also pointed out that these retrenchments will have a serious impact on the communities in Pretoria and Gqeberha and that it once again shows how vulnerable South African industries are under the current economic climate
"Without effective intervention and economic reform on the part of our government, our country will have to endure even more job losses," concluded Venter
Dr Christopher Westwood from Madwaleni Hospital in Xhora (Elliotdale). PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Sport
6thAnnualCegcwanetournamentsetfor4October
HOSEYA JUBASE
ON August 31, 2025, the organisers of the Cegcwane Sports Tournament, led by chairperson Luvo Nkwenkwe, conducted a pitch inspection at the Cegcwane Sports Grounds near Qunu, Mthatha, in preparation for the 6th annual Cegcwane Sports Tournament
The 6th annual Cegcwane Sports Tourna-
ment is scheduled for October 4, 2025
The winning soccer team will walk away with R10,000, a gold medal, a sheep, and a trophy
Speaking after inspecting the grounds, chairperson Luvo Nkwenkwe shared that the pitch conditions are satisfactory
“The pitch conditions are not bad, especially if we receive some rain before the tournament
ABCMotsepeLeagueNedbank
Cupprelimskickoff11October
HOSEYA JUBASE
THE Eastern Cape ABC Motsepe League
Nedbank Cup Preliminary games are set to kick off on 11 October
The fixtures for the Nedbank Cup Preliminary games were confirmed this past weekend by SAFA
The 2024 ABC Motsepe champions, Mighty Eagles FC, who represented the Eastern Cape province in the last 32 of the Nedbank Cup tournament, are under pressure to secure a victory in this year's Preliminary games
This follows their remarkable performance last season, when they surprised many by booking a spot in the last 32 of the Nedbank Cup
Nedbank Cup 2025 Groups – ABC Motsepe League (Eastern Cape)
Group A:
• Amavarara FC
• EMI FC
ANELE RAZIYA
MULTICHOICE has remained committed to playing a meaningful role and contributing to the development of sport in schools, particularly those situated in rural areas
This commitment was evident when MultiChoice visited Butterworth High School in the town of Butterworth, on 27 August, to hand over sports equipment to ten schools from the Mnquma and Mbhashe areas
The aim is to support schools with sporting equipment and encourage them to start a league where they will compete every Wednesday
Two years ago, MultiChoice built a mul-
FC Buffalo City Relatives
• Komani FC
• Seven Stars FC
Group B:
•
Group C: • Bush Pirates FC
Camdeboo FDA • Gqeberha FC • MARU FC • Old Grey FC
Group D: • Sinenkani FC • Spears of the Nation FC
• FC Ravens
• Amaxesibe FC
• Bizana Pondo City FC
tipurpose sports court at Butterworth High School, which will be used by schools when the league begins soon
Sandile Luthuli, the manager for sports programmes at MultiChoice, explained that the organisation focuses on building sports grounds in rural schools and providing them with sports equipment
He noted that their recent visit to Butterworth High School was to hand over sports equipment for various sports, including football, netball, and other disciplines
The equipment was distributed to ten schools that will participate in the league Additionally, Luthuli mentioned that MultiChoice is not working alone to as-
to improve the surface The outstanding task is grass-cutting, which we hope the local municipality will assist with “However, a local resident has kindly offered us a grass cutter, so we’ll manage Other than that, the pitch is in good condition,” said Nkwenkwe
He further reassured stakeholders that preparations are progressing smoothly as planned
“Logistics are underway We are busy procuring kits and other prizes Team registration and affiliation are ongoing, with teams slowly trickling in We still have available slots and want to encourage netball teams to register in large numbers,” he emphasised Nkwenkwe also called on all sports enthusiasts to attend this “historic event ”
QoraSwallowshostHeritage Tournamenttocombatcrime
ANELE RAZIYA
QORA Swallows FC from Qora Village in Mbhashe is preparing to host a two-day soccer tournament to celebrate Heritage Month and fight crime
The second edition of the annual Qora Heritage Tournament will take place at the Phesheya kweQora village sports grounds on 13–14 September
The aim of hosting the event is for Qora Swallows FC to encourage young boys to stop engaging in faction fights in villages around Qora, while also contributing to the development of sport, particularly in rural areas
One of the event organisers, Mnoneleli Nkohla, told Mthatha Express about the upcoming tournament He said that the event is open to everyone, meaning any team can join and participate
Nkohla explained that by hosting the second edition of the Qora Heritage Tournament, they hope to unite young boys from different villages who are often involved in violent faction fights, using sticks, pangas, and other dangerous weapons He emphasised that the organisers aim to put an end to faction fights, as they
sist schools in developing sport They have partnered with the British Council and the Premier League (England)
These partnerships have been vital, as coaches from England were invited to conduct a week-long course for teachers teaching Life Orientation and Physical Education The training focused on project management
The 50 teachers who participated in the training are expected to play a key role when the league starts, applying the knowledge gained during the course
Jongumzi Gushman, the principal of Ibika Primary School, and one of the trainees, expressed his excitement and gratitude for
perpetuate violence and often result in young boys being jailed for killing each other
Since the inception of this tournament, Nkohla stated that they always invite government departments, such as Social Development, SAPS, the local municipality, and other stakeholders, to create crime awareness and promote career opportunities He confirmed that similar engagement with stakeholders will be part of this year's event to target the issue of faction fights among young boys in neighbouring villages
Regarding participation, Nkohla revealed that each club will need to register with R400, and they expect more than 16 teams to take part in the tournament
Theprizesinclude:
• Champions:Goldmedals,asheepandprizemoney(to be disclosed before the event starts)
• Runners-up: Silver medals and an undisclosed cash prize
• Individualawards:GoalkeeperoftheTournamentand Player of the Tournament accolades
For further details or to register, teams can contact Nkohla on 083 587 8895
MultiChoice's involvement in school sports development
He highlighted that the MultiChoice programme would help keep learners away from drugs and other social issues by encouraging them to focus on sport
Gushman added that schools are determined and committed to working with MultiChoice to ensure that aspiring players are supported throughout their developmental stages until they achieve their full potential
Furthermore, he thanked MultiChoice, the British Council and the Premier League for their contribution to promoting sport in rural schools
Hololoshe