ORTamboMunicipality tellsScopaithasbuilt asolidfoundation
ZOLILE MENZELWA
THE alleged political fighting at OR Tambo District Municipality during the 2016 to 2021 term of the council led to unprecedented levels of instability in the Municipality
OR Tambo municipal manager (MM), Basil Mase, said this while reporting to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) from the National Assembly on March 25 The visit was initiated by Scopa chair, Songezo Zibi when he wrote to the executive mayor, Mesuli Ngqondwana
Among the areas of focus during the visit were the root cause of instability within the municipality, progress made in addressing the allegations of fraud and corruption - particularly cases being investigated by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) - and mismanagement of public funds Mthatha Express has a copy of the letter
Addressing the standing committee, Mase said, “The infighting between the executive mayor and the speaker spread to the municipal administration Accusations and counteraccusations to allegations of irregularities, mismanagement and fraud, were labelled against certain officials,” he said
The MM, however, did not give any names in his report the parliamentarians At the time Thokozile Sokhanyile was the executive mayor while the council speaker was Xolile Nkompela However, it could not be independently verified whether Mase was referring to them
“Council appointed a private investigator and further reported allegations to Chapter 9 institutions, the Hawks and the SIU ” Mase said the period was characterised by unpleasant events including mismanagement of funds and irregular appointments of service providers for COVID-19 Other events were the alleged payment of a danger allowance without following due policy processes and council approving unfunded budgets Mase said certain officials were suspended irregularly Mase showed faith in the current council
He said the council had hit the ground running to turn around the fortunes of the dis-
trict authority Changing his tune to focus on fraud and corruption, he said that following the proclamation signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa on July 29, 2022, the SIU had recommended that 12 employees be charged He said one of the contracts being investigated was the construction of the Signal Hill Reservoir and alleged irregular payment to a service provider and the Amatola Water Board
“The Amatola Water Board is the implementing agent of the Regional Bulk Water of the district municipality The amount of R12 7 million alleged to have been paid to Ruwacon (the service provider), was paid to Amatola Water Board as the implementing agent for the Signal Hill project in Mthatha Amatola appointed Ruwacon for the implementation of the Signal Hill project with a contract amount of R33 million,” he said
Mase said the project scope included the construction of a 15-megalitre reservoir at a cost of R12 7 million which was paid to Amatola to pay Ruwacon Another project under investigation is the construction of Mqanduli Bulk Water Supply by Gconasonke Construction
He said the R10 million alleged to have been paid irregularly to Gcinasonke was actually for work done on a R35 million project Another allegation relates to the payment of R10 million to Khwalo Construction as fraud
“The contractor was appointed for an amount of R36 million to construct two reservoirs and a secondary bulk main line The R10 million that was paid was for work done and material on site,” he said When the allegations of fraud surfaced, Mase said that, the contractor was busy on site - with a certified (work) progress of 56% The portion of work done was valued at R20 million
“We have built a solid foundation, strengthened our systems of accountability, tightened internal controls, and reviewed organisational policies to build a resilient organisation that is well poised to deliver on its Constitutional mandate We are proud of our progress and conscious of our weaknesses More focus has been given to infrastructure planning to speed up the provision of water to communities of the district,” Mase said
ECLBsupportsdecisionstakenbydepartment
THE Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) has commended Circular 3 of 2025, issued by the provincial Department of Education, which prohibits the sale of liquor on school premises and declares all schools with existing liquor on their premises as alcohol-free zones Further, the Circular instructs schools with existing liquor licences not to renew them and to rescind them immediately
This declaration is a significant victory for the ECLB, which has advocated for schools to become alcohol-free zones over the years The Chief Executive Officer of the Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB), Dr Nombuyiselo Makala, expressed that this is a monumental achievement for the Liquor Authority She stated that the presence of liquor on school premises is extremely counterproductive and sends an immoral message to learners, especially in a province grappling with ever-increasing cases of underage drinking and general alcohol abuse
“This bold step by the department will mitigate the prevalence of alcohol in schools, as it poses a significant risk to safety in the school environment Furthermore, the Circular is issued at an opportune moment, as the ECLB’s new regulations came into effect on 1 March
2025,” said Makala She added that this Circular aligns well with Section 3(1) of the new regulations, which stipulates that the distance from which liquor can be sold to educational institutions and places of worship has been extended from 100 metres to 500 metres to safeguard schools against potential disruptions
“We certainly need a more emboldened enforcement of zero tolerance for the sale of liquor to underage persons, and this Circular is a step in the right direction towards emphasising the importance of reducing accessibility and exposure of young people to alcohol ” She further stated that the ECLB will ensure that existing liquor licences of schools are not renewed, in line with the Department of Education's proposal that prevailing licences must not be renewed or must be repealed immediately
Dr Makala reaffirmed that the ECLB remains committed to supporting this commendable initiative to ensure schools become alcohol-free zones The declaration of schools as alcohol-free zones will strengthen the ECLB’s current ambassador programme, which seeks to educate learners about the dangers of underage drinking and promote healthy school environments
Newmallopens N inDutywa
THE Premier of the Eastern Cape, Oscar Mabuyane, was among the dignitaries who attended the official opening of the Mbhashe LG Mall in Dutywa, which consists of 63 shops, last week
He thanked the founder of the mall, Gcobani Nogoduka, and the partners, for playing a major role in bringing this development to the town
“We appreciate what you did for our people As the government of the Eastern Cape, we are proud of what you have done, and this has created more jobs for our children I had to roll up my sleeves because I saw that if we folded our arms, this would not have happened I thank the community members from the Ngxakaxa area for allowing us to use this land Young people from this area usually travel far to find jobs, but now some of them are working here, so they no longer need to travel long distances,” said Mabuyane
He added that people should understand that this mall cost over R350 million, and they should be aware of this when considering future projects He mentioned that the company that built the mall has a strong presence Mabuyane shared that he knows what it's like to be poor, so he does not wish to see young people from this province follow in his footsteps; instead, they should work to achieve their goals
“This structure is part of developing this area so that it can be in a higher position
We are appealing to the people on the coast not to be told by others from different countries that there will be no development here
When we talk about sustainable development, we are talking about development that goes hand in hand with the protection of the environment ”
He added that they are planning to have government departments, such as the Department of Home Affairs, in the mall to make it easier for community members to access their services
The Mayor of Mbhashe Local Municipality, Councillor Samkelo Janda, said they were pleased with this initiative, as it aligns with what they have been advocating for
“We have always wanted to see the economy of this area grow and to ensure that amenities available in other districts are also available here, right next to us Now, the money will circulate here in Dutywa because there will be no need for people to travel to other areas This was one of the challenges that held back our economy With 63 tenants already in place and the potential for the number to grow to 80, this mall will help develop our area Community members will be spending their money here, which will also create more job opportunities,” said Janda
He added that the mall is also attracting other investments, as it inspires confidence in investors
“If investors of this magnitude are coming here, we can see the potential for growth The money invested here, about R350 million, is the largest investment I have seen during my term As more people come here, the mu-
nicipality will see an increase in property investment, which will drive the need for more properties We are already in the process of building new properties These are not RDP houses but accommodation for professionals who will work here We don’t want them to work here and live in other districts they need to live here "
Janda further emphasised that the schools and health facilities in the area must be in good condition and that they may even need to upgrade to hospital-level services, as there is currently only a Community Health Centre in the municipality
He highlighted that the benefits of the mall will extend beyond the Mbhashe community, as it will also serve citizens from Ngcobo and other surrounding areas
He assured that they would work with the mall management to ensure it is always kept in good condition and remains attractive
“We will also speak to our stakeholders to ensure that, even if they face problems, no one will come and disrupt the shops If we work together, we can guarantee the sustainability of this investment in the area "
He mentioned that although he could not provide a specific timeframe for completing the construction of properties in the area, negotiations were already underway, and there were interested parties
“We have shown them some sites, and they have returned to make plans Once they have their plans ready, they will come back to the municipality with the next steps We are just waiting for their feedback ”
The founder of the mall, Gcobani Nogodu-
ka, said they gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Mbhashe LG Mall He expressed his pride and excitement over this achievement
“It’s no small feat that every achievement comes in small steps To reach this point, one must not rush I say this because this dream seemed unachievable to me back in the early ‘90s when I imagined a group of different shops under one roof As a black person, it felt like playing with fire But with resilience and faith, it has come to fruition today This is the second such mall after the first opened in Butterworth in 2012 Our company has had to overcome many challenges to get to this point,” said Nogoduka He shared that negotiations to acquire the land began back in 2009, and although things didn’t always go smoothly, he persevered, leading to this day
“I stand here committed to ensuring that the mall delivers the finest products and services to all our customers I hope this becomes a reality With our carefully selected team in mall management, I am confident my dream will not go unfulfilled ” He added that the team would continue to listen to customer feedback, improve where necessary, and enhance service quality within and around the mall
In conclusion, Nogoduka appealed to the authorities, saying, “Our government must come to the fore and help those who want to get into business, regardless of their status or the type of business, as long as it will have a positive impact on society and improve the living standards of our people ”
The Mbhashe LG Mall in Dutywa was officially opened last week. PHOTO: BABALWA NDLANYA
BABALWA NDLANYA
AmatholeDistrictMunicipalityowedoverR200m
ZOLILE MENZELWA
THE Amathole District Municipality (ADM) has raised serious concerns about the outstanding debt owed by government departments and businesses totalling over R200 million
The municipality said this resulted in a financial strain that threatened essential water and sanitation service provision Municipal spokesperson, Sisa Msiwa, said the money owed dates back to the end of February
“Water and sanitation are not just services, they are basic human rights enshrined in the Constitution Yet, millions
of rands in unpaid municipal debt by government institutions are jeopardising ADM's ability to provide these critical services, particularly to the vulnerable communities,” Msiwa said
The crisis, she said, affected the supply and maintenance services in struggling communities and the municipality's ability to upgrade aging infrastructure and respond to service interruptions Other affected areas were efforts to expand indigent support programmes and ensure that the most vulnerable receive their rightful services
The district authority called on all debtors to settle their arrears as a matter of urgency or risk having their water cut
off Business and private institutions owe a staggering R94 million; the Department of Health follows with a debt of R28 million with tertiary institutions owing a total R24 million
The Department of Public Works in the province is R23 million behind payment and the Eastern Cape Development Corporation needs to pay R14 million to be up to date with payments
These figures are all reflected in a report released by the district Municipality
Correctional Services has a debt of R8 million with the National Department of Public Works at R7 million The section 20 Department of Education owes R4 million and section 21 owes R1 million Transnet
has a R3 million debt while the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform owes R2 million
Entities requiring formal arrangements, Msiwa said, must visit the ADM revenue offices She said ADM valued partnerships with business and government departments in building a sustainable and thriving district
“As SA commemorated Human Rights Day, ADM reminds all stakeholders that access to water and sanitation is not a privilege but a right The municipality remains committed to upholding that right but it requires financial stability from sectors to sustain services for the people of Amathole,” Msiwa said
StudentchosentoattendconferenceinSingapore
BABALWA NDLANYA
A STUDENT from Walter Sisulu University (WSU), Siyamthanda France Mtshixa, from Ngcobo, has confirmed that he has been selected to represent South Africa at the Change the World Model United Nations (CWMUN) Conference in Singapore, taking place from May 8 to May 10, 2025
Although he is extremely excited about this opportunity, he is concerned about not having sufficient funds to make the trip possible
“This conference is a globally recognised platform where I will engage in critical discussions on Artificial Intelli-
gence, Robotics, and Climate Change –topics that are shaping the future of our world,” he stated
Mtshixa emphasised that this opportunity is not just a personal milestone but also a chance to amplify the voices of South African youth, contribute to global policy conversations, and advocate for innovative solutions on an international stage
Despite his enthusiasm, he is worried about the costs involved To make this journey possible, he is seeking financial assistance to cover essential expenses
He explained that the return flight costs R17,183 17, which includes two complimentary nights in Dubai during
the journey, as well as local transportation and other essential costs during the conference
“I kindly appeal for your support Any contribution, even as little as R10, will make a meaningful impact in helping me achieve this goal
“Those who would like to assist can contact me at 079 215 1405 Your generosity will not only enable me to attend this significant conference but will also empower me to represent our country with pride and contribute to shaping a better future I sincerely appreciate your support – every amount counts and brings me one step closer to this life-changing opportunity ”
stspublic rriageBill
(including same-sex unions)
“There were also some programmes that were not recognised under these types of marriages For instance, Muslim marriages were not acknowledged Couples in such marriages found it difficult to benefit from programmes designed for married people,” said Mnunu
He added that the Bill seeks to close these gaps by creating a unified marriage framework that combines religious marriages, customary marriages, and Civil Marriages This framework will also facilitate the management and appointment of Marriage Officers, who will be designated by the Director-General
These officers will include individuals from affected areas, such as Traditional Leaders and Ministries Mnunu emphasised that the requirements for marriage under the new framework are straightforward He confirmed that individuals intending to marry will need to present an Identity Document, Passport, Birth Certificate, or a permit confirming their legal status in the country
“We believe these measures are clear and will assist us moving forward Previously, we faced challenges where one person in a marriage had an Identity Document, while the other only had a date of birth Now, if one partner has an ID, the other will have the opportunity to obtain one, making it easier to link all married individuals,” he explained
Community members were given the opportunity to voice their opinions during the hearing
Chief Bhovulengwe Mtikrakra expressed his support, stating, “At least something is being done There are challenges raised here, especially by Christians, and we hope Parliament will listen to the voices of the people There is freedom of speech, freedom of association, and freedom to do what one wishes If Christians and Traditional Leaders do not believe in Civil Unions, they should not be part of it Those who do believe in them should be free to participate, as long as they do not affect others in society ”
Walter Sisulu University student, Siyamthanda Mtshixa, is appealing to Good Samaritans to assist him in his journey to Singapore PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Sessioncelebrates30 yearsofartisticexcellence
BABALWA NDLANYA
THANDEKA Vabaza, founder of Soul Clap Sessions from Mthatha, confirmed that, in partnership with King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Local Municipality Tourism, they are celebrating 30 years of artistic excellence with the presentation of the High School Poetry Challenge 2025
Vabaza stated that they are marking 30 years of Resistance Culture, Preservation and Artistic Excellence at the Umtata Art Centre He explained that the High School Poetry Challenge is part of the centre's programming for this milestone celebration
“We also recently opened the Art Centre Gallery, where people can visit to view our exhibits Additionally, we hosted a Gala Dinner, inviting various stakeholders, including Mayor Councillor Nyaniso Nelani from King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality During the dinner, we discussed the challenges we are facing, including the need for our lease agreement to be renewed, as we currently do not know where we stand,” said Vabaza He added that the lease agreement issue was one of the key points raised with Nelani, even during the visit of members of the Legislature
“This lease agreement is a significant concern for us because we are uncertain about our future and what will happen next As we celebrate 30 years of artistic excellence, we are hopeful that we will continue to thrive and even reach 100 years "
Regarding the High School Poetry Challenge, Vabaza noted that learners from the O R Tambo District Municipality recently shared their poems during the 6th Annual High School Po-
etry Challenge, which was held at the centre
He confirmed that they also have a drama, titled Rivonia Trial, which has already been performed at different schools around O R Tambo He said they are appealing to schools to invite them to showcase this drama
A Grade 11 learner from Saku Gengqe in Mqanduli, Lihle Nqasha, won first place along with a R1000 cash prize after finishing as runner-up in 2024 Nqasha shared how the competition helped him find his voice and confidence “The competition motivated me and helped me realise that when someone is talented, they should share it with others I am very proud of this competition, and I believe it can open doors for many people I now feel the spirit of being a poet,” said Nqasha
Another winner, Hlumisa Gontshi (16), from Zimele Senior Secondary School in Mthatha, took second place She expressed how the poetry challenge provided a safe space for her to express herself
“This Challenge has helped me overcome many challenges during my poetic journey because I always knew I had a home and a platform to showcase my feelings This Challenge continues to be a source of my confidence and potential Through this platform, I have met many people who share my passion, and for that, I will forever be grateful,” she said
Baxolele Somkoko (17), from Gobizizwe Agricultural High School in Mthatha, shared how the competition helped her connect with other poets who inspire her growth
“This is my first time entering this competition, and I am very happy to be part of it It has also helped me network with other learners and poets, offering me the opportunity to collaborate with well-known poets,” she said
This trio won in the High School Poetry Challenge: Hlumisa Gontshi (from Zimele Senior Secondary School in Mthatha, obtained position two), Lihle Nqasha (from Saku Gengqe Senior Secondary School in Mqanduli, obtained position one) and Baxolele Somkoko (from Gobizizwe Agricultural High School in Mthatha, obtained position three).
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
PortStJohns’authorrevives culturethroughherfirstbook
BABALWA NDLANYA
AN author from the Mthimde locality in Port St Johns, Nozibele Monica Maqutywa (66), has published her debut book, Ndamitha Njani Singa Dibananga Maqutywa shared that her book is a collection of short stories, and she began writing it because of her love for storytelling and narrating tales
“My book discusses various issues that affect our society It also serves to preserve and revive our language Additionally, it aims to instil a love for farming while teaching people the importance of being independent, regardless of the challenges they face If a person does not stand on their own, they become victims,” said Maqutywa
She explained that she started writing the book at the beginning of 2024 and worked towards publishing it by the end of the year Maqutywa also revealed that she is currently working on another book, which she plans to publish as soon as it is complete She mentioned that she began writing many years ago, but her earlier work was unfortunately lost Those interested in purchasing her book can contact her via WhatsApp at 0720712668
Nozibele Maqutywa from Mthimde locality in Port St Johns released her first book PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Sport Gubevu G evu laidto l rest res
HUNDREDS of football supporters gathered in Ludeke, Bizana, to pay their final respects to their friend, Nkosinathi Gubevu Kufa
Gubevu was one of the well-known and prominent supporters of Kaizer Chiefs FC and Sinenkani FC Known as the "Captain of supporters," Gubevu was laid to rest this past Saturday at his home in Ludeke, Bizana, Eastern Cape
He tragically lost his life on March 22 in a car accident on the N61, near Caribbean Estate, while heading towards Port Edward in KwaZulu-Natal
Kufa had been driving back to Durban, where he worked, after attending one of the biggest Eastern Cape ABC Motsepe League derbies between Sinenkani FC and FC Ravens at Mafumbatha Stadium in Bizana Sadly, he passed away during the journey
Speakers at the funeral praised Gubevu for his unwavering dedication to supporting football teams, attending every match for both Kaizer Chiefs FC and his local team, Sinenkani FC
The funeral was attended by numerous football supporters and associations from across South Africa's nine provinces
EasternCapeSasolLeagueteamsgranted extensionforseasonpreparations
EASTERN Cape Sasol League teams have been given an additional two weeks to finalise their preparations for the 2025 season. This decision follows an announcement by the South African Football Association (SAFA) office in the province to postpone the kick-off date for the league campaign to April 12. Initially, the 2025 Sasol League season was set to begin on March 29
However, due to unforeseen circumstances affecting the clubs, SAFA opted to move the starting date, giving teams more time to prepare. Recent reports have revealed that nearly 50% of the teams in the Sasol League re-
quested their games be rescheduled due to unforeseen challenges, leading to SAFA's decision to postpone the start of the league.
In recent weeks, teams such as Eastern Cape Peace Lovers FC, from Ngcobo, and the defending champions of the Sasol League Inland Stream, Executive Ladies, from Ntabankulu, have expressed their readiness for the new season.
Dumisani Gcina of Eastern Cape Peace Lovers FC, during an interview with Mthatha Express, shared that his team is prepared to start the season, having assembled a strong squad capable of competing for the top spot.
“We have a good squad, and we are targeting a better performance this year compared
Young Butterworth refereedreams ofprofessional success
ANELE RAZIYA
LINAMANDLA Mpama (15), from Butterworth, dreams of becoming a professional football referee one day Mpama shared her aspirations after receiving the award for Best Assistant Referee of the Tournament at the recent Nozulu Youth Legacy Cup, held at Walter Sisulu University’s Bika campus in Mnquma
This was the first officiating award for Mpama, a Grade 10 student at Ndabankulu Senior Secondary School, in her two years of experience as an assistant referee
“I’m very excited and happy to win the Assistant Referee of the Tournament award This award means a lot to me,” said Mpama, visibly delighted
She added that the recognition motivates her to remain dedicated and committed to officiating football matches Mpama began her refereeing journey last year, officiating league games in the Mnquma Local Football Association (Mnquma LFA) She was also given the opportunity to act as the fourth official in the second edition of the Nozulu Youth Legacy Cup Discussing her future plans in officiating, Mpama expressed her desire to follow in the footsteps of Akhona Makalima, the Ngqamakhwe-born Premier Soccer League (PSL) referee “Akhona Makalima is the referee who inspires me One day, I want to be a professional referee just like her and I will work hard to achieve this dream,” said Mpama Currently, Mpama continues to officiate games in the Mnquma LFA and local tournaments while pursuing her goal of becoming a professional referee The Mnquma LFA praised all match officials who participated in the annual Nozulu Youth Legacy Cup and expressed pride in their outstanding performance during the event
to that of last season when we finished second behind Executive Ladies in the Sasol League Inland Stream,” said Gcina.
He added that he expects the season to be more competitive, as every team will be aiming for the top position to secure a chance to compete in the Sasol League National Promotion Playoffs.
On the other hand, Executive Ladies are among the teams that began their preparations early in January and are ready to compete in the division.
When the season begins on April 12, the Ntabankulu-based team will aim to replicate their stellar performance from last season, where they topped the log standings without suffering a single defeat.
Match official, Linamandla Mpama, holding her assistant referee of the tournament award she won during the Nozulu Youth Legacy Cup event at Walter Sisulu University at Bika campus PHOTO: ANELE RAZIYA
ANELE RAZIYA
HOSEYA JUBASE
PHOTOS: HOSEYA JUBASE
Nkosinathi Kufa’s funeral was attended by numerous football supporters