MbhasheMayorgraduateswithDoctorate
Mbhashe
Unqualifiedaudit opinionmaintained
ZOLILE MENZELWA
MBASHE Local Municipality has maintained its unqualified audit opinion with emphasis on matters for the 2024/25 financial year from the office of the Auditor General South Africa (AGSA) as revealed during an ordinary council meeting on Wednesday, November 3
In a briefing by the executive mayor, Dr Samkelo Janda, he said the council meeting dealt with reports that needed council approval The reports included the municipality’s intent to apply for a vehicle testing station and the performance evaluation report, which focuses on the municipal manager (MM) and the senior managers reporting to the MM However, Janda – who recently obtained his PhD in Public Administration from Nelson Mandela University – focused on two of the reports
“One of those reports was talking to an application we intend to make about a vehicle testing station We are in the programme of ensuring we increase our revenue base, so this vehicle testing station is going to help so that our motorists don’t go into far areas for this service They are able to find it within the Mbhashe Local Municipality So, we are building one in Dutywa and another one in Xhora,” he said
Janda said the municipality had been given an indication by the office of the AGSA that auditing had been completed on November 30 “They have given us a report to indicate that the municipality will still maintain the unqualified audit opinion with emphasis on matters Those matters of emphasis are debt impairment, financial misstatement and the third aspect is around irregular expenditure,” he said
He said the performance evaluation on the audit report was encouraging in that there was improvement “For instance, the targets which were set to be about 81 when compared with the budget and the expenditure, there was a correlation, and they were balancing; it was 80-81, which we were very happy to see We were also pleased to see that there were no material findings in our performance information ”
Janda said, however, that the local authority had hoped to be at the clean audit stage by now but cited the matters of emphasis that had been raised He commended the municipal administration for the improved performance “We also want to extend our gratitude to the office of the AGSA and our audit committee for the work that they have done This year’s audit was not an easy one but at least we were able to maintain the status of unqualified even though we are not happy,” Janda said
FourchargedwithR4.2mECDC fraudandcorruption
MANDLA Gibson Mpikashe (47), former head of legal, compliance and governance at Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), Simphiwe Mkhululi Mbabane (45), Bayethe Maswazi (49), and Mpumelelo (Mtumelelo) Mkosana (54), directors of Mbabane and Sokutu Inc attorneys, appeared before the East London Magistrate’s Court on charges of fraud, theft and corruption recently Spokesperson for Hawks, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, said the perpetrators were arrested by the East London Serious Corruption Investigation unit of the Hawks in connection with fraud that reportedly occurred at ECDC The funds involved in the matter were more than R4 2 million “It is alleged that Mpikashe was entrusted with safeguarding governance and compliance processes at ECDC, where he allegedly colluded with the above-mentioned service provider to irregularly enter into a Service Level Agreement (SLA) for debt collection services The entity, Mbabane Maswazi & Sokutu Incorporated, was appointed strictly for the
panel of legal services in March 2016, and not for the panel of debt collectors,” he said He added that in 2017, Mbabane and Sokutu Inc attorneys were changed to Mbabane and Maswazi Inc attorneys
Mhlakuvana added that despite this limitation, an SLA dated May 2017, signed by Mpikashe on behalf of ECDC, extended the scope of work to include debt collection without following any lawful procurement procedures
“This deviation allegedly created an opportunity through which the service provider unlawfully deducted approximately R4 2 million from ECDC, constituting an undue, unjustified and unlawful financial benefit The matter was referred to the Hawks for thorough investigation ”
He added that the accused appeared before the East London Magistrate’s Court on the day of their arrest, where Mpikashe and Mkosana were released on R5,000 bail each, while Mbabane and Maswazi were granted R10,000 bail each The matter was remanded to 19 January 2026 for further investigation
21arrestedinconnectionwith allegedillegalcircumcision
ZOLILE MENZELWA
TWO weeks into the start of the 2026 summer customary male initiation season in the Eastern Cape, 21 people have been arrested for alleged illegal circumcision, while five initiate deaths have been recorded across the province
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC, Zolile Williams, said metro and district monitoring teams were scattered throughout the province to guarantee the safe passage to manhood He said the work done by the teams was commendable in helping to mitigate the risks associated with negligence and neglect by some parents
“We are concerned about the illegal initiation schools in some parts of the province and commend those who comply with the prescripts of the law for the safe passage of boys to manhood Twenty-one people have been arrested for alleged illegal circumcision We commend our teams and the SAPS for stamping the authority of our government against
lawbreakers,” he said He said the arm of the law should take its course without fear or favour against those who break it, including errant parents “Five deaths have been recorded thus far in the province, with one in Buffalo City Metro, two in the Chris Hani district and two more in the OR Tambo district ” The Eastern Cape House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, Nkosi Mpumalanga Gwadiso, decried the alleged death by hanging in the Chris Hani district “Let the police investigate the matter to bring closure to the parents and family of the deceased The deaths are disappointing given the awareness campaigns undertaken through training and Imbizo yamadoda, ” he said He encouraged monitoring teams not to be discouraged but rather to focus on mitigating risks until the end of the season “We send our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families,” said Nkosi Gwadiso Police had not confirmed the arrests and the areas where they occurred at the time of going to print
KSDMunicipality’s34newfleetvehiclestoboostservices
BABALWA NDLANYA
THE mayor of King Sabatha Dalindyebo (KSD) Local Municipality, Councillor Nyaniso Nelani, has confirmed that the municipality is on a mission to improve the Mthatha area to make it a better town and strengthen service delivery by ensuring that roads are maintained
This comes as the municipality handed over 34 new fleet vehicles, including yellow fleet equipment, which will boost operations such as road maintenance and other essential services
The event was held at Jerald Hawkes (formerly known as Mthatha Stadium) in Mthatha last week
Nelani said the municipality was excited about the arrival of both the yellow and white fleets, noting that these resources will enhance efficiency and performance
“Bringing service delivery is our priority not only service delivery provided by departments on the ground, but also internal support departments that enable
it We know that our previous fleet, procured in 2017, had become depleted As council, we made the decision to procure the new fleet that we see today,” said Nelani
Nelani said the municipality had been patient as the process unfolded He confirmed that the council opted for a rentto-buy model after assessing all available options
“We took the option of rent-to-buy, which is what we have now implemented This fleet will definitely bring change in terms of service delivery While it may not be everything we need, it is a significant step forward It will make a real difference in the work we do every day ”
He further noted that plans were already in place to deploy the fleet effectively to ensure that service delivery goals were met
Nelani added that the municipality’s roads forum had been meeting regularly to plan ahead, especially as the festive season approaches a period that requires enhanced security, public safety, and operational efficiency
Deputy Chairperson of the Business Forum, Lungelo Mpongwana, welcomed the progress made regarding municipal bylaws
“At least the bylaws are now updated
One of the major challenges affecting the municipality was outdated bylaws,” he said Mpongwana emphasised that more work still needed to be done
“They still need to work hard because we still have taverns operating in town
There must be a team that works at night, as in any other city Mthatha is no longer
a town; it is a city now, so we have to change the way we do things,” he said He also raised concerns about cleanliness and municipal infrastructure
Mpongwana said the town was still not thoroughly clean and that improving hygiene and maintenance would contribute significantly to making Mthatha more attractive
He added that several potential investors were interested in coming to Mthatha, but infrastructure challenges, including roads and electricity supply, remained a barrier
Some of the fleet cars that were bought by King Sabatha Dalindyebo Local Municipality to fast-track service delivery
PHOTO: BABALWA NDLANYA
RevampedswimmingpoolopenforFestiveSeason
BABALWA NDLANYA
COMMUNITY members from Mthatha will spend the festive season in a different way as the mayor of King Sabatha Dalindyebo Local Municipality, Councillor Nyaniso Nelani, officially opened a swimming pool that had been closed due to vandalism last week
According to him, this is one of several projects in the pipeline aimed at reviving KSD
Nelani said the amenities that were revamped include swimming pools for adults and children, a water fountain, a water pump, changing rooms, and fencing of the park
“This swimming pool is the pride of the people of this municipality This is one of the important places for the people of KSD and the surrounding areas because it is where they used to meet with their loved ones for different purposes People came here from different places It was a meeting place for young and old,” said Nelani
He said the time had come to bring happiness and to lift the flag of KSD by revamping the facility
“The reason for the delay was that this facility is very old, so we needed permission from the Heritage Council When you want to renovate such a structure, you must seek permission first ” Nelani said they were happy because “the puzzle pieces are now coming together,” as they had
promised before According to him, they want KSD and Mthatha to be places the community can be proud of, especially by improving import-
ant facilities like this one He confirmed that the entire project cost R4 5 million, including designs and all work done in the Savoy Gardens area, includ-
ing the swimming pool site
“Almost everything you see here is included in that R4 5 million We are finalising the tariffs We already have tariffs for
Mqanduli men build bridge using own funds
opening, but we are busy with a cost-benefit analysis so that we can maintain the facility and continue investing in it
“We do not want tariffs to be too hard on the community, but at the same time, we must keep the facility sustainable The analysis will help us ensure suitable tariffs For now, temporarily, children (3 to 13 years) will pay R17 for access and adults (14 and above) will pay R40 ” Nelani added that the main purpose of reopening the pool is to raise awareness in the community so that they can help protect the facility
“You know we had this before, and it was vandalised The awareness today is about protecting this asset We appeal to community members to guard it jealously because it is their asset It contributes to their life skills and benefits families beyond just swimming ”
He said they have 24-hour security in place, and restoring safety was the first step in the project
Nelani confirmed they will continue to prioritise security as it is one of the key issues for KSD Director of Smillie Dolphin Swim School & Club, Margaret Sutherland, said she was very excited about what the municipality had done
“It is going to help me by providing more qualified instructors who can assist people and teach them how to swim and save themselves Swimming is an important life skill, and it is wise to learn how to swim,” said Sutherland
Community members from Mthatha enjoying themselves in a swimming pool that was reopened after it was revamped by King Sabatha Dalindyebo Local Municipality in Mthatha.
PHOTO: BABALWA NDLANYA
AmatolaWaterBoardsecuresimprovedunqualifiedauditopinion
MANDLENKOSI MXENGI
BUFFALO Buffalo City Metro’s bulk water supplier, Amatola Water, has received an improved unqualified audit opinion with findings from the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) for the 2024-25 financial year
In audit terms, an unqualified audit opinion (with findings) indicates that an auditee has passed the critical test of fair presentation of financial statements, which means that it accounted accurately for its financial statements
The “findings” refer to issues the auditor discovered that, while not affecting the reliability of the financial statements, still need attention Amatola Water Board stakeholder and communications manager Nolitha Mbangcolo said the latest audit opinion and its achievements reflect a significant
turnaround in the entity’s financial governance and operational performance
“Compared to the previous year, the number of findings has been reduced, underscoring the effectiveness of the board’s efforts to strengthen internal controls and improve compliance,” said Mbangcolo
She said the management acknowledges the Auditor-General’s emphasis on the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern “Amatola Water is actively implementing a board-approved financial turnaround plan, which aims to restore financial sustainability and ensure longterm viability,” she added
Amatola Water Board interim chairperson Dr Gaster Sharpley commended the leadership of acting chief executive Lindokuhle Nzoyi and her executive team, saying that the achievement is a testament to the incredible dedication and hard work shown by Nzoyi and her management team
“Their commitment to fostering a culture of accountability and transparency has been instrumental in driving this positive change at Amatola Water It is inspiring to witness such resolute leadership in action,” said Sharpley
Sharpley said the latest accomplishment not only reflects Amatola Water’s strategic focus on good governance but also marks a significant step towards restoring confidence in Amatola Water, a board historically known for its challenges
“The reduction in audit findings demonstrates our ongoing efforts to address past issues and highlights our commitment to a stable and accountable public entity We are proud of the collaborative efforts of the staff, leadership and stakeholders in achieving this milestone, and we recognise that this is just the beginning of a new chapter for Amatola Water,” added Sharpley
BuffaloCityMetroyouth,emergingentrepreneursempowered
MANDLENKOSI MXENGI
EARLIER this year, the Buffalo City Metro in partnership with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) announced an audacious plan stipulating that by the end of the year at least 50 spaza shops must be owned by the youth residing in Buffalo City, and now that plan is set in motion as the Metro and NYDA host a series of youth dialogues aimed at empowering local youth and promoting economic development
The latest youth dialogue summit was held at the Clements Kadalie Hall in Braelyn Extension, East London in November It is expected that more youth dialogues will be hosted across the Metro before the end of this year and early next year
In March, amid the continued raid operations on illegal foreign spaza shops, the Metro in partnership with the NYDA announced plans to provide funding to at least 50 young people, including local emerging entrepreneurs interested in starting spaza shop businesses in the Buffalo City region
In February, about 100 young business-minded people from across the Buffalo City region formed part of a five-day small business management training workshop held at the Cambridge Town Hall
The training workshop, a joint initiative by BCM and NYDA, was for the youth interested in the spaza shop business, including emerging entrepreneurs who own small businesses and those who needed funding for a start-up business
The Metro and NYDA told workshop attendees that there was funding available for about 50 young people to start their own businesses, with financial boosts ranging from R1,000 to R250,000
Speaking at the youth dialogue in Braelyn, BCM’s Directorate for Economic Development and Agencies official, Phiwe Mkonwana, urged those in attendance to start their businesses while age was still on their side
“It is good to start businesses while you are still young Young entrepreneurs have fresh perspectives, ideas, and access to resources and financial support The Directorate of Economic Development and Agencies seeks to promote economic development through various interventions and strategies that help the Metro to thrive, boost its economic growth, in-
cluding township economy,” said Mkonwana BCM Industry Critical Skills and Development Unit official Milton Halu said the unit will continue facilitating skills development through learning programmes, including learnerships, skills programmes, internships and other relevant learning programmes facilitated by the Metro
The Metro has concluded the registration of spaza shops owned by local residents, enabling them to qualify and meet the criteria set for applying for spaza shop funding assistance
The national Department of Small Business Development has set aside R500 million for funding targeting registered and qualifying spaza shops owned by South African citizens throughout the country
StudentwinsR120,000foraffordableprostheticfootdesign
IT is estimated that there are more than 300,000 amputees in South Africa, with many from lower-income households unable to afford quality, if any, prosthetic legs, which can cost upwards of R100,000
This is, amidst the public health system that often lacks resources and has long waiting lists for those in need
More than seven years ago, Eastern Cape entrepreneur and innovator, Zanodumo Godlimpi, made it his mission to do something about this His hard work and determination paid off recently when he was named the 2025 EDHE Studentpreneur of the Year at the seventh annual EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity, winning R120,000
The Walter Sisulu University (WSU) parttime postgraduate student and employee won a further R25,000 as the winner in the Academic Research Commercialisation category Godlimpi was rewarded for his cost-effective design of a pneumatic prosthetic foot, an advanced type of prosthetic that uses air pressure (pneumatics) for more powerful and adaptive movement, often mimicking the biomechanics of a natural ankle The device provides dynamic support, control and energy return, offering a greater range of motion and responsiveness than basic passive feet
When his name was announced as the winner at the awards ceremony, which took place in Johannesburg, Godlimpi says he reacted purely out of instinct
The Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE), a programme of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) administered and implemented by Universities South Africa (USAf), is the custodian of the annual EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity EDHE is predominantly funded through the University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP) of the DHET
The Intervarsity is a platform designed to identify, recognise and celebrate top student entrepreneurs at South Africa's 26 public universities The event has, over the years, enjoyed the support of numerous private sector entities including the SAB Foundation, which, in 2025, supported the initiative for the sixth year in a row
Godlimpi explained what is different about his award-winning design
While studying at the Medicine and Health
Sciences faculty at WSU, Godlimpi had to spend time in a public hospital
"I saw that although the patients were fitted with prosthetic devices and were able to walk, they could not simulate the normal way of walking, similar to non-amputees The difficulty was worse for patients who lived in rural areas where there was a lack of basic infrastructure
"Some of the comments from those I spoke to highlighted difficulties walking uphill and down slopes, where the patients would feel as though their foot was pushing them backwards or their knees felt unstable
"Adaptive, powered prosthetic devices were available during that time; however, this remains a luxury for our people, both then and now And so in 2018, I started working on my
prosthetic foot prototype to address the problems faced by this specific part of the population I took my book allowance money and bought a pneumatic cylinder and other components to develop my first model," he explains Thanks to the promising outcomes, Godlimpi and a colleague applied for funding from the Technology and Innovation Agency, which granted them R485,000 to further develop the prototype With the help of WSU, he has filed patents in South Africa, China and Europe
His EDHE R120,000 prize money will be used to buy a 3D printer and assist in covering travelling costs during the second phase of testing
So where does he see himself in the next five years?
"Running a company specialising in designing and manufacturing prosthetic devices
and components The current prosthetic foot innovation will be segmented into three tiers: a lower tier with fewer features, a middle tier with robust gait adaptation and energy input, and a premium product that is connected to an AI-powered application for real-time gait parameter tuning, enabling seamless and smooth step-to-step transitions This strategy will ensure that various people have access to this innovation and will not be limited by the price " Godlimpi believes that competitions, such as the EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity, are important as they allow emerging innovators and entrepreneurs to showcase their work to potential investors, business partners and clients It also creates opportunities for mentorship, networking and access to resources that many young innovators would not otherwise have
"Beyond funding and visibility, they help validate ideas, build confidence and open doors for collaboration, ultimately accelerating the journey from concept to real-world impact," he says
Even though he has lived and breathed designing and building his pneumatic prosthetic foot prototype for the past seven years, he believes that even the most passionate inventor needs downtime: "I go to the gym and sometimes watch soccer; I am an ardent Kaizer Chiefs supporter! I also spend time in the holidays doing carpentry, a skill I taught myself It allows me to be creative and switch off from the world while focusing on the work in front of me "
Godlimpi says he will be eternally grateful for the support he has received throughout his entrepreneurial journey to make a meaningful difference in the lives of amputees: "My work has been strengthened by the unwavering support from the WSU Office of Technology Transfer and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences It also reflects the value of collaboration across institutions; the progress we have made is thanks to our partnership with the Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing, [located at the Central University of Technology in Bloemfontein] I am open to collaborating with potential partners who share the vision of creating meaningful impact and supporting the commercialisation of this innovation "
Amatola Water Board interim chairperson Dr Gaster Sharpley PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Zanodumo Godlimpi
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Ruralmaleyouthsencouragedtolaydownweapons
ZAVELA MAKWABE
STAKEHOLDERS committed to promoting safer communities and proactive interventions hosted a camp for 30 boys from 27th to 30th November at Tobotshana locality in Butterworth
The four-day programme coordinated by the K’sasalezwe Boy Child Programme focused on critical issues such as faction fights among boys, crime, and gender-based violence
“Because of the spike in uncontrollable faction fights across villages, especially during initiation season, we saw it befitting to host such a programme We educated the boys and young men in attendance on the dangers of getting involved in violence and unrest and also warned them of the consequences of such behaviour, such as physical injuries, criminal records, and even loss of life,” said Sibongakonke Toli, one of the coordinators of the programme He said that they are hoping for positive results and good behavioural changes amongst the boys and wish to continue with this positive initiative
Sixteen-year-old Endinako Nyila from Mzantsi told the Express that he learnt a lot by being part of the programme “We were taught respect, self-conduct, and accountability,” he said The camp was an eye-opening experience
“I got a wake-up call during our short supervised visit to prison for a bit of education on prison life I got a glimpse of the impact of making bad choices I will now live in accordance with moral standards ” A group of 30 boys attended a four-day
violence
MbhasheMayorgraduateswith PhDinPublicAdministration
COUNCIL Speaker for the Mbhashe Local Municipality, Councillor Babalwa Majavu, confirmed that the municipality is celebrating a remarkable milestone in its leadership as the Executive Mayor, Councillor Samkelo Janda, has graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Administration from Nelson Mandela University (NMU).
His thesis is titled "An Analysis of the Municipal Council Oversight Function: A Case of Mnquma Local Municipality."
Majavu said Dr Janda's latest academic achievement crowns an impressive educational journey marked by consistent commitment to governance excellence, public sector innovation, and development-focused leadership.
He holds a master's degree in governance and political transformation from the University of the Free State, as well as a master's degree in public administration (infrastructure) from the University of Pretoria.
In addition, he completed the CPMD in Municipal Finance and Supply Chain Management through the University of the Witwatersrand, strengthening his proficiency in public administration and institutional governance.
"Beyond his academic credentials, Dr Janda brings decades of experience rooted in community development and public service. His career began in education, where he progressed from Assistant Teacher to School Principal, later serving as Deputy Education Specialist for Youth Affairs within the Eastern Cape Departments of
Education, and Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture," she said She added that this wide-ranging experience continues to inform his leadership approach as Mayor, where he champions ethical governance, improved service delivery and strategic development initiatives across Mbhashe.
Prior to his current role, he served the Amathole District Municipality for 15 years in various leadership capacities: Municipal Speaker (2000–2006 and 2011–2016) and Portfolio Head for Local Economic Development (LED) (2000–2011).
"As the first Council Speaker of Amathole, Dr Janda played a pioneering role in shaping legislative procedures, advancing public participation frameworks and establishing governance models that were later institutionalised across South African municipalities."
He is currently serving as a South African Local Government Association (SALGA) National Executive Committee member, reflecting his dedication to shaping good governance across the country.
She congratulated Dr Janda, noting that his achievement will strengthen the oversight work of the municipality and should motivate all councillors to pursue self-development.
The municipality celebrates this accomplishment as a powerful asset to the institution.
Municipal Manager Mkululi Nako also commended Dr Janda, noting that his academic excellence sets a guiding standard for both municipal officials and young people across the region.
Multi-talentedproducercombines musicwithportraitart
BABALWA NDLANYA
MULTI-TALENTED music producer, Sicelo Mapukata (35), from Timane locality in Dutywa, is seeking support for his career as an artist
Besides being a music producer, Mapukata also draws portraits, and some people use his artwork to decorate their homes
"I started drawing when I was still in the lower grades at Zamuxolo Primary School in Dutywa My friends and I used to draw wrestlers and other subjects Even in the classroom, I loved drawing My customers just give me their pictures, and then I do what they want me to do Even though I do not get enough money, it is better than waiting for a salary that comes once per month," said Mapukata According to him, it is difficult to market his business, which makes it hard for it to become well-known, as he is unsure about the channels he needs to follow
He confirmed that he has tried to pass this skill on to his children and family, but none of them has shown interest
Speaking about his music, he said he started singing in 2011 and has produced many singles, including five albums Among his albums, he produced one titled Umaqala Zive,
camp at Tobotshana locality in Butterworth. The programme, coordinated by the K’sasalezwe Boy Child Programme, focused on critical issues such as faction fights among boys, crime, and gender-based
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Sicelo Mapukata’s portrait of his son, Siyanda Mapukata. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
BoostforBuffaloCityMetro’syouth-ownedbusinesses
MANDLENKOSI MXENGI
TWO emerging businesses, owned by young entrepreneurs operating in the Buffalo City Metro region, received a major boost by securing millions of rands' worth of business equipment, including two vehicles, through the Isiqalo Youth Fund business rescue initiative
KwaNontsomi Enterprise (Pty) Limited, a youth-owned business operating in Sweetwaters in Qonce, recently secured over R1 4 million worth of sound equipment, including a panel van invested in the company by the Isiqalo Youth Fund initiative
Meanwhile, another youth-owned company based in Mdantsane township, Labtronic Solutions, also secured over R1 3 million worth of ICT equipment, including a panel van, also from the Isiqalo Youth Fund
The Isiqalo Youth Fund is an initiative of the Eastern Cape government in partnership with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) aimed at empowering and providing financial assistance to youthowned emerging businesses and young entrepreneurs in the Eastern Cape
A joint handover ceremony was recently held at the East London City Hall
The investment and support form part of the provincial government's continued
efforts to support youth-owned businesses operating throughout the province
KwaNontsomi Enterprise specialises in DVD production and high-quality visual content KwaNontsomi Enterprise director Ntsikelelo Mavata expressed his gratitude to Isiqalo, saying that the investment will uplift their business operations and help them to grow and provide additional services
"This business support will help us improve our service offering and move closer to our goal of becoming one of the most thriving audio-visual companies in the province," said Mavata
Labtronic Solutions specialises in videography, photography, podcasting and audio-visual production
Labtronic Solutions founder and creative director Thobani Vumindaba also welcomed the support, saying the much-needed equipment and the bakkie will help the company to grow and create jobs for local youth
Representing Premier Oscar Mabuyane, Buffalo City Metro mayor Princess Faku said the Isiqalo Youth Fund initiative continues to provide support and funding for youth-owned businesses operating in the Eastern Cape
"The creative industry continues to grow and is contributing positively to the provincial economy," said Faku
IsingqisethuFestivalcelebratesdiversity
ZAVELA MAKWABE
THE atmosphere was electric at the Port St Johns Sports Ground as people from all over the province gathered for the 2025 Singqisethu Cultural Festival on 6th December
The annual festival, which has been running in the Wild Coast for 25 years now, showcased a diversity of heritage and culture, including art exhibitions, fashion shows, African cuisine, and live music performances from much-loved local and national entertainers such as the soulful Zuko SA, Amanda Mankayi, Lindo Mtangayi, the award-winning and multi-talented Vee Sholo, and the legendary superstar Zola 7
The MEC for the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Sibulele Ngongo, called this festival a flagship celebration of Eastern Cape identity and a true celebration and preservation of identity and heritage
Friends Yoliswa Mposwa and Lindi Janga, who travelled all the way from Mthatha for the event, said it was the break they needed and they enjoyed it very much
"It is all in the name, isingqisethu means our rhythm As black people, we can tell by the rhythm of the dance which nation a person belongs to That and the way they are dressed and accessorised All that was beautifully displayed here today," said Mposwa
"I especially enjoyed Zola 7's performance What a blast from the past! The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture really pulled off something special by bringing him here We are here for the government that supports our legends," she said
Youthworkinginthewatersectorurgedtotakelessonsfromtheolder guardinordertoobtainprofessionalgrowth
ZAVELA MAKWABE
COLLABORATIONS will go a long way towards solving the country's water challenges – this is a message that came out of the 8th annual Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA) Young Water Professionals Conference, a three-day programme that took place from 25th–27th November at the Boardwalk Hotel in Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape, where emerging leaders, researchers, practitioners, and innovators who are shaping the future of South Africa's water sector came together under one roof
Under this year's theme: "From Silos to Synergy – Sustainable and Collaborative Water Management Solutions," attendees enjoyed a strong technical programme,
sector-wide engagement, and opportunities for knowledge exchange and professional growth
Department of Water and Sanitation
Deputy Director-General of Corporate Support Services Nthabiseng Fundakubi encouraged collaborations across generations in the sector and highlighted opportunities available for youth development
Quoting Deputy President Paul Mashatile's speech during the Engineering Conference, Fundakubi told the gathering that engineering is the backbone of any society and plays a role in shaping our work
"Engineering drives technological advancement, infrastructure development, and economic progress of the country," she said, urging players in the sector to
be game changers and to champion transformation as well as to empower professionals who will be fit for purpose
The delegates explored emerging technologies that support smarter, data-driven solutions and discussed practical ways to design water systems that can withstand climate pressures whilst also leveraging innovations such as digital monitoring, analytics, and smart infrastructure
The flagship event is a key empowerment platform designed to develop, inspire, and elevate young professionals working in the water sector to exchange knowledge, showcase innovations, and explore solutions to some of the sector's most pressing challenges
They were presented with opportunities to engage with experts and decision-mak-
ers, build networks, and establish mentorship relationships
During the closing session, Amatola Water's Quality Officer Noluvuko Ngalonkulu emphasised the importance of soft skills development as a crucial part of strong leadership
"The conference showed that many of the solutions to our water challenges lie in stronger collaboration with our regional universities and the expertise they offer Innovations like remote sensing and smart metering could immediately improve our operations, though addressing illegal connections remains a critical gap "
Ngalonkulu affirmed that young professionals are ready and capable, but emphasised the need for a decisive mindset shift
KwaNontsomi Enterprise director, Ntsikelelo Mavata, accepts the keys of his brand-new car from the Buffalo City Metro executive mayor Princess Faku.
PHOTO: MANDLENKOSI MXENGI
The annual festival showcased a diversity of heritage and culture, including art exhibitions, fashion shows, African cuisine, and live music performances PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Sport
Mandelamemorialmarath
HOSEYA JUBASE
THE Nelson Mandela Museum and DSRAC, in partnership with Athletics Transkei, will be hosting the inauguration of Madiba’s Last Route Marathon next week on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, in Mthatha
More than 500 runners are expected to participate in this marathon, which aims to honour the late first democratic president, Nelson Mandela.
This year marks 12 years since Madiba’s death on 5 December 2013.
The 42.2km race will start from Mthatha
EasternCapesidechasehistoricS
HOSEYA JUBASE
THE Eastern Cape Sasol League champions, 4800 Ladies’ FC, are confident they will win the national playoffs, which are currently underway at Isak Steyl Stadium at the Vaal University of Technology, Gauteng
The SAFA Women’s National Championship 2025 is scheduled to take place from 8 December to 14 December 2025
Among the teams participating in these playoffs is Stellenbosch Ladies’ FC from the Western Cape, who are the favourites to win the SAFA Women’s National Championship 2025
The 4800 Ladies from Bizana have a strong chance of winning the playoffs, as they possess an experienced squad capable of competing against these top teams
The chairman of Sinenkani FC, Nathi Nqoko, who is in partnership with 4800 Ladies, made it clear that their intention is to win the playoffs and gain promotion to the Hollywoodbet Super League to play
against top teams like Mamelodi Sundowns next season
Currently, Eastern Cape province has two teams competing in the National Hollywoodbet Super League: Fort Hare University Ladies’ FC and City Lads Ladies’ FC
The third team, Thunderbirds Ladies, was relegated in the 2024 season and later sold its status to WSU Butterworth Campus Ladies’ FC
If 4800 Ladies’ FC wins these playoffs, it will be the first team from the former Transkei area to play in the National Hollywoodbet Super League
Teams participating in these playoffs:
• Royal Wizards Ladies from Northern Cape
• Stellenbosch Ladies’ FC from Western Cape
• 4800 Ladies FC from the Eastern Cape
• Ramatloahle Ladies’ FC from Limpopo
• Mphehli All Stars Ladies’ FC from KZN
• Central University of Technology from the Free State
• Super Strikers Ladies’ FC from Mpumalanga
Mqomboyiclaimsmaiden5kmvictoryinButterworth
ANELE RAZIYA
SIHLE Mqomboyi from Mchubakazi Athletic Club was crowned the winner of the Wayside Budget Hotel 5km race for the first time over the weekend
This came after young Mqomboyi outpaced more than 70 athletes who were competing in the Wayside Budget Hotel 5km race in Butterworth on Saturday
The race started near the hotel entrance to Butterworth Training College (BTC) in Mission village, where athletes turned and returned to town to finish the race
The young athlete from an area called Madiba in Mnquma, Mqomboyi, started the race well, running amongst the other athletes until they turned at BTC
On their way back to town, the young athlete changed gear and ran fast until the finish line near the hotel
He finished the race in 16:01, and Lukhanyo Mvalo, who represents Royal Strides Athletic Club, took second position with a time of 16:11
Third position went to Xolani Bavuma from Zwelonke Athletic Club, who ran 16:45
In the women’s race, Royal Strides Athletic Club from Ndabakazi outperformed other teams, taking all the top three positions
This came after Kwakhanya Sidontsa took first place with a time of 20:05, followed by Asonge Sidontsa with 20:07 Liyema Bhanti claimed third position with 21:01
All the athletes who performed well received prizes, with first place getting R500, second place R400, and third place R300
MqanduliYouth Leagueappeals forsupport
ANELE RAZIYA
MQANDULI League Football Association is looking for assistance from individuals or businesses that can sponsor their football league
The association formed its league in 2023 with the aim of keeping youth away from alcohol and drugs
Since the formation of the league, the association has been struggling to find a sponsor or sponsors who can assist them with sports equipment such as footballs, kits, trophies, gold medals, silver medals, and other necessary items
The association chairperson, Sibusiso Gecwa, said they started their league with the U/19 division, followed by U/17, and now they are looking to expand their divisions to U/15s and U/13s next year However, they are struggling to find sponsors who can assist them with football equipment
“Since the establishment of our league, we have been looking for a sponsor who can assist us with things like footballs, trophies, and other sports equipment,” said Gecwa He said they are still looking for any kind of support from anyone who can assist them as they are about to conclude their 2025 season
Furthermore, he said for this season they have no prizes to award the winners at the end of the season, but they are still searching for sponsors or businesses who can help them
thank the sponsor who continuously supports race events around Mnquma
Gecwa concluded by requesting anyone who can assist them to contact him on 083 210 3096 or 063 992 7563, as
Sihle Mqomboyi from Mchubakazi Athletic Club has won the annual Wayside Budget Hotel 5km in Butterworth town over the weekend.
PHOTO: ANELE RAZIYA
4800 Ladies’ FC are confident they will win the national playoffs.
PHOTO: HOSEYA JUBASE