PinkFairypreparesformarathoninGermanyafterComradesRun
“RUNNING is full of life lessons and is truly the most humbling sport I know After running a good marathon like the Comrades Marathon, one always feels like you can take on the world until you run again,” said the Buffalo City Metro’s much-loved Pink Fairy, Mike Webb, after completing his 35th consecutive Comrades Marathon last month
Now he is gearing up to take part in the Königsschlösser Marathon in Füssen, Germany, in 3 weeks’ time
“It is a small race with fewer than a thousand runners, but I am super excited to be part of it We will be running around the lakes and beneath the scenic Neuschwanstein Castle,” he said Webb finished the 90-kilometre race in 10 hours 36 minutes,
raising R35,000 for Qonce SPCA, which looks after 148 animals including dogs, cats, birds, cattle, snakes, horses and other farm animals
He thanked everyone who donated and supported his cause
“My family and I have always been huge animal lovers and have many of our own We were on the SPCA committee a long time ago, so we are aware of the challenges they face and the good work they do,” said Webb in a previous interview with the Express
Qonce SPCA’s general manager, Annette Rademeyer, praised Webb’s support and commitment, saying: “Community fundraisers like Mike are incredibly important to us
“He started supporting us many years ago and has always run the Comrades for our benefit ”
EasternCapeUnderageDrinkingSummitaddressesrootcauses
ZAVELA MAKWABE
A powerful panel discussion shed light on the root causes of underage drinking at the Eastern Cape Underage Drinking Summit held at the Abbotsford Christian Centre in East London on 28 June 2025
From taverns operating next to schools and the lack of recreational spaces, to harmful social media trends and limited parental guidance, all were laid bare during the event Under the theme, “Together for Tomorrow: adopting a collective approach to mitigate and prevent the scourge of underage drinking in our communities”, the event served as a call for the province to learn from past tragedies and commit to real change
Experts, educators, parents, and young people came together with one common goal of finding an integrative approach to dealing with the scourge and engaging in strategic conversations to alleviate it
As part of the discussions, students came up with bold ideas, calling for impactful social media campaigns, more youth programmes during school holidays, and the creation of an anonymous hotline to report underage drink-
ing “This initiative comes as the province ramps up its #NoToPensionDownParties campaign It is a vital step towards safeguarding our youth and shaping the future leaders of our nation, as it is
intended to be a strategic platform to stimulate much-desired debate on the impact of underage drinking and how to collaboratively tackle this repugnant behaviour in communities,” Eastern Cape Liquor Board spokesperson Mgwebi
Msiya told the Express
He said they are working hard on reducing availability and accessibility of alcohol to minors and on the enforcement of compliance regarding the sale of alcohol to minors
PrincessDrNikiweBamappointedtoC20roleinG20SAframework
AFRIKAN Indigenous Leaders
(AYIL) proudly announce the appointment of the Founder and Global President of AYIL, Princess Dr Nikiwe Bam, as a facilitator for the Civil 20 (C20) Working Group
within the G20 South Africa 2025 framework
Originally from Nkondlo locality in Ngcobo, Bam’s appointment was announced during the Bulabo Cultural Diversity event in Bujora, Mwanza, Tanzania
She stated that this prestigious
appointment recognises her long-standing commitment to cultural justice, indigenous governance, and the restoration of traditional leadership systems
As a facilitator, Bam will lead and coordinate critical engagements centred on cultural heritage restitution, inclusive cultural policies, identity protection, climate-linked heritage and the digital future of culture
“In my new role, I will work closely with other C20 working groups, such as Women and Gender Equality, Indigenous Health and others, due to their shared constituencies and mutual interest in the well-being and empowerment of Indigenous communities,” she explained
She stressed her commitment to ensuring that the voices of indigenous communities, kingdoms and grassroots cultural organisations are heard, respected, and reflected in G20 policy recommendations
“This role is an opportunity to advance the visibility and leadership of indigenous peoples in global spaces We must ensure that cultural diversity is not a side note, but a cornerstone of development, equity and peace,” Bam said Bam continues to serve in various roles, including Co-Founder of the African Royal Chamber of
Commerce, Country Head of CBW Africa SA, and as an advocate for youth leadership, African unity and cultural renewal
Her appointment marks a historic moment for African Traditional Leadership, affirming the role of kingdoms and cultural leaders in influencing the global development agenda Bam further highlighted that her appointment showcases the respect traditional leadership
garners in other countries, strengthening relationships internationally
She expressed optimism about how this recognition could boost cultural tourism in the Eastern Cape, encouraging people to visit the province
“This can make people wish to come to the Eastern Cape to experience my province’s cultural heritage, which in turn can boost cultural tourism ”
Buffalo City Metro’s Pink Fairy is off to Germany
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Panel discussion at the Provincial Underage Drinking Summit at the Abbotsford Christian Centre in East London.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
BABALWA NDLANYA
Chief Isack Leksongo Meijo (from the Maasai People), Princess Dr Nikiwe Bam (Leader of Afrikan Indigenous Leaders), and Inkosi Mgendela Gama (Tanzanian Chapter Chairperson for Afrikan Indigenous Leaders). PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Policesearchcontinuesfor suspectsinrape,murder of102-year-oldwoman
THE search still continues to trace the suspect or suspects who are responsible for the rape and murder of a 102-year-old woman from the Bawa Location outside Butterworth that happened on the evening of 2 July
Speaking to the Express, police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa said that the search is still continuing
Reporting on the incident, Mawisa said that according to information, it is alleged that the woman (102) was sleeping in a separate room when her house was bur-
EASTLONDON:
gled Forced entry was noticed through the window
“Upon investigation on the morning of Thursday, 3 July, her body was found with injuries to her upper body She was pronounced dead at the scene,” she added
Mawisa stated that police are investigating cases of murder, rape and residential burglary
SAPS is appealing to anyone who may have information that could assist the police in tracing the suspect/s to contact our SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111 and/or report to the nearest police station
Threemengivenlengthy
sentencesforbrutalfarmattack
THE High Court of South Africa, Eastern Cape Division in East London, has sentenced Odwa Dyabana (26), Luthando Ngangelizwe (29), and Siseko Qhayiso (31) for their roles in a violent farm attack that took place on 20 February 2024 at Lorain Farm in Bluewater, near East London
National Prosecuting Authority, Eastern Cape spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali said that the trio were convicted of kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, attempted murder, and multiple firearm-related offences
“Ngangelizwe and Qhayiso each received effective sentences of 25 years’ imprisonment Dyabana received an additional sentence for culpable homicide and reckless driving, bringing his effective sentence to 30 years,” said Tyali
He further said that all three were declared unfit to possess firearms
Tyali said that a fourth accused, Lundi Magobongo (26), was acquitted after the court accepted his version that he was a contracted e-hailing driver who merely transported the men, unaware of their criminal intentions
He said that the court heard that the assailants arrived at the farm under the pretence of wanting to purchase dogs
“After gaining the farm owner’s trust, they lured him to the kennels in his Toyota Land Cruiser There, they produced firearms, tied him up, and returned to the farmhouse, where they continued with the robbery,” said Tyali
“The farm owner and four employees were assaulted, kidnapped, and held hostage The attackers tortured the farm owner by binding him, placing him in a bathtub, running hot water, and threatening to dismember him with a chainsaw to force him to reveal the location of the safe keys
”
Unable to open the safes, Tyali said that
the attackers used tools to dislodge them from the walls, loaded them into the stolen Land Cruiser, and fled the scene in a convoy that included the victim’s Toyota Hilux
He said that the stolen items including firearms, wedding rings, wristwatches, binoculars, and other valuables were valued at over R2 2 million
Tyali further said that while fleeing, the group was involved in a multi-vehicle collision on the N2 near Beacon Bay involving the Land Cruiser, a Toyota Quantum, and a VW Polo
“A woman sustained spinal injuries and later died in hospital At least 15 others suffered injuries ranging from minor to serious,” said Tyali
He said that during the getaway, the safes fell on Qhayiso while the group was being pursued by ECO Scorpions security officers and the SAPS K9 Unit, and he was arrested in February this year
Tyali said that Ngangelizwe fell from the back of the Land Cruiser and was arrested at the scene, while Dyabana was apprehended nearby while fleeing on foot
“All three accused pleaded not guilty; however, Senior State Advocate Andile Nohiya led the prosecution and presented overwhelming evidence that secured the convictions In the argument for sentencing, he submitted that the offences were premeditated, brutal, and caused severe psychological and financial harm to the victims and the broader farming community,” said Tyali
Welcoming the outcome, the Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Barry Madolo, said, “This sentence sends a strong message that violent crimes especially those targeting vulnerable communities such as farmers and their employees will not be tolerated The NPA remains committed to ensuring that justice is served ”
AYABULELA Daniel (22) was sentenced to life imprisonment for the rape of an 11-year-old girl in Mdantsane Buffalo City District Commissioner Major General Christopher Wright welcomed the life imprisonment sentence handed down by the Mdantsane Regional Court on 30 June 2025
The court found Daniel guilty of the repeated rape of the girl, which began on 4 August 2020 in Mdantsane According to the victim's testimony, the accused assaulted her while she was at home alone, forcibly undressed her, and raped her He then threatened her into silence, continuing the abuse over time The investigating officer, Warrant Officer Mangesi, was commended by the District Commissioner, Maj Gen Wright, for her meticulous work in securing a conviction The court sentenced Daniel to life imprisonment and declared him unfit to possess a firearm
