ADMlaunchesartisanskillsdevelopmentproject
MANDLENKOSI MXENGI
THE Amathole District Municipality (ADM), in partnership with the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA), has launched an eight-monthlong artisan skills development initiative project at the Mdantsane Border Training Centre earlier in July
The ADM’s artisan skills development initiative project targets at least 40 artisans across all local municipalities in the district, in an attempt to address critical skills shortages through the Artisan Recognition of Prior Learning (ARPL) programme
Some of the local municipalities under ADM jurisdiction include Raymond Mhlaba, Amahlathi, Ngqushwa, Great Kei, Mnquma and Mbhashe
The eight-month-long skills development training programme is structured and implemented in three phases, which include theoretical and practical assessment, targeted gap-closer training and
workplace application
The participants will gain practical experience in advanced technical areas, preparing and equipping them to tackle diverse municipal projects
Trainees will be awarded the nationally recognised trade test certificate upon successfully completing the training period, which will enhance their career prospects and entrepreneurial opportunities
Quality Assurance Manager at the Mdantsane-based Border Training Centre, Yolanda Kholwane, praised Amathole District for introducing the artisan skills development initiative and launching it at the centre
“This training and qualification will be essential for local artisans and will open doors to employment and business ventures,” said Kholwane
One of the participants, Lucky Rentjie, said that the skills development training programme has introduced him to new skills and will enhance his artisan experience
BuffaloCityMetrodoesitforMadiba
ZAVELA MAKWABE
AS a tribute to the number of years Nelson Mandela spent in public service, annually on 18 July South Africans dedicate 67 minutes doing acts of kindness by giving back to their communities and making a difference to honour him
Among those rolling up their sleeves for Mandela Day were businesses as well as officials from the Buffalo City Metro Municipality and the Amatola Water Board
The Buffalo City Metro Municipality mobilised teams across various departments to engage in community upliftment projects, ranging from clean-up campaigns to visits to old-age homes and places for orphans The Metro’s Executive Mayor, Councillor Princess Faku, together with Buffalo City Metro Municipality officials visited the Masizakhe Children’s Home This vital community-based care centre empowers, protects and nurtures vulnerable children, especially orphans and those affected by poverty, abuse and neglect in Mdantsane, a region that has long struggled with socio-economic challenges
Appreciating the gesture, the home’s manager, Luyanda Lusizi, said they are thankful to the municipality for choosing them to spend their 67 minutes with “We all know this day is all about giving back to those less fortunate We appreciate you for choosing us In this home we are all about moulding little people so they can become better leaders in the future ” The kids sang and danced as they received goodie bags and winter warmers The day ended with a symbolic planting of trees Mayor Faku commended the spirit of ubuntu and solidarity shown by those who participated “I am truly proud of the dedication shown by our teams across the directorates Your efforts reflect the values that Madiba stood for, which are service, compassion and unity This is a city of hope, and that hope is kept alive by the actions of ordinary people doing extraordinary things,” she said
Officials from the Amatola Water Board visited the Khayalethu Protective Work Project This project is a skills development and empowerment initiative for youth living with severe intellectual impairments and autism in North End, East
London The team from the Amatola Water Board participated in cleaning and revitalising the school garden, a space that not only nurtures plants but also the minds and spirits of the learners
The Board’s acting CEO, Lindokuhle Nzoyi, said this initiative emphasises the importance of collective action She said, by reaching out and supporting those who
may need a little extra help, we are carrying forward the ideals that Mandela stood for “As we rolled up our sleeves to beautify this important space, we were reminded that every effort we make towards upliftment can change lives Let us continue to work together, embodying the values of compassion and community that Tata Mandela championed ”
She said, honouring the legacy of Mandela by investing in our community and uplifting those in need is a chance to reflect, engage and take action because every little bit helps in building a brighter future
“As we remember Tata Nelson Mandela,
TeenagepregnancyontheriseinBuffaloCityregion
MANDLENKOSI MXENGI
IN an attempt to combat the scourge of teenage pregnancy, rising HIV infections and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) amongst the youth, a teenage pregnancy indaba was recently held in East London, Buffalo City Metro
The latest report compiled by the Eastern Cape AIDS Council (ECAC) has shown a rising rate in teenage pregnancy in Buffalo City during the 2023-2024 financial year
Speaking at the teenage pregnancy indaba, Acting BCM Mayor Mayihlome Mcaku
said structural inequalities, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse and limited access to healthcare services contribute to the rise of teenage pregnancy in Buffalo City and continue to threaten the wellbeing of the youth
“According to the Eastern Cape AIDS Council (ECAC) report, there were over 1,600 teenage girls who fell pregnant in Buffalo City alone during the 2023-2024 financial year,” said Mcaku
Eastern Cape Civil Society Forum
Chairperson Melikhaya Lusiti raised concerns over rising HIV infections amongst the youth and teenage pregnancy in the
province
“According to recent statistics, in the Eastern Cape we have over 67,000 young people between the ages of 14 and 24 living with HIV and an alarming rise in teenage pregnancies,” said Lusiti He urged the youth to take advantage of free prevention measures, including the correct use of condoms, in order to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS, STIs and unwarranted teenage pregnancies
Dr Phelisa Dana shared the same sentiments, adding that family planning services are readily available in all healthcare facilities in the province “This
let us draw inspiration from his legacy of selflessness and commitment to equality
He dedicated his life to fighting for liberation and justice, and today we honour him by taking action,” she said
The Board also donated chickens and feed, a contribution that will sustain the centre until the chickens are ready to be sold, providing not only immediate assistance but also a short- to medium-term solution for supporting the intellectually impaired learners
The SPCA in East London was also among the organisations who benefited from Mandela Day The SPCA was deeply moved by the generosity and kindness shown by both local businesses and members of the public Brent Saunders, the organisation’s manager, told the Express that the support they received on the day made a meaningful impact on their shelter He said that donations of food, blankets and items for their charity shop were made as well as help with garden work and general cleaning, bringing fresh energy and care to the animal shelter “As a non-profit organisation, we rely heavily on the generosity of our community Thanks to their support, we are better able to continue our mission of rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in need ”
Saunders thanked everyone who went above and beyond, bringing with them not only compassion but many bags of pet food “These donations play a critical role in alleviating the daily challenge of feeding the 40 to 70 animals we care for on a daily basis ”
The King William’s Town SPCA appealed to community members to honour Madiba’s legacy by giving back to those who cannot speak for themselves The organisation hosted a Food and Blanket Drive where people could donate pet food (dry and tinned food for dogs and cats) and new or gently used blankets for their furry friends to help keep their tails wagging and their tummies full this winter
teenage pregnancy indaba provides an opportunity for the youth to speak openly about teenage pregnancy, debate and discuss its disadvantages,” said Dr Dana
Throughout the month of June, Buffalo City Metro hosted several youth empowerment-oriented programmes, including the recent teenage pregnancy indaba as part of Youth Month commemoration Some of the youth empowerment initiatives hosted in June include the Youth Skills Development programme held in Mbekweni, Unit P, and the Drug Abuse Community Dialogue held in Ginsberg township in Qonce
Amathole District Municipality launched an eight-month long artisan skills development project at the Mdantsane Border Training Centre on Monday, July 7.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
In the spirit of Mandela Day, the Steel and Pipes for Africa team donated dog food to the SPCA in East London. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Culinarygeniusnominated forinternationalaward
ZAVELA MAKWABE
HAVING garnered numerous accolades for her fine dining restaurant, SIBA, which is located within the prestigious five-star Table Bay Hotel at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, Siba Mtongana, celebrity chef, television presenter and author, is now shortlisted for the 2025 Canadian Global Awards
The restaurateur and food expert showcases traditional South African food through her various platforms Growing up in Mdantsane in the Buffalo City Metro, where her mother would make traditional dishes like umfino, umphokoqo and umgqusho, Mtongana fell in love with cooking, turning homegrown produce into enjoyable food She transformed this passion into a career and shared it with the world
MEC for the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Sibulele Ngongo, said that this acknowledgement and appreciation are also for the child who is a follower and a fan of Siba’s work, who sees themselves in her, and who now appreciates that hard work and following one’s passion pay even beyond one’s wildest dreams
“We are beyond elated to hear the exciting news that our very own chef, entrepreneur, culinary expert and connoisseur in food has been recognised and shortlisted for the Canadian Global Awards This international recognition is worth all the applause, and it is a signature note of hard work, dedication and sheer love of the work Siba Mtongana does “We are applauding this acknowledgement because we also know that Ms Mtongana is the Eastern Cape’s truest ambassador, carrying our aspirations through her love for food and beyond Congratulations,” she said
Butterworth-born SAMA winning R&B sensation Lungisa Xhamela is making a come back with his single “Okoko”. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Musobackonthescenewithsongofhope
ZAVELA MAKWABE
BUTTERWORTH-BORN South African Music Award (SAMA)-winning singer Lungisa Xhamela is counting down to the release of his new song titled “Okoko”
After having worked on it for the better part of the last two years, the piano pop song is inspired by his own bitter experiences in the music industry
Written by Mthatha-born record label owner Tsepang Liphapang, produced by Lelanga and performed by Lungisa Xhamela, the song is about hard work, resilience and the success that ultimately follows It is a song of hope that encourages everyone to work hard to get to a life worth living
After making it to the SA Idols top 16 in 2015, Xhamela, the velvet-voiced singer’s career took off and he was fortunate enough to sign a recording deal with Gallo Records
Fouryouthsdriving#FeedingTheBayproject
ZAVELA MAKWABE
WHEN third-year Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Human Resources Management (HRM) students, Kwakho Vambe, Hlanganisa Xakisa, Asive Myataza, and Gcobisa Pendu were given a Corporate Social Responsibility project in October last year an exercise about giving back to the community and participating in philanthropic initiatives they wanted to do something different They found it so rewarding that they continued after the assignment was completed
The four youths dug into their own pockets, taking a portion of their bursary funding to provide food and water to more than 20 needy people each day, and project #FeedingTheBay was born
In an interview with the Express, Asive Myataza said, “Every other group in our class volunteered at orphanages and old-age homes, but we wanted to do something different Because we see how hunger affects the homeless and disadvantaged people of Summerstrand (in Gqeberha, where the university is situated) every day, we unanimously wanted to make an immediate difference So we decided to cook and serve them meals which include vegetables, protein, and carbohydrates and also provide bottles of safe drinking water ” Myataza said they decided to branch out and still continue with this work, even after they had been marked for their project, because they enjoyed it so much “It brought so much fulfilment, going to bed knowing that someone out there had a home-cooked meal and did not go to bed hungry because you lent a hand ”
She said, as fulfilling as it is, it is not without challenges “Some of the challenges that we encounter are transportation costs, time constraints, funding, and concern for our
safety when we are out there handing out the food ” She said they would like to see their project feed more people and offer more than just a
meal and water “We would like to offer basic necessities like clothing, toiletries, and blankets We would also like to get sponsors on board so that we can do more and maybe
But a couple of years into the deal, things did not go very well, prompting the relationship to come to an end
In an interview with the Express, Tsepang Liphapang, owner of the Native Unit Record Label, said “things got so tough that he lost everything, including his car and apartment in Sandton This meant that Lungisa had to start from scratch and work independently That’s when he partnered up with me and Lelanga to put the song together ” He told the Express that “the proof is in the pudding” “We’re glad to announce that this is the first time since leaving Idols that Lungisa gets to work on his own music and we promise that this fully independent project will make you dance whilst serving you intricate harmonies and well put together chords ” The song will be available on all streaming platforms from 25 July 2025
spread out to more areas around Gqeberha ” “Through our #FeedingTheBay initiative, the biggest lesson we have learnt is that giving costs nothing,” she said
Buffalo City Metro food expert, Siba Mtongana. PHOTO: FACEBOOK
Nelson Mandela Metro University third-year Human Resources Managemen students, from left, Kwakho Vambe, Hlanganisa Xakisa, Asive Myataza and Gcobisa Pendu dig into their own pockets, taking a portion of their bursary funding to provide food and water to needy people each day PHOTO: SUPPLIED