during the 38th Anniversary of the Battle of Lurhwayizo, which took place in this area in 1987 The event was held last week in the same locality of Willowvale In his address, Mashatile reflected on the historical significance of the day, stating that they had gathered to remember the Battle of Lurhwayizo He said that one of the key objectives of this annual remembrance is to raise awareness in society about the importance of the struggle for liberation. The Premier of the Eastern Cape, Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane (left), accompanied Mashatile at the unveiling of the monument.
Cogtaintervenestosolvefinancialtroubles
MANDLENKOSI MXENGI
COOPERATIVE Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) has deployed a team of experts in governance, infrastructure, and monitoring systems to provide technical support to Buffalo City Metro (BCM) in an attempt to resolve the Metro's besetting financial troubles
COGTA Deputy Minister Dickson Masemola, accompanied by provincial COGTA MEC Zolile Williams, embarked on an accountability and assessment oversight visit to Buffalo City
Metro on Wednesday, 6 August
The first accountability and oversight visit by Masemola and Williams to the Metro was in April, where it was noted that intervention and support from COGTA national and provincial governments were urgently needed in an attempt to resolve the Metro's financial troubles
COGTA will now provide support to the Metro in terms of Section 154 of the Constitution to support BCM in strengthening governance, financial management, and service delivery mechanisms
The support comes in response to challenges faced by the Metro, including deteriorating infrastructure, poor financial performance, gov-
The Section 154 intervention enables national and provincial governments to provide targeted support to the Metro in order to restore functionality and better serve Metro residents
The support includes technical assistance, deployment of experts in governance and infrastructure, and enhanced monitoring systems to track the Metro's performance
Masemola emphasised that the support is not punitive but rather a collaborative effort aimed at capacitating the Metro to meet its constitutional obligations
"Our aim is to strengthen the institution, en-
sure financial discipline, and address service delivery backlogs Buffalo City has the potential to thrive, and we are committed to unlocking that potential through this strategic intervention," said Masemola
Williams said he expected the political leadership and senior officials to cooperate fully with the process "It cannot be business as usual The time for decisive and corrective action is now," said Williams
BCM mayor Princess Faku has welcomed the intervention, describing it as a necessary step towards restoring the credibility and operational capacity of the Metro of water infrastructure
Port St Johns
Mthatha
South Africa’s
Paul Mashatile (right),
stalwart Mbulelo
Ngono
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Shopownersfoundsleepinginkitchens
TRIBUTETOLIBERATIONHEROUNVEILED:
BattleofLurhwayizocommemorated
BABALWA NDLANYA
DEPUTY President of South Africa, Paul Mashatile, unveiled a bronze bust of liberation stalwart Mbulelo Alfred Ngono, during the 38th Anniversary of the Battle of Lurhwayizo, which took place in this area in 1987
The event was held last week in the same locality of Willowvale
It was in this village that the brave uMkhonto weSizwe freedom fighters, including Ngono, Atwell Mazizi Maqhekeza, and members of the Jafta family, stood their ground against the brutal apartheid regime
In his address, Mashatile reflected on the historical significance of the day, stating that they had gathered to remember the Battle of Lurhwayizo
He said that one of the key objectives of this annual remembrance is to raise awareness in society about the importance of the liberation struggle
"Those who fought in the Battle of Lurhwayizo played an instrumental role in defying the odds and shaping the political direction of the country, laying the groundwork for a democratic South Africa We will forever remember their selflessness, courage, and commitment to fighting for the rights and freedoms of all in our nation
"In all of them, we saw unwavering resolve and courage in the face of adversity, demonstrating great bravery, strength and determination under very challenging circumstances," said Mashatile
He added that starting from this community and extending across South Africa, people must hold close the memory of those who battled apartheid, torn from the warmth of their families, living in dusty, frozen trenches, and dodging bullets for the sake of peace and freedom
"Let the Battle of Lurhwayizo and the unveiling of the Mbulelo Ngono bust be a reminder of where we come from as a country, especially as we face current challenges May his memory continue to inspire us, and may his example guide us as we forge ahead on the path toward
a brighter future for our nation and all who call it home
"Let us strive to carry forward their legacy by working together to build a more just, equitable and inclusive society This commemoration is not only a solemn remembrance but also a call to action to uphold the values and vision of
those who sacrificed for South Africa's freedom " Premier of the Eastern Cape, Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane, said Ngono was one of the heroes who came from this part of the country "Comrades fought here in the Battle of Lurhwayizo; gallant fighters who were
able to confront the regime We will never forget them Their contribution to what we now call a liberated South Africa cannot be taken for granted Blood was spilt here The people of this area are part of the history of the liberation movement of our country," said Mabuyane He said they had joined Mashatile in honouring those comrades and liberation fighters who had worked underground in this region
According to him, this area was home to several underground cells of Umkhonto weSizwe, and many Azanian People's Liberation Army (APLA) cells were also found here
"Almost all our liberation movements operated in this part of the province, ensuring that this country was liberated 1994 did not come as a surprise; it was the result of years of hard work, and we continue that work by transforming our country into one that is non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous
"We invite all South Africans, especially during these times of different challenges, to come together to build a united country This site is symbolic and will become historical We want it to be a tourist attraction We are no longer talking about war; we are building a country We must make these places accessible so that our people can benefit We have game reserves around here, and they must serve our people and aid in development "
One of the uMkhonto weSizwe veterans, Mngaliso Kenny Jafta, speaking to Express, said they had organised the commemoration to ensure that people remember that there were fighters for liberation whose stories remain untold, such as Ngono, whose whereabouts are still unknown
"What makes us happy is the economic development and the many activities now taking place in this area of Lurhwayizo We believe that we will finally find his remains We trust that the government will help us locate his body It is not that we cannot do it ourselves, but we trust our government to do it for us "
The monument of liberation fighter, Mbulelo Alfred Ngono, was unveiled at Lurhwayizo locality in Willowvale. PHOTO:SUPPLIED
THE Buffalo City Metro (BCM) and Amatola Water maintenance teams have been hard at work repairing several damaged water pipelines which led to persistent water outages affecting many areas in the Buffalo City region recently
The Amatola Water maintenance team completed repairing the Craighead Raw Water Pump Station on Wednesday, 6 August
The maintenance work included fixing three water pipelines affecting the supply of water to Peddie and Tsholomnqa villages
There was a major burst on a main pipeline supplying water from the Umzonyana Water Treatment Works, which impacted water inflow into several
reservoirs that serve the broader East London area
The damaged water pipeline resulted in several East London areas experiencing water outag-
es
Some of the areas affected included Scenery Park, Amalinda, Gompo, Duncan Village, Vincent, Beacon Bay, and Gonubie
BCM spokesperson Bongani Fuzile said the Metro's water maintenance team is currently on-site, working day and night carrying out necessary repairs
The Metro has assured affected residents that all efforts are being made to restore full water supply as soon as possible
"Due to challenging site conditions and the size of the pipeline, we are unable to provide an estimated time for the full completion at this stage," said
MPONDOFESTIVAL:
Fuzile
A recently damaged pipeline has caused water outages affecting Ntabozuko and surrounding rural areas, and the Amatola Water maintenance team was still busy fixing the pipeline
Since the start of this year, Buffalo City residents have been frustrated by the persistent water outages in all three Metro regions, including coastal, midland, and inland areas
Theft and vandalism of water infrastructure have contributed immensely to the continued water outages in BCM
Earlier this year, the Metro's safety and security cluster led by the police started raid operations targeting several scrap metal dealerships following a spate of theft and vandalism of water infrastructure
Culture,language and GBV awareness highlighted
PRINCESS Stella Sigcau, one of the organisers of the Annual Mpondo Culture and Heritage Festival and a representative of the AmaMpondo Kingdom, has confirmed that the 19th commemoration of the festival will take place on 13 and 14 September 2025 at the Lwandlolubomvu Great Place in Ntabankulu Sigcau said that the festival is a celebration of Mpondo culture, heritage and identity, with a strong emphasis on promoting
the Mpondo language and showcasing the region as a tourism destination
"This also contributes to rural development and the cultural economy Festival activities will include a horse parade, arts and crafts exhibitions, and traditional music and dances The festival also promotes unity in cultural diversity," she said
The two-day event will be preceded by the Annual Mpondo Reed Dance (Inciyo yamaMpondo), which has now reached its 17th year since its launch in
2008
This year's theme for the Reed Dance focuses on raising awareness of gender-based violence (GBV), child abuse and human trafficking Princess Sigcau highlighted that the AmaMpondo people have a rich history, unique customs, a distinctive language, and colourful traditional regalia of which they are immensely proud
Launched in 2006, the festival is the largest cultural event of its kind in the Mpondo Kingdom
and the broader Eastern Cape province
It commemorates the late Nkosi Ntsikayezwe Sigcau (1947–1996), an African National Congress liberation activist and senior traditional leader of the Lwandlolubomvu Traditional Council
He was the youngest son of the late King Botha Manzolwandle Sigcau, and played a significant role in both the liberation struggle and rural development in the Mpondo Kingdom
As part of the Kingdom s
broader cultural preservation efforts, Sigcau announced that they are actively campaigning for isiMpondo to be recognised as South Africa's 13th official language
"The promotion of the Mpondo language is central to our cultural identity and heritage as AmaMpondo We have our own language, but unlike isiZulu or isiXhosa, it has not been scientifically researched, developed, or promoted We believe it deserves official recognition "
She added that the Kingdom has been engaging with the Department of Arts and Culture about the matter and emphasised the urgency
"We do not want our language to disappear We want future generations to speak it, which is why its preservation is so important "
As part of the language revival campaign, Sigcau said isiMpondo should be introduced in local schools The Kingdom has also launched competitions in Mpondo literature, poetry and comedy to encourage the use and creative expression of the language
Ntombifuthi Ncwayiba, a local comedian who plays a major role in promoting the isiMpondo language and activism, expressed excitement about the growing recognition of isiMpondo: "It has always been my dream to see our mother tongue among the official languages This will restore the dignity of AmaMpondo, who have long been made to feel invisible " Ncwayiba revealed that she, along with collaborators from the University of Fort Hare, has co-authored several isiMpondo children's books, which are awaiting publication "These books will soon be available online and in schools Young people will be able to read stories in their own language, and that's something to be proud of," she said
Buffalo City Metro water maintenance team working overnight to repair the burst pipeline at the Mzonyana Water Treatment Works PHOTO: SUPPLIED
BABALWA NDLANYA
IsiMpondo comedian, Ntombifuthi Ncwayiba, is looking forward for IsiMpondo being officially recognised. PHOTO: FACEBOOK
One of the organisers of AmaMpondo Cultural and Heritage Festival, Princess Stella Sigcau, from Ngangolwandle Great Place in Ntabankulu. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
FIVE-year-old Zenathi Ndamase, from Mthatha, is a spirited young girl with a love for Minnie Mouse and a determination beyond her years
Despite facing the daily challenges of inoperable congenital cardiac lesions and pulmonary hypertension, Zenathi's radiant personality and warm smile brighten every room she enters Her dream came true when Reach For A Dream arranged a special day just for her at Café Lang in Mthatha
The moment she arrived, she was met with a beautifully decorated table, complete with cupcakes and her favourite purple balloons, but the most magical moment of the day came when Minnie Mouse herself appeared behind her
Her face lit up with pure joy as she leapt into Minnie's arms, hugging her tightly and gazing up in wonder
As the celebration continued, Zenathi was presented with her dream: a bubble-gum pink tablet, something she had always dreamt about
Alongside it was a new pair of headphones, adding to her excitement With her new tablet in hand, she proudly took a photo with Minnie Mouse, capturing the memory of a dream come true
She and Minnie then played games on her tablet, filling the
room with laughter and joy
When it was time to say goodbye, Zenathi gave Minnie one last embrace filled with gratitude
"Seeing Zenathi's eyes light up when she met Minnie Mouse
was truly unforgettable In that moment, her illness faded into the background, and all that remained was the joy of a little girl living her dream
“At Reach For A Dream, we be-
lieve every child deserves that kind of magic and hope, no matter what challenges they face," said
Lwanele Mpeta, Eastern Cape Regional Manager for Reach For A Dream
Creativelaunchesbookonartists’struggles
ZAVELA MAKWABE
CINGA Dyala, a published author, storyteller, poet, literacy coach, and co-founder of the World of Art Movement from Ndevana in the Buffalo City Metro, has released her second book titled "A Black Girl with Big Dreams"
Dyala said the book is a true reflection of her life story as a creative individual, born and bred in both the township and the rural areas
"This book expresses the challenges and struggles of creative children who are growing up in communities where there are no institutions, programmes, or systems in place to nurture talents and groom young creatives "
She said that even though the story is personal, there are many children who are still being born and raised under the same conditions and suf-
fer the same fate, yet nothing is being done about it because the system itself doesn't cater for creative individuals
"But all of that must not invalidate our dreams Where we come from doesn't determine where we are going "
Dyala called hers a story of hope in hopeless situations and a voice for the voiceless
"This is the first edition, but as the journey goes on, I will drop a second edition where I will delve deeper into how life turns out when one grows up and battles with the challenge of navigating life in a world that leaves no room for creative career paths," she said
A single copy of A Black Girl with Big Dreams is available for R200 per copy (excluding courier fees) from Cinga Dyala on 078 978 0822
Through the power of a dream, Zenathi was able to step away from the difficulties of her illness and simply be a child, wrapped in the magic of love and imagination
