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Alumnus ploughs back Former Muir College Boys’ High School learner and Kariega attorney Claude Smith has donated and sponsored approximately R142,000 to the school during 2026. His contributions have supported cricket, hockey, tennis and squash, while also providing equipment, clothing and resources for staff, learners and school committees. Muir College said his support demonstrated the importance of community and giving back. Pictured are Claude Smith (CSA), Lathitha Ntwasa, Mbasa Plaatjie, Tyler Heynes and Rob Colley (teacher). Read the full story on page 4. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
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UD Express
NEWS | NUUS
10 September 2026
Abandoned Kariega facility revived as transport hub A LONG-abandoned and vandalised facility in Kariega is being brought back to life as a dual-purpose hub that will serve the city’s expanding public transport network and emerging farmers seeking access to local markets. According to a Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) statement, the R9.5 million first phase of the refurbishment is more than 70% complete, transforming the former fresh produce market, left derelict for nearly a decade after operations moved to Markman in Gqeberha, into an operational centre for the Integrated Public Transport System (IPTS) alongside a fresh produce
market for small-scale farmers from Kariega, Despatch and surrounding areas. The project stems from an agreement between the municipality’s Economic Development, Tourism and Agriculture Directorate, which owns the facility, and the IPTS Office. Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe said the initiative demonstrated the value of collaboration and the strategic use of municipal assets. “Instead of allowing this facility to remain unused, we are transforming it into infrastructure that supports our public transport objectives while creating opportunities for emerging farmers and local eco-
nomic activity,” Lobishe said. “This is a practical example of municipal departments working together to improve service delivery and unlock greater value from existing assets.” The statement added that preparatory work for introducing the IPTS in Kariega is already under way, including route preparation, consultation with the taxi industry and logistical support. The municipality has also submitted the necessary documentation to the Department of Transport regarding the Kariega route. “The current refurbishment covers repurposing the old building into an operational nerve centre,
sewage and water works, paving, site clearing and tree felling, and perimeter fencing,” said municipal spokesperson, Sithembiso Soyaya. The statement also noted that a second phase, estimated at R8 million, will follow once the supply chain management process, currently at the objection period stage, is concluded and a contractor appointed. “Phase 2 will include warehouse refurbishment, bus depot mechanical support facilities and a smallscale fresh produce market area, as well as security upgrades including cameras, alarm systems and guard houses at both entrances.” Lobishe said the development
would also support emerging farmers by creating improved opportunities to access markets closer to their communities. “While the City’s main fresh produce market operates in Markman, it is important that emerging farmers in Kariega, Despatch and surrounding areas also have access to infrastructure and opportunities that can support the growth of their businesses,” she said. The statement concluded that the refurbishment forms part of broader municipal efforts to maximise existing assets, support local economic development and develop infrastructure that responds to community and service delivery needs.
Vehicle shortage leaves Flying Squad officers in the firing line GQEBERHA Flying Squad officers who used their own vehicles to respond to crime could face an internal investigation — a move Parliament has described as "patently unacceptable" if confirmed. Ian Cameron, chairperson of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police, said officers should not be punished for doing their jobs when they had not been provided with the necessary resources. "Officers should not be punished for attempting to fulfil their constitutional and professional responsibilities in circumstances where the necessary tools of trade have not been provided," Cameron said. He said Flying Squad members had gone "beyond the call of duty" to protect residents despite the unit's ongoing vehicle shortage. Cameron said he had personally witnessed the challenges facing the unit during an oversight visit and had subsequently sought to in-
tervene to ensure it was adequately equipped. However, he said little appeared to have been done to resolve the longstanding shortage. "The unwillingness to find solutions to this challenge should not now be used as a tool to punish officers who refused to sit back and do nothing while criminality increases," he said. Vehicle shortage highlighted The Flying Squad's vehicle crisis was already highlighted during a parliamentary oversight visit to Nelson Mandela Bay in November 2025. At the time, the unit, which had previously had between 15 and 20 operational vehicles a day, was reportedly left with just one van. Other specialised units were also battling with limited resources. The Anti-Gang Unit had 110 personnel sharing four working vehicles, while the K9 Unit was operat-
ing with about half its former staff. Cameron said inadequate police vehicles remained a longstanding concern for the committee. "Vehicles are an essential tool that enables SAPS members to respond timeously to reported acts of crime," he said. "If Flying Squad members do not have access to vehicles, they are inevitably hampered in their ability to effectively prevent and combat crime." He urged SAPS management to prioritise providing the Gqeberha Flying Squad with sufficient operational vehicles rather than investigating officers who used their personal vehicles to respond to emergencies. "Instead of discouraging officers from going the extra mile to protect communities, SAPS management should ensure that they have the resources and support they need to perform their duties effectively," Cameron said.
Ian Cameron, chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police, previously conducted an oversight visit at the Flying Squad in November 2025.
PHOTO: NATASHA BEZUIDENHOUT
Georgiou mother and son granted bail in Kariega NATASHA BEZUIDENHOUT “DANKIE Jesus” could be heard from the court benches on Monday, 31 August, as a family friend expressed relief after Yvette Georgiou and her son, George, were granted bail in the Kariega Magistrate’s Court. The pair remained composed throughout the proceedings and were each granted R500 bail. They face charges of malicious damage to property and trespassing following an alleged incident at a property in Langenhoven Street, Kariega, on 26 August. Yvette is the
widow of the late Gqeberha businessman and second-hand car dealer, Philip Georgiou. According to the charge sheet, Yvette and George are accused of unlawfully and intentionally damaging a motor gate valued at R5,000. The State alleges that they acted with common purpose to commit the offence. They are also accused of trespassing at the same property. Court documents state that neither accused has previous convictions. The pair first appeared in court on Thursday, 27 August and were remanded in custody pending veri-
fication of their residential address. The court heard that they were renting a guest house in Summerstrand. The owner confirmed in an affidavit that they were staying at the property. Satisfied that the pair had a fixed residential address, the court granted bail. Their bail conditions include remaining at the Summerstrand property and not leaving Nelson Mandela Bay or Kariega for the duration of the court proceedings. They were also ordered not to make contact with the complainant. The case was postponed to 2 October for further investigation.
Who is the Georgiou family? The Georgiou name was once synonymous with luxury and ambition in Gqeberha. The late Philip and his wife, Yvette, built a sprawling business portfolio that spanned a second-hand car dealership in Fernglen, a boutique hotel and spa, and a limousine service operated under the banner of Georgiou International on Kragga Kamma Road. Their Kragga Kamma Road property was developed into a hotel and wedding venue complex, which later became the centre of a legal battle with the Nelson
Mandela Bay Municipality over structures built without approved building plans. In July 2015, the Port Elizabeth High Court ordered the Georgious to demolish structures deemed unlawful. The family’s subsequent legal challenges, including an appeal to the Constitutional Court, were unsuccessful. In 2021, Yvette Georgiou was sequestrated after a High Court application relating to debts of more than R35.4 million. Three properties on Kragga Kamma Road were subsequently sold at public auction in 2022 for R6.37 million.
10 September 2026
NEWS | NUUS
UD Express 3
Residents Spray-painting skills spark careers access essential services MORE than 200 residents of Kariega accessed essential services directly at the Babs Madlakane Community Hall when the Department of Employment and Labour’s Services on Wheels programme rolled into the town recently. According to a Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) statement, the Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe and Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth led the initiative, which brought the Nelson Mandela Bay Budget and Treasury directorate, SASSA and Nedbank together under one roof so residents could engage with multiple service providers without having to travel to municipal offices. In her welcoming address, Lobishe reaffirmed the municipality’s commitment to fighting unemployment, creating opportunities for businesses and addressing poverty across Nelson Mandela Bay. Meth used the platform to announce that 2026 has been declared the Year of Opportunities for Youth, urging unemployed residents to register on the department’s employment database. She encouraged graduates seeking in-service training and internships to sign up, saying opportunities would be facilitated through partnerships with both the private and public sectors across the country. Meth added that young people should consider enrolling at TVET colleges to acquire practical skills aligned with labour market demands, and stressed the importance of employers complying with the minimum wage and ensuring that employment opportunities are inclusive, particularly for women and persons with disabilities. Residents were given an opportunity to engage directly with political leadership and registered on the department’s database at the venue. Also in attendance were Council Speaker Eugene Johnson, NMBM Chief Whip Wandisile Jikeka, Acting UIF Commissioner Thulani Tshefuta, PES Deputy Director-General Sam Morotoba and Acting Provincial Chief Director Patiswa Mbongwana.
Ann celebrates 97th birthday
LEARNERS at Bergsig School were given a hands-on introduction to automotive refinishing through a spray-painting training session and skills competition on 27 August, hosted by Apex Auto Paint in partnership with the South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association (SAMBRA) Eastern Cape, an association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI). The initiative gave learners practical exposure to the spray-painting trade, from surface preparation and paint application to equipment handling and achieving a professional finish. Regional representative for SAMBRA, Abie Kriek, said giving learners first-hand experience of the trade mattered more than simply telling them about it. “You can tell someone about a career in the motor body repair industry, but giving them the opportunity to experience it for themselves is very different. Days like this allow learners to get their hands dirty, learn from people working in the industry and see that there are real career opportunities available to them,” said Kriek. The highlight of the day was the skills competition, which challenged learners to repair a dent over the fender arch line before preparing and refinishing the damaged area. Participants were judged on the quality of the repair and preparation, their spray-painting technique and final finish. First place went to Gavin Armoed, followed by Curtly Uithaler in second place, Emile Ansel in third place and Jaywin Joseph in
NELSON Mandela Bay is set for a fiercely contested local government election, with 38 political parties putting forward candidates for proportional representation (PR) seats as uncertainty over the African National Congress (ANC) candidate submissions adds another layer of intrigue to the race. Among the 10 municipalities nationally with the highest number of parties contesting PR seats, Nelson Mandela Bay's 38 parties put the metro on a par with Rustenburg and Capricorn District, while Polokwane also recorded 38. At the same time, the ANC's candidate-list process has come under scrutiny in the Eastern Cape following allegations that some candidates were not submitted by the statutory deadline. IEC chief electoral officer, Sy Mamabolo, has rejected suggestions that the commission could reopen its nomination system to accommodate the ANC, stressing that no political party or independent candidate will receive preferential treatment. According to the IEC, its online candidate nomination system remained operational until the 17:00 deadline on Friday, 28 August. Questions have been raised over ANC submissions in several Eastern Cape municipalities, including Ingquza Hill, Port St Johns,
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Ann Gillson, a resident of Kariega, will celebrate her 97th birthday on Friday, 11 September. She is blessed with good health. She was married to the late Ernest Gillson and had three children, seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
fourth. “Congratulations to all four finalists for taking on the challenge and putting their developing skills to the test, with special congratulations to Gavin on taking first place,” said Kriek. Technical deputy principal at Bergsig School, Leon Welgemoed, said the initiative gave learners the chance to showcase their abilities and experience a genuine industry environment. “Our learners were given an opportunity to showcase their abilities, build confidence and experience a genuine industry environment. Most importantly, they were shown that their practical skills have real value and that there is a place for them in the world of work,” he said.
Welgemoed said the practical training provided by Apex Auto Paint gave learners exposure to industry-related products, techniques and working practices that cannot easily be replicated in a classroom or school workshop. SAMBRA thanked Apex Auto Paint for sharing its expertise and investing in the learners, as well as Despatch Bodyworks, Dentrite, Ray Giese’s Bodyshop, MISA and Apex Auto Paint for sponsoring the prizes presented at the Motor Mech Show on 29 August. “When industry and education work together, young people get the chance to build confidence and see a future for themselves in the industry. Recognition of their abilities reinforces an important message: their skills matter, and there are opportunities for them in the world of work,” concluded Kriek.
ANC faces candidate submission row ahead of elections
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Talent and skill on display at the Bergsig Special School spray-painting competition, hosted by Apex Auto Paint and SAMBRA. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
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Walter Sisulu and Sundays River Valley. Eastern Cape ANC provincial secretary, Lulama Ngcukayitobi, has sought clarity from the party's national leadership on the candidates submitted to the IEC, including a consolidated breakdown of ward and PR candidates for municipalities in the province. The ANC has maintained that the overwhelming majority of its candidates were successfully lodged by the deadline and attributed outstanding submissions to technical and administrative issues. Mamabolo, however, said the commission would not reopen the nomination system. Candidates whose details were captured on the online system but were not finally submitted by the deadline are not considered to have been nominated, according to the IEC. Nationally, 2 274 potential candidates were captured but not finally submitted on the Online Candidate Nomination System. Of these, 480 were potential PR candidates and 1 794 were ward candidates, involving 45 political parties. In practical terms, the IEC said, these candidates were not submitted to the commission and therefore are not in contention for the elections. Overall, 142 072 candidates have been nominated to contest 10 526 council seats across
the country – about 43% more than the 99 000 nominations received for the 2021 local government elections. Political parties nominated 40 241 candidates for PR seats and 100 856 for ward seats, while 975 independent candidates were nominated to contest ward seats. Johannesburg recorded the highest number of parties contesting PR seats at 80, followed by Tshwane with 72, eThekwini with 70, Ekurhuleni with 69 and Cape Town with 55. Emfuleni recorded 43, while Polokwane, Rustenburg, Nelson Mandela Bay and Capricorn District each recorded 38. Across the country, 546 of the 732 registered political parties are contesting the elections, representing 75% of all registered parties. The IEC will now verify nominations, including acceptance forms, payment of applicable deposits and supporting documents for independent candidates. Notices concerning possible multiple nominations will be issued on 9 September, while the final list of candidates is expected to be published on 16 September. For Nelson Mandela Bay voters, that list will provide a clearer picture of who will be competing for seats in the metro when South Africans head to the polls on 4 November.
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UD Express
NEWS | NUUS
10 September 2026
Tiere se veteraan-opvoeder groet ná 36 jaar NÁ ’n diens van 36 jaar in die onderwys, waarvan 31 jaar aan die Hoër Tegniese Skool Daniel Pienaar gewy is, het Martyn Slabbert, adjunkhoof van Daniel Pienaar, onlangs amptelik die tuig neergelê. Sy bydrae tot die skool strek oor dekades van akademiese leierskap, sportafrigting en skoolbestuur. Gedurende sy termyn by HTS Daniel Pienaar het Slabbert hom gevestig as ’n meesteronderwyser in beide Wiskunde en Fisiese Wetenskappe. Sy onderrigstyl, geduld en hoë standaarde het talle leerders gehelp om sukses in hierdie sleutelvakke te behaal. Naas sy klaskamerverantwoordelikhede het hy ook ’n kernrol
gespeel as Hoof van Akademie en die versigtige bestuur van die eksamenprosesse. Buiten sy akademiese pligte was hy ’n toegewyde sportman en afrigter wat veral sy stempel op die atletiek- en landloopvelde afgedruk het. Hy het self die voorbeeld gestel deur ’n aktiewe en fikse leefstyl te handhaaf. Slabbert is deur kollegas en leerders gerespekteer vir sy werksetiek. Sy benadering is gekenmerk deur ferm waardes, organisatoriese deeglikheid en ’n sterk gevoel van regverdigheid. In haar lofrede tydens Slabbert se afskeid, het die skoolhoof, Kola du Toit, hom geprys vir sy dekades van onselfsugtige diens wat hom ook deel van die skool se institusionele geheue gemaak het.
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Don’t delay - get your will drafted THE Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) will hold its National Wills Week from 14 to 18 September 2026, encouraging members of the public to have a valid will drafted by a qualified attorney. According to the LSSA, a will ensures that a person’s assets are disposed of in accordance with their wishes after their death, a principle known as “freedom of testation”. The society advises that an attorney draft the will, as they have the necessary legal knowledge to ensure the document meets the requirements of the law. Wills are often rendered invalid, the LSSA said, because the person who drafted them lacked the legal expertise to ensure compliance.
Martyn Slabbert.
“Martyn het oor dekades heen ’n onmisbare deel van hierdie skool geword. Hy het leerders geleer dat deursettingsvermoë en regverdigheid saamgaan, en hy het vir elkeen van ons ’n standaard van professionaliteit gestel waarna ons kan opkyk. Ons is dankbaar vir die wysheid en koersvastheid waarmee hy Daniel Pienaar gedien het,” het Du Toit gesê. Sy het gesê dat leerders Slabbert vir sy meelewendheid en regverdigheid sal onthou en dat sy standaard van professionaliteit en lojaliteit vir elkeen van sy kollegas ’n voorbeeld is. “Hy het die respek van die personeel, leerders en skoolgemeenskap verdien. Die Tiere bid Slabbert en sy gesin seën toe,” het Du Toit afgesluit.
FOTO: VERSKAF
Strelitzia principal heads to global convention
If a person dies without a valid will, their assets are distributed according to the Intestate Succession Act, which generally ensures that possessions are transferred to a spouse and children, and, where applicable, to siblings, parents and extended family, including those who were financially dependent on the deceased. The LSSA warns that dying without a will can lead to assets not going to the person of one’s choice, delays in appointing an executor, unnecessary costs and conflict among family members due to a lack of clear instructions on how to distribute the estate. For more information or assistance, contact the LSSA on (012) 366 8800 or email lssa@lssa.org. za.
Strelitzia High School principal, Ian Balie. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
STRELITZIA High School principal Ian Balie will travel to Auckland, New Zealand, to attend the prestigious International Confederation of Principals’ Convention (ICP 2026), taking place from 11 to 23 September at the New Zealand International Convention Centre. According to the school, the convention brings together school principals and education leaders from around the world, providing a platform to engage with pressing issues facing schools globally, exchange ideas, share innovative practices and explore new approaches to school leadership. Strelitzia High has expressed gratitude to District Director Ernest Gorgonzola and the Eastern Cape Department of Education for supporting Balie and granting him the professional development opportunity. The 2026 convention theme, Purapura Korari, Ka ruia e te hau, which translates to “The seeds of the flax bush are dispersed by the four winds,” speaks to the sharing of ideas, the de-
velopment of future generations and the value of different cultures and perspectives. By engaging in this global dialogue, Balie connects Strelitzia High with international standards, reinforcing the school’s belief that education extends far beyond the traditional classroom to prepare learners for a rapidly evolving world. The insights, strategic vision and innovative practices gathered at the convention are expected to directly enrich the school’s educators and learners, renewing its commitment to high academic achievement. In a statement, the school said that Balie reminds them that true leadership means having the courage to look beyond the present, to seek knowledge from others, to embrace new ideas and to invest in the future. “As Mr Balie travels from Kariega to Auckland, he carries with him more than the title of principal, he carries the support, aspirations and pride of the entire Strelitzia High School community.”
Former learner donates to alma mater SHANTI JAFTA
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MUIR College Boys’ High School has received sponsorship and donations valued at approximately R142,000 during 2026 from former learner and Kariega attorney Claude Smith. Smith, the owner of Claude Smith Attorneys, has contributed towards sporting equipment, team kits and clothing, as well as items for school committees, staff and learner activities. According to the school, the donations included cricket tour bags for the first team and three coaches, golf shirts for nine cricket coaches, warm-up shirts for the first and U15A cricket teams, and refreshments for learners travelling to away matches. The school’s hockey programme received kits for 18 first team players and coaches, hockey kit bags, 10 warm tops and four day-
light floodlights for the hockey court. Tennis and squash teams also received branded clothing, including shirts, caps and sweatbands for the First Tennis Team and its coaches, and shirts and sweatbands for the First Squash Team and coaches. “Other contributions included more than 40 water bottles for sporting use, cooling towels for First Team sport and the Environmental Club, 15 headlamps for Environmental Club learners, reflective jackets for the First Aid Committee, and hats and caps for ground staff,” the school said. The school also received two 3x3 gazebos, four promotional feathers, grey branded backpacks for staff, and branded caps, flasks and gifts for the teachers and staff. Shirts were provided for the Headmaster, Sports Administra-
tor and members of the Muir College SCA. A white blazer was also braided and finished for a learner ahead of the school’s prizegiving ceremony. Muir College said the contributions had provided practical support across several areas of school life. “While the financial value of these contributions is significant, the impact goes far beyond the R142,000,” the school said. “His support demonstrates to our boys the importance of community, loyalty and giving back, as well as the lifelong connection that comes with being a Muirite.” The school said it remained grateful to former learners who continued to support its activities and hoped Smith’s example would encourage others to maintain their connection with the school.
10 September 2026
NEWS | NUUS
UD Express 5
10 September 2026
NEWS | NUUS
UD Express
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