VanRiebeeckHoogtefacesyear-longwaterleakwoes
SHANTI JAFTA
FLOODING yards, damaging roads, and washing thousands of litres of clean drinking water down the drain - this is the daily reality for Van Riebeeck Hoogte residents who have watched a water leak wreak havoc on their neighbourhood for over a year, despite reporting the incident
A resident living in front of the leak, Marlon Booysen shared with UD Express that this issue is affecting the residents living nearby “This is clean drinking water flowing into the drain like this Every time we complain about it, we are told that the water comes from the Fairbridge Heights reservoir My question is, why doesn't the municipality make a plan to prevent the waste?”
He added, “It is unfortunate that this has not been addressed for so long The water is creating potholes in the street; however, I feel the most for the residents living in
front of the water leak When it is raining, the rainwater as well as the water leak flood the street, which then flows into the neighbours’ yards, sometimes into their homes It is a massive problem that does not seem to get any municipal attention How many litres of water must be wasted in order for the municipality to act?”
In response to the situation, the municipal spokesperson, Sithembiso Soyaya, said that the municipality acknowledges ongoing public concerns regarding unresolved water leaks and appreciates continued community engagement on these matters
“The municipality remains focused on prioritising serious water leaks, those that pose an immediate risk to public health, safety, or result in significant water loss, within a 24-hour response window However, it is important to note the operational context in which this work takes place
Our teams are currently managing a substantial backlog of existing leaks, while also responding to a high number of new
Potable water, allegedly from the Fairbridge Heights reservoir flowing down the drain.
reports received daily across the metro
This has placed considerable pressure on available technical resources and contractors,” he said
Soyaya added that the municipality is working closely with appointed service providers to ensure that reported leaks are logged, assessed, and responded to according to severity “In cases where delays have occurred, a full review is conducted to determine the cause and prevent recurrence
“In situations where leaks may involve potable water or are linked to major supply infrastructure such as reservoirs, further technical assessments are initiated to determine the volume of water loss and any potential impact on local supply reliability Where access to the affected infrastructure is hampered by conditions such as waterlogged ground or overgrown vegetation, we evaluate alternative methods or equipment needed to carry out the work safely and effectively ”
He further added that where leaks are left unattended over time, the municipal-
ity acknowledges the risk of secondary impacts, such as road surface damage or soil erosion “Where applicable, joint inspections are arranged between water and roads departments to ensure coordinated repairs and to limit long-term infrastructure costs ”
Soyaya said, “Dedicated response teams are deployed to sites where urgent attention is required, and every effort is made to prioritise issues in a way that balances technical feasibility, urgency, and fairness across all affected areas Residents will be kept informed wherever possible as repair plans are finalised and implemented
“While we have service protocols and response guidelines in place, we acknowledge that there is always room for improvement Given the scale of leaks being reported metro-wide, our teams, alongside our contractors, are doing the best we can within the current resource constraints “We are actively working to improve internal coordination, reduce backlogs, and ensure consistent service delivery to all communities,” he concluded
The flow of potable water down the street into the drain for allegedly over a year has become a free water supply for residents.
PHOTOS: SHANTI JAFTA
MBDA,community memberscleanup Kariegastreets
The Mandela Bay Development Agency Total Precinct Management team led another successful community clean-up last week to create cleaner, safer spaces in Kariega The clean-up in Kariega was a collective effort between community members, security officials, the South African Police Service, and Ward representatives. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
DeputyPresidentvisitsmajorrenewableenergyproject
DEPUTY President Paul Mashatile, together with Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean MacPherson, MEC Siphokazi Mani-Lusithi, and Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor Babalwa Lobishe, conducted a site visit at the Umoyilanga Dassiesridge energy project located off the R75 near Kariega last week
The groundbreaking renewable energy initiative combines wind, solar, and battery storage technologies and will generate 75 MW of power once completed The project is expected to benefit over 120 000
Model (DDM), adopted by Cabinet in 2019, which provides a framework for collaborative
planning and budgeting across all three spheres of government The DDM prioritises
districts and metros for development through a spatially integrated "One Plan" approach to address poverty, unemployment, and inequality
MEC Mani-Lusithi emphasised the importance of strengthening intergovernmental relationships, noting that Public Works plays a key role as a driver of local development and inclusive
growth
The Umoyilanga Dassiesridge project forms part of South Africa's broader energy modernisation efforts, incorporating solar farms, wind facilities, battery energy storage systems, and the construction of a main transmission substation for Eskom as part of the country's sustainable energy transition
UnemployedduolaunchNPOforunderprivilegedchildren
SHANTI JAFTA
AFTER the closure of one non-profit organisation (NPO) in McNaughton, Kariega, two unemployed residents took it upon themselves to establish their own, geared towards feeding underprivileged children of the area and surrounding areas
Langa Hope and Help, a non-profit company (NPC) established by Asisipho Jaceni and Sivuyile Sardines, both the NPC’s director and chairperson respectively, saw a gap in the market of feeding children of their community and took it upon themselves to fill it from their own pockets, as limited as they are
According to Sardines, “Langa Hope and Help is an organisation that prioritises welfare, especially that of children We are trying by all means to unite children of the community, and we are currently in the process of creating programmes for the children so that they can learn and have fun at the same time As we are unemployed, we rely solely on fundraising efforts that we have as well as taking out of our own pockets to feed our community ”
He added, “The inspiration behind starting this NPC was after the closure of the one we had in the community a while ago Children would normally go there after school once a week for a hearty meal Now,
we don't have a place that helps people in need in our community - we wanted to bring that back ” Registered on 6 July, the NPC had applied to be an NPO; however, Jaceni added that they had been waiting for an outcome for four months “In order to get sponsorships
and help from organisations, a non-profit must have an NPO number; however, we have been waiting for a response since July 10 This has slowed down our progress significantly because we need that NPO number to implement the plans we have I would understand if they said we are missing doc-
MESofficeopensbranchinKariegaCBD
SHANTI JAFTA
MOULD Empower Serve (MES), a registered not-for-profit company (NPC) that has been changing the hearts of the inner cities of Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Gqeberha since 1986, addressing poverty and homelessness through holistic, sustainable support, has opened its first office in Kariega CBD on 1 Church Street after several months of planning
According to its website, its main goal is to establish the two core services that MES offers in Gqeberha, namely a Residential Care and Skills Development Programme for homeless and unemployed clients
MES Gqeberha delivers services to ensure that the MES model of holistic development is implemented and can assist each client towards a sustainable exit from the programme The newly opened office will serve as a satellite office for the Gqeberha branch
Present at the opening was Retief Odendaal, who shared, "When I was in the mayor's office and whenever we
would collaborate, MES was always there to assist in joint projects with the municipalities It was only then that I came to understand what they actually do and how they change lives I do not believe that there can be a more worthy cause than taking somebody who is broken and helping them " He added, "MES will be blessed in Kariega You will get a shelter because I believe that you are busy with the Lord s work "
Odendaal said that the organisation was desperately looking for a shelter for Kariega
"I hope those who can assist will do so in spreading the message of the organisation and speaking to other business people to contribute and raise funds for MES They were really successful in the Gqeberha area and they were really successful in changing lives and saving lives as well - lives that would probably have been lost if they hadn't crossed your path "
For more information on how to help the organisation, contact their administrator, Nadine du Pisanie on 076 113 8044
uments, but the Department of Social Development has not come back to us with an outcome,” said Jaceni Jaceni added that having an NPO number would make it easier for them to apply for sponsorships They require these sponsorships to improve the services they give to the children of the community “We need gas stoves for when we are hit with power outages, which happens a lot, sometimes with no warning We also need clothes, shoes, blankets and uniforms that we can donate to the children in need We often provide limited food where we can, but help in that department would be appreciated as well, specifically non-perishable items ” Sardines added that they hope to grow to greater heights “We would love to create an environment where learning meets laughter We want to create a reading programme for children, starting next year to reintroduce reading initiatives amongst the children ” He added, “The children come from underprivileged backgrounds and often have no food to eat during the day We don’t just want to provide them with food; we also want to introduce the love of learning and self-dignity by educating them about hygiene We also ask the community to assist us in providing that for the children Sometimes we have teenagers here who are in need of sanitary products and toiletries We would like to educate them about the importance of those and also provide starter packs to them We hope that doing this will bring a sense of pride to the future generation ”
The NPC feeds children every Thursday after school at 15:00 at their residence, 21 -23rd Avenue, McNaughton, Kariega The children are welcome to stay there and play until 17:00 Jaceni added, “We would also plead with the community to help with toys, like skipping ropes, footballs, chess boards and pieces, board games and other activities that can make after-school life more fun ” Event organiser and volunteer of Langa Hope and Help, Kuda Kasere, said that they would be hosting a fundraising event on 11 October at 21-23rd Avenue, McNaughton, Kariega According to the organisers, the community event is being held to raise funds for charitable purposes, with all proceeds going directly to charity work
Jaceni said, “The event will feature various activities including a bouncy castle, dance battle, and water slide Food vendors will be selling popcorn and candyfloss, and we have arranged additional games and entertainment for attendees Entry to the event is set at R5 per person ” Jaceni added that the fundraiser aims to bring the community together whilst supporting local charitable initiatives "The event is open to the public and families are encouraged to attend the day-long activities "
For more info or to assist, email volunteer Kuda Kasere at kudakasere@gmail com
From left are, Shenaaz Britz (Auxiliary Social Worker), Nadine du Pisanie (Branch Administrator), Ronny Naude (MES GQ Branch Manager) and Steven Cronje (Work Readiness Co-ordinator).
PHOTO: SHANTI JAFTA
Sivuyile Sardines (Langa Hope and Help chairperson) feeding the children of McNaughton, Kariega after school
The children of McNaughton and surrounding areas come in numbers to enjoy a hearty meal and socialise with other children at Langa Hope and Help NPC.
PHOTOS: SHANTI JAFTA
BuildItKariegaturnsthree
THE newly established Build It Kariega branch a haven for building contractors, mechanics, households, and do-it-yourself enthusiasts, is celebrating its third anniversary!
Conveniently located at 148 Durban Street in Kariega, this store is your onestopshopforallyourrenovationneeds
Branch Manager Gavin Slater expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support from the community "The local community and surrounding areas have welcomed us as their preferred supplier, he said Build It Kariega is not just about business; it's about giving back The branch is actively involved with local schools
and community projects "After the 2024 flooding in Kariega we organised donations from customers staff and suppliers to help those in need We also maintain the lawn between Cuyler and John Streets" Slater shared
"We are proud to be deeply involved with our local schools from junior to senior and strongly connected with our community A lot of young people trust us, and one of our biggest strengthsisthatwetravel!Whetherit's
Graaff-Reinet Grahamstown or anywhere else, there's no place we won't deliver, he added
Looking ahead Slater aims to grow the business and solidify Build It Kariega as the go-to supplier in the area He
is committed to becoming even more involved in local communities
Driven by the Build It motto, "Yes, we can," Slater emphasises their dedication to service excellence and offering the right stock at the right price This commitment sets Build It Kariega apart from other stores in the field
"We have our own truss plant and board cutting section to cater to all your building needs, from foundation to finishes Additionally, we have a fleet of delivery vehicles to ensure timely delivery of orders to your site," Slater added
At Build It Kariega every customer is valued, regardless of the size of their project "What you see here is just the beginning If we don't have what you need,wewillsourceitthroughourfour branches or our valued suppliers" Slater assured
From DIY projects trench to truss to full home builds we cater for it all And we don't just build; we finish Kitchens, homes, renovations; whatever you need, YES WE CAN!" Slater emphasised
Engage with Build It Kariega through their Facebook page, Build It Kariega, or contact the store directly at 041 110 1309 Join us in celebrating our third anniversary and take advantage of our special promotions!
Everything you need to build, fix or get creative with your
The Build It Kariega sales team.
The Build It Kariega ground staff.
The Build it Kariega admin staff.
PHOTOS: SHANTI JAFTA
GoodSamaritansdonateR15,000toSPCAUitenhage
SHANTI JAFTA
WHAT started as a simple plea to help find a lost dog has blossomed into a remarkable R15,000 donation to the SPCA Uitenhage, showcasing the power of community spirit and radio’s ability to unite people for a common cause
LuisterFM presenter Etienne Calitz had no idea that his on-air appeal to help reunite a missing dog with its family would trigger such an extraordinary chain of generosity
After hearing broadcast details of the lost pet during his time slot, listeners mobilised quickly, and within just three hours, the dog was found safe and sound However, the story didn’t end with the happy reunion Grateful listeners presented Calitz with a R5,000 reward for his efforts, which he immediately decided to donate towards dog food for the SPCA Uitenhage
Word of his generous gesture spread, inspiring City Wide Security and We Sell Houses each to contribute an additional R5,000, bringing the total donation to R15,000
Speaking to UD Express, Calitz shared that he was surprised to learn that the dog owners had decided to donate money to the station to say thank you for getting the word out there
Upon finding out that he had been given R5,000, he spoke to his manager to discuss what to do with the funds The manager suggested donating it to the SPCA, an initiative he was gladly on board with “I was on air with Simon Clark, from We Sell Houses and told him about the generous donation we got from the family after their dog was returned, to which Simon agreed to match the donation to SPCA without hesitation The same with CityWide I had an interview with their owner and I dropped the bomb on him as well He told me that he would match the R5,000 as well
“With that R15,000, we arranged with Jeffrey from Mr Dog Dry Food to get dog food for the SPCA We managed to buy 1375 kg of dog food with that donation ”
Simon and Monique Clark, the owners of We Sell Houses, shared why they decided to match the donation, “We are a community company, with a policy that we advertise where we know the revenue generated from our advertising spend is going towards a worthy cause, like schools or a shelter We also believe in rescuing animals as we have three rescues already When I heard of this, I didn’t even need to ask my wife, Monique about the donation because I knew she would have agreed,” said Simon Monique added, “It is comforting knowing what our donation is going to be used for - feeding animals We know what the SPCA are doing for the community, so helping them is just incredible for us Giving back is somewhat second nature to us If we sell a home in Jeffreys Bay, where we are primarily situated, we give back to that community We spread the love and help wherever, even schools, so it is not just animals We believe we are the agents you can bank on ” The Clarks added that they are happy to help where they can Should a school or organisation be in need, they can contact the pair by email at sold@wesellhouses co za Kaylin Mattheus from City Wide Security shared that animal welfare is one of the things they are passionate about “We have done donations in the past and here we are all animal lovers We are aware that households can only donate so much, but we as companies, believe that we can help more in our community if we band together There are so many animals out there that need help - if we can help the SPCA, then they can help those animals ”
Mattheus added, “As we are the men in black who have your back, we are very proud of what we do for our clients and community at large So we hope that other organisations can see what we are doing here and accept the challenge we started off by donating to a worthy cause
The three companies here combined have donated about 35 bags of dog food to the tune of R15,000 and we challenge other organisations to do the same ”
Speaking about the generosity, SPCA chairperson Deirdre Swift said, “When Etienne contacted me, I was quite speechless When he let me know that there were three different organisations and companies that were involved, it makes a huge difference to us What is so encouraging about it is that they came of their own accord Yes, we put out an appeal because we had little food, but it still doesn’t mean that one should be as generous as this Obviously, for us, this
displays a lot of compassion for animals in need So this kind of support is just fantastic ”
In the past few weeks, there has been an outpouring of support to the SPCA from the public, mostly from anonymous individuals Swift said, “We cannot thank the public enough for their donations People have responded positively to our appeal It has been absolutely amazing We wouldn’t ask if we really didn’t need it We must not forget those that have made financial contributions They’ve paid EFT money into our bank account towards whatever we need - because obviously we’ve got kittens, puppies and adult dogs So the puppies have different food from the adult dogs
“The problem with most of those donations is that there is no contact number, so there is no way that we can thank them Yes, we did put a post out, but it would be nice to mention them, because we would love to thank them personally; it is important that they get recognised for their contribution,” she said
With the substantial amount of dog food that has come in, Swift mentioned that the SPCA has a wish list on their website that outlines all their needs
“A little while ago we didn’t have enough blankets and we had our blanket thermometer running and the public brought us blankets, but what we need to remember is those blankets need to be washed
“So you need washing powder and obviously you need bigger things - you always need washing machines or you need tyres for your vehicles, or you need money for fuel because obviously we do all the fieldwork as well, the cruelty investigations and things, and that costs to do that ”
Swift explained that smaller items that people don’t often think about include simple things like bleach for disinfecting, automatic washing powder, toilet paper, kitchen roll towels for the bathrooms, and products such as F10
“I think we should be fine for dog food for now, but obviously those are also the things that people can either phone us up about or they can have a look at our website for our updated wish list with all the other things that we need to keep this organisation running
“Not everybody can afford to go out and buy a bag of dog food, because it's expensive Maybe they could buy a little packet of kitchen roll Every single thing saves us ” For more information on how to assist, contact the SPCA on 041 922 4528
Wallace was lost, but now is found.
PHOTO: SHANTI JAFTA
GqeberhaartisttakesceramicstoCalifornia
GQEBERHA ceramist, Lookout Sibanda, has achieved an international breakthrough with over 100 of his works now showcased at California's prestigious Malibu Design Centre
The multi-award-winning artist’s bold creations are capturing global attention from collectors and retailers alike
His journey in ceramics resulted in winning the 2017 Eastern Cape Art on Target regional exhibitions for best use of colour
Sibanda has since earned regional and national recognition, as well as mentorship with celebrated South African designer, Laduma Ngxokolo, of Maxhosa Africa, in partnership with Chivas Regal, and best in homeware at the 2019 Visual Arts and Craft Competition and Exhibition
Locally, his works can be found on proud display at Elza’s Pottery in Pretoria, and PretA-Pot in Plettenberg Bay, at East London’s Lavender Blue and at the Eastern Cape Craft Collection Shop also in East London
“Today, my company, Lookout Ceramics’ portfolio spans functional ware, plates, platters, teapots and decorative pieces such as hotel lobby vases, and chess sets, among other pieces
“Larger pieces range from R11,000 to more than R30,000
“I am delighted that my work is receiving global attention, demonstrating the talent of Eastern Cape creatives and the economic potential of the creative industry on a global scale
“Having more than 100 of my works showcased at the Malibu Design Centre in California, the United States, is a significant boost and vote of confidence, which should open more economic and market access opportunities for me and other local creatives,” says Sibanda Drawing inspiration from African heritage and traditions, Sibanda’s work pays homage to the continent’s varied terrain with a modern
DIARY| DAGBOEK
Uitenhage Child and Family Welfare Society AGM: The annual general meeting of the Uitenhage Child and Family Welfare Society will be held on Thursday 25 September at 10:00 at the Society's office, 92 Cannon Street, Kariega Family Spring Festival: Father's House Church Kariega willhavetheFestiva on27Septemberfrom09:00to16:00 at 81 John Street There will be car displays,Daniell's CheetahFarm variousstalls foodandmuchmore Elvis Blue: Dié sanger gaan die eregas by Die Hoërskool Despatch se spogoggend op 27 September by die Ernest Swanepoelsaal wees Kaartjies is R250 Kontak die skool: 0419335104
LoerieNartjiefees:Moeniediefeesop27Septembermet Appel,Elizma Theron,Armand Hofmeyr,Dillon Lerm en Kobus en Karla misloop nie Dit beloof 'n feesatmosfeer met plaasvarsgroente pannekoek kunsmarkstalletjies tee/koffiewinkel kosstalletjies bier- en cidertent Toegangsfooie is R150virvolwassenesenR50virleerders Kaartjiesisbeskikbaar aanlyn by Quicket of by die hek Vir meer inligting besoeknartjiefeescoza NartjiefeesFBenInstagram Plaasbasaar,Patensie: The annual "Plaasbasaar" of the Dutch Reformed Church is on Saturday, 4 October, at Endulini 3 5km west of Patensie Come early for the famous farmbreakfast!Therewillbeafruit-andvegetablemarket meat market, deli, tea garden, a variety of refreshments, fun for the kids and an auction at 11:00 Card facilities will be available Entry is free and there is safe parking Fill your pantriesandfreezersatfarmprice Startsat08:00tillstock lasts For more information, phone Kevin van Rooyen (082 4635143)orLouwrensBezuidenhout(0825517879) Uitenhage Matriculants Leadership Seminar: Goal Post Foundation, in partnership with 3D Consulting, will be hosting a leadership seminar for Grade 11 and 12 learners from6to10Octoberat3DConsultingpremises 32Caledon Street Kariega Thisfive-dayseminarisaimedatequipping learners with leadership skills, personal growth strategies, and practical tools to prepare them for leadership roles both in school and beyond It is completely free of charge Registeronlineathttps://forms gle/Lhqng68buyooqHF97
RELIGIOUS: VEK Emmanuel Penford Gemeente: Sondagdienste word09:00(erediens)en17:00(aanddiens)gehou Kontak Susanby0823788155
SendyourDiaryentriestoudexpress@novusmediaco za Thedeadlineforentriesis14:00onMondays Entries maybeinEnglishorAfrikaans
Lookout Sibanda has achieved international breakthrough with over 100 of his works now showcased at California’s prestigious Malibu Design Centre.
twist that moves away from the stereotypical browns and neutral tones often associated with African craft
Fresh from high school, his journey in ceramics began by chance in Pretoria, where he helped established the ceramist, Elza van Dijk, paint her work
While the experience was invaluable, following someone else’s pattern can be limiting By 2008, Sibanda began experimenting with his own ceramics, mixing form and painted detail into a hardened full-time passion
“I must also give credit to institutions such
as the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), whose initiatives helped my business gain visibility and access to markets For example, the ECDC assisted me to participate in prominent industry platforms such as Decorex Cape Town and Johannesburg and the National Arts Festival, which provided significant exposure for my business by allowing me to present my work to a larger local and international audience,” says Sibanda ECDC Arts and Crafts Coordinator, Athenkosi Baliso, says the creative industry is an integral part of the Eastern Cape economy and its
heritage
He says the Corporation has provided intentional support to creative enterprises for the last 15 years
Over the years, the ECDC has provided market access opportunities to Eastern Cape creatives to participate in promotional platforms such as annual consumer and trade shows such as Decorex Cape Town and Johannesburg, National Arts Festival, Mandela Bay Arts Festival, Rand Eastern Show, Buffalo City Municipality Fashion Fair, All Fashion Sourcing, Fame Week Africa, Lithuba Lakho Visual Arts and Craft Competition and Exhibition, and the Johannesburg Art Fair, among others
One of these creatives is Sterkspruit’s filmmaker, Lukhanyo Manyangezi, who was recently placed third at the MIP Africa pitching sessions for his film, Born to Silence, at Fame Week Africa at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 1 to 6 September
Manyangezi was one of five Eastern Cape creatives supported by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) to participate at MIP Africa, Africa’s leading business-to-business market for film, television, digital content distribution and co-production business in Sub-Saharan Africa
MIP Africa is held at Fame Week Africa, which is an essential destination for African and global creative professionals and features content sessions, music showcases, film screenings, exhibitions and a variety of networking opportunities
“The ECDC’s support for the creative economy, which is also a cultural and heritage expression, is based on building capacity for sustainable creative enterprises to boost their global competitiveness
“Our support includes market access initiatives to increase the sales of creative enterprises, providing access to local and international markets, and improved value chain relations,” says Baliso
RotaryClubchartscommunityengagementvision
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Susannah Fouriecross countrytour
Cross-country athletes and staff members from Susannah Fourie Primary recently participated in the Kwagga 100 Road Race in George. They undertook a three-day tour, visiting places of interest in Oudtshoorn and the surrounding area. The memories made will last forever Seen here, eager to start the race, are from the left (front), Buhle Tiso, Yivani Dimbaza, JJ Magabie, Inam Mnikina, Alive Plaatjie, Mbali Tshebe, Verjoe Smith, Meryke Barnard (staff member), (back) Mieke Erasmus (staff member), Marius Oelofse (Deputy Principal), Jameel Swartz, Lunjuthando Zinco, Oyisa Zenani, Daelina Grobler (Principal), Oyama Zenani, Mikyle Daaminds, Tian de Klerk (staff member). PHOTO: SUPPLIED
UitenhageGolfklubnuus
MuirCollegeachievements
Die Uitenhage Gholfklub sê baie, baie dankie aan Paarl Perle