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Concerned Residents Of Bizana Give The Eastern Cape MEC Of Transport An Ultimatum
FRIDAY 23 APRIL—FRIDAY 30 APRIL
REACH OVER 200 000 READERS EVERY MONTH
By Mawande Genu & Avela Gonttsana Eastern Cape Department of Transport and the newly found Winnie Maricela-Mandela Local Municipality (formerly Bizana Local Municipality). The R61 road that stretches from Umthamvuna Bridge to Magusheni was under construction a few years ago in a project that was abandoned without completion leaving the route in a horrific state. In December 2019, Times Live reported the road as one of the most dangerous roads in South Africa with a report by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) stating an average of 15 deaths per annum on the route.
A Group of concerned residents of Bizana has vowed to take matters into their own hands in the R61 pothole issue as years have passed by without any action from the
WILD COAST SUN MILLIONAIRE: READ ON PAGE 2
In this month’s issue: •
Tender scandal gets mayor sacked by Mbizana Local Municipality
•
Bizana Youth Radio to host a music competition for local artists
•
From Miss Bizana first princess to Miss Durban finalist
The residents of the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Municipality have formed a group to try and find solutions to what has been a nightmare for motorists in the past years. The group sent an email on the 7th of April to the MEC of Story continues on page 3
YOUNG ENTREPRENUERS: READ ON PAGE 3
WARD COUNCILOR AND TWO OTHER SUSPECTS IN POLICE CUSTODY FOR MURDUR By Mawande Genu
Winnie Madikizela Mandela Local Municipality ward councilor has be apprehended by the local police after the murder of a 47 year old man in Tshamathe village in Bizana. The victim, who is said to have been a ward committee member was attacked in his home in the evening. The 47 year old was on his way to lock his garage situated just 25 meters way from his house when the alleged suspects entered his yard and opened fire Image by SAPS
before fleeing the scene. The victim succumbed to his gun shot wounds on his way to the hospital as reported by The Insider, a news page on Facebook. Community members have described the deceased as a tenacious ward committee member who had ambitions to run for the Ward Councilor position in the coming elections leaving everyone to assume that the The story continues on page 4
PONDOLAND TIMES
FRIDAY 23 APRIL—FRIDAY 30 APRIL
PAGE 2
WILD COAST SUN CREATES NEW MILLIONAIRE Casino pays out more than R5.7 million this year so far ild Coast Sun, a proud member of the Sun Inter- sive jackpots, which increases each time the national Group, has paid out R5.7 million during game is played until it is won. the first three months of the year, which includes making one lucky winner a millionaire. Games that paid out during this time include, but not limited to: 5 Treasures, 88 Fortunes, Double Located on South Africa’s unspoilt Wild Coast, the casino Nutty Jackpot, Duma and Geisha. and hotel is popular with guests who fancy a break to enjoy the South Coast’s striking beauty. From the banks of a majestic Mtamvuna river right through to the un- Wild Coast Sun General Manager, Peter Tshidi, restrictions spoiled beaches of Port Edward, the Wild Coast Sun en- says “the easing of lockdown brought many punters home to Wild Coast, and courages unforgettable sea-side adventures. several of them benefitted from jackpot winnings. We’d like to thank our customers for their loyal The bulk of the cash was paid out in February, with support during these trying times.” betters taking home just more than R3 million. In addition, the month of love saw a single jackpot winner of Follow Wild Coast Sun for news updates: R1.1 million, from the progressive jackpot game Duma. Facebook: @WildCoastSun · Hotel resort Duma is a one of Sun International groupwide progres- Twitter: @TheWildCoastSun
Casino pays out more than R5.7 million this year so far
PUBLIC INVITATION No.
PROJECT NAME
BID NUMBER
COMPULSORY
Closing Date
BRIEFING
1.
Replacement of Septic Tank at DLTC
WMM LM 04/21 RST DLTC
N/A
14 May 2021
Tenders are hereby invited from suitable service providers for the above mentioned projects for Winnie Madikizela Mandela Local Municipality. Tender Documents can be downloaded on e-tender portal website. (www.etenders.gov.za). MANDATORY DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED, FAILURE TO DO SO WILL LEAD TO THE TENDER BEING REGARDED AS NON RESPONSIVE. A valid tax pin printout as provided by SARS, Proof of registration with central supplier database (CSD). Copy of company Registration/Founding Statement/CIPC Document. Certified B-BBEE certificate or a consolidated BBBEE in the case of a joint venture (non-elimination item). Signed JV Agreement for Joint venture where applicable. Prices quoted must be firm and must be inclusive of VAT for vat vendors. Certified ID Copies of Managing Directors/ Owners. No couriered, faxed, incomplete and late tenders will be accepted. No bidders will be considered if not registered on the Central Supplier database (CSD). Winnie Madikizela Mandela Local Municipality reserves the right not to appoint and value for money will be the key determinant. Winnie Madikizela Mandela Local Municipal supply chain management policy will apply. All MBD forms that are in the document must be completed in full. Bidders must submit the tender document provided by the municipality (original document) A signed certificate by the bidder and proof certifying that the bidder has no undisputed commitments for municipal services towards any municipality or other provider in respect of which payment is overdue more than 30 days. All the certified copies of documents must not be more than 03 months old. Winnie Madikizela Mandela Local Municipality does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any bid and reserves the right to accept the whole or part of the bid. Evaluation Criteria: Pre-qualification criterion 60 points-Bidders should score 39 out of 60 to proceed to second stage. Published Date: 23 April 2021 Closing date: All Tenders must be emailed to tenders.scm@mbizana.gov.za by not later than 12h00 (as per the date specified above) at which time they will be opened. All tenders must be clearly marked “Name of the project and Reference number indicated above”. Enquiries: Technical enquiries are addressed to the Manager: Operations & Maintenance: Mr. S. Songca, Cell: 082 370 8144, Email:songcas@mbizana.gov.za and SCM enquiries to Supply Chain Manager, Mr. Z Khala @ 079 886 0942 Email: khalaz@mbizana.gov.za ________________________________ Mr. L. Mahlaka Municipal Manager
PONDOLAND TIMES
FRIDAY 23 APRIL—FRIDAY 30 APRIL
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Three Young Entrepreneurs From Mthatha Found And Launched Their Own Alcohol Brand, Dads Of Daughters (DoD) By: Khazimla Mhaga
More than the hardships of enterprise, Nonkula was vocal about the victories he and his partners hope to celebrate in the future. “We (have) mastered the distribution, which is the (major) obstacle for many brands. Our shared experience in the retail field is paying off,” Nonkula said. “We have a goal, to get our brands listed at all Tops and Shoprite liquor stores by September 2021. We are ambitious and optimistic we will achieve that,” said Nonkula.
ebruary 28, 2021 marked the end of a financial year plagued with devastation for many South African small business owners. A reported 153 small businesses were forced to shut down due to the lockdown. These closures added to an already high unemployment rate of 6.5 million, raising it to a staggering 7.2 million unemployment rate. However, the devastating economic conditions brought by the lockdown, have brought fortune to a few. Three young entrepreneurs, Mzwandile Nonkula, Thabo Mashego and Mpeyakhe Khoza from Mthatha, Bugersford and Qwaqwa (respectively) founded and launched DoD (Dads of Daughters) and Damask spirit beverages through Bowelakalana Investments (PTY) LTD, their alcoholic spirit beverages brewer.
“We are currently listed and available at the Mayfair Casino, Vinnie's Grill Steak House, Bingo “We are an alcoholic spirits beverages company. Royale Casino at Mthatha Plaza and the Ebony We make and distribute alcohol,” Nonkula happily Lodge Restaurant. We hope the black people emsaid, speaking on behalf of both brands. brace our brands. Black people in South Africa are always skeptical of brands owned by fellow “DoD gin is founded by us, made and bottled by blacks. They also believe that local brands should us, unlike Damask gin. A friend who wishes to cost low in prices. We hope that mindset changes. maintain his anonymity founded Damask. We are the sole distributors of both brands via Bowekalana We hope to dominate the local alcoholic spirits Investments. Damask gin is a bit older than DoD… beverages (industry),” Nonkula affirmed for the future of their company. Damask was founded in 2016 while DoD was found in October 2020,” Nonkula added. Their journey, like all businesses, has not been For Tenders, Public Notices, without obstacles, Nonkula stated, "bottling and labelling, these are expensive… (it) can only be External Vacancies, & Advertising acquired in huge bulks.” Coupling those expenses contact us: 081 743 8224 with customised brand designs, “in huge bottles and that is flipping expensive even for well-known advertise@pondolandtimes.co.za brands,” added Nonkula.
Story continues from page 1
ransport in Eastern Cape, the Honorable MEC, Cde Tikana Gxothiwe with a clear ultimate “give us a positive response by the 16th of April or we take matters into our own hands” which the MEC had failed responded to in time and our efforts to get ahold of anyone in that office before this week’s issue went to print had very little joy. The concerned residents of Bizana stated in their email that should the MEC fail to respond before the 16th of April 2021 the group reserves the right to use all options available at its disposal to find a solution to the matter including but not limited to, fixing the potholes from their own pockets and claiming from the government. The email, of which Pondoland Times has it’s contents, is seeking clarity from the department on its immediate plans for the road and its long term plans as the roads condition has deteriorated to an unimaginable state that has been claiming lives year in and year out. The poor conditions of the R61 one have had both financial and economic implications for the residents of Bizana as people who travel from the Eastern Cape to KwaZulu-Natal now prefer the Kokstad route over the straight route that goes through Bizana because of it’s enormous potholes that stretch endlessly to the KwaZulu-Natal border, Umthamvuna River. In consequence, the town loses out on an opportunity to benefit from travelers who would be buying from the shops when they pass through and on the other hand, they suffer financially as motorists are constantly faced with constant tire bursts on this route. A status update by one of the leaders of the Concerned Residents of Bizana suggests that the group is forging ahead with their R61 initiative. The group sent out a communique to all it’s members asking for contributions to aid the bid to fix the monstrous potholes that have been terrorizing motorist and residents for years. The plan is to seal about 2000 potholes with the cold mix Asphalt from Wild Coast to Magusheni as a temporary solution to offer motorists some sort of relief from the damaged caused by the potholes on their vehicles. Pondoland Times will follow the development of the story and provide more details on in it.
PONDOLAND TIMES
PAGE 4
FRIDAY 23 APRIL—FRIDAY 30 APRIL
GOAL GALLO AS BIZANA TEAMS CONTINUE THEIR DOMINANCE IN THE ABC MOTSEPE LEAGUE Sinenkani FC Run Riot Over Port Elizabeth FC By: Mawande Genu izana outfit, Sinenkani FC, obliterates Port Elizabeth FC at Mt Ayliff Stadium on Saturday with goals from Mbola, Mjozi, Messi and a brace from Luyanda. The green and white troops have been enjoying life in the ABC Motsepe League this season after managing four wins and two draws in their last six games and only considering seven goals and scoring sixteen. Sinenkani FC had a lively start to the game dominating the visitors from the onset and their efforts were awarded with a goal from Mbola in withing the first thirty minutes of the first half. The Greens went into the second half leading with two goals to nil after a magnificent goal from Luyanda. The visitors were left with a mount to climb after Luyanda completed his brace in the second half. Goals from Messi and Mjozi sealed the fate of the visitors and put the game beyond reach for the boys from Gqeberha. The game ended in a 5-0 score in favour of Sinenkani FC. Sinenkani FC comfortable seats second in the Eastern Cape Stream A of the ABC Motsepe just a few points shy of Matta Milan FC who currently lead the group.
Spears of the Nation Remain Unshaken at Pole Position
Highbury FC, Photo by: Selby Madikane (News24)
The high-flying blue nation continued cementing their name at the top of the Eastern Cape Stream A in the ABC Motsepe after walloping Highbury FC three goals to nil on Saturday at New Rest Stadium in Lusisiki this past Saturday. Highbury FC ended the first half on the back foot after conceding two goals with the first goal coming in from a penalty spot kick in the 36th minute from Freedom Mavunla. Sifundo Dlamini doubled the scored for the visitors in the brink of the first half with a neat finish. Things got worse for the home side in the 59th minute as Siyabonga Mbina pulled one past Highbury FC shot stopper to put the game beyond any doubts before the home team pulled back a solitary strike in the 79th minute from the spot kick with the game ending in a 3-1 score in favor of the Spears of the Nation. The Blue Nation remains at the summit of stream B after winning all their games so far this season.
BIZANA PONDO CHIEFS KEEP THEIR SURVIVAL HOPES ALIVE WITH A WIN AGAINST CAPE TOWN SPURS By Mawande Genu
It was the home team that drew first blood in the 5th minute with a goal from Abednigo Mosaithlaga. The Hunters had to wait for the second stanza of the game as they left the first half trailing by a goal to nil. Veteran defender, Musa Bilankulu leveled matters in the 70th minute for the Lions of Skoomplas. With the home side pushing hard to regain their lead the game opened allowing Aluncedo Mazwi to put one past Cape Town Spurs goalie sealing the victory for the Bizana side ending the game with a 2 -1 score to the visitors.
The team is still rooted at the bottom of the league with games running out for Larsen’s boys. The team has suffered immensely from school boy mistakes that have cost them games with a perfect example coming from a recent game against AmaTucks where they failed to protect a 2-0 lead as they went on to lose the game with a 3 – 2 score. Mathematically, the Lions of Skoomplas still have a chance at survival as the season near it’s end with only seven games left.
Larsen commended his team’s character after the hard-fought victory coming from a goal behind, “It was a very good performance from the boys getting a double header, four points (draw against Steenberg United FC and Saturday’s win against Cape Town Spurs) out of six on the road for the team this season and It is hard to believe that it was our first win on the road but well deserved four points,” said the coach.
Ayanda Mvambi of Bizana Pondo Chiefs Image: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix he hunters claimed their first away win of the season in the Glad Africa Championship after scrapping to a 2-1 victory over Cape Town Spurs at Parow Park Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday. The Lions of Skoomplas has managed to amass a total of 4 point out a possible nine in their last three games.
The Hunters will play hosts to Polokwane City with the game expected to be a tough one with the Limpopo side fancying their chances at the DSTV Premiership play offs come the end of the season. Larsen’s troops will have to dig deep to carve out a victory from this game with their mathematical chances of survival starting to fade every time they drop points. In the post-match comments posted on the team’s Facebook page, the coach stressed the importance of winning home games, “The credit must go to the boys for sticking to the game plan, executing it well and to everyone who was involved. Now the focus shifts to our Wednesday match at home and we need to win home games” he continued.
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Story continues from page 1 incident was politically motivated. The alleged pepetraters were arrested on Friday, 16 April with the first suspect apprehended in KwaJali Location in Bizana at around the 10h00am and the second suspect was arrested in Bizana Town. The last suspect who is said to be around the age of 18 was arrested in Mkholombe Shacks in Port Shepstone. Two guns and several rounds of ammunition were found in the position of the suspect during the bust, stated the report. By the time of printing there were no official statement from the police as to what motivated the gruesome murder of the victim. Pondoland Times will keep a close eye on the progress of the story and bring timeous updates.