Men's Voice, It's time to talk

It’s time to talk

Feature Kasi Culture inspires juice brand Economy The unintended consequences of unemployment

Black Coffee in a league of his own

Health

Drink too much booze at your own risk!

Nutritionists share their views...

2

Voice Corner

CONTENTS

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS NOT ONLY LIMITED TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN

3–4

BLACK COFFEE IS IN A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN!

By Themba Khumalo

5

THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF UNEMPLOYMENT

6

DRINK TOO MUCH BOOZE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

7

HOW TO DEAL WITH FOMO

8

KASI CULTURE INSPIRES JUICE BRAND

9

5 CRUCIAL MANNERS TO TEACH YOUR KIDS

10

BRA OUPA REMEMBERED AS A COMMUNITY BUILDER OF NOTE SEDIBENG RESIDENTS SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

11

AMABHAKABHAKA TO FLY MZANSI FLAG!

PUBLISHED BY TELEGRAM MEDIA GROUP

W

hen most people hear the term Gende-Based Violence (GBV) or Domestic Violence their minds swiftly imagine a woman being abused by her male partner. The assumption is set on the default position that only women and children are victims of abuse.

However, this does not always tell the full story. It is not always the case - because there are men who get physically abused by their female partners most of the time...some even by children. This ruinous state of affairs is often overlooked or not given the serious attention it deserves, owing to the reversed gender roles.

I have listened to some men admitting to what it is really like to be in an abusive relationship. It is of no substance what gender you are, what is important is to remember that abuse is never acceptable in any relationship.

A sizeable number of organisations’ laser-sharp focused programmes have had a significant impact in attracting attention to the evil of abuse against women and children, but there is negligible attention, if any, on similar problems of abuse against men.

A cursory glance on social media is sufficient to growing evidence via text, videos and photographs revealing that as much as it is understated, not discussed enough, not properly documented and, worst of all, lessacknowledged, abuse against men is a serious issue that deserves urgent and serious attention.

This, by the way, is a global phenomenon. Abuse of men knows no limits or respects any social standing. Johnny Depp, the star of movies such as A Nightmare on Elm Street, Edward Scissorhands, Pirates of the Caribbean, who is perhaps one of the most versatile actors of his day and age in Hollywood, suffered abuse at the hands of his wife.

“She hit, punched and kicked me.

She also repeatedly and frequently threw objects into my body and head, including heavy bottles, soda cans, burning candles, television remote controls and paint thinner cans, which severely injured me,” he recalls.

An entertainment and tech journalist, Kenneth Utama from Jakarta wrote a confession about his experience in the Jakarta Post: “I was emotionally abused and insulted for almost the whole time

that I was in that relationship.

“No matter what I did, I felt her grip on my throat. I didn’t feel like a man any more. I felt like half of what I was (although I had gained another half of myself in weight) and yet I continued to believe everything was okay. Even though there were times when I would wake up in the middle of the night because my mind would wander, and the moment I started thinking about how she compared me to others, I would break down.

“I would cry, run my hands through my hair and have this sensation of heat that just flowed up and down my body, and somehow, would wake up the next morning and convince myself that everything was okay, but somewhere deep inside I knew I was being broken piece-by-piece until there was nothing left.”

Gender-based violence has become a pandemic that occurs every single day. In fact, our country is up there with the worst countries in the world when it comes to domestic abuse and violence.

Sadly though, there is no considerable attention directed toward the fight against men abuse.

Most of the cases of GBV reported are by women. This does not, by any chance, indicate that men are not victims of GBV. As men, we are regrettably not as much inclined to report abuse because of the stigma attached to being a man. This blocks us from speaking out.

The minute number of men who gather the courage to report their experiences of abuse to the police or any person associated with officialdom, face the risk of being subjected to secondary victimisation. They are ridiculed and at time denied assistance. These are the terrible results of stigmatisation.

The rise of abuse against men warrants programmes designed to deal with this problem. It is highly commendable that government and non-profit organisations are devoting millions of rands every year in the war against GBV. It is worrying though that a massive chunk of this money is spent on campaigns against abuse of women and children at the exclusion of men. A percentage of the funds should be dedicated to campaigns against men abuse.

Do it because there are also men out there who suffer, daily, from abuse and it is dangerous that not much is done.

3

BLACK COFFEE IS IN A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN!

By Staff Reporter and bbc.co.uk

N

kosinathi Maphumulo, famously known as Black Coffee, is reserved, bordering on the shy. He is not one of those overly expressive club DJs behind the decks. He keeps a cool composure, but exudes enough power and energy that drives the whole dance floor into a frenzy. Black Coffee is innovative, creative and bold, traits which have turned him into a globally respected and admire DJ. He stands out among his peers as one of the a few DJs who have a genuine grasp of the exact purpose of music.

A LOVE FOR HOMEBREWED SOUND He is not only a DJ but also an artist who embodies the creative potential for black South Africans in the post-apartheid era.

For almost two decades, Black Coffee has been producing and playing house music that oozes soul and sophistication. He draws his inspiration from the homegrown music of South Africa, which he blends with a love for timeless hooks and masterful song writing. It is a blueprint that has turned

him into a megastar and in the process enabled him to be an inspiration to a new generation of local producers.

While other DJs simply mix songs to exploit the unsatisfiable fun-loving urban house party market, Black Coffee recontextualises the songs’ previously undreamt-of musical potential. He has a marvellous gift of adapting and arranging each song into something worthy of the appreciation of young and old audiences, a feat that is not easy to accomplish.

His award-winning debut album Black Coffee, which was released in 2005, featured the late Hugh Masekela’s soul-stirring classic song, Stimela.

His interpretation of Stimela, was a clear sign that he is a genius who showed the world that it was possible to rework the impressive South African music catalogue into club music. Turning Stimela into a highspirited remix was proof that he possessed great appreciation for music - a testimony of his resolve to be the best in the field.

In an era of mind-blowing showbiz

industry craze for crude self-centredness, self-glorification and rampant dishonest appropriation of other people’s work, Black Coffee seized his triumph with a firmness that gave him an aura of sophisticated style and gracefulness.

SACRIFICING AND SUCCESS After his massive success and trainload of awards in the country, Black Coffee threw his gaze across the seas where he started marketing himself, at times playing for no fee. When he took on Europe where he knew nobody, Black Coffee was prepared to deny himself food and luxuries, until he made it. His sacrifice has delivered sweet sounds of success. On 3 April his long-held dream of winning a Grammy Award came to be when he became the first African to win a Grammy award for Best Dance/Electronic Album for his seventh album, Subconsciously.

Previous winners from the continent have won their Grammy awards in the World Music category.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

4

Making history at the Grammys

By Shingai Nyoka - bbc.co.uk

T

he superstar DJ - who has performed to hundreds of thousands of people at America’s prestigious Coachella music festival, in Ibiza and clubs around the world - had wanted his latest record to gain international recognition. He gave special thanks to all those who featured on Subconsciously, including another global star, Pharrell Williams.

“The main reason I do what I do is to carry the flag of my country. To be recognised in this way outside of a ‘World Music’ category makes all of the hard work worth it,” he said.

Now, he wants to use his music, which he describes as “home-brewed but future-focused”, to help more African musicians get recognition on a global stage. The 46-year-old was born in Umlazi, Durban, but at the age of eight, he moved to Ngangelizwe in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, where there was no running water or outside toilets and had to carry out daily chores such as milking his grandmother’s cows. He was desperate to get out and do something greater with his life.

Being part of his cousin’s sound system crew for parties offered him the first glimpse into his future. But at age 14 tragedy struck. On the eve of Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, Black Coffee was out celebrating with friends.

Suddenly, a car ploughed into the crowd and inflicted permanent injury, causing him to lose the use of his left hand.

But this did not stop him from pursuing his music dream. He was driven and continued to practise.

‘I WASN’T FEELING THE MUSIC’ It wasn’t until 1994 that his music career began in earnest and it would be another decade before his big break.

“I knew him in the early 2000s, and

like lots of other kids, he would give me his demo tapes and I wasn’t feeling the music,” DJ Oscar Mdlongwa, known as Oskido, told the BBC. A few years later, Black Coffee found out where Oskido resided, went there and made him sit down to listen to his new project - a retake of old classics by legendary South African artists. Oskido was impressed and gave the young musician an opportunity, helping him create his record label Soulstic, from which his award-winning debut album Black Coffee, was released in 2005. “When I met him, he was a guy who was looking to be heard, for the world to hear him and some people didn’t believe in what he was doing,” Oskido recalls.

‘African musicians are unmatched’ Black Coffee hopes his win will help shine a light on African musical talent. “More and more artists from the continent are starting to break through to a more mainstream audience and I’m hoping this will continue to increase over time,” he said. His success has inspired other South African musicians “We were due for a Grammy win of this magnitude and it will open new markets for South African artists,” Afrojazz artist Simphiwe Dana told the BBC. Black Coffee’s success comes at a time when the influence of South African music is already growing around the world, thanks to a new genre called amapiano. A fusion of soul, Afro-house music and heavily synthesised piano, enjoys global streams on the AmaPianoGrooves playlist on Spotify. It has increased 116% globally over the past year, according to Rolling Stone magazine.

Helping African children is a recurring theme of Black Coffee’s.

He has a message to them, as well as for all those from an impoverished background who do not think they stand a chance: “It’s not about music alone but anything that they want to do.

The Grammy is a symbol that it is possible to get here.”

Black Coffee and his son, Esona at the 64th Grammy Awards. Photo by pbs.twimg.commedia

5

The skyrocketing unemployment rate is a symptom of SA’s failed economic policies.

Photo by AP

THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF UNEMPLOYMENT

By Staff Reporters

B

eing a black man is tough enough anywhere in the world. It has always been. But being an unemployed or unskilled labourer black man during Covid-19 and during economic hard times is a nightmare. Social construct, has from time to time placed man at odds with the economy and prosperity. Throughout history, being a man has always been linked to success. From being a good hunter, a good soldier, a good businessman right up to meaningless things like being a ladies’ man.

As the country celebrated Workers’ Day on 1 May, we wondered what really makes a strong a man in the modern world relative to money, sex, religion and politics.

What does it mean to be a man in modern times? Before we go anywhere, take into consideration the decline in employment, coupled with a decline in the number of unemployed persons to 7,6 million from 7,8 million, resulting in a decline in the labour force and an increase in the official unemployment rate.

South Africa’s unemployment rate now stands at 34.9%. This is the highest official unemployment rate recorded in this country and the world.

In August last year, Bloomberg – a finance news agency– reported that South Africa’s unemployment rate surged to the highest on a global list of 82 countries. Unemployment, according to the expanded definition,

3 MAIN GROUPS OF WORKERS IN THE COVID-19 ECONOMY: 1 Those who have lost their jobs and face economic insecurity 2 Those who are classified as essential workers and face health insecurity as a result 3 Those who are able to continue working from the safety of their homes. which includes people who were available for work but not looking for a job, rose to 44.4% from 43.2% in the first quarter. While the unemployment rate is now the highest of the countries tracked by Bloomberg, the data from some of those nations is outdated.

These millions of unemployed people referred to are black, and mostly invariably men. If you were to spend a moment with an unemployed person, their pain is real about their daily living. The feeling of despair is almost tangible you could touch it. Unemployment is an extremely negative experience, it brings about hunger, stress, depression and anxiety.

No human being should be subjected to such conditions. But you are black and poor. Those who are mostly unskilled, your troubles follow you. Unfortunately, black workers are less likely to be found in the last group.

They have suffered record numbers of job losses over the last two years, along with the ensuing related economic devastation. They also are disproportionately found among the essential workers in the economy today, continuing to go to their workplaces, risking their health and that of their families because they are unable to sustain adequate social distance from their colleagues and customers.

In fact, more blue-collar workers are mostly likely to be exposed to Covid-19.

British newspaper, Financial Times, has reported that men working in the low-skilled construction and service sector jobs were about twice as likely to have died from Covid-19 as the wider population. Meanwhile, it is important to note that unemployment can actually kill you.

For the individual, unemployment it can cause psychological distress, which can lead to a decline in life satisfaction. It can also lead to mood disorders and substance abuse and even suicide or violent crimes.

It is also dangerous for the society. Unemployment can affect one’s social status ascription as well, which manifests through stigmatisation, labelling, unfair judgment and marginalisation.

It’s time to talk

6

DRINK TOO MUCH BOOZE AT YOUR OWN RISK! With the litany of alcoholic beverages glittering all over advertising spaces, it seems only pets and babies are void of their alcoholic choice.

By Amanda Ngude

B

ooze is called poison not as a cute nickname because at the end of the day, that’s what it is.

But just like all crutches, you can find one that works better for you. Even gender, weight and age can play a significant factor in what alcohol works best for you.

For instance, nutritionists all agree anything requiring an energy drink is toxic.

“Energy drinks are extremely high in caffeine and this is bad for your heart,” says nutritionist Katlego Motsoaledi.

“The best thing is to stay away from drinks that have energy drinks as an ingredient by all means possible. And that goes all bod types, gender and age brackets.”

With that out of the way, food and beverage manager Ishmael Ndlovu says be wary of fancy-looking drinks like cocktails, ciders and rose wines. “Most of these drinks have a high volume of ingredients like sugar, food colourants, food perfume and sometimes caffeine,” he warns. “All these ingredients determine how you handle your alcohol.”

Handling refers to how you behave after drinking. Things like retching, dancing, fighting and getting depressed are all culmination of ingredients in your drink.

Doctors also warn that all alcohol is even more dangerous if the drinker does not eat enough and drink enough water before, during and after drinking alcohol.

“Ethanol, which is the most active alcoholic property, is a high dehydrant. It’s just like coffee in that it evaporates them. You also lose water with every visit to the toilet.” says Dr Thabile Mlungwana.

“So, you need to replenish this water loss with every drink you take.”

Drinks like beer and red wine have always been hailed as safer options but they are not without their own flipside. Red wine in particular, well-known for its health benefits, is also a dehydrant which can accelerate weight gain unless you take it in strict moderation. A glass of beer, on the other side, has been compared to a loaf of bread in terms of the calories it contains. There is also the acid and foam to consider. For the drinker with a more discerning taste, whiskey is a popular option. But how healthy is it?

“For those alcohol enthusiasts who aren’t looking to gain a beer belly, whiskey is a great choice. It contains no carbohydrates

and virtually no sugar,” according to medicaldaily.com.

“It also contains the least amount of calories compared to beer and most wines.”

So, the verdict is, you are better off drinking whiskey, red wine or beer if the chips are down.

“Drinks like Sangria, vodka and brandy are not for older or younger drinkers as they tend to require a certain measurement of ingredients otherwise, they can be extremely toxic,” says Ndlovu.

According to medical.com, everyone has a genetic make-up that agrees better with certain drinks.

“It starts from the taste. Once a drink’s taste overwhelms your senses through sugary, sourness or bitterness taste, be sure it might be bad for you.” warns Ndlovu.

“Also, people of slimmer stature need to take their drinks in moderation.” The other way we are asked to base our drink selection decision on is in the way our bodies react to different drinks.

Any drink that gives you insomnia, bad breath, dehydration, headache the following day is likely to give you long-term health problems like tooth decay, liver disease, weight gain, acne, depression, hair loss etc.

But all in all, it seems alcohol consumption, although purely a recreational past time, it does not leave your body without its indentation.

7

HOW TO DEAL WITH FOMO

By Amanda Ngudle

A

maturing man of a certain age is thinking beyond his golden years and actually takes long strides to make sure he cushions the blows of the twilight years ahead by making a few life adjustments.

Then, there is the other minor group whose panic against ageing sends them in the other direction - splurging, hair transplants and the gym, for the lucky ones.

The not-so-lucky have been known to withdraw their life savings, splurge it on sports cars or new young wives and moving to different countries. They call it the midlife crisis and it can hit any man or woman at any time withing a certain age bracket.

It’s not a secret that it tends to hit the male gender the most.

For Oscar Thabethe (not his real name) the phenomenon happened slowly.

“One day, I was walking back to my car and noticed that at the age of 45 my car was still the cheapest in the parking lot and it hurt me deeply when I realised just how many 30-something-year-olds were driving snazzier cars and living in better complexes and I felt a hard-hitting fact, that I was a failure,” he recalls.

“After that, I couldn’t shake the feeling that if I didn’t change my car, I would go to my grave a resentful man. Then, I visited a friend at a new established complex and saw what a legacy he would leave behind for his children and I almost doubled over with self-loathe.” Oscar was lucky in a sense that he was a reflective man and stopped himself from drowning in debt in a desperate attempt to “improve” his life.

“It’s only that I was scared of further debt, but would have done something about the car if I had available cash at the time,” he said. Experts describe this period as a phase of confusion fuelled by fears of not having lived a full life. It pushes a man to invest in his hobbies, new or old, or make him take a fat “last chance” at happiness.

Dr Renette Swanepoel calls this a normal phase “made abnormal by society”.

She says: “I even want to compare it to the teenage years because it’s a milestone, the only difference about it is that not all decisions around this phase are positive,” she notes.

“Sometimes decisions can be so outlandish, they leave spouses and children completely gobsmacked. But that’s because they have no one to talk to most of the time.” Though there are no medical reasons why both men and women go through this

phase or medication to deal with the problem, experts say to remember the following before making rash decisions.

Remember feelings change. Also, just because you feel something it doesn’t mean you have to act on it.

Try to picture your life with those bombed dreams. Would your life be worth the regret?

Be thankful for other blessings. Name them one by one. Sometimes, we forget the things that have brought us where we are.

Consult. Before you make major decisions, discuss them with someone whose wise counsel you trust. They might shed light on factors you might have overlooked or help you sharpen your ideas for everyone’s gain.

“Think for instance if you marry a 20-yearold. She might have a dream of having two or three kids while you might not be prepared to look after a baby at 50,” says Swanepoel.

Ask whether your wishes are realistic and wise. If you go back to varsity while your own child is also swotting for his or her own degree, could you handle the heat?

8

KASI CULTURE INSPIRES JUICE BRAND Three friends from Dobsonville, in Soweto, have combined their entrepreneurial spirit with their love for their kasi to create their own juice brand. Now they dream of taking their growing beverage company to the rest of Africa.

By Nicole Ludolph

I

n 2019, Lungelo Mgaga and Patric Thokkie started a juice-making business in Mgaga’s kitchen with just R800. The pair, together with Thabo Twala who joined later, are the engine behind Loxion Fruit Beverages, a juice production company based in Dobsonville.

Mgaga, who has 10 years of experience working within the retail space, says his studies in public relations are really coming in handy with the launch of the business.

He says the business started out of a shared passion with Thokkie. “Our juice business started in the streets of ‘Dobsi’, between two guys ba se kasi, coming together with an entrepreneurial spirit. We had a vision that was inspired and motivated by a passion for business in the beverage industry and food.”

Initially the pair bought purified water, low-cost water bottles, and packaging material, amongst other ingredients. He says

they went door to door in Dobsonville, selling their product and improving the taste.

“We started Lifeway Imphatho Brands, a 100% black-owned food brand and beverage entity. Loxion Fruits is a 100% fruit juice blend that tells the story of a kasi drinking culture.”

A BEVERAGE FOR THE PEOPLE Mgaga says the production of the juice is heavily influenced by Dobsonville, and therefore by creating it, they attempted to appeal to the culture and tradition of the people in the area while delivering “a vibrant, fruity juice taste”.

The fruit they use to produce the juice, says Mgaga, comes from local farms. “We extract the natural liquid from the fruit. And with the fruit-flavoured pulp, we produce high standard juice with purified water. We use a juice-mixing machine right down to the bottling, capping and labelling.”

The company has not been without problems, explains Mgaga. He says accessing the retail market has been a challenge,

as well as a lack of finance, and sometimes suffering losses due to customers not making their payments.

“Trying to find a strong team that will carry out the vision is also a challenge, but some of the greatest rewards come from seeing satisfied customers. Growing our brand amongst the community and the people, especially when they call you by the name of the brand.”

Mgaga’s vision for the Loxion Fruit Beverages brand is not limited to South Africa.

He says they are currently working on integrating dairy products into their brand, and eventually want to spread across the continent. “Our vision is seeing Loxion Fruits in major brand retailers and wholesalers, and one day, to spread it internationally into the rest of Africa. It’s a juice of the people, or ijuice ya sekasi.”

Mgaga’s advice for aspiring juice makers is simple: “Don’t sleep on your dreams, respect your vision, have an action plan, give it your best, and don’t give up.” – foodformzansi.co.za

Lungelo Mgaga, co-founder of Loxion Fruits Beverages, with his partners Patric Thokkie and Thabo Twala. Photo Supplied/ foodformzansi.co.za

9

5 CRUCIAL MANNERS TO TEACH YOUR KIDS

By Eric Ballard

T

heodore Roosevelt once said, “Unless we keep the barbarian virtues, gaining the civilised ones will be of little avail.” There are certain aspects of man that should remain wild and undomesticated. The Duke said, “You have to be a man before you can be a gentleman.”

But this does not imply that we are meant to be uncivil. Christ was no savage.

There is a right and wrong manner in which we are to treat other people. Because of the sinful nature we are born with, we instinctually lean towards the wrong and must be taught the right way. Teach your kids these 5 manners: 1. SAY I’M SORRY While “Please” and “Thank you” may be magic words, “I’m sorry” is a phrase that can bring healing. In his letter, Jesus’ halfbrother, James, said, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16). When you have made a mistake and possibly damaged a relationship, there is no quicker way to reconciliation than saying I’m sorry. Unfortunately, for any number of

reasons, these words can also be incredibly tough to utter. Teach your kids how to say sorry by saying it to them and their mom when you mess up.

2. BE PRESENT The phone has become an incredible distraction. While it made huge strides towards connecting people worldwide, it has also done an amazing job of becoming an ejection button from face-to-face interaction.

In restaurants across our nation, people miss out on precious time with their friends across the table because they are too busy reading comments and looking at pictures of people they’ve never met. Teach your kids to be with the people they are with. To be present, in the moment. Giving your attention to the people you are with demonstrates you value you them and your time with them.

3. RESPECT YOUR ELDERS When some teenage punks were disrespectful to Elisha, instead of telling their parents, the prophet called on bears to

attack the ignorant adolescents (True story, 2 Kings 2:23-24). Respect for your elders is a real thing. Teach your kids the importance of respecting their elders. If they speak or act in a dishonourable way to their parents or grandparents, they need to be corrected.

Jesus modelled this by honouring Mary and Joseph (Luke 2:51).

4. BE CONSIDERATE This is more of an umbrella kindness that covers many courtesies, starting with considering other people more important than yourself. When your kids (and the rest of us) fully embrace that sentiment from Paul in Philippians 2:3, consideration for others and their feelings will come a lot more easily. They will say, “excuse me,” when they have inconvenienced someone else.

They will be on time. They won’t say anything at all if they don’t have something nice to say. Teaching them to be considerate will go a long way in the manners department.

5. BE HONEST Don’t lie! This one made the top ten (Exodus 20:16). But you and I both know that being an honest man is more than not telling lies. Half-truths and deceptions can poison the minds and hearts of a man by convincing him he is still a man of integrity.

That man is lying to himself.

Teach your kids to be honest, not just to tell the truth.

If you show manners, so will your kids.

It’s crucial that we are intentional about teaching our kids the right way to speak and treat other people. And the best form of teaching is modelling. Let’s lead by example. If you use these manners with your family, your example will deeply instil the values of these lessons. – manhoodjourney.org

10

BRA OUPA REMEMBERED AS A COMMUNITY BUILDER OF NOTE

By Staff Reporter

T

he Gauteng Men’s Forum has committed to honour Joseph Oupa Bila posthumously as a recipient of the Men’s 365 Award for Community Builder. Bila died after a short illness in Leratong Hospital on 7 April aged 60.

Affectionately known as Bra Oupa, Bila is remembered as a jolly, caring and loving community builder in Mohlakeng, in the West Rand. He was a father figure to many in the community, especially as the manager of the Caroll Shaw Memorial Centre.

Here, he played a pivotal role in protecting victims of abuse. He empowered youngsters in the West Rand with many skills to help them be self-sufficient.

Gauteng Men’s Forum Chair Bongani Ngomane said about Bra Oupa: “We had planned to honour him but couldn’t do so due to his illness. So, as God wished to call him, we are happy to follow the Creator’s wishes. “Bra Oupa was the only person in Gauteng, if not in the country, to manage a shelter for abused and destitute men. It is in recognition of this initiative that we nomi-

nated him for 365 Men’s Award.”

Bra Oupa has been described as a straight forward person. He is also remembered as a disciplined member of the ANC. In an interview with the Randfontein Herald, his wife Thembeka Bila, like the rest of community, spoke about her husband as a man who cared for everyone and “would go an extra mile to accommodate everyone”.

“He was such an amazing person who opened many doors of opportunities for many. He didn’t hold any public office but commanded so much respect from those who were held in high regard,” she told newspaper. She said among many other community development initiatives, Bra Oupa had helped the community to establish a low-cost housing project in Mohlakeng Extension.

“He founded the centre for abused men in Gauteng and secured rehabilitation for those battling with alcohol and substance abuse. He was also the first person to bring food banks here, and also helped people in surrounding areas, including Borwa. We will always truly love and miss him,” said Thembeka.

Joseph Oupa Bila, a well-known community leader and manager of the Carroll Shaw Memorial Centre, will be honoured posthumously.

SEDIBENG RESIDENTS SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

By Staff Reporter

On Wednesday, 6 April, the leadership of the Sedibeng Local Municipality, the Gauteng Men’s Forum, religious organisations, traditional leaders and the local community marched to the Vereeniging Regional Magistrates Court.

The march was to urge the judicial system to protect the community against perpetrators of violent crimes against women, children and vulnerable groups that have increased in Sedibeng. Other issues of concern were substance abuse, human trafficking, killings, systematic discriminations against the LGBTI community and rape.

The marchers also called for partnership between the police and civil society.

Some of the men who turned up for the march. Photo by Kelebogile Xaba

Contralesa Sedibeng Regional Secretary and newly appointed Sedibeng Traditional Men’s Parliament Chairperson, Dr Kxosi Leane Kekana. Photo by Kelebogile Xaba

Veli Shongwe of the Gauteng Men’s Forum. Photo by Kelebogile Xaba

11

AMABHAKABHAKA TO FLY MZANSI FLAG!

By Staff Reporter

Bucs players have exhibited incredible tenacity and poise.

Photo by www.orlandopiratesfc.com

Mandla Ncikazi says Bucs will do it for the country and the millions of supporters. Photo by www.idiskitimes.co.za

Supporters and fans hope and dream that Bucs will repeat the 1995 feat. Photo by www.orlandopiratesfc.com

W

ith Mamelodi Sundowns bombing out of the Caf Champions League before the semifinals, Orlando Pirates remain the only club that will fly the flag for South Africa on the continent, The Buccaneers are the country’s sole representatives on the African stage after eliminating Simba SC of Tanzania 4-3 on penalties at the Orlando Stadium on Sunday, 24 April after winning 1-0 in the second leg of their quarterfinal stalemate. They are joining TP Mazembe, Al Ahli Tripoli and RS Berkane in the Caf Confederation Cup semifinals.

Amabhakabhaka are guaranteed to pocket R7 million for reaching the semifinals of the Caf Confederation Cup. If they reach the final, they will score a handsome R9.8 million. The winner of the competition will take home a princely sum of R20 million.

Supporters and fans hope and dream that this testing season could actually yield some silverware, with Amabhakabhaka booking a well-deserved spot in the Caf Confederation Cup semifinals.

Much as the season has been, to some extent, a field of inconsistency and challenges for the Buccaneers, there is now a glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel brought about by the momentum the club has been building on the continent. Bucs displayed high levels of tenacity against their temperamental rivals who appeared to be pulling every trick from the bag to create chances to eliminate them (Bucs).

Amabhakaniya were even subjected to some punitive VAR and match official calls during the course of the two-legged quarterfinal, but they displayed an excellent psychological resilience to handle everything thrown at them.

Following a challenging physical and dramatic two-legged encounter, as well as a tough away match under hostile conditions, Bucs players exhibited incredible poise and calmly held their own during penalty shoot-outs.

Triumph against heavily stacked odds and overcoming tough conditions always serve as catalysts for players to become fired-up. These push them to start believing they have in them to go all the way. In cup competitions of this stature, confidence and unity of purpose play a huge role.

THE ROAD TO THE SEMIFINALS It is a known fact, which even Bucs have admitted, that the club struggled in their voyages to Libya in 2021 where they had to conquer playing on an artificial turf. They were fighting fit to get a point against Al Ahly Bhengazi in Libya before returning home and concluding the job with a 3-0 win.

Orlando Pirates co-coach Mandla Ncikazi told the media about plans to travel through the challenges in the semifinal.

“We have to try and get an artificial turf, my recommendation before. I know it’s different and it’s not as good. But when we went there the first time, we did not train on an artificial turf and some of our players are really uncomfortable, but it is what it is, you can’t choose your parents, you were born in that family,” he said. “We have to go there and make the best of it. We can’t complain, it’s not the stage to complain. Pirates must fight like soldiers and represent the badge, the country and the millions of Pirates supporters.”

COULD IT BE TP MAZEMBE? Amabhakaniya are likely to face one of the Libyan sides in the semifinal - Al Ittihad Libya or Al Ahli Tripoli.

In the event they progress to the finals, they could be up against their archrival, DRC giants, TP Mazembe. Pirates have revelled in some gutsy matches against Mazembe in the past.

Mazembe will have to beat Al Masry of Egypt or Moroccan outfit RS Berkane in the semifinal, after trouncing Pyramids of Egypt in the last eight.