A successful IWOY & Artes Awards hosted by Big M Productions

The much anticipated glitz and glamourous event, Influential Women of the Year  (IWOY) and Artes awards was held on 6 November at the Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City. It was hosted by Big M Productions from Durban.  The glamorous event was postponed on numerous times since December 2020 due to the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions the country was facing.

The founder and the queen behind Big M Productions, Pinkie Mothie said: "It was a pleasure working with all the professional women, entrepreneurs and women who make a difference in our country."

 

Mothie thanked Big M title sponsor Shireen Ebrahim from UMS, and all the kind sponsors that have supported the mega event and the Lifelong Achievers award was presented to Sayed Mia, of SHM Group of Companies.

 

"This high profile glittering function is an annual event which is held in Johannesburg and Durban. The Durban Influential Women of the Year and Artes award event is scheduled for 16 December at 2pm and 6pm as well," she said. 

 

Singers Abdul Rahim Rasool and Suraj Jewan were guest singers for the evening and also received the Artes Award.

 

Shireen Ebrahim with Pinkie Mothie

Ebrahim said: “As a Sponsor of the Big M Productions Influential Woman of the Year Awards it was a great pleasure and honour to support an initiative that empowers and showcases our Influential women talent pool that most importantly serves as inspiration and hope to have as future leaders, especially our youth. In the current pandemic it is of paramount importance that we promote positivity that this country needs and ensure that these events bring about networking and collaboration efforts that build better a future for our country.”

Hemalee Chhiba

 

Artes Recipient Hemalee Chhiba from Lenasia said: “I feel amazing and on top of the world for getting my first award my award. It  goes to all my fans and to my late grandparents, to my parents and brother who are my backbone and support. Without them I would not have been where I am today and I would like to thank Big M Productions for choosing me and it really means a lot to me.”

 

Roshini Pakkiree with singer Abdul Rahim Rasool

Louis Trichardt resident Roshini Pakkiree, IWOY recipient said: “I felt very honoured and quite humbled to be able to have involved myself in humanitarian work and be recognised for my efforts.”

 

Omo Pholo

Omo Pholo, Artes recipient said: “I am Omo Phola aka Boiphill baby de super star from the city of wakanda. Receiving the Artes Award was an honour to me and I feel blessed knowing that there's people like Big M Productions who believe in me and my music. I’m truly grateful to be the Artes recipient and thank you very much for being recognized by one of the old Entertainment big name in African.”

 

Natasha Sewnarayan

Artes Recipient Natasha Sewnarayan from Benoni said:: “I am honoured and humbled to have been nominated as an Artes awardee, receiving the award on such a dazzling platform, was an exhilarating experience. Thank you to Big M Productions and Pinky Mothie.”

 

Mandira Sur

International singer Mandira Sur, Artes Recipient from North of Joburg said:: “It was a proud moment for me to share the stage with the most Influential Women of South Africa who contribute immensely towards the society  by uplifting  the lives of the needy  people in their own ways. I will truly cherish the moments of the Artes Award Show in the years to come. The show was conducted very proficiently by  Pinky Mothie and the entire crew of Big M Productions.”

 

Francina Tsoku with Abdul Manack and Keshni

Francina Tsoku IWOY recipient said: “Thank you very much Big M Productions and people who nominated me for the recognition and confidence for allowing me to be part of the 2020 IWOY. What a prestigious event of glitter and glamour. I felt honoured and I will forever remain appreciative for this opportunity. This award made me realise this as an opportunity to recognize and appreciate our fore runners, the women who were our grandmothers and mothers from deep rural areas but who played the pivotal role of being a voice of the voiceless.”

 

Artes recipient from Newcastle, Nilan Bhagwandeen said “I am ecstatic & very proud to  have received this award.  Congratulations to all Influential women & Artes Award recipients!”

 

Esha Mansingh receding her award from Shireen Ebrahim

Esha Mansingh IWOY reciepient from Joburg said: “I am extremely honoured to have been recognised along so many other phenomenal women who are going the extra mile to make a difference. For me, each of us should play our part in making an impact, no matter how big or small - it’s less about recognition but more about playing our part in changing the lives of others. Thank you to Big M Productions for creating a platform to recognise women who are playing their part!”

 

 

Patriotic Alliance once again shines in Eldos

The Patriotic Alliance (PA) has proven themselves once again that they are voice of the people and will continue making a change in Eldorado Park.  Both ward 17 and 18 were won by them. Councillor (Cllr) Juwariya Kaldien won Ward 18 and Cllr Dwain Ponsonby ward 17 . While former ward 17 and 18 Cllr Peter Rafferty has been selected as a Proportional Representative (PR) Councillor for Region G and PA member Debbie Rayners as PR Cllr. A total of six PR seats have been won by the party in council. 

Eldorado Times took the opportunity to interview  four of the councillors and this is what they had to say:

 

Ward councillors Kaldien and Ponsonby:

 

ET: How do you feel you won?

JK: Once again this was an outright Majority win. The Voters have shown that they trust & believe in me. I'm humbled. 

DP: Firstly thanks to everyone that went out and voted for us and trusting us with your votes, it's really a humbling feeling to win knowing that change for our people is the top of my priority list.

 

ET: What are the changes you intend to make?

JK: I'll work harder than what I did in the last 5 months, I'll give better service delivery. 

DP: Eldos especially ward 17 needs a lot of development and this is my target area, development and empowerment firstly of our people and also our infrastructure that's in a state of disrepair because of lack of maintenance and development.

Cllr Dwayne Ponsonby

 

ET: What are the current issues you been facing ?

JK: There are no current issues besides Eldorado park will finally have fibre. Over 400 Coloureds will be employed by Omega Fibre. 

DP: Current issues and difficulties in our communities is the great lack in service delivery, increase in crime because of unemployment and the spiking scourge of infrastructure damage and theft.

 

ET: What is your message to young people?

JK: Your only true failure is when you stop trying. 

DP: My message to the youth will always our time is here now let's stand together and fight all the obstacles we facing and jump all the hurdles we faced such as unemployment and the lack of skills development and growth. It’s our time to change the playing fields and grab onto every opportunity that arise to empower and build ourselves and rebuild our fallen walls in our community.

 

ET: How does drugs, and alcohol affect the community ?

JK: Our community is infested with drugs, unemployment is one of the biggest effects. 

DP: Drugs and Alcohol affects every community in South Africa currently and cannot be properly addressed because law enforcement fails us when it comes to this. It breaks up families and cripples communities yet it’s not taken serious.

 

Cllr Juwariya Kaldien

ET: What has been your challenge with our current virus - Covid-19?

JK: Biggest Challenge is development within our community due to the virus. 

DP: Covid-19 affected everyone, people are now jobless, companies closed down and lives lost, it became very challenging for most of our people to even address bread and butter issues and because of this we saw an increase in crime and our people being displaced because of not being able to pay rent and survive. We should really look at contingency plans and strategies better in order to be better prepared for when next a virus like this hits our communities.

 

ET: What is your number that people can get hold of you on ?

JK: 0636829503

DP: 0813960900

 

PR councillors Rafferty and Rayners:

 

Cllr Peter Rafferty

ET :How do you feel if you have stepped up to PR councillor?

PR: This is a party position, as such if you do it properly it needs to result in the growth of the party. So it's not really a step up but more of taking more responsibility.

DR: It’s an overwhelming feeling honestly, I have mixed emotions , knowing that our people are going through o benefit more makes me feel abit at ease as we now have the opportunity to change certain things within the community and in the city.

 

ET: What are the changes you tend to see within Region G?

PR: Driving the sports council to revive sports within the region. Ensure to put emphasis on getting our share of the budget as region G is one of the poorest regions. Also together with officials ensure that community involvement in processes becomes the norm.

DR: The main change I’d love to see in the community is cleanliness, our communities are filthy which makes it very difficult for us to actually see where we need growth one other main aspect is employment, 80% of our population are currently unemployed making it hard for one to make ends meet so we need more people employed and that way many will be able to change their lifestyles and way of thinking.

Cllr Debbie Rayners

ET: How do you intend to fight the battle of drugs, alcohol, women and child abuse ? 

PR: Through various partnerships with religious structures, NGOs and sports/Arts and culture organizations we should be able to make a huge dent in our fight against substance abuse.

DR: We as a collective need to understand that this fight is not ours we need to install into our kids especially the youth that they need prayer and God to fight this , it’s a spiritual battle like I said if our lifestyles change we will spend less time searching and seeking for happiness eg Alcohol and drugs we can also build rehabilitation centres and centres for women and kids to attend etc.

 

ET: What are the challenges you will face ?

PR: Opposition from political parties and sometimes resources to implement visible changes. However that should never be as deterrent as I am striving to create partnerships. 

DR: Negativity that’s one of my mine challenges and to change how people think so we can work collectively towards the future.

 

ET: What is your message to young people ?

PR: More young people need to get involved in how our wards are run but also educate themselves on processes. Those that have business minds must make use of the city's opportunity centre's to prosper. 

DR: Stay focused and dream big , the world has lots of opportunities awaiting you , focus on your school and make it a priority to pray daily. 

 

ET: What are you responsibilities as a PR Cllr?

PR: As indicated my role will be to grow the party in areas where we not so visible and show the PA difference.

DR: PR cllr is different than Ward in that PR is deployed by the party as such in I need to represent our party's mandate in our communities.

 

ET: What is the number people can contact you on?

PR:  0733686948.

DR: 0625081831

ANC continues to rule most parts of Soweto

On 1 November the people of South Africa had the opportunity to vote for who they believe would make a difference in the community and parts of Soweto has been won again by African National Congress (ANC) party and their councillors will lead the different respective wards they in.

Soweto Times took an opportunity to interview some of the Ward Councillors.

 

Ward 10 Councillor Nokuthula Nofemela and Ward 29 Brenda Dammie and Ward 130 Thulani Colson Buthelezi:

 

ST: How do you feel you won?

BD: I must say I am humbled and thanks to the voters of Ward 29 for giving me another opportunity to continue to serve them and trusting me.

NN: I am excited and looking forward to being part of the leaders that will adhere to principle of good Governance, and fight against corruption and nepotism. I am also looking forward to ensuring that we build a smart and innovative community that will transform lives.

TB: To be frank I am not that happy but humbled by the support from community who did not have electricity for over five months. My victory and excitement will be celebrated on the day these communities get their lights on, 

ST: What are the changes you intend to make?

BD:  My intentions is to continue working with Community and all Stakeholders an accelerate in Service delivery and I want to empower community on how to report services delivery challenges. My priority is to form different structures within my communities Committee, Forums, NPOs and NGOs, and to assist in improving the community.

NN: Protecting the environment and keeping the ward clean. Ensure constant communication that will encourage community participation through quarterly community meetings. Ensuring police visibility in the ward to fight crime, drugs, and substance abuse.

TB: My very first approach will be to empower our community by educating them on the importance of paying their primary services to hold their power back from government. Drugs and substance abuse is killing our young people and wrecking homes. Encourage young people to further their studies to better their lives 

ST: What are the current issues you been facing? 

BD: Eskom, Billing system, High Unemployment rate, drugs, crime, and Gender Based Violence.

NN: Maintenance of storm water drains, potholes, cleanliness, streetlights due to cable theft. Electricity, challenge of community that does not pay for services, high crime rate and gangsterism, substance abuse and high unemployment rate.

TB: Crime, Poor service delivery and communities without electricity for the past 7 months, Disunity to our community, crime, drugs, Substance abuse, families sharing small yards and unemployment. Lack of infrastructure developments that will explore other sporting codes that might keep our young ones occupied. 

 

ST: What is your message to young people?

BD: Young people must prioritize education, get skills, and be empowered. Also, to be more involved in artisan and community Forums

NN: We need to invest in our future through studies, establishment of businesses. It is time for young people to say "it's enough" to substance abuse and being involved in criminal activities. Let us be a community that will contribute to economic growth and make use of opportunities provided for by funders.

TB: Let’s go to school, school, and school. Our government is giving free education up to the tertiary institution. They need to be active citizens and never expect things to fall from the sky because there’s a lot of opportunities that the Government offers such as co-operatives, recently the COJ declared that their primary focus will be to empower co-operatives and women in business. 

ST: How does drugs, and alcohol affect the community?

BD: Drugs and alcohol is a major problem in the community most of children are orphans and drop out from school, marriages are broken and Youth resorting to crime due to drugs and alcohol.

NN: The consumption of drugs and alcohol impacts on a high crime rate, women and children abuse and increase the high rate of unemployment. Mostly it is destroying the potential we have within our communities, in terms of building future leaders. 

TB: Drugs are finishing the future of our country and the funny part is that the police are aware of all these shenanigans, but nothing gets done with the suppliers. In some areas suppliers spends the whole day and half of the night giving drugs to these young people. It’s a real shame when you look at the failure we are witnessing as Leaders in the area.

 

ST: What has been your challenge with our current virus - Covid-19?

BD: Most of the people have lost their jobs, it has created more poverty and distress into families.

NN: It has robbed us our loved ones, as a result most children are orphans, some forced to be parents at a very young age. Our fellow brothers, sisters and parents lost their jobs, their businesses suffered a loss which some could not re-build their businesses. We have orphans that we have to look after as community leaders, I am pleading with our community to get vaccinated so we can curb the spread of the virus and protect one another.

TB: The only challenge I should indicate is that some of our people still don’t believe the intervention by the government is true, don’t believe that Pandemic exist, why should they be injected. 

 

ST: What is your number that people can get hold of you on?

BD: 0832404639

NN: 067 076 7482

TB: 079 400 5436

 Ward 29 Brenda Dammie 

Ward 10 Councillor Nokuthula Nofemela 

Ward 130 Thulani Colson Buthelezi:

 

Breaking the stigma of mental health within Soweto Community

Different stakeholders and community members got the assistance of Dr. Fikile Mnisi held ‘breaking the stigma of mental health illness’ event on World Mental Health Day on Sunday, 10 October. 

This event came after mentally ill Mama Jostina Sangweni, a traditional healer (sangoma)  who was allegedly assaulted  before being set alight by members of the Mapetla community in March this year. She unfortunately passed away few days later due to her severe injuries she suffered.

 

The aim of the event was based on a mental health program to guide people about how to deal with such situations and the main agenda was to say no to a stigma and discrimination against people with mental health issues such as schizophrenia, dementia and other illness affecting the brain

 

Residents, Sangweni family and many other stakeholders embarked on a 6.2km walk which started in Phiri and ended at the Emndeni bus terminal. 

 

The day was honored by the  presence of  members from  Crazy for Walking, Vista Clinic, SAPS representatives, Zola Clinic representatives, CPFs , Captain Lebogang Mdaka and UJ’s HOD of the Psychology Department .

 

After the walk, the residents engaged on education on ways of how to identify and deal with a person suffering from any form of mental illness.  Dr Masuku explained that most people who live with mental illness have, at some point, been blamed for their condition, and have been called names.

 

Captain Lebogang Mdaka, who has suffered from mental issues addressed residents on how to deal with people who have been diagnosed to not be mentally fit. “I am a 35-year-old who started flying at 17, at 25 my life fell apart and I lost everything that I had worked for and acquired. On a weekend I would spend about hundred and fifty thousand on alcohol because of mental health, but because of the support structure I had, I survived and bounced back, I am alive today because I want people to learn about what mental health is” explained Mdaka.

 

During the votes of , Dr Mnisi emphasized on the issue of enabling residents and empowering them to an extent of knowing on how to take care of their mental health and seek for help.  “I have a family member who is suffering from mental health, and after what happened to Mama Sangweni I saw a need to stand against human rights that are being violated in people living with mental conditions, we need to bring back the values of Ubuntu within our communities and build back the morality that we have lost. We need to be able to find a way to care for each other before we lose each other and our humility,” she ended

Photos: Supplied

 

Girls miss school due to not having sanitary pads

Photo: Supplied

South Africa is still battling to fight poverty but millions of girls still miss school for days during their menstrual cycle. They are unable to afford buying sanitary pads to help them eliminate the issue of being mocked or laughed at. This is due to either their pants/skirt is full of blood or blood dripping  down their legs.

“Addressing this issue of period poverty during August’s Women’s Month, the learners and parents at Curro Academy Wilgeheuwel joined together to undertake a “women’s dignity” donation drive for neighbouring Eldorado Park’s Willow Crescent Secondary School. Close on 600 sanitary packs were received throughout the drive which will go a long way in assisting the school’s 873 girls,” said Nosi Mlostana of Nadia Roussow Public Relations.

Photo: Supplied

The girls from Willow Crescent Secondary were shocked on 22 September when a group of Curro Academy Wilgeheuwel’s Grade 11 learners joined Executive Head, Oriol Morgan and two teachers to hand-over the sanitary products to the girls of Willow Crescent. 

Two of the Curro learners, Khanani Tinghitsi and Kianga Mbatha, who could not hold themselves with enthusiasm, addressed the school about uplifting women and girls and taking a step forward in ending period poverty. 

“The donation drive is part of the school’s #HopetoHeal initiative, a national movement lead by the young voices of our future. Launched by Curro in July 2021 in response to the violent riots in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, it aims to spread the message of hope for South Africa by calling on individuals, families, and businesses to get behind issues that affect themselves, their communities and their country,” said Mlotsana

Photo: Supplied

“The girls of Willow Crescent Secondary School deserve dignity and through our efforts as a school, we are honoured to play a role in assisting them with the donation of sanitary pads. It is through these small acts of kindness that we hope to make a difference and encourage others to get behind the #HopetoHeal initiative and impact their own communities too. It is through empathy and understanding that we will address and overcome our issues of period poverty and we thank the learners and parents of Curro Academy Wilgeheuwel for showing theirs,” said Oriol Morgan.

Two missing women bodies found

Pathology van and City of Joburg EMS with SAPS officials at the scene where Thandeka Zondo’s body was discovered. Photo: Supplied

Two African female bodies were found at the Klip River, on Abu Asvat Drive, Lenasia.

On Tuesday, 16 November the body of 30-year-old Thandeka Zondo, from White City was discovered at the Klip River, Abu Asvat Drive near the N12 Informal Settlement. 

 

Zondo was reported missing at Moroka Police Station by her mother. She went missing since the 8 November 2021.

 

Police explained that the allege suspect was traced. He was at the police station and the detectives questioned him about the whereabouts of Zondo and he confessed that her body was dumped. The suspect led the police to the place and on arrival they found her lifeless body.

 

“All leads and information was followed up by the Moroka detectives under the command of Col Van Wyk. A suspect was traced and arrested as information came out that the community saw a bakkie belonging to the suspect loading something in a plastic bag over the weekend,” said Moroka SAPS spokesperson Captain Mpande Khoza. 

 

“A case of murder has been opened and one suspect has been arrested, while the police are looking for the main suspect,” said Captain Khoza.

 

The police are appealing to all men to all boyfriends and partners that when your relationship is no longer working do not kill your partner but move on and find another partner. To all women please do not stay in a toxic relationship that will end your life soon

 

In other news on 17 November, few hours after Zondo’s body was discovered another females body was discovered at the same river and it is believed the female may have been from Soweto. The woman’s body was found few kilometres from the scene

Various Crime Updates

Armed Robbery Suspect convicted to 8 years direct imprisonment

The Diepkloof SAPS welcomes the eight year direct imprisonment sentencing of a suspect who pleaded guilty at Diepkloof Magistrate Court  on 10 October.

 

"Upon his confession he said he thought the boxes he  had robbed contained cell phones and his intention was not to rob medication. The police would like to thank the community in assisting to arrest the suspect," explained Diepkloof SAPS spokesperson Captain Phephi Matlou.

 

She further explained that upon the suspects confession he alleged that the boxes he robbed contained cell phones and his intention was not to rob medication. 

 

The armed robbery took place on 24 February this year at about 12:30pm in Zone 2 Diepkloof. The Medi-Courier was delivering medication for a client at Kholofelo Street when unexpectedly a car in high speed stopped in front of the courier gentlemen who was taking out a box of medication to give to the client.

 

The suspect had pointed the victim with a firearm and demanded him to move away so he can take all the boxes inside the car, the suspect removed all the boxes with medication and loaded them in his car and left in a high speed. 

 

The community were alert and saw the entire incident which helped the police arrest the suspect easily.

 

Manhunt launched for 7 suspects 

 

The Dobsonville SAPS police officials have launched a manhunt for seven suspects who were allegedly involved in a house robbery in Braamfisher, Phase 2 at 1am on 19 October. Family members of the home were raped, stabbed and shot. 

 

The victims were taken to Discovery Clinic for medical assistance

 

"Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are African malesZzulu speaking," said Constable Vusi Thokwan, Dobsonville SAPS spokesperson.

 

He added that they are Dobsonville are following possible leads that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators and we also urge the community of braamfischer to assist with information that may help with the investigation. The information will be treated with strict confidentiality and professionally.

 

Anyone with information or whereabouts of the suspects to please contact Crime Stop on 08600-10111.

 

 

Police nabbed 3 suspects successfully

 

A successful arrest for Dobsonville SAPS police officials when they  managed to arrest three suspects two of which are for motor vehicle theft and one for bribery. The suspects were successfully arrested on 26 October.

 

“The anti-hijack team from Dobsonville on their patrol duties pulled over a Hyundai H100 following leads that a similar vehicle was highjack in M1 South it had two occupants, through preliminary investigation it was discovered that the vehicle was indeed highjacked in M1 South one suspect later joined in and tried to bribe the police and was also arrested,” said Constable Vusi Thokwan, Dobsonville SAPS spokesperson.

 

He added that the two suspects were charged and detained at Dobsonville for possession of stolen motor vehicle, one with bribery and are expected to appear in the Roodepoort Magistrate's court on Thursday, 28 October

 

Dobsonville Station Commander Brigadier Ngubane has  commended the anti-hijack team for bringing the suspects to book. 

 

"Theft of motor vehicle is challenge for Dobsonville Policing areas such as Braamfisherville and Mofolo," said brigadier Ngubane.

Photos: Supplied

 

KHF making a difference in the community

Kasi Hero Foundation team. Photo: Supplied

The Soweto based, non-profit organisation, Kasi Hero Foundation (KHF) is going the extra mile to make sure children in primary and high school all well attired.  They have been providing a pair of school shoes, a school uniform to many learners.  They are also ensuring that and teenage girls have  sanitary towels to help them during their menstrual cycle and not miss school during their five days or so when they are menstruating. 

KHF in collaboration with  Kliptown SAPS visited Thaba Jabula Secondary School on 22 September where they donated boys and girls with 100 Bata Toughees school shoes, 100 female hygiene packs and 150 sanitary towels to teenage girls.

 

The school shoes was donated to the foundation but an anonymous donor, the hygiene packs were by Spiritual Chords Foundation and 150 sanitary towels by Kliptown SAPS.

Photos: Supplied

Police successfully arrest more than 50 suspects

Different law enforcement units working together arrested more than fifty suspects over the weekend of 12 to 14 November. 

These arrests were made within the Soweto East policing precint of Eldorado Park SAPS, Kliptown SAPS, Orlando SAPS, Diepkloof SAPS and Meadowlands SAPS. 

 

“The arrests range from alleged crimes of Assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault common, possession of drugs, sexual assault,rape, attempted robbery, theft, malicious damage to property, house robbery, pointing of firearm, housebreaking and theft, shoplifting, domestic violence, theft of motor vehicle, contravention of a protection order, drunk and driving, reckless and negligent driving and contravention of an existing protection order, committed.,” said Constable Roxanne Gibb,  Johannesburg District spokesperson

 

The suspects appeared at their respective courts and will soon appear for formal bail application.

Constable Roxanne Gibb

 

Metro Police trainees graduate and welcomed by COJ Mayor, MMC & MEC

The City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor Mpho Moerane along with MMC for Public Safety, Mally Mokoena and MEC for Community Safety Faith Mazibuko hosted the passing out parade for the remaining 2017 intake trainees on Wednesday, 12 October at Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec.

A total of 1109 Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officers who graduated in 2019 were sent back for training as they were unable to perform some of their duties that they were trained for at college, these included handling firearms or directing traffic after 18 months of training.  These trainees had started their intense training in 2017 and ended in 2019.

A total of 409 trainees who graduated is the group which couldn’t finish training and never even passed out in 2019 as they had outstanding modules on RTMC programme and were supposed to do skills but the Academy  concentrated on the  retraining of the 1109 who were sent back.

The trainees stood on parade with full enthusiasm and dedication after successfully completing the intense and difficult theoretical and practical Basic Metropolitan Police training. 

Moerane congratulated them and expressed his gratitude that they are a group of determined individuals who  demonstrated that they do not mind a little delay to graduate just as long as they qualify all legal requirements to become officers.

 

Moerane proudly announced that the graduates are all young people and none of them were over the age of 35.

 

He explained that they should never again have a situation that they faced in the 2019 parade, and not just for the cameras where the trainees were not ready and legally qualified.

 

He added that graduating those not ready for graduation it devalues the esteem uniform and it erodes the confidence of the people in the law enforcement especially in the metro police

department.

 

“This is evident enough to show that we as a city are serious about youth employment, our youth should go and fight crime and we believe they will be successful,” ended Moerane.

Photos: Supplied

A new home for 9 siblings

Photos: Supplied

A Soweto family, who were left orphaned after their mother and grandmother passed away, is one of 40 child-headed households who have been given a second lease on life by a local charity.  

Nine siblings in the Mbatha family were all smiles recently when they received a fully furnished renovated home, outbuilding rooms set up, and clothes donated by people of the community. 

 

On Monday, 13 September the family meet team members of the Collen Mashawana Foundation together with the chairmen himself, Collen Mashawana. The foundation was also joined by members from the Kasi Hero Foundation (KHF).   

 

Mashawana received a call from the founder of Kasi Hero Foundation Ndivhuwo Liphadzi, who was contacted by a neighbour. Liphadzi who saw the desperate situation the family was in. "We as Kasi Hero Foundation we're called by a concerned neighbor , Ntombi Mngomezulu who has been observing and assisting this family," said the found of KHF, Ndivhuwo Liphadzi. 

 

"Fortunately the post gained much traction and people donated clothes and furniture, and Collen Mashawana promised to renovate the whole house and build outdoor rooms," he said.

 

The Mbatha mother passed away in 2019 with cervical cancer and the grandmother passed away due to COVID-19 complications in December 2020. The siblings, aged 26 years, 24 years, 17 years, 14 years, 10 years, 8 years, 5 years, 3 years and 2 years were living off the social grant they receive. Three of the siblings attend school and the baby currently doesn't have a birth certificate which the siblings says has hindered them from receiving a social grant to help with expenses.

 

Mashawana decided to visit the family as part of his birthday celebrations. He heard that the second born was diagnosed with cervical cancer, and that she is scared to begin chemo, because her mother’s passing made her the primary care-giver. She started taking her medication when her mum passed away. She says her younger siblings are afraid of losing her too.

 

 

LIPF and SHF NPO bless learners with a matric ball outfit

Learners from Eldomaine Secondary School, Eldorado Park were blushing and smiling as they walked into the two classrooms , one which had suits for boys and the other ball room gowns  for girls on Saturday, 13 November at the school.

The learners from Klipspruit West Secondary and Willow Crescent  Secondary School were unable to attend the function.

 

This was made possible by two non-profit organisations (NPO) who collaborated together to put a smile on the learners who can attend their matric ball looking beautiful. 

 

Lady in Pink Foundation (LIPF) and Sisterhood Foundation (SHF)  managed to bless the young females with a gorgeous ballroom gown and high heels and for the young males a suit and tie. Many of the learners come from destitute homes. 

 

The learners were excited to fit on an outfit that would be ideal and the perfect fit for them. Not forgetting the Ward 18 Councillor Juwariya Kaldien who sponsored six beautiful girls their makeup and hair.

 

The matric  ball functions of the respected schools will take place in December. LIPF and SHF thanked everyone who contributed and making it possible to bless the learners with such a tremendous gift.

 

The community can watch the video on: 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=628566624966992&id=1718303421718359