Tshabalala family struggles financially

 The Collen Mashawana Foundation along with the Nelson Mandela Foundation visited the Tshabalala family on 13 January in Mofolo, Soweto and are committed to building an accessible house for them.

 

The reason for the visit is cause Zodwa, 53, is a single mother who is currently not working and needs help to assist herself and her 27-year-old daughter Khanyisile who was born with a genetic disorder called Edward Syndrome Trisomy 18 (A condition that causes severe developmental delays due to an extra chromosome 18). 

 

Zodwa lives off Khanyisile’s disability grant, and she is struggling. She does not have enough funds to hire a car to take her daughter to the clinic and sometimes to the hospital for her regular check-ups and she has to buy her adult diapers and they are a bit expensive for them.

 

The foundation had seen a video online where a plea to help the family was posted and therefore, they went to assess the situation.

 

They donated groceries to the family and met mum and daughter. The mother requested assistance with accessibly housing from the Collen Mashawana Foundation together with the Nelson Mandela Foundation as they are staying in a one room with no proper sanitation.

 

The chairman of the Collen Mashawana foundation committed on building the family a house, but the only issue is a stand. The foundation has also called upon help from social development as the family does not only need help with housing but with other social issues too.

 

“I believe it is a crime for us to stand by and observe poverty in as much as it is to observe any other crime against humanity. Poverty and inequality cripple progress and narrow the opportunity for success. By just being an observer, we promote what was previously done to limit access to basic human rights,” said Collen Mashawana.

Photos: Supplied

Kasi Hero Foundation donate 200 school shoes in Soweto

On Monday, 24 January the Kasi Hero Foundation (KHF) donated 200 school shoes to learners at two schools in Soweto. 

Ndihuwo Liphadzi, co-founder of KHF explained that teachers and SGB from the respective schools had send requests to their email and Facebook page for assistance of school shoes for their learners who come from underprivileged backgrounds and child headed families. 

 

The team visited Musi Secondary School and Moetapele Primary School in Soweto where both schools received 100 pairs each of brand-new school shoe.

 

Lipahadzi said: “We are requesting for more donation for our school shoe drive campaign because there are more schools where learners require a pair of shoes and so far, we donated to eight schools.”

 

They thanked their sponsor Old Mutual Insure for the generous donation of school shoes.

Photos: Supplied

 

MEC visit 3 schools in Soweto

Asha Monica ECD centre

Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation Mbali Hlophe visited a primary school, high school, and an early childhood development in Soweto on 12 January when schools opened.  

Sports and entertainment celebrities also joined the MEC during her school visits and they encouraged the children to never give up and continue perseverance in what they want.

 

Sports attire and equipment, mobile library trolleys and together with the management of Canon, a brand-new photocopy and printing machines were donated to Tlhatlogang Junior Secondary School, in Mofolo and Rebone Primary School in Naledi. Puzzles and building blocks donated by Exodus wholesale and retail were handed to the Asha Monica ECD, Protea North. At all the schools and ECD centre two trees were planted by the MEC and celebrities.

Rebone Primary School.

Soweto learners beat all odds

Matric has been a challenging year for learners across the country. Many schools in Soweto were blessed to receive above 70% aggregate for their matric class of 2021. 

 

More than 5 learners from Soweto were blessed to get 300/300 in maths, some in science and business studies and have proved that they can beat all odds. 

 

These learners and three schools were recognised for their dedication and hard work on Friday, 21 January at the Gauteng Matric awards which was held at Birchwood Hotel, Boksburg.

 

The awards ceremony was graced by many wonderful learners and schools who topped their matric year despite the challenges they faced during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.

 

While Aurora Girl High School received 1^st place for most improved school, Protea Glen Secondary School for Learners with Special Education (LSEN) was ranked 3^rd place, and Bhukulani Secondary School for SSIP Programme in 2^nd place.

 
Speaking to some of the learners who got 300/300 for mathematics and this is what they said:

 

Rakgapo Selemela from Moletsane Secondary School: “Fear nothing students! God is watching and people above you are watching who are willing to help you reach your dreams. Continue to study and work hard,”

 

Musawenkosi Cebo Nzuza from PJ Simelene Secondary School said: “Dream high so that when you fall you don’t fall far from your dreams, and I thank all my teachers for the support especially my maths teacher and not forgetting my family.”

 

Siphomandle Ntokozo Nhlapo from Bhukulani Secondary School said: “Working hard pays off, hence I received 100% in Mathematics. I am planning to study MBBC Medicine at the University of Cape Town.”

 

Zwelihle Siyabonga Makhba of Dailwonga Secondary School said: “Stop when you are done, and not when you are tired. I will be studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Cape Town.”

 

Ntsika Mmiwa of Siyabonga Secondary School said: “Do everything as soon as possible, don’t wait for the last minute because you won’t achieve what you aim for. I will be studying Actuarial Sciences at the University of Cape Town.

 

Matric joy for Eldos

 Matric joy for Eldos

 

Priya Ranchod

 

The community of Eldorado Park is overwhelmed with the amazing results that learners received including six schools who received above 70% aggregate.

 

The overall pass rate for Eldos was 72.37%, and the following school’s percentage is, Lancea Vale 83%, Willow Crescent 81.4%, Kliptown 81.1%, Freedom Park 75.9%, Eldomaine 75.2%, Klipspruit 71.9%, Blue School 67.5%, Silver Oaks 58.1%, and Missouri 57.3%.

 

Willow Crescent Secondary School principal Olivia Hill said: “Congratulations to all matriculants of 2021 who have victoriously risen amidst the raging covid 19 storms. The Willow Crescent Class of 2021 has set an new academic bench mark of excellence by achieving outstanding quality results. We are extremely proud to announce that 99 % of our class of 2021 met the academic requirement to further their studies at tertiary level. This is indeed a remarkable achievement for us. Heartfelt words of gratitude to my staff, parents and learners for your unwavering support and dedication in making the impossible possible at our school. Good luck with all your feature endeavours.”

 

Eldomaine Secondary School principal Ashley Pienaar said: “The school and community celebrate and give thanks to the Almighty with you. You have truly lived up to our 2021 annual theme of the ‘BEE’. You have BEE…n Kind, you have Bee...n hard working, and you have Bee...n making the honey and bringing it home. Thank you for upholding the reputation of you school Eldomaine. We will BEE watching you conquer the world as you make the world your honey pot. Congratulations once again. Never forget your roots and never be a fly, you are a Bee.”

 

Eldomaine lost their Business Studies teacher to the pandemic Mr. Ebrahim Hercules.

 

Top 5 learners per school:

 

Eldomaine Secondary School: 1. Nomonde Ndaba – 6A’s 2. Success Ndhlovu – 4A’s 3. Rebecca Matle- 4A’s 4. Mufeeda Ally – 3A’s 5. Viaan Steenkamp – 3A’s	Willow Crescent Secondary School: 1.Ali Abrahams – 3A’s  2.Anisha Madamombe – 3A’s 3. Ruzdeen Baderoodien – 3A’s 4. Riaan Wallenstein  5. Jordynne Rylan – 1A
Lancea Vale Secondary School: 1. Mmatoma Mahlaba – 2A’s 2. Kopano Lebakeng – 1A  3. Joshua Paulsen – 1A  4. Thesslin Peffer – 1A 5. Omphulusa Mashau – 1A	Freedom Park Secondary School: 1. Ntsendana Bianca – 3A’s 2. Matshinhe Cecelia – 3A’s  3. Mhlophe Simphiwe – 3A’s 4. Matshinhe Melina – 3A’s 5. Geqeza Sanelosiwe – 3A’s
Kliptown Seondary School: 1. Ledibane Lucian – 3A’s  2. Zuimbwa Gladys – 4A’s 3. Saulse Janice – 2A’s 4. Mamba Nonhlanhla – 2A’s 5. Mandi Inam – 1A	Klipspruit Secondary School: 1. Mayshandre Diljan – 1A 2. Elana Paulsen  3. Nkateko Ngobeni 4. Jonick Louw 5. Bongani Bodlani – 1A

C19 First Responders team blessed with 2 new O2 concentrators

The Beloved Community Coalition (BECOCO) Foundation donated two brand new Oxygen concentrators to the Eldorado Park Covid-19 First Responders team received on 7 January at the Caitlin Douman Foundation on Krematart Street, Ext 3, Eldorado Park. 

 

The initiative was graced by Tony Sauls and Lorraine Jantjies who are co-founders and director of BECOCO, the third co-founder/director Kelvin Sauls was unable to attend the event as he is living in Los Angeles, USA.

 

With the help of donors in the USA the organisation was able to assist the First Responders team with the concentrator that will help community members who require oxygen when they test positive for Covid-19 and have low oxygen levels.

 

Jantjies explained that their celebration of continuous support and partnership with the Eldorado Park First Responders team is a partnership which is rooted in following, that people possess the assets to create change, people can build bridges to catalyse change, calibrate in unified voice to make change.

 

The team leader Cheryl Pillay said: “It is such an honour and privilege for me, I am always humbled when we have people who come in and buy into a vision. I would like to thank the team. I am wearing a t-shirt that says ‘we are stronger together’ because we are not one non-governmental organisation (NGO) but we are many NGOs in Eldorado Park doing this as a collaboration.”

 

Pillay spoke of how their focus during the first phase of Covid-19 in 2020 was providing food to families who could not manage to buy food. And in 2021 they had to change their focus to helping people who tested positive for Coronavirus and the team is growing from strength to strength.

To watch the full video please go to our Facebook on: https://fb.watch/aEaB5gsBlv/

5 bodies found alongside the Highway

The 6 suspects arrested and bag of dagga, toy gun and other tools found on them in Lapland.

Community members walking near the Golden Highway, Eldorado Park discovered the gruesome bodies of 5 men that were covered with gunshot wounds on Wednesday, 19 January.

 

“The circumstances surrounding the incident are unknown at this stage as police investigations continue,” said Provincial SAPS spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Sello 

 

Colonel Sello was unable to confirm if the deceased are linked to any cable theft but explained it is something that will be followed up by their detectives teams.

 

Police are requesting any assistance from the public that could lead to the arrest of the suspects and assist in the investigation of the case to contact their nearest police station or Crime Stop Line at 08600 10111 alternatively anonymous tip-offs can be left on MySapsApp. All information received will be treated as strictly confidential. 

 

While on Thursday 20 January, the Johannesburg District had Operation O Kae Moloa in the policing precint of Eldorado Park and Kliptown hotspot areas such “dumping site” or “lapland” was identified as a hotspot, and an operation targeted at reducing all forms of criminal activities deriving from the landfill was strategically planned for a week and other informal settlements.

 

The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Elias Mawela, Major General Mthombeni Tommy and Major General Mbuso Khumalo as and Johannesburg District CommissionerMajor General  MaxMasha, led the operation with various Law Enforcement Agencies and Stakeholders.

 

“The successes of the operation yielded more than sixty (60) arrests for offences that include possession of drugs, operating second hand goods without a licence, possession of counterfeit goods, possession of stolen motor vehicle parts, tampering with essential infrastructure and illegal immigrants,” said SAPS Provincial spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo.

 

Police walking through the Emalahlene Informal Settlement in Nancefield.

Stadium clean – up a success

The Eldorado Park Ward 17 Councillor Dwaine Ponsonby along with community members took the initiative to clean up the Eldorado Park Stadium on Cumming Road, on 7 January. The aim of the clean-up is to ‘rebuild fallen walls’ which is the slogan they are using to bring back Eldos to what it previously was many years ago.

 

More than 20 people joined hands wearing their PPE gear and started cleaning the stadium by clearing all the dirt that has been thrown, cleaning grass area, including putting all the cut trees one side that was hazardous for people who do their daily walks at the stadium.

 

The stadium has been used by schools for athletics, community members using the facility to gym and their daily walks to stay healthy, and it previously had indoor soccer grounds, rugby field, hockey field and a tennis field.

 

Ponsonby explained that everyone who were at the grounds, had the opportunity to run on the athletics field or play other sports that were offered. “We are taking back ownership; this is our facilities, and we are encouraging people to become friends. By doing this we will bring back the standard that the facilities that we had previously.”

 

A week later the stadium was blessed to host their first Parkrun/walk on Saturday, 15 January where people got together and were happily participating in the 5km run/walk. Do not miss your opportunity to be part of the Parkrun every Saturday at the stadium.

 

Photos: Supplied of Parkrun