Soccer legend Jerry Sadike passes on

Picture of Jerry Sadike in his young days when he played for Highlands Park.  Photo: Supplied

Orlando born soccer legend Jerry Sadike, 70, was laid to rest on 8 July at Westpark Cemetery. A memorial service was held at the Diepkloof Community Hall first before proceeding to the cemetery where he was laid to rest. Sadike was born 15 June 1952.

 

Soccer legends and sports fraternity personnel gathered at the memorial service and paid tribute to Sadike. Sadike played for Kaizer Chiefs and many other football leagues.

 

He was remembered by many legends as a compassionate, resilient, determined, brave, go getter and passionate player who was not afraid to use football to fight against the apartheid.

 

Sadike was the third born of six children of Joseph and Ellen. Sadike developed a deep reverence of football and as time went by he became a pro and played for numerous teams, amongst them were Pimville United Brothers, Highlands Park, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.

 

An old friend of Sadike, a sport writer Walter Mabebe said: “You cannot talk about SA football without missing an opportunity talking about Jerry. He is amongst the many footballer legends who laid the foundation for soccer.” A sad voice as Mabebe speak and he said that Sadike’s death is a great loss to the soccer fraternity. Mabebe expressed: “It is the ‘end of an era’ for local football as he was one of the finest players South Africa had.”

 

Kazier Chiefs chairperson, Kazier Motaung paid his tributes in a letter which was addressed to Jerry’s family and further reminisced about Sadike’s football tenure.

 

Motaung said: “He was a fine fellow that I have known in my life. Not only was he a great football star, but he was also a warm and wonderful person to be in the midst of and had an amusing character, both on and off the field of play.”

 

Vino Maphosa Kazier Chiefs spokesperson said: “We are here to pledge our solidarity and express our condolences as a football club, we are with you and we hope that you will take this moment as a reflection of who your father was. We were planning a meet and greet for Kazier Chief legends and the death of Sadike came unexpected.”

3rd annual successful Miss Eldorado Park hosted

Miss Eldorado Park 2022 Caitlin Buys and Miss Junior Eldorado Park 2022 Antonay Stevens with former reigning queens. Photo: Supplied

The glitz and glamourous 3^rd annual Miss Eldorado Park and Miss Junior Eldorado Park was hosted on 28 May at the Don Matteman Hall at 12pm. 

 

The pageant has been hosted since 2019 and unfortunately due to the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 the pageant was unable to take place. The 2019 reigning queen held her title with professionalism and dignity till 2021 May. The Miss Eldorado Park pageant started by two sisters Nazli Isaacs and Naeema Isaacs.  The pageant would not be made possible without the Isaacs having support from their mum, the team, family, and friends. 

 

14 senior girls and 7 junior girls walked the stage and showed off their talent to judges Tasneem Morgan, Grant Wills, Jody Miles, Shayne Nell and Annwen Jordon and the venue filled with supporters.

 

The show was opened with all the finalists and previous winners of last year and including the two organizers. The models thereafter had to walk-in group of two and it was followed by evening wear before the judges announced the winners.

 

The event was graced by Charis Pretorius and Danelle Hammond who were the Masters of Ceremonies.

 

The winners for Miss Eldorado Park was, Queen - Caitlin Buys, 1st Princess - Jacey Jacobs.    And 2nd Princess - Jessie Davids and Miss Junior was Queen- Antonay Stevens, 1st Princess - Roni Smith and 2nd Princess - Lekeisha Smith, while Miss Personality titles were won by Caitlin Buys in the senior category and junior category was Lezanne Mabe.

 

Caitlin Buys, 22-years-old, Miss Eldorado Park 2022 and Miss Personality 2022 said:

“Winning this title has been a manifestation come true, one that didn't happen without true determination and hard work. In my reign I would like to give back to my community, joining this pageant I knew that our community has need and with my title and in my reign, I want to help in meeting those needs and working towards bettering the view on mental health and the importance thereof this title is not my own but for Eldorado Park as a whole.”

 

Antonay Stevens, 14-years-old. I am Miss Junior Eldorado Park 2022 said: “Winning this title made a change in my life. I am at a point where I am learning a new side of myself. With this title I would like to help my community where I can for those in need of help, also I want to enter multiple pageants to continue showing my talents on stage and learn more about myself and also teach what I have learnt. By the grace of God, I will be able to be a role model for other young ladies.”

 

 

 

Miss Eldorado Park 2022 reigning queen’s and princess with organisers Nazli and Naeema Isaacs.

Soweto’s electricity crisis

 

Tumi Mashishi, Gauteng Eskom Media Spokesperson

For a long time, Soweto residents have been suffering due to electricity crisisand many people who do not wish to pay for electricity. Eskom has been switching the power off in many parts of Soweto for days due to none payment from the residents 

 

Soweto Times took the opportunity to interview Gauteng Eskom’s media spokesperson Tumi Mashishi and this is what she said

 

ST: What is the way forward with Soweto residents electricity issues?

TM: The power utility recently reported  shortages of mini-substations and transformers as a result of the high number  of failed and exploded electricity equipment that require  repairs or replacement, making it difficult to meet the demand. Eskom implements control measures such as audits, maintenance, load reduction, education and awareness campaigns to avert failures that lead to unplanned and extended outages. However, this equipment still fails mainly due to the illegal electricity related acts which are rife in Gauteng communities. Because of the predominant equipment failures and the subsequent shortage of mini-substations and transformers it is a challenge to keep up with the replacement thereof, leading to extended periods of time without electricity for affected communities.

 

ST: What is the process to repair or replace the mini substations?

TM: The process to replace or repair the failed equipment commences with a network audit to determine the cause of the failures, the extent of the damages followed by the removal of illegal connections, fixing faulty meters and replacing damaged mini-substations and transformers depending on the availability of the required material which is a challenge at this stage. To accommodate the customers that cannot immediately settle the R6052,60 remedial fee, Eskom introduced the Deferred Payment Arrangement (DPA).  Customers are required to enter into a DPA and make an initial minimum payment of R500.00 and the balance can be paid over a maximum period of six months. Eskom will start the process of restoring the power supply when a  threshold of 60% of the payment has been made by customers supplied from  the same affected equipment. This is dependent on the availability of all necessary material. 

 

 

ST: Will prepaid meters across Soweto & possibly the country help with reduction the overload?

TM: Prepaid meters allows the customer full control of the electricity they use. Because the customer purchases electricity ahead of consumption and according to their affordability, they are then able to adjust their usage of electricity in line with the amount of units they have purchased. This will translate to reduction in network overloading and to the number of unplanned outages and in turn improve the quality of supply to buying customers.

 

 

ST: Will the residents of Soweto be able to have a break from paying R6000 if they have prepaid meters installed?

TM: The correct amount of the reconnection fee is R6 052.60 which is levied in an instance a customer has been found to have contravened the terms of their contract with Eskom. The contravention can range from bypassing the meter, illegal connection, distributing electricity to another consumer without any authorisation and purchasing electricity from an unauthorised point of sale generally referred to as ghost vendors.

 

 

ST:  Please explain how does prepaid meters help in reducing community members from spending too much money at the end of the month on electricity?

TM: Prepaid meters allows the customer full control of the electricity they use. Because the customer purchases electricity ahead of consumption and according to their affordability, they are then able to adjust their usage of electricity in line with the amount of units they have purchased.

 

ST: Please explain how the overload has been affecting residents across Soweto & SA?

TM: The high number of incidents of electricity equipment failure has put a strain on Eskom’s ability to replace and restore supply to the affected areas across Gauteng owing to network overloading due to illegal connections, meter bypasses, unauthorised operating on the network and electricity purchase from ghost vendors. Eskom is experiencing challenges with limited stock levels of mini-substations and transformers because of a recorded exponential number of failed electricity equipment due to network overloading. These challenges further compounded by low levels of payments are key factors in making it difficult to sustain reliable electricity supply to Soweto and Gauteng in its entirety.

 

ST:  Has there been a major issues with theft of Eskom cables in Soweto?

TM: Unfortunately, there has been major cases of theft in Soweto and Gauteng in general, some more brazen than other where Eskom security personnel were shot at inside and in close vicinity to Eskom facilities, with fatalities in several incidents.  Violent crimes have been directed at Eskom security guards with theft being the main motive.

 

ST: Has Eskom technicians or contractors been fearing their lives in Soweto?

TM: Unfortunately not particular to Soweto, several factors such as physical attacks, intimidations, hostage holding make it risky to operate for Eskom staff and contractors.

 

Soweto community celebrates Mandela Day

Soweto residents were very much part of the celebrations worldwide of International Nelson Mandela Day on his birthday on 18 July. The United Nations designated the day in honour of the global icon who led the nation to a peaceful democracy after being a political prisoner for 27 years before becoming our first democratically-elected president. 

Fondly known as Madiba, his legacy continues well beyond his passing in December 2013 with diverse projects which many say should not happen just on his birthday, but every day to better the lives of our less fortunate fellow citizens.

AfroCentric Group at Letsibogo High School to celebrate 67 minutes for Mandela Day. Part of Mandela Day, decided to support a girl’s school, give them career opportunity support, donate sanitary pads and to help them around the school - painting classrooms is the start of their assistance at the school. Photo: Supplied.

Kasi Hero Foundation in collaboration with their sponsors Cii Projects, UJ’s Muslim Student Association, Grootman and other partners donated blanket, beanie, socks, gloves, soup, and biscuits to 120 grannies on Saturday, 23 July as part of their Mandela month initiative.

Jozi FM team choose to paint The Full Apolostic Zion Mission Church in Mofolo and also donated blankets and groceries to the Emathonsini Old Age Home. Photo at Old Age Home Supplied

Kasi Hero Foundation in collaboration with Boxer, Easy Pay, and aQuelle water donated 100 blankets and grocery parcel on 18 July at the foundation in Pimville.

MMC for Public Safety, David Tembe celebrated his 67 minutes in Zola at the home of an 87-year-old gogo which was being refurbished and that the home will have a fire detector in case of a fire and a garden where they planted vegetables, and donated vegetables and blankets. 

David Tembe participating in fixing the home of a 87-year-old woman.

A clean up initiative took place at the Diepkloof SAPS where the community, CPF, youth desk, patrollers, station management and members cleaned up the station and around it on Friday 15 July. Photo: Supplied.

Mandela Day Celebrations in Eldos

Eldorado Park residents were very much part of the celebrations worldwide of International Nelson Mandela Day on his birthday on 18 July. The United Nations designated the day in honour of the global icon who led the nation to a peaceful democracy after being a political prisoner for 27 years before becoming our first democratically-elected president.

Fondly known as Madiba, his legacy continues well beyond his passing in December 2013 with diverse projects which many say should not happen just on his birthday, but every day to better the lives of our less fortunate fellow citizens. 

 

The Eldorado Park Local Football association in collaboration with the Professional Soccer League retired players dedicated Mandela Day on 15 July by coaching young teenage boys and girls the game of football/soccer. 

Love and Sunshine Foundation in collaboration with Propitious Sisterhood Foundation visited Rose Centre where they donated snacks, sweets, sanitary pads, a jumping castle and also to find out what are they issues they are facing at the school – and find a way to assist them.

No Victims Safe house in Eldorado Park both the boys and girls homes was visited by the Cii Projects team, and UJ’s Muslim Student Association where they donated blankets with soup, beanies, socks, gloves to the staff and children. Faces of the children have been covered to protect them. Other sponsors were not present.

Guns Down Initiative choose to clean up and at the entrance of Eldorado Park on Turf Road. And they also they made a Gun’s Down from stones and painted it white and this is in memory of those killed of gunned down by criminals in Eldorado Park.

Giving with a Purpose Feeding Scheme prepared 4000 sandwiches and fed 4000 people and children on Mandela Day across Eldorado Park and Kliptown. Photo: Supplied

Residents of Eldos fed up with poor policing and senseless killings

Cllr Juwairiya Kalden addressing the crowd. Photo: Supplied

Community leaders in Eldorado Park have handed over a memorandum to SAPS to show their concern over the dire need for police visibility and assistance in the area.



They also called for the replacement of the Station Commander at the local police station. On Sunday, 24 July, Ward 18 Councillor Juwairiya Kaldien, joined by community leaders Cheryl Pillay and Dereleen James, Councillor Margaret Arnolds and other gathered outside the Eldorado Park SAPS to hand over a memorandum to SAPS Provincial Commissioner General Elias Mawela. They shared their grievances and how disappointed they are, as the community is facing a major crisis with young people being shot dead in the senseless shootings that are taking place in the community.

Senior SAPS officers present included Eldorado Park SAPS Station Commander Brigadier Mkhacani Maluleke and , SAPS JHB District Commissioner Major General Max Masha. There have been a number traumatic and frightening shootings and gun violence that are taking place in Eldorado Park and surrounding areas in recent weeks, in which many people have been killed. Some are still fighting for their lives in hospital.

The poor policing has been a major concern for community members and leaders who struggle to get a police van on time to a crime scene and sometimes wait hours before they are attended too.

“For as long as we silent weareaccomplicestoall the killings in our community. We are mandated by the children’s act to protect and ensure the care and protection of our children. We have seen the problem and we need to hold those accountable who’s been assigned to serve this community,” said James, a substance abuse activist.
“The recent spate of gun violence in our community is of grave concern. We strongly condemnthiswaragainst o u r c o m m u n i t y especially the youth.It is sad - day when our young children have to grow up in a community where it seems to be a daily occurrence to hear gun shots and witness young people being killed,” added LDAC chairperson Pillay.

Arnolds said the call by the community for Maluleke to be replaced was being addressed. “Eldorado Park has seen too many killings of young innocent kids by stray bullets.The issue of the Brigadier of Eldorado Park Brigadier Maluleka was also addressed becauseofthefactthathe is not forthcoming and prepared to work with stakeholders in Eldorado Park,” Arnold said.

Ward 18 Councillor Juwairiya Kaldien said she was determined to continue her anti-crime fight."As a councillor, I aim to fight crime with my community and bring back Eldos. We need more police visibility and assistance of police to be muchefficient.Wewill continue fighting to bring back our community from gangsterism, substance abuse, and other crime we deal with daily,” she said.




Eldorado Park Neighbourhood Watch (EPNW) chairperson Leonardo Green was a bit positive about the police. “We applaud the m e m b e r s a n d management of SAPS in the swift action that lead to arrests being made. As a community we need to stand up and reclaim our streets and let the so- called gangsters know that there is no room for them in our streets,” Green said.




Among the demands made in the memorandum are:




1. An immediate 72-hour activation operation in tracing the many illegal guns within our community.

2. Removal of station commander, Brigadier Maluleke by 1 August.

3. To provide the community with stats for all gun related crimes over the past 5 years.

4. To provide the community with drug related arrests and convictions over the past 5 years.

5. An intensified 6-month intelligence driven operation that will deal with getting guns off our streets and closing drug dens. (Bring back the members who worked in our community in 2015)

6. A police visibility plan with additional resources and manpower to protect our community on a daily basis.

7. Weekly stop and searches by JMPD

8. A mobile station for Freedom Park as resources at Eldorado Park station are stretched which impacts negatively on effective policing.

9. Additional vans (including staff) and tools of trade(phones)to assist members in responding speedily to community complaints.

10. Permanent closure of all illegal taverns through the enforcement of by-laws. (JMPD)

11. Immediate implementation of the City’s 10+ Community Policing programme where at least 10 Metro Police officers are assigned to each of the City’s 135 wards.

12. Public Report back on progress in actioning our demands and on cases of recent shootings / murders to be provided on the 6th of August 2022 at the #GunsDown event at Eldorado Park Stadium.

The memorandum has called for a public report back on progress in actioning the demands and on cases of recent shootings / murders on 6 August 2022 at the #GunsDown event scheduled to be held at Eldorado Park Stadium.

Community and leaders outside Eldorado Park SAPS. Photos: Supplied

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By Priya Ranchod

August is dedicated to the Women of SA

South Africans across the country pay tribute in August each year to the courageous women of the country with Women’s Month, including the public holiday of Women’s Day on August 9. The day marks the historic event on 9 August 1956, when more than 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings in protest against the extension of Pass Laws to women,

 Eldorado Times and Soweto Times took the opportunity to receive words of encouragement from women and men.

Exec Mayor of JHB Mpho Phalatse

EXECUTIVE MAYOR MPHO PHALATSE said: “At a time when our city needs healing, repair and nurturing, there’s no better gender to lead the charge than the women of the city who are endowed with innate maternal qualities – to conceive, incubate, birth, and raise up.  May the advent of our metropolis’ first female executive mayor awaken and usher in a fresh wave of woman leadership in our communities, workplaces, businesses, and governments.  May we carry our city to life.  The Light is with us.”

 

Farzana Mayet

WOMEN OF WONDER AWARDS FOUNDER, FARZANA MAYET said: “This Women’s Month my message to all women is to please believe in you innate power to conquer whatever it is that you may encounter. We are each blessed by the Almighty, with an immeasurable amount of determination. So, the first step to each of you gaining self-confidence is to love yourself. Do not give anyone else that power...for when self-love is prevalent there is no Force that will stop you from Dreaming, Believing and Ultimately achieving anything and everything you set your mind on. We each need to also remember as woman to always stand together and be your sisters’ keeper.”

Michael Sun

MMC FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND INFRASTRUCTURE, MICHAEL SUN said: “The women of South Africa and the world are the glue that keeps our societies together. They are rightfully taking their place in leadership roles in the public and private sector to fulfil their full potential. Although much still needs to be done, it is my hope that not only this Women’s Month but well into the future our mothers, sisters, colleagues and friends continue their march to equality and progress!”

MONICA MASEKOA, A MEDIC said: “The willingness to listen, the patience to understand, a carrying mother, wife and in most cases she's goes through what she can handle and still stand firm, that's a responsible mother! Happy Woman's Day.”

SAPS JOBURG DISTRICT COMMISSIONER MAJOR GENERAL MAX MASHA said: “As we celebrate women's month we thank God for our mothers, sisters, aunties and even our grannies. We wish the very best in this month and beyond. Women's month is supposed to be every month but the situation is saying otherwise. As a District Commissioner I just want to say to men in blue let us love our own mothers, wives, girlfriends, sisters and aunties. From there let us love all mothers, sisters, aunties and all ladies in our District and our country. Let us serve them with dignity and love. Let us push back the pandemic of gender based violence and femicide. Let us wear our uniform with pride. Let us be a comfort and consolation to our communities. Let us reprimand one another if one of our own step out of line. To the communities out there before you start any relationship let your partner know right from the start that gender based violence is a deal breaker for you."

YOUNG TALENTED JOURNALIST MICHELLE COOPER said: “I celebrate the women in South Africa simply because it is not easy being a women in this era.  My heart breaks when I see all the struggles we face on a daily basis but I also celebrate how strong we are.  We are brave, strong, courageous, beautiful and we rise up every day.  I am proud of the women in my life who have shaped me into the woman I am today.  This women's month I say let us raise up ladies and take our rightful place in this world.”

CHRISTOPHER BOOYSENS OF LADY IN PINK said: “As we celebrate Woman Day, where do we start. Remember we appreciate all woman around the world if it was not for our woman there would be no kids in the world and remember the kids is our future. So, remember you are loved and appreciated. We as men must learn to appreciate you not only today but every day."

FELICIA DE KLERK, WARD 18 WATER PORTFOLIO said: “I want to encourage women to work together and support one another, once we can do this, there is no limit to what can be achieved. Take time to be appreciative to the women who have come before you and sacrificed to make this community a better place, instead of us breaking each other down, rather be that woman that inspires other women. This women's month, I want to encourage you to get behind a woman, get behind her purpose, and her vision, help her to be the best version of herself.”

ELDORADO PARK SAPS SUPPORT HEAD COLONEL LUNGILE LEBESE said: “Women’s month means acknowledging and celebrating the achievements of woman, whom have been pioneers throughout history. It means recognising the impact that women have on society. It means honouring ordinary women in our society who wear so many and different titles. They need to be celebrated every day. Women are the pillars of society. They broke barriers in the different sectors of society. Women’s month to me, means, being genuine and ensuring that you align passion with purpose.”

WARD 18 COUNCILLOR JUWAIRIYA KALDIEN said: “I feel immense happiness that we, as a whole, are making progress and women are getting the kind of respect they deserve. More than a decade from today, women’s day wasn’t celebrated this much and on such big scales. But slowly and steadily, people are understanding the importance of observing and celebrating Women’s Day. Working throughout their life without a stop and without any day off so that their families can live a life of comfort and ease; is a task that requires divine strength to bear, sacrifice, and give. So to end off, Women are warriors fighting without swords.”

NAZLEE ALBERTS, FOUNDER OF ELDORADO PARK FEEDING SCHEME said: “Since the beginning you have raised mankind with selfless Love and Care. You draw strength from troubles, smile during distress, grow stronger with prayers and hope. Your love is unconditional.. You are beautiful, brave, smart, kind and so much more.  You are enough and always will be. Believe in yourself no matter what. Remember because of you. they are.”

CITY OF JOBURG EMS SPOKESPERSON EMS ROBERT MULAUDZI said: “I would like to take this opportunity and wish all the Women in South Africa a happy Women month, Women forms part an integral part of our society in general and continue to ensure that their voices are heard on daily basis I would like to specifically wish all the Women who are frontline workers are happy women’s month and urge them to continue to contribute immensely to the safety of all our communities in SA, keep on doing great work and we are proud of you.”