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APRIL 16, 2021
FREE
INSIDE
PREMIER VISITS
GRIEVING FAMILY
She paid
condolences
through prayer
PHOLA VILLAGE
IS NOT COOL
It runs out of
water for up to
3 weeks
DO MEN SUFFER
FROM BREAST
CANCER?
Read more on
life experience
SPORTS: BANELE
GETS DOUBLE
GOLD!
Clinched 100m
and 200m gold
medals
3 5 6 8
FARM DWELLERS
DISTRAUGHT
TWO BROTHERS KILLED BY FARMER
BONGANI HLATSHWAYO
MABOLA - ZakheleCoka was left in
disbelief and shock when a farm owner
at Pampoenkraal Farm allegedly
shot at point blank range his brother,
ZenzeleCoka on the head at close
range.
The farm owner had earlier allegedly
shot at his younger brother, Amos
Coka who lay sprawled dead on the
ground in front of them. As the second
shot rung that killed Zenzele, Zakhele
called out at the top of his voice: “Kill
me, too, now that you’ve killed my
brothers!!”
By the grace of God, the Almighty,
he did not budge when the farm owner
and his friends, allegedly armed to the
teeth, tried to threaten him to leave.
“I noticed that they were trying to
push me away because there was
a gun next to the already dead
Amos - my suspicion was that they
wanted to pin the gun on him in
the pretext that he had attacked
them. We happened to remove it
from that proximity.
“We quickly then demanded
to see the kidnapped
neighbour, who had been
locked up and assaulted in
one of the sheds at his farm.
My two brothers were
already dead and
I needed to save
this soul as a
matter of
urgency,
which I
succeeded in saving that soul.”
The farming community were
summoned to the scene and the police
were informed and they arrived
promptly to collect the bodies,” related
Zakhele.
The mother of the two deceased
men,Julia Coka said: “I just want
Greyling to come and bury the children
because as a family, we don’t have
money to bury them because he killed
them. He must bury and eat them.
Zenzele has been working there until he
decided to lay them off and employed
seasonal workers from neighbouring
farms. He didn’t care about their
welfare nor of their families, he must
eat them.”
Her sister, Maria Vilakazi said:
“The sad part about this whole thing,
is that this farmer has robbed us of a
breadwinner in Amos, as he was the
only one working in Johannesburg and
was a provider for the family. He had
come to check on his sickly mother
whom he was transporting to and
from the clinic. His only sin was trying
to avert the ugly squabble between
Greyling and the farm dwellers.
“Besides this gruesome incident, it’s
not the first time we’re experiencing
this kind of treatment from him as a
community. He’s been harassing us
since he took over the farm from 2010.”
Farm Dwellers Association’s
representative, Henry Bongani
Hlatshwayo said: “We’ve organized
ourselves seeing the atrocities being
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Left: Grieving mom of deceased farm
dwellers, Julia Coka.

2 News
Mpumalanga Mirror / April 16, 2021
ALL POLITICAL STRUCTURES FORMED A UNITED
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
meted out against our folk all these
years, especially Greyling and
his friends who are an organized
commando that are armed heavily.
“Our appeal to the judiciary is to
oppose bail because they are a danger
to society. They have been marauding
this community for many years,
we’re worried that the police and the
judiciary are not assisting us in this
manner because an incident occurs,
we report, but we see the perpetrators
walking freely and going about their
business as usual, hence our unity.
“Whilst the rest of the citizens are
enjoying the fruits of democracy
after 27 years, farm dwellers face the
worst wrath of racism. Something
must be done because we reported
the innocent shooting of two farm
dwellers whose vehicle broke down at
the very spot where the Coka brothers
were killed. Nothing happened. Cattle
were poisoned, these farmers were the
primes suspects, nothing happened.
Who are eventually our saviours
because even local government doesn’t
look after us as we don’t have clean
water here on the farms; we are not
allowed to build permanent cement
structures; we’re not considered even
for RDP houses,” he said.
Four suspects, Daniel Malan,
Cornelius Greyling, OthardKlingberg
and Michael Sternberg are accused
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MANAGER:
Jabulane Khumalo
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Sunrise Heights 27
15 Koraalboom Avenue
West Acres, Mbombela 1200
UNITED ACTION BY POLITICAL STRUCTURES AT MKHONDO
United front was formed by all political structures during the picketing at the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court on Monday for
the bail application procedure for the four accused for the Kampoen Farm killing of two brothers and gruesome injury of
one of their fellow farm dwellers. The ANC, EFF, SACP, Cosatu and other community structures, including the Mkhondo
Farm Dwellers Association were in solidarity in their effort to oppose bail for the accused. Photo by Bongani Hlatshwayo
of allegedly shooting at a group of job
seekers at Pampoenkraal farm last
Friday and have appeared at the Piet
Retief Magistrate’s Court on Monday
12 April 2021 for a bail application
process which was postponed to
Monday 19 April 2021 after lengthy
legal arguments between the
prosecution and the defence team legal
team. They are also charged for assault
with intent to cause grievous bodily
harm to another man.
It transpired that the accused
were pleading not to be placed at
the correctional services, but at the
local police station cells. At the latter,
they can’t be together and could face
intimidation, apart from one of them
being sickly.
MEC FOR COMMUNITY SAFETY,
SECURITY AND LIAISON, VUSI
SHONGWE SAID
“As a department, we have consulted
with the provincial leadership of the
SAPS to give this case and previous
other cases of this magnitude, the
highest priority and leave no stone
unturned in their efforts to resolving
these issues at hand.
“I’ve personally instructed the acting
provincial commissioner to ensure
that the investigating team in this
case and other similar cases, should
be allocated the most senior teams at
head office. That way, we will foresee
positive results.
“We’re quite aware of several
unresolved racist related cases within
this farming community. Our call is
for all these cases to be revisited and
let justice prevail. We also appeal to
the judiciary to also play its part in
scrutinizing such racist cases and let
justice prevail.”
SAPS VERSION
According to police spokesperson,
Colonel Amos Mdluli: “The men are
facing two counts of murder after two
men were reportedly shot and killed at
a certain farm in Dirkieskop on 9 April
2021. The suspects are alleged to have
also assaulted another man, hence a
third count of assault with intent to
inflict grievous bodily harm has been
added against them.
“Their court appearance spirals from
an incident in which, the suspects are
said to have gone to the farm owner to
seek employment as seasonal workers.
It is said that the farm owner informed
these men that they are not welcome
on his premises. It is said that those
who came to ask for employment then
decided to leave the farm, but later
realised that one of them was left
behind.
“They then went back only to find
that he was kept at the farm by the
suspects.It is said that as the men
demanded that they let him go, a
scuffle broke out where two men were
reportedly shot and died at the scene.
Three other men are said to have also
sustained serious injuries.
“Police were informed about the
incident and upon arrival, they found
the two groups and two lifeless
bodies. They (police) opened a case
accordingly and immediately began
their investigation where the four
suspects were arrested. Two firearms
were also confiscated and they will
form part of the investigation.
“The police management in the
province has strongly condemned the
incident and has since called for calm.
“A team of experts has already been
established to investigate the case.
Police has also asked members of the
community to allow space for the law
to take its course,” said Mdluli.
ANC RESPONSE
“The ANC welcomes the swift arrest of
the barbarian and his ilk, and calls on
the South African Police Service and
the Department of Justice to speedily
conclude the case against these racists
and human rights violators.
“We take serious offence to this
barbaric act, which symbolises the
continued treatment of black people
as sub-human or second-class
citizens in South Africa, as it was done
with impunity under the apartheid
government.
“As an organization that is committed
to building a non-racial and united
society, we are of the firm belief that
justice for the murdered and their
families will only be served if these
barbarians are successfully convicted
and permanently removed from society.
“This ruthless act does not only
undermine the ANC’s efforts of building
a non-racial and united South Africa,
but also opens old wounds and
reminds our people that this country
comes from a very painful past where
many people lost their lives and
families were robbed of their loved
ones, by the racist apartheid system.
“People who still commit such acts
which are informed by racial hatred,
do not belong in the democratic South
Africa we are building. We call on all
our structures and justice loving South
Africans to go and picket outside the
Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court when
these barbarians appear. We also call
on the judiciary to deny them bail as
they pose a serious threat to the lives
of innocent farm dwellers.
ANC Mpumalanga Caucus condemns
the Killing of peaceful protesters at
Bampoen Farm, Piet Retief and call for
No bail for the Racist Perpetrators.
Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature
Chief Whip Cde Fidel Mlombo on
behalf of the Mpumalanga Caucushas
expressed outrage at the killing of two
Africans who were protesting against ill
treatment of farm dwellers at Bampoen
Farm at Mkhondo. The farm owner
and his racist accomplices appeared
at the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court
on Monday the 12th of April 2021. This
farmer’s disdain against black farm
dwellers is well documented, as he is
the same farmer who is alleged to have
poisoned 14 cows belonging to black
farm dwellers in June 2020.
“We condemn this obnoxious act
as it flies against a new Land Audit
report release on the same day of the
murder that shows land injustices in
South Africa against black Africans
who continue to live a life of squalor
conditions; treated like slaves in farms
and their livestock poisoned and killed
by racist farmers, whilst whites occupy
72% of Private land in South Africa.
“We implore the ANC-led government
to move faster and with determination
to conclude the processes towards
Land Expropriation Without
Compensation so that the People
of Mkhondo who have suffered land
evictions; labour subjugations in farms
and been daily evicted in their rightful
land, could be freed from these brutal
and racist farmers.

Mpumalanga Mirror / April 16, 2021
News 3
FRONT AT THE MARCH
“As the Provincial Caucus of the
ANC, working together with the
community of Mkhondo, in Piet
Retief, we will be campaigning
that the arrested racist murderers
must not be given bail, the police
must further arrest all the other
accomplices to the murder. We
also wish to state categorically
that we demand all cases of racist
evictions, labour exploitations and
brutalities against black people
in the area of Mkhondo to be
thoroughly investigated and all
perpetrators be brought to book.
“In the same vein we call upon
the Department of Labour to
henceforth investigate all labour
related matters surrounding the
circumstances of this murder and
other related cases and make sure
they are promptly resolved.”
ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS
(EFF)
Collen Sedibe,provincial
chairperson said: ‘As the EFF we
are very sad about what happened
and we’re saying, enough is
enough we are tired of the barbaric
and brutal killing of our people by
white racists, especially here in
GertSibande District. It’s not the
very first time this is happening.
The Station Commander and the
police that have not been doing
their work, must be removed.”
DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE
Irene Brussow, a DA Councillor at
Mkhondo Local Municipality said:
“Good morning, the Democratic
Alliance wishes to extend its
heartfelt condolences to the family
and friends of the unfortunate
death of the brothers who were
allegedly killed on the Kampoen
Farm in the Mkhondo area.
“According to the reports, an
owner of the farm made the shots,
but there’s always a different story
to this issue.
‘The DA believes that the
communities should stay calm and
give the law and state agencies
and justice system enough
time and space to do proper
investigations. The DA is also a
party that upholds the rule of law
and have confidence in the justice
system and hope that justice will
prevail.
MEC for Social Development, Lindiwe Ntshalintshali and Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane
consoling the Coka family.
Premier empathetic towards the victims’ family
KAMPOENSKRAAL
FARM – Whilst other
political structures were
picketing at the Piet
Retief Magistrate’s Court,
Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-
Tsipane and her entourage
which included MEC
for community safety,
security and liaison, Vusi
Shongwe and the MEC
for Social Development,
LindiweNtshalintshali,
paid a courtesy visit to the
Coka family, in true African
tradition, to pay their last
respects and passed on their
condolences to the family
for the loss of their sons,
Amos and Zenzele who were
allegedly gunned down by
a group of white farmers,
including the owners.
They will also receive
psycho-therapy from the
Department of Social
Development who will send
social workers to provide all
the necessary treatment in
order for them to heal.
Mtshweni-Tsipane and
her colleagues, came to
the rescue of the poverty-
Community leader Henry
Bongani Hlatshwayo.
stricken Coka family by
declaring that the provincial
government would bury the
deceased brothers, Amos
and Zenzele. All their wishes
were presented to MEC
Shongwe whose department
will be directly responsible
for the funeral arrangements
which will be held on
Saturday 17April
Entering the mourning
mud and stick hut,
Mtshweni-Tsipane,
Ntshalintshali and Shongwe
led a hymn and the premier
prayed before addressing the
mother, Julia Coka, family
members and the community
of women who had
converged there in support of
the Coka family.
“As the provincial
government, we’re very
saddened and hurt by the
unfortunate incident which
befell your family and we
are also in sympathy with
the entire farm dwelling
communities for the situation
they constantly have been
finding themselves under the
ruthless behaviour of their
employer over the years.
“We’re saying as the
government of the people:
Enough is enough. We’re
putting a stop to all their
ruthless acts of barbarism.
I’ve instructed MEC
Shongwe to do all in his
power that such dastardly
acts do not occur in our
communities and that all
outstanding racial cases are
dealt with by bringing all
perpetrators to book.
“We will, as the provincial
government, put our heads
together and ensure that your
loving sons receive dignified
funerals. May their souls rest
in peace,” she concluded.
Anger and frustration written all over the picketing farm dwellers outside the
Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court. Photo by Bongani Hlatshwayo
Kampoenkraal Farm.
Zakhele Coka.
Maria Vilakazi.

4 Mpumalanga Mirror / April 16, 2021

Mpumalanga Mirror / April 16, 2021
News 5
IT’S NOT THAT VERY COOL IN PHOLA VILLAGE
- THERE’S CONSTANT WATER SHORTAGE
YOLISWA HLATSHWAYO AND
JABULANEKHUMALO
PHOLA TRUST- Residents are fed up
over the looming water crisis, including
not having access to clean water in
surrounding areas.
They claim they haven’t been receiving
enough water for the past months, but
what makes the situation worse are the dirt
particles inside when it’s available.
Speaking to CavenManzini, he pointed
out that the issue lies with the water
tankers that supply the community with
water. The water tankers are contracted to
supply communities with water.
Manzini took Mpumalanga Mirror
journalists around areas where communal
taps were installed. However,
there was no water except
for empty barrels and
buckets left by some
residents in case
the water tankers
came around.
“This is what
we go through
on a daily basis.
We’ve tried
reporting to the
municipality about
these water tankers
giving us dirty water,
but we have not received
any response. Must there be
protests for us to be heard?We demand
clean water because it is our basic right,”
said Manzini.
He mentioned, despite interventions
made previously such as the Hoxani
Regional Bulk Water Scheme, it has
never benefitted any of the communities.
That is the very same water scheme the
premier mentioned during the State Of the
Province Address. She said it is now being
shared between the City of Mbombela
and Bushbuckridge Local Municipalities,
while further interventions are envisaged
through the RBIG support to augment
water supply from the Rus De Winter Dam
to Weltevreden Water Treatment Plant in
the Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality, as
well as the acceleration of the Regional
Bulk Water Supply from the Loskop Dam
to the communities of Thembisile Hani
Local Municipality.
She further said there is progress from
the Department of Water and Sanitation
regarding the identified site for the
construction of the City of Mbombela Dam
as announced in her previous address.
Another resident in Mshadza, Moses
Mabuza shared Manzini’s sentiments
revealing that they’ve gotten used to being
without water as long as three weeks.
“As much as we tolerate what the
municipality is doing, we are also tired
of empty promises. Is giving clean water
to people too much to ask for? Our roads
are also not in a good condition, but water
should be a priority,” he said.
Spokesperson for Mbombela Local
Municipality, Joseph Ngala explained
that in the Phola area, there two water
tanks that were allocated and that there is
a package plant and the regional scheme
from Nyongane pump station that supplies
water to areas through schedules.
“The Hoxane scheme is completed
and the municipality is in talks with
Bushbuckridge Local Municipality in
relation to the operating rights and assets
ownership since the scheme is shared by
the two entities,” responded Ngala.

6 community
Mpumalanga Mirror / April 16, 2021
EVER THOUGHT BREAST CANCER
AFFECTED WOMEN ONLY?
Find out how Nersan
Govender survived his
journey of suffering from
breast cancer
Nersan Govender shares his remarkable
journey with breast cancer thus:
“It is astonishing, just how drastically a
person’s life can change in 30 seconds. In
June 2013, a mere 30-second phone call
blew everything I knew about life out of
the water and altered the course of my life
forever.
‘It is said that male breast cancer
accounts for only 1% of all breast cancers,
and that it is a 100 times more common
in women than in men, (CANSA, 2020).
And in just 30 seconds, I became a part of
that 1%.
“I had been studying in Sweden at
the time and while I was there, around
April/May, I discovered a pimple on
my body and it just wouldn’t go away.
My assumption was that it was a boil,
so I treated it with an over-the-counter
ointment.
“It still wouldn’t go away, so upon my
return to South Africa, on June 17, I had
it checked out at the Linksfield hospital
despite not feeling ill or being in pain. The
doctor took one look at it and said this
doesn’t look very good.
“And so, we did a biopsy on the 19th,
it was at this time, that the doctor asked
me if I had my paperwork in order and
whether I had a good support
system in place. And that’s
when I knew something
wasn’t right.
“So, on the 21st of
June 2013 at 10am, in a
30-second phone call,
the doctor confirmed
that it was breast cancer.
I was dumbfounded and
shocked into silence.
Just like that, I began the
hardest 10-month journey of
my life.
“Over the 10 months, I had
Nersan
Govender.
surgery to remove the tumour followed
by radiotherapy and then chemotherapy.
In a very short space of time, I had to sort
out my insurance, make sure that I had
a file put together with all my financial
information, and had made arrangements
should I pass away, all while grappling
with this sudden change in my life. But I
actually wasn’t thinking about myself so
much as my sons and my wife and how
this would affect them.
“Needless to say, they took the news
very badly and the effects of it are still felt
today, 8 years later. This is how it is; it
impacts on the family in a big way.
What made things even tougher, was
that male breast cancer is so rare, that my
oncologist and her colleagues weren’t sure
what the best course of treatment would
be.
‘My tumour was then sent to California
where further tests would be done so
that they could determine whether
chemotherapy would be beneficial to me.
In the meantime, the cancer had grown
quite rapidly and my chances of survival
were not very high.
“Fortunately, the team in California
established that chemo would work for
me, and I began the fight of my life.
I fought hard despite the fact that my
prognosis wasn’t very good and while I
went into it prepared to fight a physical
fight for my body, I soon realised that the
real fight was a mental one, that’s where
you have to win this battle.
‘In the beginning, I didn’t want to
speak about it openly because of the
stigma attached to it. It is deemed to
be a “woman’s disease”, so you try to
pretend that you don’t have it and you
operate at an undercover level. You also
get challenged by people wondering what
is wrong with you, that men “don’t have
breasts”, but that’s where they’re wrong,
everybody has breasts.
“But in certain communities it is
still a taboo, like it does not exist.This
was before I joined my support group
as a volunteer and later took over the
organisation, that’s when I realized that
there are other men in the world going
through it. But the survival rate is very
low, that’s the reason why you don’t find
many men talking about surviving breast
cancer.
“One of the biggest challenges for me
during this journey was realising just how
little knowledge and information there
was out there for people in my position.
“I knew that not doing anything out of
embarrassment would be a disservice to
my journey but also a wasted opportunity
at helping someone else. One thing to
always keep in mind is that irrespective
of where you are on your cancer journey,
it is prudent to empower yourself with
professionals and partners that have the
knowledge to assist and experience to
support you.
“This is why when Momentum
approached me and requested that I be
part of their Momentum Force, it was a
no brainer. Access to relevant and reliable
information could easily be the difference
between life and death.
While they may not claim to have the
cure for Cancer, through their Whatsapp
Bot they’re able to reach far more
people in far reaching spaces –
providing support to even the
remotest of places.
“When I was going
through my journey,
the one thing I had that
changed the trajectory
of my illness was the
support I got from my
friends and family. Even
in our support group, we
have WhatsApp groups,
social media, email, as well
as telephone platforms for
people to reach out to us and for us
to reach back to them.
“Creating the bot creates a presence
that an organisation or a company like
Momentum recognises and commits
itself to education and advocacy in saving
people’s lives. If you can detect your
cancer early, especially breast cancer, your
chances of survival are very, very high.
“Momentum is a big brand and if
you’ve got that kind of brand muscle
behind the work that you are trying to
do, it makes it that much easier for the
messages to go through.I am now in
remission for 8 years and am so grateful
for the support I received from my family,
colleagues and my support group, Wings
of Hope Cancer Support which supported
me.
“As I recovered, I joined them as
a volunteer and I now head up the
organisation. Since taking over, we’ve
opened up a footprint in Cape Town and
in Durban, but we support anywhere.
‘I have dedicated my time to educating
communities, societies, and other groups
on not only general cancers, but especially
male breast cancers, that this is real.
“I now celebrate two birthdays; my
biological birthday in July, and then my
second life birthday on 21 June. I feel like
I’ve been given a second chance in life
and that’s why I tell people, to live their
best lives.
“You cannot give up; you have to have
hope. My life changed in 30 seconds,
and it changed forever. Now that I’ve
overcome the treatment, my message to
everybody is to always live your best life
every day, just live your best life. Don’t
put off things because you just never
know. Live your best life everyday with
no regret,” he concluded.
MEC Majuba’s visit at Shongwe
Boarding School was successful
DRIEKOPIESBAT -
MEC for Education,
Mr Bonakele Majuba
visited Shongwe
Boarding School
in Nkomazi Local
Municipality as part of
his school support visit
programme.
Shongwe Boarding
School was established
in 2012 and has an
enrolment of 812
learners, most of
whom are from eight
neighbouring farms.
The boarding school
caters for grade R to
12.
Boarding schools
were conceptualized
to guarantee the
provision of quality
education and to
reduce the drop-out
rate for learners from
farm areas.The grade
12 performance for
the past four years
has been above 90%
at Shongwe boarding
school.
In 2020, the school
MBOMBELA – It’s
been ascertained that the
Mpumalanga International
Fresh Produce Market
is almost 30 percent to
completion.
This surfaced during
a recent visit by the
newly-installed MEC
for Finance, Economic
Development and
Tourism, Vusi Mkhatshwa
on 19 March, specifically.
It also comes after the
purported construction has
been marred by labourrelated
issues with the
construction workers
during the past few years.
Mkhathwa, emerged
from that construction
site visit, “impressed
by the progress made
at the construction site
of the much-anticipated
Mpumalanga International
Fresh Produce Market,”
obtained 93.6% pass
rate.
Majuba was
encouraged by the
overall performance of
the school apart from
day to day challenges
they experience from
time to time.
“I am pleased
with the way the
boarding school is
being managed. The
learner performance
of the school is a
true reflection of the
leadership qualities
of this institution.The
Department will look
into the infrastructural
challenges presented
by the school
management in
order to improve
and assist with the
efficient and effective
administration and
management of the
whole institution.
To this end, I will in
due course deliver a
detailed report in this
regard,”said Majuba.
Mpumalanga International Fresh
Produce Market 30% complete
read a statement from his
department.
He first received a
detailed briefing from
the Department of Public
Works, Roads and
Transport, which is the
implementing agent for
the project, on behalf
of the Department of
Economic Development
and Tourism.
“The project started in
July 2018 and is targeted
to be completed in January
2022. Considerable
progress on the
construction of the Market
has been recorded to-date,
with two main buildings
– the Main Market and
the Agro-Processing
Buildings, which are
the heart of the Fresh
Produce Market, at almost
38% and 50% complete,
respectively.
“The roof of the Agro-
Processing Building is
complete, whilst workers
are currently busy putting
roof sheets on the 30 000
square metre Main Market
Building. Overall, the
MIFPM is almost 30%
complete.
“Once completed, the
MIFPM will consist of
17 buildings. The Fresh
Market will provide access
to a world-class facility
to both commercial and
small farmers in the
Province, for the trading
of their fresh produce
to local, regional and
international markets,”
further read the statement.
Mkhatshwais reported
to have further encouraged
the constructor, enza
Construction, to try and
work within the allocated
budget.

Mpumalanga Mirror / April 16, 2021
Community
CROWNING MISS MPUMALANGA 2021 TOP 12 FINALISTS
7
Lutrecia Raner
Age: 22, Local Municipality: Mbombela
(Pienaar)
Mbali Mkhwabane
Age: 22, Local Municipality: Thembisile
Hani (Vlaklaagte)
Mmamokopi Mashabela
Age: 23, Local Municipality:
Bushbuckridge (Acornhoek)
Nkululeko Mngomezulu
Age: 22, Local Municipality:
PixleyKaSeme (Volksrust)
Cindy Mnisi
Age: 23, Local Municipality: Steve
Tshwete (Hendrina)
Nomhle Mathabela
Age: 20, Local Municipality: Nkomazi
Bokamoso Machika
Age: 20, Local Municipality: Thembisile
Hani (Kwa Mhlanga)
Phiona Khoza
Age: 26, Local Municipality: Thaba
Chweu (Pilgrims Rest)
Fezeka Malinga
Age: 21, Local Municipality: Lekwa
(Standerton)
Nondumiso Mapaila
Age: 21, Local Municipality: Mbombela
(White River)
Claude Mashego
Age: 22, Local Municipality:
Bushbuckridge (Acornhoek)
KamokgeloMaimela
Age: 19, Local Municipality: Emalahleni
(Witbank)

mpumalanga Mirror
SPORT
For all your sporting
news, news tips and
advertising, contact
Jabulane Khumalo
on 0748194977 or
email to: jabulane@
mpmirroronline.co.za
Ehlanzeni Netball
League kicks off
on a high note
JABULANE KHUMALO
Teams in all corners of Ehlanzeni brought
their game to the courts for the Ehlanzeni
Netball League at the University of
Mpumalanga.
32 teams participated in the first leg of the
league. All teams participated in three parts
of the league. Fasa scooped most points in
A-league with 25 points against ClauClau
Dreamers.
Meanwhile, Kabokweni Males thrashed most
teams in B-league with 15 points against Blue
Melodies. Sunshine Girls walked away with
15 points closely followed by BBR Jaguars with
12 points in the C-league.
The league’s President, Bongi Maseko said
the games were a marvel to watch and that
players were thrilled to be back in the courts.
“The games were just a marvel to watch.
The players were very excited to be back after
they were unable to play the whole of 2020
due to COVID-19. The introduction of the
Twizza Netball Challenge has seen many teams
registering in the A-League which is currently
highly competitive. There is good talent in
Ehlanzeni and we look forward to harnessing it
to its full potential,” she said.
SEE LEAGUE TABLES ON OUR WEBSITE
BANELE SHABANGU BAGS GOLD
MEDALS IN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
JABULANE KHUMALO
Barberton-born, Banele Shabangu
sprinted for top honours at the TWIZZA
Athletics South Africa U16-U20
Championships at the Dal Josaphat
Athletics Stadium in Paarl on April 10.
Shabangu put the province on the map
by scooping gold medals for the 100m
and 200m, respectively. She described
her achievement to be fulfilling and that
her future is bright in athletics.
“For the first time ever, I feel amazing.
It was such a great experience, especially
coming back with two gold medals. I
was quite nervous on the track because
I’m not used to the fact that I compete
with top athletes.
‘For the first time ever, I feel
amazing. It was such a great
experience, especially coming
back with two gold medals’
“At the same time, when I stepped on
the track, I told myself that this is the
time for me to get what I deserve. This
solidified that I’m on the right track and
that hard work will take me to places
I’ve never been to,” she said.
Shabangu shared that she thinks that
her family is much happier about her
achievement than she is.
“The way they celebrated was
overwhelming. It seemed as though
they’ve been happy for me to bring this
one home.”
The sprinter is jetting off to Tokyo
in July for the Summer Olympics
scheduled to take place from July 23
to August 8, 2021. She also qualified
for the Junior World Championships in
Kenya for the 100m and 200m relay.
Both competitions are four days apart
and she will fly out to Nairobi after
landing in the country.