Mpumalanga Mirror April 2021 Edition

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APRIL 29, 2021
FREE
INSIDE
ESCOM BLUES
OVER FOR
EMAKHAZENI
MUNICIPALITY
R30 million debt
paid off
RAP MUSIC BACK
IN STYLE
Prince Khoza
leads the way
FARM DWELLERS
PLIGHT
A deeper look
at issues
FORGING
PARTNERSHIPS
Township
economy to
be revived
2 3 5 7
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH - VOWS PREMIER
BONGANI HLATSHWAYO
BALFOUR - The days of
women bashing by men are
slowly dwindling as already
interventions to curb this
dastardly and brutal act have
been put in place already to
rid the province of gender
based violence as part of the
commemorating 27 years of
freedom.
Speaking during the
province’s official Freedom Day
commemoration event held at the
Dipaliseng Local Municipality’s
offices on Tuesday, Premier
Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane said:
“As we celebrate our 27 years of
freedom, I want to focus on one
of the most degrading acts meted
against womenfolk, gender based
violence. Enough is enough, it
must just be eradicated, once and
for all.
“We’ve got the likes of MEC
Vusi Shongwe heading our safety
and security and he’s also head
of government business - our
instruction to him is that any man
who molests a woman in any
way, must be locked up.
“From now henceforth, we
are reclaiming our freedom as
women in this province. We
must enjoy the freedom that was
fought for by our late stalwart,
Charlotte Maxeke who was the
first South African to graduate
with a BSc degree in the United
States .
“She was an espoused
academic whose main interest,
besides liberation, was to see
many young people getting
educated, hence as part of
our Freedom Day present to
the Dipaliseng municipality’s
community is the handover of
the state-of-the-art library to
develop the entire population
academically on behalf of
Charlotte Maxeke who would
have turned 150 years this year.
“In this regard, in her honour,
I sincerely appeal to the
community, that no matter what
angers you against authorities,
never ever vent your anger on
such investments and burn them.
Charlotte Maxeke would turn in
her grave should you dare attack
the library that’s meant to nurture
the youth academically. Cherish
Dipaliseng Local Municipality’s executive mayor, Mafunda Makhubu hoists the state-of-the-art library key in the air while being watched by
Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane.
your freedom gifts for a better
future.
“As Freedom Day is on the
27 April, this month is also the
month that robbed us of our
struggle heroes and heroines.
SACP Secretary General, Chris
Hani passed away in April;
Mama Winnie Mandela also
passed away in April and;
Tata Oliver Tambo also passed
away in April. There’s lots to
commemorate in April and
remains special to us.
“Lastly, as I presented
sporting gear and equipment
to different sports clubs from
Dipaliseng, it is with the vested
hope that it will enhance their
performance and competitiveness
to reach provincial, national
CLUBS RECEIVING EQUIPMENT
AND/ OR ATTIRE IN LEKWA,
GOVAN MBEKI AND DIPALISENG
MUNICIPALITIES FOR CLUB
DEVELOPMENT
and eventually, international
standards. Happy Freedom Day
to you all,” she concluded.
Local arts and cultural groups
entertained the guests which
included MECs, executive
mayors, councillors and the local
community.
• For more photos and
videos, go to our website:
mpmirroronline.co.za
NAME OF THE CLUB NAME OF CLUB REP CONTACT NUMBER MUNICIPALITY CODE AREA
1. Izimbali Future Cebisile Tsotetsi 079 571 2572 Lekwa Netball Standerton
Stars
2. Royal Knight FC Deni Shabangu 079 194 5395 Lekwa Football Ladies Standerton
3. Sakhile Rugby Mpho Lukhele 078 012 6972 Lekwa Rugby Standerton
Youth Club
4. All Stars Maria Motloung 076 291 8324 Dipaleseng Netball Grootvlei
5. Vintage Deep NC Zanele Dlamini 063 272 2024 Dipaleseng Netball Balfour
6.Young Star United Julia Mthombeni 071 207 2240 Govan Mbeki Netball Lebohang
7. Tau FC Slindile Motaung 071 189 4726 Dipaliseng Football Nthoroane

2 News
Mpumalanga Mirror / April 29, 2021
Meet IEC Mpumalanga’s new head
MBOMBELA - The Independent
Electoral Commission (IEC) has
appointed its new Provincial Electoral
Officer, Ms Gugu Langa.
Gugu Langahas worked within the local
government space for 26 years, 19 of
which have been in managerial positions.
She joins the IEC from the South
African Local Government Association
(SALGA) where she has worked for
Gugu Langa.
EDITOR:
Bongani Hlatshwayo
Cell: 0700691092
Email: bongani@mpmirroronline.co.za
brizotime@gmail.com
NEWS EDITOR:
Yoliswa Hlatshwayo
Cell: 0820907341
Email: yoliswa@mpmirroronline.co.za
yoliswahlatshwayo@gmail.com
SPORTS EDITOR & DIGITAL
MANAGER:
Jabulane Khumalo
Email: jabulane@mpmirroronline.co.za
PHYSICAL ADDRESS:
Sunrise Heights 27
15 Koraalboom Avenue
West Acres, Mbombela 1200
the past 16 years where she was the
Provincial Executive Officer, currently
referred to as Provincial Director
of Operations (Accounting Officer)
for Mpumalanga, responsible for 20
municipalities and working closely
amongst others, with Provincial
Government and the Mpumalanga House
of Traditional Leaders.
She previously worked at the
Emakhazeni Local Municipality, Mandeni
Local Municipality and the Lowveld
Escarpment Regional Services Council
(currently known as Ehlanzeni District
Council).
GuguLangahas a BA Honours Degree
(Clinical Psychology) from the University
of Zululand and a Masters’ Degree in
Public Administration from the University
of Pretoria, along with various certificates
in work-related fields.
She is a staunch member of the
Anglican Church of South Africa, and
the President of the Mothers Union in the
Diocese of Mpumalanga.
Ms Langa leads the Electoral
Commission of SA in Mpumalanga
Province at a crucial time when this
Elections Management Body (EMB) is
preparing for the upcoming 2021 Local
Government Elections (LGE2021)
For those deeply spiritual, there is an
interesting matter of coincidence that
looks like celestial powers are at play:
She comes in from the local sphere of
Government where preparations for
elections are also in high gear.
EMBALENHLE- Goven Mbeki
Local Muncipalityexecutive mayor, Cllr
Nhlakanipho Zuma has appealed to his
community, in particular young people
about the state of the municipality and that
it called for the youth to be proactive.
This was during the question and
answer session at the Sasol Club with the
Minister of Tourism,Mmamoloko Kubayi-
Ngubane’srecent constituency visit, who
was with the ANC’s Chief Whip in the
legislature, Fidel Mlombo.
He also shared that he has adopted
various groups who will undergo training
in partnership with the Department of
Tourism.
One group has registered a co-operative
and will be responsible for cleaning and
managing waste. Zuma pledged that he
will donate R10 000 for three months as
a start-up capital to have the co-operative
running.
ELUKWATINI- A 52-year-old man was
arrested after he assaulted a minor together
with its mother.
The incident took place on April 6 when
the minor was beaten up by the man at his
shop.
In a video that circulated on social
media, the victim is seen lying facing
down on top of a pool table, held by other
youngsters on the legs and begging for
forgiveness. The accused is holding a cue
stick and can be heard shouting at the
other ones holding him, to not let him go.
His mother, *ThembiDlamini (not her
real name to protect the minor) was also
assaulted by the same man. She alleged
that group of boys came to their home on
the morning of the incident and asked for
her son. After she went to get dressed, they
had already left. She then went to the store
where she allegedly found him crying
hysterically. When she asked why he was
beating him, the man allegedly turned on
her.
EMAKHAZENI SETTLES
OVER R30M ESKOM DEBT
“You would all know that the
municipality has collapsed. I think I’m
talking to adults who understand what a
budget is. To run the municipal office, we
need R149 million monthly.
“We only collect R90 million, which
tells you that there’s a shortfall of R60
million. The question is, when you ask
the municipality to close potholes, where
“Was I wrong to ask why he had boys
holding my son while hitting him? He had
no right to do that and it broke my heart
that he also hit me until that stick broke.
I’m embarrassed, to say the least, because
YOLISWA HLATSHWAYO
MACHADODORP- Emakhazeni Local
Municipality can now breathe a sigh of
relief after settling Eskom’selectricity debt
of over R30 million.
This was revealed by the Executive
Mayor, Thomas Ngwenya last week during
a sight inspection of the N4 Upgrade project
by the Minister of Transport, FikileMbalula.
Ngwenya requested that the minister
convey a message to President Cyril
Ramaphosa that his municipality wishes to
teach other municipalities a thing or two on
how to go about settling their bills.
“I’m proud to say we no longer owe
Eskom and we are now debt free. The
municipality would like to thank all the
stakeholders for their continuous support
which resulted in Eskom’s debt settlement,
especially for the community for their
commitment in paying services. The culture
of payment must continue to avoid going
back to 10 years ago. Owing Eskom has a
negative impact on service delivery,” stated
Ngwenya.
The municipality owed R36 954 143 in
2016 and started paying penalties from
August 3,2016 to March 31this year which
stood at R288 202 874. This was inclusive
of R234 473 073,75 plus an interest of
R16 775 657,65 which has been fully
settled.
Mayor on a path to restore hope in young people of Goven Mbeki
JABULANE KHUMALO
Executive Mayor, Thomas Ngwenya.
Govan Mbeki Local Municipality Executive
Mayor, Nhlakanipho Zuma.
do we get the money? Residents are
complaining about load-shedding and
Eskom gives us electricity despite the
huge debt. We owe them R2.3 billion as a
municipality.
“Residents owe the municipality R2.2
billion. Now, the question remains:
who is the municipality? When I was
child, I thought it was this big scary
person. However, you all know who the
municipality is.
“The municipality is us the residents of
Goven Mbeki. We the community who
elect people who are going to represent the
community. These are councillors and then
we employ people who will work for the
community, which is the administration.
When we’re talking about the municipality
those are the three components that form a
municipality,” he explained.
He added that the municipality
needed to start building capacity and not
depend on companies that are within the
municipality.
“Politically connected” man assaults mother and son
YOLISWA HLATSHWAYO
The two victims of assault.
he did it in front of people, including my
son,” she explained.
According to police reports, the boy is
suspected of stealing coins from arcade
game machines at the accuser’s store in
November last year.
The mother admitted she was aware
of such an incident as the accused had
approached her weeks before the assault.
Speaking to some residents, they
revealed that the accused is a “feared man”
who often brags about being untouchable
because of his family’s political affiliation.
“The man told me and I confronted my
son about the matter this year which he
did not deny. However, I do not think he
was supposed to handle the matter this
way because now he doesn’t want to go to
school and the marks on his buttocks are
bad. I don’t have a problem with children
being disciplined, but this is not the way to
do it,” she said.
A case of assault with intent to cause
grievous bodily harm was opened. He will
appear in the Eersterhoek Magistrate’s
Court on May 16.

Mpumalanga Mirror / April 29, 2021
News 3
Rapper, Pressure.
RAP MUSIC BACK TO THE GAME!
YOLISWA HLATSHWAYO
Hip hop artist and songwriter, Prince
Khoza is bringing rap music back to the
game with his new single, Front Row.
He’s popularly known as Pressure
and he’s not new in the music scene as
he’s previously released his other tracks,
including Wave, as well as a six-track album,
Energy a few years ago.
He spoke to this publication about his new
offering which he described as a track with a
strong rap feel.
“Front Row is a song I released in March,
produced by Virgo Beats and engineered by
NgwanaOn It under Ark Entertainment. In an
age where hip hop is being mixed with other
genres like amapiano and house, I thought
it would be great to bring back rap music
showcasing my ability to spitting dope
bars,” said Pressure.
His passion for music was inspired by his
elder brothers, but church also played a role
where he says he would experiment with
different musical instruments. In 2009 he
started investing more time in nurturing his
craft and later released two singles that did
well.
“I have never looked back eversince. I
am currently working on a series of music
videos for the Front Row. The first episode
has already been shot. All I can say is, watch
this space, it’s about to be lit.”
CATCHUP WITH PRESSURE ON
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Instagram: realpressure_sa
Facebook: pressure_sa
Can your tastebuds handle Peri-licious’s heat?
JABULANE KHUMALO
MBOMBELA - For those who enjoy
spicy food while dining or nibbling on
scrumptuous meals or simply want to
fire up your taste buds, then Peri-licious
chillies is for you!
Three friends started their own chilli
relish with the hope to supply popular
eateries, chain restaurants and just about
anyone who wants to inflame their palates.
It all started when ZweliLubisi,
BasetsaneMabyane and another friend
who decided on one blue Monday to make
some chilli to get rid of a hangover after
a hectic weekend. That day was a turning
point for the trio who established the new
business.
“We came up with the name of the
business after issuing samples to friends
and families, then we decided to name
it Peri-licious, which we thought was
perfect. Looking at the unemployment rate
figure which is high, also requires one to
be innovative to make a living somehow.
It was a brilliant idea to start the business
and we’re not looking back,” said Lubisi
and Mabyane.
The trio added that their focus is to
grow the business, get funding, grow
its value chain and venture into agriprocessing.
They are also in the process
of acquiring a small piece of land where
they’ll farm the chilli on a small scale.
“We’ve received positive feedback and
the stock now is moving faster than we
thought. This is why we want to grow
the business into something big that the
province has never witnessed.
“Of course, there are challenges when
it comes to marketing in other parts of
the province, but we’re slowly making
headways into the market. We’ve got a
regular client in Gauteng who owns a
catering business and she’s been ordering
in big quantities ever since we started,”
they explained.
Peri-licious offers three flavours which
are lemon and herb-peri, extra hot chilliperi
and saucy-peri. Their short-term
plan is to improve their packaging and
branding and to also strengthen their
marketing.
FACTS ABOUT PERI-LICIOUS:
1. Established in March 2021.
2. Can be used as a marinade.
3. Cures hangover.
To place an order you can call
0767492657, 0613154397,
0820907341.

4 News
Mpumalanga Mirror / April 29, 2021
Mpumalanga
submits input on
Expropriation Bill
JABULANE KHUMALO
Mpumalanga was the second
province to be visited by the
Portfolio Committee on Public
Works and Infrastructure
for Public Hearings on the
Expropriation Bill.
The four-day public consultation
programme held under strict
Covid-19 guidelines in the
province kicked off from April
15 at Bushbuckridge Local
Municipality followed by
Mbombela Local Municipality the
following day. On April 17, the
hearings were held in Msukalikwa
Local Municipality and concluded
in the Thembisile Hani Local
Municipality.
The purpose was to gather
input from the public on the
Expropriation Bill to revoke the
existing Expropriation Act of 1975
to provide a common framework
in line with the Constitution.
This is to guide the processes and
procedures for expropriation of
property by organs of state and
to provide for certain instances
where expropriation with zero
compensation may be appropriate
in the public interest.
The plight of farm dwellers
dominated the Public Hearing in
Msukaligwa Local Municipality.
The committee said it will refer
all allegations of human rights
abuse against farm dwellers to the
relevant committees in Parliament.
While residents expressed their
support of the bill, they also
pointed out to the committee about
the severe living conditions on the
farms. They added that they hoped
the legislation will rescue them
from the abuse by landowners.
The plight of farm dwellers
dominated the Public
Hearing in Msukaligwa
Local Municipality
African National Congress’s,
Committee Chairperson
NolithaNtobongwana, said all
views and submissions that did not
belong to the committee will be
referred to the relevant committees
in Parliament. Although the
Bill received some opposition
and support at Mbombela,
some participants expressed
concern over Chapter 5 of the
draft legislation which mentions
compensation for expropriation
and they called for that part to
be removed from the Bill. Some
participants told the committee
that the Bill was not explicit in its
definition of the concept of “public
purpose and public interest.”
Submissions from various
stakeholders including traditional
leaders, organisedlabour, farmers
and civic organisations, among
others made their submissions in
Bushbuckridge and Thembisile
Hani.
There were mixed feelings
from community members,
with some supporting the draft
legislation while others felt that
processing the Bill should be
put on hold until Parliament has
concluded amending Section 25
of the Constitution to allow for
expropriation of land without
compensation.
Minster of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane addressing the youth during a Tourism Imbizo.
“FULFILL YOUR PROMISES IN ORDER TO UPLIFT
COMMUNITY” - YOUTH TELL GOVERNMENT
YOLISWA HLATSHWAYO
EMBALENHLE- Young people called
on government to fulfill its promises for
communities to be uplifted.
This was at a Tourism Youth Imbizo
recently hosted by the Minister of Tourism,
Mmamoloko Kubayi- Ngubane, as well as
Govan Mbeki Local Municipality with the
African National Congress Parliamentary
Constituency Office.
Participants were given a platform to
raise their concerns on various issues from
youth unemployment, substance abuse
and opportunities that exist within the
MBOMBELA – Premier
Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane and the
Executive Councilheld their first
physical meeting since the advent
of COVID-19 pandemic and made
landslide decisions that will foster
efficient governance from provincial
and local government entities.
It was resolved during that meeting
after receiving the audit report on
the provincial government and as
part of its mandate, to ensure good
governance, the Executive Council
will execute the rotation of all Chief
Financial Officers and Senior Supply
Chain managers.
It’s been reported that this is in
an effort to remove bottlenecks
that are embedded in institutions
by familiarity. The decision is also
informed by the recent audit outcomes
released by the Auditor General
highlighting poor internal controls,
amongst others, as a reason for poor
audit outcomes.
In the same vein during the same
meeting, it was resolved to place
Lekwa Local Municipality under
administration in accordance with the
provisions of Section 139 (1)(b) of the
Constitution.
This decision is informed by the
instability in the Council that has
adversely impacted the delivery of
services.A team from the Provincial
Government, led by an administrator,
will be stationed at the municipality
to ensure that it functions and restore
services to the people.
The Executive Council resolved
tourism sector.
Speaking during the question and
answer session, was a group of youths who
expressed disappointment in government.
Among them, was MphoNzale who
said many young people feel they are
excluded from programmes and at most
times, are never informed about events or
developmental programmes taking place.
“We are a generation that is exposed to
a whole lot of things, yet opportunities
are limited. It’s not like there’s nothing
to showcase or that we do not want to be
professionals one day. We are aspiring
leaders and wish to accomplish more, but
Executive Council makes landslide decisions
to conduct, through the Department
of Co-Operative Governance and
Traditional Affairs (COGTA), an
investigation in accordance with the
provisions of section 106 (1) (b) of
the Municipal Systems Act upon
Dipaliseng Local Municipality based
in Balfour..
This follows the receipt of a number
of complaints by COGTA related
to financial mismanagement at the
Municipality. However, the Executive
Council applauds the municipality for
its efforts in trying to rid itself from
corruption and working together with
the provincial government to ensure
clean governance.
On the positive side, the Executive
Council has resolved to uplift the
intervention at the Dr JS Moroka
Local Municipality. It received a
progress report on the intervention
at the municipality, and noted
the positive developments at the
municipality.
It’s been reported that the
Municipality has returned to financial
and administrative stability, this has
resulted in the municipality being able
to deliver basic services to the people
of Dr JS Moroka.
The work done at the municipality
by the administration shows the
commitment of the Provincial
Government in making sure that
municipalities serve communities.
This municipality will serve as
a benchmark for the provincial
government in its bid to restore
municipalities.
information is not shared accordingly.”
Former substance abuser, JomoMotaung
pleaded with officials to consider recovering
addicts for opportunities, stating that most
are often discriminated against, especially in
communities.
The minister emphasised on the
importance of rehabilitation with
reintegration. “Rehabilitation is not just a
journey, but a process and others are not
accepted in their communities because of
their mistakes in their past. We need to
consider them as well and work around
programmes for everyone to fit in,” said
Kubayi- Ngubane.
Child Support Grant (CSG) is
meant for the child’s basic needs
MBOMBELA – The South African Social
Security Agency reiterates that the child support
grant is aimed at assisting parents to provide
basic needs of the child. Parents or guardians who
misuse the child support grant are violating the
right of a child and expected healthy living.
According to SASSA’s provincial spokesperson,
SeneniNgubeni, “Any deviation from the purpose
of supporting the child’s needs according to the
Social Assistance Act, will be deemed as abuse or
neglect to the child and classified as a criminal act,
which is punishable by law. “Good parenting and
ubuntu values of society must not allow anyone
witnessing such to keep quiet whether within a
family, neighbour and in communities. Starving a
child due to parents or guardians’ social needs is a
destruction to the future of the country.
“A child support grant payment must be
received by a person who takes care of a child on
a daily basis. If the grant is received by the parent
who does not stay with a child and not transfer
the money to the care giver, that person must be
reported to SASSA offices and also open a criminal
case at the local police station.
“Requirements to receive CSG must be a
primary caregiver (the person responsible for
the child), South African citizen or permanent
resident, If you are single receiving less than R4
000 per month and if you are married and getting
R8 000 per month combined.
“The child, to qualify, must be under 18 years
old, not be in the care of the state institution and
live with the primary care giver in South Africa,
who is not paid to look after the child.
“For more information contact our toll free
number: 0800 60 10 11 from 08:00-16:00 during
week days Monday to Friday,” he concluded.

Mpumalanga Mirror / April 29, 2021
News 5
MEC MSIBI HOSTS ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WITH FARM UNIONS
BONGANI HLATSHWAYO
MABOLA – While eyes are focussed on
the ongoing bail application for the four
farmers accused for the death of Amos and
ZenzeleCoka on 9 April at Pampoenkraal
Farm on the outskirts of Piet Retief town in
GertSibande District, back home, activists
who have been directly affected by real-life
circumstances of living on the farms, are
hell-bent that the duration and end of the trial
will bring about change to people living on the
farms.
One such activist, is my namesake, Henry
Bongani Hlatshwayo, no relations. He is the
founder of the Farm Workers Association
whose objective is to create a cordial
relationship between farm dwellers, Land
reform and rural development, police and the
community.
“The main issues that we have here are first
and foremost, a lack of respect from the farm
owners. Most of the time, the farm owners
lack respect for the community. Each time the
community raises any problem, it’s always
met with hostility.
“On many occasions, the community here
at Pampoenkraal Farm have raised the issue
with the owner, Mr Greyling to approach other
stakeholders in order to improve their living
conditions. For instance, there’s a lack of
clean running water here being directed to our
homesteads, but no, he doesn’t co-operate in
that regard.
“We also lack proper housing built from
bricks as we live in mud and stick houses.
We also need free grazing land for our cattle
because the farm owners limit the number of
cattle we can have. If you have more than the
required number of cattle, then you have to
pay extra tax for them.
“The community always raises such
disputes against these farmers, which, more
often than not, leads to direct confrontation
between the two parties,” explained
Hlatshwayo.
Probed further about cases lying dormant in
courts and police stations, he added: “Most of
Community leader Henry Bongani
Hlatshwayo.
the time these farmers never report their cases
at police stations, but they take their disputes
to the district commissioner in Piet Retief,
who is white thus undermining the local
authorities within our vicinity.
“Here at Mabola, we have a black Captain
who is in charge of the local police station. It
transpires that what the white farmers reported
to the district commissioner is different from
the evidence the local police stations have,
which confuses the whole situation,” he said.
On this particular matter he added; “On 10
September 2020, the local community had a
list of demands during a peaceful march. They
handed over their demands to the farmers. We
waited for his response, which prolonged until
we sent him a letter demanding a response to
the memorandum.
“He replied and said they were waiting
for legal advice on it on 10 December. After
waiting a month more until March 2021, we
held another meeting at Ezibayeni. He came
and gave us a verbal report, but we said we
can’t accept it but needed a written and signed
report. We told him we would await his call to
collect the letter.
“So what transpired, the community,
acting on his non-return with his report-back
document, the people decided to launch a
peaceful picket at the farm gate entrance.
He never communicated with the picketing
community, but only with the district
commissioner, hence I received a call from the
local police to desist the picketing at his gate.
“We withdrew from picketing. On a
Monday, I requested him to write the letter
so that people can stop picketing, he wrote
it eventually. On Tuesday 6 April I sent
him a reply that the community wasn’t
happy with this response and requested a
meeting with him at a neutral venue with the
police, department of land reform and the
Madlanempisi Tribal Authority.
“Three community members went to
the farm and confronted him with a simple
question: why are you bringing other people
from neighbouring farms to do seasonal work
at your farm when we’re available to do such.
That was the main dispute they had with him.
“His response was that he cannot be dictated
to by anyone who to and not to employ at
his farm. It was then that the whole scuffle
took place as his accomplices kidnapped
NhlanhlaHlatshwayo and locked him up at one
of the farm sheds.
“Meanwhile, Amos and Zenzele summoned
the community to come to the rescue of
their kidnapped colleague who was being
assaulted inside there. That Hlatshwayo boy
was an employee at the farm. By then, there
had converged farmers from KZN, Free State
and other places. “There were lots of white
farmers at the time of the incident. They then
started shooting preventing the community
from apprehending their colleague. There was
no march, nothing, but only three people went
there to protect their seasonal jobs as we know
best how to execute it,” lamented Hlatshwayo.
On Monday 12 April while attending the
first court appearance of Daniel Malan, 38,
Cornelius Greyling, 26, OthardClingberg, 58,
and Michael Steinberg, 31 and later joined
by Patrick Yende, 48, I met a victim of a
similar farm attack, who was one of the angry
picketers outside the court.
MlungisiNkambule from ward 10 in
Key stakeholders in the Agricultural Sector
were convened in a virtual roundtable discussion
by MEC MandlaMsibi for Agriculture, Rural
Development, Land and Environmental Affairs,
including Management of the Department to reflect
on the incidence which happened on 9 April at a
farm inMkhondo Municipality.
This was to engage Farmers’ Representatives
on finding long lasting solutions to prevent similar
incidents. This round table meeting is also part of
the stakeholder engagements which started with
the University of Mpumalanga and the Agricultural
Research Council, respectively.
The roundtable discussion with Organised
Agriculture (the four Farmers Unions) which
are African Farmers Association of South Africa
(AFASA), Transvaal Agricultural Union of South
Africa (TAU SA), National African Farmers Union
(NAFU) and Mpumalanga Agriculture is aimed at
laying foundation in transforming the Agricultural
Sector in the Province.
Addressing the meeting, MEC Msibi has
highlighted the importance of the Agricultural
Sector as an economic driver in the Province and
the country at large as agriculture is life. “Before
we all go to our respective places, be it at work or
wherever, we all take breakfast, during the day we
take lunch and in the evening we take supper, all
that is agriculture that’s how important it is in the
wellbeing of all human beings,” said MEC Msibi.
The views of the Farmers Unions were that
agriculture is one of the key economic drivers,
therefore, it has to be protected by us all. The
recent incident that took place in Mkhondo where
two people were shot dead and one injured, was
condemned, citing the importance of working
together as stakeholders to avoid such incidents to
occur.
“Government should, as a matter of urgency,
convene all key stakeholders if it happens that
there are killings of both farmers and farm workers,
rather than waiting for too long,” they alluded.
The roundtable discussion has raised eight (8)
Point Plan that needed to be attended to as a
Wakkerstroom who was attacked by a group
of white farmers in January 2021 during a
funeral service at his homestead.
Relating the incident, he said: “Many white
farmers came to my homestead in many
vehicles. We happened to take video footage
of the incident. From the experience I come
from being confronted by these commandolike
attacks by these folks, I wish the current
four accused notto be given bail.
“As citizens living on the farms, we call on
the court not to grant them bail and we also
appeal to the national police commissioner
that if people are brutally shot at a farm like
they did with the Coka brothers, we won’t
accept any mercy on the accused.
“We also appeal to the national police
commissioner to come and investigate the
atrocities that occur at Wakkerstroom and put
an end to it. There are far too many problems
in our area, too.Whenthe police commissioner
comes to our area, we will give him all the
case numbers that we have of cases opened,
but the cases do not proceed in the courts.
“They are all at a standstill. There are cases
of people who are already deceased with their
cases being stalled here.Here n Wakkerstroom,
we also have land that we claimed in 1998-
2000 and also in 2016. We have legitimate
claim over that land and all that information is
with the relevant authorities.
“What’s surprising, when these farmers
retaliate towards our resistance, farmer
support is drawn from famers in KwaZulu-
Natal, Northern Cape, Free State to confront
us farm dwellers here in Mpumalanga.
“What this means is that we have like
izinkabi (commandos)who are used to kill
people in conflict with any white farmer. What
we request from the police commissioner, is
for these commandos not to be granted bail.
“Besides the attacks, as farm dwellers, we
have too many problems which includes lack
of clean running water from taps, there’s no
electricity, there are no ablutions and toilets.
It’s 27 years into democracy this year, we still
don’t have these basic amenities,” pleaded
Nkambule.
ADVERTORIAL
MEC MSIBI HOSTED ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WITH FARMERS UNIONS
MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs,
Mandla Msibi.
matter of urgency before the Agricultural Summit
that will involve all stakeholders planned to take
place during the course of the financial year:
• All Farmers Unions to revert back to their
structures to brief them about the discussions
and attitude of the roundtable discussion and
resolutions taken.
• The Heads of Departments for DARDLEA and
COGTA to jointly convene an urgent meeting in
two weeks’ time with all relevant Departments
to develop a strategy in managing the risk and
enhancement of cooperation around farmers, farm
workers, Organised Agriculture, Labour Unions and
Government.
• When such Departments have been convened
to develop the strategy and then come up
with a programme for Civic Education to train
Communities and all of us be it political or
administrative.
• Deal with transformation of the Sector, each and
every Citizen to be proud and protect the Sector
as transformation is not easy it needs conscious
decisions.
• Working with the Agricultural Research Council
research on the Farm Dwellers on the value
chain and attitude of people about agriculture and
develop a Concept Document in two weeks’ time.
• Fight Lawless across the board and to bring on
board Safety and Security.
• Land issue must be attended to as matter of
urgency as Land Audit reflects that 67% of land is
still in the hands of White Community.
• Convene an Agricultural Summit in the next
four to six months that will see the collaboration of
different agricultural stakeholders with a common
goal of radically transforming the Agricultural
Sector in the Province.
“For this initiative to be realized, there is a need
for a radical transformation of the whole Agricultural
Sector in the Province,” alluded Msibi.
MEC Msibi concluded by highlighting that all the
points be implemented by all stakeholders so that
by the same time in the coming year, we should be
making an assessment.

6 Mpumalanga Mirror / April 29, 2021

Mpumalanga Mirror / April 29, 2021
Business
7
FORGING RELATIONSHIPS WITH LULAWAYAND AND
GOVERNMENT FINANCE DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTIONS
SANDTON - MEC for Finance,
Economic Development and
Tourism, Mr Vusi Mkhatshwa
held a meeting with Lulaway – a
Services SETA-accredited training
provider with youth employment
solutions – which prides itself
for having placed thousands of
unemployment youth in jobs across
the country.
“I am really looking forward to
working with anyone or company
which can place our youth in
jobs. As government, we have the
mandate to create jobs, so that
we can reduce unemployment,
especially amongst the youth
who are in the majority and the
mostly affected”, said Mkhatshwa.
Lulaway has placed the Province’s
2 500 young people in various
permanent jobs over the past three
years.
“I think Lulaway is a strategic
partner towards us addressing youth
unemployment in our Province.
They partly have a solution in
addressing our challenge of
creating permanent jobs and job
opportunities for our young people.
Mkhatshwa has urged Lulaway
to profile all SMMEs in the
Province, so that government could
know in which areas to intervene,
by providing financial and nonfinancial
support, in order to create
the much-needed job opportunities.
“As government, we continue
to be committed to fund SMMEs
given their high potential to create
the much-needed job opportunities
for our people. Lulaway should
now go back, drill the information
further and provide us with more
details, per district, and per locality,
so that we can make informed
decisions about available possible
interventions,” he added.
My interest is to
see rural and
township economies
thriving again
Meanwhile, MEC Mkhatshwa
indicated that his mission is
to revive rural and township
economies in the Province, with
bias towards empowering young
people, including women and
people with disabilities.
“My interest is to see rural and
township economies thriving again.
We want to support young people
in these areas, with financial and
non-financial support, through
our entities like MEGA and other
development finance institutions.
“We will, thus, camp in those
areas to make sure that our rural
areas and townships thrive again.
We want young people to own
franchise stores, car washes,
filling stations and many other
businesses,” explained Mkhatshwa.
Mkhatshwa also held an
engagement with the NEF’s
(National Empowerment
Fund) Divisional Executive for
Strategic Planning and Significant
Investment, Mr SetlakalaneMolepo,
and the acting CEO of MEGA,
Mr Isaac Mahlangu, to discuss
possible areas of collaboration with
finance development institutions.
Molepo indicated that finance
development institutions, like
the NEF, would be willing to
collaborate with the Department in
funding SMMEs in the Province,
through the creation of a blendedfunding
model between MEGA and
the NEF.
The blended-funding model
would incorporate funding from
both the Department (Economic
Development and Tourism) through
MEGA and institutions like the
NEF. The meeting agreed that the
creation of such a Fund would be
taken further with the NEF.
“I agree that the blended-funding
model should be considered as a
vehicle to bridge the funding gap,
we are currently experiencing.
MEGA will now approach the
NEF for further discussions on the
matter. And from what Mr Molepo
from the NEF said, I am positive
that the talks will surely bear
fruits,” concluded Mkhatshwa.
MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism,
Mr Vusi Mkhatshwa.
New
Sheriff
In Town
Takes
The Bull
By Its
Horns
When Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane announced her
new Cabinet in February 2021, Ms Mohita Latchminarain
was deemed equal to the task to lead as the "Handyman of
the State." She certainly took the bull by its horns and hit
the ground running from the very first day. Her
appointment augurs well with the democratic
Government's transformation agenda to recognize and
elevate capable and deserving women and youth to the
accolades of power.
Mr Josias Motsoeneng
Office Manager
Ms Amulekani Sambo
Appointment Secretary
Mr Kgomotso Madihlaba
Media Liaison Officer
As the new member of the Executive Council responsible
for Public Works, Roads and Transport in Mpumalanga,
Ms Latchminarain is not a stranger to this mandate but has
been instrumental in shaping the Department's direction
as a member of the Portfolio Committee that conducted
oversight on the work of the Department. Prior to that,
since joining the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature in
2019, she has worn several hats including that of
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Premier's
Office, Finance, Economic Development and Tourism.
Mr Kabelo Mashiane
Community Outreach Officer
Ms Sesi Madalane
Secretary Receptionist
Apart from her political career as a member of the ruling
party, this grinding stone is also a qualified Attorney and has
served as a Legal Adviser to the Executive Mayor of Steve
Tshwete Local Municipality, her hometown prior to joining
the Mpumalanga Legislature. She has been exposed to
various spheres and functions of Government therefore she
has clear understanding of socioeconomic challenges
facing the masses.
She is not only a mother who has natural instincts of caring
for others, but she is also the youngest MEC in Premier
Mtsweni-Tsipane's Cabinet and of course the youngest
member of the Legislature in the Province. The amount of
responsibility placed on she shoulders bears testimony of
the confidence bestowed upon her by the Premier based on
her competence and intellectual capacity.
During a media engagement the MEC highlighted that
one of her key focus areas will be on roads maintenance.
"Our road infrastructure is a critical
artillery of socioeconomic development.
Unfortunately, most of our roads in the
Province have aged and are not in a good
state. These include access roads to social
amenities, tourism routes and coal haulage.
While there is growing demand for new
roads, we need to strike a balance between
maintaining our old and starting new
construction projects due to budgetary
constraints. I intend to strengthen the
Department's capacity to deal with this
matter vigorously and pro-actively. Another
way to achieve this is to invest in jetpatchers
and rebuild our workforce to fast-track
service delivery," elaborated MEC Latchminarain.
Since her appointment to the office, the MEC has been at
the coalface of service delivery attesting to the spirit of
"Thuma Mina." As the true ambassador of young minds, the
Honourable MEC has a dedicated battalion of equally
committed and energetic troops to serve the citizens of the
Place of the Rising Sun. These young faces include the
Office Manager, Mr Josias Motsoeneng; the Appointment
Secretary, Ms Amukelani Sambo; the Media Liaison Officer,
Mr Kgomotso Madihlaba; the Community Outreach Officer,
Mr Kabelo Mashiane as well as the Secretary Receptionist,
Ms Sesi Madalane.

mpumalanga Mirror
SPORT
For all your sporting
news, news tips and
advertising, contact
Jabulane Khumalo
on 0748194977 or
email to: jabulane@
mpmirroronline.co.za
Passion for tennis
leads to the courts
with future stars
JABULANE KHUMALO
Veteran tennis player and coach, Elliot
Skhosana is still a gem and active after two
decades of playing the sport.
His passion for the sport started when he was
at the KwaNdebele College of Education and
has never looked back since. He’s earned his
stripes and rose through the ranks and became a
renowned tennis coach in the province. He also
conducts coaching clinics and has been hands
on with the development of the sport.
“I was only 20 years of age when I started
playing. I was studying to be a teacher at
that time. I developed the love of the sport
when I was training for Physical Education.
I specialised in Cricket and Tennis and I’ve
acquired qualifications for both, as well as
a coaching certificate. I had more love for
tennis because it wasn’t a popular sport in the
township and rural areas.
“That’s where it all started and I never looked
back. The state of tennis in the province is fairly
well, we’ve got awareness programmes with the
assistance of Tennis South Africa. One of the
initiatives is to recruit teachers and unemployed
youth who will undergo training for free to be
coaches. They’ll be deployed in various areas
of the province. There are some who’ve already
qualified as coaches and development officers,”
he stated.
Skhosana has got various accolades under
his belt. He is also the Deputy President of the
Mpumalanga Seniors Tennis Association. He’s
part of the Growthpoint Seniors Inter-provincial
Team.
In his view, he says there are promising
upcoming juniors the province should look
out for such as JP Snyman, Angel Makhubedu,
Heinrich Rootman, Christian Smith, Wihan
Snyders, Arili Boshoff, Jazlin Matome, Gugu
semino, Liyema Socikwa, Sibusiso Mdluli,
Aaron Zitha, Hezekiel Zitha, Mbali Mdluli,
Sphamandla Nkosi and Palesa Mdluli who are
all in the provincial list.
Tennis programmes take place in Kinross,
Sakhile, Emjindini, Mhluzi, Ermelo, Wesselton,
Embalenhle and Emzinoni
Cricket player, Malibongwe Tibane in action.
MALIBONGWE IS HEADED FOR THE STARS
JABULANE KHUMALO
Malekutu Cricket Club player,
Malibongwe Tibane is batting his way to
the top in the cricket world.
Club coach, Vusi Matsebula, hopes
that they will be get funding to build a
proper facility to groom future cricket
stars. They also will be jetting off to
Namibia for a tourney hosted by Cricket
Namibia in September.
Among the 15-boy team, talented
batsman for the club, 13-year-old
Malibongwe Tibane from from Duma
Primary School, will be manning the
batting.
He says he fell in love with cricket
after realising that soccer wasn’t really
his thing.
“I started playing cricket at school in
2017 and I loved the sport. I enjoyed
it from the onset and I would really
perform whenever there was training
and matches. To be honest, in my own
opinion, I enjoy more of cricket than
football. That’s why felt I needed to
expose my potential in cricket. I’m
quite strong with batting and the team
is rallying behind me as we will head to
Namibia and hope that we will do great
as a team and put our province on the
map.”
Tibane’s wishes are that he wants to
do well in academics as well as further
his cricketing career. He sees himself
playing for top flight teams in the future.
Coach Matsebula also revealed that
he possibly might get a scholarship
from a school in the Northern Cape next
year and play for the Pumas Under-13,
however his wish was that he would
hopefully receive a scholarship in
schools that are not too far from his
family as he is still quite young.
“We are only hoping for the best in
that regard. We’re hoping that we get
the necessary funding, not only for the
trip, but in order for us to train in a
proper facility. We were able to get a few
donors who donated a few things. This
is our home ground and we want a turf
where they’ll be able to play.
“We look to grow now that school
sports is permitted. We want the five
primary schools in the area to have their
own team so that we can take off with
the tournament. We want to compete
with the likes of Uplands College and
Penryn and form a strong team right
from the township,” Matsebula shared.