Mthatha Express North - E-Edition - 27 November 2025

ADMhandsoverR27mwatersupplyschemetosevenvillages

THE Amathole District Municipality (ADM) officially handed over the Ngqamakhwe Regional Water Supply Scheme – Phase 3, a R27 million investment now delivering clean, reliable water to seven rural villages under the Mnquma Local Municipality

The handover marks a major step in restoring dignity, improving health outcomes, and strengthening water security for communities that have long faced shortages and inconsistent supply

Keyinfrastructuredelivered

• 2 reinforced concrete reservoirs (175 KL and 85 KL)

• 4 Brake pressure tanks

17 km of rising mains

• 17 km of internal village reticulation (HDPE and uPVC)

• 59 commissioned standpipes, plus 19 additional functional standpipes from scope adjustment

• 2 River bridge crossings

Upgraded borehole chamber and pump house

• Borehole yield of 2074 KL/day

Speaking at the handover, Executive Mayor for Amathole District Municipality Councillor Anele Ntsangayi acknowledged that whilst water services had previously existed in the area, today’s inspection of the pump station showed signs of past vandalism

additional works, including extra standpipes, pipeline rerouting based on environmental requirements, and safety upgrades such as fencing of reservoirs and pump stations

These enhancements ensure stronger system reliability and greater long-term benefit for households

Local community members, including youth and women, participated in implementation activities, ensuring local economic inclusion and hands-on experience for emerging Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs)

“As we restore this essential service, it becomes our shared responsibility to protect and safeguard this infrastructure Water is central to dignity and development, and we must take pride in looking after what has been delivered

“This is our asset as a community, and its value depends on how we preserve and maintain it together The days of carting water are behind us When we take ownership of our infrastructure, we secure these gains for generations,” said Ntsangayi

He encouraged the community to see water care as a collective duty, stating that with clean water now flowing again, the community has a renewed opportunity for progress

“Water, sanitation, roads, electricity and economic opportunities are the foundation of a thriving village With these elements in place, nothing can stop this community from moving forward ”

Projectperformance

The project achieved 103 6% completion, driven by necessary

The excitement among residents was unmistakable, as standpipes came alive with fresh water Villagers expressed heartfelt appreciation, with many describing the moment as “a new beginning” for their community

Parents, elders and young people all shared the same sentiment of deep gratitude, relief and joy on their faces as water flowed freely from the taps

One of the villagers, Buseka Bhoda, summed up the project handover as a new lease of life

“Today, I am also thankful for the employment opportunity I got during this project to be able to take care of my family Getting clean water is a bonus in my life,” she said

Broaderimpact

This phase forms part of the larger Ngqamakhwe Regional Water Supply Scheme, which will ultimately improve water access for more than 76,000 people across the catchment ADM remains committed to delivering selfless, excellent and sustainable services to all their communities with water security and infrastructure reliability at the centre of its service delivery priorities

O.R.Tambodistrictrecords149 initiationdeathsovernineyears

ZOLILE MEZELWA

UNLESS the relevant stakeholders and the municipal leadership take a stance that they will be actively involved in the traditional circumcision processes, there will be no end in sight to the challenges, including deaths in droves, facing the age-old custom

O R Tambo Deputy Executive Mayor, Tandekile Sabisa, speaking during the municipal policy workshop on 21 November, said the district was facing a number of challenges, including murder and rape

“The challenges in O R Tambo are overwhelming us Whilst we face the challenges related to traditional circumcision, we are facing challenges of diseases, we are facing challenges of murder

When you look at all these challenges and compare with other districts – O R Tambo comes top,” Sabisa said

“If you talk about children who allegedly rape, children getting pregnant whilst of school-going age, and even when you talk about poverty – O R Tambo is number one,” Sabisa said “But the problem then becomes what we are doing as the leadership

What are we doing to solve these challenges? Yes, we see service delivery; it is a challenge we face Taking services to the people is still our focus But the effort is not sufficient for the other challenges we are facing,” he said Sabisa changed his focus to the initiate death toll in the district

since 2016 to date The statistics show combined deaths of the winter and summer initiation seasons each year, except for 2024, when seven initiates died during the winter initiation season

Thetotalof149deathswasrecorded as: 22 deaths in 2016 • 17 deaths in 2017 • 15 deaths in 2018 • 9 deaths

Whilst no deaths have been recorded for the current initiation season, Sabisa said there were signs of more problems looming He said families should not allow young boys to go to initiation schools due to peer pressure from friends who are older than them, emphasising that 18 was the age to go to initiation

“Families must agree on when a boy goes to initiation school, and proper processes must be followed Traditional nurses must be trained with certifications There are untrained traditional nurses practising as we speak This has become a lucrative business because there is substantial money involved Looking at how things are, we are not going to win this fight unless the leadership takes a stance to be part of the traditional circumcision process,” Sabisa said

EASTERNCAPE: ECDCdisbursesR80mto76smallbusinesses

THE Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) has disbursed R80 million in business funding to 76 small businesses in the Eastern Cape during the 2024/25 financial year, achieving a loan repayment rate of 86%

Of the 76 businesses that received loan funding, 21 were women-owned, accounting for R9 4 million, and 16 youth-owned, receiving R13 9 million

In total, the loan funding facilitated the creation of 309 jobs

Releasing the Corporation’s annual results last week, the ECDC’s acting Chief Executive Officer, Lulama Mbobo-Vava, reported that a total of 470 businesses received loans and financial incentives during the 2024/25 financial year Financial incentives, provided through the Jobs Protection and Stimulation Fund, Imvaba Cooperatives Fund, and the Small Town, Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Support Programme, contributed to the creation of 827 jobs

Combined with enterprise finance, the total number of jobs supported was 1,136

“The 2024/25 financial year demonstrates the ECDC’s commitment to operating as a high-performing development finance institution We focused our resources on driving investment, trade, small business growth, sector competitiveness, and transforming our property portfolio to activate vibrant local economic activity We also placed special emphasis on its financial sustainability, which underpins our development agenda

“We are pleased to have achieved our 10th consecutive unqualified audit opinion for the 2024/25 financial year,” said Mbobo-Vava

She said a total of R14 3 million was disbursed to 199 businesses through the Jobs Stimulation and Protection Fund to save or retain existing jobs

Of this, R13 2 million was disbursed during the period under review, and R1 1 million was from prior year approvals, resulting in 625 jobs saved Of these, 322 were held by women, and 234 by youth

The incentive has been crucial in sustaining businesses and preserving jobs

Supported businesses are referred to the ECDC’s business support function to address causes of distress and implement

corrective measures

She added that a total of R17 58 million was disbursed to 57 cooperatives and enterprising individuals through the ECDC-administered Imvaba Cooperatives Fund, aimed at sustaining primary cooperatives in the Eastern Cape Of this amount, R16 9 million went to cooperatives approved during the review period,

EasternCapeLiquorBoardwarns against‘PensDown’parties

THE Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) sends has sent a stern warning to learners in the Eastern Cape following reports of the contemplated “Pens down parties” across the province in preparation for the end-ofyear examinations

Spokesperson for Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) Mgwebi Msiya said these gatherings are often characterised by excessive alcohol consumption and inherently pose serious risks to learners’ well-being and safety

He said that as end-of-year examinations are nearing completion, the ECLB has received numerous reports of planned parties in different parts/areas of the province

“The tip-offs on planned pens down parties have been received through the ECLB’s learner ambassadors from different municipalities

“All received tip-offs have promptly been referred to law enforcement so they can take urgent action to stop them Parents are encouraged to closely monitor their children’s activities and movements and report any suspicious gatherings,” he said Msiya added that the ECLB Chief Executive Officer, Dr Nombuyiselo Makala, has sent a stern warning to learners who are contemplating pens down parties

“I wish to unequivocally send a strong warning to all learners who are planning pens down parties Working with various law enforcement agencies, we will be closely monitoring them

“Learners must also be advised that law

enforcement officers and ECLB liquor inspectors will be deployed across the province to ensure that these parties are stopped and prevented from being hosted, and drastic action will be taken against young learners who host these parties,” said Makala

She added that as a province, they cannot afford a repeat of the devastating 2022 incident at Enyobeni Tavern in which they regrettably lost 21 young people due to a pens down party

“We further urge parents and members of the community to be extremely vigilant during this period to ensure that contemplated pens down parties are prevented and our young people are encouraged to identify other constructive ways of celebrating end-of-year examinations

“We also urge liquor traders in the province to refrain from hosting these parties on their premises, and where we find a liquor trader violating this condition, we will not hesitate to take drastic action, including immediate cancellation of their liquor licences ”

The ECLB invites all parents and members of the community to be proactive and closely monitor young people and ensure that any suspicious, unsupervised gatherings are stopped immediately

Members of the community can report pens down parties to the nearest law enforcement agency or call 10111

They can also report to the ECLB via TollFree 0800 000 420 or WhatsApp 076 403 6223

training 895 individuals Additionally, 26 seminars were held with 695 enterprises and 847 attendees, including 59% women and 38% youth

“During the review period, the ECDC facilitated R2 76 billion in investments and R220 8 million in exports A total of 198 enterprises received trade and export readiness training through the Export Development Programme Twelve sectoral catalytic investment projects were supported, contributing to the creation of 2,757 jobs

“In the creative industry, a total of 159 crafters received market access, product and business development support Sales from the Eastern Cape Craft Collection shop reached R310,847 for the 2024/25 financial year

“In the property sector, the investment property portfolio showed improved resilience Rental collections increased from 60% to 65%, driven by stronger tenant engagement, improved billing systems, and a focused arrears recovery strategy The Capital Raise Programme attracted R162 5 million from the provincial government " Mbobo-Vava said the disposal programme generated R24 36 million in revenue, with an additional R16 1 million in sales anticipated in 2025/26, positioning the ECDC to achieve 90% of its R45 million target

“The ECDC also partnered with public sector clients on catalytic infrastructure projects, generating R3 63 million in revenue The Corporation managed R412 million in infrastructure projects, reflecting government confidence in the ECDC's implementation capacity

and R986,583 to cooperatives approved in the previous year

The ECDC also initiated structured longterm non-financial support initiatives for small businesses, reaching 905 enterprises in 2024/25

Of these, 273 businesses received direct business support, whilst 632 enterprises participated in training programmes,

“In the economic development coordination and sector support function, the ECDC raised R78 3 million for economic development initiatives and completed feasibility assessments for projects with a minimum individual value of R10 million, ensuring economic impact and project viability

“We are embedding a high-performance organisational culture, prioritising customer service and public trust Systems and technologies are being implemented to enhance efficacy, and top talent is being attracted and retained to advance the Eastern Cape’s development priorities,” Mbobo-Vava said

Transforming Vision into Reality

President Ramaphosa Mourns with Eastern Cape: “A National Tragedy Unfolding”

MallofMthatharelaunchesaftermajorredevelopment

BABALWA NDLANYA

MANAGING Director for Vukile South Africa, Itumeleng Mothibeli, has confirmed the relaunch of the Mall of Mthatha, formerly known as BT Ngebs, following major redevelopment completed recently

Mothibeli said Vukile is proud to be the co-owner and co-investor in the revamped mall, which represents a billion-rand investment in the Mthatha community He explained that the company uses a data-driven approach to manage the mall, including monitoring foot traffic and adjusting security levels accordingly

“We allocate security guards based on how busy the mall is Going into the Festive Season and Black Friday, we are doubling our security We are working closely with our security provider, SAPS and Intelligence units to ensure that the Mall remains a safe place to shop in Mthatha,” he said Mothibeli added that three new stores have recently opened and

emphasised that the community should view the centre as “a mall of the people”

“We are doing services for them, and they must speak up if they want something We will look for those tenants and bring them in We want to partner with the Mthatha community on job creation We have already created 1,400 jobs, and we look forward to creating more Even in our supply chain maintenance, hygiene, and pest control, we prefer using local people Anyone with skills in managing centres should send us their profiles We want locals to benefit from the operations ”

Vukile South Africa has invested in a number of provinces, with a strong focus on community empowerment and service excellence

In the Eastern Cape, they are expanding Nonesi Mall in Komani and also own Mdantsane Mall, among other developments

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Vukile Property Fund, Laurence Rapp, emphasised that this investment is a long-term com-

mitment to the region

“For Vukile, investment in a mall is an investment in its community We see not only what is on the surface, but the deeper potential We are committed to unlocking potential by creating places that bring enjoyment, convenience, pride and economic momentum to people’s daily lives,” he said

That commitment is already paying dividends What was a struggling asset 18 months ago has become a thriving regional hub through re-design, re-tenanting and new investment in operational infrastructure and customer experience

Paul Gerard, Managing Director of Flanagan & Gerard Property Group, explains, “We’ve focused on refining every detail, from the back-of-house systems to the front-of-house feel This investment is not only about what shoppers can enjoy today, but also what they can expect from their mall in the future Mall of Mthatha is here to stay, and to grow with Mthatha ”

This transformation is possible because of the steadfast support of the city and the people of Mthatha

From the earliest stages of planning, local government has played a critical enabling role, whilst the community’s patience, feedback and ongoing patronage have helped shape the centre into what it is now – a retail destination that reflects the identity, aspirations and energy of Mthatha itself

King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD)

Local Municipality Mayor Councillor Nyaniso Nelani expressed pride in the transformation taking place in Mthatha

He described the relaunch of the former BT Ngebs as the Mall of Mthatha as a powerful example of investment-led renewal

“This investment has breathed new life into the heart of our city We are proud to call it a marvel of the region and the province,” Nelani said

The mall is now jointly owned by the Flanagan & Gerard Property Group and the Vukile Prop-

TraditionalLeaderstoreceivebenefits pendingpresidentialapproval

BABALWA NDLANYA

THE Deputy Minister for the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Burns Ncamashe, has confirmed that traditional leaders will now receive benefits such as medical aid, pensions and more; they are just waiting for President Cyril Ramaphosa's approval

He made this announcement during a summit hosted by Nyandeni Local Municipality at the Savoy Hotel in Mthatha last week

Ncamashe said there is no difference between a traditional leader who is an acting chief and any other traditional leader,

because both are recognised on the official list of paid traditional leaders, and both will receive equal benefits

Ncamashe said he wanted to assure traditional leaders and councillors that their benefits are protected

He added that the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nkosi Velenkosini Hlabisa, had signed a document based on the work of the commission, which would ensure salary increases for traditional leaders and councillors

The document will now be submitted to President Cyril Ramaphosa for final approval

“We hope that President Ramaphosa will sign it urgently be-

cause it is needed urgently Traditional leaders are here to stay, and they are not representatives of anyone else They should not worry, because no one has the right to disrespect them or their rightful places in South Africa They must not undermine themselves or behave in ways that lead to disrespect They must protect the dignity of traditional leadership ”

Nyandeni Local Municipality Speaker, Councillor Fudumele Gaxeni, said they had decided to host the summit to strengthen the relationship between traditional leaders and councillors

He said they had realised the need to hold the summit after a similar one was hosted by the

erty Fund, who acquired it in May 2024 and have since made significant upgrades to enhance its retail offering and solidify its status as the region’s premier shopping destination

Nelani thanked the investors for their commitment to the community, adding that their investment reflects confidence in the potential of the KSD area and the Eastern Cape at large He noted that the redevelopment aligns with South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP), particularly its goals of reducing poverty and inequality through job creation and inclusive development “This mall created 600 jobs during the refurbishment phase and will provide an estimated 800 permanent jobs once fully operational ” Since its R800 million acquisition in May 2024, the mall has undergone a R225 million redevelopment, affirming it as the dominant retail and lifestyle destination in Mthatha, a regional economic anchor and a source of local pride

Petfood recallover toxinrisk

O R Tambo District Municipality last year

It was then decided that such summits should also be held at the local municipal level

“The relationship between us and the traditional leaders is not something we should need to be taught, because it is something we grew up seeing We grew up in kingdoms that welcomed many people from different backgrounds who faced different challenges

“This two-day summit has shown that we will benefit greatly from gathering like this,” said Gaxeni

He added that many departments had contributed valuable inputs during the summit He also said they were pleased when Ncamashe addressed the concerns raised by traditional leaders

“There was an accusation that we were responsible for the decline in the number of traditional leaders who represent others in council, but that issue has now been clarified ”

One of the attendees, Chief Bathande Ndamase of the Nyandeni Region, said the summit was important because traditional leaders and councillors work together in communities, and unity is essential

“Once the two fail to work together, the people suffer We are fortunate here in Nyandeni because we still have that unity, which is why we always have programmes like this We are very happy because the issue of benefits was very important

“Some traditional leaders worked for 50 years, for example, but when they retired, they were told there were no pensions Now we are happy because we heard that everything is in order and that we will have medical aid and other benefits,” said Ndamase

He added that one of the challenges they faced in the past was misunderstanding between them and councillors when serving communities, but the summit has helped open the minds of both traditional leaders and the

THE National Consumer Commission (NCC) has issued an urgent alert following the recall of more than 55,000 bags of dry pet food by manufacturer RCL Foods, citing concerns over elevated toxin levels that could harm cats and dogs

The recall affects various sizes of popular pet food brands, including Bobtail, Catmor, Canine Cuisine, Optimizor, Ultra Pet, and Superwoof

All affected products were manufactured between 26-29 May, 4-5 June, and 17 June 2025, and have been distributed nationwide

RCL Foods discovered elevated levels of Deoxynivalenol (DON), a naturally occurring mycotoxin found in grains such as maize, in certain batches of raw materials used in production

The final pet food products contained DON levels exceeding 1,000 parts per billion (1ppm), which may cause loss of appetite and digestive discomfort in pets

The company has traced the contamination to the maize supply used during the manufacturing process Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by fungi that can develop in grain crops under certain environmental conditions

Pet owners are being urged to immediately stop feeding the affected products to their animals and return them to their point of purchase for a full refund Significantly, retailers have been instructed to accept returns even without proof of purchase

The NCC has confirmed it will closely monitor the recall process to ensure full compliance with the Consumer Protection Act

The commission emphasises that pet owners should check their pet food supplies against the recalled batch information and take immediate action if they possess any affected products

FromthedustystreetsofMdantsanetoNobuDoha

AT just 28 years of age, Sesethu Bukani has already carved out a name for himself on the global culinary stage

From humble beginnings in the township of Mdantsane in East London, one of South Africa’s largest and most vibrant communities, Bukani’s journey is one of resilience, faith and an unshakable belief in the power of dreams

“I was born and raised eLokishini,” he says with pride “From the dusty streets of Mdantsane, I learned resilience, faith and the importance of chasing my dreams no matter the obstacles ”

Those early lessons would eventually take him from South Africa’s Eastern Cape to the glittering skyline of Doha, Qatar, where he now works as a Commis Chef at Nobu Doha, the world-renowned Japanese-Peruvian restaurant located inside the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Bukani’s love for cooking began at home under the guidance of his mother, who introduced him to the kitchen when he was just five years old By his teenage years, he was already experimenting with flavours and techniques, often challenging his mother in playful kitchen competitions

“She was my first teacher,” he recalls “Helping her with catering and church dinners taught me not just how to cook, but how to serve people with love and creativity ”

Before he ever wore a professional chef’s jacket, Bukani was already running a small food business from his home, selling kotas and dagwoods under the name Kota Past 9

It was this entrepreneurial spark and passion for food presentation that pushed him to pursue formal training and turn his hobby into a career

In 2024, Bukani enrolled at Capsicum Rosebank campus in Johannesburg, signing up for the Professional Chef Programme - a decision that changed the trajectory of his life

“Joining Capsicum was a turning point It gave me the training, exposure and confidence to take my culinary skills to the next level,” he says “From day one, I manifested that I’d become an international chef, and God granted that manifestation ” His industry placements took him through some of Johannesburg’s most respected kitchens, including The Prawnery, Saint Restaurant, and Marble Pastry Kitchen, each experience sharpening his technique and giving him a deep appreciation for the precision and discipline required in fine dining

Just after his final exams in December 2024, an unexpected opportunity came his way - a virtual interview with Four Seasons Hotel Doha for a position at Nobu Doha

“I still remember that day vividly I bor-

rowed a chef jacket from the campus fitting room, and Chef Andile, who’s now the principal, helped me find black buttons for it I was nervous but excited, and that interview changed my life ”

He officially joined Nobu Doha shortly afterwards and graduated from Capsicum in absentia on 23 June 2025

Now based in Qatar, Bukani’s daily routine is a masterclass in discipline

His days start with prayer, scripture and superfoods like sea moss and moringa, followed by a full day in the high-pressure environment of Nobu’s kitchen

As the Garde Manger Chef, he’s responsible for salads, cold dishes and intricate seafood preparations, a station that demands precision and creativity But he doesn’t stop there

“Whenever I can, I learn from other stations - Tempura, Sauté, Sushi Bar - because I want to master all seven Each one teaches me something new ”

After service, he heads to the gym, balancing his demanding schedule with health and mindfulness

“Discipline is everything,” he says “Whether it’s the gym, the kitchen, or my spiritual life, consistency is key ” Influenced by the Japanese-Peruvian fusion at Nobu and his South African roots, Bukani’s style reflects elegance, balance and innovation His dishes often highlight seafood, modern plating and refined flavour harmony

“I’m inspired by the beauty of simplicity, and Japanese cuisine has taught me that less can be more It’s about precision, respect for ingredients and emotion on the plate ”

In five years, he envisions himself leading his own kitchen, mentoring young chefs and eventually opening a restaurant that tells his story through flavour

“I want to create a space where people not only enjoy exceptional food but feel inspired by the story behind it,” he says

What are your five kitchen ingredient essentials?

Eggs, garlic, butter, thyme and cheese

What would you order for your last meal?

Creamy carbonara with grilled chicken, crispy bacon bits and roasted butternut cubes

What is your food philosophy?

As a Xhosa man, there’s nothing I won’t eat If it’s on a plate, I’m eating it!

If you could host a dinner for five guests, who would they be and why?

I’d invite Gordon Ramsay, Nobu Matsuhisa, Patrice Motsepe, David Higgs and Jay-Z, with each representing discipline, innovation, success, creativity and hustle, respectively

And finally, do you have a message for aspiring chefs?

“Your dreams are valid Your passion is your fuel Combine faith, hard work, and the willingness to learn, and the kitchen can take you anywhere in the world ” From Mdantsane’s township streets to one of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, Chef Sesethu Bukani is living proof that with perseverance, purpose and passion, no dream is too far from reach

Sport

Top32tournamenttob

ANELE RAZIYA

FIGHTERS FC from Mqanduli near Mthatha is expected to host the first edition of the Club’s World Cup Top 32 tournament at Mqanduli sports ground this weekend.

Football and netball are the only sporting codes that will be played during the tournament, starting on Saturday, 29 November and ending on Sunday

The semi-finals of the event are scheduled to take place on 6-7 December at the same

venue, and the whole tournament will be played in a knockout format.

In hosting the event, Fighters FC wanted to contribute to the development of sport in Mqanduli and also keep youth away from drugs and alcohol abuse.

Speaking to the event organiser, Kwanga Nkquze, he said 32 teams from different areas around Mqanduli and beyond will be battling against each other in the first edition of the Club’s World Cup tournament.

“One of the reasons that made us organise this kind of event was that we wanted to Mqand away they fr and they spor that football phy

LastRegionalLeagueStreamEfix

ANELE RAZIYA

SAFA Amathole Hollywoodbets Regional League Stream E in Mnquma is expected to host the last league fixtures for this year this weekend, and then teams will take a break for the festive season

The SAFA Amathole Hollywoodbets Regional League Stream E has already played two league rounds since the start of the 2025/2026 League campaign earlier this month

This weekend, it will be the third round of league fixtures, and Ngqamakhwe City FC is currently leading the log standings

with six points after their back-to-back victories

Over the weekend, Ngqamakhwe City FC defeated Inter City Sports Club at home by 2-0 to remain at the top of the log standings In other games played on Saturday, Ngqamakhwe United FC suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Musketeers FC from Centane, WSU Butterworth FC punished FC Tshabalala by 4-2 at home, Ezikaxhamela FC beat Wongama FC by 2-0 away, and Young Stars United FC punished Ndabankulu Sss FC by 3-1

TshomaneNetballtournamentaimed atempoweringwomeninsport

HOSEYA JUBASE

ONE of the organisers of the Tshomane Netball Tournament, Okuhle Kezile, said they are ready to host their annual netball tournament aimed at empowering women today, 27 November Okuhle Kezile, who is the sports anchor at Umhlobo Wenene FM, said the aim was to keep young people playing during the festive season and after exams

“This is the most difficult season of the year when there is a higher number of road accidents and the majority of young people are drinking alcohol and engaging in risky behaviour ”

This is not the first time Okuhle Kezile has organised a netball tournament In 2024, Kezile successfully organised the Ngcobo Netball Tournament, where the Sharks Netball team was crowned champions

“The first tournament last year was very successful, and this year it’s going to be successful too because there are people who are stepping up to support the initiative of empowering women through the netball tournament,” said Kezile The Tshomane Netball Tournament has already attracted a number of sponsors, namely Dan Pasiya Foundation, LCM Ludidi Properties, Eyoluntu Farmers Market, Emerald, Utility Management, MTN, and Iyana Print Centre

At press time, ten netball teams were already registered, and Kezile said they are targeting fifteen teams in total

The overall winner will go home with a gold medal, trophy and prize money

The tournament takes place today in the