Mthatha Express North - E-Edition - 9 July 2026

Teacherturnssetbackintosuccess

EASTERNCAPE:

Performancereviewteam tackleshousingdeliveryfailures

MANDLENKOSI MXENGI

HUMAN Settlements Minister ThembiSimelane ledahuman settlements performance reviewteam to theEastern Cape in an attempt to address housing delivery failures in the province.

The Eastern Cape human settlements performance reviewsession, recently heldat theRegent Premier Hotel in KuGompoCity, was attendedbythe provincial Human Settlements MEC Siphokazi Lusithi and municipal executive mayors

The sessionwas aimed at addressing housingdelivery challengesand finding lasting solutions that wouldaccelerate the delivery of integratedand sustainable human settlements acrossthe Eastern Cape.

Theexecutive mayors from theprovince’s two metropolitan municipalities (Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and Buffalo City Metro), thepolitical leadership of six district municipalities (Amathole, Chris Hani, OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo, Sarah Baartmanand Joe Gqabi), including mayors from theprovince’s 31 local municipalities, attended the meeting.

Addressing delegates at the meeting, MinisterSimelane emphasisedthat thehuman settlementsperformance review team is currently assessingthe Bhisho provincial governmentand its municipalities’ detailed plansfor implementingthe national government’spriorities aimed at tacklinghousing delivery challenges, including finding solutions aimed at acceleratingthe delivery of in-

tegrated and sustainablehuman settlements in theprovince.

“These priorities are to offerhousing opportunities and prioritising thedestitute, vulnerable groups, military veterans and people affected by gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in theprovince. However, themain aim is to come up with solutions aimed at addressing challenges that hamper thedelivery of houses in theprovince,” said Simelane. Simelane addedthat thediscussions also deliberated on theestablished partnerships and collaborations with strategic partners, including theprivatesector, in mobilising human settlementsinvestmentsand accelerating theregistration and issuing of title deedstotheir rightful homeowners.

Earlier this month, provincial Human Settlementsspokesperson Yanga Funani said that stalledand abandoned housing development projectsinthe province were amajor concern, adding that contractors wouldnow be paid upon thefullcompletionoftheir construction work.

Several housing development projects across theEastern Cape remained incomplete and had been abandoned by contractors duetoseveral challenges, including delays in thepayment of contractors, shoddy work, outstanding paymentsand illegal occupation of RDP houses.

In Buffalo City Metro alone, several housing development projectshad been abandoned by contractors, including themultimillion-rand Cambridge West and PotsdamIkhwezi Block 1housing development projects.

Hawksarrestfakeoptometrists

ACOORDINATED law enforcement operationinvolving the Mthatha Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI), Serious OrganisedCrime Investigation (SOC), SeriousCorruption Investigation (SCI), Provincial Crime Scene Investigation (PCSI), Mthatha FlyingSquad and the National ProsecutingAuthority (NPA) culminated in the arrest of threesuspectsfollowinganextensive,intelligence-driveninvestigation on 30 June 2026.

Spokespersonfor theHawks, Warrant OfficerNdiphiwe Mhlakuvana, said an optometrist, Sifiso David Vilakati (52), along with Siziphiwe Noholoza(27) and Lithakazi Zide (25), appeared before theMthatha SpecialisedCommercial CrimesCourt on charges of fraud.

He said thatthe casewas opened at Ngangelizwe andLibode Police Stations. He confirmed that thetrio were granted bail of R500 and thematter waspostponed to 20 July 2026 for disclosure of thedocket contents. The investigation remainsongoing.

He said the investigation commenced in December 2025 after theHawks received credibleintelligence alleging that fraudulent eye-test certificates were being unlawfully issued from aprivately owned steel container situated within theKingSabatha Dalindyebo Local Municipality Driver’s Licence Testing Centre precinct in Mthatha.

“It wasalleged that individualswho were

neither professionally qualified nor registered with therelevant statutory regulatory authoritywere conducting optometric examinations and certifying applicantsasmedically fit fordriver’s licence purposes.

“Between 14 and 19 January 2026, investigators successfully conducted three covert operations during which undercover operativesallegedly obtained fraudulent eye-test certificates from one of theaccused, whowas neither qualified nor registered to perform optometric services,” said Mhlakuvana. He said theinvestigation further revealed that theaccused had allegedly acted in concert with registered optometrist Vilakati by issuing fraudulent certificates in exchange forcash payment

According to Mhlakuvana, further investigation established that thealleged unlawful activities were not limited to Mthatha but had also extended to Libode, where asimilar operation wasreportedly conducted from a salon located near theNyandeni Driver’s Licence Testing Centre.

“Meticulous investigations revealed that members of thepublic were apparently charged R150 percertificate, despite no lawfulorprofessionally recognised optometric examination being conducted. Simultaneous search-and-seizure operations at theidentified premises resulted in therecovery of extensiveevidential material and thearrest of thethree suspects.”

KingSabathaDalindyebomayorstepsaside

BABALWA NDLANYA

THE African National Congress (ANC) in the O.R. Tambo Region noted the appearance before the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court of the Executive Mayor of King Sabatha Dalindyebo Local Municipality, Councillor NyanisoNelani (63), on charges relating to fraud and corruption.

According to astatement issued by the Regional Secretary of the African National Congress O.R. Tambo Region, Vinny Tsita, he appeared in court with his co-accused: Secretary to the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Land Reform, Cwenga Songelwa (41); Secretary to Nelani, Sibongile Moyi(49); Municipal Manager of King Sabatha Dalindyebo Local Municipality (KSDLM), Ngamela Pakade (53); and the municipality’s former Chief Financial Officer, Fudumele Eric Joholo (63). Allfive accused appeared before thecourt, were released on warning, and are expected to reappear on 10 July 2026 for disclosure of the docket contents

“Following these developments, theRegional Executive Committeeofficials andthe Regional Working Committee (RWC)convened to consider the matter and have further engaged with the leadershipofthe African National Congress at national level to ensure that the organisation responds in amanner that is consistentwith its constitutional obligations, organisational policies and the IntegrityCom-

mission Guidelines,”said Tsita.

He said the RegionalExecutive Committee (REC) further noted that Nelani had voluntarily submitted awritten request to recuse himselffrom the execution of his responsibilities as Executive Mayor of the KingSabatha Dalindyebo Local Municipality, pending the finalisation of the legalprocess.

“The ANCacknowledges this decision as a demonstration of respectfor the organisation, the rule of law and the integrity of public institutions.In line with the ANC’s organisational renewal programme and the movement'sStepAside Guidelines, the REC has resolved that theStep-AsidePolicy shall be implemented with immediate effect, pending the conclusion of the legal proceedings.

“The REC reiterates thatthis decision should not be construed as apronouncement on the guilt or innocence of any individual. The affected comrades remainentitled to the constitutional presumptionofinnocence until proven guilty by acourtoflaw.”

Tsitasaid that, at the same time, the ANC remains steadfast in its commitment to ethical leadership, accountability, clean governance and the fight against corruptioninall its forms.

He confirmed that the Regional Executive Committeeremains seized with this matter and will continue to assess all developments in consultationwith the NationalLeadership of the ANC.

He stated thatthe organisationwill, at the appropriate time, pronounceany further or-

ganisationaland politicalinterventions necessary to safeguard good governance, public confidence and the integrity of themovement.

“The ANC wishes to assure thepeopleofthe O.R. TamboRegion, and King Sabatha Dalindyebo (KSD) LocalMunicipalityinparticular, thatthe provisionofmunicipal services must continue without disruptionand that theorganisation remains committedtoclean, accountable andethical governance.”

Spokesperson forthe Hawks, Warrant OfficerNdiphiwe Mhlakuvana, confirmed that they appeared in court in connection with the misuse of municipal funds through thesubmissionofpurportedly fraudulent invitation letters.

Their courtappearance followed their being served with summons by theMthatha-based Serious Commercial CrimeInvestigation of the Hawks on 3June 2026.

It is alleged that on or about 25 January 2024, the accused acted in concert and with acommon purpose to inducethe KSDLMtoincur expenditure for which it was not lawfully liable. They allegedly misrepresented that Nelani hadreceived an officialinvitation to attend a KwaZulu-NatalBack-to-School Programme.

Mhlakuvana added that thecharge further alleges that an invitationletterwas solicited despite the knowledge that no government-sponsored Back-to-School Programme existed. According to the allegations, theevent in question wasapolitical partymanifesto rally rather thananofficial government pro-

gramme.

According to Mhlakuvana, it is further alleged that,following atelephonic request, an invitation letterbearing what is suspected to be theforged signature of theDeputyMinister wasallegedly used to createthe false impression that Nelani’s attendance constituted official municipal business.

“Discrepancies were subsequently identified, acriminal case wasopened, and thematter wasreferred to theHawks for further investigation. Relying on thepurported authenticity of theinvitation, themunicipality allegedly processed and financed travel and accommodation arrangements. The investigation found that KSDLMsuffered actual financial prejudice exceeding R57,000. Followingthe investigation, theHawksserved theaccused with a summons compelling them to appear in court on 30 June 2026.”

Eastern Cape Acting Provincial Head of the Hawks, Brigadier Fernando Luis, commended theinvestigating team and reiterated the Hawks’ obligation to investigate allegations of fraud and theunlawful use of public resources without fear, favour or prejudice.

MEC spokesperson for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Phello Oliphant,said that lawenforcement agencies must play their role unhindered. He further said that municipal councillors, including mayors, speakers and chief whips, are advised to give serious consideration to thedevelopmentsinKSDLM as lessons for thefuture.

OR Tambo District:Space tech empowers localfarmers

BABALWA NDLANYA

WE Earth Farm Vision, in partnership with Ntinga O.R. Tambo Development Agency, launchedaTechnologyInnovation Agency (TIA)-supported, space-enabledfarmerdigitalisationsystemunder the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation’s National Space Infrastructure Hub Framework.

The launch was held at the Savoy Hotelin Mthathalastweek.

This system will give local and international buyers greater assurance that produceis linked to good farming practices, local standards and market requirements.

The Project Management Officer fromNtinga O.R. Tambo DevelopmentAgency, Zandisile Kanise, saidthey were launching a platform funded by TIA, designedtoassist farmersinplanning their projects andenterprises remotely,using spacesatellite and computertechnology —tools widely used today.

She confirmed that they had partnered with We EarthFarm Vision, whichhas been contractedbyTIA to work in this region as the development facilitation agent

“They are working together to bring resources from the national level to assist in ourareas so that even young people can take partinthe programmes run by the government. After all this, we are trying to stimulate the economy and to ensure thatfarmers are assisted to plan their businesses so that they can be linked with themarkets —sothat, in the end,they canworkinaway that bringseconomicbenefit to theirown communities,” saidKanise. She added that the departmentwants 400,000people to benefit from this programme throughout the country, and O.R. Tamboalso has its own farmers.

“We are working hard to ensure that we are mobilisingfarmers —about 10,000 to 20,000 who will participate in thisprogramme. Farm-

ers that will benefit arefromthe whole Eastern Cape, not only the O.R. Tambo District.”

The representative of We Earth Farm Vision in the O.R. Tambo District, Bonginkosi Kalala, said this is acompany that has come up with an innovation in space-assisted agriculture, includingvillage economic nodes.

He said they were launching aproject that will start with 30 village economic nodes in theO.R. Tambo Region with Ntinga O.R. Tambo Development Agency.

“That model, whichinvolves villageeconomic nodes,will start at Bhaziya localityin Mthatha,where they launched it on afarm— one hectare for potatoes and another hectare thatwill be used forsomething else. When we lookedatagriculture in the Eastern Cape, we saw thatitiskey in this province, specifically agriculture and tourism. We saw thatwhatwe need to do is to start our economy with agriculture, especially in O.R. Tambo, because it has land that has been abandoned by people as theyhave no funds, and most young people are notworking,” said Kalala.

He added that they called upon other farmers,urging them to get in touch with their traditional authorities or with Ntinga, so that they can getmoreinformation about the programme. He said when they talk aboutlive farming,they mean both livestock andagricultural production.

Head of Space Innovations at the Technology Innovation Agency, Malese Ndhlovu,said they have aprogramme called the SpaceInnovation Initiative in the agency.

She said this programme is specifically designed as an intervention, with an investment from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, in partnership with the Space Infrastructure Hub (SIH), which is the latest large-scale investment driving space capabilities,resources, human capital andinfrastructure,including technology, forthe whole

country.

“We are coming as an initiative that specifically supports the development and commercialisation of space innovations for the country. We aredoing our job—the TIAisanagency created specifically by an ActofParliament to enable the development and commercialisation of innovations into products and services that benefit the country. We areheretoserve, and our role is to fund We Earth so that we can ben-

efitthose who arenormally left behind.

“If you look at farming in terms of food security and sustainability, we arenow adding more farmersinto the commercial farming mainstream through this technology, so that they can also benefitfrombeing digitalised, being visible, and being able to produce sustainable practices in amarketplace that exists for the food they areproducing across thedifferent crops they will be focusing on,” said Ndhlovu

Trainingturnsteacherintoentrepreneur

BABALWA NDLANYA

WHEN SiphesihleBulube’scontract as an assistant teacher cametoanend, she refused to wait for another opportunity.

Instead, the 30-year-old from Tana Village in Butterworthput her skills to work and launched Bekelaleni Charcoal (Pty)Ltd, determined to supportherself and her family.

She confirmed thatafter her contract as an assistant teacher ended, she was fortunate to be one of the young people who were trained by the Department of Education on aprogramme called Human Resource Youth Development. She wastrained in charcoal production in KuGompo City.

She confirmed that the DoE is constantly checking on her progress and has also registeredher company; they are also in the process of making banners and business cards, meaning that they are still supporting her venture.

“My training took aweek, but in that week,I learnt alot as there was also practical work. After the training, Idecided to start making charcoal at home. Before this charcoal manufacturing, Iwas assisting people’s animals in rural areas. Iwould go to different villages vaccinating and castrating animals basically, Iwouldsay Iwas an

Animal Midwife, charging reasonable amounts just to make a living,”she said

After her contract ended last year, she told herself that things were going to be hard, but she would continue helping animals and also pursue her hobbies of beadwork and sewing.

“I started this charcoal business because Isaw that it is cheap tomakecharcoal, it does not require much, and the Black Wattle, which is atype of tree that they showed me in training, is plentiful in my community, so Isaw an advantage. The advantages of running thiskind of business are that it doesnot cost much because you can also use a metal drum or dig ahole in the ground, and it is in demand as there are Tshisanyamas. Also, now that it is winter, the paraffin price has increased,sopeople usecharcoal agreat deal.”

Bulube added that the challengeisa lack of proper resources,such as achainsaw and transport, becauseher employees use wheelbarrows to sell the charcoal on the N2, which sometimes slows the businessdown. She said she cannot supply all her customers in one day, and that is her biggest challenge; also, during rainy days she struggles because she does not yethave a shelter forher employees.

“I would be happyifIcould maketwo large metal kilns (containers) to producemycharcoal,

and Iwould also be happy to havebranded containers. Iam using large white maize sacks as Idonot know whereIcan get charcoal containers. If Ihad transport and proper resources, Iwould supplylarge companies. My wish is to havetransport and proper resources so that one day Ican supply more companies and also create morejobs for the youth of my community.”

Spokesperson for the Department of Education, Mali Mtima, said this programme is aPhase 5BasicEducation Employment Initiative (BEEI) programme which started on 1June 2025 and ended on 30 November 2025. He said that in total, 28,709 assistants were employed; however, only 450 were trained in charcoal production. Assistants were taken throughvarious training courses accordingtotheir role at the school and the nature of theirdistrict.

“There is another programme called Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME)Development, donethrough Regent Business School. Thisgives them the capacity to become real business ownerswith suitablebusiness skills. We are hoping thatthere will be aPhase 6ofthe BEEI; however, the natureoftraining in this phase might be different from those in Phase 5. Training courses are approvedbythe Department of Basic Education,” said Mtima.

Youthlaunchedasanti-corruptionambassadors

BABALWA NDLANYA

THE Office of the Public Protector, in partnershipwith the European Union, launched theAnti-Corruption Youth Ambassador Programme at Qhokama Hall in Ngqeleni last week.

This programme forms part of Youth Month commemorations and seeks to promote ethical leadership, integrity, accountability and active citizenry among people in the communities of Ngqeleni

The EU-sponsored programme furtheraims to empower youth to activelyparticipate in anti-corruption and accountability initiatives through inclusive, interactive and community-driven platforms within their communities.

Spokespersonfor the PublicProtector of South Africa, Thebi Mokgatlhe,confirmed that the Public Protector of South Africa/European Union Anti-CorruptionProgramme is anew kindofaccountability structure that is citizen-led, community-based and youth-driven.

He said that it is apartnership betweenthe Public Protector of South Africa (PPSA) and the European Union (EU)toestablish ambassadors in communities who will be witnesses to wrongdoing.

“The ambassadors will be trained and equipped with appropriate skills to report corruption and wrongdoing within their respective communities. The PPSA has amandate to avail its services to all persons across the country; initiatives of this nature affordthem such an opportunity. We cameto Nyandeni because of the observations we have made through our work as thePPSA.

“During our outreach events, we get approached by community members, including mothers, complaining to us about alleged corruption and fraud pertaining to the application of grants,identity documentsand others,”hesaid.

He added thatthey had visited Libode,wherethey investigated a matterregardingthe fraudulent acquisitionofanidentity document, whichresultedinadeservinggrant beneficiarynot receiving theirchild-support grant.

“Youcan imaginethe consequences of this on the child who deservedtoget thisgrant.This, amongothers, informed our decision to come tothisarea with our partners,the EU, to create awareness amongthe youth about the consequences of corruptionand howitaffects theirlives. We are therefore in the area to mobilise andcallon the youth in this area to be agents of changeintheir communities.”

Mokgatlheadded that when they talk about anti-corruption, they mean preventative steps taken earlier to curb waysoflifethat could later result in unethical behaviour andmanifestincorruption

In essence, theirAnti-Corruption Ambassador Programme is about inculcatingaculture of ethics and moralvaluesamong young people to actcorrectly in their day-to-day lives

“To us, this will haveanimpact laterwhen someofthem take lead-

ershippositions, whether in public or private sectors. Furthermore, we willprovide them with the requisite training to understand corruption, organisethemselves to stand against corruption wherever it manifests in their communities, and ways to reportittothe relevant institutionssuch as the PPSA and others.”

He confirmed that they anticipate seeing youth who are conscious about corruption and its consequences in their own lives.

They expect to see the youth of Nyandeni who see corruption as an enemytothe constitutional promiseofanimprovedquality of life, and who take steps to act against it.

Mokgatlhe said thatfor the PPSA it would be agreat win to have the youth take chargeofthe future and do everything in their power to protect it against threats like corruption.

“It was the PPSA'sfirst event of its kind,but more willberolled out in the coming months as we continue with this Anti-CorruptionAmbassadorProgramme. Our partners, the EU, have otherprogrammes with their stakeholders across the provinceaimed at sensi-

tising thepublic about corruption and other formsofwrongdoing.It is therefore acollaborative effort by variousstakeholders from government, civilsociety andinternational agencies.”

According to him, the PPSAconducts various programmesaimed at bringingtheir services closerto communitiesacrossthe province.

They haveOutreach Officersin Mthatha andBisho whotraverse the length andbreadth of the provincespeaking to communities about the services theyoffer and registeringcomplaints on the spot.

He said theyalsohavecollaborations with universities such as Walter Sisulu University andothers through their LawClinics and communities.

“We are grateful forthispartnership and express ourgratitudefor having Walter Sisulu University in Nyandeni,where theyspoke to the youthabout their LawClinic and its services.Such information is invaluable andaugments ourefforts as thePPSA.”

Technical AssistanceFacility (TAF)representative from the EuropeanUnion, MoeketsiKoahela, spoke about the role of the EuropeanUnion in the Youth Anti-Cor-

ruption AmbassadorsProgramme andsaidthe initiativeaimsto train young people to becomeanti-corruption agents

“Wehavemanyprogrammesin the EasternCape. In addition to this collaboration, we alsohave another collaboration with the Social ChangeAssistanceTrust, including the Youth Ambassadors Accountability Programme. What we aretryingtodoisreach outtoyoung people living in the ruralareas —not only in townshipsbut alsoinrural areas— to be involved in these kinds of programmes,” said Koahela.

Regional Manager of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), Boyce Nkila,saidthe countrybenefits from these kinds of programmes. “There is aprogramme happeninghere forthe youth, andthere is alsoeducation taking place. They alsoget to knowhow corruption canbepreventedfromthrivingin South Africa. When we useyouth to go outthere andbeaware of what is happening around corruption, it assists the countrybecause theyare the leaders andparents of tomorrow. They arethe heads of families of the coming generations.”

ECmournspa culturalactivis

ZAVELA MAKWABE

THE Eastern Cape Provinceis deeply saddened by the passing of acclaimed author, culturalactivist and community leader Siphokazi Vanessa Mpofu.

Best known for her compassion and selfless service,Mpofu wasa Buffalo City philanthropist, poet and founder of Ikhaka Lesizwe and the Izibazana Women’s Association—later known as the Isililo seZibazana Healing Movement.

For more than adecade, she providedfree counselling to victims of abuse and those struggling with mental health, often answering calls and messages at any hour of the day. She was also apassionate advocate for safer, more dignified initiation practices for boys from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Afearless storyteller, Mpofu championed healing, heritage, identity and social justice through her work. In the arts, she was a member of the Ukwanda Puppets &Design Art Collective, and an author whose debut isiXhosa novel, Zajik’izinto,launched in 2021. With it, she became the first woman to publish abook about ulwaluko

Through her writing and advocacy for remembrance, she inspired countless South Africans to embrace storytelling as atool for transformation.

Her remarkable contribution earned her wide recognition. She was named a DailyDispatch Lo-

LilithaDanceAca pensiondayintoad

ZAVELA MAKWABE

LILITHA Dance Academy is using dance to build stronger communities, and on old age pension day, it used kindness to do the same.

The Mthatha-based institution recently set up at Circus Triangle Mall to host elderly residents waiting in pension queues. Instead of just passing through, students and staff handed out foodand refreshments to grandmothers and grandfathers who often stand for hours to collect their money.

“Pension day queues can be long and stressful, so we decided to do an act of kindness,” said 23-yearold Ayabonga Lilitha Madikizela, the academy’s founder. “Many elderly people arrive early and queue for hours, often without having eaten first,” he explained.

“Low blood sugar, dehydration and standing for long periods can lead to dizziness and passing out. Food and water help prevent that. It is literally life-saving in some cases.”

He said that the outreach went beyond health. “When our grandmothers and fathers are tired, hungry, or faint, they are more vulnerable to crime or exploitation around ATMs. We wanted them to feel safe, seen, and cared for.”

For Lilitha Dance Academy, the act reflects its wider mission: empowering communities and creating abetter future, not only through dance, but also through everyday acts of service.

The refreshments did not come from abig sponsorbut from the students themselves.

“We would have loved to do more, but we clubbed together and used our pocket money to buy the food and drinks,” Madikizela said.

“It is the same with our other out-

Sport

NgcwangubaCitydefend

ANELE RAZIYA

ONCE again, Ngcwanguba City FCfrom Mqanduli werecrowned champions of theannual ElevenExperience Community SportsTournament, held at Mxambule sports ground in Mqandulioverthe weekend.

Ngcwanguba City FC defeated Uphuthu FC in the final by 4-2 on Saturday to retaintheir title.Itwas the secondtime the championshad won the event, having also

claimed the first edition last year.

Forwinning the tournament, Ngcwanguba City FC went home withR10,000 in prize money, atrophy, abrand-new kit andgold medals. Runners-up, Uphuthu FC,receivedR6,000 and silver medals for theireffortsduring the tournament.

One of theorganisers, Lelo Mtwesi,said their second ElevenExperience Community Sports Tournament wasverysuccessful,attracting 26 teams from Mqanduli and surrounding areas.The tournament ran

SapphireLadies’FCisready for2026ECSasolLeague

HOSEYAJUBASE

SAPPHIRE Ladies’ FC founder Xolani Velem says he is happy with how the team conducted their preparations ahead of the 2026 EC Sasol League, which is expectedtoresume on 25 July.

Despite the delayed start to the league, Velem said he is confident that the team will do well this season

This will be the second season for SapphireLadies’ FC competing in the SasolLeague.

In their first season last year, the team finished in thirdposition in the EC Sasol LeagueInland Stream.

“Preparations aregoing very well. We have playedaround 10 friendly matches against differentteams across the provinceinKuGompo City, Komani, Lusikisiki and withinthe OR Tambo Region. We even went to play in Kokstad,” Velem said.

Out of the 10 friendly matches,Sapphire Ladies won seven and drew three.

Velem said this seasonthe team signedseven players, whilethey lost two from last year’s squad due to work commitments.

In total, Sapphire Ladies have 23 players this season.

“Last year was our first season in the Sasol League, and we finished in position three. This yearweare aiming for position one. Based on our preparations, Ithink we are ready for that challenge,” he said.

As part of the preparations, Sapphire played two friendly matches thispast Saturday.

In their first match, SapphireLadies’ FC won 4-1 against Walter Sisulu University Ladies’ FC. In the second match, they played to a0-0 draw againstExecutive Ladies’ FC

This season, the Eastern Cape Sasol League will be dividedinto three streams to cut costs. The winners of each streamwill then play in aprovincial decider.

Stream 1:

• Shining Stars–Komani

• Phoenix Ladies–Komani

• PeaceLovers –Ngcobo

• WSUIbika–Butterworth

• WSU–Gqeberha

• NAVGalaxy– Gqeberha

Stream 2:

• Ayakha Stars–Mthatha

• Coastal Ladies–Mthatha

• WSUNMD –Mthatha

• 4800 Ladies–Bizana

• Executive Ladies– Ntabankulu

• SapphireLadies –Mthatha

• Eastern Rangers– Lusikisiki

Stream 3:

• Sophakama–Gqeberha

• Volcano Ladies –Gqeberha

• Park United –Gqeberha

• Madibas–Gqeberha

• BayUnited –Gqeberha

• Golden Stars–Gqeberha

TH nam ture held enthusiast ile, by Al pa and last sig ad one tourna als, all. he