Mthatha Express South - E-Edition - 16 April 2026

5,000residentsmarchfortavernclosure

MANDLENKOSI MXENGI

ACROWD of about 5,000 disgruntled Buffalo City residents attended apeaceful protest march against drugsand undocumented foreign nationals in KuGompo City, formerly East London,onFriday, April10.

BuffaloCityMetro (BCM)executivemayor, Princess Faku, was at the forefront leading the strong crowd to anearby tavern known as California situatedin ParkStreet, North End demand-

ingpermanentclosure of the tavern, notoriousfor criminal activities.

The Belgrave Hotel building is owned by businessman Ayanda Gqamane and houses amix of rentaland accommodation units, including the California tavern.

KuGompo City residents have been callingfor the permanent closure of California, notorious for criminal activities which the residents claimwas due to drugs allegedly sold by foreign nationals, particularly Nigeri-

ans renting units in the area.

Thecrowd first gathered at the JanSmuts Stadium forthe People'sImbizo where they were addressed by Faku and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Deputy Minister Zolile Burns-Ncamashe before proceeding to California

The purpose of the imbizo was to address community concerns on crime, selling of drugs, undocumented foreign nationals, unregistered businesses and the closureofCalifornia among others.

Addressing thecrowd, Faku urged residents of Buffalo City to stand united against crime, lawlessness and foreign nationals who are selling drugs to the youth.

"Working together with thepolice, the Department of Home Affairs, andcivil society organisations, the Metro is committedto intensifying effortstodismantle criminal networks, shut down drug dens, and enforce municipalby-laws,"said Faku.

Speaking to themedia, Belgrave Hotel owner Ayanda Gq-

amane's wife, Nomfundo, distanced themselves from any criminal activity in thearea, adding that her rental property was not linkedtoCalifornia.

The alleged coronation of Nigerian national Chief Solomon Ogbonna Ezikoas"Igwe Ndigbo" (King of theIgbo people) in KuGompoCity recentlycaused violent protestswhere 12 cars were torched, and shops belonging to foreign nationalswere looted. Ezikohas since apologised and denied that he was crowned king.

AmahlathiplanstospendR41milliononbulkwaterinfrastructureprojects

MANDLENKOSI

MXENGI

AMAHLATHI LocalMunicipalityhas been allocateda totalbudget of R41 million funded throughthe Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) to be spent on key water infrastructureprojects during theupcoming 2026-27 financial year.

The budget is expected to prioritise bulk water infrastructure projects includingthe completion of the Amahlathi sanitation backlog, upgrading sewer and water pipelinesin Stutterheim and Cathcart bulk water services and the Rhabula Water Supply Extensions.

Amathole District Municipality (ADM), whichhas six local municipalities under itsjurisdictionincluding Amahlathi, officially launched its2026-27 draftIntegrated Development Plan (IDP) and Budget public hearings in Keiskammahoek, Amahlathi on Friday, 10 April. In his presentation,ADM

memberofmayoralcommittee (MMC) responsible for IDPand BudgetBandile Ketelo outlined planned infrastructureinvestments funded through the MIG with abudget of R41 million allocated for Amahlathi’s bulk water infrastructure projects.

“Key projects include the completion of theAmahlathi area-wide sanitation backlog project, upgrades to sewer and water pipelines in Stutterheim, the Cathcart bulk services upgrade, andthe Rhabula Water SupplyExtensions, which receivedthe largest share of the allocation,” said Ketelo.

The Water Services Infrastructure Grant(WSIG) budget allocation of R16 million will be spent on the Dontsa Water Supply project, Amahlathi’s non-revenue waterloss control projectand the refurbishment of waterretaining structures.

Residents raised severalservicedeliveryfailures includ-

ing continued water outages, sewer spillages, deteriorating infrastructure, unfenced graveyards, poor roadsmaintenance, housing,unemployment, illegalwater and electricity connections and poor healthcaresystem amongst others.

“A water tanker has been deployed in Keiskammahoek to provide temporary relief for a period of 15 days as ashortterm solution.

“Monitoring of water supply systems is ongoing in Zanyokwe, Ngqumeya, and Lower Zingcuka, including repairs to leaks from the Sandile Water Treatment Works to ensure water reaches all communities,”saidKetelo.

TheIDP and Budget public hearingswill be held in all municipalities under ADMincluding Great Kei, Mbhashe, Mnquma, Ngqushwa and Raymond Mhlaba until the end of April.

Wasterecyclingcampaigntoempowerruralcommunities

THE government needs to show adeliberateeffort in helping people and not be bystanders in empowering them,whilst developing them by giving those starting businesses information on fundingand finding markets for them.

Mbhashe Local Municipality executive mayor, Samkelo Janda, made these remarks during aWaste Recycling and Food Composting Campaign at Gqubhuzeni in Elliotdale on April 9.

The initiative focuses on educating communities about proper waste practices, particularly waste separation at the household level, whilst involving schools and empowering rural communities to participate in the green economy.

Janda saidaspart of practical interventions, 20 schools willreceive colour-coded bins to promote properwasteseparation.

He said it was important to take care of resources that people already have. This, he said, would helpattractmore partners

"Weare talking to acompany fromFrance that wants to invest in waste management and wants to look at industriesthat couldbeopened using waste.My dream is to have afactorythat converts waste to benefit people in theprovince.

“We need to reopen the factories that were closed, and this timewemust own them," he

said.

The initiativealso builds on resolutionsfrom the 2024 RecyclingIndaba,showing alongtermcommitment to sustainable waste management.

"The governmentmust be deliberate in helping people and notbebystandersinempower-

ing our people. We must know we have apurpose and we must developour people by giving them information on funding and finding markets."

The campaign highlights the value of recycling and composting in reducing landfill waste, lowering greenhouse gasemis-

sions, improving soil health, and creating income opportunities —demonstrating that waste can be transformed into valuable resources.

TheAgricultural Research Council has committedtoprovide training to help communities maximise composting and sustainablepractices.

Centre Manager for theAgricultural Research Council, SimphiweNini, said people needed to be open-minded when talking about waste.

"We want to show you how you can makemoney out of what you have. Forexample, Inoticed almost all thehouses have planted corn. But you have to ask yourself, what happens to thecobs?

You can use thecobs to make feed and store it for thewinter season –this is what we call silage production," said Nini.

"We have training that we offer and we will do everything necessary to bring thesilage production training here."

He said cow skins can also be sold for leather turning, adding that atypical Nguni cow skin sells for up to R3,000.

The initiativealso looksat reinforcing acollaborative approach to environmental sustainability.

NonikeloRhoni, awastepicker, said she and agroup of other women started wastepicking around 2017.

"We used to sleep along theN2 in Qunu village for up to two weeks, looking for transport to take us to Durban to sell our waste.

“The municipalityhas helped fund us and we wereable to send our children to colleges and universities.

"People used to laugh at us but now some want to join us as they see theresults," she said.

11Departmentsrelocatedafterhistoricbuildingfire

THEMEC forthe Department of Human Settlements, Siphokazi Lusithi-Mani, gave an update about the fire incident which severely damaged the historic Botha Sigcau Building in Mthatha, within the King Sabatha Dalindyebo Local Municipality, recently.

She said the incident affected 11 government departments and disrupted the work of approximately1,300 employees who were accommodated in the building and provided essential government services to thepublicdaily.

She addedthat thistragic eventresulted in significantdisruption to normal government operations

"Sincethe incident occurred, the Eastern Cape Provincial Government activated theProvincialDisaster Response,led by theDirector-General. The multi-disciplinary team has been working around the clock coordinating disaster response efforts to ensure continuity of government services, as well as to monitor conditionsand manage anypotential flare-ups, whilst also safeguarding theaffected facility.

"At this stage, the Botha Sigcau Building has not yet been declared safe for technical assessment teams to access the site and fully determine the extent of the structural damage," she said.

According to her, once the site is declared safe, detailed assessments will be undertaken to inform the scope of rehabilitation work required, guided by applicable safety and heritage preservation standards.

Technical teams remain on site to monitor thesituation and further advise the provincial government on urgentinterventions and requirements.

Lusithi added that the Eastern Cape Provincial Governmentexpresses deep concern over the disruption of critical public services caused by the fire at this building, which has impacted service delivery to communities and the functioning of affected government departments.

"In response to these disruptions, processes are underway to source accommodationfor the 11 departmentsthat havebeen affected by the fire. However, theseprocesses will be carried

out in aphased approachtoensure business continuity.

"Through these efforts, urgent work hascommenced to identify alternativeoffice accommodationto ensurethatcritical governmentservicescontinue withoutinterruption."

Shesaid theprimaryobjective of these interventions is to minimise disruption to service delivery, protect the well-being of employees andensure that communities continue to access essential public services.

In addition, consultative engagements have been held with Labour representatives across all affected departments, recognising that the temporary relocation arrangements may have implicationsfor working conditions.

These engagements have been constructive and have assisted the government in implementingsolutionsthatbalance operational requirements with the

rights and wellbeing of employees.

"We areencouraged by the significant progress madethus far in implementing business continuity measures.

"Currently, some employees have been enabled to work remotely where operationally feasible, and the necessarytechnological arrangements have been put in place to support remote work and ensurecontinuity of services.

"In other instances, they are accommodated in other government offices.

"In the medium-term, we will be temporarily relocating departments to various identified buildings."

She said this process will take about three to eightmonths, depending on renovationstandards that need to be undertaken to make each building habitable and compliant with OHS standards.

The identified buildings areasfollows:

•Department of Education, whichoccupies thefirst floor and houses 341 employees, will be accommodated at theTransit Building utilising twoopen-plan officespaces, classrooms, amedia laboratory, library facilities and available hostel accommodation.

•Department of Agriculture, whichoccupied thethird and fourth floors and housed 180 employees, will be temporarily accommodated at theTsolo Agricultural College in Mthatha, as well as at theveterinary laboratories located at Farm 48.

•Department of Healthwill be accommodated at the100-bed COVID-19facilityinMthatha togetherwith theDepartment of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).

•Department of Social Development will be accommodated at CarltonHouse.

•Department of Sport, Recre-

ation, Artsand Culture will be accommodated at theMthatha Library.

•Department of Transport (DoT) will be accommodated across several of its existing facilities, including theDOT Training Centre Mechanical Workshop, DOT Government Building, Dalindyebo Depot, Mthatha Depot and theDepartment of Transport offices at Mthatha Airport

According to Lusithi, thegovernment continues to explore additional accommodation solutions prioritising theoptimal use of existing state-owned properties in order to ensure cost-effectiveness and efficiency in the provision of temporary office space.

This approach is consistent with government's commitment to prudent management of public resources.

"We are also considering requesting specialised support from outside theprovince to conduct an emergency evacuationofsome critical national assets in areas that have not been fully affected by the fire.

"This includes deeds archives and historical archives. We are assembling ateam that will undertakeafull assessment of damage and develop acosted scope for therebuilding of the facility.

“The team will also package theproject in preparation for sourcing alternative funding models."

She added that they wish to assure thepeople of theEastern Cape that thegovernment remains fully committedtoensuring uninterrupted delivery despite this unfortunate incident.

"All affected departmentscontinue to operate, and measures have been put in place to ensure that citizens continue to receive theservices they require.

"The Provincial Government will continue to provide updates as further progress is made regarding boththe temporary accommodation arrangementsand thelonger-term rehabilitation of thefacility.

"The government wishes to call on affected communities to exercise patience as thegovernment is making all effortstonavigate thesituation, as theincident has caused severe disruptions to service delivery."

Mayorcallsforcommunityactionagainstinfrastructurevandalism

BABALWA NDLANYA

THE Mayor of King Sabatha Dalindyebo (KSD) Local Municipality, Councillor Nyaniso Nelani,hosted amedia briefing in Mthathaaimed at outlining measures and calling on stakeholders andcommunitymembers to work together to combat the vandalism of electricity infrastructure.

He said they acknowledgethe frustration, inconvenience,and hardship experienced by residents and businesses over the past weeks.

“This was the result of ongoing electricity outages. We are fully aware of the impact this has had on households,small businesses, safety, and the general functioning of our community. We do not take this lightly; hence, we are having this briefing. We stand here today to account, to inform, and to assure the public that action is being taken.

“Over the Easter weekend, the municipality began to experience awidespread electricity challenge, particularlyaffecting areas within Mthatha, including Southernwood, Bongweni,Zimbane Valley, and other communities,” said Nelani.

He added that the technical issues proved to be far more serious than initially anticipated. Upon investigation, technical teams discovered that critical infrastructure had been deliberatelytampered with According to him, in Southernwood a ringmain unit was set alight,and further damagewas identifiedoncables feeding the Banting substation. Additional faults

were detected on feederssupplying surrounding areas, compoundingthe restoration challenge.

“These were not ordinarysystem failures, but acts of vandalism and sabotage. As amunicipality, we are deeply concerned that these acts arenot isolated incidents but formpartofa growing pattern of infrastructure vandalism and cable theft that has been affecting our city over aprolonged period.

“These criminal actions areundermining service delivery,placing pressure on our financial resources, and eroding public confidence. In response, Iconvened an urgent multi-agency meeting on April 7, 2025, withthe South African Police Service, led by the District Commissioner Major General Norman Modishana, together withKSD Law Enforcement and municipal technical teams.”

Nelani added that the purpose of the meeting was to assess the scale of the problem, strengthen coordination, and implement amore aggressive and coordinated response.

He said the outcome confirmed that whilstthe situation is serious, it remains manageableprovided collaboration is intensified, and action is taken with urgency and precision.

“We wish to commend our technicians whohave been working tirelessly, often under difficult conditions, to locate faults and restore power to affected areas. Their work has not been easy,particularly in areas where damage was extensive and difficult totrace

“We alsoacknowledge the role played by SAPS and our law enforcement agen-

cies in supporting these operations. We arestrengthening our security response: patrols havebeen intensified, and deployment strategies of our lawenforcement officershave been adjusted to maximise protection of critical infrastructure.

“A dedicated multi-task teamisinthe process of being established to focus specifically on infrastructure-related crimes, including vandalism and cable theft.”

Nelani said that, in addition to these measures, the municipality is accelerating the installationofCCTV cameras in strategic hotspots across Mthatha, Mqanduli, and CoffeeBay,including high-risk infrastructure zones. This intervention will significantly enhance their ability to monitor, detect, and respondtocriminal activities.

According to him, the government alone will not win this battle, andprotecting infrastructurerequires acollective effort.

The municipality has intensifiedcommunity mobilisation initiatives, including the revival and strengthening of Community Policing Forums in affected areas such as Southernwood, Northcrest, Southridge, Fort Gale, MthathaCentral, and surrounding areas.

“We arecalling on all communitymembers, businesses, and community leaders to work with municipal law enforcement We urge them to reportany suspicious activities, particularly those occurringat night when most of these incidents arebelieved to take place.”

Residents can reportincidentsthrough the following channels: toll-free number0800 222 828, landline047 497 1033,

SMS 30916, call centre 047 495 1037/1112, WhatsApp 067 955 0410, or 087 742 0459. OR Tambo DeputyDistrictCommissioner Brigadier Vukile Ntuli said they are fully utilising CommunityPolicing Forum structures, as these remain keyin fightingcrime.

“Muchofthe information we receive aboutcrimeand operationscomes directly from them.Weare fully utilisingthese structures.

“Regarding theissue of mob justice, whichrecently took place in the Empa area outside Mthatha, this is not something we promote,and we areagainstit. However, communitiessometimes engage in suchactions, notnecessarily because they aredissatisfiedwith thepolice,but oftenbecause they feel they have lost hope in thecriminaljusticesystem,” said Ntuli.

Ntuli addedthatwhilst arrests are made, court processes oftentake time.However, police do follow up,and in recent incidents, arrests have been made based on information received from community members, includingCPFs.

“Wehave alsointroduceda newly revampedmulti-disciplinary strategy to combat thescourgeofinfrastructure vandalism.This involvesthe SAPS, the Hawks,law enforcement,and the National Prosecuting Authority

“The mainobjective is to prevent such incidents, fast-track investigations,improve arrest capacity, andensureeffective prosecution. Workingtogether as a team puts us in afar betterpositionthan workingindividually.”

Breadwinnerunabletoworkafterattack

ZOLILE MENZELWA

BABALWA Mampangashe, from Qweqwe village, was an active member of the community who was loved by children and parents alike for her workatthe local crèche, butthe attack on her with abush knife has prevented her from carrying out any of those duties, leaving the family suffering immensely

For Mampangashe, the beginning of 2025 signalled ayear full of challenges following her attack on January 2. The graphic photos in Mthatha Express’s possession show an attacker who was intent on causing harm, leavingboth her hands unable to function.

Shewas attacked in her family home by a known individual.

“I used to workatthe local crèche and then lefttowork for aprivatecompany as acook.

But Ican’t do anything withmyhands. Ican never workanywhere again like this. There are seven of us in the house, and we have one bed,” she said.

Mampangashe liveswith her four children,

her niece and her unemployed younger sister,aTourism graduate. She graduated from King Hintsa College.

However, Mampangashe is profoundly grateful for the donations made by Ibandla LaseMthini Evangelical Movement,through itsorganisation, Ubuntu Restoration. Church spokesperson, Babalwa Mtumtum, said the church had donated groceries, full school uniforms and other clothing for the five children, and carpets, linen including blankets, shoes, basins and dishes. Ward committee member, Fikiswa Vinjwa, said following her injuries, the community had lost an active member who was loved by parents and children alike during her stint at the local crèche.

“The situation in that family is really bad. They used to live in aone-room shack when her mother was still alive. She used to work and take care of her mother and the children without complaining,”Vinjwa said.

The family now survives on the child support grants for the five children and the government grant she receives for her injuries.

BuffaloCityintalksforTampaBaypartnershipagreement

MANDLENKOSI MXENGI

THE Buffalo City Metro (BCM) is expected to sign apotential twinning agreement with Tampa Bay, acity inthe United StatesofAmerica (USA),following the conclusionofnegotiations betweenthe BCMleadership and aTampa Baydelegation held in KuGompo City, formerly East London

The Metro,led by acting mayor, SakhumziCaga, recently hosted the TampaBay delegation, where apotential twinning agreement, which includes international partnerships and cooperation, was dis-

MANDLENKOSI MXENGI

UNAKHO Victim Support Centre, based in Qonce, the High Performance Centre (HPC) and two primary schools, including Phakamile Junior Primary School in Ncera village, all under Buffalo City Metro (BCM) jurisdiction, were the latestbeneficiaries fromthe East London Development Zone (ELIDZ).

The organisationsreceived support through ELIDZ’s reliablecorporatesocial investment (CSI) project, marking the conclusion of the 2025-26 financial year in April.

Unakho Victim Support Centre is a non-profit organisation (NPO) providing shelter and counselling forvictims of domestic violence and gender-based violence (GBV) including protectionofvulnerable and abused children.

The NPO is abletostrengthen itsdaily operations including its skills development initiative through the support andcontinued donations from the ELIDZ

The ELIDZ through its CSI drive recently donated much-neededessential items including sewingmachines, gas cylinders, stoves,cooking pots and other kitchen equipment to the centre.

Earlier this month ELIDZ employees donated sports equipmentincluding anetball kit to the High Performance Centre in KuGompo City, formerly East London. ELIDZ

cussed during the diplomatic visit.

Potential areas of collaboration between the two citiesinclude educationreform, strengthening of the healthcare system, arts and culture.

On education, the potential deal will resultinstudent exchangeprogrammes, preparing students for an increased global workforce and academic partnerships withTampaBay higher educationinstitutions.

Caga said the engagement with the delegation yielded positive results and showed an interest in building meaningful diplomatic relations between Tampa Bayand the Metro.

“Even thoughthe formal agreement is still to be drafted andconcluded, it is already clear that the negotiations presented avaluable opportunity for acollaboration between the two cities,” saidCaga.

Caga said the shared mission of the potential partnership aims to promote cultural, educationaland healthcare exchanges that enrich communities on both sides, fostering mutualunderstanding, global citizenship and inclusive growth.

“What makes Buffalo City attractiveasa partner is that we are aMetro that is more innovative,connected, responsiveand globally engaged while remaining rooted in the developmental needs of our people,”

acting corporate communications manager, Siphosethu Tikana, said the aim is to continuesupporting athlete development and promoting active sport participation in the

province.

“Asweconclude the 2025-26 financial year, these initiatives reaffirm theindustrial development zone’scommitment to com-

addedCaga.

Afew years ago, theMetro signed atwinning agreement with theCity of Oldenburg,Lower Saxony,inGermany. In April last year,adelegation from Lower Saxony visited theEast Bank Treatment Plant in Nahoon.

The plant is receiving upgrades through an international partnership which will improveexistinginfrastructure, treatment capacityand use 100 kW solar energy. Themulti-millionrand project is expected to be completed in July. TheMetro has already signed amemorandum of understanding (MoU) with China’s Chongqing City and the City of Gävle in Sweden.

munitydevelopment targeting theyouth, especially learners from poor backgrounds in theregion,” said Tikana.

The ELIDZ,inpartnership with theTeelo Foundation, also distributed school uniforms to identified learners from poor backgrounds including learners from Phakamile Primary School in theimpoverished Ncera village area.

Last month, theELIDZ encouraged all registered and interested NPOs, charity organisations and stakeholders involved in communitydevelopment projectstourgently applyfor its CSI project initiative for the 2026-27 financial year which started on 1 April

The CSI objectives include supporting sustainable, measurablesocio-economic development initiatives within theELIDZ’s areas of operation, aligned to CSI policy and procedures.

Formal proposalsthat needed to be submittedbyqualifying NPOs and charity organisations had to address focus areas including education, skills development, enterprise development including entrepreneurship, social and communitydevelopment,sport and youthdevelopment

Since its official inception over 20 years ago, theELIDZ has succeeded in attracting foreign investors to invest in theEastern Cape while its CSI initiatives continue to empower local communities.

EasternCapelaunchesmasterplanforbiodiversityeconomy

or y Biodiversityecologicalfor h more government, and ignificantEastern

Sport

OldGreyfaceFCRavensin provincialleaguedecider

HOSEYAJUBASE

HUNDREDS of football supportersare expected to gather at Sisa DukasheStadiumin KuGompo City this Saturday to witness the EC ABC Motsepe League provincial decider match.

The decider match will be playedbyOld Grey FC, who are the champions of thecoastal stream, againstFCRavens, who arethe championsofthe inland stream

OldGreyFCplayed 18 leaguematches withoutaloss, winning 10 and drawing8 of them andfinishedinfirst position with 38 points

On the other side, in the inland stream, FC Ravensplayed 18 league matches, winning 14 matches, drawing 3games and losing only 1 match in their league.

The match will start at 13:00this Saturday, 18 April.

FC Ravens head coach, Sibusiso “Popo” Mampopo, saidthey respect their opponent, but his troops are ready for them.

Reflecting on the past season, Mampopo said, “It was atough season. We had strong teams in our inland stream, butour players did their best to win the stream, as that was

our first mandate.”

Mampopo said the experiencethey gained from their opponents in their stream would assist theminfacing the decider match team, which is Old Grey FC

“Itwas notaneasy season; all the matches were preparing us for the upcoming decider match.”

Coach Mampopo said FC Ravens have a good squad,and the team is not dependent on individual players.

“Allour players aregood players, andthey performed their best during our league matches,”hesaid.

“OldGrey is avery good team, and we once played against them at the Heroes Cup during our pre-season, when we won1–0. They are a good team, and they didn’t even lose amatch in theirstream, which shows that they are good.”

Coach Mampopo concluded,“We have managed to send our analyst to analyse ouropponent,and we respectOld Grey.Our players are ready for the decider, and we are happy thatthisseasonthere were no problems in our stream.”

Mampopourged their supporters to continue supporting the team.

One-dayrefereetrainingcoursetobehosted

ANELE RAZIYA

THE Mqanduli Football Association in Mqanduli near Mthatha is expected to host aoneday training course forupcoming referees at Qokolweni Senior SecondarySchool on Sunday,19April.

The main aim of the trainingistoempower and sharefootball knowledge withupcoming referees on how to officiategames and apply rulesduring the match.

The football association in Mqandulihas invited everyone whoisinterested in participating in this referee course to come forward and register before the eventday.

Speaking to the MthathaExpress,association chairperson Sibusiso Gecwasaid the course is open foreveryone who is interested in pursuing acareer in refereeing, and he also indicated that they haveinvited acurrent Premier Soccer League (PSL)referee to assist in facilitating the wholeprogramme.

“Our course is open for everyone who is interested to be areferee in the future and we wouldlove to see more youth attend the course, particularly women,” said Gecwa. He said that by hosting this kind of train-

ing, they wanted to improve thestandard of refereeing in their local leaguesand also give youth anopportunity to pursuetheir dreams of becoming match officialsinthe near future.

In addition, he said theirguestreferee from the PSL, who will be facilitating the course hasaninteresting plan to develop young referees until they become professional referees and he will start this weekendwith his journey of assisting upcoming referees Gecwasaidfor nowthey won’t revealthe name of thereferee whowill assistthem this weekend as they arebusyfinalising some important things, buttheirguestwas born and bred in Mqanduli, so he is lookingforward to giving backtowherehecomes from.

In conclusion, Gecwahas also indicatedthat they have started theirleagues fromjuniors to seniors last weekend(11 April) as they wanted to contributetothe development of footballinMqanduli and surroundingareas. Allthose who are interestedinbeing part of the referee coursecan contact Gecwa on 083 210 3096 or contact Lelo Mtwesi on 060 522 6441 formoreinformation about theweekend event.

ZolaniBhunguFoundationtournament draws37teamsinElliotdale

HOSEYAJUBASE

THE founder of the Zolani Bhungu Foundation hasexpressed gratitudetoall the teams that participated in this year’s tournament.

The tournament was held aweek ago in Elliotdale,and according to thefounder, the tournament was agreat success. Overall, 37 teams participated in this year’s tournament.

Zolani Bhungu, the founder of the tournament,saidthis year’s tournamentwas dominated by developmentteams, compared to the previous one, which was mostly dominatedbysenior teams.

This was the second timeBhunguhad

KomaniUnitedlauncheswomen’steam throughPhoenixLadiespartnership

HOSEYAJUBASE

KOMANI United chairman, Thabo September, has confirmed that the team has launched awomen’sfootball team that will compete in the SasolLeague, which is the second-tier semi-professional women’s football league in South Africa.

September said they decided to partner with Phoenix Ladies’ FC, which has been participating in the Sasol Leaguecoastal stream forthe past few seasons.

“I am partnering with PhoenixLadies’FC because I’mnot well-experienced in taking over the women’steam for now, but Iwill take over the running of the team financially, administratively, and coverall costs, and changethe name to KomaniUnited Ladies’ FC,with the planofhavingafully-fledged team as Komani United FC. But right now, it's just to set up the relationshipwith Phoenix Ladies,”hesaid.

September said the aimistohave afully-fledged Komani United football club with ladies’ teams and development structures.

“Having aladies’ teamispartofour plan as Komani United forwhat we wanttodofor the Eastern Cape province. We want to have ateam that will be able to represent the provincefromjuniors to senior team, and on the ladies’ side,”hesaid.

“It’sapartnership, but the name will changefromPhoenix Ladies’ FC to Komani United Ladies’ FC, and all costs areonour side as Komani United

“The team alreadyexists; there is already a coaching staff, but for us, it’s to supportthem with everything to make surethe women’s team is successful also.”

Asked about their planfor the upcoming season, which is expected to resume around May 2026, the chairman said they want to fin-

ishinposition three in the Sasol League this season.

“It’s an existingteam, so we want to finish in the top three for now and set up structures for the ladies’team so that we can have a strong team for next season.

“I have also already spoken to experienced coaches who have been around women’s football, Kaizer Chiefs Ladies’ FC coach, UJ coach, and playerswho areatBanyana Banyana. But for them, we want them to come hereone day to sharetheirexperience with the players of Komani United Ladies’FC,” added September

Meanwhile, Komani United FC men’steam, playing in theECABC Motsepe League coastal stream, finished the league in position2, equal on points with Old GreyFC.

Thabo September is the former SuperSport United assistant coach and Chippa United cocoach.

hosted this tournament. Bhungu said he used the tournament to prepare hisU14 team for the upcomingKhiwa Media U14 tournament, which will be played in August ZolaniBhungu is one of the youngest chairmen in the EasternCape who is running bothwomen’s and men’s development teams calledPSG Academy.

He is 26yearsold. He once went to SilverStarsFCfor trials andwas selected, butdue to some challenges, he decided not to proceed

TheU23 division was won by Hungry Lion FC, beating Level StrikersFC2–1. TheU17 division was won by PSG FC, beatingLevel StrikersFC1–0.