Mthatha Express South - E-Edition - 22 January 2026

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Port St Johns |Mthatha |Ngqeleni| Tsolo |Qumbu |Butterworth |Dutywa|Engcobo Thursday January22, 2026 | 047050 4430 |Facebook: Mthatha Express | mthathaexpress@novusmedia.co.za

MECinspectsrural MECinspe schoolinfrastructure school

EasternCape Agriculture MEC NoncebaKontsiwe visited Ngozi Senior Primary School in Ntabankulutoinspect a12-room administration block constructionproject thatbegan in October 2025.The visit, part of the Provincial 2026 Back-to-SchoolProgramme,was accompaniedbyAlfred NzoDistrictMunicipality Executive MayorCouncillorNomasomiMshuqwana. Theproject hascreatedover 21 local jobs and aims to improveadministrative capacity.Kontsiwepraised theadministration block as amilestone towardimproving rural education dignity. Thefacilityisexpected to be completedbyJuly2026, with various departmental commitments made to address identified issues. Read thefullstoryonpage4 PHOTO: FACEBOOK

Familydemandsanswersaftersondiesinpolicecustody

BABALWA NDLANYA

THE Zindlu family from the Upper Qweqwe locality in Mthatha is seeking answers from the Central Police Station regarding what happenedto their son, Kuhle Ndinani Zindlu (19), whose body was found at theforensic mortuary in December last year.

His father,Zamikhaya Zindlu (54), said Kuhle left home on November 22, 2025, to visit family membersin the same locality.

“He did not come back, not even the following day. We then started

askinghis friends, butnoone knew where he was.OnDecember 1, 2025, wewent to theCentral PoliceStation to report him as amissing person.

Thatiswhere weencountered problems, because no onewas willingto help us,” claimed Zindlu.

“They told us there wasnoway to open amissingperson’s case because there were no forms to do that. After some time,we were told that one of thepolice officers hadgone to print them.

“However, aperson whoarrived after us to open asimilar case was assisted. Whenwequestioned this,

we weretold that our cases were different,” saidZindlu

AccordingtoZindlu,after waiting foralong time, the police officers they spoke to asked to see his photo, which they showed them. They then toldthem to go and look for himat the forensicmortuary.

He added that they were later informedthat police had found Kuhle on the N2 road in Qweqwe, allegedly drunk.

An ambulance was calledtoassist him, butofficials reportedly saidhe was not sick. According to Zindlu, police then took himtothe Central

Police Station, but the family was never informed how he ended up at the forensic mortuary.

“We found his body at the forensic mortuary with bruises on his ribs. He was not stabbed or hit by acar, and this has left us with many questions. We want to know what happened to our son, why he was taken from our area,and if therewas aproblem, why the police did not come to the community instead of taking him to the forensic mortuary and recording himasanunknown person.” Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa, con-

firmed that the incident occurred on November 23, 2025, at about 09:45.

“An investigation was conducted, and the docket was later transferred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for further handling,” said Mawisa. IPID spokesperson, Phaladi Shuping, confirmed that copies of the docket were only handed over to IPID on January 14, 2026.

“The original docket is stillwith the SAPS. IPID will study the docket to determine whether the matter falls within itsmandate,”said Shuping.

Back-2-Schoolcampaignoffi

MANDLENKOSI MXENGI

THE Eastern Cape Department of Education(ECDoE) officially launched its annual Back-2School campaign at the newly refurbished state-of-the-art Sitoza Senior Secondary School in Ngcobo as schools reopenedfor the2026 academic year

Over the years, Sitoza Senior Secondary School faced critical school infrastructure challenges including classroom shortages, ageing infrastructure, ablution facilities, and damaged security fencing caused by continued theft and vandalism.

The ECDoE spent just over R50 million building new classrooms and refurbishing Sitoza,turning it into astate-of-the-art school

Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Mabuyane and ECDoE MEC Fundile Gade officially handed over the refurbished school during the official launch of the Back-2-School campaign to mark the start of the 2026 academic year.

The comprehensive redevelopment and upgrade of Sitoza Senior Secondary School included anewly built school library and acomputer centre, a modern administrative block, a fully equipped school nutrition centre, ascience and multipurpose facility, anetball court, and three new ablution blocks for teachers and learners.

Anew security fence wasalso erected in an attempt to address theft and vandalism of the school’s infrastructure and

property.

Deliveringhis keynote address duringthe official handover ceremony, Mabuyane said that despite theschool’s infrastructure challenges, Sitoza continued to achieve academic excellence and improveits matricpass rate.

“Despite years of infrastructurechallenges, Sitoza continued to producestrong academic results, improvingits matric passrate,and with 20 classrooms andimproved facilities nowin place,learners arenow stepping into asafe and dignifiedlearningenvironment,”

said Mabuyane

Sitoza achieved a93.65 per cent matric pass ratefor the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination results, thus recording adecrease fromthe 98 percent pass rateachieved by the 2024 matricclass.

In 2021 and2022 respectively, the school achievedaconsecutive 89per cent matric pass rate, andin2023 the school achieved an improved 93.8 per cent pass rate.

MEC Gadesaid the school was recognisedand honoured as the Most Improved School after risingfrom a38.6 per cent pass rateachievedin2017to82per cent achievedbythe 2018 matric class.

“The school consistently achieved abovea 90 per cent passmark over the past three years, andin2023 the school was recognised andawarded by the ECDoE as theMost Consistent School over afive-yearperiod,” said Gade

:LearnersfromSitozaSenior School in rural Ngcobostand in frontoftheir refurbished schoolduringthe official launch of Back-2-School campaign.

NTABANKULU: NGOZISENIOR PRIMARYSCHOOL

MECinspectsruralschoolinfrastructure

BABALWA NDLANYA

AS part of the Provincial 2026 Back-to-SchoolProgramme, Eastern Cape MEC for Agriculture,Nonceba Kontsiwe, conducted an official oversight walkaboutatNgozi Senior PrimarySchool in Ntabankulu last week

Shewas accompaniedby the Executive Mayor of Alfred Nzo DistrictMunicipality (ANDM),Councillor Nomasomi Mshuqwana, as well as leadership from the NtabankuluLocal Municipality.

According to ANDM spokesperson Luncedo Walaza, the project, which brokeground in October 2025, involves the construction of a12-room administration block.

The facility is intendedto

strengthenthe school'sadministrative capacityand create aconduciveworking environment for educators and management.

Walaza said theprojectcreated more than 21 direct employment opportunities forlocal labourers andalso enabled onsite skills transfer for communitymembers.

"The site inspection followed an intensive engagement session between provincialleadershipand school stakeholders. These consultations ensure thatthe infrastructure rollout meets the specific needs of the school community whilst fostering asense of local ownership.Kontsiwe emphasised that the timelydelivery of educational infrastructure is central to the provincialgovernment's

strategy to improve learner outcomes and restore dignity in ruralschools,"saidWalaza.

Kontsiwe explained that it is government practice for various departments to visit schools at the start of the academic yeartoassess readiness and identify challenges.

"Atthis primaryschool, we observed that most of the infrastructure is still temporary. However,the construction of an administration block is a major milestone.

“The school principal presented areport outlining the challenges they face, including learners who do not have birth certificates."

She added that the Department of Social Development, together with the South African Social Security Agency

(SASSA), is workingtoassist affected learners and ensure follow-upsare conducted to resolve the issue.

Kontsiwe noted that thepresence of thearea's traditional leader would further support efforts to ensure that children receive thenecessary assistance.

Despitethese challenges, she said learners continue to benefit fromthe school nutrition programme.

"We are confident that these challenges will be resolved soon.

“Regarding water shortages, we noted that there is anearby water pipeused by constructionworkers, which presents apossible solution. The learners at this school are stillvery young and do not yet face many

Mbutholocality:Suspectshotdeadafterattackingpolice

POLICE spokesperson, Captain Welile Matyolo, confirmed that amale suspect(33) was fatally shotbypolice in self-defence in Mbutho locality as police attended to acase of abduction recently. He said that Tsolo police had received acomplaintofabduction where awoman(24) from Libodealleged thatshe was lured by the suspect into alove affair through social media and they bothmet in Mthatha on January

15, 2026, and proceeded to Tsolo in ataxi.

“On their way toMbutho locality onfoot,the suspect threatened the victim withaknifeand raped her in an openfield,” said Matyolo.

The suspectrepeatedly raped her on arrival at Mbutho locality, where he was staying before she reported the matter by telephone to her relative, and the policewere informed “On police arrival, he charged

at the policewith aknife, and was shot and succumbed to the gunshot wound whilst waiting for an ambulance to arrive.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that three women aged between 25 and 29 yearswere reported as missing at Tsolo Police Station from December 24, 2025, untilJanuary 15, 2026, all of whom were found dead in open fields,” said Matyolo.

He added that policeare establishing the link between their

deaths andthe suspect, as it emerged that, according to the suspect’s mobile phonerecords, he had contactedthe three deceased victims beforetheir deaths.

Matyolo confirmed that an inquest dockethas been opened with charges ranging from rape, abduction, andresisting arrest, to attacking police,whilst further investigation hasbeen handed overtothe Independent Police Investigative Directorate

of thechallenges experienced at higher levels."

She confirmed that theadministration block is expected to be completed by July thisyear.

The principal of Ngozi Primary School,Nonkululeko Sodidi, described thevisit as successful, saying several commitmentswere made by thedepartments.

"Our main challenges are the lack of water, an administrativeclerkand aGrade Rteacher. We only have four teachers, which forces us to combine classes. Each teacher handles twoclasses.

“I also serve as theprincipal, administrative clerk and aGrade 6and 7teacher at thesame time. Promises were made to address all theissues we raised," said Sodidi.

(IPID).

“OR Tambo DistrictCommissioner, MajorGeneralNorman Modishana,warned everyone to be extra careful when dealing with social mediaaspeople are oftenscammed andfall victim to these scams,and urged the investigating teams to identify anydirectlinkagesbetween the deceased female victims andthe suspect, for all affectedfamiliestohave closure,” concluded Matyolo

Communitysupportneededfor‘RisingStars’showdown

ZAVELA MAKWABE

LOCAL Afro-jazz singer andsongwriter

Zintle Mbuyazwe is gearing up for thebiggest stage of her career and she’s counting on the community to help takeher there.

The35-year-old songbirdiscompeting against alot of talented fellow singers and bands from across the countrytobe the opening act at Thandiswa Mazwai’s much-anticipated Sankofa Heritage Festival set to take place on Saturday,28February 2026, at Carnival City.

The Heritage Festival, which marks ThandiswaMazwai’s 50th birthdayand 30 yearsinthe music industry, will feature SouthAfrican sensation Msaki and Grammy-nominated Ugandan artistSomi as co-headliners and additional guest artists as well.

Born and raised in Engcobo, in avillage called Clarkebury,Mbuyazwe began performing around 2012 and later pursued a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Fort Hare.

In an interview with the Express, she described her sound as Xhosa rhythms woven withjazz influences andcentring themes of identity, inclusivity andhope.

“I entered the competitionbecause it would be aprofound honour to open for an icon like Sis Thandiswa Mazwai, and because my musicand artistic practice strongly align with the festival’svision and themes.”

She said thatbeing an opening act for theSankofa Heritage Festival would provide an opportunity to engage alargeraudience while cementing her commitment and contribution as ayoung cultural practitioner with an authenticand peculiar voice.

“Mypeople can help by following me on my social media pages and reposting the video Iused to enter, addingthe hashtag Sankofa Heritage Festival andtagging ThandiswaMazwai’s official pages,” she said.

Thedeadline forentries is 31 January 2025and the winner will be announced on 11 February.

EasternCapehealthdepartmentbringssupporttoschools

ZAVELA MAKWABE

TO ensure asmooth start to this academic year,the EasternCape Department of Health MEC, NtandokaziCapa, recently led awell-being and health initiative at Mt Fletcher Special School as partofthe Back-to-School Programme.

The department handed overessential health and dignity support items, including oral hygiene packs, sanitary towels, and school shoes, to promote learner well-being.Mobile clinics anddental services were also deployed to provide direct healthcare access to the learners.

Thiscollaborative effort demonstratesa whole-of-government approach,reinforcing inclusive education andaccessible services for learners. The programme’s success is evident in its impact on learner dignity, safety,and readiness to learn.

Together with its key stakeholders, the department continued itsoutreachatET Thabane Full Service School in the Joe Gqabi District Municipality. Theprogramme focused on strengthening learner

Ministermeetstraditionalleadersongovernance

THEMinister of Cooperative Governance and TraditionalAffairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, held afollow-up engagement with theCongress of Traditional LeadersofSouth Africa (CONTRALESA), led by its President, Kgoshi Mokoena. Prince Burns-Ncamashe and the CoGTA leadershipteam were also in attendance.

Building on the engagement with President Cyril Ramaphosa in December 2025, the meeting marked astrong starttothe year andreinforcedthe partnership between CoGTA andtraditional leadership structures Accordingtothe statementissued by Me-

diaLiaison Officertothe Minister of Cooperative Governance andTraditional Affairs, Pearl Maseko Binqose, in hisopening remarks,Hlabisa emphasisedthe critical role of traditional leadershipincommunity stability, local governance andthe ongoing review of the White PaperonLocal Government

He reiterated theMinistry's commitment to strengtheningcollaborationand ensuring that traditional institutionsare effectively integrated into the evolving governancesystem.

MasekoBinqose said CONTRALESA wel-

comedHlabisa's continued commitment and highlighted his longstanding background in traditional affairs.The leadership expressed appreciation for his openness to engagement andreaffirmed the need for sustained cooperation to addresslong-standing challenges affecting traditional leaders.

"BothHlabisa and Mokoena expressed deep concern over49fatalities recorded during the 2025 summercustomary initiation season. They agreed thatcultural preservation andthe protection of life must remain central priorities. Abroad consultative meeting will be convened in February to strengthen

supportthroughcoordinatedservicedelivery,with integrated government servicesbrought directly to theschool environment

“Itfurther reinforced collaboration acrossdepartments andpartners, demonstratingthe valueofawhole-of-government approach in advancing inclusive education andaccessible servicesfor learners at full serviceschools “Weare here to offersupportasthe Department of Health butalsotosee if the children arehealthy, safe,and if their nutrition is adequate andtheir dignity upheld,” MECCapa said She said theissue of malnutritioninthe Eastern Cape Province is aserious one andpleadedwith parentsand the communitytoensure that their childreneat nutritiousfood.

“Parents must always rememberthat theChildSupportGrant fundsare not for paying for funeralpolicies andstokvels, butfor seeing to theneedsofthe children, like making sure they arefed healthy and nutritious meals,” she said

safeguards, enhance oversight,and improve communitysafety."

Hlabisa reaffirmed that CoGTA remains committedtotransparent engagement, meaningful partnership and advancing the shared goalsofcommunitywell-being,stability and effectivecooperativegovernance.

"This platform is an opportunityfor theexchange of ideas and constructivecriticism.

As aMinistry, we remain committedtolistening, learning and working collaboratively to strengthen thetraditional leadership institution —the oldest form of governance in our country," said Hlabisa.

ZAVELA MAKWABE

IN acollaborative effort to uplift rural women,the Nelson MandelaMuseum and the Eastern Cape Provincial Arts &Culture Council (ECPACC)have rolled out the Imbokodo Women Empowerment project.

The programme, which beganwith aworkshop at theMthatha CraftHub, aims toequip womenfromthe villages of Qunu, Mqhekezweni andTyhalarha with sewingand beading skills that will enable them to become registered SMMEs.

ECPACC supplied the necessary machinery, whilethe museumprovidedmaterials for both sewing and beading.

Speaking to the Express,Nontlahla Dalindyebo, senior manager for Public Engagement and Marketingatthe Nelson Mandela Museum, saidthe Imbokodo workshop contributes to the preservation and development of arts and culturalproducts while upskilling rural women toalleviate poverty.

She added thatthe programme hopes to empower participants with scarceskills, entrepreneurship trainingand insightinto establishing sustainable cooperatives and ac-

The participants learned to design and stitch traditional Xhosa attire suchasimibhaco, iincebetha, amabhayi,iinxili and izibheshu, as wellascraft beadedumbhaco sets, headbands and bracelets.

cessinggovernmentfunding.

The initiative follows an earlier exhibition at theNelsonMandelaMuseum’s Youth& Heritage Centre in Qunu, where thewomen showcased their hand-crafted umbhaco pieces Aselection of thesehigh-quality items is now on sale at theCraft, VisualArts &Design Pop-Up Shop in BT Ngebs Mall, Mthatha, next to News Café, until 31 January 2026.

For many of thewomen, the project representsa lifeline.

Thirty-four-year-oldPhelokazi Mthonjana fromTyhalarha, whohas never heldformal employment, expressedher gratitude: “I do not take this opportunitylightly.Ihave a

son to providefor, and with theskills Ihave learned,Ihopetomakeaprofitable living.”

The villages involvedshare adeep historical connection to Nelson Mandela—Qunu washis home afterhis father’s ban, Mqhekezweni is where he grew up afterhis father’s death, and Tyhalarha is thesite of his Xhosa initiation.

Despite this heritage, unemployment remains high, with many women relying on child-support grantsand mining wages.

The Imbokodoproject is set to continue nurturing economic independence and cultural prideamong theregion’s women, offering a model of community-driven development that themuseum and ECPACC hopetoreplicate elsewhere.

Premierhailsmatricresultsasproofofcourageindifficultyear

THE Premier of the Eastern Cape, OscarMabuyane, together with the MEC for the Department of Education, Fundile Gade, honoured outstanding matriculants at the 2025 NationalSenior Certificate Examinations Resultsceremony.

The event was held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in East London lastweek Mabuyane said these achievements represent astrong performance in ayear marked by naturaldisasters andsocialchallenges.

“Aswecelebrate the 2025 results, let us remember thoseweunfortunatelylostwho were part of this journey. In addition to thenames mentioned by the MEC for the Department of Education, Fundile Gade, Iwouldliketoadd Onelitha Skweyiya from Pakamani Senior Secondary School who underwent the traditional initiation process in Decemberbut unfortunately drowned whilst swimming in ariver.

“What saddens me most is that he wasa brilliantlearnerand obtained six Level 6s and one Level7inthe results we arereleasingtoday. Indeed,our society will be poorer without them andmay theirsouls rest in peaceand risein glory,”saidMabuyane.

He added that this ceremony wasnot only about academicresults, but it is also about celebrating their individual and collective lifelong journey to build resilienceand character, discipline, endurance and hope. Mabuyane said they salute theirtop achievers.

“Yoursuccess is not accidental, it is the product of sacrifice, consistency and determination. You are living proof that excellence can and does emergefromevery corner of our province. You are not only achievers; you aretrailblazers; you are ambassadorsofpossibility for thousandsof learnerswho see themselves in you. I hope you havetaken note of the words of wisdomshared by Khanya Maqolwana. She is one of many learners who were topachieversthat weare supporting as government to achieve their dreams. The other learner that should serve as an inspirationtoyou is Caroline Boshoff, alearner with special needs.”

According to Mabuyane, the top 30 achievers in thecohortthey are celebrating todaywillbe funded by the provincial government until they complete their studies.

He saidthat on behalf of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government he can confirm that the

Eastern Cape has achieved an overall pass rate of 84.17% in the 2025 National Senior Certificate examinations.

“Whilst this reflects aslight decline from the 84.98% achieved in 2024, it remains astrong performance in ayear that tested theireducation system severely.These results are not asetback; they demonstrate resilience.

“Our target was 87%; we didnot reach it.However,let no one undermine the efforts that have been made to achieve these results.Wemight be ranked 9th in relationtoother provinces, but we areoccupying 9th position with the pride of maintaining our passrate of 84% from 2024. All our districts haveachieved an 80% pass rate. That is to me progress that must be celebrated. Let us hold ourheadshigh and tryagain to reach 87% in 2026.”

He added that they accept theseoutcomes with humility.They neither celebrate blindly nor despairunnecessarily.Instead, they reflect soberly,identify gaps and recommit themselves to improvement.

Mabuyane said they must be truthful with the people of the Eastern Cape and that 2025 was an exceptionally difficult year for education. Their

provincial education system was tested by:

• The destruction of school infrastructure due to natural disasters,leavingmanylearnerswithoutstablelearning environments;

• Ongoingscholartransportchallenges,affectingpunctuality,attendanceandsafety;

• Deep social challenges:disturbing allegations of sexual abuse by some educators,which betrayed the trustoftheir childrenandcommunities.

“The fact that our learners still achieved an 84.17% pass rateunder thesecircumstances speaksnot of failure but of courage. To those who did not pass, thosewho did not achieve the results they hoped for, and yes, including thosewho feel they have let theirfamilies down: You are not afailure. Your result does not define your worth; your future is not over. Life does not reward thosewho never fall. It rewards thosewho rise again after falling. There is no shame in facing setbacks. There is honour in confronting difficulty with courage. Champions are not made in moments of comfort; they are built over time through persistence, resilience and the refusal to give up. We must also speak openly about mental health. It matters, your life matters, and your well-being matters.”

Three topachievers leadNyangaSenior Secondary’s success

BABALWA NDLANYA

THE principalofNyanga Senior Secondary School in Ngcobo, Tembisa Gwantshu, has thanked teachers from the school forexcelling in the2025matricresults

Nyanga hadthree learners who were amongst thoseawarded at the Provincial Matric Achievers Awards Ceremony by the Premierofthe Eastern Cape, Oscar Mabuyane, and theMEC forthe Department of Education, Fundile Gade, at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in East London last week

Xabiso Mthangayi obtained Level 7inall hissubjects.InisiXhosa Home Language, he achieved 86.7%, English First Additional Language 83.3%, Life Sciences 95.7%, Geography 93.7%, Mathematics 90.0%, PhysicalSciences 87.7% and Life Orientation96.3%.

Ahluma Gwaza obtained 91.3% in isiXhosa Home Language, 91.3% in English FirstAdditional Language, 93.7% in PhysicalSciences, 93.0% in LifeSciences, 89.7% in Mathematics, 89.0% in Geography and 98.0% in LifeOrientation.

The third learner, Hlangabezo Xhanti, also obtained Level 7inisiXhosa Home Language.

Xhanti

Gwantshu confirmed that although the school did not reach its target of 100%, it managed to achieve an 89.9% passrate.

“What Iamproud of is thateventhough we achieved 89.9%, we obtained 71.1% bachelor passes. Atotal of 287 learners wrote the exams,

and 206 obtained bachelor passes. We always instil discipline in our learners, and aculture of learning is our priority.Fortunately, we also have ahostel which makes things easier.” She added that although the school has intervention programmes throughJENNTraining &Con-

sultancy, learners also workextremely hard, to the extent that during holidays they do not go home. Evening classes are also conducted.

“I thank my teachersfor theirdedication. They spend alot of time teaching our learners and sometimes go home as late as 23:00. Itruly appreciate what they are doing because without theirdedication, we would not have achieved such results.” Gwantshu added that Grade 12 learners of 2026 must understand that discipline is key to achieving success.

One of the top achievers, Xabiso (17),said he will be going to the University of Cape Townto study Mechatronics Engineering.

“I believe that after four years, Iwillobtain my honours degree, which will open more opportunities for me. What Ican say to other learners is that they must ask for help when they are struggling. They must put aside anything that distracts them and focus on theirstudies. They must also set clear goals for what they want to achieve,” he said.

Another learner, Ahluma Gwaza (18),said he also plans to study Medicine. “What Ican say to Grade 12 learners is that they must assist each other, as thishelps alot. It is important to know what you want,”said Gwaza.

SPONSORED: StMartin’sPrivateSchooljoinseliteclubwith100%passrate

FOUNDED in 1994 by the late MrsLeelamma Philip,avisionary educator committed to quality and values-driveneducation, St Martin’s Private Schoolhas grownovermorethanthree decades into arespected institutionknown foracademic discipline,steadyprogress,andstrongleadership.

This proudlegacywas reaffirmed through the school’s 2025 National Senior Certificate(NSC) results, with the Classof2025 achieving a100% pass rate,marking asignificantacademicmilestone.

Principal Mr BenardSerunkumasaidthe resultsreflect sustained improvement and focused academicplanning.“Our school has demonstrated consistentgrowthover the past three years, culminatingina 100% pass rate.These resultsreflect disciplined learning,dedicated teaching,and ashared commitmenttoexcellence,” he said

The school’s performance improved steadily from 90% in 2023 to 92%in2024, reaching 100% in 2025.Ofthe class, 49% achieved Bachelor’s passes,40% Diploma passes,and 11% Higher Certificatepasses, ensuring access to tertiary educationfor all learners

According to the 2025 NSCperformance report,onlyfiveschools in theEastern Cape achieved a100% pass rate.Within the OR TamboInlandDistrict, onlytwo schools attainedthisresult —StMartin’sPrivate School beingone of them.

Topachiever, Inathi Gqoboka,obtained five distinctions in keysubjects,aswellas twoLevel 6resultsinlanguages Reflecting on theachievement, Director Mr AbrahamPhilip said,“This result is the outcome of sustainedeffort, discipline,and aclear educational purpose.Wecommend theleadership of thePrincipal,the dedication of theteaching staff,and theperseverance of theClass of 2025.” St Martin’sofferseducationfromGrade RtoGrade 12, andadmissions arecurrently open.

Jongabantu Ngcuthushe.

SAFAKSDsetforhotly contestedelection

HOSEYAJUBASE

SAFA KSD Local Association is preparing to go to thepolls thiscoming weekend

Thiselectoral conference is expectedtobe one of the most hotly contestedelections, as many big guns in the KSD football fraternity are eyeing the chairperson position

Among those vying for the chairperson posi-

tion is former referee and Mthatha Citizen FC chairman,Jongabantu Ngcuthushe.

Ngcuthushesaidheisready to lead the local association and take it to the next level.

Ngcuthushe said his priority will be focused on football development and securing sponsorships forthe region

Currently, the association is led by Mandisi Magwentshu, who has done excellent work during his tenure with KSD

Coachinglicencesnow mandatoryforNozuluCup

ANELE RAZIYA

THE annual Nozulu Youth Legacy Cup U/17 is expected to return once again thisyear in Mnquma, but teams must expect some changes, particularly regarding coaching staff requirements.

In arecent interview withthe founder of Nozulu Youth Legacy Cup, Luxolo Matikinca, who is currently working as general manager at DStv Premiership sideSekhukhuneUnited, saidthat in their fourth edition ofthe tournament, they will allow only coaches who obtain aDcoachinglicenceto sit on the bench.

In previous editions,coacheswho had no coaching qualifications were allowed to lead theirteams during this annual event.

Butafter the Nozulu Youth Legacy Cup, workingtogetherwith Mnquma Local Football Association (Mnquma LFA), theyhad managedtoorganisedifferent coaching courses repeatedly -startingfrom CAF Dlicence to CAF Clicence at Butterworthtown in the previous three years -theyfeltitwas timetoadd new regulationstothe tournament

By introducingthe new regulation that only qualified coaches can sit on thebench starting in the fourth edition of the Nozulu YouthLegacy Cup, which is scheduled to be playedinMarch this year, they wantedto encourage coaches to attend coachingcourses. In all previous coaching coursesthat were

hostedinButterworth, local coaches from Mnquma alwaysattended in good numbers to showthat they were ready forthis new regulation.

“As NozuluYouth Legacy Cup, we have already indicated to our partners, Mnquma LFA, that coaches who will sit on the bench are those who have aDlicence,”said Matikinca.

He said bytaking thisdecision, they wanted to keep improving the standard of the event and also encouragecoaches to get qualifications. He further said thatduring coaching courses, coaches learn different things, including child welfare, so they need those kinds of coaches to share their knowledgewithupcoming young players.

Matikinca said one of the thingsthey always motivate young players about is that they must gotoschool so that they canbe able to read their own contractsinfuture.

Inconclusion, he said modern football needs qualified coaches who can assist and motivate young players to put school first and footballsecond.

The NozuluYouth Legacy Cup is expected to be hosted in March this year, andthe dateisyet to be confirmed. Thetournament is playedbyteamsthat feature in Mnquma LFAand afew invited teams fromdifferent regions within the province.

The aim of the event is to contribute to the development of football, particularly in Mnquma, and keep youth away fromwrongdoings

ABCMotsepeLeague:Eaglesand Bucksplayoutgoallessderby

HOSEYAJUBASE

THE Mthatha derby between Bush Bucks FC and Mighty Eagles finished goallessthis past Saturday, with both sides desperatefor maximumpoints in their respective campaigns.

Following Saturday’s stalemate, Mighty Eagles remain rooted at the bottom of the table with just four points fromninematches in theECABC MotsepeLeague.

Thiscoming Saturday presents another stern test for the Eagles, who welcome Matta Millan FC to their home ground in what has become amust-win fixture in theirbattleagainst the drop

The goalless draw marked adebut to remember fornew coach, Phikolomzi Rhee Noqazo, who tookchargeofhis first match since his appointment last month.

This Saturday’s fixtures:

• Bizana Pondo City vs Fast Eleven FC

• FC Ravens vs BushBucksFC

• MightyEaglesvsMatta Millan FC AmaxesibeFCvsFCBattalion

• SA Spearofthe Nation vs SinenkaniFC

The Eagles face acrucialperiodaheadas they look to climb away from the relegation zone and give theirnew manager his first victoryinthe dugout.

Sport EastLondonboxing starmovesupNorth

HANNESSCHOEMAN

Abig loss for East London boxing, but amassive gain for the sport in Gauteng Crack junior featherweight Sanele “V16” Sogcwayi,who is undefeatedafter four fights with two knockouts, has decided to leave hisroots to further his professional career in Johannesburg.

Sogcwayi will link up with former world champion Brian MitchellinEdenvale and fight under the GoldenGloves banner forpromoterRodneyBerman in thefuture

Accordingtothe GoldenGloveswebsite,Sogcwayi called Mitchell duringthe holidaysina strange twist that wasalmost ayeartothe day that Siya Kuse also called Mitchell –againonholiday in Ballito–toask to move to Johannesburg. It wasadecision thatlit up hiscareer and led to aworld title shot.Mitchell said Sogcwayi was frustrated by alack

of opportunities in the Eastern Cape and that hisboxing academy would ensure thejunior featherweight gets the polish requiredfor an aspirant champion. Another positive forthe East Londonman is thathewill share the gym with Ricardo Malajika,the IBO super flyweight champion,who strugglesfor top-class sparring.

The prospect will now be able to sharpenhis game against South Africa’sbest, whileMalajika will benefit fromworkingwithayoung fighter full of vim and vigour

MitchellsaidBermanhas big plans for Sogcwayi. Berman will manageSogcwayi with Manny Fernandes taking the coachingreins.

Mitchell also said: “He’svery good, with over250 amateur fights, of which helost ahandful. He turned 24 afew days agoand has time on hisside.Givenhis styleand charisma, Ipredicthe’ll quickly become acrowd-pleaser.”