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THURSDAY May 8, 2014 | 0 039 251 0834 | www.uvoexpress | uvoexpress.mobi | greg.nota@media24.com or express@media24.com | Previously known as the Uvo Lwethu Fever EDITOR: BETTIE GILIOMEE

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Fifthdemocratic electionmarks20yearsofdemocracy

Makhosini Daphi ready to cast hisvote at Mthatha City Hall on

Monday. More than 3.2 millionpeople in the Eastern Cape wereregistered to cast their votes onWednesday in South Africa’s fifth

democratic election. Votes could becast at more than 4 600 voting

stations, four mobile voting stations,58 voting centres and 179 tempo­rary voting stations throughout the

province. The provincial resultsoperation centre is based at theRegent Hotel in East London.Political parties contesting the

elections have been allocated spaceto observe the proceedings. Theelections were contested by 18political parties in the province.

Buffalo City Metro had the highestnumber of special votes totaling

6 409, followed by Nelson MandelaBay Metro with 3 380 special votes,Nyandeni, Mbhashe and Mnqumamunicipalities respectively. Electionresults will be released during thecourse of the day. Visit www.uvoex-press.co.za for the latest results and

election news.PHOTO: AYANDA MILLISA MADIKIZELA

2 NewsMay 8, 2014Uvolwethu Express

YANDISA POPPY DLEMBULA

IN continuation of the celebration of 20 yearsof democracy, a Workers’ Day event was heldat the Alfred Nzo District Sports Ground inMount Ayliff on May 1 by the Congress ofSouth African Trade Unions (COSATU) to ac-knowledge the role played by everyday work-ers of the Eastern Cape.

The Cosatu leadership started the event byoutlining the significant history of workersfrom 1994 to what South Africa is today. Theyfocused a lot on encouraging the people, whofilled the tent to capacity, to vote.Speaking on behalf of the Mount Ayliff

community, Thamsanqa Jojo, said that itwasa very special feeling to see prominent peoplecelebrating the lives of ordinary people.“These celebrationsmake us feel special as

workers because they show that we play apivotal part in this country which is why Idecided to vote this year and hopefully myvote will make a difference,” added Jojo.AfricanNational Congress (ANC)National

Executive Committee member, Zizi Kodwa,encouraged people to know their worker’srights so that theywill not be unfairly treatedby their employees.“We were proud to be in Mount Ayliff be-

cause we could see in the people’s faces thatthey loved having us around,” added Kodwa.

CosatuholdsWorker’sDaycelebrations

Leaders from different branches of the ANCwith the Alfred Nzo District Municipal ChiefWhip, Phumzile Nyangane, at the May Day

celebrations in Mount Ayliff.PHOTO:YANDISA DLEMBULA

YANDISA POPPY DLEMBULA

ANGRY community members fromBawunemoto locality in Bizana protestedafter the MEC for Local Government andTraditional Affairs, Mlibo Qoboshiyane,did not return, as he had promised, withanswers to the service delivery complaintsthat were laid against the Mbizana LocalMunicipality (MLM).

The community said that they were tired

of waiting for government’s interventionbecause being lenient with the governmentmeans that you have to be their fool.Anga Ndimakude, from this locality, said

they were not toys that people can just foolaround with. She said they were going toprotest again if themonth endswith no signof the MEC.“We say this again. No one in Bizana is

going to vote if we have no answers fromthe government,” said Ndimakude.The MLM mayor, Makhaya Twabu said

they did not respond to the protest as theirwork of involving the upper governmentwas done and protests don’t solve anything.“It is time that people understand that pro-testing never comes out with good results,”concluded the mayor.The community said that they hadwaited

for the MECwho came on April 30. But stillhe had nothing tangible for them to takeback to their community and they suggest-ed that he go in person to tell the peopleabout the development, which he did.

Angry community protest overMECfailing to returnwith answers

OMBUDSMAN

In accordance with theeditorial policy of the UvoLwethu Express, we invitereaders to comment onmistakes in the newspa-per and shall correctsignificant errors as soonas possible. Send info tothe Ombudsman ofMedia24’s Local Press,George Claassen, atgeorge.claas-sen@media24.com or callhim at 0 021 851 3232.Readers can also contactthe SA Press Ombudsmanat 0 011 484 3612/8 ore-mail ombudsman@press-council.org.za.

YANDISA POPPY DLEMBULA

OFFICERS of the South African PoliceServices and the Department of Transport at-tended the scene of a car accident involvingfive vehicles close to the Bizana Magistrate’sCourt last week Wednesday.This happened despite Bizana Traffic Po-

lice Officers on numerous occasions trying toget motorists to reduce speed and to adhereto traffic laws when driving in town.

The accident happened when a vehicle col-lided with a bakkie at a stop street near themagistrate’s court and went crashing intothree other cars that were parked outside thecourt.MthubanziMadiba,whowitnessed the inci-

dent, said the car that caused all of this, wastravelling at a very high speed.“Thedriver couldnothaveavoided theacci-

dent at the speed he was travelling in,” addedMadiba.

Causeofaccident investigated

The front of the vehicle that allegedly caused an accident involving five cars in Bizana recently.PHOTO:YANDISA DLEMBULA

YANDISA POPPY DLEMBULA

SUSPECTS in two recent incidents ofarmed robbery in Flagstaff and Lusik-isiki are still on the run.

In one of the incidents, on April 19,a police officer was wounded and asuspect killed, when the suspectsstarted shooting at themembers of theSouth African Police Services (SAPS)who responded to the scene in Sicwen-za location. The police officer wasrushed to hospital and later released.One suspect, aged between 25 and 30

years, was shot and died on the scenewhilst the others fled.In the second incident, suspects

(who are estimated to be between 20and 30 years old) are wanted by the po-lice for armed robbery, attemptedmurder and theft. The suspects triedto rob a shop in the Mcobothini locali-ty and shot at the police.Police spokesperson, Captain

Mduduzi Godlwana, said anyone withany information should contact thepolice as soon as possible as these peo-ple are armed and dangerous.

Armed robberysuspects on the run

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3NewsMay 8, 2014

Uvolwethu Express

Kennedy Chitula MwangeSALES EXECUTIVE

82 Blakeway Street, MthathaOffice: (047) 050 4430Fax: (041) 503 6256Cell: 073 478 7899

E-mail: kennedy.mwange@media24.com

MT3TVQ-080514-TE-bpkmwa-ken

GREG NOTA

THE Department of Education in the EasternCape has finally came to the rescue ofMatshe-zi Senior Primary School inKutshuze localitywhose roof was blown away during a stormin January.

Provisional structures are being construct-ed at the school where some parents havebeen forced to remove their children from theschool.After the storm the school was left with

eight roofless classrooms. Its 259 pupils hadto be squashed in three remaining classroomsand the staffroom which was converted intoa classroomduring rainy days. On somedays,weather allowing, teachers teach their pupilsunder the trees.Some parents were forced to take their chil-

dren out of the school and into the neighbour-ing schools, since they were scared that theirchildren might get sick being taught in suchbad conditions.After an UvoLwethu Express reporter visit-

ed the school, the Department of Educationsent a contractor to the school onApril 17. Thereport on the terrible conditions at the schoolwas published Uvo Lwethu Express on April24.When the contractor visited the school, a

meeting was called with an official from thedepartment and the school managementteam. It was reported that the contractor wasthere to bring two temporary containers to beused as classrooms since it was not going tobe possible to put a roof to the school’s oldbuildings.Although the school management team is

happy that something is being done, they are

still concerned that two containers are notenough for the school and the departmentshould have brought more to accommodateall the learners to allow smooth teaching andlearning. Teachers are complaining that theyare unable to teach properly as at times twoteachers had to teach two classes in one class-room.An official from the department, who was

present at themeeting, promised the school’smanagement team that he was going to re-turn to Bisho at the department’s offices andexplain the situation. He also agreed that thenumber of containers needed to bemore thantwo and that he will make recommendationson behalf of the school.The school’s principal, NtomboxoloMbooi,

said they were happy that the departmentwas doing something to assist their schoolbut shewas also concerned about the numberof containers.She said the department also needs to pro-

vide themwith books, desks and other teach-ingmaterials since everythingwasdestroyedduring the storm.The school buildings were built by parents

a long time ago. They have been advised thatthe walls won’t be able to sustain the weightif the roof is replaced and it will therefore notbe safe.Spokesperson for the department of educa-

tion, Loyiso Pulumani, confirmed that a con-tractor had been sent to the site to start withthe building work and they will be monitor-ing the progress.“As far as the other schools that were af-

fected by storm damage in January are con-cerned, our infrastructure is confirmingwith COEGA who were appointed by Treas-ury for these schools,” said Pulumani.

Educationdepartment rescues school

The chairperson of the school governing body, Fundile Khonqasi, a member of the school manage­ment and a teacher, Lungelwa Mina, and the school principal, Ntomboxolo Mbooi, inspecting thesite where the containers will be erected. PHOTO: GREG NOTA

This is how Matshezi Senior Primary School was left after the storm. PHOTO:GREG NOTA

YANDISA POPPY DLEMBULA

THEMbizana LocalMunic-ipality (MLM) held its Stateof the Municipality Ad-dress (SOMA) at the BizanaSports Ground on April 29and used the opportunity tohighlight its developmentplan.

All communities fromBi-zana were represented atthe SOMA address wherethe MLM mayor, MakhayaTwabu, announced thatR65 million of their budgethad been secured for the in-stallation of electricity.Twabu said that this

money alone will not guarantee electricityfor all the villages without electricity, but itwas the start of developing other villageswhile funding was available.“Looking back, there is a lot that has been

done and still a lot more than needs to bedone in the future.”

He further stated in his ad-dress that the municipalityare promising to fightagainst poverty and unem-ployment since these seemedto be on the increase in Biza-na.Twabu concluded by en-

couraging the Bizana com-munity to invest in agricul-tural activities as these willwork hand in hand with thefight against poverty in theAlfred Nzo District at large.Asandiswa Mazibuko who

is a resident of Bizana saidthere was really a lot thathad been done in Bizana in

the past 20 years as it was named the fastestgrowing small town in the Eastern Cape. “Iknow that a lot of people will not agree withme but it needs to be acknowledged that alot ofworkhas been done by theMLM,” add-ed Mazibuko

Mayor brings electric news atMbizana State of theMunicipality Address

The Mbizana Local MunicipalMayor during the State of theMunicipal Address in Bizana.

PHOTO:YANDISA DLEMBULA

The Bizana community listening to the mayor’s speech at the State of the Municipality Address inBizana. PHOTO: YANDISA DLEMBULA

REPORTER

THE MEC for Roads and Public Works metlast week with municipalities in the AlfredNzoDistrict to present all the roads andbridg-es which will soon be under construction.

All the Mayors, Road Forum Members and

Transport Forum Members, comprising theBus and Taxi Operators, were present to lis-ten to the solutions the MEC was offering.After the meeting, MEC Thandiswa Ma-

rawu proceeded to hand over a Port St John’s(PSJ) entrance road to the community. Thisentrance roadwill improve access to the townof PSJ for tourists and people of the surround-

MECprovides immediate solutions forproblemroadsing communities. “This road has two majorbridges and cost R90 million.”At the beginning of this year MECMarawu

had been on a roadshow to all districtmunici-palities with the intention of understandingthe extent of damage to the rural road net-work. She had committed to request morefunds to alleviate the problems caused by the

constant flood rains. The money has sincebeen ring-fenced and contracts have beenawarded to construction companies.“This is one of the department’s initiatives

to provide roads for all targeted major trans-port, to construct new surface and gravelroads, upgrade and rehabilitate gravel roadsand to maintain proclaimed roads.”

YANDISA POPPY DLEMBULA

A NO-NAME organisation, that was formedrecently with the aim of fighting poverty, do-nated clothes and groceries to the needy inthe Dubana Administrative Area in Lusik-isiki.

Sonwabile Nondzanga, who is one of thefounders of this organisation, said this organ-isation, without a name, was formed in Octo-

ber 2013 and they started by collecting clothesfor the needy.Nondzanga said the community was more

than willing to help because of the situationthat people were living in in their locality.“We do not have a name yet for our organisa-tion, but what we know at this point is thatwe want to help our people live in better con-ditions.”The beneficiaries of this first intervention

by the organisation were identified by their

ward committees and ward councillors whowork hand in hand with this organisation toalleviate poverty in Lusikisiki.Andisani Ndabeni from the locality said

what this organisation was doing was veryhelpful and it showed that there are still peo-ple with humanity.“Communities all over Lusikisiki will

work together with this organisation andhelp it reach its goals and dreams of seeingeveryone live as one,” concluded Ndabeni.

No-nameorganisation fights poverty

4 NewsMay 8, 2014Uvolwethu Express

YANDISA POPPY DLEMBULA

SENIOR school choirs from Bizana partici-pated in an elimination choir competition atthe Roman Catholic Church Hall recentlywhere the winners were chosen to representBizana in the District Senior Schools Compe-tition to be announced soon.The chairpersonof theBizanaVillageCircuit, underwhich the

school choirs fall, Mhlalufikile Mthithala,said after their preparations, they were veryhopeful that they were going to be the best atthe District competitions.

“We have so much talent in Bizana and itis time to show people what Bizana schoolsare made of,” said Mthithala.Speaking on behalf of the choir masters,

Thamsanqa Magadla said the school pupilswho participated are talented individualswho need the recognition.Competition categories included the Mixed

DoubleQuartet (MDQ)where eight school pu-pils with different voice tones sang beautiful-ly for the audience leaving them speechless.TheNikhweJunior SecondarySchool (JSS)

won the MDQ category and the English cate-

gory competing with Nonkqubela JSS whichscooped two first places in the Afrikaans andAfrican categories.“Their voices are just too good to be true,”

saidAndisiweMathwasawhowas in theaudi-ence.She wished all the schools that made it to

the district competition good luck and prom-ised to support them all the way.

Choirs selected fordistrict competition

Nonkqubela Junior Secondary School performing at the choir competitions in Bizana.PHOTO:YANDISA DLEMBULA

KwaNikhwe Junior Secondary School doing what they do best on stage at the Choir competitionsheld in Bizana recently. PHOTO: YANDISA DLEMBULA

YANDISA POPPY DLEMBULA

AFTER visiting the Mbizana Local Munici-pality (MLM) at the beginning of April, theMEC for Local Government and TraditionalAffairs, Mlibo Qoboshiyane recently re-turned to give feedback to residents of villag-es in Bizana that had electricity complaints.

During the first meeting with the MEC,

more than six Bizana communities wererepresented. They complained about servicedelivery, especially electricity, not reachingtheir areas.Qoboshiyane said that they had discov-

ered that the whole of Alfred Nzo had prob-lems with electricity. There are, however,programmes that are running alreadywhere 60% of the Bizana Villages had elec-tricity installed already. Vuyani Mqina

from the MLM did a presentation for thecommittee members that indicated that5 881 households would have electricity byJune. He said that 6 060 households will beconnected by the end of the 2014/15 financialyear which will cost R300 million randwhich is still being raised.The community members were not at all

happy with the feedback. They said they ex-pected something tangible that they can take

back to their communities and not anothersetback. “We expected the MEC to bringfeedback that tells uswhenwe should expectelectricity; not telling us that they are stillraisingmoney for installations,” said LubhaMbalo who was speaking on behalf of thecommittee members present.The meeting ended with the MEC and

MLMleaders visiting differentwards to giveclarity on what was going on.

Communitymembers still not satisfiedwith theMEC’s feedback

5NewsMay 8, 2014

Uvolwethu Express

MT3GQ0-080514-TE-bpnnon-overcoat

THIS week Uvo Lwethu Express reporter metwith one of the most inspirational young peo-ple from Bizana who is making a differencein his life by being his ownboss. Reporter, YandisaDlembula, had a chat withthe owner of New Lookand Qute Lifestyle Dread-locks in Bizana, BandileMdliva (33).

How did you startyour business?I started the salon after

I got working experienceat a Durban salon at a con-struction company. Iwanted to be a salon own-er and decided to open onecloser to home at the be-ginning of 2010.

What are your inspi-rations and long termgoals?The business started

small. I still have a longway to go because I wantto have an upmarket placewhich will attract every-one. Having a reputable place is part of elimi-nating the competition because people willwant to go to thebest place in town. I alsowantto market this career to guys who are unem-ployed and train them into becoming theirown bosses as well in a few years to come.

What are your achievements so far?I took guyswho did not knowhow to do any-

thing, because I wanted to develop young peo-ple andmake them see that they have the skill

to do whatever they put their minds to. AndI did, which is a big achievement forme. Pro-viding good services as well has been a great

achievement becausepeople come back andthey recommend theirfriends to come as well.

Why did you chooseBizana?I considered a lot of

places but decided that Ineeded to bring this up-market service to a smalldeveloping town. Beingcloser to home also saveson unnecessary expenseslike rent.

What motivates youto go further?I have a passion for this

and it is a very open in-dustry which is what mo-tivates me. It has a lot ofopportunities becausethere are fashion shows,beauty pageants andmany things that makeme love this industry

even more.

What other considerations do you havein growing your business?In the long run I would love to expand and

also have a spa where people can get servicessuch as massages, facials and manicures. Iwant to go big and bring the things that peo-ple say are impossible to have here inBizana.Expanding does, however, depend on havingfunds available.

Salonowner shares recipe for success

Bandile Mdliva who is the Owner ofNew Look and Qute Lifestyledreadlocks salon in Bizana.

PHOTO: YANDISA DLEMBU-LA

The Mbizana LocalMunicipal Speaker,Daniswa Mafumbathagetting her hair done byQinisela Mzimela fromQute Lifestyle dreadlocks.

The washing bay of theNew Look and QuteLifestyle dreadlocks Salon.PHOTOS: YANDISADLEMBULA

YANDISA POPPY DLEMBULA

WITH hopes of changing the difficulties andchallenges faced by the Eastern Cape and itssmall towns, the Preachers’ Associationgathered at the Love Life sports ground inBizana on April 29, praying for the Lord Al-mighty to intervene and change people’sperspective on life.

This was done before the State of the Mu-nicipality address (SOMA) where clergy-men from different church denominationsprayed for peaceful elections, no road acci-dents, moral regeneration, unity and crime.Pastor LennoxMxhelwane fromNomlacu

locality quoted from Psalm 127 when heasked the different communities of Bizanato also pray for the intervention.

“We should invite God in everything thatgoes on around us, so that we can live inpeace and freely in our own land,” he added.Ntombifuthi Ncwayiba, known as Noma-

khisimsi, drove the programme and encour-aged young people to also be part of wantingto change the members of the community’slives for the better.She added that nothing was beyond any-

body, but one just needs to believe in orderto get results.The day was emotional as recent occur-

rences in Bizana were tackled leaving thoseattending the prayer in tears.But Pastor Mxhelwane wiped away their

tears when he said God was never defeatedby anything.

Prayer for intervention

Pastor Lennox Mxhelwane from Nomlacu during the prayer service in Bizana.PHOTO:YANDISA DLEMBULA

Pastors and clergymen who were present at the Prayer day held in Bizana.PHOTO: YANDISA DLEMBULA

SIMBONGILE MDLEDLE

THE former President of the SouthAfrican Council of Churches, Rever-end Mcebisi Xundu, described Man-dela as the “Moses of South Africa”who championed the struggle againstapartheid.

Xundu said Mandela is the Mosesof this country, because he surren-

Xundu said the road to freedomwas a difficult one and that peopleshould treat their freedom withcare.“Bloodwas spilt andmanypeople

lost their lives, while others had toleave their families because theywanted SouthAfrica to be free. Peo-ple of this country must utilizetheir freedom and defend it,” hesaid.

deredhis timewithhis family to fightfor South Africa’s liberation fromApartheid.He was addressing the audience,

speaking on behalf of different faithorganizations at a provincial Free-dom Day event held in Mt Ayliff.He said it was good for the people

to utilize the opportunity to vote – aprivilege they didn’t have duringApartheid.

‘MandelawasourMoses’ - Rev.McebisiXundu

Rev. Mcebisi Xundu.PHOTO:SIM MDLEDLE

6 Advertisement Uvolwethu Express May 8, 2014

7LifestyleMay 8, 2014

Uvolwethu Express

People likeus

Ntombifuthi Ncwayiba known as Nomakhisimsi at the State of the Municipality Address held inBizana last week. PHOTO: YANDISA DLEMBULA

Ngcingo Junior Secondary School pupils at the Love Life Centre supporting their school duringsports. PHOTO: YANDISA DLEMBULAMzamba Combined High School performing in Bizana recently. PHOTO: YANDISA DLEMBULA

Khaleni Senior Secondary School doing a traditional dance during the Bizana schools’ choircompetition recently. PHOTO: YANDISA DLEMBULA

BABALWA NDLANYA

A YOUNG lady from Elliotdale, NomgcoboBuhlungu, has fulfilled her dreamof owninga restaurant and cooking forVery ImportantPeople (VIP’s) when there are special eventsin Elliotdale and surrounding areas.

She owns a catering company called Zim-sophi Trading Enterprise, which she startedin 2009.

Nomgcobo said catering was living in herheart and she always tries her best to ensurethe food she cooks will only make her cus-tomers ask for more.

She said when she is cooking she makessure that she wakes up at 3 o’clock in themorning to start cooking samp and rice.They peel the vegetables the previous after-noon.

“My ingredients depend on the number ofpeople that I amcooking for. But Imake surethatmy foodhas taste at all times so that peo-ple cannot regret buying my food,” she said.

Samp ingredients(Serves 4 people)Samp, beans, four jugs of water, aromat

and saltChicken curry ingredients4 pieces of chicken, spices, 1 green, red and

yellow pepper, 1 onion, quarter mug of cook-ing oil, and half a cup of water.

MethodSamp. Firstly pour your samp in a bowl with

cold water and beans.. Wash the mix and after that put it in the

pot.. Pour water and put it on the hot stove.. Leave it to boil for some hours until the

mix becomes soft.. Season with salt and Aromat.. Turn down the temperature.. Stir ingredients together and leave for

about 20 minutes.. During cooking check and stir until in-

gredients are cooked together.. After 30 minutes the samp is ready to be

served.Chicken curry. Put cooking oil into the pot and place it

on the stove. Heat on temperature of 6.. Wait for oil to be hot then add chopped

onions and peppers.. While the ingredients are sizzling, add

your spices and stock cube.. Stirwell, then add the 4 pieces of chicken.. Wait for chicken to blend with the ingre-

dients by stirring ingredients together.. Add ½ cup of water then wait for it to

boil. Stir meat and wait for about 30-35 min-utes until it’s nice.

. Then it is ready to be served with samp,

rice and pap.. This dish can also be served with veggies

and salads that you like.

LOCAL IS LEKKER: ZIMSOPHI TRADINGENTERPRISE

Gcogco’s SampandCurry

NomgcoboBuhlungu ensuresthat her custom­ers are alwayscoming back formore. PHOTO:BA-BALWA NDLANYA

8 SportMay 8, 2014Uvolwethu Express

RULES: You must be 18 & over,& present to qualify for thedraw. Management reserves all rights. Judges decision isfinal.

DRAW DATE:

SATURDAY, JULY 26TH, 4PM

AT THE RITZ MTHATHA PLAZA

SIMBONGILE MDLEDLE

AGE is just a number for a married woman (59)from St Matthew in Mt Frere, who recently wona 10km race in Mt Ayliff.

Funeka Tiya astonished everybody during theevent when she came first despite her age.

The race was organised by the Alfred Nzo Dis-trictMunicipality and the route ran fromBechua-na to the Msukeni grounds.

A mother of six and a teacher by profession, Ti-ya said she has been fit all her life and that athlet-ics was her passion. She said her secret to stayaway frommaladieswasher running in themorn-ingand sometimesalso in theafternoon,whenshemanaged to finish her home chores early.

Even after she was shot in the knee in 1998, shenever gave up. “I was shot in mid-1998, but I toldmyself in January 1999 that I needed to get backto training. I organized the youth and we startedby running 2 km every morning. When my kneehealed, we started running 5km every morning,”she said.

Tiya has a strong desire to produce the athleteswho can fly Mt Frere’s flag high in South Africa.She called on the youth to follow in her footstepsand to stay away from drugs.

The Eastern Cape MEC, Xoliswa Tom, praisedTiya for being committed to sport. She describedher as a role model for the young people of thiscountry.

Funeka (59) saysage isnotanexcuse

Funeka Tiya receiving a medal from MEC Xoliswa Tom after winning a 10 kilometre race.PHOTO: SIM MDLEDLE

Funeka Tiya showing her medal after hervictory. PHOTO: SIM MDLEDLE