Mapepeza Vol.11 Issue 5 (April 5-12)

Bye-Bye e-tolls

Gauteng road users will no longer be charged for the use of the e-toll network.

This comes after Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga published in the Government Gazette a notice concerning the withdrawal of the toll declaration of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP), popularly known as e- tolls.

“This declaration will be effective on 11 April 2024 at 23h59, which means that from 12 April 2024, road users will no longer be charged for the use of the e-toll network. “It is important to note that, while these roads are no longer going to be tolled, the benefits of improved roads remain and that the gantries that have been installed for use on this scheme will continue to be used for other functions, such as fighting crime,” Chikunga said on Wednesday, April 10, in Centurion.

The Minister explained that the obligation to pay e-toll remains until

midnight on 11 April 2024.

“Road users will not be required to do anything when e-tolling is cancelled. Importantly, ‘current valid accounts’ can still be used for payments at toll plazas and other value-added services (i.e. parking). This is critical for the ongoing, long-term benefit of interoperability.

“The tag beeps will stop after midnight on 11 April 2024. The gantry lights and cameras will remain on for road safety purposes. The e-toll website will be updated with respect to the cancellation, including Mobility/Tag account functionality for services, i.e. interoperability and parking, etc.

“The e-toll stores will remain open as the tag can still be used for interoperability, account queries and other potential transport related services that will be determined in due course. The e-toll branding will be removed in phases,” the Minister said.

E-toll invoices will be rolled up until the last day and issued up until this period.

Due to potential delays in the postal system, invoices will still be received some time after 12 April 2024. However, no transactions post-midnight on 11 April 2024 will appear on the invoice or statement.

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) welcomed the publication in the Government Gazette by the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL), declaring that the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) roads will no longer be toll routes as from 11 April 2024.

“This essentially means that the 2008-gazette that declared the upgraded Gauteng freeway network to be tolled roads, has now been reversed, and the ill-conceived etoll scheme will be a thing of the past,” said OUTA in a statement.

News

News News

Female Found Dead in Heidelberg Home

An investigation into the death of a woman in her residence on Tuesday (April 2) took a chilling turn when authorities discovered evidence of foul play.

Initially presumed to be due to natural causes, the case quickly escalated into a murder investigation.

According to initial police reports, on April 2, authorities responded to a call regarding the discovery of a deceased female at her home. At first glance, nothing seemed amiss, with no signs of struggle and household appliances left undisturbed.

Consequently, it was assumed that the woman had passed away from natural causes, and an inquest docket was opened.

However, spurred by growing suspicions, Heidelberg’s Forensic Pathology Services (FPS) was contacted the following day to conduct further investigations. Shockingly, their findings revealed that the woman had died as a result of strangulation, indicating a homicide.

“The Inquest docket was immediately closed and a murder docket subsequently registered as per Heidelberg cas 21/04/2024,” stated

Constable Nkosi, spokesperson for the Heidelberg police.

Police interviews with the deceased’s family shed light on a potentially significant lead. It was revealed that the victim had recently ended a relationship with her boyfriend, who was reportedly struggling to cope with the breakup.

Authorities wasted no time in apprehending the boyfriend and his accomplice for questioning. In a startling turn of events, both suspects confessed to the crime and provided crucial information leading to the recovery of stolen items from the victim’s home.

“Investigations revealed that some exhibits already recovered and identified by the family,” Constable Nkosi disclosed.

In addition to the murder charges, the suspects now face further allegations of house robbery and obstructing justice. However, there is speculation that the house robbery charge might be converted to a theft charge pending court proceedings.

The two suspects are currently in police custody awaiting their court appearance.

Investigation into metro cop shooting underway

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) confirms that they are investigating a shooting incident that allegedly took place in Dobsonville on Saturday evening, April 6. The incident resulted in a death of a Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officer.

“It is alleged that the police officers were on patrol when they saw a car that was driving recklessly, and they tried to stop it. The driver did not stop, and the police pursued it until it stopped at a certain house in Monaisa Street in Dobsonville.

The police officers allegedly approached the driver, and asked him why he was driving recklessly and refusing to stop when they asked him to stop. They allegedly told him that they are placing him under arrest for reckless and negligent driving,” IPID spokesperson Phaladi Shuping.

The JMPD officer, who is allegedly the mother of the driver, got out of the house and had an argument with the police officers. She alleg-

Piggy Trading Farm under investigation

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) is investigating the affairs of Piggy Farm Trading, an entity that promotes and sells “virtual pigs".

This was after the Commission received complaints that Piggy Trading Farm might be a multiplication scheme.

Promoted on its website and various social media platforms, Piggy Farm Trading provides potential buyers with two options, buying from the farm and virtual buying and owning.

The second option is processed through what is called digital Metaverse Farming.

The entity claims that this option is ‘risk-free’, as they farm on behalf of the participants. This includes feeding, insurance of the pigs, vaccination, and regular cleaning of pigs.

According to Piggy Farm Trading, participants can purchase between one and 50 pigs per annum at R2 200 per pig. Each pig gives its owner a minimum of R500 per month over a year as profit.

The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) describes a multiplication scheme as a scheme that promises or guarantees participants an effective annual interest rate, as calculated in the prescribed manner that is at least 20% above the repo rate.

The Commission has warned consumers to exercise caution when dealing with this entity.

edly told them that she is going to get her gun, went into the house, and started shooting at the police officers.

The police officers allegedly returned fire and the JMPD officer was fatally wounded.

The incident was reported to IPID and investigators have started their investigation into the incident.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg is deeply concerned by the shootout. Councillor Cllr. Michael Sun, DA Johannesburg’s Shadow MMC of Public Safety, says this incident has raised

serious questions about the safety protocols and the conduct of law enforcement agencies in our city.

The party says they will be making inquiries on a city level to gather more information about the events that transpired.

EDITORIAL POLICY

The Editor reserves the right to determine whether material submitted for publication shall be printed and reserves the right to edit as needed, for space, libellous statements and personal unwarranted attacks. All material submitted must signed (name withheld upon request). Opinions expressed by the writers of the articles in the newspaper are those of the individual and not necessarily those of the editor or the publication workforce. Articles submitted for publication must deal with

“Consumers must be honest with their dealings, as the CPA prohibits any participation, recruitment, joining or promoting a multiplication scheme and other schemes.

“The NCC has noticed a spike in agricultural schemes like this one, which lure participants into joining the scheme and promise high returns. If a consumer buys livestock, they should be able to take possession of that livestock,” said the NCC’s Acting Commissioner.

The latest trends of pyramid schemes, multiplication schemes, and chain letters indicate that the owners have designed these schemes to buy into the idea of “investing” while they (consumers) are participating in prohibited conduct.

Consumers are reminded of the dangers of joining, promoting and recruiting others into such schemes. These schemes always collapse and leave consumers out of pocket.

Young Girl Found Dead in Rubbish Bin, two arrested

Ratanda residents gathered outside a house in extension 6 in disbelief and shock after it was reported that a two year old girl who went missing was found dead.

On Thursday, April 4, police swiftly responded to a report of a missing child on Maphiri Street, Ext 6 Ratanda, as a three-year-old girl was reported missing.

Two undocumented immigrants, a 33-year-old male and a 37-year-old female, have been arrested in connection with a murder case following a tragic incident in Ratanda.

While searching the premises, police found the body of the missing girl inside a dustbin, wrapped in plastic.

Constable Moss Maluleke, Ratanda SAPS spokesperson, stated, “Through police investigation, we have arrested two individuals in connection with the murder case.”

According to Maluleke, a verbal altercation ensued between the suspect and the mother of the deceased after the suspect was caught attempting to steal.

Subsequently, the deceased visited the suspect, who was alone at the time.

The suspect’s male friend arrived while the two were together. The friend requested to use the restroom, providing the suspect with an opportunity to strangle the child to death.

“The male friend returned to find the tragic scene and assisted in disposing of the body by wrapping it in plastic and placing it in a dustbin. The victim’s body was discovered after a

comprehensive search led by Ratanda police, with assistance from the Dog unit. The young girl was found wrapped in plastic inside a rubbish bin,” Maluleke explained. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.

The suspects have been detained at Heidelberg Saps and are expected have appeared before the Heidelberg Magistrates court facing murder charges.

Ratanda Saps urges the community to refrain from spreading misinformation and taking matters into their own hands, emphasizing the importance of allowing the legal process

to unfold.This comes as members of the community reported to Mapepeza that the young victim was mutilated. Those reports were later debunked by police.

However, some residents took to the streets and damaged several business establishments believed to be owned by foreign nationals. A truck that was parked at the crime scene was burnt.

No injuries were reported during the unplanned protests. Police continue to monitor the situation and urge residents to not take part in breaking the law.

Home Affairs clarifies misunderstanding on visas

Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has moved to clarify a misunderstanding on the gazetted regulations recommendations on the Critical Skills and General Work Visas.

This comes after some media reports had stated that the department had done away with the Critical Skills Visa in favour of a pointbased system.

Briefing the media on the Second Amendment of the Immigration Regulation 2014 recently, Motsoaledi pointed out that section 19(4) of the Immigration Act states that a Critical Skills Work Visa may be issued by the Director-General to an individual possessing such skills or qualifications determined to be critical for the Republic from time to time by the Minister by notice in the gazette.

However, section 19(2) of the Act states that a General Work Visa may be issued by the Director-General to a foreigner not falling within the category contemplated in sub-section 4 and who complies with prescribed requirements.

“Sub-section 4 is the one dealing with critical skills [and] this means general work is anything that is not covered in the critical skills list. The prescribed requirements mentioned in the Act are found in regulation 18 (3) of the previous regulation before the amendments.” Motsoaledi said.

He emphasised that the department has not cancelled the Critical Skills Work Visa but has changed the manner in which the visa was previously operating.

“In the past, a critical skills list visa was issued every four years, and the Minister of Home Affairs is supposed to gazette skills that are critical to the economy of the country. But Home Affairs does not have the capacity, nor the knowledge, nor the skills to know what is required.

“What Home Affairs does is go to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). The DHET usually asks the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), and the council will work with other institutions, including labour market surveys, to put up a list of skills which they think are critical for the economy of the country,” Motsoaledi explained.

The Minister also noted that critical skills are not necessarily referring to important skills or prestigious skills like some people believe.

“A critical skill is that which is critical for the functioning of the economy but there are few South Africans who can do that work, and so we are forced to go beyond the borders of this country to look for those people with such skills.

“Once the profession we have got appears on that critical skills list, which would have been gazetted by the Minister of Home Affairs, you get a letter of employment, then Home Affairs is forced to give you a Critical Skills Work Visa,” Motsoaledi explained, adding that the visa is one of the easiest to give, as it only requires a profession.

On the General Work Visa amendment, Motsoaledi said employers are no longer required

to go to the Department of Employment and Labour, but the visa would be approved through a point-based system.

“We are going to give you points, and on the basis of that point you have to reach a particular mark, then you get your visa,” the Minister said.

The Minister said the point-based system will consider at least six criteria, including age; qualifications; language skills, work experience; offer of employment; and the ability to adapt within the Republic.

However, Motsoaledi said the department is considering replacing the ability to adapt within the Republic with income or salary being offered to an individual.

New work visa regulations withdrawn

Meanwhile, Motsoaledi announced the withdrawal of the new work visa regulations, which were gazetted on 28 March 2024 for public comments, a day before the closing date for public comments on the draft policy.

This follows the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) meeting held last week, where the process was questioned and NEDLAC demanded the withdrawal of the regulations.

“These regulations are being withdrawn in the government gazette, simply to rectify this small error, not that we are going to change them. In the process we will change other smaller issues which we have picked up which may not [have] been understood," he said.

Home Affairs open on Saturday

The Department of Home Affairs is set to open its offices for five hours a day on Saturdays from April 6 to May 25, excluding the 27 April 2024 public holiday, for ID collection services.

This also includes facilitation of new applications and issuance of Temporary Identity Certificates.

According to the department, the offices will also be resolving challenges pertaining to duplicates, amendments, rectifications, and dead-alive cases with the required supporting documents.

The offices will open from 8 am to 1 pm. Mobile offices are also scheduled to return to deliver IDs in the remote areas where they took applications from. Local offices, working with stakeholders that include councillors, will communicate the dates, times and venues of those visits. Mobile offices will be used to support the identified local offices.

In addition, clients can now book appointments to collect their Smart ID Cards and Green barcoded ID books before visiting offices by using the Branch Appointment Booking System which is available on the Department of Home Affairs website: www.dha.gov.za.

Creative and Sports organizations called for funding

Gauteng based sport, recreation, libraries and creative organisations are reminded and encouraged to apply for funding for their planned projects for the period 2024/5 funding season by the deadline of 26 April 2024 at 16:00.

The Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (GDSACR) has, through the Grant in Aid fund, opened for applications for funding in March, to support projects on arts, sport, recreation, heritage etc, which are related to the mandate of the GDSACR.

The funding is managed by the GD SACR to support projects that help benefit its sectors and carry out its mandate.

The department is committed to investing in events or festivals (Sport, Arts, Culture and Heritage) that align with wider provincial government objectives of social cohe-

sion and nation building.

These could also be implemented using relevant virtual digital platforms, VOD ideas (Video on Demand), streaming, podcasts, social media, webinars, short animations and documentaries that meet the unique needs and challenges faced by communities.

Consideration for funding will be at the discretion of the adjudication committee.

All completed application forms should be submitted on or before the closing date of 26 April 2024 at 16:00 to: Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation: 35 Rissik Street, Johannesburg 2001 or Private Bag X33, Johannesburg, 2000

Application forms can be accessed from: https://shorturl.at/bdjF2

President of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Velenkosini Hlabisa, recently visited the Ratanda community as part of their campaign trail. The IFP is set to unveil its Gauteng Manifesto soon.

City recongizes visual art talent through exhibition and prizes

The City of Ekurhuleni invites the public to the art exhibition and prize-giving ceremony of the third Umsizi noPende visual art project at Springs Art Gallery on Saturday, April 13.

The prizes will be given to four recipients to celebrate talent, creativity, accomplishment, strategic innovation, and sustainable growth. Entries were submitted from artists over the age of 21 from Gauteng and Mpumalanga.

The following prize categories and cash incentives will be given:

• Gold Prize (R20 000)

• Silver Prize (R12 000)

• Bonze Prize (R8 000)

• The Public Voters’ Choice Prize (R10 000)

The award programme is dubbed Umsizi NoPende, a visual art project birthed from the creative minds of Isthuli-Sasengweni Arts & Craft Organization in collaboration with the City of Ekurhuleni’s Visual Art & Galleries Section in the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture as well as expressive support from Gert Sibande Municipality in Mpumalanga.

The exhibition will showcase a breath-taking selection of 20 shortlisted

Unemployed called to register on ESSA

The Department of Employment and Labour, through its entity, the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), will enter into partnerships with private business, SETAs and NGOs to create thousands of employment opportunities for residents of Gauteng.

At the launch of labour activation programmes for Gauteng on Saturday, Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi said an amount of R8.4 billion has been set aside to implement 105 labour activation programmes over 22 sectors, including agriculture, services, IT, construction, engineering, wholesale and retail, safety and security, hospitality, social services, textile and transport in Gauteng.

The Gauteng launch is part of a R23.8 billion national job creation plan that will be rolled out over the next couple of weeks to create more than 700 000 employment opportunities throughout the country. The opportunities will run between 12 and 36 months.

Nxesi, delivering the keynote address, said that in the face of rising unemployment, all efforts to create employment in South Africa should be welcomed.

“It is very important that we respond to the challenge of unemployment, and plan together to implement strategies to mitigate it on an ongoing basis. We believe that government, working together with all stakeholders, has a major role to play in mitigating unemployment, and creating and preserving jobs,” said the Minister.

Nxesi said that only substantial economic growth and development will rescue the country from the huge unemployment challenge.

The launch was attended by labour activation programme beneficiaries, project owners, various MECs from the provincial government, as well as senior government officials.

Participants that will be hired and trained in the programme will be selected through the Department of Employment and Labour’s Employment Services of South Africa database (ESSA).

For registration as a work seeker, members of the public can register on the database using the link https://essa.labour.gov.za/ EssaOnline/WebBeans

Saturday school celebrates 13 years of 100% matric passes

artworks portraying a variety of techniques and mediums, such as painting, printmaking, drawing, photography and mixed media collage.

This year’s theme is “Looking into The Past, present and Future” and artists were encouraged to explore the variety of meanings, images and experiences evoked by the theme and to interpret the theme in their own unique way using these mediums. The exhibition features a diverse genre of artists, including photographers, painters, multi-disciplinary artists, and printmakers from different backgrounds. The 20 shortlisted artworks make up the final exhibition at the Springs Art Gallery and will be available for purchase.

An online version of the exhibition catalogue can be viewed on the Isthuli-Sasengweni Arts & Craft Organization’s website www.isthuliarts.org. za

The art gallery is open weekdays from 09h00 to 16h00 for public viewing. It is closed on Sundays and public holidays. Entry is free.

The art exhibition will continue until 31 April 2024.

The Sci-Com Foundation’s Saturday school is celebrating that all 241 learners enrolled last year passed matric, with 185 university passes.

This achievement means that the Ekurhuleni-based NGO, sponsored by Carnival City and Sun International, has achieved 13 straight years of matric passes.

Learners hail from areas including Tsakane, Kwa-Thema, Duduza, Gelusksdal and Wattville, and are enrolled in Grade 10 to ensure they are thoroughly prepared for their final exams.

The top five learners with the best results were female, namely Racheku Tlotlo (five distinctions), Makgato Deipa, Mathibela Celiwe (both four distinctions), Nkambule Mmathabo and Aaqilah Rawat (three distinctions each).

“The achievement of girls is a milestone to the endeavours and tribute to the work of our educators who have maintained the standard of outstanding marks,” said Mr L Nkopane of the Sci-com Foundation.

The Sci-Com Foundation’s Saturday (SFS) school in Brakpan has reinvented itself as a strategic programme for the teaching of life

sciences, physical sciences and mathematics, with the introduction of a new teaching methodology, away from teach-and-chalk methods.

“The SFS programme was introduced at a leadership camp where learners spent a week learning contextual based science activities, which brought a new dimension to the content covered. Children are motivated by the activities in class and this has made the work of the educators much easier.”

“We are thankful for Carnival City and Sun International’s contribution, which has traversed beyond just the financial injection to one which led to meaningful mentoring of the learners,” said Nkopane.

Mduduzi Madonsela, Socio Economic Development, Carnival City, said the Carnival City and Sun International sponsorship saw disadvantaged learners assisted with extra tuition in Computer Applied Technology, Mathematics, English, Physical Science, Life Science and Accounting. “Scicom bridges the gap between those schools that have resources, and those that don’t, and helps more learners pass matric with key skills in areas that South Africa desperately needs.”

Legals & Locals

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New Traffic Wardens to boost law enforcement

In a bid to strengthen law enforcement efforts across Gauteng, the provincial government has embraced a new cohort of traffic wardens who will work in tandem with existing officials to combat crime and uphold safety on the streets.

The deployment of these wardens, totaling an additional 3000 individuals, was met with enthusiasm by MEC for Community Safety, Faith Mazibuko, who highlighted the importance of their role. Speaking at the pass-out parade held at Dunnottar Military Base in Ekurhuleni, Mazibuko emphasized the significance of the wardens' contribution. She stated, "Through targeted deployments, the Gauteng Traffic Wardens will enhance and complement the work of law enforcement officials across Gauteng to accelerate the fight against crime, corruption, lawlessness and vandalism."

The ceremony, which marked the successful completion of rigorous training for the wardens, was attended by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi. Lesufi encouraged the new recruits to uphold professionalism and diligence in their duties, stressing the importance of integrity and adherence to the law. "We must not hear of people wearing uniforms but doing

wrong things. I pay you enough for you not to ask for bribes," remarked Lesufi, underlining the government's commitment to eradicating corruption.

The training initiative was a collaborative effort involving the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and various law enforcement agencies. The wardens will operate under the command of the SANDF, with oversight from Gauteng Traffic police supervisors.

MEC Mazibuko cautioned the recruits against misuse of their authority and resources, emphasizing the need for responsible conduct.

"You are not on your own. You are also under the command of your supervisors in the Gauteng Traffic police," she reminded them.

"If you are given cars to go and police our areas, it is not your family car. This car belongs to the state, and you must use it for that purpose."

The influx of these new wardens is part of a broader strategy to bolster community safety and job creation, particularly in underserved areas. The Gauteng government remains committed to enhancing law enforcement capabili-

ties and ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents.

MEC Mazibuko reiterated the expectations for the new wardens, stating, "I must never hear of anyone that has done something that they were not allowed to do." This reaffirmed the government's dedication to maintaining accountability and professionalism

ISAZISO SOKUFAKA INGOZI ENKULU

Isaziso siyanikezwa ngokuba khona Kokufakwa Kwengozi Enkulu (MHI) e-Vopak Terminal ILesedi etholakala ePoortjie Rd, Jameson Park, eNingizimu Afrika.

Isaziso esinjalo idingwa ngumthethonqubo wesi-4 weMithetho ye-MHI emenyezelwe ngomhlaka-31 uMasingana 2024 via regulation gazette number 47970.

Noma yimuphi onentshisekelo noma umuntu othintekayo angenza izethulo ngokubhalela endaweni efanele uhulumeni noma umqondisi wesifundazwe zingakapheli izinsuku ezingama-60 uma ukufakwa kukhona akwamukeleki kubo. Ikhophi yokuhlolwa kwengozi ye-MHI ephathelene ukufakwa kuyatholakala kulowo muntu ekhelini elingenhla kokuthi a isikhathi, indawo kanye nendlela okuzovunyelwana ngayo phakathi kwe amaqembu.

Ukuze uthole ukufinyelela ekuhloleni ubungozi sicela uthinte isayithi ku: 073 940 9062 – Mduduzi Nkosi

NOTICE OF MAJOR HAZARD INSTALLATION

Notice is hereby given of the existence of a Major Hazard Installation (MHI) at Vopak Terminal Lesedi located at Poortjie Rd, Jameson Park, South Africa.

Such notice is required by regulation 4 of the MHI Regulations promulgated on 31 January 2023 via regulation gazette number 47970.

Any interested or affected person may make representations in writing to the relevant local government or provincial director within 60 days if the installations are not acceptable to them.

A copy of the MHI risk assessment pertaining to the installations is available for that person at the above address at a time, place and in a manner which will be agreed upon between the parties.

For access to the risk assessment please contact the site on: 073 940 9062 – Mduduzi Nkosi

Faith Mazibuko presented certificates and trophies to acknowledge the commitment, and performance demonstrated by some of the wardens during their training.

Sports Sports

Stage is set for the 2024 Telkom Netbal League

The stage is set, and the players are ready, as the highly anticipated 2024 Telkom Netball League (TNL) gears up for its grand kickoff at the Ellis Park Arena in Johannesburg.

With its inaugural power week from 26 April - 5 May 2024, followed by a series of electrifying matches running through May and June, the TNL promises a spectacle of athleticism, sportsmanship, and unparalleled talent.

Established in 2014, the Telkom Netball League has served as a cornerstone of South African netball, consistently churning out exceptional players who not only dominate the national scene but also leave an indelible mark on the international stage.

Sponsored by Telkom since 2019, the league has emerged as the premier semi-professional netball competition in the country, fostering an environment where aspiring athletes can showcase their skills and catch the eye of talent scouts, with the ultimate dream of proudly wearing the green and gold of the SPAR Proteas.

In a bid to make history once again, this year's tournament welcomes a new addition to its roster, Tshukudu from the North-West province,

bringing the total number of competing teams to 16, representing all nine provinces of South Africa. Among them, the Gauteng Jaguars, reigning champions from 2023, aim to defend their title against fierce competition, including the resilient Free State Crinums.

"The Telkom Netball League stands as a testament to Telkom's unwavering dedication to fostering the growth of netball, echoing the sentiments of the #StandTall campaign initiated during the 2023 Netball World Cup," remarked Gugu Mthembu, Chief Marketing Officer of Telkom.

"Our investment in sports development and netball sponsorships underscores our commitment to empowering women in sports and nurturing the next generation of netball superstars. Through the Telkom Netball League, we provide a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents and inspire the nation with their passion and determination."

Telkom's dedication to sports development aligns seamlessly with the vision of Netball South Africa, whose President, Cecilia Molokwane, expressed optimism about the growth of the tournament and the announcement of the additional team.

"The expansion of the Telkom Netball League signifies a milestone in our journey to elevate the sport of netball in South Africa," said Molokwane.

The Telkom Netball League perfectly complements the City of Johannesburg’s vision of becoming the “Sporting City of Choice.” Councillor Lubabalo Magwentshu, MMC for Community Development, reaffirmed the City’s com-

mitment to recognizing and promoting women’s sports.

He further emphasized the league’s positive impact on empowering young girls and fostering their athletic aspirations.

The Telkom Netball League (TNL) is South Africa’s premier Netball tournament.

Tickets for the season will be announced soon.