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Security officer killed by striking workers in Olifantsfontein By Dumisani Hlatswayo
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56-year-old man was beaten to death, allegedly by striking Clover employees. Three other security officers were left injured and two are in critical condition. Clover employees have been on strike for nearly weeks demanding wage increments. An employee who spoke to The Olifants News on condition of anonymity said Clover is planning on retrenching employees. “The company is planning to retrench more people and decrease our salaries by 20%,” he said. According to the police, four Clover security officers came across a group of striking workers belonging to Fawu and Giwusa in Olifantsfontein as they were travelling in a bus, en route to hand over a memorandum in Boksburg. A car damaged by Clover striking employees The deceased and his crew were pelted with stones by the Clover employees who were also passen- place at Clayville. This is the sec- publicly once SAPS clears its release. Clayville property and gers of the three buses. There is a ond guard to be murdered, the first The company said that the name security intervened. possibility that the strikers collected of whom was Mr Tsephe Molatsi who of the hospital where two guards had Security guards were stones before climbing onto the buses. was murdered by striking workers on been admitted would not be released attacked with guns, Two striking workers were arrested 22 January,” said a statement issued because witnesses to previous events rocks, batons and other weapons, and is completely unacceptable. Another inside the property and handed over by Clover. have been threatened and are now in responded with rubber bullets. One person has now been murdered. The to the Olifantsfontein SAPS. According to Clover, they have witness protection. security guard was killed, and two Union leaders and their members “We can confirm today that this clear video and stills footage of the Steven Velthuysen of Clover said were injured. The name of the mur- have all but ignored two interdicts, morning, striking workers killed guards being beaten and one being that this morning, about 150 strik- dered guard has not yet been released. and are clearly out of control. This another security guard, and criti- killed. This footage has been handed ing workers arrived in three buses. “This simply cannot go on. is not industrial action. It’s murder,” cally injured two. The incident took to the SAPS and will be released Workers tried to gain access to the Repeated violence by union members said Velthuysen.
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Washing shoes for cash T
Issue 53 | Thursday, 24 February 2022
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Thembisa police host a school march and talk for learners
Issue 02 - 2018
Tickle your brain! Do a crossword See answers in the next edition
by Staff Writer
Yende reprimanded learners not to choose the wrong role models. He he police in Thembisa hosted said once you’re in prison, it becomes a “march and talk” for learners. you against yourself. He promised The event was held at Zitikeni to come back to the school and have Secondary as part of an initiative to a talking class by class. He told the denounce drug abuse, teenage preg- learners that he never enjoyed his nancy, and bullying. Among the youth. According to Yende, he only peopke that attended the event include came back to get the elderly people’s Thembisa’s Social Crime Prevention, social grant. GBV Coordinator Morwesi Makuta, Another 29-year-old female parolee, Community Safety Thomas Shoko, Tebogo Makatala, shared layville her story– Jobis high Maphuti Moloto from the Depart- with learners. When shelessness got senin South Africa ment of Basic Education, and others. tenced to life, she had a one-year-old but forwith Dennis Vundla (29) “The learners started with their child and was pregnant the secthis was not game march from Tembisa High School ond one. And at the time, she was over as he found a niche in his comholding placards denouncing drug underage. and started a laundry abuse, teenage pregnancy, and bulShe had colludedmunity with her friends business to make a living. Vundlying,” said the statement. to commit robbery, which turned bad la, a resident of Clayville Ext 26, “Honouring the educator’s time, as there was murder too.his She told in 2016. started business only the Correctional Services was learners that she only got out of jailwanted ACROSS “I have always to be an allowed to address the learners. Mr. in December, and her life was abnor1. Short play entrepreneur, I noticed that most Ellie Yende, a 59-year-old parolee, mal. Her kids didn’t know and are 5. the Colt’s mom people in her, Clayville workgave learners his sad tale and not so technology had changed dramatically. 9. Sailboat ing class and don’t have time to proud moments he had in jail,” the She also wished the could 14. Whetstone do learners chores and their laundry, so I started and statement continued. choose their friends wisely.a laundry company 15. Summit Puleng Malete be able to feed my fammerged it with house16. cleaning,” National bird ily, said Kodibona. Kodisaid Vundla. Eyethu17. Hygiene Islamicisnation Tembisa - Sethopane bona makes about R200 currently providing employment 18. Four-sided figures Kodibona (33) from Tem- on a busy day which is to 3 people and has20. a monthly Revoke bisa started an unconven- on weekends mostly, he turnover of about 22. R12 000. Coffeepots tional business washing charges his customers ac“The business can sustain itself, 23. NJ time zone shoes for cash. Kodibona cording to shoe size kids however I want it to grow even 24. Tell secrets started his business in pay R10 and adults R25 more,” said Vundla. Eyethu Hy2017 after years of unem- and all suedes shoes are 25. Was furious giene provides a number of serployment. Employment R35. “My clients are the 27. Vocalize vices including Wash, Iron, Foldis hard to find in Tembisa community, police, nurses 29.Eyethu’s Okay to eat ing and house cleaning. and the surrounding areas and everyone who would 33. Play the clients range from businesses to ponies and this affected the entire love to support my busiBasement households. Vundla’s36. long term household and it is what ness is welcome. Kodi39. Stated plan is to see the company exdrove Kodibona to start bona uses a big board panding and providing more 40. Rub out this type of a business to which he places by the employment opportunities. 42. Always, poetically make a living. “No one main road to market his “I want to see my businesses 43. Cake covering is working at home, one business. “My wish is to growing with branches other piece 44.inCeramic day I saw a guy washing see my business grow and areas which will in 45. turnCalcutta pro- native shoes for cash I took the employ other people, who vide employment to the youth 47. Rebel general idea and started my own are unemployed like me, of South Africa,” said Vundla. 48. Admittance business so that I can said Kodibona 50. Novelist ____ Rice 52. Injury marks
Clayville Laundry Creates Employment for Youth
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55. Gets uptight 59. Gotcha! 62. Greet 63. Baltimore bird 64. Contemplation 67. Morose 68. Allege 69. Water whirl 70. Skirt length 71. Shopping frenzy 72. Appear 73. Summer drinks DOWN 1. Sleeved garment 2. “M*A*S*H” locale 3. Not fitting 4. Articles of faith 5. Actress ____ Dietrich 6. Mimic 7. Happen again 8. Additional 9. Felt 10. Linger 11. Look at amorously 12. Bullring cries 13. Annoying one 19. Infuriate
21. Wonderland girl 26. Part of DJ 28. Singer ____ Campbell 30. Scoop water 31. Queue 32. Brink 33. Phi ____ Kappa 34. Actor ____ Idle 35. Bath powder 37. Was ahead 38. Pavarotti solo 41. Uses the eyes 43. ____ tube 45. Singer ____ Hayes 46. “Good,” to “bad” 49. Plot 51. Mystery 53. Ceremonial events Dennis Vundla (29) 54.owner Glide of Laundry 56.Services Not liquid 57. Avoid capture 58. Large trucks 59. Circle parts 60. SOS! 61. Remote 65. Recline 66. Lyric poem
SAPS Crime Alert for Oakmore Staff Writer
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akmore - High unemployment in South Africa is one of the major factors leading to an increase in crime rate. The SAPS in Olifantsfontein have recently released a statement alerting residents of crimes that are happening in Oakmore. Community members are advised to stop walking alone in the late hours because they might be victims of armed robbery and rape. The SAPS says motorists are advised not to park at the old Pretoria road next to Oakmore, rather they park at the nearest garage to avid being victims of crime. According to Constable Mokete Serakwana Communication Officer Olifantsfontein SAPS Oakmore has become a crime hotspot for criminals, many crime cases have been reported that happened in that area so it is best to avoid it especially at night.“We are urging the community members to take our crime alerts into consideration to avoid being victims of crime,” said Constable Serakwana.
South African Police Service 086 000 10111 /112 Olifantsfontein Saps 011 316 8022
Department of Health
012 395 8000
Children Welfar e
074 080 8315
Thursday, 24 February 2022 | Issue 53
www.theolifants.co.za | The Olifants News
Thembisa artist releases a smashing EP By Samkelo Sibiya
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am Faku has released her first studio EP titled Amor (love). Her smashing new EP was well-received online, especially on YouTube Music. The Eastern Capeborn musician is a vocalist who has shared many stages with South Africa’s biggest names. KwaThema and Thembisa inspired her love for music which
Pam Faku releases her first studio EP
she eventually pursued in 2018 and turned a hobby into a career. “I have worked with the best in the local talent to produce this new EP. Last December, I dropped a single while working towards completion of the whole EP,” said Faku. “This January, I had the privilege to release the EP Amor through the project I collaborated with Skabs the deejay, Monde, and DJ Sipho. Besides singing, she
is also known for her other talents. Faku is a fashion designer, film director, and motivational speaker. She has also had the honour to be featured on various media platforms, including EK FM, The Thembisan, SABC 2, and Springs advertiser. She’s also a generous giver through her nonprofit Organisation Pam Faku Foundation. “Through the foundation, I have helped children from vulnerable and underprivileged backgrounds with school uniforms, food, and other necessities,” said Faku. The EP features hot songs like Amor Naor Acaba, Bambi i-Figure, and Ilanga, to mention a few. Her songs are available on digital platforms such as Deezer, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Spotify. She’s currently in the studio working towards her new album, which will be coming out in July. Connect with Pam Faku on Facebook and Instagram to find more about her music and community work.
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Ivory Park widow shocked by a R184,000 water bill by Dumisani Hlatswayo
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resident of Ivory Park was shocked when she received a water bill of up to R184,000. Mrs. Pauline Shilubane’s problems started when a car ploughed into her meter. She immediately reported the accident to the municipal office. The municipality wasted no time and replaced the meter with a new one. Since then, Mrs. Shilubane has been receiving hefty bills one after another. She suspects that the underlying cause for this could be a faulty meter. “We received a bill saying we are behind with payments. By then, my balance was supposed to be R88. But the new meter indicated that we owed R1,600. They said we should make an arrangement. We did as were told and paid the outstanding amount,” she said. According to Mrs. Shilubane, it is strange that her water bill keeps on increasing significantly. She said she neither owns a carwash nor has tenants living in her backyard. “I later received a call that we now owe R64,000. My son went to the City Of Joburg office to make
Mrs. Pauline Shilubane
enquiries. Then they said we must come to the ward councillor’s office. They said she would write off our water debts because she knew the Ivory Park problem,” she revealed. Mrs. Shilubane made an effort to pay her water bill monthly. But she was in for a big surprise: the municipality was surprised with another hefty bill of R120,000! She said she started receiving calls asking her to settle her balance. “ I made another arrangement with them to pay R200 every month, which is what I can only afford,” said Mrs. Shilubane. Her bill has since increased to R184,000. The widow tried several times to seek help from the Joburg Municipality office, but there was no one willing to help her. Her husband passed away two years ago.
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The Olifants News | www.theolifants.co.za
Issue 53 | Thursday, 24 February 2022
A woman who finds joy in spending time with children By Dumisani Hlatswayo
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tarting a daycare centre in Thembisa can be advantageous on many levels. For one, there is the joy of teaching little ones. But for Dimakatso Margret Manenzhe it is the joy of spending time with children. She is the founder of His Grace, a preschool that caters to children of different ages. It is located in the informal settlement of Winnie Mandela Zone 10, where proper daycare centres don’t exist. Manenzhe said an idea to start a preschool in Winnie Mandela was sparked by seeing children playing in the streets daily, even during school hours.” It was a concern to me as I love children. So, I went to the different houses asking why their kids
are not going to school or daycare. I found out that there is no daycare centre around and that parents can’t afford to pay for transport as they only relied on a social grant. That’s when I decided to open a daycare to remove children from the streets, and gave them nutritious food and better education,” she told The Olifants News. When you search for a childcare facility in Winnie Mandela, it is hard to find one professionally run like Manenzhe’s. A daycare centre that doesn’t expose kids to a range of health and safety risks — everything from hazardous conditions and equipment to criminal predators. What’s her secret? Before opening a daycare centre, Manenzhe made a point of getting
the proper training. She started with a level 1 ECD training that prepared her for caring for children from different age groups. Manenzhe went on to do a level 4 qualification, then later a level 5 certificate with Unisa. “I continued with level 4, and it helped me know how to teach them in class. I went to UNISA and did my level 5 to qualify to teach the foundation phase, which we have in our centre,” she said. She makes sure that her daycare centre is always clean and has visible play corners with different toys, enough windows for ventilation, and a teacher who plans the lessons daily.
Dimakatso Manedzhe with her staff bearing gifts
Reach out to Dimakatso Call or send a message to Dimakatso on 073 851 7922 or 073 278 3844.
Learners of His Grace Daycare
Learners playing on jumping castles
Learners of His Grace Daycare
Remote access scams are on the rise: warns FNB bank account. The success of this fraud requires cooperation from the NB has warned consumers user to install a remote access app, about the dangers of down- and sadly, some consumers fall for loading remote access apps these tricks and end up compromison their mobile devices, as this ing credentials, he says. exposes them to risks of fraud. FNB reminds consumers that a According to FNB, remote access reputable financial institution will scams are on the rise as consumers never ask for the following: are tricked into compromising the Ask for remote access to your security of their information and device.Ask you to verbally confinancial credentials. firm your PIN and passwords for Giuseppe Virgillito, FNB Head your devices.Ask you to share your of Digital Banking, says, the banking credentials such as Card & modus operandi targets unsus- CVV number, PINS, OTPS, passpecting users, particularly seniors, words and usernamesMove money financial institutions and consumers their personal information at all by coercing them to automatically between accounts for safekeeping. to work together. People can learn times. Our customers can use any download remote software onto “Our utmost priority is to protect about the most recent fraud scams of our banking interfaces to immetheir devices under the pretense that our customers and empower them and how to avoid them through our diately report any suspicious activity it is a ‘security app’ they are install- to protect themselves. We monitor trusted digital platform under the on their bank accounts. Customing for their protection. In some such scams 24/7 and have made it Security Centre tab. ers can also use the FNB App to instances, remote access requests our responsibility to educate our We encourage all consumers to change their PIN/Passwords, temmay be obtained via a phone call customers as well as warn the public. familiarise themselves with meth- porarily stop or cancel their cards or SMS that is designed to cause The prevention of fraudulent activi- ods that criminals use to defraud if they suspect that their credentials panic by offering you help to stop ties such as remote access, phishing, unsuspecting victims. More impor- may have been compromised,” confraudulent transactions on your vishing, and many more, requires tantly, we urge consumers to protect cludes Virgillito.
Follow us for updates on what’s happening in your community!
by Staff Writer
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South African Police Service 086 000 10111 / 112
Olifantsfontein SAPS 011 316 8022
Thursday, 24 February 2022 | Issue 53
Did you know? Title deeds gathering dust at the Ekurhuleni offices
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here are 10,000 title deeds that are gathering dust at the Ekurhuleni Human Settlements Department offices. The City of Ekurhuleni Human Settlements Department calls upon all beneficiaries of government subsidised houses (RDPS) who have not collected their title deeds, to do so at their nearest Customer Care Centres. According to a statement issued by the Ekurhuleni Municipality, Thembisa has a huge number of uncollected title deeds documents. Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Human Settlements in the City, the mayor, Mr. Mabekenyane Thamahane urged the younger generation to assist the elderly in ensuring that they collect their documents. “A total of 10468 of title deeds continue to gather dust in our offices. Most of these belong to people who acquired RDP houses
from as far back as 1994. We urge the senior citizens, especially in Thembisa where there is a high number of uncollected title deeds, to answer the call and collect their documents,” pleaded the MMC. For enquiries on RDP title deeds, residents can visit their nearest CCC and must bring their bar-coded ID along.
www.theolifants.co.za | The Olifants News
Riding the wave of success
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tough upbringing to draw inspiration for his songwriting. But he is quick to point out that being raised by a social grant was not easy. “For me it was kinda tough because I wasn’t getting anything that I needed when I needed it. But there was more love, though. You know how caring gogos are about their grandchildren,” he said. According to the Thembisabased artist, he found that he had musical talent back in 2007. In 2010, he released a song called I Feel Pain, which talks about parents who abandoned their children. He followed up with another smashing hit, Emaweni, a song that opened several doors for him. Since then, he has been featured on numerous platforms, including radio stations such as Ligwalagwala FM, YFM, and Alex FM. While most artists struggled to make a living during the lockdown, by Dumisani Hlatswayo Emzet says 2020 was an excellent year for him. “It was a great year. ongani Mabuza (Emzet) is I dropped the hot album and manan afro-pop artist who has aged to work with big names like shared the stage with some AB crazy and Mthinay tsunami,” of the household names in the music he revealed. Besides Afropop, industry. From King Monada to Emzet also rides on the Mariano Busiswa, Major League, Makhadzi, wave, which promises nothing to name but a few. but success for him. He has also Having been raised only by an aunt recently released two hot singles, and a grandmother, Emzet uses his Tholukuthi and Nguwe.
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The Olifants News | www.theolifants.co.za
How Thembisa business lady brings a life of luxury to ekasi
Issue 53 | Thursday, 24 February 2022
PUZZLE SOLUTION FOR ISSUE 52
by Nyameko Hopa
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or most people living in the townships, a life of luxury is usually out of reach. To them, pampering services usually found in upmarket areas are only for the rich and famous. Thanks to Lebogang Leso, now Thembisa residents can upscale their grooming without breaking the bank balance. The 28-years-old entrepreneur has a bespoke boutique salon and beauty bar that offers hair, nails, lashes and brows, wig laundry, and makeup services. Before starting the business, Lebogang completed her Bcom Financial Sciences degree at the University of Pretoria in 2016. “I am currently studying towards obtaining my Honors in Internal Auditing. I am a risk, control, and governance specialist by profession,” she told The Olifants News. Located in Hospital View, Leso’s business, Amahle Beauty Bar, tar“Push even harder when it gets clients from all walks feels like you have no other of life. From women who love beautifying themchoice but to quit.” selves to men and kids. “I was inspired by my —Lebogang Leso daughter to start my business, and hence I decided to name it after her. The name “Amahle” comes from my daughter’s name “Mazwamahle” which means beautiful words as well as “the chosen one” in more tradiLeso realised the salary wasn’t company and started trading immetional and deeper isiZulu terms. I enough for her because, as she aptly diately. To this day, I still wonder believe she was the chosen one to puts it: ‘She has always been a hus- how the bank gave an intern with no make me realize one of my many tler and loved money.’ She knew that credit history a loan of R15,000 but purposes in life. To make the world people take you more seriously when yet again, they didn’t make a mistake.” a better place by making people feel they know you did something profesHer advice to aspiring entrepregood about themselves, one person sionally; however, you also need to neurs is to push even harder when it at a time,” she said. have a personal passion and talent. feels like they have no other choice According to Leso, her business She decided to pursue one of her pas- but to quit. “That’s only evidence started as a mobile salon. It later sions: makeup. that the breakthrough is near. I’d also expanded into the virgin hair industry “I took a random chance one advise them to save time and money by making and selling hair and wigs. “ morning in the Bryanston office by studying and learning from other When I started Amahle Beauty, I had and applied for a loan to fund my people’s mistakes. They should also just dropped out of my Honors due to makeup course and purchase a starter not be afraid to make mistakes of postpartum depression after giving kit, with temporary employment and their own or lose money of their own birth to my daughter, and I was work- a gross income of R5000, and by the in the process. Ultimately, it really ing in an internship unrelated to my grace of God, I received it. As soon does take money to make money,” studies which paid R5000 per month. as I had graduated, I registered my she added.
Zivikele Izifweni ezithathelana ngokocansi by Staff Writer
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ngculaza, igciwane eliholela esifeni sengculaza, nalo liyisifo esithathelana ngokocansi – kodwa singadluliseka futhi ngegazi kanye nobisi lwebele.
ilokhu sikhule njalo isibalo sabantu abasha kuleli abanezifo zocansi. Ngokomnyango Wezempilo, abantu abavamise ukuthola izifo zocansi Zivikele yintsha eseminyakeni engu-18 • Ungazivikela kanye nomlinkuya ku-35. Kodwa lokho akusho gani wakho wocansi ezifeni ukuthi abekho abantu abangaphezithathelana ngokocansi, ezu kwaleyo minyaka abathola ezihlanganisa igciwane izifo ezithathelana ngokocansi. lesandulela ngculaza, uma Ngokwe inhlangano i-World usebenzisa ik hondomu Health Organisation (WHO), njalo uma uzibandakanya balinganiselwa esigidini abantu kwezocansi. abathola izifo ezithathelana ngo• Uma uzibandakanya ekwenkocansi nsuku zonke. zeni ucansi olungaphephile Izifo ezijwayelekile kubantu, ngom lomo (u k we n z a yizilonda esithweni sangasese, ucansi ngokufaka isitho ama-Ulcer nama-warts. sangasese somuntu wesilisa emlonyeni, ukukhotha Nakhu ofanele ukwazi ngezifo isitho sangasese somuntu ezithathelana ngokocansi: wesifazane) nomuntu one• I-herpes kuphela ethathelsifo esithathelana ngokocansi ana ngokuqabulana umlomo ungatheleleka. nomlomo. • Akuvamisile ukuthola igci• I-syphilis, i-gonorrhoea, wane lesandulela ngculaza i-herpes, i-chlamydia kanye ngokwenza ucansi ngomne-hepatitis B zonke izifo lomo. Sidlulisekela kakhulu ezithathelana ngokocansi. ngokuzibandakanya kwezo• Isifo esithathelana ngokocansi ca n si olu ngapheph i le ngasinye senziwa igciwane ngokungena esithweni sanelihlukene. gasese somuntu wesifazane • Igciwa ne lesa ndu lela noma ngokungena endunu.
Thursday, 24 February 2022 | Issue 53
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Male participation in netball on the rise in Thembisa by Dumisani Hlatswayo
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ost people are still intrigued when they see men playing netball. But seeing men playing netball has become a norm in Thembisa. Olian Mampuru Thobejane is another passionate netball player from Phomolong Section. The 35-year-old player studied in Phomolong primary school and matriculated at Masiqhakaze secondary school. He has been playing netball for 18 years now, and there is no sign that he is about to retire Olian in action anytime soon. Thobejane credits playing netball for his self-discipline, and staying sport, it is a life orientation,” he said. away from trouble. “Looking back on Thobejane has played for several how I grew up, a lot would have gone teams in Thembisa, including the wrong, but netball kept me away from Chasers Netball team and Ekurhuleni the streets. I think netball is not just a Netball District. But things have not
Olian Mampuru playing netball
always been smooth for his netball career. There were several challenges that Thobejane has to navigate. “The biggest challenge was funding and sponsorship. You have to travel to training, games, and national championships. And you’d need the right shoes. Most companies are still reluctant to support male netball. It is still a predominantly female sport, and it’s quite a struggle to get support especially knowing that netball is a non-paying sport for males,” he said. Thobejane makes sure that he trains hard. He said he constantly works on his fitness, which involves body conditioning and training three times a week. “I usually reserve weekends for game days, both leagues and tournaments, and eat healthily,” he revealed. His future aspirations include representing the country nationally and
Olian Mampuru holding a trophy
nurturing young talent locally. “Just like football, I would love to run the country’s biggest netball academy.
I would love to get our children off the streets and on the court,” he concluded.