Sowetan April 17 2020 by SundayTimesZA

owetan Lockdown Day

21 22

Fred Khumalo

In the know on the move

Khethile khethile Double Big up for Covid-19 blow Married to 2? Ntsiki’s in-depth Choose one wife for soccer stars back page for lockdown page 2 ‘research’ page 19

R5.70 (Eswatini, Bots 5.20 incl tax) Friday April 17, 2020 www.sowetanlive.co.za

Coronavirus Hotline: 0800 029 999 and WhatsApp Line: 060 012 3456 PHOTOS / THULANI MBELE / ALAISTER RUSSELL

More victims speak out...

Stop the brutality

Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. / GA L LO I M AG E S

● A few rotten apples within the army and police patrols are continuing a reign of terror mainly in the townships as they go about enforcing the national lockdown ● We hang our heads in shame - minister pages 4 & 5

2 News

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Words of Faith I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Galatians 3:2-3 NIV

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Back to school will be phased in slowly Critical grades of 12 and 7 return first By Prega Govender

for pupils to return to school: Grades 12 and 7: May 6; ● Grades 11 and 6: May 20; ● Grades 10 and 5: June 3; ● Grades 9 and 4: June 17; ● Grades 8 and 3: July 1; ● Grades 2 and 1: July 8; and ● Grade R: July 15. The document stated that the phased-in approach “will be closely managed and monitored’’ and that the next two grades will be brought in based on how the school is coping with the management of the number of pupils‚ the space and the hygienic requirements. But it stated that schooling will only resume after the department of health has given the green light that it is safe to ●

Pupils in grades 12 and seven will be the first to return to school on May 6 if President Cyril Ramaphosa lifts the lockdown at the end of the month‚ according to a draft proposal seen by Sowetan’s sister publication TimesLIVE. This is according to proposals contained in the department of basic education’s “draft post Covid-19 lockdown recovery plan” which was discussed with teacher unions and governing body associations on Wednesday. According to the document‚ two grades will be phased in at a time‚ starting from May 6. These are the tentative dates

resume schooling. “Given the high risk associated with large gatherings‚ the DBE is considering a phasedin approach. “The most critical grades will be brought in first to start the primary and secondary schools‚ while the remaining learners are retained at home‚ and they are brought in on an incremental basis‚’’ the document stated. The Congress of SA Students’ (Cosas) national con-

It must be all systems go after the virus

venor Katleho Mangoejane said they welcomed the proposal, adding that they felt that it is a good one. “Immediately [after] we defeat this virus, it must be all systems go. There’s no more time to waste,” said Mangoejane. “However, this is quite premature because the spread of the virus is still high and the president must not be pressurised to lift the lockdown,” Mangoejane said. National Association of School Governing Bodies secretary Matakanye Matakanye said they would welcome “any plan that would be of assistance to our children provided it will be conducted under safe and healthy conditions for our children and teachers”. – Additional reporting by Isaac Mahlangu.

Men must choose one wife – Shongwe By Mandla Khoza

Mpumalanga MEC for social development Thandi Shongwe has warned men who have married more than one wife to stay put in one house to avoid spreading the coronavirus during the lockdown period. Speaking during the acceptance of food parcels from the Nelspruit branch of Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) church yesterday, Shongwe said men in polygamous marriages should ensure that they stay in one house to avoid the risk of infecting another wife with the deadly Covid-19. She urged everyone to adhere to the lockdown regulations set out by the government. “As part of the warning, men who have more than one wife must stay at one home and stop moving around because they might take the virus from one house to the other,” Shongwe said. “People must stay at home and adhere to the lockdown regulations. They must not keep moving around and spread the virus. This coronavirus will pass and people must know that.” The MEC thanked the ECG for the donation, saying the gesture would benefit the needy in the province. She said they were getting over 2,000 calls a day from people who neeed food parcels. “We are grateful to the church for the food which we will deliver to the needy. We are overwhelmed by calls from people seeking food relief, because of that we have

Mpumalanga social development MEC Thandi Shongwe with members of the Nelspruit ECG church with the food donated by the church. / M A N D L A K H O Z A

Polygamists urged to avoid spreading virus five numbers [for the call centre] for those who need food. We also thank Telkom for providing us with the new four additiona [contact numbers for call centre].” Shongwe called on people who do not need food parcels not to call the call centre. She reminded people to stay at home and wash hands regularly. Leader of the Nelspruit branch of ECG, Richard Wills, said their church saw it neces-

sary to come forward and donate whatever they had to the needy during the lockdown period. “The word of God says no one is too rich to not give and that no one is too poor to give, hence we have sat down as a church and came to the decision that we donate the little that we have. “We hope it will bring a smile to the people who will receive it,” said Wills.

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This coronavirus will pass and people must know that

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Sowetan Friday April 17 2020

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‘SA to slowly ease out of lockdown’ State relaxes some restrictions By Kgothatso Madisa

that already are affecting people, winter is coming and so things that go with that obviously will have to be attended to. Schools might be opening [so] things that go with that [will have to be attended to]. “But also, industries will have to slowly come on steam... We don’t know [but] for now the lockdown will end of the 30th of April, but even if it ends you can’t just open the flood gates in one day,” she said. She said call centres that help with services that require immediate attention such as payment or debt insurance should people be unable to pay their accounts due to loss of income during the lockdown would also be allowed to operate. “Of course now we’re using a lot of technology as you know people are working from home, people are Zooming, people are using all sorts of technology to communicate, to have meetings. “So, it’s important that the, ICT (information communications technology), people who are able to repair, to assist or render services to those essen-

The government will gradually start easing some of the nationwide lockdown restrictions. Cooperative governance minister Nkosazana DlaminiZuma yesterday announced that the national lockdown amend restrictions will be easied, declaring things such as repair shops, plumbers and electricians as essential services. This comes after the lockdown, initially scheduled to end today, was extended to the end of the month. Dlamini-Zuma said vehicles repair shops would be allowed to operate, but only to service cars being used by essential workers and that professional plumbers and electricians tial services that are using would also be allowed to retechnology they should also be sume operation along with able to work.” warehouses that were critical Dlamini-Zuma also said to the fight against Covid-19. that the sales of alcohol re“And also, vehicle that are mained prohibited. used by people who are rendering essential services should they need emergency repairs that should be opened for them. So, those professionals who do that will have to be now working,” Dlamini-Zuma said. “But also for homes, private SOCIAL homes, if you have 2m a burst pipe or something goes wrong with your Avoid touching Maintain a hygienic Keep physical Stay home except Wash your hands Cover your cough when you need your eyes, nose, home, clean and distance - at least 2 regularly with soap or sneeze with a electricity, you to buy food and and water for 20 flexed elbow or a and mouth with disinfect frequently metres from other medicine. seconds, or use an tissue, then throw unwashed hands. touched objects and people. should be able to alcohol-based hand the tissue in the bin surfaces. sanitizer. immediately. call a professional plumber or electrician to come and IF YOU ARE SHOWING THE FOLLOWING SYMPTOMS sort that out.” SORE THROAT Dlamini-Zuma HIGH FEVER CALL THE COVID-19 DRY COUGH said these amendHOTLINE 0800 029 999 OR SEND HI TO ments, which are SHAKING CHILLS 060 012 3456 ON WHATSAPP expected to be onHEADACHES going, should not be viewed as backtracking on the lockdown by the Large-scale screening and testing across Gauteng government. The Gauteng Government is conducting large scale screening and testing across the five She said this regions of the province, focusing on vulnerable communities in densely populated areas. Health was part of prepaprofessionals assisted by 8500 trained Community Health Workers will conduct door-to-door rations for the eashousehold screening for symptoms and refer symptomatic people for testing. ing of the lockdown regulations. The minister said they would make weekly anCOVID-19 SCREENING nouncements on PROCESS opening up variIf you test positive, the If you show any Health professionals If you test negative.... health professional will symptoms you will be will ask questions ous sectors, hintcontinue to observe the advise on appropriate referred for testing and take your COVID-19 golden rules. medical management. at your local clinic. temperature. ing that clothing shops may also be FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: allowed to operate Use the MPILO APP and answer questions for Call the COVID-19 Hotline: 0800 029 999 self screening. Web: www.sacoronavirus.co.za to allow people to (Download at App store or at Google Play Store) Send ‘hi’ on Whatsapp to COVID-19 | Connect: 060 012 3456 buy winter clothGautengProvince | Gauteng Provincial Government | gauteng_government1 ing. “I don’t necesGAUTENG sarily want to PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA name them, but there are things

BE THE CHANGE STOP THE SPREAD

COVID-19 GOLDEN RULES

DISTANCING

SHORTNESS OF BREATH

WORKING TOGETHER TO SAVE LIVES

Co-operative governance and traditional affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. / G C I S

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Friday April 17 2020 Sowetan

Lockdown brutality: When Covid-19 stats are tallied, one daily reality of the townships is omitted – the number of those falling victim to the excesses of soldiers and the police. Sowetan reporters Penwell Dlamini, Yoliswa Sobuwa and Promise Marupeng spoke to those have been on the receiving end The conduct of the army and the police has come under sharp scrutiny since the death of Collins Khosa, 40, from Alexandra in Johannesburg, who died on Good Friday after being severely assaulted, allegedly by soldiers for drinking alcohol in his yard. Khosa’s death is one incident in a growing pattern of assault cases that have been opened with watchdog bodies since the country went into lockdown three weeks ago to control the spread of coronavirus. There have been chilling tales of gross violations, abuse of power and human rights breaches that have echoed from Alexandra to Cape Town. Some of the victims of the alleged brutality, like Khosa, did not live to tell their tale. These are some of the horror stories of the violence that has been meted out to ordinary South Africans in the past few weeks:

Victim 1 On March 31, Titus Mametse, pictured, of Alexandra, was allegedly shot twice in his right arm. Mametse said the shooting happened in the afternoon as he was coming from buying groceries. “I asked the taxi to drop me at home in extension 9. I was just fetching the last two plastic bags [from the taxi] when I saw a white car passing by. The person on the driver’s seat opened the window and had a gun pointed in my direction. I realised it was a police officer and he was shouting for me to go inside [the house],” Mametse said. He said as he was still confused about what was happening, the police officer allegedly fired five shots in his direction and he was hit twice in his arm. “I ran inside and I could feel blood gushing out of the wound. When I checked I had a big hole and the bone was showing. I called an ambulance and went to the clinic. When I asked for advice at the clinic I was told that I could not open a case as I was shot

‘‘

I ran inside and I could feel blood gushing out of the wound

with a rubber bullet,” he said. Mametse said he has been struggling to sleep at night because of the pain.

Victim 2 In another Alexandra incident, Thabo Shele (not his real name), a 32-year-old law student was allegedly shot by police in his left leg outside his house. “It was on April 6 when I heard a movement outside my house. I went to check and I saw a guy running past... As I was about to go inside two police officers, a traffic cop and one soldier drove past. They thought I was the person who was running. I tried to explain but they fired one shot, which hit me above my left knee,” he said. Shele was hospitalised and discharged the following day. He could not go to the police station the next day. But he was shocked when four police officers and two soldiers came to his home demanding to see his wound. He refused. “I fear for my safety... My lawyer has advised me to go to a place of safety,” he said.

Victim 3 Walter Manyani, 33, was allegedly shot in the right leg as he was going to the outside toilet in a yard he shares with more than 10 families. “It happened on March 31. I had stepped outside the gate when I was greeted by a gun, I was told to go inside. I was not even sure if they had shot, I only realised later when I saw blood flowing in my right leg. When I checked I had a big hole next to my knee. My life will never be the same again because I am working as a hairstylist which requires me to stand almost the whole day. I am hoping for the law to take its course,” he said.

Victim 4 On April 6 Lucky Makhubele, 26, was at home with his brother when two police officers and a soldier knocked on their door. “They demanded to know where I had hidden dagga. One police slapped me in the face and told us to go outside. We were told to join others

Titus Mametse

who were rolling on the tarred road. They kept beating us with sjamboks. After that they said we should klap each other, which I found very inhumane,” he said. Lawyer Tshepo Mojapelo told Sowetan that they had already taken down statements from the victims and would take up their cases.

Victim 5 On March 29, Sibusiso Amos, 40, was killed in Vosloorus when Ekurhuleni metro police were allegedly attacked while trying to make an arrest for violation of lockdown rules. Four children were also shot and injured. An EMPD officer and a civilian were arrested and face murder and attempted murder charges.

Victim 6 On April 2, SANDF members allegedly stormed into a Cape Town woman’s home after 8pm and assaulted her daughter. Tersia Pedro of Eerste River said a female soldier assaulted one of her daughters and spewed profanities at her, before taking her phone and deleting a video of a scuffle between a neighbour and police that she had recorded. She said her children had a gun pointed at them, while her husband had a gun shoved into his mouth and was beaten until he struggled to breathe.

Victim 7 A man was allegedly beaten with a hammer by police in Cape Town during the lockdown. The man later died. But police minister Bheki Cele told the nation in a media briefing that the man had died of a heart attack.

Victim 8, 9 On April 4, Sima Booi had to watch helplessly as his wife was turned into a punching bag, allegedly by a police officer. Booi, 34, alleged he was also assaulted when he tried to stop the officer who was beating his wife Madonna Booi, 32. The incident happened at Komani police station in the

Eastern Cape after the two were arrested while walking to Checkers to buy groceries. The couple said they have not found any joy after opening a case against the officer.

Victim 10 On April 6, Sipho Monaiwa was punched, slapped and sjamboked allegedly by police and soldiers for watching them while on patrol in the evening in Protea South, Soweto When his family went to the Protea Glen police station to lay a complaint they were allegedly turned back and told by police that they were breaking the lockdown regulations by not being home.

Victim 11 On April 9, Victor Chiloane, 47, was hit with the back of a firearm on his head and shot seven times with rubber bullets, allegedly by an Ekurhuleni metro police officer in Mayfield, Daveyton, during an eviction. Khosa’s family, meanwhile, has since written to President Cyril Ramaphosa demanding financial compensation for loss of support‚ trauma‚ shock‚ psychological assistance and any medical expenses that

they may have incurred. The family has opened a murder case at a local police station. SANDF spokesperson Col Louis Kirstein said the military will co-operate with police investigations. “The SANDF reiterates that its members are expected to act within the confines of the law during this difficult period as they enforce the lockdown regulations and help save lives in support of the police. Any action outside the law will not be condoned‚” Kirstein said. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has refused to give the latest statistics of cases which have been reported to it. However, in its last update, Ipid said it recorded 38 complaints about the conduct of police officers from the start of the lockdown until April 2. These included two deaths of unidentified people in police custody in Limpopo. The watchdog also recorded six deaths as a result of police action, two each in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. A total of 12 cases of discharge of an official firearm, one of rape by a police official, 14 of assault and three cases of corruption had been reported. Of the total complaints received, 14 were recorded in Gauteng, and Free State and KwaZulu-Natal recorded five cases each. Since the lockdown began, a total of nine people have died due to alleged conduct of police and SANDF members. Police did not comment at the time of going to press.

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victims speak out Cops’ heavy-handedness continues unabated Outcry over lockdown abuse Parliament’s portfolio committee on police yesterday joined a growing chorus of outrage over the heavy-handedness of security forces during the lockdown. Committee chairperson Tina Joemat-Pettersson said continuing reports of alleged abuse of power by law enforcement officers was of concern. She said the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) and SAPS have been asked to report to the committee on these allegations and provide an analysis of the incidents. “The intention is to ensure that there is consequence management for police officers who are involved in misconduct, especially in abusing the rights of citizens during the lockdown. The committee wants to emphasise that a few

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It is not the time to skiet, skop and donder

bad apples are tarnishing the police’s good reputation. We call on Ipid to speedily investigate all complaints or cases of alleged abuse,” she said. Defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said the government regretted an incident in Alexandra at the weekend where Collins Khosa was allegedly killed by soldiers. She said the incident was being investigated by the SAPS, military police and the Military Ombud office. “We hang our heads in shame that we have lost a person in some of the communities and we will not at any point defend what happened,” Mapisa-Nqakula said. In recent weeks, videos of people being assaulted and punished on the streets by the law enforcers have caused outrage on social media. SA Human Rights commissioner Chris Nissen said they have now established a structure to monitor government’s interventions during the lockdown. “We have 29 organisations that have been brought to form a panel that will monitor government. This is not just to deal with incidents of police and the army but other issues which threaten people’s rights such as availability of water and the carrying out of evictions during this time. “We are not at war with the people. We are at war with the virus. We need everybody’s co-

operation to fight the virus. Commanders must go and tell the patrollers what the president said – it is not the time to skiet, skop and donder.” Gareth Newham, head of justice and violence prevention at the Institute for Security Studies, said the violence from both the army and police stemmed from poor instruction on the ground. “The on-the-ground supervisors and commanders and leadership are not giving them very clear instructions about what kind of conduct is

expected from them...” Newham added that the incidents happened in poor communities as soldiers and officers believe individuals in such areas do not have the ability to lay complaints and get them taken up. The Military Ombud, which deals with the conduct of the SANDF, said it had received 15 complaints. Most of the complaints received were from Limpopo, Gauteng, Western Cape and Eastern Cape. Military Ombud Vusumuzi Masondo said each case was registered and an investigator allocated if it is within the mandate of the office. “The military were deployed by the president with strict rules on how to behave. The minister of defence further condemned

any form of brutality by members,” said Masondo. Some politicians also formed social platforms for citizens to report incidents of the use of violence by police and the army. DA MP Andrew Whitfield, who has been monitoring the party’s WhatsApp group, said over 100 complaints have been received. “Alleged incidents of physical abuse by police officers has been disturbing and the manner in which people are allegedly spoken to by members of SAPS are shocking. “Most SAPS members are just trying to do a job but there are elements within SAPS who have crossed the line. The beatings, verbal abuse and general misconduct are completely unacceptable,” he said.

Two people caught by police officers operating a driving school in Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg, are made to mimic a car – one as a driver and the other as a passenger. / T H U L A N I M B E L E

Hungry people driven onto streets beg army and police convoy for food Diepsloot residents asked to stay indoors By Thulani Mbele

Police and the army patrol in Diepsloot. / T H U L A N I

MBELE

A plea for food was the loudest cry as residents of Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg, encountered the army and police convoys patrolling the streets and urging people to go into their yards yesterday. “We are hungry, we are hungry,” shouted residents to the convoy moving in the small narrow roads in Diepsloot Extension 6. The convoy was received with caution by the community as some residents ran away fearing arrest, those willing to listen to the army speaking on a megaphone were also given Covid-19 awareness pamphlets. On the rooftop of a military vehicle known as a Mamba, the army spoke to residents through a megaphone, urging them to adhere to the lockdown regulations.

“We are pleading with you to stay in your homes. We do not want to lose any more lives, this virus is real” was a repeated call to residents. A group of residents gathering at the Diepsloot Primary School waiting for food parcels was dispersed as there was no handout of food parcels. The residents had allegedly been gathering outside the school for the past three days. An emotional Tshenolo Landane, 26, who couldn’t hold back tears, said all she was asking for was for food. “I live with five children, three of my own and two from my sister, every day they come running to me asking if I have food, it pains me because my children are going to die of hunger,” Landane said. “I have been coming to the school for the past three days hoping to get food.” Landane survives by going door to door asking people to do their laundry. Another resident, Connie

Naledi, 42, said this was the first time she has had to beg for food. “This is the first time I had to do something like this; we are not here because we want to, we are here because we don’t have food in our homes. We want to abide with the rules, but we are begging for food.” Two people were arrested for drinking in public. “We are here to create awareness of the virus, but we are also here to enforce the regulations. We are trying to save lives, so we ask the community to cooperate with us in order for the lockdown to be uplifted,” said Capt Thabo Sello, speaking on behalf of the SANDF. Asked about the recent cases of brutality from the army, he said: “We are investigating cases of brutality, it is not in the nature of our members to be abusive. We are talking to them and discouraging any form of abusive; they know what is right and what is wrong.”

6 News

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Friday April 17 2020 Sowetan

Covid-19 a triple threat for Seima

Action against unfair price hikes

Fighting disease a lifelong battle

By Ernest Mabuza

By Karabo Ledwaba

Molemole Seima is a three times immuno-compromised woman who suffers from an eye disease called keratoconus; lupus and asthma. While most of us fear infection from Covid-19, people such as Seima, who are living with compromised immune systems, are at greater risk. “I always had an eye problem from birth. When I was four years old I had my first eye operation for both eyes and I kept seeing eye specialists. In 2003 my eyes started deteriorating and in 2013 I lost my sight in my left eye,” she said. The 33-year-old Pretoria native said she went to an ophthalmologist who told her that her sight was that of an 80year-old woman. She was only 26 at the time. She said as a teenager, studying became difficult because of her vision and she was unable to continue playing cricket like her friends because she couldn’t see.

“In 2014 I was referred to the Pretoria Eye Institute and the ophthalmologist diagnosed me with an eye disease called keratoconus which is incurable though its progress can be delayed with treatment,” said Seima. She was told that she needed a corneal transplant to manage her vision. By this time she had stopped driving and had done four rounds of laser eye surgery to assist her right eye, which was strained from overcompensating for her left eye. “The left eye cornea was transplanted, the recovery had rejection episodes and it was overwhelming. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my mom and siblings.” While suffering from this disease, she also had to manage lupus and asthma. Lupus is a crippling autoimmune disease that causes a person’s system to attack healthy tissue such as organs, joints and skin. “My GP has advised that I stay home even though I have been in remission. I try to selfisolate, especially since I am also asthmatic. I had to change my diet and take enough vitamin C and ginger shots. It is a

Face masks trader faces prosecution at competition tribunal

Molemole Seima

bit frightening because I am fragile to this virus. Having an autoimmune disease is a bit scary because you already have a compromised immune system.” She also has to ensure she doesn’t rub her eye, which still has a scar from the corneal transplant. “After my transplant there was a scar left around my cornea, which is permanent and because of this disease it still remains very fragile. I was warned against rubbing my eyes, so when my eye itches I put a cooled face cloth to stop the itching.” However, taking extra caution when it comes to her health is not new to the strongwilled woman. Seima is proud to have graduated with a BCom honours in business management from Unisa in October last year.

The Competition Commission has warned that there will be a wave of prosecutions involving companies which have excessively inflated prices. Commissioner Tembinkosi Bonakele said the Competition Tribunal would next Friday hear a case against a company accused of excessive pricing of facial masks. The company allegedly priced its masks at 12 times the original price. The commission said this was the first case of excessive pricing since the start of the lockdown that it has referred to the Competition Tribunal for prosecution. The complaint was filed with the commission on March 24. “The commission investigated the complaints and found that during the period January 31-March 5‚ the company increased its prices of facial masks from R41 per box up to the highest price of R500 per box‚ earning during this period mark-ups in excess of 500%‚” said commission spokesperson Sipho Ngwema. Ngwema said face masks fell

under the category of “medical and hygiene supplies” and had been identified as essential goods for the prevention of the spread of Covid-19. He said the commission had been inundated with hundreds of complaints from consumers about the prices of certain essential goods and other basic food items that skyrocketed in recent weeks. Ngwema said there were a number of matters the commission had concluded investigating but had yet to refer to the tribunal. These cases include: ● a hardware store that allegedly increased the price of surgical gloves over a period of a week from R99.99 to R170‚ with no cost rise justification; ● a pharmacy that put more than a 300% mark-up on face masks and hand sanitisers; ● a wholesaler of chicken that increased mark-ups for chicken pieces by up to 50% with no justification; and ● a supplier of face masks with 665% mark-ups. “The commission has now gone past the stage of moral persuasion and appeals to patriotism to stop the abuse of market power by those seeking to exploit customers at a worse possible time‚” said Bonakele. “The law must take its course. We will see a wave of prosecution of firms in the next coming days.”

46 arrests for theft, arson and vandalism at schools across Gauteng 183 criminal attacks countrywide By Nonkululeko Njilo

Police have arrested 46 people in connection with arson‚ vandalism and burglaries at schools across Gauteng during the lockdown. Provincial education department spokesperson Steve Mabona said two suspects were found in possession of suspected stolen property linked to school break-ins in Katlehong yesterday. This was after three more suspects were nabbed in Sebokeng on Wednesday. “Another report received [on Wednesday] confirmed the arrests of two suspects who were found in possession of suspected stolen property linked to a break-in at Botebo-Tsebo Secondary School in Zone 14‚ Sebokeng‚” said Mabona. “The third suspect was arrested inside the school premises. Allegedly this suspect gained entry to one of the classrooms by breaking a window and then made a fire inside the classroom.” Sowetan earlier reported 41 people had been arrested in

Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi inspects the damage caused by a fire at Amogelang Secondary School in Soshanguve. / T H U L A N I Gauteng since March in connection with 55 break-ins. “It is unfortunate to confirm that criminals continue to break into our schools and as such the number of school break-ins is 67‚” said Mabona. Education MEC Panyaza

Lesufi applauded police for the arrests. “Indeed we are delighted and indebted to the police for sterling work in arresting these recalcitrants‚ who are persistent in disregarding regulations enforced during this critical moment of lockdown.

“We don’t understand where they find time to commit these crimes because everyone should be at home. “We wish that these criminals rot in jail. We will not get tired of encouraging members of our communities to continue

MBELE

to alert the police about criminals who torment our schools.” Basic education minister Angie Motshekga said she was horrified that 183 schools had been vandalised‚ burgled or set alight across SA since the lockdown started 21 days ago.

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OFFERS VALID FROM FRIDAY 17 APRIL 2020 UNTIL SUNDAY 19 APRIL 2020 AT ALL SHOPRITE STORES IN GAUTENG, MPUMALANGA, NORTH WEST & LIMPOPO PROVINCE, EXCLUDING GANYESA, LICHTENBURG, MAFIKENG, MMABATHO, PARYS, SASOLBURG, SCHWEIZER-RENEKE, VOLKSRUST, VRYBURG & WOLMARANSSTAD, WHILE STOCKS LAST. SOME ADVERTISED PRODUCTS MAY NOT BE STOCKED AT SMALLER SHOPRITE STORES. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT QUANTITIES. NO TRADERS. VAT INCLUDED. ERRORS AND OMISSIONS EXCEPTED. CUSTOMER CARE LINE 0800 01 07 09 (TOLL-FREE). Page 7 — 17 April 2020 — Sowetan

8 News

Friday April 17 2020 Sowetan

Murder appears ‘muthi-related’ By Tankiso Makhetha

A five-year-old boy was found dead in a tavern in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, on Wednesday, in what his family and community suspect was a muthi-related murder. Mzwandile Zitho was reported missing by his grandmother on the same day. Residents said they were shocked by the gruesome discovery of his body in a fridge. Anna Makhubu, who was one of the first people to enter the tavern where Mzwandile’s body was found, said: “His grandmother said she grew worried when she could not find him around the yard at 10am. She said he was still in his pyjamas when he went missing. “She asked the tavern owner, who lives across from them, if he had seen Mzwandile. He said no. But she was shocked to find him at the police station as well.” According to Makhubu, the tavern owner told the police he did not know how the boy’s body ended up on his property.

Boy’s body found in tavern fridge A forensic investigation team at the scene where five-year-old Mzwandile Zitho was found dead in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg. / A N T O N I O M U C H A V E “He said he doesn’t know how the body got there and wanted to help. When we got there we found Mzwandile naked, standing in an upright position. His hands and feet were bound. There was muthi bottles and a handkerchief

that had small ropes in it.” Makhubu said she was heartbroken as she raised Mzwandile since he was five months old. “He was an active child and full of energy. He would say to me that he wanted to be a

priest because he was tired of seeing me take a taxi to church. He said he would take me to church in his own car.” ANC branch chairperson in the area, Macy Monageng, said: “We are hurt because we are in a lockdown and then this happens. We thought chil-

Mzwandile Zitho’s body was found in a tavern.

dren and women abuse would end in this situation but clearly not. The law needs to take its course.” Police spokesperson Capt Kay Makhubele said they were investigating a case of murder and that no arrests have been made.

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12 Entertainment

Friday April 17 2020 Sowetan

Your

Your Stars

Tv Guide

What kind of day will tomorrow be? To find out what the stars say, read the forecast given for your birth sign

17:00 till late

Aries March 21 — April 21 This is a lively time for you because both the Sun and Mercury are in your sign. Nevertheless, today the Moon is hiding, which means that you want privacy.

Fri. SABC1 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:02 20:32

My Night Siswati/Ndebele News Lip Sync Battle Skeem Saam Xhosa/Zulu News Live Amp Generations: The Legacy Uzalo Nkunzi realises he's going to have to be patient, only one person leaves the dinnerhappy, and Sbu finds a good idea. 21:00 Shaolin Temple 23:00 Mzansi Insider

Taurus April 21 — May 21 A discussion with a female friend could be important today. Meanwhile, secrets might be revealed, in part, because you are successful at finding hidden answers today.

Gemini May 21 — June 22 A discussion with a friend will be lively today, especially because one or both of you are full of cutting-edge, original ideas. This is a good thing because you are high-viz today.

Cancer June 22 — July 23 This is a good day to talk to bosses, parents and VIPs because they will be impressed with your bright ideas. When you've got it, baby, flaunt it!

Sat. SABC1 17:30 Roots 18:00 Break Da Beat We encapsulate the essence of true hip-hop 19:00 Xhosa/Zulu News 19:30 Real Goboza 20:00 SABC1 22:00 Brothers and Sisters with Soul 23:30 Zaziwa

Leo July 23 — Aug 24 You can accomplish a lot today if you are studying or have to work on a paper or a manuscript. You also will be convincing in discussions about politics and religion.

Virgo Aug 24 — Sep 23 This is a good day to discuss shared property, inheritances or insurance disputes because you are confident and on top of your game. You can see what needs to be done.

Libra Sep 23 — Oct 23

Sun. SABC1 17:30 18:00 19:00 19:30

Today you might attract someone to you who is very talkative. Quite likely this person is younger. Be open to what is said because this discussion might benefit you.

Scorpio Oct 23 — Nov 23 You will be productive at work today because you are prepared to work in a hands-on way. Furthermore, your mind is sharp and quick to see better ways of doing things.

Sagittarius Nov 23 — Dec 22

17:30 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:02 21:30

20:30 21:00 21:30 22:00 22:30

SABC2 18:00 18:15 18:30 20:30 20:57 21:00 21:30

Nuus Sesotho/Setswana News Bride Wars Supernatural Live Lotto Draw Supernatural JHB International Comedy Fest 22:30 Speak Out 23:00 Game Plan

SABC2 17:00 18:00 18:15 18:30 19:00 20:00 20:30 21:00 22:00

Gospel Superfest Holiday Nuus Sesotho/Setswana News Red Cake - Not The Cooking Show The Cube Speak Out RSVP: Dare To Change Titans Supernatural

1``2`3~~4`5`6 `~~`~`~~`~`~` 7`````8~9```` `~~`~0```~`~` -=``~~`~q``w` ~`~`~~`~`~~`~ e```r````t``` ~`~~`~`~~`~`~ y`u``~`~~i``o `~`~p``[~`~~` ]````~\`````` `~`~`~~`~`~~` a````~~s`````

Family discussions will go well today. In particular, this is a good day to roll up your sleeves and tackle DIY projects at home.

Aquarius Jan 21 — Feb 20

Birthdate of:

You're bursting with moneymaking ideas or new ways to handle financial matters. Trust your instincts!

etv

17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30

Naruto: Shippûden Venda/Tsonga News 7de Laan Nuus Soul'd Out Session #Karektas Sesotho/Setswana News Visionaries' Lounge Muvhango Mopheme Mmampodi TKO Boxing Magazine

mosimanem@sowetan.co.za

Capricorn Dec 22 — Jan 21

Pisces Feb 20 — Mar 21

SABC3

17:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00

Crossword 3152

This is a strong day for those in sports events. Likewise, if you are involved with kids, you will be successful communicating to them. Enjoy exploring new activities.

You are an intelligent sign, and today you are really on top of your game! You have energy, curiosity and interest in everything around you. New people and new places will intrigue you.

Gospel Unplugged Break Da Beat Xhosa/ Zulu News Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Sam must help the Autobots, fight an ancient threat, sworn on returning to get their revenge

SABC2

Eric McCormack (Actor)

Afternoon Express Top Chef Junior Isidingo: The Need Christina Milian Truth Be Told News Fatal Memories A woman tries to help her sister remember the fatal stabbing of their mother. 23:30 The Secret Life Of Marilyn Monroe

SABC3 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00

Christina Milian Top Billing The Launch Tropika Island of Treasure Curacao 21:00 News 21:30 Joe Somebody When Joe is beaten up by a co-worker in front of his daughter on Bring Your Child To Work Day, he decides to fight back. 23:30 Koze Kuse

SABC3 17:30 18:30 19:30 20:30 21:00 21:30

Mela Animal Babies Spirit Joyride News How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days 21:30 Koze Kuse

ACROSS 1 Roman god of agriculture and vegetation (6) 4 Long seat for seating more than one person (5) 7 Variant; adaptation (7) 9 Replica (5) 10 Edge between pavement and roadway (4) 11 Calendar year (4) 13 Standard of perfection (5) 15 Orbit with an altitude of 2,000km above earth’s surface (3,5,5) 18 Stage decoration; scenery (5) 20 Merriment (4) 22 Ball Aerospace and Technology Corporation (4) 24 Plural of opus (5) 25 Pendent of the ear (3,4) 26 Slip (5) 27 Sky personified as the god (6)

Bittersoet News - COVID-19 Update Rhythm City Scandal! News Chicago Fire The Powerball Draw Chicago Fire Imbewu: The Seed MaNdlovu catches MaZulu entering the house after meeting with Phakade. 22:00 Eliminators

etv 18:00 19:00 19:30 19:55 20:00 21:50

Fear Factor NewsNight Marlon SuperFans Game Show Men In Black II The Day The Earth Stood Still 23:55 The Guard

etv 18:00 19:00 19:30 19:55 20:00

Family Feud SA NewsNight Black-ish SuperFans Game Show Shanghai Noon When the Emperor of China’s daughter is kidnapped, an imperial guard and a cowboy team up to rescue her.. 22:20 eKasi: Our Stories 23:20 Storage Locker 181

DOWN 1 Shrewdness and practical knowledge (5) 2 Rapid rise or swell (7) 3 Narrow recess (4) 4 Italian: young child (7) 5 Poke gently (5) 6 Meat from animals killed according to Muslim law (5) 8 Bring about by discussion (9) 12 Run away secretly in order to get married (5) 14 _ in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll’s novel of ‘fantasy and literary nonsense’ (5) 16 Base for military aircraft (3,4) 17 Finery; trappings (7) 18 Gloat (5) 19 Inexpensive (5) 21 Winning same as amount staked (5) 23 Control And Display Unit (4)

Yesterday’s solutions ACROSS 1 Mars 4 Jupiter 7 Cohabit 8 Leafy 9 ASE 10 Eden 11 Jeopardy 15 Coalesce 19 Aeon 21 TNT 22 Pacer 23 Conical 24 Back pay YAEA. DOWN 2 Aboard 3 Seasonal 4 Jet age 5 Pile up 6 Enfold 10 Etc 11 JAS 12 OBE 13 Alacrity 14 Yen 16 Ottava 17 Entrap 18 Catchy 20 Octave

YOU BORN TODAY You are an intelligent, enthusiastic person who likes change. You are both assertive and sensitive. You're a nice person who is ambitious! This is your time of harvest! Yay! Now you will begin to reap the benefits of your efforts of the past decade. You deserve this time of success. Expect to enjoy an increased influence and leadership in your relationships. Yes!

America Ferrera (Actress)

Pantsula

Conan O’Brien (TV Host)

Tomorrow’s Weather Pretoria 14-25

Johannesburg 12-23

Sifiso Yalo

Nelspruit 18-26

Phone: 082 162 www.weathersa.co.za | @SAWeatherservice

Polokwane 14-24

Mafikeng 15-24

Bloemfontein 6-24

Kimberley 11-28

Cape Town 13-23

East London 16-24

Durban 18-26

TimeOut Sowetan

Friday April 17 2020 Sowetan

Your weekend entertainment guide

Mbuli’s mission to conquer Europe on the right course Actror returns to top since she wowed the world with captivating lead roles By Emmanuel Tjiya

Bonnie Mbuli makes a rousing comeback to acting in six-part TV show Noughts + Crosses. With her unflinching portrayal of Jasmine Hadley, she

sinks her teeth into the nitty gritty of motherhood as lead character Sephy Hadley’s (Masali Baduza) mother. Mbuli easily returns to the top for the first time since she captured the international

Bonnie Mbuli with Paterson Joseph, who plays her husband in the show Noughts and Crosses. / S U P P L I E D

community in roles that made her a sought-after leading lady – Dara Macala in Drum, Precious Chamusso in Catch a Fire and Zindzi Mandela in Invictus. But the 41-year-old actor strongly disagrees that this should be dubbed as her “acting comeback”. “I wouldn’t call this a comeback as I’ve never stopped acting or have ever thought about stopping,” she corrects me. “A large part of my success as an actress is the fact that I choose very carefully the roles I play. “Sadly, in South Africa, when people don’t see you on local television show, they assume you’ve stopped acting… there are multiple formats, platforms and stages.” Filmed in Cape Town, the sci-fi series that concludes on Showmax this week has been the show on everyone’s lips as the world battles the great lockdown triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic. A TV adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s best-selling young adult novel, the show depicts an alternative history narrative in which Europe is being colonised by Africans. The show has pulled in an average viewership of 2.5million every week in the UK – according to the Broadcasters Audience Research Board – and it’s all led by East London-born Baduza. In her starry acting debut, the 24-year-old starlet admits that carrying such a big show on her small shoulders has been nervewrecking. But the forbidden Romeo and Juliet-esque storyline – with a race-flipped twist – between Sephy and Callum McGregor (Jack Rowen) has won the hearts of audiences across borders. “It’s so surreal. Sometimes it doesn’t even feel real,” Baduza confesses. “I felt the pressure that I was one of the first South African actresses to lead an international TV show, because I felt like I had to represent the

Masali Baduza in Nought and crosses. /SUPPLIED

country as well. “The story is so important to so many people and rightfully so. It’s such an important topic in terms of society and race relations. We all wanted to do the book justice and the fans of the book justice.” The show is as thrilling as much as it’s engaging on ethical and political issues. It’s like you are watching Black Panther, but more heart and soul. The cheekiness and strength of Mbuli’s character Jasmine often recalls that of Thandie Newton’s Maeve in Westworld – just with less violence. Baduze’s robust portrayal reminds me of Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games – but there are no games and the girl is black. “I was drawn to Jasmine’s character because of the book series Noughts and Crosses,” Mbuli shares. “I also love her fierce, strong and determined nature. She’s both vulnerable and strong. “Jasmine is different to other roles I’ve played, mainly in culture. She is a British African, which required accent and language nuances.” The Afrofuturistic fashion in the show has received a ton of attention much like the Black Panther wardrobe. There is electric African print everywhere; the shapes and silhouettes are structural; while accessories are beaded and chunky. The hair story is just as fantastic – most of the characters wear their hair in braids, Afros and dreadlocks. Mbuli’s natural hair in every episode is differently styled with beadwork and headwraps. Mbuli says her favourite look, pictured, has been in episode five – during Jasmine’s ruthless husband and prime minister Kamal Hadley’s (Paterson Joseph) inauguration. “I love everything about Jasmine’s aesthetic. Her

hairstyles were always fitting to the part of her journey she was on,” Mbuli points out. The last-born of six children, Baduza studied at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles campus where she majored in acting for film. While working as a stage manager at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown in 2018, she got a brief from her agent to audition for Noughts + Crosses. She immediately filmed her audition tape. Before she knew it Baduza was flown to Cape Town to meet producers Johann Knobel and Kibwe Tavares. After two hours of talking and workshopping different scenes, Baduza was offered a chance to fly to London for a chemistry read with Rowen – who was already cast as Callum. Shortly after, she landed the role of a lifetime and they started filming in November 2018. “That was special. I’d never been flown anywhere for a role before. So, that was a moment in my life already,” she recalls. “I met with Jack (Rowen) and had our chemistry read and everything was really natural and fun. I thought that was already enough for me that it was really cool that I’d had this experience.” Mbuli’s international career continues to soar; she plays space matriarch and Elida’s (Adriyan Rae) mother Xevelyn in new American TV series Vagrant Queen.

‘‘

It’s not a comeback as I’ve never stopped acting

14 TimeOut

Friday April 17 2020 Sowetan

Theatre Theatre is taking a new direction by tapping into technology and going online.

Online student theatre fest a virtual triumph Experimental work helps unlock potential By Patience Bambalele

The Covid-19 outbreak may have caused a lot of disruption to people’s lives and had a devastating impact on the economy but it will also be applauded as an era that forced the world to embrace technology. The world has witnessed film screenings, live concerts, art exhibitions, theatre performances, book readings and discussions happening virtually. The Iincubator 21: Online Student Theatre Festival is a once-off online festival organised by Pop Art Theatre in Maboneng, with the 50-minute production comprised six shows. According to one of the festival organisers, Hayleigh Evans, the idea of creating the experimental virtual work began during the lockdown because they wanted to give university students a platform while entertaining the masses in the comfort of their own homes and raise funds for The Market Theatre Laboratory. Evans telss TimeOut the idea was borrowed from Pop Art’s famous concept called 24 Hour Theatre where directors and writers create a 10-minute show that is rehearsed and performed within 24 hours. “Pop Art is providing a digital platform to host experimental digital stories in a far more relaxed space in our time of separate togetherness. “We thought this will be our last project since Pop Art is moving [from] where it is in Maboneng. “We have been staging these shows to raise funds for The Market Theatre Laboratory,” Evans says. “People watched the show free and continue to donate funds. Hosting this festival online is our way to research if people can really support the initiative if we decided to explore the digital route. I cannot lie, the digital format is worth pursuing.” The six productions were written by Phila Madleni, Khanyisile Zwane, Sihle Chiliza, Praise God Dlamini, Mnqobi Molefe and Martin Grendele. It featured students from Durban University of Technology, Wits University, Tshwane University of Technology, Rhodes University and The Market Theatre Laboratory. These young actors, directors and writers were mentored by Mwenya Kabwe, Jefferson Tshabalala, Refiloe Lepere, Sibongile Fisher, Monageng Motshabi, Khutjo Green, Kirsten Harris, Roberto Pombo, Chris Djuma, Maude Sandham, and Dintshitile Mashile. “Since students were sitting at home we decided to engage them through this way,” Evans says. “All participating students from institutions around the country are given the platform to either write, direct or act in plays under the mentorship of allocated mentors during the lockdown.”

TimeOut 15

Sowetan Friday April 17 2020

Column/TV

Lightning in the city means nothing like being fried in a tub in the rurals

Kwanele Ndlovu Inking Out Loud

A few days back I took a long hot bath while there was a thunderstorm and hail. I rarely get to fill up the tub and sink in, and soak for almost an hour. Between the morning rush, busy home schedule and the electricity bill, I have embraced the “quick shower” routine and only ever take baths when there is absolute peace around the house and no work to submit urgently. The thunder was much more pronounced in the current tranquility of the national lockdown. It was a concert of streaks of lightning, illuminating the whole bathroom after a big bang as the clouds threw tantrums.

The only thing I thought this whole experience was beautiful is because I live in the burbs. I know for sure that had I dared take a bath during a storm with even a tease of lightning back home – up the hills of uMthwalume – I would be toast! That is if Mother’s heart did not first stop before I put a foot in the water. She probably would have called all her sisters to report my defiance the minute I communicated the desire to take a bath. See, a bath during a thunderstorm back home, in the rural areas, is forbidden because for some odd reason, lightning back there kills. Black people’s weather is weaponry. You can live in a community where the gogo next door does not know how to navigate a basic cellphone, and hasn’t the least inkling what Google Maps application in a smart phone is. Can’t even estimate how far her little rondavel is from your home and she has not ventured on walks in the neighbourhood since she

started using a walking stick back in 2010. Yet, the very same woman will be accused of not only having the secret ingredients stowed under her collapsed bed, but also having the power to command the lightning after she has cooked it up into a storm! Forget everything you know about geography, science and technology. Back in my hood, someone will tell you that that very same

grizzled illiterate magogo can send two lightning bolts via Waze at 5pm on a random Tuesday, then show up at your funeral with a sack of potatoes to pay her last respects. But there has always been a “best practice” for warding off any remote controlled lightning strikes. Well, even the natural weather that has not been influenced by any old neighbourly grudges.

The thing is, all storms around our areas are potentially homicidal. So, we cover all the mirrors around the house. Disconnect the television. Sit in silence, preferably on the floor and wait for the storm to pass. And nobody dares touch water, not even to drink. So, there is no way that Mother would watch me take a bath in the face of death. Never! Yet, look at me and that big wall mirror in my bedroom surviving Joburg storms with vigour. You would not even believe that I am in fact a real-life survivor of a lightning strike and the entire community apparently knows who steered that particular bolt my way!

A lightning bolt in the rural areas is shrouded in mystery to the extent that even taking a bath when it rains is seen as suicidal. / D A R R Y L HAMMOND

TV psychic links clients with their ancestors Radebe was trained by his granny By Itumeleng Mafisa

If you have ever caught an episode of US TV psychic John Edward’s show Crossing Over with John Edward then you are no stranger to the world of mediums and communication with the dead. In the show Edwards helps audience members or guests to connect with a loved one who has since passed as he acts as a medium between the two worlds and passes on messages. This is what Lloyd Radebe has brought to Mzansi Wethu, channel 163 viewers since last weekend on his show uBizo. Radebe takes viewers and those who come seeking answers from the dead through a journey of self-discovery and exposes the hidden world of “amadlozi” (ancestors). A series of 13 emotion-filled episodes began on April 11. Describing himself as a psychic medium and spiritual healer, Radebe says he does not throw bones like a typical sangoma but is able to communicate with the ancestors. “I have been asked if I am a sangoma or an ‘inyanga’ (healer). I did not go for ‘ukuthwasa’

(healers’ initiation) the way a sangoma would go but I was trained by my grandmother and ‘abomkhulu’. My mother says she was told by many prophets when I was

Psychic and healer Loyd Radebe.

a child that I was born to be a healer” says Radebe. The bond with his now late grandmother led to him following his calling as, according to him, she now helps him to connect to others in the afterlife. “My job is to connect [people] and convey the message from the ancestors to those who need to know them. “My late grandmother is spearheading the process by connecting with your seeker and both these ancestors will communicate and convey the message that needs to be spoken,” says Radebe. Normally, Radebe travels between Johannesburg and Durban where he runs his healing practices. He says it took time for him to respond to his calling as a healer after working for different companies as a camera man, including at the SABC. “I am a guy from Ladysmith but based in Krugersdorp [on the West Rand] with a gift. “ I have chosen to answer the call from my ancestors and go heal people.” Radebe also does psychic readings on a weekday show on YFM and says shooting the TV show has been interesting. “Shooting the show was very interesting and doing person to person readings was

easier than doing radio readings.” According to Radebe, he has not received any bad reviews since his TV show kicked off last week and he is not bothered by those who may accuse him of being a charlatan. “As South Africans we enjoy many rights, including the right to have an opinion but I’m not moved by those who call me a fake because many people have received healing through my work. “Ancestors are people who have passed and they become our guardians. They do exist but in my experience some people shy away from that fact,” he says. Radebe’s motto is “Mabaphile abantu” a Zulu phrase meaning let the people

live/be well. He says he will often get fulfillment when those who had come to him for readings come back with positive results. “I get happy when I hear those that come back and they do come back telling me stories of their breakthroughs,” he says. Radebe adds that Africans need to embrace who they are and know their heritage. He does readings for all races and creeds. “African or not we are all spiritual beings and we need to connect to that part of ourselves.” Radebe also does private consultations at his offices and bookings can be done on his website. www.lloydradebe.co.za or contact 0835836633/0814291280

Friday April 17 2020 Sowetan

SowetanTravel After having to close due to coronavirus, hospitality places now open doors to accommodate health workers

The Soweto Hotel has joined Ubuntu Beds to offer a place to stay for healthcare workers. / B O N G A N I M N G U N I

By Nomvelo Masango

The Soweto Hotel & Conference Centre is one of several local hotels playing their part in the fight against Covid-19, by signing up to Ubuntu Beds. A great example of Mzansi’s special spirit of compassion, Ubuntu Beds is an initiative uniting hospitality businesses with healthcare workers who are fighting the virus on the frontlines. It asks hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses, now empty because of travel bans and the national lockdown, to offer a safe harbour for doctors and nurses who are working to fight this pandemic. A great risk for healthcare workers globally is the commute to and from hospitals after their shifts. This raises the possibility of bringing the virus home to family and loved ones. By ensuring that healthcare workers do not need to travel long journeys home, the safety of more South Africans can be achieved. Dineo Setsetse, general manager of the Soweto Hotel, says they are proud to be involved, and will be housing healthcare workers from Baragwanath Hospital and surrounding areas. Setsetse says they had initially approached the government because they wanted to offer up the hotel as a quarantine site but did not know how to go about it – and then they heard about Ubuntu Beds. Kim Whitaker, founder of Ubuntu Beds, tested positive for coronavirus at the beginning of March after she returned from a trip to Germany. Being in selfquarantine for more than two weeks, she had plenty of time to think about how she could offer a helping hand. “I own a hotel in Cape Town and one in Johannesburg. I could see that the travel industry was going to suffer and that the hotels were going to be standing empty. So I thought, maybe that’s actually how I can help. Maybe we could offer up our beds to hospitals around our area, and I started contacting hospitals around us.”

SOME OF GAUTENG’S HOTEL HEROES A big round of applause please, for these local establishments, which have all signed up to help. Dalberry Guest House, Fourways The Catwalk Lodge, Pretoria The Peech Hotel, Melrose

Hotels offer rooms to join Covid-19 fight Hospital workers to be accommodated closer to workplaces.

Empty hotels are offering a helping hand. / PHOTOS / SUPPLIED

She admits that the process was not easy because hospitals do not normally organise accommodation for their staff, and various factors including pricing were particularly challenging. “Eventually I discussed it with my board of di-

Malibu Country Lodge, Pretoria Strathavon Guest House, Sandton Soweto Hotel and Conference Centre, Kliptown The Corporate Apartment Group Nt’Shonalanga Valley Resort, Centurion Glendower View Guesthouse, Edenvale

rectors and we agreed that we would be able to offer it to them for free and that I would find a way of fundraising for expenses such as water, electricity, staff and laundry.” They decided to build a platform where more accommodation establishments through out SA could get involved, and Ubuntu Beds was born. The initiative echoes similar ones across the world. In the US, more than 15,000 hotels have signed up for “Hospitality for Hope”, which offers housing for the healthcare community. So far in SA, over 200 hotels and B&Bs in six provinces have signed up to the platform, and the first group of healthcare workers have moved into Once

Ubuntu Beds is offering a haven to healthcare workers.

in Joburg in Braamfontein. Dr Tshisevhe Liphosa, one of the nine healthcare workers already staying at Once in Joburg, is relieved that he is no longer at risk of transporting the virus to those he loves the most, and appreciates his interim home. “It feels better to be closer to work especially because I normally travel by Uber, which is now only available at limited times during the lockdown. The hotel is comfortable, safe and clean. That puts me at ease after a long day or night’s work. It also feels good to have small chats in the corridors with the hotel staff, which is a good distraction from the panic of the pandemic and the same repeti-

tive anxious conversation around coronavirus.” While he misses his family tremendously, Liphosa communicates with them frequently over the phone. He remains hopeful and is put at ease by the fact that he is taking measures to stay safe. Setsetse, meanwhile, is confident that we can beat coronavirus if each of us plays our part. “The sooner each of us puts our gloves on and does what we can to help the government, the quicker we can beat this virus and get back to normal,” she says. ■ For more information, to join the initiative or donate to the cause, visit ubuntubeds.org.

Obituaries / Tribute 17

Sowetan Friday April 17 2020

Farewell to ‘skilled unifier’ Msane remembered as splendid educationist By Panyaza Lesufi and Bheki Khumalo

Amon Cetshwayo Msane, popularly known as Tata, was born in Stilfontein, North West, on April 23 1955. He passed away after a short illness on April 5, just 18 days before his 65th birthday. He settled in Alexandra when his family moved to Johannesburg in 1957/58, and started school at Zenzeleni Primary and matriculated at Tembisa High in 1976. He married Nonceba Doshane in 1980. He started his working career at Old Mutual and later joined American multinational company 3M as a data processor. His political consciousness about the inhumanity of the system of apartheid emerged when he became a trade unionist and chief shop steward at the 3M’s Elandsfontein plant where he worked. His dedication and commitment saw him being elected a member of the national executive committee of the Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union of South Africa (a Cosatu affiliate) and chairperson of its Johannesburg branch. In February 1986, as a unionist who embraced the principles of international solidarity and support, he led a walkout of

300 workers in solidarity with the workers at the 3M plant in Freehold, New Jersey, whose plant was closing. It is after this strike that he toured the US. There he addressed an international conference on “New Directions for Labour” in Detroit in 1986, representing the Cosatu. Around the same period, he addressed rallies, appeared on national and local TV and various radio stations in New York, New Jersey, Miami, Los Angeles, Denver, Colorado, Boston, Mississippi and Detroit, calling on all workers in the US to unite with other workers around the world to fight against plant closures. He also appeared on BBC (TV) at the request of Amnesty International to highlight the plight of state of emergency detainees in SA and the brutality of the then apartheid regime. Msane was arrested in SA after his first visit to the US and held for four weeks until an international campaign resulted in his release. He was rearrested in February 1987 after his second visit to the US and spent almost two years in Modderbee prison in Benoni, where he interacted with many activists from various parts of the East Rand (now Ekurhuleni). His second arrest triggered one of the biggest international campaigns to get him freed by the apartheid regime. Msane was an executive member of the National Education Co-ordinating Com-

Former Gauteng legislature member and activist Amon Msane. / S U P P L I E D mittee and its Southern Transvaal secretary. Although the apartheid laws had been repealed in 1990, schools remained effectively segregated, with several former white public schools closed because of declining enrolment, while many township schools were overcrowded and dilapidated. He worked with many activists and led various campaigns, including “bussing black pupils to occupy then vacant white schools”. It was during this period that he was the Southern Transvaal Education Aids Programme co-ordinator, director of the Joint Computer Schools and director of the Tembisa Careers Centre.

He was a seasoned educationist, and a founder member of the South African Vocational Guidance Education Association. He joined the United Democratic Front in Tembisa and was one of its most active and prominent leaders who led the township struggles against the widely discredited black local authorities forced on citizens by the apartheid government. Msane was one of the brave Tembisa parents who worked with young activists in the township to respond to the call of the exiled ANC to render the apartheid system unworkable and townships ungovernable. He was in turn elected deputy president of the Tembisa Residents Association. Just before the 1994 elections, he served as an ANC Tembisa branch executive committee member, as well as a Kyalami ANC regional executive member. After the democratic breakthrough in 1994, he was elected a member of the Gauteng provincial legislature where he served continuously for 15 years. He was elected chairperson of the education committee from 1996 to 1999 and again from 2006 to 2008. He served in committees on education, housing, petitions and public participation, and development planning and local government. This rocklike tower is survived by his wife, four children and three grandchildren. In deep gratitude, we remember a humble man of modest beginnings. His revolutionary legacy stands in history for us to follow. Go well, we say to a skilled and dispassionate negotiator, unifier of structures of the movement to which he dedicated his life, and a splendid educationist who wanted nothing, but the best for everyone. We salute his memory in a spirit of inspired and abiding reflection. Msane was buried on Tuesday at the Heroes Acre at the West Park Cemetery, Johannesburg.

SK Morokane gave teaching valuable tools Rocks was keen researcher

It instantly became his unwavering passion. He was a strong proponent of learner progress and achievement which helped shape teaching and learning in SA. By Percy Morokane One of his leading papers titled “CheckSeepapitso Ketlamoreng Morokane – ing pupiIs’ academic starting levels” was “SK” as he was popularly known within published in Educamus circa in 1993. His other academic research papers the education space – is no more. He passed away on Wednesday last have been widely used by a number of week after a long illness. An educator par Masters’ students at various universities across the country. excellence, he taught at various Morokane was born and bred schools in North West. in Vogelstruisknop, Coligny, In the mid-1960s, he had a area in North West. stint as a tutor at the famous An amateur boxer during Bethel High School and his student days, SK was Teacher Training Institute. widely known by the Then in the early 1970s, young and old in Boikhutso he became one of the first – where he settled after reblack teachers at Kutlwatirement – as “Monna-wanong School for the Deaf in Motsamai”. He was given the Rustenburg. sobriquet because of his penSoon thereafter, he was headchant for daily walks to and from hunted to be deputy principal at the town of Lichtenburg. He althe then newly built Tsela-Kgosi Senior Secondary in Mahikeng. Lifetime teacher so found time to research the Morokane family tree, the endSK was a product of the faSK Morokane. result being two books that mous Wilberforce Teacher have been self-published. Training College in Evaton, In 1961, he got married to Nombi “Rose” south of Johannesburg. In the late 1970s, disillusioned by the Alphina. They were blessed with six chiladvent of Bantustan system, he relocated dren. My father, who was also known as and led a primary school near Koster, “Rock of Ages” or “Rocks”, was laid to rest North West. Transitioning from a high to a primary yesterday at the very same place he was school propelled him to focus his energies born 83 years ago. Robala ka kgotso Noga! into basic education research.

Friday April 17 2020 Sowetan

18 Opinion Your SMS views

Send your comments to 33664 Each sms costs R1

Why was Mthombeni ignored I’m very disappointed with print media, including Sowetan, and TV for not treating all the artists fairly, especially Tsonga artists. Samson Mthombeni was a music legend; why didn’t you report about his death? – Lucas Baloyi, RustenburgI

Hope Nehawu is not serious I hope it’s false news that Nehawu wants an increase for its members who recently failed to provide health workers with protective gear. It’s a pity Nehawu doesn’t see the impact corruption has had on ordinary people. – Anonymous

Forum undermines lockdown The move by the Gauteng Liquor Forum is a clear move to undermine the efforts of the government to save South Africans from Covid-19. It would mean the lockdown was an exercise in futility. – Anonymous

Meshoe must be reprimanded Rev Kenneth Meshoe’s utterances might influence his flock, ACDP followers and the larger public to mistrust the government’s means to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. How dare he publicly questions the validity of state tools? – Anon

Deal with the Gupta runners I appeal to President Cyril Ramaphosa to take steps against those who looted state funds with the Guptas. Please be decisive and assertive Mr President, bearing in mind that they may intent to oust you in the next conference. – Chopo

Sowetan Says

Parents and schools, put pupils first The national lockdown was always going to cause enormous disruption to all aspects of our lives, including the 2020 academic year. Schools and parents across the country are grappling with how to assist pupils to catch up on work missed in the few weeks that there has been no teaching and learning due to the coronavirus pandemic. Those with digital resources have turned to online platforms to replace physical classrooms. It is therefore concerning that at this time, there are some schools wanting to bar children whose fees are outstanding from their online learning portal. Yesterday, we reported that St Patrick’s CBC school in Kimberley wanted pupils who owe school fees to be blocked from the school’s online learning platform. In a letter on April 3, the school urged parents to pay up and those who could not, to make arrangements. This week some parents were informed that their children would be blocked from the service because they had not paid fees, nor had they made what the school believes are acceptable arrangements for payment. Parents are upset, in particular those whose income has been affected by the lockdown. Granted, the school is a private entity and its functionality – even remotely – depends on the income it receives from fees. Furthermore, let us be clear that all parents must endeavour to pay school fees, especially those who can afford to do so. It is also unquestionably the responsibility of parents to approach the school to make payment arrangements when they are unable to pay up as required. However, giving parents who are financially struggling two weeks to come up with a sound payment plan which they can honour, or have their children academically excluded, is unfair. Such prohibition induces unnecessary anxiety and trauma on children who have no control of the unpredictable situation in which we all find ourselves. We call on both schools and parents to exercise a greater level of cooperation to find alternative ways of managing this crisis, placing above everything, the interests of all children.

Letters Lockdown is key, but let some businesses open The stay-at-home seems to be partially working in large swathes of SA, in others less well. We’ll see how things pan out in these areas after the lockdown is lifted. Things are not going to be all hunkydory from May as many now perhaps think; coronavirus will still pose a huge threat. We must all be prepared to live pretty much under lockdown for the foreseeable future. I recall many years ago, in the 1950s in fact, when we were hit by a polio epidemic in North America. It was frightening. Although they did not call it a lockdown and used the word quarantine, it was exactly that. We were told to remain at home, not swim in the river and to wash our hands often. For us kids an afternoon sleep was mandatory. Even with a vaccine it took several years to get out from the polio cloud. As we are about halfway through our national Covid-19 countrywide lockdown, a few questions come to mind which I would like someone in the relevant “departments” to answer: ● As the amount of road traffic has been reduced to almost a trickle, have the road departments started repairing the zillions of potholes and other holes in the sidewalks? I have not seen that as I drive to work every day? ● Similarly, have the road departments made any effort to clear the grass growing through just about every

Letters to the editor Sowetan, PO Box 6663, Johannesburg, 2000 E-mail letters@sowetan.co.za Fax 011-340-9637

sidewalk and road verge? Has Eskom started a major maintenance binge as there must be a much reduced demand for power during this lockdown? Or will it be back to unscheduled loadshedding due to unscheduled breakdowns? ● As our depressed economy has now been put into the valley of the shadow of death, has anyone in government looked creatively at some selective relaxing of the terms of the lockdown? A few suggestions: ● Permit restaurants to do takeaways with a much reduced staff; ● Permit bottle stores to open for say two hours a day with maximum sales per person of say R500; and ● Permit small shops to open with fewer employees. Any shop opening during this dispensation must ensure all employees are fully masked and gloved, and the same for all customers. I like the idea of politicians earning a lot less for the terrible work they have done. I am for an across-the-board cut in salaries and perks politicians have given themselves. The entire wageearning country is in a bloodbath for months and perhaps years to come. Let us hope that Covid-19 brings about a complete realignment of the political landscape, one in which those serving SA do so for the betterment of the country and not some dodgy political affiliation or self-interest. Perhaps the pandemic will bring all South Africans together in a way heretofore unknown, to a realisation that our destiny should be in our hands and not in the mitts of miserable politicians. God Bless SA. Dr Peter C Baker Parktown North, Johannesburg ●

Biden can restore sense of normality, decency and truth to US presidency America and the world just want a return to normal. Joe Biden represents that normal, even if it is just a oneterm presidency. A normal president does not, and cannot, lead a country alone. He needs a team. Biden is a team man and will listen to advisers, one of them being his close and long-standing friend Barack Obama. He also has wonderful choices to pick from as his running mate for vice-president. Yes, he is not young, but neither is Donald Trump. With his experience and stature he can restore a sense of decency, truth and reliability as features in the White House. And yes, he has the occasional slip of the tongue due to a stutter problem he had as a child, but the fact that he overcame that shows strength of character. He can unite the nation again across racial, religious and political lines. Internationally, he can restore US standing and rebuild trust and tested alliances that will make the world a safer place again. During the election campaign, he must not get into fights with Trump, who thrives on street fights and insults. He must simply promise a return to truth, decency and normality. By promising that, and simply by being Joe Biden, he promises everything the Trump presidency is not. That would be enough to move into the White House. Dawie Jacobs Sterrewag, Pretoria

Opinion 19

Sowetan Friday April 17 2020

Big up, oops, to Ntsiki’s in-depth research into sizes of men down south Poet Ntsiki Mazwai has been making waves on Twitter with her tweets, to the chagrin of South African brothers. / A N T O N I O M U C H A V E

Smaller the member, lower the intellect and self-esteem, shorter the temper for violence in homes and society When people read my column – those who still read it are known to mutter as they sit down: “Let’s hear what nonsense old Khumalo is spewing this week.” At least that’s the picture I have of them as they sit back to gulp the column down. I don’t picture them saying: “Let’s pick some jewels of wisdom that have fallen from old Khumalo’s pen.” That’s now how visualise them. Because people are generally mean. Look at the nasty things they are saying about young Ntsiki Mazwai.

Twitter, which I That she took a vow don’t normally have a long time ago to time for. But, run away from soap thanks to and water. That’s lockdown, I am plain malodorous. reading more Just because she Fred tweets than I would wrote a strongKhumalo under normal worded letter Watching You circumstances. against our Cyril Look, I’ve known Ramaphosa whom of Mazwai for a long time. we love does not give anyone She is, after all, a master’s the right to cast aspersions on graduate creative writing Mazwai’s person. Come to and is said to be poet, and I’m think of it, were it not for lockdown I probably wouldn’t a lover of literature. She performs her poetry, have noticed the controversies which is probably why I am around Mazwai. not familiar with her work These things unravel on

because I don’t go out a lot. While I kick myself at not having watched Mazwai perform her poetry, I take solace in her tweets. I’ve been following her Twitter performance since the imposition of lockdown. If you can produce tweets that people can’t ignore, then you’re effective. She is currently in the news – is she ever not in the news? – for one of her tweets. In this tweet she revealed the results of what seems to have been a very in-depth and exhaustive research study. She reveals that SA men have, ahem, small weaponry. When I read her findings, I found myself instinctively reaching for my nether

region. To protect it from scrutiny, you see. Anyway, a number of questions cropped up: how big was her research sample? Did she confine herself to men of a specific race? Maybe her Caucasian classmates at Rhodes? What age groups did she look at? (When you hit 60, the weapon suddenly and inexplicably grows bigger, I’m told. 60, here I come!) What provinces did the researcher consider in her study? Did she go as far as the Limpopo? As far as I can remember, some men from Limpopo are from a very young age groomed into developing their nether regions to sizes that would lead to them being denied entry into Europe and China. When a boy is born in the north, a tree is planted in a private garden. As the tree grows, so does his member. Mind you, the region is blessed with rains and the tree grows robustly. When the boy’s father is satisfied that his son’s member has grown to an acceptable size, he chops down the tree. I doubt very much if Ms Mazwai encountered any one of these guys who had tree twins growing up. However, her efforts are still worth celebrating. Developing nations such as ours need creative minds and fearless researchers who venture into areas many would hesitate to. The size of men’s members, I’ve been told, is always in proportion to their intellect and self-esteem. The smaller the size, the lower the selfesteem, the shorter the temper. Short tempers engender more violence in the home, on the streets, in society. Mazwai was on to something here. Heavy lifting was done. Big up. Ahem, these puns…

Why being a lifelong learner matters during lockdown

Siwaphiwe Myataza

Understanding the value of being a lifelong learner will help a lot of people survive and endure the extension of the Covid-19 lockdown in SA with resilience. A lifelong learner is one that doesn’t complain about circumstances but always looks for an opportunity to gain and learn something new from every experience. The idea is that learning never stops, learning is fun and learning keeps us going. Ettore Gelpi puts it better in his book, titled Lifelong Education and International Relations, when he states that lifelong education means making full use of a society’s human resources. It is learning that meets individual and collective aspirations and needs and whose end is action. Originally published in 1985, this book argues that lifelong learning has a vital part to play in fostering international political understanding. It also demonstrates how educational

planners can use the concept of lifelong education to deal with some of the contradictions inherent in many of the education systems in the industrialised world. Today, we are swamped with the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) worldwide and on a daily basis we are advancing our knowledge of new precautions we can adopt to fight and minimise its spread. So far, the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) had spread to six continents, and approximately 108, 837 people had died after contracting the respiratory virus. Around 19, 468 of these deaths occurred in Italy. It is therefore not only crucial but necessary for all of us to be openminded and flexible to learn new ways of doing things, and this requires the character of being a lifelong learner. Staying at home under lockdown can be depressinHowever, if you are open about learning to do things differently and achieving what you

have planned while using lifelong learning as your core value, then you will find yourself productive and positive despite what is happening around you. It is our duty to shift our mindset and be appreciative of being learners. On a personal level, I have always understood that I am responsible for the choices that benefit my life and hence I always got attracted to the concept of lifelong learning. I remember as an undergraduate student at the University of the Western Cape, I found myself in a depressing state when I was declined accommodation in a student residence because my funding was delayed. That was a really frustrating experience for me because I didn’t know Cape Town at all, even though my sister lived in one of the townships in Somerset West. But I knew this was an opportunity for me to reset and learn new things. Being open to the possibility of staying with my sister in Strand and

travelling to school every morning by train was a challenge at first because of the distance but I realised I was left with no other option. Being the village girl that I am, I had never caught a train. I was not prepared mentally because I never knew what that experience would look like for me but was positive I would figure it out as I went along. Comparing that three-year experience to today, where I have to obey regulations established to save me from contracting Covid-19, I choose to stay at home, work from home and learn new ways to be effective in my life. Lifelong learning has helped me attain the fullest possible development in my personal, social and professional life. Our strength as South Africans is to ensure that our individual dreams continue to be renewed even in the midst of uncertain times and Covid-19. ■ Myataza is a social commentator and founder of Village Girl Creatives

Friday April 17 2020 Sowetan

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MOKGAETJI ADLINA Of Magabaneng will be buried on Saturday 18/04/2020 at Magabaneng cemetery at 08H00. Service will be held at home at 06H00.

TIM FUNERAL SERVICES BAKENBERG (015) 491 1824 TIM FUNERAL SERVICES

MATLOU

MOLOKOMME

Of Basterspad will be buried on Friday 17/04/2020 at Basterspad cemetery at 08H00. Service will be held at home at 07H00.

Of Dikgokgopheng will be buried on Saturday 18/04/2020 at Dikgokgopheng cemetery at 07H00. Service will be held at home at 06H00.

LESIBA ANDRIES

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MADIMETJA JERRY

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BAKENBERG (015) 491 1824

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RAMAFEMO MPEREKENG

Of Raadslid will be buried on Saturday 18/04/2020 at Raaslid cemetery at 07H00. Service will be held at home at 06H00.

TIM FUNERAL SERVICES BAKENBERG (015) 491 1824

MONARE SEEMOLE RINAH

Of Bokwidi will be buried on Saturday 18/04/2020 at Bokwidi cemetery at 07H00. Service will be held at home at 06H00.

TIM FUNERAL SERVICES BAKENBERG (015) 491 182

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AVBOB FUNERAL SERVICES

THIPE MEIKIE MARIA Of 917 Matshaneng Street, Sharpeville passed away on 10/04/82020 and will be buried on SATURDAY 18/04/2020 at Vanderbijlpark CEMETERY at 10H00 after a Service at Home.

VEREENIGING 016 421 4054 MEMBER OF THE NFDA

SERITE

MATSOBANE PHILLIP

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RAMAFEMO MPEREKENG

Of Nkidikitlana, will be buried on Saturday 18/04/2020 at Nkidikitlana cemetery at 07H30. Service will be held at home at 06H00.

Of Raadslid will be buried on Saturday 18/04/2020 at Raaslid cemetery at 07H00. Service will be held at home at 06H00.

TIM FUNERAL SERVICES

LEPHALALE (015) 491 1824

BAKENBERG (015) 491 1824

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Sowetan Friday April 17 2020

LEGAL NOTICES

NOTICE OF MOTION IN THE HIGH COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA (GAUTENG LOCAL DIVISION, JOHANNESBURG) Case No: 2019/04052 In the matter between: NEDBANK LIMITED Applicant and NUNDLAL, KIRAN First Respondent MOONSAMY, PRELENE Second Respondent PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that NEDBANK LIMITED (hereinafter referred to as the Applicant ) intends to make application to this Honourable Court for an order in the following terms: 1.That the Respondents pay the Applicant the sum of R 603 194.03; 2.That the Respondentd pay the Applicant interest on the amount referred to in 1 above at the rate of 10.00% per annum, compounded monthly in arrear from the 01st of September 2018 to date of final payment, both days inclusive being the base rate of 10.00% as at 01st of September 2018, which indebtedness is currently owing, due and payable; 3.That an order declaring the Respondent s property being Section No. 10 in the scheme known as CROYDON CABANAS, situate at CROYDON TOWNSHIP specially executable for the said sum plus costs; 4.That the immovable property be sold in execution to the highest bidder subject to a reserve price of R425 000.00; 5.Attorney and client costs as provided for in the Mortgage Bond; 6.Further and/or alternative relief. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE FURTHER that the Respondent s attention is drawn to Section 26(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa that accords to everyone the right to have access to adequate housing. Should the Respondent claim that the order for execution will infringe that right, it is incumbent on the Respondent to place the information supporting that claim before the court. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE FURTHER that in terms of Section 26(3) of the Constitution you may not be evicted from your home or your home may not be declared executable and sold in execution without an order made after considering all the relevant circumstances. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that in terms of section 129(3) of the National Credit Act, 34 of 2005, once legal action has been instituted, the loan agreement can only be reinstated if the full arrears amount, including interest and legal costs to recover the arrears, is settled. PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that in terms of Rule 46A(2)(b) and (c) of the High Court of South Africa, "(b) A court shall not authorise execution against immovable property which is the primary residence of a judgment debtor unless the court, having considered all relevant factors, considers that execution against such property is warranted. (c) The registrar shall not issue a writ of execution against the residential immovable property of any judgment debtor unless a court has ordered execution against such property." PLEASE TAKE NOTICE FURTHER that if you object to your home being declared executable, you are hereby called upon to place facts and submissions before the court to enable the court to consider them in terms of rule 46(1)(a)(ii) (read together with Rule 46A) of the Rules of Court. Your failure to do so may result in an order declaring your home specially executable being granted, consequent upon which your home may be sold in execution. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE FURTHER that the accompanying affidavit of BONGANI GONYELA will be used in support of this application. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE FURTHER that the Applicant has appointed ENDERSTEIN & VAN DER MERWE INC of 1st Floor, Bradford Corner, 2 Bradford Road, Bedford Gardens, Johannesburg, being an address referred to in Rule 6(5)(b) of the Rules of the above Honourable Court, at which address the Applicant will accept notice and service of all process in this application.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE FURTHER that if you intend opposing this application, you are required to: (a)notify the Applicant s attorneys in writing within 15 days of date of advertisements being published on the 18th of June 2019 of your intention to so oppose; AND (b)within 15 (fifteen) days after you have so given notice of your intention to oppose the application, to file answering affidavits, if any; AND (c)further that you are required to appoint in such notification an address referred to in Rule 6(5)(d) at which you will accept notice and service of all documents in these proceedings. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE FURTHER that if no such notice of intention to oppose is given, alternatively if you file your notice to oppose but fail to file your answering affidavit within the prescribed time thereafter, the application will be considered to be unopposed and as such this application will be made on 21ST MAY 2020 at 10h00. DATED at JOHANNESBURG on this the 11th day of MARCH 2020. ENDERSTEIN & VAN DER MERWE INC Per: W ROBERTSON Applicant s Attorneys 1st Floor, Bradford Corner 2 Bradford Road Bedford Gardens JOHANNESBURG (Ref: WR/N01672/NEDBANK) Tel: 011 615 8591 Fax: 011 615 8655 Email: wessel@endvdm. co.za 02LQKF

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Langeveldt key to Ngidi’s comeback Paceman full of praise for bowling coach South Africa seamer Lungi Ngidi has hailed the impact of bowling coach Charl Langeveldt following a stunning return to form in limited overs series against England and Australia at the end of the 2019-20 season. Ngidi returned from eight months on the sidelines to take 12 wickets at an average of 16.08 in four One-Day Interna-

tionals, and 13 wickets at 18.87 each in six T20 matches as he proved South Africa’s most potent seamer. That included defending seven runs off the final over to beat England in a 20-over game in London, and careerbest figures of 6/58 in the ODI series against Australia as SA completed a 3-0 sweep. Ngidi credits former international Langeveldt with his return to form, after the latter was appointed to assist head coach Mark Boucher in December.

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TYRES & MAGS

“He is very supportive, he encourages me to play the way I think, so as a bowler I feel really comfortable with executing my plans,” Ngidi said in audio released by Cricket South Africa yesterday. “I never feel as though he will not agree with what I am saying. He has been there before, he has been in situations where you have the ball and you have to deviate from the game plan. He has got a lot of knowledge, and was a very skilful bowler. It has helped my cricket a lot.” Despite his success, Ngidi feels he still has a lot more work to do to hit his best form. “I would rate it [the season] at about a six [out of 10]. It was good, but to me it was still not good enough. There were a few games I could have gone for less runs,” he said. “I did pick up a few wickets, but it is not the finished product. I still feel I can deliver a whole lot more and be a whole lot better.” Ngidi was one of four players ordered to attend a special CSA conditioning camp in January.

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South Africa pace bowler Lungi Ngidi stormed back from injury to star in limited overs series for SA.

All Blacks agree to 50% pay freeze Players say they put future of sport first Wellington – The All Blacks accepted a 50% pay freeze yesterday as New Zealand’s players’ association said it was preparing for the nightmare scenario of no more professional rugby this year. After the coronavirus pandemic shut down global sport, New Zealand Rugby and the players’ association agreed to put on hold $15m, or 50% of the year’s remaining forecast player spend. The New Zealand government is expected to announce a slight easing of coronavirus restrictions next week, but has warned this will not immediately include a resumption of events which attract crowds. The cutbacks will apply to Super Rugby players, including All Blacks, the women’s Black Ferns and the sevens pro-

grammes, and are designed to protect players on retainers of less than NZ$50,000. “The players are committed to playing their part in ensuring the long-term future of the sport and to ensure the game best manages the financial implications of Covid-19,” New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association chief executive Rob Nichol said. “In contemplating a scenario based on no professional rugby in 2020, NZR and the NZRPA together recognised the need to act now to prepare the game and the players for this, even if there is every intention of doing all we can to avoid it.” The frozen payments will be “waived permanently” if no more rugby is possible this year, but some of them could be reinstated if play restarts, Nichol said. NZR boss Mark Robinson said the freeze covered the

He encourages me to play the way I think base salary of players, assembly payments and other financial benefits and incentives, as well as reductions in playerfunded welfare and development activities. “The players signalled their desire to play their part right from the get-go and the conversations over the past few weeks have been very constructive. It was vital the sport was ready for whenever we can get back on the field.” The New Zealand pay freeze was announced as neighbouring Rugby Australia indicated it too was close to a deal following several weeks of negotiations with players. “We have made good progress,” Rugby Australia CEO Raelene Castle said following her latest meeting with players association.

The players agree to play their part

22 Dipapadi

Friday April 17 2020 Sowetan

Sascoc’s new interim chief ‘to clean up mess’ Skhosana takes over from suspended Hendricks By Neville Khoza

Floyd Mayweather during a workout at the Peacock Gym, London. /

DANIEL HAMBURY / GETTY IMAGES

Mayweather expected to be successful as a trainer Nathan, Durandt have warnings for ex-champ By Bongani Magasela

Colin Nathan and Damien Durandt, two of South Africa’s accomplished boxing trainers, have echoed the sentiments of some of the world’s respected trainers who feel that Floyd Mayweather jnr will do well as a trainer. But the general consensus is that Mayweather’s success will hinge mostly on his temperament and the understanding

that it will be about the fighters and not himself. The former Ring Magazine champion in five weight classes and the lineal championship in four weight classes – who retired undefeated, with 50 wins – announced this week that he is planning on becoming a boxing trainer. He said he was inspired by the death of his trainer and uncle, Roger Mayweather. Nathan, Durandt, Buddy McGirt and Freddie Roach (both Americans) believe that Mayweather is going to have to exhibit a lot of patience in his new line of work. “I’m not sure Floyd has that dedication, bearing in mind that he’s been a fighter

GREATER TZANEEN MUNICIPALITY GROTER TZANEEN MUNISIPALITEIT MASIPALA WA TZANEEN MASEPALA WA TZANEEN P.O. BOX 24 TZANEEN 0850 TEL: 015 307 8091/8002 FAX: 015 307 8049 www.greatertzaneen.gov.za

ERRATUM Please be informed that the bellow mentioned bids (that were advertised in Letaba Herald; Mopani Herald, Sowetan, Municipal website & notice board and etenders) have been cancelled. BID NO.

BID DESCRIPTION

CONTACT PERSON

SCMU 04/2020 Cash – in- transit banking services

Mr. M.K. Makhubele @ 082 070 1351 Email: kenneth@tzaneen.gov.za

SCMU 14/2019 Supply and delivery of electrical material

Andrew Laubscher: 015 307 8167/ 083 300 0210 Email: Andrew.Laubscher@tzaneen.gov.za

most of his life,” cautioned Nathan. “The other issue is that a lot of ex-fighters often coach their fighters the way they used to fight, they don’t develop their own flair and style. That’s one thing I worry about.” Durandt said: “Not all the best fighters make the best trainers, however, I do believe that Floyd’s ring intellectual quotient, experience and technical ability will have a lot to offer fighters. “Floyd brings the exciting aspect to boxing, however, I think it will be difficult to step aside when it is the time for a fighter to shine.” McGirt, who held world titles in two weight divisions before becoming a top trainer, told Global Boxing News this week that Mayweather will add some spice to the game. “But it took me a while to understand. Going from fighter to trainer is a whole new world. The hardest thing to learn is patience, that the guy you’re working with ain’t gonna be able to pick it up as fast as you did. “Training a fighter is like raising a kid. He’s looking for a dad, a psychologist, a priest. He’s looking for you to have all the answers. All his faith is in you.”

Having been granted his wish of becoming the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) president, Aleck Skhosana will hope to clean up the mess the umbrella body finds itself in as soon as possible. Athletics South Africa (ASA) boss Skhosana took over as interim chief at Sascoc following the suspension of acting president Barry Hendricks on Wednesday. By being a board member and Sascoc’s second vice-president, Skhosana has now been elevated, something he always desired. The troubled Sascoc finds itself having to deal with disputes before the elections are held, and Skhosana will have a lot of work trying to rescue’s the organisation’s reputation. Among other things, Hendricks has been accused of blocking Tennis SA board member Ntambi Ravele’s nomination for the Sascoc presidency. Ravele took the matter to arbitration. Last month, Skhosana had also alleged that he was being blocked for the same position, and that his name was illegally removed from the list of nominees. He was subsequently disqualified but went on to lodge an appeal against the Sascoc Integral Elections Committee. Skhosana’s case has also been taken to arbitration. Sascoc acting CEO Ravi Govender confirmed that according to their constitution Skhosana is now their acting president until further notice. “The board has resolved that Skhosana will now sit on the chair of Sascoc as the acting president until the investigation process and arbitration involving he and Ravele are completed. We will use our judicial body to conduct the investigation,” Govender said. Sascoc elections were supposed to be held on March 28 but were postponed because of coronavirus. That was a blessing in disguise, according to Govender, as it gives Sascoc enough time to deal with the complaints from Ravele and Skhosana. “Hopefully in three weeks or so we can sort the [matters] out and start to formalise the elections. “That gives us enough time to deal with these many issues,” Govender added.

Tendani Mushiana: 015 307 8225/ 072 376 9859 Email: tendani.mushiana@tzaneen.gov.za SCMU 02/2020 Appointment of pool of consultants for Electrical Engineering Services Department

Mr. B. Sengwayo: 015 307 8161/ 078 677 6293 Email: sengwayobm@tzaneen.gov.za

SCMU 03/2020 Appointment of a pool of service providers for training

Ms. H. Maake @ 015 307 8287/ 076 333 6131 Email: Ntebatse.Maake@tzaneen.gov.za

SCMU 07/2020 Panel of eight (8) attorneys for Greater Tzaneen Municipality

Mr T. Mampane @ 015 307 8022/ 071 489 8811 Email: Thomas@tzaneen.gov.za

SCMU 08/2020

Ms A Mailula @ 015 307 8198/ 073 034 6931 Email: annie@tzaneen.gov.za

communication system for Greater Tzaneen Municipality SCMU 15/2019 Supply and delivery of grass cutting machine

Mr X. Gala @ 015 307 8369/ 082 909 8848 Email: xoliswa.mnandi@tzaneen.gov.za

Administrative enquiries should be directed to Ms. M. Mpyana at 015 307 8251/ 082 924 7704 Email: mpyanam@tzaneen.gov.za

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, in terms of Regulation 35 of the Municipal Asset Transfer Regulations (2008) read with Section 21 of the Municipal Systems Act (Act 32 of 2000), that the City of Ekurhuleni has received an application to lease the Lala Ngoxolo Cemetery, situated on the Remainder of Portion 237 of the farm Putfontein 26-IR, as well as the adjacent vacant property being the Remainder of Portion 13 of the farm Putfontein 26-IR for the purposes of managing and developing the existing cemetery and adjacent land as a private cemetery, memorial park with ancillary uses for a period of thirty (30) years. Particulars of the application (i.e. an information statement) will be placed on the notice boards at the Benoni Customer Care Area during normal office hours and will also be available on the City of Ekurhuleni’s official website www.ekurhuleni.gov.za as well as in the newspaper(s). Any person who cannot write may come during office hours to be assisted to understand the proposal. Written objections to or representations in respect of the application must be lodged with or made in duplicate to the Area Manager: Real Estate Department (Benoni Customer Care Area), 1st Floor Administration Building, Elston Avenue, Benoni, within an extended period of 51 days from 30 March 2020. We extended the period from 30 to 51 days due to the 21-day lockdown introduced by the President due to the Corona virus. Comments and/or submissions in respect of the proposed long-term lease can be sent to the following e-mail address: Ronny.Madileng@ekurhuleni.gov.za

City Manager • Dr. Imogen Mashazi

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Sowetan Friday April 17 2020

Ngezana goes to great lengths for his dreams Brother of Chiefs defender in Ivory Coast WAC defender Mzokhona Ngezana quit his job as a technician at a bus company to ply his trade as a football star in Ivory Coast. He dreams of playing in one of the European leagues one day. / S U P P L I E D

By Sihle Ndebele

For any South African footballer to ply his trade in a country as less-fancied as Ivory Coast, it must take a lot of sacrifices and trusting your own guts. A player who’s risked it all and broke out of his comfort zone to follow his once-halted football dream is Mzokhona Ngezana, the older brother of Kaizer Chiefs defender Siyabonga Ngezana. The 27-year-old Ngezana, who’s also a centre-back just like his Amakhosi sibling, found a home in Ivory Coast, where he turns out Williamsville Athletic Club (WAC). Inspired by the meteoric rise of Siyabonga, it was in 2018 where Mzokhona dusted off his soccer boots after he’d hurriedly abandoned his aspiration to be a pro player for job as a technician at a bus manufacturing company.

“I was always a good player. At school I won a number of individual accolades in football. At home we’re five, we were raised by a single parent, my mom. She was working as a security guard, but she was retrenched in 2012, the year I matriculated,” Mzokhona told Sowetan from Abidjan. “As a big brother, I was forced to go find a job after matric. I had to stop dreaming about playing football at the highest level. I worked at Auto Bus from 2013 until 2018.” “When things started to happen for Siya, I was motivated. I asked him to look after the family because he was starting to earn well and that’s when I quit my job to pursue my football dream.” Mzokhona sees his switch to WAC as a platform to build his profile, hoping it can also be a stepping stone to earn a Euro-

Mzokhona Ngezana, the older brother of Chiefs defender Siyabonga Ngezana.

pean move. Without revealing figures, the centre-back also disclosed the salary he got as a technician was better than what he’s getting in Ivory Coast. “I sacrificed a lot coming here. I believe I can move overseas because European scouts come here regularly. To come here was not about money, but more about making a name for myself,” Mzokhona said. “Yes, the money I earn here isn’t satisfactory compared to what I was pocketing at Auto Bus, but for me what’s important is to build a career in football.” How did the lad from Sebokeng in Vaal end up in Ivory Coast rather than attempt to get into the money-spinning Premier Soccer League (PSL)? “I had a brief spell with Free State Stars last season, but because of age I couldn’t play in

their MDC team, so I left just like that. I have had trials with many SA teams, but things didn’t go well because of my age as well,” said Mzokhona, who joined WAC on a sixmonth deal in January. “I went to Ivory Coast through Bennett Chenene [the ex-Orlando Pirates winger] who’s also playing for WAC. I was playing with him in those township December tournament in Vaal and he went back to Ivory Coast to recommend me.” Mzokhona’s WAC are 12th in the 14-team Côte d’Ivoire League-1 championship. “The team signed me because they wanted a strong centre-back as they were conceding heavily. I have only played two games and we won both games [1-0 and 2-1 against Bassam and AFAD respectively].”

‘League games must be played’ Mbunjana says it’s the fair thing to do By Vuyokazi Nkanjeni

Highlands Park player Mlungisi Mbunjana says there is only one way to finish the Absa Premiership fairly and that is to play the remaining matches after the Covid-19 pandemic has ended. It is still unclear whether teams will be able to finish the season by playing their remaining league matches or not when the lockdown has been lifted. Though many have suggested that teams should be given one point per fixture for all their remaining games, the Lions of the North midfielder believes otherwise. “I think there is only one

way to make sure that we conclude the league fairly and that is if we all play our remaining matches and we all close the league on 30 matches played,” said the 29-year-old during a radio interview with TruFM. Mbunjana, who hails from KwaBhaca in Eastern Cape, said his team had requested all players to remain in Johannesburg and they were given individual training tasks to keep fit during the lockdown. Despite this, the former Cape Town All Stars player said match fitness will still be a problem if and when the league resumes. “Physically we might be fit but match fitness is what all the teams will be lacking because it would have been over a month of not playing competitive football.

“It will be something that will have a major effect on the game and it will boil down to who adapts quicker when the league opens.” Highlands are eighth on the PSL log with 31 points from 24 matches. They will be looking to hold onto that spot. In summing up the season so far, Mbunjana said: “Personally for me it’s been an onand-off season. I did not play as many games as I would have liked to but whenever I got the opportunity to play, I always made sure that I put out a good performance. “I was playing regularly up until I was injured which I think was what put me off a bit. But with the remaining games everyone will come back on a clean slate and we are all going to fight for our positions going forward.”

Mlungisi Mbunjana of Highlands Park and Ranga Chivaviro Farmer of Baroka FC / G A L L O I M A G E S / S Y D N E Y S E S H I B E D I

Friday April 17 2020 Sowetan

9 771016 369009

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Jackson Mabokgwane of Celtic owns a transport business which has since screeched to a halt. / GA L LO I M AG E S )

Feeling the pinch

Double trouble for PSL stars Players’ businesses also on back foot By Gomolemo Motshwane

Some players in the PSL are not only footballers but employers who have thriving businesses on the side. However, with the country under a lockdown, businesses have come to a halt as people are restricted to their homes. The economy will without doubt contract and the forthcoming recession with expected job losses will hit the country hard. Many of these players fund their businesses from their football salaries which are now under threat because of the suspension of games. Bloemfontein Celtic goalkeeper Jackson Mabokgwane owns Jacco Tours, a transport busi-

ness. He explained how the lockdown has affected him. “I own a transport business and we have obviously been affected by this lockdown. We are not operating at the moment but we are all in the same boat,” Mabokgwane told Sowetan. “We provide transport for companies, tourists and so on. We employ seven people and of course it’s tough at the moment. We can just hope for the best when the lockdown ends. “Obviously, there is no income for the business and we have had to close temporarily. Hopefully when this thing passes we can continue with the business.” Black Leopards striker Robert Ng’ambi owns a restaurant/ pub in the Johannesburg CBD called Majestic. “I am worried about our employees because they depend on the salary they get from the business,” he said.

“We have about eight employees and we specialise in African cuisine. We don’t know when we will open again. “Even though we are not generating money at the moment we will try by all means to pay staff salaries somehow.” Cape Umoya midfielder Manti Mekoa, who owns a clothing boutique in Diepkloof, Soweto, said: “It’s tricky one. We have had to close for now and we will see what happens when this whole thing ends. “I have two people working for me at the shop and I will try to see how we can break bread even though there’s no money coming in.” Another player who owns a business is Highlands Park midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane, who owns a pub, ShaYe, with former Kaizer Chiefs teammate Siphiwe Tshabalala.

Manti Mekoa, right, says his colleagues like Mpho Makola often buy clothes at his boutique. / S U P P L I E D

Sekotlong hopes to put down roots at Chilli Boys Striker feels he still has plenty to prove By Vuyokazi Nkanjeni

Thokozani Sekotlong has moved around for far too long and now wants to make of Chippa United his long-term home. / G A V I N B A R K E R / B A C K P A G E P I X

Experienced forward Thokozani Sekotlong hopes to enjoy some stability in his career now that he has joined Chippa United. The 28-year-old striker has played for a number of teams in the Absa Premiership, including Mamelodi Sundowns, Black Leopards, Maritzburg United and Free State Stars. He also played in second-tier for Cape Town All Stars. However, the striker hopes to have a longer and more meaningful stay at the Port Elizabeth-based Chippa United.

“My journey in the PSL has been pretty interesting but fruitful,” Sekotlong said. “I have had my ups and downs and I guess that comes with football because there was a stage that I was with Sundowns, one of the biggest teams at the moment. “I’ve had a good journey and I have learnt a lot, living in different cities. But obviously it’s not something one would wish for. As a footballer, you want stability at a certain stage in your life. “That’s the ideal dream of any footballer to be in a good team and be there for a long time because you are stable. “I have not yet had that luxury and I hope Chippa will be that team,” he said. Sekotlong joined the Chilli

Boys in January after spending the first half of the season without a team. He has made only six appearances for the Chilli Boys. “I haven’t really got much game time as I would like in order to make a big impact. With more game time I will achieve that because I know what I am capable of. “I feel like I still have a lot to prove and a lot to show. I still have a long journey to prove myself. I am willing to put in the work and turn things around and help the team get into the top eight. “I believe that Chippa has so much potential and I am at a really good team. “I believe the coach that is there right now can take the team to another level.”