Limpopo Mirror 9 December 2022

The killer wives?

had received reports on Sunday night from the casualty ward at the Donald

According to the acting spokesperson of the Vhembe SAPS, Sergeant Dathi, the police in Thohoy-

Fraser hospital about a man who was brought in with multiple stab wounds and bleeding heavily and who had died.

“The members who received the call proceeded to the hospital and found an African male lying on his back in the hospital. He was half naked and

already dead.

arrived, it was too late,” she said.

an by homestead,” said Dathi.

It is alleged that the deceased was stabbed with a sharp object on the left side of his chest. The girlfriend [sic] is suspected, as the couple allegedly had an argument at a sorghum beer (halwa ha mahafhe) drinking spot at Vhufuli Khofhe village, owned by Vuledzani Muruge and run from his homestead,” said Dathi.

The deceased was identified as Lucky Gota (26). His wife, Thuso Netshilema, was arrested shortly afterwards and appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 6 December.

According to the chairperson of the SANCO branch at Vhufuli, Miss Shonisani Grace Netshiavhela, Gota was an active member of their SANCO branch. She said, however, that he had been attacked at his home and not at a tavern as had been reported. She also said that he had suffered at the hands of Netshilema for a long time.

“SANCO members visited Gota’s family on Tuesday morning to send their condolences and was told that the incident happened at home. He was allegedly stabbed at the house and tried to run away, calling for help. He fell outside the house and died on the spot. Neighbours heard him screaming, but when they

She added that the couple had a history of fighting for a very long time. “She [Netshilema] once burnt him with hot water, after which he spent weeks admitted at the Donald Fraser Hospital. There was no peace in that family,” she said.

She is calling on all couples with marital problems to consult social workers to get help. She added that Gota had been a dedicated member of SANCO and would be dearly missed by his fellow activists. “May his soul rest in peace,” she said.

Gota is survived by his two children, wife and parents.

The suspect, Thuso Netshilema, appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Magistrate Maluleke postponed the case to 14 December for further police investigation and for her to get her own legal representation.

She was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody until her next appearance.

The Thulamela sub-region of the SA National Civics Organisation (Sanco) also expressed their shock about the incident. Benny Phosewa, the regional secretary of the sub-region, said that Gota would be buried on Saturday (10th) at Vhufuli Khofhe. “We are requesting all of our branches to come out in numbers and support the family,” he said.

Thuso Netshilema (20) stands accused of the murder of her husband, Lucky Gota. Photo: Silas Nduvheni.

By Silas Nduvheni and Victor Mukwevho

made out to be the only victims to be protected against this offence.

an from Vhufuli Khofhe after the death of her husband last weekend has elicited yet more controversy around gender-based violence, and with women being

to Vuledzani andou

Musina “bridge squatters” return to reception centre

Musina News

To enforce law and order in town, the Musina Municipality, Lawyers for Human Rights, and members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) engaged the people who lived under the bridge next to the Musina Post Office and, in a peaceful manner, advised them to return to the local reception centres or shelters, where they would be safer. This formed part of a law-enforcement campaign held in Musina last Monday (28 November).

The majority of these squatters, who were dispersed, had left the shelters because they did not want to be governed by the regulations laid out at the centres. According to municipal spokesperson Mr Wilson Dzebu, the living condi tions under the bridge were pa thetic. He said that, while the mu nicipality sympathised with these people, it also needed to make sure that the law was enforced without compromise.

“We have established that most

of the people who were living under the bridge do not necessar ily have nowhere else to go. We really appreciate the good work by our reception shelters, who continue to look after those who have no place to stay. The saddest part is that most of these people were accommodated safely in the reception centres but ran away because they chose to rather live independently on the streets.”

Dzebu added that the situation was unacceptable as the squatters did not seem to care about toilet facilities. “They were a danger to themselves and to the public because they were staying in an unsafe place without ablution facilities. Besides that, the place was not cleaned at all, thereby triggering a serious environmen tal threat in town. As a growing municipality, we need as many investors as possible to partner with us, but no-one would want to invest in a place where law en forcement is compromised. We are happy because the affected people understood our engagement and promised that they would return to the reception centres.”

Body of three-year-old boy found in pit toilet

By Elmon Tshikhudo

A dark cloud hangs over the com munity of Tshino Ndiitwani outside Vuwani, following the discovery of the body of a three-year-old boy in an outside pit toilet on Monday, 5 December.

The little boy, identified as Bongin kosi Modika, had been in the care of his uncle when he mysteriously disap peared from his home the previous day (Sunday). According to Limpopo police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba, Bongi was last seen between 07:30 and 08:30.

“After the case was reported, the K9 and Search and Rescue team, joined by the community, conducted a search, focusing first on the victim’s yard. The members then started searching inside the pit toilet after conducting tests to determine what might be inside. The boy’s body was subsequently found and handed over to the local police. An inquest was opened.”

The Limpopo Provincial Police Com missioner, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe, has also called upon parents to be extremely cautious and practice extra care to look

after their children.

One of the community leaders, Mr Orbet Tshidumo, said they had received the information about the missing boy and mobilised support from community members.

“We combed the whole area, includ ing the nearby bushes and streams, but in vain. After failing to locate the boy, we decided to search the pit toilet, where the grisly discovery was made. This is very painful for us all as a community and the family, and this has prompted us to make a call on parents to be extra vigilant and to take care of their young children. Schools are closed now, and the children are roaming the streets with nothing to do. Let us monitor their movements. This will help us avert situations where they might disappear, never to be found again,” Tshidumo said.

According to another community leader, Mr Gideon Mukhovha, who was present during the search, the boy’s bottom lip was missing when the body was retrieved.

“We have no doubt this is ritual related. It cannot be that the child goes missing and the following day his body

is found without lips. We need answers and hope the police will do their best to get to the bottom of the matter,” he said.

Suspect at Chavani killed by angry residents

By Kaizer Nengovhela

On Thursday (1st), a 29-year-old man, accused of being behind the spate of crimes around Chavani and the surrounding area, was attacked and killed by angry community members.

The deceased, identified as Steven Rambuwani, was believed to be part of a group of men who have been terrorising the communities in the area. He was beaten to death before the police could intervene.

Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo said that the deceased was assaulted with different kinds of objects. A murder case has been opened. Mojapelo was very critical about the

action taken by the community mem bers who participated in this act of mob justice. “We are always discouraging the community from taking the law into their own hands. If a crime is com mitted, the community should call the police and let the officers do their jobs. People should take into consideration that taking the law into their own hands is a downright criminal offence,” he said. No arrests have been made yet, but the police said a task team was being set up to investigate the case and identify those who were involved.

According to a community member, who did not want to have his name mentioned, the group of thieves alleged ly broke into houses and stole house

hold goods. “We are tired of the anarchy caused by these thugs. They have been terrorising us for a long time,” he said.

He said the community decided to take the law into their own hands because they felt the police were not doing their job. “Our community is sick and tired of the police arresting crim inals and then, within weeks, they are released again.”

Another community member added that crime was at an all-time high. He said that several families had been at tacked and robbed at their homes. “We are very concerned, and we are sending a warning out to would-be criminals not to dare set foot in our village as their safety will not be guaranteed.”

Man (32) allegedly stabbed by girlfriend (58)

By Maanda Bele

While the campaign of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children accentuates putting a stop to abuse against women and children, many people reckon that men are unjustly singled out. Since this annual campaign was launched all over the country a week ago (25 November), several serious new cases of GBV have been report ed around the Vhembe region. Not all these cases, however, involved violence against women, but also of women lashing out against their men.

Early on the morning of Monday, 5

stabbed to death with a broken bottle, allegedly by his 58-year-old girlfriend, Dorcas Manganye. According to sources that spoke to this paper, they had been fighting over money.

The details surrounding the incident were not clear at the time of our going to press, but Manganye was arrested and charged with murder. Makhado Police Spokesperson Sergeant Tshifhiwa Radzilani confirmed the incident and said that the suspect had appeared in court on Tuesday (6 December). She will remain in custody until 13 Decem ber for profiling.

Sergeant Radzilani encouraged men who fall victim to GBV to also report such cases. “Men should not be ashamed to report and speak out against gen

der-based violence and abuse,” she said.

Miss Mercy Raphalalani, a gen der-based-violence activist, said that the 16 Days of Activism should not be one-sided.

“When a woman is raped or killed by a man, women make a noise; they speak about it, scream justice, and shut down the entire country, but when a man is being abused or is killed by a woman, men keep quiet and wait for a woman to appear and speak for them. Women’s voices will always be heard when they are abused or killed because they stand up for themselves. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same about men and it is still unfortunate that women are not ready to fight against other women (whether they are wrong or not),” she said.

Policeman shot during robbery at home in Tshishivhe

shot the police officer in the shoulder, while the other two suspects dragged his wife into nearby bushes.

The victim managed to crawl to reach his service pistol and retaliated by firing a shot at the suspect left behind in the room. The suspect ran out of the house, jumped over the fence and disappeared into the bushes.

The wife later returned to the house, but investiga tions are still unfolding as to what exactly had happened to her. Police searched the nearby bushes and found a wounded man. He is be lieved to be the suspect who was shot in the house.

The victim’s neighbours,

who were still recovering from shock on Sunday morning, said that they had heard gunshots during the night but had been too scared to go out and investigate.

One of the neighbours, who has been living in the area for more than 15 years, said the problem of crime in the Mutale area was fuelled by illegal immigrants during the festive season. Speaking on condition of anonymity, she said that over the past 10 years, the crime rate had been increasing during the festive season.

“They [illegal immi grants] break into houses during the night and rob residents of their belongings

like clothes, cellphones and household appliances. The next morning, they disap pear to Zimbabwe. Opening a case at the local police station here is useless. Our police are doing nothing when it comes to investi gating cases against illegal foreigners,” she said angrily.

In an earlier statement Limpopo police spokesper son Col Malesela Ledwaba said the wounded suspect, who is a Zimbabwean, was expected to appear in the Mutale Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of at tempted murder and house robbery.

It later transpired that the suspect died while still at Donald Fraser Hospital.

The toilet where the boy’s body was found at Tshino. Photo supplied.

Three-year-old Bonginkosi Modike from Tshino Ndiitwani outside Vu wani, whose body was found in a pit toilet on Monday. Photo supplied.

Vendaboy Poet, Muvenda Ndou and artists smoke a peace pipe

By Elmon Tshikhudo

Last week, social media and other platforms were abuzz with the standoff between award-winning poet Vendaboy Poet, local artists and well-known Vhembe businessman Mr Muvenda Talukanyani Ndou.

The standoff was the result of the alleged underpayment of artists billed for the Poetry and Literary Calabash to be held at the Khoroni Hotel’s Moo Bar on 15 December.

Also embroiled in the dispute was businessman Mr Muvenda Ndou, who cried that his idea was used, and he was not paid for the effort.

Before the dust could settle and while everyone was still trying to figure out what would become of the show and the relationship between the artists, Vendaboy Poet posted pictures on his Facebook page of himself and Muvenda Ndou

at one of the posh restaurants in Thohoyandou.

The caption was simply titled: “It is water under the bridge”, implying that they had smoked the peace pipe.

This took many by surprise as they had anticipated the end of the relationship between the two friends and the other artists.

“There is no bad blood between me, artists and Ndou as many might have thought. The thing is, there are people who felt very much uncomfortable on learning that I received funding from the Arts Council. They at all costs felt entitled to it and wanted to have a piece of the cake without contributing anything on the basis that they are my friends,” said Vendaboy Poet.

“When I did not accede to their advances, they started a campaign of spreading malicious gossip about me. I sat down with all the artists and

we talked [about] the issues and everything is sorted and it is all systems go for the event,” he added.

Without going into specifics, Vendaboy said some misunderstandings had arisen between him and Muvenda Ndou, which they had sat down and ironed out.

“Muvenda is a good man with good working ethics. We are back together with the artists, working together and ensuring that we give the best out of the forthcoming show. There is no bad feelings here, and all is water under the bridge as we are brothers and sisters in the arts,” he said.

He concluded by apologising to the Limpopo Mirror for the rude manner his publicist had responded to questions sent to him.

Businessman Muvenda Ndou confirmed they had met and sorted out the challenges they had experienced.

Mayor also the target of scammers

By Kaizer Nengovhela

Makhado’s mayor, Samuel Munyai, has apparently now also fallen victim to cellphone scammers. He is alerting the public and his contacts that his WhatsApp number had been hacked by people who are asking for money in his name.

Munyai first became aware

of this issue on Tuesday, 6 December, when he was informed by family, friends and colleagues that they were receiving WhatsApp messages from his cellphone number, requesting them to send money (R3 000) via E-wallet.

“If anyone happens to receive a message from me (on WhatsApp) requesting money,

please do not respond to it. I have requested IT specialists to investigate the incident and further strengthen the cyber security on my social media and all digital accounts to avoid a recurrence of this crime. We urge anyone who has been deliberately misled to disregard this scam and report its purveyors to the law-enforcement agencies,” he said.

Local police officer among seven suspects arrested for armed robbery

Crime

Limpopo Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has lauded the excellent investigation conducted by members of the Trio Task Team in Vhembe that led to the arrest of seven suspects, which included a warrant-officer station at the police’s Crime Intelligence Unit in Louis Trichardt, regarding the armed robbery at the Total filling station at the Capricorn Toll Plaza on Monday. The arrests of the suspects led to the recovery of the stolen goods.

According to Provincial Police Spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, a group of suspects entered the Bonjour shop on the premises at about 03:00 on Monday and held the

staff at gunpoint. They fled the scene thereafter with a drop safe containing an undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes in a white Toyota bakkie and a Toyota Corolla Quest.

“The police were quick to respond to the incident and a well-coordinated and intelligence-driven operation was conducted, which led to the arrest of the seven suspects at different locations [on Tuesday],” said Mojapelo in a press release.

The first to be arrested was a 36-year-old female employee of the filling station at her workplace. Further investigation implicated more suspects and the 52-year-old police warrant-officer was apprehended at his work place. The rest of the suspects were arrested at their homes in Shayandima and

Mphephu respectively.

During the arrest, the police recovered several items that were positively linked to the robbery, including the drop safe, packets of cigarettes of various brands, the Toyota Corolla and the Toyota Hilux bakkie.

“These prompt arrests should send a clear message that as we continue to put more boots on the ground for a safer festive season, the police will be relentless in bringing all perpetrators to book, regardless of their statuses,” said Hadebe in the press release.

At the time of our going to press, the seven suspects were expected to appear in the Louis Trichardt Magistrate’s Court on charges of business robbery and the possession of suspected stolen property.

Case of “pervert robbers” postponed

By Victor Mukwevho

The case against the two young men who allegedly instructed Grade 12 learners to remove all their clothes before robbing them, was postponed to 13 December for a bail application. The matriculants gathered at a church in Makonde to study when the incident happened.

Mulaifa Sikhipha (22) and Shumani Ndlovu (19) are facing 13 charges of house robberies and three counts of sexual assault. Most of the charges they are facing relate to armed robberies that were committed at different schools in the area, where they allegedly stole cellphones, laptops and clothes. On 19 November this year, they

allegedly pounced on the matriculants studying at the church and not only robbed them, but also severely traumatised the young people.

Pastor HB Ramulifho was not happy that they and the victims were not told that the suspects would be appearing in court. “We did our investigations as the church and effected a citizen’s arrest and handed the suspects over to the police, but now the suspects were in court without us knowing,” he said.

Businessman Mr Muvenda Ndou (left) and award-winning poet/singer Vendaboy Poet, have made their peace after their standoff last week. Photo supplied.

Mulaifa Sikhipha.

Ratshitanga laid to rest

By Victor Mukwevho

Internationally renowned poet, author and educator Mr Rasha ka Frank Ratshitanga was laid to rest during a well-organised provincial government funeral ceremony, held at the University of Venda on Saturday morning (3 December).

Throughout the proceedings, members of the Umkhonto We Sizwe Military Veterans shouted slogans such as “Ramaphosa goes nowhere”, “long live the undying spirit of comrade Rashaka Ratshi tanga”, and “Aluta Continua”.

Addressing the mourners and government officials, Ratshitanga’s son, Mukoni Ratshitanga, said that his father’s last days had not been easy as he had been in a lot of pain.

“I would like to thank the doc tors and nurses from the Military Hospital in Pretoria, especially Dr Sizwe Skhosana and Dr Maphaha, for doing their best to help my fa ther. Even though we still love him as our father, seeing him in such terrible pain was unbearable and we are relieved that he is relieved from that suffering now. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” he said.

He concluded by making a call to all who had been close to his father to contact the family and share their knowledge of him with them as they want to write a book about Ratshitanga’s life. “We knew him as a father, a freedom fighter and an educator of note, but any other information about him will help us to write a book on his life,” he said.

Reading his eulogy, Provincial Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathu ba said Ratshitanga had played a vital role in the recruitment of MK members in the then Northern Transvaal area and had also been responsible for organising hideouts for freedom fighters who had infiltrated South Africa through Zimbabwe and other neighbouring countries.

Ratshitanga played a prominent role in the bombing of the Sibasa Police Station in 1981. He was arrested several times, and some of his close comrades, such as Tshifhi wa Muofhe, were tortured to death in detention by the security officers of the apartheid government. His other two comrades, Mafhungo Al fred Denga and Samuel Mugivhe la, were also killed in detention between 1981 and 1984.

Huge support for Jerry’s Miss SPB pageant

By Pétria de Vaal

For well-known Jerry Makanan ise, model and finalist of the Miss Makhado Royal 2022 pageant, a dream has come true. She has ar ranged her very own beauty pageant, “Miss Soutpansberg”, which took place on Saturday 3 December at the Soutpansberg Golf Club in Louis Trichardt.

“Three years’ worth of hard work, fear, blood sweat and tears all came together in a show of the sisterhood I strive to create,” says Jerry. She explains that this pageant is not like the ones found anywhere else. Her aim is to give young women a place to speak up – a place where they can uplift each other, regardless of where they are from. “Saturday’s event was only the start. I will continue with this until every single girl in town and in our area has a ‘sister’,” mentions a passionate Jerry.

Jerry has been advertising this pageant since the beginning of 2022 – mainly on social media. “Not many criteria applied, apart from girls having to be between the ages of eight and 24 years old. They had to register, pay a registration fee, send me their

name, age and a picture. Initially, there were going to be 30 contestants, but some withdrew. In total, 24 contested on Saturday. There were 200 tick ets for sale, but the interest was so overwhelming that many guests were standing,” Jerry says.

She is thankful for the perfect am biance for “Night at the Oscars” – the theme of the evening. Isis Décor was not only responsible for the décor, but also for the DJ work. Jerry would like to thank so many people who assisted her to make this event possible. She mentions the names of her two excel lent masters of ceremonies, Wiela and Tshedza, as well as the three judges, Roelien van Dijkhorst, Wilhrisca Britz and Tintswalo Mitileni. “We were also entertained by Betty and her students with dancing, as well as with Muthu, a spoken-word poet,” mentions Jerry.

“All the contestants are winners. They participated in a casual category with jeans, there was a ‘Paris fashion week’ and an evening gown round.

A few contestants asked if there was going to be a swimwear portion during the pageant. I told them, never. This does not empower women as it should.

Miss Soutpansberg is not about what the body looks like. The judges were looking for girls who are confident,

have lots of personality and are people who create space to grow into,” shares Jerry.

Four winners were selected in each of the categories, namely Pre-teen (Naledi Moeti – 11 years), Junior Teen (Talenta Mashau – 14 years), Teen (Nt sakisi Matobela – 17 years) and Miss (Praise Nkovani - 23 years). These winners receive, amongst others, a free entry to the Miss Limpopo 2023, a free designed gown worth R2500, a free professional make-up artist at the pageant, as well as a free photoshoot. Prizes were also awarded for the winners of public choice, the best dressed, the best personality and the best entrepreneur (contestant who sold the most tickets for the event).

“I want to say a big thank you to everybody who contributed to the sanitary products that we were also collecting as part of the event. These will go to underprivileged girls. Anoth er very positive aspect that came out of the pageant, is that Wilhrisca Britz, director of Ace Models Limpopo Cen tral, with headquarters in Polokwane, is opening a branch early in the new year in Louis Trichardt. I am looking forward to be part of this and to create even more opportunities for our girls!” says a very thankful Jerry.

Mama Mbelengwa laid to rest at Madombidzha

By Kaizer Nengovhela

Hundreds of people gathered at Madombidzha on Saturday, 3 De cember, to pay their last respects to the late Annah Mbelengwa (87). Mbelengwa passed away at the Polokwane MediClinic on 25 November, following a long illness.

Among the scores of mourners were Judge Thogomelani Tshidada, well-known singer Penny Penny, the president of the Lemba Cultural Association (LCA) Pandelani Mu tenda, church members, traditional leaders, community members, family and close friends.

Although the atmosphere was subdued, the ceremony resembled a celebration of a life well lived. Mbelengwa was the founder of the Christ at Madombidzha Church and everyone who knew her agreed that she had fully dedicated her life to the Lord. She also served on boards of numerous community structures.

Mutenda, from the LCA, de scribed her as a “pioneer”, “a born leader” and “a woman of vision”. He said that the LCA, her family and the community as a whole were left with heavy hearts as they had lost one of the most influential members of their society.

Mbelengwa’s son, Mr Peter Mbelengwa, said that his mother had been a restrained and dignified woman. “For so many years, she served selflessly and faithfully in parishes throughout the country, and in those dark days she made herself available day and night to all who needed her. Part of our mourning is to celebrate her life, because she was a beacon of hope to the family, the church and the entire community. Our mother taught us to love God, live cleanly and always strive to live in peace and unity. Her life was well lived, and we have no doubt that she is rejoicing with the angels in her next life in the King dom of God,” he said.

Makhadzi a no-show due to a “misunderstanding”

By Bernard Chiguvare

Musina residents were deeply disappointed after a show by popular artist Makhadzi was cancelled, seemingly because of a misunderstanding between the event organiser, Mr Bem be Nedzingahe, and the host, Musina Rugby Field. Makhadzi was scheduled to entertain her Musina fans on 1 December.

According to Musina Rugby Field’s bar manager, Nedzingahe had not paid for the venue in full up until the Wednesday prior to the event, and that was what led to the cancellation of the show.

Nedzingahe, on the other hand, says that paying for the venue was not part of their initial agreement. “We had a verbal agreement that there will be no cost for the venue, but the host would be selling alcohol to the fans. I was sur prised to receive calls from the bar manager a few days before the show that I must pay R10 000 for the venue. This was not part of our agreement,” said Nedzingahe.

Nedzingahe is not new regarding the organising of shows. “I have been organising similar shows for the past four years and the notion that I am scamming people is untrue.

The 1 355 fans who had paid for the event through Computicket are free to go to Shoprite and request a refund,” he said.

According to Nedzingahe, Makhadzi has not been to Mu sina for the past two years. “My intention was to let Musina and the surrounding community be enter tained by Makhadzi,” he said.

Meanwhile, a man said to be a go-between of Makhadzi and Nedzingahe indicated he would not comment as he was not part of the arrangement of Makhadzi’s coming to Musina.

The winners of Miss Soutpansberg that took place at the Soutpansberg Golf Club on Saturday. Pictured from left to right are Naledi Moeti (11), Talenta Mashau (14), Jerry Makananise (organiser), Ntsakisi Matobela (17) and Praise Nkovani (23). Photo supplied.

The late Rashaka Ratshitanga’s son, Mukoni Ratshitanga, receives the national flag from the general secretary of the African National Con gress in Limpopo, Vhamusanda Vho-Madadzhe, during his father’s funeral.

Event organiser Bembe Nedzingahe. Photo supplied.

Family members carry the late Annah Mbelengwa’s casket to her final resting place. Photo provided.

Aziz was a true pioneer of the Soutpansberg

In memoriam

The Soutpansberg bade a sad farewell to a truly remarkable man and pioneer of the area, Abool Aziz Ayob of Louis Trich ardt, who passed away in the Netcare Hospital in Polokwane on Thursday morning, 24 November.

Aziz, the father of well-known Drs Asghar and Azim Ayob, was born at Elim Hospital on 15 May 1934. He was the grandson of the late Ayob Abba, one of the first Indian traders in the region.

Ayob Abba arrived in South Africa around 1896 and in the Soutpans berg around 1899 with three of his nephews. Together, they started the business Ayob Abba and Company, with its head office at the corner of Kruger and Trichardt Street in Louis Trichardt.

Aziz attended school in Louis Trichardt during the headmaster ship of the late Phil van der Merwe

and joined the family business at a young age. He was amongst the first Indian traders who ventured into building materials, timber and hardware. The business supplied carpenter’s and blacksmith’s tools and fencing materials to many of the regions farmers. In the early years, Aziz, together with two other traders, was an accredited agent for Plascon Evans Paints. Growing up as a hardware trader, his knowledge of building materials, steel-windowframe design and material quality was indeed vast. His businesses in the early years also had an interest in sawmilling in the Ratombo area.

Aziz knew almost all the early inhabitants of the Soutpansberg and the surrounding areas of Venda and Gazankulu. He had a histor ical knowledge of how the town developed and how many a trader started business, and he knew all their families very well.

Ayob Abba and Company also

Big Joe bids farewell to the matrics

By Victor Mukwevho

Fhatuwani Joseph Rambu wani, a security guard at Todani Secondary School, known by the students and community as Big Joe, used his meagre income to organise a farewell party for the school’s Grade 12s on Wednesday, 30 November.

Big Joe bought a cake and invited all the matriculants to have a bite after they had

written their final examination paper. “It was just a token of appreciation for their good be haviour since I started working here as a security officer five years ago. Not a single student has ever come here with a weapon and they all cooperated with me when I did my routine morning searches when they arrived at school,” he said.

This was the second time Big Joe had organised such a party for matriculants. He said that,

apart from getting the students’ full support, community mem bers often called him whenever they saw students fighting at the nearby shops. “The police station is just 20 metres from the shops, while we are about 50 metres from the school, but instead of calling the police to intervene when they see students in our school uniform causing trouble, they call me, and as soon as the students see me, they stop fighting.”

Big Joe is also a well-known long-dis tance runner who has already participated in four Comrades mar athons. Some of the students at the school and the surrounding areas are members of his club and exercise regularly. “Learners and members of the community who participate in various sporting codes do not cause problems in the community. I teach them to respect others and live in peace. After all, a healthy mind comes from a healthy body,” he said.

had a property subsidiary, known as Abba (Pty) Ltd. In 1980 , the De partment of Community Develop ment moved all the Indian traders to Eltivillas. All off Abba (Pty) Ltd was also expropriated. Aziz, together with Pieter D’Arcy Her mann, Fiona Leppan, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr and later Percy Rudman succeeded in lodging a claim against the State. The matter went as far as the Land Claims Court and was finally resolved out of court.

In 1986, after some 40 years at Ayob Abba, Aziz retired from active business and sold the concern to the Ahmed family. He continued assist ing his children with some of their paperwork and administration.

“His passing marks the end of an era as he was the eldest surviving male in the Indian community. A history book’s final chapter has con cluded,” said the Ayob family. Close to 200 people gathered the same evening at the Louis Trich

ardt Muslim Cemetery to bury the late Aziz Ayob. His grandparents and parents, as well as his sister and other members of the Abba family, are also buried at the same cemetery .

The late Aziz is survived by his wife Mariam, sons Asghar and Azim, daughters-in-law Razina and Mishkah, his grandchildren Azee ma, Iqram, Muhammad and Sa’ad, and two great-grandchildren, Asma and Rabia.

The family is grateful to the community that rendered so much assistance during the funeral. The family also thanked Ockert de Lange, Danie Pita, the Makhado SAPS and the Makhado traffic department for their assistance, as well as Drs Chaya, Venter, Razik Gani and the doctors at Netcare for their assistance and care.

“Verily, from our Creator do we come and unto him is our return,” concluded the family.

The late Abool Aziz Ayob (88). Photo supplied.

The Department of Health in the Vhembe region held a World Aids Day build-up event at the Thavhani Mall, near Thohoyandou, on Wednesday, 30 November. Holding their lit can dles in remembrance of those who had died from HIV/Aids are, from left to right, Mr Rob ert Sirwali (chief director of the Health Department in Vhembe), Ms Tiny Manwadu (CEO of Tshilidzini), Ms Marubini Ndwammbi and Rudzani Tshikovhi. Photo: Silas Nduvheni.

‘Big Joe’ Rambuwani, a security guard at Todani Secondary School organised a farewell party, complete with a cake, for the Grade 12 learners to thank them for being on such good behaviour over the past five years. In the photo is Big Joe (holding the cake), flanked by some of the matriculants.

Nancefield residents fed-up with sewage that’s been spilling for “past eight years”

By Bernard Chiguvare

The Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) denied allegations that they had never attended to the persistent sewage problem in the Nancefield area. According to residents, a sewage spill has been flowing along Makushu Primary School, through Nancefield, to the N1 for the past eight years and the municipality, the community members claim, still has not bothered to fix the problem.

“The allegations that the munici pality has not attended to the sewage [spillage] for eight years are not

accurate. The sewer line in front of the school experience blockages like any other normal sewer pipeline when for eign materials are disposed into it, but it always receives attention. The main sewer line at the back of the school was upgraded in 2020 after it got blocked due to sand that had infiltrated the pipe. Our maintenance team went out again on 29 November this year and unblocked the pipe,” said the spokes person for the VDM, Mr Matodzi Ralushai.

But when this newspaper spoke to Mr Peter Jack, chairperson of Mu sina To the Front organisation on 2

December, he said the sewage had not stopped flowing in years.

Ebrahim Munyai (60), who lives near the area where the sewage spills over, said he stayed indoors most of the time because of the foul smell that came from the flowing sewage, except on days when the wind blew the stench in the opposite direction. Munyai moved his children and grandchildren to Matswale, for the sake of his grand children’s health, and now lives alone.

Munyai is only one of many Nance field residents affected by this sewage problem.

Fhulufhlelo Special School holds graduation ceremony

By Silas Nduvheni

On Thursday, 24 November, Fhulufhelo Special School

During the function, the Lim popo Department of Education’s director for inclusive education and public schools, Mr Daniel Mabote, urged municipalities around the Vhembe region to help employ young graduates from Fhulufhelo Special School through their special programmes.

“We would like to see these graduates become employed at the various municipalities’ special programme units. To the students: This is a culmination of your hard work and determination. Through perseverance you have demonstrat ed that learners with disabilities can

make it, despite living with special needs,” said Mabote.

According to Mabote, the stu dents were assessed and tested in accordance with their own merits and demerits, potential and talents in various fields of the vocational curriculum. The graduates were also given starter kits, which included tools to start their own jobs, as a means to fight poverty and unemployment for people with special needs.

The principal of Fhulufhelo Spe cial School, Mr William Ramaano, said education was a societal re sponsibility. He said that the school equipped its students with the nec essary skills to help them in their respective jobs once they graduated, and that they had already employed a total of 20 of their own graduates to do all kinds of jobs for them at the school. He urged stakeholders to come on board too to help with intern placements (or employment) for graduates with special needs.

Mr Ebrahim Munyai (left) and Mr Peter Jack point to the sewage they claim the VDM has failed to fix for the past eight years. Photo: Bernard Chiguvare.

in Nandoni River View held its first graduation ceremony, where 51 graduates received their respec tive certificates in hospitality, plumbing, welding and arts and crafts.

Some of the graduates photographed during Fhulufhelo Special School’s first graduation ceremony on 24 November this year. Photo: Silas Nduvheni.

Man stabbed to death at tavern in Mudimeli

By Kaizer Nengovhela

A 28-year-old man from Mudi meli was stabbed to death at a local tavern on Saturday (3rd), with the suspect fighting for his life in hospital after he was as saulted by community members.

The deceased was identified as Ananias Ramafhi. The spokesper son for the Limpopo police, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo, confirmed the incident.

According to Mojapelo, an ar gument allegedly ensued between Ramafhi and the suspect, which resulted in a fight. Ramafhi was stabbed in the chest and under his

left arm with a sharp object and died at the scene.

The next morning (Sunday), members of the community apparently hunted for the suspect, and once they found him, alleged ly took him to the soccer grounds where he was severely assaulted.

The local chief managed to inter vene just in time, pleading with the angry mob to let the man go.

The suspect was taken to hospital, where he is still being kept under police guard. Cases of murder and assault were opened.

Mojapelo condemned the mob justice incident and reiterated that disrespect for the law would not be condoned. He urged members of the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands but rather to report all suspected criminal activities to the police.

“Those who are still perpetrating these types of acts will be dealt with harshly and without compromise,” he said.

Ramafi’s older brother, Mr Brian Ramafhi, said the family members were still trying to come to terms with the sense less murder. He will be buried at Mudimeli on Saturday, 10 Decem ber, with the service starting at 06:00.

Musina fills all senior management positions

Musina News

For the first time in 15 years, all the top senior positions in the Musina Municipality’s management team have been filled. This follows the ap pointment of Ms Makhumo Mothoa, who assumed the position of general manager: economic development and planning (EDP), with effect from Thursday, 1 December.

The position of the EDP general manager became vacant after its former incumbent, Nathi Tshiwanammbi, took over the position of municipal manager seven years ago. Since then, several other people had acted in this position, until Mothoa took over last week.

Mothoa boasts a masters’ degree in

town and regional planning and 10 years of experience in local government.

Musina Mayor Nkhanedzeni Godfrey Mawela said he was happy that the municipality had managed to fill all the top-management positions. Now, he said, no excuse existed for poor service delivery. “It has been difficult to fill all the top management positions for many years, due to various challenges, but we are happy that the current council has managed to win this battle. This clearly demonstrates that we are serious about service delivery, because filling all the senior management positions makes the institution function properly. We welcome the new general manager and wish her a pleasant stay in the Musina Municipality,” he said.

Municipal Manager Nathi Tshiwa nammbi said that filling the position of EDP general manager would boost Musina’s economic development. “We are a Special Economic Zone, and we have many challenges relating to town planning in our municipality. We need ed someone who can take accountability for all the issues on the municipality’s side. We are pleased that the incumbent came at the right time when we needed her expertise most. We have no doubt that Mothoa’s presence will add value to the developmental goals of our munici pality,” said Tshiwanammbi.

Mothoa said she was happy and ready to assume her new duties and believed she would have a pleasant run with the Musina Municipality.

The deceased, Ananias Ramafhi from Mu dimeli. Photo supplied.

Musina Mayor Nkhanedzeni Godfrey Mawela (right) and Municipal Manager Nathi Tshiwanammbi (left) welcome the new economic development and planning: general manager, Ms Makhumo Mothoa.

Art & Entertainment

R50 000 for local author Thivhuwisi Tshindane

By Frank Mavhungu

A local author, Mr Thivhusiwi Tshindane, is an ecstatic man. He was named the winner during the launching ceremony of the Alkebulan Authors’ Platform that was held at the Protea Hotel Marriot in Polokwane last Saturday evening. Mr Tshindane was presented with a cheque to the value of R50 000 during the ceremony.

Tshindane has written several poetry and novel books, including Na rine ri vhathu, Ndi mushumo u ne kha lino ndi khou lilesa and Hone hu tshi tea u maliwa nga vhugai, over the past years. The book that made him the winner is his latest publication, Hone hu tshi tea u maliwa nga vhugai. It was published in June this year.

In the book, Tshindane tries to address the confusion many people

face because of their failure to draw a line between traditional and western marriages. Some of the problems he tries to address in the book include parents who demand exorbitant fees for lobola from the grooms-to-be, as if they are selling their daughters.

During an interview with him, Tshindane indicated that winning the prize was testimony to the fact that he is one of the best authors

in the country. He revealed that what encouraged him to write more books was the fact that the demand for his books was far higher than he could supply. He promised his followers a new book, which is expected to be available in bookshops early next year.

In joyous mood. Mr Thivhusiwi Tshindane displays his cheque. Photo supplied.

themselves.”

By Kaizer Nengovhela

Selinah Musobi, a disabled gospel singer from Madombidzha, won the Best Gospel Song award at the Mogale Music Awards that took place at the Kagiso Hall in Mohale City on 19 November. The song that won her this esteemed award is called Dzulana na nne.

Musobi started her music career when she was 12 years old and attending the Tshilidzini Special School. She grew up listening to famous musicians such as Rebecca Malope and Sechaba, and says she drew her inspiration from them. She has made a name for herself nationally, despite the fact that she uses a wheelchair to get by.

“Gospel music was always in my veins, and I felt I had to use my talent to keep on praising God,” she says. “I want to be recognised as an artist. Most of all, I want to reshape people’s view of physically disabled people, the world and

Musobi says she owes her success to her fans, who never cease to support her music. “I wouldn’t have achieved this on my own, and I thank everyone who played a role in what I am today. It is also important to thank everyone who nominated me for this award,” she says.

She is arguably one of the leading Tshivenda musicians to spread a positive message to help build a stronger relationship between communities and their families and educate young people and the elderly.

“When I started music, I did not know it was to be my lifelong career, but here I am today; bagging awards that I never in my wildest dreams thought I would achieve. It

Disabled gospel singer, Selinah Musobi, wins Best Gospel Song Musina Annual Fashion Show and

must be a sign that I am doing a good job, and it gives me courage. I sing [about] what is relevant to people’s lives, something that empowers them,” she says.

Grandmother celebrates 77th birthday in style

Exhibition back on its feet

By Bernard Chiguvare

The Musina Annual Fashion Show and Exhibition was revived again on Saturday, 26 November, following its absence during the Covid-19 pandemic. Fashion designers and models eagerly gathered at the Musina Multipurpose Centre in Nancefield for the event.

Lucky Munyembani, one of the organisers, said that they were happy that things were finally returning to normal. “We are hoping to make it an annual

event like before as events like these put Musina residents on the map,” he said.

Matshinge Nkeleleng Mahlatse (34), a fashion designer, said that she had lost her job because of the Covid-19 restrictions. She and her mother then decided to coordinate their designing skills and focus on making traditional attire and school uniforms.

Mahlatse hailed the show’s revival. “This really helps us to interact with our customers and learn more about fashion design from other designers,” she said.

Musina’s models also aspire

to put the town on the national map. Maureen Rabali, Julia Radzuma and Tshimangadzo Nepfumbada are aiming for the Miss South Africa title. “I have wanted to do modelling since the third grade, but my school mates always told me I was ugly. To prove my classmates wrong, I decided to go for it, and so I took up modelling. I will not stop until I compete for the Miss South Africa crown,” said Rabali (23).

Tshimangadzo Nepfumbada (13), who is visually impaired, believes that a disability is not necessarily an inability. She also wants to compete in the Miss South Africa competition one day. “I want to prove to the world that nothing is impossible, despite my disability,” she said.

Tshivenda novelist and dramatist Ms Ndivhudzannyi Sigogo from Ngwenani Ha Themeli outside Thohoyandou won an award in the heritage education category of the Golden Shield Heritage Awards (GOSHA) for her contribution as a publisher who focuses on publishing books that promote the country’s heritage in the official indigenous languages.

Photo: Silas Nduvheni.

Several community builders from the Vhembe region were given awards during the ninth annual Golden Shield Heritage Award (GOSHA) held at Meropa Casino on Friday, 25 November. Ms Noria Mabasa from Tshino, near Vuwani in Giyani, received a Lifetime Achievement Award for being a community builder through her artwork. Photo: Silas Nduvheni.

Right: Professor Muxe Gesler Nkondo, former vice chancellor of the University of Venda, received an Ubuntu Award for being a human being of note. He has been part of the National Heritage Council from the time he spearheaded the development of the nationally acclaimed Heritage Transformation Charter. Photo: Silas Nduvheni.

Local gospel singer Selina Musobi with the award she won for Best Gospel Song at the Mogale Music Awards. Photo supplied.

Ms Thikolelwi Mutele from Khubvi village (centre) celebrated her 77th birthday in style with family and friends on Saturday, 3 December. What made this day of celebration even more special was that her young granddaughter, Zwavhudi Mutele (left), shares the same birthday as her grandmother and together they blew out the candles on their cake. Gogo Mutele was born at a nearby village in Makonde in 1945. She happens to be the mother of the flamboyant gospel artist Hani Mutele (right), known by music fans around the country for his gospel hit, Duvha li do tsha. She was overjoyed that her youngest son had organised such a memorable day for her. “I feel very happy today and very grateful for what Hanedzani has done for me. May the good Lord bless him,” she said. Photo: Victor Mukwevho.

Musina's models aspire to winning the Miss South Africa title one day. From left to right are Maureen Rabali, Julia Radzuma and Tshimangadzo Nepfum- bada. Photo: Bernard Chiguvare.

Matshinge Nkeleleng Mahlatse, a fashion designer from Musina, specialises in school uniforms and traditional attire. Photo: Bernard Chiguvare.

Art & Entertainment

Dzuvha Mphaphuli shines on the air

By Victor Mukwevho

Like a seasoned radio presenter who has been driving prime show slots for years, Univen FM’s reggae and African rhumba presenter Dzuvha Mphaphuli is in a class of his own when he slides behind the microphone.

Known by thousands of reggae

and rhumba music lovers as “Buka li sina mutshila” (literally translated it means “the big animal without a tail”), Mphaphuli has a voice tailor made for radio broadcasting.

Listening to him talk, he reminds one a lot of former Radio Bophuthatswana and Metro FM’s legendary presenter Ronnie Zondi, talking about current issues in his

hoarse voice like a news editor who had cut his teeth in busy newsrooms.

In an interview with him at Univen FM’s studio on Saturday morning (3 December), Mphaphuli told this newspaper that he had been trying to break into the broadcasting industry for a very long time, until former Vhembe FM’s Rhumba presenter DJ Mawelewele opened some doors for him. “After I sent him a demo, he invited me to the studio and taught me the ropes, including how to adjust the microphone when one is on air. I am what I am because of [Mawelewele],” he said.

Mphaphuli, who is also one of the best programme directors around, said he kept himself and his listeners updated by reading different newspapers every day, including online news reports. “When I am not on air, I stick to stations like SAFM and Radio 2000 like glue. I believe in empowering my listeners with the latest news as it happens,” he said.

NathyOG has eyes on a GAMA award

By Thembi Siaga

Nathaniel Ramakuwela, an emerging amapiano musician known as NathyOG, was nominated for Best Upcoming Artist of the Year at the Golden Art & Media Awards (GAMA). The 22-year-old artist from Maungani village will come up against 12 other nominees from the Limpopo Province when the award ceremony takes place at the Carousel Casino in Polokwane in January next year.

NathyOG’s nomination follows the release of his second EP, a six-track album titled Piano Wave, in July this year. The EP comprises melodic piano chords, simple yet infectious beats and vibrant vocals. The hit song on the album, Hendrick Makuya, really took the amapiano fraternity by storm.

The artist said last week that he was very excited to be counted among the GAMA nominees. “I feel so blessed to be one of the nominees for this GAMA award. That on its own shows that my music journey is coming from nothing to something. I am hopeful to win this award,” he said.

NathyOG started his music career in 2010, when he was a mere boy

in primary school. “I used to sing freestyles with some of my friends. They always called me ‘the beast of freestyle’, and that’s where I realized my passion for music,” he said.

Amapiano was not NathyOG’s first choice of music when he started out, though. He was initially more into hip-hop, but as his music journey progressed, he started to realise that the amapiano genre worked better for him, and so he collaborated with amapiano producer KingX to get his first EP, Ngoma Dza Venda, off the ground. This gained him a considerable fan base.

“I met KingX last year and helped him to put vocals on one of his songs, which was well received by his fans, and that’s where my

piano journey began,” he said. NathyOG’s music is available on all online platforms, such as YouTube and Spotify

Phindulo makes ends meet with his artwork

By Thembi Siaga

Drawing has always been 21-year-old Phindulo Mutsila’s favourite hobby. This gifted young artist from Maniini started drawing portraits of his relatives and friends at the age of nine, and his technique developed into a truly fine art over the years.

Phindulo said that, since schooling had never been his strongest point and his passion really lay with the arts, he wanted to commercialise his artistic creativity and make a career of it.

His unique style, a combination of realistic and abstract art, is already known and appreciated by many local art lovers. To create

his exceptional artwork, he uses mediums such as charcoal, pastels, acrylics and graphite pencils.

His proudest achievement thus far was when prominent Venda artist Avhashoni Mainganye saw one of his pieces and reposted it on Instagram Phindulo matriculated at Mbilwi Secondary

School in 2018 and enrolled at the University of Venda (Univen) in 2019 to study environmental health science, but he dropped out a year later when he realised that he was not going to make it academically.

“Dropping out from the university in 2020 made me concentrate more on my real passion – art. Slowly but surely my work started to capture more and more people’s attention, and I am now making ends meet through it. I am truly grateful for the support I get. Creating art is and always will be the one thing that makes me happy,” he said.

To have a look at Phindulo’s artwork, visit him on Instagram (mutsila.art). For more information, call him on 068 278 1219.

The D Brothers emerged as the winners of Phalaphala FM’s Zwibodwanani Men’s Cooking Competition for 2022, which was held at the station’s studio in Thohoyandou on

admitted that they had been up against very strong competition and that the final cook-off had been no small feat.

“We were generally in awe of the culinary artistry that the other entrants displayed. The other finalists all delivered an impressive performance at the

The D Brothers competed with nine other teams from across the Vhembe region. “Cooking is literally just a passion for us all; we don’t have any chef qualifications and we haven’t taken any cooking

courses at all. We just love doing it. We knew that we were going to take this title, though. We decided to focus on flavours that we were familiar with and knew how to perfect without having to reinvent anything. We really enjoyed putting our own menu together and prepare our style of food. These events are a great opportunity to give budding chefs a chance to shine,” he said.

The judges said they were impressed by the contestants’ understanding of food presentation and the use of kitchen utensils.

The winning team of Phalaphala FM’s Zwibodwanani Men’s Cooking Competition for 2022, the D Brothers. Photo supplied.

Nathaniel Ramakuwela, a rising amapiano musician better known as NathyOG, was nominated for Best Upcoming Artist of the Year at the Golden Art & Media Awards, which takes place at the Carousel Casino in Polokwane in January next year. Photo supplied.

This beautiful acrylic painting of a praying man was done by local artist Phindulo Mutsila.

One of Phindulo Mutsila's charcoal pieces.

Upcoming local artist Phindulo Mutsila from Maniini with one of his pencil drawings. Photo supplied.

Univen FM’s Dzuvha “the big animal without a tail” Mphaphuli, busy talking to his listeners. Photo: Victor Mukwevho.

Thulamela kick-starts its Arrive Alive campaign

force, and defaulters will be dealt with harshly,” said Kwinda. She was joined by other council lors and traffic officers on Wednes day, 23 November, for the launch of the Thulamela Arrive Alive campaign on the R524 Dzindi road (Punda Maria Road).

“Don’t drink and drive. If you feel you are tired, I urge you to park your car next to the road or at a rest stop and get rest. We want everyone to arrive alive at their destinations this holiday season, so our traffic and police officers will be out in full

Kwinda warned that her traffic officers would be checking for expired license discs, verify that drivers had valid licenses and check that seatbelts were used and vehi cles were roadworthy. She further appealed to motorists to observe and obey the traffic rules to avoid carnage on the roads this festive season.

The Mulisawashu Early Learning Centre at Ha-Mashamba village was a late entry into the Zoutpansberger’s Baobab Champions project. (The Zoutpansberger is Limpopo Mirror’s sister newspaper). This pre-school was not part of the initial group of schools that participated in the project, but as some starter packs were left, we decided to give them to this beautiful school. The baobabs planted here definitely seem to love the environment and the children, and currently more than 20 trees are filling the school’s garden. The school will still decide whether they want to plant some of the baobab trees in the area or donate them back to the Baobab Foundation. On Monday, a special R1 000 cash prize was handed over to the school in appreciation of their efforts. In the photo, some of the pre-school’s children and staff members pose next to the baobab trees.

Mukwevho to lead Thohoyandou SAPS

By Kaizer Nengovhela

Brigadier Simon Mukwevho was appointed as station commissioner at the Thohoyandou Police to lead the fight against crime in the area.

He officially took over the reins on 1 December.

The Thohoyandou Police Station was recently placed among the top-30 police stations in the country with the highest reported cases of domestic violence and housebreakings.

Mukwevho has 32 years’ experience in the police service under his belt. He had previously served as unit commander of the K9 unit in Thohoyandou, head of the K9 unit in Vhembe and he was in charge of the flying squad and 10111 unit. Some of his other positions includ ed head of Thohoyandou’s task team and unit commander at the Polokwane International Airport. On top of that, he served as coordinator of the visible-po licing unit in the Makhado cluster, and he had also been deployed to stabilise identified criminal hotspots in Seshego and Ritavi.

He said that the Thohoyandou police seemed to be working hard, but that

room for improvement existed. “Lazy or corrupt policemen will be dealt with internally,” he said.

Mukwevho said he had an opendoor policy regarding complaints, and through this he wanted to establish and maintain a lasting relationship with the community he served. “By cleaning house, we will gain the community’s trust and so change the picture,” he said.

Mukwevho acknowledged the alarming increase in violent crimes such as rape and robbery in the area and gave his assurance that these would be dealt with. He said he would continue to strengthen the cooperation between the com munity and the police in the fight against crime. “We are constantly working on strategies to address the crime in the area. It is only [by working] together that crime will be rooted out.”

The provincial police commis sioner, Lt-Gen Thembi Hadebe, wished Mukwevho well in his new role and applauded him for always having the mind of a senior who was always ready to fill the

Gogo Makapani celebrates 100th birthday

By Bernard Chiguvare

Living to be a century old is a blessing from God, but it requires looking af

ter oneself. This is according to Gogo Alice Baloyi Makapani, who celebrat ed her 100th birthday at her home in Mahonisi village, Elim, on Saturday, 3

November.

Before she reached pensionable age, Makapani used to work at Elim Hospital’s laundry department until she resigned in 1985. In 1993, her husband passed away, but she remained focused and made sure her children were pro vided for.

“After I resigned from the hospital, I still had to do some form of farming, so that I could feed my family,” she said as she proudly watched her offspring enjoy the celebrations around her.

The “trick” to be a centenarian, said Gogo Makapani, lies in the food one eats. “A healthy lifestyle is very import ant. Refrain from abusing your body and always pray to God for more years on earth,” she said.

Her favourite dish is vegetables, pea nut butter and anything traditional. “If you feel like using fish oil for cooking, just add a little of it. That is healthy,” she said.

Makapani is now wheelchair bound and struggles to talk. She is blessed with four children, 15 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Mabogo’s love for making clothes now pays the bills

By Kaizer Nengovhela

Being a successful dressmaker requires longs hours bent over, deep focus, a lot of creativity and a love for what you do. Ms Tshifhiwa Mabogo from Maila village would know. She has been doing this for nearly 15 years but insists that this is a highly rewarding job.

Mabogo graduated in fashion design from Mavhoi Techni cal College. She runs her own business from President Street in Louis Trichardt, providing only first-class service to her clients. She does practically any kind of sewing, but specialises in ladies’ wear and traditional attire, such as minwenda, traditional shoes, gwana, bracelets, traditional dresses and Misisi, and prefers to use the indigenous Vhavenda, Bapedi and Xitsonga fabrics as a means of showcasing their heri tage to the world.

“Working on my sewing ma chine is kind of spiritual to me,” she said.

She explained that her love of sewing and design had begun at

a young age as she watched her gogo alter and make clothes for the family. She started practicing this trade herself, because she was determined to be self-reliant and able to provide for her family. Today, Mabogo is her own boss, with customers from all around the local area and beyond.

Mabogo did not mind sharing the secret of her success with the readers. “Hard work and proper customer care will make you go places.”

She said that fashion design was all about being creative. According to her, you must have good colour combinations and be good at drawing and expressing your ideas in sketches.

Her advice to other women is this: “Stand up and take charge of your lives. It’s high time we take back our control. Don’t depend on a man,” she said.

Mabogo said that happiness came first in her life, despite the challenges she sometimes faced. “Managing family life and running a business is not easy, but I make sure that I do what makes me happy.”

gap without even questioning who had opened it and why.

Brigadier Simon Mukwevho has been appointed as station commissioner at the Thohoyandou Police. Photo supplied.

By Silas Nduvheni

Acting Thulamela Mayor Cecilia Kwinda issued a stern warning to motorists who get caught drinking and driving, or those who are in possession of incorrect vehicle licenses or paperwork and unroadworthy vehicles, that no mercy would be shown on the roads this festive season.

Acting Thulamela Mayor Cecilia Kwinda hands out debt relief pam phlets to a motorist, while one of the traffic officers checks for unpaid traffic fines. Photo: Silas Nduvheni.

Gogo Alice Baloyi Makapani (right) and her youngest daughter, Ms Constance Baloyi (58).

Photo: Bernard Chiguvare.

Ms Tshifhiwa Mabogo does what she loves most - sewing. Photo: Kaizer Nengovhela.

LEGALS

ADVOCATE SIKHUTSHI CHAMBERS

NOTICE IN TERMS OF SECTION 35(5) OF ACT 66

OF 1965

Kindly be informed that the First and Final Liquida�on and Distribu�on account of the late RUNTSOE AMON

MBODI of ID No: 730726 5712 085, Date of Death 2021-0623 Last Known Address Dzanani.

ESTATE No: 2854/2021 will be open for inspec�on for period of 21 days from date of the publica�on hereof at the office the Master and Magistrate as stated below. Should no objec�on be lodged with the Master concerned during the specified period, the executor will proceed to make payments in accordance with the accountants.

MASTER’S OFFICE:

THOHOYANDOU

ADV SIKHUTSHI’S CHAMBERS, Office Hanlon Building, Office No.5, 94 Krogh Street Louis Trichardt CELL: 015 516 0590, Email:sikhutshimaxwell@ gmail.com

REF:mathada clemen�ne/00221/21

ADVOCATE T.C MUNYAI

NOTICE IN TERMS

SECTION 35 (5) OF ACT 66 OF 1965

Pursuant to the provision of sec�on 35(5) of Act 66 of 1965, no�ce is hereby given that the first and final liquida�on and distribu�on account in the estate of the late Mr MABEGE FHATUWANI

MAXWELL ID No. 620624 5301 087, Estate No. 001778/2022 and who died on the 14th day of August 2022 shall lie for inspec�on at the offices of the Master of high court and Magistrate’s court, Thohoyandou, for period of twenty one (21) days as from the date of publica�on hereof. Dated at Thohoyandou on this 29th day of November 2022

ADVOCATE T.C MUNYAI Style Centre Building, Thohoyandou, Office No. 09, 668 Mphephu Drive, Adjacent To Caltex Garage TEL : 076 609 2083 / 068 173 8687

E-mail: Cyrilmunyai@ gmail.com // info@ netsiandainc.co.za

B. MAKUKUNZVA ATTORNEYS INC

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN TERMS OF SECTION 29(1) OF THE ADMINISTARION

ACT OF ESTATES ACT 66 OF

1965 ESTATE LATE: RAVELE

ELELWANI HILDAH

Date of Birth: 1925-01-01

ID NO: 250101 3061 085

ESTATE NO: 000689/2010

Date Of Death: 2009-09-21

Last known address: 016F Tshituni Tsha Fhasi, Dzanani

Master of the High Court: Thohoyandou Creditors and debtors in the above-men�oned estate are hereby required to lodge their claims with and to pay their debts to the undersigned within thirty days of the date of publica�on hereof. Name of Executor or Authorised Agent: POPPIE CHRISTINA BALOYI

Address of Executor or Authorised Agent: 2 Pennington Place, Fife Street, Buccleuch

Name: B. MAKUKUNZVA

ATTORNEYS INC

Address: 8th Floor Fredman Towers, 13 Fredman Drive, Cnr Bute Lane, Sandton, 2196

Email: nyikom@ bmakukulaw.co.za Tel: 011 303 7790

BENJAMIN MLOCHE ATTORNEYS

NOTICE IN TERMS SECTION 35 (5) OF ACT 66 OF 1965

No�ce is hereby given that copies of the liquida�on and distribu�on accounts (first and final, unless otherwise stated) in the estate specified below will be open for inspec�on of all persons with an interest therein for a period of 21 days (or shorter if specifically stated) from the date specified or from the date of publica�on which ever may be later and at the offices of the Masters and Magistrates as stated. Should no objec�on thereto be lodged with the Master concerned during the specified period, the executor will proceed to make payments in accordance with the accounts.

Registra�on Number of Estate: 001096/2022

Surname: MASWANGANYI

First names: NKHENZANI LUCY

ID No: 641109 0489 082

Last address: House 1668F, Giyani Township, Mopani District, Limpopo Province.

Name and surname of surviving spouse: NONE Magistrate office: GIYANI Master`s office: THOHOYANDOU

Names of Agent: BENJAMIN MLOCHE ATTORNEYS, Office No: 02, Vahlave Complex, Sec�on A, Giyani Township. P.O Box 6395, Giyani, 0826

TEL: 015 812 0189

CELL: 0716301831

REF: 05/2022EST/M

BENJAMIN MLOCHE

ATTORNEYS

NOTICE IN TERMS SECTION 35 (5) OF ACT 66 OF 1965 No�ce is hereby given that copies of the liquida�on and distribu�on accounts (first and final, unless otherwise stated) in the estate specified below will be open for inspec�on of all persons with an interest therein

for a period of 21 days (or shorter if specifically stated) from the date specified or from the date of publica�on which ever may be later and at the offices of the Masters and Magistrates as stated.

Should no objec�on thereto be lodged with the Master concerned during the specified period, the executor will proceed to make payments in accordance with the accounts.

Registra�on Number of Estate: 001326/2022

Surname: MKHOMBO First names: PATU

ASSESMENT

ID No: 531119 5744 087

Last address: House 1531A, Giyani Township, Mopani District, Limpopo Province.

Name and surname of surviving spouse: GERTRUDE DEDEYA MKHOMBO, ID No. 620102 1588 080

Magistrate office: GIYANI Master`s office: THOHOYANDOU

Names of Agent: BENJAMIN MLOCHE ATTORNEYS, Office No: 02, Vahlave Complex, Sec�on A, Giyani Township. P.O Box 6395, Giyani, 0826 TEL: 015 812 0189 CELL: 0716301831

REF: 07/2022EST/M

tewa ya tshipida tsha 92 ya masipala wa Thulamela Municipality pulana ho khetheaho na u shumiswa ha Shango a vhulanguli nga mulayo wa 2016, u vhalea na u netshedzwa.

A u pulana ha sipeshala.

u shumiswa ha Shango a vhulanguli nga mulayo wa 16 was 2013 u �atawara ya vhudavhidzani nga Boniswa Towerco kha muvhundu wa Guyuni Village stand no 16 , vundu la Limpopo. Ri divhadza vhadzulapo. Zwidodombedzwa zwa khumbelo zwi a Wanaka uri vha zwi sedzuluse nga tshi�inga tsha mushumo vhuka� ha iri ya malo u swika nga hafu ya vhuna ofisini ya mulangi muhulwane. Kha u pulana na u bveledzisa masipala wa Thulamela Municipality kha heyi adiresi: Thohoyandou Civic Centre ,Old griven building 0956, Thohoyandou. 0950 zwa tshi�inga tsha maduvha a furaru (30 days).

U hanedzana kana u imelela maluga a na khumbelo zwi nga itwa nga u nwalela muhulwane wa masipala kha heyi adiresi: Thulamela Municipality; Private Bag 5066; Thohoyandou,Limpopo; 0950 vhuka� ha maduvha a furaru u bva nga 9th December 2022 - 7th January 2023. Adiresi ya ane a khou humbela: 329 Roan Crescent, Corporate Park North, Midrand

Married in Community of property to each other, in respect of certain ERF 1311 LOUIS TRICHARDT TOWNSHIP, REGISTRATION DIVISION L.S., PROVINCE LIMPOPO, IN EXTENT 2855 (TWO THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FIVE) SQUARE METRES, HELD BY DEED OF TRANSFER T 49954/2016 which has been lost or destroyed

All interested persons having objec�on to the issue of such copy are hereby required to lodge the same in wri�ng with the Registrar of Deeds at LIMPOPO, within two weeks from the date of the publica�on of this no�ce. Dated at PRETORIA on this day 30th of November 2022.

Applicant: Represented by NICOLAAS FRANS MURGH JG HORN INC. 2nd Floor Falcon Place, 177 Dyer Road, Hillcrest, Pretoria, 0083 Tel: 012 3627578 On behalf of TAKALANI HISKIA MULAUDZI AND MATODZI REBECCA MULAUDZI Ref: MG/0610

KHONGOLOTI CONSULTANT CC

THULAMELA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY SPECIAL CONSENT APPLICATION IN TERMS OF CLAUSE 40 OF THULAMELA LAND USE MANAGEMENT SCHEME, 2020 READ TOGETHER WITH CHAPTER 5 SECTION 74(1) OF THULAMELA SPATIAL PLANNING AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT BYLAW, 2016

inspected during normal office hours at: Khongolo� Consultant cc, 373 Melk Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, 0181, Pretoria

Any person having an objec�on to the approval of this consent use applica�on must lodge such objec�on, together with the grounds thereof, with the office of the Town Planner, Thulamela Local Municipality (Private Bag X5066, Thohoyandou, 0952) and the undersigned, in wri�ng not later then: 17th January 2023

Enquiries: Khongolo� Consultant Pty Ltd PO Box 1950, Brooklyn Square, 0075 Tel: 012 460 4755 Fax: 012 460 4761 / 072 404 7447

Email: khongolo�@ absamail.co.za

KHONGOLOTI CONSULTANT

(Private Bag X5066, Thulamela, 0952) nangwe a tou nwalela u sa fushea hawe: 17th January 2023

Mbudziso: Khongolo� Consultant Pty Ltd PO Box 1950, Brooklyn Square, 0075 Tel: 012 460 4755 Fax: 012 460 4761 / 072 404 7447 Email: admin. khongolo�@absamail. co.za

LIGEGE AND ASSOCIATES INC.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN TERMS OF SECTION 29 (1) OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES ACT 66 OF 1965

will be open for the inspec�on of all persons with an interest therein for a period of 21 days from 2nd December 2022 at the offices of the Masters of the High Court. Should no Objec�on thereto be lodged with the Masters concerned during the specified period, the executors will proceed to make payments to the nominated beneficiaries.

MUTHIVHITHIVHI ATTORNEYS, 447 P East opposite Thavhani mall, Thohoyandou kagisomuthivhithivhi@ gmail.com

GUYUNI VILLAGE Boniswa Towerco have lodged a land development applica�on in terms of Sec�on 92 of the Thulamela Municipality Spluma ByLaw 2016, read together with the provisions of Spa�al Planning and Land Use Management Act 16 of 2013 for the construc�on of a Telecommunica�on Mast by Boniswa Towerco on the por�on of the GUYUNI VILLAGE, STAND NO 16, MUTALE. Limpopo Province. We therefore give no�ce to the public. Par�culars of the applica�on are available for inspec�on during office hours (08:0016:30) at the office of Senior Manager Planning and Development, Thohoyandou Civic Center Old given building, Thohoyandou 0950 for a Period of 30 days.

Objec�ons or representa�ons in respect of the applica�on must be lodged in wri�ng to the Municipal Manager.

Thulamela Municipality; Private Bag 5066; Thohoyandou, Limpopo 0950 for the period of 30 days from 9th December 2022 to 7th January 2023.

Address of applicant: 329 Roan Crescent, Boniswa Corporate Park North Midrand BONISWA

TOWERCO

GUYUNI VILLAGE Boniswa Towerco yo ita khumbelo ya u bveledzisa �ethu uya nga ndayo

LEGAL NOTICE

In terms of Regula�on 56 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 as amended.

You are hereby kindly requested to publish the following details in your publica�on: The Department of Social development, in Vhembe District, Musina sub-district is reques�ng anyone with informa�on regarding the whereabouts of the biological father of Khomola Tsireledzo Gi� born on 2015-10-13 and Khomola Asadini Sandra born on 2018-10.18 they are children of the late Khomola Rotshidzwa Sylvia who was residing at Ha-Rangani village next to Mrs Maria Khomola, to contact Social Worker Nemasetoni A at Musina DSD, Masisi magistrate on 076 689 7021 during office hours (07h3016h30)

JG HORN INGELYF INCORPORATED

LOST OR DESTROYED DEED No�ce is hereby given in terms of Regula�on 68 of the Deeds Registries Act, 1937, of the inten�on to apply for the issue of a cer�fied copy of Deed of Transfer T 49954/2016 passed by JOEL MOLAUDZI ID No: 240315 5287 083 in favour TAKALANI HISKIA MULAUDZI ID No: 590623 5319 087 AND MATODZI REBECCA MULAUDZI ID No: 640606 1829 084,

APPLICATION FOR: Erec�on of a Vodacom Cellular Mast and Base Sta�on

In terms of Clause 40 of Thulamela Land Use Scheme, 2020 no�ce is hereby given that I / we, the undersigned to apply to Thulamela Local Municipality for special consent to conduct the following land use ac�vi�es: Erec�on of a Vodacom Cellular Mast and Base Sta�on

On stands/ holdings/ farm por�ons: PORTION 0 OF THE FARM MPAPULI 278 MT (HA SIKHANUKHA BS163359)

PORTION 0 OF THE FARM MPAPULI 278 MT (THOHOYANDOU L BS163357)

PORTION 0 OF THE FARM MPAPULI 278 MT (MANINI SOUTH BS163356)

PORTION 0 OF THE FARM 443 MT (KHAVHAMBE BS160877)

PORTION 0 OF THE FARM LOMONDO 252 MT (LUVHAIVHAI SS BS162069)

THE FARM GEORGENHOLTZ 256 MT (MOKONDE SOUTH BS139562)

PORTION 0 OF THE FARM 472 MT (MAKWARANI VILLAGE)

THE FARM 445 MT (MBAHELA BS153595)

THE REMAINING EXTENT OF THE FARM STERKSROOM 277-MT (MURAGA BS143826)

PORTION 0 OF THE FARM CHIBASE 213 MT (VHUTSHAVHELO BS) This applica�on may be

CC

MASIPALA WA THULAMELA SPECIAL CONSENT APPLICATION IN TERMS OF CLAUSE 40 OF THULAMELA LAND USE MANAGEMENT SCHEME, 2020 READ TOGETHER WITH CHAPTER 5 SECTION 74(1) OF THULAMELA SPATIAL PLANNING AND LAND USE MANAGEMENT BYLAW, 2016 NDIVHADZO YA: U�a�wa ha thawara ya Vodacom Nga mulawo wa tshipida tsha clause 40 tsha Thulamala Land Use Scheme, 2020. Ndivhadzo I khou �iwa rine vha Khongolo� u divhadza Masipala wa khumbelo Thulamela ya Special Consent u ita ndivhadzo: U �a�wa ha thawara ya Vodacom. Kha shango la muvhuso: PORTION 0 OF THE FARM MPAPULI 278 MT (HA SIKHANUKHA BS163359) PORTION 0 OF THE FARM MPAPULI 278 MT (THOHOYANDOU L BS163357)

PORTION 0 OF THE FARM MPAPULI 278 MT (MANINI SOUTH BS163356)

PORTION 0 OF THE FARM 443 MT (KHAVHAMBE BS160877)

PORTION 0 OF THE FARM LOMONDO 252 MT (LUVHAIVHAI SS BS162069)

THE FARM GEORGENHOLTZ 256 MT (MOKONDE SOUTH BS139562) PORTION 0 OF THE FARM 472 MT (MAKWARANI VILLAGE) THE FARM 445 MT (MBAHELA BS153595)

THE REMAINING EXTENT OF THE FARM STERKSROOM 277-MT (MURAGA BS143826) PORTION 0 OF THE FARM CHIBASE 213 MT (VHUTSHAVHELO BS) Zwidodombedzwa zwa ndivhadzo zwinga vhudzisiwa ganndoroni ya: Khongolo� Consultant cc, 373 Melkstraat, Nieuw Muckleneuk, 0181, Pretoria Muthu munwe na munwe ane a sa fushee nga heyi ndivhandzo anga kwama Masipala wa Thulamela

All persons having claims against the undermen�oned estate must lodge it with the Executor concerned within 30 days (or as indicated) from date of publica�on hereof. Estate no: 2378/2022 Master’s Office: Thohoyandou, Surname: MAGINYA Names: PHUNGOYAVHO RECKSON

Date of birth: 04-05-1976 Id No. 760504 0862 087

Last address: Tshilamba Date of death: 2022-0318, Name and Address of Executor or Authorised agent: Ligege and associates inc. House No.689,Sibasa Street,Block P.West Thohoyandou, 0950, TEL: 015 962 0509, EMAIL: info@ligegeand associatesinc.co.za

MASINDI T.E ATTORNEYS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN TERMS OF SECTION 29 (1) OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES ACT 66 OF 1965

All persons having claims against the undermen�oned estate must lodge it with the Executor concerned within 30 days (or as indicated) from date of publica�on hereof. Estate no: 002473/2022

Master’s Office: Thohoyandou, Surname: NEMAGUVHUNI

Names: MAVHUNGU ELISAH

Date of birth: 1960-10-22, Id No. 601022 0116 084

Last address: MANDALA, Date of death: 202206-23, Name and Address of Executor or Authorised agent: Masindi A�orneys. Mphephu Drive, Thohoyandou 2010 Centre, office no 1B, opposite Vhembe FM& GEPF, 0950, TEL:082 536 5418, EMAIL: info@ masinditea�orneys.co.za

MUTHIVHITHIVHI ATTORNEYS

LIQUIDATION AND DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNTS

IN DECEASED ESTATES LYING FOR INSPECTION Masters ref: 1914/2022 In terms of sec�on 35(5) of the Administra�on of Estates Act, No. 66 of 1965, no�ce is hereby given that copies of the liquida�on and distribu�on accounts in the estate of the Late MMBUBANE MPHEDZISENI WILSON

NETSHILEMA ATTORNEYS NOTICE

IN TERMS OF SECTION 21 OF THE MATRIMONIAL PROPERTY ACT 88 OF 1984. CHANGE OF MATRIMONIAL PROPERTY SYSTEM WHICH APPEAR TO THE MARRIAGE OF CLAUDETTE MAROLYNN SAEED and FAISAL SAEED FROM IN COMMUNITY OF PROPERTY TO OUT OF COMMUNITY OF PROPERTY. The above ma�er refers.

No�ce is hereby given to all creditors of the above-men�oned par�es that an applica�on to change their matrimonial property system from community of property to out of community of property will be heard on the 16th day of February 2023 at the LIMPOPO LOCAL DIVISION OF THE HIGH COURT, THOHOYANDOU.

Please note that any creditor who’s interest will be prejudicially affected by the change of marital regime, might appear at the hearing on the 16TH day of FEBRUARY 2023 at 10h00 to oppose the gran�ng of the order.

The adver�sement should run on the 2nd day of December 2022.

NETSHILEMA ATTORNEYS INC, 50 Tshedza street, Block A, Sibasa, P.O Box 1440, Sibasa, 0970 Tel: 015 004 1370

NKHUME MAKHAVHU ATTORNEYS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN TERMS OF SECTION 29(1) OF THE ADMINISTARION ACT OF ESTATES ACT 66 OF 1965

All persons having claims against or in favour of the under men�oned estate must lodge it with the Executor concerned within 30 days from date of publica�on hereof.

ESTATE NO: 002366/2022

Master’s Office: Thohoyandou

Name of deceased: NETHENGWE GLADYS THIDZIAMBI

Date of birth: 1949/04/10

ID NO: 490410 0118 081

LAST ADDRESS: P O Box 66 Thohoyandou 0950

Date Of Death: 11 October 2022

Surviving Spouse: Nethengwe Nditsheni

Seth Authorised agent: NKHUME MAKHAVHU

ATTORNEYS, Office no 207, 02nd Floor, Venda Office Park Thohoyandou, P.O. Box 1015 Nzhelele, 0993 Tel No. 015 962 4848 Fax No: 015 962 0200

Ref: Makhavhu

BONISWA TOWERCO THULAMELA

MUNICIPALITY APPLICATION FOR OBTAINTING LAND USE RIGHTS ON COMMUNAL LAND TO CONSTRUCT A TELECOMMUNATION TELECOMMUNICATION MAST ON THE FARM

Together we can fight against GBVF

By Maanda Bele

The Collectively Address ing Sexual Gender-Based Violence Femicide (SGBVF) Programme was successfully launched at one of the top SGBVF hotspots in Tho hoyandou by the Old Mu tual Foundation (OMF), in partnership with the Collen Mashawana Foundation (CMF) and the Centre for Mental Wellness and Lead ership (CMWL). The launch, on 25 November, commenced with a 5km fun walk from the University of Venda campus’s gate to the Thohoyandou Police Station.

Recent statistics, shared during the second Presiden tial Summit on Gender-based Violence from 1-2 November, showed Thohoyandou police

station as recording the fifth highest number in the country concerning reported cases of gender-based violence.

The programme’s launch served as a forum for support and commitment from a variety of stakeholders, including the Department of Health, the University of Venda, the private sector (including small busi nesses in the area), traditional leaders and NPOs.

Ms Annette Banda, market ing and public relations officer for the Collen Mashawana Foundation, said the 5km fun walk and men’s dialogue that were organised by the founda tion and stakeholders involved were designed to coordinate stakeholders’ efforts to combat SGBVF in Thohoyandou.

“We want to identify work able solutions for dealing with the factors contributing to

THULAMELA MUNICIPALITY

SGBVF and raise awareness of these issues among stake holders, in order to effectively combat GBV, which is currently a big concern. We requested the police that we work together,” she said.

The founder of the Stop the Spot Organisation that deals with SGBVF at the University of Venda and Thohoyandou, Miss Mercy Raphalalani, said the Vhembe District was finally singing with one voice to fight this ill.

“As the saying goes: together we can do more. With this new GBVF launch, I believe a lot that has never been achieved before will be achieved. Hence, different influential stakehold ers are now singing the same song with the same tune. As a gender activist, I can proudly say that there is hope in our district to fight GBVF,” she said.

Private Bag X5066 Thohoyandou 0950 Limpopo Province Tel: (015) 962 7500 Fax: (015) 962 4020 (015) 962 5328

(continues from previous page)

TSHILIDZI MAKUYA ATTORNEYS NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN TERMS OF SECTION 29 (1) OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES ACT 66 OF

1965

LEGALS

In the ESTATE LATE: MULEYA RACHEL TENDANI ID NO: 600427 0204 080

ESTATE NO: 1961/2022 Date of Death: 202111-08

Last Known Address: Muledane, Block J. Thulamela Local

Municipality Creditors and debtors in the above-mentioned estate are hereby required to lodge their claims with and to pay their debts to the undersigned within (30) thirty days of the date of publication hereof.

NAME OF EXECUTOR: MULEYA SIMON AGENTS OF THE EXECUTOR: TSHILIDZI MAKUYA ATTORNEYS Office No A. 08 Mashapha Complex, Thohoyandou CELL: 072 384 7341 E-MAIL ADDRESS: ettmkr@gmail.com

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION IN TERMS OF SECTION 24 OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ACT, 1998 (ACT 107 OF 1998)

Notice is hereby given in terms of Regulation 41 published in Government Notice No. R982 under Chapter 5 of the National Environment Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998) of the intent to submit an application for Environmental Authorisation to the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET).

Proponent and Location: Makhado Local Municipality is proposing the extension of the Tshikota cemetery site on the remainder of the farm Naturelle Lokasie 272-LS in Limpopo Province.

NEMA Listed Activities Applied for:

• Listing Notice 1:GN R327 - Activity 27: The clearance of more than 1ha of indigenous vegetation.

• Listing Notice 1:GN R327 - Activity 44: The expansion of cemeteries by 2 500 square metres or more.

Current Zoning of the Property: Agricultural Date of Notice: 9 December 2022

To be identified as an Interested and/or Affected Party, (I&AP), please submit your name, contact information, interest in the matter and any comments in writing within 30 days of this notice.

Queries regarding this matter should be referred to: Mang Geoenviro Services

Public Participation Registration and Enquiries 687 Silverlakes Road Kabelo Phakwago Unit 11 Kingfisher Building kabelo@manggeoenviro.co.za/ 079 054 7652 Hazeldean Office Park or 0081 info@manggeoenviro.co.za/ 012 770 4022

XITIVISO XA MFANELO WA KU HLAYISA NDZHAWU EKA SWIPHEMU HINKWASWO SWA MAPURASI: PLAISERFONTEIN 103 LT, GROOTFONTEIN 104 LT, ZONNEBLOEM 105 LT, OLIFANTSHOEK 106 LT, HARTEBEESFONTEIN 109 LT, STERKWATER 140 LT, MOOIMEISJESFONTEIN 141 LT, AND KLAARSTROOM 155 LT.

Xitiviso xa leswaku hi siku ra vu 14 ra Hukuri 2022, Limpopo Department ya Mineral Resources na Energy (DMRE) va nyikiwile Mpfumelelo wa Ntivo-mbango na DMRE Ref: LP 30/5/1/1/3/2/1/13753 EA mayelana na xikombelo xa mfanelo wo lavisisa leswi pimiweke hi ku ya hi nawu wa National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (Act No. 107 of 1998) Xikongomelo-nkulu ku nga ku lavisisa swicelwa leswi landzeleka: Beryllium Ore, Corundum, Magnesite, Gold Ore, Vanadium Ore and Manganese Ore eka mapurasi lama longoloxiweke laha henhla lama kumekaka endzeni ka Timasipala ta Miganga ta Greater Letaba, Greater Giyani na Collins Chabane ehansi ka Masipala wa Xifundzankulu wa Vhembe na Mopani, Xifundzankulu xa Limpopo. Mpfumelelo lowu wu amukeriwile hi Mukomberi, Vhalinawe Masakona (Pty) Ltd hi ti 21 ta Nyenyankulu 2022.

Hi ku ya hi Milawu ya Swivilelo ya Rixaka, 2014, na EA munhu wihi kumbe wihi loyi a lavaka ku endla xivilelo/ mavonelo eka xiboho lexi u fanele ku kombela fomo ya ku nyika mavonelo ya kwe eka Mulawuri wa Swivilelo Loko va nyikile mavonelo ya vona va nga kota ku tlherisela fomo eka Mulawuri wa Swivilelo (Department of Environmental Affairs (vuxokoxoko bya vuhlanganisi byi tsariwile laha hansi)) Lava vanga ta nyika mavonelo ya vona hi ku tirhisa e-mail, va komberiwa ku katsa na Mufambisi wa Xifundzankulu wa DMRE, muendli wa xikombelo na Environmental Assess ment Practitioner (EAP) (vuxokoxoko bya vuhlanganisi byi tsariwile laha hansi). Vanhu hinkwavo lava khumbekaka na lava va tsakelaka ku teka xiboho, va fanele ku yisa fomo leyi nga vuriwa laha henhla ku nga si hela masiku yo ringana 20 ya khalendara ku sukela siku leri xiboho xi tivisiweke ha rona (masiku lawa ya 20 a ma katsi masiku yaku wisa(holidays), tani hi leswi swi nga vekisiwa xiswona hi nawu wa 3(2) wa NEMA 107 of 1998, Milawu ya (EIA) ku sukela hi siku rati 16 ta N’wendzamhala 2022 ku fikela siku rati 5 Sunguti 2023).

NOTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION

GRANT FOR THE PROSPECTING RIGHT APPLICATION ON ALL PORTIONS OF THE FARMS: PLAISERFONTEIN 103 LT, GROOTFONTEIN 104 LT, ZONNEBLOEM 105 LT, OLIFANTSHOEK 106 LT, HARTEBEESFONTEIN 109 LT, STERKWATER 140 LT, MOOIMEISJESFONTEIN 141 LT, AND KLAARSTROOM 155 LT.

Notice is hereby given that on the 14th of November 2022, the Limpopo Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) granted Environmental Authorisation with DMRE Ref: LP 30/5/1/1/3/2/1/13753 EA for the proposed prospecting right application in terms of the National Environmental Manage ment Act (NEMA), 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) as amended for the purpose of prospecting for Beryllium Ore, Corundum, Magnesite, Gold Ore, Vanadium Ore and Manganese Ore on the above-mentioned farms situated within the Local Municipalities of Greater Letaba, Greater Giyani and Collins Chabane, under Vhembe and Mopani District Municipalities, Limpopo Province. The authorisation was received by the applicant, Vhalinawe Masakona (Pty) Ltd on the 21st of November 2022.

INVITATION TO COMMENT

In terms of the National Appeal Regulations, 2014, and the EA, any person wishing to appeal against the decision must request an appeal form from the Appeal Administrator and submit the appeal to the Appeal Administrator (Department of Environmental Affairs (see contact details below)) and forward a copy of the appeal to the DMRE Regional Man ager, Applicant and Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP). (See contact details below).

All registered Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs), any Organ of State interested in the matter, and the deci sion-maker must submit the above-mentioned form within 20 calendar days from the date I&APs were notified of the decision (with the exclusions of the public holidays that will affect business days as per regulation 3(2) of NEMA, EIA Regulations from the 16th of December 2022 until 5th January 2023).

•

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NB. Application must be submitted on the signed Thulamela Municipality application form ob tained on the Website: www.thulamela.gov.za. Accompanied by comprehensive C.V and certified copies of certificates to be forwarded to: THE MUNICIPAL MANAGER, THULAMELA MUNIC IPALITY, P/BAG X5066, THOHOYANDOU, 0950 or may be handed in at Office no.130B during working hours. No faxed, Emailed or late applications will be considered. For administration enquiries contact: Thenga A.R. @ 015 962 7775 or Ramugondo R.R. @ 015 962 7643. Closing date: 30 December 2022

MT MAKUMULE

MUNICIPAL MANAGER

Thulamela Municipality

Civic Centre

Old Agriven Building Thohoyandou 0950

Ad designed by Zoutnet Publishers

Prior to the launch of the Collectively Addressing Sexual Gender-Based Violence Femicide (SGBVF) Programme, different stakeholders took part in a 5km fun walk from the University of Venda campus’s gate to the Thohoyandou Police Station. Photo supplied.

Awards for province’s top achievers

By Kaizer Nengovhela

The province’s sports per sonalities and organisations from different sporting codes were given awards for their exceptional achieve ments during the Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s Provincial Sport and Recreation Awards, held at The Ranch Hotel in Polokwane on Sun day, 4 December.

This annual event seeks to recognise, reward and celebrate sportspersons for iconic and meritorious service in sports.

The Limpopo MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Nakedi Kekana, commended the recipients for a job well done on the field of play and urged them to continue to use sports as a catalyst for change in their lives and communi ties. “Win or not, you are very important citizens in this province and in the sport fra ternity; we believe in you and your capabilities. Continue to promote your God-given talents and nurture this excel lence in sport,” she said.

She said that, as a depart ment, they had an obligation to motivate personalities

committed to doing good things in their communities to benefit other people. Kekana encouraged those who did not receive awards to not give up but to work harder to reach their future goals.

The winners in the respec tive categories were as follows:

Coach of the Year - Nakedi Raphako

Sports Administrator of the Year - Renuka Rampoo Newcomer of the YearSafiya Kahan Patel Team of the Year - Limpopo men’s softball team, Dinare Volunteer of the Year - Sello Maduma

Sportsman of the Year with Disability - Donald Ramphedi Sportswoman of the Year with Disability - Sheryl James Photographer of the YearHerbert Rachuene Journalist of the YearNathi Kubyane.

The five Limpopo-born Banyana-Banyana players were also honoured for winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco. The players are Leb ogang Ramalepe, Noko Mat lou, Nomvula Kgoale, Hildah Magaia and Amogelang Motau. They won R100 000 each and a trophy.

Tough victory for Home Defenders

By Kaizer Nengovhela

Mpheni Home Defenders had to put up a big fight to earn a 1-0 victory against Win nerspark in their Limpopo ABC Motsepe league match played at Louis Trichardt High School’s grounds on Saturday.

Winnerspark had nobody to blame for the defeat but themselves. They squandered count less scoring opportunities throughout the game. The only goal of the day was scored in the 35th minute. A defender of Winnerspark, Madimetja Ndlovu, handled the ball inside the penalty area and the referee pointed to the white spot. Lucky Buasi converted the penalty into points.

Winnerspark came close to scoring again in the 38th minute, but Ndumiso Manyi held onto the ball for too long and lost possession. The half-time score was 1-0 in favour of the Defend ers.

Defenders abused countless scoring opportu nities in the opening minutes of the second half. In one such case, Thabelo Tshikweta unleashed prematurely, instead of moving a few steps towards the keeper.

Ngoako Rapatsa of Winnerspark should have equalised, but his shot was palmed away by the opponents’ keeper, Ludick Mkhatshwa.

Ernest Munyadziwa, Defenders’ midfielder, was a marvel to watch. He was everywhere, dis tributing promising balls from the middle of the park, while also playing as a striker.

Munaca and Vondwe Bullets in draw

By Frank Mavhungu

Munaca FC failed to collect the maximum points in their ABC Motsepe League game against Vondwe XI Bullets, with whom they played to a 1-1 draw, even though they were playing in front of their home crowd. The game was played at the Makhado Show Grounds on Saturday.

The head coach of Munaca FC, Mr Solly Luvhengo, was spitting fire at the end of the game. He blamed the match officials for his team’s failure to grab the full points at stake. According to Luvhengo, they could have won the game 3-1, except for the match officials, who were against them from

the start to the end.

Luvhengo reckoned that the referee, Mr Mulalo Mubva, had denied them what he described as a clear penalty. Accord ing to him, the same referee had awarded a controversial penalty to Bullets and yet failed to award them [Munaca] a legitimate penalty. He further stated that what worried him the most was the fact that this was not the first time his team had been the victims of such harsh referee decisions. He said that their 1-2 defeat at the hands of Giyani Happy Boys had not been a true reflection of the game as the referee had been on the side of Happy Boys throughout the game.

Luvhengo’s counterpart from XI Bullets, Mr Mpho Ndou,

said that he was happy with the result, when taking into account the fact that most of their key players had not been available for that game.

Munaca were the first to blow the trumpet on Satur day. They claimed the lead in the 28th minute. Ndamulelo Muthumuni gave the ball the final touch after a scramble within the box.

The score was 1-1 when the teams adjourned for the halftime break. Shortly after the restart, a defender of Munaca handled the ball within his own penalty box and the referee was quick to point at the white spot. The team’s keeper, Vhugala Makhuvha, beat the keeper with a ground cutter from the penalty spot.

Boost for Mulenzhe Shooting Stars

By Silas Nduvheni

Mulenzhe Shooting Stars from Ha-Piet Booi, a team affiliated with the Collins Chabane Football Associa tion, received a shot in the arm when a Gauteng-based engineering and construc tion company, Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon Ltd, donated soccer kits to the team.

The handover was done at the Mulenzhe Tribal Council offices on Saturday, 3 Decem ber. Mr Stanley Chauke, a resident at Ha-Piet Booi in the Mulenzhe area and worker for WBHO, said that after watch ing the home-based soccer team play with tattered soccer kit, he decided to approach the management of the company to help the struggling team.

“I personally like to see boys playing soccer. It’s hard to see so many of them getting involved with drugs and alcohol because they don’t have enough

By Frank Mavhungu

This year’s Zama-Zama Sports Tournament will be the biggest ever in terms of the number of the participat ing teams and the sponsor ship amount. This after more businesspeople had shown interest in sponsoring the event. The tournament was officially launched during a ceremony held at the Xiluma ni Hotel in Giyani two weeks ago.

According to the founder and organiser of the tournament, Mr Victor Hlungwani, they had decided to introduce the

to keep themselves busy with. I grew up playing soccer and hope that other young boys from the Mulenzhe commu nities have a better chance to improve their soccer skills,” said Chauke.

The chairperson of Mulenzhe

Shooting Stars, Mr Avhashoni Netshifhefhe, was very happy about the donation, saying that his team would now be able to play soccer games with brand new kits. He is confident that this will motivate them to win more games.

netball, masters and ladies’ soccer categories, following the pledges received by the newly acquired sponsors.

Hlungwani said that the champions in the ladies’ soccer category would receive a cash prize of R15 000 and a floating trophy. The second- and thirdplaced teams will go home with R10 000 and R2 500.

The netball champions will be presented with R5 000. Prize money of R3 000 and R1 500 is awaiting the teams that will finish in the second and third places respectively.

This year’s champions in the men’s soccer category will be presented with R55 000,

a floating trophy and gold medals. The runner-up will take home R25 000 and silver medals. Teams that will finish in the third and fourth position will each receive R10 000. Individual awards will also be presented.

The opening matches of the tournament are scheduled to be played next Wednesday, 14 December. As usual, the final will be played on the 31st.

Mr Hlungwani also revealed that some of the newly acquired sponsors include TM Chauke Attorneys, Xilumani Holdings, Noza Business Enterprises, Ndlovu Attorneys, Dr Muxe Chabalala and Casper Mbombi.

Phathutshedzo Nemagovhani of Bullets (left) and Temosho Matabane of Munaca are focused on the ball. Photo: Frank Mavhungu.

The MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Nakedi Kekana (left), Sheryl James (middle) and Ali Poole (Limpopo Sport Confedration President) during the department’s annual Provincial Sport and Recreation Awards. James won the Sportswoman of the Year with Disability award. Photo: Kaizer Nengovhela.

Ernest Munaydziwa of Defenders (left), with Ngoako Rapatsa waiting for any mistake.

Photo: Kaizer Nengovhela.

Mr Stanley Chauke (second from left, at the back) with the brand new soccer kit donated to Mulenzhe Shooting Stars. With him in the photo are some of the team players and the team’s management members. Photo: Silas Nduvheni.

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New head coach of Vondwe Bullets, Lufuno Ndou, has big aspirations

By Frank Mavhungu

tic that his team will win most of their remaining match es and finish their league programme in a respectable position on the log standings.

Ndou took over as the head coach of the team, following the dismissal of the team’s head coach, Mr Oruel Sambo, three weeks ago.

Ndou was appoint ed as assistant to Sambo towards the end of last year. The

former Ablex United assistant coach has guided Bullets to two draws after his ap pointment as the head coach of the team.

His team played to a goalless draw with United Artists at the Tshifudi Stadium two weeks ago. Ndou was shouting instructions to the players from the team’s technical bench in their game against Munaca FC, which was played at the Makhado Show

Grounds last Saturday. The final score was 1-1.

Bullets are still fighting for survival in the second-last posi tion on the log, despite the fact that they managed to collect two points in their last two matches. Ndou said that they could have collected the maxi mum points in these matches, had it not been for the fact that most of their key players were not available for the two games.

His capability to coach the team will be gauged in their next four matches. Ndou said that the fact that his team had played most of their first-round league matches away from home was a reason for them to believe that they would collect more points in their home games, come the next round.

Some of the teams that Ndou played for during his days as a player include Western Stars, Makhitha Oscar Stars and Mikhado FC. His coaching career started when he joined Ablex United as a team man ager two years ago. Following his success as a team manager, Ndou was later promoted to the position of assistant coach.

Teams gear up for the Vhanasi Cup

By Frank Mavhungu

Sixteen teams from around the Vhembe district are gear ing up for the Vhanasi Soccer Tournament. The tourna ment was officially launched during a ceremony held at the Divine Oasis Christian Centre Church building in Samban dou village last Saturday.

When delivering the keynote address, the sponsor of the tournament, Mr Mmbi Munasi, said that this year’s winning teams would receive some fabulous prizes. The champions will receive R30 000, a floating trophy, gold medals, two soccer balls and a soccer kit. The sec ond-placed side will go home with R15 000, silver medals, a soccer kit and two soccer balls. A cash prize of R7 000, bronze medals and two soccer balls are awaiting the team that ends third, and the fourth-placed

team will receive R3 000 and two soccer balls.

During the ceremony, a representative from the Safa Vhembe Regional Association, Mr Ephraim Singo, appealed to the organisers and sponsor of the tournament to consider the inclusion of ladies’ soccer teams in their future tournaments.

The draws for the last-16 round matches were conduct ed during the ceremony. All matches will be played at the Sambandou United Profes sionals Grounds. Four matches will be played on Tuesday, 27 December. The same number of matches will be played the following day.

The fixtures for the first day are Makuya Try Again vs Then gwe Flying Peace, Gondeni Big Cat vs Musasenda Big Five, SMSA vs Ngwenani Young Chiefs and Phaphama FC vs Dipeni FC. The fixtures for

the 28th are Matangari High Aims vs Tswera Hot Chilies, Mavunde Hungry Vultures vs Madridtas FC, Anel Real Vikings vs Mashamba Soccer Academy and Sambandou United Professionals vs Berea FC.

Mashamba Soccer Academy are the defending champions. They beat Madridtas FC 1-0 in the final last year.

Munaca FC bolster their technical team by appointing Moses Muthelo

By Frank Mavhungu

One of the affiliates in the ABC Motsepe League, Munaca FC, have bolstered their technical department by acquiring the services of Mr Moses Muthelo. Muthelo will occupy the position of assis tant coach of the team. The position was vacated by Mr Mashudu “Coolio” Ndou, who resigned three weeks ago.

In his resignation letter, Ndou stated that he was re signing to pursue his business ideas. He said, however, that he would still be available to assist when needed. Ndou has assisted the team’s head coach, Mr Solly Luvhengo, in their first six league games.

During an interview with the chief executive officer of the club, Mr Michael Muzila, he said that they were convinced that they had appointed the right person to the position. He said that Muthelo was an expert on development football, while Luvhengo was a vastly experienced professional coach.

Muzila said that they were in the process of signing more experienced players to make

the job easier for the technical staff. They had just signed up the former Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila defender, Rofhiwa Tshikovhi. Muthelo is not a new name in the history of local football. He played for several teams, including Black Leopards, in the early nineties.

When asked if he thought his presence at Mu naca would assist the team to win the league cham pionship at the end of this sea son, Muthelo said that anything was still possible when one took into account that most of the teams had completed their first-round league pro gramme over the past weekend.

Munaca are lying in the third position on the log standings with 11 points,

seven behind the pace setters, Mpheni Home Defenders. Munaca’s next league fixture will be against Musina United, with whom they will lock horns at the Old Mine Stadium in Musina on Saturday.

The sponsor of the tourna ment, Mr Mmbi Munasi. Photo supplied.

United Brothers share the spoils with Ravies in Safa Vhembe clash

By Frank Mavhungu

In their Safa Vhembe Re gional League match that was played at the Maniini Grounds on Sunday, Ravies FC shared the spoils with Dzwerani United Brothers, with whom they played to a 1-1 draw.

Although the fixture was an away one for them, United Brothers showed no respect to Ravies and launched several attacks from behind in the opening minutes. Sadly, their strikers, Olugaho “Pelembe” Mudau and Pfano Mushoma, were not accurate enough at shooting for goal.

Pelembe was the first player to cause an upset. He received a neat pass from Fred erick Madzivhandila in the 30-metre area and ran towards the goal posts. Unfortu nately for Mudau, he miskicked the ball at the edge of the box.

The struggle continued, with both teams creating and wasting scoring chances. United Brothers missed another fortune in the 20th minute. Their overlapping mid fielder, Khumbudzo Tshivhenga, went loose from the right corner and dished a pre-cooked pass to Pfano Mushoma. As

if he was a spectator, Mushoma did the unexpected by watching the ball pass to the other end, instead of just giving it the final touch.

United Brothers were the first to find the net. They took the lead in the 34th minute. Their bulldozer defender, Livhuwani Tshiedzaedza, cap italised on a clearing error by Ravies and beat the keeper with a half volley.

The home side did not give up without a fight. They were awarded a free kick in the

20-metre area towards the end of the first half. Uhone Mun zhelele released a thunderous strike from the free kick to beat the Brothers’ keeper, Khum budzo Mukwevho, hands down. Both sides effected some changes to their starting lineups in the last half, but that did not change the complexion of the game. What could have been Brothers’ winning goal was turned into nightmare when Pelembe’s ground cutter missed the target by inches in the dying minutes of the game.

Two development leagues launched

Sport development

The launch of two develop ment leagues, namely the KFC Under 13 league and the Hollywoodbets Women’s

league, will take place on Saturday (10th).

The two development leagues are run by Mamu Com munity Development.

Mamu’s spokesperson, Jafter

Mamugudubi, said that the launch would be held at the Hyundai dealership in Louis Trichardt. It starts at 09:00 and all stakeholders are invited to be present.

The Wavhudi Gymnastics club in Thohoyandou held their club championships at the Thu lamela Municipality’s hall on Saturday, 3 December, where young children from the age of six to 14 years participated, and the winners went home with medals and certificates. The club was established by well-known local gymnast Angel Mulaudzi. In the photo, the club’s young gymnasts proudly display the certificates, trophies and medals they had won during the club championship. In the front, from left to right, are: Marandela Rambuwani, Ti nashe Nematali, Refilwe Mabina, Amira Nematali, Yoanda Nemadzivhanani and Ndivhu wo Mulaudzi. At the back are Angel Mulaudzi (trainer and founder of the club) and Vhutali Tshivhase. Photo supplied.

The newly appointed head coach of Vondwe XI Bullets, Mr Lufuno Ndou, is optimis

The new head coach of Vondwe XI Bullets, Mr Lufuno Ndou. Photo: Frank Mavhungu.

Ready to take the team to a higher level. Mr Moses Muthelo. Photo: Frank Mavhun gu.

Uhone Munzhelele of Ravies protects the ball, while Rofhiwa Ma dome of United Brothers tackles him from behind. Photo: Frank Mavhungu.

Musangwe bouts continue (but no women allowed)

By Victor Mukwevho

The Vhembe Traditional Entertainment Organisation has announced that bare-knuckle fights (musangwe) will resume in December at the Makonde grounds.

A well-organised meeting was held at Makonde on Thursday (1 December) to discuss the programme.

According to the chairperson of the organisation, Mr Peter Ramarada, this year’s tournament will be held at different venues. “We are starting here at Makonde and [will then] proceed

to Tshifudi, but we will see as we go on if we will also utilise other available venues. The tournament will be held every Thursday and Saturday, starting 8 December to 7 January next year,” he said.

During the deliberations, everyone agreed that women would not be allowed to participate in this tournament. One of the most decorated bare-knuckle fighters of all time, Abraham “General” Radali, said that musangwe had never been meant to be a woman’s sport. “This is a man’s sport, where real and strong men are separated from weaklings (mihota). Women are not even welcome to attend, let alone participate,” he said.

The vice-chairperson of the organisation, Mr Fhatuwani Nethononda, said no age limit existed in this sport. “Boys as young as six years can participate, as long as they fight against their own age group. Even men over 70 who feel they can still fight are allowed to test their strength against other men,” he said.

United Artists ready for Defenders

By Frank Mavhungu

The teams campaigning under the banner of the ABC Motsepe League in the Limpopo Stream will play their last league matches this weekend before they break for the festive season. The match expected to attract a huge number of spectators will be between United Artists and Mpheni Home Defenders at the Makhuvha Stadium on Friday afternoon. Whether United Artists will have enough strength to stop Home Defenders is something that remains to be seen. Home Defenders are still to drop a league point this season. They managed to win all six games they

had played to date. Artists must win the game to enhance their chances of escaping the relegation axe at the end of the season.

Home Defenders are still fresh from a 1-0 victory over Bellevue Winners Park at the Louis Trichardt High School Grounds last Saturday. On the other hand, United Artists are still in pain from their 0-1 defeat at the hands of Musina United at the Musina Old Mine Stadium. United were beaten 0-1 by Home Defenders in their first-round league match that was played at the Louis Trichardt High School Grounds about three months ago.

After hosting United Artists at the

Musina Old Mine Stadium last Friday, Musina United will play another match at home. They will entertain Munaca FC at the same venue on Saturday. A win for Munaca will enhance the team’s chances of promotion.

Vondwe XI Bullets are waiting for Mikhado FC, with whom they will fight for league points at the Tshifudi Stadium. The Mopani derby between Bellevue Winners Park and Giyani Happy Boys will be played at the Giyani Stadium. The other fixtures are The Dolphins FC vs Mighty FC, Tubatse United vs Eleven Fast Tigers, Tzaneen United vs Ditlou FC and PJ Stars vs Phinnet City FC.

Ready to give Home Defenders a run for their money: United Artists FC. Photo: Frank Mavhungu.

The vice-chairman of the Vhembe Traditional Entertainment Organisation, Mr Fhatuwani Nethononda.

Photo: Victor Mukwevho.