Chaos as TUT Students & Guards Get Into Physical Fight

Anorth Mabunda, Sthembiso Sithole & Lindokuhle Mnisi

@Anorth Mabunda, @sitholesthe & @ Dr_Dream_SA

Students broke windows and stole batteries in security room.

The Soshanguve North campus of the Tshwane University of Technology is under police watch after students clashed with the security officers on Monday night. Chaos broke out when an officer working for security services provider, Triotic, allegedly assaulted a student who was drunk for not producing a student card at the gate.

 

After the slapping of the student other students then attacked the estimated 30 security officers

“The student was drunk and didn’t have a student card. The officers then refused to let him entry to the university premises. The students tried to enter forcefully, prompting the officers to slap and throttle him until he falls down,” said a student who was at the and did not want to be identified. 

The students then went on a rampage vandalising two Triotic control rooms, smashing doors, light bulbs and windows with heavy stones and bricks. They also broke the boom gate at the entrance and forced their way into the control room, stealing radio batteries to block communication lines between security officers. Most guards then fled the campus.

One officer trapped inside was allegedly assaulted by the students.

Fearing they will be victimised as well; officers guarding the dormitories and other buildings inside the campus changed their black, white and orange uniforms so that the angry students wouldn’t identify them.

Two police Nyalas with heavily armed policemen were deployed at the scene. The Public Order Police drove inside the campus with their nyalas to rescue about five officers who were still hiding inside the residences. The armoured vehicles were hurled with stones by a mob of students, forcing the law enforcers to fire rubber bullets to scary the students.

One student was shot by the police in the hand and bled profusely. He was treated at the scene and later rushed to the hospital by ER24 paramedics. The paramedics didn’t respond to TUT Life’s questions.

Out-going campus president Ngwato Maila told the students that “no one will be harassed by anybody.”

“We are not going to be intimidated by anything. Let us listen to what the police are telling us. For those who want to sleep they should. We are not going to leave this case without solving it. Early in the morning will deal with the matter (sic).”

Triotic Site Manager, Mr. Jeffery Mandanda said, “no comment for the media” when asked about the riots. He told his staff that they should report to work tomorrow (Tuesday). Mandanda only mentioned that the cost of repairing the damage is approximately R20 000. Windows, doors, boom gates and other goods were missing.

University now under police watch.

“Currently there won’t be any arrests because no one wants to come forwarded with the information about the suspects who damaged the premises,” said Captain Sello Mohale of the Public Order Policing in Pretoria.

A student who didn’t want to be identified because she is well-known in the campus and fears to be victimised said, “These students are ill-mannered and lack discipline. We need these security officers. We should all respect the security officers and treat them as our parents.

It is a known fact that any student entering the premises must produce the student card. The officers were acted lawfully by prohibiting the student from entering the campus because he did not have a student card,” she said.

Not Much Changed in Soshanguve, But Residents Content

Sthembiso Sithole@sitholesthe STHEMBISO SITHOLE FACEBOOK

Earlier this year these people built shacks illegally,
they still don't have land a few months on.

Earlier this year we covered a story about Soshanguve residents who said they had been waiting for government housing for close to 20 years and had decided to occupy land illegally so they could build their own shacks. We visited those residents recently to find out if there had been an improvement in their aim to access adequate housing or at least get land allocation to build shacks. Many say they are happy for now as their pleas seem to have been heard.

“Finally we managed to get a stand given to us by the councilor, Marutula. Anytime soon we will be build houses,” said group chairperson, Matshona Matjeke.

This is a different scene from earlier this year when the group was demanding the councilor’s resignation just days after the May 18 local government elections. They were not happy with the promises that had been made by those they elected and it seemed they wanted overnight change – understandably as some say they had been waiting for houses since the mid-1990s.

The poverty and the lack of opportunities are clear as one enters Soshanguve and apart from the few food stalls and beer outlets found all over the township – the high unemployment rate is visible as many young people sit on street corners during weekdays.

Mduduzi Lukhele is an unemployed resident who depend on the family tuck shop for money. He says as a result of a few opportunities the crime rate then becomes high.

“Unemployment among the youth has led them to steal for our own parents and that is a bad reflection of how we have been raised.”

Despite this there are those who defend those they elect saying they are doing enough for them.

When one walks around Soshanguve it is easy to spot that many young people are smoking a drug rare in most parts. They call it Nyaope and it is a mixture of marijuana, anti-retroviral drugs and possibly other drugs as well.

These people seem to go to the polls each time there is an election, but very little change is seen here and many still live in poverty that existed under apartheid. People should also not celebrate free land to build shacks – adequate housing is a promise that is always made by the ANC government.

Part 2: Democracy and the Scramble for Libya's Oil & Economy

Sthembiso Sithole
@sitholesthe/ Sthembiso Sithole on Facebook

 Muammar Gaddafi's killing after his over 40-years of rule has been met by celebration in Libya and abroad, but this was just the first phase of change as the second phase with the west probably stepping in more is beginning today. It's still unclear how the anti-Gaddafi forces, who were descibed by the media as disorganised at first, received so many weapons to carry out such a large scale operation, but that's all in the past now - the ones that helped them can celebrate, but I'm certain they won't be resting as they'll be working hard to ensure their interests are well looked after.

The new rulers, the  National Transition Council (NTC), have gone public to express their gratitude to those who assisted. “It is a historic moment. It is the end of tyranny and dictatorship. Gaddafi has met his fate," an NTC spokesperson told AFP.



This shows that Libya has won the power to run their country politically, but perhaps the ordinary Libyan celebrating on the streets will not enjoy all the benefits they think will come with it. The west seems to be planning to take some control and they haven't kept the fact that they want to help a secret.

Libya is rich in oil and just like in many areas where there have been resources in Africa, rich nations often step in under the guise of assistance. Rich nations were also behind the removal of Gaddafi and many are not known for being good Samaritans.

US Senator John McCain told AFP that the death marked the end of the first phase of the Libyan revolution. "The United States, along with our European allies and Arab partners must now deepen our support for the Libyan people, as they work to make the next phase of their democratic revolution as successful as the fight to free their country," he said.

Now this is a senator from a country that never criticised Egypt's Muammar Gaddafi to the point that President Barack Obama delivered his first speech in the region in Cairo. They saw nothing wrong with his
30 year rule until his people peacefully removed him from power earlier this year.

Politics is a game of favours and those who helped the NTC will have to have some returned in the well needed commodity - oil!

It will also be interesting to observe the kind of democracy Libyawill have and who will be in the driver's seat as the new chapter of this country starts.

Rural Nquthu Struggles with Few Resources

Sthembiso Sithole@sitholesthe/Sthembiso Sithole on Facebook

Schools have been built in Nquthu, but this doesn not mean
the community has access to other resources and information.

Growing up in Soweto I have come to understand that community meetings are taken seriously. These would often be held in the evenings or on weekends when people are back from work. At times they turn ugly if
the authorities don't listen to community leaders like it happened in the township's Chiawelo section when it turned violent earlier this year. Community members burnt down a section of a former councillor's house as she was blamed for high electricity tariffs.

During the recent September school and university holidays I visited the village of Nquthu in deep rural KwaZulu-Natal and much to my surprise the community here doesn't participate in meetings that can build them. I attended one meeting to discuss electricity tariffs and less than half the community was there.



I had assumed that many would be there as meetings are their only way of communicating with one another. Many are illiterate and those who can read and write have a lack of community newspapers and forced to read provincial papers, often coming from Durban or Pietermaritzburg.

While one would think water is a human right that everyone should have access to by now, it was one major point of concern that Nquthu residents have. The availability of water, or the lack there of, was another major issue during the meeting.

After the meeting I spoke to a few young people and they feel the youth is still overlooked in this traditional, patriarchal society. They say they often struggle to get their points across as young
prople.

On close inspection it appeared that the lack of resources is probably the cause of such poor attendance as councillors don't have resources to pass information about these meetings to those they represent. Community members also say they they don't know what's expected of them as this information isn't shared. What ends up happening is that councillors end up making decision as consultative processes are
difficult in this rural setting.

Journ Student Gives Power Talk in Rural High Schools

Sthembiso Sithole
@sitholesthe/ Sithembiso Sithole on Facebook

Matric pupils had many questions for Mbatha when he visited their schools.

During the one week September holidays second year journalism student, Bhekinkosi Mbatha visited schools in his rural community of Nquthu in KwaZulu-Natal to educate high school pupils about the option of
university. Mbatha also informed the students about government loans that can enable them to study beyond high school.

“It is crucial that we continue with our studies. Universities are not meant for whites or for
those who come from advantaged families only,” Mbatha told the pupils.

His audience of 200 was predominatly made up of matric pupils from Muziwephahla and Khethukuthula High
Schools.


He shared his experience of how he managed to come from the community and ended up studying journalism at one of the top journalism departments in the Tshwane University of Technology, a school recognised by UNESCO as one of four centres of potential centres of journalism learning in the country.

He emphasised the need to utilise the National Financial Aid Scheme that helps approximately 70% or more students in all South African universities every year.

Despite this power speech there was still a bit of scepticism as some were worried about accommodation.

One of the pupils, Zakhele Ngwenya, believes that nothing is done to help them choose the right career paths as information is seldom provided in schools with no support to help them get ahead in life.

“Career expos are mainly held in other areas such as Johannesburg but in this area there is nothing done for us to know about careers and opportunities,” Ngwenya said.

Although in some high schools in the area the government is building new classrooms for students - there are still no computers, equipment for scientific experiments and libraries.

One of the biggest challenges that this community is facing, is a lack of a community newspaper. Nqutu does receive a variety of newspapers though such as the Sowetan, Isolezwe, Ilanga, the Daily Sun, Zulu Land
Observer and so on.

Members of the community ranging from school children to adults say those papers don’t produce local content which reflects their society and that those papers are mostly in town and it is often expensive to get
there to buy them.

40-year-old Elizabeth Sithole says it is not easy for them to tell their stories as reporters often arrive late.

One Grade 10 pupil says the availability of newspapers, especially a local one, would help her with her grammar.

Up Close and Personal With The Fabulous Baker Girls

Sthembiso Sithole

Shoe Cake

What is your business all about and when did you started it?

We are The Fabulous Baker Girls (FBG). We started our business in January 2011. In fact, crazily, we resigned our permanent positions on our belief in our product, and our passion for what we create. Our business is about creating custom cakes. It is our mission to turn our clients’ special occasions into a fabulous celebration through our unique, one-of-a-kind confectionary. We create custom cakes for weddings, anniversaries, engagements, christenings, confirmations, birthdays, or any other function.

Where is your business based and why that particular area or place?

We are based in Kenwyn (Lansdowne), Cape Town. We are a home cake design studio. The location of our house basically dictated where we would base our business.

How did you start your business and why did you start it?

We started the FBG knowing that rental space for a bakery is exorbitant, because of the amount of space needed. In addition, the specialist ovens and equipment meant that we would need to take out some kind of business loan. We decided against this because our planning process indicated to us that we could create our custom cakes quite comfortably in our home kitchen. We started the business because we saw a gap in the market for custom cakes. In addition, we wanted to be our own boss…or cake boss in this case J

Why did you decided to do cakes and please explain how did you get involved in the cake business?

Gucci Handbag Cake

Nazneen has always loved baking. The custom cakes began when she started making birthday cakes for family members. Other people saw the cakes and requested that she bake cakes for them, and that was how it started. Charles has always been entrepreneurial and he is also an artist, having had exhibitions of his abstract art in the past. When Nazneen started baking birthday cakes, she found that she could not keep up with the demand because her cakes were different to the usual cakes that people would buy at a bakery or at a supermarket. Towards the end of last year when we decided that we wanted to start our own business, it seemed a logical step to move into the creation of custom cakes. Although a number of people bake cakes and cupcakes, not many people are able to do what we do in terms of customisation.

Who are your associate partners and what are their roles in your business?

The Fabulous Baker Girls comprises Nazneen Lalla and Charles George (a husband-and-wife-team). Nazneen does all the baking and the fine decorative detail on the cakes, as well as the marketing and the cake designs. Charles, with his artistic background, does the sugar art and the construction of complicated cake toppers. He also does the carving of the cakes, as well as the covering of the cakes with fondant (plastic icing). We have no other partners other than our five year old daughter who is the third, and littlest, Fabulous Baker Girl J

Who finances your business and what kind of cakes you do? You may give the type of cakes you do and their names?

We finance the business ourselves. We have no financial backing; we have no business loans etc. We make any kind of cake and cupcake. We have created handbag cakes, shoe cakes, bustier cakes, kiddies birthday cakes, etc. Your cake dreams are our reality. So if you can dream it, we can make it. We make madeiras, sponges, chocolate mud cakes, carrot cakes etc. We only use chocolate mud cakes for our carved cakes because these cakes are so incredibly dense and therefore can hold up to being carved.  A sponge will just collapse if we tried to use it for some of our creations. Our sponge cakes are the lightest, airiest cakes that you will taste. All our cakes are freshly-baked. We use only real butter and fresh cream in our confectionary. We use absolutely no pre-mixes and we use no preservatives. Our cakes are exceptional in terms of taste as well as design.

Who is your target market and why?

Our target market is divided up into different segments. Primarily for private functions, our target market is women.  Women organise the family functions, and so they buy our cakes. In the time that we have been operating, we have had three men buy cakes. Then we are targeting event planners and wedding coordinators. Usually, every function requires a cake, and the event planners and wedding coordinators offer a bespoke service in which they source all aspects of the function, including the confectionary.

Kiddies birthday cake

What has your business done from the period you have started?

As our reputation has grown so our business has grown ten-fold. We literally started with one sale in January 2011. Our business is visual, and when people see what we are able to do with cake, they place orders. We have been very fortunate in that we have had a number of repeat customers. Also, we have tapped into social networking using FB and, to a lesser extent, twitter. We find that our clients love our cakes so much that they market for us. In this way, we get so many requests for quotations that translate into actual sales, and often the demand is so great that we work practically 24/7 to meet our turnaround time of 3 days to generate a quotation.

What are the challenges that you have come across and how did you manage to overcome them?

Our single biggest challenge has been marketing. We have a zero budget for marketing and had to structure our marketing strategy with this as our main consideration. Nazneen’s experience in the Social Capital Unit, in the Provincial Government of the Western Cape, and Charles experience as a training facilitator of financial advisors have been invaluable in formulating the marketing strategy. We understood that social networking sites such as FB and twitter would be our greatest tool because these sites allow us to display our creations in the best light possible. Our business is visual, and these sites allow us to post pictures of our cakes. Once we post a set of pictures, our Blackberries die on us because of the response to our cakes.

A huge challenge is that people want our cakes at that quality, but they do not want to pay for it. We have had to resist the temptation to drop our prices. We are not a volumes business, and people cannot expect to pay volumes-business prices.  Another challenge is that people often don’t take seriously when we tell them that we need 14 days to one month for the sugar art to dry properly. They give us one week, sometimes even one day. Unfortunately, we have had to turn away customers who wanted the sugar art but within unrealistic time frames. This is a massive challenge because we try to do everything possible to accommodate the client. But sometimes even we are unable to produce a work of sugar art in the compressed time that we are given.

Who are your greatest competitors and what do you normally do to be on top of the game?

Our biggest competitors are other cake design businesses and anyone selling confectionary. It is very easy, and cheaper, to get cupcakes at a supermarket bakery. We stay on top of the game by making sure that we offer our clients a cake or cupcake that they will fall in love with. So our designs are critically important, because they must be visually pleasingMost times people refuse to cut our cakes. This has been the common theme running through nearly all our sales. We always do a follow up a few days after a sale to make sure that the customer was happy with our cakes/cupcakes. The most common comment, consistently, has been, “I refused to cut the cake” or “the birthday boy/girl refused to cut his/her cake”. We have had people with tears in their eyes when they see their cakes, and then again when they cut their cake. We also make sure that our confectionary tastes exceptional. Again, we often hear, I did not want to cut my cake, but when I did it was the best cake I have ever eaten. We stay on top of the game by providing our customers with exactly what they want. If they want the moon as a cake, we will give them the moon as a cake. Our personal touch and exceptional service has always been remarked upon. People love engaging with Nazneen because she takes such an interest in them. She also responds to every comment on FB and every email that is sent to us.

Lastly you may add any relevant information about your business and tell us why people should come and support your business.

We take pride in our ability to create a custom cake for any occasion. We sell an experience. So many people have said that they never had a special cake when growing up, and now we are there, and we provide them with that experience. There is no feeling in the world quite like it when someone realises that this exquisite creation is entirely theirs. People should come and support us if they want to have this experience, or if they want to give this experience to a loved one. When we create a cake for someone, we will make it FABULOUS! That is The Fabulous Baker Girls Promise!! The Fabulous Baker Girls: When ONLY a FABULOUS cake will do!!

For more info or order:  fabakergirls@gmail.com or call Naz at 084 027 2478

Up-close and personal with TUT FM Network producer and presenter Sibongiseni Gentsu aka Black guy with a Chinese surname

Sthembiso Sithole

SS:What is TUT NETWORK all about?

“It is about all about informing, entertaining and interacting with the community. The show runs from Monday to Thursday and we have different contents for each day. We discuss social development, education, business and politics, entertainment, motivation and social issues”

Sibongiseni Gentsu on the
TUT FM  Network.

SS: What makes your show different from other shows in TUT FM?

In my show there is a feature called Bua sechaba.  People call in to express what they like and what changes they want in their society. Another thing that stands best in this show is that we also bring solutions to the challenges that our society is facing.

SS: What is the best part of the show you enjoy the most and why?

I always enjoy Tuesdays show. I always go to the studio telling myself that I am there to learn. We discuss issues around education and I have passion for education.

Since you have brought the issue of education, what is your view about the education system in South Africa?

I think the education system in our country has a problem and that problem does not lie in the government but in the hands of all those involved, parents and learners. Teachers don’t want to adapt to changes. Technology has come with full force to dominate our horizon. Teachers must adapt to the technological advancement.

SS: Who do you normally invite in your show and why?

I invite different people from inside and outside our campuses. Mr. Maremo is our education analyst. I believe he has so much to offer and that he helps when it comes to finding students bursaries. On Wednesdays show different political structures, parliament and the SRC come to discuss and bring solutions to the matters that are affecting TUT students.

TUT STUDENTS MAKING MONEY

Sthembiso Sithole

TUT Journalism students wearing
Cape Town T-shirts.

“What happens in Cape Town stays in Cape Town.”

TUT second year Journalism students Afrika Mdolomba and Cyril Skosane have collaborated with their production companies called Afurah Productions and Gub’Tahz to design t-shirts to unite all second year journalism students who are going to Cape Town on September 9.

T-shirts range from various colours and art work and only cost R130.

Cyril Skosane believes that next year, winter hoodies will be available for next year’s second years.

“We are hoping that first years from our department will be inspired to work hard in their studies, so that they can wear these t-shirts when going to the Mother City.”

The Department of Journalism takes second year students to Cape Town every year.

Dj Sbu rocked the students

 Sthembiso Sithole



DJ Sbu rocked and motivated TUT students on August 27 during Mr and Miss TUT Sosh Res.

Dj Sbu entertaining students during
Mr and Miss TUT finals.

He talked about the importance of success and shared a story of how he managed to make it in life and in the show bizz.

“I use to live at Central here in Soshanguve. I was determined about all the things that I wanted to achieve in life,” DJ Sbu said.

 He also encouraged students to appreciate education and to do their best as the economy of the country is still in the hands of the white minority.

 Dj Sbu is currently celebrating his 10 years in the music industry and has four companies under his name.

Mr and Miss TUT Residence 2011 finally came to an end

Sthembiso Sithole

Kutlwano Mopoi and Respect Nkhwashu
crowned Mr and Miss TUT Res 2011.

Mr and Mrs Soshanguve Residence 2011 Final was top-notch.

SITHOLE EXPRESS was part of the show as it unfolded at the Soshanguve South campus, Gencor Hall on Saturday, August 27.

Our paper is proud to present Respect Nkhwashu and Kutlwano Mopoi as 2011 Mr and Miss TUT Sosh residence.

 “I am so happy for my daughter. She has made the whole family pleased,” said the mother of the queen, Eva Mopoi.

Kutlwano and Respect show cased their confidence throughout the show.

As they were both crowned, students welcomed the judge’s decision by applauding hands and screaming the names of the winners.

 “This is what we pay our money for. I believe that the judges made the right choice and I wish them the best luck.” One of the students who attended the show, Nomthandazo Zondi said.

The king, Respect, said he is happy and is ready to do great things for all resident students.

All contestants looked nervous as MCs Tumelo Makgoara and Thabang Mdluli called the top five on stage.



1st Prince and Princess, Mthokozisi Maphumulo
and Kopano Chiloane. 2nd Prince and Princess
Ntokozo Ndlovu and Dineo Moloisane.



 Former, Mr and Miss TUT Res, Sakhile Hlatshwayo and Thuli Nkosi walked on stage.They waved to the crowd while saying their last goodbyes.

DJ Sbu entertained the crowd of more than 2000 students. Valencia Malatjie member of the residence committee said everything went according to plan.

Sibusiso Mabaso and Olwethu Mabovula were the winners for Mr and Miss Personality.

1st Prince and Princess are Mthokozisi Maphumulo and Kopano Chiloane. Ntokozo Ndlovu and Dineo Moloisane were crowned 2^nd Prince and Princess. SITHOLE EXPRESS would like to congratulate all the winners from the top 10 to 5.

Good luck to our new King and Queen of our residencess.

TUT Students empowering community

Katlego Mtshweni at the Lethabo drop-in centre.

Sthembiso Sithole

 “Each One Help One” TUT students making a difference in the Lethabo drop-in centre, Soshanguve block H on 21 August.

Tirisano is a project that involves students that range from Department of Public Relations and Business Communication

With the task given to Tirisano by their  lectures to make a provision of the needs that will satisfy the NGO with the highest possible standard of professionalism.

The group have gone out to seek for donations since March this year from members of the community. After all the hard work, on Sunday they donated food parcels to Lethabo drop-in centre.

“The whole point of today is to give food parcels and to ask for the community to assist us in helping this centre,” said Succeess Libisi from Tirisano. John Mahlaule a leader of the NGO shared his appreciation. “I am thankful with what is happening today. The group is dedicated and they have made change in this community.”

The centre caters for children from 0 to 18-year-old but it is also planning to increase its catering for pensioners.

 “Every after school, children come to eat, play and our mission is to expand the number and age of the people that receive service from Lethabo drop-in centre,” Mahlaule explains.

Despite the challenges that the two partnerships explored, they managed to receive help from TUT Department of Agriculture that has promised to start a garden for all who benefit from the NGO.

Sthembiso Sithole

Soulfull Productions record label owner, house dj and musician Steven “Mario” Zwane had an exclusive interview with SITHOLE EXPRESS on Thursday, 25 August.



Mario and Sandile Mdluli.



A TUT student is yet to release a new album and some of his songs are already hitting the radio waves.

Steven “Mario” Zwane started doing house music in 2009 after he realised that he has potential to produce.

The third year Information Technology student describes his 13 track album as an adventure.



 He said has worked with different creative people such as DJ Locker, M-Chase, Johny J, Lerato, Aborica, DJ Pat and vocal artist and poet, Sandile Mdluli.

On July this year, in block H, Soulfull Productions hosted an event where they were looking for a girl that would be in the cover of the album.

Like any artist; Mario experienced challenges before he made it into the music business.



 “I started with one computer without proper equipment but today I am happy that things are going my way.”



Mario’s close friend, Sandile Mdluli, is also featured in the upcoming album titled “DJ S.Mario House Evolution”.

  Mario says he has uploaded 400 page reviews, music downloads and tracks from his upcoming album.”

To listen to DJ S.Mario House Evolution, visit www.soundclick.com /djs.mario or join him on Facebook, Dj S.Mario.

Photos Send A Message

Sthembiso Sithole

Photographers are there to do what they do best and they are not there to be part of a story or to change the meaning of the photo. 

A photo of a ten day dead baby in a bin

South Africans have expressed their views and feelings about the fact that Daily Dispatch newspaper has placed the photo of a dead baby in the front page. In most papers the headlines were; Horror of the recent Daily Dispatch front page of a dead baby; what do you think of the front page of today’s Daily Dispatch?


Well in respond to those headlines and to the question whether the Daily Dispatch was right or wrong in printing the photo. This is what I think. Photos are what keeps the town talking and photos in a newspaper are aimed to send a message and to alert the community of what is happening around them.


The photo adds significance in the story and this story was best told with this photo. The public can’t ignore the fact that there are many mothers who put their ten day children in danger.  For the fact that it got people talking, I believe it raised awareness about what is happening and the impact of children being raised by mothers who take drugs.

The thing about this photo, most readers have viewed it in a negative way only forgetting the message behind it. I think they should take time and review the photo in another angle.

Reference: http://mishsolomon.com/daily-dispatch/,

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-132763/Ten-day-old-baby-dies-going-entire-spin-cycle-wasthing-machine.htm#ixzzW1ZwnW4F,

http://www.news24.com/

http://www.twitpic.com/

 www.newseum.org/

Community Believes Butchery Sells Human Body Parts

Sthembiso Sithole

The Winterveld Community believes this
butchery sold a child a human penis.



“I am scared to sleep at night, I am no longer free. I regret why I gave community members that difficult meat to chew.”

This is a reaction of Paulina Mahlangu who was sold mixed livers that allegedly had human parts in Winterveld in the local Butchery.

This comes after her grandchild, Lindeni, was sent by her mother who refused to be mentioned to buy mixed livers for supper as usual.

Mahlangu says she didn’t check the pots when her grandchild was cooking but later told her she was hungry. “I was eating with my grandchildren when I tried to bite the meat that was difficult for me to chew. I called my child to explain why this piece was hard to chew, I then asked my self what kind of meat is this?”

Paulina Mahlangu is conviced she ate
a partof a human penis.

Mahlangu says she thought it was a turkey’s heart, but her daughter and some community members disagreed saying they were male sex organ.

“My grandchild was doing her washing when her cousin came and asked where I placed the meat. I told them that I threw it in the bin. With their curiosity they searched for it, discussed it and later told other people,” she explains.

After some community members saw the meat they agreed it was a penis and later called the police. Thereafter there were suggestions the butchery from which the meat had been bought should be burnt down.

The police first went to the butchery, but couldn’t find the owner. They later took Mahlangu’s daughter and grandchild to make a statement at the station.

Loate Police say the meat has been taken to forensic testing and results should be released in three weeks.

Buthery owner, Joshua Khoza, says he is being falsely accused . “I don’t sell human body parts, I sell fresh meat for my community and I am a Christian,” he says.

Mr & Miss TUT Res Elimination Photos

After an 18 Year Wait for Houses Residents Build Shacks by Force

Sthembiso Sithole

Soshanguve residents without government subsidised houses are calling for their councillors to step down as they say they haven’t fulfilled any of the promises made before elections. They say they had been promised houses but this hasn’t happened and as a result about 100 families have decided to build their own shacks rather than sit and wait for the people tasked with assisting them. Some even accuse those in power of selling these free houses to foreign nationals – an accusation that has been the cause of many alleged xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

“The current elected councillors are misrepresenting us. That is why I call for Soshanguve to unset (Simon) Maratula,” says one of the residents.

In the township’s extension 7 residents say they have even taken their grievances to the Department of Human Settlement but their requests have been largely ignored.

The Soshanguve Housing Data Base Council (SOHDACO) is a group of residents who say they applied for RDP houses in 1994 without a single one being built.The group says proper procedure was followed. SOHDACO chairperson, Matshona Matjeke, says they have been in and out of Housing Department offices and are always told that they are on a waiting list. As a result these residents have met in the township and decided to write an authoritative to the City of Tshwane. It seems there isn’t enough land for their interim solution an.

“We are now fighting for space where we can build our [shacks]. By tomorrow shacks must be standing in extension 7 to show that we are serious about occupying the place,” says Matjeke.

SOHDACO Secretary, Patrick Masuku says they can no longer wait for change and they must take what they want as they have been ignored in the past. “If people can use force they will get what they want. The issue of foreign nationals getting houses that we have applied for a long time, is creating problems,” explains Masuku.

Some residents are concerned about the lack of safety in the township and worry about police reaction to it as they say a Metro police shot a 72 year old lady with a rubber bullet during the public meeting.

Sowetan Entertainers Doing it for the Love

Sthembiso Sithole
Sowetan, Bonginkosi Madondo, says he is driven by the love of art, African culture and traditions and as a result has participated in various theatre productions such as Amasiko and Devil Protest. He started performing at the Positive Art Society in Phiri Hall in the township in 2003. Through the legacy of the late Thembinkosi Nkabinde who was the founder of the group, Bonginkosi has taken over the initiative.

“Art is something for us performers to tell those untold stories. It heals spiritually,” says Bonginkosi.

The 29 year old who is also gumboot dancer and choreographer believes that one can make a living out of art.

“I have raised a kid and built a place to sleep in through art. Everyone who loves art can achieve his/her dreams,” he explains. Walking around Soweto it becomes apparent that the arts are keeping many children off the streets.

Mkhonto Arts and Cultural Group is one of the few art groups that are growing in the township. The group involves different aspects of art such as tap dancing, drama, gumboot dancing, etc. It is based in Phiri Hall, Soweto and caters for youngsters from High school to those who have completed their schooling.

The group has performed at President Jacob Zuma’s Inauguration and at the recent Siyabakhumbula Awards on 25 June this year at Gallagher Estate, Midrand. Through their hard work and determination they have showcased their art skills in countries such as Spain, Austria and so on.

As any group growing in the township, they also experience challenges such as a lack of funding. The group master feels that there is still a lack of recognition of South African actors and he does not agree with the fact that international stars come to the country and portray icons like Nelson Mandela and his ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

“If Soweto is known worldwide, why don’t they fund it? It is all about making money but not empowering our South African artists,” he elaborates.

20-year-old Zanele Sibisi joined the group three years ago and believes that participating in such activities helps her from getting up to mischief. “I benefit a lot from the group and it takes me away from drugs,” she explains.

Tap dancing is one of the activities that are growing in the country and Mduduzi Buthelezi says he is ready to go an extra mile to make it in this genre of dance.

“I want to achieve big time in my career. Many [black] people don’t know much about tap dancing, whites are exposed to it and I want to change the perception that it is meant for whites,” he stresses.

The group is planning on telling the stories of human trafficking and is currently preparing for a Pan African festival to take place in Algeria next month.

Chiawelo Residents Meet to Demand the Release of those Arrested

Sthembiso Sithole
Chiawelo residents are demanding the release of those arrested for the burning down of a former councillor’s house and the attack of the new councillor’s car and on Friday they protested outside court where those arrested earlier in the week were appearing. They say the case should not have been postponed.


On Wednesday evening there was an emergency meeting in the township where their way forward was discussed.


An estimated 2000 residents attended the Jo’burg City emergency meeting on former councillor Miriam Ramafola, newly elected councillor Johannes Nemangauni and the green metred electricity boxes that started all the trouble. As Eskom General Manager Bandile Jack was approaching the podium the crowds started singing struggle songs.

Jack told the crowd why some had their power switched off. “It started when we switched off electricity for those who had illegal connections,” he said.

His message seemed to have been falling on deaf ears as some were calling him names with a few youths waving posters written “Green Boxes Down”.

A 70-year-old woman identifying herself as MaTshabalala complained said she grew up in the area and the metred box grievances have been going on for a while and said the initial promise was that they would be removed in 2007.

“We are finished by this electricity, we pay a huge amount of money with our pension money. It is unfair,” MaTshabalala said.

Mayoral committee member, Matshidiso Mfikoe, told the residents that they embarrassed themselves while SAPS representative Simon Mpembe said none of the 25 arrested will be released as the community demands.

“Police are not responsible to the release of people who are arrested, the court is responsible,” he elaborated.

Some community members left early swearing and turning chairs upside down.

Those who remained behind were told to register with Siyasiza Expanded Social Package. This initiative is offered to those who are disadvantaged and offers free basic water, electricity and create short, long term job path.

Eskom promised to come back and switch on the power for those who have been switched off.

The 25 will appear in court on Friday next week.

Chiawelo Residents Not Backing Down

Sthembiso Sithole

Chiawelo residents are still refusing to back down from their demands of cheaper electricity tariffs despite five community members including two minors over the burning down of the former councillor’s house earlier this week.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa lambasted the community when he visited with Police Commissioner Bheki Cele. As they arrived in their lavish cars, journalists and residents were waiting on Nefefe Street outside the house of ward 12 councillor Johannes Nemaungani.

Apart from the burning down of the house - the cars of Miriam Ramafola and Nemaungani were also stoned. Ramafola told Joun’Tau about the nightmare she witnessed while her grandchildren were in the house.

“I received a call from my cousin who told me that there are people on the way to my house and they say they are going to burn everything. It is then that I quickly rushed outside to lock the small gate and unfortunately I forgot to lock the garage.”

She says while she was hiding in the house, protesters were already outside braking windows and later managed to open the unlocked garage and torched her car.

“In 2007 Eskom proposed to change old electrical boxes to new green boxes that will force community members to buy electricity through prepaid cards. They all agreed on this installation of green metred boxes in the meeting,” Ramafola elaborated.

According to the former councillor this is the second attack that has occurred in her house. ESKOM spokesperson Hillary Joffe explained that no metred boxes will be removed.

“Our technicians were working since Tuesday to solve the crisis and most of them were threatened. In the past two weeks we experienced the same problem and we are not planning to move any metred box,” said Joffe.

23-year-old resident, Gift Matu, says the councillor lied to them about the green boxes failed to tell them proper procedure on how they would be explained.

“We are told to pay R50 every day in order for us to get electricity. Miriam told us that we had no choice but to pay for these,” he said.

Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Mpho Tau, urged the community not to repeat the incident.

Addressing the crowd Police Minister, Nathi Mthetwa described the incident as terrifying. “We want everybody to work with the law force agency. Everyone must condemn this horrible situation,” Mthethwa said.

While the minister was speaking, an elderly lady shouted at the minister saying he drives nice cars without understanding their plight.