SITHOLE EXPRESS Investigation Leads to Completion of House

Sthembiso Sithole

Senini Chauke excited that Jou'Tau published the story
leading to the construction of his house.

On 18 May 2011 Journ’Tau published a story on a 70 year old man, Senini Chauke, whose house hadn’t been completed by Xazulula Construction Company Renovation. The construction company had been tasked by the council in Soshanguve to build houses for several community members.


After the publication of the story the council has tasked the same company to complete the construction of the house and Xazulula has gone back to do the work they had initially neglected.

Senini Chauke wasn't a happy man two weeks ago
as the construction of his house had come to a halt.

During our initial story ward councilor, Rosemary Ngobeni, had said she was unaware of such problems in her area and thought all housing constructions were in order. She did promise to ensure that the incomplete house would eventually be completed as it is currently happening now.

Chauke says he is happy that his dream is finally being answered.

“I am very happy that finally God has answered my prayers, soon my house will be completed as it is winter time,”

The old man, currently suffering from ill health, initially told SITHOLE EXPRESS that the stress from an incomplete house was worsening her situation.

Students Voice Opinions on Minister's Indigenous Language Idea

Sthembiso Sithole

Higher Education Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, still needs
to listen to other opinions before announcing a final
decision on indigenouts languages.

The debate on whether students should learn indigenous African languages as proposed by Higher Education Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, is intensifying in South Africa. Last week at the launch of the New Strategic Planning Framework for Teacher Education in Pretoria Nzimande said he would take it upon himself to make the matter a special ministerial project to ensure that teaching and expansion of Africa languages was strengthened. He announced that he feels it’s important for all students to learn an African language in order to get a university qualification.

The Sowetan has reported that Freedom Front Plus General Secretary Piet Uys says he is concerned about the loss of certain languages. “Our issue with the whole (language) situation since 1993 is that we are going to lose Afrikaans universities.”

Students from various South African universities have differing opinions on the minister’s proposal.

Njabulo Madladla, a third year advertisement student at UNISA, says the idea is a good one. “I think
it’s a good idea, because we say we are in a democracy, as Africans it will help us not (to) struggle. This languages are used at home. Some people come from rural areas speaking their languages. Imagine how easy it would be if they come to enroll and continue using their languages.”


UNISA student, Thato Mohlomi, agrees with the
minister's plan.



Another UNISA student, Thato Mohlomi, says he believes if executed well then the idea will help out many who want to learn new languages.

“It is right because I saw in newspapers, most whites want to learn our languages, they want to explore,” says Mohlomi.

The topic has been discussed on social sites as well with TUT student Zanele Ngwenyama saying on facebook the money used to start the project can be better used elsewhere. “Why not take that money and build schools and hospital once?”

Also commenting on facebook another TUT student, Siyabonga Nxumalo, says it’s important for South African to learn languages of communities they are working in as that would assist them improve their communication with those they serve.

The minister says the idea will still be researched and reviewed before it becomes policy.

First Time Voter Believes Political Party Promises Not Achievable

Sthembiso Sithole

Agriculture minister, Tina Joemat-Petterson
faced a tough crowd over the weekend.
Photo: http://www.mg.co.za/

South Africans are going to vote for their municipal leaders on May 18 and as usual around election time political parties are out in full force mobilising people to vote for them on the day. I qualify to vote for the first time this year and I must make my choices carefully so I have conducted my own research.

Adequate housing, running water and sanitation are always at the top of the agenda for the poor and promises to improve these are often made by those running to be elected.

Ahead of the elections South Africans have seen newspaper headlines such as: ‘SA’s poor fed up with waiting for houses services’ coupled with the wave of protests have been seen and heard from the media sources. In the Northern Cape one community walked out of a speech by agriculture minister, Tina Joemat-Pettersson, with residents saying they are tired of being spoken down to and thought this was their chance to have a conversation with the ANC minister.

This means there is a huge conflict between the government and the citizens they claim to serve.



Many still call these shacks homes.

Many places such as Diepsloot and Kliptown in Gauteng, Ficksburg in the Free State, Khayelitsha in the Western Cape and Kwamhlanga in Mpumalanga lack service delivery and some of these areas have seen residents take to the streets to raise their voices about this.

At the local level, a study conducted in three major cities found that satisfaction with local government performance is substantially higher among white than black voters. Yet in all three cities, black voters overwhelmingly support the majority party and white vote for the opposition.

There are many questions that should be considered before going to the polls. Which areas lack service delivery; What people are expecting; What political parties have been promising then and now in the billboards, posters, websites; and most important in their manifesto. Are the plans achievable?

The government says it’s planning to improve the lives for the poor but squatter Ntombi Khumalo on a report by Mail& Guardian says she has moved from shack to shack over the past decade.

Khumalo is one of the people who live in informal settlement's north of Johannesburg, where there is inadequate electricity availability with hundreds of residents sharing one water tap and communal toilets.

The failure for some municipalities to deliver services
has resulted in protest marches.

The question that we should ask is why it took the government so long to come up with this law which is set to improve the lives of the poor, how is the plan going to be implemented or it is one of those empty promises that they make when it comes “silly season” election time.

One of the readers of the Timeslive wrote to the publication saying residents who took to the streets of Fickburg had no option as there hadn’t been adequate service delivery with inadequate water supplied to the area.

That shows that people are fed up with empty promises and poor service delivery.

Unfortunately the ANC has been making a lot of promises over the years which were not achievable. Expectations were created but there is a lack of capacity and commitment when it is time to deliver.

Well you have seen and heard how the ruling party and other parties are making noise on why South Africans should vote for them. Well I took time to view their manifestos I was not surprised to see that nothing has changed in their list of promises but only the wording in places.

The ANC was my first option for obvious reasons. It describes their manifesto as clear and achievable. “Our program is based on clear objectives and achievable plans.” It requires:

• Continued democratisation of our society based on equality, non-racism and non-sexism

• national unity in diversity which is the source of our strength, building achievements and the experiences since 1994

• an equitable sustainable, and inclusive growth path that brings decent work and sustainable livelihoods; education; health; safe and service communities; and rural development;

• targeted programs for the youth

• women, works, rural masses and people with disabilities and

• a better African and a better world.

It further continues to say that residents have gained the power to take part to elect representatives who will promote their interests.

Just on that first point, one could argue how the ANC democratising society on equality, non-racism and non-sexism. Second how is the ANC youth President Julius Malema uniting, strengthening and building the achievements since 1994 with his hate speech song kill the boer....

Which growth path that created jobs for the youth and which areas benefited from it.

Are this representatives doing their duties or travailing using the state money and are they ever held accountable.

Poor service delivery is caused by corrupt, in competent, uncaring leadership, who lack skills in assessment, visionary thinking, effective planning and implementing.

How can I forget the number one opposition party the Democratic Alliance. They say that “Our dream to South Africa is often an open opportunity society in which every person is free, secure and equal, where everyone has the opportunity to improve the quality of his life and pursue his dreams, and in which every language and culture equally respected and recognised”

How is Zille expecting people to trust her after what she did at Khayelitsha, Cape town with the toilet that were not covered? She was also in Port Elizabeth where she was dancing in attempt to get votes from the electorate.

The Inkatha Freedom Party says “Together you and I will hold IFP councillors accountable for their action.” Don’t you think they are saying that to impress you (voter) to get your vote?

While everyone is promising, the UDM welcomes former members and councillors from the DA and ANC. Hopeful that will get them more votes.

As I conclude, all political parties do their best to mobilise you (citizens) to vote for them. What you have to know and understand is that the country has limited resources. There leaders that will represent you will have access to those resources. There more you put them in power, the more they will have access to those resources. That is why you will forever complain.

As you prepare to go to the poll if you registered please think critically before voting and remember no vote no complain.

PASMA TUT Sosh Elects New Executive and Plans Recruitment Drive

PASMA Gauteng Chair, Terrance Ditlake, addressing delegates
during the movements election in TUT Soshanguve



Sthembiso Sithole

Close to 100 Pan Africanist Student Movement of Azania (PASMA) members attended the elections of their new executive at the Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) Soshanguve South Campus on Friday.

The main objective of the gathering was to nominate the new chairperson of TUT Soshanguve branch and the academic exclusion of some of their members by the university. Just like in South Africa’s municipal elections it seems as if issues of gender imbalances are at the top of the student movement’s agenda.

“I pray that the leadership to be elected today, gender will be gender equal,” said Terence Ditlake, PASMA’s Gauteng chairperson.



The outgoing chairperson of the branch, Bongani Dladla addressed the challenges faced during his tenure in office. One of the delegates wanted to know the reasons behind the reduction of exective seats from six to four and Dladla explained it by saying the dynamics of the campus were never the same as those of others and defended the need to reduce these seats.

He also complained of university management interference in the body. “Comrades were reinstated with fear by the management; therefore we could not have programmes.” He further continued to say that some comrades were no longer willing to participate in the programmes of the movement.

PASMA was suspended in the university last year following their involvement in a strike against what they saw as “unfair” academic and financial exclusions of students by the NSFAS and TUT. The strike had a huge impact at the Soshanguve campus and led to some students evicted from the residences. He says this will not deter them to work hard in future though.

“PASMA has always existed in higher institutions fighting for free education, non-racialism, non- sexism and free and compulsory education. Our role is to mobilise and strive for high education,” said Dladla.



The organisation says it will now embark on a recruitment process in order to grow within the university.

“Recruiting students from religious places (sic) and soccer fields will take the movement forward,” said the newly elected chairperson, Ofentse Moanakoena.

“PASMA stands to protect all issues that are affecting the students,” he said.

SASCO Plans Protest Marches at TUT and Outside Minister Blade Nzimande's Office

Sthembiso Sithole

SASCO members getting ready for
Thursday and Friday protest marches.

The South African Student Congress (SASCO) has announced that it is planning a protest march for all Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) campuses on Thursday.

The body's General Secretary, Lazola Ndemaze, told students at the university’s Soshanguve North campus on Wednesday that his organisation is unhappy with the newly introduced campus bus fares, computers without adequate internet access and rejection of students by the residence administration.

Ndemaze exaggerated in his statement pleading with students to boycott lectures. “Students we are not mobilising you for nothing. TUT North campus has 20 computers used by 2000 students,” he told the crowd.

The decision to march follows SASCO’s meeting with Higher EducationMinister, Dr Blade Nzimande. Ndemaze says he told Nzimande of his unhappiness with the luxury car the minister is driving. He says he further told him to stop sleeping in luxury hotels while some students can’t afford university education.

“As SASCO we have a plan for free education. Government must impose a tax to all the working class. We are also saying that expensive liquor that the 15 year old drinks must be taxed,” Ndemaze further elaborated.

Ndemaze then pleaded with the students to protest peacefully on Thursday. “No student must be caught breaking windows,” he said.

SASCO also plans to march to Minister Nzimande’s office at 8AM on Monday.

Higher Education Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, is delivering a public lecture to TUT students at the Pretoria West campus on Friday evening.

PASMA Feels PAC Sidelined by ANC on Human Rights Day Commemorations

Sthembiso Sithole

The Pan Africanist Student Movement of Azania (PASMA) took over the streets of Sharpeville on Monday in commemoration of Human Rights Day to honour the many who died for marching against pass laws in the township on 21 March 1960.

The Pass was a book that was created for black people by the apartheid government which would give them the right to find work in urban areas of the country. There were many uprisings in South Africa against the Pass Book and in Sharpeville on the day the police opened fire on an estimated 300 protesters which led to 69 deaths. A similar march took place in Langa Township near Cape Town.

On Monday in Sharpeville over 4000 Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) students went to the township’s graveyard to talk to the spirits of those who fell on the day.

Thereafter the students marched across the township to attend the main commemoration at the George Thebe stadium where they interrupted proceedings as they felt the African National Congress (ANC) has taken over the day and made it theirs.

“To us this day means commemorating all those who shared blood for the struggle of this country against the white oppressors,” says PASMA spokesperson Vusi Mahlangu.

The students feel that many young people are losing their history as such days are spent in celebration rather than reinforcing what led to them being commemorated. PASMA National Organiser, Small Zondo, believes that the PAC is not given the right platforms to reinforce the meaning of the day.

“We no longer have a programme in Sharpeville. Our history is the only thing that is written in blood,” Zondo mentioned in his speech on Monday.

After the speech he raised concerns about his party being sidelined by the ruling ANC. “We have been treated badly by the ruling party and that they are trying to erase the legacy of PAC. This day is for all who contributed to the struggle of the country. This is not ANC human Rights Day.”

Over the past few years the PAC has lost much support in South Africa with one of its active leaders Patricia De Lille founding her own political party, the Independent Democrats.

Kliptown Residents Feel Neglected Over Decade and a Half Into Democracy

Sthembiso Sithole

As local government elections approach thousands in Kliptown, Soweto, say they are confused on what they will be voting for as they are still receiving no services and their shacks are without electricity.

Some residents say they have registered to vote and have voted in the past, but are now weighing up their options almost 17 years into South Africa’s democracy. They feel the leaders they have voted into power have done nothing to improve their situation.

Many in Kliptown are still without adequate housing
provided freely by the government.

“I registered for the local municipal elections and I want a house and jobs for my children. It is hard for us living in these conditions, while ministers and the president live comfortably in parliament,” says resident indetifying herself as Mam’ Motswetse.

Motswetse says she has been in Kliptown since 1986 but has seen no improvement in 25 years.

Her family of ten family occupies a shack in the area and says none of her three children are employed and all ten survive on the government grant meant for her grandchildren.
Another resident, Qinisile Mazibuko, is one of the youngsters who believe that the government is

making empty promises. She says her vote has become that of hope as empty promises have been made in the past.

“We people have hopes that the government would bring change,” says Mazibuko.

She calls the election period a “silly season” and says all political parties are seen in full force then and disappear once the period is over.

“When it starts - election campaigns - the ruling party gives us food, constructs roads, builds RDP houses and convinces us that they are working hard to improve the quality of our lives,” Mazibuko continues.

Qinisile Mazibuko says Kliptown only gets attention around

election time.

Once the election season is over though all that stops according to her. “They are lazy to pick up the rubbish that is [on] the streets. All they know is to bribe us to vote for them. Other challenges that South Africans are faced with is the RDP houses bribes. People from outside (foreigners) own houses while our grandparents and parents registered for houses long time ago.”



Various political parties have been campaigning in different regions on South Africa and Soweto has been no exception ahead of the 18 May local government elections.

AZAPO Takes Election Campaign To Streets of Kliptown

Sthembiso Sithole

Residents of the ANC run informal settlement complain of such toilets.

AZAPO has told Kliptown residents that their vote on the May 18 municipal elections should be a protest against the current leaders in their community.

The party promises to improve the poor service delivery by increasing job opportunities and providing adequate houses with running water and electricity. Kliptown, Soweto, is a squatter camp where many residents have complained of a lack of service delivery and inadequate housing without proper sanitation and electricity. On Freedom Day, 27 April, AZAPO leaders went on a campaign in the area.

A man who identifies himself as Mfundisi Masithe who is the party’s candidate in ward 19 says AZAPO plans to improve lives in the area.

“We are going to [provide] change in ward 19. As AZAPO we need to take back power to the people. What we have seen since 1994 is that people have grievances. We are sick and tired of the issue of tenders, corruption, jobs for friends. This is our time to bring change to Kliptown. We need our people to get free education, transport to school, houses, clean water and toilets.”

More than twenty families often have to share a single toilet in Kliptown.

Thembi Nkosi who moved to the informal settlement three years ago says she is worried about safety as power cables aren’t adequately connected.

AZAPO on a recruitment drive in Kliptown, Soweto.

“Let us have houses with electricity that is connected to each and every house. Because currently we use electricity that is connected in more than six houses using one cable. It is not safe that is why shacks burn every now and then.”

AZAPO’s Gender and Women’s Affairs Secretary, Antoinette Manku Somo, says residents need to understand how democracy works.

“People need to change. We know that they have been voting for the ruling party, but they must change because there is nothing that the ANC has done for them,” says Somo.

Most residents welcomed the door to door visits, but there were others who shut their doors to AZAPO and questioned the change the party promises to bring. Those whose houses couldn’t be visited were given pamphlets on the side of the road stating all the promises of the political organisation.

Pretoria Township Residents Complain of Filthy Conditions

Sthembiso Sithole

Children forced to play in filth as open spaces become
rubbish dumps.

As South Africa is electing local leaders in a week’s time political parties are trying to convince the public on many reasons they feel they need to be voted for and some even doing damage control on the promises they have failed to deliver on in the past. We have seen the Democtatic Alliance and the African National Congress removing fighting gloves on issues of open toilets in certain municipalities and in Kliptown, Soweto, residents have complained of still being forced to use the bucket system while they live without adequate electricity supply.

In Soshanguve residents are now complaining of having to live in filth in the ANC run township and even ANC members say they have taken their leaders to task about the matter, but there have been no positive responses. The DA, previously known by many as a white party, has been seen campaigning here as well.

Soshanguve community member Marves Nemadebene says the garbage has created a massive problem in the township’s Block MM where she lives. “Dirt is affecting many families and children in this area. Dogs are dumped next to where we stay. I have tried to call the municipality to collect rubbish but nothing was done. I am tired now,” she says.

This is just one of the problems that might lead to her staying away from the polls. Nemadebene highlights other problems that have not been fixed in Block MM. “There is no street tar, [there are no] schools and crèches for our children to go to. They travel long distances to get to school and transport is expensive.”

Some residents have taken to clean the streets themselves.

“We clean for ourselves and burn rubbish. Councillor Maluleka who stays in block XX has done nothing about this rubbish,” explains Block XX community member Eunice Mapama.

Some of those complaining about the lack of rubbish collection in the area proudly say they are members of the ANC which is tasked with taking care of services in the township.

“The big problem is there are no dust bins and rubbish bags. We cannot reach structures to help us but as ANC we will do our best,” says ANC member Rose Moagi.

Emmanuel Mononya is one of the children who is affected by this dumped rubbish in the area. “This dirt is affecting us, because the wind blow and we get a bad smell. We hardly have a place to play in.”

Soshanguve South African Civic Organisation (SANCO) Chairperson and ANC member, Samuel Tshabalala, says such conditions are not new to residents.

“I speak on behalf of the community. We are used to this. We are told to get used to it. You go and complain to the office the answer you get is, we won’t be able to collect that rubbish,” explains Tshabalala.

Residents say they are tired of going to the polls to elect leaders who neglect them. The political playing field seems to have opened up in Soshanguve as the Democratic Alliance has been seen here telling people to change the party that governs the township.

Soshanguve Traditional Healer Says She Cures Aids Despite Criticism

Sthembiso Sithole


Gogo Rose says traditional healing methods should
be accepted in the HIV/Aids fight.



A Soshanguve traditional healer, identifying herself as Gogo Rose, claims that she has cured an estimated sixty HIV/AIDS patients in the township.

An article appearing on the website of HIV/Aids charity group, Avert found on http://www.avert .org, says in 2009 South Africa had an estimated 5.6 million people living with HIV/Aids – a figure higher than any other country in the world. This means that those claiming to cure the disease would have a huge clientele and Gogo Rose understands this.

“HIV/AIDS is big challenge that the world is facing. I cured sixty people who have this [illness]. Many people from Christian churches to ordinary people have come to me for help and I helped them,” she explains.

According to Gogo Rose, she has been a traditional healer for more than ten years and says she has a certificate.


Gogo Rose says her ingredients are a secret she will never share with anybody but says they work. Walking the streets of Soshanguve we found several patients who say they have been cured by her methods.

“We have received a cure. Life was tough and we thought it was the end of the world but Rose rescued us,” said a patient who refused to be named.

Gogo Rose says she doesn’t discourage her patients from using laboratory tested Anti Retroviral drugs.

“I don’t have a problem with people using ARVs but they need umuthi (medicine) so that it will help their immune system,” she says.

She also runs a traditional healing school in Soshanguve’s block JJ and has amathwasa (trainees) that are guided to practise traditional healing. They range from the ages of 20 to 32 years old. They say one of the challenges they face is criticism from Christian pastors who also call them names.

Skhuni Nkosi has completed her training with Gogo Rose and says she wants the same acknowledgement that doctors get.

“Members of the community, especially pastors must accept us. Doctors go to universities and study for medicine but when people die they don’t blame them but they blame us,” says Nkosi.

A man who identifies himself as Prophet Makgake who also runs church services on Sundays in the Soshanguve South campus says traditional healers should change certain things about themselves.

“We don’t have a problem with traditional healers. The only thing that we are concerned about is that they must welcome Christ,” says Makgake.

Many traditional claims to cure HIV/Aids have been a cause of much debate in South Africa. Former late health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang encouraged HIV positive people to go to traditional healers while taking a diet of vegetables. Tshabalala-Msimang was constantly criticised by HIV/Aids lobby groups for this.

Amathwasa say they will not deviate from their
training despite criticism.

In 2006 scientists were cautioning against the use of another traditional concoction from a KwaZulu-Natal traditional healer who also claimed his medicine could cure HIV/Aids. An article appearing on the website, http://www.health-e.org.za, on 22 March 2006 states that nurses in the Willowfontein clinic in Pietermaritzburg were putting patients on the waiting list for this medicine saying it would be introduced as an ARV which never happened.

Despite these challenges and a lack of recognition in traditional healers’ claims to have Aids cures ithwasa, Tshepiso Johanna, sees a bright future in her calling. “I have learned so many things and I believe there is still a lot that needs to be done. We will continue helping the community.”

As much as she believes in her work, traditional healers will continue facing much criticism in South Africa.

Voting Goes Smoothly in Sosh

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Voting Goes Smoothly in Sosh

Sthembiso Sithole

Ntate Selalale was the first to vote.

In the news we have been hearing a lot about the hotly contested ares such as Port Elizabeth, we were introduced to the Democratic Alliance’s 30-year-old Johannesburg mayoral candidate who is a former television presenter, we were even informed about new political parties such as Zanele Magwaza-Msibi’s National Freedom Party and we were told about areas that have inadequate toilets. There are areas I feel were neglected during this election because the voice of those people was not loud enough so I decided to get up early and go to Soshanguve’s polling stations to see what the residents were fighting for in Pretoria’s township.

Voting day began in earnest with residents out in full force as voting stations were packed in the early hours of the day. A man identifying himself as Ntate Selalale was the first voter in the Magistrate’s Court.

IEC officials making sure all goes according
to plan.

“I am happy for this local government election. I woke up in the morning and councilors must do their job. They must bring change,” said Selalale

“I have voted for the party that I love,” he said.

Another voter, Nomvula Maoketsana , says her vote is for youth empowerment in the township.

IEC Presiding officer Lesego Letswalo was happy with the turnout. “The system is going well.”

Different views and concerns from electorates emerged as in other voting stations with long, slow queues in the Nkhensani Primary School and Rulani Junior Secondary School. Voting systems there were also slow. Those waiting on queues could not be deterred as they were excited about the change that has come to South Africa as one young voter, Kelebogile Maffiman explained.

Ward councilor, Rosemary Ngobeni, voting at
Rhulani Junior Secondary School.

“Our forefathers fought for this liberation and that is why I am here to vote. I feel the evolution from generation to generation.”

ANC ward councilor Rosemary Ngobeni and General Mahlomola from SCD Metro also came to the polls and casted their votes.

“There are challenges but there are progressive things that we can do,” said Mangubeni

As people were voting certain members of the ANC were recruiting people.

Elderly Man Saddened By Victimisation from Relative and Unbuilt Home

While many South Africans went to the polls to elect leaders they think will improve roads, five them better toilets or remove garbage from their areas – one man says he wants a certain candidate to win because he has been promised personal improvements should that happen.

70-year-old Senini Chauke from Soshanguve’s Block H has ill health and now relies on a tenant in his home for hospital visit assistance.Furthermore Chauke doesn’t have a proper house and the company assisting him disappeared with building material they had initially donated to him. Chauke says the company is called Xazulula Construction Renovation. He is faced with another problem of his brother’s son constantly demanding pension money.

‘Late last year I was approached by the construction company which promised to build a house for me. Today I am faced with a of them having removed the material,’’ said Mr Chauke.

Colleen Dube who is a tenant of Mr Chauke moved suspects that the building material was taken from his landlord to build another house.

Ward councillor Rosemary Ngobeni says if re-elected she will do all in her power to assist the situation.