Iparty yokuviyisana nabadala nge-christmas]

NGU: Ayabonga Nkalitshana

Iziko labantu abadala eAlice iPhumalanga old age ibibambe umbiyozo we-christmas apho bekubiyozwa kunye namaxhego namaxhegokazi beviswa kamnanda bephiwa kunye nezipho ze-christmas liziko eli nelithe lancediswa ngumasipala we-nkonkobe. Omnye wezithethi ebezikhona ibingu Anele Ntsangani nongu-Mayor kamasipala nothe wabulele ukubakho kwabantu nokubonisa uthando kubantu abadala nabo babone ukuba bayathandwa kwaye bakhathalelwe.

Usekela mphathiswa wezonxibelelwano emzantsi afrika u mama uStella Ndabeni-Abrahams nobengomnye wezithethi kulomnyadala uthethe ngoku bambisana kwabantu abadala beqinisekisa ukuba ulwazi abanalo bayalugqithisela kubantwana babo kunye nabazukulwana. Uqhubeke wanqwenelela abantu abadala i_christmas emnandi  kunye nempilo ende ukuze babenexesha lokugqithisa amava abo apha ebomini kwisizukulwana sabo esizayo.uthe wanikela nge-computyer kunye ne-printer ukuze incedisane nemisebenzi yeliziko labantu abadala.

Bebonwatyiswe ngu-butho vuthela nobebaphethe ngengoma zenkolo bedanisa kumnandi.

umvalo wonoTaxi

UmThandazo wokuvala unyaka wono Taxi base Dikeni

Ngu: Thembela Mjiba

Ibilithuba elihle nelinqabileyo kumchola choli wendaba ukubona elinye icala lonomashishini be Tekisi lingelilo eli laziwayo ngabanizi lingaginyisi mathe ncam, ngelixa bebebambe umthandazo wokuvala unyaka bengono Tekisi base Dikeni. Lomthandazo ububanjelwe eholweni loluntu apha eDikeni ngomhla we 19 kweyeNkanga inyanga.Lomthandazo ubuwonganyelwe nguye usihlalo wombutho wono Tekisi i VETA apha eDikeni u Sicelo Sihluku. Lomsitho uqale ngokuthandazela abaqhubi betekisi baze bakhululwa ke uyokusebenza kushiyeka osomashishini beqhuba umthandazo.Likwathathiwe nethuba lokwazisa ngezaziso zombutho apho kwaziswe ngokushiywa lelinye ilungu lombutho utata uGwadiso , ntoleyo ithande ukuziphazamisa intliziyo zamalungu esihlalweni ,kuba bebejonge ukuvala unyaka nogxa wabo.

Kwakwizaziso banqinibene osomashishini bebongozana ukuba baxhasane xakucelwe benzenjalo ngumbutho.Obephethe lomsitho nobebeke ilizwi lemini ibinguye umongameli uLulamile Mseleni. Ilizwi bekuvalwa ngalo unyaka beliku Marko 3:33.  Apho athetha ngelihlobo" Lumkani musani ukulala, thandazani ningayeki.Ululamile uthe ukhethe lamazwi ngoba ufuna ukulumkisa azise amalungu e VETA ukuba u Thixo lo uyabanceda abantu bakhe ngokoke kufanele bengamalungu ombutho balumke bathandaze bangayeki kuba uThixo uyabamamela abantu bakhe .

 Yena engu Lulamile wayengana moto iminyaka elishumi wacela imithandazo ecaweni kungoku nje unenqwelo mafutha ezimbini. Ukwakhuthaze ogxa bakhe abangakabinazo inqwelo mafutha baqhubeke bathandaze.Ahlomlile ke namanye amalungu ombutho wono Tekisi phantsi kwalamazwi." Sijongwe ngathi asinabulumko singono Tekisi ngabantu ngoba siqwalasele inzuzo ngaphezu kwento yonke.Ukanti singulombutho singaphumelela siye phezulu kodwa ukuba asina Thixo sizobonaka sizizidombu". uhlomle watsho uMachiva Caku nolilungu elongeziweyo kwikomiti wombutho we Tekisi.

Baninzi bahlomle phatsi kwamazwi abakiweyo kodwa eyonanto bonke bayimisa phambili zinceba zikaMdali emana ekhusela inqwelo mafuta zaba kunye nabasebenzi ngelixesha likaxakeka xazihamba imigama emide zigudusa abantu kumakhaya wabo bakwazi ubafikisa besaphila.Bazingombe isifuba besithi iminyaka iyaqengqheleka ungasoze uve kusithiwa imoto ekhwelise abantu isuka kwidolophu ezifana neKapa ibhukuqe nabantu Kungoko beziva bengakwazi ukungambuleli bamcele uThixo ahlale esenza njalo.Uwavalile ke umfundisi u Bongani Sondlaka webandla le New united strangers , nokwanguye Nosomashishini we Tekisi. Uwavale ngokucabula kumzekeliso wentombi ezilishumi apha ezinye saziziyatha  ezinye zizinqhondi esithi bengosomashishini mabafane neziya ntombi zazizinqhondi baphaphe bahlale bethandaza . 

Amathole and Nkonkobe Host Salga Games ’15 in Fort Hare University

By Samkele Letese

After a violent spur of the #FeesMustFall protests, Fort Hare, Alice Campus opened its doors to the community as it hosted the 6^th annual South African Local Government Association (Salga) Games. The games saw local municipalities and teams going head to head in numerous sports.

The games had various sports namely, Boxing, soccer, Volley ball, tug of war, table tennis, netball, pool and rugby seven actions. Amathole Municipality Major, Nomasikizi Khoza said, whilst declaring the games open, “Sport is not about winning. Sport is about enjoyment, by finishing the game you’re already a winner”

The games were hosted by Amathole Municipality along with Nkonkobe Municipality under the theme “Celebrating 15 years of Democratic Local Government. Going back to basics to consolidate and deepen a developmental and people centred local democracy”. 

The goal of the games were to encourage an active, creative and healthy lifestyle to citizens in the province, to focus on mass participation in sporting activities in communities and to encourage collaborative engagement amongst municipalities through participation and contribution in sporting activities.

The games started on the third of December and concluded on the sixth. The Salga games started in 2010 and were hosted by the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM), in 2011 were hosted by the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality. In 2012 they were hosted by the O R Tambo Municipality then Alfred Zo in 2013, Chris Hani in 2014 before it came to Nkonkobe Municipality this year.

Major of the Amathole Municipality also emphasized on the 16 days of activism against the abuse of Women and children by motivating the players to know that they are playing to raise awareness. She said she knew that the times we live in are harsh and some of the youth are forced to into playing the role of the parents due tragedious circumstances.

BCMM volley ball player, Kamvelihle Kamile said “I advice all women to be outspoken about abuse, in fact. 

Nkonkobe Municipality Lose to Nxuma Municipality in a Friendly Soccer Match

By Samkele Letese

On the 9^th of December Nkonkobe municipality hosted a Nxuma for a day soccer. The two teams seemed evenly matched throughout the first half, with multiple shots on target and magnificent saves. Cracks began showing early in the second halffor thr Nkonkobe team and the Nxuma team looked to capitalize on that. The Nxuma team became more aggressive as fatigue seemed to grapple the Nkonkobe team.

During the final 15 minutes of an upset filled game, Nkonkobe looked to revitalize the team by substituting two fresh pairs of legs, but unfortunately they couldn’t get the results the team needed, instead missed several opportunities to score. The Nxuma team capitalized on a defensive blunder in the wee minutes of the match to secure the only goal of the match.

 The Redeemed Christian church of God Celebrate their 2nd Anniversary

By: Thembela Mjiba

The Redeemed Christian church might be on its infant stage in Alice but it has been around for over decay now since its establishment in Nigeria. This all commenced when  Pa Akindayomi heard a voice telling him that he will be God's servant , not wanting to believe what he heard he decided to ignore the calling , until seven years later when nothing in his life including his  business venture  was  not going alright . Finally submitted himself to the lord's will and was willing to do what the lord wanted him to do and go where he wanted him to go.

The church was then formed in 1952 in Lagos Nigeria then spread over 181 countries since then including South Africa. The Church is fast growing in Eastern Cape as well. The celebration of the 2nd anniversary of the Fountain of life parish in Alice is evident .The pastor of Fountain of life Omobola Okoh stated that it was not an easy call to establish a new parish but with the help of her wonderful team of ministers and of course the Lord as the head of it, the Alice branch can be said now to be stable.

 Okoh didn’t forget to thank her husband for forever supporting her and she also extended gratitude to Kevin ....... the chairperson of Anniversary committee and the committee as whole for a job well done. She even mentioned that it is pleasing to the church that they have noted influx of South Africans joining them .However Oko admitted that she wanted to dodge the calling initially be course she felt inadequate to be a pastor but then again recalled that when God calls someone to a position he provide  assistance.  The three days anniversary celebration came to an end on the 22 November on a Sunday thanksgiving service.

The keynote speaker bishop ...........addressed the congregation under the theme found in Exodus 15: 11-17 where it states "God of wonders”. The are many powers out there that are meant to deceive and lead people astray but God is more powerful than all powers .He continued and said be course God is a God of wonders he can make the impossible possible. He can put end to our oppressors, fight our battles for he is a God of war. He fought battle of King David and numerous other prophets of old .All that is required of us is to turn away from our ways and be rooted in the word of God. To his sermon he also tried to eradicate the notion that states "all Pastors are thieves and liars trying to rob people of their monies.

He stated that prior to his pastoral calling he was an engineer then a pastor. He said he is mentioning this because he once met a stereo typed  person who thought as such but later on joined the church and invested so much in the a lot after his conversion. So there are a number of such people out there who don’t follow God due to these ideas. One need to pray for God's wonders and have faith to see them concluded the Bishop.

Ladies if you want equality then be man enough to accept responsibility and face consequences

OPINION BY : Ayabonga Nkalitshana

If you want 50/50 at least be man enough to accept responsibility and face the consequences. There is no right or wrong in the way of life. A human being has both responsibility and consequence due to actions taken. From what I have observed during the years of people, especially women in their fight for equality is that they always claim it in the wrong places and seem to asset their need for equal treatment and empowerment only when it suits them.

For example as a couple we should have equal responsibility to ensure the relationship is both financially viable and emotionally equipped. For its simple, I feed you, I put clothes on your back and a roof over your head then I am entitled to make decisions concerning your life because for the fact that you can’t take care of yourself it means you not fit enough to make decisions concerning your well-being and future.  From where I am standing you give 20% of power in your life.

We are in a partnership which demands that we share responsibility and consequence.  But if you can’t share in the responsibilities which make our partnership financially viable and emotionally equipped then you can’t also share in decision making and consequence. You give men 20%of your 50%, which makes men a majority shareholder if we put it in the terms of business.

If I sound too sexist or even discriminative, I am not going to apologize for that, it’s my opinion, my freedom to expression.      As women, if you want to be like a man you have to act like him. Go to work; feed the family take care of your own damn self, do not prostitute yourself in manner that leaves you powerless. This thing is exactly the way it’s done in the world of business. If we buy into a business, they money you put and the shares you have give you the power you desire. And if you don’t invest money you have no share, no say and no demands.

Then you become an employee who dances when the boss sings. Some people may look at this and have a conclusion that I am sexist or something but the real issue that I am trying to communicate is for women taking a step and be valuable to their cause, intelligence is admirable in a men but its more sexier and commendable when it is being exhibited by a women who knows what she wants and is not afraid to get it.  If you want equality then fight for it and show that you can stand the heat, and also your are worthy of your womanhood.

PROSTITUTION- A CAPITALIST ADVENTURE

BY: Ayabonga Nkalitshana

OPINION -The well-known reality about prostitution is that it helps people without employment to be able to provide for themselves and their families, and be able to have a comfortable living. To some it is a solution to their life problems of unemployment, poverty, and many others they face every day. These are some of the extreme measures people go to for help and it has become a survival mode for people who lack skills, or some even have those skills but are not given a chance by society to play a role in its development. In my own thinking and understanding prostitution is part of the economic culture that exists globally.

Lawmakers and government officials need to stop running away from the fact that capitalism as much as it has been good to some people but it is the root of the most unjust conditions we find ourselves in. it is an uncontrollable state of business where people sell themselves for a profit without needing to be managed or directed. It is the only type of business where you get the product directly from the supplier all the time. It has been made illegal because it has limited control and management basis when it comes to tax and the contribution to other payable levies by capitalist entities.

Its legalization in approximately 38.1% countries around the world has meant that no one other than the sex worker benefits from the earnings of the work done. It helps protect the workers from exploitation and risks that they face on their everyday work, also the abuse by law enforcers. In some states where it has been made legal it forms part of tourism and attracts many visitors around the world. In reality and in truth prostitution cannot and will not be totally controlled or managed in its illegal state, it is the sort of business that has been there for many decades and will continue to exist as long as there are people who are willing to sell.

It is a choice made by an individual whether to become part of this growing business or not, as long as there is unemployment, poverty and lack of service delivery, it will always be there as part of society.

A mentally retarded nation

By: Ayabonga Nkalitshana

OPINION-Our interpretation of stories or even statements made by our political leaders is the very basis of our biasness and the feed to the stereotypes that exist in our society. The minds of people are used to the destroy of having a single perspective and understanding of the circumstances that happen which are the forces behind the discriminatory, racist and offensive behaviours of our people.

These are the dangers of having a single story. It limits the ability to think out of the box and influences people not to think beyond their extreme capabilities. It’s shameful to see a society who can’t think beyond what they have been told, by the media or any other medium that conveys mass information. Those people are gatekeepers who chose what we deserve to know and what we don’t have to know, it has to carry commercial value.

There is little being said about humanity, the need for dignity, love and care.  Need for a consistent society. The danger of a single story limits your ability to think and practice your rights effectively. It’s also going to be visible during the publications which are going to be made by former president of the republic of South Africa Thabo Mbeki. People are going to fall on a trap of understanding only a single story without investigating the real issues that influenced what transpired.

Ntselamanzi community goes digital with free internet access and Wi-Fi

By Samkele Letese

Residents of Ntselamanzi, a sprawling rural community at the outskirts of Alice can now enjoy free internet access and WIFI with the launch of a digital hub at the community recently. The internet hub sponsored by the Calabar Foundation and Sifunda Kunye Educational Project in conjunction with Bridging the Gap Hub, is part of efforts to bridge the digital divide in rural communities.In his speech during the presentation of the internet hub to the community, the executive director of the Calabar Foundation and Sifunda Kunye, Ali Pauluhn, said Ntselamanzi was one of the lucky communities and five partner schools across the Eastern Cape that have benefitted from its technology and computer labs adding that the foundation has identified some potential schools where it will be building computer labs in the future.”

The Nkonkobe Economic Development Agency (NEDA) plans to link up the Ntselamanzi hub to its business support centre to enable the youth and other community members’ leverage on the facility to acquire skills and knowledge to grow the local economy. Head of the NEDA, Mandisi Mani said “Sifunda Kunye already have an internship program in place and “we are going to offer those interns an opportunity to get practical experience through working with the project”.

In the meantime, the German Development Corporation (GIZ) has pledged its commitment to partner with NEDA to support local enterprises in Ntselamanzi. GIZ representative, Mr. Khai Webber who was present at the unveiling of the Ntselamanzi internet hub said that the corporation would be willing to provide business support for locals on a fortnightly basis.
Among dignitaries that graced the handing over ceremony were the founder of the Bridging the Gap hub, Lwazi Mbambo and Mr. Morne Tesnar of Delyn Security which pledged to offer free security services to the hub. Earlier in his remark Mbambo had thanked the Sifunda Kunye project for making it possible Ntselamanzi to join the club of townships with free internet access and WIFI. He said the hub will be of great service to the many students of Fort Hare University and Lovedale College who reside in Ntselamanzi 

Joburg based clothing brand - My Closet - eyes Eastern Cape

By: Luviwe Pinda

High flying fashion house, my closet is set to open shop in the Eastern Cape as part of its expansion strategy. The Johannesburg based company said the decision to open a branch in the Eastern cape was a way of giving back to their home province and helping to create employment and boost the expertise of  fledgling  designers in the region.

My Closet which was established three years ago by two enterprising ladies, Akhona Shosha and Akho Mayatula has gradually carved a niche for the brand in the traditional design sector. Speaking to IDikelethu recently, Shosha said the company is poised to redefine the design of traditional attires to make it more attractive. Traditional wears she said represent a unique way of promoting the cultural heritage and identity of South Africans but regretted that many young South Africans were not keen on wearing the attires because they do not flow with modern trend. “That’s what we are focused at doing at my closet, to adapt our traditional wears into modern designs, she said. On the challenges of being an entrepreneur, Shosha confessed that “starting your own business is not easy, but something that requires a lot of time and effort’, however, she said the brand was committed to do all it takes to get to the top.

My Closest has dressed celebrity stars, such as Zandile Msutwana, Sisa Hewana, Zizo Beda and her husband Mayihlome Tshwete. Shosha says the brand which slogan is “Your style vault” is looking forward to adding many a-list stars to its clothing line this year and to engage upcoming designers and entrepreneurs who are skilled, especially in designing traditional wear to achieve their dreams.

 

Pictures: Courtesy of Akhona Shosha

In most cultures, traditional designs are considered appropriate for both men and women. It performs a range of social and cultural functions, such as individual, modesty, religion and also serves as a form of an expression of personal taste and style.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES AIMED AT EMPOWERING ALICE YOUTH

By Samkele Letese

The Calabar Foundation, the Sifunda Kunye Educational Project and other Stakeholders were in Alice at Ntselamanzi Village to visit the project site of the Bridging the Gap Hub as well as to present the project to the community. Bridging the Gap Hub is the container that will serve as the community’s internet hub.  Founder of the Bridging the Gap hub, Lwazi Mbambo said “In our rural setup areas there’s a digital divide but Sifunda Kunye has made it possible that today we (Ntselamanzi) are one of the townships that have free internet access and WIFI.”
Ali Pauluhn, the executive director of the Calabar Foundation and Sifunda Kunye, said “we’re here visiting our project sites for now, that includes our technology and computer labs at our five partner schools across the Eastern Cape and also visiting some potential schools where we will be building computer labs in the future.”Linked with the Sifunda Kunye project is the Nkonkobe Economic Development Agency (Neda) who will utilize the container as a business support center. Head of the NEDA, Mandisi Mali said “Sifunda Kunye we are going to a partnership, we have an internship program in place and we are going to offer those interns an opportunity to get practical experience through working with the project”. Mr. Mani also pointed that that Neda has to ensure that the local economy has growth and that there’s participation from the youth and local enterprises, etc.
Mr. Khai Webber from the German Development Corporation GIZ, working with Neda, spoke of the opportunity the hub will provide for Ntsela mansi village and that they plan to connecting the hub to business support so that businesses from Ntselamanzi Village will develop. Mr. Webber said that they would like to have business support on a fortnightly basis.
After words of welcome and the community leaders’ vote of thanks, one of the stakeholders, Mr. Andrew Summers shared some of his memories of Alice. He then said that after his successes in London and New York his way of giving back is to invest in rural education in the Eastern Cape. We provide schools with computer and literacy programs.Mr. Mbambo said that since Ntselamanzi has becoming a residence for students from Fort Hare and Lovedale College, and that this would benefit said students. He  also said “I also want to thank all our stakeholders, from Delyn Security, Neda,, our municipality and our community for embracing this project which is on the its baby steps but we are moving from strength to strength”Mr. Morne Tesnar from Delyn Security also sent a vote of thanks to be a part of the project. Delyn Security would offer free services to the hub.    

THABO MBEKI BREAKS THE SILENCE

By: Ayabonga Nkalitshana

The transcripts written by former president of the republic Thabo Mbeki explain the manner by which certain issues were misjudged and the way which certain individuals who contend for leadership positions within the African National Congress use their corporate ties to manipulate the public through certain media individuals who become part of propaganda plots to gain power and be in leadership positions. The media (likes of Ray Hartley) formulate attacks on imaginary enemies to discredit them in the public domain by deforming their character and reputation as a leader.

All this creates opportunities for business people to give funds and support the candidate into a position of power and in return they get government contracts and tenders. Some of these businesses have no capacity whatsoever to perform the work needed, and thus weakens the government’s capacity to deliver services.

This practice has not only affected government but also the ANC as a political organization in South Africa because now it has become part of corporate capture. This was also mentioned by General-Secretary of the ANC Gwede Mantashe in an ANC general council last year. This simply means that the ANC main priority is no longer representing the needs of the people, but ensuring that its corporate allies are taken care of. The media puppets who allow to be manipulated in these propaganda tendencies also stand to personally gain something at the end.

These were some of issues which Mr. Mbeki put emphasis on when trying to explain the manner by which he was ousted as the president of both the ANC and the Republic of South Africa.

Maltreatment of co-workers in the workplace

By: Luviwe Pinda

The fact that an employee is told to drop an attitude while his/her employer gets to work late, demanding an assignment that can be researched online. It gets even worse when s/he embarrasses you in front of your colleagues, and bullies you. There will be favouritism against one employee in the working environment. Even worse, the one who has become the manager’s puppet simply drops a bombshell on you about your attitude and gives you the malicious remarks.  That is why some employees are forced to hand in their resignation letters and look for other jobs elsewhere.

Sometimes, it’s true when one says, “If you speak the truth, you will not remember anything.” The quote also relates to that until you know who you are, you will never know what you can become, meaning that in order to be a good liar, or tell a very good lie, you have got to remember what you said EXACTLY how you said it and be able to go over it in the same manner over and over to gain credibility.

As an individual, you come up with ideas that can be useful at work. Questions that we often asks ourselves, do our employers even bother to look at some of the ideas we presented in meetings? The answer you’ll get is that we’ve looked at the ideas, we’ll consult a meeting later in the week, and you find those ideas dumped in the rubbish bin.

Not only that, an employer needs to know that money doesn’t make the world go around. There comes a time when one needs to have peace, respect and trustworthy around the workplace, and that’s sometimes the reason why a co-worker feels uncomfortable.

Initiation disaster in the Eastern Cape

By: Ayabonga Nkalitshana

The Eastern Cape has a recorded number of 42 initiates who lost their lives during the initiation season. This is an increase from the 28 number of deaths recorded in the initiation summer of 2014 which raises concerns about the practice and regulation of the initiation custom. The manager of initiation at the department of health has confirmed that most of these deaths were caused by dehydration especially in the Chris Hani district.

The Chris Hani district boasts of more deaths in the province than any other region with 16 initiates who lost their lives during the initiation season. Chief Ngangomhlaba Matanzima said “We prayed for zero deaths, but instead we lost 42 young lives through a custom that should not kill. All these deaths could have been prevented if we had vigilant traditional nurses and maximum participation by parents. Traditional leaders and communities must understand that initiation is a societal matter,”

Despite these shocking revelations more than 30 000 initiates returned home healthy as the initiation draws to a close with academic institutions and schools reopen on Wednesday the 13^th of January.

'El Chapo' apprehended

The infamous drug boss of Sinaloa  drug cartel Joaquin ‘ El Chapo’ Guzman was apprehended by Mexican authorities in the north western Mexico on Friday morning and sent back to the prison he broke out of in July 2014 through a mile long tunnel that led straight into his prison cell.

It has also been confirmed that Mexico will extradite Guzman to the United States as soon as possible. It is believed that Guzman was on a mission to have a made out of his life. This biopic helped the investigation which led to his arrest.

KHOI-SAN 1000 KM TREK

Khoi – san activists will once again embark on a journey to fight for social recognition and political freedom. The 1000 km walk which is an attempt to raise awareness about the predicament of south Africa’s indigenous people is headed for Pretoria where they hope to engage with the National house of traditional leaders to iron out issues they feel have been dragging for long.

They have previously walked up to 700 km to parliament in Cape town as an effort to engage with the National assembly on issues which they feel have been an injustice to the Khoi tribe. One of their main grievances is the recognition of Khoi-san as the first nation of South Africa with intentions to reclaim the land taken from the tribe after the promulgation of the land claims act of 1913, and the recognition of their native language as an official language in South Africa.