By Phumlani Saul

“Groove on the Green: Thousands Flock to Easy Sunday Soul Sessions Picnic at Gqebera Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium!”

The Easy Sunday Soul Sessions Picnic, held at Gqebera Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday, was a massive success with over 4500 people in attendance. This event catered to a more mature audience and offered a delightful lineup of Soul and RnB music, complemented by Afro Pop and a touch of Soulful Classic House Music from the Early 2000s.

The atmosphere was relaxed and laid-back, with people enjoying the beautiful weather and the soothing sounds of the music. The picnic brought together people from all walks of life to come and unwind, connect, and enjoy some good music and great food.

The idea of a lifestyle picnic for a more mature audience is a refreshing concept. It offers a space for people to come together and experience the soulful vibes of music in a beautiful outdoor setting.

The event provided a perfect opportunity for friends and family to spend quality time with each other and create lasting memories.

The organizers did a fantastic job of curating a diverse lineup of artists and DJs ensuring that there was something for everyone to enjoy.

From smooth RnB tunes to upbeat Afro Pop rhythms, the music selection had everyone up and dancing or simply swaying to the music.

The Easy Sunday Soul Sessions Picnic was not just about the music; it was also about the overall experience.

From the delicious food and drinks available to the cozy picnic setup, everything was designed to make attendees feel comfortable and at ease.

It was a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon, basking in the sun, enjoying good music, and connecting with like-minded individuals.

Siphosethu Adams (34) Told Daily Kasi News “Events like the Easy Sunday Soul Sessions Picnic serve as a reminder of the importance of taking time out to relax and enjoy the simple pleasures in life”

“In a world that is constantly on the go, it’s essential to have events that allow us to slow down, unwind, and rejuvenate our souls.” said Siphosethu.

Easy Soul Sunday Session Organisor doesn’t want to be named Said “For those who missed out on the Easy Sunday Soul Sessions Picnic, be sure to keep an eye out for future events. It’s an experience not to be missed, offering a perfect blend of relaxation, good music, and great company.

By PHUMLANI SAUL

Women in Gqeberha and surrounding areas were treated to a fun, yet empowering event at Board Walk Park on Saturday, 11 November.

The event was hosted by Doek On Fleek Nation Movement, a 100% black female-owned organisation that prides itself on employing and empowering young females. It was founded by Thandi Mavata in 2016 with the aim to celebrate women, their tenacious spirit as well as self-love and love for those around them.

Thandi Mavata, founder of the movement told Daily Kasi News “The Doek Nation Movement has spread throughout the nine provinces and in recent months we have introduced the movement to our neighboring African countries such as Botswana,

Lesotho and Zimbabwe. Our main focus in all these events is always the unity and empowerment of women by exposing them to opportunities within their communities as well as providing them with information of empowerment initiatives designed for women.

We also use these events to give locals and small business owners a platform to showcase their talent and products, but most importantly the events have become a safe space for women to let their hair down and fully enjoy themselves in the company of other women,” she explained

The event was attended by both young and old in a Park setting, where guests brought their camp chairs, blankets and picnic baskets. Guests also decorated their own picnic space as they saw fit, to give it an On Fleek picnic experience ambiance.

Andiswa Blaawu (23) Told DK team “I enjoyed myself today as I always look for such empowering and positive events to attend, and this one has met all expectations. I feel empowered and braver than before to go out there and continue to work on myself so that I can become the best version of myself, professionally and socially as both aspects play important roles in life. I look forward to attend more of these events in the future,” said Andiswa,

one of the guests. The ladies socialised while Jumbo sang his Hit Songs to keep them entertained, while having fun. Local businesses were also given the opportunity to showcase their products.

BY Phumlani Saul

At least four people were killed, and one person injured, in a mass shooting in a KwaDwesi home on Sunday night.

Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg confirmed the incident.

“I can confirm that four people died and one sustained injuries during a shooting incident,” she said.

“I don’t have any other information at this stage.”

According to police sources, the shooting claimed the lives of three men and one woman.. 

Sunday’s event marks the fifth known incident in Nelson Mandela Bay this year where four or more people lost their lives in a mass shooting.

This is a developing story.

By Phumlani Saul

The kariega safety co-ordinator caught three suspected livestock thieves slaughtering a stolen cow.

Nkosinathi Mdingi (46), Teboho Mphathi (46), and Gcobani Lekhanya (32) appeared in court on 31 October for possession of presumably suspected stolen livestock, and the case was postponed until 6 November for bail information.

The three suspects were caught red-handed slaughtering one of the cows near Dispatch power station on Saturday, 28 October, after the co-ordinator received a tip-off on the matter.

The rural safety officers and kariega stock theft officers spotted the suspects at a river bank slaughtering a cow. Two suspects were arrested, while the third escaped.

The Metro visible policing officers were called to the scene and with the help of the community, the third suspect was traced and caught near Khayamnadi Streets.

The officers recovered the slaughtered cow, three Brangus cattle including a calf, two heads of Brangus cattle, knives, pangas, and home-made spears.

The owner of livestock from Stankie near Perseverance identified his cattle, as seven were stolen from his farm.

An additional charge of stock theft will be added against the three arrested suspects.

By NTSIKELELO QOYO

Hundreds of KwaNobuhle residents started their weekend in high spirits on Friday after looting the stock from a SA Breweries truck that had earlier been hijacked and abandoned in the township.

I’ll The truck, carrying alcohol worth about R300,000, was hijacked on its way to Graaff-Reinet from the iBhayi plant in Perseverance.

Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said the truck had been intercepted on the R75 near Springs, Kariega

“At about 5.40am a liquor truck was hijacked by an unknown number of suspects in a silver Ford Bantam bakkie,” Beetge said.

“The truck was travelling on the R75 close to Springs, Kariega, at the Amanzi turn-off, when the bakkie overtook the truck and the driver had a gun pointed at him.

“The truck was then driven off by the suspects and the bakkie was dropped off in bushes close to NU29, Motherwell,” he said.

The truck was recovered in Relu Street, KwaNobuhle, at about 8am.

“All 18 pallets of beer were missing,” Beetge said.

A case of vehicle hijacking is being investigated by the Kariega police.

In pictures circulating on social media, residents can be seen looting the truck and running away with crates.

SAB spokesperson Kanyisa Nondyondya said none of its staff had been hurt during the hijacking.

“This morning an SAB truck was hijacked and looted,” Nondyondya said.

Thankfully, all of the drivers and crew members are unharmed.

“We have provided counselling services to help them cope with the trauma.

“We will co-operate with the authorities to resolve this matter,” she added.

By Xolisile Mazaleni

ZANDILE Nkwanyana was looking forward to a nice Christmas after saving about R10 000 through her stokvel. 

But her neighbour allegedly stole her bank card, making five withdrawls and taking all her money

The 39-year-old from Motherwell near Gqeberha said she always thought the woman who lived in the backyard shack next to her was a helpful person, but now she knows she was mistaken.

“I used to let her family put money for her in my account and then give her my card to withdraw it. 

“She knew my bank pin. When I received my stokvel savings, she stole my card and cellphone,” claimed Zandile. 

She said when she first realised her cellphone had gone missing, she didn’t think her neighbour could be the culprit.

“My friends told me they had seen my neighbour boozing with her friends in town. 

“When I went to check, her friends told me she had gone to her home in Dispatch .

“I followed her to Dispatch and was surprised to hear she had bought presents for everyone in her family.

“They had been given phones, groceries, shoes and clothes,” said Zandile.

“They said after she bought presents for everyone, she left home again and no one knows where she went.” 

Zandile said she is now facing a black Christmas with nothing to celebrate.

“I want the police to arrest this woman so she can pay my money back,” she said. 

Motherwell police spokesman Captain Petros Cholani confirmed a case of theft had been opened.

He said cops were investigating but that no arrest had yet been made.

By Nomalungelo Booi

THERE was a drunken argument in the local tavern when the young men questioned each other’s passage to manhood.

And Sinethemba Ncamiso (24) was necklaced for the apparent sins of his younger brother.

But Sinethemba’s proper passage to the afterlife is in jeopardy!

His family cannot mourn their son because a rival clan keeps throwing stones and petrol bombs at the house where the vigil needs to take place.

It happened on Tuesday night in Kamvelihle, near Motherwell, Port Elizabeth.

Sinethemba was kidnapped and burned to death by a group of unknown men on Sunday evening. His horrific death came after his younger brother (22), who was circumcised in June 2022, apparently questioned another man’s passage to manhood (ukudodisana) at the tavern that morning.

Sinethemba’s dad Mzwakhe (46) told Daily Kasi News : “An old man arrived at my house on Sunday armed with a hammer. He was looking for Sinethemba’s younger brother. He hit me with the hammer on my head and I nearly died.

“Later on I asked Sinethemba to go and buy airtime but he never came back. He was reportedly kidnapped by the crowd at about 7pm and burned to death.

When mourners gathered at my house on Tuesday night, stones and petrol bombs rained on us. I don’t know why my son was killed like this. He had nothing to do with the fight. 

“I will take his body straight from the mortuary to graveyard because I am really scared.’’ 

Constable Mncedi Mbombo said: “Cases of murder and arson have been opened but no one has been arrested yet.”

By Phumlani Saul

As SA continues to bask in the glory of the Springboks’ triumphant Rugby World Cup win, a shadow of injustice hangs over Nelson Mandela Bay. 

The decision by SA Rugby to exclude the metro cannot go unchallenged and that is exactly what numerous organisations and politicians are doing.

It was almost a given that the Bay would be included in the victory lap, as the city was home to several Springbok figures, such as captain Siya Kolisi, director of rugby Rassie Erasmus and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick.

Utility back Manie Libbok also has strong ties to the region.

Despite these deep-rooted connections, the decision to exclude Nelson Mandela Bay from the tour has left many disappointed.

Our city deserves its place in the Springboks’ celebration tour.

Family members of Kolisi and Libbok, Eastern Cape rugby officials, business leaders, and politicians have all voiced their concerns.

Acting EP Rugby Union president George Malgas pointed out that not enough consideration was given to the region’s significance in the history and development of black rugby. 

He emphasised the exclusion of the city that bears Nelson Mandela’s name as a glaring omission.

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander has defended the decision by prioritising population centres in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Soweto, Pretoria and Buffalo City to maximise the tour’s reach. 

While acknowledging the Eastern Cape’s importance in rugby history, SA Rugby’s decision to tour Buffalo City over Nelson Mandela Bay is puzzling.

This decision has dampened the pride that rugby brings to the Bay.

The disappointment expressed by relatives of Kolisi and Libbok is a stark reminder of the emotional connection the community has with these players.

It’s understandable that the people of Nelson Mandela Bay would like to be included in the celebration of the Springboks’ win, as it could serve as an inspiration for future rugby talent.

Residents must voice their concerns with SA Rugby to ensure our city is added to the tour as anything short of that is an injustice.

By Ozalanathi Langbooi

THE current situation outside the Gqeberha High Court in the Eastern Cape is heating up.

This is where Pastor Timothy Omotoso and his co-accused will learn their fate regarding the acquittal application. 

The case was postponed after Judge Irma Schoemann reserved her judgment on the defence’s application for a mistrial until Tuesday, 31 October.

On Monday, 4 September, defence lawyer Peter Daubermann made an application before the Gqeberha High Court, calling for the acquittal of his clients after the state closed its case

Daubermann accused the state of misleading the court and alleged that prosecutors colluded to change witness evidence.

Omotoso and his two co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho, are facing charges of rape, human trafficking, and racketeering.Omotoso supporters gathered outside the court with banners chanting and singing their leader’s name, while on the other side, the ANC women’s league and other political party supporters said no to gender-based violence.

By Ntebatse Masipa

MONDAY, 30 October, marks the official start of the final matric exams.  

More than 717 377 pupils sat for English paper 1 exams on Monday morning. 

And parents have been warned that those who use the matric exams to fight service delivery battles could land behind bars.  

The Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill, which was passed by the National Assembly on Thursday, 26 October, criminalises the disruptions of schools and exams.

“We can’t allow adults to use children as pons for their service delivery protests at the expense of the children’s education,” warned Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga. 

For years, parents used this opportunity and, in the process, disrupted exams. 

Motshekga announced this during a media briefing on the readiness of matric exams on Sunday, 29 October. 

Elaborating more on the Bela Bill, the minister said the amendments address some of the key challenges that have, for years, hindered the progress of our education ecosystem.

The bill has 56 clauses ranging from the introduction of grade R to learner attendance, code of conduct for learners, home schooling, rationalisation of schools, abolishment of corporal punishment and initiations, language policy, admission policy, criminalisation of disruptions of school,” said Motshekga. 

All the above-mentioned clauses in the bill are about providing access to education and providing a child-friendly environment as per the dictates of international treaties. 

“The country can’t fold its arms and watch parents using children at traffic lights as beggars instead of sending them to school,” the minister said. 

“The country can’t afford to have children working on farms or roam the streets nor allow adults to use children as pons for their service delivery protests at the expense of the children’s education.” 

The minister said this year, more than 717 377 candidates will sit for the final examinations at 6 898 centres nationwide.  

She said a total of 207 question papers will be written, with 72 500 invigilators monitoring the exams, and 52 500 markers have been appointed.