BY UNATHI ZUNGAYI

“Pastor Wilfred’s lost seven cars in 14 months!”,

WHEN more of his cars were wrecked, Pastor Wilfred knew the devil was back. On Friday he barely missed being killed when a wall crushed his Mazda 6 and Opel Corsa.

HE BELIEVES THE ONLY THING STANDING BETWEEN HIM AND SATAN IS THE POWER OF PRAYER!

“Seven of my cars have been damaged or stolen in just the last 14 months,” Pastor Wilfred Zilawo, from Enkanjeni in Jeffreys Bay, told Daily Kasi News.

In June last year, Pastor Wildfred’s Honda was stolen.

– The same month, someone drove into his new VW Polo while it was parked. In September his new Toyota 4×4 double-cab was stolen at the cop shop where Wilfred was identifying a church member who died when the church’s Toyota Quantum overturned.

– Late last year his Mazda 3 was destroyed in an accident.

– Last month thugs stole his Toyota Tazz.

– And then Wilfred’s Mazda 6 and Opel Corsa were crushed by a high wall at his house on Friday.

“The wall fell on my cars only a minute before I was supposed to drive my kids to school and my wife to work.

“I had just put my bags in the car and went back into the house to help my kids when I heard a loud bang that shook the house.

“When I went out I saw my cars buried under the rubble. “Obviously the devil wants to kill me and my family, but my prayers save us every time,” he said.

The United Pentecostal Church pastor quotes Bible verses whenever something bad happens.

He said Job 14:7 is relevant to his life. It reads: “At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail.”

Pastor Wilfred also quotes Isaiah 54:17, which says: “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.”

He told the DK Team that he will survive. “I know the devil will be defeated and I will keep on praying to God to give me strength,” Wilfred said.

BY ZOLA NXELE

Hip hop artist, MC and former TV presenter Mzayifani Mzondeleli Boltina, better known as iFani, got candid about his comeback to the music scene.

In a recent sitdown on The Venting podcast, the rapper reflected on how he spent nearly six years in the township, having squandered all his money.

“I’m not the only one. Sometimes when you go into a hole and find other people who are suffering the same way as you, you find a connection there. You meet these people and you have these conversations and you grow as a person,” he said.

Ifani went on to speak about what he learnt during his hiatus.

“It taught me a lot about patience. I wasn’t a patient guy. I wanted things to happen now, especially if I paid for it. I didn’t think I was going to go back to the township. I thought I was going to live comfortably.”

Ifani had a lot to learn while he was away. 

He is set to upload his music on all online stores after getting all his masters from Sony music.

He is now determined to rebuild his career “one brick at a time”.

On his Twitter (X) timeline, Ifani shared gems with upcoming artists about building relations in the music space. 

“To my fellow upcoming artists: independent artist doesn’t mean by yourself. It means without a major record label. Truth is you can’t win alone, by yourself. Even if you could, you still need a team to travel with and work with. You can’t do everything by yourself. So get a team,” he wrote.

BY SIMTHEMBILE MGIDI

Dedicated Bok fans in Zwide braved the inclement weather at the weekend to back their “boytjie” on the streets the Springbok captain once called home.

Spirits were high before the defending champions’ clash against the Irish on Saturday, with everyone from taxi drivers to children cheering and hoping to make it three from three at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

The #CadburyFanClub which was meant to be hosted at the Zwide Stadium had to be moved to the Njoli taxi rank in Zwide for safety reasons arising from the bad weather.

And while SA narrowly lost the nail-biting encounter 8-13, the Zwide fans remain steadfast in their support of the team and their aspirations to retain to the title.

Avid Springbok supporter Ntando Ndiki, 38, said despite the loss he believed the rain was a good omen for the Boks and their journey to the Webb Ellis Cup.

“We came to see Kolisi, he is from Zwide.

“Rain in the Xhosa culture is blessings. If you have a traditional ceremony and it rains, we believe you have got all your blessings.

“Now for it to rain in Siya’s hometown and he is the captain, it is clear that he is blessed.

“He must go, make history as the first black captain to defend their title as world champions and bring the cup back to Gqeberha,” Ndiki said. 

Andile Ximiya, 47, said while former president Nelson Mandela had died before seeing Kolisi’s rise, he believed “Madiba magic” was with the Bok captain.

“I am happy with our team. [Rassie] Erasmus was able to make the team represent all South Africans.

“You find even people who are not interested in rugby wanting to watch the game because they see their representation.

“Even if children do not have rugby boots, they see Siya and believe they can be a Springbok.

“This match does not decide who will win the final,” Ximiya said.

One of the event organisers and AMK junior account manager Noluthando Buthelezi, 32, said the #CadburyFanClub was a means of getting locals to rally behind the Boks during their world cup campaign.

She said she was humbled by the warm reception from Zwide residents at the weekend.

“We could have easily said it’s raining and the activation is off, but if we can give [the community] a chance to watch all their heroes then let’s do that.

“It is inspiring and emotional

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

The All-White Heritage Day Picnic scheduled to take place on Sunday the 24th of September 2023 has been postponed to a later date.

This is due to extreme weather predictions from SA Weather Services and recommendations from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s Disaster Management office.

The South African Weather Services has issued two impact-based weather warnings Level 5 for disruptive rain and damaging winds over the period 24-09-2023 to 25 – 09 -2023. In the interest of the attendees the Nelson Mandela Bay Disaster Management office recommended that the event be postponed as the venue will not be conducive to patrons and structures under these weather conditions.

As the organizers of this prestigious event, artists, sponsors, media partners and all stake holders are saddened by this turn of events, which is beyond any one’s control, however, as much as all measures were in place to host a great event, the safety of our patrons is our main priority.

We would like to reassure and reiterate to our festinos that the All-White Heritage Day Picnic has not been cancelled, but postponed. A new date will be communicated to ticket holders in due course.

For more information & any queries email info@ebubelenifest.co.za or call 041 582 2553.

BY LUCKY SOLANI

THIS baby girl is just four months old, but she’s already come close to losing her life three times.

BUT COPS TOLD THE DAD THEY CAN DO NOTHING AS THE BABY HASN’T BEEN HARMED YET.

The baby’s latest brush with death came on Friday when she nearly suffocated in a hot, disconnected fridge.

The 38-year-old mum didn’t deny shutting her baby in the hot, disconnected fridge.

“I don’t want to kill my baby, but just get her father’s attention,” she told Daily Kasi News.

The mum and the 46-year-old dad can’t be named to protect their baby’s identity.

A neighbour told the DK News team she found the baby in the hot fridge in the couple’s shack in Zinyoka ,Kosovo squatter camp on Friday morning .

The baby had been there at least 10 minutes.

When the DkTeam went with the dad to the Dwesi police Station on Friday to report the incident the cops refused to open a case.

They said that unless the child was harmed there was nothing they could do.

But Lieutenant-Colonel Andre Traut said the father must lay a complaint with police station management.

“No one must be sent away without being helped. The father must go back to the police station to see the management and he will be helped. A complaint must be laid against the cop who refused to help, then we can take it up from there,” said Traut. The father said when his wife got angry she took out her frustrations on their baby.

He alleged that she put her baby’s life in danger twice ­before:

When the child was only six weeks old, the mum held her by her ankles, saying she didn’t care if the baby died.

The dad saved the child from freezing to death after her mum left her outside in a ­trolley.

Mum and dad have been ­married for more than 10 years and have two kids. He has four children from his first wife.

The dad said his wife got ­upset when he failed to buy their two children Christmas clothes but instead called his ex-wife before Christmas to ask how the four kids were.

The mum said: “It’s difficult to be the wife but not get the attention you deserve.

“Since my husband has been talking to his ex-wife things have been different.

“He doesn’t care about our children anymore.”

The dad said his wife put their baby in the fridge to “fix” him when he dialled her by mistake while trying to call his ex-wife.

“What kind of mother does that to her own child?” said the father.

“She is cruel. Things will get out of hand one day. I have made mistakes, but she shouldn’t take it out on our child.

BY NOMALUNGELO BOOI

LINDIWE MASINA (41) was walking to work last Wednesday when she suddenly found herself surrounded by a pack of evil dogs.

The dogs attacked . . . and soon she was dragged to the ground.

HER LIFELESS BODY LAY IN THE SUN, THE DOGS FEASTING ON HER BLEEDING FLESH.

The attack took place at about 7am last Wednesday morning in Zwide, nearGqeberha , Eastern Cape Her mother, Nothobile Masina, said what the dogs have done to her child is cruel.

She said the fact that the owners are denying that their dogs killed her daughter makes it even harder to accept.

“I sent family representatives to talk to the family but they said their dogs don’t eat raw meat,”

Nothobile said. Lindiwe’s father, David Masina, said the family is in shock after the incident.

“I want the owner of the dogs to bury my child. They are denying the allegations but the least they can do is bury her or refund us the money we have spent for the funeral.

We are pensioners. We don’t have money,” he said. The madala said he wants the dogs to Gqeberha SPCA Inspector Andrew Kekana said they have taken nine animals, five puppies and four full-grown dogs, from the family.

“We’ll go back for the others because some of them ran away when we came to fetch them,” he said. “We advise people not to have so many dogs because they are a threat to the community and to themselves.” Inspector Kekana gave these tips to dog owners:

People should not keep more dogs than they can maintain.

Dogs should be kept in properly fenced areas so they can’t run wild.

Owners should train their dogs. Dogs that are treated aggressively will be aggressive.

Dogs should not be chained up as this limits their movement and makes them angry.

Don’t keep many dogs in one constricted area.

BY BULELWA VENA

RESIDENTS of KwaNobuhle in Kariega, Eastern Cape, only answer nature’s call when they are really desperate.

This is because they haven’t been able to flush their toilets for three months because there is no running water.

Resident Monde Plaatjies (62) said they were sometimes forced to use a bucket to relieve themselves.

“People can’t use the little water they have to flush the toilet because water tankers come after a day or two,” he said.

Another resident Nosipho Stofile (60) said: “We are a family of four and it is difficult to live without water. We used to get water between 2am and 5am before it was cut completely in February. We’re frustrated with this situation. We want the municipality to intervene and make sure that water tankers visit our areas regularly because they are no longer visiting us daily.” 

Nelson Mandela Bay spokesman Mthubanzi Mniki said: “The metro is counting days before half of the city runs dry. If no significant rain falls in the catchment areas in the coming days, the city will be faced with an unprecedented water disaster. The areas that will be affected by the water outage constitute 40% of the city and include the western suburbs, Summerstrand, Blue Horizon Bay, KwaNobuhle and peri-urban areas such as Greenbushes and St Albans.”

Mniki urged residents to reduce their consumption to the lowest possible percentage.

He said they were aware some parts of the area have had no water for some time and they have been sending water tank trucks to help the community.

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

The highly anticipated Heritage Day: All White Picnic is set to return this September 24 at Victoria Park. Following its previous successful editions, this year’s event promises to be bigger, better, and more memorable than ever before.

All White Picnic has become a staple event on the city’s social calendar, attracting a diverse crowd of partygoers.

The annual daytime all-white themed picnic, in celebration of Heritage Day, is back again this year – featuring a diverse line-up, with big names such as Thandiswa Mazwai.

Since its inauguration last year, this live music event is a great addition to Nelson Mandela Bay and the Eastern Cape’s events calendar. 

It will take place on Sunday, September 24, at Victoria Park.

The event’s main focus is music, but includes a number of other elements which make it unique against other offerings.

This lifestyle event is aimed at celebrating Heritage Day while creating employment opportunities for artists, SMMEs and PDI service providers, vendors/food trucks and local establishments, which will all benefit from visitors and locals who attend the event.

The event’s loyal festinos cannot wait for this date to show off their beautiful white-with-a-touch-of-tradition outfits, mostly designed by Eastern Cape’s talented designers, boasting the proudly South African cloths, beadwork and styles. 

The line-up this year boasts multi-award-winning singers, Bethusile Mcinga, Big Zulu, Lwah Ndlunkulu, Mandisi Dyantyis, Zain-SA, Luckeez Mfowethu, DJ Mleister, DJ Mthiza the Versatile and Andy Ndlazilwana. 

Amaza Ntshanga, Lusanda Mbane, Makaziwe Tsako and Slujah will be programme directors of this very hot line-up.

The second annual All White Heritage Day Picnic is made possible by Ebubeleni Festival and Sandla Black, in collaboration with the Department of Sport, Recreation. Arts and Culture, Mzansi Magic Music, Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, Umhlobo Wenene, Tru FM and Nkqubela FM.

Tickets to the event are available at Webtickets, Pick n Pay and Boxer Stores, and start from R355 for general, R1 200 for VIP, and cooler box admission tickets are R100. No tickets will be sold at the gate. 

The dress code is all white, with a touch of heritage/cultural. Gates open at 09:00 and the event starts at 11:00 until 18:00. No persons under 18 will be allowed.

BY AZOLA JANUARY

At least five people died in a mass shooting at a house in Gelvandale late Sunday night.

The deceased — three men and two women — were staying in the backyard of the main house in Koedoe Road.

The shooting occurred at about 11.30pm. 

One victim was found in the foyer of the dwelling while two were in the bedroom. The remaining two were in the bathroom.

When The Herald arrived at the scene just after 3am, three distraught men were attempting to reattach a broken gate. 

They said they were still making sense of the ordeal.

“A group of guys just entered the house and shot them dead … We are also seeking answers.”

From within the house, sorrowful cries and chants could be heard echoing loudly.

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu confirmed the shooting.

“I can confirm five people died in Koedoe street,” Naidu said.

‘[I] will issue a statement once I have all the details.”

Community activist, Pamela Mabini, who was at the scene, described the incident as “senseless”.

“It is an unfathomable tragedy that underscores the urgent need for comprehensive gun reform,” Mabini said.

“Thoughts and prayers alone will not bring an end to this senseless violence.

“It’s time for meaningful action to address the root causes of gun violence in our society. We must come together, regardless of our differences, to protect our communities and ensure a safer future for all work together with police.”