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.”

BY XOLA ANTONI

The Eastern Cape education department has condemned a brazen robbery at Nomathamsanqa Primary School in Khayamnandi, Despatch. 

The police have appealed to the community for assistance to track down five men who allegedly forced their way in during classes and held staff at gunpoint.

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the armed robbers took two laptops, five cellphones, a set of keys and an undisclosed amount of cash.

The incident happened on Tuesday last week.

“It is alleged that at about 12.45pm, the five suspects stormed into the staff room armed with guns, and robbed the staff. 

“Police are investigating a case of business robbery. 

“The community’s assistance is sought in tracing the suspects.” 

Any person with information is urged to contact detective Sergeant Ruan Nel on 082-441-7900, or the nearest police station. 

Education spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima slammed the school robbery.

“We condemn attacks on schools by thugs who seek to make them soft targets,” he said.

“We are co-operating with the police and urge the community not to harbour these criminals. 

“Stealing and vandalising our schools is a setback to communities.   

“A school is a centre for community life and should always be protected, as it helps to change the economic and social standard of society.” 

Nomathamsanqa Primary is not the only school in Nelson Mandela Bay to fall victim to criminals over the past year. 

Armed robbers struck at Daniel’s Public Primary School in Zwide in November. 

This resulted in enraged residents staging a protest at the school, barring staff and pupils from entering.

Other schools such as Melisizwe Primary in Motherwell, Mzimhlophe Lower Primary, also in Zwide, and Inkqubela Primary in Kwazakhele have been targeted.

BY NOMALUNGELO BOOi

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has urged motorists to be cautious on the roads due to high tides flooding parking lots, the freeway, and neighbouring streets.

According to the SA Weather Service (SAWS), the flooding, due to a storm surge as a result of the spring high tide and high sea state in excess of 6m, was impacting Willows Mangold Pool, St Francis Bay, and Kings Beach.

Gqeberha SAWS meteorologist Lelo Kleinbooi said she expected the wave heights to continue to be between 6-9m along the Eastern Cape coastline.

“The waves will start subsiding at 4-5.5m on Monday morning and to below 4m from late afternoon on Monday.”

The storm surge, Kleinbooi said, was an abnormal volume of water accumulating against the coastline, manifesting as a raised sea level which can result in coastal flooding.

“This happens when you have a deep or intense low-pressure system passing through, and in our case an intense cold-front which passed south of the country.

“This results in a tight pressure gradient which causes strong winds that enhance the sea state. Additionally, if you have a new or full moon with this, you will have a good chance of a storm surge as expected waves will be enhanced even further during high tide.

“It’s called a spring tide, not because of the season, but because the water ‘springs’ higher and lower than when the sun and moon are at right angles to each other, causing less extreme tidal changes.”

She added that the storm surge could still potentially affect places along the coast between Plettenberg Bay and Fish River mouth.

“The potential occurrence will significantly lessen from [Sunday] midmorning.”

Kleinbooi said the possible impacts of a storm surge included damage to coastal infrastructure and potential modification of beaches and dunes including beach erosion, vessels at sea taking on water and potentially capsizing, and a general disruption of beachfront activities.

Bay Roads and transport boss Bradley Murray said motorists should drive with caution.

“Residents should be careful on the roads as we are experiencing extreme weather conditions,” Murray said, adding that no casualties had been reported.

“We have seen footage and photos of the N2 filled with rocks and debris. We are sending out teams to assess.”

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said its emergency services responded to Mangolds Pool Resort on Saturday afternoon where a number of caravans and structures were comprised by the high tides.

“A number of people [and animals] were safely evacuated — one dog, a bird, two women, two children, and three men,” NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said.

“No injuries were reported.”

In the Western Cape, areas such as Gordon’s Bay, Three Anchor Bay, Sandy Bay, and Still Bay, were also affected on Saturday.

Lambinon said at Sandy Bay, the NSRI swiftly acted upon reports from eyewitnesses regarding a teenager on a bodyboard being trapped in rip currents.

Before their arrival, the teen successfully extricated himself from the water without any issues.

At Three Anchor Bay, a 25-year-old man, from Johannesburg, found himself caught in rip currents but managed to rescue himself.

Meanwhile, in Table Bay, a man was rushed to hospital due to hypothermia, but is expected to make a full recovery.

BY LUVUYO MEHLWANA

MUMMY, when are we going to school like other kids?

This was the question Nonqaba Ngcumbe’s kids asked her on Friday , 15 September as thousands of children returned to school.

But the 32-year-old mother of three from Gqeberha , Eastern Cape, can’t enrol her seven and six-year-old in school or apply for social grants as she is unable to get birth certificates for them.

“I’m unable to get birth certificates for my children because my mother refused to do the documentation so that I can have an ID.

Without birth certificates, I’m unable to enrol my kids in school or apply for social grants,” said Nonqaba.

She said she has been pleading with her mother for the past 13 years to sign the documents, but she refused.

“She told me she wants me to suffer like she suffered. On this basis Home Affairs refused to issue me an ID.

“Not having an ID means I won’t be able to register my children’s births and their future is doubtful. I have tried everything to get documentation, but my efforts have been in vain,” she said.

Without birth certificates, I’m unable to enrol my kids in school or apply for social grants,” said Nonqaba.

She said she has been pleading with her mother for the past 13 years to sign the documents, but she refused.

She told me she wants me to suffer like she suffered. On this basis Home Affairs refused to issue me an ID.

“Not having an ID means I won’t be able to register my children’s births and their future is doubtful. I have tried everything to get documentation, but my efforts have been in vain,” she said.

Nonqaba said she has missed a lot of opportunities and can’t even apply for a job or register for the Covid-19 social relief grant. 

“I survive on piece jobs,” she said.

Social Development provincial spokesman Mzukisi Solani said: “It is a very sad situation where you find children being prejudiced against because they don’t have documents. 

“The department will profile these children and their mother and liaise with the relevant departments. We want these children to benefit from what is their constitutional right to education.”

Daily Kasi’s attempts to get hold of Nonqaba’s mother were fruitless as her house was locked.

BY SITHANDIWE VELAPHI

Daily Dispatch senior reporter Mkhuseli Sizani has died.

Sizani, 42, died in hospital in Kariega (formerly Uitenhage) on Tuesday evening.Born in the Eastern Cape farming town of Alexandria, Sizani grew up in Gqeberha.

Before joining the Dispatch in May, Sizani wrote for the Daily Sun and GroundUp.

Sizani, who loved covering people’s stories and socioeconomic issues, covered the Nelson Mandela Bay area while working  with the Daily Sun.

Later, at GroundUp, he travelled to the former Transkei to cover stories.

At the Daily Dispatch, Sizani continued to cover socioeconomic issues.

In May, he wrote a story about homeless mothers battling to make ends meet for their children.

In July, Sizani wrote a story about 23 villages in ward 10 in Dikeni (formerly Alice) under the Raymond Mhlaba municipality who were forced to share water with animals because the Amathole District Municipality failed to supply them with water..

His family as well as colleagues, past and present, expressed shock following Sizani’s death.

Journalist Luvuyo Mehlwana, who worked closely with Sizani at the Daily Sun in Gqeberha, said: “I don’t have words to describe how I feel.

“Mkhuseli took me under his supervision.

He roped me in and everything that I can talk of about journalism is because of Mkhuseli.

“He would offer constructive criticism if he was not happy with a certain story.

“Mkhuseli educated me about how important it is for a journalist to have a unique writing style.

“He loved to share his knowledge,” Mehlwana said

Sizani’s brother, Fundile, said: “He loved offering advice and encouraging people.

“He would share his knowledge when one encountered problems. He loved interacting with people.

“We are still shocked. It’s difficult to process the news of his death,” Fundile said.

Dispatch senior journalist Vuyolwethu Sangotsha, who previously worked with Sizani at the Daily Sun, said Sizani was a workaholic who was passionate about giving a voice to the voiceless.

“Our paths first crossed when we were both young reporters freelancing for the Daily Sun,”  Sangotsha said.

“I remember how he used to highlight the plight of the poor through his work and the powers-that-be would react by improving the bad conditions faced by communities he had exposed.”

He said Sizani was a down-to-earth person, always willing to assist his colleagues.

“When we reunited at the Dispatch this year, he told me about his ambition of becoming part of management one day in the media industry, probably manning the desk and eventually becoming an editor.

“He believed that with his invaluable experience, he was destined for bigger responsibilities.

“It’s a very sad day for South African journalism.” 

Dispatch editor Cheri-Ann James said Sizani had already made a name for himself, not only in journalistic circles but in many communities in the Eastern Cape, “as a journalist who used the power of the word to help bring positive change to residents who had been neglected and ignored by authorities”.

When Mkhuseli joined our newsroom, his first words to me were: ‘I want to be out there, telling the stories of our people’.

“Mkhuseli was determined to put the voice of those who had long been silenced front and centre; a principle he instilled in our young interns, who he took under his wing as a mentor.   

“We have lost a passionate and fine journalist who still had so much to give.

“We have been fortunate as a team to have had an opportunity to work alongside Mkhuseli and to learn from him. We pray for his family during this difficult time,” James said. 

GroundUp editor Nathan Geffen said Sizani was a prolific journalist.

We are devastated that Mkhuseli is no longer with us.

“He started writing for GroundUp in 2019 as a freelancer and then joined our staff.

“The over 280 articles he wrote for us unrelentingly held the Eastern Cape government to account and put forward the concerns of the people of the province.

“We will miss Mkhuseli dearly. Our deepest condolences to his wife, Noxolo, his children, his family and his colleagues at the Daily Dispatch,” Geffen said.

Sizani is survived by his two children, wife, parents and three brothers. He will be buried in Despatch on September 23.

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

NO MATTER how they chased the chicken, it wouldn’t go away. It just went from house to house.

The residents agree that the chicken with the double panties is probably a curse.

BUT NOBODY KNOWS WHO IS BEING CURSED!

“I’m 62 years old, but this is the first time in my life I’ve seen a chicken in human underwear,” said gogo Pinky Mlangeni.

The gogo from Mandela Park , KwaLanga, in Eastern Cape was one of the residents who woke up to the sight of the strange chicken in the street.

It was dragging a pair of woman’s panties and some man’s underpants had been tied to its legs. 

Porcupine quills were hanging from its neck and black plastic suspected of containing muthi was around its neck.

When residents tried to chase the chicken, it wouldn’t leave, but moved from one gate to the other of houses in the street.

“We don’t know who is being targeted and this makes us even more afraid,” said Pinky.

“Someone is trying to bring bad luck and curses on the community.”

Lerato Poto (30) said they will ask for divine intervention when they hold a joint prayer session for the residents of their community. 

“We will pray from the street where the chicken was walking,” said Lerato.

Lindiwe Nene (44) said she wasn’t sure if she should buy live chickens from street vendors again

“It scared me that the chicken wouldn’t go away even when people were chasing it.” 

Symon Ngoma (63) said sometimes people did things like that to a chicken after performing rituals to remove bad luck from an individual who had been seriously ill. 

Traditional healer bhodlinyama Dlamini from Despatch in khyamnandi said the chicken was a curse to all the residents.

He said the chicken could be used by business people to bring value to their business.

“Or it could be used to steal money from residents,” he said. 

“People could wake up to find their money gone or they could lose the love of their spouses or have 4-5 problems

BY XOLANI CUBA

The sad businessman (30) from Green Bushes near Gqeberha was perfectly happy with his sex life, but his pregnant wife wasn’t. She said it would make sex for her much better if he went to the clinic to have a circumcision done.

But if he didn’t do it, she said, he would be without a wife. In the end the man agreed, so he went to the Gqeberha Men’s Clinic on 21 July. He paid R750 and went home the same day.

“I was not in any pain. I had a bandage wrapped around my penis and I couldn’t see the cut,” he said. But a few days later his wound became very painful and he took off the bandage.

“I could not believe my eyes,” he said. “My foreskin had been cut off and it had been stitched back on again!”

He immediately went back to the clinic but says they refused to give him the name of the doctor who did the operation. The man came to South Africa from Rwanda during the war in that country without being circumcised. “Last year I visited my family and they told me I had to be circumcised by a traditional healer.

I ended up crying and telling my parents I was old and I was afraid things would go wrong,” he said. “Then my wife started complaining. She said real men were circumcised.” He said he couldn’t sleep and he hadn’t gone to work.

“My wife has taken our seven-year-old son and left the house. They are living in our other house in Vulindlela,” he said. “I am worried they may never come back.”

The man is sleeping in the Wendy House outside so he doesn’t disturb the other people in the house. “I have made peace with the fact that I may lose my penis. I am even prepared to fly to England to have it removed,” he said. “But when I come back, that doctor will suffer.”  Clinic spokesman, Phumlani Dladla confirmed the doctor who did the operation made a mistake. It appears the patient had a lot of excess skin and the doctor didn’t cut off enough.

Then he realised his mistake and cut off some more, but this time he cut off too much and sewed some skin back on again. He said the man may not have followed the doctor’s instructions and that is why he ended up with a septic penis.

”We have offered to do a second operation to rectify that,” said Dladla. “We are willing to fix the problem if the man co-operates.” “We know it will hurt but the problem will be fixed.” The man has lodged a complaint against the doctor with the Health Professional Council of South Africa, which requested the name and practice number of the doctor.

BY AZOLA MATROSD

TWO Somali businessmen aged 23 and 25 were killed in their spaza shop on Monday .

Now Somali traders in KwaZakhele, Gqeberha, are in hiding, fearing for their lives.

“I heard several gunshots and customers were shouting for help. I took cover,” said a resident (55).

“The cops quickly came and rescued us. Two suspects got away in a white Mazda bakkie, leaving soft drinks and packets of cigarettes scattered in front of the shop.”

A leader of Amabutho, a vigilante group with links to uMkhonto weSizwe veterans, said: “I saw this bakkie being chased by cops passing by in our area. 

“We condemn this act of criminality. We’ll meet with the police forum and the Somali business community and work out what we can do.”

Colonel Priscilla Naidu confirmed the incident.

“Detectives are investigating two cases of murder and business robbery,” Naidu told Daily Kasi News

Provincial police warned the Somali traders to be on the lookout for suspicious activity near their shops. 

“All names of the deceased are withheld until their next of kin are informed.”

Reporting on another attack, Captain Gerda Swarts said: “A 37-year-old Somali shop owner was shot dead in his shop in KwaNobuhle, Kariega , and his partner was wounded in an attack on Monday night at about 11.30pm.”

BY PHUMLANI SAUL

In one of two similar house robberies in Kariega during the early hours of Friday, a 36-year-old father was shot dead in front of his wife and 14-year-old son during a terrifying ordeal.

Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said Gcobani Maya was shot dead after three suspects broke into the family’s Tolbos Street, Strelitzia Park home at about 2.30am on Friday.

“It is alleged that a 14-year-old child heard a noise at the door.

“Immediately, a brick was thrown through a bedroom window.

“The owner of the house sustained a gunshot wound.

“Three suspects took a TV set, playstation and cellphones,” Janse van Rensburg said. 

“The teenager ran into his parents’ room and they locked the door. The door was kicked open and shots were fired.

Maya’s wife contacted their security company after the robbers left.

The investigation is continuing.

In another similar home invasion in Daniel Crescent, in Scheepershoogte, a man and his friend were studying at about 1.30am when they heard noises in the house.

Janse van Rensburg said three suspects entered the house after a brick was thrown through a window. 

“One suspect, armed with a firearm, threatened the complainant and the friend.

“They demanded cellphones. The suspects also stole a plasma TV, two cellphones and two laptops.”

Janse van Rensburg said it was further alleged that the suspects then fled in a Quantum that was parked nearby. 

No-one was injured during the robbery and a case of house robbery is under investigation.