By Nosisa Mbunge

DOUBLE TRAGEDY STRIKES KWAZAKHELE

Two men from Kwazakhele were brutally gunned down in separate incidents just hours apart, leaving the community reeling in shock.

The first victim, a 23-year-old resident, was shot dead during a late-night liquor run on Friday. According to police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge, the young man was part of a group of friends who had been drinking in Kwazakhele and decided to buy more alcohol in Missionvale.¹

Tragedy struck when the group was confronted by four men, two of whom were armed, in Jack Road, Missionvale. A heated argument quickly escalated, and the 23-year-old was shot. He was rushed to Dora Nginza Hospital but was declared dead at 1:30 am on Saturday.

In a separate incident, a 43-year-old man was shot dead in Kwazakhele during the early hours of Saturday morning. Beetge said the victim was discovered with a gunshot wound in his neck in Ntungela Street at around 1:15 am.

According to eyewitnesses, a small group of friends had arrived home in Makubalo Street when they spotted three unknown suspects lurking nearby. One of the suspects fired a shot, wounding the victim, who then ran to Ntungela Street, where he fell and passed away.

Both incidents are currently under investigation, with cases of murder opened. The community is urged to come forward with any information that may lead to the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators.

By Ongeziwe Maseti

East London, 28 October 2024 – The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) is proud to announce its partnership with Legends Gaming Promotions to provide a special train service for the prestigious Berlin November Horserace on 30 November 2024.

To ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for attendees, Metrorail Eastern Cape will operate a dedicated train service from East London to Ntabozuko (Berlin) station:

• Departure: East London at 10:15
• Return: Ntabozuko (Berlin) at 23:00

A complimentary shuttle bus service will connect Berlin station to the event venue.

Secure Park and Ride services will be available at:

• East London (10:00)
• Fort Jackson (11:00)

Additional pick-up points:

• Vincent (10:28)
• Mdantsane (10:53)

Valid Berlin November Horserace ticketholders will enjoy free train travel.

Onboard entertainment will be provided by Award-Winning Gospel Artist, Betusile Mcinga.

Luthando Bara, event founder, praised the collaboration: “This partnership represents a significant milestone for the Berlin November Horserace, enhancing the attendee experience while prioritizing road safety and accessibility.”

Terra Nongqongqo, Metrorail Eastern Cape Acting Regional Manager, added: “This event showcases PRASA’s vital role as a mass mover in the province.”

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets available at Ticketpro, Spar, and Payzone: R220.00

IMPORTANT

Event goers, please arrive at the station 30 minutes before departure.

By Phumlani Saul

“COME AND ENJOY SOUTH AFRICA’S DIVERSE MUSIC AND CULTURES WHILST CELEBRATING OUR 30 YEARS OF DEMOCRACY!!”

The 3rd much awaited, instalment of the ‘All White Heritage Picnic’ promises, as always, the best production ever with a very strong artists line up. 

 

The event will be held at the Victoria Park in Gqeberha on Sunday 22 September 2024.  The park is situated in the charming neighborhood of South End, just north of the airport. The tranquil park with landscaped gardens, water-lily ponds, a gazebo and a lawn area is the perfect venue for picnicking. The park is also fenced providing a secure environment for everyone.

 

The 3rd All White Heritage Picnic celebrates South Africa’s diverse cultures through music and fashion. Those attending will be geared up in their white outfits adorned to showcase their heritage and culture. This year as we celebrate the country’s 30 years of democracy, we will award the best dressed couple or individual who will stand out in showcasing their cultures.

 

The artist line up boasts the country’s best musician and artists, the world-acclaimed Scopion Kings – DjMaphorisa and Kabza De Small; singer-songwriter – Amanda Black; Afro-Soul singer – Semito; Afro-Pop singer, dancer and actress – Kelly Khumalo; Singer a – songwriter -Zuko Sa; Afro-Soul singer – Simmy and our own very talented Gqeberha artists – Afro-Jazz singer – Asanda Mqiki; R & B and actor from the Gqeberha Empire fame – Likhey Booi; DJ’s -Blackman; Luniko and Docta Musiq.  Somizi and Mafa Bavuma will be the program directors.

 

The ‘All White Heritage Picnic’ is made possible by National Lotteries Commission, Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency, Umhlobo Wenene fm, Tru fm, Nkqubela fm, Madibaz Radio, Ebubeleni Festival, Sandla Black and Mahambehlala Communications.

 

Tickets to the event at Victoria Park are available at Webticket, Pick n Pay and Boxer at R360 for general,R1500 for VIP and R100 for cooler box tickets.  Gates open at 9am, event starts at 11am and ends at 6pm.

 

Bottles, glasses and harmful instruments/weaponswill not be allowed into the park.  Children under the age of 18 will not be permitted. No entry after 4pm and No pass outs.

 

By Nomalungelo Booi

“EMERGENCY LANDING IN ALGOA PARK: CAUSE UNKNOWN”

A dramatic scene unfolded in Algoa Park yesterday , September 5, when a Piper Lance 2 aircraft made an emergency landing on Ysterhout Street. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but the incident has left many questions unanswered.

According to Unathi Binqose, spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Department of Transport, the pilot and two male passengers were rushed to hospital for medical attention. The condition of the occupants is currently unknown.

Binqose confirmed that the cause of the incident is still unclear, stating, “The details of the cause of the incident are still sketchy at this stage.” An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the emergency landing.

On a positive note, Binqose expressed gratitude that no lives were lost, saying, “We are grateful that there was no loss of life.”

Rapid response teams are on the scene, working to ensure the safe removal of the aircraft. As the investigation continues, more information is expected to emerge.

Police said that the 75-year-old pilot “alleged that the aircraft was low on fuel” and he was forced to make an emergency landing on Ysterhout Street.

“Unfortunately a pothole and speed bump in the road caused the aircraft to swerve and hit a lamp post.

“The aircraft wings and tail section were damaged in the incident,” said police spokesperson, Captain Andre’ Beetge.

He said the pilot and two male passengers, aged 33 and 43, were not injured, while no one on the ground was affected by the “landing incident.”

One of the first people on the scene was Marius Minnie from EC Towing, who lives in Dolfyn Flats on the street corner where the plane went down.

“We heard a big bang. I arrived with my breakdown, I was first on the scene then Guardmed (ambulance) after me to assist with any patients,” he told reporters.

Minnie said the pilot and two passengers emerged unscathed, but he said they were in shock.

Police and emergency services rushed to the scene where a large group of people had gathered to gawk at the unusual sight on a suburban road.

According to one bystander, the tail of the aircraft broke off when it hit the pole.

The Civil Aviation Authority is expected to investigate the cause of the crash.

By Phumlani Saul

Get ready, Gqeberha! The Eastern Cape Fashion Week is back and bigger than ever! This year’s theme, “Evolution of Fashion over the 30 Years of Democracy” promises to be a wild ride, with designers showcasing their talents and telling a story through their garments.

The kick off is a Designers’ Workshop on 7 August 2024 at Boardwalk ICC for all Eastern Cape Fashionand Textile Designers. The workshop comprises several fashion industry and SMME experts who impart knowledge and relevant tools to scale and or improve small businesses. There are limited seats available on a first come first serve bases, interested designers can book their seat on www.ecfashionweek.co.za . 

 

“Our guest designer this year will be legendary Mr. Sonwabile Ndamase, the icon who designed the famous Tata Mandela’s shirts” said Mrs. NamhlaFihla, one of the organisers of Eastern Cape Fashion Week.  “We are really lucky to have him showcasing his line as it will be the first time to showcase his designs before he jets off to New York to showcase his line on a bigger runway in September” boasted Namhla.

 

Mr. Ndamase will subsequently be honoured with the “Eastern Cape Fashion Week Cape Aloe Legacy Award” during the prestigious Fashion Show on the 10th of August at Boardwalk Convention Centre, this is in recognition of his great work as a fashion designer and his contribution to the fashion industry in the 30 years of South Africa’s democracy.

 

Explaining why the name ‘ECFW – Cape Aloe Legacy Award’ Busi Nxele, one of the organisers, explained that the Cape Aloe is the Eastern Cape’s provincial flower. The Coat of Arms for the Eastern Cape Province starts with a green base and the motto, DEVELOPMENT THROUGH UNITY. It is the only aloe that blossoms and produces a bright orange flower while growing on arid land, which speaks to its tenacity. The Cape Aloe is the perfect symbol to represent the recipients of this award, those who have fought and strived for their talent left undisputable marks in the history books and weaved a tapestry of positive legacy in the Eastern Cape, South Africa and the world. 

Mr Sonwabile Ndamase as the first recipient of the Eastern Cape Fashion Week Cape Aloe Legacy Award stands as a true example of the symbolism encompassed by the Cape Aloe.  Through his massive contributions to the fashion industry locally and abroad, most prolifically dressing one of our founding fathers of Democracy Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, and introducing the world to the iconic Madiba shirt. 

The designers set to showcase at this year’s show are tasked to tell a story through their garments which will form part of this year’s theme “Evolution of Fashion over the 30 Years of Democracy” – Expressions of FREEDOM – The F is for FASHION..The local designers will be judged by a panel of experts and will stand a chance to be awarded BEST

COLLECTION and/or BEST SHOWSTOPPER GARMENT.

The Cherry On Top is going to be a performance by Lira, a South African multi-platinum selling singer, songwriter, speaker, entrepreneur and author. Well respected and renowned for her positive music and spectacular live performances, Lira’s career spans over 20 years with 6 albums, 

Entrance to Eastern Cape Fashion Week is R500 which includes dinner and Black Carpet experience. Tickets to the Fashion Show are available already from Webticket, Pick n Pay and Boxer stores.

 

The 3rd annual Eastern Cape Fashion Week is made possible by National Lotteries Commission, supported by the Sun Boardwalk, Business & Arts South Africa, Woolworths Beauty, The Tramways, Legends Barber and produced by Ebubeleni Festival Projects.

BY LAWRENCE ARMOED

A Kirkwood high school, which prides itself on its sustainability programmes, will form part of an international study on the impact of “green education” on pupils, their communities and surrounding environment.For the past four years, Colmcille Secondary School formed part of the international Eco Schools programme which teaches pupils about sustainability and the environment, while encouraging them to take the principles they learn home and into their neighbourhoods.

And now Colmcille has been selected as an example for an international study on the success of the programme.It is the only school in the Eastern Cape, and one of only a handful across SA, to be selected for the study.

“We take our title as an Eco School very seriously and we take great pride in the initiatives we run that go with that title,” history and social science teacher Eileen Watson said.

“We have really seen the interest among our pupils grow, and we like to believe we are making a difference in our broader community.”The Foundation for Environmental Education started developing the Eco Schools programme in 1992 in response to a need identified at the United Nations’ Environment and Development conference.

The initiative was officially launched in 1994 and has grown to the point where it is active in 59,000 schools across 74 countries.

In SA, the initiative was first implemented by the Wildlife and Environment Society of SA in 2003, and more than 4,500 schools, and more than one-million pupils, have formed part of the programme.

According to Watson, Colmcille registered as an Eco School in 2018 as they believed it would relate well to pupils in a no-fees school where many of the parents work in the agricultural industry.

“Many of our 1,134 pupils’ parents work on the citrus farms surrounding Kirkwood.

“They already have a close connection with the land, so we looked to further instil a love for the environment through the teaching initiatives of the Eco School programme,” Watson said.

One of the areas being explored by the international study into Eco School’s success is inequality and how schools with limited resources manage to implement and incorporate environmental and sustainability studies in their schooling.

“One of the earliest values we instilled in our pupils was the value of life, everything from people to insects.