Author Archives: Ezimtoti News

By KOPANO MONAHENG

NOT only does Jabu Mpanza love but he also cares for the well-being of his fellow citizens.

Every December 26, the entrepreneur and founder of 057 Home Coming organises a top-notch event where people around Welkom come together to network and have fun.

The 057 is done annually and live performances from well-known artists are organised.

But it does not rule out the possibility of up and coming artists showcasing their talents.
Since 2013, 057 has been enabling businesses and other service providers around the city to generate some income or connect with a number of potential clients.

The much anticipated event will be held at Griffons Stadium, Welkom from 10am till midnight.

Businesses will set up their stalls inside the venue and make lots of revenue in just one day.

Those owning guesthouses know that the demands for space are high around those days.

Ezimtoti chat to Mpanza about business growth in and around Welkom, and this is what he had to say:
“Obviously we want people to come home from outside the borders of Welkom and enjoy the festive season with us.

Every single year we organise 057 Home Coming differently from the previous event, which is what makes it more fun every year,” he said, adding that people can only attend it if they found it exciting and that’s been their drive every year.
Tickets are now on sale from R150.

It’s 057 HC eighth edition this year so go out and buy tickets and enjoy with the rest of your family and friends!! The 057 HC is in partnership with the Welkom Municipality and a law firm Nyapotse Attorneys

By KOPANO MONAHENG

FOR children to be able to read, write and count, a lot needs to be done.

This is why HOPE Worldwide South Africa, Dis-Chem Foundation, Pan Macmillan and Phoenix International Logistics have partnered in developing the reading skills of young children.

The new partnership happen after a shocking statistics were released in May this year by Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS). The findings show that 81% of grade 4 pupils in Mzansi can’t read for meaning in any language. 

But an immediate action was taken to help improve the quality of teaching and learning at schools.

More books were set aside so that they can be dispatched to a number of Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres across the country in a bid to improve reading and counting skills.

One of the centres benefited from this initiative was Kopano Day Care Centre in Zandspruit, Joburg.

Mzansi ranked lowest out of the 43 participating countries in learners’ reading skills globally. 

The four organisations know that reading is the foundation of all learning, and if children can’t read with understanding they will struggle, not only throughout their schooling but in tertiary as well.

Grade R pupils at Kopano Day Care Centre were each given two captivating books, namely We Are One written by Refiloe Moahloli and First 100 Words. 

Refiloe read the children an extract from her book, Yes Yanga!

And then sang a song, about being champions,with hand movements that left them enthralled!

We Are One, First 100 Words and Yes Yanga! are all published by Pan Macmillan. The printing of books handed to Kopano Day Care Centre Grade Rs was funded by Phoenix International Logistics and the Dis-Chem Foundation.

Dis-Chem Foundation’s Jacqueline Kahlberg, told Ezimtoti: 

“There are many children without access to books. It falls upon us who have the means to play a part in assisting to upskill them in any way we can to give them the best possible start in life,” she said. 

Girlies Makgoba, the manager of the centre, encouraged parents to read books to their children at home. This way, their reading skills will be enhanced and they will be encouraged to develop a love for reading, which will open them up to new worlds, opportunities and possibilities.

Dr Marc Aguirre, country director for HOPE Worldwide South Africa, said the book handover will make a huge difference to the pupils.

FNB CEO, Jacques Celliers, congratulates the Springboks along with its technical staff on their record 4th Rugby World Cup title.

As a sponsor of the rugby team, FNB wants to say success is more than just a sporting victory; it is a triumph of the human spirit.

“As a business with a 185-year heritage steeped in a purpose to help, we understand that our financial services support is crucial to the hopes and aspirations of individuals, families, and businesses in our country,” said the Jacques adding that whether in sports or business, people have an extraordinary ability to overcome adversity when they work as a team.

By DESMOND PITOYI

My weekend was made as I attended the 24th edition of the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz music concerts at the Sandton Convention Centre, north of Joburg. May I hasten to say, I was sold!

I have been doing this annual pilgrimage since time immemorial – until the ubiquitous Covid-19 became the proverbial party pooper.

Due to the hard lockdown restrictions, the annual jazz event had to go on a retreat.

Thanks to the organisers’ wise moves, it made a worthy comeback last year after a two-year hiatus. And this year’s Jozi’s
jam session, which took place on 29 and 30 September, was a blast!

As concert-goers, we were spoiled for choice as we darted from one concert stage to the next.

The Dinaledi, Conga and Mbira stages were teeming with jazz music enthusiasts who came from near and far for the annual
entertainment and to quench their musical thirst.

This year’s line-up was impressive, to say the least. It catered for every taste. It was amazing to see music giants do their thing
under one roof.

Performing on the various stages, were the likes of Zonke, Buhlebendalo, Max-Hoba, Ami Faku, Langa Mavuso, Samthing
Soweto and Simphiwe Dana, among others.

Grammy Award-winning Swiss harpist, Andreas Vollenweider, was the star attraction and crowd-pleaser of note. Literally, fans ate out of the palm of his hand and called for many encores at the
end of each set.

He was joined by local musos, Ayanda Nhlangothi, Vusi Nhlapo and Vuyo Tshuma. Spiritual moments were also revisited as the
Nduduzo Makhathini Trio took to the stage. Omagugu Makhathini, whose performance was a masterpiece in the making,
mesmerised and serenaded the audience with her vocal agility and musical prowess.

Nduduzo’s performance was truly unforgettable. His was a spiritual set and his piano-playing and chants took revellers to
another realm. He left everyone awestruck!

Bassist and composer Herbie Tsoaeli did his usual magic as he paid tribute to the late legendary bassist, vocalist and pianist,
Johnny Dyani. The tribute featured contemporary bassists Viwe Mkizwana and Dalusi Ndlazi, playing side-by-side. It was a sight to see three double basses playing in unison. The deep bellowing sounds of the double basses filled the entire hall as the players strummed the strings with such great finesse.

Dyani’s son brought the house to tears as he spoke fondly abouthis late dad and also thanked Mzansi for still remembering his
dad’s contribution to jazz in the early years.

Bass guitarist, Carlo Mombelli, played music hauntingly like nothing you have ever heard.

Like Nduduzo, Carlo is something of a sage figure. Trumpeter Marcus Wyatt, Langa Mavuso, saxophonist McCoy Mrubata,
guitar maestro Ernie Smith, as well as Grammy Award-winner Robert Glasper, were among other contemporary jazz giants who
set the three stages alight.

The concert also paid tribute to departed jazz legends with special tribute performances: Guitarist Billy Monama’s tribute to Allen Kwela, featuring Titi Luzipo and Mimi Mtshali. Meanwhile, the
Hugh Masekela Band honoured the late legendary jazz trumpeter in true Bra Hugh style.

As the curtain drew, and with ululating, rhythmic hand-clapping and cheers echoing through the Sandton Convention Centre,
without any shadow of doubt, next year's Standard Bank Joy of
Jazz looks set to be like no other

By KOPANO MONAHENG

SHE dreams of becoming a superstar someday.But until then, Lethiwe Sithole is happy for her new album Ubuhle which is doing so well.

She’s a nominee for the best Afro Soul music in the South African Music Awards (SAMA29) which was initially supposed to take place in Durban on Saturday 18 November, but now moved to Sunbet Arena, Menlyn Maine, Pretoria due to several reasons.

Tickets are available from R200 at Computicket. Music has always been Lethiwe’s thing since childhood, and her fans can hits from her going forward.

“I’m very happy to be nominated for the SAMAs and hope many people will start recognising me and start listening to my music,” said Lethiwe who hails from Emalahleni in Mpumalanga.
In her Afro Soul album titled Ubuhle, there are songs that trend a lot like Ungowami, Ngithembele Kuwe, Usizi, Ikhona Indlela, but Ikhona Indlela is most loved song, that’s according to Lethiwe.

It talks more about life and emphasises that there’s always a way out no matter the challenges you face.
The young singer, who spent most of her life working underground as a miner, will be travelling to Tshwane next week for the 2023 SAMA Awards. She already has a plan in mind of what she intends to wear at the ceremony.

After attending the SAMAS for the first time as a fan the previous year, she is now going to Menlyn to win an award.
She first recorded her single titled Victory in 2019 followed by an album called Bambelela in 2020.

Her wish is to find a Public Relations (PR) that will help in marketing her album and work.
As of now, she relies heavily on Ukhozi FM, Gagazi FM and some small community radio station in Emalahleni to keep playing her songs on radio.
She believes once people know about her music, every household will play her songs 24/7.

By TANA MALINGA

IT’S that time of the year again.

The festive season is starting in earnest, and you’ll soon be seeing people having fun from every corner of Mzansi.

Braai stands will be all over the place and music galore.

Well, this happens throughout the rest of the year too, but as soon as November rolls in, the pressure feels especially present. 

What people are looking forward to is live music and entertainment.

Soulful stars Jaziel Brothers and Mondli Ngcobo join Chris Walker and Regina Belle on the 2023 South Africa Summer Concert Tour.

Soul music lovers are in for a thrill in the evening of 1 December at the Durban International Convention Centre.

The final date of the tour will proceed to Sun City in North West on 3 December.

Ntuzuma-born vocalist and pianist, Mondli, carries the dream of becoming Mzansi’ producer and performer considering his contributions to the music industry, he will want to impress on those days.

Mondli’s opening set will feature Metro FM’s Love Movement Wilson B Nkosi, Mzisi Shembe, and Sentle Lehoko.

With that said, show goers can expect nothing less than a well-curated, mesmerising, and jazzy night featuring local and international talent in the warm city of Durban.

Mondli has collaborated with kwaito giants BigNuz and Tira, jazz legend Hugh Masekela and international DJ Black Coffee to mention a few.

The Jaziel Brothers’ opening act is for those who adore love as they’ve been booked and busy on numerous high profile wedding ceremonies.

“Ngeke Ndiphinde” hit-makers, Jaziel Brothers, have collaborated and sold-out concerts with global artists such as the great Oliver Mtukudzi and gospel singer Bebe Winans. The duo is also responsible for several local hits as they have collaborated with the likes of Kelly Khumalo, Vincent Bones, Siphokazi, and Mandoza.

The Metro FM Love Movement will be in full effect and well represented by seranading soul selectors, Wilson B Nkosi, Sentle Lehoko and Msizi Shembe.

Tickets are available on sale at Ticketpro from R690.00. The concert is presented by T&S Platinum concerts. 

By KOPANO MONAHENG
EVERYONE hopes for the day Mzansi is hunger-free, but has everyone done their part to end the hunger?
As long as people remain hopeful that one day things will be fine, nothing will change.
Taking immediate action is the only way to bring peace and love back in this country.
And it is these small initiatives like Kasi Worship Concert that bring some hope into the lives of young South Africans.
During a four day masterclass event which took place at Soweto Theatre, saw people young and old attend the event which was organised by a singer, producer, and business owner JRoss and his wife Megan Vuma. People found out about what it takes to do music/entertainment business, legalities, PR and Marketing, Publishing as well as Sound Engineering and more.
JRoss partnered with South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO), Sheer Publishing Africa, AirCo and Capasso to educate the public and those wanting to start a business in the music industry.
Then on Saturday 28 October there were some performances at the same venue. The whole initiative was to encourage people, especially the youth, to believe in themselves and to understand that nothing can stop them from achieving their goals.
JRoss promised to take this initiative to other Kasis around Mzansi so people can start having some hope for the future.
He said many people are living in poverty in Mzansi and many are depressed and have lost hope in life.
“We want to assure them that there’s still time to turn things around and what they need now is to believe in themselves,” he said.
JRoss said that people who are older need to guide the young ones and show them where to go.
In doing so, they will be doing the country a great favour.

By TANA MALINGA
Springbok have made the African continent proud following eye-catching displays this rugby world cup in France.
The Boks have gone about their business quietly for Mzansi, who have lost just once in the group stages to ensure that they go all the way to defend their title won in 2019.
Tonight is the night as the Boks face New Zealand in the final to clinch their fourth world cup title.
Both Springbok and All Blacks go into this final tonight having previously won the world cup trophy three times in the past and history will be made as both teams will want to break their current record by winning it for their supporters.
Coming back to Mzansi, South Africa kickstart a Kasi Football World Cup today 28 October, and the matches will be played at Doornkop Sport ground featuring 32 amateur football teams in and around Gauteng.
The Kasi world cup as they call it, is hosted by Snekeneke Games.
All matches will be played in dusty sport grounds in Snake Park, Soweto. The winner of this tournament will take home R220 000 while the losing finalists pockets a whopping R100 000.

THE South African Hall of Fame is set to honour the legendary Dr Kaizer Motaung on Thursday, 9 November.

“Dr Kaizer Motaung, an iconic figure in South African sports history, has significantly shaped the football landscape in the nation. As the visionary founder and chairman of the renowned Kaizer Chiefs Football Club, his influence reaches far beyond the field.

“With this induction, his extraordinary contributions will be permanently enshrined in the annals of the South African Hall of Fame,” Johnny Burger, Chairman of the South African Hall of Fame, said during Dr Motaung’s induction.

The induction ceremony will, in a special collaboration with leading South African hospitality and entertainment group Tsogo Sun, take place at an exclusive venue befitting the stature of this monumental occasion.

The South African Hall of Fame said Dr Motaung’s remarkable legacy will be honoured for his “unwavering dedication, profound impact and indelible mark on the sport” and for his major contribution as a world-class footballer, administrator and business leader.

“Your nomination for this prestigious award is a testament to your enduring commitment and your ability to effect positive change in the lives of countless individuals through your remarkable work,” added the South African Hall of Fame as it made the announcement.

Previous inductees into the South African Hall of Fame include former President Nelson Mandela, Gary Player, the 1995 and 2007 Springbok Rugby World Cup winning teams, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Bafana Bafana’s 1995 African Nations Cup winning team.

Distinguished guests, including luminaries from the worlds of sports, entertainment and government, will come together to pay tribute to Dr Motaung’s unparalleled achievements at the induction. This gala event promises to be an unforgettable evening, to honour a man whose legacy has transcended sports and become an integral part of the nation’s cultural fabric.

The collaboration between The South African Hall of Fame and Tsogo Sun underscores the importance of recognising and celebrating those who have made extraordinary contributions to the country’s rich tapestry of talent and achievement.

Source: Kaizer Chiefs

By KOPANO MONAHENG

EVERYONE plays a vital part in society and it’s important that people are financially independent.

This is why Metropolitan has taken it upon itself to educate South Africans about money and their well-being.

The investment company, which has been serving people for more than 125 years now, has recently been organising roundtable discussions with the aim to ensure everyone understands money.

Tlalane Ntuli, chief marketing officer at Metropolitan, said not everyone has to go to tertiary to learn more about investment and finances.

But through collaborations, like what they are doing now, people will get informed about money.

“Lots of education that happens in the job and in partnerships does really help people to know a lot about investment and finances,” she said.

Tlalane said people can learn from one another and that’s what Metropolitan Thematic Media Roundtable is all about.

According to a 2023 survey done by Deloitte, which compares South Africa’s savings rate with other countries, the country’s saving habits are far below average.

This makes it more critical to drive awareness about savings among South Africans.

Research shows that there is no good or bad savings personality – when it comes to savings, it’s important to understand the natural traits you are working with to set in place a strategy that matches your reality.

The high cost of living is forcing people to spend more money on daily living expenses and essentials, leaving little to nothing for savings.

“The reality is that most people are living hand to mouth and simply don’t have enough money to spend, never mind save,” said Mapalo Makhu from Women & Finance. She said factors such as living beyond your means – splurging on items you know you can’t afford in the hopes that you’ll somehow make it through the month – and lack of financial knowledge to assist people navigate their financial space are drivers of the poor savings culture in our country.

“Through Metropolitan Sisonke in Savings campaign last year, we learnt that South Africans are giving each other more realistic advice that takes stock of people’s realities. We nonetheless believe that the findings from our campaign still stand true. The one thing that is evident is that people from all walks of life benefit from advice.”

She concluded by saying that as South Africans we need to relook how we view savings and get our institutions and advisers to meet people where they are.