Stanger Weekly

23/05/2023

19/04/2023

Muso mourned

AARON “Maqhude” Mkhize, a beloved local Maskandi artist, has passed away.
The community of Maphumulo together with the people of KZN mourn the loss of such a talented and cherished member of our community, Maphumulo Mayor Zibuyisile Khuzwayo-Dlamini said.
Maqhude also known as “Ndlala beyiduba beyithengela amasaka bethi izophela” was known for his unique bass guitar style and powerful lyrics, which touched the hearts of many of his fans.
Maqhude has over the years played the guitar for top Maskandi artists including Ntencane, Khuzani Mpungose, Mthandeni Manqele, Izingane Zoma, Amageza Amahle and many more.
"He was among the many artists who have dominated the music industry in the Maskandi genre and has raised the Maphumulo flag high. His music will continue to inspire and uplift the people of Maphumulo and the whole country for years to come.
We extend our deepest condolences to Maqhude's family, friends, and fans during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they navigate this painful loss.
Maqhude's contributions to the local Maskandi music will never be forgotten. He will always hold a special place in the hearts of his community and fans. We ask that the public and Maskandi fans give full support to Maqhude Mkhize's loved ones during this time of mourning," she said.

19/04/2023

Bumper Easter weekend for North Coast

THE Easter weekend brought with it a much needed tourism boost to the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast.
It was a weekend of festivity and the North Coast welcomed visitors to explore what the destination had to offer from unique restaurants, extreme adventure, fun boat ride, game reserves, warm beaches, and plenty more to see and do.
The North Coast region had an average occupancy of between 80 to 90% which is much higher than 2022.
CEO of Enterprise iLembe Linda Mncube said the Easter weekend was certainly one of the busiest periods for the region, where travellers were taking local trips to enjoy quality time with their loved loves and making new memories.
Most properties in the region achieved occupancy levels above 50% with some reporting 100% occupancies and were fully booked for the duration of the Easter weekend. Some establishments reported that this was their best and busiest weekend post the Covid-19 pandemic which took a massive toll on the tourism sector on the North Coast. "There were some establishments that struggled to fill up rooms mainly because people wanted cheaper and discounted rates, which is clearly an indication that the current economic situation is impacting travel decisions," Mncube said.
Mncube thanked visitors for supporting local businesses and growing the market share of domestic tourism.
"The positive accommodation occupancy figures indicate a growth trajectory, and we are confident that this will continue for the remainder of the year. This growth is largely attributed to the concerted efforts of all stakeholders to market and promote the destination and to our trade for the excellent standards in the product offering."
Following the Easter weekend rush, establishments are hopeful for the upcoming Freedom Day long weekend.
Speaking to the Weekly, one restaurant manager said they were filled to capacity on most days during the Easter weekend and were sure that the coming Freedom Day long weekend will be the same.
"We had lots of locals in during the Easter weekend and I am sure it will be mush the same for the coming long weekend. People locally also just want to relax during a long weekend and we as local businesses benefit from this. Also that weekend is right after most peoples pay day so that is another positive because people are more likely to spend money when they have money. I think it will be a good one. Definitely a very positive outlook for the festive season indeed."

03/04/2023

The Stanger Weekly hosted a CANSA Shavathon at the KwaDukuza Mall on Friday. Thank you to all those who supported the very important initiative. Watch what we got up to here:

Hi guys, it was really an honour to partner with the KwaDukuza Mall and Cansa together with the Stanger Weekly newspaper for this event. We were grateful to ...

31/03/2023

‘Hope’ at Cansa Shavathon

31/03/2023

Come through and do your bit for Cansa, we’re KwaDukuza Mall outside Spur.

31/03/2023

We have done our first shave! Come and support us! Support Cansa!

31/03/2023

The time has come! Please come through and support Cansa at the KwaDukuza Mall

30/03/2023

Water struggles hit Blythedale

HUNDREDS of Blythedale residents were left without water for two full weeks as a result of multiple supply issues which they say were poorly handled by the district municipality.
The outage which began on Saturday, March 11 persisted until this past weekend when the full supply was finally restored in all households and establishments in the area by the iLembe District Municipality.
A resident, who asked not to be named, said the most frustrating thing about going those 14 days without water, was that the reasons for the outage changed on a daily basis.
By Thursday of the some 250 houses affected, only about 30% received low pressure water, but the rest remained dry well until the weekend, she said.
"We were told the TLB they were using broke, then they ran out of spares, then the Umgeni shutdown, then a pipe on a bend that needed special welding then the repair failed, and by then people were gatvol. The water only really came back this past Sunday morning."
She said overall the lack of communication was terribly frustrating because they had to constantly ask for explanations and the call centre was consistently unhelpful or unreachable.
"If they were just honest and said this is what is wrong and this is how long it would be we could have prepared and dealt with that. It's bad enough not having water, but not knowing why or when it was coming back, that is ridiculous."
In an effort to explain the situation, iLembe operations manager for the KwaDukuza area, Elias Bhengu said a 400-dimeter pipe supplying water to the area burst due to surges caused by stopping and starting of the supply by bulk supplier Umgeni Water that was experiencing interruptions, as a result of failures, on its raw water pumps.
“These failures on the raw water supply resulted in Umgeni Lower Thukela pipeline developing more leaks, and also the existing leaks getting worse. This forced Umgeni to stop supply completely in order to deal with those repairs. The initial request for the shutdown was from 6am to 9pm, but this was extended beyond the 9pm to 5am the following morning. The intermittent supply caused surges onto the district municipality’s pipelines which ended up breaking the pipes at a certain point,” said Bhengu.
He said the district made attempts to carry out repairs within a short space of time were not successful resulting in delays on the reinstatement of water supply.
Umgeni conducted repairs on its raw pumps concluding them on the same day as iLembe completed its own repairs on the pipe last Saturday, March 18.
“Unfortunately, the district’s repairs failed and a decision was taken to carry out repairs in parallel with us reinstating the redundant old supply system to Blythedale. We managed to bring the supply to operation on the evening of the 19th,” said Bhengu.
This old system is currently operational and is supplying the Blythedale village, he said.
The shortcomings on the system is that it has not caught up with the demand as a result the high lying areas were still compromised by Thursday.
iLembe is currently supplying Blythedale through the old pipeline whilst repairing the 400-diameter line, he said on Thursday, and repairs on the 400-diameter pipeline were at an advanced stage.
He said they anticipated bringing it on line this past Saturday, which appeared to have been successful.
He said a water tanker had been deployed to the area to supply water daily, and one tanker was enough since there was some supply from the old line and what the truck was doing was to augment especially to areas that did not receive supply.
"iLembe District Municipality is committed to providing continued water supply to its consumers and apologises profusely for the inconvenience that this interruption has caused," Bhengu said.

29/03/2023

KwaDukuza deputy mayor dies

KWADUKUZA deputy mayor Thulani Ntuli died after collapsing outside the municipal offices in Chief Albert Luthuli Street earlier today.
His death has been confirmed by the municipality however, the cause of his death is currently unclear.
It is believed that 49-year-old Ntuli was headed towards Absa Bank across from the municipality when he collapsed.
Rumours that he had been shot began circulating shortly after the incident, however, these were confirmed to be untrue by municipal law enforcement.
This is a developing story.

29/03/2023

Read the paper:

Sugar Mill crisis

23/03/2023

Truck hijacked

The driver of a truck was shot during an alleged hijacking on the N2 northbound near KwaDukuza this morning.
IPSS Medical Rescue on arrival found that the driver was in a serious condition, and was stabilised on scene by IPSS Medical advanced life support before being transported to a local hospital in a serious condition. The truck was not on scene.
A short while later, IPSS Security manager, Sabelo, and his team located the truck in some sugarcane fields on the outskirts of Stanger. Unfortunately the suspects had already fled with the load.
The scene has been handed over to SAPS for further investigation.

22/03/2023

Read the paper:

Trek for literacy

20/03/2023

Your is to vote for your favourite SPAR Star so they can be in line to win a My SPAR R5000 voucher.

Here are your current local nominees that are up on our website ready for your vote, go and check them out.

1) Kimara Reddy from Sagewood Preparatory School
2) Noah Moonsamy from Stanger Manor Primary school
3) Amelia Rose Moodley from Glenhills Secondary School
4) Chloe Pillay from Stanger Manor Secondary School

Vote at https://northglennews.co.za/spar-superstars-stanger.../, go to Promotions, then click in SPAR Superstars Stanger Weekly 2023 and cast your vote.

My SPAR

17/03/2023

PUBLIC NOTICE: *Emergency 15-hour shutdown of the Lower Thukela Bulk Potable Water Pipeline*

Members of the public, please be informed that an emergency shutdown of the Lower Thukela bulk potable water pipeline began this morning, Friday 17 March 2023 at 06h00, to repair four leaks that have been detected on this pipeline. Work is scheduled to be completed by evening, today Friday at 21h00, 17 March 2023. After repairs are completed, the pipeline will be recommissioned, enabling it to receive and convey water again. The pipeline conveys drinking water from the Lower Thukela Bulk Water Supply Scheme in Mandini to supply iLembe District Municipality for reticulation within a vast area in iLembe.

The following areas will be affected by no water supply during the 15-hour shutdown: *Zinkwazi, San Sounci, Darnall, Lindelani, Nonoti, Blythedale, Saunders Reservoir, Glenhills, Warrenton, Stanger Manor, High Ridge, Shakaville, Townview, Honolulu Reservoir, Groutville, Melville, Mbozamo, Ntshawini*.

A problem that occurred on Tuesday, 14 March 2023, with the pumps that abstract raw water from the Thukela River for transfer to the water treatment has been repaired. The pumps were tripping, preventing continuous supply of raw water. After the pumps were repaired, the storage reservoirs were still not filling adequately. On investigation, the four leaks were detected and are to be repaired as a matter of urgency, beginning 06h00 on Friday, 17 March 2023.

Three teams will be working simultaneously to ensure that the work is completed in the shortest possible period.

Umgeni Water wishes to thank the iLembe District Municipality for its co-operation and understanding. Umgeni Water also wishes to apologize to consumers for any inconvenience that may be caused during the shutdown. An assurance is given that every effort will be made to try to complete the work before the allocated 15 hours.

■ *To report theft, a leak or for water and sanitation related queries please contact our 24hr call centre on 032-4379371 and 032-4379427 or send a WhatsApp message to 074-3444508. You can also email us: [email protected]*

17/03/2023

The iLembe Chamber has had the opportunity to attend security briefings and meetings with stakeholders, in all our primary economic nodes, on the planned National Shutdown on Monday, the 20th of March 2023.

The National Shutdown was called in response to the ongoing load shedding crisis, and the impact thereof on persistent socio-economic issues. The business community, as a community most severely impacted on by load shedding, sympathises with all communities that are being impacted on by the disruption caused by the power crisis, but do not believe that the disruption of economic activity is a means of resolving the crisis and addressing the associated socio-economic problems.

Unease around security, trading difficulties of a number of businesses, the cost of starting up considering that Tuesday, the 21st, is a public holiday, and uncertainty around employee availability, have resulted in a number of manufacturing and related businesses deciding not to operate on Monday.

The preparedness of our law enforcement agencies and their supporting structures, the confirmation from the taxi industry that they do not support the call for a national shutdown, and reassurances that any protests will be peaceful and won't infringe the rights of citizens, especially those of workers, the Chamber is confident that Monday will be a normal working day for our region's economy.

Individual employers are still encouraged to conduct risk assessments specific to their businesses, based on its location and industry, to evaluate potential risks and act accordingly with flexibility and consideration for their workforces, and the protection of their assets.

The Chamber will once again provide its support to the GBOC and similar structures across the district.
The Chamber further wishes to extend its appreciation to all law enforcement agencies, especially the commanders of the various SAPS stations in our region, the volunteers within the CPF structures as well as the local private security companies that are going out of their way to ensure that Monday remains an uninterrupted trading day.

Andy Horton
iLembe Chamber

16/03/2023

IDM adopts first adjustment budget

ILEMBE Mayor Thobani Shandu tabled the 2022/2023 adjustment budget in a special sitting of council last week, which after robust engagements, was adopted by council.
This adjustments budget is a result of a resolution taken during a meeting held on January 31.
In terms of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, the mayor must table an adjustments budget accompanied by explanations on how the adjustments budget affects the annual budget, provide supporting documentation and motivate for any material changes to the annual budget.
The Act forbids the mayor from adjusting tariffs and taxes except where required in terms of cost containment measures.
Shandu presented the item to council and reported a decrease on capital projects by R13.3 million after taking into account the special adjusted budget increase of R11 million and increase on operating budget by R134.9 million.
The 2023 total expenditure budget amounts to R1 697 262 000 while the total Medium-Term Expenditure Framework amounts to R3 906 450 000.
Budget highlights
The total capital budget is sitting at R 355 061 000 with an operational budget of R1 342 201 000.
Whip of council, councillor Sandeep Oudhram said the municipality must focus on improving bulk purchase, hiring of water tanker, debt increase as well as revenue collection.
“We must ensure that that within four months spending of grants is positively implemented,” he said.
Opposition parties raised a concern of receiving the document in a short period leading to members not being able to peruse it sufficiently for which the municipal manager Sazi Mbhele apologised mentioning that there were challenges in terms of technologically unforeseen circumstances.
Other items included the Siza Water's five year review and profit sharing where council was appraised of the profit sharing set aside by Siza Water for the district municipality as per the concession agreement.
Council also bid farewell to chief financial officer Mahendra Chandulal and resolved to appoint Manager: Assets Emmanuel Ngcobo as the acting CFO for a period not exceeding three months.

16/03/2023

Maphumulo pupils honoured

MAPHUMULO Local Municipality held its annual Matric Excellence Awards ceremony on Friday at the Maphumulo Town Hall to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the Class of 2022.
The event honoured matriculants and schools who produced quality results in the 2022 National Senior Certificate exams. The top ten schools and pupils from within Maphumulo were awarded for their sterling work.
Maphumulo Mayor Zibuyisile Khuzwayo-Dlamini congratulated the pupils and acknowledged the dedication of both the teachers and pupils.
“We are grateful to the teachers for their sterling work, ours is merely to say thank you for preparing our future leaders and we will continue supporting your hard work. Learners, today is a celebration of your achievement and contemplation of what now lies ahead. Your achievements have availed opportunities for you and given you choices which are yours to take and use. As you are about to venture into the next phase of your lives, please be cautioned that meaningful achievement and lasting success does not happen in an instant. It takes daily effort, hard work and discipline,” said Khuzwayo-Dlamini.
Khuzwayo-Dlamini also encouraged the pupils who did not achieve their 2022 National Senior Certificates to not give up but keep trying to secure their matric certificates.
“I must take this opportunity to urge those who have not passed matric to know that all is not lost. You have multiple options to consider such as getting a remark, registering for supplementary exams, consider the second chance programmes, take bridging courses and re-doing some subjects,” said the mayor.
The Mayor alongside deputy mayor Simphiwe Shange, speaker of council Sinenhlanhla Chili and Department of Education iLembe District director Dr Musawenkosi Madondo awarded the Best Performing Learner award to Luyanda Gcwabaza from Mbhekaphansi Secondary School.
Ngcolosi Secondary School made its name by scooping the Best Performing School award with a 100% pass rate. Amongst other categories were; Most Improved Schools, Best Performing Teachers in Subjects, Best Performing Learners in Subjects and School that Achieved the Most Distinctions.
Khuzwayo-Dlamini also awarded a Mayoral Award of Recognition to Nhlokozi Secondary School for obtaining a 100% pass rate for seven consecutive years.
This event was held in partnership with the Department of Education and Asibahlenge Youth Organisation and was attended by amongst others dignitaries, school principals, representatives from the Department of Education, councillors, parents and pupils.

15/03/2023

Read the paper here:

Blazing ahead on campaign trail

14/03/2023

Shout out to all local schools – if you have a learner that is excelling on the sports field ( Primary School or High School) academically and or with cultural activities, send us their photo with a small write up explaining why they've been chosen. They could be the next SPAR Star, and walk away with a R5000 My SPAR voucher.

Any learner in the areas of the below newspaper titles can enter.

Berea Mail, Highway Mail, Northglen News, Queensburgh News, Eyethu News Durban, South Coast Sun and Southlands Sun.

Email your SPAR Star entry to: [email protected]

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