Putco says all buses have left Moria following pilgrimage
Zion Christian Church pilgrims descend on the holy site for the Easter weekend.
This year's event is particularly significant as it's the first full-scale gathering in five years. The COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on mass events paused the annual pilgrimage in 2020.
Putco spokesperson Lindokuhle Xulu says to date at least 172 of their buses have already reached Mpumalanga and Gauteng.
"What we did was to dispatch buses soon after the service yesterday," he said .
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Buntu Matole's vision: revolutionising Cape Town tourism through community engagement
Buntu Matole, an entrepreneur born in Khayelitsha, offers township tours in Cape Town. Image: Supplied At the heart of Cape Town's vibrant travel scene, Buntu Matole stands as a beacon of change, driving a revolution in how tourism intersects with local culture. As the co-founder and director of a pioneering travel company, Matole has dedicated the last decade to crafting experiences that illuminate the rich tapestry of South African communities, particularly those often overlooked by conventional tourism. 'My motivation has always been to create meaningful experiences that connect people to places, cultures, and stories that are often overlooked,' Matole shares, reflecting on his journey that began ten years ago. Growing up in Khayelitsha, he witnessed the beauty and depth of local culture, recognising the need to embrace rather than lament his community's narrative. Through his various projects, Matole has not only opened doors for visitors but has also provided vital opportunities for local communities. He fondly recalls his pride in launching initiatives such as the ABCD Concept and the 'Class in the Cloud' programme, which takes disadvantaged school children on adventures to Table Mountain, one of the world's seven wonders. 'This experience gives them access to a world of possibilities they may not otherwise encounter,' he explains, stressing the importance of local travel and awareness. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Another initiative close to Matole's heart is the Mask Campaign launched during the Covid-19 pandemic. In a time of crisis, he orchestrated a collaboration with local tailors to produce reusable cloth masks, offering both protection and economic relief for families affected by the pandemic. 'It was about using what we had to take care of each other,' he notes, highlighting the power of community action. Recently, Matole has turned his focus toward empowering the youth through the Youth Travel & Tech Summit, a project that unites young people from various townships to explore opportunities in tourism and technology. Buntu Matole showing tourists around a township near Cape Town. Image: Supplied 'Seeing young people inspired to dream bigger is the best reward,' Matole asserts, emphasising the importance of mentorship and skill-building. Taking creative risks has defined Matole's journey. He challenges the mainstream narrative of township tourism by offering immersive experiences that foster direct community interaction. 'We created walking and running tours that allow tourists to experience township life authentically. The result is a much richer engagement for both visitors and residents,' he reflects. These bold moves have not only set him apart from competitors but have also reaffirmed the significance of community-led tourism. However, the journey hasn't always been comfortable. Matole candidly admits that many perceive him as a naturally confident public speaker due to his leading roles. 'The truth is, I often push myself out of my comfort zone,' he states. But it's this very discomfort that fuels his drive to advocate for his community and continue building connections within it. Living in Cape Town, Matole thrives amidst the city's dynamic blend of cultures and natural beauty. 'There's nowhere else where you can wake up to the ocean, walk through vibrant townships, hike a mountain, and end the day enjoying music and good food together,' he enthuses. For visitors, he advises bringing an open mind, as the essence of Cape Town lies in the stories and connections waiting to be discovered beyond the tourist hotspots. On destinations Matole has dreamt of exploring, Mozambique is at the top for its lively culture and stunning coastlines, while he also expressed a desire to visit Lesotho to experience its rich heritage. 'The best holidays aren't about fancy resorts; they're about places that remind you how wonderfully diverse our world is,' he reflects. Looking towards 2025, Matole envisions expanding the Youth Travel & Tech Summit and launching new community-led experiences. Strengthening partnerships with local and international organisations is a key goal, ensuring a wider distribution of resources and training for local communities. 'At the heart of all this is the same mission: telling our stories, creating opportunities, and showcasing the power of our communities,' he explains. He encourages aspiring travel industry professionals to embrace their journeys authentically. 'Start where you are, with what you have. Don't be afraid to take risks and ask for help - focus on the people and the stories.' Matole's journey has revealed that meaningful connections and genuine experiences are the foundation of impactful travel. Amidst his many roles, Matole recalls one of the most bizarre moments of his career: organising a silent disco on a township street amidst load shedding. 'It turned into one of the most unforgettable nights,' he recalls, reminding us that sometimes the most unexpected ideas create magical connections between people. For Matole, life is governed by his mantra: 'Start with what you have, where you are, and do what you can.' This ethos has shaped his approach to creating impactful experiences and nurturing his community through tourism.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
R70 000 to repair potholes
Wynand de Villiers Wynand de Villiers of De Villiers National Cycling, who has been involved in cycling for 24 years and worked side by side with the previous Cycling South Africa president Raoul de Villiers, said they have already had to pay R70 000 to service providers to repair potholes so that races can take place. 'It cannot be window-dressed. It is becoming increasingly difficult to host road races.' Besides the poor condition of the country's roads, he said Covid-19 has also had a major impact, with sponsors not returning to the sport. 'Without sponsors and numbers, it is difficult.' Entries at most major races, such as the Montecasino and Emperors, have dropped. Some of the races he is aware of that have also been cancelled include the Carnival City and the Race for Victory. De Villiers said cycling is his passion, and he will continue to host races as long as he can and that the entries for this year's Montecasino on October 12 look good. Danie Botha – president, Mpumalanga Cycling National road cycling has a very big challenge, and in my opinion, the period it takes for approval from authorities and the condition of roads that change overnight means that many of the big races this year have to be cancelled or postponed. The biggest challenge we have is to find roads that will allow us to ride safely. 'With the passing of Oom Hendrik and the incredible knowledge he had, there was no one else who wanted to take over the races, and I think the period to get everyone's approval will not just happen overnight. 'I am currently looking at options to give road cycling a strong foundation again in Mpumalanga, but one's starting point is always the safety of riders and then the rest. ' I hope to get a road cycling race in place in 2026 that will attract people and also many of our riders who ride abroad, the right month just needs to be chosen. 'Eastern Transvaal used to be the mecca of road cycling, but with the condition of the roads, the grand tours aren't going to happen. I always look at the trends happening internationally, and I believe that cycling as a whole is undergoing a metamorphosis.' Also read: Save the rhino… but what about the road cyclist? Colin Hoffman – veteran cycling journalist Road cycling is certainly dying out. The general condition of the roads, and the extremely high cost of hosting races these days play a big role in this. Hosting the Cape Cycling Tour already costs in the region of R1m just to keep the traffic arrangements running smoothly. Another factor is the high entry fees. The absolute incompetence of Cycling South Africa also has a lot to do with it. It's a bunch of people who sit at the office all day and don't do much. Cyclists themselves are also to blame. Most are true prima donnas, and there is never a shortage of opinions. Everyone always has solutions to 'fix' things, but as soon as you ask them for help, they disappear like mist before the sun. The future of cycling definitely lies in mountain biking and gravel racing, and to a lesser extent, criteriums like the former Il Campione or the Zoo Lake Kermesse. Gravel racing is just as good as our road racing, with all the 'potholes'. However, these disciplines will never be able to develop tough road men and women. My biggest dismay is that track cycling is also at its end. The Velodrome in Bellville seems to me doomed. And if this one falls (and it will), it is the end of track cycling in the country. The rest of the tracks are in a terrible condition, and of the 32 tracks we had in 1989, only seven remain. And still, FSA fails to do anything. Jaap Beyers – Chairman of the Middelburg Cycling Club The safety of our roads plays the biggest role. It has also become attractive with the wave of MTB stage events, with the bonus of exploring nature with friends that road cycling can no longer compete with. As students, we organised big road cycling tours, but the hassle of applying to the various road agencies and authorities and the cost of road events today is the final 'nail in the coffin'. I was a road cyclist for years and have organised many road as well as mountain bike events over the past 35 years, but will not organise road cycling events again… due to the above reasons. Cycling SA also plays a role… but I don't want to stick my head in that beehive.
Daily Maverick
6 days ago
- Daily Maverick
US could require up to $15,000 bonds for some tourist visas under pilot program
The program gives U.S. consular officers the discretion to impose bonds on visitors from countries with high rates of visa overstays, according to a Federal Register notice. Bonds could also be applied to people coming from countries where screening and vetting information is deemed insufficient, the notice said. President Donald Trump has made cracking down on illegal immigration a focus of his presidency, boosting resources to secure the border and arresting people in the U.S. illegally. He issued a travel ban in June that fully or partially blocks citizens of 19 nations from entering the U.S. on national security grounds. Trump's immigration policies have led some visitors to skip travel to the United States. Transatlantic airfares dropped to rates last seen before the COVID-19 pandemic in May and travel from Canada and Mexico to the U.S. fell by 20% year-over-year. Effective August 20, the new visa program will last for approximately a year, the government notice said. Consular officers will have three options for visa applicants subjected to the bonds: $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000, but will generally be expected to require at least $10,000, it said. The funds will be returned to travelers if they depart in accordance with the terms of their visas, the notice said. A similar pilot program was launched in November 2020 during the last months of Trump's first term in office, but it was not fully implemented due to the drop in global travel associated with the pandemic, the notice said. The State Department was unable to estimate the number of visa applicants who could be affected by the change. Many of the countries targeted by Trump's travel ban also have high rates of visa overstays, including Chad, Eritrea, Haiti, Myanmar and Yemen. Numerous countries in Africa, including Burundi, Djibouti and Togo also had high overstay rates, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data from fiscal year 2023. A provision in a sweeping spending package passed in the Republican-controlled U.S. Congress in July also created a $250 'visa integrity fee' for anyone approved for a non-immigrant visa that could potentially be reimbursable for those who comply with visa rules. The $250 fee goes into effect on October 1.
