Latest news with #Mdaka
The Citizen
30-07-2025
- The Citizen
Life sentences for Mpumalanga tavern owners who set alleged burglars alight
The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court has delivered a stern message against vigilantism, sentencing Mpilo Clinton Twala (35), Advice Philimon Lubisi (39) and Joshua Mkhonto (42) to life imprisonment for the horrific 2020 murders of Isaac Mdaka and Xoli Mathebula. Mpumalanga News reports the trio were sentenced yesterday. According to Monica Nyuswa, the spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority in Mpumalanga, the men were convicted on two counts of murder, three counts of kidnapping, and one of assault. The charges stem from a brutal incident that took place on March 1, 2020, in Xhimungwe, Bushbuckridge. 'Twala and Mkhonto, both tavern owners, along with Twala's friend Lubisi, are reported to have forcefully abducted Mdaka and Mathebula from their homes. The victims were accused of breaking into Twala's tavern and were taken to an open field, where they were savagely assaulted with scissor jacks before being doused with petrol and set alight,' says Nyuswa. She adds that despite suffering severe burns, Mdaka miraculously managed to escape and was discovered by a passer-by who alerted his father. An ambulance was called and both victims were rushed to Matikwane Hospital, where they later succumbed to their injuries. The three killers were arrested a week later. During the trial, Twala, Lubisi and Mkhonto pleaded not guilty and denied any involvement in the crime. However, senior state Adv Vuyo Mkhulise presented a compelling case, strengthened by Mdaka's testimony – given before his death – as well as accounts from eyewitnesses. 'One witness recounted seeing the accused assaulting Mdaka, and his father identified one of them as the person who had taken his son. Post-mortem reports, confirming severe burn injuries as the cause of death for both victims, were also submitted as irrefutable evidence,' says Nyuswa. The court ultimately found the accused guilty on all charges. In aggravation of sentence, Mkhulise emphasised the trio's complete lack of remorse, describing the murders as exceptionally cruel and indicative of a profound disregard for human life. Victim impact statements, facilitated by court preparation officer Nomfundo Mokoena, further highlighted the immense and lasting trauma suffered by the victims' families. Each of the accused received the following sentences: Life imprisonment for each count of murder Five years' imprisonment for each count of kidnapping Twelve months' imprisonment for assault, suspended for five years The court ruled that all sentences would run concurrently, effectively meaning each accused will serve life imprisonment. The Department of Correctional Services was also instructed to consult the victims' families before any consideration of parole, ensuring the gravity of the crimes continues to be acknowledged throughout the correctional process. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
The Citizen
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Dumisani Masilela Theatre launches Fresh Kulture Friday to uplift youth talent
The Dumisani Masilela Theatre celebrated Youth Month with a series of engaging programmes, bringing industry experts together with aspiring talent. On June 20, the theatre hosted a DJing and Music Business Masterclass with renowned Sabelo 'DJ Sabby' Mtshali, followed by an electrifying showcase of musical performances under the theatre's new concept, Fresh Kulture Friday. This exciting initiative will recur monthly, providing a platform for emerging talent to share their skills and passion with the audience. ALSO READ: Germiston theatre bags award for a play Fresh Kulture Friday promises to be a highlight, offering a refreshing display of creativity and artistry. Dalton Vusi Mdaka, a City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) official, shared insights into the events, highlighting DJ Sabby's influence on young people in the city. 'DJ Sabby is a role model, and his industry expertise is unparalleled,' Mdaka said. 'During the masterclass, DJ Sabby shared valuable knowledge on music selection, radio presence, and personal branding. He emphasised the importance of brand management and effective social media handling. ALSO READ: Smart Theatre in Germiston brings excitement among creatives 'The session also covered music rights and the business side of the industry,' said Mdaka. With overwhelming interest, Mdaka hopes DJ Sabby will select mentees to mentor, increasing their visibility. 'DJing is an art form that can that can launch artists onto the global stage,' Mdaka noted, adding that South Africa is currently a major exporter of Amapiano music worldwide. According to Mdaka, the Fresh Kulture Friday concept features the EPEP team, showcasing their artistic talents through various forms of expression. The platform brings together poetry, music, and dance, providing a space for creatives to share their work and connect with audiences. 'By combining these art forms, Fresh Kulture Friday aims to create a vibrant and engaging experience for theatre lovers,' said Mdaka. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
20-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Tzaneen honours Amajita coach's Afcon triumph
TZANEEN – Greater Tzaneen Municipality Mayor Gerson Molapisane welcomed Amajita head coach Raymond Mdaka with a hero's homecoming on Thursday, June 12, in recognition of his recent football triumph. Mdaka, who hails from Mokgwathi village outside Tzaneen, led South Africa's u/20 national football team to victory at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Egypt last month. The team secured their title after a thrilling semi-final win over Nigeria and a 1–0 triumph against Morocco in the final, held in Cairo. Their Afcon success has also earned them a spot in the Fifa u/20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Chile this September. To celebrate Mdaka's achievement, Molapisane gifted him R35 000, expressing hope that the funds would support the Raymond Mdaka Foundation's upcoming annual soccer and netball tournament in Mokgwathi later this month. The homecoming festivities began with a celebratory parade from Letaba Showgrounds to the Tzaneen Taxi Rank, culminating in an official ceremony at the municipal offices. 'We celebrate you, Coach, for putting the Tzaneen flag on the map,' said Molapisane. 'We also want to thank your wife, who made many sacrifices for the family. Ma Mdaka, you were the head of the family when the soldier was out at war, we celebrate you too.' Molapisane added that he may travel to Chile later this year to support the team. Vincent Ramphago, president of the SAFA in Mopani, praised Mdaka as a role model for other coaches. 'He has set an example of excellence and commitment,' Ramphago said. In his response, Mdaka expressed gratitude to the mayor, his family, and the community for their unwavering support and prayers. 'It feels good to be honoured at home while you are still alive,' he said. 'You may not be the coach of Bafana Bafana, but other countries are taking notice of your work.' Mdaka's wife, Agnes, shared with the Herald that she supported his decision to leave teaching for full-time coaching because of his deep passion for football. 'It hasn't been an easy journey,' she said. 'But through it all, we've seen the hand of God.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
12-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Safa criticised for mishandling Amajita coach Raymond Mdaka situation
It was also revealed that Mdaka's salary is below R50,000 per month. This is in stark contrast to Bafana Bafana 's Belgian coach Hugo Broos , who reportedly earns a six-figure monthly salary. Mdaka led Amajita to the junior Afcon title last month, but according to reports, Safa has not processed bonuses due to the coach, while the footballing body's bonuses have been paid following the tournament. Challenges Facing South African Football Coaches: Issues with SAFA Support "The people that want to be coaches will most certainly be asking themselves, is this really the treatment that the coaches are getting? Which is not good for our youth football or South African football in general,' Mnguni told "The sad thing is, you can see that he's an old person; he's been around for a long time in football. My concerns are not solely about him as an individual, but more so about his family, his children, and wife, that his name is in the public like that and his salary has been made public information." "So, for the mental state of the family and the children, I think that's the sad part, that we just know such things all over the media. And could this have been handled better? Yes, definitely it could have been handled better, but the situation needs to be solved swiftly and needs to be addressed by Safa.' Mnguni went on to reveal that he has been trying to further his coaching qualifications, and has received little assistance from Safa. "Dealing with Safa is difficult. It's so difficult to go through Safa. I've won the league back-to-back. I've been trying to do my Caf B licence, and I find it difficult, even if I meet all the requirements, but I find it difficult just to say, Can I just do this course? Sometimes I feel like you need to know someone at Safa just to do this course.' "To be quite honest, I don't feel like it's easy to get communication through Safa. We are coaching youth football. I think we should be the ones who are prioritised for these coaching certificates because we need that knowledge so that we can develop better players. But if we find it this difficult to do a course, we won't reach our true potential.' @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Tzaneen coach lifts African Cup of Nations trophy
TZANEEN – Congratulatory messages are flooding in for Raymond Mdaka, head coach of South Africa's u/20 national soccer team, Amajita, after leading the squad to a historic victory at the 2024 African Cup of Nations (Afcon). Amajita secured a hard-fought 1–0 win over Morocco in the final, held in Egypt on Sunday night, May 18. Mdaka, who hails from Mokgwathi village in Bolobedu and now resides in Nkowankowa, has etched his name into the history books by guiding the team to become the first South African soccer side to lift the Afcon u/20 title. Reflecting on the win, Mdaka said the achievement goes beyond football; it symbolises belief, perseverance, and the power of opportunity. 'This trophy belongs to every young dreamer who dares to chase greatness, and to every community that nurtures those dreams. To the players, staff, families, and supporters, thank you. Let's keep building, inspiring, and empowering,' he said. This marks the second major title for Mdaka and his young squad. In October last year, he also led Amajita to victory in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup held in Mozambique. In recognition of his contributions to sport, Mdaka was honored in January with the MEC of Sport, Arts and Culture Award during the Limpopo Sports Awards. Greater Tzaneen Municipality Mayor Gerson Molapisane praised the coach's outstanding leadership and extended his congratulations. 'We are incredibly proud of coach Mdaka's exceptional guidance and the determination displayed by Amajita throughout the tournament. This victory is proof of what can be accomplished through discipline, teamwork, and resilience,' the mayor said, adding that the community is eagerly awaiting Mdaka's return to Tzaneen to celebrate the milestone. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
