Latest news with #Mlambo
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Displaced but not defeated, hawkers vow to fight for their spot
'They removed us so that they can plant trees,' declared hawker Blessing Melambo, a statement that encapsulated the anguish many traders feel as they were forcibly cleared from the busy intersection at Winnie Mandela Drive and Fourways Boulevard. The removals, executed by the JMPD following a call from Fourways Mall, Ward 94 councillor David Foley, and the intervention of the Fourways Improvement District officers, are part of a beautification project envisioned by the mall. While the hawkers, including Mlambo and Fatima Mashaba, acknowledge that the land belongs to the mall's proprietors, the emotional and economic toll is palpable. 'It's really painful,' said Mlambo, voicing the frustration of traders who have long depended on the foot traffic and commerce of this bustling location. 'We really do not mind getting a designated area where we can pay rent and keep clean. We have been here for a long time and leaving just like that is not easy for us.' Also read: Fourways Gardens Estate plant 67 trees for 67 minutes of Mandela Day But not all the traders are willing to take this removal lying down. 'We are not just going to move quietly this time around,' said Lindi Mothali, vowing to seek guidance from various government departments. Mothali, and fellow traders, are demanding, not only a right to their livelihoods, but also a seat at the table in future decision-making processes. 'It's painful, because we get our items from the mall,' said Margaret Seanego, highlighting the close economic ties that bind them to the mall's ecosystem. Seanego said she has spent decades trading at this intersection, and she laments that her removal now endangers her ability to support her grandchildren. 'We just need them to show a little compassion and work with us, because we are also customers at the mall.' Foley, at the time, said the law is clear, hawking is not permitted on provincial roads. He also confirmed that the removal of the hawkers was lawful. Also read: Lonehill residents create 'Garden of Eden' at shopping centre with indigenous plants Trees to bring shade and beauty, but at what cost? In a few short months, a soft, green canopy of Celtis Africana trees will stretch over parts of Winnie Mandela Drive and Fourways Boulevard. Hardy, evergreen, and low-maintenance, the species was specifically chosen to line the streets leading up to Fourways Mall as part of the beautification project which is now in full swing. The trees, 200 in total, were donated by Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo to enhance the environment around the mall. They're being carefully planted by local landscaping company, We Serve Landscaping, headed by Ishmael Mutileni His team has already begun work along the key arteries surrounding the mall, including Cedar Road. 'These are not just any trees,' Mutileni explained. 'Celtis Africana are perfect for urban spaces. They don't damage infrastructure with their roots and they stay lush during their season. In just a few months, this area will be transformed.' Also read: Fourways resident fed up with eye sore vendors taking over Winnie Mandela Drive The project has been championed by Fourways Mall representative Nicho Mbhumi, who described the current phase as a milestone. 'I'm very happy, because this is what I needed to see. We want to improve the aesthetic of the mall for the community, environment, and people who are coming to the area. I can't wait for them to bloom and show off their beauty. 'We understand that the informal traders are trying to make a living, but law enforcement is also important. We were very understanding when we were enforcing the law. Nobody's goods were impounded. We simply explained why they can't be here,' said Mbhumi. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
The Citizen
22-07-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Ward 16, 21 teams celebrate Mandela Day with acts of kindness
In a heartfelt act of compassion as part of Mandela Day celebrations, the Ward 16 Task Team dedicated their time to cleaning the home of the Nene family in the Shayamoya area of Ntabamhlophe. This act of kindness went beyond cleaning, as the team also handed over a food parcel to the struggling family, generously donated by the Al-Imdaad Foundation. The mother, who is unemployed and raising a three-year-old child, is not receiving any social grant. The family survives with the help of supportive neighbours. More photos: Meanwhile, on the same day, the Ward 21 War Room team visited the Mlambo family home in Imbabane, Weenen. The team did some cleaning up and provided much-needed support in the form of groceries, a sponge mattress, and a blanket. Also read: Senior Citizens Club celebrates Mandela Day with acts of kindness These initiatives are part of the broader spirit of Mandela Day, celebrated worldwide on July 18, encouraging individuals and groups to give back to their communities through service and generosity. See more photos: Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join us there! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
17-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Bittersweet return for Mlambo as PFL Africa era kicks off in Cape Town
The last time Frans Mlambo competed in South Africa was in December 2018 at BRAVE CF 19 where he beat his compatriot Dansheel Moodley via submission in the first round. Photo: BRAVE CF Image: BRAVE CF It's been a 'bittersweet' return home for South Africa's Ireland-based mixed martial artist, Frans Mlambo. For the first time in seven years, Mlambo (15-6) touched down in Cape Town this week ahead of his PFL Africa bantamweight clash against Zimbabwe's unbeaten Simbarashe Hokonya (5-0), set to take place at the Grand Arena at GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World on Saturday, 19 July. The fight is part of a historic event as the Professional Fighters League (PFL) officially launches its African franchise, marking a significant milestone in the global promotion's expansion plans. Simbarashe Hokonya and Frans Mlambo share a unique face-off in BoKaap, Cape Town ahead of their PFL Africa Bantamweight Tournament clash at Grand West on Saturday. | PFL Africa Image: PFL Africa 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 The 2025 PFL Africa tournament will feature four events across the continent, showcasing 32 fighters from 15 African countries across four weight divisions. All will be vying for PFL gold and the opportunity to graduate into the PFL's global business model. Saturday's event in Cape Town marks the first round of the bantamweight and heavyweight tournaments, with fighters aiming to secure spots in the semi-finals and finals later this year. This moment has been long anticipated, especially as Africa continues to produce some of the world's top MMA talents. But until now, no major promotion had hosted a large-scale event on the continent, making Saturday's card a landmark occasion for the sport. Despite the occasion, Mlambo — a seasoned veteran of the sport, having competed in top promotions like Bellator, BRAVE CF, and the PFL — admits to feeling conflicted. Frans Mlambo explains the significance of his outfit at the PFL Africa Media day. The attire belonged to his uncle who blessed him with the outfit and he felt it was fitting to wear it on this occasion. Photo: MzansiMMA Image: MzansiMMA 'Man, it's a complicated type of emotion that I have,' Mlambo said during Media Day at the Rockefeller Hotel in Cape Town, speaking to MzansiMMA and Independent Media. 'I've not been back to South Africa since fighting at BRAVE CF 19 in 2018, and now I'm here again with this great opportunity — but at the same time, it's complicated. 'The fact that I'm sitting here with South Africans is a fantastic thing for me. But I'm also standing in the path of people I root for, people I support. At the same time, they're trying to stop me. So it's a weird kind of emotion — I have to win, but in doing so, I need to step on my brother.' Mlambo last competed in South Africa on a memorable night in December 2018, submitting Dansheel Moodely in the first round at BRAVE CF 19. The 34-year-old fighter moved to Ireland at the age of 11, travelling alone to join his mother and brother in Dublin, while his late father and sister remained in South Africa. 'My sister still lives in Johannesburg, and most of the Mlambos are based there. Some of my family are coming to watch me on Saturday, which is so amazing. 'Being away for so long, I haven't interacted with many South Africans. Just hearing the accents brings joy to me — something you guys might take for granted,' said Mlambo. 'That's why this is such a bittersweet moment. I have to fight my people to make myself better.' Mlambo currently trains at SBG Ireland under world-renowned coach John Kavanagh, and over the years has rubbed shoulders with the best in the sport. His bout with Hokonya is one of many intriguing match-ups on a stacked card that also includes former BRAVE CF bantamweight champion Nkosi Ndebele, who headlines the PFL Africa event against Egypt's Mahmoud Atef. 'Nkosi and I were on the same BRAVE CF card in 2018 when he made his debut, and here we are again, chasing the same dream,' said Mlambo. 'Not just him — other South Africans, and Simba too. Yes, he's Zimbabwean-born, but we're all brothers competing in the same weight class.' The PFL Africa event forms part of a broader fight night, with the Cape Town card serving as the undercard for the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai, headlined by PFL middleweight champion Johnny Eblen (USA) and Costello Van Steenis (Spain). The tournament will continue on 9 August at Carnival City in Johannesburg, where the first rounds of the welterweight and featherweight knockout brackets will unfold.
The Citizen
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
NPO promotes effective ways to empower for good
As Mandela Day approaches on Friday, 18 July, a national clarion call has been made for South Africans to give back to their communities. However, Zululand NPO Lungelo Youth Development (LYD) cautions that good intentions could cause more harm than good in their discussion 'How to do Mandela Day effectively'. This topic was discussed at AGS/AFM Lewende Waters in Meerensee on Monday. Mandela Day was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009, to honour the legacy of former South African president Nelson Mandela through volunteering and community service. Mary Mlambo from LYD reiterates the core values of Mandela Day as: · Volunteerism and community service · Social justice, unity and ubuntu · Fighting poverty and promoting human dignity 'This initiative was to help lift others up, not create dependency,' said Mlambo. 'Please do not come with quick fixes without creating long-term benefits. Do not just give – engage with the community and understand their true needs.' 'Please do not dictate to us what to do and how to do it – this is about serving humanity, not self,' she said. Mlambo also shared some of the benefits of giving back as a company: · Volunteering as a team allows staff members to get to know each other better, and employees can enjoy the mutual feeling of contributing to something positive · Appreciation given for time, energy and any other resources · Employees have a sense of purpose · With a registered PBO (public benefit organisation), you are eligible for tax deduction Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
07-07-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Crowds flock to Ermelo's virginity awareness event
ERMELO – The spirit of cultural pride and female empowerment was celebrated this past weekend in Gert Sibande as Isinamuva Liyabukwa, an organisation founded by Neliswe Mlambo in 2007, hosted its inaugural virginity awareness event. The occasion was held on June 27 and 28 and drew a crowd of 870 women and girls from Ermelo and surrounding towns, all gathering to celebrate and embrace cultural traditions around purity. The weekend was alive with vibrant dance and cultural displays, designed to foster an environment where participants felt empowered and unashamed of their bodies. Mlambo emphasised that the core message was to encourage young women to remain virgins, promoting awareness and self-respect within a culturally sensitive framework. A highlight was the presence of royal families from both the Ndebele and Zulu tribes, showing the cultural significance and community support for the Isinamuva Liyabukwa initiative. Mlambo expressed her gratitude to all the sponsors, whose contributions made the event possible. See all the photos: HERE 'This was our first time hosting such a large-scale event and the turnout truly exceeded our expectations. We are committed to continuing these celebrations to provide ongoing support and awareness for our young women,' Mlambo stated. For more information on Isinamuva Liyabukwa or to contribute to their future initiatives, contact Mlambo on 076 614 3133. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
