Latest news with #NelsonMandelaBay
The Herald
5 hours ago
- General
- The Herald
Councillors pay tribute to three of their own who died recently
Nelson Mandela Bay councillors sang the praise of three of their deceased counterparts in tributes ahead of council proceedings on Thursday. The families of ANC Ward 23 councillor Nosithembiso Mayekiso, ANC Ward 57 councillor Thembinkosi Maswana and DA Ward 34 councillor Johnny Arends attended. Maswana died on April 9, Arends on April 27 and Mayekiso on May 16. Speaker Eugene Johnson, council chief whip Wandisile Jikeka and mayor Babalwa Lobishe removed their chairs, which had been draped in black cloth. It was replaced with framed photos and flowers. Lobishe thanked the families for attending. 'We appreciate that you took the time to come to our council meeting to remove their seats,' Lobishe said. 'This is not an easy process. We want you to know you are always in our prayers. 'We shall continue the work they left behind. 'These councillors left a remarkable legacy and will always be honoured and remembered.' DA councillor Tyron Adams shared his condolences to the Arends family on behalf of the DA. 'We would like to relay our deepest gratitude to the Arends family for lending us one of their own. 'His legacy will continue to live in hearts and minds. He was an agent of change. 'On many nights, he left his home to serve the people of his ward without complaining. 'The person who replaced him must know they will be occupying a revolutionary's seat.' EFF councillor Zanele Sikawuti offered words of comfort to the families. 'This is not an easy time. Mayekiso and Maswana were people we loved as councillors, and it became evident, especially with Mayekiso, as I shared a personal relationship with her. 'Her warmth showed she came from a loving family, and I can only imagine what her loved ones are going through. 'We thank the families for lending us their own, they represented you, their families, with pride in society.' The ACDP's Marianne Lotter said that as someone who recently lost her mother, she understood how deep the pain of losing a loved one runs. 'All I can say is there's no manual for grief, but in the process of saying goodbye, thank God for their lives. 'And as you continue with life, may you keep good memories of your loved ones in your hearts.' The Herald
The Herald
14 hours ago
- The Herald
Officials, families of Cradock Four visit key sites
News Premium By Riaan Marais - 05 June 2025 As a delegation of court officials and family members visited Bluewater Bay, where the body of Sicelo Mhlauli was believed to have been found, his son, Ntsika, walked by himself at the water's edge, his hands clasped together as if he were praying. 'I have never been here before but this will forever be a sacred place for me now,' Ntsika said on Wednesday. ..
The Herald
a day ago
- General
- The Herald
The Herald Isuzu Schools Quiz 2025
04 June 2025 More than 200 pupils from 52 participating Nelson Mandela Bay and Kouga schools were given the chance to show off their mastery of general knowledge at the 2025 edition of The Herald Isuzu Schools Quiz 'The Herald Isuzu Schools Quiz provides an ideal platform for the youth to exercise critical life skills such as general knowledge and an understanding of current affairs — key to preparing them for the future.' - Nandi Matomela, Isuzu Motors SA's senior manager: brand strategy and field marketing Theodor Herzl High School came out of nowhere to claim the 2025 Herald Isuzu Schools Quiz title at the weekend. By Herald Reporter Pupils from schools across Nelson Mandela Bay and Kouga stepped up their game at the weekend as they competed for a ... By Herald Reporter The fifth annual The Herald Isuzu Schools Quiz got off to an exhilarating start with more than 50 Nelson Mandela Bay ... By Herald Reporter 'The Herald Isuzu Schools Quiz is our small way to boost knowledge and contribute to the advancement of education in this region.' - Bongani Siqoko, coastal chief commercial officer of Arena Holdings, publishers of The Herald There is less than a week left for high school pupils from the Bay and Kouga municipal districts to enter the 2025 The ... By Herald Reporter Which high school will take the coveted title of The Herald Isuzu Schools Quiz 2025 winners? By Herald Reporter Preparations are ramping up for The Herald Isuzu Schools Quiz, with an impressive haul of prizes all the more reason ... By Herald Reporter One of Nelson Mandela Bay's most popular educational events is back for another year to enable pupils to experience the ... By Herald Reporter Thank you to our valued partners for your continued support and for investing in our young future leaders:
The Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- The Herald
Chippa boss makes U-turn on relocation to East London
Chippa United boss Siviwe Mpengesi has made an about-turn on his decision to relocate the club from Nelson Mandela Bay and has instead set his sights on acquiring control of the Isaac Wolfson Stadium. Despite confirming the move to the Buffalo City Metro in May, which potentially could have cost the club its R13m cheque it receives as part of a sponsorship deal with the Bay, Mpengesi denied this in a letter sent to municipal officials of the sport, recreation, arts and culture directorate on Friday. Chippa players and staff left on May 12 after they were told to start packing in preparation for the club's relocation. The relocation was first announced by coach Thabo September during a post-match interview in April in which he indicated the club would move to East London next season. The franchise received a R6m-a-year sponsorship deal with the Bay municipality and also received a R7m annual relocation fee tied to their status in top-flight football, for which the team has had to fight to stay out of relegation. The agreement also provides an additional R500,000 for marketing. The three-year contract ends in June 2026. 'While we look forward to meeting you in person shortly to take matters further, it's important to address you urgently with regards to falsehoods that are being disseminated in the media that Chippa United FC are relocating the team,' Mpengesi wrote in the letter. Mpengesi had previously stated that they intended to move the club to BCM with a satellite station remaining in Gqeberha. In the letter, Mpengesi said they acknowledged that there were challenges beyond their control related to venues. 'A quick analysis of ticket sales/attendance vs club and operator costs alone justifies why Chippa United intends to move the smaller games away and work with the MBDA [Mandela Bay Development Agency] to ensure that more higher category matches are played at the stadium with our assistance.' Mpengesi said they were also in talks with Kaizer Chiefs with regard to bringing some of their games to the city. 'Chippa United will immediately, for example, bring back the smaller matches, when the Wolfson Stadium is compliant as they will be more viable and take football to a greater audience. 'The matter of facility availability is another key point of discussion. 'You will be aware of the challenges that Chippa United have had in securing alternative venues and training facilities over the past years and this matter requires resolution. 'The unavailability/noncompliance of the Wolfson Stadium in particular has been a contentious issue. 'This, in particular, affects our DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) and juniors, forcing expensive alternative arrangements to be made. 'We highlight that in the 2024/2025 season the club had to keep ferrying its DDC team between Gqeberha and East London, which is unsustainable. 'This is not optional as the DDC season starts early and venues have to be submitted currently.' Mpengesi proposed that the city hand the Wolfson Stadium over to them to bring it up to Safety at Sport and Recreation Events Act (SASSREA) compliance. 'With the above in mind, we propose that as a long-term solution the municipality urgently facilitate the handover of control of the Wolfson Stadium, or another agreed stadium, to Chippa United for the club to renovate the venue and maintain it to PSL and SASSREA standards on the municipality's behalf.' Asked on Friday what had changed his mind, Mpengesi said: 'We never confirmed leaving, we love Gqeberha.' Regarding the handing over of Wolfson, Mpengesi said they wanted to renovate the stadium and would not share it with any other teams. The stadium is at present used by amateur soccer and rugby teams to train and play games. 'We will make sure it complies with the PSL standard for small games and DDC. 'We can't share with other people. We will manage and maintain it like [the one in] East London and what we were doing in Philippi , Cape Town. 'As things are now, it's chaotic, [with] Safa and rugby. 'We must manage it and they can use it according to our terms. 'So [we want] stadium management to prevent chaos and put our interests first like we do in East London.' Motsepe Foundation Championship side Highbury FC has also set its sights on using the Wolfson for its home fixtures next season. Asked if the move to take over the Wolfson would seem as though he was blocking Highbury from using the facility, Mpengesi said he would allow Highbury to play their home games, but if Chippa were given control over the stadium the team would have to pay him for access. He said once the Wolfson passed the PSL standard there would not be a need for him to take the small games and DDC fixtures to East London in future. 'It would be foolish of me to abandon Gqeberha completely. It has so much potential and assisted our brand too much,' Mpengesi said. MBDA chief executive Anele Qaba said on Sunday that nothing contained in the letter had been discussed with them and they would require detailed information. 'What we're picking up from his letter is that he is not leaving so for us the status quo remains.' Municipal spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya said there would be ongoing engagements regarding Chippa United's request to use the Wolfson Stadium. 'Any consideration of expanded use of the Wolfson Stadium will be undertaken with due regard for existing users, including amateur clubs. 'Amateur and community football clubs that use the Wolfson Stadium do so based on approved bookings and facility-use agreements with the municipality. 'In some cases, nominal rental or booking fees may apply depending on the nature of the event and duration of use.' He said should any adjustments be made to accommodate Chippa United's operational needs at the Wolfson Stadium, amateur and community teams would not be displaced or disadvantaged. 'Alternative venue arrangements and scheduling accommodations would be considered in consultation with affected stakeholders.' The Herald
The Herald
7 days ago
- Business
- The Herald
Nelson Mandela Bay metro sticks with plan for 12.8% electricity hike
The Nelson Mandela Bay municipality is moving forward with plans to increase the electricity price by more than 12%, starting on July 1. The council noted the 2025/2026 budget and the integrated development plan on Thursday. They will meet on Thursday next week to adopt it. Capital budget and asset management senior director Nomphelo Scott stood in for Jackson Ngcelwane as acting CFO. According to proposals, electricity is expected to increase by 12.8% and refuse collection by 6%. If approved, property rates will go up by 5%. Water and sanitation are expected to increase by 5.5%. The total budget is R21.58bn, which is made up of the R2.9bn for the capital budget and R19.47bn for the operational budget. Councillors expressed concerns that meeting agendas were being delivered late. Some only received copies on the day of the meeting. 'It is important to note that the financial position of the electricity service is under immense pressure due to the extent of electricity losses, which significantly affects the sustainability of the municipality,' the report says. 'This is supported by the fact that the budget for electricity bulk purchases exceeds the total electricity service charges budget. 'This means the electricity service, which is a trading service, is operating at a substantial deficit, requiring support from property rates.' About 71% of revenue for the city comes from rates and services. This amounts to R13.93bn. Tabling the budget, mayor Babalwa Lobishe said they had embarked on an IDP and budget consultative process for three weeks. She said the budget was brought to the council for noting. 'We note with disappointment the fact that the agendas were delivered late, but we wish councillors could pardon us, but we have been ready since last week.' DA councillor Rano Kayser said he wanted to establish whether Ngcelwane was present. 'How do we expect a credible budget if every second week we have a new acting CFO?' he said. Kayser said a decision was taken in the last council meeting that councillors must be consulted when dealing with the IDP and ward-based budget, but this did not happen. 'I wrote to the acting city manager [Ted Pillay] a while ago requesting a meeting, but he didn't respond, and these are the issues I wanted to raise with him. 'In some wards, such as 35, the IDP didn't even take place, I was there. 'How do we accept this budget if officials didn't turn up to IDP meetings and ward councillors were not consulted. 'The directorates that are supposed to be implementing have no idea what's contained in the ward-based budget.' Kayser said it was not the first time they were sidelined from the budget. 'The acting city manager must tell us what he did from April 1 until today to ensure the budget is ready.' The Herald
