Latest news with #Ntombela
The South African
19-05-2025
- The South African
RIP: Manqoba Ntombela gunned down outside his home
South Africa is mourning the tragic death of Manqoba Ntombela, founder of the iconic music group Woza Afrika , who was gunned down outside his Ratanda home in Heidelberg. According to the Ratanda SAPS, Ntombela was sitting in his car when he was shot multiple times by unknown assailants. He died at the scene. Ntombela rose to prominence with Woza Afrika , best known for the hit song 'Istokvela'. Beyond his music, he was a respected businessman, educator, and community leader, known for his deep commitment to social upliftment in the townships. At the time of his death, he was actively involved in the Mazibuye Kasi Spaza Shops initiative, a grassroots programme aimed at empowering local entrepreneurs and revitalising township economies. At the time of publishing, police have not yet established a motive for the murder. A full investigation is underway, and authorities are appealing to the public for assistance. 'We urge anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the Ratanda police station,' said a SAPS spokesperson. Members of the public can report any relevant details to: 📞 016 343 7014 or 📱 079 692 4853 Tributes have begun to flood social media, with fans, fellow artists, and local leaders describing Manqoba Ntombela as a visionary, a man of the people, and a cultural pioneer who never lost touch with his community. 'Manqoba's passing is a devastating blow. He gave us music, mentorship, and hope. Ratanda has lost a giant,' one community member shared. Manqoba Ntombela's work in music and social development has left an indelible mark on South Africa's cultural and community landscape. As the investigation continues, his death raises new concerns about rising violence and the safety of public figures across the country. Rest in Power, Manqoba Ntombela (1978-2025) Musician. Educator. Leader. Visionary. Post your condolences below, by … Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Tributes pour in for South African music icon Manqoba Ntombela following his tragic death
A prominent figure in the South African music scene, Manqoba Ntombela was cherished not only for his melodic contributions but also for his role as a respected businessman, educator, and community leader. The alleged involvement of a spaza shop mafia has surfaced in what authorities are still investigating. Tributes continue to pour in for Manqoba Ntombela, a beloved musical artist whose life was tragically cut short on the evening of May 16, when he was murdered outside his home in Ratanda, Heidelberg. Ntombela, 62, was shot shortly after leaving his shop just five houses away from his residence. His daughter, Londiwe, recounted the harrowing events to Sunday World, revealing the rapid unfolding of a family tragedy. 'My father left the shop just after 6pm and drove to his house. My younger brother, who was in the house, heard the car stopping outside, and when he got out to open the gate, gunshots rang out, and he ran back into the house. "After a few minutes, he went outside and found our dad shot in the car,' she stated. 'We were called as we were at the shop, and when we reached the scene, he was still alive, and we put him in one of the cars as we rushed him to the hospital. We met the medical team along the way. It declared him dead after a failed resuscitation.' A prominent figure in the South African music scene, Ntombela was cherished for his melodic contributions and his role as a respected businessman, educator, and community leader. His hit song "Lomshini Uyakhuluma! (iStokvel)" became an anthem in the early 1990s, later gaining renewed popularity through a remake by DJs Vetkuk and Mahoota. The shockwaves of his sudden passing have reverberated through the industry, with many taking to social media to express their grief. I-Afrika Theatre Education shared, 'It is with deep sorrow that I-Afrika Theatre mourns the untimely passing of our beloved music director, Manqoba Ntombela. Manqoba was more than just a musician - he was a creative force … his passing is a huge loss - not just to us, but to the entire creative industry in South Africa. We have lost a leader, a friend, and a true artist.'
eNCA
18-05-2025
- eNCA
Woza Afrika founder Manqoba Ntombela dies
JOHANNESBURG - Some sad news in the music fraternity. Woza Afrika founder Manqoba Ntombela has died. Ntombela, was killed on Friday night outside his home in Ratanda in Heidelberg, allegedly by spaza shop mafia. The former schoolteacher ran a Spaza Shop and other small businesses. His group, Woza Afrika, produced a hit song, 'Istokvela' which became a 'national anthem'. The song was also re-done by prominent Djs Vetkuk and Mahoota.
TimesLIVE
16-05-2025
- TimesLIVE
Endumeni municipality sitting on damning report alleging corruption
The IFP leadership in Endumeni local municipality in KwaZulu-Natal is sitting on a damning report on the findings of an forensic investigation which implicates councillors, officials and a municipal manager in fraud, corruption and maladministration relating to the awarding of a multimillion-rand security tender. The fraud relates to the controversial awarding of a security tender to FBL security company from Newcastle, relying on sections of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act. The law allows municipalities to appoint companies without following proper bidding processes on the basis that the appointment is urgent. TimesLIVE is in possession of the findings of the report which was first issued in April last year. For more than a year, the trouble-torn Endumeni municipality has not yet acted against those implicated. The report was released when Bongi Sithole-Moloi was still the KwaZulu-Natal Cogta MEC. The province now has a new MEC, Thulasizwe Buthelezi. On March 7, Buthelezi gave the Endumeni council 21 days to act against those implicated but nothing happened. The findings revealed that the appointment of FBL was irregular and recommended that those implicated be hauled over the coals. Buthelezi said his department has received a sworn affidavit with annexures that was compiled by a whistle-blower outlining allegations of fraud, corruption and maladministration which occurred in Endumeni in respect of the appointment of FBL which rendered protection services. 'The investigation has been concluded and a final report has been prepared with recommendations as to the corrective actions that are deemed necessary. There is an obligation on the council to implement necessary measures,' said Buthelezi. The findings also established that there was a corrupt relationship between Endumeni officials and FBL. The former municipal manager, Linda Hlongwane, who is also implicated in the report, is quoted as saying he was under pressure to appoint the company that has a relationship with politicians. The auditor-general also stated that payments made to FBL were irregular expenditure. Despite that, the municipality continued to pay FBL. Among those implicated in the alleged fraud and corruption is municipal manager Sthembiso Ntombela. Ntombela signed the letter appointing FBL while Hlongwane, the former municipal manager, initiated processes to appoint FBL. Contacted for comment, Ntombela admitted he signed the appointment letter but declined to comment further and referred other questions to the speaker, Andile Nsibande. Nsibande said he was aware of the report on and findings of the forensic investigation and a report from the office of Buthelezi but said the municipality had asked for an extension to look at Buthelezi's report as a council. KwaZulu-Natal Cogta spokesperson Senzelwe Mzila said the speaker of Endumeni had requested an extension for council to deal with the report, adding that the extension was granted. ANC chief whip in the Endumeni council Sphamandla Kheswa said it was disconcerting to watch the municipality being destroyed. Endumeni is one of the worst performing municipalities in the province and is sitting on a disclaimer audit finding from the auditor-general. 'It is sad that this is allowed to happen by the relevant authorities including the MEC Buthelezi, whose department is constitutionally mandated to oversee and support municipalities, as well as the premier of KZN as the ultimate executive authority in the province,' said Kheswa. Kheswa said the officials implicated in serious fraud, corruption and maladministration allegations, were still allowed to roam free and preside over the affairs of the municipality and destroy whatever evidence that might be remaining. Head of provincial government communications Bongani Gina said: 'The premier does not in anyway interfere with operations in municipalities outside the prescription of the law. The premier entrusted all local government matters to the Cogta MEC.'
The Citizen
25-04-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Endumeni puts in place temporary shelter effort to help those affected by heavy rain
Endumeni puts in place temporary shelter effort to help those affected by heavy rain Endumeni's Disaster Management Team responded swiftly to the widespread damage caused by the recent heavy rains – 179mm of rain was measured in April, breaking the 1903 record of 157mm. The unusually heavy autumn rains follow the incessant summer rains that have left many areas underwater. Four houses collapsed in Dlamini Village while extensive damage was also done to the cemeteries in Sithembile. 'These will be closed for a while. Those burying loved ones will have to use the Burnside Road cemetery until further notice,' said Phumlani Ntombela, Endumeni's disaster manager. The team also assisted families whose homes crumbled amid the weather onslaught. 'This is part of our new Disaster Homeless Interim intervention initiative. While waiting for the Department of Human Settlements to build houses for those affected, we have implemented a pilot project where wooden homes (Wendy houses) were erected in two days to at least give the families shelter,' Ntombela explained. 'However, we recognised the risk these homes also pose – so now we are looking at palisade-type homes to improve their shelter. 'For now, the wooden structures are better than the small tents that were previously given to storm victims.' Families who were left homeless in the storm expressed their thanks to Council Speaker Andile Nsibande, who handed over their temporary homes. HAVE YOUR SAY: Like our Facebook page, follow us on X and Instagram or email us at Add us on WhatsApp 071 277 1394. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
