Latest News from The Citizen
The Citizen
35 minutes ago
- Lifestyle
- The Citizen
Springs Residents mark 70 years of marriage with joyful family gathering
Springs residents John (94) and Maxie (89) Keevy celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on May 21, starting the festivities with a big breakfast alongside friends and family in Benoni the Sunday before. The happy couple lives in the Esda Retirement Village in New Sate Areas. In 1955, they married before moving to Zambia, where they lived for 12 years and had two children. The couple is happy to spend their remaining years together at the retirement village. 'When you're 94, you're not up for traveling,' John explains. They lived in Springs for most of their lives, apart from their time in Zambia. John worked for Eskom in Johannesburg for 10 years, while Maxie was a housewife. ALSO CHECK: Young minds inspired by visual art at Springs Gallery walkabout After that, he ran his own business in Springs for 15 years, where Maxie also worked, before they both retired. They were also actively involved in the Selcourt Methodist Church. These days, John enjoys 'pottering around' in his workshop, as he puts it, but for the most part, the couple simply enjoys each other's company. Their advice for a happy marriage? Show love, respect, tolerance, patience, and understanding – and maintain an endless supply of positive attitudes and emotions toward each other. 'If you truly love one another, everything else falls into place. We had a very good 70 years,' John said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
39 minutes ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Mpumalanga business owners discover opportunities at MSME seminar
The MEC for economic development and tourism, Makhosazane Masilela, said R1.5m has been released to support Mpumalanga-based micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). She said this while hosting the two-day seminar and exhibition for MSMEs and co-operatives, aimed at providing valuable insight and guidance on non-financial and financial services offered by the government and its implemented agencies. The event took place in Sabie on May 19, and Bushbuckridge the following day. Masilela said the sessions were intended to equip entrepreneurs with the necessary resources to strengthen their involvement in local and international markets. ALSO READ: KwaMhlanga entrepreneurs walk 300km to provincial government for change 'I must indicate that these events are not only intended to impart valuable economic development information and skills, but we also use them as a barometer to gauge the level of awareness of our small enterprises about the programmes and interventions offered by government, in collaboration with the private sector, geared towards stimulating business growth,' Masilela said. She added that financial support is made available for entrepreneurs through one of its entities: the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency. ALSO READ: 43 000 Mpumalanga residents lose jobs in first quarter of 2025 A local entrepreneur, Lucky Khoza, went to the event and shared his excitement over attending such an engagement for the first time. 'This seminar has opened my eyes to opportunities I never knew existed and also funding I never thought I could access. I'm excited to share my business ideas within the private sector as well, to gain assistance in taking my business to the next level,' Khoza said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Woman brutally attacked with knife in Bushbuckridge: 1 suspect arrested
A 38-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a house robbery and attempted rape that took place in Majembeni, Mpumalanga. Mpumalanga News reports that Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane says the suspect was apprehended on Tuesday following a thorough investigation. 'The incident occurred on May 25 at around 13:30. The 58-year-old victim was at home when two suspects allegedly arrived at her house under the pretence of looking for her son. They then forcibly broke down the door and entered the house,' says Ndubane. She says once the suspects were inside, they allegedly demanded money from the victim. When she indicated that she did not have any, they reportedly assaulted her and threatened her with a knife. 'One of the suspects allegedly attempted to rape her but was stopped by his accomplice. The suspects allegedly continued the brutal assault by inserting a knife into her genitals and inflicting severe injuries before stealing the victim's cellphone and fleeing the scene.' Ndubane says the victim was able to identify one of the suspects, which assisted the police in their investigation. He was later arrested and was due to appear in the Bushbuckridge Magistrate's Court yesterday, facing charges of robbery and attempted rape. The outcome of his court appearance was not known at the time of publishing. 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 At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Girl (10) kidnapped, raped and found in filthy caravan: Man appears in George court
A 42-year-old man from Syferfontein in the Western Cape, accused of kidnapping two girls, aged 10 and 12, from Conville last Saturday, and raping the younger one, made his first appearance in the George Magistrate's Court on Tuesday. George Herald reports that the girls' families, their friends, community members and representatives of the George and Conville CPFs and neighbourhood watches sat in silence as the dishevelled, unkempt accused was led from the holding cells to the dock. The accused faces two charges of kidnapping and one of rape. He is due back in court for a formal bail application on June 5. In the meantime, community members are already planning a picket outside the court building to oppose bail. The child's mother, who is understandably still in shock and riddled with anger, did not have much comment at this stage, but said she hopes that justice will prevail for her daughter's sake. She said she last saw her daughter at their home on the morning of the incident, before the two girls left without saying a word. 'They haven't spoken to me about what happened,' she said. 'At this stage, I still don't know much.' Resident sheds light on the accused's past The incident shocked the community, leaving many searching for answers. A Syferfontein resident who has known the suspect since childhood told George Herald she believes he grew up under extremely difficult circumstances, without parents or family. She said he is originally from Bethlehem in the Free State and came to George as a young child, although she couldn't recall exactly how old he was at the time. 'He was one of the kids who grew up on the George dumping site all those years ago,' she said. This was before the people from Syferfontein had moved to Rosedale, and those living on the landfill relocated to Syferfontein. 'He was arrested in the toilet next to my house,' she said, pointing to a blue portable toilet. It became evident from what the resident said that the accused was virtually homeless. 'He didn't live here, but he came around sometimes and never really had a home. He just slept wherever he could, sometimes here, sometimes there,' she said. She also said she was aware of two previous incidents in which he allegedly sexually assaulted two women. Initial police investigation According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies, the suspect had allegedly approached the young victims and led them to an open field near the George showgrounds, near the refuse site. It was here that he allegedly raped the one girl, while the other managed to escape and get help. The victim was later found in a run-down caravan on a nearby farm at the back of Groeneweide Park behind the showgrounds. The Syferfontein resident also mentioned the caravan in her conversation with George Herald, saying the accused allegedly had friends in the area where the girl was found, and that he would stay with them from time to time. 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 At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
an hour ago
- General
- The Citizen
Shrimp and cheese mashed potato bites
Potatoes don't always get the credit they deserve. They're often seen as the sidekick on a plate, but the truth is, they're kind of brilliant. Packed with vitamin C, potassium, and fibre, they quietly pull their weight in the nutrition department. They're cheap, they last for ages in the cupboard, and you can do pretty much anything with them – from buttery mash to something a bit more fancy. Today is International Day of the Potato, which feels like the perfect excuse to give this humble spud some proper credit. This shrimp and cheese mashed potato bites recipe takes everything we love about potatoes and elevate them into something special. Ingredients 500g potatoes, peeled and chopped 2 tbsp butter ½ cup grated cheddar cheese (or any cheese you prefer) Salt and pepper, to taste ½ tsp garlic powder ¼ tsp smoked paprika (optional) 12–15 large cooked shrimp, tails removed 1 tbsp olive oil or melted butter (for brushing) Fresh parsley leaves, for garnish Method Place chopped potatoes in a large pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender (about 15–20 minutes). Drain well. While the potatoes are still hot, mash them with butter, cheese, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy. Let the mixture cool slightly. Using your hands or a spoon, shape the mashed potato mixture into small rounds or slightly oval mounds and place them on a lined baking tray. You can also use a cookie cutter for more defined shapes. Press one shrimp gently into each mashed potato mound. Brush the shrimp lightly with olive oil or melted butter for extra flavour and shine. For a warm, melty version, bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 8–10 minutes, just until heated through and slightly golden. Top each bite with a small parsley leaf for freshness and serve warm.
