Latest news with #Manzini
The Citizen
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Mpumalanga ANC mourns DD Mabuza's passing: ‘A great tree has fallen'
The Mpumalanga ANC spokesperson, Sasekani Manzini, said members were shocked by the unexpected news of the passing of the former deputy president, David Dabede Mabuza. He passed away on Thursday, July 3. Manzini added that Mabuza's death reminded them of the words of the first president of the ANC Youth League, Cde Anton Lembede, who said: 'No man outside the lunatic asylum can shamelessly maintain that present leaders are immortal. They must, when the hour strikes, inexorably bow down to fate and die, for, there's no armour against fate. Death lays his icy hands on kings.' ALSO READ: David Mabuza's death a blow to nation, Mpumalanga 'We are struggling, because we are acutely aware that Mabuza did not fear death. He demonstrated this fearlessness when he joined the Azanian Student Organisation in his youth, later serving as its secretary from 1984 to 1985 – during an era when death was often the price that activists paid. 'He was committed to social justice and firmly believed that education is one of the most valuable tools to achieve it. He pursued education as a career, obtaining a National Teachers' Diploma in 1985, after which he became a mathematics teacher and later, a school principal,' Manzini said. According to Manzini, Mabuza's commitment to improving access to and the quality of education extended far beyond the classroom. He served as: • Co-ordinator of the National Education Crisis Committee (1987-1989), • Chairperson of the National Education Union of South Africa (1986-1988), • Treasurer of the Foundation for Education with Production (1986-1990), and • Chairperson of the South African Democratic Teachers' Union (1988-1991). He also served as Mpumalanga's first MEC of education in post-apartheid South Africa, and later formed a foundation that helped many underprivileged learners gain access to higher education. ALSO READ: Department intensifies measures to address labour unrest in Nkomazi 'The ANC in Mpumalanga says, 'uwile umuthi omkhulu' – another great tree has fallen! We appreciate the immeasurable contribution that Mabuza made in building a better life for all, especially here in Mpumalanga.' He played an integral role in the machinery of South Africa's democratic government, serving in multiple capacities: • MEC for housing (1999-2001), • Member of Parliament (2001-2004), • Member of the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature (2004-2007), • Deputy chairperson of the ANC in Mpumalanga (2005-2008), • MEC for roads and transport (2007-2008), • MEC for agriculture and land administration (2008-2009), • Chairperson of the ANC in Mpumalanga (2008-2017), • Premier of Mpumalanga (2009-2018), • Deputy president of the ANC (2017-2022), and • Member of the ANC's National Executive Committee from 2007 onwards. 'Mabuza earned his seat among the great galaxy of ANC leaders who did all in their power to ensure the party remains a dominant political force in South Africa. He earned this through service,' Manzini concluded. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Tributes continue to pour in for celebrity sangoma Gogo Manzini
Gogo Manzini's family said memorial and funeral details will be shared in due course. Tributes continue to pour in for celebrity sangoma and transgender activist Gogo Manzini, whose real name was Tyra Sindane. Manzini passed away last Thursday following a short illness, according to a statement released by her family. 'Tyra was a cherished friend, colleague, family member, public figure, and mum, whose presence touched the lives of so many. 'She will be remembered for her passion for healing others, unwavering kindness, dedication to her community, and the joy she brought to everyone around her,' the family statement read. The family asked for privacy as they navigate their grief, adding that memorial and funeral details will be shared in due course. May Gogo Manzini's soul rest in peace. She was a gem! June 6, 2025 Tjoh may her soul rest in peace. Praying for streghth for Brain and Ori. They supported my business unconditionally in Secunda. — Malume Ophekayo (@UncleTeddyChef) June 6, 2025 ALSO READ: Warren Masemola: 'Presley and I fought a lot' as Tsotsi star is laid to rest in Pretoria Gogo Manzini's makeover journey Earlier this year, Manzini spoke to The Citizen about her makeover journey. She travelled to Turkey for six reconstructive surgeries, which included a Brazilian butt lift (BBL), tummy tuck, liposuction, rhinoplasty (nose job), fox eyes, and breast augmentation. Prior to undergoing the procedures, Manzini had already begun a skin-lightening process. She said she had always dreamed of reconstructing parts of her body that she was unhappy with. 'I am doing it for my self-esteem and confidence, which I have always had throughout my life. Many men hide the fact that they've had surgeries, and it's time to normalise it among men and the LGBTQI community. 'There is no shame in seeking perfection, especially if you can afford it. Who said sangomas shouldn't look good?' NOW READ: Team De Klerk is growing: Faf and Miné expecting baby number two [VIDEO]
The Citizen
06-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Staff shortage leaves 122 ambulances unused
Only 72 out of 194 Mpumalanga ambulances are operational as the province faces a dire emergency personnel shortage crisis. The Mpumalanga department of health has come under fire for not using 122 ambulances due to a shortage of staff. The unions and political parties have slammed the department after the portfolio committee on health recently revealed the department has 194 ambulances, but only 72 are in service. Flip van der Walt, provincial leader of the Public Servants Association of South Africa, slated health MEC Sasekani Manzini. Only 72 ambulances in service 'The officials seem unable to manage the department in line with the Public Finance Management Act,' said Van der Walt. 'Why do you procure 194 ambulances while you know that you only have 72 possible drivers? We all know when vehicles are not operational and standing, it is then that vehicles get damaged.' According to the emergency medical norms and standards, there must be one ambulance per 10 000 people, which means that ideally, Mpumalanga should have at least 480 fully operational ambulances. ALSO READ: Thief who stole ambulance with patient inside granted bail 'At 72 ambulances for a population of five million, it means Mpumalanga has one ambulance for 69 000 people,' said Bosman Grobler, DA spokesperson on health in the Mpumalanga. 'This cannot be acceptable and it is against the emergency medical norms and standards. It is concerning that the shortage and late arrival of ambulances when summoned has become a normality,' said Grobler. 'This is especially true when taking into consideration that the South African national norms and standards recommend EMS [Emergency Medical Services] response time of 15 minutes in urban areas and 40 minutes for rural areas.' Prioritise employing more EMS He urged Manzini to rather prioritise employing more EMS personnel to operate the 122 ambulances standing idle, instead of relaunching the 2021-22 Impilo citizen engagement platform application. He said the app, which has 'failed dismally', was procured in 2021-22 with Vodacom on a twoyear contract worth R33.4 million. 'It was initially aimed at helping the department address the effective management of their EMS resources in terms of call taking and call dispatching,' said Grobler. ALSO READ: Department of Health confirms 24 ambulances allegedly sabotaged by staff 'The app was also meant to help communities register their concerns and complaints experienced during emergencies. 'But the department abandoned the app in 2023 when the contract with Vodacom lapsed – partly because they realised the majority of residents who rely on public health did not have access to the app as it required a smartphone and data to even access it.' He said they were concerned that the department was on the verge of relaunching the app in September at a cost of R750 000, a monthly operational cost of between R50 000 and R100 000. Concern about app relaunch He added the DA would engage Manzini to propose she consider employing more EMS personnel to operate ambulances, instead of spending millions more on an app that did not serve its purpose in the past. Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa) provincial secretary Cyril Mdluli has also expressed concern. 'We are concerned about the severe and chronic shortage that the department has on EMS personnel, especially since this shortage on EMS relates directly to nursing,' said Mdluli. ALSO READ: EC hijacking horror: Ambulance transporting eight-year-old patient hijacked 'This shortage has resulted in many incidents where patients will wait for long at primary health care after being referred to hospital for further management, which might result in some complications.' He also called on the department to employ more EMS personnel not only with basic qualifications, but also with advanced qualifications that can be able to manage patients' conditions inside ambulances. 'As Denosa we have advised our members to stop escorting patients as their work is in the clinic or hospital and not in an ambulance,' he said. Dept must speed up EMS college Mdluli said the department must speed up an EMS college in the province that will accommodate the current staff members to upskill them on advanced courses as per the Skills Development Act. He said the province currently has few of them and the majority of personnel have basic life support. Mpumalanga department of health spokesperson Dumisani Malamule had not responded to questions by the time of publication. In a recent article by IOL, South African Emergency Personnel's Union president Mpho Mpogeng said Mpumalanga is one of the provinces facing a huge shortage of ambulances. ALSO READ: Ambulance stoning incident condemned Meanwhile, it is also alleged that in Limpopo there is a shortage of qualified ambulance crew, but health department spokesperson Neil Shikwana dismissed the claim. Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi conceded in parliament that there was a shortage of ambulance personnel. He said the government was addressing the matter.
The Citizen
01-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Arnot community receives much-needed mobile clinic
The Mpumalanga MEC for health, Sasekani Manzini, said the Mpumalanga Department of Health (DoH) has plans to build a permanent facility to service Arnot residents. This after the Arnot OpCo Mine in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality handed over a new mobile clinic in Arnot near Middelburg last Tuesday. 'The mobile clinic has all the services you will find in a permanent structure. This is a gift that will make the work of the Mpumalanga DoH easier and we are very grateful,' Manzini told the community members at the handover. 'As government, we fully embrace public-private partnerships because they are ideal in helping both the government and the private sector to touch and impact people's lives positively. Plans are currently under way to erect a permanent clinic structure in the area to continue to serve the masses of the province.' ALSO READ: Fake, expired and unsafe food products confiscated in Hazyview Arnot OpCo's CEO, Bontle Aphane, echoed Manzini's words while also encouraging all men to make healthier lifestyle decisions and follow through with clinical check-ups. 'The mine is determined to work hard for the benefit of the company and the communities they operate in,' said Aphane. ALSO READ: Eight hours without electricity on Sunday – which areas of Mbombela will be affected? Manzini urged the public to consistently check their health status, making use of health facilities available within communities, affirming the DoH's aim to close the 134 000 HIV treatment gap by December 2025. This campaign was launched two weeks ago. 'It should be the norm to everyone to visit their nearest facility to check their health, even when they do not feel sick,' she said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Mpumalanga health department on a mission to trace over 100 000 HIV-positive citizens
As a way of tracing more than 134 000 people in the province who have tested positive for HIV but are not on treatment, a Close the Gap campaign was launched on Friday, May 16. The campaign was launched at Rob Ferreira Hospital by the Mpumalanga Department of Health (DoH), in collaboration with the Mpumalanga Aids Council and other stakeholders in the health sector. ALSO READ: 43 000 Mpumalanga residents lose jobs in first quarter of 2025 This national campaign to locate the 1.1 million South African citizens who have tested positive for HIV, but are not on treatment, was launched in February by the minister of health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi. The campaign also seeks to wage a war against TB, to ensure that the disease is eradicated. According to the department, the province is faced with the task of locating more than 134 000 people and putting them on antiretroviral treatment, while 9 380 must receive TB treatment, to ensure they live longer and lead healthy lifestyles. 'The health department is banking on our healthcare facilities and the support and co-operation of other stakeholders to realise our objective, thus successfully contributing to the national target of 1.1 million,' read a press release. The Ehlanzeni District has been identified as the region with the highest numbers of HIV-positive people who are not on treatment. The MEC for health, Sasekani Manzini, said the department has in the past months been able to trace 13 000 patients and the aim is to trace the remaining 121 000 by December. These include people who have taken their medication before and then defaulted, and the people who have never been on treatment before. Manzini said they are concerned that many HIV-positive men have never been on medication, and that most children who were born positive are not receiving medication. This is according to research they have conducted. 'The men do not test and say as long as their partners have tested it means they do not have to go to the clinic to test. Children are under the care of their parents and they need to make sure their children are receiving the necessary treatment.' ALSO READ: Over 1 000 illegal miners arrested across Lowveld Manzini said they are going to do what they did during the Covid-19 pandemic. They will use the same procedure so that they can identify the people they are looking for. 'We are going back to the clinic base campaign. Each clinic has a certain number of persons who are not receiving treatment and who need to be traced. We have traditional practitioners, leaders, councillors and business people who we will work together with to make sure that everyone who needs to take treatment is doing so.' Sfiso Nkala of People Living With HIV said some people decide to stop taking their medication due to the poor treatment they receive from healthcare workers at health facilities. Trudy Khumalo of the youth sector in Mpumalanga, said the counsellors need to change the way they render their services at healthcare facilities. 'Instead of giving assistance and providing therapy to patients, they ask unnecessary questions which make the patients uncomfortable.' Khumalo added that the long queues at healthcare facilities are also a problem. 'Young people do not like sitting and waiting for their treatment for many hours, so they decide not to go collect their medication,' she said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
