Latest news with #Mbatha
The Citizen
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Video: Durban flood victims left in the cold after hotel eviction
Dozens of flood victims left homeless by February's devastating floods in Durban are facing a second night sleeping on the streets after being evicted from the Bayside Hotel on Dr Pixley KaSeme Street on Wednesday morning. The Witness reports the group, who were relocated from Lamontville and nearby areas after their homes and shacks were destroyed, say they were told they would remain at the hotel until permanent housing was built for them. Now, with no clear alternative accommodation offered, they say they have been abandoned by the very officials who made the promises. 'We slept in the open with our children because of broken promises made by the provincial government, the departments of transport and human settlements, and the eThekwini Metro,' said displaced resident Xoli Mbatha. 'Our human rights are being violated, and those senior officials who brought us here are nowhere to be seen now.' Mbatha said the Department of Human Settlements proposed relocating the group to the Chesterville community hall, but residents are refusing. 'We were once chased away from a community hall by the Chatsworth community. What guarantee do we have that it won't happen again? We want the houses we were promised,' she said. Government response On Thursday, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport and Human Settlements issued a detailed statement addressing the eviction. In the statement, MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, said: 'We plead with flood victims evicted from Bayside Hotel to allow eThekwini Municipality and the Department of Human Settlements to move them to Chesterville Community Hall as a temporary measure. It is unfortunate that there are individuals within the victims who mobilised against any move to Chesterville while we sort payments to the hotel. There are terrified individuals who have informed us that they have been intimidated and forced not to move to the Chesterville Community Hall. This is unacceptable in view of the fact that there are children who were exposed to this cold weather the whole night and this morning. Buses were arranged yesterday evening but some victims flatly refused to be moved. We will continue this morning to plead with them.' The department explained that delays in processing approvals to avoid irregular expenditure had contributed to the eviction. 'Delays caused by processes around obtaining approvals to avoid audit findings and irregular expenditure by the Auditor-General resulted in the unfortunate eviction of flood victims from the hotel. 'Yesterday [Wednesday], I flew out to Gauteng to meet with the Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, to work out an urgent plan to turn around the situation. 'We have already paid R185 million to hotels and self-catering accommodation for flood victims. We need a further R128 million to accommodate 1,200 families,' said MEC Duma in the statement. The department also revealed that resettlement plans have been obstructed in the past. 'We could have built houses for some victims in identified state-owned land, such as in Shallcross and other areas, but communities there chased away contractors who were starting to build. 'During Nelson Mandela Month, we must promote Ubuntu. Resistance from some communities to resettlements of flood victims on government-owned land next to their properties — under what is called the 'Not in My Backyard' syndrome — must be eradicated. 'The reality is that government cannot rebuild on unsuitable land that saw homes being washed away during floods.' On the ground Several GNU political parties visited the site on Thursday to engage with residents. Portable toilets were delivered, and fruit was distributed. Humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers also provided meals to the group on Thursday morning. As of Thursday evening, the residents said they had not received a clear solution, and were preparing for a second night outside. 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
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
How the last episode of ‘Shaka iLembe' made Nomzambo Mbatha feel like a ‘new person'
'I experienced something on set that I've never physically or spiritually encountered ever,' said Mbatha about the episode. Actress Nomzamo Mbatha said the episode of 'Shaka iLembe' made her a new person. Picture: Supplied Actress Nomzamo Mbatha says the third episode of the new season of Shaka iLembe made her a new person because it was so moving. 'I experienced something on set that I've never physically or spiritually encountered ever,' said Mbatha, following the airing of the episode. Fittingly titled A King Rises, the episode centres on Shaka Zulu's coronation as the Zulu King. Shaka's confirmation as King also means a title change for his mother, Queen Nandi, who Mbatha portrays. In the episode, Nandi officially becomes Queen Mother, a title previously held by Queen Mthaniya, Shaka's paternal grandmother, portrayed by Sthandiwe Kgoroge. ALSO READ: Homage to Queen Nandi: Nomzamo Mbatha reveals secrets behind her regal Shaka iLembe gown Shaka iLembe episode highlights 'I will probably never be able to speak out for a long time…' said Mbatha about the emotions she experienced. 'Watching this episode made me even more emotional with every single frame we shot. I literally want to cry writing this.' Queen Nandi is Shaka's strongest ally, advisor, and protector. In the latest episode, Queen Nandi is physically restrained from trying to help Shaka, who embarks on a spiritual journey before ascending the throne. The journey is one that is taken by a person ascending the throne without the help of anyone. In the episode, Nandi fights doubt and an internal mother's concern about her child, but soon realises that this is Shaka's journey to take. ALSO READ: From heartbreak to triumph: Amanda Seome's journey to starring in Shaka iLembe's Ndwandwe clan Nomzamo Mbatha, the Global Citizen Meanwhile, as viewers enjoyed the episode, the 34-year-old Mbatha was in Sevilla, Spain, to host the Global Citizen NOW event. The event highlighted the urgent need for investments in renewable energy across Africa and transformative investments in development finance. 'From President Pedro Sanchez in attendance, sharing the stage with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to having other world leaders and activists in the room was truly an incredible experience,' said Mbatha. NOW READ: Thong tales: How 6 000 thongs made history on Shaka iLembe Season 2
The Citizen
30-06-2025
- The Citizen
Local police members mourn loss of fellow officer
Police in Empangeni and eSikhaleni are mourning the loss of one of their own after Sergeant NK Mbatha was shot dead on Saturday night. The shooting occurred just before midnight in eSikhaleni Reserve 18, while Mbatha, his girlfriend and cousin were walking home from a tavern. According to police reports, they were approached by seven individuals, two of whom grabbed them from behind while three searched them. Mbatha was in possession of his State-issued firearm, which was stolen during the attack. He tried to fight back, but was overpowered and shot twice in the stomach. He was rushed to Phaphamani Clinic in J1 section, but succumbed to his wounds. One bullet head and one empty cartridge were found at the scene. The crime scene was attended by various police officials, including acting district commander Brigadier Mhlongo, acting station commander LT Col Fakazi, branch commander Lt Col Gwala, duty officer Capt Mzimela LCRC, as well as detectives on standby. Informants were activated to track down the suspects. No arrest has yet been made. 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 Herald
26-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald
Ramokgopa refutes 'conflict of interest' claims in Oberholzer scoring R9.5bn battery storage tender
But Mbatha was not moved by Ramokgopa explanations. 'Thank you, chairperson, we take this opportunity to reject any information that says there's [no] complication of interest. The COO left Eskom, officially, in 2023 and the following year, the tender was advertised. Then he gets a R9.5bn tender. This is not magic, this a conflict of interest. 'He participated in planning years; he participated in strategic plans. It's a conflict of interest. You should tell us what you are going to do, because it's a conflict of interest,' said Mbatha in his follow-up. In response, Ramokgopa pointed out that the controversial deal had been ventilated for four hours during a meeting of the electricity and energy portfolio committee on Wednesday, in which nobody produced any evidence of wrongdoing. 'We spent four hours in the portfolio committee and these allegations were not substantiated. 'The second thing, just to understand the configuration of the procurement process, [is that] Eskom is not involved in the procurement of new generation capacity. Eskom through the NTCSA (National Transmission Company of SA), is the buyer of this new generation capacity. 'The process is incubated at the DBSA and the design was deliberate, to ensure that buyer is not involved in the procurement process, to ensure that the executive authority is not involved in the procurement process as laid out. 'If there's any evidence by any members in this house or anybody watching at home, bring it to our attention or alternatively, you can interdict the process, and it will be ventilated, and you can substantiate before the courts of law. 'So, it's not sufficient just to label process discredited, without any substantial evidence. Thank you house chair.' TimesLIVE
Eyewitness News
13-06-2025
- General
- Eyewitness News
New crèches may have to close because of late payments by education department
Four Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in Loskop (eMangweni), a rural area in the Drakensberg, have moved into new buildings but are struggling to stay open because the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has failed to pay subsidies on time. The subsidies are set by the national government, currently at R17 a day per child. Subsidies are expected to increase this year, for the first time since 2017, to R24 a day per child. GroundUp has previously reported on how late payments have affected hundreds of ECD centres in KZN. These late payments resulted in legal action, and the department was ordered to pay three crèches the subsidies owed them within 10 days. Five crèches in the Loskop area have new buildings provided through the Santa Shoebox Project but are currently struggling to receive funding. A fifth, due to move into new buildings soon, may have to downscale before then. Soul City Creche is one of the five centres affected. The last payment the crèche received, in March this year, was a back payment for November, December and January, says Cecilia Mbatha, the centre's founder. The centre is now owed around R35,000 by the department, and Mbatha says she is not sure how long it can continue operating. Soul City receives R7,000 a month from the department, which is supposed to cover 20 of its 58 children, says Mbatha. But the centre spends at least R4,000 a month just on food or those 20 children, she says. When the creche eventually does get paid, it will have to back pay its staff who have not received a salary for the last three months, says Mbatha. 'It's so terrible to work with people you can't even give R100 to. They've got their own families.' Soul City moved into its newly built crèche in 2020 when funding was still distributed by the Department of Social Development. According to Mbatha, there were issues with funding back then, but things got a lot worse with late payments when the KwaZulu-Natal department of education took over the grant payments in 2022. It's hard to work in a brand new building and still struggle for money, she says. Siphiwe Samangwe, another centre in the Loskop area, has not received funding since November last year. In total, the centre is owed around R58,344 by the department. The centre is also a beneficiary of the Santa Shoebox project and is due to move into a new building soon. But without funding, says principal Cynthia Mabasa, the centre will not be able to look after the 90 children in its care. Most of the parents of the children are unemployed and can afford very little in the way of fees, says Mabaso. But the centre will try to find ways to stay open because its services are badly needed in the community, says Mabaso. Three other centres have been built by Santa Shoebox in the Loskop area. They have brand new facilities and meet all the department's requirements, but they have been denied funding, says Debbie Zelezniak, Santa Shoebox Project CEO. The department has never provided a proper reason, says Zelezniak. One of the creches, Qandokuhle Educare Centre, is close to having to shut its doors to its 28 beneficiaries after being in its new building for less than three years. The problem of late payments is widespread throughout Loskop, says Terry Ralph, chairperson of Fundisa Umntwana, a non-profit organisation which assists ECD centres in the Loskop area. Ralph, who is also the manager for the Santa Shoebox construction projects in Loskop, says about 20 centres have either received late payments or been denied funding at the last minute. These ECD centres are allowed to go through the whole process to apply for funding, only to be told the department has no money and cannot accept any more beneficiaries, says Ralph. The department had not responded to GroundUp's questions by the time of publication. This article first appeared on GroundUp. Read the original article here.
