Latest news with #Ngwenya
The Citizen
5 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Support UP's fight against hunger to feed struggling students
Hunger and financial hardships are silent struggles for thousands of students on the University of Pretoria (UP) campus, turning academic success into an uphill climb. However, the university has launched its Giving Month campaign, appealing to the public, alumni and businesses to step in and help students in need. The campaign aids 2 000 students through a nutritional programme. The phrase, 'it takes a village', rings true for the institution as it aims to address hunger through the aid of the public. At the heart of this effort is the Student Nutrition and Progress Programme (SNAPP), which provides qualifying students with daily meal credits or food parcels twice a month. SNAPP project co-ordinator, Daisy Ngwenya, said students sit through lectures and write exams on empty stomachs. 'It's heartbreaking, because we know how hunger affects concentration and academic performance,' said Ngwenya. She said the need is overwhelming, with 2 000 of Tuks' 56 000 students currently on the waiting list for SNAPP. Yet, due to limited resources, only 250 students are receiving support. 'Imagine if the 250 students supported by SNAPP didn't have that help. 'That's 250 young people forced to worry about where their next meal comes from while trying to achieve their dreams. It's not fair,' Ngwenya said. Beyond hunger, the university is also tackling financial exclusion through initiatives like the Vice-Chancellor and Principal Scholarship Fund, which helps 'missing middle' students whose families earn too much for government aid, but too little to cover university fees. Ngwenya said even small acts of kindness can go a long way. 'When we hand out food parcels, students often say, 'This is more than enough'. Their gratitude reminds us why we can't stop trying to help.' Nqwenya is inviting the public to contribute in the following ways: – Donate non-perishable food items like long-life milk, pasta, sugar or canned goods at Loftus Stadium. – Make a financial contribution via the university's secure online giving portal. – Join the Food Pack-a-Thon on July 30 at Hatfield campus, where Vodacom Bulls and Isuzu Bulls Daisies players will help pack food parcels for students. 'Together we can ensure no student is left behind because of hunger or poverty.' UP spokesperson Sashlin Girraj said food insecurity is one of the most urgent issues facing students today. He added that they cannot ignore the fact that many students are going hungry. 'This is not just a university issue, it's a community issue. 'We need partnerships with alumni, businesses and the public to ensure our students don't have to choose between education and survival.' Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Legal battle erupts as Ingonyama Trust pursues former chair over millions
THE former chairperson of Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB), Judge Jerome Ngwenya, who is being accused of hoarding millions borrowed by Ingonyama Holdings from the ITB SABELO NSELE The Ingoyama Trust Board (ITB) is pointing fingers at its former chairperson, Judge Jerome Ngwenya, for hoarding R41 million of its funds. The members of the board said they're at their wits' end attempting to recoup R41 million in loans that were borrowed by its investment arm, Ingonyama Holdings, when Ngwenya was still the chairperson of the board. Ngwenya is one of the directors of Ingonyama Holdings, and the board has failed several times to remove him from this position. The interim chief executive of ITB, Siyamdumisa Vilakazi, said they have taken legal action against Ngwenya. Vilakazi said Ingonyama Holdings was registered in 2019, and in 2021 it borrowed millions of rand from ITB. Vilakazi said Ngwenya has refused to answer where this money went. "This money was paid in three caches. The first batch was R10 million in March 2021, followed by another R10 million in July and then R21 million in November. Since then, Ingonyama Holdings has never produced any financial reports of its expenditure. The Auditor-General keeps asking when this money is going to be paid back," said Vilakazi. He said they've applied twice to the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) to have Ngwenya removed as the director of Ingonyama Holdings. They've failed in both instances, according to Vilakazi, as Ngwenya's lawyers keep opposing the removal. "Today we are saying we are distancing ourselves from Ingonyama Holdings. We want people to know that Ingonyama Trust has been taken over by some people. That's why we have taken legal action." He said he can't explain further on their multi-pronged legal approach since there are ongoing investigations. "There are also suspicions of corruption that are being probed by the Hawks," said Vilakazi. Attempts to get Ngwenya's comment were met with anger. He asked how the board has failed to take away Ingonyama Holdings from him if the company truly belongs to the Ingonyama Trust. Ngwenya challenged this reporter to send proof of the registration of Ingonyama Holdings, attempts to remove him as the director of the company, and the details of the legal action allegedly taken against him before he could proceed with answering questions. The deputy chairperson of the Ingonyama Trust, Advocate Linda Zama, said it was a mistake to have Ngwenya as both chairperson of ITB and a director of Ingonyama Holdings simultaneously. Zama, who was a member of the ITB when Ingonyama Holdings was given R21 million in loans, said she opposed this decision; however, she was outnumbered when the board voted on the matter. The matter caused her to resign from the board.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Ngwenya sees Sithole-like recovery for injured Banyana star
'If the foot was not on the ground, perhaps the break could have been avoided,' Ngwenya said. SAFA Chief Medical Officer and CAF Medical Committee Vice-President, Dr Thulani Ngwenya, remains optimistic about Gabriela Salgado's chances of making a full recovery following the serious leg injury she sustained at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. Salgado's Banyana injury Salgado suffered a broken leg during Banyana Banyana's semi-final defeat to Nigeria on Tuesday evening. The 27-year-old has since undergone successful surgery in Morocco. Dr Ngwenya likened the nature of her injury to that of Bafana Bafana midfielder Sphephelo Sithole, who was sidelined last September with a career-threatening injury. ALSO READ: Pirates confirm Lepasa exit Sithole also suffered a leg break during South Africa's 3-2 win over South Sudan in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. He has since recovered and is ready to return to competitive football ahead of the new season in Portugal. 'It is a complete leg break. When she went up, her foot was firmly in the ground and because of that, there was a heavy force from the Nigerian athlete on her. If the foot was not on the ground, perhaps the break could have been avoided,' Ngwenya said on Radio 2000. 'This is also most common for female athletes because of the bone density. The bone density is very low for female athletes because of their cycle and that's why we always advocate for good nutrition to strengthen the bone and ligaments. 'Remember that we have also seen it with Sphephelo during an AFCON qualifier, he suffered the same injury and had to be transported back to South Africa to be operated on and he's back in action. With Gabby I'm confident that she will recover. 'Similar to Yaya' 'When they come back (to South Africa) on Monday, we'll start with the rehabilitation process and within six months, Gabby will be back playing again. Yes, she will be out for four to six months. I can almost guarantee you and the entire nation that she will come back because she's only 27. It was almost similar to Yaya Sithole and they are almost the same age. ALSO READ: OPINION: Bloemfontein Celtic identity crisis: revival or rivalry? 'Yaya is playing again now and ready to be selected. We almost had a similar injury with Refiloe Jane and she's back playing even though it was ligaments. We had an incident with Thembi Kgatlana and she's playing so I will trust the medical expertise that are there in South Africa who will make sure that Gabby is back.'
IOL News
24-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Ingonyama Trust Board severs ties with Ingonyama Holdings amid R41 million loan controversy
Zulu King Misuzulu's Ingonyama Trust cut ties with its commercial arm, Ingonyama Holding, over a R41 million loan, which the latter allegedly refused to pay back to the mother body. Image: Independent Media Archives Zulu King Misuzulu's Ingonyama Trust Board (ITB) has broken ties with its commercial arm, Ingonyama Holdings, following its failure to recover a loan of R41 million from the latter. ITB acting chief executive officer Siyamdumisa Vilakazi announced this during a media briefing held at the entity's headquarters in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday. Vilakazi accused former ITB chairperson Judge Jerome Ngwenya, who was late King Goodwill Zwelithini's right-hand man, of having hijacked the holdings, which is now allegedly refusing to pay back the R41 million. 'We therefore state categorically today that the Ingonyama Trust and the Ingonyama Trust Board have formally disassociated themselves from Ingonyama Holdings,' said Vilakazi. Ngwenya declined to comment when contacted by Isolezwe and did not respond to questions sent by this reporter. Vilakazi said the holdings took a loan of R10 million in March 2021, another R10 million in July 2021, and R21 million in November 2021, when Ngwenya was the chairperson of both the ITB and the holdings, which made it difficult for the ITB to hold its subsidiary accountable. He said the Ingonyama Holdings' failure to repay the money led to the Auditor-General raising questions about the recoverability of these loans. 'The amounts had to be accounted for in the consolidated financial statements of the Ingonyama Trust and its subsidiary. 'The board has been unable to perform any proper recoverability assessment because it does not have access to the financial records, including basic bank account records, of Ingonyama Holdings,' said Vilakazi. During the briefing, which was also attended by ITB's deputy chairperson, Advocate Linda Zama, it became clear that there was no love lost between Ngwenya and the current board, whose chairperson is King Misuzulu. Vilakazi described Ingonyama Holdings as a hijacked entity 'that carries no mandate whatsoever from the Ingonyama Trust or its board'. He said the ITB had formally informed all its stakeholders, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli, and the Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, about its disassociation with the holdings. Vilakazi said the ITB was currently pursuing civil and criminal actions against the holdings. Ingonyama Trust, which was formed in 1994, incorporated the holdings in 2019, but according to the new board, Ngwenya became the holdings' director and chairperson without a board resolution. Vilakazi said Ngwenya declined to step down as the director of the holdings when ITB instructed him to do so towards the end of last year. 'We characterise this as a fraudulent hijack of Ingonyama Holdings, aimed at obstructing legitimate shareholder governance and oversight. 'In response, the board lodged a formal complaint with CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission) on 14 February 2025, requesting an investigation into these fraudulent acts, and the complaint was escalated to CIPC's Fraud and Risk Unit,' said Vilakazi. Vilakazi said the board also opened a fraud and hijacking case on February 18 this year at Pietermaritzburg's Alexandra police station. 'We continue to await a formal response from the Commercial Crimes Unit,' he said. Vilakazi said the board was astonished when it discovered that the Ingonyama Holdings' registered address was changed on March 22, 2024, without ITB's authorisation, from 65 Trelawney Road, Fillan Park, Pietermaritzburg, to 91 Oxford Road, in Saxonwold, Johannesburg. 'The circumstances under which this change was effected, and the identity of the filer, remain unknown but could only have been orchestrated by the removed directors (including Ngwenya) or those acting on their behalf. This conduct, too, is regarded as fraudulent,' said Vilakazi. The board said the king, who is Ingonyama Trust's sole trustee, was aware of the decision to cut ties with the holdings, although he was not present at the meeting where it was made. 'Although His Majesty is the chairperson of the board and the sole trustee, because of his status, it has not been possible for him to be physically present at board meetings. 'However, because this matter is very important, we have kept His Majesty informed via his private office as the protocol does not allow us to be in direct communication with him,' said Zama. Zama said Ngwenya was chairperson of the ITB between 1998 and 2023 because the Ingonyama Trust Act allowed King Zwelithini to nominate his preferred four people to sit on the board. 'The Act allows the sole trustee (the king) to appoint a nominee to be the chairperson of the board. The late king (Zwelithini) appointed Mr Ngwenya as his nominee as the chairperson of the board, which was very powerful. The question would be, what was the strength of that board?' Zama said that under the new ITB structure, it was the first time that amakhosi serving on the board were allowed to interrogate decisions. 'I am the oldest serving member of ITB, and when I joined in September 2021, the protocol did not allow the four amakhosi (who were members) to query what the king's nominee was saying. It was so abnormal that it became clear to me that we were in trouble. 'There was a decision that was taken in my presence, and I did not agree with transferring R21 million from ITB to Ingonyama Holdings because the chairperson (Ngwenya), who was wearing two caps, was conflicted, and when I was overruled, I tendered my resignation,' said Zama. However, she withdrew her resignation after being begged by the then DALRRD minister Thoko Didiza. She was appointed the deputy chairperson of the new ITB on May 23, 2023. [email protected]
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Recurring blockage of sewer on 11th Avenue will be fixed
Ward 107 councillor Floyd Ngwenya has confirmed that a blocked sewer on 11th Avenue, Alexandra, has been reported to Johannesburg Water (JW) and is set to be attended to on July 16. The announcement follows over a week of mounting complaints from residents grappling with the foul stench and hazardous waste. The blockage, located just metres away from Sanele Ndaba's store, has been a recurring issue. Ndaba said the drain first became clogged more than two weeks ago. 'I called JW to log a ticket and got a reference number. A few days later, Ngwenya came, escalated the matter, and it was fixed.' However, within 24 hours, the same sewer reportedly blocked again. Read more: Greenville residents slam unresponsive councillor as sewer crisis festers Nearby resident Patrick Khuphani confirmed the issue re-emerged quickly and remained unattended, prompting concerns among nearby residents. With sewage gushing into the street, visible faeces swirled in the stream and used tissues clung to the tar, creating an unhygienic environment that has impacted Ndaba's food business. 'It affects the customers because it is close to the store.' Resident Walter Matlou, who often escalates service delivery complaints, said he had notified Ngwenya again, but had received no feedback for four days. Despite this, Matlou expressed confidence in the councillor's usual responsiveness. On the day Alex News visited, the situation revealed deeper behavioural challenges. One senior resident was seen dumping a bucket filled with water and waste into the flowing sewage. When asked whether she feared blocking the storm water drain, she replied: 'If you look inside [the storm water drain], you will find beds, and tons of plastics. This is Alexandra, no one can fix it.' Ngwenya responded that he was only aware of the earlier blockage. 'Please note that I am aware of the situation. I reported it last time, when it got blocked. I was not made aware of the fact that now it's blocked [again]. I've reported it now. It will be attended to tomorrow.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
