By Malebo Pheme Children and youth will take centre stage in over 20 imaginative, inclusive and inspirational productions presented by ASSITEJ South Africa at the National Arts Festival this year. From 26 June to 6 July 2025, ASSITEJ’s Family and Youth Fare will offer a wide range of powerful, playful and purpose-driven theatrical experiences crafted specifically for children and teens. These performances go beyond fun and fantasy; they reflect young people’s realities, spark curiosity, and open space for meaningful dialogue. For ASSITEJ SA (pronounced “uh-see-tezh”), this isn’t just programming. It’s a mission rooted in the belief that all young people…
Author: Malebo Pheme
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By Malebo Pheme Legendary South African musician and cultural icon Ringo Madlingozi has returned with a bold new album, Ikhwelo. Known for his soul-stirring vocals and timeless classics like Sondela, Ringo now steps forward with a fresh offering rooted in love, truth, and a deep spiritual calling to awaken the collective conscience. Released in late April, Ikhwelo, which translates to “the call”, is more than just a musical release. It’s a heartfelt message to a divided and often wounded society. In his signature blend of introspection and social awareness, Ringo uses this project to explore themes of self-love, unity, and…
By Malebo Pheme On Sunday, 1 June 2025, the Bloemfontein City Hall became a sanctuary of remembrance and sorrow as hundreds gathered to bid farewell to 30-year-old Olorato Mongale. The young journalist’s life was tragically cut short after she went missing on 25 May, following what she believed was a date with a man she had recently met. Her body was discovered hours later in Lombardy West, Johannesburg. A Mother’s heartfelt tribute At the funeral of Olorato Mongale, her mother, Basetsana Mongale, shared a deeply emotional account of the moment she realised something was terribly wrong. She received a call…
By Malebo Pheme The main suspect wanted for the murder of 30-year-old Rhodes University graduate Olorato Mongale, 30, was killed in a shootout with Police in the early hours of Friday morning. Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said Philangenkosi Makhanya was hiding in a residential complex in Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal. The suspect shot at Police officers when they announced their arrival at the scene. The officers fired back, fatally wounding the suspect. Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi revealed that the suspect reportedly sought to rent a car from a resident in Amanzimtoti on Thursday morning. When the resident declined due to the suspect’s…
By Malebo Pheme Police are urgently seeking two men believed to be directly involved in the murder of 30-year-old Olorato Mongale. The body of the Rhodes University Journalism and Media Studies graduate was found abandoned over the weekend in Lombardy West, outside Alexandra, northern Johannesburg. A significant breakthrough in the case led to the seizure of a vehicle linked to the crime. A VW Polo, allegedly used in the murder, was found at a panel-beating workshop in Phoenix, Durban. Upon inspection by SAPS forensic experts, traces of blood were found inside the vehicle. Police intelligence led them to one of…
By Malebo Pheme Rhodes University journalism graduate Olorato Mongale, 30, was brutally murdered on Sunday, 25 May, after a man picked her up for a date from her residence in Athol, Johannesburg. Family spokesperson Criselda Kananda confirmed the horrifying news, saying Mongale’s body had been “brutally violated”. Disturbing CCTV footage circulating on social media shows Mongale leaving a location in Kew, Johannesburg, dressed in a black sweater, black shirt, and white shoes, walking towards a white VW Polo. SAPS Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said police teams were hunting down a male who uses the name of ‘John’ (pseudonym) and drives a…
By Malebo Pheme The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has decided not to pursue charges against anyone in connection with the rape case involving seven-year-old, Cwecwe. In October 2024, Cwecwe, was allegedly raped at Bergview College in Matatiele, Eastern Cape. Nearly eight months later, no arrests have been made, and the case will not go to court. Despite initial reports and public outcry, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed, for the second time, that it will not prosecute anyone in connection with the case. The reason? There is not enough evidence. According to NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga, prosecutors found “no conclusive…
By Malebo Pheme Over 1 600 Social Employment Fund (SEF) workers again battled Makhanda’s crumbling infrastructure in the build-up to this year’s National Arts Festival (NAF). Potholes were filled, storm drains cleared, and sidewalks restored. However, Phase Three of the SEF ended on May 20, and there is growing uncertainty about the future of the project. Although the Government has announced the continuation of the project nationwide, budget approvals for Phase Four remain pending. “We’ve applied for the next phase, which would begin on 1 July 2025, halfway through the Festival,” Haakonsen says. “That means most of the more than…
By Malebo Pheme In the heart of Makhanda, a quiet revolution is underway, turning waste into wealth and discarded items into community treasures. It’s the work of the Social Employment Fund (SEF), a project that’s not just about employment, but about changing how we think about value, sustainability, and care for the environment. At the centre of this transformation is Hilton Haakonsen, who has helped oversee SEF’s growing number of initiatives, from recycling to school gardens. “We’ve got seven different areas we focus on,” he explained. “We do roads, yes, but we also do recycling, gardening, school support, and now…
By Malebo Pheme Since the Easter weekend, Makhanda residents have faced increasingly frequent and prolonged power outages, some lasting over 16 hours, causing widespread disruption and frustration. The blackouts have become a near-daily occurrence, with no clear explanations or consistent communication from the municipality, leaving residents and businesses in the dark, literally and figuratively. Local electrician and electrical services manager Willem Nell says the outages are more than just a symptom of cable faults. They reflect deeper, long-standing infrastructure issues. “Cable breakdowns between substations are common, but honestly, I don’t think it’s the municipality,” Nell said. “It’s the maintenance that’s not…