OFFICIAL STATEMENT: MAKHANDA CIRCLE OF UNITY With deep sadness, the Makhanda Circle of Unity (MCU) notes the tragic death of Jeff Budaza, the Manager of the Makana Municipality Parks and Recreation Department. Media reports indicate that Budaza was shot and killed outside his home in Joza, Makhanda. We urge the South African Police Services (SAPS) to leave no stone unturned to resolve this matter and bring anyone behind this murder to book. Jeff Budaza In addition to his role at the Local Municipality, Mr Budaza was the founding president and coach of a popular local football team, Maru FC. Social…
Author: Rod Amner
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By CHRIS TOTOBELA Last Saturday, Makabo held trials for local boxing clubs where a team was selected. This team will take part in the district trials on 16 and 17 July at a venue yet to be confirmed by the district authorities. The Makabo team comprises 36 boxers with 26 boys and ten girls. Mfuzo Boxing camp has the highest number of boxers in this team with 15, Masibambane 9, Golden gloves seven, Masakheke three and Thembalethu two. Bulelani Ndwayana was very pleased with the trials and confident that the team will make Makhanda proud in the July district trials.
By STAFF REPORTER The main concrete works for the R110.6-million upgrade of the James Kleyhans Water Treatment Works are almost complete. But Engineering News reports that installing the steel pipe fittings and specials is proving to be challenging due to a scarcity of the specialised materials required, the escalating cost of steel items, and the related cash flow issues that arise from these problems. The delays in the progress of this second phase of the three-phase project come on top of the delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and cash flow problems experienced by Mamlambo Consulting, the engineering first appointed to the project. Amatola Water, the…
By JAMES STENT A third Covid survey by the South African National Blood Service has been published.By testing for two different antibodies in blood donors, the researchers concluded that about 98% of people in South Africa have either been vaccinated against Covid, infected by Covid, or both.About 10% of people have been vaccinated but have not had Covid.The survey was conducted shortly before the April/May wave, which indicates that reinfection is now commonplace. The latest Covid seroprevalence survey shows that nearly every adult in South Africa has either been vaccinated or had Covid. For many, it’s both. The study analysed…
By STAFF REPORTER The Makana Democratic Alliance’s (DA) motion of no confidence in the Speaker of the Council was defeated in Council on 27 May when the five newly-inaugurated Makana Citizens Front (MCF) councillors surprisingly voted with the ANC. The DA said it tabled the motion because many of its motions – including a motion of no-confidence in the Municipal Manager – were not included in Council agendas. In addition, the DA said several meetings had been cancelled and rescheduled at short notice, which was “very disruptive to Council”. The Speaker’s office is responsible for submitting motions to Council and…
By CHRIS TOTOBELA and ROD AMNER Tributes to murdered Makana Municipality Parks and Recreation manager Jeff Budaza are pouring in from devastated friends, colleagues and comrades. Budaza was gunned down while closing the gate to his home in Extension 4 at 8 pm Wednesday, 25 May. Speculation is rife online that Budaza’s murder may have been politically motivated. Reaction from Makana Municipality In an official statement, the Makana Municipality said it mourned the sudden passing of Jeff Bhudaza. “The local Municipality Council and administration woke up to the very sad and shocking news of the brutal death of Jeff Bhudaza.…
By CHESLEY DANIELS Chesley Daniels Klipfontein United extended their lead on the overall log position with a 25-0 bonus-point win over Rosebuds in their EPRU SEDRU Regional League encounter played in Klipfontein on Saturday. Klipfontein continued their winning streak and are still unbeaten after seven matches and firmly on top of the log with 33 points. United scored five unanswered tries to strengthen their lead after completing the first round. The young and exciting Klipfontein side has shown tremendous promise and form this season and produced some exciting and entertaining rugby. They played as a formidable unit and complemented each…
By CHRIS TOTOBELA On Wednesday, 18 May, local boxing clubs met to select the new structure of the Makana Boxing organisation. The elections were overseen by Sarah Baartman boxing organisation’s deputy president Ntsikana Maholo. The newly-elected leadership comprises Khayalethu Richards as the president, with Mzimasi Mtana as his deputy. Secretary is Luyanda Dibela and his deputy is Thandeka Netshabo. Abongile Kondlo is the treasurer, with Bulelani Ndwayana as the public relations officer. On Saturday, 28 May, this newly elected leadership will be hosting trials where they will be selecting a team to represent Makana in the district championships to be…
By CHRIS TOTOBELA Makhanda’s top and only women’s football side African Connection has once again laid its hands on a sponsorship. A Cape Town-based sportswear company sponsored Amakonokono with warm-up t-shirts that can also be used at training. Y-Sports is a leading national brand known for its elegant and long-lasting sports attire. Y-Sports owner and manager, Mr Yassir, was pleased to donate: “We hope that the girls will like these t-shirts and we are happy to make a difference in the community.” Speaking on behalf of African Connection, Zikhona Mahlakahlaka said: “We are very happy with this sponsorship as we…
It wasn’t the deluge we had been hoping for, but Paul Maylam recorded a healthy 37.1mm at Cathcart Street 19-25 May. Robin Stobbs reported an equally impressive 33.4mm for Grant Street.