Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) has submitted an urgent motion to the Nelson Mandela Bay Council, calling for an external investigation into alleged mafia-style activity within the municipality's fleet management services department. Specifically, an alleged syndicate is accused of vandalising and stripping municipal refuse trucks. Recently, the Public Health Portfolio Standing Committee agenda showed that several refurbished trucks, slated to return to service, were vandalised … [Read more...] about Motion submitted to investigate alleged criminal syndicate in NMB’s fleet management services department
Parliament to Scrutinise Provincial Crime Intelligence Resourcing
Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the decision by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Police to scrutinise crime intelligence resources for the Eastern Cape, following my request to DA MP Ian Cameron, Chair of the National Police Portfolio Committee, to add the matter to his committee’s agenda on an urgent basis. I wrote to MP Cameron following the continued spate of kidnappings in our province and the impact crime syndicates continue to make in driving away investment … [Read more...] about Parliament to Scrutinise Provincial Crime Intelligence Resourcing
Suggested solutions to Arlington Tip crime crisis
Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) has submitted a plan to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to address the crime crisis at the Arlington Waste Disposal Site in Gqeberha, The Arlington Tip has become a hotspot for crime over time, occasionally making it a no-go zone. This was highlighted by the recent murder of a father and son at the site, which has also seen a history of armed robberies. Today, 03 March 2025, I was joined by DA EC Provincial Chairperson, Yusuf Cassim MPL, PE … [Read more...] about Suggested solutions to Arlington Tip crime crisis
EP Queens Break Their Duck
The EP Queens scored a late try to secure their first win of the season in the Women’s Premier Division on Saturday, while the top three sides on the log each recorded a full house of log points in their respective round five victories.The Queens edged the Golden Lions Women 31-24 in Nelson Mandela Bay, while in other coastal action, DHL Western Province remained third on the log by beating the Sharks Ladies 29-19 in Durban. The two top sides on the log, the Bulls Daisies and Sanlam Boland … [Read more...] about EP Queens Break Their Duck
Mass Protest Against Failing Makana Municipality
Hundreds of people protested against the dysfunctional Makana Municipality in Makhanda on Wednesday. “These people cannot be trusted,” Archbishop of the Ethiopian Episcopal Church Nkosinathi Ngesi told a huge crowd at the Makhanda city hall on Wednesday. He called for the immediate removal of Makana Mayor Yandiswa Vara, Speaker Mabhuti Matyumza and the chief financial officer Nomfundo Ntsangani. “We are not compromising on that … because this morning they issued a circular that the protest has … [Read more...] about Mass Protest Against Failing Makana Municipality
Oscar Contender the Last Ranger Shows That the World Still Wants to See South African Stories
The Last Ranger is South Africa’s latest Oscar nominated film – and the only African movie on the 2025 shortlist for the career-making US awards.The 28-minute short film, shot on location in a game reserve in the Eastern Cape province and told in isiXhosa, focuses on rhino poaching. It’s a fiction film based on a real incident (the end credits slip into documentary mode to show footage of the rhino named Thandi that inspired the story). It’s been touted by many commentators as a likely winner in … [Read more...] about Oscar Contender the Last Ranger Shows That the World Still Wants to See South African Stories
Propella Recognized as a Clean Tech Hub, Driving Innovation in the Eastern Cape
Propella has been selected as one of nine (9) implementing partners supporting TIA across South Africa, with only two (2) partners based in the Eastern Cape. As an implementing partner, Propella is collaborating with TIA to deliver pre-accelerator, accelerator, and post-accelerator support, contributing to the growth of the national innovation ecosystem. This partnership reaffirms Propella’s dedication to driving sustainability and technological advancement in the Eastern Cape. Propella’s … [Read more...] about Propella Recognized as a Clean Tech Hub, Driving Innovation in the Eastern Cape
Dazzling Display of 100 Artworks by 71 Eastern Cape Artists at Eighth Lithuba Lakho Competition and Exhibition
28 February 2025: A dazzling display of 100 world-class artworks from 71 Eastern Cape creatives is on show at the eighth Lithuba Lakho Competition and Exhibition at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum in Gqeberha.An initiative of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality through the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum and the Red Location Art Gallery, this year’s edition runs from 20 February to 22 March. The … [Read more...] about Dazzling Display of 100 Artworks by 71 Eastern Cape Artists at Eighth Lithuba Lakho Competition and Exhibition
MBDA Celebrates Effort to Bring Springboks to NMB
MBDA CEO, Anele Qaba said that it took collective efforts bring the Springboks to the NMB Stadium. The Springboks will play against Italy on 12 July 2025. Editor: "Is it too late to organise an EP Rugby curtain raiser? Qaba said: It was in October 2024 when we announced that we were making strides and in discussions with various national rugby franchises as well at the national federation to bring back national Springboks fixtures back to the Bay. The much-anticipated test match between … [Read more...] about MBDA Celebrates Effort to Bring Springboks to NMB
2025 Springbok Home Test Venues – Gqeberha Rejoices
The Springboks will return to the Eastern Cape for the first time since 2021 when they take on Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in the second Test of the Castle Lager Incoming Series in July, with SA Rugby confirming the venues of the six local Tests on Thursday.The back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions will kick their season off against Italy in Pretoria a week earlier, on Saturday 5 July, and will also play in Nelspruit, Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban in 2025. The Boks’ season … [Read more...] about 2025 Springbok Home Test Venues – Gqeberha Rejoices
Are Dogecoin and DOGE related?
5 Notable Actions by Musk and Trump Elon Musk appears to have a ‘soft spot’ for Dogecoin (Maybe we will have to eventually call it the preferred currency of all Department Of Government Efficiency Departments?). Musk has publicly expressed that he enjoys Dogecoin, referring to it as his favorite cryptocurrency. He appreciates its fun and meme-based nature, which resonates with many in the crypto community. His tweets and public statements have had a significant impact on Dogecoin’s price. For … [Read more...] about Are Dogecoin and DOGE related?
MBAF’s First Simagalise Competition Hits the Igwijo High Notes
Eight lively groups, with over 110 contestants, assembled at the Mendi Centre in New Brighton, Gqeberha on Monday 24 February for the Simagalise Igwijo edition. A first for the city, the competition which was open to residents of Nelson Mandela Bay, was part of the Mandela Bay Arts Festival which is currently on until 2 March. Igwijo is a South African tradition of emotive communal singing, deeply rooted in Xhosa culture and other indigenous traditions. The young competitors (aged between 15 … [Read more...] about MBAF’s First Simagalise Competition Hits the Igwijo High Notes
Disband The Failed Cacadu Development Agency
Dear Editor The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to the mayor of the Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM) requesting him to immediately disband the Cacadu Development Agency (CDA) following years of financial mismanagement and a complete lack of successful project implementation. Since its establishment in 2012, the CDA has received over R63 million in taxpayer funding. However, despite this substantial investment, the agency has failed to launch a single successful project, … [Read more...] about Disband The Failed Cacadu Development Agency
Minister’s Inaction Condemns Patients to Lifetime of Suffering
Dear EditorHealth Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi’s reluctance to place the Eastern Cape’s Department of Health (ECDoH) under administration is leaving thousands of patients under their care trapped in a cycle of pain and despair. Decades-long surgical backlogs are robbing them of their mobility, their dignity, and potentially, their lives. Each delay worsens the crisis, leaving more patients trapped in pain, waiting for relief that may never come. At Frere Hospital a recent response to a … [Read more...] about Minister’s Inaction Condemns Patients to Lifetime of Suffering
MBAF Shrugs Off Loadshedding
The Mandela Bay Arts Festival opened on 21 February with a bold and colourful celebration of local talent across different genres, backgrounds and themes. Even the surprise return of Stage 6 load shedding didn't stop the fun, as organisers kicked into a well-devised back-up plan to keep the lights on. Monica Newton, CEO of the National Arts Festival, who are the Festival's production partners, said the Mandela Bay Arts Festival was off to a great start despite the electricity setbacks, … [Read more...] about MBAF Shrugs Off Loadshedding
