As schools reopen in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, a group of students from four different schools in the metro, are going back to class with a boost. They are part of the adopt-a-child programme from a Port Elizabeth based NGO, and have just again received uniforms, books and stationary. The NGO, is funding and supporting 32 pupils, ten of whom are now in matric. And the NGO is now also looking to fund these students at higher learning institutions. … [Read more...] about PE Adopt-a-child programme supports poor students
northern areas
Stem for Northern Areas schools
For the next few weeks - for as long as it takes - Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University will be providing extra practical science sessions for Grade 10 to 12 learners from Northern Areas schools, to help learners make up for lost time. "They can experience practically [through hands-on science experiments] what's going to be taught, so that teachers can then spend a shorter time teaching it … The teachers need to maximise their time. They are under such a lot of pressure," said Isabel van … [Read more...] about Stem for Northern Areas schools
One more suspect arrested for PE shooting
A second suspect believed to be involved in the random killing of four people in the northern areas of Port Elizabeth on Sunday evening has been arrested by a multi-disciplinary task team led by the Hawks. According to Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi, it is believed that the attack, in which a fifth person was also seriously wounded, was related to gang violence. "The 26-year-old suspect was arrested at his home in Helenvale, Port Elizabeth, on Thursday morning," Mulaudzi … [Read more...] about One more suspect arrested for PE shooting
Six killed in PE’s weekend gang violence
Port Elizabeth - Six people were killed during apparent gang violence in Port Elizabeth during the weekend, Eastern Cape police said on Monday. On Saturday morning, a 26-year-old man was shot and killed and a 20-year-old shot and wounded in the buttocks, Warrant Officer Alwin Labans said. At 20:30 that day, occupants of a white bakkie opened fire on a group of people, killing two women, aged 24 and 20, and two men, aged 30 and 31. A 17-year-old woman was wounded and taken to … [Read more...] about Six killed in PE’s weekend gang violence
MEC to Engage with Northern Areas Community
The MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Ms Weziwe Tikana, will host an Imbizo in the northern areas of Port Elizabeth at Chatty Community Hall on 17 December 2015 from 10h00. The purpose of the Imbizo is to engage with the communities, and to provide feedback on possible interventions in the efforts to reduce gangsterism in the area. The MEC will be accompanied by the Eastern Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt General Binta and SAPS Senior Management, community leaders and other … [Read more...] about MEC to Engage with Northern Areas Community
Northern Areas Safe City plan launched
The following is an extract from a speech delivered by Athol Trollip at a press conference in Gelvandale, Port Elizabeth, where the DA launched its Safe City vision for Nelson Mandela Bay this morning. A Democratic Alliance government in Nelson Mandela Bay will tackle crime, shut out gangsterism and root out drugs through The Total Society Approach. The brutal rape and assault of a 21-year-old woman in PE’s Central this past weekend is a clear indicator of the urgent need for a … [Read more...] about Northern Areas Safe City plan launched
Northern Areas schools to boycott annual national assessments
Port Elizabeth - Schools in Port Elizabeth's northern areas will boycott this year's annual national assessments, because the education department has allegedly failed to respond to their concerns. Violence broke out in the area in July when residents closed down their schools in protest against a shortage of teachers and non-payment of those who are already employed, among other problems. The Northern Areas Education Forum (NAEF) later reopened the schools based on promises made by the … [Read more...] about Northern Areas schools to boycott annual national assessments
Police confiscate toy gun after PE school caretaker gives chase
Port Elizabeth - A man "armed" with a toy gun, who took a shortcut across a high school's grounds in the northern areas of Port Elizabeth, caused the caretaker to do a double-take and give chase. In his haste to make a run for it, the man dropped his plastic gun. The area is known for its ongoing gang violence, and the public are increasingly carrying toy guns as a deterrent to ward off gangsters. Others have carried the toys for intimidation while committing crimes. However, the … [Read more...] about Police confiscate toy gun after PE school caretaker gives chase
Lessons to be learnt from 1990 Northern Areas riots
Dear MyPE The commemorative wreath-laying in honour of the scores of people who died in the 1990 northern areas uprising, left me with mixed emotions. What was initially a well-orchestrated and legitimate course of action to persuade the municipality to decrease the rental on municipal houses, was sadly hijacked by criminals with tragic results. Fueled by lawless mobs, the looting and extensive damage to business properties spiralled out of control. A few days later families had to bury … [Read more...] about Lessons to be learnt from 1990 Northern Areas riots
NAEF: Protest schools re-open ‘peacefully’
Port Elizabeth - Schools in Port Elizabeth, closed due to protest action since Monday, have re-opened without incident, the Northern Areas Education Forum (NAEF) said. "It was smooth, quiet and peaceful," NAEF secretary Richard Draai told News24. "Attendance was not as expected, but the schools have been re-opened." He could not provide further information as he was on his way into a meeting with Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Danny Jordaan. Residents recently closed down schools in the … [Read more...] about NAEF: Protest schools re-open ‘peacefully’
Stanford Road reopened
Port Elizabeth - Stanford Road, where residents of Port Elizabeth's northern areas have stoned passing cars and barricaded the road with boulders, was opened to traffic on Wednesday afternoon. At 16:00, municipal workers were seen sweeping away ashes and rubbish and carrying away the boulders from the road. Earlier, police blocked off the road at Gelvandale High School to prevent motorists from driving through, while in the distance rocks and rubbish could be seen strewn across the … [Read more...] about Stanford Road reopened
PE teacher waited six months to be paid
Port Elizabeth - Some teachers in Port Elizabeth's Northern Areas are finding it hard to survive because they don't get paid for several months on end, one teacher told News24. "In my personal experience I once waited for six months to be paid," said Naeem Lagardien, a teacher at the Bethelsdorp Senior Secondary School. "One teacher waited for eight months, and he only eventually got paid for five months, while I heard that one guy ended up losing his house." Largardien said teachers … [Read more...] about PE teacher waited six months to be paid
#NorthernAreas Schools to re-open on Thursday
Port Elizabeth - Schools in the northern areas of Port Elizabeth will be re-opened on Thursday following protests over the lack of teachers. Parents, residents and the Northern Areas Education Forum (NEAF) decided on the date schools would re-open at a meeting on Tuesday night. "The reason why it is on Thursday is because there are logistics that need to be sorted out, like telling the children and some of the principals and teachers that we are re-opening," NEAF secretary Richard Draai … [Read more...] about #NorthernAreas Schools to re-open on Thursday
Uncertainty for unpaid PE teachers
Port Elizabeth - Of the 212 teachers in Port Elizabeth's northern areas still waiting to be paid, only 177 will receive their salary by August 8. For the rest, it is more uncertainty and a bigger struggle as there is no indication from the department of basic education when exactly they will get paid. Education MEC Mandla Makupula acknowledged on Tuesday that there was "a problem in the system" and said the non-payment of teachers was being addressed. "All teachers who have done their work … [Read more...] about Uncertainty for unpaid PE teachers
Three arrested for #NorthernAreas public violence
Port Elizabeth - Three men were arrested for public violence in protest-hit Port Elizabeth on Tuesday morning, Eastern Cape police said. They were arrested along Stanford Road in the north of the city, Captain Johan Rheeder said. The three, aged 21, 22, and 27, allegedly the instigators of the violence, were expected to appear in the Gelvandale Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. This brought the total number of arrests since Monday, when the violence began, to five. Residents have been … [Read more...] about Three arrested for #NorthernAreas public violence
