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Concrete Rains Down in Elsies River – Three Years Later

GOOD Statement by Suzette Little, GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor:   Large chunks of concrete and masonry have broken away from Addo Hof, a multi-storey public housing block in Elsies River owned and managed by the City of Cape Town, landing in an open area where residents, elderly people and young children walk every …

GOOD Statement by Suzette Little, GOOD City of Cape Town Councillor:

 

Large chunks of concrete and masonry have broken away from Addo Hof, a multi-storey public housing block in Elsies River owned and managed by the City of Cape Town, landing in an open area where residents, elderly people and young children walk every day. A red tape now marks the debris field. It is the only intervention visible on the ground.

This did not happen without warning. In June 2023, GOOD Councillor Suzette Little formally notified the City’s Human Settlements management of the structural deterioration at these flats. That letter recorded crumbling staircases, unsafe landings and a near-miss in which a young child narrowly escaped being struck by falling masonry. The City was explicitly warned. Nearly three years later, the concrete is still falling.

Photographs taken on the morning of 13 May 2026 tell the story without ambiguity. One shows rubble scattered at the base of the building while residents stand nearby, staring at the debris. The second is more alarming still, an upper-floor balcony where concrete has entirely detached, exposing corroded steel reinforcing bars. This is what structural engineers describe as an active and accelerating failure mode. The question is no longer whether more material will fall, but when, and who will be standing below when it does.

According to Councillor Little, the DA-led City’s response over three years has amounted to a temporary patchwork: steel plates bolted over cracks, fresh paint applied to deteriorating facades. No independent structural engineer has been commissioned to assess these buildings. No occupation certificates have been produced, despite repeated formal requests. No comprehensive safety assessment of any affected block has been published or, as far as residents are aware, ever undertaken.

The residents of Addo Hof have nowhere else to go. They are tenants in a building that the City both owns and is legally responsible for maintaining to a safe and habitable standard. They cannot commission their own engineers. They cannot compel repairs. They can only document what is collapsing around them and hope that someone with authority acts before the next piece of concrete falls on a person rather than a pavement.

GOOD demands an immediate independent structural engineering assessment of all affected blocks; the public release of all structural reports and occupation certificates; a full accounting of contractors appointed, and repair work completed; immediate protective safety measures for residents; and a public community meeting. The City has not responded to any of these demands.

If a resident is killed or seriously injured by a structural collapse in the days or weeks ahead, the paper trail will be unambiguous. The warnings were issued in 2023. The correspondence is on record. The only question remaining is whether the DA-led City of Cape Town will act while it still can or only after it is too late.

 

GOOD Manifesto on Corruption: A commitment to fighting corruption and promoting transparency in government.

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Taxis Block Streets to Demand Repairs to Potholed Roads

Drivers and members of the Uitenhage and District Taxi Association protested in the Sundays River Valley on Wednesday. Scores of taxi drivers blocked busy streets in and around Nqweba, formerly known as Kirkwood, on Wednesday to demand that the potholed main road be repaired. The protest, led by Uitenhage and District Taxi Association (UDTA) and …

Drivers and members of the Uitenhage and District Taxi Association protested in the Sundays River Valley on Wednesday.

Scores of taxi drivers blocked busy streets in and around Nqweba, formerly known as Kirkwood, on Wednesday to demand that the potholed main road be repaired.

The protest, led by Uitenhage and District Taxi Association (UDTA) and South African Civic Organisation (SANCO), also brought morning traffic on routes to Jansenville, Addo, Kariega, Gqeberha and Kliplaat to a standstill.

The blockade started at 5am and ended around 2:20pm. Night shift citrus workers were transported home, but the morning shift was unable to report for work.

Police spokesperson Majola Nkohli said, “Several minibus taxis were used to block main access routes to the area, which have disrupted commuters and other road users.”

Various policing units helped to divert motorists.

Nkohli also said, “What is believed to be a splinter group attempted to close some businesses, but the situation was diffused by the Public Order Policing Service. Two people were taken in for questioning but were later released. At this stage, no criminal cases were opened.”

UDTA spokesperson Lubabalo Vesele said they have been complaining about the terrible state of the roads for about a year. Despite several meetings and promises made, the condition of the roads remains unchanged.

“Initially, we didn’t want to strike because it is going to affect paying our taxi instalments,” he said.

Sundays River Valley Mayor Solethu Lucas addressed the protesters. He had received complaints that citrus farm workers had not been able to make it to work due to the protest.

“The majority of people in this municipality depend on citrus farms. They did not come to work because their buses were blocked.”

He said the road in question belonged to the Eastern Cape transport department.

Spokesperson for the department Unathi Binqose said the main road from Nqweba to Moses Mabida township “falls short of the standard we aim to maintain”.

“SANRAL has been approached to undertake the necessary upgrades as part of community benefit commitments linked to the major Addo project currently underway. Engagements are still ongoing. We are not yet in a position to confirm the commencement date or budget for the project.”

The taxi drivers are expected to resume operations and will meet with officials next week.

Public Order Police arrived to disperse protesters blocking traffic.

© 2026 GroundUp. This article is published under the GroundUp Republication Licence Version 1.0. Email [email protected] to request permission to republish.

Brain drain: Skilled workers emigrating to other countries.

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50,000 People – One Ambulance

There is only one working ambulance for a population of more than 50,000 in the Sundays River Valley in the Eastern Cape. Only one of six ambulances in the Sundays River Valley Municipality is working. Residents say their lives are at stake. The provincial health department says four ambulances are being repaired and one is …

There is only one working ambulance for a population of more than 50,000 in the Sundays River Valley in the Eastern Cape.

  • Only one of six ambulances in the Sundays River Valley Municipality is working.
  • Residents say their lives are at stake.
  • The provincial health department says four ambulances are being repaired and one is too costly to repair.

Ndumiso Maloni from Kirkwood in the Sundays River Valley Municipality thinks his brother might still be alive if the municipality’s single operational ambulance had not taken four hours to arrive.

Only one of six ambulances are working in the municipality, in which more than 50,000 people live according to the 2022 Census.

Maloni said after receiving a WhatsApp message on 12 September from his sister that their brother was sick, he rushed to his brother’s house in Moses Mabida township in Kirkwood.

He said neighbours and family had already called for an ambulance at 6am, but had been referred by the emergency call centre to a clinic which only opened at 8am. Maloni said he tried to get help from the Sundays River Valley Hospital and left his number. At 10am the emergency call centre phoned him and said his brother must be taken to a clinic. “We had already hired a private vehicle at R150 to the Sundays River Valley Hospital. The man needed emergency assistance and not just a clinic.

“At about midday we received a call from the call centre again, saying the ambulance was now available. But my brother had already died,” he said.

Mzimkhulu Magugu, also from Moses Mabida township, said: “We have eight wards in this municipality and it’s an open secret that we only have one operating ambulance. The lives of many people are very much at stake here.”

PR councillor Karen Smith (DA), said: “One ambulance is simply not good enough; we need at least six ambulances in this municipality. This is life or death. People are using private vehicles and public transport to go to and from hospital.”

PR councillor Minette Bosman (DA) said earlier this month she had been at an accident scene in Kirkwood but the single working ambulance was in Addo. “We had to get a private ambulance to come out and assist,” she said.

Bosman said the municipality has been especially busy during harvest season, when about 15,000 seasonal workers arrive, putting further pressure on emergency services. The season ended last week.

“We have already seen tragedies narrowly avoided — from mothers in active labour with no ambulance available, to community members told to wait hours until the night shift. In life-threatening situations like these, minutes can mean the difference between life and death. Yet in the Sundays River Valley, people are forced to wait hours,” she said.

Eastern Cape Department of Health spokesperson Siyanda Manana confirmed that only one of the six ambulances in the Sundays River Valley Municipality was working. Four were “awaiting repairs” after mechanical failures, and a fifth was too costly to repair and would be replaced.

He said in the meantime, the closest available ambulance in other areas was being diverted to respond to emergencies. “Operational managers” were responding to emergency calls to provide on-scene stabilisation and assessment, and helicopters were being used to move patients from one hospital to another.

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Inadequate communication infrastructure: Poor cell phone and internet connectivity.

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Gqeberha Protesters Block Busy Addo Road, Demanding Better Land

Protesters from Nomakanjani informal settlement blocked the R335 early on Wednesday. demanding to be moved to better land. About 300 protesters from Nomakanjani informal settlement in Motherwell in Gqeberha blocked the busy R335 Addo Road early on Wednesday. They say their shacks are waterlogged when it rains and they want to be allocated land elsewhere. …

Protesters from Nomakanjani informal settlement blocked the R335 early on Wednesday. demanding to be moved to better land.

About 300 protesters from Nomakanjani informal settlement in Motherwell in Gqeberha blocked the busy R335 Addo Road early on Wednesday.

They say their shacks are waterlogged when it rains and they want to be allocated land elsewhere.

Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said a truck had been burned. He said the road had been opened by 8:15am.

As the protest continued, the protesters blew whistles and sang songs such as “Noma besidubula, siyaya” (Even if they shoot us, we will not retreat) and “Amabhulw’ amnyama, andenziwari” (Black boers make us worried).

Protesters then marched to Ikamvelihle Police Station demanding that Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Babalwa Lobishe address them. Instead, Ward 53 councillor Zwelandile Tsotso (ANC) addressed them, saying the mayor was held up in a meeting.

He said the mayor had promised to come.

A protester in the crowd shouted that they had voted for the mayor but she was too busy to address them: “But if they mayor is busy it’s fine, we will see you in 2026.”

Another shouted: “Even if we are birds, we are not scared to be shot at. This will be another Marikana massacre. We are used to being shot at.”

When they dispersed, protesters said they would return.

Some said the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality had promised to move families to vacant sites in neighbouring ward 54 on 18 August.

Resident Thembisa Lamani said officials from the municipality’s human settlements directorate had failed to keep their promise. “When it rains, our shacks leak and roads flood. We are overwhelmed with the stinking smell of dirty water, while frogs and mosquitoes are all over the area. Due to the unbearable situation, several families decided to leave the area for good. This is very sad,” she said.

Asked by GroundUp about the promise to move the families, municipal spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya did not respond.

In a statement earlier in the day, he said: “Residents are advised to avoid Addo Road as it is currently blocked due to protest action. The protest relates to human settlements grievances, and a municipal delegation will be engaging with the community to address the concerns.”

The settlement is waterlogged when it rains.

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The #StopTheDiscrimination campaign addresses discrimination based on race, gender, and sexual orientation.

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South Africans and Zimbabweans Pray Together After Xenophobic Attacks

Zimbabwean and South African families in Valencia came together, releasing white balloons as a symbol of peace after the devastating xenophobic attacks in May. Hundreds of residents of Valencia, Addo came together to pray for peace and order after recent xenophobic attacks. There have still not been any arrests, almost a month after one South …

Zimbabwean and South African families in Valencia came together, releasing white balloons as a symbol of peace after the devastating xenophobic attacks in May.

  • Hundreds of residents of Valencia, Addo came together to pray for peace and order after recent xenophobic attacks.
  • There have still not been any arrests, almost a month after one South African and four immigrants were murdered.
  • Many of the displaced immigrant families have returned to Valencia.

Last month, the killing of a South African man in Valencia, Addo, spurred devastating xenophobic “revenge attacks”, killing at least four immigrants and injuring dozens. Hundreds of families were displaced from their homes.

On Sunday, to mark World Refugees Day, about 200 residents of Valencia, South Africans and immigrants, came together at the community hall. They prayed for peace and order in their community.

Candles were lit and 10 white balloons were released as a sign of peace. Half the balloons were released by the family members of Juane September, the South African man whose murder sparked the attacks. The other half were released by Zimbabweans.

Gerald September, Juane’s father, was at the event. “I don’t think I will ever recover from this tragic loss,” he said.

Zimbabwean pastor and Valencia resident of ten years Ngonidzashe Chikanya said the prayer session was also meant to help displaced immigrants reintegrate into the community.

He said those affected were still “dumbfounded” by the incident “as it happened within the blink of an eye”.

“People are still in shock.”

In the streets of Valencia, peace and calm seem to have returned. Many of the displaced families have returned. However, more than 100 Zimbabweans who were arrested by the Department Home Affairs while trying to seek shelter from the attacks, have opted to be voluntarily deported.

A Zimbabwean man who recently returned to Valencia said while he was away his home was robbed of all his belongings. “No one wants to account for that,” he said. This has put him back 10 years and he has had to borrow money to pay rent and purchase essentials, he said.

Morne Serome, deputy chairman of a newly formed group of South African and Zimbabwean church leaders, said they will visit local schools soon to educate children about the importance of living peacefully with immigrants.

“It’s time for the church to play a pivotal role in bringing people together,” Serome said.

Grade seven learner Lihle Kula, 16, said she was heartbroken to witness immigrants being killed and beaten by people who had lived with them for several years.

“I was powerless and at the same time fearing for my life. I could do nothing because the mob was angry and violent. It is very disturbing that a person leaves his country to look for opportunities in a foreign country, only to return home in a coffin after being murdered in cold blood.”

Shelton Ciyangwa, Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Migrants Support Network, said two of the deceased Zimbabweans had been repatriated to Zimbabwe. Another deceased, from Malawi, has also been repatriated. The network is still raising funds to repatriate a third deceased, from Zimbabwe. And a fourth man is yet to be identified by family or next of kin.

There have still not been any arrests of perpetrators of the violence, police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli said.

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Activists are increasingly focusing on mental health awareness and support in communities.

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Kirkwood: From Green to Decayed

Kirkwood, once a thriving and welcoming town, is now plagued by service delivery issues getting residents hot under the collar. In 2023/24, this town, along with Addo and Paterson in the Sundays River Valley Local Municipality, was named the greenest municipality in the Eastern Cape and awarded a cash prize of R50 000. Nowadays, Kirkwood …

Kirkwood, once a thriving and welcoming town, is now plagued by service delivery issues getting residents hot under the collar.

In 2023/24, this town, along with Addo and Paterson in the Sundays River Valley Local Municipality, was named the greenest municipality in the Eastern Cape and awarded a cash prize of R50 000.

Nowadays, Kirkwood is better known for its uncollected refuse, crumbling roads, clogged stormwater systems, overgrown public spaces and damaged infrastructure.

The Municipality’s failure to perform routine maintenance not only affects the town’s appearance, but also has a negative impact on overall morale, public health, and the safety of residents and visitors.

Despite repeated requests from concerned residents and community leaders, there is little to no visible effort from the Municipality’s side to restore the town’s honour.

There is no routine cleaning, repair work or long-term maintenance strategies to speak of.

This constant dereliction of duty undermines public trust, and creates the impression that the administration is indifferent to the needs and rights of the people the Municipality is meant to serve.

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) demands that the Municipality:

  • Acknowledge the current state of decay in Kirkwood with the necessary transparency and urgency.
  • Conduct a comprehensive audit of municipal maintenance backlogs and service delivery failures.
  • Implement a visible action plan to address pressing problems and prevent further decay.

The people of Kirkwood deserve to live in a town characterised by civic pride, functionality and dignity.

FF+ Manifesto on Property rights: Protecting private property rights.

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Fourth Man Dies After Xenophobic Attacks in Addo

Apology Mandiudza was one of four immigrants killed by a violent mob on 25 May. Apology Mandiudza, a 24-year-old man from Zimbabwe, died in hospital last Tuesday, nine days after he was attacked by a mob in Valencia, Addo. He was the fourth immigrant killed in xenophobic revenge attacks on 25 May, triggered by the …

Apology Mandiudza was one of four immigrants killed by a violent mob on 25 May.

Apology Mandiudza, a 24-year-old man from Zimbabwe, died in hospital last Tuesday, nine days after he was attacked by a mob in Valencia, Addo.

He was the fourth immigrant killed in xenophobic revenge attacks on 25 May, triggered by the murder of Jaune September, a 22-year-old South African man. (GroundUp previously reported that four immigrants were killed. This was incorrect. It was previously three people.)

The identities of the other three people are still unknown, but GroundUp has learned that two of them are Zimbabwean and one is Malawian.

There have still not been any arrests of September’s killer(s) or the mob that sought to avenge him.

Originally from Zimbabwe, Mandiudza had been working on a citrus farm – his first job. He had a long-term relationship with a South African woman. His niece, Pauline Mhlolo, told GroundUp that the relationship was destined for marriage.

Mhlolo described him as a quiet and gentle young man. Despite not being anywhere near the tavern where September was killed, he was bludgeoned with a sharp object and sustained fatal injuries to his head. His home was raided and most of his belongings were stolen.

“I saw him lying helplessly in his bed at Livingstone Hospital. He was not responding to our voices,” said Mhlolo.

During the attacks, dozens of immigrant men were beaten and taken to hospital. Hundreds of women and children were forced to flee their homes.

The displaced families sought shelter at Addo Police Station and at a church hall in Gqeberha. On 1 June, these shelters were inspected by immigration officers from the Department of Home Affairs. Hundreds were arrested and 127 people opted for voluntary deportation.

Jaune September was laid to rest on Saturday. GroundUp attended the funeral. It was peaceful and well attended. Ward councillor Xolani Jonas urged the immigrant community to return to their homes.

Chris Mapingure, chairman of the Zimbabwe Migrants Support Network, told GroundUp that there are challenges in repatriating the three murdered Zimbabweans.

Transporting one body to Zimbabwe costs about R32,000. Mapingure has been sourcing funds from Zimbabwean communities across the Eastern Cape, but says: “We still have a long way to go.”

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The #EndRuralPoverty campaign addresses poverty in rural areas and promotes sustainable development.

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They Escaped With Their Lives. Now They’ve Been Arrested

Hundreds of immigrants were displaced in Addo following xenophobic attacks. More than 100 Zimbabweans seeking shelter after xenophobic attacks in Addo were arrested on Sunday. Some had been evacuated to a safe space in Gqeberha and others were camping out at Addo police station when they were arrested by Home Affairs officials for violating immigration …

Hundreds of immigrants were displaced in Addo following xenophobic attacks.

More than 100 Zimbabweans seeking shelter after xenophobic attacks in Addo were arrested on Sunday.

Some had been evacuated to a safe space in Gqeberha and others were camping out at Addo police station when they were arrested by Home Affairs officials for violating immigration laws.

The attacks in Addo last weekend left at least four people dead and more than ten injured. Hundreds of families fled their homes.

According to the Zimbabwe Migrants Support Network (ZiMSN) chairperson Chris Mapingure, 127 people have now opted for voluntary repatriation after appearing in the Kirkwood Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The Zimbabwean consulate is arranging transport back to Zimbabwe.

Mapingure condemned the arrests coming so soon after the xenophobic attacks. “People had lost loved ones and some lost their property. Most lost their travel documents and will need time and money to replace the documents. This is unfair and unfortunate. People were supposed to be given an opportunity to collect their belongings and time to mourn and bury the dead.”

Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge told GroundUp that the arrests were conducted by immigration officers from the Department of Home Affairs and the South African Police Service only provided the holding cells.

The deadly xenophobic attacks last weekend are under investigation by police. There have been no arrests.

Warrant officer Majola Nkohli told GroundUp charges of intimidation and conspiracy to commit crime had been added to the docket. “There is information coming out, some in the form of voice notes, which have been elements of intimidation and conspiracy to commit crime during the unrest,” Nkohli said.

The leader of the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the Sundays River Valley, Patrick Bayeni, said the situation in Addo has calmed down and it is safe for the remaining Zimbabwean families to return.

“We have members on the ground there to monitor the situation and assure whoever wants to return to come back without any fear,” he said.

He said the father of the South African man whose murder triggered the violent “revenge” attacks has also urged the community not to harm immigrant community members.

GroundUp sent questions to the Department of Home Affairs and Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber but had received no response at the time of publication.

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Farm attacks: Violence and theft targeting farmers and agricultural communities.

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New Play Challenges Xenophobia

Graveland is running at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg until Sunday, 1 June. The play challenges audiences to examine their personal biases and highlights systemic failures fuelling xenophobia in South Africa for nearly two decades. A new production is tackling one of the most pressing issues in South Africa – xenophobia. Graveland is running at …

Graveland is running at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg until Sunday, 1 June. The play challenges audiences to examine their personal biases and highlights systemic failures fuelling xenophobia in South Africa for nearly two decades.

  • A new production is tackling one of the most pressing issues in South Africa – xenophobia.
  • Graveland is running at the Market Theatre until Sunday, 1 June.
  • It challenges audiences to examine their personal biases and highlights the systemic failures that allowed xenophobia to remain unchecked for nearly two decades.
  • The timing of the play coincides with the recent xenophobic violence in Addo in the Eastern Cape this week.

A new production staged at Johannesburg’s Market Theatre tackles one of the most pressing issues in South Africa – xenophobia.

Graveland runs until Sunday, 1 June. It follows the journey of Butana, an immigrant in pursuit of a better life which ends in a tragic xenophobic attack. The story is told through his brother’s eyes, when the family travels to South Africa to reclaim Butana’s spirit. The family tries to retrace Butana’s steps, revealing his struggles, including encounters with corrupt officials in South Africa.

This story challenges audiences to examine their personal biases and highlights systemic failures that fuel xenophobia.

In 2008, more than 60 people were killed and nearly 2,000 injured. The violence displaced tens of thousands of immigrants in South Africa.

But it was the shocking images of Emmanuel Sithole’s murder in Alexandra in 2015 that stuck with Thembeni Joni, one of the writers and directors of Graveland.

“I was thinking about what it means for his family. His spirit will remain here. So what will happen to the family if they want to come to collect his spirit when they don’t have documents themselves? That made me start thinking deeper about all of these issues,” he explained.

The timing of the play this week couldn’t be more poignant after four people were killed, a dozen were injured, and hundreds, including women and children, were displaced in xenophobic attacks earlier this week in Addo, in the Eastern Cape. The attacks were triggered by the killing of a South African man in a tavern, allegedly by an immigrant. It’s also on the back of Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, earlier this month, demanding that immigrant employees of the Market Theatre be dismissed.

During the production, audiences are confronted with the difficult questions: Who belongs? Who is being excluded? And are we building a society without empathy?

Actor Mirembe Namayanja, who plays one of the corrupt officials in the play and is herself originally from Uganda, said that when she first told friends and family that she was moving to South Africa, they all expressed concerns for her safety.

“The continental perception about South Africa is quite narrow… A lot of them were like ‘is it going to be safe?’. But the reality is that I experience micro-aggressions more than the pronounced violence that we’ve seen over the past decade or so. But it’s not a common thing that I am discriminated against,” she said.

Actor Lunga Khuhlane plays a character who believes in Pan Africanism, holds anti-xenophobic beliefs and tries to help immigrants.

Speaking to GroundUp after the production’s first showing on Thursday to a full audience of high school learners, Namayanja emphasised the important role such productions play in society. Especially in breaking down some of the stereotypes that drive xenophobic rhetoric and violence.

“I don’t think anyone is born a xenophobe,” she said.

“No one is born prejudiced; it is something that is taught, and one of the most effective ways of teaching a child is through art and performance. You sing them a song or show them a picture. So I do think that art and theatre is quite effective in moulding society and changing perceptions.”

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Mental health issues: High rates of mental health problems.

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No Arrests After Xenophobic Attacks in Addo

Anyway and Everyjoy Hlungani and their child. Anyway was beaten up by a group of South African men on Sunday. There have not yet been any arrests after xenophobic attacks in Valencia, Addo, forced hundreds of immigrant families to evacuate on Sunday. The “revenge attacks” by a group of men were triggered by the murder …

Anyway and Everyjoy Hlungani and their child. Anyway was beaten up by a group of South African men on Sunday.

There have not yet been any arrests after xenophobic attacks in Valencia, Addo, forced hundreds of immigrant families to evacuate on Sunday.

The “revenge attacks” by a group of men were triggered by the murder of a South African man on the weekend, allegedly by an immigrant. The mob went from house to house on Sunday, kicking immigrant families out of their homes.

At least 30 Zimbabweans were injured during the attacks and 17 are still in hospital, according to the Embassy of Zimbabwe. Four men have died, says the South African Police Service (SAPS).

The SAPS Serious and Violent Crimes Unit is investigating, said police spokesperson Majola Nkohli on Thursday.

“The situation in Addo is still tense. Police are continuing to maintain high visibility patrols in the area,” said Nkohli.

Some families have been staying at the Addo police station, too afraid to return to their homes. Hundreds of others have been evacuated to a church hall in Gqeberha. The church has requested not to be named for safety concerns.

Dennis Makolo arrived there on Thursday morning after being discharged from hospital. But he was still disoriented when we spoke to him and could not remember the hospital he was in or how he ended up at the church hall.

He said he was beaten by a “violent mob” and now wants to find work outside of Addo. “I have bad memories of the area.”

Anyway Hlungwani, who was beaten up with crowbars, is still in immense pain. His face is still swollen, his head wound stitched up, and he has sores all over his body.

“The truth is that I don’t want to hear anything about Valencia. I was beaten for nothing … Had it not been for my wife, who bravely intervened, I could be dead by now,” he said.

Hlungwani’s wife, Everjoy Chipangura, said that if they had enough money, they would have boarded the next bus to Zimbabwe. “I don’t want my child to grow up in a hostile environment. We have to start a new life again, but elsewhere,” she said.

But others staying in the hall said they cannot return to Zimbabwe and want to go back home to Valencia.

“This is the first such incident in the area,” said one man. “I have worked on several farms in the Sundays River Valley area for nearly 20 years, but I haven’t experienced this type of threat.”

“The reason why we are all here is the economic turmoil of Zimbabwe. There are no jobs. I will go back to Valencia once the police tell us that the situation has improved.”

Chairman of the Zimbabwe Migrants Support Network, Chris Mapingure, said that donations of food, clothing and toiletries are urgently needed.

“We’re glad to have received amazing support from individuals, Gift of the Givers, businesses and government departments.”

The Zimbabwe Migrants Support Network can be contacted at +27 81 080 0548 for donations. GroundUp has no affiliation with the organisation and takes no responsibility for donations.

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No Money to Fix Broken Colchester Clinic, Says Health Department

A mobile clinic parks outside of the Colchester clinic once a week because the building is not suitable to treat patients any longer. The Eastern Cape Department of Health says it would cost millions of rand – which it can’t afford — to refurbish the dilapidated building. The Eastern Cape Department of Health has admitted …

A mobile clinic parks outside of the Colchester clinic once a week because the building is not suitable to treat patients any longer. The Eastern Cape Department of Health says it would cost millions of rand – which it can’t afford — to refurbish the dilapidated building.

  • The Eastern Cape Department of Health has admitted that the condition at the Colchester clinic is not fit for purpose.
  • Patients complain that the building used for the weekly clinic is falling apart and has no electricity, water and toilets.
  • The department says the weekly mobile clinic is sufficient to treat patients in the community.
  • Department spokesperson, Siyanda Manana says it would cost millions of rand — which it can’t afford — to refurbish the dilapidated building.

The Eastern Cape Department of Health has admitted that the condition at the Colchester clinic is not fit for purpose. But says it would cost millions of rands – which it can’t afford — to refurbish the dilapidated facility.

Colchester is north-east of Gqeberha, near the Addo Elephant National Park. It is part of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality.

Patients say conditions in the building have been deteriorating and that no maintenance has been done since the Covid lockdown in 2020.

GroundUp visited the clinic in May 2024 after patients complained that the building used for the weekly clinic was falling apart and had no electricity. We found that there were broken windows and holes in the ceiling. There were no lights inside the prefabricated building and no running water, so patients walked to the community hall on the same property to use the toilet.

At the time, the department told GroundUp that the cost of refurbishing the building would be at least R1.7-million, which the department did not have.

We returned to the crumbling prefab structure on Wednesday and found the facility in a worse state. The ceiling had many holes while the windows were badly vandalised. The consulting room can only be opened and closed with a tablespoon being used as a door handle.

When we arrived, there were a handful of patients seated inside the prefab, waiting for nurses to arrive in the mobile clinic. The vehicle usually arrives at 10am, but patients say everyone is not assisted by the time nurses pack up by 3pm. Residents asked why the mobile clinic doesn’t come twice rather than once a week.

Another complaint was their struggle to get ambulances to come to Colchester, especially at night and over weekends. As a result, people have to pay to hire transport or hitchhike to the nearest health facility in Motherwell.

Resident Maria Julyan, who lives about ten minutes from the clinic, says she has to go home to use the toilet. She asked that the department fix the toilets, windows and the water infrastructure.

In a video shared on its WhatsApp group this week, department spokesperson, Siyanda Manana, reiterated that the clinic operated as a satellite clinic once a week with a mobile unit.

“The Colchester clinic operates as a satellite clinic due to the dilapidated state of the building. Assessment of the condition of the infrastructure was carried out by the Nelson Mandela Bay health infrastructure team in 2021. The cost to repair the building was R1.7 million.

“Then the office was unable to proceed due to budget constraints. Another request was made again to the provincial office to renovate the structure, but that did not happen in the 2024 plan because the amount jumped to R3-million, and the condition of the building had worsened,” he said.

The department did not respond to our additional questions by the time of publication.

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SAPS highlights work of its men and women in blue

As the country observes this year’s 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children, the South African Police Service (SAPS) is highlighting the work of its men and women in blue, who go beyond the call of duty to protect women and children in South Africa. Today, SAPS introduces the nation to …

As the country observes this year’s 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children, the South African Police Service (SAPS) is highlighting the work of its men and women in blue, who go beyond the call of duty to protect women and children in South Africa.

Today, SAPS introduces the nation to Warrant Officer Sonwabile Dlomo, an investigator attached to the Serial and Electronic Crime Investigations (SECI) Unit in Zwelitsha, Eastern Cape.

Dlomo says his childhood dream of becoming a police officer came true when he got enlisted to the Service 19 years ago. 

His inquisitive mind eventually led him to become a detective and he has been within the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) environment since 2010.

To date, Dlomo secured 23 life terms and 594 years for 16 rapists, who are now behind bars.

In June 2024, the Makanda High Court sentenced Glass Lechesa to six life terms and an additional 125 years imprisonment on multiple counts of rape, robbery with aggravated circumstances and robbery common.

Lechesa targeted young girls in and around the areas of Joubertina and Addo, the youngest victim being 14 years old at the time. He stalked and attacked these victims in farm areas, robbed and repeatedly raped them before he fled the scene.

The case landed on Dlomo’s desk for further investigation. The suspect was still unknown at that stage, but that did not deter Dlomo from cracking the case. He meticulously pieced all available leads together and through the application of various investigative techniques, he managed to link the suspect to 10 rape cases.

Hot on the suspect’s heels, Dlomo proceeded to Addo police station to ascertain if there were more rape dockets similar to these 10 cases.

Dlomo says his instinct led him to trace the suspect’s activities during his ‘cooling off’ period. He then found three more cases with a similar modus operandi. These cases were eventually added to the serial following positive confirmation from the SAPS’ Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).

Lechesa’s reign of terror came to an end on 16 April 2023, when he was arrested by Dlomo and his team. They operationalised information they obtained on the location of the suspect. Dlomo successfully opposed bail and Lechesa remained in custody until sentencing.

As a SECI investigator, Dlomo’s duties include the investigation of serial rape cases, as well as sexual crimes committed on electronic mediums, such as the possession, distribution and manufacturing of child pornography.

“In most of my cases, the suspects are unknown at first. My goal is always to go beyond the call of duty to trace and arrest these suspects to ensure justice prevails for the victims,” said Dlomo. – SAnews.gov.za

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Africa Celebrates Ranger Heroes at the 2024 African Conservation Awards

The 2024 African Conservation Awards, hosted by the Game Rangers’ Association of Africa (GRAA) (www.GameRanger.org) is an opportunity to celebrate just some of the outstanding work by African conservationists. It is the GRAA’s privilege to be able to showcase the exceptional contributions to protecting Africa’s natural heritage. In 2024, the GRAA modified categories in this …

The 2024 African Conservation Awards, hosted by the Game Rangers’ Association of Africa (GRAA) (www.GameRanger.org) is an opportunity to celebrate just some of the outstanding work by African conservationists. It is the GRAA’s privilege to be able to showcase the exceptional contributions to protecting Africa’s natural heritage. In 2024, the GRAA modified categories in this prestigious event to ensure Marine Rangers are also recognised and celebrated.

These awards continue to remind us of our responsibility to rangers working across Africa, many of whom are working in challenging environments with a lack of resources. Every organisation and individual nominated for these awards has displayed remarkable resilience and determination, despite their overwhelming odds and have remained steadfast in their dedication to achieving their conservation goals, inspiring us all with their unwavering commitment. Rangers should be acknowledged and celebrated.

The Winners for the 2024 African Conservation Awards are:

Best Field Ranger

Winner: Modiki Claver, Ranger Team Leader, Dzanga Sangha Protected Areas, Central African Republic (CAR)

Modiki Claver, the Team Leader of Dzanga Sangha Protected Area’s law enforcement section in CAR, has risen from starting as a porter in 2010 to becoming the top team leader in the landscape. Leading a team of seven rangers across the Congo Basin, including parts of Noubale-Ndoki National Park and Lobeke National Park, Claver exemplifies leadership by dismantling snares, seizing weapons, and making arrests. He has significantly contributed to scientific research, including tracking elephant populations, assessing the impact of logging, and monitoring illegal hunting activities. Beyond his law enforcement duties, Claver has fostered strong relationships with local communities and youth, guiding them toward conservation careers. During the 2013 military-political unrest, he demonstrated exceptional courage by covertly tracking rebel movements and providing critical information to protect wildlife. Known for his field skills, ethical leadership, and commitment to the rights of indigenous people, Claver is an inspiring role model in conservation.

1st Runner Up: Sekibibi Bareke Désiré, Central Sector Manager, Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

2nd Runner Up: Jean Claude Kyungu, Former Head Ranger Maiko National Park, DRC

Best Marine Ranger

Winner: Chanel Hauvette, Senior Marine Field Ranger, Robberg Nature Reserve and Marine Protected Area and Keurbooms River Nature Reserve, South Africa

Chanel Hauvette is a Senior Marine Field Ranger who demonstrates extraordinary dedication to marine conservation, leading stranding responses, law enforcement, biodiversity monitoring, and community engagement across Robberg Nature Reserve and Marine Protected Area. As coordinator of the Plett Stranding Network, she manages hundreds of annual strandings, from seals and birds to endangered turtles, often stabilizing animals at her own home. Despite challenges like limited resources and transportation, Chanel forges strong partnerships with local businesses, NGOs, and residents to secure support. Her leadership, innovative protocols, and passion for conservation inspire her team, educate communities, and ensure the protection of marine biodiversity.

1st Runner Up: Emily Nyevu Simba, Ranger Corporal, Watamu Marine Protected Area, Kenya

2nd Runner Up: Clive Hendricks, Section Ranger, Addo Elephant National Park – Marine Section, South Africa

Best Ranger Team

Winner: South Luangwa Rapid Response Unit for Human-Wildlife Conflict, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

The South Luangwa Rapid Response Unit for Human-Wildlife Conflict (RRU-HWC) is a joint initiative between Conservation South Luangwa and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife. It has significantly improved coexistence between communities and wildlife through proactive education, innovative solutions, and swift conflict resolution. Reaching over 4,000 people, their educational outreach fostered awareness and led to a 44% improvement in predator-proof livestock enclosures, reducing livestock predation. The team also tackled challenges like elephant crop raids and predator attacks with rapid responses and non-lethal deterrents, earning trust within the community. Despite resource limitations, the RRU-HWC has empowered local wildlife committees, inspired community-led initiatives, and strengthened partnerships with government and NGOs. Their dedication has not only mitigated conflicts but also fostered a culture of conservation, ensuring long-term benefits for both people and wildlife.

1st Runner Up: Tango 1 Mobile APU Team, Tana Delta, Kenya

2nd Runner Up: South Luangwa K9 Unit, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Best Ranger Supporter

Winner: Munene Kamundi, Strong Ranger Initiative, Kenya

Munene Kamundi is a dedicated advocate for wildlife ranger wellbeing, leveraging his expertise in occupational health and safety to address critical challenges faced by rangers in conservation. Despite financial hardships and resource limitations, he has reached over 400 rangers this year, aiming to support 5,000 annually. Through his innovative wellness ambassadors program, Kamundi promotes mental health, safety practices, and emergency response training, aligning with global biodiversity frameworks like the Kunming-Montreal agreement. His tireless commitment, even in the face of adversity, highlights his transformative leadership and vision to integrate ranger wellbeing into sustainable conservation efforts across Africa.

1st Runner Up: Amon Koutoua Benoît, Technical Director, Office Ivoirien des Parcs et Réserves, Côte d’Ivoire

2nd Runner Up: WCS Congo Counter-Wildlife Trafficking Teams (North and South), DRC and Republic of Congo

In a poignant video message, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, esteemed Patron of the African Conservation Awards, paid homage to the brave conservation heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice. He solemnly honored the memory of the 64 rangers who tragically lost their lives in the line of duty over the past year, safeguarding our planet’s invaluable natural heritage. Prince Albert expressed profound gratitude to these fallen heroes and to all of Africa’s rangers, who selflessly dedicate their lives to protecting our natural spaces. He urged collective action to support the 30×30 global initiative, emphasizing that achieving these ambitious goals requires providing rangers with the resources, infrastructure, and tools they urgently need. His message carried a deep reverence for the thousands of rangers who face immense risks daily, serving as steadfast guardians of our planet’s biodiversity and natural wonders.

“Every year we are reminded of the dedication, commitment and resilience required to be a ranger in Africa. This year is no different and those recognised today are some of Africa’s best working in seven different countries across our continent. We are humbled to call them our colleagues and to be able to bring their work out into the light for all to see. It is particularly exciting to be recognising Marine Rangers this year who do such inspiring work on our oceans and coastlines to conserve our marine resources. Well done to the winners, runner ups and nominees of the African Conservation Awards 2024! Thank you for what you do for our planet and its people!” – Andrew Campbell, CEO, Game Rangers Association of Africa

The African Conservation Awards are hosted annually by the Game Rangers’ Association of Africa (GRAA) and are endorsed by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment. His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, who is committed to the protection of endangered species through the support of his Foundation, is the Patron of the African Conservation Awards.

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Tanzania President, Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO with 15 First Ladies inaugurate their 11th Africa Asia Luminary 2024

The 11th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary was officially inaugurated by The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Dr. SAMIA SULUHU HASSAN, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp and Merck Foundation CEO, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej. The First Ladies of Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, …

  • The 11th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary was officially inaugurated by The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, H.E. Dr. SAMIA SULUHU HASSAN, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp and Merck Foundation CEO, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.
  • The First Ladies of Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of The Congo, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Maldives, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe, Zimbabwe and Zanzibar were the Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers for the 11th Edition of Merck Foundation’s Annual Conference.
  • More than 6,000 healthcare providers, policymakers and media from over 70 English, French, Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries attended the Luminary through hybrid model to benefit from five parallel scientific and social sessions to advance healthcare capacity and awareness in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.
  • Celebrating 7th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and marking 12-year journey of their development programs, during 2024 Luminary.

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, conducted the 11th Edition of their annual conference, “Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary”, under the patronage of The President of Tanzania, and in partnership with the Government of Tanzania on 29th and 30th October, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The conference was officially inaugurated by H.E. Dr. SAMIA SULUHU HASSAN, The President of the United Republic of Tanzania together with Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, along with First Ladies of 15 Countries, who joined as the Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers.

While inaugurating the conference, The President of United Republic of Tanzania, H.E Dr. SAMIA SULUHU HASSAN emphasized “I am delighted to host this prestigious conference in Tanzania. It is a great honor to inaugurate the conference alongside the First Ladies of Africa and Asia. I am certain that this conference will help us to achieve our shared mission — to make a transformation in the health and well-being of our people. I deeply appreciate the programs of Merck Foundation that are building healthcare capacity, breaking infertility stigma, and supporting girl education.”

Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary emphasized, “I am delighted to have Her Excellency, Dr. SAMIA SULUHU HASSAN, The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, inaugurate our annual conference. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to our partner, the Government of Tanzania, for their unwavering support in making it a success. Moreover, I am honored to welcome our esteemed Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers, the First Ladies of African and Asian Countries, also the Ambassadors of the “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother”. Together, we shared experiences and engaged in meaningful discussions on the impact of our programs, aimed at transforming patient care and raising awareness on a wide range of critical social and health issues.”

Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg Haverkamp, Chairman of Merck Foundation Board of Trustees added, “I would like to thank H.E. Dr. SAMIA SULUHU HASSAN, The President of Tanzania, our partners, The First Ladies of Africa and Asia, along with African Ministers, Health Experts, Policy Makers, Government Officials, Academia and Media from over 70 countries for joining hands with us to realize the Merck Foundation’s vision that  “Everyone can lead a Healthy and Happy life.”

The First Ladies of 15 Countries, who joined as the Guests of Honor and Keynote Speakers are:

  • H.E. Madam ANGELINE NDAYISHIMIYE, The First Lady of the Republic of Burundi
  • H.E. Dr. DÉBORA KATISA CARVALHO, The First Lady of the Republic of Cabo Verde
  • H.E. Madam BRIGITTE TOUADERA, The First Lady of Central African Republic
  • H.E. Madam DENISE NYAKERU TSHISEKEDI, The First Lady of the Democratic Republic of The Congo
  • H.E. Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, The First Lady of the Gabonese Republic
  • H.E. Mrs. FATOUMATTA BAH-BARROW, The First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia
  • H.E. Mrs. REBECCA AKUFO-ADDO, The First Lady of the Republic of Ghana
  • H.E. Mrs. RACHEL RUTO, The First Lady of Kenya
  • H.E. Mrs. KARTUMU YARTA BOAKAI, The First Lady of the Republic of Liberia
  • H.E. Mrs. MONICA CHAKWERA, The First Lady of the Republic of Malawi
  • H.E. Mrs. SAJIDHA MOHAMED, The First Lady of the Republic of Maldives
  • H.E. Mrs. ISAURA FERRÃO NYUSI, The First Lady of the Republic of Mozambique
  • H.E. Mrs. MARIA DE FATIMA VILA NOVA, The First Lady of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
  • H.E Mrs. MARIAM MWINYI, The First Lady of Zanzibar
  • H.E. Amai Dr. AUXILLIA MNANGAGWA, The First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe

“I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided more than 2080 scholarships to young doctors from 50 countries in 42 critical and underserved specialties such as Oncology and Cancer care, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Cardiovascular, Fertility Care, Embryology, Sexual & Reproductive Medicine, Internal Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Acute Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency, Gastroenterology, Rheumatology, Clinical Psychiatry, Urology, Ophthalmology, General Surgery, Trauma & Orthopedic, Dermatology, Neonatal Care, Pain Management, Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Advanced Surgical Practice, Neuroimaging for Research and more. Many of them are becoming the first specialists in their countries”, added Senator Kelej.

During the 11th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, two important occasions were marked; the 7th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and 12 years of Merck Foundation’s development programs that started in 2012.

On the first day of the conference, the Plenary Session of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2024 took place, featuring a high-level panel discussion with the participating First Ladies of Africa and Asia. Moreover, two high-level ministerial panel discussion were held with African Ministers and top healthcare experts from across the globe.

The Day 2 of the conference will have five key parallel medical and scientific sessions, covering topics such as oncology, diabetes and hypertension, fertility and reproductive care, and medical capacity building in other specialties like respiratory care, acute care, emergency pediatric and neonatal care, and more. Additionally, a community awareness session, Merck Foundation Health Media Training, will be conducted for African journalists. This session will emphasize the critical role of the media in influencing communities and driving cultural change, with regards to a wide range of social and health issues like Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girls’ Education, Stopping GBV, Ending Child Marriage & FGM, Empowering Women, Diabetes and Hypertension Awareness.

Countries participating in the 11th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary include:

Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Central Africa Republic, Cambodia, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Guinea – Bissau, Guinea – Conakry, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, The Gambia, Togo, Tunisia, U.A.E, UK, Uganda, US, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe and more.

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Africa Fact:In June 2019, Google announced their plan to build a private fiber-optic subsea cable that will run along the west coast of Africa, which will greatly enhance Africans’ access to the internet.

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Families Evacuated From Their Flooded Homes in Nelson Mandela Bay

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality says it is evacuating people in flooded areas to churches and community halls. Hundreds of families across Nelson Mandela Bay have sought shelter in churches and community halls after their homes were badly flooded on Monday night. Essential infrastructure is badly damaged. Several main roads in Kariega and Gqeberha have washed …

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality says it is evacuating people in flooded areas to churches and community halls.

Hundreds of families across Nelson Mandela Bay have sought shelter in churches and community halls after their homes were badly flooded on Monday night. Essential infrastructure is badly damaged. Several main roads in Kariega and Gqeberha have washed away.

Schools and some factories in affected communities were also closed for the day.

On Tuesday morning, we found scores of people and children from Lapland informal settlement in ward 45 walking in the pouring rain to neighbouring communities because their shacks were badly waterlogged.

Residents carried satchels and plastic bags filled with their belongings and whatever food they could carry.

People from Lapland informal settlement in ward 45 in Kariega, including children, walked in the rain with whatever they could salvage from their flooded homes. Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality says it is evacuating people in flooded areas to churches and community halls.

“We woke up at about 5am on Tuesday and my shack was filled with water. We had to flee. This is the second time since June that we have been hit by floods like this,” said Marshall Kerby, a concerned father. “We did not heal from the June flood. We lost everything again that we tried to recover planks, zincs and furniture,” he said.

His neighbour, Johnson Williams, said about six police vans had helped to transport them to a church in the nearby Gamble community. “I stay with five children in my shack. We lost all our belongings to the flood. We are about 500 people in Lapland.”

Gibbon Street in Kariega was closed on Tuesday after part of it was washed away by heavy rainfall.

On Tuesday, the municipality’s Electricity and Energy Directorate said, “In light of the recent flooding in and around the metro, we urge all customers experiencing house flooding to switch off the main switches on their distribution boards as a precautionary measure. This action will help eliminate the risk of possible electrocution.”

The municipality added that areas worst affected by the storm included Lapland, Motherwell, Ibhayi, Vastrap, and Jubilee Park, among others.

Niven’s bridge, leading in and out of KwaNobuhle, has been closed due to damage.

“As a relief measure, residents have been moved to Sunshine School, Missionvale Care Centre and the UCC Church. NMBM’s Disaster Management Directorate will be moving residents from Lapland to Tambo Hall, residents from Veeplaas and Soweto will be moved to Veeplaas Community Hall, and residents from Soweto and Salamntu will be moved to Soweto Community Hall.

“Residents will be provided with mattresses, blankets and soup whilst mop up operations continue. Gift of the Givers, Shoprite, NHC Nama Royal House, Al-Imdaad Foundation and SASCO Pepsi Co have donated warm meals that will go to residents who have been moved to the evacuation halls.”

Houses along Sahlunge Street in NU11 in Motherwell, Gqeberha were still flooded on Tuesday afternoon.

Shacks in Endlovini along Addo Road in NU12 were waterlogged.

© 2024 GroundUp. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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Why a Tax Dispute is Good News for African Penguins

With numbers dwindling, scientists are concerned about the future of African penguins. On St Croix Island in Algoa Bay, which is part of the Addo Elephant Marine Protected Area (MPA), there were 7,000 endangered African penguin breeding pairs in 2015. By 2023, the number had collapsed to 700, according to researcher Professor Lorien Pichegru. But …

With numbers dwindling, scientists are concerned about the future of African penguins.

On St Croix Island in Algoa Bay, which is part of the Addo Elephant Marine Protected Area (MPA), there were 7,000 endangered African penguin breeding pairs in 2015. By 2023, the number had collapsed to 700, according to researcher Professor Lorien Pichegru. But the good news is that numbers are rising again – thanks to a tax dispute.

St Croix, only 12 hectares in size and four kilometres from the Port of Coega (Ngqura) couldn’t be in a worse spot. The African penguins on St Croix suffer, says Pichegru, from the double whammy of commercial fishing in the surrounding areas and noise pollution from ships heading in and out of the port.

Pichegru, who is acting director of the Institute for Coastal and Marine Research at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha, has been knee-deep in African penguin research for about 15 years. She sometimes lives with them on Bird Island. Pichegru has published nearly 100 papers and been cited more than 2,000 times, according to ResearchGate, and is one of the world’s leading authorities on the species known as Spheniscus demersus (African penguin).

In a study published in 2022 called “Maritime traffic trends around the southern tip of Africa – Did marine noise pollution contribute to the local penguins’ collapse?” Pichegru led a team of eight fellow scientists as they researched the impact of noise in Algoa Bay.

They found that an increase in annual estimated vessel noise corresponded to a significant average decrease of penguin pairs and that the lowest recorded numbers of penguins’ breeding pairs corresponded to the period after ship-to-ship bunkering began in 2016.

Bunkering is a practice whereby ships are refuelled out at sea instead of coming into port. It’s a noisy process and increases the risk of oil spills. And in Algoa Bay all this takes place in or right next to the MPA.

The area where the African penguins of St Croix Island forage is full of ships. Source: “Maritime traffic trends around the southern tip of Africa – Did marine noise pollution contribute to the local penguins’ collapse?”

“The intensification of underwater noise levels in the African penguin’s foraging habitat was linked to the initiation and expansion of ship-to-ship bunkering activities which intensified the maritime traffic in the area,” the scientists said in the 2022 paper. “Noise levels were significantly related to the collapse of what had been the world’s largest remaining colony of endangered African penguins.”

Algoa Bay became one of the noisiest bays in the world.

Breeding pairs of penguins dropped as noise levels rose. Source: “Maritime traffic trends around the southern tip of Africa – Did marine noise pollution contribute to the local penguins’ collapse?”

But this year, the number of pairs of penguins, who mate for life, has almost doubled on St Croix. Pichegru, who has just returned from a stay on nearby Bird Island, says the number is up to 1,200 pairs.

This 71% year-on-year jump in numbers, she says, is because there has been no bunkering in the area in the last year. And this is because of a tax dispute. Earlier this year the Eastern Cape High Court heard the case, with the South African Revenue Service (SARS), which confiscated some of the refuelling vessels last year, claiming that illegal bunkering had cost the fiscus as much as R7-billion in lost revenue. The defendants said SARS’s directives about bunkering were unclear. The court found that SARS needed to clarify its regulations, a process that’s still ongoing. While this is ongoing bunkering has stopped, which is good for the penguin population.

But though the news from St Croix is good, Pichegru is still very concerned about the future of the penguins.

An expert panel appointed by former Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Barbara Creecy recommended in 2023 various measures to protect penguins.

In August that year, Creecy said the partial ban on commercial fishing for anchovy and sardine around six penguin island colonies, including St Croix would continue unless conservationists and fisheries came to agreements on new fishing bans by the start of this year. With no agreements reached, the partial bans are now in place for the next ten years.

BirdLife South Africa and SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds) have challenged this decision in court, saying Creecy did not take into account all the recommendations of the panel. Specifically, they say, she did not take into account recommendations on how to define a “valuable area for African penguins” when considering how to balance penguin needs with fishing industry interests.

As a result, her decision was “biologically meaningless”, they say.

“I do believe penguins have a high risk of becoming functionally extinct by 2035 at the rate they’re going,” Pichegru says. And this is despite the fact that scientists are working to identify the next 5% of South Africa’s ocean that needs protection. At present South Africa has 41 MPAs covering 5.4% of the sea which is under South African law. Like many other countries, South Africa has promised to protect 30% of its sea by 2030.

Given the penguins’ core foraging range, it would be enough to extend the closures out to sea for 40 kilometres at most, says Pichegru. That’s a tiny speck of space when compared to the 1.1 million square kilometres of ocean that fall within South Africa’s exclusive economic zone but would make all the difference to the penguins.

“They can be resilient and have the capacity to produce up to four chicks a year in really good conditions, so they can bounce back should we give them a chance,” Pichegru says. “There is a realistic chance to stop them from disappearing by providing them with adequate protection at sea.”

Renée Bonorchis is a journalist and the founder of The Ocean Advocate, which is co-publishing this story. This is the last in a three-part series. Read part one and part two.

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World Bank Group Executive Directors note progress and re-affirm support to South Africa and Namibia

A delegation of the World Bank Group’s (WBG) Board of Executive Directors (EDs) noted South Africa‘s and Namibia’s progress in achieving their development goals and re-affirmed World Bank Group’s commitment to providing support. The 11 EDs and Alternate EDs were hosted by the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) country offices during their recent …

A delegation of the World Bank Group’s (WBG) Board of Executive Directors (EDs) noted South Africa‘s and Namibia’s progress in achieving their development goals and re-affirmed World Bank Group’s commitment to providing support. The 11 EDs and Alternate EDs were hosted by the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) country offices during their recent visit on July 7-13.

The visit provided a platform to assess progress with projects and engage on the evolution of the World Bank Group’s relationship with the countries, from a knowledge-focused to a broader knowledge and financing partnership. EDs met government and business leaders, local stakeholders, and project beneficiaries, and experienced first-hand how the countries manage development priorities and challenges. South Africa and Namibia have common challenges, including poverty, unemployment, and inequality. Throughout the visit, the delegation discussed the ongoing and future support from the World Bank Group to boost inclusive economic growth and job creation.

In South Africa, over the past three years the country has shifted from being a non-borrowing client to borrowing over $1 billion per year from the World Bank. South Africa also constitutes the largest IFC portfolio in Africa and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency’s (MIGA) second largest on the continent.

In Namibia, the World Bank Group is preparing a new Country Partnership Framework (CPF) with the government that will strategically guide its support as the engagement continues to grow. The World Bank recently approved a $138.5 million renewable energy and transmission loan to NamPower, after 15 years without borrowing.

Key highlights of the visit included:

  • In South Africa, the delegation met with the Minister of Finance Honorable Enoch Godongwana, and the Minister of Electricity and Energy Honorable Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. EDs visited two IFC clients and two World Bank projects which showcased support for key government priorities and demonstrated how these projects link to global issues and corporate initiatives such as the just energy transition, health, urban development, and subnational government engagement. The delegation toured and engaged with stakeholders at the Komati power station – the site of the Eskom Just Energy Transition Project; the Addo Elephant Park that houses the innovative Wildlife Conservation Bond; and the IFC-supported Trust for Urban Housing Finance and BioVac Institute that manufactures vaccines locally.
  • In Namibia, the delegation met with Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises Honorable Ipumbu Shiimi and key stakeholders, including development partners and the private sector.  The delegation visited informal settlements near Windhoek to gain insights on housing related issues, a sector where IFC is investing and which the government has identified as a priority for World Bank Group engagement.

Matteo Bugamelli, the World Bank’s Executive Director who represents the constituency of countries including Albania, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, San Marino, and Timor-Leste, expressed optimism about the countries’ progress. He emphasized the World Bank Group’s commitment to helping South Africa and Namibia address unemployment and inequality challenges. He particularly welcomed the increased financing to support the implementation of much needed reforms.

About the World Bank Group’s Board of Directors: The Board of Executive Directors is responsible for the conduct of the general operations of the Bank, making decisions on loans, credits, grants, policies, and financial matters. The Board consists of 25 members who represent the 189 member countries, providing guidance for the institution’s development activities.

Visiting Board Officials: The delegation included Mr. Abdulaziz E A Almulla (Executive Director for Bahrain, Arab Republic of Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Maldives, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, West Bank and Gaza, and Republic of Yemen); Mr. Matteo Bugamelli (Executive Director for Albania, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, San Marino, and Timor-Leste); Ms. Ayanda Dlodlo (Executive Director Angola, Nigeria, South Africa); Mr. Floribert Ngaruko (Executive Director for Botswana, Burundi, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe); Ms. Katharine Rechico (Executive Director for Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Kitts & Nevis and St. Vincent & the Grenadines); and Mr. Tauqir Shah (Executive Director for Afghanistan, Algeria, Ghana, Islamic Republic of Iran, Morocco, Pakistan, and Tunisia.

Visiting Alternate Executive Directors:  Mr. Louis Albisson (Alternate Executive Director for France); Mr. Felice Gorordo (Alternate Executive Director for the United States), Mr. Koji Uemura (Alternate Executive Director for Japan); Ms. Kerstin Sumana Wijeyewardene (Alternate Executive Director for Asia and the Pacific Constituency) and Mr. Weifeng Yang (Alternate Executive Director for China).

Included in the delegation was Ms. Mercy Tembon, World Bank Vice President and Corporate Secretary.

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Rehabilitation of Lower Sundays Canal delayed after recent floods

The Department of Water and Sanitation has announced the postponement of the emergency rehabilitation of parts of the Lower Sundays River Canal, which was planned to start from Monday, 10 June to 15 August 2024. The department said the postponement of the project is due to the recent heavy rainfall that resulted in flooding in …

The Department of Water and Sanitation has announced the postponement of the emergency rehabilitation of parts of the Lower Sundays River Canal, which was planned to start from Monday, 10 June to 15 August 2024.

The department said the postponement of the project is due to the recent heavy rainfall that resulted in flooding in various areas of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM), which may have compromised infrastructure, including water supply systems. 

“This is to afford the municipality time to complete its disaster assessment and response, as well as the resumption of the state of readiness for the project,” the department said in a statement.

The Lower Sundays River Canal forms part of the Lower Sunday’s Government Water Scheme (LSGWS).

The LSGWS canal system supplies two main users with bulk water, including agricultural users, the Sundays River citrus producing area, and domestic users, Kirkwood, Uitenhage, Enon, and the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro amongst others.

The LSGWS forms part of the greater Orange-Fish-Sundays Inter Basin Transfer Scheme and it transfers 740 million kilolitres of water annually from the Gariep Dam to the Eastern Cape through the 80 km Orange-Fish Tunnel. 

The repair of the canal is a result of a May 2017 incident, where a section of the canal embarkment slipped, about 4.4km south of Enon. 

The department then had to construct a temporary embarkment using a plastic membrane to ensure the continuous supply of water to users. However, a secondary embankment failure has occurred, with 200m downstream of the initial embankment and canal failure.

The work on the canal includes demolishing the existing canal at the upstream and downstream tie-in sections, surface preparations, and the placement of a High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) liner over the upstream and downstream tie-ins.

The department emphasised that during the tie-ins construction, the canal will not be completely shut down, but there will be intervals at which, upon completion of certain segments that are being repaired, water will be allowed to flow through to the dams for end users. 

“During this period, on average, the canal will be closed for seven to ten days for construction and be opened for seven days for the flow of water to fill up dams for the areas to be impacted by the temporary shutdowns. The major domestic users to be impacted by the canal supply interruptions will be the towns of Addo, Paterson and the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro. 

“However, measures are being put in place to ensure less interruptions to these areas. Kirkwood, which is located upstream of the shutdown point will continue to be supplied from the main canal. Addo and Paterson which are supplied from the Caesar’s Balancing Dam, downstream, which will be filled prior to canal shutdown, and continuously recharged during the seven days open flows,” the department said.

The department also noted that balancing dams are designed to act as multipurpose reservoirs and are commonly used to serve as distribution points from where water is diverted into pipelines, canals, or to serve as pumping stations or store water for short period and immediate usage. 

It said the seven days closure and opening interval of the canal was determined based on the storage capacity of these dams. 

Considering the developments, the department said it will continue with its consultations on the new start date of the canal tie-in to bring all stakeholders on board to enable them to plan for this period and inform their customers. 

“The department continues to hold meetings with these stakeholders to discuss action plans to mitigate any possible challenges and bottlenecks when the planned dry period gets implemented. It is important to note that the emergency rehabilitation to be carried out is critical for the reliability and sustainability of supply to the users. If the damaged canal remains not repaired, the scheme stands a total collapse,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

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It is easier to stay out than get out.

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“It’s PR that needs to be creative. It’s PR that needs to be new and different. It’s PR that needs to be original. The best way to establish a brand is to create a new category, and creating a new category requires creative thinking of the highest order.” – Al & Laura Ries

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“PR is performance recognition” – Douglas Smith

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“Everything you do or say is public relations.” – Unknown

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“Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality.” – Nikos Kazantzakis

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“If a young man tells his date how handsome, smart and successful he is – that’s advertising. If the young man tells his date she’s intelligent, looks lovely, and is a great conversationalist, he’s saying the right things to the right person and that’s marketing. If someone else tells the young woman how handsome, smart and successful her date is – that’s PR.” – S. H. Simmons

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“The counsel on public relations is not an advertising man but he advocates for advertising where that is indicated. Very often he is called in by an advertising agency to supplement its work on behalf of a client. His work and that of the advertising agency do not conflict with or duplicate each other.” – Edward Bernays

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PR people are often called “spin doctors,” which to us conjures up images of weird zombie voodoo witch doctors. While we like to think of ourselves as good witches rather than bad witches, there’s certainly an element of magic to what we do. What’s our method? We can’t reveal all of our secrets.

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“PR is a mix of journalism, psychology, and lawyering – it’s an ever-changing and always interesting landscape.” – Ronn Torossian

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“Public-relations specialists make flower arrangements of the facts, placing them so the wilted and less attractive petals are hidden by sturdy blooms.” – Alan Harrington

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“The art of publicity is a black art; but it has come to stay, and every year adds to its potency.” – Learned Hand

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“Spin doctors are: “professional political strategists, able on behalf of their clients to manipulate the media – planting a story here, a rumour there, a tip-off somewhere else – so that any piece of news is tailored to show them in the best possible light.” – Michael Shea

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Quotes On Ethics and PR

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Ironically – considering how much of our work involves maintaining and improving reputations – PR doesn’t always have the best rep when it comes to ethics. Some people, because of bad things that they’ve done in the past, have even been called propagandists. But there’s a big ethical difference between real PR and simple propaganda, and here it is: PR is always solidly rooted in fact. PR is part of the good fight, as the wise people quoted below have recognized.

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“PR means telling the truth and working ethically – even when all the media want is headlines and all the public wants is scapegoats. Public relations fails when there is no integrity.” – Viv Segal of Sefin Marketing

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“Publicity is the very soul of justice. It is the keenest spur to exertion, and the surest of all guards against improbity.” – Jeremy Bentham

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“We believe PR should be practiced to serve the public interest, to develop mutual understanding between organizations and their publics.” – James E. Grunig

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“Without publicity there can be no public support, and without public support every nation must decay.” – Benjamin Disraeli

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“Advertising ministers to the spiritual side of trade. It is great power that has been entrusted to your keeping which charges you with the high responsibility of inspiring and ennobling the commercial world. It is all part of the greater work of the regeneration and redemption of mankind.” – Calvin Coolidge

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“Publicity is a great purifier because it sets in action the forces of public opinion, and in this country public opinion controls the courses of the nation.” – Charles Evans Hughes

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Joan Jett didn’t give a damn about her reputation, but unless you’re a teenage rock star, you should probably give a damn about yours.

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“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” – Warren Buffet

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“It is generally much more shameful to lose a good reputation than never to have acquired it.” – Pliny the Elder

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“What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself.” – Abraham Lincoln

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“Reputation matters because your behind is always behind you.” – Happy Masina

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“There is no such thing as bad publicity except your own obituary.” – Brendan Behan

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“If you don’t tell your story, someone else will.” – Unknown

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“Regardless of how you feel inside, always try to look like a winner. Even if you are behind, a sustained look of control and confidence can give you a mental edge that results in victory.” – Arthur Ashe

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“Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising.” – Mark Twain CLICK TO TWEET

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People as disparate as Malcolm X and John D. Rockefeller both spoke to the power and importance of public image. Since PR is something that people who are so fundamentally different can agree on, you know there must be something fundamentally important about it. If you ‘re still not convinced that public relations is absolutely critical to the success of your business, you’ll change your mind after visiting MyPR.co.za.

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“PR is extremely important, and being able to use it in the right way means everything. You have to market your success.” – Lee Haney, bodybuilder and former Mr. Olympia

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“In a downturn, aggressive PR and communications strategy is key.” – Doug Leone, VC, Sequoia Capital – Silicon Alley Insider

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“If I was down to the last dollar of my marketing budget I’d spend it on PR!” – Bill Gates

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“Public relations are a key component of any operation in this day of instant communications and rightly inquisitive citizens.” – Alvin Adams

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“Publicity is absolutely critical. A good PR story is infinitely more effective than a front page ad.” – Richard Branson

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“Historically, PR, Marketing and Advertising budgets are the first to be cut; however, that could be one of the first mistakes a business makes in an economic crisis.” – CBSMarketwatch

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“The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power.” – Malcolm X

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“Publicity is the life of this culture – in so far as without publicity capitalism could not survive – and at the same time publicity is its dream.” – John Berger

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“I suspect in most companies, the public relations person is down at No. 20 in the pecking order. But here, he is fighting incredibly important battles. If a negative story starts running away with itself in the press and is not dealt with fast, it can badly damage the brand, and so we put enormous weight on our PR people.” – Richard Branson

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“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” – Rudyard Kipling

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“Publicity is a great purifier because it sets in action the forces of public opinion, and in this country public opinion controls the courses of the nation.” – Charles Evans Hughes

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“Without publicity there is no prosperity.” – Yakov Zel’dovich

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“Nobody counts the number of ads you run; they just remember the impression you make.” – Bill Bernbach, advertising pioneer and founder of DDB

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“Today, journalism is such a persuasive factor in opinion building that no person, group or business can claim immunity or afford to under-estimate the ability of the fourth estate to affect their fortunes – either for better or for worse.” – Gigi van der Rie

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“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some hire public relations officers.” – Daniel J. Boorstin

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Public relations is the deliberate and strategic management of relationships between an organization and its key public. In other words, it’s all about communication.

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Public relations practitioners use a variety of tools and tactics to build mutually beneficial relationships between an organization and its target audiences. This can include everything from media relations and crisis communications to social media outreach and event planning.

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The goal of public relations is to help an organization achieve its objectives by positively influencing how the public perceives it.

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There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to public relations. The strategies and tactics used will vary depending on the organization’s specific goals, target audiences, and available resources.

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Successful public relations campaigns typically share a few key characteristics, including a focus on long-term relationship building, two-way communication, and consistent messaging.

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It sounds like a lot of work, doesn’t it? That’s because it is. From managing complex campaigns to handling sensitive media inquiries, public relations professionals are constantly under pressure.

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“The best PR is done when you’re not trying to do PR.” – Katie Paine

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“There’s no one size fits all in PR just as there’s no one size fits all in journalism.” – Richard Edelman

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“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some hire public relations officers” – Daniel Boorstin

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“PR is about telling stories and helping an organization tell its story.” – Nancy Schwartz

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“PR is not about getting attention; it’s about driving action.” – David Meerman Scott

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“Successful PR is like good cooking. You bring all the ingredients together and then let them simmer.” – Lois Wyse

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Successful PR is like good cooking. You bring all the ingredients together and then let them simmer. – Lois Wyse

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“Public relations specialists make flower arrangements of the facts, placing them so the wilted and less attractive petals are hidden by sturdy blooms.” – Alan Harrington

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“PR should be thought of as a marathon, not a sprint.” – Joe Pulizzi

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There are many inspirational Seth Godin quotes out there but that’s definitely one of our favorite ones: “PR isn’t about changing people’s minds; it’s about giving them something worth their attention.” – Seth Godin

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“PR is all about relationships—and strong relationships take time, patience and two-way communication.” – Media Bullseye

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“If I was down to my last dollar, I would spend one dollar on PR.” – Bill Gates

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“Always act like you have something to lose because you always do.” – Kelli Grant

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“The best offense is a good defense.” – Unknown

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“PR is extremely important, and being able to use it in the right way means everything. You have to market your success.” – Lee Haney

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“There are three things I always come back to as an organization tries to earn awareness and credibility with its stakeholders: authenticity, transparency, and frequency.” – Steve Cody

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“Reputation is what other people say about you when you leave the room; character is what you say about yourself when no one else is in the room.” – Joyce Brothers

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Reputation is what other people say about you when you leave the room; character is what you say about yourself when no one else is in the room. – Joyce Brothers

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“Novelty is necessarily innovation.” – Aaron Endre

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“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams

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“Actions speak louder than tweets.” – Unknown

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People often have an unhindered perspective on what PR should be, and here is what AI & Laura Ries think of the same. “It’s PR that needs to be creative. It’s PR that needs to be new and different. It’s PR that needs to be original. The best way to establish a brand is to create a new category, and creating a new category requires creative thinking of the highest order.”

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“Copy, not from your industry, but from others. You have to go where there is no competition.” – Seth Godin

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“If a young man tells his date how handsome, smart, and successful he is – that’s advertising. If the young man tells his date she’s intelligent, looks lovely, and is a great conversationalist, he’s saying the right things to the right person and that’s marketing. If someone else tells the young woman how handsome, smart, and successful her date is – that’s PR.” – S. H. Simmons

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“Be nice, be consistent, be true, talk straight—those are my rules for success.” – Anne M. Mulcahy

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“If your communications are born of sincerity instead of spin, if they reflect your company’s values rather than solely selling points—then all sorts of magical things can happen.” – Jeff Jarvis

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“I define engagement as moments when our users interact with us in a way that makes them happy and propels them forward toward becoming customers or evangelists for our brand or product.” – Avinash Kaushik

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“Inbound marketing and public relations are two sides of the same coin: The goal is seeking out relationships with individuals who have an interest in what you do before they even know they need it yet .” – Jay Baer

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“Good PR doesn’t happen by accident. It’s earned through thoughtful planning and consistent execution against an objective .” – Christine Martin

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“I strongly believe that effective communications must result in measurable business outcomes or it’s simply not worth doing .” – Jesse Redniss

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On the aspect of PR being more effective than a front page ad, the British business magnate and author, Richard Branson quotes, “Publicity is absolutely critical. A good PR story is infinitely more effective than a front-page ad.”

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The importance of public relations can be felt in every working field. In this context, Alvin Adams, the retired American professional basketball player quotes, “Public relations are a key component of any operation in this day of instant communications and rightly inquisitive citizens.”

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Edward Bernays believes in the mutual understanding of the professional and the profession to foster better terms of performance and success and thus quotes, “The counsel on public relations is not an advertising man but he advocates for advertising where that is indicated. Very often he is called in by an advertising agency to supplement its work on behalf of a client. His work and that of the advertising agency do not conflict with or duplicate each other.”

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“The public is the only critic whose opinion is worth anything at all.” – Mark Twain

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“The history of PR is… a history of a battle for what is reality and how people will see and understand reality.” – Stuart Ewen

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If you don’t believe how powerful PR tactics can be, here is what Abraham Lincoln quotes on the same, “What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself.”

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“Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality.” – Nikos Kazantzakis

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“PR writing is so horribly consistent, or consistently horrible, that agencies even have a template for it.” – Mark Ragan

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“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” – Warren Buffet

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As Charles Evans Hughes rightly quotes, “Publicity is a great purifier because it sets in action the forces of public opinion, and in this country, public opinion controls the courses of the nation.”

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“Skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it’s been”. – Wayne Gretzky

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“PR is a mix of journalism, psychology, and lawyering – it’s an ever-changing and always interesting landscape.” – Ronn Torossian

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Deadly storm creates havoc from Gqeberha to Tongaat

At least nine people died as a result of what is being called a tornado hitting the oThongati (formerly Tongaat) area north of Durban on Monday late afternoon. Local ward councillor Dolly Munien said many more people were injured by the storm, which also left hundreds of people homeless as shacks were blown away and …

At least nine people died as a result of what is being called a tornado hitting the oThongati (formerly Tongaat) area north of Durban on Monday late afternoon.

Local ward councillor Dolly Munien said many more people were injured by the storm, which also left hundreds of people homeless as shacks were blown away and roofs ripped off.

Heavy rainfall and high waves also caused flooding and other disruptions in the Eastern and Western Cape.

Storm hits oThongati in KZN

According to local disaster management teams on the ground, more than 120 people are being accommodated in local shelters and halls after their homes were destroyed by the storm.

 

Cars were lifted and roofs ripped off by what is being called a tornado, which hit oThongati on Monday afternoon.

The township of Magwaveni in oThongati was hardest hit by the storm. While mopping up on Tuesday morning, resident Busisiwe Mnyandu told GroundUp that her two sisters and three-week-old niece were injured when the walls of their house collapsed during the storm. Four other children who were also in the house at the time managed to get out safely, she said.

Mnyandu rushed them to Tongaat Community Health Clinic, only to find it overwhelmed with patients on Monday. She then took them to Osindisweni Hospital, where they received treatment and were released on Tuesday morning. “We lost everything we had,” said Mnyandu.

 

Families came to sift through the debris of what remains of their home in eMagwaveni. Trees were stripped of their branches, roofs were ripped off houses, and household items strewn across people’s yards by extreme storm winds that ripped through oThongati.

 

Parts of oThongati looked like a war zone.

Other areas affected include La Mercy, Sandfields, Fairbreeze, Sea Tides, and Desainager where roads were also blocked by debris and uprooted trees.

Ethekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda and KwaZulu-Nata premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube visited the area. Kaunda said ensuring the safety of all residents was the main priority at this stage.

Storm in Eastern Cape

Huge waves from an easterly swell washed rocks and debris across the N2 outside Gqeberha. Traffic was diverted through Deal Party and Swartkops River Bridge.

 

A queue of vehicles stretched back past Wells Estate along the Addo Road in into Motherwell, as traffic was diverted to the M17.

 

Thousands of people were delayed on their way to work in Gqeberha as traffic crawled along the N2 as workers cleared debris washed across the road by huge waves caused by a massive cut-off low that hit almost half the country on Sunday and Monday.

Heavy rain in the Western Cape

On Friday, the South African Weather Service issued a warning of cut-off low pressure system moving across the country, affecting the Western Cape on Sunday and moving across the Eastern Cape to KwaZulu-Natal. Cold, wet, and windy weather was predicted, with snowfall in high-lying areas.

 

Motorists struggled to drive on flooded Japhta Masemola Road in Khayelitsha, Cape Town on Tuesday after persistent rain since Sunday. This was one of many roads that flooded in the Western Cape.

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Sundays River Canal to be closed for rehabilitation work

Water users in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality have been informed of the upcoming three-month shutdown of parts of the Lower Sundays River Canal for urgent rehabilitation work. The Lower Sundays River Canal forms part of the Lower Sunday’s Government Water Scheme (LSGWS). The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Lower Sundays River Water …

Water users in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality have been informed of the upcoming three-month shutdown of parts of the Lower Sundays River Canal for urgent rehabilitation work.

The Lower Sundays River Canal forms part of the Lower Sunday’s Government Water Scheme (LSGWS).

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Lower Sundays River Water User Association, and the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMBMM) has announced that the planned shutdown of the LSGWS canal is scheduled for 10 June to 15 August 2024.

The LSGWS canal system supplies two main users with bulk water, including agricultural users, Sundays River citrus producing area, and domestic users, Kirkwood, Uitenhage, Enon, and the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro amongst others.

The LSGWS forms part of the greater Orange-Fish-Sundays Inter Basin Transfer Scheme and it transfers 740 million kilolitres of water annually from the Gariep Dam to the Eastern Cape through the 80 km Orange-Fish Tunnel. 

The repair of the canal is a result of a May 2017 incident, where a section of the canal embarkment slipped, about 4.4km south of Enon. 

The department then had to construct a temporary embarkment using a plastic membrane to ensure the continuous supply of water to users. However, a secondary embankment failure has occurred, with 200m downstream of the initial embankment and canal failure.

In a joint statement, the DWS, Association and NMBMM said the rehabilitation work to be carried out is critical for the reliable and sustainability of supply to users, warning that if the damaged canal is not repaired, the water scheme will be at risk of collapse. 

The work on the canal includes demolishing the existing canal at the upstream and downstream tie-in sections, surface preparations, and the placement of a High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) liner over the upstream and downstream tie-ins.

“It is important to note that during the construction of the tie-ins, the canal will not be completely shut down, but there will be intervals at which, upon completion of certain segments that are being repaired, water will be allowed to flow through to the dams to supply end users. The major domestic users to be impacted by the shutdown will be the towns of Addo, Paterson and the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro,” the statement said. 

Minimising interruption

However, the stakeholders have assured the public that measures have been put in place to minimise interruptions to water supply in these areas, and Kirkwood, which is located upstream of the shutdown point, will continue to be supplied from the main canal. 

The stakeholders said the Caesar’s Balancing Dam, which supplies Addo and Paterson, will be filled prior to canal shutdown, and will be continuously recharged during the intervals when the canal is opened. 

They explained that the NMBM, which ordinarily receives 70% of water supply from the scheme through the Nooitgedaght Water Treatment Works, will be supplied from the Scheepersvlakte Balancing Dam for the duration of the canal shutdown period. 

“The reduced supply to the Nooitgedacht WTW [Water Treatment Works] will also be offset by increased supply from the western systems through Loerie and Churchill Dams, and Loerie and Elandsjacht Water Treatment Works managed by Gamtoos Water User Association and the Metro respectively.  

“The Loerie and Scheepersvlakte Balancing Dams will be filled to 100% capacity before the shutdown commences and refilled during open flows,” the statement said.

The DWS said it has consulted extensively on the planned shutdown, to bring all its stakeholders on board and for them to plan for this period and inform their customers. 

“The department continues to hold meetings with these stakeholders to discuss action plans to mitigate any possible challenges and bottlenecks as the planned shutdown gets implemented,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man.

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PR people are often called “spin doctors,” which to us conjures up images of weird zombie voodoo witch doctors. While we like to think of ourselves as good witches rather than bad witches, there’s certainly an element of magic to what we do. What’s our method? We can’t reveal all of our secrets.

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“The art of publicity is a black art; but it has come to stay, and every year adds to its potency.” – Learned Hand

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“Spin doctors are: “professional political strategists, able on behalf of their clients to manipulate the media – planting a story here, a rumour there, a tip-off somewhere else – so that any piece of news is tailored to show them in the best possible light.” – Michael Shea

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Quotes On Ethics and PR

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Ironically – considering how much of our work involves maintaining and improving reputations – PR doesn’t always have the best rep when it comes to ethics. Some people, because of bad things that they’ve done in the past, have even been called propagandists. But there’s a big ethical difference between real PR and simple propaganda, and here it is: PR is always solidly rooted in fact. PR is part of the good fight, as the wise people quoted below have recognized.

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“PR means telling the truth and working ethically – even when all the media want is headlines and all the public wants is scapegoats. Public relations fails when there is no integrity.” – Viv Segal of Sefin Marketing

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“Publicity is the very soul of justice. It is the keenest spur to exertion, and the surest of all guards against improbity.” – Jeremy Bentham

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“We believe PR should be practiced to serve the public interest, to develop mutual understanding between organizations and their publics.” – James E. Grunig

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“Without publicity there can be no public support, and without public support every nation must decay.” – Benjamin Disraeli

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“Advertising ministers to the spiritual side of trade. It is great power that has been entrusted to your keeping which charges you with the high responsibility of inspiring and ennobling the commercial world. It is all part of the greater work of the regeneration and redemption of mankind.” – Calvin Coolidge

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“Publicity is a great purifier because it sets in action the forces of public opinion, and in this country public opinion controls the courses of the nation.” – Charles Evans Hughes

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Joan Jett didn’t give a damn about her reputation, but unless you’re a teenage rock star, you should probably give a damn about yours.

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“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” – Warren Buffet

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“It is generally much more shameful to lose a good reputation than never to have acquired it.” – Pliny the Elder

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“What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself.” – Abraham Lincoln

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“Reputation matters because your behind is always behind you.” – Happy Masina

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“There is no such thing as bad publicity except your own obituary.” – Brendan Behan

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“If you don’t tell your story, someone else will.” – Unknown

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“Regardless of how you feel inside, always try to look like a winner. Even if you are behind, a sustained look of control and confidence can give you a mental edge that results in victory.” – Arthur Ashe

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“Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising.” – Mark Twain CLICK TO TWEET

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People as disparate as Malcolm X and John D. Rockefeller both spoke to the power and importance of public image. Since PR is something that people who are so fundamentally different can agree on, you know there must be something fundamentally important about it. If you ‘re still not convinced that public relations is absolutely critical to the success of your business, you’ll change your mind after visiting MyPR.co.za.

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“PR is extremely important, and being able to use it in the right way means everything. You have to market your success.” – Lee Haney, bodybuilder and former Mr. Olympia

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“In a downturn, aggressive PR and communications strategy is key.” – Doug Leone, VC, Sequoia Capital – Silicon Alley Insider

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“If I was down to the last dollar of my marketing budget I’d spend it on PR!” – Bill Gates

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“Public relations are a key component of any operation in this day of instant communications and rightly inquisitive citizens.” – Alvin Adams

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“Publicity is absolutely critical. A good PR story is infinitely more effective than a front page ad.” – Richard Branson

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“Historically, PR, Marketing and Advertising budgets are the first to be cut; however, that could be one of the first mistakes a business makes in an economic crisis.” – CBSMarketwatch

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“The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power.” – Malcolm X

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“Publicity is the life of this culture – in so far as without publicity capitalism could not survive – and at the same time publicity is its dream.” – John Berger

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“I suspect in most companies, the public relations person is down at No. 20 in the pecking order. But here, he is fighting incredibly important battles. If a negative story starts running away with itself in the press and is not dealt with fast, it can badly damage the brand, and so we put enormous weight on our PR people.” – Richard Branson

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“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind.” – Rudyard Kipling

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“Publicity is a great purifier because it sets in action the forces of public opinion, and in this country public opinion controls the courses of the nation.” – Charles Evans Hughes

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“Without publicity there is no prosperity.” – Yakov Zel’dovich

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“Nobody counts the number of ads you run; they just remember the impression you make.” – Bill Bernbach, advertising pioneer and founder of DDB

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“Today, journalism is such a persuasive factor in opinion building that no person, group or business can claim immunity or afford to under-estimate the ability of the fourth estate to affect their fortunes – either for better or for worse.” – Gigi van der Rie

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“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some hire public relations officers.” – Daniel J. Boorstin

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Public relations is the deliberate and strategic management of relationships between an organization and its key public. In other words, it’s all about communication.

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Public relations practitioners use a variety of tools and tactics to build mutually beneficial relationships between an organization and its target audiences. This can include everything from media relations and crisis communications to social media outreach and event planning.

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The goal of public relations is to help an organization achieve its objectives by positively influencing how the public perceives it.

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There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to public relations. The strategies and tactics used will vary depending on the organization’s specific goals, target audiences, and available resources.

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Successful public relations campaigns typically share a few key characteristics, including a focus on long-term relationship building, two-way communication, and consistent messaging.

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It sounds like a lot of work, doesn’t it? That’s because it is. From managing complex campaigns to handling sensitive media inquiries, public relations professionals are constantly under pressure.

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“The best PR is done when you’re not trying to do PR.” – Katie Paine

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“There’s no one size fits all in PR just as there’s no one size fits all in journalism.” – Richard Edelman

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“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some hire public relations officers” – Daniel Boorstin

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“PR is about telling stories and helping an organization tell its story.” – Nancy Schwartz

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“PR is not about getting attention; it’s about driving action.” – David Meerman Scott

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“Successful PR is like good cooking. You bring all the ingredients together and then let them simmer.” – Lois Wyse

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Successful PR is like good cooking. You bring all the ingredients together and then let them simmer. – Lois Wyse

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“Public relations specialists make flower arrangements of the facts, placing them so the wilted and less attractive petals are hidden by sturdy blooms.” – Alan Harrington

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“PR should be thought of as a marathon, not a sprint.” – Joe Pulizzi

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There are many inspirational Seth Godin quotes out there but that’s definitely one of our favorite ones: “PR isn’t about changing people’s minds; it’s about giving them something worth their attention.” – Seth Godin

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“PR is all about relationships—and strong relationships take time, patience and two-way communication.” – Media Bullseye

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“If I was down to my last dollar, I would spend one dollar on PR.” – Bill Gates

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“Always act like you have something to lose because you always do.” – Kelli Grant

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“The best offense is a good defense.” – Unknown

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“PR is extremely important, and being able to use it in the right way means everything. You have to market your success.” – Lee Haney

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“There are three things I always come back to as an organization tries to earn awareness and credibility with its stakeholders: authenticity, transparency, and frequency.” – Steve Cody

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“Reputation is what other people say about you when you leave the room; character is what you say about yourself when no one else is in the room.” – Joyce Brothers

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Reputation is what other people say about you when you leave the room; character is what you say about yourself when no one else is in the room. – Joyce Brothers

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“Novelty is necessarily innovation.” – Aaron Endre

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“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams

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“Actions speak louder than tweets.” – Unknown

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People often have an unhindered perspective on what PR should be, and here is what AI & Laura Ries think of the same. “It’s PR that needs to be creative. It’s PR that needs to be new and different. It’s PR that needs to be original. The best way to establish a brand is to create a new category, and creating a new category requires creative thinking of the highest order.”

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“Copy, not from your industry, but from others. You have to go where there is no competition.” – Seth Godin

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“If a young man tells his date how handsome, smart, and successful he is – that’s advertising. If the young man tells his date she’s intelligent, looks lovely, and is a great conversationalist, he’s saying the right things to the right person and that’s marketing. If someone else tells the young woman how handsome, smart, and successful her date is – that’s PR.” – S. H. Simmons

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“Be nice, be consistent, be true, talk straight—those are my rules for success.” – Anne M. Mulcahy

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“If your communications are born of sincerity instead of spin, if they reflect your company’s values rather than solely selling points—then all sorts of magical things can happen.” – Jeff Jarvis

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“I define engagement as moments when our users interact with us in a way that makes them happy and propels them forward toward becoming customers or evangelists for our brand or product.” – Avinash Kaushik

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“Inbound marketing and public relations are two sides of the same coin: The goal is seeking out relationships with individuals who have an interest in what you do before they even know they need it yet .” – Jay Baer

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“Good PR doesn’t happen by accident. It’s earned through thoughtful planning and consistent execution against an objective .” – Christine Martin

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“I strongly believe that effective communications must result in measurable business outcomes or it’s simply not worth doing .” – Jesse Redniss

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On the aspect of PR being more effective than a front page ad, the British business magnate and author, Richard Branson quotes, “Publicity is absolutely critical. A good PR story is infinitely more effective than a front-page ad.”

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The importance of public relations can be felt in every working field. In this context, Alvin Adams, the retired American professional basketball player quotes, “Public relations are a key component of any operation in this day of instant communications and rightly inquisitive citizens.”

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Edward Bernays believes in the mutual understanding of the professional and the profession to foster better terms of performance and success and thus quotes, “The counsel on public relations is not an advertising man but he advocates for advertising where that is indicated. Very often he is called in by an advertising agency to supplement its work on behalf of a client. His work and that of the advertising agency do not conflict with or duplicate each other.”

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“The public is the only critic whose opinion is worth anything at all.” – Mark Twain

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“The history of PR is… a history of a battle for what is reality and how people will see and understand reality.” – Stuart Ewen

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If you don’t believe how powerful PR tactics can be, here is what Abraham Lincoln quotes on the same, “What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself.”

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“Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality.” – Nikos Kazantzakis

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“PR writing is so horribly consistent, or consistently horrible, that agencies even have a template for it.” – Mark Ragan

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“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” – Warren Buffet

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As Charles Evans Hughes rightly quotes, “Publicity is a great purifier because it sets in action the forces of public opinion, and in this country, public opinion controls the courses of the nation.”

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“Skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it’s been”. – Wayne Gretzky

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“PR is a mix of journalism, psychology, and lawyering – it’s an ever-changing and always interesting landscape.” – Ronn Torossian

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