Pondoland Times

Pondoland Times Pondoland Times is a multi-award-winning community newspaper based in Bizana, Eastern Cape, dedicated to youth empowerment and rural development.
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Pondoland Times prints and distributes 5000 copies to various areas in Alfred nzo region, Eastern Cape like Bizana, Port Eward, Flagstaff, Lusikisiki, Ntabankulu, Mount Ayliff, Mount Frere and Kokstad. This ensures that our publications reaches over 40 000 readers in this region weekly. Pondoland Times maintains a readership profile that ranges from LSM 4 – 9

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that the newspaper will reach your desired audience on a weekly basis –free of charge to its readers. Pondoland Times covers several local and provincial news pertaining to the Eastern Cape region, community affairs, events, entertainment, education and sports, including vacancies and news about people on the move within distribution areas. Pondoland Times provides Advertisers with an advantage of reaching their relevant audience at the best rates. Do not hesitate to contact Pondoland Times for the best rates on advertisements

NSFAS employee’s dismissal dispute sent back for fresh arbitration NATIONAL: A former National Student Financial Aid Sch...
09/09/2026

NSFAS employee’s dismissal dispute sent back for fresh arbitration

NATIONAL: A former National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) employee’s dismissal dispute has been sent back to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) after the Labour Court found that an earlier ruling in her favour was legally flawed. Zenobia Abrahams, a former NSFAS accountant, was dismissed in September 2023 after she forwarded and blind-copied nine work emails to her private Gmail account. The emails contained NSFAS information, including sensitive material. Abrahams earned a gross basic salary of R52,250 a month and also served as a shop steward for the Public Servants Association. NSFAS placed Abrahams on precautionary suspension before an external chairperson conducted a disciplinary hearing.

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Manamela warns NSFAS funding model is unsustainable Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela have warned tha...
09/09/2026

Manamela warns NSFAS funding model is unsustainable

Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela have warned that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) could face a R33 billion funding shortfall by 2029 unless government changes how higher education is financed. Manamela said government was already in discussions with National Treasury over an estimated R15 billion shortfalls at NSFAS, which has increased significantly since the current student funding policy was introduced.

“We are in talks with Treasury about a R15 billion shortfall. Last year it was R13 billion. The year before it was R7 billion. The year before it was R5 billion.

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IFEST calls for stronger basic education investment The Institute for Education Studies (IFEST) has called for increased...
09/09/2026

IFEST calls for stronger basic education investment

The Institute for Education Studies (IFEST) has called for increased investment in basic education, warning that persistent weaknesses in English and mathematics point to deeper problems with foundational learning. IFEST Executive Director Peter Anti said year-to-year comparisons of examination results were not enough to properly assess Ghana’s education system. Speaking on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Wednesday, 9 September, Anti said policymakers should examine long-term performance trends and individual school results before deciding on interventions. He said his analysis of examination results showed persistent instability in English and mathematics.

“When you do that, you will see that consistently English and Mathematics have shown a level of instability,” he said. Anti said the pattern pointed to deeper challenges involving teaching, learning resources and the quality of foundational education, rather than isolated changes in examination performance.

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I-IEC iqhuba ngamandla imfundo yabavoti phambi konyulo Inkqubo yemfundo yabavoti iqhubeka kwiindawo ezahlukeneyo zaseMza...
09/09/2026

I-IEC iqhuba ngamandla imfundo yabavoti phambi konyulo

Inkqubo yemfundo yabavoti iqhubeka kwiindawo ezahlukeneyo zaseMzantsi Afrika, njengoko iKomishoni yoNyulo ilungiselela uluntu ukuba luthathe inxaxheba ngokufanelekileyo kuNyulo loRhulumente waMaphandle luka-2026. IKomishoni yoNyulo yoMzantsi Afrika (IEC) iqhuba imisebenzi yemfundo yabavoti ngokufikelela ngqo kuluntu kwiindawo abahlala, abasebenza nabadibana kuzo. Ngokusebenzisa iintlanganiso zoluntu, iiseshoni zolwazi kunye neenkqubo zokufikelela eluntwini, abemi bafumana ulwazi olusebenzayo malunga nenkqubo yonyulo, kwakunye noko abanokukulindela njengoko ilizwe lilungiselela uNyulo loRhulumente waMaphandle luka-2026. Le nkqubo inika abavoti ithuba lokubuza imibuzo, ukuqonda indlela inkqubo yonyulo esebenza ngayo nokufumana ulwazi oluthembekileyo nolusemthethweni malunga nonyulo. I-IEC ithi imfundo yabavoti ayipheleli nje ekufikeni ebhokisini lokuvota, koko ijolise ekwakheni uluntu olunolwazi nolukwazi ukuthatha inxaxheba kwinkqubo yedemokhrasi ngokuzithemba.

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Bangaphezu kwe-140 000 abagqatswa abaza kukhuphisana kunyulo loomasipala UZWELONKE: Bangaphezu kwe-140 000 abagqatswa ab...
09/09/2026

Bangaphezu kwe-140 000 abagqatswa abaza kukhuphisana kunyulo loomasipala

UZWELONKE: Bangaphezu kwe-140 000 abagqatswa abangenise amagama abo ukuze bakhuphisane kwizihlalo ezingaphezu kwe-10 500 kunyulo loRhulumente weeDolophu luka-2026. IKhomishini yoNyulo eZimeleyo (IEC) ithi bangama-142 072 abagqatswa abangenise amagama abo phambi kokuba kuvalwe ixesha elisemthethweni lokutyunjwa ngomhla wama-28 kuAgasti. Eli nani linyuke malunga nama-43% xa lithelekiswa nabagqatswa abamalunga nama-99 000 abangenela unyulo loomasipala ngo-2021. Ngokweenkcukacha zokuqala, bangama-546 kuma-732 amaqela ezopolitiko abhalisiweyo aza kukhuphisana kunyulo, nto leyo emele malunga nama-75%. IKhomishini ithi bangama-40 241 abagqatswa abatyunjwe ngamaqela ezopolitiko kwizihlalo ze-PR, logama abali-100 856 bejongene nezihlalo zamawadi.

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Municipality discusses issues with local Inkciyo leaders MBIZANA: An “Imbizo yenkciyo,” was held at Winnie Madikizela Ma...
09/09/2026

Municipality discusses issues with local Inkciyo leaders

MBIZANA: An “Imbizo yenkciyo,” was held at Winnie Madikizela Mandela Local Municipality council chambers on 9 September 2026 in a bid to clarify some issues pertaining the attendance of Inkciyo ceremonies. The imbizo was attended by Qaphelani Magini of the Special programmes Unit office as a guiding entity of the issues the municipality raised, Cnlr Nozipho Majova and local elderly women of the regions. The municipality’s council has distanced itself from the regular attendance of the virgin testing ceremony usually held at kwaNongoma in kwaZulu Natal. This comes after the municipality has under faced backlashes of irregularities and unfortunate incidents with attendees amidst attendance to the ceremonies. Magini emphasised on why the Nongoma attendees should take their own responsibility as the municipality shall take no part in.

“We are trying to protect your jobs as leaders of this ceremony, as some children go behind your backs and entertain naughty practices.

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ANC to Oppose DA Bid to Intervene in Electoral Court Candidate-List Case The African National Congress has instructed it...
09/09/2026

ANC to Oppose DA Bid to Intervene in Electoral Court Candidate-List Case

The African National Congress has instructed its legal representatives to oppose the Democratic Alliance’s application for permission to intervene in an Electoral Court case concerning candidate lists for the local government elections scheduled for 4 November 2026. In a statement issued on 9 September 2026, the ANC said its original application challenges a decision by the Electoral Commission involving the lodging of the party’s candidates in six municipalities. The Electoral Commission is the respondent in the case and is defending its decision, according to the ANC. The governing party argued that the DA was not involved in that decision and had misrepresented both the relief being sought and the number of parties affected. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said the dispute could affect voters and candidates beyond the ANC.
“The DA has no quarrel with the Commission and no quarrel with the law,” Mbalula said. “Its quarrel is with the voters of six municipalities who might choose somebody other than the DA.”
The ANC claims the DA’s intervention could result in 2,274 candidates from 45 political parties being excluded from the ballot.

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Eastern Cape to Honour Bishop Emeritus Don Dabula with Special Official Funeral The Eastern Cape Provincial Government w...
09/09/2026

Eastern Cape to Honour Bishop Emeritus Don Dabula with Special Official Funeral

The Eastern Cape Provincial Government will hold a Category 2 Special Provincial Official Funeral for Bishop Emeritus Don Doran Dabula in KwaBhaca on Thursday, 10 September 2026. Bishop Emeritus Dabula passed away on Friday, 28 August 2026, following a life dedicated to faith, leadership, reconciliation and community advancement. According to a provincial government statement, proceedings will begin in the early hours at the Dabula family homestead in KwaBhaca, formerly known as Mount Frere. The programme will also include services at the Mount Frere Methodist Church, burial at Mpendla Cemetery and a funeral service at the Madzikane Royal Grounds. The special funeral recognises Bishop Emeritus Dabula’s contribution to the Methodist Church, the people of KwaBhaca and the wider Eastern Cape community.

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Orlando Pirates Complete Permanent Signing of Bheki Mabuza Orlando Pirates have confirmed the permanent signing of Bheki...
09/09/2026

Orlando Pirates Complete Permanent Signing of Bheki Mabuza

Orlando Pirates have confirmed the permanent signing of Bheki Mabuza from Marumo Gallants, bringing the 23-year-old back to a club he previously represented at reserve level. The Soweto giants announced the transfer on 9 September 2026. Neither the fee nor the length of Mabuza’s contract was disclosed. Pirates also confirmed that Daniel Msendami and Abdoulaye Mariko will move in the opposite direction, joining Gallants on season-long loan agreements. Mabuza’s signing is therefore more than the acquisition of a new player.

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OR Tambo District Municipality condemns R1.5m vandalism at Qumbu water station Efforts to restore water supply in parts ...
09/09/2026

OR Tambo District Municipality condemns R1.5m vandalism at Qumbu water station

Efforts to restore water supply in parts of Qumbu have suffered another setback after critical infrastructure at the Makhaladini Booster Pump Station was vandalised, with preliminary damage estimated at approximately R1.5 million. The O.R. Tambo District Municipality said the latest incident caused extensive damage to infrastructure essential to the operation of the booster pump station. Among the damaged equipment are the transformer and associated electrical components, pumps and motors, the pump house and perimeter fencing. The incident follows an earlier theft at the facility in which electrical bundle conductors were stolen.

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