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Authoritative Media, Church Street, Graaff-Reinet (2025)

08/08/2025

Graaff-Reinet’s Abongile DJ Secures Eastern Cape Spotlight Awards Nomination

By: Luvolwethu Qavata - 08 August, 2025

Lwam Abongile Menzi, the beat behind the name Abongile DJ, has been nominated in the Best DJ category at the very first Eastern Cape Spotlight Awards. Like a perfectly timed drop in a soulful house anthem, his nomination lands with flawless rhythm. The melody of his journey has led him to this high note, and on 13 September 2025, the spotlight will find him centre stage at The Athenaeum in Gqeberha, where the province’s brightest talents will gather like chords in harmony.

A full-time music producer and DJ, Abongile’s steady rise from humble bedroom setups to the spotlight of provincial recognition has played out like a perfectly arranged symphony. Each phase of his journey has been a note placed with intention, like a slow build in a house track that knows exactly when to drop. His progress has been as measured as a metronome, guided by patience, precision and a soulful sense of timing. He doesn’t just understand rhythm in music, he lives it in motion, letting life unfold like a vinyl record spinning toward a timeless chorus.

Born and raised in Graaff-Reinet, Abongile is a melody shaped by the soil of Thembalesizwe Primary and the rhythm of Nqweba Secondary School. His love for music first hummed softly in 2016, like the quiet intro of a song still finding its key. But it was in 2020, when he got his first laptop, that the beat truly dropped. With no formal training, he began composing his own symphony, teaching himself the intricate chords of music production. Since then, he has released one EP and a full album, each like carefully layered compositions echoing his growth. In a field where many voices compete for the spotlight, Abongile has been fine-tuning his sound with the patience of a skilled producer, turning raw emotion into tracks that resonate like basslines you can feel in your chest.

“I want to heal people through my music,” he says, his voice steady like a tuning fork finding the perfect pitch. That intention hums through every note he crafts, like a quiet refrain that lingers long after the chorus fades. His sound is mellow, like a vinyl record playing in a candlelit room, yet immersive, like falling into a melody that knows your name. It is textured like the layers of a harmony sung by old souls, yet still as relatable as a familiar hook in a brand-new song. Beneath it all runs a deliberate emotional current, steady and low, like a soft bassline that doesn’t shout but carries the weight of the track from the shadows.

His biggest musical influence is Kelvin Momo, a revered composer in the South African Amapiano movement whose sound flows like poetry set to rhythm. Momo’s deep and soulful production is not just music but a heartbeat stretched across keys and chords. Abongile doesn’t echo Momo’s style like a shadow mimicking light, but rather studies it the way a pianist studies silence between notes, using it as a blueprint to build his own bridges of emotion through sound. To him, Momo's work is like sheet music for the soul, guiding him not to copy but to connect.

Raised by a single mother after the passing of his father, Abongile describes her support as the rhythm section of his life, always present, always in tune. He speaks of her not with sugary sentiment but with the kind of quiet reverence reserved for timeless melodies. “Yes, my mom supports my dreams of being something big in the industry,” he said.

His nomination in the ECSA Best DJ category strikes a powerful chord, not only in the symphony of his own journey but in the quiet chorus of small-town dreams often drowned out by the noise of the big city. It is a rising note in a melody too often muted, a signal that even the softest beats from overlooked corners can stir the national soundscape. While this is no drumroll for promotion, it’s worth noting that you can lend your voice to his rhythm by SMSing ECSA 115 to 47439.

As the awards draw closer, Abongile DJ stays rooted in his craft, letting the noise of recognition fade into the background like distant applause. He knows the music industry offers no fast-forward button, only the slow layering of sounds built with care. Each release, to him, is like a deep house track unfolding in real time, with beats that build patiently, drops that speak without words, and melodies that resolve like answers you didn’t know you needed.

Whether he claims the award or not, his nomination resonates like a soaring chorus blazing through a song still being born. For those in Graaff-Reinet and far beyond, it strikes like a relentless drumbeat, declaring that the music endures and often ignites from the most unexpected corners.

28/07/2025

From Pavement to Praise: The Stirring Journey of Anele Oosthuizen

By: Luvolwethu Qavata - 28 July, 2025

Some voices rise from choirs, polished by harmony and tradition. Others echo from cathedrals, soaring through stained glass and sacred stone. But every now and then, a voice rises from the gutters of silence, shaped by the winds of hunger, tuned by the cold, and softened by the quiet hum of hope. Anele Oosthuizen’s voice is one of those rare melodies, born not from comfort, but from the aching beauty of survival.

Born in Cape Town, Anele’s earliest lullabies did not come from a family member's hum or the warmth of radio hymns. They were composed by struggle itself, carried in the rhythm of footsteps echoing above the bridge he once called home, and in the hollow silence of a stomach that knew no supper. His childhood was a song of sorrow, each verse written in hunger, each note held in the key of survival.

“My childhood wasn’t the best childhood ever,” he admits, softly. “I was living in the streets, sleeping with nothing in my stomach. It was very bad. It’s something I don’t wish to ever happen on anyone.”

He left Cape Town not in search of stardom, but just to hear the quiet hum of survival. Graaff-Reinet became his new stage, a small town with just enough room to carry the chorus of his unfolding dream. At Isibane Primary School, he began to tune the broken strings of his childhood, piecing together a melody that hardship had tried to silence too soon.

Mocked by schoolmates for having an unpleasant odour, Anele stepped away from school, not because he wanted to, but because sometimes a boy must choose dignity over a desk. Though he walked away from classrooms, he never stopped learning. Life became his teacher, and struggle his syllabus. He studied the rhythm of resilience, learned the scales of sorrow, and became fluent in the quiet melodies of pain, perseverance, and unshakable faith.

Music became the roof he never had, the blanket that warmed him when the world turned cold. He sang through the streets like a wandering melody, humming his heartache with friends who knew the same tune. Each note he released was a dream carried on wind, too costly to buy but too powerful to silence. His voice became his passport to possibility, his shield against despair, and his daily prayer stitched in song.

There was a journey to Johannesburg for a music competition that nearly shattered his rhythm. “I only had money for a one-way ticket. I didn’t know how I was going to get back home,” he recalls, his voice trailing like a fading note. Still, he went, heart pounding like a drumbeat in a storm. He sang with the fire of a man who had no second verse to fall back on, because for him, this was the only song.

With no formal qualifications and a school journey left unfinished, Anele leans on the kindness of friends, their generosity the chorus that carries him to each competition. Yet he moves with the tempo of unwavering faith, like a song reaching for its crescendo in the middle of a long, dark verse. He walks in rhythm with hope, chasing light like a final note waiting to be sung.

His big break came when he appeared on Gospel Superstars Season 1 on eTV, a moment that made his soul visible to the world. “Making an appearance on TV really meant a lot to me,” he says. “Hopefully it can open doors for me, or a Good Samaritan can see me and give me an opportunity.”

Before that, he had already stood before the giants of the industry, auditioning for Idols South Africa, where he met Unathi Nkayi and Somizi Mhlongo. “That moment felt like a peak in a song,” he says. “Even though I didn’t win, it showed me that I can stand on any stage.”

Since then, small gigs in pubs, music events, and local schools have begun to flow in, like gentle notes returning to a forgotten melody. His name now drifts through quiet corners, carried in the hush of places where music is still sacred, where voices like his are heard not just with ears, but with the heart.

Anele dreams of becoming one of the country’s most powerful gospel voices, a name woven into the hymnbook of South African music. But more than fame, he longs to blend harmonies with artists across genres, to create songs with those whose voices, like his, carry the weight of storms. He wants his life to echo as a living testimony, a soul-stirring refrain that proves even when a song begins in broken chords, it can still rise to a triumphant crescendo.

His friends remain his strongest choir, rallying behind him each time he needs support to attend another competition. Their belief is unwavering. Their love, like a chorus that never ends.

From the bridge where he once found shelter to the radiant glow of television studios, Anele Oosthuizen’s voice rises like a symphony in flight. He is not merely singing; he is soaring on waves of sound that ripple through the soul.

20/07/2025

From Calling to Community: The Journey of Apostle Bantu Nkonti and the Mission of The Well Church

By: Luvolwethu Qavata - 20 July, 2025

In the quiet corridors of Midlands Hospital, a boy named Bantu Nkonti took his first breath as the eldest of four sons. Raised under the steadfast guidance of his grandparents, Apostle Nkonti’s early years were defined by resilience and transition. Though his parents’ union was brief, it paved the way for a life shaped by divine orchestration rather than convention.

His educational path spanned various towns and institutions, from Nomzamo Preschool to Isibane Primary in Graaff-Reinet, then Karel Theron in Middleburg. Later, he pursued tertiary studies in Sports Administration at Boston City Campus in Welkom, laying a foundation grounded in discipline and leadership.

But Apostle Bantu’s true calling did not emerge in classrooms or campus corridors. It arrived in sanctified silence, shortly after marrying his wife, Ntombozuko, whom he met in church. It was during this sacred union that he received an instruction that would redefine his life: to plant a church. “There was resistance, there were delays,” he recalls, “but eventually, we said yes.”

Their obedience birthed Place of Glory, now known as The Well Church in Graaff-Reinet. The name itself evokes restoration, depth, and communion. Beyond its walls, the church radiates far more than sermons and songs. It serves as a beacon of spiritual leadership, emotional support, and social cohesion. “We teach the Gospel to the congregants and the wider community,” says Apostle Nkonti, “but we also make the message resonate with contemporary issues, ensuring it is relatable and applicable to modern life.”

The Well Church is more than a place of worship. It fosters unity among community members, offers counseling and mentorship, and provides safe spaces for healing and growth. Apostle Nkonti sees the church’s evolving mission as one that extends beyond the pulpit. “If we reach our full potential,” he declares, “we will engage in outreach programs like soup kitchens, model environmental stewardship and drive economic growth.”

Indeed, his vision for ecclesiastical impact is sweeping. From partnering with local organizations to mentoring youth, hosting seminars, and reviving infrastructure, the church stands poised to be a fulcrum for transformation. “Church must reflect the kingdom in every facet of life,” he says.

The story of Apostle Nkonti is one of conviction sculpted by grace. It reminds us that the true mission of the church isn’t confined to Sunday mornings. It lives in the streets we walk, the homes we inhabit, and the communities we nurture.

In a world often fragmented by disparity and indifference, his ministry reaffirms the power of faith fused with action. And through The Well Church, countless lives continue to drink deeply from the fountain of purpose, healing, and hope.

27/04/2024

Nature's Bounty Revealed: The Gentle Overflow of Nqweba Dam in Graaff-Reinet

By: Luvolwethu Qavata - 27 April, 2024

In the beautiful town of Graaff-Reinet, where the landscape breathes whispers of ancient tales, lies the Nqweba Dam, a reservoir of dreams and aspirations, cradled by the arms of nature herself. Today, however, it is not merely a dam; it is a symphony of overflow, an opus of jubilation that echoes through the valleys and dances upon the ripples of time.

As the heavens weep tears of joy, the dam swells like a chest filled with the breath of life, bursting at the seams with an exuberance that cannot be contained. The waters, once placid and serene, now surge and frolic like playful sprites, cascading over the spillway in a melodious rush, a sonnet of liquid harmony.

Like a painter's brush upon a canvas, the overflow paints a masterpiece of motion and grace, each droplet a stroke of brilliance in nature's grand design. It is as if the very essence of the land has taken form, expressing its boundless vitality in every glistening stream.

In this symphony of overflow, the landscape transforms into a tranquil stage, where the elements gracefully take their place as performers, each embracing their role with a serene dedication. The rocks, weathered and wise, stand as silent sentinels, bearing witness to the gentle caress of time that has shaped their form. They serve as steadfast pillars upon which the drama gently unfolds, unmoved by the peaceful flow of the waters.

The flora, too, joins the chorus, their leaves and petals swaying in the rhythm of the waters, their roots drinking deeply of the liquid bounty. They are the dancers in this grand ballet, their vibrant hues a testament to the vitality that flows through their veins.

And as the sun dips below the horizon, casting its golden glow upon the waters, the symphony reaches its crescendo, a triumphant finale that reverberates across the land. In this moment, the overflow of Nqweba Dam transcends mere phenomenon; it becomes a symphony of the soul, a reminder of the interconnectedness of all things, and the beauty that lies in the harmonious balance of nature.

For in the overflow of Nqweba Dam, we find not just water, but life itself, overflowing with abundance and possibility, a testament to the eternal cycle of renewal and regeneration that defines our world. And as we stand in awe of its majesty, let us remember that we too are but a part of this symphony, each of us a note in the grand composition of existence.

04/03/2024

Charting Educational Horizons: The Inspirational Journey of Principal Zanovuyo Mdingi

By: Luvolwethu Qavata - 04 March, 2024

In the heart of Nqweba High School, Principal Zanovuyo Mdingi stands as a lighthouse amidst the tempest of change, guiding the vessel of education with unwavering resolve. His journey, akin to a river carving its path through rugged terrain, began over a decade ago, where he planted the seeds of knowledge in the fertile soil of young minds in the OR Tambo Coastal District of the Eastern Cape.

Principal Mdingi embarked on his educational voyage, first docking at Khanyisa Secondary School in 2004 before setting sail to Holly Cross High School in 2005. From there, he journeyed through the educational archipelago, anchoring briefly at Smuts Ndamase Senior Secondary School, Sehushe Commercial School, and Phangalele Senior Secondary School, where he assumed the helm as Head of Department (HOD). His voyage reached a pivotal juncture at Toli Senior Secondary School in Lusikisiki, where he assumed the mantle of Deputy Principal, before finally finding harbor at Nqweba Secondary School as its esteemed Principal in January 2023.

Reflecting on his odyssey, Principal Mdingi evokes the image of a phoenix rising from the ashes of doubt, nurtured by the flames of inspiration ignited by his esteemed mentors. Their teachings, like rays of sunlight piercing through storm clouds, illuminated his path, propelling him towards a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Education (Hons) degree from Walter Sisulu University. Principal Mdingi's pedagogical compass guided him towards his true calling: to nurture young minds with the same fervor and dedication as his mentors before him.

"I never thought I'd be an educator, because, to be honest, I was a very shy person. I never thought that I'd be able to stand in front of the learners and teach, but Miss Ncaina, who taught me Geography and isiXhosa at Lukholo Junior Secondary School in Bizana, inspired me through the way she taught me as a learner. When I moved to Nongeke Senior Secondary School, where I matriculated, I met Miss Mkhohlwa who was teaching Mathematics. That lady nurtured us to understand Mathematics, such that even today I'm very proud of her because she's the one that made me continue on the path of Mathematics and Science. As a result, I went to university and did a BSc in Computer Science, and then immediately after finishing that, I went to do my Postgraduate Certificate in Education. The passion that these two teachers that I mention had is the same passion I'm instilling in my learners", he shares.

Resembling a seasoned captain charting a new course across uncharted seas, principal Mdingi acknowledges the commendable navigation of the former helmsman. Yet, he stands at the helm, determined to raise his own sail and catch the winds of change, carving a distinct trajectory for Nqweba High School. Like a skilled navigator, he praises the sturdy keel laid by his predecessor while harboring a fervent desire to hoist his own unique flag upon the mast, leaving an indelible mark upon the vast ocean of education.

With the compass of unwavering determination guiding his course, Principal Mdingi sets sail, his eyes fixed upon the distant horizon of educational excellence. He sees each success of the past as a favorable wind, propelling him forward on his voyage, while his own passion for education serves as the North Star guiding his path.

"It is not easy coming into the shoes of a person who has been doing well - it's not an easy path to travel. I only told myself that I'm going to create my own legacy, not forgetting what the former principal has done. Actually I told myself that I'm going to build on what the former principal has done. I want to take the baton forward, hence the results of the matriculants last year. I want to put my vision because I cannot continue with his vision. I want to build on the legacy that has been built already, and also gain the confidence of the community because when you come into a new location, everyone wants to see what you're going to do. I want to ensure the community of Masizakhe that in the next 5 years, Nqweba Secondary School is going to be a different school", he says.

Under his leadership, Nqweba High School sets sail as a bastion of academic excellence, its halls resonating with the rhythm of accomplishment. Principal Mdingi has guided the school to unprecedented achievements, culminating in a commendable increase in the matriculation pass rate by almost 6%. Yet, beyond the realm of academics, Nqweba thrives as a lively harbor of holistic development, where talents unfurl like sails catching the wind on a boundless sea.

"Achieving an increase of almost 6% is no easy feat, especially when starting from a high baseline, such as our matriculation pass rate, which consistently remains in the 80s. Last year's matriculation pass rate stands as a significant accomplishment for our school.

Additionally, I would like to highlight other notable achievements. At Qweba, we prioritize holistic development for our learners. Our school boasts a choir that has not only participated but excelled up to the provincial level.

Furthermore, we take pride in our nationally recognized athlete, Lichen Booi, who has represented the school at the national level in athletics", he shares.

However, amidst the triumphs, Principal remains vigilant against the looming shadows of adversity. Like a seasoned sailor braving turbulent seas, he confronts challenges of teacher vacancies, inadequate infrastructure, and disciplinary concerns head-on, wielding the oar of resilience and the anchor of resourcefulness. Through collaborative efforts with the Department of Education and the School Governing Body, Principal Mdingi has reinforced the school's hull, ensuring a sturdy vessel for smooth sailing towards growth and learning.

"When I came here, the challenge, firstly, were the vacancies that we had as a school. There were two vacant HOD posts and two post level one vacancies. Now you would know that if you're having vacancies, it means you're going to have a challenge in teaching and learning. Most fortunately, I would say that the department tried by all means to assist us and brought in two educators to assist in filling the two positions level one vacancies. Later, the two vacancies that were there for the HOD's were also filled up by the Department of Education, and we believe that this year we are going to continue smoothly without much of a problem with regards to vacancies.

Another challenge was a challenge of not having furniture for the learners. When learners are unable to sit during teaching, it becomes a nightmare for the principal because even educators come to you to complain about the shortage of furniture in the classroom. I had to work with the Department of Education as well the SGB to try by all means to get furniture for the classrooms. Fortunately, although it was very late, we managed to secure 120 single desks and as well 20 double desks, which we highly appreciate. The desks were coming from Union High School, and we are very much appreciative for that.

Also, discipline is a major problem at the school - particularly the kids. Our kids are not disciplined at all, they're swearing, there's bunking of class, absenteeism, as well as exchanging words with the educators - this was the biggest problem, but I can assure you that with the measures we've put in place, we'll deal with this problem because we've had to be strict when it comes to applying our Code of Conduct.

Lastly, the issue of drugs has also been a problem. I cannot say we've solved this problem at the moment, but there is a huge turnaround in relation to that because each and every day we'd catch learners, both boys and girls, smoking ma*****na in the toilets, but the situation has improved in relation to that", he says.

As he scans the horizon, Principal Mdingi envisions a future where the seeds of knowledge unfurl into majestic sails of wisdom, guiding future generations across the vast ocean of learning. His message to fellow educators resonates through the winds of time like a sacred chant: "Love your learners, and they'll love you and your subject." It's a simple yet profound truth, a guiding star that steers the course towards educational enlightenment.

As Principal Zanovuyo Mdingi continues to navigate the turbulent waters of education, his journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of visionary leadership and unwavering dedication. In the hallowed halls of Nqweba High School, his legacy shines as a beacon of hope, inspiring generations to reach for the stars and grasp the boundless opportunities that education affords.

Authoritative Media

08/08/2025

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