Limpopo Mirror

16/07/2025

Imagine a world without newspapers.

Some might think it would be bliss - but have they really stopped to think about it?

Spend just a few minutes with me, and let’s page through this week’s Limpopo Mirror. Then decide whether the world would really be better off without it.

On page 1, we cover the “talk of the town” this past week: Will a high-speed train soon reach Vhembe? The chances of this ambitious project getting on track (excuse the pun) are actually quite good. If the pen-pushers do their part, the wheels could start turning, and we may see the first trains running by 2030.

Page 3 dives into a very serious issue - the Vhembe District Municipality’s budget. Do you know of any other media outlet that bothers to analyse local municipal budgets? Facebook? TikTok? Definitely not.

But why is it important?

If the Minister of Finance makes good on his threats and withholds the Equitable Share Grant, Vhembe is in trouble. Nearly 62% of the VDM’s income comes from that grant alone. The municipality is severely bloated, struggling to raise enough revenue just to cover its massive salary bill. At face value, the powers that be seem to understand the problem - but whether they have the guts to act on it remains to be seen.

On page 5, VDM features again - this time for a damning report by the Public Protector. You can’t simply ignore problems and hope there won’t be consequences. This case is worth noting, because it could serve as a warning to other municipalities: service delivery is not a favour doled out when officials feel like it.

Page 7 brings us the latest shenanigans at Rivoni School for the Blind. The R168-million project to build new facilities has stalled - again. Reports indicate that workers haven’t been paid and building materials are going missing. And once again, the ones suffering are the children.

Let’s skip past the arts and entertainment pages - not because they’re uninteresting, but simply because we’re short on time - and go straight to our shopping survey. We once again visited stores across the region to track the prices of essential food items. Much to our surprise, the Vhembe food basket has actually become cheaper in the past month. Want to know why? You’ll have to pick up a copy of the newspaper.

But now we’re out of time - and we’ve only reached page 10.
This week’s paper contains no fewer than 44 stories. Some take up a full page. Others are shorter summaries of local events. But they all have one thing in common: they focus on the Vhembe district.

No one else can say the same.

No one else goes to the lengths we do to bring you the local news.

So go out, buy a newspaper early tomorrow morning, and make us happy - please.

09/07/2025

Our lead story this week focuses on people who rely on their SASSA grants to survive. For them, it’s a crisis if even R100 is deducted — or worse, if they don’t receive any money at all. This appears to have happened in parts of Vhembe, where beneficiaries were left with either no funds or far less than they had budgeted for.

Sadly, crime continues to cast a shadow over daily life. In Mulodi, in the Mutale area, a stepfather is on the run after being accused of ra**ng his 10-year-old stepdaughter. In Tshino, near Vuwani, a 25-year-old man was found dead, with bruises covering his body. Three SANCO members have since been arrested in connection with the murder.

In Musina, a young woman lost her baby. She claims the local hospital failed to give her the care she needed. It’s a difficult case to judge — she was five months pregnant when complications began — but the outcome is tragic nonetheless.

We also took a deep dive into Thulamela Municipality’s latest budget. A troubling picture emerges: one of a municipality that, to a large extent, exists to serve itself. Once salaries and councillor remuneration are paid, half the budget is gone. Add in the fees for consultants and contractors, and the situation becomes even worse. Legal expenses alone are expected to top R24 million.

If you only have a few minutes to spare, flip straight to the arts and entertainment section. On page 6, you’ll find Ngerezah Netshifhefhe’s weekly column, this time titled The future of music might just lie in imperfection. It’s well worth reading — slightly depressing, yes, but as he so eloquently puts it, there is still a future for musicians.

Congratulations to Rabali Pull Together, newly crowned Safa Vhembe Regional League champions — a well-deserved title. Our sympathies go to Mpheni Defenders. Their hopes of promotion to the ABC Motsepe League were dashed last week after SAFA’s national office disqualified both the Limpopo and Eastern Cape contenders. The decision reflects more on SAFA Limpopo’s mishandling of cases than on Mpheni itself.

Your Limpopo Mirror is available from early Thursday mornings at cafés and supermarkets across the region. Remember, each week’s edition is unique — and who knows, it may even become a collector’s item in a few decades. Don’t miss out.

02/07/2025

What makes the Limpopo Mirror special?
Business consultants love throwing around acronyms like USPs, KPIs and even MECE. For the record, those stand for Unique Selling Proposition, Key Performance Indicators, and Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive information (which, I’ll admit, I had to look up).
Of course, if you wanted the consultants to help identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (your SWOT analysis), they would charge you a bucketload of money — and if you’re a government organisation, probably a truckload.
Which brings me back to the question: what makes the Limpopo Mirror so special? What is our USP?
I believe it’s because we do things differently. We cover news that no other media outlet covers. We pursue stories that no one else seems to be interested in.
Just this past weekend, one of our regular contributors, Thembi Siaga, won an accolade at the prestigious Sikuvile Journalism Awards. During the function, it was once again pointed out that very few small local publishers still pursue investigative journalism. The Limpopo Mirror is one of the handful in the country that continuously strives to produce quality journalism.
But that raises the question: why do so few invest the time and money into chasing the so-called “difficult” stories? Why do most media outlets — especially in radio and online spaces — prefer clickbait and shallow reporting?
Proper journalism demands a lot — from both the publisher and the journalist. It is expensive, time-consuming and emotionally draining. It can also be dangerous. So why do we do it?
A month or so ago, I asked someone for comment on a story involving possible corruption. He immediately went on the defensive, accusing me of chasing sensation. “You’re only pursuing this story to sell more newspapers!” he quipped.
Really? You must be truly bad at maths to believe that argument. The market for quality journalism is incredibly small — and with that, any real possibility of doing it profitably.
No — quality journalism is a labour of love. It’s driven by the idealistic belief that, as a journalist, you can help make the world a better place.
Journalists like Thembi Siaga deserve a great deal of respect for what they do. Newspapers such as the Limpopo Mirror provide the platform for their stories to be heard.
And that’s what makes the Limpopo Mirror special.
Please support us by buying the newspaper early tomorrow morning!

25/06/2025

It seems the people of the Nzhelele Valley will have to wait a lot longer before they are allowed to relax at the Mphephu Resort. The same department (LEDET) that locked down the resort in 2024 — amidst many promises — has now told the local community that there is no money for renovations. The security guards remain in place to, as one local resident put it, protect the resort from “grasses and baboons”.
But the matter is far more serious when looking at the bigger picture. LEDET is also the custodian of the MMSEZ project. According to a report by the MMSEZ board, contracts worth R579 million have already been awarded, with R155 million spent on the project. Yet, all they have to show for this is a few half-built roads on a site that, technically, is not even theirs. The department stands accused of peddling unrealistic dreams — at a massive cost to taxpayers.
The people of Nzhelele would likely have been very happy if even a small portion of those millions had been spent on their resort.
But let’s look at some of the stories you’ll find in this week’s Limpopo Mirror:
We report on two leadership squabbles. At Mpheni, a farm owner had to turn to the courts to stop Vhamusanda Frank Davhana from demarcating and selling off parts of his land. At Mukondeni, a judge also had to rule in the dispute between Peter Ravhura and the Makonde Royal Family. Both cases are fascinating, and the outcomes will likely be contested further in court.
Sadly, crime and violence form part of this week’s news. In Musina, another taxi owner was gunned down, while near Lwamondo, a grandmother was brutally killed.
We also publish a follow-up on the Soutpansberg Primary School dispute. The School Governing Body and the Department of Education have been at loggerheads for some time over the appointment of a principal. In the latest development, the court ruled in favour of the precious acting principal, setting aside the department’s appointment of the current principal.
On our arts and entertainment pages, we try to offer more than just reports on the latest song releases. In his regular column, Ngerezah Netshifhefhe asks whether it is reasonable to expect artists to promote the events where they are scheduled to perform.
And jumping to our sport pages — most of the action this weekend centres on the nine SAFA Vhembe finalists, all vying for a place in the semi-finals and finals. Best of luck to all of them, and may sport be the big winner.
Get your hands on a copy of this week’s Limpopo Mirror early tomorrow morning — you won’t regret it.

18/06/2025

How much is a reputation worth?

In many cultures, it is one of the most treasured “possessions” a person can have. When it is destroyed, some even choose to end their lives. But how do you cope when you're arrested and paraded as a criminal before a court?

This week’s main story centres on a traffic official who was arrested on fraud charges. A few months later, the charges are withdrawn. Can he now simply return home and carry on as if nothing happened? In an interview with Limpopo Mirror, the official unpacked the experience.

Last week, Makhado Municipality tabled its budget for the 2025/26 financial year. We were there, and in this edition you’ll find a summary of what residents can expect.

We also carry a detailed report on the latest developments at the Musina Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ). A recent update by the chairperson of the MMSEZ board to the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism reveals how millions have already been spent, with seemingly little to show for it. Are we being sold a dream that may never materialise?

Initiation season is upon us, bringing with it fears that young initiates may be harmed - or worse, lose their lives. The provincial government has pledged to closely monitor the process this year, with traditional surgeons expected to comply with strict regulations. Let’s hope these measures are enforced and that we see no fatalities.

This past weekend saw several knockout football tournaments conclude. We’ve covered around half a dozen of these, so make sure to check out our sport pages.

Once again, this week’s Limpopo Mirror carries more than 40 articles - all produced by local journalists and focused exclusively on our region. No other media outlet can make the same claim. Is that not motivation enough to go out and buy a newspaper, and keep supporting local journalism?

Get your newest edition early tomorrow morning!

11/06/2025

When the cold weather creeps in and forces us to take shelter, we’re reminded once again that newspapers can do what few others can – they can warm you up! Yes, social media may surprise you with a photo of a new baby, or perhaps you receive a cute video via WhatsApp, but you cannot wrap it around you or start a fire with it.

But we believe the content should also warm you up, even if it is enough to get you hot under the collar.

Let’s look at the bouquet we have on offer this week, starting with the death of a former prison director. He was mercilessly killed at his business in Louis Trichardt earlier this week. At Hamakushu in the Nzhelele area, a young carpenter was abducted and killed. At Mudimeli, a pensioner was found hanging from a tree.

But we’re not only focusing on crime in this week’s paper. We also carry an article about a pregnant learner who was told to go and study at home. This is quite a complex issue, because the learner has her rights, but the schools also have certain responsibilities. And then there is the big problem of teenage pregnancies.

As usual, you will find two pages focusing on our local artists and writers. This week’s highlight is an interview with OneTime Muimbi, who speaks about music, faith and cultural pride.

As far as sport is concerned, we’re in an “in-between” season, which means the various knockout tournaments can be finalised. With next Monday being a public holiday, there is a lot of such activity in Vhembe. If you’re a soccer lover, you have plenty to choose from this weekend. Please check out our sports pages for more detail.

So do the sensible thing – go out and get this week’s Limpopo Mirror early tomorrow morning. Once you’ve read the articles, it can still be used for many other purposes – which is more than you can say of Facebook.

05/06/2025

Do you suffer from FOMO (Fear of missing out)? You can partly cure that by subscribing to our weekly newsletter. By subscribing you become part of the "family", with perks such as early access to articles and a direct access to the people behind the news. If nothing else, the newsletter it is a great way to start your Friday morning. Just go to www.limpopomirror.co.za/subscribe

(But do so before the end of day, or you will have to wait for next week to receive the newsletter.)

04/06/2025

It’s just better on paper

The Internet might be quicker and even cheaper to disseminate news, but it’s not the same as a newspaper. Nothing beats the leisurely experience of turning over a page, not knowing what you’ll find on the other side. It always surprises and opens up new worlds.
Just have a look at what you’ll find in this week’s Limpopo Mirror.

We kick off with a fascinating story about a man who literally lost his identity — stolen from him more than 30 years ago. The thief, it seems, is a known criminal from outside the country’s borders and even used the stolen identity to apply for benefits, including an RDP house. Read all about it.

We also pay tribute to the late Dr Tshenuwani Farisani, who will be honoured with a provincial funeral later this week.

On page 2, we look at stock theft — and the brutal deaths of two suspected thieves. Last week we reported on the latest crime statistics, which suggest stock theft is on the decline. But many farmers would beg to differ.

Our arts and entertainment pages have become a hive of activity in recent months. This week we feature Lady Tiana SA (also on the front page), Young Pizy, Haandi YellowMah, and Ravusto. We also caught up with Cedrick Mathoho, who is honouring his late father’s legacy by releasing an album featuring the mbila.

Our special treat this week is a consumer affairs article examining the prices of essential food items. Some readers may recall that we began this survey in March. This third instalment offers valuable insights into how food prices are shifting in Vhembe — and whether our pockets are shrinking.

And don’t miss our sport section, where you’ll find more than a dozen stories. The big event this weekend is the Comrades Marathon. We spoke to several local athletes who will line up in Pietermaritzburg to tackle the nearly 90km route to Durban. Best of luck to all of them! (A quick disclaimer: one of our own, Karla van Zyl, will be among the 22,000 runners taking part.)

The best way to start any weekend is with a newspaper in your hand. It may be considered “old school” — but it’s classic, reliable, and deeply enjoyable.

Go and get your copy early tomorrow morning!

29/05/2025

A politician, theologian and former Lutheran minister, Farisani was widely regarded as a father of the liberation struggle both locally and abroad.

South Africa and the world woke up this morning (29 May) to the devastating news of the passing of one of the country’s best-known political and struggle veterans, Dr Tshenuwani Farisani.

29/05/2025

The crime statistics released last week make for interesting reading. They tell us a lot – about ourselves.

Take Limpopo Province as an example. The murder rate here is 3 per 100,000 people – the lowest in the country. Compare that with the Eastern Cape, where the rate sits at 15.4 – and that’s actually down from 17.4 a year ago. Almost all categories of crime in Limpopo showed a slight year-on-year decline.

But then we look at one of the bad apples – Thohoyandou. This police station now tops the national list for sexual crimes, with 85 cases reported in the first three months of the year. It also ranks highest in several other crime categories within the province. Crime appears to be spiralling out of control, and the question is – who is to blame?

The police must shoulder some of the responsibility. But as many knowledgeable commentators have pointed out – we need to address the root causes. The police do not force people to go to shebeens and stab someone in a drunken stupor. The police don’t tell an old man to r**e a child. In Thohoyandou, we have a serious problem – and we must join hands to fix it.

But let’s move on to the other stories featured in this week’s Limpopo Mirror.

Several deaths of well-known figures were reported this past week. One of them is traditional gospel music artist Aubrey Tshimangadzo Rambuwani. Another is Romeo Maboko – better known as Director Maboko – a respected music video director and multimedia producer from Tshiungani village.

In one of our longer articles, we take a closer look at the water situation in Ha-Matsa. Residents have just about given up on receiving water from the district municipality, but there is renewed hope with promises that the R664 million Mutshedzi Water Treatment Plant will soon be operational.

This week’s newspaper includes around 40 articles, all reflecting the happenings across the Vhembe district. We cover everything from crime to technology. And for the sport lovers, there’s an exclusive interview with boxing legend Phillip Ndou, where he reflects on his iconic fight against Floyd Mayweather.

This week’s edition is not to be missed. We’ve compiled it with your reading enjoyment in mind. Get yourself a copy.

21/05/2025

South Africa remains one of the most intriguing places in the world. Imagine a church arranging a conference, attended by the top brass of the police in the province, where the topic of discussion is “case closed”? Well – this happened last week in Thohoyandou. The concern raised by community members is that cases are never investigated and suspects walk free. The police are not doing their job, and communities are frustrated.

In this week’s paper, we also report that the Vhembe mayor is fed up with the excuses as to why construction work at the Vondo Water Treatment Plant is never completed. Year after year, there are simply more excuses and demands for additional funds. Perhaps the mayor should visit many of the other projects and ask similar questions. We share her frustration.

We start off with stories on crime – in this case, two very troubling cases involving charges of sexual assault where minors are the victims. In one, a local radio personality was arrested and the alleged victim is only six years old. One community member remarked that our district is under the spell of an evil demon. Let’s hope we can root out this evil.

Our page 3 story concerns rubbish – and tons of it. The Makhado Municipality, much like many other municipalities, needs to get a grip on refuse disposal. With the growing population in dozens of villages, this has become a serious problem. Currently, rubbish in many of these villages is simply dumped in open areas and set alight.

We also touch on the problems commuters are experiencing. A year ago, a single umbrella bus service was set up in the region to better manage the various companies and routes. The teething problems are far from resolved, and some people believe the situation is now worse than before.

As far as sport is concerned, it’s not the best of news. Black Leopards won their last game – but so did Casric Stars. This means the Leopards will not be promoted. VFC managed to cling to third-last place, which means they won’t be relegated.

There’s a lot to read in this week’s Limpopo Mirror. Just do the right thing and grab a copy from your favourite café or supermarket early tomorrow morning.

14/05/2025

It was another bloody week in the Vhembe district. In this week’s edition, we report on the cold-blooded assassination of a taxi owner and a marshal in Musina on Saturday night. Three people were killed and one injured in the shooting. Let’s hope this incident does not trigger a flare-up of taxi-related violence.

We start with a very “popular” subject — the controversial comedian, “car dealer”, and murder accused Livhuwani Madadzhe, also known as SABC Livhu. His murder trial is set to restart after the presiding judge recused himself. A new judge will now have to be entertained by Livhu and his three lawmen.

The political games at the Makhado Municipality continue. In the latest “match”, the Speaker and her supporters refused to proceed with the council meeting because the municipal manager was present. The Speaker had previously announced his suspension — although without the backing of the council. She is pressing ahead regardless, and it will be interesting to see who falls first, especially with an important budget meeting on the horizon.

Over on the sports pages, you’ll find a mix of highs and lows. Black Leopards failed to collect points against Durban City, leaving their promotion hopes hanging by a thread. They now have to win their remaining match and hope their rivals slip up.

For VFC, it’s a do-or-die situation. They must beat Kruger United or prepare for life in a lower league.

This week’s Limpopo Mirror is packed with so many stories, it’s impossible to summarise them all here. Rather take our word for it — it’s well worth a read. Pick up your copy at cafés and supermarkets across the Vhembe region early tomorrow morning.