SekgoseseVoice

23/07/2025

SV Online: Premier to bail bus company

Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba spoke about the state-owned bus company struggling financially, leading it to reduce its operating fleet. Premier Ramathuba visited the company head office in Polokwane on Tuesday, 22.07.2025.
The premier counselled that the government cannot allow the company to fade away, as it is the critical affordable option of transport for the workers in poor communities in the province.
The company now has at least 24 buses that are operational with over a hundred (100) grounded at the depot due to mechanical and service issues.
Premier Ramathuba voiced there is dire necessity to hire more mechanical and service engineers to maintain the state of the buses, considering there are now only four engineers.

"The situation is quite depressing; there is lots that needs to be done. The workers should not despair," voiced premier Ramathuba and continued to explain that "There is a lot that needs to be done, we are going to take decisions and some of them will not be popular. We have put the entire management on suspension."

In May 2025, Dr Matata Mokoele, the company's CEO, CFO Nazeem Essa, and COO Mahlaku Mogoashane were suspended with full pay due to the company's financial and worker-related problems, which led to protests and disturbing night vigils by employees.

Challenges listed unpaid pension funds and medical aid schemes that affecting at least 1,000 workers, this, despite monthly salary deductions.

Image: AA

22/07/2025

SV Online: Meet new minister of Higher Education

Sworn in today (22.07.2025) at President Cyril Ramaphosa's official resident, Tuynhuis in Cape Town is Buti Manamela, the newly appointed Minister of Higher Education and Training, and his deputy, Nomusa Dube-Ncube.

Buti Manamela takes the reigns after Pres. Ramaphosa axed Nkabane from the role pertaining allegations of wrongfully appointing a SETA board seeing politically connected individuals that included Minister Mantashe's son.

Image: iN.

21/07/2025

SV Online: Nkabane fired, to satisfy DA?

President Ramaphosa has fired Higher Education minister Nobuhle Nkabane in what is termed a late shake-up that could map the way for the passing of a Bill that permit state spending amid intimidations by the Democratic Alliance (DA) to withdraw support for two departments, and the ANC’s struggle to win fallback support. DA had previously threatened not to favour the departmental budget votes of Higher Education’s Nkabane and Human Settlements, led by Thembisile Simelane, based on corruption allegations against the two. Nkabane include allegations of wrongfully appointing SETA board members seemingly with political ties while Simelane has to do with corrupt allegations that see VBS on the list.

Image: DA

21/07/2025

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21/07/2025

SV Online: Water strike at Ga-Sekgopo

There is today (21.07.2025) since 07:30 a resident/community strike at Ga-Sekgopo via R81 to and/from Polokwane. The Ga-Sekgopo community is striking for water. Motorists are urged to tread carefully because the road is blocked with cut-off trees and stones.

Image: SV Gallery.

18/07/2025

16/07/2025

SV Ed.45 Pg 7, July 2025

From Farm To Table By Itumeleng A. Ntlhane

“Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness,” said the third US President Thomas Jefferson. In an era where technology seems to dominate many industries, Thabo Makola, 30 years old stands out as one of those who rely on traditional farming and do it excellently. Thabo exhibits a deep connection to the land and has passion for sustainable agriculture. He built a reputation by producing high-quality crops. His dedication to farming does not only contribute to the local food chain but serves as an inspiration to others in the agricultural community.

“I started farming in 2021 and I am a BSc Agriculture graduate with practical experience in commercial farming from the University of Limpopo. I run an organization called TFM (Thabang Frans Matome) SEEDLINGS. Over the past few years, I have been deeply involved in vegetable production and have developed a strong passion for agribusiness, particularly in seedling. Currently I am venturing into the production of exotic chillie peppers,” proudly voiced Thabo.
He sell pickled chillies and seedlings to backyard gardeners, emerging farmers and agricultural cooperatives. Thabo’s farm is at Ga-Sekgopo, Malatjie section, Limpopo. His seedlings cared under a 138m2 shade net. “…the challenges that we are currently face include lack of infrastructure. When we have strong winds or too much rainfall we lose most of our seedlings. High import costs it is one of the challenges because of inflation which makes us change our prices,” said Thabo and added “I got into farming because of food insecurity, because most of our villages sometimes struggle to get fresh produce. I encourage everyone that has land to venture into farming.”

Judging by the current economic situation in South Africa with the budget tabled 3 times since 2025, it seems almost impossible to be a farmer to afford start-up necessities. “We produce indigenous vegetables because there is no need for us to buy the seed and they do not need more inputs as compared to the exotic vegetables. We encourage our people to switch to indigenous vegetables which are more healthier as compared to exotic vegetables,” voiced Thabo.
His dedication to balanced farming practices and commitment to quality has made a lasting impact on the agricultural community. Thabo’s story serves as an insight to others, showcase the importance of hard work, innovation, and hunger in cultivating a successful farm. In conclusion I asked Thabo what drives him despite all the challenges and openly remarked, “I thank my community and family because it was them who showed me support than ever. The first person to buy was my uncle and almost every house that has backyard garden they buy seedlings from me.”

Image: Supplied/Itumeleng A. Ntlhane

16/07/2025

SV Online: Reburial in Limpopo

Supplied: MINISTER MMAMOLOKO KUBAYI TO HAND OVER REMAINS OF UDF ACTIVISTS IN GA-MAUPA, LIMPOPO

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi, joined by Deputy Minister Andries Nel, will on Saturday, 19 July 2025, hand over the remains of United Democratic Front activists Alex Mashapa Matsepane (21) and Solomon Mankopane Mawasha (20) to their families for reburial at Ga-Maupa village in Greater Letaba Local Municipality, Limpopo. The two were convicted for their role in the burning and killing of Tribal Council members during a 1985 protest against apartheid-imposed authorities, sentenced to death on 13 June 1986, and hanged on 5 December 1986.

Their remains were exhumed under the Gallows Exhumation Project, a national initiative to locate, exhume, and return the remains of political prisoners buried without family consent. The project is led by the Department’s TRC Unit, which coordinates all exhumation and reburial activities in line with TRC recommendations, working with the NPA’s Missing Persons Task Team to locate, exhume, and identify remains so that families can bury their loved ones with dignity.

15/07/2025

SV Online: Mantashe's CV is becoming bigger

Gwede Mantashe, Mineral & Petroleum Resources minister has been appointed acting Minister of Police with immediate effect, the presidency announced.
The presidency voiced that Mantashe will serve in this capacity until Firoz Cachalia, who will retire from his position at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) at the end of 31 July 2025, assumes the post on 01 August 2025.

Vincent Magwenya, Presidency spokesperson confirmed Mantashe will retain his responsibilities as minister of mineral & petroleum resources. President Cyril Ramaphosa stated in an address to the nation on Sunday (13.07.2025) night (19:30) that he had placed police minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave, replacing him with Cachalia.

The president also announced that he had established a judicial commission of inquiry chaired by acting deputy chief justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga to investigate allegations relating to the infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence and associated institutions within the criminal justice system by criminal syndicates.

This is after damnjng allegations by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi who revealed that deputy national commissioner Shadrack Sibiya and Mchunu had obstructed justice, delayed investigations into political killings and organised crime, and protected politically connected persons.

Mkhwanazi alleged that on March 26 a total of 121 case dockets under investigation were taken away from the political killings task team as directed by Sibiya acting on the instruction of Minister Mchunu, to disband the task team.

Image: IT NA/Internet

14/07/2025

SV Ed.45 Pg4 July 2025 Academic News

Launching an academic propelled institute By Munyai wa Sekela

In his second year at Fort Hare University Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) studies when an angel whispered into his ear. It wanted Dr Komane Mphahlele to play some role in education. Strangely, Dr Komane did not contest or challenge the call. He agreed to take a short sojourn after his science studies to play a role in education and then seek, like all his colleagues who were doing science then, opportunities in private sector to make money.

Dr Komane did not know that the short sojourn would turn out to be a lifelong journey. What started as a contract to manage a national transformation project in education ended, by default, to be his lifelong ‘career.’ Dr Komane’s decades of public service were more than a career. They were, and still are, his life. “If there is one thing, I would work for without being materially remunerated, it is serving our people: especially through education. For that is the only way I derive satisfaction and inner peace from,” wrote Dr Komane in his 2025 launched book My Humaneistic Codes.
The deep reflections of his long journey of serving people are captured in, inter alia, his recent book. “They lift for all to view and understand the codes to pe*****te and understand what I define as “humaneism”. I coined this new concept and use it as binoculars through which to view and understand my life. As a self-emancipated person, I used my poetic license to create or invent concepts (which to the colonial world would be tantamount to committing technical-grammatical errors) that will capture the essence of what our forebears taught and moulded us to be,” Dr Komane voiced.
The “humaneism” concept as told by Dr Komane, builds on what Es’kia Mphahlele described as Afrikan Humanism. His was a way of bringing the age-old philosophical concept our forebears described as Botho/uBuntu to the English, globalizing world. It is impressive that Dr Komane use his privileged, learned background and rich humane-spiritual and indigenous experiences to express his intense engagements with life as captured in poetic messages that make up his booklet.
On 20th and 21st of June 2025 at the University of Limpopo (UL)’s Science Centre, Dr Komane Mphahlele launched on a two-day seminar, his ‘Humaneistic Mentorship’ Iphahlele Institute. The magnificent launch saw testimonial presentations from eleven (11) mentees with four (4) reviewers. From a background of National School of Governance Ms Tsholofelo Etsane applauded her journey, “My mentorship journey began during my internship and the transition into permanent employment. At that time, I had the opportunity to engage with two mentors who played a pivotal role in shaping my career trajectory. One of the most impactful tools I was introduced to was journaling – a core component of the mentorship process.”
Asked about the Iphahlele Institute, Dr Komane Mphahlele emphasised “It is envisaged that a tried and tested model would inform programmes to equip, inter alia, future humaneistic mentors. In this way, circles of influence would develop to humaneistically influence the humanity that is growing more inhumane by the day.

Logo: Supplied/ Iphahlele Institue

14/07/2025

SV Ed.45 Page 3, July 2025

Jobs for youth, another walk to Union Building
By Mathibedi Mothapo

Edition 44 dated 02-30 June 2025 SekgoseseVoice published an article of youths Sello Matsena and Sello Matima from Ga-Phooko in Sekgosese, planning and embarked on a walk to the Union Building in Pretoria as their heartfelt campaign to raise awareness against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Aubrey Magolane Maloka (23) and Sefetofeto Gift Mogano (21) two unemployed pupils from Ga-Molepo Tshebela have walked approximately 340km from their village in Limpopo to Union Building in Pretoria, Gauteng province. The two young man have endured walking seven (7) days on the road from Monday 23rd June to Sunday 29th June 2025 in extreme cold weather conditions, sleeping at Filling Stations.
They were no dissuaded to reach their target. Maloka and Mogano voiced to SV that the reason they walked from Tshebela to Union Building is because they planned to go to Gauteng and register their grievances to the South African government. “Reasons for walking, first is because we wanted to reach Gauteng and as youth who are unemployed we decided that the cheapest method we can undertake is to walk to Gauteng. We were encouraged by those who came before us, old people who used to walk this journey before us, prior to modernisation and introduction of cars. We knew it was possible.”
Asked about their conviction to see it beneficiary to engage in what many can find exhausting to walk from one city to another, “We took this decision not only for ourselves but for every person who feels forgotten, for every soul drowning in silent . We were walking to raise awareness about the painful struggles the youth are facing every day, the high rate of unemployment, depression, poverty, substance abuse and heartbreaking increase in suicides,” voiced Aubrey.
Youth unemployment rate in South Africa is a grave issue, currently standing at approximately 62.4% for those aged 15 – 24. The figure exhibits the highest level since the 2022 quarter. The larger youth unemployment rate, those aged 15 – 34, is purported to be 46.1% according to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). On the mission of Maloka and Mogano and their cry, high youth unemployment has severe economic and social implications, including poverty, crime, and social insecurity.
First two days of the walk offered a real test to Maloka and Mogano from Ga-Molepo. Not knowing what the journey holds for them and what challenges awaits ahead they did not give up. It was on day four when a good samaritan gave them hope when he stopped and offered support. “On Wednesday during the day we were surprised when we saw a white pick-up car stopped at us, two guys shouted and called us, it was Tshadiba with his young brother Mmabunchi, they bought us food, fruits and water,” said the courageous Maloka and Mogano. Sunday 29th of June Maloka and Mogano arrived in Pretoria and officially handed the ‘Memorandum’ at the Union buildings on Monday 30th of June 2025. It was a proud moment for the two young men.
“First of all, a big thank you to Tshadiba (real name Mphakgane Motimele), who was the first person to come to us on the road, stand with us, and help us. He made us visible, and helped people see that our mission was real. We also thank Thapelo Molepo, Sunset Pub, Semonamomane, Kgobi Funeral Palour, Mirwa Lending Hand, the Young Poison FC, and Molepo-Maja-Chuene cluster Community members for their incredible support. Our gratitude goes to Colon Health Clinic for their assistance, and Abundant Mindset Clothing Brand for their support as well. We also thank everyone who came to help us along the road, even if we cannot name every person individually. We remember and thank Anwal Makarapa Marathon for coming on board to support us. Finally, we deeply appreciate the PSP Events crew from Mpumalanga, led by Msiza, for helping us and standing with us. There are so many others who supported us we may not remember every name, but please know that we thank each and every person who contributed and showed us love and support,” gave thanks Maloka and Mogano.

Images: Supplied, Mathibedi Mothapo

13/07/2025

SV Online: Another commission to bill tax payers.

President Cyril Ramaphosa tonight decided to appoint another Commission of Inquiry into allegations of crime and criminality made during a Media Briefing last Sunday by KZN Police Commissioner General Mkhwanazi. The President also decided to suspect Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu.

It's clear South African are weary of this commissions considering the bill tax payers with no sustainable prosecution at the end.

More to follow on this as we stay tuned to developing events and other reactions.

Artwork: X/The Presidency