Tholulwazi Uzivikele spearheading research on Aids Orphans (Study reveals: Emanguzi and Cape Flats)

The Aids-affected children in Dr Lucie Cluver’s movie don’t want to talk about soccer or music. Instead, they want to tell the world about the heartache of losing their parents, the stigma they battle, abuse they endure and the gangs eager to exploit their vulnerability.

The mini-movie, devised and directed entirely by the children, is in itself a measure of how Cluver, of Oxford University, and her team of researchers and field workers have succeeded in gaining the trust of thousands of children affected by the epidemic.

“This movie is completely child-led,” explains Cluver, who is leading the developing world’s first longitudinal study into the impact of Aids on children who care for their parents when they fall ill or have lost their parents to the disease.

“The kids have amazed us – we thought they’d want to talk about soccer and music, and instead they want to deal with major issues.”

Cluver, in a recent commentary in the science journal Nature, marking the 30th anniversary of the first description of Aids, writes how she and her team, working with children and their caregivers from KwaZulu-Natal’s remote Manguzi to the Cape Flats, have become their confidantes.

“As study director, I’d never anticipated that our team’s repeated visits would make us confidantes for these children, whose opportunities to talk about the disease are constrained by stigma,” she says.
“I had also underestimated the extent to which their lives would offer a window on to the complexities of the HIV epidemic.”

Through her Young Carers Project, a ground-breaking study of 6 000 children living in Aids-affected families across South Africa, Cluver and her team are highlighting the hidden impacts of the epidemic on the millions of children caring for ailing parents and relatives.

The project is a collaboration between the universities of Oxford, KwaZulu-Natal, Cape Town and Wits; the Department of Social Development with the support of the departments of Health and Basic Education; the National Action Committee for Children Affected by HIV/Aids; as well as NGOs Cape Town Child Welfare and Tholulwazi.

There is little doubt of the devastating fallout of Aids on the development of children and their psychological health.
New findings from three studies – The Young Carers project; another longitudinal study of 1 050 Aids orphans, children orphaned by other causes and non-orphaned children; and a third illuminating study on TB – reveal just how battle-scarred South Africa’s Aids-affected children are.

Cluver and her fellow researchers had asked children orphaned by Aids whether they were having flashbacks or nightmares, with their research revealing how these children are 117 percent more likely to be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than those whose parents are alive. More than half were more likely than children orphaned by other causes, including cancer, murder and suicide, to develop PTSD.



Other disturbing results show how children living with Aids-sick caregivers are three times more likely to suffer physical and emotional abuse at the hands of their caregivers, how girls are more likely to engage in sex for school fees, transport to school or food, and how the plight of children caring for their relatives forces them to miss school or drop out entirely.



Cluver told the Saturday Star that there are two core messages arising from her research.



“First, that the challenges are even greater than we had imagined,” she says.



“It’s not only orphaned children, but also children with Aids-affected caregivers who are experiencing massive emotional distress, stigma and poor health.”



The second message is that there is hope, she says.



“There is real commitment on the part of the government and NGOs such as Unicef, the Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative and Save the Children.



“There is also massive commitment and support from communities and from local councillors and traditional leaders, street committees, pastors and local people.”



In her Nature commentary, Cluver notes how, for the past 30 years, the scientific community has fought the war on HIV/Aids on many fronts, including prevention, treatment and finding a cure.



But research, she says, is now revealing a “new and daunting battlefield – the multiple social consequences of Aids on families, especially children”.



With more than 22 million people in sub-Saharan Africa infected with HIV, many of whom are parents, about 70 million children are likely to be enduring the consequences of living with people sick from Aids in the region alone.



In South Africa, Cluver estimates that a staggering 5 to 10 million children have carers who are sick from Aids.



Their courage astonishes her. “Sometimes I’m amazed at their bravery and commitment. How do they do it? I just don’t know. They are incredible kids and they deserve our respect and admiration.”



Just how the deprivation, abuse and devastating loss will affect these children’s ability to become loving, compassionate adults, remains unknown.



“I don’t think we know yet,” Cluver says.



“Ours is the only study to follow Aids-affected children over a long period – and we only have four years of data. What we want to do is to keep speaking to these kids as they become adults and parents themselves. But in many ways the children I have known are even more compassionate than others.



“Their teenage years are spent caring for someone who they love deeply and who they have to watch getting sicker and sicker.



“The kids who we work with have so much love and affection for the sick person, for their brothers and sisters, and for other kids in their situation.”



Using colourful, confidential questionnaires that are peppered with teen symbolism, Cluver and her team have, since 2005, delicately probed the children’s access to school, meals, grants, care duties, whether they face abuse or engage in risky sexual behaviour.



Preliminary findings from their orphan resilience study indicate that children living with Aids-sick caregivers are about three times more likely to report physical or emotional abuse, but not sexual abuse.



“This suggests that what we’re seeing is not in any way malicious caregivers.



“They don’t want to harm the children, but that it may be that the stress associated with HIV/Aids – poverty, stigma, illness, looking after extra orphaned children – just makes it harder and more stressful to be a parent,” Cluver explains.



But what Aids-affected families need is support, not condemnation.



“One important thing is antiretrovirals (ARVs), another is social grants to help support affected families. But it’s also important to have programmes that help the mental health of caregivers and children together, and to help them work as a family to support each other.”



Abuse and extreme poverty drive increased transactional sexual exploitation among Aids-affected young people. Cluver’s results show how girls between the ages of 15 and 24 in otherwise healthy families have an almost 3 percent chance of being exploited in transactional sex – a figure that jumps to 19 percent for those with carers sick from Aids.



Results also show that youngsters affected simultaneously by Aids-orphanhood and having an Aids-sick caregiver are six times more likely to experience transactional sex than in healthy families.



There is a need to address family and poverty risk factors for young people to combat the risk of transactional sex, according to Cluver’s research.



Much more emphasis needs to be placed on the mental health of youngsters, including bereavement support, according to Cluver.



In 2005, she and her team found that Aids-orphaned children scored significantly higher on measures of depression, anxiety and PTSD than non-orphans and children orphaned by other causes.



When they revisited in 2009, the Aids-orphaned children had got worse. “We thought they may be better over time, but we were sadly wrong.”



Orphanhood, she points out, “starts long before a child’s parents die” – typically preceded by a loved one’s sickness, and the resultant bullying, abuse and stigma.



One 10-year-old girl remarks: “My friends laugh at me as my mother is sick and they also gossip about me. I feel not right about that in my life.”



Cluver points out that other studies have shown that HIV-positive parents have much higher levels of depression and anxiety and caregivers of orphans have poorer physical and emotional health than caregivers of other children.



Until now, no studies have examined educational impacts for children in Aids-affected homes, homes where parents are sick from other causes and healthy homes.



“Children in Aids-affected homes have major negative educational impacts… Children in homes where parents are sick from other causes also have negative educational impacts but not to the same extent.”



Cluver’s findings show that 43 percent of children living with a relative or caregiver sick from Aids could not focus on school simply because of anxiety over their condition.



Almost the same percentage of children either missed days to care for their loved ones, or missed days at school.



A 12-year-old boy reveals in his questionnaire how he is consumed with worry about his mother.



“I don’t concentrate at school. I am worried about my mother. She looks as if she is going to die like my father.”



An 11-year-old girl tells how there is no food in her home to take to school.



“Since my mother is sick, I don’t bring nothing at school. I eat nothing. I just drink water during the lunch break.”



Very little, too, is known about the physical health outcomes of living in an Aids-affected family.



Cluver’s findings show how children with an Aids-sick caregiver are five times more likely to have tuberculosis than children with healthy carers, but only 4 percent are tested.



Once tested, however, children showed good treatment outcomes.



In the next six months, Cluver and her team of researchers and field workers hope to gain more information including about how ARVs can help, with initial findings showing that children have much less work to do when their parents or caregivers are healthy.



“Other research in Uganda shows that when parents start ARVs, their uninfected children’s nutritional status and school attendance improve,” she explains.



But as Cluver remarks in Nature, researchers, governments, communities and affected families must all play their part. “So scientists need to focus on the messy multifaceted social context of the epidemic, not just on the disease itself.”



Much more work lies ahead.



“For us the next major step in our research and in our work with the government is to test programmes to help Aids-affected families. We’re just now starting to plan how best we can do this – and we’ll be working in close collaboration with Aids-affected children, caregivers, local communities, traditional leaders and NGOS.



“It’s absolutely essential that we know what works so that we can use our limited resources to do the best for these kids.



Cluver has hope.



“This project has taught me just how united South Africans can be when the issue is important enough. And there is no question of the importance of this issue.”  http://www.iol.co.za/saturday-star/the-scars-of-a-tortured-generation-1.1122879

Phaksy Mngomezulu on Idols Season 7

Phaksy's Mngomezulu (Biography)

Phaksy is the last born of Mandla ( uBhuti kaMatshelani) and Dudu Mngomezulu who are originally from Manguzi but established at Empangeni. He's the only son amongst three Girls. He studied ICT at Richtek in 2008 and He's currently studying towards ICT Diploma at Varsity College in Durban North. He is a winner to be for the 7th Season of South African Idols 2011. He stole millions of people's hearts and brought many people to tears. He is the  most moving IDOL on our continental DSTV channel 107 recently.
He started singing at the age of seven. He was mostly inspired by John Legend, Loyiso and Nelson Mandela.  He is undoubtedly one of the best newcomers i in South Africa. To promote him let's SMS 10 to 34700, starting from Sunday next week at 5:30pm. You can watch the show on Sunday 5:30 on Channel 107(DSTV)

Foward Phaksy Foward, you make us Proud.

Tree planting project extends even to uMkhanyakude

Premier Zweli Mkhize on Sunday kicked-off a Clean and Green communities campaign that will see over a million trees planted in the next five years in the province.

The KZN Integrated Green Programme, is spearheaded by the provincial government, The Wildlands Conservation Trust and Business South Africa.

The five-year programme includes growing and planting trees, collecting and recycling.
The premier said the first step would be to expand existing initiatives in  uMkhanyakude and establish a new one in Sisonke, Umzinyathi and iLembe.
“Thereafter it will expand across all 10 districts and eThekweni,” said Mkhize.
He said the current initiatives had, from April 1 to May 20, created 126 full-time jobs, and 164 “tree-preneurs” traded over 50000 trees.

Some 145 “waste-preneurs” had collected and traded 61000kg of recycling

Communities around the Jozini Dam in north-east KwaZulu-Natal will soon drink water from the dam for the first time since it was constructed more than 40 years ago.

“For many years, the gigantic dam has symbolised nothing for the poor rural communities in the uMkhanyakude district other than majestic views,” the province's co-operative governance department spokesman Lennox Mabaso said in a statement on Thursday.


The first of the three water reticulation schemes would be unveiled in the kwaJobe Tribal Authority in Jozini on Friday. It would benefit at least 8000 rural families.

The Jozini Dam, South Africa's third largest, was constructed in 1970.

“For decades the community of uMkhanyakude has not benefited from the dam. This is a serious disservice, which is why we are funding this project,” Mabaso said.

“The agony of having to live on the banks of a huge dam but without being able to access the precious liquid inside will come to an end.”

Foot and Mouth disease Outbreak in the far north of KZN

The KwaZulu-Natal agriculture department said it regretted the allowing of foot-and-mouth disease fence in the KwaZulu-Natal north coast to fall apart.
“It should not have happened. We will make sure it is erected as soon as possible,” said the department's head of department, Sizwe Mkhize.

His comment about the fence follows the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in northern KwaZulu-Natal's Ingwavuma area where the "red line" fence that used to protect local cattle for decades had been allowed to fall into disrepair.

This had happened about eight years ago and Mkhize was unable to say why it happened. The fence had started falling apart in the 1990s, he said.

“I wish I could be able to answer that question. I was not in the department when it happened. I will have to check and find out why,” he said.

The department was expected to face a huge challenge in erecting the fence as homes had already been built in some areas where the fence was erected.

“It is true that there we will have to do a lot of consultation before we erect it again,” Mkhize said.


National competence

He said the erection of the fence was a national competence, saying that negotiations were underway between the national and provincial government to erect it.



The Inkatha Freedom Party on Tuesday said the non-existence of the “red fence” line was to blame for the outbreak of foot and mouth diseases.
"The fence between Ingwavuma and the KwaZulu-Natal north coast was vandalised over the last few years and has not been reconstructed despite funds being allocated for this purpose," said agriculture, environmental affairs and rural development spokesman Henry Combrinck.

He said the IFP had long questioned the provincial agriculture department's failure to spend the R25 million allocated for the reconstruction of the protective fence.

"The broken-down fence alongside the failure to enforce border controls has resulted in a free-flow of infected cattle from Mozambique," said Combrinck.

South Africa's leaky borders with Swaziland and Mozambique were responsible for the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, he said.

On Monday, Agriculture Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson announced that there was a suspected outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

"The department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries has picked up some suspect positive serological results for foot-and-mouth disease," Joemat-Pettersson told a press conference at Parliament.



She said over 600 animals had been tested and 50% of them were found to be positive.



The matter was reported to the World Health Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on Friday.



All exports of cloven-hoofed animals from South Africa have been suspended.



Mkhize said the department was intensifying surveillance in the north of the White Umfolozi River to determine the spread of the infection.



The department was also collecting samples from the various parts of UMkhanyakude District to assess if there were any new cases. The process would help to determine the extent of the virus on the animals that have already tested positive.



“The department cannot confirm the origin of the outbreak at this stage,” he said. -- Sapa


Cited from Mail and Guardian

Grade 12 Results 2010 Manguzi, Ngwanase and Kosi bay Wards did exceptionally well

South African Education has recieved time and again much criticism when it comes to delivery. Our system of education seem to yield less positive impact on our communities. Inspite of much criticism three wards of Obonjeni District made it to the top. This is through the hard work, determination and commitment of our Teachers. Nhlange High got 100% in 2010 grade 12 results, Star of the Sea High School got 95% whilst the majority of schools got more than 60% pass. This indicates clearly the that our education is getting better and better each year.

Challenges

1. Poor and delabidated buildings
2. Lack of adequately qualified educators
3. Lack of Teachers - Learner Support Material
4. Lack of proper supporting insfrastructure (libraries and Labs)
5. Lack of Career Guidance in our schools
5. Lack of Bursaries
6. Lack of Classrooms
7. Demotivated and errant Teachers
8. Teacher-Learner relationships (Most Teachers bathandana nezingane zesikole)





This in turn tells us that we need almost everyone who is from our vicinity to fully support whatever an initiative related to improving the lives of our people in this region. We understand the new emerging armchair-critics who will always criticise, solely to serve their own personal interest.

Let's all get together to serve the interest of our communities

R56 Million to Boost uMhlabuyalingana Municipality

This comes after the provincial government took much-needed services to the people.
Yesterday the community braved the scorching heat to welcome the service delivery.
Premier Zweli Mkhize, accompanied by his cabinet, unveiled a R40million clinic, a traffic and licensing station worth R10million, a R6million water supply project and a R1million access road that links Manzwengwenya and Mseleni villages.
The unveiling of the project coincided with a provincial government report after the department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs took control of the Mbazwane municipality.
The deputy chairperson of the uMkhanyakude Traditional Council, Inkosi Mabhudi Tembe, said they appreciated that the government had responded to the community's cries and needs.
He said the communities had been battling to get proper services.
"There are challenges facing the community in our areas and as amakhosi we also want to play a pivotal role," Tembe said.
"We want the premier to create a channel to open a viable working relationship between amakhosi and councillors."
Overjoyed Nomagugu Mdlalose said the community's prayers had been answered.
She said they had never had proper service delivery in the area.
"The municipality had not been doing well or let us know what is happening," Mdlalose said.
"The only thing that we had seen before were government officials driving luxury cars at our expense.
"Those we have entrusted with the responsibility to govern our country had been failing us badly."
She said the community had to travel to Esikhawini when they needed services such as social grants and were often forced to bribe officials.
"What we have seen today is the beginning of the changing of our lives," Mdlalose said

January 8 Statement at Umhlabuyalingana on the 15 January 2011

A January 8 statement by the ANC would take place eMhlabuyalingana on the 15th of January 2011. The Preparation for the event has gone to far and they are nearing completion. The Venue is not yet confirmed but it has been decided that it would take place at any place conviniet to the People. The top leadership of the ANC would be lead by the State President on that day to announce the developmental priorities for 2011.
This event would attract almost everyone in this province. Nawe Manguzi awumncinyana

Mthunzini William Mahlangu heading for USA in January 2011

One of KwaNgwanase top Education officials by the name of Mthunzini William Mahlangu is heading for the USA in January 2011.

The trip is funded by the USA Government and Mthunzi will then share South African educational experiences with the Professors from different State Universities in the USA. Mthunzi would have to deliver a paper on education in rural and disadvantaged areas like Maputaland. His main focus would be challenges in our education system. The main purpose would be to compare our education in Rural Areas and Education in the USA in rural areas too. This is a long awaited trip Mthunzi has been waiting for. It would be the first of its kind for him to be abroad especially in the American soil. His role in this trip would be to represent the KZN Department of Education.

Mthunzi is also known for taking part in the creation of the new Policy Handbook for
Schools in KZN.

He is expected to visit more than 10 States in the US.

We hope and believe that this trip would indeed yield someting meaningful for the People of KwaNgwanase and the KZN-Department to Education.

Poaching at Ndumo Game Reserve still a serious problem

A white rhino was found dead with both horns removed in Ndumo, KwaZulu Natal, yesterday. "The rhino had been caught in a cable snare that seemed to have been deliberately set for big game, such as hippo, buffalo or rhino, all of which frequent the area. Both horns had been removed," Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spokesman Jeff Gaisford said yesterday. It was believed the rhino was trapped in the snare on Tuesday, and was found by game rangers yesterday. "This brings the total number of rhinos killed by poachers in KwaZulu-Natal this year to 15," Gaisford said. The sex of the adult rhino was unknown and no arrests had been made. - Sapa

Umkhanyakude in Crisis

Mchunu, who represented Premier Zweli Mkhize during Women's Day celebrations, said at least 887 in 100000 people had TB due to the high prevalence of HIV-Aids in the district.
uMkhanyakude consists of Mtubatuba, Hlabisa, Hluhluwe, uMhlabuyalingana and Jozini municipalities.
"HIV-Aids and TB are a huge drain on resources, with affected patients taking up the bulk of beds in health care facilities. It is for these reason that this government launched a provincial partnership to fight the scourge.
"This partnership involves political, traditional, religious leaders and those in civil society," Mchunu said.
"We must mobilise local leaders to ensure that support is given to people who get treatment for TB.
"In this way we will reduce defaulters and ensure completion of treatment. Support groups must also be formed in all wards in this district to ensure that all affected individuals receive comfort and protection. People must also be encouraged to go for the voluntary counselling and testing. Only when people know their status will they be able to live healthy lifestyles.
"Our view is that the fight against HIV-Aids should be closely linked to the fight against poverty and underdevelopment."
Mchunu also said over the period 2002 to 2006, the percentage of children who went hungry was substantially higher in female-headed households than in male-headed households.
"For example, in 2006 in 3,4percent of female-headed households, children went hungry as against 1,6percent in male-headed households," Mchunu said.
Out of an estimated population of 573341 people in uMkhanyakude, 54,8percent is female and 45,2percent male.
"Clearly, women are the most vulnerable as they lack access to economic opportunities. The economic well-being of this municipality cannot be achieved if women are massively underprivileged."

A newly designed interactive website (www.kosibay.za.net) is now available to serve people of Maputaland

Another addition to The Maputaland Business and Information Directory. Now there is an employment section where employers can post jobs and applicants can apply for employment. This section will only get going when there are jobs on offer, so if you are an employer get listing its FREE. That's right FREE like most of the functionality on the Directory. check www.kosibay.za.net

Mom, girl found hanged - Used condom found near dead women

POLICE have opened an inquest docket after a 36-year-old mother and her 14-year-old daughter were found hanging not far from their home in the Hlalanathi area of Jozini, northern Zululand.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Vincent Mdunge said a used condom was found next to the dead bodies of Refilwe Goodness Duma and her mother Bahlekile.
“The women were hanging from a tree branch. One was hanged with an electric cable and the other with a rope.
“It is difficult at this stage to say whether there was foul play or not, but the fact that a used condom was found on the scene has made the police suspicious.
“A postmortem will be conducted with a view to shedding light on how the two died,” Mdunge said.
Meanwhile, a community policing forum leader in Manguzi, KwaZulu-Natal, was allegedly killed in police cells by prisoners awaiting trial.
“Mphephu Ngubane, a leader of the community policing forum in KwaMnyayisa outside Manguzi, died in the police cells immediately after he was arrested for assault,” Mdunge said.
Mdunge said two men in the same cell as Ngubane were charged with murder and would appear in the Manguzi magistrate’s court soon.
“Ngubane was arrested after he allegedly hacked a man with an axe during a fight over a woman,” Mdunge said.
“He was charged with assault with the intention to cause grievous bodily harm.”
He said it was believed that one of the prisoners awaiting trial had told other inmates that Ngubane had “harassed” him during his arrest.

R2m fakeBafana Bafana jerseys seized at Manguzi

Nine men were arrested for allegedly possessing over 3000 fake Bafana Bafana jerseys with an estimated street value of R2-million on the border of South Africa and Mozambique, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Monday.
"Nine men were allegedly found throwing the jerseys over the fence bordering the South Africa and Mozambique border on Saturday.
The street value of the goods is estimated to be about R2-million," said Lieutenant-Colonel Vincent Mdunge.
Mdunge said it was believed that the gang leader was from Chesterville and had driven to Mozambique where he boarded a plane to China.
"The man came back from China and hired a bakkie in Manguzi. He allegedly off-loaded the goods on the border. Eight men were found throwing the goods over the fence," Mdunge said.
The porous 54km border fence was notorious for the smuggling of goods from South Africa to Mozambique.
Mdunge said the nine men were due to appear in the Manguzi Magistrate's Court on Today.

ROOTING OUT CORRUPTION IN TENDERING

KZN officials have their hands full trying to get rid of corruption within government's tender processes.

Earlier this month, Finance MEC Ina Cronje announced that they were doing a complete revamp of local government's "suppliers database." This means that all companies which were given tenders in all provincial departments will be evaluated over the next few months, to ensure that they meet the proper requirements and that there isn't any corruption involved. The process has started and officials have been holding meetings with business in northern KZN over the past few days. Finance spokesperson, Joyce Msutu says today they're in the Illembe district and they're also giving information to interested companies on how to go about getting on the database."We've got a new system that will be starting in July and we want to ensure that all suppliers of goods and services for provincial departments are registered on the supplier database. We've been to Zululand to Umkhanyakude District, Amajuba district and Sisonke District."

Tembe Brothers at Loggerhead with Ismangaliso (Bangnek Beach Camp)

A battle between iSimangaliso Wetland Park and the developers of an illegal tourism development in the park resulted in the demolition of the buildings yesterday. The development was undertaken by Madolwane Mthembu and Simon Mlabane Tembe (who are referred to as the Tembe brothers) at the Bhanga Nek Beach Camp in the coastal forest reserve.

Last year, park officials, with the support of the KZN Nature Conservation Board and the minister of water and environmental affairs, secured high court orders against developers, including the brothers, who were building holiday cottages in the park. The developers were ordered to stop building, demolish what had been built and to rehabilitate the areas.

If the developers failed to do this, the park was given the authority to do the work and claim costs.The Tembes were given until April 30 this year to vacate the land on which they had already started trading.While the other developers complied with the court orders, the Tembe brothers continued building after the April 30 deadline.Park officials then applied in the Durban High Court in March this year for the Tembe brothers to be found in contempt of court and to be jailed. In his affidavit, the park's senior conservation compliance manager Peter Hartley said the Tembe brothers had been "confrontational and self-righteous", making death threats against officials and saying in a letter that no one would stop them from building.

A letter said: "No matter we are arrested... we will proceed developing on our land (sic)."The Tembe brothers opposed the application and Judge Chris Nicholson reserved judgment in the case last Friday. The brothers claim in papers before the court that they had the permission of the late acting chief Phasula Tembe and councillors of the KwaNgwanase administrative area to build on the site. iSimangaliso said on Tuesday that the demolition had been done according to a responsible demolition and restoration plan and the Tembes had been given prior notice on May 8. iSimangaliso board chairman Mavuso Msimang said demolition had been the last option.

KwaNgwanase Education Stakeholders Forum a huge success

The Forum has had a giant leap. Almost all the delegates agreed to assist in refining and developing education in our region. This has been seen as a first step to assist Learners with financial problems at the institutions of higher learning.

The forum intends to alleviate a number of educational related problems in this region. Different Governmental departments were represented i.e. NCS, Health, Social Development, Traditional healers, Principals of schools, Political Parties, Church Ministers, Officials from the Dept of Education, Teachers Unions and many more other departments who committed themselves in lending a hand.

The forum is a brainchild of Inkosi M.I. Tembe. It is a dream come true. It is now clear that there are so many people from Manguzi who spend time thinking much about our education in the area.


The Chairperson on behalf of the Forum extended words of thankfulness to all those who made the conference a success.

Mr Vibe secured a recording deal,

Mr Vibe aka Cebo Mthembu popurlaly known for his talents in Radio Broadcasting, Teaching, and Choir conducting and Mastering has now secured a recording deal. His new album would soon been on shelves. His forthcoming album is titled DONGWE LAMI. Uke wavela nakwi FAMILY BONDS, Kwi DVD ka Mjosty ethi UMPHATHISWA. He is really multitalented. Siyabangena.

Kentuky Fried Chicken (KFC) cooming soon eManguzi

KFC franchise would soon be cooming to Manguzi before the Fifa World Cup. Why not Chicken, eMabovini and formerly Dr Moodley's surgery building would soon be occupied by KFC Franchise. Infact it is long overdue, KFC should have occupied that building by February 2010. A lease was signed somewhere last year.

Manguzi drinking water the worst in the Country

A government report detailing the performance of the country’s drinking water quality management, has found that the Manguzi Area has the worse drinking water in the country. Among bad performers were uMkhanyakude District Municipality in KwaZulu Natal which scored 16% for the water quality in the Manguzi area in northern Zululand.

The top ten performers were eThekwini Municipality, City of Johannesburg, City of Cape Town, Bitou municipality, Ekurhuleni, City of Tshwane and Mogale City, Kgatelopele, George and Dr J.S Moroka local municipality.However, nine municipal water authorities have snubbed government's water quality assessment programme. Another concern is that of 787 municipal water authorities assessed, only 38 obtained the Blue Drop for 2010.

Deputy Water Affairs Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi was quick to point out that the quality of water and water authorities that failed to obtain the Blue Drop status was not necessarily poor or unsafe to drink.

'Tap water must be safe'

In the 269-page report, the assessors said it was unfortunate that nine were found to portray a disregard for drinking water quality management when they chose not to adhere to the call to be assessed.Addressing the media before the report was made public, Mabudafhasi said her department would pay attention to the municipalities which were not assessed, saying that it was paramount that tap water was safe.