Lakeside Estates residents are ready for action

By: Zanele Mfaba

Twitter: @mfaba_zanele

Email: Zanelemfaba1408@gmail.com

 

Residents of Lakeside Estates in the Vaal have been severely affected by cable and copper theft. The community is tired of this inconsiderate behavior by drug addicts who are known as nyaope boys in the area.

Image from Google

 Nyaope, which was discovered in 2006 is a mixture of low-grade heroin, cannabis products, antiretroviral drugs, and other materials added as bulking agents. It is a physically addictive mixture that gives in a sense of euphoria (excitement) and relaxation, but these effects soon wear off and another hit is required. This then leads the users to steal things to trade and get money for the nyaope.

 Since 2020 this has been an ongoing problem that is getting worse, and residents have tried different lengths unfortunately there has been no luck. This is one crime that South Africans are no longer new to, cable and copper theft.

 This has caused many problems for South Africans in terms of electricity supply, transport, traffic lights, and communication systems which are very important for South Africa’s economy.

South Africa’s economy is at a standstill because its revenues always have to replace the expensive infrastructure. The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) said cable theft costs South Africa’s economy from about R5 billion to R7 billion a year.  

 According to 360.globalspec.com, there are ways to prevent cable theft which are: Disguising cables and exposed copper, replacing typical cables with anti-theft copper wires and this has been tested worldwide. An anti-theft wire may be made of smaller tinned copper wires that are bunched together, with a ring of steel strands that surround the copper. This is proven to bring a lot of change in terms of cable and copper theft.

 Lakeside Estates residents comment on their experience with cable and copper theft:

 Mabontle Magqaza (22)

This has been happening for a very long time and it has now become even worse than before. This matter has been reported a lot but really nothing better has come out of it. Cable theft happens due to various reasons like easy accessibility and the high rate of unemployment. Cable theft leads to a lucrative business for criminals as they sell the stolen materials for cash. Life is a hassle now as this resulted in power outages, internet disruptions, and doing my schoolwork means I had to buy a power bank and always have to go charge it elsewhere.

 

Millicent Mahlobo (38)

Since 2020, meaning it's been 4 years since this has been occurring. The matter has been reported but sadly nothing serious was done to fix the cable theft in our neighborhood.  There is not enough security and the police are not doing enough to put culprits behind bars. Life has been rough as we experience non-stop power cuts and other neighborhoods don't have electricity, we practically stay in the dark causing an increase in the crime rate.

 

Beauty Mokholo (49)

To my knowledge, this has been happening for more than 5 years but started affecting us as the years went by. We have reported the matter to the police and it hasn’t been attended to, instead, we were told that as a community we need to catch the thieves and call them. Knowing the community’s anger, we would face mob justice if that were to happen. I believe this keeps on happening because the police do not do anything about it.

 Joyce Nhlapo (65)

The same electric cable is the one that supplies me with power from the transformer. I think this happens because of the unemployment we are facing as a country and now that there is load-shedding it gives the thieves more time to do this considering that the cables do not have power at that time. Life has led to a lot of adjustments now because we can’t use a lot of things like trains and when we try to get money from the ATMs there are a lot of network problems. I don’t want to have to go far to get my pension money.

Tshifularo Mashava, City Power CEO addresses the matter:

https://on.soundcloud.com/jr148

The neighborhood that faces cable and copper theft will usually feel more of its effects, so everyone who gets to witness is advised to report this crime by contacting Telkom’s crime hotline on 0800 124 000.

 Every South African is responsible for ensuring a guarded place to live, so the crime only brings the opposite of that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

A Grand Night for South Africa’s Onscreen Talent

 By: Zanele Mfaba

Twitter: @mfaba_zanele

Email: Zanelemfaba1408@gmail.com

 The Royalty Soapie Awards are an annual celebration of all major contributors to the South African daily TV drama entertainment industry. The awards were filled with glitz and glamour as they were held at The Galleria in Sandton, Johannesburg on the 25^th of March with the theme: An evening among the stars.

Image from Google

The awards were founded by actress, businesswoman, and philanthropist Winnie Ntshaba and this was the sixth year since these came into existence.

Image from Google

 “We are proud to celebrate the diverse caliber of nominations from across the country. The Royalty Soapie Awards aims to make the cast and crew feel that their work is noticed and it is valued,” said Winnie.

A link to more of what Winnie had to say:

https://on.soundcloud.com/EQ5eG

 Entertainers and officials came in numbers to celebrate the night. Comedian, actor, and businessman Mpho Popps Modikane kept the audience in laughter as the events MC.

 The audience was graced with an opening performance by the new-age performance poet and singer Busiswa singing hits like Banomoya and My Power.

 The order of doing the award ceremony is to set out awards into five categories that focus on different people in the industry. The first one was Technical Awards under that the first award was the Outstanding Editing Team presented by actor Mpho Sibeko and actress Mimi Mahlasela. The winner was Gomora telenovela. This gave the whole team a great start for the night considering the many nominations they had.

 The second category was Creative Awards and under that became the seventh award of the evening which was the Outstanding Make-up & Hair-styling presented by House of Zwide actor Wanda Zuma and actress Londeka Mchunu. The Estate won this award and the second performance was from the Umama hit maker Sjava.

 Homegrown & World Class Awards was the third category of the evening and The Estate actor Zenzelisiphesihle Sparky Xulu won for Outstanding Supporting Actor, which was presented by radio personality and aspiring musician Khutso Theledi and BU Mthembu.

 Nomfundo Moh graced the stage by performing her hit song Soft life. The show then went on to the Most Popular Show award under the Viewer’s Choice Awards presented by Miss SA Ndavi Nokeri and public vote competition winner Johanna Ramela. To accept the award was the 7 de Laan cast members who gave out a very heartfelt written speech thanking the viewers who have been watching the soapie for 23 years.

A look at what took place at ceremony:

Still under the Viewer’s Choice the award for Best Actress was won by Lunathi Mampofu from The River making her walk away with two awards for the evening.

 This was then all followed by the fourth performance of the evening by the Amapiano sensation ShaSha giving the audience hits like Ungowami and Tender Love.

 The last category was the Special Categories; The first award under this was the Social Cohesion award which was won by DiepCity and was accepted by director and producer Mandla N who said, “Young kid out there what’s yours will never miss you and obviously I encourage every production company, every broadcaster to give every single one that you can a chance just like they gave me, thank you.” 

 The Trailblazer award was won by creator and film producer Mfundi Vundla. He said that a lot of beautiful things like showing gratitude to actors like Joe Mafela, Sello Maake ka Ncube and more.

 The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to the well-deserving Gomora actress Connie Chiume. The founder Winnie made a big announcement that the Royalty Soapie Awards are going to open entries for productions across Africa.

Screenshot from Twitter

 The last award was won by Binnelanders for Outstanding Daily TV Drama. Hip Hop star K.O then closed off the show with South Africa’s favourites CaraCara and SETE.

 2024 is set to be even better with the big change that’s coming to the celebration of African arts and culture.

Here is what the two hosts from the red carpet and stage had to say about the ceremony:

Screenshot from Instagram

Screenshot from Facebook

 Some of the comments from viewers at home:

Edith Radebe (45)

Wow, what a glamorous night at the 6th Annual Royalty Soapie Awards! The red carpet looks were absolutely stunning, some of my favorite looks were from Katlego Danke, Thembi Seete ShaSha, and the talent on display was top-notch. Congratulations to all the winners, and kudos to the organizers for putting together such a fantastic show. I can't wait for next year's awards.

 

Lesego Mofokeng (22)

Watching the 6th Annual Royalty Soapie Awards was a real treat for soap opera fans like me! The production quality was top-notch, and the presenters added a fun and entertaining element to the ceremony. I'm so happy for all the winners and can't wait to see how the soap opera landscape evolves in the coming year. #RoyaltySoapieAwards2023

 

 

 

Matshidiso Habaka (24)

I tuned in to the 6th Annual Royalty Soapie Awards, I was blown away by the outstanding performances especially Busiswa and ShaSha's performances and the emotional acceptance speeches. It's great to see the soap opera industry getting the recognition it deserves. The awards show was a rollercoaster of emotions, and I'm already rewatching my favorite moments.