Council honours exceptional individuals
During the last council sitting held at the Germiston Council Chambers on November 28, the Ekurhuleni council presented awards to three outstanding residents who excelled in their professions.
The honours went to Sindi Dlathu, Ashley “DJ Shimza” Raphala, and Bheki “iHashi Elimhlophe” Ngcobo.
Dlathu’s manager Eugene Matsetse accepted the award on her behalf.
Dlathu plays Lindiwe in the TV series The River and is the founder and patron of the Sindi Dlathu Foundation.
Raphala, aka DJ Shimza, is a star in the music industry who has released a string of hit tracks and played locally and abroad. His One Man Show made its international debut in 2019 and was well received by music lovers from different countries.
Raphala thanked the metro for supporting him and expressed pride in being able to represent Tembisa, Ekurhuleni and South Africa through his talent.
Ngcobo is no stranger to the music industry, with 30 years in the industry and 29 albums to his name.
He has been instrumental in the upliftment and recognition of traditional music in South Africa, and extended the gift of maskandi music to his family. His children and wife, Linah Ngcobo, formed the well-known group Amaponi. He was the recipient of the first Legacy Award.
Abongile Ntshatha and Xolisa Mpafa hit the ground running in the film industry.
Their film Sipho Dlamini won Best Actors Award at the Lake International Pan African Film Festival. Council congratulated them on their newfound success and looked forward to the local film industry reaching greater heights.
“We have the responsibility to recognise and acknowledge people of our city who continually make brilliant strides in their careers. Each story is inspiring and this can help our youth in their aspirations. As a council, we are proud of you and want to see you succeed even more,” said council speaker alderman Patricia Kumalo.
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Ekurhuleni helps victims of Pomona fire rebuild their lives
The Ekurhuleni metro allocated 430 shacks to the victims of the Pomona informal settlement fire on November 27.
The fire burned the settlement to ashes on September 30.
The metro accommodated and provided humanitarian services to the displaced residents at Benoni Community Hall, including food, social services and sanitation.
The shacks were rebuilt in a pattern that follows the metro’s programmme to reblock informal settlements.
The reblocking programme entails the alignment of streets so that basic municipal services can be provided, such as electrification, sanitation and piped water provision.
The space between the shacks has been increased to curb the rapid spread of fires and the roads have been widened to accommodate emergency vehicles.
Piped water is provided through eight communal taps, while sanitation and weekly waste removal services will also be provided.
Shirly Mogotle, one of the beneficiaries of the rebuilt shacks, said: “I still remember vividly the day the fire broke out. I lost everything and I did not know what to do and we were taken to the shelter.
“Today I am so grateful the City has assisted me to rebuild my livelihood.”
