People make news.  Without people, there would be no news.  The greater Endumeni has its fair share of colourful folk who light up our lives with their successes, tragedies and the contributions they make to society.

We take a quick snap-shot on just some of those who have elicited emotion – made us cry, made us gasp, made us say wow….

Mr Happiness, Eugene, gets a new lease on life

“Nelson Mandela gave us freedom, total freedom, but our brains are still constrained. We are reliant on the government for everything.”

That is the opinion of humanitarian and motivational speaker, Eugene Mahlaba, a self-proclaimed international life coach.
Originally from Nquthu (in Nondweni), he believes he is not just any teacher, but he “re-frames peoples’ mindsets”.

At 91, Vincent’s energy and drive put the younger generation to shame

Witty and articulate, 91-year-old Vincent Mseleku, was born in 1926 and is indeed a living legend.
Mr Mseleku, a senior person residing in Dundee was a father of four children, all of whom have passed on, including his wife

Justin Dekker receives KZN Young Achievers Award

Justin Dekker crowned his impressive showing in the world BMX Championships in the USA by winning a trophy at the KZN Young Achievers Award.
KZN Premier Willies Mchunu and other celebrities attended the awards, held in Durban earlier this month. The evening recognises young people in the Province who have achieved in their respected walks of life.
Dundee High matric student, Justin (18), is an epilepsy sufferer and was nominated for an award y Epilepsy SA for whom he is also an ambassador.

Trisha aims to make a difference through Miss Earth

Trisha Rajkumar is aiming to make a difference in the world around her and is doing so through the Miss Earth pageant.
No stranger to the pageant world, Trisha is excited about the Miss Earth brand because it doesn’t focus on beauty and clothes like the others.

“Miss Earth is not like anything I have ever been a part of before. It is a leadership and empowerment programme aimed at helping young women by giving them a platform to make a sustainable difference in their community. I was inspired to enter because I wanted to know more about the world and I wanted to know how I could do my part to help create a sustainable difference.”

Dylan is ready to run with the Bulls

He will always be a Sharks fan by heart, but for now, Dylan Maré will be a young Blue Bull.

The talented lock from Dundee High School has always been in love with the game from an early age and is now on the doorstep of playing it professionally.
Dylan has been awarded a full bursary to study at the University of Tuks where he will be playing for the Tuks Young Guns team. If he impresses during the trial period with the team, Dylan will be representing the u/19 Blue Bulls team.

Famous bodyguard spotted at Biltongfees

The Biltongfees had its fair share of fun, food and festivities, but it also had its fair share of intrigue. Unbeknownst to many who attended, South Africa’s very own 007 was also present.

Gert ‘Barries’ Barnard, a former personal bodyguard to four State Presidents, was also at the Biltongfees with his wife, Colleen Holdengarde-Barnard, though many may not have recognised him.

W/O Khambule is SA’s best FCS detective

Hard work, dedication and passion for the job has paid off for Dundee’s Warrant Officer Bonginkosi Khambule, as he was recognised for his achievements nationally.

W/O Khambule was recently voted as the Best Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit Investigating Officer in South Africa for the past financial year. The prestigious award was open to more than 2 500 members across the 176 FCS Units nationally.

Musical tribute to Thabo Manyathi at memorial service

Friends and comrades paid tribute to human rights activist, Thabo Manyathi, who died last week following a long illness.

Born in Dundee, Thabo was a constant struggle activist who in the 1980s was detained without trial for two years, during state of emergency.

A memorial service was held for him last week with many old comrades, like Mzwakhe Sithebe, and others who paid tribute. 

Unflappable Nomonde is used to handling a crisis or two

Nomonde Nzimakwe is the calm and collected voice the Courier hears when the newspaper calls for yet another comment or update on the water crisis in the district.
During the severe drought over the past two years which was accompanied by water outages in Dundee, Glencoe and Nquthu, Nomonde’s number was on the Courier’s ‘speed dial’ list. Seemingly unflappable, Nomonde handles queries in her stride, after hours and over weekends. That is the passion for the Communications Manager at the Umzinyathi District Municipality.

Berdine bids farewell to Dundee

It is with a heavy heart, fond memories and a new adventure awaiting her, that Berdine Prinsloo has left Dundee.

Berdine, who for the past 30 years has called Dundee home, has moved to Mthatha in the Eastern Cape with her fiancé, Justin Andrew.

Lone fighter Shirley Bujram killed in car crash

Shirley Bujram, a woman who virtually fought a lone battle to bring to justice her activist husband’s killers, was yesterday laid to rest.

Shirley was killed in a car accident on the Greytown road, near New Hanover, on Wednesday afternoon.  She and her sister-in-law were travelling back from Durban when their car hit a large pool of water following the heavy rain.

The car went out of control and crashed.  Shirley died at the scene while her sister-in-law sustained serious injuries and is still in critical care in hospital.

Members of the ANC, SACP and COSATU all gathered at the Bujram home on Cornhill Street for the funeral service where messages of support and tribute were read out. Shirley was revered as a brave fighter for the downtrodden just as her husband, Grishen, was.