ORANGE FARM - Gangsterism at two Gauteng schools is being looked into following several violent incidents in which pupils have been attacked and stabbed. The provincial department of education visited Thetha Secondary and Vulanindlela Secondary schools on Wednesday, situated in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg.A grade 11 learner was stabbed at Vulanindlela Secondary on Wednesday, while an incident on Monday saw a group of learners attack another learner at Thetha Secondary.Both incidents are gang-related. It's a quiet and chilly morning in Orange Farm, just outside Johannesburg. School children in Orange Farm said they were worried about gangsterism that's affecting learning and teaching. A number of pupils from Thetha Secondary School in Orange Farm have confirmed that gangsterism had infiltrated their school. Several known gangs in the area have recruited learners from this school, as well as the neighbouring Vulanindlela Secondary School. The community says they are fed up and, to an extent, have begun taking the law into their own hands to deal with these gang leaders. In recent weeks, there have been several people killed in what EWN understands to have been a retaliation by frustrated community members in dealing with this pressing issue of gangsterism. Orange Farm is the murder capital of Gauteng, recording the most murders in the province in the latest crime stats.For now, both schools have reopened, with JMPD and private security present. Sections Residents in Johannesburg should brace for planned water outages next week as Johannesburg Water conducts critical maintenance and infrastructure upgrades The water utility has scheduled interruptions across multiple areas Residents are expected to face low pressure or complete water cuts during the affected periods ALSO READ: Gauteng Braces for Cold Front: Joburg Emergency Services Issue Winter Alert Johannesburg Water has announced that Fleurhof suburb will undergo an 8-hour water shutdown on Tuesday The outage is necessary to install a new pipe into the city’s existing water infrastructure Joburg Water stated that this maintenance is part of broader efforts to enhance long-term service delivery to residents “Residents in the area will experience low pressure and no water supply during the maintenance period,” Joburg Water confirmed in a public statement The utility has assured the public that they are taking steps to mitigate the inconvenience Further details about alternative water supply options are expected closer to the date another major disruption is scheduled in Region G This interruption is due to the relocation of a 300mm water pipeline Residents in the affected area will again experience either very low water pressure or a complete loss of water during the work Johannesburg Water plans to share information about alternative supply routes or emergency relief closer to the maintenance period These planned outages come on the back of similar disruptions across the metro with Johannesburg Water recently executing 42-hour and 11-hour shutdowns in other areas for routine maintenance and Eskom-related work Level 1 water restrictions remain active across Johannesburg These restrictions have been in place since 8 November 2024 as part of the city’s broader water conservation efforts Johannesburg Water continues to monitor consumption levels closely implementing a restriction programme that includes halting pumping at key pump stations and towers This controlled approach helps maintain system stability and prevent emergency outages “To manage high consumption and support the recovery of our systems Johannesburg Water will continue to enforce the restriction programme according to the separate schedule,” the utility said While water outages are inconvenient, they are often necessary for maintaining the reliability and quality of the city’s water system Johannesburg Water emphasized that these upgrades and repairs are part of an ongoing effort to prevent future unplanned outages and extend the lifespan of the city’s infrastructure Residents are encouraged to remain patient particularly as the city navigates long-term water supply challenges linked to climate change and website in this browser for the next time I comment ​The City of Johannesburg has designated the Greater Orange Farm region as a priority intervention area and long-term development programs and strategies guided by a clear vision for a brighter future The City's strategy to transform Orange Farm into a hub of opportunity focuses on developing essential infrastructure and enhancing the capacity of residents to seize new opportunities The Orange Farm Turnkey Programme relates to creating neighbourhoods through spatial interventions including: ·       Infrastructure development basic services and social facilities and improving mobility by investing in new linkages internal road infrastructure and public transport To attract investment and new opportunities into the area through partnerships and by growing local informal and micro enterprises ·       Building the human capacity within Orange Farm through improving the physical health As the infrastructure arm of the City of Johannesburg the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) has been spearheading the implementation of the multi-disciplinary turnkey projects in Orange Farm valued at R625 million Lakeside infrastructure development and public works to be completed the JDA’s catalytic interventions will see 2.5km of roads being upgraded from gravel to tar in Wards 1,2,3,4,5 & 131 The overall scope of works includes the re-gravelling of access roads public environment upgrades and streetlights The JDA has also commenced with other projects within Ward 3 projects namely on 16th and Moyane Drive public environment upgrades and the continuation of stormwater upgrades on Ingonyama Street Both these projects have a completion date of the end of 2024 Orange Farm public transport facility on track situated at the corner of Link and Saint roads the facility will also feature greening and landscaping The R55-million facility will meet the evolving needs of public transport in the area offering a safe and inclusive commuter experience for people with disabilities the landscaping will feature street furniture a security officer post with a mini kitchen Streetlighting and perimeter lights will ensure safety within a suitable radius of the facility Chris Hani sports complex challenges to be resolved The JDA has been dedicated to implementing the Chris Hani Sports Complex project on behalf of the City's Community Development Department the Chris Hani multipurpose Centre has been temporarily halted due to cash flow issues faced by the main contractor The JDA is actively working to resolve these challenges The development objectives of the Chris Hani Sports Complex include: ·       Enhancing the complex with additional sports facilities ·       Promoting sports excellence among youth ·       Improving integration between the sports complex and the surrounding precinct ·       Enhancing the visibility of the complex with defined links Completion of this landmark facility will transform it into a hub of sporting excellence The project includes the construction of a multipurpose hall the JDA has initiated the construction of the Drieziek Recreation Park This development marks a significant milestone in enhancing residents' quality of life highlighting the City's commitment to community wellness and social cohesion The Drieziek Recreation Park will offer a dedicated space for families “The JDA is committed to transforming Orange Farm into a thriving community with enhanced infrastructure and opportunities for all residents The Orange Farm Turnkey Programme projects are pivotal steps towards realizing this vision,” said Siyabonga Genu JDA’s Executive Manager for Project Implementation “We are dedicated to overcoming challenges such as those faced by the Chris Hani Sports Complex We deeply empathize with the community affected by this delay The JDA is fully committed to resolving these challenges swiftly to ensure the project resumes and delivers the much-needed sports facilities and opportunities for our youth and community,” he noted.​ To stay informed about the latest developments in the City Picture: Sphamandla Dlamini/Eyewitness News JOHANNESBURG - Some residents of Orange Farm were forced to evacuate their homes in the middle of the night due to heavy rains Following an orange level 5 warning for heavy rainfall by the South African Weather Service (SAWS) low-lying areas around Gauteng were severely hit by the storm ALSO READ: Orange Farm floods: Residents call on local govt to fast track maintenance A family in Extension 8 of the area said that in the last two days, they needed to seek shelter from relatives because water began seeping into their home at alarming speeds during the night.   The family said upon returning all their furniture was ruined including big appliances.   "I don’t know how to explain it because the whole house, there was mud inside the house, beds were wet, cupboards are falling down. We couldn’t even sleep in the house.”   The residents said they're worried about their health and safety, as the weather service had forecast more rainfall over the weekend.   after a pupil was stabbed on the school premises on 14 April 2025 in gang-related violence at the Orange Farm school JOHANNESBURG - Concerns over gangsterism are once again emerging in Gauteng’s murder capital of Orange Farm leaving many residents fed up with the lack of policing Gang leaders in the region are now focusing their attention on recruiting learners from schools resulting in violence spilling over into these schools Two schools had to be closed this week following gang-related stabbing incidents ALSO READ: Orange Farm matriculant concerned about gangsterism at his school Thetha Secondary school in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, is one of two schools that had to be closed this week after a learner was stabbed on Monday. It’s understood that on Friday a learner, who is gang-affiliated, was attacked by another learner from a rival gang. On Monday, the learner who was attacked came to school with some of his gang members. A matriculant from Thetha Secondary explained: "He came back to school with his friends carrying knives. When they got to the school, they made chaos and did what they had to do and ran to the office and did whatever they wanted to do." A grade 11 learner was stabbed during the process and rushed to a local clinic. According to community members, gangsters in the area are recruiting learners to distribute drugs. The Orange Farm community is frustrated about gangs terrorising people in the area. According to sources in the region, the community has resorted to rallying together to deal with gang leaders, labelling the police station as ineffective. Orange Farm recorded 69 murders between October and December, the most in Gauteng. On Wednesday, a learner at Vulaindlela Secondary School in the area was stabbed several times in what the Department of Education has labelled as gang-related. School governing body member Patrick Mahlambithe has blamed police for the situation. “We have a lax kind of police station - ineffective, very ineffective. When you go there, they tell you that they have no resources to carry out their duties. Crime is getting high, and nothing much is done to curb crime, so that is the challenge we have.” JOHANNESBURG - An 18-year-old boy from Orange Farm has appeared before the Vereeniging Magistrates Court on a charge of murder for allegedly poisoning his three-year-old brother.   The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the mother of the two boys searched for her youngest when she noticed that he had not come back home last week Friday.   However, one of her other sons made a grim discovery when he saw his older brother placing the child's body inside a dustbin while he was herding goats in a nearby field.   The matter was heard on Wednesday and postponed to next week for a formal bail application.   "It is alleged that on the 31st of January 2025, the 18-year-old fed his three-year-old brother poison and placed his body in a dustbin," said NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.   "A day after the incident, the accused handed himself over to the police and allegedly confessed to poisoning his brother when he was arrested." JOHANNESBURG - Community members in Orange Farm have taken the law into their own hands committing acts of mob justice on people allegedly involved in gangs in the area dubbed Gauteng’s murder capital The community says it's fed up with local police claiming they are under resourced and ineffective in addressing rampant crime The claims date back to 2021 when former police minister Bheki Cele addressed residents about the police station and promised to address allegations that they were under resourced ALSO READ: Residents in Joburg's Orange Farm worried about gangsterism trickling into schools According to Orange Farm residents, several men, suspected to be gang members, were killed by the community in an act of mob justice on Wednesday. Videos supplied to Eyewitness News show a large mob attacking a man who lies motionless on the ground. One resident, who spoke anonymously, says they have been left to deal with the issue of gangsterism the way they know best. "Yesterday, [Wednesday] nine young men were killed from the gang 925s in front of police because now the community is fed up." Patrick Mahlambi of the SA National Civic Organisation says policing in Orange Farm is a concern. "I don’t know whether one police station is insufficient but even with this one police station, it’s ineffective because they claim they do not have resources, so if you say you do not have resources, how are you expected to carry out your duties? Gangs have now infiltrated schools in the area, with several stabbing incidents recorded this week. JOHANNESBURG - A matriculant from Thetha Secondary School in Orange Farm is worried about gangsterism that has infiltrated the school.A Grade 11 learner was stabbed on the school premises and rushed to a local clinic earlier this week in what’s been described as a gang-related incident another learner at the neighbouring Vulanindlela Secondary School was also stabbed negatively impacting his all-important matric year."It’s difficult because now we’re about to go into the Easter holidays and we haven’t covered the content yet ALSO READ: Gangsterism at 2 Orange Farm schools in spotlight after recent attacks on pupils JOHANNESBURG - Residents affected by inclement weather in Orange Farm are calling on local government to fast-track maintenance as they battle with flooded homes The call comes after heavy rains caused severe damage to homes and roads in the area READ: Orange Farm residents assessing damage to homes after flooding Residents believe the local government’s inability to maintain the drainage system is one of the reasons why rainwater ends up flooding their homes. "There is a furrow that's not bring taken care of, it's so dirty and it's got weeds inside and that blocks the water to move freely that is why the water overflows into the houses." Picture: Thandoluhle Ngcobo/Eyewitness News JOHANNESBURG - Some Gauteng residents have been assessing the extent of flood damage to their homes Earlier this week, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) issued an orange level 5 warning for heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms, affecting parts of the province and country. Orange Farm is one of the areas that have been badly impacted, with residents saying the rainfall had left many stranded, their homes damaged and livelihoods disrupted. The rain, which started on Sunday last week, has shown no signs of easing, with some streets in the area covered with water.  Residents told EWN that they woke up to find their homes, furniture and belongings ruined and essential services disrupted. The flooding has also raised concerns about the safety and health of residents. And while a low chance of rain is expected on Wednesday, SAWS has forecast more rainfall for the weekend. Please check your email and enter your one time pin below:   Open in Gmail Bulelani Balabala is an award-winning entrepreneur and business speaker based in South Africa He is passionate about developing entrepreneurs and driving their participation in the economy which offers integrated solutions for corporate South Africa and the township economy and founder of the Township Entrepreneurs Alliance aimed at empowering small businesses in township and rural areas It has directly impacted more than 80,000 small businesses in the formal and informal sectors creating opportunities for growth and prosperity His advocacy has led to the facilitation of funding opportunities for more than 430 small enterprises catalysing their entrepreneurial journey and fostering economic resilience South Africa’s youth unemployment rate has surged to alarming levels with millions of young people facing uncertain futures According to the latest report, youth unemployment stands at a staggering 46.3%, a statistic that paints a bleak picture for the country’s future if left unchecked. However, even in the face of these challenges, there are countless stories of resilience and innovation emerging from townships across South Africa. advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads a township where I recently encountered an inspiring young entrepreneur by the name of Sipho affectionately known as “Tuba” in his community Sipho’s journey is a powerful testament to the untapped potential that exists within our townships His story is not just about entrepreneurship but about shifting perspectives on where opportunities lie we look for business prospects in glamorous or traditionally affluent environments as I’ve come to learn through my encounters with township entrepreneurs Entrepreneurs like Sipho remind us that identifying and solving local problems Sipho’s entrepreneurial journey began out of necessity an older gentleman in his community offered him advice that would change his life The suggestion was simple: clean the bins of local residents Municipal garbage collection already existed and waste pickers were a common sight in his area Why would anyone pay for a service that seemed redundant He realised that while bins were being collected they weren’t being cleaned and many residents he decided to start his own bin cleaning service what made him stand out was his ability to build trust with his clients who were often elderly women who allowed him access to their homes to collect and clean their bins This relationship of trust became the cornerstone of his business What’s fascinating about Sipho’s story is how he has managed to turn what seemed like a menial task into a sustainable business he works just one day a week and earns R3,500 by cleaning bins in his community By targeting a specific number of households and offering a service that addresses a real need This brings his monthly earnings to R14,000 this is no small feat in an environment where youth unemployment is rampant Sipho’s story offers several important lessons for both township entrepreneurs and those looking to support them it underscores the importance of identifying local problems and creating solutions we overlook opportunities that are right in front of us because they don’t fit our preconceived notions of what a successful business looks like even something as simple as cleaning bins can become a profitable venture if approached with the right mindset his story highlights the importance of trust and community relationships in township businesses By building a rapport with his clients and offering a reliable service Sipho has been able to create a loyal customer base This is a key takeaway for any entrepreneur but stories like Sipho’s remind us that there is hope The township economy is brimming with potential more young people can follow in Sipho’s footsteps creating businesses that not only sustain them but also contribute to the growth and development of their communities As we reflect on the challenges facing small businesses and entrepreneurs in townships it’s important to remember that the solutions won’t always come from traditional sources the greatest opportunities lie in the most unexpected places By shifting our focus away from glamour and towards value we can help more entrepreneurs like Sipho to succeed and begin to address the broader issue of youth unemployment in South Africa Let’s continue to support these young innovators but with the tools and resources they need to turn their ideas into sustainable businesses the future of South Africa’s economy depends on our ability to unlock the potential of its townships ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " South Africa (04 December 2024) – Sports is not only an enjoyable pastime but also a powerful vehicle for fostering teamwork and a sense of community empowering youth to dream big and propelling rising stars to reach unimaginable heights Thanks to the construction of a new indoor astroturf arena more budding sportsmen and soccer enthusiasts will be able to immerse themselves in some action-packed outdoor fun Overflowing with excitement, Afrika Tikkun was proud to share about the launch of the third Cruyff Court in partnership with the Johan Cruyff Foundation right at the heart of its centre in Orange Farm This excellent facility is more than just a sports field; it is a symbol of hope and opportunity for the youth in the community the Cruyff Court will play a vital role in fostering skills development we believe in the power of sports to transform lives and this court exemplifies our commitment to creating opportunities for young people to thrive,” Afrika Tikkun said The exciting initiative underscores the power of sports to transform lives and build stronger communities The organisation extends its heartfelt thanks to the Johan Cruyff Foundation for bringing this incredible resource to Orange Farm thereby driving sports development and building brighter futures Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id" "ab1a62c50f6ae7f41906a115c3f6a067" );document.getElementById("d2d9e305b5").setAttribute( "id" Would you like to receive truly phenomenal inspirational and good thing stories right to your inbox Then subscribe to our weekly GoodThingsGuy newsletter today I accept GTG’s Privacy Policy GoodThingsGuy is the home of everything good and those are the things that really matter We believe that there is good news all around us and over 1 million readers a month agree with us GoodThingsGuy was officially launched on the 1 August 2015 in order to only promote good news inspirational stories and promote only positive multi-platform media company that distills unique content across multiple media platforms We consider individual and corporate contributions through the website or mail us directly here. Be sure you have your GPS enabled and try again Home | South Africa Several people have been gunned down in Orange Farm This after a shooting incident occurred in the early hours of this morning at Mokokotlong informal settlement Reports indicate that a dispute escalated into violence Four others were injured with two receiving medical attention The suspect allegedly shot himself and was rushed to hospital but he died on arrival SAPS spokesperson Brenda Muridili says police are investigating the incident and has registered appropriate charges “It is reported that one of the victims went to the local tavern to buy alcohol but he found that it was already closed He then argued with the tavern owner and went back home The owner followed him and entered the house and shot randomly at everyone killing seven people including a three-year-old boy Four people survived the shooting but a one-year-old and 31-year-old sustained injuries The Provincial Serious and Violent Crimes Unit is investigating seven counts of murder four counts of attempted murder and an inquest.” The family of five of the seven people, who were shot and killed in the Orange Farm tragedy says they are struggling to forgive the perpetrator The family members were shot dead in the early hours of Sunday morning The incident is alleged to have been sparked by a fight that ensued between a tavern owner and male patron The family was having a lobola ceremony when one of the visitors allegedly had an exchange of words with a tavern owner The tavern owner allegedly followed the male patron and on arrival fired shots randomly and killed seven people I still see this man who shot people as I watched The tavern owner later turned the gun on himself Church leaders in Orange Farm are calling for a gun-free society “We have a serious matter about guns killing people It was evening time when he went to the gate to lock then somebody came and shot him,” says Uniting Reformed Church of South Africa’s Reverend Sello Motsiri the community of Dalibhunga is calling for strict regulations on taverns in the area because this is something we only see on TV And this is not right because it has affected a lot of people not only the victims’ families but the community at large reducing time I think it would help because currently people sit and drink until 3 a.m.,” says one of the community members While the community of Dalibhunga describes the alleged perpetrator as someone who was not remorseful about five kilometres from the crime scene say they have not known him to be a violent person I thought it was at the filling station because it gets robbed from time to time He would even give me piece jobs,” says a neighbour “I’ve always been a ‘greenie beanie’ (known colloquially as someone who is environmentally conscious) so it frustrated me when the illegal dumping site in Orange Farm Illegal dumping is widespread in most townships but so is the lack of productive space for things like playgrounds for kids food security programmes and just beautiful spaces where residents can have picnics or informal social events I have made it my life’s work to create these spaces and to begin in my home town.”_Fazlyn Toeffie a community leader from Orange Farm and now learner on our Out of School Youth programme offered in Orange Farm by facilitator Jabulani’s relationship with JA South Africa spans about 20 years He has always been an advocate for our programmes after himself attending one of our programmes he recommended the JA South Africa Primary School programmes to other schools in Orange Farm which resulted in us offering the JA More than Money programme to schools in Orange Farm Jabulani once again advocated for our programmes and assisted our facilitators to mobilise out of work out of school youth in Orange Farm to participate in the 20-week programme 68 learners have been exposed to our experiential entrepreneurial skills development programme  (36 are attending the programme currently running in Orange Farm) Jabulani has always been a very community-minded individual so when he came across a group of young primary school learners being housed for an aftercare programme in an icy community center during winter he felt it his duty to find a solution to obtaining better resources for the programme “They were doing amazing work at the Havho Mutshila Community Centre but how can a learner concentrate or stay healthy in such terrible conditions?” Jabulani goes on to say; “I then met with centre manager together with eight other concerned community members registered a co-operative called Sidingulwazi (seeking knowledge in IsiZulu) Together we set out to address a number of community challenges: The lack of resources for the aftercare programme that served such a critical need in the community; addressing the matter of illegal dumping in Orange Farm; teaching the co-operative members and the community at large the value of recycling; earning an income for ourselves and providing a source of income for unemployed community members.” Sidingulwazi opened its doors on spring day of 2014 – an apt day to launch a waste management business the team spent a week rolling out a cleaning campaign where 120 community members were taught the value of waste by exposing them to recycling Government’s Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) was also introduced to the community during this campaign During the campaign the Co-operative made a profit of R5,000 which was invested into upgrades of the community centre ahead of the winter months The community’s cleaning campaign resulted in four dumping sites being cleared of waste Two community groups representing about 30 families have adopted two of the open spaces and are using it as sustenance farms where onions and carrots are being farmed to feed these 30 families The third space is being used as a children’s recreational space where the installation of play equipment and maintenance is an ongoing project run a food waste programme at the fourth open space protective uniforms and Occupational Health and Safety training programmes to 10 team members to ensure the success of the programme It is clear that Jabulani is a beacon of success in Orange Farm and uses his network to benefit the community as a whole “The JA South programme has helped me develop my interpersonal skills in such a way that I am now more comfortable with delegating responsibilities to team members and as a result The market research session was an eye opener for me I thought I knew exactly what the market (my community) wanted because I was so invested in the needs of my community the programme taught me to ask the right questions of my clients resulting in a better service offering to them.” We will continue to follow Jabulani’s success and wish this exemplary entrepreneur well on his journey as an #OpportunityMaker Fazlyn@jasa.co.za Gauteng education MEC Matome Chiloane has condemned the recent incidents of gang-related violence that have affected Thetha Secondary School and Vulanindlela Secondary School guardians and community members to work with the Department to instil discipline and support efforts to protect the future of our learners Our learners deserve an environment free from fear and violence,” Chiloane said in a statement on Wednesday This comes after a Grade 11 learner from Vulanindlela Secondary School was stabbed and rushed to the clinic on Wednesday morning A Grade 10 perpetrator was apprehended by school patrollers and is currently in police custody.  In a separate incident at Thetha Secondary School a series of events was triggered by a stabbing incident in the community on Friday involving a learner and a known gang member The department said this appeared to be an act of retaliation with gang members targeting the same learner at the school premises on Monday morning “No fatalities of school learners who may have been involved in both incidents were reported,” said the MEC the department is working closely with law enforcement agencies to verify all reported incidents and suspects to ensure the safety of all learners and educators.”  Schooling has been disrupted in the area due to the heightened tensions and ongoing safety concerns Chilone said the department and the SA Police Service have taken steps to stabilise the situation by increasing police visibility Employee wellness and psychosocial support teams have been deployed to provide necessary support to learners and educators affected by these incidents The MEC also said that the governing bodies of both schools would suspend and initiate disciplinary processes against identified learners Pupils have been encouraged to return to class as police have committed to patrolling their schools we unequivocally condemn all acts of violence and gang-related activity on and around school premises We are committed to ensuring that our schools remain safe spaces for learning and development,” Chiloane said “Any learner found to be involved in gang-related violence will be suspended with immediate effect and subjected to formal disciplinary proceedings.” We have detected that you are using extensions to block ads Please support us by disabling these ads blocker ​The Chris Hani Sports Complex in Orange Farm is progressing towards its vision of being a hub for sporting excellence the complex is set to redefine sports infrastructure in the region Implemented by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) on behalf of the City of Johannesburg's Community Development Department this project exemplifies the City's commitment to building resilient The Chris Hani Sports Complex has been designed to provide Olympic-standard facilities and an integrated sports precinct that prioritises sustainability Key elements of the design approach include: The project has already achieved several key construction milestones: The complex development will drive socio-economic growth This aligns with the JDA's commitment to fostering the development of local business empowerment the Chris Hani Sports Complex includes upgrades to Moyane Drive and 16th Street These improvements will feature safe pedestrian crossings JDA CEO Themba Mathibe expressed enthusiasm about the progress stating: “The Chris Hani Sports Complex embodies the JDA's vision of creating spaces that are not only functional but also inspire community pride and support talent development We are thrilled to see this project taking shape and we are confident it will serve as a cornerstone for sporting excellence in Orange Farm." the Chris Hani Sports Complex will be a catalyst for youth development and community upliftment in the Stretford District Node providing a space where the next generation of sporting talent can thrive one of the survivors of the mass shooting in Orange Farm that claimed 7 lives sharing the events that unfolded on 13 October 2024 Please note that the following story is of a sensitive nature JOHANNESBURG - One of the survivors of the mass shooting in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, which claimed seven lives has shared harrowing details of the incident a disagreement between a tavern owner and a patron over closing time escalated into a deadly attack are still fighting for their lives in hospital ALSO READ: Gauteng police investigating murder of seven people in Orange Farm the sister of one of the victims who pleaded for her children’s lives before being shot begging the tavern owner to spare her life It's understood that following the disagreement the tavern owner followed the patron home and opened fire at a family lobola celebration the family and the community of Mokokotlong are left devastated The tavern has now been burnt down after being looted by angry community members the family said it’s an open-and-shut case [WATCH] What is left of the tavern in question.@MongeziKoko pic.twitter.com/k3oCghq0uR who shot and killed seven people on Sunday before turning the gun on himself have fled the community amid concerns over retaliation The community is angry over Juju Rodney Mathebula’s actions which marred the Matsiona family’s lobola celebrations after he burst into their home and gunned down family members eyewitnesses allege that Mathebula stormed out of his tavern after an altercation with patrons recounts waking up to the sound of gunshots The tragedy unfolded after Matsiona’s brother celebrated a successful lobola negotiation decided to continue the festivities at the nearby tavern things took a deadly turn when Mathebula refused to sell them alcohol the sole adult survivor of the tragic incident is struggling to come to terms with the loss of his three-year-old son who was shot and killed in cold blood right before his eyes Other survivors have also shared harrowing accounts of playing dead to save their lives during the rampage regularly threatening patrons with his firearm Juju Mathebula later died in the hospital after turning the gun on himself YNews visited his abandoned home after his family fled the township due to threats of retaliation from the community patrolling the bereaved family’s home amid concerns of escalating violence Forensic and Crime expert, Calvin Rafadi, has linked the deadly trend of mass shootings in South Africa to the government’s failure to curb unlicensed and homemade firearms This comes after another recent devastating mass shooting incident in Lusikisiki Rafadi attributes the violence to a combination of factors including the influence of cults and radical traditional leaders who misleadingly promote murder as a means to spiritual power  “We need to regulate our religions,” he emphasised “There are many churches that play a key role in the upbringing of a society,” he added gun violence in the country has increased significantly Rafadi has urged the government to tackle underlying social issues Written by: Naomi Kobbie JOHANNESBURG - Survivors of a mass shooting in Orange Farm The deadly incident unfolded in the early hours of Sunday after a dispute between a tavern owner and a patron over the closing time and alcohol sales The owner allegedly followed the patron to a family lobola celebration and opened fire Among those he killed were five family members and a three-year-old boy before he turned the gun on himself Survivor Lauren Maisha explained: "We can’t even stay here he threatened to use petrol on us and every sound we hear in the evenings AVBOB celebrates a milestone by rewarding its members on a large scale JOHANNESBURG - Even if he is dead, his one life can’t compare to the 7 we have lost. That’s the word from the friends and family of the victims of Sunday morning’s deadly rampage in Orange Farm on hearing that the shooter, a local tavern owner, took his own life. The massacre is another in a growing list of deadly mass shootings that raises more questions about gun control in the country. eNCA reporter Hloni Mtimkulu was in the Dalibhunga informal settlement just outside Orange Farm and filed this report in the video above. ORANGE FARM - A family member who survived a mass shooting in Orange Farm has blamed the slow response of emergency service for the deaths of seven people Speaking for the first time after the incident relatives of the victims detailed how it took a harrowing seven hours for help to arrive on the scene A tavern owner in Mokokotlong informal settlement went on a shooting spree at a specific house in the area including children following a dispute with a patron on Sunday morning READ: Orange Farm mass shooting survivor recalls her sister 'begging the tavern owner to spare her life' said some of her family members were still alive and fighting for their lives when they called for help but the delayed arrival of emergency services sealed their fate If emergency responders had arrived when they were called we wouldn't be mourning today," Maisha said The community is outraged as they mourn the loss and wait for answers Authorities are still investigating and the motive behind the attack remains unknown [WATCH] Lauren Maisha, 1 of the survivors of the mass shooting in Orange Farm that claimed 7 lives, has shared the harrowing events that unfolded. Maisha explains how the shooter shot a 3-year-old in the forehead before killing a disabled child after he “laughed”.@MongeziKoko https://t.co/VvRJO3wloB pic.twitter.com/wGwmPVOcgt Eskom announced on Thursday that the electricity supply in Orange Farm has been disconnected due to non-payment and the non-purchasing of electricity tokens The power utility said approximately 2,686 would be affected “The disconnection of customers who are not paying for their services has been intensified across the Gauteng province in Eskom’s areas of supply and such operations will be extended to other areas as per our operational plan,” a statement issued on Thursday reads The entity stated that it had instituted these measures to ensure that all customers pay for the services which Eskom rendered “and to ascertain our sustainability as a business” “Orange Farm is one of the areas that have a high rate of non-payment and non-buying of electricity and the utility is not in a position to continuously provide services as the non-payment/purchasing of electricity contributes to increased energy and revenue losses coupled with increased operational costs.” Eskom said the disconnections came after extensive engagements were held with residents requesting them to pay for services we are of the view that it is in our best interest to continue building and maintaining our assets while we collect revenue so that we can invest back into infrastructure development.” The power utility said its operations of conducting audits and disconnections in Lakeside extension 2 were “violently stopped” by residents in the area “Eskom employees were chased out of the area while they were busy with their duties consequently compromising their safety and the integrity of the network.” Affected customers are urged to visit Eskom’s local offices or contact the call centre on 0860 037 566 for payment arrangements or to deal with issues affecting their accounts or other electricity-related issues in the area #EskomGauteng #MediaStatement Eskom disconnects supply in Orange Farm (Vaal Area) @Mooivaalmedia @caxmag @News24 pic.twitter.com/6eciTFhtAA — Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) October 31, 2019 Read original story on citizen.co.za Tim Abaa is visionary farmer and community leader dedicated to teaching people of all ages how to grow their own food and nourish their communities Tim Abaa has built an enterprise that not only produces fresh organic food but also empowers the next generation of agripreneurs his mission includes fighting poverty and hunger by teaching others to grow their own food in ways that preserve the environment and enhance food security “I call Orange Farm the capital of organic farming in Africa,” Abaa says proudly the climate and topography are perfect for agriculture so finding myself here was the best environment to pursue my passion.” Abaa quickly recognised the challenges faced by small-scale farmers in his community many of whom practised subsistence farming that barely met their daily needs “One of the biggest problems I came across was the hand-to-mouth type of farming – it’s not sustainable,” he explains “Sustainability is one of the most abused words in the world but true sustainability requires knowledge he launched informal training sessions in 2012 he has established over 5 000 backyard food gardens across Orange Farm and expanded his reach to other provinces in South Africa His training emphasises agroecology and bio-intensive agriculture teaching farmers how to maximise production with limited resources “Many of the people we work with come from townships and rely on social grants or live below the poverty line Our goal is to bring sustainability through agriculture His efforts start with the youngest members of the community Through an innovative early childhood development (ECD) programme he teaches children aged three to six the value of growing their own organic produce and the importance of trees – helping them grow up in a food-conscious society.” Abaa’s educational initiatives don’t stop there He also runs an agripreneurship programme for youth equipping them with the skills to become changemakers in the agricultural value chain The programme covers everything from organic farming techniques to enterprise development ensuring participants are prepared to build sustainable livelihoods Central to his farming philosophy is the concept of minimum space “Our townships don’t have large pieces of land so we have to be creative and make the most of what we have,” Abaa explains and an orchard – all coexisting in a carefully designed “Permaculture is a design system that helps us boost production while conserving resources and landscape design to maintain fertility and prevent erosion after years of training through other organisations Abaa took a bold step and launched his AgriSeta-accredited training academy the academy trained over 200 farmers in Orange Farm “Our academy caters to everyone – from ECD kids and high school learners to varsity students and community members and the intergenerational exchange of knowledge is incredible.” Abaa is a firm believer in the power of learning and collaboration While he believes that agriculture is wonderful prospective farmers should do their research and learn from their successes and failures and classes and networking as much as you can “We’re sharing knowledge freely because we don’t know how long we’ll be here Option 1: Click here to listen on Spotify (all mobile and other devices). Option 2: Click here to listen on any Apple device.  READ NEXT: Kitso’s hemp and gin farm: Where innovation meets nature Sign up for Mzansi Today: Your daily take on the news and happenings from the agriculture value chain This week's agricultural events include Food For Mzansi's Nampo Bothaville lunchtime conversations Deloitte's conversation with agricultural experts With 21 global awards in the first six years of its existence Food For Mzansi is much more than an agriculture publication unashamedly saluting the unsung heroes of South African agriculture We believe in the power of agriculture to promote nation building and social cohesion by telling stories that are often overlooked by broader society Contact usOffice: +27 21 879 1824News: info@foodformzansi.co.zaAdvertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za Go back or visit Home Page © 2010 - 2025 | iAfrica.com LLC. All rights reserved. JOHANNESBURG - Illegal water connections are responsible for a large portion of the billions of rands lost every year Joburg Water brought this to light on Thursday during a tour of its deep south system The water utility spends R9 billion a year on water where R60 million is lost from Region G because of illegal connections This reservoir supplies water to several areas in the southern part of Johannesburg Joburg Water's Region G operations manager said that tens of thousands of households were connecting their water illegally "There’s a number of informal settlements that we have identified in Region G that are connected illegally into our system Each and every informal settlement has got a certain number of households but those that we have identified with illegal connections I'm talking about the number of households [PICTURES] Joburg Water’s Orange Farm reservoir. The utility is holding a media tour to its Deep South System which consists of seven reservoirs including the Orange Farm reservoir. pic.twitter.com/cP0JFQDh9O Mass killings have wreaked havoc in numerous South African communities in recent months. Along with the devastating murder of 18 people in Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape province on 28 September other attacks have taken a heavy toll on human life We don’t know the exact reasons for each of these incidents But there can be no doubt that the widespread availability of firearms to those involved in crime makes mass killings more possible and more likely These killings are one of many reasons the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), in a new policy brief, is calling for the South African Police Service (SAPS) to develop an integrated strategy to reduce firearm crime This should ensure clear and measurable reductions in all categories of crime associated with the use of guns The widespread availability of guns undoubtedly makes mass killings more possible and more likely Firearms are crime enablers and violence multipliers They make a massive contribution to crime-related deaths Police data indicates that guns were used in 12 000 to 16 000 murders in South Africa over the 2023/24 year There were also between 17 000 and 20 000 cases of attempted murder where people sustained non-fatal firearm injuries The severity and complexity of many of these injuries place an enormous burden on the healthcare system. Inga Mkoko, who was 25 at the time of the Mdlalose tavern shooting spent three weeks in intensive care and six months in hospital He had both legs amputated and lost four fingers Notwithstanding the large number of firearm-related deaths and injuries guns are mostly used to threaten victims without the weapons being fired Fear of firearms makes them the favoured instrument for coercion in robberies They also play a major role in taxi violence and violent organised crimes such as extortion and conflict between gangs involved in the illegal drugs or mining trade but cannot do so using its established approach The fact that criminals have the capacity to use equivalent levels of force to the police directly undermines the state’s ability to exercise authority Virtually all killings of SAPS members are with firearms The SAPS must focus on reducing firearm crime But it cannot do so using its established approach that relies mainly on the recovery of illegal firearms A key element is making optimal use of available data police should use crime statistics to identify the areas where most firearm crime occurs The recently released ISS policy brief illustrates how this can be done Effective mapping is vital to ensuring that police resources are deployed in a precise way targeted at the groups involved and places where it’s occurring A key solution is making optimal use of available data to quickly and accurately map firearm crime the SAPS should invest in strengthening information management systems to synthesise information on firearm crime arrest and prosecute perpetrators of firearm crime This approach can also dramatically improve our understanding of where guns used in crime are coming from Tracing the source of these weapons would allow for proactive interventions to close loopholes that enable criminal access to firearms Recovery of illegal firearms is not enough South Africa needs a practical firearm reduction strategy that provides for collaboration between appropriate state private sector and civil society role players There is knowledge and experience of firearm crime reduction in South Africa and internationally that SAPS can draw on Effective implementation of an integrated firearm crime reduction strategy should be an exercise in learning how a more effective SAPS can work gun crime is likely to continue devastating many families and communities Residents in the south of Johannesburg stage protest after Johannesburg Water disconnected their water  LENASIA - Illegal water connections in Lenasia Six informal settlements have been flagged for their illegal connections to the Lenasia water system which is separated from Lenasia South by the Golden Highway Joburg Water regional manager Kagiso Manganye revealed this on 12 November during an operation to disconnect the informal settlement “Within region G we have three systems including the Orange Farm Univille is connected to the system that is coming to the Lenasia system and supplying the Lenasia side This system gets their water supply from the Zuurbekom system which is part of Rand Water.” “We are now sitting with a crisis because we have a high number of informal settlements within the region among those is Univille which is a major contributor to non-revenue water in terms of losses,” Manganye said He says the current water crisis has forced them to isolate the reservoir between 1pm to 5pm to help the system to recover and build up storage Among those who expressed their frustration is a 60-year-old woman who complained that they have been battling erratic supply on a daily basis “We have to store water in buckets just to flush toilets we wait for days without knowing when it will return This issue of water has been going on for years.” a cost she finds unjust given the poor supply and low water pressure driving some households to dig boreholes or install JoJo tanks “People are desperate and even resorting to stealing taps It’s unfair that we’re denied a basic need like water,” he said But for informal settlement residents staying at Phumlangashi We know that we have connected illegally but we have been waiting for water for so long that we had to make a plan for ourselves Now its bad because we have been disconnected that means we must go back to water tankers which often has dirty water.” the operation to cut off illegal water connections in informal settlements has been called off after residents started throwing rocks at Joburg Water officials Johannesburg Metropolitan Department (JMPD) officers were then forced to respond by firing rubber bullets to disperse the angry crowd According to Joburg Water spokeswoman Nombuso Shabalala the utility will discuss a way forward regarding their strategy to continue with disconnections batho ba supileng ka palo ba thuntswe ba bolawa sebakeng sa baipehi sa Mokokotlong mosetseng wa Orange Farm botjhabela ba Johannesburg Mmuelli wa sepolesa Brigadier Brenda Muridili o boletse hore sepolesa se ile sa bitsetswa sebakeng seo sa kgotsi moo ho bileng ledi tlaleho tsa hore Batho ba supileng ka palo ba thuntswe ba bolawa sebakeng sa baipehi sa Mokokotlong mosetseng wa Orange Farm O re hoya ka ditlaleho e mong wa mahlasipa o ile a etela sebakeng sa boithabiso ka monahano wa hore o lo reka jwala moo a ileng a qetella a eba le diqwaketsano le mongwa tamene Menyenyetsi e kuma hore mongwa tamene o ile a sala lehlasipa morao jwalo kaha lene leya lapeng moo ba lelapa ba neng ba keteka mokete wa ‘Lobola’ e leng Mahadi me’ ke moo monga tamene o ile a kena lelapeng leo nakong ya moketjana wa Mahadi moo a ileng a ba kubeletsa ka sefako sa dikulo me’ o le a thula le hona ho bolaya Batho ba supileng ka palo ho kenyeletswa le ngwana wa moshemane (3) e leng ditho tse hlano tsa lelapa lele leng ha babedi ba bona e leng ya dilemo di-31 le ngwana ya nang le selemo ba ile ba potlakisetswa sepetlele ka mora hore batswe dikotsi fela Mosadi ya dilemo di-24 le ngwana ya dilemo di nne ba satswa dikotsi “Mmelaellwa ho tlalewa o ile atswa a ya lapeng la hae le Evaton moo a ile a fihla a ithunya me’ o ile a potlakisetswa sepetlele fela o hlokatse hang ha fihla sepetlele,” Ho boletse Brigadier Brenda Muridili Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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