Many pupils from Rapelego Primary School in New Eesterust, Hammanskraal, Tshwane, were rushed to the hospital after suffering from food poisoning. Photo by Lucas Phelwane

Parents and residents are demanding answers after children at Rapelego Primary School in New Eesterust, Hammanskraal, allegedly consumed poisoned food. Several pupils were reportedly admitted to local medical facilities, leaving parents deeply concerned.

One parent, whose two children were hospitalised, claimed that the kids had eaten chocolate sold by another pupil. The pupil allegedly stole the chocolate bars from home and sold them at school for R2 each. "The food kids eat at school isn't enough. When they get home, they complain that they are hungry," the parent explained.

Another parent confirmed that the chocolates were sold to grades 6 and 7 pupils, expressing shock and fear for their children's safety. Pretty Molomo (34), a parent, added: "We're affected by this incident. It's traumatising."

Andreas Mhlongo (38), another concerned parent, stated, "This is not right. We're in great pain, especially because food poisoning is on the rise at our schools." Parents are now calling for action to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Parent Andreas Mhlongo said that he was called to the school after many learners were rushed to the hospital due to food poisoning. Photo by Raymond Morare

Klaas Sono, the father of one of the affected pupils, recounted the panic that ensued when he learned about the situation at Rapelego Primary School through a Facebook post. "Out of panic, we rushed there with her mum. I’m glad that it wasn’t that bad. I had to wait for hours for the child to be treated, but luckily, she was discharged the same day," he said.

Community members expressed their fear, alleging that the children had purchased the chocolate from local "aboMyFriend" shops. "We live in fear, especially with this food sold to our children," said one resident. He reported that many kids were complaining of stomach pain and vomiting.

Gauteng education spokesman Steve Mabona confirmed that 48 pupils from Rapelego Primary School were rushed to various medical facilities on Monday, 14 October, due to suspected food poisoning. "The incident occurred after learners reportedly consumed chocolate allegedly sold by a grade 7 learner at the school. As of Tuesday, 15 October 2024, 44 of the affected learners have been discharged, while four remain hospitalised, receiving necessary medical care. We wish them a speedy recovery and will be monitoring their condition," Mabona stated.

The Gauteng Department of Health also issued a statement confirming the incident. "The department can confirm that 47 primary school learners aged between 9-14 from Rapelego Primary School received medical treatment at Jubilee Hospital, Odi Hospital, Tshwane District Hospital, and Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital due to a suspected food poisoning incident on Monday, 14 October. Fortunately, the majority of the learners were discharged between Monday and Tuesday (15 October). Only four children remain in the hospital, with one of them at a private facility as of this afternoon," the statement read.

 

Men taking part in a 500m walkathon aimed at raising awareness on breast cancer.

Men Confront the Reality of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer, commonly associated with women, also poses a risk for men. According to the Breast Health Foundation, 1% to 3% of all breast cancers occur in men. Prostate cancer survivor David Lucas (66) shared with Daily Pulse that many men remain unaware of this risk.

“Research shows there may be a link between prostate and breast cancer, but men often don't know and delay testing until it’s too late,” said David. He highlighted the stigma that men face when it comes to showing vulnerability. “Men only see the doctor when they’re sick, and often avoid it due to the fear of seeming weak. Everything changed for me when I was diagnosed.”

David Lucas was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2013. "Luckily for me, they diagnosed it early, and I was able to start treatment. Today, I'm here to make noise about it," he shared.

David recently took part in the third "Men in Heels" walkathon at Cedar Square Shopping Centre in Fourways, Johannesburg, on Saturday, 12 October. The 500-meter walkathon, which featured men walking in heels, aimed to raise awareness about breast cancer.

"We wore heels. It was fun and interesting, but there was a strong message: raising awareness about breast cancer and educating men on the importance of testing. If cancer is diagnosed early, you have a chance of living a long life. So, we wore heels," said David.

Tumi Lesolang, one of the men who took part in the "Men in Heels" walkathon, admitted that while his calves were sore, the experience was worth it. "I had no idea men could get breast cancer. When this initiative came up, I thought it would be the perfect platform to learn. Not only did I walk away with knowledge, but I was also tested to become more aware of my own health," he shared.

Lerato Masha (45), another participant, echoed Tumi's sentiments, praising the initiative for raising awareness and encouraging conversations about cancer among men. "It should become a norm, like how women talk about getting a pap smear. We also need to encourage testing," he said.

 

EFF MP Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane Resigns from Party and Parliament

Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, former Public Protector and now former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of Parliament, has announced her resignation from the party and her position in Parliament. She first shared the news on Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh’s podcast, SMWX, stating that her next step is to leave both the EFF and Parliament.

Mkhwebane, who found refuge in the EFF following her impeachment as Public Protector, expressed frustration over the underutilisation of her expertise, which prompted her decision to step away. "The impact I used to make as a Public Protector is not the impact I’m currently making," she said. Mkhwebane served as an ordinary MP on the Justice and Constitutional Development portfolio committee during her time with the EFF.

While she did not reveal her next political move, Mkhwebane hinted at being courted by the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party, led by former President Jacob Zuma. "They have approached me several times, even before Floyd left. I don’t have anything against them. It will depend on whether they are still interested. I’ll see," she stated. Floyd Shivambu, the EFF’s former deputy leader, left the party in August to join the MK party.

Mkhwebane admitted that her experience in Parliament did not align with her expectations, expressing disappointment in her ability to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. "Being in Parliament is terrible because when you don’t have numbers, there’s nothing you can do," she said. She pointed to the challenges faced in government, particularly in municipalities, where she believes the ANC and DA have failed the people. She referenced the Tshwane municipality, where citizens in Hammanskraal have suffered due to poor service delivery, including a diarrhoea outbreak linked to contaminated water.

In her resignation letter to EFF leader Julius Malema, Mkhwebane thanked him and the party for their support during her difficult time. She expressed gratitude for the refuge the EFF provided in the past year, saying, "Now, it’s time for me to focus on spending cherished moments with my family."

Mkhwebane’s resignation marks the end of her brief political career with the EFF, as she steps away to reconsider her future and reconnect with her family.

 

King Monada Has No Plans to Leave His Kasi

Despite his growing fame and success, King Monada, the talented songwriter and music producer from Limpopo, has no plans to leave his home township. Known for his hit songs Malwedhe and Lemenemene, the 31-year-old artist, whose real name is Khutso Steven Kgatla, remains deeply connected to his roots. In a recent interview with Daily Sun, he shared how he stays humble and grounded despite his rise to stardom.

"Dedication and commitment conquer everything. I always believe in the Almighty to protect and guide me," Monada explained. He credited his long-time mentor, Makwela Albert, for supporting him from the start of his career. "He’s been like the parent everyone wishes for, and I always follow his advice."

King Monada’s music is heavily inspired by his surroundings and life experiences. When asked how he manages to stay connected to his roots, he emphasized that his kasi plays an important role in his songwriting. "I never dream of leaving them behind. They're my strength. My songwriting comes from my daily experiences and what I observe in real life. So, I'll never run out of ideas or lyrics."

In a world that often prioritizes material success, King Monada remains focused on values that resonate deeply with his audience. He attributes his achievements to hard work and faith. "Prayer leads the way, and material things follow. I always contribute to help those in need when and where I can. Living in a rural area is in itself motivation."

Reflecting on his journey in the music industry, Monada revealed the key to his success: consistency. "Staying in my lane and not losing focus has worked for me. Of course, there are ups and downs, but having a mentor for over 15 years has been special. I'm looking forward to what lies ahead."

King Monada's deep connection to his community and his focus on remaining grounded continue to shape his music and his approach to life. His story serves as an inspiration to many, proving that success doesn’t require losing touch with one’s roots.

 

Fans Disappointed as Lira Misses Performance at Cultural Urban Festival Africa

Fans of South African musician Lira were left disappointed after she was unable to perform at the Cultural Urban Festival Africa (Cufa) on Friday, 11 October. The beloved songstress, whose real name is Lerato Molapo, was scheduled to perform at the Woman to Woman show, alongside fellow artists Kelly Khumalo, Zonke, and Maleh.

Lira, known for hit songs such as Feel Good, Believer, and Hamba, has been recovering from a stroke she suffered during a tour in Germany in April 2022. Despite being on the road to recovery, the singer had agreed to perform at the event but was forced to leave before taking the stage.

The Cufa event organisers quickly issued a public apology to her fans, explaining the situation. In their statement, they said, “We sincerely apologise for the disappointment caused by Lira’s absence at the Woman to Woman show. She completed her sound check at 5.30 pm on Friday evening and was on site, fully prepared to perform at 7.30 pm. However, due to unforeseen personal matters, she had to leave the event urgently and was unable to take to the stage.”

However, Lira was not pleased with this version of events and took to Instagram to clear things up. She explained that the promoters had been made aware of her situation and the restrictions she still faces due to her ongoing recovery. "The statement issued by the Woman to Woman team regarding my non-performance at the Cufa Festival in Bloemfontein on 11 October 2024 is not correct," Lira said. "The promoters were informed at the time of inquiring about my availability, that due to still being in recovery they should be respectful of the fact that I can't perform late at night. We left the venue at 9.35 pm due to the event running late.”

It seems Lira wasn’t the only artist affected by the event’s delays. Musician Lloyiso also voiced his frustration about the event starting late. During his performance, he reportedly caused a scene by swearing at the event team. However, both Lloyiso and the event organisers later resolved the issue on stage, with apologies being exchanged.

While fans were understandably upset by Lira’s absence, many have expressed support for her recovery journey, recognizing that her health must come first as she continues to regain her strength.

 

Former Finance Minister Tito Mboweni to Receive Special Official Funeral

In an announcement on Tuesday, 15 October, the Office of the Presidency revealed that former Finance Minister Tito Mboweni will be accorded a special official funeral in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the country. The decision was made by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who declared a Special Official Funeral Category 2 for Mboweni, underscoring the significance of his role in shaping South Africa’s economic policies.

Mboweni, who also served as Minister of Labour and Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, passed away on Saturday, 12 October, at the age of 65. He leaves behind a legacy as a committed public servant who played a pivotal role in the country's post-apartheid economic transformation. His work focused on promoting fiscal discipline, economic growth, and labour rights during his tenure in government.

In a statement, Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya expressed President Ramaphosa's deep sadness at the loss of Mboweni. “President Ramaphosa reiterates his heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Dr. Mboweni. He served the nation with dedication, as a political activist, an economic policy innovator, and a champion of labour rights. His sharp focus on fiscal discipline and economic transformation made a lasting impact on the nation's development,” Magwenya said.

The special official funeral will take place on Saturday, 19 October, at Nkowankowa Stadium in Tzaneen, Limpopo, Mboweni's hometown. The funeral will include ceremonial elements provided by the South African Police Service (SAPS), in line with the protocols for a Special Official Funeral Category 2, which honours distinguished individuals who served the country at the highest levels.

In addition to the ceremonial elements, President Ramaphosa has directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast at all government buildings and flag stations across the country from Wednesday, 16 October, until the evening of Mboweni's funeral on Saturday, 19 October, as a mark of respect.

Dr. Mboweni’s passing marks the end of an era for South Africa’s economic landscape, as he was widely respected for his leadership, foresight, and unwavering commitment to the country’s fiscal integrity. The nation will bid farewell to a remarkable figure whose life’s work will continue to shape South Africa’s economic policies for years to come.