The partnership is with Siyafunda Donate a Book, a Pretoria-based organisation under the theme:  “No Rural Child Shall Be Left Behind.”

The tour will see over eight schools in Kabokweni, Barberton, and Matsulu receive book donations, story time sessions, and interactive reading activities all designed to inspire young minds and encourage a culture of lifelong learning.

BookHive and Siyafunda will be distributing thousands of books to learners and school libraries in under-resourced communities. The initiative underscores a shared commitment to making sure that every child has access to books, regardless of where they live.

READ | Local NGO hosts storytelling festival to mark Mother Language Day

Bobo Lukhele, founder of BookHive and the visionary behind the Ingcayizivele Book Festival, passionately believes in the power of books to transform lives. 

“Every child deserves to own a book, and every home deserves a bookshelf. I remember growing up with a big, beautiful school library — and every learner had a library card. Sadly, that’s no longer the norm. We want to change that.”

Ntokozo Ndlovu, founder of Siyafunda says it should not  matter if a child lives in a rural or urban area. “Every child deserves access to books and the opportunity to dream through read.”

Lukhele is also inviting schools across the province to attend the Ingcayizivele Book Festival on 20 September 2025 at the Ehlanzeni Municipality Disaster Management and Conference Centre.

“We will have over 10 children’s authors reading and having fun with learners. It’s going to be a celebration of books, stories, and the joy of learning,” says Lukhele.

Schools interested in receiving book donations or establishing a school library are encouraged to reach out to BookHive or Siyafunda Donate a Book.

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The trio were granted a fixed bail of R1500 each. Their next court date is July 25. The other two suspects, Joel Mamba and Monica Zwane, will appear in court on June 17 for bail application.

READ | Hawks spokesperson resigns amid corruption allegations

This follows after they were apprehended for allegedly escorting a vehicle trafficking dagga along the N4 near Matsulu T-junction. According to the police, the three officers were driving in a marked police vehicle in full uniform. The members were on duty at the time and the vehicle,Toyota Corolla was carrying 107 bags loaded with dagga.

READ MORE | Botswana national found with eight kilos of marijuana

“Members of the Matsulu SAPS received intelligence information about the dodgy activities and responded accordingly, and cornered the suspects,” reads the police statement.

The three are facing charges of corruption and the confiscated dagga is estimated to be worth millions of rands. Meanwhile, internal disciplinary actions will be instituted against the officers.

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Spokesperson for the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, Kholofelo Nkambule, confirmed the incident.

READ | SANParks employee attacked by leopard at KNP

“We are aware, and the injured four were taken to a local hospital. Our team will investigate to determine what could have caused the animal to behave in that manner. We want to appeal to communities to immediately report such incidences to the MTPA. We have officials that experienced in handling wild animals or report to the police,” she said. Communities members killed the animal after it was spotted.

READ MORE | Two linked to medical student’s murder arrested

On July 17, another leopard attacked a SANParks employee. He fought the leopard and shouted for help. The animal disappeared into the surrounding bush. They rushed the employee to the doctor for treatment. He suffered deep lacerations and trauma, but they understand the injuries not to be life threatening.

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According to the police, the mother was with her son and daughter in their shack when the fire broke out. The father allegedly had left them to shop. “The cause might have been a two plate stove. It is suspected that the family might have been using the stove to warm themselves up, as it was cold.”

READ | Two sets of twins die in shack fire

“The mother allegedly fell asleep while the stove was on. Her shack caught fire and engulfed in flames with the mother and the two minors inside. We could not save the three and were certified dead on the scene. Police at Witbank are investigating three counts of inquest following the incident,” read the police statement.

This incident is among two separate ones that have occurred in a short period. In Hendrina, two sets of twins, aged eight and 13, were burnt to death in the early hours of July 5 in Hendrina. The police were called to the scene where the shack caught fire at Marikana Informal Settlement.

READ MORE | Taxi association chairperson shot dead

On police arrival, firefighters were called to extinguish the fire. The two sets of twins (two boys and two girls) were certified dead. In Matsulu, Victor Mashego sustained burnt wounds after his house caught fire on July 2. Inside the house, remains charred household items while he’s still treated in Rob Ferreira Hospital. He’s sister, Cynthia Mashego, said that he also fell asleep while he switched a two plate stove on which may have caused the fire.

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READ | SASSA official to be sentenced for fraud and forgery

They were convicted of fraud and theft to the amount of R220 785.00. They pleaded guilty and sentenced to a fine of R20 000.00 each. Or 12 months’ imprisonment, which is wholly suspended for five years.

ALSO READ | VIDEO | SASSA social grant awareness drive runs smoothly

The court also ordered the accused to repay the money from February 1, 2022. Between 2015 and 2017, the accused submitted fraudulent applications to SASSA. The applications were captured in Phola, Matsulu, Tonga, Mbombela, Schoemansdal and Thulamahashe offices. Eight SASSA employees who plead not guilty assisted the accused. They will appear on November 24, for trial proceedings.

The accused are as follows:

 1. Sphiwe Bridget Shabangu (55), female

 2. Bheki Frans Magagula (49), male

 3. Nelisiwe Rose Vilanculos (48), female

4. Sipho Hilter Masina( 47), male

 5. Thomas Michael Tibane (47) male

6. Collen Vusi Magagula (45), male

7. Promise Ntombikayise Mabunda (44), female

8. Norah Sibongile Nhlemo (42), female

9. Olga Nokuthula Msimango (41), female

10. Nomsa Dephaney Shiba (41), female

11. Julia Manana (39), female

12. Goodness Braayi Sithole (38), female

13. Zanele Patience Sambo (35), female

14. Thembi Tlemo 32, female

15. Sibusiso surprise Mahwayi (31), male

16. Andile Mabunda (32), male

17. Thembi Maria Sanileni (36), female and 

18. John Mamini Mdaka (39) male.

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According to police, the suspects, who were heavily armed, broke the gate at the main entrance to gain entry to the complex. They then fired shots, bombed the ATM’s then fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. 

Anyone with information that can help police trace the suspects, is advised to contact the Investigation Officer, Sergeant Finish Mkhabela at 0721743394 or call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111. Alternatively members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.

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The first offender, Norman Mamba was arrested on Saturday in Matsulu. Mamba had 11 warrants of arrest totalling R23 500. He appeared in the Komatipoort Magistrate’s Court on Monday to answer for two of the 11 warrants of arrest.

He was given a six months sentence with an option of R3000 fine suspended for five years. He was remanded in custody so that he can appear in various courts including Tonga for seven outstanding warrants of arrest.

READ: “Traffic learnership posts advertised are not for sale” – DCSSL

He is scheduled to make other appearance in Low’s Creek and Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court respectively for similar offences.

In another matter, Delani Jabu Nkosi appeared in the Carolina Magistrate’s Court for failure to respond to eight warrants of arrest totalling R19 700 and he was able to pay R14 000. Nkosi will appear again in court on November 17 for the outstanding warrants of arrest.

Meanwhile, Mxolisi Ngcobela who has eight warrants of arrest was brought to account by appearing in the Standerton Magistrate’s Court. He has outstanding warrants of arrest amounting to R8400 which he paid yesterday.

In another development, Sharon Beeget appeared in the Lydenburg Magistrate’s Court for five warrants of arrest totalling to R4000 which she also paid.

Vusi Mdluli appeared in Witbank Magistrate’s Court yesterday with five warrants of arrest totalling to R6000 which he paid.

Timothy Manzini was caught yesterday with nine warrants of arrest and he appeared in Komatioort Magistrate Court where he was remanded in custody. He appeared in court yesterday.

ALSO: Motorists warned to settle outstanding traffic summonses or face arrest

Reacting to the latest arrests, Transport Regulation General Manager in the department, Sibandiso Nkuna is pleading with motorists and vehicle owners not to wait for traffic fines to be converted into warrants of arrest but to rather resolve summonses while there’s time.

“It is not the intention of the department to bring misery to people with these arrests. All we want to do is to encourage motorists and vehicle owners to come foward and pay the outstanding traffic fines. We also believe that this will have on government to get motorists to obey the rules,” says Nkuna.

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Seeing your interaction on social, it’s easy for one to tell that you’re passionate about hair. What inspired your brand?

Volumicious is a hair product that provides a permanent solution to different hair problems experienced by men, women and children. The product was founded in 2016 by the owner by me after I lost my hair during pregnancy. I was inspired by my BSC Honours project which I did at the University of Stellenbosch which involved investigating a plant, that was eaten by pregnant sheep, resulting in the newborn lambs being born without fur. I found that there was an active compound that was responsible for this problem. I then won an award for the best poster presentation for my research project. During my maternity leave, I began to research and investigate active compounds that are responsible, not for hair loss but hair growth. I found a significant amount of them and through a process of trial and error, I restored to use a different number of them and test them out to see their efficacy. Through a friend, I contacted a local cosmetic manufacturing company who mixed those active compounds and gave me the samples. I tested it on my own hair for a period of one year and my hair grew from next length to almost midback length. 

How has solving both men and women’s hair problems been? 

It’s a rewarding and fulfilling experience when you see people regain their confidence. Over and above that is the relationships one builds post sale providing value beyond the product through hair care education and walking the journey with them and being accessible to them when needed. 

What would you say is the most common problem that people encounter with their hair? 

People face different kinds of hair problems. The most common we encounter on a daily basis is receded hairlines, balding, bald patches, thinning hair and breakage

Regarding the Clicks hair advert that caused a social media frenzy, what would your view be on the matter? 

It was an advert gone wrong. It displayed the African hair in a bad light which is not the case. It, however, did make women appreciate their hair more and it was great to see many black women come forward to show off their hair, really emphasizing the fact that African hair is beautiful. I also believe that it made women realize that they need to nurture their hair more and embrace it.

What sets your products apart? 

What sets our products apart is the results. We show what the products can do and that is important. They can use our products to grow, maintain, and restore their hair. A product that is multifunctional and provides a permanent solution to the different hair problems experienced not only by women but men and children too. We cater for all the different textures, afros, relaxed, dreadlocks. Our products fix the problem from the root.  Over and above that we educate our customers on how to look after and we walk with them through their journey and we celebrate their progress through the before and after pictures we share on social media platforms. 

What’s your mandate and what can be expected from you in future?

Our mandate is to spread our message of hope across the continent of Africa and globally to the men and women who have given up on their hair, to continue to drive hair education and providing an exceptional service to our clients.

We listen to our customers’ needs and as a result we will continue launching new products and have a complete range of products to meet and satisfy our customers’ needs.

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