Fire rages through Cape Town University library - Scrolla.Africa

Tuesday 20 April
                                            2021, 0419

Real News. Scrolla.Africa

Fire rages through Cape Town
University library
Arthur Greene

The wildfire raging down the slopes of Table Mountain has
gutted Cape Town University’s Jagger Library.

The Jagger Library Reading Room, which houses tens of
thousands of rare books and historic artefacts, has been
completely destroyed.

Since Sunday evening, images have circulated online - first
showing the flames raging through the library’s windows, then
later, the charred ruins of the building’s interior.

Throughout the night, firefighters worked tirelessly to contain
the spread of the fire. The Times has reported that two
firefighters are currently in hospital being treated with burns.

In a statement, UCT Library executive director Ujala Satgoor
said: “I write this message with a deep sense of sorrow and
devastation at the loss at the havoc and devastation the fire
wrought.”

The Jagger Library is home to the university’s Special
Collections, which stores thousands of original artefacts of
African history, including rare books, manuscripts, photographs
and documents.

The scale of the damage is not yet known.

“A full assessment can only be done once the building has been
declared safe,” Satgoor wrote.

“Thankfully the fire detection system in place triggered the fire
shutters preventing the spread of the fire to other parts of the
library.”

Mayor Dan Plato said: “It is tragic that literary treasures have
been lost at the UCT library, but I have been informed that

some of the most valuable works were saved by the quick
activation of the fire shutters.”

Other campus buildings were also damaged by the fire. It
devastated the thatch-roofed Mostert’s Mill, built in 1796,
which was the country’s oldest working windmill.

The flames forced the evacuation of 4,000 students from the
area.

The university’s vice-chancellor, Prof Mamokgethi Phakeng said
that food and accommodation has been provided to the
evacuated students.

Video source: @kimondegreef
Picture source: @werdenstephanie

Priest drowns during a cleansing ceremony

Lungani Zungu

What was meant to be a cleansing and prayer ceremony turned
tragic after a Zionist priest drowned in Verulam north of
Durban.

The lifeless body of Mbongeni Ngcobo, 45, was recovered by
search and rescue police at La Mercy beach north of Durban on
Saturday.

Thabo Mkhize, a congregant who was among the eleven people
at the ceremony recounted harrowing details of the tragic
night.

“That was the most painful thing I have witnessed in my life. It
was more like a movie to me.”

Mkhize said Ngcobo’s heart-rending screams for help still
haunted him.

“It is difficult to sleep at night following the incident. This
painful episode will always play in my mind.”

Mkhize said everything was well when they arrived to do the
cleansing ceremony.

“But as soon as we started the cleansing ceremony, things
turned ugly when the current changed. We were all scared and
ran out of the water because we could see that the tide was
big.”

The priest was praying when he drowned.

Other congregants ran out of the water and watched,
helplessly, when Ngcobo drowned and pleaded for help.

“That was the most painful thing to watch. We were shocked
and traumatised to watch that thing unfold before us.”

Mkhize said he had just joined the church but gave no details
about the priest’s life.

Ngcobo’s grieving wife declined to talk.

“Please give us time to mourn him. We will be able to speak at
a later stage when we feel a bit better,” she said.

Members of the Reaction Unit of South Africa (Rusa), were the
first to arrive on the scene.

Rusa said according to the priest’s wife, the prayer was
expected to be conducted at Intaphuka, Ndwedwe but he told
the group to go to the beach after he had a "premonition" from
the Holy Spirit.

Provincial police confirmed the case and said an inquest docket
has been opened.

Picture source: The North Coast Courier

Homeless man arrested for Cape Town
fire
Zukile Majova

                “Did you start the fire?”

                “Yes.”

“What is your address?”

“I sleep in the bush.”

That was the response from the homeless man when police
asked him for his address after they had arrested him on
suspicion of starting a fire in the Table Mountain National Park
yesterday.

The fires that have raged since Sunday are still not under
control. The severity of the damage, specifically to the
University of Cape Town library which houses unique and
irreplaceable documents, cannot be estimated at this stage.

The man spent the night in custody but authorities could not be
certain of his mental state.

The Cape Town Member of the Mayoral Committee responsible
for Safety and Security said the man was in his 30s and is
understood to be one of many homeless people who sleep in
the national park.

It was not clear whether he started the main fire or whether it
was caused by one of the other fires lit by the homeless across
the park and left unattended.

On Monday, Arlene Wehr, Head of Operations Fire and Rescue
Service in the City of Cape Town said some 220 firefighters
were still fighting the fire.

SANParks Acting National spokesperson Reynold Thakhuli said
their rangers had their hands full on Monday morning
preventing people from going into the Table Mountain National
Park.

“With users now attempting to go running, cycling or walking
their dogs we will not be able to concentrate on the fire,
especially in the Newlands Forest and the Rhodes Memorial
zones.”

Thakhuli urged users to stay away from the following areas:
Newlands Forest, Groote Schuur Estate, Rhodes Memorial,
Devils Peak, Tafelberg Road, Vredehoek and Deer Park sections
of the park.

“That includes all recreation areas below and above Tafelberg
Road, which will remain closed until further notice.”

Tourist attractions like Lions Head and Signal Hill were still open
but visitors were urged to approach the areas with caution as
the emergency personnel were still in the area.

Over 400 hectares of land and vegetation have so far been
damaged.

Hospital destroyed my baby’s life
Joseph Chirume

Emma Karimupfumbi had hoped to deliver a
healthy and vibrant baby, but that was not to be.

Emma believes that the baby was born with cerebral palsy
because the nurses at the Motherwell NU2 did not transfer her
to the Dora Nginza hospital on time.

The 23-year-old woman from Gqeberha, Eastern Cape gave
birth to the baby in 2018. She now blames the Department of
Health for her child’s disability.

Emma said she pleaded with caregivers at the clinic when she
got past 38 weeks.

“I was struggling to walk. They transferred me to the hospital
too late,” she said.

She said doctors at Dora Nginza hospital induced her and she
gave birth on the third day to a baby girl, named Tawa.

“I noticed that my baby was very weak and exhausted and she
didn’t cry,” she said.

“They then operated on her head.”

She said she has been struggling for the past two years to feed
Tawa because she only eats light food which Emma’s husband
can’t afford and they need a wheelchair.

The unemployed mother, whose passport has expired, doesn't
qualify for the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA)
child support grant.

Spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Department of Health,
Sizwe Kupelo, said he could not discuss a patient’s medical
condition.

“I encourage the patient or the guardian to lodge a formal
complaint with the hospital. They can visit Dora Nginza’s CEO’s
office to discuss the complaint,” he said.

Eastern Cape SASSA spokesperson, Luzuko Qina said: “SASSA
pays a child support grant to a caregiver who is eligible to
receive such social assistance. The mother of the child has to
have legitimate documents to be in the Republic of South
Africa. We will assist her once she has those.”

Rituals will bring peace to bereaved
family
Judas Sekwela

It’s taken three years, but Malebo Dikotla can now perform
final rituals for her son’s soul to rest in peace.

She has been granted permission to perform the traditional
ceremony in which a tree branch is used to collect the soul of a
deceased who did not die of natural causes. Her infant baby is
at the mortuary at Mankweng Hospital in Polokwane.

Malebo, from Mamadimo Park, outside Polokwane, lost her
baby boy in March 2018 soon after giving birth.

For the past three years, she has battled to retrieve her son’s
body from the mortuary.

The baby’s remains were kept at a government mortuary for a
postmortem and DNA tests. At the time, the family suspected
the baby’s death might have been caused by an injection
Malebo received when she was admitted.

The postmortem results came back as inconclusive because the
body was at an advanced state of decomposition.

Malebo said she was relieved now that her baby will finally rest
in peace. She said hopefully she will also be at peace and not
have nightmares.

Malebo’s father, David, said: “We will also be cleansed. The
dark cloud will move away from my family. We believe the boy
will rest in peace with the ancestors.”

David told Scrolla.Africa they were not able to attend funerals
and other gatherings because the baby was not buried.

The family is busy arranging a funeral which will take place
soon.

Malebo said she will be able to move on with her life.

“My life will go back to normal knowing I have buried my son
and that I know where his grave is,” she said.

The body of the infant is still at the government mortuary in
Polokwane and will be taken for burial once the funeral
arrangements are finalised.

Loved and Lost: Lindani Myeni (1991-
2021)
Lungani Zungu

                While his peers played soccer in the dusty streets
                of Empangeni, northern KZN, Lindani Myeni
                played rugby.

Born in a rural village, the odds were stacked against him, but
his excellence attracted the eye of the Durban-based Jaguars
rugby team.

But the life of the 29 year old was cut short after he was shot
by US police in Honolulu last Wednesday, where he lived with
his wife Lindsey and their two children, one aged three, the
other aged five months.

His uncle Musa Myeni described his death as an end to a nail-
biting game.

“It is more like a fascinating rugby match that has come to an
end,” said Musa.

“He was a well-behaved young man and had a bright future
ahead of him.”

Musa said the fight for justice for Lindani would continue.

His childhood friend, Sakhile Ngcobo, said whenever he needed
anything, he called Lindani.

“He would assist me with anything,” said Sakhile.

It is alleged that on the night of his murder, Lindani left his wife
and children at home and went for a drive after a family outing.
The police allege that Lindani had entered a stranger’s house,
sat down and took off his shoes and started talking to the
people in the house. The homeowners called the police.

Susan Ballard, head of police in Honolulu, told the media on
Thursday that three officers were sent to a suspected robbery.
When police arrived, they found Lindani sitting in his car, and
an altercation followed which led to the shooting.

Chairperson of the Empangeni Rugby Club, Thomas Chilcott,
told Scrolla.Africa that he was devastated.

The details of the funeral are yet to be released.

Picture source: TheSouthAfrican

7de Laan and Skeem Sam connect
episodes
Lwazi Nongauza

SePedi and Afrikaans cultures will blend as SABC
2’s biggest soapies Skeem Saam and 7de Laan air
crossover episodes.

On the 20th, 21st and 26th of April 7de Laan will broadcast
three special episodes featuring two characters from Skeem
Saam, Kat played by Patrick Seleka and Kwaito played by
Clement Maosa.

In an exclusive interview with Scrolla.Africa, Clement Maosa
said the crossover episodes will help to build social cohesion in
the country.

“First of all, I have to applaud the SABC management for
coming up with such an amazing idea. For the longest time, I
didn’t know that there are millions of similarities between the
Afrikaans and all-black cultures.”

The actor hinted at themes of racial tension, but had to check
himself before he gave away any spoilers.

“Without giving away too much, for me, I think unconditional
respect for everyone regardless of their race is one of other
things I learned as I was shooting the show.’’

While talking about shooting the three episodes, Maosa said,
“It was also amazing to see the actors who used to be on set
now being the director. Their career growth showed me that
one doesn’t need to limit themselves.”

He also said that he has long been a fan of the artistic potential
of crossover shows, explaining, “Combining shows is a great
idea as this helps the viewers understand that shows can work
together to create a bigger picture or world so to speak.’’

Maosa refused to reveal the details of the upcoming three
crossovers. All he could say was that it plays out as a

production company filming scenes featuring Kat and Kwaito in
Beleef, an affluent restaurant in Hillside 7de Laan.

“I am nobody’s slave” says Bonang as
TV show hangs in the balance
Lwazi Nongauza

                 If Bonang Matheba has her way, Being Bonang
                 will not be aired for the foreseeable future.

“I’m nobody’s slave or cash cow. I will defend myself whenever
ruthless people are trying to use my brand for their selfish
agenda,” said the defiant Bonang.

“The next season of Being Bonang will not be aired until those
who owe me pay me.’’ This follows Bonang’s public fight with
her Executive Producer, Legend Manqele.

The TV star previously described working on Season 3 of her
reality show as the worst experience of her working life.

Last week, Manqele said the show was cancelled because of
poor performance, but in an exclusive interview with
Scrolla.Africa, Bonang rubbished the claim.

“Until today, the ratings are unmatched by any reality TV in the
country. So, that nonsense that the show was taken off the
screens because of poor numbers is nothing but the reflection
of how bitter other people are,” she said. Bonang’s manager
Dawn Phillips also disagreed with Manqele’s version.

Bonang said truth has a funny way of coming out and history
will judge those who are trying to use her brand harshly.

Asked if she will ever consider shooting Being Bonang again on
the basis that whoever owes her money were to pay her,
Queen B refused to answer.

Picture source: @B_Matheba

Bucs bounce back in style
Menzi Magubane

Orlando Pirates bounced back in style with a comfortable 2-0
win over Maritzburg United in the DStv Premiership at the
Orlando Stadium.

The win came just at the right time for the team, after their 1-0
defeat at the hands of their Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs just
under a month ago.

Vincent Pule, who scored two goals, said it was important for
them to get maximum points against Maritzburg. It was the
Bucs’ 10th league win this season.

"At home we have been unbeaten for a long time and we are
confident when we are playing here," said Pule.

"We have a bunch of winners in the team. We knew that
Maritzburg would come at us. But we stood firm."

The win sees the Bucs occupy fourth place - tied on 38 points
with Golden Arrows.

Pirates are now eight points behind log leaders Sundowns, but
the Brazilians have played two fewer games than the
Buccaneers.

The Bucs will have the whole week to rest before their next
match on Saturday. They will take on fifth-placed Swallows in
the original Soweto derby at Dobsonville Stadium.

Before facing Pirates, Swallows will play Bloemfontein Celtic on
Tuesday at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium at 5pm.

Picture source:@kickoffmagazine

Tottenham Hotspur sack manager Jose
Mourinho
Dylan Bettencourt

Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho has been
sacked by Tottenham Hotspur after poor
performances have left the club in an
unfavourable position.

Mourinho’s position came under fire after his side let a 2-0 lead
slip in their Europa League Round of 16 tie against Dinamo
Zagreb. Spurs also find themselves in seventh position in the
English Premier League table, four points off Chelsea in fourth.

The former Chelsea and Manchester United manager began
criticising his players for the club’s poor performances which is
never a good sign from the manager.

The 58-year-old manager did guide the side to a Carabao Cup
final place which is set to take place this Sunday 25 April which
could save the London club’s season as they are without a
trophy in over a decade.

The club tweeted the news on Monday morning, they said:
“The Club can today announce that Jose Mourinho and his
coaching staff Joao Sacramento, Nuno Santos, Carlos Lalin and
Giovanni Cerra have been relieved of their duties.”

Chairman of the club, Daniel Levy said he is disappointed that
the relationship between Mourinho and the club could not
reach the heights they had imagined but the Portuguese
manager will always be welcome at the club, thanking the staff
for the work they did in some of the club’s toughest periods
during the ongoing pandemic.

Early reports that Mourinho's dismissal was linked to
Tottenham's participation in the ESL have since been dismissed.

Picture source: @TheAthletic