MISTER SIXTY PACK Real News. Scrolla.Africa

Wednesday 3rd February
                                            2021, 0145

Real News. Scrolla.Africa

MISTER SIXTY PACK
Mkhuseli Sizani

                  Even though he is now aged 60, it’s no secret
                  that the ladies still love him - and his muscles.

“When he goes on stage at competitions he drives the women
crazy,” said Siyabulela Qandana the owner of Ironman Gym.

“We have 80 members and Bra Fix is an inspiration to all of us.
Nobody is as fit as him.”

His training partner, Jabulile Ngowebo, 27, said he was a small
boy when he first saw Bra Fix and he is following his hero's lead.

“I started training to have a sexy body like him."

Speaking to Scrolla.Africa while training on Tuesday morning at
the dilapidated Myezo High School, Bra Fix said the days when
umkhaba was an indication that a man’s makoti was looking
after him are gone.

"Being physically fit has helped me to stay healthy. I don't have
a special diet or use supplements. I don't drink and smoke and I
never go to the doctor,” he said.

“But I still do 200 squats with 200kg weights every day.”

He said women ask him to train their husbands.

“They ask me to help them to get rid of umkhaba and have a six
pack like me," he laughed.

Covid takes deadly toll of Post Office
workers
Mkhuseli Sizani

While health workers are considered the most vulnerable
people who work with the public, Covid has also taken a deadly
toll of Post Office workers.

Over 1,000 Post Office workers have been infected with Covid-
19 and more than 30 have died.

Johan Kruger, the national Sapo spokesperson said during
December branches of the Post Office paid out R2,7 million for
Covid-19 relief grants nationally.

“This has put pressure on employees but they are coping,” he
said.

"In human terms, the Post Office has seen 1,191 cumulative
positive Covid-19 cases, 39 deaths and 941 employees have
recovered."

Eunice September, 32, of Chatty, Port Elizabeth told
Scrolla.Africa the poor service at the post offices forces them to
come back for their money because the queues are not
properly managed.

"We queue outside from as early as 3am because we want to
be first in line when the Post Office opens at 8am,” she said.

The Post Office introduced a booking system to minimise the
overcrowding and beneficiaries are paid on different days
according to the last three digits on their ID documents.

Christopher Kayster of Booysens Park said, "I used to get my
grant at West End Post Office but it has been closed since

September. But when I get to the post office in Korsten it is
already full. Many people ignore the booking system and force
their way into the building because the booking system is not
effective. There is no social distance and some of the people
are not wearing the masks properly."

He said they are scared of Covid-19.

“But we are also frustrated because we go home without
receiving the money while there is no food at home," he said.

Arrows stun Pirates
Menzi Magubane

Golden Arrows made history as they stunned
Orlando Pirates in a dramatic DStv Premiership
match on Tuesday night.

A 2-0 win at the Sugar Rax Xulu Stadium in Durban was the
biggest victory for Abafana Bes'thende over Bucs.

The Arrows have only ever beaten the Pirates by a single goal.
Three points saw the winners dislodge the losers and move into
fourth place - Bucs have now dropped a place to fifth.

Pirates will feel hard done by the referee Tshidiso Moruping's
decision to allow Arrows’ first goal.
Moruping seemed not to realise that there were two balls on
the pitch when Pule Mmodi scored from Michael Gumede's
quick throw in in the 41st minute.

But there was no controversy surrounding Mmodi's winning
goal, which came in the second half. Pirates were caught on the
counter attack after committing men forward for an equaliser.

Though before Mmodi put the game to bed, Pirates had a
golden opportunity to equalise with a penalty. But Thembinkosi
Lorch sent it flying over the bar. Only seven minutes later
Mmodi completed his brace.

"We had opportunities to score but they were not a lot. If you
don't score these things happen. You lose the game," said Bucs
coach Josef Zinnbauer.

"The opponents deserve to win. This defeat leaves me
frustrated. With Lorch, we know he can score penalties but
today he missed. But these things happen."

Arrows have two games in hand over Pirates, and it was their
second consecutive win after losing their first of the season
seven days ago.

"We planned to hit them on a counter because we knew they
would come at us. We could have scored more goals but let's
not be greedy. Who will give you three points against Pirates,"
said Arrows coach Mandla Ncikazi.

AmaZulu v Bloemfontein Celtic

In an earlier match on Tuesday, AmaZulu beat Bloemfontein
Celtic in an entertaining seven-goal thriller. Usuthu won the
match 4-3, making it their third victory in a row.

Benni McCarthy's lads made life difficult for themselves after
allowing Celtic to come from 3-1 down to equalise a minute
before the final whistle. AmaZulu had to dig deep to get a
winning goal.

Thapelo Nyongo's brilliant free-kick in added time broke Celtic
hearts just when they thought they were taking a point to
Bloemfontein. Augustine Mulenga gave the home team the
advantage in 12 minutes before Harris Tchilimbou equalised
after 29th minutes.

Siyethamba Sithebe and Nyongo made it two and three
respectively for Usuthu. Victor Letsoalo pulled one back for
Celtic before Tchilimbou equalised again for the visitors.

Nyongo scored the dramatic winning goal with the last kick of
the match.

Picture source: @Orlandopirates

Baxter kicked out of Indian league for
reckless rape remark

           Bafana Bafana former coach Stuart Baxter has been
           kicked out of India's Odisha FC after his reckless
           comment about rape in a post-match interview on
           Tuesday.

Baxter had compared his team’s failure to rape after they lost
the match against Jamshedpur on 1 February.

"I think one of my players would have to rape someone or get
raped himself if he was going to get a penalty," Baxter said in
an interview.

On Monday Odisha released a statement condemning Baxter’s
comments.

"Odisha FC has decided to terminate head coach Stuart Baxter's
contract with immediate effect," read the statement on
Twitter.

The 67-year-old Baxter joined the Indian Super League club last
year. His comments came after his team lost 1-0 against
Jamshedpur on Monday.

Picture source: @StuartBaxterr

This xibelani will knock you out but it
will also set you back
Kamogelo Muvhenzhe

It’s called a xibelani and it’s a traditional Tsonga skirt that can
cost you anything between R1,500 and R3,000, tops. The skirt
usually has a short top layer across the hips and a knee-length
skirt. The material has been developed over years.

Yesterday, designer Rich Mnisi shocked many when he revealed
his latest collection, called Hiya kaya, which is Tsonga for Going
home - and the woolen xibelani is marked for R59,999.

Many people on social media were shocked. They said the price
was ridiculously high.

But here are a few facts about Mnisi's "special" xibelani that
will break the average buyer’s bank balance:

It is made of 100% Merino wool, a natural fibre from Merino
sheep. The wool is said to help regulate body temperature and
keep you dry as the fibre naturally absorbs and releases

moisture, which means less sweat on your body and on your
clothes and it is also fire resistant.

It is knotted onto nickel-plated D-rings. These are mild steel
shapes in the form of the letter D. They can be used at the end
of a leather or fabric strap, or can be secured to a surface with
a metal or fabric strap.

It is attached to a waist belt made of 100% genuine Nappa, full
grain, calf leather. Nappa is used in a range of items such as
handbags, gloves, coats, wallets, shoes and car interiors.

Picture source: richmnisi.com

Bye-bye Isibaya
Lungani Zungu

                 Isibaya actor Nkanyiso Mzimela told
                 Scrolla.Africa the final day of shooting for Isibaya
                 was a bitter day for him.
“I literally grew up on the set of Isibaya. It’s painful to bid
farewell to the show that made me,” he said.
Isibiya comes to an end after eight seasons since its first
premiere in 2013.

After jumping over the million mark, the viewership of the
series dipped below 900,000 last year, prompting Mzansi Magic
to end it.

Londeka Mchunu, who played Londiwe Ngubane said: “It is
painful for many of the actors because we have to look for
work elsewhere.”

She said when she joined Isibaya a few months ago, she knew
that it was ending but it was still painful.

“I made new friends and now this will all end,” she said.
Londeka was also in Isithembiso which ended last year after
three series.

Isibaya, which won many awards, will reportedly be replaced by
a new drama series called Diepsloot from Black Brains
Productions, which is partly owned by Mandla Ngcongwane,
known as Mandla N. He has directed, among others, Lockdown
and eHostela.

Picture source: Zalebs.com

Former ANC MP “received death
threats” from those caught stealing
Lungani Zungu

Investigators who threatened to expose looting at
State Owned Enterprises received death threats.

Zukiswa Rantho, former acting chairperson of the
Parliament’s public enterprises portfolio committee at the State
Capture Commission of Inquiry yesterday testified that those
caught with their hands in the state-owned enterprises cookie
jar issued death threats against the people who investigated
them.

The former ANC MP said things got worse when they
investigated Eskom, after allegations surfaced about corruption
in the power supplier in 2017.

Rantho said despite the threats, her family spurred her on to
continue with her job.

“I was encouraged within the family that I can’t stop doing
what I’m doing. If I got hurt, it was fine,” she said.

When her son and husband were confronted by unknown
people, Rantho turned to the then Speaker of Parliament
Baleka Mbete for help.

Rantho told Zondo that she was not given permanent security,
saying that people guarded her house but only from a distance.

She said the investigation turned comrade against comrade in
the ANC caucus in Parliament.

Without mentioning names, she said some comrades indicated
on which side they were on, while others kept their allegiance a
secret.

Her testimony backed up the evidence of Themba Godi, the
former chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee
on public accounts.

During his testimony on Monday, Godi labelled the ANC MPs as
“useful fools”.

“Many of our comrades in the portfolio committees were very
pliable and acted like useful idiots of the executive,” said Godi.

The commission is not sitting today and is expected to hear
evidence of former ANC MP Makhosi Khoza when it resumes
tomorrow.

Khoza is one of the ANC MPs who broke the ranks and called
for the erstwhile president Jacob Zuma to step down amid the
controversies that followed him.

Picture source: pa.org.za

How long can Citizens lead the EPL?
Menzi Magubane

                 Manchester City is the ninth team to head the
                 English Premier League table since the season
                 started in September.

They have been there for only two weeks and how long they
remain there remains to be seen with games coming every two
days but their recent form has seen them winning all six of their
league matches in January.

On Wednesday they are in action again away at struggling
Burnley at Turf Moor at 8pm. The last time they faced off the
Citizens ran riot winning 5-0.

Regarding Fernandinho, City coach Pep Guardiola has indicated
that the star’s contract may be extended again..

“He is an authentic leader. I’m satisfied he was chosen as
captain and he represents this club magnificently," said
Guadiola on the club's Twitter page.

“We will talk as friends. You cannot imagine the respect I have
for him."

Fernandinho, who was a man of the match in City's 1-0 victory
over Sheffield United, is expected to once again play a huge
role on Wednesday. Burnley will look to bounce back after a 2-0
defeat at Chelsea on the weekend.

Other EPL fixtures on Wednesday
Fulham vs Leicester (Craven Cottage, 8pm), Leeds United vs
Elland Road, 9.15pm), Aston Villa vs West Ham (Villa Park,
10.15pm), Liverpool vs Brighton (Anfield, 10.15pm).

Picture source: @fernandinho

Kelvin Momo: The Soulful King rising to
the top with his queen
Arthur Greene

Kelvin Momo, the self-proclaimed Soulful King, is fast becoming
Amapiano royalty.

The ultra-prolific house DJ only hit the scene in 2018, but since
then he has released two albums, four singles and has
appeared on over twenty other albums.

Somehow, he has also managed to squeeze in dozens of mixes
alongside these productions,

But it is not just Momo’s efficient musical production line which
has caught the eye of more established house DJs. He has been
celebrated for his remarkable consistency and versatility too.

His first album of 2020, Momo’s Private School, was released
under Kabza de Small’s record label Piano Hub. It has since
amassed millions of views as the King emerges as one of
Amapiano's most exciting pioneers.

His soulful take on the genre hybrid of deep house, jazz and
lounge music has made him a unique figure in South Africa’s
bustling Amapiano scene.

His most recent album, Bayeke, which he released in December
last year, is notable for the fact that the project was co-created
by the artist Babalwa M, who is Momo’s partner.

The Queen to Amapiano’s Soulful King, Babalwa M co-produced
on the project as well as providing vocals on all of its seven
tracks.

Bayeke is more understated than Momo’s previous release, a
powerful fourteen-track work which features many of the
genre’s biggest names.

However, it is no less of an artistic achievement. It is a much
more intimate project than Private School, crafted so that its
softer percussion beautifully compliments Babalwa’s more
prominent vocals.

LOVED AND LOST: SEBENZILE TIZE (1943
- 2020) AND THANDEKA TIZE (1950 -
2020)

Married for 52 years, they passed away within nine days of
each other
Mkhuseli Sizani

Sebenzile and Thandeka Tize were pillars of strength to their
family and their community from Moses Mabhida township in
Kirkwood in the Eastern Cape.

Sebenzile was a taxi driver and a church elder at the Ethiopian
Orthodox Church.

“He was a great negotiator and always had solutions for family,
church, community and problems in the taxi industry,” said his
daughter Linda Tize.

His wife Thandeka owned Jambase Multi-Traders, and she had
a construction and a catering company.

Thandeka was a strong woman, said Linda, but she was also
diabetic and her leg and arm were amputated about eight years
ago.

“But that did not stop her from serving her community,” said
Linda.

“She bought an artificial leg and arm because she never wanted
to be a burden to anyone.”

Linda said that her mother “took in the kids of our relatives and
other people and raised them as her own. Today, some are
nurses and cops and others are studying to be doctors.”

The couple were married for 52 years.

“I was their only child although my father has a daughter out of
wedlock,” she said.

One day last June Sebenzile complained of being tired.

He was sick for five days before being admitted to Uitenhage
Provincial Hospital.

“We were shocked when doctors wanted to run tests. But on
that Saturday night we received a call that he had passed
away,” she said.

“Two days later we buried him.”

Not long after, her mother developed a bad cough.

“After three days she was admitted to Sunday's Valley
Provincial Hospital where she also died from Covid.”

Not only did Linda lose both her father and mother within nine
days of each other but Covid-19 also robbed her of the chance
to give them dignified funerals.

“I buried them like prisoners who had no relatives,” Linda said.

“I could not even see them and say my last goodbyes because
their coffins were wrapped in plastic.”

Lockdown sparks teen baby boom
Everson Luhanga

                  More and more teenagers are becoming mothers
                  during lockdown.

This is according to Gabisile Khoza of the Siyazigabisa Home of
Hope.

“There have been more new mothers who are teenagers since
lockdown than ever before,” she said.

“When lockdown started, young people had nothing to do.
There were no schools, no parks, no movie nights and there
was nothing to keep them entertained. We have mothers as
young as 13 who gave birth during lockdown.”

She said many of the teenagers come to her to get food for
themselves and for their little ones.

“In the course of feeding them, we give them education on how
they should look after themselves and their children,” she said.

“Most of their baby-daddies are teenage boys themselves who
are not ready for commitment and they are not working. Once

a girl is pregnant, the boys vanish and the girls are left with the
burden of raising the children.

Gabisile said she recently brought in Family and Marriage of
South Africa (FAMSA) representatives to talk to teenagers
about the problems of being a teenage mother.

FAMSA representative Nontobeko Magwaza said there is a
need for children to be mature before being involved in
unprotected sex.

Nontobeko said the lockdown had placed a lot of pressure on
young people.

She said older men also impregnated the girls.

“Once they hear that the girls are pregnant, they go back to
their wives leaving the young girls with children to raise.

“When we speak to these teenagers, the common reasons for
them to get into unplanned relationships is hunger and
problems with taking care of themselves.

“Some of the girls were getting their daily meals at schools.
With lockdown, any amount of money to them meant
everything,” she said.

Step aside! Here comes the Nedbank
Cup
Menzi Magubane

                 DStv Premiership football will have to take a back
                 seat this week to allow the Nedbank Cup last 32
                 to take centre stage.

Reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns begin their title
defence on Wednesday against Stellenbosch at Loftus Stadium
at 5pm.

Normally teams with a big squad like Sundowns would rest
their regulars and play fringe players in this competition but
Downs’ co-coach Rhulani Mokwena said they won't be resting
any players.

“Consistency is the key,” said Mokwena.

“We are trying to have the same players because of the
situation we are in.”

He said while Stellenbosch has not won in their last five
matches they create chances against the big sides.

“We have no room for complacency," he said.

Sundowns have been missing players in league matches due to
injuries and suspensions and with the likes of Themba Zwane,
Kermit Erusmus and captain Hlompho Kekana looking a little
drained, Downs coaches could be tempted to give them a
break.

Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker is expected to field his
strongest side.

"This is against Sundowns and we only play our next league
game in 10 days’ time which gives us a lot of time to recover,”
he said.

This season's cup competition will see only Premiership and
GladAfrica Championship teams doing battle.

Last year, Sundowns won the title by beating Bloemfontein
Celtic 1-0 in the final at Orlando Stadium in Soweto in
September.

Also on Wednesday, Polokwane City play Steenberg United in
the clash of GladAfrica Championship teams at the Old Peter
Mokaba Stadium at 3pm.

Picture source: Masandawana