Mthatha Dam News Today

Tourists and local visitors to the Mthatha Dam can now add kayaking on their fun lists. This after the OR Tambo District Municipality on Monday donated six new kayaks to young Mthatha entrepreneur Live Mabeqa as part of its support to small businesses involved in the tourism sector. In 2022, the Dispatch reported that Mabeqa, now 32, had started his own Mthatha Dam Safari Boat Cruise service.

OR Tambo district municipality bosses have announced an ambitious plan to end load-shedding in Mthatha and surrounds once and for all.

While the rest of SA experiences a severe egg shortage, five rural Eastern Cape women who run their own egg-producing co-operative say they are ready to step in and save the day — at least in their hometown Mthatha and its surrounds. Ikamva Le Ncise Primary Co-operative was founded in 2017 by Ncise villagers Kholeka Maliphale, her daughter Faith Maliphale, who acts as treasurer, daughter-in-law Gcotyiswa Maliphale and their neighbours Fikiswa Dube and Thulisa Gxagxisa.

Ratepayers and businesses in Tsolo are struggling with severe water shortages, and have blamed private contractors — sent by the government to replace underground sewers — for damaging pipes meant to bring clean piped water to their homes.

OR Tambo district municipality bosses say they have a plan to end load-shedding and water shortages in Mthatha.

When Live Mabeqa took a bold decision to sell his prized VW Jetta 5 in 2016 to buy a small speedboat for R84,000, he just wanted to have fun with his friends at the Mthatha Dam, especially on weekends. Mabeqa, 30, who originally hails from Dikeni (formerly Alice), had no idea he would be running his own pontoon boat cruise venture a few years down the line.

Businessman Live Mabeqa takes the plunge to start boat cruise service

The body of a 10-year-old boy who drowned in a small river near the Slovo informal settlement in Mthatha on Monday was recovered on Wednesday, thanks to the efforts of two young residents. Ayabonga Makhwenkana had reportedly gone for a swim to beat the sweltering heat at about 7am, according to his distraught father Siphelo Madolo, 32.

Vivian Dafeti, the widow of respected Mthatha businessman Zibele Dafeti, has vowed to continue the many community building projects they started 17 years ago. She was all smiles when DispatchLIVE (http://www.dispatchlive.co.za) visited one of their farming initiatives. Dafeti has found purpose amid grieving for her husband, who was gunned down two months ago outside one of his businesses in KwaLink village.

Emergency repairs at the Mthatha Dam have been completed and now OR Tambo district municipal authorities have promised an improved clean water supply to residents and businesses in and around Mthatha.