GETTING TO KNOW PHALANNDWA COLLIERY

There is nothing intriguing in life than seeing something that you have been studying about unfolds right before your eyes.  On October 23, 2018 Journalism students, journalists and a geologist have been granted an opportunity of a site visit at Phalanndwa Colliery.

The visit included the processing operations and the respective control rooms where journalists were given insight into how the mining equipment is closely controlled and monitored. The colliery  takes safety as a priority hence they were given hard hats, safety boots and safety vest, they were also warned not to approach moving machinery or equipment’s.

Phalanndwa Colliery is situated approximately 19 km outside the town of Delmas, Mpumalanga. It has commenced in 2010 and was fully operational inclusive of its wash plant in 2013, but established their mining company in March 2015. Utilizing its own equipment, Canyon coal extracts 120 000 tons of Rom per month of no: 2 upper, main and lower seams with Rom top size of 500 mm.

Coal remains one of South Africa’s most abundant and valuable resources with the country deriving over 82% of its electricity requirements from coal. Phalanndwa colliery mines +/- 100 000 tonnes of coal per month and removes approximately 200 000 m3 of waste rock and soil every month to get to the coal and it produces 1.4 million tons per annum.

Thereafter they were taken to the on-site laboratory were coal grade is prepared; they test 3, 4 content of coal as in mineral and moisture content of coal. They were also shown samples of coal and how much of energy does the coal produce. Emulsion Explosives are used to conduct all blasts on the mine and approximately 100 tons of explosives are used per month.

Moreover, the coal mining industry’s economic impact for reaching and contributes significantly to the economy of the country. The opencast colliery is giving a helping hand to the needy by providing 82% of employment especially to young people and women, bursaries, learner ships and skills development to the people residing in Victor Khanye Municipality.

The visit concluded by showing them equipment’s used for mining. The visit was fruitful and mind blowing especially for first timers like me and it was also impressive to see and is being developed rapidly.

MEET AFRO BROTHERZ

There is nothing more liberating than seeing young people doing what they love and having fun whilst doing it. These young stars are all about music; Afro brotherz who owns the floor in making people dance and have become regulars to all the major events all over kwaNdebele and places around it.

Afro Brotherz is an Afro House music duo from Vezubuhle, Mpumalanga which consists of music producers and DJ’s Lawrance Skosana ‘Dj Click’ and Robert Mashifani ‘General Mohamed’. This young starts are feeding people with the energy and making waves in in the events. With their love for music, they started producing their own songs and so far produced more than 50 songs. Their debut song was ‘love intentions’ were they featured Promilion from Siyabuswa, the song is about love, respect and being humble.

They are both born and bred at Vezubuhle. They became friends at the very young and both attended at the same Primary School ‘Mnyamani Primary’. They had a lot in common hence they begin to do music together. One thing that they both regret is not completing their matric but as they say there is no use crying over spilt milk.

“Being in the music industry has been my dream since I was a kid; it is a great pleasure to see people dancing and moving because of music we produce as most people relate and find consolation in music”, said Dj Click.

Most young people like to party and to go out but what they consider important is listening to good music. Afro Brotherz believe that they are indeed producing good music and they are best in being dj’s.

“We know and understand that there are already lot of dj's and producers out there but we know that our music stand out. When we get a chance at stage to dj we give that our best shot and do the best we can do”, said General Mohamed.

Their hard work made them receive great airplays on various radio stations like YFM and Ikwekwezi Fm “Our proudest moment was when we received a phone call from YFM wanting to do an interview with us reason being was that most dj’s who were playing they were playing songs, they also gave us a chance to play for an hour”, said Afro Brotherz.


 The duo had their fair share of challenges and disappointments but they refuse to let anything get in their way of success and building their brand in the music industry. To them each day is taken as a day to better and to uplift them in doing what they love. They perform at events, parties and taverns which mean their weekends become very busy.

They shared a stage with well-known artists like Caiiro, Lebza The Villan, Mpumi Andyboi and Stilo Magolide to name a few. Music that they produce stands out as they produce quality sound and have started their own sound and plays a different music.

As the saying goes “dream big or go home”. Afro brotherz will like to see themselves being the best and succeeding in music, their long term goal is to see themselves owning the record company and help other upcoming Dj’s and producers around KwaNdebele.

IsiNdebele drama debut on SABC

It is a proud moment for Ndebele speaking people to see their language or rather a first drama series to be broadcasted on a national televion in their language. The SABC 1 is bringing the first-ever drama in isiNdebele to your screens. In previous year, some of the Ndebele took an initiative to deliver their grievances to SABC studios at Auckland Park. Among the things that made them to march was that they feel sidelined by SABC and they want to see their language being spoken in the television. By the look of things it seems like what they fought for was answered and they will soon get a chance to watch the drama in isiNdebele.

 From the 30th of September, your Sunday will not be the same again. The first-ever drama will be broadcasted in isiNdebele.This will give an opportunity to learn Ndebele language and to learn more about the Ndebele culture.

The new drama is called Ikani, it is produced by Coal Stove Pictures. The series focuses on the young excellent painter called Khaya Hlophe who is in search for her true identity. Khaya is played by 25- year old actress Thandeka Mdeliswa. She previously landed her self minor roles on local soaps Generations:The leagacy, Isidingo and Rhythm City. She also acted on a SABC 1 short story series Ngempela. The drama will be played by talented actors and actresses, the likes of Sipho Mbele, Themba Mahlangu, Thandeka Mdeliswa and the award- winning actress Florence Masebe.

The series also feature January Mwaza Kabini, Bakwateleni Jiyane and Sophie Kabini. The series first episode will air on SABC 1 on September 30.