MyZA – Page 4

Desiree Barnesis Crowned the 2025 Snowflake Rising Stars Winner

Desiree Barnes from Qalashe, Qonce, has been named the best up-and-coming baker in the Border Kei region at this years’ Snowflake Rising Stars Bake-Off, held on Saturday, 18 October at the Blue-Ribbon Hospitality & Cookery School of Excellence.

Impressing the judges in the colour-themed mystery box challenge, Barnes wowed them with her colourful red vanilla cupcakes, earning her the top prize of R20 000, a business toolkit, PR exposure, and Snowflake stock to grow her business, DesiB Cakes & Balloon Décor.

To showcase her talent, Snowflake will host a regional roadshow where Barnes, will present her baked creations at the following malls:

Vincent Park Mall 25 & 26 October
Hemmingway Mall 01 & 02 November
Beacon Bay Park 29 & 30 November

“I am overwhelmed with gratitude. From the moment I saw the competition advertised, I believed this was something I could win. I’m incredibly proud of myself and deeply thankful to Snowflake for this amazing opportunity. To all aspiring bakers, keep believing in yourselves and never stop working toward your dreams. With faith and passion, anything is possible,” says Barnes.

Each of the ten competition finalists presented a festive-themed cake, delivered a business elevator pitch, and completed a 90-minute mystery box challenge at the bake-off, attended by judges, local industry leaders, Premier staff, and members of the media. They were evaluated by the judges on taste, texture, creativity, visual appeal, and aroma, as well as their entrepreneurial potential – including innovation and business sustainability.

In second place, Bongiwe Ngqokola from Mdantsane, East London, received R15 000, a business toolkit worth R30 000, PR coverage and Snowflake stock. Third place went to Babalwa Motile from Queensview Park, Komani, who received R10 000, along with the same support package.

Now in its second year, the Snowflake Rising Stars competition is organised in partnership with the Border Kei Chamber of Business as part of Premier ’s commitment to nurturing local talent and supporting small business development through it’s Snowflake brand.

“Congratulations to Desiree! This initiative empowers local bakers by giving them the tools, training and exposure they need to turn their passion into successful enterprises,” said Sibongile Mooko, Marketing Executive at Premier. “The creativity and dedication shown by this year’s finalists have been truly inspiring. With the right ingredients and spirit, these bakers prove that what they make is simply Too Fresh to Flop.”

Several partners contributed to the event’s success, including the Blue-Ribbon Hospitality & Cookery School of Excellence, All Things Cake and Thee Gifted Hands.

For more information about Snowflake and upcoming events, visit www.snowflake.co.za.

Sourced With Compliments of MyZA

Khoi and San Deserve Justice at Once

The legal principle of justice delayed is justice denied is more relevant to the Khoi and San traditional leaders and their communities than ever, as they are still suffering injustice.

For three decades, the ANC government has failed to officially recognise these indigenous groups, while Nguni communities such as the Xhosa and Zulu enjoy benefits under existing legislation.

The Constitutional Court’s ruling on 14 October 2025 suspended the declaration of invalidity of the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act (TKLA) for two years until 29 May 2027 – signifying regress rather than redress.

During this time, national, provincial and local governments are free to adopt legislation without guaranteeing the rights of Khoi and San communities.

In the Western Cape, where these communities are strongly represented, their unrecognised status perpetuates exclusion from spatial planning and municipal boundary demarcation.

The DA-led provincial government has, since the Traditional Leadership and Governance Framework Act took effect in 2003, failed to establish a Provincial House of Traditional Leaders. This failure deepens the marginalisation of the Khoi and San.

Meanwhile, the persistent lack of institutional capacity in the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) hinders any progress.

Funds annually earmarked for Khoi-San research are returned unspent, while there is still no concrete recognition.

The inequality is shocking and unacceptable: Nguni leaders enjoy full legal status, while Khoi-San leaders remain oppressed. This is a gross violation of the Constitution’s principle of equality.

The Government of National Unity (GNU) has a historic opportunity to correct this injustice, but it all depends on whether the President has the political will to prioritise the rights of Khoi-San communities instead of ignoring them.

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) is the only party taking a firm stand for the Khoi and San’s right to recognition and self-determination.

The party calls on these communities to intensify their activism and stand up for their cause with the Freedom Front Plus.

The Constitutional Court’s ruling, albeit in good faith, perpetuates exclusion as long as the ANC and its allies fail to take appropriate action.

Freedom Front Plus Land Reform: The FF Plus opposes land expropriation without compensation.

Sourced With Compliments of MyZA

Eastern Cape Families Affected by 2023 Floods to Wait Until Next Year for Houses

Families living in temporary houses in Komani in the Eastern Cape will have to wait at least until 2027-8 to be rehoused.

Hundreds of families in Komani, Eastern Cape, displaced by floods in 2023 are still waiting for their promised houses.
They are living in dilapidated, leaking temporary accommodation with no electricity and limited water and sanitation.
Meanwhile a huge housing project launched before the floods is still in the initial phase.

Construction has still not started on a huge Eastern Cape housing project launched in 2023. Meanwhile families affected by floods later in 2023 are still waiting for their promised houses.

More than 500 households in Silvertown and Gauteng informal settlements in Komani were hit by floods in February 2023. At least three people were confirmed dead and about 420 families were moved to temporary shelters.

Two years later they are still living in their temporary houses, many of which are dilapidated and leak.

Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlement spokesperson Yanga Funani told GroundUp the affected families would get permanent housing in the 3,000-unit New Rathwick housing project. He said the project, which had already been launched at the time of the floods, was still in the initial phase – the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Construction was due to start in 2027/28, he said.

Funani did not respond to questions from GroundUp about why the first phase was taking so long.

Meanwhile many of the temporary houses, near the Luvuyo Lerumo High School, have broken walls and leaking roofs. The area has no electricity and according to residents crime is very high, especially at night.

Each toilet is shared by five families. Residents have to fetch water from a water tank and carry the bucket to flush the toilet.

Residents said the toilets often get full and the municipality takes a long to empty them.

Chris Hani District Municipality spokesperson Thobeka Mqamelo said the 106 toilets were emptied every two to three months. She said foreign objects like dead animals, garbage, and stones were thrown into the septic tanks, blocking the toilet system.

But community leader Lelethu Mfaku said when they call the municipality to empty the toilet, they are often told to wait because there’s only one vacuum tanker that services the whole Chris Hani District. She said they sometimes waited months until the tanker came.

There are 16 water tanks but according to Mqamelo two have been stolen and one has been damaged by wind. Mfaku said the tanks are filled twice a week, but families still run out of water.

“To charge our phones we need to go to another area. There are no street lights here, crime is worse and the sad thing is that it seems like our officials have forgotten about us.”

Resident Noxolo Maphipha shares a one-room temporary house with her adult son. She cooks outside using wood and uses a candle for lighting at night.

“When I need to relieve myself, I first go get water from the tank then go down to the toilet. As you can see, both the water tank and the toilets are far from my house,” she said.

She has put large stones on her roof and a wooden support for the wall, which she says shakes in the wind.

Some flood victims were left behind in Gauteng informal settlement. Resident Similo Wambi, who moved to the area in 2008, says there are no toilets and families use an open field. They get water from the river or the taxi rank.

Since the floods “not a single official has come to check on us”, said Wambi.

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The South African Women’s Movement has been pivotal in advocating for gender equality and women’s rights.

Sourced With Compliments of MyZA

Bigger and Better Than Ever Before

In a significant boost for women’s rugby development, SA Rugby has confirmed a brand-new club competition for women, with Betway as the title sponsor, while the U20 Women’s Tournament will see more participating teams than ever before converge on Johannesburg next month.

Both tournaments will take place in the week of 5-10 October in Gauteng – the Betway Women’s Club Championship at Alberton Rugby Club and the U20 Women’s Tournament at Queens High School.

The inaugural Betway Women’s Club Championship – the first of its kind in South Africa – will see 16 club teams (drawn from all 15 provincial unions plus one wild card) play each other over three match days, with the event aimed at elevating the domestic women’s rugby further and developing the game nationally at grassroots level.

“The Betway Women’s Club Championship marks an important milestone in the development of women’s rugby, providing a vital platform for players to showcase their talent in the level below provincial rugby,” said Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby.

“We’re not just building competitions – we’re creating pathways for women to play, dream, and rise, and we are very grateful to Betway for coming on board as title sponsor and showing strong support for the women’s game in South Africa.”

Betway’s Head of Marketing, Mark Rowles believes this is an important opportunity for the future of women’s rugby in South Africa.

“As a principal partner of the Springboks, Springbok Women’s team and the Blitzboks, we are delighted to extend our commitment to rugby in South Africa by supporting the Betway Women’s Club Championship,” said Rowles.

“We at Betway believe that this tournament provides a vital platform for the next generation of women to showcase their unbelievable talent and hopefully one day represent the senior national team on a global stage like the Rugby World Cup. I also want to take this opportunity to congratulate the Springbok Women’s team on their performance at the 2025 World Cup.”

The competition will feature 16 teams from across South Africa. Similarly to the Pick n Pay Gold Cup, teams from the FNB Varsity Cup are not eligible although women’s teams from three other tertiary institutions that did not participate in the Varsity Cup have been included amongst the 16 competitors.

They are Durban University of Technology (Sharks), Sol Plaatje University Rugby Club (Griquas) and University of Limpopo (Limpopo Blue Bulls).

They will be joined by Walker Bay (Boland), Mqanduli Sharks (Border), Harlequins (Bulls), Kwaru RFC (EP), Collegians Valkyries (Free State), Pirates (Lions), Van der Stel Evergreens (WP), Welkom Rugby Club (Griffons), Potchefstroom Dorp (Leopards), Embalenhle RC (Pumas), Titans (SWD), Kempton Park (Valke), and the wild card team, Raiders (Lions).

The teams will be split into two divisions of eight, based on their provincial participation in the Women’s Premier and First Divisions. Teams will play three matches each during the week in Alberton.

Meanwhile, this year’s U20 tournament marks a new milestone, with a record 14 teams confirmed to participate, up from 12 that played last year, with the Pumas and a Northern Invitational XV joining the action next month.

Oberholzer said: “This tournament is of strategic importance as it serves as a critical platform for the development of women’s rugby and a vital step in the pathway to the Springbok Women’s team.

“It also serves as a vital recruitment platform, enabling unions to scout and strengthen their First and Premier Division squads with emerging talent from across the country.

“These two tournaments really underline our Participation & Development Department’s mantra of #GrowTogetherPlayTogether.”

The 14 participating sides will also be split into two groups, according to the Women’s Premier and First Divisions. Tier 1 at the 2025 U20 Women’s Tournament in Johannesburg will consist of the Bulls, Boland, Border, Eastern Province, Cheetahs, Lions, Sharks and Western Province. Tier 2 will feature Griquas, Limpopo Blue Bulls, Pumas, SWD, Valke and the Northern Invitational XV.

Matches in both tournaments will take place on 6, 8 and 10 October.

Betway Women’s Club Championship fixtures (day one – Monday 6 October at Alberton Rugby Club):

First Division:

08h30: Sol Plaatje (Griquas) vs Raiders (wild card, Lions)

09h40: Titans (SWD) vs Welkom (Griffons)

10h50: Embalenhle (Pumas) vs University of Limpopo (Limpopo)

12h00: Potch Dorp (Leopards) vs Kempton Park (Valke)

Premier Division:

13h10: Mqanduli Sharks (Border) vs Kwaru (EP)

14h20: Harlequins (Bulls) vs DUT (Sharks)

15h30: Walker Bay (Boland) vs Collegians Valkyries (Cheetahs)

16h40: Van der Stel Evergreens (WP) vs Pirates (Lions)

U20 Women’s Tournament fixtures (day one – Monday 6 October at Queens High School):

08h30: Valke vs Northern Invitational XV

09h40: Pumas vs Limpopo

10h50: SWD vs Griquas

12h00: WP vs Sharks

13h10: Lions vs Cheetahs

14h20: Border vs Boland

15h30: Bulls vs EP