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In a world filled with fake news, we stand out from the crowd in our efforts to provide readers with honest and authentic news. We gladly partner with like-minded media outlets, such as our sister publication, Devoted Magazine. Today, the spotlight is on Radio Khwezi in KwaZulu-Natal. The value of community radio lies in the fact that it improves its community’s livelihood. It plays a significant role at a grassroots level for rural development, speaks to its listeners in their language, helps to build a sense of community and, most importantly, informs and uplifts its listeners. Community radio informs its listeners about what is happening globally and provides information that helps them formulate informed opinions. Radio Khwezi is a success story par excellence and lives up to its motto, “Changing lives, giving hope”. Their vision is to “uplift communities and to improve their lives”. As one of South Africa’s most successful and largest rural community radio stations, they broadcast to over 100,000 listeners. The station serves the North Coast and KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Khwezi’s content is a unique local flavour of languages, culture, and content, which the listeners will receive well. The content and broadcastings represent high-quality regional, national, and international standards, and the station’s essence is built on Christian values. Khwezi not only provides information but is active in skills development. Mmangaliso Zuma, a young presenter who joined the station late in 2020, is an excellent example of the skills development and knowledge transfer the radio station engages in. She is on air from Monday to Friday between 11:00 and 14:00, and it is clear that she enjoys what she does. She is incredibly passionate about empowering women and enthusiastically explains the station’s efforts to inform and educate women by including exciting topics with great educational value in the programmes. These topics include childcare, recipes, and a range of exciting topics that allow interaction between the presenters, guests, and listeners. Mmangaliso is very good at her job, almost as if she was born with a microphone in her hand! She did not have formal training as a broadcaster –  the station trained her on the job. She says, “I am grateful for the high level of training and assistance I receive from the station to empower me to do what I like to do best – inform and educate my community members.” Radio Khwezi (Morning Star in Zulu) is a non-profit radio station with roots in serving the rural communities in which it operates. It is based at the KwaSizabantu Mission (KSB) and receives tremendous support from the Mission. Read the full story in our sister publication, Devoted, Issue 33 online: www.devotedmag.co.za

Moving on with Rising Stars feature, our aim to expose our African stars stories regardless their poor backgrounds. Rising Star no: 213 is an ambitious youngster who never let anything to distract his dream. Ntando Zwane (16) is from a small township called Danganya area, Kwa Zulu Natal province in South Africa. He is currently doing Grade 8 at Sidelile High School and love to play soccer with all his heart. “Ngiyabonga (Thanks), I started playing soccer at the age of 6 years after being inspired by Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns player) and never looked back from then. Unfortunately, I had to lose my other leg because of snake bite, it was very bad feeling cause my friends were enjoying football while I was there watching outside. My family was there to support me, am so blessed and thankful to have them on myside”, said Ntando. After recovering, Ntando did not hesitate to go back to the field so he can enjoy and forget about the trauma. He joined a local team called Sazi Lions (Ace Milan Footbll Club) from Ilfracombe. “My coach and teammates accepted my condition and made it easy for me to have more confidence. I do not feel any difference because they always encourage me”, he added. The talented soccer star’s ambition is playing topflight football in overseas and representing national team. He also wants to be a coach, motivate young kids to not give up in life and look up to someone like him. Rise Africans Newspaper asked his coach, Sazi Mthethwa about Ntando and said: “the boy is a hard worker and very much disciplined, he is willing to learn more although it was hard cause some coaches would not allow him to play. Now the coaches and supporters love him and that makes me happy as a coach. Ntando is an extremely phenomenal and perfect personality. I wish him all the best!”. We are proud to see African child rising to the top!

Rise Africans Newspaper had so much fun with “Best Reader Award” winner of the month of March 2024! Rendani Edwell Ndlovu (38) is one Riser who cannot live without Rise Africans Newspaper, he really loves our content, enjoy the entertainment and education from the newspaper. A talented Gospel musician was born in a village called Siambe in Sibasa, Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province in South Africa. “Life has never been easy, I had to drop out from University of Venda due to lack of finance , I was responsible for my tuition fees by selling music on the streets. I started singing at the age of 7 after getting inspired by the legends such as the late Oleseng Shadrack Shuping and Ntate Kori Moraba”, said Rendani. Rise Africans Newspaper celebrated a massive achievement of reaching over 10,2 million audience on facebook account during a month of March 2024, history was made, and more people started to follow our content. “I came across Rise Africans Newspaper on Facebook and got inspired by the great work you are doing by promoting the Poets and entire community”, he added. Music industry has changed much, in the late 90’s artists had an option of selling music on the streets to make money but now its hard to keep up with digital platform due to lot of fans being unable to buy a data to stream or download music. “Challenges of self-marketing without a manager is a stress for us musicians. Opportunity to get an airplay or exposure is also another issue. Piracy is still ruining our music. I am not relying only on music, I am self employed specialising with Tiling, Ceiling and Painting to put bread on the table. I make music when I am free”, he said. During his musical journey, Rendani has shared a stage with talented artists such as Dr Winnie Mashaba, Simon Makgathoela, Sione Jerusalem, Tau Diarora and Paul K. He is a well-known musician around Limpopo Province and won several awards. “I have been nominated on the two categories in the Awards called Royal Gospel Music Awards (ROYGMA) and One of the Song nominated was trending strongly on Social media. People must not look down on themselves, you can make it only if you have a focus. It does not matter where you come from. Do not limit yourself”, concluded Rendani. Bookings can be done: Facebook: RENDANI EDWELL NDOU Email address: rendaniedwellndoundou@gmail.com Whatsapp/Call: 0722795156/0672015220

The Doctors for Life International (DFL) volunteer teams’ work is profound, especially during their Aid to Africa outreaches. They save many lives during these outreaches and positively impact the lives of countless vulnerable patients by restoring their sight and dignity. Stories like this highlight the team’s efforts, especially during hard times. And we think you appreciate success stories so much more when you know the story behind the story, don’t you? Cataract surgery is one of the safest surgical procedures in medicine, with a high success rate, allowing the dedicated DFL teams to do successful outreaches that profoundly save and change lives. The DFL health community outreach provides access to medical consultation and healthcare for vulnerable communities without the cost to the patients who are the poorest of the poor. Over the years, the DFL teams have successfully restored vision to countless blind people from vulnerable communities through their Aid to Africa outreach programme. An outreach to Botswana a few years back was a challenge for many reasons, and the fact that it was so successful is no small milestone – the team saw many miracles. Johan Claassen is the project leader who coordinates the logistics for the outreaches to Africa. He said, “People’s reaction after successful cataract surgery is priceless. Their gratitude has no end and reminds us why it is better to give than receive. When their eye pads are removed, some of the women are so happy to be able to see again—they clap their hands in appreciation, and one of them said, ‘God is great!’ “Some of the patients reacted very emotionally. When a woman named Mmasello’s eye pad was removed, she started to cry. She said she cried because she could not see before, ‘But now I can see.’ Her face was beaming when she told us she became blind in one eye about three years ago and then completely blind in both eyes about two years later. She said she waited a long time to be operated on because, although she had been booked for surgery, they (the local hospital) did not have the medicines and materials needed for the operation. “She told us she was once almost bitten by a snake. The snake passed by her, but she could not see it. A child came to her aid and shouted, ‘There is a snake,’ and then the snake was killed. She then said, ‘I, therefore, thank God to be able to see properly now.’ “Mmasello lives a simple life. At home, she used to do piece jobs, as the locals call it. She also collected refuse for an income. Thankfully, her husband and two children seemed to have cared for her while she was blind. Before her husband went to work, he would give her water to bathe, and when he returned, he continued to assist her. She said that she would cry after returning home when she saw her husband’s face, something she could not do for a long time.” Read the full story in our sister publication, Devoted, Issue 33 online: www.devotedmag.co.za

Johan Claassen is the project manager of the Aid to Africa project. He regularly shares inspiring stories from their outreaches to remote villages. The project is a Doctors For Life International (DFL) project that is restoring the sight of people from remote villages—one precious soul at a time… Johan said, “One of the women told us during our outreaches that she could not go to the toilet, cook, or go to the hospital alone. And these are just some of the everyday tasks that she struggled with. She only has two children, and when they leave for the day, she has to remain alone at home, unable to do much for herself.” In general, members of vulnerable communities experience greater risk factors and worse access to healthcare. They are dependent on the goodwill of initiatives such as the Aid to Africa programme, which aims to help, uplift, and support these vulnerable communities deprived of healthcare and other services. The team once organized an exceptionally challenging but outstanding, fruitful outreach to Botswana. Botswana has only three government ophthalmologists to care for the country’s needs. There is a great need for assistance and a mounting backlog of blind patients needing cataract surgery. In the past, other countries supported Botswana, but there is currently no support for these patients. “One of our patients, Qumma Tsaa, was blind in one eye,” says Johan Claassen. “He was very excited and so thankful to be able to see again. He said he struggled to perform his duties properly and was eager to return home and work. It was a joy to listen to him speak in his native language as he shared his stories with us in an animated way. He did not know his age, and his ID card merely showed xx/xx/1958. His friend, Tjetjex, also came from Ghanzi, received eye surgery, and translated Qumma’s story into Afrikaans! His birthdate was also unknown to him; his ID showed 01/01/1960. “We took the time to get to know some of the patients. One of the older nurses invited us to share a message with the patients waiting outside to be helped before they started the screening process. Their singing was beautiful and touched our hearts.” Despite all our challenges in South Africa, we still have so much to be thankful for. We have to display more gratitude for what we receive, and we can also contribute to the Aids to Africa outreaches. Visit their website to learn how. Every small contribution makes a difference. Read the full story in our sister publication, Devoted, Issue 33 online: www.devotedmag.co.za

A fact is that lots of talents are found in people living with disabilities. We once interviewed a talented young guy named, Kamogelo Mokoena – an artist using his mouth to make amazing drawings and got inspired. This time we had a nice chat with another talented lad all the way from Nwadzekudzeku Village, Giyani, Limpopo Province in South Africa. Outten Hlongwani (23) is a talented poet living with disability has never let himself down. He discovered his talent in 2016 while doing Grade 7 at Tshembani Primary School. “I was a type of person who loved to write poems, so I decided to write my own poems and excelled. In 2018, I started to focus more after inspired by “Ntombi Ya Mutsonga” and told myself that I can make it. My first poem was titled “Ndzi Lwerini” which was also recorded. In 2019, I wrote about 30 poems but was not perfect, this year I started writing a drama book called "Swihundla hasi ka Malwangu”. I took it to Lingua Franca publishers but never got any feedback. I also released a gospel song titled “Nkhensa Yehova”, he said. People living with disability are still facing a challenge of being not taken serious. However, Outten still believes that the sky is the limit to every human being. “My dream is to see myself appearing on TV screens reciting my poems and see my work being all over the world. My advice to all people living with disability is to believe in themselves and never be afraid of taking more risks in life. They must not take decision to impress anyone but to benefit themselves”, he added. When asking him about our trending feature called “Poetry Corner” and said “You guys are doing wonderful work to expose their work, we are proud as Africans because now our work will be known because of you, you are trying your best to see everyone succeeding. Be Blessed” Youth can now be ready to show their talents on 16th June 2024, when Outten host his 1st annual competition under his foundation called “Rock Voice Foundation”. “Lastly, I want to thank all the people who support me, I will always be there for them, keep doing great things and promise to never disappoint them”, he concluded. Rise Africans Newspaper would love to see all people holding hands, working together and achieve more despite their health condition, race, culture or background. We are proud of Outten! He can be found: WhatsApp ( 063 968 1377) Facebook ( Rock Voice Outten or Rock Voice foundation) tiktok ( rockvoicefoundation01)

We are back with another inspiration story by Africans, we urge all Risers to read and be inspired. Lydia Nemafhohoni is no stranger to our newspaper; she is now a part of family. This hardworking lady is from Ha Rambuda Dzimauli Traditional Authority, Pile Village, Vhembe District, Thulamela Municipality, Limpopo Province in South Africa. “Happy to be back again to share another story with Rise Africans Newspaper family. Living with disability really keeps me strong (I use wheelchair), my love for football started long time. I remember listening to Kaizer Chiefs (South African professional soccer team) game on radio at a very young age. There was a team in my village called “Pile Fast Mighty Killers” which was joyful to watch, and another team called “Badirammogo Peacemakers”. I then chose to support “Pile Shinning Stars” which later changed its name to “Pile Rama” then “Managa Uprising Stars”, she said. Mr Ndoweni Joseph Managa, Lydia’s step father owned a Managa Uprising Stars  (currently called Managa Rising Stars Academy)  and surprisingly chose her to take over a team in 2022. He promised to assist her financially and the rest is history. “I really did not know why he chose me to manage the team. My first task was to build a management team of the club. I found out that the club did not have a soccer kit so I went to Mr David Thidiela (Black Leopards FC – Chairman) to ask for an assistant and he humbly gave me a soccer kit. From there many people like Mphohoni Lawrence, Emmanuel Managa, Rudzani Managa, Aron Sirwali and Nefale – big lawyer decided to sponsor us with soccer kit, soccer boots and other things”, added Lydia. In 2022/23 season, the team failed to take a league but ended up on 3rd position. It was a blessings cause the team managed to win the biggest tournament in Vhembe of Marshall tournament worth R 12 000,00. It also achieved second position in a local tournament called “Vhaphandi”. “The big issue in a soccer industry is discipline, most of our players lack discipline! I used to tell them that am not doing this for them, they are the ones who will benefit but not me. Soccer players must have passion or else leave if they do not like. I like to develop young players because my father always has a passion for development”, she said. Managa Rising Stars Academy is working hard to get promotion to SAB League and Lydia’s dream is to join a board of VBA (Vhembe Football Association). Rise Africans Newspaper is proud to see African child rising to the top despite difficult circumstances. Hail Managa Rising Stars Academy Boss Lady! MORE INFORMATION can be found:  contact – 0768070141 email: makhulu49@gmail.com

Kobus Groenewald from Stilbaai in the Garden Route, collects tractors and other things from previous periods and restores them to their original condition. He belongs to veteran tractor groups and travels far and wide searching for original parts. He does the restoration work with complete dedication and patience. Kobus's son, Gielie, helps to restore the tractors and old cars and learns this skill from his father's good example. According to him, his father is a perfectionist when restoring old tractors, and he spares no effort to restore a tractor with original parts. Kobus is an early riser who is impatient to start his day’s work, but he has vast amounts of patience in practising his hobby. Restoring a vintage tractor requires painstaking commitment, the patience of a saint, and a tremendous amount of resilience. Added to that is the passion for finishing the metalwork as smoothly as silk with the mark of a craftsman. He is doing the job perfectly for the sake of doing a good job. His work resulted in a large shed with not one but some 65 beautifully restored tractors, cars, and other farm implements. They stand proud to have been a testimony to this man’s work ethic for many decades. His restoration work has been acknowledged several times at the National Vintage Tractor and Engine Show as the best in the field. Each one of his entries is lovingly restored to its original. No fake or modern parts are used. If need be, he makes the parts himself. He often uses spare parts acquired over the years from across the country. Sometimes, a tractor, therefore, has to wait several years to be completed. He still has lots of tractors and other implements waiting to be restored. When completed, every tractor is in total working order and finished in the original colour. Kobus rarely leaves a tractor’s paintwork in its weather-beaten state, accentuating the worked-in sheen and contrasting with the painted tractors. Kobus is not only a restorer of note; he is an outstanding storyteller. Forgotten brand names such as the Field Marshal and Massey Ferguson fill Kobus’s stories about how he acquired and restored each one of the tractors. He has travelled some 250,000 km with his 8-ton truck, going to shows, auctions, and far-off farms to seek out old tractors worth buying and restoring … and collecting stories. Read the full story in the Devoted magazine by following the links: https://online.pubhtml5.com/asxvv/sngi/ and https://devotedmag.co.za/

Poem: I've seen the world By : Lutho Mdashe I've seen . I've seen hearts that bleed to non-existence but still continue beating . I've seen sorrows that drowned into tears tarnishing bright tomorrows . I've seen a wiseacre leading nations into devilment . I've seen the most calmest faces with dangerous minds planning . Whatever plan they set out , they destroy . For they find peace in chaos . Yet they still portray the most calmest faces . There's more to what meets the eye , so they say . What is art ? That every human being is an artist at heart . That legends do not see with the eye neither do they lack eyesight . I've seen hope being the gleam of survival divulging great foresight . I've seen ghosts wondering with us the living dead not knowing where to head . I've seen newborns being granted their last beds right after they've just arrived . Some acrimonious as they realise that their journey has just began . Thousands have came . Many lived . Billions have passed . Only a few will make it . Some soon to arrive , I hope they don't . For I believe they come from a better place . What kind of sins they've done that they get sent straight to hell ? Lutho Mdashe , from Cape Town .

We really appreciate all the support we receive and your positive comments regarding our work on the newspaper. Today we bring your Rising star no: 121, one of the best actor Limpopo Province has ever produced. Andile “The Great”, as popularly known, born Andile Mamabolo (30) from Mankweng Township, Polokwane, Limpopo. He attended Mountainview Secondary School and currently furthering his studies at tertiary institution. “Thank you so much for this opportunity. Since the age of 4, I always loved acting and I remember telling my mom that one day I will one of the best actor. However, the sad part is that we do not have arts centres in our community around Limpopo Province. I have done many things in high school, dancing, choir, DJing but felt incomplete. One day a guy who was my mentor informed me about a lady who was looking for someone of my physique to portray a certain character and the rest is history,” explained Andile The Great. Like many industries, Andile faces lot of challenges. “A Gauteng based TV Production will call you around 22h00 saying you are shooting the next day at 7h00. You are from Limpopo, no car, no family and friends in Gauteng, you hike the whole night and sleep at the garages. Tomorrow, you look exhausted and fail to make it on time”, he added Another challenges is where TV Productions keeps using same faces while there is lot of talents out there. Directors or producers only remember certain actors when they are doing low/no budget projects. Andile The Great has been involved in lot of projects such as, National Arts Festival Grahamstown with GET ATTITUDE, member of one of most fierce productions called MARATA HELELE, done play with LOMUTER PRODUCTION, has been a supporting cast in Skeem Saam back in 2014, directed some music videos, written and directed an award winning movie about GBV called BEHIND CLOSED DOORS 2, acted in Integrity Millionaires, directed a series called CYBER CRIME, was a casting director and cameo in the music video of Senior Oat hit song called “All in you”. “Our community does not give local artists enough support, they only need you when you make it big and claim to know you. This must stop. To all the artists, I say they must be consistent, never lose hope, stay humble and leave room for improvement, do not underestimate yourself, do your research and just be yourself,” concluded The Great. Rise Africans Newspaper wishes is so proud to have him and all the best on his current projects. He can be contacted: Facebook: Andy AndileThe GreatMamabolo | TikTok:andilethegreat |Instagram:andilethegreat82| Twitter: @AndileTheGreat

There are some Risers we wish we can really meet them personally and have much fun since we do most of our interviews via Whatsapp. Buhle Mjuleni (21) is an amazing Poetess from King Williams Town but currently residing in Grahamstown. She is currently doing her second year at Rhodes University, studying for Bachelor of Social Sciences degree, majoring in Clinical Psychology and Politics. “Much appreciation for this wonderful opportunity, growing up, it was hard for me to open up about my feelings and thoughts with the people around me because I've always felt like I wasn't given enough space to be vulnerable which at some point in my life affected me a lot emotionally. I started writing and realized that every time I would write a poem or any kind of writing and feel some kind of relief. I've been writing since then because I find solace and healing in writing”, said Buhle. The brilliant student always believes that being emotionally vulnerable is something that one must deal with on their own. Writing remains a place where she gets peace. “There is too much support from our community, I can tell and now its up to Poets to keep on doing wonderful work. In 3 years, I want to see myself as a founder and a leader of a successful organization aiming to spread awareness on things that communities need an eye opening on, such as mental awareness, political issues, and so on. I'll like to say thanks to all that support my work, I appreciate them. There's still more that I'm planning to put out for them, and I hope that they continue to support me.”, concluded Buhle. Rise Africans Newspaper will always try to push African talent, we wish Buhle all the best!

This is the third and last article about our March community builder, Dietmar Joosten. The previous articles are still available on our website. Dietmar is the farm manager of Emseni Farming, situated in the Kranskop area in KwaZulu-Natal. Farm workers are drawn from the local community, with some very faithful and loyal workers since the beginning. Emseni also employs young men who have been restored from addiction. Through employment, they can build better futures for themselves and, in turn, help their families and communities. Dietmar and his team have recently expanded the community outreach to teach local farmers how to farm with bees successfully. Bees are high-quality pollinators and a critical component of our food production system. Bee farming is also a profitable business in South Africa due to the high market prices and high demand for honey. Emseni is successful in turning unused land into a flower paradise for food for bees and, through its community outreach program, now teaches local farmers how to farm successfully. Wise farmers should invest in setting up beehives among their fruit orchards. Hosting honeybees in unused spaces makes perfect sense! It’s a simple and sustainable way to contribute to an ecosystem and repurpose empty spaces. This is precisely what Krnaskop local farmers started to do with the help of Emseni. The diverse fauna and flora of South Africa are unparalleled in other countries as we have a variety of vegetation regions, different soil types, and different climatic regions. Honeybees are present in all these vegetation types and are exposed to the same conditions as the plants. Bees exploit whatever food is available to them, and in so doing, they contribute immensely to the pollination of innumerable plant species. Honey may be considered liquid gold, but it is hard work, and bee farmers should be prepared to do it. Bee farming is tricky; new beekeepers must know and understand how to manage the bees. Knowing which forage resources will best build and sustain the colonies is essential to keeping bees healthy. Emseni shares their expertise and experiences with local farmers without expecting anything in return. Emseni is developing smallholder and emerging farmers one step at a time. The team is showing the rest of South Africa how, if we work together, we can do much more to build strong communities. Follow the link to learn more about Emseni: https://online.pubhtml5.com/asxvv/fsqr/ Watch the video to hear a testimony from one of the local farmers.