Latest news with #Mathebula
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
17-year-old Pearl Mathebula wins Miss Teen International in Peru
Mathebula participated in the international teen pageant after winning Miss Teenager South Africa in late 2024. Most South Africans were still mesmerised by the Protea Fire on Sunday, but 17-year-old Pearl Mathebula hoisted the flag as she was crowned Miss Teen International in Peru on the same day. Mathebula, who hails from Makotopong, in Limpopo, took the coveted crown ahead of Perú's Luciana Henriquez, who was the first runner-up, and Ángela García from Venezuela, who was the second runner-up. Miss Teen International is the brainchild of Marina Mora, its international director and organiser. Mathebula participated in the international teen pageant after winning the South African version of the teen crown in late 2024. ALSO READ: Miss World to crown new queen this weekend: Here's where and how to watch Mathebula's perseverance Mathebula won Miss Teenager South Africa in 2024 after being unsuccessful in the previous year, where she reached the top 10 of the 2023 edition. 'I'm very proud; it shows that my hard work has actually paid off at the end of the day,' said Mathebula in 2024 during an interview with Newzroom Afrika. The pageant-winning teen only started competing in pageantry competitions in 2022. 'Last year [2023] was my second pageant. I wasn't disappointed when I ended up [in the] top 10.' She got into pageantry from following her interest in her appearance from a young age. 'I loved modelling when I was very small. I always wore my mom's heals, I love dressing up, doing makeup, so I think that's how I knew modelling was meant for me. My mom said 'focus on school, and then when you're in high school, you can focus more on modelling',' she said. Mathebula is an advocate for body positivity. NOW READ: Miss World 2025 – Zoalize Jansen van Rensburg wins World Designer Award for Africa
The Citizen
10-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
New Tzaneen healthcare centre approved by council
TZANEEN – A new healthcare centre is set to be established in Tzaneen, as announced during the seventh Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) Council sitting held on Thursday, May 29. Cllr Collen Mathebula revealed that the upcoming medical facility will include specialists such as oncologists and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists. According to Mathebula, the new centre will not only benefit residents of Tzaneen but also serve surrounding Mopani areas, including Giyani, Phalaborwa, Hoedspruit, and others. He added that the project is expected to create much-needed job opportunities for locals. However, the announcement sparked debate. Ward 15 Democratic Alliance (DA) Cllr Chrizelle Dreyer objected to the proposal, arguing that Tzaneen already has sufficient medical infrastructure. 'We have Mediclinic and the newly opened Tzaneen Health Care Hub. I understand we may lack oncologists, but another centre is unnecessary,' she said. Despite her objections, no further opposition was raised, and the proposal for the new healthcare centre was adopted by the council. In other council matters, chairperson of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC), Ngaoko Maunatlala, provided updates on ongoing municipal projects across all 35 GTM wards. He highlighted serious delays with the Petanenge pedestrian crossing bridge, reporting that the project was only 11% complete as of MPAC's latest site visit. The bridge construction began on November 17, 2024, and was scheduled for completion in April 2025. With significant delays already evident, Maunatlala questioned why the contractor was allowed to continue working despite the poor progress. He called on the mayor, the speaker, the chief whip, and the head of infrastructure to visit the site themselves, and recommended that the current contractor be removed from the project. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) echoed their disappointment over the bridge delays and urged the council to take swift action. Meanwhile, Thabo Maunatlala, speaking on behalf of Mayor Gerson Molapisane, announced that the municipality currently has R145 million in self-generated funds, which are being used to finance various development projects. He also reported that electricity tariffs are expected to increase by 12.7% over the next three years, while sewerage charges will rise by 4.4%. Although Molapisane was scheduled to deliver his budget speech during the council sitting, he announced that it would instead be presented on June 12. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
06-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Children's rights and how to spot abuse
Children's rights and how to spot abuse As National Child Protection Week drew to a close on June 5, parents are urged to educate their children about their rights. National Child Protection Week is commemorated from May 29 to June 5. This year's theme was 'Working together in ending violence against children'. The week serves to raise awareness of the rights of children as articulated in the Constitution and the Children's Act (Act No. 38 of 2005). Under the act, each South African child is entitled to: – A name and nationality. – Family care or appropriate alternative care. – Basic nutrition, shelter, healthcare and social services. – Protection from neglect, maltreatment and abuse. – Protection from exploitative labour services, including work or services that are inappropriate. – Protection from being used in armed conflict and protection during times of armed conflict. Tshwane District Health Social Worker Agnes Mathebula says there are various signs of physical and emotional abuse that parents can look out for should they occur. 'We identify signs of abuse either physically or through looking at the behaviour of the child. Physically, you'll see things like bruises, fractures, cigarette burns and things like that, those aren't too difficult to identify. But the emotional abuse can be difficult to spot,' Mathebula says. Behavioural indicators may include fear of parents, alterations in behaviour, withdrawn or aggressive tendencies or academic difficulties. The Department of Social Development has a pilot 24-hour call centre dedicated to providing support and counselling to victims of gender-based violence: The toll-free number to call is 0800 428 428 (0800 GBV GBV) to speak to a social worker for assistance and counselling. Callers can also request a social worker from the Command Centre to contact them by dialling *120*7867# (free) from any cellphone. You can also get help at: Childline South Africa: 116 Child Welfare South Africa: 0861 4 CHILD (24453), 011 452-4110 or e-mail: info@ ALSO READ: Your ultimate weekend plans in Pretoria Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading! Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App Stay in the know. Download the Caxton Local News Network App here
The Citizen
17-05-2025
- The Citizen
Carletonville police teach Busy Bee Daycare children how to stay safe from criminals
Members of the Carletonville SAPS, along with several key partners, visited the Busy Bee Day Care Centre to educate young children on how to protect themselves from crime — particularly from kidnappers and strangers. The initiative was led by Captain Plastiek Van Vuuren, Carletonville's Social Crime Prevention Officer, and coordinated by Sergeant Thabo David Mathebula, the station's domestic violence coordinator. The outreach forms part of an ongoing effort to strengthen community safety and raise awareness at grassroots level. Other stakeholders included representatives from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the Community Policing Forum (CPF), SAVF, and the Departments of Social Services and Health. 'The purpose of the visit was to teach children how to ask for help when they need it, especially to escape dangerous situations or kidnappers,' said Sgt. Mathebula. Children were introduced to the role players, including Abraham Sithole from the Siyabangena CPF patrollers, who assured the youngsters that CPF patrollers are trustworthy and there to help. Mapule Ratsoma from the NPA also encouraged children to speak up if they see something wrong and said they can even report crimes to religious leaders they trust. One of the most engaging moments of the day was a musical activity led by Wandiswa Bangane from the Carletonville Central Clinic, who sang the My Special Body song to about 70 children. The performance reminded children that police officers are their friends, not people to be afraid of. The children received 20 SAPS-branded colouring books and sweets from Sgt. Mathebula — but with a firm warning: 'Never accept sweets or gifts from strangers.' The educational visit was well-received and highlighted the importance of early childhood education in crime prevention and safety awareness. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
