Highveld Chronicle Issue 369

‘They’re gonna love you’: King Wanda’s journey from rejection to recognition

After years of rejection, failed auditions and self-doubt, entertainer King Wanda Gumede says the dream he carried as a teenager is finally becoming a reality.

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Rodney Hlatshwayo

May 21, 2026

24 0

Health 2 min read

Blame placed on healthcare failures after teen dies outside clinic, calls made for improved emergency response

“I saw her early in the morning when I was going to buy bread. She was shaking and falling. I ran home to call my mother and tell her what I had seen,”

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Rodney Hlatshwayo & Nodicah Fundama

May 21, 2026

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education 2 min read

Learners Recognised for Academic Excellence at Imemeza Secondary School

Education Remains the Most Reliable Path to a Better Future

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Lucas Shongwe

May 21, 2026

18 0

Business 4 min read

Minister Gwede Mantashe officially opens Exxaro’s new Matla Mine 1 in Kriel, Ga-Nala

The official opening of Exxaro Resources’ new Matla Mine 1 operations in Kriel, Ga-Nala on 15 May 2026 has been hailed as a major boost for South Africa’s energy security, job creation and economic growth in Mpumalanga.

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Nodicah Fundama & Sharon Chiloane

May 21, 2026

28 0

Tourism 4 min read

Mpumalanga mandate fulfilled, tourism opportunities unlocked at Indaba

Mpumalanga’s participation at the 2026 Africa’s Travel Indaba has been positioned as a strategic move to attract investment, create opportunities for tourism businesses and strengthen the province’s standing as one of Africa’s preferred tourism destinations.

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Nodicah Fundama

May 21, 2026

24 0

Community 3 min read

Naledi and Lesedi residents caught between eviction threats and relocation promises

“We’ll see whether the department is sincere about its promises, or if it is advancing a party agenda”

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Lucas Shongwe

May 21, 2026

26 0

Municipality 2 min read

New eMakhazeni speaker pledges to uphold standards set by predecessor

Newly appointed Emakhazeni Local Municipality Speaker Cllr Seun Mthimunye presides over council proceedings in Belfast on 14 May 2026. Mthimunye says he aims to build on former Speaker Lucky Ndinisa’s legacy of stability and ethical governance.

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Lucas Shongwe

May 21, 2026

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BREAKING NEWS 3 min read

Local mine workers strike over pay and shift changes in Brakfontein

Workers at Plantcor in Brakfontein downed tools on Monday, 11 May and Tuesday, 12 May, as members of the PTAWU embarked on a strike over alleged unfair shift changes, reduced earnings and poor working conditions.

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Rodney Hlatshwayo

May 21, 2026

28 0

BREAKING NEWS 2 min read

Taxi fare confusion as NDTA denies second increase

Nasaret and District Taxi Association says taxi fares from Nasaret, Rockdale, Extension 24 and surrounding areas remain at R18. This follows confusion after two conflicting notices were circulated. The first notice, issued on 28 April, sets the Rockdale-to-town fare at R18, while a second notice circulated on 12 May lists the same route at R20.

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Lucas Shongwe & Highveld Chronicle

May 21, 2026

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Tourism 3 min read

Thembisile Hani urges municipalities to invest in tourism marketing after Indaba success

As nearly 10 000 delegates, over 1 000 hosted and non-hosted buyers from 44 countries and more than 1 100 exhibitors from 22 African countries gathered at the 2026 Africa’s Travel Indaba, Thembisile Hani Local Municipality called on other municipalities in Mpumalanga to invest more in tourism marketing and participate in international platforms such as the Indaba, saying the economic benefits linked to tourism continue to positively impact local communities and businesses.

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EMMANUEL N MTHIMUNYE

May 21, 2026

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In This Issue

‘They’re gonna love you’: King Wanda’s journey from rejection to recognition

Blame placed on healthcare failures after teen dies outside clinic, calls made for improved emergency response

Learners Recognised for Academic Excellence at Imemeza Secondary School

Minister Gwede Mantashe officially opens Exxaro’s new Matla Mine 1 in Kriel, Ga-Nala

Mpumalanga mandate fulfilled, tourism opportunities unlocked at Indaba

Naledi and Lesedi residents caught between eviction threats and relocation promises

New eMakhazeni speaker pledges to uphold standards set by predecessor

Local mine workers strike over pay and shift changes in Brakfontein

Taxi fare confusion as NDTA denies second increase

Thembisile Hani urges municipalities to invest in tourism marketing after Indaba success