Aberdeen CPF Exco Elected

Dept Safety and Liaison and SAPS
(fltr) Supt. Siyaya, Ayanda Tyokwana,
Alfred Mangcingwana, Capt. Minnaar

On Tuesday, 11 August 2009, a meeting was held at Thembalesizwe Community Hall to elect a new Community Policing Forum (CPF) committee to serve the community of Aberdeen.
In line with the new formalised approach to community policing by the Department of Safety and Liaison, the election was overseen by two representatives from the Department, Alfred Mangcingwana and Ayanda Tyokwana. In addition, observers were sent from the Graaff-Reinet cluster including Superintendant Siyaya, Inspector Theron and Inspector Van Rooyen. Inspector Stofile and Inspector Dunster, representing SAPS in Somerset East and Pearston respectively, also attended the meeting.
Mr Mangcingwana opened the meeting by outlining the roles and responsibilities of the CPF and highlighted the importance of three pronged approach to community policing involving the CPF, the Department of Safety and Liaison and SAPS in combating crime.
Mr Tyokwana then co-ordinated the voting, which was held via a secret ballot. Only those present from the various stakeholders were eligible for election.

Aberdeen CPF Executive Committee
Back (fltr): Supt. Siyaya, Moses Dunjana, Lucky Mahale, Funeka Maya, Jackie McMahon, Capt. Minnaar
Front (fltr): Sandiswa Alam, Masterboy Blaai, Thembisa Nonnies, Samantha Jankovich

The Aberdeen CPF committee comprises:
Chairperson: Masterboy Blaai
Vice-Chairperson: Thembisa Nonnies
Secretary: Samantha Jankovich
Treasurer: Jackie McMahon
Public Relations Officer: Moses Dunjana
Additional committee members: Lucky Mahale, Funekwa Maya and Sandiswa Alam
Ex Officio members: Ward Councillors Vuyisile Jacobs and Maureen Jacobs
Captain Minnaar, Station Commissioner of the Aberdeen Police Station wished the committee luck and reinforced the responsibility with which the committee had been entrusted on behalf of the community. He went on to state that within that function, the CPF would be the moral guardians of the community and that those values which they teach in their own homes should be enforced within the community.
Superintendant Siyaya, on behalf of Director Trollip, congratulated the new committee. She reiterated the call for the return of values to the community and emphasized the partnership and joint problem solving role of the CPF in conjunction with SAPS.

Article By: Samantha Jankovich

MPP Fun League

The Department of Sports and Recreation launched the Siyadlala Mass Participation Programme in 2008. The MPP is a community-based sports developmental programme aimed at "the development of sport in communities" and "the development of communities through sport".
While the programme does not provide any funding, it does assist with sporting equipment where possible, as well as promotional materials and catering costs for large sporting events.
The Co-ordinator for the programme for the Aberdeen hub is Masterboy Blaai, who also coaches one of the Aberdeen soccer teams, the Conquering Lions. Currently, there are several soccer teams involved in the Siyadlala MPP Fun League, including Pystor Football Club, Seven Leaves and the junior squad from Young Blues.
The various clubs organize matches every Sunday, which are held on the Thembalesizwe Sports Grounds.
Last Sunday, the Conquering Lions were resplendent in their new uniforms which were sponsored by Lucky Seven, through Piet May, owner of Mzamomhle Shop in Thembalesizwe.
The afternoon's activities began with a friendly match between the junior and senior squads of the Young Blues club, which was won 5-3 by the juniors. The main match was a "David and Goliath" affair between Pystor Football Club (all senior players) and the Conquering Lions, of whom the oldest is only 17. Pystor were victorious in a 5-4 nail biter.
While the resources and facilities available to these sportsmen are severely limited, the passion, enthusiasm and commitment of the supporters, coaches and players is exceptional.

Article By: Samantha Jankovich

Conquering Lions

Pystor FC