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Mashatile extends heartfelt condolences to families of fallen SANDF soldiers in Congo

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Mashatile extends heartfelt condolences to families of fallen SANDF soldiers in Congo:

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has joined President Cyril Ramaphosa in expressing his deepest condolences to the families of South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members who recently lost their lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

“These brave soldiers were dedicated to their mission and committed to contributing to peace and stability in the DRC. We also call upon His Holiness to pray for peace and stability in the DRC and Africa as a whole,” Mashatile said on Thursday. 

The Deputy President was speaking at the official opening of the first phase of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Hindu Mandir and Cultural Complex in North Riding, Johannesburg. 

Several soldiers serving with peacekeeping forces in the DRC, have been killed by the M23 rebel group in recent days amid fierce fighting, including 13 members of the SANDF.

The recent deadly clashes have intensified in eastern DRC after Kinshasa withdrew its diplomats from Kigali in Rwanda. Rebels have advanced toward the strategic city of Goma, which is rich in minerals.

The SANDF soldiers are part of the Southern African Development Community Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (SAMIDRC), which aims to help restore peace, security, and stability in Africa’s second-largest country.

BAPS Hindu Mandir and Cultural Complex

The official opening of the BAPS Hindu Mandir and Cultural Complex was led by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the current Guru and President of BAPS, who travelled from India for the occasion.

BAPS is a significant branch of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya, a Hindu denomination.

The BAPS Hindu Mandir and Cultural Complex will serve as a centre for spiritual, social, and charitable activities.

The country’s second-in-command, who also visited the centre during its initial development phase, said the event is more than just the inauguration of an architectural marvel. 

“It is a powerful symbol of our shared commitment to building a South Africa rooted in diversity, inclusivity, and mutual respect,” he told the attendees. 

The building will be a place of worship, offer language and music classes, and feature a sports complex.

He described this historic inauguration as a representation of the country’s constitutional values, including freedom of religion, human dignity, and unity in diversity. 

“As we gather here, we are reminded of the importance of embracing and celebrating our differences. In a world that is often divided by barriers and boundaries, this centre stands as a beacon of unity and understanding,” he said. 

The Deputy President stated that the temple will not only function as a place of worship but also as a sanctuary for peace, knowledge, and spiritual enrichment for individuals from all backgrounds. 

Mashatile also commended the thousands of volunteers who have worked diligently to make this vision a reality and noted that the government is inspired by their dedication.

“Let us draw inspiration from the Hindu values and principles, as we strive to build united and prosperous communities founded on mutual respect, understanding, love and cooperation.” 

The Deputy President invited the BAPS organisation to continue working with government in addressing pressing social challenges, including gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), substance abuse, violence and crime facing local communities. 

“As a religious community, you have a crucial role to play in recognising and bolstering the best practices in your community for preventing and eliminating these ills. 

“This is a responsibility that falls squarely on both our shoulders. We must collaborate our efforts within our communities to reaffirm the importance of freedom, peace, security, and respect for all human rights,” Mashatile said. – SAnews.gov.za
 

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Ponte City: Transformation

As the “white flight” of the 1980s and 90s drained the inner city of capital, Ponte City underwent a dramatic and terrifying transformation. By the late 1990s, the building had become a “vertical slum” and a symbol of urban decay. It was famously “hijacked” by gangs; the retail levels were stripped, and the building became a fortress for drug dealing and human trafficking. The most haunting image from this era was the central core. Originally designed to be a light-filled courtyard, it became a literal trash heap. Residents on the upper floors would throw their refuse into the center of the building rather than taking it down. At its worst point, the trash in the core reached five stories high—a mountain of rotting debris, discarded furniture, and even, legend has it, the remains of those who had fallen or jumped.

During this period, the reputation of Ponte was so toxic that there was a serious proposal in 1998 to turn the entire skyscraper into a vertical prison. The plan was eventually scrapped, but the building remained a “no-go zone” for nearly a decade. The turnaround began in the mid-2000s when developers New Metro Property Group and later Dlala Nje began a massive, painstaking refurbishment. They cleared out the tons of trash from the core, restored the lifts (which had often been out of order, forcing residents to climb 50 flights of stairs), and implemented strict security protocols.