One of the legendary personalities in education in the Vhembe District, Dr Gerson Nthambeleni Rambiyana, officially retired last month, ending a career that stretched more than 42 years.

The University of South Africa (UNISA) conferred the a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (Honoris Causa) on well-known businessman and philanthropist Collen Tshifhiwa Mashawana on Thursday, 18 April.

A group of roughly 40 residents from Elim and the surrounding area volunteered to clean Elim Hospital on Thursday, 25 April. They stated that they saw the need to clean the hospital because issues such as snakes and thugs could instil fear in the lives of staff, patients, and visitors.

With the national elections just around the corner, political parties are intensifying their campaigns to try and lure voters. Many of them rely on their colourful posters to get their message across. Unfortunately, criminals are destroying some posters, seemingly oblivious to the damage they cause and the penalties that can be imposed.

A woman suspected of being the mastermind behind a rape case involving a victim who is reportedly mentally challenged, told the media that she had no knowledge of her involvement in the incident.

An ugly leadership war is raging in Phiphidi village between the local royal family and one of the most senior Vhavenda leaders, Mailausumbwa Kennedy Tshivhase. On Saturday, Tshivhase seemingly ignored a High Court order and proceeded to install his own traditional leader at Phiphidi.

A 30-year-old woman, Fortune Rankhododo, was arrested last Thursday (April 25) in Tshikuwi village, Nzhelele, for allegedly discarding her newborn baby in a pit toilet.

A school in the Nzhelele area that allegedly used a vigilante group dressed in camouflage uniforms to “teach a lesson” to unruly pupils has come under severe criticism. From the information that could be gathered about the incident, learners claim they have been assaulted, some for no apparent reason.

Mukovhe Vincent Makhavhu, a 34-year-old self-proclaimed prophet and pastor, was found guilty on four counts of rape, one count of compelled sexual assault, and another count of robbery with aggravated circumstances. He appeared in the High Court in Thohoyandou last Wednesday (24 April).

What if your local newspaper stops appearing? What if next week, when you search for the paper on the supermarket shelf, next to the bread and other essentials, it is not there? Will you miss it?

Ms Luvhengo Musetsho, the wife of slain SAMWU member Timson Musetsho, is very frustrated with the slow progress and the latest postponement in the trial where the Radzuma brothers stand accused of killing her husband.

The family of a man whose body was found on Monday at Phiphidi say they have more questions than answers about his death. The man, identified as Maanda Mulovhedzi (42), was found dead by a passerby in a maize field next to the Phiphidi clinic at about 07:00.

The possible withdrawal of the murder charge against Livhuwani Madadzhe, better known as comedian SABC Livhu, is still on the cards if the state prosecutors cannot get their house in order.