Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo
28 July 2026
On 16 July 2026, Bethal and surrounding areas were engulfed with the traditional aura that came with the return of young men from the initiation school. The acting Area Commissioner of Bethal Management Area, Mr. Mzwamakhaya Dlepu, led a delegation of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) that visited the palace of Chief Phangweni Mahlangu of AmaNdebele.
Purposes of the visit was to enhance stakeholder relations with traditional leadership and support stakeholder’s initiatives. It also aimed to celebrate with community the welcoming of initiates. The delegation donated vegetables to observe and acknowledge the African traditional custom of drumming up support to cultural events.
The spokesperson of the Chief, Mr. Paulos Mahlangu, welcomed the delegation and lauded DCS for the support. He expressed gratitude and wished DCS and its officials’ prosperity in its primary objectives. He was accompanied by Princess, Johannah Mahlangu, who expressed well wishes and showered praises to DCS for the initiative.
The acting Area Commissioner of Bethal Management Area, Mr. Mzwamakhaya Dlepu, informed the Mahlangu family that the DCS initiative is a symbol enhancing stakeholder relations with traditional leadership of AmaNdebele and celebrate with its nation as itwelcomes their male children from boys to men.
“We are here to enhance stakeholder relations with the traditional leader, Chief Phangweni Mahlangu. We are also happy for the community of Bethal and entire Ndebele nation for celebrating the welcoming of the new initiatives. As a department, we hope that the young men will choose to don the brown uniform or any other uniform except the orange,” he said.
On the following day, officials of the Office of Area Commissioner, donated vegetables to the family of the late, Nokuthula Dhlamini. She was a cleaner that was employed by a cleaning company that is responsible for cleaning the office of the Area Commissioner. The acting Area Commissioner applauded the act of compassion that was displayed by the officials. “Everything that you do to others shall return with blessings. Blessed is a hand that gives than the one that receives,” he said.
