{"id":46920,"date":"2023-07-14T11:28:39","date_gmt":"2023-07-14T09:28:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\/"},"modified":"2025-03-21T00:42:50","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T22:42:50","slug":"three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\/","title":{"rendered":"Three sisters die in mysterious fire during Intonjane ritual"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Eastern Cape Sport, Recreation, Arts &amp; Culture&nbsp;MEC, Nonceba Kontsiwe visited the Phongoma family in Upper Xolobe Village in Tsomo, following the tragic death of three sisters in a mysterious fire while undergoing an Intonjane ritual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This incident happened on Sunday, July 9, in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The deceased are Fundiswa Phongoma (37), Ntombizakuthi Phongoma (age unknown) and Nozuko Phongoma (44).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kontsiwe described the incident as horrific. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe first want to pass a word of condolences to the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div contenteditable=\"false\" data-embed24=\"Blockquote\" data-pos=\"Middle\" id=\"embed_faa37a45\">\n<div class=\"text\">Indeed, what has happened is tragic, more so that it occurred while these women were undergoing this ritual. We want to provide emotional support to the family and hope they find comfort during this period.<\/div>\n<div class=\"citation\">Sport, recreation, Arts &amp; Culture MEC, Nonceba Kontsiwe <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Kontsiwe&nbsp;said they were shocked by the incident, as it happened a day before they returned from the ritual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div 'helvetica=\"\" arial;font-size:16px;white-space-collapse:preserve;background-color:#fcfcfb;\"=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"8juj2\" data-offset-key=\"3jnm9-0-0\" helvetica,=\"\" neue',=\"\" pro',=\"\" sans=\"\" source=\"\">\n<div class=\"public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr\" data-offset-key=\"3jnm9-0-0\">\n<div>\n<div 'helvetica=\"\" arial;font-size:16px;white-space-collapse:preserve;background-color:#fcfcfb;\"=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"8juj2\" data-offset-key=\"6vods-0-0\" helvetica,=\"\" neue',=\"\" pro',=\"\" sans=\"\" source=\"\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli, confirmed that police have opened an inquest docket following the death of three women after a house was gutted by fire during a ritual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div 'helvetica=\"\" arial;font-size:16px;white-space-collapse:preserve;background-color:#fcfcfb;\"=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"8juj2\" data-offset-key=\"53dfj-0-0\" helvetica,=\"\" neue',=\"\" pro',=\"\" sans=\"\" source=\"\">\n<div class=\"public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr\" data-offset-key=\"53dfj-0-0\">\n<div 'helvetica=\"\" arial;font-size:16px;white-space-collapse:preserve;background-color:#fcfcfb;\"=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"8juj2\" data-offset-key=\"5sjka-0-0\" helvetica,=\"\" neue',=\"\" pro',=\"\" sans=\"\" source=\"\">\n<div class=\"public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr\" data-offset-key=\"5sjka-0-0\">\n<div 'helvetica=\"\" arial;font-size:16px;white-space-collapse:preserve;background-color:#fcfcfb;\"=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"8juj2\" data-offset-key=\"8njk6-0-0\" helvetica,=\"\" neue',=\"\" pro',=\"\" sans=\"\" source=\"\">\n<div class=\"public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr\" data-offset-key=\"8njk6-0-0\">\n<div 'helvetica=\"\" arial;font-size:16px;white-space-collapse:preserve;background-color:#fcfcfb;\"=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"8juj2\" data-offset-key=\"a0ba5-0-0\" helvetica,=\"\" neue',=\"\" pro',=\"\" sans=\"\" source=\"\">\n<div class=\"public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr\" data-offset-key=\"a0ba5-0-0\">\n<div 'helvetica=\"\" arial;font-size:16px;white-space-collapse:preserve;background-color:#fcfcfb;\"=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"8juj2\" data-offset-key=\"545h4-0-0\" helvetica,=\"\" neue',=\"\" pro',=\"\" sans=\"\" source=\"\">\n<div class=\"public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr\" data-offset-key=\"545h4-0-0\">\n<div 'helvetica=\"\" arial;font-size:16px;white-space-collapse:preserve;background-color:#fcfcfb;\"=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"8juj2\" data-offset-key=\"fj7j4-0-0\" helvetica,=\"\" neue',=\"\" pro',=\"\" sans=\"\" source=\"\">\n<div class=\"public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr\" data-offset-key=\"fj7j4-0-0\">\n<div 'helvetica=\"\" arial;font-size:16px;white-space-collapse:preserve;background-color:#fcfcfb;\"=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"8juj2\" data-offset-key=\"e0rdd-0-0\" helvetica,=\"\" neue',=\"\" pro',=\"\" sans=\"\" source=\"\">\n<div class=\"public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr\" data-offset-key=\"e0rdd-0-0\">\n<div 'helvetica=\"\" arial;font-size:16px;white-space-collapse:preserve;background-color:#fcfcfb;\"=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"8juj2\" data-offset-key=\"e0gtj-0-0\" helvetica,=\"\" neue',=\"\" pro',=\"\" sans=\"\" source=\"\">\n<div class=\"public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr\" data-offset-key=\"e0gtj-0-0\">\n<div 'helvetica=\"\" arial;font-size:16px;white-space-collapse:preserve;background-color:#fcfcfb;\"=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"8juj2\" data-offset-key=\"3r3li-0-0\" helvetica,=\"\" neue',=\"\" pro',=\"\" sans=\"\" source=\"\">\n<div class=\"public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr\" data-offset-key=\"3r3li-0-0\">\n<div 'helvetica=\"\" arial;font-size:16px;white-space-collapse:preserve;background-color:#fcfcfb;\"=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"8juj2\" data-offset-key=\"2fqp5-0-0\" helvetica,=\"\" neue',=\"\" pro',=\"\" sans=\"\" source=\"\">\n<div class=\"public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr\" data-offset-key=\"2fqp5-0-0\">\n<div 'helvetica=\"\" arial;font-size:16px;white-space-collapse:preserve;background-color:#fcfcfb;\"=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"8juj2\" data-offset-key=\"f78v-0-0\" helvetica,=\"\" neue',=\"\" pro',=\"\" sans=\"\" source=\"\">\n<div class=\"public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr\" data-offset-key=\"f78v-0-0\">\n<div 'helvetica=\"\" arial;font-size:16px;white-space-collapse:preserve;background-color:#fcfcfb;\"=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"8juj2\" data-offset-key=\"fcveh-0-0\" helvetica,=\"\" neue',=\"\" pro',=\"\" sans=\"\" source=\"\">\n<div class=\"public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr\" data-offset-key=\"fcveh-0-0\">\n<p>\u201cThe three victims, aged between 37 and 44, were rushed to hospital where they succumbed to their injuries following the fire that broke out in the homestead,\u201d said Nkohli.<\/p>\n<div contenteditable=\"false\" data-embed24=\"Custom\" data-pos=\"middle\" id=\"embed_9b75e643\">\n<div class=\"custom\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"250\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3Dpfbid0f6BJwhsUsbQk7frKqmhRY8AmnMyK6P6PH4mwsuHM9BPZLE9twqxztpx5EbNohEcyl%26id%3D100085810590625&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500\" width=\"500\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>A family member, Reverend Mbongeni Phongoma, confirmed that<br>\ntheir funeral will be held on July 22.<\/p>\n<p>He said they were still shocked<br>\nabout this incident. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cOn the morning of the incident, the trio were in their<br>\nroom when this happened. The fire started at the door entrance. The blankets<br>\nand other things were not burnt \u2013 that is why we are saying it is a mysterious<br>\nfire. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cEven the room they were sitting in was not burnt, it is only their bodies that were burnt so badly,\u201d said Phongoma. <\/p>\n<p>He said they were supposed to come out from<br>\nthe ritual today (Friday).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Eastern Cape Sport, Recreation, Arts &#038; Culture MEC, Nonceba Kontsiwe visited the Phongoma family in Upper Xolobe Village in Tsomo, following the tragic death of three sisters in a mysterious fire while undergoing an Intonjane ritual.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":5288,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"","_yoast_wpseo_inclusive_language_score":"","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_crsspst_to_novanewscoza":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozabloemnewsexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozacityvision":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozadistrictmailhelderberg":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaeikestadnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozahermanustimes":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakomani-karoo":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakougaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozanoordkaapbulletin":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapaarlpost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeoplespost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaswartlandgazette":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozatygerburger":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaudexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavistanews":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavrystaatkroon":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweskusnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweslander":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaworcesterstandard":false,"_EventAllDay":"","_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":"","_EventShowMapLink":"","_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":"","_EventVenueID":"","_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":"","_VenueShowMapLink":"","_application":"","_batch_id":"","_company_name":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_company_website":"","_custom_id":"93c5d0c6-fcee-4b80-8c0e-64da5f124dc5","_EventDuration":"","_EventOrigin":"","_EventTimezoneAbbr":"","_featured":"","_filled":"","_job_expires":"","_job_location":"","_media_credit":"","_media_credit_url":"","_menu_item_menu_item_parent":"","_menu_item_object":"","_menu_item_object_id":"","_menu_item_target":"","_menu_item_type":"","_menu_item_url":"","_menu_item_xfn":"","_navis_media_can_distribute":"","_navis_media_credit_org":"","_OrganizerOrigin":"","_provider":"","_pum_built_in":"","_pum_default_theme":"","_pum_form_conversion_count":"","_remote_id":"","_remote_name":"","_remote_position":"","_report_frequency":"","_report_reference_dates":"","_send_attempts":"","_site_id":"","_sitemap_exclude":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","_sitemap_priority":"","_source_url":"","_subscription_period":"","_subscription_period_interval":"","_subscription_price":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":"","_template_type":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_tribe_aggregator_allow_multiple_organizers":"","_tribe_aggregator_content_type":"","_tribe_aggregator_file":"","_tribe_aggregator_finalized":"","_tribe_aggregator_hash":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_id":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_interactive":"","_tribe_aggregator_origin":"","_tribe_aggregator_post_status":"","_tribe_aggregator_preview":"","_tribe_aggregator_source_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_type":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_hide_attendees_list":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":"","_tribe_ticket_version":"","_type":"","_VenueOrigin":"","_wp_attachment_context":"","_wp_attachment_image_alt":"","_wp_font_face_file":"","_wp_old_date":"","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_block-catalog":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_job_listing_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_nova_retailer":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_publication":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_tribe_events_cat":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-duration":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-rating":"","_menu_item_classes":[],"_tribe_modified_fields":[],"_wp_attachment_backup_sizes":[],"_wp_suggested_privacy_policy_content":[],"_yoast_post_redirect_info":[],"_yoast_wpseo_video_meta":[],"activation_date":"","archive_insertion_is_repeating":"","archive_insertion_posts_count":"","article_feature_media":"","article_feature_type":"","article_main_image_caption":"","article_media_icon":"","article_template":"","author_byline":"Babalwa Ndlanya","background_color":"","block_editor":"","byline":"","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"","hide_border":"","icon":"","is_wp_suggestion":"","issuu_download_url":"","issuu_embed_url":"","language_version_url":"","large_border":"","name":"","nm_contact_name":"","nm_contact_number":"","nm_date_lost":"","no_overlay_background":"","node-url":"","obituary_born_date":"","obituary_died_date":"","obituary_memoriam_text":"","origin":"","overlay_color":"","overlay_opacity":"","overlay_size":"","placement":"","plural_label":"","post_author":"","post_id":"","post_language":"en","secret-key":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","start_date":"","utm_suppression":"","video_embed_url":"","wp_pattern_sync_status":"","data_version":[],"enclosure":[],"pongrass_image":[],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-46920","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.8 (Yoast SEO v27.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Three sisters die in mysterious fire during Intonjane ritual | Mthatha Express<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Three sisters die in mysterious fire during Intonjane ritual\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Eastern Cape Sport, Recreation, Arts &amp; Culture MEC, Nonceba Kontsiwe visited the Phongoma family in Upper Xolobe Village in Tsomo, following the tragic death of three sisters in a mysterious fire while undergoing an Intonjane ritual.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Mthatha Express\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MthathaExpress\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-07-14T09:28:39+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-03-20T22:42:50+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/5b08ffea3a354ff0b65c89e15a0ba6cc.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1671\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Babalwa Ndlanya\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@EP_Media24\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@EP_Media24\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Mthatha Express\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"1 minute\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Mthatha Express\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/7e2772c1748d510e0433368691b50bb1\"},\"headline\":\"Three sisters die in mysterious fire during Intonjane ritual\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-07-14T09:28:39+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-20T22:42:50+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":148,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/02\\\/5b08ffea3a354ff0b65c89e15a0ba6cc.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\\\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2023\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\\\/\",\"name\":\"Three sisters die in mysterious fire during Intonjane ritual | Mthatha Express\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/02\\\/5b08ffea3a354ff0b65c89e15a0ba6cc.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-07-14T09:28:39+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-03-20T22:42:50+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/02\\\/5b08ffea3a354ff0b65c89e15a0ba6cc.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/02\\\/5b08ffea3a354ff0b65c89e15a0ba6cc.jpg\",\"width\":1671,\"height\":1080,\"caption\":\"Photo for illustration\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"News\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Three sisters die in mysterious fire during Intonjane ritual\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/\",\"name\":\"Mthatha Express\",\"description\":\"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Mthatha Express\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/mthatha-express-site-icon.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/mthatha-express-site-icon.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"Mthatha Express\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/MthathaExpress\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/EP_Media24\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/express_newspapers\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/@expressonline3000\"],\"description\":\"Mthatha Express has been the eyes, ears, and voice of Mthatha and surrounding towns and villages for almost a decade. Established with the goal of keeping our community informed, we have grown into one of the most trusted local news sources in the region, with 70,000 free copies delivered across the former Transkei area every week. It is also distributed once a month in East London.\",\"email\":\"mthathaexpress@novusmedia.co.za\",\"telephone\":\"+27472932973\",\"legalName\":\"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd\",\"foundingDate\":\"2025-01-01\",\"vatID\":\"4100318916\",\"taxID\":\"2000\\\/018234\\\/07\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"51\",\"maxValue\":\"200\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/7e2772c1748d510e0433368691b50bb1\",\"name\":\"Mthatha Express\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/16bf7f093f8719629b4d16068cd9ee79b087e706ae5cedc7dd95db655da066a3?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/16bf7f093f8719629b4d16068cd9ee79b087e706ae5cedc7dd95db655da066a3?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/16bf7f093f8719629b4d16068cd9ee79b087e706ae5cedc7dd95db655da066a3?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Mthatha Express\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/author\\\/mthathaexpress\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Three sisters die in mysterious fire during Intonjane ritual | Mthatha Express","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Three sisters die in mysterious fire during Intonjane ritual","og_description":"Eastern Cape Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture MEC, Nonceba Kontsiwe visited the Phongoma family in Upper Xolobe Village in Tsomo, following the tragic death of three sisters in a mysterious fire while undergoing an Intonjane ritual.","og_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\/","og_site_name":"Mthatha Express","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MthathaExpress\/","article_published_time":"2023-07-14T09:28:39+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-03-20T22:42:50+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1671,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/5b08ffea3a354ff0b65c89e15a0ba6cc.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Babalwa Ndlanya","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@EP_Media24","twitter_site":"@EP_Media24","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Mthatha Express","Est. reading time":"1 minute"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\/"},"author":{"name":"Mthatha Express","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/#\/schema\/person\/7e2772c1748d510e0433368691b50bb1"},"headline":"Three sisters die in mysterious fire during Intonjane ritual","datePublished":"2023-07-14T09:28:39+00:00","dateModified":"2025-03-20T22:42:50+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\/"},"wordCount":148,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/5b08ffea3a354ff0b65c89e15a0ba6cc.jpg","articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2023","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\/","name":"Three sisters die in mysterious fire during Intonjane ritual | Mthatha Express","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/5b08ffea3a354ff0b65c89e15a0ba6cc.jpg","datePublished":"2023-07-14T09:28:39+00:00","dateModified":"2025-03-20T22:42:50+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/5b08ffea3a354ff0b65c89e15a0ba6cc.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/5b08ffea3a354ff0b65c89e15a0ba6cc.jpg","width":1671,"height":1080,"caption":"Photo for illustration"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-during-intonjane-ritual-20230714\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Three sisters die in mysterious fire during Intonjane ritual"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/#website","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/","name":"Mthatha Express","description":"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-ZA"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/#organization","name":"Mthatha Express","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/mthatha-express-site-icon.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/mthatha-express-site-icon.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"Mthatha Express"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/MthathaExpress\/","https:\/\/x.com\/EP_Media24","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/express_newspapers\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@expressonline3000"],"description":"Mthatha Express has been the eyes, ears, and voice of Mthatha and surrounding towns and villages for almost a decade. Established with the goal of keeping our community informed, we have grown into one of the most trusted local news sources in the region, with 70,000 free copies delivered across the former Transkei area every week. It is also distributed once a month in East London.","email":"mthathaexpress@novusmedia.co.za","telephone":"+27472932973","legalName":"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd","foundingDate":"2025-01-01","vatID":"4100318916","taxID":"2000\/018234\/07","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"51","maxValue":"200"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/#\/schema\/person\/7e2772c1748d510e0433368691b50bb1","name":"Mthatha Express","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/16bf7f093f8719629b4d16068cd9ee79b087e706ae5cedc7dd95db655da066a3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/16bf7f093f8719629b4d16068cd9ee79b087e706ae5cedc7dd95db655da066a3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/16bf7f093f8719629b4d16068cd9ee79b087e706ae5cedc7dd95db655da066a3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Mthatha Express"},"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/author\/mthathaexpress\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/5b08ffea3a354ff0b65c89e15a0ba6cc.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":46867,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/three-sisters-die-in-mysterious-fire-in-tsomo-20230718-2\/","url_meta":{"origin":46920,"position":0},"title":"Three sisters die in mysterious fire in Tsomo","author":"Mthatha Express","date":"20 July 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"The celebration anticipated by the Phongoma family at Xolobe Village in Tsomo turned into tears, following the tragic death of three siblings in a mysterious fire while taking part in the Intonjane ritual, recently.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/b99808b558bc41d0a9b0c85fbc6e3274.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/b99808b558bc41d0a9b0c85fbc6e3274.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/b99808b558bc41d0a9b0c85fbc6e3274.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/b99808b558bc41d0a9b0c85fbc6e3274.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":44720,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/support-for-sheep-farmers-after-veld-fire-20240723\/","url_meta":{"origin":46920,"position":1},"title":"Support for sheep farmers after veld fire","author":"Mthatha Express","date":"25 July 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"FARMERS from Izilandana Village in Qumbu, whose sheep and goats died when they were affected by the veld fires, expressed joy that MEC for the Eastern Cape Department for Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Nonceba Kontsiwe, brought them feed to a","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2f0f5e21b18d49b49680212c16c7d31e.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2f0f5e21b18d49b49680212c16c7d31e.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2f0f5e21b18d49b49680212c16c7d31e.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2f0f5e21b18d49b49680212c16c7d31e.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2f0f5e21b18d49b49680212c16c7d31e.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/2f0f5e21b18d49b49680212c16c7d31e.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":48079,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/eastern-cape-woman-to-referee-at-2023-fifa-womens-world-cup-20230110\/","url_meta":{"origin":46920,"position":2},"title":"Eastern Cape woman to referee at 2023 FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup","author":"Mthatha Express","date":"10 January 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Female referee Akhona Makalima from the Eastern Cape will be one of 33 referees officiating in the upcoming FIFA Women\u2019s Soccer World Cup tournament scheduled to take place in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20, 2023.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/dae0e01df23f48e2bb543c3fb895a21d.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/dae0e01df23f48e2bb543c3fb895a21d.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/dae0e01df23f48e2bb543c3fb895a21d.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/dae0e01df23f48e2bb543c3fb895a21d.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45566,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/mec-motivates-learners-from-two-schools-20240206\/","url_meta":{"origin":46920,"position":3},"title":"MEC motivates learners from two schools","author":"Mthatha Express","date":"8 February 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"MEC for the Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Nonceba Kontsiwe, visited Cofimvaba Senior Secondary School in Cofimvaba and Khanyisa Special School in Cala, as part of a back-to-school programme, last week.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/42fce193138341f4be875b194d4972a2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/42fce193138341f4be875b194d4972a2.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/42fce193138341f4be875b194d4972a2.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/42fce193138341f4be875b194d4972a2.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/42fce193138341f4be875b194d4972a2.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":47344,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/residents-welcome-award-winning-singer-20230516\/","url_meta":{"origin":46920,"position":4},"title":"Mthatha residents welcome award-winning singer","author":"Mthatha Express","date":"18 May 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Community members, together with King Sabatha Dalindyebo Local Municipality and OR Tambo District Municipality from Mthatha, hosted a homecoming ceremony for award-winning resident and well-known Gospel singer, Bethusile Mcinga.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/6fe9f08983264323b64865d4d66c5348.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/6fe9f08983264323b64865d4d66c5348.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/6fe9f08983264323b64865d4d66c5348.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/6fe9f08983264323b64865d4d66c5348.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45733,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/journalist-author-wins-uwfm-drama-writing-competition-20240109\/","url_meta":{"origin":46920,"position":5},"title":"Journalist, author, wins UWFM drama writing competition","author":"Mthatha Express","date":"11 January 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Veteran journalist and author, Monwabisi Khininda (60), recently won the SABC\u2019s Umhlobo Wenene FM (UWFM) drama competition in the writing category.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/e2b5e7c40dfb433baef3ec06c25778db.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/e2b5e7c40dfb433baef3ec06c25778db.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/e2b5e7c40dfb433baef3ec06c25778db.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/e2b5e7c40dfb433baef3ec06c25778db.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Mthatha Express","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46920","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46920"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46920\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5288"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46920"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46920"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46920"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=46920"},{"taxonomy":"publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication?post=46920"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}