Daily Archives: July 7, 2012

SA football celebrates 20 years of returning to the international fold

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BY Obakeng Maje

On Saturday, 7 July 2012, South Africa will be celebrating 20 years of returning to the FIFA football family.

After years of international isolation due to discriminatory apartheid policies, South Africa was re-admitted and played their first match on the 7th of July 1992 when they played Cameroon in an international friendly.The match was played in Durban’s Kings Park Stadium.

Former Bafana Bafana midfielder Doctor Khumalo scored the only goal from the penalty spot as Bafana cantered to a precious 1-0 victory. This was the country’s first ever international goal.

It has been a roller-coaster ride for this country since then.

Among some of the country’s major achievements to date are:

•Hosted and won the 1996 Africa Cup of Nations tournament
•Won silver in the following edition held in Burkina Faso in 1998
•Qualified for the 1998 FIFA World Cup tournament in France
•Won the bronze medal at the AFCON edition hosted by Nigeria and Ghana in 2000
•Qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan
•Successfully hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament
Over the years South Africa has also produced players who have graced the international stage like Lucas Radebe, Benni McCarthy, Mark Fish and Steven Pienaar just to mention a few.

The country has also produced astute administrators who now occupy seats at both FIFA and CAF – the likes Dr Molefi Oliphant, Dr Irvin Khoza, Dr Danny Jordaan, Raymond Hack, Anastasia Tsichlas, Jomo Sono and Kaizer Motaung.

South Africa has also become training ground for most African countries, with some of our fields used by various national teams and clubs for training camps due to the magnificent facilities available.

“It has really been a rollercoaster of a journey since the country was readmitted into the FIFA family. There have been very exciting moments like the hosting of the 2010 World Cup but of course, there have also been really low moments,” said SAFA President, Kirsten Nematandani.

“That aside, I think this country has really taken its place among the world’s leading role players in the Beautiful Game. We look forward to hosting the 2013 AFCON tournament with great excitement knowing this country has never failed putting up a great showpiece,” added Nematandani.

Roses United joins Milano United in the NFD

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BY Obakeng Maje

Roses United have been promoted to the National First Division following a tension-filled 1-1 draw against Baroka FC that saw them finish top of Group A of the 2012 Vodacom League National play-offs at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday, 6 July 2012.

In Sunday’s (8 July) Grand Finale to determine the 2012 Vodacom League champions, Free State’s Roses United will meet Milano United from the Western Cape, who also qualified for promotion after winning Group B.

Baroka, playing in front of a passionate home crowd, needed to win to overturn a two point disadvantage going into the match, but they fell behind to a 19th minute Patrick Ngidi goal, as Roses looked to snuff out any chance of blowing their golden opportunity.

Roses had a chance to further entrench their strong position early in the second half when Baroka goalkeeper, Veli Mothwa, felled Ngidi in the box. Mothwa redeemed himself by saving Ngidi’s spot-kick to keep Baroka’s hopes alive.

Buoyed on by the vociferous home support, Baroka poured forward in search of the two goals they needed but time and again they were repelled by the brilliance of Roses’ goalkeeper, William Mothokoa, who produced a number of outstanding saves.

 

The pressure eventually told eight minutes from time, when Archie Lekgele handled inside the box and Olaleng Shaku despatched the penalty past Mothokoa. A frantic ending saw a number of close shaves but Roses somehow managed to hold on until the final whistle.

Their overjoyed coach, former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper, John Tlale, paid tribute to his team’s resilience.

“Physically, it has been a very demanding week and my players were feeling fatigued in the second half, but they still pushed themselves to the limit and I couldn’t be more proud of them. We have achieved our objective, which was to qualify for the NFD, so there is no pressure for the final, but we will still go out there to win. We want to be national champions,” said Tlale.

“Well done to Roses United. It is clear that the two best teams in the tournament have earned promotion and are worthy finalists,” said SAFA’s Director of Competitions, Jeff Monnakgotla.
“We anticipate a feast of quality football in Sunday’s final as a fitting conclusion to this exciting event.”

Vodacom Regional Marketing Manager in Limpopo, Ishmael Hlomane said, “We are delighted with the way the tournament has progressed to date, with encouraging numbers of supporters being treated to some excellent football. The efficient organisation has enabled the smooth running of the competition and we look forward to a fantastic grand finale come Sunday.”

In the other Group A match, Vardos FC (Gauteng) beat Morester Jeug (N. Cape) by six goals to one (6-1).

The final between Roses United and Milano United will be played on Sunday afternoon at the Seshego Stadium in Polokwane.

Kickoff is at 15h00 and the match will be broadcast live on SABC 1.

MISSING TEENAGER IN BETHANIE

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Picture of Catherine Caroline Williams

BY Obakeng Maje

The police in Bethanie, North West Province are searching for a 16 year old teenager, Catherine  Caroline Williams from Barseba village  who went missing  on Wednesday, 4 July 2012.

 

According to the information, on Tuesday, 3 July  the grandmother and the missing teenager went out for shopping and everything was well but surprisingly when the grandmother woke up the next morning on Wednesday, the teenager was missing.

“The teenager is described to be short in height and is light in complexion. She was last seen wearing blue jeans, white jersey and black woolen cap” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

 

Police appeals to anybody who might have any information regarding the whereabouts of Catherine to contact Bethanie police station on 012 2600 100 or 082 416 3336.

 

A TRADITIONAL HEALER ARRESTED FOR A MISSING HEAD

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BY Obakeng Maje

A traditional doctor and his two co-accused were arrested today, 06 July 2012 in Makwasie Hills near Wolmaransstad, following a shocking incident that was reported to the Police on Monday, 02 July 2012. According to  information received the police were led to the local traditional healer’s house where they discovered a head on top of his house in a bucket wrapped in a plastic. It is alleged that the head belonged to the body which was discovered on Monday by the municipal workers at Lobaleng township graveyard.

 

After the police unwrapped the plastic, they discovered that the head had injuries and bruises on it.

“It is also alleged that the suspect( traditional healer) explained to the police that his friend, also a traditional healer in Rustenburg asked him to organise a head of a deceased for him” Brigadier Ngubane said.

 Police are investigating the matter and the violation of cops and grave yard is being investigated.

MOZAMBICAN NATIONAL BURNT TO DEATH IN A CAR ACCIDENT

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Pic:(internet)

Five Mozambican Nationals  who were travelling on N18 road from Mahikeng between Mareetsane and Setlagole were involved in a car accident on   Saturday, 07 July 2012 at about 10:00 in the morning.

 It is alleged that a driver of a Toyota  Hilux which was transporting tombstones and cement from Rustenburg to Kraaipan lost control when his vehicle had a mechanical problem.

The car rolled and caught fire. One  passenger  aged between 25 and 30 was trapped and burnt to death inside the vehicle.

“The driver did not sustain any injuries, two other passengers had minor injuries and were treated on the scene. One passenger sustained serious injuries and was taken to Mahikeng Provincial Hospital for treatment” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

 

A case of Culpable homicide was registered and investigation continues.

 

 

 

 

A GANG MEMBER MURDERED IN KHUMA

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BY Obakeng Maje

Klerksdorp- A 22 year old man was stabbed to death in Stilfontein, Khuma location. A vitctim was at the night vigil and went out to buy a cigarette. It is suspected that on his way back to the night vigil he came across the gangs operating in the area and they allegedly stabbed him.

“Upon his return to the night vigil he collapsed and was certified dead by the paramedics. It is alleged that the victim could have been murdered by members of gangs operating in the township. No one has been arrested and police are investing a case of murder” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.

 

BY Obakeng Maje…


BY Obakeng Maje

The task team established to investigate the recent spate of unrests and blockading of roads happening under cover of darkness in Mahikeng Local Municipality is expected to conclude its probe and report on its findings.

This announcement was made by North West Premier Mme Thandi Modise at a media briefing held earlier in the week.

The task team led jointly by the MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs, China Dodovu and MEC for Human Settlement, Public Safety and Liaison, Nono Maloyi was established by Premier Modise two weeks ago.

Modise told journalists that the provincial government has developed implementable plans for the municipality to overcome its political and administrative challenges.

“The clash of wills and factional behaviors are attempts to frustrate government efforts to render quality service to ordinary citizens,” the Premier emphasized.

Modise and Deputy Minister for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation in the Presidency, Obed Bapela agreed that the financial model of Mahikeng needs to be remodeled.

Though the municipality services 122 villages, in addition to Mahikeng town and Mmabatho Township, it only has only 7000 households on its billing system and depends on refuse removal as its only source of income. Water, electricity and are paid to Botshelo Water Board, Eskom while drivers licensing and registration fees revenue is paid to the provincial government.

Commitments to follow up on non- payment of rates and taxes by provincial government and national departments were given by both the Premier and the Deputy Minister who also urged households to also pay for their services as the municipality’s desperate financial situation is compounded by non-payment of services by most households on its billing system.