Pic:(File photo)

by obakeng maje

Twelve schools from previously marginalised rural communities around Mahikeng received sporting outfits from North West Premier Mme Thandi Modise’s discretionary programme.

The handover of the outfits including distribution of blankets,clothing and food parcels to fifty needy households was held at Setumo High School in Majemantsho village outside Mahikeng this afternoon.

The initiative by Premier Modise is intended at encouraging young people to participate in sports and is part of her discretionary programme aimed at assisting poor communities.

The elderly, people with disabilities, victims of the scourge of violence and sexual abuse against women and children from poor communities have thus far benefitted from Premier Modise’s discretionary programme.

“Just last week,a foundation slab was laid, material delivered and construction of my house has commence as part of government’s effort to eradicate informal settlements.I had lost hope after my shack burned to ashes in 2003.We appreciate what we have received through the compassion of Premier Modise,”said 82 year-old Johanna Mokoena, a widow and mother of nine after receiving her consignment. 

Ward Councillor Daddy Moepi surrounded by some of the beneficiaries who are supported by Tlamelang Bagodi Old Care Centre is receiving part of the groceriesl worth R1 500 that each of the beneficiaries received.

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By Obakeng Maje

The South African Football Coaches Association (SAFCA), a body that looks after the interest and well-being of both professional and amateur coaches has joined in the condemnation of unruly fans behaviour which has gripped local soccer of late.

“SAFCA is disturbed by the growing trend of attacks on coaches by supporters; and as a responsible organisation with the interest of football at heart, we condemn the attack on Coaches in general and in particular the consistent attacks on Mamelodi Sundowns FC Coach Mr.Johan Neeskens by the club’s supporters,” said interim President of SAFCA, Gregory Mashilo.

He also appealed to football supporters to utilize properly constituted forums that are available in all clubs.

“Supporters are a vital component of our football construct, we urge them to act in a responsible manner when dealing with challenges of any kind. It is wrong and unacceptable for the supporters to take the law into their own hands,” added Mashilo.

SAFCA is in the process of finalising its operational plans following a successful Organisational strategic architecture. SAFCA will officially launch its roadmap at a media briefing in due course. It is also responsible for both registered coaches and potential members.

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By Obakeng Maje

The 2012 North West Provincial Youth Camp in Rustenburg got off to a roaring start early this week with more than 350 youth leaders sharing ideas with the likes of former Kaizer Chiefs defender Fabian McCarthy and MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Ms Tebogo Modise, among others.  

The week-long camp is an initiative of Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) and the North West Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, in association with partners such as Lovelife and the National Youth Development Agency.

It runs till October 6, with youth from all four provincial Districts participating, ranging in age from 14 to 25. 

The idea follows international programme experience where youth camps were held with great success – which prompted the Minister of Sport and Recreation, Mr Fikile Mbalula, to launch and implement an indigenous youth movement that will nurture a spirit of nation-building.

It is further aimed at providing young South Africans with life skills and values that will help them develop into proud and patriotic citizens. 

The camp, one of nine in all Provinces, is themed around Leadership, Nation-building and Social Cohesion – with youth from diverse racial and economic backgrounds. 

Addressing the youth at the opening of the event, Ms Modise emphasised that the notion that the youth was the future of this country was not a mere cliché.

“The notion is a real source of our inspiration as we embark on projects such as this one. We want you to understand your critical role in society, now and in the future” she said.

We want you to know that your actions and thoughts today have a bearing on what becomes of tomorrow. We want you to know that you are the future of a South Africa that will play a meaningful role in world history.

That is just how big the task ahead is. And it all begins today. It all begins in your heart. It all begins in your soul. 

“As you all know, there is a beautiful Chinese saying:

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.” Let this camp be your first great step towards a thousand miles of achievement. Let it be the first light to greatness and excellence.”

Cape Town – Government has granted South African Airways (SAA) a R5bn guarantee for a period of two years starting from September 1 2012. 

Mayihlome Tshwete, spokesperson to Minister of Public Enterprises Malusi Gigaba, said the guarantee will enable SAA to borrow from global financial markets.

“This guarantee will ensure that the airline continues to operate as a going concern.”

Gigaba has been meeting with Treasury on behalf of SAA. The carrier told parliament in February it needed between R4bn and R6bn in a recapitalisation.

Gigaba earlier told Afrikaans newspaper Beeld that any financial assistance to SAA will have stringent conditions.

One of the conditions just announced was that the guarantee requires SAA’s board todevelop a turnaround strategy to be approved by the minister in concurrence with the minister of finance. 

SAA will also have to provide the department of public enterprises (DPE) and minister of finance with the financing strategy for its planned purchase of short and long haul fleet.

The national carrier is in the process of replacing its fleet with new, more fuel efficient Airbus aircraft.

The departement said a technical committee comprising representatives from the National Treasury and DPE will also be appointed to monitor SAA’s financial position as well as progress in developing and implementing the turnaround strategy.  

Tshwete says government is committed to working with SAA’s management and board of directors to ensure that the airline is viable and financially sustainable.

Last week eight SAA board members resigned after Gigaba decided to postpone the tabling of SAA’s annual results for 2012. 

The minister said the decision was made to allow Treasury and DPE negotiations over financial assistance to be concluded.

A new board has since been appointed.

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By Obakeng Maje

The North West Executive Council (Exco) is to hold its Extended Planning & Budgeting Lekgotla to assess progress on targets which the provincial government undertook to realise and achieve by 2014.

The one day session which is a culmination of Cluster and District preparatory planning engagements is to be held at Mmabatho Civic Centre in Mahikeng as from 08h30 am on Wednesday, 3 October 2012.

“The key objective of the Lekgotla is to ensure that government remains accountable to the service delivery needs of our people and to do an introspection on the delivery of promised quality service since 2009 in order to assist us to finalise an implementable intervention plan to fast track the realization of pending promises before the end of the 5 years term,” says Premier Modise.

The Lekgotla will in addition to considering how to accelerate roll-out of plans for the provision of water, electricity, sanitation, review and forecast budgets, consider priorities for District municipalities and also evaluate progress in the implementation of Clean Audit 2014 Plan of Action.

Discussion on the Strategic Integrated Projects (SIP) will be informed by the presentation to be made by the Minister of Economic Development Ebrahim Patel.

MECs, Mayors, Heads of departments, CEO’s of parastatals as well as municipal managers will focus on accelerating the pace and quality of service delivery as well as synergy in implementing delivery programmes in order to create jobs and strengthen government’s capacity to speed up the provision of services and infrastructure development.

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By Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg-North West police are investigating a case of arson and malicious damage to property after six cars were damaged and two chinese shops burnt.

“Our police are hard at work after two shops belonging to Chinese nationals were burnt” said Brigadier Thulani Ngubane.

“Six cars were also damaged and investigations are underway” he asserted.

According to information received, this unrest were preluded by ongoing strike of miners.

In a separate incident,four cars were burnt at Komanani 1 and 2.

“Police received information that six cars were burnt in Komanani 1 & 2 and they are investigating a case of arson” he continued.

Anglo Platinum ordered their striking workers to return to work or face the chop.

The Anglo Platinum strike is been underway since three weeks ago and workers demand wages increase of R12500.

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Five more people have died in mining unrest in

South Africa, the National Union of Mineworkers said on Tuesday.

The union’s secretary general Frans Baleni said two workers at the Impala platinum mine near Rustenburg and three others were killed Sunday amid rolling strikes and labour violence. – Sapa-AFP

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Johannesburg – A sangoma from Soweto was arrested on Tuesday morning for allegedly raping a woman who had gone to him for healing, Gauteng police said.

The 50-year-old man invited the woman to his residence to carry out a cleansing ritual on Monday night because she believed she was cursed with bad luck, spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubela said.

“She was instructed to buy a white chicken and when she arrived with it… the chicken was killed and the blood was mixed with water and medication.”

The sangoma then ordered the 37-year-old to take a bath in another room and not wear clothes after she was done.

“Then he went into the room and told her she was healed. All of a sudden, he was on top of her and he raped her,” said Makhubela.

The man later threw the bath water out and said she was healed of the bad luck.

A case of rape was opened.

SAPAk