BY Obakeng Maje

Johannesburg, South Africa, 30 November, 2012 – African football stars and heads of state will join the Roll Back Malaria Partnership’s United Against Malaria (UAM) campaign and pledge to distribute life-saving malaria prevention and treatment messages throughout the 2013 Orange Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament. Football icons including Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o, and Steven Pienaar, along with African Heads of State including President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, President Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso, President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, will lend their voices to the cause, appearing in television spots, billboards and educational materials that will be distributed across Africa. Those Heads of State are members of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance.

“We are thrilled to have malaria featured as a social cause of the 2013 Orange AFCON tournament,” said Hervé Verhoosel, Head of External Relations for the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, at the press conference in Johannesburg. “The strong partnership between United Against Malaria and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) allows us to leverage the powerful platform of football to reach millions of fans across Africa – where approximately 90% of global malaria deaths occur – with life-saving messages to help protect communities from this preventable and treatable disease. The upcoming AFCON will build on the strong commitment and momentum of national federations and their players from the 2010 FIFA World Cup and move us closer to making malaria a problem of the past. It is also a pleasure for us to have the presence and support of Mr. Kirsten Nematandani, President of the South African Football Association, who is representing here today the 20 football federations supporting the campaign.”

“We, the South African Football Association, are proud to support the United Against Malaria Campaign and globally the Roll Back Malaria Partnership in order to save lives across the continent,” said Mr. Kirsten Nematandani, President of the South African Football Association. “UAM is a great example of how football can help raise awareness to combat this killer disease.”

“Across the continent, football dominates the hearts and minds of children and parents alike. But, so does malaria – the cause of 174 million illnesses and nearly 600,000 deaths in African alone every year,” said Samuel Eto’o, Cameroonian national team player and UAM champion. “We have united to utilize the power of football to fight malaria and we hope our fans will join us.”

Although preventable and treatable, malaria kills a child in Africa every 60 seconds and costs the continent an estimated minimum of US $12 billion in lost productivity and healthcare costs each year.

“I have been a victim of malaria and have witnessed first-hand the devastating effects it can have on individuals and families,” said Didier Drogba, Cote d’Ivoire national team captain and UAM champion. “We need malaria out of the game. Using the popularity of football to increase awareness of prevention and treatment methods will go a long way in the fight to show malaria the red card.”

“Malaria affects nearly everyone on the continent of Africa, including footballers and government leaders. With all eyes on the tournament and its participants, CAF and UAM are committed to utilizing this platform to communicate important messaging to end deaths from this devastating disease,” said Mr. Hicham El Amrani, Secretary-General of CAF.

“When we all fight malaria together, we build stronger nations and save lives,” said President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia. “As a football fan myself, I understand the game’s power and popularity. We have the tools to win against malaria and I urge others to join us in the fight.”

In Nigeria, Malawi, Benin, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania and other countries, malaria messages will be shared using football players, favorite teams and sports programs. Research has shown that audiences retain and act on these messages more often when delivered by their football heroes. In those countries, billboards, sports journals, tournament programs will complement the PSAs on air to ensure the UAM campaign messages reach every household. In Cote d’Ivoire, images of Drogba and his teammates Kolo Toure, Gervinho and Salomon Kalou attract readers to malaria educational materials, and create excitement about ridding this West African country of the burden of malaria. The UAM campaign has broken language barriers by having PSAs recorded by football stars in over 18 African languages since the campaign was launched in 2009.

“I am honored to be a champion for this cause,” said Steven Pienaar, UAM champion and former South African captain. “It is unacceptable that malaria kills one child in Africa every minute. We can take such simple steps to prevent and treat this disease. United we can beat malaria.”

About Malaria: Malaria is a disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. If left untreated, the infection in its most severe forms can lead to coma and death. Although malaria is preventable and treatable, it continues to kill a child every 60 seconds and approximately 600,000 people globally each year. More than 90 percent of these deaths occur in Africa, and the majority of them are children under the age of five. Furthermore, malaria contributes to the cycle of poverty and limits economic development.

About Roll Back Malaria Partnership: The Roll Back Malaria Partnership (RBM) is the global framework for coordinated action against malaria. Founded by UNICEF, WHO, UNDP and the World Bank, RBM is a public-private partnership strengthened by the expertise, resources and commitment of more than 500 partner organizations. RBM facilitates the incubation of new ideas, lends support to innovative approaches and secures policy guidance and financial and technical support for control efforts in countries and monitors progress towards universal goals. For more information, please visitwww.rollbackmalaria.org.

About United Against Malaria: United Against Malaria (UAM) is a partnership of football teams and heroes, celebrities, health and advocacy organizations, governments, corporations, and individuals who have united to win the fight against malaria. Our goal is to galvanize partners throughout the world to reach the international target of reducing deaths worldwide. To learn more about UAM, please visitwww.UnitedAgainstMalaria.org.

About Orange Africa Cup of Nations: The Orange Africa Cup of Nations is the continent’s premiere football championship, organized biannually by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The 2013 tournament, hosted in conjunction with the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the South African Football Association (SAFA) will take place from January 19 to February 10 and be followed by millions of fans in Africa and around the world. For more information, please visit www.Cafonline.com.

BY Obakeng Maje

The South African Under/20 Women’s National Team (Basetsana) will go into camp on Sunday, 02 December 2012 to start preparations for the Zone VI Games scheduled to take place in Lusaka, Zambia from 7-16 December 2012.

The games will be played at the Nkoloma and Zanaco Sunset Stadiums in the capital city of Lusaka.

The Zone VI Games is an initiative of the Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) to further the development of football in the southern region.

The women competition will consist of four U-20 women’s teams from South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Basetsana will kick-off their campaign with a clash against hosts Zambia at the Nkoloma Stadium on Friday, 7 December. Kickoff is at 20h00.

In their second match, they will face Namibia on Monday, 9 December at the same venue, with the kickoff scheduled for 15h00.

The final group stage encounter for Basetsana will see them play neighbours Zimbabwe at the Zanaco Sunset Stadium. Kickoff is at 16h00.

The team that finishes top of the group will take on the third-placed side, while the second-positioned nation will play the country that finishes fourth.

The semi-finals are scheduled for Zanaco Sunset Stadium on Thursday, 13 December.

The losers of the semi-finals will battle it out for the bronze medal in the third/fourth place play-offs, also to be played at the Zanaco Sunset Stadium on Friday, 14 December.

The final will take place at the Nkoloma Stadium on Sunday, 16 December 2012.

The South Africans will hold camp at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria.

Basetsana head coach, Sheryl Botes has called up 20 players who will be taking part in the tournament.

“It has been a while since this team has played, so I am happy we got this opportunity to play on a competitive stage and we are looking forward to this event. It is important that the players get as much international experience as possible. This outing will help us prepare well for the World Cup qualifiers which will begin in October next year,” said Botes.

“We want to do well in this tournament and we will be drawing some inspiration from Banyana Banyana who went to the London Olympics and also finished second in the CAF African Women’s Championship recently. Our aim is to reach the final, but if we don’t, we should not look at it as failure but an ideal work out.”

Basetsana will be without the services of striker Jermaine Seoposenwe who will be writing exams but the experienced Robyn Moodaly and Nomvula Kgoale, who have both played in the Banyana Banyana team, return to boost the squad.

Basetsana squad for the Zone VI games:

By Obakeng Maje

The South African National Under 17 Men’s National Team (Amajimbos) is confident of getting a positive result when they take on Ghana in the second leg, third round match of the Africa Youth Championship qualifier.

The match takes place on Saturday, 01 December 2012 at the Essipong Stadium in Ghana.

Kick-off is 15h00 local time in Ghana (17h00 SA time).

The South Africans have arrived safely and have already had one training session, with the final one scheduled for today (Friday, 30 November) at the match venue.

Amajimbos lost the first leg 3-2 in the first leg played two weeks ago at the Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton, Johannesburg.

But coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba is not very concerned.
“We are aware of the advantage the Ghanaians have but we don’t want to dwell on the past. This is a new match for both teams.

“I have emphasised to my players to go out there and try to get a win. If we are determined and committed, results will take care of themselves. If Ghana managed to score three goals away from home, I don’t see the reason why we can’t do the same away from home. We have as much chance of qualifying as they do but we have to work for it,” said Mashaba.

Mashaba has also cautioned his players not to be overawed by the home crowd.

“Fortunately we don’t have any injuries and the boys are adjusting well to the hot and humid conditions here in Ghana. My players know what to expect in this crucial qualifier.”

The overall winner of this encounter will qualify for the 10th Edition of the African U-17 Youth Championship scheduled to take place in Morocco from 13 – 27 April 2013.

Here is the SA U17 squad in Ghana:

Polokwane – Expelled ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema seemed unconcerned that racketeering charges were added to other charges against him in the High Court in Polokwane on Friday.

Speaking to supporters a street away from the court, Malema said racketeering charges were serious and threatened life imprisonment, but he “had no butterflies in his stomach” over the matter.

Earlier, the court heard that a charge of racketeering had been added to an initial charge of money-laundering.

He updated the crowd on proceedings that took place in court and thanked them for their support.

He led the crowd in song and dance shortly afterwards.

The matter against Malema and his co-accused was postponed to April 23, next year.

The crowd held a night vigil on Thursday night to show support for Malema. – Sapa

North West – The North West ANC has had to delay the start of its nomination conference on Friday to sort out the issue of where the conference would be held.

“Provincial executive committee officials are meeting with the NEC (national executive committee) deployees to discuss the matter,” spokesman Kenny Morolong said.

This was after the provincial executive committee (PEC) complained that another nomination conference had been scheduled to take place in Mafikeng.

“Ignore this fallacious information, as it is intended at confusing the entire membership of the ANC in the North West and (to) project our provincial leadership in a bad light.”

Morolong said the official conference would be held at the Cosmo Hall at Hartbeespoort Dam.

It was supposed to start at 9am, but had been put on hold.

The African National Congress in the North West is divided over who they support for the position of party leader.

According to the Business Day, on Friday provincial chairman Supra Mahumapelo and provincial secretary Kabelo Mataboge, who were leaders of opposing factions, disagreed about the venue for the conference.

Mahumapelo’s group preferred the hall at Hartbeespoort Dam, while those supporting Mataboge were pushing for the conference to be held at the Civic Centre in Mafikeng.

Mahumapelo has reportedly been the chief campaigner for President Jacob Zuma’s second term bid in Mangaung.

Mataboge has been associated with the group calling for Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe to take the top job.

Mataboge was shot at outside his home in Mmabatho on Friday morning, the ANC in the province said.

This was confirmed by North West police, who said Mataboge was about to open the gate to his home at 3am when the shots were fired by an unknown attacker.

He was not injured. – Sapa

Durban – Craig Rosslee has been appointed head coach of Premiership strugglers AmaZulu, the Durban club announced on Friday.

The 42-year-old signed a two-and-a-half year contract, replacing Swede Roger Palmgren, who was sacked on Monday after 14 months in charge at Usuthu.

Rosslee’s first task will be to steer the club clear from the Premiership relegation zone. They sit bottom of the log with just nine points from 12 games.

The North West Executive Council (Exco) has expressed confidence with the zero tolerance traffic law enforcement and crime prevention operation plans that have been put in place to deal with opportunistic crime and lawlessness ahead of the annual 60’s music bash to be held in Mahikeng over the weekend.

Exco in its meeting held on Wednesday welcomed the assurance by MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, Nono Maloyi that special operations to stamp authority against drunken driving, speeding, reckless driving, drag racing, unroadworthy vehicles, criminality and lawlessness on all major roads leading to, around and from Mahikeng will be stepped up. This is in anticipation increased traffic volumes as revellers make their way to the annual music bash.

Exco recognised the economic spin-off that the bash which attracts fans from across the country and neighbouring countries brings to the local economy of Mahikeng and efforts to improve its image and ordeliness.

To reduce road accidents and fatalities caused by fatigue as motorists drive back home after partying at the festival, Premier Thandi Modise has amplified MEC Maloyi’s appeals to parents not to let their unlicensed children access to their vehicles and advice to motorists who intend attending the music bash to arrange dedicated drivers who will abstain from drinking and driving.

Premier Modise appeals to motorists to share the road responsibly throughout the coming weekend and to desist from putting their own lives and those of other road users at risk through speeding, aggression, driving whilst tired and other irresponsible behaviour.

“One death on our road is a death too many. While drivers need to be courteous towards each other,law enforcement should meet all offences, behaviour and attitude that will be detrimental to the event and safety of other road users and citizens with the full might of the law” she stressed.

ANC provincial secretary in the North West Kabelo Mataboge escaped an assassination attempt in the early hours this morning outside his home in Mahikeng.

Mataboge returned to his house around 4am after an audit was done on the ANC branches that will attend today’s nomination conference in the North West.

Unknown gunmen shot at Mataboge four times, according to his close comrade, David Kham, while Mataboge was opening the gate at his house.

“He managed to run away so they couldn’t kill him,” Kham told City Press.

The gunmen then sped away. No arrests have been made.

Kham told City Press he and Mataboge were told by the police to leave Mahikeng because there were signs that they were being targeted.
“Since last week we’ve noticed that we were being followed and the police told us to leave Mahikeng because these guys were coming for us.”

Provincial chairperson Supra Mahumpelo is hosting a separate nomination conference in Hartebeespoortdam today, a gathering that Kham claims to be illegitimate.

“Their branches did not submit their envelopes to the election commission that is running the election … it’s a whole desperation going on.”

The conference in Hartbeespoort is the NEC-sanctioned conference, reports Carien du Plessis.

Mahumpelo is known to support president Jacob Zuma while Mataboge wants deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe to take over as ANC president at the Mangaung conference.

Recently the Tlokwe municipal council elected a DA mayor despite the ANC majority in the council because of severe infighting between the two camps.

Mahumpelo could not be immediately reached for comment.

– City Press