Johannesburg –

 

The matric examinations of 2012 were declared fair, valid and credible by Umalusi on Friday.

 

“We hereby approve the release of the results of the national senior certificate examinations administered by the department of Basic Education,” said Umalusi CEO Dr Mafu Rakometsi.

 

He said the same approval was issued for the exams administered by the Independent Examinations Board (IEB).

 

“We are satisfied that the examinations were fair, valid and credible.”

 

Umalusi – the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training – approved the exams after various quality control measures, including moderating and approving question papers, verifying internal assessments, monitoring the conduct during exams, and monitoring and verifying the marking and final results.

 

Rakometsi said exams conducted for qualifications available through Further Education and Training (FET) colleges and Adult Basic Education and Training (Abet) were also approved – with the exception of N3 Electronics.

 

“These results are being withheld pending an investigation.

 

We suspect some irregularities,” said Rakometsi. – Sapah

Law enforcement officials say a police officer in southeastern Brazil shot and killed a garbage collector after mistaking the Bible he was carrying for a gun.

 

State Police Major Mauricio Jose Raimundo on Friday told reporters that Antonio Marcos dos Santos was stopped by police as he was heading to church in the city of Avare. When he raised his hands a police officer saw a bulge in his pocket and thinking it was a weapon opened fire.

 

The police officer will remain in detention pending the outcome of an investigation.

 

The incident occurred Wednesday evening. – Sapa-AP

 

Former Material Girl Madonna has built 10 primary schools in Malawi this year, her charity announced on Friday.

 

Two years after abandoning a $15 million girls academy, the pop diva said projects this year would educate 4 871 children in the tiny southern African country.

 

The projects were carried out by her charity Raising Malawi and the global non-profit buildOn.

 

“I am overjoyed that my commitment along with buildOn’s to help educate the children of Malawi has come to fruition,” Madonna said in a statement issued by her charity.

 

“In a country where girls have little opportunity for education, it’s additionally inspiring to know that more than half the students attending will be young girls.

 

“The fact that more than 4 800 children in Malawi will get to go to school in 2012is a tremendous step forward for their individual growth and the growth of Malawi,” Madonna added.

 

The schools, which had been scheduled to be built over 18 months, were completed six months ahead of schedule.

 

The charity said six of the schools are already in use and all 10 would be up and running in January 2013 for the first day of school in the New Year.

 

Madonna is no stranger to Malawi.

 

In 2006 she adopted toddler David Banda under controversial circumstances and two years later adopted another child, Mercy James.

 

Her charity, Raising Malawi, has poured millions of dollars in support of orphanages and a network of orphan care service providers.

 

Malawi is ranked by the UN Human Development Index as one of the world’s 20 least developed countries and 39 percent of its 13 million citizens live below the poverty line, on less than a dollar a day.

 

UNICEF estimates that only 26 percent of boys and 16 percent of girls complete primary school because of poverty and the long distances travelled to reach schools.

 

Madonna controversially stopped the construction of the state-of-the-art $15 million Raising Malawi Academy for Girls-RMAG- in Chinkhota village, 15 kilometres from the administrative capital Lilongwe, after it was mired in allegations of financial mismanagement.

 

The academy, styled on the lines of the one built by TV host Oprah Winfrey in South Africa, had been meant to offer 500

 

scholarships to girls from poor backgrounds and groom them into future leaders.

 

In abandoning the project, Madonna said the academy would not be adequate as two-thirds of the girls were not educated beyond primary school. Instead, she said, she wanted to reach “thousands and not hundreds of girls” by constructing several schools. – Sapa-AFP

 

 

BY Staff Reporter

Bafana Bafana’s new kid on the block, Belgium-based Ayanda Patosi has been withdrawn from the training camp currently underway.

 

The forward missed the first training session on Thursday afternoon (27 December 2012) as he was nursing an ankle injury. He trained for only a few minutes on Friday morning (28 December) but felt some discomfort, forcing him to watch the rest of training from the sidelines.

 

The player has been released from camp and is expected to travel home to Cape Town this evening.

 

“It is such a pity that he will not be with us due to injury but he is a young man and should be fine. I would have loved to work with him but his injury prevented us from doing so. He is a player for the future, hopefully someday he will return to the national team fold,” said Gordon Igesund.

 

Patosi sustained the ankle injury in his club’s last league match before heading to South Africa. He is expected to be out of action for three to four weeks.

 

“I am so disappointed that I will not be part of the AFCON 2013 tournament, I had such high hopes of playing for my country. But being called up for this training camp is in itself a great motivation and will make sure I work harder to return to the national team fold. I really enjoyed my time here, with a great bunch of talented players, unfortunately the injury cut short my stay. I am proud to have come this far and can only wish the boys all the best in the tournament,” said Patosi.

 

He becomes the third player to be withdrawn from the squad due to injury after striker Benni McCarthy and defender Eric Mathoho.

 

Meanwhile training got into top gear at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, with all the other players taking part, including Belgium-based Anele Ngcongca and Siyanda Xulu who arrived on Thursday night.

 

Andile Jali, who also missed Thursday’s training session, managed to complete the gruelling morning session on Friday without a problem.

 

The players gave their all in a rigorous and arduous training session in hot conditions under the watchful eye of head coach Gordon Igesund and his assistant Serame Letsoaka.

 

The mini training camp ends tomorrow (Saturday, 29 December) with just one session in the morning before Igesund announces the 23-man Africa Cup of Nations 2013 squad on Sunday, 30 December.

 

The announcement will take place at the Southern Sun Monte Casino Hotel in Fourways at 15h00.

 

 “The mood in the camp is very high; they all want to be part of this tournament. Unfortunately, some players will not be selected. Most players are eager to be part of this exercise of playing in this prestigious tournament. We will be hosting AFCON for the second time in our history, and who knows maybe we might make history and win it again,” said midfielder Lerato Chabangu.

 

His sentiments were echoed by Thuso Phala.

 

“All the players are excited at the challenge facing us of making the final team. For me, getting this far and being part of the training camp is an achievement on its own. It would be an honour and a dream come true to be selected for AFCON 2013, so I just need to continue working hard. All players are giving 100 percent at training because they want to be selected.

 

 

By Staff Reporter

Early detection of police officials who are stressed might prevent incidents of members of the police service killing their partners and thereafter committing suicide, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Friday.

 

Premier Modise said that post-traumatic stress disorder associated with conditions that police experience during the course of their work demand for advanced psychological services to ensure that whatever pressures police experience in their personal lives do not trigger violent reaction.

 

“We are concerned about incidents of violence that have resulted in loss of lives involving members of the police service particularly as they have occurred close to one another” said Modise. 

 

 The Premier’s comment follows a report that another police officer shot his life-partner dead before turning the gun on himself in Tlhabane near Rustenburg.

 

According to police, the incident took place during the early hours of the morning after neighbours reportedly overheard the pair arguing before they heard gun shots

 

Captain Amanda Funani said that the Tlhabane police were called at Geelhout Park in Rustenburg where they found two bodies of a 33 year-old constable and his 32 year-old girlfriend lying on the floor with gunshot wounds.

 

The incident follows another tragedy in Modimong village near Taung where a 26 year-old Constable Boitumelo Kwate shot his girlfriend Portia Mojakgolo(21) on a hip before turning a gun on himself on Christmas eve.

 

 

JOHANNESBURG – South African football was plunged into turmoil in the wake of match-fixing allegations involving high-ranking SA Football Association (Safa) officials, a month before the country was due to host the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) in 2013.

 

Safa suspended its president, Kirsten Nematandani, and four senior administrators in December after the release of a Fifa report surrounding warm-up games before the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa.

 

The timing could not have been worse, as Bafana Bafana had been tasked with reaching the semi-finals at the Afcon tournament, otherwise new coach Gordon Igesund could be shown the door.

 

Bafana were in a rebuilding phase for much of the year, with three different coaches taking control of the national side.

 

Nematandani said shortly before he was suspended that he was pleased with the progress of the Bafana squad.

 

“Definitely the end of 2011 was the lowest point for Bafana and so 2012 was a rebuilding exercise,” Nematandani said.

 

“We are focussed on the immediate task of performing with excellence at the forthcoming Afcon 2013 tournament.

 

“We have a duty as a host nation to do well for our supporters and Mzansi people.”

 

Bafana came off a dismal 2011 season when they failed to qualify for the 2012 Afcon competition, and set about their qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

 

In the first qualifying match, in June, they hosted Ethiopia at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, but settled for a disappointing 1-1 draw.

 

The result, and a string of poor performances, resulted in coach Pitso Mosimane being axed two days later.

 

Steve Komphela was given the job on an interim basis, and while he was in the running for the full-time post, Igesund was appointed as the new man for the job on June 30.

 

While Komphela was in charge, Bafana drew 1-1 against Botswana

 

in Gaborone in their second World Cup qualifier, and by the time Igesund was appointed, they had got their qualifying campaign off to a rocky start.

 

Igesund was given the ultimatum to take the team to the 2014

 

showpiece and make it through to the last four at the Afcon tournament.

 

Igesund, the only coach to have won South Africa’s Premiership title with four different clubs, approached the job systematically, and with confidence, which he aimed to instill in his players, insisting that everyone in his squad would need to wear the Bafana

 

jersey with pride. In six games in charge, Igesund guided the side to slender 1-0 defeats against Brazil and Poland, and a 2-1 victory over Kenya, in three away matches.

 

In home games, they beat Mozambique 2-0 and Malawi 3-1, while they lost 1-0 to defending Afcon Champions Zambia.

 

Nematandani was pleased with Igesund’s brief time at the helm.

 

“The coming on board of coach Gordon Igesund seems to have brought back the excitement which has been missing.

 

“We are hoping for a good Afcon 2013 tournament because all indicators show that we are moving in the right direction.” – Sapa

 

h

File: (Constable Kwate with his girlfriend Portia Mojakgolo during happier times)

By Obakeng Maje

 

Rustenburg- Another Police Officer committed suicide in Tlhabane,near Rustenburg and killed his life-partner dead before turning the gun on himself.

 

“This incident took place during the early hours of the morning and according to neighbours,the two were engaged in an argument before they heard gun shots” provincial police said.

 

“The Tlhabane police were called at Geelhout Park in Rustenburg. Police found two bodies of a 33 year-old constable and his 32 year-old girlfriend lying on the floor with gun shot wounds” Captain Amanda Funani said.

 

The Police Management in North West urges their members to make use of Employ Health Wellness(EHW) if they feel depressed.

 

This follow another tragedy in Modimong village near Taung where a 26 year-old constable Boitumelo Kwate shot his girlfriend Portia Mojakgolo(21) on a hip before turning a gun on himself.

BY Obakeng Maje

Bafana Bafana have started their training camp at Orlando Stadium in Soweto which runs from Thursday, 27 December until Saturday, 29 December 2012.

 

The squad consists of 31 players – the 24 that was selected for the international friendly match against Malawi last weekend (Saturday, 22 December) in Durban and an additional seven more.

 

Head coach Gordon Igesund will announce the final 23-man squad on Sunday, 30 December.

 

Almost all players reported for national duty with the exception of striker Benni McCarthy and defender Eric Mathoho who have been withdrawn from the camp due to injuries. McCarthy is suffering from a troublesome hamstring while Mathoho has a knee injury.

 

“It is a blow when any player called up for the national team pulls out due to injury. It would have been a great situation to have both of them here,” said Igesund.

 

Ayanda Patosi and Andile Jali were given a break as a precautionary measure. Both have niggling ankle injuries but are expected to join their compatriots at training on Friday, 28 December.

 

Due to club commitments, England-based Kagisho Dikgacoi and Dean Furman, as well as Darren Keet who plays in Belgium will not be part of the training camp.

 

“I already have 19 players in my mind but I still have some decisions to make for the rest, so there are still some places up for grabs.

 

“These are exciting but also testing times for me and the players because at the end of the day only 23 players can make the squad. We saw in the match against Malawi that all players want to be part of this fiesta. But it does not mean if players are excluded from the AFCON squad it is the end of the road, we still have plenty of tournaments to come,” added Igesund.

 

“What I am happy about is the great vibe in the squad and you can see all the players are eager to do their best which makes life harder for me and my technical team.”

 

 

 

BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD FOR TEAM FOR TRAINING CAMP

 

NO.

 

  PLAYER’S NAME

 

  CLUB

 

                     GOALKEEPERS: 1.

 

  Itumeleng 

 

KHUNE Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  2.

 

  Wayne 

 

SANDILANDS Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

 

  3.

 

  Senzo 

 

MEYIWA Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

 

  DEFENDERS:

 

  4.

 

  Bevan

 

FRANSMAN Supersport United FC (SA)

 

  5.

 

  Thabo 

 

NTHETHE Bloemfontein Celtic (SA)

 

  6.

 

  Siyabonga

 

SANGWENI Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

 

  7.

 

  Siyanda 

 

XULU FC Rostov (Russia)

 

  8.

 

  Siboniso 

 

GAXA  Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  9.

 

  Tshepo 

 

MASILELA Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  10.

 

  Thabo 

 

MATLABA Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

               MIDFIELDERS: 11.

 

  Oupa

 

MANYISA Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

 

  12.

 

  Reneilwe

 

LETSHOLONYANE Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  13.

 

  Siphiwe 

 

TSHABALALA Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  14.

 

  Sifiso 

 

MYENI Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

 

  15.

 

  Thanduyise 

 

KHUBONI Lamontville Golden Arrows FC (SA)

 

  16.

 

  May 

 

MAHLANGU Helsingborg IF (Sweden)

 

  17.

 

  Delron

 

BUCKLEY Maritzburg United FC (SA)

 

  18.

 

  Lerato 

 

CHABANGU Moroka Swallows FC (SA)

 

  19.

 

  Thuso 

 

PHALA Platinum Stars FC (SA)

 

  20.

 

  Ayanda

 

PATOSI Lokeren FC (Belgium)

 

  21.

 

  Daine 

 

KLATE Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

 

  STRIKERS:

 

  22.

 

  Bernard 

 

PARKER Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  23.

 

  Lehlohonolo 

 

MAJORO Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA)

 

  24.

 

  Tokelo 

 

RANTIE Malmo FF (Sweden)

 

    

ADDITIONAL PLAYERS:

 

1.

  Anele 

NGCONGCA Racing Genk FC (Belgium)

  2.

  Andile 

JALI Orlando Pirates FC (SA)

  3.

  Teko 

MODISE         Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

  4.

  Bongani 

KHUMALO Paok FC (Greece)

  5.

  Ricardo 

NUNES MSK Zilina FC (Slovakia)

  6.

  Thulani

SERERO Ajax Amsterdam FC (Holland)

  7.

  Katlego 

MPHELA Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA)

    

 

It was a dog-eat-dog world on Twitter on Thursday as people argued over President Jacob Zuma’s comments that caring for a pet dog was part of “white” culture.

 

While a flurry of users seemed indignant that Zuma didn’t name Jock of the Bushveld his favourite four-legged South African or ask Lassie to come home, many others agreed with the president’s sentiments.

 

One user, YanelaJ, said Zuma’s comments were accurate: “How many blacks vs whites do u c walking/running dogs..don’t count domestic worker?”

 

Young Communist League spokesman Khaya Xaba tweeted that a “rich man’s dog gets more in the way of vaccination, medicine and medical care than do the workers upon whom the rich man’s wealth is built.”

 

The Star reported on Thursday that Zuma, in a speech given at Impendle in KwaZulu-Natal, had said that spending money to buy a dog and taking it to the vet and for walks, belonged to “white” culture.

 

He was also reported to have said that those who loved dogs more than people had “a lack of humanity”.

 

The presidency later sent out a statement in which it explained that Zuma was only trying to “decolonise the African mind” with his statements.

 

Presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said that Zuma wanted “to enable the previously oppressed African majority to appreciate and love who they are”.

 

Meanwhile on Twitter, Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi tweeted a picture of himself with his Boerboel “Superhero” and his Jack Russell “Maradona”.

 

Some tweeters gently suggested that “Superhero” was a bit on the chubby side, but Vavi reassured his followers that he has managed to get the Boerboel’s weight down since the photograph was taken.

 

Vavi also mentioned that he had given ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe a puppy years ago. “He keeps dogs too,” tweeted Vavi.

 

Nevertheless, Vavi said that he was not offended by Zuma’s comments. “As an animal lover & proudly black I don’t feel insulted by that comment – I do have compassion for humans too!!”

 

However, internationally renowned author Zakes Mda refuted the essentialism behind Zuma’s statement.

 

“There are many ways of being African. Of being black even. Those who love animals are not less African than those who don’t.”

 

Journalist Reuben Goldberg suggested that South Africans buy Zuma a dog “and name it #Nkandla”.

 

Even “Bazil the Bulldog” gave his opinion into the matter, tweeting: “Zuma needs a history check, as the Africanis breed of dogs have been the companions of Southern Africa’s San Bushmen since 800 AD…”

 

Ayanda Mlotshwa questioned Zuma’s linking of race and dog ownership, stating: “I’m black & I love my dog. He’s part of my family. We’ve always had dogs in my family. Can’t imagine life without them.”

 

A number of people also tweeted an old photograph of former president Nelson Mandela beaming alongside a jubilant canine companion.

 

The Christian Democratic party sent out a statement in which they said it appeared from his remarks that Zuma’s second term would be “even more sectarian and divisive” than his first.

 

“This playing up of one culture against another, describing them, not as different, but rather that one has superior moral values to the other, is totally unacceptable and counterproductive,” said party leader Theunis Botha. – Sapa

LENASIA – A woman was electrocuted on Thursday after she allegedly fiddled with an electric cable in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg.

Johannesburg Emergency Services Robert Mulaudzi said they responded to a call earlier and found the woman’s body, who is believed to be in her forties.

“She was lying next to an electrical box. It looks she was trying to connect electricity illegally.

“She was declared dead on the scene.”

Mulaudzi said they have seen an increase in incidents of this nature. 

City Power was called in to switch off the power as the cable was believed to be live and posed a danger to residents.

The public was also urged to refrain from these illegal activities.

For more details go to http://www.ewn.co.za