BY Obakeng Maje

Banyana Banyana will be out to record their first ever win over Nigeria when the two African women’s football powers meet in the semi-final of the CAF African Women Championship 2012.

The clash takes place on Wednesday, 7 November 2012 in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.

Kickoff is at 18h30 South African time, with 30 minutes extra time to follow if the score is deadlocked after 90 minutes of play. If there is still no winner after extra time, the match will be decided via a penalty shoot out.

The Sasol-sponsored South African Women’s Senior National Team go into the match ranked No 4 in Africa, compared to the No1 ranked Nigerians – and captain Amanda Dlamini’s team will be looking to break the mental block and record their first win over the Super Falcons since Banyana Banyana was formed in 1993.

“We came to the tournament with the aim of improving on our world ranking of 56th and African ranking of 4th, and with the top four African nations (Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and South Africa) all having made the semi-finals, we now need to deliver to meet our objective,” said Banyana Banyana head coach Joseph Mkhonza.

Hosts Equatorial Guinea face All-Africa Games champions Cameroon in the first semi-final, to be played in Malabo earlier in the day (15h30 kick-off).

“We played to a 1-all draw with Nigeria in an international friendly played in Phokeng near Rustenburg, North West Province earlier this year (3 June), and shared a goal-less draw with them in Lagos two weeks later, so we know we are competitive enough to match Africa’s No 1 side,” added Mkhonza.

“The Banyana Banyana players are keen to do better than their bronze medal finish at the CAF African Women Championship 2010 held in Ekurhuleni near Johannesburg, and will be looking to use the experience gained at the London Olympics held in July, to good advantage.”

Mkhonza has an injury-free squad of 20 players to choose from and has the option of fielding his attack-minded 3-5-2 formation which brought success (a 1-0 win over Senegal and a 4-1 triumph over the Democratic Republic of Congo) in the group stages, or revert to the conventional 4-4-2 format.

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies (Sasol League Gauteng) striker Andiswe Mgcoyi will arrive at the semi-final as the joint leading goal-scorer in the tournament on four goals, having scored the only goal of the match against Senegal and a hat-trick against the Congolese.

BY Obakeng Maje

Bafana Bafana will play Norway in a friendly international at Cape Town on 8 January 2013.

By Obakeng Maje

North West Premier, Thandi Modise together with Provincial Health MEC, Dr. Magome Masike will on Tuesday, 06 November 2012 handover site to the winning bidder for construction of new Bophelong Psychiatric Hospital.

“A total of R478 million has been set aside for the construction of new psychiatric hospital in Mahikeng and the project is expected to be completed in the next 24 months” Tebogo Lekgethwane said.

“Initially the Department planned to construct a 648 beds hospital, but following extensive consultation with mental health experts and recommendations by World Health Organization (WHO) MEC Masike decided to downsize psychiatric hospital in favour of community based psychiatric health care facilities” He added.

This will increase access to mental health care services and also boost chances of psychiatric patients to respond to treatment as they will be treated and cared next to home. In no distant future the Department will construct community based psychiatric health care facilities in the four districts of the Province namely, Ngaka Modiri Molema, Bojanala, Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Dr. Kenneth Kaunda. The facilities together with the new hospital will make available 648 psychiatric beds of which 384 will be at the new hospital and the remaining beds will be spread across the districts.

Each community based facility will make a provision for residential needs, day care center, a workshop for occupational activities and industrial therapy. It is envisaged that each of these facilities will function independently in terms of staff structures and will be located near health facilities to promote easy outreach of health professionals. 

Members of the media are invited to attend the handing over ceremony billed for 12h00 at the new Bophelong Psychiatric hospital construction site along the Nelson Mandela Drive to Lichtenburg from Mahikeng.

Johannesburg – Musician Molemo “Jub Jub” Maarohanye, convicted of murder, is expected to appeal the decision of a Soweto court that remanded him in custody until sentencing, the National Prosecuting Authority said on Monday.

“Maarohanye appealed the decision made by Magistrate Brian Nemavhidi in the Protea Magistrate’s Court that he be remanded in custody until he is sentenced on November 30,” spokeswoman Phindi Louw said.

The appeal would be heard by the South Gauteng High Court on Wednesday.

Louw said she could not provide more details as the NPA only received a notice about the appeal and the date.

On October 16, Maarohanye and Themba Tshabalala were found guilty on four counts of murder and two of attempted murder.

“The State managed to prove beyond reasonable doubt… that the accused are guilty on four counts of murder… (and) two counts of attempted murder,” Nemavhidi said, delivering judgment.

He also convicted them of racing on a public road and driving while under the influence of drugs.

“The death of the deceased occurred as a result of the driving of those vehicles and as such the accused are convicted of driving their vehicles while under the influence of drugs.”

Nemavhidi said that bail for both Tshababala and Maarohanye ended at the time the court announced its finding.

Louw said Tshabalala would not appeal the court’s decision.

“We haven’t received any notice that he (Tshabalala) will be appealing,” she said.

Sentencing would take place on November 30. – Sapa

BY Obakeng Maje

Banyana Banyana head coach Joseph Mkhonza has dedicated his SA Sports Awards Coach of the Year honours to hard work, coaching passion and the support from his colleagues.
The annual SA Sports Awards function took place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Sunday, 4 November 2012.

Speaking from Bata, Equatorial Guinea where Banyana Banyana are preparing for Wednesday’s semi-final against Africa’s No 1 ranked side Nigeria at the CAF African Women’s Championship, Mkhonza said: “I am honoured to be named as the SA Sports Awards Coach of the Year and see it as  much of a privilege as it is a privilege to coach Banyana Banyana.”

The coach, who wore the colours of top SA clubs such as Kaizer Chiefs and African Wanderers in his playing days in the 1970s, added: “Coaching is a calling in life and needs to be backed by passion for the task at hand. I am delighted to be recognized for my efforts and need thank Safa, Banyana Banyana team sponsor Sasol, the Banyana Banyana players and my technical staff colleagues for their contributions made which play a role in helping me win an award of this nature.”

Experienced Banyana Banyana striker Portia Modise was a finalist in the SA Sports Woman of the Year category, won by Olympic 800 metres athlete Caster Semenya, while the Olympic rowing team won the Team of the Year honours in a category in which Banyana Banyana were nominated as finalists.

BY Obakeng Maje

Bafana Bafana head coach Gordon Igesund has named a 24-man squad to face Zambia in the Nelson Mandela Challenge on Wednesday, 14 November 2012.

The clash will take place at Soccer City. Kickoff is at 20h00.

The two teams clashed in the inaugural Nelson Mandela Challenge back in 1994 and the ‘return’ clash next week promises fireworks. The visitors lost that epic encounter at Ellis Park 2-1.

This annual tournament has a lot of CSI feel to it; the South African Football Association (SAFA) will donate a huge portion of the proceeds to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

In his fifth game in charge of the national team, coach Gordon Igesund has made eight changes to the squad that travelled to Poland and Kenya last month, with seven of the players selected based overseas.

Itumeleng Khune retains his place in goals and is joined by Darren Keet of KV Kortrijk (Belgium) as the only two goalkeepers in the squad.

In defence, another Belgium-based player Anele Ngcongca returns to the squad for the first time under Igesund after recovering from injuries.

Also back in the squad after a long absence are Thanduyise Khuboni (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Thuso Phala (Platinum Stars), Kermit Erasmus (Supersport United) and Katlego Mashego of Moroka Swallows.

“This is probably the last chance for a lot of players, especially the overseas-based players to impress because we don’t have a FIFA date anymore between now and the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

I am happy with the progress we are making and the squad is taking shape nicely; a number of players and clubs are showing passion towards the national cause and this is giving me a good ‘headache’,” said Igesund.

“I now have most of the squad I need for the tournament, but I am left with about 20 percent with the likes of Thulani Serero, Siboniso Gaxa, Daylon Claasen, Benni McCarthy, Davide Somma and Morgan Gould, to mention but a few, still to fight for the remaining places. The truth is they have a lot of work to do because they need to show me that not only have they fully recovered from their injuries and are fit, but also that they are playing regularly for their clubs.”

Igesund will have Serame Letsoaka as his only assistant following the passing away of Thomas Madigage last month.

“I believe Serame and I have what it takes to take this team forward. For the moment we won’t be replacing Tommy and I don’t think there is a need to find a replacement,” said the Bafana Bafana head coach.

Bafana Bafana will assemble for camp on Sunday, 11 November 2012 at the Southern Sun Monte Casino Hotel in Fourways.

On Monday, 12 November they will have a gym training session, and the next day (Tuesday, 13 November) will travel to Soccer City to have final preparations.
 

The Squad:

Police in the North West Province will embark on series of Imbizos from November 2012 to March 2013. The first Imbizo will be on 8 November 2012 at Tlhabane Community Hall in Rustenburg at 17:00.

The primary objective of these imbizos is to address challenges that are being experienced by police and community members in their respective areas, to create awareness, to encourage community participation in crime fighting through structures like Community Police Forum. The community will have the opportunity to raise their challenges with the South African Police Service. This is also to build good relations with communities as one of our key stakeholders.  

The province is experiencing a high rate of crime, ranging from contact crime, property related crimes and other crime categories. Our crime pattern analysis shows that Rustenburg has more crime compared to other areas in the province.

The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo urges all communities to work together with the Police in the fight against crime in our townships, suburbs, rural places including farms. She further emphasizes that police will leave no stone unturned in their efforts to expose and apprehend all those who happens to be on the wrong side of the law. “We humbly would like to urge everyone in the community to support this massive campaign by been part of these Imbizos in their areas” she concluded.

Media is invited to attend the imbizos which will be held as follows:

BY Obakeng Maje

The North West Executive Council and stakeholders in the province are to make inputs on the implementation of the National Development Plan (NPA) and Vision 2030 during the National Planning Commission’s provincial outreach programme to be held at the Mmabatho Convention Centre tromorrow.

The objective of the engagement to be led by the Minister of National Planning in the Presidency, Trevor Manuel and six members of the commission is to popularise the NDP so that it is translated into targets to be incorporated into future performance and delivery agreements and ensure that its aspects are incorporated into their own long- term planning exercises and implementation plans.

“Though the National Development Plan is a product of consultative process, the provincial engagement affords us broad stakeholder and citizen ownership towards the implementation process,” says Premier Thandi Modise.

The first session to commence at 8:00 am will be with the Provincial Executive Council (Exco) while the second session to commence at 10:00 am will involve invited representatives of the business sector, labour, traditional leadership, civil society, political parties, chairpersons of portfolio committees of the legislature, youth formations, etc.

Premier Modise has following on the establishment of the National Planning Commission established a Provincial Planning Commission and appointed former MEC Darkey Africa as fulltime Commissioner. Additional commissioners were advertised in the print media and appointments are to be made in due course.

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BY Obakeng Maje

TAUNG: A 37-year-old man was arrested on Monday following a shooting incident in Taung.It is alleged that on Sunday at about 14:00a fight ensued between the two ANC factions in Magogong Village.

“According to information at our disposal, one of the two fighting groups had a meeting at Magogong Primary School. It is alleged that the other group was not invited to the meeting which was aimed at amongst others, discussing the delegation to the ANC’s Conference in Mangaung” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said,

“Whereas there was a prior agreement between the two groups that they will jointly hold a meeting for that purpose the other group continued anyway” He added..

 “It is alleged that whilst the other group was continuing with a meeting the uninvited group arrived at the school only to be confronted by “armed security guards” at the gate” Ngubane said. 

They were told that they were not invited to that meeting therefore they are not allowed to go inside.

A quarrel started between the two groups.  

According to information one of the “security guards” inside the school yard allegedly drew a firearm and pointed at one lady who was amongst the locked-out group, but no shot was fired. 

Few moments after that, a shot was fired and that was when a 39-year-old Ogopoleng Semao was hit in the right of his chest through the ribs and fell to the ground. 

The victim was rushed to Taung Provincial Hospital and later transferred to Kimberly Provincial Hospital where he was admitted in a serious but stable condition.

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews 

Police were informed and a case docket was registered.  Allegedly the suspect fled the scene after the shooting and on Monday, 05 November 2012, the 37-year-old suspect was arrested in Vryburg.  He will be charged with attempted murder, pointing of firearm and unlawful possession of firearm.  The suspect is expected to appear before the Taung Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 06 November 2012.  Investigation continues.

BY Obakeng Maje

Banyana Banyana will adopt a ‘no fear’ approach’ when they face Africa’s No 1 ranked women’s football team Nigeria, in the semi-finals of the 8th CAF African Women Football Championship, to be played at the Nkoantoma Stadium in Bata on Wednesday, 7 November 2012.

Kick-off 17h30 (18h30 SA time).
 
The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana have played the Nigerians twice this year in international friendly matches, which ended 1-all in Rustenburg and goal-less in Lagos.
 
Banyana Banyana head coach Joseph Mkhonza said: “The stage is set for an epic battle between the two sides and the power of African women’s football is clear, with all four of the top ranked teams on the continent in Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and SA having made the semi-finals,” said Mkhonza.
“Safa and our team sponsor Sasol need to be thanked for the continued support given to the national team which has turned our players into heroines in the eyes of sports fans across our country.”
 
Experienced Banyana Banyana midfielder Portia Modise, who scored for SA in the international friendly played in Rustenburg on June 3, said the Nigerians fielded their full strength team during the international friendly matches against SA and Banyana Banyana can break the mental block to record their first-ever win over the Super Falcons.

“The Banyana Banyana players are so keen to get the win over Nigeria and give South African football fans lots to be proud of as the win will allow our team to make the final, which is one step further than what we achieved at the CAF African Women Championship 2010 held in Ekurhuleni, near Johannesburg,” said Modise.
 

Banyana Banyana finished as the bronze medallists at the African showpiece event two years ago, going down to Equatorial Guinea in the semi-finals, but beating Cameroon in the playoff match for third spot.
 
At this year’s tournament, the South Africans finished second on the Group A log, recording wins against Senegal (1-0) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (4-1) and went down (1-0) to the hosts, Equatorial Guinea in the opening fixture.
 
With Equatorial Guinea having topped the Group A log at this year’s tournament, the hosts will take on Cameroon in the second semi-final to be played in Malabo on Wednesday (07 November 2012 (kick-off: 14h30)).