De Doorns, Western Cape – At least 50 people were arrested on Wednesday when renewed farmworker strikes for better wages in the Western Cape turned violent.

Lt-Col Andre Traut said riot police had been deployed to contain the situation in the Boland farming town of De Doorns.

“We are taking action, and arrests are being effected,” Traut said, adding that “in the region of 50” people had been detained since the protests began early on Wednesday.

Protesters stoned cars, prompting the police to close roads. The N1 was closed outside De Doorns, forcing motorists to use alternative routes.

Farmworkers said they would not return to the vineyards on Wednesday afternoon as the situation had become too volatile.

De Doorns was also at flashpoint two months ago when Boland farmworkers went on strike over low pay and poor working conditions.

This week hopes were dashed that talks organised by the Department of Labour would yield an agreement and avert another round of protests. – Sapa

Free State – Groenpunt’s prisoners have threatened to continue burning jail cells if their grievances were not addressed by Minister of Correctional Services S’bu Ndebele.

The angry prisoners from the Groenpunt maximum security wing in the Free State went on the rampage on Monday afternoon, setting fire to the administrative block and burning their mattresses and bedding.

On Tuesday morning, Medium A prisoners joined in, also burning mattresses and bedding.

Six prison cells were badly burnt during the riot and several were locks tampered with.

The department said damage, which amounted to millions of rand, included three administration offices that were completely burnt, destroying furniture and documents.

As a result, hundreds of inmates had to be transferred to other prisons. Deputy regional commissioner Grace Molatedi said they were rearranging things at the prison, a move that would result in maximum prisoners being transferred to ensure they are properly accommodated.

Prison insiders told The Star just after 5pm on Tuesday that some of the prisoners had been transferred to Westville and Kokstad prisons.

“They said those who were taken had played a role in influencing us into burning the prison,” one prisoner said, adding that they spent the entire day locked up on Tuesday, going out only to collect food from the dining area.

Correctional Services acting national commissioner Nontsikelelo Jolingana said security had been beefed up at the prison. She said extra warders had been deployed to the prison.

She said both the SAPS and her department were investigating the incident.

Jolingana described the maximum section as a mess.

“Police have cordoned off the scene. Violent actions by prisoners will not be entertained by the department. Charges will be brought against those implicated in this,” said Jolingana.

Prisoners told The Star on Tuesday night that they would continue burning the prison cells.

“We are going to burn this prison if they don’t listen to us. We are not going to listen to anyone else except the minister (Ndebele),” one prisoner said.

The prisoners said their main grievances were the prison’s poor rehabilitation programmes and a lack of medication at the prison hospital.

The inmates also claimed many HIV-positive prisoners were denied access to antiretrovirals.

“Sometimes prisoners go for days without getting their treatment. They are treating us like animals. They don’t care if the inmates get sick if they don’t take their medication regularly,” said one inmate.

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

By SAPA

Johannesburg – ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa said his call for action against striking Lonmin workers in Marikana last year and the subsequent death of 34 mineworkers were not linked.

In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Ramaphosa said e-mails which emerged during a commission into the shooting, in which he called for “concomitant action” against the “criminal” strikers, were a separate issue.

“Basically all it boils down to is that prior to the killing of the 34 people by police guns, 10 people had died and some of them had died in the most brutal way,” he told CNN host Christiane Amanpour.

“They had died in what I still see as a ‘criminal’ way…. I was appealing to the authorities to take action to prevent further deaths.”

He said that after he made that call, police decided the strike had to come to an end and “another situation unfolded”.

“(The two situations) are de-linked because I was calling for peace. I was calling for the saving of lives. Then, the following day, it (the shooting) happened in the most horrendous way,” Ramaphosa said.

“A long part of my life was spent serving mineworkers, and there is just no way that I could ever have said that mineworkers should be killed.”

Ramaphosa was the first general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers.

He said the African National Congress had achieved a lot for South Africa in the country’s 18 years of democracy, but acknowledged that more needed to be done.

“The ANC has been the first to say that we have challenges:

there are problems that we are facing and there are weaknesses within our structures,” Ramaphosa said.

“We need to re-establish the moral compass of our organisation.”

He said many South Africans perceived the ANC in a negative light, and this needed to change.

“The ANC has bared its own soul… and has admitted a lot of those (negative) things. Now that, to me, is indicative of a party that is quite ready to start a process of correcting quite a lot of those perceptions,” Ramaphosa said,

“Perceptions, in life and in politics, can soon be a reality and we need to address them.”

Ramaphosa said he was not thinking about succeeded President Jacob Zuma at the party’s next elective conference.

“The party line in the ANC is that you are chosen, you never choose yourself. You never raise your arm. The people choose you,” he said.

“I was minding my own business, and the people said ‘we want you to come into this position’ and I heeded that.”

Ramaphosa was elected as deputy president of the ANC at the party’s national conference in Mangaung (Bloemfontein) in December.

He said he was confident the ANC would win the general election in 2014, with Zuma as its leader.

“He is going to lead our party into the next election. He is going to be the face of our campaign and all of us, as members of the ANC, are going to rally behind him.”

Ramaphosa said the ANC would wait for a report into the reported R200 million renovation of Zuma’s private home in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, before discussing the saga.

“Now, we are waiting for the results of that (investigation) and I think we should all wait and see what the outcome of that is.” – Sapa

Western Cape – Police fired rubber bullets to disperse hundreds of striking farm workers in South Africa’s prime grape-growing region on Wednesday after a protest for higher wages turned violent.

Scores of police clad in riot gear fired rubber bullets at the strikers, who hurled stones from behind barricades of burning tyres, according to a Reuters reporter on the scene in De Doorns.

The strike in the Western Cape, also home to the country’s multi-billion dollar wine industry, restarted on Wednesday after being suspended in December, when warehouses were set on fire and at least two workers died in clashes with police.

The farm workers, many of them seasonal workers employed to pick and pack fruit, want their minimum daily wage of R69 more than doubled to R150. – Reuters

o

The Department of Basic Education has called on schools to consider being no-fee institutions. Eighty percent of public schools have implemented the policy and the department is now calling on more schools to join in. 

Department spokesperson Panyaza Lesufi says they are quite impressed with the outcome of the programme. 

“We had given ourselves a target of 60% by 2014 and we are sitting at 80%. For us the no-fee paying policy has yielded the necessary dividends. We still call upon other schools be part of no-fee paying school that can also accept that it will be in the best interest of all learners if they are given access to no-fee paying schools.”

The Department also says it’s all systems go for the new school year adding that at least 98% of textbooks have already been delivered to inland schools. Textbooks and stationery have also been delivered in Limpopo, where problems were experienced last year. 

Meanwhile, Human Rights organisation Section 27 has not ruled out approaching the courts again if they find that learners are being short changed regarding textbook supply. 

The organisation took the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshega, to court last year after learners in four grades in Limpopo did not receive textbooks at the beginning of the year.

Attorney Nikkie Steyn says the organisation will be monitoring school readiness. “We, together with four other legal organisations working on the right to education will be monitoring the delivery of textbooks and workbooks to all of the provinces all over the country to make sure that a similar crisis to what happened in Limpopo are avoided and that all learners across the country have got the books they need.”

Motshekga and Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will visit a number of inland province schools today. Coastal schools will open their gates next week.

By Obakeng Maje

If you’ve ever been to a wedding, birthday party, bar, etc. with live entertainment, you know that the DJ can make or break the event.

And because the quality of service, entertainment and professionalism varies widely from jockey to jockey, it’s important to pick an emcee that has the experience and personality needed to ensure your celebration goes off without a hitch.

We chatting to one of the finest Djs in North West,Dj Les and hear about music,how he make it,who he plays it to, and where?

So come with us to hear more about a Rustenburg-born Dj!!!

Rustenburg-Lesego Morake is a radio presenter,a producer and a club Dj and believes he is the best in everything.

Born and bred at a tiny place of Motlhabe village,near Moruleng Dj Les rose to the occasion and nothing stand on his way to achieve his childhood dream.

“I was born at Bakgatla village in Motlhabe,near Moruleng in Rustenburg and I had only one dream…to become a Club Dj,a Producer & a Radio personality” Lesego Morake said.

Dj Les as he is affectionately known to his followers has once played a professional football too. Morake once played for now defuncted Manning Rangers team.

“I played a professional football as I am also passionate about soccer,but unfortunately a nagging injury cut my career short. That is where I pursue Dj as a career” Dj Les said. 

“I grew up listening to Dj Fresh and I was inspired by him. To become a Dj is not an easy thing as you must always be ahead of your compitator. Offering exactly what music lovers need,your half-job is done” Les outlines.

Morake(29) want to be one of the finest Djs in the country and believes our music is on a right direction.

“We see lots and lots of international Djs coming down to the South and the world love our music. I want to see myself being one of the best Djs and a businessman” he adds.

Lesego Morake has survived all trials and tribulations he went through and he also has that fair share of ups and downs in his life,but he never gave up.

Lesego is running an entertainment company called L’volution Entertainment,for sound hiring,wedding video and photograph.

Even though he just started it,he believe he has all arsenals.

“I am running an entertainment company and offers photography,sound hire & dj. I want to go back to radio and I will be very grateful if that opportunity can arise” he smiles.

Dj Les worked as a radio personality & producer for a year back in 2010. 

He is armed with formal radio training and skills,even though Dj Les has’nt released any album he outlines that in three years time he will be dropping a house album.

“I am little bit have many on my plate for now,but hopefully I will drop my first house album in three years time. I am currently looking for a full time job(especially on radio) and after I find something then I will exercise my options” he giggles.

Lesego Morake studied Electrical Engineering but unfortunately he could not finish the course to financial strains.

He also took time to encourage the youths of South Africa who lost hope.

“I would like to further my studies in the future and to those youths who lost it altogether,they must not lose hope. The harder you work,the luckier you become,so education is a gateway from poverty” Les said.

Morake says he is looking for a manager who could manage him.

“I am looking for a manager and want to concentrate on exploring and breaking all barriers to get to the top” he said.

Dj Les has showcase his skills in Johannesburg and North West,sharing the stage with world renowned Djs.

He also played at Tsitsing stadium during world cup back in 2010.

For bookings djles@mailbox.co.za or call him on 0783949759.

By Obakeng Maje

Hartswater-The suspects who were arrested after they allegedly beat Gaesiwe Motsae to death will appear before court today.

The incident took place last year when Motsae,22 ran away from an initiation school and was ordered to go back.

She was allegedly stoned to death at the initiation school on her arrival with her lower body buried to the ground Northern Cape police said.

“The suspects will appear before magistrate for murder charge” provincial spokesperson said.

The incident caused an outcry within the community and also the chiefs lashed out at initiation schools owners.

A woman was gang-raped while on her way to register at the Tshwane University of Technology campus in Soshanguve early on Tuesday, Gauteng police said.

“She was walking at around 3am with four of her friends to go start queuing and register at the campus when they were attacked by five unknown men,” spokesman Warrant Officer Mathews Nkoadi said.

“They dragged her to the bushes and raped her.”

The victim came from KwaZulu-Natal. The men also robbed her of her R1 000 registration fee and a cellphone.

No arrests had been made, Nkoadi said. – Sapa

Bafana Bafana failed to produce a confident performance with the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations just around the corner as they went down 1-0 to a young Norway side at the Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday night.

South Africa stuttered through large portions of the game as they struggled to break down a plucky Norway, who were quick to close down the ball all over the park.

After failing to hold onto the ball in the opening 10 minutes, Bafana would arguably create their best chance of the half when Reneilwe Letsholonyane slipped the ball to Katlego Mphela who turned brilliantly but saw his low shot kept out by the goalkeeper.

Bjorn Helge Riise then saw his grass-cutter from outside the area stopped unconvincingly by Itumeleng Khune who gathered the ball on the second attempt.

Bafana coach Gordon Igesund was furious on the sidelines after Siphiwe Tshabalala and Thuso Phala had switched places on the flanks.

After Phala returned back on the right, he fizzed a dangerous low cross into the six yard area which was parried by the goalkeeper. Letsholonyane got the rebound but couldn’t scramble it home.

The goalkeeper would turn a strike around the post soon after before Norway grabbed a shock lead. The Bafana defenders watched on as Tarik Elyounoussi danced across the centre-backs before firing past Khune.

Mphela wasted a glorious chance to draw level moments later when Lerato Chabangu curled a perfect pass into the middle and the Mamelodi Sundowns man fluffed his attempted lob as the ball fell into the grateful goalkeeper’s arms.

The hosts made a bright start to the second-half with Phala slipping Tokelo Rantie through but the goalkeeper made the save and Phala’s scuffed shot on the follow up was cleared by the defenders

Elyounoussi then had a shot blocked before Phala put another dangerous ball in which Thulani Serero poked at goal but the goalkeeper made a brave sliding block.

Siyabonga Sangweni glanced a header just wide from a free-kick with 10 minutes to go as Bafana tried to turn up the pressure.

Phala should have equalised when he latched onto a cutback from Serero but he blazed over when it seemed easier to hit the target.

Bafana were frustrated by the visitors in the final few minutes as Norway ran down the clock and ensured that South Africa started 2013 with a loss.

Bafana: Itumeleng Khune, Tshepo Masilela, Bongani Khumalo, Siyabonga Sangweni, Anele Ngcongca, Lerato Chabangu, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Thuso Phala, Katlego Mphela.

Norway: Rune Almenning Jarstein, Espen Ruud, Kim Andre Madsen, Frederik Semb Berge, Lars Christopher Vilsvik, Ardian Gashi, Tarik Elyounoussi, Bjorn Helge Riise, Erik Huseklepp, Ruben Jenssen, Alexander Soderlund.

For more details go to http://www.soccerladuma.com

the Siya crew can reveal coach Gordon Igesund’s starting line-up for tonight’s international friendly at the Cape Town Stadium, as Bafana Bafana host Norway in the Mother City.

The coach has opted to play a 4-4-2 formation, with Lerato Chabangu playing as the second striker behind Katlego Mphela.

There is no surprise in goals, as Itumeleng Khune retains his place between the sticks. Igesund will play a flat back-four, with Tsepo Masilela at left back and Anele Ngcongca on the right. 

Bongani Khumalo, who will captain the national team, will be partnered by Siyabonga Sangweni in central defence.

In the midfield, Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Thuso Phala have received call-ups to the starting line-up, alongside Kagisho Dikgacoi and Siphiwe Tshabalala. 

Yeye will play in a more advanced role, with Dikgacoi expected to play in his usual role, in front of the defence, with Shabba wide on the left and Phala on the right.

The attack will be spearheaded by Mphela, with Chabangu playing behind the target man.

Bafana Bafana starting XI: Itumeleng Khune, Anele Ngcongca, Bongani Khumalo, Siyabonga Sangweni, Tsepo Masilela, Thuso Phala, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Lerato Chabangu and Katlego Mphela.

For more details go to http://www.soccerladuma.com