By Kgatliso Ramose

Taung-Over the years artists in Taung have been pushing their own music individually. 

Some has given up along the way because it seems so hard to embedded their names in this entertainment industry.

 Most people refer it to “Sharks Industry”.

Now music and art have a home.

The Influencers is a group of “heavily inspired” individuals who decided to dedicate their inspiration to others.

 “We wanna spark back the fire in people’s lives who used to have dreams and gave them up because of lack of support and resources. And we also inspire those who are still buoyed” said one of the founder Kagiso Rapati AKA Illgza.

The influencers main objectives are. to chance people’s mindset, particularly in Art and Entertainment said one of founders. “We also want to offer support to local musicians. Our focus is to start in Art and Entertainment Industry because they are the only platforms or professions left on earth whereby the individuals have the power to convey the message” Illgza said.

The Influencers already organised their first music session which is deep and soulful house and hip hop this friday and sunday respectively.

The event will be held at Ampro’s palace in Dryharts, Lohatlheng near Taung.

Musicians,Djs,Graphic Designers,Artist and Dancers will be presented with a platform to showcase their talents. 

“This is just the plan for the first few months which will be completely differ in three months from now on. So to all residents of Taung and its Surroundings please come and show your support” said the seasoned hip hop artist.

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Rustenburg – The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on Friday said it would reconcile with the families of those injured and killed during violent strikes at Lonmin’s Marikana mine.

“Even if NUM is not found to have contributed (to the violence) NUM will be committed not only to make sure this never happens again, but that mineworkers are united,” NUM president Senzeni Zokwana told the Farlam commission of inquiry.

He was asked under cross-examination if the union would be willing to reconcile with those affected, if it were found to have contributed to the violence during the Marikana strike.

“I don’t think we need to be found guilty to participate,” he said.

Zokwana said what had happened at Marikana was an emotional issue, and that as a former mineworker he recalled the pain of seeing a co-worker’s body brought up from the mine.

“You know, the reason I became a member of a union was to build unity,” he told Dali Mpofu, representing those arrested and injured during the violent strike.

He said mineworkers should be bound together by the difficult situations under which they worked.

“I hope that a day will come when all those workers in Karee and Impala can go to that spot where these things happened and make a vow that never in our lifetime will we allow that to happen again.”

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

Rustenburg – The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on Friday said it would reconcile with the families of those injured and killed during violent strikes at Lonmin’s Marikana mine.

“Even if NUM is not found to have contributed (to the violence) NUM will be committed not only to make sure this never happens again, but that mineworkers are united,” NUM president Senzeni Zokwana told the Farlam commission of inquiry.

He was asked under cross-examination if the union would be willing to reconcile with those affected, if it were found to have contributed to the violence during the Marikana strike.

“I don’t think we need to be found guilty to participate,” he said.

Zokwana said what had happened at Marikana was an emotional issue, and that as a former mineworker he recalled the pain of seeing a co-worker’s body brought up from the mine.

“You know, the reason I became a member of a union was to build unity,” he told Dali Mpofu, representing those arrested and injured during the violent strike.

He said mineworkers should be bound together by the difficult situations under which they worked.

“I hope that a day will come when all those workers in Karee and Impala can go to that spot where these things happened and make a vow that never in our lifetime will we allow that to happen again.”

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

The DA is planning to lay a complaint with the public protector against North West premier Thandi Modise, the party said on Friday.

“The DA has learnt that the heads of all North West government departments are away from their desks this week to attend an ANC lekgotla,” Democratic Alliance provincial leader Chris Hattingh said in a statement.

“It appears that the government’s top officials, paid by the tax payer, have been summoned by premier Thandi Modise to the… lekgotla.”

It said Modise’s alleged actions were “unethical”.

“If an investigation finds premier Modise guilty of violating the Executive Ethics Act, then she must do the honourable thing and resign,” Hattingh said.

“This attitude of serving the ANC and not the people of the North West has been a hallmark of premier Modise’s term in office.”

Modise’s spokesman Lesiba Kgwele said there was no basis for the allegation that Modise had summoned the officials.

“This allegation is just the usual theatrics of DA leader Chris Hattingh,” he said.

“The premier did not convene the lekgotla, and she did not issue an invite. The acting provincial secretary of the ANC sent the invite.”

He said the various heads of department had taken leave to attend the lekgotla and were paying for their own accommodation.

“They have gone to the lekgotla to take mandate from the party that has deployed them in government.”

The outcomes of the lekgotla were expected to be discussed at an African National Congress briefing later on Friday. – Sapa

Limpopo – A Limpopo man allegedly raped his three-year-old niece in Ga-Mothapo, Mankweng on Friday, police said.

Constable Moses Molepo said the girl was left with her uncle when her 28-year-old mother went to work at 6.30am.

“The victim revealed the ordeal to the mother and the matter was reported to police for further investigations,” Molepo said.

Doctors at Mankweng Hospital confirmed that the girl had been raped. Police were looking for the 20-year-old uncle, he said. – Sapa

By Obakeng Maje

Klein Mier-The community of Klein Meir are accusing their municipality for not heeding to their call after experiencing some difficulties regarding water in the area.

The residents are foaming after the water was contaminated. The community members say they have informed the municipality about the water issue,but the management decided to procrastinate.

“The municipality here in Klein Mier is not helpful and the water here is contaminated” other resident told sabc.

However the municipality said they are busy dealing with the issue, said Themba Mokidi.

The residents vow that if nothing is done they will take it into their hands.

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Tlokwe municipality mayor Annette Combrink has refused to use a luxury official car that was delivered to her last week, Beeld reported on Friday.

Expensive official cars for mayors were no longer appropriate when people were burdened by poverty, Combrink reportedly told the paper.

She said she would use her nine-year-old personal Volkswagen Passat for official business.

Combrink on Thursday spoke about the fact that the municipality had ordered a Mercedes-Benz C350 CDI worth R736 000 for the previous mayor, Maphetle Maphetle, in June last year.

The car was only delivered last week, as special fittings beige leather seats and a sunroof had been requested.

Meanwhile, two vehicles borrowed from a dealer were both damaged when Tlokwe municipal officials used them.

The new Mercedes had been placed in storage in a municipal garage, Combrink said.

Maphetle told Beeld he was not familiar with any specific model or special finishes having been ordered because he did not know exactly what had been budgeted for.

Combrink said she had asked the Auditor General to investigate the purchase.

“My biggest objection is basically that expensive official cars in general, not just at Tlokwe, are unnecessary and obsolete.”

-Sapa

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on Friday said it is willing to sign a pledge with parties affected by the Marikana violence to prevent its reoccurrence.

“I would not have qualms about that, because as a union we believe that the right to life is that which our Constitution promises everybody,” union president Senzeni Zokwana told the Farlam commission of inquiry.

“As a union we would accept any recommendation that the commission would come up with and if that includes us having to sign some pledge (we will).”

Zokwana was asked under cross-examination if the union would sign a pledge to work with all parties in future to prevent such violence from reoccurring.

He said the NUM would be willing to sign anything proposed by the commission to prevent more violence.

Zokwana agreed this pledge and recommendations should encompass the behaviour and language used by union leaders.

“I would agree with that. Leadership is about being responsible. It can lead to war depending on the language (s)he uses. A culture must exist in this country where it forges unity.”

Zokwana was testifying in the commission which is probing the deaths of 44 people during a strike at the North West mine.

Thirty-four strikers were shot dead and 78 wounded when police opened fire while trying to disperse a group of protesters gathered on a hill near Lonmin’s platinum mine in Marikana on August 16 last year.

In the preceding week, 10 people, including two policemen and two security guards, were killed.

Zokwana also testified that the NUM did not block Marikana miners’ wages.

“NUM would never be averse to where workers are given an offer. It may object to the forum used, but [would] not… [oppose] this offer,” he said.

Dali Mpofu, for those arrested and injured during the violent strike, said striking mineworkers believed NUM told Lonmin mine not to negotiate with them.

He said this was the reason why strikers went to NUM officers on August 11, and not, as Zokwana believed, to burn it down.

NUM shop stewards allegedly fired at a large group of strikers who marched towards the union’s offices at the mine. Two strikers were injured and had to be hospitalised.

Mpofu admitted the group of strikers included NUM, Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu), and non-unionised members.

He put it to Zokwana that it was normal for members to go to the nearest union office to inquire, if they believed the NUM was standing in the way of wage increases.

“When you march it is when you don’t reach satisfactory answers,” Zokwana said.

He said if this was the case, NUM members would have sent a smaller, unarmed delegation to get information.

“(It would have been reasonable) provided it was NUM members marching to the NUM office, minus the weapons.”

-Sapa

By Obakeng Maje

Klerksdorp- Two suspects arrested by police on for fraud in Klerksdorp. 

A complain was received that the Vaal Commercial Institute in Klerksdorp was allegedly an unregistered College. 

“Mr Jenmi Oluwatoyin Olakunle (Nigerian citizen and  35-years-old) and Collen Goitsemodime Lentswe (43-years-old) appeared before the Klerksdorp Magistrate Court on Friday” captain Adele Myburgh said. 

“Olakunle will remain in custody for a formal bail application and Lentswe was granted bail of R1000.00” police said. 

They will both re-appear in court on 15 February 2013.

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By Obakeng Maje

Marikana- A Lesotho citizen was arrested for allegedly robbing a business with four other accomplices on Friday at around 08:00 am North West police said. “The shop owner in Marikana at the Group 5 area was in her shop when the suspects pounced on her” captain Adele Myburgh said.

“They pointed her with a firearm and stole her cellphone and amount of undisclosed cash” Myburgh said. Police members arrived at the scene shortly after it happened and follow-up on information received at the crime scene. 

“One of the suspects was identified at the CBD and the police apprehended him” she said. 

The suspect pointed his firearm towards police members and fled into an open field towards the informal settlement. 

The other four suspects also started running away in the same direction.

“Whilst the armed suspect was running he shot towards the police members chasing him” police said. Police members fired back towards the suspect and managed to arrest him in the field. 

Four other suspects escaped and are still at large. 

No injuries were sustained during the shoot-out. 

The suspect will appear at Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate Court soon.

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