It’s all systems go for the first Brics Expo and International Trade and Tourism Conference set to be held in Mahikeng, North West, this week.

The four-day international investor conference will run from Thursday to Sunday at the Mmabatho Convention Centre and involve delegates from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (Brics) that make up the bloc.

North West premier, Thandi Modise, said the conference would create an ideal platform for the public and private sectors to network and explore business opportunities with international businesses from Brics countries.

Modise said: “The conference will be held under the theme ‘Pioneering business and investment opportunities between the Bric countries and North West province’.”

Modise added: “One of the provincial priorities is to increase investment inflows into the province.

“Engagements with investors will afford us with opportunities to learn best practices in manufacturing, renewal energy, mining, mineral beneficiation, tourism, infrastructure development and agriculture beneficiation projects.”

Modise pointed out that the North West had prioritised the development of these key economic sectors to contribute towards job creation and increase the contribution towards the provincial Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The conference is also expected to position the North West province as a preferred investment destination.

Added Modise: “We are looking forward to engagement and discussion with our Brics partners at this auspicious event to further strengthen and solidify close ties in trade, tourism and investment.”

Indications are that about 300 delegates are expected to attend the conference that will be running parallel with exhibitions that will showcase provincial products and services.

Provincial government spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele said that investors, exporters, importers, investment promotion agencies, tourism agencies, companies specialising in transportation and air and freight transport, road and rail operators, courier companies, finance service providers, banks and small to medium and macro enterprises were among those that would be able to engage in various business-to-business networking opportunities.

Kgwele said: “The conference is hosted by the provincial department of economic development, environment, conservation and tourism in conjunction with Brics Expo Pty Ltd and in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.”

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

By Barbara Jones

Eastern Cape – The father of model Reeva Steenkamp, who was allegedly murdered by Oscar Pistorius, spoke movingly on Sunday of his family’s grief and said he bore the athlete no animosity.

In an emotional interview with The Mail on Sunday, Barry Steenkamp said he was struggling “to find some reason why this happened to our lovely daughter”.

Last week, Pistorius broke down in tears in court when he was formally charged with Reeva’s premeditated murder

“He must be going through things that we don’t know about. There is no hatred in our hearts.”

Reeva, 29, had been dating the Olympic athlete since November.

She was shot dead in the early hours of Valentine’s Day at Pistorius’s gated mansion in Pretoria.

It has been reported she was hit four times by bullets fired through the door of a bathroom.

Pistorius, 26, a keen marksman, owned a pistol and machine gun.

Sources told how he carried his dying girlfriend from the bathroom, her blood splattering the staircase, as he desperately tried to revive her.

The pair were called South Africa’s “golden couple”, and the arrest of Pistorius – who last year became the first man to compete at both the Olympics and Paralympics – was met with disbelief.

Speaking for the first time since the death of his law graduate daughter, Barry Steenkamp, a horse trainer, wept as he said he and his wife, June, were at “a complete loss”.

He said: “This is a very difficult time for us. June is inconsolable. We just need to find some answers.

“We ask the Lord every day to help us find a reason why this should happen to Reeva.

“She was the most beautiful, kind girl in the world. She had love for everyone, and she was loved by everyone who knew her.”

Steenkamp said he had never met Pistorius, but that his wife occasionally spoke to him on the phone.

On the day of the killing, Reeva had been due to give a talk to high school pupils “to empower them to be confident”.

Her father said: “That’s what she was like, always wanting to help others.”

Former girlfriends of the Paralympian have publicly suggested he has a dark side.

One, 26-year-old student Samantha Taylor, said he is “certainly not what people think he is”.

The Mail on Sunday learnt that Taylor was warned to expect a subpoena forcing her to give evidence at Pistorius’s trial.

Reeva appeared on the TV programme Tropika Island of Treasure on Saturday night, which sees celebrities paired with contestants competing for a cash prize.

for more details http://www.iol.co.za

By Barbara Jones

Eastern Cape – The father of model Reeva Steenkamp, who was allegedly murdered by Oscar Pistorius, spoke movingly on Sunday of his family’s grief and said he bore the athlete no animosity.

In an emotional interview with The Mail on Sunday, Barry Steenkamp said he was struggling “to find some reason why this happened to our lovely daughter”.

Last week, Pistorius broke down in tears in court when he was formally charged with Reeva’s premeditated murder

“He must be going through things that we don’t know about. There is no hatred in our hearts.”

Reeva, 29, had been dating the Olympic athlete since November.

She was shot dead in the early hours of Valentine’s Day at Pistorius’s gated mansion in Pretoria.

It has been reported she was hit four times by bullets fired through the door of a bathroom.

Pistorius, 26, a keen marksman, owned a pistol and machine gun.

Sources told how he carried his dying girlfriend from the bathroom, her blood splattering the staircase, as he desperately tried to revive her.

The pair were called South Africa’s “golden couple”, and the arrest of Pistorius – who last year became the first man to compete at both the Olympics and Paralympics – was met with disbelief.

Speaking for the first time since the death of his law graduate daughter, Barry Steenkamp, a horse trainer, wept as he said he and his wife, June, were at “a complete loss”.

He said: “This is a very difficult time for us. June is inconsolable. We just need to find some answers.

“We ask the Lord every day to help us find a reason why this should happen to Reeva.

“She was the most beautiful, kind girl in the world. She had love for everyone, and she was loved by everyone who knew her.”

Steenkamp said he had never met Pistorius, but that his wife occasionally spoke to him on the phone.

On the day of the killing, Reeva had been due to give a talk to high school pupils “to empower them to be confident”.

Her father said: “That’s what she was like, always wanting to help others.”

Former girlfriends of the Paralympian have publicly suggested he has a dark side.

One, 26-year-old student Samantha Taylor, said he is “certainly not what people think he is”.

The Mail on Sunday learnt that Taylor was warned to expect a subpoena forcing her to give evidence at Pistorius’s trial.

Reeva appeared on the TV programme Tropika Island of Treasure on Saturday night, which sees celebrities paired with contestants competing for a cash prize.

By Kgatliso Ramose

Kgatliso Ramose Dem: Let’s talk sports!!!

“Lord,lift us up where we belong. Where the eagles fly. On a mountain high. Lord lift us up where we belong,up from the world we know”

Facebook went crazy with those lyrics of Cece and Bebe Winans-Lord lift us where we belong song as the Amakhosi fans were hoping for things to turn on their favour as it looked like Kaizer Chiefs were facing their second loss of the season.

Kaizer Chiefs produced a dramatic late comeback to beat Free State Stars 2-1 at Soccer City Stadium as they moved back to the top of the log. 

On the other part of town TakeSure made sure that Orlando Pirates crashed the unknown FC Djabal 5-0 in the first leg of their CAF Champions League clash at the Orlando Stadium saturday night. Takesure Chinyama bagged 4 and Sfiso Myeni scored 1.

On Friday night Pitso Mosimane’s boys produced quite a show,trashing Maritzburg United 3-0. Its seems Pitso is turning the clock at Chlorkoop. What is the secret? “Most of Sundowns’ impact players: Modise,Laffor,Pelembe and Kekana knows Pitso from Supersports United so its easy for them to relate to his style of play and makes thing happen” one of our reader Phanuel Moroe said.

He continued “I believe that is what makes them so fiercely dangerous and if they carry on like that,they will go as far as top 4”.

On the other hand Q2 winners Dikwena continued where they left off with a convincing 3-0 at Royal Bafokeng Sports palace and claim second spot on Sunday afternoon before Chiefs win their game that saw Platinum Stars goes back to 3rd spot.

Calvin Johnson turned the North West Province team into a “well-oiled” machine since taking the reign.

Other weekend results.

Chippa United 3-0 Black Leopards

Golden Arrows 0-1 Amazulu

Bloemfontein Celtics 3-0 Bidvest Wits.

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

Arrest of ANC Regional Secretary’s murder suspects commendable-Premier Modise

The arrest of three suspects linked to the murder of ANC Regional Secretary in Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District, Obuti Chika confirmed  by the Hawks is commendable and should allow the family to find closure to their tragic loss and end speculations as to who is/are responsible for his untimely death, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Sunday.

“We are deeply concerned and disappointed that a member of ANCYL is reportedly liked to the chilling crime that robbed us of a courageous leader like Comrade Chika. We call on our communities to allow the law to take its course for justice to be done because there is no place in our society for those who resort to violence and murder to settle political scores and differences,” said Premier Modise.

 The Premier had earlier in conveying condolences to the Chika family appealed for calm and called for in-depth investigation into assassinations and attempted assassinations experienced in the province including one on suspended ANC Provincial Secretary Kabelo Mataboge .