By Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg-The resurgence of violence ascribed to rivalry between National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and Association for Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) calls for urgent dispute resolution interventions to prevent another bloodbath, North West Premier Thandi Modise said in calling for cessation of hostilities on Monday. 

The Amplats workers downed tools last night after an argument between AMCU and NUM members that prompted to shoot-outs.

Currently more than 4000 mineworkers are gathering at a Bleskop soccer field.

The rift between NUM members and AMCU allegedly caused by AMCU members who stormed at NUM offices and ordered them to vacate offices as they no more hold more members at the Amplats.

13 people were reported injured after shoot-outs.

“Though there were no fatalities, we are extremely worried that unions within the mining sector are allegedly involved in a bitter turf war that might open old wounds. The price that we all paid in Marikana was too costly for us not to be concerned about the impact recent developments might have on our economy,” emphasised the Premier.

According unconfirmed reports, one person died however North West police dispute that information.

No one has been reported dead and those reports are biase said police.

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Pretoria – Oscar Pistorius’s slain girlfriend is to be cremated on Tuesday as the South African “Blade Runner” appears in court for a bail hearing expected to reveal more about what happened the night she was shot dead.

Model Reeva Steenkamp, 29, was shot four times in the early hours of Thursday and she died of her wounds at the scene.

Pistorius’s family has insisted that the evidence will refute “any possibility of a premeditated murder or indeed any murder at all”.

Defence lawyers are expected to argue that there are “exceptional circumstances” for Olympic athlete Pistorius to be freed pending trial.

As a result, more details will likely emerge of what happened during the Valentine’s Day shooting at Pistorius’s upmarket home in a gated estate in the South African capital.

The state, arguing premeditated murder, will oppose bail.

Both sides have called in heavyweight lawyers, setting the scene for a major legal showdown.

In Port Elizabeth meanwhile, Steenkamp’s family were preparing their final farewells.

In an interview published on Monday, Steenkamp’s mother described her death as “horrendous”.

“Why my little girl? Why did this happen?” June Steenkamp told the Times of South Africa.

“She had so much of herself to give and now all that is gone. Just like that, she is gone… In the blink of an eye and a single breath, the most beautiful person who ever lived is no longer here.”

Her uncle said the family bore Pistorius no grudge, but wanted clarity about Steenkamp’s death.

“The family haven’t got that animosity or hatred or anything like that but questions, and we realise that it’s going to come out,” Michael Steenkamp told reporters.

Steenkamp’s parents were having a quiet day at home ahead of her memorial after the arrival of family members and friends.

Michael Steenkamp said the family were not watching television or listening to the radio. “We just ignore it completely.”

On Saturday, a celebrity television show aired haunting footage of Reeva Steenkamp speaking about the need to leave a positive mark on life, words laden with poignancy after her death.

“Not just your journey in life, but the way that you go out and make your exit is so important, you have either made an impact in a positive way or a negative way,” she said.

The law graduate had been going out with the 26-year-old Pistorius since late last year. – Sapa-AFP

By Obakeng Maje

Chemical castration for rapists proposes NWest Premier Modise

Chemical castration of perpetrators of sexual violence might serve as a deterrent to reduce the scourge of rape, North West Premier Thandi Modise has suggested. Premier Modise who was herself a victim of rape in her teens has vowed to lead a campaign to lobby for chemical castration given the unacceptable levels that the scourge has reached across the country.

The Premier announced her crusade and reiterated her call for real men to stand up to be counted against the scourge of rape at the inauguration of the newly nominated Provincial Council on Aids (PAC) held 

 at the Mmabatho Palms Hotel on Monday.

 In an emotional address, Modise commended members of the outgone council for playing a huge role in mobilising their constituencies for the fight against HIV and AIDS in the province.Modise said the PCA has done an excellent job in the past years and should continue to play its role.

“We are very proud of the work done thus far by the PCA particularly all those members who have contributed their efforts since the inception of the council. We value their contribution in ensuring that people of the province are united in the fight against HIV and AIDS for Zero infections,” she said.

She also congratulated new members of the council and encouraged them to serve in the council with high standard of professionalism.

“We expect new members of the PCA to continue with the excellent job and serve with dedication,We want new members to understand that being in the PCA, you are working for the people of the province therefore we expect them to do their job to the best of their ability,” she said.The new provincial council is expected to coordinate and monitor the implementation of programmes and strategies for the province’s response to HIV and Aids.

It has to create and strengthen partnerships for an expanded North West provincial response among government agencies, NGOs, donors, the private sector and people living with HIV and Aids.

The outgone chairperson of the PCA, Reverend Piet Tlhabanyane said that continued and collective effort is needed in order to win the fight against HIV and AIDS.

“We will never win the fight against the pandemic if there are no united voices in the province and the entire country at large.HIV and AIDS affect all of us in the country, so we need to stand firm at all the time to fight the pandemic that is killing many of our people,” he said.

In supporting the PCA, Deputy Chairperson of SANEC, Mmapaseka Letsike said even though South Africa is registering success each and every year with regard to the fight against HIV and Aids, more still need to be done.

She also congratulated new members of the PCA in the province and encouraged them to take the lead in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

“This is not the time to reduce our contribution to the fight against HIV and Aids. South Africa is still faced with many challenges because every day we lose our sisters and brothers as a result of this pandemic,” she said.

The new council to serve for 2 years will be charged with governance in matters pertaining to HIV and Aids in the province, and delivery of the mandates in terms of the North West Provincial Council on Aids Act.

Government departments, the business sector, Disabled People South Africa-North West, People with Disability, North West People Living with HIV and Aids, National Association of People living With Aids, including political parties represented in the provincial legislature are among the organisations that have nominated the 26-member council.

By Obakeng Maje

Urgent intervention required at Amplats mines-NWest Premier

The resurgence of violence ascribed to rivalry between National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and Association for Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) calls for urgent dispute resolution interventions to prevent another bloodbath, North West Premier Thandi Modise said in calling for cessation of hostilities on Monday. 

Premier Modise was reacting to a report that 13 people were wounded in gun and panga attacks at an Anglo American Platinum mine in Rustenburg after a crowd of about 1000 people besieged a union office.   “Though there were no fatalities, we are extremely worried that unions within the mining sector are allegedly involved in a bitter turf war that might open old wounds. The price that we all paid in Marikana was too costly for us not to be concerned about the impact recent developments might have on our economy,” emphasised the Premier.

According to police the recent incident was provoked by a dispute between the two unions over access to mine offices that prompted the intervention of mine security which fired rubber bullets, and in the process a total of 13 mine workers, inclusive of four security guards were hurt.

More than 50 people were killed in labour strife at Lonmin’s Marikana mine in August last year. Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) has proposed a restructuring process that might lead to closure of four shafts and 14 000 job cuts..

Amplats, the world’s largest platinum producer, was hit by violent strikes last year, caused in large part by the union battle for membership. The company’s shares closed down nearly 5% on Monday in trading at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange

Taung, North West – An elderly couple was found dead at their home in Molelema Village near Taung on Monday, said North West police.

Captain Amanda Funani said they appeared to have died from poisoning.

“The two might have died from drinking a poisoned substance that could have been poured into a traditional beer they drank before they were found dead,” said Funani.

“Foul play is suspected.”

A relative of the couple discovered the bodies.

The woman reported that she last saw the 62-year-old woman and her 65-year-old partner on Sunday night, when they returned from a local tavern.

An inquest docket was opened. – Sapa

Johannesburg –

Author, activist and businesswoman Mamphela Ramphele launched a “party political platform” in Johannesburg on Monday.

“Today, I announce that I am working with a group of fellow citizens to form a party political platform that will focus on rekindling hope that building the country of our dreams is possible in our lifetime,” she said at the old Women’s Gaol in Braamfontein.

“We launch this initiative under the name Agang, or in the Nguni languages of our country, Akhani, which can be interpreted in English as ‘Build South Africa’,” she said in a speech.

The Limpopo-born Ramphele, who began her career as a qualified doctor and whose academic career has focused on studies of social conditions, said: “The country of our dreams has unfortunately faded for many of my fellow South Africans.

“… The dream has faded for the many living in poverty and destitution in our increasingly unequal society, and perhaps worst of all, my generation has to confess to the young people of our country: we have failed you,” said Ramphele, who wore a black and white traditional outfit.

Describing herself as “no messiah”, the former head of the World Bank, and member of the boards of several top companies, said the decision to enter party politics had not come easily.

Ramphele, who was once a partner of murdered Black Consciousness leader Steve Biko, said she had never been a member of a political party nor had she aspired to political office.

“I, however, feel called to lead the efforts of many South Africans who increasingly fear that we are missing too many opportunities to become that which we have the potential to become – a great society.”

She had travelled and listened to people and felt that: “The great society to which we committed ourselves following our relatively peaceful political transition is rapidly unravelling before our eyes.”

The impressive achievements of the past 18 years were being “undermined by poor governance” at all levels of society.

“An unchecked culture of impunity and the abuse of power as well as public resources rob children, young people, rural and urban poor people of the fruits of freedom,” said Ramphele.

“Corruption, nepotism and patronage have become the hallmarks of the conduct of many in public service.

“Corruption is theft. It steals textbooks from our school children. It steals drugs from sick people. It steals social grants from old people and poor children. It robs citizens of hope and destroys dreams,” she said.

“This party political platform will declare war on corruption. It will work with all those in civil society as well as individual citizens and dedicated public servants who share our concerns to fight this scourge.”

Mamphele called for profound economic restructuring following months of deadly wage-strikes in the mine and agriculture sectors.

“The mining sector’s business model based on reliance on the migrant labour system and large numbers of low-cost, low-skilled labour is unsustainable,” she said.

Mines and farms “have to migrate to a business model that invests in skills of its workers, uses innovative technologies to remain competitive and create new type of jobs and opportunities for all,” she added.

The former University of Cape Town vice-chancellor also called for a turn-around in education.

“It is woeful, shameful that we should have such low expectations of young South Africans that we are prepared to accept thirty percent as a pass mark for school leavers.”

Agang aims to change South Africa’s election system, which has parties nominate their members of parliament.

Lawmakers should be elected directly by constituencies, “so we can hold them accountable for the electoral promises they make,” she said.

Speculation has been rife that Ramphele would form her own party. It was reported last year that she had turned down an invitation to join the Democratic Alliance.

Since last year she has resigned from her places on various boards, including those of the Anglo American Corporation and Gold Fields. – Sapa, AFP

Johannesburg – Political parties reacted cautiously to Mamphela Ramphele’s announcement on Monday that she had formed a “party political platform”.

“The Democratic Alliance takes note of Dr Mamphela Ramphele’s announcement today that she intends to engage South Africans about the formation of a new political party in the coming months,” said Mmusi Maimane, spokesman for the official opposition in Parliament.

“Dr Ramphele shares the DA’s core values of non-racialism and constitutionalism, and her move is another step in the long process of realigning South African politics around these values,” he said.

“Helen Zille has been actively working on realigning politics since she was elected leader of the DA in 2007, with the aim of building a new majority at the centre of South African politics. We will continue to engage with Dr Ramphele in the coming months,” Maimane said.

United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa welcomed Ramphele’s decision.

“We look forward to working with Dr Ramphele in our efforts to build a strong political alternative for the people of South Africa.”

After weeks of speculation that she was planning to form a political party, Ramphele made her announcement at the old Women’s Gaol, at Constitution Hill, in Braamfontein.

“Today, I announce that I am working with a group of fellow citizens to form a party political platform that will focus on rekindling hope that building the country of our dreams is possible in our lifetime,” she said.

“We launch this initiative under the name Agang, or in the Nguni languages of our country, Akhani, which can be interpreted in English as ‘Build South Africa’,” she said.

One of its aims would be to “declare war on corruption”.

It was reported last year that Ramphele had turned down an invitation to join the DA. – Sapa

London – As far as the movies are concerned, big gestures are the only way to win a woman’s heart.

But chaps, pick your location carefully. Because sweeping your other half off her feet in the middle of the street may backfire.

More than a quarter of us are too embarrassed to cuddle or even hold hands in public, a study has found – and one in ten women would consider breaking up with a man who was too affectionate in front of other people.

We don’t make an exception on Valentine’s Day, either. Two thirds of those surveyed said they would be no more affectionate to their partner on February 14 than on any other day.

The survey of 2,000 people, conducted by MSN, also found 28 percent were uncomfortable around other couples’ public displays of affection.

Relationships expert Tracey Cox said: “I’d like to think that if people aren’t more affectionate on Valentine’s Day, it’s because they are very affectionate all year round.

“But I suspect MSN’s findings are more a reflection of our cynicism about the commercialism of Valentine’s Day than anything else.

“Public displays of affection (or PDAs) are not just fuelled by a natural desire to touch your partner. Some touches are for reassurance, others are to warn off potential rivals.

“Zoologists call these ‘mate guarding’ or ‘mate retention’ tactics. When one partner is uber-affectionate and ‘all over them’ it’s usually because they feel insecure and want to make it clear their partner is taken.”

Cox added that seeing public displays of affection can highlight failings in our own relationships.

She said: “If your best friend’s partner is always holding hands, hugging or kissing her and yours doesn’t, it can make your own partner seem cold and distant.” – Daily Mail