Johannesburg – Family members of former president Nelson Mandela are planning birthday celebrations in Pretoria, London and Monaco, the Sunday Times reported.

According to the report, relatives were peddling “Nelson Mandela birthday celebrations” in various cities, with several soccer matches involving Manchester City, for the former statesman’s 95th birthday on July 18.

The events, advertised in a 25-page brochure, are organised by the African Rising Foundation and include a gala dinner at the Union Buildings in Pretoria with “African leaders, friends of Madiba, pan-African multinationals and institutions”.

Another event, the “Monaco Million Dollar Super Four”, is a boxing tournament in which super-middleweight prospect Edwin Rodriguez is expected to take part, according to the report.

Golden Gloves owner Rodney Berman was meant to organise the event but Sunday Times reported that he distanced himself from the tournament on Friday.

“In light of the fight for the Madiba millions and given his health, Golden Gloves took a decision not to get involved in this. We don’t want to get caught in any crossfire,” Berman was quoted as saying.

Mandela was discharged on April 6, after being admitted to a Pretoria hospital on March 27 to receive treatment for a lung condition. – Sapa

After the acquittal of seven police officers for the death of Andries Tatane, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was on the receiving end of strident public criticism. This was because the death had been captured on video and it was therefore seen as an open-and-shut case

For more http://www.iol.co.za

By Obakeng Maje

Upington-Organised Crime Unit in the Northern Cape has worked hard in ensuring that perpetrators of crime get what they deserve. 

This follows a case of Dealing in drugs that was reported in the area of Kakamas in November 2012 said Lieutenant Donald Mdhluli. 

“A 34-year-old woman, Hlahla Bongiwe was found guilty for dealing in drugs and was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment or fine of R8000-00 plus 5 years imprisonment suspended for 5 years on probation not to be found guilty again for 5 years for dealing in drugs” lieutenant Donald Mdhluli said. 

The sentencing was handed down on 2013-04-09. 

“The SAPS Management would like to thank its members for their hard-work which yielded positive results” said Mdhluli.

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Johannesburg – Two local actresses who had viewers glued to their television screens after an episode on corrective rape say they would play the roles all over again if they had to.

Lerato Mvelase and Thandy Matlaila’s characters on the SABC1 series Intersexions garnered a huge response on social networking sites recently.

For more http://www.iol.co.za

Ethiopian was shot dead at a business premises in Klipgat on Saturday morning, North West police said.

The man was found lying in a pool of blood near a pit toilet, said Captain Amanda Funani.

He sustained a gunshot wound to the head.

Police had spoken to the deceased’s brother, who had found the body.

Funani said his brother had left him at their shop at around 10pm on Friday as he had been checking inventory.

“When he came back to the shop this morning he found their main entrance not locked, and saw that items were missing in the shop.”

The robbers took money, a cellphone, airtime vouchers and cigarettes.

A case of murder and business robbery was opened.

No arrests have been made yet. – Sapa

Nedbank Cup

Result: Celtic 0-1 Chiefs

Date: 13 April 2013

Venue: Free State Stadium

Kaizer Chiefs eased into the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup at the expense of Bloemfontein Celtic, beating them 1-0 at the Free State Stadium.

The only goal of the game came from Dominic Isaacs as the ball came off him and went into the wrong net to send Phunya Sele Sele crashing out.

Bernard Parker had the first decent chance of the opening exchanged as the ball broke to him but he could not generate sufficient power as he shot on the turn.

Chiefs did most of the early running but could not crack the Celtic defence open and in the 17th minute Siyabonga Nkosi resorted to a shot from range that sailed over the bar.

Following a Chiefs corner Tefu Mashamaite stayed up and the ball was duly played back into the box but it was too strong for the centre back.

Midway through the half Celtic came very close to taking the lead as Khune got down excellently to swat away a low cross before Lennox Bacela headed onto the roof of the net from the rebound.

The home side were on the attack again soon afterwards and Roderick Mutuma went close with a great improvised shot as the cross arrived slightly behind him.

Patrick Tingyemb almost had his team in trouble as he failed to communicate properly with his defenders and the ball almost crept through towards goal.

At the other end Celtic were plundering the Amakhosi goal with crosses and getting ever closer as Bacela had his shot saved at point blank range by Itumeleng Khune.

Siphiwe Tshabalala tried his luck from range in the 42nd minute but Celtic’s Cameroonian stopper had little more to do than pluck it out the air.

Khune was called into action only a few minutes into the second half as Joel Mogorosi hammered a shot at goal after creating some space for himself.

In the 57th minute Chiefs eventually found the opener and it came courtesy of a former player as Isaacs scored an own goal off of Tshabalala’s cross.

Lincoln Zvasiya believed the goal was his and he almost had the chance to add his name to the scoresheet but failed to direct his header in.

With time winding down substitute Kingston Nkatha lashed a venomous shot over the bar as Chiefs went in search of the goal that would guarantee them passage to the semi-final.

At the other end the home side pushed hard to find the crucial equaliser and Khune produced heroics to deny Gamildien in the dying seconds.

The result ensures the current Absa Premiership leaders keep their double dream alive.

Celtic: Tingyemb, Mahoa, Nthethe, Isaacs, Mzava, Lakay (Ntanga 84’), Arwuah, Mogorosi, Madubanya (Gamildien), Mutuma, Bacela.

Chiefs: Khune, Gaxa, Zvasiya, Mashamaite, Masilela, Katsande, Nkosi, Tshabalala, Majoro, Lebese, Parker (Nkatha 50’).

Goal: Dominic Isaacs (OG 57’)

For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

By Obakeng Maje

Taung-Our crew brings you one of the best Traditional music presenters in the province and the award-winning presenter explains how he juggles his work and career.

A Modimong-born presenter cum police man cum Traditional healer, Sherperd Malekanyo was born 26 years ago in the dusty streets of Modimong, a remote area near Taung.

Malekanyo,26 is currently working as a presenter at Aganang FM which is a community radio station based in Potchefstroom.

Sherperd Malekanyo is also working as a police officer and also operates as a traditional healer.

“I was born 26 years ago in Modimong village and since day one I have fallen in love with radio. It was my dream to become a radio presenter one day, that is why I maneuver my way through” he said.

Malekanyo said radio is a platform to convey a message to the people and inform, teach and entertain them.

“I was inspired by Motsweding FM presenter, Goitsemodimo Seleka as he is very firm when coming to presenting. His prose comes with prose, simplicity, euphony and precision” a sassy presenter said.

We asked a vivacious presenter about how he balance his work as police officer, traditional healer and radio presenter, this is what he has to say.

“Fortunately I work four days as a police officer and take four days off. I have much more time to balance things” Sherperd said.

Modimong-born presenter also study towards degree of Risk Management at Unisa. 

He said he would like to occupy a high position in the government in five years time.

He also adviced the youths to stand up against malodorous issues that affect their daily lives.

“HIV, unemployment, alcohol and substance abuse are rife within our communities. With all that said, I would like to advice the youths to articulate their lives for the better” he smiles.

The youths must not wait for the government to do things for them said Malekanyo.

“I became a traditional healer three years ago and it was a calling which I had to undergo” he adds.

Malekanyo said his grandfather appeared in his dream and ordered him to become a traditional healer.

“I thought this was inconsequential, but after contemplating of it I decided to undergo the practice” he said.

The dynamic presenter has no previous experience in broadcasting when he joined the station, just the love and passion for profession that landed him in the station.

He was ordered to go to Kgalagadi,near Botswana to fulfill his ancestral calling and amazingly when he arrived there, a man knew about him long before his arrival he said.

“Even though it is ponderous becoming a traditional healer, I am grateful because the ancestors does not push you. I underwent that passage in Botswana after I gingerly thought about it” he said.

He said his family really support him in everything and appreciate that. 

You can catch Sherperd Malekanyo only on Aganang FM and listen when he blast you with true home brewed traditional music.  

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

By Obakeng Maje

Delareyville-The joy of reading books can’t be described in words. 

It’s something that you can understand only by actual experience.

There is much more to life than your work and spending time aimlessly with latest technology products. 

Reading books gives you that much needed break from the chaos in your life.

 “It instills peace inside you, makes you relaxed and also exercises your brain in the process” said MEC Tebogo Modise.

The department of Sport, Art and Culture in partnership with Department of Correctional Service, Education and Centre for The book will be hosting The World Book Day Celebration from 22-23 April 2013.

“This two day event will commence with handing over of books to the Rooiground correctional Service followed by dood-to-door reading campaign in Ratlou and Tswaing local municipalities” Tebogo Modise said.

When you read a book, it feels great to put yourself into a different world that the writer has created for you. Ask any avid reader about this and they too will agree that reading a book is same like watching a movie.

When you spend hours and hours reading a book, creating a world with different characters in your mind, your imagination powers are sure to get a boost. Depending upon what you read, you will come out with the same experience as when you watch some really good movie.

According to reports becoming a voracious reader helps. 

By reading one never get bored even being alone for a long time. Reading books is the best medicine to kill boredom.

“The event will end with a formal programme at Delareyville stadium” said Vusi Kama.

What starts with reading story books, when you are a kid, turns into reading books for improving yourself as you grow older.

From story books -> technical & management books -> self improvement -> spirituality and beyond, the journey is fantastic and you learn something with each passing day. 

You understand your thoughts and emotions more clearly. 

It makes you realize who you really are and makes your life more meaningful. 

Reading books will make you a better thinker and a better man. 

Thanks to technology you can easily find good articles to read on the internet. 

A great article can inspire and motivate you as much as a great book. It’s not how much you read, but what you read which is more important.

“The Campaigners will donate books to pre-schools, schools, public libraries and a few households” she said. 

With the formal programme taking place on the 23rd at the Delareyville Stadium where speakers will deliver a message on the importance of reading, the day will consists of reading activities, traditional dancers and plays to celebrate the culture of reading books.

World Book Day is a yearly event celebrated on April 23, initiated by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing and copyright. With its theme this year “In Books I find ….”, the World Book Day serves a purpose of promoting a culture of reading, writing and promotion of easy access to books for all.

“Amongst the guests expected are: Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr. Paul Mashatile, Minister of Correctional Services, Mr. Sbu Ndebele, and the provincial leadership of the North West Government” Modise said.

Time: 10h00

Date: 16 April 2013

Venue: MEC’s Boardroom, Gaabo Motho Building

760, Dr. James Moroka Drive, Mmabatho 

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Johannesburg – Two people were arrested in Johannesburg on Friday for allegedly defrauding a US citizen of over R200 000 in a 419 scam, the Hawks said.

A 44-year-old Nigerian man and a 20-year-old South African woman were arrested in Sandton around 2pm, spokesman Captain Paul Ramaloko said.

The Nigerian is married to a South African woman, and the 20-year-old is believed to be his step-daughter.

The victim, 48, who was looking for business opportunities, and the Nigerian met on an online professional network. The US man arrived in South Africa on March 18. He gave them money when they visited him in his hotel room. He also had his business partners in Canada and the USA transfer money to the pair via Western Union. In total he gave them over R200 000.

He suspected he was the victim of a scam and alerted police on Wednesday. He was unable to leave the country because he had no more money left.

The two were charged with advance fee fraud, also referred to as a 419 scam. The number 419 refers to the article of the Nigerian criminal code dealing with fraud. Usually victims receive e-mails claiming their help, and a small fee, are needed to access large sums of money.

According to the SA Police Service’s website it is currently the world’s largest scam in terms of monetary losses.

The two would appear in the Johannesburg Commercial Crime Court soon.

“We believe this is the tip of the iceberg. It is part of a bigger syndicate,” Ramaloko said. – Sapa

Johannesburg – Top-flight rookies Chippa United have reportedly appointed Englishman Mark Harrison as the club’s new head coach.

“He (Harrison) was at training this morning,” Chippa’s media officer, Lukanyo Mzinzi, told Soccer Laduma, confirming the new coach had already started his job.

Harrison replaces Wilfred Mugeyi, who was the club’s fifth coach to be fired this season after being sacked on Thursday.

Chippa are lying bottom of the Absa Premiership log, four points behind Black Leopards, who are second from bottom, with six games left in the league campaign. – Sapa