Banyana Banyana played to a 1-1 draw against arch rivals Zimbabwe in a fiercely contested international friendly match at Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

Both Banyana Banyana and Zimbabwe went into this game on the back of victories over Mozambique and Zambia respectively. While those victories might have been achieved without breaking much sweat, this Daveyton encounter, though just a friendly, was played in a competitive spirit.

It was end to end stuff and Banyana dominated from the early stages and were unfortunate not to have taken the lead when a Noko Matlou goal was ruled out for offside. It was to prove a poetic justice as Zimbabwe had their own ‘goal’ late in the second half also ruled out on questionable circumstances.

As the match progressed in the first half, Zimbabwe were always looking threatening on counter attacks and their strikers were a handful for the somehow lethargic Banyana Banyana defence.

The Daveyton crowd did not disappoint as they came in numbers and cheered Banyana Banyana from the first minute to the last. But Zimbabwe were full value for the draw. In fact, the visitors gave Banyana a few things to mull over as the two COSAFA powerhouses slugged it out from end to end.

In the opening minutes, Zimbabwe were awarded an early free-kick just outside the box but there was no danger for Banyana Banyana as the effort was fired wide. That was perhaps the first warning shot and Banyana Banyana knew they had to be solid at the back if they were to come out of this one with something.

Then came the first controversial decision of the afternoon. Joseph Mkhonza’s charges had the ball in the back of the net on the 10th minute through Noko Matlou’s header but the effort was controversially ruled offside. Television replays however, showed the Limpopo based striker was very much onside when she received the ball.

Amanda Dlamini also had an opportunity on the 13th minute but her attempted lob was cleared off the line by the industrious Zimbabwean defence.

Quick thinking by goalkeeper Silindile Dlamini on 19 minutes foiled a Zimbabwean attack as she quickly came off her line to thwart the attempt.

There were some injury concerns for Banyana after 20 minutes; first when captain Janine van Wyk temporarily left with a knock to her left foot, then goalkeeper Silindile had to receive some medical attention also with what appeared to be a knock to her left foot. However, the medical team did a good job and the players were back on the field.

Zimbabwe took the lead five minutes from the break with a glancing Rudo Neshamba header. The attack started on the left with a long ball played in and the Banyana defence could not clear, allowing Rudo the opportunity to score.

Zimbabwe almost increased the score a few minutes into the second half but the ferocious attempt cannoned off the crossbar with Banyana Banyana goalkeeper on sixes and sevens.

Banyana Banyana responded on 53 minutes from the free-kick, way outside the box but the attempt yielded nothing. Van Wyk then fired in a long volley with the Zimbabwe keeper at sea before the visitors defence cleared the ball to safety.

The equaliser finally came after some really hard work. Amanda Dlamini collected a ball played in by Vilakazi to put Banyana level with her 19th goal for the national team.

Siwe Nongonya was brought in for Silindile Ngubane on 59 minutes as Banyana went in search of the winner.

Neshamba proved to be a real nuisance for Banyana Banyana each time she was in possession of the ball and almost increased the lead on 66 minutes but Van Wyk did well to pressure her with her shot going above the goal.

The first yellow card of the match was handed to Melody Musasa on 68 minutes for a nasty tackle on Amanda Dlamini. Banyana Banyana should have increased the lead on 70 minutes following some really exciting build up but the effort went just wide. Then again on 73 minutes there was another opportunity but the Zimbabwe keeper did well to palm the ball away.

Then Banyana keeper was quick off her line on 75 minutes to deny Zimbabwe what appeared a clear-cut scoring opportunity. There were some edgy moments for the local fans on 79 minutes as the Banyana keeper battled to deal with a low ball but the assistant referee pointed to some infringement and the score remained 1-1.

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Johannesburg – Nelson Mandela is a very lonely man, one of his bodyguards told AFP on Saturday, accusing the ailing anti-apartheid icon’s medical team of controlling visits like prison guards.

As the country and the rest of the world held its breath a week after the revered 94-year-old was admitted to hospital, Shaun van Heerden spoke out against the team run by army Surgeon General Vejay Ramlakan.

“At times it felt like he was back in prison,” Van Heerden said.

The bodyguard said he was “given leave” by his employers over accusations he leaked the place where Mandela was being treated to the media.

Before he was checked in last week to receive treatment for a recurring lung infection, in what appeared to be the most serious in a string of recent health scares, Mandela was receiving medical care from his Johannesburg home.

Van Heerden charged the medical staff surrounding Mandela often curtailed the frail statesman’s freedom by imposing unnecessarily tough restrictions on visits.

“Even before he was admitted few people were allowed to see him. Some of his old friends were denied access,” he alleged.

Van Heerden also accused members of the medical team of being “starstruck” and overstepping their duties when around Madiba, often posing for pictures with him.

“I have witnessed cases where some of them shoved copies of his book, The Long Walk to Freedom, into his hands for him to sign.”

“That is amazing, and I did not like it,” he said.

Van Heerden who worked as Mandela’s bodyguard for nearly 10 years described him as a “gentleman who seriously cares about those around him”.

Security has been beefed up at the specialist private facility in Pretoria where Mandela was checked in on 8 June, with police searching vehicles and people going in.

Details about his exact condition have not been released, but officials say he is receiving “intensive care”.

On Thursday President Jacob Zuma said Mandela’s health “continues to improve” but his “condition remains serious”, after visiting in hospital for the first time.

His eldest daughter, Zenani, who is South Africa’s ambassador to Argentina, as well as his daughter Makaziwe and his ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and current wife Graça Machel have visited him almost daily.

Van Heerden believes however that “Mandela is a very lonely man.”

He said he would have loved to see some of his friends from the struggle days allowed access to him.

“When he was at home he should have been allowed visits from old friends, but they were not allowed,” he said.

“Surely, measures can be put in place if they fear that people from the outside might bring infections.”

Last week Zuma’s spokesperson Mac Maharaj denied media reports that his family had issued an order limiting the flow of visitors at Mandela’s bedside, including leaders of the ruling ANC.

Maharaj said authorities wanted “to create a conducive environment for his recovery”.

It is Mandela’s fourth hospital stay since December, leading to a growing acceptance that the much-loved father of the “Rainbow Nation” may be nearing the end of his life.

AFP

South African youth must commit themselves to the struggle for economic emancipation, the ANC said on Saturday.

“The struggle for economic emancipation and economic freedom in this lifetime is undoubtedly the struggle that this generation of young people must commit their collective energies to,” African National Congress spokesman Jackson Mthembu said in a statement.

“It is young people that must drive the charge within the ANC and society in general to achieve a society based on universal human rights, equality and prosperity,” he said.

Mthembu said the ANC together with the rest of South African public would celebrate Youth Day on Sunday remembering the efforts of the youth of 1976.

“The gallant fighting spirit of young people on that day, will forever remain a reminder of the determination… and unrelenting stance taken by young people to forever change the course of the struggle of African people in South Africa,” he said.

He said the nation was forever indebted to generations of youth who fought the “tyranny” of apartheid during the darkest times of South African history.

Mthembu also praised the generations which preceded that of 1976, which included Walter Sisulu, Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo and Anton Lembede. He described them as “midwives” of the ANC Youth League.

Mthembu said since the dawn of democracy in South Africa, the ANC had developed policies which were “unambiguously pro-poor” to lift people from poverty and unemployment.

“Young people, the future of our country, are free to belong to a trade union, political party or any other organised formation of their choice,” Mthembu said.

While much had been achieved, there still remained much more to be done, he said.

Mthembu also wished former president Mandela a speedy recovery in hospital.

“We …wish Madiba well whilst he is in hospital and call upon South Africans…to continue to keep him in their thoughts and prayers,” he said.

Mandela was admitted to a hospital in Pretoria last Saturday, for a recurring lung infection.

The presidency described Mandela’s condition as “serious, but stable”.

President Jacob Zuma, accompanied by ANC treasurer general Zweli Mkhize, visited the former president on Thursday.

“Madiba’s health continues to improve but his condition remains serious,” Zuma said in a statement issued afterwards. – Sapa

By Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg-The North West Provincial Legislature held its annual Youth Sectoral Parliament at Rustenburg Civic Centre on Friday.

The theme of the event was “the role of youth in improving their Socio-Economic Conditions in the North West Province”. 

Young people from all walks of life in this province met with members of the provincial Legislature and relevant members of the Executive Council to raise issues that affects them.

“A research conducted by the Legislature Research Unit together with Public Participation formed part of the discussion during the event” Legislature spokesperson Mongezi Tsenca said. 

Tsenca said both these units met with young people from across the province and compiled a report based on the following thematic areas such as unemployment, education and skills development and social participation and made recommendations.

However Sasco secretary-general Sebang Motlhabi said the meeting was irrelevant as they expected to discuss more imperative issues that affect the communities in the province daily.

“We expected to get a feedback from MEC of Education mme Louisa Mabe regarding challenges encountered by many pupils at school in the province. How to improve pass rate of matrics and more challenges the pupils experienced especially in rural areas” Motlhabi retorted.

Legislature spokesperson Mongesi Tsenca said the government institutions took part and responded on issues raised and intervene with timelines that would assist the needs of youth.

The Deputy Chairperson of the NYDA Board, Mr. Kenny Morolong was part of the event and presented new NYDA strategy.

“These inputs were debated at the House to ensure that there is sufficient progress” he said.

The NWPL has also reviewed the approach to sectoral parliaments, and has increased them from five to 18. 

Amongst the eighteen it is Mining Sector, Health Practitioner’ Sector, Tourism Sector, Transport Sector, Information, Communication and Technology Sector. 

The youth in these sectors will participate in the sector specific parliaments during the course of the year.

Motlhabi told other radio station that they also expected Premier’s Office to explain the criteria used to allocates bursaries to more deserving students and challenges they come across. 

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By Obakeng Maje

Itsoseng-Police arrested a 36 year-old suspect for Attempted Car Hijacking, Business Robbery and Attempted Murder in Springbokpan Village on Friday, and the other one is still at large.

North West police spokesperson Pelonomi Makau said that  on Friday at about 11:00 in the morning, the suspects allegedly pounced on a Bangladesh National business in false pretence of buying groceries. 

“The unsuspecting owner allegedly unlocked the burglar door of his business and the suspects held him at gunpoint” captain Pelonomi Makau said. 

The suspects allegedly demanded money and robbed the victim off his cash, cigarettes and airtime vouchers. 

“It is alleged that the victim managed to escape and called for help” said Makau. 

Community members arrived and according to the information, the suspects allegedly shot one of the community members in the leg before they fled the scene. 

Police said the suspects alleged tried to hijack a car from a 31 year-old man.

He allegedly turn off his car and ran for his life.

“The suspects allegedly fired gun shots in the air and instructed the victim to disembark his vehicle. The victim switched off his vehicle and fled the area”. “According to the information, the suspects could not switch on the vehicle as it had a secret mechanism installed in it to be able to start the engine” said police. 

The suspects left the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.

One suspect was allegedly later arrested at Bodibe Village near Itsoseng. 

He will appear at the Itsoseng Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Police are still investigating.

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Pretoria – It was quiet outside a Pretoria hospital on Saturday where ailing former president Nelson Mandela spent a seventh day receiving treatment for a recurring lung infection.

Local and international media were camped outside the two entrances of the Mediclinic Heart Hospital, in Pretoria.

Family members arrived at the hospital shortly after 11:30 in two separate cars.

Security remained tight with police officers searching vehicles before they entered the hospital.

Mandela was admitted to the hospital last Saturday, after his condition deteriorated at about 01:30.

A group of people aged between seven and 23-years-old, from the Speed Taekwondo club in Pretoria, brought flowers and placards with the South African flag and their names to the hospital on Saturday, to wish Mandela a speedy recovery.

“We are here for Madiba because he is sick in hospital and we want to wish him to get well soon,” 10-year-old Connor Harley said.

Seven-year-old Marnus Calitz said he loved Mandela. His sister, Denice, 10, said: “I hope Madiba gets well soon.”

The group did a few routines for the media outside one of the entrances to the hospital.

“We came here to celebrate Madiba. He has done so much for us and we wish he gets better,” 14-year-old Junior Mdakane told reporters.

Aman Adam, 10, said: “We wish Madiba all the best to get well soon.

Placards stuck up next to the hospital sign read: “We need you Tata Madiba” and “Get well soon Tata” with balloons and flowers on the gate.

On Friday, Mandela’s former wife and MP Winnie Madikizela-Mandela visited with her daughter Zindzi. His granddaughter Tukwini and three other relatives also visited.

The presidency had described Mandela’s condition as “serious, but stable”.

President Jacob Zuma, accompanied by African National Congress Treasurer General Zweli Mkhize, visited him on Thursday.

“Madiba’s health continues to improve but his condition remains serious,” Zuma said in a statement issued afterwards.

– SAPA

Mineworkers who were held underground at Anglo American Platinum’s (Amplats) Thembelani mine in Rustenburg have been released, the company said on Saturday.

“All is normal. Our employees resurfaced early evening last night and received medical attention to ensure all were in good health,” said Amplats spokeswoman Mpumi Sithole.

According to the company about 2400 mineworkers were being prevented from exiting the shaft on Friday.

“We confirm that this is as a result of the suspension of four shop stewards for inappropriate behaviour which is against our behavioural procedure,” Sithole said at the time.

Earlier, French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that the workers were staging a sit-in strike over the suspension of four union leaders.

“They don’t want to come out from underground because they want their leadership’s suspension lifted,” Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) official George Tyobeka was quoted as saying.

The four Amcu leaders suspended were reportedly accused of submitting fraudulent membership applications in an attempt to inflate union membership numbers.

Amcu and its rival union, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), have been struggling for dominance at the mines, which has resulted in violent strikes and assassinations.

Last year, the police shot dead 34 miners at Lonmin’s neighbouring mine in Marikana.

Eight NUM members were recently suspended at Lonmin for alleged union membership fraud.

The Amplats tension happened as Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe was meeting union and mining companies on Friday to find a solution to the instability which has troubled the sector in the past months.

-SapaMineworkers who were held underground at Anglo American Platinum’s (Amplats) Thembelani mine in Rustenburg have been released, the company said on Saturday.

“All is normal. Our employees resurfaced early evening last night and received medical attention to ensure all were in good health,” said Amplats spokeswoman Mpumi Sithole.

According to the company about 2400 mineworkers were being prevented from exiting the shaft on Friday.

“We confirm that this is as a result of the suspension of four shop stewards for inappropriate behaviour which is against our behavioural procedure,” Sithole said at the time.

Earlier, French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that the workers were staging a sit-in strike over the suspension of four union leaders.

“They don’t want to come out from underground because they want their leadership’s suspension lifted,” Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) official George Tyobeka was quoted as saying.

The four Amcu leaders suspended were reportedly accused of submitting fraudulent membership applications in an attempt to inflate union membership numbers.

Amcu and its rival union, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), have been struggling for dominance at the mines, which has resulted in violent strikes and assassinations.

Last year, the police shot dead 34 miners at Lonmin’s neighbouring mine in Marikana.

Eight NUM members were recently suspended at Lonmin for alleged union membership fraud.

The Amplats tension happened as Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe was meeting union and mining companies on Friday to find a solution to the instability which has troubled the sector in the past months.

-Sapa

Bafana Bafana go into Sunday’s CAF Group A top of the table clash full of confidence, following their 3-0 win over the Central African Republic (CAR) last week Saturday.

Tomorrow, South Africa will be welcomed by Group A leaders, Ethiopia, for a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Addis Ababa and defender Anele Ngcongca is confident that Bafana can take their winning momentum into the tie.

Ngcongca believes that if play attacking football against the East Africans, they can secure all three points and go top of the group.

“We will attack them. Our plan is to go at them and create as many chances as we can and score goals, which can win us the game. It doesn’t mean if we attack we will expose ourselves.

“We have to attack as a team and defend together as well, so that we don’t give them any chance to open us up. We need to be strong both in attack and in defence,” Ngcongca concluded.
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Bafana Bafana have survived the early potholes in their 2014 World Cup qualifying journey, but on Sunday, the road splits.

Victory away against Ethiopia allows South Africa to continue plotting the path to Brazil, while defeat will see the focus steer into another direction: the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, and the 2018 global showpiece in Russia.

The dismal start to South Africa’s qualifying campaign, with drab draws against Bostwana and Ethiopia leading to Pitso Mosimane’s axing, have thankfully been supplemented with a double over the Central African Republic.

Five goals scored, none conceded.
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The Democratic Alliance says it will write to the Portfolio Committee of Justice and Constitutional Development to seek clarity about the move by the National Prosecuting Authority to redeploy prosecutor Glynnis Breytenbach.

On Thursday, the NPA wrote a letter to Breytenbach advising her that she will be moved from the Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit to the office of the acting National Director. The latest development comes after Breytenbach was acquitted of all charges by an NPA disciplinary hearing.

The main charge against Breytenbach was failing to act impartially when she investigated the Kumba Iron Ore/Sishen and Imperial Crown Trading mining rights issue.

The DA is fuming over the move by the NPA to redeploy graft buster, Glynnis Breytenbach.

The parties’ Debbie Schaffer says: “The DA is extremely concerned at the latest development given that Glynnis Breytenbach was involved in high profile and controversial cases”.

The move to redeploy Breytenbach came just a day after the NPA filed a motion of notice with the Labour Court, seeking an order that will see the senior prosecutor fired. Constitutional law expert, Professor Shadrack Gutto, believes the NPA has no case against Breytenbach, “I think it’s going to be very difficult case for the NPA”.

In the latest development, Breytenbach’s lawyer says the NPA is pursuing more investigations against her.

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