The SABC and e.tv have announced their reasons for supporting the intention of the National Association of Broadcasters, the NAB, to resign from audience research organisation, SAARF.

The two broadcasters’ decision follows the rejection of the proposal from the NAB to have greater representation of broadcast media on the SAARF Board.

SABC and e.tv say was further compounded by a recent audit of SAARF’s Television Audience Measurement Survey which provides the daily audience ratings for television viewership. They called for the audit after noticing serious shortcomings in the ratings last year.

SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says, “In the past year we have seen a reduction in the LSM’s ratings 4 to 6 which are basically the audiences of both free to air broadcasters. We found out the way which they deal with the TAMS is not correct, and we felt that it is also because of the fact that they do include in the board or the panel of SAARF television and broadcasters. And when we went to ask for that to happen, they refused in a meeting which was held today.”

Among other things, TAMS is accused of failing to keep up with the evolving South African demographic profile; failing to balance the panel by individual LSM; as well as failing to manage the declining efficiency of the panel.

Not only is this morally unacceptable in South Africa in 2013, it has a direct financial impact on the free-to-air broadcasters who broadcast programming to the majority of South Africans

As a result, the essential effect of the findings was that upper income television households were over-represented on the TAMS Panel as compared to middle-to-lower income television households that were significantly under-represented.

This, according to the statement released by the two broadcasters, effectively translates into an over-representation of white television viewership and a serious under-representation of black television viewership.

“Not only is this morally unacceptable in South Africa in 2013, it has a direct financial impact on the free-to-air broadcasters who broadcast programming to the majority of South Africans,” reads the statement in part.

“Of even more concern to the SABC and e.tv was that this state of affairs had been on-going for many years without any intervention from SAARF executive management.”

The SABC and e.tv are still calculating the loss of advertising income experienced as a result of the failures of the TAMS Panel but it is estimated to run at hundreds of millions of Rands.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

A 56 year old man has been arrested for allegedly cohabiting with a 15 year old teen in the impoverished Tonga village, Mpumalanga.

The police accompanied by Social Workers and officials from the Commission for Gender Equality pounced on the man just after midnight.

Inside the house, three kids were found sharing a room with the 56-year-old and among the kids was the 15-year-old girl. She was sharing the bed with the visibly ailing man.

The disoriented 15-year-old had been living with this man for the past five years.

Apparently the man was married to the little girl’ sister but the sister has since left, leaving the child behind.

The other two were allegedly sneaked into the country.

Police and the officials of the Commission for Gender Equality believe they have a water-tight case against the man.

“We are going to lay two charges, the police are going to assist us, one is going to be statutory rape. The second charge is for abduction. If we had a human trafficking chatter in South Africa, we were going to lay a human trafficking charge because there are elements of human trafficking and maybe there will be other charges that we are going to negotiate with the police to be actually added to the charge sheet,” says Commission for Gender Equality’s Mfanozelwe Shozi.

All the children have since been taken to a place of safety.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

South African Football Association (SAFA) President Kirsten Nematandani is still optimistic that Bafana Bafana could qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Nematandani says they are hopeful, despite the fact that Group A leaders Ethiopia are still favourites. He says a lot rests on the ruling regarding Ethiopia’s fielding of a suspended player.

SAFA says their understanding is that the likelihood of Ethiopia being docked three points after the disciplinary hearing is a reality. Its president says the player was not supposed to play, and the same player did play whilst Bafana played Ethiopia away but the question is, was the player supposed to play in their game or not?

Nematandani was speaking at the relaunch of the SAB League. It’s already unearthed a host of talent – some players have been good enough to be absorbed by big name Premiership clubs.

Former Bafana Bafana captain, Neil Tovey, says the new Kaizer Chiefs signing Simphiwe Mtsweni is one of those players to get spotted by big teams.

Tovey says he was part of Farouk Khan’s academy but the platform was created with regards to SAB giving him exposure.

“Kaizer Chiefs signed Simphiwe as a left fullback. You know left fullbacks are vital to any team and Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter liked him a lot for the season; and it’s only five months since he was identified,” says the former Bafana Bafana captain.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

Pic:(Source)
New brooms:from left to right MEC Wendy Matsemela(Education and Training),Manketsi Tlhape(Local Government & Traditional Affairs)with Premier Thandi Modise and Collen Maine(Social Development ,Women,Children and People with Disabilities) after the swearing ceremony.
Three new members were sworn into the North West Provincial Executive Council (Exco) following a cabinet reshuffle that was announced by Premier Thandi Modise in Mahikeng on Wednesday evening.

The reshuffle has seen Premier Modise drop Louisa Mabe who was entangled in alleged irregularities relating to appointment of legal firm to conduct disciplinary hearings at a cost of R16 million from the portfolio of MEC for Education and Training.The alleged irregularity occurred during Mabe’s tenure as MEC for Finance.

China Dodovu who is facing a murder charge and Mosetsanagape Mokomele-Mothibi against whom there are investigations for abuse of Executive members privileges and benefits were also relieved of their responsibilities from the Portfolios of Local Government & Traditional Affairs and Social Development, Women, Children and People with Disabilities respectively.

“The changes should not be misinterpreted to suggest that the recalled members were found guilty of any wrongdoing as matters they were allegedly involved in have not been concluded. All of them executed their tasks with distinction. None of the allegations against them have been proved or disproved. The reshuffle is solely aimed at faster delivery and eliminating the need for us to answer for hang-ups,” emphasised Modise.

She added that where public funds are found to have been misappropriated, steps would be taken to recoup every cent.

“Our focus is on accelerating service delivery and entrenching good governance therefore induction of new members would be prioritised to ensure that they hit the ground running,” said Modise.

Wendy Matsemela a former Member of Parliament (MP) in the National Assembly between 2005-2009, MEC for Economic Development and Tourism between 2009-2010 and was current Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Provincial Affairs and Finance in the Provincial Legislature takes over from Mabe.

Manketsi Tlhape who was the Mayor of Tswaing Local Municipality between 2006-2011 has been appointed in the place of Dodovu as MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs while Collen Maine who served as an MP and Provincial Whip in the National Council of Provinces has been redeployed back to the province to take over from Mokomele-Mothibi.

The reshuffle is the second that Premier Modise has had to make since taking over the reigns in November 2010 and the third since the current term of government.
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Bloemhof – A mentally ill woman died after she fell into a manhole in Bloemhof, North West police said on Wednesday.

The 50-year-old woman’s family had been looking for her since she left their home on Tuesday night, Lt-Col Lesego Metsi said.

At 11.45am on Wednesday a relative reported that she saw the woman’s body in a flooded manhole.

“It is suspected that the deceased could not see the hole that was covered by water… and posed danger to the residents,” said Metsi.

Police divers recovered the body around 3.30pm on Wednesday.

An inquest docket was opened. – Sapa

The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union has submitted its wage demands to employers for this year’s gold sector wage negotiations.
It was demanding that B-level employees receive a R7 500 wage increase or adjustment, in addition to the current basic rates, and that those on C-level receive R7 000, Amcu said in a memorandum on Tuesday.

It was asking for an increase of R7 500 for employees in categories five to nine, and of R7 000 for those in categories 10 to 15, said Amcu general secretary Jeffrey Mphahlele.
For more http://www.timelive.co.za

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) political platform believes it can win 60 percent of the youth vote in next year’s general elections, it said on Wednesday.
It was reacting to a survey by consumer insights company Pondering Panda, which found that one in four young South Africans would vote for a party led by expelled African National Congress Youth League president Julius Malema.

EFF spokesman Floyd Shivambu — also formerly of the ANCYL — said it was inspired by the results of the survey.

“EFF foresees victory in the immediate future, because… 26 percent approves of the Economic Freedom Fighters even before elections happen,” said Shivambu.

“And even before we present all the coherent, consistent, and cogent policy alternatives, we have potential of gaining more than 60 percent of the youth vote,” he said.

Malema reportedly announced earlier this month that he was launching the EFF political platform to shift the approach to the country’s problems from “reconciliation” to “justice”.

The Pondering Panda survey polled 3585 young people aged between 18 and 34 across South Africa.

It found that 35 percent said they would vote for the African National Congress, 26 percent said they would vote for Malema’s party, and 15 percent said they would vote for the Democratic Alliance.

“An absolute majority of the people we have spoken to in all provinces, and via social networks and e-mail, are demanding that Economic Freedom Fighters contest elections in 2014,” Shivambu said.

The political platform had thousands of volunteers who were willing to campaign for EFF in the elections, he said.

“A sizeable number of local independent political formations, community based organisations, non-governmental organisations, and independent movements have expressed the wish to form part of the EFF.”
For more http://www.timelive.co.za

Johannesburg – North West Premier Thandi Modise has reshuffled her cabinet, the ANC said on Wednesday.

“The ANC has observed that these comrades have an impeccable track record in the struggle for the creation of a democratic South Africa, as devoted activists and disciplined members of the ANC,” spokesperson Kenny Morolong said in a statement.

Modise announced the re-shuffle on Wednesday evening, said Morolong.

Wendy Matsemela replaced Louisa Mabe as MEC for education, Manketse Tlhape replaced China Dodovu as local government MEC, and Collen Maine replaced Mamokomele Mothibi as MEC for social development.

Morolong said: “This reshuffle will enhance the necessary political work of the ANC in North West to achieve the objectives of the programme of reconciliation, healing and organisational renewal.”

– SAPA

Bloemfontein – Northern Cape residents were asked to keep former president Nelson Mandela in their prayers on Wednesday.

Provincial ANC secretary Zamani Saul said the party in the province wanted to extend its well-wishes to Mandela.

“We are joining millions of people across the globe in wishing the Nobel Peace Prize winner a speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with the former statesman.”

Mandela, suffering from a recurring lung problem, was admitted to a Pretoria hospital on 8 June.

His condition had since become critical.

Saul said the ANC was confident in the medical care he was receiving.

He said Mandela’s commitment and dedication in fighting for the freedom of South Africa had left an indelible footprint in the hearts of people the world over.

Mandela epitomised peace, non-racialism, democracy and the hope for a better future, Saul said.

– SAPA