Hundreds of learners affiliated to Congress of South African Students (COSAS) in Gauteng are expected to march to the office of the Education Department in Pretoria.

Learners are demanding among others what they call “proper feeding schemes” at schools and the scrapping of the publication of matric results in the media.

COSAS provincial secretary, Khulekani Skosana says: “The standard of food that is given to students is not conducive and is not something that even the minister and MEC’s will eat on a daily basis.”

He says: “We are not saying they must feed learners with exotic food but must meet certain nutritious standard.”

Meanwhile, learners heading to the protest have gone on rampage in Thembisa, on Gauteng’s East Rand, blockading roads and stoning passing cars. COSAS has condemned such behaviour.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

More women than men are looking for work whilst caring for young children and when working. They generally earn less than men. This is according to a survey conducted by Ipsos, the second largest global survey-based market research company.

The survey revealed that many South Africans still believe that education is more important for a boy than a girl and that a woman “should be kept in her place.”

Only about three in every ten South African women are formally employed either full-time or part-time, this is in comparison with 44% of men who are employed.

Although one could argue women stay at home to look after the household or care for children, a much larger proportion of women than men are unemployed and looking for work.

Political parties in South Africa make an effort to include both women and men in their parliamentary delegations.

The ability to find employment is often influenced by education level and whereas only 4% of all adult South Africans (women and men) have completed a university degree, there is a discrepancy in the figures – with more men currently enjoying a tertiary education.

Meanwhile political parties in South Africa make an effort to include both women and men in their parliamentary delegations and on provincial and local government levels.

However, more than four in every ten (42%) adult South Africans are of the opinion that men make better political leaders than women do.

These are some of the prominent finding from the Ipsos conducted during April and May 2013.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

Johannesburg – Nkosi Qaqambile Matanzima has died in an East London hospital after being stabbed, Eastern Cape police said on Thursday.

Matanzima was stabbed on the N6 near Stutterheim on Monday and died in hospital later that day, said police spokesperson Siphokazi Mawisa.

“No one has been arrested yet, but police investigations are continuing.”

The Democratic Alliance in the Eastern Cape was shocked by Matanzima’s death, spokesperson Athol Trollip said in a statement.

“The DA wishes to express its condolences to the Matanzima family and the house of traditional leaders on the tragic death of Chief Qaqambile Matanzima, only surviving son of former Transkei prime minister George Matanzima.”

Trollip said it was believed that Matanzima’s attacker had posed as a hitchhiker.

On Wednesday, Eastern Cape Traditional Affairs MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane called on police to do everything possible to arrest his assailant.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to [Matanzima’s] family, his Mtshanyane traditional council, community, and the members of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders.”

– SAPA

Johannesburg – President Jacob Zuma wished the Muslim community Eid Mubarak on Thursday, the presidency said.

“It is well known that fasting teaches discipline, patience and dedication. At the same time, it also enables one to feel and understand the plight of the poverty stricken,” Zuma said.

Eid is the festival marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, during which Muslims fast.

Zuma said the period of fasting was regarded as a time of deep introspection, which strengthened the bonds of family and community.

“On behalf of the government and people of South Africa, I am therefore pleased to celebrate the end of Ramadan by wishing the Muslim community in South Africa and around the world a happy Eid al-Fitr,” Zuma said.

– SAPA

Absa Premiership

Full Time: Orlando Pirates 0-1 AmaZulu

Date: 8 August 2013

Venue: FNB Stadium

Despite dominating proceedings throughout their opening 2013/14 Absa Premiership encounter, Orlando Pirates suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to AmaZulu at the FNB Stadium on Thursday night.

A solitary goal from Bongani Ndulula was enough to hand the Durban-based side all three points as the Buccaneers fired blanks in front of goal.

The opening 45 minutes saw Pirates with the majority of the possession, but they failed to take advantage of their dominance as they squandered chance after chance in front of goal.

The Buccaneers were quick out of the blocks with new man Kermit Erasmus letting loose with a powerful 25-yard shot, but he saw his effort superbly saved by Aubrey Mathibe diving to the right.

In the 12th minute William Thwala created another great scoring opportunity for Pirates as he whipped in a tantalising right wing cross which the keeper missed, leaving his net gaping, but Happy Jele failed to direct his header on target.

Then, in the 31st minute, very much against the run of play, AmaZulu took the lead.

In their first foray forward Bongani Ndulula set himself on goal with some silky skills, beating a couple defenders before passing the ball into the bottom right hand corner from just inside the box,1-0.

Pirates almost equalised five minutes later as Collins Mbesuma fired a 30-yard shot goalwards, but Mathibe was on hand to tip the pile-driver over the crossbar.

Two minutes before the break Erasmus was also unlucky not to find Pirates’ opening goal as he headed a Sifiso Myeni free-kick inches over the crossbar.

The half ended 1-0 in favour of AmaZulu.

The start of the second 45 continued in much the same fashion as the first as Pirates dictated terms from the onset, with Erasmus in particular causing problems for the AmaZulu defence.

In the 56th minute Erasmus brought the best out of Mathibe in the AmaZulu goal, the keeper diving to his right to punch away a 20-yard thunderbolt from the former SuperSport United man.

Five minutes later and Erasmus should really have scored when he latched onto a ball over the top of the AmaZulu defence, but with just the keeper to beat he was unable to find the back of the net, firing his effort straight at Mathibe who made a relatively comfortable save.

In the 76th minute Erasmus turned provider as he supplied a great through ball for Thabo Matlaba, but he fired his shot inches wide from an acute angle 12-yards out.

Pirates continued to press forward, but were unable to find the goal they had been threatening the entire night as the Buccaneers lost their opening Absa Premiership match of the season.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

Oudtshoorn – A soldier was found dead at a military base in Oudtshoorn on Thursday, the SA National Defence Force said.

“He was found dead this morning, but we don’t know when he died,” Brigadier General Xolani Mabanga said.

The police were called and were busy investigating the cause of death.

Mabanga said he could not comment further at this stage.

The SA National Defence Union (Sandu) said in a statement that it was shocked at the death, which it said raised serious questions.

“According to our investigations, the soldier was a recruit under training and was assigned to do guard duty at the outside field base during (Wednesday) night,” national secretary Pikkie Greeff said.

According to Sandu, no one saw the soldier after 8pm on Wednesday until his body was discovered at his guard post around 7am on Thursday.

“The cause of death, by all indications, is hypothermia,” Greef claimed.

Sandu said the death raised questions, including whether the soldier was properly dressed for cold weather, and whether he had a two-way radio for communication.

“The entire tragedy could have been avoided had any of the standard working procedure around guards been observed,” Greef claimed.

Sapa

Kimberley – A Kimberley security guard was released on bail by the city’s magistrate’s court on Thursday after allegedly shooting dead a car guard.

Thabang Alex Dinale, 24, was granted R2000 bail and his case was postponed to September 26, Lieutenant Sergio Kock said.

He allegedly shot and killed car guard Mudinie Hassim, 43, during an altercation on Wednesday.

“The cash-in-transit security guard was busy loading money into a safe at an ATM in Phakamile Mabija Road when the victim tried to pass on the pavement. (Dinale) tried to redirect the victim and this led to an argument between the two people.”

Hassim allegedly slapped Dinale, causing him to draw his gun and shoot.

Sapa

Potchefstroom – The people of Tlokwe made the right decision by choosing the ANC to lead them, trade union Nehawu said on Thursday.

“The people of Tlokwe have once again made the right decision by confirming the ANC as the only reliable political party to lead our people,” said Patrick Makhafane, the North West secretary of the National Education, Health, and Allied Workers’ Union.

“Nehawu in the North West province congratulates both the ANC and the revolutionary alliance for their convincing win in the recently held by-elections in the area.”

Makhafane said the victory should be used to regain control of the municipality and restore people’s confidence in the ANC in preparation for the 2014 general elections.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) announced on Thursday that the African National Congress had retained control of Ward Nine in the Tlokwe by-election, with 738 votes. This was out of a total of 1458 valid votes cast at two polling stations in the area, according to the IEC’s results report.

Independent candidate, Khotso Ratikoane, received 504 of the total votes, putting him in second place. The ward was also contested by the Democratic Alliance, which got 196 votes, the Congress of the People, which received a total of eight votes, and the African People’s Convention, which got 12 votes.

A total of 1490 votes were cast at the Boikhotso Secondary School and the Mohadin Community Hall in Ikageng, Potchefstroom.

The IEC said there were 32 spoilt ballots.

Sapa

Johannesburg – A top official in the Mpumalanga safety and security department and a company director were arrested on Thursday for irregularities with a multi-million rand tender, the Hawks said.

“The official and the security company director are facing charges of fraud and corruption over a security tender to guard the department’s offices,” said police spokesperson Paul Ramaloko.

The official, who had the final say about who got the tender when it was awarded in 2011, also faced a charge of contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

Ramaloko said investigators found the company did not meet the requirements for the tender.

“It was also discovered that the company submitted false tax certificates during the application process,” he said.

The company received R4m a month from the department for its security services.

“Investigations into the case continue. More arrests are expected.”

The two were expected to appear soon in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court.

– SAPA

Cape Town – Amendment legislation intended to curb smuggling has been submitted to Parliament, the SA Revenue Service (Sars) said on Thursday.

“One of the major aims of the [two] bills is to create a balance between customs control and trade facilitation,” Sars said in statement.

It said the current Customs and Excise Act, which dates back to 1964, allowed container operators to move goods from a port of entry, such as Durban, to an inland container terminal, such as City Deep in Johannesburg, without submitting a customs clearance declaration.

“This current position does not provide Sars with adequate information to determine any possible safety, security, fiscal, and economic risks in relation to these goods before they are transported inland,” Sars said.

“No value is declared on the manifest and only a general description of the goods is provided.”

It said that if the new bills were approved, container operators would have to obtain clearance at the first port of entry, before goods were moved inland.

“In addition, the origin of the goods, as well as a clear description of the goods as per the Harmonised Commodity and Coding System [HS Code] will have to be declared.

“The HS Code will indicate whether the goods pose a fiscal or economic risk, or a safety and security risk to society.”

– SAPA