Moroka Swallows captain Lefa Tsutsulupa recently played his 300th game of professional football, a remarkable achievement anywhere in the world.

Tsutsulupa made it 300 not out when he took to the field for Swallows in a 1-1 draw against Maritzburg United in the Birds’ most recent outing, He has donned the Birds’ colours 259 times, while also playing in 41 matches for Bloemfontein Celtic.

The 33-year-old from Ladybrand made his debut back in 1999 and joins six other players in the PSL today who have past 300 games, the others being team-mate Greg Etafia, Tinashe Nengomasha and Moeneeb Josephs from Bidvest Wits, Orlando Pirates’ Lucky Lekgwathi, Vuyo Mere of Platinum Stars and Calvin Marlin, now at Black Aces.

Tsutsulupa, always the model professional is the kind of player a coach puts down first on his team-sheet, knowing that the midfield workaholic will always give his everything, inspiring those around him with his no-nonsense approach and ability to take charge of a game from the centre of the park.

PSL.co.za caught up with the dreadlocked anchorman to reflect back on what has been a highly successful career.

“Its not something I thought about much, or was keeping track of, so it was a bonus when I found out. It’s a good feeling, it shows that football can be a long journey if you look after yourself and respect the game” he said.

I’m playing the game I love and still enjoy playing as much as I did when I started out. There are always new challenges and new players coming through to keep you working hard, to keep you on your toes. I’m still going strong and have no plans to stop playing any time soon.

How did it all begin for you, as a youngster in the Free State?

Lefa Tsutsulupa: It started out when I was at home in the Free State, and decided to go on trials with my uncle to Bloemfontein Celtic. I was able to make a success of the trials and went on to sign a professional contract.

I had some good times at Celtic, and what I took most from that time was the experienced I gained – signing my first contract, what that actually meant, and what it meant to be a paid footballer. On the field, coach Bra Styles (the late Styles Phumo) gave me the confidence to play – he let us play with freedom, he was a big influence on me in those earlier years.

Gavin Hunt signed you for Swallows, and has been known as a big admirer of your abilities. What did you learn under Hunt, and what do you remember from your early days at Swallows?

I learnt a lot from Hunt, it was through him that my positional and tactical game improved a lot. I wasn’t in awe when I first arrived there, because I have always focussed on my own game and my own strengths and not looked up to others.

I have been around long enough to see the team go through various generations so to speak, and I have been lucky enough to play with some outstanding players. I remember the impression guys like Alred Phiri, Goodman Mazibuko, Mohammed Ouseb and George Hummel made on me, and since then I have seen many good players come to the club, some of them going on to play in Europe. I’ve won silverware with the team, and have made many great memories, I couldn’t have asked for more from football.

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

Mmabatho-Thousands of Public Servants of the North West Provincial Government will take part in an array of sporting activities as part of the Provincial Public Service Sports and Wellness Day to be held at the Mmabatho Stadium in Mahikeng tomorrow.

“The provincial event is part of the Public Service Month (PSM) which is an integrated strategic national event in the calendar of the Public Service and Administration that requires all national and provincial departments to participate in a range of activities aimed at taking service delivery to a higher productivity” premier spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele said.

Kgwele sais as part of the Public Service Month, the North West Provincial Government public servants will participate in sporting activities aimed at promoting individual wellness, fitness and healthy lifestyles. 

“Activities for the day will start at 6 am in the morning with a fun run, followed by various sporting codes which include Soccer, Netball, Tennis, Table Tennis and Volleyball” Kgwele said.

There will be free health and wellness screening for ailments like high blood pressure, cholesterol, Tuberculosis and HIV & Aids.

Hosted under the theme “Leading the Public Service to Higher Productivity, the day will be celebrated under a strict code of no-alcoholic drinks for the entire day.-TDN

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Due to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) which needs to be kept sterile from radio signal interference, several communities will now be able to view SABC television channels.

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

The North West ANC provincial executive committee will brief the media on Thursday about issues surrounding the Tlokwe municipality and upcoming party conferences.

African National Congress provincial chairman Supra Mahumapelo was expected to speak about the October 23 by-elections in Tlokwe, and upcoming regional conferences, the provincial general council and a list conference.

The North West local government department announced the by-election date on Wednesday.

“This follows [the] Electoral Court ruling in Bloemfontein which ordered the IEC to request… the member of the executive council to postpone the by-elections in Wards One, Four, 11, 12 and 20 of the municipality,” it said in a statement.

The court had heard an application by five independent candidates who were disqualified from taking part in the by-elections by the Independent Electoral Commission.

The ANC retained control of two of three wards in other by-elections in Tlokwe.

A by-election in Ward 13 was earlier postponed after an out-of-court settlement.

Fourteen ANC councillors were expelled from the party in July for participating in a motion of no confidence in then Tlokwe mayor Maphetle Maphetle. He was replaced by Democratic Alliance councillor Annette Combrink.

The ANC’s national disciplinary committee subsequently overturned the expulsions, but the ANC nominated new candidates and some of the former councillors decided to stand against them as independent candidates.

-Sapa

By-elections in Tlokwe will take place on October 23, the North West local government department said on Wednesday.

It said the date was set after the local government MEC consulted with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

“This follows [the] Electoral Court ruling in Bloemfontein which ordered the IEC to request… the member of the executive council to postpone the by-elections in Wards One, Four, 11, 12 and 20 of the municipality,” it said in a statement.

This was after the court heard an application by five independent candidates who were disqualified from taking part in the by-elections by the IEC.

The ANC retained control of two of three wards in the remainder of the by-elections in Tlokwe.

A sixth by-election, in Ward 13, was earlier postponed after an out-of-court settlement.

Fourteen ANC councillors were expelled from the party in July for participating in a motion of no confidence in then Tlokwe mayor Maphetle Maphetle. He was replaced by Democratic Alliance councillor Annette Combrink.

The ANC’s national disciplinary committee subsequently overturned the expulsions.

– Sapa

Bloemfontein – A Free State prison official was rescued after security services intervened in a hostage situation at the Mangaung Correctional Centre, officials said on Thursday.

The woman was unharmed but it was not immediately clear if anyone else was injured during the operation on Wednesday night.

“We can confirm that the hostage [situation] at Mangaung Correctional Centre has been concluded,” security services company G4S Africa head Andy Baker said.

Tactical response team

“Predetermined plans, which are in place for hostage situations, were activated at 21:10 by the SAPS tactical response team, resulting in the safe release of the employee at 22:15.”

Asked if anyone else was injured during the operation, or what the operation entailed, G4S spokesperson Kirsten van der Nest said no further details would be released.

Baker said: “We are extremely pleased to report that our employee was not physically harmed during the hostage and is receiving care and counselling support.”

The woman, who works for the Mangaung Correctional Centre in Bloemfontein in the Free State, was taken hostage by four inmates on Wednesday morning.

G4S Africa manages the prison under contract for the correctional services department.

The company said all other prison operations were stable.

Recently, more than 300 members of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union were dismissed at the prison for taking part in an illegal strike.

SAPA

Durban – The gloves are off for the 2014 election campaign with the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal declaring its intent to obtain a minimum of 70% of the vote and eliminate the opposition.

In the opening salvo of the party’s election campaign, African National Congress provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala told journalists in Durban on Wednesday it was hoping to “wash out” all opposition parties who he claimed had added no value to the province.

“The ANC is convinced that 70% is achievable as a minimum target in the province. The elections that are coming for us are a mirror of a political landscape post 2014. We are going all out.”

In 2009 the party garnered almost 63% of the votes in KwaZulu-Natal.

“For us 2014 must mark the demise of all people who have been in the political landscape without adding any value in terms of changing the lives of the people of our province.”

The press conference was held to announce the party’s first election rally, to be held on Sunday in KwaMashu.

“Are opposition bringing any value? They bring absolutely no value at all,” ANC deputy provincial secretary Nomusa Dube said.

“You don’t see them providing any solutions to the challenges that people are confronting. Instead of providing solutions they add on to the frustrations of the people that they would never even deliver.”

Dube, who is also the province’s co-operative governance and traditional affairs MEC, said the ANC’s delivery record was evident and opposition parties were taking “opportunistic stances”.

“You say to them ‘you have been in Parliament for the past five years, what have you done? What have you done either legislatively or qualitatively to say what is the value you have added to those people that you have been serving?’ Zilch. Nothing.”

Zikalala said the party had theorised whether the ANC had “suffocated” the opposition and if an opposition was needed.

“It is not the task of the ANC to build an opposition. Our task is to consolidate the support of the people of South Africa for the ANC. Once the ANC gets that support, the task of the ANC is to render service delivery.”

He said some opposition parties had been in government prior to 1994, when the first democratic elections were held, and never delivered on their promises.

“We are not going to be concerned about the growing or shrinking opposition. If we get 100% [of the vote] we are going to enjoy,” he said.

SAPA

Pic: (A baby picture taken from internet, not Botshelo)

By Obakeng Maje

Pampierstad- A week ago North West residents and South Africa at large were left with mild astonishment after they heard unexpected news.

The reason behind scalp itch and jaw pop came to light two weeks ago when a mother of a three month-old baby came from a local clinic were she took her little girl for check-up.

Maria Tshatsha,31 told sabc that she was left dithered after her three month-old baby Botshelo spoke to her with euphony.

According a Pampierstad-born woman,her three month-old daughter spoke for the first time when they arrived at her house from the clinic.

“I was changing her nappies and suddenly I heard a voice and felt like someone is talking to me. I never expected my daughter Botshelo to communicate with me as she is just a child” Maria Tshatsha told sabc.

Maria Tshatsha, 31 resides at Mountain View, near Pampierstad township and she said after hearing her daughter communicates with her precisely, she was left astonished.

“I tried to change her nappies, suddenly she said mom einah…I asked her what’s wrong and she replied that she do not want to wear a pamper anymore as it makes her feel uncomfortable” Maria said.

“I ran outside for help as I was suprised too. Botshelo is only three months and normally kids of her age cannot speak delicate”.

This drew a lot of attention including local media as many people flocked to Botshelo’s house to hear her speak.

Some people where left with mixed feelings as others said they waited forever hoping for Botshelo to utter a word, but with no success.

Whether Botshelo was gurgling or babbling which is norm to three month-old babies, or she can talk with precision, it remain to be seen.

Yesterday sabc radio spoke to Botshelo’s mother who tried in vain to make her speak, but ‘miracle’ child did not buy that story as you could hear her playing in the background.

According to Maria, she took her ‘miracle’ baby to the local doctor, but the doctor confirmed all is well with the baby and the doctor allegedly said this is normal and shows that Botshelo is a genius.

Maria also alleged that doctor adviced her not to breastfeed her daughter as she might drain her out.

Others who attest to this ‘miracle’ was other woman in the area who claims she gave Botshelo R10 note and she said ‘dankie’ loosenly translated to thank you.

Now Botshelo allegedly eat solid food like an adult without any hassle and she allegedly told her dad that she is hungry.

Our crew tried to contact North West Department of Health MEC Dr Magome Masike to shed his medical experience on the matter, but unfortunately our attempt proved futile as he was in a meeting.

North West health departmental spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane was equally suprised and said he will brief MEC about the issue and they will look into it.

“I’ve never ever heard about something like that and this is very very suprising. Unfortunately MEC Masike is engaged it a meeting, but I will brief him about that and see if he could share any idea” Lekgethwane said.

What can a three month old baby do?

A three month baby is already working hard to become more mobile.

As her head and neck muscles become stronger she may soon learn to roll over.

You may want to start changing her nappy on the floor. Babies have a habit of surprising their parents with their new-found abilities.

Your baby is likely to be babbling away to you now.

You can help develop her language skills by talking to her throughout the day.

Try describing what you’re doing as you do it, even if it’s just loading the washing machine.

By three months, probably even earlier, your baby will know you’re special. Most likely she will still smile at strangers, especially when they look her straight in the eye and coo or talk to her. But she’s beginning to sort out who’s who in her life, and definitely prefers some people to others.

The part of the brain that governs hand-eye coordination and allows your baby to recognise objects (the parietal lobe) is developing rapidly now. And the part of the brain which assists with hearing, language and smell, the temporal lobe, has also become more active.

So when your baby hears your voice now, she may look directly at you and start gurgling, or trying to talk back.

Try changing the pitch of your voice, using accents, and singing, to capture your baby’s interest. Don’t worry if she looks the other way, or loses concentration. Try something else, or give her time to rest. Don’t worry about the content of the conversation.

How can I help my baby to understand and use words?

Now your baby is babbling and gurgling habitually, talking to her will encourage her understanding of words. This is the beginning of your baby’s conversation skills. Seize the moment and engage her with different words and sounds. She may babble back to you when you talk to her.

Even with others, your baby is becoming more responsive and engaging, by flashing smiles, oohing and cooing. The fun has really begun. Your baby’s social skills are blossoming.

When you’re with friends, keep your baby nearby so she can hear your conversation. Your baby can’t repeat any words yet, but she’s beginning to store all the information in her rapidly developing memory.

If your home is bilingual, your baby will get double the language training if she regularly hears both languages spoken. Speaking more than one language will broaden her linguistic skills, and knowing another language can support her knowledge of English.

If you’d like your baby to learn more than one language, you and your partner should regularly speak to her in your mother tongue. Doing this from birth means that she will pick up both languages naturally.

If you have any questions at all about your baby’s development, talk to your doctor or health visitor.

In other previous events took place around Taung and its Surroundings.

Benjamin Story?

A person who was allegedly found on top of the roof of the house with bed?

A person who allegedly cooked a human meat with dumbling?

Now a 3 months ‘talking’ baby?

What next…only time will tell.

Approved by the BabyCentre Medical Advisory Board.-TDN

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