Kimberley – South Africa ‘space scientists are recognised internationally and they play a big role in the development of space science technology.
These were the remarks of Dr. Woodrow Whitlow, an Associate Administrator for mission support at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Washington DC. He was speaking during the space science open day in Kimberley recently. He said South African scientist have played a huge role in the US space missions.
“South Africa is way beyond the norm with regard to the space science; we have so many well recognised space scientists coming from this country. Also it’s great honor to see how many young people are interested in this field today in this country, I’m optimistic that this country will have more space scientists in coming years judging by the interest from young South Africans”, Whitlow added.
Dr. Whitlow was addressing more than 500 learners from schools around Kimberley. The event was held at Diamantveld High School.
Since the advent of the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project in Carnarvon, more learners from the surrounding schools have shown interest in the both Maths and Science subjects. Currently, there are more than 10 500 learners between Grade 10, 11 and 12 who are taking physical science subject at school.
This annual event which was organised by the Department of Science and Technology, South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement and provincial Department of Education, celebrate the contribution of space science and technology to the betterment of the human condition.
This year’s theme is “Exploring Mars, Discovering Earth. Learners experimented with water rocket and CANSAT demonstration and a mobile planetarium.
One of the attendee’s learners Masego Mosala representing the Maths and Science leadership Academy said: “I’ve learned a lot in this open day, I’ve also learned that it will take me 8 years to become a qualified Astros expert”.-TDN
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Rustenburg- The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) congratulates the swift arrest of the suspect in the murder case of a woman miner at Aquarius platinum outside Rustenburg yesterday. The 36 year old miner was found dead at the Aquarius mine yesterday whilst a 26 year old male suspect was nabbed later the same day.
“The NUM appeals to the police to ensure the successful prosecution of the culprit and to move further in their investigations into the death of Pinky Mosiane who was killed at Angloplatinum two years ago.
“We appeal on the police to crack down on those responsible for the escalating intimidation, threats and violence in the Rustenburg area” says Frans Baleni, the NUM General Secretary.
“As a union, we abhor violence and call on the law enforcement agencies to act without fear or favour. It is regrettable that the escalating violence against women in particular seeks to reverse the gains the country made in relation to the employment of women in the mines” says Baleni.
The NUM objects to the intentions made by some to try and turn the mining industry into a “men only” enclave. The NUM further calls on Anglo platinum to reveal the outcome of its independent investigations into the death of Pinky Mosiane. – TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Klerksdorp- North West police arrested two suspects aged between 25 and 26 respectively. The incident took place at a farm between Klerksdorp and Ventersdorp on Wednesday.
Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said two suspects allegedly robbed a farmer and his wife three firearms and a vehicle.
“Two suspects were allegedly arrested on Wednesday after they robbed and killed a farmer’s wife and left the farmer in critical condition” Mokgwabone said.
Emergency Service was called after neighbours heard gunshots. A farmer, 76, was allegedly taken to a local hospital with severe head injured and is in critical condition.
“Police found a used cartridge in the house and a bullet next to the back door. A body of a woman, 73, who was a farmer’s wife, was allegedly discovered by paramedics with head injuries. Police with Neighbourhood Watch launched a man-haunt.
The launch yields some results as two suspects were allegedly busted at a near farm.
“Two suspects were allegedly found being in possession of three firearms and a vehicle belong to the farmer were robbery took place” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.
Two suspects were nabbed and they will appear at Ventersdorp Magistrate’s Court soon with murder and house robbery charges.
Police investigations continue. – TDN

By Obakeng Maje

Taung-A man was allegedly arrested after he raped a 80 year-old gogo, North West police said.

The incident took place on Monday morning at Khudutlou village, near Taung where Zachariah Tselampe,35, allegedly entered a house of a 80 year-old woman who is a relative to.

Police said Tselampe gained entry through unlock door of the house and assaulted an older woman before raping her.

“A suspect, who was on parole for rape allegedly assaulted a woman before raping her. An older woman allegedly screamed for help after the ordeal” captain Pelonomi Makau said.

It is alleged that Tselampe ran like confused dinasours fleeing Jurisan park after he heard woman screams.

He was later arrested and appeared before Taung Regional Court on Monday for rape and GBH assault.

“Tselampe’s case was postponed and he was remanded in custody. He will appear in court again on the 11th of October 2011” Makau concludes-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje
Morocco-Tickets for the 45 480-seater new Agadir Stadium have been sold out ahead of Friday’s friendly international clash between Morocco and South Africa scheduled to kick off at 21h00 SA time.
Agadir has been built for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations tournament which Morocco will host. This is the first time the brand new stadium will be utilized. It will also host four matches of the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup in December this year.
“The multi-purpose stadium will mainly be used for football and will be home to local club Hassania Union Sportive of Agadir (HUSA), who has been using Stade Al Inbiaat where Bafana Bafana trained on Wednesday afternoon” Bafana spokesperson Matlhomola Morake said.
Hassania is an emerging football powerhouse in Morocco, and have twice won the Moroccan league title.
The state-of-the-art stadium can house 5000 VIP personnel and has 288 media seats, four locker rooms complete with sauna as well as eight athletics locker rooms.
Agadir itself is a major city in the southwest of Morocco and is the capital of Agadir-Ida Ou Tanane.
The city is located on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, near the foot of the Atlas Mountains.
The city of Agadir together with the neighbouring cities of Inezgane and Ait Melloul were estimated in 2013 to have 609,088 inhabitants.
“Agadir is one of the major urban centres of Morocco, the seventh largest extended urban area of the country after Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, Marrakech, Meknes, and Tangier” Morake said.
The city has been completely rebuilt after an earthquake destroyed it in 1960, which claimed the lives of an estimated 15-thousand people.
Agadir is now the largest seaside resort in Morocco, where foreign tourists and many residents are attracted by an unusually mild year-round climate.-TDN
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North West Premier Thandi Modise wishes to convey her condolences to the Mohumapelo family in Vryburg after a father and son, both municipal workers, died in a freak accident while working on a blocked sewerage at the weekend.

The North West Provincial Government has launched an internal investigation to determine exactly what happened.

Batlhaleheng Mohumapelo, 60, was a permanent municipal worker, while his son Monnapula, 24, was a contract worker.

The pair was apparently trying to unblock a sewerage system at Huhudi Township when the accident happened. They apparently inhaled toxic gases which killed them.

“We want the family to know that we have them in our prayers during this difficult time. We are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the internal investigation to see what really happen. The outcome will assist us on what steps we need to take. It will inform safety precautions and other measures meant to ensure that this does not happen again,” said Premier Modise.

Modise said the provincial government will take harsh action should the investigation reveal negligence on part of the municipality.

“The safely of our people is very important to us as government and we want to ensure that people working in dangerous situations are well equipped with protective gears and safety equipment, in addition to all necessary precautions that need to be taken,” said Modise.-TDN
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Johannesburg – A Lenasia man has been arrested for the attempted murder of his wife, Johannesburg police said on Thursday.

They started arguing while on their way to collect a new car at a dealership in the south of Soweto, said police spokesperson Kay Makhubela.

“They were directed to a boardroom at the dealership to resolve their problems,” he said.

While in the boardroom, the man allegedly took out a firearm and shot his wife. She was taken to hospital. He was arrested.

“At this stage the motive for the shooting is unknown. The man has been charged with attempted murder,” Makhubela said.

– SAPA

Pretoria – A 2-year-old boy from Mamelodi, east of Pretoria, has been electrocuted while playing with friends outside his family home, police said on Thursday.

“The 2-year-old boy was playing outside on Wednesday when he touched the live electrical cord,” said Warrant Officer Mike Mbewe.

Mogau Naka was killed by illegally connected electrical cables passing outside the gate of his family home in Phase Three of Mamelodi.

He was taken to the Stanza Bopape Clinic, but was declared dead on arrival.

Mbewe said an inquest docket had been opened.

– SAPA

A man accused of killing his girlfriend in Langenhoven Park, Bloemfontein, has been arrested, Free State police said on Thursday.

The man had been on the run since September after allegedly killing a woman in her rented room, said police spokesperson Chaka Marope.

“The woman, who is believed to be in her 20s, was found dead with several stab wounds on her head,” said Marope.

The 26-year-old man was arrested in Lusaka Square, Mangaung, on Wednesday and would appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

– SAPA

Bloemfontein – The independent candidates disqualified from taking part in Tlokwe’s recent by-elections were severely prejudiced, the Electoral Court said this week.

The court was making known its reasons for handing down an order postponing the by-elections in five Tlokwe wards on 17 September, on Wednesday.

Due to the urgency of the matter, which was heard a day before the by-elections of 18 September, the court issued only an order and indicated it would supply reasons later.

The court ordered that the by-elections in five wards – one, four, 11, 12 and 20 – be postponed.

It instructed the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to investigate the conduct of suspended Potchefstroom electoral officer John Makodi.

It further held that former ANC candidates Aaron Mhlope, Johanna Xaba, Ntombi Dikupe, Catherine Molefe, and James Zicina, standing as independents, be allowed to register in their wards for the postponed by-elections.

Giving its reasons for the decision, the Electoral Court held that the IEC had failed to facilitate the participation of the candidates in the by-elections. This would have resulted in the elections not being free and fair.

Candidates reviewed

Makodi’s conduct in not properly helping the candidates, in compliance with the Municipal Electoral Act, also severely prejudiced them. For this reason the IEC’s disqualification of the candidates was reviewed and set aside.

The court said the IEC had a duty not only to act as a verifying agent regarding strict compliance with legislation, but also had a duty to help voters and candidates obtain sufficient knowledge of the electoral process.

“It should promote a culture of helpfulness to all involved in elections; it should display willingness to assist those members of the public who wish to participate in elections, such assistance not being restricted to voters alone, but also to candidates,” the court found.

It held that the IEC should develop a system to verify compliance with legislation when candidates submitted documents, and to help prospective candidates comply with the requirements.

The court found that the IEC’s independence and impartiality would be strengthened if it effectively responded to issues and helped candidates participate in elections.

– SAPA