By Obakeng Maje

Taung-Alpheus Oshebeng Koonyaditse need no introduction as he is proudly one of the most celebrated radio personalities that ever graced Sabc.

Motsweding FM sport commentator-cum-Current Affairs anchor has it all.

Oshebeng Alpheus Koonyaditse said his love affair with radio started at the tender-age. Koonyaditse said broadcasting was on all time and his move was a genuinely heroic endeavor.

Alphy K as Oshebeng is affectionately known to masses take us through his humble beginnings.

“I grew up with burning ambition, to work in broadcasting industry. I remember it was back in 1989 when I came for auditions. I was very fortunate as I was one of three people selected” Koonyaditse said.

Oshebeng Koonyaditse was selected during auditions at defunct Radio Mmabatho (It was merged with Radio Setswana to form now Motsweding FM) alongside the late Dipuo Mongale and former Motsweding FM presenter, ausi Minah Pilane.

With 25 years experience in broadcasting, Koonyaditse tells us what keeps him relevant.

“I read and read and try by all means to be relevant and most key aspect is to be aware of what’s happening around the world”.

“We’re living in an information age, so we cannot afford to be slack because audience could get that information somewhere else. So you must make sure your audience have trust in you” giggles Alphy K.

He was born many years ago in Cokonyane village,at the outskirt of Taung.

Koonyaditse said he was inspired and mentored by the likes of legendary Cebo “Ma-thousand” Manyaapelo, Aubrey “JR” Motloung, Molokwe Kgaswe, Dan Mongale, Martin Tyler and his close friend Mark Gleeson.

He is armed with Master Degree in Business Administration and is a (teacher) by profession.

He is also a lecturer at North West University where he teaches Journalism.

“Education is very important because it helps us to differentiate between wrong and right. It is one thing that no one will ever take it away from you” he said.

He said if he was not a radion personality, probably he will be a lawyer or continued with teaching.

Our crew asked Motsweding FM radio personnel about his 25 years journey in Media industry and any challenges he came across.

“The atmosphere is always brilliant and extraordinary, digressive and penicular. I have learnt a lot and still learning up to date. I once attended Edward R. Murrow Programme for Journalist in United State and it really shows that we learn everyday” he outlines.

A down-to-earth Cokonyane born presenter also shed more lights how he juggles work and family.

“My family is very close to my heart, it gives me a purpose to live” he reiterates.

Oshebeng Alpheus Koonyaditse released a book called “The Politics of South African Football” back then and explains what really prompted him to come up with this concept.

“When we lost to Germany for the 2006 World Cup hosting rights and eventually won 2010 World Cup bid, I was just wondering where we come from a s a Nation. I did research on our football history”

“I wanted to know what role does a football and sport in general played in our lives” he outlines.

He is working on a big project and even though he did not want to let the cat out of the bag yet, keep captivated as all unfolds.

The Politics of South African Football is the story of people whose vehement resistance and declaration that there could be ‘no normal sport in an abnormal society’ proved to be a powerful antidote to the apartheid government’s assurances that ‘all was well’.

He is thought to have the most complete set of African football records in existence. And was one of few people if not alone amongst all sport pundits who outlines that Bafana Bafana actually did not qualify for African Nations Cup 2012 after the country went into celebratory mood owing to mis-interpretations of the CAF laws.

Oshebeng Alphie Koonyaditse in his book gives an inspiring account of the event-filled journey that led to that memorable Saturday of May 15, 2004.

For the first time in World Cup history of South Africa, and indeed Africa, won the right to host the nations of the world at the FIFA World Cup in 2010.

“South African football history began long before that, and in fact goes back to before the formation of FIFA in 1904” he concludes.-TDN

You can listen to Taung-born presenter only on Motsweding FM 87.9- 107.9 MHz or live on http://www.motswedingfm.co.za or Go to his website http://www.oshebeng.co.za

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison Nono Maloyi  accompanied by Mafikeng Local Mayor Lina Miga  has officially launched the Mahikeng Community Residential Units (CRU) at Extension 39  on Saturday. 

The launch was attended by 1500 people who came from the extension 39 area and the surroundings who showed excitement and further said they are looking forward for the successful completion of the project to reduce their plight. 

During his keynote address he said “The CRU’s are aimed to facilitate the provision of secure, stable rental tenure for lower income earners and provides a coherent framework for dealing with many different forms of existing public sector residential accommodation said Maloyi. 

He further emphasize that, potential tenants are selected according to specific criteria i.e, a person must be South African Citizens; not an owner of any property in the municipality; earn between R1600 and R3500 per month (gross income); not owing the municipality any services money; pass an affordability check and be a major to be able to sign the legal documents. 

And in terms of payments based on the unit type; unit size and minimum rent per month. 

“A Bachelor unit size of 30m2 rents per month will be R580.00 with minimum income per month of between R1600.00 to R2200.00; 1 Bedroom unit size of 40m2 will be R780.00 with minimum income of between R2200.00 to R2700.00; and 2 bedroom unit sizes of 53m2 will be R920.00 with minimum income per month will be between R2700.00 to R3500” MEC Nono Maloyi said.

He also congratulated selfless and committed men and women who volunteered to the department to conducted socio-economic study around extension 39. 

During the proceedings MEC Maloyi bestowed them with certificates of recognition for the work well done. 

The study revealed amongst others, high rate of unemployment and influx from rural to urban area which is something which need integrated approach to deal with.

He send heartfelt condolences to the family of a young lady who was allegedly raped and murdered by the man who continues terrorising communities around Mahikeng/Mmabatho known as “Hammer Man”. And further wish speedy recovery to the alleged victims of this criminal who are hospitalized. 

Maloyi sent a strong warning to criminals.

“As government, we will not rest until this capital city is safe to resides at, because as government we have constitutional mandate to protect our community which is enshrined in our constitution”. 

“That’s the reason why as a department we took a conscious decision to launch Community Safety Forum (CSF) across the province to work with police to fight crime” Maloyi said.-TDN

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Health care is very important and what the South African Department of Health is doing through its doctors training programme in Cuba will have a huge impact on the poor in this country. Retired Major-General Mokgethi Radebe said this in his parting message at a farewell function organised for him by the Office of the Premier at the Mafikeng Hotel School on Friday evening,

Major-General Radebe, who is a qualified medical doctor with ample experience in the field, has been requested by the Minister of Health, Dr Aaaron Motsoaledi to oversee the training of South African medical students in Cuba. He will be based in Cuba where he will also serve as an attaché for health relations between South Africa, Cuba and Chile.

“It feels as if I am leaving the earth. Leaving the North West is very hard for me. It feels as if I am going to exile again.

“When I was requested by the Minister of Health to go and oversee the training programme in Cuba, I finally agreed because health care is very close to my heart. North West has been the biggest part of my life. In fact my mother came from Ventersdorp,” said Radebe.

Radebe has been an Acting Director-General for the North West Provincial Administration since 2012. He was appointed Head of Department of Health in 2011. Prior to this appointment, he was with the Department of Defence where he was with the South African Military Health Services. He joined South African National Defense Force (SANDF) in 1994 and rose to the rank of Major General.

He was dispatched by the African National Congress to study medicine in Cuba in 1981 and qualified as a medical doctor in that country in 1998.  Upon graduating, he worked in the MK camps in Angola in 1989.

Between 1990 and 1991, he worked in Zimbabwe. He returned to South Africa from exile in 1991, and joined the Medical University of South Africa (MEDUNSA) for a year, after which he went into private practice till 1994 when he joined the SANDF.

Major General Radebe is from the class of 1976 that went into exile in that year. He was in MATRIC when he left South Africa during a student uprising to swell the ranks of the African National Congress (ANC) and Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK). He trained as an MK soldier in Angola and served the ANC in different capacities in the health sector until he was sent to Cuba to study medicine in 1981.

He was born in Katlehong in the East Rand, where he completed his primary school and high school.

Acting Head of Department for the Office of the Premier Oageng Mosiane said the Major-General has provided exemplary leadership.

“He has been an exemplary manager, doing his job with passion and dedication. We know that he will make us and the entire country proud in his new role,” said Mosiane.

Head of Department for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism  Abe Tlaletsi said Major-General Radebe’s departure must not be seen as a loss to the province as he will be an ambassador for the North West.

“You are going to represent the North West as an ambassador. Be focused, don’t be tempted by the sea, the beach and the Cuban cigars,” said Tlaletsi.

The farewell function was attended by prominent members of the community including traditional leaders, local priests, Members of the Mayoral Committee from Mahikeng Local Municipality, staff from the Premier’s Office and senior government officials from other provincial departments, members and some of the Cuban doctors based in the Province.

Ajax Cape Town captain Dominic Isaacs is adamant that the Urban Warriors will soon the corner and start climbing up the league table.

The Cape side are anchored to the bottom of the Absa Premiership table, with just two points from their five matches this season, while they bowed out of the Telkom Knockout at the first round stage after losing to SuperSport United.

The Urban Warriors had been hoping to build on the momentum they started enjoying towards the end of last season when coach Muhsin Ertugral came in for the last couple of months to help the club avoid relegation.

Its been tough for the Turk in 2013/ 2014, trying to find solutions for injury issues, while also looking to introduce youngsters into the side, sometimes forced, and sometimes by choice.

The likes of Keegan Dolly, Abbubakar Mobara, Toriq Losper, Bantu Mzwakali, Brandon Petersen, Michael Kwong and Travis Graham all appear to be exciting talents, set for a very bright future in the game.

But when results are the bottom line, and relegation unthinkable, the pressure on the young players’ shoulders can be huge, leaving little room for them to ease their way into the team.

It’s for this reason that experienced heads such as Lance Davids, Nathan Paulse, Franklin Cale and Isaacs are back at the club, but so far the senior players in the side have been unable to instill the confidence needed to start getting results.

Isaacs however is not shirking the responsibility and has called for improvements all over the park from his team-mates.

“We are very disappointed to be winl-ess after five games but we have only ourselves to blame,” the former Kaizer Chiefs and Bloemfontein Celtic defender told the club website. “We are creating upfront but not converting our scoring chances, while at the back we conceding goals through silly mistakes,” he added.

Isaacs is also adamant that its too early to read too much into the league table, believing Ajax are better than the standings suggest.

“If you look at the first five league results we have lost most of our games by the odd goal, so we have to tighten up at the back and score the chances we create.

“As a team we have to take responsibility for our performances, we are a better than the results display and I am sure we will turn our season around very soon.”

The Ikamva-based side are next in action on Wednesday, 23 October, when they host Free State Stars at the Cape Town Stadium.
For more http://www.psl.co.za

Orlando Pirates have confirmed that midfielder Thandani Ntshumayelo’s injury is not serious and he will resume training on Monday.

As reported by Soccer-Laduma on Friday, the player has been struggling with a recurring metatarsal injury and the Sea Robbers were sweating on the outcome of scans following the player complaining of severe pain in his foot.

The club, though, has been boosted by the news that ‘Bibo’ simply suffered a knock in their 3-1 win over Mpumalanga Black Aces in the Telkom Knockout and is clear to continue training.

A statement on the club’s official website read, “Midfielder Thandani Ntshumayelo is expected to resume training with the rest of the squad on Monday.

“The hardworking midfielder underwent a series of scans and medical observations yesterday, this after complaining a severe pain on his foot.

“The latest scan results which the club received from a specialist in Johannesburg, revealed that the Free State born midfielder did not sustain any structural damage to his foot, and is therefore fit to train with the rest of the squad from next Monday.”

Quoting the report, the official site confirmed that “no damage or reoccurrence of his previous injury was picked up during the scan. The pain he felt was due to a knock he sustained which is nothing serious.”
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

Bhisho – An agreement was reached between an Eastern Cape pupil, her school and the basic education department over poor conditions at the institution, Equal Education (EE) said on Friday.

“A settlement agreement signed by the parties on the 12th of August 2013 and made into an order of the Bhisho High Court today (Friday), settles the matter,” it said in a statement.

EE said the Grade 11 pupil, Palesa Faith Manyokole, initiated legal proceedings against the Moshesh Senior Secondary School’s principal, its governing body, the provincial and national education departments, and Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga.

“Learners from the school first wrote to Equal Education in 2012 to ask for the organisation’s assistance,” it said.

EE visited the school and found that the principal had spent nine months out of school, an insufficient number of teachers, that some teachers did not come to school, a lack of textbooks, and “appalling conditions” at the hostel.

Eastern Cape education spokesman Loyiso Pulumani said the department was satisfied and relieved that “common ground” was found.

“A dedicated team was placed to focus on making these rather urgent improvements. We have a very able head of that district, and we are confident that indeed the issues will be dealt with.”

EE said that in June the department said it had probed financial mismanagement at the school. It said the principal was suspended, and an acting one was appointed to improve the school.

The department said the school was underperforming and it would try to address the issue. Two months later the agreement was reached.

One of the provisions was that a month after the order was signed the department had to submit a report on progress made at the school.

Sapa

Johannesburg – A man was arrested and another wounded during a shoot-out with police in Mofolo, Soweto, on Friday, Gauteng police said.

Members of the flying squad spotted a Toyota RunX in Mofolo and the driver sped off when the police approached, Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela said.

During the ensuing chase the Toyota’s occupants shot at the police.

“The police returned fire. The car hit a gate and police arrested a 42-year-old man. The other man had a bullet wound and was taken to hospital.”

The car was reported hijacked in Johannesburg on Friday afternoon. The men would be charged with hijacking the car, attempted murder for shooting at police, and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The arrested man was expected to appear in the Protea Magistrate’s Court on Monday. His accomplice would be in court once he was discharged from hospital.

Sapa

While Anene Booysen, 17, did not have a boyfriend, she liked Johannes Kana, the man accused of her rape and murder, the Swellendam Circuit Court heard on Friday.

Kana is accused of raping and murdering the teenager in Bredasdorp on February 2.

Witness Patricia Leonard, a close friend of Anene’s and who described her as a sister, told the court she was heartbroken when she heard about the incident.
For more http://www.iol.co.za

A man posing as a security guard has been arrested for allegedly raping a woman in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal police said on Saturday.

On Thursday, the woman was shopping in Pinetown when the man approached her and accused her of shoplifting, Captain Thulani Zwane said.

The man ordered her to accompany him to his office.

“As they were walking, the victim became suspicious as they approached a bush along the railway line.”

The man allegedly raped the woman at knifepoint.

As they walked back to the CBD, the woman screamed for help and her alleged rapist fled.

A few minutes later the man was arrested. He will appear in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Monday on a rape charge. – Sapa

Cosatu has again urged Gauteng motorists to defy the government and derail e-tolling by refusing to buy e-tags to make the “unjust system” unworkable.

The trade union federation, which is planning a renewed campaign against the implementation the system on Gauteng highways, says it is confident that e-tolling in Gauteng is “not going to work”.
For more http://www.iol.co.za