Following his big win at the SA Sports Awards last night, where he was voted Sports Star of the Year, Bafana Bafana captain and keeper Itumeleng Khune encouraged Bafana fans to come out and support the team in numbers as they face World Champions Spain on Tuesday at FNB Stadium.

Khune received over 2.7 million votes by the public which earned him the award ahead of swimmer Chad Le Clos, Proteas batsman Hashim Amla, wheelchair tennis player Lucas Sithole and distance runner Mapaseka Makhanya.

At a press conference that took place earlier today at FNB Stadium, an elated Khune said, “Hard work pays, but I never would have won this award if it wasn’t for the help of my teammates, coaches and most importantly, Bafana Bafana’s fans who have supported me every step of the way.”

Khune went on to call on his fans and the Bafana Bafana fans to buy their tickets to the world-class show-down between Spain and South Africa saying that though tomorrow’s game is going to be a tough one, Bafana Bafana will be giving it their best.

Coach Gordon Igesund echoed this sentiment, saying that Bafana Bafana will be playing this game like it’s a cup final, as will Spain.

“There is no such thing as a friendly when you’re playing at this level,” said Igesund. “No player from either team is not going to work hard on the field tomorrow night because every player wants to be chosen for the squad. Spain are going to be fired up and playing for a win and I wouldn’t expect anything less. The top teams in the world are at the top because there are no friendly games. That’s what professionalism is all about.”

Win or lose, there can be no doubt that the South African and Spanish fans alike can expect an epic showdown when the two teams meet.

Tickets for the match are on sale at Computicket, Shoprite, Checkers and Shoprite/Checkers stores countrywide. Tickets cost R50 for the top tier; R200 for the middle tier and R100 for the bottom tier.

There are also suite ticket packages available for R895 and R1650.
-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Potchestroom-The deposed former Tlokwe Executive Mayor, Maphetle Maphetle who was implicated in various independent forensic investigative reports has made a comeback after been deployed to a senior position in the North West Provincial Legislature.

Maphetle, who was a teacher before he became a councillor in the Tlokwe Municipality, was deployed as the Executive Manager Corporate Services at R934 866 per annum, – a substantial increase from his previous position as Executive Mayor.

“The appointment of Maphetle into a senior position in the Legislature’s administration, without any applicable related experience, confirms that the NW ANC Chairperson and Legislature Speaker, Supra Mahumapelo is not only consolidating his support, but is also keeping his inner support circle very close to him” DA North West Chris Hattingh said.
The DA said they will question the merit of Maphetle’s appointment into a position of trust in the Legislature and into a senior position for which he clearly does not qualify.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Taung- North West police arrested a 21 year-old suspect after he allegedly bludgeoned a man to death at Cokonyane village, near Taung.
The atrocity took place on Monday morning when a 17 year-old teen was allegedly woken up by unknown person in her sleep.

“A 17 year-old girl, who stays with her uncle, screamed for help. Her uncle allegedly came to observe the situation and he found a suspect in the niece’s bedroom” sergeant Kelebogile Moiloa said.

A fight ensued between a 56 year-old man and he was stabbed several times. Police said a 21 year-old suspect allegedly forced the girl to accompany him to the nearest bushes, but the girl tasted the suspect’s wrath after she refused. A 56 year-old man was certified death on the scene by paramedics.

“A teen was also bludgeoned on her should and the suspect allegedly raped her while pleading for mercy. The suspect was allegedly arrested after-math and will appear at Taung Magistrate Court on Tuesday for murder, rape and attempted murder” said Moiloa.

Bafana Bafana have completed their preparations for the all-important international friendly match against World and European Champions Spain urging the country to rally behind the boys.

He further promised that his charges will approach Tuesday’s friendly as a cup final.

The much-anticipated clash will take place on Tuesday, 19 November 2013 at the home of South African football, the FNB Stadium.

Kickoff is at 21h00.

Bafana Bafana head coach Gordon Igesund took the players through another training session working on various aspects of the game.

All players have a clean bill of health, including defender Thabo Matlaba who has been under medical observation since he was stretchered off in the friendly match against neighbours Swaziland on Friday, 15 November in Mbabane.

Matlaba managed to train with the team on Sunday and Monday.

Igesund is happy with the way preparations have gone over the two days.

“Spain are taking this match as serious as we do because as World champions you are successful because you do well, so they would not want to come here and be defeated. No player at this level holds back on the field of play because they have many quality players in the Spanish squad. So that will give us a very good game,” said Igesund.

“We will play this match like it is a cup final, and I am going to use three strikers to make my intentions clear. Spain will come out with guns blazing but we are prepared for it. “

Fresh from being named the South Africa Sports Star of the Year on Sunday night (17 November) at a glittering function at Sun City, Bafana Bafana captain Itumeleng Khune said his focus was firmly on the clash against Spain.

“It is every player’s dream to face the World Champions. All the players are excited and eager to play this match. We want to do the country proud so we will go out there and give it our best,” said Khune.

South Africa and Spain have met three times with La Roja winning all three encounters.

The first time was in a World Cup group stages match in the 2002 Korea and Japan tournament. The other two meetings were in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.

Only four players of the current Bafana Bafana squad played the last match – Khune, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Kagisho Dikgacoi and Bernard Parker.

Spain will round off their preparations at FNB Stadium tonight at 19h30 with their final training session. Prior to that, they will have a press conference at 18h45 at the same venue.

SOUTH AFRICA VS SPAIN

HEAD-TO-HEAD

P W D L GF GA

3 0 0 3 4 8

12 June, 2002

v Spain 2-3 (Benni McCarthy 31’, Lucas Radebe 53’; Raul 4’, 56’, Mendieta 44’)

World Cup Group B

Daejeon World Cup stadium, Daejeon

South Africa:

Andre Arendse, Aaron Mokoena, Lucas Radebe capt. (Thabang Molefe 80’), Bradley Carnell, Cyril Nzama, MacBeth Sibaya, Teboho Mokoena, Quinton Fortune (Jacob Lekgetho 83’), Sibusiso Zuma, Siyabonga Nomvete (George Koumantarakis 74’), Benedict McCarthy.

Coach: Jomo Sono

Spain:

Iker Casillas, Curro Torres, Helguera, Xavi, Nadal, Joaquin, Albeda (Sergio 53’), Romero, Mendieta, Morientes (Luque 77’), Raul (Luis Enrique 82’).

Coach: Camacho

20 June, 2009

v Spain 0-2 (Villa 52’, Llorente 72’)

Confederations Cup Group A

Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

South Africa:

Itumeleng Khune, Siboniso Gaxa, Tsepo Masilela, Aaron Mokoena capt., Matthew Booth, MacBeth Sibaya (Katlego Mashego 83’), Kagisho Dikgacoi, Benson Mhlongo, Steven Pienaar, Teko Modise, Bernard Parker (Siphiwe Tshabalala 89’). Coach: Joel Santana

Spain:

Reina, Albiol, Pique, Puyol, Arbeloa, Busquets, Riera (Cazorla 81’), Xavi, Fabregas, Villa (Hernandez 61’), Torres (Llorente 61’).

Coach: Del Bosque

28 June, 2009

v Spain 2-3 (Katlego Mphela 73’, 89’; Guiza 88’, 89’, Xabi Alonso 107’)

after extra time

Confederations Cup third place play-off

Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace, Rustenburg

South Africa:

Itumeleng Khune, Siboniso Gaxa, Tsepo Masilela, Aaron Mokoena capt., Matthew Booth, MacBeth Sibaya, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Steven Pienaar, Teko Modise (Elrio van Heerden 69’), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Benson Mhlongo 84’), Bernard Parker (Katlego Mphela 64’).

Coach: Joel Santana

Spain:

Casillas, Albiol, Pique, Capdevila, Arbeloa, Busquets (Llorente 81’), Xabi Alonso, Riera, Cazorla, Villa (Silva 57’), Torres (Guiza 57’).

Coach: Del Bosque-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje

Hopetown-The body of Henry Van Niekerk(74) who went missing on 27 October 2013 was found on Monday last week next to the railway line near the Krankuil vicinity in Hopetown. 

 

The body was discovered by a passer-by at approximately 14:15pm. The man went missing while travelling on the train from De Aar to Orange River Station. 

 

“The police are investigating an inquest into the death of the deceased and no foul play is suspected at this stage.” Lieutenant Sergio Kock said.-TDN

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Itumeleng Khune is a role model whose success should inspire young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to stay away from drugs and pursue their dreams, North West Premier said in applauding the Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs Captain on Monday.

 

 

 

South Africa’s number one goalkeeper, who hails from Tshing township, near Ventersdorp, in the North West Province scooped the Star of the Year award at the 2013 SA Sports Awards ceremony held at the Sun City Superbowl on Sunday evening.  

 

 

 

He walked away with a brand new BMW 1 series and R1 million, half of which will be shared equally with the charity organisation of his choice. 

 

“We are proud of Khune as a worthy ambassador who overcame adversity to reach the pinnacle of his soccer career. Botlhale Boikanyo and Khuli Chana’s electrifying performances at the awards evening testified of our province as the home of excellence in arts,” highlighted Modise.

 

 

 

The Premier said that Sol Plaatjie High School also lived up to its eponym, Sol Thekisho Plaatjie by winning the School Team of the Year.

 

Mapaseka Makhanya, who was also the only woman in the running for the Sports Star of the year nominee, won the Sportswoman of the Year ahead of Lee-Anne Pace and Mandisa Williams.

 

 

 

Cameron van der Burgh emerged victorious in the Sportsman of the Year category.  He is Africa’s first home-trained world record holder and individual male Olympic Champion.

 

 

 

Sportswoman with Disability and Sportsman with Disability awards went to Kgothatso Montjane and Lucas Sithole respectively.  

 

The Proteas won the Team of the year, beating the Springboks and Kaizer Chiefs FC.  

 

Minister of Sports and Recreation Fikile Mbalula lauded the nominees and the winners, saying it has been “a great sporting year for our sportsmen and women both locally and internationally”.  “We have bravely said, during the course of the year, yours is to inspire a generation. Tonight, we proudly rolled the red carpet for the champions. We are not apologetic about rewarding our heroes, this is about the athletes.  No athlete should go home with nothing to show for his achievement,” said Mbalula. 

 

All nominees went home with R15 000 each while winners for each category pocketed R130 000.

 

The Premier Soccer League’s Dr Leepile Taunyane, who passed away recently, was posthumously awarded the Steve Tshwete Lifetime Achievement Award that was presented by Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe. Other recipients of the award were Betty Magwaza, Hajera Kajee, Mvuzo Mbebe and Kaizer Motaung.

 

 

 

Premier Modise presented the coach of the year category nominations which was scooped by Holger Losch.

 

 

 

 

By Obakeng Maje

 

Klerksdorp-The DA has tabled a motion to the Matlosana City Council last year not to cut off power connections of the local police station ever again.

 

 

“At the beginning of this month, the Hartbeesfontein police station left in the dark for two days leaving the station without electricity and telephones were disconnected bringing services to a complete halt” DA North West spokesperson Tiaan Kotze said.

 

 

 

The DA is of the view that the continuous power cut are the results of the Department of Public Works that does not reconcile payments or pay accounts timeously.

 

 

 

The SAPS is  an essential service and part of the security services of the republic to prevent, combat and investigate crime, to maintain public order, to protect and secure the inhabitants of the republic and their property and to uphold an enforce the law.

 

 

 

“The on-going power cuts result in major communication failures for the SAPS and consequently, should an emergency arise where the SAPS should be notified or urgent help is needed, disaster could and has strike” said Kotze.

 

 

 

According to DA, ANC voted against the motion and the then MEC for Local Government, China Dodovu, even instructed Council to disconnect electrical supplies to hospitals. 

 

“As the MEC, Mr Dodovu should instead have instructed the Department of Public Works to get their act together before making such a ridiculous statement which could only bring disaster to many people”.

 

 

 

“I will write to the Public Works MEC Raymond Elisha urging him not to neglect our Constitutional right and bring services to the people of Hartbeesfontein” concludes Tiaan Kotze.-TDN

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The South African U17 Women’s National team (Bantwana) has assembled for camp in preparation for the second leg World Cup qualifier against Zambia on Sunday, 24 November at the Bidvest Wits Stadium.

 

Kick-off is at 15h00. 

 

 

 

Bantwana played to a 3-3 draw in the first leg of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and know a lot will be at stake when they host the Zambians in their quest for a ticket to Costa Rica next year.

 

 

 

The fourth edition of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup will be staged between 15 March – 5 April 2014. 

 

 

 

Bantwana head coach Sheryl Botes has called up 22 players in an effort to bolster the squad ahead of the penultimate World Cup qualifier. She said this week’s preparations will be key as she looks to strengthen the squad that took on Zambia in the first leg. 

 

 

 

“We have brought in a few more goalkeepers as our goalkeeping department needs some attention. We have also brought in four more players to strengthen the midfield. Given the time frame, we had to act quickly as we all know this is a do-or-die clash against the Zambians. I must admit there’s still so much to be done within a short space of time. We are 90 minutes away from realizing our dream of reaching the World Cup so our preparations this week will be taken seriously,” said Botes.

 

 

 

High Performance Centre midfielder, Grabriella Salgado’s first half brace and Anelisa Ndyebi’s goal helped the South Africans to a 3-3 draw in the first leg. The Bantwana mentor said they will not settle for a draw as they need a convincing win on Sunday. 

 

 

 

“As far SA I’m concerned, we are going into this match on an equal footing. We need to be careful not to concede but have enough numbers attacking upfront and play from the first whistle. I understand the girls were nervous in the first leg but now that we are playing on home surface, I am hoping this will serve as a confidence booster,” said Botes. 

 

 

 

Bantwana will train at the Edenvale Football grounds from Monday afternoon. 

 

 

 

Ten countries have secured passage to Costa Rica with Nigeria being the first of three countries from the CAF region to book their spot for the world cup next year. Two spot up for grabs on the continent and the South Africans will be looking to stamp their victory and make their second appearance at the world stage. 

 

 

 

Bantwana squad in camp:No.

 

  Name & Surname

 

  Club

 

  Province

 

  1

 

  Juliet Sethole

 

  HPC

 

  GP

 

  2

 

  Samkelisiwe Zuma

 

  Tottanham Ladies

 

  KZN

 

  3

 

  Nomajalimane Matsane

 

  Seven Stars FC

 

  GP

 

  4

 

  Nikita Stevens

 

  Bidi FC

 

  WC

 

  5

 

  Mapaseka Mpuru

 

  Golden Ladies FC

 

  NW

 

  6

 

  Drishana Pillay

 

  HPC

 

  GP

 

  7

 

  Chamelle Wiltshire

 

  HPC

 

  GP

 

  8

 

  Babalwa Mteto

 

  Kamwa FC

 

  WC

 

  9

 

  Bongeka Gamede

 

  HPC

 

  KZN

 

  10

 

  Tiisetso Makhubela

 

  Torino FC

 

  NW

 

  11

 

  Kgalaletso Kesimolotse

 

  Mafikeng Ladies FC

 

  NW

 

  12

 

  Caryn van Reyneveldt

 

  Spurs FC

 

  WC

 

  13

 

  Lesego Nkoane

 

  HPC

 

  GP

 

  14

 

  Puleng Moremi

 

  HPC

 

  FS

 

  15

 

  Nosipho Mahlawe

 

  Tottenham Ladies

 

  KZN

 

  16

 

  Gabriella Salgado

 

  HPC

 

  GP

 

  17

 

  Amogelang Motau

 

  HPC

 

  LMP

 

  18

 

  Linda Sepotokela

 

  HPC

 

  GP

 

  19

 

  Casey Bull

 

  JVW FC

 

  GP

 

  20

 

  Kirsten Nolan

 

  JVW FC

 

  GP

 

  21

 

  Snenhlanhla Shozi

 

  Barcelona FC

 

  KZN

 

  22

 

  Anelisa Ndyebi

 

  Tomorrow Stars FC

 

  EC

-TDN

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Johannesburg – The Johannesburg metro police have been demanding bribes from inner city hawkers, the Workers and Socialist Party (Wasp) said on Monday.

“The Johannesburg metro police have been demanding bribes of R5 000 a week from the street traders,” party spokesperson Weizmann Hamilton told hawkers marching in the Johannesburg CBD.

 

He said the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) had been assaulting hawkers and confiscating their stock.

 

“The City of Johannesburg through JMPD have detained some of the hawkers in the council offices accusing them of being foreigners.”

 

The hawkers met in the Johannesburg CBD to march to the mayor’s office to hand over a memorandum of agreement.

 

The city has been conducting a process to register all legal traders on the streets.

 

The process was started after it was found that there were discrepancies between the allocated stalls on the city’s database and the number of stalls that were observed.

 

It was found that several traders were being allocated smaller areas, and that this was creating overcrowding. It was also found that some stands were being traded and leased illegally.

 

The process was initially meant to focus on seven streets, but it was later agreed to extend it to 17 streets.

 

Taking the city to court

 

The SA Informal Trader’s Forum (SAITF) announced plans on Sunday to take the city to court over the removal of informal traders in the CBD.

 

SAITF said the court action followed weeks of speaking to the city in order to find solutions to the evictions of traders.

 

SAITF said it participated in meetings with the city at which it was decided that a verification process be done at the beginning of November, with the relocation of traders from 11 November.

 

The Wasp, SAITF, the One Voice Hawkers Association, and the African Traders Committee, would take legal action through the Socio-Economic Rights Institute.

 

They had already served letters of demand on Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau and various other officials, giving them until Monday to respond.

 

SAPA

By Obakeng Maje

Zeerust-A 44- year old accused Japtha Ngcuka from Dinokana village, near Zeerust appeared before the Lehurutshe Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday last week on allegations of raping a 13-year-old school girl, police said. 

 

 

“The accused  is still in custody and will appear back in court on Tuesday for bail application.

 

 

Captain Pelonomi Makau said on 6 November 2013 at about 14:30, the accused who is a teacher at a local school, requested the victim to remain behind after school.

 

 

“It is further alleged that, the accused took the victim to the school toilets, where he allegedly raped her. According to the information, on arrival at home the victim informed her mother of the alleged ordeal” Makau said. 

 

The victim was taken to hospital where rape was confirmed.-TDN

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