The South African Football Association (SAFA) has joined millions of South Africans in mourning the death of former boxing champion Jacob “Baby Jake” Matlala after a long illness.

Matlala passed away at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg on Saturday morning (7 December 2013).His death comes just two days after that of former State President of South Africa Dr Nelson Mandela.

“A dark cloud has indeed fallen over our country. We hadn’t recovered from the news of the passing on of Madiba, now we are confronted with more sad news. We have lost two great boxers who were fighters inside and outside the ring working for the development of the human course, taking part in many community building projects,” said SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan upon landing from Brazil.

“Even though he was a boxer, Baby Jake was a football fanatic and he shall be greatly missed. His death is a big loss, we love him and will sorely miss him. So much sorrow has enveloped our country. Our heartfelt condolences go to his family, his fans and the boxing fraternity for the loss of such a gentle giant. He was a great ambassador for our country who never allowed his height to be a disadvantage. He was a fearless fighter whose determination put South Africa on the map. May his soul rest in peace.”

Matlala is a former WBO, WBU and IBA flyweight and light flyweight world champion.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje 

Taung-Police are investigating a case of Culpable Homicide after a car allegedly veered of the road and plagued to the bridge.

A woman,45, who was a passenger allegedly died on the scene. 

“The incident took place on Saturday at about 03:30 along Mokgareng-Reivilo road” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.  

“It is alleged that the driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with the bridge. The driver was seriously injured and was taken to Taung Hospital for medical treatment” concludes Mokgwabone. 

Investigation continues.-TDN

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By Obakeng Maje

The fight against cross border crime and illicit cigarettes scored another success when the police at Kopfontein Port of Entry arrested a 27-year-old suspect on Saturday at approximately 19:30, North West police said.

“The police were allegedly on duty when a truck entered the country through the Port of Entry from Botswana, was stopped and searched” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said. 

Police said it was during the search that 5150 cartons of Pacific Blue illicit cigarettes with estimated street value of R1 073 343 (One million seventy-three thousand three hundred and forty-three rand)  were found inside the truck’s false compartment. 

“The driver allegedly informed the police that he was transporting the consignment to Gauteng. The suspect, who is Zimbabwean national was arrested and is expected to appear in Lehururtshe Magistrates’ Court soon for smuggling of illicit cigarettes” Mokgwabone said.

The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Zukiswa Mbombo thanked the members for their hard work and a job well done.-TDN

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The South African U20 Women’s National team (Basetsana) has arrived back from Tanzania following their 4-1 victory against the hosts in the first leg second round FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifier played on Saturday, 7 December.

Two first half goals from Shiwe Nogwanya and another two from Mosili Makhoali in the second half gave the South Africans a well-deserved first leg victory.

Head coach Sheryl Botes said she is impressed with how the girls performed on the day to keep Tanzania at bay.

“We started off well and were able to keep Tanzania at bay although we conceded one goal. The girls played well throughout the entire match and it was a befitting performance to honour the memory of the late Tata Mandela. The job is not done though and we will take a few days off and regroup to work on certain aspects ahead of the return leg here at home,” said Botes.

Basetsana will assemble for camp on Sunday, 15 December in preparation for the second leg qualifier penciled in for Saturday, 21 December at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.

Two spots are up for grabs on the continent for the 2014 edition of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup to be staged in Canada from 5-24 August.

The third and final round of the continental qualifiers will be played in January 2014.-TDN

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Platinum Stars have proved beyond any reasonable doubt to the people of the North West Province that they deserve their support by winning two cups in one season, Premier Thandi Modise said in congratulating Platinum Stars for winning the Telkom Knockout Cup on Saturday.

“The year 2013 was a turning point for Dikwena who beat Orlando Pirates in two successive cup finals in less than three months. Platinum Stars proved in both David vs Goliath encounters that they are worthy champions and a team that will not disappoint its growing supporters in the province. Beating the second best team on the continent for this year twice in a row is a strong statement that says that we are the home champions,” said Premier Modise in congratulating the Phokeng based team.

“Though Orlando Pirates narrowed the score from the 3-1 MTN 8 Wafa Wafa Champioship encounter with a 2-1 loss at Mbombela Stadium, Vuyo Mere and his charge have proved that they are a force to be reckoned with in the Premier Soccer League,” highlighted Modise.   

The Premier has expressed confidence that the celebrations will after the period of mourning for former President Nelson Mandela reverberate in every town and village and solidify the support base of the team as a provincial team. 

Platinum Stars was the first South African side to beat the Egyptian club Al Ahly, when they won 2–1 during the first leg encounter of the African Champions League in 2008.-TDN

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The South African Men’s Under-20 National Team (Amajita) defeated Zambia 1-nil to cement their place at the top of Group C of the 2013 Cosafa Under-20 Youth Championships currently underway in Lesotho.

The clash took place on Saturday, 7 December 2013 in the capital Maseru.

A moment of silence was observed at the start of the match in honour of the late former state President of the Republic of South Africa, with the SA flag also flying at half-mast.

The players also wore black armbands to show their respect.

The match got off to a flying start and both teams missed the opportunity to grab the opener two minutes after kick-off. There were several other chances and Zambia almost punished Amajita on the 21

st minute but the effort went off target.

Centre-back Rivaldo Coetzee was at his best as he kept Zambian striker Ronaldo Chibwe at bay. The match went into the break deadlocked at nil-nil.

The second half started much like the first half and Amajita appeared to have taken coach Shakes Mashaba’s halftime talk to heart. Playmaker Nhlakanipho Ntuli fired a cracker on the 57

th minute following an impressive move by the South Africans to give his side the lead.

Zambia sought to make a quick reply with a double substitution on the 61

st minute with captain Musonda replaced by Mbewe and Dave Daka making way for his namesake Patson Daka. South Africa tightened things a bit with winger Fagrie Lakay coming off for centre-back Madisha Motjeka.

Things went from bad to worse for Zambia 10 minutes before the final whistle when striker Ronaldo Chibwe was red carded after a second bookable offence for a late tackle on Amajita’s Maraisane.

Zambia piled on the pressure in the dying stages of the match but South Africa held on against the defending champions with Coetzee been chosen as the Man of the Match.

“We are happy for the win, it was never going to be an easy match against Zambia especially because they had a great plan to us, but I think our plan was more solid. I am proud of the way the boys performed. Our plan is to get nine points from the three group stage matches, and so far we are still on track. We are still on top of the group and we will have to continue from where left off today when we face Namibia in our next match on Tuesday (10 December). We know our work is not done yet we have to keep on working hard for more success,” said Mashaba.

South Africa now has six points following two victories (against Seychelles and Zambia) while Zambia has just one after a draw against Namibia and a loss to Amajita.

This is how they lined up:

South Africa:

February, Seriba, Magqwaka, Coetzee, Maraisane, Ngubo, Ntuli, Lakay, Leepile, Moerane, Luthuli

Substitutions:

Lakay off; Motjeka on 67

th min

Zambia:

Banda,Chepeshi, Mkandawire, Tembo, Ngwenya, Chibwe, Mwanda, Musonda, Sauta, P.Daka, S. Daka

Substitutions:

Musonda off, on Mbewe,s Dave Daka off, on Patson Daka 61min, Salaka off on Lwandamina 76th minute.-TDN

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The South African Under-20 Women’s National team (Basetsana) defeated Tanzania 4-1 in the second round first leg of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifier.

The match was played at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Saturday 7 December.

It was an inspired performance by Basetsana as they turned on the heat with an impressive performance.

Basetsana head coach, Sheryl Botes said she was happy with the result and commended the girls for executing the game plan well. The coach urged the girls to carry the winning mentality into the second leg that will be played in a fortnight (Saturday, 21 December 2013) at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.

The South Africans return on Sunday, 8 December and are expected to land at the O.R. Tambo International Airport at 09h25.-TDN

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Johannesburg – The South African National Defence Force on Saturday ordered soldiers on leave to report back for duty to provide support for Nelson Mandela’s mourning and funeral activities.

The “urgent message” was issued by the South African National Defence Force recalling all soldiers in units that have been assigned support duties.

“Members must report back to their units, bases or stations by at the latest 12 o’ clock midnight on 7 December 2013,” the defence force said in a statement.

State funeral

The government has declared a state funeral and week of mourning with multiple events expected to draw masses of people to the streets and leaders from around the world.

Department of defence spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini told AFP that across the board logistics support would be provided.

“It’s a range of things that the defence force will be supporting from dignitaries to parades,” Dlamini said.

“This is a category-one funeral, so there will be a lot of activities that involve the defence force,” he added.

Security is a police responsibility, with the defence force providing support.

Forces will deploy at airports, the seat of government where Mandela’s body will lie in state, and his childhood village Qunu, where he will be buried.

Statesmen such as US President Barack Obama will attend memorial events.

On Tuesday, an official memorial will take place in Johannesburg. This will be followed by three days during which Mandela’s body will lie in state in Pretoria and his body will be driven publicly through the city to the seat of government.

Finally, Mandela will be laid to rest next Sunday in Qunu, his rural childhood village.

– Send us your memories and photos of Nelson Mandela.

– Friends, colleagues, comrades and family of Nelson Mandela are invited to share their memories and tributes, and to light a candle for him, on his profile at Remembered.co.za.

– AFP

Johannesburg – People can pay tribute to former president Nelson Mandela in Thokoza Park, in Soweto, and at Zoo Lake, Johannesburg City Parks (JCP) and Lead SA said on Saturday.

Thokoza Park was where Mandela planted an indigenous tree and unveiled a mural as part of his 90th birthday celebrations with the people of Soweto, they said.

At Zoo Lake, a memorial would be erected on Saturday as part of the culmination of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children.

This would take the form of a wreath bearing an image of Mandela, and it was hoped residents would lay their own wreaths and messages of support there.

Mandela died at the age of 95 at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, on Thursday night, and will be buried in his hometown of Qunu, in the Eastern Cape, next Sunday.
– Send us your memories and photos of Nelson Mandela.

– Friends, colleagues, comrades and family of Nelson Mandela are invited to share their memories and tributes, and to light a candle for him, on his profile at Remembered.co.za.

– SAPA