Johannesburg – Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu added his footprint to a walkway at the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, north-west of Johannesburg, on Wednesday.

Tutu placed his foot in a block of wet concrete, joining a list of Nobel laureates who had done so.

Other famous footprints outside the Tumulus building at the site included those of former president Thabo Mbeki and former UN secretary general Kofi Annan.

The left-handed Tutu quipped as he put his signature next to his footprint: “God made people perfect; the others He made right-handed.”

He asked: “Waar’s my kous?” (where is my sock) when he finished making his footprint.

The project represents support for the belief that the first humans walked out of Africa to populate the rest of the planet.

A jovial Tutu joked with journalists and tourists while he was taken on a short guided tour of the Cradle’s exhibition centre.

The 1984 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former head of the South African Anglican Church described the brief ceremony of leaving his footprint as “humbling” and “a huge privilege”.

Tutu burst out laughing while telling a story of how he and his wife were in the Netherlands when a 400-year-old school was named after him.

“A little girl rushed up to me and asked me if I was there when the school started,” he said.

“It is scientifically proven that we belong to one family. That is why ubuntu is so important. Ubuntu started here.”

Tutu’s footprints joined the human database at the Cradle of Humankind, which is also famous as the location where a pre-human skull, now known as Mrs Ples, was discovered.

A complete hominid skeleton, called Little Foot, was also unearthed at the site.

– SAPA

Johannesburg – Western Cape Premier Helen Zille should quit after a court decision on Wednesday to set aside a decision to close 17 schools, the ANC Youth League said on Wednesday.

“It is disgusting that… Zille fully backed MEC for Education Donald Grant’s stubborn and heartless action to close these schools without due consultation and proper plans put in place,” ANCYL provincial task team convenor Muhammad Khalid Sayed said.

“The African National Congress Youth League welcomes the Western Cape High Court’s decision.”

Judges Andre le Grange and Nape Dolamo ruled that the reasons given for the closures were brief and that the public consultation process followed was inadequate.

They set aside Grant’s decision, made in October to go into effect from 31 December. He and his department were ordered to pay the legal costs of the schools and their governing bodies.

The SA Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu) said the court’s decision was a victory for education in the country.

“The court ruling… has vindicated Sadtu,” the union in the province said in a statement.

“Our democratic courts have once again come to the favour of the poor, working class learners and parents in the Western Cape.”

Sadtu said it would not allow bullies in the provincial education department to jeopardise the future of poor children.

“We urge Grant and Zille to respect the courts and not to waste money with an appeal.”

– SAPA

Mahikeng-The mood was high with chanting and dancing by the Provincial Indigenous Games participants from all four districts, excited about their participation in the games at Mmabatho Stadium over the weekend.
The participants took part in games such as dibeke, morabaraba, intonga, juskie, khokho, diketo, kgati and many more.
“This is an opportunity to play our part in preserving the rich culture that our province and nation have inherited from our parents and our ancestors”.
“These games are what makes us different from the rest of the world and for that we proud. It’s our way of showing the world what they do not have.” MEC Tebogo Modise said.
Amongst the participants was a 27-year-old lady from Dinokana Village in Ramotshere Moiloa Service Point named Motsie Moumakwa a.k.a Taker, who took part in Intonga which is a male-dominated sport.
“I have been participating in this game for three years now and this sport has taught me endurance and self-discipline”. Said Taker.
Taker also urged young people to concentrate in sport and love what they do in order to achieve their dreams and to stay away from drugs.
The Indigenous Games Participants who will be representing the Province at National Level in Gauteng from 20th to 24th September amongst others are as follows:
1. Diketo
• Cynthia Mthimkulu from Mafikeng Service Point in Ngaka Modiri Molema District
• Maggy Mofokeng from Maquassi Service Point in Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District
• Patrick Goxo from Mamusa Service Point in Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati
• Lucas Mahume from Ditsobotla Service Point in Ngaka Modiri Molema
2. Kgati
• Lucy Nakeng from Madibeng Service Point in Bojanala District
• Rorisang Mabeko from Moretele Service Point in Bojanala
• Desmond Rampai from Maquassi Service Point in Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District
• Thapelo Matebesi from Ditsobotla Service Point in Ngaka Modiri Molema
• Kgomotso from Kagisano Service Point in Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati

3. Morabaraba
• Piet Molosi from Bray in Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati
• Frans Sehudugeng from Mamusa Service Point in Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati
• Rinon Mere from Mamusa Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati
• Tekkie Nthodi from Maquassi Service Point in Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District
• Flika Moleme from Maquassi Service Point in Dr. Kenneth Kaunda
• Elsie Chabangu from Madibeng in Bojanala District
• Beauty Nonyane from Moretele Service Point in Bojanala District
• Sinah Molatlhegi from Moses Kotane Service Point in Bojanala District
4. Driestokies
• Goitsemang Motshe from Ditsobotla Service Point in Ngaka Modiri Molema
• Elma Matshindza in Taung Service Point in Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati
• Mmabatho Phefo from Moretele Service Point in Bojanala District
• Masego Mogapi from Ramotshere Moiloa Service point in Ngaka Modiri Molema
• Tshepo Mlengetsha from Kgetleng Service Point in Bojanala District
• Simon Masiu from Maquassi Service Point in Dr. Kenneth
5. Incuva
• Koda Madibo from Maquassi service point in Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District
• Tom Frieds from Leekwataemane Service Point in Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati
• Gomolemo Pule from Ramotshere Moiloa in Ngaka Modiri Molema
• Kholiwe Bojana From Ratlou Servcie Point in Ngaka Modiri Molema
• Anna Manyeke from Moretele Service Point in Bojanala
• Olebile Naane from Ramotshere Moiloa in Ngaka Modiri Molema
• Olebile Pule from Ramotshere Moiloa in Ngaka Modiri Molema District
6. Intonga
• Titus Mashishi from Moretele Service Point in Bojanala
• Pako Sshego from Bray in Dr. Ruth Mompati District
• Phafa Matsheka from Kanana in Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District
• Dipuo Barons in Ramotshere Moiloa in Ngaka Modiri Molema
• Motsie Moumakwa from Ramotshere Moiloa in Ngaka Modiri Molema.-TDN

(Edited By Obakeng Maje)

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Tlokwe-The Department of Social Development will host a community Imbizo (public participation programme) in Tlokwe, Potchefstroom, on Friday, 2 August 2013.

On the day of the Imbizo, the Minister and her officials will also visit a number of child-headed households which have been identified for urgent and continuous social assistance by the Department.

The Minister will also visit the Potchefstroom Crisis Centre and the National Youth Service Project to assess how her Department can assist in improving the services offered by these institutions to the people of Potchefstroom.

“The Minister for Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini is required through the Performance Agreement she signed with the President of the Republic to undertake public participation programmes throughout the country.The Minister and her Department undertook sixty nine public participation programmes in the 2012/13 fiscal year” departmental spokesperson Vuyisile Ngesi said.

The department said the Imbizo promotes participative governance and will allow the community of Tlokwe to have a say in decision-making processes affecting their future, as well as make them aware of the services available from the Department and its agencies, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and National Development Agency (NDA).

The details of the Imbizo are as follows:

Date: Friday, 2 August 2013

SITE VISITS

10h30: Potchefstroom Crisis Centre
11h00: National Youth Service Project
11h30: Child-Headed Household

MAIN EVENT
Time: 12h15
Venue: Boitshoko School Sports Playground, Tlokwe

(Edited By Obakeng Maje)

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By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley-In a joint operation various policing units namely, the Provincial Crime Prevention Unit, the Tactical Response Team Public Order Policing unit, Crime Intelligence unit, Galeshewe SAPS, Kagisho SAPS and NC SAPS Polmusca members raided nine high schools in the Galeshewe area.
The surprise operations were conducted on Tuesday and on Wednesday morning at the request of school principals and parents of scholars from some of these schools.
“Approximately 10 000 scholars as well as suspicious looking persons lingering outside the school premises were searched. Classrooms, toilets and storerooms on the school premises were searched and the police confiscated several knives, pangas, broken mirrors and other dangerous weapons” Lieutenant Sergio Kock said. Kock said the scholars were allegedly found in possession of dangerous weapons. “Those who were found in possession of Dangerous weapons were referred to the school principals to be dealt with internally and according to the disciplinary processes of the Education Department” Kock outlines.
Police also followed up on information of hot-spot areas surrounding the schools where drugs are allegedly being sold.
Police confiscate 31 fingers of dagga allegedly buried in a hole outside one of the mentioned houses. The dagga has a street value of R3000, 00” police said.
No arrests were made.
“The operation forms part of Safer Schools Project and the No Knife Campaign and similar operations will be conducted in on-going basis. Police also intensified patrols in and around schools to ensure that all scholars and the community are safe and secure” Kock said.
Police said violence and crime do not only occur in the school premises as some of the worst causes of violence for youth lie outside of school, in the family, the neighbourhood and in broader society.
“A number of youth–oriented prevention strategies have shown that crime prevention programmes in schools both help to turn youth away from a life of crime and help to prevent younger children from choosing a path of crime” said police.
In other words, for younger children (or those not yet involved in crime) crime prevention programmes stop them from becoming involved Kock concludes.-TDN
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Pretoria – The Farlam Commission of Inquiry bade farewell to chief evidence leader Mbuyiseli Madlanga on Wednesday.

The commission’s chairperson, retired judge Ian Farlam, wished him well in his new position as a Constitutional Court judge, which he was expected to take up on Thursday.

“We are grateful to him for the great contribution he has made to the commission. We not only wish him well, but… we know the whole country will benefit from his contribution… at the Constitutional Court,” Farlam said.

Other lawyers at the commission said Madlanga was a pleasure to work with and a good human being. They described him as lawyer who worked hard, and had great integrity and wisdom.

Another evidence leader, Geoff Budlender, said Madlanga had all the qualities of a good Constitutional Court judge.

Madlanga thanked Farlam and all those who had contributed to the commission.

“This is a touching moment,” he said.

He wished all them all the best for the duration of the hearings.

The Farlam Commission is investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 44 people during strike-related unrest at Lonmin’s platinum mine in Marikana in August 2012.

– SAPA

Pretoria – It was quiet on Wednesday outside the Pretoria hospital where former president Nelson Mandela is being treated.

A handful of journalists remain stationed at the entrances to the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital.

Throughout the morning, a trickle of people visited the hospital to take pictures of the perimeter wall, which was covered with messages and flowers for the former statesman.

Police were still stationed at both entrances to the hospital. They searched each car before it was allowed to enter the grounds.

The ailing anti-apartheid icon was spending his 54th day in the hospital, where he was admitted on 8 June with a recurring lung infection.
SAPA

Cape Town – A decision to close 17 Western Cape schools at the end of last year was set aside on Wednesday.

Western Cape High Court Judges Andre le Grange and Nape Dolamo ruled that the reasons given for the closures were brief and that the public consultation process that followed was inadequate.
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Johannesburg – DA Gauteng leader Jack Bloom and party spokesperson Mmusi Maimane will vie for selection as the party’s preferred candidate for premier, it was announced on Wednesday.

“Coming from a background of business and the non-government sector, I know I can do the job,” Maimane said on Wednesday in announcing his intention to stand, just a day after Bloom did the same.

“Speaking to the society about what it really needs is key,” said Maimane.

He said people needed jobs, and there was also a need to help small businesses grow.

“There might be me and Bloom or a whole lot of other people too who join the race by midnight,” he said.

Bloom said the DA was open regarding the nomination of candidates.

“This is how the DA does things… our process should be an example to other parties. May the best one win.”

DA members had until midnight on Wednesday to submit their candidacy.

The preferred candidate would be announced on 9 August, said Bloom.

– SAPA

BY TDN

North West Premier Thandi Modise has commended MEC for Human Settlement & Public Safety, Nono Maloyi for his prompt intervention that will ensure that construction of a house for Granny Lina Mahlalela of Lekojaneng village outside Rustenburg commences by next week Tuesday.

Granny Mahlalela’s desperate situation was highlighted on the front page and page 10 of today’s Sowetan Newspaper where upon Premier Modise called for MEC Maloyi’s intervention.

A technical team was speedily dispatched by MEC Maloyi to Lekojane to assess Granny Mahlalela’s situation.

“The positive and quick response of a contractor who was on the instruction of MEC Maloyi  approached to support the Each-One-Settle-One programme is encouraging and gives us confidence that with the support of partners within the housing industry, the plight of the elderly like that of Koko Mahlalela are speedily addressed,” said Premier Modise.

The Premier who was touched by Koko Mahlalela’s desperate called on municipalities to work with the Human Settlement Department to ensure that the elderly are prioritised for housing provision to redress the housing backlog that was inherited by the democratic government.

“While we are mindful of the huge housing backlog we have inherited, as a caring and compassionate government we would wish to see similar cases across our province resolved to restore the dignity of our aged,” added Modise.      

The Each-One-Settle-One Campaign was launched by the Ministry of Human Settlements with the intention of mobilising stakeholders, private sector/institutions, agencies and business to assist government towards reducing the backlog of Human Settlements.

The programme will also assist in achieving the millennium development goals to eradicate informal settlements by 2014.-TDN

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