Sex with condoms is as satisfying


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London – Men and women enjoy sex just as much with condoms as they do without, according to a study.

 

Researchers reviewing an online questionnaire of the sex habits of men and women aged 18 to 59 found participants consistently rated safe sex as “highly arousing and pleasurable” – the same score as unprotected sex.

 

Dr Debby Herbenick of Indiana University, who led the study said: “This may be because men are more likely than women to purchase condoms and use them. However, it’s important for women to become familiar with the condoms so that they can make choices that enhance the safety and pleasure of their sexual experiences.”

 

The study found that men did not find it difficult to maintain erections when putting on condoms. It also found that many women could not tell if the condom was lubricated or not.

 

Herbenick said the study would help spread health messages in the fight against sexually transmitted infections, HIV and unintended pregnancies.

 

“We continue to grapple with high rates of sexually transmitted infections, HIV and unintended pregnancies.

 

“We need to understand how people make choices about the products they use and how these products contribute to the safety and pleasurable aspects of their sexual experiences.”

 

Sexually transmitted infections are passed on during sex without a condom.

 

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate there are 19 million new infections in the US every year.

 

Chlamydia is one of the most common types, with 1.3 million cases reported in the US and 152 828 new cases reported among 16 to 24-year-olds in the UK in 2010. If left untreated it can lead to long-term health problems. Other infections include HIV, genital warts, syphilis, gonorrhoea and pubic lice.

 

Irwin Goldstein, editor of The Journal of Sexual Medicine, said the study continued the work of pioneering sexologist Alfred Kinsey, who founded the Institute for Sex Research at Indiana University in 1947.

 

He said: “Gathering sexual data regarding condom use is highly relevant.

 

“Understanding current condom use offers health care providers an opportunity to educate those people uncomfortable with condoms but for whom lack of use may lead to significant sexually transmitted infection health risk.” — Daily Mail

Muldersdrift man shot dead


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A Muldersdrift man was shot dead during an attempted robbery at his home, West Rand police said on Friday.

 

The man walked into his house to find three men holding his wife at gunpoint on Thursday, said Inspector Solomon Sibiya.

 

“According to the wife, there was a struggle for the gun and one of the robbers was shot with their own firearm…. Her husband was then shot twice in the chest.” He later died. The woman was unharmed. The robbers fled.

 

“When we got to there, we found the gun which was used in the shooting, a crowbar and a flat screen TV that the robbers were trying to take,” said Sibiya.

 

Beeld newspaper reported that the robbery occurred while Gauteng police commissioner Mzwandile Petros was addressing Muldersdrift residents about crime in the area.

 

Muldersdrift has been hit by a string of killings, house and business robberies since July.

 

According to The Star, one street in particular had been targeted, with 93 percent of households hit in Clinic Road.

       

-Sapa

 

 

 

ANC Nwest recalls its two mayors


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The ANC in the province has intensified its call for two mayors, who were elected outside the party’s mandate to resign by Monday or risk facing disciplinary action.

 

The two are Phaladi Saku of the Ngaka Modiri Molema district municipality and Africa Thale at the Ramotshere Moiloa local municipality in Zeerust.

 

Saku and Thale were not on the list of nominated mayors but were elected after councillors at the respective councils defied party directives during the first sitting post the 2011 local government elections.

 

The ANC had put forward the names of Manketsi Tlhape for the Ngaka Modiri Molema district municipality while Justin Bine was supposed to lead Ramotshere Moiloa.

 

Saku and Thale have, for over a year, defied party directives to relinquish their positions but the ANC said it had given them enough time.

 

Provincial ANC chairperson Supra Mahumapelo announced early this week that efforts were at an advanced stage to correct the wrongs done by councillors. “We remain resolute that the two mayors should clear the way so that we can do things properly. In the case of Saku, we have always indicated that Manketsi Tlhape is the district mayor and that has not changed. We are hopeful that the current mayor would respect organisational processes this time,” he said.

 

Thale on the other hand would still retain the mayorship but Mahumapelo said he still has to resign first.

 

“The fact that he was appointed there outside the organisational sanction means he has to resign and get properly elected in council and then becomes a lawful mayor,” he said.

 

However, by Wednesday, the ANC was still waiting for the two to step down and provincial ANC spokesperson, Kenny Morolong, said “continued defiance” would only invite trouble for them.

 

“The two mayors should heed the call to step down so that the correct mandate of the ANC finds expression.

 

“As members of this organisation, they are fully aware of the implications of their continued defiance. The organisation would be left with no choice but to reflect on the next course of action which inevitably would be to commence disciplinary processes,” he said.

 

It has taken over a year to resolve the impasse owing much to divisions in the ANC provincial leadership.

 

The two mayors were said to have been linked to a group aligned to suspended ANC provincial secretary Kabelo Mataboge but since his suspension in December last year, things appear to be going against them.

 

Efforts to get comments from the two mayors were unsuccessful.

For more details go to http://www.thenewage.co.za

28 protesters to appear in court today


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Brits-Twenty-eight people were arrested for public violence during a protest in Kgabalatsane, North West police said on Thursday. Protesters went on the rampage, barricading the road between Kgabalatsane and Hebron with burning tyres and rocks on Wednesday.They were complaining about the lack of electricity in the area, said Brigadier Thulani Ngubane. “They are saying they don’t have electricity and that contributed to a lot of crimes in the area,” said Ngubane. Pupils at the Michakgatsi High School were forced out of their classes to join in the protest. Ngubane said residents threw stones at police vehicles and private cars. No one was hurt. The people arrested would appear in the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

For more details go to http://www.northwestnewsonline.wordpress.com

Let’s not get too excited,says Igesund


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By Obakeng Maje

Port Elizabeth-Bafana Bafana head coach Gordon Igesund has warned his players not to get carried away with Wednesday, 23 January 2013’s victory over Angola in the side’s second match of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations South Africa 2013.

 

Bafana Bafana defeated Angola 2-0 and they did so in convincing fashion in a dazzling show at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban to jump to the summit of Group A standings with four points followed by Cape Verde and Morocco who have two points each. Angola has one point following their goalless draw with Morocco in their opening encounter. The match between Morocco and Cape Verde ended in a 1-1 draw.  South Africa next faces Morocco in the final Group Stage match on Sunday, 27 January at Moses Mabhida Stadium with Cape Verde and Angola clashing at the same time at the Nelson Mandela Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

 

Final group matches are played simultaneously to avoid teams playing for a particular result.We won our second game, but we really cant get carried away with that, one win is not going to qualify us, we know what have to do next. We have a tough match against a strong Morocco side and we need to win that one,” said Igesund.We know what we need to do on Sunday. We can’t continue living in the past. We must start celebrating once we qualify for the quarter-finals.” 

 

For the clash against Angola, Igesund made five changes to the team that played to a goalless draw with Cape Verde in the opening match of the tournament. He is the first to admit he took a gamble that worked well in the end.

 

Asked if he will change the starting 11 again, the head coach had this to say. “I have to give it a lot of thought. I was very happy with the team that started and I was happy with the team that finished, but obviously there is big difference now that we need a point.But I am not the kind of coach that will go out there and play defensive football. At the same time I can’t go out there and open up leaving us vulnerable for Morocco to score. We can’t take that risk because we can’t afford that. We want to make sure we qualify, so I will apply my mind properly but I won’t ring a lot of changes,” he said.

 

On the injury front, Kagiso Dikgacoi and Lerato Chabangu are back at full training with the rest of their teammates after missing out on selection for the Angola game due to knee and groin injuries respectively. Lehlohonolo Majoro is still nursing the injury he sustained in the win over Angola, where he scored a goal.

Majoro is unlikely to feature against Morocco after receiving stitches to a deep cut on his calf.

 

“I will get a report tonight or tomorrow about Kagisho Dikgacoi and Chabangu and I am hoping they are fit for Sunday, not because I want them to play but because I want more options. As for Majoro, even if he is fit, I don’t think I will take a risk on him. 

 

 I won’t gamble on him because if the stitches open up again, we will be back to square one,” said Igesund.

 

Also I don’t think it’s fair for me to put any player in a position where I can do further damage to him, so I will get a full report from the team doctor to see how the stitches have progressed, or if is far too early to use him. So for now, I don’t think the three players will be available.”   Group A log standing:  Team

 

  P

 

  W

 

  D

 

  L

 

  GF

 

  GA

 

  GD

 

  Points

 

  South Africa

 

  2

 

  1

 

  1

 

  0

 

  2

 

  0

 

  2

 

  4

 

  Cape Verde

 

  2

 

  0

 

  2

 

  0

 

  1

 

  1

 

  0

 

  2

 

  Morocco

 

  2

 

  0

 

  2

 

  0

 

  1

 

  1

 

  0

 

  2

 

  Angola

 

  2

 

  0

 

  1

 

  1

 

  0

 

  2

 

  -2

 

  1

 

    

  

Heads to roll in Nwest after misuse of Public funds


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By Obakeng Maje

No stone will be left unturned in investigating allegations of irregularities in the appointment of a law firm that is conducting hearings against suspended Head of Department (HOD) in the Department of Finance Johannes Mohlala, North West Premier Thandi Modise vowed on Thursday. 

 

  Premier Modise made the commitment to the Select Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) in the Provincial Legislature during its extraordinary sitting in Mmabatho on Thursday.

 

“We will do everything in our power to get to the bottom of the matter in order to protect the state from embarrassment. No person was sworn into the Executive Council to defraud the government system,” stressed the Premier.

 

Modise highlighted efforts that her Office had taken Members of the Executive council through a capacity building and induction programme on what is their mandate and functions and what areas into which they should not encroach in terms of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

 

She added that HOD’s were also part of the session and encouraged not to allow Executive Authorities to usurp their functions as Accounting Officers and to seek intervention from the Premier should 

 

 they be put under any undue pressure to contravene supply chain management and employment processes and procedures.

 

Scopa had based on documents submitted during the sitting established that tender processes were flouted in the appointment of Morake Attorneys from Rustenburg as no tender process was followed as required by the Public Finance Management Act for amounts in excess of R500 000,00.

 

The Department of Finance confirmed that R7 million has thus far been paid to the law-firm in the ongoing matter between itself and the suspended HOD and not R13 million as reported in the media.

 

The Chief Financial Officer and Chief Director who had authorised payments have since been sacked but have appealed their dismissal.

 

In addition to investigating whether there was any conflict of interest, Modise committed to also investigate reasons for Mohlala’s suspension and the rationale for outsourcing the recording system that was used during his hearing.

 

The committee commended the Premier for demonstrating leadership and responsibility by accompanying MEC for Finance, Paul Sebegoe and MEC for Education, Louisa Mabe (who was the MEC for Finance at the time of the alleged irregularity) and apologising on their behalf for the misunderstanding which was already playing itself in the public domain.

 

In concluding the hearing, Scopa Chairperson Hlomane Chauke applauded Premier Modise demonstrating her understanding and respect of the oversight function of committees of the legislature.

 

A follow up meeting between the Premier, Speaker of the Legislature, Chairperson of Scopa and the Auditor General is to be held in due course to determine a way-forward.

 

 

R13m payments to lawyers to be probed


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The North West standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) will investigate how a law firm was paid over R13 million, the provincial legislature said on Thursday.

 

Spokeswoman Namhla Luhabe said former finance MEC Loiusa Mabe, current MEC Paul Sebegoe, and the acting head of the department Geo Paul failed to give the committee a clear account of procurement processes followed in appointing a law firm.

 

Morake Attorneys has been paid over R13 million to organise a disciplinary hearing of the suspended head of department, Johannes Mohlala. He was suspended in July 2011 for, among other things, lack of compliance with instructions from his superiors.

 

Luhabe said Sebegoe presented to the committee, saying Morake Attorneys had been paid R15.4 million for handling the hearing of Mohlala, the chief financial officer, Harrieta Kasirivu and the chief director, Peter Mogoane.

 

“The cases of the latter two have been finalised but both are appealing. Morake Attorneys have been paid R13 332,449.95 for the disciplinary hearings of the three and was also paid R2 126 930.33, for other legal matters by the same department.”

 

The acting head, Geo Paul, could not give the committee satisfactory answers when asked how Morake Attorneys were appointed, Luhabe said.

 

Morake Attorneys’s fee was about five times higher than that of its counterparts.

 

Committee chairman Hlomane Chauke was expected to meet premier Thandi Modise next week.

 

Representatives of the Public Protector, the Hawks and the public service commissioner were expected to take part in the meeting to discuss how an investigation should unfold. – Sapa

Half of learners bullied


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Fifty-seven percent of school children claim they have been bullied at school, a survey revealed on Thursday.

 

“These statistics reveal a culture of bullying that permeates South African schools,” said Shirley Wakefield, of consumer insights company Pondering Panda.

 

“It is an indictment of our education system that two out of three learners are worried about being bullied at school.”

 

The survey polled 2064 pupils aged between 13 and 21 and 1015 family members aged between 18 and 34.

 

According to the survey, 68% of pupils were worried about being physically assaulted or threatened with a weapon at school.

 

Seventy-one percent of the females surveyed said they felt threatened, compared to 63% of males.

 

Sixty-nine percent of young blacks and 54% whites worried about being attacked at school.

 

Pupils in Limpopo (78%) were most worried about being attacked.

 

Dangerous weapons in schools was a significant issue for pupils, with 45% believing other pupils brought guns and knives to school with them.

 

Fifty-two percent of pupils said bullying at their school comprised teasing and insults, while 26% said it was characterised by being pushed, hit or beaten.

 

The survey also measured incidents of cyber-bullying at schools, with 16% saying being threatened or insulted via cellphones, e-mail or social media was a problem.

 

Wakefield said: “In the face of dangerous weapons in the classroom and gangs in schools, outside intervention is essential to help address the prevalence of bullying.

 

“The solution cannot be left to teachers alone, it requires a co-ordinated effort between schools, communities and parents.”

 

Police also needed to play a role and intervene where necessary, she said.

 

-Sapa

Bafana can go all the way,says Furman


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By Obakeng Maje

Bafana Bafana convincingly won their second match of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations South Africa 2013 by defeating Angola 2-0 at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Wednesday, 23 January. England-based midfielder, Dean Furman, playing in his first AFCON, was chosen Man of the Match for his solid display for Bafana Bafana.

 

The Oldham Athletic midfielder has made only seven appearances for South Africa, his first being against Brazil in Sao Paolo in September last year but has since become an integral part of the national team set-up.

 

We spoke to him on the morning after the victory over Angola.

 

Q:  A day after the big game, how does it feel?

 

DF: I am feeling good, it was a vital game for us that we get the three points, we are now in a commanding position in the group. Today is mostly about recovery and it is back to start preparing for the next important game against Morocco on Sunday.

 

Q: And how are you feeling after your Man of the Match performance?

 

DF: A bit tired,  a few bumps and bruises here and there but nothing more than I am used to after every match. It was a good game and as a team we were very good, kept our shape but also had that freedom to express ourselves. I think we were just great and it was a pleasure to be involved and play a pivotal role.

 

Q: The mood in the camp?

 

DF: Fantastic, but even after the draw in the first match it was still very high and positive. The boys did not drop their heads. We were happy with the way the tournament started, it might not have been with a win but we had to build on that.

 

Q: The match against Angola, was it your best in a Bafana Bafana shirt so far?

 

DF: I think so, more so because all the other matches I have played before were friendlies. This one rates as very important for me and it meant a lot because it is Africa’s premier tournament, so it was great to be involved.

 

Q: Any family watching in the stands last night?

 

DF: Sadly, no family member was around to watch, they were all in Johannesburg, but they were all watching on television from wherever they were so they must have been very delighted.

 

Q: So who did you celebrate with?

 

DF: I spent the whole evening on the phone talking to them, and they gave some nice positive comments and I hope we can get many more from the next coming games.

 

Q: Did you ever think you would be playing in this tournament at some stage in your career?

 

DF: It’s like a dream come true to me, it’s incredible. Just to be involved in the first game (against Cape Verde Islands) was unbelievable, and to play my first game (against Angola) was really awesome. I could hear the crowd getting louder and louder as the game went on, and the more exciting football we played the more they cheered us on. It’s every player’s dream to play in front of a crowd like that, it was just awesome.

 

Q: How would you differentiate between the two crowds from where you play in England and in SA?

 

DF: I wouldn’t like to compare the two because they are very different but playing in front of big crowds is what you want to do as a player, there’s nothing more satisfying than playing in front of a passionate group of supporters and yesterday was out of this world. The noise they made was almost like a party atmosphere and we are just pleased we gave them something to cheer about.

 

Q: What would you attribute yesterday’s performance to?

 

DF: The players had self-belief in the camp, high confidence and yesterday things just fell into place. We are delighted with the way it went. Four points from two games which is a good return; we have to go and get three points in our next match and keep the momentum going.

 

Q: Your thoughts on Morocco?

 

DF: It’s going to be a tough game, no matches in this tournament are easy and the next few days we will have to work harder to prepare for them. We must continue from where we left off against Angola with our attacking flare so that we come out victorious.

 

Q: How important is a win against Morocco?

 

DF: It is very important and we must approach every game wanting to win regardless of the permutations. We want to win every game because it is important for our confidence as a team to carry on winning, and it will give us great momentum going forward. A win will also ensure that we don’t have to rely on permutations for qualifying to the next round.

 

 

 

National Team Games Statistics

 

No.

 

  Date

 

  Match

 

  Competition

 

  Notes

 

  1

 

  07.09.12

 

Sao Paolo

 

  v Brazil 0-1

 

  friendly international

 

  replaced by Mahlangu in the 59

 

th minute

 

  2

 

  11.09.12

 

Mbombela

 

  v Mozambique 2-0

 

  friendly international

 

  replaced by Mokotjo in the 90

 

th minute

 

  3

 

  12.10.12

 

Warsaw

 

  v Poland 0-1

 

  friendly international

 

  Caution

 

  4.

 

 

 

  16.10.12

 

Nairobi

 

  v Kenya 2-1

 

  friendly international

 

   

 

  5

 

 

 

  14.11.12

 

Jo’burg

 

  v Zambia 0-1

 

  friendly international

 

  replaced by Buckley in the 80

 

th minute

 

  6

 

  12.01.13

 

Johannesburg

 

  v Algeria 0-0

 

  friendly international

 

  replaced by Letsholonyane in the 54

 

th minute

 

  7

 

  23.01.13

 

Durban

 

  v Angola 2-0

 

  African Nations Cup finals Group A

 

  Man of the Match

 

    

 

Three suspects arrested after robbery


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By Obakeng Maje

Kimberley-Galeshewe police are investigating a case of armed robbery after three African males enter a shop in Galeshewe, Popham Street on Monday and pretend to be customers. 

“Three robbers just waited for customers to leave the shop then they closed the door. The one suspect then held the shop owner at gunpoint and the other one threaten the shop owner’s daughter with a knife while the third suspect took an undisclosed amount of money and goods to the value of R8000-00 in the shop” police said. 

“They then fled the scene in different directions with the money and the goods” Andrea cloete said. The owner contacted the police and a wide spread searched followed to trace the armed suspects. 

Workers of the shop followed up information and one suspect was apprehended the same night and all the goods were found back and handed to the shop owner. 

The other two suspects disappeared,but their luck ran out this morning.

They were arrested at 03:30am when the Dog Unit, Flying Squad and the Detective Unit of Galeshewe apprehended the other two in Warrenton Zone A , Ikhutseng. 

“The two suspects were still fast asleep when the police raided their house” cloete said. 

The police then arrested the two suspects and found the firearm that was used in conducting the robbery at the shop in the possession of the two suspects. 

The suspects will remain in custody and will appear in the Kimberley Magistrate Court soon. 

 The Cluster Commander Major General Mattheys commended the members for a work well done. He stressed it out that there will be a zero tolerance towards these kinds of crimes in his cluster and that the police will leave no stone untouched in tracing wanted suspects.

 

The police investigation continues.