Rustenburg- North West Premier Thandi Modise has applauded artists for their creativity, inspiration and talent during her opening address at the 20th South African Music Awards (SAMA) held at the Sun City Super-bowl on Monday night.

Modise said the freedom that South Africans enjoy today was evident in the creativity and the kind of music coming out of South Africa, adding that it was fitting that the ceremony was held on Freedom Day holiday.

“You are now free to excel and make our province and country proud. You are free to paint our province and country with creativity and talent,” said Premier Modise.

Premier Modise also paid a special tribute to artists from the North West and thanked them for putting the province on the map.

“We proudly welcome you to the province of Khuli Chan, HHP, Malaika, KB, Rapulana Seiphemo, Presley Chueneyagae, Botlhale, and many of our artists who continue to fly our flag high. We are very proud of them,” said the elated Modise.

Mafikizolo dominated the night scoping several awards including the awards for the Best Pop Album, Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Duo or Group of the Year, Best Collaboration.

They also scooped the award for the Best Ring Back Tone, the Best Selling Mobile Music Download, as well as the Best Selling Full Track Download for the track Khona.

The Soil took home the award for Best RnB, Soul and Reggae, while the award for the Best Selling Album of the Year went to Zahara for Phendula.

The legendary Rebecca Malope went home with the award for the Best Traditional Faith Music for her album Bayos’Khomba, while the award for Best Contemporary Faith Music Album went to Nqubeko Mbatha.

The Life Time Achievement Award went to Phuzikemisi and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.  The latter also took home the International Achievement Award.
The award for the Best Adult Contemporary Album went to Shaun Jacobs for the album Love Can.

The Music Video of the Year award went to The Parlotones, Khuli Chana and Jon Savage.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
The DA said they will write to the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources Ms Faith Bikani requesting an urgent meeting to address the breakdown in negotiations between the world’s three largest platinum producers, Lonmin, Impala Platinum (Implats) and Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) and the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu).

“In what has become South Africa’s longest strike, nearing its 15th week talks have yielded no positive resolution. Relations between the parties seem to have degenerated to such an extent that a solution seems unlikely in the near future” DA Tiaan Kotze said.

The DA said making matters worse, following news of the failure of negotiations last week Thursday reports of violence in the area have steadily increased. 

Kotze said failure to not only end the strike within the platinum belt and create stability within the sector as a whole will decimate both domestic and foreign investor confidence and destroy prospects of future growth in the industry.

“This is depriving jobs to tens of thousands of South Africans. Those currently employed are also at risk should mining houses decide to close up shop and leave” he said.

According to Adcorp’s Employment Index (AEI), it is estimated that between the months of February and March of this year, 5 000 jobs have been lost in the mining sector alone; representing a -26.5 percentage change.

When one compounds this with the effects of the job-killing Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA) Amendment Bill, which increases investor uncertainty within the sector, job creation is destined to suffer.

“It is now essential that Parliament’s portfolio committee be recalled in order to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities by doing everything possible to resolve this on-going dispute. In particular, all parties should be summoned and the committee must initiate an inquiry into the underlying causes of the strike and make recommendations as to what should be done to fix it” DA said.

Kotze said a committee meeting can be called at any time, even during recess, and the fourth democratic parliament is still in existence until midnight on 6 May 2014. He said there is ample time for parliament to play its part in trying to help fix this crisis.

“The DA will not sit back while thousands of jobs continue to be lost in the platinum sector. We will continue to do everything possible to ensure that a solution is found – sooner, rather than later” he concludes.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley- Police are investigating a case of business burglary after three men were arrested on Tuesday at a local supermarket in the Kimberley Central Business District.

The Kimberley SAPS B-Relief Members were busy with routine patrols, just after midnight when they spotted a man carrying a very heavy bag. The suspicious looking man dropped the bag containing a jack hammer and fled when he saw the approaching police. The police managed to arrest him after he jumped a fence of a nearby business.

“Another suspect was arrested on the roof of the premises with the help of Top Security Systems(TSS) and the SAPS Flying Squad. The SAPS K9 unit were also summoned to the scene with the assistance of a patrol dog(Bushy), arrested a third suspect inside the supermarket. This suspect was caught next to the cash office where the safe is situated with a grinder, grinding discs, extension cords and screw drivers” lieutenant Sergio Kock said.

The three suspects are between the ages of 30 and 50 years old and are from Mamelodi and Soweto in Gauteng.

“The Kimberley Cluster Commander Maj Gen Jean Abrahams lauded the team for a spectacular job done. Partnership policing is always effective and brings forth great results such as these.” Abrahams said.

The suspects will appear in the Kimberley Magistrates’ Court soon.

The investigation continues. -TDN
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