Monthly Archives: April 2014

Premier Modise: We are free to excel and fly the South African flag high


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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DA: Parliamentary Chairperson must intevene in miners strike


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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Three nabbed for burglary in Kimberley


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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Free State, Celtic, Ajax and SS United through to semis of SAFA U19 Champs


Johannesburg-SAFA U19 Championships host province Free State is through to the semi finals of the event after demolishing Northern Cape 4-0 in the last group stage match on Tuesday (29 April).

The competition is taking place at Clive Solomon Stadium in Heidedal.

In the semi-finals Free State will face Ajax Cape Town while Supersport United will take on Bloemfontein Celtic on Wednesday, 30 April.

“Both matches will be played simultaneously at 10h00, with the third place play-off scheduled for 15h30 later in the day” Matlhomola Morake said.

Free State qualified as the best runners-up after being pipped to the top spot by Ajax Cape Town who showed no mercy when they walloped North West Province in a Group C match.

“Ajax won 6-0 to overtake the host province that led the group before the start of the final group stage matches. Both sides ended on seven points but the Cape club went on top on goal difference” Morake said.

Ajax ended the match with 10 men after Dillan Fransch was sent off for dissent in the dying minutes of the match.

Northern Cape and North West finished with a point each.

In Group B Celtic made it to the last four with a 1-0 victory over Mpumalanga. The Free State club finished on nine points, three clear of second-placed KwaZulu Natal.

KZN finished on six points.

Gauteng finished third with three points while Mpumalanga failed to win a single match.

Supersport United beat the Eastern Cape 2-0 to clinch Group A with nine points, three ahead of Western Cape who defeated Limpopo 4-0.

Eastern Cape go home without a win or draw. They also did not score any goal in the tournament. Limpopo managed three points.

A total of 59 goals were scored in 18 matches.
-TDN
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Hartswater Ward Councillor Allegedly ‘moered’ By Lover


By Obakeng Maje
Hartswater-Northern Cape police confirm that the Hartswater Ward councillor Dibueng Meza allegedly opened the case of assault and malicious damage to property on Saturday. However the councillor of Ward 5 in Hartswater dropped the matter before it appears before court.

“This office confirms that, on the 26 April 2014 the local councillor
from Hartswater laid a complained of assault and malicious damage to
property after she was became the victim on the mentioned date” lieutenant Olebogeng Tawana said.

Even though Tawana could not share more information in the statement, our mole said the ward councillor was allegedly ‘moered’ by her husband who is a Warrant Officer at the same station.

“She withdrew the case few days after she laid complained
with the police in Hartswater” Tawana said.

According to our mole, the policeman allegedly went beserk and assaulted Meza and damaged her car.

Even though the cause of the fight is sketchy, our source can confirm that Meza dropped the case after negotiations.

Lieutenant Tawana could not confirm the name of the victim nor the suspect. The incident allegedly took place at Meza’s matrimonial house and the case never saw the light of the day after the two burried the hatchet.-TDN
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MEC Maloyi to hand over 330 families homes in Mahikeng


Mahikeng-MEC for Human Settlements Public Safety and Liaison Nono Maloyi will on Wednesday hand over about 230 houses to egible beneficiaries in Mahikeng and further handover 100 Community Residential Units to Mahikeng Local Municipality.

“The hand over is part of the continued departmental handing over programme. The programme will cater for legible beneficiaries who have been staying in rural villages of Mahikeng while others have been staying in rented backrooms” departmental spokesperson Ben Bole said.

According to Maloyi the programme is part of the government’s endeavor to restore the dignity of the Mafikeng community, as well as to celebrate the 20 years of democracy.

The handover will be held as follows:

Date: 30 April 2014

Time: 11H00

Venue:Mafikeng ext 39

-TDN
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Premier Modise condemns torching of Freedom Park councillor’s house


Rustenburg-North West Premier Thandi Modise has condemned the torching of a councillor’s house in Freedom Park near Rustenburg.

The latest incident that occurred on Sunday night brings to eight the number of houses belonging to councillors and municipal employees torched during violent protests across the province in the past two months.  

Premier Modise said that she is encouraged by Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa’s instruction to police to swiftly arrest those behind the wanton and senseless criminality including looting and torching of public and private properties.

“Those behind the coordinated violent protests to advance their person interests should take responsibility for their irresponsible and despicable actions. Senior leaders fingered in orchestrating the violence cannot hide behind genuine community concerns while sponsoring anarchy. The commitment to oppose bail and stiff sentences for those involved in public violence should send a unequivocal message that lawlessness will not be tolerated anymore,” Modise said.Minister Mthethwa on Monday said that police have profiled those behind the lawlessness and expect to make arrests in the near future.-TDN
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‘Taung Tusk turned into Taung Hotel School’


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By Obakeng Maje
Taung- The North West Department of Economic Development, Environment Conservation and Tourism MEC Motlalepula Rosho will hand-over Taung Tusk to the department to be Taung Hotel School.

The event will take place on Wednesday at Taung Tusk and the department said the Hotel School will train and provide learners with a necessary skill to grow the economy of Taung and North West at large.

The hotel school will fall under the Institute of Hotel and Tourism Management (IHTM) which is a collective name of institutions that provide hospitality, tourism and conservation management and skills training in the North West Province under the auspices of the North West Parks and Tourism Board.

“Our institutions pride themselves in being among the leading institutions in the country that specializes in training future leaders in the sector” the department said.

The North West Parks and Tourism Board is one of the nine provincial tourism and conservation agencies in the country. It is only one of such agencies that have developed facilities to training people in a sector that is the fastest growing industry in the world.

The institutions are THETA Accredited and with Council for Higher Education (CHE) approved programmes offered in collaboration with institutions such as Centurion Academy, the City and Guilds of London etc.

We are in the process of expanding this network of collaboration and affiliation with international organizations and institutions such as, the Birmingham Institute of Tourism, Hospitality and the Creative Arts in the United Kingdom, the Tourism Institute of Singapore and the Hotelfachschule Belvoir Park of Zurich, Switzerland” the department said.

The institutions have over the years steadily gained a reputation as one of few such institutions in country with state of the art facilities.

The Hotel Schools Division (HSD) of the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWP&TB) consists of two schools: the Institute of Hotel & Tourism Management (IHTM) situated in Mafikeng and Ga-Rankuwa Hotel School (GHS) situated near Pretoria.

Now another Hotel School will be opened in the Greater Taung District of the Province.

The Taung Hotel School was suppose to open its doors to the first group of students back in January 2010.

The HSD operates under the auspices of North West Parks & Tourism Board Act, (Act 3 of 1997) said then plans were on foot for the institutions to function as autonomous institutions. They said this autonomy was supposed to be achieved by January 2010 or shortly thereafter.

Now the department said all plans are in place and the Taung Tusk will be handed over and be known as Taung Hotel School.

The launch was suppose to take place on Tuesday but due to president Jacob Zuma’s visit in the province, the matter was postponed for Wednesday.
“Department has postponed the Launch of the Taung Hotel School which was supposed to take place on 29 April 2014 due to President Jacob Zuma’s visit to the North West Province” departmental spokesperson Dumisa Seshabela said.

The launch has been rescheduled for Wednesday, 30th April 2014 at 10H00.
-TDN
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Debunking the Kekana rumour


Johannesburg-Social media is buzzing today with claims that Mamelodi Sundowns will be docked points for allegedly fielding a suspended player, but KickOff.com can confirm that is not the case.

It’s been rumoured for a while now that the Brazilians played Hlompho Kekana when he should have been serving a suspension.

But PSL spokesperson Lux September, while not specifically mentioning Kekana’s name, points KickOff.com to the NSL rules.

“According to article 52, a player is suspended for one match if he accumulates four yellow cards. If he accumulates another four yellow cards, it is another one-match suspension.

“However, if he accumulates 12 yellow cards in a season he will be suspended for three matches.”

It seems the confusion slipped in when people thought eight yellow cards equals a two-match suspension, when in fact it only counts for one match. 

So as it stands Kaizer Chiefs are five points behind Sundowns, who have two games remaining. Chiefs have three matches left, but will need the Brazilians to slip up against either SuperSport United or Maritzburg United.
For more http://www.kickoff.com

North West new-look RDP house launched


The North West has official launched the new look RDP house that will be the common feature of houses to be build in the North West with effect from this year. The house has more features than the previous houses that were built in the province but same in size.

The department launched the house during the recent provincial Govan Mbeki awards held in Phokeng outside Rustenburg.

“The New look house will be 45 square meters, with big windows, phase brick, plastered from inside, with gutters, both and basin inside. According the Departmental MEC Nono Maloyi the new houses will be a common feature in the province as from this financial year. He said that the houses will be of quality and will further enhance the face and the dignity of RDP houses build in the province” departmental spokesperson Ben Bole said.

“We want to make sure that whatever we are building is value for money. This is the first project countrywide, and as always we set the trend. We will continue to ensure quality and the face lift will further give our houses dignity. This will also make our beneficiaries to treasure and take care of the houses we are giving them as government,” said Maloyi.

Also who attended the event was the Minister of Human Settlements Conny September. The minister encouraged contractors to continue to assist government in making sure that deserving beneficiaries are given quality shelter and that their lives are changed for the better.

She said that what government is doing is to make sure that poor people of this country are cared for and that their dignity is restored.

MEC Maloyi called on the winners of different awards to make sure that the North West defends its title of being the number one province in the country in terms of housing delivery. He further encouraged women to work harder and dominate the field previously known to be a male territory.

The best women contractor category was scooped by Sun-Success projects for the 600 houses they build Groot Marico, while the best Community Residential Unit was won by Khenta projects which is also lead by a woman. Agisanang Developers won the best informal settlements eradication category while Tsholetsanang won the best Youth category.

“The winners will represent the province at the national Govan Mbeki awards. The Govan Mbeki  awards are meant to motivate all stakeholders in the Human Settlements space to harness the human and other resources in accelerating delivery. The awards are further set to honor role players in the housing value chain that have committed to partner with government in building sustainable human settlements” Bole said.-TDN
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