Mahikeng- Premier of Bokone Bophirima Province, Supra Obakeng Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo has expressed sadness at the tragic road accident that claimed 10 lives near Atamelang township in Tswaing Local Municipality.

According to the South African Police Services, a VW Golf and a Toyota bakkie collided head-on last night, Sunday 07 December, on the road between Delareyville and Atamelang, at around 8pm.

The VW Golf was travelling to Delareyville and had four passengers while the bakkie was en route to Atamelang and had 9 passengers. Ten (10) people died and 2 of the 3 people who sustained serious injuries were transferred to Bophelong Hospital in Mahikeng, while the third one was admitted to the nearby Delareyville Hospital.

“On behalf of the Provincial government and the people of our Province, I wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those who died in this tragic accident. We want the families to know that our thoughts are with them and that we will keep them in our prayers during this difficult time,” assured the Premier.

Mahumapelo says he is worried by the number of fatal accidents happening on the provincial roads, adding that this calls for motorists’ extreme caution on the road. In September this year, 15 people died in an accident on the N18 road between Taung and Magogong, south-west of Vryburg, while a woman died late last month following a head-on-collision on the N4 road near Rustenburg, which involved a Member of the Provincial Legislature who sustained serious injuries.

Premier Mahumapelo reiterated a call by government to all motorists to exercise extreme caution on the road and obey all road signs and rules to ensure their own safety and that of other road users.

-TDN

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Nothing beats a good old-fashioned braai among family and friends over the festive season.

ER24 reminds members of the public, however, to keep in mind everyone’s safety while celebrating over the holidays.

Vereeniging Base branch manager, Andre Bronkhorst, said prior to starting a braai or any other open fire consider keeping a fire extinguisher close by. Good ventilation is essential as smoke and gases from a fire can possibly kill someone.

“Ensure all flammable solids and liquids are in a safe place. Ensure you are permitted to start a fire where you want to braai,” said Bronkhorst.

You should also ensure the weather conditions are conducive for a braai. If you are expecting strong winds, start the braai in an area where runaway fires can be avoided.

The braai stand should not be in a position where it blocks the only escape in the event of a fire. The braai stand should also be sturdy. You must be able to place some weight on the stand without it collapsing. Ensure it won’t topple over if bumped.

Also ensure there is no chance of burning coal falling out of the stand.

Bronkhorst said the safest way to start a fire is by using old paper or firelighters. “Liquid firelighters can be used but remember it may react differently from conventional firelighters. Some people prefer using petrol, diesel, alcohol or thinners but you should always keep in mind the structures and people around you and how the ignition of the fire will affect people and flammable materials around the braai area,” said Bronkhorst.

Fuel

Remember a fire started with fuel can transfer from the braai stand to the container holding the fuel. If fuel is poured and then lit, be cautious of the gas released. It can cause a larger flame than anticipated.

Providing an example of a braai that ended badly, Bronkhorst said, “A person threw fuel on a fire not realising the flame may transfer into the container. When the flame transferred into the container he tried shaking it to get rid of the flame. In the process he spilled burning fuel on his child and surrounding family members causing severe burn wounds to several of them. The house was also set alight,” he said.

Wood

If you use wood make sure you choose wisely. For example, wood from the Tamboti tree, part of the euphorbia family, should be avoided. Smoke from this wood can cause nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, severe stomach cramps and even death. Cedar wood should also be avoided, as its smoke may be harmful. Most wood from evergreen trees release more creosote and increase the possibility of poisoning and fires.

Children 

Adult supervision is non-negotiable when children are around open fires.

Children tripping and falling into or against an open fire resulting in serious burns is a possibility. Flying embers may also cause injuries to children. “Unsupervised children may also play with fire and cause flash fires and severe injury to themselves and others. Children walking past braai stands may not think the stand is hot and accidentally place their hands on the braai resulting in severe burn wounds,” said Bronkhorst.

Every parent should educate their children about the danger of fires. Teach them what to expect, do and not do. “Few people realise it but throwing sealed glass containers or plastic containers with some fluid in a fire can cause an explosion. The fluid in the container heats and lets off steam. This increases the pressure in the container causing it to forcefully rupture,” said Bronkhorst.

Burns

In case of burns:

• Remove the person from the heat source.
• If possible, remove clothes and jewellery. It is important to do this before swelling begins, however, avoid breaking blisters.
• Keep the effected area under lukewarm water for at least 15 to 20 minutes. If the burn area is affecting the person’s face, ensure the person is able to breathe while cooling the wound with water.
• A burn wound that causes the skin to become red only generally does not need extensive treatment. However, any wound that causes a blister larger than the surface of one’s palm needs to be seen by a medical professional.
• Never apply oil-based substances to any burn. Some people believe butter, oil or shoe polish will treat the burn. However, the person stands a greater chance of infection and further wound damage if the correct substances are not applied.
• Phone ER24 on 084 124 in case of burns.

Types of burns explained

People can sustain first, second or third-degree burns. Below is a description of each:

• First-degree (superficial) burns affect only the epidermis (outer layer of skin). The wound is generally red and painful but no blisters appear on the burn surface.
• Second-degree (partial thickness) burns. Second-degree burns involve the epidermis and part of the dermis layer of skin. This burn injury may produce severe pain and blisters may show on the burn injury.
• Third-degree (full thickness) burns. This burn wound affects the skin all the way to the muscle or fatty tissue. These burn wounds generally have a waxy appearance and may be painless as the burn may be deep enough to damage the underlying nerves.

Fire extinguisher

Memorise the word PASS to remember how to use a fire extinguisher if needed.

P – Pull. Pull the safety pin.

A – Aim. Aim at the base of the flames (the burning material not the flames).

S – Squeeze. Apply pressure to the handle to open the valve and release the extinguisher’s contents.

S – Sweep. Move the extinguisher in a sweeping motion.

ER24’s Emergency Contact Centre can be reached 24 hours a day on 084 124

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University of the Free State Rector and Vice Chancellor, Professor Jonathan Jansen says he is incredibly proud of Miss World 2014, Rolene Strauss. Jansen has described Strauss as humble, passionate about education and is the same person on stage as she is in real life. “She is an incredible human being. And this is a good day for South Africa. We’ve had a tough year as a country and to end this year with somebody who in so many ways sends out a message of hope about what is possible even though you come from a small little town in Mpumalanga and didn’t make it the first time with the miss SA and stood up and tried again. There are so many positive messages about this young woman that we can be proud of”

For more http://www.sabc.co.za

Bloemfontein – The EFF has seen the future, it is bright, and the party can take South Africa there, its leader Julius Malema said on Sunday.

“We have been to the mountain top and have seen the future. The future looks very bright,” he told delegates at the party’s elective conference at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein.

“South Africa will get to economic emancipation and at the forefront will be EFF because we will not tire.”

Malema said the Economic Freedom Fighters was the only organisation that would liberate the country.

“There is no other vehicle that has the energy and will to liberate South Africa,” he said.

Earlier, Malema said South Africa is in crisis.

“It is experiencing a leadership crisis,” he told delegates.

He referred to unemployment, service delivery, and education.

“We are in a crisis because the eight million people need jobs and cannot find them… We are in a crisis because we have a local government that cannot deliver basic services. We have an education crisis… those in government do not know where matriculants will go next year.

“We are in crisis because Parliament is run in a partisan fashion. Judges are also co-opted into a corrupt system to protect corrupt politicians.”

The Economic Freedom Fighters should fight with determination to defeat the ruling African National Congress, which he said was weak.

“We are the worthy successors from the ruling party,” the former ANC Youth League leader said.

“The rightwing party such as the DA has reached the ceiling and will not attract anymore black voters.”

He rejected claims that the EFF was collaborating with the Democratic Alliance in Parliament.

Members of the ANC Women’s League in Limpopo put panties on their heads and screamed ‘Beyonce, Beyonce’ as they chased a party official out of their elective conference, according to a report.

An ANC member who spoke to the Sunday World on condition of anonymity said “apparently these ill-disciplined delegates followed him screaming ‘Beyonce, Beyonce’, and that is when he ran out of the venue,”

The Sunday World reported the official was the ANC’s provincial secretary Nocks Seabi who had come to the league’s elective conference, being held at a lodge in Limpopo last weekend, after reports of delayed registration.

For more http://www.timelive.co.za

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder, Willard Katsande, will have a scan on Monday to determine the full extent of his injury.

The Zimbabwean had to be substituted midway through the first half with an injury and was replaced by Ivan Bukenya in the side’s 1-0 win over Chippa United.

And the club have confirmed via their twitter account that Katsande got injured around the abdominal area and will have scan tomorrow.

For more http://www.soccerladuma.co.za

BY STAFF REPORTER

Taung Party goers are spoiled for choices this festive season as there are events scheduled almost every week.

The Annual Taung Rap Day event scheduled to take place on 26 December.

The event is organised by one of seasoned rappers and producers Tlhaloganyo Thagakane also known as  Kiss Wa Le Yeah.

This event is first of its kind around Taung.

“Due to lack of session and live performances for musicians around Taung,I decided to organised this event” said the hyperactive rapper.

“Big event organisers around Taung always overlook talents in the area and this kind of event is a chance for us local musicians to network and entertain, as is what we do best” he outlines.

With more than 25 acts in total scheduled to perform,there is no doubt that this event will be a success.

“Up to so far I got a positive feedback and Taung Hip Hop community are willing to participate to make this event a success” he says.

The event will take place on the 26 December at a Vaaltar FM Buildings.

The minimum contribution is R25 at the gate and come and experience hip-hop at its best.

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