Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Buti Manamela, says there’s a need for a skilled labour force to steer the country onto a higher developmental platform.

Manamela was speaking at the launch of the consultative process for the National Youth Policy in Pretoria on Wednesday. He says the policy will be adopted in March and will respond to youth challenges.

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

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged learners of Soshanguve South Secondary School, north of Pretoria, not to indulge in risky behavior such as taking drugs or engaging in unprotected sex. The school is reportedly facing challenges of substance abuse among its learners.

Ramaphosa was visiting the school to instill a culture of learning on the first day of the new school year for the inland provinces and had advices for them.

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

The Gauteng Provincial Government will on Thursday release to the public the findings of the e-toll review panel’s report.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura appointed the panel in July to examine the economic and social impact of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project and the electronic-tolling system set up to fund it.

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

The Helen Suzman Foundation will on Thursday launch an urgent application in the High Court in Pretoria to overturn the suspension of the Hawks boss Anwar Dramat.

Police Minister, Nathi Nhleko suspended Dramat in December last year based on allegations that Dramat was involved in the illegal rendition of Zimbabwean nationals in 2010.

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

Johannesburg – Communications Minister Faith Muthambi is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the board of the SABC, she said on Wednesday.

“… In terms of the signed Memorandum of Incorporation [MoI], the minister is the sole shareholder in the corporation acting on behalf of the South African government,” she said in a statement.

“The minister, therefore, has the responsibility to ensure effective and efficient functioning of the board and ultimately the corporation as a whole in her capacity as the executive authority.”

Muthambi was responding to DA MP Gavin Davis who said she sent certain members of the SABC board letters, requesting that they give her reasons why they should not be suspended.

“The DA understands from several sources that Minister Faith Muthambi has written to certain SABC board members requesting that they give her reasons why they should not be suspended.

“They have been given until the 15 January to respond,” Davis said in a statement released on Tuesday.

He said board member Professor Bongani Khumalo, had reportedly resigned as a result of this.

Khumalo’s resignation came less than a month after SABC board chairperson Ellen Tshabalala resigned.

Tshabalala had been under fire for not providing proof of her academic qualifications, as requested by a parliamentary committee.

Last year, the public broadcaster’s CEO Lulama Mokhobo resigned, while chief financial officer, Gugu Duda was fired for misconduct.

Muthambi’s interference ‘unlawful’

Davis said Muthambi’s interference in the SABC was unlawful according to the Broadcasting Act.

“It is the president who appoints the board on the recommendation of the portfolio committee. The Minister has no lawful role in the appointment or removal of board members and therefore has no right to threaten board members with suspension,” Davis said.

He wrote a letter to communications portfolio committee chairperson Joyce Moloi-Moropa to request that Muthambi be called to explain herself.

On Tuesday, Muthambi’s spokesperson Ayanda Hollow had denied that she was in the process of suspending “certain” board members of the SABC.

Hollow said Muthambi treated her communication in such cases strictly private and confidential.

“… Save to say that minister would not ordinarily write a letter to call upon directors of the SABC to give reasons why they should not be suspended since she does not have powers to suspend them,” he said at the time.

On Wednesday, Muthambi said she was working hard to stabilise the management team and the board of directors of the SABC.

“The success and failure of the corporation is accounted for by the minister of communications.

“As a result the minister through her political oversight role has the responsibility to ensure implementation of good corporate governance at all times.”

Part of her oversight responsibilities included interrogating the conduct of board members, processes and systems on the governance of the corporation, she said.

Davis said Muthambi’s statements proved she had written the letters.

“This is a tacit admission that the minister has indeed written to certain board members regarding their conduct and continued employment at the SABC.

“The DA maintains that such interference in the SABC board is unlawful,” he said.

He said that was the communications portfolio committee’s function, just as it was done with respect to Tshabalala.

Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma has arrived in Maputo in Mozambique ahead of the inauguration of Mozambique President-elect Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, the presidency said on Thursday.

“South Africa and Mozambique enjoy strong historical ties based on geographical proximity and the role played by Mozambique in providing solidarity during the struggle against apartheid and colonial oppression,” spokesperson Mac Maharaj said.

Nyusi, candidate for the Frelimo party, won 57% of the vote in the October presidential election.

BY STAFF REPORTER

MATLAPANENG- The residents of Matlapaneng were up in arms and insist that their plans to depose the current ward councillor Kedumetse Sephonono Tyalimpi are underway and gaining momentum. Matlapaneng Youth Forum chairperson Modiseotsile Lebitse said the community agreed to sign a petition to dethrone Tyalimpi before the end of this year.

According to Lebitse, the ward councillor Tyalimpi does not heed the community grievances while they continue to suffer with water, electricity and RDP houses.

“We can assure you that the current councillor will be deposed before the end of this year. We do not want Tyalimpi anymore as she does not co-operate. We continue to suffer with water in the area, electricity is a concern and RDP houses. There are RDP houses that were allocated to wrong beneficiaries. The councillor does not involve the chief into any meetings she hold in the area” Lebise said.

However the councillor refutes the claims and said she always update the community and the chief alike if there are any projects aligned. She said the electric and water issues were cleared.

“It is so surprising to see people like Lebitse being so ill-informed. I gave the community and the chief the report regarding water and electricity issues. The RDP houses issue is been handled by our provincial department” Tyalimpi said.

She also said the people are making rigorous statement to score cheap political stunt.

The resident s of Matalapaneng, Maganenng and Choseng villages have been struggling with water recently and that cause uproar.

-TDN

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BY STAFF REPORTER

VAALTYN- The residents were picketing and singing struggling songs on Tuesday in protest after the department of education in North West decided to close down their school.

According to Vaaltyn residents, the department did not consult with them before taking that decision.

North West Department of Education embarked on school rationalisation campaign across the province and that left many communities suffering or without schools in their areas. The community says the department did not consult with them before taking the decision.

The department of education met with the community representatives on Tuesday, but the meeting was futile as the community demanded to see MEC Wendy Maphefo Matsemela in person. They said those who were sent to give them answers were clueless.

“As the residents of Vaaltyn village, we will fight for what we believe is right. The department cannot do as they please with our school. Even though they say Seoleseng Middle School was regarded as a middle school, we do not buy that. We know Seoleseng as a secondary and that will stand” Bongani Nkuna said.

The residents barricaded the roads going in and out of Vaaltyn with burning tyres and tree branches. Matsemela is expected to meet with the resident on Wednesday to explain the matter to them.

“The department never consulted with me as the chief of this village when taking the decision, so we demand valid reasons. We cannot allow to be pushed around by department that shows disrespect” Kgosi Moses Seoleseng said.

The SANCO was also part of the march and said the decision taken by department was suppose to be communicated through to the community. SANCO interim provincial secretary-general James Gadinabokao said they will support the community in their quest to see Seoleseng High School be open again.

“We do not say the decision taken by department of education regarding school rationalisation was wrong, but that was suppose to be communicated through. If the department believes the area has fewer matric pupils, let them bring other pupils from Reivilo to balance the equation and let the Seoleseng high school in operation” Gadinabokao said.

However the department of education spokesperson Brian Setswambung said the department took that decision based on number of the pupils in the area.

“There are fewer pupils who will be matriculating this year from Vaaltyn, so department so it fit to accommodate them at Reivilo where the department will pay accommodations and food for them. That will also help the department to save more time and avoid wasteful expenditure as the department will be forced to hire more teachers whereas there was an option” Setswambung said.

The residents said they will never back-off until their grievances are heard.

-TDN

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