BY REGINALD KANYANE
THE members of African National Congress were picketing, singing struggling songs and closed down Phokwane municipal offices in Hartswater after the municipal manager Moeketsi Dichaba was placed on “special leave” for a period of three months, pending allegations of maladministration, financial misconduct, insubordination and nepotism.

The decision was tabled at a special council meeting and was unanimously supported by ANC and opposition parties councillors.

The motion was presented after the Phokwane municipal mayor Vuyisile Khen allegedly asked municipal speaker Dieketseng Mooketsi to organize meetings  several times, but failed to comply.

“We decided to go ahead with the council meeting because municipal speaker failed us dismally to organize special meeting. So if you read the rules and regulations, they bide us, mayor has all right to organize the meetings if the speaker does not comply” Khen said.

Khen stressed that municipal manager Mooketsi Dichaba is on ‘special leave’ pending investigations against him.

There are parallel structures at Phokwane municipality as other members of ANC who support Dichaba gathered outside the municipal offices and blocked the gates.

ANC Phokwane branch secretary, Micheal Setlhogomi said they gathered at the municipal offices because the decision taken by executive committee council was illegal as all decision taken by EXCO must passby through branch structures.

“We are taking a stand against councillors for failing to inform the branches of what is going on. An ANC faction met to make a decision regarding the municipal manager without the knowledge of the regional executive committee(REC) or provincial executive committee (PEC)”.

Setlhogomi said they will force the provincial office to curb out divisions within the ANC or they will call for by-election.

“It is impossible to report to a body that is split between two factions. We not here to support the municipal manager, but we want to be informed of all decision taken by EXCO before they can be implemented” he said.

The interim municipal manager was appointed along with speaker.

Municipal speaker Dieketseng Mooketsi said she was not informed of any meetings and she was excluded.

“I only learnt about the meeting after it was moved from Hartwater to Jan Kempsdorp on Wednesday. I believe the all decisions taken by EXCO were illegal because I had no knowledge of” Mooketsi said.

ANC regional spokesperson, Ali Diteme said that the decision to place the municipal manager on special leave was not done with the consultation of the REC or the PEC.

“The PEC oversees municipal managers and has the authority to overturn the decision. It is not for the municipality r select group of individuals to make these pronouncements.  So all decision taken by EXCO are regarded as null and void” Diteme said.

The allegations levelled against municipal manager, Dichaba were supposed to be investigated from Thursday, but the task team tasked to do that haven’t started yet.

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

Adamant: Dj Rickey promises fireworks with his new single (Photo Supplied)

By Lesedi Setlhodi

Our entertainment crew chilled with disc jockey, Riaan Robinson popularly known as Deejay Rickey to his fans. Enjoy what we found out when we took a glimpse into Dj Rickey’s world…

To the fans who have been wondering where Dj Rickey was born, well he was born and bred in Vryburg at Colridge 30 years ago. Our local maestro from Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati did not dream of being a disc jockey but it is something that developed as he grows up.

Where it all began?

“I was still in high school when I used to see Dj’s play at different events and became interested as to how they actually made crowds dance. It was in 2001 that I finally had a chance to be behind the decks and a mixer; with practice I took, was able to see happy faces and people getting down to the music I was playing and mixing for them.”

Dj Rickey has been since into music and in 2011 he even released an album called Dreamer’s Hope. He is the man that you find at places that are most happening in and around the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati.

Our crew learnt that Dj Rickey is a man of few words and claimed to be a bit shy too. He however has that little cute smile…

What does it take to be a disc jockey?

“I think that this is a field that is on a shocking rise as most people want to be deejays, but what sets the difference is the effort you put in, being passionate about music and how serious you take what you do. This may sound like a cliché but I love music, with it I feel like I’m in another world. I practice a lot; I keep up with the latest and music of all genres. Knowing your crowd as a Dj is also vital as you don’t want to have people not enjoying your sets.”

He further went on to mention what challenges he came across as a Dj…

“When you are starting off and no one knows you it becomes very difficult to get bookings for gigs. You have to build your brand and work hard to network with fellow Djs and most importantly, the fans.”

How do you juggle your music career and your daily job?

When he makes you twist, turn, limbo and dance with his music mixes you’d never imagine him for a tie guy. During the day he is a financial advisor, getting all corporate with you and after hours he gets you down.

“Well aaaaaah… I do manage but it takes a lot as when I knock off from my day job, unlike other people who are lucky to go home and relax or go out to party and have fun, I have committed myself to entertain them through music. It makes me really happy seeing someone lost in their own little world while on the dance floor or when their favourite song comes up and they just cannot contain their excitement.”

When asked about his future plans, Dj Rickey said that at this stage he could only reveal that fans must be on the lookout for his upcoming single that he hopes will give him even more exposure to a larger fan base.

“My love for music and being part of the reason as to why people become happy and dance away their worries is what greatly inspires me to play music.” Amongst others, Dj Rickey has opened for artists like Uhuru, Black Motion and even our own Cassper Nyovest.

Do you ever get time to just relax and kick back?

From the corporate world to the music world, Dj Rickey shares what he does when he is not working.

“I love soccer, not just watching it but getting on the field and play as well.” Well there you have it, the guy wears shorts and breaks a sweat in the soccer field during his free time while when entertaining crowds, they are the ones sweating on the dance floor due to his music.

Fans can check him out on Facebook under Deejay Rickey; you could also follow him on Twitter: @Deejayrickey

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews