Mahikeng – At least 15 908 previously unemployed people from 15 local municipalities in Bokone-Bophirima are involved various projects that are intended to address community needs and priorities in their respective wards, through the Community Work Programme (CWP) which is a non-stare sector component within the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP).

Such projects include vegetable gardens, building of public amenities such as old age homes, , clearing of illegal dumping sites, home-based care, community house building, cleaning of illegal dumping sites etc. Through the programme, 25 CWP participants have enrolled (2015-2018) for a Grade R Diploma through the University of North West (Potchefstroom campus), through distance learning.

CWP is a programme of the national Department of Cooperative Governance and it targets unemployed and underemployed people within communities at ward level to accelerate job creation and enhance service delivery through ‘useful work’. The main purpose of the programme is to provide an employment safety net, to contribute to the development of public assets and services in poor communities, to strengthen community development approaches and to improve the quality of life for people in marginalised economic areas by providing work experience, enhancing dignity and promoting social and economic inclusion.

Participants have been contracted for a period of three years (2014-2017), work eight days a month and receive a stipend of R608. Their main role is to identify ‘useful work’ in their wards that address community needs and priorities. The “useful work’’ is planned in partnership with ward councillors and traditional councils and institutions identified through the support of implementing agents and municipalities.

MEC for Local Government and Human Settlements, Collen Maine said the programme has immensely changed the lives of benefitting communities. “People will acquire different skills and the much needed experience in the job market something which will go a long way in changing their lives. They must embrace the opportunity and make full use of it”, he said.

The Department has partnered with other stakeholders such as Departments of Social Development, Public Works and NGOs in order to ensure that the programme achieve its intended objective.

Local municipalities that have benefited from CWP are : Mahikeng, Ratlou, Tswaing, Ramotshere Moiloa, Moses Kotane, Madibeng, Moretele, Rustenburg, Ventersdorp, Maquassi Hills, Greater Taung, Naledi, Kagisano-Molopo, Mamusa and Kgetleng Rivier.  

-TDN

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Khuma – North West Department of Local Government and Human Settlements is to restore the dignity of the mining hostels dwellers at Khuma township near Stilfontein in Matlosana local municipality by demolishing the hostels which are currently in an appalling condition and providing them with decent family units. The announcement was made by MEC Collen Maine in a meeting attended by the hostel dwellers recently.

The mining hostels will be completely demolished at the beginning of April this year to make way for subsidized family units with proper sanitation and infrastructure which will be build were hostels where. Whilst the demolition takes place the occupants will be given temporary accommodation, a stone throw away from where there are staying. The temporary structures will also be demolished when they go back to occupy their family units – an exercise which will see them being integrated with the rest of the community of Khuma.

MEC Collen Maine told residents that the hostels were no longer conducive for human habitat. “These hostels must be demolished as soon as possible. There are no proper services here and some unoccupied hostels are now a nest of criminals. The process to relocate the occupants will be completed by the end of March to allow demolition to take place. The occupants list that has been compiled by Matlosana local municipality, would be used to re-allocate family units upon completion of the project”, he said

More than 250 people currently stay in the hostels which were original built for migrant workers.

The action will fulfil a call made by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa for residents to be provided proper shelter.

-TDN

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Mahikeng – In what has been described as “taking the bull by its horns” the Bokone-Bophirima Department of Local Government and Human Settlements has terminated the contracts of poor performing housing developers in the province. This happened when the department held One-on-One Contract Review Sessions with developers in all four districts since last week.

The objective of the contracts review sessions is meant to monitor and evaluate performance of contractors and get the first hand information from the developers themselves about projects that have stalled and those that have not met  deadlines, with a view of unblocking all bottlenecks and speeding-up housing provision in the province.

The department has contracted housing developers to provide integrated human settlements across the province with important services such as sanitation and water system.

“We can’t allow a situation where developers take their own time to complete their projects outside the agreed work schedule with the department. We had to part ways with some of the developers as they were not rising to their contractual obligations. Contractors who have raised genuine challenges in terms of delays have been given an extension to complete their work as soon as possible. Our communities can’t wait for long, they need those houses” said Maine.

Some developers have raised diverse challenges which range from unfavourable weather conditions, unavailability of building materials, industrial action and protests by communities.

Strict measures were employed to those who were given extensions. They were instructed to ensure the speedy completion of the projects at hand or face termination of their contracts or be blacklisted forthwith.

According to Maine the poor performing contractors affect the performance of the province as far as housing delivery is concerned. Bokone Bophirima province had scooped the best performing award during the 2013 Govan Mbeki Awards.

“Our province has made a mark nationally as the best performing in housing delivery. The poor performance and shoddy work by these contractors will dent the image that we have worked so hard for. They need to up their game for us to remain at the peak. On the same note the poor performance is also making our communities to get agitated and to rise against government because the promised houses are not forth coming” remarked Maine.

Currently there are several housing projects that are taking place in different municipalities to decrease the housing backlog in the province.

The One-on-One Contract Review Session was to pave way for the provincial housing developer’s convention which will be held in the province soon. The convention will discuss general housing delivery issues and provide feedback to developers.

-TDN

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By Lesedi Setlhodi

From 9am-5pm his job is to make sure that pharmaceutical companies look good and sell more medication as for what he gets up to after hours, grab a seat and read on…..as KG Rap takes you through his journey.

This week our entertainment crew got to have a chat with Kagiso Rapati aka KG_Rap; a local hip-hop artist from Kgobadi (Dryharts) as he calls his hometown. This rapper does not live far from the railway lines; his neighbourhood is called Station as around the train station.

What has drawn you to music and why hip-hop?

“When I met her I was innocent but bright to a certain degree and she taught me how to be cool. She initially played hard to get but we connected and since then hip-hop is the only one for me.” You do not have to dig deep; from just that line you can learn that Kagiso is an artist. He takes me way back to that movie Brown Sugar when he refers to hip-hop as “her”. He further mentioned that the faith his parents had in him prior his music career and words of encouragement,  he can always be better as a person and freed his ability to explore.

What does it take to be a hip-hop artist?

The hip-hop genre is one that most of the youth entering the music industry feel like they can do better in; that they can connect and relate to. For most upcoming artists it may however take a longer period to be recognised by their fans and fellow artists in the industry so patience would have to be a firm virtue for one to succeed in making a career out of their talent.

He said “Persistence, deep love for the art of creating and recreating utopia” is what drives him to bring catchy flowing lines to his fans

How is the recognition as a local artist?

About the recognition Kagiso receives as a local artist, he said that it is well balanced as long as one works hard the fans do show their support. “Majority of my fans are from high school and tertiary level.”

Kagiso’s future plans?

“I have a lot of future plans. It’s all about what God allows first, but yes I am working on a lot of things which will surprise many. You might just see me appear in a suit and regard me as an uptight guy who can rap.” he said jokingly…

Whom have you opened for when performing and who would you like to work with?

After releasing three albums titled Pay Day mission, Money is the issue and The less anticipated Kagiso has shared the stage with the likes of Chommie, Tshabbz, Mo Flava to name a few; as for opening for an artist our local marvel would like nothing more than to open for Senyaka. I must say I’m looking forward to the day that concert takes place. Kagiso further said that, “I would also like to share a stage with HHP, Zubz and Tumi because they saying what I want to hear and have an audience that I know when given a chance they would feel me too.”

Who inspires you in the music industry?

“Artists that inspire me are HHP, Kanye West, Tumi, Bra Chico Thwala, Tshepo Tshola and the late Lebo Mathosa, arguably the coolest artist in the world next Breanda Fassie if not better.”

Do you ever get time to just relax and if, what do you do mostly?

“I have too many responsibilities. I cannot relax.”

Follow him on twitter @Kg_Rap_AGMedia or find him on facebook as Kagiso Rapati

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

TAUNG- PASTOR Elvis Thabang Moepeng is nursing an injury on his back after a tussle with alleged criminal who hit him with a hammer. Moepeng said the criminals broke into his church on Friday and stole two speakers worth R15 000 and a fan. He said on Saturday, he went to a funeral at Matolong village, near Taung and fortunately he was approached by an unknown person who informed him about the speakers whereabouts.

“I went to a funeral at Matolong village, near Taung on Saturday and I was approached by one of local people who informed me that he knows where my speakers are. He said I must come later on at around 20:00pm because according to information, the suspect planned to use the speakers for after party” Moepeng said.

According to Moepeng, he waited until the scheduled time.

“At around 20:10 I heard the noise coming from the pin-pointed house. I went there and most definitely the music that was playing, was from my speakers. I entered the tent and looked at my speakers and left. I planned to go to the police station to open a theft case, but because my wife knows that person as she is from the area we agreed to speak to him first” he said.

Moepeng said that was the beginning of hell and nothing holy came out of that talk. When he approached the house, there was no music and people told him that the minute he left the area, the owner decided to disconnect the music and packed those speakers away.

“We approached Buti Sekamoeng and asked him where are my speakers, but instead he retaliated. Sekamoeng grabbed a hammer and chased me away. He hit me twice on my back with a hammer and I fell down. I was rescued by other community members from Sekamoeng’s jaws” Moepeng said.

North West police spokesperson captain Pelonomi Makau said the case was opened at Taung Police Station and the suspect was arrested.

“We can confirm that a case of assault with grievous bodily harm (GBH) and house breaking and Theft were opened at Taung Police Station. The suspect appeared at Taung Magistrate Court and the case was postponed until 12 March 2015. The suspect was remanded in custody until he returns to court” Makau said.

Moepeng request to anyone who knows or have any information about where he can find his speakers to come forward and he will make sure that that person will be rewarded as the church is not enjoyable without speakers.

“We appealing to the public to come forward with any information that could lead police to recover those speakers as they are very expensive and we use instruments to sing, so we cannot perform to our best levels” he said.

-TDN

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BY STAFF REPORTER
TAUNG- THE Community of Lokaleng village in Taung are up in arms after they claimed that the owner of Top Store in the area Moni Molla(29), sells expired stock to them.

According to one of customers at the shop, Caroline Nosipho Mphahlele, said is been a while since Molla selling expired stock to them and when they question him he becomes angry and arrogant.

“We’re sick and tired of this foreigners. They come here and do as the please. We go there to support their businesses but what we get in return? They ill-treat us when we return the parcels” Mphahlele laments.

Another victim, Michael Motate said the Bangladesh national does not co-operates, but instead threaten them.

“Everytime one buy something from this shop, you will find it either rotten or expired. And the worst part is when you return the product, he becomes angry and promise to shoot us” Matate said.

However Moni Molla refutes the allegations and said he never threatened anyone and people are jealous of his business so that is why they bad-mouthed him.

“You see here my friend, this people are jealous of my business. I do not sell expired goods, everytime I see expired product I move it out of the shelve. I know the stock is many, but I make sure I check my stock every now and then” Molla said.

Few minutes later Molla changed his tune after our crew went down through his shelves and found some of the products like mayonnaise and canned beetroot with expired date.

Molla who was soft-spoken tried to bribe our crew by offering our reporter any money he wants as he said the bad publicity will affect his business.

“Please my brother do not write about this as if this appears on papers it will affect my business. I can give you any money you want, please promise me you won’t write about this neh” Molla said.

North West Health Department official said that consumers must report anything they do not understand regarding the products to National Consumer Commission.

“Customers can report anything that they’re not happy with to National Consumer Commission. They must be informed and assert their rights by refusing to buy or use expired product as that could harm their health” he said.

-TDN

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Deceased: Remoratile Sehemo,5, who was allegedly hanged by his father.

BY STAFF REPORTER
I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM!
This words were uttered by Remoratile’s grandmother where she weeps and sobered like a baby. Remoratile Sehemo(5) was allegedly hanged by his father on Christmas eve last year in 2014 after his father was engaged in an argument with his mother.

Kereditse Sehemo(58) who resides in Maphoitsile village, near Taung said she always dreams of a 5 year-old boy since his untimely death.

“I miss him a lot. Every night when I go to sleep, I see his face. He always slept next to me…but now he is no more” Kereditse Sehemo said.

Remoratile’s grandmother, Kereditse said the mother of Remoratile is still shocked by the event.

Remoratile was hanged by his father, Boitumelo Seoposengwe(29) after they had a quarrel with his girlfriend Nnana Sehemo.

According to information, Seoposengwe asked his son, Remoratile to visit him at his home on the 24th December 2014. He allegedly entered his bedroom and hanged the boy from the rafters of roof.

Seoposengwe was subsequently arrested and appeared at Taung Magistrates Court on Wednesday for murder, but his lawyer did not pitch so the matter was postponed until 24 March 2015 for further investigations.

He will remanded in custody.

Maphoitsile residents packed Taung Magistrates Court and community leader Boitumelo Gaojelwe(30) said they signed petition and handed it over to the investigating officer.

“We signed petition and handed it over to investigating officer for Seoposengwe not to be granted bail. We did this to help everyone within our society because people like Seoposengwe are endanger to the society” Boitumelo Gaojelwe said.

North West police spokesperson captain Pelonomi Makau confirmed the arrest and said “The incident took place on the 24 December 2014 and Seoposengwe was arrested in connection of murder after he allegedly hanged his 5 year-old boy” Makau said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE
TAUNG- SOME of community members in Khudutlou village, near Taung were up in arms after the outgoing principal of Keseokile Middle School being accused of stealing school property.

According to one of the community members who asked to remain anonymous, said the principal wanted to take the school fridge because she said she is the one who bought it.

However the principal, Kenalemang Bojosi(40) refutes the allegations and said the accusations are smear campaign against her.

“Those who say I want to take the fridge along with me are just using my name to earn themselves a cheap political stunt. I never tried to take the school fridge and you see for yourself, it is still there. I am leaving the school because I asked to be transferred, that is it” Bojosi said.

North West department of Education spokesperson Brian Setswambung said the principal asked to be transferred to another school and the department heed to her call.

“We can confirm that the allegations regarding the principal wants to take the school fridge are pure absurd. We never heard of that matter and as you know, the principal asked to be transferred willingly” Setswambung said.

The School Governing Body said they cannot deny nor confirm the allegations as they say the matter is beyond them.

SGB Chairperson Kedibone Sithole,58, said they do not want to be dragged into the matter.

“We do not want to confirm nor deny the allegations as there is nothing like that happened. Please give us the person who informed you about the matter then we can comment” Sithole said.
-TDN
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BY STAFF REPORTER
TAUNG- A case against four men who allegedly tortured and killed a Khibitswane man appeared before Taung Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Thabo Kamolane, Tlamelo Pico, Oratile Teisho and a 17 year-old minor appeared at Taung Magistrate Court facing murder charges. It is alleged that four men approached Siphiwe Kgosimere,17, who was working as a teacher at initiation school in Pudimoe village during festive season and abducted him.

The four men allegedly attacked Kgosimere with knobkerries and sjamboks after accusing him of stealing R6000.

According to information, Kgosimere was tortured and beaten to death after taken back to the initiation school.

North West police spokesperson captain Pelonomi Makau said three men will be back in court on the 17 February 2015 and were remanded in custody while a 17 year-old boy was released under his parents custody.

“Three men appeared before Taung Magistrate Court for murder after they allegedly killed a 19 year-old man at initiation school last year December” Makau said.

The case was postponed until 17 February 2015 for further investigations.
-TDN

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Utah -A US mother pleaded guilty on Thursday to killing six of her newborns and storing their bodies in the garage, bringing closure to a case that small town prosecutors called uniquely heinous.

Megan Huntsman, 39, faces up to life in prison when she’s sentenced April 20.

Her voice broke as she said “guilty” six times to answer for each count.

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