Bafana Bafana continued their dominance over Swaziland with a hard-fought 3-1 victory in an international friendly match played at Somhlolo Stadium on Wednesday.

It was the sixth meeting between the two Cosafa rivals with Bafana Bafana yet to taste defeat by Sihlangu. The host might have fancied their chances as they went into the break with the score deadlocked at 0-0.

However, Shakes Mashaba’s men turned on the magic in the second half to exert their dominance over Sihlangu.

Goals from captain of the day Thulani “Tyson” Hlatshwayo, Thabo Mnyamane and Mandla Masango ensured victory for the South Africans. Felix Badenhorst got the consolation for the hosts.

The game started at a slow pace but Bafana Bafana dominated the early exchanges. The first real chance fell to Swaziland on the 18^th minute but veteran Tony Tsabedze shot wide.

Mnyamane was a constant threat to the Swazis and it was only a matter of time before he punished them. For most part the hosts appeared to deal well with his threat as the game went into the break deadlocked at 0-0 as Swaziland finished the half the stronger side.

Bafana Bafana made their first change at the end of the first half with Siphelele Ntshangase coming on for Lehlohonolo Majoro.

They also replaced Itumeleng Khune with Jackson Mabokgwane at the start of the second half. The visitors then took the lead on the 50^th minute through captain Hlatshwayo with a fine header. Two minutes later the hosts were once again rattled with Mnyamane making it 2-0 following a fine pass from Thulani Serero. It was Mnyamane’s debut goal.

There were some anxious moments for Bafana Bafana soon after that as goalkeeper Mabokgwane sustained an injured that threatened to end his game. After some time with the medical team, he appeared fine but Swaziland sensed an opportunity as they went for the jugular.

Felix Badenhorst pull a goal back for Swaziland on the 66^th minute as the hosts piled pressure. For the most part they were pumping in long balls hoping to catch Mabokgwane off guard. Then Mandla Masango eased the pressure off Bafana Bafana with five minutes to go.

Bafana Bafana held on for a 3-1 victory and a perfect record against their southern African neighbours. They will return to South Africa on Thursday to continue preparations for the friendly international against Nigeria scheduled for Sunday at Mbombela Stadium.

SA 11 vs Swaziland: Itumeleng Khune (GK), Thapelo Morena, Thabo Matlaba, Thulani Hlatshwayo (c), Daniel Cardoso, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Cole Alexander, Thulani Serero, Lehlohonolo Majoro, Ayanda Patosi, Thabo Mnyamane.

Subs: Jackson Mabokgwane (GK), Siyabonga Nhlapho, Sibusiso Khumalo, Rivaldo Coetzee, Andile Jali, Jabulani Shongwe, Mandla Masango, Tokelo Rantie, Sibusiso Vilakazi, Bongani Zungu, Siphelele Ntshangase, Lebogang Phiri

-TDN

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BY OBAKENG MAJE
THE North West Portfolio Committee on Education, Sports, Arts, Culture and Traditional Affairs met with the North West Department of Education on Tuesday to discuss the way forward in challenges that face the department in many schools around North West.

The meeting came about after the Portfolio Committee conducted an oversight visit to schools facing challenges that impede on effective learning and teaching with the view to normalize the situation.

The oversight visits were carried out primarily in interaction with the school management team.

The meeting took place at Taung Hotel School and Convention Centre and some of those who attended was Portfolio Committee chairperson, Boitumelo Moiloa and MEC Wendy Matsemela.

Chairperson Boitumelo Moiloa said they have identified that most schools are forcing pupils to live in undesirable situations where lack of water, lack of proper toilets, school transportation, conducive accommodations and high pregnancy at schools.

“We visited many schools in the province and for example; Ebenezer Primary School which is a mega school situated at Bray in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, the school has five educators including the principal and over 120 learners” Moiloa outlines.

She said the challenges there are multi-graded classes; there is no water and electricity at the school.

According to Moiloa, learners had to use rain water to bath and learners sleep on sponges because their beds were broken.

The Portfolio Committee also highlighted the Pica Pau Combined School where the school is situated at Pompret and compromises of a primary and a secondary school.

“The school is the only existing government institution in the area where there are no basic services due to relocation of the community. The school has underperformed for number of years due to serious challenges faced” she said.

Moiloa said there is no water and electricity at the school. She said the function with mostly foreign educators as local educators cannot withstand the conditions.

The Portfolio Committee recommended that the department should make sure that within two weeks there is water and electricity at all schools.

“We recommended that the department of education make sure that there is water and electricity at schools especially ones with school hostels. The situation in many schools was undesirable and we asked the department to see into those issues within two weeks” she said.

However North West MEC for Education and Sport, Wendy Matsemela said they have already restored electricity at many schools and also water issues at many schools has been looked into.

“We can proudly say we have been working tirelessly to restore the electricity in most schools and also we dealing with water issue for now. There are some challenges that need parental care like to reduce high rate of pregnancy at schools, so we will engage with School Governing Body of schools to encourage parents participation in their kids’ future” Matsemela said.

On the issue of transportation, Matsemela said that issue is handled by department of Community Safety and Transport in the province, so they have written a letter to MEC Oageng Molapisi to meet and discuss the matter.

-TDN

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BY OBAKENG MAJE
The South Africans woke up to the shocking news of the passing of the illustrious musician and actor Thula “Senyaka” Kekana. A 58 year-old legendary singer passed away on Wednesday morning at Kopanong hospital in Vereeniging.

The North West Hip Hop artist, Tloks Lepara was the last person to record a song with Senyaka after he approached Chesa Mpama hitmaker.

The two recorded a Chesa Mpama song in abridge of hip hop version.

Tloks Lepara said Senyaka was like a father to him.

“I am very touched by the death of bra Senyaka because it is untimely. We still expected a lot from him because of his abundance knowledge through music” Lepara said.

He said the Chesa Mpama reloaded music video was supposed to be out this coming Friday, but now Senyaka is no more.

“Bra Senyaka was so humble and always down-to-earth. I approached him and asked him to let me re-make his Chesa Mpama hit, but he never shut the door on me. He was always there even though he was unwell, he tried by all means to be at the studio and also there when we shot the music video for the song” he said.

Tloks Lepara said South Africa lost the really leader and Senyaka was always full of life and energy.

“He was always full of energy and very professional when coming to his job. He was also full of jokes and always advised me to never give up in life” Lepara said.

Senyaka hit the big-time with hits like Go Away, Chisa Mpama, Fong Kong and Romeo wa Nkolota.

His bold, funny and controversial approach endeared him to many kwaito fans.

Letlhogonolo Motseeng as Lepara is affectionately known to his followers, said Senyaka described as a talented man who made a major contribution to the local music and television industry.

“We shot a video last month and when we were shooting the music video for Remix, he started complaining about his headache and tummy, but he insist we continue shooting the music video because he was passionate about his work.

“Even though we had to stop here and there to let him rest and stuff. That was the only thing he was telling me” Lepara said.
-TDN
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Cape Town – UCT Vice Chancellor Max Price has revealed that a move to remove the Rhodes statue currently present on the campus has been supported by various leadership groups at the university.
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