Cape Town – Deferred generator maintenance has caused an overload of unplanned repairs, resulting in a week of darkness for South Africa.
On Tuesday, unplanned outages resulted in 9 500MW being cut off the grid, while planned outages accounted for 5 000MW, according to Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe.
After implementing a third day of stage 2 (2 000MW cut) load shedding at 06:00 on Tuesday, Eskom escalated the outages to stage 3 (4 000MW cut) at 18:00.
For more http://www.news24.com
Picture By Obakeg Maje: (North West MEC for Tourism, Desbo Mohono)
MAHIKENG – The North West Department of Tourism is proud that the Province is hosting the 21st edition of the South African Music Awards. This is in line with the department’s newly adopted campaign “A Re Yeng Bokone Bophirima” which when loosely translated means “Let’s go to the North West province”, which aims to ensure that the province becomes a preferred tourist destination.
MEC responsible for Tourism in the North West Province, Desbo Mohono said that her department intends to make their Province a home of the SAMAs. “Brand properties such as the SAMAs do not only assure other investors that the North West Province is capable of hosting events of such magnitude, they also contribute immensely to the socio-economic drive of the entire province”, she said.
“This is one of the vehicles which can be used to carry this province forward and contribute sustainably so, in growing our tourism economy. This will bring about real change in people’s lives and will further contribute positively to our emerging entrepreneur’s intentions and ambitions of growing our local economy”, Mohono added
Meanwhile, Acting Head of Department, Charles Ndabeni said that department has been able to put into implementation its three key strategies (Events, Culture and heritage strategies) with the sole intention of luring investors to our shores. “The finalization of these key strategies will see a much consolidated efforts in alleviating poverty and addressing inequalities within communities in particular villages, townships and small dorpies. Our aim is to ensure that we take lead and become a preferred tourism destination in the country. And this can also be made possible by partnerships between government and the private sector”, he said.
The 21st edition of South African Music Awards will be hosted by one of North West’s most famous sons Jabulani “Hip Hop Pantsula” Tsambo will be held on Sunday, 19 April 2015 at Sun City outside Rustenburg.
By Obakeng Maje
Taung- North West MEC for Department of Education and Sports Development, Wendy Matsemela met with principals of underperforming schools in the province.
The programme started at Batlhaping Secondary School in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district on Tuesday.
MEC Matsemela engaged with different school principals and its School Governing Body chairpersons (SGB) in quest to understand challenges facing the schools so that necessary measures are taken while it is early in the year.
The focus was also put on Dinaledi schools that offer critical subjects like Mathematics and Science.
The meeting was attended by various Senior Management staff in the districts.
Matsemela said the challenges affecting various underperforming schools were underlying factors and they (as the department) came up with strategic plans that will be implemented to help those schools in improving their results.
“We are here as the department to meet those schools those which are performing under 70%. Do not get twisted, I must say as most of the schools that are here, they are performing under 70% percent. And as you know the National Standard pass rate is at 60%, but as the department of North West, we raised the par so we set a target for our schools to perform at over 70%” Matsemela said.
She said however, the reality is there are three underperforming.
“We have three schools that are underperforming. We have Totonyane High School from Madipelesa village; we have Thaba-bosigo High and St Pauls High school which is also underperforming. We here to encourage the teachers to work hard so that they can improve the situation at those schools” she said.
According to Matsemela, the common challenges that were raised by principals of those above-mentioned schools, they lack laboratory, having pupils who are over-age and those who are home-headed children.
“Most of issues for instant in Totonyane High School, the principal and SGB chairperson outlined problems like sitting with 70% of pupils who are over 18 years; discipline was another issue and lack of equipments at school. We decided to look into the matters raised and see how we can assist.
“We will visit that school soon and also invite LoveLife organisation, Pastors and other Stakeholders because according to principal and SGB chairperson, the problem is having pupils indulging in alcohol and the school experienced high rate of pregnancy last year” she said.
Matsemela outlined that those serious underlying factors need to be uprooted.
She advised the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District department to twin Damasiko High School with Buxton-based school, Gabobidiwe High School which is high-performing school and only 5km away from Damasiko.
“According to information, Damasiko high school has only four mathematics pupils which they not performing well, so we suggested that those students moved to Gabobidiwe High School so that they can also produce results. We will take those students to Gabobidiwe High School and monitor them closely” Matsemela said.
She also encouraged principals to show more commitments in their work so that situation can improve.
Another issue that showed its ugly head was that, most schools in remote areas have more foreigners as local teachers refuse to go and teach there because of accessibility.
She also said those schools will be handed-over tablets so that curriculum implementation could be easily improved.
Up to 10 schools were regarded as underperforming in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.
Totonyane High School SGB chairperson, Maruping Moncho said he welcomes the implementations brought forward by MEC because they share the same objective which is to see pupils passing and progressing to the next level.
“We’re very grateful to see MEC taking time to come and discuss way forward with us so that we can improve the situation. Challenges we normally experienced, were highlighted and we have a strategic plans how we will tackle those issues” Moncho outlines.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_
Mahikeng- An American human rights activist, Dr Martin Luther King once said “Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us”.
His words gave meaning to the annual gospel festival which was hosted by the Department of Culture, arts and Traditional Affairs (CATA) this past weekend at the Mmabatho Civic center.
The festival was ushering in the month known to South Africans as Freedom Month. The Department saw it fit to celebrate this through the second annual gospel festival which was a resounding success.
The Department under the leadership of MEC Tebogo Modise gave an opportunity to gospel groups representing all local Municipalities of the Province to participate in the festival which aims to unearth, record and promote the hidden talent Bokone Bophirima has in its midst.
The aim of the festivals is to identify a need for artists to promote their craft and create a platform to showcase gospel music in the province and bring about an economic gain.
Participating groups were recorded live on the day, whereby a collaboration CD and DVD will be compilled and given to groups on completion to afford them an opportunity to generate income from its sales.
Last year’s participants were handed over a compilation CD which was recorded in partnership with Motsweding fm during the first annual gospel festival by MEC Modise during proceedings of the festival.
The day also saw MEC Modise with South African Gospel Queen, Dr Rebecca Malope and other senior Departmental managers with the assistance of South African Police Services (SAPS) hearding an Anti Piracy campaign which took place at Mahikeng CBD. The aim of the campaign was to encourage community members not to buy pirated CDs and encouraging them into buying original material.
MEC Modise praised the talents groups displayed during their performances and pleaded with communities to support efforts made by artists in harnessing their craft. She also pledged support from the Department in assisting artists to develop their talent and help in the fight against piracy.
“Our artists spend money and time trying to make a better life for themselves but instead of reaping the rewards of their labor, they find their work being copied and sold on street corners for minimal amount”, said MEC Modise.
She continued, “CATA strives to be visible and have an impact in people’s lives and we will work together with our artists and law enforcement to see to it that the people who steal bread from our artists face the full might of the law”, she concluded
Bojanala District was represented by: Thaba ya Moya, Reformed church choir, Ikageleng Areka.
Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District was represented by: Motswedi wa bophelo gospel choir, Ukhololwethu gospel choir, Ikageng gospel group, Lesedi gospel choir, Mighty voice gospel choir and Bacha ba tumelo.
Dr. Kenneth Kaunda was represented by: , Platinum voices, Dinaledi tsa Tumelo, Ba apostolo ba pele, Dikhutsana tsa Bethesda, Boitshoko Gospel choir and Bana ba lesedi gospel choir.
Ngaka Modiri Molema was represented by: Uqhatso la madodana, New revelation, Bajadi ba lentswe, Gomotsang gospel choir and The Holy Emmanuel gospel choir.
The day included praising and dancing to the melodic tunes of different gospel genres such as clap and tap, Traditional Gospel and contemporary Gospel.
The festival saw Dr Rebecca Malope performing on the day closing the show.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_
A ten-year-old girl was injured following a pedestrian accident on Eden Road near High Road in Bramley, Johannesburg this afternoon.
Netcare 911 paramedics arrived at the scene and found the young girl had sustained serious injuries after she was knocked over by a motor vehicle while trying to cross the road.
The injured girl was treated at the scene and transported to hospital for further medical care.
Exact detail surrounding the cause of the pedestrian accident and preceding events will remain the subject of a police investigation.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter2Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_
A motorcyclist was injured following an accident on Steenbras Road near Shad Road in Wadeville, Germiston this afternoon.
“Netcare 911 paramedics and provincial services arrived at the scene and found that a motorcycle and light delivery vehicle were involved in a side impact accident. The thirty-three-year-old motorcyclist was found lying on the roadway and upon assessment of the man, paramedics found that he had sustained serious injuries during the crash” Netcare 911 spokesperson, Santi Steinmann said.
The injured man was treated at the scene, placed on a trauma board and transported to hospital for further medical care.
Exact detail surrounding the cause of the crash and preceding events will remain the subject of a police investigation.
Traffic was slightly affected as a result of the accident. The occupants of the light delivery vehicle were not injured during the accident.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_
BY OBAKENG MAJE
The smuggling of illicit cigarettes case against a Zimbabwean national, Cleophas Meso (42) who was arrested on Sunday, at Kopfontein Port of Entry, has been postponed until Wednesday, 22 April 2015.
The accused was remanded in custody for further investigation.
“It is alleged that the truck was crossing the border from Botswana to South Africa when the police stopped and searched it. The members became suspicious and requested the driver to pull the truck to the ramp and to unhook the trailer. According to the information, the police were still searching when they discovered a false compartment beneath the trailer” COLONEL Sabata Mokgwabone said.
Mokgwabone said the compartment was opened and 519 Chelsea master cases and 1 732 packets (20’s) of cigarettes were found inside with an estimated value of R7, 3 million.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung-DailyNews or @IceT_
Mahikeng- The Provincial Departments of Health, Public Works and Roads as well as Education and Sports Development will for the next 18months have their financial affairs co-managed by Provincial Treasury. This follows years of financial instabilities and general mismanagement of budgets leading to amongst others the inability by these departments to pay creditors and accumulation of unmanageable accruals which have negatively affected the financial positions of the Departments.
The decision to place these key departments under administration was announced by the Premier of Bokone Bophirima Mr Supra Obakeng Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo following a special meeting held in Matlosana over the weekend.
This means that the Provincial Treasury will in line with EXCO decision ensure that the financial position of the three departments is stabilised, and that capacity is deployed to ensure that day to day financial management and decisions are done within provisions of the Public Finance Management Act.
The intervention also entails undertaking a thorough audit of the financial skills and qualifications of all personnel appointed to run finances of the affected departments.
“It is the Provincial Government’s considered view that this decision was well timed, noting that the new financial year has just started”, remarked Premier Mahumapelo who insisted that proper financial management systems will be put in place to ensure that these departments recover”.
Premier Mahumapelo assured the public that there will be no interruption of services to the public as a result of this intervention. Measures have been put in place to ensure that the three departments comply with the Premier’s vision of ensuring that 60% of their respective Budgets are spent in Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies (VTSD) as part of the intervention to fight unemployment, poverty and inequality.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_
North West Community Safety and Transport Management MEC Gaoage Molapisi condemn with strongest possible terms the ongoing terrorisation of community and gangsterism that has emerged in Kanana location in the Matlosana area.
This follows allegations that there are two groups in the area which are attacking and killing each other in the eyes of the community. It is alleged that gangsterism groups known as “BO2” and “Getto Ruff” brutally killed each other’s members.
MEC Molapisi strongly warns those involved in the alleged actions and said the Department will do everything in its power to deal with the situation. “We cannot allow young people to rule and terrorise our communities. Is ether they cooperate and obey the law, or else we will remove, isolate them and remain with peace.”
“We will not hesitate to remove anyone in the community who is a menace, people must live in peace, women and children must feel save on the streets, at their homes and at work says the National Development Plan Chapter 12″, warns Molapisi.
He said the department has deployed a team of officials and law enforcement officers who will engage with the community, stakeholders and the alleged gangsters to resolve the situation in the area.
Molapisi will lead the working team of officials and law enforcement officers and will further visit the bereaved families of the deceased.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_
The disjointed management of the criminal justice system by the police, courts and correctional services has led to sharp increases in the levels of dissatisfaction among victims of crime in South Africa, according to Statistician-General Pali Lehohla.
Data collected from 30 000 households and people, who fell victim to house robbery, housebreaking and burglary and assault, showed that the entire criminal justice system had to urgently change the manner in which it managed cases or risk lowering satisfaction levels among victims of crime, said Lehohla, who was addressing the media in Pretoria today on the release of Statistics South Africa’s Victims of Crime survey.
For more http://www.citypress.co.za
The Guardian 