BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Bafana Bafana took a huge step in qualifying for the Group Stages of the 2018 World Cup when they convincingly beat Angola at home in the first leg played in Benguela on Friday afternoon.

Goals by Tokelo Rantie, Thamsanqa Gabuza and a penalty by Andile Jali gave coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba’s boys a healthy first leg cushion despite falling behind to a second minute Gerson goal that stunned the visitors.

With the second leg scheduled for Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium, Bafana Bafana will feel confident of easily progressing through.

The match began at a frantic pace with Angola taking the lead in the second minute when Gerson slammed the ball past Jackson Mabogkwane to send early alarm bells from a swift counter-attack.

But Bafana Bafana responded immediately in convincing fashion and great character from this setback.

Thulani Serero orchestrated the visitors’ immediate response when he made a great run from the midfield but when he was about to pull the trigger, the Ajax Amsterdam linkman was harshly brought down as the hosts got away with murder.

But undeterred Bafana Bafana threw everything into the attack and it came as no surprise when Tokelo Rantie scored after a good work by Thabo Matlaba in the 14th minute. It was a brilliant finish though from the Bournemouth striker who has seen little action at his club.

The goal seemed to galvanise Shakes Mashaba’s boys as they started to impose themselves, playing some enterprising football and it was going to be a matter of time before taking total control of the game.

Thamsanqa Gabuza then made it 2-1 on the 20th minute with another exquisite finish as the visitors started to run rings around the home team.
Rantie was then unfortunate not to have earned himself a penalty on the 37th minute when he was hacked from behind inside the box but the referee waved play on as South Africa chased for the third killer goal.

As expected, Angola put intense pressure in the second half in a bid to get the equaliser but Erick Mathoho and company stood firm.

Though they didn’t create clear-cut opportunities, Angola fashioned some gilt-edged chances but it was the visitors that created some really good chances.

Andile Jali then made it 3-1 in the 80th min with a cheeky penalty after Rantie was brought down in the box. However, the Belgium-based midfielder was sent off for indiscretion soon after his spot kick as South Africa finished the match with 10 players. It did not matter much though. 

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

BY REGINALD KANYANE
TWO children aged 3 died in a burning bus on Friday. Netcare 911 paramedics from Harrismith responded to an incident of a school bus that burst into flames.

Chris Botha from Netcare 911 said: “Reports from the scene indicate that the bus was traveling from Warden towards Harrismith when it started burning, the bus then veered across the road and came to rest against an embankment.

“Netcare 911 paramedics and the fire service arrived at the scene and found the bus engulfed in flames. Two people were found to have sustained critical injuries while four was in a serious condition , seventeen others sustained minor injuries.”

Botha said two school children were killed in a blazing fire.

He said firemen  have now put the fire out and is combing through the wreckage.

“Medics treated the injured at the scene before they transported them to various hospitals in the area for the -care that they required,” he said.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_
 

BY REGINALD KANYANE
THE North West province has been has been declared as drought disaster area following the unprecedented poor rainfall and heat wave.

The department of Rural, Environment, Agricultural and Development department MEC, Manketse Tlhape said in the excess of 21000 crop and livestock farmers across the four districts were affected.

She there were immediate warrant interventions to mitigate the impact in as far as the agricultural sector was concern.

“Following the declaration of the disaster by the North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo, the department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development (READ) has performed rigorous assessments on the state of drought through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and in consultation with the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Further engagements also ensued with the National Disaster Management Committee (NMDC) for possible disaster relief in collaboration with the National Treasury,” Tlhape said.

She said it was evident that the effects of the drought will affect food security in the province.

“The cause direct production losses on the current crop season. As an immediate relief, the department is proactively reprioritizing 20% of the 2015/16 grant funded provincial projects in consideration of the emergency drought relief requirements on fodder and water supply,” she said.

However Tlhape said the assistance was only aimed at assisting subsistence and small producers whilst awaiting the NDMC outcome.

“We urging farmers in the province not to lose hope. We have placed agriculture at the apex of the North West economy, therefore farmers should be given support as we going through this period and get back on track for future production,” she emphasised.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

THE Water problem continues to affect other areas in North West province. The shortage of water shows its ugly head in Rustenburg and its neighbouring areas. The municipality has urged the residents to use water sparingly.

 The Rustenburg local municipality spokesperson, Thapelo Matebesi said: “The municipality receives water from Rand Water, Magalies Water and other own sources. Our main contributors are Magalies Water and Rand Water. The water purification systems are currently under tremendous strain due to the heat wave combined with the extremely dry season. The level of Rand Water’s Barnardsvlei dropped from a steady 80% to a critical 14% currently. The Bospoort reservoir feeding the Boitekong areas is merely 6% currently.

“The mines are also using water from these resources and are depending on the water for their mining activities. The mining activities are the backbone of a great part of the municipality conomy. The severe impact on the water availability will have serious consequences for all local businesses,”

Matebesi said the municipality has issued water restrictions for consumers and it is important that they (consumers) do understand the seriousness the matter.

 “We also hereby request each and everyone to keep by the restrictions and conserve our water as it is precious and cannot be replaced. The most serious impact, other than dwindling water supplies, is the effect on staple crops and commercial crops. We urge all our residents to be prepared and heed the call of the seriousness of our water situation. Let us work together through this difficult time.” he said.

 The province has been declared as a drought area. It is faced with extremely dry period and experiencing a worst drought in two decades.

 Water Affair department spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau said: “South Africa is a water-scarce country. We encourage people to conserve water as much as possible. The less prudent we are with water, the higher the risk of shortages this year. Water will definitely be at a premium over the next few months. The country will be in an even more dire situation in terms of availability of water.”

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

THE City of Tlokwe is set to host a provincial anti–fraud and corruption conference, integrated development programme (IDP) and the service delivery outreach programme. The IDP programme meeting is expected to be a ground-breaking amid failed court application to halt the amalgamation of Tlokwe and Ventersdorp municipalities. Municipality spokesperson, William Maphosa said they will engage with communities to explaining the amalgamation.

“In commemoration of the International Fraud Awareness Week, the city will host an Anti – Fraud and Corruption Summit next week together with the district. We want to promote anti-fraud and corruption awareness and education. However the programme is spearheaded by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Forum (PACF) in the Office of the Premier.

“During fraud week government agencies and businesses are expected to engage in various activities. The hosting of fraudawareness training for employees will help in assessing fraud knowledge and risk factors within organisations. We will do post anti-corruption articles on social media and also in newsletters. We also planning to team up with local media tohighlight the problem of fraud,” Maphosa said.

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DalIyNews or @IceT_

BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE North West province continues with their mission to rebrand, reposition and renewal programme. The province is set to deliver on one of its key commitments. MEC for Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development (READ), Manketsi Tlhape said they will launch the inaugural North West Agricultural Show.

Tlhape who pronounced the hosting of the show during her 2015/16 Budget Speech delivery said: “The Agricultural Show is aimed at creating a platform for government, private sectors, farmers, entrepreneurs, service providers, as well as learners to showcase their agricultural capabilities. The competition will run across the province. The department is creating a platform for producers and suppliers to showcase their products.”

Tlhape said the show is set to draw stakeholders from national and global spheres. She said this will create an opportunity for these role players to network and exchange information.

“The show will help to afford strategic partners an opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to ensure the agricultural sector transformation. The department has therefore invited strategic partners to pledge resources including finance and infrastructure to ensure attainment of Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development (YARD) purpose and objectives. The support should be centred across the four departmental programmes mainly: Crop Production, Livestock Production, Horticulture and Floriculture and Aquaculture and Fisheries within the entire value chain,” Tlhape said.

She said they will official launch Legacy Agribusiness Enterprise Development for Young people and Women. According to Tlhape, the launch will take at Kgora Farmers Training Centre in Mahikeng on November 25 this year.

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE new ablution blocks will be built at Mokutong primary school in Gopane village. The announcement was made by North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo after a visit. Mahumapelo visited the area on Wednesday during Setsokotsane programme.

“I was touched after I saw the dilapidated ablution block used by pupils at the school. We took a decision as provincial government in partnership with businessman to erect a decent ablution block for them. We urged pupils not to be deterred by their current circumstances. They must not allow their current situation to define their destiny,” Mahumapelo said.

 He also visited a local clinic and came across many challenges. The clinic manager, Morogotsi informed Mahumapelo that they were understaffed. According to Mogorotsi, the clinic caters for more than twelve thousand residents with only three professional nurses and three assistant nurses.

 “The head of health department will visit the clinic to assist in resolving the staffing challenges. Another challenge in the area was a bird sanctuary project that was constructed in 2010. The area has since been vandalised. We will engage with relevant authority to seek answers on what happened to that project. Millions of rand were injected in the project, but one cannot even mention,” he said.

 The bird sanctuary was constructed next to Ngotoana dam. Eight chalets that were built at the area have been vandalised. Mahumapelo said the project would not have collapsed if it was turned into a cooperative. He added that the community members were integral part of any project.

“The community members also highlighted shortage of water and a need for a paved road to be assembled. Setsokotsane will be in Ramotshere Moilwa local municipality for two weeks. All government departments will render the much needed services to communities within the municipality. This includes resolving challenges identified by the community.

 “There is a need for a bakery in the area. We will try to assist to resuscitate a bakery that collapsed at Borakalalo village. It is our plan and mandate to revive villages, small dorpies and townships. So we assure the community that a process to revive the bakery will be undertaken. That will be in collaboration with the community. The department of FEED is currently registering all small businesses in the database. We want people in small dorpies, villages and townships to benefit through entrepreneurship.” Mahumapelo said.

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE North West department for local government and human settlements collaborated with the North West University at Vaal campus to come up with different approach for new developments. Acting MEC, Wendy Nelson said a scientific approach in dealing with critical areas of service delivery was needed. The department has already submitted a newly researched method to portfolio committee for approval.

“More still need to be done, but our track record remains our inspiration. It is our beacon of hope towards the achievement of clean audits. Our focus is currently on enhancing key areas of internal controls, ensuring compliance with rules and regulations. We also need to bolster our financial management capacity and implement audit action plans,” Nelson said.

She said their main priority was to implement the back to basics strategy. Nelson said the aim was to turn the North West province into a construction site.

According to Nelson, creating a functional municipalities as well as job creation through accelerated construction projects that will help.

“At the commencement of the fifth administration, we set a task to bring a new sense urgency of service delivery. We embarked on a journey to bring in a paradigm shift that would implant bureaucracy as part of fast tracking transformation.The implementation of our provincial priorities were inspired and driven by the pursuit for radical socio-economic transformation. Our special focus remains villages, township and small dorpies (VTSD) economies and its central role in taking Bokone Bophirima province forward,’’ Nelson said.

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_