South Africa remains the most unequal country in the world with the two richest South Africans (Johann Rupert and Nicky Oppenheimer, according to Forbes) having wealth equal to the poorest 50 percent (i.e. 26.5-million people) of the country, according to an Oxfam global inequality report.

Click here to read “Even it Up”, Oxfam’s report on extreme inequality or here to read another Oxfam report on inequality entitled “Working for the Few”.

Some of the claims made by Oxfam (in addition to those already mentioned):

• Only 360 of highest earners in South Africa pay their fair share of taxes.

• Inequality in South Africa is worse today than at the end of Apartheid.

• R350-billion flows out of South Africa illegally through corporations.

• Land reform is increasing inequality and about 35 000 farmers create 80 percent of all produce. A few large corporations have a massive influence.

• Unemployment is biggest driver of poverty in South Africa. Poverty is most severe amongst the elderly, young adults and children.

• One in four South Africans right now are hungry with nothing to eat.

Oxfam is an international confederation working 94 countries worldwide to find solutions to poverty and what it considers as injustice around the world.
Courtesy: Cape Talk

BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) condemned violence that occurred at some voting stations across the country as well as the torching of two houses in Masakona village outside Vuwani in Limpopo on Sunday.

SANCO National spokesperson, Jabu Mahlangu said: “Violent protests during voter registration and on election days denies eligible voters the right to exercise their constititonal right to vote for parties and or candidates of their own choice.”

Mahlangu said that such actions were  violation of the electoral law which should be enforced with serious repercussions for those responsible for senseless violence and lawlessness.

“Denying people their right to vote is a myopic strategy that in the long run impacts on service delivery and community development.The election campaign phase is a mandating period and not one during which grievances are resolved,” he said. 

He appealed to the minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs, Desmond Van Rooyen to take the disruptions into account before issuing a proclamation that will close the voters rolls.

“The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) should be given space to devise a focused strategy to reach out to eligible voters who were affected before they are closed out,” said Mahlangu. 
-TDN
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PITSO Mosimane says that he’s willing to help embattled Bafana Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba, if the process is done through right channels.

Mosimane’s nam

He was mentioned in the South African Football Association’s Technical Advisory Board (Tab) that is lined-up to assist Mashaba, who is going through a difficult period as the senior national team’s head coach.

Bafana are almost out of the 2017 Afcon Qualifiers and have accumulated a mere 3 points out of a possible 12.

They’re left with two matches and will be hoping for a miracle to overtake both Cameroon and Mauritania, who are number one and two in the group standings.

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

IS THERE a book that alerts women about tell-tale signs of abuse? A lot of women out there are clueless about this subject!

Orlando Pirates exacted revenge on Free State Stars with a 1-0 win in an Absa Premiership clash at Orlando Stadium yesterday. 

Victory moves the Buccaneers up to sixth on the log standings, Stars remain eighth.  Pirates have been devastating in attack of late and after nine minutes they were a goal up. Free-scoring Tendai Ndoro continuing were he left off last week -Makola with a neat flick to play in his teammate who made no mistake – firing past Johnny Mathole.

The Buccaneers dominated the first-half with the woodwork coming to Ea Lla Koto’s rescue on two occasions.

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

The Pikitup strike is over, the CCMA, Pikitup and the City of Joburg confirmed on today.

“#Pikitup is over; workers return to work immediately.  Thank you, dear resident, for your patience during the strike” the municipality said in a tweet on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the commission for conciliation, mediation and arbitration said in a statement that it had successfully facilitated a settlement agreement.

CCMA Director Cameron Sello Morajane said that the agreement came after parties reconvened from Friday onwards.

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

FADED kwaito star Mandoza’s battle with cancer is bearing fruits.

Sunday Sun has been told the Nkalakathahitmaker was back in hospital for an operation.

Sources close to the star said Mandoza is allegedly fighting cancer.

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

Charges laid against President Jacob Zuma by Khoisan Revolution include corruption, fraud, and defeating the ends of justice.

The leader of the Khoisan Revolution, a new political party for the San community in the Northern Cape, has opened a criminal case against President Jacob Zuma.

The case was opened at the Rosedale Police Station in Upington.

Charges laid against the President include corruption, fraud, and defeating the ends of justice, following last week’s Constitutional Court judgment on Nkandla.

The Khoisan party leader, Stanley Petersen, says they can’t stand by and watch while public funds meant for the country’s development are squandered.

“As a member of the Khoisan council, I was a guest there in parliament. I was sitting in the gallery, he was telling the nation that his family, the Zuma family paid for the upgrading of Nkandla and that was a lie.”

“Constitutional Court findings clearly show that he lied under oath, and he didn’t abide to the Constitution as a president of the country. We have land claims waiting for years not being paid and here the president is undermining the constitution of the country, wasting money, tax payers’ money.”
Courtesy- SABC

Premier Supra Mahumapelo will visit China for three days before heading to Dubai on Monday. Mahumapelo was invited by Henan province’s vice-governor, Li Ya. Acting provincial spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said will also attend the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) Congress which starts on Monday in Dubai.

“Mahumapelo’s visit to China is at the invitation of Vice-Governor Li Ya of Henan province. Li Ya visited North West province in October last year. He expressed his intention to host Mahumapelo as part of forging strong ties and implementing the working relations between the two provinces.

“He is accompanied by three MECs. Manketsi Tlhape, Desbo Mohono and Wendy Nelson are part of the visit. MEC for Finance, economy and enterprise development, Nelson is expected to take advantage of this official trip to promote the provincial strategy on agriculture, culture and tourism (ACT),” Setswambung said.  

He said Nelson was also expected to invite potential investors to explore trade and investment opportunities in the province. Setswambung said premier and his delegation which include the North West Development Corporation (NWDC), will meet with companies in the sectors of Agribusiness, Energy, Industrial Manufacturing, as well as Leisure and Tourism.

Meanwhile, MEC for social development, Fenny Gaolaolwe has been appointed as acting premier of the North West province from April 6 until 14.
-TDN
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THE local government and human settlement department will hand over a housing project in Extension 39 to the Mahikeng local municipality. The project reached its completion and Eskom was busy installing a temporary transformer on Wednesday.

The project caused R40.5m and was a two-storey with 100 units. Mahikeng local municipality acting chief director for division planning, Tebogo Phaedi said they looking at generating revenue. Phaedi said the project will boost the economy and catered for middle class.

“We have completed the project and Eskom is busy installing transformer so that the area can be electrified. The area had no electricity, but we will put in tenants amid the installation of electricity. The project was completed in December 2015. This will benefit people who earn from R800 to R3500.  

“We will outsource the service of property management. We have already advertised the post for property management and we expect to hire the service provider in weeks to come. We also discussing the individual billing system,” he said.

Acting provincial chief director on housing development unit for local government and human settlements, Vusi Bidi said: “Historically, federal housing played a role in creating many of today’s economic. We know that access to quality affordable housing is a crucial aspect in the development of sustainable communities. Many people flock to areas like Mahikeng for greener pastures and that makes accommodations to be in demand.

“As housing prices rise, families and individuals in our communities struggle to find and keep places to live, and access to healthcare, education, and employment is put at risk. We are also planning on expanding the units so that more people can be catered for. As the department, we will also have the landscape in the area for leisure time. We want to develop the area into family household even though it is rental.”  

However the North West provincial legislature’s portfolio committee on local government and human settlement was less impressed. The committee chairperson, Motlalepula Rosho said the local government and human settlements must do oversight visit. She highlighted this after the department’s housing project in Unit 3 was marred with challenges.

“We urge the department to do oversight visit to all their projects. Now they have spent R54 million on a Community Residential Unit project in Unit 3, Mmabatho. The project has been abandoned as we speak. The monies were never accounted for. This was very reckless by department in spending public funds without verifying the details pertaining to the contract.

“Anybody can see that the department entered into this thing recklessly. One thing that I’ve realised is that they are not doing oversight on their projects. There is no value for money here and there is huge demand for accommodation in Mahikeng. R54 million is gone and it cannot be accounted for. Marang Real Estate is not even coming on board. The municipality itself issued a title deed without verifying whether the money was paid or not,” she said.

“This matter has to be investigated, the department must recover that R54 million. We are going to hold the municipality accountable as well as this is for the interest of our communities and government. How do they give a person a title deed without even paying all the money the land was purchased for?” asked Rosho.

According to Rosho, they will call the head of department for human settlements, the municipality and the developers to come and account. She said explanation was needed as to what actually happened in unit 3 project. Rosho said they also wanted to know their intentions going forward.

The Economic Freedom Fighters representative, Thabo Sehloho said: “As the EFF and part of the North West Legislature’s portfolio committee, indeed we are very shock about the outcome of this project. All the processes were not followed properly. Even the municipality highlighted that the land was sold for R89m, but only purchased for R5m. We will call for a probe on the matter because the public money was used here.”
-TDN
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