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BY REGINALD KANYANE
The North West Provincial Legislature’s Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts (SCOPA) will hold an oversight meeting with the MEC for local government and human settlements, Fenny Gaolaolwe on the incident that transpired during the appearance of the council and senior management of Naledi local municipality.

The Municipal Manager, Modisenyane Segapo, together with Mayor Cllr Langa Modise, the Chief Financial Officer,  David Thornhill and councillors of the Naledi local municipality had been called by the committee to account on the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA)audit outcomes of the 2014/15 financial year.

According to the provincial auditor general’s office, amongst others the municipality is struggling to pay their debtors including Eskom and most of the officials are owing the municipality a lot of money for rates and services, officials and councillors are doing business with the municipality.

During the public hearing on the Municipal Finance Management Act audit outcomes of the financial year 2014/15 that was held on May 18 in Naledi Municipal Chamber, the Municipal Manager, Modisenyane Segapo walked out on a SCOPA meeting after being requested to produce a copy of MFMA and the Constitution.
-TDN
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BY REGINALD KANYANE    
North West Province cebrate the African Day at Lotlamoreng Dam in Mahikeng on Wednesday.

Premier Supra Mahumapelo will be part of the proceeding.

Acting provincial spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said this is the provincial event.

“The event is organised by culture, arts and traditional affairs department. Traditional healers and leaders, Inter-Faith Based Organisation, artists and business people from African countries like Malawi, Ghana and Zimbabwe will also attend,” Setswambung said.

He said the theme of the event is “Building a better Africa and a Better World”.

“The provincial Africa Day celebration has been contextualised and aligned with the vision to rebrand, reposition and renewal of the province.

“The day’s cultural programme will include exhibition by crafters and performances by artists and poets from across the province,” he said.

Africa Day is celebrated annually on May 25 on the continent to mark the formation of the Organisation of African Unity on May 25, 1963.
-TDN
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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI 
Youth Entrepreneurship Services (YES) in the Office of the Premier and the North West Development Corporation (NWDC) have handed over contracts for R10 million rand funding to 139 young people involved in emerging small businesses in the province.

Speaking during the handing over ceremony at Mmabatho Convention Centre on Tuesday, Director of YES in the Office of the Premier, Thapelo Sekawana said they were assisting youth to grow their businesses and create jobs.

“We are giving support to our young people by funding their businesses, providing business mentorship and coaching so that they can also assist in creating jobs in the province.

“We are not only providing funding but we will ensure that they are well monitored and assisted in various aspects of their businesses in order to grow,” Sekawana said.

The funding comes after the YES and NWDC called on all emerging businesses owned by young people in the province to submit their business ideas and apply for funding.

Sekawana indicated that young people clearly stated their plans on how intended growing their businesses and create employment for other youth in their areas.

Sekawana further said the funding of 139 young people is only the beginning.

“We had more than 400 young people who shared their business ideas and requested assistance since making a call last year.

“These young people belong to the first phase of our funding, we will continue with the second phase during the course of this year,” Sekawana said.

Beneficiaries of the funding expressed their appreciation for the funding.

One of the beneficiaries, Kelebogile Pela from Bapong in Madibeng Local Municipality owns a small business called Keglope Investment which manufactures school uniform, protective wears and graduations gowns.

She said the funding will assist her to buy some of the equipment she needed to grow her business.

“This is exactly what I needed for my business this year and I can promise you I will do everything in my power to take my business to another level through this assistance.

“I want to thank our government for such an excellent programme that assist us as young people in business,” said Pela.

Another young emerging entrepreneur, Kgosi Motswanaesi from Mosakga Enterprise in Greater Taung Local Municipality, thanked YES for responding to the needs of young people.

“I never thought there will be a time for me to receive funding from government.

“Now I can see that our government under Premier Supra Mahumapelo is delivering on its promise to assist young people in the province,” he said.
-TDN
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BY REGINALD KANYANE
KLERKSDORP- The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) in the North West has embarked on a process of convening an awareness campaign on human trafficking.

Captain Tlangilani Rikhotso said the aim was to  sensitize the community about human trafficking.

“We want to educate the community about the various channels available to report cases such as human trafficking.
The awareness campaign will be held on Thursday at Klerksdorp Traffic Department,” he said.

Rikhotso said they will also visit Orkney Taxi Rank at 8am and proceed to Stilfontein and Klerksdorp Taxi Ranks respectively.

“There will be a march from Klerksdorp Taxi Rank to the Ballroom Hall (Municipality) for a formal address.
-TDN
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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

NORTH West health department MEC, Dr Magome Masike said they will introduce new electronic filing system at hospitals and clinics. Dr Masike said this after many losses of files occurred recently. He said the plan to improve the availability of medical supplies and medical depot was in a full swing too.

“The poor accessibility of pharmaceutical and medical related items at health facilities was some of challenges. However we came up with a strategic plan to address that. We have engaged with our suppliers to reduce the challenges. Poor availability of medical stock from them hindered our stock levels. This affects our medical depot and the availability of medication at health facilities.

“Efforts are also being made to reduce the challenges encountered with supplier performance. A close bid for procurement of pharmaceutical and medical related items that are not on contract or not available from contracted suppliers has been arranged,” Masike said.

He further added that an open bid will be advertised for a provincial database for pharmaceutical and surgical. He said they have also appointed two distributors to ferry medications from depot to hospitals and clinics.

“The appointment resolves transportation challenges that we encountered before. We have also appointed contract workers to strengthen depot operations, particularly at the dispatch unit since February.

“We will also monitor our sub-district managers quarterly. We want to check if they make sure medication is available at hospitals and clinics. We will also engage with our nurses to make sure we bring back the dignity within nursing profession. We want a good working relationship between them and the patients,” Masike said.

He also added that they will host another nursing summit later this year.

“We have realised that the loss of files at our hospital facilities is high. We have experienced many lawsuits and paid large sum of money. However new electronic filing system will help us to reduce that. We believe there is a third force that is working with lawyers to guzzle-up from health department coffer.

“We want to make sure that community service in the medical field is meeting its objectives. We will also increase intake of nurses. Our nurses will receive training to be reminded of their primary healthcare duties,” Masike said.

He said lack of resources affects the day-to-day process at many hospitals. However Dr Masike added that they will come up with intervention. He said putting the needs of the patients at the frontiers is important.

DENOSA representative, Modise Letsatsi: “We welcome the improved changes the department introduced. We believe more nurses are needed to improve the service delivery. Our nurses will also receive training to deal with their attitude towards patients.”

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

TWO suspects aged 27 and 33 are expected to appear in Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court on Monday for being in possession of suspected stolen goods. North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said the police in Mothutlong and Mmakau acted on a tip-off.

“Two suspects were allegedly found to be in possession of a Ford Ranger vehicle, a plasma TV and four cellphones. The police received a tip-off and nabbed them at Mothutlong Extension 2. The undisclosed amount of money was also found in their possession. They allegedly robbed a house at Tsunami Section in  Ga-rankuwa,” he said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in North West reiterated its call to mining houses to uphold the culture of zero harm. The plea follows the death of a miner who died during a rockfall at the Impala Platinum Mine in Rustenburg last week Tuesday.

Provincial chairperson, Paul Sebegoe said: “We wish to convey our condolences to the family that lost their loved one in the tragic incident. Our communities share their grief as well as the hope and anxiety of the family of the miner who is still unaccounted for.”

SANCO national spokesperson, Jabu Mahlangu said they calling for an investigation into the cause of the rockfall to be sped up.

He added that higher penalties will lead to strict adherence to set occupational health and safety standards and reduce injuries and fatalities.

“Every mining incident reminds us that the Nkambule, Nyarende and Mnisi families are after 105 days still anxiously waiting for the bodies of their loved ones to be recovered at Lilly Mine in Mpumalanga for them to find closure,” he said.

Mahlangu said the delay in recovering the bodies of the three miners is traumatic for families that have not buried their loved ones in dignity.

“It is equally tragic that an investigation into that incident has not commenced for corrective action to be taken to prevent similar incidents at other mines. SANCO’s concern is that the tragedy in Impala Platinum Mine is the second to occur in a short space of time.

“Management says there’s been no communication with the second miner and teams fear the worst. Four miners were killed in an underground fire at the same mine earlier this year,” Mahlangu said.

-TDN

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

NORTH West Film Commission said they want to formalise the filming industry in the province. NWFC spokesperson, Vusi Moyakhe said they call on all those who are interested in filming to come forward. Moyakhe said his organisation develops, promotes and coordinates the film and television industry.

According to Moyakhe, they are working in partnership with culture, art, and traditional affairs department (CATA). He said they were tasked with positioning the province as World class destination in film-making as well as to attract local and international investors in filming industry.

Moyakhe said: “We want to assist all filmmakers and value change around North West. Many films have been shot in the province, but there is nothing to show for. Ga Re Dumele sitcom is shot at Jouberton Location in North West however no one from that area is part it.

“We also noted that many films from Leon Shuster were shot in North West. However no one from the province was part of it. The revenue from Shuster’s films was paid to Gauteng Film Commission. However from now on he will have to approach us to get permission to shoot films in the province. This will boost the province’s economy and its people.”

He also added that there were many films shot in Sun City resort in the past. He said the film called Blended was shot in Sun City resort by American company.

“No one from North West was part of that film. No one benefited from that. So NWFC organization will provides with licensing permission to all filmmakers in North West from now on. We had no commission before and all films received their permits from Gauteng Film Commission.

“Also the revenues were paid to that commission and North West province did not get even a cent. We have a partnership with CATA and have a 5 year strategic plan. We discussed our plan with MEC for Finance, economy and enterprise development department (FEED), Wendy Nelson,” Moyakhe said.

He also added that each district across the province must have a by-law on how to deal with film. Moyakhe said there was another film called Reconnected that was shot in Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom.

“We have actors like Presley Chweneyagae who come from the province. We want them to come and showcase their talents in the province rather than in Gauteng. We need to change that mindset. You know one film can creates close to 250 jobs. So this will boost job opportunities.

“We are also looking for producers and script writers. The critical part of the film is through office box. We need to make sure our people go watch homemade films and that will enable us to compete against other films for the awards.

“All production companies in the province must come and register on our database. Actors will be nurtured through production companies. We have also met with Platinum TV to advance our interest. We will take people to do practical work at Platinum TV after all training. They will also learn on how to protect their intellectual properties,” Moyakhe said.

Award-winning actor, Presley Chweneyagae said: “Films have a uniquely powerful ubiquity within human culture. The convergent nature of film creates consumption across a number of channels. The effect to the wider economy is significant. The film industry helps to let people tell their stories and backgrounds.”

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West premier Supra Mahumapelo detractors resurfaced again. The latest accusations came forth that Mahumapelo was planning to close down all funeral parlours across the province. This sent shivers down some businesspersons, but Mahumapelo was quick to dismiss this.

Mahumapelo dismissed the allegations as malicious and preposterous. He said the circulating rumours that he was planning to close funeral parlours in the province was absurd and unfounded.

“This is part of an on-going political agenda. All manner of rumours are spread about me from time to time and the intention is to discredit me politically. In February 2016 they told people that I have died as a result of a heart attack.” Mahumapelo said.

“It has come to the attention of the provincial government that there are people spreading malicious statements that I own a huge funeral parlour and that I plan to close others that operate in the province. There were rumours that I also died in a car accident previously.

“The allegations are baseless and seek to tarnish my good image. There are no plans to close funeral parlours. Instead the provincial government would like to engage with owners of funeral parlours with a view to understanding some of the challenges they experience in their business,” Mahumapelo said.

He said the engagement will be done as part of the Setsokotsane approach. He said the programme seeks to accelerate service delivery to all citizens of North West.

Mahumapelo said they will continue to support small, medium and micro enterprises especially in rural areas. Mahumapelo said they targeted the SMMEs sector as an economic empowerment vehicle for previously disadvantaged people.

“SMMEs form the integral part of our economy. So SMMEs will receive significant attention and investment. This will range from establishment of state-initiated projects. We will provide necessary skills to village business owners. We have already implemented village developmental programme,” he said.

Mahumapelo also urged those who spread rumours about him to refrain from that. He said the provincial government came up with a Reconciliation, Renewal and Healing programme to unite the people across North West.

“We want to continue to bring peace and unity within the communities of the province. You will remember that the Freedom Charter mentioned that factionalism and division must not have any place within the organisation, so our mission is just that.

“Since the dawn of this programme, we have experienced reduce infightings. We want to bring reconciliation, healing and renewal after the province previously experienced spate of unrest,” he said.

Mahumapelo said manifested division within the province is not needed.

“We want to rebuild a relationship between the government and its citizens. The situation needs to be improved so to all pastors and reverends, please pray for the province and harmonies will prevails,”he said.

-TDN

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

RESIDENTS of Modderspruit, near Brits, marched to the Madibeng local municipality office on Friday demanding that uncompleted projects  in their area be finished.

  Community members alleged that there was lack of service delivery in their area.

EFF member and community leader for ward 31 in the area, Mpotokeng Bodigelo said there are many projects that were left incomplete.

  He said that residents want the municipality to deliver on its mandate and speed-up the process on incomplete projects.

  “The municipality promised to improve the lives of the community. However they came with empty promises. We were promised a sport field facility worth R2.6m. When you look at that project, it was abandoned and now the area has been vandalised. We were also promised a community hall, road paving and 500 unit RDP houses.

  “We just need transparency to all projects taking place within our community. The municipality itself is in shambles. We want the municipality to account and improve the lives of our people. When you look at our roads, they are marred with potholes and there is no water and sanitation in the area,” Bodigelo said.

 Another resident said they have three trust accounts belonging to the community. However when they inquire about them they get no reply.

 “We have a trust fund from Lonmin mine, IFM and another one from the complex. We have tried to enquire about these accounts, however to our dissatisfaction, we are told all three accounts balance is zero,” she said.

 Another resident shared his views and said: “There is high rate of unemployment in the area. There is no high school in this area. We were promised library, but we are still waiting until now.”

 However ANC ward councillor in Modderspruit, Petrus Makgabo said the municipality was hard at work to finish delayed projects. He further added that some of the projects were vandalised by community members.

 “The municipality implemented sport field which was in good condition during 2014-15 financial year. And the community park was built before my term. The community started to vandalise it and we approached the mine to fence it.

 “Now as we speak the park is fenced and regarding RDP houses, we approached the local government and human settlements department to check if there was any allocation for housing project. Unfortunately there was no such project,” Makgabo said.

 The beleaguered municipality was put under administration by provincial government and is under investigation by The Hawks.

-TDN

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