EDUCATION and sport development MEC, Sello Lehari has applauded North West-based Platinum Stars for their illustrious performance on ABSA Premier Soccer League this past season.
Dikwena, as Platinum Stars Football Club is affectionately known, came out third, above giants like Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
The club held an awards ceremony for its players at Royal Marang Hotel near Rustenburg on Sunday.
“Platinum Stars is the only team from the North West province that is playing in the Premier Soccer League. We need to commend them for finishing in top 3 with 47 points. They will now be representing South Africa at the forthcoming edition of the CAF Confederation Cup next season.
“As Bokone Bophirima provincial government, we are thrilled. We also want to pledge our support for the team. They represented the province well and we highly-appreciate that. They have found their niche in the football fraternity and they are well-respected,” Lehari said.
He added: “We are behind Dikwena and want to wish them well in the next season. The success of the team will benefit our sport development. We also want to see more football players from the province being nurtured and form part of the team.
“Bokone Bophirima has abundance of talents and we have proved that in the past. We are the province with a force to be reckoned. We also urge people in Bokone Bophirima to support Dikwena as Platinum Stars affectionately known,” Lehari said.
The MEC pointed out that the team will tour the province with the suppot of government to mobilise support. Individual players will also be invited to different schools to give motivational talks to, pupils.
“The players will motivate and encourage our learners about healthy lifestyle. It is very imperative for our people to know the importance of exercising. We also encourage our young children to participate in various sporting code,” Lehari said.
Club chairperson, Cliff Ramoroa assured all and sundry that this team belonged to the Bokone Bophirima province.
“On behalf of the team, I want to assure everyone that this team belongs to the province. We are very grateful of the unwavering support. The team will continue to represents the province and we believe that together we can achieve our obligation,” Ramoroa said.
Platinum Stars striker, Ndumiso Mabena stole the show and collected four awards.  He won Player of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season, Star of the Season and the Crystal Boot for finishing as the club’s top scorer with 10 goals.
He said: “I am very humbled to receive these four awards. I am speechless as I did not expect so many awards. The only award I was sure about was the golden  boot. The other three have been voted for by the players. I would like to thank God who gave us power, wisdom and strength throughout the season.”

-TDN

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MORE than 100 disadvantaged pupils from Treasure Trove primary school in Barkerville outside Lichtenburg will benefit a newly kitchen. The Green Kitchen was donated by Old Mutual organization.
The principal at the school, Dorah Batsi welcomed the donation. She said the kitchen will come in handy.
“Good nutrition and successful education go hand in hand. Some of our learners travel long distances to school without food. This affects them to concentrate in class and eventually their education is affected. Spending hours at school without food is almost impossible to concentrate on their lessons. We are very grateful for this donation. It will make the needed difference in the lives of our pupils,” Batsi said.
Provincial General Manager from the donor, Robertson Themba said they were committed to contribute positively to communities. He said they have also invested in a greater future for South Africa.
“The Green Kitchens project addresses South Africa’s pressing need for food security and improved child nutrition and education.  Fully equipped and self-contained kitchen units at under-resourced schools will ensure that disadvantaged pupils have at least one hot meal a day.
“Education is a key focus area for us. We are also committed to R350 million over seven years to improve Mathematics and Physical Science subjects. We also want to uplift underperforming schools. The company also wants to improve school management and teaching capabilities,” he said.
“We are also frequent donor of some initiatives like planting trees, donated school shoes to the needy and sponsored name boards. That helps to build the schools identity and pride. We have also donated laptops, modems and projectors to improve efficiencies and the quality of teaching delivered to pupils,” Themba said.
He further added that other schools like Mahube and Bothibello primary schools from Klerksdorp and Rustenburg respectively also benefited from the project.  -TDN

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CULTURES, arts and traditional affairs MEC, Ontlametse Mochware met with traditional leaders, interfaith representatives and youth structures at Pudimoe Community Hall near Taung on Monday.
The meeting was meant for Mochware to formally introduce her to all stakeholders following her recent appointment.
“We were engaged in a meeting with all stakeholders in Dr Ruth Mompati district. We want to fulfill our department’s requirements captured on the Annual Performance Plan. We are obliged to host quarterly meetings with stakeholders across the province.
“This will assist us to keep our commitments to deliver required services on time and redresses past issues. We share the same sentiments as our premier Supra Mahumapelo’s intention to carry forward government’s objective and mandate,” Mochware said.
The MEC pointed out that her department will play a part in implementing five concretes the fifth administration has committed itself to.
She highlighted the need to rebrand, reposition and renew the province through agriculture, culture and tourism.
“We need to rebrand our image as government. The objective is to take our service delivery to the next level. Mahumapelo’s target is to increase the province’s economic growth to 6%.
“This can only be achieved through partnership with all stakeholders. We are also seeking to emancipate small businesses and artists coming from Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies (VTSD) through Setsokotsane programme,” she added.
ANCYL regional secretary in Dr Ruth Mompati, Lekgotla Menyatso pledged to support the department’s efforts. He also urged the youth to emancipate themselves with opportunities brought by provincial government.
“Our youth need to concentrate of their education. They also need to read a lot and participate in various codes of art offered by Mmabana foundation. We need to make sure we groom them well as the future leaders,” Menyatso said.
Baga-Maidi Tribal Authority chief, Kgosi Nnyoko Motlhabane said: “We welcome our new MEC. Dr Ruth Mompati region is your home. We commend your effort to meet with our leadership. Our government has done a lot for our people and we believe they will do more. Our community members need to be steadfast so that they are not left behind,” Motlhabane said.

-TDN

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INCREASED economical activities in Rustenburg has resulted in exponential growth and a subsequent population upsurge, prompting one leading  emergency medical service company, ER24 to open a new branch in the platinum city.
ER24 Northern regional manager, Marius Koekemoer said the newly established ER24 Rustenburg branch promised a quality pre-hospital care to patients.
“It is an honour to open this new branch. The people of Rustenburg can expect well organised, highly skilled staff that will render the best care possible to all clients. The public can rest assured that their lives are in safe hands. We will support our newly appointed staff because without them ER24 is nothing.
“We will sustain our obligation and objective to ensure our new branch becomes a success. Johann McDermott was appointed as the acting branch manager. He has years of experience in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) industry,” Koekemoer said.
“We are out and about. We aim to be visible everywhere and be the first port of call for any emergency in the community. We will also render appropriate emergency care in a real and helpful way. We will like also to encourage our people to save our medical emergency number 084 124 on their cellphones,” he said.
Koekemoer added that emergencies could occur anywhere and that ER24 has a passion in helping people.
“We believe that patients must always come first. As a team we can always keep that motto a reality,” Koekemoer said.
Advanced Life Support paramedic in Rustenburg, Lourens Smit said: “Next to creating a life, saving one is the highest calling. I am excited to be part of this initiative. It’s a privilege to be part of the team. We have a motivated team. We spend a lot of time on the road and at stationary points.”

-TDN

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NINETY vehicles were impounded and more than 384 fines were issued during a traffic blitz in Mahikeng.
The operation targeted defaulting motorists and was run by community safety and transport management department in North West.
Department MEC, Dr Mpho Motlhabane said that they want to make roads safer for everyone hence the special operation.
“More than 90 vehicles were impounded and 384 traffic fines were issued to defaulting motorists with monetary value of more than R400 000. One of the department’s key mandates is to ensure safety and compliance of the roads. There will be non-compliance vehicle that will be allowed on the road.
“We want to make our capital city, Mahikeng as one of the best cities. So we will ensure that all vehicles on our roads are roadworthy. We close up all gaps and stifle all defaulting motorists. The department wants to protect the innocent lives against drunken drivers,” Motlhabane said.
He added that 35 drunken drivers were arrested over the weekend during the special operation in Brits.
Motlhabane said the operation was in partnership with the South African Police Services.
“We saved lives by arresting drunken drivers. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. Therefore there is a need for partnership to advocate this. We urge all road users to obey the rules and comply with at all times. We will save the country from death pains and avoid losing valuable persons.
“The deaths on the roads rob us important people who some of them have needed skills. That also affects our economy indirectly. People need to start to report drunken driving and also refrain from using cellphones while driving. To report bad driving, accidents and other unlawful acts, please contact departmental toll free number: 0800 204 992,” he said.

-TDN

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