Picture: SABC Current Affairs host, Oshebeng Koonyaditse

BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

VETERAN radio journalist Oshebeng Alpheus Koonyaditse welcomed the honour bestowed to him by the Gauteng education department recently.

Koonyaditse was honoured during the opening of new high tech specialised school, Curtis Nkondo in Emdeni, Soweto.

The sports complex at the school was named after him.

Koonyaditse shared the honour with other dignitaries those other complexes were named after them like Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

Motsweding FM current affair host said he was speechless when he was informed that the sports complex at the school will be named after him.

“I am very grateful to be honoured by Curtis Nkondo School. It really shows that hard work, dedication and determination will always takes one far to another level. It is an honour that you cannot even begin to measure and that leaves me with indescribable feeling,” he said.

The Taung-born journalist also works as sport commentator at SABC’s Motsweding FM. Koonyaditse was a former journalism lecturer at North West University (Mafikeng campus). He quit because he wanted to continue with his studies.

“Education is very key particularly because we need young South Africans to play a role in solving our socioeconomic problems. I have a Masters degree from North West University. And I also attended Edward R. Murrow Journalism Programme in the US in 2008. I have now registered for post graduate programme and studying International Relations,” Koonyaditse said.

He is also the author of a book, The Politics of South African football. According to him, another book could be coming soon.

“I am busy with research. After I complete my research, I will begin to write. Unfortunately is at a slower pace as I have to balance it with my work responsibility here at the SABC and being a student and a family man,” he said.

Koonyaditse pointed out that it was very important that transformation happens in sports so that it helps unite people.

“Our former late president Dr Nelson Mandela once said sport can unite different races. So transformation is important. However sports bodies should communicate their transformation programmes so that the nation should know where they are with the process. All of us should play a role and we should approach it holistically.

“Martin Luther king had a dream and Nelson Mandela had an ideal for which he was prepared to die. I simply have a wish to see us emphasising on our South Africanness rather than the innocuous differences that our skin pigments are,” he said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

Bloemhof is on knife-edge again as residents ran riot, burning three trucks on Wednesday night. One motorist died while trying to escape from the claws of mob barricading N12 road.

They demand the dissolution of the Lekwa Teemane municipal council.

Residents made the same demands in 2014 and the town was engulfed in a protracted violent protest where several vehicles, including one belonging to SABC and buildings were burnt.

About a month ago, four teenagers were arrested after a group of people barricaded the N12 and torched a bakkie.

The Wednesday night flare-up came as a baptism of fire to the newly appointed local government and human settlements MEC, Fenny Gaolaolwe and her counterpart at community safety, Dr Mpho Motlhabane.

While police sprung to action to restore order, Motlhabane condemned the violent protest and called for dialogue between residents and government.

The MEC warned motorists using the road to look for alternative routes until the situation was resolved.

“Motorists are cautioned and advised to use alternative roads due to the closure of the N12 following community protests. The community of Bloemhof went on a rampage on Wednesday night blockading the road.

“It is alleged that the community is complaining about lack of service delivery and none response of their memorandum delivered to government. According to SAPS and Traffic Authorities on site, three trucks were torched and two bakkies were involved in an accident trying to avoid the mob which thrown them with stones. However no injuries were reported so far,” Motlhabane said.

He added that in making their grievances known, communities do not need to resort to destructive behaviour.

“Torching and destruction of property is condemned at all costs and will never be tolerated in a democratic country, communities have the right to a peaceful demonstration. Every person has the right to move freely and use our roads which should not be taken away by anyone.

“We advise drivers using the N12 road to be very careful. We also urge them to use alternatives roads and cooperate when they are redirected by Traffic Authorities. To report bad driving, accidents and other unlawful acts, please contact our Call Centre on 0800 204 992,” he said.

One resident who did not want to be named said they are tired of corruption, fraud and maladministration at the municipality and their cried are never responded to.

“We submitted the memorandum of grievances to the municipality and gave them 14 days. However, they decided to ignore our call. The current administration is not the one wanted by Boitumelong residents. There are some decisions taken by municipality that we were not part of. We want the municipality council to be resolved,” the resident said.

SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in Dr Ruth Mompati region urged the provincial government to swiftly react and intervene.

Regional Secretary, Mika Moeti said: “We urge our local government and human settlements department to intervene. We need stability ahead of local government elections. The government must listen to the people’s grievances and act accordingly. However we condemn the violent behaviour of the Boitumelong residents. We request them to refrain from using violence as that will cost more money to repair torched buildings or vehicles,” he said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

COMMUNITY safety and transport management MEC, Dr Mpho Motlhabane visits the Hlungu family in Jourbeton Ext 7, Klerksdorp to offer his condolences today.

The family lost five members in a road accident on April 30. A mass funeral is scheduled for tomorrow.

“It is African to go and support the family that is going through the difficult times. Loosing such a number of people in one family at the same time is too much. Therefore, as the provincial government, we need to come closer to our people so that they do not feel despair,” Dr Motlhabane said.

Senior officials from his department visited the family last week. They were accompanied by the Road Accident Funds (RAF) officials who assisted the family on processes of making arrangements for their claims.

The Hlungu family was coming from a wedding in Carletonville when the driver of the taxi they were travelling with allegedly lost control after a tyre burst on the N12 between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom.

According to reports, five family members died on the scene. Two people survived with critical injuries.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

TAUNG- ANC in North West will launch its manifesto at Taung Cover ground in Greater Taung local municipality on Sunday. Provincial secretary, Dakota Legoete said the party is ready for local government elections.

Legoete said the plans are in place.

He said the party will use this opportunity to ensure that the people of the province are on the same page with the organisation. Legoete said the manifesto is guided under the theme: “Year of Advancing People’s Power”.

“With regards to the work already done, we continue to ensure our masses are rightfully receiving the best from our government. All systems go as we will be heading to Taung this coming weekend. We want to tell our people that local government is in their hands,” he said.

Legoete said the proceeding will commence at 8am.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE
Thirteen MTN employees are critically injured and while one died on scene after the vehicle they were travelling in lost control.

The deceased and other 13 injured passengers were travelling in an MTN quantum from Khunotswane village near Zeerust to Mahikeng after distributing sim cards to customers in the village. 

Community Safety department spokesperson, Daddy Sebolecwe said: “The driver of the vehicle lost control and it rolled to the gravel road. Unfortunately one male passenger died on the scene while the driver and other passengers where admitted at Bophelong Hospital and are under critical conditions,” he said.

MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management MEC Mpho Motlhabane sent his condolences to the bereaved family.

Sebolecwe said Motlhabane wished a speedy recovery to the injured victims.
 
“ We send our heartfelt condolences to the deceased’s family, losing a family member is never easy, we would like to wish the other victims to get well soon and all are in our prayers,” said Motlhabane.

All motorist are urged to be cautious when driving on all types of roads.  To report accidents, bad driving, and other unlawful acts, please contact our Call Centre on 0800 204 992.
-TDN
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PREMIER Supra Mahumapelo has called on churches to work together with government in rooting out immorality in communities.

Mahumapelo said that churches will always form part of politics as they not operate in a vacuum.

He said this during an address to more than 300 women at Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southern Africa (ELCSA) in Madikwe circuit during their three day conference held in Pella village outside Rustenburg.

“Churches are a public service to the surrounding communities. They provide just about everything. Our people are members of various churches and whatever happens politically indirectly affects them. So to those who say politics and churches cannot go along they do not know what they talking about.

“All challenges that are facing our province, also affect church goers. The key issue is that churches can help in building our society. So churches will always form part of the society and must always be transparent within their communities,” Mahumapelo said.

He said the province experienced trials and tribulations in the past. According to Mahumapelo the situation has improved since the introduction of Renewal, Healing and Reconciliation programme.

“Youth need to form part of churches as that could assist them in choosing positive life-styles. The church is like a moral regeneration movement. It is the best networking platform that can facilitates and coordinates all processes and initiatives aimed at combating moral degeneration. They are civil society-driven initiative that must be supported by the government.

“The churches provide the opportunity to redouble our efforts as a full partnership of the people. Churches allow us to pay special attention to the issues of development, social cohesion, and nation building. As the government, we also support traditional and cultural programmes,” he said.

Moses Kotane local municipality mayor, Fetsang Makgati shared the same sentiments. She said most people tend to forget about church when life is good. However she urged all communities to attend churches as that will bring them closer to God.

“We do not have to wait until something happens that turns our lives upside down. Churches will continue to be part of our lives. They always play a pivotal role, so let’s not cause a major shift in church assessment. We will achieve our mark as provincial government if we work together with all institutions within our proximity,” Makgati said.

ELCSA regional chairperson, Lydia Pelesa said they invited Mahumapelo to the church as part of sharing ideas. She said they wanted to be part of the changes in the province.

“We are very excited as we understand Mahumapelo’s vision now. We invited him over to our church conference so that he could share his vision. We also believe that churches can assist in build the society. Churches offer delightful assistance, whether it is in the form of prayers or social responsibility projects. Making a difference in people’s everyday lives will benefit the believers as well as the community. When the church is rooted deeply in its community, it impacts positively in the lives of the people. People need to have their spiritual, emotional and physical needs met.

“We are living in perilous and drastic times. Drastic times call for drastic measures. Targeted small groups should be implemented in churches to be available to meet the needs in each believer’s life. Irrespective of church size, each church can provide effective small group ministries and outreach services,” He said.

“Our youth are engaged in alcohol and drug abuse, crime, unemployment and teenage pregnancy. HIV and Aids continues to ravage our youth. We need to pray for all of that. This momentum can then spread out beyond the walls of the church and be incorporated into the community where the church serves. To the best of its ability, the church can provide services, counselling and advice to those in need,” Pelesa added.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

TIME has come for people to get back in shape and ward off lifestyle diseases like diabetes and hypertension.

This was a message from North West director-general Dr Lydia Sebego at the World Walk for Life exercise session in Mahikeng yesterday (Wednesday).

Government employees, particularly women, went through rigorous exercises to cut off the extra fat.

“We want to avoid chronic diseases like sugar diabetes, high blood pressure and any level of stress. Our employees will be given a day on every Wednesday to participate in various sporting events. We’re going back to basics and hopefully this will be fruitful,” Sebego said.

She added that the programme was part of Premier Supra Mahumapelo’s vision to fight obesity within state employees and encourage them to live a healthy lifestyle.

“We launched this campaign provincial and it has been rolled out to our district municipalities. Our employees participated in various sporting events. Some participated in a fun walk, aerobics and various sporting codes. Following health policies will bring out the best out of our employees. Remember, great vision achieve great team. So this is what we aiming at as the fifth administration,” Sebego added.

Neo Modise from the culture, arts and traditional affairs department said: “Participating in sports improves your health in many ways. We need to take care of ourselves if we want to live longer. This gets you thinking about what to eat and how to treat your body to achieve peak performance in any levels.”
Health task team programme manager, Ishmael Boboko, said that there are five concepts to a proper healthy lifestyle.

“We advised our employees to exercise, eat nutrition food, and always protect themselves from engaging in unprotected sex and stop smoking and drinking beer. These components will help in achieve our mark and live health life style. We will continue with the programme as health department,” Boboko said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

MEC for social development department, Kgakgamatso Nkewu hits the ground running and aims to give enormous support to old-age home projects across North West. Nkewu will visit three departmental infrastructure projects in Dr Ruth Mompati district.

Acting spokesperson, Petrus Siko said Nkewu’s visit is part of the Setsokotsane-driven programme.

“MEC Nkewu will visit a newly erected old age home in Pudumong. She will also visit other two Community Care Centres in Ipelegeng township and Kgomotso village near Pampierstad,” Siko said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development will meet with Communal Property Associations (CPA) structures in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District at the Mmabatho High School (Great Hall) at 14h00.

The purpose of the meeting will be to assess the functionality of the CPA’s; the support from the Agricultural department and progress made since restitution.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE North West Provincial Legislature’s Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts (SCOPA) will hold public hearings on the Municipal Finance Management Act audit outcomes of the financial year 2014/15 for Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District and Kgetleng Revier Local Municipalities in Legislature Committee Room 2 at 08h00.

The public hearings will be attended by the Mayors, Municipal Managers including senior management of municipalities, Municipal Public Account Committees, representatives from the Department of Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development; Department of Local Government and Human Settlements and the Auditor General’s office.

-TDN

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