Picture: (Acting North West Provincial Government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung)

BY REGINALD KANYANE

MAHIKENG- DA in North West said they do not approve Premier Supra Mahumapelo’s new cabinet reshuffle. DA provincial leader, Joe McGluwa said they were shocked by Mahumapelo’s changes. He said the incumbents lack experience and that will derail service delivery.

“We want to welcome the controversial former mayor of Moretele, Sello Lehari. The DA is not convinced that Lehari could manage after he failed to run a small municipality. His appointment is just another ANC cadre deployment that proves that the ANC again put politics above the interest and education of our children.

“ANC provincial treasurer, Kgakgamatso Nkewu was a previous ward councillor and Speaker of Greater Taung local municipality. However we can only hope that her qualification as Project Manager will come in handy while distributing food parcels,” McGluwa said

DA said Nkewu will assist the people of the North West to obtain the necessary documentation to qualify for grants.

“Another former mayor, Ontlametse Mochware is also the new kid on the block. We believe the premier has thrown her under a bus again. She will be faced with mammoth task of overseeing the Traditional Leaders of North West.

“The DA however welcomes the appointment of Dr Nicholas Motlhabane as public safety MEC. The DA respects him as a person of principle and integrity,” he said.

However acting provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said the Premier Mahumapelo made those necessary changes after he assessed each portfolio.

“The reshuffling was done in the interest of enhancing service delivery. Mahumapelo made major changes after he properly assessed each department. We want to congratulate newly appointed incumbents.

“We also want to thank those who served previously like Wendy Matsemela and Gaoage Molapisi. They will continue to serve as Member of Parliament within the legislature.

Setswambung said: “It is prerogative of the head of government to effect changes in provincial cabinet. Mahumapelo made thorough assessment and implemented changes in a quest to strengthen service delivery.”

-TDN

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THE newly appointed MEC of local government and human settlements, Fenny Gaolaolwe said the merger between Tlokwe and Ventersdorp municipalities will go ahead as scheduled.

Gaolaolwe said that processes are on course to realise the merger by August 3 when people go to vote in this year’s local government elections.

“The department is on the ground to ensure the seamless merger of Tlokwe and Ventersdorp local municipalities. Fully functional transactional change management committee at administrative and political level was established in September 2015.

“We are proud to announce that the work done by the committee has been applauded by the national municipal demarcation transactional committee. The province is ready to deliver a new institution within Dr Kenneth Kaunda district municipality on August 3,” Gaolaolwe said.

However, many opposition parties did not agree with the merger. They said the move was propelled by ANC because they want to win Tlokwe local municipality.

DA Tlokwe constituency head, Juanita Terblanche said: “We will inform the voters of both Ventersdorp and Tlokwe local municipality about what is happening. And people at the legislature and national demarcation board are taking decisions without consulting them.”

Terblanche also highlighted that the merger will mean Tlokwe local municipality will carry Ventersdorp’s burden. She said they were concerned that the failure to pay an outstanding debt of R49 million to Eskom could result in termination of the power supply to Ventersdorp and four neighbouring areas.

“The Ventersdorp local municipality is expected to pay R49 478 502.26 to avoid power cut in Ventersdorp, Tshing township and other three villages like Boikhutsong, Boikhutso and Appeldraai. The Acting Municipal Manager Isaac Moruti admitted this crisis stemmed from an accumulated debt going back to 2012,” she said.

Terblanche added: “Tlokwe community cannot be held responsible for bailing out a town that is down on its knees due to consistent mismanagement and poor revenue collection facilities. Due to a strong DA opposition in the Tlokwe council, we can reflect a positive bank balance and keep the current governing party accountable.”

Ventersdorp’s anti-demarcation board committee spokesperson, Khuduga Dibe said the residents lost hope on ANC. He said they will contest national local government elections as independent candidates.

“We have taken a decision that we will contest the upcoming local government elections as independent candidates. We will make sure that we reverse the merger decision after winning the municipality. The decision to merger two local municipalities was taken on our behalf without any consultations,” he said.

The new municipality is expected to be named after the struggle icon, JB Marks after local government elections.

-TDN

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OFFICIALS who have been with the Justice and Constitutional Development for a long time were recently honoured for their service.

The department’s North West regional spokesperson, Thabo Seadira said they will continue to acknowledge and reward discipline, dedicated and determined employees.

“We held the awards for long serving members at Mahikeng Coke’s Lake last week Friday. The awards are aimed at recognising and celebrating recipients with outstanding service delivery over an extended period of time. The categories of the awards were inclusive of employees that have been in the public service over a period of ten, twenty and thirty years without a break,” Seadira said.

One of the recipients was acting chief magistrate, Mpho Sejanamane. He worked across the North West region and stakeholders from the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security cluster.

Sejanamane indicated that it was through hard work of long serving employees that the justice and constitutional development department continued to achieve their objectives.

“As the department, we render access to justice for all citizens. The level of complaints at the courts has been decreased. We have achieved that through the expertise, commitment and dedication of individuals who work tirelessly to deliver court services. It takes a special set of extraordinary skills and talent to attain long service award.

“I would like to further encourage young generation to emulate the outstanding work rate displayed by our top achievers. In order to elevate the phenomenal work that the department, we will need extraordinary skills,” Sejanamane said.

He also attributed the altruism as one virtue that individuals have. Sejanamane said it was not an easy task to deal with nature of clients they served, but they managed through selflessness.

“Simple action like listening to someone makes a great difference. The recipients have demonstrated a great deal of loyalty and dedication in serving members of the public. The department deemed it crucial to acknowledge these remarkable and selfless public servants on a special occasion dedicated exclusively to them.

Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court public servant, Ezekiel Pie had more than 30 years of work service. He previously served during apartheid regime. Pie continued to render his service in the dawn of democratic administration.

“I attribute my long service to the love of my work. One need to make sacrifice and teamwork is very imperative. I would like to encourage the young generation to have perseverance and be disciplined at their work place,” he said.

Human Resource director, Teboho Chabeli applauded the recipients. He urged them to continue to raise the bar.

TDN

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RURAL, environment and agricultural development (READ) MEC, Manketsi Tlhape met with Israeli ambassador to South Africa on Monday to discuss water challenges in the province.

Tlhape said the province will continue to engage with relevant authorities to try and resolve water challenges the province faced with.

MEC Tlhape and Arthur Lenk met in Mahikeng and also present was head of trade and economic mission from the Israeli Embasy, Itai Melchoir.

Provincial head of department for READ, Pontsho Mokaila said: “The aim of the meeting was to discuss how we could get help from Israel as they have advanced technology on water. We know North West is a water scarce province. However we rely heavily on agriculture. So it is very imperative that we engage with Israel.”

Mokaila said that MEC Tlhape highlighted during policy and budget meeting that they will finalise the provincial irrigation strategy. He said the irrigation strategy plan consists of which areas they will be concentrating on.

“Knowing the technology that you are going to use is very important. We believe they will help us to come up with a solid plan to achieve our goal. We need advanced technology to beef up our irrigation strategy system.

“We will engage with them starting from next month during our workshops and seminars. They agreed to assist by bringing in Israeli companies and investors. We will have technical exchange of information,” he said.

Mokaila said the Israeli will form part of the department’s agricultural show which will be hosted in November and they are expected to bring water technology equipments and exhibit at the show.

“We will have a follow up meetings with them. North West has been declared as one of drought disaster provinces. However implementations have been commenced in quest to reduce water challenges within the province,” he said.

Meanwhile, one of municipalities faced with water challenges was Rustenburg local municipality. However the municipality spokesperson, Thapelo Matebesi said persistent copper cable theft, breakages of pump stations and power supply outages continued to affect service delivery in the area.

Matebesi said they will continue to ensure that the residents were provided with clean running water.

“The municipality repaired a major water pipeline on Monday near Boitekong Mall. The major pipeline damage caused water supply interruption. Few areas like Boitekong Extension 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12 and 23, Million Dollar, Ramochana, Sunrise Park, Seraleng and Sondela were affected.

“It was a mammoth task to fix the 700mm steel pipe at Boitekong. It required welding and we applaud our technical and maintenance team for the sterling job well done. The pipe repair ensured a restoration of water to our communities,” Matebesi said.

He added that they also wanted to commend the residents for their patience during the major repair. Matebesi said together with residents, they will continue to move Rustenburg forward.

-TDN

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MOTORISTS have been warned to be extra careful when dropping or picking children at crèches and schools.

This came after two children were recently killed in separate incidents in North West.

Community safety and transport management spokesperson, Daddy Sebolecwe said: “A five year-old boy was killed at a crèche in Mahikeng. Allegations are that the driver dropped him at his crèche, but he did not see him when he reversed the vehicle. He allegedly knocked him down and killed him instantly.

“In Taung, a six year-old schoolboy was also killed after he tried to cross the road while waiting for his school bus,” he said.

Sebolecwe added that motorists have to be cautious to avoid loss of life especially when they pass through crèche or school environments.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

RUSTENBURG- Democratic Alliance in the North West said it’s deeply concerned with the rising level of violent crimes in Sondela Informal Settlement, in Rustenburg. DA spokesperson on community safety, Sello Motswenyane said the area experienced a high number of brutal murders.

He said firearms were the most commonly used weapon.

“The community of Sondela continues to live in fear without hope. The area is considered to be a no-go area. Five young people were set alight by community members for allegedly killing a 30 year-old man in March last year. Three succumbed to their injuries and died.

“The situation has not improved as the area is still considered to be a crime hotspot. Residents alleged that there is an overflow of illegal firearms and dangerous weapons. They demand more police presence in the area,” Motswenyane said.

He further added that the community members complained that criminals go unpunished and that is why they take the law into their own hands.

“We strongly condemn mob justice and violence in the strongest possible terms. However, DA calls on the newly elected MEC for community safety, Dr Mpho Motlhabane to intervene and address crime in Sondela.

“Dr Motlhabane must do what his predecessor was unable to do. He must ensure that enough police are deployed to the area to deal with the rising crime levels. We also encourage the community to work with the police to ensure that these criminal activities are rooted out in our communities,” he said.

Motswenyane said they believe that a functional criminal justice system was required to keep people safe. He said that will ensure that residents were free from the deprivations that rob them of their ability to use their opportunities.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

ORKNEY- North West provincial government was dejected after a brutal killing of a young man in a gangsterism fight at Kanana Township in Orkney on Wednesday. Acting provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said they have learnt with great sadness about the passing on of yet another young person.

“The brutal killing of a young person happened next to Matlhaleng Secondary School. And the atrocity has left learners and teachers who witnessed the incident in a state of shock.

The SAPS confirmed the incident and that a community meeting is being convened in a quest to bring about a lasting intervention on the gangsterism that has reportedly been going on for some time,” Setswambung said.

Premier Supra Mahumapelo has condemned the brutal killing and has urged the gangsters to seize fire in Kanana.

“The current spate of attacks and counter attacks by the warring gangsters will not assist to bring peace. Their actions will only serve to exacerbate tensions in the area. I therefore urge the gangs to stop fighting and allow the community and law enforcement agencies to intervene,” Mahumapelo said.

Mahumapelo has called on the social development and education and sport development departments to intervene. He further added that they need to provide counselling to the learners and teachers at Matlhaleng Secondary School.

Mahumapelo also emphasised that dialogue amongst key stakeholders in the area must be given a chance so that lasting peace is restored.

-TDN

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MORE than two hundred unemployed youth in North West completed a week-long youth camp training at the South African Military Base in Zeerust. The youth camp was organised by the Youth Entrepreneurship Services (YES) in the Office of the Premier.

YES programme director, Thapelo Sekawana said the aim of the initiative was to address poverty, unemployment and inequality within the society. He said they previously held youth camps in Potchefstroom and another intake will be in July.

North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo said the young people in the province shall claim their rightful place in the world. He said young people need to be employers and not employees.

“I came up with the idea that we must have Youth Entrepreneurship Services (YES) because I would like to see young people in the North West being developed. They need to be developed and assist the government in job creation. We want them to participate on village development programmes.

“They must remember that challenges are necessary platforms for success. They must become role models and live their lives accordingly. We know there are many challenges that our youth come across. We need to help them on their mission. We have HIV and Aids epidemic, crime, unemployment, drug and alcohol abuse and teenage pregnancy. Working on these socio-economic issues will improve their lives,” Mahumapelo said.

SANDF colonel, Bruce Motlhoki commended Mahumapelo for organising the youth camps. He said they were very grateful to present the training, knowledge and better skill developments to the youth.

“The youth have completed the most rigorous training and passed the test. They have been given the opportunity to make something for yourselves. They have learnt how to become better human beings and make better decisions. The youth are the future leaders of our country and they must have the ability to accomplish great things.

“Life coaching programme are necessary within the youth. We also encouraged them to live positive life-style. They must know that their background does not determine their future. We instill discipline, dedication and determination within them. We also encouraged them to study harder,” Motlhoki said.

One of the young people who completed the youth camp training, Tlotlo Sekgweleo said: “We highly-appreciate this initiative. We are honoured to have the leader of Mahumapelo’s calibre. He is a visionary and we want to be part of decision-making process in the province. We have benefited a lot from the programme and we believe this will be worthwhile. We come from different backgrounds and learning about morals and values of life was imperative.”

-TDN

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Picture: (North West University logo)

BY REGINALD KANYANE

POTCHEFSTROOM- The Director-General of International Atomic Energy Agency, Yukiya Amano will deliver the lecture to the students of the University of North West (Potchefstroom campus) tomorrow.

Energy department spokesperson, Johannes Mokobane said Amano will be accompanied by Ambassador Tebogo Seokolo from the South African Permanent Mission in Vienna and other senior managers in government.

“Yukiya is visiting South Africa to attend an International Radiation Protection Agency Conference in Cape Town. This was part of the visit at iThemba LABS in Cape Town and will be followed by an envisaged lecture at the North West University in (Potchefstroom) on Wednesday at 11h00,” he said.

-TDN

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Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi has stirred parents into a new debate after stating that he would like the South African flag on all school uniforms.

Lesufi took to Twitter to tell his more than 22‚000 followers: “My wish is to ensure that from 2017 all school uniforms must have our SA Flag just like national sporting teams.”

This patriotic proposal follows on the Department of Arts and Culture’s Flag in Every School Campaign‚ which started in 2014. The campaign involves hoisting the national flag‚ the correct way of singing the national anthem‚ reciting the preamble of the Constitution and learning about our national symbols.

While Lesufi did not say whether he was proposing the emblem should be stitched onto a lapel‚ a badge pin or if it should be a more elaborate design‚ parents immediately questioned the additional cost of the change.

“Seriously? Will that be free? Because it costs us parents a whole lot of money!‚” Bernice Le Roux ‏@bernice__leroux said.

James Brodie ‏@Gyrator thought there was a better goal for the MEC‚ stating: “Focus on educating the children please.”

Lesley Blake ‏@JoburgBlake also chimed in‚ saying: “@Lesufi INSTEAD: Make sure each school has enough teachers. Make sure each Principal is at his post because YOU chose him‚ not SADTU.” The comment came as the country is waiting to see a report commissioned by the Education Department into the alleged buying and selling of teacher posts‚ implicating members of the South African Democratic Teachers Union.

Lesufi’s idea garnered support too‚ with Bus.Reg.Cipc.Beecert ‏@OhNganeYami tweeting: “Visionary Mr Lesufi‚ very proud to be a South African right now”.

Radovan Dimitri ‏@FidellCastro commented‚ “Bra @Lesufi can make other Education MECs non-existent in as far as innovation is concerned. Thumbs up”.

“It’s very doable‚ leadership‚” iMtolo ‏@Thulani_Mtolo added.

Kwena Sekoaila ‏@Skoax took a contrarian stance in the debate: “That is going to be a tough one… I am against school uniforms”.
Source: Timelive