INCORRECT information provided by employers caused backlog for more than 1000 Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) at North West labour department.

UIF manager at provincial office, Selete Qhamakoane said they have now established a team of specialists to unpack the backlog.

“We are struggling to process the applications due to incorrect information supplied by employers. We want to resolve this matter and pay beneficiaries. Some of the applications are dating as far as last year. And most of them involve maternity applications.

“It means that mothers went on maternity leave and they never got paid by UIF. We urge employers to provide correct information as this hinders the process,” Qhamakoane said.

Provincial spokesperson, Orpa Mathabe said if the information provided differs with the one on their database, the application will automatically be rejected.

“This causes challenges because we need to send the applicants back to the employer to rectify the information. Also this leads to the backlog and beneficiaries end up not getting paid.

“We will send out our team of employer auditors to go and assist employers who struggle to fill the forms. We are also embarking on advocacy sessions in various Malls around North West from June to September,” Mathabe said.

She further said this was an attempt to reach out to employers. Mathabe added that employers also need to note that this is an interim intervention.

“They need to contact any labour department office nearer to them if they experience any challenges. Employers can also contact our office on (018) 387 8100 to get more details,” she said.

-TDN

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MEC of community safety and transport, Dr Mpho Motlhabane met with livestock owners at Taung Agricultural College in Taung on Friday. Motlhabane said they aimed at addressing the stock theft matter because that affects the economy of the province.

“We know that North West province is mostly pre-dominated by rural areas. So our people rely on livestock to survive and improve their lives. We met with them to come up with strategic plans in eliminating livestock theft.

“We encouraged them to mark or tattooed their livestock. They must also have a forum that addresses their issues. The forum will work closely with our stock theft unit in policing department,” he said.

However a livestock owner from Dryharts village, Tsiamiso Goitsemodimo, 44 said he lost many goats through theft. Goitsemodimo said police were not helpful after he opened a case.

“I think police are not competent enough in fighting stock theft. I opened a case after my slaughtered goats were found in the suspects’ vehicle on N18 back in 2014.

“I positively identified those slaughtered goats after they were stolen in Choseng village. The case was opened against the suspects. However I do not know what happened to that case now,” he said.

-TDN

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LOCAL government and human settlements department has set aside R13m to support municipalities in upgrading their disaster management and fire services in order to render efficient and effective service delivery, MEC Fenny Gaolaolwe said.

She said all disaster management centres should comply with safety regulations. Gaolalolwe added that they will provide the fire stations with necessary equipments.

“The department has allocated R1 675 millions to the Mahikeng local municipality to procure fire fighting uniforms, protective clothing and ICT equipments such as computers and printers. This will help in an effort to build a capacitated station and reduce the risks in communities.

“This follows the assessment by our department. It was revealed that there is non-compliance with the legislative guidelines in line with uniforms and protective clothing as well as basic ICT equipments,” Gaolaolwe said.

She said they have also identified the need for a disaster management satellite office in Tshidilamolomo in Ratlou local municipality.

“There are number of fire incidents occurred from nearby areas. We bought uniforms for our firefighters worth R1m. I also want to appeal to our personnel at fire stations to be committed. They are expected to respond to calls for emergency assistance on time.

“Proper disaster preparedness is about much more than giving emergency officials the tools they need. The communities must also create emergency protocols. They also need to be explained carefully to the residents,” Gaolaolwe said.

Mahikeng local municipality mayor, Gosiame Seatlholo said the equipments will assist to fight fire breaks.

“Schools can be especially susceptible to crises. Emergency officials must make it a priority to provide school officials with the information they need to be prepared for an emergency. We welcome the support from local government and human settlements department,” Seatlholo said.

-TDN

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A PROFESSIONAL doctor, Obakeng Mfikwe encouraged the youth to participate in farming. Mfikwe said this during the youth award ceremony at Lichtenburg on Friday.

Mfikwe joined farming back in 2009. He exchanged his stethoscope to become a livestock farmer.

“We need to encourage the youth to be part of farming industry. I attribute my success as a livestock farmer to the study group I belong to. Participating at various agricultural shows and sharing ideas assisted me a lot. We also shared ideas and experiences with fellow farmers,” he said.

“The young farmers contribute meaningfully to the economy of the country. They also help in shaping the vision of agricultural sector towards prosperity,” he said.

MEC of rural, environment and agricultural development, Manketsi Tlhape said the agriculture seen as not being cool amongst the youth. However Tlhape said they need to change the mindset.

She said they challenged the youth to participate in agriculture as the industry is viable.

Tlhape awarded five youth those who showed their pedigree within the industry during the award ceremony.

“We encourage the youth to be part of revolution. They can make a lot of money within the industry. So the time is now for you to get your hands dirty. The majority of the youth regard agriculture simply not cool or attractive.

“Mostly think of it only as back-breaking labour. However the industry economical pays-off. There is also a room for career advancement. With an ageing population of farmers, it’s clear that agriculture needs to attract more young people,” Tlhape said.

“We have empowerment programmes towards youth and women. We also transformed the agriculture sector. The 40% of what we allocate benefits youth and women. We have also resuscitated our program within our agricultural department which is YARD.

“In every allocation we make, I intervene to make sure 40% is available to projects run by youth and women. We are having these awards to recognise those who showed effort in the industry,” she said.

-TDN

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There has been plenty of speculation in recent weeks regarding the playing personnel at Naturena for the new season, with matters being amplified after the club announced that up to 20 players could be leaving.

Now, with the 2016/17 Absa Premiership campaign on the horizon, the Amakhosi have revealed a whole host of new faces that they are hoping will help try and turnaround their misfortunes from the 2015/16 season.

Chiefs finished fifth in Komphela’s first year in charge, failing to win a single piece of silverware, though they will be keen to put that all behind them with the help of their new stars.

Chiefs’ New Signings:
Sbu Khumalo
Enocent Mkhabela
Edmore Chirambadare
Mitchell Katsvairo
Lewis Macha
Rama Mphahlele
Keagan Buchanan

They also confirmed the promotion of Emmanuel Letlotlo.

While only the eight new names have now been officially confirmed, Chiefs are expected to add a couple more faces to their roster before the window slams shut in August.

Source: http://www.soccerladuma.co.za

MORE than 35 000 Grade 12 pupils will participate on winter school camps across the province. MEC for education and sport department, Sello Lehari said the department has set aside R6 873 690 for the program.

“We want to ensure that the winter school camp program run effectively. We have identified 68 venues to accommodate the pupils and teachers. The winter school camps are intended to assist and prepare pupils to be able to deal with areas which they did not understand in their classes.

“This will enable them to write legibly and think critically during their final examinations. I am glad in which the mid-year examination process has unfolded. I also want to commend our educators,” he said.

Lehari added that teachers showed professionalism. He further said he was confident that pupils will perform well during their final examinations.

“The winter school camps are like a golden opportunity served to pupils. So they need to embrace it and work hard. Pupils should not be afraid to indicate their problematic areas. There will be experts in various subjects to assist them.

“Parents are urged to also assist pupils to focus on their school work during holidays. The schools will resume on July 18. The winter school camps program will benefit 35 519 Grade 12 pupils in the province,” he said.

Lehari said they had a silky mid-year examination process. He added that the mid-year examinations assisted teachers.

“Teachers observed if pupils have understood the work done so far. So they will help them based on the syllabus. This is very imperative in preparing them for final examinations,” Lehari said.

-TDN

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