Picture: (By Potchefstroom Herald)

BY REGINALD KANYANE

MEC for culture, art and traditional affairs department, Ontlametse Mochware says they will continue to fight bogus initiation schools. This comes after 17 intiates from Lehurutshe were allegedly ferried to hospital after botched circumcisions.

“We need to preserve our culture and fight against illegal initiation schools. We also encourage those who run initiation schools to follow proper procedures. They need to make sure that they apply for permission through our department,” Mochware said.

The DA provincial spokesperson on culture and traditional affairs, Dr Tutu Faleni said: “We are fretful by the reports. We have repeatedly called on CATA department to take preventative measures aimed at ensuring that initiation schools are registered and carry out their functions within the relevant legislative framework.

“It is alarming that there are no proper mechanisms in place to ensure that illegal initiation schools are reported by the community. The department seems not to have any plan in place to monitor initiation schools to prevent botched circumcisions,” Faleni said.

TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West Premier Supra Mahumapelo will host a media networking session at Hartbeespoort next week on Wednesday.

Provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said the premier wants to share his vision and create a platform for media.

“Media serves a crucial platform. So we need to interact with all media houses across the province. We do have a common interest which is to community building. So we need to forge a strong working relationship. The premier wants to share his vision regarding the growth of the province,” Setswambung said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE Foundation recently engaged with various pupils across Maboloka village in Brits region. Oupa Matla Foundation founder, Oupa Matla said they will now assist Grade 12 pupils who are doing scarce subjects like Physical Science and Mathematics during the school recession.

He said they have officially opened two Funda Nathi Saturday and winter school centres in Maboloka and Mahikeng recently. Matla added that the centres will focus on Mathematics, Physical Science and Life Science.

“Pupils tend to quit school because they experience difficulties in their lives. So we have identified those who are deprived and assist them. We also had memorial lectures because we are celebrating Youth Month.

“It is imperative to teach the youths the importance of education. They need to change their circumstances around,” Matla said.

“We also hosted a successful football tournament for Under 21. It was a charity cup. We recognised and appreciated the role played by the class of’ 76 during the liberation struggle,” Matla said.

“We announced those students who stand a chance of getting a full bursary based on their year-end results (A+ or B+). We also donated sanitary towels to various schools in Madibeng. The schools were identified by our frontline volunteers,” he said.

Matla said sport was the only tool that can be used to communicate with the youths. He added that they addressed socio-economic issues through sport.

“We brought in motivational speakers to address the youths. By making donation, you actually giving people a chance to climb out of poverty.  We also reminded the youths about the history of South Africa.

“They need to know where the country comes from. Knowing our history is very imperative as we will know where we are going. The youths need to know why people were killed during apartheid era,” he said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West police are looking for a suspect in connection of rape. Provincial police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said the atrocity took place at Ventersdorp on May 1 this year at around 11pm.

“The victim was dragged to Ventersdorp Soccer Stadium and allegedly being raped. Anyone with any information that could lead to any arrest can contact the Investigating Officer, Sgt de Ruiter of Potchefstroom FCS. Or they can call this number on 018-29309200/073 948 9017,” Mokgwabone said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE
THE North West provincial government has indicated no over expenditure in the current financial year. Premier Supra Mahumapelo addressed the executive committee members (EXCO) at Taung Hotel and Convention Centre in Taung on Wednesday.

Mahumapelo said they were happy regarding governance programme so far. He added that the provincial government is heading to the correct direction.

“We are glad that we have not experience any over or less expenditure in this new financial year. We have checked through all departments and there are improvements. The Setsokotsane programme continues to play a massive role in the lives of the masses. The implementation of the programme yields results.

“We have now reached an agreement to implement Setsokotsane in each district simultaneously. The impact that is made by it is stanch. I am also pleased about our standing pattern. Our disciplinary committee is doing fairly well in that regard,” Mahumapelo said.

According to Mahumapelo, the treasury began to point to the right direction too. He added that even though he will reveal full details next week during a press conference, the aspect on Village, Township and Small Dorpies (VTSD) gathered all needed information.

“We will unpack how the state of affairs is our provincial government next week during media brief. However I can say all look good. We also touched on the qualifications verification.

“We requested all departments to verify the qualifications of all public servants. We wanted to check if they all qualify for the positions they occupied. By so doing, we want people who are very competent. Having skilled people will help us go forward,” Mahumapelo said.

He added that fair and effective governance is critical. Mahumapelo further said it is imperative ensuring that development benefits the people.

“Good governance should entail processes, decisions and outcomes that sustain natural resources to alleviate poverty and improve the quality of life.  The fifth administration took a decision to improve the situation in VTSD areas.

“The EXCO meetings will now rotate across the province. We are here in Taung as part of local economy empowerment. We need to look into the future. That is why we have put agriculture at the apex of the triangle. Coming up with different ways of how we can improve the economy of North West,” he said.

Mahumapelo added that a governance lens offers a powerful impetus for promoting reforms in policies and programs for sustainable development.
-TDN
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