BY REGINALD KANYANE

WATER and sanitation in partnership with education and sport development department have awarded three school pupils tertiary bursaries in Science and Engineering.

The department spokesperson, Katlego Mokaila said those who benefited excelled in the public-speaking competitions. Mokaila further said they targeted Mathematics and Science pupils.

“Three school pupils from Setumo High School in Mahikeng represented the province when they participated at the national public speaking competitions in the Eastern Cape recently. They competed against other provincial winners from across South Africa.

“Keitumetse Sebokanelo, Ontlametse Banda and Mmabatho Pule, who all hail from North West Province, attend at Setumo high school. They won themselves tertiary bursaries from water and sanitation department,” she said.

The competition started in 2011 and produced Grade 9, 10 and 11 winners from Tsogo high, Ferdinand Postman, Kebalepile, Tigerkloof and Setumo High Schools in North West.

Mokaila also said pupils were adjudicated while analyzing and developing solutions to alleviate the negative impacts of their chosen theme on South African water resources.

“Throughout their academic performance, the future of these pupils is bright. They will be studying for free at tertiary level in three years time. Already armed with bursaries and guaranteed employment, this encourages pupils to work harder on their studies,” she said.

Keitumetse Sebokanelo from Majemantsho said she wished to study geohydrology at the University of Durban. She encouraged pupils to follow their hearts and be passionate about what they love doing.

“I did not win last year. However I did not lose hope. I prepared for the competition and did my research instead. The general rules of the public speaking competition involve preparing a speech about climate change, alien invasive plants or water use efficiency and submit it to the department. The presentation was not easy, but it was through hard work. My parents are so excited and relieved about my bursary,” Sebokanelo said.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) said they were very delighted with the outcomes of local government election results. PAC spokesperson, Kenneth Mokgatlhe said the elections were a learning and preparatory exercise towards 2019.

“We have been experiencing the organisational recycling. We are in the renewal and adjustment of the organisation to politics in 21st century, which is a digital age. It is unfortunate that the media described that as factionalism, while we were sluicing the organisation.

“We are now through that stage and come to understand the international power struggle. We take elections very serious because it seems regular elections are important tenet of any existing democracy,” Mokgatlhe said.

He said despite the organisational challenges they faced, the party has secured more than 55 000 votes. Mokgatlhe said they have improved from 30 000 votes during national general polls in 2014.

“It shows that the people need the PAC to come to them. We acknowledge that we have not been adequately accessible to the people. However, that was largely fuelled by a financial factor because one need capital to travel and buy other assets such as promotional materials.

“We also fully support the silent protest. The elections were conducted in a very important month. In this month, we value and honour the past, present and future contribution of women in our societies. It is a naked secret that women are still subjected to various oppressions,” he said.

Mokgatlhe added that they must also reckon that protest is legal in the country as long as the protestor does not threaten the security of other person or damage property.

“ANCWL president, Bathabile Dlamini was wrong to suggest that Zuma was innocent and therefore the matter should be forgotten. There are many criminals living with us daily and they were never convicted because they have good lawyers or good association. That does not suggest that they have never committed what they were accused of.

“We expected minister of social developments, Bathabile Dlamini to at least defend the women who face patriarchal dominance everyday of their lives. However, she chose to defend her darling organisation and her stomach,” Mokgatlhe said.

He added that minister of water and sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane who accused EFF leader, Julius Malema for insulting her, was the same person who reduced women to nothing when she claimed that women in the ANC would defend ANC and South African president, Jacob Zuma with their buttocks.

“Woman will have to unite and must expect nothing from women in the ANCWL because those ones care much about their salaries,” he said.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

North West Legislature Portfolio Committee on Transport and Community Safety with Community Safety and Transport Management department will meet over the accident that killed a female traffic officer a week ago near Taung Mable on N18.

Reitumetse Poppy Motlhabane, 32 from Kgatlheng village in Taung who was on duty at the time of her death, allegedly tried to stop a speeding truck.

Motlhabane was killed instantly after the driver of a truck, Adam Seleke failed to stop. Motlhabane was found with fatal injuries and over 80m away from the scene.

North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Public Works, Roads, Transport and Community Safety chairperson, Wendy Matsemela said they will be engaged in an oversight meeting with the senior officials of the Road Traffic Management Corporation from the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management.

“The aim of the meeting is to solicit facts on the incident where a female traffic officer was allegedly killed by a speeding truck while on duty near Taung Mable at Taung,” Matsemela said.

The meeting will be held at Pudumong Community Library on Wednesday at 1pm.

A case of culpable homicide was opened in Taung Police Station.

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For more http://www.ann7.co.za

A 87-year-old pensioner from Mokasa village near Taung had almost given up hope of owning decent house until recently when the MEC for Local Government and Human Settlements, Galaletsang Gaolaolwe visited him at his home after a plea from a local ward councillor.

Ben Saku stayed in a dilapidated house with no proper windows to shield him during freezing winter season. The house also had no proper furniture including cooking utensils.

Saku said he relied on wood fire to cook outside throughout all seasons. He stays with his son, who is unemployed.

“My son makes a living by selling peanuts. However the business is seasonal. I was very grateful to receive a house and I wish my wife was still alive to share the good news,” he said.

Mosipidi Semanu, 46, was another beneficiary. Semanu stays with his partner in a mud house.

“My house was previously been destroyed by heavy rains. The other side has been replaced by worn out sink sheets. Two of our children passed away and we currently stay with our only surviving child who is unemployed. We survive on old age grant only,” Semanu said.

MEC Gaolaolwe said: “Our officials within the department will work round the clock to ensure that the elderly get first preference.”

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Johannesburg – Workers downed tools on Monday at three South African power stations with more set to follow as a wage strike began at state-run utility Eskom, but the company said its operations had not yet been impacted and branded the stoppage illegal.

Paris Mashego, NUM’s energy sector coordinator, told Reuters that wage talks with the utility were in deadlock over the weekend. Eskom provides almost all the power to Africa’s most industrialised economy but it was not immediately clear what impact the strike may have on its ability to keep the lights on.

For more http://www.news24.com

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PETROL attendant from Soweto, Thobani Mbatha (26), is a heartbroken man.

This after Orlando Pirates striker Tendai Ndoro allegedly stole R100 from him.

The incident happened on Tuesday at a garage in Orlando West, Soweto.

Thobani claimed the player came from Orlando Stadium after he attended a practice session.

“I was filling up another car when Ndoro came and parked behind the second car.

“The owner of the first car paid R100 in cash and the second paid R200 using the card machine.

“When I went to fetch the Speedpoint, I accidentally dropped the R100 note the driver of the first car paid.

“My colleagues saw Ndoro get out of his car to pick up the money.

“When they asked him if it was his money, he said yes,” Thobani said.

He said when he went to pay he noticed the money was missing.

“I searched all my four pockets and didn’t find the money.

“I then asked my colleagues if they had seen the R100 note lying around and they said the money was taken by Ndoro, who had just left.”

Thobani said: “I was very hurt and disappointed that he didn’t hand the money to my colleagues.

“His teammate, Edwin Gyimah, came through to fill up his car and I told him what had happened and he promised me he was going to tell Ndoro.

“We then went to check the video footage and there was Ndoro picking up the R100 note I accidentally dropped.

“I was very hurt and disappointed because I’m also an Orlando Pirates fan.

“I love Ndoro, but he broke my heart because he made me look like a fool at work,” Thobani said.

He added a few hours later he was informed that a newly-signed Pirates player came to fill up his car and paid back the R100 on Ndoro’s behalf.

No case has been opened. Ndoro refused to comment and switched off his phone.

– Sunday Sun

South Africa have made it difficult to reach the Men’s Olympic Tournament knockout stages after losing 1-0 to Denmark in their second Group A match at Mane Garrincha Stadium.

Denmark created the first chance of the match after three minutes when Fredrik Borsting got down the right-hand side to the byline and cut the ball back to Emil Larsen, who dragged his shot wide.

That was an early warning side for South Africa, but it wasn’t heeded as Denmark created further opportunities, targeting Abbubaker Mobara at right-back as they played through-balls between him and the centre-back. Twice Mobara did not track his runner but Khune saved both efforts, one of them at point-black range with his head.

The South African defenders were also let off the hook when Denmark floated a routine ball into the box and two players were allowed to run free, unmarked, with a poor offside trap being deployed. Fortunately, the chance was wasted.

South Africa’s best chance came as early as the seventh minute when Keagan Dolly, pulling the strings just behind the attacking three, combined cleverly with Gift Motupa on the edge of the area. Dolly received the one-two and then got into the box before putting it on a plate for Motupa, whose close-range shot was saved by Denmark goalkeeper Jeppe Hojbjerg.

The young Bafana Bafana also hit the woodwork twice, first when Lebogang Mothiba’s follow-up shot was tipped onto the crossbar by Hojbjerg after Dolly ran onto Rivaldo Coetzee’s pass over the top, then when Dolly took aim from 35 yards out and crashed a stunning shot onto the same part of the crossbar, again via a slight touch from Hojbjerg.

Owen da Gama’s side bossed possession at the start of the second half without creating many openings before Denmark took the lead in the 69th minute. Substitutes Jacon Bruun Larsen and Robert Skov ran through the middle, unnopposed by either Erick Mathoho or Rivaldo Coetzee, who had played them onside, before Bruun Larsen cut the ball back to Skov to sweep home.

South Africa tried their best to get back into the match – Da Gama had brought on Menzi Masuku for Tebogo Moerane at half-time and Tashreeq Morris for Lebogang Mothiba in the 61st minute – but their best opportunities were two Motupa shots that were kept out by the impressive Hojbjerg.

Da Gama then brought on Phumlani Ntshangase for the ineffective Kwanda Mngonyama with about 15 minutes remaining, but the damage had already been done, and to make matters worse, Erick Mathoho was stretchered off with what looked like a knee injury, and Mobara also rode off injured on the back of Khune in the closing stages.

Denmark now top the group with three points, with Brazil expected to beat Iraq in the next game.

TEAMS

South Africa U-23: Khune, Mobara, Mathoho, Coetzee, Moerane (Masuku 46′), Mngonyama (Ntshangase 77′), Mekoa, Modiba, Dolly, Motupa, Mothiba (Morris 61′)

Denmark U-23: Hojbjerg, Puggaard, Gomes, Mathiasen, Maxso, Vibe, Brock-Madsen (Bruun Larsen 64′), Borsting (Laursen 84′), Larsen (Skov 61′), Gregor, Jonsson

Source: http://www.kickoff.com

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PRETORIA – State Security Minister David Mahlobo wants a full report on the “security breach” which saw four women stage a silent protest while President Jacob Zuma was delivering his municipal elections results acceptance speech at the IEC results operations centre in Pretoria on Saturday night.

“They have that democratic right (to protest), that we respect. But equally, we must also respect that there are security parameters,” Mahlobo told a media briefing by the inter-ministerial committee on elections on Sunday.

“We should be getting a full report to say what’s happening at that particular results operations centre in terms of our security forces that were there, including the security arrangements by the IEC; the minister of state security and the police should be able to get a report.”

Asked whether he supported Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini’s demand for an apology from IEC chairman Glen Mashinini, Mahlobo noted that IEC deputy chairman Terry Tselane had apologised to Zuma shortly after his speech. Mahlobo denied the four women were arrested, citing a tweet one of the women posted that she was safely home.

The four women, who are members of the EFF and were manning the party’s desk at the IEC results centre throughout the week, went to the front of the hall and held up placards that referred to Zuma’s rape trial in 2006, while he delivered his speech live on television.

The placards read “10 years later”, “Remember Khwezi”, “I am one in 3,” and “Khanga”, referencing Zuma’s rape trial in which he was acquitted of raping a friend’s daughter at his home.

Dlamini and Small Business Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu were seen shouting at their defence counterpart Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, blaming her for the “security breach”. “You sold us out,” Zulu was overheard shouting at Mapisa-Nqakula.

– Africa News Agency