BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH Cape police are investigating a murder case after a boy, 6 was found murdered near railway lines in Friedlander Street, in De Aar on Wednesday.

Provincial police spokesperson, Captain Olebogeng Tawana said  a body of a boy was found by a passerby at around 07:00am. 

“It is alleged that the boy was last seen in Gordon’s company, who is believed to be his mother’boyfriend. However, Gordon is nowhere to be found.

“We urge anyone who can assist the police with any information that could lead to arrest to contact the investigating officer, Captain Matshidiso Mofokeng on  082 4553 873 / 053 6329 545,” Tawana said.

Police investigation continues.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

taungdailynews@gmail.com

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

The Bokamoso Agricultural Innovation hub has turned the tide against unemployment for the young people of Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality. The Manyeledi village based foundation fought against poverty within the village.

The foundation has launched an agricultural innovation hub and employed at least six full time employees.

The enterprise incubated and motivated community members for four months and provided them with basic course in agriculture. North West MEC of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development department, Manketse Tlhape said the youth were equipped with seedlings, advances to planting and ends with harvest courses.

The Deputy Minister General Bheki Cele and Tlhape visited the hub on Tuesday to conduct community engagements and unpack opportunities presented by the sector specifically to women.

“The Bokamoso Agri Innovation Lab has two years in operation. Its operation is a social enterprise which aims to connect rural communities to opportunities through empowerment by using diverse entrepreneurial platforms and encouraging increased participation of women in the economic stream as female entrepreneurs.

The owner of Bokamoso Agri Innovation Lab, Lesego Serolong said she had chosen the area as she believed that many rural communities did not get opportunities that were received by other urban ones. Serolong said she believed in the potential of any young South Africans.

“The young people in the Kagisano Molopo possess equal capability like any other young people. The most important thing that we need to do as a civil society facing the triple challenges of poverty, employment and inequality is to ask ourselves of what we need to do to address those issues.

“We need to find solutions to our problems.”

She holds a Bachelor degree from the London School of Economics. Serolong added that she wants to see more partners on the project and would like to see it connecting the invisible rural population to opportunities through empowerment using a diversified entrepreneurial platform.

Tlhape said the gathering was important as it happened during women’s month and after the departmental Female Entrepreneurship Awards. She added that the 5th administration was prioritising women empowerment and the Bokamoso Agri Innovation Hub showed that women can go to greater heights.

“I believe that the project leader, Serolong has passion more than any other thing on the work she does. It is imperative for young people to grab opportunities as they are brought forward by government. The project embraces the key government concretes which include VTSD and Saamtrek Saamwerk,” Tlhape said.

She urged young people to engage with Serolong so that she can impart her knowledge and skills.

Bheki Cele lauded the project and said it was unbelievable that non-arable land can grow such green and fresh vegetables. He further said the youth project has defied a myth about young people having no interest in agriculture.

Cele called on all partners to have a further discussion and model how the project can be grown further including assisting on water challenges they raised.

“The meeting should take place very soon because we want to see the project sustainable and young people getting involved,” he concluded.

The Bokamoso project also runs an after school program with the library for the local community with an aim of exposing young children to farming at an early age. Their vegetable produce market includes local public schools and local shops.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West Premier Supra Mahumapelo said his plan and vision to the prime engine of metropolitan growth is rural-to-urban migration.

Mahumapelo said the provincial government will turn most rural areas into cities.

“The engineers and surveyors from public works department visited Taung on Wednesday. The aim is to build a stadium in the area and turn it into a city. 

“Our fifth administration decided to capacitate Village, Town and Small Dorpies (VTSD) initiative. The most common factor contributing to rural-to-urban migration is rural unemployment resulting in part from rural areas having higher fertility levels than urban areas,” he said.

Mahumapelo added that a shortage of basic technology in rural areas also promotes out-migration and environmental degradation. He said this has led to a serious shortage of arable land in many communities throughout the developing world. 

“While the growth of cities can contribute to economic progress, the study notes that problems arise when urbanization occurs so rapidly that it strains the ability of urban governments to provide housing, sanitation, public safety, and other necessary services and when there are not enough jobs,” he said.

Greater Taung Local Municipal Manager, Katlego Gabanakgosi said they met with public works department to do observation of the location.

“We have identified the location along N18 between Pudimoe and Taung. The process has not been implemented yet. 

“We will meet with our community to inform them about the initiative. The public works department will then implement the project after reaching an agreement,” Gabanakgosi said.

Taung Civic Organisation, Tsibogo Ya Taung chairperson, Goitseone Legodu said: “We welcome the project and hope it will benefit the community of Taung. We urge that correct protocol be followed to avoid project hindrance.”

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