MAHIKENG local municipality continued to prioritise service delivery. Municipality spokesperson, Jerry Matebesi said they have intensified its service delivery efforts to ensure that essential services reach residents.

“Alongside the Office of the Premier and the municipality, we have adopted the Mahikeng Rebranding, Repositioning and Renewal Programme (MRRRP). The infrastructural development project aimed at improving the province’s administrative capital.

“We have come up with an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) which has seen essential services such as water, electricity and high-mast lights delivered to the communities. We have dug boreholes in communities to eradicate water shortages,” Matebesi said.

He said that water tankers continued to be provided in areas like Masutlhe and Matlatleng villages. Matebesi added that they noted that there were some challenges as some of wells were running at low levels as a result of drought.

“We have patched some pot holes in the CBD and also refurbished internal roads. We will also improve the storm water drainage system to avoid floods on some roads as we have seen recently.

“Our refuse removal programme is now fully functional. We also advise residents to make use of garbage bins and the refuse skips allocated by the municipality,” he said.

Matebesi said the city’s lights are operational. He added that the municipality also allocated emergency houses for the destitute in areas like Lotlhakane village.

One of residents from Danville, Muhammed Hussain said: “We have received an environmental park. Another recreational park is under construction and that will help youth to stay out of trouble. I am also happy that most of the traffic lights around the city are working.”

Another resident from Golfview, Phemelo Medupe shared the same sentiments.

“There are some improvements in many roads across Mahikeng. I am grateful to see roads been patched in the CBD. We will be grateful to see our capital city, Mahikeng being amongst the cleanest cities across Africa. I believe that North West premier Supra Mahumapelo is a visionary.”

Mahikeng local municipality recently bought fleet vehicles to improve service delivery across.

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Picture: (Young girls with their mentors at Boo-Rachwene Early Development Centre during workshop)

Empowering young girls remain a fundamental matter within society, says Boo Rachwene Early Development Centre founder, Thunyelwa Rachwene. She hosted a girl child development workshop at Phola village in Mahikeng on Wednesday to celebrate Women’s Day.

“It is very important to empower and develop girl children. We need to educate them how to conduct themselves in public. We engaged with more than 30 girls from various schools and shared ideas. We also brought women who made their mark to come and share their experiences.

“We touched many socio-economic issues from women and children abuse, teenage pregnancy, poverty, crime, drugs and alcohol abuse. There is this trend called Blessers too that we tackled. According to statistics, young girls from the age of 16 to 24 continue to be infected with HIV and Aids pandemic,” Rachwene said.

 She also added that most girls said they do not have anyone to talk to if they encounter challenges. Rachwene further said parents also need to play a pivotal role in making sure girl children are monitored and taken care of.

“We know that during adolescent stage is the most difficult phase in a teenager’s life. As mother, we need to be part of that process and guide them. The girls will want to experience other things like engaging into sexual intercourse. However, without guidance, they bound to commit mistakes.

“We also educate them to be more independent and the importance of education. The empowerment of marginalised women and girls in South Africa develop a sustainable solution,” she said.

Film and TV personality, Kgomotso Ditshwene said it was very important to engage with young girls. She said women are the torch-bearer and guide men to the betterment of life.

“Life skills are imperative and it was breathtaking meeting with these young girls. Gender inequality and disempowerment is an insidious impact on their ability to engage in education and make good decisions about their reproductive health.

“I got pregnant at the younger age and sharing my trials and tribulations will assist them. We need to empower each other as women and ensure prosperity amongst us. Woman is a very powerful person, however we also need to each with young boys to teach them how to treat a woman,” Ditshwene said.

A 16 year-old girl from Living Faith Combined School, Tshegofatso Leeba said: “I feel workshops like these could be constantly being there. I have learnt a lot and now will make decisions with open mind. I learnt that a woman is a precious gift and need to be celebrated.”

Another girl, Kegomoditswe Marungo, 15 shared the same sentiments. Marungo said listening to adults will bring the world of good.

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

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Olympics

Result: South Africa 1-1 Iraq

Date: 10 August 2016

Venue: Corinthians Arena

The South African U23 side failed to progress beyond the group stages, as they drew 1-1 with Iraq in their Olympic Games group tie.

After shaky start,  South Africa took the lead after five minutes as poor clearance fell to Gift Motupa, who slammed home from 12-yards out.

Iraq pushed for an equaliser and were rewarded in the 14th minute, as an un-marked Luaibi headed home at the near post after some poor marking from the South Africans.

South Africa were on the back foot from the onset and never seemed settled at any stage during the opening half.

Iraq continued to look for a go-ahead goal and they went agonisingly close close in the 40th minute when Adnan Ali rattled the upright with a fine volley.

South Africa were lucky to head into the break on level terms, as their backline and midfield struggled to contain the Iraq attack. While, their poor decision-making did not help their cause either.

Despite Iraq’s dominance, South Africa went close to restoring their lead in the 49th minute when Motupa was played through on goal, however the midfielder placed his effort well wide of the upright.

Iraq nearly went ahead in the 54th minute but woodwork kept them at bay, before Itumeleng Khune produced a fine save to deny Ahmed Kamil from close range.

Owen Da Gama opted for a double change on the hour mark, as he introduced Thabiso Kutumela and Aubrey Modiba.

Iraq should have taken the lead in the 69th minute, but Sherko Kareem somehow blazed over the crossbar from six-yards out.

With time running out, Da Gama introduced Tashreeq Morris for the in-effective Keagan Dolly in the 82nd minute as they searched for a winning goal.

However, Da Gama’s charges failed to carve out any clear-cut chances, as the score remained 1-1 at the full-time whistle.

Both nations miss out on a chance to qualify for the quarterfinals, as South Africa finish bottom of the group.

Here’s how they lined up:

South Africa: Khune; Mekoa; Mobara; Malepe; Coetzee; Mvala; Ntshangase; Keagan Dolly (c); Fikizolo; Masuku; Motupa 

Iraq: Hameed, Ibrahim, Adnan, Abdulraheem, Kamil, Hisny, Natiq, Ismael, Luaibi (C), Ali, Attwan

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

The psychiatric evaluation of Warona Mark Zinde‚ nabbed two months ago for allegedly murdering his mother‚ Hope Zinde‚ has once again forced the court to postpone his case.

SENIOR citizens play a pivotal role in society and they are very generous, says Gaolatlhwe Plaatjie during his mother’s birthday. Elizabeth Plaatjie celebrated her 100 years at Seweding village, Mahikeng on Saturday.

Gaolatlhwe said his mother had five children, however only two were left. He said Elizabeth remained his source of strength over the years.

“I have learnt a lot from my mother. She is not a mother to us only, but to the whole village. She continued to be so generous and that made her to stand out amongst the rest.

“She believed in discipline, dedication and determination. My mother made sure that we never go to bed hungry despite any circumstances. Older people have a wealth of skills and experiences and contributed immensely to the communities,” Gaolatlhwe said.

He also said elderly persons contributions are something often forgotten.

“We need to take care of them because they possess a great deal of old world knowledge. Younger generation can learn from their level of expertise unknown to them. They possess the knowledge from real-life experiences, situations and customs that can help lay the path in an effort to maintain honorable values within our current culture,” Gaolatlhwe said.

Elizabeth shared her thoughts on what kept her healthy. She emphasised that respect comes first. Elizabeth is not even wears spectacle unlike her two children.

“I am so grateful to reach these years. If you want to live longer, you need to respect other people and stop living dangerously. We need to respect our parents so that our days can be prolonged in this world. Only Almighty God decides, so I also want to thank him.

“The world is different nowadays and children do not respect their parents anymore. They also engage in socio-economic illness. Life was perfect during our time, however things changed tremendously. I am left with only two children because others passed away. However, I am happy to celebrate 100 years,” she said.

Elizabeth Plaatjie’s granddaughter, Boitshoko Plaatjie said she learnt a lot from her grandmother. She said it was a privilege to be raised by Elizabeth.

“My granny always encouraged us not to give up. She is also a firm believer. We went through trials and tribulations of life, but she was always there to give a motherly love. Granny always shares fairytale and how life was then during apartheid. I will encourage those who have grandparents to treat them well,” Boitshoko said.

One of her daughters-in laws, Mamolepi Plaatjie said: “Without our elderly persons, we would not exist. They are there to remind us of old traditions that we may have forgotten. They are proof of the generation that came before us. They can also teach many things because wisdom comes in old age. They are also a living proof of the generation before us.”

Plaatjie has 17 grand-children, 33 grand-great children and 4 great great children.

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SOUTH African Police Service Women’s Network from Taung in visible policing unit visited Sebitlwane Special School in Lokaleng village, Taung on Monday. Captain Irene Molatlhegi said they visited the school in conjunction with Taung Agriculture department.

“The aim was to celebrate Women month and teach these children their rights. We also handed over sanitary pads to girl pupils at the school. The school caters for children with special needs around Taung and its surrounding villages. We want to encourage the school to promote open communication channels. The initiative will help pupils to inform their teachers about anything that might be bothering them.

“We must make sure they are not abused whether at home or at school. There is a need to give a particular attention to them. We should not judge them if they cannot speak as a result of their disability,” Molatlhegi said.

She further said rape cases tend to increase during school holidays recession. Molatlhegi added that most pupils visit various families and some pupils fall victims of to rape.

“They are either raped by family members or complete strangers. The challenge comes when families do not report such cases to authorities and choose to resolve them through family channels. However, we need to protect and embrace these pupils. It is true that education for children with special needs is sometimes more difficult, but the reward for their learning is unmatched,” she said.

The agriculture department donated various vegetable seeds to the school. They also promised to develop plant and maintain the school’s garden. The department representative, Tebogo Bolokang said: “We are very concern about the fading spirit of maintaining school gardens. The gardens were used to feed indigent families within communities previously. However, there is a need for those gardens to be given proper attention for them to bear proper vegetables.”

Education and sport development department spokesperson, Elias Malindi said children with special needs deserve attention. Malindi added that in order to truly teach these children, one must first really get a good grasp of what they are truly capable of achieving.

“Every child is different, so you need to take time to really study all of the information that is available to you so that you know the best direction to take the child’s education. Children with special needs most often require some type of tactile learning. Mostly learn best when they are touching and manipulating objects rather than the traditional paper and pencil learning that is still common in the school systems,” Malindi said.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THREE people died after a taxi that they were travelling in was hijacked. The incident took place between Swartruggens and Silverkraans. It is alleged that upon hijacking the taxi, the hijacker drove towards the north of Swartruggens.

MEC for health, Dr Magome Masike said the police were informed and that led to a chase.

“Unfortunately the hijacker lost control and the taxi overturned. A female nurse and another female passenger who was employed in the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) were killed instantly.

“The ambulance and the forensic team were summoned to the scene. The hijacker suffered severe injuries and was ferried to Moses Kotane Hospital for medical attention,” Masike said.

He added that the hijacker died at around 11:40pm while waiting to be transferred to Job Shimankane Tabane Hospital. Masike said all three deceased are at Phokeng Forensic Mortuary.

“The names of all the deceased will not be released yet. We need to inform their next of kin. The nurse was travelling to the Swartruggens CHC for her night shift.

“As the North West Department of Health, we are shocked by this horrendous incident. It is sad that we have to lose the much needed health professional through crime. I send a message of condolences to the family. Their loss is our loss,” Masike said.

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THE only way that Cope can remain politically relevant in the North West province is by strengthening its branches and coming up with a detailed strategy on how to win the support of local communities between now and 2019, when the national elections are held.

This is the view of Cope’s provincial chairperson in the North West, , who said that the party is concerned with their performance during the local government elections.

While a number of other opposition parties managed to attract a significant number of votes in the province during the polls, Cope’s performance – when compared to how they fared five years ago – shows a considerable decline.

The party failed to improve on their record in the Madibeng municipality – only managing to retain the single seat they won during the previous local government elections. In Moretele, they also won a single seat.

However, they will no longer have any representation in the council of the Rustenburg municipality, where they previously held one seat. In the Moses Kotane municipality, Cope also saw their influence reduced.

In 2011, the party won four seats, they will now only have a single councillor representing them. However, it is their overall performance in the province that has become a cause of concern for the Mosiuoa Lekota-led party.

In 2011, Cope managed to win a combined 27 seats in the North West. However, this time around, they managed just six. Plaatjie said to The New Age that financial limitations could have contributed to their failure to improve on their performance in 2011.

“We have accepted that we failed to do better than we did in the 2011 elections. I think a major factor was that it was hard for our candidates because they had to canvass for support using money from their own pockets.

“It was difficult because we could not assist them as a party. “In Rustenburg, we failed to submit the list in line with the IEC deadline so we did not participate,” Plaatjie said.

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

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The North West winners at the 2016 National ABC Motsepe Schools Eistedfodd were honoured for their efforts at a gala dinner in Klerksdorp on Friday.

The gala dinner, at the Rio Casino Resort, was held to thank and motivate pupils and choir conductors to continue working hard to enhance the image of the province.

It also served to encourage pupils to balance their academic performance and extra curricular activities.

MEC Sello Lehari, head of department Dr Itumeleng Molalethe, school governing bodies (SGBs), members of the top performing schools and principals attended the dinner.

The North West had 25 school choirs that competed in 38 renditions which included the recital of the national constitution’s preamble, the plea for Africa, the national anthem and the African Union anthem.

Matlosana Secondary School was the dominant choir at the competition.

The choir won in five categories and won R155000 that will be used to address academic needs at the school.

Other schools that won were Reoleboge Special School and Iteko Special School from Bojanala, Zamakulunga Primary School from Jouberton, Botoka Secondary school and Seiphemelo Secondary from Tlokwe and Gatelopele Secondary School from Tswelelang township in Wolmaransstad.

MEC Lehari thanked the men and women who worked with the choirs for the success of the North West.

“On behalf of the department, I would like to thank our men and women of this province for their selfless attitude of supporting our school choirs.

“Our choir conductors spent extra hours polishing the raw talent of our learners to become the jewel of the nation. Their patience in developing our children will always be amazing and we are extremely proud of their contribution,” he said.

He said pupils should put the same focus and commitment that they showed in music, in their studies to ensure the North West achieves top positions in this year’s matric results.

He said the North West would be a target at the next year’s competition and the other province’s will seek to beat it.

Choir conductors have to continue with the good work they did in 2016.

Matlosana Secondary School’s principal, Simon Makhanye, said: “These awards will motivate the pupils to work harder in 2017 to defend our championship.”

The top choirs were rewarded with participation certificates and trophies.

Source:www.thenewage.co.za

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Netcare 911 paramedics responded to the scene of a collision along the Roodepan Road in Kimberley on Wednesday. Netcare 911 spokesperson, Chris Botha said the reports from the scene indicate that two vehicles collided however; exact detail to the cause of the crash is a subject for police comment.

“Paramedics arrived at the scene and after examining the injured they found that two adults and two children aged six and seven sustained minor injuries. Medics treated the injured at the scene before they transported them to a nearby hospital for the care that they required,” Botha said.

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