BY REGINALD KANYANE

Defensive midfielder of the South African Men’s Olympic Team, Mothobi Mvala has apologised for the red card he received in the opening match of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games against hosts Brazil.
The clash was played on Thursday at the Mane Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia, ended in a goalless draw.

Mvala received his marching orders in the 58th minute following a second yellow card, leaving his compatriots to battle it out against a strong Brazil side for just over half an hour.

“I feel really bad for getting a red card and I feel as though I made a big mistake which was unnecessary, but I had to do something in the situation. I want to apologise to my teammates and the country as a whole, as I may have disappointed a lot of people. I believe I have learnt a lot from that mistake,” said Mvala.

“I also want to applaud my teammates for their courageous performance after my departure. We played really well, and they continued even during my absence. They did extremely well, and I just believe had it not been for my error maybe we could have attacked more instead of being defensive for the last 30 minutes. It was very difficult but they pulled it off.”

Mvala will serve a one-match suspension.

South Africa faces Denmark on Sunday, 7 August 2016.

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Ramaphosa’s reflected on the party’s performance in Nelson Mandela Bay, conceding that it was disappointing.

JOHANNESBURG – Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa says the African National Congress (ANC) will listen carefully to the messages that the people of South Africa are sending the ruling party.

He was speaking on the floor of the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) national results centre in Tshwane this afternoon, after taking a tour of the operations there.

Ramaphosa also reflected on the party’s performance in Nelson Mandela Bay, conceding that it was disappointing.

“It was a hotly contested area, where we as the ANC had a number of challenges and problems. We accept that the people have spoken.”

The deputy president says the party will do its own analysis of its performance, listen to the people and self-correct.

WATCH: Cyril Ramaphosa briefs the media on ANC progress

Meanwhile, with ballot numbers coming in gradually this afternoon, and less than five percent of results yet to be finalised as at 3pm, the battle is still on in Johannesburg and Tshwane.

With all the votes now counted in the nelson Mandela Bay metro, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has the most with 46.71 percent of the vote.

The ANC is second with 40.92 percent and the Economic Freedom Fighters is third with 5.12 percent.

The DA has indicated it’s been talking to various opposition parties to enter into a coalition.

The United Democratic Movement has 1.91 percent and has already confirmed that DA leader Mmusi Maimane has been in contact.

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

BY REGINALD KANYANE

MEC for local government and human settlements, Galaletsang Gaolaolwe has expressed her sincere gratitude to Bokone Bophirima citizens who went out in their numbers at various polling stations.

Gaolaolwe said thousands of voters braved the cold weather to cast their vote on the fourth local government elections on August 3.

“One of the most important freedoms we enjoy as citizens of this beautiful country is the right to vote. This is the right that we must never take lightly and that we must take advantage of.

“This shows that democracy is at work and it is going to grow from strength to strength. On behalf of the department we want to thank each and every one of you who voted. We also want to urge and change the attitude of those who did not vote. We hope that they will join the new voters in the next general elections in 2019 to vote” Gaolaolwe said.

She also expressed her delight for the calm that prevailed during the Election Day. Gaolaolwe said the environment was conducive to produce peaceful, free and fair elections.

“We want to also thank all the stakeholders especially the security cluster for the work they have put together to ensure safety to the voters. Residents were allowed space to express their opinion peacefully without fear through the ballot box,” Gaolaolwe said.

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Platinum Stars and Orlando Pirates players in a heated argument during the Telkom Knockout Final match between Platinum Stars and Orlando Pirates on the 07 December 2013 at Mbombela Stadium © Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

BY REGINALD KANYANE

Top class football will be coming to South Africa’s Bokone Bophirima Province once again with the second edition of the Bokone Bophirima Maize Cup to be played on August 13.

A new format of the one day competition will see two teams facing off for the Maize Cup, as opposed to last year’s edition which had four clubs battling it out in two semi finals and a final in one day.

This year Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates FC will play against defending champions Platinum Stars FC. Provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said the encounter promise to be a cracker.

“The format from the former Maize Triangle to the Maize Cup was necessitated by the fact that Mpumalanga no longer has a team in the PSL.

The North West Province is delighted to have two top teams competing in the Bokone Bophirima Maize Cup this year. We are looking forward to an outstanding day of entertainment for local and travelling fans.

“The match will provide football-starved fans with top quality pre-season action. This will be an opportunity to see some of the new recruits ahead of the 2016/2017 campaign. Both teams will be looking for good performances as they continue to prepare for the new season,” Setswambung said.

He said the province commended all stakeholders particularly grain producers in the Bokone Bophirima, Free State and Mpumalanga provinces.

“Through this Maize Cup, the Provincial Government seeks to provide an opportunity to all soccer loving citizens from the province and beyond to enjoy a thrilling day of entertaining soccer. This will contribute to the efforts of rebranding, reposition and repositioning.

“Orlando Pirates will be fresh from a pre-season camp in Namibia and will possibly have new signings Riyaad Norodien, Donald Mokondelela and Bernard Morrison on show on the day,” he said.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

The Northern Cape Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) is investigating irregularities regarding the re-draw or new house plans. The Hawks provincial spokesperson, Capt Philani Nkwalase said several victims allegedly approached the Plan & Structure Office at Sol-Plaatje municipality and made payments for both approval and drawing of new house plans or redraws.

“Different amounts were paid to the person believed to be responsible for the processes, but no services rendered in terms of drawing the house plans. As part of the investigation, we kindly appeal to all the possible victims within Kimberly to come forward with their proof of such allegations.

“It is not known how many people were affected with this scam. However, few victims came forward with reasonable evidence. We would like more possible victims to come forward before the start of the prosecution processes,” Nkwalase said.

Captain Emily-Harriet Mofoka from Commercial Crime Unit can be contacted with tangible information before August 12 on Tel: 053- 838 5551, Cell: 071 481 2862.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

IN what was an intense clash of the titan’s kind of match day, the results have spoken for themselves. Resilient side Arsenal FC will take on the nations SA U19 squad in the final match of the tournament at King Zwelithini Stadium on 6 August 2016.  

The teams have managed to advance in the Durban Under 19 International Football Tournament after both won their semi-final matches at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Thursday.

The English Side Arsenal eliminated TP Mazembe from Congo DRC, while SA U19 edged past Sporting Lisbon.

The two teams will now meet on Saturday’s championship decider, which is scheduled to kick-off at 14:45.

Ahead of that, losing semi-finalists TP Mazembe and Sporting Lisbon will battle it out for the bronze medal at the same venue at 12h30.

Arsenal won their place in the final after a tense 90-minute match that ended with a 3-0 result.

It was an epic battle between giants who tried their best in the match to find the back of the net and the 2015 victors that got a first half lead when their jersey number 10 Malen, scored a tremendous goal in the 24^th minute. Team mate Nkhetiah followed the lead up with a magnificent 2^nd goal and the clincher came in what was an unexpected penalty kick goal when Mavididi scored in the 83^rd minute.

The second clash of the day took shape when the National SA Under 19 side took to the ground against opponents Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon.

This was perhaps the toughest game of the tournament with both teams defending their right to advance to the finals with all they had. Numerous chances at goal scoring occurred and finally in the 62^nd minute the first goal of the match hit the back of the net when SA Under 19 forward Kodisang pulled a stunning fast one on his opponents back-line.

Mayo assisted the National team when he scored the second goal of the match and while the crowd was recovering, to cement the team’s road to victory and the Final on Saturday was Kodisang with his second goal that ended the match with at a 3-0 win for South Africa.

Speaking from the Moses Mabhida stadium, Bafana Bafana Head Coach Shakes Mashaba said “Congratulations to the Boys who’ve made it to the final of the tournament. The match was not what we expected as we started at a very low key, we should’ve scored in the first half, however we’re closing the gap in the world of football. I think that the only constant thing is change and initiatives such as the Durban U19tournament speak to that. I am greatly looking forward to the final”

SA U19 defeated Sporting Lisbon in the second semi-final with an assured display that will give them plenty of confidence going into the tournament decider.

Fixtures – 06 August 2016 – Moses King Zwelithini Stadium

3^rd and 4^th Place Play-Offs

12h30 Sporting Lisbon vs.  TP Mazembe

 Final

14h45 Arsenal vs National U19

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

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Olympic Games

Result: Brazil U23 0-0 South Africa U23

Date: 04 August 2016

Venue:  Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha

The South African U23 side began their Olympic campaign with a 0-0 draw against Brazil on Thursday evening.

South Africa were presented with a chance after just three minutes, when Keagan Dolly played Lebo Mothiba through on goal, however Weverton rushed off his line to thwart the striker.

After an impressive opening spell by Owen Da Gama’s side, Brazil started to enjoy most of the possession after the 10-minute mark but struggled to carve out chances.

Itumeleng Khune was called into action after 28 minutes, as the South African shot-stopper produced a fine save to keep out Neymar’s strike from 20-yards out.

South Africa should have taken the lead in the 31 minute when Mothiba met Dolly’s in-swinging corner but failed to hit the target from six-yards out.

Khune was called upon in the 40th minute, as he produced another fine save to keep out Neymar’s volley from the edge of the area, as the sides entered the break with the score locked at 0-0.

South Africa created their first opening in the 54th minute when Dolly’s floated cross found Mothiba, who could only direct his header straight at Weverton.

Owen Da Gama made his first change in the 58th minute, as he introduced Tashreeq Morris for Menzi Masuki.

However, the South Africans were then reduced to 10 men in the 58th minute when Mothobi Mvala given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

Brazil squandered a glorious chance to take the lead in the 68th minute when Gabriel Jesus strick

Khune came to Bafana’s rescue again in the 74th minute, as he rushed off his line to deny Felipe Anderson from close range, before Neymar headed over with the rebound.

The Brazilians pushed for a winner in the closing stages of the game, but the South African defence put in a superb shift to deny the hosts and claim a point in their opening game.

Here’s how they will lined up:

Brazil: Weverton, Zeca, Ciao, Santos, Marquinhos, Maia, Augusto, Anderson, Neymar, Gabigol, Gabriel Jesus

South Africa: Khune, Mekoa, Mobara, Coetzee, Mathoho, Mvala, Motupa, Dolly, Modiba, Masuku, Mothiba

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

BY REGINALD KANYANE

ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) in North West visited IEC offices in Mahikeng on Wednesday. Provincial secretary, Dakota Legoete said it is all systems go and everything was running accordingly.

“We are adamant that the ANC will win most wards. We also encourage our people to come out in numbers and vote for the ruling party. The ANC provincial chairperson, Supra Mahumapelo was also part of the visiting team. We are impressed by IEC set-up and entrust our hope in the institution.

“It is our people’s democratic rights to cast their votes. We know many people lost their lives through apartheid. The least we could do is to honour them by voting for ANC,” Legoete said.

He also added that the ANC-led government has achieved a lot since the dawn of democracy. Legoete said together, South Africa can achieve more for the betterment of the people’s lives,” Legoete said.

EFF provincial leader, Thabo Sehloho said his party was also ready. Sehloho added that however, there were more concerns in Bloemhof.

“I will be voting at Mamusa Township in Schweizer Reneke. So far, everything is going accordingly except the incident in Bloemhof. We saw IEC officials leaving with open ballot papers. We went to Thuto-Lore Primary School and we also realised that IEC officials were changed from the venue,” Sehloho said.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE
A FEMALE traffic cop was allegedly killed by a speeding truck on N18 near Taung Marble on Wednesday. 

Community safety and transport management department spokesperson, Daddy Sebolecwe said the police investigation was underway.

“We are still gathering all facts and we will release media statement as soon as we have all facts. However, we can confirm the incident and investigation is underway,” Sebolecwe said.

The traffic cop was allegedly trying to stop the truck on the road. However the driver failed to stop and allegedly knocked her down.

She was confirmed dead on the scene by emergency services.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

PREMIER for North West, Supra Mahumapelo has said that the province is more than ready for local government elections that will take place on Wednesday.

Mahumapelo will cast his vote at Kebonang Secondary School in Unit 14, Mmabatho at 7am on Wednesday.

Provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said Mahumapelo urged people to go to the voting stations in numbers.

“Premier encourages people to exercise their democratic rights to vote. All voting stations will be open from 7 o’clock in the morning. Mahumapelo said the right to vote was fully recognised as a fundamental right in South Africa and that must not be taken for granted,” Setswambung said.  

Mahumapelo said he was confident that the elections would run smoothly with no hindrance.

The provincial community safety and transport management department has also confirmed the readiness of the province.

“They have assured the safety of those who will be voting. There will be a strong police visibility across the province to ensure that the municipal elections run smoothly with no interruptions,” MEC for community safety and transport management department, Dr Mpho Motlhabane said.

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