Picture: (ANCWL provincial secretary, Bridgette Magakwe)

BY REGINALD KANYANE

ANC Women’s League in Bokone Bophirima lauded the ANC leadership in the province for being considerate. ANCWL provincial secretary, Bridgette Magakwe said majority of women were elected as mayors in most municipalities.

“Twelve women as opposed to eleven men were recently elected in mayoral positions following the recent local government elections. We feel much respected and we are elated that women are also holding top leadership positions in the troikas of most municipalities.

“As the league, we see the positive gesture and the reward the ANC gave to women of the province during the women’s month celebration. For this move, the ANC provincial leadership has become the leading province in women space to lead both in the provincial and at the local level,” she said.

Magakwe added that the move also proves that Bokone Bophirima province is fast moving to achieve the 50 percent gender balance that they have pleaded for. She said the ANCWL leadership in the province was also proud that there has been good leadership in most positions headed by women in the province.

“We also appeal to the community to support women leaders and give them space to govern.”

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTHERN Cape police said they need assistance in the tracing of two alleged armed robbery suspects. Provincial spokesperson, Capt Sergio Kock said that two men allegedly entered a tuck shop in 7de Laan, Delportshoop recently and threatened the owner with a firearm.

“The suspects tied the victim’s hands with a rope and fled with an undisclosed amount of money. They also stole three cellphones and airtime vouchers. Police request that anyone with information regarding the incident or the suspects in the ID kits to please contact D/Const Earnest Raadt on 079 717 4851,” he said.

Kock highlighted that all information will be treated with the strictest of confidence.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

PENSIONERS at Mathibestad village, in Moretele local municipality will
be spoiled in another episode of Grandparents’ Day on Saturday. This is a courtesy of no one other than Bokone Bophirima province first lady, Kule Mahumapelo.

Mahumapelo said she is hosting another installment of Grandparents’ Day
in the area as she promised.
Grandparents’ Day that was incepted in October back in 2014 is under the theme: “Treasure the feeble hands of the
wise.”

“Through this initiative, I created a platform for the elderly to be pampered. They need to be the centre of attraction on in a while. Five older persons have so far received newly built and fully furnished houses. This was part of the celebration,” Kule Mahumapelo said.

She said they visited to five pensioners’ homes on Friday. Mahumapelo added that the main purpose of the visits was to check on elderly persons who were fragile.

“Some elderly persons are so sick and need assistance. The main Grandparents’ Day event will be on Saturday at Moretele Community Hall, in Mathibestad,” she said.

Grandparents will be showered with gifts and entertained by several
musicians including MmaAusi.

“This is to show appreciation for the vital role elderly persons have played and continue to play in the society. Prayer session for pensioners will be on Sunday at Mabula Old Age Home, Mathibestad at 09h00am,” Mahumapelo lamented.

She will also spend the day with about 50 pensioners and observe
their living conditions at the centre. Moretele local municipality mayor, Makinta Monaheng will accompany Mahumapelo throughout the event.

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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.

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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.

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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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BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West Premier Supra Mahumapelo said there were positive results regarding all five concretes implemented by the provincial government. He said this during a press conference at Premier’s Guest House in Mahikeng on Thursday.

“We have noticed positive results on the provincial revenue enhancement strategy. We have mandated the department of finance, economy and enterprise development (FEED) to engage with other stakeholders to come up with strategic plans to increase the revenue in the province.

“We augmented our budget expenditure. We have already spent 26% so far on our first quarter. It is also encouraging to see Setsokotsane program being a force to be reckoned,” Mahumapelo said.

He further said 70% of the provincial government expenditure will be dedicated to Village, Township and Small Dorpies. Mahumapelo said VTSD will be intensified.

“We have come up with a provincial chamber of commerce inventiveness. The initiative will be rolled out at each village across the province. This will assist us to fight poverty, inequality and unemployment. Village Development Plan program will be implemented in November.

“North West Development Corporation (NWDC) has embarked on a feasibility plan to see how we can capacitate those areas. We have over 807 villages in the North West and each village will have its chamber of commerce,” he said.

Mahumapelo highlighted that they have put the youth at the centre stage. He said also those who run SMME’s will be empowered.

“Our aim is to change and improve the lives of the masses. We will make sure that service delivery reach our people especially at the far-flung areas. All our new councillors and mayors will be inducted to ensure that they know what is expected from them.

“MEC for local government and human settlements department, Galaletsang Gaolaolwe will monitor all processes closely. We have also acquired assistance from other stakeholders like North West University to ensure that we achieve unqualified audit report in all municipalities,” he said.

Mahumapelo added that out of fifteen municipalities that were put under administration previously, only seven were still under threat. He further said 66.5% of local suppliers were sustained thus far.

He also encouraged community leaders to visit various schools. According to Mahumapelo, children needed to be capacitated about the fruit of democracy.

“Many children are demoralised and demobilised. They need to be educated and inspired about our democracy. They need to be engaged on how to rebrand our province,” he said.

Mahumapelo added that they will de-tenderise all projects in North West province. He said most service providers did not stick to agreement and delivered as per agreement.

“We will discuss that matter soon. We will like to pass that policy where we train youth in various areas like plumbing, construction, engineering and others. When the provincial government wants to construct a road for example, we know we have people who are equipped to do the job.

“We also acknowledge the fact that water is a challenge in the province. However, we spoke with water and sanitation minister, Nomvula Mokonyane, and we will drill more borehole,” he said.

Mahumapelo said Setsokotsane Call Centre was operational and MECs will visit the area to take calls in monthly a basis. He also said the provincial government will continue to verify CVs of all public servants.

Mahumapelo said they have reached an agreement with Denel over new developments at Mahikeng Airport.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

The Northern Cape Hawks Provincial Head, Major General KD Galawe has welcomed the sentencing on one case among many related to illegal mining in the province.

Maloi Edward April (53) was arrested for illegal diamond digging on bearing gravel in Reuning mining area near Alexander bay on December 28 last year. April first appeared at Port Nolloth Magistrates Court where he was released on warning.

“This success sends a strong message in curbing the prevalent illegal mining in our province,” Galawe said.

The accused was fined R300.

In a separate incident, eight suspects aged between 24 and 54 years were arrested. They were all charged for alleged illegal digging and trespassing in Oudeep mining area, near Port Nolloth.

Nkwalase said the incident took place on August 17. He said the suspects appeared at Springbok Magistrate’s Court on August 18.

“We would like to appeal to all stakeholders involved in fighting this practice to exercise vigilance and continue to work in partnership with us to curb illegal mining in all our mining area,” Nkwalase said.

The case was postponed to September 26. The suspects were all out on warning.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

EIGHT police officers were arrested by the Northern Cape Hawks after they were allegedly involved in a heist.

Sergeant Samuel Jantjies (45), Constable Hendrik Daniels (35), Jennifer Claasen (46) and Jean Pierre Wolfaard (26) appeared in Kimberley Magistrate Court and were denied bail.

Nothern Cape the Hawks spokesperson, Captain Philani Nkwalase said: “Four other suspects, Densel Deon Jantjies (35), Conrad Christopher Buys (25), Charles Buys (61), Andries Buys (38) were all released on R10 000 bail.

“The incident happened on May 6, 2016 at about 19:00, at G4S base in Kimberley. Three armed men gained access to the G4S premises and took off with an undisclosed amount of cash,” Nkwalase said.

He said five suspects were arrested between July 20-22 and others were arrested shortly afterwards.

“Over R1.4 million was recovered and an assortment of new house hold furniture as well as several vehicle purchased were seized.

Their case was postponed to the 29 September for further investigation.

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