BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West University in Mafikeng has been shut down indefinitely by protesting students. The students said they were infuriated by Minister of Higher Learning, Dr Blade Nzimande.

Dr Nzimande announced on Monday that universities can increase the fees in the next financial year. However, he highlighted that no university will be allowed to increase its fees by over 8%.

North West University (Mafikeng campus) administration and laboratory buildings were torched during #Feesmustfall campaign in 2015. This forced the university to go on recession for a month. The damages were estimated to the value of R150 million.

The NWU SRC president, Dikago Pule said they want to put pressure on the university council not to increase fees.

“We reject any talks regarding fees increment. We will never budge in our move and we remain defiant. We met with our students and we took a decision. Even though we embrace the need for education to achieve sustainability, only limited progress has been made on any level. This lack of progress stems from many sources.

“Lack of vision or awareness from both universities and government has impeded progress. We have many students who come from poor backgrounds. However, they continue to drop out of universities because of pricey education,” Pule said.

NWU Vice-chancellor, Professor Dan Kgwadi said they will meet with council to discuss way forward regarding fees augmentation. Kgwadi said they have been waiting for an announcement from government.

“We will meet with council after the announcement made by minister of higher education, Dr Blade Nzimande. We are now in a position to go and finalise our budget proposal to council and take it from there,” he said.

The council is expected to meet on Wednesday to discuss way forward.

Outgoing South African Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela visited the university on Monday to talk about challenges facing higher institutions of learning in South Africa. The lecture was under the theme:  “Prestige Lecture”.

“We have not invested enough in education. This is based on reality that we see. The situation our students are faced with is upheaval. Figures has shown that more students have been accepted in academic institutions, however, there is no enough money that has been invested to cover the new number.

“We urge our students to use their minds to fight social injustice. You must be like Sol Plaatjie who fought the system with his mind. Everyone deserves social justice because it matters. As long as there is injustice somewhere, sustainable peace cannot be experienced anywhere,” she said.

Madonsela further said the difference between the old and new state is that the former would not listen to people. She added that the character of the new state as envisaged in the constitution makes accountability by those exercising public power central while entrenching citizen participation.

“Young persons can fast-track the delivery of the South African dream without violence. If dialogue fails, they can make use of other constitutional avenues such as the Public Protector, the South African Human Rights Commission and Petitions among others. In the 1970s, protestors did not burn down the infrastructure. They knew they were going to need them in the future. When you are disgruntled at home, you do not set alight the house because you will need it for shelter.

“Regarding #Feesmustfall campaign, I believe fees must fall for only those who cannot afford. Otherwise resources meant for the disadvantaged will be lost to those that were historically advantaged. This will also benefit those who are well off due to the fruits of democracy,” Madonsela said.

She also called for the implementation of Chapter 5 of the Equality Act. Madonsela said the act explain that the Promotion of Equality Act has two dimensions. However, she said only one of these has been implemented thus undermining its impact on addressing apartheid disparities including academic injustice.

“The constitution promises an improved quality of life for all and a freed potential to each person. Young leaders have the power to make a difference as they carry the dreams and hopes of our people. We need more innovative young people such as Ludwick Marishane who invented the DryBath and Nkosana Makate who came up with “Please Call Me”.

“We also need our own Marxs and Platos to generate new ideologies and philosophies to help us address today’s problems. The Equality Act provides a systematic mechanism for addressing apartheid, patriarchal and disability disparities. So, without a systematic approach to structural inequality, social justice is a pipe dream,” she said.

Minister Dr Blade Nzimande said: “Our public universities are a significant national asset. They empower the next generation with skills and knowledge. They also contribute significantly to the ability of our economy to compete globally through innovative and appropriate research.

“Our universities currently face serious challenges in terms of funding. At the same time, large numbers of South Africans are currently finding it difficult to access post-school education because of the financial challenges they as individuals or as families face. Government is aware of these challenges and takes them very seriously.

“Indeed, government remains firmly committed to progressively realise free post-school education for the poor and working class, as called for by our constitution, and to assist middle class families who are unable to pay.”

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

EDUCATION is the only unique way to end poverty. Bokamoso Innovation Hub founder, Lesego Serolong said they will continue to empower the youths who were deprived.

Serolong said they offering many students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds across Dr Ruth Mompati district, bursaries to further their studies at tertiary level.

“We have a project called Raising The Children which supports mostly child headed families and orphans. We have assisted more than 30 students so far and some of them have already graduated. In order to end poverty, we must empower youths and women to transform their lives.

“Education is very critical and we always encourage our youths to take it seriously. We are now working together with North West premier’s wife, Kule Mahumapelo to unlock young minds. We do this through business training and mentorship,” Serolong said.

She was born in Choseng village, Taung and studied in United Kingdom. Serolong said she decided to come back to South Africa to assist in eradicating poverty.

“We have visited various areas across North West and realised how women continue to carry the burden of poverty. For women to successfully move out of poverty, they need confidence and business skills. Our model allows them to leave poverty behind for good.

“We have decided to create food gardens for the youths and women. This will creates dignity, ownership and self-sufficiency. Turning women and youths into entrepreneurs creates a lasting opportunities for them to lift their families out of poverty,” she said.

Serolong and Mahumapelo visited Moretele local municipality last week. She said they are now doing research and feasibility study about the life-style of the youths and women in that area.

“We will be working in partnership with Moretele chief to come up with strategic plans to assist the youths there. We also urge all stakeholders to come on board. It is important for the society to take care of the youths and women. We need to use education as a tool to fight poverty, unemployment and inequality.

“We also encourage the society to take care of the most vulnerable group which is our elderly persons. It is hard nowadays to find young people be committed to take care of aging persons. We are committed in improving the lives of our grandparents. We visited the far-flung areas were grandparents are living in abject poverty,” Serolong said.

North West province first lady, Kule Mahumapelo shared the same sentiments. Mahumapelo said they met with Serolong and now they are working together.

“Serolong is dedicated human being in assisting the youths. She has a food garden in Manyeledi village in Ganyesa and employed many people. She also offered bursaries to underprivileged children.  We need to take a stand and encourage the youths to make progress with their lives.

“We also visited Zambia few months ago with her. We were touched how life turned out to be for youths and women in that country. So we will be going back in November to donate clothes. We are also working together in building an old age home at Moretele local municipality,” Mahumapelo said.

Thato Marope who is a bursary scheme beneficiary said he is studying Mathematics at Rhodes University. Marope said Serolong played a pivotal role in his life.

“I am an orphan and having people like Lesego Serolong and Kule Mahumapelo is breath-taking. I highly-appreciate the opportunity and believe that many people will also benefit from this project. I want to assist in bringing opportunities to other disadvantaged communities. I need to take part in promoting development at schools.

Another beneficiary, Qoliswa Mgwabe said: “I also encourage the matriculants to apply to various institutions and I assist them with career guidance. We have introduced tutoring and mentorship programs at few schools to assist other during recession.”

Moretele chief, Kgosi Jacob Mathibe lauded the initiative. Mathibe added that many youths were embedded with many form of abuse.

“We have challenges where youths engaged in crime, alcohol and drug abuse. We need to make sure that we fight that. They need to be taught how to change the lives for the better,” he said.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

MEC for community safety and transport management, Dr Mpho Motlhabane said they aimed to change learners’ attitude towards road safety. Motlhabane said they will embark on educational flagship programme.

“Our programme is targeting Grade 10 and 11 pupils. We will host the Participatory Education Techniques (PET) at Barolong Boo Raa Tshidi Community Hall on Friday. We aim at changing learners’ attitude towards road safety issues. The purpose of this is to encourage pupils to be aware of road safety challenges in their community.

“Teaching pupils to take responsibilities regarding road safety is key. We urge the communities also to take part. This will enhance pupils to present good communication and listening skills. They will also participate in a practical presentation session,” Motlhabane said.

He further said they were touched by the losses of innocent lives of pupils on the roads. Motlhabane added that the safety of pupils was a priority.

“We need to create safe and secure environment includes while the pupils are ferried to and from various schools. We are working in partnership with education and sport development department to address this matter,” he said.

North West education and sport development department spokesperson, Elias Malindi said: “Our curriculum on Life Orientation has a chapter where pupils are taught about road safety. We have also partnered with SANRAL where pupils participate in safety education.

“This also allows schools to source based material on safety. We also working together with community safety and transport management department and established scholar patrol teams. Participative Education Technique will assist in curbing the carnage.”

He also added they have introduced a learner’s license project at high schools. Malindi said pupils at high schools are introduced to driving lesson skills so that they can be better road users.

“Road safety measures are introduced to all users, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. Our detailed presentation is also introduced to School Governing Bodies (SGB), parents, LRC learners, teachers and all stakeholders,” he said.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West Premier Supra Mahumapelo has reacted with shock to the news about the passing on of Nkalakatha hitmaker, Mduduzi Edmund Tshabalala who was affectionately known as Mandoza.

Mahumapelo conveyed his heartfelt condolences to Mandoza’s bereaved family, friends and the South African music fraternity.

It was reported that Mandoza passed on as he was taken to the hospital on Sunday.

“The demise of Mandoza represents a loss to the music industry. He will always be remembered for his ability to unite different race groups in song across the country,” Mahumapelo said.

He further called on South Africans to celebrate a talented life well lived.

“May Mandoza’s family, friends and fans draw strength on the knowledge that he continued to love his trade even during his sickness as demonstrated through his performance at the recently held Thank You SABC concert at Orlando stadium in Soweto,” Mahumapelo said.

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Picture: (Nomthandazo Talakase,4, who was found dead, mutilated in Vryburg)

BY REGINALD KANYANE

A Family of Talakase in Huhudi location, near Vryburg was left crestfallen after the death of their daughter. Nomthandazo Talakase, 4 went missing for a week and her mutilated body was found by a hunter on Monday.

North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said police in Huhudi are investigating a case of murder. Mokgwabone said Nomthandazo Talakase’s body was found in the bushes near Monotomosetlha Informal Settlement in Huhudi location, Vryburg.

“The body was discovered by a boy who was hunting. He then alerted his elders who informed the police. Upon arrival at the scene, the police found the body with a missing left hand. No one has been arrested and investigation into the matter continues,” he said.

Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane condemned the incident. She urged tranquility amongst the community and requested them to work in cooperation with the police.

“We will ensure that anyone who is behind this evil deed is exposed and arrested. The police urge members of the community to come forward with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspect by calling Detective Captain Thomas Mbandulula on 082 443 8704,” she said.

Nomthandazo’s mother, Refilwe Talakase, 22 said: “My daughter’s death left a void in our heart. I cannot believe that she is gone. We are going through a rough time and we hope the perpetrator/s will be arrested soon.

“She was found by a hunter in the veld on Monday. What surprises me is that, we searched that area while looking for her during the week, but today she was found there,” Talakase said.

ANCWL in North West said they hope the police will work around the clock to apprehend the perpetrator/s. ANCWL provincial secretary, Bridgette Magakwe said: “We are very disappointed on how Nomthandazo’s situation turned out. We want to send a stern warning to all perpetrators out there. Enough is enough and we also urge community members to work together with the police to expose those who did this.

“We also call on all stakeholders to take part in ensuring the safety of our children. Government cannot win this fight alone. A child is raise by a village, so we need to work together. It is so disappointing that we had awareness campaigns across the country last month, but children’s lives continue to be valued less,” Bridgette Magakwe said.

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