The North West Education and Sport Development department recognized educators for their hard work and dedication during the Seventeenth Provincial National Teaching Awards ceremony held at Vaal Reefs Technical High School at Orkney near Klerksdorp on Saturday.

MEC for education and sport development department, Sello Lehari said The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation proclaimed 5^th October to be the World Teachers Day.

“The National Teachers Awards is a platform used by the department to acknowledge and celebrate extraordinary efforts made by teachers when executing their duties. The awards ceremony is the second biggest event in the calendar of the department after the matric result ceremony which is aimed at lifting the morale of the teachers.

“The winners of the National Teaching Awards for the North West Province were, Mary Omarjee from Laerskool Rustenburg Noord from Bojanala District obtained position one on Excellence in Primary School Teaching, Doreen Lekafane from Kgalatlowe Secondary School, at Motlhabe Village also from Bojanala District obtained position one in Excellence in Secondary School Teaching, Sello Sehoole from Mankuroane Secondary School obtained position one in the Secondary School Leadership category, in the Excellence in Grade R Teaching Chantel Naude from R.B. Dithupe obtained the first position, Matlhonolo Kola from Christiana School for the Blind, in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District obtained position one, on Excellence in Teaching Mathemetics (Further Education and Training) Fazlin Kola from Ziniaville Secondary School in Rustenburg, Bojanala District obtained position one, Andrew Kgwefane from Sedibelo High School obtained position one, whilst Leonard Bremmer from Sol Plaatjie Secondary School in Mafikeng at Ngaka Modiri Molema District obtained position one. Bojanala District was awarded a certificate and the trophy for the best performing district,” Lehari said.

Lehari congratulated the all the winners and motivated those educators who did not obtain position one at provincial level.

“You are indeed good and excellent teachers and good teaching in its own is a reward but teacher appreciation day like this one is to let you know how you have touched the lives of our children. A great teacher is more than just credentials, experience and intelligence. What lies in the heart of a great teacher is kindness and inspiration.

“Remember education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world. Without excellent teacher’s transformation of our country, our economy is a night mare. We commend you for a good head and heart in the mammoth task that you are doing pertaining educating the African child,” he said.

The winners went home with trophies, framed certificates, laptops and bags, stationery packs, Macmillan bag on wheels, water purifier, organiser and dictionary, memory sticks and set of books.

 James Ndlebe (National Department of Basic Education Director for Education Management Governance and Development) motivated the educators for making education a reality to the learners.

“We are immensely grateful to all the teachers, principals, parents, learners, School Governing Bodies, individuals and strategic partners who work tirelessly to make quality education a reality in throughout the country,”said Ndlebe.

Mxolisi Bomvana the Councillor for the South Africa Educator Council (SACE) thanked the department for recognizing teachers who work tirelessly on daily basis. He highlighted that despite the difficult challenges teachers are faced with at their schools they remained the epitome of commitment and hard work.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

North West Premier Supra Obakeng Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo has called on the matric class of 2016 to remain focused on the task at hand ahead of the start of their exams this week.

“We are confident that the class of 2016 will do us proud and sustain the improvement in the results we have recorded last year. As we wish them good luck, we also encourage them to concentrate intensely on their books, and ensure that they excel in the exams,” said Mahumapelo who urged churches, parents and families of these learners to give them the necessary support throughout the final examination period.

He said the provincial administration was serious about supporting learners who do well in their studies, citing as an example the province’s Kgetsi-Ya-Tsie Bursary and Skills Development Fund that is aimed at assisting learners who struggle to pay their tertiary tuition fees.

The fund was launched by Mahumapelo last year to help students in the province who struggle to pay their tertiary tuition fees, and assist in facilitating increased access to educational opportunities for the youth in the province.

The matric final examinations are scheduled to start on Wednesday.

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
Two suspects aged 22 and 30 are expected to appear in Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court on Monday for dagga.

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Dimakatso Mooi said that the two suspects were arrested on Saturday.

“Public Order Police members were doing their normal patrol. They were doing stop and search at Galeshewe when they arrested the suspects. They were found to be in possession of dagga worth R32 856 000,” Mooi said.

The Head of Operational Response Service in Northern Cape, Brig Monica Sebili commended the police.

“We urge our police to continue to curb crime and drugs in our communities. The drugs have a negative impact in our society,” she said.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

In a bid to close the skills gaps in the water supply value chain, Water and Sanitation department (DWS) in partnership with Education and Sports Development department, hosted 50 high school learners in Rusternburg.

Twenty eight high schools throughout the North West Province, participated in the Provincial Aqua Enduro Competitions which also incorporated of Take a child to work programme.

Water and Sanitation Department provincial spokesperson, Katlego Mokaila said the main objective of the event was to address the skills shortage in the scientific and engineering disciplines within the water sector at grass roots level.

“The challenge of water scarcity, water loss and lack of technical capacity has maximized awareness capacity building, training and in all corners of the country hence DWS have invested in empowering the country on sustainable water management. This year alone, six North West Province learners have been awarded Tertiary bursaries in Engineering and technical fields and furthermore the Provincial Aqua Enduro competitions will enable more to be awarded the same reward.

“This is in addition to 121 bursaries awarded since the inception of this programme in 2008.The three days event, which comprised of career related presentations, excursions to Water Treatment Works and Waste Water Treatment Works, enabled high school learners to translate their theoretical knowledge into practicality through engaging with engineers, technicians and process controllers at the Treatment Works during the tour including observing how water is purified,” Mokaila said.

She said from all corners of the Province, different schools participated in these activities.

“Schools such as Sol Plaatje, Thutotsebo, Matlhaleng, Dirangkanatla, Tshebedisano,Milner, Borakanelo, Nkangmatlhale, Sewagodimo, Setumo, Barolong, Sefutswelo, Motlhakutseng, Batswana, Mmabatho, Mohare, Thebeyatlhajwa, Matlo secondary school, Rekgaratlhile secondary school, Jerry Mahura secondary , Reabetswe secondary school , Kgosi shupe, Mochusi secondary school, Brey combined, Setswakgosing secondary , Huhudi high, Mankuruane technical , Batlhaping high schools were present.

“Some of the presentations prepared motivated learners to better choose the precise subjects in Tertiary level including understanding the requirements of entry levels of water related studies in Universities that have a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Water and Sanitation. It should also be noted that learners can only qualify for bursaries only if they get an entrance to University. Mathematics and Physical Science is the requirements to study water related Tertiary courses,” Mokaila added.

She said the presentations focused on Gender mainstreaming, water quality, careers in water, health and safety and overall overview of how a Water Service Provider such as Magalies Water operates.

The acting Provincial head of DWS North West Province, Dr Tseliso Ntili encouraged learners to persevere and follow their dreams in the water sector. He said that water affects all of us and the youth as future leaders of tomorrow are the ones to lead the country into the future.

“They have the necessary skills required to ensure sustainable infrastructure and water supply. The Department’s Learning Academy is committed to the effective administration of the youth empowerment programme and that there is provision of an immediate response to the perceived and imminent threat of skills shortages within DWS and the water sector in South Africa.

“DWS also have bursaries and experiential training (Learner Interns). In addition young, inexperienced graduates (Graduate Trainees) are accommodated in a mentoring programme that includes on the job training, active involvement and participation in real time projects,”he said.

Ntili said some of the key stakeholders include Department of Basic Education, Magalies Water and South African Institute of Civil Engineers (SAICE).

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

ANC in Bokone Bophirima extends best wishes to Grade 12 learners of the province and the country as they start writing their final matric examinations this week.

ANC provincial secretary, Dakota Legoete said education is one of our movement’s top priorities to build an informed society that is active in contributing to the country, especially towards strengthening the economy.

“We call on every single citizen to lend a hand and support where they possibly can. This will help these future leaders of our country to excel in their final sitting for an exam in a school setting.

“To all our matriculants, a matric exam is an important gateway to the next phase of your life. It will open doors to further education and a career of your choice. Success, however, can only be achieved through hard work and persistence. May you all come out victorious,” Legoete said.

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The Water Literacy Foundation and Rain Water Concept will be hard at work in North West Province. They will be conducting a pilot project on rain water harvesting in identified areas with a view to assisting the province to mitigate the water challenges that are being experienced.

MEC for Rural Environment and Agricultural Development (READ) Department, Manketsi Tlhape will address the media briefing to outline activities that will be undertaken during the stay of the Water Literacy Foundation and Rain Water Concept in the country.

“On his recent visit from China and India, Premier Supra Mahumapelo invited these water experts to the province to do work in determining how the province can be assisted on water challenges,” Tlhape said.

The media briefing will take place at Premier’s Guest House (Golfview) on Monday at 2:30pm.

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Two people died and five were critically injured in a car collision on N14 at Brandvlei crossing in the Tarlton area. ER24 paramedics as well as other various services attended to the incident.

ER24 spokesperson, Chitra Bodasing-Hardus said that four vehicles had collided and two of the patients, one of whom was trapped in a vehicle and another found lying near the road were declared dead.

“A man who sustained critical injuries was treated and airlifted to hospital. The baby, as well as all other patients were treated and transported to hospital by road. Three people declined hospital treatment and the exact cause of the incident is unknown,” Bodasing-Harduth said.

Authorities were on the scene for further investigations.

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