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Benny’s Sports Academy and Development returned to South Africa after a successful 2016 Danone Nations Cup World Final where they finished in 14^thplace overall with 32 countries competing.  South Africa’s best finish since 2009 where they won the tournament.
Benny’s managed to finish second in their Group after beating South Korea 1 -0, Italy, the first all girls team to compete in the finals, 3 – 0 but losing to Indonesia 1 – 0.

The second round was tough with the team facing Brazil in their first top 16 game.  After losing 1-0 they were fighting for position 9 – 16.  Here they then faced a strong Tunisian team that were far bigger and stronger than our Limpopo boys.  After an early goal the South Africans fought back hard but failed to get the ball past a very agile goalkeeper leaving the boys fighting for position 13 – 16. 

The penultimate match of the tournament saw the South Africans running onto the field next to Uruguay, arguably the tallest boys in the 2016 world finals.  They refused to let the height of their opponents intimidate them and they outplayed them completely winning 2-1 and progressing to meet Russia in their final match for 13-14^th position.  This game was played at the Stade de France.

After conceding an early goal South Africa fought hard and pulled one back to finish level 1 each.  However the more composed European counterparts proved better in the penalty shootout and won it 3 – 1.

On their return to South Africa, Coach Mbishi Mokwena said that undoubtedly the game against Brazil was their toughest.  “The world finals were also a learning experience and the way the Brazilians used the field was an eye opener and very interesting to watch.  We were lucky to lose by such a narrow margin and our goalkeeper, Hulisani Mashau, had a cracker of a game,” he said.  “We went back to the drawing board after that game and used Brazil’s tactic against Uruguay and it worked in our favour.”

It was the game against Italy that took the youngsters by surprise.  “It was the first all girls team that has ever played at the world finals,” said Mbishi.  “We had been warned that the girls were going to be taller and stronger than us, which was the case, and they were academy girls from the famous Italian Club, AS Roma, so we were expecting a tougher challenge which did not turn out to be the case.  However, I have to admit there were a couple of girls that were exceptionally skilled on the ball.  They showed us a few amazing shibobo’s that left our boys standing,” said the coach.

For youngster Chrisjones Davhana, being in France was an enlightening experience.  “Paris is such an exciting city.  Full of life and interesting sights to see.  I loved it so much I would like to go and live there one day. 

“The food was interesting,” said Davhana.  “I think the French eat too many vegetables and I missed my traditional pap.  But they have the best fish!”

Germany was the ultimate winner beating Japan 3 – 1 on penalties at the legendary Stade de France in Paris, with Spain beating Brazil 2 – 1 to finish the 3^rd and 4^thplaces respectively.

Both the German and Japanese teams were selected through a trial process meaning their teams comprised the top under-12 players in their respective countries.  The same process was used to finalise many of the other teams as well.  A far cry from the South African boys who play school soccer on a dusty soccer field in the rural Limpopo area, Vhembe.  To have finished in 14^th position was a great feat. 

“When we showed other teams and the international media the video of our area, school and soccer field they had new respect for us and we always had other teams coming to watch our games and cheering for us,” said Mbishi.

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A young boy’s dream came true just before going into theatre for a surgery today.

Little Aidan (7), became the youngest “member” of Team Red. Aidan, dressed in his red ER24 superhero flight suit, took his first official ride in an ambulance.

With the help of the sirens blaring and the lights flashing, Aidan, in the company of his ER24 “colleagues” and family, bravely reported for duty at the Mediclinic Morningside.

Aidan, who lives in Bryanston, was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Costello Syndrome when he was 18 months old. The syndrome is so rare that he is only the second diagnosis in South Africa. He is one of only a few hundred people worldwide who has been diagnosed. 

Costello Syndrome affects various parts of the body. In Aidan’s case, he has to undergo abdominal scans every three months to screen for cancerous tumours. He also has to undergo heart scans as he has a thickened left ventricle wall.

In addition, Aidan has Culcaneo Vulgus Feet as well as a number of other challenges as a result of the syndrome.

Aidan recently developed growths under his lower eyelids. Today’s surgery was to remove these growths as well as adenoids as a result of them affecting him.

Aidan has been for numerous operations. To lighten his mood in the run up to today’s operation, Aidan’s mum, Melissa Botha, requested a visit from any emergency service. 

“Aidan loves emergency services… firefighters, police officers, paramedics, ambulances… he gets so excited. With the run up to this operation and Aidan having so many bad experiences, I thought about having a fireman, police officer or paramedic visit him to take the edge off. I put a message on Facebook stating that Aidan was not dealing well with the idea of another hospital visit. I requested a visit from any emergency service. ER24 contacted me wanting to assist. ER24 blew my request out of the water,” she said.

ER24 paramedics visited Aidan yesterday with a goodie bag and a flight suit.

He put the flight suit on immediately and did not take it off until it was time for his bath last night. “The first thing he did this morning was put the flight suit on again,” said Botha.

That was not all. Today, ER24 Joburg North paramedics, including branch manager Saul Behrmann, picked Aidan up and took him to hospital.

“There were a number of vehicles (response vehicles, an ambulance and rescue vehicle) at our door. ER24 made such an impact. Aidan got to ride to hospital in the ambulance. He was the paramedic and I had to play the patient. I cannot thank ER24 enough. Aidan was so excited and had a blast before his operation. The paramedics literally changed his whole experience with hospitals,” said Botha.

Aidan has become a household name in many homes with various people wanting to help.

As a single mum trying to do the best for her child, Botha has had to find ways of helping Aidan cope with the challenges he faces. She has also had to find ways of raising funds to cope with monthly expenses.

 Challenges

“As a result of the Culcaneo Vulgus Feet, Aidan was walking almost with the insides of his ankles. We tried various non-invasive ways to treat the condition. However, last year he had to undergo an operation. It was one of the most difficult operations we went through. He was in Plaster of Paris for more than six weeks and if you know Aidan, you will know that he is busy all the time. His mobility is his expression of communication. I had to keep him busy. He was a bit depressed that he could not move around. As a single mum it is a challenge. Aidan also gets uncomfortable with food and clothes and even getting him ready for school is a challenge. The biggest thing that works fort him is imagination. I cannot be an adult all the time. I have to be a child with him… to entertain him, get him to school and be on schedule. 

“Finance is another challenge. Aidan has to go for occupational therapy and needs medication and specialised equipment. There are costs that are not covered by medical aid. The average cost of raising Aidan is about R35 000 a month,” said Botha.  

To raise funds, Botha created a website called Raising Aidan. 

She raises funds by selling cupcakes catering for everyone’s taste including those who are diabetic or require gluten free.

You can help raise Aidan by buying these cupcakes. To find out more about how you can help Aidan, visitwww.raisingaidan.co.za or visit the Raising Aidan Facebook page.

 taungdailynews@gmail.com

BY REGINALD KANYANE

ECONOMIC Freedom Fighters (EFF ) councillor, Lucy Matsibi passed away this week.

Moses Kotane Local Municipality speaker, Sipho Vaya sent his heartfelt condolences to Matsibi’s friends and love ones.

“We want to send our deepest condolences to Matsibi’s family and friends. 

“The late Matsibi was sworn in as the Proportional Representative of EFF after the Local Government elections held in August 3 this year,” he said.

Matsibi will be laid to rest on Saturday next week at Sefikile village.

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(From Left to Right Simphiwe Nanise COO of MIT, Engineering Award Winner, Lerato Semetse and Mary Bomela, CEO of MIC)

THE National Union Mineworkers JB Marks Education Trust Fund said it will continue to support deprived students through their education. The trust fund spokesperson, Jako Mokgosi said the fund also assists graduates to enter the mining, energy and construction industries and other disciplines.

“We have shored up graduates from institutions of higher learning institutions. Some of them are qualified to work in disciplines such as engineering, mining, commerce, communications and medicine. When the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) was established in 1982, a huge number of its members were illiterate.

“Through the Mineworkers Investment Trust (MIT), the JB Marks Education Trust Fund was put in place to educate dependants of NUM members to study towards any qualification of their choice. This comes with no obligation to pay back the fund once their studies are completed,” Mokgosi said.

He further said those who graduated are serving to build a better South Africa. Mokgosi highlighted that engineers among them keep the wheels of industry turning while those in the construction industry create the infrastructure needed to support the modern economy.

“We provide assistance to those their parents/guardians are members of NUM. The JB Marks Trust Fund ensures that the bursary applications are sent out in March of each year. The applications will be captured onto our system. This will enables us to keep record of all the applications.

“After the applicants have been captured, then the trust gives priority to the students with the highest marks. The dependants of the mineworkers who are retrenched or deceased are then chosen. And finally, the rest are selected by their choice of course,” he said.

Mokgosi said it was imperative to assist students as their parents have worked durably. He added that everyone needs to take a stand and play a crucial role in equipping the leaders of tomorrow.

He added that they understand the importance of education being accessible to those who need it. Mokgosi said NUM and the MIT created the fund because many black miners were illiterate and could not afford to put their children through universities.

“It is a great opportunity for other organisations to implement the same system to assist those graduates in need. We award 200 bursaries annually and have had over 1000 graduates to date. Ninety two tertiary students were honoured at this year’s 7th JB Marks Education Trust Fund Awards which took place at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg recently.

“Of the 92 students who graduated with essential qualifications, nine of them achieved top honours and additional awards for Outstanding Academic performance in the various categories.

One of the beneficiaries, Lerato Semetse from Kanana Location, in Orkney completed her National Diploma in Engineering Metallurgy. She is studying towards her postgraduate studies (B-Tech) at Wits University.

“Education is very expensive nowadays, so being raised by a single parent is a disadvantaged. However, JB Marks Education Trust Fund came in handy. We need to come together to address poverty, inequality and unemployment.

“I also want to encourage students amid the #FeesMustFall campaign to refrain from burning public properties. We need free education and let us not be blindfolded,” Semetse said.

She said all stakeholders must come forward and address this issue. Semetse said South Africa is a young democratic country and justice imbalances are at the centre stage.

Mineworkers Investments Trust (MIT) COO, Simphiwe Nanise said: “There is no easy way to achieve success unless you apply yourself to the task at hand. All of the graduates have done just that.”- Newsnote

SITUATION has calmed down at Kagisano Molopo local municipality after some residents attempted to shut down operations recently. The concerned residents want newly-elected mayor, Bitsa Lenkopane to step down.

They alleged rendered her selection null and void as they claim procedural methods were not followed.

Lenkopane has assured residents that the wheel of municipal service delivery will roll out uninterrupted.

“We met with those disgruntled and addressed their issues. We also noted with regret the incident and pointed out that such exercise negatively affected the Local Economic Development (LED). The protesters forced many local businesses to shut down for two days last week.

“If the LED is affected, this will results in a setback in a fight against the triple challenges that we are facing our society. We need to address poverty, unemployment and inequality within our society,” Lenkopane said.

She added that the residents need to unite and work together with municipality. Lenkopane also warned those who supported her that their support should never in anyway be misconstrued as an ‘ace card’.

“Your support should not mislead you and think one day you could use it against me. This is just a wave that will come to an end and I will need everyone in Kagisano Molopo to join in the saamtrek-saamwerk initiative.

“We also urge you to conceptualise the reconciliation, healing and renewal (RHR) programme as some of the concretes of the 5^th administration to build the province,” she said.

Lenkopane further said plans were in place to roll out municipal service delivery programmes this week. She added that will empower and develop communities and improve their livelihoods. 

However, those who embarked on a protest refuted the claim. The Kagisano-Molopo Concern Group leader, Sino Kebotlhale said: “The mayor does not want to cooperate. We never met with her as she is avoiding us. Instead of meeting us, she calls and set police on us.

“However, we will never budge and we still maintain that she needs to vacate the mayoral seat. Her selection was invalid as we did not vote her in. There are many challenges that are still pending and she refuses to address community grievances.”- Newsnote

Picture: North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo

NORTH West Premier Supra Mahumapelo said his visited to China and India last month was an accomplishment. Mahumapelo said they will strengthen business opportunities with those countries.

“One of the agreements of business partnership was donkey business. The Chinese have capabilities in making use of donkey skin in different ways. They have the biggest Science Complex where they use it to deal with donkey skin to boost the economy. We have already identified few hectares where we will open a factory to deal with donkey skin business. We have reached an agreement that we will not send the donkey meat and skin abroad, but open a factory instead.  

“Our National Transport Investment (NTI) also engaged with Chinese government to discuss the possibilities of opening a bus factory. We will work together with all stakeholders in transport industry including taxi industry. We want to upgrade infrastructure especially in far-flung areas. The Chinese agreed to provide necessary training to our people by imparting skills,” he said.

Mahumapelo added that people need to have access to free Wi-Fi across the province. He further said they will also identify few youth who will be ferried to China, Brazil, Russia and India to be equipped with training.

“All those who will be identified, they will to go and get training abroad through BRICS countries. They will also learn the languages used in those countries. We will encourage them to visit our province frequently so that they can share their expertise while studying,” he said.

Mahumapelo said their main objectives were to eradicate unemployment, inequality and poverty which are triple challenges. Most community members need to have cooperatives to be employers rather than employees. We are targeting 70% of our youth to be employers instead.

“We will make announcement next year in 2017 regarding the deal. We also went to India to negotiate with them. The Indian economy is the most and fastest growing economy in the world thus far. They also have good infrastructure in agriculture. We have invited water specialists from India to come and assist us in addressing water challenges.

“The province has experienced water shortage through drought last year. We believe that our farmers will also benefit from that deal. They will educate them on how to reach underground water without spending more money. The Indians are using the easiest method to water their plantation too. They also have magical trees that make rain to fall and have water recycling methods through technology,” Mahumapelo said.

“We will be working closely with law enforcement authorities to address donkey-theft. We also want to applaud the police on arresting those who were involved in drugs selling in the province. We also want to highlight that most of our public servants are doing a great job. However, there are some of those who are involved in corruption and fraud. Their actions derail service delivery and we requested Provincial Government Director-General, Lydia Sebego to address that.

“Our province has reduced its wasteful expenditure from R900 million to only under R10 million currently. We have agreed with Audit General to apply PFMA and we will take drastic measures against those who found guilty. We have also completed the qualifications audit investigations,” Mahumapelo said.- Newsnote

AGRICULTURAL Sector in North West province will receive the necessary support from the World Bank. The bank representatives from United State of America visited Manamolela village on Wednesday.

A Senior Agriculture Economist of the World Bank, Dr Guo Li said: “Developing rural agricultural economies is essential. We go to rural areas to see how we can develop those areas. The World Bank sees the importance of South Africa’s Agri-parks as they offer comprehensive services along the various commodity value chains.”

Dr Li brings abundance of expertise as he worked on the bank’s East Asia Region for eight years focusing on rural development and poverty. He added that they will also visit Mpumalanga, Western Cape and Eastern Cape.  .

The programme was organized by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. The provincial head of department for Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development department (READ), Dr Poncho Mokaila said the initiative offers a one stop shop for agro-production, processing, logistics, marketing and training within district municipalities.

“Government says the initiative will contribute to developing 300 000 new small holder farmers and 145 000 jobs in agro-processing. The National Developmental Plan (NDP) sees agriculture as having the potential to create close to one million jobs by 2030.

“It states that commercial agriculture has the potential to create 250 000 direct jobs and a further 130 000 indirect jobs. The Agri-parks programme is just one way towards realising these jobs targets,” he said.

Bokone Bophirima’s Department of Rural Environment and Agricultural Development (READ) recently invested R50m on rehabilitation of the silos in Springbokpan near Itsoseng last year.

A processing plant and warehouse is also being built there. The department also has another park in Makapanstadt.

Bokone Bophirima’s premier, Supra Mahumapelo says agriculture is very important in developing hard to reach areas and is a way of fighting unemployment, poverty and inequality.

He added that it affirms some of the fifth administration’s concretes which are; Agriculture, Culture and Tourism (ACT), Villages Townships and Small Dorpies.

“The Launch of the 2016 Letsema Le Bolotse cropping season at Manamolela did not only see farmers receive mechanisms, but it was also an opportunity to discuss the economic benefits of agriculture.

“(VTSD) and Saamtrek Saamwerk which means working together with white farmers to build a brighter future for our country,” Mahumapelo said.-Newsnote

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Barely half a day into Mamelodi Sundowns’ stay in Egypt, and CAF Champions League opponents Zamalek have already started their shenanigans in attempting to derail Masandawana’s chase for African glory.

The Brazilians jetted out of Johannesburg on Wednesday evening, landing in Egypt’s capital Cairo in the early hours of Thursday morning before taking a connecting flight to Alexandria, checking into their hotel just after 9am.

Yet a planned training session with the squad had to be called off after their hosts failed to issue the Absa Premiership champions a venue.

“We were expecting to go to training, but were still waiting for Zamalek to confirm a training ground for us, as per CAF rules,” Sundowns Communication Co-ordinator Thulani Thuswa tells KickOff.com.

When they came to South Africa, we gave them a training ground on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. But unfortunately they did not give us a training venue today, so we had to cancel training and alter the plans a little bit. And now we have to wait to see if they’ll give us a training ground tomorrow.”

The players were given the day to rest at the hotel, which is under visible police presence.

“Today was meant to be day of light training, stretching, tactics and so forth, but we’ve been unable to do that, so the players have just rested,” Thuswa added.

Sundowns hold a healthy 3-0 lead heading into Sunday’s final, which is set to kick-off at 8.30pm at the Borg El Arab Stadium in Alexandria.

Source: http://www.kickoff.com 

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New Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane has started her term with a bang.

Mkhwebane briefed Parliament’s Justice Portfolio Committee on her office’s annual report, for Madonsela’s last year in office.

EWN’s Parliamentary correspondent Gaye Davis says Mkhwebane is putting her stamp on the institution.

In her first public engagement since assuming office three days ago, Mkhwebane announced that donor funding would be a thing of the past in her office.

This after it emerged in Parliament that her predecessor Thuli Madonsela secured 500 000 US Dollars from government agency USAID, raising some concerns.

Mkhwebane also said that she would abandon the use of consultants as far as possible, after revealing that academics and firm PwC had helped with compiling the state capture report.

Mkhwebane said she’s going to be looking for a different caliber of investigator.

— Gaye Davis, Parliamentary correspondent for EWN

She said she’d also be chasing Madonsela about the amount she owes after her son crashed an official vehicle.

Davis suggests that Mkhwebane was “throwing shade” at Madonsela during her first briefing today.

Source: http://www.702.co.za

BY REGINALD KANYANE

Farmers in the North West province are ready to hit the ground running. This follows the department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development (READ) launching the 2016 cropping season. 

North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo said the launch was set to provide a platform for government to debut the planting season and to announce its assistance to subsistence farmers in the province. 

Mahumapelo lauded the department initiative and emphasised that the Manamolela community and other local communities needed it. 

He said it was imperative for the province to be robust in its Villages, Townships and small dorpies. 

Mahumapelo further said he was hopeful for more rain and more opportunity for produce and as this was going to create more jobs. 
“The department entered into service level agreement with beneficiaries. It is hoped that farmers would embrace the agreement which truss beneficiaries to cease 10% for storage.”

About 500 farmers from Tswaing local municipality assembled to witness the event held at Manamolela village on Wednesday.

“We joint forces with the national Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. We have also set aside R38 million on Crop Massification programme for the 2016/17 financial year. 

“Each famer is set to receive crop inputs for both Sunflower and Maize (Seed, Fertilizer, Chemicals and fuel) for 50 hectares of land each. This is equivalent to R350 000 spend on each farmer, Manketse Tlhape said. 
Some of beneficiaries of the project, Lydia Setlhare and Badirwang Lekgetho who have been in farming for over a decade said they were grateful at the support. 

Setlhare said government has been doing a lot to help farmers and urged her colleagues to begin to do things for themselves. She further said the rain received also motivates them to prepare for a cropping season hoping for a better harvest. 

Lekgetho said: “It was good that government was proceeding with support despite drought. We trust that this year is better than the previous one.

“We are happy that government has come back to offer its much needed assistance,” he concluded      
240 farmers across the province are set to benefit from this provincial initiative. In all, the Letsema Le Bolotse 2016 cropping season programme covers 10 000 hectares of land.

MEC Manketsi Tlhape also encouraged farmers to yearn to grow to greater heights. She said the assistance was meant to give them a start with an anticipation to have them grow to commercial level. 

“Letsema le Bolotse was to urge farmers not to expect government to be lone contributors. Farmers need to be key partners in growing agriculture and making it a key economic factor in the province,” she said.

Tlhape further urged the farmers to use silos for grain storage.

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