National First Division (NFD), Jomo Cosmos FC now boast a new addition to their squad – Thapelo Tlabakwe, an alumnus of the Soccer Institute on the North-West University’s (NWU) Mafikeng Campus.
The 23-year old striker hails from Rustenburg, Phokeng Village, Dithabaneng section. The two-time Varsity Football player during the 2014 and 2016 seasons kept the commentators on the edge of their seats with his excellent performances and his historic three goals in one match against Wits University in the 2016 edition .
This performance advanced the NWU Mafikeng team to the semi-finals during the 2016 Varsity Football season. Thapelo was also crowned the FNB Man of the Match for that particular game.
“Playing for a professional team is every young boy`s dream. It’s such a privilege to be joining the Jomo Cosmos family, and most importantly to be given this great platform to show the whole country and the world my God-given talent,” said Tlabakwe.
“Words fail to express my sincerity and gratitude towards the NWU Soccer Institute for giving me this opportunity and making my dreams come true. Without them this wouldn’t have been possible. I am also proud to be a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration and Human Resources graduate and alumnus of the NWU. In essence this shows that you can excel in academics and sport simultaneously,” he adds.
Jomo Cosmos is a leading South African soccer team founded by the legendary former New York Cosmos star, Jomo Sono.
His policy for development has always been to recognise and develop raw talent, and has produced acclaimed soccer stars such as SuperSport FC`s Reneilwe Letsholonyane. Sono’s team, Jomo Cosmos FC, has developed a strong youth policy throughout the years. The Cosmos brand has gained a reputation for discovering and developing some of the finest talent to have played in the domestic league, for the South Africa national team and abroad.
DR Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district mayor, Boitumelo Mahlangu will host engagement session with all women councillors, managers and officials at Banquet Hall in Vryburg on Tuesday.
The municipality spokesperson, Joel Motlhasedi said: “The event will be part of Women’s Day Celebration. The aim of the session will be to pay tribute and respect to the 1956 generation of women. They gallantly shaped the course of history and this generation has immensely contributed to the liberation struggle against the then apartheid regime of terror in Pretoria.”
Mahlangu said the event will commence at 10am. Motlhasedi said Mahlangu will further address women and subsequently give them tokens of appreciation for their indelible contribution in the society and families.
The district municipality was named after one of ANC stalwarts, Ruth Segomotsi Mompati. Mompati was born was born in Tlapeng Village, few kilometres from Ganyesa in Kagisano-Molopo area within the district of Bophirima, now called Dr Ruth Mompati District Municipality after it (the district) being named after her.
MAHIKENG man, Thato Molosankwe embarked on a life-changing journey to raise awareness against woman and child abuse. Molosankwe who also run Thato Molosankwe Foundation is currently walking from Cape Town to Mahikeng which is 1317.5km to raise awareness against the scourge.
“Woman and child abuse is a societal issue that need attention of each and every citizen. I decided to embark on this walk to raise awareness. The journey was not easy from the beginning because of lack of support and funding. However, I have received amazing support from people and well-wishers in various social platforms like Twitter, WhatsApp and Facebook.
“They started to heed the call and showed their support. Woman and child abuse is a societal factor that needs to be condemned. Many people are affected because of that debauched behaviour. I duped this walk #FatherSonMentorshipWalkAgainstWomenAndChildrenAbuse. The main aim is to motivate fathers to take full responsibility in raising their sons,” Molosankwe said.
He further said fathers need to educate their sons to respect women and adore them. A 39 year-old man said he engaged with men while on his journey.
Molosankwe is expected to arrive in Mahikeng on Wednesday to celebrate Woman’s Day.
“Some of those I engaged with, they said women sometimes push them to the edge. However, they agreed with me that resorting to violence is not a solution,” Molosankwe said.
Greater Taung Local Municipality representative, Crespo Menyatso said the municipality is in solidarity with Molosankwe’s meritorious act. Menyatso said the municipality also encourages men to take a stand against women and children abuse.
“We have few programmes in place to address the scourge. Women tend to keep quite simply because their abusers are soul providers. We also need to educate men about the importance of treating women and children equally. Let us have various Men’s Forums across and talk about this.
“The move will create a sense of understanding between women, men and children. The municipality also encourages victims to talk about abuse. Conversation about the incidence, prevalence and danger abuse is not a fun conversation, because that kind of talk riles the nerves and puts fear in bellies.
“However, we need to understand that knowledge is power. Talking about the abuse will assist us to win a battle. The reality is, when it comes to sexual abuse, our children are not automatically as safe as we’d like them to be. We may build around them a fortress of protection, but I want to argue that we have to build a defense within them,” he said.
Jesse Leroy LeRoux, 37 from Worcester decided to join Molosankwe. LeRoux said he was impressed by Molosankwe’s courage.
“I decided to take a walk with Molosankwe because we have many women and children being abuse in the country. So, it is imperative to take a stand and fight the scourge. I have been living in the street for three months now and I am unemployed.
“I experienced physical abuse after my father abused me. Now, I decided to run away from home because I could not take it anymore. I would like to encourage all those who experience abuse in any forms to speak out” he said.
ANC coordinator in Dr Ruth Mompati region, Pontsho Kgosieng said: “We support the initiative that Thato Molosankwe embarked on. We want to commend his bravery as the ANC and encourage other men to take a stand. The initiative will also restore hope on many women across the country.
“Working together will also ensure that we raising a proper society that will condemn the women and child abuse across all spectrums. Men need not only stop abusing women and children, but also stand up and be counted in the fight against these violent acts. We believe that real men do not abuse women and do not mistreat their children,” Kgosieng said.
Taung Youth Batallion (TYB) board member, Vela Ntuli said they use sport to disseminate a message against women and children abuse. Ntuli said Molosankwe’s initiative also encourage people to exercise and live a healthy lifestyle.
“We are working with various stakeholders to fight women and children abuse. We cannot win the fight alone. However, it will take every citizen to have abuse-free society. We have also programmes where we support those abused victims and encourage them to come forward. Our organisation also supports those who survived domestic violence and assist them to follow legal processes. We want to see all those abusers behind bars and justice taking its course,”
One of residents who attended the event, Goitseone Gill said: “I wanted to show my support as a man and say #NotInMyName. Creating awareness is imperative because the message will be delivered and eventually we will win a fight against this scourge.”- Newsnote
The African National Congress (ANC) in Bokone Bophirima is pleased at the
party’s splendid performance at the Naledi Local Municipality’s Ward 1
by-elections in Stella on Wednesday.
The by-elections were necessitated by the passing of councillor, Fannie
Matlabe. ANC provincial secretary, Dakota Legoete said the ANC won by a very wide margin with 1111 votes to the Democratic Alliance’s 643.
“The Economic Freedom Fighters came in a distant third at only 213 votes while the Forum for Service Delivery managed only 13 votes. This victory of 56.11% of all the votes cast on the day. The voter turnout of 53.81% shows that our people still love ANC.
“We engaged in a partnership with our people and they recognise who is in the political space works for them. The people of Stella have once again put their faith in the ANC. It is evidence that the movement is the only one that understands our people’s needs,” Legoete said.
He further said they are prepared to walk with them on the road to the betterment of their lives. Legoete added that the leadership of the ANC in Bokone Bophirima sent gratitude to the people of Ward 1 in Stella, the local ANC leadership, the regional leadership and all volunteers who worked hard to ensure that the party once again comes out victorious.
Ward 1 newly-elected councillor, Grace Gamma said: “I am grateful and honoured to be the councillor in the area. The people’ support shows they still believe in the ruling party. Our people live in abject poverty and faced with challenges like unemployment, inequality and poverty.
“We have also experienced racism against our black community as the area is surrounded by farms. We need to give our people hope and ensure that service delivery reaches them out. We have won triumphantly and we will not disappoint them. ANC is a movement which operates on with open door policy.”
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Provincial Chairperson, Dr Tumelontle Thiba said: “The elections went well without any hassle. We have not received any complaints from political parties and ANC won with 56.11%. The voters turn-out was 53.81%.
One of the voters, Percy Dibateng said: “I voted for the ruling party because they have a track record unlike other opposition parties. The ANC policies speak direct to the people on the ground and they have our interests at heart.
“We recognise that there are few challenges that the party is faced with, however, ANC has faced various challenges in the past. So, we believe that tranquility will prevail after elective conference in December 2017.”
By Phenyo Mokgothu
The Guardian 