By REGINALD KANYANE

Taung Dam is one of tourist attraction destinations in Taung. Carousers flock to the area annually for New Year celebration. Nkonyana Foundation administrator, Sindiswa Nkonyana normally sells food during the outing to raise funds to help underprivileged students.

“We always come to Taung Dam on the New Year to come and sell food in quest of raising funds. We raise funds to assist students who come from deprived backgrounds to further their studies at university. Taung Dam is a great destination as many people across the regions come here.

“What is imperative is that when you sell here, you do not have to pay for the stall in order to run your business. We receive much support and we see that our people understand the point of supporting Small Micro Medium Enterprises (SMMEs). We established the foundation under the concept of what we went through as students,” Nkonyana said.

Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) in infrastructure, Crespo Menyatso shared the same sentiments. Menyatso said there are strategic measures to formalise Taung Dam.

“The discussions are already underway with relevant stakeholders like Culture, Art and Traditional Affairs (CATA) and Tourism departments to revamp the area. The area attracts many revellers across all four regions of the province. Our discussions revolve around having an outlined and integrated interactive system for Taung Dam.

“All stakeholders play a critical role in the identification, conservation, protection and promotion of the area as one of South Africa’s heritage sites. We need to bring more resources at Taung Dam for present and future generations. This will also create job opportunities especially for the youth,” Menyatso said.

He added that the revamping of Taung Dam will also contribute to economy growth of Taung and Dr Ruth Mompati district at large.

“The upliftment of the area will also bring social cohesion and community development. We have no tour guide operators currently at the area to assist those who do not know about Taung. However, all is not lost as we believe that we will reach a solid agreement after our discussions. 

“Taung at large is rich when coming to tourist attraction destinations. We also believe that areas like Taung Dam, Dinkgwaneng and Taung Skull World Heritage Site will put Taung on the global map soon. We also urge our people to ensure that they contribute positively in protecting and securing those areas,” Menyatso said.

One of revellers, Kedibone Mosadi said: “Taung Dam is one of the most chilled areas around the region. However, I wish our province can ensure that there is security and safety in the area. Many people get killed while swimming and there are no life savers monitoring the situation.” 

MEC for Tourism, Desbo Mohono said product owners should take advantage of those golden opportunities.

“Our product owners must ensure that they take advantage of those initiatives. They also need to ensure that their treatment is amazing to revellers. Their attitude and behaviour towards visitors will influence them to come back for more.”

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) Provincial Chief Whip in North West, Bunga Ntshangane will be back in court for assault on Wednesday. 

Ntshangane allegedly assaulted a junior employee, Maggie Klaas (32) in November 2017 after a heated argument.

The alleged incident took place at EFF office in the North West Provincial Legislature precinct. He appeared at Mmabatho Regional Court and was released on a warning.

Klaas said: “Ntshangane arrived in our office while I was speaking to one of our convenors in Dr Ruth Mompati region over the phone. He asked where our researcher, Raymond Montshosi was. And the people that I was with responded and told him that Montshosi was at his office. After few minutes, Ntshangane came back to our office and he threw his car keys and phone on the desk.  

“He said he needed a favour with his voice shadowed with anger. I immediately dropped the call and asked him what kind of favour he needs. Ntshangase said I must report on duty at 8am the following day (Friday, 10 November 2017). However, I asked him why I should report on duty at 8am because I normally arrive at 8:30am,” Klaas said.

She further said Ntshangase became violent and told her not to undermine his authority as he is the Chief Whip. Klaas said she told Ntshangase that he is the Chief Whip for EFF members in the North West Provincial Legislature not in the office.

“He threatened to fire me, but I told him that he can do as he pleases because she expected that. I asked him why he wanted me to report on duty at 8am and he responded by saying the officials from North West Provincial Legislature have launched a complaint that they could not find anyone in the EFF office.

“I informed Ntshangane that I am always in the office and those officials came and found me in the office before. I also informed him that the officials wanted to go through offices that I do not have access in and I have complained about that before. I told him that it will be fruitless even if I come at 8am because I do not have keys to those offices,” she said.

Klaas added that Ntshangane started swearing at her and told her to stop tell him sh**t. She said Ntshangane informed her to arrive at 8am whether she has the keys or not because that was none of her business.

“However I told him that I won’t arrive at 8am, but I will come at my usual time. Ntshangane pounced on and cornered me next to the printer. I tried to push him, but he was too strong. Our provincial chairperson, Betty Diale entered the office and pulled him away from me.

“He was swearing at me and promised to wait for me outside. Ntshangane said he will cut off my private parts and called me rubbish. He also said his children are lawyers and he is untouchable. He went to the EFF provincial office and lied that he found unauthorised people using EFF resources like phones,” she said.

Klaas said she has opened a criminal case against Ntshangane, but she is now afraid that she could be fired. She said she felt humiliated by Ntshangane’s behaviour especially regarding his age and position within the society.

African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) in Bokone Bophirima condemned Ntshangane’s alleged actions. ANCWL provincial secretary, Bridgette Mogakwe said: “ANCWL in Bokone Bophirima condemns this alleged barbaric act and utterances by Ntsangane. Whilst we take into account the principles of innocent until proven guilty, the ANCWL in Bokone Bophirima is resolute in supporting victims of violence regardless of their political affiliation.

“Ntsangane must face the full might of the law and we call on the EFF provincial and national leadership to join the league in condemning acts of violence against women. EFF is not immune to patriarchal attitudes and there is a need to unite beyond political party affiliations to defeat entrenched patriarchy and male chauvinism in political parties.”

South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) also shared the same sentiments. SANCO national spokesperson, Jabu Mahlangu said: “We are disturbed by allegations levelled against Ntshangane. He must me arrested and takes responsibility for his alleged heinous and abhorrent actions. He needs to take a leaf from the former Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mduduzi Manana’s book.

“Ntshangane must show remorse and demonstrate respect for public office. He should do the honourable thing and resign. Public representatives must take the lead in fighting the scourge of gender based violence. The non-action against Ntshangane has exposed the EFF’s hypocrisy. They publicly protested against Manana’ sentencing, while pussyfooting in a matter involving an alleged bully and a fighter against gender equality within its own ranks.”

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) spokesperson, Javu Baloyi said: “The CGE condemns alleged assault. We were dismayed to receive yet another shocking report of brutal gender based violence against a woman. We believe that in a country where 170 616 women suffered grievous bodily harm and 156 450 suffered common assault as the latest South African Police Services (SAPS) statistics, the actions of Ntsangane deserve to be condemned in the strongest terms.”

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