Daily Archives: June 10, 2018

Maine touches many hearts through painting   

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Picture: (Sello Maine next to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela painting)

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Taung-born artist, Sello Maine won many people’s hearts after he painted a face of the late struggle stalwart, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela who passed away few months ago. The picture depicting Mama Winnie as Madikizela-Mandela was affectionately known in the political landscape, circulated on social media and shared among many people.

Maine said the gallantry and courage showed by Mama Winnie, inspired him to display his craftsmanship to celebrate her life. Mama Winnie was buried at tranquil and exclusive Fourways Memorial Park and EFF wants the Cape Town International Airport to be named after her.

“I am very passionate when coming to painting. Many people came out in numbers to her funeral and honoured her. However, people like me who stay in the deep rural area such as Mokgareng village, in Taung could not attend the funeral. So, the least I could do was to paint her picture wearing a doek.

“Remember that artists play a different and necessary part in contributing to the overall development and well-being of our society. Painting needs creative thinkers and makers to provide their communities with joy, interaction and inspiration. So, that is what I would like to do to disseminate a message through painting,” he said.

Maine added that he started to take his painting artwork very serious at the age of 15. He went to Mmabana Cultural Centre in Taung in 2002 to polish his craft.

“I also went to Artist Proof Studio in Newtown, downtown of Johannesburg in 2005 to further his studies in painting. I studied Sign Writing and Print Making course, which was different to what I obtained at Mmabana. My work continues to inspire others as people come out in numbers for more paintings.

“I am self-employed and use the money I get to provide for my family. I normally make R5000 per month and that assist me to improve my livelihood. However, I would like to have my own Painting Academic Studio one day. This will assist me to develop emerging artists and share my experience. I like to paint facial and animal painting,” Maine said.

He matriculated back in 2003 and could not further his studies because of financial upheavals. However, Maine said he was grateful to God for giving him the natural talent.

“I am also inspired by season painting artists like William Kentridge and Gerald Sekhoto. The paintings of Kentridge and Sekhoto give thoughtful critique to the political, economic and social systems. Maine said most people think painting artworks is just a waste of time, but one can make a living out of it.

“Our work normally pushes communities to engage thoughtfully and make steps toward social progress. Our work range from documenting human history to expressing collective emotions and they are creative contributors in the society,” he said.

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‘ANC is ready for 2019 General Elections’

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Picture: (ANC Provincial Executive Committee member in North West, Doctor Mmolawa)

By BAKANG MOKOTO
African National Congress (ANC) PEC member in Bokone Bophirima, Doctor Mmolawa said they will continue to work hard to ensure that the ruling party is well-prepared for the 2019 General Elections. Mmolawa said he is not concerned about the infights and divisions that have transpired in the province recently.

“We are aware of those counter-revolutionaries unfolded in the province recently. However, we need to unite and ensure that the ANC is the biggest winner at the end of the day. What happened is a wake-up call for the organization. Yes, the infights will affect us in the upcoming General Elections, but I maintain that the party will win this province.

“The ANC is the only party that can ensure that there is sustainability within economic growth and prosperity in changing the lives of the masses. ANC-led government is the policymaker and always provides other stakeholders with the opportunity to contribute to that dialogue by sharing their aspirations and concerns,” he said.

Mmolawa, who was born on Witrankiesfontein Farm, near Potchefstroom said, he was inspired by the former ANC and South African President, Thabo Mbeki and the former Minister of Safety and Security, the late Steve Tshwete. A 52 year-old politician said life was difficult during apartheid, but he never gave up.

“I started to develop interest in politics while I was working in a mine back in 1986. I joined the ANC and became part of the struggle. I was raised by a single parent who was working as a labour on that farm. However, they were forcefully removed from the farm and we relocated to Jouberton Township in Klersdorp.

“In 1996, I returned home after working in rigorous environment as a miner. I participated in all structures of the ANC and South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO). The main aim was to change the situation and fight apartheid regime. Our parents and fellow brothers were subjected to injustices by the apartheid government. We had to sacrifice ourselves for the betterment of the people,” Mmolawa said.

In 1996, Mmolawa was elected as the ANC branch chairperson in ward 6 in Jouberton. He served for two years in that position and he was elected as a deputy branch chairperson afterwards.

“I was working together with the likes of George Mtutuzene and the later Abuti Chika. In 2004, I was elected as a branch treasurer. I also served as SANCO additional member in their Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) in the province. Our youth can learn more from our previous leaders like the late Dr Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Moses Kotane, Ruth Mompati and others.

“The ANC is a national liberation movement that was formed to unite the African people and spearhead the struggle for fundamental political, social and economic change. However, some people use the party for self-enrichment which is uncalled for,” he said.

Mmolawa said the ANC has led the struggle against racism and oppression for decades. He added that the time is now to fast-track Radical Economic Transformation (RET).

“We believe that the economy and the wealthy of the country should equally benefit its people. The ANC achieved a decisive democratic breakthrough in the 1994 elections, where it was given a firm mandate to negotiate a new democratic Constitution for South Africa. Now, we have to ensure that economic freedom is also achieved.

“We will also continue to call for united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic society. However, we continue to see glimpse signs of discrimination from some individuals and we call justice system to be harsh on those people. I will be grateful if I could see our Africans and black people in general being liberated from political and economic bondage, Mmolawa concluded.

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Vryburg-based author aims high

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Picture: (Vryburg-based author, Lesego Ndima)

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
Lesego Natalia Ndima (17) who is a young writer from Vryburg has published her second book. Ndima said people need to embrace reading especially school children to improve their literacy skills.

She is currently doing Grade 12 at Vryburg High School in Vryburg and stays with her father and siblings. She said reading plays a pivotal role in children’s growth, creativity and well-being in the widest possible sense.

“I started to develop the love for writing at the tender age. I was in Grade 3 when we were given an essay assignment and that is where I found my niche in writing. I started to write short stories and published my first book calledAdopted and Abducted in 2016.

“This novel narrates a story of a young girl who was adopted at the younger age, but met her real parents after she has grown up. Now, after she realised that those who raised her were not her biological parents, she decided to run away. Unfortunately, she was abducted by the same family that raised her,” Ndima said.

She published another book calledInside the Broken Soul in 2018. Ndima added that all her books are doing fairly-well in the market despite circumstances.

“I am working with a world-renowned writer, Freddy Nyama, who is my manager. I met Mr Nyama through my father and he assisted me a lot to develop my writing skills. I would like to write more books in the future. The aim is to touch more people through my writing skills and change the world for the better.

“I am not concern that many people do not read, however, I would like to encourage our youth to spend more time reading. We need to ensure that more people understand the wider role of reading in order to build a new, much more effective and holistic approach to life,” Ndima said.

She is also a young motivational speaker and stays with her father who works at the Public Works and Roads department in Vryburg. Ndima said she enjoys spending time with her family, but unfortunately her mother is based in Pretoria as she is working as a police.

“My family is amazing and it gives me a necessary support. My parents always encourage us to study hard and they believe in education. I want to study medicine next year after finishing my matric. Maybe going to Cuba will be a great idea.

“I am planning to visit schools to inspire the culture of reading. Reading contributes to children’s lives more broadly and we must also encourage government to build more libraries in our areas respectively,” Ndima said.

She said young children must use social media correctly and download books on various online websites. Ndima said it is also important to have Book Clubs across all areas.

“We are originally from Soshanguve in Pretoria, but we moved this side after my father was transferred here. I received a warm welcome and I feel part of the Vryburg community now. It is important to empower each other as individuals so that we can eradicate poverty, inequality and unemployment.

“We also have socio-economic challenges that are affecting young people such as crime, poverty, alcohol and drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, unemployment, HIV and AIDS pandemic. We need to seek guidance from our parents and ensure that we work together to fight against these challenges,” Ndima said.

She said those who want to order her books can contact her Manager, Freddy Nyama on 0763941127/ 0767662129

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DA: ‘Ramaphosa keeps North West IMTT report secret’

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Picture: (DA Provincial leader, Joel McGluwa)

By REGINALD KANYANE

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West is furious after the ‘Presidency’s office denied them access to the Inter-Ministerial Task Team report on the North West. However, the DA Provincial leader, Joe McGluwa said they will appeal the decision.

“It is shocking how the African National Congress (ANC) denies communities the right to know how the problems within North West will be fixed. The report is in the public’s interest as it has a direct impact on their daily lives. It is important that our communities have access to all the findings by the IMTT.

“A month ago, we lodged a Promotion of Access to Information Act of 2000 (PAIA) application to ensure that the people of the North West gain access to the IMTT report. The Deputy Information Officer in the Presidency, Lusanda Mxenge informed us of the decision to keep the report a secret,” McGluwa said.

He further said the decision by The Presidency to keep the IMTT’s report under wraps is in contradiction with the democratic principles of accountability and transparency. McGluwa added that the IMTT has, to date, done nothing to bring order to the province and North West will remain in shambles while they govern here.

“The people of the North West have been caught in the middle of an ANC factional battle, where the casualties are the people and service delivery. The fact that the North West is still without an elected Premier shows that South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa lacks the political backing and will to put the people of the province first.

“As we have long said, the IMTT along with the Section 100 intervention are a smokescreen used to cover up the fact that Ramaphosa clearly has no political will to deal with the deep-rooted problems here and he clearly does not want to act against Supra Mahumapelo and his cadres,” he said.

McGluwa added that while they play cat and mouse, it is the people who ultimately suffer. He said the communities need action that will bring order and change the lives of the people for the better.

“The ANC has failed the people of the North West and we are sceptical that the ANC will ever be able to put the people first and turn the province around. We will not be discouraged by their refusal to make the report public and will consider all avenues to get the truth out in the open.

The North West needs the kind of change that only a DA-led government can bring,” he said.

However, Mxenge said: “I wish to bring to your attention the provisions of section 12 of PAIA which reads as follows. This ACT does not apply to a record, (a) of the Cabinet and its Committees. I have considered the aforementioned request and made the decision to refuse the access to the record.

“Kindly be advised that you have the right to appeal against the refusal for access in terms of section 74 of PAIA within the prescribed period.”

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