Picture: (Dr Ndiviwe Mphothulo)

By BAKANG MOKOTO

Award-winning medical doctor, Ndiviwe Mphothulo, is one of few experienced medics honoured for their passion in serving rural communities.

The 42 year-old doctor, was honoured by the South African Medicine Award (SAMA).

He is a recipient of the Spirit of Medicine Award 2018 conferred during a Gala dinner held at Sun City near Rustenburg on Saturday.

Mphothulo said for a medical doctor to receive this award, s/he must have met the following criteria.

“The recipient must have extra-ordinary service to community extending beyond the field of medicine. The person must also have distinguished him/herself both in the field of medicine and in areas beyond to create an enabling environment and working in wider interest for mankind.

“The recipient must have championed the cause of the poor and the indigent within a given ecosystem. The person must have provided selfless service to medicine without a view of material gain or pursuit of personal aggrandizement too,” he said.

Mphothulo is recognised by his peers as a role model and displayed by precept and example that medicine is a calling.

He regard himself as the ‘descendant and a product’ of powerful men and women who never tolerated injustices.

“I am a beneficiary of hereditary and environment. We are custodians of generational blessings, a dream come true to our forefathers and the wildest nightmare to those who opposed their progress.

“Noting that I am a product of many people, let me dedicate this award to all those who contributed to my development, social and political consciousness and those who had formative influence on me to serve humanity,” he said.

Mphothulo hails from Soweto in Johannesburg but has not allowed the lure of lights and better facilities in Gauteng to take him out of rural Taung.

He has made a name for himself in the TB treatment breakthrough at Taung District Hospital and recently penned a book called: “TB cases from Taung, A Perspective from Rural Hospital.”

The experienced physician said he was inspired to become a doctor after many visits to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

He said he visited his hospitalised relatives and unfortunately some of them died.

“I chose to study medicine in quest of saving lives. I was also influenced by activist medical doctors like Dr Nthato Motlana, Abu Baker Asvat, Neil Agget and Dr Fabian Defu Riberio. I am also a last born of activist parents.

I was also involved in politics since the age of 13. I joined Masupatsela in Jabavu branch in 1989, ANCYL in 1990, and COSAS in 1990 and held different leadership roles in all these organisations,” Mphothulo said.

Mphothulo enrolled for a BSc Degree at Medunsa in 1996 and was accepted for the second year of medicine (MB CHB) the following year due to exceptional results.

“My career in medicine commenced with an internship at Groote Schuur Hospital (Cape Town) back in 2002. It was followed by community service at Taung District Hospital in 2003. At the end of my community service work in Taung, I decided to relegate my goal of becoming a physician and did not go back to Soweto.

“I hold MBCHB (Medunsa), Master of Public Health (Medunsa), Diploma in HIV Management (Colleges of Medicine of SA), a Masters of Business Leadership (MBL) from Unisa and currently a PHD student at University of Cape Town’s School of Public Health and Family Medicine,” he said.

His decision to serve Taung has not gone unnoticed as awards have been coming his way.

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Picture: (ANC Provincial chairperson, Supra Mahumapelo during media briefing at Mpekwa House, Mahikeng)

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The beleaguered African National Congress (ANC) Provincial chairperson in the North West, Supra Mahumapelo said the disbandment of the ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) will tear the ANC apart in the province rather than ‘bringing unity.’

Mahumapelo briefed the media during a press conference at ANC provincial office at Mpekwa House in Mahikeng on Tuesday. He deliberated on what the ANC Provincial Lekgotlha agreed on during a two-day consultative engagement in Rustenburg last weekend.

The ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) will have a special meeting on Thursday in Cape Town to discuss the situation in the North West province. Most people anticipate that the ANC highest decision-making body will take a decision to disband the PEC in North West.

“Yes, we have been invited to be part of the meeting where NEC will discuss the situation in North West province. So, we will wait for the decision of the NEC and whatever the decision the NEC takes, we must still have a united ANC.

“We must still have the ANC that will win the elections during General Elections next year. We must still have the ANC that is going to mobilise society and ensure that there is effective quality service delivery to the people,” he said.

Mahumapelo said he is not surprised after the call to disband the PEC gained momentum from various structures and individuals respectively. He said it is not for the first time people calling for the disbandment of the PEC in the province.

“The same people called for the dissolution of the PEC 10 years ago. However, the ANC was back on track again and went for a conference and is still the same people who are calling for the dissolution.

“So, I’m sure every conference they will call for dissolution because the outcomes of the democratic processes did not favour them. We were told immediately after the ANC 54^th Elective Conference in Nasrec that the intensification of the call for the PEC to be dissolved is going to be done,” Mahumapelo said.

He added that they have the list of all those who were involved in the campaign to destabilise the province. Mahumapelo said not less than R10m was invested in this campaign.

“This is a campaign that has been unfolding in the province and is well co-ordinated and funded. It has members of the NEC, businessmen, and the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) including the Members of Provincial Legislature (MPLs) in the North West.

“So, it is up to the NEC having considered all these factors including the ones I am saying now. This campaign was not only aimed at some individuals in the province, but at the destabilisation of the province, “said Mahumapelo.

He said it is unfortunate that in this country when allegations are made against you, you are guilty. Mahumapelo added that he hope the future generations can develop a law that deals away with the word called ‘alleged’.

“We will not allow the ANC to be put on sale and bought by anarchic agenda. I am a member in good standing and if the branches elect me to serve in any structural position I am available,” he said.

However, ANC PEC member in the North West, Mmoloki Cwaile had a different view. Cwaile said all indicators are pointing to the decision of disbandment after a visit of the ANC NWC members.

“There are many reasons why the PEC must be disbanded. If the electoral politics is the denominator, the performance indicators should be the result of the elections and we are failing on that one. The ANC as the organisation is not complete if there are no effective leagues in place.

“As the movement, the ANC should have a good relationship with sectors of the society including its own alliance. We have 407 branches and over 300 of those branches made submission in favour of the disbandment.”

Political analyst from University of South Africa (Unisa), Prof Lesiba Teffo said: “Well look, you can disband it, but one thing that you must not forget is we are in Africa here. Personality cults are very prevalent and Supra Mahumapelo is no push over.

“The ANC needs Mahumapelo in as much as he needs the ANC. So, the reason why there is a hesitance, is because they know either where it goes, there bound to be casualties. And I suspects the ANC recognises that is better to keep Mahumapelo in rather than outside.”

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Picture: Pampierstad learners who passed away recently  

By BAKANG MOKOTO

Learners at the Kgomotso High School in Pampierstad are living in fear after the mysterious deaths of three learners. Grade 12 learners, Kamogelo Moseki, Boitshwarelo Seitshiro and the Grade 11 learner, Onkarabetse Segone died in three consecutive weeks.

Mapiti Mmethi, who is a teacher at the school said they called on all churches and faith leaders to come and pray for the school. Mmethi said they are also confused by these mysterious deaths.

“We are concerned as teachers and parents at the school. Three learners died at the school recently and that caused uncertainty amongst our learners especially to Grade 12s. We decided to invite different faith leaders to seek serenity from God.

“Now, other learners fear for their lives and refuse to come to school. We believe that there is an evil spirit winged over the school. Last week, few learners were admitted at the local hospital after they experienced sicknesses while in class,” she said.

School Governing Body (SGB) member, Agnes Mogamisi shared the same sentiments. Mogamisi said that she believes that the school is cursed.

“We brought different faith leaders to the school and believe that might assist. We do not know what is going on here. The SGB and parents acknowledge the fact that some of our learners have different believes, but prayer is more powerful.

“When faith leaders pray, some learners fainted and we think they might be under spell too. There is something sinister going on at the school, but we urge our learners to be strong and continue to study hard despite challenges,” she said.

One of Grade 12 learners, Gobolelwang Mathe said: “This is not happening for the first time at the school. One of learners mysteriously died last year and we were all left shocked. However, having three learners dying is a concern. We cannot concentrate and we fear for our lives.”

Another learner, Maatla Bojang said the deaths will affect the Grade 12s during final year examinations. Bojang said they do not study at school anymore especially during the night.

“We always used to come to school and study as a group, however, some of learners now refuses to come to attend group study. This will affect us negatively during our final examinations at the end of the year,” she said.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

It is all systems go for the South African Traditional Music Awards (SATMA) set for Mmabatho Convention Centre in Mahikeng on September 29.

SATMA organisers announced the nominees for the different categories at Southern Sun Hotel in Cape Town on Saturday night.

Founder and organiser of the awards, Dr Dumisani Goba said they will continue to preserve and play a crucial role to grow the traditional music.

Goba said they are ready to host the awards.

“We are working in partnership with other stakeholders for marketing purposes like the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). The SATMA has received close to 1000 entries and 76 000 votes thus far. In the most exciting category which is the Best Upcoming Artist Award, we have received more than 300 entries.

“We have also decided to improve the voting system and we are using voting codes. The voters will now have to sms the word SATMA and the code of the artist. All winners will be announced during the event in Mahikeng,” he said.

Goba said the event will start with a Golf Day before the main event on 29 September 2018.

He said that they will continue to have road shows across the country ahead of the main event.

“We have already started in the North West with our campaigns and we have over 733 electronic advertising at Airport TVs across the continent.

The SATMAs also have more than 300 billboards and the SABC will continue to run interviews with nominees until the day of the awards.

“We encourage the public to attend the main event in Mahikeng too. Our theme this year is: Embrace Your Heritage. It is imperative to preserve and protect our music, so we urge young people to play a crucial role in that. In line with our theme, we are celebrating the legacy and lives of our stalwarts like Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu and Nelson Mandela,” Goba said.

North West MEC of Tourism, Desbo Mohono said: “This initiative will boost the economy of the province. We urge our product owners to ensure that they display a good hospitality to our visitors and this will ensure that they come back.

“We know that in most cases, our product owners escalate prices. However, they must not put exorbitant prices because that will fright our potential tourists away. I would also encourage our tourists to visit our heritage sites like Taung World Heritage Site, Dikgwaneng, Taung Dam and other areas,” she said.

Mohono said Small Micro Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) owners will also benefit.

SABC representative, Nada Wotshela said they will continue to support the event.

Wotshela added that there are many challenges but the public broadcaster will ensure that the traditional music is preserved.

“The SABC has the necessary diversity across all spectrums. We will continue to educate our people about our heritage. We will fully support this initiative through all our commercial radio stations too.

“We have strategic measures in place to assist this initiative. It is our responsibility to support the African and traditional music,” she said.

National Heritage Council (NHC) CEO, Advocate Sonwabile Mancotywa said: “We have been part of this initiative and we are championing it. I am now happy that other stakeholders are coming on board.

“The founder never failed the nation now the event is recognised globally. We have local groups being awarded at the Grammy awards and represented South Africa well. The Black Mabazo Traditional group represented South Africa globally,” Mancotywa said.

He said the initiative also assist the country to find its true African identity.

Some of those who were nominated are Modiri FM presenter, Tshepiso Mogomotsi, Traditional Music singer, Mausi and Traditional Music Group, Umtiti.

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By BAKANG MOKTO

Pupils and teachers at more than 150 schools still use pit latrines in the North West province.

The startling revelation came to light after a week-long oversight visit to schools by the provincial portfolio committees on Basic Education and Water and Sanitation.

Water and Sanitation committee chairperson, Mlungisi Johnson said there is a need to urgently eradicate the sanitation infrastructure backlog at schools in the province.

Johnson said it was unacceptable that young children even those in Grade R, continue to be subjected to substandard pit latrines, endangering their lives.

“The committees held a joint meeting over a range of issues such as the readiness to deliver end of the year exams as well as the state of infrastructure in the province.

It was reported by the Provincial Education Department that about 154 schools still have pit latrines in the province. Of this number, 119 are primary schools and 35 are high schools which will cost an estimated R279 million to build,” Johnson said.

“Of these 154 schools, the department has only budgeted money to eradicate pit latrines in only 50 schools. More effort must be put in place to eradicate the backlog.

Furthermore, the department must consult institutions such as the Water Research Commission for innovative systems that can assist the DBE in dealing with the huge infrastructure backlogs,” he said.

Johnson highlighted that there was a need for standardisation and use of technology that will ensure that many latrines are constructed at a fraction of the current cost that the department is paying.

He said it is a shared view that the R90m budgeted for 50 schools this year could go even further and build more latrines.

“We acknowledge the challenge that the DBE raised in relation to the Department of Public Works being responsible for the building of state infrastructure. The use of technological advances has the potential of utilising the limited budget to build more facilities,” he said.

Portfolio Committee chairperson on Basic Education, Nomalungelo Gina said the underperformance in spending conditional grants was pointed out as a red flag which needs urgent attention.

“The department informed us that it has so far spent about 5% of the Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST) conditional grant despite the huge challenge South Africa faces in relation to these subjects.

“Furthermore, we are concerned that the department has only spent 20.4% of the National School Nutrition programme by the end of the first quarter. The committee is of the view that proper planning should be done to ensure that spending is in par with projections,” said Gina.

However, the committee welcomed the measures that the department is implementing to deal with the under-spending.

The committee welcomes the assurance that the province is ready to deliver the National Senior Certificate examinations at the end of 2018.

“What is most important is the readiness of learners to write their exams as well as processes to guarantee the safety of question papers and answer sheets.

Following a visit to a district storage facility, the committee is confident that the protocols implemented will ensure that the province will deliver credible and secure examinations,” Gina said.

There were positives that the committees acknowledged during the visits.

“The good work done at the Taung Teacher Enrichment centre was welcomed by the committee. The support provided to teachers and learners is impressive despite the difficult operating environment.

Despite this, we have also stressed the need to implement maintenance programme at the centre as it is dilapidated currently,” Gina said.

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