STAFF REPORTER

Two of South Africa’s most celebrated football figures have joined hands with Betway South Africa in a bid to plough back to their communities.

Recently, retired star Daine Klate alongside the evergreen Reneilwe Letsholonyane has partnered with the leading sports betting and entertainment company as part of the brand’s monthly #BetwayCares initiatives. The Betway said the initiative that seeks to aid the development of the sport across South African communities.

The exciting announcement was jointly made by the duo during a live interview conducted on the brand’s Facebook page, where the two stars engaged fans on various football topics drawn from their highly successful careers which comprise of 8 league titles and 15 cup competition victories.

Betway’s partnership with Klate and Letsholonyane comes at the back of a recent donation made by the brand in partnership with former Kaizer Chiefs star, Jabu Mahlangu towards the East Rand Excellence Soccer Academy in Daveyton.

Sharing the news on Friday, Klate said the donation would help his childhood club continue to nurture the talent that comes out of the Gelvandale community that raised him.

“Knowing the great amount of talent that is in Gelvandale, this partnership with Betway will most certainly encourage the club and community to continue nurturing the upcoming talent. A number of clubs from here are operated by generous community members who struggle at times to fund the basic needs of a club such as playing kit and equipment. Thanks to Betway, this is one aspect that they will not have to worry about” said Klate.

Also expressing his gratitude to Betway was Letsholonyane, who identified Ndofaya Lions Football Club as the club to receive the generous donation from Betway.

“With limited resources at their disposal, clubs in our townships continue to play a huge role in community development. Unlike professional clubs who have the ability to fund their reserve sides, township clubs rely on donations from esteemed organisations like Betway to assist in basic club necessities, such as playing kit and equipment. I would like to thank Betway for this generous gesture that will be of great benefit to this club and community,” said Letsholonyane.

The donation to both clubs is valued at R20 000 each and will be in the form of playing kit and training equipment which will be delivered by both players to their selected clubs, once its deemed safe for players to train and play their respective fixtures.

“With the gradual return of sport in the country, Betway is excited to continue to support local community clubs with essential needs required for them to perform at their best. We are also grateful to be partnering with legendary players such as Daine Klate and Reneilwe Letsholonyane in giving back and making a difference to their respective communities. The two are shining examples of community idols and resonate well to the community caring brand we are” said Betway SA Marketing Manager, David Rachidi.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Democratic Alliance calls for thorough scrutiny on various COVID-19 related projects at Naledi Local Municipality. This comes after allegations that the embattled municipality purchased 20 FFP1 dust masks at a cost of R23 500.

The DA councillor at the municipality, Hendriette van Huyssteen said the normal estimated retail price for the same goods cost around R189.75. She said the report was made available to account for emergency expenditure last week during a special council.

“A total of R154 902.78 of R268 000 relief grant has already been spent. We have requested that all related emergency expenditures under this relief grant be referred to the municipality’s Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) for further investigation.

“We have also insisted that all future purchases be considered carefully to ensure that goods or services are procured at reasonable and fair prices. The DA will interrogate this expenditure and where necessary propose corrective action that may include disciplinary action against officials found to have facilitated transactions of goods or services at unreasonable and inflated prices,” she said.

The relief grant received was earmarked for additional funding to support the municipality’s response under the state of disaster specifically to support improved sanitation, decontamination of specific selected municipal spaces, and purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) for officials, hygiene packs and waste management.

Huyssteen added that the DA rejects all forms of tender fraud and the theft of public money. She said any person who is suspected to be implicated in fraud and corruption should be investigated and if found guilty, should be prosecuted for the abuse of public funds which negatively affect service delivery to residents.

However, the Naledi Local Municipality acting municipal manager, Excinia Makgehlela refuted the allegations, Morongwa News stated. Makgehlela said: “The DA statement was misleading as the municipality procured Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) from Midas Vryburg as per the quote received for R29.38 as opposed to the DA claim.

“Proper procurement process was followed in the acquisition of the PPEs equipment. The municipality continues to align itself to the set regulations by the National Treasury on the purchase of COVID-19 PPEs.”

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