• 

By REGINALD KANYANE

North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela said her department has registered satisfactory progress as it concluded marking of National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations papers on Thursday.

Matsemela said the province had 2626 markers in 17 of its marking centres under intense Covid-19 protocols.  The department reported that 13 markers tested positive for Covid-19 virus since the marking process commenced.

“All the markers who tested positive are from various marking centres across the province and are now released to go back home for self-quarantining. The hostel and marking rooms which were used by these markers have been decontaminated,” she said.

Matsemela added that the department has completed capturing of the School-Based Assessments (SBA) with 100% capturing done. She also thanked the markers for forging on amid concerning times.

“Today we wrapped up the marking of NSC scripts. I take this time to express my sincere gratitude to the heroes and heroines we have in the education sector who selflessly gave their time to mark our candidates’ scripts in the midst of concerning Covid -19 times.

“Thank you for your servitude and time. It is sad that some of our markers contracted the virus in the thick of the work they have been doing. However, I am more pleased that there have not been devastating death cases in our province,” said Matsemela.

She further said capturing of marks in the province commenced on 8 January 2021 and will be concluded on 25 January 2021.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

• 

The Pretoria News is to get a new editor from February 1.

Valerie Boje has stepped down from the position she has held for the past eight years and will be replaced by Piet Rampedi.

Rampedi, currently the assistant editor at the Sunday Independent,i is an award-winning investigative journalist with experience in print and broadcasting.

He is a recipient of several awards, including CNN African Journalist of the Year, Vodacom

Journalist of the Year (twice), Media24 Legends and City Press Journalist of the Year Awards.

Executive chairman of Independent Media and chairman of the Sekunjalo Group, Dr Iqbal Survé, congratulated Rampedi saying the appointment marked an exciting new chapter in Piet’s career within the group, as well as for the Pretoria News and its readers.

“Piet is a courageous journalist who boldly and truthfully reports the news that needs to be told. We have watched his development through the Group and have been enthused by his progress and his adherence to journalism’s highest tenets. We look forward to his editorial leadership at Pretoria News,” said Dr Survé.

Rampedi said he looked forward to continuing the Pretoria News’ tradition of ground-breaking journalism.

“Pretoria News is the pulse of the capital city and, by extension, the nation. It’s an institution with a renowned history of ground-breaking and credible journalism. It’s the main source of information for the residents of our capital, the country’s decision-makers, as well as the diplomatic corps,” said Rampedi.

Outgoing Pretoria News editor Val Boje.

Survé commended Bojé, one of the long-standing seniors at Independent Media, for her diligence and passion for the Pretoria News.

“Val and her news team have built a strong focus on the affairs of the capital city, including its governance, academic, research and diplomatic sectors. She has also led from the front in a sea change of technological advancements, including new systems and the switch to digital news consumption, and has embraced transformation within the media group and broader society.

“It is in this spirit, she has recognised that the time is right for new leadership at the Pretoria News,” concluded Survé.

“The Pretoria News has been my life for so many years, and I have been privileged to serve it and the people of this city I call home,” she said.

“I thank Dr Survé for the trust placed in me, COO, Takudzwa Hove, and all the group executives and editors for their support, and look forward to continuing to serve the group in a new way.

“To all those who have worked alongside me at the Pretoria News now and in the past, you have helped shape and sustain it, even in the toughest times and I salute you,” she said, wishing Piet and the team all the best for the time ahead.

Source- Pretoria News

 

• 

By OBAKENG MAJE

Heartfelt condolence messages continue to pour in after the untimely death of the Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu who died on Thursday due to COVID-19 related complications.

North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro also sent his earnest condolences to the family of the deceased. Mokgoro described Mthembu as one of the dedicated and hardworking Ministers he has come to know.

“We have received the news of the passing of Mthembu with great shock. As we try to digest this painful reality, we will remember him as a dedicated member of the ruling party whose work ethic has never been doubted in all the positions he occupied.

“He died with his boots on, in the forefront of the fight against the invisible enemy. It is not a surprise that he was deployed in the Presidency. We are very much saddened by his passing,” he said.

Mokgoro further said they will dearly miss the enormous contribution Mthembu has made in different aspects of the lives of South Africans. He said on behalf of the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) and its citizens, send their deepest regards to the Mthembu family and friends.

“We once more plead with the citizens of the province to continue to adhere to all lockdown regulations to curb the spread of the virus and safe lives,” said Mokgoro.

Meanwhile, the African National Congress (ANC) Caucus in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) shared the same sentiments. NWPL ANC Chief Whip, Paul Sebegoe expressed shock following the death Mthembu.

He also described Mthembu as a revolutionary giant and a true patriot.

“We wish to convey our deepest condolences to the Mthembu family, relatives, cabinet colleagues, friends including comrades as well as the ANC and the people of South Africa that Mthembu served with integrity and dedication.

“His death is an epic loss because in him Africa and the country had lost a champion of the marginalized and downtrodden, a gallant freedom fighter who had dedicated his life to the liberation of our people and the betterment of their lives,” highlighted Sebegoe on behalf of the caucus.

The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) also sent its regards to Mthembu’s family. Sanef chairperson, Sbu Ngalwa said: “Out of many roles he played within the ANC, the media will always remember him as the friend and defender of media freedom and freedom of expression. Mthembu served as a spokesperson in the Mpumalanga Province for both the ANC and for the provincial executive. He moved on to be the national spokesperson of the governing party.

“Throughout his tenure, he showed tremendous respect for and gave journalists from mainstream media to community media equal opportunities and access to leaders.

He did not discriminate between senior and young journalists and ensured that they got the chance to ask questions.”  

Ngalwa added that Mthembu always strove to build bridges and forged the professional spirit between media and politics. He said Mthembu was working with SANEF in the past few weeks towards fulfilling President Cyril Ramaphosa’s undertaking to initiate dialogue to find solutions for sustainable funding models for the media sector in the country.

“He was also organizing the first, in over 10 years, lekgotla between the executive and SANEF. It was also going to be the first under the Ramaphosa administration. SANEF regards his death also as a great loss of a voice of reason and an ally of the freedom of expression inside the governing party.

“Mthembu stood up and defended media freedom. He had frank and honest qualities in dealing with the media that are rare among politicians. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time of great loss. He will leave a great void in the presidency,” he said.

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