Daily Archives: March 31, 2021

No major changes on Motsweding FM’s new line-up

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By OBAKENG MAJE

No major changes on the new line-up at SABC’s North West-based radio station, Motsweding FM. The Setswana medium radio station just boosts only over 2 million listenership, which is a decline.

Motsweding FM management was previously under fire after being accused of hiring presenters who struggle to perfectly speak and read Setswana language such as actress, Refilwe Modiselle and Motsoaledi Setumo.

However, SABC acting spokesperson, Mmoni Seapolelo said the station continues to re-evaluate its brand and put itself in a better spot to be more relevant to the station’s audience and clients.

“Underscoring the need to stay relevant, competitive and to reflect the multifaceted interests of all generations, Motsweding FM will not be making drastic changes to its weekday and weekend line-up from 01 April 2021, but make an addition to the drive time team. The current line –up necessitates stronger emphasis on cultural values, identity, preserving and development of Setswana heritage.

“Amon Mokoena and Tumi Morake will continue to host the much entertaining PBS breakfast show of the year, ‘DiRage’ that boast over 1 million listeners from Mon-Fri. They will be joined by Mosela Mokgosi as the Sports bulletins presenter on the show between 07:00 – 10:00.

She further said the vibrant, energetic, and PBS Presenter of the year Lucas ‘LTK’ Komanisi will be joined by the versatile Nelly Moruri to rock your airwaves between 15:00 to 18:00 ‘Gotetsa’ Monday-Friday. Seapolelo added that the religious programme for Thursday Nights between 20:00 to 00:00 will be presented by Modisane Modise, with ‘Pastor Motsamai’ to do the sermons on the show.

“DJ Big Boy will host the ‘Rap Saga’ on Fridays at 20:00 to 22:00 and ‘Phenyo Phushudi will be flying solo on the “Ke Moteng” show from 22:00-00:00 and on Saturdays between 21:00-00:00. The Saturday breakfast show will be hosted by “Sammy Fever & JD Sol” between 06:00-09:00. Followed by Tlotlo Mooketsi who is popularly known as ‘Vrrrrphhaaa’ will now host the station music chart ‘Diabalola’ from 09:00-12:00.

“The deep house specialized music show ‘Re Mmino’ will see ‘Vrrrrphhaaa’  joining ‘DJ Big Boy’  between 18:00-21:00 to continue delivering quality deep house music to the listeners. Saturday and Sunday mornings will be ushered in by the new “Konka Club Mix” 2 x1 hour set by resident and guest DJs. The young and energetic Ikanyeng Masenamela will host the 02:00-04:00 “Di A Boa” music show,” said Seapolelo.

Taung-born presenter, Tebogo “TJH” Hotane will rock the station’s airwaves with Mekonko from 04:00 – 06:00, while Tomaeza will host the Sunday morning ‘Di A Boa’ between 02:00-04:00 and all other shows will remain unchanged.

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‘So long Ms Elizabeth Thabethe, so long’

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Picture: The late Deputy Minister of Tourism, Elizabeth Thabethe

By LESIBA KGWELE

I have had the honour to serve alongside the former Deputy Minister of Tourism and Presidential Envoy on Tourism, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe as my former colleague in the National Assembly, ANC Whippery (1999-2004) and also served her as Parliamentary/Media Liaison Officer towards the end of her term.

This remarkable servant of our people was a true patriot, revolutionary cadre, peacemaker who mobilised women for reconciliation during the ANC/Inkatha violent conflict in the East Rand, a unifier as well as agent of economic transformation and a champion of women & youth enterprises.

The former trade unionist, gender activist and protégé of the late ANC Stalwart Mama Bertha Gxowa, was a woman of character, consequence as well as strength and action wherever an injustice was being perpetuated.  

South Africa and the African Continent that has benefitted from rendezvous and crisscrossing of the continent during her stints as Deputy Ministers for the Departments of Trade and Industry, Small Business and Tourism hence we are today celebrating her tireless efforts for having laid a solid foundation for the African  Free Trade Agreement.

We will undoubtedly be poorer as a country without her good stewardship to carry out her new mission of being the Presidential Envoy on Investments.

She was a silent giant that moved economic barriers that hindered opportunities for the historically marginalised and a great asset for the country’s economic recovery plan that is supposed to take us to a higher development trajectory and create the much needed job opportunities.

No task was too small for her or too big for this courageous gender activist that was not intimidated by affluence, masculinity nor patriarch. Economic development was for her an equalizer to bridge the urban rural divide and bring the historically marginalised into the mainstream of the economy.

The success of the Executive Development Programme for Women in Tourism, Hidden Gems and Youth Chefs Training Programme are footprints of the empowerment initiatives that she passionately drove to unlock opportunities and bringing the historically disadvantaged into the mainstream of economy. 

Seeing other succeed through her tireless effort and contribution gave this upright leader with a conscience who proclaimed values greatest pleasure and satisfaction.

Sleep was for her a luxury when there was work to be done. She lived for the people of South Africa and the ANC and did not spare any energy to serve them diligently.

Those who have worked with her will forever treasure the values she espoused because she leaves behind a rich legacy as a nation builder and community development worker of note.  

This phenomenal woman and remarkable servant of our people will be remembered for her principled selfless leadership, compassion, humility, dedication and passion to serve including her genuine love for people.

#HambaKahleMbokodo

#HambaKahleMsebenzi

Note: (The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of Taung DailyNews)

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Ramaphosa: ‘No sale of alcohol for off-site consumption during Easter Holidays’

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Picture: South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa

By OBAKENG MAJE

South Africans are happy after the country did not get tighter lockdown restrictions for the Easter holidays. Instead, President Cyril Ramaphosa has relaxed some of the regulations across where he addressed the nation in a ‘family meeting’ last night.

Ramaphosa said over the last few days, they have sought the advice of experts and consulted with representatives of provincial and local government and traditional leaders on what measures should be put in place over the coming long weekend to prevent a new outbreak of infections.

“We have considered several factors, including presentations by the religious community on precautionary measures they have put in place for the anticipated gatherings. Given the relatively low transmission levels, we have decided to keep the country on coronavirus Alert Level 1.

“However, due to the specific circumstances of this period, we need to make a few adjustments. Some of the measures that will remain unchanged are the curfew is maintained from midnight to 4am, public recreational spaces such as beaches, parks and dams will remain open,” he said.

Ramaphosa further said, however, this will continue to be subject to strict health protocols, such as social distancing, mask-wearing. Even though he increased the number of attendees in religious gathering to 250 for indoors and 500 outdoors, Ramaphosa said funerals remain restricted to a maximum of 100 people and with a two-hour limit on services.

“Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50 percent of the capacity of the venue may be used. Congregants should not gather outside their usual places of worship, and people must go home and not sleepover after services.

“Interprovincial travel will still be permitted, however, I urge all South Africans to limit their travel as much as possible and to observe all the necessary health protocols if they cannot avoid travelling,” said Ramaphosa.

On the other side, Ramaphosa might have left some revellers irritated after he announced that the sale of alcohol for off-site consumption will be prohibited this coming Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. He added that on-site sales at restaurants, shebeens, and bars will be allowed, according to licensing conditions, up until 11pm.

“Given the role of alcohol in fuelling reckless behaviour, we will put in place some restrictions over the Easter weekend. The Easter weekend is a time of spiritual significance, and attending religious services is important to millions of people. In recent weeks, we have held consultations with faith communities to find mutually beneficial solutions to the challenges of managing large crowds at religious services.

“I want to express my gratitude to the leadership of the faith community who have engaged positively with us as a government. There is a common appreciation that we must do all we can to support our people to exercise their religious freedom and keep our country safe. With respect to other gatherings, these will also be restricted to a maximum number of 250 people indoors and 500 outdoors,” he said.

Ramphosa said they continue to urge all South Africans to avoid gatherings if they are in a vulnerable group, such as the elderly and those with co-morbidities. He said they also urge that gatherings should take place in outdoor venues, which are significantly safer than gathering indoors.

“In just a few days, the country will begin the annual Easter break. For many, this will be a welcome moment to pause and rest, whether from work or from our studies, and from the pressures of the last months.

“Many of us have made plans for the upcoming long weekend. Some of us will be heading out of town, others will be visiting friends and family. Many of us will be attending gatherings and celebrations and for millions of people, this is also a time of religious observance,” he said.

Ramaphosa further said while the rate of transmission remains stable, they cannot let our guard down. He added that this is a time when caution is needed more than ever.

“The reality is that greater movement of people, interprovincial travel, greater use of public transit and gatherings present a great risk of an increase in infections. We will review these measures on the size of gatherings within the next 15 days based on an assessment on the state of the pandemic and the extent of compliance with health protocols.

“We continue to follow the principle that restrictions should not be more severe than is necessary to contain the spread of the virus. We continue to be guided by data on the epidemiological situation and by expert advice and wide consultations with social partners,” he said.

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