By REGINALD KANYANE

The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) has established a forum for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+). The GTLM mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe said the Bill of Rights is enshrined in the constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 includes a guarantee of equality and a prohibition of unfair discrimination on several grounds, including gender and sexual orientation.

“We have taken an initiative to recognise and further establish social forums that will enable planning, communication and coordinates on different social partners. Therefore, we have realised a dire need to establish a forum representing (LGBTQI+).

“We consequently need to place this vulnerable group on the forefront of the social charter as per constitutional mandate, which narrates that together we must build a non-sexist and non-racial society. Remember, Taung is predominantly rural and comprises 106 villages,” he said.

Gaoraelwe further said the societal stigma towards LGBTQI+ community emanates from non-conforming to patriarchal gender, low-level of education, cultural and religious beliefs, lack of understanding, intolerance, sexuality norms and roles that are prescribed by society are a driving force behind the discrimination. He added that, there are people who are unwelcoming of other sexual orientations because they deem homosexuality as a social evil.

“So, we deem it fit to give necessary recognition to this vulnerable group, educate the broader society, workshop and edify other sectors of the society to tolerate and co-exist with them. We intend to work with all other stakeholders such as South African Police Service (SAPS), Department of Justice, Department of Social Development, Department of Basic Education, Department of Corporate Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).

“The municipality is embarking on a robust drive to respond to LGBTQI+ needs and specific vulnerability and strengthen the capacity. To address and arrest gender and sexual orientation-based violence against LGBTQI+ persons.

“Our objective is to create and maintain supportive environment, in which group members and their respective contributions are valued. We also want to rally behind a comprehensive approach to promote human rights of LGBTQI+ community, combat heterosexism and homophobia,” said Gaoraelwe.

The chairperson of LGBTQI+ forum, Tshepiso Pholisane who is a transgender said: “We experiencing discrimination at schools and workplaces. Our LGBTQ+ members are victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and we cannot be allowed at certain churches. We are being criticized and sometimes cannot access healthcare services due to our sexuality,” Pholisane said.

She said she is grateful to receive a positive response from various stakeholders. Pholisane said, as the LGBTQI+ community, they hope things will change for the better.

“We need to continue to educate the public about the LGBTQ+ community. Most definitely, we will host such an event annually. We are happy that we have established the forum and we want to send our token of appreciation to the mayor and the municipality at large,” she said.

A local socialite, Moikanyi Kadisa who is affectionately known as the Public Figure said: “I feel that many people are trying to fit in within the society’s conventional way of being classified as male or female. However, if one comes out, they are subjected to all sorts of abuse and insults.

“I also believe that it is easier for an individual to criticize something that they are not familiar with. So, I applaud the office of the mayor for creating this platform, where the community as well as the LGBTQI+ members can engage and create awareness.”

Kadisa said he also had his fair share of criticism even though there is an increased number of acceptance. He said he is grateful that there is a higher visibility in the media too.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A local philanthropist, Kagiso Kai who is a brainchild behind Taung Community TV, said television has proved to be a profound means of communication and potentially capable of leaving a tremendous effect on society.

Kai said the aim behind this initiative is to ensure that content of the iconic Taung is well-documented and future generations learn more about it.

“Taung has a lot of content that many people from afar are tapping into and making money out of it. Again, one has realised that, we rely too much on leaders who are not magicians to bring miracles to the challenges that our people face.

“I normally say to people that we are the solutions to the problems we are facing, not political parties. Now it is time for the people of Taung to go to the next level and establish a TV station to cater for creatives and producers in the filming and television industry,” he said.

Kai further said the platform will give independent producers, presenters and all other aspirant practitioners to come up with their own productions and TV shows that will be aired at the channel. He encourages people of Taung to use the station to tell their ordinary stories through reality shows, films, documentaries and educational programs.

“The aim is to assemble an arsenal of great individuals in Taung to shake up the industry with their innovative thinking and leadership. We want to tap into funding opportunities within our country and abroad to create a sustainable livelihood for those who are in the industry.

“Many people think that filming and television is something that can only happen in the big cities, but we need to change that narrative. The Taung Community TV is owned by the people of Taung,” said Kai.

He said this initiative will also create job opportunities, especially for the youth. According to Kai, many people are supporting this idea, including the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM).

“Also those who are already in the industry have shown a keen interest, and that is really encouraging. We embarked on a bench-marking trip to Cape Town TV and we have an idea on how to go about it. I would like to send my special thanks to Mr Thapelo Moncho for organizing the trip including the unwavering support we received from the municipality.  

He said there are various shows that are in place already such as If you can’t talk about it, post it. Kai said the show will tackle topics that some people are not able to talk about due to lack of support or understanding.

“We also have programs like Nthute Segarona, which focuses on our culture. We have realised that our parents are dying without imparting that knowledge to the young generation. We would be having news programs too and focus on Mathematics, Economics, Accounting and other subjects that we feel there is a need to tackle.

“Taung Community TV will air documentaries, films and reality shows like O Gata Kae. This is a show that aims to keep track of the progress made by many people or the government. 

“There is another show called Youth in Tradition and we encourage our people to send their show proposals too. We will air those shows via over the top and YouTube platforms. For us to go on air, it will depend on ICASA to approve our license,” he said.

However, Kai said there are various platforms they will utilize for so long waiting for ICASA. He said they only started in January 2022 and ICASA wants NPO to be operational for more than two years.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO  

The residents of Vryburg and neighbouring areas embarked on a peaceful march against various socio-economic challenges impacting negatively within their communities. One of the burning issues was drug abuse and crime.

The secretary of Naledi Community Against Crime Organisation, Itumeleng Mahanyele (37), said there are an assortment of challenges that have marred the communities such drugs and substance abuse, crime and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

“As Naledi Community Against Crime organisation, we have invited various departments such as the South African Police Services, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Basic Education, Department of Social Development and Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, Department of Health, Department of Justice and Correctional Services for intervention.

“The purpose of the invite was to be part of the solution of the social ills devouring our community. As the community, we intend to come up with sustainable solutions to these challenges. We have since consulted with the community at large to ensure that the process in solving our problems is all inclusive,” Mahanyele said.

He further said, it has come to their attention that a way to sustainable solutions is delayed because of the sale and usage of illegal substances that lead to the atrocious acts of rape, murder, loss of morals among the youth and the general increase of GBV in households and within the community.

Mahanyele added that the distribution of drugs in schools and within the community, theft and house-breakings have become a cause for greater concern.

“The cases are dragged over a long period and eventually disappear from the roll. There is also a concern over bribery of officials, early release of individuals imprisoned and undocumented citizens. There is a high need for police vehicles and personnel.

“Those investigating police officers who are conniving with drug dealers and tavern owners need to be harshly dealt with. We also call on the police to clap mushrooming shebeens and illegal alcohol outlets in our area,” he said.

Mahanyele said there is a high demand of satellite police stations in various areas like Colridge township, Ext 25, 28 and Dithakwaneng. He said social workers as well as offices and vehicles are needed to cater for individuals’ needs.

“There is a lack of disability centres, rehabilitation centres as well as orphanages. The non-implementation of the national drug master plan by the district and local government also needs to be taken into consideration.

“The shortage of security guards both in primary and high schools create a loophole for learners to enter school premises with drugs and weapons. Also, shortage of arts, culture, sports and recreation educators in schools is a challenge too. There is no integration of mural activities in schools,” said Mahanyele.

Meanwhile, the MEC for North West Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari who accepted the memorandum on behalf of government said: “I will ensure that the North West Premier, Bushy Maape receives the memorandum and all your grievances are attended to. We also have our police here and I hope they will address all crime-related issues raised today.”

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