By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West Blind Cricket Club coach, Steven Visser said, persons with visual impairments can participate in any sport. Visser (38) said, they launched the North West Blind Cricket Club on 1 September 2022 and received amazing support.

“We have 25 players thus far and most are from the North West School for the Blind in Christina. We came up with this initiative in quest of giving hope and encouragement to persons who are visually impaired.

“The club represents persons, who are visually impaired across the province. In most cases, you will understand that blind people are not considered when it comes to many things,” he said.

Visser (38) further said mostly, people do not understand how can blind people can play cricket. However, he added, more education is needed to remove some of the stigma associated with having a disability.

“Remember, the game is played under special rules, which are tailored for the visually impaired players. However, most of the rules are similar to the ones in the original format.

“In blind cricket, the ball that is used is rolled on the ground and has a sound in it. Also, a bowler must bowl only underarm and the delivery must pitch twice before reaching the batsman,” said Visser.

He said, so far, they participated in T20 national championship and came fifth compared to other provinces. Visser said they are now preparing for a National One-Day Cup.

Visser said, firstly, they should beat two teams from Free State and Kwazulu-Natal respectively before they could qualify.

“We are happy with our progress, even though we still have a few hiccups. We always struggle to get our players, who reside outside the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District on time due to financial constraints.  

“Our aim is to atleast have two weeks with all our players to prepare for two friendlies against North Titans and Gauteng Lions on 11 and 12 February 2023 in Pretoria. So, we do not have the financial muscle to ensure that we book accommodation for these players,” said Visser.

He said cricket as a sport, has many benefits for visually impaired individuals and has a positive impact. Visser also encourages parents to allow their visually impaired children to participate as this allows them to integrate into society with their peers without being excluded.

“People with vision impairment experience many benefits from the sport including improvement in general health, social inclusions, skill acquisition, communication, and teamwork.

“These benefits are essential for everyday living. So, let’s work together and grow the club. We will also be having a consultative engagement with all stakeholders soon inquest of creating local clubs across all four districts,” said Visser.

He also calls on business people to come on board in a form of sponsorship.

Visser said they would like to see more sponsors come on board so that they could achieve their primary goal.

“We have seen many sports adapting people with disabilities across the country. So, now is the time for visually impaired cricket players to claim their niche.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The Economic Freedom Fighters(EFF) in the North West welcomed the postponement of a murder case against ANC Member of Parliament (MP), Sibusiso Kula.

A 34-year-old accused briefly appeared at the Orkney Magistrate’s Court on Monday in connection of his wife, Jennifer Motlhomi’s murder. The case was postponed until 27 January 2023 for a formal bail application.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in North West, Henry Mamothame said, the state intends to oppose bail, owing to the seriousness of the matter.

“The police report reveals that Kula’s wife was found murdered on 27 November 2022, in what seemed like a robbery. Motlhomi (31) was found with a stab wound on her back, but the object that was used for her alleged murder has not been recovered.

“The matter was reported by the accused, who indicated that he was not at the house when the incident occurred. Following thorough investigations by the police, the accused was linked to the alleged murder,” Mamothame said.

He further said, Kula was then arrested on 20 January 2023 and charged with murder. Mamothame added, the police investigations are still underway and Kula will remain in police custody until his next court appearance.

The EFF provincial spokesperson, Fanon Maema said: “It has come to our dismay that, Kula has since locked his children in the house and denied them education since the commencement of the academic year 2023.

“This horrific and ruthless manner in which children of the victim are being treated by the same father accused of the murder of their mother, coupled with the long-standing expressions of pain and suffering of Gender-Based Violence(GBV) by the victim on social media prior to her cold-hearted murder, point to something much bigger and it is on this basis that we are saying ‘NO BAIL FOR KULA’.”

Maema said, it is quite clear that the ANC is handling this matter with kid gloves. He said, there is no clear action from the party, despite the proof that Kula has trampled on the social fabric and fundamental rights espoused by the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa by refusing his children to attend school, learn and interact with society at large.

“Furthermore, we alert the police and the prosecution team not to sleep on the job because, at this juncture, Jennifer’s loved ones and other witnesses are most vulnerable and need protection.

“Above and beyond, we wish to see the police and prosecution team do due diligence to this case because Jennifer’s family has already suffered a great loss and the ongoing legal proceedings have a tremendous bearing on their purse as they travel from outside Orkney,” said Mema.

He said, they will ensure that Jennifer’s children are granted a school transfer and receive the necessary support together with their family. Maema said the EFF’s GBV Desk in the province, will proceed with the picketing outside Orkney Magistrate Court on 27 January 2023.

“We remain firm to a heartfelt call for the end of women and children abuse, femicide, and infanticide,” he said.

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By REGINALD KANYANE  

The Grade 12 learners who stay in Picong village, near Taung, and attend school at Kebinelang Secondary School in Manthe village said, they do not feel safe anymore. 

This comes after a Grade 12 learner was allegedly raped on 19 January 2023, while walking home after extra classes. According to the North West police, a learner (20) was walking home with her friend when the ordeal occurred. 

The North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “​The two female learners were walking from Manthe on their way to Picong after school and were stopped along the way by an unknown male, who threatened them with a knife.

“He allegedly forced himself on the victim. The suspect allegedly lost control of his knife and both the victim and her friend managed to run away.”

Van Rooyen further said, the suspect is unknown and no arrest has been made. She added that, the investigation into the matter continues and anyone who has the information that could lead the police to the arrest of the suspect, can call 0800 10111 or go to the nearest police station.

A Grade 12 learner, Keamogetse Makoloi, who is the eyewitness said, they do not feel safe anymore. Makoloi said, they could not board the scholar transport because of extra classes.

“We normally use scholar transport, but on the day, we were attending extra classes. So, the scholar transport left at its scheduled time and we were left stranded.

“We were walking behind the victim and her friend when the incident happened. There was a guy wearing a red overall top and a brown trouser. He was also wearing a red neck warm,” she said.

Makoloi also urges the North West Department of Education and its sister department, North West Community Safety and Transport Management to organise a scholar transport that could ferry them to their homes after extra classes.

The North West Department of Education refused to comment and said, it is the responsibility of the North West Community Safety and Transport Management to provide learners with scholar transport.

However, the North West Community Safety and Transport Management spokesperson, Alpheus Koonyaditse said: “Firstly, the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari condemns in the strongest terms any violation of any child’s basic rights.

“The service provider and the school agree on a time for the transportation for learners.”

One of the parents, Ntswaki Molaolwa, said it is disheartening to see this happening, while learners trying to better themselves through education. Molaolwa said, in most cases, learners are forced to walk long distances because sometimes there is no scholar transport available or it is broken.

“The scholar transport is essential and forms an integral part of the right to basic education. However, sometimes learners suffer because they either could not get scholar transport because of its non-availability.

“The department should understand that, learners are not safe anymore as they walk home alone. Violence and criminality is a blight that continues to affect us all, but as a society, we need to work together and combat it,” said Molaolwa.  

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By REGINALD KANYANE

North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said her department will give learners in special needs schools in the province the necessary support. This comes after the North West School for the Deaf in Leeudoringstad, near Wolmaranstad received a 0% pass rate in matric for 2022.

“Learners must be given the same opportunities to succeed in life as their peers in ordinary schools. We, therefore, accept that it is our primary responsibility to help children from special groups in our communities to escape the circumstances of their birth or parentage through quality education.

“The department will continue with its effort to improve learning in special needs schools, particularly in the North West School for the Deaf. The school was presenting matric for the second year in 2022,” she said.

Motsumi further said, they will provide additional specialist resources to these schools as they fast-track the implementation of the three-stream model curriculum.

Last year, the Pan South African Language Board (PANSALB) in North West, visited the school and said, they were shocked to find out that teachers at the school did not know sign language.

PANSALB provincial chairperson, Goitsemodimo Seleka said: “What is happening there undermines the rights of these learners that are enshrined in the constitution. When these learners go to school, they expect to be taught in the language that they understand.

“It is difficult if teachers who were supposed to use sign language as the medium of communication at the school do not know the language.”  

Meanwhile, Stephinah Semaswe, who is North West Education’s Head of Department (HoD) said: “I took it upon myself to visit the special schools last year. So, the teachers at the North West School for the Deaf are qualified, but given the special nature of the children there, they are deemed not properly trained for the learners.  

“We have about 12 teachers there that need training. We have also taken advantage of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that was signed between the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) and North West University (NWU) for this training.”

Semaswe further said, they have tried in the past to secure the right service provider, who could provide these teachers with training, especially in terms of sign language. She added, now, they will put into use the MoU that they have signed with the NWU to provide teachers at the school with the proper and relevant service provider to train them.   

“However, this does not mean these teachers are unqualified. They are qualified and they are able to teach other subjects. The other issue is that, we normally appoint interpreters for all teachers in that school, especially those who are new.

“We only have one interpreter at the moment, hence other teachers are experiencing challenges. So, from February 2023, these teachers will be trained, especially in sign language because learners are taking sign language as their home language.

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The principal at Marubising Secondary School allegedly forced a lesbian learner to wear skirt

By OBAKENG MAJE

A parent of a Grade 9 learner at Marubising Secondary School in Cokonyane village, near Taung alleged that his daughter (15) was mocked and discriminated against by the school principal because of her sexual orientation.

The parent (34) said, on 18 January 2023, her daughter, who is a lesbian was allegedly chased out of school by the school principal, who forced her to go and wear a skirt.

“My daughter grew up as a lesbian and wears boys’ clothes. However, the school principal insisted that, she must wear a skirt. Now, last week, my daughter refused to go to school because she was forced to wear a skirt, which is something that she is not comfortable with.

“I urge the North West Department of Education to take necessary steps against the principal because he is abusing his powers. The principal said, he only welcomes female and male learners at his school, not ditrase (which is an insulting name against people of the same sex orientation),” he said.  

However, the North West Department of Education spokesperson, Elias Malindi said, the allegations are untrue and unfounded. Malindi said the learner was never denied the right to attend school at any point given in time since her registration last week.

“The principal requested the learner to call her mother on 12 January 2023 after an observation that, she was not wearing a proper uniform as expected by the school for all girl learners.

“After questioning her, she indicated that the mother was still working on getting the school uniform and was never refused to attend school. On 18 January 2023, the principal requested her to go and call the mother, since she promised the uniform would be organised very soon,” he said.

Malindi further said, instead, the learner came back with a community member who was arrogant and disrespectful.

“The principal only called the mother because there was never any orientation made or disclosed to the office about the sexual orientation of the child, which he deemed very essential for him to prepare other educators and learners.

“The parent didn’t come to the school to make the principal and management aware of the learner’s sexual orientation. The department wishes to make it clear that the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex (LGBTQI) community is welcomed in all schools within this province,” said Malindi.

However, the father described Malindi’s remarks as absurd because no community member accompanied the learner to the school He also said, his daughter had a proper school uniform prior the incident.

The LGBQTI chairperson in Taung, Tshepiso Polisane said: “If that was the case, then the school is not fair. Any learner at any school must feel free at all times, irrespective of her or his sexual orientation.

“We do have policies that are in place and the department must recognise them. Let learners wear something that is comfortable with and stop this homophobic attack against the LGBTQI community.”

Meanwhile, Congress of South African Students (COSAS) Secretary-General, Bongane Ndlovu said, no learner in any school should be treated differently or valued less because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

“No person whether he or she is a teacher, a principal, a parent, or another learner is allowed to treat any learner differently because of the manner in which, they express their gender, or because of the persons they are attracted to.

“To do so would amount to an infringement of their rights to equality and dignity. Such conduct is prohibited by our constitution and I would like to advise the parents to go and open a criminal case against the principal,” Ndlovu said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The water crisis continues to persist in Vryburg and has affected the smooth-running operations at Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital. Now, the hospital is diverting patients that were to be referred to Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital.

The North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha told Taung DailyNews that, the only patients that will be accepted and assisted are those with referral letters, booked patients, and those who need emergency.

According to Sambatha, walk-in patients will be triaged based on history and clinical signs.

“No patient requiring emergency care will be refused hospital treatment, however, patients who do not meet the above-mentioned criteria are advised that they will be not prioritised.

“It is suggested that, they seek a first point of care at the available primary health care facilities such as Huhudi Community Healthcare Centre (CHC), Gateway clinic, and Coldrige,” he said.

Sambatha further said, the hospital is highly affected by the water crisis. He added they have been tinkering for the past two weeks, but that is not sustainable enough.

“So, we have instructed the hospital and the provincial office to do a process of projecting, where we should send patients in the future and move the ones that we have.

“This is to avoid a situation, where infection control comes and haunts us because we are delivering services without water. The availability of water to healthcare is a primary source,” said Sambatha.

He said, however, because of the non-availability of water, they have decided to reduce the patients that are available at the hospital and also stop admitting new patients on a basis to decide on the management plan for the ones that are already admitted.

“Plans have been made to who we admit and which type of patients. So, this will not affect patients, but their families in terms of where would their patients be admitted, instead of Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital.

“We will use the district hospitals that we have in our sub-districts. So, this is a temporary measure due to the unavailability of water,” he said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A decision on an urgent bail application in a murder case against four accused is set to be made today at Taung Magistrate’s Court. Last year, a local businessman and alleged drug lord, Bakang Katong (31), Thabang Lenyai (23), Phenyo Katong (34), and Katlego Mosimege (31), who allegedly brutally killed Thabiso Mothibedi (35) made an urgent bail application and their request was granted.

They were arrested in April 2022 for allegedly killing Mothibedi, who was one of their loyal customers after accusing him of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house at Manthe village, near Taung.

The North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said the preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, the deceased was at Lenganeng village in Taung, when the accused fetched and transported him back to Manthe village.

“Upon arrival, the deceased was allegedly chained to a generator and assaulted. After the assault, the victim was reportedly transported to a local clinic by the accused, however, he was declared dead upon arrival.

“The accused were arrested and charged with Thabiso’s murder,” Tselanyane said.

On 1 May 2022, the community members were up in armed and allegedly torched three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family. The murder case against the accused was initially postponed to 15 February 2022, but they made an urgent bail application on 22 November 2022, which was granted.

The court heard that the investigating officer allegedly received death threats. He also received a petition from a section of the community members that urges the court to release the accused.

However, the investigating officer told the court that, according to his analysis, those who signed the petition calling for the release of the accused, allegedly did that under false pretense as they want to kill them.

He said, it will be in the interest of the accused if they are kept incarcerated.  

Meanwhile, some other community members packed the court to the rafters and submitted a petition calling for no bail against the accused.

One of the community leaders, Rapampiri Motshitshi said, they do not want to see the accused within their community because of the criminal activities they executed.

“Our youth are faced with a bleak future because they are destroyed by nyaope. The only thing that we want is to see a clean community that is free from drugs. These young boys come to our houses and steal just to feed their cravings,” he said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The ANC Member of Parliament (MP), Sibusiso Kula is expected to appear at Orkney Magistrate’s Court on 23 January 2023. Kula (34) was arrested on Friday in connection with the death of his wife, Jennifer Motlhomi (31).

The former ANCYL member allegedly stabbed his wife at their matrimonial house in Kanana Township, near Orkney on 27 November 2022.

The national police spokesperson, Brig Athlenda Mathe said: “The North West Police have arrested a man in Klerksdorp for the alleged murder of his wife. The incident happened on 27 November 2022 at the home of the suspect in Kanana Township.

“The suspect is facing a charge of murder and will appear before the Orkney Magistrate’s Court on Monday.”

The ANCWL in North West said it is paralyzed with shock following the arrest of Kula. The ANCWL Provincial Task Team (PTT) Convenor, Bitsa Lenkopane said, Motlhomi’s brutal murder depicted another disturbing picture of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) among many women, who are subjected to it in the locale.

“This is another case of women abused, violated, and brutally attacked in the comfort of their living spaces. A complexity painted by one of the police reports in the year, where these vile activities happen among acquaintances and or romantic partners.

“Motlhomi was a vibrant young woman, who spent her entire life participating and leading the struggle structures of the youth and students in the ANC,” she said.

Lenkopane said, Motlhomi’s activism comes from the Bojanala Platinum region, where she led the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) from that region and later in the province. According to reports, Motlhomi was also actively involved in the Young Women activities in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda region before her untimely death.

“The ANCWL would like to call for calm among interested parties and Jennifer’s loved ones to give trust and space to the justice administration to process this matter and speedily finalise it.

“Mostly, GBV cases take too long to conclude with often instances of suspected perpetrators slipping through the justice system’s fingers leaving victims not redressed. However, we hope Motlhomi and her family will receive the justice they deserve,” said Lenkopane.

She added that, the perpetrator should receive the maximum punishment on a guilty verdict.

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters(EFF) in the North West also welcomed the arrest of Kula.

The EFF provincial secretary, Papiki Babuile said: “We are concerned with the sad state of affairs and rise of patriarchal relations perpetuated by the political elites in the province and the country at large.

“Undisputedly, our country has been through a long history of systematic subjugation, violence, and abuse. Sadly, to date, women and children are yet at the receiving end of heinous and horrific acts of hetero-patriarchy, sexism, rape, rampant GBV, Femicide, and infanticide, not only by habitual criminals in general but also men tasked with the responsibility to lead, protect and shower them with love.”

Babuile said the high levels of victims in cases of this nature is proof enough that the criminal justice system ceased to exist and protect the vulnerable members of society. He said it is quite dismaying that political elites in this country enjoy impunity at the expense of the lives of the people.

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By OBAKENG MAJE
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West said, even though they applaud the matriculants in the Class of 2022, they are concerned about the learners who drop out of school before reaching Grade 12.

According to the DA’s Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in North West, Winston Rabotapi who is also DA’s provincial spokesperson on Education, almost 30 000 learners dropped out of school before reaching matric.

“We would like to congratulate each North West matriculant in the Class of 2022, who passed their final examinations despite the odds of the COVID-19 pandemic, the extended lockdowns, which disrupted education, and the extended Eskom rolling blackouts stacked against them.

“We also extend our thanks and appreciation to all teachers and staff members who went above and beyond to ensure that matriculants were afforded the support they needed to complete their matric final examinations under very challenging circumstances,” he said.

He further said, to those matriculants who failed to pass their matric, this is not the end. Rabotapi added, there are many avenues available to obtain their senior certificate qualification.

“They can do that either through sitting for supplementary examinations or enrolling in any TVET college. Even though the North West Department of Education recorded 79.8%, however, this pass rate does not account for the 27,243 learners who dropped out of the school system since Grade 10 in 2020.

““So, considering the high drop-out rate, the real matric pass rate in North West is actually 49.2% This means that half of the 71 066 pupils who began Grade 10 in 2020, failed to complete matric,” said Rabotapi.,” said Rabotapi.

He said, it is also disappointing to see North West province further drop in its provincial ranking from being in the 4th position in 2021 to the 5th spot in 2022.

“The DA will engage the North West MEC of Education, Viola Motsumi, to establish a system to account for all learners who drop out of the school system before completing their final matric examinations.

“So, to develop a support plan for these pupils to assist them with completing their studies towards obtaining their senior certificate qualification. Motsumi along with the relevant stakeholders should also prioritise school infrastructure maintenance. This will assist the North West schools to become centres of excellence,” he said.

The Economic Freedom Fighters(EFF) secretary in North West, Papiki Babuile said the majority of the matriculants were in Grade 10 when rotational learning was introduced on the basis of stringent lockdown regulations in

2020. “In 2022, it was their final year and they were faced with an unbearable load-shedding, and yet they progressed against all odds. It becomes important to note that, the hard work and achievement of the matriculants debunk the narrative that, children of the poor working class are lazy.

“The matriculants defied the hand-made odds created by the spineless, corruptible, and purposeless North West Provincial Government (NWPG). Under the North West Premier, Bushy Maape’s leadership, the province has recorded more service delivery protests and ultimate disruptions of schools in many municipalities across the province,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said: “We are proud to announce that, the North West Class of 2022 has registered yet another milestone by obtaining a pass rate of 79.8%.

“This is an increase of 1.6 % from 78.2% in 2021. However, we need to remind ourselves that our Annual Performance Plan target for the 2022 matric pass rate was 85%. I am also excited to announce that, out of 444 schools that presented Grade 12 in 2022, 338 (that is 76,1 % of the schools) performed at 70% and above.”

Motsumi said, in total, the number of candidates who achieved Bachelor passes is 14 733 (33.62%) compared to 13 872 of the Class of 2021. She said the number of passes with a Diploma is 12 370 (28, 2 %), higher than 10 794 attained in 2021.

“The passes with Higher Certificates is 7 853 (17, 9%), which is an improvement from last year of 7 470. Four candidates in Special Needs Schools passed with an endorsed NSC.

“In total, 34 960 candidates out 43 823 passed their matric in 2022, and 7 903 distinctions were achieved in various subjects including in Life Orientation. The department is a system on the rise,” she said.
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By REGINALD KANYANE

A learner from Zinniaville Secondary School in Rustenburg, North West, Safiyyah Wadee (18) said, even though the COVID-19 pandemic and load-shedding had a negative impact on her studies, she is so grateful to be crowned the provincial top achiever.

Safiyyah received seven distinctions in all subjects with an average of 95%. She also received national recognition for being the third-best-performing learner in the country.

“I am super excited about being the provincial top achiever. I also received a national award on 19 January 2023. My highest subject was Mathematics with 99%.

“I would like to study medicine this year, preferably at the University of Witwatersrand. However, I’m still waiting for their acceptance letter. I am always fascinated by Human Biology, hence I want to study medicine,” she said.

Safiyyah further said, her auntie and uncle are excellent medical doctors in their various fields and what inspired her is that they are serving in public hospitals.

She added that South Africa has a shortage of medical doctors, especially in public hospitals.

“I want to make a positive impact and I am inspired by them. You know, the COVID-19 pandemic and load-shedding always had a negative impact on my time management skill.

“So, I created a timetable at the beginning of the year and made sure that, it was as detailed as possible. I was also disciplined, dedicated, and determined to follow it because I did not want to skew away from my study time,” said Safiyyah.

She encouraged those who did not make it not to despair, but to work harder. Her mother. Tasneem Wadee shared the same sentiments.

“Safiyyah worked extremely hard and she was dedicated to her studies. She was one of the best achievers since Grade 1, so we are blessed to have her as our child.

“She is one person who never gives up and she made sure that, she performed well in every assignment, test, or exam paper. We were always there to show her support through her journey,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said even though the province received 79.8% and occupied position five, the class of 2022 showed resolute character, tenacity, and resilience. Motsumi also lauded Grade 12 learners for not allowing any external force to derail them.

“It is true that darkest nights produce brightest stars. You prevailed over the stark realities stemming from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdown restrictions.

“We also experienced load-shedding, inclement weather, floods, and community service delivery protests that could have easily taken you off the rails of achieving your academic goals,” she said.

Motsumi said that even though there are challenges, her department is a system on the rise. She said to this end, they have invested in the learners.

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