Picture: NWU principal and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West University (NWU principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka said, South Africa is dipping its toes into a recession and the continued decline of parastatals such as Eskom and Transnet is escalating the country’s economic woes.

Tyobeka said, one of the many sectors that are facing suffocating constraints is agriculture. He further said, the NWU, through various initiatives such as a recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the university and the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (representing the Potchefstroom College of Agriculture and the Taung Agricultural College) is aimed at offering a framework for cooperation.

“This is a commitment to finding solutions to the problems that our agricultural sector faces. A healthy, thriving agricultural sector is of paramount importance to the current and future prosperity of the country.

“Food security or rather food insecurity is a global problem. The NWU’s Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences has nationally and internationally rated researchers, who are working with stakeholders across the country to help grow the agricultural and agro-processing sectors to optimise opportunities for food production, storage and distribution,” said Tobeka.

He added that, to add to the escalating dilemma, the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) has reported that South Africa is facing a dire shortage of veterinary professionals, partly because there are limited institutions that offer full training for veterinarians.

Tyobeka said, according to the South African Veterinary Council, the number of registered veterinarians in South Africa dropped from 3 718 in 2020 to 3 483 in 2021.

“This is reportedly the reason we are relying on veterinarians from neighbouring countries. Of course, this situation is a threat to our food security and production.

“This is an opportunity for us to explore the growth of our animal health programmes and to establish a School of Veterinary Sciences that can cover the North West, Northern Cape, Free State and parts of Gauteng,” he said.

Tyobeka foresees that the university’s partnerships with the agricultural sector will continue to go from strength to strength: He said on behalf of the NWU, he would like to thank the agricultural sector for delivering what can only be described as an indispensable service to the country.

“Your toil and sweat, your dedication and expertise are the lifeblood of our country. You will always be able to count on our support,” concluded Tyobeka.

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Picture: Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sabatha said, they have spent R1.5 million to drill a borehole at Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg in quest of addressing water shortage. Sambatha said this comes after the Naledi Local Municipality’s failure to provide water.

“Water is a challenge across the province and just last year, we decided to drill boreholes for each facility. So, we can rely on these boreholes when the municipal supply cannot provide us with water.

“The problem is, we are unable to complain, yet we have patients to attend to. So, that is the reason we use our own money, yet it is not our responsibility. We are doing this because patients and staff cannot be in a facility that does not have water,” he said.

Sambatha further said, they do not want to rely on water tankers. He added, they want a reliable water supply, so boreholes will be on the basis of their own budget.

“We are already providing ourselves with water tankers, because the municipality’s water tanks intervention is failing. There is a suspicion of water infrastructure sabotage.

“There is a problematic element of tempering with the supply of water deliberately. Sometimes, the ones that are responsible for water tanks are also involved because when there is no water supply, water tank intervention kicks in,” said Sambatha.

He said in some instances, one finds out that even those employed in the same water departments are part of the sabotage.  

In the past, the hospital was forced to turn away new patients because of a water shortage.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu said: “We will prioritise communities with critical water shortages in the North West through interventions. As the steering committee, we have already received an assessment report on the state of water and sanitation service provision in the province.

“So, we have instructed the Committee’s Technical Task Team to start prioritising critical projects that will ensure immediate restoration of water in areas with existing infrastructure in the province. The report has painted a clear picture that the province has enough sources of water, both on the surface and groundwater to support domestic and other users. However, huge infrastructural challenges in various parts of the province impeded the resources to be transferred to the users.”

Mchunu said, most of the challenges identified stemmed from a lack of capacity, skills, and budget to carry out operations and maintenance, illegal connections, incomplete projects, and infrastructure vandalism in the Water Service Authorities (WSAs) and municipalities’ reticulation systems.

He said the task team will now start the process of prioritising projects for immediate interventions and get commitments from all role-players to enable the work to go ahead as we need to pump water to the people and put this water crisis in the North West behind them.

“There is extensive work lies ahead, and this collaborative process will enable our plans to take off with speed to restore water and sanitation services in the province. The roadmap emanating from the assessment report will now be developed outlining immediate and long-term plans with clear sources of funds to finance the projects, timelines, and roles that all stakeholders will play to ensure the work on the plan is fully executed.

“The roadmap will focus on prioritising refurbishment of the current existing infrastructure including resuscitation of non-functioning boreholes and temporary supply through water tankering for immediate supply in communities where the situation is dire, while the long-term plans will involve the development of bulk water services infrastructure, Water Treatment Works, Reservoirs, Waste Water Treatment Works, pump stations, reticulation, as well as operations and maintenance of the whole water value chain systems in the province.

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Picture: A Grade 6 athlete, Rueben Smit (12) at Laerskool Vastrap Rustenburg

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Rustenburg-based athlete, Rueben Smit said he is happy that he continues to excel in his craft. This comes after Smit (12) broke both 75m and 150m hurdles records that have since been there in 2011 and 2019 during the SA Championships respectively.

 A Grade 6 learner at Laerskool Vastrap Rustenburg took part in the South African Primary School Track and Field Championships held at Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal on 20 and 21 March 2023.

Rueben’s father, Pieter Smit said: “We are very grateful for Ruben’s achievements. Indeed, he made us and the school proud with his accomplishment.

“It is not easy to break the South African record in both hurdles as well as receiving the trophy for best boy’s track athlete at the National Championship 2023.”

He said, Reubies as Rueben is affectionately known, started running hurdles at the age of nine. Pieter further said, Reubies has dedicated his time to his passion, which is athletics

“Through hard work and commitment his dream of becoming SA champion in the sport he loves so much, was finally greatly rewarded,” said Pieter.

Smit together with Jubileus Krya and Dene van der Merwe received the Victor/Victrix Lodorum for Gender, Track/Field Trophies for their outstanding performance during the event. Van der Merwe took home two out of four prestigious awards dedicated to four athletes per National championship.

The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said: “We are happy that North West was amongst the best-performing provinces. We have secured five gold, six silver, and fifteen bronze medals, which in total resulted in 26.

“We have sent 102 primary school athletes from across the province to participate in both track and field event season that includes short and long-distance races. This also includes javelin and high jump amongst others.  The athletes are the cohort that obtained position one and two at the provincial competitions, which were held at McArthur Field and Track Athletics Stadium in Potchefstroom earlier this month.”

Motsumi added that, normally, the first quarter of the year in the education sector is marked as athletics season. She said the elimination process for the best-performing athletes who represented the province at the national level started at school, cluster, sub-district, district, provincial, and to national levels.

“So, on behalf of the department, I wish to congratulate the entire team for representing our province with excellence. We are extremely proud as the province for the 26 medals won at the national championships.

“As the department, our responsibility is to expose talent, which our learners have from an early stage. We do not only prepare them for academic life, but those who have a talent in sport get a chance to express themselves,” said Motsumi.

She also took time to appreciate the efforts of the teachers and school enrichment officials, who started with this process from the school level until the national level. Motsumi said without their guidance and leadership, learners would not know the potential they possess.

“I want to emphasize that the province is on the right track regarding sports because the plan is to keep everyone active in schools. We are further looking forward to the High School Athletics Championship to be held in Germiston from 3–5 April 2023,” she said.

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Picture: The ANC Chief Whip in North West Provincial Legislature, Lazzy Mokgosi

By OBAKENG MAJE

The ANC Chief Whip in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Lazzy Mokgotsi described the fire that gutted one shop at Taung Mall on Tuesday evening as a major setback for the economy.

The residents who stay around the vicinity said, they were shocked to see a huge cloud of smoke coming out of the mall. Mokgosi calls on law enforcement agencies not to leave any stone unturned until those who might be responsible for this treacherous act are behind bars and held accountable.

“We describe the possible opportunistic targeting of an economic nodal point that provides jobs as well as serves communities within Taung as an unforgivable as well as atrocious act. We also urge communities to assist the police in their investigations.

“Those who are responsible should be held accountable for destruction of properties and possible job losses that might result from the burned businesses at the mall,” he said.

Mokgosi also commended the police for maintaining high visibility during Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) organised total shutdown protest and arrested 59 suspects. He alleged that, those who were arrested have been responsible for looting and other acts of lawlessness across the province that include the blockading of a goods train in Taung.  

“Those arrested must face the full wrath of the law if found guilty to serve as a deterrent as well as ensure the rule of the law is upheld and respected,” said Mokgosi.

The Eris Property Group, which Taung Mall falls under, confirmed that, indeed, the fire broke out at the centre. The Eris Property Group Manager, Carina Roux said, due to the swift and professional response of the local Taung Fire Emergency Brigade, police, and other stakeholders, the fire was contained to only one section of the building, which is OK Furnishers and Autozone.

“No persons were hurt or had to be treated for any injuries. There is no further information as to the cause of the fire, as the matter is currently being investigated.

“The owners and management of Taung Mall are working hand in hand with a professional team to ensure that the centre is safe to open for trade during the course of Wednesday,” she said.

Roux said the Taung Mall, its shareholders, retailers, and staff would like to thank the local Fire Emergency Brigade and the police for their amazing support and efficiency, in which they managed the scene on site.

She said, should members of the public have any further queries, should direct them to Carina Roux at (051) 406 8220.

Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “The cause of the fire is yet to be determined. Only one shop has been affected and an inquiry case has been opened.

“The police do not suspect any foul play at this stage and we will allow the investigation to unfold.”

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Ka BAKANG MOKOTO

Baagi ba ba farologaneng go ralala Taung, ba ikuela go Lefapha la Puso Selegae le Mantlo go ka netefatsa fa mantlo a di RDP a puwagantsweng fela a konosediwa. Seno se tla morago ga gore, bo rakonteraka ba ba neng ba thapilwe go ka aga matlo ao, ba a tlogele a sa fela.  

Bontsi jwa matlo ao, a bonwa kwa metseng e farologaneng jaaka Lokgabeng, Mokassa le Extension 6. Jaanong, mokhuduthamaga wa lefapha leno, Nono Maloyi, o kaile fa ba tlile go samagana le bo rakonteraka bao.

Go ya ka Maloyi, ba setse ba ntshitse bo rakonteraka ba ka nna 15 mo lenaneng la bone. Jaanong Maloyi are, bontsi bo sentse botlile go bona se ntswa e se robalelang ko ntle.  

“Re setse re bone tshedimosetso ya bo rakonteraka bao fa rene re tsenetse kopano ka Sontaga. Go ntsha bo rakonteraka bao ba ba tlogetseng matlo a sa fela, ke tshwetso e ene ya tsewa ke tonakgolo ya Bokone Bophirima, Bushy Maape ha a ne a buisana le baagi mo kgweding e e fetileng ka se se itsagaleng botokwa ka State of the Province Address (SOPA).

“Gape, tlhogo ya Lefapha leno, Kgomotso Matlhobo, one a bolotsa dipatlisiso morago ga gore bo rakonteraka bangwe ba tlhagise matshwenyego mabapi le dituelo tsa bone tse di tlang thari. Matlhobo o kaile fa go tla nkga go sa bola fa a ka fitlhela gore gonnile le tsamaiso e tshokameng mo lefapheng,” Maloyi wa tlhalosa.

Maloyi are, go ya ka molao, baneela ditirelo ba tshwanetse go ka duelwa mo matsatsing ale 30. O kaile gape fa go tlhoka go dirisa matlole kwa dimasepaleng ele tlhoba-boroko, mme o tlile go ka leka ka natla fa baagi ba bona thebolo ya ditirelo.

“Go utlwisa botlhoko go bona baagi ba sokola ka go bona ditirelo, e tswa madi ale gone. Rele lefapha, re batla go bona baagi ba nna le ditsela tse di siameng, mme ba bona metsi ga mmogo le motlakase ka nako. Masepala mongwe le mongwe o tshwanetse go ka dirisa matlole a a rebolelwang, mme go sa nneng jalo, tshega e ka fapoga mo e dulang teng.

“Gona le diporejeke tse ha e sale di tshimolotswe ka 2006, mme le go fitlha ga jaana ga se di konosediwe. Jaanong, re ikuela go baeteledipele go ka baya dikgatlhego tsa baagi kwa pele,” Maloyi wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, modula-setilo wa mokgatlho o emelang baagi wa Re Aga Taung Civic Oganisation, Disco Lebitse are: “Nna ke tla re ke dipitse ke di bona ka mebala, gonne re le baagi re latlhegetswe ke tshepo mo pusong e ya rona e.

“Rena le dingwaga di le 30 re ntse re tshepisiwa, mme go sa tle gore go diragale. Matlo a mantsi thata a tlogetsweng fela, mme seo se oketsa bosenyi gonne, dikgongwana tse tsa bosenyi di ikabela matlo ao ntle le molao,” Lebitse wa tlhalosa.

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