Picture: The former Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Vaal University of Technology, late Pro Dan Kgwadi/Supplied  

By OBAKENG MAJE

The heartfelt condolence messages continue to pour in after the death of the former Vice-Chancellor of North West University (NWU), Professor Dan Kgwadi who died on Sunday night after a long illness. At the time of his passing, Kgwadi was the principal and Vice-Chancellor of the Vaal University of Technology (VUT).

The Chairperson of VUT Council, Prof Mandia Radebe said: “It is with sadness to announce the news of the passing of our Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Dan Kgwadi. According to the family, Kgwadi passed away last night due to illness.

“On behalf of the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), I wish to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt condolences to his family, relatives, friends, and colleagues.

“Liaising with the family, we will share further details on the memorial and funeral services when available.”

Meanwhile, the North West Premier, Bushy Maape described Kgwadi as a warrior who spear-headed the NWU through the challenges of transformation.

“Prior to this appointment, he served as the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the NWU from April 2014 to 31 January 2022. Kgwadi also served as the first Rector of the NWU (Mafikeng Campus). He started his term as a Campus Rector on 1 January 2005 to 31 March 2014.

“Kgwadi grew up in a very poor community, where there were no resources. But, he was one of the few black academics who defied the odds. He was passionate about physical science and mathematics from an early age. Kgwadi obtained various scholarships to pursue his postgraduate studies in the United States of America (USA),” Maape said.

He further said, Kgwadi led the university through a tumultuous period of transformation at institutions of higher learning in the country. Maape added that Kgwadi contributed to the sterling working relationship with the provincial executive, particularly in assisting the government to respond to various challenges through research in various fields, while he was at the helm of the NWU.

“We have a sound working relationship with the university and this is largely through his efforts. We will continue to work with the university to address the plight of students from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds.

“The provincial bursary scheme whose name change was recently held at Mahikeng Campus, continues to benefit students at this university. We will continue to work with the university to preserve and honour Kgwadi’s legacy,” he said.

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Picture: COSATU’s 2^nd deputy president, Duncan Lovuno delivering his keynote address at Colridge stadium in Vryburg  

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Congress of South African Trade Union (COSATU) said it will forge ahead in bringing unity amongst the working class. COSATU in North West, commemorated May Day at Colridge Stadium in Vryburg on Monday.

COSATU’s 2^nd deputy president, Duncan Lovuno who was the keynote speaker said, workers cannot afford to be divided when they are under siege. Lovuno further said the message during this year’s May Day is that they must cherish, defend and constantly invest in unity. 

“It is our key weapon as we wage the working class struggles. This May Day presents us with an opportunity to reflect and commit ourselves again to the ongoing fight against slave wages, retrenchments, and poor working conditions.

“This May Day is important for workers to celebrate the gains we have made since the dawn of democracy but at the same time reflect on the current challenges facing the workers and the working class of this country and the world.

We are dedicated to fostering a spirit of solidarity and cooperation amongst all unions, inside and outside of COSATU. We are pleased with the work being done by our affiliates to build unity on the ground across unions and across federations,” he said.

Lovuno further said, workers need to unite against rising extreme poverty, unprecedented levels of unemployment, deteriorating public services, and elite corruption. He added that, workers need to work together to deal with the rising cost of living and levels of indebtedness among them.

Video: @_cosatu 2nd Deputy president, Duncan Luvuno says the #May Day celebration is a coincident with @MYANC longest serving president, #ORTambo celebration. @Taung_DailyNews pic.twitter.com/WCbzr5XBTL

— Obakeng Ice-T Maje (@IceT_) May 1, 2023

“We are calling on all unions to cooperate and work together during this year’s round of wage negotiations to fight for decent wages for the workers.

Workers deserve decent wages that will keep up with inflation so that, they can afford to put food on the table and feed and clothe their families.

“Our priority should be a pushback against the electricity and petrol price increases. We need to unite to fight against the government’s formulaic persistence with neo-liberal macroeconomic fiscal and monetary policies that have left many living lives of brute survival,” said Lovuno.

He said this important worker’s day originates over 137 years ago in 1886 when workers stood up and demanded eight hours of work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.

The ANC provincial chairperson, Nono Maloyi said, they are celebrating Workers’ Day across the country because workers have fought for this right and deserve this. Maloyi said, there are a few challenges workers are confronted with at their respective workplaces, especially in terms of wages.

“So, we are not only celebrating but saluting them. You will remember the situation has improved since 1994. Now, workers are able to negotiate by sitting at a round table with employers. Another challenge is economic growth, COVID-19 pandemic-related challenges, and so on.

“However at times, we are able to meet demands made by workers. Sometimes the economy does not allow, but we have to work together all of us to ensure there is economic growth. We have a great relationship with our alliance partners and there will always be challenges,” he said.

Meanwhile, the South African Communist Party (SACP) provincial secretary, Madoda Sambatha shared the same sentiments. Sambatha said, the workers’ day is an International Day.

“Workers need to be united in the sector that they are working in irrespective of race and gender. At the centre of any success, there are workers and communities as beneficiaries. However, there is only 23% of workers who are organised and belong to unions.  

“Remember, the unity of the workers is the basis of the unity of the community. Unity among the working class was able to fight capitalism. The majority of unemployed are still black and mostly women and youth,” he said.

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Picture: The chairperson of North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Education, Arts, Culture and Sports Development, Paul Sebegoe

By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) is set to conduct public hearings on Copyright Amendment Bill 2017 and the Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill 2016.

On Tuesday, the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Education, Arts, Culture and Sports Development chairperson, Paul Sebegoe said, they will be conducting public hearings on Copyright Amendment Bill [B13 D-2017] and Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill [B 24D-2016] at Mmabana Lehurutshe near Zeerust, Jouberton Hall in Jouberton, Klerksdorp, Mmabana Taung in Taung and Rustenburg Recreation Centre in Cashan near Rustenburg at 10h00.

“The Copyright Amendment Bill [B13 D-2017] seeks to amend the Copyright Act, 1978, so as to define certain words and expressions to allow for further limitations and exceptions regarding the reproduction of copyright works to provide for the sharing of royalties in-copyright works.

“It also set to provide for the payment of royalties in respect of literary, musical, artistic and audiovisual works to provide for resale royalty rights, to provide for recording and reporting of certain acts, to provide for the accreditation of collecting societies and to provide for matters connected therewith,” Sebegoe said.

He further said, the Performers’ Protection Amendment Bill [B 24D-2016] aims to amend the Performers’ Protection Act, 1967, so as to insert, delete or substitute certain definitions to provide for performers’ economic rights. Sebegoe added that, it also aims to extend moral rights to performers in audio-visual fixations and to provide for the transfer of rights, where a performer consents to the fixation of a performance.

“It aims to provide for the protection of rights of producers of sound recordings, to broaden the restrictions on the use of performances, to extend the application of restrictions on the use of performances to audio-visual fixations, to provide for royalties or equitable remuneration to be payable when a performance is sold or rented out and to provide for matters connected therewith.

“The relevant stakeholders have been invited to attend the public hearing. The public hearings will be streamed live in the North West Provincial Legislature Facebook and other social media platforms such as YouTube Channel,” he said.

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Picture: Former Naledi Local Municipality employee, Clifford Seiso Shoarane/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

The former Naledi Local Municipality employee, Clifford Seiso Shoarane, who was found guilty of rape by the Vryburg Regional Court, is expected to be sentenced today. Shoarane, who was working as Assistant Manager in the security department at the municipality, raped a woman in Vryburg a few years ago.

It is alleged that the woman in question was a well-known prostitute in Vryburg. According to information, the woman was hitchhiking to go to Huhudi Township when she met Shoarane. Shoarane promised the woman to take her safely to Huhudi, but instead, he headed to a dilapidated building, where he raped her. 

After the ordeal, Shoarane dumped the woman in the streets and left. The woman went to the Vryburg Police Station where she opened a rape case against him.

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Picture: Some of the murder accused, Bakang Katong, Katlego Mosimegi, and Phenyo Katong/Facebook  

By OBAKENG MAJE

A murder case against an alleged drug lord and his co-accused is set to resume at Taung Regional Court today. Bakang Katong (32), Thabang Lenyai (23) and Katlego Mosimege (31), and Phenyo Katong (34) were arrested a year ago for allegedly killing Thabiso Mothibedi (35) after accusing him of stealing R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house in 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 Longaneng village in Taung, when the accused fetched and ferried 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 murder,” Tselanyane said.

On 1 May 2022, the community members were up in arms and torched three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family.

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