Picture: EFF ward councillor, the late Tsietsi Mohulatsi/Google
By OBAKENG MAJE
A man from Lesotho has been arrested in connection with the alleged murder of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) ward councillor, Tsietsi Mohulatsi. The Lesotho national, Makintane Kabelo Machete (29) was arrested by the Bojanala Trio Task Team at Bekkersdal in Gauteng Province on 26 June 2023, following an intensive investigation.
North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said the preliminary investigation revealed that Mohulatsi was robbed during the incident and his bank card was used to buy clothes at shops in Rustenburg and Pretoria. Mokgwabone further said, as a result, Machete is also facing additional charges of kidnapping, robbery, fraud and contravention of Section 49 (1)(a) of the Immigration Act 2002, (Act No. 13 of 2002).
“At the time of the incident, Mohulatsi was a ward councillor in the Rustenburg Local Municipality. The victim’s lifeless body was found inside his white Nissan Navara bakkie at Freedom Park Informal Settlement between Extension 4 and 5, outside Phokeng Township in the early hours of Tuesday morning, 4 October 2022.
“The victim’s body was spotted by passers-by, who reported the incident to the police. Machete briefly appeared at the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court in Tlhabane on 28 June 2023. He will remain in custody and his case postponed until 24 August 2023,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the arrest of Machete. Kwena applauded the police for following all the leads and worked tirelessly to ensure that the alleged perpetrator is brought to book to face the full might of the law.
Khanya Tsebo Nobubele Matamela, who is a talented artist, actress, influencer and model said, she will continue to work hard until she finds her niche within the music industry. Matamela (27), who is affectionately known as Tsebo Sings, said she writes music to uplift, inspire and encourage people.
“I would like to be remembered as a person who used music to uplift and touch lives. I am currently working on a new album that will be released within a year. I became interested in music when I was still at pre-school at Mmabana Early Learning Centre.
“My talent as a singer started when I was doing Grade 2 at Voorpoed Primary School in Hartswater, where I entered Valentine’s Singing competition and won a prize. From there, I never looked back and my talent was nurtured by my choir teacher,” she said.
Tsebo Sings further said she continued with her music career at high school, where she even formed an Accapella group that always performed at the District Academic Function with the support of the Hoerskool Vryburg principal, Barry Fuleni. She added that she started to write songs based on her daily challenges and experiences with the thoughts of ‘healing and inspiring’ others through her angelic voice.
“I was part of the Amadlozi Cast (acting) under Bloodline Records, where I worked with incredible actors such as Mohale Motaung, Dineo Moloisane, Jerry Phele, Ntando Duma, and Eric Nkovane. I recently performed at the Mayoral Excellent Awards, Bereka Mosadi seminar, Daylight Delight, Lioness in Heels, and many more.
“I am also delighted after being chosen as the assistant of entertainment and talent of the Taung Community. My music infuses smooth Afro-pop, RNB, Amapiano, House vocals, and sweet gospel melodies into any contemporary genre. I work with incredible (Ascendancy Live Band) as they perform at various events such as weddings, parties, corporate functions, etc,” said Tsebo Sings.
She was born and bred in Matolong village, near Taung, and represents the province like the likes of Cassper Nyovest, Fifi Cooper, Boity Thulo, and many more. Her role models are the likes of Kelly Khumalo, Bucie, Shasha, etc.
“Following the lead of such vocal trailblazers, I have always been pushing my music career with the support of my mother, Nomvuyo Matamela, and the rest of the family, followers, and supporters. Even though there are some challenges within the industry, we continue to soldier on.
“The biggest challenge is finding people that I can work with, without taking advantage of me. For example, there is a man from Taung who is also in the music industry. He has taken advantage of me numerous times by using me for his own benefit. So, I would like to warn the aspiring artists to be wary of unscrupulous individuals around them,” she said.
Tsebo has released two songs named Siyathandana ft Snaka and Hang In There by Snaka ft Tsebo Sings. She has also been featured in a music video of the Gospel artist, Nyakallo Bangiwe.
“I also want to start music workshops, where we will be teaching upcoming artists about the business side of the music industry. My advice to them is to equip themselves with academic qualifications too.
“I have a Computer Literacy and Office Administration certificate. I am currently a final year student of BEd in Foundation Phase Teaching. I have also completed my TEFL course, where I can teach or tutor English as a foreign language course in other countries,” said Tsebo Sings.
For bookings, you can contact Tsebo Sings by E-mail: tsebomatamela@gmail.com Call or WhatsApp on 0814096414
Picture: The chairperson of the Provincial Community Policing Board (PCPB), the late Dixson Ngamlane/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Heartfelt condolence messages continue to pour in after the passing on of Dixson Ngamlane and his wife, Thozama. The couple perished on Monday evening, 26 June 2023, during a car accident in Fochville, Gauteng Province.
The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said at the time of Ngamlane’s death, he was an active member and chairperson of the Provincial Community Policing Board (PCPB).
“He assumed the position in 2016 and prior to that, Ngamlane served as the chairperson at Mahikeng Police Station, where he actively participated in community policing activities. Due to his commitment and will to serve the community, he was elected chairperson of the Mahikeng Cluster Board in 2000.
“The South African Police Services (SAPS) employees and community members will dearly miss this dedicated community builder, who never hesitated to work together with the police and the public alike in the fight against crime,” Mokgwabone said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena conveyed his sincere condolences to the Ngamlane family, relatives, friends and all SAPS employees and Community Police Forum (CPF) members in the province following the sudden death of Dixson Ngamlane and his wife.
“Our hearts and thoughts are with the Ngamlane family, as we fondly remember him. We are indeed grateful for all that he did for the service and the community,” Kwena said.
Five crafters from the province took part in this year’s Decorex Cape Town to showcase their handmade crafts and explore the international market from 22 to 26 June hosted at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
A Re Bopeng Ceramics, Ba Devine, Ketso’Koi Creations, Take No Time Upholstery and Hearfelt participated at the show with support from the North West Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation after being nominated by the Bokone Bophirima Craft and Design Institute (BBCDI) in collaboration with the Department of Small Business Development.
Decorex is a leading design and décor exhibition, which has been in existence for 29 years. The show accords young and old crafters from all spheres of life an opportunity to exhibit their products. It also provides the amateurs in the industry to test the market for the viability of their crafts.
BBCDI Programme Manager for Market Access, Ephraim Dikobe said, through their programmes, which include product development, enterprise development as well as market access, they are able to reach out to as many crafters as possible in the province. Dikobe further said, as the institute, they still need to cover a vast majority particularly who are unable to access information on how to penetrate the market with their crafts.
“Decorex was not the only platform that crafters were afforded an opportunity to showcase their products. South African Retail Chemist Druggists Association (SARCDA) Christmas show, Aardklop and other international shows are some of the shows, where market access remains one key factor for the exhibitors.
“As the institution, our partnership with key stakeholders such as the Department of Small Business Development, Department of Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation and the Department of Economic Development in the province, would enable the organisation to achieve the intended purpose of ensuring that we cater for our target audience broadly,” he said.
Dikobe added: “We hope to increase the number of participants at such shows to enable them to gain as much knowledge and understanding as possible, but that is dependent on the work they produce to be able to compete with their counterparts in the industry.”
A crafter, Koketso Sedumedi of Ketso‘Koi Creations from Masutlhe village, outside Mahikeng said, it was her first time at Decorex and though the sales were not impressive, she was grateful for the opportunity. Sedumedi said after engaging and sharing information with some of the crafters at the show, she sees herself in a better position as there is a lot of potential for her products.
“We specialise in calabash making using dried peels. I am now going to focus on developing more products as we have more orders to follow up on from the show. My wish is for the department to assist us grow our business even bigger as there is a need for sustainability.
“The relations we have made will go a long way to assist us to remain in the business for generations to come. I definitely see potential in my product and that motivates me to do more. Collaboration with other prominent crafters is one factor that I would consider,” she said.
Sharlene Mphuloane of Heartfelt, who hails from Moretele village in Bojanala District said she was excited that she was able to make more sales compared to last year’s show. Sharlene said she even got an order of supplying one client with 250 Giraffe key rings.
“I am looking at collaborating with one company, which produces children’s toys and I am hopeful that the partnership would help a great deal. The platforms such as the one provided by SARCDA have opened our minds, in terms of what products to produce and for which market.
“I am thankful for the opportunity now that our product has hit the market. The response we received was overwhelming. My wish is to be afforded an opportunity to gain access into the international market and interact with international producers and suppliers with the know-how,” said Mphuloane.
Picture: The residents at Blydeville worried about poor service delivery in their area/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi said they will upgrade the YizoYizo Informal Settlement in Rustenburg. Maloyi had a consultative engagement with the residents of Yizo Yizo Informal Settlements at Tlhabane Stadium (Open Space Parking) on 27 June 2023 to map the way forward.
“It is estimated that there might be over a thousand families living in the informal settlement that is located next to the industrial area in Tlhabane Township. The informal settlement was established more than 20 years ago. The department previously relocated over 600 residents to Seralemeng. However, a number of families continued to settle in Yizo Yizo.
“The department is going to resolve the Yizo Yizo situation with the necessary speed it requires due to the living conditions in the area. It’s been years since the people of Yizo Yizo have been living in such dire situations. I will personally monitor progress in the upgrading of this informal settlement,” he said.
Maloyi further said they need to build houses as soon as possible and restore the dignity of these residents because it is a constitutional mandate. He added that the North West Public Works and Roads and Rustenburg Local Municipality have availed land for human settlements development.
“The process must start immediately and young people should be employed to assist with verification of households and beneficiary administration. It is hogwash and absurd that intervention at Yizo Yizo is motivated by electioneering.
“I have been in government not more than a year and part of my key priorities when he assumed duty as the MEC was to ensure that services are delivered in local government. We have also prioritised the unblocking of blocked projects and ensuring that, legible beneficiaries receive habitable homes and the creation of sustainable Human Settlements in the province,” said Maloyi.
One of the residents, Anna Ditsebe said: “As residents, we have been asking the municipality to intervene and remedy the living conditions in the informal settlement, but to no fruition. So, today’s message was music to our ears and we are more hopeful now that the government is here.
“We will see much improvement in the areas and services will be rendered. We have been staying here for more than 20 years and we are optimistic that we will finally get houses and basic services rendered. It’s been a serious struggle, but now we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
A fraud and corruption case against a man (47) was postponed by the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court to 6 July 2023 for a formal bail application. Labius Metlhabe was arrested for corruption, fraud and impersonating a police officer.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said Metlhabe was arrested in Boitekong Township, near Rustenburg on 23 June 2023 after he allegedly pretended to be an Investigating Officer of a theft case that was opened in September 2022.
According to Mamothame, Metlhabe allegedly called and demanded R3000 from the man, who was implicated in the matter on condition that he (the suspect) ensures that the docket disappears.
“After reporting the matter to the Provincial Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit (ACIU), the suspect was arrested during an undercover operation. A preliminary investigation into the matter revealed that, the suspect is not a police officer. The police are undertaking a verification process for the state to prepare for the bail hearing. Meanwhile, Metlhabe will remain in police custody until his next court appearance,” he said
Picture: The deputy minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and People with Disability, Nokuzola Tolashe along with delegates
By OBAKENG MAJE
Some of Small Micro-Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) owners urge the government, through District Development Model (DDM), to accelerate the provision of service delivery and implementation of developmental projects. One of the SMMEs owners, George Tong said in order for the model to be effective and perform optimally, opportunities should be created.
“We understand that, the objectives of this initiative is to address treble challenges such as poverty, unemployment and inequality in particular amongst women, youth and people living with disabilities. We do have a cooperative that specialises on bakery, farming and road maintenance.
“So, we urge the government to assist us with funding. We understand that, the government cannot assist us from word go with all these projects, but we will welcome any budget based on the needs and aspirations of our people and communities at a local level,” Tong said.
He further said, they will also be grateful if they can be capacitated with the necessary skills and provision of land amounting to at least 10 hectares. Tong added that, their projects aim at creating opportunities for the youth residing in their area by utilising youth development programmes.
An entrepreneur, Tshepiso Jantjies from Jantjies Boerdery said, even though the model is a great initiative, there should be coherence between government departments. Jantjies said, most government departments operate in silos and that is a challenge.
“This can be catastrophic and lead to a lack of planning and implementation. It will impact negatively in monitoring and oversight, which will lead to a non-optimal delivery of services. The rolling out of a new integrated district-based approach in addressing socio-economic challenges should also cater.
“As we speak, we have a high rate of unemployment and the most affected are the youth. We have young people who are indulging in drugs who are dawdling at Taung taxi rank daily. Usually, I call those boys and hired them because they do have good hands to work with. So, I think the government should not overlook them,” he said.
Jantjies said they need to give these boys hope and accommodate them. He said the government has the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)program, where some of these boys can be developed.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and People with Disability, Nokuzola Tolashe said: “We visited the area to address key issues that were raised during our previous engagement. This will assist us to understand the differential circumstances in society and also to ensure that the socio-economic empowerment and rights of women, youth and persons with disabilities are mainstreamed across all sectors of society within the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.
“Furthermore, to advocate empowerment and gender equality for women, youth and persons with disability through capacity building and skills development programmes for them to participate meaningfully in all areas of the economy and the workplace in the district.”
Tolashe said that, president Cyril Ramaphosa has given emphasis to the DDM as a unique form of social compacting that involves all key players in every district and metro space to unlock development and economic opportunities. She said this initiative builds the capacity of the state, where it has been most broken.
The Guardian 