Picture: SAFA beefs up its 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Bid Committee/SAFA 

By REGINALD KANYANE

In a quest to make a great impression and eventually win the bid to host the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, South African Football Association (SAFA), has beefed up its Bid Committee. SAFA CEO, Lydia Monyepao said, they have roped in the services of Tumi Dlamini, who will serve as the Chairperson of the country’s 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Bid Committee.

This comes after the SAFA National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Nasrec on 17 June 2023.

Monyepao said, Dlamini is a member of the SAFA Governance Committee and has served in several football committees, including the CAF Governance Committee and the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee. She added that, Dlamini also served on the Board of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Organising Committee (AFCON). 

“A lawyer by profession, Dlamini is an admitted Attorney of the High Court of South Africa with a multi-disciplinary background in Corporate Law, African Development, public policy, facilitating strategic African and global partnerships and corporate governance.

“She was the first black woman to be appointed a partner by an international law firm in South Africa. Dlamini is currently an Advisor to the African Peer Review Mechanism, an organ of the African Union (AU) where she leads and promotes corporate governance policies and initiatives on the African continent, and is also the Head of Global Relations and Partnerships,” she said.

Monyepao said, Dlamini has engaged with the private sector and governments at the highest level in several countries, including, Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Egypt, Liberia, Uganda, South Africa, Namibia, Morocco, Kenya, Ethiopia and several others. She said Dlamini is a strategic thinker, who has amassed knowledge of the political, economic and regulatory dynamics across key markets in Africa and globally.

“She currently serves on several boards, including JSE-listed companies. Dlamini holds a Masters in Public Administration and Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, a B Social Sciences Degree and a postgraduate degree in LLB from the University of Cape Town.

“We have also appointed a veteran administrator, Russell Paul as the Bid Lead of the Committee. Paul has a long history in football administration and was once a SAFA NEC member from the Western Cape. At SAFA, he worked as a manager for events before he was promoted to the position of general manager football business,” said Monyeopao.

She said Paul took over as SAFA Acting CEO in 2018 before resigning to take up the COO position at the Qatar FIFA World Cup last year. Monyeopao said upon returning home, SAFA identified him as the right person to spearhead the bid for the 2027 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

“CAF Vice President, Kanizat Ibrahim, FIFA Council member Isha Johansen and SAFA Vice President, Anastasia Tsichlas were announced as Bid Committee members. Former SAFA President, Dr Molefi Oliphant has also been announced as a member of the committee too.

“SAFA is in the process of finalising the addition of more members to the committee,” she said.

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Picture: The President of Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramphosa/Google  

By Cyril Ramaphosa

I have just returned from Ukraine and the Russian Federation as part of a delegation from seven African countries on a mission to promote a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

The mission comprised the presidents of Senegal, the Comoros, Zambia and South Africa, together with the Prime Minister of Egypt and envoys from the Republic of Congo and Uganda.

Last Friday we met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the capital Kyiv, and with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg on Saturday.

We presented a ten-point proposal that we as African leaders believe can contribute to various efforts that have been made by various parties to bring the conflict to an end.

Included in the proposal being put forward as part of the African Peace Initiative are calls for a de-escalation of fighting and for negotiations to commence with urgency; for the release of prisoners of war and return of children; for greater humanitarian support; and for reconstruction efforts to be prioritised.

We affirmed that the sovereignty of countries should be respected in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter. We highlighted the urgent need that the security of both nations should be guaranteed.

One of the key achievements of the Peace Mission was the positive reception we received from both sides, which we found encouraging and which provides cause for optimism that the proposals will be given consideration.

As African leaders, our primary concern is for the lives of the people directly affected by the conflict. We believe that everything should be done to end the fighting to prevent further loss of life, injury, displacement and destruction. As the international community we need to work together to prevent any further suffering.

There is a misconception that this conflict is far-removed from the realities of our own country. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is having a very real effect on African countries and economies.

We made the point to the Ukrainian and Russian Presidents that while we undertook this mission as members of the international community committed to peacebuilding, we as the African continent also have a material interest in seeing a resolution to the conflict.

Both Russia and Ukraine are major suppliers of grains and producers of fertiliser destined for African markets. According to the African Development Bank, the conflict has “triggered a shortage of about 30 million tonnes of grains on the African continent, along with a sharp increase in cost.” As a result of this conflict African countries are negatively affected by the rising costs of food and energy.

Supply chain disruptions have caused a shortage of farming inputs such as fertilisers threatening the food security of a number of African countries.

Another point of the peace proposal being put forward by African leaders is for the opening up of the movement of grains across the Black Sea for grains from Russia or Ukraine to reach world markets.

This initiative has been historic in that it is the first time African leaders have embarked on a peace mission beyond the shores of the continent. Although the delegation comprised countries that have taken diverse positions on the various UN resolutions on the conflict, the countries represented have all taken a non-aligned stance on this issue. This has lent credibility to the mission and engendered trust from both sides.

As South Africa we continue to maintain our position that this conflict should be settled through negotiation and by diplomatic means, in line with founding principles of the Non-Aligned Movement, and that it is in the collective interest of everyone that it come to an end soon.

The toll on human life, the extensive destruction and the ripple effect it has had on the global economy mean that no country has been shielded. The conflict has caused instability, precipitated a humanitarian crisis and sent shockwaves through vulnerable economies.

Just as we as African leaders visited Ukraine and Russia to explain the impact the conflict is having on our citizens, we also believe we can contribute to international efforts to bring about the conditions for a lasting peace.

Both Presidents Zelensky and Putin agreed to further engagements following this initial visit.

As engagements with both parties and African leaders continue, it is our hope that as the process moves forward, a foundation can be set for a de-escalation of the conflict and negotiation, the two crucial preconditions for a lasting peace.

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Picture: A man is been hijacked by a criminal/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

A man who was sitting with his girlfriend in a bakkie in Veertien village, near Taung was shot and hijacked. Thapelo Mokgosi (39) was allegedly accosted by two unknown men.  

The North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said the incident took place at around 8pm.

“The police are aware of the incident. The victim was with his girlfriend in the vehicle when two unknown men accosted him. The vehicle was hijacked after the owner was forced out at gunpoint.

“A case of attempted murder and hijacking is under investigation. The hijacked vehicle has not been recovered thus far and investigations continue,” she said.

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Picture: A Clear View fence stolen at Vryburg cemetery/Facebook  

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

No rest for the dead at Vryburg cemetery. This comes after the criminals stole a Clear View fence on Saturday night. Now, the Naledi Local Municipality has put forward a reward of R20 000 to anyone who could provide any information that could lead to the arrest of perpetrators.

The municipality representative, Babitsane Thebe said anyone found to be responsible for this act of vandalism of public infrastructure, will be liable for a minimum sentence of 20 years in terms of the relevant laws. Thebe said, the same applies to anyone found in possession of this stolen property.

“The reward of R20 000 is hereby given for information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of vandals, who destroyed and stole the Clear View fence at the cemetery. Anyone with information can please contact me on 083 333 4031,” he said.

Almost a year ago, the municipality allegedly spent millions of rands on cemeteries refurbishment projects.  

Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati cluster, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen said: “The police are aware of the matter and a criminal case has been opened.

“Yes, a case of theft was opened at Vryburg Police Station and is under investigation. No one has been arrested thus so.”

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Picture: The administration block at Boitsanape Technical High School engulfed by fire/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE  

Boitsanape Technical High School in Mahikeng was engulfed by fire on Saturday. This comes after an administration block burnt down to ashes. The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said it is unfortunate that a long weekend of Youth Month turned out to be like this.

“The cause of the fire is still unknown. It is reported that around 4pm in the afternoon, the principal was alerted by another teacher that the administration block was on fire. Upon his arrival at the school, the fire department was already at the school extinguishing the fire.

“The fire damaged two computers, five huge photocopying machines, textbooks, and office furniture. The fire damages are estimated to be several million. We are disappointed that the incident happened immediately after the Youth Day,” she said.

Motsumi further said her department wishes to express their extreme disappointment that, this unfortunate incident happens immediately after a historic day on June 16. She added that, this is a real drawback for the department, especially now during a critical period of the mid-year examination.

“We really do not expect such a horrible incident like this in our schools. Already, we are working on the list of schools that need our attention during this financial year.

“This one was never in our plans at all and we are confident that, the police will get to the bottom of what caused a fire. Grade 12 are expected to finish their mid-year examination on 21 June 2023,” said Motsumi.

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Picture: Two women killed in a veld in Manokwane village, Taung/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

The police in Taung request the community to come forth with information after the bodies of two elderly women were discovered in the early hours of Friday morning on 16 June 2023 in Manokwane village, near Taung.

It is alleged that, Mmapulana Pauline Mmusi and Merriam Kelebogile Mokgalagadi (70), left their homes in the afternoon on 15 June 2023 to fetch firewood in a nearby maize field. When they did not return home before dark, their families, friends and community members embarked on a search, which led to the gruesome discovery of their badly assaulted bodies.

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said both Mmusi and Mokgalagadi were found dead not far from each other in the nearby field. Myburgh further said they were both severely assaulted and sustained serious head injuries.

“They were both declared dead on the scene by Emergency Medical & Rescue Services (EMRS). The police are also investigating the possibility that the victims might have been raped. Anyone with information that can assist the police with the investigation is requested to call Warrant Officer Peace Babe on cell: 082 443 8680.

“Alternatively, one can contact the nearest police station or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can be communicated via the MySAPS App on your smartphone. Information received will be treated as confidential,” she said.

The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena condemned the atrocity and said that, the police will work around the clock to ensure that those who are responsible for this horrendous crime are brought to book.   

Meanwhile, the Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu calls upon South Africans to respect, protect and uphold the dignity, Integrity, and safety of older persons. Zulu said this in commemoration of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day which took place on 15 June 2023.

“We join the citizens of the world to commemorate World Elder Awareness Day under the theme: “Digital Equity for All Ages”, which seeks to prioritise the protection of the lives and the well-being of the country’s older persons. The day is about raising awareness about the need for access and meaningful participation in the digital space for senior citizens.

“Hence this day is focusing on ensuring that older persons are digitally empowered. South Africa has confirmed that it has an ageing population with estimates indicating that the proportion of older persons aged 60 years and older, has grown from 7,6% in 2002 to 9,1% in 2020,” she said.

Zulu further said it was projected that, by 2015, the proportion of older persons in South Africa will have increased to 9.5% of the population and that is 4.24 million older persons. She added that, in July 2020, about 5.43 million people in South Africa were aged 60 and above.

“Its commemoration, therefore provides an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic, and demographical processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.

“Older persons face various kinds of mistreatment and discrimination.  Elder abuse is a global public health, human rights, and criminal justice problem. It goes beyond, socioeconomic classes, regions, languages, and ethnicities, but remains an understudied and under-reported phenomenon,” said Zulu.

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Setshwantsho: Baagi ba motse wa Takaneng ba ga metsi kwa Sedibeng

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Tlhokego ya metsi kwa motseng wa Takaneng gaufi le Taung, e tsweletse go nna tlhoba boroko. Baagi ba kaile fa jaanong ba patelesega go ga metsi kwa sedibeng se se gaufi. Seno se tla morago ga gore pompo e kgale e neela baagi ka metsi, e robege.

Mongwe wa baagi, Kagiso Mopedi are, ba na le ngwaga ba ntse ba itemogela tlhokego ya metsi a phepha morago ga gore ditshipi tse di pompang metsi diwele mo madutelong.  

“Ke sebaka sa ngwaga jaanong, ebile re tsena mo ngwageng wa bobedi. Re ile ra itsise masepala ka tiragalo e, mme go bontsha fa o itshetse moriti o tsididi.

“Re le baagi, re ile ra patelesega go ka go ga metsi kwa sedibeng se se gaufi, mme ga re itse fa metsi ao a le phepha ebile a siametse go ka nowa ke batho. Re tshwenyegile thata gonne, gona le matlhoko a tsweletseng go ka bolaya batho jaaka Cholera,” Mapedi wa tlhalosa.   

Fela majoro mogolo wa masepala wa sedika kwa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Motseokae Maje, o kaile fa ba samagane le kgang eo. Maje are, ba buisane le setlamo se se rebolang metsi sa Magalies Water go ka ya go baakanya madutelo ao.

Maje gape o ganeditse dipego tsa gore baagi ba na le ngwaga ba itemogela mathata a.

“Kgang ya gore ke ngwaga baagi ba sa bone metsi a phepha ga nkitla ke epaka nkgonne. Fela, ke a itse gore gona le mathata a metsi kwa motseng wa Takaneng. Ke fetiseditse pegelo eo kwa setlamong se se rebolang metsi sa Magalies Water.

“Jaanong, nka netefatsa fa ba le mo letsholong la go bona rakonteraka yo o tla yang go ntsha ditshipi tse di wetseng mo madutelong ao, mme a neele baagi metsi,” Maje wa tlhalosa.  

Sebueledi sa Magalies Water, David Magae one a tshepisa lekwalo dikgang la Taung DailyNews gore o tla neelana ka dikarabo tsa gore ba tlile go ya go baakanya leng madutelo ao, fela le go fitlha ga jaana ga a ise a boele mo go rona. Magae one a ka ya fa se, se dirwa ke gore boitekanelo jwa gagwe ga bo phepha.

Kgabagare, fa a ne a neelana ka tekanyetso-kabo ya lefapha la gagwe mo malobeng, Tonakgolo ya Bokone Bophirima, Bushy Maape one a kaya fa go swabisa go bona batho ba tsweletse go ka bolaiwa ke bolwetsi jwa Cholera. Go ya ka dipego, ke batho ba feta 29 ba ba setseng ba bolailwe ke bolwetsi jwa Cholera kwa porofenseng ya Gauteng.

“Rona jaaka porofense, re setse re eme sejaro go ka samagana le go runya ga bolwetsi jwa Cholera. Badiri ba rona kwa Provincial Disaster Management Centre, ba tlile go romela badiri kwa mafelong a amilweng ke twatsi eno.   

“Mo maitekong a rona a go samagana le tlhokego ya metsi, re setse re tlhamile setlhopa se se batlisisang mafelo a ka tswang a amilwe ke tlhokego ya metsi. Mme mafelo ao ke Ditsobotla, Tswaing, Ramotshere-Moiloa, Naledi, Mamusa, Maquassi Hills le Matlosana,” Maape wa tlhalosa.

Maape are ba tlile go tlhoma letsema le le bidiwang, Bulela Metsi mo mafelong ao.

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Setshwantsho: Baithuti ba sekolo potlana sa Sediba-Thuto ba amogela ditlhako tsa sekolo  

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Baithuti ba le 150 go tswa kwa dikolong-potlana dile tharo kwa motseng wa Magogong le Maphoitsile, gaufi le Taung, ba abetswe ditlhako tsa sekolo ke majoro-mogolo wa masepala wa sedika wa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Motseokae Maje. 

Go ya ka Maje, letsema leno le rotlweditswe ke seemo se bana bale bantsi ba ba tswang kwa malapeng a sa itsholelang ba iphitlhelang ba le mo go one. Are, bana ba le bantsi, ba nna le dikgwetlho, segolo thata jang mo setlheng seno sa mariga. 

Maje o kaile fa ngwana ele sejo a tlhakanelwa, mme ba ile ba kopa dikolo go ka neelana ka maina a baithuti bao.

“Fela jaaka kele motho o o tswang kwa seemong se se reketlang, ke ile ka bona gole mosola gore ke neelane ka ditlhako tse go baithuti gonne, ngwana ke sejo wa tlhakanelo. Jaanong, gona le bana ba ba tswang kwa malapeng a reketlang, mme seo se dira gore ba iphitlhele ba sena diaparo ga mmogo le ditlhako tse di maleba thata jang mo setlheng se sa mariga.

“Ra itse gore seemo se sentseng jalo, se kgona go dira gore baithuti ba le ba ntsi ba se fetse sekolong ka ntlheng ya dikgwetlho tse di tshwanang le tse. Jaanong, jaaka rele ba masepala wa sedika, re bone go le botlhokwa gore re neelane ka bonyinyane jo re tla bo kgonang go ka thusa,” Maje wa tlhalosa.

Maje are, seo se tla tlisa go itshepa magareng ga baithuti ba, le go dira gore e nne batho setshabeng. Go ya ka Maje, maemo a masepala a ledi a ba kgontshitse go tlhopa dikolo dile tharo fela. 

“Dikolo tse di unngwetsweng mo letsemeng le, ke sekolo-potlana sa Sediba-Thuto, Olebile le sa Maphoitsile. Re ile ra ikuela gore re batlelwe bana bale masome a le tlhano mo sekolong sengwe le sengwe. Jaanong, re neelane ka ditlhako dile 150 mo dikolong tseo tsotlhe.

“Re dirisitse ledi le le beetsweng thoko go tswa kwa masepaleng, mme ele tekanyetso-kabo ya kantoro ya ga majoro mogolo. O tla gopola gore ga se ditlhako fela tse re abelaneng ka tsone go baithuti. Rena le bana bale masome ale tlhano ba ba ikwadisitseng kwa ditheong tse dikgolwane go ralala naga,” Maje watlhalosa.

Kgabagare, Mogokgo wa nama o tshwere kwa sekolo-potlana sa Sediba-Thuto, Obakeng Pico are, ba itumeletse tshegetso e go tswa go masepala wa sedika. Pico okaile gape fa tirisano magareng ga baithuti, batsadi ga mmogo le sekolo ele e e namatshang.

“Re le sekolo, re bona tirisano mmogo e ntle thata go tswa mo batsading. Ebile ga se re itemogele bosula bope fela. Ga ra itemogela kwelo-tlase ya dipalopalo tsa baithuti mo ngwageng o, mme ke itumelela tshegetso eo go tswa kwa batsading.

“Gape, re itumelela neelano ya ditlhako go tswa kwa go majoro-khuduthamaga wa masepala wa rona wa sedika sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Motseokae Maje. Seo, se tlile go rotlwetsa bana gore batle sekolong ka matsatsi otlhe,” Pico wa tlhalosa.

Pico o kaile gape fa seo, se tlile go dira gore go sa tle sekolong ga baithuti go ye wele tlase. Pico are, jaanong bana ga ba kitla ba tla sekolong ka ditlhako tse di makgasa, gonne seo se ama go itshepa ga bone.

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Picture: The police tape in the veld/Generic 

By OBAKENG MAJE

Two elderly women aged 80 and 59 were found murdered in the veld, near a maize field in Manokwane village, Taung on Friday. It is alleged that, on Thursday, two women went to the veld to fetch the firewood, but failed to return home in the evening.

The community members embarked on a search and discovered their lifeless bodies that were badly assaulted at around 1:30am in the early hours of the morning on Friday.

There is a suspicion that the deceased persons might have also been raped before they were killed. However, the North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said they cannot rule that out, but that can only be determined during the autopsy process.

“The deceased persons were found at around 1:30am by somebody and the police were called. At this stage, the cause of death will only be determined by the post-mortem. We cannot confirm if the deceased persons were raped or not because that could only be determined by post-mortem too,” said Myburgh.

Meanwhile, on 15 June 2023, South Africa was part of the global community in celebrating World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

The ww.gov.za website said: “Elder abuse can be defined as a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person.

“Elder abuse can take various forms such as physical, psychological or emotional, sexual and financial abuse. It can also be the result of intentional or unintentional neglect.”

The website continues by saying that, in many parts of the world, elder abuse occurs with little recognition or response. It says, until recently, this serious social problem was hidden from the public view and considered mostly a private matter.

“Even today, elder abuse continues to be a taboo, mostly underestimated and ignored by societies across the world. Evidence is accumulating, however, to indicate that elder abuse is an important public health and societal problem.”

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