Picture: Sisonke Netball team player, Onkarabetse Veronica Tlhareseng

By OBAKENG MAJE

Only a day left before the Netball South Africa team kick-start its much-anticipated Netball World Cup opening match against Wales in Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). Now, netball player, Onkarabetse Veronica Tlhareseng from Mokgareng village, near Taung said, she will be delving into the Spar Proteas.

Tlhareseng (23) said she is very passionate about netball and would like to see herself representing the country in the future. She further said, her passion for netball started when she was only 10. Even though Tlhareseng does not know what prompted her to become a netball player, she went on to become a household name, especially around Taung.

“I started playing netball, while I was in primary school. I only saw people playing netball and decided to join. Since then, I never looked back. After finishing my matric, I went to Ranfontein in Gauteng and joined a netball team there called, Letleo Club MEC.

“I started going for trials and funny enough, I was always selected. At some point, I wanted to quit, but my coach was so persistent because she could see my potential. Our team once qualified for regional games in Pretoria back in the years,” she said.

 Last year, Tlhareseng decided to go back to Taung and joined Sisonke Netball Club. Two months ago, she won the Netball Player of the Tournament during the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) Mayoral Cup Tournament held at Taung Agricultural College.

“The only thing that I know is that, the minute I enter the netball quad, I play my heart out. So, winning the Netball Player of the Tournament was great and that shows that I am dedicated to the game.

“Truly, I was not expecting it because we played against the best players. However, coming on top really shows that discipline, dedication and determination pay dividends. If I can put my focus on netball, I think I can do better than this and go far,” she said.

Tlhareseng said, she would like to further her studies and do a Management Assistant course. She added that, education increases one’s knowledge and gives the edge over other things, especially in business.

“I really do not want to talk about my upbringing, but it was difficult growing up. Truly, what kept me going was the struggles that I was subjected to, but I told myself to never give up. I was raised by a single parent after my father passed away,” she concluded.

Meanwhile, the Netball South Africa president, Cecilia Molokwane said: “Our players are ready for the tournament. As a federation, we have given our team unwavering support and I call on our supporters to rally behind our team. Remember, it will be for the first time in sixty years that, a Netball World Cup is hosted on African soil.

“Therefore, the stake is too high because we cannot afford to lose in our own backyard. They say, if you want something done, send a woman. So, it is our time to show the world what we can do. So, we have full confidence in our team and this is their chance to write their names in the history books.”

The players selected to represent South Africa during the 2023 Netball World Cup are:

Bongiwe Msomi (capt); Karla Pretorius (VC); Khanyisa Chawane; Izette Griesel; Phumza Maweni; Lenize Potgieter; Nicola Smith; Jeante Strydom; Nichole Taljaard; Elmere van der Berg; Shadine van der Merwe, Ine-Mari Venter

Reserves: Owethu Ngubane; Refiloe Nketsa and Lefebre Rademan

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Picture: The missing Richard “Majaivana” Oranotse Mokale/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Roodepan police are appealing to the public to assist in locating missing Richard “Majaivana” Oranotse Mokale (51), who resides at Bobo se plaas Informal Settlement in Lerato Park, near Roodepan. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said, Mokale was last seen on 30 March 2023 by his sister, going to a tuckshop to buy biscuits.

“He is mentally challenged and likes walking from home to different drinking establishments, listening to music and dancing. Anyone who might have information about the whereabouts of Mokale, can contact Detective Warrant Officer Christo Vermeulen at 083 500 7731 or 08600 10111 or either sms anonymously to 32211 or use the MySAPS app.

“All information received with be treated confidentially. The public is reminded that, there is no waiting period to report a person missing.”

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Picture: An aeromedical service helicopter/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the North West calls on the North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha to re-introduce aeromedical transport services. The DA spokesperson on health and Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL), Gavin Edwards said, Sambatha should request an adjustment to the department’s budget to accommodate the aeromedical transport services.

“North West is largely a rural province with extremely long distances between medical facilities. All specialised medical care is only provided at hospitals in Klerksdorp, Rustenburg, Potchefstroom and Brits, which means that patients with serious and emergency life-threatening medical conditions need to be transported by road to these facilities for treatment.

“Aeromedical services were delivered under the illegal Buthelezi EMS, which came to an end in 2019, with a financial cost of R37 million. The contract with Buthelezi EMS is subject to a Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and a Hawks investigation, which has yet to yield any positive results. Not a single person has been arrested and none of the wasted taxpayer funds have been recovered,” Edwards said.

He further said, in response to written DA questions, the “out of touch” North West Premier, Bushy Maape replied that, the services would only be introduced based on the availability of budget, as part of the 2020 Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Strategy. Edwards added that, this is a convenient cop-out because as the Executive, they decide how funding would be allocated in the budget and there is much to be said that in 2023, the provincial government is still working on an outdated EMS strategy from 2020.

“Maape is completely disconnected from the reality that patients in the province confront. Promises of better services, based on a three-year-old strategy, without details, timetables, or precise implementation strategies remain at the heart of an ineffective ANC-run government.

“The ANC-led North West stands in stark contrast with the DA-led Western Cape, which has functional and effective aeromedical and ambulance services and where we take pride in the exceptional medical care and quick turnaround times that contribute significantly to saving the lives of the citizens,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said: “Currently, the province does not have a dedicated aeromedical service. There is no contracted ambulance service provider for aeromedical services like Buthelezi EMS in 2019.

“The department is utilising an aeromedical service when the need arises. The majority of our patients are transported by road utilizing our own staff. To date, no expenditure has been incurred on aeromedical services.”

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Picture: The police continue to stamp their authority/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

A 21-YEAR-OLD man was arrested for allegedly being involved in a recent business robbery. The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said, this happened during a mass disruptive proceeding by the police on Tuesday.

Kock further said the disruptive actions were led by the Deputy Provincial Commissioner for Policing, Maj Gen Luntu Ngubulanga, Provincial Heads, station commanders from all 91 police stations in the province and supported by SAPS Public Order Policing unit, TRT, Air wing, SAPS provincial office members and traffic officials.

“The actions included mass foot patrols in the Greater Kimberley and Central Business District, Galeshewe, Roodepan, Kagisho at taxi ranks, malls and shopping centres. The stop and searches, random Vehicle Check Points(VCP), and raiding of drug houses and other hotspot areas were at the order of the day.

“The mass blue light patrols were also executed in Galeshewe, Roodepan, Kagisho and Kimberley residential areas, where hundreds of persons were also stopped and searched. The police confiscated a large amount of dangerous weapons,” he said.

Sergio added that, a baby brown firearm was confiscated. He said the police also raided second premises in Kagisho and arrested a man for being in possession of a 25kg bag of dagga, while another man was arrested at the Indian Centre Taxi rank in Kimberley with a substantial amount of dagga pokes and sachets.

“During VCPs in Galeshewe and Kimberley, the police searched 138 vehicles, and 380 persons and issued 21 traffic fines worth R17 500,” said Kock.

Meanwhile. Ngubelanga reiterated that pro-active crime prevention is key and disruptive actions such as these stamp down the authority of the state through high police visibility and assuring that our communities are and feel safe.

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Picture: Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, Tanzanian Forestry Research Institute (TAFORI) and the North West Province of South Africa delegation at the Dodoma Government Precincts in Tanzania/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Head of Department at North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), Thupi Mokhatla said their benchmarking excursion on beekeeping in Tanzania will be significant. This comes after delegations from the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) visited Tanzania.

Mokhatla said the 10 members’ delegation seeks to gather essential information that will assist them in making informed decisions on the development and growth of the North West Beekeeping industry.

“During this four-day visit to Dodoma and Tabora Region, the South African delegation will engage with the Tanzanian Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT), apiculture technical experts and visit numerous beekeeping groups including the Nsimbo Training Apiary Site, Nyandakame Bee Farm and Aghondi Bee Reserve.

“The aim is to explore various aspects including agricultural development, environmental management and economic development relating to the apiculture sector in Tanzania, as well as the country’s legislation on beekeeping and how it legally regulates the industry,” he said.

Mokhatla further said on the first day of the visit, they focused on analysing the Tanzanian country paper on beekeeping and visitations to various reserves in Manyoni District.         He added that, the DARD recognises the significance of this benchmarking exercise in informing the decision-making process regarding apiculture in the province.

“The insights gained from the visit to Tanzania will provide valuable information to assist the department in making knowledgeable and effective decisions that will ensure improved techniques in beekeeping. It will also assist us in identifying gaps within the South African industry and finding means to achieve maximum competitive advantages according to the World Beekeeping standards.

“The department remains committed to addressing the challenges faced by beekeepers in the province and enhancing effective beekeeping methods to accelerate the establishment of a regulated industry. The expedition comes after the African Regional Apimondia Symposium, which was held in Durban in March, where Apiculture best practices were shared by various countries across the world,” said Mokhatla.

He said Tanzania demonstrated leading and advanced beekeeping practices in forest reserves, bee reserves, game reserves, game-controlled areas, and public land. Mokhatla said the African country has successfully enhanced environmental conservation and sustained its socio-economic development with bees.

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Picture: Some of Chivas Crew members preparing soup for patients/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) called Chivas Crew in Taung, said it will continue with the ‘spirit of humanity’ throughout. This comes after the crew members donated soup to more than 100 outpatients at Taung District Hospital recently in honour of International Mandela Day.

The Chivas Crew coordinator, Bontle Keokame said it is truly a privilege to be able to help the community in need, through their own legacy and experience. Keokame said everything they did was to honour everything that the late Nelson Mandela stood for. She further said, as a group of youth from Chiefscourt village, near Taung, the spirit of humanity needs to confront treble challenges such as unemployment, inequality, and poverty that continue to mar the community.

“We provided soup cups to outpatients. As the organisation, we have noticed that patients come very early in the morning and most of them, come from far away and might have not eaten anything when they arrive. So, we saw it fit to atleast put something together to help them to keep warm.

“Most of them were happy to receive soup from the organisation. The main objective of this initiative is to assist and give back to our community during times of need. The group was established in September 2020 and we have 30 good-standing members,” said Keokame.

She further said they are looking forward to seeing more young people with the same vision joining them. Keokame added that, their initiatives are multi-faceted and in order to achieve their cause, more support will be needed.

“We know that Taung is predominantly rural and many people live beyond the poverty line. So, with the persistent poverty, high rate of unemployment, and other socio-economic challenges, it is going to be very hard for our people to make ends meet.

“So, let’s continue with the vision of Madiba and ensure the world becomes a better place. We need to take time and reflect on Mandela’s values and principles and make a positive impact in our own communities,” she said.

Meanwhile, The Nelson Mandela Foundation said, as part of its Nelson Mandela International Day initiative for 2023, it continues to support communities and action against poverty and inequality.

“The Nelson Mandela Foundation initiated a global commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day along with a network of global partners who planted trees, and resourcing home-based/community food gardens across the world. The global celebration followed the sun as it traversed the globe (East to West), with networks participating on 18 July 2023. For Mandela Day this year, under the theme: “Climate, Food and Solidarity”, our call to action are “It is in your hands.”

“The Nelson Mandela Foundation and its South African partners capacitated a community food garden in Diepsloot, a community north of Johannesburg. The Foundation recognises that urgent action must be taken to combat the climate crisis and thereby ensure continued food security.”

In making a positive contribution to climate justice and food security, the Nelson Mandela Foundation said it will continue to work with communities to plant trees, the majority of which are fruit trees, and to resource a number of community gardens across South Africa.

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Picture: The residents of Vaaltyn in Taung embarking on a peaceful march over inaccessible roads/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The residents of Vaaltyn in Taung said the overarching issue of inaccessible roads in their area impacts negatively their livelihoods. The residents embarked on a peaceful march and submitted their memorandum of demand to the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) and North West Department Public Works and Roads offices in Taung yesterday.

One of the residents, Keabetswe Modisaotsile said the impacts of undeveloped roads in Vaaltyn have a direct linkage to the dwindling economy in their area. Modisaotsile further said they have requested the government to improve the poor service delivery there are enduring, but nothing has happened.

“Our community is characterised by poor road conditions and we have been trying to bring this to the attention of the department without any success. We are faced with severe difficulties in transportation due to these inaccessible roads. The 15km road that is a linkage between our village and D205 from Reivilo is in bad condition.

“The lesser we speak about our internal roads, the better. So many accidents that have led to fatalities had happened on these roads. There is also no appropriate drainage system by the side of the road, which create water overflow, especially during the rainy season. We continue to experience drainage system that is clogged throughout the year and nothing is done about it,” she said.

Modisaotsile added that, school children are sometimes affected because their scholar transport could not drive on inaccessible roads. She said, even when they call ambulances during emergencies, there is a delay due to inaccessible roads.

“It’s been a while since were raised our concerns as residents to the local authorities like public works and municipality, however, no effort is being made by the municipality or department to improve the provision of services. The grading of gravel roads is needed, while we urge the department to pave our main road.

“It is so sad to see that, there is a lack of infrastructural development in our area because that alone has a negative impact on our livelihoods. We cannot continue to bear the brunt, while we are in 29 years of democracy. Essential services are needed in rural areas as well,” said Modisaotsile.

Meanwhile, the North West Public Works and Roads official, who received the memorandum has not responded to our calls. The department’s response will be incorporated into the article after receiving it.

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Picture: The inmates with correctional service officials/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) calls on the members of the public to refrain from wearing clothes that replicate the uniform of inmates and department officials. This comes after a TikTok video that went viral on social media platforms, depicting private citizens wearing replica uniforms of inmates and department officials.

“It is unlawful to dress in clothing that replicates the uniforms of inmates and department officials. The department has noted with great concern the proliferation of videos on TikTok and other social media sites by private citizens dressed in replica uniforms for inmates and officials.

“Be it for content generation or other meaning, it has been repeatedly clarified that such conduct is illegal and punishable in law. Section 124(a)(b) of the Correctional Services Act, Act 111 of 1998, is explicit on any unauthorised person who wears or uses (a) the departmental dress, distinctive badge, or insignia of the Department or of a custody official; or (b)the prescribed sentenced offender dress, or anything deceptively resembling them is guilty of an offense and liable on conviction to a fine or, in default of payment, to incarceration for a period not exceeding 18 months or to such incarceration without the option of a fine or both,” said department.

The department said it thus again cautioning those involved in such acts to immediately desist from it. In the same vein, the department said it is equally unlawful for inmates to have cell phones.

“The department is also aware of inmates utilising mobile phones, being active on social media, and there are ongoing efforts to deal with this scourge. Hence, inmates found in possession of cell phones are charged in terms of Section 23 (1) of the Correctional Services Act 111 of 1998,” the department said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A man was sentenced to 10 years for raping a boy. On 19 March 2020, a boy (17) was walking to Modderrivier when he was approached by Pedro Seekoei. The Northern Cape spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said, Seekoei walked with the victim to Modderrivier.

“At a field near Modderrivier, Seekoei then assaulted the victim until he fell to the ground. He undressed the victim and raped him. The victim informed his parents about what happened and a case was opened.

“The accused was arrested and abandoned his right to apply for bail. On 12 July 2023, the Kimberley Regional Court convicted and sentenced Seekoei to 10 years imprisonment. Seeikoei was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and instructed his name to be entered into the national register of sex offenders,” Shemane said.

The Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant Gen Koliswa Otola applauded the investigating officer, Detective Sgt Moreetsemang Sakia Mogakwe for his dedication and hard work that saw the accused being convicted and sentenced for rape.

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