Picture: Prof Waldo Krugell/Supplied 

By BERTIE JACOBS

The first shots of the IRB Rugby World Cup have been fired in France, Titans have been sunk, changing rooms are rife with the walking wounded and rugby fever is at the pitch.

But, the impact of the Rugby World Cup far exceeds entertaining crowds with breath-taking tries and eliciting jeers from aggrieved crowds for off-the-ball scuffles. There are numerous economic factors that fluctuate with the fortunes of the respective teams.

“The economic aspects are, of course, diverse. It is a long tournament and analysts have already warned that it can have an influence on people’s productivity,” explains Prof Waldo Krugell, an economic expert at the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences of the North-West University (NWU).

“With South Africa’s matches being played on Sundays, a win or a loss can cause an absence from work on Monday. However, the beer industry is not sure if that will be the case. Consumers are struggling financially and load shedding means that taverns cannot always keep the beer cold. Where people are wary of crime, they may not leave the house to watch matches and this dampens spending,” says Krugell.

“Internationally, a lot of research has also been done on the influence of sports sentiment on the stock market. When a country’s team loses, investors are somewhat depressed, and the next day is often a bad one on the stock exchange. The research has found that this is the case for the FIFA World Cup as well as for international cricket and rugby matches. Other research, in turn, looked at what happens to the stock prices of the big sponsors. In the case of the PGA golf tour and American NASCAR Cup races, sponsors’ stocks do better for the duration of the competition,” Krugell explains.

He does, however, paint a pleasant picture for connoisseurs of certain bubbly beverages.

“Let us enjoy the rugby, and when you have a drink, make it a beer and do so responsibly. Our locally produced beers are a product with largely South African content, and their production process creates jobs and supports small farmers. With that, good luck to the Boks – I am sure that you will make us proud.”

*During the 2019 IRB Rugby World Cup in Japan, more than 857 million people tuned in to the tournament across the globe.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By OBAKENG MAJE

The four men who gang-raped a woman were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Hopetown Regional Court. The fifth one was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for attempted rape.  

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Sergio Kock said four men, Joseph Kasper (32), Pieter Visser(21), Elcardo Demas(22), and Kobus Daniels(32) took turns in raping and assaulting the victim (18).

“The victim managed to fight off the fifth accused, Elton Van Rooyen (30), who also assaulted and attempted to rape her. The incident took place at a house in Strydenburg on 27 November 2010, where the five accused were drinking with the victim.

“The victim escaped and alerted neighbours, who called the police. The men were arrested the following day and received bail eleven months later. The four men were sentenced for rape and one for attempted rape on 12 September 2023,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kock said the South African Police Services (SAPS) Management in Northern Cape lauded D/Sgt Recardo Kock and all other assisting members from the Hopetown Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences unit for their relentless efforts in the lengthy investigation that ensured no impunity is granted to perpetrators of this heinous crime.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: The bridge collapsed in Kraaipan during torrential rains/Google  

By OBAKENG MAJE

The residents of Kraaipan village, near Mahikeng, said they are happy to see progress in their request to have pedestrian/vehicular bridges in their area. Some of the bridges were destroyed by torrential rains in 2022.

One of the residents, Amogelang Metseyabangwe the collapsed bridges have affected their livelihoods.

“Our livelihoods continue to be affected due to the damaged bridges. We cannot have accessible roads as these bridges link the main road.

“It is difficult for ambulances and other mode of transport to travel to our area. Now, the rainy season is approaching and we are afraid that, there might be a repetition of last year’s turn of events,” he said.

However, Metseyabangwe said, they hope the oversight visit by the North West’s delegation of the permanent delegates to the NCOP will be fruitful.

The North West Provincial Department of Public Works and Roads received an allocation an amount of R130 million from the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure as funding for the Welisizwe Rural Bridges, which is aimed at refurbishing pedestrian/vehicular bridges in the communities.

Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality was prioritised due to floods in 2021/22 in the province. The department identified 35 pedestrian bridges and submitted them for refurbishment. Upon assessment by the South African National Defence Force and the Department of Public Works, only 12 pedestrian bridges were selected for construction in the current financial year.

Meanwhile, the Whip of the North West’s permanent delegates to the NCOP, Eric Landsman called on the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) to provide full support to the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality to ensure that, the district carries on with success with its building plans of pedestrian/vehicular bridges where they are required.

Landsman said the delegation received an update from the provincial department yesterday on the state of roads, refurbishment, and construction plans in place.

“The delegation heard that the process is underway to implement the refurbishment of the six bridges where the SANDF has established sites and has committed to develop an acceleration catch-up plan to deliver the six bridges identified before the end of this year’s second quarter.

“We appreciate the update, in particular the building of a bridge in the Kraaipan village as residents have been calling and waiting for such infrastructural development projects,” he said.

According to the North West Public Works and Roads, the material to build 6 bridges was delivered on 7 September 2023 for construction of the bridges – to create two vehicular bridges in Kraaipan village, two pedestrian bridges in Montshioastad, and one vehicular bridge in Masutlhe village.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By OBAKENG MAJE

Two former policemen were sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for corruption by the Upington Regional Court. In 2021 during lockdown, Sergeant Stanley Beukes (37) and Constable Thapelo Semamai (26) stopped a female pensioner driving around in the Upington area.

The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Cole Tebogo Thebe said Semaimai and Beukes demanded a COVID-19 travel permit, but the senior citizen did not have one.

“Then the officials demanded R200 gratification so that they could issue her with a permit. A payment of R200 was made as agreed and the complainant thereafter visited Upington Police Station to open a case of corruption.

“The Upington-based Hawk’s Serious Organised Crime Investigation team successfully investigated the matter resulting in the conviction of the accused. The employer, South African Police Services (SAPS) subjected both employees to an internal disciplinary process with the outcome being a dismissal,” Thebe said.

Meanwhile, the acting Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Brigadier Prince Mashimbye expressed his satisfaction with the conviction. Mashimbye said if they are to win this fight, they have to start cleaning their house first.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: Batlhaping High School in Taung  

By OBAKENG MAJE

Teaching and learning continue to decline at the icon Batlhaping High School in Taung. The acting principal, Patrick Meyer alleged that, teachers spend more time in the staff room neglecting the allocated lessons as per the school timetable in the process.

Meyer painted this grim picture during the oversight visit conducted by the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Education, Arts, Culture and Sport Development recently.

“I have been seconded to the school by the district office due to the declining performance of the school. The matric results have been dropping since 2020 and the school only managed to obtain a 74% pass rate for the 2022 academic year.

“Matric learners achieved a 52% pass rate in the second term of 2023. We are currently drafting a revision plan with the hope that it would help the matric class of 2023 and improve the pass rate to 80%,” he said.

Meyer further said the observation was made as early as Monday, which should be one of the contributing factors to poor matric results. He added that, another factor contributing to poor matric results is learners failing Setswana, which is their home language.

The former principal has been transferred to the district office and was expected to provide handover and financial reports to Meyer on 1 September 2023.

The Deputy Principal, Lebogang Gasealawe shared the same sentiments. Gasealwe said the school has gone through three principals since 2021, which in a way created an unstable environment.

“Unstable management is contributing to the poor performance of the school. Another challenge is the absenteeism of teachers, which also contributes to the poor performance of the school. The teaching lost time is not easily recovered, which disadvantages the learners,” he said.

 Meanwhile, the chairperson of the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Education, Arts, Culture and Sports Development, Paul Sebegoe said: “We conducted an oversight visit at Batlhaping Secondary School and the programme is aimed at strengthening oversight, public participation, accountability and transparency in government.

“During the oversight members of the Legislature interact with different Provincial Departments, Accounting Officers, and Members of the Municipal Public Accounts. We will engage the North West Department of Education and request them to appoint the principal permanently with the hope that this will strengthen the management of the school.”

Sebegoe further said, that the committee will also enquire about measures taken by the department with regard to teachers, who are always absent from school due to ill health or sick leave as these affect teaching and learning.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: International boxing referee, judge, and commissioner Sylvia Mokaila and African Child Boxing Promoter, Mahlatsi Sediane/Kabelo Selebogo

By KABELO SELEBOGO

North West Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation is working in collaboration with Boxing South Africa (BSA) and African Child Boxing Promotion in a quest to empower young female boxers.

The official launch was graced by Mahikeng’s very own and internationally renowned referee, Judge, and Commissioner, Sylvia Mokaila, African Child Boxing Promotion, Mahlatsi Sediane, BSA acting CEO, Ntsikayezwe Sithole, Head of Department, Itumeleng Mogorosi, the City of Matlosana mayor, James Tsolela and boxing fanatics amongst others.

The initiative under the theme: “The Rise of Women in Boxing” was launched in Klerksdorp on 8 September 2023. According to the Head of Department, Itumeleng Mogorosi, the initiative strives to elevate and empower women in the boxing space, which is mainly dominated by men.

“As the department, we have been supporting both amateur and professional boxing by backing up local tournaments and boosting participants competing nationwide. We have also contributed the necessary resources needed by boxers and coaches.

“Recently, we accompanied and covered logistics costs for two women, Bukiwe Nonina (Female Boxer of the Year) and Asanda Simelane (Female Prospect of the Year and Female Fight of the Year), who were nominated at the 2023 South African Boxing Awards held in Durban,” said Mogorosi.

He further said all-female international boxing tournament that promises to keep boxing enthusiasts off their seats is sponsored by the department.

The six-bouts tournament that is expected to keep spectators on the edge of their seats will stage at Matlosana Banquet Hall in Klerksdorp on 16 September 2023 in Klerksdorp at 6pm, with the North West Boxers, Sazisiwe Simons from Rustenburg, Asisipho Mhluzana from Klerksdorp taking on their counterparts from other provinces and African countries.

Sylvia Mokaila will serve as a commissioner. Entertainment activities will start at 4pm, as a build-up to the bouts and entrance is free.

African Child Promoter, Mahlatsi Sediane said that the tournament is set to encourage both women inside and outside the ring to be part of the boxing fraternity. Sediane added that they want to give women equal opportunities in the sport.  

Meanwhile, the BSA acting CEO, Ntsikayezwe Sithole said: “The concept forms part of Women in Boxing, which includes workshops and training to develop women ranging from boxers, ring announcers, referees, judges, coaches, managers, promoters and timekeepers.”

Former boxer and the City of Matlosana mayor, James Tsolela committed to setting aside a certain portion of funds from municipality sports grants to revive and develop boxing in the area.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By OBAKENG MAJE

An attorney was arrested for allegedly defrauding unsuspecting clients over R3 million. Barend Philippus Botha, who was a practicing attorney and the sole director of a law firm allegedly defrauded six clients between 2018 and 2019.

The North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said the reports suggest that, monies from three deceased estates and various home purchase transactions, were paid into the firm’s trust account.

“However, the victims never received their dues from the firm.  Following investigations by the Provincial Commercial Crime Investigation Unit in 2019, Botha was ultimately arrested on 11 September 2023. 

“He was struck off the roll as a practicing attorney by the South Gauteng High Court in Pretoria after he allegedly failed to account for the victims’ monies. He appeared at Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court and was granted a R15 000 bail,” he said.

Mokgwabone further said Botha’s case was transferred to Klerksdorp Regional Court and postponed to 30 October 2023.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomed the arrest and subsequent appearance of the accused in court. Kwena also commended the Provincial Commercial Crime Investigation Unit for working tirelessly to ensure that the accused is nailed.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Setshwantsho: Mayara wa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, Tumisang Gaoraelwe

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Baagi ba motse wa Ranstad ba ba neng ba hupile tedu, mme ba angwa fela ke tse ba ne ba di apere, ba beleseditse baeteledipele ba masepala o mogolwane o faraferweng ke mathata wa Taung.

Baeteledipele ba, ba ne ba tlile go neelana semmuso ka ntlo lehalahala go baagi morago ga gore e konosediwe. Tiragalo e, ke ya beke e e fetileng.  

Fela baagi ba, ba kaile fa ba sa itumedisiwe ke go bona mayara wa masepala, Tumisang Gaoraelwe ese karolo ya baeteledipele bao. Ba latofaditse Gaoraelwe yo go kailweng fa a sa kgona go nna karolo ya pulo semmuso ya ntlo lehalahala e, gonne one a ile Gauteng fa a ba nyatsa.

Mongwe wa baagi, Modiri Phatlhanyane are baeteledipele ba masepala ba na le mokgwa wa go tla go ba bolelela, mme ba dire dilo ntle le go utlwa maikutlo a bone pele.

“Jaanong, go tloga ga jaana, ba tshwanetse gore ba ithute go utlwa maikutlo a morafe pele ga ba ka dira se ba se batlang. Jaanong, ke fela gore kopano e, e fele gonne batho ba ba maleba ba ba neng ba tshwanetse go reetse dintlha tsa rona le matshwenyego jaaka baagi, ga ba kgona go tla mo go rona go tla go re sekegela tsebe.

“Se se diragalang ke gore, go tla be go tsamaiwa mo masigo go goeletswa ka segoa-goane, mme kena le bo nnete jwa gore taletso ga ya nna teng. Fa ene ele teng, ba bogosi jwa ga Mankuroane le bone e ka bo ele karolo ya pulo semmuso,” Phatlhanyane wa tlhalosa

Phatlhanyane o kaile fa seo se bontsha go tlhoka maikarabelo.

Kgabagare, mogakolodi kwa kantorong ya ga Gaoraelwe, Lekgotlha Menyatso are kgang ya baagi ya gore molaetsa ga wa fitlha ko go bone ga e tlhaloganyesege. Menyatso are, fela batla tsaya dintlha tseo tsotlhe, mme ba di neele Gaoraelwe go tla ka togamaano.

“E tla e sa tlhaloganyesege ha ba re pulo semmuso ya ntlo lehalahala mo motseng wa bone ga ya rulaganngwa sentle. Ga re itse gore ba raya jang, fela re a ba utlwa mme ga re ba tlhaloganye sentle. Dithulaganyo di dirilwe sentle, mme jaaka rona rele masepala o mogolwane wa selegae wa Taung, re masepala o reetsang batho le fa ba tlhagisa mabaka a bofitlha.

“Ke ka moo re dumalaneng ka bongwe jwa pelo, mme dintlha tsa bone re di kwale mo fatshe re ye go di neela mayara wa masepala. Re tla tla ka tlogamaano mo ntlhe e le go bona gore re tsaya selebego sefe,” Menyatso wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, Kgosi Othabile Phatlhanyane are: “Ga gona se ke tla se bua, gonne ke laleditswe go ka tsenela pulo semmuso ya ntlo lehalahala. Jaanong, nna ke boditse baagi fa ba amogetse taletso, mme bontsi jwa bone bo kaile fa ba sa lalediwe, ebile ba kaile fa ba se kitla ba tsenela pulo-semmuso eo.

“Se se tlhokegang ke gore, masepala le baagi ba dule mo fatshe go buisanela kgang e, le go tla ka tharabololo mo mathateng a.”

taungdailynews@gmail.com