Picture: The panel during the interview process/Supplied  

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) at the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) said the embattled mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe should excuse himself from the process of appointing the municipal manager. This comes after they alleged that the whole process was flawed by him. 

According to EFF Whip, Amogelang Matuane, the Director of Corporate Services, Dikagisho Mokoma has allegedly formed part of the panel during the interview process, even though she was not eligible to do so. Matuane said the interview process took place at Taung Library yesterday.

“We wrote a letter to the municipal speaker, Grace Moipolai on 5 January 2023 reminding her about what the municipal council resolution was. There was a municipal special council virtual meeting to deal with this issue. During the meeting, the mayor presented the item and explained to the council the process, and also reminded the council that, it was indicated in the last statutory council meeting that, the manager responsible for recruitment in the municipality shall only go as secretariat and not as panel member.

“To highlight some issues, the council resolved to appoint a selection panel of five members as outlined in Regulator 12: Appointment of the selection panel for the Appointment of the Municipal Manager. On 14 June 2023, the council held another special council sitting at Depot Hall to deal again with the committee item,” she said.

Matuane further said that, in that meeting, the council approved the re-advertisement as part of the resolution and that, the mayor requested concurrence from the MEC, acting appointment of the accounting officer not for more than three months. She added that it means the council resolution 175/2022-2023 still stands as there were no changes or amendments made.

“The council also approved the process plan that guides the panel to ensure that, they are on the time frame in order to reach the deadline. There is a report that shows that, the shortlisting of the candidates has taken place on 8 August 2023.

“So, we making a plea to the mayor that he must ensure that all the panel members for the shortlisting process, were those who were appointed and approved by the council. If not, the process will be irregular and will lead to all applicants taking legal action against the municipality,” said Matuane. 

However, she said the procedure and process unfolded was not according to the council resolution.  According to Matuane, they requested Gaoraelwe to respect the council resolution. 

“We also demand that, he should be exempted from the process because he has prioritised his personal interest at the expense of the municipality. 

“The municipal manager position has been left vacant from 13 November 2022 until to date. The vacancy has been advertised three times already with the municipality expenses.

“We demand that the special council be convened in order to give the council a progress report,” she said.

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) councillor, Gaolatlhwe Tshipo shared the same sentiments and said, they are concerned about the ‘wasteful’ expenses the municipality continues to accumulate in its quest to appoint a new municipal manager.

In February 2023, the municipality commenced its shortlisting process that took place at Protea Hotel in Klerksdorp.

However, the process was futile and it was rescheduled. According to the information, the shortlisting process was supposed to take place at Taung Depot Hall some time ago, however, that process also hit a snag.

“As the ACDP, we feel that the whole flawed process amounts to wasteful expenditure. Remember, the overall advert cost roughly R300 000. Then, there are still claims for those who will come and form part of the panel for interviews.

“This was the third time the municipality advertised the position. So, that means, the municipality has spent almost R1 million just on adverts. This also creates anxiety because there is no stability. Remember, the municipal manager is the signatory of some other things as the accounting officer.”

Meanwhile, the municipal spokesperson, Ricky Oliphant failed to respond to our media inquiry. The response will be incorporated into the article when received.

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Picture: The former Hip Hop artist and socialite, Masego “Meezy” Sebigi/Facebook  

By OBAKENG MAJE

The police in Taung have launched a manhunt after a former Hip Hop artist and socialite, Masego “Meezy” Sebigi was assaulted by her alleged boyfriend. It is alleged that, Sebigi and her boyfriend were drinking together at The Meat Brothers Pub in Taung when the incident took place. 

One of our highly-placed sources, who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said: “According to information. Sebigi went to the bathroom and her boyfriend found her in the company of The Meat Brothers owner allegedly standing outside the toilets. The boyfriend allegedly poured the owner of The Meat Brothers with alcohol and the security removed him from the premises.

“Masego went back and had fun with her friends. Later on, she went outside and that is when all hell broke loose. Her boyfriend assaulted her in front of everyone and it was terrible because he even dragged her on the tar road.”

The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said: “We are investigating a GBH assault case and apparently, the suspect and the victim were drinking together at a local club when an argument ensued.

“The suspect assaulted the victim and the case was opened at Taung Police Station.  We are still searching for the suspect and the investigation into the matter continues.”

Meanwhile, Sebigi did not want to comment on the matter. However, she wrote on her Facebook page that, she would ensure that the suspect faces the might of the law.

“A case has been opened with the Taung Police Station. I got the J88 filled out by a doctor. Officers handling my case have made follow-ups and come to see me to get more information to help with the investigation. I gave them the name of a witness. I hope he does the right thing and doesn’t choose to cover or lie for his cousin.

“Thank you all so much for your kind words of support and comfort during this very difficult time. I want everyone to know that no matter who says or does what about this, I won’t stop fighting for the person who did this to me to PAY! I want him to go brag about how a “mperekileng se Rustenburg” ka teng to people like him in jail,” she said (sic).

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Picture: North West University’s Director of Food Security and Safety at the School for Microbiology in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Prof Olubukola Babalola/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West University’s Director of Food Security and Safety at the School for Microbiology in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Prof Olubukola Babalola said, the African continent is ravaged by a host of factors inhibiting food security and is trapped in what a recent report by the World Bank calls “the perfect storm”.

Babalola said its consequences are disastrous. She further said the COVID-19 pandemic was followed by the war in the Ukraine, which has led to severe food and fertilizer shortages.

“Now, Africa is in the midst of a tempest of increased debt and inflation, as well as the effects of climate change. The World Bank states that at least one in five Africans goes to bed hungry and that about 140 million people in Africa are in a food insecurity stranglehold.

“For us, these numbers are unacceptably high and among a host of other endeavours, are being addressed by the university’s niche area Food Security and Safety (FSS). Microbiology is one of the building blocks that is relevant to ensuring the safety, quality, and integrity of the food system,” said Babalola.

She added that FSS, helps to ensure the farm-to-fork passage of safe and secure food, as it is an essential way to prevent most human health challenges in recent times. Babalola said their research aims to propose safe and secure plant growth-promoting microorganisms as alternatives to using chemicals in agriculture.

“We also investigate the microorganisms causing plant diseases and sources of food contamination and we develop appropriate measures to control these. There is also an emphasis placed on investigating microorganisms that are tolerant to stresses caused by drought, as well as microorganisms that are disease-resistant.

“We look at plant cultivators that can be grown in adverse environmental conditions and investigate the sources of post-harvest and food spoilage including the shelf-life extension of food items to enhance preservation,” she said.

Babalola said what is especially important in an African context – and keeping in mind how climate change is severely affecting food security on the continent, is that, Food Security and Safety at the university also examines the contribution of agricultural systems. She said they do that from production, marketing, processing, and value-adding to technology and consumption – to household food security.

“Our research deals with both the technical and socio-economic dynamics of food security. It develops strategies for the sustainable improvement of rural households’ productive local crop and livestock systems, with the role of indigenous foods in household food security as a particular concern.

“The training of master’s-degree, doctoral and postdoctoral students is high on the entity’s priority list. These students conduct research in the sub-programs, namely Food production and availability, Food affordability and accessibility, Food safety, and, lastly, Climate change,” said Babalola.

She said the NWU is committed to helping achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), of which SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) is only one priority. Babalola said this entails ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, as well as promoting sustainable agriculture.

“The importance of this work cannot be underestimated, not only to the continent but to South Africa as well. Food insecurity is a global problem, despite commitments to ensure safe food production and poverty alleviation. Environmental organisations such as the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) say South Africa faces an impending food security crisis if there is no urgent action to correct unsustainable practices,” she said.

Babalola said the agricultural sector is in trouble as load-shedding costs farmers billions of rands to keep the supply chain afloat. She said this impacts negatively on South Africa’s state of food production by making food expensive and inaccessible to many and increasing the number of people and households experiencing food inadequacy and hunger.

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Picture: RSA President, Cyril Ramaphosa

By CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

Later this week, South Africa will mark Heritage Day, in which we celebrate the great diversity of culture, language and history in our country.

Like many South Africans, I am an avid viewer of the television series Shaka iLembe, which premiered locally in June. This spectacular and ambitious epic based on the history of King Shaka and the formation of the Zulu kingdom has become one of the most successful South African productions. It has supported skills development, job creation and localisation during six years of production.

Shaka iLembe forms part of a growing movement within the local creative industries to craft stories and histories about South Africa’s people from their perspective and through their eyes.

We have come a long way from the state broadcasting of the apartheid era, when the rich and cultural heritage of South Africa and lived realities of the South African people were marginalised.

Today, our storytellers, artists, filmmakers and other creative professionals are telling the stories of the South African people. These stories are cultural endowments for the benefit of future generations, and are integral to the ongoing task of forging national unity, inculcating national pride and promoting respect for diversity.

The success of Shaka iLembe and many other local productions should encourage creative professionals to apply their talents to the production of more such work. There are so many stories to be told, both of the past and the present.

One part of our country’s story that has not been fully told is our peaceful transition to democracy. It is a complex story with many different perspectives and competing narratives.

This past weekend, speaking at the funeral service for Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the founder of the Inkatha Freedom Party, I told mourners that the commitment of leaders like Prince Buthelezi and President Nelson Mandela to put aside their differences and work for peace was a legacy we must all strive to uphold and emulate.

One of the most remarkable aspects of South African society today is our common commitment to maintain peace amongst ourselves and our neighbours, and to preventing tribalism and ethnic chauvinism from sowing discord between us. Even when acts of racism occur, these provocations are rejected by South Africans, who won’t let them be used to exacerbate tensions in communities.

This eternal vigilance is born of bitter experience that has its roots in the political violence of the 1980s and early-1990s, and how South Africans worked together to overcome differences, pull our country back from the brink and achieve peace.

As we revel in our cultural pride and celebrate our roots with art, dance, cuisine and music, we must remember that the struggle for peace and reconciliation is a vital part of our heritage.

We remember that the children born into democracy are able to take pride in their heritage today because of the peaceful democratic transition, which produced a Constitution that guarantees rights and freedoms for all, including the right to express one’s language and culture.

Today our artists and cultural workers are able to exercise their right to freedom of expression in how they chronicle both the past and the present, and to do so without fear of censure, banning or imprisonment.

These are the fruits of freedom, but also the fruits of peace. With so many countries and societies around the world today beset by conflict, we are fortunate that the project of national reconciliation is ongoing and has not been abandoned.

I call on all our creative practitioners to play a more prominent role in nation-building through work that highlights the uplifting, inspiring and enduring aspects of our society and its history.

Contributing to maintaining peace and to advancing reconciliation is our collective responsibility as South Africans. It is the greatest gift we can bestow on the generations to come.

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Picture: The acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi/Facebook 

By OBAKENG MAJE

The quest to resuscitate the economy of North West is on course. This comes after more than R100 billion worth of investments was pledged by different local companies and firms as well as Multinational Corporations. The pledges follow a ‘business dinner’ held by the acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi at the Sun City Superbowl over the weekend.

Maloyi said the Members of the Executive Council, Executive Mayors, senior managers in government and State-Owned Enterprises were part of the initiative.

“The aim of the initiative was to expedite coordination of investments in the province. Its primary objective is to address high levels of unemployment in the province, which have surged to over 53%. Key to this investment drive is the establishment of mega and smart cities in the province, which will be coordinated by the North West Housing Corporation.

“They include Moretele Mega City, Matlosana Smart City, Marikana Smart City, Madibeng and Lanseria Smart City as well as Taung Mega City. We have declared that, the province is open for business. We have also implored investors to consider the province as their preferred investment destination,” he said.

Maloyi further said over and above investments in smart cities, there will be R20 billion worth of investment in accommodation facilities for students in Mahikeng, Rustenburg and Potchefstroom. He added that, a Chinese company has pledged to build a factory at Stilfontein to manufacture solar panels.

“This company has bought mining shafts in Stilfontein, but they are also investing in alternative energy. Their machinery has already arrived in the country. So, we are certain that this will bring much-needed socio-economic opportunities for our people and in particular the youth.

“Plans are already in motion to build a university, which will specialise in Mining Engineering. This university will be built in Rustenburg and it is a collaboration between the government and the North West University (NWU). This investment is part of the government’s future plans that are centred on mineral beneficiation,” said Maloyi.

He said other investment pledges were made including agro-processing, tourism, and infrastructure development.

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Go begwa fa moithuti kwa sekolong se segolwane sa Bore kwa Ganyesa, o tlhabilwe ke moithuti jaaka ene ka sengwe se se bogale mo legetleng. Go begwa fa go ile ga runya ntwa kwa sekolong mo letsatsing la Lamatlhatso fa baithuti ba ne ba tsenetse dithuto-tlaleletso.

Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi kwa Sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen, moithuti wa dingwaga dile 19 one a dutse mo phaphosi-borutelo fa a ne a kgorogelwa ke baithuti bangwe ba babedi.

“Go begwa fa baithuti ba babedi ba, ba dingwaga dile 17 le 21, ba ile ba itelekela mo phaphosi-borutelo, mme ba fitlha ba tlhasela moithuti jaaka bone. Go begwa fa moithuti o, a ne a tlhabiwa ka sengwe se se bogale mo legetleng fa a ne a siela kwa ntle.

“Go filha ga jaana, ga go itsiwe sebakwa sa ntwa, mme dipatlisiso di tsweletse. Sepodisi se butse kgetsi ya go teketa kgatlhanong le baithuti bao. Fela go fitlha ga jaana, ga gona ope o tshwerweng,” van Rooyen wa tlhalosa.

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Picture: The body of a man covered with plastic discovered in a bakkie/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

Two suspects were arrested for murder on Sunday. It is alleged that, the police spotted a suspicious charcoal Nissan NP 200 bakkie along R511 road in Kameeldrift, outside Brits. The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said the police allegedly made a U-turn and chased the vehicle.  

“The vigilant police arrested two suspects aged 45 and 47 in the early hours of Sunday morning in the R511 Road outside Brits. According to information, the police were conducting routine patrols at around 2am when they saw a suspicious charcoal Nissan NP 200 bakkie.

“They made a U-turn to chase the vehicle. The police managed to pull the vehicle over and eventually conducted a search. As a result, they discovered the lifeless body of a man aged 45  covered with plastic bags at the back of the vehicle,” said Funani.

She further said the suspects tried to run away but were arrested. Funani added that the suspects allegedly assaulted the man, who was on their farm to fetch water.

“The suspects are expected to appear before the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 19 September 2023 facing a murder charge. The investigations into the matter continue,” she said. 

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, applauded the Assen police for their vigilance and commitment that led to the swift arrest of the two suspects.

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Picture: The embattled mayor of Greater Taung Local Municipality/Tumisang Gaoraelwe  

By OBAKENG MAJE

The winners of the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) 2023 Mayoral Cup competition have not received even a cent almost three months down the line. The GTLM Mayoral Cup competition that took place at Taung Agricultural College sports ground in June 2023, was organised by the embattled mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe.

One of the recipients who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said: “We are so disappointed by how the municipality is treating us. We had high hopes that the money would assist us financially in the long run.

“Now, what we are getting from the Office of the Mayor are excuses and empty promises. We have been trying to be civil with this matter and avoid involving the media in it, but nothing positive came out of those talks.”

The Dikgwamolelo FC won the soccer tournament after beating Mogopela Wonderous FC 1-0 in the final. The Ditshilong-based team was rewarded with a whopping R50 000.

The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) spokesperson, Ricky Oliphant said: “It is true that there has been a delay in payments for the mayoral cup. We understand that, 89 soccer teams and 22 netball teams participated in the competition and 8 soccer teams and 4 netball teams were eligible to receive prize money.

“In soccer, the winner was eligible to receive R50 000, the runners-up were supposed to get R25 000, 3^rd and 4^th were supposed to get R20 000 each. The 5^th, 6^th, 7^th and 8^th positions were supposed to get R5000 each. In netball, the winner was supposed to get R25 000, while the runners-up were supposed to get R15 000. The 3^rd position was supposed to get R10 000, while the 4^th position was supposed to get R5000.”

Oliphant further said the administrative process, which includes the submission of required documents and the approval process caused the delay. He added that, a total of R435 000 has been spent over two years in this competition.

“The mayoral competition assists in keeping young people off the streets for a while and gives them an opportunity to work towards realization of their dreams. It also exposes local talent to scouts and opportunities for informal trading are some of the benefits for the municipal area,” said Oliphant.

Meanwhile, one of the scouts at the cup competition, the Sekhukhune United FC Technical Director, Themba Sithole said during the interviews with Taung DailyNews that, the municipality should help the players by improving facilities. He said, if they want to see good football, the players should be given good surfaces to play on.

“It is important to have one or two surfaces, which are good so that these kinds of tournaments can be played in. When I was with Free State Stars FC, they signed a defender from this area. So, that is why when I was invited I said, let me come and see.

“However, on Saturday when I arrived, I thought it was a waste of time until the last game was played. So, today, the semi-finals and finals were quite good even though the majority of the teams were a little bit defensive,” Sithole said.

He said he was happy that they saw what they wanted to see. Sithole said they were going to take either eight or ten players for further assessment in Johannesburg.

“We will continue to keep in contact with local coaches. We have also selected two players, who are still doing Grade 12 and they will join us in December,” he said.

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Picture: The fire engulfed Cabanas Hotel in Sun City Resort/Screengrab

By OBAKENG MAJE

The sporadic fires targeting critical infrastructure within the North West continue to grow. This comes after the fire gutted Sun City’s Cabanas Hotel and Manyane Resort near Rustenburg on 16 September 2023.

According to the Sun City General Manager, Brett Hoppe the fire broke out in the kitchen at around 2:30pm.

“A fire broke out in the Cabanas Hotel kitchen at about 2.30pm on Saturday afternoon. The staff noticed a small fire which they extinguished, but it had already spread through the extraction ventilation to the reception area,” he said.

In a separate incident, the North West MEC for Department of Economic Development Environment Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Virginia Tlhapi said Manyane Resort also suffered the same fate of the fire outbreak.

“There were no injuries reported in the two incidents and DEDECT as a custodian of tourism in the province, is working closely with the management of Cabanas Hotel and Manyane Resort to establish the root cause of the fire outbreak. 

“These unfortunate incidents happened during the Tourism Month when the North West province is preparing itself to host the World Tourism Day from 26-27th of September 2023. It is equally important to indicate that, the fire outbreak in Sun City happened immediately after the North West Government held a successful Premiers Investor Dinner,” she said.

Tlhapi further said the importance of the tourism sector in the economy of the province cannot be overemphasised as such. She added that they are working hand in glove with the management of Sun City and Manyane Resort to try and normalize the situation.

“The Manyane Resort is currently closed until further notice. However, the Park Mahala Week Programme, which started from 10-17 September 2023 is continuing in other parks of the province,” said Tlhapi.

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