Picture: North West Premier, Bushy Maape

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the North West said they have noted with a grave concern, the continued inability by the North West Premier, Bushy Maape to carry out his obligations. This comes after Maape flew Thailand for medical treatment.

The EFF provincial spokesperson, Fanon Maema said Maape has been consistently missing in action, since the time he took over the reigns as North West Premier in September 2021. Maema further said, now the black working class residents of the province bears the brunt of poverty, unemployment and inequality.

“In June 2023, Maape commenced a long sick leave, which ended in November 2023. Today, we are reliably informed that he is on leave to receive a medical attention in Thailand. As the EFF, we note with caution the appointment of the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs(COGHTA), Nono Maloyi, as the acting premier because it will be for the second time he acts on behalf of Maape.

“Maloyi had presented himself as a hindrance to improving the lives of the working class. Under Maloyi’s leadership in COGHTA, the provincial government recorded numerous incomplete housing projects. His failure to protect the dignity of our people is proof enough that he is not a suitable candidate to be tasked with allocating the scarce resources of the province and restoring good governance,” he said.

Maema added that, the EFF as a vanguard and mouthpiece of the working class, will prepare a fertile ground upon which the residents of the province can depend on for service delivery. He said they further encourage the community to be decisive in dealing with the ANC-government and vote for the EFF in the upcoming 2024 elections.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the North Has also lambasted Maape’s decision to seek medical treatment in Thailand. The DA caucus leader in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPG), Freddy Sonakile said even though they sympathize with Maape, however, his trip to Thailand shows a vote of no confidence in the local public health system.

Sonakile said it is concerning that Maape would seek medical treatment abroad, instead of accessing medical facilities in the province. He said that they have long indicated that public hospitals in the province are in a bad state, suffering chronic medicine, equipment, and staff shortages.

“The fact that Maape would rather seek treatment abroad, indicates his vote of no confidence in the provincial public health system he presides over. While tens of millions of South Africans are unable to access quality public healthcare, it has now become an established trend for ANC politicians in office to seek medical treatment abroad.

“Millions of South Africans struggle to access quality medical treatment in ANC-managed public hospitals and do not have the means, like Maape, to jump on a taxpayer-funded medical tourism jaunt to exotic locations,” he said.

Sonakile said this is but a preview of the disaster that will unfold should the ANC continue to push for implementing the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, which will only increase inequality in accessing medical treatment for everyone.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi has been appointed as interim North West Premier. North West Premier, Bushy Maape spokesperson, Sello Tatai said Maape will be out of the country from 21 January until 31 January 2024.

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By OBAKEN MAJE

A murder case against the suspect, who is believed to be a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) member, Tumisang Mokgolela (36) was postponed by the Molopo Magistrate’s Court to 26 January 2024, for a formal bail application. Mokgolela allegedly stabbed a DJ, Tebogo Mogonare (32) to death at a local tavern in Moshwan village, outside Mahikeng on 20 January 2024.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, the preliminary reports reveal that Mogonare was booked to play music at a local tavern when the atrocity took place. Mamothame said upon the completion of playing his set, on his way out of the tavern, Mogonare allegedly had a conversation with a female patron, who was sitting next to the accused.

“This resulted in an argument between the deceased and the accused and subsequently, a fight allegedly ensued between the two. The accused is said to have gone to the boot of his car and came back with a shiny object believed to be a knife and stabbed Mogonare with it.

“Mogonare was rushed to a local hospital to receive medical attention and he was later transferred to a medical facility in Klerksdorp, where he succumbed to his injuries. Mokgolela will remain in police custody until the next court appearance,” he said.

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Picture: The building at Ikhutseng Primary School dilapidating/Supplied   

By OBAKENG MAJE

South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region calls on the North West Department of Education to provide the Ikhutseng Primary School in Vaaltyn village, near Taung with mobile classrooms. SANCO regional deputy secretary, Mothohela Dikhai said it is disheartening to see the school building in dilapidating condition.

Dikhai said the lives of learners and teachers are at risk because the school building might collapse and cave in on them, while in class.

“It is so sad to see school buildings dilapidated. Even those bricks, were made out of mud and painted upon. So, you will understand how risky the situation would be, especially during the rainy season. The cracks are visible everywhere, hence we urge the department to provide the school with mobile classrooms to avoid tragedy.

“Learners are also using untidy classrooms, which are full of unused and damaged desks. The cupboards are not in good condition and that does not reflect the environment teaching and learning should take place in,” he said.

Dikhai further said the less they talk about the office of the principal, the better. He added that there are no doors in most offices and only curtains were used.

The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said: “It is our responsibility to ensure that, there are renovations at the Ikhutseng Primary School. We planned to renovate most of our schools during the festive season, however, it was the rainy season and we could not. 

“Remember, during my departmental budget speech, I was very clear in terms of community-based projects. So, we are going to concentrate mainly on these community-based projects, where community members will benefit from renovating those schools.”

Motsumi said what they are currently doing, is they have their Conditional Assessment Report, which consists of all the schools that need to be prioritised. She said they have instructed their Infrastructural Team across the province to go and assess different schools.

“So, Ikhutseng Primary School will be one of the schools that I am going to highlight during my meeting and say it must also be proritised it in terms of budget. On the issue of ablution facilities in various schools, we realised that there was serious vandalism in different schools when we re-opened for the 2024 school academic year.

“Now, it is also our responsibility as the department to ensure that everything is intact. However, the unfortunate part is that we have experienced the storm in Bojanala, and imagine what kind of pressure we are working on,” said Motsumi.

Meanwhile, the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on the Department of Basic Education (DBE), Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba, who visited North West schools said they were doing oversight assessment on infrastructure, ablution facilities, Grade R/early childhood development sites monitoring as per migration shift of 2022, delivery of learner-teacher study material, nutrition, learner transport, special schools support amongst others.
 
Mbinqo-Gigaba said the committee generally takes a sample of a few schools in a district and looks at them to get a broad view of schools in different categories.
 
“So far we are happy with what we have seen. It was clear that teaching and learning are happening with teaching as well as learners in the classrooms. A conducive environment for teaching and learning exists at the schools we visited,” she said.

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Picture: The North West Premier, Bushy Maape

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the North lambasted the North West Premier, Bushy Maape for seeking media treatment in Thailand. The DA caucus leader in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPG), Freddy Sonakile said even though they sympathize with Maape, however, his trip to Thailand shows a vote of no confidence in the local public health system.

Sonakile further said it is concerning that Maape would seek medical treatment abroad, instead of accessing medical facilities in the province. He added that they have long indicated that public hospitals in the province are in a bad state, suffering chronic medicine, equipment, and staff shortages.

“The fact that Maape would rather seek treatment abroad, indicates his vote of no confidence in the provincial public health system he presides over. While tens of millions of South Africans are unable to access quality public healthcare, it has now become an established trend for ANC politicians in office to seek medical treatment abroad.

“Millions of South Africans struggle to access quality medical treatment in ANC-managed public hospitals and do not have the means, like Maape, to jump on a taxpayer-funded medical tourism jaunt to exotic locations,” he said.

Sonakile said this is but a preview of the disaster that will unfold should the ANC continue to push for implementing the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, which will only increase inequality in accessing medical treatment for everyone.

He said the ANC in government says that it delivers quality public healthcare to all, but the reality is, it does not. Maape knows it, which is why he will be in Thailand, while many patients in public facilities struggle to receive the treatment they deserve.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi has been appointed as interim North West Premier. North West Premier, Bushy Maape spokesperson, Sello Tatai said Maape will be out of the country from 21 January until 31 January 2024.

He said Maape is seeking medical treatment in Thailand, following advice and referral by his doctor.

“During Maape’s absence, Maloyi will act as Premier. He has since been sworn in by the North West High Court Judge President, Ronald Hendricks. The Office of the Premier wishes to confirm that a formal notification of Maape’s travel has been sent to both the President and the Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature,” said Tatai.

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Picture: Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos during a press conference/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos said they have put the euphoria of beating neighbours, Namibia 4-0 behind them and are now fully focused on their final Group E match against Tunisia on Wednesday. Broos said his charges will guard against complacency and tread carefully against a Tunisia side that will be gunning for a win against Bafana Bafana if they are to pursue their own ambitions in the tournament.

“It was a great game against Namibia on Sunday, 21 January 2024, and a good win. Goal difference counts and we are happy with the result. We know what we need to do, the team knows what they need to do and the changes made on the day were tactical and needed. We will do the same against Tunisia.

“South Africa have had a few days’ rest since their match against Namibia on Sunday, one less than their opponents Tunisia. But the South Africans are ready to continue in the tournament and cement Korhogo as their home away from home. Every opponent we study and improve on our plan,” he said.

Sundowns FC player, Grant Kekana, who made the starting line-up against Namibia said, playing with his club teammates makes the job easier when they line up in the national team.

“It is easy when the backline is Modiba, Mvala, and Mudau. These are my club buddies and when we play for our county, it does come naturally and easier because of how well we know each other. We train together just about every day,” he said.

The game is set for Wednesday afternoon, where the weather is expected to still be considerably hot compared to the team’s previous evening games.

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