Setshwantsho: Baagi ba kwa Sandton ba tswetse dumping site   

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Baagi ba kwa Sandton kwa Matlhako 1, gaufi le Pudimoe mono Taung, ba re kaile fa ba lapisitswe ke batho ba ba latlhelang matlakala mo lefelong la bone ntle le molao. Go ya ka baagi ba, ba shupa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung ka go tlhola lefelo le go latlhelwang matlakala (dumping site) mo go lone ntle le molao.

Mongwe wa baagi, Granny Ratilodi are go latlhelwa ga matlakala mo lefelong la bone, go tlile go nna le ditlamorago tse di sa siamang mo boitekanelong jwa bone. Ratilodi are, se se botlhoko ke go bona diphologolo di tsweletse go ja dilwana tseo jaaka dipolasitiki ga mmogo le mengato ya bana kwa lefelong leo.

“Re lelela mo segosing sa rona jaaka morafe gore ga re itumelele leswe le re le bonang mo motseng wa rona. Fa ba fetsa go latlhela dilo tseo, ba di fisa mme mosi wa teng ga wa siamela boitekanelo jwa rona. Le leruo la rona le mo kotsing, gonne diphologolo di ja dilwana tse di jaaka di polasitiki le mengato ya bana teng kwa lefelong le.

“Fa o re wa tlhaba, o fitlhela dilo tseo mo mogodung wa phologolo e tlhabilweng. Fela ga re mo ntweng, mme re ne re ikopela tirisano mmogo. Re ikuela go baagi botlhe gore ba se tlhole ba dirisa tulo eo jaaka lefelo la go latlhela matlakala,” Ratilodi wa tlhalosa.

O mongwe wa baagi, Tshekoeng Morakanele le ene o kaile fa serodumo sa tulo ya bone se ya kwa tlase ka ntlheng ya dumping site e e dirilweng go se ka fa molaong go bapa le magae a bone.

“Re tswadile lefelo le go latlhelwang dilwana (dumping site) mo go lone ka mabaka a boitekanelo. Re ile ra bona go le mosola gore re e tswale, gonne re itemogela fa bosenyi bo dirwa bonolo gone kwa lefelong leo. Jaanong, masepala wa rona o mogolwane wa Taung, le one o latlhela matlhekge mo go yone dumping site e.

“Fela, re ile ra nna le kopano ga mmogo le masepala ka ngwaga wa 2023, mme re ile ra dumalana gore matlakala a tla latlhelwa kwa Taung, eseng mo pele ga malapa a rona. Jaanong, go bontsha fa tumalano ya rona e sa diragadiwe, mme seemo sone se tsweletse go sa jese diwelang,” Morakanele wa tlhalosa.

Morakanele are ebile o bone le bo rra dikonteraka le bone ba latlhela dilwana tsa bone gone koo. Are jaanong, ga ba itse gore go diragala eng, gonne le segosi sa bona se tlhalositse fa ba sa itse sepe ka dumping site eo.  

Morakanele are ba tshotse tshwetso jaaka baagi gore ba tle go tswala dumping site e. Morakanele are seo ba se lemogileng ke gore, dumping site e, ga e mo molao ebile ga gwa diriwa kitsiso (proclamation) gore go nne le dumping site mo Pudimoe.

“Re kopa le baagi gore ba se tlhole ba tla go latlhela dilwana tsa bone mo pele ga malapa a rona mo Sandton mo Mmatlhako 1.

Kgabagare, sebueledi sa masepala o mogolwane wa Taung, Ricky Oliphant, ga araba dipotso tse a ne a di romeletswe ke Taung DailyNews pele fa gone go gatisiwa kgang e.

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Picture: The ANC members during a rally 

By OBAKENG MAJE  

The ANC Chairperson in North West, Nono Maloyi said they will implement the long-awaited report over manipulation of 2021 councillors selection lists. In 2021 Local Government Elections (LGE), some ANC councillors were ‘parachuted’ to the positions over preferred candidates elected by communities.

This caused an uproar amongst disgruntled ANC members across all four regions in the North West, whose names were ‘unduly’ removed from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) selection list. The matter was escalated to the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) for investigation.

The ANC called all councillors, who were ‘unduly’ elected to substantiate their nominations. Initially, the disgruntled ANC members called for the reinstatement of 155 councillor candidates, but according to the letter, only 27 disputes were processed.

The investigative report compiled by the former president, Kgalema Motlanthe showed that the affected wards in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region were ward 14, 2, 18, 6, 12, 15, 23, ward 2 in Mamusa and ward 4 in Lekwa-Teemane. The report says tree wards such as ward 14 and 18 in Taung and ward 2 in Mamusa were marred by the disruptions of Branch General Meetings (BGMs) and community meetings took place in six wards such as ward 2, 6, 12, 15, 23 in Taung, while ward 4 in Lekwa-Teemane.

“In ward 2 in the Greater Taung Local Municipality, three consecutive BGMs failed since they could not nominate candidates due to disruptions. The community meeting was convened on 22 August 2021.

“There are four Voting Districts (VDs) in the ward and voting was not done in three of the four VDs. The ward has four villages, which have one VD each. Pitso Seepamere was a deployee and nominations and voting took place only at Thusong Centre VD,” says the report.

It says the former councillor, Toloki Tlhaganyane was violent whilst Nelson Tlhalogang appeared to be drunk. The report says the meeting was disrupted by a group of people wherein knives were drawn to intimidate others.

“Buti Maape allegedly took the ballot box and gave it to Tshepo Monyaki, who left with the box. The pair handed the box over to Nelson Tlhalogang and switched off the lights at the venue. Three comrades burnt the ballot papers in the box before they could be counted, and the meeting collapsed as a result. 

“At the end, there was no candidate elected. Tumo Tabe was later called to submit his documents for registration at the IEC. We recommend that, the PEC and REC must institute disciplinary action against Maape, Monyake and Tlhalogang for allegedly disrupting meetings and burning the ballot boxes,” it says. 

Meanwhile, Maloyi said: “The Motlanthe report was presented to the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) with recommendations and the NEC adopted it. Now, that means there are no more recommendations, but decisions. We are going to implement that report without fail and we have already started.

“However, last weekend we had to put it in abeyance due to voters’ registration. Now, we will be proceeding with the implementation because the voters’ registration weekend is over. We are implementing that report in full to the latter without any fail.”

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Picture: North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs, Nono Maloyi

By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West Department of Human Settlement is cash-strapped. The startling revelations were confirmed by the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi during exclusive interviews with Taung DailyNews in Rustenburg on Sunday.

Maloyi, who defended the decision said, his department has run out of cash and they have already made an application to the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) for a R50 billion load front. He further said the money will be used to complete various projects that were meant for the next three years.

“I am the MEC for that department and it has run out of cash. What is it that we could do, if there is no money? Let me explain front loading and the recommendations made by the commission at the ANC PEC Lekgotla.

“The recommendations from the structure is that, infrastructure departments must also apply for front loading from DBSA, which is owned by the national treasury. The DBSA is going to give us money, which we would have spent in three years,” added Maloyi.

He said people out there are suffering and there are many challenges of service delivery. Maloyi said however, they cannot fold their arms, while there are options.

“So, we have already sent our application. The Human Settlement Department in Northern Cape has applied the same method. They applied for a R1billion, which they have received. Now, that department is implementing projects of more than 4000 (housing units) and this is what we want to do in the North West,” he said.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) caucus leader in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Freddy Sonakile said, this is absurd.

“This is not shocking because I have it on good authority that, the department had over committed itself on projects, of which most of them are still incomplete at this stage. Tenders were being dished out like nobody’s business leading to it being unable to complete most of them.

‘We will monitor this planned loan of billions as it will mean that, the department will be committing government to a debt that will take years to service. The treasury will also have to be roped in to explain the rationale behind. As the DA, we will not agree to this nonsense,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) provincial secretary, Papiki Bauile shared the same sentiments. Babuile alleged that, the department under Maloyi stewardship does not have the interest of the communities at hearts.

“They do not care about service delivery, but this is their way of looting. They could not manage or monitor the current budget, but they apply for R50 billion? The ANC has realised that it is losing power and after the national elections, it would not be in charge.

“So, they want to hand over those tenders to their cronies and get kickbacks in the process. However, we will ensure that, whoever is involved in any form of corruption at the department, faces the mighty of the law,” he said.

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Picture: The Gabobidiwe Secondary School in Buxton village

By BAKENG MAJE

Parents at Gabobidiwe Secondary School in Buxton village, near Taung, raised some concerns. This comes after the school principal allegedly prohibited transgender learners from entering the school without wearing skirts.

One of the parents who cannot be named to protect her Grade 9 learner who is a minor alleged that, the incident took place last week. She said now lesbian learners are idling at home and that will affect their school work.

“We were left despondent as parents after our children were refused entry at the school by the principal. My daughter is a lesbian, but the principal is forcing her and other learners to wear skirts. She said she does not feel comfortable wearing a skirt because other learners are mocking her.

“So, in January 2024, we took this matter to the sub-district office in Taung, and the learners were allowed to go to school. However, now the principal said all transgender learners should wear skirts because they are ruining the school’s reputation,” she said.

She said the principal allegedly told them to take transfer letters if they do not want to comply. She said they urge the North West Department of Education for intervention.

The North West Department of Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane said, the school has a uniform policy on which uniform is dressed on which day. Molokwane further said the policy has been implemented as such until December 2023 and there were no complaints.

“This year, the school got new learners who do not agree with the school’s uniform policy. As the department, we spoke to the principal to immediately allow learners to wear uniform properly whether a skirt or trousers it does not matter as so long is clean.

“Tracksuits to have a Special Day on Wednesdays and other days, a skirt/formal trouser with a prescribed shirt or tie. Girls and boys are allowed to choose between trousers or skirts as long as the uniform is in school colour and prescribed patterns,” he said.

Molokwane added that the uniform must be clean at all times. He said the National Guidelines of School Uniforms are obvious on how uniforms should be worn by learners in every school.

“So, we encourage parents together with learners to familiarize themselves with our policies so that we can have a similar clear understanding and a unified school,” said Molokwane.

Meanwhile, the chairperson of the Baga Mothibi LGBTQI+ community, Dimakatso Molusi said: “The school must allow transgender learners to wear the school uniform that corresponds to their gender identity by the right to education and non-discrimination in terms of the South African Constitution and the African Children’s Charter.

“So, this is not the first case that we are dealing with. We had a similar case at PH Mooketsi Agricultural School, where the principal allegedly forced a transgender learner to wear a skirt. So, we organised the meeting with the school, however, on the said day, the parents of the learner did not pitch.”

Molusi said this is unfair and discriminating against the LGBTQI+ community. She said discrimination against transgender and homosexual learners in South Africa is a concern.”

“Even though our organisation is under-resourced, we will continue to visit schools and engage various stakeholders in addressing the plague,” said Molusi.

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Setshwantsho: Moswi, Tsholofelo Nde Emphukile

Ka REGINALD KANYANE

Monna wa dingwaga di le 47 o solofetswe go ka dira kopo ya beile kwa kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la gompieno. Kabelo Mogongwa one a tshwarwa morago ga dipego tsa gore o thuntsitse lekgarebe la gagwe, Tsholofelo Nde Emphukile (38).

Go begwa fa lekawana le, le lekgarebe la gagwe ba ne ba dula botlhe kwa phaphosing e e hirilweng kwa motseng Khibitswane, gaufi le Taung.

Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Mokaptein Aaftje Botma, moagisani wa monna o, o ile a tlhalosetsa sepodisi fa baratani ba, ba gorogile ka ura ya bongwe mo mosong, mme go ile ga tsoga kgakgauthano ma gareng ga bone.

“O kaile fa a utlwile modumo wa sethunya. Sepodisi se ile sa biletswa kwa lefelong la tiragalo, mme se ile sa fitlhela moswi mogare ga bophadiphadi jwa madi.

“Sepodisi se ile sa tlhoka gore ba shage burglars gore ba kgone go tsena mo ntlung. Molatofadiwa o ile a tshwarwa, mme one a ganelwa ka beile,” Botma wa tlaholsa.

Kgabagare, sebueledi sa lelapa la moswi, Medupe Emphukile are: “Re utlwisitswe botlhoko ke tiragalo e, mme ga ke itse gore a kgolagano ya moswi le molatofadiwa kgale e na le mathata. Kgale ba dula ba le babedi kwa Khibitswane, mme Tsholofelo ene kgale a tla fela fa etile kwa lapeng kwa Cokonyane.”

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By CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

To succeed in an ever-changing global economy, our country needs far more people with the right skills. This is so that our economy can be competitive, grow and create employment. As a country, we have invested much in producing these skills, from significantly expanding access to higher education, introducing digital programmes in TVET colleges and a shift to a new pay-for-performance approach to skills development.

However, it will take some time before we will be able to produce enough skilled people to enable our country to grow rapidly.

 A review report published last year found that South Africa’s available labour supply “does not match demand from companies which are essentially looking to employ management-level personnel, professionals, engineers, technicians, science and maths educators, as well as IT experts”. This means that, at least in the short-term, many of the these high-level skills must be sourced internationally.

Last week, the Department of Home Affairs published for public comment draft amendments to existing immigration regulations that will significantly boost our efforts to attract workers with critical skills to South Africa. The draft amendments deal with two visa categories: a remote working visa and the critical skills visa.

The introduction of a remote working visa responds to the rapidly evolving world of work, where increasing numbers of skilled workers, notably in the tech industry, are attracted by the lifestyle benefits of working from a remote location. It also caters to so-called digital nomads, who are able to work virtually from any location in the world. A remote worker who wants to work in South Africa while being employed by a foreign company will be able to receive such a visa.

The draft regulations propose the introduction of a points system for critical skills visas that will take into account factors such as age, qualifications, language skills, work experience and having an offer of employment, amongst others.

The publication of the new draft regulations are part of our ongoing drive to reform the country’s visa system, making it easier to attract the skills our economy needs and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. An efficient, agile, responsive visa regime is key to attracting business investment and boosting economic growth.

International experience shows that employees with critical skills contribute to improved productivity, enhanced innovation, and improving the competitiveness of the firms they work for.

In October last year, the Department of Home Affairs released guidelines for corporate employers under a ‘Trusted Employer Scheme’, which will make the visa process easier for large investors and streamline application requirements.

Under this scheme, a company looking to employ skilled foreign workers would be vetted and approved in advance to reduce the administrative burden for visa applications.

With South Africa fast becoming an increasingly attractive destination for industries like business process outsourcing and customer experience, attracting more skilled workers will be important. Last year, for example, a leading international strategic advisory firm ranked South Africa second as the most favoured offshore customer experience delivery destination globally. Since 2016, government has invested more than R3 billion towards supporting the growth and expansion of business process outsourcing, and is targeting the creation of approximately 500,000 jobs in the sector by 2030.

In line with our ongoing efforts to attract higher levels of investment and promote job creation, the new work visa regulations are a milestone. They are part of high-impact structural reforms we are undertaking to improve the business operating environment.

They send a clear signal to business that we are committed to attracting skills that meet the demands of a modern, inclusive and growing economy.

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Picture: The RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa