Monthly Archives: March 2024

SEFA finally pays additional grants of R7000 to tuckshop owners in North West   

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Picture: One of the tuck shops visited by the committee in Mahikeng

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The chairperson of Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development, Faiez Jacobs said they are grateful that, there is a progress by the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) in implementing the committee’s recommendations made concerning the Spaza Shop Support Programme (SSSP) and Intellimatch Financial Services (Pty) Ltd (IFS). 

The committee raised concerned during an oversight visit to the North West, it was discovered that, although all the identified clients (spaza shop owners) received their R3500 COVID-19 relief grant between 2020 and 2021, a lot of them did not receive an additional grant of R7000, 00 which was disbursed in 2022. 

Jacobs said the committee recommended that SEFA should follow up and provide feedback. He said according to SEFA, all outstanding beneficiaries in North West were traced and subsequently received their R7000.

“The agency briefed the committee that only 60 out of 5440 nationally are yet to receive their grant, which amounts to a 99% disbursement rate. SEFA said that efforts are ongoing to trace the remaining 60 beneficiaries nationally.

“Although there is still room to improve, the committee has welcomed the progress in implementing its recommendations. This progress has highlighted the importance of oversight, which results in meaningful interventions and policy change,” said Jacobs. 

He further said they want to see spaza shops owned by South Africans and are looking forward to seeing the implementation of a national programme that will ensure bulk buying from manufacturers to create distribution centres that will supply South African-owned spaza shops in provinces and districts. Jacobs added that the government should also protect spaza shops from encroachment by multinational corporations. 

“On the IFS, an agreement was made between SEFA and IFS for it to provide wholesale funding to clients in the manufacturing sector. It received R30 million from SEFA by March 2022, which was guaranteed by its holding company, namely Tautona Holdings. 

“However, funds were misappropriated and did not reach the intended beneficiaries. The committee then recommended that SEFA make a follow-up and provide feedback,” he said. 

Jacobs said against this backdrop, SEFA briefed the committee that legal proceedings have commenced to recover the whole R30 million against IFS and Tautona. He said that the committee welcomes SEFA’s interventions as it wants to see zero tolerance for corruption. 

“There should be consequences for stealing from the state because we want to see clean governance and accountability. 

“The committee will continue watching the space around micro-finance to ensure that loans continue to be disbursed at an affordable 5% interest. We encourage recipients to repay their loans so that other entrepreneurs can also benefit,” said Jacobs.

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Embassy of South Africa welcomes Bafana in Algiers

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Picture: SAFA president, Dr Danny Jordaan

By OBAKENG MAJE 

Bafana Bafana were given a warm welcome by officials from the Embassy of South Africa in Algeria after arriving in Algiers on Saturday. The South African Football Association (SAFA) delegation led by president, Dr Danny Jordaan, Head of Department (HOD), David Molwantwa, coach Hugo Broos, the technical team, the players and staff was welcomed by Bernard Legodi, chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of South Africa in Algiers, political councillor, Louis Nteko, First Secretary Dumisani Molawo and Third Secretary, Puff Dinalo.

SAFA president, Dr Danny Jordaan said: “The group made the short one-hour trip from Annaba to this North African country’s capital ahead of the next leg of the FIFA Series. The South African senior men’s team have been based in the Mediterranean port city of Annaba since their arrival from Johannesburg on Monday. 

“The Africa Cup of Nations bronze medalists drew 1-1 with Andorra in their first match of the FIFA Series on Thursday night and will get an opportunity to test themselves further when they face hosts Algeria on Tuesday.”

Jordaan further said the FIFA Series has seen the world football’s governing body supporting its member associations in organising international friendly matches comprising four national teams from different confederations in a single host country. He added that the initiative will provide member associations with a more regular opportunity to face national teams from other continents, which will serve to unlock technical development opportunities previously unavailable to many of them.

Meanwhile, the Algeria leg of the FIFA Series comprises Bafana Bafana, Bolivia, Andorra and the North African hosts.

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Baagi ba latofatsa mosadi mongwe ka go gweba ka dirwe tsa batho kwa Majaneng

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Setshwantsho: Baagi ba Majaneng ba ntsha mongwe wa balatofadiwa ba polao ka motse 

Ka OBAKENG MAJE 

Baagi ba motse wa Majaneng, gaufi le Taung, ba re ba tlile go tlisa molao le tolamo kwa motseng wa bone. Seno se tla morago ga gore, ba belesetse mongwe wa balatofadiwa mo kgetsing ya polao.  

Go begwa fa Ntobizodwa Kwata ga mmogo le balatofadiwa ba le bararo, ba ile ba bolaya monna mongwe kwa motseng o, mme ba gweba ka dikarolo dingwe tsa mmele wa gagwe. Go ya ka mongwe wa baeteledipele wa baagi, Tebogo Vincent Kgwatela, Kwata o dirisa dirwe tsa batho jaaka meshunkwane.

“Re itemogela dipolano tse di dirwang ka bomo ke batho ba eleng gore ba gweba ka madi a batho. Go na le motho o teng mo motseng, mme fela fa motho a fetsa go tlhokafala, ene o tsaya madi ao, mme a boele Gauteng. 

“Fa a fetsa, o dira mpho ya badimo. Ke sengwe se re se boneng ka matlho, ebile ga re re gatwe. Mo polaong ya ntlha, motho o bolaetswe kwa ga gagwe, mme one a thapa batho gore ba mo bolaye,” Kgwatela wa tlhalosa. 

Kgwatela are, Kwata one a tsaya serwe sa moswi sa senna, mme ba mo lokolola thamo ga mmogo le dinao, ba be ba mo latlhela mo lekadibeng. Kgwatela are, jaanong mo bekeng e e fetileng, Mosimanegape Adam van Wyk, one a gagolwa pelo ka thiba, mme Kwata one a go tabola madi a gagwe. 

Rragwe Mosimanegape Adam van Wyk, eleng Boitshoko Tlhareseng are, o utlwisitswe botlhoko ke loso la morwae. Tlhareseng are, batho ba ba tseneletseng batho ba ba bolaya ke bana ba teng kwa Majaneng. 

“Jaanong, ba feleleditse le nna ba mpolaetse ngwana. O ile a bidiwa ke Motseothata Boikie Seoleseng (35), mme a mo kopa gore a ye go mo thusa go kgalemela bo monnawe. Fela fa ba fitlha kwa, Seoleseng o ile a betsa bo monnawe, mme fa ngwanake a mo kgalemela o mo tlhaba ka thiba. 

“Ngwanake o ile a sia, mme ka maswabi one a wela mo setlhatshaneng. Re ne ra mo rwala ka kereibaye, le go mo batlela sejanaga se se mo isang bookelong. Fela, re ne ra bona mogala go tswa kwa boookelong ka ura ya boraro mo mosong o re itsiseng gore ngwanake o tlhokafetse. 

“Jaanong, morafe wa ipelaetsa gonne batho ba ditiro tse di maswe tse, batla fela mo motseng wa rona ntle le tetla. Ba itse gore ba tshwanetse batle le mapodisi fa gona le sengwe se ba se batlang. Fela, Kwata le Seoleseng ga senke ba tsamaye ba ikobele molao o,” Tlhareseng wa tlhalosa. 

Kgabagare, go begwa fa kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le Kwata ga mmogo le balatofadiwa naye, e tsholotswe nakwana ke kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung, fa kgetsi ya polao kgatlhanong le Seoleseng, e buseditswe morago go fitlha 26 Mopitlwe 2024. 

Maiteko a Taung DailyNews go ikgolaganya le Ntombizodwa Kwata go mo neela tshono ya go ikarabela kgatlhanong le magatwe a, a retetse mme karabo ya gagwe e tla tsenngwa mo fa e setse e bonwe.

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Symposium to empower cooperatives and SMMEs owners 

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Picture: The president of the NGO, DRRSM Women and Youth in Business 

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The president of DRSM Women and Youth in Business, Masego Twabile said, she has realised that many individuals do not know how to distinguish between effectuation and causation. Twabile said she has examined most entrepreneurs’ approach when faced with entrepreneurial challenges, especially in deep rural areas. 

Twabile, organised a symposium at Longstreet Lifestyle in Taung on Thursday, where she invited business owners to share their entrepreneurial journey with individuals, who are either potential business owners or having existing businesses.  

She further said there is uncertainty surrounding entrepreneurship, particularly with respect to challenges involving undefined end goals. Twabile added that many businesses collapsed because they are characterized by turbulence and uncertainty. 

“This is happening because most business owners do not have necessary skills. Either you are cooperative or Small Micro-Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) owner, you will need a necessary skill to be self-sufficient. 

“So, we came up with this initiative to empower our people, especially in deep rural areas. The aim is also to address treble challenges such as poverty, inequality and unemployment,” she said. 

According to Twabile, there are job opportunities that are being created by the government, but they are not enough. She said embarking on entrepreneurship is an enormous opportunity because many people could be turned into employers rather than employees. 

“Our people continue to live in abject poverty and learning the entrepreneurship languages is the only way to go in this ailing economy. We will bring all these business ideas together and create as many job opportunities as possible. 

“We do have the land and let us cultivate it and produce food. Our government poured millions of rands into cooperatives, but there is no monitoring. Now, what we are going to do, we will ensure that all SMMEs are registered in our database to ensure that they are productive,” said Twabile. 

The AgroVest Group founder, Lesedi Moseki said entrepreneurship journey is not for the fainted-hearts. Moseki said that success is not easily achieved, but by only those who have strategy.

“Entrepreneurship journey needs a strategic leader with innovative ideas. A leader who believes that they are in control of their own destiny. As AgroVest Group, we specialize in castor oil and we plant and process it. 

“Also, we have five pillars in our company which are seedling, farming, agro-processing, bio-technology and marketing. We offer training too and one of the things we do is to empower SMMEs, especially in local communities,” he said. 

Moseki said they empower local communities by providing seeds to plant and sell back to them. He said they are busy setting up a manufacturing plant for the project and their aim is to turn Taung into the first area that produces oil. 

“For many years, South Africa has been importing oil to manufacture castor oil. So, we want to tap into that space. There are many different kinds of oil that we are creating and some of our products can be found in various pharmaceutical areas,” said Moseki.

Meanwhile, the founder of Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce, Siphiwe Millicent George said: “Since 2017, I have been coordinating local businesses and sharing necessary information regarding compliance, business registration and policies in place. 

“So, after realising that many potential business owners are not well equipped, we decided to come up with the Hustle School in order to educate them how things are being done.” 

She said the aim of the symposium was to capacitate business owners and ensure that they break-through the barriers. George said they will have a warehouse here in Taung in order to assist all SMMEs to reach their target markets. 

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The committee emphasises the importance of enhanced voter education ahead of 2024 General Elections 

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By OBAKENG MAJE 

The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has emphasised the importance of enhanced voter education, especially given the new voting regime with three ballots. The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Mosa Chabane said, the committee has received an update from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) yesterday on preparations for the upcoming national and provincial elections.

“It is important that the Electoral Commission of South Africa enhances its voter education initiatives to ensure that people are capacitated on how to vote during the elections, taking into consideration the three ballots that will be used during these elections.

“The committee heard that the IEC has planned extensive voter education initiatives that will focus on the three ballots, on special votes and voting where registered. These initiatives will focus on face-to-face education, social media platforms, television, radio, and printed information factsheets,” he said.

Chabane further said, the committee has called for the effective implementation of these plans to ensure that voters are adequately capacitated to vote correctly. He added that, meanwhile, the committee welcomed the assurance that recruitment of about 200 000 voting staff is underway. 

“Also, the information that the training of Presiding Officers, Deputy Presiding Officers and Voter’s Roll Officers will commence this month. The committee reiterated that training is important to make the voting process seamless. 

“It has called for the conclusion of the recruitment process of the 200 000-voting staff to ensure that they are also trained and equipped with information especially in view of the new system which will be implemented for the first time in 2024. It is also worth noting that the procurement process for electoral materials have been finalised,” said Chabane. 

He said also important is that, ballot paper printing capacity is in place and only awaits the finalisation of candidate nomination process and printing will happen between 10 April and 8 May 2024. Chabane said the committee welcomes the assurance that the IEC has put in place contingency plans to mitigate the impact of load-shedding on the voting and counting process.

“The committee appreciated the plans of mitigation that are in place for risks such as longer ballots which might result in longer queues. The IEC informed the committee that they will have queue walkers to ensure that voters are in the right voting stations and ballot orientation posters to help with orientation of ballots, and minimise the risk of miscast or spoilt ballots.

“Similarly, the committee accepted the assurances that the IEC is working well with the security cluster to maintain peace and stability prior and during elections. The clarification by the IEC that the invitation of election observers falls squarely under it,” he said. 

According to Chabane, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation has reaffirmed the committee’s strong belief that opportunism around this matter is unacceptable and has a potential to undermine the good name of the IEC. 

“The committee welcomes the clarification as it demystifies the assertions that political parties can invite electoral observers. South Africa’s electoral systems have been observed since the democratic electoral process started and the assurance that over 52 organisations have been certified to observe the elections is welcomed. 

“The committee is assured that the IEC is ready for the elections and the presentation it received reaffirms the confidence it has on the capacity of the IEC and systems within the IEC to deliver a credible, free, and fair electoral process. 

“Despite this, it has cautioned political parties against acting outside the set code of conduct and it has emphasised the need to utilise dispute resolution mechanisms in cases of disputes. The committee was unanimous in denouncing political parties fuelling violence and mayhem around democratic electoral processes,” said Chabane.  

He said the committee has resolved to undertake an oversight visit to the IEC to witness first-hand the preparations for the elections. Chabane said the date for that visit will be communicated in due course.

“The committee also received a briefing on the Marriage Bill [B43 -2023] introduced on 13 December 2023. The committee resolved that the IEC will in most probability not meet the Constitutional Court deadline of 27 June 2024. 

“An application to the Constitutional Court should be made for an extension of further 24 months to allow Parliament to conduct extensive public hearings. While the application for extension is underway, the committee will open the call for public comments on the Bill,” he said.

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Maloyi: “Traditional leaders displayed heroism and resilience during the struggle”

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Picture: The acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi during the official opening of the North West House of Traditional and Khoi-San leaders/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi said traditional leaders displayed heroism and resilience during the struggle for liberation. Maloyi said most of them were also being forced into exile, while fighting apartheid and its draconian laws.

Maloyi said this while addressing the official opening of the North West House of Traditional and Khoi-San leaders for the year 2024. He further said they take the hats off for leaders like Kgosi Lentswe II of Bakgatla ba Kgafela, who was at the centre of a trans-frontier network that played a crucial role in the struggle for liberation in our country.

“They were steadfast in their resolve to fight colonialism and apartheid. It is these heroic acts that have trickled down from one generation to the other that have served as a beacon of hope in the emancipation of our people. We are here today because of their sacrifices. 

“During the State of the Province Address (SOPA), I gave a candid assessment of the journey we have traversed since 1994. It is true that we have made significant progress in the roll-out of services such as provision of water, housing, and electricity. These services have benefited millions of our people,” said Maloyi.

He said, however, they are not oblivious to the challenges of the day. Maloyi further said they are doing everything in their power to address them.

“Our communities under the jurisdiction of the traditional leadership, still bear the imprints of an unjust past, while there is progress that has been made, more needs to be done to promote rural development and encourage investments in our villages, rural and traditional communities.

“Through the Accelerated Service Delivery Plan-Thuntsha Lerole, we are visiting our townships, rural and traditional communities to resolve service delivery backlogs in our communities,” he said. 

According to Maloyi, since the inception of this initiative, they are crisscrossing the province handing out projects, opening schools and health centres to address challenges of socio-economic concern afflicting our communities. He said they are rolling out water provision projects through Operation Bulela Metsi to ensure that there is uninterrupted provision of water in our communities. 

“We are registering our people in the indigents database so that they can qualify for free electricity and water. We have sent officials in municipalities to assist with financial recovery plans. The skills audit initiative is in full swing and there are some municipalities that have completed this exercise.

“This is aimed at ensuring that municipalities employ qualified and skilled personnel. We are committed to align our District Development Model (DDM) objectives with the aspirations of Dikgosi in addressing service delivery backlogs in our rural and traditional communities,” said Maloyi. 

He said he would like to appeal to the house to join the provincial government in raising concerns with the implementation of Social Labour Plans and Corporate Social Investments by mining companies in their host communities. Maloyi said whilst the province is endowed with vast mineral resources, the communities continue to live in abject poverty with high levels of unemployment dictating the socio-economic narrative.

“North West forms part of the largest belt, which accounts for 70% of the world’s platinum reserves, yet unemployment in the province hovers around 38%. The implementation of SLP and CSI projects must be done in consultation with the provincial government and our traditional councils to address challenges of unemployment and poverty in our province.

“Last year, I had a series of meetings with you to try and address concerns you raised with the government. To that end from 12-14 April 2023, I had a working session with all Dikgosi. The working session entailed robust engagements with the MECs, HoDs, Business People, Representatives of the Mining Houses and Business Forums,” he said.

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A double murder case against Schweizer Reneke man postponed 

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Picture: The firearm allegedly used in killings/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE 

A double murder case against an accused, Onkemetse Thaganyane (40), has been postponed to 25 March 2024. Thaganyane, who is facing two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder, briefly appeared before the Schweizer Reneke Magistrate’s Court on 20 March 2024, following his arrest on 19 March 2024. 

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said, Thaganyane allegedly shot and killed two people and injured two. Mokgwabone said, a confrontation ensued during a protest action at Extension 5, Ipelegeng Township in Schweizer Reneke.

“It is alleged that some members of the community demanded to be employed on a sewer pipeline project. During the confrontation, a shot was allegedly fired towards two construction vehicles, which were also pelted with stones, thus causing damage.  

“One of the construction vehicle drivers reportedly fired shots and in the process, a boy (11) and a man (33) were shot at. The minor died on the scene, while the man succumbed to injuries at Schweizer Reneke Hospital,” he said. 

Mokgwabone further said in addition, two other men were taken to hospital due to serious injuries they sustained. He added that the police arrested the suspect and seized his firearm.  

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, is shocked about the loss of lives and at the same time conveyed condolences to the deceased’s families. Kwena warned the public about the danger of violent protests, where even children and the innocent are often used.

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Two men sentenced to 30 years imprisonment in separate murder cases 

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By OBAKENG MAJE 

A man (27) was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment by the Bafokeng Regional Court for stabbing a patron to death in Lefaragatlhe village, outside Tlhabane in Rustenburg. Letlhogonolo Kole stabbed the deceased several times with a sharp object following an argument they had at a tavern on 5 February 2023. 

The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said, the victim was consequently transported to Bafokeng Health Centre, where he was declared dead on arrival. He said Kole was later arrested and upon being sentenced, the court declared him unfit to possess firearms in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000).

“In the second and separate incident, the court also handed down direct 15 years imprisonment to Olifilwe Moremi for the murder of his friend. The court heard that the convict was with friends including the victim, Tshwarelo Ditshwene at a tavern when an argument ensued during a dice game in December 2016 at Monakato, near Mogwase. 

“It was at that point that Ditshwene and his friend went home, unaware that Moremi was following them. Upon arrival at Ditshwene’s parental house, Moremi attacked the pair with a knife and ultimately stabbed Ditshwene to death,” said Mokgwabone. 

He further said the incident was reported to the police, who arrested Moremi shortly after the incident. Mokgwabone added that, after being released on bail, he used a television programme to ask for forgiveness from the family. 

“However, he was found guilty and sentenced. In addition to the murder sentence, he was given five years for assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH). Both sentences are to run concurrently and Moremi was similarly declared unfit to possess a firearm,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, lauded both Investigating Officers, Detective Captain Daniel Koloi and Detective Sergeant Kefilwe Rampete, as well as the Prosecutor, Advocate Zola Mpayipheli who prosecuted both cases for their sterling work that resulted in the convictions. 

Kwena indicated that the South African Police Service (SAPS) and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will continue to collaborate to ensure that criminals are put behind bars.

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Police need your assistance to identified a man who was killed by a car  

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The police in Upington are requesting the public to assist with identifying a body of an unknown black man who died on 24 September 2023 around 7:30pm on Swartmodder Road, near Upington Industrial area. 

The ZF Mgcawu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Omphile Masegela said, an unknown black man was involved in a car accident and died on the scene. Masegela said the deceased is unknown and was never identified at Upington Forensic Pathology since the accident. 

“Now, the body is still at Upington mortuary. The estimated age is between 25-35 and he was wearing a black Jean, black jersey and black boots during the time of the accident.

“Anyone who can assist to trace the family of the deceased person or any information to get hold of his family can contact the investigating Office Detective, Sergeant Vuyani Silingile on (054) 337-3435 or 0824954615,” she said. 

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A man jailed for raping a minor

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By OBAKENG MAJE 

A man (26) has been sentenced to 6 years’ imprisonment by the Springbok Regional Court for raping a girl (14). Acording to the police, Abongile Sibekwa, raped the girl in Carolusberg, near Springbok between 1 April 2021 and 17 November 2021.

The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Timothy Sam said, the court heard that the accused and the victim were staying at the same block of rental flats in Carolusberg. Sam said Sibekwa would invite the victim over to his room and have sexual intercourse with her. 

“The victim’s mother learned about the conduct and reported it to the police. The court imposed a 6-year direct prison sentence for statutory rape. 

“Sibekwa was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. His name will be entered into the National Sex Offenders Register,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Northern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola, applauded the Investigating and Prosecution team, Detective Constable Agnes Vena and Mr Basil Kock for ensuring safer communities that are sensitive to the needs of women, children and LGBTQIA+ persons.

Otola urged all communities to rate the police efforts by participating in the “RATE OUR SERVICE” online survey to assist the police in improving services. 

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