Picture: The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi handing over Borolelo Primary School project/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said the construction of the Borolelo Primary School project in Koster, will alleviate overcrowding in schools. Motsumi handed over the school worth R103 million to the community on Saturday as part of 30 years of democracy.
“The Borolelo Primary School boasts of modern facilities, including 21 classrooms for Grade 1-7 learners, an Early Childhood Development (ECD) block, an ICT-equipped lab, science lab for Grade R through 7, multipurpose room, ablution facilities, change rooms for both boys and girls, fully equipped NSNP kitchen, an administration block and a library among other facilities.
“Our department is committed to address the strain faced by towns grappling with school overcrowding. As a result of high rates of in-migration, this is realised with the handover of the newly constructed school,” she said.
Mosumi further said, as they celebrate 30 years since the dawn of democracy, the opening of Borelelo Primary School signifies a vital step towards securing a brighter future for our children. She added that they constructed the school in response to overcrowding at the existing Kgetleng Primary School.
“As the department, we understand nurturing young minds needs a conducive environment that allows learners to be free and empowered to reach their full potential. We cannot leave behind the upliftment of our communities through job prospects that come from these constructions.
“This is the true essence of the freedom we celebrate today – the freedom to learn, to grow, and to contribute meaningfully to our nation. The handover of Borolelo Primary School marks a significant milestone in the province’s education sector, solidifying the government’s resolve to create an environment, where every child has the chance to excel,” said Motsumi.
Picture: The traffic officers during parade/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari, will be leading the distribution of the traffic uniform for all officers. The North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management spokesperson, Lucas Mothibedi said the event will be preceded by a joint law enforcement operation at the Lehurutshe Traffic Station at 11am.
“There will be an opportunity for one-on-one interviews after each event,” said Mothibedi.
The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said her department is ready to administer the June exams, which start on 29 April 2024. Motsumi said to ensure a ‘smooth and fair’ process for all involved, the department has prepared 73 examination centres registered for the 2024 May/June examinations, including 39 NSC examination centres.
“The capturing of entries has been fully completed with any remaining entries. Additionally, all centres have been categorized into low, moderate, and high-risk categories, and a thorough risk profile of each examination centre has been completed.
“Furthermore, the storage of question papers has been carried out with utmost care, adhering strictly to criteria for evaluation and undergoing rigorous audits to ensure the security and integrity of the examination process,” she said.
Motsumi added that she has confirmed the readiness with parents and the education community at large. She said the May/June examination is an important milestone for the learners and they want to assure them and their parents that they have taken every measure to maintain the standards set in the October/November 2023 examinations.
“We are committed to providing a conducive environment for all learners to demonstrate their abilities and achieve success. We urge all learners to approach these examinations with confidence and determination, knowing that the department is dedicated to support them in every step of the way,” said Motsumi.
She said the department extends its best wishes to all learners undertaking these examinations, encouraging them to showcase their knowledge and skills with confidence and integrity.
Picture: The newly-appointed MDDA Board members/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
The newly-appointed Board at the Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA), is expected to ‘hit the ground’ running. This comes after the incoming Board members were officially appointed by the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa.
The MDDA Board Chairperson, Prof Hlengani Mathebula, has voiced confidence in the recently appointed members. Mathebula said their appointments came after a rigorous selection and interview process by the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies.
“The Board members, Jayshree Pather, Thembelani Mpakati and Qondile Khedama, bring a broad set of skills, ranging from legal, accounting, research, policy and capacity building, as well as media and communications to the Board.
“This will enhance the oversight function role of the Board. Pather is a development and community media expert with over 25 years of experience, working on the intersection of development and the community media sector,” she said.
Mathebula further said Pather as an independent consultant for the past ten years, her experience spans research, policy, training/capacity-building, and materials development for a range of national, regional, and international organisations. She added that, since 2014, Pather has been a trainer at Wits Radio Academy, where she leads a foundational course on media policy and legislation for the Advanced Radio Certificate program.
“In 2020/2021, she oversaw a training program on digital campaigning tools for 50 African participants across 18 countries in collaboration with US-based Social Movement Technologies (SMT) on behalf of WoMin.
“Pather was also the first Project Director at the MDDA between 2006 and 2009 and has served on the boards of Sonke Gender Justice Project and ABC Ulwazi. She has several published articles, including a Future Proofing Guide for Community Radio for the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB),” said Mathebula.
She said Pather had a briefing note on community radio for SANEF’s Independent Panel of Inquiry into Media Ethics and Credibility and chapters on community radio in the State of the Newsroom (2014 and 2024). Mathebula said she has a MSc in Development Planning from the University of the Witwatersrand.
“Mpakati holds a Bachelor of Law (LLB) Degree and a National Diploma in Cost and Management Accounting (CCMA) from UNISA and Walter Sisulu University respectively. He has worked at the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and National Treasury, amongst others.
“He is the Director and Founder of Mpakati Attorneys based in Pretoria. Mpakati has gained good experience in litigation, investigations, legal compliance, good governance, audit, and risk management,” she said.
Mathebula said Mpakati served as a Parole Board Member of the Free State and Northern Cape Regions under the auspices of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). She said he also served as the Deputy Chairperson of the National Association of Democratic Lawyers (NADEL) in Tshwane. As a practicing attorney and human rights activist.
“He has acquired sufficient skills to be able to represent members of the public and actively mediate in terms of applicable rules and legislation,” said Mathebula.
She said Khedama holds an Advanced Diploma in Public Management from the Central University of Technology, a Programme in Management Development for Municipal Finance, as well as Developmental Communications. Mathebula said he holds a variety of other certificates covering Digital Marketing, Public Relations and Leadership, Feature Writing, Newspaper Management, Project Management and Events Managements among others.
“He is currently Head of Communications for the Mangaung Metro Municipality and a contributor to the PAN African Foundation (PAN), University of the Free State, Centenary Public Lectures as well as Eyewitness News (EWN).
“During the course of his career, he has won a number of awards, including, PMR Best Marketed 2016 Municipality, 2017 SADC Media Award. So, I would like to indicate that their presence and expertise will go a long way in advancing the work of the MDDA Board,” said Mathebula.
She said their collective expertise and presence are poised to significantly bolster the Agency’s mission of establishing itself as a formidable force in championing development and diversity within the community media sector. Mathebula said they remain committed to exercising due oversight of the Agency, including promoting good corporate governance and financial prudence as we continue to undertake our fiduciary duties.
Picture: North West MEC for COGHSTA, Nono Maloyi/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, (COGHSTA), Nono Maloyi has called on management of his department to ensure that contractors improve on service delivery with regard to unblocking blocked projects and issuing of title deeds across the province.
Maloyi said the department has taken a decision previously to unblock all blocked projects in the province, saying although there is visible progress, he is not pleased as it is carried out in snail’s pace. He further said that the managers should always follow up on all projects, as well as to intervene on challenges encountered by contractors to avoid delays.
He added that the department should appoint performing contractors to ensure that projects are completed and handed over on time.
“We have introduced contractors and had sessions with them to say, we want them on site immediately so that we hand over these houses to their beneficiaries. You are therefore expected to work round the clock throughout the festive season to ensure that, you are part when we extend the scope of contractors who have the capacity.
“Managers must ensure that title deeds are handed over so that we do not focus on blocked projects only. It is responsibility of the department to ensure that communities have roof over their heads and own those properties they have been staying in,” said Maloyi.
Picture: North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha
By OBAKENG MAJE
The North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha said there is no crisis over the unemployment of nurses in the province. This comes after DENOSA alleged that there are 200 unemployed nurses in the province sitting at home, even though they have completed the recruitment processes through interviews.
DENOSA threatened to stage a sit-in at the North West Department of Health in solidarity, but postponed after consultative engagement with Sambatha. DENOSA provincial secretary, Mothusi Lebatle alleged that they have raised their frustrations with regards to the current situation.
Lebatle said they need commitment from the department on when those who went for interviews will be appointed.
“We need to know when the advert will be released for those who will be completing comserve between January to June 2024. The circular that was released by the previous administrator saying RPLs should undergo the interview process be withdrawn.
“We want for the RPLs to have straight translation as they are already on the system of the department as employees. The department has confirmed that, there is R100 million allocated for appointments of nurses’ post that is under concurrence review between the Departments of Health and Treasury,” he said.
Lebatle further said Sambatha requested to be given at least a week to engage with the departmental administration, so that they can finalise the administration issue and revert back to them with a positive answer. He added that Sambatha also agreed that the administration will deal with the advert for the post from January to June 2024.
“He agreed that RPLs should not be included in the interviews. However, the process of competence assessment will unfold between the employer and RPLs. It is with the above engagements that we decided to give the department a week of their internal engagements and revert back to us by or before 26 April 2024.
“With that, we are postponing and not cancelling the sit-in that was to take place on 22 April 2024, until the engagements with the department unfolds this week,” said Lebatle.
However, Sambatha refuted DENOSA allegations and said: “The department has had R150 million allocated for employment. However, that was revised because of new restrictions on appointments. Now, we have R100 million to appoint everybody this financial year as department.
“Therefore, the management has been given a responsibility by myself to prioritise critical positions that are vacant and appointed. DENOSA alleged that there were 200 unemployed nurses, but when I met with them, I told them that it is impossible.”
Sambatha said DENOSA agreed with him because the nurses they are referring to are only 146. He said also, it is not 146 that are unemployed because most of the applicants are the departmental employees.
“The selection process should be allowed to take its course and the fact of the matter is that, out of 146 individuals, 57 are not employed. The rest are the departmental employees.
“The department has a program to empower its employees. So, employees who are working as general workers, including everybody who qualifies to do nursing, are taken in through the RPL program. When they complete the nursing course, they go back to their original positions,” said Sambatha.
He said the difference is that these employees should be translated to upper positions that are dealing with nursing. Sambatha said those who are unemployed, are the ones who came from communities through the normal recruitment process.
“The department long said that with vacancies it has, it can employ all 146 applicants. When you go and check medical doctors, it is 77 doctors who have given us indication that they have completed their community services and internship, now they are ready to be employed.
“As we speak, 43 out of 77, have already been appointed. We are working with SAMATU to ensure that others are employed. Unlike in other provinces, there is no pressure in the North West. Shortlisting processes have taken place and normally the appointment should be done within three months,” he said.
However, Sambatha said in this instance, they should consult the Office of the Premier and the Provincial Treasury.
Picture: The municipal speaker of embattled Mamusa Local Municipality, Doctor Batsi during engagement with the residents/Facebook
By OBAKENG MAJE
Some residents in Glaudina village, outside Schweizer Reneke said they continue to experience widespread poor service delivery within their area. They said their continuous engagements with the embattled Mamusa Local Municipality is futile.
On 23 March 2024, the residents submitted the Memorandum of Demand to the municipality, raising various challenges regarding poor service delivery.
One of the residents who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said: “As the residents, we continue to experience challenges in provision of quality basic services to our community. When we engage in violent and disruptive service delivery protests, they send the police to come and shoot at us.
“I just wonder what kind of government is this that does not deliver services to its people. Normally, these service delivery protests are typically triggered by the failure of the government to provide communities with basic quality services such as electricity, water, tarred roads, sanitation and waste removal.”
Another resident who also refused to be named for fear of reprisal shared the same sentiments. He said in general, corruption, financial mismanagement and unproductive operations are among the challenges that contribute to ineffective service delivery by the government.
“The memorandum we submitted to the municipality entails a wide range of issues related to service delivery and unemployment. We have inadequate service provision from various government institutions such as SASSA, Home Affairs and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
“However, our main issue was the allegation of skewed recruitment processes in the EPWP and CWP intakes. We have a high rate of unemployment and the service delivery by the municipality is widely perceived to be poor in various areas,” he said.
He said they urge the municipality to focus and identify key challenges that affect service delivery in their area. He said some of the key challenges that hinder the municipality from effectively delivering quality basic services to the community are caused by poor planning, financial mismanagement, corruption and lack of community participation.
Meanwhile, the municipal speaker of Mamusa Local Municipality, Doctor Batsi said: “I met with the residents to give feedback on their concerns. Honestly, we were hard at work responding to more than 15 demands raised by the residents.
“In that meeting, we also agreed that some of the issues raised by the concerned residents will be addressed during the 2024/25 IDP Budget processes. We have further committed to ensure that both the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District and Mamusa Local Municipalities will address issues related to their services.”
It is all systems go for the North West to host the Blind Cricket National Championships competition in Potchefstroom. All nine provinces will converge in Potchefstroom to participate in the Blind Cricket National Championships competition that will commence from 26 April until 1 May 2024.
The North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation spokesperson, Shuping Sebolecwe said, the Blind Cricket adheres to certain adaptations to make the game more accessible to blind and visually impaired persons. Sebolecwe further said, it is the most unique version of the game that boasts major adaptations of the rules, as well as the equipment.
“The North West Blind Cricket in partnership with the Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation (ACSR), as well as the JB Marks Local Municipality, recently held a media briefing at JB Marks Cricket Stadium, introducing Blind Cricket to the media.
“We are happy and excited as the department to host Blind Cricket Championships competition within the province. This will be the first time the province hosts such competition on our fields,” he said.
Sebolecwe added that this is history in the making. He said they are all equal as human beings, so it is important that blind people are also included within the sports fraternity.
The North West Cricket president, Samuel Bareng said: “The North West Blind Cricket was established on 13 August 2022 and launched in Vryburg. The aim is to develop access to blind cricket in the province. The people who are blind, partially blind and partially sighted, are also given a platform to showcase their cricket talent.
“The North West Dragons are eager and excited to play during the games. They put on hard work to put the province on the map. The North West Dragons have two players in the national squad.”
Bareng said the numbers will surely increase since North West Cricket managers are looking for new members. He said the North West Dragons have a total of 21 team members.
Meanwhile, the former North West Blind Cricket team coach, Stephen Visser said the province could have invested more in the development by creating a league, instead of rushing to host this kind of competition. Visser said there is no progression because the players are still under-developed and they only train when they have to play games.
“This T20 tournament was postponed from December 2023. The players are scarce because they stay in different areas. The North West Cricket is capable of hosting these kinds of tournaments, but they could have nurtured players first.
“There is also lack of financial backing, but I think so far, everything is on track as I heard that various stakeholders are on board. My concern is what will happen to these players after this tournament? Said Visser.
He said more camps are needed as most of the players that can be accessible are from the North West School of the Blind and sometimes the school refuses to release them.
Picture: The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi
By REGINALD KANYANE
The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said her department wishes to remind parents and legal guardians of the open window for learner registration for the 2025 academic year intake.
Motsumi said the registration period runs from 1 April until 30 September 2024.
“The registration period will operate on a first come, first served basis. We encourage parents to seize the opportunity. Timely learner registration is crucial for effective planning within our schools.
“It allows us to allocate resources efficiently and ensures we have adequate classrooms, furniture, and stationery for all learners come the 2025 academic year. I urge parents and guardians to avoid delays and register their children during this designated period,” she said.
Motsumi further said the department reminds parents and guardians to bring documents such as certified copy of learner’s birth certificate, Immunisation Card, most recent report card (if applicable) and transfer letter or card from previous school (if applicable) for registration.
She added that, for learners from outside South Africa, study visa or parents’ work permit, residence permit (or proof of application for non-citizens) and asylum seeker permit or certificate granting refugee status (if applicable) will be needed.
“While schools are required to maintain waiting lists, principals and School Governing Bodies (SGBs) encourage parents to submit applications before the deadline to avoid longer wait times. Schools will issue written acceptance or non-acceptance decisions to parents by 30 September 2024,” said Motsumi.
Picture: The acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi leads the sod-turning ceremony/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi said the Mahikeng Student City, is not merely a housing endeavour, but a holistic vision for student living. This comes after the North West Housing Corporation (NWHC) hosted the momentous sod-turning ceremony for the Mahikeng Student City Development Project at Lokaleng road, near the North West University (Mafikeng campus).
Maloyi said the event marked the official launch of a visionary project aimed at providing high quality accommodation for 10,000 students in the vicinity of the provincial capital. He further said the plans for the development include a state-of-the-art fitness centre, modern amenities, convenient access to transportation, and essential health facilities.
“This comprehensive approach aims to enhance the overall student experience and foster a thriving community. This project is significant and has potential to generate both short and long-term job opportunities for the residents of Mahikeng.
“The first phase of this project will create more than 3,500 job opportunities for locals. It will also be part of the commitment to economic empowerment within the region. It is important to ensure that local businesses benefit directly from the project,” said Maloyi.
He added that they expect the main contractor to prioritise sub-contractors from Mahikeng. Maloyi said the government is dedicated to maximising local participation and economic impact.
Meanwhile, the government’s unwavering commitment to job creation and service delivery programmes was echoed throughout the ceremony.
The North West Housing Corporation (NWHC), CEO Bishop Sello Mogodiri said: “The concerted effort is needed to realise the government’s vision to reposition the province as a hub of development and opportunities. We would like to commend Maloyi’s leadership in spearheading initiatives for smart and mega cities.
“Your commitment to supporting smart city development is evident. The NWHC’s dedication to swiftly advance the smart city project, with construction slated to commence by June this year.”
Mogodiri expressed optimism for a fruitful collaboration as the project progresses, ensuring that the benefits reach the people of Mahikeng. He said the sod-turning ceremony for the Mahikeng Student City Development Project stands as a symbol of hope, progress, and collaboration.
“As construction commences and the vision becomes reality, the province embarks on a transformative journey toward prosperity and development,” said Mogodiri.
The Guardian 