Daily Archives: June 22, 2024

SANCO in North West congratulates newly-appointed EXCO

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

South African National Congress (SANCO) in North West said it believes that the newly-elected Members of the Executive Council (EXCO), will continue to implement the ANC manifesto without fail. This comes after the newly-elected North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi introduced his Members of Executive Council (MECs) on Friday.

SANCO provincial spokesperson, Mzukisi Jam said the appointment of the executive is based on ANC guidelines, which require among other criteria that members have post-matric qualifications.

Jam further said they do not doubt the leadership of Mokgosi, who by his position as the ANC provincial Deputy Chairperson and his experience as a former North West MEC for Social Development, understand the responsibility of leading the province in the right direction and ensuring the delivery of services promised to our communities.

“We congratulate the newly appointed EXCO and elected executive of the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL). As SANCO, we take this opportunity to congratulate the newly appointed Executive Committee (EXCO) members of the North West Provincial Government, led by Mokgosi, and the elected executive members of the North West Provincial Legislature, led by Speaker, Desbo Mohono and Deputy Speaker, Tshepo Khoza.

“We also have confidence in the elected North West Provincial Legislature Speaker and Deputy Speaker. Based on their credentials, we are confident they are capable of maintaining order and decorum in the parliament and holding the executive accountable alongside leaders of the legislature portfolios,” he said.

Jam added that the communities of the North West have given the ANC another chance to preside over the affairs of government and implement their manifesto for a better life for all. He said the 2024 election results show that communities still have confidence in the ANC in the province and do not want a coalition government or a Government of National Unity.

“The low voter turnout and decrease in ANC support as compared to previous elections on the other hand indicate dissatisfaction of communities. Key concerns raised by our communities during the election campaign include corruption, inadequate service delivery, and unemployment, which the 7th administration must prioritize.

“Our communities have made it clear that they are running out of patience and demand immediate service delivery. SANCO is content that Mokgosi has promised in his acceptance speech to continue with the Thuntsha Lerole Programme, which aligns with the communities’ wishes for accelerated service delivery,” said Jam.

He said the 7th administration inherits a stable provincial government, with some departments emerging from administration under Section 100 (1) (b). Jam said EXCO also takes over from a government that made concerted efforts to improve municipalities’ financial and administrative difficulties.

“The 6th administration commendably intervened in municipalities under serious financial stress due to adopting unfunded budgets and lacking senior managers, aiding their audit outcomes over the past five years and striving to improve these outcomes.

“SANCO calls for the new EXCO to continue stabilizing municipalities’ finances and administration by appointing qualified and capable individuals to deliver services to our people. We further call on the 7th administration to be decisive in dealing with corruption in government,” said Jam.

He said EXCO is also expected to ensure a transformed and inclusive economy to combat unemployment, inequality, and poverty. Jam said SANCO amongst other things, is pleased with the generational mix and women representatives in the provincial EXCO and legislature, emphasizing the importance of preparing future leaders and the ANC’s serious commitment to advancing gender equity.

“We welcome the Premier’s decision to retain some experienced MECs for continuity purposes, given their familiarity with public service administration.

“SANCO further like to emphasize and remind the newly appointed EXCO that our communities have given the ANC this chance to deliver on its promises and correct past mistakes and areas where they did not deliver,” he said.

Jam said this cohort will determine the ANC’s support for the 2026 local elections, which will primarily depend on delivering promised services and fostering an improved and inclusive economy that enables job creation and a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.

He said SANCO believes that ward councillors should also do more to educate and be honest with communities about the government’s financial constraints.

“There is a misconception that the government has abundant funds, whereas the reality is that it has limited resources and cannot achieve all the desired Integrated Development Plan (IDP) targets in one financial year.

“So, it is important for our communities to know that much of the government budget goes to salaries and operational services. Nonetheless, these financial constraints call for the government to use its limited resources sparingly, make realistic priorities, and update communities regularly on the progress of providing promised services,” said Jam.

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SAFA EC laud exciting return of Engen Knockout Challenge

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Picture: SAFA National Executive Committee Member, Mzimkhulu Fina/Supplied

 

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The return of the Engen Knockout Challenge to the Eastern Cape province was welcomed with huge excitement by the South African Football Association’s Eastern Cape office, after the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University kicked off the opening day of the tournament in Gqebhera on Saturday, 22 June.

South Africa’s largest youth football tournament has made an exciting return to the province, having last being played in 2019.

A total of 24 teams, equally divided between Boys U-18 and Girls U-20 kicked off the two-day competition to the high appreciation of SAFA National Executive Committee Member, Mzimkhulu Fina, who hailed Engen’s efforts of partnering with SAFA in developing youth football.

“We are excited to be having this tournament taking place here again. As SAFA, we want to thank Engen. The province has just celebrated the qualification of Highbury FC to the ABC Motsepe League, and most of those players are a product of this tournament. So, it means a lot for us and our government of Eastern Cape when they (Engen) invest in us as it helps us produce players.

“Engen’s tireless efforts in providing a platform for talent identification was also credited for the ongoing emergence of South African football talent is even represented at international competitions,” he said.

 Fina further said they look at key Bafana Bafana players such as Ronwen Williams, who played in this tournament. He added that the province will be hosting the COSAFA Cup next week, most of the players that will be playing there have played in this tournament.

“So, it means a lot to see such because most people see the result but are not aware of the process and this is where it all starts, where you have partners like Engen leading the way when it comes to development.

“The tournament’s return to the Eastern Cape also coincides with the first official appearance of one of the tournament ambassadors’ first appearance, in Akhona Makalima – a native of the Eastern Cape province,” said Fina.

Makalima, a FIFA, CAF and SAFA accredited referee forms part of the Engen Knockout Challenge team of ambassadors, with the primary role of helping in the identification and guidance of young referees at the Engen Knockout Challenge. 

“It is an absolute honour for me to be joining the Engen Knockout Challenge family. I am particularly excited in the effort being made to afford young and aspirant match officials an opportunity to learn and acquire the experience needed.

“Such opportunities are rare for match officials, so the role being played by Engen is quite critical for match officials at grassroots level” said Makalima.

As expected, Day one of the competition produced interesting encounters, with teams in both the boys and girls putting their best foot forward.

The tournament concludes on 22 June with the winners in both the boys and girls’ division guaranteed a place at the Engen Champ of Champs in September this year.

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Students and management at Potchefstroom College of Agriculture embroiled amid expulsion allegations

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By OBAKENG MAJE 

The Potchefstroom College of Agriculture is embroiled in a crisis with its students, which allegedly forced the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to intervene. This comes after the college management allegedly expelled some in-campus students for ‘no apparent reasons’.  

Some aggrieved students, who would like to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal said, the college management does not communicate with them timeously. They said at times, they will receive information late at night. 

“We do have challenges with our lecturers. We do not have enough lecturers and we always receive our results late. There is no proper communication from the management and we always receive communiques late at night, which is inconvenient for us. 

“Sometimes we will not even receive communique at all and we will get surprises in the morning. Some students were allegedly being told to evacuate their rooms to make way for third students, however, they refused,” she said. 

Another student who refused to be named for fear of reprisal shared the same sentiments. She alleged that those students who refused to evacuate their rooms, were expelled from the college without any alternative. 

“Some of the students come from as far as Kwazulu Natal, Eastern Cape and Limpopo. If you are told at the 11th hour to evacuate your room without being given any alternative, where are you supposed to go?

“The management has created chaos and expelled some students without following any procedure. We need to stand up against this dictatorship and expose bad treatment we receive from the college. We urge the department to bring intervention and to consider our situations,” she said.      

However, the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development spokesperson, Emelda Setlhako refuted these allegations and described them as absurd. Setlhako further said no students have been expelled from the college.

“On 8 May 2024, the college management notified students residing in college residences that they would need to evacuate their rooms by the end of the first semester (i.e., by 6 June 2024). This measure was implemented to accommodate the final-year (third-year) students, who stay off-campus. 

“This was to allow them to attend short lectures as part of their Work Integrated Learning (WIL) program. Students staying in college residence were requested to evacuate the residence before 6 June 2024, and not to leave their personal belongings,” she said.

Setlhako added that students normally re-apply for accommodation at the beginning of each semester. She said in addition, students were asked not to go on recess without leaving their room keys with the residence officers, however, this request was not adhered to by some students.

“Despite the college’s efforts and multiple meetings with the Student Representative Council (SRC) and the students themselves, some students refused to go on recess and to vacate their rooms, which is against the policy. 

“Instead, they resorted to protest after receiving the evacuation notices issued on 8 May 2024. The policy states that no students are allowed in any of the student residences during recess, except the students who are on the Work Integrated Program (WIL),” she said.  

Setlhako said the same policy further states that students staying in college residences should be notified two weeks before evacuation. She said in this case, students were notified well in advance, as the date to vacate the college student residence was set for 6 June 2024.

“Due to the intensity of the protests and the burning of some college properties, a decision was made in a meeting held between the college management, the student affairs office and the student residence office that students who refused to vacate their rooms by the planned date and threatened the College Registrar and management should be evicted from college residences.

“Therefore, the reports that the students were expelled from the college are not true. It is the evacuation process that was implemented and the students were informed weeks in advance. Parents of students staying at college residences are aware of all the developments taking place at the PCA,” said Setlhako. 

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Picture: Potchefstroom College of Agriculture

58 members of uMkhonto weSizwe Party to be sworn-in 

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Picture: The MKP ogo

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The 58 Members of Parliament (MPs) from uMkhonto weSizwe Party will be sworn-in at Goodhope Chamber, Parliament on 25 June 2024 at around 12pm. The parliament spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo said the oath of office will be administered to the 58 elected members of the MK Party, who were not available to be sworn in during the first sitting of the National Assembly on 14 June. 

Mothapo further said the constitution mandates that before MPs begin to perform their functions in the assembly, they must swear or affirm faithfulness to the Republic and obedience to the constitution. He added that this swearing-in of original nominees from the MK Party list will be presided over by the Chief Justice, or a judge designated by him, as this is the inaugural swearing-in of these members following the National and Provincial Elections.

“The Speaker, on the other hand, will administer the oath to members, who were nominated after the first sitting. In accordance with the provisions of the Act, political parties may supplement or fill any vacancies that may occur on their candidates’ lists prior to the first swearing-in after elections.

“This ensures that all designated seats are filled and that parties are fully represented. Parliament has received an indication from the MK Party regarding the supplementation of their candidates list with a total of 21 members,” said Mothapo.

He said all required travel and accommodation logistics are being arranged in preparation for the swearing-in ceremony.

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North West Council on AIDS congratulates new EXCO 

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

The Chairperson of North West Council on Aids, Neo Moepi said they are looking forward to working efficiently with the newly-elected North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi and the North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari. 

Moepi said they intend to work closely with the 7th administration to advance the social and health needs of the People Living with HIV, as well as those of the society at large. He further said they would like to encourage them to be active members and participants in the AIDS Council. 

He added that the AIDS response needs all leaders beyond political affiliation, race and colour as the face of HIV and AIDS knows no boundaries. 

“We would like to take this opportunity to welcome and send well-wishes to both Mokgosi and Lehari. The two leaders are critical for the well-functioning of the Provincial Council on AIDS. 

“Mokgosi in particular is the Chairperson of the Council and the PCA believes that he will use his term to steer the Council in the right direction by uniting civil society and all the stakeholders behind the fight against HIV and AIDS,” said Moepi. 

He said at the same time, the PCA took this opportunity to thank the outgoing Chairperson in the form of former North West Premier, Bushy Maape and former acting North West Premier, Nono Maloyi for their role in rebuilding the Provincial Council on AIDS. 

He said the former North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha is equally acknowledged and appreciated for his sterling work particularly in the early stages of re-establishing the PCA. 

“During their term, they assisted the province to successfully re-establish and formally launch the PCA structures, which was led by the Deputy President on 1 December 2019. 

“They also ensured the appointment of the PCA Head of Secretariat paving way for more critical appointments to ensure the sustainability of the Council. The PCA is now looking to the new Premier and MEC to provide leadership and continue to build and strengthen the Council,” said Moepi. 

He said most importantly, the support of the new leadership is critical in ensuring that the province implements the 95-95-95 strategy to address HIV and TB targets in line with UNAIDS. Moepi said these targets seek to ensure that 95% of the people living with HIV in the province know their HIV status. 

“Another 95% of those that are HIV positive are initiated and retained on care, while the last 95% target seeks to ensure viral suppression of HIV positive clients who are initiated on treatment.

“The PCA also calls the two leaders to rally behind implementation of the broader National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2023-2028, which seeks all of us to engage multi-sectoral approaches to reduce the barriers and enhance access to equitable HIV, TB and STI prevention and treatment services,” he said.

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Bosisi: Ntja e bonwe e ja dirwe tsa lesea le le sa tswang go belegwa

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Setshwantsho: Sepodisi kwa lefelong le ngwana a latlhetsweng kwa go lone/Facebook  

Ka OBAKENG MAJE 

Setopo se se jelweng ke dintja sa lesea le eleng gone le belegwang, se bonwe gaufi le molapo kwa motseng wa Letlhakane, gaufi le Mahikeng mo letsatsing la maabane. Go begwa fa baagi ba ile ba tsenwa ke tsebe-tsebe morago ga gore ba bone ntja e goga-goga tlhogo ya lesea.   

Go ya ka sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone, sepodisi kwa Lomanyaneng, se batlisisa kgetsi ya go shuba morago ga pelegi (A case of concealment of birth). 

Setshwantsho: Lesea le jelwe ke ditjha/Facebook

“Se se tla morago ga gore dirwe tsa mmele tsa lesea le eleng gone le fetsang go belegwa di bonwe kwa motseng wa Letlhakane mo letsatsing la Labotlhano. Go begwa fa ntja ene ya bonwa e goga-goga tlhogo ya lesea. Tlhogo eo, ene ya kgwesiwa ntja, mme ya tswalwa sentle pele ga go ka bidiwa mapodisi. 

“Mme morago ga sebakanyana, yone ntja eo, ene ya bonwa gape e tswa kwa sekgweng se se gaufi, mme e goga-goga dirwe tsa mmele jaaka letheka, ga mmogo le maoto. Sepodisi sene sa bolotsa dipatlisiso le go senka thamo ga mmogo dimpa tsa setopo seo, fela ga sa bona sepe,” Mokgwabone wa tlhalosa. 

Mokgwabone are dipatlisiso di tsweletse, fela ga gona ope o tshwerweng go fitlha ga jaana. 

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Suspended Municipal Manager at Mamusa Local Municipality, Rantsho Gincane faces disciplinary hearing 

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Picture: The suspended Municipal Manager at Mamusa Local Municipality, Rantsho Gincane/Facebook 

By OBAKENG MAJE 

The embattled Municipal Manager at Mamusa Local Municipality, Rantsho Gincane set to face disciplinary hearing. The municipality said in a statement that the decision to haul Gincane to the disciplinary hearing was taken during a special council meeting on 20 June 2024. 

The Mamusa Local Municipality mayor, Seitebaleng Chelechele said: “In its special sitting, the council resolved to institute a disciplinary hearing against Gincane. He remains suspended until completion of his disciplinary hearing. 

“The above council resolution is a consequence of a report that was tabled before the council on the matter against Gincane. The council further resolved to appoint Advocate Lucky Tutubalang as the acting Director for Corporate Services until 28 June 2024.” 

Chelechele further said the temporary appointment of Tutubalang comes after the absence of Director, Joel Makade, who is on leave until 28 June 2024. 

Meanwhile, Gincane who was suspended for allegedly convening unlawful council meeting, told The Citizen newspaper that he has written a letter to the Head of the Department (HOD) of the North West Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Ben Bole, asking him to reverse their unlawful removal.

In the letter, Gincane alleged that Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Vincent Masilo, who is acting in his place, lacked experience and relevant qualifications, but he was pliable and would accede to unlawful decisions of the council.

After Gincane’s suspension, the council authorised the appointment of lawyers to defend its allegedly unlawful resolutions.

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Consumers urged to be wary when buying foodstuffs from shops

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Picture: Police inspecting items at a local tuck shop/Google

By REGINALD KANYANE 

The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has embarked on compliance inspections to ensure that unsafe and expired goods (goods that have passed their shelf-life) are removed from the shelves. The NCC said this is meant to retain consumers’ confidence in the food and foodstuffs they buy from the shops. 

The NCC spokesperson, Phetho Ntaba said the first stop was the Capricorn District Municipality in Limpopo. Ntaba further said the NCC has joined forces with the Departments of Labour, Health and Home Affairs (Immigration Office), South African Police Services, Environmental Health Practitioners and Waste Management under Capricorn District Municipality. 

“This is to ensure that we inspect various retailers in Seshego, Mankweng, Turfloop, Lebowakgomo and Polokwane. In the areas inspected, the team discovered that there is widespread non-compliance, especially of goods that have passed their sell-by, use-by or best before dates. 

“The non-compliant goods were duly removed from the shelves and confiscated. The non-compliant goods include baby food, sweets, cool drinks, noodles, snacks, tinned foodstuff, juices and other consumables,” said Ntaba. 

He said these items had the potential of causing harm and compromising the health of consumers. Ntaba said there is an equally reprehensible practice that the inspection uncovered, which is retention of the goods past date markings and continuing to sell them to consumers at “discount prices”.

“The NCC maintains that these suppliers are self-serving and are not driven by consumer interest. No discount is worth the health or well-being of consumers. Section 55 of the CPA provides that every consumer has a right to goods that are of good quality, safe and comply with applicable standards or any other public regulations,” he said. 

Ntaba said the confiscated items will be destroyed. He said the other common practice discovered is suppliers that do not display the prices of goods, making it difficult for consumers to know the price beforehand to exercise their right to choose. 

“Section 23 (3) of the CPA provides that, suppliers of goods and services must not display any goods for sale without displaying to the consumer a price in relation to those goods. The Act further states that a price must be adequately displayed, expressed in the currency of the country, affixed to, written, printed, stamped, located upon, or applied to the goods or the band. 

“The team has also discovered that suppliers do not issue sales records/receipts or that their sales records/receipts are not consistent with the provisions of the CPA. A sales record/receipts, according to the CPA, must have the name of the supplier or registered business name, VAT number (if any), address of the premises, date on which the transaction occurred,” said Ntaba. 

He said this will include name and description of any goods or services supplied, unit price of the goods, quantity, total price before any applicable taxes and total of the transaction, including applicable taxes. Ndaba said there are also incidents of bundled goods, wherein consumers do not enjoy the benefit of savings when buying in bulk as envisaged by the CPA.

“Consumers are urged to look for date markings (best before/use by dates), as buying and consuming these goods may lead to health complications,” he said. 

Meanwhile, the NCC’s acting Commissioner, Hardin Ratshisusu said: “Failure to issue sales records deprives the consumer of their right to return the goods in case of a product failure, where quality is compromised. 

“We want to remind suppliers to comply with the provisions of the CPA. The NCC will continue with its efforts to ensure a fair marketplace by taking non-compliant suppliers to task.” 

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Sekolo sa kwa Sebitloane se dirisa metsameko e farologaneng go ruta baithuti go bala le go kwala  

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Setshwantsho: Motaki wa kwa motseng wa Molelema, gaufi le Taung, Tebogo John Tlhabanelo

Ka OBAKENG MAJE 

Motaki wa kwa motseng wa Molelema mono Taung, Tebogo John Tlhabanelo are o rotloetsa dikolo ka go farologana ka go direla baithuti metshameko e farologaneng ya setso (indegineous games). Tlhabanelo o buile seno kwa Sebitloane Special School, kwa aneng a thapilwe teng go ka tla go thalela baithuti ba koo metsameko e farologaneng jaaka Chess, Ludo, Morabaraba ga mmogo le Snakes and Ladder. 

“Fa e sale ke tshimolola go nna motaki go tloga ka ngwaga wa 1994. Ke ithutetse dithuto tsa botaki kwa Mmabana Taung. Morago ga moo, ke ile ka nna morutabana le modiri teng kwa setheong seo. Ke tswile kwa Mmabana ka 2004, mme ka simolola go penta diaparo le go dira jaaka motaki. 

“Ke ile ka go bapatsa tiro yame kwa ditulong dile dintsi thata, go akaretsa Botswana Exhibition. Mme go fitlha ga jaana, ke motaki o duelwang (commercial artist), mme mo Sebitloane ke tlile go dira metshameko e farologaneng. Sekolo se ile sa nkopa go tla go direla baithuti sengwe se se tla ba tswelang mosola mo ikatisong le mo dithutong tsa bona,” Tlhabanelo wa tlhalosa.

Tlhabanelo are metshameko e ntsha baithut mo dilong tse di sa siamang. Gape are, metshameko e thusa baithuti go aga botsalano jo bo siameng le go arogana bokgoni jwa serutwa sa dipalo le go dirisana mmogo.

“Botaki ke tiro e e batlang lorato, gonne le batsadi ba ka ba ne ba nraya ba re ga ba tlhaloganye mofuta o wa tiro e ke e dirang. Fela ka ntlha ya lorato la botaki, ga se nke ke fele pelo gonne ga ese ke tsamaye ke nne le kgatlhego mo ditiro dipe ntle le botaki. 

“Kgwetlho kgolo e re lebaganeng le yone jaaka bataki ke tshegetso e e bokoa go tswa go setshaba sa rona sa rantsho. Go le gantsi basweu ke bona ba rekang botaki kana art go tswa mo go rona fa o bapisa le bantsho,” Tlhabanelo wa tlhalosa. 

Kgabagare, motlatsa-mogokgo kwa Sebitloane Special School, Bointlafatso More-Thedi are: “O tla gopola gore sekolo sa rona ke se se nang le bana ba ba nang le bogole ka go farologana. Gore ngwana a tle mo sekolong sa rona, o tshwanetse gore a be a na le bokoa jo bo rileng. Mme ngwana owa, o tla fetisiwa mo ditekong tse di farologaneng pele ga a ka amogelwa mo sekolong. 

“Fela bana fa ba le mo sekolong, ga ba dule fela gonne gona le dithuto tse ba di dirang, ga mmogo le go neelwa kitso e farologaneng. Rena le metshameko mo sekolong jaaka lo itse gore sekolo sa rona se ile sa fenya sejana kwa Germany mo dikgaisanong tsa lefatshe fa ba ne ba emetse naga ya Afrika Borwa.” 

More-Thedi are sekolo sa bona se ipela ka metshameko, gonne baithuti ba bone, ga bana kgotlhelelo ya go bala dibuka. Fela More-Thedi are metshameko e farologaneng e ba ruta go bala le go kwala. 

“Metshameko e, e thusa bana go nna le botsalano jo bo edileng le bana ba bangwe, mme fa gona le ngwana mongwe o kgerisang ba bangwe, re kgona go mo lemoga ka bonako, mme re mo batlele thuso. 

“Rena le mooki, modiri wa katlatlelo-loago ga mmogo le badiri ba ba farologaneng ba banang le thupelelo e tseneletseng go ka thusa bana ba,” More-Thedi wa tlhalosa.

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