Picture: eBhayi FC and Nav Galaxy crowned Engen Knockout Challenge Eastern Cape Champions/Supplied
By REGINALD KANYANE
The Eastern Cape has new champions of the Engen Knockout Challenge. This comes after eBhayi FC and Nav Galaxy FC were crowned the 2024 Engen Knockout Challenge Eastern Cape champions on 23 June 2024 at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU).
The return of the tournament to the talent-rich Eastern Cape province lived up the high expectations, with all 24 participating teams producing quality youth football at the two-day tournament in Gebhera.
The crowning of eBhayi FC in the boys and Nav Galaxy FC in the girl’s division means the province will be represented by new teams at this year’s Engen Champ of Champs, with eBhayi dethroning Chippa United in the boys’ section, while Nav Galaxy take the crown from former champions, City Lads FC.
eBhayi FC was clinical enroute to the final as they finished top of the group following a 3-1 win over Sophia Young Stars in their opening match, which was followed by a 4-1 drubbing of Maria Louw High to finish top of their group.
The quarterfinals saw eBhayi cruising over Ndakeni Young Stars with a 3-0 win before edging United Brothers 2-1 in the Semi-Finals in what was a closely contested encounter.
The newly crowned champions wrapped things up in style in the final with a 2-0 win that saw them dethrone Chippa United to be crowned the new champions of the Eastern Cape.
Nav Galaxy had quite a tough start to their campaign when they had to dig deep for a 1-0 win over Golden Stars in their opening match before their 2-0 win over Phoenix Birds Ladies FC in their second group match.
Against Bay Stars Ladies, Galaxy had picked up great momentum, resulting in a comfortable 3-0 win which sent them to the semi-finals where they cruised past Kilimanjaro Stars with a comfortable 5-0 win.
Galaxy then faced the 2023 champions, City Lads FC who they impressively held to a 0-0 draw before being crowned champions after a dramatic 4-3 penalty victory.
The Engen Knockout Challenge continues next weekend, with Durban set to host the KwaZulu-Natal leg of the competition between 29 – 30 June in what promises to be another exciting and action-filled weekend of youth football entertainment by Engen.
The formation of the second Government of National Unity (GNU) is a momentous development in South Africa’s democracy. Every effort must be made to ensure that the GNU remains true to its founding spirit of collaboration in good faith to drive a programme that improves the lives of all South Africa’s people.
South Africans made clear with their votes in last month’s elections that they want their elected representatives to put aside narrow interests and work together to build the country. To do so, the GNU cannot be preoccupied with jockeying for positions, tussles over appointments or squabbles within and between parties.
The success of the GNU will be measured by the extent to which we are prepared to focus not on who will govern, but on how we will govern, together. The first GNU was established in 1994 to promote nation building and inclusivity from a racially divided past during a period of political transition.
Among its main tasks was to ensure the passage of a new democratic Constitution. Giving effect to the principles of that Constitution and the Bill of Right must be the overriding focus of this GNU.
This will be done by pursuing a common programme to eradicate poverty and build a more equal society, to create jobs, and to make the government truly work for the people. The GNU Statement of Intent provides a solid base for genuine cooperation between parties across the political spectrum who have signed up of their own accord.
The Statement of Intent commits the signatories to a set of foundational principles that include respect for constitutionalism; accountability, transparency and community participation in government, evidence-based policy and decision-making, professionalisation of the public service, integrity and good governance. The parties to the GNU have agreed on priorities for the incoming administration. At the top of the list of priorities is the achievement of rapid, inclusive and sustainable economic growth to create jobs.
It will be critical that the GNU stays the course on the structural reform that is underway to improve the business operating environment and establish South Africa as an investment destination of choice. These reforms are necessary to resolve longstanding challenges in key industries and create more jobs and opportunities. We will need to build on the progress that has already been made, while accelerating the pace of reform.
The fact that there is broad consensus among the parties on the priorities of the incoming administration gives us encouragement that the GNU will indeed take the country forward. Emanating from the priorities outlined in the Statement of Intent, the parties will further refine the GNU’s programme, including through the proposed National Dialogue process.
We remain committed to consensus-building and to the representation of a broad range of interests and viewpoints within government. At the same time, we are all keenly aware that South Africans expect action, implementation and results.
In a robust defence of the first Government of National Unity in 1994, President Nelson Mandela described it as an enduring national consensus “that is neither an imposition of one party over others, nor a honeymoon premised on the fickle whims of a fleeting romance”. The same is true today.
As parties finalise the modalities of the GNU guided by the Statement of Intent, the days and weeks that lie ahead will be crucial.
The country’s hopes are pinned on the success of the GNU. Our stated commitment to work together constructively and for South Africa’s benefit has generated a great deal of goodwill that we should not squander.
South Africans are watching. We should not waste our energies on those who stand in the way of our country’s progress or lose momentum over differences that can be resolved.
We need to demonstrate in both word and deed that our programme is clear, coherent and sustainable, that our collaboration is genuine, and that the interests of the people will always come first.
Picture: Highbury FC crowned 2024 ABC Motsepe National Playoffs/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
Eastern Cape’s Highbury FC were crowned as 2024 ABC Motsepe National Playoffs Champions after beating Mpumalanga’s Kruger United 2-0 in the final to win the title in Upington, Northern Cape on Sunday. Highbury had to climb mountains to reach the playoffs and they did it courtesy of a brace from Mzoxolo Rafani, who also won the top goal scorer of the tournament award with a total of three goals.
The Eastern Cape will be proud of what Highbury has achieved as the club was the last to qualify for the National Playoffs. They played their qualifying match on 15 June 2024, to be crowned Eastern Cape Champions.
They then had to travel to Upington on the following day to be in time for the registration, ahead of their opening match of the tournament. They shrugged this off to beat Mangaung United from Free State 1-0.
Highbury FC went on to top group B with one win and a draw to qualify for the semi-finals. They then beat Njampela FC of KwaZulu Natal 1-0 in the semi-finals to book a place in the finals.
Highbury FC will walk away with R1.25 million as Champions of the 2024 ABC Motsepe National Playoffs, they will have to use R250 000 to develop their region.
Picture: Students embarked on protest at Potchefstroom College of Agriculture/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Potchefstroom College of Agriculture management is expected to meet with parents of ‘expelled’ students. This comes after the management was embroiled in a crisis with its students, which forced the North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to intervene.
According to some students, who refused to be named for fear of reprisal, the college management allegedly expelled some in-campus students for ‘no apparent reasons’. Aggrieved students 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.
Picture: The Member of Mayoral Committee in Infrastructure at the Greater Taung Local Municipality, Itumeleng Maribe/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
The situation at the embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) has improved. A few months ago, the municipal council was characterised by infightings and walkouts, resulting in inquorate council meetings.
This contributed enormously to the municipal council’s failure to execute its legislated mandate.
Amongst others, the municipality was allegedly faced with financial distress that has been intensified to the extent that it was at the ‘brink of collapse’.
All these, prompted the North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) to place the municipality under Section 139 (1)(a). However, it seems the municipality has recovered from that and is making inroads to a good financial shape.
This was evident when the Head of Department (HOD) from the North West Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Ben Bole, met with the municipal council last week Thursday to present a progressive report, which he described as ‘satisfactory’.
“We are here to present our report to the council. You will remember that the EXCO in the North West, placed the municipality under Section 139 (1)(a). You will remember that the EXCO mandated the then North West MEC for COGHSTA, Nono Maloyi to implement the mandate on its behalf.
“So today, we are here to present a progressive report in terms of how the municipality has performed in responding to those directives. Now, it is not up to the department to say whether the municipality will be removed from Section 139 (1)(a) or not. However, that will be the prerogative of EXCO,” he said.
Bole further said the department will compile a report and present it to the newly-elected North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi, who will in turn, present it to the EXCO for consideration.
He added that then EXCO will pronounce its decision on whether the municipality will be removed from Section 139 (1)(a) or not.
“What I can say is that we are here to present a satisfactory report and the powers lie with the EXCO,” said Bole.
Meanwhile, the Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Infrastructure at the Greater Taung Local Municipality, Itumeleng Maribe said they welcome the report and the municipality will continue to address all challenges raised. Maribe said they will also delve into measures aimed at preventing municipal financial distress.
“We welcome the recommendations from North West Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA). We also have the responsibility to ensure that residents receive service delivery. We managed to reach our target on all directives that were handed over to us by the department.
“You’ll remember that one of the directives was to improve our financial records after the municipality endured over-spending. We agreed during our strategic planning meeting that, we are over-spending in some departments such as the fleet,” he said.
Maribe said the municipality has more than nine supervisors in that department using municipal vehicles, and that might contribute to over-spending. He said they have agreed that those officials use their own vehicles and then the municipality will reimburse them.
“We also agreed to closely monitor the issue of diesel, including petrol cards. Over and above, the municipality has been overspending on diesel. If the supervisors use their own vehicles, then the municipality will be able to save over R2 million each and every year. We also agreed that the municipality will do most of the things in-house, instead of outsourcing.
“We will also ensure that the municipality appoints relevant individuals with necessary skills. So far, we don’t have auto electricians in the fleet department. Those are some of the critical positions that will assist us not to outsource when our fleet has mechanical problems,” said Maribe.
He said the municipality also spent over R24 million every year on high-mast lights. Maribe said they have come up with a cost-containment plan and the municipality will resort to solar powered lights.
“For the next financial year, we will be resorting to solar powered lights in quest of saving money. We will redirect that money to accelerate service delivery,” he said.
TaungDailyNews 