Daily Archives: September 26, 2024

NWU: “Tourism matters to all”

NEWS Leave a comment

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

26 September 2024- The research unit Tourism Research in Economics, Environs and Society (TREES) at the North West University (NWU), has established itself as a leading research unit focusing on sustainable tourism. TREES distinguishes itself by conducting innovative research on the economic, environmental and social impacts of tourism, and in promoting evidence-based strategies to enhance the sector’s growth.

The Director of TREES, Prof Elmarie Slabbert said the unit plays a crucial role in promoting tourism in South Africa by analysing market trends, developing sustainable tourism models, and engaging with policymakers and stakeholders. She further said Tourism either affects the people or affect the industry.

“It is a balancing act between economic benefits, environmental protection and community well-being. By showcasing our tourism gems in a responsible manner, we preserve them for the future. 

“For South Africa, the tourism sector leads to economic growth, infrastructure development, job opportunities, environmental conservation and more. On the other hand, the people living in tourism hubs benefit indirectly from these developments and improvements,” said Slabbert.

She added that it is their duty as South Africans to take care of tourists, to offer a sustainable tourism product and if possible, to be tourists themselves. Slabbert said Tourism matters to everyone, whether you are directly involved or not.

“Now is the time for tourists to experience what South Africa and Africa have to offer. South Africa’s natural beauty is a key driver of its tourism industry, attracting visitors from around the world and TREES is leading the way in ensuring that this sector is sustainable.

“Researchers at TREES are working to protect our natural tourism gems, ensuring that they remain a source of economic and environmental benefits for generations to come,” she said.

Slabbert said nature-based tourism, is a cornerstone of South Africa’s tourism industry and it includes wildlife, adventure, eco- and geo-tourism.

A key researcher at TREES, Prof Peet van der Merwe said they focus on addressing the balance between tourism and environmental protection. Van Der Merwe said his current research looks at issues such as overcrowding in national parks and the socio-economic impacts of wildlife tourism, particularly hunting.

“Tourism plays a crucial role in the economy, but it is equally important to ensure that tourism is managed sustainably. Our research aims to develop models that promote sustainable tourism practices, ensuring that South Africa’s natural wonders are preserved for future visitors,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr Madeline Huyser and her team are also exploring how conservation technology, such as drones and apps, can be used to protect the environment and enhance the visitor experience. She said these tools have the potential to not only protect the wildlife, but also educate tourists about the importance of conservation.

“Our research highlights the role of technology in shaping the future of nature-based tourism, offering solutions to some of the sector’s most pressing challenges,” said Huyser.

taungdailynews@gmail.com                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

A man nabbed for allegedly killing his tenant in Hartbeespoortdam  

NEWS Leave a comment

By REGINALD KANYANE

26 September 2024 – A man (72) was arrested for allegedly shooting and killing his tenant (66) in Hartbeespoortdam, near Brits on Sunday. The suspect was arrested by the police in Hartbeespoortdam and Brits Crime Intelligence.

According to the North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Amanda Funani, the tenant approached his landlord when he discovered that there was no electricity and water at his place. Funani said following an argument that ensued between the two, the landlord went inside his house and came back with a firearm and allegedly shot the victim on his upper body.

“The suspect fled from the scene while the victim was transported to the hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. The suspect was arrested during an

Intelligence-driven operation conducted around the Skeerport area.  

“The police also recovered a firearm, which will be subjected to ballistic tests. The suspect briefly appeared in the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 25 September 2024, for murder,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, congratulated the police for their concerted effort to ensure the arrest of the suspect.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Two departmental officials who allegedly faked their matric certificates out on bail

NEWS Leave a comment

By BAKANG MOKOTO

26 September 2024- Two suspects aged 46 and 54 respectively, briefly appeared before Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on 25 September 2024, facing charges of fraud, forgery and uttering. Morwesi Margareth Mokone and Mankwane Suzan Raleru were arrested by the members of Rustenburg-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation.

The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said Mokone and Raleru’s arrests follow an investigation into allegations of submitting fraudulent matric certificates when they applied for advertised posts in the Department of Education in North West.

Mathebula said in August 2008, Raleru was hired as an Early Childhood Development Fieldworker at the Kgetleng River APO following an advertisement of a post. He said the accused allegedly submitted a matric certificate, which she claimed to have obtained in 1992.

“The investigation revealed that the accused did write matric, but never passed it. It was discovered during the investigation that the accused submitted a fraudulent matric certificate when applying for the post. As a result, the department paid the accused over R2.3 million in salaries.

“In a separate incident, Mokone applied for an administration assistant position at the Kana Primary School in March 2011 and was subsequently hired. She applied for the post with a matric certificate, which she allegedly obtained in 1998. Upon conducting an investigation, it was revealed that the accused never sat for matric exams and that she had forged a matric certificate to apply for the post,” said Mathebula.

He further said consequently, the department paid the accused over R2.2 million in salaries. Mathebula added that the pair had been granted R10 000 bail each, and their matter was postponed to 14 November 2024 for further investigation.

Meanwhile, the North West Hawks Head, Major General Patrick Mbotho and the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, have commended the investigation and prosecution team’s sterling work in ensuring that the accused are brought to justice.

taungdailyews@gmail.com

SGB chairperson nabbed for alleged corruption

NEWS Leave a comment

Picture: A suspect arrested by the Hawks for alleged corruption/Supplied

By REGINALD KANYANE

26 September 2024- A suspect (41) was arrested by the members of the Mahikeng-based Serious Corruption Investigation Unit in Lichtenburg on 26 September 2024, for alleged corruption. The suspect, who is the former chairperson of School Governing Body (SGB) in Lichtenburg, allegedly solicited gratification from four complainants in exchange for administration clerk and teacher assistant posts at a primary school in Lichtenburg.

The National Prosecuting Agency (NPA) regional spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya said investigation revealed that, the suspect was paid gratification by the complainants between 2022 and 2023, in order to secure them jobs at a local primary school.

“One complainant allegedly paid the suspect R14 500, another paid him R10 000 and the other two paid R1000 each to secure jobs. The accused will appear in the Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court on 27 September 2024, to face four counts of corruption,” he said.

Meanwhile, the North West Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho and the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, have welcomed the arrest. They have cautioned public officials to refrain from involving themselves in corrupt activities as law enforcement agencies will not hesitate to act against perpetrators.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Opinion: North West to receive mortal remains of its sons from Zambia

NEWS Leave a comment

By ORAPELENG MATSHEDISO

26 September 2024- As South African government receives the mortal remains of its 49 fallen liberation stalwarts, it has to be noted that North West will be receiving the mortal remains of comrade Aron Tiro from Braklaagte, near Zeerust and comrade Mabe Klaas Bogosing from Ramosadi village, in Mahikeng.

It is important to receive these heroes of our country and the province with a befitting honour, discipline and respect. Their sacrifices should not go unnoticed, together with leaders such as comrade Moses Kotane, JB Marks, Thandi Modise, Ruth Mompati, Dende Tladi, Kaone Lobelo, Kgosi Dick Montshioa, Dr Silas Modiri Moleme and Kgosi Ramotshere Moiloa.

Many of our living and departed cadres have through their determination and sacrifices ensured that our province contributes to the liberation of our country. I take this opportune moment to express my sincere gratitude to Dr Otsile Ntsoane and many other writers for their continuous contribution to write about the role and contribution of Batswana in the liberation struggle.

This history is important because it has to be passed from generation to generation. As the North West celebrates Heritage Day, I am tempted to disturb the two of our sons from their coffins, who have landed in the country from Zambia.

I want to tell comrade Aaron Tiro and comrade Mabe Klaas Bogosing that we celebrate heritage annually on 24 September, but the majority of our dams that resonate with our culture are still in the hands of a few individual capitalists, who charge us a lot of money to access them.

The Taung Skull is still out of the province and for many years, a call has been made for its return to Taung. My fellow comrades, many game farms are still in the hands of a few whites who refuse to share the land with us.

I must also tell you that, the ANC that you belonged to, its military wing, Umkhondo We Sizwe (MK), has attracted many questionable characters in its ranks and files.

Characters that continue to destroy and tarnish its reputation. The movement is bleeding and as you come to rest in the soil of your province, may your spirit revisit the hearts of members and leaders of the movement to remind us of your sacrifices and the tasks of this epoch, as we renew the ANC to grapple with the challenges of the moment.

We are fighting each other for positions, not that we want to use those positions to further the liberation struggle, but to loot state resources and deployed and employ our relatives and families. We are doing things that are opposite to what you fought and died for.

May the arrival of your mortal reminds serves as a re-kindling and re-ignition of the revolution spirit of selflessness in pursuit of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR).

Yesterday, it pained my heart and I even shed tears, when I heard the daughter of the former Secretary General of the ANC, comrade Duma Nokwe saying an ANC scarf was found on his neck since his burial in 1978. A scarf that symbolised his dedication to the liberation and his love for the ANC and the people of the continent.

May the souls of all the 49 heroes and heroines rest in peace.

(Note: Mr Orapeleng Matshediso is written this in his personal capacity and Taung DailyNews and its associates, do not agree nor disagree with the content of the article. Whatever that has been raised in this article remains Mr Matshediso’s views)

taungdailynews@gmail.com