Daily Archives: October 2, 2024

A woman dependent on power-operated oxygen tank to breathe need your help

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Picture: Kedisaletse Elizabeth Letebele dependable on oxygen machine

By OBAKENG MAJE

2 October 2024- A woman (51) from Dipitsing Section in Magogong village, near Taung, who suffers from interstitial lung disease caused by two autoimmune conditions, calls for help. Kedisaletse Elizabeth Letebele said she is in need of a mobile oxygen machine.

Letebele said she cannot do anything because an electricity-operated oxygen concentrator she is using to help her breathe, requires her to be sitting in the house for 24 hours a day. Letebele, who stays in a three-roomed house with her five children and her mother, also said the roofing of her bedroom is leaking.

“I am afraid that my oxygen tank might be damaged by rain. I am in need of a rechargeable oxygen concentrator. So, if there is any good Samaritan out there who could help, kindly come on board.

“I also in need of anyone who could assist in repairing my roofing. The situation becomes disastrous, especially during the rainy season. No one is working in the house and we all depend on social grants,” she said.

Letebele further said she is currently getting a disability social grant, but it is only temporary. She added that she buys electricity with most of the money she is getting to keep the oxygen concentrator on.

“I also need an accessible ablution facility. I cannot go to the toilet outside because I am attached to the oxygen tank, which is heavy. So, I have no choice but to help myself in the bedroom, which is hazardous.

“I stay with children and I am afraid that this might affect their health in the long run. I do have gas bottles to use during load-shedding, however, the difficult part is that these gas bottles are only being filled in by people from Kimberley, when they are empty,” said Letebele.

According to Letebele, she tried to communicate with Taung District Hospital, requesting them to re-fill her gas bottles when they are empty, but she was told that only people who gave her those gas bottles can refill them.

Picture: Tshepo Constance Letebele/Supplied

Meanwhile, a local artist, Tshepo Consty Letebele (26), who is the daughter to the ailing Elizabeth said: “I will be grateful, if my mom could get help. I have a BCom Degree in Logistics, but it has been four years since sitting at home due to the high rate of unemployment.

“I am helpless, but as our government always says, we should stand up and do it ourselves, I would like to get any job opportunity so that I can take care of my mum.”

Tshepo Consty said she would welcome any job opportunity, as long as she can put food on the table. She said even though she gets gigs as an artist, the money is not enough to take care of the entire family.

“I am also fortunate enough because God has given me a talent. So, I am a professional poet and sometimes I’m called for gigs. We use that money to take care of my mother even though it is little.

“If they do not depend on the social grants, they depend on me and I’m not earning much. So, any job will be an ideal,” said Tshepo Consty.

NB: Anyone who would like to assist can call Tshepo Constance Letebele on 0833315290 (WhatsApp) or 0665726280 (Call).

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Over 41 000 Grade 12 learners in North West to write NSC final examinations 

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Picture: Some of Grade 12 learners who attended Last Push Program/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

2 October 2024- North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said it’s all systems go for over 41 000 Grade 12 learners, who will be sitting for their National Senior Certificate (NSC) final examinations that will commence on 21 October 2024.

Motsumi, who launched Last Push at MM Sebitloane Special School in Taung last week, urged all Grade 12 learners across the province to study hard and produce good results. She said the North West is targeting top three positions and that is achievable.      

“With only 19 days to the year-end examinations, the department has successfully launched its Last Push campaign on Friday. The last push campaign is aimed at assisting Grade 12 learners as they prepare for their final exams.

“A total of 301 learners attended the last push campaign launch along with other education stakeholders, including faith-based organisations, who showed their support for the learners and emphasised the importance of education in community upliftment,” she said.

Motsumi further expressed her pride in the campaign’s success. She added that the launch of the Last Push campaign marks a critical point in their efforts to ensure that no learner is left behind.

“We are pleased with the enthusiasm shown by the learners, and I am confident that this program will help them bridge any remaining knowledge gaps as they prepare for their final exams.

“The support from the community and stakeholders further reinforces our shared goal of seeing our learners excel and reach their full potential as the department thrives to obtain 86-90%, come results announcements,” said Motsumi.

She said the Last Push program is part of the department’s broader initiative to ensure all learners in the province are fully prepared for their upcoming examinations. Motsumi said this launch coincides with the conclusion of the spring camps held across the province, where learners are engaged in intensive revision activities to close any remaining content gaps.

“The department remains committed to providing the necessary resources and support to ensure that all learners are well-equipped for their exams, and the Last Push program is a testament to these efforts,” she said. 

Meanwhile, one of the Grade 12 learners, Reatlegile Molenyane (17), who is an aspiring legal professional said: “I’m not yet prepared for the final examinations, but I’m working on it. I would like to study law and eventually have my own firm.

“I know to become an attorney in South Africa, I must get good marks. So, I understand the demand, if I want to embark on this career path. It is vital to start preparing for my final examinations now,” she said.

Another Grade 12 learner, Rebaone Mere shared the same sentiments. She said she wants to pass matric with the right marks and be able to go to university.

“I am working hard to pass my matric and meet the admission requirements of the university. I would like to advise other fellow Grade 12 learners to study hard as well, as the finals are just around the corner.

“They might be feeling overwhelmed, stressed and panicked. However, that is totally understandable and teachers are there to help them to calm down and prepare well,” she said.

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A complete paradigm shifts necessary to achieve mandate of COGTA

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Picture: North West MEC for COGHSTA, Oageng Molapisi addressing the CoGTA Strategic Planning Session/Supplied 

By OBAKENG MAJE

2 October 2024- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi, addressed the start of the three-day Strategic Planning Session held in Mahikeng. Speaking at the strategic planning session, which coincided with 100 days of the 7th administration, Molapisi called for a paradigm shift from managers towards achieving the mandate of the department.

“We call on all officials to build on the work done over the years to restore the dignity of the institution, accelerate pro-poor service delivery and rural development.

“We also advised managers to discuss ways to improve departments’ audit status from consecutive unqualified opinions to a clean audit outcome; use of available performance information of municipalities to inform a strategy to support improved municipal audit outcomes and focus on research and innovation for solutions,” he said.

Molapisi further called on the administration to take the lead in ensuring that the District Development Model (DDM) is institutionalised across all municipalities. He added that leaving this session, they must have aligned their strategic plans with available resources, driving development and growth.

“We must prioritise the people on the ground at all material times. Our department must focus on the three key priorities as outlined in the Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024-2029, with specific focus on building an ethical and developmental state,” he said.

Molapisi added that they need a renewed determination and a realistic plan to improve the delivery of basic services and bring stability to local government.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the North West House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders (NWHTKL), Kgosi Thari Maotwe, senior officials led by the Head of Department (HOD), Dr Ben Bole, SALGA and other stakeholders, were amongst attendees.

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‘Portfolio Committee has not received any report on Thabo Bester’

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Picture: A rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester

By BAKANG MOKOTO

2 October 2024 – The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services said it has noted media reports about the Public Protector’s report on Thabo Bester, however, it has not been briefed about the report or such a report being referred to by the National Assembly (NA).

According to the Chairperson of Portfolio Committee, Kgomotso Ramolobeng said the committee is aware about the matter of Bester that was reported to the committee of the 6th parliament. Ramolobeng said the 7th parliamentary committee has not been briefed about the Bester matter and nor was anything referred to the committee on the matter.

“We are just noting media reports about the Public Protector’s report at the moment and requests from media houses for interviews on the committee’s views on the report.

“Unfortunately, as the committee has not been briefed about the report, we have no opinion or views on it. We emphasise the commitment of the committee on its oversight role on the portfolio it oversees, that includes the Department of Correctional Services and its entities,” she said.

Ramolobeng said that is what they can say at the moment.

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SA referees congratulated after officiating in CAF Super Cup game

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Picture: SA referee, Abongile Tom

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

2 October 2024– The National Referees Committee and the Referees Department, have congratulated referees, Abongile Tom and Akhona Makalima, on their appointments by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in officiating as VAR and AVAR in the recent CAF Super Cup match between Al Ahly and Zamalek in Egypt.

Zamalek won 4-3 on penalties to claim the 2024 CAF Super Cup at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 27 September 2024.

South African Football Association (SAFA) president, Dr Danny Jordaan said this remarkable achievement is testament to their dedication, skill and professionalism. Jordaan said they are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and the honour they bring to South African officiating on the continental stage.

“Their appointment not only highlights their individual excellence, but also serves as an inspiration to all aspiring referees in our country. As top VAR officials on the continent, we are confident that Tom and Makalima, will continue to uphold the highest standards of officiating.

“We look forward to their future contributions to the training and development of match officials in South Africa, especially as we have entered discussions to one day introduce VAR technology in our domestic competitions. Once again, congratulations to them,” he said.

He further said they are proud of Tom and Makalima. Jordaan added that they wish them continued success in their officiating careers.

“I was delighted to see the great strides that South African match officials continue to make on the international stage. This recognition on the global stage is an inspiration to all officials, who also follow in their footsteps,” he said.

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A boy (15) sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for four counts of rape

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By REGINALD KANYANE

2 October 2024- A boy (15) was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Tlhabane Magistrate’s Court for four counts of rape. The boy committed these cases over the last three years.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said On 5 September 2022, a girl (12), was walking home after school. Myburgh said she was approached by the suspect, who was her classmate.

“He grabbed her water bottle and ran away. The victim chased after him into a secluded area, where she was overpowered and raped. In a second incident reported on 16 June 2023, a girl (11), was riding her bicycle in the street when the suspect offered to repair the damages on it.

“After fixing the bicycle, he rode it into the nearby bushes, while testing it. A girl followed him and he then attempted to rape her. However, a man who was a passer-by intervened,” she said.

Myburgh further said the boy fled the scene. She added that in a third incident that was reported on 3 October 2023, a boy (11), was riding home on his bicycle, when the suspect forcefully took it.

“He fled with it and the victim followed him, while pleading with him to give back his bicycle. Furthermore, he rode into the nearby bushes, where he overpowered the boy and raped him.

“The fourth incident was reported on 1 February 2024. A girl (5), was playing in the neighbour’s yard when the suspect joined her. He called her behind a shack where he raped her,” said Myburgh. 

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, welcomed the sentence and applauded the Investigating Officer, Constable Tsekiso Tau of Lichtenburg Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit. Kwena also commended the prosecution for their teamwork and being equal to the task of ensuring that the accused is convicted.

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