Daily Archives: February 24, 2025

Lenkopane vows to fight corruption at NWPTB

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Picture: North West MEC for DEDECT, Bitsa Lenkopane

By OBAKENG MAJE

24 February 2025- North West MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT), Bitsa Lenkopane said State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in North West, have been confronted with historic operational inefficiencies and they are focusing on rooting out mismanagement. Lenkopane, who addressed the media today in Mahikeng said, they have taken disciplinary actions against employees for alleged misconduct, property damage and unlawful protest participation.

She further said the SOEs such as the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB) are faced with financial distress. Lenkopane added that the Board is confronting financial problems at the NWPTB that are due to multiple factors, including corruption, poor financial management and low revenue generation.

“Golden Leopards Resorts (GLR), a subsidiary of the NWPTB, has also experienced financial difficulties, resulting in unpaid salaries and taxes. Our turnaround plan at GLR has yielded a breakthrough and we will unpack this after the SOPA. DEDECT has gone to extraordinary lengths to fund the NWPTB.

“Despite these efforts, employee salaries were regrettably delayed this month due to internal challenges within the entity. I can confirm that all salaries were paid this past weekend. To ensure that our transformative interventions build better capacity for service delivery, multi-stakeholder engagements, including labour unions and entity boards, will continue to be convened to address these urgent matters,” she said.

Lenkopane said this has necessitated personnel reassignments to expedite service delivery and to facilitate investigations in the department and its entities. She said she will report the alleged corruption to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

“Our commitment to building capable state institutions is unshaken. The Acting Head of Department and I, are engaging constructively with labour unions to resolve employee concerns. In these engagements, we have always put our employees first, respecting their rights and treating each person with dignity.

“The Gambling Board and NWDC have initiated disciplinary proceedings for employee transgressions, including theft and sabotage. Disciplinary proceedings at the Gambling Board have been widely reported and we can confirm that the SAPS has made arrests in this matter,” said Lenkopane.

She said the department’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), has been seconded to the NWDC to strengthen financial governance at the entity. According to Lenkopane, these interventions are proof of their commitment to consequence management and proactive leadership.

“A new Board has been appointed to the NWPTB to improve governance and address adverse audit findings. DEDECT is actively engaging with the North West Provincial Legislature’s Committees to address mutual concerns and ensure alignment,” she said.

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Monna o bonwe molato morago ga go bolaya lekgarebe la gagwe 

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Ka BAKANG MOKOTO 

24 Tlhakole 2025- Monna wa dingwaga di le 37, o atlholetswe dingwaga di le 15 kwa kgolegelong ke kgotlhatshekelo ya sedika ya Ganyesa morago ga go bolaya lekgarebe (24) la gagwe kwa polasing nngwe kwa Piet Plessis. Go begwa fa mothapi wa molatofadiwa, a ne a bona setopo sa mosadi se se neng se kgamathetse madi kwa polasing ya gagwe, mme a lemoga fa e le lekgarebe la mongwe wa badiri ba gagwe, Ngaru Sekgotshane. 

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are, tiragalo e e diragetse ka di 28 Phatwe 2022. Go ya ka Tryphosa, sepodisi se ile sa bilediwa kwa lefelong la tiragalo. 

“Sepodisi se ile sa batlana le lekawana le go tla go le tlhoma ka dipotso. Sepodisi se ile sa fitlhela Sekgotshane a itshubile mo phaposing e tlhapelang, mme diaparo tsa gagwe dikgamathetse madi. Sepodisi se ile sa tsaya molatofadiwa go ya kwa a nnang teng, kwa le gone go fitlhetsweng diaparo dingwe tse le tsona di neng di kgamathetse madi. 

“Sekgotshane o ile a tshwarwa, mme one a ganelwa ka beile go fitlhelela a seka. Diaparo tsa gagwe tse di neng di na le madi, di ile tsa isiwa kwa ditekong tsa forensic go ya go netefatsa gore madi a mo go tsone ke a ga mang. Go ya ka pegelo eo ya forensic, go ile ga netefadiwa fa madi a neng a kgamatetse mo diaparong ene ele a moswi,” van Rooyen wa tlhalosa. 

Van Rooyen are kgotlhatshekelo ya sedika ya Ganyesa e ile ya bona Sekgotshane molato wa polao, mme e ile ya mo atlholela dingwaga di le 15 kwa kgolegelong. 

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NWU officially opens Siya Kolisi Residence

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Picture: The Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi/Supplied 

By OBAKENG MAJE  

24 February 2025- The North West University’ Siya Kolisi Residence was officially opened on 24 February 2025, by South Africa’s iconic Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi. His coach and mentor, Dr Rassie Erasmus, was also in attendance to unveil the university’s new Invictus Residence.

The NWU principal and vice-chancellor, Professor Bismark Tyobeka said the Siya Kolisi Residence will primarily be used by students affiliated with the NWU Rugby Institute, with Invictus being a multi-sport residence. Tyobeka as NWU, underscores the immense contributions that Siya Kolisi and Dr Rassie Erasmus have made to the nation. 

“Is there an image that resonates more with rugby fans the world over than that of Siya Kolisi leading the Springboks onto the field? I don’t think so. Has our proud nation ever stood more steadfastly behind a sportsman than Siya Kolisi? I don’t think so. 

“Could we ever have imagined that captain Siya Kolisi and his Springboks – under the tutelage of Dr Rassie Erasmus – would scale the heights that they did? That they would win two Rugby World Cups, that they would unite our country in a single voice as they roared their approval as victory, after victory, after victory followed? I don’t think so,” he said.

Tyobeka further said they are immensely proud to have Kolisi and Erasmus to unveil the Siya Kolisi and Invictus residences. He added that, Kolisi’s story is one that transcends sport.

“It is a story of perseverance, and the undeniable power of opportunity. From the humble beginnings in Zwide, where he first picked up a rugby ball, to leading South Africa to not one, but two Rugby World Cup victories. Siya has become more than a rugby player, but a symbol of hope and possibility. We celebrate you Nt’wakuthi.  

“At the NWU, we don’t just see Kolisi as a sports icon. We see him as a leader, a trailblazer, and a living testimony to what can be achieved through courage and determination. Naming this residence in his honour is not just about celebrating his achievements on the field, but also recognising the values he represents: hard work, humility, and the ability to unite a nation,” said Tyobeka.

Kolisi said: “No one ever dreams to have moments like this, to have a building named after them. I am so honoured and grateful for this opportunity. I would like to thank everyone who has been a part of my journey. I am standing on the shoulders of many people who helped me be where I am today.

“I would like to say to the students who will be occupying this building that their blessings are to be shared and that they must keep working hard, no matter the obstacles in front of them. Your opportunities are not just for you. Your blessings are not just for you,” he said. 

“I know that you all are on a journey and that you want to become rugby players. But, remember that you are more than that. You have an opportunity to study, and I wish that I used that opportunity. I didn’t,” he said.

Kolisi said rugby is not always going to work for everybody, so they should make use of all the opportunities. He said if they want to take anything from his journey, it is that they have to believe in themselves before anyone else.

Meanwhile, Erasmus, who received an honorary doctorate from the NWU in 2024, said he is privileged to be part of a university that thinks outside the box, and expressed his desire to see both the residences go from strength to strength. He also implored the students from Invictus Residence to give it their all in the pursuit of their dreams.

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Gavin Hunt reaches 1000th match as a coach

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Picture: Supersport United FC coach, Gavin Hunt

By REGINALD KANYANE 

24 February 2025- Supersport United FC coach, Gavin Hunt (60) has celebrated an extraordinary milestone as he reached 1000 matches in charge as a Betway Premier Soccer League (PSL) coach. Even though the Supersport United FC match against Lamontville Golden Arrows FC was abandoned at half-time due to loadshedding, this did not deter Hunt’s mood. 

Hunt received heartfelt congratulatory messages.

The Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts and Culture, Joe McGluwa extended his warm congratulations to the renowned coach on achieving a remarkable milestone in his illustrious coaching career. According to McGluwa, Hunt has successfully overseen 1000 professional matches in the Premier Soccer League.

“We would like to praise Hunt’s extraordinary feat, stressing the significance of celebrating such milestones. The PSL has transformed lives in our country, and Hunt’s achievement and role are examples of this impact on some of our players. 

“As South Africans, we often overlook our own successes, but today, I call upon South Africans to focus not on challenges but on the good in football. On behalf of the committee, I proudly acknowledge Hunt’s accomplishments and legacy of excellence,” he said.

McGluwa further said not only PSL’s profound influence, but also the electronic and print media, various sponsorships, and our continent, which have provided opportunities for local and international players to thrive. He added that the PSL’s glamour and success must endure. 

“Building on its rich heritage, it must continue producing exceptional players and coaches, as it has. We wish Hunt continued success and many more professional games. His dedication and expertise have left an indelible mark on South African football,” said McGluwa.

According to Wikipedia, Hunt previously managed Premier Soccer League club Kaizer Chiefs, Seven Stars, Hellenic, Black Leopards, Moroka Swallows, Bidvest Wits and Chippa United. On 28 May 2021, Kaizer Chiefs released him from his contract after a string of poor results with the club. 

A nuggety right-back, Hunt spent almost his entire playing career with Hellenic. However, his retirement came soon because of an achilles tendon injury and went straight into coaching.

Hunt’s greatest success came at SuperSport United, where he won three consecutive PSL championships from 2007-08 to 2009-10. 

Honours

He won the Nedbank Cup while coaching Moroka Swallows back in 2004. Hunt also won the Nedbank Cup with Supersport United FC back in the 2011-12 season. 

He managed to win a PSL trophy, while coaching Bidvest Wits back in the 2016-17 season. Hunt also added the MTN 8 (2016) and Telkom Knockout trophy (2017) to his collection as a coach. 

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