Daily Archives: October 20, 2025

DA calls on the ANC to put people before cadres

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Picture: Democratic Alliance members during a march against corruption

By BAKANG MOKOTO

20 October 2025- The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it has launched a Bill to replace BEE, with an inclusive procurement regime, in the “Economic Inclusion for All Bill”. The DA calls on the ANC to support this and put people before cadres.

The DA Head of Policy and Member of Parliament (MP), Mat Cuthbert said 44 million South Africans are still stuck in poverty and that proves that BEE has failed dismally. Cuthbert said since launching The Democratic Alliance’s Plan to Turbocharge the Economy two months ago, in which they highlighted the key roadblocks to growth and job creation, they now present the Economic Inclusion for All Bill.

“This bill aims to replace years of ineffective ANC empowerment policies that have left the majority of South Africans unemployed, impoverished, and hopeless. Around 44 million South Africans are stuck in poverty, 12 million are stranded in unemployment queues, and our country remains the most unequal place on earth.

“This is not the inclusive country we envisioned building when we lined up to vote on 27 April 1994. Since the ANC’s BEE policy was first introduced in 2003, conditions have significantly worsened for the people it claims to represent,” he said.

Cuthbert further said the unemployment rate for black South Africans was 36% in the last quarter of 2024, compared to 7% among white South Africans. He added that from 2014 to 2024, the black unemployment rate increased by 9% points, while the white unemployment rate decreased by 1%.

“According to the March 2025 Household Affordability Index, approximately 64% of black South Africans are living below the upper-bound poverty line of R1634 per person per month. This means that nearly 30 million Black South Africans are trapped in poverty out of a total population of 52 million.

“Instead of redressing the injustices of the past, this policy has created a feeding trough for the ANC’s cadres who have benefited at the expense of the poor and vulnerable,” said Cuthbert.

According to Prof William Gumede of the Wits School of Governance, “Conservatively, R1 trillion has been moved between under 100 people since 1994. The same people have been empowered and re-empowered over and over.”

He also stated that: “South Africa’s BEE model has created a model of corruption because people set up companies just to get a contract.”

Cuthbert said perhaps the most notorious example is the disastrous R54 billion locomotive procurement scandal investigated by the Zondo Commission into State Capture, which revealed how political connections enabled widespread corruption. He said in this case, Transnet unlawfully inflated the price of a 2014 contract to procure 1,064 locomotives from R39 billion to R54 billion to favour Chinese suppliers and channelled over R6 billion in kickbacks to Gupta-linked companies under the pretence of transformation.

“The BEE model has become a key driver of corruption within our society. We have witnessed this in the wide scale looting of approximately R2 billion from Tembisa Hospital, and the murder of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality’s Chief Auditor, Mpho Mafole after submitting a scathing report relating to R1.8 billion chemical toilets tender.

“This clearly demonstrates how successive ANC administrations have failed to address the root causes of inequality by implementing crude race-based procurement policies to benefit themselves at the expense of the people,” said Cuthbert.

He said the DA is committed to redressing the injustices of the past by removing all barriers to accessing opportunities and delivering real empowerment for all South Africans. Cuthbert said their Economic Inclusion for All Bill seeks to amend the Public Procurement Amendment Act of 2024, to repeal all race-based preferential procurement provisions and replace them with a real empowerment system that targets poverty as the proxy for disadvantage instead of race.

“This Bill aims to create a public procurement system that encourages genuine economic empowerment by offering incentives for tangible developmental outcomes such as job creation, poverty reduction, skills enhancement, and environmentally sustainable practices.

“We aim to reform South Africa’s public procurement framework by aligning it with section 217 of the Constitution, which governs public procurement, requiring that all state organs must contract for goods and services in a system that is fair, equitable, transparent, competitive, and cost-effective,” he said.

Cuthbert said their alternative model aligns with the 17 United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which serve as a universal call to action for government, business, and civil society to end poverty, address inequality and create a path towards sustainable economic growth by 2030. He said the Bill removes provisions for set-asides, prequalification criteria, subcontracting conditions, and local content designations, replacing these measures with an outcomes-driven system centred on inclusive development and value-for-money procurement.

“Furthermore, the transitional measures in the Bill include the winding down of the BEE Commission over 12 months and the systematic removal of references to BEE across legislation. To give effect to this change, the Bill empowers the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition to develop a simplified preference points system based on a supplier’s demonstrated contributions to inclusive development and social impact.

“The DA’s alternative scorecard comprises three components. Firstly, Value for Money, secondly, Economic Inclusion, and thirdly, Disqualification Criteria. The Value for Money component assesses the cost-effectiveness, technical capacity, and reliability of bidders, which accounts for 80%,” said Cuthbert.

He said the Economic Inclusion component assesses bidders’ demonstrable contributions to the SDGs across five different categories, such as Human Development, Economic Empowerment, Environmental Sustainability, Inclusive Communities and Governance, and a Mixed Impact Option, which accounts for 20%. He said the DA also proposes a Disqualification Criteria to exclude bidders if there is a proven record of fraud, corruption, or misrepresentation.

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Iconic Taung Cultural Calabash is back with a bang!

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Picture: Taung Cultural Calabash event lineup

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

20 October 2025- The Mmabana Foundation said the iconic Taung Cultural Calabash Festival returns this year under the lively theme: “Revived, Refreshed and Reloaded”, a celebration of creativity, culture and the resurgence of the arts in the North West. The Foundation said the festival will take place from 30 October to 1 November 2025 at the Mmabana Taung Centre, promising a cultural experience for patrons across the North West Province.

The Mmabana Foundation spokesperson, Kgalalelo Molotsi said an exciting festival programme will kick-off with master classes for fashion designers, led by the internationally acclaimed fashion icon David Tlale, offering young and emerging designers a rare opportunity to learn from one of the best in the industry. Molotsi said the master class will be followed by a Fashion Show featuring North West’s finest design talent, showcasing the vibrancy and originality of the province’s creative scene.

“On Friday, the spotlight turns to comedy with a powerful line-up featuring household names such as Chris Mampane, Tall As Mo, Mashabela, and more comedians, promising an evening filled with laughter, wit, and local humour.

“The festival will close with a bang on Saturday, with the music festival bringing together some of South Africa’s hottest acts. The youthful and energetic line-up includes DJ Karri, Kharishma, Fifi Cooper, Paige, Maglera Doe Boy, and many more, ensuring a dynamic mix of genres from Lekompo to Hip Hop that reflects the evolving spirit of South African music,” she said.

Molotsi further said early bird tickets are now available starting at R100, giving patrons the chance to secure their place early for what promises to be a highlight on the cultural calendar.

She added that the 2025 Taung Cultural Calabash continues to uphold its vision of revitalising the Taung creative scene, supporting local talent and positioning the North West as a leading hub for arts, culture and entertainment.

Meanwhile, for ticket information, stall applications, and updates on the full programme, follow Mmabana Foundation official pages and visit the Mmabana website: www.mmabana.org.za.

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Breaking News: ANC removes Tumisang Gaoraelwe as Greater Taung Local Municipality mayor, but keeps him as ordinary ward councillor

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Picture: The embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe/Facebook

By OBAKENG MAJE

20 October 2025- The ANC in North West said it will implement the ANC National Executive Committee’s decision to remove the embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe from his mayoralship position. On Friday, the ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula said, together with ANC NEC members deployed to the North West, met with the ANC North West Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) to receive a report on the state of Local Government and the current developments on the intervention the PEC is implementing to reinforce  Political Management and Governance of Municipalities.

“This is in line with the ANC NEC turnaround strategy on Local Government intervention,” he said.

ANC provincial spokesperson, Tumelo Maruping said the ANC NEC has instructed the ANC in North West to remove Gaoraelwe as mayor of the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM). Maruping said they are now engaged in a meeting with the ANC Provincial Working Committee (PWC) to ventilate the matter.

“This is what is going to happen. We are having a ANC Provincial Working Committee (PWC) meeting now at 10am and the point now is to implement the decision of the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC), which is to remove Gaoraelwe as the mayor.

“The how part of redeployment of Gaoraelwe, will be discussed now during the meeting. Immediately after the meeting, I will call you and give you the exact answer regarding the PWC decision on the matter,” he said.

Maruping further said the decision on redeployment of Gaoraelwe will be done not later than this week. He added that it is true that the ANC NEC instructed them to remove him as a mayor, but keep him as an ordinary ward councillor.

“We will now discuss who will be deployed as the mayor of the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) during the meeting today,” said Maruping.

However, Gaoraelwe said the ANC in the province has not communicated its decision to remove him yet. He said even the municipal Chief Whip has not said anything, so it will be very difficult for him to comment.

“So, I do not know anything about that, but I will wait for the report. Remember, there have to be reasons for the removal. Up until they furnish me with that information, I will know how to respond,” said Gaoraelwe.

Meanwhile, a call to remove Gaoraelwe as Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) mayor gained momentum a few weeks ago after he crashed another municipal vehicle worth R560 000 in an accident. The ‘disgraced’ Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) mayor, crashed a luxury municipal vehicle, Nissan Navara 2025 worth R560 000 during an accident in the early hours of Thursday, 25 September 2025.

This caused uproar amongst the public as this is the third municipal vehicle Gaoraelwe crashed.

In 2022, Gaoraelwe crashed municipality’s luxury BMW X3 worth R700 000 in an accident on N12 road between Schweizer Reneke and Wolmaranstad. He was also allegedly involved in an accident again on 30 June 2024.

Gaoraelwe crashed the municipal vehicle after allegedly being followed and shot at by unknown assailants. However, there are allegations that Gaoraelwe crashed the municipal vehicle during the day while drunk and later on, staged the attempted hijacking as a cover-up.

On 17 August 2025, Gaoraelwe damaged a newly-bought municipal bakkie in an accident. It is alleged that Gaoraelwe crashed the municipal vehicle after he hit a tree at his residential area.

At the time, the Greater Taung Local Municipality spokesperson, Ricky Oliphant said the equipment damage report indicated that the vehicle was driven into a tree. Oliphant said the damages for this incident amounted to R120 000, which is going to be covered by the insurance.

Now, the Democratic Alliance councillor, Sam Nape said they are indeed thunderstruck by the situation the municipality found itself in under the stewardship of Gaoraelwe. Nape said this is a major setback and he is so disenchanted.

“I have lost count of how many accidents Gaoraelwe was involved in while driving municipal vehicles. This is a forlorn situation and I do not know how much embarrassment his political party, ANC, is willing to take before removing him from his position. Well, we call for his removal as always, however, if he continues to be protected by his party, then there is nothing that we can do.

“The challenge is that the ANC councillors are in majority at the municipal council and the opposition parties are outvoted even if they table a motion of no confidence against the mayor,” he said.

The ACDP councillor, Gaolatlhwe Tshipo shared the same sentiments.

Tshipo said: “We have seen a trend of negligence and misuse of the municipal properties by the mayor. Gaoraelwe was supposed to be the custodian, who leads by example and showing the public how municipal assets are protected.

“However, he is not protecting municipal assets, instead, he is misusing them. The BMW X3 worth over R700 000 was written off because of carelessness after he was involved in a car accident.”

Tshipo said they call on the ANC to act against Gaoraelwe as its deployee. He said that they are going to lobby other opposition parties and call for his removal.

“Gaoraelwe is a disgrace to the people of Taung. We are not going to allow this kind of lawlessness. Actually, this is a theft of taxpayers’ money. Gaoraelwe is not fit to be called the mayor of the Greater Taung Local Municipality,” he said.

The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) spokesperson, Ricky Oliphant said: “Yes, the municipality is aware of the recent accident. The mayor was driving to his house in the early morning of Thursday, 25 September 2025, when he lost control of a vehicle, while swerving to avoid a collision with a donkey.

“The mayor was alone in the vehicle at the time of the accident. The concern is not limited to the municipal assets, but also about the safety of the mayor, its councillors and employees,” he said.

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NWU hails SA’s bold, progressive new energy blueprint

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The North West University (NWU) principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka/Supplied 

By REGINALD KANYANE

20 October 2025- The North West University (NWU) principal and vice-chancellor, Prof Bismark Tyobeka said that South Africa will generate more electricity from non-fossil fuel sources than fossil fuels, if the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025 projects is anything to go by. Tyobeka said South Africa can reclaim its leadership position as Africa’s foremost nuclear power nation.

As a nuclear expert in his own right, he further said the IRP recognises the urgency with which they must act in addressing climate change. Tyobeka added that on 19 October 2025, the Minister of Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, outlined South Africa’s new energy transition strategy – the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) – which emphatically shifts the country’s energy reliance from fossil fuels to renewables, gas and nuclear.

“The IRP sets the country on a 15-year path to diversify the national energy mix, modernise ageing infrastructure, and restore faith in an economy long constrained by blackouts. At the heart of the plan lies a familiar dilemma of how to keep the lights on without worsening the climate crisis.

“Coal, which still provides 58% of South Africa’s electricity, will gradually yield to renewables, and together with distributed generation, this energy mix will make up over half of new installed capacity by 2035,” he said.

Tyobeka said the government expects more than 105 000 MW of new generation capacity by 2039, with 34 000 MW from wind and 25 000 MW from solar. He said yet fossil fuels will not disappear entirely.

“On gas-to-power, 6 000 MW by 2030 will act as a stabiliser, while a “clean coal” demonstration plant remains on the cards. Perhaps most striking is the return of nuclear energy to the national conversation.

“The IRP calls for 5 200 MW of new nuclear generation by 2039, with potential expansion to 10 000 MW if a forthcoming Nuclear Industrialisation Plan proves viable,” said Tyobeka.

He said the government argues that nuclear power offers reliable base-load power and industrial spinoffs, echoing a global resurgence that has seen 70 reactors under construction and renewed financial support from development banks. Tyobeka has lauded the new framework, praising it for both its environmental commitment and how it will reposition South Africa as the continent’s foremost nuclear power nation.

“I think the IRP 2025 released by the Minister on Sunday is quite progressive, especially in the sense that it recognises the urgency with which we must act in addressing climate change. I view it as a strong affirmation from the South African government that we have clear climate obligations to meet, and that reducing our carbon footprint is a vital part of this commitment.

“For the first time, the IRP 2025 projects that South Africa will generate more electricity from non–fossil-fuel sources than from fossil fuels. This represents a significant turning point, as we begin to scale down fossil-fuel-based generation and increase the contribution of cleaner energy sources such as solar, hydro, wind, and nuclear,” he said.

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Kgetsi ya petelelo le polao e boela kgotlhatshekelo

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Setshwantsho: Moswi, Motlalepula Kau

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

20 Diphalane 2025- Kgetsi ya go thopa ka dikgoka, kgothoso e tseneletseng, petelelo ga mmogo le polao kgatlhanong le banna ba le babedi ba kwa kgaolong ya ga Manyai kwa motseng wa Tlakgameng, gaufi le Ganyesa, e solofetswe go boela kwa kghotlha-tshekelo ya Ganyesa mo letsatsing la gompieno.

Kgetsi ene ya busediwa morago gonne mmueledi wa balatofadiwa a sa iponatsa kwa kgotlhatshekelo.

Balatofadiwa, Tshepiso Montswane (33) ga mmogo le Gaonapotso Rantsho (33), ba latofadiwa ka go thopa ka dikgoka, kgothoso e tseneletseng, petelelo ga mmogo le go bolaya Motlalepula Kau (43), wa kwa motsesetoropong wa Montshioa kwa Mahikeng. Go begwa fa Montswane ga mmogo le Rantsho, ba ne ba itira dingaka tsa setso, mme ba tsietsa Kau ka leleme gore a lebe kwa motseng wa Tlakgameng gore ba mo thuse. 

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone are lelapa la ga Kau le ne la itsise sepodisi fa a timetse. Mokgwabone are kgetsi ya motho o timetseng ene ya bulwa kwa seteisheneng sa sepodisi sa Mahikeng ka di 23 Moranang 2025, mme sepodisi sa bolotsa dipatlisiso.

“Go begwa fa setopo sa ga Kau se ile sa bonwa kwa lebitleng le le seng boteng kwa nageng magareng ga motse wa Tlakgameng le Kudunkgwane fa Moranang a ne a tlhola matsatsi a le 24.

“Setopo seo, se ile sa shupiwa ke mongwe wa leloko la lelapa fa ele sa ga Kau. Sepodisi se ile sa bolotsa dipatlisiso mabapi le go bolawa ga ga Kau, mme seo sa ba lebisa kwa go tshwarweng ga ga Ransho le Motswane. Banna ba, ba ile ba tlhagelela kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Ganyesa, mme ba bolelela lekgotlha fa ba na le kgetsi e nngwe gape ya petelelo kgatlhanong le bone,” Mokgwabone wa tlhalosa.

Banna ba, ba ne ba ganelwa ka beile mme ba tla nama ba letile letsatsi la tsheko kwa ntlolefitshwana.

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Ditheetso tsa beile mo kgetsing ya petelelo kgatlhanong le motsamaisi wa kwa Boxer Liquor Store di a tswelela

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Setshwantsho: Motsamaisi wa kwa lebenkeleng la Boxer Liquor Store, Tebogo Romeo Mahusi/Facebook

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

20 Diphalane 2025- Ditheetso tsa beile mo kgetsing ya petelelo kgatlhanong le motsamaisi wa lebenkeleng la Boxer Liquor Store mono Taung, Tebogo Romeo Mahusi (32), di solofetswe go tswelela mo letsatsing la gompieno. Mahusi one a tshwarwa le go tlhagelela ka boripana kwa kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mabapi le ditatofatso tsa go betelela modiri wa mosadi wa teng kwa Boxer Liquor Store.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono Bokone Bophirima, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone are tiragalo e, ke ya Lamatlhatsho motshegare kwa lebenkeleng la Boxer Liquor Store. Mokgwabone are dipatlisiso mo kgetsing e, di tsweletse.

Go begwa fa modiri wa dingwaga di le 20, teng kwa Boxer Liquor Store, a ne a tsweletse ka tiro ya gagwe ya go paka dilo fa motsamaisi a ne a mo biletsa kwa kantorong ya gagwe ka Lamatlhatso motshegare. Go begwa fa go tseneng ga bone kwa kantorong eo, Mahusi o ile a lotlela lebati la kantoro.

Go begwa fa e ne ya re fa modiri o a sentse a maketse gore go diragalang, ke fa Mahusi a mo phamola a mo atla ka nkane. Go begwa fa Mahusi a ile a mo fekeetsa ka maatla, mme a mo apola borogwe.

Go begwa fa Mahusi a ile a mo rapamisa mo tafoleng le go mo betelela a mo tlhaga kwa morago.

Kgabagare, kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung, ene ya busetsa kgetsi e morago go netefatsa bodulo jwa ga Mahusi le ditheetso tsa beile. Mo letsatsing la gompieno, mosekisi o tlhagisitse fa Mahusi a ile a romelela mosadi o go begwang fa ele motswa-setlhabelo molaetsa wa SMS, mme a mo kopa gore a seka a ya go mo tshwarisa. Ditheetso tsa beile di tla tswelediwa ka letsatsi la Mosupulogo.

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