Daily Archives: June 21, 2026

NWU Soccer Institute ready to participate in Motsepe Foundation

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Picture: NWU Soccer Institute players/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

21 June 2026- The NWU Soccer Institute’s preparations for the professional Motsepe Foundation Championship, which is the second tier of South African football, are well-underway. Even though it requires a massive undertaking of structural organisation, high-level fitness conditioning and significant financial backing, the NWU Soccer Institute management said it is up to the task.

The NWU Soccer Institute Manager, Dr Vuyolethu Sambo said they are to participate in the Motsepe Foundation Champion. Sambo said they do have the capacity to go through the season with whatever budget they have.

“Of course, we are looking at getting partners as well. We will engage various stakeholders to assist us to cover our expenses. On the issue of sponsorships, we will knock on various doors to secure sponsorships. 

“On the issue of Mmabatho Stadium, we will engage the North West Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation to check if the stadium meets Betway Premier Soccer League (PSL) requirements so that we can register it as one of our stadiums,” he said.

The NWU Soccer Institute coach, Nkululeko Malgas shared the same sentiments. Malgas said even though they have depth, there are some departments that need to be bolstered ahead of the 2026/2027 season.

“Indeed, there are some departments that need to be strengthened in the team, but it can be a little bit sensitive for now to talk about that. We still have to sit as the technical team to come up with a strategy.

“We will also continue to scout players across the province. I believe that the scouts are sleeping in South Africa. Most of the people complained that we played with young boys. I mean who does not have young players in this era?” he asked.

Malgas further said, if one drives along the roads of South Africa, s/he would likely to find a field where people are playing football. He added that they should not wait for big moments to scout players.

“As the NWU Soccer Institute, we have data of players. We are not worried about losing players because most of our players are students. So, we stand a chance to contribute to the football of South Africa, if we do not sleep on talents.

“We have enough under-23 players to compete in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. You can go as far as Taung as they have three teams competing in various leagues. The good thing about Taung is that their players do not mix much with players from Gauteng. So, you get raw talent from that side,” said Malgas.

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North West MEC for Finance to host youth summit

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Picture: The North West MEC for Finance, Kenetswe Mosenogi

By REGINALD KANYANE 

21 June 2026 – The North West MEC for Finance, Kenetswe Mosenogi will on 22 June 2026 host more than three hundred young people to a youth summit under the theme: “50 Years of Youth Empowerment: Advancing Financial Sustainability, Economic Inclusion and Service Delivery.” Mosenogi said the summit will convene students from universities, TVET colleges and high schools for an interactive engagement focused on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic inclusion. 

“It will also provide a platform for dialogue on responsible governance and sustainable development. The initiative seeks to empower young people to become active citizens, future leaders, and catalysts for positive change across the province, while supporting the development of a capable state that enables the youth to thrive and prosper.

“The youth summit is scheduled to take place at Mmabatho Convention Centre on Monday at 8am,” she said.

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Closure of illegal initiation school 

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Picture: Some of initiates rescued from bogus initiation school/Supplied

By STAFF REPORTER 

21 June 2026- The Northern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) has acted swiftly following a report of an illegal initiation school operating in Jan Kempdorp. Upon receiving the complaint, the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) Chief Surgeon, Mlungisi Masimini attended to the matter and confirmed that the school was illegally accommodating nine minors. 

“The group consisted of two girls aged 12 and seven boys between the ages of 15 and 17. The preliminary investigations revealed that three of the boys had already undergone circumcision. The three minors have been referred to hospital for medical examination and assessment to ensure their health and wellbeing. 

“The remaining minors are being cared for while awaiting the arrival of their parents or guardians, who have all been contacted.

The illegal initiation school has been immediately shut down and a criminal case has been opened against the owner,” he said.

Masimini further said CoGHSTA strongly condemns the operation of illegal initiation schools, particularly those involving underage children as they place the lives, safety and dignity of initiates at serious risk and are in contravention of the law governing customary initiation practices. He added that the Provincial Initiation Committee (PIC) urges communities, parents and traditional leaders to remain vigilant and to report any suspected illegal initiation activities to the relevant authorities. 

“Protecting initiates and preserving the integrity of customary initiation practices remains a collective responsibility,” said Masimini.

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Committee challenges Ramaphosa’s court bid

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Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa

By OBAKENG MAJE

21 June 2026 – Action SA said it welcomes the decision by Parliament’s Section 89 Impeachment Committee to oppose the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa’s application to interdict the committee from carrying out its constitutional responsibilities. This comes after Action SA’s letter to both the Speaker of the National Assembly (NA), Thoko Didiza and the Chairperson of the Committee, Makashule Gana, urging Parliament to resist any attempt to frustrate the implementation of the Constitutional Court’s judgment on the Phala Phala matter.

The Daily Maverick said Parliament’s impeachment committee has resolved to oppose Ramaphosa’s urgent interdict application to halt its work while he challenges the report that found he has a case to answer regarding the Phala Phala saga. The interdict case will essentially determine whether Ramaphosa can delay his impeachment hearing, possibly for years if appeals are considered and avoid tough and potentially embarrassing and damaging questions regarding his response to the theft of at least $580,000 from his Phala Phala farm in 2020.

Action SA Member of Parliament (MP), Athol Trollip said the committee’s decision is a victory for constitutional accountability and parliamentary independence. Trollip said Parliament has a constitutional duty to hold the executive accountable, to exercise oversight over the conduct of public office bearers and to ensure that no person, regardless of their office, is placed beyond scrutiny.

“The Section 89 Committee exists precisely to determine whether the conduct of the President warrants the serious constitutional consequences contemplated by Section 89 of the Constitution. That process must be allowed to proceed without interference, delay, or political shielding.

“Action SA notes with concern the prevalence of certain parties within the Government of National Unity, many of whom have sought to speak out of both sides of their mouths by professing support for accountability, while simultaneously avoiding a clear position on the President’s attempt to halt the inquiry,” he said.

Trollip further said South Africans deserve honesty from those parties. He added that they must decide whether they stand for constitutional accountability or political expediency.

Meanwhile, the NA Speaker, Thoko Didiza said: “I have resolved to file a notice to abide by an explanatory Affidavit alongside the Impeachment Committee’s opposition papers. The purpose of the explanatory affidavit is to assist the Court with aspects it must consider to make its final determination, including the stringent constitutional obligations on the National Assembly to proceed with and finalise the section 89 proceedings.

“The content of the explanatory affidavit is believed to be consistent not only with the stance adopted by the Impeachment Committee but also with the actions of the Speaker since the Constitutional Court judgment.”

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N14 road partially opened for traffic

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Picture: N14 road between Vryburg and Kuruman

By BAKANG MOKOTO 

21 June 2026- The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) said it wishes to inform road users that the N14 national road between Kuruman and Vryburg, has been partially reopened to only light motor vehicles. SANRAL said this reopening provides temporary relief to road users and restores limited access along the road. 

SANRAL’s Provincial Head for the North West, Mirriam Ramoba said there is a thin film of water that remains on portions of the road surface. Ramoba said motorists are therefore urged to exercise extreme caution when travelling through the affected area. 

“Motorists are advised to observe the temporary speed limit of 60km/h as shown on site, including the water warning signage indicating that there is still water on the road surface. 

“Technical assessments and material testing are currently underway to determine the full extent of the damage before fully reopening the road for all vehicles,” she said. 

Ramoba further said accordingly, the reopening is restricted to light motor vehicles only while SANRAL awaits the outcome of these investigations and develops the appropriate rehabilitation measures to ensure the long-term safety and integrity of the route. She added that heavy motor vehicle users are advised to continue using the alternative routes that are indicated below which are the N18, N12 and the R31.   

“Any unauthorised use of the road contrary to the restrictions in place will constitute a violation of the applicable traffic regulations. SANRAL requests all road users to exercise caution, remain vigilant and to comply with all temporary traffic control measures and signage implemented on site. 

“SANRAL would like to express its sincere appreciation to road users, freight operators, local communities and other stakeholders for their patience, understanding and cooperation during the prolonged closure of this route. SANRAL apologises for the inconvenience caused by the flooding and the resulting travel disruptions and remains committed to restoring full access to the road as soon as it is safe to do so,” said Ramoba.

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Manopole celebrates World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

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Picture: The Northern Cape MEC for Social Development, Youth, Women and Persons with Disabilities, Mase Manopole

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

21 June 2026 – The Northern Cape MEC for Social Development, Youth, Women and Persons with Disabilities, Mase Manopole led the successful commemoration of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) at the Maruping village, near Kuruman. Manopole said World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed annually to raise awareness of the abu se and neglect experienced by older persons and to encourage collective action to safeguard their dignity, safety and wellbeing.

She further said this year’s commemoration reaffirmed the department’s commitment to ensuring that older persons live free from violence, exploitation and discrimination. Manopole added that the event brought together 300 older persons from Maruping village and surrounding communities to raise awareness about elder abuse, promote the rights of older persons, and strengthen community efforts to prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation.

“The government is committed to protect the rights of older persons as enshrined in the Older Persons Act and the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. So, we would like to emphasise that older persons are the custodians of the province’s history, culture and values and deserve to age with dignity, safety and peace of mind.

“We call on families, communities and institutions to work together to end elder abuse, stressing that abuse against older persons is a violation of human rights and that every citizen has a responsibility to protect senior citizens,” said Manopole.

She said Maruping village was selected to host this year’s commemoration in recognition of the socio-economic challenges faced by many rural communities, where poverty, unemployment, substance abuse and domestic violence often increase the vulnerability of older persons. Manopole said the programme also highlighted the growing concern of financial exploitation, particularly where older persons’ social grants become the primary source of household income.

“Throughout the programme, older persons and community members received information on recognising and reporting the various forms of elder abuse, including financial, emotional, physical and psychological abuse, as well as the support services available to victims.

“Representatives from SAPS, SASSA and the Northern Cape Older Persons Forum addressed participants on their respective roles in protecting older persons, improving access to justice, strengthening social protection and promoting the wellbeing of senior citizens,” she said.

Addressing those in attendance, Mma Agnes Hantise of the Northern Cape Older Persons Forum encouraged older persons to maintain active lifestyles, participate in recreational programmes and embrace active ageing.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) urged older persons to report all forms of abuse, whether experienced or witnessed, while the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) highlighted the measures available to protect older persons from the misuse of their social grants by family members or other individuals.

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Calls for special task team on gang violence in the Cape Flats

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Picture: SAPS member in Cape Flats/Generic

By STAFF REPORTER

21 June 2026 – A shooting in Lotus River, where four men lost their lives and another was seriously injured, as well as a shooting in Manenberg that claimed the life of a young man and left several others injured, including a SAPS member, are stark reminders of the devastating impact that criminal gangs continue to have on communities across the Cape Flats, said the Democratic Alliance (DA). The DA in the Western Cape extends its condolences to the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives and wishes those injured a full and speedy recovery.

DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Police Oversight and Community Safety and MPP, Benedicta van Minnen said these tragic incidents reiterate the serious questions about the effectiveness of the continued deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) as a response to gang violence. Minnen said while the presence of the SANDF may provide temporary and limited increases in visibility, it has not delivered the substantial reduction in the gang-related crime and violence that residents so desperately need.

“Residents deserve more than temporary deployments and reactive responses. They deserve lasting safety, effective law enforcement, and a criminal justice system that removes dangerous offenders from our streets. The loss of life to violent crime in communities such as Lotus River and Manenberg must never become normalised.

“The Western Cape has repeatedly called for more capable crime intelligence operations to investigate and dismantle criminal networks, along with an adequately resourced visible police service that is empowered to go out and disrupt crime rather than merely reacting to violent incidents after they occur,” she said.

Minnen further said the DA committed to a catch, convict and clean-up approach to crime that will see criminals put behind bars and the restoration of a police service that the public can trust. She added the DA in the Western Cape therefore calls on the Minister of Police and the National Commissioner of SAPS to convene an urgent anti-gang intervention task team for the Cape Flats, bringing together SAPS detectives, Crime Intelligence, the National Prosecuting Authority, local law enforcement agencies and provincial authorities to develop a targeted operational plan aimed at increasing arrests, securing convictions, and dismantling gang networks operating in identified hotspots.

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