BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

PREMIER Supra Mahumapelo said the provincial government will host a reconciliation, healing and renewal programme at Morare High School grounds in Pella, near Rustenburg on December 16.

The event is meant to heighten the need for unity among residents.

“Renewal, healing and reconciliation continues to remain amongst our five key pillars. We want to bring unity and reconciliation within the province. It is very important to heal the past wounds. That can only be possible when we join hands.

“The provincial government has achieved unprecedented work since the fifth administration. This is part of various remedial programmes we have. The programme was launched back in 2014 at Wonderkop stadium in Marikana. We believe this will help to resolve challenges the province is facing. There will be also a commemoration for reconciliation day during the ceremony,” he said.

A similar campaign was recently held at Montshioa Stadium in Mahikeng through a prayer service.

Mahumapelo said that there was need to bring unity, renewal and healing within communities.

“We want to bring together members of the community and instil peace, unity and Ubuntu.  If we want to achieve our objective, we need to work together. Every individual must play his/her part to make sure North West becomes a better province. Basically we’re pursuing what our former president late Nelson Mandela and other struggle stalwarts stood for.

“We want to make sure that we make necessary intervention in societal issues. Many people are faced with challenges in their daily lives. We are going to create a database for all those who retired, but have necessary skills. We will bring people like lawyers, teachers, nurses and social workers and other professionals on board to assist,” he said

The premier added that the event was set for Phella to honour the late struggle icon, Moses Kotane.

“We must remember what our struggle icons did for us. People like Moses Kotane were selflessness and dedicated their lives to the struggle. We need to learn more from them and their history. To know where one going, we need to know where we come from,” he said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE inaugural Mahika Mahikeng music and cultural festival lived to the billing as it brought a lot of entertainment to Mahikeng over the weekend.

The three-day concert started at Mmabatho Convention Centre on Friday with live performances from some of the best musicians in the country.

North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo said that the festival was aimed at transforming Mahikeng into one of the arts and cultural hubs in the country.

Mahumapelo said that the festival will stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities for those in the music and arts industry.

“Mahika Mahikeng will also promote tourism product in the province. The platform develops local artists and also gives opportunity to Setswana culture to broader audience. We want to make sure that the communities across the province have an opportunity to come and sell their crafts to the masses.

“The music festival started as a three-day show and it will gradually be grown into an eight-day festival. We want it to be an eight day musical festival. The aim was to uplift the face of Mahikeng as a capital city. Mahikeng is unkempt, untidy and in need of a facelift. We want vibrancy within the city. We want the city to be amongst the best in the country,” he said.

Local artists like KB Motsilanyane and Bucie Nqwiliso applauded the concept.

Bucie said: “As local artists from the province, we want to applaud the premier, Supra Mahumapelo for endorsing the festival. It is long overdue because North West artists used to be brought together like through Taung Cultural Calabash and other events. We need the leadership of Mahumapelo’s calibre. The province has potential to conquer the world with its craft. The Mahika Mahikeng and other festivals will boost the economy growth within the province. As an artist, we are happy to come and present what we have back at home.”

Mahika Mahikeng, which was in the mould of Macufe, will be an annual event.

World renowned artists like Nathi, Tshedi Mholo, Bonolo, Donald, The Soil and others graced the event.

On Saturday, artists like Cassper Nyovest, HHP, Tuks, Notshi, Mo Molemi, Rick Ricky and many more came forth.

R&B singer, Keabetswe Motsilanyane said: “The impact Mahika Mahikeng festival will have in the lives of ordinary people will be awesome. Local business persons can come and sell their crafts to the world. It is also a platform for local and upcoming artists to showcase their talents. There is also a fashion show that is taking place, so is not all about music.

“As the premier said, they want to form Mahikeng into arts and culture hub. The initiative augurs well because it will also boost the tourism product. People from various areas will flock to the city and spend their money here,” she said.

The festival was held at Lotlamoreng dam in Mahikeng on Saturday and Sunday.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

FIVE people perished in a terrible accident between Dryharts village and Taung on Friday. A truck and a light vehicle were involved in a collision resulted in five people to losing their lives.

North West police were not immediately available before going to press. The cause of the accident was yet unknown and investigations were underway.

-TDN

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A NEW farmers’ market has been opened for smallholder farmers in the Mogwase area.

  The new market helps farmers showcase their produce and sell directly to clients.

It comes after similar markets were established in other parts of the province to give farmers exposure to the business side of their enterprises.

  Rural, environment and agricultural development (READ) department head Dr Poncho Mokaila said that the initiative came about as a support system for small farmers.

He said this was the third one in the province after two were launched recently in Mahikeng and Taung respectively.

He pointed out that the department partnered with the North West Development Corporation and the North West University Mafikeng campus in rolling out the farmers’ markets.

“The establishment of the farmers’ market is vital. This will assist in existence of the small hold producers. The initiative will benefit largely as the farmers will bring their products direct to the public. Consequently this would further reduce and eliminate middlemen as the produce will directly be sold to the consumers. The consumers will also safe money from travelling expenses,” he said.

  Mokaila added that the occasion accentuated the North West provincial government’s agriculture, culture and tourism (ACT) strategy. He said the agriculture is at the apex of the province economic drive.

“Agriculture has been elevated to such status. So it is equally important that the department assist farmers create avenues. Farmers’ market also put farmers in a pole position as they will benefit from profound sustainable incomes,” he said.

The head of department pointed out that the department offered training and workshops for small farmers to be made sure sustainability prevails. He said that small farmers contributed significantly to the economy of the province.

A local farmer, Kerotse Lekabe from Phela village said: “On behalf of farmers here in Mogwase, we want to applaud the department of READ for their effort. This will ease the challenges we come across as farmers. It has been difficult year for us and we believe this will help. The transportation was always an issue for us. Now it will be easy for consumers to access our products.”

-TDN

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

INCIDENTS of road rage have often led to loss of life and North West police want an end to the problem this festive season.

North West police spokesperson, Sergeant Kelebogile Moleko said that there was need for patience and tolerance so that people do not lose their lives unnecessarily.

This came after a number of incidents were recorded in the province since the launch of Arrive Alive last week.

Moleko said: “Two drivers were ferried to a local hospital after a head on collision. It is alleged that a consignment truck collided with an oncoming truck. The driver of a consignment truck found vehicles at stop and go sign. He did not stop, but opted to overtake all vehicles that were at the stop sign.

“He collided with an oncoming truck and that caused the delay. We want to urge our road users to have patience at all times. They need to follow the rules and regulations of the roads. A case of reckless driving was opened at Coligny police station and investigations are underway. We encourage road disambiguation to avoid road rage at all times,” she said.

Moleko added that angry behaviour on the roads will not be tolerated. She said police will make sure anyone who uses rude gestures, verbal insults, deliberately driving in an unsafe or threatening manner, or make threats will be arrested.

“Road rage can lead to altercations, assaults, and collision that result in injuries and even deaths. It can be thought of as an extreme case of aggressive driving. We will be observant and on high visibility across all roads in the province. We will be working hand-in-hand with the community safety and traffic department in the province.

“We have also realised that some people tend to take chances by driving while under the influence of alcohol. Those who will find themselves on the wrong side of the law will be locked up. Alcohol contributes in many deaths on the roads annually. We also urge pedestrians to make sure they wear visible clothes while walking in the streets. Those who will be driving road unworthy vehicles will also be arrested,” she said.

Two people also died on a separate accident between Klerksdorp and Wolmaransstad last week Thursday.

Another two died in an accident in Taung since the beginning of the month.

Community safety and transport management spokesperson, Daddy Sebolecwe said: “Our roads will be full of vehicles from various spheres during festive season. We want to encourage our residents and road users to buckle-up. It is our paramount to make sure all road users are safe on the roads. We will make sure our law agencies are visible at all times.

“During this period, there are those who take advantage of busy roads. They tend to disobey road regulations and rules. Some of them drive unroadworthy vehicles. MEC Gaoage Molapisi rolled out the festive season plans. The department wants to send out a stern message to those who will find themselves on the wrong side of the law,” Sebolecwe said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

LUCK ran out on five armed men who robbed a Chinese business in Wolmaransstad before police swooped on them.

The men were arrested after their gateway vehicle with Gauteng registration was cornered after a chase.

Captain Paul Ramaloko said: “The suspects allegedly pounced on a Chinese shop and robbed them. The police reacted swiftly after the suspects had no knowledge that the Operation Fiela was in the area.

“A chase ensued between the police and the suspects. The suspects allegedly started to shoot at the police randomly. The police retaliated and injured one suspect. They were later arrested and undisclosed amount of money was recovered from them. The police confiscated the vehicle with Gauteng registration numbers that was used during the crime,” he said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE North West province has new number plates. The new securitised plates were unveiled in Mathibestad in Moretele yesterday.

Community safety and transport management MEC, Gaoage Molapisi said that North West was the first province to officially launched new security tight bar-coded number plate.

He said that the new number plates will contribute in reducing incidents of car theft and hijacking that were on the increase lately.

“Theft of prestigious, high-value vehicles is on the increase across the country. Highly-organised criminal gangs are using sophisticated technology to override the car security. The new number plates will come out with a bar-code. It will be easy for the police to verify the car information. With the bar codes, it would be impossible for number plate clowning,” he said.

Molapisi said that while criminals were always crafty, there is assurance that the new number plates will be fool-proof.

“Criminals are smarter, so we need to impede their criminal activities. The North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo has received his number plate already. Government departments’ fleet will receive their numbers soon,” he said.

The MEC also indicated that the processing of new number plates was officially open and motorists should be ready to take up the new plates.

“The system will be rolled out alphabetically. Those whom their number plates start with letter

A alphabet will be the first on the list. However no one will be penalised for not having new number plates,” Molapisi said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE
NORTH West provincial government said they have achieved unprecedented work since the fifth administration. Acting provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said the province has come up with various remedial programs that helped in resolving challenges the province was faced with.

Setswambung was responding to the score card released by Democratic Alliance in the province.

DA leader in North West, Joe McGluwa alluded that the province has failed the masses. He said they were concern regarding the performance of the premier, Supra Mahumapelo and his cabinet.
McGluwa said there were huge gaps for improvements in serving the people of the province.

“Premier Supra Mahumapelo has been responsible for millions of irregular expenditure. Besides, he has been indicated in dappled business deals.  Communities took to the streets in protests and burned schools in the process. That alone showed they are not content about the service delivery. Mahumapelo failed to attend some meetings and also failed to provide answers to questions posed to him,” McGluwa said.

He also added that some of MECs received a below par performances. He said most of the MECs were incompetent.

“Dr Magome Masike who is MEC for health scored himself an F. What he did was to purchase expensive cars. He purchased a luxury car worth R920 000 which caused a stir within the province. And the vehicle was allegedly purchased by the money that was meant for medical vehicles and equipments. We will never keep quite as our aim is to see the province moving forward. We want to see transparency prevailing and also accountability,” he said.

However Setswambung refuted the claims. He said: “The premier’s vision has produced wonderful results. The Setsokotsane program has bear fruitful results. We have managed to communicate with communities across the province and heard what challenges they came across. Mahumapelo also managed to bring forward the forensic investigations regarding 37 000 ghost workers issues which it was investigated.

“The Auditor-general also highlighted that the North West province has improved compared to the prior years. Even though there was reconfiguration within the departments, the provincial government managed to stand their ground. He also managed to establish legal advisory panel. The aim was to make sure that they fight corruption and fraud within the departments. We are impressed about the swift results the team has produced so far. We also advised any community members to report any corruption mounted against them,” he said.

Setswambung said the premier also established a consequences management. He said the panel was created to deal with all government officials who found themselves at the wrong side of the law.

“All government officials must account to their actions. Mahumapelo put it clear that no government official could find him/herself being involved in any corruption. Drastically measures will be taken against them. Mahumapelo also put aside R2bn for bulk water supplied intervention. We all know that the country has been hit by El Nino and drought has affected farmers. The department of rural, environment and agricultural development department came up with a remedial plan in assisting micro farmers. MEC Manketse Tlhape donated fodders to micro farmers across the province,” he said.

He also added that the premier customarised post audit decision plan too. He said that they also built houses for the needy.

“Those disaster houses recipients were identified during Setsokotsane programs. Mahumapelo also attended close to 20 meetings during Exco and also appeared before legislature to answer to questions posed to him. So we are grateful regarding the contribution the province managed to achieve,”

-TDN

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