The South African Child Gauge has released a study which shows that more than half of all young people in the country live in poverty and are faced with low education and unemployment.

The Gauge, which is the annual publication of the Children’s Institute at the University of Cape Town, focussed on the youth between the ages of 15 and 24.

Senior researcher in the UCT’s Poverty and Inequality Initiative, Dr Ariane De Lannoy says, “We find that a large portion of young people continue to live in poverty, about 58% of youths live in households with income below R620 per person per month and in general young  people’s situation isn’t that great, their education outcome are quiet low.”

For more http://www.sabc.co.za

BY REGINALD KANYANE

A 31 year-old award-winning actor, Presley Chweneyagae said he was ready to regain his niche in the film industry. North West-born actor encouraged young people to embark on acting. He said that the world needs to know about the untold stories from South Africans.

“To me acting came natural. I started acting at the age of 13. We need to preserve our heritage, our history. Filming industry encourages more tourists to visit the areas and that augurs well for the economy. I started at Mmabana Mmabatho where I learnt acting skills and polished my talent.

“If you want to be the best actor, you must make sure that you know your script. Nobody wants an awkward person standing up there, mouth open with no words coming out. Make sure your emotion reaches every corner of the room. Remember, you are not yourself. You forget everything you are and be who the character is. It’s not you playing the character, it’s you speaking. Immerse you in the character,” he said.

Chweneyagae who starred in an award-winning movie called Tsotsi, said he has been working at theatre. He said Tsotsi movie which was directed by Gavin Hood and produced by Peter Fudakowski gave him a good platform to launch his career.

“The film envisaged the South African story. Tsotsi went on to win the 2006 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. It was also nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film in 2006. I am currently negotiating a deal with one of the biggest productions in South Africa. So if all go well, I will be in one of Mzansi’s favourite soapies from next year.

“I am busy working with a United Kingdom-based home theatre production. The same project is in Brazil and other parts of the world. We identify any ordinary person and reflect on their lives. We are required to resemble the life of that individual and perform it for them. I worked on many films so far like Zama-Zama, Inumber Number, and others.” he said.

Chweneyagae who recently took part in Soweto marathon said he was amazed about the newly-built film studio in Mmabana Mmabatho in Mahikeng. He said that will assist in developing young and raw talents in the province. He mentioned that he was busy with rural development projects in filming.

-TDN

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North West Social Development MEC, Fenny Gaolaolwe

BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West Social Development MEC, Fenny Gaolaolwe opened urged the residents of Qhoo village outside Taung to use the newly erected steel structure as a Pay-point and a service club.  Gaolaolwe opened a new Pay-point centre on Monday.

“We urge residents to take care of this facility against unnecessary vandalism.  Use this structure for your benefit. This Pay-point will help those who receive their social grant. They will not stand in the sun anymore, so take care of it.” Gaolaolwe said.

Local chief, Olatlhile Moabi of Batlhaping Baga Phuduhutswana said: “Before the Pay-point was erected, residents used to get their grants in a small creche. Life has been difficult for the residents especially during rainy seasons.”

Four steel structure was built by Sassa were opened around Taung recently.

-TDN

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The reality of the water crisis in the country hit home on Tuesday, with some Joburg schools sending their pupils back home and some parts of Gauteng running dry.

Numerous southern and south-western suburbs had no water on Tuesday, leading to residents believing that water rationing had started.

The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality issued a red alert on residents, warning them to use water sparingly as many suburbs in and around Germiston experienced water shortages.

It warned that levels in the reservoirs supplying certain areas were at a critical level which could lead to low water pressure.

For more http://www.iol.co.za

Rustenburg – Two men accused of robbery and murder appeared in the Mahikeng Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, North West police said.

Police spokesperson Major Pelonomi Makau said Kagiso Vincent Bontsi, 33 and Kgotlayame Macdonald Monaki, 27, appeared on two counts of murder, business robbery, seven counts of robbery, kidnapping, carjacking, attempted murder, possession of suspected stolen property and possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

“They were remanded in custody and will appear again on 19 February 2016 in the Mahikeng Regional Court,” she said.

“It is alleged that on Friday, 30 October 2015, at about 8pm, the accused entered the Bangladesh National tuck-shop at Moshawane village in Tshidilamolomo near Mahikeng and shot at the customer who died on the scene, before they shot at the shop owner who was taken to the hospital and later discharged. The accused allegedly took some groceries and an undisclosed amount of cash before they fled the scene.”

For more http://www.iol.co.za

Johannesburg – Hello, it’s time to play… “WHAT THEY SAID, WHAT THEY MEANT”. Thank you for joining us.

As Armscor and the Department of Defence attempt damage control over the (not-R4-billion) “national asset” for the Presidency, we decipher what they were trying to say.

1. WHAT THEY SAID: “Reports that a VIP jet would be bought for R4bn are “devoid of truth. We could never afford that. Armscor is currently seeking information to establish the facts and have the required engineers and people who can crunch the numbers.”

WHAT THEY MEANT: R4-billion?! Ninjas, please. We can barely afford to pay attention right now, so we’ll find the best deal kickbacks can buy – or the nearest Gupta brother.

For more http://www.iol.co.za

BY REGINALD KANYANE

SOME OF Municipal mayors in North West are facing a wielding axe after they failed to spend their budget. This was discussed during ANC’s provincial executive committee meeting held in last week in Setlagole. The ANC provincial secretary, Dakota Legoete said: “The PEC noted with concern the poor spending by some of the municipalities in the province in terms of Municipal Infrastructure Grant. We have resolved to implement remedial and consequential management in those who failed in areas of their deployment.

“We are going to take major steps against those mayors who failed to spend their budget. Some of them might be recalled because it really shows they could not deliver. However the decision will be taken after disciplinary actions. The money will now return to the national treasury because it was not used. The province experienced unrest recently because of poor service delivery.

“We will also deal with our ill-discipline members. Recently the province has been engulfed in a shameful wave of ill-disciplined by some of our members. We have taken a decision to summarily suspend and invoke disciplinary action against our ill-disciplined members. This was taken in line with our NGC decision. We want to unapologetic acted against ill-discipline and anarchy in the movement. We will take decision against members who conduct themselves improperly in terms of the Code of Conduct for ANC members,”

“The PEC also took note of the malicious allegations made by some ill-disciplined members of the ANC and the so-called North West Business Forum. They claim that the ANC provincial chairperson, Supra Mahumapelo is corrupt. We therefore like to take this opportunity to inform out membership and society at large that Mahumapelo is not corrupt. We will not disown him as our leader. I would like to tell all the counter revolutionary elements that they must refrain from making such statements which are opportunistic and fallacy to the core.”

Legoete said the party in the province welcomed their new NEC deployees. The team will be led by the convener, Humphrey Mmemezi.

“We will be hosting the party anniversary celebration next year. The event will take place at Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg. The preparation for the nomination of councillors for local government elections is underway. We expect to finish the process by mid December 2015. The provincial and regional list committee have been appointed and they are going to run the process on behalf of our structures.” he said.

-TDN

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo said the present administration had come up with a vision that is aimed at bringing change for the better. Mahumapelo called upon public servants in the province to embrace the approach of the fifth administration. He said the approach was distinctly different from the previous administrations.

Speaking at the Provincial Risk Indaba in Mahikeng on Thursday, Mahumapelo said: “We have come up with revolutionary changes in policies. We try to reposition, renew and rebrand our province. It is against this background that we have decided to deal with the risk of the disjuncture. And that will come with the change and if not dealt with, can results in a catastrophe,” he said.

Mahumapelo said unemployment, poverty and inequality were the order of the day in townships, small dorpies and villages. He said his administration had decided to address these issues in these areas in a radical and revolutionary manner.

“The people voted for the current government because they believed that their lives will change for the better. If we do not address their issues as expected, we would have failed them. They would turn against us and vote for the oppositions. We decided to do things differently as the fifth administration. Our aim is to ensure that unemployed in the townships, small dorpies and those residing in the villages is reduced. People must have access to the government resources.” he said.

MEC for Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development (FEED), Wendy Nelson said they planning to achieve 6% targeted economic growth by 2019.  She said risks must be identified and dealt with.

“The situation in municipalities and public entities is not what it is supposed to be as far as the risk management is concerned. We still find ourselves with lack of risk management units in most of these institutions. Public entities and municipalities are unable to systematically manage the challenges that hinder the achievement of service delivery in these areas.

“Having emerged from a divided past, we are constantly reminded that the work ahead is significant. We know that redressing must remain at the top of our priority list as we seek to give dignity and opportunity to the people of our province,” she said.

-TDN

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

THE ROAD Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) in conjunction with gospel singer, Sipho Makhabane held a peace and safety music concert at Mmabatho Convention Centre in Mahikeng on Saturday. Community Safety and Transport Management spokesperson, Daddy Sebolecwe said: “The event was organised by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and the Big Fish Events Management. The event was the peace and safety road show and to encourage peace and unity in the province. We are heading towards festive season, so we wanted to encourage our people to buckle up and be tolerant on the roads,”

Sebolecwe said they did a door-to-door visit to teach people about the road safety tips. He said they planning to have lesser road accident this year. “We will be launching our program called Arrive Alive in two weeks time. We will be working together with police as they will also launch When Duty Calls program too. The programs will continue to run through festive season,”

Sebolecwe said the alcohol and over speeding continued to be at the forefront in many accidents. He also encouraged pedestrians to follow the rules and be observant at all time while on the roads.

“Our traffic cops are ready and we would like to encourage our drivers to be tolerant and buckle up at all times. The safety measures are necessary to avoid any regrets. Drivers must be on alert at all times and avoid discreet areas to avoid being hijacked. They must make sure when they are at the malls, the do not leave their necessary gadgets on the seats.”

-TDN

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