BY REGINALD KANYANE

TWO people have sustained minor injuries after a vehicle overturned on the Old Pretoria Road in Mooinooi near Rustenburg in North West.

Netcare 911 spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe said: “The paramedics worked alongside paramedics from another emergency service on scene to stabilise the injured before transporting them to a nearby hospital for further medical care.”

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

TWO people were killed and five others injured in a collision that occurred on the N14 near Olifantshoek in the Northern Cape on Saturday. ER24 spokesperson, Pieter Rossouw said the collision occurred at night.

“When ER24 paramedics arrived on scene, they found two people already succumbed to their fatal injuries. They were declared dead on scene. Over and above the deceased patients, five others sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious.

“ER24 treated and transported two patients to Kuruman Hospital for further treatment. The remaining patients were treated and transported to hospital by other services.

The cause of the incident remains unknown and local authorities were on the scene for further investigation,” he said.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE
FIFTY unemployed youth in Dr Ruth Mompati region benefited from the national youth service programme after they went through training.

The social development department awarded them certificates in computer end user, enterprise development and civil construction.

MEC for social development, Kgakgamatso Nkewu said 775 unemployed youth from impoverished areas benefited from the programme since 2011.

“We expect you to go out there and change lives. Make sure that you have your own cooperatives to fight poverty and create jobs. Your background does not necessarily have to determine your future. “Unemployment remains one of the critical challenges faced by our country. Youth are the most affected group and the government has evaluated the impact. We render services to young people through youth development,” Nkewu said.

She also said those who received training needed to share their skills with their communities. Nkewu further said the youth could boost the economy by creating cooperatives.

“Go out and look for sponsorship from businesses in your area including various government departments. Sit together and plan on how to advance your goals.

“It is now the time for young people to come up with innovative ideas. They need to change their mindset and stop indulging in crime and substance abuse. Nowadays young people embark on strikes, destroy buildings and loot shops.

“The future is in your hands. Each generation out of relative obscurity, discovers its mission and either fulfils or betrays it. I would hope that the generation of these young people, presently here today have discovered their mission,” she said. Nkewu also commended all stakeholders involved in the process to equip young people.

Kagisano Molopo local municipality mayor, Veronica Keketsi shared the same sentiments. Keketsi said that youth empowerment was imperative. “The country will benefit as the youth are our future leaders. This is more like transferring of skills and work ethics.

We are adding a meaning to life and the initiative will help to reduce crime rate. “If we empower the youth, they will miss the chances of engaging in anti-social behaviour too.

“Let us encourage them to form their own cooperatives and lead them to self-employment and rapid industrialisation,” Keketsi said.

One of the beneficiaries, Boikanyo Modisaotsile from Gamoitsenyane village in Morokweng said she welcomed the initiative. “I am very grateful to receive my certificate after 12 months of intensive training. The programme facilitates the process of nation-building and development.

We need to be empowered as the youth for economic growth,” Modisaotsile said. Another beneficiary, Tsholofelo Dintwe said the certificate was ideal. She said that the training would open doors for her.

“The youth are the most affected group. We need to come up with strategic plans to reduce unemployment.

“Youth empowerment enables one to consider vital tenets and societal values. It also helps to commit oneself to worthwhile values,” Dintwe said.
-TDN
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Picture: (Initiates led home after the shutdown of bogus school)

A 40 YEAR-old initiate died at initiation school in Dihatshwane village outside Mahikeng on Thursday. Thataone John Letshabo allegedly suffered severe complications.

Letshabo died at a bogus initiation school and other fifteen initiates were released after the culture, art and traditional affairs department (CATA) shut down the initiation school.

The provincial initiation team representative, Kgosi Thari Maotwe said: “We need to do everything according to the legislative rules. If we find that your school is not compliant, we will shut it down immediately. We conduct workshops on legislation to teach people how these schools operate to avoid any eventuality.”

MEC for CATA, Ontlametse Mochware strongly condemned illegal practices contravening legislative provisions.

“We are calling on all communities to report any illegal initiation school to the nearest police station. They can also visit our departmental offices including traditional authorities in their locale,” Mochware said.

 Fifteen initiates were in good state of health. At Least seven illegal initiation schools were shut down in the province since the beginning of May.

North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said they were investigating case of inquest. He said the investigation was underway to determine the cause of death.

“We have opened a case of inquest after the death of an initiate at the school. According to information, the deceased was allegedly found death on Thursday morning,” Mokgwabone said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE
LABOUR department embarked on an outreach campaign to meet with employers in Klerksdorp recently. Beneficiary Services manager, Selete Qhamakoane said many companies continue to violate its workers.

“We stumbled on dishonest practices by some of the employers in Klerksdorp and other parts of the province. We discovered that some companies deduct UIF contributions from their employees yet they are not registered with the Fund.

“In some instances, new employees were not registered with the Fund too. Mostly those who are employed permanent were not declared to the UIF on a monthly basis as required by the Act,” Qhamakoane said. 

“Employers deducted UIF contributions from their employees even though they are not registered.  Employers who pay UIF contributions through SARS failed to declare their workers to the UIF too.

“They also failed to declare changes such as salary increase as required by the Act. So we will be able to address this issue through this campaign. We have also identified employers that need to be audited for employee registration, declarations, and payment of contributions to the Fund,” she said.

Qhamakoane further said employer audit inspectors will visit all concerned companies to do thorough inspections. She added that they will visit other areas like Brits, Rustenburg and Christiana.

Qhamakoane said the campaign was fruitful as some companies came out and registered their domestic workers. 

“According to the Unemployment Insurance Act, any person working for 24 hours or more in a month is supposed to be registered with the Fund. This will enable such workers to be covered for unemployment benefits.

“Workers are encouraged to contact the nearest offices of the labour department to find out if they have indeed been registered with the Fund,” she said.
-TDN
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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE FOUNDATION will pledge its support to students during a charity event at Rio Casino in Klerksdorp. The founder of TP foundation, Thabo Pelesane said their primary objective was to assist Grade 12 with bursaries to further their studies.

“Many students tend to drop out of tertiary institutions because they lack funds. The recent #FeesMustFall campaign attests to the sad reality faced by our students in daily basis.

“So we decided to help them through our foundation. A child is raised by the village. Even though we still have a challenge, we need to assist government to alleviate poverty within our communities,” Pelesane said.

He also added that he challenge all stakeholders to pledge their support. Pelesane said slackening the financial burden carried by the students will assist.

“The best way to eliminate inequality is to make sure opportunities are afforded the youth,” he said.

Brand SA CEO, Miller Matola is expected to be the Keynote speaker.

TP Foundation project manager, Ndaba Ndlovhu said: “One of our objectives is to raise funds for students. We also believe that private and public sectors partnerships could reduce youth delinquency. The youth resort to unethical and self-destructive behavioral lifestyles. So changing their lives through education is imminent,” Ndlovhu said.

-TDN

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Picture: (Taung Taxi Rank)

A TAXI rank in Taung is finally nearing its completion. Greater Taung local municipality, Kaone Lobelo said the taxi rank will assist to reduce traffic conjunction around Taung.

The taxi rank was constructed back in 2013 after the old one was demolished to make a way for the new Mall. However a R35m taxi rank was abandoned by taxi owners after they claimed that it was not viable.

“The taxi owners refused to use the taxi rank because they said it does not have roofing or shade. They said the commuters will experience challenges during rainy season.

“However we have now roofed the taxi rank and we will hand over the project very soon. We met with taxi owners and discussed their grievances and now the project is to be completed soon,’ Lobelo said.

Taung taxi drivers refused to use the taxi rank and opted to park their minibus taxis in the streets which contributed to traffic conjunction.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

A NEWLY crowned Miss Teen Africa, Palesa Koloane said it was amazing after being crowned a winner. A 15 year-old from Potchefstroom was announced as a winner recently during the competition at Protea Hotel in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.

“I am intense about modeling. However being a winner in the whole continent, that alone inspires me. My parents taught me to remain grounded. When you start valuing yourself based on other people’s accolades, it is a little dangerous.

“I have learnt a lot and believe me, nothing can substitute hard work. The win comes as a juggernaut in my career. However my concentration is to finish school first and further my studies,” Koloane said.

Palesa said she competed against 15 girls from across the continent. She added that she tried her luck back in 2014, but she came as 1^st princess.

“I love knitting, going to the cinema with my friends. And I also enjoy spending time with my family. This is the second time I tried to win the title. Back in 2014 I was crowned as 1st princess hence I say hard work is key,” she said.

The owner of pageant SA, Carolyn Botha said the entrants were required to represent their ancient forefathers. Botha said as a result, families start looking into their heritage and culture.

“The winners in each category, together with their runner-ups, take part in charity and community work within their respective provinces. This will assist to empower those who are impoverished.

“Some of the charity work involves visiting the sick and elderly in hospital, AIDS hospices, orphanages and old age homes as well as attending fundraising events,” she said.

Botha added that Pageants SA has been in existence since 1998. She further said they decided establish Africa pageant in 2002.

“Pageants SA has gone from strength to strength. We have acquired the licenses to over 52 International pageants. Over the last two decades Pageants SA has had several International title holders.

“Our most recent international accomplishments is Miss Teen World, Little Miss World, Mr Teen World, Miss Teen Universe, Little Miss Universe, Miss 7 Continents, Little Miss Globe, Modelling & Talent Champions – USA, Miss Tourism World, Miss Tourism Queen International, Mini Model of the World, Miss Model of the World, Miss All Nations, Miss Globe Classic and etc,” Botha said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE Hawks waged a war against fraudsters across the province. Provincial Head, Major General Linda Mbana said they will continue to clamp down those who continue to undermine the law.

Mabana welcomed the conviction of a 38 year-old fraudster, Johannes Baard.

Mbana said: “Baard was arrested on December 23 back in 2015 after being in implicated in ATM fraud scheme in Phokeng. The suspect was traced and found to be in possession of a skimming device and five bank cards. The total amount R9 463 cash was also found in his possession.”

Baard appeared in Tlhabane Regional Court on Wednesday and found guilty of fraud under Fraud and the Electronic Communication Transaction (ECT) Act 25/2002.

Banda added that the Hawks will leave no stone unturned in fight crime.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

MINISTER of water and sanitation department, Nomvula Mokonyane will launch Jericho Rural Water Supply in Madibeng on Friday.

North West water and sanitation department in North West spokesperson, Katlego Mokaila said the project has contributed to social economic upliftment in Jericho.

“The project has increased the water supply of the communities across Madibeng local municipality.  It involves implementation of pipelines, reticulation, testing and drilling of boreholes. It also ascertains the yield of the boreholes as well as connecting the feeder lines to the existing network and the main reservoir,” Mokaila said.

She added that government has responded to the drought and water shortages.

“Minister Nomvula Mokonyane has announced the new sms line that will guarantee that the public continues to have a central point in accessing information and registering water and sanitation challenges.

“The hotline will provide an opportunity for the public to be informed and to have constructive feedback. Issues that fuel poor service delivery will also be reported and complaints will be captured and forwarded to the relevant municipality. The reported faults will be resolved within 24 hours,” Mokaila said.

North West premier Supra Mahumapelo expected to be part of the event. Mokonyane will visit a site before engaging with community members.

North West province was amongst eight provinces been declared states of disaster because of the ongoing drought.

-TDN

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