South African youth must commit themselves to the struggle for economic emancipation, the ANC said on Saturday.

“The struggle for economic emancipation and economic freedom in this lifetime is undoubtedly the struggle that this generation of young people must commit their collective energies to,” African National Congress spokesman Jackson Mthembu said in a statement.

“It is young people that must drive the charge within the ANC and society in general to achieve a society based on universal human rights, equality and prosperity,” he said.

Mthembu said the ANC together with the rest of South African public would celebrate Youth Day on Sunday remembering the efforts of the youth of 1976.

“The gallant fighting spirit of young people on that day, will forever remain a reminder of the determination… and unrelenting stance taken by young people to forever change the course of the struggle of African people in South Africa,” he said.

He said the nation was forever indebted to generations of youth who fought the “tyranny” of apartheid during the darkest times of South African history.

Mthembu also praised the generations which preceded that of 1976, which included Walter Sisulu, Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo and Anton Lembede. He described them as “midwives” of the ANC Youth League.

Mthembu said since the dawn of democracy in South Africa, the ANC had developed policies which were “unambiguously pro-poor” to lift people from poverty and unemployment.

“Young people, the future of our country, are free to belong to a trade union, political party or any other organised formation of their choice,” Mthembu said.

While much had been achieved, there still remained much more to be done, he said.

Mthembu also wished former president Mandela a speedy recovery in hospital.

“We …wish Madiba well whilst he is in hospital and call upon South Africans…to continue to keep him in their thoughts and prayers,” he said.

Mandela was admitted to a hospital in Pretoria last Saturday, for a recurring lung infection.

The presidency described Mandela’s condition as “serious, but stable”.

President Jacob Zuma, accompanied by ANC treasurer general Zweli Mkhize, visited the former president on Thursday.

“Madiba’s health continues to improve but his condition remains serious,” Zuma said in a statement issued afterwards. – Sapa

By Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg-The North West Provincial Legislature held its annual Youth Sectoral Parliament at Rustenburg Civic Centre on Friday.

The theme of the event was “the role of youth in improving their Socio-Economic Conditions in the North West Province”. 

Young people from all walks of life in this province met with members of the provincial Legislature and relevant members of the Executive Council to raise issues that affects them.

“A research conducted by the Legislature Research Unit together with Public Participation formed part of the discussion during the event” Legislature spokesperson Mongezi Tsenca said. 

Tsenca said both these units met with young people from across the province and compiled a report based on the following thematic areas such as unemployment, education and skills development and social participation and made recommendations.

However Sasco secretary-general Sebang Motlhabi said the meeting was irrelevant as they expected to discuss more imperative issues that affect the communities in the province daily.

“We expected to get a feedback from MEC of Education mme Louisa Mabe regarding challenges encountered by many pupils at school in the province. How to improve pass rate of matrics and more challenges the pupils experienced especially in rural areas” Motlhabi retorted.

Legislature spokesperson Mongesi Tsenca said the government institutions took part and responded on issues raised and intervene with timelines that would assist the needs of youth.

The Deputy Chairperson of the NYDA Board, Mr. Kenny Morolong was part of the event and presented new NYDA strategy.

“These inputs were debated at the House to ensure that there is sufficient progress” he said.

The NWPL has also reviewed the approach to sectoral parliaments, and has increased them from five to 18. 

Amongst the eighteen it is Mining Sector, Health Practitioner’ Sector, Tourism Sector, Transport Sector, Information, Communication and Technology Sector. 

The youth in these sectors will participate in the sector specific parliaments during the course of the year.

Motlhabi told other radio station that they also expected Premier’s Office to explain the criteria used to allocates bursaries to more deserving students and challenges they come across. 

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By Obakeng Maje

Itsoseng-Police arrested a 36 year-old suspect for Attempted Car Hijacking, Business Robbery and Attempted Murder in Springbokpan Village on Friday, and the other one is still at large.

North West police spokesperson Pelonomi Makau said that  on Friday at about 11:00 in the morning, the suspects allegedly pounced on a Bangladesh National business in false pretence of buying groceries. 

“The unsuspecting owner allegedly unlocked the burglar door of his business and the suspects held him at gunpoint” captain Pelonomi Makau said. 

The suspects allegedly demanded money and robbed the victim off his cash, cigarettes and airtime vouchers. 

“It is alleged that the victim managed to escape and called for help” said Makau. 

Community members arrived and according to the information, the suspects allegedly shot one of the community members in the leg before they fled the scene. 

Police said the suspects alleged tried to hijack a car from a 31 year-old man.

He allegedly turn off his car and ran for his life.

“The suspects allegedly fired gun shots in the air and instructed the victim to disembark his vehicle. The victim switched off his vehicle and fled the area”. “According to the information, the suspects could not switch on the vehicle as it had a secret mechanism installed in it to be able to start the engine” said police. 

The suspects left the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.

One suspect was allegedly later arrested at Bodibe Village near Itsoseng. 

He will appear at the Itsoseng Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Police are still investigating.

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Pretoria – It was quiet outside a Pretoria hospital on Saturday where ailing former president Nelson Mandela spent a seventh day receiving treatment for a recurring lung infection.

Local and international media were camped outside the two entrances of the Mediclinic Heart Hospital, in Pretoria.

Family members arrived at the hospital shortly after 11:30 in two separate cars.

Security remained tight with police officers searching vehicles before they entered the hospital.

Mandela was admitted to the hospital last Saturday, after his condition deteriorated at about 01:30.

A group of people aged between seven and 23-years-old, from the Speed Taekwondo club in Pretoria, brought flowers and placards with the South African flag and their names to the hospital on Saturday, to wish Mandela a speedy recovery.

“We are here for Madiba because he is sick in hospital and we want to wish him to get well soon,” 10-year-old Connor Harley said.

Seven-year-old Marnus Calitz said he loved Mandela. His sister, Denice, 10, said: “I hope Madiba gets well soon.”

The group did a few routines for the media outside one of the entrances to the hospital.

“We came here to celebrate Madiba. He has done so much for us and we wish he gets better,” 14-year-old Junior Mdakane told reporters.

Aman Adam, 10, said: “We wish Madiba all the best to get well soon.

Placards stuck up next to the hospital sign read: “We need you Tata Madiba” and “Get well soon Tata” with balloons and flowers on the gate.

On Friday, Mandela’s former wife and MP Winnie Madikizela-Mandela visited with her daughter Zindzi. His granddaughter Tukwini and three other relatives also visited.

The presidency had described Mandela’s condition as “serious, but stable”.

President Jacob Zuma, accompanied by African National Congress Treasurer General Zweli Mkhize, visited him on Thursday.

“Madiba’s health continues to improve but his condition remains serious,” Zuma said in a statement issued afterwards.

– SAPA

Mineworkers who were held underground at Anglo American Platinum’s (Amplats) Thembelani mine in Rustenburg have been released, the company said on Saturday.

“All is normal. Our employees resurfaced early evening last night and received medical attention to ensure all were in good health,” said Amplats spokeswoman Mpumi Sithole.

According to the company about 2400 mineworkers were being prevented from exiting the shaft on Friday.

“We confirm that this is as a result of the suspension of four shop stewards for inappropriate behaviour which is against our behavioural procedure,” Sithole said at the time.

Earlier, French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that the workers were staging a sit-in strike over the suspension of four union leaders.

“They don’t want to come out from underground because they want their leadership’s suspension lifted,” Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) official George Tyobeka was quoted as saying.

The four Amcu leaders suspended were reportedly accused of submitting fraudulent membership applications in an attempt to inflate union membership numbers.

Amcu and its rival union, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), have been struggling for dominance at the mines, which has resulted in violent strikes and assassinations.

Last year, the police shot dead 34 miners at Lonmin’s neighbouring mine in Marikana.

Eight NUM members were recently suspended at Lonmin for alleged union membership fraud.

The Amplats tension happened as Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe was meeting union and mining companies on Friday to find a solution to the instability which has troubled the sector in the past months.

-SapaMineworkers who were held underground at Anglo American Platinum’s (Amplats) Thembelani mine in Rustenburg have been released, the company said on Saturday.

“All is normal. Our employees resurfaced early evening last night and received medical attention to ensure all were in good health,” said Amplats spokeswoman Mpumi Sithole.

According to the company about 2400 mineworkers were being prevented from exiting the shaft on Friday.

“We confirm that this is as a result of the suspension of four shop stewards for inappropriate behaviour which is against our behavioural procedure,” Sithole said at the time.

Earlier, French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that the workers were staging a sit-in strike over the suspension of four union leaders.

“They don’t want to come out from underground because they want their leadership’s suspension lifted,” Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) official George Tyobeka was quoted as saying.

The four Amcu leaders suspended were reportedly accused of submitting fraudulent membership applications in an attempt to inflate union membership numbers.

Amcu and its rival union, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), have been struggling for dominance at the mines, which has resulted in violent strikes and assassinations.

Last year, the police shot dead 34 miners at Lonmin’s neighbouring mine in Marikana.

Eight NUM members were recently suspended at Lonmin for alleged union membership fraud.

The Amplats tension happened as Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe was meeting union and mining companies on Friday to find a solution to the instability which has troubled the sector in the past months.

-Sapa

Bafana Bafana go into Sunday’s CAF Group A top of the table clash full of confidence, following their 3-0 win over the Central African Republic (CAR) last week Saturday.

Tomorrow, South Africa will be welcomed by Group A leaders, Ethiopia, for a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Addis Ababa and defender Anele Ngcongca is confident that Bafana can take their winning momentum into the tie.

Ngcongca believes that if play attacking football against the East Africans, they can secure all three points and go top of the group.

“We will attack them. Our plan is to go at them and create as many chances as we can and score goals, which can win us the game. It doesn’t mean if we attack we will expose ourselves.

“We have to attack as a team and defend together as well, so that we don’t give them any chance to open us up. We need to be strong both in attack and in defence,” Ngcongca concluded.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

Bafana Bafana have survived the early potholes in their 2014 World Cup qualifying journey, but on Sunday, the road splits.

Victory away against Ethiopia allows South Africa to continue plotting the path to Brazil, while defeat will see the focus steer into another direction: the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, and the 2018 global showpiece in Russia.

The dismal start to South Africa’s qualifying campaign, with drab draws against Bostwana and Ethiopia leading to Pitso Mosimane’s axing, have thankfully been supplemented with a double over the Central African Republic.

Five goals scored, none conceded.
For more http://www.kickoff.com

The Democratic Alliance says it will write to the Portfolio Committee of Justice and Constitutional Development to seek clarity about the move by the National Prosecuting Authority to redeploy prosecutor Glynnis Breytenbach.

On Thursday, the NPA wrote a letter to Breytenbach advising her that she will be moved from the Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit to the office of the acting National Director. The latest development comes after Breytenbach was acquitted of all charges by an NPA disciplinary hearing.

The main charge against Breytenbach was failing to act impartially when she investigated the Kumba Iron Ore/Sishen and Imperial Crown Trading mining rights issue.

The DA is fuming over the move by the NPA to redeploy graft buster, Glynnis Breytenbach.

The parties’ Debbie Schaffer says: “The DA is extremely concerned at the latest development given that Glynnis Breytenbach was involved in high profile and controversial cases”.

The move to redeploy Breytenbach came just a day after the NPA filed a motion of notice with the Labour Court, seeking an order that will see the senior prosecutor fired. Constitutional law expert, Professor Shadrack Gutto, believes the NPA has no case against Breytenbach, “I think it’s going to be very difficult case for the NPA”.

In the latest development, Breytenbach’s lawyer says the NPA is pursuing more investigations against her.

For more sabc.co.za

Journalists who have been parking their cars opposite the main entrance of a Pretoria hospital where former president Nelson Mandela is being treated, have been told to find alternative spots.

This as Mandela spends his 8th day in hospital where he is being treated for a recurring lung infection.

Tshwane metro police officers have told journalists that they have received instructions from their directors that no one should be allowed to park opposite the main entrance on Park Street, an entrance mostly used by Mandela’s visitors.

Meanwhile, security continues to remain tight at both entrances of the hospital.

President Jacob Zuma visited the statesman on Thursday night, but it is understood that no-one saw him arrive or leave the hospital premises.

After visiting Madiba, Zuma released a statement appealing to people to keep Madiba in their thoughts and prayers.

Madiba was admitted on Saturday last week to treat a recurring lung infection.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

Deputy minister of Military Veterans, Thabang Makwetla says his ministry has budgeted R300 million to honour and support the families of all fallen struggle heroes in the country.

Makwetla was speaking at Freedom Park in Pretoria, where he handed over the remains of the ten MK members, who died during the struggle in the 1980’s, to their families.

“As the leadership of ANC and Umkhonto we Sizwe, we are here to be reminded that true patriotism in South Africa is actually of very quality because those have set the standard so high that when we talk of patriotism we are talking of individuals who are prepared to give their all for the good of all South Africans”, said Makwetla.

The remains of the 10 Umkhonto we Sizwe veterans, who were handed over to their respective families in Pretoria on Friday, will be reburied at their respective homes across the country on Saturday.

Some of the activists were killed in the Battle of Mutale near Thohoyandou in March 1988. Others include the Mofolo 3, who were killed in the operation that was run by Soweto security police who disguised themselves as MK members in Soweto in July 1989. Dumisani Nkabinde is a member of the Nkabinde family who was amongst the recipients of the remains.

“It has been 25 years, we have been looking, lot of things has happened, people have been born and also died , people who were supposed to be with us right here, right now. I feel that we should give thanks to organisations and the people, I think they have been brought home eventually”.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za