The North West recorded a marked increase in the number of participants at this year’s Comrades Marathon, with the tally of medals equally on the rise.
Compared to last year, when only one out of the 15 participants did not finish the race, the number at this year’s 88th edition of the world-famous Marathon was more than 80 participants with an impressive tally of medals up to more than 26.
There were three Silvers, 15 Bill Rowans, 25 Bronze and nine Vic Claphams.
“The medals at the Comrades are classified as follows: Gold for first ten men and women, Wally Hayward medal for position 11 to sub 6 hours, Silver is for 6 hours to sub 7 hours 30 minutes; Bill Rowan medal for 7 hours 30 minutes to 9 hours; Bronze is for 9 hours to sub 11 hours; and the Vic Clapham for 11 hours to sub 12 hours” Department of Sports, Art and Culture in the province said.
This year the marathon was run by more than 18 000 athletes from around the world with the official distance being 86,863 km.
The race started at 05:30 am on Sunday June 2 at the Durban City Hall and finished at 17:30 at the Cricket Oval in Pietermaritzburg. It alternates in terms of start and finish between the two cities, meaning next year will be the “down-run”, from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
“Eighty four of the runners from the North West were sponsored by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture for their trip to the race and accommodation. Of the North West athletes who finished nine were female’s athletes and 49 males” said Vusi Kama.
MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture Tebogo Modise was ecstatic about the Province’s performance.
“What we need now is to build on the success of these athletes,” she said. “We commit ourselves to supporting our athletes so that the pool becomes even bigger” MEC Tebogo Modise said.
David Gatebe of Impala Plats was the first North West runner to cross the finish line, coming in at number 24 with a time of 06:19 minutes and earned himself Silver.
The Two Oceans champion said he was slightly disappointed with his position although he ran a fairly good race.
“I was expecting to do much better, but the race was fast,” he said. “I will continue to work hard” David Gatebe said.
Gatebe said the North West had great potential in athletics and that he was encouraged by the spirit shown by the young athletes he trained in Zeerust and Lichtenburg.
The other Silver medalists were Tshidiso Karaka (7:21:18) and Festis Mokgabisi (7:22:15), both of Ottosdal’s Diamond Marathon Club.
Nomvula Molaba of Tlokwe Athletics Club was the first North West lady to finish the race winning a bronze with a time of 10:23:55.
She was followed by Matshidiso Mochobo of Bert’s Bricks in Potchefstroom, also with a bronze at a time of 10:39:45.
“The first Comrades Marathon was run on May 24, 1921 when 34 runners lined up before the Pietermaritzburg City Hall to commence a race to Durban to commemorate the spirit and camaraderie of the soldiers who fought in the Great War.
(Edited by Obakeng Maje)
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Category Archives: NEWS
Mkhonza trims down Banyana Banyana squad
Banyana Banyana head coach Joseph Mkhonza has trimmed his squad down to 21 players following the fitness and assessment tests that took place in Johannesburg over the past four days.
The Sasol-sponsored senior women’s national team underwent rigours tests to enable the coach and his technical team to select the 21 players that will travel to Mpumalanga today, Monday, 3 June. The squad is currently preparing for their international friendly match against Mozambique to be played at the Kanyamazane Stadium in Nelspruit on Sunday (kick-off: 15h00).
The coach said after careful assessment of all the players, he had tried out new combinations and was impressed by the quality that each player possessed. Unfortunately he could not take all the players and had to trim down the squad for this camp.
“After assessing all the players called up, we had to leave behind three players and move on with the other 21. It is always hard to cut players from camp but they should not be discouraged as we will call them up in future. The 21 players that are left in camp will be put through their paces before they come up against tough opposition in the friendly against Mozambique,” said Mkhonza.
Mkhonza said they were looking for certain qualities in the selected players. He will want the players to play a brand of football that will become synonymous with Banyana Banyana, one that will leave a lasting legacy in women’s football.
“I have however warned some of the older players to guard against complacency as nobody’s position is guaranteed. Everyone is required to put in an equal amount of effort as we look to take this team to greater heights,” said Mkhonza.
A squad of 18 Banyana Banyana players will travel back to Johannesburg on Monday (10 June 2013) for the next friendly encounter against Zimbabwe on Saturday, 15 June at the Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton.
Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk said the spirit in camp was at an all-time high and has encouraged players who did not make the cut to work hard and not give up on their dreams.
“I am appreciative of the spirit in camp. Everybody has been putting in their best and we further understand that not everyone will travel to Mpumalanga but I have encouraged them not to give up on their dreams and work towards making the team a success,” said van Wyk
Banyana Banyana team manager and former national team player, Lydia Monyepao shared her experience about becoming a Banyana Banyana player. She encouraged those who did not make the team to not give up on their dreams but to go back to their clubs and work on improving their talent.
“The team has come far in its 20 years of featuring in international football. Banyana Banyana made history by going to the Olympic Games in London last year. We need to look at the bigger picture and aim for greater heights such as building towards winning the 2014 African Women’s Championship. That will be our ticket to qualifying for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada and look even further to participating in the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Don’t give up on your dreams and work harder because your efforts will be recognised,” said Monyepao.
Banyana Banyana squad that will travel to Mpumalanga:
NAME
CLUB
1. Andile Dlamini
Mamelodi Sundowns
2. Nkosingiphile Zungu
Remax Shooting Stars
3. Mahlatsi Mogola
TUT PTA
4. Primrose Ndlozi
TK Stars (Mpumalanga)
5. Gabisile Hlumbane
Kovsies Ladies
6. Nothando Vilakazi
Super Falcons
7. Nelisiwe Mchunu
Moroka Swallows
8. Lebogang Mabatle
Zebra Force
9. Janine Van Wyk
Mondeor Meteors Ladies
10. Charlotte Mshengu
Durban Ladies
11. Nwabisa Kolisi
City Lads
12. Amanda Dlamini
Durban Ladies
13. Nocawe Skiti
Cape Town Roses
14. Nomathemba Ntsibande
Springs Home Sweepers
15. Nomawethu Nyusani
Coastal United Ladies
16. Memory Makhanya
Durban Ladies
17. Noko Matlou
MaIndies
18. Zingawe Phakathi
United Ladies
19. Silindile Ngubane
Durban Ladies
20. Shiwe Nogwanya
Celtics
21. Zamandosi Cele
Durban Ladies
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A woman, baby died in a horrific accident
By Obakeng Maje
Klerksdorp- Police are investigating a Culpable Homicide case after two vehicles collided head-on the N12 Klerksdorp/Wolmaransstad road on Sunday at about 15:51.
“The driver of a white Bantam Bakkie with nine passengers on board collided head-on with a maroon Ford Bantam Bakkie with three passengers on board” said Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone.
Two passengers of the White Bantam Bakkie, a 29-year-old woman and a 10-year-old girl died on the scene.
Police said all the other victims were rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.
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A teenager killed in Modutung village, Taung
By Obakeng Maje
Taung- North West police are investigating a culpable homicide case after a teenager was knocked down by a taxi in Modutong village, near Taung.
“A minibus taxi was travelling along the Modutung road when he allegedly saw two boys walking on the left side of the road.The driver of the Minibus Taxi was about to pass them when the 19 year-old boy crossed the road without observing” Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone.
The accident took place on Saturday at around 13:15.
He collided with the victim, and he was rushed to a local hospital.
“The victim later died at a hospital from injuries sustained” said Mokgwabone
.
A culpable homicide case is being investigated by the police.
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Three people died in an accident in Wolmaransstad
By Obakeng Maje
Wolmaransstad- Police are investigating a culpable homicide case after they were called to attend an accident at Wolmaransstad/Makwasie road near Reabona School.
“A vehicle with six occupants overturned. All victims were transported to the Local Hospital. Three men aged between 26 and 35 allegedly later died in the Hospital and the other two are still in hospital with serious injuries” Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.
A Culpable Homicide case is being investigated by the Police.
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North West police watched while murder unfolded
By ObakenG Maje
The North West Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo has noted with shock the video that portrays Police Officers in a Police vehicle as spectators when they attended to a crime scene in Lomanyaneng, Mahikeng.
The video presents us with contradicting information from the initial information that we received from the report sent to us by the station. This information was that Police arrived at the scene after the incident had already happened, and found the man already dead” Lieutenant Gen. Zukiswa Mbombo said.
The Provincial Commissioner further said Police Officers should know better, as the Police Officers is to ensure at all times that they enforce the law and that law enforcement can never be compromised.
“She said it is only fair that people must allow the law to take its course and never take the law into their own hands. Police are there to ensure that incidents such as this do not happen” Mbombo said.
“The duty of every Police officer is to prevent crime and save lives by also ensuring that perpetrators of crime are brought to book. It is an offence for a crime to be committed in front of a Police Officer” she said.
This has made the Provincial Commissioner of North West to set up an internal investigation to ensure that the Police officers involved are called to account of their actions. She said the outcomes of this investigation will advise her on the relevant action to take against the members concerned.
The Mahikeng cluster commander has also been tasked to ensure that perpetrators who contributed in the gruesome mob justice incident are arrested and brought before the court to answer for their actions.
The Provincial Commissioner assures the public that lawlessness will never be tolerated.
“The South African Police Service has systems in place to deal with Police officers who do not take their jobs seriously such that a life is lost” said Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo.
This follows after a 24 year old woman was murdered on Saturday, 25 May 2013 at about 09:00 at her place by her 25 year old ex-boyfriend who stabbed her with a knife on the chest and died on the scene.
“It is alleged that after the incident, the suspect ran away and the community members who saw what happened followed him and took the suspect back to where the stabbing incident happened. The community members allegedly stoned the suspect until he died.
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DA: ANC Achilles Heel Exposed
By Obakeng Maje
Rustenburg-During a NW MPAC Imbizo in Rustenburg, in which methods and procedures to handle their oversight role in public accounts were discussed, a number of NW ANC Councillors complained about ANC interference in MPAC activities DA NW said in a statement.
“Councillors indicated that interference from ANC structures are impeding their work when they need to address issues of fraud and corruption involving other ANC members” DA Chris Hattingh said.
DA said although the Chairperson of the North West Public Accounts Committee, Patrick Chauke, provided clear guidance about the apolitical and non-partisan approach that Public Accounts committees should adopt, it was clear that NW Municipal Public Accounts Committee are still being held hostage by ANC structures.
“These ANC utterances give impetus to persistent speculation that some ANC structures may be beneficiaries to the proceeds of fraud and corruption and that NW municipal finances have become the target of organised political crime” said Hattingh.
Democratic Alliance vows continue to be vigilant on efforts to block the scrutiny of suspect transactions and will train its MPAC members in fulfilling their MPAC oversight role said Hattingh.
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Police monitoring situation at Marikana after shootings
By Obakeng Maje
Rustenburg-The police are investigating a case of murder and attempted murder after two men were allegedly shot at Wonderkop hostel, at Marikana on Monday.
“It is alleged that the two were shot while at the office of National Union of Mineworkers (NUM)” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.
Police said that one of victims died at the scene while another one was taken to hospital for medical treatment.
“According to information available at this stage, both men are members and office bearers of NUM” Mokgwabone said.
The motive of the incident is unknown and nobody has been arrested.
Police investigation regarding the matter continues.
The situation is calm and police are monitoring it.
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Two nabbed for murder in Kimberley
By Obakeng Maje
Kimberley-The Police in Kagisho have managed to arrest two suspects in connection with the murder of a 22-year-old male. The murder took place on the night of Friday at Soul City.
“It is alleged that two suspects took the victim out of a certain Shebeen earlier and allegedly stabbed him several times” Lieutenant Donald Mdhluli said. Police said the victim sustained some injuries in the head and died on the scene.
Police followed information received from the community and managed to arrest 19-year-old suspect as well as a 27-year-old suspect on Monday.
“SAPS would like to thank the public for their co-operation as well as its members for the hard-work they have shown” said Mdhluli said.
The two suspects will appear before the Galeshewe Magistrate Court on Wednesday where they will face a charge of murder. The investigation continues.
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North West Hawks Take A Swipe At Card Cloning Syndicate
By Obakeng Maje
Zeerust-Another group of card cloning syndicate arrested by North West Hawks. The two suspects are, Neo Morule ( 26) and Katlego Sekeleko (30) both from Mahikeng appeared before the Zeerust Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of Fraud and Possession of suspected stolen bank cards.
“The suspects will appear again on 10 June 2013 for a bail application.
It is alleged that on Friday police received a tip-off that the suspects were interrupting clients at one of the Automatic Teller Machines(ATM) at one of the garages in Zeerust” Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.
Police arrived at the scene and the suspects were then arrested in their operational area. Twenty two different bank cards were found in their possession said Ngubane.
Police said bank cards found in the possession of suspects were cloned and transactions were done already.
“Some of the cards found to be in possession of the suspects belonged to Police Officers who were also their victims of the card cloning syndicate” police said.
The Hawks had identified that ATM at Zeerust garage as one of the hotspots where card swapping and cloning took place on many occasions.
The Hawks together with the Dog Unit will also visit the respective homes of the suspects in Mahikeng on Tuesday for further search.
“The 43 year-old,Oupa Joseph Mashangu with a lavish house and expensive posh cars who stays in the top suburbs of Klerksdorp, Doringkruin, was also arrested last week on Thursday in Rustenburg when he was caught in the act next to the ATM.
“He appeared in Rustenburg Magistrate Court on the 27th May 213 and he appeared again today and he was remanded in custody until the 5th of June 2013 for bail application” said police.
The suspect had a previous case of a similar nature when he was arrested last year on the 31 December 2012, and he was still out on bail when he was arrested.
The North West Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo has welcomed the arrest and commended the Hawks for a job well done as card cloning has been one of the major crimes that has engulfed the North West Province, claiming about R2 million.
“The Provincial Commissioner said her concern with these kinds of crimes is that heartless criminals like these, targets the poor and the illiterate where they take advantage of them at ATM’s and clean them off their hard-earned monies”.
The Provincial Commissioner said this has a huge negative impact on the poor people of the province.
She requested the business community around North West province to ensure that they contribute in clamping down off these crimes.
“The Provincial Commissioner further requested that Business people should ensure at all times that they ask for proof of identity from any person that swipes with a card to buy goods and products” said police.
This practice has proved to work on other provinces in curbing these crimes.
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