Cape Town – Seven weeks after the highly publicised kidnap and sexual assault of an exchange student near Signal Hill, police have appealed to the public for information, and have released CCTV stills of one of the three suspects.
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Category Archives: NEWS
IMPRESSIVE PROGRESS REGISTERED ON NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
Mahikeng-To date, the progress registered includes the establishment of the Municipal ward-based family health teams.
The established and functional number of outreach teams is standing at eleven (11). Hundred and fifteen ((115) community health workers have been trained and the piloting District of Dr. Kenneth Kaunda managed to cover eight (8) wards. Thus far, 15 467 households across the pilot district have been profiled. Chronic disease management has been linked to Primary Health Care (PHC) outreach teams. School Health Services are being revitalized. Vehicles to provide school health services have been received from National Department of Health (NDoH) and are currently being registered.
“We have appointed specialist outreach teams to provide specialist outreach services.They include obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, family medicine and anesthesia” exclaimed MEC Masike during his budget vote.
All health facilities in Dr Kenneth Kaunda are approved for Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART) initiation.
Doctor support to clinics has been stepped up to twice a week in order to build confidence of nursing staff in initiating ART.
Capacity building for NHI has been prioritized. To this effect, all members of the District Management Team (DMT) have been trained on procurement matters.
All members of DMT have been trained in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) by North West University.
All Sub district managers have been registered for Executive Development Programme and Oliver Tambo Fellowship. Furthermore, PHC teams have been trained on PHC Re-engineering Programme.
Capacity has therefore been built progressively at facility management level for further decentralising control in view of NHI requirement. The aim is to make all clinics as cost centres before the end of 2013-14 financial year.
“We will continue to improve training on nursing, EMRS and medical care to strengthen PHC and health care service delivery towards a well functioning NHI” said the MEC.
Two training workshops on leadership and supervision have been conducted while one information sharing session with sub-district management was conducted and supported by BroadReach.
The Health System Trust (HST) continues to provide support.
“Phase 1 orientation and basic foundation was conducted for 1500 CHWs and 80 nurses. We conducted two (2) studies on readiness assessment and one (1) on competency assessment of managers in PHC” MEC said.
Professional Nurses will be assigned according to availability.
Facilities with low caseloads will be targeted. Where there is gross shortage of nurses, retired nurses will be appointed to support outreach teams.
“We will also go ahead with contracting-in of General Practitioners” said the MEC.
The piloting District of Dr. Kenneth Kaunda has also formed a collaboration with its District Municipality to inform all Communities about NHI. Just recently (last Friday), a workshop on NHI was held with Community based planners from the District Municipality, Ward Committees and Community health workers who will be expected to cascade the information down to communities in their wards.
“This initiative will ensure that information on NHI reaches communities in all corners of the District. It is also envisaged to be extended to other Districts in future” Masike said.
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NEW AMBULANCES TO EXCLUSIVELY TRANSPORT PREGNANT WOMEN
Mahikeng-Days of women delivering at home are soon to be a thing of the past in the North West province.
The Department of Health has established maternity waiting homes and also procured ten (10) Obstetric ambulances to exclusively transport pregnant women, MEC Dr. Magome Masike said on Tuesday.
Tabling the R7.6 Billion budget at the Provincial legislature in Mmabatho, MEC Masike said this was to ensure that pregnant women deliver within health care facilities.
“We are on course to saving mothers and babies at birth. Maternal mortality rate in South Africa has declined from 176\100 000 Live Births in 2008 – 2010 triennium to 153.23\100 000 Live Births in 2011″ he said.
“A significant decrease was realized in North West from 229.5 to 145.6\100K in the same reporting period”, said the MEC.
“It is important to note that in 2008 – 2010 reporting period, North West was among the worst three performing Provinces above the National Norm (together with Free State and the Northern Cape), but is now reported among the Top three Performing Provinces in NCCEMD report 2011.
The DHIS reflected a decrease from 203\100 000 Live Births in 2011\2012 to 160\100 000 Live Births in 2012\2013” explained MEC Masike.
Thirteen (13) Maternity Waiting Homes have been established and ten (10) are functional across the Province, Masike said.
“We have seven (7) maternity waiting homes already established in largely rural Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati , three (3) in Bojanala, two (2) in Ngaka Modiri Molema and one (1) in Dr Kenneth Kaunda districts.
“We will make an effort to increase the number of Maternity Waiting Homes in 2013/14,” said MEC Masike.
He pointed out that three more milk banks have been established in Job Shimankane Tabane, Joe Morolong and Mafikeng Provincial hospitals.
This is in addition to the one in Potchefstroom Hospital.
The Committee on Morbidity and Mortality in Children under 5 years Report (2012) indicates that South Africa’s infant mortality rate decreased from 47.4/ 1000 Live Births in 2007 to 38.1/1000 Live Deaths.
The North West decreased significantly from 77.6\1000 Live Births to 48.4/1000 Live Births. The Under Five Mortality Rate decreased from 62.1/1000 Live births in 2007 to 50.7/1000 Live Births. North West significantly decreased from 100.3\1000 Live Births to 63.1\1000 Live Births in the same period.
MEC Masike applauded Premier Thandi Modise for adopting a Children’s Ward at the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital and establishing a trust for it.
“This is a good example that we can all emulate”, he said.
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Vuyo Mbuli represented excellence-Premier Modise
Television and Radio anchor Vuyo Mbuli represented excellence in television and radio journalism and will forever be remembered for reporting news without fear or favour, for his assertiveness and for his highest professionalism, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Tuesday.
“Our condolences go to his family, friends, colleagues, viewers of Morning Live and listeners of SAFM. Vuyo was a giant and an inspiration to many aspirant journalists and will be sorely missed by millions of television viewers and radio listeners across the length and breadth of our country. We appreciated his appearance at our events.” said Premier Modise.
“Once in a while humanity is blessed with extraordinary people whose value we do not fully realise until they are no more. Mbuli deserves to be honoured posthumously for his contribution towards nation building and patriotism “O bosso wena,” was a gentleman even when he was telling you off, May his soul rest in Peace”, added Modise.
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Son with Mbuli during collapse
TELEVISION presenter Vuyo Mbuli’s 13-year-old son watched as his father collapsed while they were at a rugby match in Bloemfontein at the weekend.
Quick-thinking spectators took his son, Sithenkosi, away from the scene but, according to Mbuli family spokeswoman Rowena Baird, he had already seen enough to traumatise him.
Mbuli, who co-anchored Morning Live on SABC2 with Leanne Manas, died on Saturday night in Bloemfontein following a rugby match at the Free State Stadium between the Cheetahs and the Reds.
For more http://www.sowetanlive.co.za
Fitting farewell for Dr. Schalk
Thousands bid farewell to Dr Tuelo Joshua “Baba” Schalk and celebrated his contribution and dedication to the struggle for freedom at his funeral held in Vryburg over the weekend. In her moving tribute, North West Premier Thandi Modise described Dr. Schalk as a freedom fighter, a mentor who helped others and was a model for cadre deployment as he had the requisite skills, experience and expertise to serve at the highest level in the public service.
“Under his leadership, the administration in the Provincial Legislature achieved clean and unqualified audit reports. He never forgot his humble beginnings and always strove to empower others. He did not abuse his authority as Secretary of the institution,” stressed Premier Modise who was a speaker.
Modise said that the untimely death of Dr. Schalk has robbed the province and country of a committed son who was a loyal servant of the people, a true revolutionary and a cadre.
“Comrade Baba was wellread, capacitated, humorous and humble. He was helpful to those in need, forthright, articulate and arrogant in argument to the arrogant. In him we have lost a fighter and a brother who was a snazzy dresser with a ready smile,” added the Premier.
Dr. Schalk’s friend, Thabo Mosiane spoke of his love for the finer things in life. Member of the Provincial Legislature Hoffman Galeng spoke of the history of the Huhudi Civic Association and the emergence of the UDF as told by Jomo Khasu describing a key moment in history that shaped the people of Huhudi and as a context for the emergence of Dr Schalk the revolutionary underground worker
Schalk studied at various tertiary institutions including New Port University (USA), North West University, University of South Africa, (UNISA) and Oxford University. He obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), (BBA) Honours, Honours in Public Management & Governance, Masters in Business Administration Degree (MBA), Masters in Development & Management, Masters in Public Administration (MPA). He obtained his PhD in 2005 from (UNISA) which was augmented by 32 years of working experience across various fields.
He was detained at Johannesburg Central Prison by the apartheid regime after his expulsion from Turfloop University for his involvement in the liberation struggle in 1984. He was an activist and member of the South African Youth Congress (SAYCO), previously called NOCAYCO.
He also served Cosatu at the union federation’s headquarters. He worked with numerous comrades in the underground structures of the African National Congress (ANC) at the height of the liberation struggle. He was a trained diplomat and was subsequently deployed to serve as the Chief Representative of the ANC in Namibia between 1991 and 1993.
Dr Schalk was part of the leadership core that re-established structures of the ANC after the unbanning of the organisation in 1990 and consequently elected as a branch executive member of the ANC in Moletsane, Soweto post 1994.
In 1994, he was deployed in the North West Communication Service as the Chief Operations Officer in the Office of the Premier and also served as an Executive Manager at the National Transport Investment (NTI).
He also served as the Chief Executive Officer of Rebangwe Housing Association before his appointment as the Secretary of the North West Provincial Legislature. By the time he met his premature death he had just been employed as the Executive Manager of the Madikwe Game Reserve.
He served on various boards including Platinum Stars Football Club of the Royal Bafokeng.
MEC Mokomele-Mothibi tabled Department offer
North West MEC for Development,Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Mme Mosetsanagape Mokomele-Mothibi has tabled the 2013/2014 Department’s Budget Vote before the North West Provincial Legislature today totalling R1.082 billion.
She told Members of the Provincial Legislature that the budget is an increase of R118.8 million from the previous financial year and that increased funding will be directed to the following:
i) An amount of R18 million will be allocation for the absorption of Social Work Graduates into the Department’s Staff complement.
ii) Early Childhood Development Massification Programme, which will receive an allocation R9.3 million – R7 million of which will be for equipment to be bought for Early Childhood Development Centres in the North West
iii) A further R4 million has been set aside for maintenance of departmental facilities
iv) An amount of R6.2 million will be allocated to Learnerships and Internships to ensure that government’s programme of providing graduates with workplace experience continues
v) An additional R6.7 million will be allocated to ensure all the support is provided to the NGO sector while the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) in the Social Sector will get amount of R16.4 million.
MEC Mokomele-Mothibi added that, in total the 2013/2014 Departmental Budget will be divided as follows, totalling R1.082 million:
i) Administration R154.8 million
ii) Social Welfare and Social Specialist ServicesR786.5 million
iii) Community Development R132 million
iv) Special Programmes R8.6 million
“She further announced that the Department has appointed an extra 105 newly qualified Social Workers who are products of the Department’s Social Work Scholarship Programme and they will be deployed accordingly throughout the North West Province to curb the shortage of Social Work professional in most parts of the province” department spokesperson Vuyisilwe Ngesi said.
“The National Development Plan indicates that there is a serious shortage of social services professionals including social workers and community development practitioners”, MEC Mokomele-Mothibi said.
She added that 90 Community Development Practitioners received customised accredited training on community development planning, integrated planning and project management.
MEC Mokomele-Mothibi added that for the current financial year, the Department will fund the establishment of 16 Youth Development Structures, link 26 unemployed young people to entrepreneurship development programmes and 200 unemployed youth to the National Youth Service programme.
“About 20 Women Income Generation Projects in the North West will receive financial and technical funding” she said.
MEC Mokomele-Mothibi said that the Department will prioritise the strengthening of in-patient and out-patient centres for this financial year through funding of existing and new community based organisations and one in-patient treatment centre at a cost of R7.7 million targeting over 500 000 people using and abusing drugs and related substances.
Mokomele said the department will ensure that this year the Witrand Hospital In-Patient Treatment Centre in Potchefstroom will be fully operational and that the Taung Hospital In-Patient Treatment Centre for Substance Abuse is completed.
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DA blasts Matlosana municipality
Matlosana-The DA in the City of Matlosana is very concerned about the fact that the Recovery Plan for Council has not yet been tabled nor workshopped.
“This situation has led to a lot of unanswered questions” said DA Tiaan Kotze.
∙What has happened to all the recommendations made by the Matlosana Municipal Public Accounts Committee?
∙For how long must Council still tolerate an incompetent meter reading company?
∙Why has an Assistant Director at the market not yet been appointed?
∙How many working days has the Municipal Manager been absent from office since January 2013?
∙Why are so many council vehicles out of commission due to licenses not being renewed?
∙When will Ext 14 in Kanana have access to electricity?
∙Why must applicants pay R700 to a council employee when applying for a RDP house in Kanana?
∙Why is council’s fuel tanks empty and do we have to pay more for fuel at public filling stations?
“These are but some of the multiple unanswered questions that concerns the DA.
Without a Recovery Plan on the table, the DA fears that nothing at the City of Matlosana will change as promised” said Kotze.
DA said they have a Recovery Plan for Matlosana and they are ready to implement it immediately.
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Midrand student kidnapped, still missing
Johannesburg – A Midrand student is missing, feared kidnapped, The Sowetan reported on Tuesday.
Philasandre Ngum, 19, was thought to have been abducted at the Boulders shopping centre on 3 May, the newspaper reported.
Her mother, Catherine Ngum reportedly opened a missing person’s case, distributed flyers and reviewed security footage from the mall showing her daughter entering, but not leaving.
The Sowetan reported that she received a phone call on her daughter’s cellphone on 11 May, from a man demanding R1 500 for her daughter’s safe release.
After she paid the ransom into her daughter’s bank account, the man phoned her again and said he would let her daughter speak to her and would release her, but this did not happen.
The newspaper reported that he called again on 13 May and said he would not release her because she had threatened him. No contact had been made since then.
Constable Matome Tlamela told The Sowetan the teenager was still missing, that there were no suspects and investigations were continuing.
– SAPA
Magistrates go on strike
Johannesburg – Magistrates around the country participated in a stay-away on Tuesday, demanding improved salaries and benefits, the Judicial Officers’ Association of SA (Joasa) said.
“The two-day strike was for yesterday [Monday] and today,” Joasa president Nazeem Joemath said.
Magistrates embarked on protest action in March. They demanded a single pay structure for the judiciary, which would put their salaries and benefits on the same sliding scale as that of judges.
The Independent Remuneration Commission (IRC) suggested a 5.5% pay increase, which Parliament approved. Joemath said magistrates rejected the increase.
“The IRC should [instead] do a review and then decide [on the increase].”
He said Joasa expected Parliament to reject the IRC’s suggestion.
“Nobody is listening [to the magistrates], not even the president,” Joemath said.
Justice spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga could not be immediately reached for comment. He was quoted by The Times as saying the strike was illegal.
– SAPA
The Guardian 