Banyana Banyana’s Van Wyk a trendsetter of note


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Banyana Banyana captain and central defender, Janine van Wyk continues to be a trendsetter in women football development. Having set up her own JVW Girls School Soccer League one year ago, she has now bought a franchise in the Sasol League in which top performers from her school league feature.

 

The newly-formed Mondeor-JVW club has so far played four games, winning one, drawing one and lost two in the Sasol league so far this season.

 

The Banyana Banyana skipper founded the JVW Girls School Soccer league a year ago with the aim of giving school girls an opportunity to develop their careers in the game of football.

 

The Mondeor-JVW Football Club is wholly made up of girls drawn up from the JVW Schools League and includes van Wyk herself, having moved from national champions Palace Super Falcons where she was playing last season. Another top player in the side is fellow Banyana Banyana teammate, Robyn Moodaly.

 

The Banyana Banyana defender said she left her former club and defending Sasol League champions Falcons to fulfil her new vision of developing upcoming women footballers and is of the opinion that this is a great opportunity to give the younger players the platform to achieve their ambition.

 

“I decided to buy Mondeor because of the development structures they had in place already.  

Since I have an interest in girls’ football development, this is an opportunity to give the young players something to work towards and realise their potential as footballers.

 

“Playing in the Sasol League is a step in the right direction for this team and I also feel it can only enhance my performance in Banyana colours. I have set myself on working harder as a player and serve as an inspiration for the up-and-coming players within the team. We have been playing well since the Sasol League season started – having played four games – losing two, drawing one and winning the other,“ said van Wyk.

 

Janine has been involved as a player/coach for the club, giving input on what needs to be done during the teams’ training sessions.

 

“I have several coaches who have been helping me in the club that include Lisa McAuliffe, a former player in the Irish Women’s League,” added Janine.

 

Banyana Banyana coach Joseph Mkhonza believes the robust Banyana defender has done well for herself as a player and continues to help on the development front of younger players. Mkhonza hopes that this will encourage other former players to plough back into the development of women’s football in the country.

 

“I am very happy that Janine has taken this great step. While she is still an active player, she is also looking at giving younger players opportunities to grow. Coming from Super Falcons, a team that had star players, I don’t think playing for her new club will affect her performance as a national team player. She is a natural winner and will continue working harder and at the same time guide and develop future stars.

 

“I have seen the team myself; it is growing and has huge potential,” said Mkhonza. 

 

 

 

“Sassa cards problematic in Hartswater”


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Hartswater-The SA Social Security Agency’s re-registration process was a “folly” that had led to disaster for the poor, the DA said.

The recent incident took place in Hartswater, in North Cape where beneficiaries experienced difficulties while trying to access their money.

The department spokesperson, Innocent Khunou admits that they have received complaints from most beneficiaries.

“We have received many complaints as many people expereience difficulties when trying to draw their money” Innocent Khunou told sabc.

The party’s leader in the National Council of Provinces, Elza van Lingen, said she would write to Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini to complain.

Khunou said their department is investigating problem.

Van Lingen said the re-registration had given rise to many problems, including the issuing of new cards that were not compatible with certain ATMs, incorrect amounts being paid to beneficiaries and in some cases no payments made at all.

 

“When the cards do not work, they are usually ‘swallowed’ by ATMs, leaving many indigent South Africans without access to their much-needed support,” she said.

 

Van Lingen said she had also received reports that some grant recipients had not been paid since April 1, leaving the families without food.

 

“There are also instances of cases where pensioners were only paid R800 instead of the full R1 200 they’re entitled to.”

 

She said the minister needed to urgently address this.

 

“We cannot allow those that need our help most to be mistreated like this.”

 

Since the re-registration opened last year, Daily News readers have turned to the newspaper with complaints.

 

Some claimed that their new cards did not work at some of the major supermarkets that are used as pay points.

 

Bluff pensioner Irvin Labuschane, 61, called the Daily News earlier this week, saying he had not been able to receive his pension since he received the new card at the beginning of last month.

 

Whenever he tried to use his card, he got an error message that said his PIN was invalid, he said.

 

“This is just too frustrating, because even if you go to their offices, you find long queues of people who are experiencing similar problems, but we are not getting any assistance,” he said. “Why did the agency decide to change the old system, because it was working perfectly?”

National spokesman, Kgomoco Diseko, said the agency was aware of some of the problems with the new cards and urged those experiencing difficulties to contact their nearest agency office.

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

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Sassa cards problematic in Hartswater


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Hartswater-The SA Social Security Agency’s re-registration process was a “folly” that had led to disaster for the poor, the DA said.

The recent incident took place in Hartswater, in North Cape where beneficiaries experienced difficulties while trying to access their money.

The department spokesperson, Innocent Khunou admits that they have received complaints from most beneficiaries.

“We have received many complaints as many people expereience difficulties when trying to draw their money” Innocent Khunou told sabc.

The party’s leader in the National Council of Provinces, Elza van Lingen, said she would write to Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini to complain.

Khunou said their department is investigating problem.

Van Lingen said the re-registration had given rise to many problems, including the issuing of new cards that were not compatible with certain ATMs, incorrect amounts being paid to beneficiaries and in some cases no payments made at all.

 

“When the cards do not work, they are usually ‘swallowed’ by ATMs, leaving many indigent South Africans without access to their much-needed support,” she said.

 

Van Lingen said she had also received reports that some grant recipients had not been paid since April 1, leaving the families without food.

 

“There are also instances of cases where pensioners were only paid R800 instead of the full R1 200 they’re entitled to.”

 

She said the minister needed to urgently address this.

 

“We cannot allow those that need our help most to be mistreated like this.”

 

Since the re-registration opened last year, Daily News readers have turned to the newspaper with complaints.

 

Some claimed that their new cards did not work at some of the major supermarkets that are used as pay points.

 

Bluff pensioner Irvin Labuschane, 61, called the Daily News earlier this week, saying he had not been able to receive his pension since he received the new card at the beginning of last month.

 

Whenever he tried to use his card, he got an error message that said his PIN was invalid, he said.

 

“This is just too frustrating, because even if you go to their offices, you find long queues of people who are experiencing similar problems, but we are not getting any assistance,” he said. “Why did the agency decide to change the old system, because it was working perfectly?”

 

National spokesman, Kgomoco Diseko, said the agency was aware of some of the problems with the new cards and urged those experiencing difficulties to contact their nearest agency office.

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

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews

Poachers wipe out rhinos in Mozambique


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Cape Town – Poachers, aided by game rangers, have killed every single rhino in the Mozambique section of one of Southern Africa’s most vaunted transfrontier parks.

For more http://www.news24.com

Is SA a big brother now in Africa?


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Johannesburg – Is President Jacob Zuma Big Brother, flexing South Africa’s muscles in Africa as his predecessors dared not? Or is he David, slinging stones at the might of the West? Or both?

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

Democratic Alliance to paint Potchefstroom “Blue”


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By Obakeng Maje

Potchefstroom-Democratic Alliance will be painting Potchefstroom “Blue” tomorrow at Promosa.

DA North West will be participate in the walk about mass canvassing in Promosa aiming to paint Promosa Blue tomorrow.

 

“The event will include the broadening of the “Know your DA campaign” Tiaan Kotze said.

“We will be assessing the needs of the community for the coming winter and a fun soccer match organised for the youth” Kotze said.

 

VENUE: Promosa Community Hall. Bloemetjie street Promosa.

 

TIME    : 10:00 – 16:00

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NWest stakeholders endorse mediation for integrated land use and development


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Socio-economic benefits could accrue to the people of the North West Province if relations are harmonised and an integrated land use plan implemented, key stakeholders agreed at the conclusion of a two-day workshop on mediation strategy and plan for mining, tourism and land claims in Rustenburg on Thursday.

 

 

 

Participants that included representatives of the Provincial government, District and local municipalities, National Departments, Public Entities, Academic Institutions, representatives of traditional communities, chamber of mines and the mining sector, the tourism sector in both public and private sector pledged their full support and commitment to the principles that underpin the North West Mediation Strategy and Plan.

 

 

 

They also committed to the implementation of the strategy and plan to promote harmony among all role players to optimise their development potential.

 

 

 

Parties undertook to promote partnerships within a mutually beneficial and conducive environment and to collectively strife for the advancement and realisation of the mediation strategy and plan for sustainable development.

 

 

 

Stakeholders endorsed the National Development Plan(NDP) as the basic platform to advance development.

 

 

 

In his closing remarks, Darkey Africa, Head of the Provincial Planning Commission in the Office of the Premier commented participants for “taking off gloves their gloves but not putting on masks of pretence and deception about the challenges and possible solutions.”

 

 

 

In expressing appreciation for endorsement of the NDP, Africa said that the development plan is a plan for all. He urged stakeholders not to be tempted to use ideological determinism nor the audacity of ignorance to kill the future and dreams of  people by projecting a future that never is nor ever will be. 

 

“We must not allow the darkness of ideological and intellectual disorder to blind us not to see the prospects of a better tomorrow, as succinctly articulated in the National Development Plan with all its imperfections and reinforced by our vision for a better and a prosperous country with a capable and developmental state ready to serve our people without any revolutionary pretence and subtle Marxist deception. The audacity to ignore the truth will never triumph over the NDP,” Africa emphasised.

 

 

 

He said that the North West will not pontificate but will forge solidarity for the common future and advance the NDP. 

 

The adopted mediation strategy and plan are to be presented to Premier Thandi Modise and Executive Council for consideration and determination as to how

 

  and who is to champion its implementation.

 

 

Two men denied bail after stealing railway line brackets in Wollies


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By Obakeng Maje

Wolmaranstad- North West police arrested two men at Tswelelang township near Wolmaranstad for allegedly stealing a railyway line brackets.

Police received a tip-off from a member of the community and they found three men disconnecting the railway line brackets.

“Two suspects were arrested while another one ran away. They appeared before Wolmaranstad Magistrate Court today” captain pelonomi Makau said.

Gift Malata,25 and his accomplice Oscar Moyo,26 were remanded in custody until the 03 May 2013 for bail application.

“They will appear for bail application on the 03 May 2013 as their residential address need to be verified” Makau said.

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“My ex raped me without condom”- Victim


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Hawks to investigate PetroSA


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Johannesburg – Anti-corruption unit the Hawks said on Friday it had opened an investigation at state oil company PetroSA, which reported “deviations” in financial procedures that a newspaper said involved millions of dollars of irregular payments.

In an investigative report published on Friday, the weekly Mail & Guardian questioned payments made when PetroSA last year secured crude oil acreage in Ghana through the acquisition of Sabre Oil and Gas Holding.

The newspaper alleged “irregular payments” ordered by top PetroSA managers totalling R200m in what it called a “feeding frenzy” at the oil company, which explores for and produces oil and natural gas. It also sells petrochemical products.

“We are investigating PetroSA, but are not at liberty to talk about the nature of the investigation,” Captain Paul Ramaloko, a spokesman for the police’s special anti-corruption unit, the Hawks, told Reuters.

Responding to the Mail & Guardian allegations about the Sabre transaction and a separate plan to buy petrol stations in South Africa, PetroSA said in a statement that such deals often required “swift decision making and quick turn-around times”.

“In the process of increasing PetroSA’s chances of successfully closing these deals, unfortunately some deviations from our normal procurement processes have occurred,” the company said.

“These were duly declared in the annual financial report of last year,” it said, adding that its board of directors had commissioned a review and would report findings to shareholders.

The acquisition of Sabre gave PetroSA access to crude from the huge Jubilee field in Ghana.

Ghana is one of Africa’s newest oil exporters and has been attracting foreign firms. Oil production from the Jubilee field ranged from 110,000 to 115,000 barrels a day over the last 3 months, just short of the expected production plateau capacity, lead operator Tullow Oil said this week.

PetroSA said in its statement that the final price of $500m “plus contingencies” it paid for Sabre was “favourable to PetroSA”.

About a month ago, the South African government’s Central Energy Fund said an energy ministry probe had discovered “serious allegations” of top executives at PetroSA, a wholly owned subsidiary of the CEF, abusing their power. 

The government has reported problems of serious mismanagement and inefficiency in many state-owned companies over the last few years, and some have also faced corruption probes.

The ANC admits successive corruption scandals have been eroding confidence.

Local media frequently denounce suspected graft in government circles and the public sector, and investigations are often announced but relatively few lead to prosecutions.

The spectre of graft has caught the attention of international investors. Global credit ratings agency Fitch downgraded South Africa earlier this year citing rising corruption and deteriorating government performance among its reasons for the move.

South Africa has slid in the influential Transparency International gauge of perceived corruption from 38th in the world in 2001 when Mandela was president to 69th in 2012.- Reuters