BY Staff Reporter

Mahikeng-The MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture in the North West, Ms Tebogo Modise, has congratulated the two North West athletes who took prime positions at the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon and Half-marathon in Cape Town on Saturday.

David Gatebe, who works full-time for Impala Platinum in Rustenburg, was the first to cross the line in the 2013 event, in a time of 3:09:40, while Stephen Mokoka of Mafikeng won the 21-kilometre half marathon in 1:03:36. 

Modise was full of praise for the athletes who put one of the smallest Provinces in South Africa on the map as they stamped their collective authority in one of the premier events on the calendar of sport in the country.  

“The victories of these two athletes is a boost to our goal of contributing top-class athletes to the pool of international runners in South Africa,” said Modise. “This should serve as an inspiration to the youth of our Province. They must realise that the fact that they come from a tiny and predominantly rural province is not an impediment.”

She cited Mokoka as an example of a rural youth who fought the odds to claim his place under the sun.

“Here is young man from the village. Last year he represented South Africa in the Olympics. Now he is once again showing his mettle at one of the most important races in South Africa. For his part, Gatebe works full-time, but is capable of beating the best in the country. I am thrilled by the achievements of the two.

“All our youth, boys and girls, should look at Gatebe and Mokoka as an example of how one can become an achiever in their chosen paths.”  

Earlier in the month, Modise told the South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) during its visit to the Province that it was her plan to help athletes in the Province to excel so that they could become part of the South African success story on the international stage.

The MEC also congratulated other athletes from the Province who completed the race, booking themselves a place in the Comrades Marathon later in the year. They are include Aubrey Mojaje, Sello Maema, Glorius Mooka, Tebogo Mmusi, Mmabudi Dlavu, Festi Mokgabisi, Andries Diale, Donald Matsotsi, Harry Mathiba, Simon Dialwe, Kagiso Digoamaje, Johnny Mopaka, Katlego Modirwa, Lekhu Molefe, Ben Mokotedi, Simon Taudi, Leromo Lentswe, Albert Malangeni, Israel Stameer, Mokorwane Monageng, Tshidi Mochobo, Tseko Mathabela, Solomon Tueng,  Madikgang Dlamini, Kleinbooi Mosing, katlego Modirwa. Thathi Moiseleng, Joromia Njokwena, Johny Mopako, Aubrey Morwe, Peter Mpolokeng, Nimron Finger, Willem Van Rooyen, Emanual Jwele Tlhomolang, Emanual Tshoshwane, Itumeleng Moloko and Abikwa Badala.

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BY Staff Reporter

Johannesburg-

South Africa will be represented at the 10th edition of the Under 17 Africa Championship tournament scheduled to take place in Morocco from 13-27 April 2013 by assistant referee Stevens Mothibidi Khumalo who has been selected to be part of the officials who will be in charge at this year’s junior football spectacle.

Khumalo and the rest of other officials are expected to undergo a final fitness test in Morocco on 11 April before undertaking a refresher course in the afternoon of the same day and on the 12th of April.

The 26-year old Khumalo has been on the National Referees’ panel since 2011 and his steady progress has seen him being elevated to the FIFA panel this year.

The following countries have qualified for the CAF U-17 Championship Morocco 2013: Group A Morocco, Gabon, Tunisia, Botswana Group B Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana.

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NORTH WEST – Platinum giant Lonmin today appointed Ben Magara as its new chief executive officer (CEO).

Magara will be taking over from acting CEO Simon Scott, who will now resume his role as chief financial officer (CFO).
The new CEO is moving from rival mining company Anglo Platinum (Amplats), where he served as executive head of engineering and capital projects.
Lonmin spokesperson Sue Vey said, “We are delighted that Magara has decided to accept the position and we are looking forward to his leadership.”

The platinum giant made headlines when labour turbulence at its Marikana mine in the North West culminated in a violent clash between police and striking miners in August last year.

Magara’s appointment takes effect from 1 July.

For more details www.ewn.co.za

PRETORIA – President Jacob Zuma today dismissed questions about the Central African Republic (CAR) deployment as the “peddling of unfounded allegations and conspiracy theories”.

Zuma was speaking at the memorial service being held at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria for 13 soldiers who died in a battle against rebels in the CAR in March.

A commander who led the soldiers described them as “tigers who waited for his orders” and as “lions who fought ferociously”.
Zuma dismissed claims that the soldiers were sent to protect private business interests or a dictator.

“When future generations ask what kind of men and women gave so much of their lives to the service of South Africa and the continent we will be able to say how special they were to put their lives at risk for such a mission.”
The memorial service was attended by hundreds of guests, with many soldiers from various divisions of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

On Monday, the ANC also reiterated that it has no business links in the CAR, and it slammed reports that suggested otherwise as “damaging and malicious lies”.

The ruling party’s spokesperson Keith Khoza insisted the ANC has no business interests in that country.

Click here to read President Jacob Zuma’s message to the fallen soldiers’ families.

For more details www.ewn.co.za

By Obakeng Maje

Taung Magistrate Court postponed a case of Qolile Sokupha until next month reported Vaaltar Fm news.

Sokupha,24 was arrested after he raped a 14 year-old girl from Mokgareng.

Police said Qolile Sokupha will remain in jail until his next court appearance on the 13-14 May for final judgement.

“It is alleged that Sokupha raped a 14 year-old girl and he had another case pending” police said.

On the 17th of June embattled Sokupha was arrested for raping Kenalemang Pako,34 of Ditompong.

He was sanctioned to life in jail and two years for robbing her.

The case will be formalised on the 14 May 2013 when he re-appears.

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By Obakeng Maje

Taung-The residents of Maphoitsile barricaded roads and closed down a clinic in a protest.

The beserk residents accused the Department of Public Works of feeding them lies.

They accuse the department of not including their area when announcing the construction of the road linking Taung hospital and Manokwane.

The provincial government announced two weeks ago that the road between Magogong, Maphoitsile and Taung hospital will be tarred.

“We are gatvol of the department of public works as they said the road that links Manokwane and Taung hospital will only be tarred. So that means we are not included. And we suffering the same fate as Manokwane residents” Community representative Thapelo Saku told Vaaltar fm news.

However, the Department refute the claims as they guaranteed the community of Maphoitsile that the road will be indeed tarred from Taung hospital right way until Magogong.

Department spokesperson Wandy Tong confirmed the reports.

“We had a meeting with the contractor and has already been appointed. We held a meeting in Manokwane because the residents of Manokwane are the ones wrote to the department, however that does not mean people of Maphoitsile and Magogong are excluded” Wandy Tong told Vaatar Fm News team.

Tong said the D221 road that links Taung hospital, Maphoitsile and Magogong will be tarred.

She urged the residents to calm down and stop barricading roads and closing down other government institutions while venting their anger.

“We urge our people not to barricade roads or disturb service delivery while protesting as that will affect their lives and people around them” Tong said.

The residents start protesting on Sunday and barricade roads with tree logs and stones.

A local clinic was also closed down and the residents promised that untile they see and developments, schools too will not be opened.

According to Department,a contratctor will meet with residents on the 10 April 2013.

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Despite having seven league games still left to play in the current 2012/13 PSL campaign, many South African football fans have conceded that Kaizer Chiefs have already done enough to clinch the league title.

However, Orlando Pirates do have a game in hand, though their recent draw with Wits has dented their title aspirations substantially. Have they handed the league to Chiefs?

Having played one game less than their fierce rivals, Pirates currently find themselves one place and seven points behind the league leaders, and it seems to be the general consensus that Chiefs now have an unassailable lead.

A debate on this topic was raging on the Soccer-Laduma Facebook page yesterday (Monday), where many of the Pirates fans conceded that it is highly unlikely that they will be able to defend their Absa Premiership crown.

Chiefs’ next game sees them take on Maritzburg United, where a victory will edge them one step closer to the title, while Pirates tackle AmaZulu, who have had a resurgence since the break and are currently unbeaten in 2013.

Do you think that Bucs’ 0-0 draw with the Clever Boys prior to the Amakhosi’s 3-0 hammering of Bloemfontein Celtic was the final nail in Pirates’ title aspirations? Or do you think that they can still get themselves back into it?

The current political conflict in Central African Republic could see Bafana Bafana’s 2014 World Cup qualifier shifted to Cameroon.

Cape Town – In the dusty and remote village of Tébessa, Algeria, a three-storey brick building looms over the surrounding sands. It is in this house that Gafsa Jacobs says her husband has kept her children for the past four months. 

On Monday, after returning from a futile attempt to bring her two young sons home to Cape Town, the Rondebosch mother pointed to a picture of the building on her cellphone and told the Cape Argus: “My children are in there.”

For more www.iol.co.za