BY Staff Reporter

A capacity building training intervention is to be rolled out for maths and science teachers in the North West Province in an effort to improve the 30% pass rate achieved in these learning areas, North West Premier Thandi Modise announced on Friday.

Premier Modise urged hands-on involvement of education stakeholders to address pass rate challenges, including the improvement of the Annual National Assessment in Grade 3, 6 and 9.

The province recorded a consistent improvement in the Grade 12 Matriculation results since 2009. Over the past four consecutive years it increased from 67.51% to 75,7 then to 77,8% and obtained 79.5 % last year.

“The North West government and its people are grateful for the hard work invested by learners, teachers, school governing bodies, parents and the department of education in bringing about the improved results in our Matriculation examinations year in and out,” stressed Modise.

By Staff Reporter

North West Premier Thandi Modise has called on communities and government departments to pay their rates and taxes for services rendered by municipalities.

The call by the Premier follows the non-payment of services by government and Matlosana residents, in particular, which led to the municipality being unable to pay its accumulated Eskom bill. Eskom in turn threatened to cut off the electricity in the entire municipality.

Matlosana municipality which is being owed over R960 million in taxes and rates, has a bill of R68 million rand with the power utility. The bill has been reduced from last year’s October standings of R169 million rand.

  Premier Modise appealed to community members and government departments, especially those in Matlosana to continue to pay for the services.

Following the intervention by the provincial government, an agreement was reached between the power utility and Matlosana municipality for payment and the Eskom has agreed not to cut electricity supply.

“It is government obligation to support, strengthen the capacity, monitor and supervise municipalities to manage their affairs appropriately” said the Premier.

All the municipalities in the province are owed R5,3 billion, a situation which makes it difficult for municipalities to deliver on their objectives.

BY Obakeng Maje

The South African Senior Women’s national team (Banyana Banyana) will play a School of Excellence Select Squad in a practice match on Friday 22 February as part of the preparations for the Cyprus Women’s Cup scheduled to take place from 6-13 March 2013.

The match will take place at the School of Excellence and kicks off at 16h00.

The practice match will give head coach Joseph Mkhonza an opportunity to assess the 22 players he will select to travel with to Cyprus on Monday 25 February 2013. The practice match will replace the proposed international friendly match that was due to be played on Saturday 23 February 2013.

The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana will then play an international friendly match against Group A side New Zealand on Saturday 2 March at the Alpha Sports Centre in Larnaca, Cyprus. Kick off for that match is 15h00.

Banyana are in Group C together with South Korea, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland while New Zealand are in Group A with England, Italy and Scotland.

Coach Mkhonza says he is impressed by the players showing since training got underway on Monday (18 February 2013) and feels he has a bunch of players that are ready to take on the world.

“All the players have been giving their best at training; I suppose the competition for places is making them go all out, which is good to see. This will make the job of picking the final squad a demanding task. I will have to make my selection all the same and as I have already said those who don’t make the cut will be called up for future camps.

“It is unfortunate that we couldn’t get official opponents for the friendly match ahead of our departure but I know the boys at the School of Excellence will give us a good match like they have always done. This practice match will give me a chance to assess the players in a more practical match situation,” said Mkhonza.

Banyana Banyana are currently camping at the North West University, High Performance Centre in Potchefstroom preparing for the annual Cyprus tournament.

The North West Provincial Government is to spend R200 million on the rollout of 30 road road rehabilitation and maintenance projects during the 2013/14 financial year, Premier Thandi Modise declared  in her State of the Province Address delivered in Mahikeng on Friday.

Premier Modise reported that 25 routine patrol and emergency repairs projects that include road clearance, pothole repair, signage, shoulders, grass cutting and drainage clearance.

The projects are part of the Strategic Infrastructure Project (SIP 4) that the province had increased after consultation with various stakeholders during District road summits that culminated in the Provincial Road Summit that was held last year. They include the initial 10 that were announced by the President during the 2012 State of the Province Address.

Twenty-four building projects that include schools, clinics, libraries, sports and recreational facilities were also announced by the Premier for implementation as part of infrastructure development projects.

The premier also reported that the province has completed the Provincial Transport Master Plan, Provincial Rural Transport Strategy, Integrated Transport Plans for District Municipalities and the Provincial Land Transport Framework in order to improve road infrastructure development, management and maintenance programme.

Pretoria – Oscar Pistorius’ alleged intention to kill a burglar could not be turned into an intention to kill his girlfriend, his lawyer said on Friday.

“The question here is how would a reasonable person have acted under the circumstances?” asked Barry Roux at the bail hearing of his client in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.

The paralympian is charged with the murder of Reeva Steenkamp in a toilet at his home on February 14. Pistorius has denied this, saying he thought an intruder was in his house when he fired into the cubicle.

Magistrate Desmond Nair asked if an intruder behind the toilet door had posed a threat, what would Roux ask for.

“We would ask for culpable homicide,” replied Roux.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel has argued that Pistorius had intended to kill when he fired his weapon, even if he thought he was shooting at a burglar.

The court has adjourned so that the magistrate can make his ruling. The announcement is expected at 2.30pm. – Sapa

By Staff Reporter

NWest to support land restitution to celebrate 100 years of the Land Act

The North West Provincial government will provide post settlement support to beneficiaries of land restitution as part of the commemoration of 100 years of the Native Land Act of 1993 to ensure that acquired land is used productively.

In making the announcement in her State of the Province Address delivered in Mahikeng on Friday, Premier Thandi Modise said that this would ensure that acquired land is used more productively.

“Poverty, inequality and unemployment are direct results of the Native Land Act of 1913. That is why we are supporting farms to do well to ensure food security for all. Though there are challenges, we getting there,” Modise highlighted in her speech.

She said in June 2013, the Native land Act of 1993 would be 100 years and the millions of South Africans are still living in poverty in the areas which their forefathers were banished.

The Premier said although there have been numerous successes on the issue of land redistribution, the province still has backlogs of applications.

Modise said that her administration will provide infrastructure and technical support to the beneficiaries of six land reform farms which are Syferlaagte Trust, Tutubala CPA, Seven Season CPA, Mogakabe CPA, Ikageng CPA and Emarantia farm.

“The ANC –led government is the product of the people and that is why we are always listening to their needs and responding to their cries,” she stressed.