By OBAKENG MAJE

A female learner from Batlhaping High School in Taung who was seen in a video confronting a fellow learner and proudly declaring that she is sexually active is in ‘hot water.’ According to our source, the female learner who could not be named because of her age, is ‘facing a disciplinary hearing’ for allegedly putting the school into disrepute.   

However, the North West Department of Education spokesperson, Elias Malindi who tried to downplay the incident could not shed more light on whether the alleged learner has been suspended or not.

Malindi said there are measures to deal with sexuality matters at the school.

“Our Life Orientation teachers do have sessions in which they integrate these issues within their lessons. Girl learners have sessions with female teachers once a term where at the assembly they are advised on how to handle peer pressure and deal with adolescent behavior and social challenges.                      

“Once a semester, health officials visit the school to speak with girls on issues of peer pressure and how to handle themselves during poverty stages. The school collaborates with health and social development in addressing learners on the issues of sexuality,” he said.       

He further said the psycho-social support officials like Zolile Walter Sikhosana visits the school more often to assist to activate the efficacy of the SBST.

North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said they are working hand-in-hand with the Department of Education to address health and sexual education in schools across the province.

“The department’s approach to sexual education is championed by the National Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Framework Strategy 2014-2019 and the Integrated School Health Policy.

“The School Health Policy by itself allows the department access to schools for health education on various issues including sexual health. The issue of curriculum needs to be addressed specifically with the Department of Education,” he said.

Lekgethwane further said the Department of Health teaches learners about the risk of being infected by sexual-related diseases like STDs, HIV and teenage pregnancy. He said this is championed through the Schools Health Programme.

Meanwhile, it was reported that 82 000 learners between the ages of 14 and 19 have fallen pregnant in 2017 alone across the country.

Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga said South Africa is pinning its hopes on a social and behaviour change campaign to curb early and unplanned teen pregnancies.

“The campaign is driven by multiple factors which include poverty, lack of information and access to reproductive health services, cultural norms, peer pressure, sexual coercion and abuse.

“Teen pregnancy impacts negatively on educational opportunities and the achievement of adolescents – a situation South Africa can ill afford, given the tough economic climate domestically and abroad,” Motshekga said.

She said in South Africa, it is reported that up to one-third of young girls who fall pregnant drop out of school. Motshekga further said teens that become pregnant are at a greater risk for health complications and face a host of challenges to remaining in school and achieving educational milestones.  

“Unfortunately, this scourge disproportionately affects girls from lower socio-economic communities, thus adding on their burden. The factors that influence teen birth rates are dynamic and hotly debated, as is the appropriate response by the education sector to educating teens who become pregnant and teen mothers.

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By STAFF REPORTER

The Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) president, Mbahare Kekana said he is adamant that his party will perform well during the 2021 Local Elections (LGE). Kekana, who embarked on a trail of election campaigns across the country, recently welcomed over 400 ANC members in Zeerust who defected to his party.

“We say statistics and numbers do not lie. We welcome those who found a political home here into F4SD. So, let’s work hard and ensure that we remove the old tired political party from power.

“Through devoting your vote to the F4SD, we will be able to bring a better future with committed servants who are ready to serve our South African communities. Be the change that you wish to see in your community,” he said.

In 2016 LGE, the statistics has proven that F4SD became the 4^th biggest political party in the North West Province. Kekana further said they have amassed 55 202 votes and won 29 proportional Representative (PR) Council seats.

“We focused on challenges that are facing our municipalities today which we wish to address them as the upcoming political party that is dedicated to serve with dignity in all municipalities we are elected in.

“Lack of providing our people with adequate service delivery which include proper nutrition, water and sanitation, electricity, proper healthcare services facing South African communities are found in the areas of service delivery, unemployment, economic challenges and that there is very little capacity for social development programs,” said Kekana.

He further said they have seen through reports of the Auditor General (AG) on the wasteful, fruitless expenditure of municipalities with some placed under section 100. Kekana added the use of consultants also cost municipalities millions of rands.

“Another challenge is political deployment on senior official positions with no relevant qualifications in municipalities. There is a lack of management of funds such as Municipal Infrastructure Grants (MIG) meant to inter-grade the lives of communities.

“Most municipalities experience bad audit outcomes and collapse of local government finances through corruption, mismanagement and maladministration against politicians and senior officials,” said Kekana.

He said most municipalities are in disarray because there is lack of accountability and consequence management on senior officials who fail to adhere and to subscribe to the PMFA.

“Our country is very rich, but despite South Africa’s middle-income status, half of its citizens lack adequate nutrition, water, energy, shelter, and health-care and quality education. The system is more than creaking under the strain because of the red tapes that are preventing small businesses to emerge and flourish.

“We are in what has to be called a crisis and we need a comprehensive review of social care which doesn’t just look at funding, but also asks how the funding model and levels will address poverty, unemployment and the growing economy in our communities,” he said.

Kekana said many municipalities are given powers to pass their own legislation in the form of by-laws and those powers should be used to remove red tapes which prevent residents from participating in the country’s informal economy, which is currently in the hands of the foreigners.

Meanwhile, ANC North West IPC spokesperson, Kenny Morolong said logically as the organisation, they are expected to terminate the memberships of those members and remove them as ANC representative councillors. He said ANC is dealing with this matter and will make public announcements in due course.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Lazarus Mosimane (49) from Ganyesa village near Vryburg said a family feud has driven him into depression. Mosimane said a fight over family properties is taking toll on him and he wants closure.

According to information, Lazarus and Isaac Mosimane (55) who are biological brothers are fighting over 20 supermarkets.

“I am crestfallen after my brother refused to hand over my 20 shops and continue making strategies against me. He wants to rob me my properties that I registered under his name. Back in the days during apartheid, I acquired stands and built 15 supermarkets in Ganyesa village and 5 in Morokweng village respectively.

“However, I made a costly mistake by registering all those businesses under my brother’s name because I trusted him. He said I should register those businesses under him as he had a book of life and working for government,” he said.

Mosimane said they agreed to lease all those properties to foreign businesspersons and let them pay rent every month. However, he said things took a nasty turn back in 2012, when he requested his brother to sign over those properties back to him.

“He blatantly refused to sign my properties back to me. He only tabled an offer of R100 000 to buy me out. However, I refused because these shops make a turnover of R120 000 per month.  

“There was a memorandum of understanding (MoU) but he refuses to recognise it. He had now connived with a local magistrate and opened protection orders against me to threaten me. He also pointed me with a firearm and I fear for my life,” said Mosimane.

He said he had opened two cases against his brother (Protection order case and Pointing of a firearm). Mosimane said he went through depression after losing all his hard-work to his ‘ungrateful’ brother, Isaac.

“I am now taking medication because of depression. The situation is too bad that we not even in good terms. He also took away my mother and I have not seen her in nine years,” said Mosimane.

North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botma said: “We can confirm that a case of contravention of a protection order and pointing of a firearm were opened against Isaac Mosimane at Ganyesa Police Station.

“The suspect was arrested for the contravention of a protection order. In both cases, it is the same complainant and the same suspect who are brother and allegedly fighting over family businesses. The pointing of the firearm case was not placed on the court roll since the witness statement needs to be retaken and the contravention of the protection order case is still in court.”

The case was postponed until 19 November 2021.

Meanwhile, Isaac Mosimane refused to comment on the saga as he said the matter is still prejudice.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

ANC warned its councillor candidates that they will be removed through ‘step-a-side’ policy if they are found to be involved in any corrupt activities. This was re-iterated by the ruling party’s Treasurer General, Paul Mashatile who addressed ANC councillor candidates during a door-to-door campaign in Taung recently.

“Please, make sure that the public money is spent on the service needed. Ensure that you deal decisively with corruption, mismanagement, waste, and underperformance. We urge you to ensure that all ANC-led municipalities are run ethically by capable leaders, managers, and workers.

“You must know that your priorities as councillors are based on the ANC’s manifesto. Please, move away from swinging tenders into your favours. The councillor candidates are men and women of integrity and if ever you’re involved in any corrupt activities, you will be charged and the ANC will implement a step-aside policy. We need to renew ourselves and represent our people,” he said.

Mashatile said the ANC will also urgently finalise the social compact between the social partners to achieve the country’s fundamental social transformation to reduce and eradicate the plague of unemployment, poverty and inequality.

“Comrades, in most sincerely, I really want to thank you for the job well done. It is not an easy task to do door-to-door because sometimes the reception is not conducive. Some voters chase you away, but you remain humble.

“We entered a certain house here and the woman told us that she is supporting a political party with red colours. We thanked her and left in harmony because we are not here to fight anybody,” he said.

However, Mashatile said what ‘makes’ him happy is that they were welcomed in most households. He said people still love the ANC and urged the ruling party’s volunteers to listen to their plea.   

“People still love the ANC and I urge you to be patient when they raise their concerns. We have heard that in this area, there is a lack of provision of water. However, we have the North West Premier, Bushy Maape here and MECs who will address those challenges.

“Our people also raised challenges such as provision of RDP houses, lack of electricity, water and accessible roads. We are pleased to have ground forces like you because this is how we will build a strong movement that will not be defeated,” said Mashatile.

He further said ANC volunteers should campaign every day as there are fewer days left before voters go to the polls on 1 November 2021.

“Remember, we only have 14 days before we go to the polls. So, it is important that we campaign every day. You need to divide yourselves according to streets and use street/sectional committee strategy.

“This strategy will ensure that we are attached to our voters. Even on Election Day, we will know who is going to vote for us. Please, be wary that you are not supposed to campaign on Election Day, but you can still remind those voters to go and cast their votes,” he said.

However, Mashatile highlighted that party volunteers are allowed to wear their t-shirts and have tables at voting stations.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Greater Taung said it will deploy the action-orientated and principled ward councillors who are committed to its mandate. The EFF regional secretary in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region, Justice Dabampe said all 24 ward councillor candidates are honourable leaders who will ensure that ordinary people receive basic service delivery.

“We urge our people to go out in numbers on 1 November 2021 and vote for EFF during Local Government Elections. We know there was a lack of service delivery and many people had a lot of adversity to deal with for the past 27 years.

“Now, we call for them to vote for change. If we are voted in power, the EFF-led municipality will build a bridge in Moseja Section in Manthe in Ward 14 by June 2024. We will also build a water bridge in Diplankeng village in Ward 18 by June 2022,” he said.

“The EFF-led municipality will build a bridge on the road between Taung and Mokgareng village in Ward 7 by July 2023. We will ensure that our voters get a bridge between Itireleng and Rooiwal villages in Ward 8 by July 2024,” Dabampe said.

He further said in most cases, rural people have limited access to road infrastructure and this not only impedes their mobility, but also limits their access to development benefits.  

“Improved rural infrastructure, most specifically roads, is key to rural development. So, we want accessible roads in this area to ensure that we grow the economy. The people in Ward 9 at Tamasikwa and Buxton have been subjected to inaccessible road for years, but that road will be paved by July 2023 if we are voted into power.

“The EFF-led municipality will also build a road from Reivilo to Lykso in Ward 1 by July 2024. We promise to build an accessible road between Ntswanahatshe and Maganeng villages in Ward 2 by June 2024, and construct a road that links Myra and Mogopela by June 2022,” said Dabampe.

He said there is also a need for a Drug Recreational Centre in Taung CBD. Dabampe said EFF will ensure that it builds one in Ward 8 by July 2023, if they take over the municipality.  

Dabampe added: “The EFF-led municipality will also build community halls in Molelema village in Ward 15 and Cokonyane village in Ward 10 by July 2023 and 2024 respectively. We will construct another community hall in Moretele village in Ward 2 by 2 September 2022. The EFF-led municipality will build a community hall in Dryharts in Ward 4 by June 2024.

“We will also build quality and spacious houses with flushing toilets in new stands in Ward 3. Our people in Reivilo in Ward 1 deserve quality houses and we will ensure that we build them by June 2024,” he said.

Dabampe highlighted that the EFF will complete all unfinished RDP houses in Extension 6 in Ward 8 by June 2023. He said the EFF will electrify Reivilo Informal Settlement in Ward 1 by June 2022.

“The EFF-led municipality will install high mast lights in Modimong and Cokonyane in Ward 10 by June 2022. Our aim is also to employ additional nurses for Morokweng clinic in Ward 16, Molelema clinic in Ward 15, Buxton clinic in Ward 9, Leshobo clinic in Ward 7 and Majeakgoro clinic in Ward 19 by June 2023.

“As the EFF-led municipality, we will also build a clinic in Manokwane in Ward 12 by November 2022. We will ensure that there is a mobile clinic at Dikereseng village in Ward 4 by April 2023,” he said.

Dabampe said they will ensure that there is a Youth Centre in Magogong village in Ward 18 July 2023. He said EFF will also build silos in Mokassa in Ward 24 by December 2023.

“Our communities in Ga-Mothibi in Ward 19 and Baga-Maidi will get libraries with internet connection by August 2024. The EFF-led municipality will build an abattoir at Pudumoe in Ward 5 by September 2023, while we ensure that people in Magogong and Diplankeng in Ward 18 have access to clean water in their yards by July 2023.”

He said that the EFF will build quality houses for people of Magogong in Ward 18 by June 2022 and ensure that they scrap all historical debts of the people in Extension 6, Reivilo and Pudumoe by December 2021.

“The EFF-led municipality will ensure that the people of Magogong in Ward 18 have flushing toilets and we will replace all asbestos houses in that area with proper and quality houses,” concluded Dabampe.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Aspiring coaches have completed a 15-day CAF- accredited coaching course held in Ditsobotla recently. Ditsobotla Local Football Association (DILFA) chairperson, Thebe Sekoto said the aim of this course was to educate local coaches on how to develop football principles such as the theory training, match analysis and the laws of the game.           

“The education of coaches remains key to the success in the development structure of football in the country. To this end, the DILFA and its partners, AfriSam, have ramped up efforts to get more and more coaches qualified.

“The coaching course will indeed improve the standard of coaching and football in our region. We remain resolute and we are impressed by the commitment shown by our coaches who were capacitated,” said Sekoto.

He further lauded AfriSam’s contribution to this initiative. Sekoto added that coach education has a significant impact on their Vision 2025 as key performance indicators.

“The course has credit-bearing to qualify coaches to be admitted for a B-License course that will be held next year by the LFA. Guided by the South African Football Association (SAFA) Vision 2022 and its national technical master plan, the LFA completed the CAF C-license coaching diploma,” he said.

AfriSam General Manager, Vishal Aniruth shared the same sentiments. Aniruth also reiterated their commitment to improving the aptitude of coaches and the growth of football in the communities from which they operate.

“This is an ongoing partnership with DILFA through our Ima Nathi programme. The coaching course is part of a two-year plan to up-skill the level of coaching in these areas. Remember, the education of coaches ensures the future quality of football, which lies largely in the hands of qualified coaches who play a key role in the development of players and football,” Aniruth said.

One of the beneficiaries, Tekoetsile Korae said: “I’d like to applaud all stakeholders involved because this initiative will assist us in ensuring that our vital roles as football coaches enable us to run and supervise all training and football matches for the players.

“My love for football and seeing kids in the village play football drives me. No matter how many matches you have played at the highest level, coach education adds to your experience and gives you the finer details in coaching.”

Meanwhile, the CAF instructor Steve Coetzee said the course started in May 2021 and they have now completed the Diploma course. Coetzee said the objective was to try developing coaches because better coaches make better players.

“I’ve been an instructor for over 20 years, having been involved with a lot of coaches, from the late Thomas Madigage to Allan Freese, Owen Da Gama and Thabo September, who is the SuperSport United MDC side coach,” he said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A 21-YEAR-OLD gang member was sentenced to two life imprisonment by the Schweizer Reneke Regional Court for four counts. Fando Joel Galeboe who was a member of the notorious gang known as SVK in Ipelegeng Location, in Schweizer Reneke raped two girls aged 11 and 13 respectively.   

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mammothame: “Police reports reveal that on 2 June 2021, Galeboe met two girls aged 11 and 13 in Ipelegeng, and threatened them with a knife and a gun before taking them to a shack at a nearby informal settlement.

“He then proceeded to rape them one after the other. Galeboe was sentenced to life imprisonment on each count of rape. In a separate incident that took place on 7 January 2021 in Ipelegeng, Galeboe raped a girl (19).”

He was accompanied by his gang members when they met the girl (19) walking with her male friends. Galeboe’s gang members then chased away the male friends, while he was trying to speak to the lady who at the time was refusing to converse with him.

“He then forcefully dragged her to a nearby yard and raped her. The court sentenced him to 10 years for this crime. On the fourth count of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, Galeboe met a woman in her mid-forties in the street in Ipelegeng and insisted on walking with her, but she refused.

“He then tried to take her by force threatening her with a knife and the victim fought back. Galeboe eventually stabbed her several times before fleeing the scene. He was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment for this offence,” said Mamothame.

He said all four victims laid charges against him and he was eventually arrested in 2018. His bail application was also denied. In aggravation of sentence, the state prosecutor, Mpho Sephapo argued that all the victims were vulnerable members of society and that Galeboe used his masculinity to violate them.

He urged the court not to deviate from the minimum sentence as the crimes committed were of a serious nature. He said the sentences will run concurrently.

Meanwhile, the acting Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari-Sekhaolelo welcomed the conviction and sentence. She expressed how this conviction will strengthen the advocacy in the fight against the abuse of women and children.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A 25-YEAR-OLD man is set to appear in Coligny Magistrate’s Court on Monday for rape and murder. It is alleged that Petrus Moswea was arrested after the lifeless body of his mother (70) was found at Nicolaas farm, outside Coligny on 11 October 2021.

North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botma said: “The accused reported the incident to the police who accompanied him to the scene. The preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased, who was staying with her husband and Moswea, was raped and fatally assaulted with a knobkerrie.

“However, the husband was not at the farm at the time of the incident. Subsequently, the police cross-questioned Moswea, who admitted to raping and killing his mother. He was then arrested,” Botma said.

She further said Moswea, who initially made his first court appearance on 13 October 2021, was remanded in custody.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena condemned the atrocity and lauded the police for the swift arrest of the suspect.

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By THEBEETSILE KEAMEDITSE

Plans are afoot to resuscitate the creative industry with a specific focus on various artistic projects to help mitigate the impact of Covid-19 in the North West. This was a commitment made by the North West Premier, Bushy Maape during a stakeholder engagement with the creative industry and the youth held at Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation in Mahikeng.

Maape, who was amongst others accompanied to the stakeholder engagement by the North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, Virginia Tlhapi, also urged the youth to be solution driven on challenges of socio-economic concern plaguing the province.

“The industry is one of the economic sectors which have suffered serious financial losses as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The youth unemployment rate has also risen exponentially in the last few months. The negative perception that the province has endured over the last few years needs to change.

“We need to change the wrong perception about the province and we can only do that through investing in the creative industry and the youth. The history of the North West remains largely untold but through proper planning and coordination, we can change a lot of negative perceptions about the province and attract investment,” he said.

Maape further said they will ‘be working’ together with the youth and the creative industry on various entrepreneurship projects to help resuscitate the economy. He also urged the youth to go out in numbers and get vaccinated.

According to statistics, the province has just passed the one million mark of people who have been vaccinated. North West plans to reach population immunity by December 2021.

(Edited by: Obakeng Maje)

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