By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A 50 year-old woman allegedly burned herself to death at Molelema village in Taung on Friday. According to eyewitnesses, Maki Mokgaudi (50) was speaking to her husband on the phone before the incident happened.

It is alleged that there was a ‘misunderstanding’ between the two and that prompted Mokgaudi to set self and the house on fire. The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said a case of inquest has been opened at Taung Police Station.

“We can confirm that a case of inquest has been opened by the Taung police after a woman died in a fire. We do not know the motive behind the atrocity and the investigation continues,” Funani said.

The atrocity left Molelema community shocked.

The Positive Youth of Taung (PYOT) chairperson, Phemelo Mohutsiwa said: “It is imperative for our communities to go and find help before is too late. Depression is real and we should not take it lightly. There are so many institutions across the country where people can get marriages and relationships therapy.

“Taking your own life does not remove the pain, but passes it to others. We also urge women to speak out about any challenges they come across either in their marriages or relationships. We would like to send our heartfelt condolences to Mogaudi’s family. Let us make sure that our homes are filled with possibility.”

He added that it is important for couples to create a friendly, caring connection homes where it is safe to explore and express unique self. Mohutsiwa said this will encourage partners to have a ‘sense of freedom’ and talk to each other openly about challenges they come across in daily basis.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

Six people from Molelema village in Taung briefly appeared at the Taung Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Gaorongwe Mooki, Kenny Letebele, Ompolokile Leeuw, Malefane Motswakae, Olebogeng Monchusi and Tebogo Makoloi were subsequently arrested and charged with public violence after the community of Baga-Maidi embarked on violent protests demanding tar roads on D208 and D209 routes few months ago.

The accused were granted R500 bail each and they will be back in court on the 25 September 2018. Those who were released on bail were instructed to report at Kokomeng Police Station every Friday between 6am and 6pm.

Shops were looted, while the community hall and few schools torched during protests. One of community leaders, Mothibi Makoro said: “The community embarked on a protest demanding tar road on D208 and D209 after the North West Public Works and Roads department failed to honour its promises to construct those roads on 1 April 2018.

“There was an agreement between the community and the department to construct those roads during 2018/19 financial year. Our roads are inaccessible especially during rainy season. We have met with the department regarding the matter, but nothing positive came forth.”

MEC for Public Works and Roads department, Mmule Maluleke said the department can only afford to construct a 10km tarred road due to financial constraints.

North West MEC of Education and Sport Development department, Sello Lehari also condemned the arson after Molelema Primary School’s administration block and the National School Nutrition Programme kitchen were reduced to ashes.

“The destruction of schools was never a solution to challenges residents face in communities. On behalf of the department, I condemn in the strongest terms the burning of the two schools in the province. Last year pupils of GS Phoi Secondary School in Madibogo village, near Mahikeng lost about three months of teaching and learning due to strikes.

“The GS Poi obtained only 46% pass rate when coming to matric final examination last year. So, I am pleading with our communities to desist from burning schools as this act creates a huge backlog in the infrastructure for schools too,” he said.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

A career expo is crucial for Grade 12s as it prepares them for various career paths and assists them to meet their potential employers. Taung Grade 12 learners came out in numbers to attend a career expo held at Taung Depot Hall in Taung recently.

The initiative was organised by Dr Boitumelo Phakathi, who was the youngest South African black female surgeon in 2014. Phakathi originates from Taung but now plies her trade in Gauteng province.

“It was important to organise career expo as our young people sometimes underestimate themselves because of where they come from especially in a far-flung areas like Taung. So, we brought in different professionals like doctors, lawyers, accountants, professors, pilots and others who were born in Taung as a living testimony to encourage them.

“Remember, your place of birth does not determine how far you can go in life. So, we have put our focus on education because the former Republic of South Africa president, Dr Nelson Mandela once said education is one of the most powerful weapons that we can use to overcome unemployment, inequality and poverty hence we emphasis on it,” she said.

A 33 year-old doctor said it is imperative that opportunities find you ready. Phakathi said they also encouraged young people to create job opportunities for themselves and be employers instead of employees.

“I realised that the poor standard of health system at our local clinics and hospitals and I wanted to be one of those people who could improve the quality of health service delivery in our country. I worked hard after I went to a medical school and I am now a specialist in general surgery,” said Phakathi.

She said she is in the process of completing my PhD. Phakathi added that the career expo will be an annual event.

“We managed to organise mentors from different fields and we will be concentrating on Grade 12s for now. The aim is to ensure that we mentor these young ones for them to also plough back in the future,” she said.

Joint Aviation Awareness Programme (JAAP) Chairperson, Tebogo Mokgejane said: “There are vast opportunities in the aviation industry. So, it will depend on what field of interest you want to embark on. We have a pilot which is a popular career and it requires pure Mathematics and Physical Sciences.

“We also have avionics engineers who are working in the aerospace engineering which is subspecialty field of avionics”

A well-known Dj, Orapeleng “Dj Nation” Mokgwabone, who works as Air Traffic Controller for South African Air Force (SAAF) shared the same sentiments.

“We have four arms of service at the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) like Navy, Army, Military Health Services and SAAF. So, those who want to join must ensure that they follow relevant channels and have required qualifications according to the specified fields they want to embark on,” he said.

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ANC regional Secretary in Dr Ruth Mompati region, Gaolatlhwe Kgabo

By KEDIBONE MOALETSI

The ANC in Dr Ruth Mompati region has produced the youngest regional secretary across the country. Gaolatlhwe Kgabo was elected as the regional secretary during ANC regional elective conference held at All Seasons Resort in Christiana recently.

Kgabo, who regard himself as Marxist-Leninist scholar with a scientific approach to life in general, believes that the world is constantly changing and people need to adapt to those changes as ‘agent of transformation’.

“I have conviction that all challenges facing us as the people of South Africa and the world are systematic and structural. I started my political activism at the age of 15 when I joined Congress of South African Students (Cosas) back in 2004.

“I was a learner at Lerona Secondary School at Utlwanang location in Christiana. I decided to join school politics after we encountered unequal skewed curriculum and lack of necessary tools of trade to simplify teaching and learning processes. The Lerona School was the only secondary in our area,” he said.

Kgabo added that overcrowding was a challenge as learners were cooped like sardines in classes. He said the school had no computer laboratory, library, sports facilities and teaches untransformed curriculum.

“I began to be critical about the situation because being quiet will results in reproduction of poverty and inequality. I am a political activist who has received the necessary ideological training from intellectuals like Mphato Morapedi Melamu,” said Kgabo.
A 29 year-old politician joined the YCLSA in 2009 and established the first YCLSA structure in Christiana. He was then elected as YCLSA district secretary in J Nkosi district, known as Dr Ruth Mompati region in 2012.

“I was later elected as the YCLSA provincial chairman in Bokone Bophirima until 2016. I joined the ANCYL and ANC in 2007 where I was later appointed as the ANC Branch task team member in 2009.

“I was also elected as the ANC branch chairman in 2010 until 2014 at Johnny Pitso Branch in Christiana. I was elected as Lekwa-Teemane ANC sub-regional chairman and now I am serving as a councillor in Dr Ruth Mompati District municipality back in 2016,” he said.

Kgabo is serving as a Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) responsible for Engineering and Technical Services. He also elected as the SACP District Executive Committee member in 2016.

“It is not a coincidence that I am the youngest regional secretary. In fact, I believe that this is a sign that shows that the ANC is starting to be younger. I grew up on a farm in Free State province and I could see what our parents were subjected to,” Kgabo said.

“Education broadens your understanding and we need to understand how the world operates to sharpen our approach. I have completed my Matric in 2006 and due to financial constraints, I could not further my studies,” he said.

However, he is now a first year student at the North West University (NWU) studying BA Degree in Public Administration. Kgabo said he wants to complete his Master Degree before turns 35.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Two men who are accused of assaulting and intimidating the Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority chief, Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane were granted bail. Oratile Segosapelo and Modisaotsile Lebitse briefly appeared at the Taung Magistrate’s Court for two counts of assault and intimidation.

According to reports, Segosapelo(47) and Lebitse (43) along with community members embarked on illegal protest to hand over a memorandum to the local tribal offices. Lebitse, who is the chairperson of Re Aga Taung Civic Organisation (RATCO), said they want Mankuroane to be removed from his chieftaincy position.

“We believe that Mankuroane failed our community dismally and he continues to neglect his duties. The Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority administration is marred with corruption, fraud and maladministration under his stewardship.

“There are so many challenges such as divergence in land allocation, selling of land to foreign nationals, businesses operating in Taung without following legislation measures and projects stoppage,” he said.

Lebitse also said the Taung Cultural Calabash event continues to benefit only the few. He alleged that Mankuroane has no interest of Taung community at heart.

“We need the family to look for a regent because a loss of trust in the traditional authority by citizens has occurred. Kgosi Tshepo Makuroane failed us despite the traditional authority being the custodian,” he said.

The RATCO’s attempts to submit memorandum were futile as they were welcomed by the high presence of rival group, Tsibogo Ya Taung Civic Organisation at the Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority offices.

The disagreement ensued between the two lobbying groups and police were called. RATCO members were later detached from the Tribal Authority offices. However, Segosapelo and Lebitse were later ensnared to go back into the offices as Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane was allegedly ready to meet with them.

A fight ensued behind closed doors. Segosapelo and Lebitse were subsequently arrested. Mankuroane labelled the behaviour of RATCO members as absurd and distasteful. He said what happened was strange and there was a third force involved.

“It is not for the first we experienced this. However, I urge our people not to be used and if they have any grievances, they must follow proper channels. I am using open door policy and anyone who would like to come and engage with me, I am always available.

“If you are not happy about any matter, kindly approach the House of Traditional Leaders in the province and law enforcement agencies. I have taken legal actions against those who were behind these shenanigans because I believe that their actions are equal to sedition,” Makuroane said.

Tsibogo Ya Taung Civic organisation chairperson, Goitseone Legodu said: “We urge our community members to follow proper channels when embarking on protests. We are not against anyone, but the march was illegal. The RATCO members used force to address their grievances and it is wrong.”

Segosapelo and Lebitse were granted R500 bail each and the case was postponed until 24 August 2018.

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Picture: Suspended ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) Member, Mmoloki Cwaile

By BAKANG MOKOTO

The suspended African National Congress (ANC) Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) member, Mmoloki Cwaile calls for the disbandment of the ANC PEC in the North West. Cwaile, who is a vilifier of the former North West Premier and ANC Provincial chairperson, Supra Mahumapelo said he does not recognise his suspension letter.

“My suspension was an erroneous decision which was aimed to facilitate vengeance. Firstly, you would know that the PEC cannot evoke disciplinary processes against itself. The structure would have rather referred the matter to the ANC National Disciplinary Committee (NDC).

“They should have sent it as a recommendation because the rules and regulations surrounding disciplinary issues are addressed only by the PEC, NEC, NWC and PWC. So, in this case, I am a PEC member and the PEC cannot act against itself,” he said.

Cwaile said the ANC PEC in the province has also failed to provide leadership to government. He said everyone knows that the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) has collapsed under Mahumapelo’s stewardship.

“We cannot necessarily appropriate blame to Mahumapelo alone, even though we know that he single-handedly appointed all deployees like municipal managers and Head of Departments (HoDs). I believe that the ANC will not win the 2019 General elections with this state of affairs we find ourselves in,” he said.

Cwaile said the indications are unambiguous. He added that the ANC failed to win by-elections in Coligny and lost to the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Coligny for the first time in history.

“Everyone in our province knows that the government’s fifth administration has collapsed. So, we cannot change that statement. The PEC must be dismantled and I believe that the ANC National Working Committee or National Executive Committee will find it very difficult to arrive at the different decision.

“They NEC must be decisive exactly as they did about governance because that will help and rescue the party ahead of elections. If that happens, then we would have managed to change the perception of our people and bring necessary intervention,” he said.

Cwaile said he has already requested the ANC acting provincial secretary to reverse the suspension. He said the ANC PEC accused him of ‘showing discrimination’.

“The rules that they are referring to in that letter are not correct. It is not true that I am showing any discrimination or political intolerance. Also, it is not true that I was using social media purporting to represent a view of a faction or any organised grouping within the ANC.

“I have given them five days to reverse their decision and if not be, then I will seek a relief from the court of law. However, I would still have to take this matter to the ANC National Disciplinary Appeal Committee (NDAC) if, the ANC PEC has no capacity to reverse its decision,” said Cwaile.

The ANC provincial spokesperson, Gerald Modise refused to comment. Modise said he cannot comment as the matter is now subjudice.

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