BY REGINALD KANYANE

IN what was an intense clash of the titan’s kind of match day, the results have spoken for themselves. Resilient side Arsenal FC will take on the nations SA U19 squad in the final match of the tournament at King Zwelithini Stadium on 6 August 2016.  

The teams have managed to advance in the Durban Under 19 International Football Tournament after both won their semi-final matches at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Thursday.

The English Side Arsenal eliminated TP Mazembe from Congo DRC, while SA U19 edged past Sporting Lisbon.

The two teams will now meet on Saturday’s championship decider, which is scheduled to kick-off at 14:45.

Ahead of that, losing semi-finalists TP Mazembe and Sporting Lisbon will battle it out for the bronze medal at the same venue at 12h30.

Arsenal won their place in the final after a tense 90-minute match that ended with a 3-0 result.

It was an epic battle between giants who tried their best in the match to find the back of the net and the 2015 victors that got a first half lead when their jersey number 10 Malen, scored a tremendous goal in the 24^th minute. Team mate Nkhetiah followed the lead up with a magnificent 2^nd goal and the clincher came in what was an unexpected penalty kick goal when Mavididi scored in the 83^rd minute.

The second clash of the day took shape when the National SA Under 19 side took to the ground against opponents Portugal’s Sporting Lisbon.

This was perhaps the toughest game of the tournament with both teams defending their right to advance to the finals with all they had. Numerous chances at goal scoring occurred and finally in the 62^nd minute the first goal of the match hit the back of the net when SA Under 19 forward Kodisang pulled a stunning fast one on his opponents back-line.

Mayo assisted the National team when he scored the second goal of the match and while the crowd was recovering, to cement the team’s road to victory and the Final on Saturday was Kodisang with his second goal that ended the match with at a 3-0 win for South Africa.

Speaking from the Moses Mabhida stadium, Bafana Bafana Head Coach Shakes Mashaba said “Congratulations to the Boys who’ve made it to the final of the tournament. The match was not what we expected as we started at a very low key, we should’ve scored in the first half, however we’re closing the gap in the world of football. I think that the only constant thing is change and initiatives such as the Durban U19tournament speak to that. I am greatly looking forward to the final”

SA U19 defeated Sporting Lisbon in the second semi-final with an assured display that will give them plenty of confidence going into the tournament decider.

Fixtures – 06 August 2016 – Moses King Zwelithini Stadium

3^rd and 4^th Place Play-Offs

12h30 Sporting Lisbon vs.  TP Mazembe

 Final

14h45 Arsenal vs National U19

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

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Olympic Games

Result: Brazil U23 0-0 South Africa U23

Date: 04 August 2016

Venue:  Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha

The South African U23 side began their Olympic campaign with a 0-0 draw against Brazil on Thursday evening.

South Africa were presented with a chance after just three minutes, when Keagan Dolly played Lebo Mothiba through on goal, however Weverton rushed off his line to thwart the striker.

After an impressive opening spell by Owen Da Gama’s side, Brazil started to enjoy most of the possession after the 10-minute mark but struggled to carve out chances.

Itumeleng Khune was called into action after 28 minutes, as the South African shot-stopper produced a fine save to keep out Neymar’s strike from 20-yards out.

South Africa should have taken the lead in the 31 minute when Mothiba met Dolly’s in-swinging corner but failed to hit the target from six-yards out.

Khune was called upon in the 40th minute, as he produced another fine save to keep out Neymar’s volley from the edge of the area, as the sides entered the break with the score locked at 0-0.

South Africa created their first opening in the 54th minute when Dolly’s floated cross found Mothiba, who could only direct his header straight at Weverton.

Owen Da Gama made his first change in the 58th minute, as he introduced Tashreeq Morris for Menzi Masuki.

However, the South Africans were then reduced to 10 men in the 58th minute when Mothobi Mvala given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

Brazil squandered a glorious chance to take the lead in the 68th minute when Gabriel Jesus strick

Khune came to Bafana’s rescue again in the 74th minute, as he rushed off his line to deny Felipe Anderson from close range, before Neymar headed over with the rebound.

The Brazilians pushed for a winner in the closing stages of the game, but the South African defence put in a superb shift to deny the hosts and claim a point in their opening game.

Here’s how they will lined up:

Brazil: Weverton, Zeca, Ciao, Santos, Marquinhos, Maia, Augusto, Anderson, Neymar, Gabigol, Gabriel Jesus

South Africa: Khune, Mekoa, Mobara, Coetzee, Mathoho, Mvala, Motupa, Dolly, Modiba, Masuku, Mothiba

Source: http://www.soccerladuma.co.za

BY REGINALD KANYANE

ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) in North West visited IEC offices in Mahikeng on Wednesday. Provincial secretary, Dakota Legoete said it is all systems go and everything was running accordingly.

“We are adamant that the ANC will win most wards. We also encourage our people to come out in numbers and vote for the ruling party. The ANC provincial chairperson, Supra Mahumapelo was also part of the visiting team. We are impressed by IEC set-up and entrust our hope in the institution.

“It is our people’s democratic rights to cast their votes. We know many people lost their lives through apartheid. The least we could do is to honour them by voting for ANC,” Legoete said.

He also added that the ANC-led government has achieved a lot since the dawn of democracy. Legoete said together, South Africa can achieve more for the betterment of the people’s lives,” Legoete said.

EFF provincial leader, Thabo Sehloho said his party was also ready. Sehloho added that however, there were more concerns in Bloemhof.

“I will be voting at Mamusa Township in Schweizer Reneke. So far, everything is going accordingly except the incident in Bloemhof. We saw IEC officials leaving with open ballot papers. We went to Thuto-Lore Primary School and we also realised that IEC officials were changed from the venue,” Sehloho said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

BY REGINALD KANYANE
A FEMALE traffic cop was allegedly killed by a speeding truck on N18 near Taung Marble on Wednesday. 

Community safety and transport management department spokesperson, Daddy Sebolecwe said the police investigation was underway.

“We are still gathering all facts and we will release media statement as soon as we have all facts. However, we can confirm the incident and investigation is underway,” Sebolecwe said.

The traffic cop was allegedly trying to stop the truck on the road. However the driver failed to stop and allegedly knocked her down.

She was confirmed dead on the scene by emergency services.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

​

BY REGINALD KANYANE

PREMIER for North West, Supra Mahumapelo has said that the province is more than ready for local government elections that will take place on Wednesday.

Mahumapelo will cast his vote at Kebonang Secondary School in Unit 14, Mmabatho at 7am on Wednesday.

Provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said Mahumapelo urged people to go to the voting stations in numbers.

“Premier encourages people to exercise their democratic rights to vote. All voting stations will be open from 7 o’clock in the morning. Mahumapelo said the right to vote was fully recognised as a fundamental right in South Africa and that must not be taken for granted,” Setswambung said.  

Mahumapelo said he was confident that the elections would run smoothly with no hindrance.

The provincial community safety and transport management department has also confirmed the readiness of the province.

“They have assured the safety of those who will be voting. There will be a strong police visibility across the province to ensure that the municipal elections run smoothly with no interruptions,” MEC for community safety and transport management department, Dr Mpho Motlhabane said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

​

BY REGINALD KANYANE

MEC for local government and human settlements, Galaletsang Gaolaolwe is content that the Independent Electoral Commission in the province will stage successful elections on Wednesday.

Gaolaolwe said that the first day of special votes started well. She added that most of the voting stations opened as scheduled, except ward 8 in Ratlou local municipality where community embarked on protests.

“We appeal to our communities to allow electoral officials to do their work. We also urge them not to engage in any activities that may disrupt the smooth running of elections.

“We encourage all eligible voters including new voters to take this opportunity to go and vote. It is an opportunity for them to have a direct say on who runs their ward and the municipality,” she said. 

Gaolaolwe also said many people fought for democracy and lost their lives for us in order to have a better life.

“It is important that we do not take the voting right for granted. We also appeal to all stakeholders and communities in general to work together towards achieving free and fair elections. 

“The overall success of the elections requires all stakeholders to play an active role. Ensuring free and fair elections must be the primary responsibility of the IEC, but all relevant stakeholders have a major role to play,” she added.

Gaolaolwe further said Provincial Disaster Management Centre officials are on stand-by to tackle any incident that might occur.

“We are ready to implement the local government continuity plan which will ensure the continuity of operations after any kind of occurrence. We have activated the Disaster Management Centre since July. The department is also working with all security structures and the IEC.

“We want to ensure that we deal with any incident head-on. I can declare that as the province, we are 100% ready for the local government elections,” she said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

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Take heed of Baleka Mbete’s mistake‚ and make sure you take your ID with you when you heading to polling stations on Wednesday.

The African National Congress’ (ANC) national chairperson – and the speaker of the National Assembly – didn’t have hers when she arrived at the Berario Community Centre in Northcliff on Tuesday morning to cast a special vote.

Eyewitness News reported that Mbete’s documents were with officials who handle her travel arrangements‚ and she had to leave the polling station and was expected to return later on Tuesday to try again.

ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa told the radio station: “It’s an important reminder to all of us that‚ whatever you do tomorrow morning‚ have your ID with you.”

Monday saw the opening of two days of special voting for those whose medical conditions or commitments mean they can’t travel to voting stations on Wednesday.

– TMG Digital

​

BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West provincial legislature speaker, Sussan Dantjie will sworn-in new Member of the Legislature, Virginia Tsotso Tlhapi. Dantjie said Tlhapi will replace the late MEC for social development, Kgakgamatso Nkewu as the member of legislature.

Dantjie said: “The proceeding will take place at the Speaker’s Boardroom at 3pm. Tlhapi is ANC member and we hope Tlhapi’s inclusion will be fruitful.”

Nkewu passed away a month ago in a car accident between Vryburg and Mahikeng. She was on her way to join ANC deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa on local government election trail campaign in Molelema village, Taung.

Her vehicle rolled several times before it burst in fire. Nkewu’s VIP protection driver lost control of the vehicle while he was allegedly trying to avoid a cyclist on the road. The cyclist was also killed in the same accident and two VIP protections survived the accident.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

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South African President Jacob Zuma on Sunday urged supporters to vote for the ruling African National Congress ahead of fiercely competitive municipal polls that could see the party lose control of several major cities.

Zuma’s ANC, which controls the majority of the country’s 278 municipalities, has been weakened by graft scandals and growing public discontent since it led the fight against white-minority rule.

At a massive final rally, the party made a last push for votes, stressing its anti-apartheid history and the legacy of former president and Nobel peace price winner Nelson Mandela.

“Millions of our people must vote ANC and enable their movement to continue improving the lives of our people,” Zuma told a packed Ellis Park Stadium in the Johannesburg city centre.

“Every vote counts.”

An estimated 55,000 supporters decked in the ANC’s green, yellow and black filled the stands for the extravagant rally, crowning a campaign the party said had cost it an estimated one billion rand ($72 million).

“We have walked the streets of this country, we have visited every town, every city. We have been to thousands of homes,” said Zuma.

The latest Ipsos opinion polls suggest that the ANC, which has ruled since the end of apartheid in 1994, could be under threat in three major cities — Pretoria, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth — in Wednesday’s election.

The main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), which rules in Cape Town, is hoping for a breakthrough, citing the country’s poor economic performance and a series of corruption scandals plaguing Zuma.

Last week, South Africa’s highest court ruled that the president pay back $500,000 of public funds spent upgrading his private Nkandla residence with facilities including a chicken coop and a swimming pool.

“A lot of money was wasted there that should have been spent on the people,” Frieda Motlatla, 24, told AFP at Sunday’s rally.

But with her hair wrapped in an ANC turban, she said Zuma’s troubles would not affect her support: “I don’t vote for a person, I vote for a party.”

“Nkandla is not our business,” agreed Simon Machaka, 42. “Some people will always be dissatisfied. They don’t focus on the good things.”

Zuma, 74, will have completed two terms in office in 2019 and is not eligible to run for president again, but the ANC could replace him ahead of the next general election if the party scores poorly in the local polls.

Speaking to the weekly City Press newspaper, Zuma’s predecessor and later his deputy Kgalema Motlanthe said the ANC had “lost its ability to be representative of ordinary people”.

“It’s almost as though the country is on autopilot. There’s no leadership being provided,” he said.

“It may be possible at some point to salvage the ANC from this race to the bottom. But it is also possible that the ANC may so thoroughly discredit itself that there may be nothing to salvage.”

“If we reach that moment, it would mean a realignment of political forces in South Africa.”

The radical leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party is also seeking to make a major impact in its first municipal elections.

“The ANC is dead,” EFF leader Julius Malema told thousands at a rally in a northern city of Polokwane.

“It is buried with Nelson Mandela.”

-AFP

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