By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
THE National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) took a broadside on the defence team in Coligny murder case for delaying tactics.

This came out after the North West High Court set March 19 to 30 as trial dates for two men arrested for the murder of Matlhomola Moshoeu (16) in Mahikeng on Monday.

A pre-trial conference was held in Mahikeng on Monday after earlier postponements.

Pieter Doorewaard (26) and Phillip Schutte (34) were arrested after they allegedly killed Moshoeu. It is alleged that Doorewaard and Schutte found Moshoeu stealing sunflowers on their farm and apprehended him.

The suspects say that they put the deceased in the back of the bakkie and ferried him to Coligny Police Station. They further allege that Moshoeu jumped off the moving bakkie and died.

The case was transferred to the North West High Court in Mahikeng to set a trial date.

NPA regional spokesperson, Frank Lesenyego said the pre-trial conference was postponed to 12 December 2017 after the defence legal team claimed that some documents in the sockets were unreadable.

“It is all systems go from our side and we are ready to continue with the trial. The defence team is also ready as they said in court.

“The case will commence for two weeks. The accused will be back in court from March 19 till 23 and from March 26-30.

“We believe that we have a strong case against the accused. Thepre-trial conference was postponed indefinitely after  the defence’s legal team claimed that some documents were unreadable,” Lesenyego said.

He further said that the NDP regarded that as a delaying tactic from the defence.

“The defence team was called on November 7 after this matter was transferred to the North West High Court in Mahikeng to get copies of the docket.

“However, they did not come on the scheduled date. The  defence only came on November 13. We believe that this could have been averted because they would have highlighted to us that some statements were unreadable. The NPA could have typed them and handed them over to them on time,” Lesenyego said.

The accused are out on R5000 bail each. On the day they were granted bail, Coligny residents ran amok and a number of houses were burnt down in protest.

North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo said they rebuilt one often houses burnt during protests in Coligny.

Mahumapelo said the house belonged  to a white woman and they would hand it over to the owner in a  few weeks.

“This is part of Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal (RHR). A journey to Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal is a never-ending one because where people are involved there will always be a need to foster mutual understanding.

“However, it would be very difficult to have RHR without economic development,” he said.
taungdailynews@gmail.com

By REGINALD KANYANE

A motorist, who allegedly attacked a North West traffic officer, will be back in court for a formal bail application at Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. Sabata Kortman was arrested along with his sister, Ntswaki Kortman (26) for crimen injuria and failure to comply with traffic official.

Kortman was clearly seen manhandling a traffic officer, Johannes Manthi in an incident caught on video. He also threatened to cut-off Manthi’s manhood.

North West police spokesperson, Col Pelonomi Makau said the suspects appeared at Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

“Two people were arrested and appeared in court after they allegedly assaulted a traffic officer. Sabata Kortman (32) and his younger sister, Ntswaki Kortman (26) were denied bail and remanded in custody. They were charged with crimen injuria and failure to comply with traffic official.

“They will be back in court on Thursday for formal bail application. We urge all road users to cooperate and obey the rules and regulations of the roads. They must also comply when stopped by traffic and police officials.”

The officer, Johannes Manthi Johannes Manthi (47) said he felt disrespected and humiliated by a motorist who attacked him on Sunday between Potchefstroom and Johannesburg on N12 road.

Manthi said he was on duty with his female colleague 12km outside Potchefstroom when the incident happened.

“I stopped the motorist who was driving a Yaris vehicle after he overtook another vehicle on the barrier line. I gave him a fine for breaking the law. However, all hell broke loose when I requested a physical address from him.

“Sabata Kortman gave me a post address instead, but I politely explained him that I needed a physical address. Kortman failed to cooperate and hurled insults at me. He demanded his driver’s licence back but I refused. He man-handled and assaulted me after I refused to hand over his licence,” Manthi said.

A 47 year-old man is living with disability after being involved in a horrible car accident back in 2013. Manthi said he lost a limb during the accident and being attacked in public especially by motorist was absurd and distasteful.

“The area is one of the high risk areas and more than 55% of accidents took place here. So, being attacked for doing my job is debauched. We are here to assist and render our services to all road users. Traffic officers’ high visibility on the roads, endeavour to minimise disruption. Traffic officers also provide safe and timely response to incidents.

“We liaise with emergency services where necessary and relieve congestion as soon as possible. So, this incident will not deter my spirit and I am looking forward to work with cooperative motorists on the roads during festive season,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Northern Cape police arrested two suspects aged between 30 and 40 for theft out of motor vehicle. Provincial police spokesperson, Capt Olebogeng Tawana said the suspects were found in possession of reported stolen goods and being in possession of drugs.

“Kimberley detectives and flying squad acted on information regarding stolen goods which were reported stolen from a business premises in Kimberley. The suspects were arrested over the weekend in their homes in Florianville and Mogul Park. We recovered jack hammer, compressor, drill machine, Go Cart and a crystal meth during the arrest.

“Recovered items were reported stolen on Wednesday. It is alleged that the suspects broke into the vehicles which were parked in the premises of the business and stole above mentioned goods,” Tawana said.

He further said the suspects are due to appear at the Kimberley Magistrate’s

Court on Monday.

“The festive season operation continued with high police visibility over the weekend. The police conducted road blocks on N12 an N8. Our policing focus was to search for transportation of illegal goods, unlicensed firearms, stolen vehicles, unroadworthy vehicles including driving motor vehicles without a valid driver’s licence.

“Thousands of vehicles were searched and fines were issued against those who were driving unroadworthy vehicles,” he said.

The Kimberly Cluster commander, Major Gen Jean Abrahams commended the police for displaying high visibility on the national roads. Abrahams said this will ensure compliance on the motorists.

“We will continue with this kind of crime prevention operations throughout the festive season. We want to ensure that every person  is safe in all aspects,” Abrahams said.

 taungdailynews@gmail.com

All systems go for Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Festival. The jam-packed event commenced at Mmabatho Convention Centre in Mahikeng on Thursday. The four day event kicked-off with amazing performance from world renowned music group, Joyous Celebration.

MEC for Tourism, Desbo Mohono said the event will boost the economy of the province. Mohono further said product owners across Mahikeng will also benefit.

“We encourage our product owners to take advantage of this inventiveness. We have revellers from various areas and the initiative will create job opportunities for locals. Our department has already engaged with them and urged them to provide attractive and affordable packages to our visitors.

“The event will also put the province on the map. The department has also embarked on Shapa Round campaign as we heading to festive season. This is the exciting times and our people are encouraged to visit our attraction sites. Even though North West province is predominantly rural, we have unique and interesting World Heritage Sites,” she said.

However, Mohono warned product owners not to upsurge prices. She said product owners sometimes are tempted to escalate prices during events of this magnitude.

“Escalating of prices will affect their businesses and eventually drives them out of business. If you increase your prices, visitors will not come back again. The Shapa Round initiative will be activated across all regions. We also have an upcoming event in Taung called Dj Nation Annual Bash on the 28 December 2017,” Mohono said.

North West Culture, Art and Traditional Affairs (CATA) department said it wassatisfied with the preparations. CATA spokesperson, Daddy Sebolecwe said that the project will benefit emerging artists too.

“There are BackStage Lectures and workshops that are in place at BRS. The workshop will focus on Music Production, Basic Studio Equipment Orientation and Music Entrepreneurial Skills and the entry is free of charge.

“The cultural music festival kicked-off with a carnival parade that included clowns, drum majorettes, brass band, chinese dragon dance, traditional dancers, donkey carts and horses.

Local artists also performed as curtain raisers. Gospel artist, Brian Mosiapoa said: “I am grateful to be part of the line-up at Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Festival event. The initiative boosts the local artists. I also want to encourage our people to come out in numbers as there are still strings of performances lined-up.”

Another gospel artist from Potchefstroom, Coach Motlawe said: “I am happy to be give the notch as disabled artist. I proved that disability does not necessary means inability. So, if I can do it, anyone can do it too. Let’s us display what God has blessed us with.” –Newsnote  

By CHINA DODOVU

Dear Comrade Vutha!

I must confess that every time after reading your much publicized commentaries especially on Twitter, I become deeply hurt and disappointed. I keep asking myself how did we get to this point where one of our trusted and dependable cadres cannot stand firm to his principles and stay true to his convictions but could so much betray his cause, his heritage and become a political turncoat who even spit in the faces of his elders.
In June this year, you trashed Ace Magashule, a candidate for Secretary General on the NDZ ticket and said: “Ace Magashule is a definite no no no, the man will finish what is remaining of our movement. He will kill it.”
With your statement on Magashule, you made two concessions. You accepted that he’s incapable of becoming the ANC secretary general and you also conceded that the ANC is moribund and in deep crisis, and therefore it must redeem and extricate itself from the quagmire of ignominy and shame it is entrapped in.
You have now changed your views about him and summersaulted as you always do. You are suddenly showering him with praises and see him “as a capable leader who deserve to lead the ANC as its secretary general.”
Comrade Vutha, for me it is preposterous, incongruous and inappropriate to a shocking degree that in promoting the political fortunes of the NDZ campaign, you claim that “Nkosazana the choice of our mothers the choice of the future in the ANC history beckons.”
I must bluntly reject your assertion and unequivocally state that Cde Nkosazana doesn’t represent my mother. She doesn’t stand for what my mother stands for. She represents the interests of the Zuma family, the Gupta family and all their associates. My mother will never choose her as her voice.
In fact, Cde Nkosazana leads a campaign that has brought together a group of accomplices, grand-style looters and parasitic hangers-on who constitute the political retinue to perpetuate the status quo and to protect President Zuma, a man who has become a political liability to the revolution due to his erratic, irresponsible and immoral actions.
Comrade Vutha, not so long ago you attacked the stalwarts and veterans of our movement. A daily newspaper, The Star reported that you launched a scathing attack on ANC veterans and stalwarts who want President Jacob Zuma to step down and said: “President Zuma is not corrupt. His administration is undoing the problems created by some of the veterans. We can’t be blackmailed by the stalwarts who are filthy and stinking rich, because they benefited from BEE. If they have made up their minds to sell out, they must leave the ANC out of it”.
You went on: “We won’t be lectured by them. They masquerade as people who are genuinely concerned about the ANC, but we know they are not. In fact, they are masterminds of corruption.”
To remind you Comrade Vutha, as we popularly call you, we were both ex-officio NEC members of the ANC Youth League by virtue of our positions as Regional Secretaries of Western Transvaal and Southern Free State. During that time we drank from a fountain of wisdom, our late President, Peter Mokaba who taught us about the culture and tradition of the ANC.
Peter Mokaba taught us that the veterans possess the wisdom which is so potent and so profound that it will always revolutionize the ANC and that during difficult times, they offer priceless wisdom that saves the ANC from unrelenting bleeding. He wasn’t alone. Leaders such as Rapu Molekane, Mnyamzeli Booi, Kgaogelo Lekgoro, Billy Masetlhe, Parks Mankahlana, Bachana Mokwena, Thabang Makwetla nurtured and guided us to navigate the difficult situations we facing today.
Since that time, we worked very closely as comrades and I have seen you rising like a star within the ranks of the Youth League: from your election as deputy secretary general in 1996 to the time when you became its President in 2004.
During your tenure in the youth league, you have always acted like a shepherd willing to guide, direct, protect and point a path to the young lions. During the difficult road to the Polokwane conference in 2007, you demonstrated true leadership where you acted like a soldier issuing unpalatable orders to its troops.

During that time, you developed campaign grenades for us to lob at the “Third Termers.” You meticulously prepared our lines of attack and when the conference started, a pistol was fired.
I marveled how you were willing to swim against the tide; how you climbed the tallest tree to get a better view; how you cast your eyes beyond your toes while tripping on the obstacles along the way; how you became the north star to the wandering travellers and how you saved a crew of a sinking ship. And despite waging an uphill battle, you succeeded in ascending Comrade Jacob Zuma as ANC President. You strongly argued as I did that the ANC Deputy President must become the President.
Comrade Vutha, with such illustrious and impeccable record, how can you betray the aspirations of so many in our ranks? How can you waiver and waffle at the hour of need? How dare you blindfold and earplug yourself in the midst of such monumental crisis? And how do you justify defending a president rocked by so many scandals and then insult our veterans?
I remember in 2009, you penned an open letter to President Thabo Mbeki where you trashed and pulverized him into tatters, labeling him “a conniving person who has betrayed the legacy of struggle icon Nelson Mandela and who was handed a vibrant and united ANC, yet at the twilight of his presidency, chose to betray everything that Mandela and those that came before him stood for, struggled for, and laid down their lives for”.
Your tirade against Mbeki continued: “In a moment of intoxication with power, you forgot Madiba’s wise counsel and allowed our glorious movement to stumble on the edge of an abyss…… How did the state apparatus become so embroiled in partisan politics that sought to rip our movement apart …..”
Comrade Vutha, you concluded: “The NPA briefing finally bought closure to a painful episode of your reign both as president of the republic and of the ANC, an episode one hopes will never come to pass ever again in the history of our movement…Despite the fact that you were a democratically elected president, you chose to run both the organization and the country with a cabal which sought to commandeer everyone along your thinking and vision, which at times ran contrary to what the ANC stood for”.
With such venomous attack you spewed at president Mbeki, I am certain he was shaken.
Why are you today so quite when the same movement of Mandela is now suffering from terminal illness and has turned from a bastion of international pride to a cauldron of virulent species? Why do you think that under Zuma we are better off than under Mandela and Mbeki?
You accused Mbeki of conniving, of abusing state machinery and of purging opponents but since Zuma took over in 2009, political skullduggery has increased five-fold, abuse of state machinery ten-fold, state capture hundred-fold and corruption thousand-fold.
It is strange that your sharp voice has suddenly muted. Is it because you are now comfortably singing for your own supper and thus betraying those who stood side by side with you even at the time of need? Have you forgotten that the first time you knew you were to be appointed minister was when the Guptas broke the news to you?
On the eve of Mangaung conference in 2012, you rejected President Zuma because of his poor leadership qualities and questionable private life. You said: “I delivered all of them in Polokwane, including Zuma. What can they tell me? People who suffer from political bankruptcy? I got where I am because I work hard. I have no time for Zuma. He has caused his own problems. He marries every week. He is building a mansion in Nkandla”.
Comrade Vutha, since the Mangaung conference nothing has changed except that you were promoted to Minister of Sports and later of Police. The situation has instead worsened with scandal after scandal coming out e.g. the Guptas landing at the Waterkloof airbase; the Nkandla plundering; the Public Protector’s report on Nkandla and its constitutional implications; the state capture; the instability within the security apparatus and lately, the e-mail leaks.
Additionally, statutory bodies are in disarray and riddled with incompetent and unqualified leadership; factional wrangles; ever-increasing corruption allegations; abuse of power to settle political scores, wealth accumulation by individuals and their families, friends and fiancés are some of the tendencies which have escalated.
Comrade Vutha, many cadres believed in you. They trusted you. On a matter of principle, they sacrificed their political career for you including Julius Malema who was fired from the ANC because he stood by you. With vigour and vitality, Malema led an unsuccessful campaign to replace the current ANC Secretary General, Comrade Gwede Mantashe with you.
You professed to be their voice and a guardian of their interests especially those who were concerned about degeneracy, arrogance and denialism which started to manifest since 2007 after Polokwane. Where you just deceiving them for your own nefarious, parochial interests?
You have thrown everyone who stood by you under the bus, becoming an architect of their demise. You have played on the ignorance and generosity of true ANC cadres. You mastered how to create a romantic idealism and a grandiose dream while you know you can betray them.
Attacking our veterans in the manner you did clearly shows that you crossed the line and you have stretched it too far and too long. When you say: “…. they have made up their minds to sell out ….”  you refer to Getrude Shope, Andrew Mlangeni, Dennis Goldberg, Frene Ginwala, Frank Chikane, Albertina Luthuli, Wally Serote, Stefanie Kemp, Billy Modise, Zola Skweyiya, Ben Turok, Faziel Randera etc.
Your attack on them requires a combative redress of magnificent and equivalent precision so that you are reminded where we coming from. If these vices can be left to their own devices, our heritage is doomed.
The last straw is when you indulge in an appetite for dogmatic assertiveness and parochial vitriol by attacking the NEW DEAL plan as enunciated by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa. You can even see that the NEW DEAL seeks to transform the ANC’s attitude to the economy, markets, state ownership, corruption, business, justice system, trade unions, public service reforms, tax and spending and to individual rights and responsibilities.
Your series of conditioned reflexes and tweets are like Pavlov’s dog, which yapped, whined and salivated every time its master tinkles his little bell.
I therefore comradely urge you to stop your hypocrisy and stand firm for the values and principles which Peter Mokaba taught us.

Yours comradely

CHINA DODOVU
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – (AIM27 FOUNDATION)

(The content of the letter remain the views of the writer and Taung DailyNews and its associates does not condone nor disagree with its content. So TDN will not be held responsible of any harm nor legal battle ensue over the letter or whatsoever. China Dodovu is the former MEC in North West province)  

By REGINALD KANYANE

African National Congress PEC member and MEC for Culture, Art and Traditional Affairs (CATA) department, Ontlametse Mochware said South Africa has made great headway in the representation of women in politics. 

Mochware said the ruling party and the country at large is ready for the female president.

“South Africa is ready for the woman president. As ANCWL, we are adamant that our presidential hopeful, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma will win the upcoming ANC elective Conference in December. Women have made strides in all sectors of society and come incredibly well.

“Women were more oppressed than men during apartheid. We need to apply corrective measures and move forward as a country. Before the arrival of democracy in South Africa back in 1994, there was a mere 2.7% representation of women in parliament. However, things have changed since the ANC was in power,” she said.

Mochware further said leadership positions in politics were previously dominated by men, and women’s entry into the sphere has been included in South Africa’s globally acclaimed narrative of triumph. She added that ANC has a good story to tell as representation of women in political and decision-making positions is visible now.

A 57 year-old politician was born and bred in Ganyesa. She was introduced to politics by her ‘home-girl’, Veronica Keketsi back in 1995.

“I have served the ruling party in different roles thus far. I will also cherish the moment I met Keketsi. We come from the same area (Ganyesa) and she played a pivotal role in bringing that necessary knowledge to us. It was difficult for a woman to participate in politics during apartheid.

“People like Keketsi and the late ANC stalwart, Dr Ruth Mompati changed the political landscape in the region. They were selfless and put people’s needs first. We started to develop faith in the ruling party because of its policies. So, ANC is the only movement that has the interest of the people at heart,” Mochware said.

The former educator said she was intrigued into politics and wanted to represent the impoverished people. Mochware said apartheid system affected many lives as many people especially blacks were subjected to injustices.

“I was an educator for 25 years and also experienced oppression by apartheid government. I decided to quit teaching and join politics in fulltime basis. I was elected as African National Congress Women League (ANCWL) branch chairperson at Vryburg region.

“Vryburg region was merged together with Taung and formed Dr Ruth Mompati region. I became part of the Regional Executive Committee (REC) member. I served the ruling party in various roles including in government. I was deployed as Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality speaker in 2001,” Mochware said.

She became Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality mayor for two terms afterwards. Mochware advocate women empowerment strategy.

“We had a civic organisation called Women’s Coalition back in Ganyesa. However the movement was across the country and I am the one who introduced it in Ganyesa. I was encouraged by the abject poverty and oppression our women were subjected to. I believe that ANC has achieved its mandate to liberate our people from political bondage. However, we are not yet liberated when it comes to economy injustices.

“Our fight now is economic emancipation in our lifetime. The wealth if this country is still in the hands of the minority. The Freedom Charter says people shall share and we will not rest until we achieve that mandate,” Mochware said.

She added that black people should not be spectators when it comes to economy. Mochware also encourage the youth to preserve and support the ruling party.

“We have White Monopoly Capital which exists in South Africa. We cannot be blindfolded and think there is no such. I am currently serving as ANC PEC member and also as PWC member for ANCWL. I have BA Degree in Education and other certificates I obtained while serving as mayor,” she concludes.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By BAKANG MOKOTO

THOUSANDS of mourners from various arenas came out in numbers to witness the burial of SABC radio and television broadcaster, Cebo Mnyaapelo who passed away last week Wednesday after a long illness. Taung-born renowned sport presenter’s funeral was held at North West University (NWU) Greater Hall in Mahikeng.

Former soccer player and SABC commentator, Marks Maponyane said he shared good memories with Manyaapelo.

“We will always cherish Manyaapelo’s life and his charismatic personality. I will remember the moments we shared together. Manyaapelo always loved his family, his sport, and most important his birthday. He will normally not come to work on his birthday on the 7^th of May.

“Manyaapelo said life is too short and people tend to take their birthdays for granted. Truly, I mulled over these wise words and started to take my birthday serious. Manyaapelo taught me many life lessons and he has a unique personality,” Maponyane said.

He further said ‘CC’ as Clement Cebo Manyaapelo was affectionately known in the sport fraternity always dressed-up for his own birthday. Maponyane added that Manyaapelo believed that “life is a party.”

Former colleague and friend, Aubrey ‘JR’ Motloung shared the same sentiments. Motloung said Manyaapelo left a void in his life.

“Manyaapelo lived his life to the fullest and no one will ever replace him. The sport fraternity lost one of its integral members. However, we will soldier on and always learn from his life,” Motloung said.

Another colleague, Alpheus Koonyaditse said: “Manyaapelo taught us to value and appreciate people around us. He always loved his family, friends and colleagues. It is imperative to appreciate what we have. Looking back now, you begin to realise that life could be taken away from you when you least expect.

“Some of us who were able to see him, we were beginning to believe that he was recovering well. Manyaapelo also promised to join us back at work, but God had other plans. Indeed it was a shocker last week Wednesday when I received a call that Manyaapelo has passed on,” Koonyaditse said.

SABC spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago said: “The SABC Board, management and staff of the SABC would like to send its heartfelt condolences to the Manyaapelo family and friends. Manyaapelo will be remembered for his immense contribution at the SABC as the former Motsweding FM’s breakfast host for the programme ‘Re tla dula re thabile’ in 1998.

“He later became a Sports Presenter for ‘Mamepe’, a sports programme on Motsweding FM. He continued with ‘Mamepe’ as well as being a television Sports commentator, for ‘Laduma’ since 1998 until his untimely death. He worked on big special events where SABC was involved, like the FIFA World Cup in 1998 and 2010 and the AFCON 2013 and 2015.”

Kganyago further said Manyaapelo has a rich history in broadcasting environment which dates back from 1984 as a sports presenter for the erstwhile Radio Bop. He added that Manyaapelo was affectionately known to the millions of South Africans as one of the best sports commentators in the country.

“His in-depth, factual, well informed and yet playful commentary captivated many football fanatics to the SABC channels. His ability to use Setswana for football commentary inspired many youngsters and attracted them to the sport field. The country has lost a very great man in Cebo Manyaapelo.

“His work will continue to bring us great insight and understanding of the world of sport for decades to come. Manyaapelo’s talent was not only confined to South Africa, but he represented the SABC beyond the borders of South Africa where his skills were equally appreciated,” he said.

North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo said they will name Leopard Park Golf Course after Manyaapelo. 

taungdailynews@gmail.com 

BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
North West Provincial government will host a Reconciliation, Healing and World Aids Day at Mogwase stadium in Mogwase near Rustenburg on Saturday. 

Provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said this is the plan to unite the citizens of province. Setswambung further said the province is also ready to intensify the fight against HIV and AIDS. 

“The event will set the tone for the implementation of Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal (RHR) programme among diversified groups and highlight achievements reached with regard to the HIV/AIDS Programme.

“The event will also seek to promote a united society, implement the RHR Charter Actions and Commitments, keep unity within diversity and help forge a closer relationship with affected communities in promoting tolerance,” he said.

 The event will commence at 8am. 

taungdailynews@gmail.com 

Cyril Ramaphosa gave a lengthy speech recently, setting out the DA’s economic policy. To be fair, he didn’t call it that. He called it A New Deal for Jobs, Growth and Transformation. But there is nothing new about it. The DA has consistently called for economic policy that has jobs and growth at its centre, because that is the only way to lift 30 million South Africans out of poverty. We have consistently held that growth and transformation are mutually reinforcing, rather than conflicting, objectives. So even though Ramaphosa’s new deal is somewhat secondhand, we welcome it heartily.

It is wonderful that there is a growing consensus at the centre of SA’s politics around the DA’s approach to economic policy and growth. This is the unity of purpose we have been pursuing. We want South Africans to come together around the values of Constitutionalism and an open economy that delivers for all and not just the elite. We want South Africans to unite behind economic policy that focuses on the 30 million poorest South Africans rather than on enriching a small number of black industrialists.

So this public endorsement from a leading ANC presidential candidate is gratifying. At the Daily Maverick’s The Gathering last week, Pravin Gordhan emphatically denied any common ground with DA policy, but was unable to point out major differences. From our side, we’re certainly happy to be in the “same Whatsapp Group” as anyone in SA who understands that job creation through an unrelenting focus on inclusive growth and investment is the only way to sustainably transform our economy and society.

As Ramaphosa acknowledges, this requires us to commit to stable, investor-friendly policies, to invest heavily in infrastructure and skills, and to put small and medium enterprises at the centre of our policies, since they have the highest potential to create jobs. These are policies that have led to growth and employment where we govern. This is why the Western Cape has achieved faster job creation in the past decade than has the rest of the country. Our policy approach has been tried and tested and shown to work. We believe strongly in it, and we want to see it implemented as widely as possible.

As Ramaphosa conceded, rather ironically, we need to move from looking to create a small number of super elite to an economy in which the state’s role is to create an enabling environment so that entrepreneurial activity can flourish, creating sustainable, private-sector jobs on a massive scale.

He recognizes that this means aggressive support for SME’s by massively reducing their cost of doing business, through policy and regulatory reform. It means prioritizing sectors with the greatest potential for job creation, such as agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and mining. It means promoting renewable energy. It means harnessing ongoing urbanization to improve access to land and housing ownership, services and economic opportunities. It means land reform that includes systems to improve land productivity, and greater support for small-scale black farmers.

So much music to our ears: He says we must maintain fiscal discipline and reject populist projects. We must promote export-oriented businesses, and local procurement from a wider variety of smaller businesses. SOE’s must be properly governed and operated for the benefit of the public, and private capital must be considered.

Sound familiar?

The DA has been consistent in this policy approach for years. Ramaphosa is getting to the table somewhat late, but better late than never. It is unfortunate, though, that he and Gordhan and their faction within the ANC have been legitimizing policies that serve to enrich a connected elite at the expense of the many, for many years now. This has taken South Africa backwards, increasing poverty and enabling corruption and state capture to take root and become deeply entrenched.

And herein lies the most important difference between the DA and the ANC. The DA will be able to actually implementthese policies. We already do so where we govern, which is why DA governments have lower unemployment and higher growth. Effective implementation requires a capable state. The DA seeks to recruit the best people for public service, who will actually implement policy. Appointments are not a reward for comradeship.

The ANC is so deeply infested with corruption, patronage and factionalism, that it is literally paralysed. Ramaphosa has been the second most powerful person in the country for some years now and under his watch South Africa has gone backwards.

Point number 10 in Ramaphosa’s 10-point plan is to confront corruption and state capture. He states unequivocally that it is “necessary to take immediate steps to remove from positions of responsibility those individuals who have facilitated state capture”. I couldn’t agree more. Roll on 2019.

Mmusi Maimane
DA Leader

Facebook: (North West Provincial Legislature Deputy Manager in Communication)

By BAKANG MOKOTO

North West Provincial Legislature speaker, Sussana Dantjie will host the Legislature Stakeholders’ Dialogue at Coleridge Stadium in Vryburg on Wednesday. NWPL Deputy Manager in Communication, Namhla Luhabe said the initiative will be under the theme: “Unleashing The Economic Spin-Offs in Dr R S Mompati District In The Context of VTSD.”

“The event will commence at 9am and the objective is to create a platform for robust debates on growing the local economy of the district. This will be done through existing resources and to identify the unique intervention mechanisms necessary for unleashing the economic spin-offs in the region.

“The outreach programme was launched by Dantjie to afford the executive an opportunity to account to the people of the North West on the work and commitment by government. The platform also provides an opportunity for people of province to engage with government and table their expectations,” Luhabe said.

She further said a panel of expertise consisting of the Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development (FEED), Tourism department, North West University (NWU) and District Economic Development Officers (DEDO) will present on various topics.

“They will share ideas on how to multiply and drive the economy of Dr R S Mompati through Tourism industry to off-set benefits to the community. The role of communities in addressing local economic development challenges such as funded projects that have collapsed.

“They will also talk about resuscitating government and community initiatives geared towards economic growth. Representatives from the North West Development Corporation (NWDC) and Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies (VTSD) Forums, District Chamber of Business, Tourism Associations, Agricultural College and community members will be present at the event,” Luhabe added.

taungdailynews@gmail.com