THE education and sport development department in conjunction with North West-based PSL club, Platinum Stars held soccer clinics recently at Moruleng, Rustenburg.

MEC for education and sport development, Sello Lehari said the program will benefit young soccer players especially in rural areas.

“We organised these soccer clinics to assist our young players. We also brought in former professional players to impart their knowledge. The new soccer programs are not just fun for the children. They are also fun for those parents who are coaching.

“Coaches no longer need to concentrate on a complete coaching session and a match. They also need to encourage their players because the technical advisor makes sure that the players are doing the activities properly, and ensures that the fundamental skills are being learned,” Lehari said.

He added that North West province has produced many soccer players and they will continue with that trade. Lehari further said this was an opportunity for young players to learn techniques and tactical response from this mentorship.

“We have established a partnership with Platinum Stars. Our main objective is to see many players from grassroots playing for Platinum Stars. We have abundance of talents that need exposure. Several match-related activities will aid in their knowledge of the game.

“Our department values soccer active and believes the development of physical literacy is essential. The sport participation also assists children to stimulate their minds,” he said.

Platinum Stars chairman, Cliff Ramoroa said they want to rope in many players from the province in their academy program.

“We focus mainly on positive impact and maximize youth player development across the province. Our academy values individual development of elite players over winning trophies and titles. We want our academy to set the standard for elite environments for youth soccer clubs nationwide,” Ramoroa said.

Former Kaizer Chiefs defender, Jacob Tshisevhe said “It is important to groom the young players at the tender age. They need to learn discipline, dedication and determination. The mentality of our players needs to be improved. Most players fail when they go abroad. South African players have abundance of skills and talents, yet we continue to fail compare to other countries.

 “Most European players are not skilful, but their work-rate is out of this world. We need to have more tournaments like Maize Cup through and not a once-off thing. The tournament will improve and develop the young players if used efficiently.”

Soccer Development coach, Goodman Cumming shared the same sentiments. He said they experience challenges in soccer developments especially rural areas.

“Many coaches are reluctant to come to far-flung areas and nurture youngsters. Lack of resources is sometimes hindering the progress of many academies. We need to go to schools and start to develop players from that phase. Youngsters need to work with their role models and get inspired. We believe soccer clinics will benefit most of them and set a platform for them to expand,” Cumming said.

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THE North West provincial government said the best way to remember the human tragedy that happened in Marikana four years ago is to make sure the area is given due attention.

The message came at the time the province, South Africa and the entire world relived the horror massacre that left 34 people dead on August 16 in 2012.

Prior to the fateful day, 10 other people, including police officers, had been brutally killed in one of the ugliest mining labour unrest the world has ever seen.

Premier Supra Mahumapelo said that while the people of Marikana commemorate the tragedy, the entire society has to draw lessons on the need for peaceful coexistence and stability in the area.

He said it was imperative that the North West provincial government continues to partner with other spheres of government to ensure that services are delivered to the people of Marikana.

“The Marikana Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal Committee has been established and it comprises of a broad segment of stakeholders in Marikana. This committee seeks to draw all stakeholders in the area to work together for the attainment of long lasting peace and stability.

“We are however, still persuading AMCU to join the committee to ensure inclusivity of all stakeholders in Marikana,” he said.

In collaboration with the Rustenburg local municipality and the national Human Settlements department, the provincial government started a four-phased housing project.

Mahumapelo said that the first phase has 532 housing units, 252 of them are flats and 292 form part of the Breaking New Ground (BNG) project.

This phase is complete but there has been controversy on the beneficiaries. The matter is currently before the courts.

This has somehow delayed the start of phase two which Mahumepelo said will kick-in once the issue of illegal occupation is resolved.

The Rustenburg Local Municipality said it has established a R3m fire station so that Marikana residents no longer have to travel to Rustenburg to access the fire services.

The municipality is also in the process of establishing a public safety office which will provide vehicle road worthiness testing, learners licences and drivers’ licenses and many other services.

The provincial government said it wants to thanks and congratulate the people of Marikana for the prevalence of peace and stability in the area.

EFF leader, Julius Malema introduced the party’s councillor in the area and told residents gathered for the commemoration that more services will be delivered to the area.

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Picture: (EFF councillors inaugurated at Greater Taung local municipality)

BY REGINALD KANYANE

GREATER Taung local municipality held its council inauguration at Taung Hotel School and Convention Centre on Tuesday. Incumbent councillor, Ebusang Tladi was elected as a new speaker for the municipality.

The municipality was one of highly-contested during recent local government. Even though Greater Taung local municipality was a stronghold for the ruling party, most independent candidates who registered with IEC were from this municipality.

Tladi said hard work has began now. He said they will make sure that they address socio-economic issues affecting the people of Taung at large.

“It is an honour for me to be bestowed with these responsibilities. ANC saw it robust for me to lead the municipality, and I will not disappoint. We will make sure that good governance prevails. We will also build upon an effective interface between political office bearers, political structures, councillors and officials.

“We will make sure that the delegations of appropriate powers achieve maximum operational and administrative efficiency. As the speaker, councillors will be urged to conduct monthly meetings with their communities across and adhere to submit their monthly reports. They need to perform their duties and show high performance,” Tladi said.

He added that the municipality had improved in the past five years. He further said they will create job opportunities for unemployed youth and support entrepreneurship.

Tladi said they will also organise a council meeting soon to outline strategic plans going forward.

Economic Freedom Fighters regional secretary in Dr Ruth Mompati district said: “We have six councillors that will serve the people at Greater Taung local municipality. We will also make sure that our people are well-represented. Despite Taung being predominately rural, the area is rich with minerals. We want to see the diamond mine being operational in the area.”

ANC won the municipality with 64.84% and wins 34 seats. EFF received 12.26% and have six seats and F4SD received 6.6% with 3 seats.

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The community of Jan Kempdorp in the Northern Cape is still reeling in shock following the brutal killing of six-year-old Kutlwano Garesape who was stabbed with a broken bottle.

Kutlwano was trying to prevent his mother from being raped, when he got stabbed.

Kutlwano, his brother and their mother Segomotso Kutlwano were on the road going to school when they were allegedly approached by the 32-year-old Teselo Dikole, who demanded money, on Friday morning.

When they failed to produce the money, he allegedly took out a bottle and tried to rape the mother and when Kutlwano intervened, he was stabbed.

”When my child looked at him, saying ‘it’s my mother’ and tears rolling down his cheeks… he looked at him with anger and tossed him up in the air. My child fell down and landed on his side, that’s when I screamed his killing my child.”

Dikole then threw Kutlwano’s lifeless body on the railway track.

His schoolmates are in a state of shock.

Dikole appeared briefly in the Jan Kempdorp Magistrate’s Court, on charges of murder and attempted rape.

The case has been postponed until Monday for a formal bail application; he has been remanded in custody.

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

Click below to watch:

BY REGINALD KANYANE

ANC is at the verge of losing Rustenburg local municipality to novice political party, Forum for Service Delivery. Economic Freedom Fighters president, Julius Malema announced on Wednesday during press conference that they will vote for F4SD in Rustenburg.

“We are content to announce that there is no deal between EFF and ANC. We held talks with the Democratic Alliance, which is the party of white racists. They called us and highlighted that they want to talk to us about coalition. We’ve put similar conditions to DA. We wanted expropriation of the land without any compensation. However, they said they do not have power. We also asked them to nationalize mines which are predominately owned by whites.

“We also asked them to remove “The Stem” from our national anthem because it symbolizes apartheid. The EFF will be assuming its seats as oppositions. The party must earn its position in municipalities not through shortcuts,” Malema said.

He also lambasted his political party member who threatened EFF for positions. Malema said they are building EFF from the ground and through intensive programmes.

“All those who want to be in PR positions and threatened the party, we will be taking disciplinary measures against them. We will not be neutral and we will be voting for F4SD in Rustenburg. We will vote for them and not derail service delivery because of ideological differences.

“The ANC will not get a single vote from us. The DA will get our vote in Johannesburg if they adhere to one condition we’ve put to them. We do not want to occupy any position in all municipalities,” he said.

Malema said they will not co-govern and compromise the brand called EFF. He added that DA was a better devil compared to the ANC.

“There is no difference between ANC and DA because they all protect the white minority. However ANC is more corrupt compared to the ANC.”

Malema said he was impressed by F4SD.

“They committed themselves to buy school shoes for children in Rustenburg. We believe that no child should go to school without shoes. We are very grateful to be associated with people who have interest of the communities at hearts.

“We voted against the ANC on August 3 and we cannot go into bed with them. Everyone must understand in South Africa, the ANC has gone beyond 55%. Something has gone extremely wrong at ANC,” Malema said.

F4SD national convener in North West, Mbahare Kekana said they have reached an agreement with other political parties to have a minority council in Rustenburg.

Our source confirmed that F4SD mayoral candidate, Rocky Malebana Metsing might become the new mayor for Rustenburg local municipality.

The F4SD will also take over the position of speaker and other MMC positions. DA is likely to occupy MMC position for Finance and Infrastructure.

ANC failed to win Rustenburg local municipality outright and received 48.56% with 43 seats; EFF received 26.76% with 24 seats. DA received 16% with 14 seats, while F4SD received 4.06% with 4 seats.

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THREE children died after eating food at a neighbour’s house in Christiana, North West police said today.

Four children fell ill after the meal in the Utlwanang township on Monday, Lieutenant Sabata Mokwabone said in a statement.

Three of them died after they got back home. They were aged two, four, and five. The fourth victim, a six-year-old boy, was taken to hospital.

Police had opened an inquest docket.

Source: http://www.news24.com

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Caster Semenya has convincingly won her first heat of the 800 metres at the 2016 Rio Olympics on Wednesday to qualify for the semi-finals.

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

BY REGINALD KANYANE

Two suspects aged 34 and 52 will re-appear in Ganyesa Magistrate’s Court for possession of stolen property. North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said the suspects were remanded in custody after their appearance.

“They were arrested after police acted on a tip-off on Tuesday last week. They were allegedly found to be in a possession of illegal firearms in Louwna near Ganyesa. The firearms, one stun gun (used at abattoir), but modified to discharge live ammunition, three live ammunition, two home-made zip guns and four empty cartridges were found hidden inside a toilet and farming machinery respectively,” he said.

Mokgwabone said further probe revealed that the stun gun was reported to be stolen at one of the abattoirs in Vryburg back in 2008.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

MEC for rural, environment and agricultural development department, Manketsi Tlhape said the DAFF Female Entrepreneur Awards 2016 were a befitting gesture to commemorate the 60^th anniversary of the Women’s march.

Tlhape said the department was honoured to add a voice through awards to the difference made by women of 1956.

“The historic march in 1956 was the nexus in the role of women in the struggle for freedom and society at large. We are celebrating Women’s month in August as a tribute to the pioneers of the women’s movement in this country, dating back to 1913,” she said.

The DAFF FEA Awards were held in Christiana, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district to reward the efforts and contribution of women.

Tlhape said it was imperative for the department to empower women.

“We would like to use the programme to increase the participation of women, young women and women with disabilities in the sectors of agriculture, forestry & fisheries and to accentuate the significant role played by women entrepreneurs in food security, job creation, poverty alleviation and economic growth.

“We recognize the role played by all women in building our country and Bokone Bophirima Province. It is because of their strides that our government continue to make efforts in improving the living conditions at household level,” she added.

Tlhape further said it was important for women to see themselves climbing the success ladder and being in powerful positions. She encouraged them to do away with misconceptions of women in power.

“When it comes to thinking about women in powerful positions and women in power or women ‘doing it for themselves’, we are too often blinded by the daggers of the mind, infected by the mean mind bugs that mire us in the prejudices of the past.

“The awards attracted a lot of entries had 18 participants reaching the final round competing in six categories. The competitors included women in vegetable production, livestock production, broilers, processing as well as horticulture. The nine winners each emerged with R125 000 cash prize and runner-ups with R32 000 each,” she said.

The best female Farm worker category which is meant to acknowledge women who do basic work in the relevant sector and have grown in the structures of farm operations get R50 000 prize money.

The Overall winner, Tlamelo Mfaladi is a previous winner of the National Informal Markets 2009 and Young Provincial Female Farmer Category, a runner up of READ Commercial 2011 Female Entrepreneur Award. She started vegetable farming in 2007 from her family backyard on a 2.5 ha land.

She has now expanded her business to 286ha farm called Vlakfontein, near Delareyville, Tswaing Local Municipality. A joyful Tlamelo said she will further growth her business and mainly concentrate on improving the infrastructure.

Another winner, Thembeka Nyaqela of Lwazi piggery who won both the MEC Special Award and a runner up for the Top Entrepreneur processing award says the accolades have challenged her to work even harder.

“I am grateful for the recognition and appreciate the effort by our government. This just motivates me to elevate my work pace. The 32 year old Nyaqela said she will also use the opportunity to bring more young people on board and share her skills. Lwazi piggery started in 2015 and is based in Schweizer-Reneke area of Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati.

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SOME of social grant beneficiaries must now come up with alternative arrangements regarding the payment of funeral insurance premiums. This came up after South African Security Services Agency (SASSA) made amendments of the regulations of the Social Assistance Act of 2004.

SASSA spokesperson in North West, Smanga Selemeni said the amending of regulations was necessary. He added that it was a responsible step taken by SASSA and the social development department in order to protect vulnerable beneficiaries against unscrupulous financial service providers.

“The law allows for only a maximum of 10% of the grant value to be deducted. It also requires that SASSA should be informed whenever a beneficiary enters into a contract with a funeral insurance service provider. In some cases, SASSA is not involved and this results in illicit deductions which come as a surprise to the beneficiary when the next payment cycle comes. 

“This happens in cases where beneficiaries are approached and made to sign agreements that are not explained to them. Countless beneficiaries have complained to SASSA about funeral policy deductions coming off their grants without their knowledge,” Selemeni said.

He said this forced Minister Bathabile Dlamini to appoint an advisory committee which recommended a dispute resolution mechanism. Selemeni further said SASSA developed this mechanism which helps beneficiaries to report such unauthorised deductions which are investigated and resolved to a large extent.

“The new regulations are a step in the right direction and will assist in resolving unauthorised deduction disputes. Beneficiaries with funeral policies will be affected and have to take the stipulated necessary measures. Beneficiaries with direct deductions for a funeral insurance/scheme from child grants should note that the deductions will be discontinued in December 2016.

“All child grant beneficiaries should make alternative payment arrangements with their financial service providers on how premiums will be paid from December 2016 onwards. Beneficiaries having direct deductions for a funeral insurance/scheme on any social grant awarded for a period of less than twelve (12) months (temporary disability grants), should also note that the deductions will discontinue in December 2016,” he said. 

Semeleni said older persons, war veterans or a permanent disability grant and would like to have the premiums for funeral policy/scheme deducted directly from their grant to visit the nearest SASSA office to give permission in writing and in person for these deductions to go through.

He said if they are unable to visit the SASSA office, they can contact SASSA on 0800 60 10 11 or 018 3894191 to make alternative arrangements such as home visits for frail people.

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