All channels that existed before on dealing will a matter between Oakbay accounts and four major banks will be activated, Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan told listeners of Power FM on Sunday evening.

Gordhan was responding to questions that were asked by caller during his live interview with Onkgopotse Tabane on Power Perspective. Caller wanted to know what Treasury was doing to try and solve the decision of the banks to close down Oakbay accounts.

In his responds, Minister said that Treasury will assist where it can, and it will go out of its way in doing that. An irritated Minister lambasted Oakbay employees who took the opportunity and said they were ganging-up against him.

“I am surprised that you are using a Talk Show to resolve the matter. There is a confidential and contractual relationship between banks and their clients, which follows national and international banking regulations,” he added.

When Gordhan was asked whether he did help the company or not seeing that the company was still in the same situation as before, an agitated minister told the power perspective host JJ Tabane that he can’t make assumptions going as far as accusing him of taking sides.

A clearly angry Gordhan told Tabane that he didn’t want to engage any further on the matter saying that proper meeting will be conducted to deal with the matter.

Four top SA banks Standard Bank, Absa, FNB and Nedbank “all gang up” against Oakbay Investments and closed accounts company earlier this year without giving them any reason.

Meanwhile, Parliament’s standing committee on finance, through its chairperson Yunus Carrim, had expressed its solidarity with employees of Oakbay and their dependants. However, Carrim said that they had to exercise caution regarding the dispute between the banks and Oakbay.

‘We are concerned about the plight of Oakbay employees and we express our solidarity with you and your dependents. We certainly do not want to see you adversely affected in any way,” Carrim said.

“It is perhaps best that our committee exercises caution on taking the matter forward,” he said.

Absa corporate and investment banking CEO Phakamani Hadebe also sympathised with Oakbay employees after a march on the banks in April.

“We have carefully considered it (a memorandum) and we sympathise with the position of Oakbay employees. We are required by law to keep client matters confidential and can only discuss related matters with them,” Hadebe said.

Comments from Minister Pravin Gordhan were not available by the time of publication.
Source: http://www.ann7.com

INCORRECT information provided by employers caused backlog for more than 1000 Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) at North West labour department.

UIF manager at provincial office, Selete Qhamakoane said they have now established a team of specialists to unpack the backlog.

“We are struggling to process the applications due to incorrect information supplied by employers. We want to resolve this matter and pay beneficiaries. Some of the applications are dating as far as last year. And most of them involve maternity applications.

“It means that mothers went on maternity leave and they never got paid by UIF. We urge employers to provide correct information as this hinders the process,” Qhamakoane said.

Provincial spokesperson, Orpa Mathabe said if the information provided differs with the one on their database, the application will automatically be rejected.

“This causes challenges because we need to send the applicants back to the employer to rectify the information. Also this leads to the backlog and beneficiaries end up not getting paid.

“We will send out our team of employer auditors to go and assist employers who struggle to fill the forms. We are also embarking on advocacy sessions in various Malls around North West from June to September,” Mathabe said.

She further said this was an attempt to reach out to employers. Mathabe added that employers also need to note that this is an interim intervention.

“They need to contact any labour department office nearer to them if they experience any challenges. Employers can also contact our office on (018) 387 8100 to get more details,” she said.

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

taungdailynews@gmail.com

MEC of community safety and transport, Dr Mpho Motlhabane met with livestock owners at Taung Agricultural College in Taung on Friday. Motlhabane said they aimed at addressing the stock theft matter because that affects the economy of the province.

“We know that North West province is mostly pre-dominated by rural areas. So our people rely on livestock to survive and improve their lives. We met with them to come up with strategic plans in eliminating livestock theft.

“We encouraged them to mark or tattooed their livestock. They must also have a forum that addresses their issues. The forum will work closely with our stock theft unit in policing department,” he said.

However a livestock owner from Dryharts village, Tsiamiso Goitsemodimo, 44 said he lost many goats through theft. Goitsemodimo said police were not helpful after he opened a case.

“I think police are not competent enough in fighting stock theft. I opened a case after my slaughtered goats were found in the suspects’ vehicle on N18 back in 2014.

“I positively identified those slaughtered goats after they were stolen in Choseng village. The case was opened against the suspects. However I do not know what happened to that case now,” he said.

-TDN

Follow us Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

taungdailynews@gmail.com

LOCAL government and human settlements department has set aside R13m to support municipalities in upgrading their disaster management and fire services in order to render efficient and effective service delivery, MEC Fenny Gaolaolwe said.

She said all disaster management centres should comply with safety regulations. Gaolalolwe added that they will provide the fire stations with necessary equipments.

“The department has allocated R1 675 millions to the Mahikeng local municipality to procure fire fighting uniforms, protective clothing and ICT equipments such as computers and printers. This will help in an effort to build a capacitated station and reduce the risks in communities.

“This follows the assessment by our department. It was revealed that there is non-compliance with the legislative guidelines in line with uniforms and protective clothing as well as basic ICT equipments,” Gaolaolwe said.

She said they have also identified the need for a disaster management satellite office in Tshidilamolomo in Ratlou local municipality.

“There are number of fire incidents occurred from nearby areas. We bought uniforms for our firefighters worth R1m. I also want to appeal to our personnel at fire stations to be committed. They are expected to respond to calls for emergency assistance on time.

“Proper disaster preparedness is about much more than giving emergency officials the tools they need. The communities must also create emergency protocols. They also need to be explained carefully to the residents,” Gaolaolwe said.

Mahikeng local municipality mayor, Gosiame Seatlholo said the equipments will assist to fight fire breaks.

“Schools can be especially susceptible to crises. Emergency officials must make it a priority to provide school officials with the information they need to be prepared for an emergency. We welcome the support from local government and human settlements department,” Seatlholo said.

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

taungdailynews@gmail.com

A PROFESSIONAL doctor, Obakeng Mfikwe encouraged the youth to participate in farming. Mfikwe said this during the youth award ceremony at Lichtenburg on Friday.

Mfikwe joined farming back in 2009. He exchanged his stethoscope to become a livestock farmer.

“We need to encourage the youth to be part of farming industry. I attribute my success as a livestock farmer to the study group I belong to. Participating at various agricultural shows and sharing ideas assisted me a lot. We also shared ideas and experiences with fellow farmers,” he said.

“The young farmers contribute meaningfully to the economy of the country. They also help in shaping the vision of agricultural sector towards prosperity,” he said.

MEC of rural, environment and agricultural development, Manketsi Tlhape said the agriculture seen as not being cool amongst the youth. However Tlhape said they need to change the mindset.

She said they challenged the youth to participate in agriculture as the industry is viable.

Tlhape awarded five youth those who showed their pedigree within the industry during the award ceremony.

“We encourage the youth to be part of revolution. They can make a lot of money within the industry. So the time is now for you to get your hands dirty. The majority of the youth regard agriculture simply not cool or attractive.

“Mostly think of it only as back-breaking labour. However the industry economical pays-off. There is also a room for career advancement. With an ageing population of farmers, it’s clear that agriculture needs to attract more young people,” Tlhape said.

“We have empowerment programmes towards youth and women. We also transformed the agriculture sector. The 40% of what we allocate benefits youth and women. We have also resuscitated our program within our agricultural department which is YARD.

“In every allocation we make, I intervene to make sure 40% is available to projects run by youth and women. We are having these awards to recognise those who showed effort in the industry,” she said.

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

taungdailynews@gmail.com

There has been plenty of speculation in recent weeks regarding the playing personnel at Naturena for the new season, with matters being amplified after the club announced that up to 20 players could be leaving.

Now, with the 2016/17 Absa Premiership campaign on the horizon, the Amakhosi have revealed a whole host of new faces that they are hoping will help try and turnaround their misfortunes from the 2015/16 season.

Chiefs finished fifth in Komphela’s first year in charge, failing to win a single piece of silverware, though they will be keen to put that all behind them with the help of their new stars.

Chiefs’ New Signings:
Sbu Khumalo
Enocent Mkhabela
Edmore Chirambadare
Mitchell Katsvairo
Lewis Macha
Rama Mphahlele
Keagan Buchanan

They also confirmed the promotion of Emmanuel Letlotlo.

While only the eight new names have now been officially confirmed, Chiefs are expected to add a couple more faces to their roster before the window slams shut in August.

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

MORE than 35 000 Grade 12 pupils will participate on winter school camps across the province. MEC for education and sport department, Sello Lehari said the department has set aside R6 873 690 for the program.

“We want to ensure that the winter school camp program run effectively. We have identified 68 venues to accommodate the pupils and teachers. The winter school camps are intended to assist and prepare pupils to be able to deal with areas which they did not understand in their classes.

“This will enable them to write legibly and think critically during their final examinations. I am glad in which the mid-year examination process has unfolded. I also want to commend our educators,” he said.

Lehari added that teachers showed professionalism. He further said he was confident that pupils will perform well during their final examinations.

“The winter school camps are like a golden opportunity served to pupils. So they need to embrace it and work hard. Pupils should not be afraid to indicate their problematic areas. There will be experts in various subjects to assist them.

“Parents are urged to also assist pupils to focus on their school work during holidays. The schools will resume on July 18. The winter school camps program will benefit 35 519 Grade 12 pupils in the province,” he said.

Lehari said they had a silky mid-year examination process. He added that the mid-year examinations assisted teachers.

“Teachers observed if pupils have understood the work done so far. So they will help them based on the syllabus. This is very imperative in preparing them for final examinations,” Lehari said.

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

taungdailynews@gmail.com

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

-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

taungdailynews@gmail.com

The South African Senior Women’s National Team, Banyana Banyana, will face New Zealand as part of preparations for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

The clash is scheduled to take place in Brazil on Thursday, 28 July – just six days before South Africa’s opening match against Sweden (Wednesday, 3 August 2016).

The venue and time for the New Zealand fixture are yet to be announced.

The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana has had perhaps some of the best preparation in recent years. They have been in and out of camp since November last year (2015), where they played Cameroon (friendly) and Botswana (African Women’s Championship qualifier) along the way.

Head coach Vera Pauw is delighted with how things have gone.

“The start of the last phase of preparations was when we faced Zimbabwe in an international friendly. Then we wanted a top team, but not from the top five in the world, just something in the middle that is not too high for us to handle. Fortunately we were able to play The Netherlands. The USA is the next step,” said Pauw.

“We build it up from top Africa, to sub-top in the world (Holland) to the very top, USA – this is the biggest game you can imagine. We might be hammered by a huge margin, even though I don’t think that will happen, but even then it is still worthwhile to get that experience now than at the Olympics. After the USA we will play New Zealand, which is the same kind of pressure but their football level is just a little bit lower than the USA. So that is the buildup from the bottom to the top – it’s a perfect build-up for the Olympics.”

South African and the USA meet Saturday, 9 July Saturday, 9 July at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Kickoff is at 19h00 South African time.

With the USA top of the Women’s World ranking, and being current World Champions, Pauw says she is looking forward to the clash.

“We will see against the USA, we have never played at that level, but we are preparing for it and we are doing everything we can to give them a good game. We will see if it is too high, but on the other hand at the Olympics we will face Brazil, which is just two places lower than USA, so we have to be ready – and the only way is to play these games,” added Pauw.

The South Africans recently returned from The Netherlands where they lost two international friendly matches against the host nation (1-0 and 2-0) – but Pauw believes they learnt a lot as they near the end of their preparations for Rio.

“It was a tremendous time out there – because it was more about less time on the ball, less space for action. I am happy that we could cope for the majority of the game, although The Netherlands was better because of their experience. They have been to the World Cup and the European Championships. They are 13th in the world, we are 54th, and some of our players have been to the Olympics while most have never played at the level of Holland,” said the South African mentor.

“The focus is more about keeping our concentration on the task at hand. You can’t drop it at any moment because at that level you get punished immediately. Under the pressure of less time and space this is very difficult. No one can concentrate fully for 90 min plus additional time. Experience makes you totally being focused on the key moments of your task.”

– New Zealand is ranked 16th in the world

– Have been to three World Cup tournaments – 2007, 2011, 2015

– They qualified for the last two Olympics Games – 2008, 2012

– They are in Group G at the 2016 Games alongside USA, Colombia and France

– At the Olympics, they are the only representatives from Oceania Football Confederation (OFC)

Upcoming Banyana Banyana Fixtures:

vs USA
International Friendly
Saturday, 9 July 2016
Soldier Field
19h00 SA time

vs New Zealand
International Friendly
Thursday, 28 July 2016
Venue TBC
Time TBC

Rio Olympic Games

Wednesday 03 August
Sweden vs South Africa
Olympic Stadium
13h00 (18h00 SA Time)

Saturday 06 August
South Africa vs China
Olympic Stadium
19h00 (12h00 midnight SA Time)

Tuesday 09 August
South Africa vs Brazil
Amazonia Arena (Manaus)
21h00 (02h00 Wednesday, 10 Aug SA Time)
-TDN

Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_

taungdailynews@gmail.com