JOHANNESBURG – The future of Generations hangs in the balance.
South Africa’s most-watched soapie airs for the last time on Tuesday night.
For more http://www.enca.com
Mahikeng Supa Drift Series A Success
Mahikeng is about to be known for great and unique things. The capital city of North West Province hosted the 2nd Supa Drift Series from 26 – 27 September 2014, in the parking area of the Mmabatho Stadium.
The event which ignited excitement to people of Mahikeng, families and visitors drew crowd of almost 6000 people which were able to view the spectacular drifting show and also visit the flea market and food stalls which were set up by local SMME’s.
The Supa Drift Series had 30 professional drifters participating from Cape Town, Durban, Eastern Cape, Gauteng and other areas around the country.
“This is the second motor sport initiative we are seeing in the province, we want to rebrand, renew and reposition Mahikeng as a vibrant and event filled Capital City and attract more visitors to the province,” said the MEC for the Department of Economy and Enterprise Development, Wendy Nelson.
The event was held in partnership with the Bakgatla ba Kgafela Tribal Council and Ultrapex Communication with the aim of creating tourism footprint and growth of small and thriving businesses in the North West province.
The family orientated weekend was full of fun and entertainment and benefited both local small businesses as well as the enthusiastic drifting fans.
Nelson applauded Rolance Molapisi, a young and local qualified drifter and professional racer, to have partnered with the Department to bring such a great and innovative event in the Province. Molapisi a young and good will product of Mahikeng saw the initiative as a flagship for tourism and economic spin off for the province.
“The words uttered by Molapisi “my dream started four years ago right here at this stadium parking lot. I have traveled a long journey to get where I am now and excited to share my dream career with local young people and urge them not to view this kind sport as a farfetched dream, said Rolence.
He further said that he is in a process of opening a drifting club to develop emerging drifters by offering training and share skills to young people who want to venture into this scare motorsport career.
Rolence thanked his professional mentor, Mike Skelton for introducing him to this prestigious sport and giving him the platform to bring such initiative to Mahikeng.
Mike said that he is thrilled by support and commitment shown by the MEC and her Departmental staff for making this event a roaring success.
“My team is overjoyed by the spirit and love they received from the people of Mahikeng and looking forward to bringing the event again next year and this time the venue would be the Mahikeng Airport. We are in the process of building and transferring the skill to Rolence so that after 3years he can own and operate the franchise and be able to host the event on his own” concluded Mike.
MEC Nelson highlighted that with this kind of sport event; the Department wants to create young entrepreneurs who can come up with unique and fresh ideas which will contribute to the value chain of growing the economy of the province.
The Supadrift Series is one of the activities which the Department is venturing into that is aimed at creating awareness and great ambition for local products.
The competition ended with a tough fight for pole position with Paolo Gouveia taking 1st place, Jason Webb taking 2nd place and Shane Gutzeit taking the 3rd place.
The event was preceded by visits to nearby schools and motor-cate as part of creating hype for the event.
Learners were taken through a short demonstration of what will be happening and were urged not practice illegal drifting on the streets. MEC expressed her gratitude to the people of Mahikeng and other role players to have supported the event and encourage them to continue to have the spirit of “Saamtrek and Saamwerk” to reposition Mahikeng.
The MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Gaoage Molapisi pledged his support towards the event and said that his Department will partner with Economy and Enterprise Development in the hosting of this event next year.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_
Vryburg Hitch-hiker arrested for drugs
By Obakeng Maje
Vryburg- A 53-year-old Sthembiso Nkala appeared in Vryburg Magistrates Court on Monday for being in possession of drugs.
The accused was arrested on Friday at a hiking spot in Vryburg.
“The apprehension came after members received a tip-off and followed up information about the alleged possession of drugs that were in possession of the suspect who was hiking to got to Kuruman. Upon arrival at the hiking spot, the suspect was seen taking the bag that was allegedly hidden in the dustbin and got into a car” colonel Sabata Mokgwabone said.
The car was stopped and upon search, the accused was found in possession of a black bag containing more than 500 Mandrax tablets with estimated street value of R40 000.
The case has been remanded until 6 October 2014, and the suspect will remain in custody until, next appearance.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_
ANC at weakest point in its history – Malema
Polokwane – Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has taken a swipe at the African National Congress and President Jacob Zuma, saying the ANC is no longer relevant.
For more http://www.news24.com
N West premier’ Setsokotsane programme ready to hit municipalities
Mahikeng- The North West Provincial Coordinating Council (NWPCC) has during its special sitting held today in Mahikeng endorsed the implementation of Setsokotsane, a programme initiated by Premier Supra Mahumapelo to pull government resources together in addressing local service delivery challenges without delay.
The NWPCC comprises the Provincial MECs, Executive Mayors, Mayors, Heads of Departments, Municipal Managers, Chief Financial Officers, and is chaired by the Premier Mahumapelo.
Targeted for launching and rolling out during the month of October 2014, Setsokotsane programme will see the Premier, MECs and Mayors visiting all local municipalities over a period of four months during which integrated planning will be enforced, while also solving local communities’ problems on the spot.
Taking the NWPCC through the objectives and key deliverables of the programme, Premier Mahumapelo said it seeks to address incoherent approach to planning, implementation and monitoring of government services and projects in the Province.
Other activities that will be incorporated into this programme include amongst others, the establishment of a sector-base database for Small Medium Micro Enterprises (SMME) and taking stock of collapsed government projects in various wards, for possible resuscitation.
“There is a need for us to move away from convention, and we are positive that the implementation of Setsokotsane will contribute meaningfully towards the realisation of the conceived strategy of Rebranding, Repositioning and Renewal of the Province”.
“We will immediately consult all stakeholders including the traditional leadership and public and private sectors about this programme because their commitment and pledge to this initiative is important for the realisation of the programme’s objectives,” said Premier Mahumapelo, who maintained that as a unique programme to the Province, Setsokotsane has great potential for local job creation opportunities and entrepreneurship.
Setsokotsane – a Setswana word which means whirlwind – will be launched in Ngaka Modiri Molema District in October, and will thereafter be taken to Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Bojanala Platinum Districts.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_
Crime prevention campaign intensified in Dr Ruth Mompati District
By Obakeng Maje
Vryburg- The Naledi Community Against Crime Organisation vow to fight crime in Dr Segomotsi Mompati district and make the area a crime-free district.
Chairperson of Naledi Community Against Crime Organisation Seisho Shorane told Vaaltar FM that their planning to launch an anti-crime body in the district that will work hand-in-hand with police.
“We will be launching an anti-crime organisation in Tlakgameng village, as our plan is to amalgamate all anti-crime organisations in Dr Segomotsi Mompati District in November 2014” he said.
According to Shorane, the organisation will be called Bophirima District Community Against Crime.
The Naledi Community Against Crime patrol was launched in Vryburg area and their visibility has reduced crime in the CBD.
Shorane said they have installed cameras at the hotspots areas and since then, they have reaped the reward.
There are various crimes taking place in our district, like for in case in Taung they experience livestock theft and smash and grab mostly and in Vryburg House-breaking is an issue.
“By working hand-in-hand with other representatives from different areas, that will help because most criminals do not operate within their area. Some move around and uses other areas as ajourns for their criminal activities” Shorane said.
Pudumoe Police Station spokesperson sergeant Tebogo Thebe said they support the notion and believe this will be the best initiative. “We are aware that Crime affects society in different ways, and our view remains that we will only be able to address crime if we work together from an individual to the community at large” he said.
Thebe said they are very thankful to those people who volunteer to be part of Community Policing Forums as their involvement goes a long way in decreasing crime. “We will continue to forge relationships with NGOs, or any organised Community so that we can fight Crime together and with partnerships, we hope will continue growing and making an impact on our core mandate of Crime reduction” concludes Thebe.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_
N West woman escape a raging fire
By Obakeng Maje
Potchefstroom- A 60-year-old woman escaped injury this afternoon after a veld fire trapped her in her home on a farm 30km outside of Potchefstroom, North West Province.
ER24 as well as provincial fire services received the emergency call for assistance and immediately responded to the farm.
“Once on the scene, rescue workers discovered the route blocked by a raging veld fire. Fire services battled for some time to get the blaze under control before the woman could be rescued” Er24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said.
Fortunately the son of the trapped woman was able to reach his mother before she sustained any harm.
A fire fighting helicopter was called in to assist in fighting the blaze.
The cause of the incident is not yet known but local authorities are on scene for further investigations.-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_
Ventersdorp- A proposal to turn murdered AWB leader Eugene Terre’Blanche’s home in Ventersdorp into a heritage site was rejected at a meeting of the North West heritage council, the Sowetan reported on Monday.
The proposal was announced by heritage council leader Themba Gwabeni, who said Terre’Blanche and his party were part of South Africa’s history.
Everybody had the right to celebrate their heritage, including the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB).
The SA Communist Party in the province said this was insulting and Terre’Blanche was not a hero.
Terre’Blanche, who opposed racial integration, was convicted of attempted murder and assault of a worker. One of his farmworkers murdered him in 2010.
SACP North West secretary Madoda Sambatha said people still lived with the scars of his actions, and many white people, including Afrikaners, were ashamed of him.
“We call on our own government and our ANC not to even start any debate around that proposal,” said Congress of SA Trade Unions North West secretary Solly Phetoe.
Gwabeni was an African National Congress municipal mayor for the Ngaka Modiri Molema district and defected to Cope after taking the ANC to court when it put the municipality under administration.
The AWB refused to comment, but conceded it intended to have its former leader’s house declared a heritage monument.
Sapa
Severe thunderstorms expected in SA
Johannesburg – Severe thunderstorms are expected in several provinces across the country on Monday, the SA Weather Service said.
These included a 60 percent chance of thunderstorms in Gauteng, the north-eastern parts of the Free State, the eastern parts of the North West, the Mpumalanga highveld, the south-western parts of Limpopo, and the extreme western parts of KwaZulu-Natal, said forecaster Dithuso Mogapi.
A 30 percent chance of showers was also expected in Gauteng on Tuesday morning.
However, the rainy weather conditions would clear up in the rest of the affected provinces by Tuesday.
Sapa
N West elderlies share their cultural knowledge with youth
Matloding- Grey haired elderlies of Matloding in Ngaka Modiri Molema said young people have forsaken old traditional ways of marriage, child rearing and healthy food. They were sharing indigenous information to more than 200 young people at an intergenerational heritage celebration held in the area to mark the closure of Heritage month.
Ngwanamodimo Seitlhobogile, 84, said for young people to have sustainable life they should adopt the old system of marriage and respect their parents.
“It is unfortunate that our daughters have boyfriends these days who do not follow our traditional ways where the parents would meet to discuss their union,” Seitlhobogile said, adding that young people should be provided with parental care especially when they are in the puberty stage.
During the celebration North West MEC for Social Development Fenny Gaolaolwe handed over blankets, food parcels and fruit basket to 200 destitute families. Gaolaolwe said residents must use the services of social workers to access departmental social assistance.
“It is time we fast-track service delivery in most deprived wards. Our plans are at an advanced stage to launch Semelelang bakery owned by rural women,” Gaolaolwe said.
Meanwhile Kgosi Lekoko urged young women to respect tax payers money by stop misusing child support grants to play solitaire cards. These grants, Kgosi Lekoko said are meant to take care of needy children not for gambling purposes. He said the tribal authority and the residents have decided to call a meeting and decide on steps to be taken against those who misuse government social assistance grants.
The elderlies, especially grannies clad in their traditional attire spent most the better hours of the day by telling old stories, serving indigenous food, traditional beer and showcased wooden utensils.
-TDN
Follow us on Twitter@Taung_DailyNews or @IceT_
The Guardian 