Mashaba names starting 11 for Burkina Faso clash


Johannesburg- South African Men’s U20 National Team (Amajita) head coach, Shakes Mashaba, has announced his starting eleven for the international friendly match against Burkina Faso to be played tonight (Wednesday, 23 July) at the Stade du 4 Août in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Kickoff is at 18h00 local time in Ouagadougou (20h00 SA time).

The encounter will be preceded by a semi-final cup competition clash between two local sides EFO and ASFA-Y.

Jethren Barr will be in goal for Amajita, with the defence made up of Bongani Mathabela, Aubrey Maphosa captain Ayabulela Maqgwaka and Madisha Motjeka.

“Operating from the midfield will be Tlotlo Leepile, Siphelele Luthuli, Pule Maraisane and Skhumbuzo Mazibuko while Fagrie Lakay and Tshepo Liphoko will play upfront” Matlhomola Morake said.

Bandile Shandu and Thembinkosi Mbamba have been ruled out of the match due to injury.

“The South Africans are in West Africa to prepare for the 2015 African Youth Championships qualifier against Cameroon on Saturday, 16 August in Yaounde” Morake said.

They will play four matches, starting with Burkina Faso. Next in line is Mali on Saturday, 26 July in Bamako, followed by Senegal and Ivory Coast.

SA U20 line-up vs Burkina Faso: Jethren Barr, Bongani Mathabela, Aubrey Maphosa, Madisha Modjeka, Ayabulela Magqwaka (C), Pule Maraisane, Sphelele Luthuli, Tlotlo Leepile, Skhumbuzo Mazibuko, Tshepo Liphoko and Fagrie Lakay.

Subs: Jody February, Dumisani Msibi, Yagan Sasman, Denwin Farmer, Ryan Christian, Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, Dikgang Ngcobo.

Match Officials: (all from Burkina Faso)
Referee – Ouedraogo Boukari
Ass 1 – Sessouma Drissa
Ass 2 – Ouedraogo Christian
4th Official – Sanogo Boureima
-TDN
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MEC Masike to unveil 20 ambulances


Mahikeng- MEC Dr Magome Masike will unveil 20 more new ambulances to improve response time in the North West Province.

This is in addition to 10 obstetric ambulances released early this year to exclusively transport pregnant women.

The developments come as the department charts ways to aggressively respond to the plight of communities and to improve response time to medical emergencies.

A total of R14 million has been set aside to purchase 30 more ambulances during this financial year. A further R84.25 million will be channeled towards Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) Satellite Stations and a new planned patient transport model.

“To augment the 165 public health ambulances, the department has entered into a fee per service agreement with 16 private ambulance operators to ferry patients during emergencies. Private ambulance operators are only utilized when a state ambulance is not immediately available to respond to an emergency call. This is to ensure that service recipients are not in any way compromised by the unavailability of ambulance” departmental spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane said.

Ambulances in the province ferry about 16000 patients per month.

The unveiling of these ambulances scheduled to take place as follows:

Date: 24 July 2014

Time: 13:00

Venue: Provincial office, Health department

New Office Park, behind the Crossing Mall (Mahikeng) 
-TDN
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MEC Wendy Matsemela to visits trapped schools in Dr Ruth Mompati


By Obakeng Maje
Vryburg- The MEC for Education & Sports Development in the North West Province, Wendy Matsemela will be engaged with principals of underperforming schools in the province.

The meeting will be held as follows:

Venue: Hoerskool Vryburg (Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district)
Date: Friday, 25 July 2014
Time: 11:00

“The purpose of the meeting will be to track academic progress and to reassure of departmental moral support to all identified 33 schools” departmental spokesperson Brian Setswambung said.
-TDN
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Striving to keep Setswana Culture relevant to the Youth


Mahikeng- Statistics reveal that Setswana culture and the language is gradually diminishing in South Africa. Again, Setswana is least passed subject amongst learners, who study the subject.

“This is a sad reality we are faced with and the Department of Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs (DCATA) is hard at work to restore Setswana Tradition and Culture back into society where it belongs,” said MEC for DCATA Mme Tebogo Modise.

These words were uttered during the Barolong Boo Rra Tlou Ba Ga Seitshiro “Tsosoloso ya Ngwao Boswa” Cultural event held in Madibogo over the past weekend.

Barolong Boo Seitshiro under the leadership of Kgosi Phoi in partnership with the Department lead proceedings in celebration of Barolong history to urge elders, Traditional Leadership and historians to share and document cultural knowledge available for future reference.

“The objective of hosting such events is to promote cultural tourism through heritage and indigenous knowledge systems as well as promote and honour cultural heritage of Batswana and other indigenous communities in the Province”, said MEC Modise.

The day saw speakers sharing their knowledge regarding history of Barolong Boo Seitshiro with the community especially the youth and how they settled in Madibogo. They also spoke of how westernisation has taken over the lives of current generations, that they have lost focus on tradition and the way of life, which has led to diseases youngsters are prone to today.

Dignitaries who attended the event included Kgosi Seatlholo, Kgosi Letlhogile, Kgosi Moshoete, Kgosi Mokgakolodi, Kgosi Suping, Kgosi Mabe and Ratlou Local Municipality’s Mayor amongst others.

The Department has identified possible places of Heritage in the area and will be back to research further. This will assist classifying them in different categories such as National, Provincial or Local heritage sites and will attract tourism within the North West Province.

“The Department is also in talks of partnership with Botswana to promote arts and culture, as well as to re-ignite the passion of our culture amongst the youth which we hope will bring forth pride,” concluded MEC Modise.-TDN
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Two Pampierstad suspects charged with murder


By Obakeng Maje
Pampierstad Magistrate’s Court denied bail after they appeared in court in connection of murder.

Benjamin Mongale,27, and Thapelo Modise,28, were subsequently arrested on Tuesday last week after one of community members informed the police about their crime activities. Police acted swiftly and according to the preliminary investigations, two suspects were sought for armed robbery and house breaking.

“Police were tipped-off about two suspects who were in possession of stolen firearms. The police arrested two suspects and they appeared before Pampierstad Magistrate Court on Monday” lieutenant Donald Mdhluli said.

The two were remanded in custody and police said the two are linked to other cases including murder.

A murder charge was added to Mongale and Modise and they facing other charges of attempted murder, assault, house breaking and being possesion of firearms after they allegedly pounced on a 40 year-old farmer at the nearby farm and tied him up before stealing 10 sheep worth R9000.

Lieutenant Donald Mdhluli said the two suspects were allegedly found in possession of stolen firearms and one of the firearms belonged to a police officer, and was stolen in July during House Breaking.

They appeared before magistrate court on Tuesday for formal bail application.

Police said the suspects found in possession of 9 sheep carcasses after they slaughtered them.

Modise and Mongale are also linked to a murder case of a taxi owner who was killed in Pampierstad.

The court postponed the case to 29 July 2014.

Lieutenant Colonel Aubrey Domingo, the Hartswater Acting Cluster Commander, has thanked the community members that provided information that led to the arrest of the two suspects and the confiscation of the two firearms.

He indicated that the community has played a vital role in this arrest and they must continue to do so as the police will not disappoint them. He further thanked the SAPS members for their swift arrest and encouraged them to keep up the good work.-TDN
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Nkandla probe ongoing – presidency


Johannesburg – The investigation by the SIU into upgrades to President Jacob Zuma’s private home in Nkandla was still ongoing, the presidency said on Tuesday.

The investigation ensued after Zuma signed a proclamation authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe the public works department’s “prestige project” at Nkandla.

The presidency said the probe was one of 27 which were still ongoing following proclamations signed by the president.

In a report released in March, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela found Zuma and his family had unduly benefited from the R246m spent on security upgrades to his private home in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal.

Zuma declined to respond to Madonsela’s report in full within the required fortnight. Instead he said he would wait for the SIU’s findings on the same issue.

The president had undertaken to hand National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete a comprehensive report on the outcome of three separate investigations into state spending on his home by the end of Wednesday last week.

However, on Thursday last week, his spokesperson Mac Maharaj said the president needed more information before responding to findings about his home.

SAPA

Taung councillor accused of ‘habitual nepotism’ as residents want him out


By Obakeng Maje
Taung- The perverse behavior of Ward 2 councillor, Toloki Tlhaganyane continues to abrade the Ward 2 communities and they want him out.

A wayward councillor was accused of nepotism yet again, this time by Moretele and Ntshwanahatse village residents. According Concern Group representatives, there is a paving project that is about to commerce in four villages that form Ward 2.

Tlhaganyane allegedly hired his own friends who does not appear in the hiring list. The Concern Group representative Kondani Koloane said Tlhaganyane does not co-operate.

“There are people who are working currently in a cleaning project and were not hired from the onset. The hiring criteria here is, all residents go to Local Tribal Authority and submit their names. All names will be put in a box, and those who their names were picked up, they get the job” he outlines.

Koloane said the agreement was no worker must walk more than 2 Km to reach their working location, but the are people who stay in Moretele village, but working in Khaukhwe.

The residents said what irked them is that, the ward councillor does not want hear any of their grievances and that is provoking.

The meeting to iron out this issue was suppose to be held on Tuesday with Public Works department, but became futile because of time-conflict.

Tlhaganyane was approached by our crew to get his side of the story, but affronted councillor demanded to know who told us about this allegations and who our sources are.

Our crew asked if he ever heard about the allegations, Tlhaganyane confessed that he is aware of them but he could not respond until he know who our sources are. We told him that we have no choice, but speak to Greater Taung Municipality Speaker, Delilwe Zethi as it is difficult to ascertain with him.

The upset councillor stormed out of the Office throwing tantrums and told journalists to go as far as they want because he do not care. He even assured us that he is not afraid of Zethi or whoever within the Greater Taung municipality.

“We have to meet with councillor Tlhaganyane to hear his side of the story and we will take it from there. We will deal with his conduct if what you telling me is true because that is misconduct” Speaker Delilwe Zethi said.

Councillor Tlhaganyane is not new to controversy and he once crossed swords with councillor Lekoko Mahura. He was also accused of the same matter of ‘nepotism’ during water pipes project in the area, however Greater Taung municipality intervention solved the issue.

North West premier Supra Mahumapelo said during SOPA that all public servants need to adhere to the masses’ grievances and all those who found at the wrong side of the law will be dealt with.-TDN
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MEC sends her heartfelt condolences to Tau’s family in Naaupoort


Naaupoort- North West MEC for Social Development Fenny Gaolaolwe on Tuesday sympathised with Tau family at Naaupoort following the gruesome murder of the 83 year-old Semela Tau on Sunday.

According to the family member who could not be named for fear of victimisation, the suspect allegedly broke the window of the granny’s bedroom to gain entrance. He allegedly raped and throttle the granny until she died. The minor hid himself in the wardrobe and survived to tell the tale.

On Tuesday MEC Gaolaolwe accompanied by MEC for Public Safety and Transport Management Oageng Molapisi comforted the family and assured them government support.

During the visit Gaolaolwe said social workers have, since Monday offered trauma counselling to the minor who was with the granny at the time of the incident. She said family members are also receiving trauma counselling.

“Depending on the home circumstance report to be compiled by the social workers we deployed here, we will see to it that we provide grocery and other social assistance to the family through our social relief of distress programme,” Gaolaolwe said.

Meanwhile MEC Molapisi advised the family members not to take the law into their own hands and allow the law to take its course.

“Every day, very hour, every 30 seconds gruesome acts of violence are being perpetuated against the vulnerable groups of our people especially women and children. We condemn this heinous act,” Molapisi said, adding that residents should support the local community policing forum and safety forum in the area.

Local headman Mathew Jongani said they really need protection at Naaupoort and the surrounding villages.

It was reported that community members apprehended the suspect and held him ransom at the late granny’s house, threatening to torch him before the police arrived. They later handed over the suspect to the police after long deliberations.

The suspect was arrested and put in custody at Mooifontein while the investigation continues.-TDN
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North West MEC for Finance and Enterprise Development retables Provincial Appropriation Bill


The North West MEC for Finance and Enterprise Development Wendy Nelson has today retabled the Provincial Appropriation Bill before the North West Provincial Legislature.

This is in line with the announcements made by the Premier with regard to the reconfiguration of the provincial administration which affected a number of functions in the province as well as the allocations that were made as per Appropriation Bill that was tabled on 11 March 2014.

The MEC said the Executive Council considered it necessary to undertake a comprehensive re-alignment process of the budget to the plans and programmes of the new administration and thereby having the Old Appropriation Bill withdrawn and tabling the new Appropriation Bill.

“The budget proposals that I am presenting to this August House are informed by the National Development Plan, the Medium Term Strategic Framework, the State of the Nation Address and State of the Province Address makes provision for the following allocations in line with the proclamation”, she said.

The MEC wishes to reiterate that no additional funds were given to the province but the province has to reprioritize the initially allocated R31,8 billion to allow the smooth transition of the reconfigured departments.-TDN
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NOMBULELO HLATHI BACK ON STRICTLY COME DANCING


Mahikeng- After coming off fifth best during Season 6 of Strictly Come Dancing in 2013, the diminutive but nimble footed Nombulelo Hlathi is back on the set of the popular television reality show with a new partner John Mametsa, a former rugby player.

Strictly Come Dancing returned to the screens last week Friday, on 18 July 2014.

North West Province is once more represented by the gorgeous Nombulelo Hlathi, a Professional Latin American dancer and a dance teacher at Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation. Nobulelo was also the dance teacher of Botlhale Boikanyo, who at 12 years old was the winner of the reality competition SA’s Got Talent.

“Another North West Province dancer on the show is Mary Martin, a former winner of Strictly Come Dancing now dancing with comedian Donovan Goliath” Trinity Bogosi said.

The popular live entertainment reality show is a presentation of a dance floor battles between the country’s celebrities each paired with a professional dancer to impress both the judges and audience for the votes to with the ultimate prize.

“With the launch of the show last week now a bygone; elimination stage will start with this week’s episode, where the last two couples will dance off and the lowest being sent home” he said.

Strictly Come Dancing is broadcast on SABC 3 every Friday evening at 20H00.-TDN
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