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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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

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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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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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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By Obakeng Maje
Mahikeng- The Nelson Mandela Monument in Nelson Mandela Street, Mahikeng seems to be a long forgotten part of the City of Mahikeng.

The DA said they decided to do an intense clean-up of the Monument during Nelson Mandela day to make sure that the City with strong roots in Madiba’s legacy and the fight for Democracy in South-Africa stays honoured.

“By working together as role-players in our environment, we as citizens, government and all interested organisations can make a difference in Mahikeng” DA Tiaan Kotze said.

The Provincial Capital needs to shape-up in its maintenance of roads and infrastructure to ensure a viable economic and tourism focused environment, says Kotze.

Kotze said DA will continue to honour South Africa’s past in order to strive for a better future.
-TDN
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North West- More than 31 drivers were arrested for drunken driving and 8 vehicles impounded for various reasons. Amongst the impounded vehicles were two of government vehicles in the early hours of Thursday.

The arrests followed a five day special operation conducted by the Jaws intervention unit with focus on drunken driving in Mahikeng as part of Mahikeng Revitalization programme.

More than 359 motorists were stopped and checked, while 1180 vehicles were scanned with the Number Plate Recognition System (NPRS) and 44 notices issued to motorists for different defaults during the operation.

“I am concerned about the high rate of drunken driving cases and urge motorists to avoid being on the wrong side of the law. This is completely out of order; we lose lives of our beloved ones due to accidents that are mainly caused by drunken drivers. We need to take action and become responsible road users to save lives of our people.”
“Road safety starts with an individual and with this behavior of people getting on the road while drunk will never be tolerated said North West, MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Gaoage Oageng Molapisi.

MEC said disciplinary proceedings will also be instituted against drivers responsible for the government vehicles impounded. He further urged government employees authorized to drive state vehicles to be more responsible and vigilant at all times.

“As we celebrate the Former President, who valued life, we need to follow his footsteps and continue to save the lives of our people in general and inculcate the element of responsibility to all especially in Mahikeng town which is part of our contribution to the safety cleanup campaign and revitalization programme. We shall continue with these operations beyond Mandela Day. By so doing, we believe that his soul will forever rest in peace,” concluded Molapisi.
-TDN
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Johannesburg- The South African Men’s U20 National Team (Amajita) has settled in well at their base in Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso – the first of four on their West Africa tour.

Amajita are in this part of the continent to play four international friendly matches in preparation for a crucial 2015 African Youth Championships qualifier against Cameroon next month (Saturday, 16 August) in Yaounde.

The South Africans travelled for just over three hours to Nairobi to catch a connecting flight to Mali. After a five-hour wait at the airport they flew for six and a half hours to Bamako, Mali and spent the night there. The next morning they took an hour’s flight to Ouagadougou to kick-start their preparations.

“I must admit it was a very taxing travel but that is exactly what I had in mind when we planned this. The idea was to prepare them physically and mentally because I didn’t want any player complaining about anything when we travel to Cameroon – be it conditions or weather. I want them to focus on the job at hand,” said South African U20 head coach Shakes Mashaba.

“We chose Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal and Ivory Coast as opponents because this is an acclimatization tour. I wanted the boys to know what to expect when we return for Cameroon. This exercise will ready the boys for anything, even if things might not be the same. Also, the four opponents are similar in terms of style of play with Cameroon – the physique of their players, the robustness of their game and also to have a good feel of the playing fields. This trip addresses all of that.”

Amajita’s first match is against their Burkina Faso counterparts on Wednesday, 23 July at 18h00 local time in Ouagadougou (20h00 SA time).

The match will be played at the Stade du 4 Août – a 35 000-seater multi-purpose stadium that hosted the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations final between South Africa and Egypt.

“The first match is always important and first impressions always last. I want the boys to exert themselves. I would also like to send our greatest gratitude to the four football associations for agreeing to accommodate us for our preparations and making this happen. Great thanks also to SAFA for giving our boys this opportunity to feel and see how it is like in the West,” added Mashaba.