Johannesburg-The President of SAFA and members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) will visit the house of the late Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela in Houghton, Johannesburg to lay a wreath at
11h30 this morning (Wednesday, 11 December 2013).
They will then proceed to Orlando in Vilakazi Street for another wreath-laying visit.-TDN
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Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba is a happy man after his side, the South African Men’s Under 20 National Team (Amajita), qualified for the semi-final of the 2013 COSAFA U20 Youth Championships currently underway in Lesotho.
Mashaba was speaking after Amajita’s 0-0 draw against Namibia on Tuesday, 10 December 2013 in the capital Maseru.
The result was enough to see South Africa through to the last four where they will face Group D winners Zimbabwe on Thursday.
“It was a very difficult match because they came with a game plan which almost worked for them as they nearly punished us in the 15
th minute. But second half we came back strongly and kept them at bay. I am glad we have proceeded to the semi-finals as this now widens our opportunity to lift this trophy. The boys performed very well once again, and credit should go to them,” said Mashaba.
“We have Zimbawe in our next match so we have to work extra hard to ensure we make the finals. I am confident though that we will get positive results even though they will try to make it difficult because every team that plays us really comes strongly, and I like that as it helps my players grow.”
South Africa finished top of Group C with seven points from three matches – two points ahead of Namibia (both sides haven’t lost so far in the competition). Amajita started with a 4-0 win over the Seychelles. They followed that up with a 1-0 victory over defending champions Zambia before wrapping it up with the goalless draw against Namibia.
Zambia could only manage four points while the Seychelles did not register a point and conceded 10 goals, scoring only one.
“This was much-needed qualification for us. Our country is going through a dark period following the deaths of former State President Nelson Mandela and boxing legend Baby Jake Matlala. Imagine if we had come with negative results, we would have been sadder, more so because the people back home are starting to heal while we have to focus on the tournament,” added Mashaba.
The winners of Group A, Kenya, will face off against the top side in Group B, Angola, in the second semifinal
Both games will be played in Maseru on Thursday.
This is how they finished:
GROUP STANDINGS
GROUP A
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1. Kenya 3 2 1 0 8 2 +6 7
2. Lesotho 3 1 2 0 6 3 +3 5
3. Comoros 3 0 2 1 3 5 -2 2
4. Mauritius 3 0 1 2 0 7 −7 1
GROUP B
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1. Angola 3 2 1 0 10 4 +6 7
2. Mozambique 3 1 1 1 8 4 +4 4
3. Madagascar 2 0 0 2 1 11 -10 0
GROUP C
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1. South Africa 3 2 1 0 5 0 +5 7
2. Namibia 3 1 2 0 3 2 +1 5
3. Zambia 3 1 1 1 5 2 +3 4
4. Seychelles 3 0 0 3 1 10 −9 0
GROUP D
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
1. Zimbabwe 3 2 1 0 6 2 +4 7
2. Botswana 3 1 1 1 4 5 -1 4
3. Swaziland 2 0 0 2 1 4 −3 0
TOP SCORERS
5 – Manuel Afonso (Angola)
4 – Clesio Baque (Mozambique), Joao de Oliveira (Angola)
2 – Enock Agwanda (Kenya), Tumelo Khutlang (Lesotho), Unobatsha Mbaiwa (Botswana), Walter Musona (Zimbabwe),
Siyanda Ngubo (South Africa), Nhlakanipho Ntuli (South Africa), Thatayaone Ramatlapeng (Botswana), Timonah Wanyonyi (Kenya.-TDN
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North West Premier Thandi Modise has extended an invitation to leaders of all political parties represented in the Provincial Legislature, Provincial House of Traditional leaders, social partners and religious leaders to ensure that the programme for the provincial memorial service in honour of former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela is inclusive, her office said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
“Inclusivity was one of the key lessons we learnt from Madiba that we will advance into the future as part of his legacy and it will also guide proceedings at the provincial memorial service,” said Premier Modise who is to deliver the keynote address.
Buses have been availed for all communities across the province that which to be part of the memorial service to be held as from 11:00 at James Motlatsi Stadium in Orkney tomorrow, Thursday 12 December 2013.
Renowned poet and musician Mzwakhe Mbuli, Blondie Makhene and other gospel artists will perform at the event to celebrate the life to be South Africa’s first democratically elected President.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Groblershoop-Police are investigating a case of dealing in drugs. On Tuesday at about 04h30am, police received information about a certain newspaper delivery truck that was carrying dagga on it.
“The SAPS members from the Shift followed up the information and managed to stop the truck. Police started searching the truck and found newspapers, medication boxes, as well as 13 bags of dagga weighing at about 234,5 kilograms” lieutenant Donald Mdhluli said.
The street value of the dagga is allegedly estimated at about R1, 170 250 (One million one hundred and seventy thousands two hundred and fifty Rands).
“Four suspects were then arrested and they are a 39-year-old-woman, a 36-year-old-man, a 39-year-old-man, as well as a 17-year-old-man believed to be a Lesotho national” said Mdhluli.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Groblershoop soon.
The investigation continues.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Delareyville-Police have opened a case of Culpable Homicide after two vehicles collided between Delareyville and Geysdorp on Tuesday at about 15:30.
“The two drivers and a passenger from one of the vehicles also died on the scene” captain Pelonomi Maku said.
North West police said the driver of a Volkswagen Polo was allegedly driving from Geysdorp to Delareyville direction when he lost control of his vehicle and collided headi-on with a Toyota Yaris, which was driving to the opposite direction.
“The driver and her passenger died on the scene. The passenger from the Polo sustained serious injuries and was transported to the nearest hospital for medical treatment” said Makau.-TDN
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Johannesburg-Former Bafana Bafana national coach Augusto Palacios has described the late statesman, Tata Nelson Mandela as the greatest leader to have lived on this planet.
“To me, the death of this icon has robbed me of the greatest inspiration to have lived on this universe.
“When I was appointed Bafana Bafana coach late in 1992 after we were massacred by Zimbabwe (4-1) and Nigeria (4-0); my first assignment was the return leg against the Super Eagles in January 1993 at FNB Stadium.
“Mr Mandela came to our camp in Helderfontein for lunch and his inspiring words led us to holding Nigeria to a famous goalless draw although I think we could have won that match had the linesman not denied us a genuine goal by Doctor Khumalo.
“The visit by Tata to the Bafana Bafana camp was his first visit to any national sporting code after his release from prison. He told the players to forget about the 4-0 drubbing in Lagos and to know that they are representing the entire country and the flag.
“I have never seen the impact that statement made to the playing personnel. That was the birth of the Madiba Magic.
“The country has lost an icon whose influence in society reached four corners of the universe. I join the country in mourning this great man.”-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Cape Town- We are gathered here to pay our respects to the most revered person of our age. We are humbled and proud that, like him, we call ourselves South Africans, says DA Helen zille during Mandela memorial service.
“Today our thoughts and prayers are with Madiba’s immediate family, his South African family, and the global community that seeks to uphold the values he embodied. His death has united the world in grief, but also in hope” said Zille.
Helen zille said Mandela has showed the world that service and sacrifice do indeed leave the world a better place.
She continues said more has been written about him than of any other person this century.
“So what is there to add? Time will heal the pain. What must remain, and grow within us is a sense of the enormous responsibility we have inherited to continue his work. He has handed the baton to us. We dare not drop it” Zille said.
DA leader said she found the best summary of our responsibilities in the words of Coretta Scott King, widow of Martin Luther King Jnr, who like Madiba, became a global icon in the same cause.
She said: “The struggle for freedom is never finally won. You earn it and win it in every generation”.
“I was particularly struck by the word “earn”. In an era full of “demands”, it is helpful to hear the word “earn”. And we must now ask, how do we earn the freedom he bequeathed us said Zille.
His most famous phrase was “Long Walk to Freedom” which is also the title of his autobiography.
“That destination is not yet reached, it never is. Ahead of us still lies a long walk to freedom that each South African can use to improve their lives. Freedom you can use is freedom fulfilled. Today millions of South Africans have formal freedom, but still cannot use them to improve their lives because they lack the education, the security, the health and the means to do so”.
Zille said their work is to ensure that many more South Africans are able to use the freedom that Madiba bequeathed them. And that they appreciate the discipline and diligence required to be free. Otherwise that is betrayal his legacy.
“Of the millions of written and spoken words in the last few days, there are none more so than his famous words from the dock during the Treason Trial: “I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal for which I hope to live for and to see realised. But if it needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
But, however profound the well-known sound bites may be, it is also important to go beyond them, says Zille.
DA leader said just a few short sentence above those words in his most famous speech, are these: “Political division, based on colour, is entirely artificial and, when it disappears, so will the domination of one colour group by another. The ANC has spent half a century fighting against racialism. When it triumphs as it certainly must, it will not change that policy.” She said.
She said the best tribute the country can pay Madiba is to ensure that the political debate focuses on issues of how best we can ensure that each South African child, whatever the circumstances of their birth, inherits freedom they can use.
“Let his death open that new chapter. Lala ngoxolo Tata. Asoze sikulibale” concludes Zille.-TDN
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Cape Town-Democratic Alliance Helen Zille praised Colin Eglin for his fearless spirit.
Zille utters those words during Eglin’s funeral held in Cape Town today.
“So many tributes have been written to Colin that it is difficult not to use clichés to get to the heart of his contribution and life”DA Leader said.
“When I was thinking about him and Madiba, two great statesmen, I could not help, but think of the aphorism: power does not change who you are; it reveals who you are”.
Zille said the aphorism is truer when you make a transition from power rather than to power.
She said so much about Colin was revealed in the circumstances surrounding his leadership of the Progressive Federal Party.
In unexpected circumstances, he stepped up to the plate, says Zille.
The DA leader said power did not change him, and when he relinquished it, he showed his famous attribute of a lack of self-indulgence.
“Some people called him ‘Mr Gruff’ and I suppose it could be said, to use another aphorism, that he wanted to serve humanity in general without being impeded by people in general” she outlines.
Zille said in her own circumstances as a journalist, it was easier to prepare to interview P.W. Botha than Colin.
“You had to be completely briefed and know the questions you wanted to ask. But later, Colin was always someone to whom I could go for advice as a candid friend” said Zille.
“I remember well at the time of the formation of the Democratic Alliance that Colin said, “If you are stupid enough to get into this merger, you better be stupid enough to make it work.” She said.
DA leader said his advice simply was to hang in there for the long haul.
Today we can be ‘stupid enough’ to believe that we can make South Africa work when no comparable country has made it work, because we start from a much better place owing to Colin’s amazing contribution, says Zille.
According to Zille, he understood that the struggle for freedom is never finally won.
This of course was Colin’s second great struggle, as he fought Fascism and Nazism in the great battles of Northern Africa and Italy in the Second World War.
“Colin leaves an indelible legacy for South Africa in the form of the Constitution” outlines zille.
“He spent his life thinking about the solutions and the need for a negotiated settlement, and he did not mind that others walked off with the plaudits” said DA.
“Today we can see Colin’s handwriting all over our Constitution. On his passing, Sir David Steel described Colin as a giant of practical liberalism. So today we bid farewell to a giant of South Africa” concludes DA leader.
Zille said they will always remember him and he is immortalised in the constitution.-TDN
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The South African Men’s Under 20 National Team (Amajita) is just one point away from qualifying for the semi-final of the 2013 COSAFA Under 20 Youth Championships.
Amajita face Namibia in a crucial last group stages match on Tuesday, 10 December 2013 at the Maseru Stadium in Lesotho.
Kickoff is at 16h00.
South Africa leads the group with six points, two ahead of second-placed Namibia, while Zambia has one point and Seychelles has suffered two losses.
South Africa will need just a draw against Namibia to make sure they finish top of the table in their pool and qualify for the last four.
Amajita eliminated defending champions Zambia from the tournament with a 1-0 victory with a Nhlakanipho Ntuli goal on Saturday, 7 December in Maseru, Lesotho.
Also bowing out of the event with one match remaining was Seychelles after they lost 1-2 to Namibia in the other match in Group C.
Zambia, who had won the last three editions of the COSAFA U20 Youth Championships, will meet Seychelles also at 16h00 on Tuesday (10 December) in Mafeteng.
The winners of Group A will face the top side in Group C in the semi-finals, currently South Africa, while the teams that finish top of Groups B and D will square-off in the last 4.
Meanwhile Amajita completed their preparations at a wet and chilly Maseru on Monday (9 December) ahead of their clash against Namibia.
SAFA Media spoke to Amajita assistant coach Thabo Senong after training:
How are preparations and do you have any injuries?
Thankfully we do not have any injuries thus far. The past two matches were good in the sense that we didn’t concede any goals. However the major challenge is to try and maintain what we have done so we stay top of the group. Tomorrow’s match will not be easy, as the Namibians will come at us strong, we just have to ensure that the boys stick to the game plan and remain focused.
Some teams have scored more goals than Amajita, does this concern you?
Well, not really because we are in the group of death with very tough opposition. To play the likes of Zambia is never easy, even the island of Seychelles has proved that they came here to compete, despite the score line, they were not an easy side to beat. All we can say is that we are happy with the boys’ performance – individually and as a group – so we hope that we can continue with that form.
Can we expect any changes to the starting eleven?
Possibly, but continuity is vital. We should not try and destabilize the team’s rhythm, cohesion and passing patterns. We have to look at the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition and based on that we might make one or two changes but should not affect the run of the team. It is more like cut and paste.
The squad has been in Lesotho for just over a week now, how has everyone been?
Players may be missing home and their families, but they are about to become professionals so they are learning to adapt and adjust to their surroundings. The reality is that they are at work and are representing the country so their responsibility is growing day by day as they release the importance of bringing silverware back home.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
Potchefstroom-Police have opened a case of Inquest after a 7 year-old boy was allegedly found drown in the swimming pool at his parents’ house in Potchefstroom.
North West police said the atrocity took place on on Sunday.
“It is alleged that the boy was last seen sleeping in one of the bedrooms, but was not found there when the grandmother looked for him” captain Pelonomi Makau said.
He was certified dead by the Medical Services.-TDN
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The Guardian 