12 June 2025- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said they gathered stakeholders at Sun City Resort to launch the 5th phase of the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI). Motsumi said this programme places assistants in schools across the province, offering young people valuable work experience while supporting the education system.
She further said BEEI targets youth aged 18 to 34, providing a stipend of R4000 per month for six months. Motsumi added that applicants must be under 35 by the end of March 2026.
“The programme aims to empower 13 200 young people with hands-on experience in schools and help ease staff shortages. We must ensure equal opportunities for disabled youth and women.
“Schools should prioritize hiring young people from their local communities to encourage growth and development in our province,” she said.
Motsumi said the department remains committed to improving youth employment and education through initiatives like BEEI. She said by investing in young assistants, the program enhances learning environments and helps reduce youth unemployment in the North West.
12 June 2025- The North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi accompanied by the North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Madoda Sambatha, will lead the launch of a large scale dry white beans farming project, which covers three thousand hectares of land. Mokgosi said the primary objective of the project is to empower rural communities through agriculture-based skills development to fight the scourge of poverty and create sustainable employment job opportunities for locals.
He further said close to 2000 learners are expected to undergo training with Bright Ideas, which has secured an off-take agreement with Harvest Hub Africa under government’s Labour Activation Plan Initiative. Mokgosi added that the project which is being implemented in collaboration with Baga-Maidi Agricultural Initiative under the stewardship of Baga-Maidi Development Agency is aimed at revitalizing Taung’s agricultural economy through high-value farming.
“The event will take place at Manthe Community Hall on Friday at 9am,” he said.
Picture: The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng
By OBAKENG MAJE
12 June 2025- There is a growing discontent and concern surrounding the recruitment processes of the traffic officers’ learnership programme from the North West Community Safety and Transport Management. Now, the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management said it is probing the matter after it received a complaint letter from one of the disgruntled applicants.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Freddy Sonakile said they were told that the recruitment process was at the advanced stage. Sonakile said, however, they were shocked when they received a letter from one of the concerned applicants, who even underwent interviews.
“The applicant felt that the process was flouted. I then forwarded it to the Head of Department (HOD), Dr Hans Kekana, to provide us with a full report regarding all processes that ensued during recruitment.
“This will mean that he will have to provide us with a short-listing process, how many people have applied, how did they get to the one that they have recruited, including verification of the nepotism allegations,” he said.
Sonakile further said after receiving the report, they will table it to the committee for a way forward. He added normally, if they believe the recruitment process was flouted, they will rope in the Public Service Commission (PSC) to investigate deeper in terms of legislation of Human Resource.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in the North West Provincial Legislature, Fanon Moema said they have received a leaked list that is alleged to be signed off by the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng. Moema they are told that those who were selected relate to those who were in the panel and occupying executive positions in the North West Provincial Government.
“There are allegations that an individual very close to the North West Premier, Lazarus Mokgosi, is also part of the list. There is an individual who shares the same surname with Morweng and is also part of the list.
“There is also a person who appears to be a girlfriend of one of the ANCYL members in North West and a councillor in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality area,” he said.
Moema said they are going to ensure that the ugly head of nepotism or cadre deployment does not exist, while young people are genuinely faced with unemployment, inequality and poverty.
Meanwhile, the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management spokesperson, Oshebeng Koonyaditse said: “The positions for the Traffic Learnership Programme were advertised and the process to select candidates was embarked upon.
“This was done in line with the DPSA guidelines and the Public Service Regulations on employment processes and procedures. Since then, there had been numerous allegations of wrongdoing and none of the complainants came forward with any iota of evidence.”
A rape case against a man (45) was postponed by the Taung Magistrate’s Court to 21 July 2025. This comes after the accused, Kagalelo Setlhare, who is affectionately known as Starzen, was arrested and charged for rape.
He was granted a R2000 bail.
The North West police spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the complainant was attending a Taung Annual Gospel Music Festival at PH Moeketsi High School, a few months ago and she went outside the venue to look for her friend. Mokgwabone said Setlhare allegedly grabbed and pulled her to the nearby bushes, where he allegedly assaulted and raped her.
“Although the complainant works at the place in question, she was not on duty on the day of the incident, but attending a gospel festival. The accused appeared before the Taung Magistrate’s Court.
“He was arrested on Tuesday and charged with rape,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron said it is disillusioned that despite constant talk, there has been no tangible action to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Cameron said the seeming inability and unwillingness to implement strategies is evidenced by the continued non-compliance with the provisions of the Domestic Violence Act.
“Despite the commitment made to the committee in a meeting held on 30 October 2024, there remain a substantial number of administrative and operational non-compliances at police station level. The direct consequence of the non-compliance is that the lives of the victims are endangered.
“It is concerning that of the 243 police stations visited, 60 non-compliance incidents were reported, including the failure to properly record reported incidents, which can be used in a court of law should the need arise,” he said.
Cameron said such records are necessary to ensure effective conviction of GBV crimes and gaps must be eradicated. He said the committee underscored that, while the presentation painted an improvement in certain areas, the reality on the ground is that many victims are still turned away from police stations when reporting GBV or the police do not deliver protection orders within the stipulated timeframes.
“The lack of consequence management within the South African Police Service (SAPS) is the root cause of this inability to change course and to adhere to prescripts. Until the SAPS ensure that errant police officers are held accountable, there will be no change.
“It is still concerning that to this day, there are police stations that do not have Victim-Friendly Rooms (VFR) that enable victims to report crime in a safe and discreet room. The SAPS reported that there are 95 Stations without designated VFR,” said Cameron.
12 Seetebosigo 2025- Mafelo ano a beke ditsela tsotlhe di tla be di lebile kwa mabaleng a metshameko kwa motseng wa Khibitswane, gaufi le Taung. Kgangkgang e tla be e ja nkgawana fa go tla be go bogetswe lobebe la kgwele ya dinao.
Kwa mabaleng a, go tla be go tshwerwe metshameko ya kgwele ya dinao ya Sylvester Kroos Tokotshane Memorial Top 8 Tournament. Ditlhopa di tshwana le Indomitable Lions FC, Lovely Movers FC, COVID FC, Bayern Leverkrusen FC, AC Berg FC, NW Stars FC, MD Royals FC le Dikgwamolelo FC, di tla be di tshotse karolo.
Mongwe wa barulaganyi ba metshameko e, Omphemetse Meto Manganeng are, ba bone fa go le botlhokwa go ka rulaganya metshameko e, ele go gopola Tokotshane. Manganeng are Tokotshane yo eneng ele motlhankela wa sepodisi, o ile a tlhokafala mo kotsing ya sejanaga ga mmogo le mapodisi a mangwe a le mabedi kwa porofenseng ya Eastern Cape ka 2018, fa ba ne ba le mo tirong.
“Jaanong, re ile ra atlhaatlha ntlha e ya go rulaganya tonamente e fa a ne a fetsa go tlhokafala ka ngwaga wa 2018. Jaaka batho ba ba neng ba tshela le ene, ebile ene ele motshamiki wa kgwele ya dinao, re bone fa go le botlhokwa go mo gopola.
“Tokotshane o tlhokafetse ngwana wa gagwe a sentse a le monnye. Jaanong ka go dira jaana, ke go tlhoma segopotso le gore morwae a itse fa rraagwe a ne a tshela le batho,” Manganeng wa tlhalosa.
Are Tokotshane one a tshamekela setlhopa sa Dikgwamolelo FC ka nako eo. Manganeng are ba ne ba tshamekela setlhopa sa North West Stars FC pele ga ba ka leba kwa setlhopeng sa Dikgwamolelo FC fa se ne se bulwa ka ngwaga wa 2018.
“Go tlile go tshamekiwa Top 8, mme setlhopa se se fenyang se tlile go iponela madi a kanang ka R18 000, dimetale ga mmogo le sejana. Setlhopa se se latlhegelwang kwa makgaola-kgannyeng se tla bona madi a kanang ka R8000, ga mmogo le dimetale tsa selefera.
“Re batla gore mo nakong e e tlang, go nne le batho ba ba tswang kwa ditlhopeng tse dikgolo go tla go lebelela batshamiki ba ba tsayang karolo mo metshamekong e,” Manganeng wa tlhalosa.
Manganeng are tonamente e, e tlile go godisa ikonomi ya Taung, gonne bagwebi ba ba botlana ba tla nna le tshono ya go rekisa dikgwebo tsa bone kwa metshamekong eo. Are yone e tlile go tshamikiwa kwa lebaleng la Khibitswane ka Lamatlhatso le Tshipi.
11 June 2025 – Network service providers such as Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom and Rain have been invited to appear before the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies on 13 June 2025. The appearance of these mobile network operators (MNOs) is in line with Parliament’s constitutional oversight responsibility.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Khusela Sangoni Diko said the Parliament’s Oversight Model mandates the committee to balance oversight of government with an evaluation of how industry, specifically MNOs, support national priorities and complies with South Africa’s legislative, policy and regulatory frameworks.
Diko said equally, the committee is tasked with assessing whether existing laws, economic conditions, technological developments and socio-political realities are enabling or hindering investment and growth in the South African economy and to recommend appropriate interventions where necessary.
“The MNOs and the telecommunications companies are expected to brief the committee on progress being made in response to challenges facing the people.
“Among the issues to be considered include measures to reduce the cost of data, network connectivity standards in rural areas, contributions to job creation, transformation and economic inclusion,” she said.
Diko further said this includes empowerment for blacks in general, women, youth and persons with disabilities, data security and privacy, compliance with universal service obligations and spectrum conditions for universal connectivity, including school connectivity. She added that, this includes the compliance with directives of the competition commission.
“With the licences of the MNOs due for renewal within the next three years, the committee remains appreciative of the catalytic role the MNOs continue to play in achieving the National Development Plan’s target of universal coverage and connectivity by 2030.
“To this end, it is essential that, as a country, we seize the opportunities presented by rapid technological advancement to ensure no one is left behind,” said Diko.
The meeting will be held at Committee Room M46, Ground Floor, Marks Building on 13 June 2025, at 10am.
Picture: The 2025 Comrade Marathon winner, Tete Dijana
By OBAKENG MAJE
12 June 2025- South African superstar, Tete Dijana has further strengthened his status as one of the world’s best ultra-distance runners. This comes after a Signal Hill-born runner emerged triumphant once again in the Comrades Marathon on 8 June 2025.
Dijana, the winner in 2022 and 2023, crossed the line first in 5:25:28. In the men’s race, the Sekhing-born runner, Onalenna Khonkhobe, led for most of the race, but he was eventually caught with less than 20km to go. Dijana surged into the lead, but struggled to shake off the determined challenge of 2024 winner, Dutchman Piet Wiersma.
The South African had to dig deep to maintain his small lead, and in a repeat finish of the 2023 race, Dijana took the win in 5:25:27, with Wiersma crossing the line in 5:25:32.
“I came prepared and stuck to my race plan. In the last 10km, I saw Piet was closing, so I accelerated and opened the gap, and I felt like I was in control,” he said.
The Comrade Marathon Association (CMA) General Manager, Alain Dalais said this was the 98th edition of the iconic ultra between the cities of Pietermaritzburg and Durban, run in alternating directions each year, and this was the 49th edition of the Down Run.
Dalais said the official distance of this year’s race was 89.98km and as the event builds up to its much-anticipated 100th edition in 2027, the 2025 race attracted a record field for the Down Run of 22,677 qualifying entrants. He further said this prompted the Comrades Marathon Association’s decision to introduce the first ever split start in the event’s history, for safety reasons and to allow all runners in the field the opportunity to get over the start line quicker.
“The is saw Group 1 starting at 5:45am, and Group 2 setting off at 6:00am, as a slightly later start than the traditional 5:30am start, in order for the runners to enjoy better light conditions in the early kilometres, notably on the descent of Polly Shortts hill.
“Both start groups still had 12 hours to finish the race. Another innovation in the 2025 race was a new street finish in Masabalala Yengwa Avenue, with a festive hospitality and club area next to the finish in People’s Park,” added Dalais.
Reflecting on a successful 98th edition of the race, he said, “We are really happy with the way the split start worked so well, with both Start Groups clearing the start line within six minutes.
“We’ve also received a lot of positive feedback about the new street finish, and we look forward to building on these aspects as we prepare for 2027. We treated this 2025 race as a dress rehearsal for the 100th edition, and while every race will have things that we can improve on, we are happy with the innovations introduced this year, and feel we are on track for an even better Down Run in 2027.”
Dalais said he would like to congratulate all the runners who took part in the race, from Tete Dijana and Gerda Steyn to the final finishers in the last hour, from the novices tackling their first Comrades Marathon and those earning their Back-to-Back medals, to the Yellow Number Runners completing their 10th and earning their Green Numbers, and all the way to Louis Massyn, finishing his 50th and becoming the first athlete ever to reach this incredible Quintuple Green Number milestone.
Meanwhile, the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports, and Recreation spokesperson, Shuping Sebolecwe said: “We are organising a welcome ceremony for our winners led by the 98th Comrades Marathon Winner Morena Tete Dijana. The athletes will be travelling from Rustenburg on N4.
“Over the years, the North West has become a notable contributor to this national event, consistently producing top-performing long-distance athletes. These athletes not only showcase extraordinary physical prowess but also promote a sense of pride, resilience, and hope within their communities.”
Picture: A man sentenced to three years imprisonment for housebreaking and theft/Generic
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
11 June 2025- A man (32) was sentenced to three years imprisonment by the Douglas Magistrate’s Court for housebreaking theft. This comes after the accused, Danzil Plaatjies was found guilty.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said the dedication and investigative diligence of Detective Constable Thembani Makamba of the Campbell SAPS, has resulted in the successful conviction and sentencing of a housebreaking and theft suspect. Shemane said this follows two housebreaking incidents reported on Kriel Street, Campbell, which occurred between 4 November and 14 November 2024.
“The case was assigned to Makamba, who immediately commenced with investigations. His efforts led to the swift tracing and arrest of the suspect after stolen property was recovered in the suspect’s possession.
“Makamba successfully opposed bail, ensuring the accused remained in custody until the matter was finalised in court,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Pixley Ka Seme District Management has commended Makamba for his dedication and excellent investigative work, which ensured that a perpetrator of property-related crimes has been removed from society.
11 June 2025- The police in Northern Cape said policing of contact crimes remains a priority for the province. The police said as the long weekend approaches, they are urging the public not to overindulge, to enjoy themselves responsibly and to know their limit.
Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colone Sergio Kock said it is against this backdrop that communities are urged to adhere to the safety hints to prevent falling prey or being a victim of contact crimes. Kock said individuals should stay alert – awareness is their best defense.
“Taking self-defense lessons is a valuable option. Always leave venues with friends wherever possible. Never go to the bathroom alone, always use a buddy system at public venues. Never accept drinks or lifts from strangers
“Always stay in well-lit areas and never walk alone in secluded areas. Travel as if you know where you are going. Take the most direct route and try to stay within areas where other people are around. Trust your instincts – if you think something is wrong then act on it,” he said.
He further said individuals should avoid flashing valuable items as it attracts criminals for robbery and sexual assault. Kock added that, they should have their keys available when they reach their home or car.
“Keep money for transport and planning – the expense is worth it. Carry a personal alarm and use it when necessary. If you are a victim-
get help immediately. Make as much noise as you can to alert people when you are in trouble.
“If you have been attacked, do not shower or change your clothes as it may destroy evidence. Always give the police all the details you have about the area and suspect, if you are a victim of contact crimes. If you have had your keys taken, robbed, or lost, ensure you change the locks,” said Kock.
He said individuals should drink responsibly and refrain from excessive alcohol consumption. Kock said they need to give a clear account of what happened.
“Never leave your drink unattended as it could be tampered with, leaving you a victim of date rape. Stay alert and safe. Don’t physically intervene in fights – you could get hurt yourself, rather call the police. If it is safe to do so, take a photograph or video on your mobile phone, remember however, that the police are likely to need your phone as evidence.
“Record details of times, number plates, descriptions, and so on, If you don’t have a pen with you, leave a voicemail message on your mobile phone or write a draft text message. Immediately get out of any abusive relationship and contact family or the police,” he said.
Kock said individuals should always have an emergency contact on speed dial. He said they should contact their nearest police station or 0860010111, when they find themselves in a dangerous situation.
“Call the Stop Gender Violence Helpline at 0800 150 150 or report GBVF crime using the MySAPS app,” said Kock.
11 June 2025- Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos said he is happy to face a selection headache when the South African senior men’s national team assembles again during the next FIFA window. Broos did not select Mamelodi Sundowns FC players during the current window as the Brazilians are participating in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States of America.
He said he used the opportunity to introduce several new faces to the national team setup and he is happy with what he saw in the last few days. Broos further said the Bafana Bafana drew 0-0 with Tanzania in the first game at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday last week and followed this result with a comfortable 2-0 win over Mozambique on Tuesday night, 10 June 2025.
“I used different starting line-ups in both matches and now have incredible depth that includes the players I used against Tanzania and Mozambique. The players currently playing in the COSAFA Cup in Bloemfontein under coach Vela Khumalo, the Mamelodi Sundowns players I did not select and the South African men’s U20 national team that won the U20 CAF Africa Cup of Nations a few weeks ago.
“Add the players that were already on my radar both here at home and in Europe, but who have not been called up to the South African senior men’s national team yet,” he said.
He added that, they scored twice (against Mozambique), so everything is positive about the past few days. Broos said this is something that will make his job very difficult in the next few months when he sees that they have 23 players there in Polokwane.
“You know that there are still maybe also 23 who are with their clubs, still with their clubs or who are at home. So that means we can choose now between 40 players.
“This will be difficult because you have to drop players in September, players maybe who deserved it, but ok. I have to make choices, but this also means players will be more motivated because they know that there are guys behind them who are waiting to take their places,” he said.
Broos said this will bring the level higher, certainly, that will bring the level higher.
The Guardian 