A report that the ANC had asked former president Thabo Mbeki to help capture Gauteng’s middle class voters was queried by the party on Monday.

“The journalist… made three fundamental misrepresentations [in the report],” the Gauteng African National Congress said.

“Firstly, the journalist insinuates without any basis in fact that President Jacob Zuma is unpopular among the middle class. This impression is based on media speculation and is not borne by research.”

The Sunday Times reported that the strategy arose out of fears of Zuma’s unpopularity with the middle class. Zuma would instead be used to woo the poor and working class voters in the province.

ANC provincial secretary David Makhura was quoted as saying the ANC would hold house meetings and public dialogues headed by Mbeki, the country’s Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa.

“The president is leading our direct contact with the people,” Makhura was quoted as saying.

“He is not going to be in those house meeting [in the suburbs]. We are using him for big community meetings and door-to-door work.”

The ANC in Gauteng said on Monday its request that Zuma be deployed to help “consolidate and grow ANC support in our traditional strongholds is based on the need to first consolidate the core support of the movement in our strongholds”.

It said the report “invoked” the idea that the use of other party members was proof the ANC was afraid of losing Gauteng.

“The ANC has always utilised all its experienced cadres, including former leaders and former ministers who are willing to carry out voluntary work for the movement during election campaigns and various political programmes.”

It said its campaign in the suburbs was different in every election and the report made no reference to the provincial secretary’s extensive criticism of the opposition campaign in Gauteng.

ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe said in a briefing on Sunday that the provincial ANC’s comments regarding Mbeki were “unfortunate”.

“They have just run ahead of themselves,” he said.

Mantashe said deployment of leaders to provinces would be done centrally and the party would send its leaders anywhere.

“There is no constituency and profile of constituency that suits a particular individual. We will send a person whom we think will be able to deal with the audience that will be attended by that leader,” he said.

– SAPA

By Obakeng Maje
Brits- A 33 year old man was arrested for over speeding this afternoon for driving at 158 km per hour on a 60 km zone in the Wagpos road outside Brits. The speedster, who was driving a metallic gray Mercedes bens C280 was arrested on the spot and is expected to appear before the Brits Magistrate court on Tuesday.
“The man, who is said to be a professional accountant, was traveling from Pretoria to Rustenburg at the time of the arrest. Traffic officials said that the man allege that he was rushing home to attend to his sick child” MEC Nono Maloyi said.
He is expected to be charged for over speeding.
MEC for Human Settlements Public Safety and Liaison Nono Maloyi has called on motorist to be extra careful on the roads. He said that speed remains one of the main critical elements that contributed to road crashes and fatalities.-TDN
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By Obakeng Maje
North West- The success of the recent North West Cultural Calabash augurs well for the future of the visual and performing arts in the Province, says MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Ms Tebogo Modise.
The event returned to Taung with a bang after a two-year absence amid joy among music, dance, theatre and art lovers.
On show were artists, poets and crafters from all four corners of the Province, alongside greats such as Zahara, HHP and Quincy K. Also showcasing their talent were a number of SATMA nominees from the North West Province as well as I want to sing gospel as Khotso who shook the stage with his performance.
“I am very happy with the way the Calabash went with such a success,” says Ms Modise.
“It is a tribute to all who worked hard and the talented artists who graced it”.
“There are many reasons we want the Calabash to be such a success. One of them is that it puts our province on the map and helps us display talent from both urban and rural communities in our province.
“Further, it provides opportunities for our artists to rub shoulders with and learn from much more successful artists from around the country and beyond. One of the most important aspects of the Calabash is that we are asserting our commitment to the national notion of the Arts as a source of economic empowerment, through the Mzansi Golden Economy drive.” MEC said.
Among the guests was Paramount Chief Tshepo Mankuroane of the Batlhaping-boo-Phuduhucwana in Taung and the Mayor of Greater Taung, Councillor Kaone Lobelo.
A key element of the North West Cultural Calabash is the competitions among winners from all four Districts in wide range of genres such as music and dance.
The winners of the various categories at the North West Cultural Calabash 2013 are:
CRAFT
POSITION NAME OF ARTISTS/GROUP
1 ITIRELENG KA DIATLA
2 PHOROTLHO BEAD PROJECT
3 SEMPHETHE POTTERY

DRAMA
POSITION NAME OF ARTISTS/GROUP
1 ARTS IN
2 MAMUSA PRODUCTION HOUSE
3 MELODY THEATRE PRODUCTION

POETRY
POSITION NAME OF ARTISTS/GROUP
1 THABO MOTSILANYANE
2 STANZA MMOKI
3 PALAGANWE THATO

ACAPELLA
POSITION NAME OF ARTISTS/GROUP
1 INKOSI IVUMILE
2 MAMUSA UNITED VOICE
3 BANA BA LESEDI

INSTRUMENTAL
POSITION NAME OF ARTISTS/GROUP
1 A DI BOELE SAKENG
2 MELLORY NEUWENHOUDT
3 JACOBS AND KARLOOS

TRADITIONAL DANCE

POSITION NAME OF ARTISTS/GROUP
1 DINYETSE CULTURAL GROUP
2 SERUBI SA NGWAO
3 MAILA GO LATLHA NGWAO

TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTAL
POSITION NAME OF ARTISTS/GROUP
1 A DI BOELE SAKENG
2 MELLORY NEUWENHOUDT
3 JACOBS AND KARLOOS

By Obakeng Maje
Klerksdorp-Hundreds of locals and residents from nearby areas gathered in Tigane near Klerksdorp on Sunday for a Provincial celebration of heritage.
The day marked a climax in a month-long series of heritage-related events organized by the North West Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.
Two weeks ago the Province hosted the North West Cultural Calabash, which included not only traditional music and dance groups, but also such high-profile artists as Zahara and HHP. Crafts and paintings were also on display.
“The activities we put together this month are aimed at ensuring that the people of South Africa are reminded of their history and heritage,” said MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Ms Tebogo Modise.
“South African history is rich and diverse. It dates back to pre-colonial times and has interesting epochs that continue to shape the county’s future.”

This year’s theme is “Reclaiming, Restoring and Celebrating our Living Heritage”.
The events of the day featured diverse groups such as gospel, traditional music and dance groups as well as art exhibitions.
The aim of the event is to encourage all South Africans to celebrate their cultural traditions in the wider context of the diversity of cultures, beliefs and traditions.
MEC Modise also called on the citizens of the South Africa to vote for the Provincial groups in the forthcoming South African Traditional Music Awards (SATMA).
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Applicants from the North West Province approved for grant funding as beneficiaries by the National Lotteries Board (NLB) for the current financial year are to receive confirmation of approval and sign grant agreements at the NLB Post Indaba Stakeholders Engagement (PISE) to be held as from 9:30 at the Mmabatho Convention Centre in Mahikeng tomorrow.

The theme for the PISE co-hosted by Chief Executive Officer of the NLB, Thabang Mampane and Premier Thandi Modise is turning the impossible into the possible through NLB funding to contribute to the National Development Plan priorities of poverty alleviation and job creation.

The provincial stakeholders engagement session at which Premier Modise will deliver the keynote address is aimed at establishing a permanent platform to constantly interact with NLB stakeholders including members of the civil society and potential stakeholders and to report on the NLB’s process of organizational re-design that is part of the restructuring process to position the NLB to better delivery of its mandate.

The programme for the day includes presentation of messages of support by NLB Strategic Partners and a report compiled by an independent assessor on the achievements of the NLB in various provinces and nationally to be presented by the NLB Chairperson, Professor Nevhutanda.

Members of the media are invited to cover the groundbreaking engagement which is scheduled to end13:30. For accreditation kindly RSVP with Pat Dooms at 084 831 4072 by no later than 4:00pm this afternoon.
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The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) strike at Anglo American Platinum (Amplats) will continue on Tuesday, union leaders said.

“We are leaving for Johannesburg, they called us for a meeting, but the strike continues,” said Gaddafi Mdoda, a local union leader.

He said striking workers would meet again at the Thembelani shaft for a report on the meeting.

“We will give feedback on Tuesday on what happened in the meeting. We hope the employer will reconsider the decision to retrench workers,” he said.

Amcu members downed tools on Friday in protest over the retrenchment of 3300 workers. One of the workers, Amos Menzi from the Eastern Cape, said it would be better if the strike was not prolonged because workers were losing money.

“I think we should be paid for the days we are on strike because the strike is protected. But now it is ‘no work, no pay’, meaning we are losing money on the days we are on strike.”

The workers were expected to meet at the shaft on Tuesday morning.
SAPA

Kaizer Chiefs have confirmed the signing of Ugandan defender, Ivan Bukenya, on a free transfer.

It was reported by the Siya crew earlier this morning that the club were likely to make a decison on the Ugandan at some point this week, and it now appears that they have done so.

Bukenya is primarily a central defender, although can also be used as a defensive midfielder if needed there.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

Striker Calvin Kadi has resumed full training with Wits’ first team after recently being ruled out with a hamstring complaint. Kadi did not feature in the club’s last two fixtures against Mamelodi Sundowns and Platinum Stars.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

Platinum Stars will parade their recently won MTN8 trophy at Bafokeng Sports Plaza on Tuesday morning.

Dikwena completed a historic victory over Orlando Pirates this past weekend, beating the Buccaneers in a penalty shootout after the game finished 1-1 after 120 minutes of play.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com

News coming out of the Moroka Swallows camp is that the club has decided against signing former Ajax Cape Town and Cape Town All Stars midfielder Luvuyo Memela.
For more http://www.soccerladuma.com