SA U17 National squad prepare for CAN U-17 qualifiers

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By Obakeng Maje

The South African U-17 Men’s National team (Amajimbos) which has been in camp gearing up for the first round of the African U-17 Youth Championship qualifiers are ready to take on Zambia in the match scheduled for Saturday (13 October 2012) at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.

 

Kick-off is at 16h00.

 

The first leg qualifier will be part of a double header at Dobsonville Stadium in which the senior women’s national team (Banyana Banyana) play Zimbabwe in a friendly encounter. Kick-off 19h00.

 

Head coach of the South African U/17 Men’s National team, Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba is confident of a good result despite having little time to prepare.

 

The 10th edition of the African U-17 Youth Championship is scheduled to take place in Morrocco from 13 – 27 April 2013.

 

The Amajimbos squad has been training at the University of Johannesburg; Soweto campus grounds since Monday, 8 October 2012.

 

South Africa players born between 1996 and 1997 have undergone MRI Scans to comply with CAF regulations. The results of the scans have been sent through to CAF headquarters for verification ahead of the first leg qualifier on Saturday.

 

Coach Mashaba feels this camp is a good start to grooming future stars.

 

“Zambia have tough and skilful players that is why we need to focus more on tactical work.”

 

“There is an air of optimism and excitement amongst the players as well as nerves. This is natural,” added Mashaba.

 

The return leg match will be played in Zambia on Saturday, 27 October 2012.

 

 

Bafana to fire all cylinders:Igesund

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By Obakeng Maje

Bafana Bafana have completed their preparations ahead of the friendly international match against Poland which will be played in the capital Warsaw on Friday, 12 October at the National Stadium.

 

Kickoff is at 20h45.

 

The 58-thousand seater venue has a retractable roof and is the largest stadium in Poland. It hosted the opening match, second round group matches, quarter-final matches, and one semi-final of the UEFA Euro 2012, co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine.

 

It is also a multi-purpose stadium able to host sporting events, concerts, cultural events, and conferences. The official opening of the stadium took place on 19 January 2012, and the first football match was played on 29 February 2012; Poland’s goalless draw against Portugal.

 

After three training sessions, South Africa’s head coach Gordon Igesund declared a clean bill of health as all the players are available for selection. This will be his third match in charge following encounters against Brazil and Mozambique last month.

 

“I believe this is going to be a great match because it’s a good test for us to play against top European sides. Also we don’t often get a chance to play against European sides.

 

“This is the kind of match we wanted and I believe the boys will learn a lot. I am looking forward to the match as much as the players, and I hope it will be a worthwhile exercise as this is an important period since we are building for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations,” said Igesund.

 

“We will surely give a good account of ourselves.”

 

This is the second time that the two sides meet. They met shortly before the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup tournament in South Africa, with Terror Fanteni scoring the solitary goal in the match.

 

Poland is ranked 54th to Bafana Bafana’s 76th position.

 

“The spirit in the camp is excellent and there are a lot of positives. We have had just three training sessions, but we have done a lot during that time. We are really looking forward to that match and for us it’s a great challenge playing a good side like Poland. But we have quality players that I believe will be able to handle the situation,” said Bafana Bafana captain Bongani Khumalo.

 

The defender took over the armband from former skipper Steven Pienaar who recently announced his retirement from international football.

 

“Being captain is a great responsibility and I am honoured to be leading these players. This will not affect my game as I know how big this role is,” added the Greece-based player.

 

“Steve is a great friend of mine and he used to give a lot of advice to players. We all looked up to him. His absence is a great loss and he will be missed but at the same time we have to move on.”

 

Bafana Bafana will fly to Nairobi, Kenya on Saturday morning (13 October) to face that country in another friendly international match on Tuesday night (16 October).

 

That clash will take place at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi and the match kicks off at 19h00 Kenyan time (18h00 SA time).

 

 

Higher Education not yet ready to implement Central Admissions System

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The Higher Education Department says its not yet ready to implement a Central Admissions System. The system has been touted as a means to ease the student applications burden on institutions of higher learning.

 

Thousands of school-leavers flock to universities at the beginning of each year, looking for study space.  Last year, the desperation led to a stampede at the University of Johannesburg , where a parent was trampled to death.

 

The Central Admissions System had the buy in from all universities. The Council on Higher education has described it as long overdue. However it wont be in place just yet.

 

Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande says they’re still opposed to walk-ins. They want prospective students to use other means, like filling in applications online.

Gift of the Givers a valuable and indispensable partner-Premier Modise

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 BY Obakeng Maje

The Gift of the Givers Foundation (GOTG) has been dubbed a valuable and indispensable partner by North West Premier Mme Thandi Modise following its intervention to alleviate poverty in Verdwaal in the North West Province.

 

Premier Modise expressed appreciation of the relief effort amounting to over R2 million that the organisation gave the impoverished community of mostly former farm dwellers and its recent donation of a new fully equipped kitchen build for the benefit of thousands of children in the impoverished community.

 

“The contribution of the organisation to boost the school nutrition programme by providing an upgraded facility to prepare nutritious and health diet for learners has demonstrated that its shares our commitment to free the community from the cycle of poverty and hunger,” said Premier Modise in commending foundation on the official opening of a fully equipped Kitchen at Motlhatswa Primary School situated in Itsoseng Zone 3.

 

Speaking prior the unveiling of the plague in memory of the Mmupele children at the event,The foundation’s representative, Emily Thomas paid tribute to the late Ditsobotla local Municipality Councillor Lennox Jomo Matshogo who had assisted with distribution of food parcels and the needs of the community.

 

“The reason we chose this school is because two of the four kids that died attended school here and our believe is if those kids knew they would get something to eat at school they would never have gone looking for food elsewhere. Their death was tragic and I pray to God that never ever must a child die of hunger in SA,” said Thomas.

 

She expressed appreciation to government departments that had assisted the community with application of identity documents and social grants.

 

The children in whose memory the plague was opened, three boys 

 

 – Onkarabile, 2, Nkune, 6, and Sebengu, 9, Mmupele – and little girl Mapule, 7, had set out after Kedibone, their sister and mother. She had left home early one Monday morning to go to a farm where her mother was visiting in the hope of getting food.

 

The youngsters did not arrive, dying on the way. The post-mortem had found that the four children had not had a full meal in weeks.

 

“This is welcome relief for many who would not have to lose their children like i did and a reminder that there are those who care for us,” said Kedibone Mmupele who was a guest at the official opening over a meal.

 

The joyous occasion was graced by among others MEC for Social Development, Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Mosetsanagape Mokomele-Mothibi who represented Premier Modise and co-officiated in the opening of the Kitchen, COSATU-North West Provincial Secretary Solly Phetoe, Dinkwetse Matshhogo, widow and wife to Councillor Matshogo, educators and learners who were treated to a hot meal from the new Kitchen stocked up with supplies at the conclusion of the programme.

 

Phetoe pledged that the labour federation will explore how it could assist sustain the feeding project.

 

The GOTG is the largest disaster relief organisation of African origin on the African continent. We have delivered over R750 million in aid to 35 countries around the world, including South Africa.It has received 76 awards to date, four from Heads of State, all of which recognise the contribution it has made in the course of fulfilling its humanitarian and unconditional responsibility.The foundation assists irrespective of race, religion, colour, class, political affiliation or geographical boundary. It is entirely neutral in its approach to mankind in need, are non-judgemental and have an open-minded approach to all situations. It works with governments to get our assistance delivered but do not align themselves politically to any party. It has excellent partnership relationship with the South African Government for the delivery of our local projects, as well as for foreign aid delivery.u

DA wants Malema assets frozen

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File photo:(By Obakeng Maje)

Johannesburg – Expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema’s assets must be frozen after it was found that he benefited from an unlawful tender, the DA said on Thursday.

 

“Law enforcement must now take swift action and freeze all of Malema’s properties and bank accounts until he can justify how he got this wealth in a court of law,” Democratic Alliance Limpopo leader Jacques Smalle said in a statement.

 

“Malema and his associates must now justify how they amassed their wealth and properties. It cannot be acceptable that they continue to live lavish lifestyles in the face of the damning Public Protector’s findings.”

 

Earlier, provincial spokeswoman Desiree van der Walt said Limpopo Economic Development MEC Pinky Kekana must step down, after Public Protector Thuli Madonsela released her report detailing the unlawful tender process between the provincial transport department and On-Point engineering.

 

“The MEC clearly cannot be trusted with holding public office any more and must do the honourable thing and resign,” she said.

 

Kekana approved the tender during her tenure as transport MEC. She was appointed as MEC for economic development in March.

 

Madonsela said on Wednesday the MEC had done so unlawfully.

 

Van der Walt said Kekana’s “wrong-doing” could not be ignored now that she was in a new position.

 

“After all, the wrong-doings attributed by the Public Protector to her previous department all happened when she was still at the helm of roads and transport.

 

“This is a crisp example of a closed, crony system where state tenders are a conduit to enrich political allies,” she said.

 

“We expect MEC Kekana’s immediate resignation in light of the findings of the Public Protector.”

 

The provincial transport department declined to comment on the report on Thursday.

 

“We will be responding to what the Public Protector is saying. It is only that at this stage we are not ready, because we have not gone through the report,” the department’s spokesman Joshua Kwapa told SAfm.

 

Madonsela found that the tender was unlawful and that On-Point and former African National Congress Youth League leader Julius Malema benefited improperly from this.

 

Malema’s business partner Lesiba Gwangwa is chief executive of On-Point.

 

Kwapa said the department only received the protector’s report at 6pm on Wednesday, the same day Madonsela addressed the media on the matter.

 

“We have to first study the report… when we say we are studying the report, it is seen as a delaying tactic. You must remember that we have to come out of this a responsible department, coming up with a statement that will be representative of what we have consumed,” said Kwapa.

 

Madonsela received three complaints in July 2011 and decided to investigate allegations that the department of roads and transport awarded the On-Point tender corruptly. – Sapa

One person set alight and another one shot dead during miners strike in Rustenburg

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By Obakeng Maje

Rustenburg- The on-going mine strike hit  again in Nkaneng near Rustenburg.

It is alleged that a Quantum taxi and a BMW were burnt down, a man was also  set  alight and  died as the police arrived and assessed the scene.

Another person sustained two bullet wounds and was rushed to a hospital where he later died.  

“The police have acted swiftly in containing the situation and arrested more than 40 people in connection with incidents of public violence” Brigadier Ngubane said.

“The police would like to appeal to the public to avoid  driving on the Marikana road, passing Bleskop stadium going through Nkaneng settlement as it is heavily barricaded with stones” he yelled.

The situation is still unstable.

In another incidents at Bathopelo mine in Rustenburg a group of +/- 600 people were picketing and threatening to throw petrol bombs at the car parking area of the mine shaft.

When the mine management became aware of these threats they alerted the police and released people for their safety.   

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Banyana continue their preparations against Zimbabwe

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By Obakeng Maje

Banyana Banyana head coach Joseph Mkhonza is expected to try out various tactical strategies when the South African senior national women’s football team take on Zimbabwe in an international friendly fixture at the Dobsonville stadium, Soweto on Saturday, 13 October 2012 (19h00 kick-off).

 

This will be the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana’s first official match since competing at the London Olympics in July, and it is the tag of being Olympians that has made the women’s football world sit up and take notice of the South Africans.

 

Apart from Saturday’s fixture, the two nations will meet in a second encounter at the Sinaba stadium, Daveyton on Tuesday, 16 October 2012 (15h00 kick-off) before Banyana Banyana leave the following day to train at their 8-day national training camp in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

 

The preparations form a part of the South African team’s focus on doing SA proud at the eight-nation CAF African Women Championship 2012 in Equatorial Guinea from October 28 to November 11.

 

“Encounters between Banyana Banyana and Zimbabwe are always tight matches, and after Zimbabwe beat our ladies in the Cosafa Cup final and the Unity Day Match both played in Harare last year, I am sure that our players will be keen to put in a good performance ahead of the CAF African Women Championship 2012,” said Banyana Banyana head coach Mkhonza.

 

“Now that our ladies are Olympians, all of the women’s football teams are watching our results and progress and it’s up to our players to prove that they belong among the top football nations.”

 

Mkhonza thanked Safa and Sasol for the support given in allowing the Banyana Banyana players to stay in camp in Johannesburg since the start of October.

 

“Our goal is to bring pride to SA women’s football and improve on our world ranking of 56th and African ranking of 4th,” said Mkhonza.

 

“The next FIFA women’s World Cup is in 2015 and with Fifa having allocated a third spot to Africa, we have a long term goal of achieving success at the CAF African Women Championship 2014 in Namibia in order to qualify for the next World Cup to be held in Canada.”

 

 

 

Banyana Banyana teamGoalkeepers:

 

  Thokozile Mndaweni

 

  (University of Johannesburg, Gauteng)

 

  Andile Dlamini

 

  (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, Gauteng)

 

  Katlego Moletsane

 

  (High Performance Centre, Tshwane)

 

  Defenders:

 

  Nothando Vilakazi

 

  (Palace Super Falcons, Gauteng)

 

  Amanda Sister

 

  (Liverpool Ladies, Eastern Cape)

 

  Janine van Wyk 

 

(v.c) (Palace Super Falcons, Gauteng)

 

  Zamandosi Cele

 

  (Durban Ladies, KwaZulu Natal)

 

  Refiloe Jane

 

  (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, Gauteng)

 

  Lebogang Mabatle

 

  (Hallelujah Zebra Force, Gauteng)

 

  Midfielders:

 

  Leandra Smeda

 

  (Cape Town Roses, Western Cape)

 

  Nocawe Skiti

 

  (Cape Town Roses, Western Cape)

 

  Amanda Dlamini 

 

(c) (University of Johannesburg, Gauteng)

 

  Gabisile Hlumbane

 

  (Kovsies Ladies, Free State)

 

  Yola Jafta

 

  (University of Johannesburg, Gauteng)

 

  Nompumelelo Nyandeni

 

  (FC Rossiyanka, Russia)

 

  Strikers:

 

  Noko Matlou

 

  (University of Johannesburg, Gauteng)

 

  Portia Modise

 

  (Palace Super Falcons, Gauteng)

 

  Andiswe Mgcoyi

 

  (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, Gauteng)

 

  Silindile Ngubane

 

  (Durban Ladies, KwaZulu Natal)

 

  Sanah Mollo

 

  (Bloemfontein Celtics Ladies, Free State)

 

  Jermaine Seoposenwe

 

  (Spurs WFC, Western Cape)

 

   

 

Bafana ready for Poland

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BY Obakeng Maje

Bafana Bafana has a full complement of players following the arrival of England-based Kagisho Dikgacoi at the team camp in Warsaw, Poland.

 

South Africa will play against the host nation in an international friendly match on Friday, 12 October 2012 at the National Stadium.

 

Kickoff is at 20h45.

 

Dikgacoi joined his teammates at the morning training session but will only train with them in the afternoon.

 

The rest of the team arrived in eastern European country on Tuesday (09 October).

 

Israel-based striker Dino Ndlovu believes they are up for the challenge. He returns to the squad after he dislocated his shoulder in the one nil loss to Brazil last month.

 

“It feels good to be back. My injury has healed and I have played some matches for my club and I feel great. I am looking forward to the clash against Poland which I believe will not be an easy match up,” said Ndlovu.

 

“I would have loved to do well against Brazil but my injury prevented me. I believe if we use the same mentality that we had against Brazil we should be fine. The spirit is high which should perhaps work in our favour.”

 

 

Malema question Public Protector’s findings

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Photo by:(Obakeng Maje)

Johannesburg – Expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema accused Public Protector Thuli Madonsela of finding him “guilty in absentia” on Wednesday at Slovopark informal settlement.

“You can’t find a man guilty in absentia,” Malema said at Slovo Park informal settlement, west of Johannesburg.

“You cannot say to a man in absentia: ‘You are guilty and therefore we are going to take everything you have and let you walk naked’.”

He was speaking after Madonsela’s announcement that tenders awarded to On-Point Engineering by the Limpopo transport department were unlawful.

She found that On-Point and Malema improperly benefited from the contract.

Malema’s business partner Lesiba Gwangwa is the chief executive of On-Point.

Malema said: “Those who respect the law, they must treat all of us equally”.

Earlier, the Democratic Alliance welcomed Madonsela’s report.

“The South African public is sick and tired of politically connected individuals abusing public procurement to line their own pockets,” Democratic Alliance MP Dianne Kohler-Barnard said in a statement.

“The charges laid against Malema and his Limpopo cronies last month are a step in the right direction. The courts must consider the findings of the Public Protector’s report.”

She said it was clear that there had been serious abuses of public money, and that those responsible should be held accountable.

Madonsela announced her findings in Pretoria on Wednesday.

She presented her findings in a report on corrupt practices in Limpopo entitled: “On the Point of Tenders”.

She found the department did not follow proper guidelines in awarding the tender.

She received three complaints in July 2011, including one by the DA, and decided to investigate the allegations that the department of roads and transport corruptly awarded the On-Point tender.

Also under scrutiny were claims that Malema used his political position to influence the awarding of tenders by the department and the Limpopo government in general.-SAPA

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She also investigated whether Malema’s Ratanang Family Trust and/or Malema improperly benefited from the tender awarded to On-Point.

 

The total amount paid by the department to On-Point in terms of the contract at the end of June 2012 was R43 868 900.

 

The bid presented by On-Point in respect of the project management unit (PMU) tender deliberately and fraudulently misrepresented the profile, composition, experience and therefore the functionality of the company.

 

It was claimed that On-Point was an established and experienced operation with management teams and professional staff that complied with the requirements of the request for proposal.

 

However, at the time of the bid, the company had existed for only a month, and had no employees, or several of the purported key management and staff.

 

“The shareholders of On-Point, including the Ratanang Family Trust, benefited improperly from the tender that was awarded to On-Point,” Madonsela said.

 

She said the State Attorney should institute legal proceedings against On-Point and shareholders who benefited from the PMU tender, to recover money to which the department was entitled. – Sapa

Water scarcity requires efficienct usage

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By Obakeng Maje

Water efficiency improvements, treated effluent reuse options, water trading and consumer demand management reconciliation options are the most realistic solutions to alleviate the challenge of water scarcity in 

Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality as the District has limited scope of development of new water sources, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Wednesday.

Premier Modise commended the Department of Water Affairs for implementing water management plans in the District to improve the level of water use efficiency in local municipalities aimed at reducing high non revenue water from leaks in the water reticulation, illegal connection and unbilled water.

The department projects that water requirements are likely to increase by approximately 11% over a 22 year period from 186.48 million m3/a, to 206.68 million m3/a, at the current level of water use efficiency and operation. This is based on the assumption that the current irrigation water requirement, which is the largest water user, will remain the same for the planning period.

The current water requirements for the District exceeds the available water supplies at the required assurance level of supply for the different sectors by approximately 34.58 million m3/a. The current deficit is expected to increase to 48.85 million m3/a, if the situation is not addressed as a matter of urgency.

As an intervention to mitigate against forecasted water shortage, the District Municipality has identified augmentation of existing water supplies at a local level through traditional methods, augmentation of existing water supplies by undertaking alternative methods such as treated effluent reuse options and water recycling as well as rainwater harvesting, Reallocation of water between users and across sectors to where the value of water is high (i.e. water trading and Implementation of Water Conservation and Water Demand Management in order to provide the savings to the growing demands as broad water reconciliation options available to meeting the current and future demands, particularly in the non-agricultural sector.

According to a report presented by Executive Mayor for municipality, Councillor Phaladi Saku, at the recent Extended Lekgotla, R146,8 million was spend within the municipality to bring access to clean running water to over  92 600 household in the past three financial years.    Over R167,1 million has been allocated for projects that are being implemented in Verdwaal 2 in Ditsobotla Local Municipality, Top Village in Mahikeng , Braklaaagte in Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality and Ottosdal in Tswaing Local Municipality in the current financial year including

construction of a 4.75 mega litre reservoir 

in Delarayville in the same municipality.

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