By OBAKENG MAJE

Taung District Hospital continues to experience the highest teenage pregnancy rate, the youngest was only 13. In 2021, the number of children born to teen mothers at the hospital was 257, while 243 children were born in 2022. The number dropped drastically in 2023 and the hospital has so far registered 45 children born to teen mothers in 2023 alone.

The North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said: “Indeed, the hospital is experiencing deliveries above the target. We can confirm that 545 pregnant teenagers have been admitted to the hospital since 2021 and the youngest was only 13.

“In comparison between other hospitals in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, the data is available at the district office and it can be accessible. However, there are strategic measures in place to address this.”

Lekgethwane further said, even though the response is for the province, the affected hospital and Sub-District have the outreach programs targeting the age group to prevent teenage pregnancy. He added that the issue is being addressed together with the Department of Basic Education (DBE).

“Meetings are ongoing, which includes other departments such as South African Police Services (SAPS) and the North West Social Development,” said Lekgethwane.

Meanwhile, the Save the Children organisation said it is concerned about the well-being of both mothers and babies. The Save Children South Africa’s Health and Nutrition Thematic Manager, Marumo Sekgobela told the Relief Web organisation that, early pregnancy and motherhood in South Africa force many girls to drop out of school.

Sekgobela said it also traps many in a cycle of poverty dependent on public assistance.

“This leaves many stigmatised by society for being teenage mothers or forced into early marriage. It also creates a greater risk in terms of maternal complications resulting in low survival rates of babies and forces many girls to prematurely take on an adult role, which they are not emotionally or physically prepared for.

“This has devastating social and economic costs. Watching a child turn into a mother is heart-breaking. Children need to be children, not birthing them. It’s particularly devastating to learn that many of the girls who gave birth last year were barely teenagers,” he said.

He said the global pandemic risks being a time of irreversible setbacks and lost progress for girls. Sekgobela said, unless the country can act fast and decisively, the impact on girls’ futures – and on all our futures – will be devastating.

“There has never been a more important time to empower teenagers to take control of their sexual health and stay safe. Save the Children calls on the government to ensure that adolescents, regardless of gender, have access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information and services.

“We also call on families, communities, religious & traditional leaders to support reproductive health rights of teenagers. It is time that we dismantle the barriers to accessing services,” said Sekgobela.

He said unintended pregnancy among adolescents requires holistic approaches that build girl’s empowerment, help them make decisions about their lives, including around sexual and reproductive health, engage the support of men and boys in their lives, and offers them real opportunities so that motherhood is not seen as their only destiny.

Sekgobela said a key factor contributing to the sexual and reproductive health risks that adolescents face in South Africa is the lack of access to Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), as well as access to affordable, and appropriate health services.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A 25-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to life imprisonment on Wednesday by the North West High Court sitting in Mogwase for murder. Kamogelo Molorwe stabbed his girlfriend, Busisiwe Jaki (34) to death with a knife in the early hours of the morning on 30 June 2022 after an argument.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adéle Myburgh said the atrocity took place at the victim’s rented room in Unit 4, near Mogwase. Myburgh said Jaki was working as a teacher at the time of her death.  

“Molorwe was traced and arrested the same day. He has been in custody since his arrest after bail was successfully opposed. The convict was found guilty on 5 June 2023 after pleading guilty and eventually given a life imprisonment term. Molorwe was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act, 2000 (Act No. 60 of 2000),” she said.

The State Prosecutor, Advocate Jessica Molefe, argued that the accused grossly deprived the children of the deceased of their right to have a mother. Molefe further said the actions of the accused were devoid of mercy.

“His actions against the deceased were perpetuated, whilst a child (4) was present in the house. Such a child still harbours vivid memories of the mother, whose life was cut short at the hands of the accused,” she said.

The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena and the Director for Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr Rachel Makhari welcomed the life term handed down to Molorwe. Kwena and Makhari applauded the Investigating Officer, Sergeant Masego Kgake of Mogwase Detectives and the Prosecutor, Advocate Jessica Molefe, for their collaboration and dedication that resulted in the conviction.

They added that sentence will definitely send a clear message that crime, including Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), will not be tolerated.

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Picture: The sewage spillage at Meshack Keameditse’s house/Facebook   

By OBAKENG MAJE

A resident at Extension 6, near Taung said the sewage spillage next to his house affects his livelihood including his children. Meshack Keameditse said, it’s been three months since he reported the sewage spillage to the embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), but nothing has happened.

“There are service laterals in the back opposite house. Now, the sewage spillage has occupied my yard. I have reported the matter to the municipality, however, nothing has happened. Only yesterday, after I posted this on a social media platform, the Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) contacted me.

“The sewage spillage poses health risks such as respiratory sickness. I also tried to speak to the owner of the house, but my plea fell on deaf ears. I hope the municipality will finally attend to this matter,” he said.

Keameditse further said, the sewage system carries wastewater from inside residences and if it flows into other people’s houses it becomes a problem. He added that, according to his understanding, even though property owners are responsible for the maintenance of service laterals from their buildings, the municipality should be held responsible for pipe transition.

“With cholera outbreak, we might be exposed to health risks and I might approach the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) if nothing happens because this is a violation of human rights,” said Keameditse.

Meanwhile, the supervisor in the Water and Sanitation unit at the Greater Taung Local Municipality, Olehile Nthapelang said: “We have dispatched our team from the water and sanitation unit to unblock the drainage system. We have also done an assessment and we were only aware of the matter on Wednesday.

“So, we urge our residents to report these things timeously because most of the time, we are on the field. It only cost R230 to unblock the service laterals. We also encourage our people to pay for their services. We understand that, in this matter, the spillage was from the neighbour and we have fixed the drainage system.”    

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Picture: Acting Infection Prevention Coordinator at Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg, Phemelo Nthomeletsa/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg has recorded few cases of mumps since the outbreak. According to the acting Infection Prevention Coordinator at the hospital, Phemelo Nthomeletsa, the spread of mumps can be attributed to droplets of saliva or mucus of an infected person.

He said the hospital wishes to caution members of the community regarding the outbreak of mumps, which was declared on 11 May 2023 by the National Institute of Communicable Disease (NICD). Nthomeletsa further said, the hospital has currently recorded a few cases of mumps and this has resulted in the activation of the preventative measures.

“We would like to increase the awareness amongst the community we operate in. This will also ensure that the hospital personnel is compliant in addressing cases of mumps and adhere to the correct use of personal protective equipment. e.g correct wearing of surgical musk.

“The symptoms include headache, fever, malaise, loss of appetite and the glands near the ears swell resulting in puffy cheeks and swollen jaw, which causes severe pain. While predominantly the virus affects children, we advise that as a preventative measure, sharing of things that have saliva should be avoided to curb the spread of the virus,” he said.

Nthomeletsa added that covering the mouth and nose while a person is coughing and sneezing will reduce the spread of the virus drastically. He said most importantly, they advise people to wash their hands often with soap and water including maintaining high hygiene through cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.

“Signs and symptoms of mumps can develop within 16 – 18 days after one is exposed to it. Children aged 5 to 9 years old are most commonly affected, but it can also affect people of any age. There is no cure for mumps, only supportive treatment such as bed rest, fluids, analgesia, and fever reduction.

“Mumps is an acute viral infection caused by the rubulavirus, also known as mumps virus. It is sometimes called “infectious parotitis’ as it causes painful swelling of the parotid and salivary glands,” said Nthomeletsa.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), vaccine-preventable diseases monitoring system’s 2019 global summary, only two Southern African countries (eSwatini and Zambia) frequently reported cases of the mumps between 1999 and 2018, whereas South Africa only reported 24 cases in 2002. WHO says mumps reporting has been inconsistent and limited reports on mumps epidemiology in South Africa.

“Mumps is not a notifiable medical condition (NMC) and is not included in any formal surveillance programs. Since February 2023, the NICD has received a number of queries related to possible clusters or outbreaks of mumps in different provinces. To confirm the existence of an outbreak of mumps, national public sector laboratory test data for mumps PCR positives and IgM positives over the period 2013 to current, was requested from the NICD surveillance data warehouse and analysed as an ad hoc surveillance activity.”

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Picture: The Post Office/Generic  

By OBAKENG MAJE

Five suspects were arrested for business robbery at Kanana Post Office in Kanana Township, near Orkney on Wednesday. It is alleged that the armed suspects aged between 28 and 33, allegedly entered the Post office at around 9:25am and overpowered three employees.

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the victims were allegedly held at gunpoint and robbed of three cellular phones as well as cash. She further said, the suspects then fled on foot.

“Following the incident, the Manager contacted the police who immediately reacted and mobilised units. The police consequently apprehended five suspects and seized a bag containing an undisclosed amount of cash, a cellular phone that was allegedly robbed during the incident as well as three firearms with ammunition.

“The preliminary investigation revealed that the serial numbers of the firearms were filed off. The suspects will be arraigned at the Orkney Magistrate’s Court on Friday. They are facing business robbery, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition charges,” said Myburgh.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, commended the police involved for their speedy reaction and collaboration that led to this success. Kwena said the police will continue to work hard to ensure the safety of all citizens and that illegal firearms are removed from the wrong hands.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital in Vryburg, warns the community members about the bogus Human Resource (HR) personnel calling them with the prospect of getting employed at the hospital. The hospital spokesperson, Kagiso Mbaiwa said, the management has observed inquiries circulation in various media platforms, especially on Facebook.

“We have gone to a great length to verify the claims levelled by the community. The community is advised not to entertain any calls from this cell phone number: 0608868097, as the aim is to solicit money under the false pretext that, they will get placement or hired at the hospital.

“Therefore, the hospital categorically confirms that, the said individual who has been masquerading as an agent or an employee of Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital is just scamming people with their hard-earned money. The management takes a firm stance against the said individual, hence advising the community to report such claims to the nearest police,” Mbaiwa said.

He further said, the hospital is a government entity and is guided by government recruitment policies. Mabiwa added that, vacant positions are advertised both in local and national newspapers and also through the Department of Public Service circular, which can be accessed online.

“Furthermore, the public can verify with Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital Human Resources at 053 928 9136 to authenticate the validity of positions advertised. The public is advised to ignore such calls as it is a scam and government recruitment drives do not involve financial payments from job seekers,” he said.

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Picture: The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said the construction of R268 million Coligny Special School boarding project will bring good quality accommodation to learners and uplift the economy of Coligny. Motsumi, who conducted a sod-turning yesterday, said the project will also create job opportunities, especially for young people who already possess the essential credentials.

“We conducted a sod-turning today to officially launch the Coligny Special School boarding project. This project has a R268 million budget to demolish asbestos buildings in the special school. Approximately, 300 local people will be employed in this project.

“This project will improve living conditions and the dignity of learners. Today’s sod-turning is an exciting moment for the people of Coligny, particularly the vulnerable learners living with disabilities. Their lives will drastically improve and the project will restore their human dignity,” she said.

Motsomi further said, this is only the start of the commitment they made to the communities in May during her maiden Budget Speech. She added that she is grateful that the DBSA is an implementing agent of this multi-million project.

“I urge every participant involved to make sure that this project is not further complicated or delayed. We are collaborating as the provincial and local spheres of government. We also believe that the neighbourhood will actively participate in this growth.

“The department invests heavily in infrastructure to advance the quality standards of teaching and learning spaces, as well as to meet the demands for new schools in the province. The construction of this project is expected to be concluded in a period of 30 months,” said Motsumi.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

The North West province has officially registered a case of cholera. This comes after a man (50) from Maubane village tested positive for cholera. According to the North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha, the case’s clinical presentation was observed through diarrhoea, vomiting, leg cramps and dehydration.

Sambatha further said, the specimen was then collected on 30 May 2023 at Maubane Clinic and tested at Jubilee Hospital. He added that the results came back positive for cholera and were received on 1 June 2023.

“Even prior to this first case, the Province’s Outbreak Response teams have been established at all levels, province, district and sub-district to tackle the outbreak. Multidisciplinary (EHP, CDC, Information and partners) are already activated on the ground. The response teams are also activated to initiate and strengthen surveillance for all diarrhoea cases.

“There is daily reporting from teams required as a way of motoring the situation. The members of the public are reminded to continue practising personal hygiene, wash their hands thoroughly with water and soap or sanitiser before preparing, handling food or after using bathrooms,” he said.

Sambatha said all people who experience cholera-like symptoms (stomach cramps, diarrhoea, dehydration and vomiting) are urged to present themselves to the nearest health facilities without delays to enable health workers to effectively manage the infection. He said the case finding and contact tracing activities are ongoing, especially in the affected communities.

“The department urges the public not to panic as cholera is preventable and curable. All people who experience cholera symptoms, with or without local or international travel history are advised to visit their nearest health facility. Cholera is a diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

“Individuals generally become ill 12–48 hours after exposure. Some of the common symptoms include diarrhoea, cramps, nausea, vomiting and low-grade fever. Among people who develop symptoms, the majority have mild or moderate symptoms, while a minority develop acute watery diarrhoea with severe dehydration. This can lead to death if left untreated,” said Sambatha.

Meanwhile, Sambatha said, his department ensures continuous awareness and health education engagements from healthcare workers with the communities. He said the department is also pleased that municipalities have committed to implement municipal health services including food control and water quality monitoring, pest and vector control, surveillance and control of communicable diseases excluding immunisation, and air pollution control.

“The municipal health will also ensure compliance enforcement. Water samples will continue to be collected for testing. The department would further urge the public to take extra precautionary measures and maintain proper hand hygiene to curb further outbreaks of Diarrhoeal disease or gastrointestinal infection.

“It was found that the two cases that were initially reported were already allocated to Gauteng as it was clarified by the National Department. This then makes the latest case, the first official one for the province,” said Sambatha.

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Setshwantsho: Motshameki wa maloba wa Mighty Boys FC, Bakang Katong/Facebook

Ka OBAKENG MAJE

Katlholo mo kgetsing ya petelelo kgatlhanong le motshameka-pele wa maloba wa setlhopha sa kgwele ya dinao sa selegae sa Mighty Boys FC kwa motseng wa Manthe, gaufi le Taung ga ya tswelela mo letsatsing la maabane. Seno se tla morago ga gore mmueledi wa ga Bakang Katong yo o bonweng molato mo kgetsing eno, a se iponatse kwa kgotlha-tshekelo ya sedika ya Taung.

Go begwa fa Katong (32), yo jaanong eleng rakgwebo, mme gape a latofadiwa ka go rekisa diritibatsi, one a betelela lekgarebe lengwe la kwa Buxton ka ngwaga wa 2017. Go begwa fa Katong, yo one a tswa Johannesburg ka nako eo, a ne a neelwa lekgarebe leo ke mongwe wa tekesi kwa Schweizer Reneke gore a mo gorotshe ka pabalasego kwa lapeng.

Fela, go kaiwa fa Katong a ne a tsena-tsena ka lekgarebe leno, mme a feleletsa a iphantse ka thobalano le lone kwa ntle ga tumalano. Go kaiwa fa lekgarebe le, lene la kaya fa le nyeleletswe ke madi a kanang ka R2000 mo tiragalong eo.

Kgotlha-tshekelo e utlwile fa lekgarebe le, lene la fitlha la lotlegela mmagwe ka se se mo diragaletseng. Kgetsi ene ya bulwa, mme ene ya re Katong go utlwa seno, one a letsetsa lekgarebe le, le go kopana le lone kwa Taung Mall mo letsatsing le le latelang.

Katong one a fitlha a mo kopa go mo neela madi a kanang ka R2000 a go begwang a nyeletse le go mo neela R500 eleng pipamolomo gore a ye go tsholola kgetsi ya petelelo kgatlhanong le ene.

Fela lekgarebe le, le ne la gana go tsaya madi ao. Kgotlha-tshekelo e utlwile gape fa mmagwe lekgarebe leno, yo eneng ele paki ya mmuso, a ne a tlhokafala fa kgetsi e sentse e tsweletse ka tsheko. Mmueledi wa ga Katong, one a tlhalosetsa lekgotlha fa bopaki jwa motlhekefadiwa bo sa ikanyege, gonne gona le phapang mo tshedimosetsong e a e neetseng sepodisi le e a e boleletseng kgotlha-tshekelo.

Fela magistrata Buti Zulu, ga ka a ganana le kgang eo, mme a tlhalosa fa ese pateletso gore bopaki jo bo neetsweng sepodisi bo ka botsolotswa, fela se se botlhokwa ke se motlhekefadiwa a se boleletseng kgotlha-tshekelo. Gape, se se ileng sa makatsa lekgotlha ke gore, Katong o ile a kaela beng ba mokgatlho wa ditekesi fa a iphantse ka thobalano le motlhefediwa, mme fela o ile a kaya fa seo se diragetse ka tumalano.

Fela Katong, one a kaela mmueledi wa gagwe fa a sa iphanya ka thobalano le motlhekefadiwa. Seo, sene sa baya Katong mo mosing, mme le kgotlha la mo bona jaaka motho o o sa ikanyegeng. Zulu one a tlhalosetsa Katong fa go sena sepe se se supang fa motlhekefadiwa a ka batla go mo bopela kgomo ya mmopa, gonne ba sa itsane.

Zulu, one a bona Katong molato, mme a mo kaela fa ka letsatsi la di 6 Seetebosigo 2023, a tlile go ntsha katlholo. Fela, seo gas a direga, mme kgetsi e buseditswe morago go fitlha ka letsatsi la di 12 Seetebosigo 2023.

Lekgotlha lene la kaela Katong fa e se sa ntlha a thulana le molao, gonne ka ngwaga wa 2006 one a tshwarwa mme a bonwa molato mo kgetsing ya go itaya ka maikaelelo a go ntsha dikgobalo tse di masisi. Gape, go begwa fa ka 2013 le 2015, Katong a ne a tshwarelwa go gweba ka diritibatsi, mme a duela kotlhao mo dikgetsing dile pedi.

Kgabagare, Katong gape o lebane le kgetsi ya polao e e diragetseng kwa motseng wa Manthe.

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Picture: The acting CEO of Mmabana Foundation, Wessel Morweng/Facebook  

By OBAKENG MAJE

The acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Mmabana Foundation, Wessel Morweng said, his stakeholder engagements with artists and local business people in Taung were fruitful. Morweng had a consultative engagement with local business people and artists in preparation for the Taung Cultural Calabash event that is set to take place in September 2023.  

“This is the first of many engagements that our entity will have with various stakeholders. During the meeting, the Mmabana Foundation presented its exciting plan to artists. The Taung Cultural Calabash will feature two main programs that will unfold leading to the main event.

“We will have auditions on 22 and 29 July and the date will be extended to 5 and 12 August 2023. Auditions will be held in various districts across the North West province. This will provide a platform for talented artists to showcase their skills and creativity,” he said.

Morweng further said, the final competition date will be communicated in due course, but the proposed date is on 2 September 2023. He added that the proposed date for the Taung Cultural Calabash main event is 23 to 25 September 2023.

“These festivities will encompass a range of exciting events, including a Kgotla event, music festival, lifestyle market, and theatre productions. The aim is to create a vibrant and inclusive celebration of arts, culture, and creativity. The Main Festival is going to be outsourced to a service provider over a three-year period effective from 2023.

“During the stakeholder engagement, artists had the opportunity to voice their concerns and provide valuable advice regarding the festival plan presented. The Mmabana Foundation actively listened and took these inputs into consideration.

To ensure effective collaboration and inclusivity, a Taung Cultural Calabash committee of relevant stakeholders will be formed,” said Morweng.

He said the committee will play a pivotal role in shaping and organising the festival. Morweng said he is thrilled to witness the North West creative sector coming together to celebrate the Tang Cultural Calabash festival once again.

“Please, stay tuned for more updates and let’s prepare for an unforgettable showcase of talent, diversity, and the rich cultural heritage of our province. Please note that the dates might change, however, that is the proposed plan,” he said.

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