Picture: (XP patient, Paballo Mabetwa)

The future of a six-year-old boy from Letlhakaneng village near Brits is hanging in the balance after he was diagnosed with a rare skin disorder known as Xeroderma Pigmentosum.

Xeroderma pigmentosum, which is commonly known as XP, is an inherited condition characterized by an extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight. This condition mostly affects the eyes and areas of skin exposed to the sun.

Paballo Mabetwa now needs a sophisticated area to play in order to protect him from any further skin disorders. Because of his XD, his skin cells’ ability to repair damage caused by ultraviolet light is deficient.

Paballo’s mother, Sarah Mabetwa, told Semphete that the family does not know where to seek help because they stay in a three-roomed shack that is not ideal for her son’s condition. The skin condition is already spreading to other parts of Paballo’s body.

“My son was diagnosed with skin cancer while he was nine months old. He is not allowed to play in the sun because the sunlight affects his skin. We need help as the situation is terrible. If there is any good Samaritan out there, please help us with transportation and to build a refined area for Paballo to play during the day.

“He was admitted to Dr George Mokhari Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa near Pretoria. Now he is getting treatment from the hospital, but doctors said there is nothing they could do to stop the cancer from spreading to other parts of his body. Paballo underwent an operation two weeks ago in which doctors removed his left eye,” the mother said.

Unemployed Sarah said they are faced with financial constraints as Paballo’s father is a taxi driver and does not earn much. Her wish is to take Paballo to specialists at private hospitals, but that would be too expensive.

“It is so difficult to see you child suffering on a daily basis, but you feel helpless. I could see that my son is staring at his death and it’s just a matter of time. But I still have hope and believe that he can beat cancer. My son cannot even attend school because of his condition and this affects me emotionally,” Sarah said.

A dermatologist at Tshepong/Klerksporp Hospital, Olehile Kgabale, said Xeroderma Pigmentosum is a skin disorder caused by the defect in the DNA excision repair mechanism, leading to marked sensitivity to ultraviolet and multiple skin cancers.

“All these disorders present with varying degree of photosensitivity in infancy or childhood. In each instance, the differential diagnostic considerations include most of the disorders, depending on the associated findings such as premature aging or mental retardation. In photosensitivity in infants, erythropietic porphyria and other forms should be excluded at birth, neonatal lupus erythematous must also be considered,”
Kgabale said.

He added that even though the disease is incurable, those who are affected must avoid being exposed to the sun.

“Those children who are born with the Xeroderma Pigmentosum cancer are called Moon children. They can only be able to play under the mild environment, but if they get into conduct with the sun, their skin cells will be damaged by the sunlight. The lifespan for them is between 20 and 25 years,” he said.

Source: http://www.semphetenews.co.za 

North West MEC of Culture, Art and Traditional Affairs (CATA) department, Ontlametse Mochware said African Day need to be celebrated across all spheres of the continent. Mochware said this will encourage many people to love and preserve Africanism without any fear.

She was addressing community members at Sekhing village, near Taung on Friday during African Day celebration.

Different countries were well-represented and showcased their cultural attires.

“It is imperative to celebrate this day because it means a lot to us. The day reflects on what it means to be an African. We need to appreciate and embrace our socio-economic challenges and ensure that we have better ways to address them.

“We need to know that we are different either according to our culture, heritage or economy. However, we need to face our challenges head-on. The current leadership and the communities across African continent must work together to ensure that there is economic growth,” she said.

Mochware further said her department will work together with North West University to ensure that more students study Indigenous Knowledge System course. According to the university, only fewer students embark on Indigenous Knowledge System faulty and this brings concern.

The Parliament of the Republic of South Africa also joined the African continent and the world in wishing Africa a speedy rise to prosperity and meaningful development of its entire people.

In a joint statement to mark Africa Day, National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete and National Council of Provinces (NCOP) chairperson, Thandi Modise said.

“The time for Africa’s awakening as a giant in the world in many respects has come and no effort should be spared in driving the collective advancement of the people of Africa. Africa Day is observed across the continent to celebrate the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, later remodelled and renamed the African Union, to drive an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa with all its peoples at the centre of such fundamental change.

“The collaboration of liberated African countries and the liberation movements in the struggle against colonialism and apartheid took 31 years to free all African countries. Africa Day is also an opportunity for us to celebrate our majestic past, our common heritage and the values of Ubuntu, which include common humanity, mutual respect, caring and protection, which lie at the heart of this heritage. Advancing these ideals involves resisting those practices that undermine the values of our common humanity and result in destabilisation and impoverishment of our continent.”

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Local Government and Human Settlements MEC, Galaletsang Gaolaolwe, has raised concern over municipalities that still continue to receive negative audit outcomes.

Gaolaolwe revealed that to mitigate the situation, the departments of Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development and Local Government and Human Settlements, have developed plans to assist municipalities to improve their audit outcomes.

Tabling her 2018/19 Budget Speech last week, MEC Gaolaolwe explained that the department had been able to capacitate Municipal Public Accounts Committees (MPACs) to enable them to perform their oversight roles and responsibilities in their respective municipalities.

“We are pleased to indicate that, 77% of our MPACs are functional and the department will continue to support them and pay special attention to the remaining 33%, which are not functional. These include Maquassie Hills, Lekwa-Teemane, Mamusa, Tswaing and Ditsobotla local municipalities,” she told the Provincial Legislature.

Gaolaolwe added that both Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development and Local Government and Human Settlements deaprtments succeeded in putting in place a Section 32 programme, a procedure to follow in supporting council committees, MPACs and municipal administration to stop  unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditures.

“To date, Bojanala Platinum District, Rustenburg, Madibeng, Ratlou and Kgetleng Rivier local municipalities have been assisted to put an end to unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditures. During the current financial year, the programme will be rolled out to all municipalities to work towards achieving better audit outcomes,’’ she said.

Source: http://www.semphetenews.co.za 

Picture: Former North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo

By REGINALD KANYANE

African National Congress (ANC) in Bokone Bophirima has welcomed the resignation of North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo. Mahumapelo announced that he is embarking on an ‘early retirement’ during media briefing at Luthuli House in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

The official Twitter account of @MyANC_BokoneBophirima reads: “We are happy as the organisation that Mahumapelo has now followed a proper organisational process before announcing his resignation. As ANC in Bokone Bophirima, we thank Mahumapelo for the period he has served as the Premier of our province.”

The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the North West also shared the same sentiments.

SANCO provincial chairperson, Paul Sebegoe said: “Mahumapelo’s resignation is a step in the right direction that affords the ANC an opportunity to accelerate service delivery. We trust that it would be followed through with in depth investigations into allegations of corruption leveled against his administration.

“This will reclaim good governance that was seemingly compromised. We hope that systems that had created a condusive environment for corruption to thrive will be dismantled, while provincial departments and municipalities are strengthened by national intervention to address service delivery challenges.”

Sebegoe said they urge the communities to exercise calm and unfolding developments to purposefully take them forward as they reclaim and reposition the province for unity, shared prosperity, economic growth and development,” he said.

Sebegoe further said that the vigilance of communities has been stirred and their quest is for accountability and clean governance at all levels including municipalities all of which have according to the Auditor General’s 2016-2017 financial report failed to get a clean audit,” highlighted Sebegoe.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the North West said it noted much anticipated and delayed exit of disgraced Mahumapelo. DA Provincial leader, Joe McGluwa said this is a step in the right direction towards bringing order and stability to the province.

“The province has being besieged by violent protest action after years of ANC mismanagement and callous leadership. Mahumapelo’s “early retirement” does not shield him from accounting for the long list of corruption leveled against him.

“He represents only the tip of the ice-berg, therefore his exit will not miraculously fix the province’s deep problems of corruption, lack of service delivery and joblessness. The ANC is rotten to its core and over the past years. The ANC has put the interests of the party before that of the people of North West,” McGluwa said.

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Picture: (Portfolio Committee chairperson, Boitumelo Moiloa)

By REGINALD KANYANE

The North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs will be conducting public hearings on the North West Provincial Arts and Culture Council Repeal Bill 2016 and Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation Bill 2017 on Friday.

Portfolio Committee chairperson, Boitumelo Moiloa said the events will be at Madibogo Community Hall, James Motlatsi Hall in Vaal Reefs near Klerksdorp, Taung Depot and Word Alive Christian Church in Mmotla village near Carousel at 10h00.

“The North West Arts and Culture Council Act, Repeal 2016 seeks to provide for the disestablishment of the North West Arts and Culture Council and the repeal of the North West Arts and Culture Council Act, 2000 and to provide for matters connected therewith.

“Mmabana Arts, Culture and Sports Foundation Amendment Bill, 2017 seeks to amend the Mmabana Arts, Cultural and Sport Foundation Act, 2000, so as to effect textual amendments; to insert a new definition and new provision; to provide for matters connected therewith,” she said.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

Two North West local municipalities owe Eskom R573 million. The chairperson of Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa), Themba Godi said Naledi local municipality in Vryburg owes the power utility R280 million, while Ditsobotla in Lichtenburg owes R293 million respectively.

Godi said Scopa has resolved to meet with the inter-ministerial task team to seek a resolution to the challenge presented by defaulting municipalities and the impact they have on Eskom. He further said the Scopa today met with Eskom, the South African Local Government Association (Salga), the Department of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and the National Treasury in an effort to understand how these various entities can work together to solve this challenge.

“The committee was not satisfied with the responses from the parties, particularly on how they can work together to ensure that municipalities pay back their debt to Eskom. Scopa hopes that a meeting with the inter-ministerial task team will provide resolutions, particularly as some municipalities who are able to pay are reluctant to do so.

“Scopa has also resolved to call the top 10 defaulting municipalities to understand why they are not paying their debt. Scopa notes that the top two defaulting municipalities are in the Free State. They are Maluti A Phofung, which owes Eskom R2.8bn and Matjhabeng, which owes R1.8bn. The defaulting municipalities are eMalahleni in Mpumalanga, which owes R1.6bn, Ngwathe in Free State owes R936m, Emfuleni in Gauteng owes R606m, Govan Mbeki in Mpumalanga owes R517m, Lekwa in Mpumalanga owes R491m, Thaba Chweu in Mpumalanga owes R431m,” Godi said.

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