BY BAKANG MOKOTO
Messages of condolences continue to pour in after the death of Mosetsanagape Mokomele-Mothibi. The deceased who was former North West MEC of Social Development, Mokomele-Mothibi passed away last week after a long illness.

Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipal mayor, Boitumelo Mahlangu said they were touched by Mokomele-Mothibi’s passing.

“We want to take this opportune moment to send our heartfelt message of condolences to the family, friends, relatives, the ANC and its alliance. May Mokomele-Mothibi’s revolutionary soul rest in eternal peace. Her legacy and contribution will be preserved for generations to come.

“The municipality is in great agony and sadness. Mokomele-Mothibi was one of the selfless servants of the people. She will be remembered because she was hell-bent and committed to serve our people with diligence and utmost dedication and discipline,” Mahlangu said.

She further said Mokomele-Mothibi was a servant of both the poor and the working class. Mahlangu added that the deceased was also committed to build the society that is non-racial, non-sexist, united, democratic and prosperous as envisaged by the constitution of the republic.

“Mokomele-Mothibi’s passing has left an immeasurable void in the hearts of the residents of Bokone Bophirima. Our District Municipality’s flag will be flying at the half-mast as a tribute and honour to the fallen heroine of the African National Congress. Mokomele-Mothibi’s acute ideas and aspirations will not perish for as long as the ANC is alive.

“This fallen patriot of the toiling masses of our people and the ANC was steadfast to the cause of the poor and the working class. She aspired to build National Democratic Society as envisaged by the National Development Plan (NDP),” Mahlangu said.

The African National Congress (ANC) in Bokone Bophirima also shared the same sentiments. ANC provincial secretary, Dakota Legoete said Mokomele-Mothibi was directly elected as Proportional Representative (PR) Councillor at Dr Ruth Mompati District Municipality.

“She was an active member of an ANC branch in Ward 5, Taung Sub Region. Mokomele-Mothibi also served as an ANC Regional Executive Committee and Regional Task Team member in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region. The ANC had deployed her in different positions including as a former MEC for Social Development back in 2014.

“Mokomele-Mothibi was also a Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Conservation, Environment and Tourism at the Provincial Legislature. We convey our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of Mokomele-Mothibi and the community of Pudumong for their loss,” she said.

ANCWL provincial secretary, Bridgette Mogakwe shared the same sentiments.

“We will incessantly remember and appreciate her undivided commitment, hard
work and loyalty in the struggle for gender and economic freedom. Mokomele–Mothibi has over the years passionately volunteered her rare skills, which saw her confidently and successfully occupied leading positions in both the organisation and in government,” she said.

The funeral is underway at Vuselela FET College at Pudimoe near Taung.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

ALL Systems go at Groot Marico as the North West Provincial government prepares to unveil the Jacob Zuma Capture Site Monument in Groot Marico on Wednesday. The Culture, Art and Traditional Affairs department (CATA) in Bokone Bophirima said the construction of the monument is part of honouring the struggle icons and freedom fighters.

CATA spokesperson, Daddy Sebolecwe said: “The site is located in the Provincial Liberation Heritage Route that has significance in the liberation struggle of the country. President Jacob Zuma was arrested with a group of 45 uMkhonto we Sizwe recruits as they were on their way to exile for military training through Zeerust in 1963.

“The unveiling ceremony is part of promoting activities and events linked to the Liberation Heritage Route. This is in tandem with the strategic objectives of transforming the heritage landscape of Bokone Bophirima, to develop, preserve and promote the liberation site through tourism.”

President Jacob Zuma will deliver the keynote address during the event.

However, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said it categorically rejects the planned unveiling of a monument or statue in honor of uBaba Ka Duduzane (President Jacob Zuma). EFF provincial spokesperson, Thabo Sehloho said they believe that the provincial government under the leadership of Premier, Supra Mahumapelo is using tax payers’ money to fight ANC battles.

“The planned monument in honour of uBaba ka Duduzane is nothing, but a ploy to appease him as a leader of a faction in the ANC called the Premier League. This is also an attempt by Mahumapelo to negotiate a space in the leadership contest of the ruling party.

“Fundamentally, we reject the monument because that R6m used to design and erect that monument of uBaba Ka Duduzane could have been used to address infrastructure backlogs such as the provision of water, road infrastructure, housing and the electrification and the eradication of the bucket system in Gopane,” Sehloho said.

He further said the erection of the monument of ‘uBaba Ka Duduzane’ was not budgeted for in the current Annual Performance Plan by CATA. Sehloho added that the erection of the monument of ‘uBaba Ka Duduzane’ is part of a plan to consolidate the faction of the Premier League towards the ruling party’s National Conference in December.

“We believe that uBaba Ka Duduzane does not deserve that honour because of his pathetic leadership of the country. Under uBaba Ka Duduzane, South Africa has been downgraded twice by rating agencies and unemployment is extremely high at around 28%. uBaba Ka Duduzane has run down and factionalised key institutions supporting democracy such as The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), SABC and the Public Protectors Office amongst others.

“He used the Gupta’s as his frontline troopers to loot the state and colonise key parastatals such as Eskom, Transnet, The National Treasury and SAA amongst others. Today South Africa is synonymous with corruption and State Capture has been consolidated by his friends, the Guptas. His dismissal of the former Minister of Finance Pravin Gordan and his Deputy Mcebisi Jonas plunged the country in chaos of capital flight, the weakening of the national currency (the Rand) and also created uncertainty amongst investors hence South Africa has been displaced by Egypt as the number one destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI),” he said.

Sehloho said Zuma is a morally bankrupt leader who admitted to sleeping with an HIV positive woman while in a holy matrimony. He alleged that Zuma also impregnated Sonono Khoza while in an official marriage.

“Zuma is not fit to lead this country. Under the leadership of uBaba Ka Duduzane, the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality have worsened. So, we vow to bring down that monument of corruption,” he said.

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The South African Police Services (SAPS) are in the process of settling 653 civil claims worth R1.17bn for injuries and deaths that occurred in the 2012 Marikana massacre, MPs heard on Monday.

The exact amount from all 653 plaintiffs totalled R1 170 946 235 going back to 2014, legal services commander Lieutenant General Sally Kahn told MPs.

“This is in respect of injuries as a result of the shooting, claims to loss of support, assault, malicious prosecution and injuries as a result of arrest and detention,” Khan told the portfolio committee on police.

The dependents of 37 deceased miners have submitted claims for loss of financial support, 32 of which have been submitted to an actuary.

Some documents are still outstanding in four of the cases.

One case has already been settled to a deceased miner’s family of seven for just over R3m, paid in June this year.

Other offers between R50 000 to R100 000 have been made for arrest and detention claims, depending on the number of days the plaintiffs were detained for.

“Some offers have been rejected, and we have asked for proof of detention to consider settlement,” Khan said.

ALSO READ: Final Marikana dockets handed over to the NPA – IPID

Police minister Fikile Mbalula has authorised claims for those who seek R20 000 a day per plaintiff, 275 of which have been given to the State Attorney to make the offer to the plaintiffs, she said.

For those who filed assault claims, the SAPS await expert documents which will be made available at the end of November.

Democratic Alliance MP Dianne Kohler-Barnard asked if there would come a day where all claims would be settled.

“We do not have a date yet, but the approach is conciliatory,” Khan responded.

“In the event that the parties accept the settlements, we will reach finality soon. But the process is conciliatory, not defending or mitigating.”

That was a “huge” change in attitude from the SAPS, Kohler-Barnard remarked.

The SAPS were in Parliament on Monday to account for their 2016/17 annual report.

The meeting continued on Monday.

Source: http://www.news24.com

Picture: Hip Hop artist, Flizzy The Tone 

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Music plays a pivotal role within the society and people cannot live without it. Taung emerging hip hop artist, Modiri Thebeyagae (17) from Pudimoe Location in Taung said music is so important in the contemporary society.

Flizzy The Tone as Thebeyagae is affectionately known in music fraternity said he fell in love with hip hop genre while he was only 4.

“I was inspired by the likes AKA, Cassper Nyovest and other world renowned artists. Music plays an important role in everyday life. I started to develop interest while I was in Grade 4. I worked with various artists across North West including my former producer, Da Ruse Mavest.

“It is hard to be an artist especially coming from Taung which is a predominantly rural. We come across many challenges in the industry. There is a lack of exposure especially from Taung. However, I am still young and I anticipate great things. My main objective is to become one of the finest artists across the country,” Flizzy The Tone said.

A 17 year-old musician said music is a prevailing art that need to be nurtured well. Flizzy The Tone further said music is an autonomous art form, functioning independently from social, political, economic, technological, and ethical developments.

“Music does much more than depicting or embodies values. Music is active and dynamic, constitutive not merely of values but of trajectories and styles of conduct. It plays an important role in shaping society and identities. The scope of music reaches far beyond the concert hall.

“I am currently doing Grade 10 at PH Moeketsi High School and looking forward to continue with my studies. My upbringing was just normal and I believe that we can achieve a lot through discipline, dedication and determination. I also want to urge our youth to focus more on their education and fight poverty, inequality and unemployment,” he said.

Flizzy The Tone added that music provides parameters that can be used to frame experiences, perceptions, feelings, and comportments. He released a Mix Tape last week and expects to release an album soon.

“We are having challenges as artists in Taung. The area is predominantly rural and there is lack of opportunities here. We want to urge provincial government to support our craft and ensure that we grow. We have also realised that government alone cannot not afford to support us. However, private sector needs to come on board and invest in us.

“Music is no more a hobby, but a career. There are so many different roles, functions, and positions within the music industry. South Africa is blessed with abundance of talents and that need to be nurtured. We must learn to bring music into philosophical, sociological, and various cultural perspectives. Music is placed in a socio-cultural context,”

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