The DA has come out to condemn the ANC for this tender, though it may have confused the statue’s height, 6 metres, with its alleged price, R6 million.

The ANC is said to be planning to sculpt and erect a statue of President Jacob Zuma worth a whopping R6 million, according to the DA, though it’s unclear where the opposition party sourced this figure from.

A tender has been advertised on National Treasury’s website, calling for bidders who wish to build a statue of Zuma six metres tall.

Tender number CATA116/2016, apparently issued by the department of arts, culture and traditional affairs in North West, is set to help build “lifelike bronze statue and plaque” of the president in Groot Marico under Ngaka Modiri Molema Local Municipality.

“Sculpturing services for the design, manufacturing and installation of 6m lifelike bronze statue and plaque of President Jacob Zuma in Groot Marico under Ngaka Modiri Molema Local Municipality,” reads the tender information of the National Treasury’s website.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) came out to condemn the ANC in North West for the advert, and said that there was nothing to celebrate in Zuma, “a man who has so brazenly broken our laws”.

“We are shocked the ANC North West wants to spend R6m of public money to erect a statue of a man who has so brazenly broken our laws.

“There is nothing to celebrate about Jacob Zuma’s presidency, a regime that has left 9 million people unemployed.

“The North West tender (CATA116/2016) to sculpt & build an enormous statue of Jacob Zuma is a disgraceful waste of public money.”

For more http://www.citizen.co.za

Check out @unamntantala’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/unamntantala/status/831755080886018049?s=09

taungdailynews@gmail.com

BY BAKANG MOKOTO

Following the launch of February Safety Month at Boitekong, MEC of Community Safety and Transport Management, Dr Mokgantshang Motlhabane in conjunction with Mahikeng SAPS, Mahikeng Local Municipality and Mahikeng community De-bushed one of the notorious crime hot spots in Mmabatho. 

The campaign took place behind Mmabatho Stadium recently.

This crime hot spot is mainly used by cyclists and walkers from the community of Lokaleng village, students attending at Taletso TVET College and at the North West University. 

These often fall victims of numerous crime incidences like: rapes, muggings, hijacking, stalking, assaults and robberies.   

Community members who were part of the clean-up campaign were happy about the efforts taken by government to fight the crime in the area. 

“We are sick and tired of living in fear and it is time to work together towards the safety of the community,” said Lebogang Mokaleng of Montshioa Township.

MEC Dr Motlhabane was overwhelmed to see the local community showcasing their courage in fighting crime.

Community members were well-equipped with Personal Protective Equipments (PPE) which included amongst others; hand saws, rakes, grass slashes and petrol grass cutter in order to cut the trees and grass around the area. 

“A double sided crime information board was also erected to warn the pedestrians, walkers and cyclists who pass through that road about the crimes that often happen around the area.

“I am impressed about the hard work and the passion to fight crime. It is very impressive to see the community come together to fight against crime in their area.,” Motlhabane said.

He said the communities need to fight for what was right. Motlhabane further said even though the area is cleared that alone does not mean residents are safe to pass through the area at any given time of the day more especially after hours. 

“The community should remain vigilant  at all times,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

​

NORTH West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo will deliver his fourth State of the Province Address (SOPA) at the official Opening of the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), which will be held at Taung Sports Ground, Greater Taung Local Municipality on February 24.

The ceremony will be presided over by the NWPL Speaker, Sussana Dantjie and will start at 9am.

The SOPA which will be delivered within the context of celebrating 20 years of the Constitution, will see the Mahumapelo putting more emphasis on the provincial government’s deliberate focus on growing the local economy and creating a culture of entrepreneurship amongst the community.

North West Provincial Government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said Mahumapelo will respond to the growing need for capacity building and skills development within the public service and the broader society.

“Mahumapelo will pronounce strategies the provincial government will introduce in this area, through the Ikatisong School of Government.

“The provincial government is aware that society judges us on issues involving the provision of water and sanitation infrastructure, creation of sustainable jobs, conditions of our roads, delivery of human settlements, provision of quality education and health care services, as well as the findings of the audit outcome,” Setswambung said. 

He said Mahumapelo will therefore as part of the State of the Province Address, prioritise these areas of service delivery, this also in the context of the strategy to rebrand, reposition and renewal of Bokone-Bophirima.

Setswambung further said Premier will also provide progress made and lessons learned in working towards realising the objectives of the five-concretes, namely, prioritisation of Agriculture, Culture and Tourism as key economic pillars, developing the Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies economy, leading Reconciliation, Healing and Renewal programmes in an effort to build unity and social cohesion, accelerate the delivery of services through an all-inclusive radical interventionist programme of Setsokotsane and promoting a culture and spirit of partnerships through Saamwerk-Saamtrek philosophy.     

“The proceedings of the Opening of the North West Provincial Legislature and the State of the Province Address will be broadcast live on all North West based radio stations.”

taungdailynews@gmail.com

​

The leadership of Bokone-Bophirima Provincial Government, led by Premier Supra Mahumapelo, will this week hold a two-day EXCO Planning Lekgotla at Taung Hotel School, to assess progress registered in delivering services to the people of the province, and the impact thereof. The EXCO Planning Lekgotla will be held from Wednesday, 15 until Thursday, 16 February 2017.

Under the theme, together we move Bokone-Bophirima forward: Implementing the National Development Plan (NDP) through Rebranding, Repositioning and Renewal (RRR) of Bokone-Bophirima in the context of the five concretes, the 2017 EXCO Planning Lekgotla will be attended by Members of the Executive Council, Executive Mayors and Mayors, Heads of Provincial Departments, Municipal Managers, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officers of State Owned Entities, amongst others.

Central to this planning lekgotla will be to assess the extent to which government departments and district municipalities have implemented the five concretes and the RRR vision. This platform will also afford the leadership the opportunity to deliberate on the service delivery challenges, interventions and milestones, which include the provision of electricity, water and sanitation, as well as efforts to enhance the province’s ICT and Communication services.

Members of the media wishing to cover the outcome of the EXCO Planning Lekgotla, will be afforded the opportunity to conduct interviews on the second day (Thursday 16) of the EXCO Planning Lekgotla, from 13h00.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

​

Cape Town – A strong commitment to bilateral relations between the US and South Africa and security matters in Africa were the main focus of the much-hyped telephone call between US President Donald Trump and President Jacob Zuma on Monday afternoon.

In a statement released by Zuma’s office shortly after the call was said to have taken place, the Presidency said the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening already strong bilateral relations.

“There are six hundred US companies in South Africa and strong trade relations between the two countries,” the Presidency said.

Zuma also congratulated Trump on his election as the USA’s 45th president.

The two also discussed the need to work together on multilateral issues as well, “especially the quest for peace and stability on the African continent”.

For more http://www.news24.com

​

BY BAKANG MOKOTO 
Road Accident Fund’s mobile office, MobiRAF will visit various communities in the North West province to service car crash victims from Tuesday. RAF spokesperson, Boniswa Matshoba said the aim was to reach out to communities who were located in far-flung areas without RAF offices.

“At the heart of this extensive community outreach is service delivery. We taking the RAF products and services to the doorsteps of the people who need them most. The

MobiRAF will visit Schweizer-Reineke, Christiana, Bloemhof, and Wolmaransstad.

“The RAF-branded vehicle has the capability of consulting with at least 70 to 80 customers at any given time. Devoted RAF personnel will assist car crash victims with the direct registering of new claims, consolidation of required compliance documents, general claims queries, and reporting of alleged cases of misconduct against unscrupulous personal injury attorneys, including touts who defraud unsuspecting claimants,”Matshoba said.

Pretoria Reginal Manager, Dineo Thabede said: “This MobiRAF is an extension of the RAF’s efforts to increase its accessibility to car crash victims in the areas that fall under our mandate, providing them with more opportunities to claim directly from the RAF. Claimants are requested to bring their ID documents to enquire about their claims.

“People claiming for the first time are required to have case numbers, accident reports, vehicle registrations and contact numbers of all parties involved in the motor vehicle accident.”

The event will commence at Public Works Hall in Schweizer Reneke at 8am until 4pm.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
MEC for tourism, Desbo Mohono said they will host a District Tourism Lekgotlha at Klondike Lodge in Vryburg on Tuesday. Mohono said the event is a venture to strategically solicit inputs from tourism industry role players. 

“We will meet with product owners within Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district. We will also be able to outline our plans and intentions for the 2017/18 fiscal year. Amongst other things, this Lekgotla will seek to cement relevant public and private partnerships. It will also implement various tourism strategies which will assist in growing the provincial economy through tourism. 
“Product owners are also expected to input on the five concretes in relation to the Tourism industry. It is envisaged that this forum will advise the department on relevant issues to be attended to. This will also assist with creating a conducive environment for coordinated tourism planning and development,” Mohono said.
The event will commence at 8: am

taungdailynews@gmail.com

BY REGINALD KANYANE
A 24 YEAR-OLD man was found hanged in the house at Ditshilong village, near Taung on Saturday morning at around 11:00am. 

North West police spokesperson, Lt Colonel, Pelonomi Makau said: “The deceased was found suspended from the rafter of the house by his grandfather. He alerted the police and a case of inquest was opened at Taung Police Station. The motive of the atrocity is unknown yet.” 

taungdailynews@gmail.com

​

Thabo Senong, head coach of the Burger King-sponsored South African u20 National Team (Amajita), says the international friendly match against Zambia will give his charges an insight that country in terms of
conditions.
 
Amajita are in Lusaka to take on the host nation on Sunday, 12 February 2017 at Nkoloma Stadium, a match used to prepare for the 2017 CAF U20 African Cup of Nations, which will be held in Zambia.
 
Kickoff is scheduled for 15h00.
 
Senong anticipates a tough clash, but is confident it will be a fruitful exercise.
 
“We are still in our second phase of preparations for the AFCON, which starts soon, and we still have some areas to work on. We are very grateful for the opportunity to play this friendly as it will assist us a lot in building our tactics, along
with ensuring that the players have an idea of some of the conditions they will exposed to,” said Senong.
 
Another key factor the South Africans are focusing on is the fitness – which is always crucial in tournament situations.
 
“We still have about two weeks before the tournament kicks off, and we are working on ensuring that the players are all on the same level of fitness and understanding the game plans we will have for Cameroon, Senegal and Sudan,” added Senong.
 
“The players will have to be very clinical in their set plays, come Sunday afternoon. They will also have to respect the critical times of the game and be able to match the Zambians physically and mentally.”
 
The third phase of preparations will start when Amajita return from Zambia after the clash with Junior Chipolopolo.
 
The South Africans will travel to Polokwane, Limpopo to face Mali in their second international friendly match.

The CAF U20 AFCON takes place in Zambia from 26 February – 12 March 2017taungdailynews@gmail.com