Picture: A local hip hop artist, Mr Ora Talslim Sereo

By OBAKENG MAJE

Music continues to play a crucial role in shaping society and identities. The scope of music reaches far beyond the concert halls, as it accompanies travelling, sports, shopping, and working activities.

Music provides parameters that can be used to frame experiences, perceptions, feelings, and comportments. A local upcoming hip-hop artist, Mr Ora Talslim as Oratile Sereo is affectionately known, shared the same sentiments.

 Mr Ora Taslim who recently gave an illustrious performance at the Dj Nation Annual Bash on 28 December 2019, said he is grateful to see his music career taking a positive direction.

“I was born and bred in Manthe village, Taung where I spent most of my primary school life. However, in 2001, we relocated to Mahikeng with my mom. I found my niche in the music industry while I was in high school.

“I used to listen to a lot of HHP music and I would always sing or rap those songs to my schoolmates’ word for word. One day while I was in the studio with my brother, Mogaka who is a kwaito artist known as Mzee2, I wrote a full verse right in the studio, and I noticed that I can do it all the way,” he said.

A 29-year-old artist who is also a fashion designer further said he educates, informs and entertains people through his music. Mr Ora Talslim said he always lends a helping hand and encourages people to believe in themselves.

“I released a tape in 2018 named MotseMixtape where I featured a lot of local artists from Mahikeng. I have since released singles called Go Getter, which occupied a number 3 spot on Mafikeng FM Hip Hop TOP 10. This was followed by another single called Sharp Fede.  

“I was also intrigued when this song occupied a number one spot in various hip hop shows across local radio stations. Another single was called Superstar and it also did fairly well. This song was on high rotation and reached number one spot in three local radio stations too,” said Mr Ora Talslim.

He added that even though it is tough in the music industry, it is always wiser to work very hard. Mr Ora Talslim said people enjoy his style of music which is a mix of kwaito and hip hop.

“My style of music is a mix of kwaito and hip hop and we call it new age kwaito. I want to see myself as one of the big brands in the hip hop industry in the next five years. Changing people’s lives and contributing positively to our society makes me happy.

“I remember back in 2017, I went to the Dj Nation Annual Bash and told my friends that I will not come back the following year if I will not be performing. Therefore, I dedicated my hustle and energy to that. So, when I won the competition and made it to the list of performers, I was glad,” he said.

Mr Ora Talslim said those who would like to get his music can WhatsApp him on 060 417 3820 or go to slikouronlife.com under the street and get it there. He can also be followed on various social media via:

Facebook: Mr-oraTalslimSereo

Instagram: Mr_TaLslim

Twitter: Mr_TaLslim

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By BAKANG MOKOTO

Pupils from Cokonyane village in Taung and surrounding areas were left stranded after irate residents embarked on protest demanding the provision of water. 

Residents allegedly burnt interim Jojo tanks that were meant to assist them with water shortages. According to some of the residents, it’s been over a year since they experienced the scourge of water shortages and they believe that ‘the use of tankering system benefits only connected few.’ 

One of the community leaders, Tshepo Kalamore said they embarked on a protest because the government is ignoring their call. He said they tried to engage various stakeholders such as the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District municipality and Sedibeng Water which is a service provider, but they have been sent from pillar to post.

“It is high time that the government takes us seriously. We cannot continue to live without the provision of water. Water is a basic need and it’s been over a year since we received quality water. Taps are dry and rusty, and we should pretend as if everything is normal?

“We do not want to prevent pupils to go to school, but we have no choice. We believe that injury to one is an injury to all. So, the status quo will remain until we get water,” Kalamore said.

Some pupils said the protest affected them because they lost two days of teaching and learning. However, the North West Education Department spokesperson, Elias Malindi said they condemn the use of school children by residents during protests.

 “Yes, we are aware of the matter and call on residents to stop preventing pupils from going to school. Protests affect our progress because learners are missing out on teaching and learning. So, we urge our residents to refrain from that and raise their challenges through relevant channels. The department has a recovery plan, which we will roll out as soon as learners go back to school,” said Malindi.

North West province continues to experience service delivery protests. A month ago, angry residents from Austrey near Ganyesa allegedly destroyed the Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality offices a month ago, while demanding the construction of a tarred road on the road that links Ganyesa and Austrey.  

However, North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro said during his State of the Province Address (SOPA) last week that a review of monthly unrest statistics from the South African Police Service (SAPS) reveals a steady decline in violent protests in the province since the start of the intervention, with only six unrest incidents recorded in the province last month.

“This compares very favourably with statistics for January 2019, in which 26 unrest incidents were recorded and reflect a 15 fold decrease since the violence of April 2018 when police recorded 91 unrest incidents. The data shows that we are making significant progress towards becoming a stable and peaceful province, through our collective efforts.

“Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District is an important strategic agricultural area for the North West Province and has negatively been impacted by drought which threatens many people’s livelihoods,” Mokgoro said.

He added that in an effort to minimize the scourge of drought and general water shortage, they will build government borehole sighting, drilling and reticulation capacity aimed mainly at livestock watering provision with a further potential to assist with human drinking water where necessary.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Seven out of ten North West MECs will visit Ganyesa village, near Vryburg on Tuesday to address service delivery challenges. The rapid response team will be led by the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs department (Coghta), Gordon Kegakilwe.

This comes after the community of Austry embarked on service delivery protests early this year, demanding a tarred road between Austry and Moshwana villages. The teaching and learning process was disrupted as irked residents embarked on violent protests and destroyed the Kagisano Molopo Local Municipality offices and vehicles.

One of the residents, Norman Moncho told Taung DailyNews that they were ‘gnashing their teeth’ because of empty promises. Moncho added that they had aired their dissatisfactions many times, but nothing was done.

Meanwhile, ‘The Fire Extinguisher’ as Kegakilwe is affectionately known in the political arena, said the team will be made up of MECs for Education, Maphefo Matsemela, Public Works and Roads, Oageng Molapisi, Health, Madoda Sambatha, Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono, Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Kenetswe Mosenogi, and Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari.

“As part of playing oversight on municipalities, we recently met with mayors, municipal managers and administrators in the province to discuss the performance of municipalities.

“We requested municipalities to put systems in place to deal with corruption, use public money for what it is intended for and at the same time, be transparent on how they money is used,” he said.

Kegakilwe further said officials must ensure that they do things by the book. He added that they should be transparent as to how they use public resources.

“Municipal Managers are accounting officers and must, therefore, make sure their municipalities move in the right direction. The department is responsible for the performance of municipalities and if things do not go well at this sphere of government, the blame goes to the department. We are judged on the performance of municipalities’’, Kegakilwe said.

According to Kegakilwe, the performance of municipalities has declined since 2016 and the last Auditor General’s report indicates that no municipality in the province received an unqualified report. He also appealed to councillors to differentiate between party politics and government.

“Mayors must be able to serve all communities irrespective of their political affiliation. We must be effective, rational and be committed to working for our people,” he said.

The African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) in the province said it was deeply disturbed by the scenes of violence and no services delivered at the municipality. ANCWL acting provincial secretary, Bitsa Lenkopane said the league was shocked by the unstable situation where some residents have literally seized control of the municipality and denied the majority of the people of Kagisano-Molopo access to municipal offices.

“The seizure of control goes deeper to the municipal purse where business opportunities are skewed. In a letter to the ANC, the community and branches of the party complained about no service delivery, continuous instability at the municipality and much litigation faced by the municipality, while eating out of the same public purse that should be delivering them services.

“The league has also been receiving complaints in this regard, mainly from women who feel they were left as victims and casualties of these activities as they are robbed of basic needs and empowerment to improve their livelihoods, with threats to their physical security,” Lenkopane said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: A local businessman, Tshidiso Moriane with shoe beneficiaries at Tlhareseng Primary School 

By OBAKENG MAJE

More than ten learners from Tlhareseng Primary School in Mokgareng village near Taung were cheerful to receive shoes from a local philanthropist, Tshidiso Moriane. A prominent businessman donated shoes to less fortunate learners as part of his company, Druzaray Aluminum Glass’ social responsibility.

“As businesses, we need to demonstrate an obligation to various philanthropic causes and ensure that we support our own. We visited Tlhareseng Primary School and identified those learners who needed assistance regarding school uniforms and shoes.

“As a resident of Mokgareng and also a former learner at the school, the aim of this donation was to encourage these learners who are less fortunate not to be demoralized. I told them that their backgrounds should not determine their future and with discipline, dedication, and determination, they will achieve their mark,” he said.

Moriane who is a former policeman further said most learners drop out of school because of their backgrounds. He added that it was imperative for those who have already achieved to give moral support to those who are less fortunate.

“We will continue to give support to the school and we will extend this project to other schools such as Mokgareng High and Leshobo High schools. We will adopt each learner per school this year and nurture them. We will also pay for their tertiary tuition next year and continue to mentor them.

“I was happy to see one of my former colleagues who contributed after he saw my post on social media. We would like to encourage the youth of Mokgareng to also participate and ensure that they contribute,” Moriane said.

“Generally, private companies are perceived as more marketable whose social responsibility activities are seemingly non-existent. Thus, the marketing of social responsibility is important for businesses that want to keep or attract consumers with mindsets toward the environment, social issues, and economic growth,” he said.

Tlhareseng Primary School principal, Buyisile Kgune said: “We highly appreciate the donation from Moriane. We would also like to encourage those who have already achieved to support those who are underprivileged. According to our statistics, we have 45% of learners who come from poverty-stricken families.

“We have more than 300 learners and we would like to encourage other former learners who can contribute to also come on board. As the school management, we highly appreciate the efforts of Moriane as a former learner who shows a sign of ubuntu. We also like to encourage parents, School Governing Body (SGB) and management to continue with a good relationship.”

One of the learners, Raobaka Gaselaolwe (12) who is doing Grade 5 shared the same sentiments. Gaselaolwe who stay with her grandmother welcomed the donation.

“I highly-appreciate the donation of the shoes. This will encourage me to work harder and ensure that I perform well. I would like to become a policeman after finishing school. We only survive with old age grant and life is difficult,” he said.

Another learner, Omaatla Jonathan (12) who is doing Grade 6 said: “We stay with my mom and no one is working at home. I would like to become a doctor after finishing school. It is a relief to see some companies developing interest in wider social issues, rather than just those that impact your profit margins only.”

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A 40-year-old woman sentenced to ten years imprisonment for attempted murder by Galeshewe Regional Court in Kimberly. Northern Cape police spokesperson, Brig Mohale Ramatseba said the woman was found guilty after she attempted to kill her own wheelchair-bound son (15) back in 2018.

Ramatseba said during court proceedings, it came to light that on 16 December 2018, the woman took her son off the wheelchair and put him on the bed inside the house before dousing him with paraffin.

“Fortunately, the boy was rescued by his father who extinguished the fire. The victim sustained serious burnt wounds and was hospitalized for almost five months.

“During the sentencing, the accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm. The Galeshewe Family Violence and Child Protection Unit commander, Lieutenant Col Marli Strydom lauded the investigating officer, W/O Conrad de Jongh for excellent investigation,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By BAKANG MOKOTO

The African National Congress (ANC) Caucus in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) will launch a new Constituency Management Committee (CMC) model premised on the principle of building an activist parliament at Rustenburg Civic Centre on Monday.

The ANC caucus provincial spokesperson, Tshiamo Tsotetsi said the ruling party needs the committee that will ensure that its ears are on the pulse of the society and will be able to pick up concerns of communities to ensure there is immediate resolution.

“The CMC model intended to enhance the theory of taking parliament to the people, also seeks to solicit the cooperation of representatives from all spheres of the government in order to pay more focused attention to the delivery of service, oversight and general development of a society where their assigned constituency work.

“The ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) Coordinator, Hlomane Chauke is expected to give an organizational overview at the launch expected to be attended by all ANC deployees in the Provincial Legislature, National Assembly National Council of Provinces, Mayors, Speakers, and Council Whips,” Tsotesti said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

The office of National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise has approved a motion to initiate proceedings for the removal of Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane.

“The DA, from the onset, opposed the appointment of Mkhwebane as Public Protector and we consider her removal a matter of great urgency,” Mazzone said at the time.

“She has, time and again, proven that she is unfit to hold office, has consistently demonstrated an inability to conduct her work independently and has illustrated a poor understanding both of the law as well as of her mandate as Public Protector. Worse, Mkhwebane’s actions have caused immeasurable damage to the once-respected reputation of the Office of the Public Protector.”

In a statement on Friday, parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said the new rules expanded on the broad parameters in Section 194 of the Constitution – which provide for the removal of heads of Chapter 9 institutions – and previous National Assembly rules.

“The Democratic Alliance’s draft substantive motion for the removal of Advocate Mkhwebane will thus be considered in terms of these new rules,” read the statement.

“The new rules provide for any member of the National Assembly to initiate, through a substantive motion, proceedings for a Section 194 inquiry.”

If the Speaker is satisfied that the motion meets all the requirements, she must refer the motion and any supporting documents for a preliminary assessment to an independent panel. She must also, without delay, inform the National Assembly and the president of this referral.

“Having approved the motion, the Speaker has thus written to political parties to put forward proposed nominees to serve on the panel, made up of fit and proper South African citizens,” Mothapo said.

“The rules stipulate that the panel must collectively have the necessary legal and other competencies and experience to conduct the assessment. A judge may be appointed to the panel, but the Speaker must make such an appointment in consultation with the chief justice.”

Parties have until February 7 to submit their recommended nominees.

Within 30 days of its appointment, the panel must conduct and finalise a preliminary assessment on the motion proposing a Section 194 inquiry and make a recommendation to the Speaker.

Source: http://www.news24.com

The defence guru’s elevation wasn’t exactly a surprise as Rassie Erasmus opts for continuity.

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the North West said it was shocked to learn that a senior African National Congress (ANC) official in the province, Hlomane Chauke who serves as its Interim Provincial Coordinator (IPC) is deliberately promoting corruption in government.

This comes after Chauke allegedly instructed the Chief Whips of Districts and municipalities in the province to use taxpayers’ money for accommodation and traveling for ANC functionaries who will be attending an ANC Lekgotla from the 25^th – 26^th January 2020 in Rustenburg.

The EFF provincial chairperson, Shakes Botswe said he was disappointed that Chauke who also serves as a Member of Parliament (MP) can issue such a reckless instruction, which borders on the promotion of corruption in government. Botswe further said municipalities, both local and districts are an integral part of the state.

“The EFF rejects the ANC’s deliberate conflation of the state and the party.  We also reject the deliberate act of blurring the line that separates the party from the state. The ANC is not the state and the state is not the ANC. We further call upon the ANC especially its national structures to take drastic steps against Chauke for promoting corruption.

“Corruption is cancer that is eating at the fabric of the South African society and the ANC government is still battling on how to deal with it. Presently, the local government sphere of government in the province has collapsed because of corruption. Not even a single municipality has received a clean audit from the Auditor General,” he said.

Botswe added that all the disclaimers incurred by municipalities are as a result of corruption. He added that it is against this background that the EFF calls for disciplinary steps to be taken against Chauke.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the province shared the same sentiments. DA provincial leader, Joe McGluwa said they have written to the North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro to demand answers.

McGluwa said: “It is in the interest of the public that Mokgoro comes out clear and announce who will be footing the bill to this extravagance. As previously indicated, the DA will approach the High Court to interdict the Lekgotla, should this event continue with the costs carried by municipalities.

“Paying the accommodation and travel costs of ANC cadres using state funds is criminal and should be addressed urgently. To this end, we will be sending out letters to all municipalities indicating the dire consequences should they proceed to fund this Lekgotla.”

However, the ANC in the North West categorically denies any intention to use taxpayer’s money for its Provincial Lekgotla. The party’s provincial spokesperson, Kenny Morolong said that the ANC is committed to fiscal prudence and clean governance and the latter must inter-alia be realized by ensuring that taxpayers money is used for the purpose for which it is intended.

“The communique which invites ANC deployees to the Provincial Lekgotla states that the municipality must take full responsibility of traveling and accommodation arrangements of its delegates to the Provincial Lekgotla. The reference to the municipality with respect to our invite to the Provincial Lekgotla has always been interpreted by our structures and councillors as “deployees (councillors) representing a municipal council.”

“When we refer to a municipality in similar terms as stated in our invite we refer to a collective of ANC deployees who represent a particular municipality. We have consistently cautioned our public representatives against expenditure incurred by our institutions without provision having been made for such in the budget or without obtaining approval in terms of appropriate legislation,” said Morolong.

He said their deployees are acutely aware of the fact that they are personally liable for costs of their travel and accommodation to the Lekgotla as this is an established practice in the ANC. Morolong added that a deliberate confusion created around their communique by those with mischievous intentions is without basis.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By BAKANG MOKOTO

A 38-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to 25-year imprisonment for rape. According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Sergio Kock, the man found his girlfriend asleep and demanded sex.

The incident took place at Delportshoop.

“On the 25 August, 2018 at about midnight, the victim (38) was sleeping in her shanty in Delportshoop when the accused, at that stage her boyfriend, arrived. He woke her up and demanded to have sex with her. The victim refused and was assaulted by the accused that forcefully removed her clothes and raped her twice.

“The accused was arrested and the police successfully opposed bail. The accused remained in custody until he was sentenced. On 21 January 2020, the accused was found guilty and sentenced to 25 years imprisonment,” Kock said.

The Provincial Head for Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit in the Northern Cape, Brigadier Nicky Mills applauded the Investigating Officer, Constable Patience Fortuin for her hard work and meticulous investigation which led to this superb sentence.

taungdailynews@gmail.com