NEWLY-crowned Miss Teen Universe, Taahirah Zungu arrived back in the country.

Taahirah was crowned at a ceremony in Bodrum. She also walked away with the titles of Miss Sympathy, Photomodel of the Universe and Best Talent in the Teen Category.

Taahirah competed against 19 girls from around the world and judging consisted of talent performance, TV Star production, general behaviour on a daily basis, interaction with other contestants and finally three ramp judging rounds in National Costume, Fashion Casual Wear & Evening Wear.

According to Pageants SA, Taahirah’s “sparkling personality, friendliness, compassion towards her fellow contestants, ability to communicate across language barriers and general interaction with everyone she came into contact with during the competition” earned her the internationally acclaimed Miss Teen Universe title for 2016.

The duties awaiting Taahirah will include her active involvement in keeping children in school by supplying DeskBags to children in areas where schools do not have desks, and also distributing Mimi Sanitary wear to girls from disadvantaged communities.

Pageants SA said that under the guidance of its CEO Carolyn Botha, “we are sure that Taahirah will have a wonderful and incredible year.”

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

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

MEC for Public Works department, Madoda Sambata said they will spend R142 million to construct D221 road that links Manokwane and Maphoitsile villages.

“We have negotiated with Minister of Road, Dipuo Peters to allocate budget for the road. We all know that this road was marred with court cases after contractors took the department to court.

“However, finally the storm is over and budget is no more an issue. We have also introduced the contractor to the communities and we expecting the construction of the road soon,” Sambata said.

North West premier Supra Mahumapelo was part of sod-turning. He said the community of Maphoitsile and Manokwane will duly benefit from the road project.

“The project will create job opportunities for the locals. We also urge community members to work closely with relevant stakeholders and make sure that the project succeeds.

“We need to ensure that we protect and preserve our properties. If you encounter any challenges, please use available structures to address that. We do not want to see the project being derailed because of some differences,” he said.

Maphoitsile Kgosi, Keaobaka Saku also lauded the public works department. Saku said the construction of the road will make those areas accessible.

“We have been waiting for this moment since 2012. However, we are grateful that final the road will be built. Many people will benefit from the project and also the road will be accessible during rainy season,” Saku said.

Manokwane community members embarked on a protest and burnt two houses belonging to the then councillor and the headmaster.

The demanded that the road to be constructed.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

FIVE community members those who benefited from Kolong Bridge project received the keys to their newly-built houses. 

They were relocated from their original residential areas to make way for the newly built bridge.

One of the beneficiaries, Kedibone Kgopodimetsi applauded the North West Provincial Government for building them beautiful houses.

“I never thought I will stay in a beautiful house like this one in my lifetime. It really shows that the government is fullfilling its objective to improve the lives of ordinary people,” Kgopodimetsi said.

Another beneficiary, Baitshinye Mokgosi shared the same sentiments. Mokgosi said the house she received has everything she needed.

“I stay with my grandchildren and having a shelter like this one over our heads is grateful. I have been living in a mud house since 1988,” she said.

North West premier Supra Mahumapelo said the developments were positive. He said the houses worth R4.8 million combined.

“The Public Works department used their in-house engineers to construct the houses. This saved us a lot of money. They built quality houses,” Mahumapelo said.

He mulls that maybe the provincial government will build houses like these in the near future. 

“We are going to drill water for the beneficiaries too. This is part of Village, Township and Small Dorpies (VTSD) initiative. 

“We aiming at improving the lives of deprived people especially in far-flung areas like Taung. The bridge is at its final phase and  we will be opening it soon,” Mahumapelo said.

The bridge cost R84 million and Mahumapelo said it will make  travelling easier than before.

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BY KAMOGELO POOE

North West MEC for Tourism, Desbo Mohono reiterated her call to all South Africans to make tourism their every day activity. 

Mohono’s call come at the time when she rounded off her departmental Tourism Month events in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district in Taung on Friday. 

She appealed to both the district and local mayors to ensure access for all and preserve the existing tourism sites in the area.

Mohono was speaking during her “Tourism Fridays – Wake Up with the MEC” which is an interactive live radio show, hosted at a less popular tourist destination around Taung. 

According to MEC Mohono, the North West province has beautiful sites with rich history, culture, hospitality and beautiful landscape to visits. 

She says those areas are potential local economic development ventures. Mohono visited areas such as Small Heaven in Thomeng, Dinkgwaneng, Taung Dam and the Taung Skull Heritage Site.

She said that such areas are some of the hidden potential Tourism sites in the provinces. 

“Such sites need aggressive marketing, which we will continue to do as a department. They also have that potential of currying the Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies concrete, based on their locations, Job creation and further alleviating poverty,” said Mohono.

Meanwhile Greater Taung Local municipality Mayor, Kgosi Nyoko Motlhabane, also appealed to the people of Taung to keep the said sites in a clean environment. 

He said as the municipality, they will make it a point that such areas are clean all the time and that they become environmentally clean. 

“We need to make sure that we develop such areas so that everybody could have access and enjoy themselves. We also need to make sure they should be in a state where they will continue to attract oversees tourists, which will be a great boost to the local economy,” said Motlhabane.

The Department further donated linen to the Lokgabeng old age home, where MEC Mohono and Chairperson of Tourism Board David Mogashoa, praised the district mayor Cllr. Boitumelo Mahlangu for the initiative. 

According to Mahlangu, the place has restored the dignity and ensured proper care for the aged.

“The elderly were not getting proper care at their home due to different challenges they were faced with. Since the establishment of this place eleven years ago, many elderly people were resident to the place and have received proper care. 

“The place has grown from strength to strength with support from different quotas of society. And we are pleased to know that support in all forms continues to come from all directions,” she said.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

A 16 year-old model, Taahirah Zungu kept North West province and South African flag high after she became Miss Teen Universe.

Full interviews will follow-up.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

TAUNG Police are investigating an armed robbery case after a cash in-transit vehicle was robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash in Taung Shopping Centre on Monday. North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Pelonomi Makau said a security official was about to enter Absa Bank at the Shopping Complex when unconfirmed number of suspects fired shots at him.

“They allegedly took bags containing cash and fled the scene with a blue Audi vehicle with unknown registration numbers. No one has been arrested and investigation into the matter continues.

“The incident took place at approximately 12:00pm. We are investigating a case of armed robbery and attempted murder,” Makau said.

No one has been arrested and the security guard was taken to hospital for medical attention.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

A 41-year-old man was sentenced to fifteen years in jail by Taung Regional Court recently. Pudimoe Police Station spokesperson, Sgt Tebogo Thebe said Mothibi Tikologo was sentenced for murder committed on July 11 back in 2015 in Mase village near Pudimoe.

“The court convicted Tikologo after he was arrested for murdering his girlfriend. Tikologo stabbed her girlfriend with a screwdriver after an argument ensued between the two. The suspect was arrested immediately and has never been granted bail during trial after the police successfully opposed bail,” Thebe said.

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

MEC for transport, safety and liaison department, Pauline Williams officially launched the Northern Cape Province’s October Transport Month. Williams said the focus of the transport industry across the country is under the theme:  “Together we move South Africa Forward.”

“This is not only a great honour and privilege but also an essential platform to share ideas and exchange thoughts on road safety. We also highlight our plights and initiatives. Today and this month present us as the department of transport and stakeholders with an opportunity to highlight our endeavours.

“Today is not the start of road safety initiatives, law enforcement and awareness on the important work we do as department, but rather a month we give focus to. We talking about the mandate of the department and the important role transport plays in all our everyday lives,” she said.

Williams added that the messages does not exclude anyone but is for all road users including pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and users of all forms of transport be it air, land, water or rail.

She further said road safety is everyone’s responsibility.

“We will not seize as department in our efforts to educate our public and all road users of this important fact. This means that each and every one of us has an important role to play and something to contribute towards safer roads and curbing the loss of lives on our roads.

“That starts with me and you. We all have a responsibility to abide by the rules of the road.  I am starting with this important reality as it is crucial to any safe, sustainable and cost effective transport system. Let us be cognisant of the fact that the cars do not drive themselves, people do. People walk on the streets, people own livestock that are at times the cause of accidents, people speed and drive under the influence of alcohol,” Williams said.

She said the changing of behaviour and education was imperative. Williams added that people need to maintain good road usage as road users and curb the loss of life on the roads and injuries while creating an environment where all are and feel safe.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

Right To Know organization said they work to protect and advance the right to protest. R2K spokesperson, Alex Hotz said they note with concern the situation on various university campuses across the country.

“Tensions have risen to an all-time high with the shutdown of many universities across the country. There is a widespread use of force, interdicts, arrests, private security and police brutality on campuses.

“In the past weeks we have been seriously concerned about widespread reports of peaceful student protests across the country being met with repression and intimidation. This unfortunately echoes the use of coercion (including the use of interdicts) to prevent and stifle any protest action, including peaceful protests, over the past year,” Hotz said.

He said the constitution protects the right to protest, peacefully and unarmed. Hotz added that this includes protests that are non-violent but disruptive of normal activities.

“Our organisations have been inundated with the need to respond to arrests of students at various institutions as well as documented cases of police and private security brutality. In many of the cases, it is clear that the arrests are arbitrary and unjustified,” Hotz said.

The use of interdicts

He said the practice of universities obtaining wide-ranging court orders that effectively ban any disruptive protest appears to be continuing this year, despite the fact that such measures contribute to an escalation of tensions at universities.

“It deserves reiteration that these interim orders are problematic because they prevent students from engaging in actions that are necessary to give effect to their constitutionally-protected rights to freedom of speech and assembly. Their very existence evidences a preference for court sanctioned quashing of legitimate protest instead of listening to students and addressing their concern.

“The wide-ranging court orders are wrongly used as a basis to invite police onto campuses who unlawfully arrest any person engaged in protest action on the grounds of contempt of court,” Hotz added.

He said furthermore, universities in the past have instituted internal disciplinary processes against students for engaging in peaceful protest.

“We have also had experiences of universities frustrating and delaying the release of arrested students. These processes often happen without attention and proper representation of students. The cumulative effect of which amount to tactics of coercion and creates an environment on campuses that is hostile to student political expression.

“We are especially concerned about violence that has been meted out on student protesters, and now also journalists, especially by private security who are not accountable to the public. The conduct of the authorities and private security has already deepened tension and conflict, and escalated the responses from many protesters,” Hotz said.

“All students’ rights should be protected, including the right to protest and the right not to partake in protest. We note with concern incidents where certain protesters’ conduct and tactics have gone beyond the protected right to protest. We do not condone these incidents, but in many cases they can be understood as an almost inevitable response to securocratic approaches on many campuses to ‘deal’ with the return of #FeesMustFall protests through clampdowns.

“We call on all universities and on government to respect and protect the right to protest, and to ensure that action is taken against the inappropriate use of force by police and private security,” he said.

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BY REGINALD KANYANE
North West premier Supra Mahumapelo will do follow-up on the bridge and housing projects in Taung on Tuesday. 

Mahumapelo will do assessment and hand over three houses to beneficiaries in Kolong village.

Provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said three people were relocated from their initial areas to make way for the newly built bridge.

“Mahumapelo will hand over new houses allocated to them. He will be joined by Batlhaping Ba-ga Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority Chief, Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane. 

“North West premier will also do sod-turning for D221 road between Manokwane and Maphoitsile road,” Setswambung said.

Mahumapelo is also expected to address the media about the outcomes of Exco meeting that was held recently.

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