EDUCATION and sport development MEC Sello Lehari strongly condemned the burning of a mobile classroom at Reitshokile Primary School in Piet Plessis near Stella.
The arson was allegedly committed by a mob that disrupted teaching and learning at the school. The mob was wielding sticks and throwing stones.
Apparently, the group was demanding that a tarred road be built in the area.
After driving pupils and teachers out of the school, management later received a report that one mobile classrooms had been partially burnt.
Lehari said the fire damaged more than 15 desks, tables and chairs belonging to the class teacher, one cupboard and pupils’ files.
Lehari said: “On behalf of the department, I would like to condemn in the strongest terms, the burning of the mobile classroom at the school. We have now started with the third quarter of the academic year and soon our pupils will be writing their final examinations and we really do not expect such disturbing incidences.
“As the government, we encourage our communities to raise their demands in a peaceful manner rather than opting to destroy public property.”
The costs of the damages to the school are yet to be quantified.
The MEC said teachers had to plead with the community to allow pupils to go back to school in order to do revision as most of the grades were about to complete their syllabi.
The newly built Toevlug Primary in Ventersdorp, North West was officially opened on Friday.
The construction of the school, which accommodates 805 learners, was done through the department’s Accelerated School Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI).
According to the Department of Education, the state of the art school was built at a cost of over R38m. It will have a nutrition center, computer lab, library and a multipurpose center.
“The building of Toevlug school saw 85 job opportunities created during the construction which included 13 women and 75 youth,” the department said.
The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport management Mpho Motlhabane was joined by the department of Basic Education officials at the handing over.
Public Protector says millions have been misspent in D-Account in North West Picture Gallo Images
The Public Protector Adv Thuli Madonsela told the Bapo Ba Mogale community that over R680m has been misspent through the controversial D-Account in North West.
Madonsela addressed the community, releasing her preliminary report on the missing millions of Bapo mining royalties. She assured the citizens that a full report will be released soon.
“Through the investigations we have found that R681m was paid into the community account from 1994-2016,” Madonsela said.
Madonsela said currently there is just R495 000. She said when they started to get involved, about R50m was already spent.
“A Chunk of money also spent on bursaries. We will investigate who received those bursaries,” Madonsela said.
According to the Public Protector, the original budget for King Edward Mogale palace was R20m, in the end R80m was spent .
The Public Protector has told the King they need to repay the money.
“The forensic investigation revealed the biggest share of the money came from the mining firm Lonmin towards the community account,” Madonsela said.
She said they also established that a lot of money was spent on consultants, groceries, tribal Councillors and catering.
The Public Protector was in 2012 asked by the community to investigate allegations of systematic looting of the collective resources of the community, including funds in the so called D-Account. Mining companies deposit royalties into the account for community development.
Madonsela told the Chief of Bapo that her team has established what the funds on the account have been spent on, they just need to establish if the expenditure was proper.
She said she will further investigate if mining companies have been paying community enough for their resources. Since 1994 only R392 million has been paid.
Madonsela also met with the Lonmin management over the royalties to the community of Bapong.
She said King Edward Mogale asked them to investigate how much was in the account since the dawn of democracy and how it was spent.
“You have asked us whether all of the payments due to Bapo from Lonmin and others was paid, at the bank there is only one account which makes it easier to audit it,” she said
She further said through the investigations they established that the signatory was Mr Manye from 2006-2011.
“We have somebody who started signing from 2011 to date, a certain Mogotsi,” she said.
Madonsela said they will be talking to them regarding the money and how it was spent as they are both still in the office.
She met with the Director-General Dr. Lydia Sebego and MEC of Ontlametse Mochware on Tuesday with an effort to finalise the investigation before she leaves office in October.
She said they have been battling to get information from the office of the Premier as well as Department of Traditional affairs until they met with them recently.
Madonsela assured the community that the asset forfeiture unit will be used to assist with getting back what was stolen.
The North West department of Education has condemned the burning of schools in Mareetsane village in Mahikeng during a service delivery protest.
MEC for Education and Sport Development Sello Lehari said the burning of schools is unacceptable towards the future of our country.
“On behalf of the department I would like to condemn this violent act in its strongest terms, people are now venting their anger to destroying schools about issues that are far away from education,” Lehari said
According to the department three classrooms that where used by Grade 12 and three by Grade 11 were burnt down.
The department said a large number of chairs, tables, roof and walls were damaged .
Lehari said he is disappointed that a school was burnt down in Pit Plessis and now this
“I would like to encourage our communities whenever they have differences with the authorities to seek a peaceful intervention rather than to destroy public property,” Lehari said.
The MEC said this incident is going to affect learners very bad because the third quarter of the academic year has started.
The North West department of Education has condemned the burning of schools in Mareetsane village in Mahikeng.
MEC for Education and Sport Development Sello Lehari said the burning of schools is unacceptable towards the future of our country.
“On behalf of the department I would like to condemn this violent act in its strongest terms, people are now venting their anger to destroying schools about issues that are far away from education,” Lehari said
According to the department three classrooms belonging to Grade 12 and three belonging to Grade 11 were burnt.
The department said a large number of chairs, tables, roof and walls were damaged .
Lehari said he is disappointed that a school was burnt down in Pit Plessis and now this
“I would like to encourage our communities whenever they have differences with the authorities to seek a peaceful intervention rather than to destroy public property,” Lehari said.
The MEC said this incident is going to affect learners very bad because the third quarter of the academic year has started.
A case of arson was opened with the Mooifontein police station and both learners and teachers are still not at school and perpetrators have not yet been found.
A Grade 12 learner in Namibia’s Ohagwena Region has invented a sim-less mobile phone that does not require airtime to make calls.
According to a New Era report, Simon Petrus, a pupil at Abraham Iyambo Senior Secondary School, created the phone using spares from a phone and television set.
Complete with a light bulb, fan and charger socket, the handset functions off power supplied through a radiator and is able to make calls to anywhere through the use of radio frequencies.
The invention, which is made up of a radio system, is attached to a box and also allows the user to view one TV channel on it.
No stranger to the world of creation, Petrus is reported to have won a gold medal at national level last year for his invention of a two-in-one machine that works as both a seed drier and cooler.
The shy learner has admitted to working on his invention for two years through money provided by his unemployed parents.
Petrus claims that he invented the phone in the hopes that it would be successful and be able to be carried further.
The development marks the latest in a series of innovative projects by students within the southern African nation.
Joshua Nghaamwa, a self-taught inventor, is reported to have created a satellite using parts from radios, cellphones and other electronics, The Namibian reports.
The satellite, believed to strengthen internet connectivity, is small enough to fit in a laptop bag and has a USB port that allows it to be connected to a modem, router or cellphone, increasing internet speed and allows for a better online experience.
Nghaamwa says he wants to introduce the device throughout the African market, so as to boost ICT on the continent.
FORMER Idols SA contestant, Dineo Moseki said the reality show opened doors for her music career. Moseki who participated in Idols SA season 11 released a single track called Forenzo.
A Tlakgameng-born musician said even though she did not win the Idols SA competition last year, she continue to receive unwavering support from her followers.
“I used the Idols SA competition as a platform to launch my music career. Life after Idols SA has been full of surprises. I was amazed by the love and support I received from my followers.
“I have released a single track called Forenzo. It is all about forbidden love and people have warmly received it. It has been on high rotation on most radio stations across the country. It was something I thought it was far-fetched but it seems I undermined my versatility,” Moseki said.
Moseki said she has re-launched her stage name. She further said her new stage name will be Diamara.
“The name was deprived from my mother’s clan name which is Damara. I decided to add a letter “i” to the name and came up with Diamara. My focus now is on releasing singles and eventually works on a full album.
“Putting my brand out there is imperative and also wants to encourage aspiring musicians not to lose hope. Challenges will always be part of our livelihoods and we need to embrace our achievements,” Diamara said.
A feisty-voice singer said being eliminated from a music competition as big as Idols SA can be pitiful, but that did not deter her.
NORTH West provincial legislature embarked on prayer sessions across North West ahead of local government. The provincial legislature visited Boitumelong location in Bloemhof on Thursday.
SCOPA provincial chairperson, Mahlakeng Mahlakeng visited said the programme was part of reconciliation, healing and renewal (RHR) programme.
“We are here in Bloemhof to pray for peaceful and fair local government elections. We encourage all citizens to go and vote because it is their democratic right to do so. The programme is playing a pivotal role within the society.
“We have seen tranquillity within the province since the launch of this initiative. So, we also encourage all political parties to have tolerance towards each other. Our people need to know that if we belong to different political affiliation does not necessary means we are enemies,” Mahlakeng said.
He added that many political killings took place in Kwazulu-Natal province and that needed to be condemned. Mahlakeng also encouraged residents to go and vote.
“You need to go and vote because staying away and boycotting elections will not be a solution. You need to go and make the changes that you want,” he said.
Lekwa-Teemane local municipality mayor, Kagisho Palagangwe said they have seen serenity recently in the area.
The residents of Boitumelong location embarked on service delivery protests few months ago. They demanded water, electricity and sanitation.
“Situation has reached calmness and the residents are upbeat. There is peace within the people and we want to avoid what happened back in 2014. Most residents were denied probability to go and vote because of unrest. However the situation has improved. Service delivery has also been improved in our municipality too.
“Churches are there to mediate in any tense situations we come across. They play a fundamental role and bring reconciliation, healing and renewal within our society,” Palagangwe said.
Grace Driven Church pastor, Timothy Zacheus said: “Churches have been integrated as part of the society. South Africa has gone through a lot and we have experienced a transition back in 1994. During the dawn of democracy, the whole world stared at South Africa. Some believed that will be the end of our beloved country. However, God was there and made it possible.
“We reached democracy without any bloodshed, and we can do it some more. The world has now learnt from South Africa what democracy is. We need to continue to invite God in our political arena. We need to pray to him to improve our lives and strengthen our economy too.”
The legislature will also visit Rustenburg on Friday through the same initiative.
Motsweding FM hosted a soccer tournament in Tlokwe, near Potchefstroom last week. The SABC’s radio station Marketing Manager, Sibusiso Gumbi said the initiative was to celebrate International Mandela Day.
“We visited Tlokwe and North West University to celebrate International Mandela Day. Motsweding FM is in a business of broadcasting. The station’s management saw it fit to celebrate International Mandela Day with a project that is aligned to our core business broadcasting.
“We hosted Mandela Day Schools Soccer Cup and Radio broadcasting workshop for aspiring presenters and producers. This was in partnership with Tlokwe local municipality,” Gumbi said.
He added that the soccer matches were played for 33, 5 minutes each half as a way of devoting 67 minutes towards public service. Gumbi further said prizes were given to the winners, runners-up and third place schools.
“The SABC North West also hosted broadcasting workshops at the North West University (Mafikeng Campus) on July 18. We wanted to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better. We also want to build a global movement for good.
“Motsweding FM wants to inspire the imagination of unidentified radio talent. We also aim to foster a social responsibility and put out a caring reputation for the station. We want aspiring radio presenters to express their hopes,” he said.
Gumbi said they also raised Motsweding FM brand awareness. He further said the late Dr Nelson Mandela created hope where once there was only despair.
“Mandela used sports to inspire and unite people and that is why we honoured Nelson Mandela with a soccer tournament. The station in partnership with Tlokwe local municipality donated soccer kits, medals and trophies to the finalists.
“We also gave away Motsweding FM related merchandise to the public that were in attendance. The winning school also received a R10 000 cheque.
“The money will be used towards their school needs. The final soccer game was live on-air with our sports presenters as commentators. The motive was to inspire individuals and give them a chance to interact with the station’s presenters and put a voice to a face,” he said.
RUSTENBURG residents will benefit from a new bridge project that was unveiled on Monday. MEC for public works, Madoda Sambatha did a sod-turning for the new bridge at Zinniaville railway crossing in Rustenburg.
Sambatha said they have worked together with Rustenburg local municipality and other stakeholders to comprehend the objective.
“This will be a modern state-of-art bridge. Together we are moving Bokone Bophirima province forward. The project will mark a lasting legacy for generations to come. The bridge will be named after the late ANC president and struggle stalwart, Dr James Moroka and create job opportunities.
“This is part of our vision as the provincial government. We urge communities to take care of the bridge after its completion. The construction will commence within five months time,” he said.
He also added that communities must not burn tyres on the bridge during protests. Sambatha further said it will be up to the communities to safeguard the project.
“Please, let’s educate our fellow residents about the significance of these public infrastructures. The public institutions do not belong to government, but to you. We want to improve the lives of our people and destroying public institutions will derail the process,” he said.
Rustenburg local municipal mayor, Mpho Khunou also shared the same sentiments. He said the project confirmed once again that indeed Rustenburg is the fastest growing city in South Africa.
“We have listened and responded appropriately to our residents. Many lives were lost at this notorious railway crossing. It is a dream comes true as it has been a nightmare for both leaders and residents.
“We experienced train crashes at this bridge. We mean business when we say we are developing Rustenburg into a world class city. We want all communities to enjoy high quality of life,” Khunou said.
BY REGINALD KANYANE
Three people died in a shack fire in Masenkeng section on Oukasie on Thursday morning. Brits police spokesperson Warrant Officer, Mpeile Talane said a 30 year-old man was sleeping in his shack with his two boys when their schack caught fire.
Talane said the cause of the fire was unknown.
“The boys aged 2 and 3 respectively along with their father died in a fire. The incident took place at Masenkeng section in Oukasie.We have launched an inquest case and investigation is underway,”he said.
The Guardian 