BY REGINALD KANYANE

THE pupils from three different schools in Tosca and Bray received laptops and other donations. The donations were made by minister of transport, Dipuo Peters on Monday.

Peters visited the areas alongside North West MECs to celebrate International Mandela Day.

“We saw it fit to come to these areas and make a positive contribution. We donate laptops to schools, blankets, cleaning detergents, groceries and bicycles to school children who walk long distance to various schools.

“We urged the communities to work together with government to make service delivery possible. I also want to commend the communities for taking care of the houses that the government has built for them. Please, also play your part to preserve water,” she said.

Peters added that communities must refrain from destroying public institutions because that deters government’s service delivery programs.

MEC for community safety and transport, Dr Mpho Motlhabane said they visited Dr Ruth Mompati region to celebrate the life of struggle iconic hero.

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.

“Education and respect can make you a better person in life. Respect your elders, teachers and make time to study. Children are leaders of tomorrow, you must learn as much as you can. South Africa needs leaders like doctors, MEC’s, ministers, engineers and Presidents of tomorrow, who come from Bokone Bophirima to make a difference in people’s lives,” he said.

Other MECs who were part f the visit were CATA MEC, Ontlametse Mochwari, Public Works MEC Madoda Sambatha, MEC for FEED, Wendy Nelson.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

CHRISTIANA School for the Blind pupils received 145 blankets in celebration of International Mandela Day. North West provincial legislature speaker, Susanna Dantjie visited the school in Christiana on Thursday.

She said that schools with disabilities can be positively or negatively influenced by the attitudes and behaviours of pupils and staff. Dantjie also added that general public need to take the lead in assessing school climate in relation to pupils with disabilities.

“The school serves pupils with special needs. So it is imperative to give them imperative support. These children play a pivotal role within our society and we will make sure we continue to support them.

“We need to instill positivity within the pupils. They can become whoever they want to be. Do not allow your disability to determine your destiny. God created you with purpose. We need to work together and make sure that you achieve your dreams,” Dantjie said.

She further said it was imperative to celebrate the life of the struggle icon, the late Dr Nelson Mandela.

“Mandela dedicated his life to improve the lives of the masses. He also loved children. All our struggle heroes fought for democracy, now is the time to enjoy and reap the fruits.

“We encourage you to work hard and also prepare for the future of the next generation. The freedom charter said the people shall share. Let us remember the selflessness of Dr Nelson Mandela. We need to walk on his footprints and change the lives of the people,” she said.

Lekwa-Teemane local municipality, Kagisho Palagangwe shared the same sentiments. He said broader community needs to know the history of South Africa.

“We need to know where we come from, to be able to know where we going. Let us use this 67 minutes wisely. We had few challenges back in 2010 at the school after few pupils were gutted to death in a fire.

“However we continue to believe that we can. We must not lose hope and the late president, Dr Nelson Mandela also encouraged young people use education as the beacon of hope. Mandela believed that education was the only gateway vehicle from abject poverty,” Palagangwe said.

Christiana School for the Blind school governing body (SGB) chairperson, Mpho Gaobuse said they welcome the donations.

“We are very grateful because we were actually planning to buy blankets for our pupils. This initiative came at the right time and we believe this will encourage the pupils to work harder. We always tell them that they must not let their disability to determine their destinations,” Gaobuse said.

Representative council of learners committee (RCL) member, Obakeng Moshabe said: “We are very positive because we know God made us special. I draw my inspiration from Minister of Justice, advocate Michael Masutha. He is partial blind just like me. Nevertheless he went on to achieve a lot.”

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

SOCIAL development department expressed a concern about the increasing number of street kids across Mahikeng. The department spokesperson, Petrus Siko said that there were many reasons that force children to go to the streets.

“There are mainly two categories which are pulling and push factors that result in children ending up in the streets. The push factor is influenced by circumstances at home like hunger and poverty.  Neglect and abuse by parents also force the children to run away from home. There are cases where irresponsible parents force the children to go to the streets to look for food for the family.

“These parents use the children to win sympathy of the community in giving them food or money. Dysfunctional families also see the children running away. While other children cannot stand harsh discipline of the parents,” Siko said.

He added that on pulling factor, it was mostly that the children run away because of ill discipline. Siko further said these children left comfortable homes to live in the street because they do not want to be under parental guidance.

“Other children go to the streets because they envy the children living in the streets. However, others leave because of peer pressure. Some go to the streets just to ask for money from motorists especially at the robots,” Siko said.

He said the department was working with communities and families to help reintegration of these children to the families. Siko added that the community is urged to refrain from giving the street children materials especially money.

“The community is also asked to provide information to the department when they find children in the streets. We conduct advocacy programmes throughout the year at our local offices. Our officials from these offices teach communities on child protection measures.

“We also assist by taking these children to residential care centre areas and Drop-In centres. Drop-In centres are where the children bathe, get meals and assisted on homework.  There are also outreach services by the Drop-In centres where they look for children in the streets and ask social workers to intervene with the families,” he said.

“There are measures in place to root out this challenge. There is an implementation of national strategy and guidelines for children living and working in the streets. There are levels of intervention like those at Drop-In centres. Early intervention is on children who beg but return home.

“Other children are placed at Drop-in centres by court orders. The department seeks to rehabilitate homes to be enabling environment for the children to return. On misuse of child support grants, social workers and Sassa can choose another beneficiary from the family who will get the grants instead of the one who is misusing it,” he said.

A street kid, 14, from Lichtenburg said he left his home because his mother was abusive.

“I am living in the street because my mother abuses me. She always comes home drunk. So there is no one to look after me.”

Another street kid said: “We are living in abject poverty at home, hence I decided to come and beg at the robots. Some of us ended up using drugs and abuse alcohol at the younger age because of pressure. We cannot continue to live dangerously like this.”

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

MINISTER in Presidency Susan Shabangu said that the government will continue to improve the lives of ordinary citizens, especially elderly women.

Shabangu handed over few houses to elderly people in Naauwpoort village outside Mahikeng on Thursday.

“We do what is in line with the promises we made to the residents of Bokone Bophirima. We will ensure that there is housing, security and comfort. The former President, Dr Nelson Mandela was very passionate about service delivery. We can only honour him by make sure that we deliver on our promises,” she said.

MEC for local government and human settlements department, Galaletsang Gaolaolwe was also part of the proceeding.

An ecstatic elderly woman, 77 from Naauwpoort could not contain her happiness.

“I have been staying in a shack for most of my life. I am very grateful and want to commend our provincial government. Receiving a key to my new house was amazing,” she said.

Another woman, Seritshane Maditjane who is a mother of seven children, survives on her monthly grant.

“I cannot survive on R1 500 a month. I was living in abject poverty and could not afford to build myself a house. At my age, I felt it was not safe for me to stay in a shack. So I decided to go and stay with my child,” she added.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

TWO vehicles collided on N12 just outside Potchefstroom on Sunday. Netcare spokesperson, Chris Botha said that an errant party veered across into oncoming traffic and collided with another vehicle on its side.

“Paramedics found that four adults and six children had sustained minor injuries. Those injured were treated at the scene before medics ferried them to a nearby hospital for medical attention,” Botha said.

-TDN

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Picture: (Taung Magistrate’s Court)

BY REGINALD KANYANE

TWO suspects aged 28 and 37 respectively are expected to appear in Taung Magistrate’s Court for stock-theft on Monday.

North West police spokesperson, Sgt Kelebogile Moleko said the pair was allegedly found to be in possession of four stolen cows at an auction in Kuruman on Friday.

The police discovered that the cows were allegedly stolen at Moretele village, Taung.

“The police questioned the suspects and they confessed. The suspects alleged that the cows were handed over to their associates at Dithakwaneng village to facilitate the sale in Kuruman,” Moleko said.

-TDN

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​

COSAFA U17 

Result: Seychelles 0-1 South Africa

Date: 23 July 2016 

Venue: Stade Anjalay

The South African U17 side began their COSAFA Under-17 Championship with a 1-0 win over the Seychelles on Saturday afternoon.

The Seychelles had saw most of the possession in the early stages, but it was South Africa who had the first opening as Andisa Ntuli’s effort from distance sailed just over the crossbar in the fifth minute.

Amajimbos goalkeeper, Glen Tumelo, was called into action three minutes later, as he produced a good save to keep out Mathieu Basset’s free-kick.

The South Africans pushed for an opener and went close after 20 minutes, with Ntuli heading wide, while Sabelo Radebe’s acrobatic volley sailed just wide of the post a few minutes later.

Amajimbos took the lead in the 36th minute, as Ntuli turned home Luke Fleurs’ cross from the flank, 1-0.

That proved to be the final piece of goal-mouth action of the half, as South Africa went into the break one goal up.

Amajimbos carved out a couple openings for Luke Le Roux shortly after the break, but the striker headed over the cross in the 50th minute, before his snapshot sailed just over the bar two minutes later.

Coach Molefi Ntseki opted a for a double change in the 69th minute, as introduced Linamandla Michilizeli and James Monyane come in for Radebe and Pillay.

South Africa carved out another opening in the 82nd minute when Le Roux’s free-kick into the box found Sechaba Mokoena, who headed wide of the upright.

Nonetheless, the score remained 1-0 to Amajimbos who now occupy second spot in Group A, after Namibia defeated Mauritius 3-1 to go top.

South Africa XI: Glen Tumelo, Mswati Mavuso, Luke Fleurs, Sechaba Mokoena, Lethabo Mazibuko, Shinga Nkanyiso, Bonga Dladla, Tyreese Pillay, Sabelo Radebe, Luke Le Roux, Andisa Ntuli.

Subs: Tshepo Mohui, Malesela Langa, Mjabulise Mkhize, Linamandla Michilizeli, Ndamolelo Radzilane, S’miso Bophela, James Monyane.

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

​

For six days, a search party went down into the earth’s belly to comb through dark tunnels in an attempt to find a “missing mine worker” who did not want to be found.

While the drama unfolded underground, Implats – the world’s second largest platinum producer after Amplats – had already halted production.

Nothing could be done until the missing employee had been accounted for, leading to a week’s production lost. That is equivalent to approximately 1 000 ounces of platinum worth nearly R16 million, according to Implats spokesperson Johan Theron.

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

BY REGINALD KANYANE

A man and his two children luckily escaped a serious injury after their vehicle veered off the road and landed in a ditch at Jouberton location, in Klerksdorp on Friday morning.

ER24 spokesperson, Chitra Bodasing said the man lost control of the vehicle while driving in Ext 7 in Jouberton, Klerksdorp.

Upon arrival at the scene, ER24 paramedics found the man, believed to be in his 30’s, and the two children, believed to be 12 and 7, out of the vehicle.

“Upon assessment, it was found that the man was not injured and children sustained minor injuries. The children were taken to hospital for further assessments,” Bodasing said.

The exact cause of the incident is unknown and authorities were on scene for further investigations.

-TDN

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​

A TOTAL of 224 Atamelang residents received title deeds from the provincial government.

Premier Supra Mahumapelo and local development and human settlements MEC Fenny Gaolaolwe handed over the title deeds to ecstatic residents on Tuesday.

Mahumapelo said they would continue to improve the lives of the people, especially those in rural areas. He said the government reached an agreement to hand over houses, even those built during the Bophuthatswana era, to those who occupied them but had no
title deeds.

Mahumapelo said: “We want to improve the lives of people, especially from the far-flung areas. The initiative is part of the villages, townships and small towns project. Our people were living in abject poverty and paying rent on those houses.

“They have spent more than 38 years staying in those houses without title deeds. Now we want to make their dreams possible. However, there is a concern because some of the houses were roofed with asbestos. We will look into that matter and come up with a strategic plan in changing the roofing.”

Gaolaolwe said her department would continue to deliver title deeds across the province.

She said: “We need to make sure that our people have roofs over their heads. We took a decision as an ANC led government that we will hand over their title deeds without charging them.

“It would be inappropriate to sell those houses to them because they have been renting them for so long. We also urge those who benefited to take care of the houses. They must
not be deceived by anyone because we know people masquerade as lawyers and eventually steal from the poor.”

Gaolaolwe said more would be done across the province and a community hall in Atamelang would soon be revamped as well.

Beneficiary Ramogotsi Andries Tlhale said: “I cannot express how I feel. I have been occupying this house for so long and never knew what would happen.

“Now I will sleep peacefully knowing that the house belongs to me. ”

Another resident, Johannah Sikhosana, said the government was trying its best to improve the lives of the masses.

-TDN

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