Cape Town – The Nelson Mandela Foundation has asked whether it is time to ban the old South African flag after the furore it created around the Black Monday marches on October 30.

“Is it time to criminalise displays of the old flag?” asked the foundation set up in the late former President Nelson Mandela’s name, on Sunday.

“Is there a connection between the hubris of the Black Monday protests and the deep well of rage which underlies individual cases of murder on white-owned farms?

“How do we foster a collective revulsion at the murder of any South African, regardless of categorisation? Can we turn our country from one defined by violence into one inspired by Madiba’s dream of freedom?”

The Black Monday protests were arranged as a response to the murders of farmers in SA. However, it also created a debate over whether the protesters would have been as sympathetic if victims were black.

Critics also questioned whether the police would have allowed black protesters to block national highways as the Black Monday protesters did.

The foundation said that it was “deeply concerned” about the “us and them” tone of the Black Monday protests which it felt had a dividing effect.

“There is no doubt that the Black Monday protests have deepened divides in South Africa.

“The Nelson Mandela Foundation has spent a week reflecting and consulting with stakeholders. We welcome, for instance, AgriSA’s assurance to us that it supports the Constitution’s provision for national symbols and distances itself from displays of the old flag like we saw a week ago.”

Source: http://www.news24.com

Picture: (Deceased, Katlego Zethi and her daughter during happier times)

By REGINALD KANYANE

A DOUBLE Murder case against Taung pastor, Sabata Mannie was transferred to the North West High Court in Mahikeng. Mannie (30) was arrested and charged with two counts of murder after he allegedly killed his girlfriend, Katlego Zethi (28) and her two year-old daughter.

The atrocity took place last year in October at Taung Ext 6. According to police, the suspect handed himself over at Taung Police Station. He allegedly informed the police about the incident and later took them to the crime scene. The police said they found the victims lying dead inside the house next to the toilet.

It is alleged that the suspect strangled the victims to death. Katlego Zethi was a daughter to the former speaker of Greater Taung Local Municipality, Deliwe Zethi.

  The North West panel of judges are expected to discuss the merit of the case on November 8. They will also set the date for trial after intensive discussions. The suspect is still in custody after he was denied bail during his previous court appearance.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

The Nelson Mandela Foundation donated sanitary towels to Batlhaping High School in Taung recently. The Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sello Hatang said many female learners miss school days because of lack of sanitary towels.

“The foundation aims to create, establish, protect and preserve a centre of memory about the late Dr Nelson Mandela. We also aim to convene dialogue around critical social issues, including particular issues regarding human rights and democracy, in order to contribute to a just society.

“The foundation saw the need for young female people particularly in rural areas to have access to sanitary towels. Lack of sanitary towels makes it impossible for young girls to go to school. We also understand that girl children are the most disadvantaged group.

“We took it upon ourselves to ensure that we donate sanitary towels to them. The aim of the foundation is to assist 2 million school girls by 2020. We donated sanitary towels to 480 girls here at Batlhaping High School today and we hope the donation will last them for a year. As the foundation, we also urge other stakeholders to play a fundamental role in assisting those who are destitute,” Hatang said.

He further said it is imperious for the society to contribute to avoid girl learners missing school. Hatang added that if that happens, the country is running a risk of developing illiterate society. 

“We cannot have young people with no future hence we call all stakeholders to play their part. The late Dr Nelson Mandela was clear on his mission of what he was willing to die for back in 1962. However, it hurts to walk around today and see young people with nothing to die for. It is not government’s role alone to provide for the needy. Mandela believed that education is at the hub of developing any community and the future lies right there.

“We have partnered with the Department of Education across the country. The foundation also has schools that are working with in Klerksdorp, Rustenburg and Taung. We visited Mahikeng recently and donated sanitary towels too. The project is reaching each and every corner in South Africa,” Hatang said.

Batlhaping High School Teacher Liaison Officer, Isak Bessie welcomed the donation. Bessie commended the foundation and said the sanitary towels will ensure that girl children stay at school while having their menstruation.

“We are grateful that the foundation assisted our deprived girl children. On behalf of the school management, School Governing Body (SGB) and learners, we want to express our gratitude to them. According to research, almost 50 days of schooling is lost every year because of lack of sanitary towels.

“Mr Hatang also shared motivational talks with learners and urged them to face challenges head-on,” he said.

One of beneficiaries, Boipelo Moshweu, 18, from Mokassa 2 in Taung said: “We welcome the donation because some of us come from deprived backgrounds. Our parents could not afford to buy sanitary towels for us and we end up using cloths and tissues. That affects one’s confidence and we cannot concentrate in class.”

Grade 12 learner, Modisang Mangwegape, 20, said: “I stay with my grandparent and siblings. Life is hard because no one is working at home. We heavily rely on our granny’s pension money. However, the money is not enough to support all of us. Having sanitary towels will assist me to concentrate on my school work without necessary worrying about menstruation periods. I think the packets I received will last me for three months.”

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For the past 23 years the people of Greater Taung Municipality have been struggling to get their vehicles tested for roadworthiness. The Taung Vehicle Testing Station which has since been closed in 1994, was recently renovated, refurbished and upgraded. Thus readied for being officially opened by the Community Safety and Transport Management MEC, Dr Mpho Motlhabane.

In the last 23 years motorists in Taung had to travel over 70km to Vryburg to access a vehicle testing services or had to travel about 40km to Hartswater, which is in the neighbouring Northern Cape Province.

Speaking during the official opening of this long awaited Taung Vehicle Testing Station, MEC Motlhabane said the department has noted serious concerns that; the non functioning of this station has not only frustrated the motor vehicle owners, but also the law enforcement officers who could not have suspected un-roadworthy vehicles tested locally, here in Taung.

“Today we are not only shortening your journeys to Vryburg and Hartswater but we are cancelling these unnecessary trips. Let us use this testing station effectively in order to ensure that our vehicles are compliant and fit for the road.

Remember that whenever a vehicle is tested outside the province, Hartswater which is in Northern Cape in this regard, it becomes a loss of revenue to Bokone Bophirima, which is what we are safeguarding. The province needs the skills, infrastructure and personnel to operate this vehicle station, and we do have, by the way.” said Motlhabane.

According to the systems report, recently there are about 430 unlicensed motor vehicles around Taung, of which; 180 are light-loading vehicles, 05 heavy-loading vehicles, 17 mini buses as well as 205 light passenger vehicles carrying less than 12 persons.

“These 430 unlicensed vehicles are on our roads on daily basis and as a result, they increase potential accidents and road safety risks. We therefore humbly request owners of these vehicles to come to this station and test their vehicles,” concluded Motlhabane who further appealed to officials employed at the station to be vigilant against individuals who would attempt to bribe them.

In his response to the opening of the station, the Chief of Batlhaping Ba-Ga Phuduhutswana, Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane expressed his gratitude and appreciation. “The opening of this station brings us a great sigh of relief because we have been frustrated for the past years having to cope with the long distances to access these services. We are grateful and we are committing to taking a good care of the facility,” he said.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

THREE men from Mokassa 2 village in Taung appeared at Taung Magistrate’s Court on Monday for stock-theft. Kenneth Gaoraelwe, Lebogang Seutlwetse and Rebaone Dichaba will be remanded in custody until 9^th of November 2017 for formal bail application.

It is alleged that the trio were found in a possession of suspected stolen cattle in Takaneng village, near Taung. The stock-theft police acted on a tip-off and a trap was set.

Meanwhile, North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo warned livestock thieves. Mahumapelo said their days are numbered and they will work hand-in-hand with law enforcement agencies.

He was addressing media during the launch of the Mabeskraal Livestock Auction Pens recently.

Mahumapelo added that he was aware of the pain farmers feel because of people who steal their livestock daily across the province.

“I want to warn people who specialise in stealing the livestock of our hard working farmers. We are going to work more with our police to look for them and make their lives a living in hell because it cannot be business as usual while we know that there are people who have committed themselves to terrorising our farmers without being caught.

“The auction is established to benefit the communities of Mabeskraal and surrounding villages. The Mabeskraal Auction was yet another delivery of an intervention by the Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development (READ) department to link smallholding farmers to the market,” he said.

A total of 356 livestock were sold at a total turnover of R1.5m during the auction pan launch. For local farmers, the launch remains an ecstatic moment. Chairperson of Moses Kotane Farmers Association, Keitumetse Motsosi, said the auction would not have come at a better time. Having experienced a strain, Motsosi said the difficult market access and unsatisfactory prices had been weighing heavily on farmers.

He said local farmers had always been optimistic about better times as far as their business was concerned because they knew the current government administration priorities. Motsosi said local famers would want to work closely with government to ensure their business was sustainable.

The Premier said the department was on track to making the lives of farmers in Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies (VTSD) easier.

“We want to assist the department to get rid of all the challenges that our farmers are experiencing in their day to day lives and all other things discouraging our farmers. Our department is also moving with the necessary speed in making sure that our farmers are well taken care of and our wish is that all the auctions we are opening are really going to help our farmers,” he said.

As part of the livestock marketing programme in VTSD areas, the department has successfully launched four livestock Auction Pens in Taung Local Municipality and Driefontein (Morokweng, Ganyesa and Bona-Bona).

READ also launched the Provincial Agricultural Growth and Investment Show Livestock Auction in the previous financial year as well as Tshidilamolomo this current year. The province has spent about R 35.5 million to establish and support the livestock auction programme.

MEC for READ, Manketsi Tlhape said the launch of these advanced village-based livestock auctions continue to record satisfactory turnover, resulting in a need for similar auctions across the province.
“Our farmers and local people, especially in our villages, are embracing these auctions because of they are open, affordable and discourage people from buying stolen livestock. These auctions also play a role in educating our people in our villages, townships and small dorpies that farming is not a game but it is real business,” she said.

Newly elected Provincial Chairperson of the North West House of Traditional Leaders, Kgosi Moshe Mabe, welcomed the launch of the auctions saying they would help livestock farmers in villages.

“We are also excited about the auctions programme that our provincial government is embarking on to better the lives of the farmers, especially in our villages. As traditional leaders we also want to commend the department for speedily implementing the programme which has already started to benefit our people,” he said.

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