The South African Senior Women’s National Team, Banyana Banyana, will face New Zealand as part of preparations for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

The clash is scheduled to take place in Brazil on Thursday, 28 July – just six days before South Africa’s opening match against Sweden (Wednesday, 3 August 2016).

The venue and time for the New Zealand fixture are yet to be announced.

The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana has had perhaps some of the best preparation in recent years. They have been in and out of camp since November last year (2015), where they played Cameroon (friendly) and Botswana (African Women’s Championship qualifier) along the way.

Head coach Vera Pauw is delighted with how things have gone.

“The start of the last phase of preparations was when we faced Zimbabwe in an international friendly. Then we wanted a top team, but not from the top five in the world, just something in the middle that is not too high for us to handle. Fortunately we were able to play The Netherlands. The USA is the next step,” said Pauw.

“We build it up from top Africa, to sub-top in the world (Holland) to the very top, USA – this is the biggest game you can imagine. We might be hammered by a huge margin, even though I don’t think that will happen, but even then it is still worthwhile to get that experience now than at the Olympics. After the USA we will play New Zealand, which is the same kind of pressure but their football level is just a little bit lower than the USA. So that is the buildup from the bottom to the top – it’s a perfect build-up for the Olympics.”

South African and the USA meet Saturday, 9 July Saturday, 9 July at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Kickoff is at 19h00 South African time.

With the USA top of the Women’s World ranking, and being current World Champions, Pauw says she is looking forward to the clash.

“We will see against the USA, we have never played at that level, but we are preparing for it and we are doing everything we can to give them a good game. We will see if it is too high, but on the other hand at the Olympics we will face Brazil, which is just two places lower than USA, so we have to be ready – and the only way is to play these games,” added Pauw.

The South Africans recently returned from The Netherlands where they lost two international friendly matches against the host nation (1-0 and 2-0) – but Pauw believes they learnt a lot as they near the end of their preparations for Rio.

“It was a tremendous time out there – because it was more about less time on the ball, less space for action. I am happy that we could cope for the majority of the game, although The Netherlands was better because of their experience. They have been to the World Cup and the European Championships. They are 13th in the world, we are 54th, and some of our players have been to the Olympics while most have never played at the level of Holland,” said the South African mentor.

“The focus is more about keeping our concentration on the task at hand. You can’t drop it at any moment because at that level you get punished immediately. Under the pressure of less time and space this is very difficult. No one can concentrate fully for 90 min plus additional time. Experience makes you totally being focused on the key moments of your task.”

– New Zealand is ranked 16th in the world

– Have been to three World Cup tournaments – 2007, 2011, 2015

– They qualified for the last two Olympics Games – 2008, 2012

– They are in Group G at the 2016 Games alongside USA, Colombia and France

– At the Olympics, they are the only representatives from Oceania Football Confederation (OFC)

Upcoming Banyana Banyana Fixtures:

vs USA
International Friendly
Saturday, 9 July 2016
Soldier Field
19h00 SA time

vs New Zealand
International Friendly
Thursday, 28 July 2016
Venue TBC
Time TBC

Rio Olympic Games

Wednesday 03 August
Sweden vs South Africa
Olympic Stadium
13h00 (18h00 SA Time)

Saturday 06 August
South Africa vs China
Olympic Stadium
19h00 (12h00 midnight SA Time)

Tuesday 09 August
South Africa vs Brazil
Amazonia Arena (Manaus)
21h00 (02h00 Wednesday, 10 Aug SA Time)
-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

FOUR suspects aged between 25 and 56 respectively were arrested for being in possession of suspected stolen goods. The Northern Cape SAPS Tracing Unit and the Kimberley Stock Theft Unit made a huge bust.

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Sergio Kock said: “The suspects allegedly stole 31 sheep last week on a communal farm in Windsorton. On Thursday at around midday, the police pounced on them. They were caught while they were busy slaughtering the stolen sheep in a garage at a house in Galeshewe.

“Police also discovered a heavy duty welding machine and a motor vehicle fuel worth R5 700. The estimated value of the stolen sheep is R45 000 and the welding machine cost R80 000.”

He said the suspects will appear in Windsorton Magistrate’s Court soon. The investigation continues.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

A 27-YEAR-OLD man found murdered in Lokaleng village, in Taung on Saturday. North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said the victim was allegedly found with a stabbing wound on his head. He said stones were also found next to his body.

“We are investigating a murder case. However, no one has been arrested. The incident took place on Saturday at around 3pm. The victim was found by passerby. It seems the victim was stabbed with unknown object on his head. However investigation is underway,” Mokgwabone he said.

-TDN

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Picture: (Former ANC PR councillor, Mika Moeti who recently joined NFP)

ANC provincial chairperson Supra Mahumapelo lambasted those who defected from ANC to other political parties. Mahumapelo said they are not deterred by their floor-crossing.

Mahumapelo addressed ANC members during voting district coordinators launch at Mahikeng Civic Centre in Mahikeng on Friday.

“We’ve realised that there are individuals who left the party to other political parties. However as ANC, we will make sure that we protect our party from vultures. People like Mika Moeti defected to National Freedom Party along with other members.

“We trained and nurtured him here in the ANC. However they will regret their decisions come August 3. ANC remains the only political party that is entrusted by the masses,” he said.

However Mika Moeti did not mince his words. He refuted Mahumapelo’s claims.

“I am the one who built the ANC. I was part of the movement in North West and Northern Cape before he could become political involved. We are living in a democratic country. It was my choice to join the ANC. So it is my choice to leave the party. ANC never recognised me as its leader. I was arrested and charged with high treason during the struggle.

“I joined ANC back in 1987 and where were they? They just joined politics and they were never there during the struggle. NFP saw my capabilities as a leader, that is why they approached me,” Moeti said.

The struggle icon added that ANC is deteriorating. Moeti said ANC imposed leaders who were not elected by the communities.

Meanwhile Kgosi Nnyoko Motlhabane was announced as the Greater Taung local municipality’s mayoral candidate.

ANC North West Mayoral candidates’ list:

Madibeng local municipality: Jostine Mothibi

Moses Kotane local municipality: Ralesole Diale

Kagisano Molopo local municipality: Bipa Lenkokane

Naledi local municipality: Neo Schalk

Mamusa local municipality: Aaron Mocwana

Ngaka Modiri Molema district municipality: Justice Makolomankwa

Bojanala District municipality: Fetsang Mokati

Dr Ruth District municipality: Boitumelo Mahlangu

Dr Kenneth Kaunda District municipality: Barei Mosiane-Segoto

Lekwa Teemane local municipality: Kagiso Palaganwe

Greater Taung local municipality: Kgosi Nnyoko Motlhabane

Makwassi Hills local municipality: Noni Kgabi

Ditsobotla local municipality: Daniel Buthelezi

Tswaing local municipality: Dimakatso Malwane

Ratlou local municipality: Tebogo Modise

Ramotshere Moiloa local municipality: Kereng Mothoagae

Kgetlheng River local municipality: Kim Modupe

Moretele local municipality: Andries Monnahela

Rustenburg local municipality: Mpho Khunou

Matlosana local municipality: Mathu Kgaile

Ventersdorp/Tlokwe local municipality: Khotso Khumalo

Mahikeng local municipality: Betty Diakanyo

-TDN

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Kaizer Chiefs appear to have landed defender Ramahlwe Mphahlele on a three-year deal from league rivals Mamelodi Sundowns.

According to an official at Naturena, Mphahlele agreed terms with Amakhosi on the weekend after Sundowns failed to produce a counter offer to the player’s representative.

“It’s a done deal. It’s a three-year contract. He is amongst the new players to be unveiled tomorrow,” the source tells KickOff.com.

Mphahlele was free to negotiate with both parties as his contract at Chloorkop is expiring at the end of the month.

At one stage it looked like the 26-year-old would stay with the Brazilians despite Chiefs’ advances, but it now seems as if the Glamour Boys have turned the tables.

Chiefs have called a press conference for Monday where they are expected to announce their new signings.
Source: http://www.kickoff.vom

-TDN
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BY REGINALD KANYANE
A 22-YEAR-OLD man was enthroned as a new chief of Ba-Ga Mothibi Tribal Authority at Sekhing village, in Taung on Saturday.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by dignitaries.

MEC for culture, art and traditional affairs (CATA), MEC Ontlametse Mochware said they will continue to support traditional leaders in the province.

“We are very proud to be inaugurating Obakeng Mothibi as the new chief. His father’s young sister, Ponatshego Mothibi will be a regent until 2019. Obakeng Mothibi said he is not ready to ascend the throne.

“We provided laptops, vehicles and also cattle to empower traditional leaders. Chiefs are the leaders within communities. So we believe they will help the government to fight challenges the commuties are faced with,” Mochware said.

Provincial chairperson for The House of Traditional Leader, Kgosi Madoda Zibi said they welcome the new chief.

“We will give him the necessary support. As the organisation, we want to fulfill our objectives. We want to change the lives of the masses. We also appreciate the support we receive from the government,” Zibi said.

Ponatshego Mothibi who was appointed as regent said: “We are grateful that finally a chief has been appointed. We will work together with the community to make sure we change the lives of the people. We will also make sure we engage with elders to get guidance from them.

“The chief, Obakeng Mothibi is still at school so he said he was not ready to be the chief. I will be in charge until 2019. So he will take over from me afterwards. There are so many challenges facing the community. However we believe that the time for change has arrived,” she said.
-TDN
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Johannesburg – Murder convicted Oscar Pistorius has lamented why his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp did not tell him she was going to the bathroom the night he shot through his toilet door four times, killing her. 

In his first television interview since the incident, with ITV’s Mark Williams-Thomas, the former paralympian described his version of the events of February 14, 2013. 

He said that after they had supper that night, he and Reeva went to bed.

 “So we sat in bed for a while and I just said to her: ‘Listen, if I fall asleep, would you mind just closing the doors and switching off the telly, and then I pretty much fell asleep after that’,” Pistorius said in the interview that was carried locally on M-Net’s Carte Blanche on Friday night.

“It must have been shortly after 3 o’clock that I woke up.  I had opened my eyes, the curtains weren’t drawn closed, and the sliding doors were still open.  Reeva had forgotten to close them.”

After describing the events leading to him firing through the door Pistorius said he now questions all the variables of that night. 

“You can ask yourself a million times why didn’t I just close the [sliding] door before I went to bed? Why didn’t Reeva close the door? Why didn’t, when she got up to go toilet just tell me? Why didn’t she shout at me from the toilet?  

“All these things, I can’t say why she didn’t do them, she didn’t do anything wrong, But it is difficult… to know if one of those small things didn’t happen, that the situation would be different, and I would still have her here with me.”

When questioned over criticisms that he was a poor witness during his trial, he said: “I had been in court by the time I took the stand, probably close on 30 days and I unfortunately had to deal with the police for a year and several months leading up to that”. 

“I disclosed to the court that I was on medication, that I was on anti-depressants and anti-anxiety and sleeping tablets.” 

Pretoria High Court Judge Thokozile Masipa is expected to hand down a murder sentence for Pistorius on July 6. 

The Supreme Court of Appeal previously overturned her verdict of culpable homicide for Pistorius, and replaced it with one of murder. 

Source: http://www.new24.com

Kelly Khumalo’s tell-all interview on MTV Base Africa on Friday evening saw the singer reflect on her troubled past including surviving an alleged abusive relationship with convicted killer Molemo ‘Jub Jub’ Maarohanye.

The Asine star sat down with MTV Base Africa for an exclusive feature entitled Behind The Story: Kelly Khumalo to set the record straight on her controversial private life which has hogged headlines over the years.

Kelly held nothing back and did not mince her words during the one hour exposé.

Kelly Khumalo on Senzo: I feel like he did not have a backbone  

One of the aspects of Kelly’s life that the interview delved into was her rocky romance with Jub Jub.

The singer revealed that she would be lying if she said their romance was all bad.

The background:

Kelly recalled how she and Jub Jub met in the industry and before they knew it, they were in love.

“He was very sweet but I think we all lose ourselves especially when drugs are involved. He had his demons and I had mine,” Kelly explained.

Allegations of abuse:

Kelly said that things started spiralling out of control when she fell pregnant. “I am pregnant. He’s not there. He’s never there. He’s drugging. There’s other women. That’s when things started getting very heavy for me,” she said.

Kwesta is the 90% king – Ngud’ has topped the charts 

Speaking about an incredibly low time in her life, Kelly said that being in an abusive relationship along with her drug addiction played a pivotal role in her becoming a “shadow of herself.”

Jub Jub’s arrest:

Kelly did not mince her words when she said she has nothing to feel guilty about, where Molemo is concerned.

When asked by MTV presenter Sizwe Dhlomo what that time was like in her life, Kelly described it as confusing.

“I was left confused, hurt and broken. I was a first time mother and I was trying to support a partner who’s very abusive both physically and emotionally.”

Live Amp producer ‘in shock’ after bloody assault at Montecasino 

Kelly said that at the time of Jub Jub’s arrest her career was suffocating because of the association, and she just needed to get out.

“You can only do so much and I remember feeling, I’m tired of this nonsense. There’s so much drugging, there’s so much abuse – I had enough and I had to let go.”

On sharing a child with Jub Jub:

Kelly told Sizwe that if Jub Jub is released soon he will have a restraining order against him. When questioned about the son they share, Kelly replied: “A child he has never supported? A child who’s mother he abused in front of?”

She also made it clear that there’s no space for Jub Jub in her life. “For me Molemo doesn’t exist.”

Molemo ‘Jub Jub’ Maarohanye is currently serving jail time after being convicted of culpable homicide.

It has been reported that the musician will be eligible for parole at the end of 2016.

Attempts to get comment from Jub Jub’s legal team on the allegations proved unsuccessful.
Source: http://www.timelive.co.za

THE ANC in the North West said that reports of party member joining other political parties will not deter its charge towards retaining municipalities after August 3 local government elections.

This follows claims that the DA was welcoming about 100 former ANC members, including an outgoing ANC councillor in Delareyville.

Provincial ANC spokesperson, Kgantsi Diale said those who leave are not loyal members of the ANC.

“The ANC is ready for upcoming local government. We have done our ground work and believe our people will vote for the party. ANC is the only movement that represents the needs of the masses.

“Those who defected to other political parties are disgruntled. They came to ANC because of seats. We cannot tolerate them because people tend to leave after they were not included in councillors’ candidate lists. We know they will come back to the party afterwards,” Kgantsi said.

He also urged the ANC members to have tolerance towards each other. Kgantsi said that political assassinations will not be tolerated within the ANC.

“ANC is a movement that condemns anarchy. We urge our members to accept ANC decisions. They need to have tolerance and adhere to the party’s policies. We will continue to meet with our members regarding the councillors’ candidate list.

“Those who were not elected by the masses will be urged to sign a resignation letters before elections. This will happen before local government elections. On August 4, we will then submit the resignation letters for by-elections,” he said.

DA provincial leader, Joe McGluwa said they welcomed 100 former ANC members. He said ANC councillor, Gert Dikomela was part of those who defected from ANC.

“Dikomela was a chairperson of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee in Tswaing local municipality. People can no longer ignore the ANC’s corruption, disrespect for the constitution, and mismanagement of public funds and lack of commitment to serve the people of this province. More South Africans join the DA to bring about an end to corruption. They see that we deliver better services and create jobs,” McGluwa said.

-TDN

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