EDUCATION and sport development MEC, Sello Lehari congratulated North West athletes who participated in the 91^st edition of comrade’s marathon in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday.

Lehari said the province felt immensely proud to retain the title in the male category.

David Gatebe, 35, from Sunrise Park in Rustenburg won the title in record time. Last year, Gift Kelehe was the champion.

“We want to applaud our athletes for making Bokone Bophirima proud. I am extremely elated by the fact that again one of our residents in the province is the champion of the Comrades Marathon. Four of them were inclined in the top 100,” he said.

Lehari added that they implore on the female athletes from the province to participate in the marathon. He jokingly said the North West province is the Home of Comrade Marathon now.

“The North West province will continue to support its athletes. We also provided our athletes with transport, meals, hotel accommodation and sportswear,” he said.

Gatebe scooped R1.4m prize money. He also beat the Comrades Marathon record. Gatebe also won Two Oceans Marathon back in 2013.

“I am extremely happy and excited that hard work has paid off. I have spent about 2 months preparing myself at the mountains in Mpumalanga. I will forever cherish this day,” he said.

Gatebe claimed victory in the male open race in five hours, 18 minutes and 19 seconds -breaking the existing record of five hours, 18 minutes and 49 seconds which was the fastest time in the history of the Comrades Marathon.

In 2015, Gift Kelehe from Sekhing Village in Taung won the race while his brother Andrew Kelehe won it in 2001.

-TDN

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Mine workers affiliated to Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union(AMCU) on Monday returned to work after a wildcat strike at Sibanye Gold’s Kroondal mine in the North West.

Workers embarked on an indefinite strike last week Friday demanding that the mine’s management allocate workers, who knock off late in the evening, transport as they were allegedly often mugged by thugs when returning home.

Amcu said in a statement that the safety of workers is an imperative issue and transport should always be provided for their night shifts at Kroondal Mine.

Sibanye however successfully managed to obtain an interdict ordering its employees to return to work on Monday or face disciplinary action.

According to Sibanye Spokesperson James Wellsted there was poor attendance of employees on Monday morning but they remained hopeful that attendance would pick up.

“We expect them to report during the three o’clock shift this afternoon but we will obviously have to monitor that as we go,” Wellsted said.

With respect to the on-going negotiations to get transport for the workers, Wellsted said a task team had been set-up in January to look at the transport issue and the work of that task team will continue.

Wellsted said the work of the task team is at an advanced stage and what eventually led to the strike was a disagreement over procedural matters.

“I believe that work is continuing fine and there aren’t any issues with the pace at which the work is progressing,” said Wellsted.

Recently Sibanye Gold reported a staggering 240% increase in operating profit to R2.5bn for the first quarter of the year compared with R744m for the corresponding period last year.

Further, the company reported an expected rise in half-year profits due to an increase in the rand price. The report also showed a 14% increase in production and a 30% higher average rand gold price.
Source: http://www.thenewage.co.za

Khama Billiat & Mamelodi Sundowns Win Big At The PSL Awards

Mamelodi Sundowns’ Khama Billiat, was the big winner at the Premier Soccer League awards evening on Monday.

Billiat picked up three honours on Monday evening, as he was named Player of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season and the Best Midfielder of the Season.

The Zimbabwean enjoyed a fine 2015-2016 campaign for the Brazilians, as he netted 12 league goals on the way to winning the Absa Premiership title and the Telkom Knockout.

Billiat was not the only member of the Sundowns contingent to walk away with an award on the night, as Thabo Nthethe was named Telkom Knockout Player of the Tournament and best Defender of the Season, while Pitso Mosimane picked up the Coach of the Year award.

The late Cecil Lolo, who passed away in October 2015, was also honoured at the ceremony, as he was named MTN8 Player of the Tournament.

Full list of awards:

Footballer of the Season: Khama Billiat (R250 000)

Players’ Player of the Season: Khama Billiat (R150 00)

Young Player of the Season: Aubrey Modiba (R50 00)

Coach of the Season: Pitso Mosimane (R75 000)

Goalkeeper of the Season: Dennis Onyango (R50 000)

Defender of the Season: Thabo Nthethe (R50 000)

Midfielder of the Season: Khama Billiat (R50 000)

Absa Premiership Top Goalscorer of the Season:Collins Mbesuma – 14 Goals (R25 000)

Telkom Knockout Player of the Tournament: Thabo Nthethe (R200 000)

ABSA-lutely Awesome Goal of the Season: Ben Motshwari vs Chippa United (R50 000)

MTN8 Last Man Standing: Cecil Lolo (R80 000)

Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament: Jeremy Brockie (R200 000)

Nedbank Cup Most Promising Player of the Season: Ndivhuwo Ravhuhali (R50 000)

NFD Top Goalscorer of the Season: Thabiso Kutumela -18 Goals (R50 000)

Referee of the Season: Thando Ndzandzeka (R50 000)

Assistant Referee of the Season: Zakhele Siwele (R40 000)
Source: http://www.soccerladuma.co.za
 

BY REGINALD KANYANE
TWO people including a child have been injured after a light motor vehicle collided with the pillars of a bridge on the N12 near Orkney bridge about 10 kilometres from Stilfontein, North West.

Reports from the scene indicate that the driver of the vehicle sustained serious injuries while the child who was a passenger in the vehicle sustained moderate injuries.

Netcare911 spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe said their paramedics worked alongside various emergency services on the scene to stabilise the injured before transporting them to a nearby hospital for further medical care.

This accident happened this afternoon at about 14h35.
-TDN
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Cosatu’s Sizwe Pamla says it’s not the SABC’s mandate to gag itself from exposing people’s anger. (SABC)

Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) has joined those criticising an SABC decision not to air footage of people destroying public property during protests.

The federation says whilst it condemns violent protests and wants vandals prosecuted, it does not want the sanitation of news to hide reality.

Cosatu’s Sizwe Pamla says it’s not the SABC’s mandate to gag itself from exposing people’s anger.   

“We are calling on the SABC Board to reconsider this decision and allow the public broadcaster to tell the South African story uncensored. This decision is patronising. South Africans are not that impressionable that they need to be protected from any barbaric visuals. What we’re saying is that the board has to really think hard about this decision and reconsider it because it’s not in the interest of the country at all.”

On the other hand, Communications Minister Faith Muthambi on Monday threw her weight behind a decision by the public broadcaster to place a ban on airing footage of violent protests. 

“We unequivocally condemn the destruction of public and private infrastructure. It is our belief that the decision by the public broadcaster not to show footage of people burning public institutions, such as schools and libraries, in any of its news bulletins, will go a long way to discourage attention-seeking anarchists,” Muthambi said in a statement.

She added the department respected the editorial independence of the public broadcaster and described the ban as positive because the SABC had a mandate to ensure “nation building and the promotion of social cohesion”.
Source: SABC – additional reporting by ANA

Hip-hop heavyweight HHP also known as Jabba says he’s had enough with “disrespectful youngsters” in the industry and has threatened to “moer” the next person who disrespects him.

In a video which went viral over the weekend the rapper came out strongly to make his views on the current state of hip-hop known.

HHP slammed the current generation of hip-hop stars for having no respect and warned that he will settle beef with a beating.

“These youngsters are so f**ken disrespectful, I don’t care how many endorsement deals you have,” he said on the video.

HHP added that he’s made a lot of millions in his career but will never say he’s better than someone who’s music he grew up listening to, because it’s a part of who he is.

 “So for a youngster to say f**k these OGs, f**k you man. I hate these disrespectful youngsters,” HHP added.
Source: http://www.timelive.co.za

Watch the full video here:
https://youtu.be/mVmEvbTlqlM

BY REGINALD KANYANE

One person was killed and two others were injured after a collision occurred on Deelkraal Road near Carletonville on Monday.  ER24 spokesperson, Pieter Rossouw said the collision involved only one light motor vehicle.

“It is believed that the vehicle lost control and then capsized. When ER24 paramedics arrived on the scene, they found the vehicle on its roof in a nearby field. All passengers were ejected from the vehicle.

“After assessment it was found that over and above the deceased patient, all other injuries ranged from moderate to serious. ER24 paramedics treated and transported one patient to Fountain Hospital in Carletonville for further treatment,” Rossouw said.

He added that other injured patient was treated and transported to hospital by other medical services.

“The cause of the incident remains unknown and local authorities were on scene for further investigation,” he said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

Northern Cape police are investigating a case of birth concealment after a new born baby’s body was found in a refuse bag in Kimberley on Monday.

“The Sol Plaatje Municipality employees alerted the police following the gruesome discovery in Southey Street, Kimberley. The Municipality employees were collecting refuse when they came across a blood dripping black refuse bag. They opened it and discovered a new born baby’s body,” Provincial police spokesperson, Lieutenant Olebogeng Tawana said.

At this stage no one has been arrested and investigation continues.

“We appeal to any person with the information that may assist us with the investigation to contact Warrant Officer Pat Dibebe 082 752 2577,” he said.

-TDN

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THE North West provincial government dismissed as baseless DA provincial leader, Joe McGluwa’s criticism of the newly launched youth entrepreneurship services (YES) initiative.

YES is a youth empowerment programme run from the premier’s office.

McGluwa said that the YES initiative was a smokescreen for the rewarding of incompetent cadres and that the DA did not approve the passing of the 2015 North West Youth Entrepreneurship Services (Yes) Bill.

“We believe that the money will be utilised to benefit political connected recipients only. The ANC also blatantly ignored legislation and the constitution during the process,” he said.

He added that it was important to promote and develop entrepreneurs among the youth.

“We cannot agree with the bill that will authorise premier Supra Mahumapelo to use taxpayer’s money to keep his supporters blissful. Mahumapelo ignores the real plight of youth unemployment. The unemployment rate for the first quarter of the year in the province was more than 28%. It has increased to 42% compared to the last quarter of 2015,” he said.

However, provincial government spokesperson, Brian Setswambung refuted the allegations. Setswambung said YES was a government programme meant for all youth in the province and will be implemented for the benefit of young people.

“Mahumapelo pronounced this initiative during the State of the Province Address (SOPA). All SOPA pronouncements will continue to be implemented to ensure that young people’s lives are improved.

“As part of the Youth Month, in June 2015, young people from across all four districts of the province were afforded an opportunity to submit business plans. The process culminated in the YES granting them funding to initiate their businesses,” he said.

Setswambung further added that the provincial government will not be deterred by uninformed criticisms from rolling out the YES programmes. He said the programme will contributes to the provincial efforts of reducing unemployment and dependency in government employment.

“The YES Directorate in the Office of the Premier has entered into partnership agreements with the NWDC, SASSA and SANDF, just to mention a few.

“All these stakeholders will support youth initiatives while the process of establishing the North West YES Fund unfolds. The YES Bill sought to repeal the North West Youth Development Trust Act, 1997 and establish the fund,” he said.

-TDN

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MMABATHO high school in Mahikeng scooped the first prize during the North West Provincial South African Youth Water Prize competitions on Friday.

The winning school was among eight high schools from the North West that participated in mathematics and physical science related youth competitions.

The annual competition was organised by Water and Sanitation department.

Media liaison director for the department, Sputnik Ratau said the aim of the competition was to encourage high school pupils to design scientific water conservation projects.

He said the competition was held in collaboration with Stockholm Water Foundation from Sweden and Science and Technology department.

“The competition’s objective is to promote the protection of the country’s natural resources. We also want to increase awareness amongst young people. Our department takes a lead in reaching out to the public through its 2020 vision. So our program targets learners.

“The program also advances the interest of the youth in science and technology. We also motivate them to pursue career in water and sanitation. Grade 9-11 learners were asked to identify challenges related to water in their schools and communities at large. They conducted research and came up with innovations recommended to solve the problems,” Ratau said.

He added that the program responded to the scarce skills challenges. Ratau also said it served as an incubator for the department’s learning academy.

“The department follows through with the learners who won the competition and also establishes partnerships with stakeholders for piloting these innovations. South Africa has won the Stockholm competition twice previously back in 2003 and 2005. Learners participated in yet another departmental program called Aqua Enduro throughout the country back in April this year.

“Twenty Grade 12 learners were awarded bursaries. They will be studying water related courses at various universities from next year. The department also handed over laptops and bursaries to two learners at Tsogo Secondary School in Bojanala Platinum municipality district after they participated in the South African Youth Water Prize competitions last- year,” he said.

-TDN

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