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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MINISTER for social development Bathabile Dlamini launched Child Protection Week at Brakspruit village in Klerksdorp on Sunday. Dlamini encouraged communities to ensure that children are protected from all forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation.

“We urge parents to take care of their children especially those with albinism. We also want to urge parents not to indulge in alcohol. The alcohol abuse leads to abuse of children. Parents should also not abuse social grants.

“South Africa is making strides in achieving its mark. We are making good progress in terms of reduction of poverty, reduction of malnutrition and we have seen increase in children who are enrolled in education. We have also seen increase in child and foster care grants. So our aim is to make sure that communities take part in protecting children,” Dlamini said.

She further added that child welfare was very imperative. Dlamini said they will continue to work together with all stakeholders to create awareness.

She also added that it is everyone’s responsibility to protect children.

“Government is directly involved in ensuring the protection of children. On its strive and continuous efforts to put the interest of children forward, our department and its stakeholders is taking part in the 2016 Child Protection Week awareness campaign to honour and celebrate children,” Dlamini said.

“We are also working hand-in-hand with justice department. We are all commissioned to advocate for justice. Amongst other responsibilities is to provide for the promotion of the rule of law,” she said.

Dlamini said her department response to the noble call of caring and protecting the rights of children.

-TDN

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Rescue teams at Impala Platinum Mines in Rustenburg have worked throughout the weekend searching for missing miner, Moses Mamogwa, without any success.

Mamogwa has been trapped underground for 14 days now.

He was trapped together with a colleague who was found dead.  

Mine management says chances of finding the missing man alive at this stage are slim.

The two miners were trapped during a rockfall almost two weeks ago. However, Lesotho national Samuel Lepitikoe’s body has since been found.

He was buried at his home village of Matsieng outside Maseru over this past weekend.

Now rescue teams are still hard at work searching for Mamogwa.

The Impala mine management says Mamogwa’s family has been taken for counselling at the mine.
Source: http://www.sabc.co.za

BY REGINALD KANYANE

NORTH West premier Supra Mahumapelo will launch the 10-points campaign at Brits in Madibeng local municipality on Tuesday.

Mahumapelo pronounced in the State of the Province Address (SOPA) early this year.

“We are aiming at tackling societal issues affecting people on a daily basis. The 10-point plan will entail campaigns like Obesity Awareness, Building a non-racial province, opening the door of learning and culture campaign. Other campaigns will focus on safety, security, comfort, corruption and crime-free society campaign.

“Environmental issues, women and children abuse awareness, sport development and participation, rates and tax payment, water and sanitation, drought mitigation and relief campaigns,” he said.

-TDN

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A 26 year-old man from Platfontein near Kimberley was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by Kimberley Regional Court on Friday. Pieter Mokae murdered his customary wife, Roderika Gita, 24.

“The incident happened in March 2 in 2014. The atrocity took place after an argument between the two. The accused hit the victim with a broomstick which caused her to land up in hospital where she later died.

“The suspect fled the scene and was later arrested by the police. The police commended Detective Warrant Officer Raymond Visagie from the Kimberley Serious and Violent Crimes unit for a job well done,” Lieutenant Sergio Kock said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

A 33-year-old man was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by De Aar Regional Court last week. Jonas Hoorniet murdered Naslee Mouers, 9 last year December 11 at about 20:55.

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Maj Dimakatso Mooi said Mouers was on her way to Caroline Street in Sunrise to look for her father.

“The accused accosted her and stabbed her in the neck. Through a diligent job done by the police the suspect was arrested and kept in custody. The Sunrise Police Station management commented Constable Nathan Oor of Sunrise Detective Unit for a meticulous investigation,” Mooi said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

DINGLETON police infiltrated a shack and confiscated dagga worth R 500 000 after they receiving a tipped off on Friday. Northern Cape police spokesperson, Lieutenant Olebogeng Tawana said the community members informed the police about suspected illegal activities which are taking place in particular shack at Maremane village near Dingleton in Northern Cape.

“A 26 year-old suspect was arrested and ten bags of dagga were confiscate. The John Taolo Gaetsewe cluster, Commander Brigadier Mguni commended the members of the community for sharing information that lead to the arrest of the suspect and confiscation of dagga,” he said.

The suspect will appear in Kathu Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

-TDN

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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

NORTHERN Cape Province launched its Provincial Safety Youth Submit on Friday in Kimberly. MEC for sport, art and culture, Bongiwe Mbingo-Gigaba said hey interacted with a lot of vibrant, proactive and outspoken youth.

Gigaba further added that the programme was driven by a high calibre of young minds.

“We believe you will assist us in saving lives for a better constructed future.

The youth cannot be left behind when critical decisions are made. They are a construct of a developing society. Provincial Youth Road Safety Summit is an opportunity for them to put their mark on an agenda of national importance.

“We encourage all road users to share and innovate new ways of saving lives of our people on our roads. Remember, what we discuss here today will impact on the lives of the people in this country. You will contribute towards saving our today for tomorrow,” she said.

“Losing one life on our roads is one life too many. Today’s summit will form part of the global goal of the United Nation’s Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020. Youth Commission compiled a number of strategic interventions aimed at combating road carnage.

“We also believe that Provincial Youth Road Safety Summit in 2016 will culminate to a National Youth Road Safety Summit earmarked for June 2016,” Gigaba said.

MEC for education, Martha Bartlett share the same sentiments. She said the youth were given an opportunity to contribute towards the “Youth Declaration for Road Safety”.

“Document describes the views of young people on what they, their parents, teachers, government leaders and others can do to improve road safety, which will be used to catalyse attention and spur action around the world.

“Grab this opportunity with both hands because 40 of you will have an opportunity to represent the views of our province at the National Youth Road Safety Summit next month. You also have opportunity to form part of a team that will co-lead road safety in the province with the department of transport, safety and liaison,” she said.

“The future is in your hands.  Together lets save lives and the first step is to realise that road safety is everyone’s responsibility. I wish you all the best in your deliberations.

“You are here to make history and you are here to contribute towards impacting on the lives of others especially your peers by shaping their thinking towards road safety,” Bartlett said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

TWO suspects aged 29 and 32 respectively were arrested along R503 road in Tigane near Hartbeesfontein on Thursday.

North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said the suspects allegedly hijacked a vehicle delivering cigarettes.

“The suspects are expected to appear in Klerksdorp Magistrate’s on Monday. They are facing charges of armed robbery and possession of suspected stolen goods,” he said.

“The police received information about an armed robbery that occurred between Hartbeesfontein and Coligny road. The victim was allegedly cooped in the suspect’s vehicle.

“The police spotted the vehicle travelling towards Hartbeesfontein. The chase ensued between the police and the suspects,” he said.

The suspects allegedly alighted from their vehicle during the chase and ran into the bushes.

The police chased and managed to arrest two of them. One suspect allegedly fled.

“A rifle toy gun as well as six boxes and various packets of cigarettes were found inside the vehicle. The victim was found unharmed.

-TDN

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