CULTURES, arts and traditional affairs MEC, Ontlametse Mochware met with traditional leaders, interfaith representatives and youth structures at Pudimoe Community Hall near Taung on Monday.
The meeting was meant for Mochware to formally introduce her to all stakeholders following her recent appointment.
“We were engaged in a meeting with all stakeholders in Dr Ruth Mompati district. We want to fulfill our department’s requirements captured on the Annual Performance Plan. We are obliged to host quarterly meetings with stakeholders across the province.
“This will assist us to keep our commitments to deliver required services on time and redresses past issues. We share the same sentiments as our premier Supra Mahumapelo’s intention to carry forward government’s objective and mandate,” Mochware said.
The MEC pointed out that her department will play a part in implementing five concretes the fifth administration has committed itself to.
She highlighted the need to rebrand, reposition and renew the province through agriculture, culture and tourism.
“We need to rebrand our image as government. The objective is to take our service delivery to the next level. Mahumapelo’s target is to increase the province’s economic growth to 6%.
“This can only be achieved through partnership with all stakeholders. We are also seeking to emancipate small businesses and artists coming from Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies (VTSD) through Setsokotsane programme,” she added.
ANCYL regional secretary in Dr Ruth Mompati, Lekgotla Menyatso pledged to support the department’s efforts. He also urged the youth to emancipate themselves with opportunities brought by provincial government.
“Our youth need to concentrate of their education. They also need to read a lot and participate in various codes of art offered by Mmabana foundation. We need to make sure we groom them well as the future leaders,” Menyatso said.
Baga-Maidi Tribal Authority chief, Kgosi Nnyoko Motlhabane said: “We welcome our new MEC. Dr Ruth Mompati region is your home. We commend your effort to meet with our leadership. Our government has done a lot for our people and we believe they will do more. Our community members need to be steadfast so that they are not left behind,” Motlhabane said.

-TDN

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INCREASED economical activities in Rustenburg has resulted in exponential growth and a subsequent population upsurge, prompting one leading  emergency medical service company, ER24 to open a new branch in the platinum city.
ER24 Northern regional manager, Marius Koekemoer said the newly established ER24 Rustenburg branch promised a quality pre-hospital care to patients.
“It is an honour to open this new branch. The people of Rustenburg can expect well organised, highly skilled staff that will render the best care possible to all clients. The public can rest assured that their lives are in safe hands. We will support our newly appointed staff because without them ER24 is nothing.
“We will sustain our obligation and objective to ensure our new branch becomes a success. Johann McDermott was appointed as the acting branch manager. He has years of experience in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) industry,” Koekemoer said.
“We are out and about. We aim to be visible everywhere and be the first port of call for any emergency in the community. We will also render appropriate emergency care in a real and helpful way. We will like also to encourage our people to save our medical emergency number 084 124 on their cellphones,” he said.
Koekemoer added that emergencies could occur anywhere and that ER24 has a passion in helping people.
“We believe that patients must always come first. As a team we can always keep that motto a reality,” Koekemoer said.
Advanced Life Support paramedic in Rustenburg, Lourens Smit said: “Next to creating a life, saving one is the highest calling. I am excited to be part of this initiative. It’s a privilege to be part of the team. We have a motivated team. We spend a lot of time on the road and at stationary points.”

-TDN

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NINETY vehicles were impounded and more than 384 fines were issued during a traffic blitz in Mahikeng.
The operation targeted defaulting motorists and was run by community safety and transport management department in North West.
Department MEC, Dr Mpho Motlhabane said that they want to make roads safer for everyone hence the special operation.
“More than 90 vehicles were impounded and 384 traffic fines were issued to defaulting motorists with monetary value of more than R400 000. One of the department’s key mandates is to ensure safety and compliance of the roads. There will be non-compliance vehicle that will be allowed on the road.
“We want to make our capital city, Mahikeng as one of the best cities. So we will ensure that all vehicles on our roads are roadworthy. We close up all gaps and stifle all defaulting motorists. The department wants to protect the innocent lives against drunken drivers,” Motlhabane said.
He added that 35 drunken drivers were arrested over the weekend during the special operation in Brits.
Motlhabane said the operation was in partnership with the South African Police Services.
“We saved lives by arresting drunken drivers. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. Therefore there is a need for partnership to advocate this. We urge all road users to obey the rules and comply with at all times. We will save the country from death pains and avoid losing valuable persons.
“The deaths on the roads rob us important people who some of them have needed skills. That also affects our economy indirectly. People need to start to report drunken driving and also refrain from using cellphones while driving. To report bad driving, accidents and other unlawful acts, please contact departmental toll free number: 0800 204 992,” he said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE
The North West Provincial Legislature’s Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts (SCOPA) will hold an oversight meeting with the MEC for local government and human settlements, Fenny Gaolaolwe on the incident that transpired during the appearance of the council and senior management of Naledi local municipality.

The Municipal Manager, Modisenyane Segapo, together with Mayor Cllr Langa Modise, the Chief Financial Officer,  David Thornhill and councillors of the Naledi local municipality had been called by the committee to account on the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA)audit outcomes of the 2014/15 financial year.

According to the provincial auditor general’s office, amongst others the municipality is struggling to pay their debtors including Eskom and most of the officials are owing the municipality a lot of money for rates and services, officials and councillors are doing business with the municipality.

During the public hearing on the Municipal Finance Management Act audit outcomes of the financial year 2014/15 that was held on May 18 in Naledi Municipal Chamber, the Municipal Manager, Modisenyane Segapo walked out on a SCOPA meeting after being requested to produce a copy of MFMA and the Constitution.
-TDN
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BY REGINALD KANYANE    
North West Province cebrate the African Day at Lotlamoreng Dam in Mahikeng on Wednesday.

Premier Supra Mahumapelo will be part of the proceeding.

Acting provincial spokesperson, Brian Setswambung said this is the provincial event.

“The event is organised by culture, arts and traditional affairs department. Traditional healers and leaders, Inter-Faith Based Organisation, artists and business people from African countries like Malawi, Ghana and Zimbabwe will also attend,” Setswambung said.

He said the theme of the event is “Building a better Africa and a Better World”.

“The provincial Africa Day celebration has been contextualised and aligned with the vision to rebrand, reposition and renewal of the province.

“The day’s cultural programme will include exhibition by crafters and performances by artists and poets from across the province,” he said.

Africa Day is celebrated annually on May 25 on the continent to mark the formation of the Organisation of African Unity on May 25, 1963.
-TDN
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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI 
Youth Entrepreneurship Services (YES) in the Office of the Premier and the North West Development Corporation (NWDC) have handed over contracts for R10 million rand funding to 139 young people involved in emerging small businesses in the province.

Speaking during the handing over ceremony at Mmabatho Convention Centre on Tuesday, Director of YES in the Office of the Premier, Thapelo Sekawana said they were assisting youth to grow their businesses and create jobs.

“We are giving support to our young people by funding their businesses, providing business mentorship and coaching so that they can also assist in creating jobs in the province.

“We are not only providing funding but we will ensure that they are well monitored and assisted in various aspects of their businesses in order to grow,” Sekawana said.

The funding comes after the YES and NWDC called on all emerging businesses owned by young people in the province to submit their business ideas and apply for funding.

Sekawana indicated that young people clearly stated their plans on how intended growing their businesses and create employment for other youth in their areas.

Sekawana further said the funding of 139 young people is only the beginning.

“We had more than 400 young people who shared their business ideas and requested assistance since making a call last year.

“These young people belong to the first phase of our funding, we will continue with the second phase during the course of this year,” Sekawana said.

Beneficiaries of the funding expressed their appreciation for the funding.

One of the beneficiaries, Kelebogile Pela from Bapong in Madibeng Local Municipality owns a small business called Keglope Investment which manufactures school uniform, protective wears and graduations gowns.

She said the funding will assist her to buy some of the equipment she needed to grow her business.

“This is exactly what I needed for my business this year and I can promise you I will do everything in my power to take my business to another level through this assistance.

“I want to thank our government for such an excellent programme that assist us as young people in business,” said Pela.

Another young emerging entrepreneur, Kgosi Motswanaesi from Mosakga Enterprise in Greater Taung Local Municipality, thanked YES for responding to the needs of young people.

“I never thought there will be a time for me to receive funding from government.

“Now I can see that our government under Premier Supra Mahumapelo is delivering on its promise to assist young people in the province,” he said.
-TDN
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BY REGINALD KANYANE
KLERKSDORP- The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) in the North West has embarked on a process of convening an awareness campaign on human trafficking.

Captain Tlangilani Rikhotso said the aim was to  sensitize the community about human trafficking.

“We want to educate the community about the various channels available to report cases such as human trafficking.
The awareness campaign will be held on Thursday at Klerksdorp Traffic Department,” he said.

Rikhotso said they will also visit Orkney Taxi Rank at 8am and proceed to Stilfontein and Klerksdorp Taxi Ranks respectively.

“There will be a march from Klerksdorp Taxi Rank to the Ballroom Hall (Municipality) for a formal address.
-TDN
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BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

NORTH West health department MEC, Dr Magome Masike said they will introduce new electronic filing system at hospitals and clinics. Dr Masike said this after many losses of files occurred recently. He said the plan to improve the availability of medical supplies and medical depot was in a full swing too.

“The poor accessibility of pharmaceutical and medical related items at health facilities was some of challenges. However we came up with a strategic plan to address that. We have engaged with our suppliers to reduce the challenges. Poor availability of medical stock from them hindered our stock levels. This affects our medical depot and the availability of medication at health facilities.

“Efforts are also being made to reduce the challenges encountered with supplier performance. A close bid for procurement of pharmaceutical and medical related items that are not on contract or not available from contracted suppliers has been arranged,” Masike said.

He further added that an open bid will be advertised for a provincial database for pharmaceutical and surgical. He said they have also appointed two distributors to ferry medications from depot to hospitals and clinics.

“The appointment resolves transportation challenges that we encountered before. We have also appointed contract workers to strengthen depot operations, particularly at the dispatch unit since February.

“We will also monitor our sub-district managers quarterly. We want to check if they make sure medication is available at hospitals and clinics. We will also engage with our nurses to make sure we bring back the dignity within nursing profession. We want a good working relationship between them and the patients,” Masike said.

He also added that they will host another nursing summit later this year.

“We have realised that the loss of files at our hospital facilities is high. We have experienced many lawsuits and paid large sum of money. However new electronic filing system will help us to reduce that. We believe there is a third force that is working with lawyers to guzzle-up from health department coffer.

“We want to make sure that community service in the medical field is meeting its objectives. We will also increase intake of nurses. Our nurses will receive training to be reminded of their primary healthcare duties,” Masike said.

He said lack of resources affects the day-to-day process at many hospitals. However Dr Masike added that they will come up with intervention. He said putting the needs of the patients at the frontiers is important.

DENOSA representative, Modise Letsatsi: “We welcome the improved changes the department introduced. We believe more nurses are needed to improve the service delivery. Our nurses will also receive training to deal with their attitude towards patients.”

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

TWO suspects aged 27 and 33 are expected to appear in Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court on Monday for being in possession of suspected stolen goods. North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said the police in Mothutlong and Mmakau acted on a tip-off.

“Two suspects were allegedly found to be in possession of a Ford Ranger vehicle, a plasma TV and four cellphones. The police received a tip-off and nabbed them at Mothutlong Extension 2. The undisclosed amount of money was also found in their possession. They allegedly robbed a house at Tsunami Section in  Ga-rankuwa,” he said.

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in North West reiterated its call to mining houses to uphold the culture of zero harm. The plea follows the death of a miner who died during a rockfall at the Impala Platinum Mine in Rustenburg last week Tuesday.

Provincial chairperson, Paul Sebegoe said: “We wish to convey our condolences to the family that lost their loved one in the tragic incident. Our communities share their grief as well as the hope and anxiety of the family of the miner who is still unaccounted for.”

SANCO national spokesperson, Jabu Mahlangu said they calling for an investigation into the cause of the rockfall to be sped up.

He added that higher penalties will lead to strict adherence to set occupational health and safety standards and reduce injuries and fatalities.

“Every mining incident reminds us that the Nkambule, Nyarende and Mnisi families are after 105 days still anxiously waiting for the bodies of their loved ones to be recovered at Lilly Mine in Mpumalanga for them to find closure,” he said.

Mahlangu said the delay in recovering the bodies of the three miners is traumatic for families that have not buried their loved ones in dignity.

“It is equally tragic that an investigation into that incident has not commenced for corrective action to be taken to prevent similar incidents at other mines. SANCO’s concern is that the tragedy in Impala Platinum Mine is the second to occur in a short space of time.

“Management says there’s been no communication with the second miner and teams fear the worst. Four miners were killed in an underground fire at the same mine earlier this year,” Mahlangu said.

-TDN

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