Johannesburg – No advantage will be given to any political party in the run-up to this year’s local government elections, President Jacob Zuma said on Monday.

Zuma was in Midrand, Johannesburg, where he signed the electoral code of conduct on behalf of the African National Congress.

“The ANC also reaffirms its commitment to political tolerance, peaceful co-existence with other parties, as well as free political activity throughout our country,” he said while giving his party’s pledge.

“We look forward to a robust and peaceful electioneering period at equal level and successful elections on 3 August. No advantage will be given to any [party], we canvass and participate equally as equal parties.”

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The cost of extra security needed during the #FeesMustFall students’ campaigns has cost millions of rands and has punched holes into the budgets of the country’s universities, a City Press investigation has found.

In a desperate bid to bring back a peaceful environment needed for learning and safeguard their priceless infrastructure, universities have been forced to beef up security on their premises.

The information on security costs, however, was not voluntarily given to City Press. In February, City Press was forced to use the Promotion of Access to Information Act to get 10 affected universities to reveal the amounts spent on added security on campuses. Half of the universities complied and handed over the information.

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The first solar powered airport has been opened in the Northern Cape and the techology is expected to spread across South Africa.

Transport Minister Dipuo Peters said operations would spread all the way to India, Ghana and Sudan in the near future. Solar power is the use of the sun’s energy either directly as thermal energy (heat) or through the use of photovoltaic cells in solar panels and transparent photovoltaic glass to generate electricity.

Jabulani Khambule, a representative of Airports Company South African (Acsa) said they realised that energy costs were increasing and the shortage of supply was a big problem. He said Acsa had invested R13.5m on erecting solar panels.

It also built the Upington solar power for R12.6m. Now the short term objectives are to invest in technology that consumes less power.

“Nersa has approved an energy increase of 8% over the next two years. The increase led to a number of initiatives by Acsa. We have installed a number of runways and that project is lit by solar,” Khambule said.

He went on to say that the medium term goal was to ensure an energy secure environment and to introduce an energy mix into all airports. The solar power panel was built between October 2015 and April 2016. Peters said the solar panels are expected to last at least 25 to 30 years, which would prove sustainable for the company.

“We would like to say that we are going ahead with plans to develop the East London Airport and Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein, which are both in line to get solar panels. We will also keep the community informed about the developments,” Peters said.

She went on to thank Kimberley for being custodians of the project. “We have got major airports in South Africa which can compete with the rest of the world.”
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THE Northern Cape department of agriculture, land reform and rural development has extended the date for entries for the female entrepreneurs awards. Departmental spokesperson Phemelo Manankong said the closing date had been extended to allow more female entrepreneurs to enter the awards.

“The call for the applicants in this year’s competition is set to be heartened by widespread publicity in an attempt to draw the ever-increasing number of participants, especially women,” Manankong said.

The closing date of the entries has been extended to May 20. The initial closing date was today. However, the department emphasised that the competition had been growing year by year since its inception and more sectors were now included in categories to cover most part of the agricultural industry.

“The scope of the competition has expanded in alignment with the new mandate of the government to include the fishery and forestry sectors,” Manankong said.

Categories for this year awards include best female farm worker, best subsistence producer, top smallholder, processing, exports and commercial entrepreneurs. “There will also be the MEC’s special award, as well as a youth and disabled people’s award to recognize the role of young people in the sector,” Manankong said.

The awards take place later in the year. Previous entrants are also encouraged to reenter. The prize money will be disclosed towards the run up to the award ceremony. Female entrepreneurs in and around Northern Cape are urged to visit their departmental offices for any clarity they might need with regard to the awards.
Courtesy: http://www.thenewage.co.za

The ANC in the province has appealed to business people to help raise R40m needed to oil the party’s election machinery.

At a gala dinner held in Taung on Saturday, the party said this time it wants real cash payments and commitments made directly to the provincial treasurer, not pledges.

The highlight of the gala dinner came when a local businessman made an internet transfer of R500000 to the ANC account. ANC provincial chairperson Supra Mahumapelo said the ruling party valued all business people and seeks to build good relations that will extend to community building.

“We are not in favour of capitalism, neither are we opposed to capitalism,” Mahumapelo said.

“The ANC would like to say to rich people, we need to work together in running South Africa. Whether you’re a capitalist, a socialist or a communist, you’re part of the ANC.” He said that R40m was the party’s target this year and that it had to be raised by June 15.

“We have four districts. We just need R10m from each district, that’s R40m. I ask that we help each other get that R40m. We need to have that R40m by June 15.” Provincial treasurer Kgakgamatso Nkewu told the business people that the only way the ANC could raise funds decently was if they came on board and helped.

“For the ANC to win elections, we need you. And for you to have money you need to have the ANC in the government. We need the ANC for social and economic change. “How do you do that when you’re not in the government?” Nkewu asked.

She said the ANC invited business people because the party believed they have the love for the ANC and the ANC’s interests at heart. She urged those willing to help to fill in a pledge form or transfer the money on the spot.

“We don’t need those funds here, we need those funds in the ANC account.” Provincial ANC secretary Dakota Legoete reminded business people that “making funds available to the ANC would propel the movement forward”. The party is said to have about R2m in its coffers.
Courtesy: http://www.thenewage.co.za

LOCAL government and human settlements MEC Fenny Gaolaolwe handed over a number of houses to residents in villages near Taung at the weekend. Gaolaolwe used the opportunity to warn contractors that her department would continue to monitor housing development projects.

“We will continue to monitor all projects implemented by our department. As the government, we have realised that there some were lethargic concerning some projects.

“We are completing the housing project in Taung. The 500 houses units were built and delayed but the contractor promised that he would complete the project by September.

“We visited Mogopela A, Nhole and Khudutlou villages. We aim to reduce poverty and inequality among our people.

“The local government and human settlements department is working tirelessly to make sure that all our deserving residents, especially our elderly, receive houses. We will continue to improve their lives,” Gaolaolwe said.

One of the beneficiaries is Onewang Tlhase from Nhole village. Tlhase stayed in a oneroomed mud house and is turning 106 years old today. She received a furnished house and groceries from the government.

“I am very grateful for the house and want to thank the government. I have been sleeping in a mud house for a very long time. Today I can proudly say that our government has the interests of its people at heart.

“Our children are unemployed. Poverty and inequality leads to social-economic challenges.

“We know Taung is predominately rural and having basic service delivery is imperative. We appreciate the house and hope the government continues to improve the lives of the people,” Tlhase said.

Another beneficiary, Shadrack Thibe from Mogopela A village, said he was happy to leave his one-roomed structure for a proper house. Housing project contractor Floyd Ngwana said they were working tirelessly to make sure the people finally received their houses.

“We will work hard and make sure the housing project is completed. We believe with competent employees we will achieve our target. The project is expected to be completed in September,” Ngwana said.

Greater Taung local municipality mayor Kaone Lobelo said they would continue to work closely with the local and human settlements department. He said even though they had received complaints in the past, there were staggering improvements regarding the backlog.

“We are fighting a backlog on the housing projects. Our people need more houses and as the municipality we will make sure that we improve their lives.

“We have been working together with the local government and human settlements department. We will continue to work hard to make sure we remove them from abject poverty,” Lobelo said.
Courtesy: http://www.thenewage.co.za

Rustenburg – A teenage boy allegedly beat a 29-year-old man to death with a cricket bat in Blydeville, near Lichtenburg, North West police said on Friday.

“According to information, the victim and the suspect had an argument over the alleged theft of a cellphone. The victim was allegedly hit with a cricket bat on the head and he died on the scene,” said police spokesperson Colonel Sabata Mokgwabone.

He said the 17-year-old boy was arrested on Thursday and was expected to appear in the Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
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Ventersdorp – The SA National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in the North West on Saturday called for a probe into the circumstances surrounding the death of Jan Rammekwa – a farmworker allegedly “left to die” from a leg injury caused by a harvesting machine.

Rammekwa’s burial is being held in Tshing township near Ventersdorp on Saturday, Sanco provincial chairman Paul Sebegoe said.
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