CULTURE, arts and traditional affairs (CATA) and the tourism departments have partnered the Mahikeng local municipality in the ‘Hit Song’ music competition.

The competition involves talent search for those gifted in singing so that they are put in the limelight and helped to realise their dreams.

CATA head of department, Nono Bapela said the “Do You Wanna Be a Music Superstar talent search” competition has reached its final stage.

“We will be announcing the winner of the competition at Mmabatho Convention Complex on May 21. We have shortlisted five finalists. The main objective of the project was to unearthed and harness future legends from the province.

“The winner will receive a professional recording contract. The contract amount to R350 000 and this is in line with North premier, Supra Mahumapelo’s vision of rebranding, renewal and repositioning,” Bapela said.

She said they working in conjunction with Education Alive.

“The National Lotteries Commission funded Education Alive, which is part of a worldwide non-profit educational organisation. The aim of the project is to stage an artist skills and talent development project. The project was launch in the province through a “Hit song,” Bapela said.

“This also carries forward the government’s objective and mandate of implementing the five concretes, amongst them to rebrand, reposition and renewal the province through agriculture, culture and tourism (ACT). Eighty artists were chosen out of 500 demos received.

“The chosen artists attended a five day workshop valued at R20 000 per entrant. They received workshop from highly skilled executives in the music industry. Five best songs were identified through a selection process,” she said.

Bapela said the selected songs were played on Motsweding FM. She further added that listeners were requested to vote for their best song through short message service (sms). Bapela further added that the top 5 finalists were Tsietso Letlojane, Edwin Phiri, Zamani Manqayi and Obakeng Mapoe.

Education Alive representative, Phil Hows said they have chosen the best top five songs. He said the aim was to unleash the raw talents across the province. “I can say the province has abundance of talents. Many artists need assistance to become complete product. We believe those who are selected will continue to fly the North West province flag high.

“We will also continue to work and monitor those who received training to nurture them. The department has created mini-Mmabanas across the districts so other artists will be given attention through those projects,” Hows said.

Courtesy- The NewAge Newspaper

-TDN

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NORTH West premier, Supra Mahumapelo, presents his office’s budget at the provincial legislature today (Thursday).

Mahumapelo said he is looking forward to the proceeding and said the provincial government’s fifth administration has managed to eliminate corruption, fraud and maladministration.

“We are very adamant that we are working towards our goal. We want to appeal to our community members to adhere and uphold the constitution of this country. What happened at Marikana where people occupied RDP houses illegal was uncalled for. Rustenburg local municipality works in partnership with our local and human settlements department and has built beautiful houses to curb overcrowding in Marikana.

“There was a committee elected to lead the project, so we want to make a call to our people to refrain from occupying RDP houses illegally. We are working tirelessly to curb corruption. We are very grateful that our attempts have paid dividends,” Mahumapelo said.

The premier added that his administration has been working closely with The Hawks and the office of the auditor-general focusing on nine municipalities like Ramotshere-Moiloa, Madibeng, Matlosana, Tswaing, Naledi, Ngaka Modiri Molema, Ratlou, Ditsobotla and Ventersdorp municipalities.

“You will remember that we sent the Hawks at Madibeng municipality to curb corruption within the municipality. We have deployed an administrator at Ngaka Modiri-Molema municipality and we are happy about the outcome. We will extend their stay until after national local elections.

“We also sped-up the issue of ferrying patients to various hospitals. The initiative has been implemented at Ventersdorp hospital. And we also saw improvements from all departments those were put under administration,” he said.

Courtesy- The NewAge Newspaper

-TDN

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BY REGINALD KANYANE

DEELPAN- North West Province, Supra Mahumapelo visited the bereaved family in Deelpan after a razing fire killed seven family members on Sunday. The family members were asleep when their shack caught fire.

Mahumapelo was accompanied by MEC for social development; Fenny Gaolaolwe.

A three year-old toddler has become the latest victim to succumb to injuries suffered after six other family members died. The toddler died on Tuesday at Tshepong Hospital where he had been admitted since Sunday.

THE South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) and the ANC in North West sent their heartfelt condolences to the Mogale family.

Sanco provincial chairperson, Paul Sebegoe described the deaths as shocking and heart-rending incident.  He pleaded with local government and human settlements department to assist in building houses and eradicate informal settlements across the country.

“The informal settlement eradication and rural electrification programmes have to be accelerated to reduce such harrowing incidents. So we urge the local government and human settlements department to speed-up the process of eradicating informal settlements. Many lives continued to be lost because of poor living conditions our people found themselves in. We hope proper houses could reduce the atrocity.

“Many people who live in informal settlements use candle because their shacks are not electrified. We also urge relevant authorities to educate people living in informal settlements how to deal with fire. The residents in these areas need to be endorsed with firefighting training skills. We believe that could help while waiting for assistance from emergency services,” he said.

Michael Mogale‚ 23‚ Mokatse Mogale‚ 22‚ Shepang Mogale‚10‚ and their two cousins‚ Bokamoso Mogale‚ 8‚ and Lerato Mogale, 5‚ died in the fire while asleep after their shack caught fire in the early hours of Sunday. A three year–old toddler‚ Olebogeng Mogale‚ was admitted at Gelukspan hospital but later died.

“We are distraught by the heartbreaking losses. We wish to convey our condolences to the Mogale family, relatives, friends as well as the entire Deelpan community. No one deserves to die such frightful and painful deaths,” Sebegoe said.

The bereaved family spokesperson, Florence Ntshangisa said the loss was painful.

“We are really dejected after losing family members in this manner. We are grieving and hope that we could ever find closure to the matter,” she said.

North West premier Supra Mahumapelo had also sent his heartfelt condolences to the family.

He said the provincial government’s thoughts were with the Mogale family during this difficult time.

“May they be comforted as they come to terms with this tragic loss. We can confirm that the Provincial Disaster Management Teams from Local Government and Human Settlements Department and Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality visited the scene to make an assessment in order to intervene as the fire has completely destroyed the shack and its contents.

“Furthermore, MEC for social development visited the bereaved family on Wednesday to see if any assistance could be needed. Leader of Government Business, MEC Manketsi Tlhape and Ngaka Modiri Molema district mayor, Justice Makolomakwe also visited the family this week,” Mahumapelo said.

-TDN

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Generations: The Legacy actor Rapulana Seiphemo has finally broken his silence after being involved in a deadly car accident earlier this year telling fans that the experience could have “destroyed” him.

Taking to Instagram for the first time since the accident which left three people dead and the soap star in intensive care‚ Rapulana thanked fans for their prayers and support.

“As you all know by now; I went through a traumatic incident a number of months ago. I am well on my way to recovery; a recovery that would not have been possible without the thoughts and prayers of so many of you: my supporters‚ family and friends.”

Rapulana revealed that the experience has left him shaken and credits the prayers and support of friends and fans for helping him pull through.

“I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart. It was something that could have destroyed me‚ but (for the) hope and inspiration from all of you. I am blessed and grateful to be surrounded by all of you.”

According to Generations: The Legacy publicist Gaaratwe Mokhethi‚ the actor is expected to return to the set of popular SABC 1 soapie in the next few weeks‚ once he has fully recovered from his injuries.

Source: http://www.timelive.co.za

ACTING MEC for culture, art and traditional affairs (CATA), Manketsi Tlhape said action needs to be done to implement the department’s R659.6m budget presented recently.

The department has a mandate to make issues of culture central to economic development after Premier Supra Mahumapelo singled out the component together with agriculture and tourism as the key economic pillars for the province.

Tabling the budget, Tlhape said: “We have managed to obtain funding for Library Practice Learnership to the tune of R1.2m from the PSETA during last financial year. The department also contributed R326 000 to augment for of learners stipend. Most of the learners were recruited from the areas where Libraries are located. They have completed formal training in January and are awaiting finalisation of their assessments.

“Another grant to the tune of R135 030 was sourced from CATHSSETA for skills development. The exercise was completed in January and workers are at Klein Marico Hospitality Facility on Food Service Aid. The same SETA has approved a grant to an amount of R336 000 for the intake of eight interns for Performing Arts, Crafts and Visual Arts advertised through the entire province,” she said.

The MEC added that ten interns were also placed on a PSETA programme. She said the amount of R576 000 grant was received.

The internship programme will end at end of December this year. She further added 20 learners benefited from R720 000 grants until next year.

“Two hundred artists and arts and culture practitioners benefited from skill development progamme called Ikatisong. We will forge an agreement with the education department to place at least 30 practitioners in schools,” she said.

Tlhape pointed out that they will help art centres across communities. Six applications received for upgrading and refurbishment of underutilised as CACs.

She said they will host 85 festivals throughout the province and that these will be organised by their service points and districts in collaboration with traditional leaders and local municipalities.

The MEC indicated that these festivals will promote Mahika Mahikeng Festival as the year end bash.

Tlhape said priorities for traditional affairs will be taken into considerations. She said the construction and renovation of traditional council offices cost R27 million. Tlhape said a support for traditional council in the form of grants was R19m.

“Tools of trade for Dikgosi like cell phones cost the department R700 000. Maintenance of fleet like vehicles allocated to traditional councils was R2m, and Induction and training of newly elected members of traditional councils cost R1.5m. The finalisation of the North West Initiation Schools Matters Draft Bill was R300 000.

“We will continue to rebrand, reposition and renew our province. We will continue to increase the number of village-based recording studios. The department will spend R1.5m on this project in the four districts,” Tlhape said.

“During this financial year R24 685m will be transferred to municipalities for smooth operations and service delivery to our people. We will be handing over libraries to communities during this financial year namely; Tlokweng, Lomanyaneng, Ganalaagte, Khunwana, Tlakgameng, Ipelegeng and Boikhutso,” she said.

-TDN

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THE North West Flames Netball team continues to do the province proud as it leads the pack in the ongoing 2016 Brutal Fruit netball League.

MEC for education and sport development in North West, Wendy Matsemela applauded the team’s exploits after it defeated a fired up Kwazulu-Natal Kingdom Stars team.

Matsemela said she was proud that the team continued to show its mettle at the tournament.

“We urge our people to continue rally behind the team. They are making the province proud with their weekly performances. Our North West Flames Netball Team dominated the weekend games again in the 2016 Brutal Fruit Netball League. This was round 4 of the tournament and took place at Ellis Park Indoor Arena, Johannesburg,” Matsemela said.

North West Flames has played its two crucial games and looks set to be a surprise package this year. The team played against the Kingdom Stars of KwaZulu-Natal on Friday and Gauteng Jaguars on Saturday and came out unscathed.

Matsemela said these two games were taunted as a make or break for the Flames to consolidate their position of staying at the top of the Premier League.

In a thrilling game against the Kingdom Stars, The North West Flames Netball team dominated all the quarters and won 46 – 39. On the second day of Round 4, The Flames played another difficult match against the Gauteng Jaguars in which they ended up sharing the spoils at 52 – 52 goals.

The results of these two games propelled the North West Flames to stay on top of the log above all teams with 11 points.

North West Flames player, Fikile Mkhuzangwe scooped player of the match award. She was awarded R5000 cheque.

Mkhuzangwe said: “I am very excited and attributes my win to the team as a whole. It was all about hard work and dedication. I am very happy and excited to be named the Player of the Match. This means a lot to me as a player and my hard work has paid off.”

North West Flames coach, Doretta Bardenhorst expressed her temporary relief after playing the toughest games in the tournament.

She said: “Somehow I am truly relieved after playing these two games. These were a mammoth task and I will like to thank my players for giving it all. Now going forward, we will take every game as it come.”

Expectations are that the team will managed to clinch the coveted trophy this year and residents in the province have been urged to keep on supporting the team.

-TDN

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Picture: Potch Herald/Selogile Leshage

GRADE 12 pupils from various schools and other various stakeholders gathered at Toevlug primary school in Ventersdorp to attend the JB Marks education trust fund career expo.

The activity was organised by the National Union of Miners (NUM).

Chairperson of the board of trustees, David Sipunzi said the aim of the initiative was to assist needy students with financial resources and also expose them to career choices up for grabs.

“The initiative was established back in 1997 in honour of the Ventersdorp-born former trade unionist, teacher and political activist JB Marks. He died in Russia after suffering a stroke while in exile in Tanzania. He was sent to Russia for medical treatment, but unfortunately he passed away there.

“This is befitting after JB Marks remains were repatriated back to Ventersdorp last year. He was reburied in this area. We wanted to provide bursaries for mineworkers’ children. However the trust fund has now been opened to the public and deserving students,” Sipunzi said.

He said the JB Marks Education Trust has produced about 900 graduates and post-graduates to date. He further encouraged learners to work hard and strive for success.

“We want many kids to benefit from this expo. Unfortunately we had not received that opportunity during our time. So it will be more imperative for our children to embark on the career of their choices.

“Career guidance is very important because it allows every kid to choice their own path. Bursaries will be awarded on merit, so all previous disadvantaged learners are welcomed.

We are very grateful after seeing so many learners gaining interest to visit the expo. This is a two day expo, and we invited close to 48 exhibitors,” he said.

Big companies like Honda, Old Mutual, UNISA, SAICA, NYDA, Justice Department of Justice, SAPS, Mining Qualifications Authority and North West University were also part of the proceeding.

Education and sport development deputy director general, Stephinah Semashwe said that pupils were offered career advice. She further added that they were advised on which subjects to select for grade 12 pupils and for which career.

“We urge our learners to take the opportunity of this bursary. We highly appreciate the generosity displayed by NUM. We hope to see as many graduates as we can benefit from this initiative. We also encourage Ventersdorp learners to apply and benefit as well from the trust,” Semashwe said.

The JB Marks Education Trust Fund covers registration, tuition, examination, bridging courses, textbooks, meals, on-campus accommodation, and capacity building programmes.

One of the learners who attended, Keamogetswe Masigo, 14 from from Kgololosego Intermediate School in Ventersdorp said: “The bursary initiative will encourage us to achieve our career goals in life. I would like to be a social worker after I matriculated. So this fund will come in handy for previously disadvantaged learners like me,” Masilo said.

JB Marks’ great-granddaughter, Pastor and Lecturer, Laurian Marks commended the NUM for the initiative. She said her family was grateful about this and we believe this will be a beacon of hope to many students.

“We are also happy that our great grandfather is home. We can now pay tribute to him for all what he has done. Let us continue with the struggle and strive for betterment of our people,” Marks said.

-TDN

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President Jacob Zuma’s first appearance in parliament since the courts made two damning rulings against him got off to a bumpy start on Wednesday when rowdy EFF members were ejected from the National Assembly.

The EFF wrote a letter to speaker Baleka Mbete asking that Zuma not be allowed to speak in the National Assembly as he had violated the Constitution and also faced the reinstatement of corruption charges.

Zuma was present to address the National Assembly in Cape Town regarding the 2016/17 budget allocations for his administration.

Mbete declined the request.

Source: Timelive

A 47-YEAR-OLD man sentenced to two life imprisonment for rape by Vryburg Regional Court on Thursday. Gilbert Keetile also received 10 years for attempted murder and a further 8 years for two accounts of kidnapping.

Provincial police spokesperson, Sgt Kelebogile Moleko said the sentences emanated from crimes the accused committed between 2012 and 2013. She said the accused kidnapped and raped a 16-year-old girl after offering her a lift under the pretext of taking her home in December 2012.

“In a separate incident that occurred in March 2013, he raped and strangled a 28-year-old woman. Both incidents took place within and around Vryburg.  All the sentences will run concurrently. The North West police commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane welcomed the conviction. She commended the investigative team for their dedication. Motswenyane also warned potential criminals and said that the police will continue to put behind bars those who commit crime,” Moleko said. 
-TDN
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FIVE youth from disadvantaged families in Hartswater, Jan Kempdorp and Pampierstad areas near Taung are being empowered after they enrolled for the Microsoft Certified Solution Associate (MCSA) programme.

  Administrator of the programme, Letlhogonolo Modise said they targeted unemployed youth from rural areas.

  “We have brought a skills development programme to equip the unemployed youth. As the administrator for the project, I realised that the youth in rural areas are beset with many challenges. They are faced with abject poverty, teenage pregnancy, crime and alcohol and drug abuse. So they need to be empowered.

  “We are planning to bring as many skill development projects as we could. We have chosen five people from various areas around Taung to join our pilot project. I approached Torque-IT Company to request their assistance. They agreed to give necessary training to the students,” Modise said.

  A 31 year-old man from Pampierstad said he also approached Phokwane local municipality to give the students necessary job training. He said it was imperative for the youth to be developed because youth empowerment will do the world good.

  “Empowering the youth is better because that will assist them to succeed in life. It is shameful that when youth empowerment is mentioned, people think that it is only the function of the government to empower the youth. This is not so as you, as an individual, can empower the people around you,” he said.

  Business development manager at Torque Career Campus (TCC), Lesego Motshwane, said Torque IT is accredited by Media Information and Communication, Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA). She said her company was strategically devoted to address and narrow the skills gap within the IT sector.

  “Torque IT is acting as a key resource for businesses wants to invest in learnerships, internships and skill programmes. Torque IT has a vast, active client base that partakes in learnership and internship programmes hosted at the four main operating branches in South Africa. Many of these clients choose to make use of Torque IT’skills experience in recruiting learners or interns as well as to place them for workplace experience at different companies with such needs.

  “I was approached by Letlhogonolo Modise who requested Torque IT to assist in terms of job creation in Pampierstad near Taung. He has passion for youth development within the region and approached Phokwane local municipality mayor, Robert Tsikwe and shared his vision. Torque IT has a client named Exponant based in Centurion. Exponant wanted to fund five interns to participate in an internship programme,” Motshwane said.

  She said that Exponant agreed to take five unemployed interns who met the requirements. Exponant paid Torque IT for interns training and also covered the cost of the Microsoft Certificate Exams.  According to Motshwane, Exponant is also providing all interns with a monthly stipend of R3500 over 12 months duration. 

  “Interns are attending a curriculum which is aligned to the MCSA: Windows Server 2012 certification path. They will be certified as such after passing all their international exams. The internship program commenced with class training on April 4 in 2016 at Torque IT head office in Rivonia, Johannesburg. Class training will be completed on May 6 and they will start with their workplace experience at Phokwane local municipality on May 9 until February 28 in 2017,” Motshwane said.

Phokwane local municipality mayor, Robert Tsikwe said the internship will narrow the unemployment gap at the area.

  “We highly appreciate what Modise has done for our youth in the area. Unemployment is the order of the day and that affects the lifestyle of the youth. They end up engaging in drug and alcohol abuse to pass time. The IT skill is very rare and we hope they will make use of the opportunity. We would like to welcome more internship from private companies because mostly people are looking at the government to create jobs,” Tsikwe said.
-TDN
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