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Picture: (South Africa President Jacob Zuma at Gopane Village, near Zeerust)

Reconciliation Day, which is observed annually on 16 December, was inaugurated in 1995 to help South Africans heal from the horror of the events of the past and to signal the promise of a shared future, regardless of race, culture or creed.

It was previously known as Dingane’s Day and the Day of the Vow. It is a significant day in South African history. Its origins can be traced to the Battle of Blood River in 1838. The Voortrekker army defeated the Zulu army at the battle of Ncome River, which was fought over land ownership.

This year’s national event is being held at Black Aces Sports Grounds in Gopane, just outside Zeerust. This is in honour of the bravery of women in 1957 in Zeerust, who revolted against passes in the villages of Dinokana, Lekgopung and Motswedi.

“We salute the women of Gopane village in Zeerust, who organised a march against pass laws in 1957. Their actions illustrate the active participation of women in the struggle for liberation, not only in urban areas but in rural areas as well. 

“This serves as an inspiration as we continue building a new nation, founded on the values of human rights, justice and equality,” said President Zuma ahead of today’s main event.

It is a sea of colour and sound to mark the day, with high police visibility in the area. But in the midst of the festivities, the importance of the day is not lost.

SAnews spoke to some locals about the meaning of the day, if indeed the nation has reconciled and what needs to be done to nurture relations among citizens.

Many attending the national celebration were of the view that the country is upholding the preamble of the Constitution, which charges the nation to “Heal the divisions of the past and establish a society based on democratic values, social justice and fundamental human rights”. However, much more needs to be done.

For Martha Mokgotsi, progress has been made in reconciling the nation but she believes there is a long way to go, as there are still racist elements in society.

“We have come a long way but it’s a handful that continue to be ignorant and pull us back. For reconciliation to work, more still needs to be done. We still need healing and forgiveness because South Africa is an angry nation. For us to succeed in healing and forgiveness, we need to start working together in common humanity and ubuntu that brings us together.”

Hake Kgakatsi was of the view that the nation needs to move forward and forget the injustices of the past.

“We cannot reconcile until people let go of the past. For that to happen, we need to look beyond skin colour and embrace each other as human beings first. But I believe reconciliation is possible.”

Another youth, Kearabiwe Boikanyo (23), felt that the younger generation handles issues of race better than their parents.

“South Africa has evolved. For example, the current youth doesn’t have a problem looking beyond the issue of race. We interact well with other cultures, despite the few reported incidents.”

However, what needs to be accelerated, according to Biokanyo, are equal opportunities in the economy and education.

“The economy needs to be redistributed so that every skin colour is represented. The same goes for education. Everyone, regardless of their economic standing, must have access to education.”

Others were of the view that South Africans struggle to reconcile because the injustices brought by apartheid are still not dealt with fully. They want fairness and equal opportunities for all.

“The problem that has delayed reconciliation is that [not everybody is on board]. For example, when government arranges such national events and izimbizo, [not everyone will attend] but the issues affect us all. We need to get everyone on board if we want to move forward as a country,” Micheal Kgatsi said.

Although they might have a different approach to how reconciliation should work, one thing is for sure: the community of Zeerest is eager to listen to the President for some guidance. – SAnews.gov.za

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The Office of the Premier of the North West wishes to warn members of the public about an imposter who goes around phoning unsuspecting members of the public, claiming to be Premier Supra Mahumapelo.

This imposter has reportedly tried to solicit money from people in several provinces including Gauteng, Western Cape and Eastern Cape.

The Office of the Premier wishes to state that the Premier does not go around phoning people asking for money. 

We call on all people who are approached by this fraudster to notify the police immediately. 

In the latest incident, the imposter contacted an MP residing in the Western Cape, requesting financial assistance for an alleged student named Tshepo Moroka, who was purportedly stranded in Cape Town.

He reportedly claimed that he was requested by the President to assist the son of an old acquaintance. 

The imposter claimed that he was still busy preparing for a visit by the President and requested the MP to transfer R2000 to Moroka.

However, the MP became suspicious after realising that the cell number used was not registered.

Police are investigating the matter.

BY KABO LETLHOGELA

North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Local Government and Human Settlements has condemned Mahikeng and Ditsobotla Local Municipalities’ lack of cooperation with the Provincial Government’s Intervention Team under Section 139 (1)(b)which is tasked with compiling and implementing new General Valuation Rolls in the municipality including Ditsobotla and Lekwa-Teemane Local municipalities.

This came after the Committee held a meeting with Department of Local Government and Human Settlements for the close-up reports on the Provincial Intervention at Mahikeng; Lekwa-Teemane; Ditsobotla; Madibeng; Matlosana and Ventersdorp Local Municipalities on Section 139 (1)(b) and Section 154.

The Administrator for three municipalities (Mahikeng; Lekwa-Teemane and Ditsobotla), Willie Berker informed the Committee that although progress has been registered in the other two municipalities, the provincial intervention team has been experiencing resistance from Mahikeng Local Municipality.

“This specific municipality has not held a special council sitting to approve the intervention process. Role players in the municipalities are not on board and we find it difficult to obtain information on building plans and new buildings; consolidations and subdivisions; rezoning and determination of date of Valuation, etc.” Berker said.

Committee Chairperson, Motlalepula Rosho said the Committee is worried that the Mahikeng and Ditsobotla Local Municipalities are not cooperating with the intervention team to ensure that the valuation process of properties in the municipality is concluded.

“This shows serious laziness by officials from the municipalities who refuse to ensure that the process is concluded timeously. The inability of the municipal officials to compile and implement the new General Valuation Rolls for properties has forced the department to intervene yet they also failed to cooperate with such intervention team. This shows lack of consequence management by the leadership of the municipalities on such ill-disciplined officials,” Rosho said.

On issues of close-up reports on Section 139 (1)(b) and Section 154 interventions in Matlosana; Ventersdorp and Madibeng Local Municipalities, Rosho said the Committee is concerned that the department is unable to inform them on whether the reports were adopted by their respective Councils.

“We are unable to trace whether the department ensured that the Municipal Councils were convened and the close-up reports and its recommendations were tabled and taken through as part of adjustment period of Integrated Development Plan (IDP) in January 2017 for finalization.

“It shows that the department is very weak on conducting oversight in municipalities,” she said.

The former Administrator at Matlosana Local Municipality which was under Section 139 (1)(b) intervention, Seth Ramagaga said the intervention team together with the Department of Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development and National Department of Finance has developed a Financial Recovery Plan and conducted work sessions on finance, governance and administration.

“Public Participation on Budget and Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan was done. The municipality has also maintained positive bank balance as it is currently paying its debt with Eskom and all Supply Chain Management Committees were trained,” Ramagaga said.

The Administrator at Madibeng Local Municipality, Kelebogile Mogamisi, which was under Section 139 (1)(b) in the previous administration and currently under Section 154 said the municipality is implementing water projects accordingly and many areas residents receive water.

“We have set a coordinated water provision approach and implemented credit control measures and customer complains measures in situations where there are water shortages,” said Mogamisi.

Rosho said the Committee will meet with the department and the new administration at Matlosana Local Municipality to find proper processes on issues rose in the previous meeting with the municipality.

“On the meeting with the municipality on its Annual Report, they alleged that that the intervention team has put them in more debt and claimed that it has created more problems. The switching of interventions at Madibeng Local Municipality with the same administrator from Section 139 (1)(b) on water and sanitation prior local government elections to Section 154 after such elections is creating a serious problem because it is the responsibility of the department to support municipalities as expected,” she said.

Rosho said the Committee is also not happy with the close-up report of Ventersdorp Local Municipality and there is still a need to conduct an assessment on whether there is progress registered.

“We requested the department to go back and relook into the report and rewrite it properly. Its findings must be integrated with the process of the newly established North West 405 municipality which is an incorporation of former Ventersdorp and Tlokwe Local Municipalities,” she said.

Rosho further said the Section 139 interventions in the province remains the going concern and the value for money on the overall interventions still needs to be established.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

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North West Church leaders under the auspices of the Mahikeng Ministers Fellowship (MMF) on Wednesday expressed concerns regarding the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL commission) research report and investigation into commercialisation of religion.The formation has convened a special meeting to consolidate responses to the two reports.

“The outcome of the CRL commission research project and investigation report into commercialisation of religion are going to have far reaching implication on the church and curtail religious freedom that Christians who constitute 80% of the population in the country currently enjoy,” Chairperson of MMF (an interdenominational church leaders fellowship), said Apostle Zandisile Reginald Mpame ahead of the Sunday meeting to be held at the Mocoseng Sundown Resort as from 4pm.

Mpame expressed concern about the Xenophobic language in the reports.

“We are resolute to confront attempts to determine where, how as well as by whom the message of salvation is preached and what relationships local churches must have with the universal body of Christ,” he cautioned.

He said that overregulation recommended by the reports will impact on evangelism which is at the core of Christianity’s great commission.

“The myopic assumption that Christians are going to fall for the proposal to be enjoined with other religions to oversee church affairs as well as licensing of its practitioners is ill-conceived and amounts to state control even if it disguised as self-regulation and peer review mechanisms,” highlighted Mpame.    

He emphasised that while the overwhelming majority of churches condemn practices such as using doom on congregants, giving them disinfectants to drink, feeding them snakes and rats to congregants which are not supported by the Word of God, they will not support being brought under the control of the state when the report is formally tabled in Parliament in February next year.

Mpame said that the laws of the country are adequate to deal with abuses as well as non-compliance after the CRL has done what it is supposed to do.

“The CRL simply has to execute its mandate and primary duties to promote peaceful coexistence between religious cultural and linguistic groups in the country, educate, protect and roll awareness campaigns as regards the need for registration, improve administration and financial compliance. It will have our support if it starts doing what it is supposed to do and using resources allocated to it for that purpose,” he concluded.

The meeting will be open for all church leaders and elders from various denominations.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

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The second day of the SAFA/Burger King u19 Men’s Championship produced 18 goals to add to the 18 from the first day.
 
The Burger King-sponsored Championship is taking place at the William Herbert Sports Complex in Wynberg, Cape Town.
 
The biggest winners in the six matches on Day 2 were Northern Cape who demolished North West 5-1 – with Fabian van Zyl grabbing a hatrick in the 36th, 51st and 52nd minutes, while the other goals came from Gustav Simon (33rd) and Tshepo Kakora in
referee’s optional time (70+1).
 
Van Zyl’s three goals in a match are the second of the tournament following Cape Town City’s Duncan Adoni’s hatrick on the first day.
 
Adoni is now the top goalscorer with four goals after he was on the scoresheet in their 1-1 draw against Mpumalanga, whose goal came from Lwandile Mabuya.
 
Sibabakwe Selanto of Western Cape scored a brace (69th and 70+1) against Limpopo in their 4-1 victory with Bonga Dladla (37th) and Linamandla Mcilizeli (51st) getting on the scoresheet, while Maboke Mashapu grabbed Limpopo’s solitary goal.
 
Ironically, Limpopo fired the first salvo in the 14th minute before the floodgates opened. They played with 10 men in the last eight minutes of the match after Kwena Molokomme was given his marching orders following a second yellow card.
 
Ajax Cape Town brushed aside Eastern Cape 2-0 to register their second win in as many matches, with both goals coming from Tashreeq Matthews.
 
There were no goals in the clash between KwaZulu Natal and Santos.
 
As matter stand, the Cape invitational side is leading Group A with four points, followed by Western Cape on three and KwaZulu Natal and Limpopo with two and one respectively.
 
In Group B, Gauteng and Ajax are neck and neck on six points each, but Gauteng is top of the table due to a better goal difference. Both Free State and Eastern Cape are yet to register points.
 
The battle for top spot is also hotting up in Group C where Cape Town City and Mpumalanga are on four points apiece, but the coastal team has a better goal difference. Northern Cape is just one point behind while North West has lost both their two
matches.
 
After 12 matches played, a total of 36 goals have been scored.
 
But the games have not been clean with a high number of yellow cards dished out – 44, and two red cards.
 
Limpopo has collected the most yellow cards, seven in total as well as one red card.
 
The other side that has received a red card is Northern Cape.
 
The last group stage clashes will be played on Thursday, 15 December, and the matches will be played simultaneously. Group A will kickoff at 11h45, followed by Group B at 13h45 with Group C closing the day at 15h45.
 
NB: Only the three top-placed teams will qualify for the semi-finals and will be joined by the best second-placed side.
 
 
DAY 3 RESULTS – WEDNESDAY, 14 DECEMBER – William Herbert Sports Ground
 
KZN 0 – 0 Santos
 
Eastern Cape 0 – 2 Ajax Cape Town          
 
Mpumalanga 1 – 1 Cape Town City
 
Limpopo 1 – 4 Western Cape
 
Gauteng 3 – 0 Free State                
 
Northern Cape 5 – 1 North West
 
 
DAY 4 FIXTURES – THURSDAY, 15 DECEMBER – William Herbert Sports Ground
 
Western Cape vs Santos                                  11h45
                    Field A
 
Limpopo vs KZN                                          
 11h45                     Field B
 
Free State vs Ajax Cape Town                      
13h45                     Field B
 
Gauteng vs Eastern Cape                              
13h45                     Field I
 
North West vs Cape Town City                    
15h45                     Field I
 
Northern Cape vs Mpumalanga                     15h45                     Field A
  taungdailynews@gmail.com

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Zizwe United from the Western Cape and Mpumalanga’s Acornbush United will meet in a mini-play-of match to determine which team will be part of the eight that will represent the South African Football Association
(SAFA) in the last 32 stage of the 2016/2017 Nebank Cup competition.
 
Nine SAFA teams went into the hat for a draw to decide the mini-playoffs as only eight are needed for the Nedbank Cup – they will  join eight others from the National First Division (NFD) and 16 from the Premier Soccer League (PSL).
 
The draw was conducted on Wednesday afternoon (14 December) in Cape Town.

The mini-play-off will be played at the beginning of 2017 at a date and neutral venue to be determined.
 
The other seven teams that will represent SAFA are African All Stars, Day FC (SAB League), one between Maribeni United and TTM FC from Limpopo (still undecided), Acornbush United FC, EC Bees FC, Zizwe United, Buya Msuthu FC, United Rovers FC (SAB
League) and KwaDukuza United FC.
 
NEDBANK CUP PROVINCIAL WINNERS – SAFA TEAMS:
 
1. African All Stars                                         Gauteng
2. Days FC (SAB League)                              Free State
3. Maribeni United/TTM FC                          Limpopo
4. Acornbush United FC                                 Mpumalanga
5. EC Bees FC                                                Eastern Cape
6. Zizwe United                                              Western Cape
7. Buya Msuthu FC                                        North West
8. United Rovers FC (SAB League)              Northern Cape
9. KwaDukuza United FC                              KwaZulu Natal
 
The eight confirmed NFD clubs are: Cape Town All Stars, AmaZulu, FC Cape Town, Mbombela United, Witbank Spurs, Royal Eagles, Jomo Cosmos and Stellenbosch FC
  taungdailynews

A JEALOUS lover’s rage over his alleged cheating girlfriend has cost another family two of their houses.

This comes after a man allegedly torched their homes last week in a fit of rage because his girlfriend apparently had an affair with one of their relatives.

The Motlhaolwa family from Dithakong Village in the North West said they lost everything after the man set their houses on fire. Cops have since arrested the man (33) and also found stolen property in his possession.

Virginia Motlhaolwa (25) told Daily Sun: “His girlfriend was allegedly in a relationship with a cousin.

“He came to our house, terrorised us and set our houses alight. We lost all our beds, IDs and blankets.”

North West police spokesman Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said Lomanyaneng cops arrested the suspect at Setlopo Village outside Mahikeng on Saturday.

Police also found a 9mm pistol with six rounds of ammunition and three cellphones that were stolen from a house in Dithakong West earlier this month.

“He is facing two cases of arson, house robbery, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition as well as possession of suspected stolen goods,” said Mokgwabone.

He added that the suspect had been on the run from the law since November.

“He accused the two male owners of the torched RDP houses of having relationships with his girlfriend.

“The suspect has also been linked to a case of rape committed in 2013 in Mmabatho.

“He is expected to appear in the Mmabatho Magistrates Court tomorrow.”

– Daily Sun

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SAFA CEO Dennis Mumble has laughed off reports linking former Ajax Cape Town coach, Roger de Sa to the Bafana Bafana job saying there was no vacancy for that position.

“In normal circumstances, I would not even want to respond to such speculation but for the sake of football loving fans would like to put the record straight by unequivocally dismissing such rumours.

“People must understand there is a process which is underway and must await its conclusive outcome,” said Mumble.

“No one must speculate or anticipate any outcome of this matter and no one must generate expectation around the position of Bafana Bafana coach because the post is not vacant,” he added.taungdailynews@gmail.com

BY BAKANG MOKOTO

SPEEDY recovery messages continue to pour in for a former Kagisano-Molopo mayor, Veronica Keketsi who suffered a broken leg during a car accident in Ganyesa village, near Vryburg on Monday.

North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col, Pelonomi Makau said the accident took place between Ganyesa and Tosca road. She said a white BMW that was driven by Keketsi collided with a police minibus taxi and six people were injured.

“A 67 year-old woman was driving in the opposite direction when she collided with police minibus taxi. Four police officers, the driver of the BMW and pedestrian suffered injuries. The police officers and the driver of the BMW were hospitalised in critical conditions while the pedestrian was treated on the scene with minor injuries.

“Police are investigating reckless and negligent driving case. Three cars were involved after the BMW driver also collided with a Toyota Camry that was parked beside the road during the calamity,” Makau said.

North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo wished Keketsi and police officers speed recovery.

“We have learnt that former Kagisano-Molopo local municipal mayor, Veronica Keketsi was involved in a car accident and she was subsequently hospitalised. We want to wish her a speedy recovery. We also urge all motorists and pedestrians to buckle-up and exercise tolerance on the road during this festive season,” Mahumapelo said.

Meanwhile former Greater Taung Local Municipality mayor, Kaone Lobelo was buried a week ago after he died in a car accident.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Pretoria – Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini has urged parents to monitor their children’s behaviour and give them the necessary support when the National Senior Certificate (NSC) results are released in the New Year.

Minister Dlamini on Monday briefed media in Pretoria on progress made in the second quarter of the year towards achieving the goals of the National Development Plan (NDP) by the Social Protection, Community and Human Development Cluster.

She said learners who receive unfavourable matric results go through a difficult time which requires immediate intervention and support.

“As we look forward to the NSC results, we also need to consider the plight of those who are not going to meet all the minimum pass requirements.

“To minimise depression, trauma and possible suicide incidents amongst Grade 12 learners, we call upon parents and caregivers to look for changes in the behaviour of their children, to give them support and encourage them to go back to school,” she said.

The 2016 examinations recorded a total of 9 216 additional candidates from the number that sat in 2015. A total of 677 141 full time and 150 183 part-time candidates sat for final examinations this year.

The marking of the NSC examinations is currently underway in 140 marking centres around the country and the matric results will be released on 5 January 2017.

“We urge all our learners to collect their statements of results at the school where they sat for the examinations,” said the Minister.

Second Chance Matric Support Programme

This year government launched the Second Chance Matric Support Programme which is a learner retention programme. It provides support for candidates writing the supplementary examinations and the modularised NSC writing option in February, March and June 2017.

Minister Dlamini said through such second chance programmes, young South Africans will be integrated back into the education system to ensure they receive a second chance at being adequately qualified before entering the job market.

“There are more benefits to the country at large to have its citizens adequately educated. The education sector has made remarkable improvements in access, redress and equity, learning outcomes have shown an upward trend in national, regional and international tests.

“This has come as a result of the government’s focus on implementing programmes that ensured that learners received sufficient support. Education is the cornerstone of youth employment, and ensuring that young people are educated and skilled is of prime concern for the state and society in general,” said Minister Dlamini. – SAnews.gov.za