North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Education, Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, will be conducting public hearings throughout the province on the Basic Education Law Amendment Bill [B2B-2022] at Mahikeng Civic Centre in Mahikeng, Sarafina Hall in Potchefstroom, Depot Hall in Taung and Moss Mary Hall (Danhouse) in Moretele at 10am.
The Deputy Director in Communication in North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Namhla Luhabe said the bills aims to amend the South African Schools Act, 1996, to insert and amend certain definitions to provide that, attendance of Grade R is compulsory to amend the penalty provision in the case, where the parent of a learner, or any other person, without just cause, prevents a learner who is subject to compulsory attendance from attending school.
“Furthermore, the bill seeks to amend the Employment of Educators Act, 1998, so as to amend certain definitions to exclude further education and training centres, adult basic education centres and institutions from the ambit of the Act to prohibit an educator from conducting business with the State and to create an offence in relation thereto to extend the powers of the Minister to make regulations and to provide for matters incidental thereto.
“Relevant stakeholders have been invited to attend the public hearings. The public hearings will be streamed live in the North West Provincial Legislature Facebook page,” she said.
Picture: Athletes from North West who represented the country at the Special Olympic World Games in Berlin, Germany
By OBAKENG MAJE
Athletes from North West who represented South Africa at the Special Olympic World Games in Berlin, Germany said they are losing hope in receiving their incentives. This comes after the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation promised each athlete including coaches and team manager R25 000 each.
More than 16 athletes from various schools across the province took part in the competition and performed exceptionally well.
One of the learners from Sebitloane Special School, who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said: “We have lost hope in getting our money. The department promised us incentives and it has been almost three months and we are still waiting.
“When we inquire about the money, they are sending us from pillar to post. That money will come in handy as we are learners with special needs. In most cases, we rely on our handwork skills for survival.
“So, we would create businesses that could bring money in order for us to survive.”
Meanwhile, the North West Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation spokesperson, Shuping Sebolecwe said: “The department has supported 16 athletes for the Special Olympics in Berlin on the 11 June 2023 for international participants. For their qualification, the department also supported the team for national participation in Polokwane in order for them to qualify for international participation.
“The mandate of the department is to develop and support athletes and communities in the province to excel in sport and recreation programs. Upon return, the department also did a welcome ceremony to celebrate those who participated and did great during the Special Olympics.”
Sebolecwe further said proper documentation was requested from the affected athletes as well as the coaches in order to process the incentives. He added that, however, there was a delay in the finalization of the budget internally.
“The documents have been compiled and will soon be processed for payments. There is a process to be followed internally when it comes to payments of the participant’s incentives. The delay is caused by the verification of documents as well as the budget finalization,” said Sebolecwe.
He said the total number of athletes to benefit from the incentives is 16, one team manager and four coaches.
Meanwhile. On 3 October 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa had lunch with all athletes from South Africa and commended them for their outstanding performance. Ramaphosa said they were competing against 7,000 athletes from over 180 countries and the national team returned with 22 gold, 20 silver, and seven bronze medals.
“Special Olympics is a global movement of people creating a new world of inclusion and community, where every person is welcome, regardless of ability or disability.
“Our success in the Special Olympics shows what happens when government and civil society – represented here by Special Olympics South Africa – work together to ensure that we leave no one behind,” he said.
Ramaphosa said South Africa is honoured to be one of the first countries to support the Special Olympics Global Leadership Coalition for Inclusion, which reflects our commitment to the inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in all areas of our society.
He said having hosted a number of national teams at the Union Buildings as part of the government’s celebration of outstanding achievements by athletes in various sporting codes, he expressed pride in Team South Africa’s performance.
“We are proud that Team South Africa flew the flag for social inclusion and the advancement of human rights, which are a hallmark of the nation we have built during nearly 30 years of freedom.
“Team South Africa are heroes we can look up to and be inspired by in athletic arenas and in every walk of life in our country. May our commitment to inclusion as a nation shine as brightly as the achievements of our Special Olympics Team,” President Ramaphosa said.
Picture: The athletes from North West who participated at 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany/Twitter
By OBAKENG MAJE
The athletes from North West who represented South Africa at 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany will be honoured. The Department of Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation spokesperson, Shuping Sebolecwe said the welcoming ceremony will be held on 20 July at M.M Sebitloane Special School in Taung.
Sebolecwe said the Special Olympics World Games are internationally recognised to inspire, promote and advance the world with full inclusive participation of intellectually impaired athletes (physically challenged individuals).
“The 2023 Berlin Special Olympics Games hosted around 7000 athletes from six countries and takes place every four years between the Summer and Winter games. The North West province was represented by various teams sporting disciplines and participants from across the province to form part of the South Africa National Team.
“These included MM Sebitloane Football team, Iteko Special School on swimming, out of school players in swimming, athletes and equestrians qualified to represent the country in Germany, which took place from the 17-24 June 2023,” he said.
Sebolecwe further said the team brought home a total medal tally of 49, which is one Gold and one Silver in Table Tennis, 13 x Gold medals in 7-A Side Men’s Football and one Gold medal and one Silver in Swimming, one Gold and one Bronze in Athletics and obtained position 4 in Equestrian.
He added that, a total number of medals for the North West province is 19.
The Guardian 