Tag Archives: Gauteng

AVBOB donates container library to Mokassa Primary School

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Picture: The AVBOB donates container library/Supplied

By BAKANG MOKOTO

13 March 2026 – AVBOB unveiled the 75th container library at Mokassa Primary School in Taung on 12 March 2026. AVBOB said this journey began in 2013 in Tembisa, Gauteng, where the first library was launched.

AVBOB General Manager: Shared Value and Sustainability, Kebo Mosweusweu said they are not only about funerals, but also about life. Mosweusweu said they invest in growth, in learning and in opportunity.

“The container library is stocked with 3000 CAPS – aligned books and is powered by solar panels: Creating functional, comfortable learning spaces. Thus far, over R36 million is already invested in the creation and delivery of these libraries across all nine provinces. More than 216 000 books have been donated, impacting over 72 000 learners and 2000 educators.

“Over and above the donation of a fully-fledged library, as time passes assets naturally age and are subject to wear and tear. Recognising this, AVBOB has invested in over R8.3 million in the refurbishment and replenishment of 23 libraries dedicated to primary schools, ensuring they remain safe, welcoming, and an enriching space that supports early learning and a love of reading,” she said.

Mosweusweu further said the desire to learn is not the challenge in many schools, the eagerness to learn is already there. She added that the real barrier is limited access to adequate learning materials and safe, supportive spaces where learners can thrive.

“To nurture curious minds, children need books that are relevant, age appropriate, and engaging, to help cultivate a lifelong habit and love for reading. Literacy is the foundation on which successful schooling is built. By placing a dedicated library space directly on school grounds, AVBOB helps reduce some of the most persistent barriers to learning in South Africa’s rural and under-resourced communities.

“Having a library at school can promote a culture of reading and encourage children to read regularly, as easy access to books helps develop a lifelong love of reading and learning. It can also improve literacy and academic performance as access to a variety of books and educational materials helps learners improve their reading, writing, vocabulary, and comprehension skills,” said Mosweusweu.

She said amongst others, and what pushes us to continue donating libraries, is because libraries also give equal access to information. Mosweusweu said libraries give everyone, regardless of background or income, access to books, information and learning resources they might not otherwise afford.

“A library becomes more than just a place for books; by supporting early childhood development, it also serves as a cultural cornerstone. It turns reading from something learners do occasionally into a habit. It sends a powerful message and elevates reading into a visible, valued and practised norm,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Mokassa Primary School principal, Pako Khonkhobe said: “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to AVBOB for the generous donation of the container library to our school. This valuable contribution will play a significant role in improving access to books and learning resources for our learners. It will create a dedicated space where learners can develop a love for reading, strengthen their literacy skills, and broaden their knowledge beyond the classroom.

“The impact of the library donation will not only be felt within the school, but also in the wider community, as it promotes a culture of learning and educational development among our children.”

Khonkhobe said the AVBOB support has brought them one step closer to empowering their learners with the tools they need for a brighter future and they are deeply thankful for its kindness and commitment to education.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Masepala o mogolwane wa Taung o solofetswe go tlhopa meiyara o montsha

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

4 Mopitlwe 2026- Khansele ya masepala o mogolwane wa Taung e solofetswe go tlhopa meiyera o motsha mo letsatsing la gompieno. Khansele ya masepala e solofetswe go tsenela kopano e kgethegileng go ya ka Section 29 (1) of the Local Government Municipal Structure Act No 117 of 1998, kwa ntlo-lehalahala la morafe (Depot Hall) mo letsatsing la gompieno kwa Taung ka ura ya lesome kwa go solofetsweng go ka tlhopiwa ga meiyara o montsha magareng ga tse dingwe.

Go begwa fa meiyara wa ga jaana, Thandiwe Sebe, e ne e le wa nama-o-sa-tshwere morago ga gore lekoko la ANC mono porofenseng, le romele maina a le mararo kwa ntlo-kgolo ya lone kwa Luthuli House kwa Johannesburg, Gauteng, go ka tsenela diteko tsa go tlhopiwa jaaka meiyara. Go begwa fa maina a le mararo a rometsweng kwa ntlo-kgolo ya ANC kwa Johannesburg, Gauteng go seka-sekiwa ele la molekgotlha Mosetsanagape Mosinkiemang yo a ikarabelang ka ditiro tsa baagi (Community Services) mo komiting ya ga meiyara, molekgotlha Nonteto Tafani yo a ikarabelang ka ditirelo tsa kgwebo (Cooperate Service) go komiti ya ga meiyara, le molekgotlha Itumeleng Maribe yo a ikarabelang ka tsa mafaratlhatlha (Technical Services and Infrastructure) go komiti ya ga meiyara.

Jaanong, modula-setilo wa lekoko la ANC mono porofenseng, Nono Maloyi, o boleletse The Guardian Newspaper fa ba setse ba konoseditse diteko tseo tsa go tlhopiwa ga meiyara kwa masepaleng o mogolwane wa Taung le wa kwa Kagisano-Molopo kwa Ganyesa.

“O tla tlhaloganya gore pele ga re ka tsenya tirisong toga-maano ya rona, re tshwanetse gore re emele lefoko go tswa kwa kantorong ya Mokwaledi-Kakaretso, Fikile Mbalula. Jaanong, tshwetso ya go thapa meiyara o montsha kwa masepaleng o mogolwane wa Taung le wa Kagisano-Molopo kwa Ganyesa, e lobaka e konoseditswe.

“Re ntse re emetse lefoko fela go tswa kwa go Mbalula pele ga re ka tsenya tirisong ditshwetso tseo,” Maloyi.

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Police commended after major drug bust sting operation

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Picture: Drugs seized by the police/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

29 October 2025- The Minister of Police, Prof Firoz Cachalia commends the police for their outstanding work following a major drug bust in Midrand, Gauteng, which led to the seizure of cocaine valued at approximately R20 million. Cachalia said on Tuesday evening, 28 October 2025, a crime intelligence-driven, multidisciplinary operation led by Crime Intelligence Head Office, with the support of the Gauteng Organised Crime Unit, SAPS Johannesburg K9 Unit, and Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), resulted in the discovery of 80 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a storage room on a small holding in Blue Hills, Midrand.

He further said the team had been acting on intelligence regarding the storage of illegal narcotics on the premises. Cachalia added that the preliminary investigations revealed that the drugs had been brought into South Africa from a neighbouring country and were destined for Cape Town, Western Cape.

“A 56-year-old man, believed to be the owner of the property, was arrested on the scene and is expected to appear before the Midrand Magistrate’s Court later this week on charges of possession and dealing in drugs. We commend the operation and is a significant step in the ongoing fight against the scourge of drugs and organised crime. This successful operation is yet another example of the dedication and professionalism of our men and women in blue.

“It demonstrates what can be achieved when intelligence and operational capacity work hand in hand. The removal of R20 million worth of cocaine from our streets is a major blow to organised criminal syndicates and a massive victory for law enforcement agencies and the long suffering parents whose children have been victims of these drug cartels. We will continue to intensify our efforts to root out drugs and dismantle criminal syndicates that threaten the safety and wellbeing of our people. We commend every member involved in this operation for their relentless pursuit of justice,” he said.

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SANCO calls on North West govt to address flood risks

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Picture: A man trapped in the water on N18 road near Vryburg in 2021/Generic

By BAKANG KOKOTO

12 January 2025- The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the North West has called on the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) to take urgent and decisive action to reduce flood risks and improve infrastructure in our communities.

SANCO said climate change is a reality, and its effects such as prolonged heavy rains are increasingly evident across South Africa, including in provinces like North West, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal.

SANCO provincial spokesperson, Mzukisi Jam said in the past two weeks, the province has faced severe flooding, causing significant damage to roads, homes, and critical state infrastructure, including hospitals. Jam said these floods have exposed the government’s inability to maintain essential infrastructure, including storm-water systems and healthcare facilities.

“For decades, communities have voiced their concerns about the deteriorating state of government infrastructure, often citing that the government of the day seems to have an attitude towards a solid foundation inherited from the former Bophuthatswana Government.

“However, instead of preserving and improving these assets, we are witnessing a decline. The health sector, in particular, highlights this neglect. Hospitals such as Thusong in Itsoseng have collapsed due to poor maintenance, leaving communities reliant on overburdened facilities like Lichtenburg Hospital and the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital,” he said.

Jam further said Gelukspan Hospital is also deteriorating rapidly and they will not be surprised should it collapse like Thusong because instead of the government responding to community requests to increase health facilities, they are failing in their face.

He added that the lack of maintenance across the province is actually threatening the sustainability of health services.

“Recent floods have worsened the situation with floods damaging the General De La Rey Hospital in Lichtenburg, forcing the transfer of patients to other facilities.

“These severe flooding also disrupted operations in the Moses Kotane Hospital, necessitating the relocation of patients. Many of these hospitals were built over 50 years ago, yet they continue to operate with outdated infrastructure,” said Jam.

He said the lack of investment in maintenance and expansion has left health facilities unable to meet the growing needs of the population. Jam said despite the North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari’s “Rebona ka Matlho” program aimed at identifying and addressing these issues, no meaningful improvements have been seen.

“The community’s frustrations persist as services decline, with ambulance response times taking hours and patients sleeping on hospital floors due to overcrowding.

“Our hope for an improved public health sector is now in the National Health Insurance (NHI) initiative, which other people see as another project that is going to fail and be used by corrupt individuals to enrich themselves,” he said.

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