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Premier Mahumapelo optimistic about platinum wage dispute mediation


Mahikeng- North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo has expressed optimism that mediation by the Labour Judge will assist to break the wage dispute deadlock and lead towards ending the four months old strike in the platinum belt.

“The resolve by AMCU and the Platinum Producers to subject their dispute to mediation is encouraging. Ending the strike will be the first step to avert possible job losses and restoring peace and stability and bring to an end the vicious cycle of violence that has resulted in the brutal killings of non-striking workers, destruction of private and public properties,”
Premier Mahumapelo said.

Mahumapelo has expressed his concern about the impact of the strike on the economy, the livelihood of miners and their families and appreciation to Non-Government Organisations like the Gift of the Givers, church leaders and individuals who had responded to the plight of the starving miners. He said that the provincial government will engage mining houses on possible interventions to address the human catastrophe caused by the protracted strike.-TDN
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Union hands food to North West moms


Non-striking workers in Rustenburg in the North West are suffering, trade union Solidarity said on Wednesday.

The trade union’s Helping Hands project handed out baby formula and other supplies to mothers affected by the platinum mining sector strike.

“We help non-striking workers; it is not their decision to be on strike,” Helping Hands deputy director Christine Breet said.

“You can cut on other things, but, unfortunately, you cannot cut back on babies’ needs.”

Sixty mothers in Rustenburg and Mooinooi were each give a box of nappies and baby milk that could last for a month. The hamper also contained energy bars, skin cream, and magazines.

“For a month the mothers will have their children’s needs covered. They can now focus on other household needs.”

She said between April 22 and May 21 the organisation had spent over R7000 helping mothers affected by the strike.

“We give people dried food which is rich in protein and does not need to be refrigerated,” Breet said.

Members of the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) downed tools at Impala Platinum, Lonmin, and Anglo American Platinum on January 23 demanding a basic monthly salary of R12,500.

They rejected the companies’ wage offer which would bring their cash remuneration to R12,500 by July 2017.

The remuneration includes a living out and holiday leave allowances, but excludes medical and retirement benefits, and any bonuses.

Mediation talks to end the strike are underway at the labour court.

Cecelia du Plessis, who runs a feeding scheme at an NG Church in Rustenburg, said she had helped about 750 households since the beginning of the strike.

“People have lost cars and houses.”

Some were forced to move in with children or parents.

“They do not have benches, fridges, or cellphones any more because they have had to pawn them,” she said.

-Sapa

Rhino horn theft investigated


A Hawks’ probe into the multimillion-rand theft of rhino horns in Mpumalanga is at an advanced stage.

The horns went missing after a burglary at the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) offices that saw 112 pieces of rhino horn weighing 80.135kg stolen from a secure safe last month.

Security personnel on site discovered the break-in.
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DA: Speaker’s seat is filled with failed MECs


Pietermaritzburg – The KwaZulu-Natal Speaker’s office is increasingly becoming a dumping site for failed MECs and other discredited officials, opposition parties said on Wednesday.
They were reacting to the election of Dr Meshack Radebe as the new deputy speaker of the KZN Legislature during the first sitting of the house in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday.

Official leader of the opposition Sizwe Mchunu (DA) said they were concerned about Radebe’s appointment.

Radebe was agriculture and environmental affairs MEC in the previous term, and had also held the position of social development MEC.

“What we are witnessing here, is a trend whereby failed MECs from the ruling party come to the legislature to take up positions at the speaker’s office, it cannot be good for this house,” said Mchunu.
In the previous term the DA was one of the staunchest critics of Radebe, often questioning the rolling out of projects in his department.

IFP leader Blessed Gwala said Radebe’s new appointment illustrated the extent of the rot within the ruling party.

“When current speaker Lydia Johnson failed she was sent here, Mtholephi Mthimkhulu also from the same department came to the speaker’s office. This is clearly a dumping site for the ruling party’s failed individuals,” said Gwala.

Professor Gabriel Ndabandaba was the first MEC to be demoted to the speaker’s office under Sbu Ndebele’s administration, Peggy Nkonyeni was also deployed to the office after problems as health MEC and was followed by Mthimkhulu and Johnson.

Reacting to his new position Radebe said he was not bitter.

“The ANC is always right,” insisted Radebe who vowed to work hard in his new position.

– SAPA

North West ‘will prosper’ under new premier


Rustenburg – The North West province will prosper under the leadership of new premier Supra Mahumapelo, the North West legislature said on Wednesday.

“We are confident that under your leadership, the North West province will be a great force for good governance,” said Mamokoena Gaoretelelwe, secretary of the legislature.

“Your organisational skills as well as your easy-going personality will take this province far. You will be greatly missed in the legislature and I speak for the whole team in wishing you all the best,” she said.

Mahumapelo was elected premier of the North West on Wednesday, replacing former ANC deputy secretary Thandi Modise.

He becomes the second male premier in the province after Popo Molefe.

Molefe headed the province in 1994. He was replaced by Edna Molewa followed by Maureen Modiselle and then Modise.

– SAPA

Drugs worth R1m seized in Roodepoort


Johannesburg – Members of the JMPD on Wednesday seized dagga with a street value of approximately R1m in Roodepoort and arrested a 48-year-old man in the process, a spokesperson said.

“Officers received a tip-off and discovered the dagga,” Johannesburg Metro Police department spokesperson Wayne Minnaar told Sapa.

The dagga was discovered in a greenhouse that was equipped with special lights and an electric fence which created ideal conditions for the plants to grow.

Minnaar said the man would appear in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court soon on charges of possession of and dealing in drugs.
SAPA

Ntola defends R10 000 monthly allowance


Johannesburg – Expelled SA Democratic Teachers’ Union president Thobile Ntola has vowed to appeal against his expulsion.

“I was maliciously targeted by the national executive committee, I am innocent,” he said on Wednesday.
The trade union’s deputy secretary Nkosana Dolopi told reporters in Johannesburg that Ntola was expelled for his inappropriate relationship with Sadtu service providers.
He said Ntola abused his position and used it for personal gain. Ntola was expelled by the union on Monday.
Among the alleged irregularities discovered against Ntola was that one of the union’s service providers was paying Ntola a R10 000 monthly allowance. The service provider disclosed this to the union, he said.

“That amount can be at least R300 000 if we calculate from when Ntola became president in 2010.”
Ntola allegedly had private dealings with other service providers, including an insurance company that had allowed Ntola and his family to live in its R3.5m property since 2011.
“Ntola blackmailed this service provider to provide him with a house, failing which its contract of doing business with Sadtu would be cancelled,” Dolopi said.

Ntola said he had not personally benefited from any service provider.
Regarding the R10 000 monthly allowance, Ntola said a director of one of the service provider companies he called, Mr Malombo, had helped him with money a few times whenever he had an emergency.
“Mr Malombo and I had a brotherly relationship and would assist each other whenever there was a need. Malombo also assisted the union from time to time,” he said.
The R3.5m house he lived in with his family was owned by Malombo, he said.

“He asked me to look after his property, I pay the rates and services for the property, it’s in his name… it’s not my house.”
He said he would appeal against his expulsion.
“It is not nice to be in this position… I am innocent and was targeted as a result of tension within the labour federation [Cosatu].”

Dolopi said Ntola’s expulsion had nothing to do with him allowing Congress of SA Trade Unions general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi to address a Sadtu conference in the Eastern Cape last year.

At the time, Vavi was suspended from Cosatu. Ntola is a staunch Vavi supporter.

Vavi’s suspension was lifted by the High Court in Johannesburg earlier this year and he returned to his post.

Ntola said Vavi was a good leader.
“He is a good leader who is concerned about nothing but the working class.”

When asked what his future plans were, Ntola said he would remain within the workers’ movement.
“It is still early days to share what the future holds, but I know I will remain within the working class, wherever and whenever that might be.”

SAPA

Mboweni to stay in private sector


Johannesburg – Former Reserve bank governor Tito Mboweni on Wednesday took to Facebook to clarify why he asked to be removed from the list of ANC members going to Parliament.

There was speculation that he could be appointed finance minister.

Mboweni explained that he had fruitful conversations with the leadership of the African National Congress long before the elections about what role he could play in the economy to assist in propelling the economy further.

He said the country needed deep-seated economic transformation.

“We cannot proceed like we have been doing. Bold, decisive, courageous and responsible action is now needed,” he said in his post.

“I have indeed submitted a very simple letter ‘requesting’ the leadership to ‘release’ me from the parliamentary list. This is factual.”

He said he intended to stay in the private sector pushing economic transformation through, among others, Mboweni Brothers Investment Holdings (MBIH) and MBIH Capital in particular.

He said the country needed capital in order to drive economic transformation.

“Without capital, we are behaving like we are in a French breakfast picnic. I will continue to work with universities and pass on my experience to the students,” he said.

Mboweni added that he was heavily involved with universities in the country and if afforded the opportunity, he would play a role as Chancellor or Chair of Council at one of them.

“Then I will continue to be an active member of the NEC [national executive committee] Economic Transformation Committee and the ANC in general.’

“This is an important task as we further refine policy for implementation, not just academic conversations. I hope also to be active in one or the other state structure,” said Mboweni.

He ended his post by saying he was “not letting our people and voters down. I could never do that. You will support my decision, I think, I hope”. 

– SAPA

Katsande rules at Chiefs Awards


Johannesburg- The hard tackling midfielder Willard Katsande emerged as the major winner at the Kaizer Chiefs’ Annual Players Awards held on Wednesday night.

Katsande was rewarded for his fine displays during the 2013/14 PSl season. The event which was attended by who is who from different sectors of the society was held at the Theatre on Track in Kyalami.

Katsande was celebrated on the night as the king in multi categories of Players’ Player of the Season, May Player of the Month, Fan Player of the Season and Online Player of the Season and the big one, Player of the Season award.

Following hot on the heels of Katsande were other multiple winners Erick Mathoho and Knowledge Musona.

PLAYERS OF THE MONTH

· August & October – Tsepo Masilela
· September & March – Knowledge Musona
· November & February: Bernard Parker
· December: Siyabonga Nkosi
· January & April: Tefu Mashamaite
· May: Willard Katsande

Vodacom FAN Player of the Season: Willard Katsande

Fair Play: Erick Mathoho (Winner) other nominees: Siphiwe Tshabalala and Itumeleng Khune

· Players’ Players of the season: Willard Katsande (Winner) other nominees: Tefu Mashamaite and Tsepo Masilela

· Top Goal Scorer: Knowledge Musona

· KC Online player: Willard Katsande (Winner) other nominees: Knowledge Musona and George Lebese

.Goal of the Season: Knowledge Musona

· Most Improved Player: Eric Mathoho (Winner) other nominees: Reyaad Pieterse and Kingston Nkhatha

· Player of the Season: Willard Katsande (Winner) other nominees: Tefu Mashamaite and Knowledge Musona

The Executive Chairman Kaizer Motaung presented the Chairman’ Special Award to the legendary Sylvester Kole “Sylvester will remain a big part of the Club,” said Motaung.

“In life you set a standard and have to compete with the standard that you have set,” said Kole advising the the current Chiefs players upon accepting the award.

The other receipt of the Chairman’s Award was the other legend Lucky Stylianou. “Lucky made a significant contribution by changing the mindset of many people. He broke the barrier by playing and even camping in Soweto. His contribution went a long way to influence a lot of aspects in the society,” said Motaung.

“Kaizer is an outstanding leader. He always kept a clean sheet. ‘Bra K’ embraced diversity. There are two goals I would like to ask from Kaizer, 1st Kaizer Chiefs must be a regular participant in the Caf Competitions and 2nd I will be the first to buy the Chiefs jersey with a Star on top,” says Stylianou accepting the awards.

The occasion matched the status of the Club in terms of Glamour, with entertainment and fun bringing down the 2013/14 PSl Season curtain in style for the Amakhosi.-TDN
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SAFA President(Regional) passes on


By Obakeng Maje
Mahikeng- The football fraternity is still reeling in shock and sadness following the untimely passing on of SAFA Ngaka Modiri Molema Regional President, Mr Malefo Simon Gaboutlwelwe.

Gaboutlwelwe died on 14 May in Mahikeng, North West after a short illness.

Popularly known as Bizza in football circles, Gaboutlwelwe was a loyal and dedicated servant of the Game.
He rose through the ranks of football administration having played for Barolong High, Mafikeng Pirates, Home Owners and Montshiwa Swallows earning a nickname of “TRR”.

He was a qualified coach having attained the SAFA Coaching badge (Level 1 1995 and Level 2 1998), and was appointed the Provincial Head Coach at SAFA North West from 1995 to 2001.

At the time of his passing away, Gaboutlwelwe was a serving member of the SAFA Technical Committee, which is entrusted with the appointment and monitoring of the National Teams Coaches. He was also the Chairperson of the SAFA North West PEC Technical Committee.

SAFA President, Dr Danny Jordaan said the passing on of Bizza was a sad chapter for South African football fraternity.

“I have learnt the passing on of Bizza with great shock and disbelief. This is one gentleman who dedicated his entire life to the game of football. He was a loyal and dedicated servant of the Game and his death came as a great shock to the football family,” said Dr Jordaan.

“We are still trying to come to terms with such a huge loss. May his soul rest in peace,” he added.

Gaboutlwelwe leaves behind his wife Pinky and two sons Jomo and Eugene, and will be buried on Saturday 24 May 2014 at St Mary’s family cemetery in Lomanyaneng Village in Mahikeng. The funeral service will be held at the Mmabatho Civic Centre starting 07h00.-TDN
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