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Sabc 3’s Isidingo goes public about its nasty backstage drama


By Kgatliso Ramose
Johannesburg- When on-set drama get out of hands,it’s cut,when the backstage actions becomes more interesting on the on-set storyline and when it’s trouble and goes public,its gloves are off.

This is what exactly happening at one of the Mzansi’ soapies Isidingo and Zeb Matabane is on the firing line.

Endemol South Africa that produces Isidingo is now sharing with the South African TV industry that a disciplinary hearing was held for Don Mlangeni-Nawa aka Zeb Matabane on Monday.

Mlangeni-Nawa infamously refused to say “Standard Bank” and endorse the South African bank in his script lines at the end of last year that was part of paid-for in show-product placement that is not disclosed to viewers.

“No actor or crew member is bigger or has the rights to compromise any part of what makes Isidingo the great show it is today. This disciplinary hearing is unfortunate but necessary” Sivan Pillay,Endemol South Africa’s Managing Director told Channel24.

According to the show, Mlangeni-Nawa’s disciplinary hearing is due to the actor’s disregard for the conduct code and lack of discipline while contracted to the Endemol produced daily drama.

“Don Mlangeni-Nawa’s lack of discipline and general disrespect for the show, the company, its many great actors and the SABC saw Endemol takes action (both verbally and writing) against the actor after his repeated transgressions on and off set.”

“It is important to not that mutual respected by and for the entire cast and crew of the show is something we take very seriously” says Pillay.

The show has been struggling to come with reverting storyline and came under fire lately for their alleged storyline in similar version but different character to Oscar/Reeva case.-TDN
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Oscar to be a day patient at Weskoppies


Pretoria – Murder-accused Oscar Pistorius would be admitted as a day patient at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital for mental observation, the North Gauteng High Court ordered on Tuesday.

“The accused [must] be an outpatient at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital,” Judge Thokozile Masipa said.

She said the athlete should go in on 26 May at 09:00. Pistorius would go in every weekday, she said.

“That the accused remains at the Weskoppies hospital until 16:00 daily,” she said.

She said the appointed psychiatrists and psychologist will submit reports as they are concluded.

Records of the trial proceedings must be made available, she said.

The matter was postponed to 30 June.

General anxiety disorder

Last Monday, forensic psychiatrist Merryll Vorster told the court Pistorius had general anxiety disorder. Based on this, the State applied to have him referred.

Nel said it was necessary to send Pistorius for evaluation in case the disorder might have affected his behaviour on 14 February last year, when he shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Pistorius is charged with murdering Steenkamp. He shot her dead through the locked door of his toilet at his Pretoria home.

Pistorius has denied guilt, saying he thought she was an intruder about to open the door and attack him. The State contends he shot her during an argument.

He is also charged with three contraventions of the Firearms Control Act – one of illegal possession of ammunition and two of discharging a firearm in public. He has pleaded not guilty to these charges as well.

SAPA

Woman back in court over a toddler on a highway


Johannesburg – A 19-year-old woman whose son was found wandering on the N1 freeway near the Grasmere offramp is expected to appear in the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

The woman was granted R500 bail in April. Her child was at a place of safety, Gauteng traffic spokesperson Busaphi Nxumalo said at the time.

The 19-year-old mother is originally from Orange Farm and faces charges of attempted murder and child abandonment.

She was arrested on 5 April, two days after a truck swerved to avoid hitting her 16-month-old boy while he was walking along the freeway.

Traffic police patrolling the N1 noticed the truck swerve and then saw the child walking on the road at around 19:00.

Police suspected that the child had been left there as there were no houses nearby.
SAPA

A woman,23, killed by a bakkie on the N12


By Obakeng Maje
Klerksdorp-A 23 year-old woman was killed when she was hit by a bakkie on the N12 highway near Stillfontein, Klerksdorp late last night.

ER24 paramedics arrived on scene to find the young woman lying in the grass near the roadside. A friend that had been walking with her sat next to her trying to assist her friend.

“Paramedics assessed the young lady and found no signs of life. She was declared dead on scene” Er24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said.

The friend stated that they were walking on the road when the bakkie apparently failed to notice the pair walking in the road.

Local authorities were on scene to investigate further.-TDN
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ANC set to announce premier candidates


Johannesburg – ANC secretary Gwede Mantashe has said the premiers of eight provinces, including Gauteng, will be selected from the three submissions from each of the party’s provincial structures, Beeld reported on Tuesday.

“The ANC will in terms of a resolution taken earlier, designate a premier from the three candidates. We discussed the names yesterday [Sunday] and they cannot be changed,” he was quoted as saying.

“We accepted two important principles today [Monday]. First is that in each province if there is a man appointed premier, there has to be a female speaker.”

All legislatures must also have 50% of women in their executive councils.

Mantashe’s comments follow speculation that Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane would be re-appointed premier, despite not being recommended by the ANC in the province.

It was previously reported that ANC provincial secretary David Makhura, former education MEC Barbara Creecy and former finance MEC Mandla Nkomfe were the three names for the province.

However the Gauteng ANC said on Thursday that Nkomfe asked that his name be removed from the list.

Makhura, Creecy and former housing MEC Ntombi Mekgwe were the top three names on the province’s list.

The party is holding a briefing later on Tuesday where the premier candidates were expected to be announced.
– SAPA

Supra Mahumapelo to become new premier of North West?


By Obakeng Maje and Sabc
Mahikeng-ANC Chairperson in the North West, Supra Mahumapelo, says the decision on whether he will become the next premier lies entirely with President Jacob Zuma and the deployment committee of the party.

This as political commentators predict Mahumapelo’s rise to the top seat in the province.

The ANC’s alliance partners on the other hand, say the ruling party must start preparing for the 2016 local government elections immediately.
 
ANC reclaimed the North West by 67.4%. The province has been marred by violent service delivery protests over the past few months in areas such as Bloemhof and Khunotswane.

Mahumapelo says they will be attending to the challenges in those areas.  He says they will also address issues such as non-provision of water in other areas.

On the issue of premiership, Mahumapelo says he will lead the province only if asked to do so by the ruling party.

“Of course I hear people saying that Supra Mahumapelo is going to be premier of the North West – it’s not true. What happens in the African National Congress is that the Provincial Executive Committees throughout the country are going to be recommending three names to the National Executive Committee which will have discussions. Thereafter a decision will finally be taken and it will be announced by the President of the Republic and the president of the ANC comrade Jacob Zuma.”

The ANC has been celebrating its victory in the province’s districts. It started at the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, followed by Bojanala, Ngaka Modiri Molema and ended in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati.

On the issue of premiership, Mahumapelo says he will lead the province only if asked to do so by the ruling party.

Mahumapelo has thanked everyone who assisted them in reclaiming the province, including their alliance partners.

“We want to thank our volunteers, our party agents our mobilisers on the ground. We also want to extend our gratitude to the people of the North West for showing confidence in the African National Congress – we got two thirds by the way.”

ANC NEC is hosting a two day meeting where amongst things being discussed, is who will lead the provinces as premiers.

President Jacob Zuma will announced names few days after being inaugurated as the president of the Republic.-TDN
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1000s line up for Gift of the Givers help at Rustenburg


Cape Town – Thousands of people arrived on Monday for food parcels given to starving mine worker families by the Gift of the Givers, the foundation said.

The foundation’s Imtiaz Sooliman told News24 that there had been up to 4 000 needy people who had queued in the hope of getting something to eat.

However, there was only enough for 500 families and the others had to turn back, hoping for another chance at being helped.

“They came in their thousands, hungry but dignified and disciplined. Marshalls controlled the crowds admirably.

“There was no rioting given this scenario, no complaints and no objection, but an overall acceptance that the most needy families stand in line first, even though they are fully conscious that further aid may not be forthcoming,” said Sooliman.

“Aid is sporadic, minimal and dependent on the generosity of well wishers sympathetic to the plight of the starving mine worker families,” he added.   

Sooliman said the need was huge and the situation desperate among the 80 000 families affected by the crippling 16 week strike at platinum mines.

He said many had sold most of their possessions and there was no means to pay school fees, to buy blankets, sanitary pads, baby milk powder or simple medication. 

“In all that frustration and desperation, our teams were never under any threat, but given full respect for coming and delivering.”

Sooliman said another 600 aid packages would be delivered at the Khuseleka Mine in Rustenburg on Tuesday, while 5 000 people would be given a hot meal.

Gift of the Givers spokesperson Emily Thomas says they are working in hand with the Marikana Community Support group to identify families mostly affected by the on-going strike.

The foundation says they will continue with initiatives to alleviate poverty in the area.

The mine workers remain resolute on their call for basic salary of R12 500.

News24

Malema warns new MPs


EFF leader Julius Malema has sent a stern warning to members to say those fighting to get positions in Parliament won’t get anywhere.

Speaking at Thapelo Lekeka’s funeral on Saturday at Mampudi Primary School in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, Malema said: “Some are literally crying to see themselves in Parliament.

“Those who are selected must be prepared to work for poor people on the ground. If they fail to do their duties they will be recalled and they must accept it. We don’t want to see our members taking the EFF to court.

“We want to see the poor people of South Africa living in proper houses and not shacks. We want their dignity restored.”
For more http://www.dailynews.mobi

Mining companies in court to oppose Amcu application


Platinum mining companies Amplats, Lonmin and Implats will on Tuesday oppose an urgent application by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) to stop them directly texting striking miners about wage increases.

Lonmin Chief Executive Ben Magara says up to 67% of Amcu members have indicated that they are willing to return to work, but fear for their lives.

Magara says, “We will strongly, as you may expect, oppose Amcu’s application. In our view, our actions to communicate with our own employees is in no way a contravention of the Labour Relations Act of our country, South Africa.”

Latest reports point to a hit list in Marikana of people who had to be killed
He says, ” We are not against any Recognition Agreements nor any employee’s constitutional rights, but outside of the mechanics of the law, we cannot understand Amcu’s objection to our communicating with our own members.”

Meanwhile, Amcu has distanced itself from the reported violent incidents and murders in the Platinum belt.

Four miners were killed in separate incidents a week ago as some employees prepared to go back to work at Amplats and Lonmin.

Latest reports point to a hit list in Marikana of people who had to be killed. According to the reports, the dead miners are on the list.

Amcu President Joseph Mathunjwa says they condemn violence in the strongest terms.

Amcu members is demanding a basic monthly salary of R12 500.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za

Muvhango creator Ndlovu lambasts his critics


By Kgatliso Ramose
Johannesburg- Muvhango creator Duma Ndlovu took on his facebook page to set the matters straight following the damning story published on one of Sunday newspapers yesterday.

The newspaper reported that Muvhango actors are about to go on strike because the producers took the money from The SABC meant to them. The newspaper went as far as quoting The SABC Spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago who according to the journalist confirmed that the production house was given the money for going five days a week and salary increase.

“No money has changed hands. The relationship with te broadcaster is at its peak, and the relationship with the actors has never been better” he wrote.

“We continue doing the work that we came to do and continue telling amazing stories. Keep watching the show and expect more fireworks. There will be no strike and no disgruntled actors,because we have established a tradition of talking among ourselves and resolving problems amicably” he further wrote.

Ndlovu said that the brand is enjoying massive approval regardless of the one journalist who has a history of trying to say things are not going well at Muvhango.

Ever since re-branding itself Muvhango has been talk of the town and managed to keep original to its tradition meet modern storyline. Last month the actors and the production team went to church to pray together and thank God for being with them during the trying time.-TDN
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