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Disruption of election campaign programme an affront to the constitution, freedom and democracy-Premier Modise


Disruption of election campaign programmes of any political party is an affront to our constitution which guarantees free political activity and freedom of association, North West Premier Thandi Modise said on Monday in condemning political intolerance in the platinum belt.

“Workers who are involved in the protracted strike should not be misled into taking out their frustration on political parties that wish to campaign in the area as they are not part to the labour dispute involving Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) and mining houses,” Premier Modise said .

Modise was reacting to the torching of a shack used as an ANC office in Nkaneng informal settlement on Thursday and disruption of Minister of Sports and Recreation, Fikile Mbalula’s door-to-door campaign in Freedom Park on Sunday.

In appealing to political parties to desist from making irresponsible and populist statements in order to make the platinum belt a no-go area for others, the Premier said that government which is not a party to the dispute has played its part in mediating and bringing the parties to the negotiation table.

 “With a new proposal on the table, It is now up to the parties to find one another for an urgent settlement to end the four months old strike which has had a devastating impact on them, our economy and in particular the livelihood of miners and their families,” she stressed.

Premier Modise called on communities to assist police in their investigations to ensure that those responsible for violent acts and intimidation which is against the electoral act are behind bars.-TDN
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Malema: Nothing to celebrate


Durban – South Africa has nothing to celebrate when there are people staying in shacks without water, electricity, sanitation or proper roads, Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema said on Sunday.

At a rally at Durban’s Glebelands Stadium in the Umlazi area, Malema said: “It was supposed to be a Freedom Day. You cannot celebrate freedom if you do not have bread on the table.

“We have nothing to celebrate. Our people are still staying in shacks. Our people do not have water. Our people do not have electricity. Our people do not have proper roads. Freedom means a flushing toilet.”
Malema said the EFF was a party open to people of all races, but that greed would not be tolerated irrespective of race.

“We are not going to drive white people into the sea because white people are part of us. We want white people who are ready to share the wealth with us. We don’t want greedy white people. We don’t want greedy black people. That’s why Cyril Ramaphosa is not our friend.”

Malema, the former leader of the ANC Youth League, accused the ANC of being a party of violence that did not tolerate opposition parties.

“In Natal there is no free political movement. You can’t have a meeting of an opposition party in Natal without disruption by the ANC.

“They used to tell us that the Inkatha Freedom Party is the most violent party, but during our stay the week has proved the ANC is the most violent party.”
He said the ANC had disrupted meetings, threatened to beat up or kill EFF supporters and removed EFF posters.

He accused the ANC of undermining the South African constitution.

“They don’t love the Mandela legacy. They are doing everything to destroy what Nelson Mandela has achieved. All the rights given to us by the constitution are taken away by the ANC.”

He said that slain protester Andries Tatane and the shot miners of Marikana would turn in their graves.

Malema earlier received a rapturous welcome from a crowd of about 1500 people, who waited more than three hours for him at the Durban stadium.

The crowd started gathering in Umlazi from 09:00.

Various choral groups and rap artists performed songs on stage during the long wait.

Once Malema arrived, marshals battled to control the enthusiastic supporters who carried an assortment of placards and flags, including one which read: “Defeat the Party of White Privilege”.

The rally, Malema’s last in the province before the general election on 7 May, is taking place near the Glebelands hostels, an African National Congress stronghold.

There was a heavy police presence outside the stadium as supporters awaited Malema.
-Sapa

Zuma presents national orders in Pretoria


Johannesburg – President Jacob Zuma on Sunday presented national orders to those whose outstanding work had benefited South Africa.

“We honour men and women who have left definitive footprints in both the struggle for liberation and also in building a better South Africa,” Zuma said in a speech prepared for delivery in Pretoria.

“By the power vested upon me in terms of Section 84 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, I now confer the Order of Mendi, the Order of Ikhamanga, the Order of the Baobab, the Order of Luthuli, the Order of Mapungubwe and the Order of the Companions of OR Tambo to these distinguished persons.”

Fifty-four people were singled out for orders in bronze, silver, and gold for varying degrees of achievement.

Struggle heroes

One of those honoured was Elizabeth Barrett, who was awarded the Order of Mendi for Bravery in bronze for saving 14 children from a burning house and her services to orphans and street children.

“We also dedicate this award to heroes of our struggle for freedom, Russel Maphanga, Indres Naidoo, Reggie Vandeyar and Sirish Nanabhai.”

Naidoo, Vandeyar and Nanabhai were some of the first Indians to be arrested for Mkhonto Wesizwe activities.

The bronze Order of Ikhamanga was bestowed on Olympic runner Caster Semenya.

“In this class we honour our celebrated athlete Mokgadi Caster Semenya, who stood firm and resolute against prejudice and went on to become an Olympic gold medalist,” Zuma said.

Olympic swimmer Cameron van der Burgh received the order in silver, together with Jazz promoter Rashid Lombard, Lindiwe Mabuza, paralympic athlete Fanie van der Merwe, novelist Zakes Mda, Victor Ntoni, Sandra Prinsloo, disabled tennis star Lucas Sithole, and soccer coach Ephraim Jomo Sono.

Order of the Baobab

“[Sono] has excelled as a gifted player, as a coach and a mentor who takes efforts to unearth youth soccer talent.”

The Order of the Baobab was bestowed on Tshepo Khumbane and Abraham September in bronze.

The order in silver was awarded to Raymond Ackerman for fighting for consumer rights during the apartheid, as well as banker Chris Ball.

Alex Boraine, Katrina Esau and Dawid Kruiper also received the Order of the Baobab. It was posthumously bestowed on Frederick van Zyl Slabbert.

The Order of Luthuli was awarded to South Africans who had made meaningful contributions to the struggle for democracy, human rights, nation-building, justice, peace and conflict resolution.

The order in Bronze was awarded to Mittah Seperepere, Abdulhay Jassat, Wolfie Kodesh, Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, Popo Molefe, Zephania Lekwame Mothopeng, Agnes Msimang, Jeanette Schoon, Zola Skweyiya, Frances Baard, David Bopape, Sir Bob Hepple Abdullar Haron, and Florence Matomela.

Ruth First, who was killed with a parcel bomb by apartheid agents, was also honoured in this category.

“The late Mr Wolfie Kodesh, a journalist who, together with Ms Ruth First exposed the appalling working conditions of farm workers in the Eastern Transvaal is also recognised posthumously for this award,” Zuma said.

The Order of Mapungubwe for excellence in science and technology was awarded to Namrita Lall, Ismail Mohamed, Simon Schaaf, David Barry Schoub and William Soga.

Foreigners

The Order of the Companions of OR Tambo was awarded to foreigners for their roles in promoting peace, co-operation and friendship towards South Africa.

The award in silver was bestowed on Lord Richard Attenborough, Professor Gwendolen Margaret Carter, Jeanne Martin Ciss, Danny Glover, Quincy Jones, former UK Labour Party leader Lord Neil Kinnock, Alexander Moumbaris, Ruth Neto, and Alfre Ette Woodard.

“As we mark 20 years of freedom, we fondly remember the landmark and historic music concert honouring Madiba in London, which was organised by Mr Jerry Dammers.

“We also confer the Companions of OR Tambo Award to Mr Thomas Karis who wrote volumes on the history of our struggle,” Zuma said.
SAPA

ANC T-shirts ferried to the event in a state vehicle


Johannesburg – The removal of photographs, showing ANC T-shirts being carried in a Gauteng traffic police vehicle, from a reporter’s cellphone was condemned by the SA National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) on Sunday.

“Sanef condemns the harassment of an eNCA journalist by a VIP policeman guarding President Jacob Zuma while he was pursuing his election campaign,” chairperson Mpumelelo Mkhabela said in a statement.

He was reacting to an incident in Duduza, Ekurhuleni, on Friday where Zuma was conducting a house to house campaign.

“The bodyguard grabbed reporter ‘s cellphone camera and deleted pictures showing ANC T-shirts, which had been ferried to the event in a Gauteng traffic vehicle, being handed out to ANC officials and Zuma supporters.”

According to Mkhabela, the guard asked Bauer to delete the pictures but he refused.

“When he refused, the phone was forcibly taken out of his hands and the guard deleted the images.

“…Sanef regards the police conduct as outrageous and totally unacceptable.”

He said the deletion of the pictures amounted to censorship, which was contrary to the Constitution and Police Standing Orders.

Sanef would support Bauer in any further action he decided to take against the guards.

The Sunday Times quoted African National Congress spokesman Keith Khoza as saying that it was up to the Gauteng traffic department to investigate why the party T-shirts were carried to the event in a state vehicle.

Departmental spokesperson Busaphi Nxumalo said that Premier Nomvula Mokonyane’s office had deployed the vehicle. A probe would be launched into the matter of a uniformed officer handing out political T-shirts, he said.-Sapa

“Local Government intensify plans for next financial year”


Mahikeng – North West Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs will facilitate Local Government Week Session intended to create a platform for national and provincial sector departments as well as state owned enterprises, to share their support plans with municipalities for 2014/15 financial year. 

“The objective of the event is to promote and enhance Integrated Planning and Development between the spheres of government and to promote coordination, monitoring and evaluation of support programmes to municipalities” departmental spokesperson Dineo Lolokwane said.

The event will redefine the role of both national and provincial government in turning around municipalities and address concerns raised by municipalities about poor participation during municipal planning process.

The heads of all provincial departments will attend as well as Department of Energy, Water Affairs and Eskom.

The event will be held as follows:

Date: 29 and 30 April 2014

Venue: Rio Hotel and Casino

Time: 08h30
-TDN
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Bafana Bafana coach hopeful after AFCON 2015 draw


Johannesburg-Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund says he is happy following the draw of the 2015 AFCON tournament scheduled for Morocco next year.

The draw was conducted in the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Sunday (27 April 2014).

Bafana Bafana are paired against reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions Nigeria, Sudan and the winner of Namibia, DR Congo (Brazzaville), Libya and Rwanda contest.

“It is a fair draw and I think we should be one of the two countries that qualify to the finals in Morocco,” said Igesund reacting to the draw.

“I was not expecting an easy draw because all countries are competitive but I am very hopeful of qualifying for Morocco 2015.

“The past two years of my tenure have been the most difficult one but now I do have a core of around 30 players on which to choose from and Bafana Bafana should be one of the countries going to Morocco,” said Igesund.

The Bafana Bafana coach admitted that Group D comprising of Ivory Coast, Cameroon and DRCongo was probably the Group of Death.

Group G, comprising Tunisia Egypt and Senegal is also another tough Group.

The 30th edition of AFCON will be played from 17 January through to 8 February 2015, after the organising committee approved the dates at CAF’s headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

The distribution of groups, and their locations, has also been announced.

Group A will be based in Marrakech, the city that will host the opening match.

Group B will be based in Agadir.

Rabat will host Group C, as well as the cup final itself.

Group D will be located in Tangier.

The final draw for Morocco 2015 will be held in Rabat on 26 November.

The change in the dates means the event will be extended by one day.

It has come about because unlike in previous Africa Cup of Nations where both semi-finals have been played on the same date, the organising committee has decided to split the two matches in Morocco.

These will now be played on 4 February and 5 February respectively.
There will only be one fixture on the opening day in Marrakech – the first match of Group A. The second fixture of Group A will be played on 18 January. Two Group B matches will also be played on 18 January.

Here is the full draw:

Group A: Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, winner of Namibia/Congo/Libya/Rwanda

Group B: Mali, Algeria, Ethiopia, Sao Tome/Benin/Malawi/Chad

Group C: Burkina Faso, Angola, Gabon, winner of Liberia/Lesotho/Kenya/Comoros

Group D: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, DR Congo, winner of Swaziland/Sierra Leone/Gambia/Seychelles

Group E: Ghana, Togo, Guinea, winner of Madagascar/Uganda/Mauritania/Equatorial Guinea

Group F: Zambia, Cape Verde, Niger, winner of Tanzania/Zimbabwe/Mozambique/South Sudan

Group G: Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, winner of Burundi/Botswana/CAR/Guinea Bissau.

Second RoundMatch 5 & 6 Liberia vs LesothoMatch 7 & 8 Kenya vs ComorosMatch 9 & 10 Madagascar vs UgandaMatch 11 & 12 Mauritania vs Equatorial GuineaMatch 13 & 14 Namibia vs CongoMatch 15 & 16 Libya vs RwandaMatch 17 & 18 Burundi vs BotswanaMatch 19 & 20 Central African Republic vs Guinea BissauMatch 21 & 22 Swaziland vs Sierra LeoneMatch 23 & 24 Gambia vs Seychelles Match 25 & 26 Sao Tome e Principe vs BeninMatch 27 & 28 Malawi vs ChadMatch 29 & 30 Tanzania vs ZimbabweMatch 31 & 31 Mozambique vs South SudanFirst leg 16,17,18 May 2014Second leg 30,31 May or 1 June 2014

Premier Modise: A lot still need to be done


A lot still needs to be done to address the legacy apartheid. Inequalities and disparities that still persist, North West Premier Thandi Modise told close to 6000 worshippers who were part of the St John Apostolic Church of Prophecy Mass Prayer held in Mahikeng on Saturday.

In encouraging worshippers to exercise their right to vote during the national and provincial elections to be held on 7 May, Premier Modise appealed to worshippers to continue praying for free, fair and peaceful elections, God fearing leaders with correct values, honest, trustworthy and truthful leadership.

“Amid the strides and challenges we have experienced over the past 20 years, we are grateful because God has been with us and has not left us nor forsaken us. We must always remember that are nothing without God, We are nothing without people. We are nothing if we think that we are so mighty that people must stop worshipping God and worship us. We are nothing if we start walking away from God,” Modise said.

She urged the church to pray against greed, corruption, manipulation, satanism, for incorruptible public servants, an end to political conflicts in Sudan, religious persecution and abduction of girl children in Nigeria.

Premier Modise said that God is the one who establishes governments and will re-establish his government through the elections process.

The prayer service which was led jointly by Arch Bishops Patrick Ramokoka,Kelello Moloi and Bobby Ramoipone.

In his message, Arch Bishop Ramokoka pledging the support of the church to government and called on young people to respect their elders.

The service also supported by a delegation of the All African Federation of Churches led by its President, Arch Bishop Nchime Tsekedi who also pledged the support of the federation. It was also attended by congregants from across the North West Province, Limpopo, Gauteng, Northern Cape, Free State, Botswana and Namibia.-TDN
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Open letter to Gayton Mckenzie


Dear Gayton,

I normally don’t respond to trash, let alone read it but I took the chance with your letter….boy did I laugh at the hypocrisy…

Political relevance is not launched or promoted by senseless open letters, it is launched by having policies and ideologies that talk to the needs of the masses. It is promoted by working on the ground. I see you are trying to pull a ‘Kenny Kunene’ on us. Well, Kenny’s letter was teeming with nothing but the truth while yours is full of manufactured balderdash. While Julius Malema is travelling South Africa mobilising and wooing the masses on the ground to vote for the EFF you are busy twerking with your big mouth.

You sound more like a bitter girlfriend, but then again for a male ex-convict with a visible bum I’m not surprised. You claim to be paying your debt(of heinous crimes you committed) by speaking to millions of kids all over the country and trying to get them into the mainstream of the economy. Who do you think you are fooling mrena? When did a bed become a ‘mainstream economy? We know you and Kenny go beyond talking with these kids. Your partner in crime unashamedly appears in public with a bevy of kids which you two ‘talk to’ as you claim. How do you equate that to paying the debt? You are ruining the lives of poor black girls.

You are trying to compensate your morally and politically bankrupt leadership using the media to display your political jealousy as the EFF is thriving politically. If you are looking for more members you must not write open letters on Twitter, there’s no Twitter in Sun City. Floyd Shivambu offered you free political education on the debate you had on SABC News Election Debate last week…maybe it’s high time you considered it. Your political IQ is less than that of COSAS comradelets.

The reason you will never ever fathom the EFF’s policies is because you are in the pockets of the capitalists. You have the guts to call Julius Malema a thief but everyone knows you are the one who’s on the Database of Department of Correctional Services. Your claim that Malema bankrupted Limpopo through his stake in On-Point is so funny. I personally don’t know how many shares Malema or Ratanang had at On-Point but I know the company got a ±R52m tender. Limpopo has a budget of billions of rands…where did the rest of the money go to? Did Julius Malema take the billions for himself? If your brain was as big as your head you’d know the ANC-led government in Limpopo failed to run the province. Making Julius a scapegoat for their mismanagement of funds is like blaming Derek Van Damme of eNCA for a bad weather.

Malome Gay, please stick to what you are good at…making money and having fun. Leave politics to politicians. Oh…and writing books. I loved reading The Hustler’s Bible. Your next book should be titled The Chancer’s Bible…and it must talk about you.

Lastly, please ask your friend Kenny where the followers he claimed to have evaporated to. When he left the EFF he claimed some leaders in the EFF were threatened by how he had so many followers. He went as far as claiming some leaders feel he’ll end up challenging them. What happened to those followers? I guess they only followed him because he was a Fighter. Without his red beret on, all they see is Kenny the Sushi-Eater.

Xoxo,

Lesego Maake (Asijiki, Asidlali, Asijoke)
-TDN
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Battleground in the gardens of Edendale


Pietermaritzburg – David Ntombela invites us in from the sniping wind. He is 91 now, his eyes rheumy and his gait pained. Gnarled toes poke out of plastic sandals as he eases into a faux leather couch, and night falls on the hills outside.
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