2017
R1-20/FREE
15 June
Worker Power “
Failure to provide these will leave SAMWU with no option but to consider a work stoppage. Story on Page 3
Employees of the Bela-Bela Municipality marched in protest against deplorable working conditions on 8 June. Photo: Justin Steyn
CRIME
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Department responds to DA allegations Lizzy Bapela The Department of Agriculture in Modimolle has said the required material to fence the perimeter of the Modimolle Red Meat Project was being purchased. Departmental manager Sammy Lebele was responding to the DA in Limpopo, which expressed concern regarding the matter. The DA went on a site visit, allegedly after the Portfolio Committee for Agriculture’s oversight visit was cancelled, with the opposition suspecting alleged fraudulent activity. The DA party alleged that the ANC Limpopo cancelled the fencing overnight in an attempt to conceal fraud. DA spokesperson, Jacques Smalle, said the party was appalled at the alleged shoddy workmanship, and gross overpricing of the project, costing the taxpayer R1.48 million per kilometre. “Several contractors in the area put the cost of such a fence at no more than R26 000 per kilometre. The materials were dumped near the site during July 2016, weeks before the municipal elections and the project came to a halt in March 2017. There were Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers on site who indicated that the project commenced again last week. This was a clear attempt at window-dressing after the DA exposed this project as daylight robbery,” said Smalle. The leader alleged that instead of accounting for the alleged thievery, Lebele lashed out on Facebook to racialize the oversight visit to avoid attention as the
The manager for the Department of Agriculture in Modimolle, Sammy Lebele. Photo: Lizzy Bapela implementing official. He added that the DA will continue to conduct oversight visits over the 71 fences that were erected by the Department during the last three financial years and expose the abuse of power to inflate costs of the fences. In his response, Lebelo charged: “The DA went to the site and the storeroom and took pictures of the area which had not yet been fenced. They claim the budget for the fencing alone is R5. 69 million, but the actual budget is R4. 4 million, which includes drilling for water, animal handling facilities, provision of water tankers, as well as the fencing. “Yes, the material is being bought already and we have already fenced 4km and will continue the work throughout the current financial year. This is a multi-year project and the available material is estimated to fence up to 35km (of the perimeter.”
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Gordon Maluleka chairs business forum Lizzy Bapela Well-known Bela-Bela businessman Gordon Maluleka was elected chairperson of the Bela-Bela Business Forum. This happened during a meeting that was held at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (former Swiss Mission) on Wednesday, 7 June. The meeting was attended by entrepreneurs from different business enterprises in Bela-Bela. Forum spokesperson Piet Mabusela said the meeting was also meant to relaunch the forum, which had been in existence for a while. Maluleka is the owner of Rhukanani Construction and Projects, and also owned Zwakala Lounge, which hosted celebrities and DJs including those from Capricorn FM. He is involved in other business enterprises and also does charity work within and outside his church. An executive committee to lead the forum was elected during the meeting, where Maluleka emerged as chairperson, deputized by Mmathabiso Maphokga. Gabriel Kutumela emerged secretary of the forum, deputized by Mojalefa Komane. Merriam Sathekge emerged treasurer, with Paul Lubisi and Johannes Manala as additional members, and Mabusela as Public Relations Officer. Speakers at the meeting came to a consensus that the business community in Bela-Bela is not organised, and do not keep up to date with current affairs. Maluleka and the entire leadership rallied behind businesses supporting each other in sourcing information relevant to their trade. They also agreed to help each other in ensuring that all businesses are registered
The BEAT gathers local opinions on youth month
Pule Lekalakala from BelaBela: “To me, Youth Month means gratitude, duty and action. I am eternally grateful to live in a time where I can fully pursue and follow my dreams without being held back. It is our responsibility to always make sure we capitalize on every opportunity that comes our way. Most of the world’s biggest innovations and revolutions were brought about by young people; it is time for your (own) revolution.
Boitumelo Moima from Bela-Bela: “What a privilege for being part of the youth of this generation, what an honour, what a time to be alive. To be able to dream beyond the fences that used to enslave our parents and their parents, To be able to wake up to endless opportunities, to not only to better your own life but those around you. We need to stop focusing on what we don’t have right now, and start recognizing the powerful force that we each have within us to be better than yesterday. Personally, my ears are closed to all the negativity and my eyes are wider than ever before, and when I look in the mirror I see all that I will ever need to be the best I can, like I said , what a time to be alive, not to have circumstances that limit one’s potential,
Rapist sentenced to 25 years Justin Steyn A Bela-Bela local, who faced two charges of rape and three additional charges of assault, has been found guilty and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Edward “Nono” Papo (28) was sentenced on Thursday, 25 May in the Modimolle Regional Court. Papo was found guilty of raping a 28year-old woman whose identity cannot be
revealed, at Bela-Bela in August last year. SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Johannes Shitlane said Papo was also found guilty of raping another 19-year old woman during the same month. Shitlane said he welcomed the sentencing. “The arrest and sentencing is due to hard work from the police. Bela-Bela can sleep soundly knowing that another criminal is behind bars,” he said.
Gordon Maluleka of Rhukanani Construction and Projects emerged chairperson of the Bela-Bela Business Forum’s newly elected executive committee. Photo: Lizzy Bapela on the central supply database. “We also need to make sure that we affiliate with the regional, provincial and national business forums, so that our operations can be expanded beyond BelaBela,” Maluleka added.
The BEAT contacted a number of locals to hear out their understanding of Youth Month and being a young South African. - Photos: TK Mashaba.
Semakaleng Mothapo from Bela-Bela: Being a young person in this time means that you have the opportunity to do anything you want to do. The challenges are breaking the barriers of economic freedom. My advice is that young people should start striving for success, and not wait for government to do things for them. If you have a dream: follow it, work hard, no matter the challenges you face.
Mercia Tlotli Seleka from Modimolle I think the biggest challenge is unemployment. There are so many unemployed graduates. It’s ironic how the Class of ‘76 fought for education, but then now that we were granted that opportunity, we are faced with unemployment, which leads to negative alternatives such as crime and substance abuse.
Man pleads not guilty to attempted rape Justin Steyn Attempted rape suspect Meshack Chirwahas pleaded not guilty to the charge. Chirwa has been accused of attempting to sexually assault Qoboza, a resident of Leseding in the Bela-Bela Township, and pleaded not guilty to the charge on Tuesday, 30 May, in the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court.
The woman alleged Chirwa entered her home unlawfully in February this year, while she was asleep. Chirwa appeared before the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s court on Thursday, 23 February, and was released on bail of R500. During the latest court appearance, Qoboza said she provided a brief testimony to what had transpired before the case was postponed to Thursday, 29 June.
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GOVERNMENT / POLITICAL
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Municipal workers march in protest Justin Steyn
SAMWU regional chairperson Eliot Molala. Photo: Justin Steyn
Bela-Bela municipal workers punched the air in anger over a series of unsolved issues on Thursday, 8 June. Workers from all divisions took issue with a number of matters and picketed in front of the municipality, where they toyitoyied and chanted, pressing home demands for answers. South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) regional secretary, Eliot Molala, said the disgruntled workers demanded answers on burning issues such as, among others, outsourcing and workplace safety. “There are a lot of issues pertaining to outsourcing, working conditions and victimization, to name a few, that the workers are not happy with. We have gathered to put forward our list of demands for the municipality’s response,” he charged. However, no agreement could be reached on the day as senior municipal personnel were reportedly out of town, apparently away to a summit in Cape Town. The workers returned on Monday, 12 June, when Mayor Jeremiah Ngobeni received their memorandum of demands. The memorandum demanded, among others, that all vacant posts be filled, with particular emphasis to the waste management and IT divisions. A fully-fledged and functional fleet of vehicles should be provided, the workers demanded. Outsourcing is also a major headache and employees have demanded that all advertising and travelling be halted immediately. With regards to housing, workers
demanded the fast-tracking of the provision of middle-income stands. Workplace safety in terms of tools of trade and clothing was also among the burning issues. “Failure to provide these will leave SAMWU with no option but to consider a work stoppage (until workers’ safety is guaranteed),” the memorandum states. Some of the protesters claimed they have been victimized due to political contestation. “We demand that victimizations of workers based on the political factions in the ANC be stopped,” Molala said, addressing Ngobeni. Furthermore, employees feel voiceless as the memorandum claims inputs during community imbizos have not been addressed. Workers further pressed home demands for workplace upward mobility, and a skills development programme in this regard. The memorandum further makes damning allegations that the employer made deductions from workers’ April salaries, and that these monies be refunded. In response Ngobeni told The BEAT all vacant posts had been filled, and that as far as he was concerned a new fleet had been delivered. New protective clothing, he said, was to be provided at the beginning of July. He also urged workers not to involve themselves in politics; to “stop acting like politicians”.
Hope for township tourism
One of the tourists home-brewed sorghum beer with locals. Photo: TK Mashaba TK Mashaba A Bela-Bela initiative aims to re-route game lodge and golf estate foreign and local tourists to explore the township as an additional attraction. Speaking during an interview ahead of Youth Day, M Court Tours founder, Semakaleng Mothapo, said the tour package would offer, among other things, sightseeing on an improvised donkey-drawn wagon to view sites such as the first township trading store. Rusting flat iron advertising boards at the old Bela-Bela Trading Store such as “Teaspoon Tips Tea” bear testimony to a rich history. Mothapo said preparations were at an advanced stage to package an interesting route, with the potential to pave the way for the training and employment of especially the youth, along the value
chain. The value chain includes, among others, tourists being taken by trained guides to taste sorghum beer brewed by local brew-masters such as the eccentric Johnny Manicus of Spa Park, and Mama Setati’s pineapple-flavoured home brew. Mothapo said the initiative was taken on a trial run last December, with scores of local and foreign tourists offered a free donkey-drawn wagon ride through the township. “Many of the tourists were blown away by the cultural diversity in the township, with people living together, but migrating from as far as the northernmost parts of Limpopo, and also from Gauteng and Zimbabwe,” he said. Going forward, Mothapo said M Court Tours plans to explore to the fullest the forthcoming warmer months from August to the December holiday high season.
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GOVERNMENT / POLITICAL
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Life after prison the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
“My humble request to members of the community is that they should open their hearts to exFormer convict Thulani Maila (23) offenders and give them a chance emerged from prison to deliver a so they can correct their mistakes,” moving address at he said. a local church. The Fraternal Full The Bochum man Gospel Church of was released on Christ in Modimolle Friday, 9 June, embraced the young after serving a twoperson, who made a year term at the plea for a chance to Modimolle Youth speak to young Correctional people. Centre, for Maila said he met housebreaking. Bishop Makwarela Maila was Mundalamo during arrested in relation a prayer service, and to a case of that is when his life housebreaking. changed for the Coincidentally, he better. was released back Speaking during into society within the church service, the midst of Youth Bishop Mundalamo Bishop Makwarela Mundalamo welcomes a reformed Thulani Month. congratulated the Maila during his church visit. Photo: Mzamane Ringane While serving his young man for sentence, Maila Spending more than two years of keeping his promise that he will was able to change his ways and come to the church to speak to the his life behind bars has been a decided to follow the right path. young people, as soon as he was learning curve for Maila, who Two days after his release, the released. celebrated his 21st birthday away reformed Maila delivered a “It is important for members of this from his family. moving speech at a local church church and community to listen to He told The BEAT that he has on Sunday, 11 June with the already drafted a business plan for the message from our guest, because objective to discourage the youth it might save our young people from his proposed Non-Profit from pursuing the wrong path in finding themselves on the wrong Organisation (NPO), which will life. side of the law,” Bishop Mundalamo serve to address challenges like He quoted from the Bible as he said. encouraged young people to “Flee alcohol and substance abuse. Mzamane Ringane
Warmbaths Taxi Association adopts local artist Lizzy Bapela Patience, perseverance and good character have borne fruit for BelaBela’s popular performing artist Johannes Chauke, also known as Matrata. The Warmbaths Taxi Association (WATA) decided to provide Matrata with free services rendered from or items sold at their local town rank, at the association’s cost. This means transportation to all his events, meals for him when visiting the rank and anything he needs that is being sold in the rank, as well a free car wash. Following his great performance at WATA’s recent event, the association saw it fit to reward the artist for his efforts and dedication. The event was a farewell celebration held for the association’s current and outgoing executive committee at the town taxi rank. Matrata’s performance so impressed the taxi drivers, operators and passengers that they felt he had earned this magnificent gift. Rank manager Sunday Modike said when invited to perform at the event, Matrata did not turn the association down when they told him they did not have the funds to pay him but would love for him to
Matrata has gone solo and is happy with the results. Photo supplied perform for them. Modike added that Matrata honoured the invite and performed outstandingly. “The decision to reward him in this way did not just come from nowhere. Everybody who was at the
event can testify that Matrata touched them all with his performance. After that, we all could not stop talking about it and the association saw it fit to do something for him, as a token of appreciation,” said Modike. In his words, Matrata said he could not believe it when WATA chairman, Malesela Mogale, announced the news. He added that he felt proud and honoured to receive such a gesture from the association, especially after struggling many years to get recognition from various entities. “I felt like I could cry when I heard the news. I only went there just to market myself, not knowing it will bear such fruits. I am so happy and I am already enjoying the rewards in terms of transport. I am now working solo and managed to register my own company. I perform every weekend across the country and outside Bela-Bela,” said Matrata. The artist started dancing when he was still a little boy and started singing in a group in 2012. He went solo in 2016 and has never released a full album — as yet his work has been limited to singles. He is now pushing a single track called “Human trafficking” which he says is doing well.
COSAS Waterberg celebrates their heroes
Bela-Bela’s late Peter Shibambo was among the remembered COSAS Waterberg Regional stalwarts. Photo: Lizzy Bapela region and branches graced the occasion. Acting Mogalakwena Fallen and living heroes and Mayor, Councillor Malesela Mokwele said the stalwarts heroines of the Congress of South African Students dreamt of free quality education, and that no child (COSAS) were remembered and celebrated during the should travel long distances, movement’s 38th anniversary barefooted and on an empty celebration. stomach in search of Hundreds of Cosas members education. from all local municipalities Mokwele highlighted that within the Waterberg District Cosas was formed against the flocked to Mokopane to backdrop of the broader political liberation attend the event, held at the Aboo Tayob Hall on Friday, movement, having been banned and its leaders either 2 June. Central to the summit was to imprisoned, banished or exiled. remember the student movement’s heroes and He said it was also on the heels of the Students’ heroines, and to press home demands for free, quality and Uprisings of 1976 which were met by unparalleled compulsory education. Fallen stalwarts violence and repression by the apartheid regime. remembered included the movement’s first president in Mamabolo was among the leaders who received military the region, Ephraim Mogale of Modimolle, and provincial training abroad, and returned to South Africa to lead Cosas spokesperson Peter Shibambo of Bela-Bela. in the region. Meanwhile, former ANC The movement’s living legends included Youth League Waterberg Regional Chairperson and Modimolle’s Teenage Monama and Thabo also former Cosas Makunyane, Mogalakwena’s Mookgophong Sub-Regional Tolly Mashamaite, Sophonia leader, Sipho Mhlanga, wished the movement’s Mamabolo, Pimpi Mokhonoana and Charles current leaders well and advised them to follow in the Makhubela, as well as Pat Motlouneng of Thabazimbi. footsteps of the former Many others who selflessly leaders, living or waged the struggle for posthumously. Cosas’ current Waterberg “People’s Education in our lifetime” were also saluted Regional Secretary, Joel Mabula, expressed his during the event. The annual convention is gratitude towards structures represented at the event. He always an event to look forward to and this year was also wished well to all the learners from across the extra special as the ANC, SASCO, COSATU and district who are writing their mid-year exam. SADTU leadership at the Lizzy Bapela
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College students exposed to information Lizzy Bapela Students from the Waterberg Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET) were afforded the opportunity to learn about the protection and preservation of the environment. This was during a visit to Thabazimbi’s Marakele National Park during World Environment Day on Monday, 5 June. Both the college and the park partnered to spread the message on the day in the form of an exhibition. The People and Conservation team from the park targeted the students and the rest of the people who attended the event. World Environment Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972, and was celebrated for the first time on June 5, 1974 and every year since. This year the day was celebrated under the theme “Connecting People to Nature”. The event raises global awareness to take positive action to protect nature and planet Earth. It is run by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and celebrated worldwide. The celebrations are aimed at protecting a unique and life-sustaining environment, and raising global awareness of the illegal trade in wildlife, especially rare animal, flora and fauna. SANParks’ northern regional spokesperson, Divhani Maremba, said Marakele chose to partner with the TVET College as it has just opened in the area. Higher Education Minister, Blade Nzimande, officially opened the college in 2016, and held a ceremony, where the local government and political representatives attended. Marimba added it was felt this was a perfect opportunity to educate the students about the environment, and the role played by SANParks in connecting people to nature.
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Islamic leader blesses local community
Depression
It can be hard to properly define depression. In films, depression is dramatic, it can almost look noble. You see people wandering around in a daze, and while it can be like that, depression can take many forms. There is help for all of them, and no shame in accepting it. For some people, depression may manifest as a lack of concentration and a desire to sleep more. For others, it varies between periods of manic energy and complete lethargy, where they feel as though they can do nothing at all. This is the well-known ‘bipolar disorder’ and is mostly a life-long condition that can, however, be managed very well with medication. Other people become irrationally angry when depressed, or just want to sleep a lot. Sometimes your work may suffer, or you may find yourself losing interest in hobbies that you love. On the other hand, you may find yourself sinking into an obsession with a hobby that you previously loved, to the exclusion of all else. As you can see, there are many, many ways in which depression can manifest, all of them equally valid.
EDITORIAL
The important thing to remember is that there is no shame in it — no more than if you had sprained your ankle. There is no shame in taking medication — prescribed by a medical doctor and used in the correct manner, please; selfmedication leads to addiction and overdose. If you feel ashamed of having to take medication for depression, ask yourself a few questions. Do you think that people who wear glasses should be ashamed of not being able to see well? Do you think that the elderly, who may need mobility aids to get around, should feel shame? How about people who are hard of hearing and may need hearing aids, or people with dicky hearts who need to take medication for that? Depression, no matter what you may have been told, is not just in your mind. It is a disease of the body, to be cured and controlled with medication, in exactly the same way that the illnesses and disabilities above are. If you feel depressed and are worried that you may be suffering from depression, you should visit a doctor. There will be help for you there, if you ask for it.
A truck-load of groceries is on hand for beneficiaries to receive the free goodies. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
Beneficiaries wait patiently with their wheelbarrows to receive their groceries. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
BLURB beateditor@gmail.com If you have a story you think we might be interested to know about please email our news team at beateditor@gmail.com or phone 014 736 2723 and ask to be put through to The BEAT editor. Children carry their groceries to their homes. Photo: Lizzy Lizzy Bapela
Modimolle-based Fraternal Full Gospel Church of Christ, will be hosting a Revival Crusade in Mookgophong, where locals are invited to come and form part of this service. The service will be held at the Mookgophong Community Hall from 3 to 8 June, starting at 18:00 in the evening. For more information, Bishop Makwarela Mundalamo can be contacted on 079 430 0349. Photo: Mzamane Ringane
Community members of Bela-Bela who benefitted from the local Islamic Centre’s regular charity drive could not contain their joy following a good deed by centre leader Alibhai Lorgat. Over 350 food parcels were distributed to children who attend the centre, accompanied by their parents and relatives on Sunday, 11 June. The children’s guardians took time from their busy schedules and headed to the church with wheelbarrows to collect the groceries. The residents told The BEAT that they were busy with their laundry, when they heard they were required to converge at the centre’s premises. Hassan Nombewu said the event was conducted as part of their fasting programme, which is done mainly to purify their souls. He added that during their fasting periods, they have to give away to the less fortunate in order to show their kind heartedness. Nombewu further said this is their second week of a month-long fasting. “The fasting is meant for spiritual purposes, and the food gesture is meant to assist families in need. We also have sponsors from the Muslim Funding in Polokwane. We fast once a year for 30 days,” Lorgat added.
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ADVERTISMENTS / LEGALS
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2017 Fire Season launched Lizzy Bapela Over 660 firefighters are stationed at 27 bases throughout the province, and are ready for the start of the winter fire season. The 2017 winter fire season was launched on its commencement date on Thursday, 1 June and will end 31 October. According to the Department of Environmental Affairs firefighters programme, Working on Fire (WoF) in Limpopo, the season could last up to the end of November. This is due to the amount of rain the province had, which resulted in dry conditions with a heavy fuel load. This causes WoF to expect a very difficult Winter Fire Season. The programme’s management believes that through partnerships with various private and public entities, they will be able to respond quickly. These include the Provincial Disaster Management Centre, Fire Protection Associations, SANParks, various private and public landowners, and municipalities. “We urge landowners in
particular to get in contact with us so that we can assist with the development of clear integrated fire management services. The services include, among others, prescribed burning, fuel load reduction, community fire awareness, early detection and fire suppression plans,” said WoF Limpopo Provincial Spokesperson Matema Gwangwa. Meanwhile, WoF has been running Community Fire Awareness Campaigns throughout the province since the beginning of May 2017. The campaigns are aimed at teaching communities how to be firesafe, and to prevent unwanted veld and forest fires. Gwangwa said the campaigns have been conducted as part of preparations for the winter fire season and will run till the end of the season. WoF urged communities to be more vigilant during this fire season and not start unnecessary fires, particularly during dry days this winter. People are also asked to remove unnecessary rubble on their properties which can pose a serious fire risk, and houses next to grasslands need to ensure that there is sufficient fire breaks between their
Working on Fire (WoF) Waterberg firefighters are among those stationed at all bases across the province, to tackle the winter fire season in 2017. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
properties and these grasslands. They are further asked to cut down overhanging tree branches close to their properties and also to clean their gutters. WoF further urges residents to also ensure they have the contact details of their local fire authorities at hand should there be a fire emergency. “Our role as WOF is to save lives, protect the environment and restore dignity in our communities. For the past 14 years, we have been living up to that. Our fighters are professionally-trained to suppress veld and forest fires and they have been deployed throughout the province to reduce the environmental, human and economic harm caused by unwanted wildfires during the previous years. Our firefighting resources include both ground and aerial.
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Traffic lights finally functional
CHARITY / ENTERTAINMENT / SCHOOL
Entrepreneurs celebrate Environment Day Motorists and pedestrians in Bela-Bela will be happy to note that the traffic lights in the town’s central business district have been repaired. Photo: Justin Steyn
Justin Steyn Motorists having to negotiate nonfunctioning traffic lights in Bela-Bela’s central business district will be pleased to hear that this was no longer the case. Non-functioning traffic lights in Chris Hani Drive have now been fixed, according to municipal technical services head, Risimati Ntekele. He had said in an interview the traffic lights had been out of order due to control boxes being struck by lightning. “Severe lightning conditions have caused damage to the traffic lights. The control boxes were struck by lightning and we are also going to repair the underground
cables,” he said. Ntikele added that not only had this stretch of road been affected, but the municipality was also turning its eye towards damaged roads and traffic lights in the township. He added that stop signs that have been used to regulate traffic should be replaced once the total repairs had been finalised. Despite these lights being out of order since last year, Ntikele could not comment on why it had taken several months to have these repaired. However, the repairs of the traffic lights have been a subject of discussion at several municipal meetings. The BEAT attempted to communicate with the traffic department’s head, Isack Monare, but his mobile rang unanswered.
The artists who came to display their artwork during the World Environmental Celebration day at Bela-Bela Mall on Thursday 8 June. Photo: TK Mashaba
TK Mashaba The Department of Environment and Economic Development, in partnership with the Bela-Bela Local Municipality, hosted an Environment Day celebration on Thursday, 8 June, as part of the World Environment Day celebrations. The event was attended by entrepreneurs
Two chosen to represent SA in Maurituis Professional trainer Thabo Molokomme started the handball players’ preparation sessions. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
Lizzy Bapela Two Under-17 handball players from Rooiberg have been selected to represent South Africa at the International Beach Handball Federation tournament, billed for Mauritius shortly. The Itireleng High School learners, Karabo Mogoshi and Itumeleng Molekoa, both 16, were selected due to their outstanding performances in the sport, having participated outstandingly in various top
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tournaments at different levels. The players will attend training camps frequently, for preparation ahead of the tournament. The training camp will kick off on Friday, 2 and round off on Monday, 5 June, at East London Beach. The players’ coach and teacher, Ally Pole, said the dates of the other training camps will be announced in due course. He added the coastal city beach will be used as a venue for the entire training, with the objective to take advantage of prevalent weather conditions.
He also said this is just so that the players get exposure and gain experience of playing beach handball, as some were used to playing inland. Mogoshi told The BEAT he always saw other young people playing handball and only decided to join them back in 2015, as he envied playing and excelling in the sports code. Meanwhile, Molekoa also developed a love for handball in 2015 after seeing his fellow school mates and friends playing it. He said after learning of several sporting codes, he learned that he could only play
and artists from across the Waterberg District. According to Abbey Mokgahlane, an entrepreneur who coordinated the event, the goal of the celebration was to celebrate entrepreneurs and artists who make use of recycled material. The event was open to all entrepreneurs and artists. “We are pleased with the turnout,” she said. “It is nice to see how people are networking, and seeing some of the valuable art pieces made out of recycled materials.” The artists and entrepreneurs also received information on applying for funding to grow their businesses. Artist Rose Matlala, hailing from Mokopane, said the initiative was a positive one, and expressed her wish that similar events should be held more often, in order to allow more people to see their crafts and handiwork.
handball and volleyball so he chose to stick to handball instead. Both the players said they were surprised and got too excited after hearing Pole announcing that they were the chosen ones, to showcase their skills at the highest possible level. They added that their parents were more than happy to hear the news, and remained supportive all the way. The duo further said they still could not believe they were about to travel beyond the borders of South Africa, for the very first time. Pole and the duo’s trainer, Thabo Molokomme, expressed pride and joy in what the players achieved, saying that they worked extra hard and deserved all this. The duo had the experience of starting their training locally at the Waterberg Sports Academy’s high-performance training facilities located at the Settlers Agricultural School on Monday, 29 and Tuesday, 30 May. They participated at national club championships held at the Tshwane University of Technology in 2015. They also played outstandingly against big teams and at top tournaments in the province, where they played against, among other opponents, the University of Venda. “The players’ participation against older players at university level gave them great exposure,” Pole added.
Tough competition in Women’s league Mzamane Ringane The Mokopane-based Academy 11 Ladies FC continued to draw closer to the log leaders Skimzozo Ladies FC of Lephalale, when the two teams participated in the league matches held in Vaalwater on Sunday, 11 June. The Waterberg Women’s Regional League log leaders, Skimzozo FC, are at the top of the standings with 29 points, while Academy 11 Ladies FC are on the second spot with 26 points. New kids on the block, Bela-Bela Diesel Academy 11 Ladies FC are second on the log standings. Photo: Mzamane Ringane
N Dust Ladies FC, are placed third with 17 points. On Sunday Academy 11 Ladies FC shared the spoils with Diesel N Dust FC, after they played to a 0-all stalemate. Academy 11 Ladies lost maximum points in their first match, when they lost on a walkover to Atlanta Kids FC. Atlanta Kids FC secured an additional three points on a walkover against Ocean Ladies FC. Skimzozo Ladies FC, on the other hand, clung to their position on top of the log, after securing a single point from a 2-all draw with Phalala Disco Academy FC. It looks like The Waterberg’s Women’s Regional League is headed for a photo finish, with the two teams at the top of the log almost snarling at each other.
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15 June, 2017 Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
Locals on Bafana Bafana victory
Mamelodi Sundowns supporter Shimmy Madala Ka-Matlala. Photo: Mzamane Ringane Mzamane Ringane Following the maiden 2-0 away victory against Nigeria last Saturday, 10 June, local football supporters are optimistic that the future looks even brighter. It was for the first time that the national senior soccer squad triumphed over Nigeria’s formidable Super Eagles in an official fixture. This against the backdrop of Mamelodi Sundowns FC being the reigning champions of the coveted CAF Champions League. Coach Stuart Baxter steered Bafana Bafana to the much-celebrated victory, with a header from Tokelo Rantie, and
nimble footwork from Percy Tau sealing the deal. Kaizer Chiefs FC supporter and an admirer of the Limpopo-based Baroka FC, Mashole Ngope from Roedtan, anticipates this winning momentum will definitely rub off in the team’s next qualifying matches. “For us supporters it is more like renewed hope, since the joy and happiness of winning the AFCON in 1996,” he said. Ngope told The BEAT that Baxter had proven himself before that he could deliver, as he has defeated Nigeria before in an unofficial match. Modimolle resident and Orlando Pirates supporter, Faith Kgothatso Maluleke, believes the team has quality players who can deliver. Maluleke singled out Thulani Serero and Kamogelo Mokotjo as players with a good technique and the ability to control any game. He said people have been talking about the future of South African football since 2010. “Which future? South Africa has a good coach and good players, if that doesn’t spell a great team for you, I don’t know what will,” Maluleke concluded. A loyal fan of Mamelodi Sundowns, Shimmy Madala Ka-Matlala of Modimolle, thinks the Super Eagles coach simply had his ‘experiment’ go wrong on the day against South Africa. “How else would a team that is top and leading its World Cup 2018 qualifying group play so abysmally as the Nigerians did?,” he questioned. Matlala said South Africa could have embarrassed their opponents by four, or even more, goals in the Nigerians’ own backyard, for that matter. He however added that Baxter had a good team, with a touch of the African football experience blended in by the likes Themba Zwane and Keagan Dolly. Former Mookgophong Local Football Association secretary and renowned retired Waterberg referee, Khomotso Phakgadi, told The BEAT: “We might be headed for the right direction.” He said although the coach had challenges with injured players ahead of his acid test against the Super Eagles, he
Aloes snatch victory from Baobabs TK Mashaba Netball giants The Baobabs, arguably the best-improving team in the BFNPL this year, narrowly lost 51-44 to The Aloes of Free State. The match was played in Bloemfontein on 27 May. Towards the end of the evenly-matched encounter, The Baobabs started to make a number of crucial and costly mistakes, under pressure. The Baobabs once again featured BelaBela’s golden lady, Grace Lechaba, from the local Diesel n Dust Netball Club. The Limpopo visitors quickly fell behind and within a matter of five minutes, the match was lost. The Aloes won the encounter, played in the Mangaung Indoor Complex in Bloemfontein, by 51-44 to snatch the sixth spot on the log, which earned them a quarterfinal berth. On the other hand, The Aloes kept their
cool, with a superb defence by Nobubele Phuza and goalkeeper Bongisa Wete. Experienced shooter Noluvuyo Nodludlume slotted her goals for the Aloes when it mattered. The cherry on top was that The Aloes’s shooter, Nolusindiso Twani, was selected for the Baby Proteas. The Aloes had to battle without their three Proteas players, captain Nosiphiwo Goda, Lauren-Lee Christiaan and Jeanie Steyn as well as Arné Rust. Melodine Jacobs, also in the Baby Proteas team for the Youth World Champs in July, is still injured. The Baobabs will be involved in a play-out next weekend to determine the final positions 7 to 10. They will first be up against the Sunbirds. The Aloes will be up against the Guateng Golden Fireballs, North West Flames or the Southern Stings, depending on the result between the Flames and Stings in the final match.
managed to bring home a positive result. Phakgadi said the coach needed more support from the technical staff, the country and also from PSL teams. He said last weekend’s victory was like a reborn version of the erstwhile Bafana Bafana which made the country proud in 1996, by winning the continental showpiece, with the late Mandela lifting the trophy in the company of erstwhile captain Neil Tovey.