R1-20/FREE
2016
17 June
Two escape from blazing house Rebecca Maimale and Isabella Mokwatlo, two residents of BelaBela who escaped from a raging fire at their home. Photo: Justin Steyn
Justin Steyn
Two Bela-Bela residents made a fortunate escape after a part of their home was engulfed in an inferno that destroyed part of their three-bedroom home in Van der Merwe Street. The housekeeper, Rebecca Maimale, said that she and Jinnah Park learner Isabella Mokwatlo were watching television at around 19:30 on Wednesday, 8 June, when they spotted flames in two adjacent bedrooms. Maimale said that she and Isabella immediately evacuated the house, and Isabella ran to get help at the police station a few blocks from their house. Isabella’s parents, Samuel and Elizabeth Mokwatlo, were not at home during the incident. Nearby residents, members of the Bela-Bela Crime Support Group as well as members of the local community Policing Forum battled the blaze for nearly two hours before it was extinguished.
The roof of the two rooms that burned had collapsed and all of Isabella’s belongings, including her school books and clothes, were destroyed in the fire. Samuel and Elizabeth lost their clothes and bed, as well as important documents. Maimale lost her identity documents in the fire. The remainder of the house was covered in soot, and most of the windows were damaged. Samuel told the media that the rooms which had burned down were not originally part of the house and were added to the house when they moved in during 2000. He added that they had planned to construct another room to the house. Elizabeth said that it was believed that the fire started when a lightbulb fell onto a bed. The family has since received donations from the community, various community forums, and the Jehovah’s Witness church. Anyone wishing to contribute aid to the family may contact Rebecca on 073 775 8801 or Elizabeth on 072 136 6094.
The house’s windows were covered in soot the morning after the fire. Photo: Justin Steyn
Samuel Mokwatlo stands outside the burnt down room he said was constructed after they had moved in. Photo: Justin Steyn
CRIME
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17 June, 2016 Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
Community unite in a battle against drugs
Modimolle SAPS Station Commander Colonel Isaac Maila. Photo: Mzamane Ringane occasions, in an attempt to address Mzamane Ringane challenges that the future leaders of this country are facing. When encouraging young learners to focus Following the Crime Awareness Campaign on their studies and stay away from drugs, held in Modimolle on Friday 10 June, it is Colonel Maila quoted from one of the late now apparent that the infamous and deadly Muhammed Ali, who said: “To be a great nyaope drug tops the list of challenges faced champion you must believe you are the best.” by the society. “So because you want to be great The event which was attended by a large champions, you must believe that you are the number of learners and parents was held at the Ephraim Mogale Stadium. The SAPS held best, but you cannot be the best if you are doing drugs,” Colonel Maila said. the event in conjunction with Department of Maila said the police are concerned because Social Development and Modimolle Local drugs like nyaope are now being distributed at Municipality. schools. Representatives of the Department of He called on all members of the community Education, National Prosecuting Authority to join hands with the SAPS and CPF in a (NPA), Community Police Forum (CPF), battle against drugs. School Governing Body (SGB) and Ministers’ Speaking on behalf of local SGB’s, Pastor Fraternal were among those who attended the Malesela Mosima admitted that the issue of event. drugs was a serious challenge at local schools. Speakers from different parts of society Pastor Mosima advised learners to boycott expressed that most social challenges relate to drugs by isolating themselves from their peers the use of drugs. who distribute drugs at school. Before addressing members of the public, He said that if learners continue to support Modimolle SAPS Station Commander this business, the battle against drugs will not Colonel Isaac Maila thanked his colleagues be won. for organising the awareness campaign. Motivational speaker Freddy Chisi also He said it was important for the police and shared a motivational talk with learners the general public to get together on such
Motivational speaker Freddy Chisi (left) and Pastor Malesela Mosima during the event. Photo: Mzamane Ringane who attended the event. Chisi, who grew up in Modimolle, encouraged parents and leaders to support young people in their academic and sporting activities, if they wanted to win their battle. This motivational speaker was one
example that Modimolle, like any other small towns has the potential to produce celebrated people. Having studied at the local Phagameng High School, Chisi has now become a notable radio commentator known across the country.
YBBPF up for transformation
The convener of the Youth Black Business Forum, Abdul Aphiri, during their first meeting. Photo: TK Mashaba
AG Report: Mismanagement of Limpopo municipalities continues Mzamane Ringane The DA in Limpopo said that they noted with great dismay the poor performance and poor state of the provinces’municipalities in the Auditor General’s (AG) municipal report released recently. They raised concerns following what they learned that the province still records unacceptably high levels of irregular, unauthorised and fruitless and wasteful expenditure at R1,359 billion, R1,207 billion, and R81million respectively. The party said that the nearly R3 billion spent on irregular, unauthorized , fruitless and wasteful expenditure could have improved the lives of the poor, improved education, created and improved service delivery. “It shows a shocking level of mismanagement and maladministration that not a single municipality in Limpopo had a clean audit. The lack of a clean audit province wide is due to weak government leadership and accountability,” said the DA Provincial Leader Jacques Smalle. “The province had one of the poorest outcomes based on the number of municipalities with disclaimed and adverse opinions or outstanding audits with 21%. The mismanagement of Limpopo municipalities needs to be brought to an end. Limpopo is largely underdeveloped
and effective management at municipal level is of utmost importance to improve the situation. The number of municipalities with findings on compliance decreased in all provinces except Mpumalanga and Limpopo, which remained at the same level. The municipalities in Limpopo were among the main contributors to the regression with regard to contract management, which was caused by a lack of consequences for transgressors and weak controls around contract management,” Smalle said. The DA said that the AG’s report has merely affirmed the well-known truth that Limpopo’s current leadership has failed the people through incompetent and inefficient management. They highlighted that where the DA governs in the Western Cape, the AG recorded the largest number of clean audits countrywide. The DA called for the MEC for COGHSTA Makoma Makhurupetje to hold municipal managers of underperforming municipalities accountable. They said that COGHSTA must assign more money to support the department’s monitoring and evaluation of municipal operations. “I will write to SCOPA chairperson, Snowy Kennedy to investigate the financial irregularities,” Smalle concluded. The BEAT still awaits audit reports from each municipality in the Waterberg District.
TK Mashaba A new NPO in Bela-Bela, known as the Youth Black Business Professional Forum (YBBPF), held their first meeting at the Bela-Bela Community Hall on Thursday, 9 June. The meeting was attended by youth involved in business and other stakeholders. The convener of the forum, Abdul Aphiri, said that this forum focusses on solving the problem of the high unemployment rate among the youth of Bela-Bela. “There is a lot to be done to transform this town, as it has to start with the forum challenging things that affect us as the youth,” he said. In their memorandum, Abdul said that they are demanding answers from various companies, such as Forever Resorts, lodges around Bela-Bela, the Municipality, Eskom, and Spoornet, to name but a few. Regarding Forever Resorts, Aphiri said that they want to build a relationship which will focus on skills and training opportunities for the youth of Bela-Bela.
He also said that Bela-Bela has 296 lodges which, he believes, can assist in social cooperative responsibility. “We don’t want these companies to continue exploiting workers. Instead, we want them to assist our graduates in finding jobs in their companies,” he said. The other thing that he mentioned was a demand for a quotation project in the municipality. “We demand that 40% of three quotation projects to be given to the youth of BelaBela, and 60% of the tender project must be sub-contracted to the youth,” he said. Another thing that Aphiri mentioned was a probe into the land at the old golf course near the Bela-Bela Police Station, which he believes can create business opportunities if developed. “We also want to know what happened to the Bela-Bela Lapa, and what is happening with the clinic and land at Extension Six, as the clinic was built there but nothing further has been done,” he said. The forum plans another meeting where the business sector will be invited to help chart a path forward.
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GOVERNMENT / POLITICAL
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Laerskool Warmbad suffers burglary
This part of the school’s premises was cordoned off after the police found human excrement believed to belong to the thieves. Photo: Andries van der Heyde
This is what Laerskool Warmbad’s safe looked like after the thieves sawed it open and stole cash, laptops, and a camera from it. Photo: Andries van der Heyde
Thieves cut open the safe of Laerskool Warmbad last week after covering the office windows with blankets so as not to draw attention while they plundered the office. Photo: Andries van der Heyde
Andries van der Heyde Laerskool Warmbad at Bela-Bela has become the latest in a series of victims of crime after the school was broken into and burgled between Thursday night and Friday morning. Other schools which have been targeted includes Laerskool Eugene Marais at Mookgophong, Laerskool Vaalwater and Laerskool Bosveld at Lephalale. According to Louis Fourie, vice-principal at Laerskool Warmbad, the thieves planned their crime very well. They knew exactly what to damage to prevent their crime from
being discovered immediately. The thieves broke open the lock on the gate in Pienaar Street and so gained access to the school. They then apparently made a hole in the roof of the office building, where they cut the wires to the alarm system as well as the Internet system. From there, the thieves broke open the office door closest to the hall and the safety door at Reception, and then made their way to the school’s safe. They covered the windows on the Moffatt Street side of the office and cut open the safe with a saw. They emptied the safe of, among others, money, a camera and
The thieves made off with 40 laptops from the school’s computer centre. A number of computer mice were found outside the classroom. registrations. laptops. The most shocking thing about the crime The thieves also removed the security is that the criminals apparently defecated cameras’recorder. at two places on the school’s grounds, After sowing chaos in the office, the using the school’s own toilet paper. criminals proceeded to the school’s The damage is believed to be in the computer centre, where they stole some thousands of Rands, and the police are 40 laptop computers. A number of investigating the incident. computer mice were found outside the A security guard has been appointed in classroom. the meantime, Fourie said. No message The next morning the personnel found was received that someone was tampering the damage, which brought the school to with the systems at the school. A few a standstill. weeks ago a group of strange men sought Fourie said that because of the damage entry to the school’s reception area, but to the school’s phone lines, they are the personnel did not think anything more unable to make phone calls or work on of it, said Fourie. their systems to complete the reports and
Over R12 million set aside for Mookgophong’s capital projects
Management in the Mookgophong Local Municipality. Photo: Lizzy Bapela Lizzy Bapela Mookgophong Local Municipality has set aside R12 386 million aside for it capital projects for the 2016/2017 financial year. In her recent budget speech and State of the municipal address, the local mayor Sarah Monyamane indicated that R1 974 million of that money is put aside for the construction of paving and storm water control in the area’s Extension 3, while R6 421 million is being set aside for sanitation, meaning the sewer outfall, reticulation and yard connection in Phomolong Section. R3 289 million of the money will be for upgrading the local sports field, with R702 million for high mast lights in Extensions 5 and 6.
These are some of the things that were amongst grievances raised by angry community members during their service delivery protests previously. They are also among the reasons why residents seemed to be against the amalgamation of Mookgophong with Modimolle. Monyamane confirmed in her speech that there will be a net reduction of 21 municipalities resulting in a total number of 257 municipalities in the country. The name of the newly established municipality is as yet undecided. The mayor said that management within the municipality has a significant role to play in strengthening the link between the community and the municipality’s overall priorities and spending plans. She added that
Mookgophong mayor Sarah Monyamane encouraged her managers to work with the local community for the betterment of service delivery in the municipality. Photo: Lizzy Bapela the goal should be to enhance service delivery aimed at improving the quality of life for all people within Mookgophong. The municipality’s total operating expenditure has grown by 4,04% or R6 683 million for the 2016/2017 financial year as compared to the 2015/2016 adjustments budget. The operating revenue will increase by 9,09% equating to a total revenue growth of R14 196 million for the 2016/ 2017 financial year as compared to the 2015/2016 adjustments budget. This results in a total of R170 301 million for the total operating revenue, with R172 252 million as the total operating expenditure and a deficit of R1 950 million for the year 20162017. The municipality’s largest revenue source
in the 2016/2017 financial year is electricity charges at R52 791 million (31,00%), with transfers from the national government being the second at R49 319 million (28.96%) and property rates as the third source, totalling 27 047 million (11,92%) “The electricity, water, sanitation and refuse revenue has to increase rapidly to ensure proper cost covering for these trade services. This growth can be mainly attributed to the decreased share of electricity surplus in the operating budget over the past years and the increased costs of replacing assets and employee costs in these adjustments. By budgeting for improved cost reflective trade departments, the municipality will become lessor dependant on external transfers receivable,” said the mayor.
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GOVERNMENT / POLITICAL
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Student chapter hosts a provincial youth dialogue
EDITORIAL
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Planned substation at Bela-Bela to cost over R40 Million Justin Steyn The Bela-Bela municipality intends to construct a 132 kilovolt substation along the major power distribution lines in BelaBela near the R516, north of the main town. The project is being undertaken by Eskom and NGT Consulting, and is currently awaiting authorisation from the Department of Environmental Affairs. The Municipality has commissioned a basic assessment report which will allow it to identify issues of concern as well as the social and environmental impacts of such a substation. In a telephonic interview with The BEAT the Chairperson of the Waterberg Conservancy Forum, Chris Wagner, said that he does not foresee any problems with the construction of such a substation but added that he would have to assess the framework proposed before providing an official statement. “We will have to see the response from the people who live in that area if such a
project is to be undertaken. I have not seen the basic framework as yet and cannot give an official statement on the matter,” he said The executive officer for NGT consulting, Nkosinathi Tomose, said that the project will be estimated to cost the municipality between R40- to 60 Million rand and can be phased in two stages. “We estimate anything between 40-60 Million Rand. This could be phased into 2 stages to split the capital such that phase 1 is R25-to 35 million and Phase 2 is R15 to 25 million.” Tomose said that a contractor will be appointed in due course through a transparent bidding process According to Tomose, there are two sites currently being evaluated for the substation to be built: Near the cemetery on the old testing station ground, next to the existing Warmbaths station He said that the site near the cemetery is currently the preferred option and will likely be the site barring any issues identified in the environmental impact analysis.
Bela-Bela park a soggy, swampy mess Modimolle resident and Limpopo MEC of Agriculture Joy Matshoge was among the guest speakers at the provincial youth dialogue Photo: Lizzy Bapela Lizzy Bapela Young professionals, academics and business leaders from all localities across Limpopo gathered at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium’s VIP Suites for a provincial youth dialogue, an event hosted by the Progressive Professionals’Forum (PPF) Student Chapter. The event was held on the evening of Thursday, 2 June under the theme: “Bringing Public and Private Entities Closer to the People”. Provincial Coordinator of the organization Thabo Mabotja said that the event was targeting young people drawn from both the public and private sectors of the local economy. Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Mzwandile Masina, SABC Chief Operations Officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng, Limpopo MEC of Agriculture Joy
Matshoge, PPF President and Former CEO of Government Communications and Information Jimmy Manyi, Limpopo MEC of Public Works and head of Limpopo Government Business Jerry Ndou, Sekoko Resources Executive Chairman Dr Tim Tibeila were the guest speakers of the day. The year 2016 marks 40 years since the momentous events of 1976 Soweto Youth Uprising. The organization joined the rest of the country in paying tribute to the class of 1976. They saluted and celebrated the stalwarts’selflessness and courage with a program that seeks to empower and unlock doors for fellow young people with information that will change their life for the better. The heroism of the Youth of 1976 is immortalised by the iconic image of the lifeless body of Hector Peterson, which was carried by Mbuyisa Makhubo accompanied by Peterson’s anguished sister, Antoinette Sithole. The popular photograph was captured by veteran photojournalist, Sam Nzima, and has become a symbol of the struggle worldwide and a chilling tribute to the class of 1976. Nzima was part of the No Guts, No Glory, No Story seminar for journalists which The BEAT reporters attended in 2007.
A damaged sprinkler is said to be the cause of leakages coming from the town’s park pond area. Photo: Justin Steyn Justin Steyn A damaged sprinkler is said to be the cause of a leak in the town park at Bela-Bela. Tshepo Dlamini, a resident, said that he grew concerned when he noticed the massive amount of water that has been leaking from the park’s pond area, which has transformed much of the grass into a marshy mess. “I visit the park quite regularly with my children, but I have noticed a leak that seems to come from somewhere near the pond area. I am concerned that the area might become unpleasant for those who
visit the park,” he said. The manager of the neighbouring bowling courts, Nick Pretorius, said that he suspects that the leakage is caused by a damaged sprinkler pipe. Pretorius said that he has reported the leak to the town’s municipality, but the matter has not been attended to in the months since he had. The municipality’s Head of Technical Services, Risimati Ntikela, said that he was not aware of the situation but said that he would dispatch a team to investigate the leak. He has since encouraged the community to report similar events to his department.
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ADVERTISMENTS / LEGALS
SMALLS
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Bela-Bela hospital against HIV cures
State Veterinarian without supplies
LEGALS CONSENT USE ON PORTION 66 AND 67 THE FARM ROODEPOORT 467 KR, BELA BELA Notice is hereby given in terms of clause 21 of the Bela Bela Land Use Scheme, 2008, that the undersigned, being the authorised agent, intends applying to the Bela Bela Municipality for special consent to use portions 66 and 67 of the farm Roodepoort 467 KR and/or buildings thereon for the purpose of a Farm Stall, Place of refreshment, recreation, Tea Garden and ancillary uses. Objections to or presentations in respect of the application must be lodged with or made in writing to: The Municipal Manager at the above address or Private Bag x1609, Bela Bela, 0480, within a period of 28 days from 10 June 2016 Further particulars with regard to the proposed use is obtainable from undersigned GEO PROJECTS, P.O. Box 919, Warmbaths, 0480, Tel: 082 881 7252. (17/6). CONSENT USE, BELA BELA Notice is hereby given in terms of clause 21 of the Bela Bela Land Use Scheme, 2008, that the undersigned, being the authorised agent, intends applying to the Bela Bela Municipality for special consent to use: 1. Portions 69 of the farm Droogekloof 471 KR and/or buildings thereon for the purpose of a Guest House, Place of Refreshment, Recreation and ancillary uses. 2. Portion 14 of the farm Roodekuil 496 KR and/or buildings thereon for the purpose of a Guest House, Place of Refreshment, Recreation and ancillary uses. Objections to or presentations in respect of the application must be lodged with or made in writing to: The Municipal Manager at the above address or Private Bag x1609, Bela Bela, 0480, within a period of 28 days from 17 June 2016 Further particulars with regard to the proposed use is obtainable from undersigned GEO PROJECTS, P.O. Box 919, Warmbaths, 0480, Tel: 082 881 7252. (24/6)
Solomon Sekgoalele from Bela-Bela is convinced that he can heal HIV. Photo: TK Mashaba
A local resident said that she is shocked about the conditions of which the doctors at the Bela-Bela state veterinary have to work in. Photo Supplied Justin Steyn Deborah de Lange, a resident in Bela-Bela, said that she is shocked about the working conditions at the Bela-Bela state veterinary at the Toowoomba Research Centre. De Lange said that she recently took her cocker spaniel to the vet as she had been suffering from cat flu, but was shocked to find how little equipment was available to the doctor on duty. “I was not sure what illness my dog had had been suffering from, but the doctor identified it immediately as cat flu. I was told that the doctors often struggle to care for animals as they have little to no medicine available,” she said. De Lange said that she had to buy a drip for her dog from a private vet as one was not available at the state vet. She added that her dog was tended to by the vet but could
The two reports from the patient. One of them shows a positive result for HIV, while the other shows a negative result. Photo supplied named, said that she tested HIV positive, but later tested negative after being treated TK Mashaba by Sekgaolele. She provided The BEAT with the negative test results as proof. Bela-Bela Hospital’s spokesperson, Buti Sekgaolele, however, says that he is still Moagi, said that they wish to caution the shunned by members of the community community that HIV tests should always be who say that he is making false claims verified. regarding his mixture. The test results may differ between tests, “Look, this isn’t something I chose to do,” and there is a window period for HIV he said. “It’s my God-given gift to heal and testing where an infected person may still help people with my mixture.” test clean. Moagi said that enquiries could The patient, who alleges that she was be directed to the Provincial Department of healed through taking his medicine, said Health. The Department of Health did not respond that her family advised her to get tested for HIV at the hospital, where she tested to requests for comment. positive. This comment comes on the heels of “My test was a shock to me,” she said. Solomon Sekgaolele from Bela-Bela, who “But I stayed positive in my mind and I met believes that healing people is his calling. with Sekgaolele, who prescribed me his Sekgaolele, who made headlines four herbs and within a month I tested negative years ago after announcing that he could for HIV.” cure HIV with his own medicine, brought a Sekgaolele said that the Department of patient to The BEAT who he claims to have Health never believed in his healing, and cured of HIV. refused to discuss his medications. The patient, who preferred not to be
not be kept for treatment, as is the usual procedure in the case of contracted cat flu. “I am very impressed with the doctors and how hard they worked to save my dog’s life with the little that they have available to them. My dog is alive because of them. I am also just concerned about people who do not have the money to send their animals to a private veterinarian,” she said. The BEAT enquired about the circumstances at the facility but was told that the matter can only be corresponded to the provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. At the time of going to press, The BEAT received no response to an e-mail enquiry and attempts at telephonic communication went unanswered. Last week, The BEAT reported on an outbreak of cat flu in Bela-Bela.
A child from Ratanang DayCare Centre in Bela-Bela’s Extension 6 posed for a photo by The BEAT reporter during the centre’s visit at the local police station recently. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
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17 June, 2016 Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
Vegetable garden to flourish
CHARITY / ENTERTAINMENT / SCHOOL
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Modimolle family excels Political activist Klaas Nono Mabunda. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
Handball star Thabo Mojalefa Baloyi aka DJ Ghetto. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
Within a few months the community of Spa Park will be able to enjoy a fresh crop of harvested veggies. Photo: Justin Steyn South African Christian Movement (SACM) in Bela-Bela as part of their bid to develop local communities in order to The South African Christian Movement has started a veggie garden in Spa Park to lessen the burden of feeding children after school and to provide jobs to the local community. Photo: Justin Steyn Justin Steyn A new vegetable garden has been planted to help feed the community of Spa Park. The project was started by the
teach residents to fend for themselves. The venture started on Wednesday 8 June at the Philadelphia help centre which is run by Fatima Alberts. According to Alberts the centre assists in providing meals to children after school and acts as a safe haven for residents and their children. “I started the centre to assist the community with meals and to house children after they come home from school. There are as
many as 80 children that come to the centre and we sometimes suffer to provide for them because we fund it ourselves,” she said. Alberts said that the garden will lessen the burden of providing meals and could create jobs for unemployed residents. The SACM chairperson, Daphne Pretorius, said that a total of six beds have been made where cabbage, beetroot, morogo, coal and carrots will harvested in a few months. “We are looking forward to assist and teach locals how to fend for themselves, rather than providing handouts, as this is part of our mandate as the SACM,” she said.
Samaritans lends a hand at School Thusanang Special School learners posed for a photo with the donors who visited their school recently. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
Lizzy Bapela Modimolle is witnessing yet another pair of achievements in the Mabunda-Baloyi family as brothers Klaas Mabunda and Thabo Baloyi, recently climbed yet another step in the success ladder. When Mabunda makes it in politics, Baloyi does the same in sports and the two have long been among the newsmaking youngsters in Modimolle. Mabunda was among the nominated candidates for branch leadership positions in the ANC at their localities during the recent list conference, while Baloyi has been appointed to coach the UniVen’s (University of Venda) handball team. More details regarding the ANC nominations will be announced once the list is complete. Both the brothers’achievements result from their skills, contribution and dedication in their respective fields that they grew up in, having served in high ranks. They were both seen
occupying numerous positions since their emergence back in the years and are still going strong to this date. Baloyi did not only play with and coach handball youngsters in his locality but also went national, coaching teenage teams. He also contributed to a number of players’ success who also went national and even played abroad. He is now a DJ, coach, union member and player to name a few activities he is participating in. He is also in the Limpopo Handball Federation as one of the executive committee members. Meanwhile, Mabunda is a political activist, motivational speaker and writer among others. He has also written several articles for The BEAT’s philosophy corner and Mail and Guardian’s motivation corner. He was also the ANC Youth League’s Limpopo Provincial spokesperson. Both the brothers expressed gratitude and humbleness over their achievements and say it is all God’s doing.
Annual Miss Mookgophong pageant expands Mzamane Ringane
Both the learners and donors engaged in sporting activities during the visit. Photo: Lizzy Bapela Lizzy Bapela A team of donors from Wesbank in Johannesburg and abroad visited Thusanang Special School in BelaBela recently to lend a helping hand where needed. The donors wanted to give back to a community with children with special needs and chose Waterberg as their landing area, with the school capturing their hearts and minds. The team brought a set of painting
The donors helped paint the school, working with the school management team. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
materials to the school and even helped paint a number of classes. They also donated equipment for various sports such as hula hoop, mini soccer and dibeke and engaged in the activities with the learners. The visitors wanted to spend a few hours at the school with the learners so to see how they spend their school day and how they engage with each other during sports periods. They chose sports as it is a means of keeping people
healthy and have strong and healthy minds. The school management team commended the visitors for making it to their school on time and having thought of bringing gifts that the learners do not only welcomed and enjoyed but also benefit from them. The donors, school staff and the learners enjoyed a meal after all the activities had taken place and it was a good day well spent as the visitors departed to their places of work and stay.
Due to popular demand, the Miss Mookgophong pageant will this year accommodate male candidates and will now be known as Mr and Miss Mookgophong. Speaking to The BEAT on Tuesday 14 June, co-organiser George Khosa said there was a plea by many potential male candidates who requested that the pageant be extended to both the male and female categories. Khosa said that the auditions for the Mr and Miss Mookgophong 2017 pageant will be held on Saturday 25 June, at the Mookgophong Community Hall. The auditions will start at 10:00 in the morning. Both male and female candidates between the ages of 16 and 23 are eligible to participate in the auditions. Khosa said they chose to host auditions before the main event, so that they can be able to identify energetic young people who will be willing to serve
their community. The winners and runners-up in the Mr and Miss Mookgophong will be given tasks to identify challenges within their area of residence and to also find solutions to such issues. “There are poverty stricken families in our area, so we want to play a role in uplifting our community. Between July and December, we will be running programmes where will be assigning tasks to our candidates. Our finalists will be individuals who would have completed their tasks and proved to have the interest of their community at heart. We want young people who will be good examples in the community,” Khosa said. He also told The BEAT that they will be addressing social challenges including teenage pregnancy and also assisting child headed families and old age homes. For more information, interesting candidates are advised to contact Caro on 076 056 4346 or Rosette on 071 537 2240.
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Community united against drugs
Laerskool Warmbad robbed
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Chairman Mokopane Kekana celebrates after receiving the club’s award. Photo: Mzamane Ringane
Chief Kekana said that supporting the home team will be a good investment, as the children from Mokopane were poised to benefit from this development. “I used to be a fan of other soccer clubs from elsewhere, but now I am going to be a number one fan of Mokopane Ratanang FC,” Chief Kekana pledged. He also committed that the chieftaincy will work hand in hand with the local ward councillor to seek support for the Mokopane based team. SAFA Limpopo chairperson Jack Maluleka and SAFA Limpopo secretary Pat Seema were among the dignitaries who were invited to the event. Five individuals received special awards namely Kgaotsang Stephen Maaka (leading goal scorer), Kamogelo Desmond Kekana (team player of year), Lebogang Quincy Tlomatsana (young player of the year), Malesela David Mashishi (goalkeeper of the year) and Sehona Tshepo Mpjana (footballer of the year).
Mzamane Ringane Waterberg SAB League champions Mokopane Ratanang FC held an awards ceremony at Aletuke Drop in Centre on Saturday 11 June to reward honesty and hard work. Although the formal ceremony was held inside the events’hall, from time to time it felt like one major soccer spectacle with players singing on top of their lungs. Chairman Mokopane Kekana, who received massive support from his family, locals and the chieftaincy send out a clear message that Mokopane Ratanang FC will be participating in the ABC Motsepe League play-offs at the end of the season. He also reaffirmed in the presence of community members that the team’s status will not be sold. “I would like to thank my family, supporters, the business community, the royal house and everyone who kept praying for us when we went
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Waterberg champions honour achievers through times during the league seasons,” he said. Speaking during the award ceremony, SAFA Waterberg Regional Executive Officer Refiloe Khoza recalled how the Ratanang FC chairman vowed to win promotion when the SAB League season commenced. Khoza said it was a huge achievement for the SAFA Waterberg Region’s SAB League team to gain promotion, and most importantly to obtain first position during the provincial play-offs. Local businesses Vuki Chuene Transport, Sunrise Security, Folang Medical Centre, Makgaloa Liquor Rest and Doc on Call were also recognised with certificates for their contribution in the club. Chief Lesiba Vaaltyn Kekana made a clarion call to the business fraternity to throw their weight behind the Mokopane based team.
Bela-Bela park flooded
The recipients of individual awards (back row) with the dignitaries who attended the event. Photo: Mzamane Ringane
Waterberg pulls out of Limpopo Danone Cup Finals
Benny’s Sports Development, last year’s winners, were from Vhembe District. Photo supplied TK Mashaba Waterberg’s school teams will not be participating in the Under-12 Danone Nations Cup soccer competition. According to Themba Tshabalala from SAFSA (South African Football Schools Association), they still do not know why the Waterberg has pulled out of the competition, and said that they would be saddened not to have Waterberg teams in the finals. “This is not something we expected to happen,” said Tshabalala. “It was going to
Stick your neck out and advertise
give these boys an opportunity.” The games were expected to take place on Thursday, June 16 at Hoërskool Noorderland in Polokwane. Four districts will be taking part in the tournament, including Vhembe District, Mopani District, Sekhukhune District, and Capricorn District. The winner will join the other eight provincial winners in a battle for the national title which is to take place at Boksburg on 25 June. The winner on that day will have the right to represent South Africa at the Danone Nations World Cup finals in France in October.