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18 January 2013
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BEAT
18 January, 2013
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Police dismiss rumour of seventh child arrested
The community of Mookgophong were barred from seeing the six arrested children during their first appearance at Mookgophong Magistrate Court. Photo: TK Mashaba TK Mashaba The police quickly dismissed rumours that a seventh child was arrested in the murder of the three Kekana orphans in Mookgophong. Colonel Ronel Otto, police spokesperson, told The BEAT on Monday, 14 January, that there were no such arrests made and that the police are still investigating the case. “At the moment there are six children who were arrested and they are in custody at a
place of safety,” Otto said. The six children, who stand accused of the murder, were expected to appear before the Mookgophong Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 17 January. Their names cannot be published because they are all minors and protected by the Children’s Act. According to Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi, chief provincial spokesperson for the SAPS, the six children are facing three counts of murder and one count of rape each. The bodies of siblings Bafana Kekana (nine)
Bela Bela fugitive arrested Lizzy Bapela Bela Bela police announced that they arrested their most wanted fugitive, Joseph Mothwane. Detectives’ commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Abel Phetla, said that Mothwane was arrested on Friday, 11 January. Phetla said that the suspect has been on the run since 2011, after he allegedly committed rape and hid from the police. According to Phetla, the suspect is facing a number of charges and was denied bail when he appeared before the Bela Bela Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 14 January. The suspect is facing three rape cases. He allegedly committed these rapes in different areas of the township and stands
accused of one murder, committed in Extension 6. Mothwane was also charged on one count of common robbery, allegedly committed in Leseding, one housebreaking, supposedly committed in Zuma View and one case of absconding from the Correctional Services supervision. A source in the Department of Correctional Services could not officially comment in the matter but indicated that when a suspect has absconded, the case is regarded the same as escaping from prison. Our source added that the suspect could face a maximum of 10 years sentence as a result. He said that a 10-year sentence is then added to the sentence the suspect would be serving by the time he or she absconded. Mothwane was expected to appear again in court on the case of absconding on Thursday, 17 January. His actual case was remanded to Tuesday, 29 January, for a formal bail application.
The scene where the three children were brutally murdered in Mookgophong. Photo Supplied Richard Kekana (10) and Johanna Kekana (12) were found by a passer-by between 9th Street and Constantia Resort in August. Mulaudzi said that heavy stones, stained by blood, were found next to the bodies of the victims. The bodies of the three victims were all tied with shoelaces and covered by tree branches. Further investigation revealed that Johanna was allegedly raped too. The Kekana children were reported missing after they failed to return to the Montadi
Youth Care Centre. They lived at the Centre following the recommendations of social workers. After criticism that the case took too long to solve, the Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo, Lieutenant General Simon Mpembe, stressed that the police did not neglect the importance of the case. Mpembe said that the police were busy exhausting all possible avenues to make sure that they get to the bottom of the matter.
Traffic officer to face more corruption charges Lizzy Bapela A Mookgopong traffic officer is expected to face more criminal charges as investigations into his alleged corruption case are continuing. The hawks’ spokesperson from the national media centre, Captain Paul Ramaloko, made the announcement in a telephonic interview with The BEAT on Monday, 14 January. The hawks in Limpopo have arrested the 53-year-old officer of the vehicle testing station in Mookgopong and his three alleged accomplices on Monday, 7 January. Ramaloko said that the traffic officer, Tshidiso Cornel Mahlaela, and the three accomplices were arrested during a sting operation at his workplace on the day in question. According to Ramaloko, the arrest follows a thorough investigation, which revealed that a driver’s licence had been issued with
no one being tested. Mahlaela and his three accomplices were released on R1 000 bail each when they appeared in court for corruption on Tuesday, 8 January. The four are expected to appear before the Mookgopong Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 30 January. Their case was postponed to 30 January for further investigation and the Hawks expect to make more arrest in connection to the case. Ramaloko told The BEAT that no arrests were made recently, but that more charges are expected to be added to Mahlaela’s case. He added that, during investigations, it transpired that the suspect was involved in more corrupt dealings and will have to face the law. Ramaloko said that those who were issued drivers’ licences unlawfully will also face the music, as investigations are in process to catch those culprits too.
Alleged drug dealer from Bela Bela denied bail Lizzy Bapela An alleged Bela Bela drug lord, Mahlatse Raphiri, was denied bail when he appeared before the Bela Bela Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 7 January. Lieutenant-Colonel Abel Phetla, of the Bela Bela detectives unit, said that Raphiri was arrested as a result of a tip-off from community members in December 2012. He said that Raphiri was caught with drugs valued at a street value of about R12 000 when he was arrested at his home in Extension 5. The suspect was charged with dealing in drugs and possession of drugs and he is expected back in court on 8 April. Members of the organisation Concerned
Parents Fighting against Drug Abuse (COPFADA) attended the court case, pleading with the Justice Department not to give him bail. Spokesperson of the organisation, Audrey Sekubuane, said that they had invited a number of churches in the township but unfortunately, only one church managed to attend. She said that the organisation is happy with the proceedings as the suspect usually does not stay in prison long, but this time he would spend a few months in jail before he could even be granted bail. “We can proudly say that the police are now working hard to bring alleged criminals to book and we are very pleased with the way the case is being handled. We
really applaud the investigating officer in this case, Warrant Officer Dana Smith, for doing such a great job.” “We hope this case will send a message to criminals so that they can stop ruining our children’s future,” she said. COPFADA asked the victims of drug abuse in Bela Bela to write letters, saying what they wish to do in 2013. Sekubuane said that most of them said in their letters that they want to quit using drugs and go back to school. She said that most of the victims dropped out of school in Grade 11 and only a few of them had Grade 12. She added that one of the victims allegedly blamed a high profiled person from Bela-Bela for ruining his future.
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Basic Education minister in Modimolle
Lizzy Bapela Basic Education minister, Angie Motshekga, and her entourage recently visited the Waterberg District as part of their Back to School campaign. The team visited Solomon Mahlangu High School and Laerskool Nylstroom in Modimolle on Thursday, 8 January. Executive mayor of the Waterberg District, Tlotlanang Mogotlane, Modimolle mayor, Kgaretja Lekalakala, municipal officials and officials from the Department of Education also accompanied the minister during her visit. Limpopo improves despite setbacks In her speech at Laerskool Nylstroom, Motshekga congratulated Phagameng High School on their 92% pass rate, motivating the learners of Solomon Mahlangu to work harder this year in order to improve on the 2012 results. Solomon Mahlangu only achieved a 19% pass rate. The school has to content with many problems, including a lack of classrooms and overcrowding. Motshekga acknowledged the province for an improved performance regardless of recent criticism. She also thanked officials for keeping their heads up, despite the province being under administration. “Not having resources does not stop lessons from proceeding and I am so glad the textbook issue did not stop Limpopo from improving. The province has just
come out of the “ICU” but has managed to produce 14 top learners nationally and that is really impressive. Even so, the work does not end here; we have to work harder to achieve even better results,” she said. Poorest schools in Limpopo “Of the 500 Quintile One schools in South Africa, 154 of them are in Limpopo, followed by Kwa-Zulu/Natal with 84. That means this province is performing the best in accommodating the poor,” Motshekga said. The national quintile for public schools is five groups into which all South African public ordinary schools are placed, and where the grouping is according to the poverty of the community around the school. Quintile one is the poorest quintile, quintile two is the second-poorest quintile, and so on. With the matric pass rate target for 2013 being 75%, Motshekga said that she expects an extra 2% from Limpopo, especially Waterberg, as it is the one district that has performed the worst in the province. Back to School campaign in Waterberg Meanwhile, Mogotlane led the Back to School campaign conducted across the district. The district municipality visited a number of schools around Waterberg, those that performed well and those that performed badly. The aim was to monitor the situation and detect what can be done to improve performance this year. On Wednesday, 7 January, Mogotlane and her entourage visited Nthuba- and Motjeere High Schools in the Mogalakwena Local Municipality district. They visited Mmamakwa Primary School in Bela Bela on Thursday, 8 January, accompanied by officials from the Department of Education in the district and Bela Bela mayor, Freddy Hlungwane, and his office. The Office of the Mayor, in Bela Bela, proceeded to Raeleng Secondary School and interacted with the learners, educators and their principal, Joseph Mashishi. Raeleng has been in the news for the past three years for poor performance, which forced the minister to appoint a new principal. Since Mashishi has taken over, the school went from extremely performance to reasonable improvement. The school has registered an improvement from 0% in 2009, 4% in 2010 and 35, 7 in 2011, to a 40% pass rate in 2012.
The school day starts on a high note at Maokeng Primary with a nice hot bowl of porridge. Photo: T.K Mashaba
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Bela Bela magistrate killed in tragic motor vehicle accident on N1
“Not having resources does not stop lessons from proceeding and I am so glad the textbook issue did not stop Limpopo from improving...”
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga encouraged Waterberg schools to work harder this year. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
BEAT
18 January, 2013
Late magistrate Mary Mokone passed away in December 2012 in a motor vehicle accident. Photo: Supplied Lizzy Bapela The BEAT pays tribute to the late magistrate Mary Mokone, who was working at the Bela Bela Magistrate’s Court and was well known in the area. Mokone died in a tragic car accident that took place between Pumlani and Petroport near Pretoria on the N1 in mid-December 2012. She was born in Mankweng,
Polokwane on, 2 May 1975, and started her school career at Apel Combined Schools. Mokone matriculated at Marobathota Secondary School in Boyne and furthered her studies at the University of the North, now known as the University of Limpopo. She completed her B Juris and LLB at a law school in Johannesburg, where she also worked for various law firms. Mokone worked at various attorneys in Gauteng, including Nxekisa Attorneys, Malumane Attorneys and Legal Aid. She served as an acting magistrate at Mokerong, in Mahwelereng, and in Bochum, in the Senwabarwana Local Municipality district. Mokone also worked for MokoneMokone Attorneys, which she coowned with her brother Simon. She came to the Bela Bela Magistrate’s Court in July 2010 and has handled high profile cases such as the one of the Platinum Stars player who was arrested for speeding. Mokone leaves behind her husband and two young children. She lived in Montana, Pretoria, before her untimely demise.
COPE claims false start for Limpopo education Lizzy Bapela Congress of the People (COPE) in Limpopo says the academic year in Limpopo began on the wrong footing to build on for the rest of the academic year. Chairperson of the COPE Women’s Movement in Limpopo and member of the provincial legislature (MPL), Tshilidzi Ravhuanzwo, said that, reflecting back on 2012, the Department of Basic Education promised a smooth start to the New Year. Not all books delivered yet According to Ravhuanzwo, COPE visited a few schools in all the districts of the province and established that Grade 11 are still without books in many learning areas; including Mathematics, Mathematical Literacy, Life Sciences, Physical Science and English. Ravhuanzwo said that there is also a shortage of stationery at primary and secondary schools. “Those that are lucky received textbooks, but there are not enough for all the learners in specific learning areas in Grade 11. Limpopo education crisis COPE feels that it cannot be acceptable that Limpopo is in the news annually for all the wrong reasons, as if there are no education planners in office. Ravhuanzwo said that the shortages of stationery cut across all the regions of the prov-
inces. She added that many schools in the Waterberg and other are affected. “We are greatly concerned with the developments in the province and hope that this will be attended to quickly before it degenerates into a crisis,” she said. Overcrowding and a shortage of classrooms “Some schools are still waiting for mobile classrooms that they have requested in 2012 due to anticipated increased number of learners. A number of mobile classrooms are lying unused by many schools as their numbers have dropped or have had new brick and mortar classrooms built for them,” said Ravhuanzwo. She acknowledged those schools that managed to achieve good results despite the textbooks debacle of 2012. According to Ravhuanzwo, the educator to pupil ratio seems to have been thrown out of the window as some schools are experiencing high educator-pupil ratios, exceeding the norm in both primary and secondary schools. “There are schools with more than 60 learners per classroom and the department has closed its ears and eyes to the difficulties educators are faced with. When is this embarrassment going to stop and who has the political will to do so?” Ravhuanzwo concluded. Ravhuanzwo claimed that Limpopo premier, Cassel Mathale, and the Education MEC have both failed parents, learners and the people of Limpopo.
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BEAT
18 January, 2013
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Hard working learners awarded for achievements Lizzy Bapela
Mmamakwa Primary School achievers received prizes for their hard work. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
A newly founded charity organisation awarded hardworking learners of primary schools around Bela Bela. The organisation, called Dear Dad, visited Mmamakwa, Hleketani, Mampatile and Albert Lithuli primary schools and awarded the current Grade 5 learners, for their 2012 achievements. The winning learners received certificates and stationery hampers, with overall winners receiving schoolbags as well. At least 29 learners have been awarded so far and more are still to receive more goodies from these good Samaritans, as they intend to conduct the activity annually. Learners were awarded according to their achievement in various learning areas. Young people from various higher learning
institutions started the organisation in September 2012 and consists oft 12 members, all loving in Bela Bela. The organisation does not have sponsors or donors yet and members fund the prizes from their own pockets. One of the members, Francis Mogale, urged members of the community to encourage learners to stick to education, as it benefits their and the community’s future in the long run. He encouraged parents to expose their children to places they do not see often, especially those that are not in their local areas such as malls, airports and so forth. He said this is to show them that there are many more career opportunities than it seems when one just remains in one place. “How can you be inspired to become a civil engineer or a pilot if you have never been to a mall or airport?” he asked.
Youth league takes on MEC Lizzy Bapela The ANC Youth League in Limpopo has issued a statement against the newly elected member of the ANC national executive committee (NEC), Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba, about her interview with Capricorn FM on Monday, 7 January. The league regarded the interview as an insensitive misrepresentation of the unity that the ANC stands for. Provincial spokesperson, Klaas Mabunda, said that Duba attacked the league and the provincial government about the alleged corruption in the province. The ANCYL feels that she spoke out of context and exposed anger and intolerance. Mabunda said that Duba, in her role as MEC responsible for Sports, Arts and Culture, demonstrated extreme qualities of inconsistency. He went as far as to label her as a symbol of defending corruption, particularly after the league has apparently uncovered fraud at the Limpopo Geographic Names Committee. “As we speak today, nothing has happened in that regard, yet she claims to be a vanguard against corruption. All she and her acquaintances do is accuse those who differ with them with corruption and even fabricate stories of people demanding money, promising others tender just to discredit and silence comrades.” “She went beyond the recognised scope by speaking on behalf of the ANC as she is not an official spokesperson,” he said. He added that the fact that she is now an NEC member must remind her of how a cadre must conduct herself. The league condemns Duba’s alleged public fights and acts of ill discipline, saying she continues to prove that ANC branches were not wrong when they rejected her bid to be part of the PEC of the ANC Limpopo. Mabunda alleged that Duba spoke ill about the employment of young people and their integration in the economical mainstream through participating in the tender system. He added that the Youth League makes the call to the ANC in Limpopo and the NEC to reject such notions and prepare branches to be objective. “We reject all her accusations as they come from a dishonest comrade who is still suffering from the realities of being elected. We are confident that the ANC Limpopo, under the leadership of Comrade Cassel Mathale, will deliver us to the Promised Land against all odds,” said Mabunda. The BEAT tried to contact Duba for comment on the allegations directed at her, but she was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.
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BEAT
18 January, 2013
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Future of education With the 2012 matric results freshly off the presses and thousands of new Grade R learners taking that first step in formal education, the state of education in South Africa is fresh on the minds of all the parties affected. The matric results, announced on 2 January by the Department of Education, show that there is an overall performance increase. This looks like good news for the education system, but there are many problems that the results do not address. In 2001, the Grade 12 class of 2012 entered Grade 1 with over 1 million pupils registered, but just under 600 000 pupils sat down to write their final exam last year. The National Planning Commission Diagnostic report, released in 2011, emphasised that a high number of learners dropped out before reaching matric. In this week’s The BEAT, we report on the fact that there is an average of 42 children per Grade R classroom at Maokeng Primary School. Schools have no option but to take in the children who must, by law, start their schooling this year. However, many schools are overcrowded. In October 2012, Professor Jonathan Jansen, academic and well-known campaigner for better education, said that the South African education system is in crisis. “We have reduced education to a forced-feeding exercise that takes place before the examinations,” he said. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), South Africa spends a bigger share of its gross domestic product on education than any other country in Africa. However, performance levels are lower than in many other countries in Africa. Many children experience a broken educational journey, interrupted by irregular attendance, absent teachers, teenage pregnancy and school-related abuse and violence. Around 27% of public schools do not have running water, 78% have to cope without libraries and 78% do not have computers. Poor children are often subjected to schools where a lack of discipline, weak management and weak teaching stand between them and success. The answer to this issue lies with the government. It is the duty of the government in power to make sure that children’s rights to quality education are respected. To ensure improvement in the classroom, better control, better administration, more information to stakeholders and greater accountability are needed. The government is accountable to the people who elected it. The people should make sure that the government is held accountable for every wasted cent that could be spent on a better education system instead.
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Why does God allow suffering? Bisop Silas Tlou
These two Grade R learners thoroughly enjoyed their morning porridge at Maokeng Primary School. Photo: TK Mashaba
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When you became a Christian, you became a soldier in a war against evil powers. Satan does not want any nonChristian to hear the gospel. He does not want them to see how real Christ can be in an individual’s life. 2 Timothy 2:3 – “As a good soldier of Christ Jesus you must endure your share of suffering.” The war that Christians have to fight is not like any other war on earth. The enemy is much more powerful. 2 Corinthians 10:3 – “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.” Suffering, trials or tribulation are that which Satan and the world bring upon us because we have dedicated our lives to the Saviour. There are three areas in which you can suffer: the spiritual, the emotional, and the physical. These trials and tribulations can be turned into joyful victories and bring much glory to the Saviour. God can use suffering for good. Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, who have been called according to his purpose.” God is neither unloving nor unjust in allowing suffering. Jesus endured suffering too. Hebrews 4:15 – “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” Jesus understands human suffering. Trials and suffering are reminders of God’s authority. He alone can decide what should and should not be in this world. Romans 9:18-21 – “Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?” The creation cannot tell the creator what to do. God is the ruler of the universe and it is not for us to ask why He does what He does or why He allows suffering. When we experience bad times, it gives us new means and opportunities to glorify God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 – “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” Philippians 1:20 – “It is my expectation and hope that I won’t be put to shame in anything. Rather, I hope with daring courage that Christ’s greatness will be seen in my body, now as always, whether I live or die.” Hebrews 13:15 – “So let’s continually offer up a sacrifice of praise through him, which is the fruit from our lips that confess his name.”
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BEAT
18 January, 2013
A new beginning for Grade R learners
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Bursaries available for young people
Special programmes officer of the Bela Bela Local Municipality David Raborolo urges learners to apply for bursaries. Photo: Lizzy Lizzy Bapela Happy Grade R learners at Maokeng Primary School are ready to start their formal education. Photo: TK Mashaba
The young people of Bela Bela are advised to visit the local municipality for bursary application forms, which are available from the Office of the Mayor. Special programmes officer, David Raborolo, in an interview with The BEAT on Monday, 14 January, urged local young people to seek education first in order to ensure a brighter future. Importance of applying early He advised learners who wish to study further in 2014 to start applying for acceptance at tertiary institutions and bursaries now, because late applications will leave them stranded. “Some learners say they are afraid to apply for bursaries during the year not knowing whether they going to make it or not. But if they do make it, it is too late for them to apply or receive bursaries for the current year.” “We urge all the learners to apply in
time and benefit from opportunities granted, because if they do not apply in time, they end up studying courses they did not intend to,” Raborolo said. Help available to learners Raborolo said that the municipality engages all sector departments concerning career opportunities for the local youth and distributes all the information that they gather. He added that the local municipality’s budget would not be enough for all the young people in need, so they are instead issuing bursary application forms from the Waterberg District Municipality. “Anyone who seeks help with career guidance or any matter relating to education, can visit the Community Hall and know that my office door is always open for them,” he assured The BEAT. Raborolo indicated that his office has forms for various higher education institutions, which are available for the youth. National education priority He concluded by quoting a message by President Jacob Zuma in his January statement, “Education is an important tool to develop a community.” The president said that the government would take urgent steps to place education and skills development at the centre of transformation and development agenda. He promised that they would continue expanding access to education. Zuma said that programmes that are in place include the no fees schools, school nutrition programmes, expansion of early childhood development and Grade R enrolment as well as bursary and loan programmes at further education and training colleges and universities. He added that improved teaching and learning environments remain a priority and congratulated the Class of 2012 on their results.
The pride of Bela Bela High School Grade R Leaners at Modimolle Primary School line up, ready for 2013. Photo: TK Mashaba
LEGALS NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR REINSTATEMENT OF COMPANIES Take note that I Mr Lucio Carrozzo intends to apply to the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission for the re-instatement of Indabushee Game Lodge (Pty) Ltd 2002/031246/07 and Indabushee Investments 2003/031814/07 within 21 days after publication of this notice.Our reference Lucio Carrozzo. Tel: 011 417 7900, lucio@smac.co.za (18/1). REMOVAL OF RESTRICTIONS ACT, 1967 APPLICATION FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE CONDITIONS OF TITLE OF REMAINING EXTENT OF THE FARM KLIPHEUVEL NO. 40, K.R., NORTHERN PROVINCE AND REMAINING EXTENT OF THE FARM BUFFELSHOEK NO.41 K.R., NORTHERN PROVINCE Notice is hereby given that application has been made in terms of section 3 (1) of the Removal of Restrictions Act, 1967, by Kgama EcoRanch Proprietary Limited, Registration Number 1989/ 006354/07 (formerly Hartebeestspruit Saamstaan Boerdery Eiendoms Beperk), the registered owner of the abovementioned properties for the removal of the condition.Notarial Tie Agreement No. K3324/ 2006, which ties Remaining Extent of the Farm Klipheuvel 40, situated at
Kgama Eco-Ranch, to Remaining Extent of the Farm Buffelshoek No. 41 K.R., Northern Province, in the following deeds T96551/ 2000 in respect of Remaining Extent of the Farm Klipheuvel No.40 K.R., Northern Province and T18243/2001 in respect of Remaining Extent of the Farm Buffelshoek No.41 K.R., Northern Province).The application and the relevant documents are open for inspection at the office of the Deputy Director-General, Limpopo Province, Department of Co—Operative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs, Hensa Towers, 3rd Floor, 20 Rabie Street, Polokwane, Limpopo and the office of the Municipal Manager, Civic Centre, O.R., Thambo Square, Harry Gwala Street, Modimolle until 31 January 2013. NOTICE In terms of section 35(5) of Act of 1966 of 1965 notice is hereby given that copies of the first and final liquidation and distribution accounts in the estate of the late PHILLIP JAKOB NAUDE BUYS (estate number 7544/2012) married in community of property with YVONNE BUYS will be open for inspection by all persons with an interest therein for a period of 21 days from the date of publication hereof, in the offices of the Master Polokwane and the Magistrate Modimolle. Should no objection thereto be lodged with the Masters concerned during the specified period, the executors will proceed to make payments in accordance with the accounts. Martin Buys Tel: 082 805 8341.
“It was not an easy year for us, especially with the lack of learning materials at school...”
TK Mashaba Wednesday, 9 January, will be marked in the minds of the many young children who started their education careers in Grade R on that morning. The excitement of being around other learners, being in full uniform, carrying lunch boxes and meeting new friends was clear on the faces of the young learners. For some, however, the first day of school was a scary experience with many strangers around and a teacher telling them what they may and may not do. The BEAT visited a few schools in the Waterberg district to see how the little ones coped with their first day of “big school.” The most anxious faces belonged to parents who had to hand over their precious offspring into the hands of the educators. This week, The BEAT captured the scene at Maokeng Primary School in Modimolle. The number of Grade R learners was impressive with 170 children divided into 4 classes. This makes up an average of 42 children per class, a daunting task for any teacher. The BEAT spoke to some of the teachers who will be responsible for this phase in the education of South Africa’s future stars. “We are looking forward to working with this year’s new learners. Challenges will always be there. We face crying children every day, but we also work with sweet, inquisitive children who want to learn,” said Jane Lekalakala, department head at Maokeng. The other Grade R teachers at Maokeng Primary School are Pauline Pole, Josephine Baloyi and Rose Lebese.
Piet Sibasa made his school proud by achieving excellent results in the 2012 matriculation exams. Photo supplied TK Mashaba The BEAT caught up with one of the matriculants from Bela Bela High School who made his school proud by qualifying for bachelor’s studies. Piet Sibasa and seven of his classmates at Bela Bela High School achieved this level of success in the 2012 matriculation examination results. The other matriculants who made Bela Bela High proud by qualifying for bachelor’s studies are Martha Matjeke, Shimmy Manikus, McDonald Maswangane, Collen Morele, Caroline Rathepe, Corlia Lebogo
and Martha Maluleke. Sibasa explained to The BEAT that their Grade 12 year was very tough with many obstacles, but that he and his classmates kept their heads high and aimed for excellence. “It was not an easy year for us, especially with the lack of learning materials at school. Many schools were affected in this way. These problems only inspired us to work harder,” he said. Sibasa, who was also elected on the Representative Council of Learners (RCL), said that he had to deal with other learners’ personal problems at the same time that he had to concentrate on his studies and on improving his results. “I was also part of the BIS, BBEAG in School. This project pioneered our winter classes and holiday classes, giving us more opportunity to learn,” Sibasa explained. According to Sibasa, a great contributing factor to his success was the opportunity that he had to attend winter school classes at the Limpopo University in Turfloop, outside Polokwane. Sibasa said that this opportunity made a big difference and helped him a lot. “The advice that I want to give to the Class of 2013 is that they must study hard, regardless of any situation that they might be in. Do not wait for the teacher to teach you, find somebody to help you and study, study, study,” Sibasa said. Sibasa had enrolled at Wits University in Gauteng and will be studying Actuarial and Financial Mathematics.
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18 January, 2013
BEAT
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Angie Motshekga Snubs Phagameng High School Mookgophong to host Africa Cup of Nations viewing area
No less than 200 learners had to go back home last week as there was no sufficient space to accommodate them. Photo: Mzamane Ringane
The streets of Mookgophong are expected to be full on Friday, 18 January, during the launch of a public viewing area. Photo: Ena Boshoff Lizzy Bapela
Parents gathered at Phagameng in the hope of asking the minister of Basic Education how she plans to address the issue of limited space in the school. Photo: Mzamane Ringane. Mzamane Ringane A group of parents and learners, who gathered at Phagameng High School, were left agape, when Basic Education minister, Angie Motshekga, decided not to visit the school that achieved a tremendous 92,5% pass rate. Last week Motshekga visited several inland province schools, with Modimolle’s Solomon Mahlangu being one of the fortunate institutions to welcome her. When the parents and learners, who were at Phagameng High School, heard that Motshekga was at Solomon Mahlangu High School last Thursday, 10 January, they waited with eager anticipation for their turn of the visit. Parents were expecting to hear how the minister would resolve the issue of children who did not have space available at the school. The parents and learners cheered up when they saw the dignitaries’ convoy coming from Solomon Mahlangu’s direction, but then it became a different story when the motorcade took a turn. At the end of the day, people who gathered at Phagameng High School were told that Motshekga would not be coming to visit the school, but she sent a message through a delegation of local leaders. Nylstroom educational circuit manager, Nico Mabusela, and councillor, Patrick Mashaba, formed part of the delegation. Mashaba told the gathering that the minister vowed to intervene, and that all the learners who were on the waiting list would be in class. On that day, learners who were on the waiting list were told to go back home, and instructed to return on Monday, 14 January. The Phagameng High School class of 2012 impressed the hard working educa-
tors, principal and parents when they attained a 92,5% pass rate. Shooting up from the 74,2 % pass rate achieved by the class of 2011, the educators surely deserved a pat on the shoulder from the minister herself. Principal, Leah Senona, was over the moon about the class of 2012’s year-end results. “Out of the 67 learners who sat for the final examination, only five of them did not make it. The good news is that not all is lost for the five learners, as they qualify for supplementary examination. Credit goes to the educators and learners for putting in a lot more effort in their work,” said Senona.
Mookgophong Township will host residents from across the Waterberg District to watch the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) games at their public viewing area (PVA). The games are scheduled to take place from 19 January to 10 February. The PVA will officially be launched with a formal programme at the community hall on Friday 18 January. Community members and stakeholders will be parading around in their Bafana Bafana T-shirts and blowing vuvuzelas on the day. The Government Communications and Information System (GCIS) in Waterberg and the local municipality will collaborate with various stakeholders in creating awareness for the games. Spokesperson for the Mookgophong
Local Municipality, Lerato Makomene, said the municipality would be staging various exhibitions on the day. At the time of going to press, Makomene said that the municipality was still in talks with various stakeholders who were invited to come and join the parade. The GCIS encourage people in the district to support Football Fridays as they did during the 2010 FIFA World Cup by wearing Bafana Bafana T-shirts or caps on every Friday until after the tournament. People are also encouraged to learn and know the national anthem and fly the country’s flag high and correctly to demonstrate national pride. The GCIS urges volunteers to use their expertise and services, also encouraging people to spread messages about the tournament in the social networks.
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BEAT
18 January, 2013
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Change of fortune for Total Surrender in new season TK Mashaba The light is finally shining on a Bela Bela based team who had a rough time during the past two soccer seasons. Total Surrender, who was previously known as Bela Bela FC United and Bela Bela Fast XI before that, is experiencing an exceptional season. The team is leading Stream A of the S A FA l e a g u e a ft e r t h e y w h i p p e d Modimolle’s NTK Happy Boys FC 2-1 on Saturday, 12 January. Pastor John Mthunzini, who recently bought the team, brought new life to the team. He not only brought new management into the fray, but also winning strategies, a new soccer kit and positive change. Charles Lephaswa, team manager for Total Surrender, told The BEAT in an interview that the team is looking forward to become the champions of Stream A. He said that they also aim to win the play-offs to the clusters when the time comes. Total Surrender is proud to show of their new soccer kit. Photo supplied.
Boikie Monareng from the Run Boikie Run Sport Academy in Bela-Bela is planning to cycle from Bela-Bela to Johannesburg on Saturday, 26 January, as a fund raising project to obtain funds for a swimming pool Monareng is planning to build in the Bela-Bela Township. For any enquiries or donations, contact Monareng at runboikierun@gmail.com(.)
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In other SAFA news, Yster United, of Modimolle, is also solid this season. They are in the lead of their stream with 19 points, followed by Dynasty FC who has 16 points on the log. The results of the weekend are as follows: Bela Bela Pirates FC beat their fellow Bela Bela based team, Diesel n Dust FC 3-1, while Young Black Lizards FC lost 2-1 to Bazooka FC. In stream B, Modimolle Stonebreakers where thrashed 4-1 by Benfica FC while Dimakatso Sundown won by default against Mornings Stars after Morning Stars didn’t show up for the fixture. Dynasty FC beat Simple Yellows 2-1 while Mookgopong All Stars lost 2-1 to Yster United. In Stream C, Barcelona FC whipped Mogul FC 4-1 while Seleka Callies won by default against Sea Robbers FC. Ocean Birds also won by default against Super Eagle. Domingo’s beat Zaba All Stars with the whopping score of 9-0, making minced meat of their opponents.