The Beat 1 July 2016 by Die Pos koerant/newspaper

Limpopo Agriculture MEC killed in fatal accident - Page 3

No charges after alleged abduction Justin Steyn A Bela-Bela mother says she will not press any charges after her son was allegedly abducted to an initiation school. Photo: Justin Steyn

A woman from Bela-Bela says that she will not lay charges against anyone after her 10-year-old son was allegedly abducted. The woman, who did not want to be named, said that when she arrived at her home in Extension 5 of the BelaBela Township on Friday, 10 June, her son was not home. “I came home from work and noticed that my youngest son was not at home. I asked his siblings where he was and they said that he had not come home from

school,” she said. She said that she asked the neighbours’ son, who is friends with her son, if he had seen her boy. He told her that they had been approached earlier in the day by two teenage boys who tried to lure them to a place where they would be given “all sorts of goodies.” The boy said that her son left with them, but that he himself had been reluctant to go along. The woman said that she immediately approached the local police for help, as she immediately thought that he had been taken to an initiation camp. One of the officers on duty allegedly told her that the officers responsible for such incidents would only be available on Monday, 13 June. By 21:00, her son had already been missing for nearly six hours. The woman said that she spent the weekend in a terrible emotional state, trying to keep up with household chores while frantic for her son’s safety.

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“I couldn’t eat or sleep for the whole weekend. I tried to do household chores while looking for my son. It was terrible,” she said. On Monday, she returned to the police station. Shortly afterward, after an investigation, a man was apprehended at a secluded area in Extension 8, with the woman’s son. The man allegedly demanded R250 for the boy’s keep over the weekend, and insisted that she sign a written contract to allow her son to take part in the initiation. The boy’s mother said that the man pleaded with her not to lay charges when he was apprehended. “Although I was very angry, I decided not to lay charges and was just happy that I had my son back safe.” She said that he seemed to have been well-looked after and was not permitted to take part in the initiation. He has since been circumcised at the Bela-Bela hospital, as his mother says that she does not agree with the practice of sending boys to initiation schools. Lieutenant-Colonel Abel Phetla of the Bela-Bela Police told The BEAT that although no charges have been laid, an investigation is being conducted regarding the school’s legitimacy. “Other young boys were also found at the school, but no papers regarding its legitimacy could be presented,” he said. “We are investigating the matter.”

CRIME

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Special monitoring action for Modimolle offenders Department of Correctional Services in partnership with the Modimolle SAPS, Department of Home Affairs, Community Corrections Forum (CCF) and the Minister’s Fraternity joined hands during the special monitoring action. Photo: Mzamane Ringane

Mzamane Ringane The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) effectuated a special monitoring action in Modimolle on Wednesday 22 June, to observe and check if whether the offenders that were released under parole supervision and under correctional supervision were fully compliant with the conditions. Those who are awaiting trial were also visited during the special monitoring action. The programme was performed by the DCS in partnership with the Modimolle SAPS, Department of Home Affairs, Community Corrections Forum (CCF) and the Minister’s Fraternity. A total of 37 offenders who were found present at their addresses signed a document to attest that they were compliant, while the 11 that were not present were notified through their next of kin to contact the nearest community corrections to provide their reasons for violating their conditions of release. Modimolle Social Reintegration Assistant Head Shihlomola Thomas

Members of the Modimolle SAPS formed part of the special monitoring action. Photo: Mzamane Ringane Makhubela said the DCS has invited all other stakeholders, so that they can witness and be part of this initiative. Makhubela said the main objective of the initiative is to monitor that the offenders are not violating their release conditions, but most importantly to ensure that they are fully rehabilitated and fit to be part of the broader society again. “A special monitoring action must always be a surprise visit to the offenders. We do monitor them so that we can be able check if whether they are adhering to their conditions or not. We are also urging members

of the community to be our eyes, and ensure that these people are indeed rehabilitated. We are also calling on all community members to assist us in an attempt to rehabilitate these offenders, by accepting and supporting them when they come back to the society,” he said. Makhubela thanked all the stakeholders for playing their role in this initiative, with the main objective being to change the lives of those who once found themselves on the wrong side of the law. Pastor Herman Lehobye who is also a counsellor by profession, said he was willing to assist offenders with counselling sessions. Pastor Lehobye said he feels that these offenders need counselling and spiritual care, which is something that he is prepared to do. He said as part of his role in the society, he is willing to offer one on one sessions and listen to the challenges encountered by the offenders who are finding it difficult to settle well when they come back to the society.

Police vehicle takes a dive

An accident left a police officer injured after his vehicle crashed into a ditch in Noodhulp. Photo supplied

Justin Steyn A police officer from the Rooiberg cluster was in an accident on Monday, 27 June at around 19:00 on the old Thabazimbi road near Noodhulp. Peet Grobler, a resident of the area, said that he was driving past when he saw that the police bakkie had crashed into a ditch at the side

of the road. Grobler said that paramedics from the provincial Emergency Services were at the scene already, and lifted the injured officer onto a stretcher before taking him to the hospital. “I was driving past the accident and stopped to find out if I could help,” he said. “Paramedics were already there and helped the officer into the ambulance and drove off.” Grobler said that he was alarmed

when he saw a number of empty beer bottles beside the damaged vehicle. The bottles were allegedly tossed into the yard of a nearby smallholding by police officers at the scene. Grobler said that the officers told bystanders that the accident occurred because the driver fell asleep at the wheel. The Rooiberg police department refused to comment on the incident.

ANC faces a tough electionCyril Ramaphosa

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks during the Mini Rally. Photo: Mzamane Ringane

Limpopo ANC chairperson, Premier Stanley Mathabatha arrives at the Ephraim Mogale Stadium in the company of Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa. Photo: Mzamane Ringane out a clear message to councillors and mayors who will be assuming office in the next Deputy President of the African term, warning that those who do National Congress (ANC) and not serve the community with the Republic of South Africa honesty and integrity will be Cyril Ramaphosa has publicly booted out of office. conceded that the ruling party is “I am giving a very clear facing a tough election, message to our councillors who admitting that it is not going to will be taking office. Those be easy on 3 August. ward councillors, provisional The Deputy President who was councillors and mayors, will be accompanied by ANC Limpopo elected to serve our people. chairperson, Premier Stanley Don’t go and start boasting Mathabatha, was speaking at the about your position when you ANC Mini Rally held at go to the people,” Ramaphosa Modimolle’s Ephraim Mogale warned. Stadium on Sunday 26 June. He also urged the youth to be “We are going to the polls on involved in the activities that are the third of August. This year’s aimed at moving the country elections will be very difficult, forward. because there are many parties ANC Limpopo chairperson, that are aiming to topple the Premier Stanley Mathabatha ANC. They want to cut the told the audience that they will ANC down to size, and then never regret the decision they defeat us. Some of these parties made, when they joined the are mostly targeting ruling party. metropolitan municipalities,” he The mini rally was attended by said. people who were transported Ramaphosa said that the from various parts of the opposition parties will be Waterberg, with other locals targeting among other also forming part of the municipalities, City of Tshwane audience. Metropolitan Municipality and The three-day mass City of Johannesburg mobilisation programme of the Metropolitan Municipality and ANC in the Waterberg Region Limpopo’s Polokwane started on Friday 24 June with a Municipality during the blitz, an activity where the party oncoming elections. made a huge visibility at local He however called on all taxi ranks and other busiest citizens who are eligible to vote, venues. to go out in large numbers and Door to door campaigns and ensure that the ANC retains church visits were also part of these municipalities. the activities that took place “On the third of August, we ahead of the main event. must go and show all these The ANC leadership also had a Mickey Mouse and Donald breakfast session with the senior Duck parties who is the African citizens at the Waterberg National Congress,” he said. Residencia Old Age Home, in The Deputy President also sent downtown Modimolle. Mzamane Ringane

Johannes Thai Tselane, a longtime employee of Laerskool Vaalwater, was murdered on Friday, 24 June, by a group of young men. He was allegedly stabbed with a knife. Photo supplied

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GOVERNMENT / POLITICAL

MEC leaves a huge gap in government and politics Departed Limpopo MEC Joy Matshoge left a huge gap in government and politics. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

Lizzy Bapela Messages of condolences continue to pour in for the deceased MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Joy Matshoge. Various formations, political parties and structures from across the province, including the ANC provincial and national leadership, expressed how the death of the MEC affected them, highlighting that it has left a huge gap in the provincial government and politics. On Saturday, 25 June, the people of Limpopo lost the hardworking public servant to a car accident that happened between Mookgophong and Mokopane on the N1 highway heading south. People and formations from all corners of the province sent their heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the deceased. Matshoge was also a serving Member of the ANC Provincial Executive Committee and the Provincial Chairperson of the ANC Women’s League. She is regarded as a committed cadre who served in various structures of the movement with distinction. She previously worked at Modimolle Local Municipality as a manager for Waste Management under Social Services, then at the Waterberg District as Director responsible for Social Services. She served as member of Provincial Legislature in various portfolios and later as Deputy Speaker. During her time at the Legislature, Matshoge Chaired Portfolio Committee for CoGHSTA and served as a member for various committees such as Public Works and Social Development. ANC Provincial Secretary Nocks Seabi said that Matshoge distinguished herself as selfless and hardworking over many years of her participation in the structure. He added that the legacy of her commitment to total emancipation of the poor people in general

and that of women in particular will live on in the people’s hearts and minds. “As an MEC responsible for Agriculture and Rural Development, she understood the impact of the feminization of poverty and worked to eradicate it and develop our rural areas. She passes away at a critical period for the ANC as we are working to maintain a resound ANC victory in the forthcoming local government elections. Her untimely death comes in the week that the dedicated PEC elections programme is focussed on her home region of Waterberg, and the week’s closing rally is hosted in her home town Modimolle,” said Seabi. In her honour, memory and spirit, the PEC continued with all the elections programme activities in Waterberg, including the rally with the Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Ephraim Mogale Stadium, Modimolle on Sunday, 26 June. In their mourning of the MEC’s passing, the Limpopo Provincial Government say Matshoge was a visionary, dedicated and hardworking and worked tirelessly to ensure food production and food security is taken to greater height in the Province. They say that her experience and knowledge will leave a huge gap in the provincial cabinet, adding that she spent the whole day on Friday, 23 June at Gilimburg Citrus Estate with workers and management. The cabinet finds her death as a great loss to the government and agricultural community. The DA also extended their condolences, saying that they will remember MEC Matshoge for her contribution towards the empowerment of women in agriculture in Limpopo. The party said that their thoughts during this difficult time of bereavement are with all citizens including the family and the Women’s League, where Matshoge served as provincial chair. On behalf of SALGA (South African Local Government Association) Limpopo, the

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Provincial Executive Committee and Administration Chairperson Councillor Mogobo Magabe offered his deepest condolences, to everyone and every structure, saying that SALGA Limpopo stands with the Matshoge family in this difficult time of mourning. The people of Limpopo will give a befitting send-off to this gallant fighter in a funeral service scheduled for Saturday, 2 July at the Ephraim Mogale stadium in Modimolle. Her memorial service was held on Thursday, 30 June at the same venue and all citizens of the country were invited to be part of these services. The Provincial Government called upon people to support the family during this hard time and everyone wished for her soul to rest in eternal peace.

Meanwhile, the Waterberg District Executive Mayor Councillor Tlotlanang Rosina Mogotlane also conveyed a message of condolences to the Matshoge family on behalf of all mayors and the community of the District to on the passing on of the MEC, who was one of the daughters of the District. Mogotlane said that the late Matshoge was one of the vibrant and committed doyen of the struggle in the district. “Her passing has robbed the Waterberg District of a leader from whom much was expected in creating a better life for the people of the district and Limpopo Province as a whole. Her commitment and passion to provide food security to the people of Limpopo was immeasurable.”

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GOVERNMENT / POLITICAL

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Department discontinues taxi ads This is an example of what, according to the Department, a taxi or minibus that operates as a public transport should look like. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

Lizzy Bapela The Department of Transport, Safety, Security and Liaison in Limpopo is calling for the discontinuation of the branding of minibuses with different adverts. The Department is encouraging all public transport operators to cooperate with the National Transport Act 05 of 2009 under transport operations’ Passengers Transport Act 1994. It says that operators must comply with the requirements of this Act. “This regulation of 2006 September states that every minibus or midibus that operates as a public transport the standard of compliance is that the minibus must be white in colour with a marking of a South African Flag, name and address of the owner only,” said Departmental Spokesperson Kagiso Mootane. “No translucent advertising or logo shall be applied to the rear window of a minibus or midibus operating minibus taxi-type services, unless the material or film of the advertisement complies with the provisions of regulation 202(3) of the National Road Traffic Regulations. This means that it must not distract the view of a driver,” she added.

The Department strongly warn the operations that an operator who fails to comply with the regulations shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months or a fine not exceeding R5 000 on conviction. The relevant regulator entity may suspend, or withdraw the relevant operating licence or permit of the operator in terms of section 79(2) (a) of the Act. During an interview with The BEAT, WATA (Warmbaths Taxi Association) spokesperson Israel Molusi said that they had not yet received the notice from the Department about the matter. He added that they only had hearsay to go on. Locals apparently checked with their national office of SANTACO, who also do not have an official notice. Molusi further said that all taxis who have brandings have a contract with the companies, facilitated by PRIMEDIA nationally and now they have to go back and sit with the companies to discuss way forward on the matter. He added that for now, they cannot instruct operators or drivers to remove the brandings or adverts, but can only do so after the receipt of official documented notice.

DA accuses ANC of trickery

Former Bela-Bela spokesperson launches new company

Matome Sebelebele with the gentlemen‘s club group, most of whom hail from BelaBela during the launch. Photo: TK Mashaba Spotniq Ratau who works for the Department of Water Affairs doing a toast with Daisy Sebelebele (Matome’s Mother) and Matome Sebelebele during the launch. Photo: TK Mashaba TK Mashaba It did not take long for former Bela-Bela municipality communication officer Matome Sebelebele to land on his feet with a new venture. Sebelebele launched his new company, BlackRose Connection, on Youth Day, 16 June, in Tshwane’s Lithe’ca Guest House six months after resigning as the Bela-Bela municipality’s spokesperson. The event was graced by former colleagues from when he worked for GCIS under then-president Thabo Mbeki, and his mother and siblings. During a speech Tshepo Matjila said that this was a day to celebrate black business and achievements. “We want to say thank you for this opportunity and we are here to support your

EFF plans to root out ANC’s domination in Bela-Bela

ANC Limpopo Provincial Secretary Nocks Seabi has not yet responded to the DA’s accusations. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

Lizzy Bapela The DA expressed deep concern, saying that the ANC in Limpopo is withholding the mayoral candidates list for all 27 municipalities and in particular those municipalities that were ravaged by recent violent service delivery protests. The party is concerned that the list reveals only the names of 10 mayoral candidates for Limpopo which includes the candidates for the 5 district municipalities. DA Provincial Leader Jacques Smalle said that the party believes that ANC want to impose the names of mayors with a short notice period, and not provide the electorate a real opportunity to interrogate the candidates and their record of government. Residents in Limpopo municipalities among others Thabazimbi, Mogalakwena, Mookgophong and Modimolle - opted to barricade roads with burning tyres and torch government properties such as libraries, schools and clinics to demand

vision,” said Matjila. Advocate and businessman Mojalefa Motalane told the audience that business is not easy, but that through determination all things become possible. “There are many businesses like the one our brother Matome has ventured into, but his excellence will always make him the first choice of the people,” he said. In his speech, Sebelebele thanked everyone who attended, and explained that it has always been his dream to have his own company and help create jobs and serve the people. He also said that he plans to release two books in the near future which were inspired by some of the people he has worked with. His business includes events coordination, travel and tourism, novel writing, and consultancy.

Party members and leaders are confident they will lead Bela-Bela. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

that mayors must be recalled due to poor service delivery in their municipalities. Despite violent service delivery protests throughout the province demanding the heads of mayors, not a single mayor was recalled. “This proves that ANC-run municipalities are more focused on self-interest and selfenrichment with impunity and defending the corrupt, rather than providing an honest government. Where the DA governs, we publish the list of our mayoral candidates well in advance,” said Smalle. The DA urges the ANC to be transparent in the nomination of their mayoral candidates and publish the list to allow Limpopo residents to interrogate the candidate to prevent a repetition of Tshwane following the announcement of Thoko Dididza. The BEAT’s attempts to obtain comment from the ANC Provincial Secretary Nocks Seabi and provincial media liaison officer Aluwani Netsianda failed, as they had not yet responded by the time of going to press.

Lizzy Bapela The EFF in Bela-Bela and Waterberg say that they are working hard to ensure that they root out ANC’s domination completely out of Bela-Bela and the district in order to ensure that the EFF leads. The members and leadership of various branches led by their Waterberg Regional Chairperson Lebogang Monageng, canvassed and ensured visibility over the weekend of Friday, 24 June to Sunday, the 26th. Dressed in their red regalia - T-shirts and red berets, with some adding on boots and overalls, the members flocked the streets of Bela-Bela with their songs and dances, distributing pamphlets with messages outlining the EFF and its plans for the people of Bela-Bela. During an interview with The BEAT, ANC Bela-Bela Sub-Regional leader and SANCO Regional Secretary Butani Mabunda said that the EFF people are out of their minds.

Mabunda said this while responding to the EFF’s statements about taking over Bela-Bela and the region at large. He added that the EFF will never be able to take over anything, not even a ward. “People do not want to vote for people who are arrogant, practice anarchy, and cannot even stand for a debate. All the EFF does is cause scenes or war at gatherings and this is no time for such and they were not even there during the time for war. This is the time to lead people and the ANC will continue to lead as they have before. Their history tells that they do not know what they are talking about when they say they want to root out corruption. Their leader, Julius Malema was expelled for his corrupt ways while in the ANC because he is the one who brought the corruption into the party, hence the expulsion. Monageng was also chased out under Malema’s leadership also for corruption and now he has the guts to say he is fighting it… he even beats up his people to show he lacks discipline,” said Mabunda.

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EDITORIAL

Bela-Bela councillor takes on abandoned clinic The DA in BelaBela says that it is concerned about the unused clinic in Extension 6 of the township. Photos supplied

Justin Steyn David Senosha, a DA councillor in Bela-Bela has raised concern about the seemingly abandoned clinic in Extension 6 Construction of the clinic was completed five years ago, but the building has not been utilized for medical services, allegedly due to faults pertaining to building irregularities. Township residents said that it would save them the trouble of travelling to town, often on foot, if the clinic was made available as it is a stone’s throw away from their

homes. “Why did the government waste money on something which is not benefiting the community? Why was the clinic in extension 6 built, without establishing that it is in a flood area and what the soil structure is?” Senosha said in a statement. He said that the dilapidated building has been guarded for many years by security, resulting in fruitless and wasteful expenditure and that “taxpayers need to stand in for that”. “Some equipment has been stolen and windows broken without any use or application of a crucial

needed facility. Why can’t they use it for people who walk long distances, like people who stay at Extension 6, 8 and Skierlik? Imagine a mother waking up at 04:00, just to be the first in a queue at the clinic in another area?” he said Senosha added that residents should take note of the planning and maintenance in which the building had been left in. “This will not happen under a DA government, hospitals will not left for eight years to rot without taking serious steps to solve the issue,” he said The Department of Health could not be reached for comment.

Local church remembers needy learners The Manyano Women’s Movement from Methodist Church in Bela-Bela donated winter clothes and school uniform to learners at Albert Lithuli Primary School. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

Lizzy Bapela Tens of learners from Bela-Bela’s Albert Lithuli Primary School benefitted from the warming up for winter charity drive initiated by the local Methodist Church. The church’s Manyano Women’s Movement saw fit to follow in the footsteps of their Men’s Guild movement, who recently donated school shoes to learners at a number of primary schools in the area. The women then stood up and

visited the school to give winter clothes and school uniform to more than 20 learners. Targeted were learners from disadvantaged family backgrounds who were short of certain if not all items forming a complete uniform. The women, led by members of the executive committee including Mme Mothokoa and Tholang Maleke also gave messages of support and motivation to the learners during their visit. They further encouraged them to always be good and respect their elders. They also told them

about the benefits of being a young, educated, employed and well respected person who is able to give back to the community they grew up in. The school management team welcomed the visitors and facilitated the programme, which they were grateful to be part of. The team expressed their gratitude towards the good deed by the church’s women, wishing them all the best in all their charity endeavours. That let it not be done only at their school but other communities as well.

Women in the Making holds awards ceremony possible as long as they are focused on their studies. “There are many challenges in this life but one needs to stand firm and Women in the Making resist temptation to reach one’s coordinator Mmakosha Mamabolo and her team hosted a goals,” he said. There were a variety of categories motivational talk with young during the awards ceremony. Gontse girls and an award ceremony on Saturday, 18 June, at Mmamakwa Rakobela took home a prize for poetry, while gumboot-dancing Primary School. Women in the Making (WitMa) dancers Joyce Mphamo, Shaida Mabuso and Limdiwe Moraka won is a Christian-based movement in the dance category. Tshepiso Bila for young women, led by also won with her Tsonga dance. Mamabolo. All the winners were given medals Philli Ramphisa, a motivational speaker and book writer, told the and vouchers for a McDonald’s meal. attending girls that anything is TK Mashaba

Cashtime Crew, a song group consisting of Itumeleng Phadimeng, Nthabiseng, and Gontse Maswangane, won the song category. The overall winners were the Sunshine Group from Vingerkraal, who received medals as well. “We are building future leaders. We teach these girls about selfrespect and puberty, and to always love God,” said Mamabolo. This was the organization’s first awards ceremony, and they plan on making it an annual event.

Modimolle Comedian Jan “Midos” Baloyi during the ANC Mini Rally in Modimolle. Photo: Mzamane Ringane With less than two months left before the nation-wide elections on Wednesday, 3 August, The BEAT is forced to clarify and adjust our policy regarding political letters. We make this decision because The BEAT is committed to being apolitical, and short before election season we are swamped with letters relating to political matters. We will, therefore, for the next two months, have to be stricter in the selection of letters. We will unfortunately not be able to place letters that: * Serve to highlight the election manifests or political aims of a specific political party * Introduce new political parties * Introduce candidates to the public * Aim to win votes or to dissuade members of the public from voting for other parties * Seek to cast suspicion on other candidates Political parties are, however, more than welcome to place advertisements in The BEAT introducing their goals, candidates, and policies to the community. A good goal for this would be a quarter page advertisement which costs R2 224 in black and white and R3 0004.80 in colour. Feel free to phone our head office at (014) 736 2723 or contact any of our advertisement representatives for queries about political advertisements. Factual letters which fall within the above guidelines may still be used. Letter writers should keep in mind, however, that letters should not be longer than 350 words, and that the editorial staff reserves the right not to use letters.

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ADVERTISMENTS / LEGALS

ANC brings flair to Modimolle rally The Bikers crew also attracted lot of people with their stunt. Photo: TK Mashaba

ANC veterans in full swing along deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa and Limpopo premier Stanley Mathabathe. Photo: TK Mashaba TK Mashaba

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The ANC in Limpopo has brought flair to the entertainment during their mini-rally which was held at Modimolle’s Ephraim Mogale Stadium on Sunday, 26 June. The event, which was attended

Modimolle comedian Midos crew during their performances. Photo: TK Mashaba

mostly by young people, was filled with celebrities that the ANC hired to attend. This includes bikers, as well as traditional dancers and Modimolle’s favourite comedians, the Midos Crew, who left the audience begging for more. This is a popular strategy for parties

who are trying to attract young people to their parties ahead of the elections on 3 August. SABC2’s Gabriel Temudzani and Sydney Ramakuwela, who star in the channel’s Venda soap opera, said in their speeches that it was time that young people take charge of their votes.

Temudzan said that the ANC will definitely win the election. Clement Maosa and Mlungisi Mathe got a massive round of applause from the audience when they appeared, and Buhle Masoko from Skeem Saam also pleaded with the masses to vote for the ANC in the coming elections.

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ENTERTAINMENT / SCHOOL / SPORT

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Councillor Hlungwane Cup commences Lizzy Bapela The time has come where soccer teams from all corners of Bela-Bela come together and compete for the awesome prizes in the 2016 Councillor Hlungwane Cup tournament. This year the tournament started on Saturday, 25 June at the Zone 14 Soccer Fields. The kick-off was between Barcelona FC and Cashbuild FC, with Barcelona FC winning 2-1. The second leg of the first round games played out with Mathaithai FC beating New Castle 3-2. The games wrapped up for the day with Bela-Bela Pirates Masters embarrassing Bela-Bela Masters with a whipping of 9 against 1. The tournament will end on Saturday, 23 July, were final teams will be battling

Bela-Bela Pirates FC’s Masters (front row) embarrassed Bela-Bela Masters with a 9-1 beating. Photo: Lizzy Bapela 31 July. to be crowned the winners. The tournament Former Bela-Bela mayor and Ward 4 will be wrapped up by an award ceremony councillor Freddy Hlungwane said that he is scheduled to take place on Sunday,

going all out this year, having invited very important guests and confident with the process of the preparations. Celebrities including actors and actresses from SABC 1 and 2 drama series Muvhango and Skeem Saam will grace the awards ceremony. Eight teams from different areas in BelaBela will be participating in the tournament and every participant will receive participation certificates after the completion of the tournament. Winners will receive among others a floating trophy, a full set of soccer kit, a R2 500 voucher for the whole team and appreciation certificates also for the whole team signed by the councillor himself and the sponsors. Meanwhile, the runners-up will receive a runners-up trophy, participation certificates and a braai from Engetane Trading centre.

Soccer spectators will not let the cold winter weather forbid them from doing what they love the most which is watching their favourite sport, soccer. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

SAB League national championships on home soil

Under-21 players from across the province took part in the selections in May, to fight for a spot in the Provincial squad. Photo: Mzamane Ringane

Mzamane Ringane The Limpopo province was announced as a host for the SAB League Under21 National Championships, which were scheduled to take place in Polokwane on from 8 to 16 July. The other eight provinces were expected to arrive in Limpopo’s Polokwane City, to participate in the national championships. An additional invitational team from the

University Sports South Africa (USSA) will also compete during this week-long event. A total of ten teams will be divided into two groups, and play the round robin format tournament over a week’s period, with the finals scheduled for the last day of the championships. SAFA Limpopo recently selected a formidable squad to participate in the national championships. The provincial selections were held at Burgersdorp outside Tzaneen in May. The selections were hosted by SAFA Mopani

Region, with the other regions arriving at the Burgersdorp Football Turf for the provincial event. During the selection, a squad made up of 23 players was selected to represent Limpopo at the national championships to be held on home soil. SAFA Limpopo secretary Pat Seema said that the mood is high in the Limpopo football fraternity. “One can simplify by saying, 2016 is the year for Limpopo. The Limpopo squad

obtained position three in the championships last year when SAFA Gauteng was the host. We are hoping that the team will make the Limpopo people happy, by winning the championships at home this year,” Seema said. Seema said the championships would present a great opportunity for Magesi FC and Baroka FC to scout for raw talent. He also called on all football lovers from all the regions of Limpopo to come out in large numbers in support of the home team.

National Park implements “Walk and Learn on the wild side” Project Lizzy Bapela Marakele National Park is the first park in the Northern region of SANParks to host the “Walk and Learn on the Wild Side Project” (WALOW). The park, based just outside Thabazimbi, kickstarted the programme in May 2016, where a total of eight schools and 169 participants from both the Waterberg and Moses Kotane Districts were selected for the duration of the week to be a part of this life changing experience. Spokesperson for the Northern Region Divhani Maremba said that WALOW

aims to support Conservation, Ecotourism and Hospitality courses that are offered in the different institutions in South Africa. He added that the primary beneficiaries of the WALOW programme are Grade 10 and 11 high school learners who are interested in a career in these fields. Different institutions such as colleges and universities were invited to present on their offered courses, admission requirements and possible bursary opportunities and in the end were also given an opportunity to visit the stalls for more information. The learners and teachers of the first

intake were thrilled with the programme and the experience they received and wished that more of such programmes could be offered in other industries. Learners from Raphurele High School said that they have learned so many things in tourism such as housekeeping and hospitality, and also learned that in tourism there’s no “I do not know” as an answer. They thanked SANParks for giving them the wonderful opportunity to experience nature and expose them to potential tourism activities and careers. The learners said that they hope other industries will do more of this so to empower young people. The sentiments were echoed by another

learner from Tshomankane Secondary School who said that they were very thankful to SANParks for affording them the opportunity to learn a lot of things that they theoretically learn in class. He added that they have gained a lot of information that they were going to share with other learners when they go back to their school. “SANParks is committed to socio economic and educational upliftment of local rural communities’ adjacent to protected areas. We remain indebted to the communities adjacent to our parks that we always want to roll out programmes that will benefit them and their children,” said Park Manager of Marakele Johan Taljaard.

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Local player shines in national volleyball TK Mashaba Kamplits volleyball player Jonas Mothobi could not contain his excitement when he was selected to play for the national volleyball of South Africa. He and another Limpopo player were selected during trials on Saturday, 4 June in Tshwane. “This is something that any player would want and I am glad that I will be wearing the national jersey for the first time,” said Mothobi, who is a Grade 11 learner in Bela-Bela. Mothobi will be leaving for Bloemfontein on Friday, 8 July, to join the other players who will be taking part in an interprovincial tournament from 11 to16 July. “We will be playing with other teams from different provinces,” he said. “It will be a practice match for us as we will be preparing for the African Volleyball tournament happening in October.”

The Spa Park mighty girls who took part in the previous Light of Africa ladies netball challenge will be participating this year. Photo supplied Justin Steyn Light of Africa’s ladies netball challenge is set to start in early August and the Non-Profit Organization is encouraging teams to register for the tournament. Light of Arica’s project coordinator, Josias Ramalekana, said that the tournament is one of their sporting initiatives to empower local youths to take part in recreational activities and refrain from alcohol and substance abuse. Although the Netbal challenge went swimmingly, the issue of

transport for teams residing outside of Bela-Bela prevented a majority of teams to participate. This year, Ramalekana says a forum for fundraising has been implemented to ensure transport will be made available. He added that he will also approach local taxi associations to assist with transportation. Eight teams have registered for the event thus far and a total of 17 games are aimed to be played throughout the tournament. Ramalekana said that he hopes to see the return of some of the other teams who participated and that new teams would take part.

Kamplits volleyball player Jonas Mothobi from Bela-Bela was chosen for the national team. Photo: TK Mashaba