Road works
P. 5
R1-20/FREE
2016
20 May
“Imagine going to bed at night knowing that someone out there is alive and well because of you,” he said. “That thought of having helped to save their lives, has made me proud of myself.” A shack in an informal settlement in Modimolle recently caught fire with two small children locked inside. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
Mozomber Hololo (26) rushed into the burning shack to save his neighbour’s children. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
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CRIME
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20 May, 2016 Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
Police catch dagga dealer following tip
The four bags of dagga which the police discovered and confiscated from the accused. Photo: Lizzy Bapela Lizzy Bapela Police arrested a man for dealing in drugs, specifically dagga, on Friday, 13 May. Bela-Bela Detectives’ Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Abel Phetla said that the police were able to discover his
The Bela-Bela Detectives’ commander Lieutenant Colonel Abel Phetla displayed the dagga after the accused was arrested. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
delivery times and areas, which was how they were able to arrest him. The suspect was arrested at a corner near Maope Secondary School, allegedly on the way to a customer. “We stopped him and searched his vehicle, which was when we discovered the dagga,” Phetla said. “He had four bags of dagga wrapped in a refuse bag.
We also caught two of his customers later on. We are now working with them and they are helping us with the case. They have become informers and we believe that they will be helpful to the case. We are prepared in the event that he tries to resume his criminal activities.” The suspect told the police that he bought his supplies of the drug in
Police search drugs and weapons at a Modimolle school
The Audi A4 in which the accused transports his dagga. Photo: Lizzy Bapela Lesotho, but Phetla told The BEAT that they suspect that he was lying. “He is obviously working with someone or he is in a group,” Phetla said. The accused, Samuel Simon Msimango (51) pleaded guilty when he appeared before the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 13 May, and paid an admission of guilt fine of R5 000.
Murder trials in June Justin Steyn
Members of the Modimolle police conducted an operation at Susan Strijdom School to search for drugs and dangerous weapons. Photo supplied
Lizzy Bapela A team of members from the Modimolle SAPS visited Susan Strijdom School at Modimolle for yet another one of their operation search. The visit took place on Tuesday, 17 May and was conducted to search the hostel for drugs and dangerous weapons. The team consisted of members from the Visible Policing with the K9 units. Modimolle police spokesperson Warrant Officer James Findlay confirmed that no
drugs or dangerous weapons were found during the search and the operation was regarded as a great success. He added that their presence and visibility at the school sent a strong message to the learners against the use of drugs and dangerous weapons. Warrant Officer Findlay further said that the learners took note of the event and that the use of drugs is going down in the area, as children now have a good understanding about the dangers of drugs. He applauded the school for their cooperation during the visit and acknowledged the members’
diligence during the operation. “We continue to commend the concerned schools for their cooperation when we visit them and aim to strengthen the partnership we have with them in paving a drug free society and drug free schools in our area. Drugs remain a danger to our children’s future and we have to work together as law enforcers, stakeholders and the community at large to ensure that the dream is realised. We all know that children are the future of our country and drug abuse is threatening that glowing future,” said Warrant Officer Findlay.
Murder accused Solly Ndlovu (37) will stand trial at the Bela-Bela Regional court. The decision was made by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on Friday, 29 April after extensive investigations. Ndlovu stands accused of murdering a 28 year old woman, who was believed his girlfriend, in December last year. Ndlovu made his first court appearance in the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s court on Tuesday, 5 January and has been denied bail since police investigations have taken place. His trial date has been set for Thursday, 9 June. * Murder accused Clifford Cawood (30) and Hercules Delport (47) will face trial on Friday 27 June. Cawood was arrested in December by the Bela-Bela Police while Delport was arrested in Boksburg, Gauteng in January. Delport was allegedly in possession of an illegal firearm. Both men have been linked to a murder near the old Warmbaths dam.
So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains And we never even know we have the key. Lyrics from Already Gone, peformed by the Eagles for their 1974 On the Border album
Road upgrades could be finished by end of financial year Justin Steyn After months of road upgrades in the Bela-Bela Central Business District the municipality hopes that these will be completed within the next financial year. Photo: Andries van der Heyde
Road upgrades in Chris Hani Street, Bela-Bela, may only be completed by the end of the next financial year (June) with additional upgrades soon to follow, says the town’s Municipal Project Manager, Vleis van Zyl. Upgrades to the road have been conducted since the start of the year leaving motorists and pedestrians with a muddy and dusty pathway to use in recent months.
The upgrades in Chris Hani Street have been budgeted for R12,5 million. Van Zyl told The BEAT that the delays were due to the contracted site agent being replaced for being unable to meet assigned deadlines. In recent developments, massive holes have been made on the road forcing this main road into a slim two-way form. Van Zyl said that the ground on which the road was constructed, had unstable water and clay levels and had to be removed to even out the
foundation. “We are currently filling these open gaps with rocks where a smoother surface will then be created on the road.” He added that the municipality aims to continue with other upgrades. “We will start road upgrades near the Bela-Bela hospital and upwards as soon as current upgrades are done. We hope that there will not be any further delays in the process and urge the townspeople to be patient and not resort to violent or angry driving,” he said.
20 May, 2016 beateditor@gmail.com | Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
GOVERNMENT / POLITICAL
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Children locked in burning shack Hololo receives first aid for his wounds. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
The family’s house was in ruins after the blaze was finally extinguished. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
Lizzy Bapela When firefighters from Modimolle’s Working on Fire (WoF) base were dispatched to keep an eye on a sudden column of smoke that appeared while they were on parade on Tuesday, 17 May, they did not for a moment imagine what would follow. The crew leader, Letters Lehutso, sent out a firefighter to have a look at the sudden blaze. The lookout reported that a shack in an informal settlement near the Modimolle airfield had caught fire, which is when the entire crew was turned out. When the firefighters arrived, they found Mozomber Johannes Hololo (26) already injured. Hololo, a neighbour of the family, had rescued two children, both under the age of 5, from the burning, locked shack,
and had been badly cut by the hot corrugated iron the shack was made of. Hololo was sitting at a fire outside his shack when a relative informed him that the shack next door was on fire. The relative said that the children were still inside, as the mother was allegedly in the habit of leaving them locked in when she went to work. “I thought, I have to help those children,” Hololo said. “They’re so young, they can’t get out by themselves because the door is locked.” He used a shovel to pry open the door, which is when he was cut by the hot corrugated iron. Spotting the terrified little girls, he grabbed them and fled the blaze. The children did not appear to be harmed after their traumatic experience. Hololo said that he was very proud of himself for doing what he did and said that
Zimbabweans to apply for bail Justin Steyn The five Zimbabwean men who were arrested on Thursday, 5 May, in connection with a robbery at a residence near the R101 at Bela-Bela will be able to apply for bail in the coming week. Police spokesperson Maria Maswanganye told The BEAT that BelaBela resident José Denabregah was at home at around 22:00 on Sunday, 1 May, when he heard a noise at the back door of his home. He investigated and found two armed men inside his home. They threatened him and demanded money, then tied him up and searched the house. Maswanganye said that Denabregah found that the men had robbed his home when he managed to untie himself. The police arrested both the suspects in the Denabregah case, as well as three other men wanted in connection with various
crimes on Thursday, 5 May, after receiving information regarding their whereabouts. Four firearms were retrieved at the scene. Ngobile Nyoni (28) Christophe Mugabe (23), Wilson Monjeza (34), Elvis Musimeki (29) and Jacob Chio (22) appeared at the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 9 May and the case was postponed to Monday, 16 May. The court decided on 16 May to allow the men to apply for bail. Maswanganye said that all five suspects have been positively linked to other cases involving armed robbery, burglary and theft, business robbery and murder.
he would do the same thing again. “Imagine going to bed at night knowing that someone out there is alive and well because of you,” he said. “That thought of having helped to save their lives, has made me proud of myself.” Daniel Mabula (24), a WoF first-aid responder, used his skill to patch up Hololo’s cuts. Working on Fire spokesperson Matema Gwangwa said that the bystanders and neighbours said that the children’s mother often left them locked inside the shack while she went to work. Thabang Moremi, a WoF representative, embarked on an awareness drive immediately after the incident, advising the community to be fire-wise and alert at all times but especially during the fire season. Minah Modimola, one of the firefighters who attended the scene, said: “We are very
proud to see ordinary people doing things like this. It shows that the WoF programmes are doing what they are meant to.” The fire is believed to have started when one of the children tugged on a tablecloth on which a lit gas stove had been placed. The stove fell and set the tablecloth on fire, starting the blaze. The mother of the rescued children told The BEAT that she had only left her daughters alone at home because she expected to be gone for a short while attending a nearby funeral. She was shocked and horrified when she heard that her shack had burned down. According to a source at the Department of Social Development, in cases such as this the children may be removed from their parents’ care. In this case, the source said, the children should be taken to a place of safety.
Robbers hold up Pick n Pay security guards
Advertorial Andries van der Heyde Bela-Bela Superspar (Nicolas Malete) and Light of Africa (Josias Ramalekana) hands a cheque of R29 365 to Bosele Dawn Drop in Centre (Latela Langa).
History: Bosele Dawn Drop in Centre cares for needy school children around the Bela-Bela location. They are all from different schools sharing their meals each day of the week. The centre also provides food daily to the parents of the children in the centre.
Needs/challenges: The centre has been robbed on many occasions and are in desperate need of a security system.
A group of robbers targeted the Bosveld Pick n Pay centre at Bela-Bela on Saturday, 14 May, and held up four security guards. The seven robbers entered the centre at about 03:39 and held up the guards with weapons, said Marnus Luüs, the operational manager and marketer for the centre. The security cameras picked up the group at the entrance near Pep Stores, from where the men made their way to the entrance near Impala Butchery. From there, they gathered up the guards to hold them hostage. Although no weapons could be seen on the CCTV footage, Luüs said that the men were armed. The guards were taken to the hallway where the centre’s toilets are, and held there while the robbers relieved them of their cellphones and radios. The men then broke open the doors to Pick n Pay with a steel tool of some kind, and entered the store.
Within minutes they emerged with stacks of cigarettes, baby milk formula, and a plasma television. They made their escape via the Impala Butchery entrance. Shortly after 04:00 the first Pick n Pay employees began to arrive and the police were summoned. The security guards were not harmed. Luüs said that the robbers were either very professional or very lucky, pulling off their crime so quickly. The guards must now undergo lie-detector tests and counselling. Thinus van der Heever, manager at Pick n Pay, said that the alarm at the store did sound that morning, but management is still awaiting the official report. The total value of the items stolen is somewhere in the vicinity of R55 000. Van der Heever said that they are in talks with the head office of Pick n Pay to improve security at the store so that everyone, including employees, can be safe. The CCTV footage of the crime is part of the investigation, and the Bela-Bela Police are on the case.
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GOVERNMENT / POLITICAL
20 May, 2016 beateditor@gmail.com | Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
‘Give me back my house!’ says resident
Young activist finds home in PAC Elias Mosesenyane Baloyi has found a home in the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC). Photo: Mzamane Ringane
Bela-Bela resident Solomon Ndlohvu says he is angry after his house was “stolen”. Photo: Justin Steyn Mzamane Ringane
Justin Steyn Solomon Ndhlovu, a resident of Bela-Bela, is disgruntled after a house exchange between himself and another resident, Johannes Seema, went awry. According to Ndhlovu he exchanged his stand in Pienaarsrivier for Seema’s in BelaBela. Ndhlovu said that the exchange was made because Seema worked in Pretoria and the exchange would mean that his work was closer to his home. He added that the exchange took place verbally and that no lawful contract had been signed to acknowledge the exchange. Shortly thereafter, Ndhlovu relocated to family in Soshanguve, Gauteng due to an illness he suffered from for four years. He further explained that he returned four years later to his “new home” in Extention 5
of the Bela-Bela Township but found out that the deed had been signed over to one Tsepo Baloyi. Ndhlovu said he contacted Baloyi who allegedly said that he bought the property from Seema. Ndhlovuh said that several arguments between him and Seema have occurred since then, and the issue remains unresolved. Now Ndhlovu says he has no place to stay and that he can be evicted from his current temporary residence at any time. “I will fight for my house and want answers. Where I am living at the moment I can be kicked out at any moment. I just want my house back, Johannes is trespassing,” an angry Ndhlovu said. In a telephonic conversation Seema said that he is in the process of ordering an eviction on the property. He had no further comment. Baloyi could not be reached for comment.
Twenty year-old Bela-Bela born Elias Mosesenyane Baloyi has found a home in the longest existing political party, Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC). PAC was formed in 1959, by a group of people who broke away from the African National Congress (ANC), including struggle icon Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe who was elected as the party’s first president. Baloyi, who now lives in Modimolle, told The BEAT that he has never been actively involved in politics, until recently when he was recruited to participate in the PAC. As a Grade 12 learner, Baloyi indicates that he likes participating in debates and he is also passionate about the country’s history and politics. “I have never been involved in politics before, but now I feel like I belong in the PAC and hoping for a better future in this
organisation. Coming from a humble background I felt I could appreciate and understand the everyday concerns faced by the local people in their day-to-day lives,” he said. This young person said he believes the PAC is a trustworthy organisations led by selfless leaders. Baloyi’s biggest dream is to see the eradication of unemployment becoming a reality in his hometown of Modimolle and the country at large. He said it is important for people to vote so that they can have a voice in electing leaders who serve the interests of the community, and deliver good services to the locals. The young activist says if people vote correctly, it is possible to have leaders who always deliver on their promises. “I would like to say to both young and old people that let us go and vote if we want to see change in our communities. It is only when we vote that we can be able to open doors to the future,” Baloyi concluded.
Another budget meeting comes to nothing
Residents of Bela-Bela and councillors of the Bela-Bela municipality were left stranded outside the Warmbad Dienssentrum where a third public participation meeting was to take place regarding the discussion of the town’s annual budget. Andries van der Heyde Councillors and residents of Bela-Bela were once again left hanging on Monday, 16 May, during a third public participation meeting where the municipality’s budget and integrated development plan were to be discussed at the Warmbad Dienssentrum. Councillors and residents that included members of the Caritas Retirement Village and the Bela-Bela Taxpayers Forum (BBTF), stood outside locked gates when the meeting was supposed to start at 10:00. With Lucas Nhlapo, the mayor, nowhere in sight and an apparent miscommunication that the venue was not booked, the residents left, leaving the councillors behind. After the residents left the councillors presented an invoice stipulating that the venue was paid for, for the amount of R1 800. On the invoice it indicated that the money was
paid on Friday, 13 May, close to 15:30. The Post also published an advertisement on the same day that informed readers of the coming meeting, but those who were present on the day of the meeting said that it was short notice. Dimitri Smith, who serves on the Dienssentrum’s management, said that the person who handled the bookings were in hospital last week. After Smith received the notice in the newspaper he phoned up the municipality to confirm that a proof of payment was sent, but he received no such invoice during the weekend. He said that he found it strange that the municipality wanted to negotiate lower tariffs for the booking and that the notice of the meeting was published before the venue was even booked. “With no notice of payment, no arrangements were made. I tried to resolve the payment and organisation beforehand, but I
received no email. The same deposit will now be used to schedule another meeting for the municipality,” said Smith. The councillors decided the same. Two meetings were scheduled to take place in Ward 1 earlier, but during the first meeting in April no residents attended and during the second more than half of the attendees walked out before the mayor could discuss anything. Frans Rootman, chairperson of the BBTF, said that the budget process is still of an illegitimate nature and he refuses to participate in the process. His reasons continue to cite irregularities within the budget and that residents cannot make an informed decision regarding the contents and how the new tariffs were calculated, which was not made available, according to him. “We believe that the internal infighting within the municipality for the upcoming
elections is the main focus of council and that the budget is but a by-product. We have started corresponding with provincial treasury and the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) regarding the budget.” Rootman said it would be to the benefit of all residents and business owners that Makoma Grace Makhurupetje, MEC of CoGHSTA, intercede at Bela-Bela and disband council in order for things to carry on forward. Earlier Precious Raputsoa, acting municipal manager, told Rootman in a letter that the BBTF was an illegitimate organisation and that Rootman cannot participate in the budget process because he does not reside in Bela-Bela, despite having business interests in town. During a recent mayor’s meeting with public figures Nhlapo apologized for the remarks, said Rootman.
20 May, 2016 beateditor@gmail.com | Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
EDITORIAL
WoF to work with fire authorities to reduce fire risks Working on Fire firefighters during their yellow card training recently. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
The firefighters are well trained and ready for the fire season. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
WoF Limpopo urge communities to be more vigilant during this fire season. Photo: Lizzy Bapela Lizzy Bapela Working on Fire (WoF) Limpopo aims to work closely with firefighting authorities in order to reduce fire risks and also to implement Integrated Fire Management products and services. The government’s programme to help fight veld and forest fires has been hard at work during the last few months as its firefighters were preparing for the 2016 Winter Fire Season which is starting on Wednesday, 1 June 2016. “The Yellow Card Training Camp has been completed in our province and this was aimed to ensure that all fire fighters are fit and ready to be able to be on active duty during this upcoming fire season,” said WoF Limpopo provincial spokesperson Matema Gwangwa. “Our WoF firefighters are professionally trained to suppress veld and forest fires and they have been deployed throughout the province to reduce the personal and economic harm caused by unwanted wildfires. Just over 660 fire fighters stationed at 26 bases throughout the province will be ready for the start of the winter fire season which could last up to the end of November. As a result of the current drought
experienced throughout the country, we do expect a very difficult Winter Fire Season. We firmly believe that through the partnerships which we formed with the Provincial Disaster Management Centres’, Fire Protection Associations, SANParks, various private and public landowners and local municipalities, we will be able to respond quickly in rendering a highly skilled veldfire suppression service which is unparalleled anywhere in the country,” Gwangwa continued. WoF has also established a National Deployment team which can be dispatched to anywhere in the country to assist farmers and land owners with fires suppression efforts. “We urge landowners in particular to get into contact with us so that we can assist them with the development of clear integrated fire management services. These include amongst others; prescribed burning, fuel load reduction, community fire awareness, early detection and fire suppression plans,” Gwangwa said. The programme launched their Community Fire Awareness campaigns throughout the province in April 2016. Gwangwa said that these campaigns were aimed at teaching communities how to be fire safe and to prevent unwanted veld and forest fires. Also to raise
awareness of the risk of veld and forest fires and empower those at risk to take responsibility to reduce the risk and impact of fires in their communities. These awareness will run until Saturday, 21 May. WoF will do presentations that will highlight the dangers of fires and how to reduce fire risks in communities. Our fire fighters will demonstrate how to construct fire breaks and do fuel reduction which help eliminates fire spread in case of a fire. “We urge communities to be more vigilant during this fire season and not to start unnecessary fires particularly during dry days this winter. People are also asked to remove unnecessary rubble on their properties which can pose a serious fire risk and houses next to grasslands need to ensure that there is sufficient fire breaks between their properties and these grasslands. We also ask people to cut down overhanging tree branches close to their properties and also to clean their gutters as the leaves that end up in these gutters also can pose a fire risk. People must also ensure that they have the contact details of their local fire authorities at hand should there be a fire emergency.
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ADVERTISMENTS / EDITORIAL
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Beauty pageant for locals only
Some of last year’s Miss and Mr Bela-Bela pageant who might be joining this year beauty pageant. Photo: TK Mashaba TK Mashaba This year’s local beauty pageant is aimed at local people around Bela-Bela, said founder and organiser Patricia Morele. Morele said that last year’s competition was open to anyone from the Waterberg to compete in the pageant, but this year the pageant will be open to locals only.
“We have always believed that there is talent here and we want to reward our own beauty pageant by narrowing it down to cater only for Bela-Bela children,” said Morele. Residents of Bela-Bela between the ages of 18 and 21 will be able to take part. The event will be held at the Bela-Bela community hall at a date yet to be determined. All interested participants can call Patricia on 0820696168 for auditions ahead of the event.
What is defamation? - Guest Column
democratic system in much the same way The Constitution guarantees every as the right to human dignity. Accordingly individual the right to human dignity. a balance must be maintained between This is regarded as one of the these very different and often conflicting cornerstones of our democratic human rights. Each case must be judged system. When, therefore, someone on its own merits in order to determine damages your good name and which right will triumph. reputation by defaming your Freedom of speech means that upon character, you are in principle entitled occasion the publication of to protection from the law. defamatory statements is protected. It But what is defamation? This is is, for example, legal to publish when an individual’s good name and defamatory statements that are in the reputation is damaged by the public interest. When it comes to publication of defamatory words. In court reporting, the media are exempt defamation cases the question is not from how you feel defamation about the suit, as long as publication, but if their reporting right-thinking is fair and people would Defamation can be committed accurate. The think less of you on any platform and in any principle here after knowing format including on websites, is that court these things about blogs, social media, and in the matters are you. The court newspaper. public uses a fictional information, “reasonable man” and that it is as a measure to expected of determine the media to report on court whether a statement is defamatory or not. proceedings, even though the It is also important to note that in this case “publication” includes every form of information published may be defamatory of some parties. communication, including the spoken The media does, however, word, written word, and even photos. occasionally make mistakes. Those Defamation can be committed on any who are defamed illegally do have platform and in any format including on solutions. websites, blogs, social media, and in the These possible solutions will be newspaper. discussed in the next article. — The Constitution also protects other Willem de Klerk, media law lawyer, rights, however. The right to freedom of Johannesburg speech is an integral part of our
Def amation, slander Defamation, slander,, and libel – what is the dif diffference? Defamation is any statement about a person that can reasonably be expected to harm their reputation. This is a broad term that covers both libel (defamation when published in a written form) and slander (defamation in spoken form).
On the lookout Dorette Nel’s photo “on the lookout” was the monthly winner in the pictoral category at the Bosveld Photography Club’s May meeting. The club will be meeting again on Tuesday, 14 June at 18:00 at the Marie Bergsma-hall at Modimolle. For more information contact Riana Vorster at 083 277 9961 or Geertjie Bester at 073 233 1103
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CHARITY / ENTERTAINMENT / SCHOOL
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Bela-Bela Municipality hosts a sports day for pre-schools Mogau Baitseng of Siza Ngo Thando Creche got position 3 in relay for girls. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
The little ones enjoyed competing in a sack race. Photo: Lizzy Bapela Ofentse Setuki of Boitumelo Creche got position 3 in relay for boys. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
Anna Machele of Siza Ngo Thando Creche got position 3 in the 30m race. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
Raeleng School celebrates new desks Tlotlang Sithole of Our Future Crèche got position 2 a 50m race. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
The donkey race was also for the girl participants. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
Raeleng Secondary School learners waited in anticipation for the official handover of new desks. Photo: Lizzy Bapela family. Contain yourselves and go through all stages of life during the correct ages. Enjoy your childhood years so you will Learners at Raeleng Secondary School are enjoying new desks, be prepared and ready when you which were given to their school become an adult. Be that kind of an adult that everybody wishes as a donation from the South to be closed to,” she said. African Breweries (SAB) More than 300 learners at the recently. An entourage school previously had to sit on consisting of Bela-Bela mayor uncomfortable beer crates Lucas Nhlapo, managers in the Waterberg District’s Department because the provincial Department of Education had of Education, SAB and the not provided furniture for the school gathered at the school’s past two years. The Democratic assembly for the official Alliance member of the handover of the much-needed desks, which were accompanied Provincial Legislature, Jacques Smalle, invited journalists to by school uniforms given to school in February, a visit which identified learners. brought the learners’ dilemma to The district senior manager in Education, Mmamadela Madela, light. Smalle was shocked to learn used the opportunity of her visit that among the 830 learners that to motivate the learners, the school has, more than 70 are especially girls, teaching them placed in one class. He was about qualities and benefits of reported saying that this was good behaviour and selfinhumane and not conducive to respect. She said that a woman learning and discipline as the who respects herself earns Department recommends having people’s respect. “Nobody buys the land used as no more than 35 children per a testing ground to stay in or the teacher. The media learned that more car used to test people applying their drivers’ licences. If you go than 300 pupils were sitting on sleeping around, you will never crates used to transport beer, tomatoes, and cold drinks make a good wife and you won’t be able to build your own during their visit to the school. Lizzy Bapela
Rethabile Maleto of Siza Ngo Thando Crèche also got position 2 in the 50m race. Photo: Lizzy Bapela Lizzy Bapela Early-childhood centres, preschools and day care centres from across the Bela-Bela Local Municipality jurisdiction gathered at SUNFA Stadium on Friday, 6 May for a sports and fun day event hosted by the municipality. The municipality bused the children and their practitioners from area such as Pienaarsrivier, Masakhane, Tsakane and Rapotokwane for the event. Sports role players and municipal officials attended and helped facilitate the event, which ended as a success. The games played during the event include sack race, juskei, relay, donkey race and so forth; all for both girls and boys participants. Sports Officer in the municipality
Little boys from different pre-schools took part in the donkey race. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
David Raborolo said that the event was aimed at bringing the centres together in the spirit of togetherness so that the children can learn and interact with each other. He added that children learn a lot through such events and they also aimed at instilling the skill and love for sports at an early age. Raborolo further said that plans are underway to make the event a regular thing, making sure that their objectives live on. Though he could not attend, BelaBela mayor Lucas Nhlapo commended the centres that made it to the event and said that his dream is to see more of them coming in and more children participating. The mayor added that he is a person who likes and encourage sports, especially amongst youngsters as it is a tool in which one can keep fit
and strong the healthy way. He further said that their municipality supports and push for these kind of events and would love it if communities can come together and also participate in the existing sporting codes. Furthermore, the practitioners and carers expressed their gratitude towards their municipality for having enabled them such fun and beneficial activity. Many said that their children enjoyed a lot and some of them were playing certain games for the first time as many of their centres lack resources for the codes. After the children had participated, practitioners and carers also took part in the race. The participating and winning children received certificates after the event.
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SPORT
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20 May, 2016 Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
Ratanang FC crush hopes of Modimolle hopefuls
PSL promotion imminent for Baroka FC Top flight football was expected to take place at Limpopo’s Peter Mokaba Stadium when Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United lock horns in the Nedbank Cup final. Photo: Mzamane Ringane
Mokopane Ratanang FC are the Waterberg SAB Regional League champions. Photo: Mzamane Ringane Mzamane Ringane
Mzamane Ringane The hopes of Waterberg SAB Regional League Stream A champions Modimolle Home Defenders, were crushed when the hosts were defeated 1-0 by visitors Mokopane Ratanang FC on Saturday 14 May. The SAB Regional League playoffs were hosted by Waterberg SA Football Association at Modimolle’s Ephraim Mogale Stadium. Three teams from all the league streams participated in the play-offs, playing in a round robin format to determine the regional winner. Emotions ran high during the first game, when Ratanang FC scored their first goal to make it 1-0. From time to time, local supporters expressed dismay at the referee’s decisions. Even under the difficult circumstances, the referees seemed unfazed by the reaction of the crowd as they continued to officiate the match without any fear.
Home Defenders lost 1-0 at the hands of Mokopane Ratanang FC who represented stream B of the Waterberg SAB Regional League. The second match of the day was between Modimolle Home Defenders and Stream C’s Skimzozo FC from Lephalale. Although Skimzozo FC took an early lead in this game, Home Defenders came from behind and managed to secure a 2-1 victory. Home Defenders depended on the outcomes of the match between Ratanang FC and Skimzozo FC to keep their hopes alive. The inevitable happened when the high-riding Ratanang FC whipped Skimzozo FC, and took the first position. Two victories by Ratanang FC on the day earned them an advantage over the other two teams. Mokopane Ratanang FC will now represent the Waterberg Region at the provincial play-offs. At the provincial level, the winners and runners-up will be promoted into the SAFA Second Division
(ABC Motsepe League). The provincial play-offs will be held on Saturday 28 May and Sunday 29 May in Polokwane. During post-match interview Mokopane Ratanang FC head-coach Sello Mabitsela was pleased with his team’s performance during the playoffs. Mabitsela also indicated that he is confident that his side will represent the region well at the provincial level. “We are pleased with the way our team played in this competition. Most of our boys were playing in the play-offs for the first time, but they managed to stick to our game plan. When we were preparing for the play-offs, our main target was to win the first match. We won our first match and ensured that we protect our lead,” he said. Mabitsela admitted that Home Defenders was a tough opponent, and commended his players for denying the host a chance to score.
Two matches left for Terrors TK Mashaba With the league season coming to an end, some teams are desperately struggling to keep their heads above water. One of these teams is Terrors, who joined the league this season. Compared to their last season at the SAB League, Terrors’ performance has been nothing less than dismal, with almost no wins throughout the season. Their 2-1 win against Giyani Hotspurs on Tuesday, 11 May is a start, but may not be enough to save them from relegation if they do not manage to win their last two
matches. Their final game is to be against Mosesetjane All Stars on 5 June, and they will also need to play their postponed game from 15 May – the game against Mighty FC was postponed due to rain – before the season ends. These games will be home games and if they can win, they will end the season on a triumphant note. All Stars are on 23 points after 29 games and are sitting in 15th place ahead of Terrors, while Mighty FC are ahead of them both with 26 points. Mighty FC will be playing against Polokwane United on 5 June.
Limpopo giant-killers Baroka FC who are sitting on top of the National First Division (NFD) log with a total of 59 points, are on the edge of gaining promotion into the Premier Soccer League (PSL). Baroka FC and Highlands Park who occupies the second spot are left with only one game to play, before the end of the league season. Highlands Park is in possession of 56 points on the second place. In order for Highlands Park to topple Baroka FC, they will have to defeat Amazulu with more than five goals and hope that Baroka FC loses their last match against Milano United. The Limpopo team needs only a draw when they host Milano United at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Sunday 22 May, to gain promotion into the higher PSL. The anticipated promotion of Baroka FC into the PSL will come with its perks, where youngsters from across the province are likely
to benefit. Like all other teams who compete in the PSL, Baroka FC will have their development side playing in the MultiChoice Diski Challenge PSL Reserve League which was launched in August 2014. MultiChoice Diski Challenge is a Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme initiated by MultiChoice, aimed at supporting development in football and broadcasting. The sad news for soccer followers in the province, was the exit of Baroka FC from the Nedbank Cup last Saturday 14 May. SuperSport United shattered the dreams of the Limpopo people when they knocked Baroka FC out of the Nedbank Cup with a 2-0 defeat. The Limpopo team missed out on a chance to play in the final, which is scheduled to take place at home soil. The Nedbank Cup Final between Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United will be held at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday 28 May.