The Beat 21 August 2015

21 August 2015

Woman wounded by dog attack R1-20/FREE

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Raging fires at Modimolle destroy 10 000 hectares Lizzy Bapela

Working on Fire (WoF) participants in Limpopo have been hard at work during the past three months as they continue to battle ongoing veld and forest fires ravaging the province.

WoF Limpopo Provincial spokesperson Matema Gwangwa said that the province experienced 15 fires in May, 31 in June, 32 in July and the stats are already at 28

for of August, which gives a total of 96 fires since 1 May. WoF Limpopo Provincial General Manager Sam Maepa said that the WoF programme participants have been trained professionally in fire suppression. A total of 660 participants are deployed across the province to fight the unwanted veld and forest fires.

He added that the WoF teams in the Waterberg have been very busy, working all hours to fight the raging fires in

mountainous areas.

Maepa further said that the worst fire occurred at Doornfontein which led to the WoF team fighting it from 06:00 until very late in the evening, and 10 000 hectares were left destroyed.

“It was not easy terrain for our participants to work in,” he commented.

“The fire was burning fast and it was in a mountainous area, which was a big challenge for our team.”

The Doornfontein fire occurred very

early on Saturday morning and it was not easily accessible according to Mapela. He said that as a result of their physical fitness, the participants could tackle the mountains to get to where the fire because their mandate was to prevent personal and economic harm that could be caused by that fire.

Gwangwa confirmed that a total of 10 000 hectares were lost during the fire, and luckily there was no life lost.

The Doornfontein fire was declared the worst fire to occur in Limpopo since the beginning of the current fire season. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

CRIME

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Two wanted for escaping from police custody Lizzy Bapela The police in Modimolle are looking for suspects who escaped from custody on Thursday, 13 August. Police spokesperson Warrant Officer James Findlay said that the two were supposed to appear before the local magistrate’s

court when they escaped.

Mpho Kekana was arrested for theft out of a motor vehicle in the township, while Alfred Sipho Hlongwane was arrested for possession of suspected stolen property in Hostel View, Hammanskraal.

The suspects are both from Modimolle and were both arrested on Wednesday, 12 August.

Bela-Bela DA calms neglected Tsakane residents Lizzy Bapela Leaders of the DA in Bela-Bela comprising of among others councillors Keenan Alberts, David Senosha and Francina Masalesa visited and addressed residents of Tsakane on Saturday, 15 August. The delegates went to the area to listen to the residents’ complaints on service delivery and share ideas and solutions to find a way forward and maintain peace in the area.

Over 290 households in the area share two water tanks and they each have to pay R10 a month to a private individual, Pascoe Thubela, who has a machine to pump the water to be available and they say it is not even enough for all of them.

The residents told The BEAT that they have to persevere the long ques to fetch water in order to get their household activities done and this affect their day-to-day living.

Not all of the households have electricity and toilets and they say that they have been engaging with their municipality to assist and bring them the basic services. The residents also request that the municipality bring them bins for rubbish because people throw it all over and it endangers the residents’ lives, especially children. They also request for an effective mobile clinic and at least one street light as the place is too dark and feels unsafe for those who come from work late in the evening.

The residents further said that some contractor built them strong pit toilets previously but the recent phase of toilets are not strong and are already full and it is not even six months since they were built.

It is alleged that Magalies Water donated 150 VIP toilets to the residents and certain members of the Bela-Bela Municipal Council allegedly took 75 of the toilets and got them erected in Vingerkraal. The area is said to be

dominated by DA supporters and it is alleged that the toilet theft was part of a political strategy.

The residents told the delegates that they were told previously that their area falls under Councillor John Sesane’s leadership, but they have never seen or heard of him hosting any meetings in the area. Many said that they do not even know what he looks like.

In their response, the delegates told the residents that they will look into the matter and raise every complaint with the relevant unit. They further encouraged them to ensure that they attend meetings in numbers and sign a petition that was provided on the day in order to get the relevant number to get the attention of the municipality. The delegates further promised to bring their superiors to come and address them and give them clarity on all matters.

Meanwhile, Bela-Bela Mayor Lucas Nhlapo said that it surprises him to hear that the community of Tsakane still pays Thubela for the electricity to give water to them even after he told them not to. He said that he had visited the area several times and made it clear to them that Thubela does not own the land.

“I promised the residents that I will make time to visit them again and interact with them about issues involving services that they need to be provided with. However, the area is not a formalised settlement so we cannot provide them with all the services. We only donated a certain number of toilets to assist them in terms of sanitation and now others from outside are erecting more stands there, growing informal settlements which we are striving to demolish. I will go there again and address them, and listen to what they need from us,” said the mayor.

DA councillors addressed the residents of Tsakane. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

Warrant Officer Findlay said that the police are currently busy conducting investigations to determine how the two escaped and more details will be revealed once the investigations are completed. He added that if the investigations reveal any kind of negligence from the side of the police, then the responsible members will be

charged accordingly.

The police further urged members of the community to come forward if they know the suspects’ whereabouts or might have information that can help the police in the case. Anyone with such information can contact the investigating officer in the case Captain Pierre Nel on 082 565 7800.

Bela-Bela Post Office robbed

The broken window allegedly used by the suspects to gain entrance to the Post Office. Photo: TK Mashaba TK Mashaba

The Bela-Bela post office’s manager, Sonja Smallberger, and her personnel, suspected that their workplace had been broken into when they arrived at work on Monday morning.

“Many of the small packages had been torn open. We think they were looking for money, but fortunately they didn’t get anything,” said Smallberger.

It is suspected that the suspects, who are still

at large, used a dustbin to obtain access to the building.

“This is a high wall and the windows are high as well, so they might have jumped from another business to get inside,” she said.

The police apparently suspect that the burglary may have been the work of homeless youths. The Post Office was closed on Monday as the police were gathering evidence.

Nobody has been arrested in connection with the case as yet, and investigations are continuing.

Residents of Tsakane voiced their concers to the Bela-Bela DA leadership.

Photo: Lizzy Bapela

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Woman badly wounded in dog attack TK Mashaba A woman was recently admitted to the Bela-Bela hospital with serious bite wounds to her leg after allegedly being attacked by her neighbour’s dog.

The woman, who refused to speak to the media, was brought to the hospital after being bitten on Wednesday, 12 August, allegedly by the owner of the dog which had bitten her. The BEAT was told that the victim and the owner of the dog were neighbours, but that no bad blood existed between them.

Bela-Bela Police spokesperson Maria Maleto said that no case had been opened relating to the matter, and could not comment on rumours that the

owner of the dog was a police officer.

The alleged owner of the dog also refused to speak with the media.

When The BEAT contacted him, the journalist was reportedly threatened by the person.

Readers are cautioned to be careful of strange dogs, and even of familiar dogs if they encounter them at a strange time, as even previously friendly dogs may become aggressive if they feel threatened.

GOVERNMENT / POLITICAL

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Toddler injured after hot water incident Justin Steyn A toddler sustained severe burn wounds after hot water was allegedly spilled on him.

The incident occurred on Thursday 13 August afternoon in Shongoane, in Lephalale.

Upon their arrival, paramedics found him lying on his right side on a bed, The Beat was told.

He was immediately assessed and found to have sustained burn wounds to the left side of his body.

Paramedics treated the child and transported him to MediClinic Lephalale for further medical care.

The exact cause of the incident is unknown

however paramedics were informed that the child’s brother allegedly pushed him in a pram to an area outside where other children were heating water on a fire.

“The exact cause of the incident is unknown but our paramedics have been told that the incident took place close to where other children had been boiling water,” said ER 24 Spokesperson Chitra Bodasing.

Bodasing said that the children had allegedly decided to put the container of hot water in the pram. The water had apparently spilled on the child when they tried to push the pram. He got out of the pram and ran home crying, following which paramedics were contacted to attend to him.

Stray cattle “solution” temperarily off the table Justin Steyn

Photo for illustration purposes olny

The proposal to lease land to cattle farmers in the catchment area of the Bela-Bela dam has been temporarily placed on hold.

The proposal came to light in early July and a meeting where the local community staunchly opposed the proposal was held shortly thereafter. During the meeting reasons such as water pollution, crime and vandalism as some of the main reasons why community members opposed the proposed solution.

Cattle farming in the specified area would be a bad idea. In response, the Bela-Bela municipal spokesperson Matome Sebelebele said that the municipality will publically unveil their plans for the area at the appropriate time Sebelebele also said that they are quite willing to meet with concerned residents about this

matter, urged the public not to “run wild on the basis of mere rumour”.

During the rural safety meeting for July, the mayor of Bela-Bela said that there have been no immediate plans for the area.

According to DA councillor Kobus van der Merwe no official announcements about the area has been made but the issue will be discussed during a sub-committee meeting during the coming week.

Meanwhile, Van der Merwe said that he is very displeased that Nhlapo has not been attending to members within Koppewaai nor the illegal squatters at stand 1924.

“There are a lot of uncertainties regarding these areas and the people in my ward are suffering. The Mayor arranges meetings which he himself have failed to attend and this leaves a bitter taste for the community,” he said.

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GOVERNMENT / POLITICAL

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Career advice for Modimolle Grade 12 learners Mzamane Ringane The Modimolle-based New Age Organization hosted a career guidance session for learners of Phagameng High School and Solomon Mahlangu High School on Wednesday, 12 August.

Representatives from various government departments shared important information with Grade 12 learners, advising them about the importance of education and choosing the right career.

Phagameng High School was the host, with Solomon Mahlangu High School learners travelling to the nearest school for this educational session.

Edward Masingi of the New Age Organization said the main purpose of the event was to have various stakeholders under one roof so that they can share important career information with the learners.

“We had different stakeholders even though we were disappointed by some, but then at the end of the day the event was successful. We achieved what we wanted to, and the young people are excited as they also received informative pamphlets and brochures. From the New Age Organization, we would like to say that this is only the beginning”, said Masingi.

Masingi said that everything is possible,

and further encouraged young people to believe in themselves in order to achieve their goals.

Even though some of the learners felt disappointed due to the absence of other departments, they were equally happy with the information they received from those who were present at the event.

Anneline Molele of Solomon Mahlangu High School said she initially thought agriculture was all about getting your hands dirty and working on farms, but then after this event she learnt that there are many opportunities and careers with the department.

“Unfortunately I felt a bit disappointed because I expected the Department of Health to be part of this event, but they didn’t show up. It would have been helpful if they were also here, because some of us would like to pursue careers relating to their department. I also learnt a lot from the Department of Justice and I’m very thankful that we had this event,” said Molele.

Phagameng High School learner Alpheus Boya said he learnt that there are many opportunity that are awaiting the learners of Modimolle and the country at large.

Boya said the information they received from various speakers would make a difference in the lives of many students who attended the session.

Grade 12 learners received career advice from various departments.

Photo: Mzamane Ringane

DA leader and Bela-Bela Municipality in tug-of-war over evicted squatters TK Mashaba Local DA member Councillor Kobus van der Merwe pointed the finger at Bela-Bela Mayor Lucas Nhlapo regarding issues with the recent eviction of illegal residents in Bela-Bela.

Councillor van der Merwe responded to an allegation that the DA was, to a certain extent, involved in the decision to evict the illegal residents from Extension 9 using the Red Ants.

“This is totally false. In fact I tried to discuss the issue with the mayor while the Red Ants were busy, but I could not get hold of him telephonically or at his office.

Later that same day I managed to reach him and mentioned that I am not satisfied with the way the matter was handled, that we should at least assist the people who were injured during the eviction,” he said.

Van der Merwe said that he discussed the matter with the mayor the next day, at which time the mayor made it clear that he thought there was nothing further to discuss, and that the place had been earmarked for a school.

“I conveyed my dissatisfaction and said that the people could at least have been warned properly, other land made available, and the residents assisted with relocating,” Van der Merwe said.

“It was mentioned that the majority of the illegal residents were from the EFF. I said to the mayor that he should stop managing the whole town on his own, taking decisions on his own. I said that he should call an Executive Meeting whenever a serious issue such as this arise,” he said.

According to Van der Merwe, the mayor said that he saw no need to call an Executive Council meeting. Since the land had been earmarked for a school, which will take several years to plan and construct, there was no urgent need to remove them at that point.

“A good government,” he said, “should have made provision a long time ago, should have prevented any illegal settlement and proper consultation should have taken place or another solution should have been found.”

He complained that the council was not properly informed or invited to discuss the matter.

“We and a number of ANC councillors were not informed properly and we believed that the mayor would do his

Five escape from police custody Justin Steyn Five prisoners have escaped from a Bela-Bela police vehicle en route to the Kgosi Mampuru II Prison in Pretoria on Monday 17 August.

The vehicle was transporting ten alleged criminals who are currently awaiting trial.

It has been reported that the five men had “somehow managed to remove the security grating in the vehicle and kicked open the back window and escaped at the corner of Es’kia and Bloed Street in Pretoria.

The five men are Liston Baloyi (21), Innocent Mahlalela (40), Sammy Sibiya (23), Justice Moakiri (27) and Diver Mogudu (25).

All five men have been accused of armed robbery and are considered dangerous.

The Bela-Bela police spokesperson, Maria Maleto, said that an extensive investigation to find the men has been conducted.

Visit The Red Ants during the eviction of the illegal residents earlier this year.

Photo: TK Mashaba utmost to resolve the issue, discuss it with the councillors or at least with the Executive Committee who are responsible for the day to day running of the municipality.”

The BEAT spoke to Matome Sebelebele, the communications spokesperson of the municipality.

“The Office of the Mayor has taken note of the matters as raised by Councillor Kobus van der Merwe, and we believed that the Councillor is raising a political point which has nothing to do with the council’s decision to remove the illegal settlers in Extension 9,” he said. “As an Executive Committee Member Councillor Van der

Merwe can and should raise these issues within official Executive Committee and Council meetings, where these matters and many others are discussed. The removal of illegal squatters is not a decision by the Mayor, but a Council decision which Councillor Van der Merwe is part of.”

Sebelebele continued to say that it was misleading to label the mayor as a champion of evictions, because all legal evictions, such as the one in Extension 9, happened within the parameters of the law, and were carried out by the Council.

No provision has yet been made for the people who were evicted, and most of their belongings are still in storage in Modimolle.

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PHOTO of the WEEK

May 2015

LETTER TO THE EDITOR David Sebelebele writes: The DA and all tax-payers in and around Modimolle greet with disgust the ANC Chief Whip’s ill-conceived council meeting boycott.

The latter in cahoots with other rogue ANC councillors spearheaded council setting boycott in a bid to derail all-important council meeting during which such pressing issues as massive irregular selling of RDP houses and calendar-related scandal would have been canvassed.

DA in Modimolle once again note with great concern that even the number one citizen of Modimolle, Mayor, Kgaretsa Lekalakala, has also been at the forefront of the misplaced council sitting boycott.

Is the Mayor not supposed to oversee all legal mechanisms designed to curb malpractices in all their manifestations?

What is she then paid mega bucks for?

No amount of council sitting boycott will successfully dispel the ANC’s involvement in the mega bucks calendar scandal.

The DA will stop at nothing to draw on debate power to beget requisite accountability from the ANC and finally brought them to book.

The DA in Modimolle wants to congratulate both the Council Speaker, Councillor Sechele Sebolai SA, and his service-driven lieutenant, Municipal Manager, Sam Bambo, for mastering the courage and wisdom for allowing issues like RDP house selling and calendar scandal to make it to council agenda.

This is precisely what they are handsomely remunerated for.

The DA in Modimolle assures all Modimolle communities that it will do everything humanly imaginable to have justice done to concerns canvassed immediately above including opening “a fat criminal case” with the Hawks.

A goalkeeper relaxing in the goalpost during game against Teekay All Stars and Mountain View. Photo: TK Mashaba.

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The reproduction or broadcast without written permission of any material published in The Beat and its supplements is forbidden and expressly reserved to Upfront Events Two CC, under section 12(7) of the Copyright Act, 1978 and any amendment thereof. The Beat is typographically prepared, published and distributed by Upfront Events Two CC. The Beat: 7 Minnaar Street, Tel: (014) 736-2723, Fax: (014) 736-3428, PO Box 16, Bela-Bela. E-mail: tbeat3@gmail.com.

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• provide our readers with complete, accurate, credible and objective news reporting • remain unbiased under all circumstances • strive to reflect the truth, objectivity and interests of the community in our reporting • support and contribute to freedom of speech, human rights and the economical and social upliftment of the towns and regions of our readers

EDITORIAL

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR Nkhosinathi Ndhlovu, a Bela-Bela resident, writes: I think now is the time for us as the youth of this country to stand up and stop complaining. This country must benefit from us.

Don’t be lazy, use your mind and your talent. Sitting on a corner and pointing fingers at other people will not help you.

God gave us hands and brains to use them, and we are lucky to live in this country — this country does what it needs to give us a better education.

The South African government invests a lot in education.

Each and every year when the new budget is announced, a lot of money is spent on education. But what do we do?

Nothing.

We don’t take our education seriously; we spend our time with alcohol and drugs.

Those things affect our future.

People drop out of school and then come and sit on the corner and demand that the government must give them jobs.

We blame the government for service delivery, but the same government we blame, is the one that gives us free education.

Education is the key to success.

Remember our late former president Nelson Mandela once said: “Education is the most powerful weapon to change the world.”

Let us use this weapon to change our country by adding skills.

If we take education more seriously we can produce more skilled workers.

We must meet government halfway, and the only way to do that is to take education seriously.

When you walk through the townships, you will be pained by the sight of the youth destroying their own futures.

Young boys are smoking nyaope, and young girls have sugar daddies.

Guys, we are destroying our own lives.

Who is going to change this?

Who is going to make this country proud?

There are shortages of doctors, engineers and artisans in our country.

What does this mean to us?

It means that our government is investing taxpayer money’s in us, but we are not taking advantage.

Let us stand up and take this opportunity to equip ourselves.

Now is the time to give back to our country, and if we use this opportunity I am optimistic that our country will only get better.

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LEGALS NOTICE Environmental Authorization for the construction of a 75 MW Solar Energy generation Facility on portion 67 of the farm Tweefontein 462 KR, Bela Bela Municipality, Waterberg District Municipality, Limpopo Province (Bela Bela Solar Park) was granted by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) on the 17 August 2015 (DEA Ref no: 14/12/ 16/3/3/2/688). Should you wish to appeal against the decision as refered to above,

you must lodge a notice of intent to appeal with the Minister of Environmental Affairs within 20 days of the date when the EA was issued by one of the following methods: 1. By Post: Private Bag x447, Pretoria, 0001 2. By Hand: ENVIRONMENTAL HOUSE 473 Steve Biko Arcadia Pretoria, 0083 The procedure pertaining to the appeal process is detailed in Chapter 7 of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998). A copy of the EA is available at AGES, 120 Marshall Street, Polokwane (Tel: 015 291 1577).

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BELA BELA LAND USE SCHEME, 2008 APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL CONSENT IN TERMS OF CLAUSE 21 OF THE BELA BELA LAND-USE SCHEME, 2008, TO PERMIT A REZONING OF 2H. Notice is hereby given that, in terms of Clause 21 of the Bela Bela Land Use Scheme 2008, I/we, the undersigned, intend applying to the Bela Bela Municipality for Special Consent to establish a InPatient Treatment Centre on erf/portion 13 (Portion 6) 40 Mantsole zoned Agriculture, situated at Radium.

Plans and/or particulars relating to the application

may be inspected during office hours at Bela Bela Municipality Commando Building or at the offices of the Manager: Planning and Development, Bela Bela Municipality, Chris Hani Drive, Bela Bela.

Any person having any objections to the granting of this application must lodge such objection together with the grounds thereof in writing, with both the Manager: Planning and Development, Bela Bela Municipality and the undersigned not later than 31 August 2015.

Applicant’s details: Full name: MOSIMA SELOLO Address: 13 (Portion 6) 40 RJ Mantsole Tel: (Home) 082 494 3891 Tel: (Work) 083 988 9048.

Modimolle to hosts inaugural female awards Mzamane Ringane Mzamane Ringane Deserving women from around the area of Modimolle will be honoured during Women’s Month, when the local organisation Friends and Fun Projects plan to be hosting the first Modimolle Women’s Awards ceremony in Phagameng.

The prestigious event was scheduled for Saturday 29 August, at the Peter Nchabeleng Community Hall from 10:00 in the morning.

Local businessman and founder of Friends and Fun Projects Phillip Seema said the main objective of hosting this event is to honour women who served the community relentlessly, regardless of their professions.

“As Friends and Fun Projects we are working in conjunction with Kranskop Scholar Transport Association and other business people in the area to ensure the success of this event.

We want to acknowledge the good work of women from various sectors in Modimolle by rewarding them with these special awards.

There are many women who stood firm and continued to serve the community of Modimolle from previous years till today, and such people deserves to be recognized”, said Seema.

Seema said as Friends and Fun Projects also focus on primary school children and the youth, with the aim of getting them off the streets and raising awareness of drug and alcohol abuse.

He said they also motivate youngsters to take education seriously, as it is their key to better lives.

Friends and Fun Projects founder Phillip Seema.

Photo: Mzamane Ringane

As a build up to the main event, Friends and Fun Projects in conjunction with the local organisation One Must Die would host what they dubbed as the appreciation campaign at the local taxi rank in Phagameng Township.

Seema extended gratitude towards Waterberg renowned politician Klaas Mabunda, founding member of Miss Modimolle beauty pageant Francinah Mashaba, businessman Piet Chauke and Kranskop Scholar Transport for supporting this initiative.

He said the event would be held under the theme “Wathinta abafazi, wa thint’ Imbhokodo” (you strike a woman, you strike a rock).

The month of August was marked Women’s Month following the courageous action by 20 000 women of all races who marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria protesting against the pass laws.

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Disability Council hosts a successful indaba

CHARITY / ENTERTAINMENT / SCHOOL

Vaalwater dances for success The gumboot dancers who form part of the Mabatlane Youth Friendly Service at the Vaalwater Clinic. Photo: Marlene Vermaak

Chairperson of the Bela-Bela Disability Council Piet Mabusela and his secretary Isaac Sithole.

Photo: Lizzy Bapela

Lizzy Bapela Lizzy Bapela The Bela-Bela Disability Council Committee regards their indaba held on Friday, 7 August at the local Community Hall a success, even though the municipality allegedly failed them.

The council told The BEAT that they had engaged with the local municipality several times and were promised assistance with their needs and were to receive aid to bring people together for the indaba.

They said that no support had been received from the municipality and said that no municipal representatives attended the event, despite having received invitations.

Present during the event were the Departments of Agriculture, Public Works, Correctional Services, Justice, Constituency and the Occupational Therapy Unit from the Bela-Bela Hospital.

The SAPS and the Department of Labour did not make it to the event and no apologies were allegedly received from them. This posed a concern to the committee, since these departments play a key role in the development of people with disabilities.

The council’s chairperson Piet Mabusela said that they had needed the Department of Health to attend, especially the spokesperson for the local hospital Buti Moagi. He also said that people with disabilities often raise issues related to their health during the event and said that the Department’s presence would have made a great impact with the attendees.

Over 200 people with disabilities attended the event, although Mabusela expressed concern over the absence of their counterparts in areas such as Rapotokoane, Masakhane, Spa Park and Pienaarsrivier. He said that most of them need transport to make it from one place

to another and rely on assistance from the municipality.

During the event Sandra de Wet from the Department of Education’s District Office encouraged parents of children with disabilities to take them to special schools so that they may have their special needs catered for. She also encouraged people with disabilities to acquire relevant skills in order to be informed and knowledgeable especially on issues that involve them.

“It was disappointing to have a representative from office of the Premier in Malota Mulubana present during the event, expressing disappointment over the non-attendance by our local municipality, whereas they are the ones who are supposed to chair developmental programmes involving people with disability. His main concern was that their absence proves that our usual complains are not taken into consideration and the municipality is not doing things properly. Mulubana advised us to sit and table complaints and general concerns and forward them to their office for urgent intervention,” said Mabusela.

The council’s Secretary Isaac Sithole said that they feel that their rights are violated since the mandate for 2% employment of people with disabilities across government institutions, 4% empowerment in procurement and 5% of the people receiving skills and developmental training was not delivered accordingly. He added that the deadline for the policies to be implemented is nearing and if we are not consulted until then, we will have no choice but to engage Section 9 organisations such as the Human Rights Commission for their assistance.

The committee thanked the attending departments on behalf of the members and committee, saying that they were hands on and assisted a lot to make the event a success.

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The Mango Groove Dance Group which also forms part of the Mabatlane Youth Friendly Service at the Vaalwater Clinic. Photo: Marlene Vermaak

Marlene Vermaak Marlene Vermaak The Mabatlane Youth Friendly Service Group is dedicated to uplifting the youth of Vaalwater and Leseding.

This vibrant group of boy dancers performed at the Vaalwater Clinic in Leseding on Monday, 10 August, for both patients and staff. The purpose of their visit was to celebrate Women’s Day. The group consists of 25 boys aged between 10 and 14 years. The group practices their dance routines six days a week and are extremely dedicated.

“The Mabatlane Youth Friendly Services also organizes more dance groups based on the film Sarafina, Mango Groove dances, gumboot dances, and a poetry group,” said organizer Betha Manganya, whose office is based at the Vaalwater clinic.

All the

organization’s dance groups also performed at the Leseding Community Hall on Saturday, 15 August. They celebrated International Youth Day as well as Women’s Month. All the youth from Leseding were invited to attend and the hall was full and buzzing with voices by 11:00. Celebration and performances lasted until 14:00.

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SPORT

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Teekay All Stars soccer team triumphant

Bela-Bela Pirates FC wins the Councillor Hlungwane Cup

‘We plan to have more games in the off season’

Winners of the 2015 Councillor Hlungwane Cup soccer tournament Bela-Bela Pirates FC. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

Teekay All Star player Sam Seema in full swing on the ball. Photo: TK Mashaba

It was a tough but enjoyable game for the boys during the tournament.

Photo: Lizzy Bapela

Teekay All Star team after they won their game.

Photo: TK Mashaba

Mashaba TKTK Mashaba The off-season has not kept local soccer fans from doing what they love.

On Sunday, 16 August, the local Bela-Bela team Teekay All Stars hosted two other teams, Mountain View and Midway Chic at Moloto Stadium.

They played to a 4-1 win against the Mountain View team, whose goalkeeper, DA Councillor Keenan Alberts, was defeated between the posts four times. They later played to a 3-2 win against Midway Chix.

According to their captain, Papi Mothapo, they showed team spirit and played outstandingly well even when they were under pressure, especially in their second game against Midway Chix.

“This helps us to keep fit and also give game time to some of the SAB players who are in their off-season while we wait for the new season to start,” said Mothapo, a former Total Surrender player.

Diesel n Dust key player Sam Modise, who also scored a goal against Mountain View, said that he loved his team spirit.

“We played well and will be playing more games in the off-season,” he added.

Modimolle athletes to take part in Mandela Marathon in August Lizzy Bapela Lizzy Bapela Two athletes from Modimolle have been selected to be part of the Mandela Marathon scheduled for Sunday, 30 August in Durban. The athletes, Junior Moatshe and Piet Lekalakala are also members of the Addicted to Life Athletics team from Modimolle. The two will depart from Modimolle on Friday, 21 August to prepare for the marathon.

Lekalakala was also selected for the Provincial Indigenous Games which were held in Polokwane on Wednesday, 12, and Thursday, 13 August, where he obtained second place.

Both Lekalakala also took part in the Exarro-Mogolo Marathon which took place

in Lephalale on Saturday, 15 August, where Moatshe came first in the 21 km and Lekalakala came third in the 32 km race.

Both the athletes and other members of the Addicted to Life Athletics team have built their profiles by participating in the 2015 Executive Mayor’s Marathon and other racing competitions, where they emerged victorious. Other members took part in the Comrades Marathons which took place in Durban in May. They told The BEAT that they pay for all their costs for their endeavours from their own pockets, and that some of the chosen athletes are in need of logistics help ahead of the championships.

They urged anyone who is interested in sponsoring their team to contact Moashe on 072 925 0054.

Lizzy Bapela Lizzy Bapela Bela-Bela Pirates FC won the Councillor Hlungwane Cup in the 2015 soccer tournament, which kicked off in the beginning of August at the Zone 14 soccer field. Eight teams from Ward 4 battled for the first prize, which included a R3 000 cheque, soccer kit, gold medals, and a trophy, with Pirates FC emerging the winner.

In the semi-finals, Bela-Bela Pirates FC drew 0-0 against Mathaithai and won 4-3 in penalties, while Cash Build won 1-0 against Marikana FC. In the losers’ final, Marikana FC won 51 against Mathaithai FC, with Bela-Bela Pirates drawing 2-2 against Cash Build FC and winning 6-5 in the finals.

Bela-Bela Pirates FC coach Santa Mokhonoana expressed their gratitude over the team’s victory, saying that it was their clever strategy and teamwork throughout the tournament and the match that won them the first prize.

Mokhonoana has five years’ experience in coaching but only two with this team, and he could not contain his excitement over the victory.

He told The BEAT that he aimed to be in the lead from the very first whistle and expected to lead by four goals, but only managed two.

He added that it had not deterred him or his players from being positive about the game and playing to win.

“The fact that the boys seemed to have

lost concentration in the last half nearly gave away the game but I kept a level head and remained focused.

I am so impressed by their overall performance and congratulate the goalscorers,” said Mokhonoana.

Strikers Lolo Seswai and Jonas Lebodi scored the two goals during the match and they claimed victory by scoring another six goals with other team members.

Ephraim Mochabeni missed a penalty kick, but that did not prevent the team from winning.

The goal scorers also said that they knew from the beginning of the tournament and the winning match that they will walk out of the field as victors, and that they would score the winning goal, which would result in their win.

Tournament founder Freddy Hlungwane and other members in the board of directors congratulated the victors and wished all the players luck in their future ventures.

Soccer fanatic and Bela-Bela Pirates FC manager Johannes Mabua said that winning made him feel proud and honoured for his contribution to the team’s success.

He added that all in all the game was tough but fun, and added that he wished there was a replay for the next weekend.

The winning teams received their prizes and all the participating teams are expected to gather at the Bela-Bela Community Hall for a prize-giving ceremony during a gala dinner scheduled to take place soon.