2017
R1-20/FREE
24 February
Judgement day for
Tuinplaas bushpig hunter
Members of the ANC protested outside the courthouse during the bail hearing of hunter Stefan Hepburn. Photo: Mzamane Ringane. Read more on page 3
Bakkie rolls on N1, minor injuries Page 2
Modimolle’s crime wave Page 3
Minors arrested for torching car Page 4
Qualitho FC on a roll Page 8
CRIME
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24 February 2017 Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
Rats find shelter at Modimolle pensioner’s shack Mzamane Ringane While her neighbours are sleeping comfortably in RDP houses, 72-year old Rebecca Mashishi says life is difficult for her as she is still living in a shack. The old woman told The BEAT that she had hope when she was moved from an informal settlement, to Phomolong Extension 9 where is currently residing. “We were registered to receive RDP houses, but to my surprise my application took longer than expected. I followed up with the previous ward councillor, who told me that my application had been sent to the province for consideration. I have been enquiring about this situation since then, but to no avail,” she said. Mashishi told The BEAT her furniture and clothes have been destroyed by rats, and said that she was now on the verge of losing hope. “I have been voting since 1994 when Nelson Mandela became the first president of the democratic South Africa. I have been allocated water and electricity and I pay accordingly, but I have been excluded when people received houses. If I was working, I would understand the reason why I was
Modimolle pensioner Rebecca Mashishi says her life remains difficult. Photo: Mzamane Ringane excluded from receiving a house. I cannot afford to build myself a house with my old age pension,” Mashishi said.
LIM 368 Municipality spokesperson Naphatali Thloaela promised to look into the matter, and give a detailed response in due course.
Sexual assault at Settlers Justin Steyn Another disturbing incident has reared its ugly head at the Settlers Agricultural High School outside of Bela-Bela, where a woman was allegedly sexually assaulted in her own home. The investigating officer, Warrant Officer Johannes Shihlane, said that the alleged incident occurred on the night
of Thursday, 16 February while the victim was asleep in her house at the school’s premises. “It is alleged that four students entered the home of her and her husband while she was asleep. Her husband a general worker of the school, was not home at the time. The intruders then restrained her and allegedly used household items to sexually assault her.” Shihlane said that a handwritten note had been left behind at the scene of the alleged crime stating
that the assault is served as a warning of some sort to her husband. He added that nothing had been stolen from the scene and that no arrests have been made. The spokesperson of the Department of Education in Limpopo, Naledzani Rasila, said that he had not been notified of the incident and that the matter should be left for police to investigate.
Minor injuries after accident
Six people survived an accident involving a double cab bakkie. Photo supplied Justin Steyn
Six people suffered minor injuries after their vehicle had been involved in an accident outside of Bela-Bela. According to the spokesperson for the Waterberg Advanced Assist (APA) group the
accident occurred on Saturday, 18 February on the N1-highway en route to Settlers when a blue Ford Ranger double-cab bakkie rolled over with its six passengers inside. “The APA was dispatched to the N1 just before the Settlers and Codrington off-ramp for a motor vehicle accident. On
arrival we found that a single vehicle had apparently rolled.” “Six people sustained minor injuries and were transported by Provincial Ambulance Service to a hospital in the area where they are recovering,” Gill said. The cause of the accident is unknown.
Medicinal cannabis could become legal soon Andries van der Heyde The National assembly in Cape Town is currently in the process of discussing the controversial draft bill, named the Medical Innovation bill in parliament, to legalize the use of cannabis (marijuana, commonly known as dagga) for medicinal purposes in South Africa. The proposed bill was first introduced in 2014 by the late MP, Dr Mario Oriani-Ambrosini, from the Inkatha freedom party (IFP). Ambrosini was diagnosed with terminal cancer and died shortly after. The bill is meant to make provision for innovation in medical treatment and to legalise the use of cannabinoids (marijuana) for medical purposes and beneficial commercial and industrial uses, according to the draft bill. The bill, however, makes no mention of recreational use and one of its objectives is to establish research hospitals where medical innovation can take place. Especially with regard to the treatment and cure of cancer, and to legalise the medical, commercial and industrial use of cannabis in accordance with emerging world standards. Legal dispensation, if put into law, applies only to research hospitals authorised by the Minister of Health where medical practitioners are granted greater professional discretion to administer innovative and alternative medical treatments on the basis of the patients’ informed consent, according the bill. In a recent statement from the Medicines control council (MCC) it says that cannabis is a schedule 7 substance and is subject to restrictions and controls and the position of the government is to regulate usage in order to prevent illicit use and its potentially harmful effects. The statement added that it is still illegal to cultivate, analyse, research, possess, use, sell or supply cannabis without the necessary authorisation from the department of health as per the legislative requirements. Under law, registered medical practitioners can apply to make these type of unregistered medicines available to patients under medical supervision and in exceptional circumstances. The MCC has recognized that more data regarding use and unregistered products are needed, balancing the evidence of its efficacy and risks, as well the need for a
regulatory framework to effectively control cultivation, production and manufacturing of cannabis products. However, access to these products is aimed at being responsive to the wishes of patients in respect of conditions for which alternative, effective treatments are not available, the statement ended. In another statement from Dr Shaquir Salduker, board member of the Psychiatry management group (PsychMG), to The Post, he said that although certain studies indicate that cannabis is as effective as pain medication and that it can treat symptoms like nausea, anxiety, appetite and convulsions, there has been no revolutionary studies done that can indicate the effectiveness of cannabis cures. He is especially worried about the negative effects in children younger than 18 years, as well as the risk of worsening bipolar disorders and chronic demotivation in people if the product is used over a long term. He did not deny that cannabis has medicinal benefits, but that more research must be done on the subject – since he has experienced cases where patients were unresponsive to the substance and this government bill can lead to the misuse of cannabis. * Recently in Bela-Bela a woman was charged for possession and distribution of cannabis oil which she concocted at her home in the Noodhulp-area outside town. The police found about 55kg of cannabis in her possession which she allegedly bought from a private person. She was released on R10 000 bail and will appear in the Bela-Bela magistrate’s court again in April. Countless readers reacted to the article saying that the police could have used their energies elsewhere and that some of them are in favour of these products. It is a known fact from the police’s national crime statistics that came out in 2016 that the Bela-Belaarea haves one of the highest rates of drug related crimes and abuse in the entire Waterberg-area. According to the BelaBela police it is still a crime if a person is caught in possession of cannabis and can be charged for distribution or possession. The new bill does not include recreational use. The medical innovation bill is yet to be heard in parliament and will in all likeliness be put into law by the end of February. The bill will only take effect once it appears in the government gazette.
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GOVERNMENT / POLITICAL
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Tuinplaas bushpig hunter will know his fate today
Stefan Hepburn kept a Bible at his side during his bail hearing on Thursday, 16 February. Photo: Mzamane Ringane Mzamane Ringane Stefan Hepburn from Pretoria will know his fate on Friday, 24 February, when Judge Nkateko Maluleke hands down judgement following submissions by both the state and defence during the applicant’s bail hearing. Hepburn was arrested last week, after admitting to shooting and killing farmworker Jan Railo on a farm near Tuinplaas. It is alleged that Hepburn was hunting, when he mistook the deceased for a bush pig and shot him in the process. On Thursday, 16 February, the court had to postpone the bail hearing to Monday,
20 February after Hepburn had the services of his previous lawyer terminated. On Monday members of the community packed the courtroom, with EFF and ANC members being among those who protested outside the court. The protestors called for the court to dismiss the bail application, and keep the accused behind bars until the accused can stand trial. The accused’s legal team made a submission of three affidavits, written under oath by the accused, his wife and the farm owner during his appearance. The court heard that Hepburn owns a company and is a resident of South Africa.
Modimolle businesses suffer wave of burglaries Lizzy Bapela Business establishments in different areas at Modimolle have recently suffered burglaries. Police spokesperson Warrant Officer James Findlay confirmed that the crimes are a concern to the police. The first incident happened on Friday, 17 February, unknown suspects broke into an office based on the Joe Slovo Street and stole tools valued at over R3 200. Findlay said that the suspects broke the door open to gain entrance into the office. The complainant told the police that he checked to confirm that all doors and windows were securely locked when he went home after work at 16:30. He added that he noticed that a radio was missing from where he left it the previous day and walked around to check what had happened. He found the radio lying next to the table as he was checking and immediately alerted the police. Warrant officer Findlay said that the police are investigating a case of business burglary in this regard. Other suspects broke into a butchery on the Nelson Mandela Drive on Saturday, 18 February and stole an undisclosed amount of money and a laptop. According to the information received, someone phoned the owner of the affected butchery in the early
hours to notify him of the break-in at his business and he rushed to the scene immediately. The owner, who cannot be named at this stage, told the police that everything was secure when he left the butchery the afternoon before the breakin. He added that on arrival at the scene, he found that the front window was broken and his belonging were missing. The police are investigating a case of business robbery following the incident. A chain store, Dunns also situated on Nelson Mandela Drive also suffered a break-in on Friday, 17 February. Findlay said that the complainant alleged that she was on duty, when a customer attacked her at gunpoint. He added that the suspect allegedly approached the complainant and took out a gun from a bag and demanded money. “The complainant said that she told the suspect that there was no money in the shop because they have already took it to the bank. She further alleges that the suspect then ordered her and her colleagues to go to the storeroom and asked her to open the safe. The complainant also said that the suspect and his accomplice then took the staff members’ cell phones and told them to stay in the storeroom 10 minutes,” Findlay said told the media. The police confirmed that the suspects fled the scene on foot and are still at large.
The complaintant said that she told the suspect that there was no money in the shop
EFF members outside the Modimolle Magistrate Court. Photo: Mzamane Ringane The applicant stated in an affidavit that he is a father of four children. In his bail application, the applicant cited that he has not offered any further violence against anyone relating to the case. He lives in Pretoria and has no intention of leaving the country as he does not have relatives or business associates abroad. The applicant continued to submit that he can afford a bail of R10 000. The court also heard that on that fateful day, Hepburn and his wife were invited to hunt bush pigs and other animals which were damaging crops on the farm. The state in its submission to oppose bail cited that the community might lose trust in
the courts should the accused be granted bail, and that could cause a public outrage. Community representative Zunaid Mosam was called as a second witness on Tuesday. The ANC, EFF, ANCYL, Cosatu, Sanco, SAYC, SAYAC, YCL, Nkuzi Development Assocoation and MKMVA issued a statement in unison, demanding that justice prevails. “We demand that the courts deny the alleged murderer of Jan Railo bail,” the statement reads. When appearing before the court on Thursday and Monday, Hepburn had in his hand a little Bible which he kept at his side during the proceedings.
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GOVERNMENT / POLITICAL
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Firefight at Northam
Councillor refuses to comment on allegations
Sunfa Stadium is being upgraded, and the construction processes is giving the local DA sleepless nights. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
Three men are allegedly part of a 14-man shootout between them and Northam traffic officials. Photo supplied Justin Steyn Police investigations are underway after a shootout between traffic officials and fourteen men in Northam. According to Ben Engelbrecht of the Heritage Protection Group (HPG) Northam traffic conducted a roadblock on Monday, 13 February and ordered a blue Isuzu Double
cab bakkie to halt. “A shootout ensued and the Isuzu attempted flee but they were forced from the road by traffic officials where another shootout took place.” Engelbrecht said that the driver of the vehicle was arrested on the scene while the others managed to escape. He said that two men were arrested on the morning of Tuesday, 14 February when they attempted to
recharge their phones at a nearby farm where they were traced. Engelbrecht said that information received from the two led to the location and arrest of at least three other suspects. The five said that they were a total of fourteen individuals involved in the shooting. The incident is currently under investigation and the motive for the shooting is currently unknown.
Ward 3 Councillor Lerato Modimola is accused of employing her own friends and supporters in the stadium project. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
Six arrested for allegedly torching mayor’s car
DA PR Councillor Kepile Mothokwa is dissatisfied with the ANC’s running of things in his ward. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
TK Mashaba Six minors were arrested and released on Friday, 10 February and remain under the supervision of social workers for allegedly torching Bela-Bela mayor Jeremiah Ngobeni’s VW Polo during protests on Tuesday, 7 February. The minors, whose names could not be released because of their ages, have been placed in a special programme after appearing before the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court behind closed doors on Friday, 10 February. According to Bela-Bela Police’s Colonel Abel Phetla, the youths were identified on a video which was taken by the SAPS during the protests. “They will be monitored by social workers who will present a report to the police about their behaviour,” Phetla said.
Lizzy Bapela
Bela-Bela mayor Jeremiah Ngobeni’s car was torched during recent protests. Photo: TK Mashaba on. The mayor’s car was removed “The police do not approve from the township clinic where it public violence and malicious was parked, moved to a busy damage to any property,” said crossing, and torched in broad Phetla. daylight with the mayor looking
EFF speaks up about SAPS’s funeral absence TK Mashaba Bela-Bela’s EFF chairperson Sello Mosweu lashed out at the SAPS for their marked absence at the funeral of Karabo Khumalo, the 11-year-old boy who was killed during the protests at Bela-Bela on Tuesday, 7 February. Khumalo, a Grade 5 learner at Hleketani Primary, was buried on Saturday, 18 February. His memorial service was attended by community leaders including ward councillors from the DA, ANC, and the EFF, but the SAPS were notably absent. Mosweu complained that the police should have attended to support the family in their time of
Family members carrying the coffin of Karabo Khumalo on Saturday, 18 February for his burial. Photo supplied grief. Bela-Bela Police’s Station Commander Lindi Marx said that
the police could not attend the funeral for legal reasons.
ANC Councillor in Bela-Bela’s Ward 3, Lerato Modimola told reporters that she could not comment on allegations levelled against her and her organisation in the ward. This follows an enquiry by The BEAT, after DA PR Councillor and Caucus Chairperson Kepile Mothokwa complained about the logistics regarding the construction project currently in process at Sunfa Stadium. Councillor Modimola told the paper that her colleague should have come to her with whatever problem he has with her or the organisation and talked to her instead of going to the media about it. She also said that no one notified her of the things that are said in the media. Councillor Mothokwa maintains that he approached her several times without success. Mothokwa approached the paper to lodge his complaints, alleging that the project is not being conducted according to the guidelines. He said that is has been four months since the project has started but there is still no sign of progress, while the money is being misused. The councillor further said that the guidelines state the person who won the tender
has to have a steering committee, which is represented by a community liaison officer. In this case, the community was apparently not notified of the project’s commencement and the election of the steering committee together with the CLO. “The leadership bypassed the guidelines and conducted things according to their own thinking. They robbed the community of the opportunity to compete for employment and elect their own preferred and deserving candidates,” Mothokwa said. The DA in Bela-Bela says that they believe that a leader should serve the interests, not those of his own but that of his or her entire community, irrespective of whether they were involved in her election into leadership or not. “Community members reported to me that there are 17 women awaiting employment promised by the councillor and this list was not made public. The residents were not afforded the opportunity to take a chance in getting jobs, which they so badly need. The councillor later promised a response next week.
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University books allegedly stashed for months
EDITORIAL
Resort targeted by ‘Forum’
This poster has been seen in front of the Bela-Bela municipality claiming that a black economic empowerment forum is affiliated with Forever Resorts and has 30% shares. The Resort has denied this. Photo: Justin Steyn
Books that have been donated by the University of South Africa have allegedly been lying in storage of the Bela-Bela library for months. Photo: Justin Steyn
Justin Steyn University books that have been donated to the Bela-Bela municipal library have been unused for months according to employees. Upon discovery of the books a municipal employee, who did not want to be named, said that University of South Africa (UNISA) books had been off of the library shelves for a number of months already. The books are currently in a storage room which was previously used as an office for librarians. This, he says, was due to an instruction made by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and said that municipal officials apparently refuse to intervene in the matter. “These books are very important and in very good condition. These books are dated as far back as 1997 but can still be used for educational purposes. I don’t understand why these books can just be thrown away like that,” he said. He alleged that UNISA might visit the municipality at the end of March. The employee told The BEAT that a large number of books donated by the community are also planned to be discarded as they “are too old and in a bad condition” to be used. The employee further lamented the condition of the library saying that its condition will not change. “We have very poor access to the internet, with only one terminal available for use. The Wi-Fi has recently been repaired by a resident because some people even stand outside of the library so that they can have a better connection,” he said. The employee further said that no new books have been provided by the department and that the facility
requires additional staff. “We are still waiting for new books to be delivered by the department of Sports, Arts and culture and when we ask the municipality to assist in bettering the library, we always get the same response that they will look into it.” In response to the allegations the acting head of department of Social Community Services, TJ Mothapo, once again reiterated that the municipality is the department’s concern but that the municipality has no plans to discard any of the books that are currently in storage. “The issue of books that have been stored has two sides. Once again as the library is in the hands of the department and any books they wish to have inside must be considered first. That being said, the municipal library only has a certain amount of space available and we are going to utilize all books in storage as soon as more space is made available,” With regards to the issue related to additional staff, Mothapo said that this has to be a joint decision made by both the department and the municipality despite the current employees being on the municipal payroll. “If we were to consider adding staff to the library, it would have to be discussed by us and the department. We cannot just use funds where it could be used elsewhere like road maintenance and so forth. If the department were to add staff then we will be liable to find other departments for our current staff to work in,” he said. The BEAT sent an e-mail to UNISA for comment on the issue but received no reply.
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Justin Steyn Forever Resorts Warmbaths has allegedly been targeted by a forum referring to itself as the Forever Resorts Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Workplace Forum claiming to be affiliated with the company. This is according to a poster that has been spotted hanging in front of the Bela-Bela Municipality’s offices The notice also claims that the forum owns 30% of shares of Forever Resorts. According to Forever Resorts Relationship Manager Ziska Haak, the resort has never been affiliated with the forum and that no sale agreement had taken place between the two parties. “The poster’s wording shows a strong resemblance to the wording of letters received during the past few years by a forum who calls themselves the Forever Resorts Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Workplace Forum, claiming to be affiliated with the company.
This forum’s application for recognition was declined by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA on the basis that it is not a recognised trade union. Forever Resorts denies any association with this Forum,” Haak said in a statement to The Beat’s media query “We have further obtained a High Court Interdict in the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, against this alleged forum and other respondents on 12 December 2015 against the continuing of these defamatory remarks and false accusations.” Haak said that a former employee, who is allegedly affiliated with the forum, has been acting in contempt of this interdict. “A former employee of the company, who is also the first respondent in the aforementioned interdict, has however been acting in contempt of the Interdict since December 2016.” Haak said that a court application has been made but could not disclose further details as the matter has been placed under Sub Judice law. “We are currently awaiting a court date in a Contempt of Court application and the matter is currently sub judice. Forever Resorts will leave this issue for decision by the court the matter is currently before,” Haak said.
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ADVERTISMENTS / LEGALS
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Army worm sees minister gracing Waterberg farms Lizzy Bapela Minister for the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Senzeni Zokwana promised to meet with the National Treasury soon to request additional funding to combat the spread of army worms. Following the confirmation of the presence of the Fall Army Worm in South Africa, the minister visited some of the affected maize producing farms in the Limpopo on Monday, 13 February. Limpopo is among other provinces that confirmed that the crop eating pests, armyworms are wreaking havoc among their agricultural sector. The destructive fall armyworm is a new phenomenon to South African farmers. It targets crops such as maize, sorghum, cotton, soybean and sugar cane as hosts In the Waterberg District, the delegation visited three farms including Mr. Muller’s Hartebeesfontein Farm in Mookgophong, Petri van der Walt Farm in Settlers and Bogoshi and Mashishi’s farms in Rust de Winter. The minister was accompanied by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) country representative, Doctor Lewis Hove, the Limpopo MEC for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana and the acting Waterberg District executive mayor Matilda Hadebe. Departmental spokesperson in Limpopo Selby Makgotho said that the aim of the visit was for the delegation to assess the extent of the damage caused by the pests. He also said that the government is working together with the FAO to control the situation. In his address, Minister Zokwana said that local scientists are working tirelessly to determine the worm’s biological make up. He added that they have been able to do their research as government and know what they are dealing with. The minister further said that with the registered pesticides, they know which ones can work on the pests
The leadership visited various farms in the Waterberg District following the confirmation of the presence of the Fall Army Worm in South Africa. Photo: Lizzy Bapela The Fall Army Worm is a concern to Waterberg farms. Photo supplied
Acting Waterberg District executive mayor Matilda Hadebe, Agriculture Minister Senzeni Zokwana and of Agriculture and Rural Development MEC Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana led a briefing session before heading to the farms. Photo: Lizzy Bapela and they have been registered. “We are asking farmers to be vigilant. We are working up on a program that includes finding funding that will be utilised so that people who have got this worm don’t stand alone and fight it.,” said the minister. Meanwhile the DA called on the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Des van Rooyen, to declare the invasion’ of the Fall Army worm a national disaster. DA Shadow Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Annette Steyn said that this will trigger the release of much-needed funding to assist maize farmers who are currently struggling to fight this plague. She added that it is vital that the government respond effectively and efficiently, and as soon as possible. She further said that the consequences of not doing so could lead to job losses which the country cannot afford, should
farmers lose crops. “DAFF should have registered vaccine in October 2016, after the International Association for the Plan Protection Sciences (IAPPS) published a report confirming the outbreak of the Fall Army Worm in Nigeria and warned that it could spread rapidly. This warning from a reputable organisation, together with the confirmed presence of the Army worm on the African continent, should have resulted in the Department registering the vaccine needed to fight the pests, which South Africa does not have, as a matter of urgency. Yet despite this reality, and the arrival of the Fall Armyworm in Zambia in December 2016, no action was taken by the Department. In fact, as was made clear in a press briefing, the process of registering the vaccine only took place towards the end of January, after the first Fall Army worm were confirmed in South Africa,” said Steyn in a statement.
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CHARITY / ENTERTAINMENT / SCHOOL
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Renowned tourist guide heads to Robben Island Lizzy Bapela
Thabazimbi’s renowned tourist guide, Sidney Fhumulani Mikosi will represent Marakele National Park at the International Tourist Guides’ Day commemorations scheduled for Robben Island in early March. Photo supplied
Thabazimbi’s renowned tourist guide, Sidney Fhumulani Mikosi will again be in the spotlight when he joins other tour guides from around the country on a trip to Robben Island. The trip is taken as part of the International Tourist Guides’ Day commemorations that will take place on Friday, 3 and Saturday, 4 March 2017. Mikosi, who is based at Marakele National Park as Head Guide, rose to fame when he won the national Lilizela Award in 2016. According to the Marakele Park Manager, Mphadeni Nthangeni, this young man is an expert in nature guiding and the park is proud that he will join the Department of Tourism to share his expertise with the guiding fraternity. The International Tourist Guides’ Day is usually commemorated each year with activities such as excursions and motivational talks to encourage all those who are involved in the field. Nthangeni said they hope that many up-and-coming
guides will be inspired to do well as they help transfer knowledge from one generation to the other. Mikosi said that this is another opportunity that adds to his career achievements. He added that the trip gives him an opportunity to share his knowledge with the rest of the country and not just with the clients in the park. “I am ever grateful to SANParks for the opportunity they have given me to broaden my knowledge in nature,” he added. Sidney has been with Marakele National Park since 2009 and boasts several accolades to his name including the Limpopo Provincial Lilizela, National Lilizela as well as the SANParks’ CEO Awards, all of which he received in 2016. “Most of the clients who have been on a game drive with Sidney describe him as the jungle encyclopedia. They say that his passion and enthusiasm always stand out whenever he is on duty and his knowledge unparalleled,” said spokesperson for the SANParks Northern Region Divhani Maremba.
Local youths beg for workshop to accommodate all stakeholders
Young people participated in the questions and answer session during the event. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
A gathering at the Bela-Bela Forever Resorts elaborated on opportunities available in the energy industry. Photo: Lizzy Bapela Lizzy Bapela Bela-Bela youths who attended the Annual Petroleum Products Act Awareness workshop urged that the workshop be held in the township in future, where most young black people and those who need the information are based. The Department of Energy (DoE) hosted the event, which took place at the Bela-Bela Forever Resorts on Thursday, 16 February.
The event was aimed at encouraging members of the public to reduce their driving speed and opt for using public transport where possible. Those present at the event urged that such events must focus on empowering young people, especially the unemployed, who are still struggling to make ends meet and those lacking information and assistance to break into the business world. Departmental Spokesperson Thandiwe Maimane said that the campaign was aimed
at making stakeholders aware of licencing processes that govern the petroleum industry, as well as compliance issues; opening doors to those who would like to participate in the space of manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing of petroleum products, while emphasizing compliance to those who are already license holders; and presenting energy project earmarked for poverty alleviation through establishment of integrated energy centres. The Department used this platform to
promote access to affordable petroleum products by low-income consumers for household use. Presentations were done on the opportunities available through the DoE’s Integrated Energy Centres; energy projects earmarked for poverty alleviation; compliance, monitoring and enforcement; as well as Fuel Pricing, Margins and Zones. Representatives from various institutions and government departments including Labour and the Limpopo Economic Development and Tourism.
Khabs Market to address social lifestyle through arts TK Mashaba Bela-Bela will be rocking this Saturday25 February with the new social market taking place at Plot 16 Noordhulp on the R516 road to Thabazimbi. The new market, which will be called
Khabz Market, will be hosting a social and art session kicking off at 10:30 till 18:00. According to the organiser, Kabelo Ngulube, the aim of the social market is to assure that the people get to market their arts and crafts.
The other thing which will be on display will be fashion designers, and food will also be available. “We want to bring a relaxed Saturday atmosphere, where fun meets socializing, provide opportunities for upcoming artist,” said Ngulube.
“We decided to create this marked because we saw a need to unleash talent and make a difference in people’s life,” he added. Anyone wishing to be part of this event should call Kabelo on 060 724 6475. All stalls are available for free.
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SPORT
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Qualitho FC can’t stop scoring
A Celtic FC player in action during their league encounter with Qualitho FC. Photo: Mzamane Ringane Mzamane Ringane It looks like the Waterberg SAB Region Stream A side Qualitho FC intends to make it difficult for other teams to catch them in their league race, after they recorded the biggest victory of the weekend on Saturday, 18 February. The team secured a 7-1 victory against a
Qualitho FC in action against Celtic FC on Saturday, 18 February. Photo: Mzamane Ringane
youthful Celtic FC at the Ephraim Mogale Stadium. Qualitho FC’s superior goal difference puts the team in a better position to win their stream of the league. The Rapotokwane team will this week host Bela-Bela Pirates FC. Bela-Bela Pirates will hope to snatch an away win, after they dropped points in a 1-all draw
last weekend. Celtic FC will visit Bela-Bela Diesel N Dust for their weekend encounter. Modimolle Home Defenders on the other hand kept Bela-Bela Happy Hearts in the relegation zone, after beating the Bela-Bela team 3-0. Home Defenders FC will host Boys 2 Men FC this weekend, while the struggling Happy
Hearts FC was expected to host Modimolle All Stars. Modimolle All Stars played to a 1-all draw with Bussel FC during their weekend match. Boys 2 Men on the other hand secured an important 3-2 victory at home, when they hosted Diesel N Dust FC. In other fixtures this coming weekend Troublemakers FC will host NTK Happy Boys.
Lehlabile Soccer team bids farewell to a promising young player
Khensani Msimango in action during his last match on Sunday 12 February. Photo: TK Mashaba
TK Mashaba Bela-Bela’s Khensani Msimango, an upand-coming soccer player, passed away on Friday, 17 February evening. Msimango made his soccer debut during the Sunday Soccer games held at Bela-Bela‘s Community Hall, never knowing that it was to be his last day on the sport ground. The cause of death has not been determined. “He contributed so much in his team and he ought to be remembered,” said his team mate Tshepo Phoffu. “It’s very sad and painful to lose such a young boy like that. He had bright future ahead of them but now he is gone.” On Sunday 12 February, Msimango was playing with his teammates when they played against Mothobi FC, and made it onto The BEAT’s Sports page. Condolences messages have been pouring on social media with many people talking about the memories they shared with him. He was expected to be buried on Saturday at Bela-Bela cemetery.