2017
R1-20/FREE
3 March
Taxi tumbles at Kranskop
Paramedics tend to the injured at the scene of a taxi accident. Photo supplied Justin Steyn Five people were injured in a taxi accident near Modimolle on Tuesday, 21 February.
Modimolle Home Affairs official in hot water Page 2
According to Andy Gill of the Waterberg Advanced Paramedics Assistance (APA), three of their ambulances were dispatched to the scene. They discovered that the taxi had rolled
Extension Eight complains about cops Page 3
from an embankment, and found that five people had been injured. APA joined forces with personnel from the provincial services to tend to the wounded. “Four people had sustained moderate
injuries, while a fifth individual sustained severe injuries,� Gill said. Gill said that the victims were taken to hospitals in the area for treatment. The cause of the accident remains unknown.
COSAS charity drive helps hundreds
Settlers strike comes to an end
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CRIME
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Modimolle Home Affairs official arrested A Home Affairs official from Modimolle faces corruption charges after allegedly demanding a bribe from a foreign national. Photo supplied
Justin Steyn An official from the Modimolle Home Affairs Office has landed in hot water after being arrested on charges of corruption. The information comes from a statement by
the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, also known as the Hawks. Hawks spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke said that John Baloyi (32) is alleged to have confiscated a passport from a foreign national during a joint operation between the South African Police Service, the South
African Revenue Service, and the Department of Home Affairs in January this year. He is alleged to have demanded a bribe of R3 000 from the victim for the return of the passport. “The matter was reported to the Hawks,” said Maluleke. “A trap was set and the suspect was arrested immediately after receiving the
money.” Baloyi appeared before the Modimolle Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 21 February, where the case was postponed to Wednesday, 1 March. The Department of Home Affairs declined to comment.
Bela-Bela community welcomes police Thabazimbi car thieves breakthrough on drug arrest caught during drug bust Justin Steyn Police in Limpopo have seized machinery and drug manufacturing equipment and chemicals to the value of R2 million in Denilton. The bust took place on Wednesday, 22 February, and apparently the operation lasted until 04:00 in the morning. According to provincial police spokesperson Motlafela Mojapelo, two suspects, 26 and 39 years old, were arrested at an apparent drug laboratory, while two others managed to flee. The premises apparently housed a diverse selection of drug manufacturing equipment and an amount of Mandrax powder.
The sachets of drugs which the police seized during the arrest. Photo supplied
The bust also led the police to the recovery of two vehicles which had been reported stolen in January 2009. The vehicles were a Ford Meteor and a Nissan NP300. “We received information regarding suspects who are involved in vehicle theft, carjacking, and dealing and manufacturing drugs at Thabakhubedu Village in Denilton,” said Mojapelo. The equipment and chemicals as well as R29 820 in cash were recovered. “The suspects will be charged with manufacturing and dealing drugs, and possession of stolen vehicles,” said Mojapelo the day after the arrests. The suspects are expected to appear in the Moutse Magistrate’s Court.
Foreign women out on suspended sentence
The money that the dealer benefited in the dealings was also seized. Photo supplied Lizzy Bapela Various community-based organisations and members of the Bela-Bela community were delighted at the news of a breakthrough drug burst, which is a major part in the fight against drugs in the community. The clean-up operation on drugs proved, in a joint operation between the Bela-Bela Crime Intelligence unit and the Provincial Narcotics Task Team, to be still cracking the whip on criminals when a 42-year-old man was arrested after being found in possession of drugs. The police seized 800 sachets of nyaope with an estimated street value of R40 000 and R36 390 in cash. According to a statement released by the Limpopo police’s provincial spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe, the suspect was found to be the main supplier of nyaope drugs to the drug dealers in and around the Bela-Bela and Polokwane areas. Members of the community are once more requested and encouraged to expose all the
drug dealers and report any suspicious activity at houses which are possibly being used to sell drugs. Members of the public can contact the police to report the crimes on 0860010111, the Crime Line SMS 32211, or at the nearest police station. Ngoepe said that the fight against the mushrooming of drugs in the province has being strengthened. He added that the SAPS have brought together various police units in an ongoing process to demolish all the flash point areas on drugs. The suspect appeared before the Bela-Bela Magistrate Court on Monday, 20 February on a charge of possession of drugs. Ngoepe further said that more arrests are still expected and the police’s investigations are continuing. The people of Bela-Bela and the surrounding area took to social media to commend the involved police units for the job well done. Ngoepe said that the incident was a crossborder case and so it was transferred to the Gauteng Police for further investigations.
Nomatter Mapunga (32) and Faith Ruhinga (22) pleaded guilty on charges of assault. Photo: TK Mashaba TK Mashaba The two Zimbabwean nationals who assaulted another woman in Bela-Bela in November 2016 were released on 18 January on a five-year suspended sentence. They spent the festive season in prison and were denied bail. Nomatter Mapunga (32) and Faith Ruhinga (22) pleaded guilty on charges of assault after being identified from a video that went viral in Bela-Bela. On the video five women sexually assaulted another woman and poured peri-peri on her private parts. It is believed that one of the
suspects’ boyfriends cheated on her with the victim. Although five women were shown on the video, only Ruhinga and Mapuga were arrested. According to Bela-Bela Police’s Lieutenant-Colonel Abel Phetla, the incident occurred on Thursday, 24 November, and the case was opened on Friday, 25 November. They received a five-year sentence which was suspended, and if they commit any criminal offence within the five-year period the current sentence will be applied. Mapunga and Ruhinga were arrested on Friday, 25 November.
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EXCO Lekgotla rallies behind the people
GOVERNMENT / POLITICAL
Extension Eight fed up with police
Josias Ramalekana, a resident of Extension Eight in Bela-Bela, said the community has lost faith in the town’s police and are considering starting a neighbourhood watch. Justin Steyn Two residents of Bela-Bela say they are concerned about unresolved crime-related issues that have been circulating in Extension 8 of the township area.
Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha addressed delegates during the EXCO Lekgotla held in Bela-Bela recently. Photo: Lizzy Bapela Lizzy Bapela Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha says that government and its stakeholders are the midwives in the task of delivering on the people’ socio-economic expectations. The premier said this while addressing the Limpopo Provincial Government’s two-day Executive Council (EXCO) Lekgotla, held at Bela-Bela Forever Resorts on Thursday, 16 and Friday, 17 February. Mathabatha told the gathering that they cannot afford to fail the people, who placed all of their hopes and dreams in their hands. “It is now time for us to deliver on their legitimate expectations. They expect us to use their resources prudently to ensure the provision of adequate and decent houses for those who are in need and deserving. They expect us to utilise resources at our disposal to prioritize the provision of water to our communities; expand education and training opportunities to our youth and fighting crime and corruption. I am confident that all of us in here share in the common desire to make Limpopo a better place to live in,” Mathabatha said. The Lekgotla came a few days after the State of the Nation Address (SONA); and a few days ahead of the State of the Province Address (SOPA). In attendance were government and political leaders from all corners of the province including MECs, mayors, Heads of Departments and heads of parastatals. Provincial Government Spokesperson Phuti Seloba said that the Lekgotla was meant for delegates to engage in robust debates, assessing the government’s performance over the past twelve months, identifying challenges that people are confronted with,
and crafting the government’s programme of action over the next twelve months and beyond. He added that the Lekgotla’s key objectives include to assessing progress on the implementation of planned programmes and projects during the 2016/17 financial year, reviewing expenditure trends to date and budget adjustments as implemented following the November 2016 Budget Lekgotla, and interrogating and approving the planned programmes and projects for 2017/18. The premier further emphasized that the resolutions from the lekgotla must find concrete expression in the SOPA, the subsequent budget speeches and policy statements and departments and municipalities. He said that the current administration must redouble their efforts and maximize the remaining two financial years of their term of office to deliver on their electoral promises and mandates and commitments is left with only two financial years. “We need to use these two years or so to expedite the delivery of basic services such as water, electricity, roads and sanitation to our people. As I said, these are legitimate expectations from our people. The very basis of these expectations is the very promises we made as leadership in our election manifesto. Part of what we have agreed about in this Lekgotla is the urgency of stabilizing government. It is only a stable government which will have the necessary capacity to deliver on the 10 development priorities of the Limpopo Development Plan,” Mathabatha continued. The priorities as referred to include accelerating the delivery of infrastructure; poverty reduction and the creation of jobs.
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The BEAT spoke to two members of the area’s Concerned Residents Group about why the community feels that the local law enforcement has abandoned them. According to Josias Ramalekana, residents of the extension have been victims of criminal activity and have found little to no resolution with the Bela-Bela police. “The people of Extension Eight are displeased as the police seem to be uninterested in their cases. I have heard during our group meetings that when residents report crimes to the police, they are simply given a case number but no real follow ups are made with their cases.” Ramalekana said he has also been a victim of crime with no success in his own case. “My home was burgled last year in September. When there were arrests finally made, the guilty party took the police to each place he had burgled, and it was discovered that his fingerprints remained evident in most cases,” an unsatisfied Ramalekana said. Another victim, Johana Sedimo, said that she was able to track down the people responsible for looting her home, but no arrests have been made. “In February last year, my house was also burgled into and a few months later (May) I was informed by a friend that some of my belongings, a purse and radio, were found at a house nearby. I went to the police and provided them with the information that I had and to this day nothing has been done.” Sedimo said that she and other residents have no confidence within the police and feels like it is up to the community to fight crime. “It has become so bad that the concerned residents group are now even considering starting a neighbourhood watch to help lessen the criminal acts in Extension Eight as we no longer feel that we can rely on the police,” Ramalekana said The Bela-Bela police could not be reached for comment.
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GOVERNMENT / POLITICAL
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Working on Fire celebrates wetlands
Parliamentary Caucus talks on the state of education Lizzy Bapela
WoF Limpopo fire fighters took part in the Wetlands Month celebrations. Photo supplied
Lizzy Bapela Working on Fire (WoF) Limpopo celebrated Wetlands Month with their stakeholders in the province. The month of February was declared by United Nations to be an annual international environmental calendar month dedicated to celebrate wetlands through education and awareness campaigns. The goal is to promote conservation, wise and sustainable utilization of wetlands. WoF Limpopo, in conjunction with various stakeholders, thought it beneficial to participate in this worthy campaign, where they were educating communities about the impacts of wetlands in the country. Fire fighters conducted the campaign by cleaning two polluted wetlands, from where they removed
waste. “Our Bill of Rights Section 24 states that everyone has the right to a healthy environment and the right to have the environment protected. Wetlands are a source of water in most areas. We are proud to be part of this campaign and what we did was not only about cleaning the wetlands. We saved lives and at the same time protected our environment.” “In previous years, these wetlands used to serve as the water resources for the people and their animals. But as we grow with the transformation and upliftment of our society, we as the people started to neglect these wetlands. Most of the wetlands that we are talking about have been turned into the dumping site which poses a serious hazard to the health of the people,” said WoF Limpopo’s
provincial spokesperson Matema Gwangwa. Deputy Director of Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism MP Tsheola said that wetlands are important because they are natural water purification systems. He added that they also absorb water and release it gradually over a certain period. “Not only do the wetlands act as a sponge during the disaster. They are also able to save and protect the environment because they provide water at a time when it is needed, especially when it is dry. When the water around us is polluted, wetlands can act as purification and as a result we can save lives by using the purified water to drink and avoid having diarrhoea and bilharzias,” Tsheola concluded.
Thabazimbi’s Mabogopedi High School is among the schools in Limpopo that are reported to have widespread drug abuse. This was revealed in the ANC Parliamentary Caucus’ Statement on the State of Education in the province. The caucus in the Limpopo Legislature had an ordinary meeting held on Tuesday, 14 February, to reflect on members’ observations during the 2017 back to school campaign. On matric results, the caucus observed that schools that achieve good results are naturally functional and have extracurricular activities such as morning and afternoon studies. The caucus emphasized that the number of teachers approaching their pensionable age will result in a gap within the sector and there is a need to have more teachers within the Maths and Science streams. They also recommended that the Department, in consultation with the Department of Higher Education, should consider reopening Colleges of Education in the Province. The caucus expressed worries over the high rate of teenage pregnancy and the reports that some schools are abandoned on days of SASSA pay-outs, as most learners go for grant collection. They added that school management should monitor the progress made by “progressed learners”. The issue of dilapidated unrefurbished infrastructure was raised sharply in the meeting. In other instances, there are schools that do not have electricity supply and proper functioning ablution facilities. The department requires additional funding to keep up
with infrastructural challenges and an analysis is done constantly to assess the needs of individual schools. The caucus further revealed that there is a general concern by the department that acts of vandalism are working against progress made at schools. These acts of vandalism are perpetuated by community members in most of the schools and they are call on to desist from these acts on public property. “The department demonstrated a continuous commitment to provide schools with funds for norms and standards, though the funds are being abused and not used for curricular support activities in most schools. The department is called on to make proper checks and balances on the effective use of the funds, which should be audited regularly as required by the Public Finance Management Act. The funds should be utilized for minor maintenance costs, and curricular support, while the department intervenes on major programmes that requires funding in schools,” said Lekganyane. The caucus called for the department to convene an education summit, and invite all stakeholders within the sector and society at large. An example of the Liquor Board as a key stakeholder was made, as there are instances of taverns and shebeens playing loud music even during schools’ examination periods. The caucus requested that the summit should also include social partners within the education sector, such as Organized Labour Unions. Incidents of Teacher Unions conducting memorial services of their departed members during school hours were reported and deemed detrimental for effective learning and teaching to take place.
DA welcomes announcement by finance minister Hundreds of learners benefit from COSAS regional leadership charity drive movement’s addressed the learners and later Limpopo MEC for Health Doctor Phophi Ramathuba’s budget speech is waited for in anticipation. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
Lizzy Bapela The DA in Limpopo welcomes the announcement made by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan that Limpopo Province is budgeted to get a new Central Hospital and a medical school. The DA Limpopo Spokesperson on Health Langa Bodlani said that they hope that this development will help ease the many health challenges that the province is currently facing. Bodlani indicated that Limpopo is currently battling to retain specialist medical practitioners because of inadequate medical research facilities that are required for their professional development. He added that this leads to loss of
medical talent to other provinces which have better medical infrastructure. Bodlani further said that more importantly, these two facilities will help train aspiring doctors locally rather than at offshore destinations such as Cuba where they are often left stranded without sufficient support from the provincial government. “Limpopo has an acute shortage of medical staff, especially professional nurses. It is imperative, therefore, that the provincial government revises its strategy to train medical professionals abroad and focus attention on identifying potential candidates who will be ready for training as soon as these projects are implemented,” the
provincial leader said. The DA announced that they will be closely monitoring Health MEC Doctor Phophi Ramathuba’s budget speech. The party said that they expect her to provide a concrete strategy to train and recruit the medical personnel for this new hospital and the already existing ones. They added that it will be unfortunate to have these projects implemented without properly skilled staff to work in them. “A healthy nation which can access proper health facilities is a prerequisite for a prosperous nation. Up to so far, the provincial government has failed dismally in the provision of proper health care for the people of the province,” Bodlani concluded.
Lizzy Bapela Hundreds of girl learners from school around the Waterberg District are set to benefit from the Congress of South African Students’ (COSAS) charity drive. The student movement in the Waterberg Region have embarked on a campaign to donate sanitary towels to learners across the district to help them avoid missing school during their menstrual cycle. The first leg of the charity drive took place in Lephalale in February 2017 and is expected to proceed to Mogalakwena next. Bela-Bela, Mookgophong and Modimolle are set to follow throughout the month of March, with all these towns’ surrounding areas accommodated. During the campaign in Lephalale, the movement also hosted a Learn without Fear Workshop in line with the donation proceedings. Former ANC Youth League’s deputy chairperson and current speaker of Lephalale Local Municipality Councillor Reginna Molokomme was a keynote speaker at the event. Molokomme and the
on handed over 500 packs of sanitary towels and face cloths to the learners. In her address, Molokomme encouraged learners to take education very seriously as it is ‘the only weapon that one can use to change the world’. She also reminded the learners about the movement’s background since its formation in 1979, aligning her address with the movement’s objectives. Molokomme further encouraged learners to report any kind of problems they face in their schools to the movement’s leadership at all the times. She also advised them to take advantage of the movement’s gatherings and use them as platforms where they can address all issues that they are faced with in their schools on daily basis. COSAS’ Regional Secretary Joel Mabula led the co-ordination of the event and declared it a success. He said that the learners are responding very well to the movement’s programmes and they are looking forward to schooling without fear as their campaign detailed and ensure a safe learning environment for all learners.
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EDITORIAL
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COSAS Waterberg express concerns over education system Lizzy Bapela Congress of South African Students (COSAS) in the Waterberg Region expressed concerns over the education system in Limpopo, following an analysis conducted during a meeting with their Regional Executive Committee (REC) recently. The meeting, as addressed by the Lephalale Municipal chief whip Alpheus Thulare and COSAS provincial secretary Phineas Sebola, reached a conclusion that the system of education must be urgently transformed. The REC discussed and proposed various issues that they believe focus should be on when transforming the system. These include; the syllabus, mining industries, private ownership of land, learning materials, and community protests that disadvantages schooling and organisational development. COSAS’ Regional Secretary Joel Mabula said that the student movement feels it is unfair to continue with the system that continue to expose students to nothing but English, as they go to school to acquire knowledge and not language. The movement therefore believes that the system must start with transforming on subjects such as history, physical science,
COSAS’ Waterberg Regional Secretary Joel Mabula. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
business studies, life sciences and agriculture.
“Our major subjects must have compulsory practical activities because
we cannot continue to learn without gaining any experience. We are also saying that history must be transformed and be compulsory to our schools. We want to know what happened in South Africa rather than in other countries. On mining industries, we are experiencing disappointment from our mines, who literally fund the well-funded private schools. This is in other way just returning money to those who already have it and we are saying that these mines must redirect their funding from private schools to poor public schools,” said Mabula. They further expressed disappointment in the Limpopo Department of Education that unfortunately delivers stationary and support material at their own time. The movement called on the Department to sort out their delays and speed up the delivery. COSAS further condemned community protests in Bela-Bela, alleging that a group of hypocrites are influencing the protests. “We want to highlight that our schools are not municipal offices and if they have issues, they must stop disrupting studying. We have come to a realisation that we have a weak REC and we have decided to co-opt Philippine Masemene of COSAS Mookgophong Sub-Region to come and serve in the REC,” Mabula continued.
Emergency services personnel strengthens partnership Lizzy Bapela Stakeholders in the law enforcement and emergency services are already foreseeing a fruitful and sustainable partnership. The partnership consists of the Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Advanced Paramedic Assistance (APA), Bela-Bela Disaster Management, Traffic, SAPS and Working on Fire. The members have created a chat group where they share work related issues and assist each other in attending to accident scenes. They keep each department updated on scene proceedings and on latest news relevant to the group or their day-to-day duties. Group admin Harry Monawa said that the aim of the formation of the group and their daily chats is for the members to network and build a strong and healthy partnership, help each other monitor and minimise accidents, and assist each other in serving the local community to the full. This is done in order to ensure that they deliver better services to the local community.
The members recently gathered at Bela-Bela Lodge to network and draft their working plans. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
Law enforcement and emergency services personnel said to be looking forward to a successful and sustainable partnership. Photo: Lizzy Bapela
Agreement reached on Nehawu strike Justin Steyn The National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) said that the employee strike at Settlers Agricultural High School has come to an end. This is according to Nehawu’s provincial spokesperson, Jacob Adams. According to Adams, the past week’s strike action was as a result of failed wage agreements between the school and its employees. “Our workers have been trying to negotiate a wage increase of 12% since October last year. The matter has since been referred to by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and strike action was then granted to commence on Monday, 13 February,” Adams said. He added that the school had been reluctant to negotiate for an increase but negotiations ended on Friday, 24 February when a 4% wage increase was agreed on.
After almost two weeks of action, the National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) said that the employee strike at the Settlers Agricultural High School has come to an end. Photo supplied “The striking action ended with the school and our union members after an agreement of a 4% increase was agreed on. The increase comes with a R2 000 stipend for
workers who excel in their work performance.” Adams said that the union has had a look at the school’s financial status and
The members recently gathered at BelaBela Lodge for a get-together and reportback session, where they also chat a way forward ahead of the next season. Monawa said that the get-together aims network and maintain their partnership, while the reportback is about reporting on their performance of the previous quarter. He added that after all deliberations and networking, the members, then draft a way forward plan to prepare for the coming season. “Since the formation of this group, our work load has become bearable as everyone is kept posted of what is happening and what response team is needed at the scene. Performance is better and our community is receiving swift and relevant response during call-outs. We can safely say we have done a good job so far and looking forward to counting many years of a successful partnership, with a great response from members of the public,” Monawa said. The team fund their own meetings and expressed gratitude to the Bela-Bela Lodge team for assisting them with venue for their gathering.
understand that a 4% increase is fair at this stage. “We have had a look at the school’s financial situation and now know that they are battling financially. We know that not a lot of money can be spent on employees as the school is in need of repairs in some of its areas. It is for this reason that we feel that the increase with the additional stipend is fair enough,” he said. When asked if employees were in any way dissatisfied about the recent alleged criminal activities at the school, Adams said that their members have not had any grievances regarding their safety or conditions of the school. “The strike was only for the increase of their wages. The members have not brought up any concerns regarded to their safety or working conditions.” The High School has recently come into bad press after alleged intimidation and assault by its students and more recently an incident involving the alleged sexual assault of an employee’s wife who resided at the school.
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Biochemistry student on a mission to help 1 000 learners to tertiary TK Mashaba Bela-Bela’s Meshack Kekana is on a mission to close the gap for learners struggling with tertiary applications. This former Maope High School student is currently doing his Honours degree in Biochemistry at the University of Pretoria (UP). “I started this initiative year to distribute academic material to local communities and also to help children from disadvantaged communities apply for tertiary education,” he said. “The reason I started the initiative is because back in 2013 during my matric year, I had a study group of five learners from the high schools in Bela-Bela, and after our final examination, we were all happy about our results. However, I soon realized that two of the top achievers from Maope Secondary School had not applied for tertiary education
due to the lack of information,” said Kekana. “They said they were told that they could still submit “walk-in” applications, and this led to them taking gap years,” he added. Kekana has been using the free internet access at the University of Pretoria residence to supply students from all over the country with application forms, bursary forms included. “I only had two weeks of school recess and my aim was to submit a minimum of 100 applications, hence the name #100KidsToVarsity.’ he added. “My goal is to visit a minimum of 10 schools this year and at every school, and assist every matriculate with all the applications and registrations for the year 2018.We have created a google drive and uploaded matric study guides, past papers and other relevant notes. Students and educators can reach me on my email at u14034388@tuks.co.za and I will send them a link to get all information,” he said.
Meshack Kekana is on a mission to help disadvantaged learners. Photo supplied
The leadership from various government departments led by Limpopo MEC of Education Ishmael Kgetjepe, Deputy Minister public enterprise Bulelani Magwanishe and Deputy Minister in the presidency Buti Manamela, planted trees at Dagbreek Primary School in Modimolle. This was done after the official unveiling of the state of the art Telematics system at Phagameng High School on Monday, 27 February.
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3 March 2017 Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
CHARITY / ENTERTAINMENT / SCHOOL
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State-of-the art Telematics centre to aid Modimolle learners
Deputy Minister in the presidency Buti Manamela addressing the audience alongside SRC President Fred Maleka. Photo: Mzamane Ringane Mzamane Ringane Learners from Phagameng and Modimolle at large are set to benefit from the newly unveiled state-of-the art Telematics centre stationed at Phagameng High School. Learners, teachers, SGB members and officials from the Department of Education were among hundreds of people who came to celebrate the handing over of the modern technology equipped centre at Phagameng High School on Monday, 27 February. Deputy Minister in the presidency Buti Manamela, Deputy Minister public enterprise Bulelani Magwanishe and Limpopo MEC of Education Ishmael Kgetjepe spearheaded the process of handing over the telematics centre. The programme was made possible by the
Phagameng High School learners will benefit from the newly unveiled state-of-the art Telematics centre. Photo: Mzamane Ringane Eskom Development Foundation working in partnership with the Department of Public Enterprises, other state-owned companies and the University of Stellenbosch. The centre will enable local learners an opportunity to be taught by lectures from the University of Stellenbosch without having to travel to the institution. Eskom Development Foundation acting CEO, Cecil Ramonotsi said they will continue to play an important role in uplifting communities across the country. “Through many of our initiatives, we aim to find long-term sustainable solutions to South Africa’s many challenges. In particular we support government’s focus on skills development, training and education in order to provide young people with the skills to help South Africa
Bela-Bela Super League Top four competition
Limpopo MEC of Education Ishmael Kgetjepe(from left), Deputy Minister in the presidency Buti Manamela and Deputy Minister public enterprise Bulelani Magwanishe during the event at Phagameng High School. Photo: Mzamane Ringane
prosper,” he said. Ramonotsi said one of the greatest challenges that learners face is a lack of access to quality learning materials and educational support. He said that these challenges impacts negatively on learners’ ability to realise their full potential and succeed in life. MEC Kgetjepe acknowledged that Limpopo has not been doing well recently, when it comes to year end matric results. “We hope this venture will contribute in improving our standard in that area,” he said. The MEC said they hoped that this programme will help the school to produce better results at the end of the year. Deputy Minister Bulelani Magwanishe urged learners to take advantage of available opportunities and go to technical
colleges. “Not all of us will be teachers, doctors and lawyers, but some among us must be able to work the economy using their hands as artisans and technicians,” he advised. The deputy minister encouraged the learners uplift their standard, not only to become the best in the country but to be the best in the whole world. Before addressing the learners, deputy Minister Buti Manamela asked SRC president at his alma mater, Fred Maleka, to join him on stage. Manamela emphasized on the importance of acquiring an education, no matter what career path the learners wanted to pursue. “We can never ever do anything without education, and we must never allow anybody to come between us and our education,” he said.
Sunday Mabaleng Club games captions Photos: TK Mashaba
TK Mashaba The Bela-Bela Super League will be hosting atop four competitions at Sunfa on Sunday 4 March. The fixture was determined by a draw among the top four teams in the league. Shoprite will be playing SAPS, while Metro Hypeland will be playing Spar. According to the new general manager of the league Emanuel Motha, this has been a tough season logistically, but all the teams managed to attend all their fixtures. “We are happy and we will still need more of their dedication when the season resumes on Monday 13 March,” said Motha. The team that has been drawn for top four is Shoprite which will be playing SAPS while Metro Hyperland will be against Spar. “The competition will start at 14:00 until late, and we are urging supporters to come in numbers to enjoy the competition.” added Motha. SAPS ended the season in the first position while Spar is in second, Shoprite in third while Metro Hyperland on forth. SAPS player Moji Malebye will be a player to watch on Sunday, 4 March when they battle against Shoprite. Photo: TK Mashaba
Jonas Matsena of Mabaleng FC (Red and white) against Cashbuild player during the Sunday Soccer.
Mabaleng Netball team in action against Spa Park Netball team during Sunday Club games. Photo: TK Mashaba
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3 March 2017 Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za
The Bela-Bela Marathon Club is presenting a fun run on Tuesday, 14 March. The event will take palce on the Alma road outside Bela-Bela. It will be starting at 17:30 at Laerskool Warmbad’s hostel gates. Participants can choose between the 5km and the 10km race, and there will be fun prizes to win. The club will be presenting a prize to the athlete who takes part in the most fun runs at the end of the year. For more information, contact Absalom Tshabalala at 083 331 8741 or Hendrik “Boiki” Monareng at 071 263 3352.
One of Hoërskool Warmbad’s top athletes, Thapelo Mhlanga, came first in the Under-19 boys 800m and 1 500m during the Bushveld Inter-High competition. Photo: Herman Steyn
Leading goal scorer aims high Lizzy Bapela Bela-Bela Super Spar League’s leading goal scorer Simon Thobane is aiming for more goals in the coming season. Thobane emerged the top goal scorer for the league’s 2016/2017 season, having scored 16 goals after playing in 18 games. The season kicked-off with ten teams and Thobane thrived for more goals than he ever scored to claim victory for the season. The star, who obtained a nickname “YTjukutja” through his playing styles and goal scoring, aims to score 20 or more goals for the 2017/2018 season in all the leagues he will be participating in. he told The BEAT that he wants to score as many goals as he can to even lose count by the time he hangs his soccer boots on retirement. He added that soccer is his life and he intends to play and enjoy it to the full while he still can. “My colleagues, Titus Sebola and Thomas Ngwenya keep me motivated with their support and words of encouragement. They make sure they attend each and every game as long as they are available to and always leave me with words of advice each time. They always remind me that I am one of the best strikers and I should work hard at all times,” said Thobane. The acclaimed top striker also took part in the SAB League games, also for the 2016/2017 season and continued to score big as well. He marked 6 goals while playing for Bela-Bela Pirates in the league’s season and saw praises from all corners coming his way. Fans scream for him while he plays; team management wave his hand after games; coaches congratulate him; and this brings him
even more popularity. Meanwhile, Thobane will be participating in the Super Spar League’s Top 4 Tournament, with the league’s top 4 teams expected to compete for the number 1 spot. The games are scheduled to take place on Sunday, 5 March at Sunfa Stadium. Teams to compete include Bela-Bela Super Spar, SAPS, Shoprite and Metro. In the Top 4, Shoprite will be up against men in blue, the SAPS in the first leg of the games, with Bela-Bela Super Spar against Metro in the second leg.
In a separate tournament BelaBela soccer lovers, fans and supporters are waiting in anticipation for a derby between SAB League’s BelaBela Pirates FC and Diesel ‘n Dust FC. The derby will take place at Phomolong Section’s Zone 14 Soccer fields. Thobane said that it pains him to know that his two favourite teams will be playing in a derby match and he will not be able to take part or even just attend since he will be on duty while the game kicks-off.