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WEDNESDAY 10 APRIL 2013
Premier Lucas leads NC
} Boipelo Mere
SYLVIA LUCAS, former Environmental Affairs MEC, has been confirmed as the new Northern Cape premier. Grizelda Cjiekella, Education MEC, has been acting premier for more
than a year after former premier Hazel Jenkins collapsed while delivering the 2012-’13 State of the Province Address. The much-anticipated appointment of a premier has been a source of constant speculation from both the media and opposition parties as to who will take over on a permanent basis from Jenkins. Lucas will see out the remaining 12 months of Jenkins’s term as a permanent premier. The decision is long overdue since the announcement was expected just before the State of the Province Address in March. Lucas, who has been around since the days of tri-cameral politics, started off as a typist for the now defunct National Party in Upington. Recruited to the ANC soon after the dawn of a democratic South Africa, she was made councillor and later sworn in as a member of the Northern Cape legislature (MPL). The vociferous Lucas was always very vocal against opposition parties in the legislature which at times landed her in hot water. She recently had to answer a case before the Human Rights
Commission for calling coloured people like herself “Hottentots”. Lucas is a member of the ANC’s PEC and is deputy chairperson of the Women’s League in the province. She is known to be an outspoken person. In the run-up to the Mangaung ANC conference she openly supported Jacob Zuma. That and other reasons could explain why the ANC PEC in the Northern Cape was reluctant to accept her as a Luthuli House preferred candidate. As a premier she has the right to shuffle her provincial executive committee particularly because her current portfolio needs to be filled. This might help ease the alleged headbutting at the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison between the MEC and head of the department. On behalf of the ANC Women’s League in the province, Gail Parker welcomed the appointment of Lucas and appreciated the ANC’s confidence in once more appointing a woman to lead the province. “As a disciplined cadre, I am willing to take up any position within the ANC. I am not afraid of hard work and I am ready to take up any challenge with vigour,” she said.
SYLVIA LUCAS was named new premier of the Northern Cape by the ANC last week. Photo: Boipelo Mere
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 10 APRIL 2013
NEWS
Dagga worth R879 000 confiscated ENORMOUS results were yielded as the Northern Cape SAPS confiscated dagga worth R879 000 in Upington. This happened during a three-day Intelligence operation which focused on crippling and shutting down drug dealers in and around Upington. The operation was driven by the Crime Intelligence and Protection Services (CIPS), together with the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI), with the assistance of the Upington police. The police reacted promptly after receiving a tip-off about a white Nissan 1400 bakkie that was expected to deliver a dagga consignment into the Northern Cape Province via Upington from the Eastern Cape. During the operation the police observed the white Nissan 1400 bakkie with two occupants driving into Upington and tried to stop it, but the driver of the bakkie attempted to speed off. A short high speed chase ensued between the bakkie and the police and the bakkie was quickly cornered. Upon investigation, two bags containing 31 kg of dagga worth R155 000 was found loaded on the back of the bakkie and a woman (45) and man (53) were arrested. A simultaneous ad-hoc police raid was also conducted in Paballelo in the New Haven area where two suspects were arrested and po-
lice seized 1,85 kg and 3,45 kg of dagga to the value of R26 500 in two separate houses. Furthermore 141,5 kg of dagga with a street value of R707 500 was found abandoned and the preliminary investigation links the suspects arrested in a white Nissan bakkie with the abandoned dagga. The suspects are due to appear before the Upington Magistrate’s Court on charges of dealing in dagga. Meanwhile the police in Kagisho are investigating a case of dealing in dagga and drugs after a 39-year-old male was arrested at his home in Club 2 000 on Friday night. The Northern Cape Provincial Firearm, Liquor and Second Hand Goods unit (FLASH) with the assistance of the Tactical Response Unit and K9 unit followed up on information and pounced on the suspects where they retrieved several exhibits that connects the suspect to the alleged drug dealing. The police confiscated seven half Mandrax tablets, two arms of dagga and 24 fingers of dagga with an estimated street value of R1 500. The police also found R8 450 in cash stashed in several tins and plastic bags in the shack. The suspect, who is originally from KwaZulu-Natal, will soon appear before the Galeshewe Magistrates’ Court.
a MAN was arrested in Club 2 000 after being found in possession of drugs.
Photos: SAPS
THE bags of dagga that were found in a Nissan 1400 bakkie after a high speed chase.
If you know of news of interest to Northern Cape Express readers, call Boipelo Mere on 0538312331 or email boipelo.mere@volksblad.com JOBS FOR SA! Earn money 365 days a year. Work your own hours. Full training and support provided by a registered company. For full info SMS your name and address to: 083 333 8202.
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 10 APRIL 2013
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NEWS
De Beers celebrates 125 years THIS year is a very special year for De Beers who celebrates diamonds and 125 years of an iconic brand. Many brands have been established and since disappeared over the ages. As the world’s leading diamond company, the De Beers name is synonymous with diamonds. Since their founding in 1888 in Kimberley, the search for diamonds has taken them from African deserts to the Canadian Arctic to the depths of the ocean floor. Along the way they connected genera-
tions of people from New York to Tokyo to Hong Kong with one of the earth’s natural treasures, playing their part in countless memorable moments. Cecil Rhodes, the co-founder of De Beers, got his start by renting water pumps to miners during the Diamond Rush that started in 1871, when a 83,5 carat diamond was found on Colesburg Kopje (present-day Kimberley), South Africa. He invested the profit of this operation into buying up claims of small mining operators, with his operations soon expanding into a separate
CELEBRATING 125 YEARS: As part of the 125-year celebrations, Faried Sallie, Diamond Trading Company managing director, cut the cake and enjoyed De Beers-branded cup cakes with five long-serving company employees. The long-serving employees share 180 years between them. From the left are Cedric van der Ross, Alice Johnson (with the company since 1975), Heleen Williams, Sallie, Rina Viviers and Ian McGregor.
Water tested
THE Sol Plaatje Municipality (SPM) has over the weekend received complaints regarding the taste and smell of the drinking water in some areas. Residents’ complaints ranged from smell and taste like mud, sulphur, TCP and chlorine. Samples were collected for chemical and bacteriological analysis in the following areas on Saturday: Newton reservoirs, Utility, Civic Centre, Florianville, Colville and Homestead. Tests results showed that the water quality was of an acceptable standard and no e.coli was detected, meaning that the water is safe to drink. For the past 12 months the SPM has had a 96,1% water quality compliance rate. More samples were taken on Monday (8 April) all over Kimberley to ensure safe drinking water. The SPM has a comprehensive monthly sampling programme that includes schools, old-age homes, hospitals, houses
Photo: Supplied
and recreational facilities. Results are still awaited. Thus far the results and inspections indicate that the taste and odour problem could originate from the Vaal River where Kimberley extracts its raw water for purification, the cause being due to algae or organic compounds. Samples will be sent to the University of the Free State (UFS) to determine algae concentrations and duplicate samples will be sent to independent laboratories to verify results obtained by the SPM laboratory. The SPM is committed to supply the best quality water to its residents. All water quality complaints are treated very seriously and the SPM will continue to investigate the problem and try to solve it as soon as possible. All residents are assured that the SPM water is safe to drink despite the current smell or taste of the water in some areas.
mining company. He soon secured funding from the Rothschild family, who would finance his business expansion. De Beers Consolidated Mines was formed in 1888 by the merger of the companies of Barney Barnato and Cecil Rhodes, by which time the company was the sole owner of all diamond mining operations in the country. In 1889, Rhodes negotiated a strategic agreement with the London-based Diamond Syndicate, which agreed to purchase a fixed quantity of diamonds at an agreed price
De Beers is actually named after a family farm where several large diamond deposits were found. The De Beers name comes from the two Afrikaner farmers, Diederik Arnoldus de Beer and Johannes Nicholas de Beer, brothers who owned the farmland where some of the most productive mines were found. De Beers created the diamond industry 125 years ago, and through two world wars, a cold war and an infinitely changed planet have led it ever since.
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 10 APRIL 2013
NEWS
FROM the left are Mashilo Mokotong, manager: sustainable development at Kumba Iron Ore, Ina Knott, Volksblad general manager, Hannes CronjĂŠ, acting managing director at Kumba Iron Ore, Johanna van Eeden, Volksblad editor, and Tanya Aucamp, communications manager at Kumba Iron Ore. Photo: Mandi Jordaan
NIEL DE KLERK, executive manager: corporate marketing at GWK.
will weigh the following criteria: Internal impact: The difference the person makes to the lives or the natural environment in the Northern Cape. Personal sacrifices/achievements: The extent to which the person sacrifices his or her personal time to perform a service. If it is a part of the person’s job, to what extent the person achieves exceptionally and the extraordinary creativity, energy, talent or drive he or she exhibits in achieving exceptional outcomes, applies. External impact: The contribution the person makes to promote the esteem and/or image of the province on a national level. The following guidelines apply in the category Institution of the Year:
Any meritorious, non-profit Northern Cape institution may be nominated. Institutions with strong political connections may not be nominated. Again, the work that is done, must have a positive impact on the people or natural environment of the province. In this category, the judges will especially focus on the impact the organization has in the community. ) To nominate an individual or institution, send a short motivation (approximately 300 words) to lecrecia.prins@volksblad.com. Include your name and telephone number, as well as the name and telephone number of the nominee. The closing date for nominations is 10 May at 17:00.
NC nominations awaited VOLKSBLAD and Kumba Iron Ore’s Northern Cape Person and Institution of the Year competition is shaping up well. Kumba Iron Ore is again the main sponsor of this prestigious competition. Nominations are now awaited for achievers in the Northern Cape. The project, also in conjunction with GWK as one of the sponsors, will reach its climax on 28 May with the crowning ceremony in the Horseshoe Motel in Kimberley. The purpose of this competition is to honour local individuals and institutions which make a difference. The rules and criteria that apply to the Northern Cape Person of the Year are: The nominee must be from the Northern Cape or someone
with strong ties to the province. The nominee is nominated for exceptional service to the people of the Northern Cape or the natural environment of the province. The service that is performed may be part of his or her job, but it has to tie in with exceptional dedication and achievement that was advantageous to the province. Politicians may not be nominated and nominations regarding work that was done by a person in a political position will not be accepted. People who were nominated in the past, may be nominated again. No one is allowed to nominate themselves and employees of the sponsors may not be nominated. In the adjudication process, the judges, consisting of the sponsors,
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 10 APRIL 2013
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NEWS
Salute soldiers for the last time SOLDIERS salute during the funeral of the soldiers killed in the Central African Republic (CAR).
AS the caskets are lowered into the ground, an army trumpeter sends the fallen heroes on their final farewell.
THANDI TOBIAS-POKOLO, deputy Trade and Industry minister, addressed mourners at the funeral.
Photos: Emile Hendricks
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 10 APRIL 2013
THE winning team, Rovers, received a R30 000 cheque from the Tsantsabane mayor, Elroy Phete, and Hillarious Olyn, sports coordinator of the Blinkklip Lekgotla. Supplied
Rovers clinch victory over Tigers } Hendre Jacobs
A PROFESSIONAL football tournament is on the cards for the Tsantsabane Municipality. The Tsantsabane Local Football Association (TSALFA) is set to deliver a professional tournament with a developmental agenda. Elroy Phete, mayor of Tsantsabane, was the keynote speaker at the official opening of the tournament at the Newtown Sports Grounds and the Asmandia Primary School after the event organisers had failed to secure permission to use the sports grounds of the Postmasburg High School. A total of 16 teams participated
in the tournament. Eight teams – Rovers, Tigers, Hungry Lions, Birds United, African United, Newtown Bucs, Grinaker Chiefs and Chuck United – fought their way to the top eight. The final, which was played at the Asmandia Primary School, ended in a goalless draw when both teams suffered from visible fatigue after a gruelling four-day tournament. A well-deserved victory was clinched by Rovers, a soccer team from Kuruman, when they beat Tigers to a 3-1 victory in a dramatic penalty shoot-out. Casy Hill Anthony, the coach of Rovers, was named as coach of
the tournament. “Our hard work paid off,” he said. Rovers snatched the Civil Sense Trophy from Tigers to win the 2013 Easter Football Tournament in front of a packed stadium. The event organisers expressed gratitude towards the Tsantsabane Municipality, Tsantsabane Social and Labour Development Forum, Civil Sense, Benleg, Johan Barnard Consulting, E-cat, Worley Parsons, Assmang, NMC and KD Civils/Sekonya JV for their contribution towards the 2013 Tsantsabane Easter Football Tournament. Rovers received a cheque to the value of R30 000 from Phete.
Photo: