Express nc 31 jul 2013 by Northern Cape Express Express

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WEDNESDAY 31 JULY 2013 WWW.EXPRESSNEWS.CO.ZA

NC university named

First enrolment of students planned for 2014 } Boipelo Mere PRES. JACOB ZUMA and the national government have finally named the university to be built in Kimberley the Sol Plaatje University. The university is envisaged to have its first enrolment of 150 students next year and will have its infrastructure built before the end of this year. Announcing the name of the university at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, the president was flanked by the minister of Higher Education, Dr Blade Nzimande, his deputy, Mduduzi Manana, and the newly-established interim council members of both the Sol Plaatje and Mpumalanga Universities. The joint council of both universities is led by Jenniffer Glennie as its chairperson, while the Northern Cape is represented by Maruping Lekwene, Yvonne Muthien, Vishnu Padayashee and Abel Madonsela in the council. During his address at the YCLSA ID campaign and rally over the weekend, the president confirmed that the Sol Plaatje University was targeted to develop over a ten-year period to eventually accommodate 5 000 students after the initial 150 enrolments envisaged for next year. “It may expand further as a multiple campus as it will grow from strength to strength in its institutional, academic and infrastructure capacity in a planned and gradual manner. “The university is expected to provide additional specialist capacity to the country’s higher education system, enabling the establishment of academic niche areas that do not exist elsewhere or are under-represented in the country.

Northern Cape

PRES. JACOB ZUMA arriving at the openair arena in Kimberley over the weekend. Photo: Emile HendricksPHOTO24 “Given the rich heritage of Kimberley and the Northern Cape in general, it is envisaged that the Sol Plaatje University will specialise in heritage studies, including interconnected academic fields such as Museum Management, Archaeology, Indigenous Languages and Restoration Architecture,” said Zuma.

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“We invested R2,5 billion in Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges last year to support the expansion of access and capacity building of college staff. “The Department of Higher Learning and Training is establishing 12 new FET college campuses in under-serviced areas

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across the country and refurbishing two other campuses as part of government’s infrastructure programme,” said Zuma. The president said that this had resulted in an increase of 13% in enrolments of FET colleges between 2009 and 2012. He touched on the National Students Financial Aid Scheme

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‘Given the rich heri tage of Kimberley and the Northern Cape in general, it is envis aged that the Sol Plaatje University will specialise in heritage studies, including in te rc o n n e c te d a c a demic fields such as Museum Manage ment, Archaeology, Indigenous Languag es and Restoration Ar chitecture.’ – Pres. Jacob Zuma

(NSFAS) and said that it had assisted 1,4 million students to date. “Investment in FET college bursaries has increased from R318 million in 2010, benefiting 61 703 students, to R1,9 billion in 2013 to assist 222 817 financially needy students,” said Zuma amid applause from the audience. Meanwhile, Nzimande, who is also the secretary general of the Communist Party of South Africa (SACP), said that he had not known that the family of Sol Plaatje had been shocked at the announcement of the name of the university as they had not been consulted. Nzimande, however, said that he would consult with other stake holders so that they could send a representative to the Plaatje family to apologise for the mistake.

Editor

Boipelo Mere

Sales Manager Johan Rossouw

EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 31 JULY 2013

NEWS

Troop qualifies for Jamboree } Boipelo Mere

THE Kimkgolo Scouts Troop who qualified for the upcoming Jamboree where they will be communicating through amateur radios with other troops worldwide. With them (left in middle row) is their proud troop scout, Richmond Gwenda.

ITUMELENG RICHMOND GWENDA is the proud troop scout of the 30 Kim-kgolo Scouts Troop who qualified for the upcoming Jamboree. The troop, consisting of boys and girls, qualified for the Jamboree during a recent camp in Douglas where they focused on the fundamentals of being a scout. According to Gwenda, he invested in a group of 30 troop members, who now qualify to wear “interest and advanced badges”. He said they now qualified after participating in the pathfinder, physical fitness, bag-woods and entertainers competition. “They have exceeded my expectations by responding so positively in all their performances. I only started with this troop this year after having been in this scout field since 1980.” He said the troop would be participating in the Jamboree on 20 October. “During the Jamboree they will be participating with other troops where they are communicating on air with other scouts around the world. They will do that through amateur radios from within Kimberley

with other troops in their respective countries for 24 hours.” He also said that he hoped to produce at least two Springbok scouts out of the group, which is the highest awarded scout. “The only Springbok scout in the province was Simon Japhta in 1984, who was also a Kim-kgolo scout leader. He later passed away. I already saw potential in at least two scouts in the Kim-kgolo troop,” said an excited Gwenda. Kelebogile Suipers, the school principal who congratulated the troop during a special assembly on Friday, proudly said that her school was very active in extra-curricular activities, thanks to the parents’ participation. “We also have the Soul Buddies group that were awarded the Diamond Award, which is the highest rated level in their provincial activities. There is also our soccer team that represented the province during the school’s u.13 league in December 2012. Those are our highlights which I can proudly thank our parents and teachers for making it possible,” said Suipers with pride. The principal further added that the school was also awarded R100 000 for being the school of first choice in Galeshewe.

For more news and photos go to our website at www.express-news.co.za

EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 31 JULY 2013

vox pop vox pop vox pop vox pop vox pop vox pop vox pop

Mandela their hero } Joanie Bergh

KUTOO MABUTLWANE (20): Nel son Mandela is my personal hero. He saved us from all racial inequal ity. And he has become a real fa ther figure for this rainbow nation.

bration of the legacy he left behind and a hope that every person would build on that legacy. Northern Cape Express asked some of the residents what Nelson Mandela meant to them.

KLAAS KERS (53): Nelson Mande la gave us a home to live in. I can not remember much now, but he gave us a home.

DONALD KOIKAN (38): He is my hero and my role model. He fought for us and he gave us access to ed ucation and water in our homes. It is so sad to know he is in hospi tal, struggling on his birthday. I truly hope that his legacy will go on and that all generations born after 1994 will live a free life.

MARIE MINORA (34): Oh, he was good for us. We love him very much. Is he still in hospital? On his birthday?

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TSUMBEDSO MBENGENI (23): Nelson Mandela means a lot to me and the whole of the army. It is be cause of him that I can pursue my dreams and that my children will be able to do the same. And on this day it is wonderful to be able to give something back.

RESIDENTS of Kuruman recently celebrated Nelson Mandela Day together with the rest of South Africa. People took to the streets on 18 July,

taking part in the 67 Minute initiative. For each individual this day has become significant. It has become a reminder of what former president Nelson Mandela fought for when he had a rainbow nation in mind, a cele-

MPHO GODISAMANG (24): Tata, he means so much to me. He gave me freedom to live my life. I want to study for a career. I love him so much.

EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 31 JULY 2013

NEWS

Girl denies knowing man } Joanie Bergh “I NEVER knew the man. He pushed me onto the bed, took off my clothes and raped me.” This was the testimony of a 15year-old girl who testified in camera in the regional court in Kuruman. Obakeng Mothupi (29), a taxi driver, is facing a charge of raping this underaged girl in 2010. Mothupi denied guilt on this charge before Regional Magistrate Bailey Mbalu. He said that at the time of the incident he and the girl had been in a relationship.

OBAKENG MOTHUPI (29) faces a charge of raping an underaged girl. Photo: Joanie Bergh

According to the girl, who was 13 at the time, Mothupi had met her that night at about 19:30 in a street in Bathlaros, an informal settlement just outside Kuruman. She testified that it had been the first time they had met. He took her by the hand and led her to his house. She said once inside, Mothupi had used a condom and had raped her, despite her various efforts to push him away. She testified that she had arrived home at about 22:00 that night and had been too afraid to tell her mother about the rape. Her mother beat her with a belt because she came home late. She obtained minor bruises from the beating. It was then that she told her

mother about the rape. They phoned the police immediately and rushed to the hospital. Rudzani Tshamano, for the defence, said that according to Mothupi the girl had agreed to have sex with him. The girl denied the accusation. “And that is why you did not tell your mother about the rape,” Tshamano said. “Because you knew she would be angry if she found out you had agreed to have sex.” Mothupi testified that he and the girl had been in a relationship for about two to three months. They arranged beforehand to meet that night at a specific place. He alleged that the girl had told

him that she was 15 years old. He walked her halfway to her home after they had had sex. The police arrested Mothupi several hours later. “I never forced her. She wanted to come with me,” he said. During cross-questioning Moetleetsi Mogwera, prosecutor, said Mothupi was misleading the court because he had never mentioned in his first statement that he and the girl had made arrangements to meet prior to the incident. That Mothupi said he had a “longing desire” to meet the girl and wanted her. Mothupi said his friends could testify that he was indeed in a relationship with the girl. The case is set to proceed on 29 August.

EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 31 JULY 2013

EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 31 JULY 2013

Exciting Career Opportunity Kuruman United Manganese of Kalahari (Pty) Ltd (UMK), a leading empowerment company intent on sustainable mining and socio-economic development, seeks specialists to join its fast growing manganese mine. UMK has been awarded a Mining Right over 15 000 ha of land to the north of a dynamic Kuruman. Why not become part of the team that plans to mine an output of between 1,5 million and 2 million tonnes of manganese each year’ With a life of mine in excess of 30 years, this well-poised company will be able to unlock your talents.

Instrumentation Technician

(Ref. IT 113793)

Post Level Patterson C upper The successful candidate will be required to perform maintenance and faultfinding on control instrumentation equipment including PLC, SCADA programming, installation and commissioning of instrumentation projects throughout the mine site. Minimum requirements: • A relevant MIETTB or equivalent Trade Certificate and N4-N6 with Instrumentation and Process Control, or S4 and P2 Process Control Diploma or equivalent • A minimum of five years’ relevant experience • Sound knowledge of industrial instrumentation and machines, and Siemens S5 and S7 PLC hardware and software • Knowledge of Adroit SCADA software configuration, and Profibus and Ethernet networks • Effective communication and interpersonal skills • A team player • A valid Code 08 driver’s licence. Responsibilities: • Providing instrumentation support to the plant and opencast operations as assigned • Diagnose faults on industrial instrumentation and control equipment and carry out repairs accordingly • Plan extensions and modifications to existing instrumentation infrastructure • Examine, test and repair, control and instrumentation equipment as well as Siemens PLC and Adroit SCADA system • Maintain instrumentation and documentation • Responsible for installation and maintenance of industrial instrumentation in the plant and opencast operations • Perform standby duties and shift work as required from time to time • Ensure personal and coworkers’ adherence and compliance to the Company’s health and safety policies and procedures • Maintain a variety of instrumentation systems throughout the mine site • Ensure compliance with government rules and regulations. Please note that the reference MUST be quoted on your application. Please note the following: • Successful candidates will be required to provide a valid medical certificate and may be required to undergo certain medical assessments • Psychometric and other assessments may be used as part of the selection process • Verification of all credentials may be done • Must be in possession of a valid driver’s licence.

How to apply: Interested applicants can forward an abridged CV to: recruitment@umk.co.za or fax: 086 236 1188. The onus is on you to ensure that the reference number is reflected on your application. Closing date: 16 August 2013. If you have not been contacted within 30 days after the closing date, kindly deem your application as unsuccessful. PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO EMPLOYMENT EQUITY CANDIDATES IN LINE WITH THE COMPANY’S EMPLOYMENT EQUITY PLAN. Only candidates who meet the stated requirements will be considered. APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. www.ayandambanga.co.za 113793

Forum donates linen THE chairperson of the Northern Cape Older Persons Forum, Don Jacobs, and the chairman and secretary, Gayle Plaaitjies, dedicated their 67 minutes towards making a meaningful contribution by changing the lives of the less fortunate in Galeshewe. To honour Madiba’s legacy and act of kindness, the forum donated linen and curtaining to one of the families of the two houses that were constructed and renovated by the Sol Plaatje Municipality in greater no. 2 on Mandela Day. According to Jacobs and Plaatjies, the Northern Cape Older Persons Forum advances health and well-being into old age by lifelong health promotion, income security, social protection, ensuring, enabling and supporting housing. “We also address neglect, abuse and violence,” informed Jacobs. He further explained that the establishment of the Older Persons Forum came after delegates from all over South-Africa attended a convention that was convened by the National Department of Social Development and the South African Human Rights Commission to facilitate its establishment in 2005.

EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 31 JULY 2013

NEWS

‘Youth need to be skilled, not subsidised’ } Boipelo Mere BLADE MZIMANDE, the minister of Higher Education and Training, encouraged members of the Young Communist League to drive the implementation of the Youth Employment Accord in order for it to be translated into a document. “Share your perspectives. This is a progressive accord, but remains a piece of paper until you begin to translate it into a document. We’ll never be able to grow and develop our economy unless we skill our youth, not subsidise them like the DA wants. Their youth representatives signed the presented youth accord, but the DA says we don’t want it and refers to the youth

subsidy. “The Youth Accord is good because it combines a whole range of things rather than the notion for production of cheap labour. Where you just give a subsidy to the board just to employ someone with no linkage to training or training at a college or university in order for you to be actually empowered when you come out of that job. “This way we’ll never be able to grow and develop our country,” added the minister. Nzimande emphasised the importance of the Youth Empowerment Accord and said that it linked any kind of incentives to skills, education and training. Thus he reiterated the importance of

motivating the private sector to become role players in the infrastructure development programme, of which he accused others of having terrible reasons for not being role players. “It is nice to be a capitalist, you know that. If you steal, it is called collusion. But if you steal because you are poor, it is called corruption. But if you steal billions from the building of World Cup stadiums, it is called nicer names like collussion. This is theft, its is fraud and corruption, and we must actually fight this thing for what it is, so that we are able to focus on investment in infrastructure development programmes that will create jobs and benefit our youth.”

Exciting Career Opportunities – Kuruman United Manganese of Kalahari (Pty) Ltd (UMK), a leading empowerment company intent on sustainable mining and socio-economic development, seeks specialists to join its fast growing manganese mine. UMK has been awarded a Mining Right over 15 000 ha of land to the north of a dynamic Kuruman. Why not become part of the team that plans to mine an output of between 1,5 million and 2 million tonnes of manganese each year. With a life of mine in excess of 30 years, this well-poised company will be able to unlock your talents.

Engineering Production Superintendent (Ref. EPS 113817)

Engineering Production (Plant) Foreman (Ref. EPPF 113817)

Patterson Grade D Lower

Patterson Grade C Upper

The successful candidate will be tasked with coordinating and managing the activities of teams consisting of Production Foremen, general processing plant staff, Shift Electrician and Fitter in the operation of the company’s process plant to attain maximum production. As a key strategic objective the incumbent will drive managing business strategy, legal compliance and governance, risk management, management of employee relations, performance management, manage safety, health and environment, manage strategic supplier relations, manage budgets, manage assets and equipment and manage day-to-day Processing Plant operations activities. Minimum requirements: • Academic qualifications: Grade 12 or equivalent qualification (minimum), Qualified Artisan or Process Plant Product Preparation Certification (recommended), MDP or similar qualification (advantageous) • Work experience: 5 years’ crushing and screening plant experience (crushing, screening, conveyor belts, stackers and reclaimers), 5 years’ manganese or similar density material processing experience (recommended), 10 years’ management experience (Plant Production Supervisor/General Engineering Supervisor/Plant Production or Plant Engineering Foreman), 5 years’ contractor management experience, 5 years’ maintenance management system experience • Other requirements: 24/7 availability, willingness to work extended or infrequent working hours, willingness to travel extensively, valid Code B/EB driver’s licence. Personality traits and competencies: Competencies: • Ability to make timely and quality decisions • Ability to manage and measure plant and direct report performance and ability to manage and innovate operational processes • Good organising, priority setting and project management skills • Above-average communication skills (verbal and written) and good presentation capability • Comfortable around senior mine management, ability to motivate people without regular contact. Technical skills: • Technical report writing skills • Highly computer literate in plant operating system and end-user applications • Functional skills in plant optimisation and asset management with ability to use system management tools and techniques such as statistical data and trend analysis to identify and initiate measurable plant performance improvement initiatives • Adequate budget and cost management skills. Attributes: • A self-starter who is action and result orientated who displays unquestionable integrity and safety consciousness and who is able to persevere under high pressure working conditions. Key knowledge: • Processing plant systems and operating knowledge and hands-on experience • Grade control principles • Relevant SHE knowledge and understanding • Blasting discipline knowledge and asset management systems understanding. Key responsibilities: Perform plant business planning and performance monitoring including: • Assist management in compiling operational strategy and setting of achievable production targets • Manage contractor performance against service level agreements • Supervise service contractor compliance with all legal, regulatory and UMK policies and COPs • Supervise safety compliance by all processing employees and contractors in collaboration with the safety officer • Support the health and safety officer. Provide operational support to manager and direct reports including: • Monitor all identified processing operational risk according to a plant risk schedule and regular reporting • Review and maintain all relevant plant and process policies and procedures • Support the line manager with reporting and data collection as required by UMK policies and procedures including daily production report, safety reporting, HR reporting and financial reporting according to the UMK reporting standards • Attend regular engineering and production meetings and reviews (including production meetings, plan review meetings etc.) and all other meetings as delegated by the line manager. Manage plant people and suppliers including: • Develop, review and monitoring the plant operational and financial budgets • Hold direct reports (Foremen) accountable for their managerial duties and provide effective management support according to the UMK management standards • Ensure effective execution of unit specific projects • Ensure workforce compliance with relevant Mine Health and Safety Act and Regulations and company policies, procedures and requirements, and actively encourage and participate in a positive attitude towards safety • Ensure effective contractor management and engage the line manager to personally intervene in consistent non-performing service providers • Execute all other “manager of manager” activities according to the UMK management standards. Manage plant operations including: • Analyse production and asset performance trends against set operational targets • Report plant performance as per UMK schedule • Oversee effective product processing facilities and asset management • Review daily plant performance data and with the teams adjust operating parameters to optimise production • Participate in scheduling planned plant maintenance • Ensure proper application of 1st line maintenance principles by plant engineering • Improve plant asset management strategies and equipment life cycle. Manage and ensure product throughput including: Analyse production performance trends against set operational targets • Report processed product volumes as per UMK reporting schedule • Ensure accurate stacking and reclaiming of product according to the blending, stacking and reclaiming instructions • Ensure correct reclaiming and filling of silo according to the loading • Ensure effective train receiving, loading and dispatching and Ensure effective cleaning of the plant from the crusher to the silo • Able and willing to perform ad hoc managerial duties as instructed by your supervisor.

The successful candidate will be tasked with coordinating and managing the activities of a shift-based team consisting of General Processing Plant Operators, Shift Electrician and Fitter, Cleaning Supervisor and Control Room Operators in the operation of the company’s process plant to attain maximum production per shift. The incumbent will report to a plant superintendent and will be responsible for managing and ensuring employee relations, team and individual performance, safety, health and environment, manage strategic supplier relations, manage budgets, manage assets and equipment and manage day-to-day Processing Plant operations activities. Minimum requirements: Academic qualifications: • Grade 12 or equivalent qualification (minimum), Qualified Artisan or Process Plant Product Preparation Certification (recommended), MDP or similar qualification (advantageous) • Work experience: 5 years’ crushing and screening plant experience (crushing, screening, conveyor belts, stackers and reclaimers), 5 years’ manganese or similar density material processing experience (recommended), 10 years’ management experience (Plant Production Supervisor/General Engineering Supervisor/Plant Production or Plant Engineering Foreman), 5 years’ contractor management experience, 5 years’ maintenance management system experience • Other requirements: 24/7 Availability, willingness to work extended or infrequent working hours, a valid Code B/EB driver’s licence. Personality traits and competencies: Competencies: • Ability to make timely and quality decisions • Managing and measuring plant and direct report performance and ability to manage and innovate operational processes • Good organising, priority setting and project management skills • Above-average communication skills (verbal and written) and good presentation capability • Comfortable around senior mine management, ability to motivate people without regular contact. Technical skills: • Technical report writing skills • Highly computer literate in plant operating system and end-user applications • Functional skills in plant optimisation and asset management with ability to use system management tools and techniques such as statistical data and trend analysis to identify and initiate measurable plant performance improvement initiatives • Adequate budget and cost management skills. Attributes: • A self-starter who is action and result orientated who displays unquestionable integrity and safety consciousness and who is able to persevere under high pressure working conditions. Key knowledge: • Processing plant systems and operating knowledge and hands-on experience • Grade control principles • Relevant SHE knowledge and understanding • Blasting discipline knowledge and asset management systems understanding. Key responsibilities: Perform plant business planning and performance monitoring including: • Assist management in compiling operational strategy and setting of achievable production targets • Manage contractor performance against service level agreements • Supervise service contractor compliance to all legal, regulatory and UMK policies and COPs • Supervise safety compliance by all processing employees and contractors in collaboration with the safety officer • Support the health and safety officer. Provide operational support to manager and direct reports including: • Monitor all identified processing operational risk according to a plant risk schedule and regular reporting • Review and maintain all relevant plant and process policies and procedures • Support the line manager with reporting and data collection as required by UMK policies and procedures including daily production report, safety reporting, HR reporting and financial reporting according to the UMK reporting standards • Attend regular engineering and production meetings and reviews (including production meetings, plan review meetings etc.) and all other meetings as delegated by the line manager. Manage plant people and suppliers including: • Develop, review and monitoring the plant operational and financial budgets • Hold direct reports (Foremen) accountable for their managerial duties and provide effective management support according to the UMK management standards • Ensure effective execution of unit specific projects • Ensure workforce compliance with relevant Mine Health and Safety Act and Regulations and company policies, procedures and requirements, and actively encourage and participate in a positive attitude towards safety • Ensure effective contractor management and engage the line manager to personally intervene in consistent non-performing service providers • Execute all other “manager of manager” activities according to the UMK management standards. Manage plant operations including: • Analyse production and asset performance trends against set operational targets • Report plant performance as per UMK schedule • Oversee effective product processing facilities and asset management • Review daily plant performance data and with the teams adjust operating parameters to optimise production • Participate in scheduling planned plant maintenance • Ensure proper application of 1st line maintenance principles by plant engineering • Improve plant asset management strategies and equipment life cycle. Manage and ensure product throughput including: • Analyse production performance trends against set operational targets • Report processed product volumes as per UMK reporting schedule • Ensure accurate stacking and reclaiming of product according to the blending, stacking and reclaiming instructions • Ensure correct reclaiming and filling of silo according to the loading • Ensure effective train receiving, loading and dispatching and Ensure effective cleaning of the plant from the crusher to the silo • Able and willing to perform ad hoc managerial duties as instructed by your supervisor.

Please note that the reference MUST be quoted on your application. Please note the following: • Successful candidates will be required to provide a valid medical certificate and may be required to undergo certain medical assessments • Psychometric and other assessments may be used as part of the selection process • Verification of all credentials may be done • Must be in possession of a valid driver’s licence. PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO EMPLOYMENT EQUITY CANDIDATES IN LINE WITH THE COMPANY’S EMPLOYMENT EQUITY PLAN. Only candidates who meet the stated requirements will be considered. APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. www.ayandambanga.co.za 113817

EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 31 JULY 2013

Team takes bronze } Boipelo Mere

MOSITI MOKWENA, principal of the Isago Primary School, is very proud of his learners for displaying their disciplinary and artistic ability. Despite financial challenges and hardships on the side of the school gymnastics team, they brought home bronze from the South African Games in Gauteng. The team consisted of five learners of Isago Primary and one of the William Pescod High School who represented the province at the recent South African Games during the school holidays. “I am very proud of them. It is great that they are exposed to extra-curricular activities and other art forms and disciplines, and if they master these activities it can also have a positive impact academi-

cally,” said the principal. He also directed his gratitude to Daphne Moitse, the school’s gymnastic coach and a teacher at the school, whom he said had the quality to encourage the learners. “Her attitude will also draw more support for the sport in terms of sponsorships, which presents us with enormous challenges.” According to Moitse, the competition had been tough during the tournament, because her culture was slowly becoming used to gymnastics. “I must admit that it was difficult, but my team performed to the best of their ability in all three levels of rhythmic gymnastics, and we managed to return with a bronze medal, which we are very proud of,” said Moitse. “My team worked very hard during the

THE Isago gymnastics team with their coach, Daphne Moitse, and school principal, Mositi Mokwena, with their medals and trophies from local and provincial competitions. From the left are, front: Masisa Motsoasele (13, two silver, one gold, four bronze medals and a trophy), Rebaone Mmusi (13, trophy, bronze and gold medal), Matlakala Swaartbooi (12, bronze at one of the competitions in Johannesburg) and Tumelo Moilwa(13, four gold, two silver and a bronze medal); back: Keitumetse Modise(10) and Omphile Molale(8). Photo: Boipelo Mere

recent South African Games and competition was tough. “You can imagine that almost all the schools had been practising with the right equipment, unlike us. “But we’ll not give up, we’ll strive until we become successful,” said the coach. She confirmed that gymnastics were showing great improvement in township schools. “The biggest challenge remains sponsorships,” concluded Moitse.

‘But we’ll not give up, we will strive until we become successful.’ – Daphne Moitse, coach