Northern Cape
TEL: 053 8312331
WEDNESDAY 21 AUGUST 2013 WWW.EXPRESSNEWS.CO.ZA
SAMWU plans ‘goslow’
FREE
Members angry about not being taken seriously
} Boipelo Mere MEMBERS of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) plan to go on a go-slow while they apply to go on a legal strike. That followed after Goolam Akharwaray, the Sol Plaatje municipal manager, and the mayor, Agnes Ntlangula, failed to give them their response on Monday. Samwu demanded that all contract workers be permanently employed and an external audit be done for the wage agreement. The union members ended up holding Akharwaray and Ntlangula hostage for not promising to hire contract workers permanently during a planned meeting in the city hall. They released Ntlangula after she had pleaded with them quoting chronic illness and the need to take medication. Prior to that, Ntlangula was forced to get out of her car as it had been blockaded and covered with litter. Akharwaray, on the other hand, had to be sneaked out of the hall as the members started gunning for his blood. This led to a cat-and-mouse chase by the members and the police. According to Manne Moremi, the chairperson of Samwu in Sol Plaatje, the union members had planned to sleep in the hall and lock Akharwaray up until he had given them a positive answer. To the surprise of Express Northern Cape, Akharwaray was only sneaked out of the city hall a few minutes after the members had been instructed by Moremi to go and occupy the headquarters of corruption (meaning Sol Plaatje) and make it inaccessible and ungovernable. “We believe that there was manipulation in the process of the wage curve agreement as some undeserving people had been hired without being evaluated and were backdated. The other issue is for management to stop using disciplinary measures to weaken us (Samwu),” said Moremi. “We don’t agree that the municipality cannot afford us. Sol Plaatje is the biggest municipality in the province and most expensive in the world in terms of electricity. They generate revenue through rates,
Northern Cape
THE members barricaded the road to stop the mayor from fleeing. Insert: The members burnt trash on the municipality’s doorstep.
Photos: Boipelo Mere
rental stock and big businesses through electricity. Let them use those millions that they generate daily to employ their workers permanently instead of abusing them,” he continued. The union might march to the provincial ANC office and lobby other regions in
Tel. Fax
053 831 2331 053 831 2330
order to be taken seriously. “We always fight and march for job security, but leadership does not come to the party. We’ll soon be called a gumboots union because we keep on dancing, then go home,” said one member. Another member suggested that they
PO Box 1583 Kimberley 8300
should go and disconnect the water at Akharwaray’s house. Although there were no injuries reported, confrontation broke out between the police and the members. ) See more photos at www.expressnews.co.za.
Editor
Boipelo Mere
Sales Manager Johan Rossouw
2
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 21 AUGUST 2013
NEWS
FROM the left are Hannes Cronjé, Mark Cutifani, Norman Mbazima, Frikkie Kotzee, Alex Mgadzah, Johan van Schalkwyk, Andrew Loots, Pretorius Bezuidenhout, Jan Gerber and Hugo Schreuder during the visit to the pit. Photos: Supplied
Anglo American CEO visits Sishen
} Boipelo Mere
MARK CUTIFANI, Anglo American’s newly appointed chief executive officer, visited the Sishen Mine for the first time since he started his new role in April 2013 replacing Cynthia Carroll. He has since embarked on a series of visits to all business operations globally within the Anglo American Group. Cutifani was accompanied by Norman Mbazima (Kumba Iron Ore CEO), Andrew Loots (executive head: operations), Frikkie Kotzee (chief financial officer), Yvonne Mfolo (executive head: public affairs) and Alex Mgadzah (executive head: safety and sustainable development). The delegation was welcomed at the Kalahari Country Club where Andrew Loots presented a Kumba operation overview covering the growth strategy and the domestic growth plan and community engagement and development across the Sishen, Kolomela and Thabazimbi Mine.
Johan van Schalkwyk, newly appointed general manager, gave a brief introduction of the Sishen Mine. He covered the history of the Sishen Mine, safety overview and their continuous improvement plan towards zero harm, occupational health and hygiene, environmental management, Sishen’s people, human resources development, employee relations landscape, production, financial performance, stay in business capital and projects, sustainable community development and Sishen’s key issues, as well as the way forward. Cutifani was introduced to the Asset Optimisation Programme at Sishen. He visited the two viewpoints and also had the opportunity to sit in the mine’s largest shovel, the XPC4100, whilst loading some ore. This was followed by a visit to the new Life of Mine workshop. The delegation also had the opportunity to visit the housing projects in Sesheng and the Tshipi Training Centre, as
well as the new Dingleton show houses. The highlight of the visit was interacting with the various enterprises at the Sustainable Development Hub where Cutifani was welcomed by the different “Sishen sounds” from the Sisheng Traditional Dance Group, the Kuruman Field Band and Blue Chilli. “It was a great opportunity to display our success and reinforce that the mine plays an important role, not only within Kumba Iron Ore, but also within the mining giant of Anglo American’s business operations,” Van Schalkwyk said. Cutifani in his closing remarks said he was impressed with what he had seen at Sishen: “It is good to see that we are making sure that we’re safe, that we’re looking after the business, production, costs and all the things we need to do to make sure that we deliver on our commitments to each other, our shareholders, and all of the great stakeholders that support Anglo American.”
MARK CUTIFANI and Norman Mbazima in one of the training simulators at the Sishen Mine.
Get ready for Macufe } Boipelo Mere
THE American star Keri Hilson is expected to give an unforgettable performance during the much loved Macufe in Bloemfontein. According to a festival organiser, Mahambehlala Communications, the festival is expected to kick off on 4 October and promises attractive offerings with impressive performances, artistic grandeur and entertainment experiences. Part of the line-up are the American star Anthony Hamilton, Hugh Masekela, Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse and Afro-pop giants Mafikizolo. Hilson’s debut performance will be at the Divas Concert on 11 October at the Dome, Old Grey Sports Grounds, where she is expected to share the stage with Zonke, the versatile Thandiswa Mazwai and Sama winning artist Maleh. Since embarking on a solo career, Hilson is reported to have become a Soul Train, Mobo and BET award winner. Hilson has also featured on many singles, including Timbaland’s song The Way I Are and on Chris Brown’s Superhuman. Her first studio album, In a Perfect World, debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 chart and number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Some of her popular tracks include Turnin Me On featuring Lil Wayne and Knock You Down with Kanye West and Ne-Yo. Hilson’s second studio album, No Boys Allowed, featured another hit, Pretty Girl Rock. Masekela is one of the pristine Mzansi artists to have been nominated for a Grammy award more than once. With over 50 years in the music business, this artist’s lively performances continue to enjoy great applause in many of the prestigious venues of Europe and America where he tours regularly and performs to full houses. Throngs of cultural and entertainment tourists are expected to flock to Mangaung to witness the 16th edition of this festival. Macufe’s Indoor Jazz on 10 October, also at the Dome, boasts a tight line-up including Judith Sephuma, Anthony Hamilton, Masekela and Victor Kgatlape. Macufe’s main festival is on 12 October at the Rose Garden with artists like Jimmy Dludlu, Khaya, Peter Nthwane, Thoko, Allayen, Lira, Dj Finzo & DJ What What and the Amstel Golden Hour Artist. The Civic Theatre will be buzzing and alive with one of the biggest productions in this year’s Macufe. The internationally acclaimed and long-running musical stage play Umoja – The Spirit of Togetherness will be staged from 7 to 11 October at the Civic. Macufe will not be complete without its craft market, held during the course of the festival at
KERI HILSON
Photo: Supplied
MAFIKIZOLO during a performance in Kimberley. Photo: Boipelo Mere the corner of Markgraaf and Elizabeth Street. Big stars can be seen at the development performances including theatre, drama and poetry – all staged at the André Huguenet Theatre. The week-long Macufe kicks off with a gala dinner on 4 October followed by a Macufe boxing match at the Bloemfontein City Hall on 5 October and a gospel concert on 6 October. Macufe’s Comedy is on 9 October and closing the event will be a game of football between two PSL teams in the Macufe Cup Series.
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 21 AUGUST 2013
3
NEWS
Women have that something extra } Boipelo Mere MMAIKANENG NDOBOLA of the Thusong Service Centre at the Tlhokomelo Multi-purpose Centre applauded women for making use of services without fear. She said that at WEMI’s third national seminar at the recreational hall over the weekend and that the services they rendered ranging from counselling, Famsa and Batho Pele, had been brought to Tlhokomelo to be closer to the people. During the event the women, in the presence of five men, worshipped and praised the Christian Youth Empowerment Choir which also falls under WEMI. Past. Lilly Fritz, the founder of WEMI, gave the keynote address and a presentation of the
movement. She elaborated on how she had managed to keep the movement alive through the support of a few individuals whom she mentioned. It is a calling for her to uplift women within her society, something she has been doing since 2007 despite facing challenges. “I dedicate most of my success to my husband who keeps on encouraging me to read in order to build myself into becoming a better councillor and motivational speaker. “ ‘Vroutjie, lees, jy het dit in jou. Ons sal maar weer brood en jam eet vandag’, my husband keeps on telling me when I prepare to cook at home,” said Fritz. Whilst encouraging the women to stop pulling each other down, Fritz also told them to shy away from pretending to know and have every-
MEMBERS of WEMI are, front: Lilly Fritz; from the left, back: Violet Siwisa, Kelebogile Saba, Pinkie Mokolare, Rose Gaoagwe, Winnie Mosikare, Jeanette Mkhatshane and Mmanare Diamond.
thing. “Also, do not underestimate yourselves as everybody starts small. Even though people might say that I have money, it still confuses them that I still live in an RDP house amid their claims. I’ve learnt to listen to other people and to take advice,” revealed the pastor. “Our movement is growing from strength to strength because we are all hard workers. Even those that I work with know that I still eat the local threepiece (bread, butter and paste), or bread with snoek,” she added before showing the guests a Powerpoint presentation of the work they did. Another speaker, Winnie Mosikare, referred to the women as tea bags because they were strong. “One thing I learnt in life is that it is difficult to do things alone, you tend to get tired along the way. But if you get support, you will get strength and continue the journey. Julle moet leer on vrae te “Julle vrae sodat julle meer te ,” concluded wete kan kom,” Mosikare. Judy Moalekwa of the Department of Economic Development urged women to get rid of individualism and form co-operatives in order to get funding. Orapeleng Diamond, the
programme director, said: “Women always have something extra, no matter what. “Unlike us men who need to have a gentle touch to be referred to as gentlemen.”
MMAIKANENG NDOBOLA (left) of the Thusong Service Centre at Tlhokomelo is being led to the podium by Past. Lilly Fritz. Photos: Boipelo Mere
Honours students SPECIAL OFFER IF YOU REGISTER WITH UFS FOR 2014
Make the leap from undergraduate to postgraduate studies. Register for your honours THE Christian Youth Empowerment Choir entertaining the guests.
Wrong byline used in ENC OOPS, we erred. In the last week’s issue of Express Northern Cape we wrongly published the byline of Boipelo Mere instead of that of Lerato Sebe with the article titled “Women’s Day event an eye-opener about men and life” on p. 4. Lerato will work as an intern for Express Northern Cape for the next four months. Community members can feel free to call her for the publishing of stories and pictures during the week. Lerato can be contacted by calling 053831-2331, only during office hours.
studies at the University of the Free State and pay NO registration fee for 2014.
Students who have completed their first degrees and wish to continue with their honours studies at the UFS, will not pay registration fees for 2014 and do not have to make prepayments before registrations. Students from other universities may also apply. Normal tuition fees will be charged and will be payable as follows: • 1st semester fees by 31 March and • 2nd semester fees by 31 August
Conditions to qualify for this offer: • Students must meet all academic requirements of the UFS for honours studies. • Students must be SA citizens. • Students may not have any outstanding fees from previous years. • UFS terms and conditions apply. Closing date for applications: 30 September 2013 Enquiries can be directed to tuitionfees@ufs.ac.za
T: +27(0)51 401 9111 | tuitionfees@ufs.ac.za | www.ufs.ac.za
4
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 21 AUGUST 2013
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 21 AUGUST 2013
Donate a blanket
THE Staats Primary School donated blankets to the value of R3 000 during a coin-laying ceremony on Madiba Day. From left are Alexa Beukes (deputy head girl) and Anne Diedericks (head girl); middle: Benita Valkenburgh (general manager: Diamond Pavilion Mall), Nico du Plooy (deputy head boy) and Col Alexia Robertson of the Kimberley Cluster; back: Mariska Brand (Staats primary teacher), Mercia van Niekerk (PEP manager) and Jan Hendrick Louw (head boy). Photo: Supplied
} Boipelo Mere THE Diamond Pavilion Shopping Mall, together with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and PEP, envisage to raise over 32 000 blankets, which, if converted into square metres, is the approximate size of the mall, during the Keep Me Warm Keep Me Safe Blanket Drive. The community-driven project, which kicked off in 2011, with the help of several NGO’s, schools, government organisations and the community, has to date raised 18 236 blankets. PEP in the Diamond Pavilion Shopping Mall avails the blankets for a low R39,95, which brings the campaign to just over R600 000 worth of blankets collected. The blankets are distributed to the underprivileged, faith-based organisations, orphanages, the SPCA, homeless persons and hospitals. Further distributions are made in disaster situations such as in the recent flood-stricken areas in Modderrivier, throughout the Northern Cape, Free State and also in the Lesotho area. The distributions run concurrent with safety campaigns where the blanket recipients are informed on how to keep them and their loved ones safe. The blanket drive team will be seen utilising entrance points at national and provincial cricket and soccer matches for blanket collections. They also hold weekly blanket drives at the mall with the assistance of the SAPS Men for Change and Women’s Network. The Staats Primary School in Kimberley recently donated blankets to the value of R3 000 that was collected during a coin-laying ceremony on Madiba Day. The school challenges all other schools to beat their contribution. The Diamond Pavilion Shopping Mall availed a store for all collected blankets, adding that community members are welcome to donate surplus blankets they have at home. Anyone interested in donating a blanket can contact Amanda Barra, Diamond Pavilion Mall marketing manager, on 053-832-9200.
How y you can help p to keep p the lights g on this winter … especially between 5pm and 9pm weekdays South Africa’s homes – from flats and clusters to stand-alone houses and residential estates – demand 17% of the electricity used in our country. But on weekdays, between 5pm and 9pm, this demand increases and peaks at 35%, a huge jump that puts severe strain on the power supply.
Why does this happen? We arrive home from work around 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Calling on all sports stars ARE you good at sport, or is someone in your school or place of education good at sport? Are you a young coach working with future stars? Are you getting people active at your school, in your community or at the gym? The SuperSport Let’s Play Star of the Month is a competition for anyone aged 6 to 18. You can nominate yourself or be nominated by a friend, teacher, lecturer or coach at your school or place of education. The winner is chosen from all the nominations received for that month. The monthly winner will receive a Let’s Play hamper. From all the entries received each month one player will be chosen as the SuperSport Let’s Play Star of the Month. At the end of the year one player from all the Star of the Month winners will be chosen as the SuperSport Let’s Play Star of the Year. Send us your nomination today (nominations received before the 20th of every month will be included in that month’s selection. Nominations received after the 20th of every month will be carried over to the next month’s selection). Your nomination must include your name, age and a short paragraph (less than 200 words) on what you have achieved, as well as your contact details. You can email your nomination to supersport@zpr.co.za or SMS 072-311-7716 (no phone calls will be accepted; normal cellphone rates apply) or fax 086-552-4922, or deliver your entry to Z PR at 22A Reid Street, Westdene, Bloemfontein. For more information call Lynne at Z PR on 051-430-3027.
5
The first thing we do is switch on the lights, television, our electrical space heaters, followed by the oven, the microwave and the washing machine or dishwasher. We also run hot water in the kitchen and take a bath or shower – with the geyser tucked away in the ceiling working hard to heat the water. Millions of us follow this evening routine at the same time, which means South Africa’s households use more than one third of the electricity consumed in the country between 5pm and 9pm, on weekdays. As the demand increases, Eskom does all it can including running some emergency power stations during the day, to balance supply and demand. This winter we need to continue with power station maintenance and the system will be tighter during the peak period from 5pm to 9pm.
What can you do to help keep the lights on this winter? Three simple things: 1. Switch off your electrical element geyser between 5pm and 9pm; this appliance uses the most electricity of all in the home, and can account for up to 50% on your electricity bill 2. Don’t switch on your space heater between 5pm and 9pm. This appliance is energy-intensive and can account for up to 16% on your monthly electricity bill, instead, dress warmly, switch on a gas heater, and use a hot water bottle and blankets to keep warm 3. Switch off your pool pump between 5pm and 9pm; this appliance uses up to 11% on your electricity bill.
Let’s switch off together … and keep South Africa powered up this winter :MWMX [[[ IWOSQ GS ^E MHQ JSV HIXEMPIH MRJSVQEXMSR SR WEZMRK XMTW JSV [MRXIV ERH )WOSQ´W IRIVK] IJ½GMIRG] product rebates.
Powering your world Eskom Holdings SOC Limited Reg No 2002/015527/06 Mohlaleng_1458_E1
1923-
2013
6
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 21 AUGUST 2013
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 21 AUGUST 2013
Four injured in accident } Boipelo Mere THREE people were seriously injured in an accident that happened in Pniel Road, Kimberley. The accident involved four vehicles that collided: a white Toyota Tazz, a black Opel Vivaro, a red Isuzu bakkie and a grey Chevrolet Captiva. According to Lt Donald Mdhluli of the South African Police Service (SAPS), the three seriously injured people from the Opel Vivaro, as well as one from the Isuzu bakkie, were taken to hospital whilst two other passengers were treated for shock.
The police allege that the white Toyota Tazz was travelling from a northern direction into the southern part of town whilst the other three vehicles were travelling in the opposite direction. At this stage the cause of the accident is yet to be determined and police have opened a case of reckless and negligent driving while the investigation continues.
KONTANT VIR MOTORS en bakkies. Thinus. Christiana 072 472 8686.
PLAASWA: 4-WIELDUBBELAS met voorwiellosdraai-tafel. 7 m lank en 2 m breed. R20 000 kontant of naaste aanbod. Skakel Barrie by 083 459 7616.
THE four-lane Barkly Road was closed for close to two hours while the police cleared the accident scene on Friday morning. Photo: Emile Hendricks/PHOTO24
2.2-L-ISUZU-DIESEL-BAKKIE. Enjin en onderstel nuut oorgedoen. Tralies. Goeie werkende toestand. R25 000 of naaste aanbod. Skakel Barrie by 083 459 7616.
STUDENTEMOTOR gesoek: Onder R20 000 kontant. 071 967 0285.
BLOEMISTEPOS: Dame Vorige ondervinding is 'n aanbeveling. Handig CV persoonlik in by Classical Lines Angelstr. 29, New Park, Kby. Sluitingsdatum: 27 Augustus 2013 om 17:00. Geen telefoniese navrae. PRINT OPERATOR (KOMORI 4 COLOUR), Bloemfontein 084 571 6408.
7
8
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 21 AUGUST 2013
Lesego is reaching for the top } Boipelo Mere
LESEGO RAMOTHOLA (15) intends to make the Northern Cape proud one more time during the upcoming South Africa Games. He will again represent his gymnastics club and the province next year in July where he will perform in level 7. The venue and date still have to be confirmed. The 15-year-old gymnast just returned in July from the national competition in Brits where he beat his peers (15-year-olds) in aerobic gymnastics and came first with a gold medal. Ramothola said that he had already started his own routine for the upcoming competition as expected of him. “I am excited, but scared at the same time. This is quite challenging, because at this stage (level 7) one has to create your own routine. You tend to get surprised when you get there, because you do not know what to expect of other gymnasts,” he said shyly. The confident gymnast’s biggest dream was to make it to the nationals, then the international aerobics team. But he is concerned about the available facilities to keep him fit and strengthen his mus-
cles. “You see, flexibility and strength are needed in aerobics. And I currently still lack that for the level that I was selected for (level 7). If I succeed in level 7, then I will qualify for the Olympic Development Plan (ODP) which is level 8, 9 and 10,” he explained to Express Northern Cape. According to the young gymnast, he was doing level 4 moves when he went to the competitions and had to skip level 5 and 6 when he arrived at the competitions. “Due to his capabilities and his commitment the judges, who were both from national and international levels, recommended him to do level 7 on his arrival in Brits. That, they said, was because he also had the strength for the level,” said Ramothola’s coach, Daphne Moitse. Ramothola might have to practice with another club or team as he is in need of specialised equipment to build up his strength. But his trainer does not mind. “I really do not mind, I build them up as much as I can. As long as he goes further up, I am happy for him and I will keep on encouraging him to work hard and reach his dreams,” said the proud trainer.
You tend to be surprised when you get there, because you do not know what to expect of other gymnasts. – Lesego Ramothola LESEGO RAMOTHOLA
LESEGO RAMOTHOLA (15) intends to make the Northern Cape proud one more time.
Photos: Boipelo Mere