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WEDNESDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2013 WWW.EXPRESSNEWS.CO.ZA
Dancing skills honed } Boipelo Mere
THE Mayibuye Dance Academy in Galeshewe is making inroads into the competitive dance scene in the country. Two of the academy’s dancers, Sussera Olyn and Otsile Masemola, were selected to participate in the Moving into Dance training programme scheduled to start in January. The two were selected during a recent outreach programme in Kimberley, held by Moving Into Dance from Johannesburg. This was targeted at selecting post-matric dance students for a one-year training course. The course, which is renewable depending on merit, is aimed at empowering the students to be able to learn and to equip them with skills beyond that of dancing. “This will allow them to sharpen their skills to become versatile dancers and teach them self-discipline and also how to earn a living as dancers,” said Lizelle Julie, the dance specialist at the Mayibuye Dance Academy. According to the two representatives of Moving into Dance, Muzi Shili and Oscar Buthelezi, the selected dancers passed the criteria of self-discipline, hard work and humility and were hungry enough to throw themselves into learning. “Unlike the normal procedure of us having to invite dancers to attend auditions, the Northern Cape has already proven itself. We have selected two talented dancers to go straight into class next year,” said Shili. “It is a once-off course where the students will be invited for choreography. Their training will entail Afro-fusion, contemporary dancing, African dancing, edu-dance, anthro-
OTSILE MASEMOLA is one of the students who were chosen to participate in the Mov ing into Dance training programme in January. Photos: Boipelo Mere
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pology of dance, computer skills, human anatomy and administration,” said Buthelezi. This year’s winter workshop for the dance academy was a plus, as it brought interest amongst more hopefuls, coming from as far as Upington. With the influx of more students, the academy had to incorporate other dance styles like hip-hop, traditional, Latin and ballroom dance. More dance styles meant increasing staff, as initially it only catered for ballet and Spanish dance. Internal assessment is also done on a quarterly basis to evaluate the dancers’ development, which leads to performances to which they invite parents so that they can witness what their children do. According to Julie, the academy has grown from strength to strength, especially their Latin dancers. Julie revealed that in August two of their couples, who had participated in the world trials in Gauteng, returned with good results. “One of the teams qualified for the intraprovincial dance competition in Cape Town, where they were joined by three others to perform. One couple came fifth in the competition and two made it to the semi-finals,” she said with pride. “Letlhogonolo Nche, one of our contemporary dance instructors, was honoured by being commissioned for the first time to a 15minute piece performance in front of world-renowned choreographers and dance practitioners during the Dance Umbrella International Festival in September.” The academy will host its first year-end production on 10 December at 18:00, where dancers will showcase their creativity to the public for free at the Mayibuye Multipurpose Centre.
SUSSERA OLYN, who was chosen for the Moving into Dance training programme, al ready in the hands of her new trainers, Muzi Shili (left) and Oscar Buthelezi.
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Gospel extravaganza awaits } Boipelo Mere
KHAYA MTHETHWA
Photo: Supplied
NORTHERN CAPE gospel fans are to prepare themselves for an exciting and mouth-watering musical extravaganza as South Africa’s favourite ensemble Joyous Celebration and 2012 South African Idols winner, Khaya Mthethwa, are expected to join forces with international gospel musician Kirk Franklin. The much-anticipated extravaganza will take place at the Griquas (GWK) Rugby Park on 8 December. It is a definite fact that fans will be worshipping and praising at the top of their lungs as the multitalented Kirk Franklin, alongside the award-winning Joyous Celebration, will be laying out some brilliant gospel tunes. Franklin is well loved for the production of some astounding gospel hits such as Bread of Life. With three gospel giants on one stage, this will surely be 2013’s most acclaimed gospel event. This once in a lifetime gospel
concert, which is part of the inaugural Diamond City Revival, hosted by Maverick State and the Northern Cape Provincial Government, is likely to be a huge success with tickets already in demand. South Africa’s most celebrated talent, Khaya Mthethwa, promises to grace the stage with the Gospel Alive Choir from his new TV show. “We are looking forward to sharing the stage with one of the world’s best gospel stars, which has produced hits that have inspired us on our gospel journey,” says Jabu Hlongwane, co-founder of Joyous Celebration. To witness history in the making, gospel lovers are requested to book tickets via Computicket or any Shoprite outlet at the price of R180. Gates will open at 10:00 and the show starts at 12:00. ) Your favourite community newspaper, Northern Cape Express, will be giving away two double tickets to five readers AND ten hampers to participating readers.
KIRK FRANKLIN
Photo: Supplied
Choirs perform Ilse Watson LAST week the Laerskool Kuruman hosted their cultural evening An adventure in music. School choirs from die primary schools of Kuruman, Kathu and Lareng and the Kagung Youth Choir performed. Former learners of the Laerskool Kuruman, Janli Roodt and Tshidiso Molema, who are currently both attending school at the Hoërskool Kalahari, also charmed the audience with their melodious voices.
JANNATUL FERDOUS performed the Indian dance which left the audience begging for more.
JANLI ROODT sang the song Dans.
TSHIDISO MOLEMA sang the song You disappear.
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NGO’s to respond } Boipelo Mere THE National Lottery Board (NLB) is appealing to Northern Cape NGO’s to submit proposals for funding. According to the NLB, unlike other provinces the Northern Cape has never reached its 5% share of funding since the inception of the funding process, which is 10 years ago. The appeal was made by a NLB representative, Bathabile Kapumba, at the Tabernacle Church Hall during the recent fraud awareness campaign. “We have tried several times to visit the Northern Cape where we invited NGO’s to identify their needs and encouraged them, although we have realised that they have the least amount of NGO’s. “’The majority of the applicants are less compliant. “We are still making an appeal to them to send their proposals. We will give them all the money that they request and allow them to reapply for us to extend the funding process, provided they are compliant,”said Kapumba. She acknowledged that the issue of the Northern Cape having a small population, or the distance, is not the issue at hand. “Not using the money to its rightful purpose is a challenge for us. The funds are made available to play a role in society. “’The sad part is that the unused money cannot be carried over to the next financial year. We guarantee that we can reach the furthest NGO at any time,” she responded to whether the vastness of the province does not affect the funding process. She continued that they sometimes turn down desperate applicants who falsely apply under the Northern Cape name while their projects are not run in the province. “We are no law breakers and will not allow anyone to use us. Our red campaign intensified our assessment process to prevent that kind of corruption.”
MEMBERS of the Hope Burial Food Fund are from the left, front: Anthea van der Burg, Nicole McGowan (director), Julian Kok (CEO), Past. Frank Loff and Jane Loff; back: Melani Bosch, Irene Smous, Charlene Moir, Jessica Bosch and Mitjie Lucas. Photo: Supplied
Food fund aims to empower } Lerato Sebe THE Hope Burial Food Fund officially launched their cooperative establishment aimed at empowering Northern Cape women and families living in poverty in Roodepan. The launch saw community members and local community leaders as well as pastors of various denominations attending the event. Motivational speakers gave talks on business and how to build an establishment and maintain it where spiritual upliftment was also at the order of the day. Julian Kok, the CEO and founder of the organisation, started the establishment in February as the sole owner of the organisation.
He was then joined by an additional four members and also opened another branch in KwaZulu-Natal in June with eight members running it. “This is an insurance aid that assists poverty-stricken families with food parcels during the burial of their loved ones,” said Kok. “The vision of the organisation is also to empower women to go into business and that is why we are targeting 83 women to be employed at Hope Burial Food Fund.” Kok said that they were trying to reach a target of 37 000 people in the Northern Cape to become members and beneficiaries in their establishment. “Our main focus is in the Northern Cape.
The launch was to officially transform the establishment into a cooperative and to start out with a solid foundation.” Kok indicated that their target areas were Galeshewe, Roodepan, Homevale, Greenpoint, Ritchie, Barkly West and Windsorton. He added that each of these areas had a community representative who travelled door-to-door to market and inform the community about their establishment and what they had to offer them. “We also approach NGOs or businesses that grow vegetable gardens and purchase vegetables from them and in return the community benefits both ways – through us (Hope Burial Food Fund) and the community NGO and businesses.”
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Worship team’s CD inspires V Ilse Watson THE Hephzibah Postmasburg worship team recently launched their debut album. Their new CD was officially launched by the mayor of the Tsantsabane Local Municipality, Elroy Phete. The launch took place at the Civic Hall and people from as far as Upington and Olifantshoek attended the event. This project all started in July 2011 with the planting of the Hephzibah Church in Postmasburg. As part of the normal church activities they established a worship team that conducts worship and praise activities at events. In June Hephzibah Postmasburg took a decision to fund the CD project to fund their social programmes that are driven through the Tsantsabane Centre of Hope, a non-government organisation that assists youth development. They believe that music is a very influential medium of communication. The CD titled The indispensable song is a must sing along and listen to CD for everyone. The message of their CD: Nothing is impossible.
FROM the left are Shaunette Heyns, Brumilda Jacobs, Sania Jacobs, Francis Jacobs, Marche Adams, Tabita Jacobs and Jestien Fredericks. Photo: Supplied
Zero tolerance for law defiers INCREASED CONGESTION on the John Taolo Gaetsewe Region roads, namely the N14 (Kuruman-Kathu), R385 respectively (Olifantshoek Cross-Postmansburg-Daniëlskuil Cross) and ultimately the R31 from Daniëlskuil cross-Kimberley. The roads have reportedly also shown an increase in fatal accidents due to the area’s increase in mining operations, resulting in escalation in vehicle flow and population since January this year, also claiming the live of a traffic officer in the line of duty. Thus the Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison is intensifying its 365 Days of Road Safety programmes with a robust action plan in the mentioned region. Drivers will be screened for alcohol, driving licences and licence discs/number plates for authenticity and vehicles for roadworthiness amongst others each week. Arrests will also take place for any contravention of the law where applicable. “We are entering the festive season and there is a build-up of excitement and operations will be continued and intensified. “The operations will not only be in John Taolo Gaetsewe Region but will be across the province,” stated Keitumetse Moticoe, the communications officer at the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison.
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THE parade march in process.
Photos: Lecrecia Prins
FROM the left are the minister of Rural Development, Gugile Nk winti, the minister of the Presidency, Obed Bapela, and the North ern Cape MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Reform, Norman Shushu, addressing the media.
Graduates ready to face the world } Boipelo Mere THE minister of Rural Development, Gugile Nkwinti, emphasised that the 599 young people who had graduated from the National Rural Youth Service Corps (NARYSEC) at 3 SAI Military Base in Kimberley last week are ready to face the real world. Coming from all nine provinces, the students all received certificates for their three-month youth leadership programme provided by the Military. The NARYSEC programme is a two-year programme implemented by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform as part of the government’s broader efforts to provide skills development for the youth, particularly
those residing in the rural areas. The NARYSEC programme is implemented as part of the department’s Comprehensive Rural Development Programme (CRDP) as an intervention, given the challenges of unemployment and poverty that continues to afflict the majority of young South Africans. The programme targets young people aged between 18 and 35 years, including those with disabilities, whereby they are expected to plough back in their communities through engagement in projects in the areas where they have received training on completion the two year programme. Elaborating on the successes of the programme from pre-
vious trainees during a media briefing who are chosen from rural communities, Nkwinti highlighted how the training creates hope and instils discipline in the members. He continued to highlight how the army base is the perfect place for the training, “since it is the only institution that remains credible. What is done here can never be instituted in society”. “That is why we brought the training here,” he said. “I believe that we can still do more with the help of municipalities. They should come on board by assisting to empower these youngsters in their respective districts, which will also motivate them into forming co-operatives,” said the minister.
Whilst applauding the programme, Nkwinti highlighted an incident where he was invited by two females from the previous groups to officially hand over a house that they had built. Another member who is wheelchair bound offered to hire some of his peers in his
construction company. “An amount of R508 million was invested into this programme, specifically for rural areas where the ambitions of youngsters are being taken for granted. “That is where there are no township gangsterism to distract them.
“It will definitely make a difference in the lives of many and add value,” continued the minister. To prove his confidence in the programme, Nkwinti valiantly invited young members of the media for a one week long training programme at the military base.
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NEWS
The diamond shoes could feed a village } Dimakatso Lechwenyo
MEMBERS of the SAPS in Plooysburg with two of the suspects who were arrested during the raid and some of the dagga confiscated.
More dagga arrests } Lerato Sebe AFTER several tip-offs from the local residents of Plooysburg, station commander Barend Cedras and his members, assisted by the Kimberley K9 Unit, found dagga plants being cultivated in the yard of a house at one the farms they raided in Plooysburg. The suspect was not at home at the time and the police returned later, finding the grown and flowering plants, about 10, removed and destroyed. The event led to the 50-year-old man’s arrest and charge for possession of dagga. On the same day, police also
raided another farm where six houses were searched. The officers found dagga stored in an old unused fridge outside one of the houses in an old cake tin. About 1 kg was confiscated. According to the police drugs and substance abuse contribute enormously to the commission of various crimes, including serious and violent crimes such as assault, rape and murder, as well as domestic violence. “We appreciate the efforts our partners in the fight against crime contribute, including communities through their various structures in their efforts towards a safe and drug free community,” said Maj.
Gen. Jean Abrahams, the Kimberley Cluster commander. Police have received successful results through continuous tip-offs from the community and suspected drug hubs within the small farming community of Plooysburg. The Plooysburg police officers raided another house on a farm and found a bag containing 50 kg of compressed dagga where five women were arrested and charged for possession of dagga. “Arrests such as these send out a clear and loud message that the Plooysburg community is not a drug haven and that they will not tolerate drugs in their community,” added Abrahams.
‘Corrupt officials must go’ Are you a dynamic, self-starter, ambitious and career driven mining professional? Are you interested in joining a world-class blasting technology leader in the industry? Do you have an intimate knowledge and understanding of the open-pit, quarry and underground mining markets? Then this might be the opportunity for you. Various positions exist in the Open-pit & Massive division of our Southern Africa Business.
BLASTERS/BLASTING FOREMAN
Manage the deployment of all explosives and ensuring the successful use of these explosives and accessories in rock blasting at customer sites. The Blasting foreman will provide technical expertise and blasting services to customers as a value-add. These positions carry legal responsibility. Must have Matric, valid Blasting Certificate plus at least 2 years’ surface mining and blasting experience. Valid driver’s licence. (Magazine Masters’ Certificate and mechanical aptitude would be an added advantage). Blasting Foreman should ideally have a Mine Overseer Certificate.
EXPLOSIVES ENGINEERS
Provide a key link and explosives engineering expertise to help improve the effectiveness of customer operations. Must have NHD or BSc Mining Engineering or a relevant mining and/or explosives qualification. Must have minimum 5 years’ experience in mining and blasting, either in opencast or underground operations.
SITE MANAGER/CONTRACTS MANAGER
Provide a direct link with customer management, for the effective management of customer service contracts, correct product selection and adequate maintenance of the site fleet and all company assets including people, plant and equipment. The position also carries legal responsibility. Must have a technical qualification (NHD or Degree) preferably in Mining Engineering. Five years’ production mining experience (opencast and/ or underground).
FIELD SERVICE SUPERINTENDENTS
Manage AEL Mining Services bulk explosives business at mine site(s) in addition to the management of the operation of all associated plant equipment and assets. This includes the raw materials, people, plant and equipment. The position also carries legal responsibility. Must have Matric, Magazine Master Certificate, Surface Blasting Certificate is essential. Valid Code 14 (EC) driver’s licence, mechanical aptitude.
MMU OPERATORS/EXPLOSIVES TRUCK OPERATORS
Manage and operate all aspects of a mobile manufacturing unit (MMU/explosive trucks) in order to meet the customer requirements with the standards and procedures as defined by the Company. Must have Matric, valid Code 14/EC driver’s licence preferably with PrDP.
ARTISANS/ENGINEERING SUPERVISOR
Diesel Mechanics/Millwrights/Fitters: Provide a maintenance service on MMU’s and equipment, execute scheduled and routine maintenance on trucks and LDV’s, machinery and equipment. Must have Matric, 3-5 years’ mechanical experience preferably within a mining or manufacturing environment. Experience working on hydraulics and pneumatics preferably on MAN, Volvo and Iveco trucks.
EXPLOSIVES/BLASTING LEARNERSHIPS
Grade 12 or equivalent qualification with Mathematics and Science. Under the age of 25 years. Ability to work within a mining/explosives/blasting environment (pre-employment medicals will be done).
Evolve
Go to www.aelminingservices.com/careers to apply or email your CV to vacancycs@aelms.com or fax to 011 605 0196. Closing date: 6 December 2013
An application will not in itself entitle the applicant to an interview. If you do not receive any feedback on your application in 4 weeks from the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful. Appointments will be made in line with the requirements of our Employment Equity plan.
} Boipelo Mere “CORRUPT officials must go and it is my principle. I am an action person, I don’t just talk, but I act. Currently we (Treasury) vet the identified candidates during the interviews before they can even be interviewed.” This was quoted from Sello Mokoko, Northern Cape head of the Treasury Department, in his keynote address on behalf of MEC John Block at the Tabernacle Church in Kimberley. “Corruption is stealing from the poor. It is evil, illegal, bad, wrong and deceitful. That is why the law of disclosure by bidding companies should be strengthened,” said Mokoko at the International Fraud Awareness Week where about 250 officials from provincial government departments attended. He pleaded with all delegates, including the people of the country, to support government initiatives to fight fraud and corruption and emphasized that government alone would not win, but everyone needed to be accountable.
US $1.97 billion for a pair of beautiful shiny shoes manufactured by the House of Borgezie whilst 4 billion people in the world are living in poverty. These US $1.97 billion shoes are no ordinary shoes. They are all diamonds and gold. Curiosity strikes . . . Who are the raw material suppliers of the House of Borgezie? Where is this business based? How much is the company contributing towards social responsibility? My investigations were short-lived. My angle for this story was one along the lines that ‘We can all contribute towards eliminating poverty’ yet Google had absolutely nothing to say about socio-economic projects initiated and supported by the billion-dollar shoemaker. The world is a reflection of the people who live in it. If people who manufacture shoes worth US $1.97 billion are able to find a buyer for the shoe, it is an indication that there is enough money in someone’s pocket to be able to afford that shoe or even to feed all the hungry in the world. If people are living in poverty somewhere in this very same global village, it means that we find it better to invest in shoes than to invest in our people. Many of us have had to learn that in this world nothing is for mahala. It is dignified to earn for what you want. It is not fine by me that billions of people are povertystricken and those with the capacity to do something are too selfcentred or ignorant to give a helping hand. Nothing wrong with wearing better shoes if you still have your feet on the ground. Invest in a shoe manufacturer who in turn invests in his labour force, who in turn invest in their children, who in turn invest in others. . . if only the cycle could be an investment cycle. Yet how many of us ever bother to check and ask what and how the companies that we so loyally support are giving back to our communities? Maybe that is why I have no problem walking half an hour from home to Shoprite to buy a litre of milk as I am well aware of what Shoprite is doing right here in Galeshewe. Looking at the salary of Shoprite Holding’s CEO I think they can do far better, yet they are doing something. Whether my friend on the street corner is contributing towards the development of my community or even a VAT vendor is another story. Maybe he is one, he just failed to understand what I was talking about when I asked him. Who knows, if we focus on investing and splitting rewards which in this case would be the profits from the House of Borgezie shoes then the investment would be worth it. The diamond industry would benefit, the gold industry would benefit and the owners of House of Borgezie would benefit. Who else, I wonder. JSC magazine issue of October 2010 states the following: “We have made nine pairs so far but have a rapidly growing order book says Shellis”. This Mr Shellis referred to is the founder of House of Borgezie who produces these billion dollar shoes. Who are the suppliers that are trading with Mr Shellis? Google cannot say or maybe nobody asked. I think and think . . . close to home my thoughts go. It has been proven that African countries such as Botswana, Namibia and South Africa are said to be exporting diamonds worth billions, who are these countries selling to and at what price? Borgezie and the likes? Questionable. In 2006 Namibia was said to have produced approximately
DIMAKATSO LECHWENYO – cit izen journalist. $700 million dollars of diamonds and yet this country’s population who live in poverty are more than half the population at 55.8%. As I write this, diamonds account for 76% of Botswana’s export revenue at what cost? 30.3% of the population living in poverty? Right here in the Northern Cape, mines are performing well and are trading, yet our people are living in poverty as they do not qualify for vacant career opportunities as these jobs require skills and experience that can only be found in the working environment. Mines must investment in the skills development of our people. There is no school of experience. The deed of buying the shoes seems to be in vain. Not all the stakeholders that ought to be benefiting from this deal are benefiting and if they are, the benefits are minimal. I am not saying House of Borgezie must set up soup kitchens to give free soup to the poverty-stricken. Not everyone thinks that feeding the poor eliminates poverty. Some people believe that by buying certain products they can contribute towards the economy and create jobs for those living in poverty so that these people are able to elevate themselves to a point where they no longer have to beg to be fed. Africa is begging, not because we are without resources but we have the resources that somehow do not seem to be benefiting us. Individually we can eliminate poverty by starting to educate ourselves and others. We must ask questions and feed one hungry tummy where possible. We should enlighten miners on their rights, we should question trade legislation if we feel that it does not benefit our countries, we should begin to question what companies such as House of Borgezie are doing for the benefit of their suppliers communities. We should hold corrupt politicians accountable. We cannot always be striking and throwing stones. It is time we learn that by burning chairs and tyres we give white-collar criminals a chance and opportunity to hide. Sometimes all we need is to sit in meetings and demand that our questions are answered. Eliminating poverty goes beyond feeding and clothing the poor. It is a project that requires intelligence, appropriate legislation, efficient financial planning, population control and education. Winning the war against poverty is not a onewheeled car. We can all contribute. We should start with a community dialogue and projects to assist our own community members, who are not fortunate to be well off. A wise man said ‘You give a man a fish you feed him for the day but if you teach him how to fish you feed him for a lifetime.’ That grass you water every afternoon in your yard feeds nobody. Start a garden and begin to educate those who come after you that we need not only be consumers. We too can be self-sufficient.
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2013
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CHAMPIONS: Dla2 FC, a team from the Monontsha Village in Qwaqwa, celebrate with the trophy after they had won the Safa Thabo Mofutsanya Regional League Mashinini Enterprise Trust Top 8 Cup. Photo: Tladi Moloi
Persistence wins Dla2 the final } Tladi Moloi DLA2 FOOTBALL CLUB are the champions of the Safa Thabo Mofutsanya Regional League Mashinini Enterprise Trust Top 8 Cup. Dla2, a team from the Monontsha Village in Qwaqwa, were bestowed with the championship trophy. They beat Dikwena FC by 4-2 during the penalty shoot-out after a 2 all draw in the 120 minutes of the game at the Bohlokong Stadium on Saturday. Thabiso Motaung and Mojalefa Mopeli scored the two goals for Dikwena while Letsoela Mochabeng, who walked away with the top goal scorer award, scored a brace for the champions. Sifiso Dladla and Nngozi Nhlapho missed two penalties to hand over the trophy to Dla2 who are currently leading the log on the Stream A of the Safa Thabo Mofutsanyana SAB League. Dla2 received an R8 000 cheque, gold medals and a trophy while Di-kwena received R4 000 and silver medals for losing in the finals. Even though Dla2 were the favourite to win the cup, they had to sweat for their prizes. They had to come from behind twice to send the game to the penalties. Motaung broke the ice early in the first half giving Dikwena and early 1-0 lead, but Dla2 responded before the interval with Mochabeng levelling matters 1-1. A few minutes into the second half, Mopeli extended the lead for Dikwena to 2-1. Dla2 kept pressing in search of the equaliser and their die-hard behaviour paid off as Mochabeng completed his brace. Before the final Mighty Wits beat Manyatseng United Brother 4-1 to finish third in the tournament with United Brothers securing the fourth sport. Zoa Motloung, the Dla2 head coach, said he was disappointed with the fact that the game had to be decided on penalties after he had promised to upset the opponents in the final.
He said his players had undermined the opponents and added that they nearly paid the price. “We beat them in the Nedbank Cup a week ago and my boys thought it would just be a walkover. “Final games are different from league games and they should know that,” he said. However, he said he was happy that at the end they lifted the trophy. “We will go back and shape the team for the league title because that is what matters the most now,” he said. Dikwena mentor Teboho Dlamini said they should have won the game in 90 minutes. “I was happy because my boys showed character. They knew what was expected of them and they gave exactly that. “We could not blame anyone because we ended up losing the game on penalties. “Penalties are like lottery, so we fought but luck was not on our side,” he said. Dlamini said they would have to shift their minds on to the league and put the final results behind them. “We have to take it as water under the bridge and keep fighting.”
Game on for PSRC } Sidwell Guduka THE Parliamentary Sports and Recreation Council (PSRC) on Wednesday launched the inaugural National Legislative Games at the Free State Legislature in Bloemfontein. The event, which will be hosted by the Free State Legislature, will take place at the Tempe Military Base and Central University of Technology (CUT) in the province’s capital from Friday until Sunday. All nine provinces of South Africa will be taking part in different sporting codes. Speaking at the launch, Dr Zukile Luyenge, the chairperson of PSRC, said: “Sport and games are a means of mental and physical growth. We learn how to maintain mental balance in the midst of hopes and despair. They help us learn how to tackle a difficult situation. “Sport and games develop a sense of friendliness. They develop team spirit. They help in developing mental and physical toughness. They shape our body and make it strong and active. They give us energy and strength. They remove tiredness and lethargy. They improve blood circulation. This improves our physical well-being and efficiency.” Luyenge further said the PSRC believed a healthy civil service was critical for making government work, turning policy into reality and changing people’s lives. “PSRC desires dedicated and highly skilled public servants committed to delivering for the nation. The PSRC is therefore committed to the health and wellness of its staff because it recognises that public servants are not faceless bureaucrats, but real people striving every day to serve the public.” The chairman added that these games would enable parliament to interact and build relationships with all Provincial Legislatures through sport and recreation. “This programme will be an opportunity to bring together civil servants from the three spheres of Government to network and share ideas while participating in sport, irrespective of age and gender and including those with disabilities,” Luyenge concluded. All nine provinces of South Africa will participate in different sporting codes of this new initiative. The event will take place annually and will be held in all provinces on a rotational basis.
FROM the left are Mantsheng “Ouma” Tsopo, the speaker of the Free State Legislature; Dr Zukile Luyenge, the chairman of PSRC, and Khoza Pelele, a representative of the North West Legislature. Photo: Voight Mokone