New road, new opportunities
Road between Douglas and Hopetown will increase tourism } Lerato Sebe ROAD USERS will be pleased to learn that the new road between Douglas and Hopetown is ready for use after being opened by the MEC of Roads and Public Works, Dawid Rooi. “This road should bring a better life for the community as it has shortened the distance that can now be travelled to Prieska from 250 km to 180 km,” said Rooi. The construction of this particular road is reported to have created 150 new jobs and local businesses benefitted from purchasing “world-class” equipment from companies around the Northern Cape. Some community members were not entirely happy with the new road, saying that it is not of a good quality. One of the residents was heard complaining that the road was bad as it already had holes. “One can still see the gravel on the road,” said the resident. Rooi mentioned the difficulties workers had to face on the project including the rain and the fights among the community members with regards to employment opportunities. “There are many opportunities for you in Douglas. You have the farms, the mines and also the river that you can seek opportunities from,” Rooi said. According to Rooi, the road is not finished as there is another 15 km that needs to be constructed. The infrastructure project that started in 2011 also had four civil engineering graduates trained on the project as part of their practical work. One of the trainees, Chiize Ndubula (23), a Kimberley-born Free State graduate, mentioned that his responsibility was to take all digital measurement recordings of the work done on the road. “I also did a bit of supervisory work as well as quality control,” said Ndubula. His fellow trainee, Dean Appels (24), also a Civil Engineering graduate from the Free State, started on the project in February 2012. He described the experience of the construction of the road as an overwhelming one. “To see the project that you are part of from the beginning until the end is a very overwhelming feeling,” added Appels. “We gained a lot of technical experience on the project. “Now we are just waiting and hoping to be appointed permanently at the department,” Ndubula and Appels said. Those that expressed more appreciation of the new road were the ANC comrades
THE community of Hopetown and Douglas had a lot to say about the newly opened road. Please comment on the website at www.Express_news.co.za. The comments will be published.
THE new road that was opened. Right: MEC of Roads and Public Works, Dawid Rooi (left), councillor of the Pixley ka Seme Dis trict Municipality, Boet Arendse, and Dr Sikhumbuzo Shamase, head of ShamMok Technical Services. Photos: Emile Hendrick/Photo24 who broke out into a struggle song after every speech that was delivered. Despite the negative comments regarding the 70 km road to Hopetown, Rooi is positive that the infrastructure will bring new opportunities not only for the communities of Douglas and Hopetown, but for the Northern Cape farming industry. “We thank the farmers for supporting us during the construction of this road. When we needed to use their land to build this road, they didn’t complain about it,” said Rooi. The road is also expected to boost tourism in the Northern Cape because more tourists will be able to use it instead of the gravel roads.
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2013
NEWS
Win tickets with ‘Express’ } Boipelo Mere DREAMS will come true as five lucky Express Northern Cape readers with their partners will be granted the opportunity of witnessing Kirk Franklin’s live performance alongside the award-winning Joyous Celebration in Kimberley. That is not all. Through our online competition, Joyous Celebration together with Express Northern Cape will give away ten hampers worth R5 300 to ten other lucky readers. Joyous Celebration and Kirk Franklin will be on the stage with the 2012 South African Idols winner Khaya Mthethwa during the Gospel Extravaganza at GWK Park. According to the organisers of the event, the 8 December extravaganza promises to be a huge success as tickets are selling well. Jabu Hlongwane, co-founder of Joyous Celebration, said they are looking forward to share the stage with one of the world’s best gospel stars who has produced hits that have inspired many in their gospel journeys. Please note the mobi-site competition is separate from the website competition. Each has to be entered separately. On the mobi-site tickets can be won and on the website hampers. The mobi-site winner does not qualify to become a winner on the website. For web competitions How to register with your email address? 1.Go to express-news.co.za. 2.To the right of the Express logo, click on “Login”. 3.At the bottom of the page, click on “Register”. 4.Fill in your details and “Submit”. 5.Express will send you an email to the
JOYOUS CELEBRATION address you provided in step 4 to confirm your registration details. 6.Open your email. 7.Open the email from Express, click on “Click Here” to complete the registration process. (If you do not receive an email, check your spam email folder or Nico.Gous@volksblad.com.) 8.Go back to your internet browser. 9.Click “Register now” to complete the registration process. How to register with your Facebook account? 1.Go to express-news.co.za. 2.To the right of the Express masthead, click on “Login”. 3.At the top of the page, click on “Login with Facebook”. The link will take you to Facebook. 4.Click on “OK” when Facebook requests your permission to complete the registration process. How to enter? 1.Sign in with your registered email address and password. 2.Go to express-news.co.za. 3.Click on “Competitions” at the top of the page. 4.Select the competition you want to enter and click “Enter Now”.
Photo: Supplied
5.Answer the multiple choice question. 6.Click on “Enter Now”. For mobi competitions 1.Go to expresspaper.mobi. 2.Below the Express logo, click on “Register”. 3.Fill in and submit your details. 4.You will receive an SMS with a confirmation code. 5.Login with the cellphone number and the confirmation code from the SMS you just have received to verify your account. 6.Once your account has been verified, login with the cellphone number or email address and password you entered in step 3. How to enter? 1.Sign in with your newly registered cellphone number or email address and password. 2.Go to expresspaper.mobi. 3.Click on “Competitions”. 4.Select the competition you want to enter. 5.Answer the multiple choice question. 6.Accept the terms and conditions. 7.Click on “Enter Now”.
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.
Environmental Officer
(Ref. EO 115810)
The incumbent will be responsible to implement specified components for the Environmental Management System, cost-effective measures and compliance with legal, and interested and affected parties requirements in order to ensure effective Environmental Management. Minimum requirements: • Matric, degree or Diploma in the field of Natural Sciences or Engineering • Registered as a Professional Natural Scientist or Engineer • A minimum of 3-5 years’ relevant experience in the mining industry • Strong computer skills • A thorough understanding of applicable legislation • Ability to work independently • Ability to communicate across all levels and disciplines • Ability to maintain quality results • Systematic approach • Commitment to Health and Safety, Environmental and Quality requirements. Responsibilities: • Enforce compliance with legislation and procedures • Set up mechanisms to monitor environment impact e.g. water, electricity and pollutants • Liaise with stakeholders e.g. Municipalities, Eskom, etc. • Conduct incident investigation • Waste management and pollutants • Soil rehabilitation • Keep impact register updated • Recommend alternative strategies to reduce environmental impact • Liaise with Department of Mineral and Resources. Key performance indicators: • Development and implementing an Environmental land and soil management plan • Compile and monitor a biodiversity plan. 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: 13 December 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 115810
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2013
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NEWS
Taking road safety to communities } Boipelo Mere
DANNY CAT, the safety mascot, in his brown suit with long tail and funny dance moves demonstrating road safety in a fun way to the cheerful learners. Photos: Supplied J H B /A
CYCLISTS received road safety information and tips along with equipment to help keep them safe and visible on the roads such as reflective bands, helmets and lights.
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MAKING communities aware of road safety has become crucial to the Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison. More than 1 000 gr. R and gr. 3 learners were recently educated by the department on road safety in a bid to curb the number of learner accidents. The collaborative efforts between the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison and the National Road Traffic Management Corporation took road safety education to four schools in the province. The learners, who were from different schools being the Molehabangwe Primary School, Zingisa Number 1 Lower Primary School, Boitshoko Primary School and Isago Primary School in Galeshewe, were equipped with the knowledge of how to behave on the roads and how to safely cross the road. The learners were taught about and watched demonstrations on pedestrian safety such as how to cross the road safely and the importance of being visible. Danny Cat, the safety mascot, joined the operations in his brown suit, long tail and funny dance moves as a fun but educational aspect of the demonstrations which left the learners in giggles, but remembering what they were taught. The issuing of educational material was another aspect of insuring the learners remembered what they were taught. Meanwhile, also forming part of the department’s Road Safety Drive were cyclists who were taught and reminded of cyclists’ safety under the theme Cyclist Safety. About 70 cyclists received road safety information and tips along with equipment to help keep them safe and visible on the roads such as reflective bands, helmets and lights.
Taai verby. Attie Scholtz, boer op Vaallus in die Douglas-area, naby Kimberley in die Noord-Kaap, met lusern, mielies, koring, gars en vleisbeeste. Hy besit ook ’n vervoerbesigheid wat hoofsaaklik ingespan word om lusern van sy plaas, sowel as buurplase, te vervoer. Die beoordelaars was beïndruk met die algehele beheer en bestuur van sy plaas, sy uitstekende arbeidsverhoudinge en die goeie finansiële bestuur van sy plaas en vervoerbesigheid. Die welstand van sy werkspan, wie se behuising en lewensomstandighede aansienlik met Attie se hulp verbeter het, het ook in sy guns getel.
Attie Scholtz se harde werk en toewyding is beloon met ’n splinternuwe Toyota Hilux Enkelkajuit 2.7 VVTi Raised Body Raider – ’n taai bakkie vir ’n ewe taai boer. Hy het die gesogte 2013 Agri SA/Toyota Jong Boer van die jaar-toekenning ingepalm.
Jong Boer van die Jaar Ons beloon Suid-Afrika se vrugbaarste verbeelding
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2013
NEWS
KPCS more important than ever “THE diamond industry has been on a rollercoaster ride since the global financial crisis and the years between 2009 an 2012 have presented a challenging period for all participants across the diamond value chain.” This was quoted from the minister of Mineral Resources, Susan Shabangu, during the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) plenary meeting in Johannesburg last week. She highlighted the current importance of the scheme, especially given the turbulent times faced by the diamond industry since the global financial crisis. The minister further stated how this year’s session held more significance than ever, as the work of the ad hoc Committee on Reform would set the tone on how the KPCS would proceed in future. Established in 2003 by the UN General Assembly, the KPCS is the process to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the mainstream rough diamond market. The process was set up to ensure that diamond purchases were not financing violence by rebel movements and their allies seeking to undermine legitimate governments. Shabangu said there had been robust engagement among the participants in the KPCS over the past few years on the reforms which led them to introspect on the founding objectives and the extent to which they had lived up to the this promise. “The most significant observation during this time is that the Kimberley Process is
indeed an inclusive process that does not ignore the voices of the smaller and emerging participants in its deliberations of such important matters. “The KPCS cannot be seen to be duplicating the works of other organisations, especially those that complement the KPCS, namely the System of Warranties developed by the World Diamond Council (WDC), to extend the Kimberley Process conflict-free assurance to polished diamonds, and to provide a means by which consumers can be assured that their diamonds are from conflict-free sources,” she said. She commended America and the Republic of Angola on their efforts to ensure that the Washington Declaration – which formally incorporates development objectives into the KPCS implementation – found meaning and relevance in matters surrounding small-scale mining. Shabangu said artisanal small-scale mining posed challenges for any country and could stem from difficulties in achieving regulatory oversight of a large number of small operations. These, she said, included concerns such as security of land tenure for artisanal miners, to enforcement of environmental and safety standards, and chief amongst them, access to start-up capital. The Bain Report of 2013 affirms that the industry presently has sufficient diamond reserves to sustain production for 18 years, with 70% of those reserves found in Africa and Russia respectively. – SAnews.gov.za
Receive awards VELLA MORRIS of the Helen Joseph EDC Centre accepted the award for best ECD practitioner while the best ECD centre award was accepted by Sizakele Zulu and Sebogodi Jebetle on behalf of the St Boniface Preschool. More than 110 entrants were received for the best practitioner category and 62 ECD sites for the best ECD Centre category. The annual ECD awards ceremony, aimed at recognising ECD practi tioners who are the main role players in the development of learners who are enter ing the primary education system, was held at the Flamingo Casino. Photo: Supplied
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2013
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2013
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Award ceremony heart warming } Boipelo Mere THE Tshiamo Primary School in Galeshewe recently held their annual award ceremony at the RC Elliot Hall where they handed top achiever learners certificates sponsored by a parent, Boitumelo Barends.
MR BOITUMELO BARENDS (right), one of the parents, also sponsored one of the gr. 4 learners, Thabo Mokani, with a school uni form. Pictured is Mokani’s class teacher, Lor raine Fischer.
NOSIPHO NTUNUKA scooped the overall achiever award. Photos: Supplied
THE 2014 prefects reading the school education pledge.
AOBAKWE MOKALAKE was declared the best improved gr. 1 learner.
BOITSHEPO MOKOENA is the best im proved gr. 7 learner.
THE best sports achiever award was scooped by Olebogeng Malindi
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2013
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2013
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE Editor Boipelo Mere congratulating the third place winner Connor Norman (9)
For more photos visit www.express-news.co.za
THE Let’s Play Sports Star of the Year 2013, Chaunique Bruce (17).
THE secondplace winner is Albertus Human (13).
Let’s Play Sports Star announced
THE martial arts youngster Chaunique Bruce (17) was chosen as the 2013 SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the Year for Express Northern Cape. The Kimberley-based teen was announced to be the winner at the recent Northern Cape newspapers award ceremony at the Flamingo Casino. Amongst her prizes were a trophy, shades and an MP3 player. “I admire my new MP3 player more than anything, because my life revolves around music. I feel so good and honoured to be chosen as the Sports Star of the Year,” she said happily.
THE prizes.
Bruce received four gold medals in regionals, three in nationals and three in the grand championship fights. Her motto is Jesus died for me, so I will fight for Him. During the award ceremony guests came from as far as Prieska and Kakamas to attend the function and witness the first, second and third place winners for the three newspaper partners – Express Northern Cape, Noordkaap and Kalahari Bulletin, being announced. The guest speaker for the day was the power-lifter Ricardo Roberto Fitzpatrick who has won many accolades for both able-bodied and
physically disabled power-lifters. During inspirational speech he said: “One should embrace the talents that you have been given. Remember that not everyone gets an opportunity, but if you are given a chance, grab it with both hands.” According to the Let’s Play team, the awards ceremony was a resounding success. The second-place Sports Star of the Year winner for Express was Albertus Human (13) for amateur wrestling. The third-place winner was Connor Norman (9) who is in junior athletics, soccer, cricket, hockey and kickboxing.
Photos: Supplied