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WEDNESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2014
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Car winner overjoyed
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At first thought the competition was a scam } Boipelo Mere “MAÁM, it was shocking news to me! I really did not expect this at all and thus considered the news a scam. “It sounded different though, because a person called me this time instead of sending a text message informing me that I had won millions of rands,” said an almost speechless Louis Eiman from Kimberley who was recently handed his brand-new Nissan Micra valued at R162 800 after a Clicks ClubCard Mega Millions Competition. He recently received the keys to his new wheels at the Clicks New Park Centre in Kimberley. Eiman told Express Northern Cape that it was the first time that he had ever won anything in his life, thus he did not believe it at first. “I do not enter competitions, thus I never consider myself a potential winner!” He said it was definitely an answer to his problems, because he is always on the road in the province, driving from one company to the other due to his work as a security manager. “I must admit that I was very cagey and defensive when I received the call until the caller gave me the Clicks website to confirm everything,” he explained. “I have been getting those SMSs where they say you have won eventhough you have never entered any competition. I just ignore them. “They had to convince me that as a Clicks ClubCard member, I was automatically entered into the competition the moment I had earned more than 100 points,” said an ecstatic Eiman. He said he had gone onto the website before informing his wife of the good news. “My wife, yoooh! She just dismissed me when I told her the good news that I had won a car. She says she thought that
WAY TO GO: Louis Eiman (centre) receives the keys to his Nissan Micra. Here are Clicks Group general manager, Jonathan Muller (right), along with Clicks regional manager, Musa Mkhwanazi (left). Photo: Supplied I was pulling her leg as usual,” he laughs. This competition awarded over 500 prizes to lucky ClubCard members, which ranged from the Nissan Micra as first
prize to Avis car rentals, seven-night stays at the City Lodge group, Voyager Miles from SAA and a six-night cruise to the Seychelles provided by Thompsons, valued
at R40 000. Clicks customer marketing executive, David Hazell, said that Mega Millions was a way of thanking customers for their continued support.
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2014
NEWS
DA blames abuse of state resources for loss } André Botha and Boipelo Mere
THE DA in the Northern Cape launched the candidate list for the upcoming national elections in May. From the left are, front: Ismail Obaray, Pule Thole (provincial leader), Andrew Louw, Harold Mcgluwa, Boitumelo Babuseng and Albert Frank Fritz; back: Dr Allan Grootboom, Karen de Kock, Dirk Stubbe, Rodney Kritzinger, Willem Faber, Pienaar Viviers, Safiyia Stanfley, Willem Doman and Clivé Burger. . Photo: Emile Hendrichs/Photo24
ANDREW LOUW, DA provincial leader and premier candidate, cried faul after they had lost the Danielskuil by-elections with only 19 votes. He said that the loss was as a result of abuse of state resources by the government officials. “The Daniëlskuil by-elections result was the cherry on top as it is an ANC ward. We now look forward to the elections in May because we have shown growth in all by-elections. All we have to do, is ensure that everyone goes to the voting stations to vote,” he emphasised. According to Louw, the DA wanted the law to take its course after they had reported the abuse of government vehicles and property by government officials to ferry people to the voting stations of the IEC. “This is not the first, second or third time that such abuse was done by the ANC, but many times, and nothing is being done about that complaint when lodged. It is horrific abuse of taxpayers’ money and must be dealt with.” He stated that the co-operation of both parties with the IEC was very good, and that the by-elections were better than the past year because they had one less municipality to worry about.
MDDA welcomes pledges
} SAnews.gov.za THE Media Development and Diversity Agency (MDDA) has welcomed the move by the State Owned Entities Communicators’ Association (SOECA) and the State Owned Enterprises Procurement Forum (SOEPF) to increase their support for community media. According to an announcement made by the MDDA, both SOECA and SOEPF had pledged their support for community and
small commercial media as defined by the MDDA Act. After a recent meeting in Pretoria, they committed to help community media by giving it improved access to information on state-owned enterprises. “This decision will ensure that community and small commercial media become sustainable and continue to play the critical role of educating and providing information to communities,” said Lumko Mtimde, the CEO of MDDA.
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2014
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NEWS
Life is tough for ‘bottle man’
Lerato Sebe and Ruan Bruwer
THE “mysterious bottle man” is called Zablon Maseko. He was born in Gauteng on 16 June 1948. He has been living in Kimberley for many years and was forced to move from his birth place due to “family issues”. He now lives alone in a shack on the road between Kimberley and Boshof, close to where the drive-in once was. Maseko is often seen early mornings and one cannot miss him – his trailer is generally a good 2 m high, stacked with bags full of plastic bottles. He collects them in rubbish bins before the waste truck arrives to pick up the rubbish. He collects the bottles from Monday to Thursday in different locations and delivers them to various companies that are willing to buy them from him. The buyers weigh the bottles and give him about R100 to R120, depending on the number of bottles. He also collects the bottles at the local dairy, Hancor, when the company discards the plastic bottles. He first sold the bottles to a herb-beer manufacturer, but due to the company’s constant moving, he lost contact with them. This is basically how he makes a living. However, he says that he is willing to do any work. During an interview with Express Northern Cape, he stated that he was currently working in a garden for extra money. Maseko says he used to be the only “bottle collector”. Nowadays, he has plenty of competition. The trailer attached to his bicycle –
THE mysterious “bottle man”, Zablon Maseko, with the bottles he collects early mornings. Photos: Ruan Bruwer his only mode of transportation – is mostly too heavily packed to ride, so he has to push it. Maseko says he has twice been offered a new bicycle – the one he has now is falling apart and is no longer reliable.
Maseko has no family in Kimberley. He cannot visit his relatives because of financial constraints. He says he has no friends, but he sees acquaintances now and then while he is on his bicycle.
BECAUSE of the weight of the plastic bottles he collects, he has to push his bicycle and trailer. This is his only means of transport.
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2014
NEWS
Premier highlights successes in speech } Boipelo Mere THE premier of the Northern Cape, Sylvia Lucas, dutifully delivered what can easily be described as her exit speech to mark the opening of the Northern Cape legislature, this time, only for less than three months. The reason for such a short period of the legislature is that the country is going to the elections polls on 7 May and parliament and legislatures might dismiss by midMarch. In her State of the Province Address (SOPA), the premier took her audience to 20 years ago when South Africa had just come out of apartheid and the ruling party won most of the provinces. In the case of the Northern Cape the ruling party would
have to share government with the National Party (NP). According to Lucas: “We (ANC) faced the challenges of building a new administration in the province; we have brought water, electricity, sanitation, housing and telephone services to thousands of people in the outlying areas of the province.” Reiterating that the Northern Cape has a good story to tell, Lucas acknowledged how inequality, poverty, unemployment and disease continue to persist amongst communities surrounded by mines, even though unprecedented growth and development are experienced in the manganese and iron ore belt of the province. According to the premier, government has worked hard to institutionalise and
create a programme for comprehensive rural development since 2009. “To this end, R80 578 million has been allocated in the 2013 financial year and will benefit 4 500 farmers. Support includes infrastructure for primary and secondary production, training and capacity building of farmers and research and marketing,” she informed. “Learner enrolment in ordinary schools increased from 267 749 in 2009 to 282 631 in 2013 (5,5% increase),” Lucas announced. She highlighted that 2 445 qualified teachers have improved their qualifications through the National Professional Diploma in Education through bursaries from the Department of Education since 1998. More than 600 Maths and Science teachers at primary and high schools have been trained to sharpen their teaching skills in these subjects, with teachers being exposed to teacher development programmes over the past 20 years. Concerning the environment and nature conservation challenges currently being faced by the province, the premier said: “The effective and efficient management of waste in the largest province of South Africa brings with it many unique challenges, but also affords us the opportunity of dealing with this situation in innovative ways.” “A provincial waste strategy will be finalized and launched in April 2014. It is also our decided view that the management of waste affords the Northern Cape the opportunity of being a major creator of
NORTHERN CAPE PREMIER SYLVIA LUCAS during her recent State of the Province Address (SOPA). Photo: Emile Hendricks/Photo24
jobs,” she announced. Touching on the Lerato Park housing development, the premier stated that the Department of Human Settlements will continue with phase 2 of Lerato Park for the provision of internal services for 800 sites in the 2014-’15 financial year. She highlighted the completion of the construction of the first phase of 491 fully subsidised housing units in the 2013-’14 financial year for the Lerato Park housing development, of which 192 housing sites available for development for benefi- ciaries who qualify for the finance linked subsidy. ) Visit the website www.express-news.co.za and see how honourable members did the ‘Nama Stap’ during the SOPA.
Lucas ignores issues } Boipelo Mere Sedibeng Water, with its headquarters situated in Balkfontein just outside Bothaville, has an operational area that covers about 86 000km² making it one of the largest water utilities providing services to approximately two million people across three provinces, namely Free State, North West and Northern Cape. In order to meet the demands of its growth strategy, the organisation is looking for suitably qualified individuals to fill the following vacancies:
Invitation to Participate in a 1-Year Learnership Programme within Sedibeng Water
WATER AND WASTE-WATER PROCESS CONTROL SUPERVISION LEARNERSHIP NQF 4, SAQA ID 61709
Prerequisites for the position: • National Certificate: Water and Waste-water Process Control NQF level 3 or National Certificate: Water Purification Process Control NQF 3 • Computer literacy at NQF level 3. Selection criteria: • Currently unemployed and available • Be a South African citizen • Should not be involved in other studies • Ability to communicate effectively in English • Ability to demonstrate knowledge of water treatment process at NQF 3 • Ability to demonstrate knowledge of water and waste-water treatment process control NQF level 3 • Reside within the area of operation of Sedibeng Water.
WATER AND WASTE-WATER RETICULATION LEARNERSHIP NQF 2, SAQA ID 60169
Prerequisites for the position: • Grade 12 with Physical Science and Mathematics • Bachelor’s results at Grade 12 Level would be an added advantage. Selection criteria: • Currently unemployed and available • Be a South African citizen • Ability to communicate effectively in English • Reside within the area of operation of Sedibeng Water.
Invitation to Participate in a 3-year Apprenticeship Programme within Sedibeng Water
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, FITTING AND BOILERMAKING
The minimum requirements for the programmes: • Grade 12 Certificate with Physical Science and Mathematics • Bachelor's results at Grade 12 Level would be an added advantage • Should be available for the period of 3 years as an apprentice • Should be unemployed • Should be medically fit • Should be residing within the area of operation of Sedibeng Water. Remuneration: A monthly stipend will be paid to successful candidates. The organisation reserves the right not to make an appointment. A concise CV (minimum 2 pages) together with NQF 3 Water Purification/Water and Wastewater Certificate/results and certified copy of ID document and Matric Certificate should be submitted with the application. All applications should be directed to: The HRD Officer, Private Bag X5, Bothaville 9660. Enquiries: Vusi Magagula, tel. (056) 515-0362/0200, fax: (056) 515-0369, e-mail: vmagagula@sedibengwater.co.za Closing date: 7 March 2014 Please note that applicants who have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, should accept that their applications were unsuccessful. Human Communications 106714
“THE State of the Province Address (SOPA) of Premier Sylvia Lucas was void of any proposals to address the issues confronting the people of the province daily.” This according to the DA’s Andrew Louw’s statement after the SOPA on Friday. He said achievements by the Northern Cape government have been consistently declining, leaving the people worse off for the past five years. Louw said the speech was riddled with ironies and contrasts: She talked about government’s zero-tolerance with corruption while the anti-corruption strategy is yet to materialise. There are concerns about the simultaneous repairs of up to ten of Kimberley’s ambulances. “Against a target of 1,3 registered ambulances per 10 000 people in operation, the department currently only has 0,4 registered ambulances per 10 000 people. “Yet, Lucas assured that management of the Emergency Medical Services has been strengthened by the appointment of qualified personal reporting to a qualified director,” he said.
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2014
NEWS
Towns drowning in raw sewerage } Lecrecia Prins RESIDENTS are sick and tired of poor performing municipalities. Residents of two towns, Jan Kempdorp and Jacobsdal, who expressed their dissatisfaction are fed up with the municipalities which do not do their jobs concerning the sewerage running through their streets. They stated that the sewerage leaks are a result of full storm water pipes and blockages. In Jan Kempdorp, which falls under the Phokwane Municipality, Ben Rossouw and Van Riebeeck Avenue are ankle deep in sewerage. Jaco Vos, a resident of the town, revealed that the pipe collapsed about three months ago because it was old and blocked. Vos said the municipality had tried to unblock the pipe by spraying it, but had realised that a new pipe needed to be installed. “Holes were dug and were just left open. Banks were also built on the side of the road in the hope of evaporating or redirecting the sewerage, but it runs over the banks and into the street.” Vos said that the recent rains had caused the water to accumulate in some places, resulting in water being knee high in certain areas. “I drive through the water with my truck, but the stench from the dirty sewerage water below clings to it. It definitely poses a health risk for the people who have to walk through the sewerage. “We (the community) even went as far as consulting a lawyer to contact the municipality on the matter, but even that has not helped.” In Jacobsdal, which falls under the
SEWERAGE WATER runs down the streets of Jan Kempdorp after the pipe collapsed about three months ago. Photo: Supplied
Letsemeng Municipality, the blocked storm water drains dam up the blood and water flow from the abattoir and this remains stagnant on Pretorius, Voortrekker and Long Street. A resident, who did not want to be named, said the municipality had done nothing about the clogged storm water drains. He said the storm water had been flooding his home for a year now. “It is an unacceptable health risk. The municipal workers are loiter in the streets while blocked drains are not cleared.” ) Neither the Phokwane nor the Letsemeng Municipality could be reached for comment.
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2014
NEWS
New car wash looking forward to growth } Boipelo Mere A BRAND-NEW car wash facility recently opened its doors just outside Kumba Iron Ore’s Sishen Mine. The Eden Lake Car Wash, owned by Myrah Mothibakgomo, is the true story of yet another small local business that can grow and flourish, thanks
to Kumba. After a strict evaluation process that included interviews and the presentation of business plans, the car wash opportunity was awarded to Eden Lake. “I was astonished when I heard I was the successful applicant,” a happy Mothibakgomo said. “I knew I could make a success of this venture
because I invested in short courses presented by Kumba since 2010 that helped polish my entrepreneurial skills,” she said. The car wash industry is not exactly unfamiliar territory for Mothibakgomo. She used to work at a car wash facility at the Kathu taxi rank. “Eden Lake aims to offer quality and reliable services to the Sishen Mine employees and contractors. We have had clients coming to fetch their cars after a wash these past weeks, who said their cars looked brand new,” she proudly said. Eden Lake currently employs three people and boasts of two washing bays and three dry bays. It offers services such as a full wash, interior cleaning and wash-&-go. Prices vary between R70 and R100. “The car wash currently operates on a first-come-first-served basis, but as business increases, appointments can be made,” Mothibakgomo says. “Time-wise a vehicle will take roughly one hour to wash to ensure that it is spotless.”
As a local growing up in Kathu, Mothibakgomo always hoped to be employed at Sishen one day. “I never thought that the door would open up this way. Having your own business is hectic, but more than anything else I want to make a success of this. My life has changed completely because of this wonderful opportunity Kumba has given me,” Mothibakgomo said. “The car wash facility was made available with the objective of exposing local SMMEs to a revenue-generating opportunity while fine-tuning their entrepreneurial skills in an environment of demanding and informed clients,” explained Kealeboga Pilane, Sishen Mine’s enterprise development manager. “We are excited about Myra’s car wash and wish her the best of luck.” The car wash has a capacity to wash at least 20 cars per day and will operate Mondays to Fridays from 07:00 until 16:00. Mothibakgomo can be contacted on 072-994-4756 for enquiries regarding the car wash.
FROM the left are Sipho Mampancashe, Myrah Mothibakgomo and Andronica Greess of the Eden Lake Car Wash. Photo: Supplied
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2014
NEWS
Offer to purchase explained A NUMBER of articles by Erika Venter of GWK Properties has been published in the Express Northern Cape where she takes property seekers through different processes of buying property. “We’ve looked at affordability and the search for your dream home. Once you find your dream home, it is time to make an offer to purchase. You can do this with confidence if you
‘Buyers are urged not to hesitate to ask the agent to explain terms and con ditions . . .’ – Erika Venter are convinced of the true value of the property,” states Venter. She states that a GWK Properties agent will assist a buyer in completing the offer to purchase as they are trained to take care of
this part of the transaction. Buyers are urged not to hesitate to ask the agent to explain terms and conditions should they not understand any section of the document. What is an offer to purchase? Well, it is exactly that. It is an agreement between the buyer and the seller in which the conditions of the transaction are clearly set out. The terms on which both parties
agree is contained in this document. It includes among others the date of occupation and all related matters about the sale/purchase of the property. GWK Properties clarifies that “once the offer to purchase is signed by both parties, it becomes the deed of sale”. They also state that one of the conditions in the offer to purchase will include a clause that states the sale is subject to the approval
of a bond. Other conditions like the sale of another property may be added to the conditions. Next week we will look at costs involved in the process of buying a house. Remember that the GWK Properties website is updated daily with all the newly-listed properties in your city. Visit it today: www.gwkproperties.co.za.
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2014
LEATICIA HUMAN (16) of the Northern Cape High School is Express Northern Cape’s Let’s Play Sports Star of the Month.
Star excels in several disciplines
} Mpho Mogale
} Boipelo Mere LEATICIA HUMAN(16) from the Northern Cape High School in Kimberley was chosen as Express Northern Cape’s Let’s Play Sports Star of the Month for her incredible sporting achievements in swimming, cross-country running, cricket, netball and biathlon. During the Louis Jooste Cansa Memorial Marathon in November she was the second athlete to finish the 10 km race. More recently, Leatitia finished second out of 34 athletes at the biathlon interprovincial meeting held on 1 February in Oudtshoorn. She then set a record in the 600 m at the Frankfort schools athletics meeting and took home a silver medal in the 800 m at the Hartswater athletics meeting. This incredible young sportswoman has numerous sporting highlights which include winning the 800 m DHS prestige athletics meeting and three gold, two silver and one bronze medal at the South African swimming regional competition. Additionally she was appointed vice-captain of the u.16 Northern Cape provincial netball team and captain of the GriqualandWest biathlon team Human, who represents her province in swimming, cross-country running, cricket, netball and biathlon, is also her school’s athlete of the year and senior victrix ludorum.
A HIGH SCHOOL LEARNER doing high jump.
Learners battle it out } Boipelo Mere SCHOOLS from around the Pixley ka Seme District packed high school stadiums to capacity when they went to participate in their district athletics championships. In an effort to secure their place in the provincial championships, learners had to battle it out in various sporting codes. These include javelin, 100 m, 200 m and 800 m races, high jump as well as the long jump. Schools are expected to have participated in inter-house athletics meetings, circuit/cluster meetings and ultimately in the district championships each academic year.
The district sports co-ordinator in Kathu, Francina McKay, was impressed at the learners’ turnout and stated that the numbers had increased as compared to previous years. With all the districts having completed their championships, the focus will now be shifted to the provincial championships that will take place on 7 and 8 March at the De Beers Stadium in Kimberley. About 100 learners of primary schools are expected to represent the province at the national championships set to take place in the Paarl, Western Cape. The high school national championships will be held in Polokwane at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
No effort to help soccer
Photo: Supplied
ONCE again a club from Northern Cape was brutally beaten 8-3 this past weekend in the infamous Nedbank Cup series. An unknown entity called Mainstay United from a small town 15 km from Upington endured a humiliating afternoon after they were wholly outplayed by the Free State National First Division team African Warriors at the Mxolisi Bicky Jacob Stadium in Upington. The story of defeat is a semblance of what has been happening year after year where soccer clubs in the Northern Cape become canon fodder for clubs from other provinces. The moral of the story is that there is no effort at all by the province to develop soccer. The government would rather spend money and its resources to develop skateboarding. The millions of rands from government and mining companies in the province will rather support the Maloof Cup, as opposed to going head to head with other provinces in developing soccer, which is loved by the miners in Kuruman and Kathu and their children. The 8-3 drubbing of Mainstay United by the African Warriors is a legacy that Northern Cape clubs have accepted. Real Madrid from Kimberley was humiliated by the Durban-based team Amazulu in 2011 when they were beaten 5-0 and after they had been beaten 1-0 by Peace Lovers FC in 2009. Jomo Cosmos also went to Douglas and beat a youthful team there at some point. The most humiliating of all defeats has to be by the now well-known Powerlines FC from Windsorton outside Barkly West. Powerlines FC is known for having endured a whipping by the Brazilians of Pretoria Mamelodi Sundowns beating them by a staggering 24-0. Things were so bad that afternoon that the owner of the club ended up donning his club’s jersey in an attempt to help in the field. Wings United, also from Upington, travelled to Cape Town in 2010 to receive a 5-0 defeat by Ajax Cape Town. Last year Jacksa Spears from Jan Kempdorp lost 3-0 to the same African Warriors of the Free State. Development in soccer will always pass Kimberley by because the province is snoozing. What happened to CHAN coming to Kimberley?