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WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2014
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THE bathrooms are nogo areas.
CEILINGS are already falling down.
IT has been hardly a year since the handover of Lerato Park houses and they are already vandalised because some stand empty. One of the flats burned down. Photos: Boipelo Mere
What do you think about the vandalism at these houses? Share your view on Facebook, search for Express-News03.
What a woeful waste } Boipelo Mere
MORE than ten newly built houses are vandalised and empty at Lerato Park. Doors and windows are either broken or completely removed, electric appliances and pipes removed, ceilings broken and sinks removed. It has been hardly a year since the 491 new houses were finished and handed over by the deputy minister of the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta), Zoliswa Kota-Fredericks, and there are
still some that are unoccupied. They have rather turned into havens for criminal activities. The Sol Plaatje Municipality blames the illegal occupants who it reportS have been evicted from the houses, while the community blames criminals and gangs. Complaining neighbours who reported that they have to endure sleepless nights due to these empty houses, raised questions as to why the houses are not given to some of the residents who are still staying in shacks. They also do not feel safe as
the gangsters use the houses as their meeting spots after sunset. One of the empty flats was also burned down, reportedly by a gang after they had allegedly raped someone inside it earlier in March. Although the Sol Plaatje Municipality is adamant that the houses were damaged by the illegal occupants, community members claim that the houses have always been empty. Sello Matsie, the spokesperson for the Sol Plaatje Municipality, who emphasised that the houses were vandalised by the illegal occupants, said the municipality
was only responsible for the subsidy management of the houses. Coghsta admitted to being aware of the vandalised houses and they will carry the repair costs. Gamildien Abrahams, spokesperson for Coghsta in the Northern Cape, responded that they were in the process of investigating all the costs of the damages to all the vandalised houses. “We advised the Sol Plaatje Municipality to speed up the process of the housing allocation after the houses are renovated,”
said Abrahams. In response as to who the culprits were, he said that they would also investigate whether it had been the illegal occupants who damaged the houses or whether it had been gangsterism. The Sol Plaatje Municipality also performed the eviction process. “Legal action will be taken against the perpetrators after the investigations,” concluded Abrahams. ) Go to our website at www.express-news.co.za for more pictures of the newly built houses.
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Graduates trained for work sector THE Northern Cape Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) has embarked on a drive to attract and train unemployed graduates within the municipal area of Sol Plaatje in a bid to equip them with entrepreneurial skills. The Basic Entrepreneurial Skills Development (Besd) is Seda’s flagship programme currently being rolled out nationally. The programme is designed to promote business skills training for emerging entrepreneurs in the informal sector by making use of the Entrepreneurial Development Practitioners (EDPs). After identifying the numerous challenges facing graduates, Kimberley was identified as one of the 21 sites for the programme. The various challenges stem from the lack of appropriate skills and substantial work experience, therefore graduates are encouraged to grasp this opportunity by ensuring maximum participation in the programme. Many graduates with progressive ideas struggle to find employment and end up starting or improving their own small businesses. These identified limitations prompted the Department of Higher Education and Training through the National Skills Fund to set aside an amount of R84 000 000 to bring an end to this perpetual trend. Through this programme the graduates will be trained to become seasoned Entrepreneurial Development Practitioners who will, upon completion of the training, transfer skills to emerging
entrepreneurs using practical coaching methodology at their respective business premises for the duration of this training, which is seven months. In relation to the allocation process, one EDP will coach ten emerging entrepreneurs over an estimated period of 15 months. The selection process is centred on the following requirements: ) Should currently be an unemployed graduate. ) Should have a valid South African 13-digit, barcoded ID. ) Should be a resident of Kimberley. ) Should have a three-year or N6 business-related qualification. ) Language proficiency: English and a language relevant to the local community. ) Should be interested to work in the micro-enterprise development field as an EDP. ) Should have interpersonal skills. ) Should have problem-solving abilities. ) Should be self-sufficient; goal and service oriented and have good communication skills. Preference will be given to candidates with 12 month’s work experience and/or training-related work experience. Interested candidates are urged to visit the Seda Frances Baard branch at 21 Du Toitspan Road, Suite 6, Perm Building, Kimberley, to complete the relevant application forms. The branch will further schedule compulsory briefing sessions once interested candidates complete relevant documentation.
Dux for 2nd time } Boipelo Mere “BRING them all, girl,” shouted Lesego Segakweng’s mother to her daughter after she had been handed the floating trophy for best Business Studies student. Lesego Segakweng, a student of the Moremogolo FET College, promises that nothing will stop her from taking all the floating trophies home. That is after she was announced as the best Business Studies student on the recent FET Annual Award Ceremony at the Tabernacle church hall. She was the dux student not for the first time, but for the second year in a row. The proud level four Business Studies student is looking forward to enter the business world with her head held up high next year. According to Segakweng, it was a surprise when she was announced as the dux student. After her name was called at the graduation ceremony, a short silence followed, everyone turned their heads to see who it
was, then she stood up slowly and shyly made her way to receive her award on stage. That is when the clapping and ululating started. In her acceptance speech, she motivated her peers to attend all classes and lectures. “It was not that difficult for me to achieve such good results. I was dedicated to my school work – that is how I made it this far,” she said in response to how she did it two years in a row. “I started college in 2012, and I will do it again next year,” she said with confidence. Lesego’s proud mother, Maggie Malgas, who was close to tears with excitement, said she was at a loss for words. “When I saw her results during the week, I suspected that she must be the top student. “But I did not want to raise her hopes, because the college could not confirm. My girl must bring more,” she said, looking at her daughter with admiration. ) For more pictures, go to the website gallery at www.express-news.co.za.
WITH Lesego Segakweng is Electrical Infra structure dux student Tshiamo Gaboutlwel we from the City Campus.
TEARY mommy, Maggie Malgas, congragu lating her daughter Lesego (left) on her achievement as the Business Management dux student for the second time in a row.
THE two best skills students are Trevor Fras er for best Motor Mechanics and Kelebogile Sohlezi for the best Electrical Studies stu dent.
THE best skills student in Carpentry, Motsamai Afrika (middle) with his parents, David Afrika and Doreen Afrika. Motsamai’s dad was over the moon and stated how surprised he was about his son’s achievement. “He has always been a good and quiet boy. But when we saw the things he made with his own hands, we were knocked off our feet,” says the proud dad. Photos: Boipelo Mere
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2014
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Shoot Day fun-filled THE annual Inter Mine Shoot Day was one filled with fun and surprises as the top teams – PPC, Kathu and Kolomela – walked away in first, second and third place respectively. The Anglo American business unit Kumba Iron Ore’s Kolomela also sponsored a team from the mine to partake in the competition. In total five mines entered teams to compete. They were Ulco, Kathu, PPC, Petra Diamonds and the Kolomela Mine. “It was a very windy day which influenced the marksmen’s ability to obtain good points, but by reading the conditions
well we could determine the winners. “We concluded the day in the most appropriate way – with a ‘lekker’ braai and a live band at the PPC Boom,” said Christo Grobler, Kolomela’s general engineering supervisor (GES) for infrastructure.
RECEIVING the donation on behalf of the shooting club are from the left Christo Grob ler, the general engineering supervisor, Mar tin Schreuder, sports and recreation coordi nator of Kolomela, and George Benjamin, manager for public affairs. Photo: Supplied
Soup kitchen only hope for many } Boipelo Mere A SLIGHTLY-BUILT MAN carrying a plastic container enters the yard ahead of two eight-year-old school girls who are also carrying their own plastic containers. The girls head towards the same small structure the man is heading to. At the door there are several young women who are finishing what food they have been eating. The cook inside the structure stretches out her hand, collecting the plastic containers from the man and the girls at the same time, and disappear inside. In a minute the man and the girls are handed their containers filled to the brim with cooked macaroni and canned fish and they thank her. More and more people of different ages and sizes have come in to fetch their food since 10:00 and it will carry on until the pots are empty with at least 180 people being fed. The day’s observation from Express Northern Cape ends sadly as more school kids younger than 12 come and go with empty containers after the pots had been emptied. This is all happening at the Norman Mpisi Soup Kitchen in Roodepan in Kimberley. The kitchen was founded in 2008 and was named after its founder, the late Norman Mpisi. At the time of the visit to the kitchen, the chairperson was not around, however, the deputy chairperson, Beatrice le Roux, and the treasurer, Mervin Jackals, were at hand to inform Express Northern Cape about the labour of love that the board of the Norman Mpisi Soup Kitchen commits to in feeding the impoverished community of Roodepan. As board members they and other volunteers assist on a daily basis at the soup kitchen, also to assist the two cooks who get a monthly stipend. “The kitchen provides food to more
than 180 poor people in our area three times a week, thanks to the allocation of funds from social services in the Northern Cape and donations of vegetables from Wildeklawer and sometimes Just Rite nearby,” said Beatrice who has been with the soup kitchen since its inception. “We hope to build a bigger and proper structure close to the Roodepan High School nearby and it is our wish to incorporate a shelter for drug addicts as drug and substance abuse and the high rate of poverty are a real problem in our area. We are still looking for a sponsorship to that end and appeal to companies for help,” continued Beatrice. She said they had identified a place to build the shelter in Roodepan, but were still looking for donations to start it. According to the two, it is sad for them to witness daily how communities find it difficult to sustain themselves. They are aware that most of their beneficiaries are dependant on some kind of grant, but due to the current inflation rate, they cannot meet the standard. Asked as to what can help the people to get out of this situation, Jackals stated that entrepreneurship training and agriculture can make a huge difference. “Imagine, if a family of six depends on an old-age grant like I have witnessed. They would pay insurances, buy at least R400’s electricity that is so expensive in our municipality, pay their services, are expected to buy food, then that little money is finished. “They end up queuing at the soup kitchen two days after pay-day again,” said Le Roux. She added that the same pensioners also came to their soup kitchen to collect clothing which they distribute to the vulnerable. “Yes, there are instances when some community members drop off used clothes for us to distribute,” adds Jackals.
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Mines encourages HIV testing } Boipelo Mere THE Anglo American business unit Kumba Iron Ore encouraged its thousands of employees to undergo HIV counselling and testing (HCT) for HIV/Aids at its Kolomela operation in the Northern Cape. In an effort to set an example, senior leadership from the operation publicly undertook their HIV/Aids tests in support of the initiative. “We care about the well-being of our employees and we also understand that
they are part of the community here in Postmasburg. We want to encourage everyone to know their HIV/Aids status and participate in our programmes and initiatives that not only support those living with HIV, but their families as well. “We offer both pre-test and post-test counselling. Post-counselling is provided irrespective of the outcome of the test results. HIV negative patients are encouraged to remain HIV negative while HIV positive patients are counselled to enrol on ART (Anti-Retroviral Therapy) through our HIV disease-management programme.
“Through on-going counselling and regular immune system monitoring, we can ensure optimal timing of treatment. We also offer medical services to HIV positive pregnant mothers to prevent mother-to-child transmission of the disease,” said George Benjamin, public affairs manager of the Kolomela Mine. He added that the UGM clinic, which offers many vital HIV/Aids-related services, as well as other public facilities in the area, is open to everyone in the community. He highlighted that HCT is critical for the early detection of the disease.
“We offer health counselling and testing daily to all residents at both the hospital and clinic which will allow them to know both their HIV and TB status, added Gerald Mashego, district manager of ZF Mgcawu District Health. According to him, daily health talks are also offered – first in group format and then private individual sessions in the consulting rooms. “Our communication materials are available in all local languages. These services are offered at our mobile clinics too,” said the district manager.
Church changes culturally } Hendrè Jacobs A LOCAL church, Hephzibah House of Prayer, has adopted a new name in a bid to reposition the church in the Postmasburg community. The church will now be called Adullam Assemblies and will remain under the leadership of Bishop-designate Hendrè Jacobs. The logo and corporate identity will be modified to appeal to a more diverse cultural base in line with the church’s strategic intention to build a multi-cultural pentecostal church. “We simply want to connect more directly with a morphing Postmasburg community, hence the decision to build a more lean and responsive community church.” Adullam Assemblies will continue its Sunday services on the Postmasburg Showgrounds every Sunday. Independent pastors with a congregation of 25 members or more are encouraged to contact the church if they would like to become part of this dynamic ministry.
BISHOPDESIGNATE HENDRÈ JACOBS and first lady Gertrude Jacobs, Apostolic found ers of Adullam Assemblies (previously Hep hzibah House of Prayer). Photo: Supplied
Be your own hero } Noxolo Tshukela
stand . . . We may be faced with many dysfunctional ties, but it is the I THINK it is about time attitude that an individual has tough questions are asked. I that determines whether or not am talking about burning victory may be claimed. issues that impact our commuComplexities will always be a nities and have an influence part of life’s journey, but one on our people in some way or must learn different dynamics another. There is almost to persevere, regardless of always some awkwardness life’s drawbacks. If you are when an individual bites the going to wait for a knight in bullet and dares to ask and shining armour to come and highlight matters that usually make your life a breeze, then have snares and insults as you had better wake up and responses, but if we keep quiet realise that if you don’t make and live in oblivion, how things right yourself, no one would that solve the problem will. or make the problem disapWho will be courageous pear? enough to stand up and be the I am not talking about Robin of your hood, the verbal attacks or dropping NOXOLO Lindiwe Mazibuko of your issues with arrogance, but TSHUKELA community? Looking over your having the sincerity of discuss shoulder expecting someone to matters in order to come to a raise their hand and be your hero won’t consensual agreement to find a solution. help you. Rise up yourself and model the We ought to interrogate issues that role you desire others to follow. might influence a bad seed from sproutLeaders don’t look over their shouling in our societies without the disreders expecting others to step up; role gard of others’ opinions, which requires models don’t rise to the occasion in the certain tact. And that is what we ought absence of fear, but despite it, winners to have when tackling issues that may don’t compete without determination of impact on other people. giving it their best. Pity parties never In as much as no man is an island, so achieved any success, nor solved any too is it that no one person can conquer problem, but rather made the situation a kingdom, but an army can claim worse. victory. Are you courageous enough to ask the We as a people must be an army that tough questions firstly to yourself, to the joins forces and work together to fight relevant stakeholders in your communione common enemy. Now how would an ty, and then step up to the challenge of enemy be defeated if troops of the same crushing the stumbling blocks on your army are not united? Like they say, a way to reaching the stars? house divided against itself cannot
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You can help make a difference WHY should we recycle? Recycling benefits the environment and the economy. The benefits of recycling are: ) Less energy is used when recycled materials are included in the manufacturing process; ) It is good for the South African economy as it decreases the necessity to import raw materials; ) It offers opportunities for
income generation and alleviation of poverty through job creation; ) It prevents litter; ) It contributes to a cleaner, greener and healthier South Africa; ) Less waste creates more landfill space; ) It creates pride in our environment; ) It is your responsibility to recycle.
Recovered plastics are recycled into products such as: ) Refuse bins and bags; ) Irrigation pipes; ) Buckets; ) Garden furniture; ) Shopping bags. Plastics that are used include milk bottles, bags, film, juice bottles, household containers and shampoo bottles. Paper recycling: Paper recycling in South Africa is also very important for the environment. The amount of recoverable paper that goes to landfills is being reduced in order to increase the paper recovery rate. A company called the Paper Recycling Association of South Africa (PRASA) is very involved in this form of recycling. For more information visit www.prasa.co.za. Glass recycling: Glass recycling commenced operation in July 2006. The Glass Recycling Company promotes recycling and re-use of waste glass containers through
THE recycling of cans (aluminium) is the process by which scrap aluminium can be reused in products after its initial production. The process involves simply re-melting the metal, which is far less expensive and energy intensive than creating new aluminium through the electrolysis of aluminium
RECYCLED glass is a great product to use for special occasions. capacity building and creates awareness about the importance of glass recycling.
Reuse cans to save
oxide (Al2O3). Recycling scrap aluminium requires only 5% of the energy used to make new aluminium. Used beverage containers are the largest
component of processed aluminum scrap. The recycling of aluminium generally produces significant cost savings over the production of new aluminium even when the
For more information visit the website www.theglassrecyclingcompany.co.za.
cost of collection, separation and recycling are taken into account. Over the long term, even larger national savings are made when the reduction in the capital costs associated with landfills, mines and international shipping of raw aluminium are considered. ) Source: Wikipedia.
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Care workers spread a little warmth } Boipelo Mere THE Dingleton community health workers project handed over 11 blankets and hampers to needy community members, just in time for the turn of the season. The project is an initiative which cares for the indigent adults of the community and is supported by Kumba. The handover came as Kumba Iron Ore’s commitment towards offering continued community support and sustainable development in Dingleton. According to Anne-Marie Jacobs,
Dingleton community health workers project co-ordinator, the community health-care workers project was started in 2004 by community members. It was in an effort to curb high unemployment rates and care for the impoverished adults in the community. To date 17 community members volunteer on a regular basis at the project. “We are very happy about the support that the project gets from Kumba; it shows that Kumba really cares for the communities they operate in,” said Jacobs. The Dingleton community health-care
“We are very happy about the support that the project gets from Kumba; it shows that Kumba really cares for the communities they operate in.” – AnneMarie Jacobs project is one of the projects that Kumba developed a close relationship with over the past years. “The Sishen Mine donated the excess Sunflower fund bandanas to this initiative in 2013, which members of the project used
meaningfully to manufacture blankets and handbags with. “The products were used to raise funds for the project,” says Sydney Ntili, the Sishen Mine’s Local Economic Development (LED) practitioner.
KGALALELO GOEIEMAN, one of the care workers, celebrates with Sarah Sephiri and Gerald Eksteen who also received blankets. Photo: Supplied
Elderly given blankets } Boipelo Mere THE elderly members of Gaasca were honoured by the gesture of the speaker of the Sol Plaatje Municipality, Mangaliso Matika, for remembering them in the time of need. In an effort to protect the elderly from the winter cold, the speaker embarked on his first corporate social investment programme at Gaasca to hand out blankets to the elderly. According to Matika, this was also a way of saying thank you to them for fighting for freedom and ensuring that every South African citizen benefits from the fruits of today’s freedom.
“The roles of our elders is still most important and we as the youth should give ourselves the time to visit and take care of them. “It should not seem like we are doing them a favour, it’s them that we owe the favour to,” emphasised the speaker. “They were there when our country was plunged into divisions of colour and the apartheid government was against us as Africans.” Matika further clarified to the elderly that he was a servant of the people sent by the people’s movement, which is the ANC. “It is through the ANC-led government that this could be a reality,” he concluded.
ONE of the blanket recipients, David Pillay, given a blanket by the speaker of the Sol Plaatje Municipality, Mangaliso Matika (middle), and Vusi Vanto from the speaker’s office. Photo: Supplied
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Schools show moves Ilse Watson
SEODIN PRIMARY hosted a chess tournament last Wednesday where learners of primary schools around the Northern Cape like Kuruman Primary, Wrenchville, Maropeng, Deben, Kathu, Northern Cape and Seodin participated. The chess tournament is held every second Wednesday and the schools take turns to host them. Pupils of age groups u.9 to
TIM ROOS of the Kathu Primary School and Chaldron Vries (Northern Cape Primary School) concentrate hard during their u.13 group battle against each other.
MARIA KOERAAN and Petunia Olyn (both of the Northern Cape Primary School) participated in the u.15 group against each other. Photos: Ilse Watson
u.20 are allowed to partake in it. When the learners compete against each other, they play three rounds which lasts 40 minutes each. The games are friendly and provide the students the opportunity to develop their skills and improve their knowledge. It is a fact that playing chess helps to improve concentration. Chess is reported to have grown tremendously in the Northern Cape.
JAYSON LINGEN (Seodin Primary School) and Ethan Diedricks of the Wrenchville Primary School played against each other in the u.13 group.
Ready, steady, go!
THE Seodin Primary School hosted a crosscountry event in various age groups. Primary schools that partici pated were Seodin, Northern Cape, Mai kelelo en Kathu. Pic tured are the u.11, u.12, u.13 and u.14 groups ready to start their race. The u.14 group had a 4 km route to run while other groups ran 3 km distances. Photos: Ilse Watson
LYDIA MONTEIRO (Northern Cape Primary School) and Dehanda Roux (Kathu Primary School) also participated in the crosscountry event at the Seodin Primary School. They ran a distance of 2 km. They all received delicious oranges after the race.
MARQUIN GEDULD of the Kathu Primary School (left) came first in the u.9 and u.10 2 km cross country race. Brand on Havenga (Kathu Primary School) was second and Ti aan Moolman (Mai kelelo Primary School) came third.