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WEDNESDAY 16 JULY 2014
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Owners feel sidelined
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} Boipelo Mere NOT all the owners of the badly-cracked houses that are being rebuilt in the Homevale extension are happy with their new houses. The houses were declared unsafe as they were on the verge of collapsing. Unlike the previous three-roomed house owners, the previous four-roomed house owners are unhappy that their houses are smaller. The owners of the demolished four-roomed houses already demand their old houses’ size back after the realisation that the houses were smaller due to the internal toilet of the house. They accuse the Sol Plaatje Municipality of mis-informing them. “We were not told that our houses would be made smaller, otherwise we would have rather opted for our same structures. They rather preferred to excite us with the inside toilets and play us like fools,” said an upset Patric Mahube. The contractor on the site, Bradley Raiters, admitted in the Express Northern Cape edition of 18 June that 35 houses that were falling apart would be rebuilt from scratch. Mahube complained that he would not be able to fit his furniture inside the house after its completion. He wrote a letter of complaint to the Housing Support Centre in Galeshewe. In response as to why the residents were not informed on the decision the Ward 3 councillor, Clifford Lewis, admitted that the residents had not been informed of the decision of downsizing their houses. He said that the houses would be built according to a standard plan with internal toilets abiding with the new law whereby the smaller houses would be made bigger and the bigger ones made smaller. “Even I as a councillor was not informed of the decision. I am aware that some of the residents are not happy. Only the ones who previously had three rooms are happy because they are getting bigger houses. The three-roomed houses were extended to four rooms and the fourroomed houses will be shrunk by 500 mm on both sides due to the extra bathroom.” The councillor added that it was the community’s right to stand up for themselves if they were treated unfairly. But he, however, added that the community could not stop the contractor because he worked from a plan. “Only the municipality can stop the contractor from continuing to build the houses,” he said. Express Northern Cape is still waiting for a response from the Sol Plaatje Municipality. Thoko Riet said she would get back to the paper as soon as she had consulted with the Housing Support Centre. ) Updates will be made available on the Express Northern Cape website at www.express-news.co.za.
THE old houses that were demolished.
THE new houses.
Photos: Boipelo Mere
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THE learners who received winter school uniforms are from the left, front:, Nthabiseng Sehemo (14) of the St Peter’s Primary School, Angela Buffel (11) of the Olympic Primary School and Anelisa Nyambane (14) of the Zingisa Primary School; back: Vusi Vanto (speaker’s office), Thabo Foko (risk manager at Standard Bank), Richard Kgathole (pre-active safety manager), Mangaliso Matika (speaker at Sol Plaatje), Phillip Maribe (head of public sector and franchising) and Raymond Thakhuli (branch manager). Photo: Boipelo Mere
Learners geared for the cold
} Boipelo Mere IN an effort to play a role in the well-being of the education in the Sol Plaatje Municipality and to improve the standard of the pass rate, the office of the speaker of the Sol Plaatje Municipality, Mangaliso Matika, together with Standard Bank, donated winter school uniforms to learners from four primary schools in Kimberley. The schools are Kevin Nkoane, St Peter’s, Olympic and Zingisa. During the hand-over the speaker said: “As far back as 1955, the ANC assembled at Kliptown where the Freedom Charter was crafted and declared that ‘the doors of learning and culture shall be opened to all’. We are encouraged to note that our children in Kimberley continue to perform excellently despite these hardships of going
to school without adequate winter uniforms.” Thanking Standard Bank for the partnership, he invited business people to join them in ensuring that school children are cared for in terms of uniforms and the necessary school equipment to assist them in succeeding in their school work. Phillip Maribe, the head of public sector and franchising at Standard Bank, said that 1% to 2% of their total net profit goes to community social programmes. He thanked the Sol Plaatje Municipality for bringing them on board. He further promised that they consider this kind of hand-over as an annual obligation to restore the pride of the underprivileged learners. “Even if the Sol Plaatje Municipality will not send a proposal in future, we will take the programme forward,” he added.
Freedom Ride held again
PARKS TAU, the mayor of earlier this year attracted over Johannesburg, launched the 5 000 cyclists from all walks of life. second Freedom Ride which “We stage this event in order to will take place in the city on promote a cycling-friendly city, in 20 July. partnership with various cycling “This is a cycle ride to organisations,” he said. celebrate the life of our The launch of the cycle race greatest international icon, comes as South Africa commemoNelson Rolihlahla Mandela, rates Mandela Month. and Johannesburg,” said the Every year on 18 July, Madiba’s mayor on Thursday. birthday, the country honours the He said the Freedom Ride international icon by pledging 67 THE Freedom Ride minutes of their time to give back would start from the iconic commemorates Nelson Mandela Bridge and to communities. This month will Madiba’s birthday. ride through the streets of be the first Mandela Day since the Orlando, Soweto. It passes the passing away of Madiba in Newclare Cemetery where Walter Sisulu is December last year. buried, the historic Orlando Stadium, then Tau said the second edition of the Freedom moves along Vilakazi Street, then the Hector Ride would be extended to as many citizens Pieterson Memorial. as possible to celebrate the freedom that the The ride is approximately 35 km. former president had achieved in South The first Freedom Ride on 9 February Africa. – SAnews.gov.za
Youth league operational } Boipelo Mere AFTER the disbandment of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) in the province in 2012, together with the Frances Baard, John Taolo Gaetsewe and Z.F. Mgcawu regions, and then led by the regional task teams and the provincial task teams, the league successfully convened its eighth provincial congress in Colesberg over the weekend. The task team’s duties were to rebuild the youth league and instil discipline and unity within the youth. Structures of the youth league were convened and young people at their respective regions elected leaders who would lead them as they were ready to rebuild the youth league and bring back the dignity of the ANCYL. The elected provincial congress who will lead until 2017 are: Bongiwe Mbingqo-Gigaba, provincial chairperson, Ronald Isaacs, deputy provincial chairperson, Neo Maneng, provincial secretary, Xhanti Teki, deputy provincial secretary, and Lerato Moleleki, treasurer. Additional members are Tumelo Mpolokeng, Boitumelo Setshogela, Boitumelo Setshogela, Nomsa Majola, Helen May-Walters, Bongeka Fatyela, Daluxolo Vumazonke, Luyolo Bosman, Sandile Dick, Rose Phokoje, Itumeleng Molele, Ronald Maarman, Jane Mokwa, Moagi Segami, Danville Smith, Janice Wilson, Refilwe Appollis, Desiree
Swartbooi, Nonkululeko Sellwane and Malebogo More. The ANC in the province congratulated the league as it reaffirmed that it would at all times subject itself to the total discipline of the movement. The youth league promises to bring new ideas to the ANC to take the struggle for socio-economic freedom forward, and vow never to confuse militancy with anarchy. “As delegates to the congress we made a call upon the ANC-led government in the province to work tirelessly and harder to find solutions to service delivery issues in John Taolo so that schooling can return to normality. We further committed the leadership of the ANC Youth League in the province to work with the ANC and government in finding solutions to problems in John Taolo Gaetsewe,” reads a statement by the youth league. “Congress noted with a great degree of regret the disruption of schooling in the John Taolo Gaetsewe district by service delivery protesters. Education is a Constitutional right that every child of school-going age should never be denied – it is one of the rights which many have fought and died for, it is one of the pillars of the freedom charter wherein it is articulated; ‘the doors of learning shall be opened, education shall be free, compulsory, universal an equal for all children’.”
THE Kimberley Ster-Kinekor based at the Northern Cape Mall will not be screening the film at all. Photo: Boipelo Mere
NC loses out on free screening } Boipelo Mere THERE will be no charged or free Mandela Long Walk to Freedom (MLWTF) film screening for the locals at the Northern Cape Ster-Kinekor. The Northern Cape also loses out on the free screening of Mandela Long Walk To Freedom on Mandela Day, Friday, 18 July, like other provinces for the second time around. That is because the local SterKinekor, based at the North Cape Mall, did not do well in terms of the number of viewers during the release of the film. While the free screening is an opportunity for South Africans to honour the memory of Madiba and celebrate all that he stood for on this special day, people of the Northern Cape will again be left out of the 31 cinemas across the country that qualified. According to Doug Place, marketing executive: Ster-Kinekor Theatres, Kimberley was among the towns that were also given the opportunity to enjoy the nine weeks screening of the film during its release last year. Place revealed that the decision about which Ster-Kinekor sites should host the screenings was agreed to by the film producers in conjunction with SterKinekor management, taking into consideration the sites and attendance figures where the film performed better when it was released on the national circuit in November 2013. That is reportedly after the producer of the film, Anant Singh of Videovision Entertainment, approached Ster-Kinekor to host free screenings in an effort to commemorate the anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birthday. “It was unfortunately not possible to host the free screening at all Ster-Kinekor sites, only 31 cinemas across the
NO screening for Northern Cape SterKinekor. country have been confirmed to host this event. “While the free screening is an opportunity for South Africans to honour the memory of Madiba and celebrate all that he stood for on this special day, the film did enjoy an extended run across all Ster-Kinekor sites from its release date last year – of which the Ster-Kinekor North Cape Mall enjoyed nine weeks,” Place pointed out. The film only showed potential during the last three days of the screening last year. That was after the passing of Nelson Mandela which was too late to make a difference.
Accessibility reviewed REPRESENTATIVES from Autism South Africa, Disabled People South Africa (DPSA), DeafSA and the Department of Communication were among those who provided input on the draft regulations during the recent Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) public hearing on its code for people with disabilities in Kimberley. The draft regulations that were discussed calls for, among others, subtitles and audio captioning for audio visual broadcasting, as well as audio descriptions to public service announcements or emergencies. It also provides the basic standards for electronic communications services (ECS), which include a national relay system, universal designed products and services and devices with hearing aid compatibility.
Some of the concerns raised by the attendants were the wording used to describe specific disabilities. Accessibility to facilities such as post offices, where TV licenses are paid, was also put under the spotlight. Rachel Matlhaba from the DPSA also stated that public phones were not accessible for people with disabilities. Subtitling seemed to be a big concern to representatives from DeafSA. “There is a lack in detailed subtitles. We also want to know what is said during advertisement breaks,” said Desmond Kgarebe from DeafSA. Comments received during public hearings of June and July will be consolidated in order to ultimately publish realistic and effective regulations.
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Kumba awards star performers ANGLO AMERICAN’S Kumba Iron Ore recognised a record number of employees at the company’s annual Laurel Awards event, which was held at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg on 3 July. A total of 88 Laurels, Kumba’s highest accolades, were awarded to individuals and groups – as compared to the 59 last year. These comprised 43 Achiever awards, 14 for Partnership, 15 for Safety, six for Sustainability and ten for Innovation. The Gold awards in the various categories went to the Kolomela Mine in Postmasburg (Partnership) for the mine’s exceptional productivity resulting in it exceeding the 2013 production target by 20%; the Value-inUse iron ore testing facility and pilot plant in Pretoria (Safety) for going ten years without a single lost-time injury; the Kumba legal team (Sustainability) who negotiated the new supply agreement with ArcelorMittal South Africa; and the Laskas Technicians team of the Sishen Mine in Kathu (Innovation) for installing an anti-rollback system on all the mine’s ultra-class haul trucks to improve safety. An individual and team were also selected per category to represent Kumba at the global Anglo American Applaud Awards ceremony that is held every two years. In addition to the teams who won gold, the following individuals were selected: Keaobaka Matilo, Local Economic Development (LED) officer at the Kolomela Mine (Partnership) for his role in extending gr. R programmes to public schools in the Northern Cape; Franco Lewis, a safety officer at the Kolomela Mine (Safety) for his role in ensuring full compliance with safety legislation and company standards; Gosego Lekgetho, former LED officer at the Kolomela Mine (Sustainability), for spearheading the construction of a primary health-care facility in Postmasburg; and Johan de Jager (Innovation), a welder of the Sishen Mine, for coming up with four different innovations (alpha projects) to improve the
KUMBA’S finalists for the global Anglo American Applaud Awards. From the left are, front: Gideon le Roux (Technicians Laskas team), Keaobaka Matilo (LED officer at the Kolomela Mine), Franco Lewis (safety officer at the Kolomela Mine), Gosego Lekgetho (former LED officer at the Kolomela Mine) and Johan de Jager (welder at the Sishen Mine); back: Kobus Vreugdenburg (Value-in-Use), Aart van den Brink (general manager of the Kolomela Mine) and Gerrie de Vos (Technicians Laskas team). Photo: Supplied production and safety of shift workers. As is Kumba tradition, the Laurel Award winners do not get cash prizes, but get to draw the names of charities to receive the prize-money on their behalf. In total
R360 000 was donated to 12 charities (R30 000 each) at the Laurel Awards event. “In this way, we not only celebrate the achievements of our employees, but many of those less fortunate than us get to share in
this celebration, said Kumba CEO, Norman Mbazima. “In doing this we are truly in the words of our mission: People making a difference in a company making a difference.”
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Population not the problem IN 1987 the world population reached 5 billion people. This prompted the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to establish World Population Day, an annual event observed on 11 July every year. While the 5 billion was a milestone, that figure is dwarfed by the current world population of 7,2 billion people. A great deal has been written about population, over-population and why some people in some countries have large families. Much of what has always been said, is wrong. In the 1970s, for example, it was predicted that a world population of anything more than 4 billion was unsustainable and would lead to mass global insurrection. It is now well established that were all 7 billion people currently on earth to consume as much as the average American does, we would need more than four earths to sustain us. There is, undoubtedly, a major problem. The tenor of the debate, however, often focuses less on the over-consumption and greed of the rich countries as it does on the size of China and why poor people around the world tend to have large families. Without wishing to discount the issue of how the earth can sustain 7 billion people, I want to suggest that the greatest danger facing our planet is in fact inequality and not over-population. In South African cities such as Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Kimberley and Cape Town the Porsche Cayenne 4 X 4 is becoming increasingly ubiquitous. In the Free State more than 30% of the people in the province are food insecure (meaning they are uncertain about the availability of adequate food), and while the figure for the Northern Cape is somewhat lower (18%), the figure remains alarmingly high. As stark as this may sound, it is also the case that hunger and adversity is significantly higher in provinces such as the Eastern Cape and Limpopo, while nationally 26% of the population experiences hunger and almost 30% lives at the risk of being hungry. With that in mind I wondered about the price of the Porsche Cayenne – I looked it up –
My view Professor Mark Tomlinson Researcher R874 000. Paying almost a million rand for a car is beyond my imagination, so I wondered about the insurance. I asked for and received a quote – the insurance on a car of that value would be approximately four times the total monthly household income of almost 11 million South African children. Inequity is rising – the 85 richest people in the world own the same wealth as the 3,5 billion poorest people; the top 1% of people in America owns 43% of its wealth, with 80% of Americans sharing only 7% of the wealth in that country. These figures are not unique to America, but are also true for Britain, Australia, parts of Europe and increasingly China, India and many other low- and middle-income countries. Economists who spend a decade pouring over mountains of figures and data are rarely treated as celebrities. Thomas Piketty the author of the best-seller Capital in the Twenty-First Century, is a notable exception. In an age when reading is declining, for a book weighing in at over 700 pages, and outlining in minute detail the concentration of wealth and income in late 18th century France using new sophisticated statistical techniques, to become a best-seller is an anomaly. Piketty’s argument in this book is that in late 18th century France, and Britain and America in the early 20th century, society was highly unequal with private wealth significantly greater than national income. This concentration of wealth in the hands of a few spawned a rigid class structure. Piketty argues that this state of affairs was fundamentally disrupted by the two world wars and the Great Depression. In fact, these shocks were so great at the time that they resulted in a period where income and wealth began to be distributed more equally.
INFO GRAPHIC The main thrust of the argument in capital, however, is that this is changing once more, with more and more wealth in fewer hands. Piketty suggests that unless the increasing concentration of wealth in the hands of the few is not prevented, significant global political instability is likely to follow. How is this related to World Population Day? In 1976 Susan George wrote a book How the Other Half Dies in which she argues that the problem with hunger is not one of overpopulation or there not being enough food, but rather the extent to
Panel on e-tolling set up A PANEL was set up by the Gauteng premier, David Makhura, to review the implementation of e-tolls in Gauteng. The ten-member panel, which will be assisted by a technical team, will make its recommendation to the provincial government on 30 November, Makhura told reporters. He announced the review panel during his State of the Province Address last month. It will investigate the economic impact of e-tolls on Gauteng motorists. Makhura emphasised that government will not pre-empt the outcomes of the panel, but will await its five-month consultation process to be completed. He said relevant stakeholders, including the national government and the South
African Local Government Association in the province, were consulted on the matter. “Our decision to establish this panel is based on our conviction that the people’s voice must be heard on matters that affect our province,” said Makhura. He added that the outcomes of the assessment would be based on the “actual impact and experience, not theory”. The panel is chaired by Prof. Muxe Nkondo, with Dr Patricia Hanekom as his secretary. Panellists include Adv. John Ngcebetsha, Dr Vuyo Mahlathi, Dr Luci Abrahams, Prof. Fiona Tregenna, Dr Anna Mokgokong, Dr Johnson Sampson, Ms Lauretta Teffo and Prof. Chris Malikane. Five other members will be announced once consultations have been concluded. Terms of reference for the panel:
‘Our current concerns about global warming have reinvigorated debates about the size of the world’s population and what the earth can sustain.’ – Prof. Mark Tomlinson
) To assess the socio-economic impact of the introduction of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project in general and e-tolls in particular on the economy and the people of Gauteng. ) To invite proposals and submissions from the people of Gauteng and stakeholders on the socio-economic impact and proposed solutions thereof. ) To submit findings and recommendations to the Gauteng provincial government. Makhura said his office will provide administrative support, while the Gauteng City Region Observatory will provide technical support to the panel. The panel will sit in its first meeting on 17 July. Meanwhile, Makhura urged motorists in Gauteng to continue to pay for their e-tolls.
which the global wealthy elite control the food supply, how much food is wasted and how much of the food there is has no way of getting to the people who need it. The book’s message is as pertinent today as it was almost 40 years ago. Today, as much as 40% of the food produced in America is thrown away, amounting to 1 400 calories per person per day. An active 2- to 3-year-old only requires about 1 400 calories per day to be healthy – the same calorie count as is discarded each day by 318 million Americans. We have the knowledge and interven-
tions to stop the deaths of 8 million children under five each year – we just cannot get the interventions to the people who need them. It has never been about overpopulation but rather a system designed to encourage rampant consumerism, to reward greed and to enable the global elite to amass obscene wealth and to control who gets what, when and how. It is a problem that needs urgent fixing. And it is not a problem about over-population. ) Prof. Mark Tomlinson is with the Psychology Department at the University of Stellenbosch.
THE economic boom in the Northern Cape has boosted the demand for property. According to André Mostert, Seeff’s principal for the greater Upington area, the agency is struggling to meet the demand for property as buyers and tenants flock to the area. In Kimberley, about 850 property transactions worth almost R692 million has been recorded for the past year; 43% more than the 593 sales to the value of just under R352 million in 2009. In Upington, transactions are up by about 48% from just 308 transactions to the value of under R124 million to 456 property transactions worth almost R200 million over the last year. The boom was kick-started by the opening of new iron ore and manganese mines in the last three years that led to an influx of people and business growth, says Myra Schonken of Seeff Kimberley. The Sol Plaatje University, the
first university in the province, opened this year and Phakalane Airways has introduced flights between Kimberley and Upington and to Calvinia, De Aar, Kuruman, Sishen and Lanseria on a nonscheduled basis. Near Carnarvon the first of 64 antennas for MeerKAT, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project launched about a month ago. Just outside Upington the first 75 MW solar farm recently opened and business and property in the town is booming. The first super-regional shopping centre, the Kalahari Mall, with 70 retail stores and restaurants is now open, as is the new 360-bed Dr Harry Surtie Hospital. Tourism is growing on the back of attractions such as the SKA project, Namaqualand Flowers, Richtersveld and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. This has also seen a return of buyers to villages such as Springbok and Port Nolloth,” says Mostert.
Boom boosts market
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Survey aimed at saving vultures } Beryl Wilson VULTURES are endangered worldwide, and of South Africa’s nine vulture species, seven are already facing various threats of extinction following a rapid decline in their numbers in recent years. Vultures can live very long, some reaching 40 years of age, and as a result there are many catastrophes that can occur in a bird’s lifetime. Researchers attribute the current decline in numbers to factors such as a lack of food, habitat loss and collision or electrocutions with power line structures. Vultures have also been accidentally poisoned by carcasses laced with insecticides which were intended for livestock predators. In the drier areas of Southern Africa, there have been mass drownings in raptor-unfriendly reservoirs. Of late, there have also been increasing instances of vulture parts being sourced for traditional medicine. In other parts of Africa and Asia, some vulture populations have been reduced by up to 97% after feeding on livestock that was treated with the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac before eventually dying. The ingestion of this drug by vultures results in a fatal visceral gut and kidney failure. The job that nature has assigned to vultures is rather unappealing, but with the decline of other carnivores this means that vultures are increasingly important as nature’s clean-up crew and a vital link in limiting the transmission of diseases such as anthrax and rabies. More recently, rhino and elephant poachers have begun deliberately poisoning vultures in an attempt to prevent circling birds from indicating the activities of the poachers to local conservation officials. In the past year alone, more than 1 500 vultures have died due to these types of activities. With less than 9 000 white-backed vultures left in South Africa in 2000 and a subsequent decline in numbers, the situation has become so serious for this species that its conservation status was uplisted two conservation levels, to endangered in 2012. The Kimberley area and surrounds are home to several significant breeding colonies of white-backed vultures. An aerial census in 2001 of six colonies revealed at least 240 nests. Taking the numbers of breeding pairs, as well as the
The decline in the vulture population can be attributed to the following: ) a lack of food; ) loss of habitat; ) birds colliding with power lines and being electrocuted; ) accidental poisoning; ) mass drownings in raptor-unfriendly reservoirs; ) v u l t u r e p a rt s b e i n g sourced for traditional medicine; ) v u l t u r e s d y i n g a ft e r feeding on livestock treated with the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac; and ) vultures have also recently become the target of poachers in an attempt to prevent circling birds from indicating the activities of the poachers to local conservation officials. additional non-breeding and immature birds into account, there were estimated to be at least 650 birds in total in these six colonies. At the time, it was thought that at least 60% of all of the province’s vultures bred in the area. Now, however, with the recent documented mass-poisoning fatalities in neighbouring countries, it has become necessary to resurvey the six colonies to see how these threatened birds are faring. The weekend of 12 and 13 July saw a team of three experts repeating the survey. Leading the group was André Botha, the manager of the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Birds of Prey Programme and co-chair of
RESEARCHERS attribute the decline in vulture numbers to factors such as a lack of food, habitat loss and collision or electrocutions with power line structures. Photo: Google the IUCN SSC Vulture Specialist Group. The owner and pilot of the helicopter used was Peter Hohne, flying as a member of the Bateleurs – Flying for the Environment. This is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation (NGO) consisting of pilots who give their aviation skills, the use of their privately-owned aircraft and their time in support of conservation and the environment in Africa. The third member of the team was Beryl Wilson (writer of article), head of the Zoology Department at the McGregor Museum who has been involved with vulture monitoring and research for many years and is currently monitoring the
vulture population in the Kimberley area. It is hoped that the 2014 aerial census will indicate that the Kimberley colonies have not been as affected as colonies elsewhere in the region by the recent spate of mass poisoning and traditional medicine harvesting activities. However, unfortunately two young wing-tagged birds (one from Dronfield and the other from the Mokala National Park) were recovered at a Caprivi poisoning incident a year ago. It is now clear that a single poisoning incident has the potential to affect birds from the entire subcontinent and across several international borders as these birds are capable of moving great distances.
Today’s children are spoilt rotten
EVEN though most black rich kids aspire to be white, however, they fail to read books like white kids, since all they do is recite meaningless American songs from A to Z. What is mostly annoying, is how they all aspire to lead their lives according to how the American junk influences them. You’ll get them starving themselves to death, saying they are fat and demanding expensive clothing just because the Kardashians have it. Instead of reading and learning how to use proper English, which they always use, you get them making loud noises in taxis with this shallow English that they cannot even comprehend to fully express what they want to say. As an assistant with many portfolios, my employer asked me to look after her 16-year-old kid for four days this week. That meant going over to her house and ensuring that no sgebengu comes here and attacks her while she is all alone. My fixed stereotype with white kids was that the first thing I should expect, is to find a spoilt brat that cannot even say thank you or listen to anybody speaking but herself. But I was proved wrong and I am even ashamed that I thought that way in the first place. She is only 16 years old, but very well groomed and responsible. I am saying well groomed because unlike the kids I see outside who feel like they are entitled to everything, she actually asked her mother if it was okay if she could make herself some tea. It was my first and probably my last to realise that not all parents support the American junk that we are made to watch on TV. Her mother decided not to buy a TV
Express Reader opinion: Bongani Mazibuko because she wanted them to read. There is no DStv in the house, let alone a cheap TV set that shows the SABC junk that black kids consume so much. Instead it is full of books that she actually reads. This instance reminded me that something is really amiss with black children and their parents who spoil them. Dear modernised black parents, I am too young to be thinking of parenthood, but I can’t help but face the reality that I will eventually become one, sooner or later. Whenever I see children being raised today, I cringe. I cringe because their parents cannot handle them; these children lack discipline and are not even spoilt; they are rotten. So I cringe because I will also become a parent one day, and I can’t help but think what kind of children I will raise when the parents of today are failing in their job this much. It is no hidden truth that many, if not all of you, were poor, and that we are still struggling today. It is no hidden truth again that some of you as our mothers used to use cloths that you would cut off from your T-shirts or dresses so that you can make sanitary pads with, because things were that tough. It is also no hidden truth that you as our fathers walked 15 km to go to school
barefooted, but this instance of saying “I will spoil my child in whatever I want because I want him or her to have all that I did not have” is what is making us what we are today. Due to those famous lyrics of giving your children all that you never had, they don’t know the essence of respect. They speak as if they are speaking to their dog, and yet you do not reprimand them but say, “ah, let them speak their mind, they are still young, they are learning”. For your information, parents, there is a fine line between respecting someone and teaching a child to challenge or question things. Due to those famous lyrics of giving your children all that you never had, your children do not know even the first syllable to the word “thank you”, yet “I want this. No! I said this, not that one,” is as frequent as the times they swallow their saliva. When they don’t get these, they lock themselves in the very precious rooms that they have been given. They boycott food and then, funny enough, again you are the ones who go out of your way to buy the consoles and iPhones that your kids demand. The children of today cannot do chores; they do not even lift a finger in sweeping the house or learning to cook; you are the
‘The children of today cannot do chores; they do not even lift a finger in sweeping the house or learning to cook; you are the ones who have to slave others or yourselves for their sake since all these children do, is glue themselves to television or computer screens all day long.’ ones who have to slave others or yourselves for their sake since all these children do, is glue themselves to television or computer screens all day long. Or they disappear the whole day and night because you keep saying “they are teenagers, what can I possibly say. Let them live life”. For your information, they will grow up and become parents one day too. Due to those famous lyrics of giving your children all that you never had, these children of yours know nothing of their traditions or heritage; all they know, is to speak English as a home language yet they are black. This drives me nuts; if I could, I’d hang myself. Nakhona, not that this is any fancy English, but just something: nyana nje yokucela ushukela kwa makhelwane owumlungu. Eh mara bo darkie nithanda izinto.
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NEWS
Transport budget rolled out } Boipelo Mere
GILLY HEMPHILL, media liaison of the National Arts Festival, handing over the certificate to Phemelo Sediti of the Galeshewe Theatre Organisation (Gato) after the announcement by the judging panel. Photos: Gato
Theatre prospering against all odds } George Mutloane THE Galeshewe Theatre Organization (Gato) has done it again. They have just finished two weeks of gruelling performances of three plays at the mecca of arts and performance display better known as the Grahamstown Festival. As Express Northern Cape pointed out in a past edition, Gato has become a welcome relief to the lovers and theatre practitioners alike amid the drought afflicting the Northern Cape province. Two of the three plays were nominated for encore awards and the third one, Emsini, was recognised with the Special Merit Award for achieving excellence on the 2014 National Arts Festival (NAF) Fringe. According to Gilly Hemphill, the NAF media liaison, Gato is an emerging company that is doing excellent work and that has the potential to become a powerful voice on the Fringe for years to come. “It is an award that puts Gato on our radar and the National Arts Festival will watch their progress with interest in the years to come,” she added. Emsini is a story about a reign of terror unleashed in a community when a young girl is kidnapped and when attempting to escape, she finds a recluse’s shack and hides there. This unwittingly opens a floodgate of long suppressed secrets about the girl, her mother, her grandfather and the criminals who are trying to take her from her hiding place. This means for the second year running Gato has won awards, even though their circumstances have been difficult, against well-supported productions from other provinces. The internationally renowned arts festival is held every year in July in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape and has launched many luminaries in the performing fields to the extent that other well-crafted plays ended up winning awards such as Tony Awards on Broadway. There are more than 3 000 performances in about 50 performing spaces and the economic spin-off thereby cannot be measured, particularly if after the festival the productions go on tour in both the countryside and international arena. When Gato took Emsini to the Grahamstown Festival it has not yet premiered, meaning it was premiered at the festival, which carries a huge element of risk because there are always scouts from other countries who attend the festival solely to scout for productions that they can invite to their
theatres. France, Germany, Britain and the Netherlands are known to have an appetite for well-crafted South African stories and here lies possibilities during the festival. The other thing facing Gato is that as they are already back from the festival it means once again about 22 performers and technical staff are without jobs as the province has not yet developed buying power for own productions, no matter how good they may be. At the last interview Express Northern Cape had with Gato prior to their departure to the festival, the reporter asked what they are going to do with this work of brilliance after the festival. Moagi Modise replied: “It is a difficult one; if we are lucky we may be booked somewhere, but as things stand, when we come back the performers will go back home to loiter around until we call them again if something comes up.” It is interesting to note that in Emsini, Moagi Modise has written Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror for many of the residents of Kimberley who participated in the struggle and have to bear the aftermath of the struggle; although the idea of the story is universal in the sense that what transpired after 1994 in Kimberley is what transpired anywhere else in the country. The good and the bad of freedom attainment means while the good can be celebrated, the bad of it is that it cannot bring back to life people such as Tommy Morebudi or Phakamile Mabija and others vanquished by time. The strength of the story lies on Moagi’s assertion that those who emerged out of the struggle clutching straws still have a choice and by implication a chance to turn things around, unlike the Morebudis, Mabijas and their ilk. Emsini is a must-see production for the Northern Cape and the world. According to Phemelo Sediti the financial director of Gato, this award comes at a much needed time for them. “During preparations for the festival there were many obstacles, particularly related to funding, and we had to ask the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in the Northern Cape and the Sol Plaatje Municipality for funding. Due to the limited nature of the funding from the department, the directors of Gato made an emergency funding request to the Provincial Administration, which worked out quite positively, resulting in the trip becoming a success. The company wants to express its heartfelt gratitude to the Northern Cape government for the assistance afforded,” said Sediti.
THE newly-appointed MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Barbara Bartlett, presented her department’s budget of R329,9 million at the Northern Cape legislature last week. Bartlett clarified that the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison – which has often been mistaken as a department of police, was the department that covered all matters related to the safety of the people of the province and the transportation matters thereof. The department’s strategic priorities have been streamlined with the ruling party’s manifesto and the national development plan. “The strengthening of social cohesion in our communities is undoubtedly high on the agenda of the work we are doing this financial year,” said Bartlett. According to Bartlett aspects which will receive priority attention include the focus areas such as the fight against crime and corruption with special focus on the abuse of women and children and professionalised and ethical standards of services and conduct, infrastructure development and transport projects like road safety strategies and enhanced civilian oversight and
effective service delivery to communities, and the creation of job opportunities for youth, unemployed volunteers and by so doing contributing to the alleviation of poverty. “The department is in the process of implementing systems which will enhance the commitment made for increasing revenue collection. A debt collection project process for old outstanding debt of failure to renew motor vehicle licences is progressing very well.” The MEC said a process of activating the execution of outstanding warrants/J534’s would also be put in place to encourage outstanding payments. The economic classification breakdown of the budget is: compensation of employees allocated R120,542 million, goods and services allocated R159,065 million, transfers and subsidies allocated R48,886 million while payment for capital assets is at R40,9 million. According to Bartlett, in order for the department to work towards the goal of achieving a clean audit report, a comprehensive audit action plan is in place and is being continuously monitored. Joint actions are also being put in place with the audit committee and internal audit units.
Landfill site aces audit V Ilse Watson AFRIFORUM audited the landfill site in Kuruman as part of the civil rights organisation’s national campaign #cleanSA. Kuruman received the best rating of all landfill sites in the Northern Cape with 84%. The 25 questions in the audits are used to determine whether landfill sites meet the requirements and comply with national legislation. The questions cover, among others, elements regarding access control, fires, water pollution, safety, dangerous waste, fencing, available equipment and access roads. “Pollution of landfill sites is dangerous as the consequences thereof are not always immediately visible, but can have damaging effects for humans and animals in the long run. “It is gratifying to see that the Ga-Segonyana Municipality is making an effort to keep their landfill site up to standard,” Stefan Pieterse, provincial coordinator for AfriForum in the Northern Cape, said. ) Join AfriForum to become part of this campaign to help conserve your natural environment. SMS the name of your town to 32531 (R1).
THE Kuruman landfill site which received the best rating of all landfill sites in the Northern Cape with 84%. Photo: Stefan Pieterse
Busy time for department } Boipelo Mere IN presenting his maiden budget speech as an MPL and MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Lebogang Motlhaping tabled his budget of R290,801 million promising that he has hit the ground running. The following were promised to be rolled out during the next hundred days of office for Motlhaping: a roadshow to consult with stakeholders, the formalisation of public entities, the appointment of district librarians and curators at museums, the upgrading of Information Communication Technology at district level, the hosting of the Centenary of World War 1 exhibition on 28 July, the hosting of the Social Cohesion Summit in September in preparation for the national summit in November and the appointment of a new construction contractor for the completion of the Northern Cape Theatre and the Churchill Library. The MEC assumes his responsibilities at a time when many individuals and institutions are at the brink of achieving greater heights in different fields of sport, arts and culture. He also highlighted that the department helped in pitching for the inaugural
Wildeklawer Schools Competition. As one of the premier school competitions in the country, the Wildeklawer Schools Competition presents opportunities to provincial school teams, including presenting a valuable economic injection into the Northern Cape. As reported elsewhere in this newspaper, the Galeshewe Theatre Group has just completed a performance at the national Grahamstown Arts Festival where they have brought back a silver award for Emsini on the back of having been nominated twice for both Goon and Bighole. Equally, Steach United carries the hopes of the soccer-starved province when they leave next week for Durban to try their hands in qualifying for the first division. Motlhaping landed on the scene promising a PSL team in his term. The MEC also in his speech promised a community television station, arts centres in every district and libraries in every municipality. The budget allocation breakdown is as follows: administration allocated R53,480 millions, cultural affairs R48,689 million, library and archives services R145,221 million, sport and recreation R43,411 million.
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 16 JULY 2014
NEWS
Sixth consecutive clean audit for trust } Boipelo Mere TUMELO MPOLOKENG, the CEO of the John Taolo Gaetsewe Developmental Trust, said he felt humbled to have kept the promise of ensuring that the JTG Developmental Trust attained a clean audit record for the sixth consecutive year. He said as part of his legacy he would one day leave as the CEO who had a clean administration during his term in office after the clean audit had been announced by PwC earlier this month. According to the trust, the news did not come as a surprise because one of its corporate values was accountability – which was what the trust had adhered to
over the past six years. “This means we are doing something right in as far as good corporate governance is concerned, hence these positive results in our endeavours on a daily basis,” said Tumelo Mpolokeng, the CEO of the trust. Achieving a clean audit was no miracle and the trust managed to put together documents as evidence daily so that it could be available when required at a later stage. “The John Taolo Gaetsewe Developmental Trust is testimony of an institution that understands what good corporate governance is,” said the CEO after the news had been received.
Budget put to good use } Boipelo Mere THE Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has spread out a whopping R705 million budget for the financial year of 2014-’15. This was announced by the department’s MEC, Norman Shushu, last week. In his speech Shushu mentioned that since the president had signed the Restoration of Land Rights Amendment Act which provided for the reopening of lodgement of claims with effect from 1 July 2013 until 30 June 2014 there had already been 20 applications lodged with the Kimberley land restitution office. A citizen’s manual in all official languages has been prepared to ensure that all people are aware of the required documents and information on lodging their claims. “To date, the land claims office has settled 1 892 urban claims, 859 rural claims, and there are 122 claims still outstanding from the first lodgement process. The total number of hectares transferred to our people for the restitution of their landrights taken away through the Land Restitution Programme is 716 675,978 ha,” said Shushu. Shushu also said: “As part of our commitment to radicalise the second phase of our transition and movement to the creation of a national democratic society there are proposals that would see farm workers owning 50% of the land that they work on on a daily basis creating wealth. This is in accordance with the declaration of the real Congress of the People in Kliptown of 1955 which proclaimed that the land would be owned by the people who work on it.” In terms of economic contribution to the national agricultural proclamation Shushu said: “Our province produces around 5% of the national maize production with an estimated value of about R839 million. We contribute around R2 billion to the table and dried grapes industry and our wine grapes are about 4% of the national production, which is about 22 million litres of wine. Our livestock flock in respect of sheep contributes 25% of the
THE CEO of the John Taolo Gaetsewe Developmental Trust, Tumelo Mpolokeng. Photo: Supplied
Exciting Career Opportunities 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 tons 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.
Process Plant Control Room Operator (Technical and Operational) (Ref. PPCRO 119158) Patterson Grade C Lower based on previous experience
THE MEC for the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Norman Shushu. Photo: Boipelo Mere national flock, second only to the Eastern Cape, and the cattle herd contributes about 2,5% to the national herd.” Highlighting the recent disasters that had hit the province, being the 2011 heavy rains and the severe droughts, Shushu pointed out that they (department) had been trying their level best to achieve optimally under difficult circumstances. “We received R1,2 billion from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) to address the aftermath of the disaster. “Out of 423 applications for assistance we have to date been able to process 67% of those applications. Altogether 226 farmers are benefitting and 334 temporary jobs were created during the repair of the damaged infrastructure.” The MEC added that the department received R50 million for the drought disaster and the department was in the process of providing drought relief to all the affected areas.
Nominate a sports star
ARE you good at sport – or is someone in your school or place of education good at sport? Are you motivating or training others to be good at sport? Are you getting people active at your school, community or gym? Express Northern Cape wants to hear from you. SuperSport and Let’s Play, in association with Express Northern Cape, has launched a special initiative. Express Northern Cape wants to find and give recognition to learners at either primary or high school level who excel in sport or who are helping others to be more active. The SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the Month is a competition for anyone aged 6 to 18. You can nominate yourself or be nominated by a friend or teacher, lecturer or coach at your school or place of education. You can even be nominated by a family member or friend who knows how good you are.
“It is evident that we have provided sufficient training to our Finance Department to equip them for the job at hand and I must congratulate the department under the finance manager, Boipelo Oageng, for a job well done and to all the personnel for always complying with the policies. “As it is, we are reputed for best practice,” he concluded.
From all the entries received each month, one will be chosen as the SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the Month. The monthly winner will receive a Let’s Play hamper. At the end of the year one entry from all the monthly winners will be chosen as the SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the Year. Send your nomination today. Nominations received before the 20th of every month will be included in that month’s selection. Nominations received after the 20th of every month will be carried over to the next month’s selection. Your nomination must include your name, age and a short paragraph (less than 200 words) on what you have achieved, as well as your contact details. ) You can email your nomination to supersport@zpr.co.za or send a fax to 086-552-4922. ) For more information, call Lynne or Juanré at Z PR on 051-522-9574.
The Process Plant Control Room operator is a shift role responsible for the effective operational control and monitoring of the Process Plant through the control room control and management systems and to coordinate the general Mine situation as may be required. Responsibilities: • Mine operation within required parameters • Steady control of production circuit • React appropriately to abnormal activities and notify relevant Senior Officials and/or Operators by radio/telephone • Direct the activities of personnel on the mine to correct defects by allocating relevant tasks • Assist Engineering personnel to maintain equipment in Control Room area • Take charge during breakdowns and emergencies and notify standby personnel • Maintain and operate relevant fire/evacuation alarm system • Control entire process through utilisation of relevant control systems like SCADA • Ensure that the activities in the Control Room area match the requirements of the whole mine • Maintain steady volume control of the circuit by monitoring it within entire mine parameters • Call in expertise where needed • Ensure correct procedures are followed during start up and shut down of relevant circuits and equipment • Identify and communicate possible hazards and risks to responsible and affected personnel • Promote safety awareness in allocation of all tasks over radio/telephone • Compile accurate shift report at the end of each shift • Generate report and trends for management on request • Log any incidents, instructions and important changes made in the plant and record breakdowns should they occur • Changing tasks and machine settings on the shift to minimise the effect of unexpected problems • Stopping the operation if the working conditions are unsafe and pose hazardous environment • Enter job requests into the “KARABO” maintenance system. Minimum requirements: • Matric or equivalent education • Artisan trade qualification • Minimum of 5 years’ experience as an Artisan in the mining industry • Computer literacy and role specific computer skills • Report writing and communication skills • Systematic approach • High degree of numeracy. Key attributes (amongst others): • Ability to function within a team environment • Ability to work under pressure and be independent • System knowledge and application of relevant policies and procedures • Planning and organising skills • Interpersonal skills • SHE knowledge • Administration skills • Self-starter • Attention to detail • Results driven • Statutory knowledge of relevant legislation.
Stacker/Reclaimer Operator
(Ref. S/RO 119158)
The Stacker/Reclaimer Operator is required to operate and monitor the equipment and machinery performance and initiate appropriate maintenance. The role holder will also be required to carry out the stacking and/or reclaiming of the material as per the stacking schedule and requirements of the plant. Responsibilities: • Follow the directive of the official in charge for the activities in the shift • Look after the effective reclaiming/feeding operation of Stacker Reclaimer and related equipment • Ensure proper running of the equipment and, if any abnormalities are found, inform the official in charge and attend to the abnormalities • Maintain equipment checklist and give feedback for the activities carried out in the shift • Look after the housekeeping of the machine and the surrounding area • Carry out any other jobs as assigned by the official in charge • Give suggestions for the better operations of the Stacker Reclaimer sections of the Process Plant. Minimum requirements: • A Grade 12/Matric Certificate or equivalent qualification • A minimum of two years’ experience in the operation of Stackers and Portal Reclaimers • Understanding and application of lock-out procedures • Troubleshooting capabilities • Ability to communicate effectively • Dedication and team work • Results orientated • Willingness to work shifts • Ability to work under pressure • Computer literacy. 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: 1 August 2014. 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 119158
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 16 JULY 2014
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Maths opens doors } Boipelo Mere ANDY GREEN impressed the more than 900 teachers with a mathematics and technology background as the world’s fastest man on land during a conference of the Association for Mathematics Education for South Africa (Amesa) in Kimberley. Green, an active officer in the Royal Air Force and current holder of the world land speed record (WLSR), motivated the teachers to choose Mathematics and Science subjects. Green, who was awarded the Order of the British Empire for beating the WLSR and being the first man to break the sound barrier on land, set the current WLSR at 763,035 miles/h (1 223,657 km/h). The Bloodhound team aims to improve this record by going 30% faster, and set a new WLSR of 1 000 miles/h (1 609 km/h). This increase has never been seen before in the history of the WLSR and it indicates a triumph for the mathematics involved in the aerodynamic design of a supersonic car. He pledged R70 million on behalf of the British government in support of educational programmes, which he said would be for free to all South Africans to use in mathematics and technology. His presentation was also aimed at inspiring his audience to transfer a love for mathematics and science to their learners by breaking down the stigma that maths is difficult and elitist. “Whether I’m flying jet fighters or driving at supersonic speeds, I rely on the technology around me and I need to
ANDY GREEN explains the challenge of keeping the wheels of the car on the ground. Photo: Boipelo Mere understand how it works. As a mathematician, I have the best training in the world to do this. Maths is something that I use every day, in the RAF and in Project Bloodhound, to achieve world-class performance and to do it safely,” said Green. “All our lives are affected more and more by science and technology, and maths is the basic language of all science. If you can ‘speak’ mathematics and you know how to use it, there is nothing you can’t do.” Among the many teachers from all provinces was Thandiwe Matomela-Makhetha of the Silindini Intermediate School in Sterkspruit who was very impressed by the power of mathematics. “I am so impressed, the presentation was very interesting and motivating. He speaks the language of mathematics like he owns it. I feel equipped enough to become an ambassador of mathematics in my province (the Eastern Cape) and I believe that one day we’ll also have the next land speed record holder,” she said. She admitted that it was challenging for a teacher to impress the learners and make maths more interesting as it was natural for learners to be afraid of maths. ) Go to www.express-news.co.za for videos of the land speed record in action.
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ANDY GREEN with a model of the Bloodhound. He says the real one is as long as three taxis.
Photo: Emille Hendricks/Photo24