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WEDNESDAY 1 OCTOBER 2014

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Tragic coincidence

Cars crash as RAF opens office } Boipelo Mere

IT was a sad coincidence that on the same day that Dipuo Peters, the Minister of Transport, launched the new Road Accident Fund’s (RAF) provincial Customer Service Centre (CSC) in Kimberley, 12 people died in a horrific road accident.

On Saturday between 15:00 and 16:00 a bakkie packed with passengers collided with a taxi on the N18 between Taung and Magogong.

According to the SAPS reports, the driver of the bakkie, Elias Morebudi (59), was arrested and charged with culpable homicide after failing to stop at the stop sign.

Emergency services personnel had to utilise the jaws of life to free passengers who were trapped inside the taxi as a result of the impact of the collision.

The passengers of the bakkie were flung off the back and lay strewn across the N18 – others fell into a nearby water canal.

A total of 12 people were certified dead on the accident scene, while three out of the 26 were critically injured and were transported to hospitals in Hartswater, Taung and Klerksdorp.

An increassed death toll of 15 was released on Monday.

During the launch of the CSC, also on Saturday, Peters highlighted the stark reality that about 40 people die on the roads every day and approximately 800 to 2 000 are injured.

“Most of the people in this room are familiar with my sentiments about road safety and that we should not have accident victims knocking on the doors of the RAF, but the unfortunate reality is that they still do. In the last financial year

LESS than three hours before the fatal Hartswater accident, Dipuo Peters, the Minister of Transport, launched the provincial Customer Service Centre (CSC) in Kimberley. Here are from the left Dr Eugene Watson, CEO of the Road Accident Fund (RAF), Agnes Ntlangula, representative of the Sol Plaatje Municipality, Peters and Dr Ntuthuko Bhengu, RAF Board Chairperson.

Photo: Boipelo Mere alone, 147 168 new claims were received by the fund and the call centre attended to 220 000 calls.

“It has therefore become evident that the demand for the

RAF’s services has increased significantly,” emphasised Peters.

The driver of the bakkie appeared before the Hartswater Magistrate’s Court on Monday

and was released on bail of R3 000. ) Go to www.express-news.co.za to read more about the RAF launch.

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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 1 OCTOBER 2014

NEWS

We must share our stories – NC premier THE Northern Cape premier, Sylvia Lucas, says through sharing their stories South Africans will realise that they all subscribe to the same basic set of values such as mutual respect, democracy, freedom, equality and justice.

The premier was speaking during a Heritage Day celebration held at Victoria West in the Northern Cape last Wednesday.

“It is during a month such as this that we value the symbols and the historic landmarks which define the essence of who we are. Heritage Month serves to remind us of the importance of our past as well as our present,” said the premier.

She said it was important to remind South Africans to embrace diversity and that everyone had a role to play in creating a united South African nation with a common identity.

“This day provides an ideal platform for South Africans from all walks of life to share their experiences. By doing so, citizens will develop a deeper understanding of themselves and others so that we all can live, work and play together in harmony,” Lucas said.

She added the advent of democracy had brought about profound changes and in the process liberated voices that had been silenced for centuries.

She said today South Africans were able to speak out freely about many heroes and heroines of the liberation movement, as well as different watershed moments in the country’s struggle history.

“We are proud of ushering in a new, non-racial and non-sexist democracy. South Africans can see the tangible benefits of the first 20 years of freedom,

“ARE you sure it is fully equipped,” Mac Jack, the MEC for Health in the Northern Cape, asks the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff before the new ambulance leaves for the designated district. Photos: Boipelo Mere

New wheels for EMS THE Northern Cape premier, Sylvia Lucas.

Photo: Boipelo Mere and moving forward, should embrace the agenda for radical economic transformation,” said Lucas.

She said such stories would create an understanding that while everyone’s respective journeys to freedom might have been different, “we are united in our love for the country and share the passion to move the country forward”.

“Our country has come a long way. We come from an era where your skin pigmentation determined the quality of your life. We come from an era where one’s skin pigmentation could determine the kind of company you could keep, where your pigmentation could determine the area you live in and even your destiny.

“We salute our former president Nelson Mandela, who steadfastly proclaimed that never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another.”

– SAnews.gov.za

} Boipelo Mere SYLVIA LUCAS, the Northern Cape premier, has urged community members to be patient with Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff, due to the heavy responsibility that is bestowed on them in the line of duty.

The premier made this plea during the recent hand-over of a new fleet of 60 of the 110 EMS vehicles promised. This is aimed at adding to the province’s patient transport efficiency, safety, reliability and effort to further deepen work.

Lucas highlighted how the EMS staff had to make difficult choices under difficult and messy circumstances in their work.

She emphasised that the availability of modern ambulances, equipped with the latest medical kits and technology, would no doubt enable the EMS staff to get to accidents and scenes of tragedy quicker and to treat the victims more effectively.

According to Lucas, the cost of a commissioned ambulance is almost R1 million.

Referring to complaints from the community that they sometimes had to wait for hours before an

SOME of the first batch of 110 ambulances that the Department of Health launched last week. ambulance arrives, Lucas said that she once made an enquiry which was answered with an acceptable explanation.

“The EMS staff said they usually get three to four calls to attend to when they are on one route. There are cases where they have to stabilise a patient or rush them to the hospital,” said Lucas.

“The availability of modern ambulances equipped with the latest medical kits and technology will, no doubt, enable our EMS staff to get to accidents and scenes of tragedy quicker and to treat the victims more effectively.”

Lucas promised that priority

cases would receive the required attention and hospitals would have accurate information about the vital signs of patients before they arrived for specialist treatment.

“All in all, these ambulances will help to make the Northern Cape a safer and better place to live in,” said the premier.

Mac Jack, the MEC for Health in the province, urged the community to report any abuse of the vehicles.

Allocation of the vehicles is expected to be as follows: Frances Baard 10, John Taolo Gaetsewe 5, Namakwa 7, Pixley ka Seme 9, ZF Mgcawu 8 and the College of Emergency Care 1.

Department reaches out THE Domestic Violence Act Educational Outreach Programme in Ritchie that was organised by the Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison was reported to have been a success.

The programme is the department’s continued effort of educating various communities and stakeholders across the province on the Domestic Violence Act and how it can enhance and impact on everyday life.

The attendants are informed of how domestic violence comes in various forms, including that it is not only limited to physical abuse, but also emotional and financial amongst other forms.

The director overseeing the Social Crime Prevention Unit in the department, Catherine Jonkers, explained that the outreaches were aimed at informing communities about the Domestic Violence Act so that they could be able to recognise what domestic violence was, how it occurred, why it should be reported and also how to prevent it.

She said it was important that it was reported so that the victims could receive the necessary support through the various avenues that were available to them.

The department works along with various stakeholders such as the SAPS, sister departments and non-governmental organisations to be familiarised with the act to ensure that as many people as possible are informed of the act.

Dipuo Anthony of the department highlighted how abuse was a serious problem that was high amongst women and children, but not exclusive to them as it affected all genders.

“We need to work together with the police to stop domestic violence and unfortunately it is difficult to police domestic violence as it mainly happens

behind closed doors, but the community has the power to break those boundaries by exposing and reporting it to authorities.

“We can also curb it by getting informed and informing others on what domestic violence is,” said Anthony.

She emphasised that domestic violence took shape in many forms such as sexual abuse, emotional abuse, financial (withholding financial support), intimidation and harassment.

“It applies to parental relationships, partners, whether they are married or not, even people that live together.”

Attending the fruitful session, the Ritchie LoveLife representative, Cleopatra Louw, said: “I have learned a lot through this session of the department. I didn’t realise the different types of abuse that can occur, but now my eyes have truly been opened and I will be in a better position to share what I know with others.”

The SAPS Kimberley Cluster commander, Maj. Gen. Jean Abrahams, in her address said the more domestic violence was reported, the more it would be exposed and people needed to report it.

She said that the police had the responsibility to assist complainants of domestic violence and also to comply with the act.

“We must also learn as people that as much as we can be taught about our rights, those rights also come with responsibilities. If you make a protection order against someone, it shouldn’t apply only when it is suitable for you and on days it doesn’t, you disregard it.”

She added that all members of the community had a role to play in stopping domestic violence.

“We must join hands with ther police and work together in decreasing crime in our communities.”

EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 1 OCTOBER 2014

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Province celebrates heritage } Boipelo Mere THE Northern Cape joined other provinces in celebrating Heritage Day. The events were characterised by song and dance depicting the rich Northern Cape heritage under a theme Celebrating 20 Years of Democracy: Tell Your Story that Moves South Africa Forward.

The celebrations in the Frances Baard and Pixley ka Seme Districts were preceded by the unveiling of tombstones of the former struggle veterans John Ituleng in Galeshewe and John Tees in Philipstown.

The Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture celebrated National Heritage Day in five districts across the province. The events were held at Sedibeng Village in the John Taolo Gaeshewe District, the Upington Museum in the ZF Mgcawu District, Richtersveld in Namakwa District, Victoria West in the Pixley ka Seme District and Kimberley in the Frances Baard District.

The department will also be renaming the Barkly West library after a former freedom fighter, Inase Harry Moshoeu. Moshoeu, who was born at Barkly West in 1970, served in various political structures and underwent training as an internal member of Umkhonto we Sizwe in the 1990s.

The Ivuma Arts Centre had the opportunity to host activities, as this was also the first Heritage Day celebration since the centre had been opened. They invited the community to witness the poetry experience and arts and culture for free. The chairperson of the centre, Bokhutlo Makhale, expressed his satisfaction at the success of the event. “We were very sceptical as to whether the response will have a positive outcome. This shows that we indeed have the capability,� he said. They collaborated with the department to organise the Heritage Day event.

The party was later moved to the Mayibuye Centre where lunch was served. ) Watch a video at www.express-news.co.za.

ABC BOKANG MORENA, one of the oldest gospel group in Galeshewe, also gave a powerful performance at the Mayibuye Centre.

Photos: Boipelo Mere

GONTSE WA CHAANE who was the programme director, Keaorata Gaokgwathe, a local storyteller, and Luanag Choba who took a sabbatical from medicine to become a full-time musician.

THE Lethabo Cultural Group gave a stunning performance at the Ivuma Arts Centre.

JANIGH (left) and Luimgi performed at the reggae dance hall.

NONETHO VAN DER WESTHUIZEN (left) and her friend Thembeni Masingi were dressed in full traditional gear.

KELEBOGILE LETSOGO (left) and Mamafeni Sebe enjoyed themselves at the Ivuma Arts Centre.

THE DGL dance group entertained the guests.

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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 1 OCTOBER 2014

NEWS

SA to bring remains home THE Minister in the Presidency, Jeff Radebe, has assured South Africans that the government is committed to ensuring that the mortal remains of South African citizens who lost their lives in Lagos are accurately identified and brought home.

South Africa’s plan of action On 12 September, 84 South Africans died when a building at the Synagogue Church of all Nations in Nigeria collapsed. On Friday, 25 injured South Africans returned home, while one remained in Lagos.

Radebe, who is the head of the inter-ministerial task team on the Nigerian tragedy, updated media on Wednesday on the identification process of South African citizens in Lagos.

“We want to assure the nation that we shall spare neither strength nor effort in ensuring that the deceased are repatriated.

We believe the repatriation of the deceased is the crucial first step towards helping the families find closure in the aftermath of this terrible tragedy.

“We will make sure that all deceased persons are repatriated and that the correct body is handed over to the right family.”

He said the South African team of experts on the ground in Nigeria is working closely with officials from the Nigerian Federal Government, as well as the State of Lagos, to ensure that the process is completed as soon as possible.

Stringent identification process The South African team is led by Brigadier Leone Ras, an international expert in body identification from the South African Police Service (SAPS). She is supported

by Prof. Gert Saaiman, chief state pathologist from South Africa.

Radebe said the identification process is done through a precise process of elimination and utilises accurate information, as detailed below: ) Direct identification: Where possible the body may be identified by next of kin if they are present in Lagos. “This requires physical identification of the body amongst the others. This is often a very traumatic and painful process. Due to the nature of injuries involved in this incident, only a limited number of the bodies may be identified through this method.” ) Photo identification: Photos of a person are used to compare with mainly facial features of the bodies in the mortuary. “If a match is found, the identification is then confirmed using fingerprints and other bodily characteristics,” he said. ) Fingerprint data base comparison: The fingerprints from the deceased are compared with the fingerprint databases from the Department of Home Affairs and the SAPS. “This is done by fingerprint experts and it takes a considerable amount of time. This is a reliable method that is commonly used in identifying deceased persons. However, in

ON 22 September a flight carrying 25 injured South Africans returned home from Nigeria while one remained in Lagos. The flight landed at the Zwartkop Military Base in Pretoria and the patients, including three children, were transported to the Steve Biko Hospital.

Photo: Alet Pretorius some instances, due to the injuries sustained, this method may not be viable,” the minister said. ) Dental record comparison: If the fingerprint database comparison does not succeed in the identification of the deceased, the dental characteristics of the body are compared with dental records of individuals prior to the event. “This method is only possible where the dental records can be accessed from the dentist that the deceased person visited.

“We, therefore, appeal to the family members of unaccounted South Africans who are presumed to have been at the church to provide the police with information of the dentist or dental clinic their relative had visited over the past eight years.” ) DNA sample: If no identification can be reached with any of the above methods, a DNA sample of the body is compared with a DNA sample collected from a close relative.

“For this purpose, experts from the SAPS are currently visiting families and are collecting DNA samples.

This sampling is a simple nonpainful process with no risks to the family member. It is important to note that the process takes time.” The DNA samples collected from the deceased will be compared with the DNA samples collected from family members.

“As we strive to ensure that the

body identification is completed as soon as possible, we equally have to make sure that the processes are done in line with the Lagos State and Nigerian Federal laws,” Radebe said.

The government appeals to the families and the nation to bear with them and allow their team in Nigeria the necessary time to complete the process of identifying the bodies.

As soon as the bodies are identified, a team of 70 experts from the South African Military Health Service and the Department of Health will depart to Lagos with specialised equipment to transport the deceased back to South Africa with the required care and respect.

Minister thanks the SANDF The minister thanked the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) for the successful evacuation of the injured South African citizens from Lagos back home to South Africa on Monday, 22 September, 2014. “They have indeed made all of us very proud as a nation.”

Survivors admitted to Steve Biko Academic Hospital The minister said of the patients admitted to the Steve Biko Academic Hospital, two were still in critical care, two had been

transferred to private facilities at the request of their families and four patients have been discharged to the care of their families.

“On behalf of the government and the people of South Africa we wish the patients who remain in the care of the medical staff at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital a speedy recovery,” Radebe said.

Support and help-line for victims’ families A national task team comprising Social Development, the SAPS Chaplain Services and the Victim Identification Centre has been visiting families of people presumed to have died at the church.

Other teams of social workers are providing psycho-social support to survivors and families of victims at the Steve Biko Hospital, OR Tambo International Airport and the Dirco Call Centre.

Families with members who are not yet accounted for should contact the information line: 012-351-1000.

The Department of Social Development has activated a call centre for those who require the assistance of a grief counsellor: 0800-428-428.

They can alternatively send a “Please call me” to: *120*7867#.

Professional counsellors will call back and help them deal with the trauma of losing a loved one or

‘We want to assure the nation that we shall spare neither strength nor effort in ensuring that the deceased are repatriated.

We believe the repa­ triation of the de­ ceased is the crucial first step towards helping the families find closure in the aftermath of this terrible tragedy.’

– Minister Jeff Radebe not knowing what has happened to them.

“The government wishes to thank all people involved in offering support to the affected families and urge that we all continue to hold their hands and comfort them during this difficult period,” said Radebe.

– SAnews.gov.za

EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 1 OCTOBER 2014

NEWS

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AT the Heritage Day event were from the left the JTG Developmental Trust CEO, Tumelo Mpolokeng, Kgosi Enewang Jantjie, Kgosi Pelonomi Toto, JTG Developmental Trust Board of Trustees Seweditswe Gaobusiwe and Thupayakgosi Molema.

Photo: Supplied

Heritage Day event gives lessons

} Modiri Gabaatlhole THE John Taolo Gaetsewe (JTG) Developmental Trust celebrated Heritage Day in an effort to encourage everyone to celebrate their cultural traditions in the wider context of the great diversity of cultures, beliefs and traditions that make up the nation of South Africa, the John Taolo Gaetsewe Developmental Trust Staff, Board of Trustees practised what they preach.

Dressed in their traditional apparel they celebrated Heritage Day on 24 September at the Baga-Jantjie Tribal Office at Manyeding in the Ga-Segonyana Local Municipality jurisdiction.

The event was coupled with cultural lessons that included customary marriage, the role of traditional leadership in society, parenthood and the benefits of a positive lifestyle.

Health education, including healthy diet to curb/prevent cholesterol, hypertension, heart diseases, blood pressure and stress related-illnesses, were given.

The lively celebration was highlighted by the CEO of the JTG Developmental Trust, Tumelo Mpolokeng, when he said: “The trust is a youthful organisation comprising of individuals who are planning to wed and have children. That is why the teachings were important, so as to remind them how

it was done culturally in the past”.

One tutor, Kealeboga Mashopa, taught everyone about customary marriage.

“It is important that we teach our kids our culture and the importance of preserving our heritage.

“Customary marriage is no longer treated the same as in the in the past, hence the lessons were important.”

As a community-based development organisation, the John Taolo Gaetsewe Developmental Trust reminds South Africans and other neighbouring countries to work together and recognise that we are a fantastic nation and in celebrating our culture.

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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 1 OCTOBER 2014

NEWS

Join hands to uplift Khwe and !Xun

WHY Droogfontein Solar Power initiated a thorough Early Childhood Development (ECD) study in the Frances Baard District is all due to the high rate of extraordinarily disadvantaged children in the country and the Northern Cape.

Photo: Supplied

Project makes difference

THE underlying principles as to why Droogfontein Solar Power initiated a thorough Early Childhood Development (ECD) study in the Frances Baard District are all due to the high rate of extraordinarily disadvantaged children in the country and the Northern Cape.

This, it states, is largely as a result of past policies and of a substantively unequal society.

The solar power project revealed that the lives of disadvantaged children are characterised by a denial of basic needs, including health care and education, which are vital to the cognitive, physical, emotional and social development of children.

“Our investments in the local communities are substantial, especially when considering that we are committed to social economic development programmes during our 20 years of operations,” said Marion Green-Thompson, economic development manager for Droogfontein Solar Power.

She continued to say: “We

would like to get it right from the onset and not base our SED programmes on assumptions; and for this reason we have invested in research studies that will allow us to design our interventions on facts.”

Stakeholders and ECD centres were identified through consultation with the Northern Cape Education and Social Development Departments and where structured, qualitative interviews were conducted with key stakeholders with regards to ECD centres.”

A total of 22 detailed interviews were conducted with 15 ECD centres, in addition to these interviews done with NPOs, the Provincial Department of Education, the South African Police Service (SAPS), the ETDP Seta provincial office, the Frances Baard Municipal Offices and the Provincial Department of Social Development.

The report conducted by the Centre for Early Childhood Development concluded that the provision of further ECD

programmes in the Frances Baard Municipality was fundamental to socio and economic prosperity in the area. Additional programmes will also assist in the advancement of child rights and eliminating inequality. Investment in the development, care and protection of children needs to be a priority in order to ensure that communities can be further developed.

De Aar Solar Power has also commissioned an ECD study to ascertain the requirements in the communities close to the project. Findings will be used to develop ECD programmes that will be funded by these two solar power projects and to ensure that the investments made through the initiatives have a substantial impact on children in these vicinities.

“We have an opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of thousands of children and in essence positively impact on a generation of young people,” concluded GreenThompson.

THE Khwe and !Xun community in Platfontein welcomed their greening project participation in an effort to uplift their community.

On 24 September, the world’s first vegetable tree was unveiled at the annual Heritage Day celebrations in Platfontein.

The project is in partnership with the SABC (Free State and Northern Cape) in partnership with Spar Supermarket.

This participation by Spar allows for local growers to thus in effect have a market and willing partner in the process of promoting individual financial independence and at the same time addressing the issues of environmental conservation and food security.

At the only local school in Platfontein, Spar has roped in Thabo Olivier of Qalatala Projects to plant a tree made from waste material and will produce spinach, tomatoes, chillies, gems and herbs.

In addition to this, it will build two mini-tunnels made exclusively from waste material.

A water tank will also be set up to assist in the harvesting of rain water that will in turn supply the garden with water.

At XK FM, the two interns Luckyboy and Mokete Hlalele demonstrated their invention, a planter device/tool that allows a user to plant up to 2 500 m2 per day and also fertilise the planted crop.

They have named their invention the ’Hlalele African Multi-

planter which adjusts to allow for the planting of maize, sunflower, pumpkins and beans.

If each school had to cultivate only one hectare and, assuming that there are more than 6 000 schools in South Africa, it is possible to produce 420 000 000 kg (nearly half a billion kg) of pumpkin alone in one season.

Luckyboy and Mokete have just completed their internship in sustainable food production with special reference to using waste material and adhering to the principle Re-use, Reduce, Recycle and Up-cycle.

The partnership with Spar is unique as Spar in the Free State and Northern Cape, with their participating stores, have agreed to buy vegetables produced by schools and private backyard growers for re-sale to the public if the growers produce more than they need and their produce is of a superior quality.

XK FM is currently assisting the local community women group to start a self-sustainable craft work and established flea market that Spar will assist to market.

The SABC has developed strong links with Platfontein’s Khwe and !Xun since it established a special radio station for the community 14 years ago.

XK FM continues to shine the light on this community by highlighting their plight and initiating and supporting projects aimed at uplifting the community.

STANDING are from the left Thabo Olivier from Qalatala Projects and Refiloe Maraka, the SABC regional manager Radio Broadcasting Facilities; sitting: Luckboy and Mokete Hlalele showing their invention, a planter tool named ‘Hlalele African Multiplanter.

Photo: Supplied

Olympic Primary part of Kby history } Archie Jack THE Gore Brown Native Training School was established in July 1935 from the Perseverance Coloured Training School.

The Cape Department of Education only provided a small amount of funding for the education of the African child.

This was further reinforced by the Cape Department of Educations policy that the provision of secondary school and training facilities for the African students should be provided only in missionary institutions situated in the bantustans (homelands/reserves).

In 1921, the coloured community, spearheaded by the Kimberley branch of the Teachers League of South Africa, objected to the admission of an African student to the Perseverance Coloured Training School.

A policy of segregation

between African and coloured schools and training colleges of the Cape Department of Education demanded that there be a separation between the two institutions.

This policy allowed the Gore Brown Native Training School to be established independently 13 years later.

It started with only 20 African students at the Perseverance Training School in July 1935 and they were accommodated on 29 Lawson Street, Malay Camp, Kimberley.

In January 1936 the school was transferred to St. Matthew’s Missionary School, Barkly Road, where two rooms were utilized for the African students.

The Gore Brown Native Training School had already been in existence for three years when at last all the classrooms were completed and ready for occupation in January 1938.

The school was named after Bishop Wilfred Gore Brown, bishop of the Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman of the Anglican Church. Ironically, Deputy Minister J.C. Smuts delivered the official opening address on 29 October 1938.

A total number of 2 977 students passed through the Gore Brown Native Training School in its two decades of existence from 1935 to 1954.

The school was closed again due to the Group Areas Act imposed when the Nationalist government came to power in 1948. The Gore Brown Training School then moved to a section of Barkly Road High School, currently Tshireleco Secondary School, to be completely closed in 1960.

“Declaring this school a heritage site is an honour for those teachers who received their qualifications at the school/col-

lege. As well as the African teachers who made personal and financial sacrifices as no training facilities were offered to them other than those available in homelands/reserves,” says Archie Jack, principal of Olympic Primary School.

On 17 September 2001, the Northern Cape Education Department accepted the proposal by the South African Heritage Resources Agency to declare the Gore Brown Native Training School, currently the Olympic Primary School, as a Provincial Heritage Site.

After the closure of the Gore Brown Native Training School, the building was occupied by the Olympic Primary School in 1961 catering for the coloured learners.

It has been 13 years since the school was declared a Provincial Heritage Site and it has been a primary school for 53 years.

“Declaring this school a heritage site is an honour for those teachers who received their qualifications at the school/ college.

As well as the African teachers who made personal and financial sacrifices as there were no training facilities that were offered to them other than those available in homelands/ reserves.“ ­ Archie Jack, principal of the Olympic Primary School

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DIMAKATSO CHINKULI, Ward 9 councillor, also made a referral to the shortage of stands and shade for the spectators.

Photos: Boipelo Mere

Artificial pitch ‘necessity’ } Boipelo Mere

doing nothing.

“So when I heard about the tournament, I took it upon myself to assist, due to the love of soccer and my children, who are also participating in the game,” said Lemena.

“Other parents passed by while I was busy cleaning the pitch with my rake and asked me how much I was being paid.

“Some were willing to help me, but when I mentioned that I was doing the work for free, they changed their minds.

“Some even said I was crazy.”

According to Lemena her love for soccer started during the years when her husband was a local soccer player.

She has learnt since then that local soccer clubs needed as much support as possible in order to grow.

The ward councillor emphasised that parents like Lemena were needed, because supporting children in sport was encouraged by all means.

“I did not expect such an activity to be played in my ward. You have really played, guys.

“Even the team from Welkom must be very proud to tell their community that they have achieved a great deal out of this trip to Kimberley,” she said to the participating teams Bushbuck Rangers, Tshwaragano All Stars, Bush Rangers from Welkom and Sasol Chiefs from Ritchie.

Chinkuli was seen watching the tournament from under a small umbrella in the hot sun.

She could not help herself from stretching her neck endlessly to see the teams take each other on.

IN an effort by Dimakatso Chinkuli, the Ward 9 councillor, to make the Madrid soccer ground look decent and accessible, she urged soccer coaches in her ward to do a follow-up with the Sol Plaatje Municipality on the process of laying out an articifial soccer pitch.

She made this plea during the trophy hand-over after the four teams that participated in the Say no to Gangsterism Soccer Tournament took each other head on for the cup.

The two-day tournament was hosted by the local team Tshwaragano Stars.

“This tournament should not have been played on such a bare field.

“The pitch was supposed to have been layed out already. I had made an appointment for the coaches to go to the municipality, but they did not go,” said Chinkuli.

Emphasising that all stakeholders have the will to change the world and make it a better place to live in, Chinkuli promised to do her utmost best to ensure that the soccer field received an artificial soccer pitch.

The ward councillor highlighted that there was no doubt that tournaments like these have the potential to curb the youth from gang-related activities which have escalated throughout the province.

She expressed her appreciation towards one of the parents, Irene Lemena (59), who took her time to create a safe environment for the young players.

Lemena took it upon herself to clear the Madrid soccer field of stones and thorns in an effort to make the tournament successful.

Quoting that a child in sport is a child out of court, she admitted to Express Northern Cape that she single-handedly cleaned the soccer pitch to prevent the children from getting hurt.

She said she did not have the gold and silver to show her support towards the tournament, and thus decided to play a positive role.

“I am unemployed DIMAKATSO CHINKULI, Ward 9 councillor, wishes players of the Tshwaragano All Stars good luck before the final game against the and spend the Bush Rangers from Welkom. whole day at home

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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 1 OCTOBER 2014 VICTORS: The Glen College of Agriculture’s soccer team celebrating their final win with Mamiki Qabathe, MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development in the Free State.

Photo: Abbey Sebetha/Bakonepix

Poor defence blamed for defeat

} Sidwell Guduka

SEITATOLO MATSHABA has blamed their poor defending for their loss against the Cedara College of Agriculture in the National Agricultural Colleges’ Soccer and Netball Organisation (NACSNO) tournament final last Friday.

The Glen College of Agriculture side were unlucky to lose 21-27 to the KwaZulu-Natal side at Glen outside Bloemfontein.

The Free Staters were off to a strong start.

They deservedly led 7-6 in the first quarter, but missed plenty of scoring opportunities that would have wrapped up the game for them in the second quarter – it ended 11-13 in favour of Cedara.

The KwaZulu-Natal girls maintained their lead in the third quarter (16-19), showing more stamina and strength in play as the Glen girls waned towards the end.

Glen had won all their previous group stage matches against the Taung College of Agriculture (24-10), Marapyane College of Agriculture (24-18), Owen Sithole College of Agriculture (36-4) and Fort Cox College of Agriculture (34-21).

In the semifinals, Glen overpowered Grootfontein (30-25), a team made up of players from the National Department of Agriculture.

“We let ourselves down by not defending well and missing chances. But it happened and we cannot change anything,” she said.

Star, as Matshaba is affectionately known in netball circles, scored 19 goals in the final.

For her efforts she was chosen as the best player of the match.

“I have mixed feelings about the award. I am happy to receive it, but I am sad we had lost in the final. It would have been nice to lift the trophy,” said Matshaba.

Meanwhile, Glen College’s soccer team

defeated the Lowveld College of Africulture 1-0 in the men’s final.

The week-long tournament, which was hosted by the Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, proved to be a great success.

The event will be hosted by the Fort Cox College in the Eastern Cape next year. ) For more stories, visit www.expressnews.co.za.

For more news and photos visit www.expressnews.co.za

‘Today was a tough game. We fought hard and tried our best, but lady luck was not on our side. We had good chances, particularly in the second quarter, but could not convert them. Sometimes that happens in sport. We are all disappointed about the loss because the intention was to win the final. We had to walk past the cup but couldn’t hold it. We were so close to winning the tournament.’ – Seitatolo Matshaba