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WEDNESDAY 8 OCTOBER 2014
Belles of the ball Girls transformed
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for matric dance } Boipelo Mere ELEVEN girls were given the opportunity of being transformed from their ordinary self into beautiful princesses for their matric farewell. Not because they did not want to attend their own matric dance, but because – due to financial constraints – they did not feel equal and confident enough to walk down the red carpet with their peers on the night.
That was all changed by the owner of LFJ Styles and professional fashion designer, Lucky Jokobela, who decided to give the girls of the Tetlanyo, Tshireleco and St Boniface High Schools a fair chance by sponsoring their matric dance gowns. A former client of Jokobela, Bontle Mqina, also offered to lend a hand by identifying the most deserving girls. She also came up with a name for the project – the One Night
LORATO CHWEU and her friend Keditlwaetse Dikgetsi waiting their turn. Go to the Express website for the end result.
MILICENT MPANGISO, a local makeup artist, performing her magic on one of the 11 girls who qualified for the One Night Only Foundation’s makeover, Mmathabo Sekoa of the Tshireleco High School. Photos: Boipelo Mere
Only Foundation. It all started as a Facebook conversation, until make-up artists, chauffeurs and hair stylists offered their services for free. Members of the community also came forward by donating their unused formal dresses, shoes and clutch bags to the girls. Crammed in a small room where their hair and make-up were being done, dresses were altered and designed in preparation for the girls’ full transformation. All the magic was performed on the premises of LFJ Styles, opposite the Indian Centre. Amongst the girls was Lorato Chweu of the Tshireleco High School who could not calm her nerves. She said that throughout the year she had not been looking forward to attending the matric farewell because she is an orphan and unable to afford any pampering.
With lashes and artificial nails the nervous Chweu said she thought she looked beautiful after she had applied light brown eye shadow and some eyebrow pencil. “I am at a loss for words. I do not know how to thank Buti Lucky for offering me this opportunity. “I was doubtful as to whether I would fit in at the dance. But now I know that I’ll look dazzling,” she said. “It is not so difficult to identify with the spirit of Mandela and help foster it. Everywhere in South Africa there is always a
need of some kind, and it is what we do to meet this need that will put us on par with those who are fostering the spirit of Madiba,” said Jokobela ) Go to www.express-news.co.za to see the magic that was performed at LFJ styles. Send your matric farewell photos to boipelo.mere@volksblad.com
‘I am at a loss for words. I do not know how to thank Buti Lucky for offering me this opportu nity. I was doubtful as to whether I would fit in at the dance. But now I know that I’ll look daz zling.’ – Lorato Chweu
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NEWS
Should Block resign or not? } Boipelo Mere
CYNTHIA MOETI was amongst the law en forcement officials of the department. Photo: Supplied
Roadblock a success A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY roadblock led by women in law enforcement from across the Northern Cape saw hundreds of vehicles stopped and checked on the N1 and N12 to ensure road safety for all road users against the backdrop of Transport Month. Operation Basadi, that saw more than 70 women join hands during the operation, was supported by MEC Martha Bartlett and head of department, Steven Jonkers. The women stopped hundreds of vehicles of road users who were pleased to see the continuous visibility of traffic officials and other law enforcement agents during the start of the weekend, especially as women were taking the lead. “It shows that as women, we are proud to serve in law enforcement and not only make sure our roads are safe, but also our communities,” said some of the women during the operation.
The operation, led by the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, was a collaboration with the South African Police Service, South African National Defence Force, Sol Plaatje Municipality Traffic Department, Provincial Traffic Department, Jan Kemp Traffic Station, Kimberley Traffic Station, Home Affairs, EMS, the Department of Correctional Services and other neighbouring traffic stations. The two operations on the N1 and N12 saw 958 cars stopped and checked, 75 summonses issued on general roadworthiness of vehicles and driver fitness. Three foreign nationals were arrested for lacking proper documentation. Of the 85 trucks that were weighed during the operation, only 1 was overloaded which was encouraging as they aim to see a 100% compliance rate and hope this continues and all road users come on board in compliance.
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.
Pit Supervisor
(Ref. PS120441)
The incumbent will be responsible for monitoring the loading and hauling operation process to ensure maximum tonnages to ensure quality product within budgetary limits and maximize utilization of equipment. Minimum requirements: • Grade 12 or equivalent qualification • Blasting certificate • Valid Code 8/EB driver’s licence • Minimum of 3 years’ experience in the mining industry as operations controller • Manganese Mining production experience • Experience in construction of open pit and mining processes • Supervisory skills • Computer literacy • Planning and organising skills • Good written and verbal communication skills. Responsibilities: • Ensure Manganese ore is moved to the ROM section according to schedule • Build new roads and maintain current roads • Manage the loading and hauling production processes • Optimal utilisation of equipment within budgetary limits in the area of responsibility to ensure the required tonnages • Ensure all workers are competent to deliver the output of their jobs • Assure that environmental pollution remains within statutory requirements and that human resources are optimised in a way that maximum output is delivered by the section as a whole. Key performance indicators: • Optimise equipment utilisation • Optimise available human resources • Safety/Health and Environmental friendly work environment and practices • Load and haul good quality manganese ore • Develop and maintain road infrastructure. Please note that the relevant reference number 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: 24 October 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 120441
COULD the seemingly larger-than-life figure of John Block, ANC provincial chairperson and Finance MEC, be asked to let go of the Northern Cape purse strings and resign as Finance MEC? This question could be answered as soon as the integrity report into his ability to hold office is released. According to the media, the preliminary report recommending Block’s resignation was returned to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ANC for final recommendations before being discussed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) for final recommendation. Block, a popular figure in the ANC’s Northern Cape structures, currently faces several charges in the Northern Cape High Court. He, fellow MEC Alvin Botes and current NCOP member Yolanda Botha are being charged with fraud, money laundering and corruption. Block rose to power in 1996 after being elected as provincial secretary of the ANC in the Northern Cape. In 2001 he became the chairperson of the ANC in the Northern Cape and has been a de facto member of the NEC ever since. He had several stints as an MEC in the Department of Public Works and Education portfolios and is currently the MEC for Finance. His name was put forward as a possible premier of the province three times but he was overlooked in favour of women. Zamani Saul, ANC secretary in the Northern Cape, expressed his dissatisfaction in the leaking of the discussion of the NEC and described it as unfortunate. “It is wrong for the media and some of its anonymous sources to suggest that there is vile manipulation and underhand activities in the handling of the report on the National Integrity Commission. The leaking compromises and vitiates the credibility of the report, which is an outcome of diligent
work that was done by the National Integrity Commission. It also disables the work of the National Working Committee in executing its task. “That some NEC members are roving, as anonymous sources of the media that is well known to be hyper-critical of the ANC, is a savage indictment on both the ideological and structural integrity of the NEC,” added Zamani. “We want to re-emphasise that, as the ANC in the Northern Cape, we believe in the innocence of all three comrades and we are unshaken by the latest developments. We look forward to the conclusion of the criminal trial this month.” However, not everyone is convinced that Block should retain his position in provincial government, with the DA calling for his head in a press statement. “We believe it is fair and just to request Block’s resignation. In fact, the DA has been asking the premiers of the Northern Cape to relieve Block of his duties as MEC for Finance since 2009. “It is certainly the prerogative of the ANC as a political party to elect their own leadership. But it is to the detriment of the province as a whole to appoint someone facing serious criminal charges as the MEC for Finance,” said Andrew Louw of the DA in a statement. In a telephonic response as to whether he had the contents of the preliminary report, Louw said he was awaiting it and could thus not comment further. The EFF leader in the Northern Cape legislature, Aubrey Baartman, has also added his weight to the call for Block to be “recalled” as Finance MEC by the ruling party. “I do not know how Premier Sylvia Lucas appointed him when serious allegations have been levelled against him,” said Baartman. Block and his co-accused are due back in the Northern Cape High Court this month.
Choir brings home trophies } Boipelo Mere THE Centenary Methodist Choir fulfilled the promise they had made in the Express Northern Cape edition of 3 September. They returned home with two trophies from the choir competition in Wepener. The chairperson of the choir, Peter Mogotsi, was quoted saying: “We are hoping for at least two more trophies to add to our collection. “We will turn the tables when we compete with at least 15 choirs from all phases.” That was shortly after scooping another trophy for the Section A: African Section in the regional competitions in Kuruman. They then headed for Wepener.
According to Mogotsi, they won the Senior African Song trophy, including the female sextet. He said the competiton had been tough as these two competitions demanded the most concentration. “We realised that it was the reason why there were not many choirs that had entered for these two competitions. “We were only three tough choirs.” He, however, encouraged more choirs to enter those levels in an effort to improve themselves. ) Go to our website www.expressnews.co.za for pictures.
Police looking for rape suspects TWO suspects are still on the run after allegedly raping a 27-year-old woman from Kimberley on 30 August. The Kimberley Cluster Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) are investigating the case of rape. The victim alleges that she and her female friend met the two suspects during a drinking spree at a pub in the Kimberley city centre. They were reportedly approached by two unknown men inside the pub where they continued to enjoy drinks with them. These men reportedly bought drinks for the victim and her friend. At about midnight the victim and her friend proposed to be taken home, and the men offered them a lift home. According to the police, the victim’s friend was dropped off at Phutanang, and instead of taking the victim home the men drove to a house in town. The next morning when the victim woke up she reportedly discovered that she was undressed and also that she had been raped.
IDENTIKIT of one of the rape suspects.
IDENTIKIT of one of the rape suspects.
These men were driving a vehicle with NW registration plates. They are between the age of 30 and 40. Both of them are black in complexion. They are 1,6 m and 1,8 m tall, stocky and of medium build, respectively. Anyone who can assist in identifying these suspects appearing on the identikit, are urged to call Sgt Antonie of the Kimberley police on 053-838-4307/4550.
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Claimant glad about RAF money } Boipelo Mere “LOSING your eyesight after spending your childhood and teenage life as a normal person can be emotionally draining.” Those were the words of Katlego Moretsi (19) from Boshof when she took the stand and thanked the Road Accident Fund (RAF) when the agency launched its new Customer Service Centre in Kimberley. Her mother, Rosy Moretsi (36), could not hold back the tears when her daughter thanked the fund for making her feel better. They attended the launch because they were the first RAF clients in the province to sign for the release of Katlego’s claim. Katlego was left blind after her sight had been damaged in an accident in December 2013. She was forced to attend the Thaba Nchu-based Bartimea School for the Deaf and Blind. As if having to recover emotionally from the accident was not enough, Katlego had to say goodbye to normal school and had to come to terms with a whole new way of life. “With the money from the RAF I’ll be able to pay for the hostel where I stay and buy the equipment to finish my studies. I am now in a situation where I need more money because the equipment used by the blind is expensive. “We use Jaws, a screen-rendered software licence that you have to load onto a computer and which costs more than R13 000, including talking phones. “Using a normal phone can become irritating because you have to ask others to help you all the time,” said Katlego. During her address, Minister Dipuo Peters emphasised how the poorest of the poor were the ones mostly affected by accidents because most of them were pedestrians. She also blamed those responsible for infrastructure and government for the manner in which the roads were built. “There is sometimes no reserve created where people live and where regional roads are built. People cannot live in the same street as a regional road,” she continued. Directing this comment to the personnel of the Kimberley office she said: “We expect ethical service, delivered with courtesy. Once a claimant leaves this office, he or she will be empowered with knowledge and hopefully take the message back to their respective communities. “This is not a holiday; it is a place where you come to work. If you do not know Afrikaans, then you have to start learning it,” she warned. “We have too many deaths on our roads. Our youths are adding to the problem by engaging in spinning and racing on these roads.” Speaking about the crossing at the Kalahari Lodge in Kimberley the Minister of Transport highlighted that Sanral and municipalities had to do something to prevent these hot spots and to reduce fatalities there. She said instead it had become a spot where more and more roses and crosses appear – and added that that was not a nice sight.
KATLEGO MORETSI (19) and her mother, Rosy (36), during the interview with Express. The minister called on the Kimberley Hospital to do away with its bad habit of misplacing files during the treatment process when patients needed them the most. She was referring to an incident when
DIPUO PETERS
she witnessed a wheelchair-bound patient looking for his file to whom the personnel had said that they had no proof that he needed to claim as the file could not be found. In support of the 15 victims who were
Photos: Boipelo Mere
killed in the accident between Taung and Magogong, the RAF pledged to assist in the funeral arrangements. More support will follow after the funeral that was held in Christiana over the weekend.
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 8 OCTOBER 2014
NEWS
All systems go for new church } Boipelo Mere THE fundraising committee of the Commemoration Methodist Church continues to gain support from the congregation and members of the community. That includes the fun day activity that was held at the Botsang Park that is situated opposite the church building. According to one of the fundraising committee members, Selly Dike, the committee formed themselves into a group after making a pact to assist in the construction of their new church. “We are actually volunteers from within the church who understand the difficulty of building a church out of our own pockets. “The church has been raising funds through fundraisings through our different zones every three months,” said Dike. “We decided that this was not enough, so we would not stop there. “We will meet the congregation halfway by raising funds for the floor tiles and the windows.” She said they had started their first fundraising with a Mother’s Day event which had proved to be a huge success in terms of support. According to Dike, all the activities show huge growth and success thanks to the community. She announced that they were so excited and positive with the initiative that they knew that they would reach their target of starting with the building of the church toilets immediately after the church had been completed. Go to the website www.express-news.co.za for more pictures of the day.
VUYISWA KOBA was preparing the dough for roosterkoek in the park. Photos: Boipelo Mere
THE Commemoration Church Fundraising Committee members are from the left Tshe go Nodoba, Lesego Mokobo, who is the first lady, Selly Dike, Angie Selatolo, Thandi Khonkhobe, Maggie Louw, Joyce Nodoba and Sale Steward.
FROM the left are Mary Kopane, Hilton Maniza, Dina Mosiapoa, Mara Maniza, Mary Mogotsi, Loreta Mdibe, Tshego Nodoba and Eunice Nhlapo displaying what is on the menu.
VROOMVROOM, Jaku Moroane (left, 6) and Sandile Maxubu (7) ready to hit the road.
Entrepreneur pays off loan in full and on time AN Anglo American business unit, Kumba Iron Ore’s Kolomela Mine, has made history by producing the first entrepreneur to pay off his project loan in full and on time via its Small Business Development Centre. Maruping Matiti, owner of a small construction company in Postmasburg, is the first entrepreneur who has accomplished this milestone. The project loan of about R100 000 was granted to support him with the execution of a tender that was awarded to him by Assmang’s Beeshoek Mine. It entailed the construction of a fence around a local school, the HTT Bidi Primary School. Maruping needed the money for petrol and his employees’ salaries. He successfully completed the job on time and complied with the terms and conditions of the project loan by paying it in full at the end of the project or on a specified date. The result was that he received an additional project to spray-paint the fence. This time round he could fund the project with the profit of the first project.
He applied for funding for the first time from Anglo American’s Zimele last year as he needed a vehicle to streamline the company’s operations and to expand the business. The application was successful and the company received its vehicle, of which Maruping never skipped an instalment on the loan since it had been granted. That was the good track record that opened the door for a second loan. The company, which specialises in general construction, receive regular projects from TFMC, the Kolomela and Beeshoek Mines, but their main goal is to secure a fixed-term contract to sustain the company. Maruping and his wife, Mary, formally registered their company, Matisel 2 Construction and General Trading (Pty) Ltd, in 2010. Since the inception date, the company grew rapidly due to all the new developments and business opportunities taking place in the Tsantsabane municipal area. Zimele is Anglo American’s enterprise development initiative to provide funding and support to previously disadvantaged people.
MARUPING MATITI, the owner of Matisel 2 Construction and General Trading (Pty) Ltd, with his new car. Photo: Supplied
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Luanga Choba follows her heart DURING her recent performance at the Ivuma Arts Centre in Montshiwa Street, Galeshewe, Luanga Choba, who is a conveyor of song, performer, founder of the record label Xhimvani Records & Publishing and part-time medical doctor, took the time in her busy schedule to share with the Express Northern Cape readers who she really was. The internationally polished Choba made it a point to proudly highlight to the Express Northern Cape reporter Boipelo Mere that she was born and bred in Kimberley until the start of her medical studies at the University of Cape Town (UCT). 1. Who is Luanga Choba? Luanga Choba is a conveyor of song, performer, founder of the record label Xhimvani Records & Publishing and part-time medical doctor. 2. Can you explain your ancestry? I hail from Galeshewe, Kimberley, where I was raised by my grandparents, Ben Xingwane Mhlongo and Khukhuthe Julia Mhlongo (née Mahila). So that is where my ancestral identity is based. My great grandfather on my grandmother’s side, Choba, was of the Rozi tribe in Zambia (Barotsi in Setswana or Sesotho) and was named after the Chobe Valley which is at the North-Eastern border between Botswana and Zambia. I’ve always been peculiarly drawn to this aspect of my ancestry for reasons I have yet to understand, and so when searching for a stage name it felt fitting and natural to choose Choba. Choba went on to marry Malokwalo, a Motswana woman from neighbouring Botswana, and they settled in the former Bophuthatswana and started a family which would include my grandmother Khukhuthe. Khukhuthe married Ben Mhlongo of the Tugela Valley in Natal and together they settled in Sobantu, Kimberley, where both my mother and I were born. I have very little information about the paternal side of my origins. 3. Explain this genre in simple terms (gonzo soul): The slang gonzo means non-conforming or unconventional and was first popularised around journalistic circles in the 1970s when Bill Cardoso of Boston used it to describe the maverick journalist Hunter S. Thompson’s work as “gonzo journalism”. Thompson was known for using an unconventional style of reporting with no claim to objectivity, often including the reporter as part of the story in a first-person narrative. Gonzo soul on the other hand, emerged from my musical illiteracy really. I didn’t go to music school so I don’t really understand genres. Nor am I interested in it because like most creatives, I find it stifling. My producers could not tell me what genre my music was, because they said it was somewhat different. The best description was that it’s a subgenre of world music. As this still didn’t make sense to me or anyone asking, the word “gonzo” felt like just the word after some internet research. 4. Do you have followers and emulators of this genre? Not that I know of (I find this funny). 5. Is your leaving medicine not leaving the sick on the lurch and the profession much poorer? Sticky question, this. I have struggled with the guilt, particularly when one old lady rebuked me and related how she had to be turned back from a hospital and told to come back the next day after hours of queuing because there was a shortage of doctors. My honest answer is I don’t choose what I like or my talents. It is no coincidence. Besides, there is more in a human being that requires healing than just the body. So I have not stopped being a healer. I know for sure that my kind of music feeds the mind and the soul which, if in a good state of health, will beget physical health. I have left medicine for a year: I returned last December simply because my choice to leave completely was unsustainable financially.
LUANGA CHOBA’S Satma Awards poster.
Poster: Supplied
LUANGA CHOBA pictured in Kimberley. So, I do medicine for the love of music, but as a side effect, people’s physical health is enhanced as well in the process. 6. Some of your songs have a mix of Setswana. Would that not be mixed with Motswako hip hop? Not at all. Whereas we all honour the mother tongue, the difference is that I sing. I don’t know many singers who use Setswana idioms, folklore and proverbs at the moment. And I try to sing in as authentic a manner as possible. 7. How/what is the sales of your album up to today? It could be a lot better. I haven’t sold many CDs at all. It has been mainly handing out promotional copies or selling some copies directly as the CD isn’t in stores yet. I’m still looking for a distributor and a much bigger marketing drive. 8. How many CDs have you recorded so far? This is my debut album. I’ll be starting with the recording of my second instalment soon. 9. I hear that you are originally from Kimberley in the Northern Cape. Do you ever mention that to the world out there? Always, especially that I grew up just four houses from Robert Sobukwe’s house in Naledi Street. There’s much to be proud of about my hometown. 10. What role did the Northern Cape play in your decision to take medicine and/or your talent as a musician? I cannot pinpoint any influence from the province regarding taking either of these disciplines. However, I’ve recently noticed the increasing support from Kimberley regarding my album. Teemaneng FM has been very supportive: They play my music and keep a tab on what’s happening with it and they also give me advice and share industry knowledge, so I feel really supported. Some of the newspapers have also been ready to put in an article when there’s a new
Photos: Boipelo Mere
‘My honest answer is I don’t choose what I like or my tal ents. It’s no coincidence. Be sides, there is more in a hu man being that requires healing than just the body. So I have not stopped being a healer.‘ development. The Ivuma Centre and the people of Kimberley are starting to warm up to my sound steadily and all that is encouraging. 11. Would you say that leaving the Northern Cape opened doors for you? I had left the Northern Cape for years since the start of university, then returned to do community service and left again for the United Kingdom, et cetera. I’m unsure if leaving the Northern Cape has influenced what doors opened or not. I’m musically bound and I suspect I would have worked towards getting my music out there wherever I was. I must admit, I have no idea what the experience would have been like recording in Kimberley, whether there are good recording studios available, for example. It is possible that the one door in the North-West that has opened for me is the wealth of the language of Setswana. I feast on it in my work and I intend doing even more songs in Setswana on my next album. 12. How would you rate the future of talented artists based in the Northern Cape so far? Artistic talent in the Northern Cape is much bigger than there are opportunities for the artists to showcase their work, unfortunately. The resources and necessary platforms are also not based in the Northern Cape and I think most provinces apart from the
Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and especially Gauteng bear the same fate of being doomed to a lifetime of invisibility. So it is more about whether or not we know of a particular artist and their work rather than how great their work is. I met some amazing talent at the Heritage Day event at the Ivuma Centre: Spoken word artist Mogale Sedibe really stood out. And we have our very own Kemonna Sereisho who is a great singer. Marketing resources are often the big hindrance to success, in addition to a lack of sound understanding of the business of the arts. I suppose the Arts and Culture Department could do more to facilitate such things as workshops and help create platforms where artists could perform live so as to market and make a living. Artists could also get together and form forums in order to empower themselves and gunner support from stakeholders and people in general. There’s always something that can be done to shift the status quo. 13. How did you feel when you performed at the Galeshewe-based Ivuma Arts Centre on Heritage Day? It was so special. I was all nerves, but I managed to overcome them. I grew up at the venue when it was still a shop called Boikhutso. It was owned by my aunt and her husband. It was very encouraging to be in the midst of such talent as Gontse Wa Chaane and others. The Ivuma Centre has been very supportive and is busy drumming up my music. I feel I am finally beginning to be heard by people I consider my people, the people of Galeshewe. 14. Have you ever performed here before? I performed at the Diamonds and Dorings Festival and Club 129 at the Flamingo Casino before. 15. Tell us more about how you feel after Luanga Who? by Luanga Choba is a Satma 2014 nominee for Best Female Artist and Best Afrosoul Album? It is a remarkable milestone just to be nominated. I worked really hard as a novice artist who a year ago knew nothing about the music industry. So it is an accolade and thumbs-up I do not take for granted in this tough industry where connections and marketing capital separate the known from the unknown artist. Not talent alone. I’m over the moon. I cannot wait to attend the winners’ ceremony on 17 and 18 October. 16. What are your expectations? I wish I could say I’m confident to win, but I don’t see that happening yet. The competition is fierce with branded artists in my categories: There’s Zahara, Naima K and Mma Ausi to name a few. A win would be a welcome surprise, but for now I’m happy with the nomination and it has already begun having an impact in raising my profile and I do expect it will forge platforms for networking and other opportunities as well. Nevertheless, I am aggressively canvassing for votes. It’s a David and Goliath scenario.
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 8 OCTOBER 2014
NEWS
Ticks can make you ill THE Northern Cape Department of Health has issued a statement in an effort of creating awareness of how ticks require blood to survive and will feed on the blood of nearly all animals and human beings. According to the department, the hard and soft eight-legged tick typically attach itself to low bushes and waits for an animal or human to pass. It will climb onto the animal or human and immediately bite through the skin of the host and start to suck blood. This is the stage when diseases can be transmitted from the tick to the host (animal or human). In many instances the bite from a tick is totally painless except for the signs including a reddish bite mark, itchiness, a burning sensation and in some cases severe pain that may be present. Other symptoms that may follow a tick bite are flu-like symptoms like fever, a numb feeling, skin rash, confusion, weakness, pain and swelling of the wrists, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting. These symptoms are reported to normally only appear about one week after the person was bitten by the tick. Ticks can transmit a number of diseases including amongst others Congo fever, tick bite fever and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain cells). In an event when people find ticks on themselves they are advised to remove it without any harm done to it as it may cause further bodily harm by the body parts remaining on the skin. People are further urged to wash their hands and everything that you used to remove the tick thoroughly. You can cover the entire tick with Vaseline or a similar petroleum gel. This will force the tick to detach itself from you, you can brush the tick from your skin. Do not burn or paint the tick when it is still attached to your skin as this may stimulate the tick to produce more harmful substances or germs. Never try to pull the tick in a swift motion from your skin and never crush the tick between your fingers as diseases can be spread in this manner. The department further advised people to clean the bite itself with soap, water and disinfectant and monitor the bite mark for a few days to ensure that no infection had resulted from the tick bite. An antiseptic cream can be applied to the bite mark. This will prevent other infections of the bite mark itself, but will not prevent any diseases that might have been transmitted to the victim. If the person or child that was bitten by a tick develops flu-like symptoms, fever, severe headaches, a sore throat, a skin rash, confusion, weakness, pain and swelling of the wrists, heart palpitations or bleeding then they are advised to visit their nearest clinic or hospital for further treatment.
Attend outreach programme ATTENDING the Domestic Violence Act Educational Outreach Programme organised by the Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison in Ritchie last week were the stakeholders from the left Henry Claasen of the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison (DTSL), Cleopatra Louw of LoveLife Ritchie, Maj. Gen. Jean Abrahams (SAPS), Mpendulo Tawane, the chairperson for the stakeholders forum, Dipuo Anthony (DTSL), Glory Mojaki (DTSL) and Leanda Rustoff (DTSL). Photo: Supplied
Kisha unbeatable in gymnastics
KISHA SAMSON (8) from Kimberley, September’s Sports Star of the Month.
Photo: Supplied
KISHA SAMSON (8), a gr. 2 learner at the Kimberley Junior Primary School, was selected as September’s Express Northern Cape SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the Month for her outstanding skills in rhythmic gymnastics. She has been doing rhythmic gymnastics for the past two and half years and is part of the Rhythmia Gymnastics Club. She is trained by Tazmiah Francis. Kisha has been tested for High Performance 1 this year and was ranked foremost in her division in South Africa. With a total of 52 gymnasts between the ages of 7 and 15 she was ranked 15th within all categories in South Africa. During this year she has also taken part in various competitions that were held in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Kimberley. This little eight-yearold is unbeatable and won all her competitions thus far. She qualified to present the Northern Cape at the South African National Championships to be held in Cape Town from 8 to 12 October at the Good Hope Centre. She says she loves gymnastics. She especially loves wearing the pretty costumes. Her dream is to work hard to represent the Northern Cape and South Africa at the World Championships and at the Olympics one day. There is only one chance left to send your entry for the SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the Month. Nominations for learners are open for children between the ages of 6 and 18. The last winner for October will be chosen after the 15th, thus your entry needs to be received before then. You can send your nomination to supersport@zpr.co.za or fax it to 086-552-4922. For more information, contact Lynne or Juanré at Z PR on 051-522-9574.
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 8 OCTOBER 2014
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NEWS
No more devils in the hostel } Boipelo Mere “I WILL do everything in my power to support my son in what he is doing, be it financially or otherwise”. That is what Sibongile Mfulo (34) said with tears in her eyes after one of the great daily gumboot dance practices at the Galeshewe Hostels. She is amongst the hostel residents who will drop everything, including watching their favourite afternoon soapie, to watch the Kgatopele Youth Group perform on the stoep. The stoep, which is a patch of cement inside the hostels, is used by the youth group to practise the gumboot dance. “My children have both changed for the better.” Referring to her 14-year-old Vuyo and 10-year-old Mandisa, she mentioned how they were now always looking forward to finishing their homework and chores in time to attend the gumboot dance. She has new hope for her children as the fear of her son joining the notorious Devils Best Child (DBC) gang and others who hang around the hostels who endanger her children’s lives, has eased. The youth and parents are waiting at their doorsteps daily to see the dance tutor John Ntihelang make his way to the stoep. That is when you see the family members emerging from their homes like bees from a hive, excitedly making their way to the stoep, carrying the babies and leading other toddlers. Whoever speaks about Ntihelang in the hostels, including in the nearby location of Vergenoeg, brightens up in their face. He was seen on stage performing as a dancer with DJ Vetkoek during the national Youth Day event on 16 June where the deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa, delivered the keynote address. He further revealed that his passion for dancing went as far as the years when he had been a dancer for Trompies and Mahoota. The children group themselves into four groups of different ages in order to practise freely under the watchful eye of their tutor. They are not even bothered by the fact that the more than 50 performers only have one pair of boots to share amongst themselves. His heroic interventions in curbing crime as gangsterism has spread throughout that part of Galeshewe (Vergenoeg). Speaking to him, he said all he wanted was to make the hostels a better place to
live in. He expressed to Express Northern Cape how the heart of the youth was in what they did, apart from the fact that they had no materials to use. “This way we will be able to do away with the hostels’ bad reputation of gangsterism. We want to make it a good environment to live in. “It is true that gangsterism occurs here daily. The naughty boys use this as their hideout place and wait on recruiting other youths to join them in their notorious activities,” he said. According to Ntihelang, who works as a grading technician, he has already managed to recruit some of the notorious DBC gang members who decided to join his group in an effort to rehabilitate themselves. He added that the members were honest and that they had joined in the criminal activities due to a lack of extra mural activities. “No more devils in the hostel. There is no place for them. “We have members from different gangs. Those are talented young people that can become famous for different reasons as we are aiming big, that is only if we can get sponsorships for uniforms. We need Makarapas, gumboots and T-shirts,” he added. Ntihelang said he went beyond the call of dancing. He holds sessions with some of the group members where they share ideas as an intervention effort for drug abuse and gangsterism. He also aims to expose the group’s talent by performing at local events for them to get exposure and enter national talent shows and competitions. Anyone who can assist the Kgatopele Youth Group at the Galeshewe Hostels can contact John Ntihelang on 071-926-9444. They are also available for bookings at local events. As a continuation of this article, in the next edition Express Northern Cape will publish interviews with some of the gang members and reveal more. Got to our website www.expressnews.co.za for the video.
“This way we will be able to do away with the hos tels’ bad reputation of gangsterism. We want to make it a good environment to live in.” – John Ntihelang
THE Kgatopele Youth Group at the Galeshewe Hostels needs assistance to showcase their talent. Photo: Boipelo Mere
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 8 OCTOBER 2014
FROM the left are 2014 Kimberley Diamond Cup Championship’s top five street skaters Nassim Guammaz, Louie Lopez, world champion Kelvin Hoefler, Tommy Fynn and Nyjah Huston.
Organisers proud of cup
Photo: Rudi Jegglepplied
THE ORGANISERS of the 2014 Kimberley Diamond Cup Skateboarding World Championship presented by Kumba Iron Ore are satisfied with the event over the weekend. According to them, the championship concluded in dramatic fashion on Sunday during an all-out battle in the street championship semi-finals with Nyjah Huston ousted in the first round by the Netherlands’ Nassim Guammaz. Guammaz lost to Brazilian Kevin Hoefler in the third round. Hoefler then went to battle with South African-born Aussie Tommy Fynn in the finals. In a nail-biting heat which had the crowd on their feet, Hoefler put on an exceptional display to edge Fynn out and take the world title and the top prize of US$100 000 (more than R1 million). “I can’t find the words. This is so great,” said Hoefler. “The first time I came to South Africa I made it to the final 12 and I promised myself that I’ll make it onto the podium this year. I never expected to win and am very happy and excited. This was amazing.” The top-12 skaters in the finals represented seven countries and expectations were high that the Americans like Huston, Louie Lopez, Matt Berger, Tyson Bowerbank and Jereme Knibbs would dominate. But it was the international roster of talent that owned the day with Hoefler and Fynn topping Americans Lopez and Huston. It was heartbreak for South African skater Dlamini Dlamini when he broke his board in
his first round against Canadian Micky Papa, which scuppered his chances of advancing to the next round. The 13-year-old American Alana Smith also made history when she joined the men to compete as the sole female skater in the Big Air Best Trick contest. Smith attempted a backflip over the gap several times before finally nailing it with just minutes to go in the session. She became the first female skateboarder to complete a backflip over the mini mega gap. The chart-topping American rapper Lil Jon stayed for the finals after performing for a sold out crowd at the Kumba Skate Plaza on Saturday. He watched all the action of the finals from the street course where he
cheered on the pros and sprayed champagne on the winners during the awards ceremony. Sunday also featured the South African Championships and South African Youth Championships (ages 16 and younger). The 16-year-old Brandon Valjalo from Johannesburg skated his heart out. “The extent of the international participation in this event has made history around the world,” said Tim McFerran, CEO of the World Skateboarding Grand Prix. “We had an incredible level of talent displayed here with so many countries represented. It will certainly go down in the record books as one of the best contests of all time.” According to MEC John Block of the
‘We have seen participants from 37 differ ent countries travelling to the Northern Cape to be part of this extraordinary expe rience. The event has shown significant growth and we are immensely proud of what we have achieved here.’ – MEC John Block
Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the Kimberley Diamond Cup Championship has definitely confirmed its position as a global brand. “We have seen participants from 37 different countries travelling to the Northern Cape to be part of this extraordinary experience. The event has shown significant growth and we’re proud of what we have achieved. We were especially pleased to have added components that gave female skateboarders the chance to showcase their skills as the provincial government feels particularly strongly about promoting gender equality and creating opportunities for women to take their rightful place in society,” said Block.