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Taxi war looming } Boipelo Mere
LESANG LEKWENE, a driver of the Central Business District Taxi Association (CBDTA), was almost killed by a group of men he identified as thugs, while transporting commuters from the Northern Cape Mall to the Diamond Pavilion on Friday morning (13/02). With his passengers, he had to flee in fear of being injured by these assailants. Lekwene alleged he had to jump out of the driver’s seat and run for his life when he was abruptly cut off by two Quantum taxis, one in front and one behind him. “I realised I was in trouble when armed men jumped from the other taxis. Luckily the commuters and I got away, but I cannot say the same about my taxi. It was badly damaged,” he said after he had given his statement to the police. Security officers at the Spar Horseshoe Shopping Complex said they had to stop the group. “I have never seen those taxi operators before. They looked like tsotsis, armed with pangas and hockey sticks, they were gunning for that man’s blood. We tried to reason with them, and they took their anger out on the taxi, broke the mirrors, lights and punctured the tyres,” said the security officer who did not want to be named. The attack was reportedly a continuation of the violent confrontation that had taken place on Thursday (12/02) between the CBDTA and the Thusano Taxi Association (TTA) operating at the Kasi Mall on routes in Kimberley. According to witnesses and the police, the violence resulted in stabbings and damage to taxis and continued throughout the weekend. CBDTA members accused the TTA of transgression in terms of utilisation of routes and of ferrying gangsters in their taxis to intimidate others. According to the CBDTA, the TTA taxis reportedly collected commuters randomly, ignoring the routes as stated in their operating licence. Zwai Geco, a taxi owner, said the violence was faction-related, going back more than six years. “The violence dates back years and will continue where the Kasi Mall operators are not using the routes properly. It is a pity that the association’s new board is not yet well informed. We have a paper trail of this,” said Geco. Lungile Laat, the TTA taxi marshal, attested to that and argued that they had been sticking to their routes as stated in their operating licences. “It is true that this fight comes a long
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CASES of malicious damage to property have been opened at the Kimberley Police Station after tyres on taxis were slashed and mirrors and lights broken. Photos: Boipelo Mere way. They (CBDTA) are the ones who keep on intimidating us, because they want us to drop off the commuters at the taxi rank while we have permission to transport them from the location to the mall and vice versa. They have realised that the commuters travelling to the mall prefer us because instead of spending almost R200, they only spend R100 a week to go to work,” said Laat. According to him, they have opened many cases of intimidation and damage to property, but were not informed of the progress. “We have not been taking passengers from the Pavilion Mall as they are against it, and want us to return to the township with empty taxis. This has resulted in workers having to walk from the mall to the taxi rank.” The Kimberley police said they had made three arrests. Laat said the perpetrators had been released on free bail until their next court appearance on 12 March. Lt Andrea Cloete of the Kimberley SAPS said cases of grievous bodily harm (GBH) and malicious damage to property had been opened and the police were called in to assist after an argument had erupted between taxi drivers from different taxi ranks. “The situation was tense when the police arrived at the scene and the police had to intervene. One common assault case was opened against two police members and IPID is investigating,” Cloete concluded.
SOME taxi operators were arrested at the North Cape Mall.
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2015
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University geared for development } Boipelo Mere
STAKEHOLDERS attending Monday’s (16/02) symposium at the Sol Plaatje University. Photos: Boipelo Mere
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THE time has come for the Sol Plaatje University to gear up to be part of the economic development of the province through the tripple-helix intervention. Prof. Yunus Ballim, acting vice-chancellor of the university, has highlighted that it should be an integral part of the university to impact positively in the economic life of the city, as it offers employment and other economic spin-offs. He stated his views during a recent symposium on the knowledge of economy and innovation between the Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the Sol Plaatje University. The department has for many years pursued the formulation of a Northern Cape Information Society Strategy (NCISS) to transition the Northern Cape into a knowledge-based economy. The symposium was one of the numerous events to achieve this. After the introduction of the concepts of the knowledge economy and innovation with regards to the impact information and communications technologies (ICTs) and innovative research have in society and the economy, a working group to complete a situation analysis of the current status of ICTs and advanced technologies in the province has to be formed. The group should be able to compare and contrast this with the situation in South Africa and identify key issues that need to be addressed to advance the provincial economy in the digital era. Ballim said the symposium was part of the economic development strategy to introduce even a small business entrepreneur to the advantages of using technology. The Sol Plaatje University will henceforth introduce short courses to the wider community. Rodwyn Grewan, the senior manager for the Northern Cape Information Society in the department, said their involvement in the symposium stems from the ICT and green economy forming part of the national development plan. Professor Lucy Abrahams, director of learning, information, networking and knowledge (Link) at the Wits University, lauded the Northern Cape as being at the forefront of technology with its solar and wind power systems. Only skills development on a massive scale was lacking, she said.
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Sansa is making science fun } Boipelo Mere
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IT may have looked like a blindfolded game that Tsholofelo Lekoalo (10) was playing with his schoolmates, but it was not. It was the South African National Space Agency’s (Sansa) way of making science fun to learners under the International Year of Light concept. Through the goggles that he was wearing, it seemed to Lekoalo that he was actually positioned upside down while walking in the makeshift path at the Sansa stall. According to Elisa Fraser, Science Advancement manager at Sansa, exhibitions like these help learners to determine whether they may have a future in science. Sansa was amongst the companies that put up stalls during the annual SciencetuBe Festival aimed at giving an opportunity to learners of all ages to take part in science, engineering and technology. Funded by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (Saasta), the festival was hosted by the Northern Cape Department of Education at the Mayibuye Centre in Galeshewe. Hosted under the theme Breaking borders between science and the community by rebuilding a culture of learning beyond limits, state-of the art technologies and exhibitions including a wide variety of hands-on
‘Learners were amazing and par ticipated in the tests of thinking outside the box.’ – Elisa Fraser programmes were featured to allow participants to experience science first-hand. Sansa officials were pleased with the amount of interest shown by learners. “This shows our progress in exciting the minds of the next generation of space scientists,” Fraser said. They only targeted gr. 4 to gr. 6 learners, but those in high school grades also showed interest. Her colleague Thandile Buntu described the festival as an incredible experience. “Learners were amazing and participated in the tests of thinking outside the box. We were mostly engaging them in talks about space and earth operations. We tried to combine everything,” he said. “They wanted to know about the Square Kilometre Array-project (SKA) and the sun and institutions where they can study. This was my first visit to the Northern Cape and they made sure they informed me about the new Sol Plaatje University (SPU).” ) More pictures and video at www.express-news.co.za.
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2015
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NEWS
Tlotlo geniet jaar in Amerika André Botha
THE provincial president of Afasa, Sehularo Sehularo. Photo: Boipelo Mere
“EK wou die regte Amerika leer ken, nie die een op TV nie.” Só gesels Tlotlo Lesetedi, ’n gr. 12-leerling aan die Hoërskool Noord-Kaap, oor sy ervaring toe hy ’n jaar in Amerika as uitruilstudent deurgebring het. Hy sê toe hy die geleentheid gekry het om as uitruilstudent oorsee te gaan kon hy uit ses lande kies. Hy het egter nie veel van die ander lande geweet nie en het daarom Amerika gekies.
Sy belangstelling is geprikkel toe hy op ’n Rotary Interact-konferensie ’n uitruilstudent van Denemarke ontmoet het en hulle vriende geword het. Sy tuisdorp ten tyde van sy verblyf in Amerika was Owatonna, ’n dorp met sowat 25 000 inwoners. Hy sê hy het maklik ingepas. Dit is ’n kleinerige dorp en die inwoners het hom vriendelik verwelkom. “Amerika is nie so glansryk soos almal dink nie,” sê hy. “Ek het baie oor myself geleer. Ek het geleer daar is altyd ’n
ander hoek om na dinge te kyk.” Hy is geensins spyt dat hy ’n skooljaar gemis het nie. “Dit was absoluut die moeite werd. Ek het so baie geleer buite gewone onderwys.” Met sy aankoms het hy besef alles is weg: sy ondersteuningstelsel, kultuur en selfs taal. “Jy moet dit omhels en met die gemeenskap een word.” Dit was uiteindelik amper moeiliker om terug te kom as wat dit was om te gaan. Dit was ’n kultuurskok na albei kante toe, sê hy.
TLOTLO LESETEDI Foto: André Botha
Farmers to get training } Boipelo Mere THE African Farmers Association of South Africa (Afasa) will intensify its efforts to shift local farmers from subsistance to commercial farming. According to Afasa, this will be achieved through training, including changing the farmers’ mindset from depending on handouts to making a decent profit. “We want them to be in the value production chain where they produce until they reach consumers with all their commodities, including poultry, piggery and crop farming. “They have to add value to what they produce and supply to bigger stores, whom we are in negotiations with,” provincial president of Afasa, Sehularo Sehularo, said in an interview with Express Northern Cape. He said that the Agricultural Research Council was prepared to give training to farmers in addition to the training by GWK which was in process in the Dikgatlong and Phokwane Municipalities. Sehularo further urged farmers to attend the upcoming training courses with different stakeholders, including the Departments of Home Affairs and Labour. “We are aware that farmers do not know the legal routes to employ foreigners. We will also empower them with the knowledge of compensation.” According to Sehularo, the association is currently participating in different stakeholder forums like water affairs, district land committees, annual health and stock theft committees and the vulnerable workers forum. “We urge our members to participate in these forums because decisions are taken on their behalf during meetings.” Sehularo highlighted that women and youths were given priority in terms of training and monitoring in Afasa as they were mostly farmers on a subsistance scale. He added that the workshops, aimed at creating opportunities for women and youths, were scheduled to start on 3 March. “We will also engage the National Youth Development Agency in these training sessions.” Sehularo encourages female farmers to enter the Women Entrepreneur of the Year Competition. Strengthening local branches in order to sustain the farmers and the flow of communication was also put in the spotlight. “We will soon be having our district elective conference where each district will host its own election. “We would love for every member to have a say and participate. The date will be communicated through the media in due course.” He said Afasa was expected to submit a list of 40 black farmers, whom Standard Bank would take on a mentoring course. “The beneficiaries will be identified and I want women to dominate in that group,” Sehularo said. He encourages youths to take up agriculture as a career in order to create jobs. “If you are a farmer you create jobs, you are an employer and a food producer. Know that the country depends on you to employ and produce food,” Sehularo concluded.
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NEWS
Look out for BIBI designs } Boipelo Mere SPENDING most of his high school life fending for himself was a way of learning about life itself for Thabiso Kekgopilwe (20) from Galeshewe. When he turns 21 in August, he will be able to design his own 21st birthday party outfit all the way down to his shoes. He has shown talent as a fashion designer from a young age. This passionate designer never received any formal training in fashion design or dressmaking, yet launched his second range of clothing during the recent Umswenko Youth Talent Show at the RC Elliot Hall in Galeshewe. Kekgopilwe did not want to be misquoted as saying his family had not taken care of him, but he and his friend Zandile Moseki saw themselves as poor. They therefore came up with the initiative of doing odd jobs in and around Galeshewe during school holidays and over weekends. In this way he could also give his mom the opportunity to have enough to raise his two younger sisters. He also has two older brothers from his father’s side. They passed away when he was a baby, resulting in his aunts lending a helping hand in his upbringing. Kekgopilwe has always had an eye and passion for beautiful clothes. He, therefore, decided to use his aunt’s old sewing machine to alter clothes after matriculating. “I never took the instruction from my family to go and look for a job because I believed in my talent. Even though some of my family doubted me, I strove towards doing what I love.” The family later accepted his decision and encouraged him to pursue his dreams. Using the old sewing machine from his aunt, he made his first trousers in 2012 and wore it with pride for everyone to see. “My friends could not stop asking me about my pants, but I did not care, because I was aware that I had not designed it perfectly,” he said laughing. “But that was a learning curve for me.” He revealed how the experience had motivated him more and made him a risk-taker. This young designer would love to end up like his role model, the top fashion designer David Tlale. “In 2013 my parents advised me to move to Warrenton for a while for fear of me becoming involved in gangsterism-related activities that had escalated in my area,” he said. “Well, that was a push in the right direction for me, because I got the chance to concentrate on my passion.” Being close to his grandmother, he sometimes accompanied her to her workplace in Warrenton where he would spend the day sitting next to the manager admiring her skill at making clothes. “The boss started liking me and even allowed me to start using her machine whenever I needed to. Eventually, people started giving me their clothes to repair for a small fee. “That is where I got my first serious order to design traditional tops for a group of groomsmen which turned out perfectly. “Because I knew I had absolutely
‘I never took the instruction from my family to go and look for a job because I believed in my talent. Even though some of my family doubted me, I strove towards doing what I love.’ X Thabiso Kekgopilwe
THABISO KEKGOPILWE (20) happily at work in his design studio.
Photos: Supplied
no formal training,” he said. “My customers’ satisfaction with their clothes gave me confidence and motivated me so much that I marketed my label, BIBI, and started getting orders from churches and parties. “I have a market already and have a few places that I can ask for advice when I am in need of it.” Thabiso said he was planning to enrol in a dressmaking and design course in Bloemfontein in June. He also aims to buy an overlocker with the money that he had raised. “I am lucky to have realised my passion at such a young age instead of wasting my time. “I also plan to have my own shoe label soon,” he added, proudly showing off his first pair of branded shoes. Thabiso’s future plans include opening a dressmaking and designer school in order to create jobs and empower the youth of South Africa with their fashion and modelling skills. He said he had been motivated by his aunt, Kenalemang Steenkamp, who had a décor and catering company, to invest in everything that he wanted. That is also how he started feeling independent after school. Thabiso’s uncle, Gopolang Kekgopilwe, is very proud. “We left him to explore himself. I would really love to see him achieve more and get training.” His aunt, Veronica Molutsi, said they dit not know where his talent had come from, but that they were proud of him because it kept him from doing bad things. A neighbour of the Seleho family jokingly said that Kekgopilwe “still owes me a seshweshwe”. “We are so proud of him because
he does it single-handedly. “This young man has no stress because he loves BIBI. We really keep on encouraging him to go for training.”
ONE of Thabiso Kekgopilwe’s modern designs.
THABISO KEKGOPILWE (in the middle), proudly walking down the ramp with models during the launch of his second designer range. Photos: Boipelo Mere
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2015
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NEWS
Historiese Moffat-kerk gerestoureer V Charné Kemp
VIER jaar nadat die eerste balke in die historiese Moffat-sendingkerk gebreek en die grasdak op plekke begin insak het, het herstelwerk onlangs daaraan begin. Drie geboue op die terrein sal in die volgende maande reggemaak word. Colin Fortune, erfenisbewaringskonsultant, sal die werk moniteer. Dié projek lê hom na aan die hart. Die bekende sendeling Robert Moffat het die kerk in 1829 begin bou en in 1838 voltooi. Ander geboue het ook later bygekom. “Die tuin rondom die geboue sal skoongemaak word en uitheemse seringbome en ander bosse sal afgekap word. Die geskiedkundige seringbome langs die leivoor wat van Die Oog in Kuruman af kom, sal behou word. In die geskiedkundige begraafplaas is grafte van sendelinge, kerkwerkers en gestorwenes uit die Anglo-Boereoorlog.”
Fortune sê skade wat deur vog en insekte veroorsaak is, het balke en die grasdak laat meegee. “Die insekte vreet die hout tot poeier. Dit kan nie meer die gewig van die gras en riet dra nie en knak maklik. “Reënwater en vog het in die mure gesypel. Swak dreinering het ook vog in fondamente en mure laat intrek.” Die kerk is weens die moontlike gevare van die wankelende dak vir toeriste gesluit. Fortune sê al die dakkappe gaan vervang word. Die oues sal in plek bly sodat besoekers steeds kan sien hoe die ou balke gelyk het. Plekke waar dit met staalstukke, houtspykers en leerrieme in plek gehou is, sal behoue bly. “Gras en dekriet en die waterpypleiding sal ook vervang word om fondamente en mure teen water te beskerm,” sê Fortune. “Dié terrein is reeds 200 jaar gelede deur die Londense Sendinggenootskap vir sendingwerk gebruik.” Eerw. Kudzani Ndebele, direkteur van die United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) wat nou die terrein en geboue besit, is baie opgewonde dat die kerk
COLIN FORTUNE wys hoe hout deur houtkewers vernietig word. Dit is soortgelyk aan die skade wat aan die dakbalke van die Moffatsendingkerk aangerig is. Die hout verkrummel tot poeier. Foto: Emile Hendricks
nuwe lewe gaan kry ’n jaar voor die 200-jaarviering van die terrein. “Ons wil die sendingstasie tot sy eertydse glorie herstel. Ons is baie dankbaar vir die Lotto-skenking wat die projek moontlik gemaak het. Ons moet egter nog geld kry om die museum besoekersvriendelik en modern te maak.” Die ander geboue wat binnekort herstel sal word, is die ou pastorie en die Hamiltonhuis. Die bekende ontdekkingsreisiger David Livingstone het Mary Moffat, dogter van Robert Moffat, hier om haar hand gevra. Die eerste Bybel is hier in Tswana vertaal en gedruk (nog voordat die Bybel in Afrikaans vertaal is). Die drukker waarmee meer as 100 publikasies gedruk is, is steeds in die skoolgebou langs die kerk te vinde. Die sendingstasie het duisende Tswanakinders leer lees en skryf en ook mense tot die Christendom bekeer. Die sendelinge en werkers het landbou gevestig en het leivore van 4 km uit klei gebou van Die Oog in Kuruman (wat 18 miljoen liter water per dag uitspoeg) af na die landerye om die sendingstasie.
NOG skade wat deur insekte en vog aan die Moffat-sendingstasie in Kuruman se dakbalke veroorsaak is. Dié skade veroorsaak dat dakbalke broos is en maklik inmekaar kan sak. Foto: Verskaf
SKADE wat deur insekte en vog aan die Moffat-sendingstasie in Kuruman se dakbalke veroorsaak is. Foto: Verskaf
GA-SEGONYANA LOCAL MUNICIPALTY
MANGANESE
ASSMANG Ltd – Manganese Division requires the services of the following individuals at their Black Rock Mine Operations, situated 80km northwest of Kuruman in the Northern Cape:
BLACK ROCK MINE OPERATIONS
PERSONAL ASSISTANT (GENERAL MANAGER) (C1 Paterson Grading)
Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: • Rendering professional support services • Performing liaison, coordination and organisational tasks in support of managers • Rendering administrative support. Minimum requirements: • Grade 12/Standard 10 • Certificate: Office Administration (alternative) • Minimum of 5-7 years’ experience in documentation control, reception and/or personal assistant work at Management level • Computer literacy (Microsoft Office). Interested applicants are requested to submit their CVs with certified copies of qualifications to Nocwaka Xeketwana at fax: 086 224 8313 or e-mail: recruitment6@brmo.co.za
ADMINISTRATOR TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION (C1 Paterson Grading)
Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: • Rendering professional support services • Performing liaison, coordination and organisational tasks in support of Managers. Minimum requirements: • Grade 12/Standard 10 • Certificate: Office Administration (alternative) • Valid Code B/EB driver’s licence • Minimum of 5 years’ administrative experience • Minimum of 3 years’ experience in travel, accommodation and guesthouse reservations coordination and administration • Computer literacy (Microsoft Office). Interested applicants are requested to submit their CVs with certified copies of qualifications to Christel Hendricks at fax: 086 224 8315 or e-mail: recruitment9@brmo.co.za The candidates will be appointed on the condition of being certified medically fit as per the Mine Health and Safety Act, 29/1996. Preference will be given to applicants from previously disadvantaged groups to support the company’s employment equity plan. Remuneration: Remuneration will be based on a competitive all-inclusive flexible package. The successful candidates that conform to all said requirements and experience will be appointed on this grading. Candidates that do not conform to all set requirements and experience will be considered only if suitable candidates that do comply cannot be selected and only if the requirements of the position support a developmental appointment according to policy. Please be advised that short-listed candidates will be required to authenticate information provided in CVs. Applications close on 27 February 2015. Late applications will not be entertained. If you have not been contacted within 21 days of the closing date, please consider your application to be unsuccessful. Correspondence will only be limited to short-listed candidates. Assmang Limited reserves the right not to appoint. www.humanjobs.co.za
Human Communications 116255
Sanitation Programme CONTRACT NO 12/2014-15 CONSTRUCTION OF MARUPING SANITATION
TENDER NOTICE AND INVITATION TO TENDER Tenders are invited for the construction of 300 double pit, lined VIP's for Maruping. It is estimated that tenderers should have a CIDB contractor grading of 6CE/6GB or higher. Evaluation criteria will be based on a 90/10 points system where the 10 points will be awarded for BBBEE status Level of Contribution as per table included in the Tender document. Tender documents will be available on Friday, 27 February 2015 at 12:00 noon from: Ga-Segonyana Local Municipality Corner Voortrekker and School Streets KURUMAN 8460 Tel. 053 712 9305 A non-refundable deposit of R500,00 will be charged for each set of documents issued. All payments and deposits are to be made in the currency of the Republic of South Africa. Bank-guaranteed cheques are to be made payable to the Ga-Segonyana Local Municipality. Tenders close on Tuesday, 24 March 2015 at 12:00. Particulars regarding the submission of tenders appear in Part T1.2 Volume 1 of the tender document. Sealed tenders must be placed in the tender box in the foyer of Ga-Segonyana Local Municipality, corner Voortrekker and School Street, Kuruman and no tenders will be accepted after the closing time or per facsimile or per e-mail. A compulsory site visit and clarification meeting will be held on Wednesday, 4 March 2015 at 10:00. Tenderers are requested to meet the Engineer in the Banquette Hall of Ga-Segonyana Local Municipality (No documents will be available at the site visit or clarification meeting). Ga-Segonyana Local Municipality does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender and reserves the right to accept any tender in whole or in part. Enquiries relating to this tender should be address to Mr M Pretorius at the Mafikeng Office of BIGEN AFRICA Services (Pty) Ltd. Tel. 018 386 2111. Fax: 018 386 3031. E-mail: marthinus.pretorius@bigenafrica.com Mr G E Ntefang Municipal Manager X1PR6J69-NE180215
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2015
NEWS
Education important to mine THE Anglo American Kumba Iron Ore Social and Community Strategy is reported to continue its emphasis on addressing the gaps in the key focus areas of education and skills, youth development, health and social enterprise and infrastructure development. According to the mine, education remains its key focus area as it serves as a platform to transform the lives of young people and a start to make positive social change in and around communities. The Kolomela Mine further reports to have made a significant contribution to the local and regional economies improving the lives of ordinary people through working hand in hand with government and civil society. In a press release through its communications practitioner, Cindy Ramnarayan, the Kolomela Mine reported to have donated more than 700 school bags to foundation phase learners in and around the Tsantsabane area. “In 2014, Kumba spent more than R40 million in community development programmes of which the Asmandia gr. R school bags being handed over this year are part of the funds which formed part of Kumba’s 2013 social budget. “In 2014 the Education Baseline Assessment formed part of the planned budget spend,” stated Ramnarayan. George Benjamin, manager: Public Affairs at the Kolomela Mine, highlighted that the Education Baseline Assessment was designed with recommendations to address education in Tsantsabane. He added that the rationale behind the model was to provide a baseline on where Kumba should address current needs and to assist with future planning. “The drop in the iron ore price is putting strain on Kumba, having to
SOME foundation phase learners of schools in the Tsantsabane area who benefitted from the school bags. reconsider where and how we invest. However, despite the drop in the iron ore price, we are fortunate that this year we can still donate the school bags to the children,” added Benjamin. In expressing her gratitude toward that
donation, Mpho Thuto, principal of Agang Thuto, said: “We would like to thank the Kolomela Mine for their focus on education and for visiting us again this year. I would especially like to thank Kumba for the donation that they gave us, the funds
Photo: Supplied
were used to load software on the computer which assists us to run the school from day to day.” She further added: “You are a dedicated team that always sees to it that improvement and progress in education are made.”
SPORTS NEWS
Mainstay motivated } Boipelo Mere
FANS of Mainstay United filled the stadium during the team’s recent matches. Photo: Supplied
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO
For more news and photos go to www.express-news.co.za.
APPLY IN TERMS OF NC LIQUOR ACT 2008 SECTION 20 OF THE ACT FOR A LICENCE. 1. Sol Plaatje Municipality 2. Stander-Atiaan,Johann 10 Steenberg Ave Royldene Kimberley 8301 3. Guesthouse Liquor Licence 4. All kinds 5. Royl Court Guesthouse, Erf 15000,12Constantia Ave and adjacent erf 34454,10Steenberg ave, Roylglen,Kimberley 6. Section 4(5)(a) To Sell newspapers, light refresments and smokers requisites X1PQYPPM-NK180215
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THE Mainstay United Football Club from Kalksloot near Upington promises to do its best to erase the 24-0 humiliation suffered by the Powerlines Football Club against Mamelodi Sundowns in the last-32 Nedbank Cup game played in 2012 in the GWK Stadium, Kimberley. Although the spirit of the community and the players were dampened by the sad news that the game between Mainstay United and Ajax Cape Town would be moved to Kimberley, they promise to do well nevertheless. The PSL inspection team reportedly made the announcement two weeks ago that the PSL and Safa had decided that a game of this calibre could not be played on a pitch that was not up to scratch. Luxolo September of the PSL media relations confirmed the announcement and that the game was moved to Kimberley due to the condition of the pitch. “The pitch was not playable at all. As much as we really wanted to take the game to the Upington community, that was the only option we had. We, however, apologise to the people of Upington for the inconvenience caused,” added September. Jerome Sauls, team manager, said he would deliver on his promise to quench the winning thirst of the people of the Northern Cape by the team giving their all in the tournament. Galiel Peluan, team coach, is concerned that the decision about the venue for the game has hindered the team’s preparations. He admitted that this meant they would use all the assistance they could get to promote the game in Kimberley. “Our supporters are our strong point as a team and now some of the supporters stand the chance of not attending the game due to finance,” Peluan said. “We will do our best to recruit supporters to attend the game, but given the time of the month and year, we cannot expect everyone to have money to travel. Thus we will really appreciate it if we can be assisted to transport the fans to Kimberley for free.” According to Sauls, they are eager to continue making history as it is the second time that they qualified for the Nedbank Cup. “We are ready to make a good name for ourselves, because we are a small team from a small town that is compared to a
village, 12 km from Upington on the way to Namakwa,” said Sauls. “It is a great achievement to be among the 32 best teams in South Africa. We made history as an amateur SAB league team to reach the Nedbank Cup for the second time.” He said the decision to move the game had hit the team hard and taken their pride away of bringing a big team such as Ajax Cape Town to the bundus in Upington. “The demand to see the players such as Rivaldo Coetzee in person is high amongst the fans. It would have been a privilege to see them play live.” Sauls continued to highlight their need of support to market the game from scratch in Kimberley as they would need to travel in time to prepare. He thanked the Gouws brothers of the Kwikspar in Upington for their support towards the team. “Everytime we run to them for support, they open their arms.” It is still unclear as to how the Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture will be assisting the team in preparing for the game in Kimberley. Through a press statement, Conrad Fortune, the ministerial spokesperson, encouraged and mobilised the football fraternity to support the event in numbers. “On behalf of the provincial government of the Northern Cape, Lebogang Motlhaping, the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, would like to take this opportunity to welcome the soccer players, coaching staff and management of both Mainstay United and Ajax Cape Town to Kimberley,” reads the statement. “It is indeed a great honour and privilege for Kimberley to host a soccer game of this magnitude. “We hope that both teams enjoy their stay and that they are exposed to the true hospitality and friendliness of the people of Kimberley. “We are appealing to the people of Kimberley (parents, children and soccer lovers) to come out in their masses to attend the game and support Mainstay United. This is an opportunity where families can come out together and enjoy the soccer and atmosphere that will be on display. It is also an opportunity where social cohesion and nation building can be advanced and promoted as sport plays a fundamental role in achieving this.”
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2015
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NEWS
Grants benefit SMMEs
CHAOS! The State of the Nation Address by President Jacob Zuma was interrupted by members of the EFF and security was called in. EFF members of parliament were forcibly removed from the national assembly. Photo: Lerato Maduna
Whose State of the Nation Address is it anyway? SOUTH AFRICA as a nation is not in an entirely bad state, but certainly not in a good state. Since 1994 as the new political leaders came into power, the state of our nation has been that of “bietjie bietjie maak baie”. To date, many South Africans have been wondering with a deep sense of concern why every president continues to deliver a State of the Nation Address that says nothing of substance about the state of the citizens in a free and democratic country like ours. Many like me who have been at great pains to want to understand and simplify the State of the Nation, have been left to wonder with great concern that all the presidents since 1994 have said things that do not reflect the reality of our nation. Every year a new theme is adopted; every year there is great emphasis on the acceleration of service delivery; every year there is great emphasis on busting corruption; every year there is great emphasis on the improvement of education; every year there is great emphasis on increasing the number of entrepreneurs; every year there is great emphasis on reducing crime and abuse; and every year since 1994 the words in the prepared script of the SONA are given more firepower in order to encourage people to continue holding on to hope. The president must know that some of the same things can be said a lot of times with new words and vigour, but to continue saying the same things to the same people will at some point mean nothing at all. Perhaps, Mr President, now is the time that you listen to the actual state of the nation through the mouths and experiences of those representing the nation. The state of the nation since 1994 has been that white people continue to live a prosperous life; the state of our nation has been that black young people contin-
My view
Themba Vryman
Social Activist
ue to be drop-outs at school and having a very bleak future indeed. The state of the nation, Mr President, is that to some villagers in Libode in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape electricity is still a wild dream, in Jozini also, Mr President, at a place called Hlalanathi the moon and the sun are the only lights people know. Mr President, whose State of the Nation Address is it anyway? When we still continue to have farms called Kaffirfontein in Steynsrus? Surely, Mr President, the State of the Nation Address is not directed at us when up to today we continue to have street kids roaming the streets of Johannesburg and Welkom without any concerted effort from the state to help them. We have heard from the Auditor-General, Mr President, that over R60 billion is unaccounted for as a result of people being unaccountable in service of the republic. Mr President, if the State of the Nation Address was a true reflection of our living conditions, we would never even bother to disturb you. But we are forced to disturb you, Mr President, because we want to know whose State of the Nation Address is it anyway that you, Mr President, and all those who came before you, reflect on. Mr President, we believe that it is high time that the State of the Nation Address is told as it is, including the issues of poverty, crime, no electricity, unemployed youths, corrupt black people, corrupt white people, companies that continue to see black people as nothing but working
tools, and service delivery that is of poor quality Mr President, you are becoming old and many of the current national leadership are old too. At some point we will have to take power as the rightful heirs of this God-given land. The work we will do, will give us the opportunity to change our own living conditions. We are going to show that your legacy – and those that came before you – was nothing but a slow period of development and empowerment. Because a lot of things, Mr President, are going to drastically change for the better. We advise you that for now, because you still have the opportunity, to leave the state of the nation in a good way; we urge you to vigorously achieve that mission in your lifetime of truly accelerating the efforts to change the lives of the majority of citizens for the better. Our patience, Mr President, has run out. We live every day seeking to change this sad state of our nation and the time will come when everyone has been mobilised. When that process has been completed, we shall rise up to get back our power that we voluntarily gave to you and those who came before you in every election since 1994. Then the people’s power shall revert back to the rightful owners which are the people themselves. The people will determine their own future, craft their destiny and consolidate their determination to truly achieve a society of prosperity and better living conditions. We shall ask again, Mr President, whose State of the Nation Address is it anyway? ) Send your contribution for this column, of no more than 500 words, to jabulani.dlamini@volksblad.com, as well as a head and shoulders shot of the writer.
FOUR local SMMEs are reported to have directly benefitted from the Droogfontein Solar Power Pilot Funding Grant Programme. The SMMEs are JD Gaming and IT, Harvitex, Vermoni Recycling and Trading and Move-On-Up. According to Tina Meier of Droogfontein Solar Power, these SMMEs were evaluated according to a range of criteria to ensure sustainability and to ensure that the impact of the grant could be measured in terms of future turnover, operating efficiency or marketing impact. She continued to explain in a press release that Droogfontein Solar Power had entered into a support agreement with the Galeshewe SMME incubator for a two-year period – an agreement valued at R1,2 million. The agreement is reported to run from 2014 to 2016. Meier said the support package provided operational costs for this business incubator, in addition to a small business grant support programme. Mpho Makhetha, plant manager for Droogfontein Solar Power, explained that their contribution to the business village was part of Droogfontein Solar Power’s local Enterprise Development Programme in the Kimberley area. It is aimed at helping to stimulate the local economy and support small business activities in the Northern Cape. “As an independent power producer, arising from the South African Government’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme, we are committed to contributing to local economic development in the immediate geographical area to assist qualifying small enterprises to grow into larger businesses in a sustainable manner. “The SMME Village is an initiative of the Sol Plaatje Municipality and is the largest small-business incubator in the Northern Cape, with a range of dynamic small businesses operating from the centre in the heart of Galeshewe. “Through this initiative, business owners are expected to be able to utilize the subsidised office space for a period of up to three years, while developing their business and management skills, and benefitting from training and mentorship programmes. “The primary aim of this initiative is to assist business owners to grow sustainable small businesses by ensuring that they have access to opportunities and develop the necessary foundations,” said Makhetha.
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Young sports stars invited to enter for competition ARE you motivating or training others to be good at sport? Are you coaching future stars? Are you getting people active at your school, community or gym? We want to hear from you. SuperSport’s Let’s Play identified the need amongst the youth to get more active in sport. With this in mind, SuperSport and Let’s Play, in association with Express Northern Cape, want to recognise learners in either primary or high school who excel in sport, or who are helping others to be more active. The SuperSport’s Let’s Play Star of the
Month is a monthly competition for anyone aged from 6 to 18. You can nominate yourself or be nominated by a friend, or by a teacher, lecturer or coach at your school or place of education or even a friend or family member. The winner is chosen from all the nominations received for that month. The monthly winner will receive a Let’s Play hamper filled with goodies. From all the entries received each month, one player will be chosen as the Star of the Month. At the end of the year one player from all the Star of the Month winners during the year will be chosen as the SuperSport Let’s Play Star of the Year.
Let’s Play, which celebrates its tenth birthday this year, is an initiative to enhance recreation and development at schools through play and sport. Nominations received before the 20th of every month will be included in that month’s selection. Nominations received after the 20th 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 fax to 086-552-4922. For more information contact Lynne Landman on 051-522-9574.
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2015
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THE Mainstay United soccer team. From the left are, front: Ricardo Buthelezi, Thabang Appie, Dingani Ramatsa, Benriekus Fienies (captain) and Nevollen Jonkers; back: Faheem Boer, Dirk Fienies, Lourenco van Wyk, Thapelo Mosimanyane, Kagiso Mopharing and Andries Vosloo.
Team guns for last 16 } Boipelo Mere
THE Mainstay United Soccer Club from Upington will use their previous experience to help them make it to the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup. The team spent the week in Kimberley to prepare for Sunday’s (22/02) game. Under coach Galiel Peluan Mainstay United is preparing for its second Nedbank Cup last-32 game against Ajax Cape Town in Kimberley. Admitting that they are now facing an even bigger challenge, Peluan is confident that their new game tactics will work in their favour this time. Last season they suffered defeat
from African Warriors from the Free State. The coach says the players are now much more mature and calm. “Last season our boys were too excited and used up most of their energy in the first half. “We played at a high pace and became tired as the game progressed. “This time around we will be more tactical in our approach and because of our experience we will do better planning,” revealed Peluan. The United coach says he will start the game with 95% of the previous lineup. “I only added three new players to the current team.” His star striker, Fahan Boer, and striking partner Thabang Appie,
with midfielder Nevollen Jonkers, are expected to take the team to the last 16. Peluan is planning to use his opponents’ weak points of attacking at a fast pace, therefore exposing their defence. “It will be my second time participating in the Nedbank Cup tournament. “However, the difference this time around is that I am a better coach. My goal is to do well in the competition and make my community proud. “The task ahead will not be easy, but I believe that my team will show character,” Peluan was quoted saying in a previous article in Express Northern Cape.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY IN TERMS OF NC LIQUOR ACT 2008 SECTION 20 OF THE ACT FOR A LICENCE. 1. Thembelihle Municipality 2. WILLEM OSS 3051 THAMBOVILLE STREET STEYNVILLE 3. Bottlestore 4. ALL KINDS 5. Oscar Liquor store 3051 Thamboville Steynville 6. Section 4(5)(a) Cool drinks, cigarettes etc
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THE team training with Galiel Peluan, the coach.
Photos: Supplied
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