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15 August 2014

I QUIT: Poppy Magongwa is no longer a councillor in the Madibeng Local Municipality

NEW BROOM: Professor Tebogo Job Mokgoro, the Acti ng Director-General of the Bokone Bophirima provincial government. (PHOTO: SUPPLIED)

The former mayor of Madibeng Local Municipality – Poppy Magongwa – has vacated her position as councillor as part of wider changes to the leadership of the local government body.

The resignation was announced by council during a special meeting that was held early this month. “Subsequent to

the announcement of her resignation, Cllr JM Mothibe and Cllr Eckard were sworn in by Magistrate Sechaba Tsoeute,” the municipality said in a statement. “Cllr Eckard is taking over as DA councilor after resignation of Cllr Basson who is now serving as a Member of Parliament,” the municipality added. During the council sitting, Douglas Maimane and Matshidiso Mangoathe – the speaker and executive mayor of Madibeng – also announced their resignations. “With that announcement made, Council then elected Cllr Matshidiso Mangoathe as the new Speaker of Council and Cllr JM Mothiba as the new Executive Mayor of Madibeng local municipality.” Mothiba, who addressed council soon after her election, pledged to work hard to make a positive impact in her new responsibilities. “I am very humbled by the trust shown in me by the African National Congress for bestowing upon me the responsibility to represent

its collective governance mandate at this municipality serving in the position of the Executive Mayor,” she said. “We need to understand that those of us who have been given the special privilege to lead and serve the people, we must accept and discharge such responsibilities with honest, dignity and humility.Above all, in discharging such responsibility we should bear in mind that our communities are reluctantly becoming impatient when their rights of receiving basic services are being delayed,” she said. She underlined the importance of working towards creating a better town that will benefi t all residents. “It is therefore, important for all of us to collectively work together for the benefi t of the people of Madibeng and strength the community participation in our programs, this will be actively be done by adopting the Setsokotsane Programme to wipe service delivery challenge where ever they occur,” she said.

Over the last three months, a combinati on of theft , vandalism and public protests have been negati vely aff ecti ng service delivery in the Madibeng Local Municipality.

A protest in June by people living in Thetele Village – located in the Mothutlung area – disrupted sewer reticulation services in the area. According to the Madibeng Local Municipality, the

protest was in opposition to a sludge pond cleaning project and “eventually against the operation of Mothotlung waste water treatment plant”. “Their (protestors’) demands included infrastructure development in the form of roads and employment opportunities to the community members in future projects,” the municipality said in a statement. Last month, the building at the plant was set on fi re by the protestors as they pressed on with their demands. The municipality – which has failed to meet some of its service delivery targets – has had to repeatedly issue out apology statements to residents while trying to bring the situation back to normal. “The community has vowed that the plant will be out of operation until their demands are met. “The wastewater treatment works which is servicing the areas of Mothutlung is also experiencing a series of cable theft and equipment which includes pumps and motors.“The theft has culminated into leaving the wastewater treatment works without electricity and this impedes its daily operations. These also result in pollution of the environment,” the municipality said.Early this month, copper cable theft resulted in power outages in the Letlhabile area. The cables were stolen from a substation that supplies electricity to the community there – a development that saw residents going without power for about an hour on August 7 to allow the municipality to carry out maintenance work.

Professor Tebogo Job Mokgoro has been appointed Acting Director-General of the Bokone Bophirima provincial government, replacing Johannes Rantete who stepped down last month after his contract expired.

Professor Mokgoro – well known for his lifelong passion for an accountable,

honest, transparent and effective public service – is not new to the position. He was the fi rst Director-General of the province after the democratic general elections in April 1994. He occupied this position until the end of the fi rst administration in 1999. From the end of 1999 to 2003, he served as the Director-General of the Southern African Management Development Institute where he was responsible for ensuring the achievement of ECI Africa’s Strategic Growth and Business Objectives. He later established his own company – Job Mokgoro Consulting. As managing director, his duties were centred on Local Government Development, Inter-governmental Relations and institutional

Transformation. Professor Mokgoro’s vast knowledge and experience in public administration and the transformation of the public service saw him publishing several articles on public management, public policy and related fi elds.

Professor Mokgoro, a visiting Adjunct Professor at the Wits Graduate School of Governance, was appointed Acting Principal of the National School of Government in 2013. North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo expressed confi dence in Professor Mokgoro’s ability to deliver. “As a highly respected intellectual, we are confi dent that Professor Mokgoro will ensure that the

affairs of the Province are run ethically and that we provide the highest level of service”, said the premier. Professor Mokgoro, who is charged with capacity enhancement and the reconfi guration of provincial departments, said his key responsibility is to ensure that there is smooth administration transition.

“I am most enthusiastic about the task ahead. I strongly believe that the province has a great opportunity to serve the people and to continue to fi nd ways to improve and evolve that service in line with the vision of re-branding, re-positioning and renewal of the Province,” Professor Mokgoro said.

New brooms at Madibeng

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farirai@lesedingnews.co.za Farirayi Kahwemba

03Leseding News - Brits 15 August 2014

Leseding Girl of the Week

IN ACTION: Africa Umoja (PHOTO: AFRICA UMOJA)

DJ Zulu (left ) and Mash

Some people take up music for the fame and success that comes with making it as an international star. For others, it is a hobby meant to take them away from the often hectic and routine schedules they encounter at the offi ce or any other environment that constitutes their workplace.

For Lesego Dibetle (also known as DJ Zulu) and Tebogo Mashabawe (also known as

Mash), however, music is more than just a hobby or a way to fi nd fame and fortune. It has become something of a lifestyle, something that they cannot do without. Speaking to Leseding News, DJ Zulu revealed that he has performed in and around Madibeng. At the age of 26, he hopes to make an impact by his music through inspiring people to reach out and realize their dreams. “Originally, I am from the Bollantlokwe area of Hammanskral but now I am residing in the Letlhabile area of Brits,” he said. His explained that his music – which he has been playing since 2005 – is infl uenced by a number of genres. “I mix Afro House and jazz and my music is a fusion of these types. I enjoy what I am doing and the positive response I have been getting is really encouraging,” he added. He draws his inspiration from the likes of DJ Monde, DJ Fresh, Oskido and Vinny Davinci. DJ Zulu believes he is slowly establishing his name in the Madibeng area. In December last year, he linked up with “Mash”, who is also from Brits and the two have been inseparable since then. “I met Mash during one of my gigs. We decided to fuse my music with his drum beats

and this is when I discovered his amazing skills. “From his childhood, Tebogo grew up playing the drum and this is why he has become very skilled in this area. The two of us have managed to string up a very effective combination that people really appreciate,” he added. “We have performed in and around Madibeng as well as in Hammanskraal. I think our strength is that we are good in compiling music, phrasing, juggling to perform transition and overdubs. The idea is to be very creative by trying out something new. “This is what the audience out there are looking for,” he explained. But what do they really hope to achieve with their music? “Music is beautiful. It opens up the minds of people and brings people from various backgrounds and fi elds together. I hope that our music will bring about a positive mood and infl uence to the people who enjoy it,” DJ Zulu said.

Beautiful Rose Kotane – who is aged 20 – is our Leseding Girl of The Week. Rose, who comes from the Boitekong area of Rustenburg,

is currently studying Psychological counselling at the University Of South Africa (UNISA). She started modelling at the age of 16 and joined Spotlight Casting Agency, which is managed by Obakeng Tlholwe. Last year, she showed she has the abilities to do well in the modelling industry after fi nishing a credible third in the 2013 Parlour. During that same year, she made it to the semifi nals of the Miss North West modelling contest. “I am very grateful to all the people who have helped me so far to make my dream to come true. I would like to become one of the top models in South Africa,” she said.

Models aged between the ages of 17 and 30, who are interested in appearing in this space are requested to phone 073 970 9671 or 014 597 9980.

For three days – 29 July to 2 August – world renowned theatre group Africa Umoja performed at the Mmabana facilities in Mahikeng in a development that will go a long way in creating an appreciation of the arts in the North West province.

Trinity Bogosi, the communications and marketing manager of

Mmabana, told Leseding News that the performances were in line with their objectives of uplifting the arts in the province by creating awareness to as many people as possible. “Umoja Africa is a world renowned act,” Bogosi said. “They have performed in over 20 countries worldwide and we are really honoured to be associated with them because they are a big production for us,” he added. Travelling on the beats of drums, from the dusty streets of Soweto to all the corners of the world’s best and biggest stages, Africa Umoja tells the moving tale

of indigenous South African music – from the earliest rhythms to kwaito.Those who have watched them perform have marvelled at the beautiful costumes and award winning, internationally acclaimed choreography. Africa Umoja is a loud, colourful and jubilant celebration of life that audiences from all backgrounds have found infectiously delightful and uplifting.Their fi rst performance was staged at Mmabana Studio 1 in Mahikeng on 31 August. The group’s next two performances were at the Mmabana Mahikeng Theatre from 1 to 2 August to round off their breath-taking act.

Umoja has been awarded a Planet Africa Award in Toronto, Canada. Among other awards that they have won are: FNB Vita Award, Performing Arts Award (Canada, 2004) and SAMA Award in 2005. Admission for children was R60 while adults were asked to pay R80 to watch the show. Bogosi said there are more prestigious theatre productions that have been earmarked by Mmabana for the rest of the year. “The idea is to revive theatre in the North West and this is why we are very excited about being involved in these productions,” he said. “We would like to assure people who are passionate about the arts that big acts are on the way. We will be making more announcements regarding this in due course,” he added.

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04 Leseding News - Brits15 August 2014

HAVOC: This road in Hartebeesfontein, was damaged by the earthquake (Photo: FACEBOOK)

The police in Rustenburg are investigating a case of culpable homicide after a collision involving two vehicles resulted in the death of two people and injuries to six others. The accident occurred recently along the Pardekraal mine road. According to information obtained by the police, it is alleged that a Renault Clio collided into a minibus as it attempted to overtake the vehicle. “According to information received, a driver and passenger of the minibus were certified dead on the scene while six passengers sustained serious injuries and were transported to Job Shimankane Tabane hospital for medical attention. No one has been arrested and investigation into the matter continues,” North West police said in a statement.

The North West MEC for Local Government and Human Settlements, Collen Maine, has come hard on all the 23 municipalities under his jurisdiction for their failure to achieve clean audits for the 2012 – 2013 year.

Maine is not impressed with the 2012-2013 Auditor-General audit outcomes

of municipalities and has vowed to take drastic action against local government bodies that are not towing the line to better their financial audit outcomes, year on year. His utterances come in the wake of “no clean audit” outcome by municipalities for the 2012/2013 audit findings. He said the fact that all municipalities in the province have – for the past two consecutive years – submitted on time their financial statements is not a cause for celebration. “It is still unacceptable that none of the 23 municipalities failed to receive clean audits,” Maine noted. “We need to get to a point where these municipalities submit credible financial statements for audit purposes. Provincial Treasury and Enterprise Development will also assist municipalities to compile their annual financial statements and to address audit queries,” he explained.

The MEC said work had already started ahead of the recent audit outcomes to rectify the underperforming municipalities. Among the measures being taken are that the Department of Local Government and Human Settlements as well as the Department of Provincial Treasury and Enterprise Development will set clean audit targets.

The contracts of all municipal managers and other senior management officials are also likely to be reviewed with the view of inserting performance-related clauses. The Department of Local Government and Human Settlement will also go on a comprehensive province-wide skills audit across municipalities to establish skills gaps and to see how best municipal officials can be capacitated. Additionally, the Department will seek to strengthen the partnerships they have established with skills training organizations. Such a move is aimed at training employees in budget and treasury units of municipalities so as to close down the accounting skills gap as many people in the municipal financial department are unqualified, under skilled and untrained. The MEC pointed out that after this training, officials will be expected to make significant contribution in positively shaping up the financial management in their municipalities. “They should ensure compliance with the standard, good financial conduct and ensure non- deviation from the Municipal Financial Management Act”, he said. Furthermore, the Department will continue to work with all stakeholders, including municipalities in order to improve the audit outcomes. In line with this, the Department has established an inter-district records

management forum to share best practises, supplied records management equipments to needy municipalities, trained records management practitioners in municipalities (through the assistance of the Department of Arts and Culture and Traditional Affairs). The Department has also compiled an audit action plan with municipalities every year to address issues raised while Municipal Public Accounts Committees have been established in all municipalities. These committees have been charged with a specific role of performing oversight on performance of individual municipalities.

In a move aimed at assisting various communities within the North West Province that have been affected by the earthquake, the provincial government has created a disaster relief fund.

The account – which was opened at First National

Bank – will be managed by the provincial department of Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development. The premier – who has already visited the extensively damaged Vuyani Mawethu Secondary School in Khuma – said the department of Education and Sport Management has since identified other classes within schools that can be utilised until the situation is normalised. This is to ensure that schooling is not disturbed.

Other affected schools are Borakanelo High and Straatvaal Primary while facilities such as Park Street Clinic, Stilfontein Clinic, Botshabelo Community Health Centre, Umuzimuhle Clinic, Grace Mokhomo Community Health Centre and Excelsius Nursing College have also been damaged. “It is this assessment report that will direct government on which areas to urgently concentrate on”, the premier said. “As government,

we remain highly committed to help in rebuilding the houses destroyed, repairing the affected public buildings, and restoring calmness in particularly Khuma location, Stilfontein, where more than 600 families have been affected by this occurrence,” he added. Making a clarion call to fellow citizens and interested organisations to help out by donating to the North West Disaster Relief Fund, the premier gave an assurance that the donated funds will greatly help to deliver aid in the most affected areas.

Donations can be made into First National Bank account number: 6248 7927 603. The earthquake – believed to have measure 5.5 on the Richter scale – struck South Africa and was felt as far as Botswana. The quake, which struck August 5 – at around 12h00 – was also felt in most areas of the North West province. According to geological surveys, the tremor was centred in Orkney – an area that has many gold mines. The

area around Johannesburg is not prone to seismic activity but it is home to some of the deepest gold mines in the world.

The quake is the largest in the southern Africa region since a 7.0 tremor in Zimbabwe in 2006. In Hartebeesfontein, close to Brits, the tremor caused far-reaching damage to roads while in Johannesburg a number of

buildings collapsed. Generally, earthquakes are caused by faulting, which is a sudden lateral or vertical movement of rock along a rupture (break) surface. These movements are caused by a number of factors which have to do with plate tectonics, which is the motion of immense rigid plates at the surface of the earth. These plates cover the entire surface of the globe.

A man was arrested in Zeerust after he was found in possession of 480 boxes of illicit cigarettes valued at around R3 million. The man (51) was nabbed after the police received information that a truck carrying the cigarettes was passing through the Skilpadshek port of entry. “The truck was eventually stopped along the N4 road near Lehurutshe and escorted to the police station where it was searched with the assistance of customs officials,” the police said in a statement. The man, who was allegedly transporting the cigarettes from Windhoek to Johannesburg, is expected to appear before the Lehurutshe Magistrate’s Court for possession of illegal cigarettes. If you would like to report any criminal activities in your area, please call 08600 10111.

“Operation Platinum Belt” has resulted in more than 400 arrests, according to statistics made available by the police. “With the over 400 arrests that have been effected, at least 63 linkages have been made for suspects sought for other crimes including car-hijacking, armed robbery, rape, housebreaking and theft as well as theft of motor vehicle within the platinum belt,” North West police said in a statement. In one case, a man who was arrested in Swartruggens has been linked to 35 cases committed in the Madikwe, Koster, Swartruggens and Groot Marico areas. In another, police arrested two people for dealing in explosives. This was after the two failed to produce the relevant documents authorizing them to be in possession of the explosives, which were found at their business premises.

Three people were arrested by the Hawks after they were caught melting platinum at a house located in the Kanana. The three were charged with contravention of Section 5 of Precious Metals Act, (ACT NO. 37 OF 2005) after the police received information from community members about suspicious platinum smelting activities at the house. The platinum, which has been seized by the police, is worth an estimated R50 000. The suspects also failed to disclose where they obtained the platinum. The three – who are aged between 19, 26 and 30 – are being tried at the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court. Members of the public are requested to call 08600 10111 to report any crime activities.

NOT IMPRESSED: North West MEC for Local Government and Human Settlements, Collen Maine.

05Leseding News - Brits 14 August 2014

BOJANALA PLATINUM DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY OFFICE OF THE MUNICIPAL MANAGER

PUBLIC NOTICE1. Process plan 2014/15 REVIEWED IDP AND BUDGET

Notice is hereby given in terms of section 25 (4) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000, that the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality (BPDM) has developed a Process Plan for the IDP for 2014/15 and Budget for the Medium Term Expenditure Framework of 2014/17. This Document has been approved by the Bojanala Platinum

District Council for public to know the process that will be followed to complete the review of both IDP & Budget.

In case of any further clarifi cation or information, such enquiries can be directed to the Municipal Manager, for the attention of Mr Gontse Koitsioe or Ms Kelebogile Dilwane, at the postal address below, or through

e-mail: gontsek@bojanala.gov.za or they can be faxed to: (014) 597 0306.

Bojanala Platinum District MunicipalityPO Box 1993Rustenburg0300

I SIROVHA (MR.)MUNICIPAL MANAGER

BOJANALA PLATINUM DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY

DATE ISSUE OBJECTIVE

• To introduce what the parameters for the IDP Review• To set out the requirements of the BPDM to all relevant stakeholders

• To present the outcomes of communi-ty consultations as conducted by Local Municipalities• To inform (preliminary) plans of the sector Departments & stakeholders

• To inform the Draft Budgets for the MTEF of municipalities • To provide early reconciliation/alignment of the Sector Department & Stakeholders Plans to strategies & Budgets• To inform the monitoring and evaluation processes of DM & LMs

• To ensure that Plans/Strategies of Municipalities, Sector Departments & Stakeholders are aligned, budgeted for and have spatial meaning.

Presentation of the Framework & Process Plan to IDP Representatives Forum

Presentation of the consolidated community needs to IDP Rep Forum

Presentation of Draft Strategies for IDP Implementation for 14/15

Presentation of the Budget allocations of DM, LMs & Sectors/Stakeholders to IDP Rep Forum

3rd week September 2013

2nd week December 2013

3rd week March 2014

1st week May 2014

BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE BOJANALA PLATINUM DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY

The Executive Mayor of the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, Councillor Louis Diremelo has commended the role that women play in our society, in commemoration of Women’s month.

The 2014 National Women’s Month programme marks the coming together of women from across the African continent and the Diaspora to launch one association, the Pan African Women’s Organisation.

National Women’s Day – an annual public holiday in South Africa – is celebrated on 9 August.

The holiday commemorates the national march of women

on this day in 1956 to petition against the pass laws that required South Africans defi ned as “black” by The Population Registration Act to carry a ‘”pass,” an internal passport that severely restricted their movement.

Each “pass” designated specifi c urban/metropolitan areas in which the bearer was authorized to live, work and travel.

The month-long programme, which kicked off on 1 August 2014, is being held under the theme “Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Women’s Charter and 20 Years of Freedom: Moving Women’s Agenda Forward!”

Councillor Diremelo and the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality joins the rest of the country in saluting the tremendous sacrifi ces made by women during the country’s struggle for liberation.

South Africa celebrated 100 years of the contribution of women to the struggle for liberation. This is in celebration of the various struggles waged by women since the fi rst march led by Charlotte Maxeke in 1913.As part of this year’s Women’s Month celebrations, focus will be put on women’s education, health, access to productive resources (land, credit, and employment, among others) and social infrastructure.

Additionally, the progress made on women’s empowerment and gender equality over the 60-year period will be reviewed while a road map for women’s advancement will be charted.

This is in line with calls by Minister of Women’s Affairs, Shabangu, who – in her message – pointed out that August is a special month for both men and women.

In the last 20 years of freedom, the democratic government declared 9 August as a Women’s Day to honour the role of women in the emancipation of South Africa.

BPDM’s Women’s Month message

Leseding News06 Leseding News - Brits15 August 2014

PLATINUM PEOPLE

Johnny MasilelaAn accomplished writer, journalist and a board member of the National Arts Council (NAC), Johnny Masilela has a special place in the hearts of ordinary folk who live in the Brits area.

Yet, despite his success and achievements, Masilela remains a humble, down to earth character, whose heavy, gruff voice is a contraction of the simple and unassuming person that he is. Masilela, who was born on 21 October 1957, shared his experiences from childhood – an interesting journey that started on a farm outside Brits. “It all started on the crop farmlands outside Brits, where my dad was the founding headmaster of the Kleinfontein Combined School,” Masilela told Leseding News. “From here,

I spent much of my boyhood in Mamelodi, Pretoria, where like was the case in Kleinfontein, I was surrounded by books, a grand piano and golf clubs – call us the black middle class of those days,” he explained. He said his interest in writing was ignited by the many books that surrounded him as he was growing up. “I took interest in writing because of all the books surrounding me. Among these books are The Artful Dodger (by Charles Dickens),

Cry, the beloved country (by Alan Paton) and many more,” he added. As his interest in literature grew, Masilela made a major breakthrough – publishing two books and contributing many short story anthologies. “I have published two books, and am a contributing author to several short story anthologies, some of which have been translated into Dutch, Danish, Swedish and Afrikaans,” he said. Asked about his other accomplishments, Masilela brings out the humble side of his character. “My accomplishments are nothing ground-breaking. The highlight perhaps, was my appointment on the panel of judges for the 2008 Sunday Times Fiction Award. Before then I was the inaugural news editor at Sunday Sun,” he said.

“My novel, “We Shall Not Weep” Kwela Books) An oh, I was

invited by the University of Vienna, Austria, to deliver a paper on “The Reading Trends of Black People from the 1970s into the Millenium”. I also wrote the script for the screenplay, “Christmas with Granny” (M-Net). “I am presently a board member of the National Arts Council whereby I chair the Literature panel,” he explained. Recently, Masilela has taken up writing a column for the Mail & Guardian – ON THE SIDE – in which he captures the experiences of ordinary people. “I like writing about ordinary people living extra-ordinary lives. For instance, I have captured the life of, among others, an old man who collects scrap metal to sell and pay for his green fees at the golf course!

“I have always attempted to establish what great writers like John Steinberg are doing that you and I fail to do, to get it right,” he added. Away from his pen, Masilela enjoys retracing his childhood memories. “When I am not writing, I leave my car in the Kleinfontein area to walk the farmlands. My hobbies are listening out to ordinary people talking about their experiences. “For instance, recently I was in the company of an albino cousin, who is proud about his calloused hands, because they ‘show he is a real man’ who works with a pick and a shovel,” he chuckles. “This cousin of mine always takes a jibe at people like you and me, who are always busy on laptops and tablets. He says we are ‘sissies’ and our hands are as soft as those of a baby!” His writing has taken him to many countries outside South Africa. “I have been to the United States of America (through the UK), Canada (through J F Kennedy Airport), Austria (via Zurich, Switzerland), Zimbabwe and Mozambique as both a journalist and writer,” he explained.

&Women’s Month

and “honors the extraordinary and often unrecognized

determination and tenacity of woman”

Celebrating Women of Character,Courage and Commitment

Women’s Month

Every journey begins with just a single step; most are filled with joy and the promise of a safe arrival, some are a struggle that led to freedom. These strong steps were demonstrated by over 20 000 women who marched to the

Union Building to fight for the rights of women in 1956.These pioneering women stood up, their brave actions are undeniable proof that even the greatest tyranny can

be defeated by the actions of unity.As a country and government, we have made significant progress to ensure the empowerment of women and achieve gender equality. An array of measures introduced since 1994 to promote women empowerment and

uphold gender equality, have drastically improved the position and conditions of women in our country.We have to a large extent, succeeded in empowering women to take their rightful place in society. However, as we celebrate Women's Month this August we do so in recognition that we must do more to ensure that women

are firmly entrenched in every sphere. This year's Women's Month is commemorated under the theme: “Celebrating women of character, courage and

commitment: honouring the extraordinary and often unrecognized determination and tenacity of women.”As Madibeng municipality we declare August as Women's Month to pay tribute to the thousands of women who

marched for the rights of women.

Women's month message

Happy Women's month

Women's month message

07Leseding News - Brits 15 August 2014

It was a hive of activity at the Mmabatho Civic Centre recently during the annual Hotel School graduation event.

Proud parents, guardians, teachers and members of the community packed the centre to witness their children and relatives being conferred with certifi cates and diplomas

for excelling in their various fi elds of study. These students passed with fl ying colours in various courses centred on tourism and hospitality management. The excitement could be felt throughout the hall as parents and teachers pride themselves on the fruits of their labour. This was the 19th graduation ceremony since the formation of the Belvourpark Hotel School, as it was known before. Speaking during the event, Dr Edgar Nesamvuni – the Executive Dean of Management Sciences at the Tshwane University of Technology – explained the importance of quality education, dedication and the professionalization of the hospitality industry.

He encouraged the graduates to make the quest for knowledge a priority and to work hard towards the realization of their goals and dreams. In her remarks, the MEC for the Department of Tourism, Desbo Mohono, congratulated the students and applauded them for their hard work and dedication in attaining their qualifi cations. She expressed her gratitude to the parents and guardians of the students for their tireless efforts and the sacrifi ces they have made to assist their children in achieving their goals.

“This is the time for ululation, laughter, happiness and most importantly to acknowledge the fact that if you put your mind into something you will achieve it”, the MEC said. She pointed out that graduates from the Hotel School Division are of an international standard. She urged the graduates to forge ahead with their chosen career paths. “Let us move away and look beyond the “fi nding a job” mentality. We must have the confi dence to create employment, the sky is the limit,” explained Mohono.“All our efforts will now be placed on ensuring that the Taung Hotel School, which is in its infancy and the Mahikeng Hotel School are centres of excellence” said Mohono. She pointed out that one of the priorities of the government was to increase access to higher education. “As a Department, which is at the forefront of making

sure that Tourism studies are prioritised, we will continue to award bursaries and scholarships to students who excel,” she said. The Hotel School – a division of the North West Parks and Tourism Board – has expanded to include Taung Hotel School and Conference Centre. The centre will start operating in January 2015.

ACHIEVERS: Some of the Hotel School graduates (PHOTO: SUPPLIED)

The North West Department of Health commemorated World Breastfeeding Week by emphasizing the value of breastfeeding to various communities dotted across the province.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has set aside 1 – 7 August as World Breastfeeding Week as part of an initiative to raise awareness on how mothers can positively contribute to the health of their babies. “The World Health Organization (WHO) has set aside the fi rst week of August as World Breastfeeding Week,” North West provincial spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane said.

In an effort to protect, promote and support breastfeeding as a key intervention towards achieving the Millennium Developmental Goals, the department conducted door-to-door campaigns in all the four districts of the province to educate communities on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding. All this was done with the intention of assessing feeding practices within communities, implementing key recommendations of the outcomes of community engagements to strengthen support for breastfeeding at community level and also to establish ongoing support and monitoring for postpartum mothers at critical stages of the child’s development. “Breastfeeding education in both antenatal and postnatal services has been found to play a vital part in breastfeeding outcomes. “Exclusive breastfeeding means giving your baby only breast milk with no supplementary feeding of any type (no water, juice, animal milk, infant formula or solid foods) except for vitamins, minerals and medications prescribed by a doctor or healthcare worker when medically indicated from birth till six months,” Lekgethwane said. “Babies who are not exclusively breastfed have a higher risk of diarrhea, respiratory illness, allergies and ear infections. “Introducing any other foods/ not giving breast milk alone in the fi rst six months may affect the baby’s wellbeing because of the missed benefi ts of the antibodies in breast milk that supports the baby’s immune system,” he pointed out. The South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 2012 showed that 17.5% of children fewer than 6 months of age were never breastfed, 7.4% were exclusively breastfed and 75.1% were breastfed, though not exclusively and almost 63.5% of children were given semi-solid or solid food before 6 months of age. Breastfeeding promotion and safe complementary feeding is amongst 18 priority interventions that could save 20 000 maternal and child lives. Although breastfeeding week has offi cially ended, the Health Department is still engaged in various educational programmes and interventions that are aimed at highlighting the importance of breastfeeding.

MILK ISSUES: The North West Department of Health and the World Health Organiza-tion (WHO) encourages mothers to breastfeed their children (PHOTO: SUPPLIED)

A woman is like a tea

bag – you never know

how strong she is until

she gets in hot water.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

08 Leseding News - Brits

SPORTSPORT15 August 2014

THE WINNERS: Sol Plaatjie Secondary School .

AIMING HIGH: Plati num Stars Football Manager Senzo Mazingiza (PHOTO: FARIRAYI KAHWEMBA)

Sol Plaatjie Secondary School – from the Ngaka Modiri Molema District – were crowned champions of the ns of the North West province at the provincial leg of the 2014 McDonald’s under 14 schools league tournament, held recently in Jouberton.

A series of excellent plays and magnifi cent teamwork ensured that the players from

Sol Plaatjie Secondary School, led by coach Shale Clifford, secured themselves a place in

the fi nals, which will be held in Gauteng during the month of October. While football is certainly the focus of the nine-week tournament, McDonald’s South Africa

Corporate Affairs Director, Sechaba Motsieloa notes that there is something much bigger at play. “We believe that a healthy mind resides inside a healthy body. School children who take part in sport have a better chance of doing well in class as they are healthier through playing sport,” Motsieloa said. “By encouraging children to participate in healthy

competition and to improve their skills both on and off the fi eld, McDonald’s hopes to nurture tomorrow’s leaders, today.” The McDonald’s under 14 schools league attracts more than 54 400 children annually across the country and provides the opportunity for future football stars to be scouted, making players even more determined to shine on the fi eld.

After winning two trophies – the Telkom Knockout and MTN8 titles – Platinum Stars are aiming for the grand prize in domestic football this season.

The club, who are the only team from the North West playing in the country’s

topfl ight football league, have never won the PSL title in their history. However – if their performance last season can be anything to go by – then all the other teams can only undermine them at their own peril. Platinum Stars, who recently unveiled ACELLI as their new sponsors for the next three years, believe that the time for them to walk away with the PSL crown has now come. In fact, the club’s Football Manager – Senzo Mazingiza – told Leseding News that there is a directive “from the top” for the team to win the PSL title this season. “Our chairman wants us to win the league title,” Mazingiza said.

“Last season, we won two titles and this year we want to take it a step further by going all the way and winning the league title. “The time is now right for us to show that we

are a big club,” he added. Apart from wearing a new kit, Platinum Stars will also have a new team this season. Players such as Henrico Botes, Takesure Chinyama, Issa Saar and Siphelele Mthembu are no longer with the club. They have all moved to other clubs and it remains to be seen if the Rustenburg-based

club will be able to maintain the same form they displayed last season without these players.

In a move aimed at cushioning the departure of these key players, Platinum Stars coach Allan Freese has signed new faces – among them Ndumiso Mabena, who was roped in from Orlando Pirates.

Asked whether or not the departure of the key players would have e negative effect on the team, goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane expressed confi dence in the crop of players that will be representing the team this season. He said: “We are all very excited because we did well last season. The goal, for all of us, is to make sure that we win the league title and pay back our supporters who have been very faithful to us,” he said.

“Personally, I would like to keep 15 clean

sheets and help the team to achieve the goal of winning the league title.

“Despite the departure of some of the key players we still have a strong squad,”

Sol Plaatjie School win football tournament

farirai@lesedingnews.co.za Farirayi Kahwemba