Ngaka Modiri Molema District councillors sworn in
By Ramotswedi Rammutla
Mahikeng: The Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality today swears it’s newly elected councillors to the municipal council at the chambers in Mahikeng.
Mphehlo Executive Mayor in Mahikeng
By Ramotswedi Rammutla
MAHIKENG: Tshepiso Mphehlo joins the newly elected crop of young mayors elected in to municipal councils together with speaker Ofentse Mathe. Mahikeng becomes one of the municipalities with some of the youngest councils in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District. A move celebrated across the spectrum which has been viewed as a milestone and turning point in local government.
Mphehlo was elected mayor opposed by a coalition of minority parties who also put forth their own candidate’s who succumbed to the majority of the ANC who hold 40 seats against 30 by the opposition combined.
In his acceptance speech Mphehlo vowed to change the situation around in the ailing municipality. Adding that it was now time for councillors to take responsibility for the positions they have been elected to and deliver services to the people.
“We must bring back the rich legacy of this town…” said Mphehlo…
Councillors sworn in as members the Mahikeng Local Municipality council
By Ramotswedi Rammutla
MAHIKENG: The Mahikeng Local Municipality today 22 November 2021, hosts its first post election council meeting at the Mmabatho Civic Center. This to swear in new members of council as well as the election of council officials.
Official opposition EFF sworn in at Mahikeng Local Municipality
Councillors take thier oath at the Mahikeng Local Municipality
Premier Maape and Minister Mchunu inspects Madibeng water treatment plant
Brits – North West Premier Bushy Maape together with Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu made an oversight visit to the Brits water treatment plant in Madibeng Local Municipality this to assess the status and develop a remedial action plan to respond to challenges bedevilling provision of water services in this municipality.
In the recent past several concerns have been raised by residents with regards to the poor quality of water provision by the municipality.
The entourage included Executive Mayor, Joseph Ratloi as well as Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, concerns were raised with the appalling state of the treatment plant, calling for a swift action to be employed to address the matter.
“The municipality will expedite all processes in bringing about change in this project. This is done in the interests of our communities. I further commit that all relevant authorities will move with speed in adhering to the set out the deadlines” said Executive Mayor, Joseph Ratlou.
“We are duty bound to respond to challenges of service delivery in our province. And as per the dictates of the constitution municipalities are legally obligated to carry this constitutional imperative. We are confident that the completion of the project will bring much needed relief to our people. We will be monitoring progress from the province to make sure that actions agreed upon are implemented” added Bushy Maape.
Opinion and Anlysis
TSWAING MUNICIPALITY ROTTEN, RESIDENTS HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO LIVE WITH STENCH OF FAECES
Tswaing: Batho Pele Party (BPP) has written to the Human Rights Commission of South Africa (SAHRC) after conducting an oversight visit to Sannieshof and Ottosdal. The oversight comes after BPP was alerted to the desperate situation that these communities have to endure.
The residents of Agisanang and Letsopa townships in Tswaing Local Municipality, NW have had no choice but to live with the unbearable stench of faeces for over five years. Whiles you make your way around these townships there is a possibility that when you turn around a random corner you will be confronted by a street submerged in sewer accompanied with an awful stench of human waste; that is how widespread sewage spills are.
The worst-affected residential areas with major environmental and health concerns are Ditshoswane informal settlement and Agisanang in Sannieshof. The sewer is growing into a swamp of human waste and pollution. This will likely be the source of air and water borne diseases when temperatures increase due to the upcoming summer season. SAHRC has confirmed that it will be investigated the matter and as BPP we are hopeful that the people of Agisanang and Letsopa will find redress to this protruded problem; for now, our hope rests with SAHRC to intervene as this is a gross violation of the rights of the community who have been denied access to adequate and proper sanitation.
It is clear that the council of Tswaing Local Municipality, down to the portfolio committee responsible and administration lack the leadership and political will to turn the situation around because no effort has been made to address the matter; clearly pointing out that it was never a mistake for the MEC of Cooperative Governance, MEC Cwaile, to call for the disbandment of this municipality.
By Neo Moroeng BPP Convener
Get on the line up, Spring Brake 2021
By Ramotswedi Rammutla
Mahikeng: Street KID Media Foundation has announced the opening of the Auditions for the Bakwena Baga Molopyane Heritage Week 2021. The festival which will be held differently in 2021; auditions will open to those wishing to perform and form part of the line up for the annually hosted provincial event.
The week encompasses the Proudly Bokone Bophirima Arts Conference, Spring Brake Arts Festival and the Boikhutso Children’s Theater; the hybrid events are due to take place between September and December 2021 both physically and digitally.
The organisation has announced that they will host mock auditions on September 18th which will act as the initial auditions for local artists and groups, the main auditions will be held on September 25th both at Love and Peace Street in Tsetse Village, Mahikeng. Online Auditions will also be opened for those outside Mahikeng and other areas from September 18th and close on September 30th
Participants are requested to register through the organisations Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/StreetKIDMediaFoundation or by contacting the administrators on 076337873 and 0609148905 on WhatsApp.
Participants are expected to submit performance video clips (no longer than 60 seconds) or audio tracks on the organisations Facebook page, the participants will be judged on the number of likes and participation on their submitted clips and links. The highest likes will get you space on the lie up. While physical selection would be made at the auditions in Tsetse Village.
Artists are encouraged to enter and get an opportunity to form part of the biggest local artist engagement and exchange in Bokone Bophirima. Please note that all COVID 19 protocols will be adhered to; no mask no entry and social distancing must be maintained.
Mabale to present Setswana screenwriting workshop
By Ramotswedi Rammutla
Mahikeng: The Writers Guild of South Africa, WGSA will from September 10th to 12th host an Indigenous screenwriting programme for Setswana. The programme will be presented by WGSA vice chairperson Tshenolo Mabale at the Mmabana Foundation in Mmabatho from Friday September 10 at 14:00; she will share her experience with participants interested in screen writing in Setswana. Mabale a seasoned screen writer having worked on Scandal, Greed& Desire, The Alliance, Lockdown 1 & 2, The Throne, Emoyeni, Generations and DeepCity is a South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) winner.
Mabale believes that professionalism and passion for writing are keys to success in the writing business; “Firstly, screenwriting is a job! Like any other. You have to take it seriously. For emerging screenwriters out there, I believe it starts with an inescapable need to want to write.”
She believe that the programme will provide the basic tools to those wishing to enter the industry; “The WGSA Indigenous Screenwriting Programme is specific in its aim to provide the basic screenwriting tools to emerging writers that live outside of the big cities of South Africa, who otherwise wouldn’t easily have access to such a great opportunity. They are presented in the indigenous languages spoken by the people of those areas. On a broader scale, the WGSA hopes the rest of the players within the South African TV & Film industry will adopt a real and measurable inclusivity of indigenous languages for writers to submit works in their natural mother tongue”.
The programme is for anyone with interest and will cover aspects like “Screenwriting is a job; Script; Story; Structure. The aim is to outline an introductory understanding to the screenwriting profession. The outcome at the end of the workshop is for participants to walk away with a product. Participants will produce professional short scripts that they can submit to the 2021 WGSA Muse Awards, which is a great platform of exposure for both the working and emerging screenwriter”.
Mabale also believes that the role of authentic stories as well as the marginalized should be brought forth by getting others to tell their stories. She says that she represents most of her own life experiences into her scripts and that is what makes her work rewarding. “I just want to tell stories that transform the spirit of a person to open up a small part within them to allow for positive growth in their lives. The role of women in the sector has always been there in the industry. The backbone of the industry is carried by women!. But we want more, and it’s now becoming unavoidable to the gate-keepers because writers like me, and many other wonderful women out there work tirelessly, we are no longer backing down. We want that gwap and we are getting it by any means necessary” concludes Mabale
To book your seat at the workshop visit https//forms.gle/ADAWrmhHz88kHQgW8 and http://www.writerguildsa.org
The Maftownian Online 