Rhino Horns seized during the operation. Picture SAPS
By Ramotswedi Rammutla
Mahikeng: Two suspects were arrested for dealing in Rhino Horns worth R2.4 million in Vryburg recently by the Hawks’ through a covert operation. The 72 and 31 year old males were arrested during a buy and bust operation where they allegedly attempted to sell Rhino horns. The suspects’ vehicle was searched and two rhino horn worth approximately R2.4 million were found. The man appeared at the Vryburg Megistrate Court on Monday, June 28. Both Rhino horns were seized for further investigation on the case.
SADTU members and fellow colleagues calling for justice at the Mmabatho Magistrate Court . Pic by Facebook
By Ramotswedi Rammutla
Mahikeng: South African Democratic Teachers Union SADTU has condemned the actions of a parent who assaulted a teacher at Phera Primary School in Tsetse Village in Mahikeng. The video that went viral from June 14 has sparked mixed reactions from people on Social media and has shocked many members of civil society and the department of education in the province. The mother was due in court on June 24 after a case of assault was registered on the same day.
The incident has raised many questions and reaction that pertain to teacher parent relations in schools as well as overall involvement of parents in schools as well as the conducts of some teachers towards parents and learners. The incident is not an isolated event as not so long ago another teacher was stabbed by a learner in Khunotsoane, as well as another incident in Motswedi in the Zeerust area in this instance it was learners shouting and assaulting a Teacher.
Most of these do not go as viral because maybe there is no video of the event. Teachers raise issues of mass lack of discipline and poor performance. This was mainly because of lack of stringent remedies to deal with these within the school system. Corporal punishment used correctly was a deterrent to misbehavior. In the absence of a measure, the relationship to authority diminishes.
Because these incidents range from learner against teacher, parent against teacher, learner against learner confrontations which continue to underpin the education sector. At the center of it is the effects which include stress and workplace related illnesses for teachers; having to deal with overcrowded classrooms of learners from different households and communities all with different ways of parenting.
This brings us to the environment in which each child is raised and what lessons and traits they bring to the institution; though none of these events can’t be justified, the general analysis should indicate that there are great challenges within society and our schooling systems, which seem like a ticking time bomb.
“The teacher, who has more than 10 years’ teaching experience, was allegedly assaulted by a mother who has two children, in grade 4 and R, at the school. It is alleged the parent complained about why the teacher turned back her children for arriving late,” said Elias Malindi departmental spokesperson..
“On behalf of the department, I would like to strongly condemn the alleged incident against one of our teachers. I am perturbed by the incident and the actions of this specific parent. Our teachers are beacons of hope and should be treated as such for the huge revolutionary role they play in educating our society,” said Education MEC Mmaphefo Matsemela .
Parent attacks teacher in front of her classroom at Phera Primary School in Tsetse Village. The vedio went viral on June 14 after the incident. Screen grab
In his own words “Tsetsepela”, Supra Maumapelo has gained an appeal for his suspension from the ANC. Picture by News 24
By Ramotswedi Rammutla
Mahikeng: The African National Congress (ANC) National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) has on June 25 taken the suspension of Supra Mahumapelo and Bitsa Lenkopane on review. This is to give the two a chance to come plead their case within 15 days.
The two had been suspended for 5 years on April 27 and given instructions to take remedial action. They had been charged for organizing a parallel Siyanqoba Rally event with that of the Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) in December 2020 in Mareetsane. Both Applicants applied for review of the decision to the Provincial Disciplinary Committee PDC. The applications were heard on June 21.
“Having considered the facts and arguments presented by both parties, the NDC is of the view that the case was not properly ventilated in the provincial level and that the interest of justice for both the charged members and the ANC would best be served if the matter is referred back to the PDC for re hearing and finalized within 15 days” said Mildred Oliphant Chairperson of the NDC.
Cwaile together with Mahikeng Local Municipality Mayor, Betty Diakanyo, on Thursday handed over more than 1000 title deeds to community members of Extension 39 in Mahikeng.
Mahikeng: North West MEC for Human Settlements, Mmoloki Cwaile, says the province still needs more than 200 000 government provided RDP houses for the homeless.
Cwaile together with Mahikeng Local Municipality Mayor, Betty Diakanyo, on Thursday handed over more than 1000 title deeds to community members of Extension 39 in Mahikeng.
Cwaile said the housing department has escalated the issue of people having ghost houses in the system to national Department or Human Settlements.
“We still need to build more 250 000 houses. That cannot be done over a short period of time. In the beginning, people were given stands, a foundation, a toilet, and a title deed. When you look in the system it says that such a person has benefited, but when you go to that person you find that the person has not benefited. So we have escalated such cases to the national government,” Cwaile said.
Diakanyo said that the municipality will continue to work with the department to ensure that the homeless are allocated homes.
“A lot of people still need homes, especially in the rural areas. As the municipality, we will continue to work together with the department of human settlements because the municipality does not have the title deeds to provide people with houses. When we receive the list of names of people who need houses, we approach the department for it to provide them with houses,” said Diakanyo.
One of the beneficiaries is 68-year-old Boitumelo Motswiri, who was excited to finally receive her title deed.
“I have been living in fear that someone might just show up and claim that this house is his. Now I am relieved and very grateful that I have finally received my house title deed,” Motswiri said.
Cwaile said the department will also deal with people who are staying in RDP houses illegally, while earning more than R3500 a month. | Source Newsnote
Rorisang Seribetso (17) of Springs Section, Mmakau village has been missing since 15 June.
Ga-Rankuwa: The South African Police Services in the North West has asked for assistance in locating Rorisang Seribetso (17) of Springs Section, Mmakau village near Ga-Rankuwa. Rorisang was last seen on Tuesday June 15 going to school. The community is asked to come forward with any information by contacting the Investigating Officer, Detective Sergeant Gregory Babolaeng or Detective Sergeant Caroline Mothemane of Klipgat Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit on 060 967 2298 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 . Anonymous tip-offs can be communicated via MySAPS App.
Sbongile Mhleleni from Unit 1 Montshioa originally from Kuruman in the Northern Cape Province is a 3rd year Bachelor of Business Administration student at the University of Free State. “Being a young person to me means; knowing who I am, my identity, the rules I stand for and my integrity as an Individual, my personality and humanity. What defines me is having free access to education, freedom of speech, independence, the ability to fight for my rights, the ability to have a say in the affairs of the country”. Picture SRT Photography
By Ramotswedi Rammutla
Mahikeng: Youth month is set as a time to reflect on the role of young people in the society. Their voices are loud their aspirations aggressive and sometimes radical. It is this youth who have waged an offensive about free education who continue to challenge and speak truth to power. Like those of 1976 they are courageous and mis-understood. The Maftownian spoke to young people about what the month and day means to them.
“Youth day to me means that I need to take education serious as they say it’s a key to success fight for my future and never let any opportunity that will make my life better pass me by. Live my life fully with full responsibility of my actions. We as the youth get to celebrate being born free, our achievements as young people, the opportunity to get together and voice out our troubles and come up with solutions. We have a chance to challenge and unite against anything that keeps us back even speaking to our government and show them that we are the youth and we are capable of being leaders” said Sbongile Mhleleni a 22 year old Free State University Student.
“Youth month to me means expressing ourselves as a fearless youth (generation) because we are the ones eating the fruits of June 16 1976 and we find inspiration from our leaders like Tsietsi Mashinini and Seth Mazibuko who fought for the rights of black students; however there is no achievement as to what happened in 16 June 1976 because until today students still fight for free education (fees must fall) and financial exclusion” added Keamogetse Tau (22) second year NWU Student.
The young people feel that they are mostly misunderstood because of their inborn cultures that stem from them being born free with different challenges.
“Older people don’t understand that the youth of today is far different from past youth, because now there are rights and so much freedom than before. We do what we want, not what our parents want. We make our own decisions. We are millenniums, we are growing up in different time than them and things are different today for us. We live in a country with a struggling economy, we are jobless, we have skills but we can’t apply or make use of them” adds Mhleleni.
“They don’t understand that us youth need love and support from them as our parents more than anything. Because we fall into depression and submit ourselves to drugs when we feel their absence. Our lives are dependent on technology, our youth struggles to find jobs but there are resources ” concluded Tau.
Keamogetse Tau (22), a second year Tourism Management student at the North West University, NWU Mafikeng campus. “Youth day means acknowledging what heroes like Hector Peterson did for us; What defines me is my personality, I’m a very enthusiastic person, extrovert, I am adventurous and more into music. In 5 years time I see myself as a clothing brand ambassador”.
Prof Marilyn Setlalentoa, the deputy vice-chancellor for community engagement and Mahikeng Campus operations. Has passed away today, 20 May 2021, due to Covid-19 related complications. Picture Supplied
By Ramotswedi Rammutla
Mahikeng: The North West University has today announced the passing of the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Community Engagement and operations at the Mahikeng campus.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing away of Prof Marilyn Setlalentoa, the deputy vice-chancellor for community engagement and Mahikeng Campus operations. She passed away today, 20 May 2021, due to Covid-19 related complications” said NWU Vice Chancellor Prof Dan Kgwadi.
Setlalentoa who has been serving in the position for many years has been remembered as a pillar of the NWU family.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and all her colleagues. We have indeed lost a pillar of the NWU family. We are in regular contact with the family and we will update you regarding a memorial service and funeral arrangements very soon” concluded Kgwadi
“Learn to say positive things about yourself because you will attract all the beauty in the world” – MTEIGH, Matebogo Mere #TheBrandForThePeople.
By Ramotswedi Rammutla, 14 May 2021
Mahikeng: Twenty nine years old Mmatebogo “Mteigh” Mere is a go getter and ambitious hustle princess. She was born in Kimberley and raised in Mahikeng. A stylist and founder of the brand Mtiegh started her career as a wardrobe stylist for brands like Kaya FM, ABSA, Skip (The clothing detergent), Old mutual, Eskom, Telkom, Coca Cola and Momentum. This taught her how to be a professional, and how to carry a good reputation in public or at work. These lessons helped her start her clothing brand in 2018.
“I think we’re all born for greatness, and you don’t just wake up and decide you want to be a lawyer. It’s about passion. It’s something you are born with. Honestly from a very young age I knew I was going to pursue a career in the entertainment industry… During my primary and middle school I was into acting, then in high school I was a motivational speaker, which helped me develop my event hosting skills. I owe my success to my grade 11 and 12 teacher Sis Kuki Tlhabanelo who groomed me very well. She used to force me to read books; man, I love Sis Kuki with all my heart” says Mere.
She believes that passion is the driver of success. “The fashion industry is not easy, but if you are doing something that you’re passionate about it doesn’t feel like too much work. Yes, challenges are there but we live, we learn and we grow at the end of the day. Never give up on something you really love doing with all your heart, work hard one day u will make it.”
She has learned the importance of being consistent. “I am very consistent when it comes to marketing my product and always getting part time job to financially feed my business growth. It’s not easy but the brand is doing amazingly well from the day I started to date. My long term goal is to open a physical store and create sustainable jobs for the youth to eradicate the high rate of unemployment. Mteigh in the next four years will be the biggest selling brand in SA and internationally.”
The Maftownian Online 