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Northern Cape

} Boipelo Mere

“HIS fingers were covered inrings, and he had my head ina grip when he startedbeating me on my back withall his might.“I screamed for mercy

while the two girls and afemale police officer juststood there watching.“When he threw me to the

ground and held me downwith his boot, I had no optionbut to scream that I wouldpay for the phone.”This was how Kealeboga

Mabilo (19) described hisalleged assault by a policeofficer.Mabilo was accused of

robbing two girls of a neigh-bouring school of a cellphone.The girls did not want to

open a case of cell phonetheft.Upon request for informa-

tion, the police confirmed thealleged case is under investi-gation.Mabilo said his school

principal had failed him,because he had not tried toprotect him from theassault.According to the parents

the principal did not deny thereports when they confrontedhim after the incident.The principal had reported-

ly fetched Mabilo from hisclass and then handed himover to the police without theparents’ consent.Mabilo managed to open a

case of assault against theofficer only the next day afterthe same police station hadallegedly refused to open thecase on the day of theassault. The family had toapproach the provincial policeoffice for intervention inopening the case.“He even told me to go on

and open a case after assault-ing me,” said Mabilo sadly.“Is this how our children

are treated at school, whenwe think they are under theprotection of their teachers?”asked Mabilo’s mother,Maggie.“If the principal was too

busy to deal with the situa-tion, why did he not ask aclass teacher or staff memberinstead of feeding my son tothe dogs?”The Department of Educa-

tion criticised the behaviourof the principal and statedthat he had no right to handover the learner to the policewithout consent.Mxolisi Sokatsha, the new

MEC for Social Development,is faced with the difficult taskof trying to bring to the forethe importance of childprotection.) At the time of going toprint the Northern CapeSAPS was still in theprocess of responding toExpress Northern Cape’senquiry about the incident.The police have confirmed

that the assault case is stillunder investigation.

Learner thrashedLearner thrashedHanded over to SAPSwithout consent

KEALEBOGA MABILO was left with a bruised body and a tainted image after he had allegedly been assaultedby a police officer after he had been handed over to the police without parental consent. Photo: Boipelo Mere

‘Is this how ourc h i l d r e n a r et r e a t e d a tschool, when wethink they areunder the pro­tection of theirteachers?’– Maggie Mabilo

2 EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 4 JUNE 2014

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} Boipelo Mere

AS EXPECTED Syl-via Lucas, the pre-mier of the NorthernCape, has announcedalmost the same can-didates chosen for theprevious term as themembers of the pro-vincial committee.

Only two new faceswereadded:LebogangMotlhaping for Sport,Arts and Culture andBarbara Barttlet forTransport, Safety andLiason. They replacePauline Williams andPatrick Mabilo, re-spectively.

Prior to the an-nouncement of theMEC’s, there wasspeculation that thenumber of portfolioswould be reducedfrom the current tenportfolios to seven.However, the statusquo remains.

Norman Shushu,Grizelda Cjiekella-Le-cholo, David Rooi,JohnBlock, andAlvinBotes retained theirportfolios, while TinyChotelo was moved toEnvironmental Af-fairs,Mc-Collen (Mac)Jack to Health andMxolisi Sokatsha toSocial Development.

The MEC’s weresworn in last Fridayat the Northern CapeLegislature. Here thepremier promised tostrengthen and pro-mote the capacity ofall the municipalitiesin the province.

The opposition par-ties in the provincewere not impressedwith the appoint-ments, especially thatof John Block andAlvin Botes.

“Premier SylviaLucas’s cabinet failsto inspire confidence

that the NorthernCape’s major chal-lenges of unemploy-ment and corruptionwill be tackled effec-tively in her secondterm.

“The retention ofJohn Block and AlvinBotes as MEC’s of Fi-nance and Coopera-tive Governance, Hu-man Settlements andTraditional Affairsrespectively, is ex-tremely disappoint-ing, but not unexpect-ed,” the DA said in astatement.

John Block andAlvin Botes are atpresent on trial forfraud and corruptioncharges in what isknown as the TrifectaTrial in the NorthernCape High Court.

“Ordinary employ-ees are suspendedwhen they transgress,but Block and Botes

are given anotherterm of office,” con-tinued the statement.

The South AfricanCommunist Party(SACP) in the North-ern Cape, on the otherhand, congratulatedthe premier for her vi-sionary leadershipand her focus on pri-oritising the plight ofthe working class andthe poor in pursuit ofbuilding a better lifefor all.

Pakes Dikgetsi ofthe Congress of thePeople (Cope) con-gratulated the newMEC’s, but said thatthere was little capac-ity to deliver servicesand it remained to beseen if the provincecould be lifted out ofits high poverty andunemployment lev-els.

TheEconomicFree-dom Fighters’ (EFF)MPL MmabathoMakause said that theshifting of Sokatshaand replacing himwith Mac Jack was adisaster.

“Those are not ourleaders, we did notvote them in, so wecannot share thesame sentiments asthem. They shouldhave brought in soberpeople,” she added.

The EFF is con-cerned that Jack hasno credentials andbackground to save adepartment in suchshambles.

According to theEFF, the people of theNorthern Capeshould expect furtherdamage in the Depart-ment of Social Devel-opment now thatSokatsha has beenshifted to that depart-ment.

Makause saidSokatsha had alreadydamaged and crippledthe health system,now after that, hisfriends shifted himto another depart-ment to do furtherdamage.

“The NorthernCape health system isalready a joke andpeople’s lives are atstake. Look at the dis-trict departments –strategic positionsare led by unqualifiedpeople.

“We are not con-gragulating anyonefor doing damage tothe province,” sheconcluded.

Mixed reaction to NCMEC’S for next term

THE new MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture is Lebogang Motlhaping, who will be replacingPauline Williams. Photos: Boipelo Mere

THE new MEC for Safety and Liason is Barbara Barttlet.

EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 4 JUNE 2014 3

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} Boipelo Mere

A TOTAL of 13 interns who hadparticipated in the 2012-’13 SouthAfrican Police Service (SAPS)Northern Cape Internship Cyclereceived certificates of comple-tion.The ceremony took place in the

provincial commissioner’s board-room in George Street, Kimberley.The interns were exposed to workexperience opportunities in termsof an internship agreement.As part of the learning pro-

gramme, the interns were alsoexposed to training and develop-ment opportunities, as well asinduction and orientation pro-grammes as arranged by theSAPS.During this period, interns were

provided with adequate worksupervision and they received astipend.The ceremony was graced by

Maj. Gen. Henriette de Waal, thedeputy provincial commissioner inthe Northern Cape, who deliveredthe keynote address.De Waal motivated the interns

not to stop learning and improvingthemselves in terms of studyingwhilst they were searching foremployment. She also said theinterns had to take advantage ofany job opportunities withoutbeing selective because any kind ofwork exposure could help them intheir career growth.The SAPS thanked all the

interns for their hard work andwished them all the best in theirendeavours.

SAPS interns receive certificates

THE Northern Cape interns who received certificates of completion for the 2012­’13 cycle from the SAPS. Photo: Supplied

4 EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 4 JUNE 2014

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} Boipelo Mere

LARRY PAPERS became tiredof moving from one town toanother.So, having the experience

as an Air Force technicianand retail manager, he decidedto combine the two and starthis own business to helpcreate more jobs in theprovince.Through his own initiative,

he managed to identify theneed in his hometown Galash-ewe, where he was born andbred.His two-month-old Auto

Body Worx business, a carparts business, recentlycaught the attention of panelbeaters and car parts compa-nies.He never applied for funding

or a loan.He and his partner used

their own money and startedtheir company, which is doingso well that they plan onfranchising it next year.Papers told Express North-

ern Cape that they werebusy renovating the otherside of the building to turnit into a tyre repair work-shop.“We were so confident in

this dream that we puteverything we had into it.Even though some investorshad shown interest from thebeginning, we decided tobuild it up from scratchourselves,” said a proudPapers.Papers said before he had

received his first real job atthe Air Force, he had apart-time job at the WookeyStore in Galeshewe while hewas still a student.“I was deployed to Venda as

a soldier and there I really

missed home.“There I decided to invest in

my own town.“I saw the gap in the market

and we realised that there wereno shops supplying body parts inGaleshewe and we started thebusiness.

“Panel beaters order the partstelephonically or online and theseare then delivered.”According to him, his decision

to plough back into hisprovince was the right one.“We are looking forward to

serving our community andhope they will support us.“There is a real demand for

auto parts in our communityand it is clear from my onlineorders.“In the past, panel beaters

had to order parts fromBloemfontein, or other prov-inces and the parts took sometime to arrive.“Luckily, we now stock the

widest range of parts with thelowest margins. This gives usa heads-up and attracts morebusiness.“We receive more orders

from outside the provincebecause of our good-qualityreplacement parts that we getfrom Original EquipmentManufacturers (OEM).”He pointed out their advan-

tage over their competitorsbecause they used qualityequipment that they hadbought from suppliersabroad.“We would like to have

branches in Kathu andKuruman in four months fromnow. Then we’ll move to otherprovinces like the North-Westand Gauteng, where therehas already been some inter-est.“Auto Body Works already

created full-time employmentfor three people, apart fromthe owners, and we lookforward to creating morejobs.“If we don’t invest in our

province, who will?“There are opportunities

here and all we have to do isto believe in ourselves andmake them a reality by alsocreating jobs and not expect-ing handouts.”

MAJOR GENERAL JEANABRAHAMS, the Kimberleycluster commander, took theinitiative of hosting the prestigiousCell C Take a Girl Child to WorkCampaign.A total of 15 girls of various high

schools in and around Kimberley,such as Greenpoint, Floors High,Northern Cape and TechnicalHigh, were part of this project.The girls were introduced to

various careers that could bepursued in the South AfricanPolice Service (SAPS), and couldalso interact with Maj. Gen. JeanAbrahams who inspired them,emphasising their value andreassuring them that everythingwas possible through hard work,dedication and passion.The Kimberley SAPS’s Social

Crime Prevention Unit, Women’sNetwork, External Communicationand other female leaders alsoencouraged the girls to pursuetheir dreams.The learners were taken for a

tour through the SAPS 10111 callcentre, the Community ServiceCentre (CSC) and various otherunits at the SAPS.The Cell C Take a Girl Child to

Work Campaign can also beapplied as part of the NationalChild Protection Week which has

been commemorated in SouthAfrica since 1997 to raise awaren-ess for the rights of children, asarticulated in the Children’s Act of2005.The campaign was initiated in

2003. It targets learners in gr. 10 togr. 12 with the aim of exposingyoung girls to the world of workand the wide range of careeropportunities available to them inthe public service and business

world, as well as letting them meetcareer role models.Safety hints were also shared

with the girls during the interacti-on and they were spoilt with somegifts and treats.

THE South African Institute forOccupational Health and Safety(Saiosh) will present a workshopon the new construction regula-tions which were promulgated on14 February this year and will beimplemented in August.This workshop will be facilitat-

ed by one of South Africa’sleading construction health andsafety specialists, Neels Nortjé. Heis also the Saiosh nationalregistrar, holds a NationalDiploma in Safety Managementand has more than 27 years’experience in Occupational Healthand Safety. He was appointed bythe minister of Labour as amember of the minister’s Adviso-ry Council for OHS (ACOHS) andhas been accepted by the SACPC-MP.The workshop will be presented

on 20 June from 09:00 to 12:00 atthe President Hotel, Bloemfontein.It is free for Saiosh members.

Non-members pay R525.For more information and

bookings go to www.saiosh.co.za.

Entrepreneur grabs opportunity

BENJAMIN ITUMELENG, Ben Gexo, Larry Papers and Solitaire Papers. Photo: Boipelo Mere

Workshop heldon construction Girls shown around at SAPS Kby

A TOTAL of 15 girls of various high schools in and around Kimberley were part of the police’s initiative forthe Cell C Take a Girl Child to Work Campaign. With the learners are from the left Const. Lerato Dire, ColAlexia Robertson, Maj. Gen. Jean Abrahams and Const. Santina Gomez. Photo: Supplied

Go like NorthenCape Express onFacebook

EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 4 JUNE 2014 5

NEWS

THE NORTHERN CAPE CABINET: From the left are, front: Lebogang Motlhaping, Tiny Chotelo, Norman Shushu, Premier Sylvia Lucas,Barbara Barttlet and Grizelda Cjiekella­Lecholo; back: Mc­Collen (Mac) Jack, Mxolisi Sokatsha, David Rooi, John Block and AlvinBotes. Photos: Boipelo Mere

MAGARENG girls all colourful. Here areElizabeth Manopole (left), the mayor ofMagareng, and Kgadi Moloi, the execu­tive mayor of Frances Baard who hailsfrom Warrenton.

Ready to serve as members of cabinet

} Boipelo Mere

SHOPRITE HOMESTEAD, theFlamingo Primary School and theDepartment of Education staffmembers all joined in the plea forthe release of the 200 Nigerian girlsby Boko Haram.According to the organisers of

the event, this was a sign that theworking class and learners wouldnot stop praying for the girls untilthey were released.In solidarity, the three institu-

tions met and picketed at the mainBarkly Road and Seochoarengintersection at lunchtime.Numerous calls were made

around the world, including fromorganisations like the Women’sAssociation of the Kimberley,Namibia and Bloemfontein Dis-tricts of the Methodist Church ofSouthern Africa, to free the girlsand allow them to return to theirfamilies as well as the school theyattended.

In Boko Haram’s view ”educationfor girls is a sin”.According to Wandes Swarts, the

store manager of Shoprite inHomestead, they are saddened bythe kidnapping of the girls, thusthey are showing the world thatthey care. “This can happen to ourchildren too,” she added.

“This does not need to tear myheart apart. In faith we canconquer this evil act by BokoHaram. The girls who are kepthostage are our future mothers,nurses, leaders, presidents,” saidSimon Gertz, the organiser of thepicketing. Gertz sent out a messageto the nation to unite in prayer.

Community unite for girls’ releaseTHE working class and learners united in prayer. Photo: Supplied

LEFT: From the leftare Amanda Loto­li, Wendy Khapa,Damelene Mullerand VeronicaMoamogwe, whowere among thecurious learnersmoving from stallto stall at the ca­reer exhibition atMitah Sepereperefrom 23 to 25 May.They have not yetdecidedwhat theywant to be, exceptfor Amanda, whowants to becomea professionalphotographer.They realised thatthey had only twomonths to decide.

CAPT. BOITUMELO ANDREW MORATIWA was one of the busi­est representatives at the career exhibition. There were manylearners who visited this stall on the day.

Weighing up their options

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SIBONGILE TYHOKO (18), alearner of the Tetlanyo High Schoolin Galeshewe, has been chosen asthis month’s Express Northern CapeSuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star ofthe Month for her excellent perform-ance in boxing.Sibongile started boxing when she

was 16 and has since developed herboxing skills. In 2013 she took partin the National Junior and YouthBoxing Tournament held in Bethle-hem and achieved a second place(silver medal).Earlier this year she took part in

the National Junior and YouthBoxing Tournament held in Pretoriaand was crowned the youth champi-on in the 69 kg boxing division. Shewas presented with a gold medal bythe Northern Cape Open BoxingOrganisation (NCOBO) president,Archie Jack, during her school’sassembly.She aspires to become a national

boxer and to represent South Africaat international level. She also wantsto be a mentor in order to developother boxers and help them achievetheir goals.Her coach, R. Mothobi, said: “As

the coach of the Freedom BoxingClub, I noticed Sibongile as adistinguished and determined boxerwho also spars with the male boxers.She has developed and polished herboxing skills through hard, persist-ent training techniques which she isable to apply successfully in the ringagainst her opponent.“Through continuous encourage-

ment and support, she will be able toachieve her highest ambitions inboxing. She is a shining star to herpeers and the province. Although shelikes boxing, I always encourage myboxers not to neglect their schoolwork and I help where I can.”) Send your SuperSport Let’s PlaySports Star of the Month nomina-tion for school learners betweenthe ages of 6 and 18 today (nomi-nations received before the 20th ofeach month will be included inthat month’s selection). You canemail your nomination to super-sport@zpr.co.za or fax it to086-552-4922.For more information, please

call Lynne or Juanré of Z PR on051-522-9574.

Sibongilepacks apunch

SIBONGILE TYHOKO Photo: Supplied

DURING the Department of Education’sthree­day career exhibition at the MitahSeperepere Convention Centre, RowayneRiedtwas amongst themany learners inter­ested in Emergency Medical Services(EMS). He was surprised and impressedwhen Martin Mofokeng informed him thathe could test the waters before deciding tobecome a paramedic. Rowayne realisedthat community members were unawarethat the Department of Health in the pro­vince allowed people to do experientialtraining in ambulances before they decidedto go for training. He invited learners to con­sider becoming paramedics and informedthem of bursaries for courses of six monthsand longer. He also told Express NorthernCape that therewasahighdemand for para­medics as they were under­staffed.

Photo: Boipelo Mere

Learningaboutcareers

EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 4 JUNE 2014 7

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} Boipelo Mere

DISABLED communities in the NorthernCape will benefit from more than R2,5 mil-lion in investments and donations by theSishen Iron Ore Company CommunityDevelopment Trust (SIOC-cdt).

The management of the projects will bedone through the Maphalane DisabledChildren’s Trust (MDCT), a beneficiary trustof the SIOC-cdt, dedicated to working withorganisations and institutions by lookingafter the interests of people with disabili-ties.

The funding is expected to enable peoplewith disabilities to reach their full potentialand make productive contributions to thebroader society.

Vusani Malie, the CEO of the SIOC-cdt,said they were confident that the projectswould address the removal of barrierswhich were preventing people with disabili-ties from reaching their full potential andmaking productive contributions to theirbroader society.

An amount of R1,3 million has beenallocated to the Kgomotsego Old-Age Homein Kuruman for the construction of facilitiesincluding renovations, the rebuilding of thegarage, kitchen and lapa which are in direneed of refurbishing because it is old andnot safe.

The trust’s funding will also provide avehicle which will enable staff to transportresidents between the home and otherfacilities such as clinics and hospitals.

A contribution was also made to theNorthern Cape Association for Persons withDisabilities.

“The association makes a sterling contri-bution towards all sectors of the disabledcommunity, from children, to the youth, towomen and men and the elderly,” saidMalie.

Part of the donation will be used toprovide accessible transport to improve the

mobility of people with disabilities andenable them to play a more independentrole within society. Among the primarybeneficiaries will be the people involvedwith the Bokamosho Vocational Centrewhere there will now be transport availableto ferry them between their homes and theworkshop on a daily basis.

The trust will also contribute more thanR230 000 to the Helen Bishop OrthopaedicHome in Kimberley. It is one of the fewfacilities in the Northern Cape that providesresidential care for children with severedisabilities.

This funding will ensure that the homecontinues to provide high-quality care andeducation services to children who are indire need of support and will ensure thattheir rights to receive the best possible care,treatment and rehabilitation are realised.

The Disabled Children’s Action Groupwill also receive a contribution of R473 000.This funding will provide for office equip-ment for the group’s Northern Capestructure as well as stipends for fieldworkers over the next three years.

“It is of vital importance that parents arewell aware of the rights of their children,but also know where and how to accessinformation, advice, support and publicservices.

“We fully support the objectives toestablish fully functional offices of theDisabled Children’s Action Group in all theregions of the Northern Cape and trust thatthis contribution will help to assist thisprocess.”

Malie paid tribute to staff members offacilities looking after the interests of thedisabled communities in the Northern Cape.

He acknowledged that their (SIOC-cdt)visit to the various projects had served as astrong reminder of the immense contribu-tion made by field workers, specialists andlarge numbers of volunteers to ensure highlevels of care for people with disabilities.

Trust boostsdisabled locals

AT the collective handover to the Helen Bishop Home and APD Upington and Kimberleywere from the left, front: Nelson Mosiapoa, chairperson: MDCT, handing over the chequeto Reza Moolman (far right), the provincial manager for the disabled at the Departmentof Social Development, back: Reuben Matlala, project director: Sioc­Cdt, Cecilia Lobelo,DICAG representative, Bontle Wildebees, CEO of MDCT, andMantwaMakoti. Photos: Supplied

A VEHICLE was handed over to the Kgomotsego Old­Age Centre. From the left are BontleWildebees, CEOof theMaphalaneDisabled Children’s Trust, ReubenMatlala, handing overthe vehicle, and Sr Grace Francisca of the Kgomotsego Old­Age Home.

THE speaker of Sol Plaatje Municipality,Mangaliso Matika (middle), closed hismonth programme for the elderly byjoining two grannies who celebratedtheir birthdays. During this month theelderly were given the attention thatthey need. Virginia Mancwe (left) turned100 and Lettie Louw (right) turned 96.They are both from Seochoareng Old­AgeHome. Thanking the elders for beingthere for the youth of today, Matika sawit fit to address issues of the elders’ safe­ty and promised to make time to visitsuch homes at least once a month. Healso promised that his officewill observeMay to “celebrate the elderly in our com­munities”. Photo: Supplied

Elderly monthcelebrated

} Boipelo Mere

IT has almost been four years since FaithMorolong from Galeshewe joined a stokvelin her neighbourhood. At first she wasskeptic about stokvels or societies, as theyare known in South Africa.

She badly wanted to save for Christmasgroceries and school funds.

Previously, like many people, she wouldgo to the bank for loans to augment whatlittle money she had for Christmas and theschool’s opening in January.

Meanwhile, at a house a stone’s throwaway from her home, about 20 people willmeet for three days around the 15th ofDecember to share a heap of groceries.

First they would share frozen food, twoslaughtered sheep each, then they sharegroceries before they finally have a partyafter each of them has received an SMSnotice on their cell phones to confirm thatR10 000 has been deposited in their accountfrom their society’s bank account.

This is the end result of 12 months ofhard work by these women who eachcontributed and saved R1 000 a month.

This money is also used to help thosemembers with an emergency need formoney and the money is paid back withinterest.

Their target is to ensure that by the endof the year each member has raised R20 000of which R10 000 is deposited to members’accounts and the other R10 000 is combinedwith those of others to buy groceries.

Faith Morolong swallowed her pride andfinally joined the society as soon as aspace became available for one person tojoin.

There are more than 30 such societies inGaleshewe and thousands more in thecountry.

According to Jana Modise, who is thetreasurer of a local society that consists ofmore than 30 people, belonging to a societyis easier than saving at a bank.

“Most of the people are afraid of bank

charges.“At least seven of our members cannot

read, thus they feel it is safe to save theirmoney at a stokvel because we, theexecutive members, can explain theprocedures to them on their level.

“When they borrow money from thestokvel, it is a transparent procedure,where every member is present,” sheexplained.

According to research, stokvels in SouthAfrica are estimated to be worth aboutR25 billion and to have about 8,6 millionmembers.

A survey on the huge informal savingsmarket has found that no formal relation-ship has been established between thebanking industry and stokvels, but themanaging director of the Banking Associa-tion of South Africa, Cas Coovadia, saidthis was something the association waslooking at.

Stokvels relate to banks and insurancecompanies in a relationship that is skewed

in favour of the dominant players.Reports further state that stokvels are

unable to use their considerable funds todevelop into viable community-basedfinancial and investment enterprisesthrough which banking and insuranceproducts could be distributed.

The reasons for this underdevelopmentvary.

The informal nature of their membershipmeans that stokvels are poorly governed,the cash reserves and financial asset baseof stokvels are generally low because ofpoorly-determined benefits.

Appetite among members to venture intoformal business or banking activities ispoor and they tend to use their savingsmainly to finance household consumablesand durables – as opposed to using thefunds for investment.) Send your opinion to the Express websiteand tell us how stokvels have improved orworsened your life. Go to www.express-news.co.za or visit our Facebook page.

Stokvels for many a simple way to save

8 EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 4 JUNE 2014

THE 20th Inter-Mines Group AssociatedSports (IMGAS) Tournament, wherein sixmining-related training institutes tookpart, was hosted by the Anglo Americandivision Kumba Iron Ore at Konka inRustenburg in May.

The participating mining institutes wereSamancor, Sasol, Anglo American Plati-num, Artisan Training Institute, SibanyeGold and Kumba.

Kumba did exceptionally well this yearby taking top honours in the netball finalagainst Sibanye Gold, in the rugby finalsagainst Sasol and in the soccer againstAmplats.

On individual level Kekana Raisibe ofAmplats was identified as best netballplayer of the tournament, T. Makawa ofSibanye Gold as the best soccer player ofthe tournament and J. Zwiegelaar ofKumba Iron Ore as best rugby player ofthe tournament.

The tournament, much like SouthAfrica’s new democracy, celebrated its 20thanniversary this year and was under-pinned by a sense of unity and celebra-tion.

The main objective of this five-daysporting event for first-time learners is toensure the growth and development ofleadership through sport within themining and related industries.

The tournament promotes good fellow-ship among participants who come from avariety of backgrounds and provides anopportunity for participants to play againstfellow learners they might not otherwisehave met.

Speaking at the event, chairman ofIMGAS, Douw Ramdharee, said thetournament had one common purpose andthat was to develop, empower and unitelearners through sport over the last 20years.

“Sport has the power to teach usimportant life lessons about courage anddetermination, to do the right thing and bemindful of the rules that govern us. Sportalso teaches us how to exhibit fairness andto sometimes gracefully accept negativeresults.

“Finally, it teaches us to attemptdifficult challenges that are worthwhile,”said Ramdharee.

Kumba continuously strives to formhealthy and sustainable partnerships thatare mutually beneficial to all stakehold-ers.

“We are proud to have hosted our

partners in the industry as well as thissuccessful tournament.

“I would like to congratulate all theteams, the learners and the participantsfor making this event a huge success.

“In particular I would like to celebratethe achievements of all the winning teamsat this year’s tournament and hope thatwe can build on these successes for nextyear,” says Mashilo Mokotong, manager:Sustainable Development at Kumba IronOre’s Sishen Mine.

Kumba shines at mines tournamentTHE Kumba Iron Ore teams and management that attended Inter­Mines Group Associated Sports tournament for 2014. Photos: Supplied

BEN DIEDERICHS, Imgas president, Mashilo Mokotong, manager: Sustainable Develop­ment at Kumba Iron Ore’s Sishen Mine, Greg Jennings, manager: Sport and Recreation:Sishen Mine, and Douw Ramdharee, Imgas chairperson.

For morenews and photos

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‘Sport has the power toteach us important life les­sons about courage and de­termination, to do the rightthing and be mindful of therules that govern us. Sportalso teaches us how to ex­hibit fairness and to some­times gracefully accept ne­gative results.’ – Douw Ram­dharee, IMGAS chairman