RUSTENBURG

11 June 2014Volume 2 Week 24

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There is little evidence that the business activity in Marikana – outside Rustenburg – is being affected by the mine strike, which has been dragging on since January 23.While a few of the shops at the main trading centre are closed, the hustle and bustle of people scurrying for this and that – moving from one store to the other – is a clear indication that it is “business as usual.” But it is only when one goes deeper into the Platinum belt – passing through the long, winding road that leads into Wonderkop – that one comes face to face with how tough life has really become, particularly for the ordinary people living in the area. Near the kopie – which has become a symbolic gathering place for the striking mineworkers being led by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) – two men wearing blue work suits can be seen frantically digging. Copper cable theft is increasingly becoming rife in the area as people’s desperation force them to consider many other avenues – legal or otherwise – to survive. A few kilometers from the spot where the two men are digging, a woman is gathering tins, cans and other metal objects. She picks up two cans and puts them in a wheelbarrow containing a rubble of other finds. With a baby strapped on her back, she pushes the wheelbarrow along a path, presumably in the direction of a scrap metal dealer. Mining activities create the major form of employment in this area and provides livelihood for many families that live here. Owing to the strike however, a number of breadwinners have been unable to provide for their families – creating a humanitarian disaster of considerable proportions. In Wonderkop, next to a public clinic, Seipati Mmekwa and her husband have come to the aid of a number of people who can no longer feed themselves or their families.The two – who are senior members of one of

the local churches – have teamed with some volunteers to cook food and provide for hundreds of people that have been hit hard by the strike.“We are helping people who are suffering because of the effects of this strike,” Mmekwa said. She said she does not want to be associated with the union rivalries that have punctuated the strikes. “Our job is just to feed as many people as we can. At the moment, we have around 300 people that we are feeding. “I do not belong to any trade union because we are neutral. I am just praying for the mines and AMCU to come to an agreement soon so that the strike can end. “People are suffering and you can see it when they come here. I also need blankets to distribute to families because it is winter time now,” she added.

Life gets tough in the Platinum belt

farirai@lesedingnews.co.za Farirayi Kahwemba

TOUGH EXPERIENCES: A woman pushes a wheelbarrow after collecting some metallic objects (PHOTO: FARIRAYI KAHWEMBA)

“People are suffering and you can see it”

02 Leseding News - Rustenburg11 June 2014

10 500 to: Rustenburg. 10 500 to Brits,

Marikana and Derby

EditorLevy Mokwele

News EditorFarirayi Kahwemba

JournalistsKutlwano MotsepeProduction ManagerDivan Bekker

Advertising ExecutivesRaymond SelebogoTarryn-Lee GroblerAndre Dutoit

ClassifiedsPertunia Morekisi

PhotographerAndrew Mahlaba

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The policies of the Rustenburg Local Municipality for the 2014/15 financial year will be anchored on a budget of R3.5 million. The budget, referred to as the Medium Term

Restructured Expenditure Framework (MTREF), was recently tabled and adopted by the city’s councilors during an extraordinary sitting at the Civic Centre.

Delivering the budget speech, Rustenburg Mayor Mpho Khunou also announced an increase in the city’s tariffs. “The budget 2014/15 was informed by the priorities as expressed in the integrated development plan,” Khunou said. Among other factors, Khunou explained that the budget was based on building a financially resilient government through long term financial planning and prudent financial management as well as a desire to bring about transformation in the public transport industry. He explained how the drop of South Africa’s GDP also affected the permutations of the budget. “The budget for 2014/2015 was prepared mindful of the challenging economic and fiscal environment,” he said. “The first quarter 2014 results released by Stats SA indicated that the Gross Domestic Price (GDP) at market prices has decreased by 0.6 percent and the main contributors to the decrease in economic activity were depressed mining and quarrying activities,” he added. Some of the projects that will be undertaken during the financial year will be aimed at providing better sanitation and more access to electricity. “The allocation of R40 million will be spent

on installation and refurbishment of sewerage reticulation systems in areas such as Boitekong,

Lethabong, 27 and 28 as well as Gelhoutpark ext 10,” Khunous said. “The expansion of Boitekong Waste water treatment from 8 meg/l per day to 18 meg/l per day will be undertaken by the Rustenburg Water Services Trust,” he added. In the provision of electricity, the Mayor announced a number of ongoing and new interventions. Among these are a R50 million project for the completion of Waterkloof (88/33/11kV) Substation, which is set to be completed and commissioned between October and November 2015. The project will result in the substation having the capacity to supply the entire Rustenburg i.e 180 MVA at full capacity. “[A further] R70 million has been allocated to refurbish four key 33/11kV existing substations. “On the electricity distribution losses front, the Municipality has appointed seven meter inspectors to focus mainly on tampered meters (both conventional and pre-paid). Regular audits will be done to curb losses, the automatic meter reading system is 80% complete which allows the Municipality to detect any change in consumption pattern,” Khunou revealed. Khunou also spelled out an increase in the tariffs as follows: Property Rates (6%), Water (5%), Ellectricity (6% to 7.38% average 6.33%), Sewerage (5.6%), Refuse Removal (6%). Other tariffs will also be increased from between 5.6% to 8%.

Council adopts R3.5 billion budget

FINANCIAL ISSUES: The Executive Mayor of Rustenburg Mpho Khunou delivering the budget speech (PHOTO: FARIRAYI KAHWEMBA).

farirai@lesedingnews.co.za Farirayi Kahwemba

03Leseding News - Rustenburg 11 June 2014

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Highlights of Moses Kotane

Budget Facts and figures

A total of R502 million will form the income budget. Among some of the grants that will form part of the budget are Equitable Shares grant (R275 million), Municipal Finance Management grant (R1.6 million), Municipal System Improvement grant (R900 000), Water Services Operating subsidy (R7.5 million), Extended Public Works Programme (R1.8 million) and Project Management Unit (R3.2 million).

Water projects

The budget makes provision for new infrastructure in the communities through MIG funding as one of the source of financing of the capital programme. The main priority is provision of basic services hence our full focus has been directed towards other sources of water. More than R7 million rand has been allocated to ground water optimisation projects which will benefit communities.

Sanitation

An amount of R4.2 Million for sanitation has been provided for in the budget. This allocation shows that the Municipality is prepared to address the need of sanitation in our community.

Roads and storm water

In response to the outcry from the community regarding roads and storm water, the municipality has allocated an amount of R68.1 million for construction of internal roads and storm water projects.

Job creation

The budget makes provision for the creation of 182 permanent jobs. The EPWP programmes will still continue in the 2014/2015 financial year. For all the capital projects to be implemented, the municipality has encouraged contractors to make use of the local labour mainly to reduce unemployment

The Executive Mayor of the Moses Kotane Local Municipality, Councilor Fetsang Mokati-Thebe, will during the 2014/15 financial year spearhead a number of developmental initiatives aimed at uplifting the standards of people living in the area.

Delivering her budget speech recently, Councilor Mokati-Thebe said the policies of the municipality would be guided by the information gathered from various members of the community during consultative meetings.

“Let me assure all residents of Moses Kotane Local Municipality on behalf of the entire 73 –member Council inclusive of representation of Dikgosi that we will address all issues raised during all public consultative and monthly community meetings, and it will be attended to,” Mokati-Thebe said.

“We are today committing to closing the gap between the municipality and its communities to ensure efficient communication,” she added.

Among some of the projects that the council will implement include the Letsema programme aimed at cleaning cemeteries

in all wards and the construction of paved internal roads with storm water to create more jobs for locals.

The municipality has already engaged the Department of Energy to ensure the completion of all high mast lights and the electrification of a number of villages within Moses Kotane.

The mayor also revealed that a water project that was launched by Minister of Water Affairs, Edna Molewa, will result in more people receiving access to the precious resource.

“The R1.6 billion multi-phase Pilanesberg Bulk Water Supply Scheme Project was launched by the former Minister of Water Affairs, Mme Edna Molewa which – upon completion – will see people supplied by the Vaalkop Water Supply Scheme getting access to water as a basic source of life,” the mayor said.

“We have also intensified extended public works programme across all corners of the municipality.Honourable Speaker, appointment of senior managers has cemented our thoughts of ensuring that the ideals of Moses Mauane Kotane are realised.

Re dirile go le gontsi mme re itlama go tsweletsa moono wa rona wa go tsweletsa thebolo ya ditirelo,” she said.

She also invited people living in the Moses Kotane Local Municipality to work hand in glove with local government for the successful implementation of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP).

“The office of the Mayor has in the current year, rolled out outreach programmes aimed creating awareness on municipal programmes for people living with disabilities, youth, women and children and those affected and infected with HIV/AIDS,” she said.

She pointed out the important role played by traditional leaders in helping the municipality to fulfil iots mandate.

“We started engaging all traditional leaders in the Moses Kotane Local Municipal jurisdiction on exploring different approaches of working together effectively for the benefit of our communities.

“Let me appreciate the great support given to us by the traditional leaders’ willingness to jointly plan and implement government’s programmes,” she said.

Moses Kotane budget prioritizes service delivery

08 Leseding News - RustenburgLeseding News - Rustenburg

SPORTSPORT11 June 2014

ORBIT College FC – a local team based in Rustenburg that competes in the Second Division – was officially launched at the Olympia Park Stadium recently. The launch was held at the Olympia Park Stadium and was well attended by local residents, sponsors and other stakeholders within the corporate and football fraternity. During the event, the official sponsors of the team – ABSA – donated R50 000 which will go towards skills development of the players. The club – which changed its name from Rustenburg Sea Eagles – is made up of players who come from areas around the North West Province. The team’s coach – Pogiso Makhoye – said his wish is to develop a disciplined, effective team capable of progressing to play in the topflight league. “My dream is to see the team well-developed and competing against the big boys in the Premier Soccer League one day,” Makhoye said. The principal of the college, Maryna Marais, also

gave an address during the event in which she expressed her support for the team, as well as gratitude towards staff members who dedicated their own free time after working hours to ensure that the players train hard and perform well at all times. Orbit College FC has gone a long way in uplifting the standards of local football in the North West province, particularly Rustenburg where they are based. The team – which was formerly called Rustenburg Sea Eagles – has been instrumental in nurturing the talent of young players and giving them a springboard upon which they are able to launch their football careers. Some of the team’s players have gone on to play for team in the country’s National First Division teams. The club has also established a strong bond with Platinum Stars, who play in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

This understanding allows players from Orbit College FC to train with the Platinum Stars first

team in a development that allows them to learn more about football from professional players.

ORBIT College FC launched

TIMELY BOOST: Ms S Morename (ABSA Provincial Manager Public Sector Banking, North West), Mr P Makhoye (Orbit College FC Head Coach) and Ms M Marais (ORBIT FET College

Principal). (PHOTO: SUPLIED)

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