the beat 6 march 2015

SolvSolvSolvSolvSolve oure oure oure oure ourproblems orproblems orproblems orproblems orproblems orresign!resign!resign!resign!resign!

6 March 2015

R1-20/FR

EE

Justin Steyn

A 30-year old man haslost his life in a caraccident. On Saturday28 February, PrinceMoselane was travellingfrom Vaalwater in awhite Volkswagen Polowith three otherpassengersAccording to Modimolle

police spokesperson,Warrant Officer JamesFindlay, it wassuspected that Moselanehad lost control of thevehicle and collided witha nearby tree.Emergency personnel

Lizzy Bapela

Angry residents of Bela-Belaheaded to the municipal officesto voice their concerns andhand over a memorandumdetailing their grievances to localmayor Lucas Nhlapo. The marchtook place on Friday, 27February, starting at LethlabilePark before heading into townwith stops at main junctions.The marchers said that they

were tired of being made intofools by power-hungry leadersand wanted to sort things outonce and for all, demandingurgent intervention.The marchers sang struggle

songs, demonstrating theiranger and concern, as well astheir dissatisfaction with therunning of the municipality.In their memorandum, the

marchers demanded urgentsolutions to many issues. Theydemanded that all generalworkers’ posts be reviewed, asthose employed were not short-listed, and that Manager forPlanning Precious Raputswa be

One One One One One deaddeaddeaddeaddeadand threeand threeand threeand threeand three

injuredinjuredinjuredinjuredinjuredin collisionin collisionin collisionin collisionin collision

One man diedin hospital aftercolliding with atree. Photo:Supplied

arrived on the sceneand the fouroccupants werestabilized and taken tothe F.H Odendaalhospital in Modimolle.Moselane passedaway later thatevening. The otheroccupants remain incritical condition atthe hospital.Findlay said the

matter is still underinvestigation and acase of culpablehomicide has beenopened.

fired with immediate effect as heallegedly employed his girlfriendin a position she was notqualified for.They also demanded that the

number of drivers and operatorsbe made equal to the number ofvehicles, as they say that thereare more than 80 vehicles andless than 30 drivers. They wantthe remaining vehicles returned,as the municipality spends morethan R3 million a month rentingthem.The marchers also demanded

the resignation of municipalmanager Morris Maluleka,alleging incompetence. Themarchers’ memorandumallegedly mentioned that many ofthe projects started during histenure were not completed, whilesome have been abandoned bycontractos.They say that the municipality

has lost more than R30 millionfor unbudgeted, frivolous andirregular expenditure.During the reading of demands,

one resident asked the mayor tostop smiling when they talk

because they did not enjoyseeing his “gold tooth”. Theresident also accused Malulekaof also being corrupt as he isable to travel from Pretoria toBela-Bela and back every workday because he does not feelthe pain of expensive petrol ashe buys it “with the money hestole from the municipality.”The marchers continued to

accuse the council ofcorruption and incompetence,adding that the politicalmanagement team awardtenders to and employ theirfriends and families instead ofmore qualified outsiders.They also ordered the mayor

to respond within seven days,threatening to create chaos inthe town if he did not.Municipal spokespersonMatome Sebelebele delivered awritten statement to TheBEAT’s offices, which can beread in full on Page 4 of TheBEAT, in which themunicipality denies allegationsof corruption andmismanagement.

Leader of the concerned residents of Bela-BelaNeo Moloko read out their demands to themayor before handing over the memorandum.Photo: Lizzy BapelaAngry residents of Bela-Bela marched

to the municipality to voice theirgrievances. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

problemsproblemsproblemsproblemsproblems

[email protected], Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za BEAT 6 March, 2015

TK Mashaba

Not six months after criminals robbedthe Markhams store in Bela-Bela oflarge amounts of money as well as beltsand cellphones, the shop has been hitby criminals again.On Tuesday, 3 March, two people

entered the store and robbed the storeof shoes, money and cellphones.According to Bela-Bela Police

Detectives commander Colonel AbelPhetla, they have not yet establishedhow much has been stolen from thestore.

Justin Steyn

Two men, aged 21 and 25, have beenarrested for allegedly killing a publicorder police officer.According to the Hawks’

spokesperson in Limpopo, BrigadierHangwani Mulaudzi, the incidentoccurred when Constable StanleyMokonyane was dispatched toMalumalele on Thursday, 26 February,to assist in keeping the peace.Malumalele has been having issueswith protests since the start of theyear.According to Mulaudzi, Mokonyane

MarMarMarMarMarkhams storkhams storkhams storkhams storkhams store ine ine ine ine inBela-Bela rBela-Bela rBela-Bela rBela-Bela rBela-Bela robobobobobbedbedbedbedbedonce aonce aonce aonce aonce agggggainainainainain

Police rushed to Markhams after it was robbed on Tuesday, 3 March.Photo: TK Mashaba

“Two people came into the store andpretended to be customers,” he said.“Later they held the personnel in thestore at gunpoint and were joined by sixothers. They took some shoes andcellphones, as well as an amount ofcash.”The criminals piled into a getaway car

and escaped.It has not yet been established whether

the criminals were the same ones whorobbed the store in October of 2014.The police attended the scene with

fingerprint instruments to see if theycould identify the suspects.

Two arrested for cop killingwas stabbed twice in the chest aftermeeting with two women who wereallegedly sex workers.Mulaudzi said that police had been

informed of the men’s whereabouts bythe two women, and arrests weremade.Mokonyane’s wallet and cellphone

were recovered at the scene alongwith other stolen items.The two men appeared at the

Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court onMonday, 2 February on charges ofmurder and robbery.The incident is still under

investigation.

Limpopo MEC for Transport, Safety, Security and Liaison MapulaMokaba-Phukwana and her entourage visited the Modimolle CorrectionalCentre on Wednesday, 18 February to motivate the inmates. From leftto right: the Waterberg District Executive Mayor Tlotlanang Mogotlane,Modimolle SAPS Cluster Commander Colonel Lookie Harmse, MECMokaba-Phukwana and the Department of Correctional Services’Polokwane Area Commissioner Kenny Mthombeni. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

The MEC for Agriculture in Limpopo Joy Matshoge recently visited theModimolle Correctional Centre to review the State of the NationAddress together with the Offenders; also to simplify and give them thespeech overview. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

The head of Modimolle Correctional Centre Erastus Mocke (middle) wasrecently promoted to Deputy Director and still heads the Centre. Hisjunior colleagues and area management team attended the celebrationceremony held at the centre recently to congratulate him. From left toright: Area Coordinator for Cooperate Services Tito Sekwakwa and AreaCommissioner Kenny Mthombeni. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

TK Mashaba

Justin Steyn

BEAT Page [email protected]@gmail.com, Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za 6 March, 2015

For a speedy &friendly servicecall:Jan: 073 1593 875 •Home: 014 737 8373 •Fax: 014 737 1577Makwela: 071 490 3030

Lizzy Bapela

Law-enforcement officers and othermourners came in their numbers toattend the memorial service of the lateThibe Charles Kekana, who had beenemployed as a traffic officer inModimolle. The ceremony was held atthe Waterberg Community ChristianChurch on Thursday, 26 February.Kekana died after being hit a truck

while he was on duty on Friday, 20

The DA, in a recent press release,attributed the hospitalization of hundredsof learners at Mankgane Primary Schoolin Sekhukhune to food poisoning fromthe school’s feeding scheme.The incident follows hot on the heels of

another incident late in 2014, wherehundreds of Sekhukhune learners werehospitalized, also for food poisoning.In September and October 2014, 300

learners were admitted to hospital afterglass was found in their food,According to the DA, the Auditor

General accused the Department ofEducation in Limpopo of delivering sub-standard food to their students as earlyas April 2014. The Departmentresponded by cancelling the contracts ofseveral suppliers involved in the feedingschemes in Sekhukhune late last year.In a statement to the media the DA’s

provincial leader Jacques Smallepromised to call for an inquiry by theLimpopo Legislature’s EducationCommittee into all school feedingscheme contracts the Department hasentered into.“How is it possible that the same

tragedy has struck again just four monthslater?” he asked. “How many lives is theDepartment willing to risk before itproperly vets suppliers of food to ourlearners?”

Deceased traffic officer laid to rest in Mokopane

The late Modimolle traffic officerThibe Charles Kekana. Photosupplied

February. He is suspected to have beensucked under the truck’s wheels by theheavy wind while he was busy assistingone driver who was passing, asking fordirections.Most speakers at the service described

the deceased’s personality, strengthsand character, remembering the timesthey had with him. Every speakerushered their messages of heartfeltcondolences with either tears in theirfaces or sad voices, expressing the pain

Traffic officers came in numbers to pay their last respectto their late colleague. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

Mourners filled the hall for the memorial service. Photo:Lizzy Bapela

and shock of losing their loved one.Representing the Traffic Department,

the Waterberg Road Traffic ManagerSimon Kekana talked about hiscolleague’s commitment in his job,saying that he was among the hardworking staff members who always puthis job first. Kekana indicated suchdedicated and motivated people areneeded in the law enforcementindustry in order to ensure people’ssafety. He added that their job is one

of those that poses risks in anindividual’s life and is not easy, urgingmembers of the public to bear that intheir mind when they think that theirofficials are being too strict that they arejust doing their jobs.Friends, colleagues, relatives, family

members and people from varioussector departments attended thememorial service and the deceased’sfuneral held at Mahwelereng section inMokopane over the past weekend.

AlleAlleAlleAlleAllegggggaaaaations oftions oftions oftions oftions of mass poisoning in sc mass poisoning in sc mass poisoning in sc mass poisoning in sc mass poisoning in schoolshoolshoolshoolshools

The DA is accusing the Limpopo Department of Education of providingdangerously substandard food in the school feeding scheme. Photo asillustration

By learBy learBy learBy learBy learning yning yning yning yning youououououwill teach;will teach;will teach;will teach;will teach;

by teaching youby teaching youby teaching youby teaching youby teaching youwill underwill underwill underwill underwill understand.stand.stand.stand.stand.

LaLaLaLaLatin Prtin Prtin Prtin Prtin Prooooovvvvverberberberberb

Lizzy Bapela


BELA BELALOCAL MUNICIPALITY

Private Bag X1609 Bela Bela 0480

RE: Statement on allegations on the

contained in the MemorandumThe municipality wishes to put the following on record regarding the allegationscontained in the Memorandum, as submitted by the Concerned Communitymembers of the Bela Bela to the Office of the Mayor on the 27th February 2015.1. All the general workers’ posts were subject to the normal recruitment

processes, which were followed to the letter culminating with the employmentof the applicants.

2. Regarding the appointment of Mr Preciousstone Raputsoa, the municipalitywish to state Mr Raputsoa has been appointed based on the requirements ofthe position to the satisfaction of Council.2.1. Pertaining to the appointment of Mr Lesley Mokgwemang, LED Divisional

Manager, the municipality can confirmed that all the requirements forthe post as per the advertisement were met satisfactory, inclusive of therequired qualifications and experience.

2.2. Contrary to the allegations that the municipality has hired a certain MsMoloko Aretha Mabetwa, as the new Divisional Manager: PerformanceManagement System (PMS), the municipality wishes to state no suchcandidate is in the employ of the municipality.

3. Currently, the municipality has a fleet contract on the leasing of vehicle, whichis ending in June 2015. Consequently the municipality has, in preparation ofthe lapse of the current contract, and also to avoid in service delivery disruption,has entered lease agreement with a different service provide. By the beginningof the new financial year, all municipal fleet will be as per the service deliveryneed of the municipality.

4. The amount currently been paid for security services is in line with theappointment of the service providers, and security needs of the municipality,some of which arose during financial year, and has since been addressedduring the Budget Adjustment Process in January 2015.

5. All our capital projects are progressing as scheduled and are due to becompleted, by the end of the current financial year, ending in June 2015.

6. All tenders and quotations-based projects are awarded according to the SupplyChain Regulations and Council approved SCM policy, which also givespreference to locals.

For more information, contact: Matome SebelebeleHead of Communication and [email protected]

072 751 1553 / 014 736 8005

Justin Steyn

After more than ten years, it appears thatsomething is finally being done about theBela-Bela library’s condition.According to the municipal

spokesperson Matome Sebelebele, a vastamount of furniture, including tables,chairs and new bookshelves have beendelivered to the library from thedepartment. New books have alsoapparently been added to the list.Following a meeting between the

municipality and the department onTuesday 3 March, it was decided toreinstate the library.Sebelebele said that it was decided that

the entire library is to be refurbished andthat it is expected to function as a normallibrary.“After much negotiation with the

department we have decided to re-openthe library in an upgraded state. Thelibrary will still have its internet station andthe public will once again be able to applyfor membership and borrow books,”He could not verify when the

refurbishments would be completed.

Justin Steyn

Koppewaai residents say that they are fedup with their living conditions and withhaving no response from the Bela-Belamayor Lucas Nhlapo.According to Ward Councillor Kobus van

der Merwe, there is a lot of uncertaintyregarding proposed housing developmentsand the implementation of temporary toiletfacilities which had been approved by theDepartment of Cooperative Governance,Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs(CoGHSTA) as well as the growth of localsquatter camps.Van der Merwe previously revealed that a

survey was conducted last year byCoGHSTA and the Housing DevelopmentAgency, and found that an estimated R72million was needed to supply the area withservices such as storm water drainage andsewage disposal. According to van derMerwe the local municipality does not havethe money for these services, and theapplication for a financial grant from theUrban Settlements Development Grant hasbeen denied.Van der Merwe said that he has written

several letters to Nhlapo but he hasreceived no response.“It does not seem as if the mayor wants to

talk to me about the issues at Koppewaai.The community is faced with seriousproblems and they need answers.”Another issue that van der Merwe

complained about are illegal residents.It has been alleged that some residents,

particularly those with a political affiliation,are pretending to be leaders and levyingcertain extensions to residents at areduced price.Meanwhile, the National Treasury has

taken an estimated R660 million in housing

Lizzy Bapela

Working on Fire (WoF) firefightersfrom various Waterberg bases joinedtheir colleagues from all corners ofLimpopo Province at a yellow cardtraining camp to prepare for the 2015fire season. The camp started onMonday, 23 February, and will rununtil Monday, 9 March, at the WoFprovincial offices in Dalmada.Provincial spokesperson for the WoF

Matema Gwangwa said that normallythe training camp is hosted a monthprior to the start of the fire season.She added that this year, due to thedry season and the lack of rain, thecamp was moved earlier so as to havethe firefighters ready for the season.“The firefighters are assessed on

their fitness level. They are expected2,4km, and do sit-ups and push-upswithin a limited time. Apart fromattending lectures and writing

Koppewaai in needfunds from Limpopo and has handed it tofour other provinces.According to an article in The Star, the

move was in terms of Section 19 of theDivision of Revenue Act of 2014, whichallows the Treasury to stop the transfer ofcertain allocations to a province.As a rule, this is done if the province has

broken the law on the use of those funds,or if the Treasury believes the province willnot spend the money before the end of thefinancial year, if the function that themoney was intended for is moved, or if theprovince does not comply with constructionindustry standards on infrastructureprojects.Limpopo’s R599.5 million was for the

province’s Human Settlements Departmentand was part of the Human SettlementsDevelopment Grant for housing. It is aconditional grant, which means it must notbe spent on anything else.Van der Merwe blamed poor planning

and maladministration on the part ofCoGHSTA for the situation.“It is now clear why the people of Spa

Park and Koppewaai have been strugglingfor many years and will still strugglebecause of provincial departments that donot know what they are doing. If the MEVof CoGHSTA had responded to an urgentrequest and invitation by the communityand had visited the area, it would havebeen unnecessary to send back funds.It is an absolute disgrace that everyyear so much money is taken back,” hesaid.Municipal spokesperson Matome

Sebelebele said that the municipality isnot happy with the developments inKoppewaai, but could not confirmwhether Nhlapo had received van derMerwe’s written communications.

LibrLibrLibrLibrLibrararararary to be upgy to be upgy to be upgy to be upgy to be upgrrrrradedadedadedadedaded

Various new items of furniture havebeen seen at the Bela-Bela library.Photo: Justin Steyn

Veld and Forest Fire Fighters gear upfor the upcoming fire season

assessment tests, they also have to dopractical exercises,” said Gwangwa.The training instructor said that the

firefighters also need to be exposed tofires in order to get used to the heat.He added that they are expected to beable to continue even if they aresurrounded by fire without beinginjured.Meanwhile, the Working on Fire

General Manager Sam Maepa saidthat all firefighters will be ready todeploy to any fire anywhere in theprovince once they pass theirtraining. He told The BEAT that hewas proud of the firefighters’performance so far.Gwangwa also mentioned that the

firefighters showed a high level ofcommitment and motivation, oftenmotivating themselves with songduring challenges.She added that team spirit is high

among the fire fighters at the camp.

Northam andSondela firefighters posedfor a photobeforedeparting tothe camp.Photo: LizzyBapela

Fire is alwaysthe mainobstacle forthe fire fightersduring training.Photo: LizzyBapela

Fire fightersfromWaterbergwere hard atwork duringthe camp.Photo: LizzyBapela

Justin Steyn

Lizzy Bapela

Justin Steyn


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COPYRIGHTThe reproduction or broadcast without writtenpermission of any material published in The Beatand its supplements is forbidden and expresslyreserved to Upfront Events Two CC, under sec-tion 12(7) of the Copyright Act, 1978 and anyamendment thereof. The Beat is typographicallyprepared, published and distributed by UpfrontEvents Two CC. The Beat: 7 Minnaar Street, Tel:(014) 736-2723, Fax: (014) 736-3428, PO Box16, Bela-Bela. E-mail: [email protected] Beat is typographically prepared, publishedand distributed by Upfront Events Two CC and isprinted by Paarl Coldset, 83 Heidelberg Rd, CityDeep Production Park, City Deep.

Photo of the week

The BEAT wants to hearfrom our readers. If you

have a great story orsomething that you wantus to bring to light, please

[email protected] or

send an SMS to one of ourreporters. Lizzy: 072 264

7740 or TK: 076 7569740. We would also

LOVE to see some of yourweird and wonderful

photos for our editorialpage.

This photowas takenfrom theInternationalSpace Stationby astronautSamanthaCristoforettiof Italy onFriday, 27February. Itis the view ofEarth as seenfrom theInternationalSpaceStation.Photosupplied

An anonymousresident writes:I would like to bring it to the

attention of all concerned that thenoise level in Bela-Bela Township isfar too high at night, especiallyaround Sun Valley, Leseding, andthe industrial area where severaltaverns are situated.I phoned the police on Tuesday

night when the bass was especiallyloud. They wanted to know thename of a specific tavern, but theyall play very loud music. The musicis so loud that it shakes the roofand walls of the shacks, and I callit the demon beat because no-onein their right minds or having fullhearing can listen to such trash.

Leonard Nimoy, the actor whoportrayed Mr Spock in the celebratedand world-changing series Star Trek,passed away on 27 February at theage of 83.Tributes came in from all corners of

the world. Barack Obama, America’sfirst black president, mentioned thatNimoy, as Spock, had been aninspiration to him. Crew on theInternational Space Station tweetedthat Nimoy had inspired many of themto go to space in the first place. Actorsand film people from across the worldspoke out about the impact he hadhad on their lives. In short, a small, butsignificant, part of the world’spopulation – the most innovative, themost imaginative part — was united ingrief. Many of them grieved for a manthey had never met.The interesting thing is that Star Trek

was never supposed to change theworld. It was a low-budget series,which was cancelled after only threeseasons. The special effects werebad, even for the late 1960s, and theacting was, let’s say ‘not very good’and leave it at that, shall we?And yet, that cancelled series

spawned ten films, four spin-off seriesand, in 2009, a reboot of the entireseries with a new cast and all theshiny technology Hollywood could layits hands on.It captured the imagination of a

generation. NASA named their spaceshuttle the Enterprise, after the ship inthe series. Some say that Star Trekhad as much to do with keeping manin space as Heinlein’s 1940s sciencefiction stories had with getting us therein the first place.How did this admittedly not very

good show do that?By being brave.In a time when America was still

reeling from the after effects of WorldWar 2, and with the Japaneseinternment camps still fresh ineveryone’s minds, Gene Roddenberryput a Japanese man — one who hadactually been in an internment campas a child — on the bridge of aspaceship!In a time when black people across

America were fighting for equal rights,and women were trying to break theirown chains, Gene Roddenberryput a black woman on the bridge ofa spaceship! Incidentally, one ofthe acknowledged Queens ofComedy, Whoopi Goldberg,mentioned that she had beeninspired to try acting when, as asmall girl, she had seen NichelleNichols, a black woman, in StarTrek. “Momma,” she said, “There’sa black woman on TV, and sheain’t no maid!”Many of the pioneers in the fields

of computing said that they hadbeen inspired by Star Trek’streatment of technology as good,when most of the fiction at thattime was predicting doom andgloom.What’s the point of this editorial?

I hear you ask.It’s this: Nobody ever changed

the world unless they were a littlebit brave. You may not have as bigan influence on the course of thehuman race as Leonard Nimoydid, but you can change the world.Just be brave.And in the meantime, as the

saying goes: Live long, andprosper.

Live long, andprosper

Letter toLetter toLetter toLetter toLetter tothe editorthe editorthe editorthe editorthe editor


LEGALS

SMALLSBARGAIN newly build 3 bed-room house, 2 bathrooms, ga-rage, open plan living room/dining room. Paul Kruger str.Nylstroom R680 000. ContactFrancois 082 495 3299.

BELA BELAAMENDMENT SCHEME

93/08

NOTICE OFAPPLICATION FOR

AMENDMENT OF THETOWN PLANNING

SCHEME IN TERMS OFSECTION 56 (1) (b) (i)

OF THE TOWNPLANNING AND

TOWNSHIPSORDINANCE 1986

(ORDINANCE No 15 OF1986)

We, GEO PROJECTS,authorised agents of theowner of Erf 205, Bela

Bela township, Bela-Belahereby give notice in termsof section 56(1)(b)(i) of theTown Planning andTownships Ordinance,1986 (Ordinance No 15 of1986) that we have appliedto the Bela BelaMunicipality for theamendment, known as theBela Bela Land UseScheme, 2008, by therezoning of the propertydescribe above, fromBusiness 3 to Business 1.Particulars of theapplication will lie forinspection during normaloffice hours at the office ofthe Municipal Manager,Municipal Offices, BelaBela , for a period of 28days from 27 February2015. Objections to orpresentations in respect ofthe application must belodged with or made inwriting to: The MunicipalManager at the aboveaddress or Private Bagx1609, Bela Bela, 0480,within a period of 28 daysfrom 27 February 2015 Address: P.O. Box 919,Bela-Bela, 0480, Tel: 082881 7252. (27/2 & 6/3)

TK Mashaba

Two weeks after Modimolle’s SolomonMahlangu High appeared in The BEAT,the school says that the Department ofEducation has finally heard their criesfor help.According to information received,

the school has received three neweducators, which will go some waytoward making up for the recent lossof 15 educators whose contracts wereterminated.

Lizzy Bapela

Bela-Bela’s Spa Park Primary School iscommemorating their Library Weekfrom Monday, 2 March to Friday the 6th

of March, by urging all parents,teachers and learners to use the week tofocus on improving children’s readingskills.The school’s principal Johan Adams

encouraged students and teachers toread magazines, newspapers or booksfor at least 30 minutes a day throughoutthe year, not just during this time. Hesaid that learners should read throughtheir work at least three times, and thatall children should read and finish atleast one library book a week.Adams said that the main focus during

the week is on English.“We are now well on our way in our

endeavour to improve the quality oflearning and teaching in our school, andreading is also a big part of learning asit instils the skill in our children’s minds,”he said. “We appeal to parents to supportus by regularly checking the learners’books and sign the last page as evidence,assist children with their work, readingthrough the work daily, use diaries tocommunicate with teachers, making surethat your child attends school and preparefor assessment and adhering to the schoolCode of Conduct and rules.”

TK Mashaba

Complaints have been made about allegedservice issues at the Bela-Bela Hospital.The people who talked to The BEAT said

that they had been sent back to local clinicswhen they went to the hospital for help.One woman, who asked not to be named,said that it was disappointing to go all theway to hospital only to be sent back to thelocal clinic.“How can they do that to us?” she said.

“We pay taxes and they have to help us!”“We believe that the hospital are not

practicing the Batho Pele principles. How

Lizzy Bapela

The Limpopo Provincial ExecutiveCommittee (PEC) of the Youth Chamberof Commerce and Industries (YCCI)recently appointed a new task team inthe Waterberg District, following thealleged failure of the previous team. Thenewly appointed task team wasannounced during a conference thatwas held at the MookgophongMunicipality’s chamber recently.The YCCISA was launched in 2014 by

Minister for Small Business DevelopmentLindiwe Zuluan was set to work closelywith the National Youth DevelopmentAgency (NYDA). The Department saidthat the chamber was formed as anumbrella body aimed at uniting all youthbusiness formations, also ensuring thatyoung people speak in a single voicewith respect to business development.The previous team led by Tebogo

Mothapo of Bela-Bela and RussiaMonene of Lephalale was established inFebruary 2014 and reportedly could notsatisfy the policies and requirements setfor the chamber, including being able to

YYYYYouth couth couth couth couth chamberhamberhamberhamberhamberlaunclaunclaunclaunclaunchesheshesheshes br br br br brandandandandandnew task teamnew task teamnew task teamnew task teamnew task team

The WaterbergYouthChamber’s newlyappointed taskteam members,convenerLehlogonoloMathabatha andcoordinatorTshepisoBoskraal. Photo:Lizzy Bapela

take the YCCI to the provincial congressand being able to meet deadlines.This resulted in the PEC appointing the

new team that committed itself toensuring that the youth in the WaterbergDistrict benefit from the district’seconomic growth.Meanwhile, Lehlogonolo Mathabatha

from Mogalakwena was appointed aschamber’s convener in the Waterberg,with Thabazimbi’s Tshebiso Boskraal asthe coordinator. Other members includeSeipelo Masemola of Bela-Bela, KabeloMasilwane of Modimolle, Lesiba Phosaof Mookgophong and Thabitha Modisefrom Lephalale.“We urge young entrepreneurs to join

the chamber. We promise goodoperation under Mathabatha’sleadership and say that it is about timeto enjoy what belongs to us,” saidBoskraal. “We plead with the mines,municipalities and all governmentdepartments to afford opportunities toyoung entrepreneurs to provethemselves. Young people must also feelfree to contact us with any furtherqueries or for more information.”

Spa Park Primary gears up for LibraryWeek from 2 to 6 March

Children are urged to read and finishat least one library book a week.Photo: Lizzy Bapela

TTTTThrhrhrhrhree educaee educaee educaee educaee educatortortortortors assigneds assigneds assigneds assigneds assignedto Solomon Mahlanguto Solomon Mahlanguto Solomon Mahlanguto Solomon Mahlanguto Solomon Mahlangu‘Phatudi’s visit to our school has been ablessing and it shows that many people

care about the children’s future’..

Bela-Bela Hospital accused of nepotism‘How can they do that to us? We pay taxes and they

have to help us!’

Bela-Bela Hospital has been accusedof nepotism and discrimination.Photo: TK Mashaba

can they turn us away when we neededhelp? If they are understaffed, let them hiremore people to help the community.”Hospital spokesperson Buti Moagi

explained that services work a certain wayin the various health services.“People must understand that we have

different health institutions, like local clinics,local and regional hospitals, and we havesuch for a reason,” he said. “We renderservices according to the condition of ourpatients, and when people are sent to theclinic the personnel who sent them mightknow how serious their conditions are,” hesaid.He added that the hospital and the clinics

are not all rendering the same services.”It’s not nepotism,” he said, “it’s just how

the system works.”

The school principal StevenMajapholo said that the departmenthad responded to their problems, andhave helped with the problem as muchas they can.He added that since The BEAT and

the Heartlines crew had visited theschool, there have been many positiveresults from other visits to the school.“Phatudi’s visit to our school has

been a blessing and it shows thatpeople do care about the children’sfuture,” said Majapholo.

Lizzy Bapela

TK Mashaba

TK Mashaba

Lizzy Bapela


Lizzy Bapela

Vaalwater resident Lucas Monareng, 24,is a contestant in the 2015 MrCommonwealth South Africa pageant.He is among the top 24 contestantsworking toward reserving a place in thetop 12 finalists, who will be competingfor the crown. The grand finale isscheduled to take place inJohannesburg in August.The competition administrator Ziyanda

Makoto said that the competition createsa platform for men to become leadersand role models in the community andempower and inspire them with theknowledge to bring about change anddevelopment.The winner will represent South Africa

at the international competition inLondon in November, whererepresentatives from all theCommonwealth nations will becompeting for the title.The top 24 semifinalists will be judged

and tested on their leadership,entrepreneurial and communitydevelopment skills. Each semifinalistneeds to make his mark within thecommunity by bringing about changethrough charity work and motivatingimprovement.The competition focuses on social

upliftment and finding South Africa’snext Ambassador of Change.“The top 12 contestants will be

announced on Friday, 1 May, and thesefinalists will attend workshops and bootcamps to determine the most deservingfinalists. The winner will represent SouthAfrica in London,” said Makoto.“Through the pageant, a platform iscreated for men and women of all agesto become charity and cultureambassadors within South Africa as wellas in the broader internationalcommunity. The title holders become

Lizzy Bapela

MEC for the Limpopo EconomicDevelopment, Environment and Tourism(LEDET) Seaporo Sekoati led theProvincial Wetlands Day celebrationsheld at the Nylsvley Nature Reserve inMookgophong recently. Political andsector departments’ officials andmanagement from across the WaterbergDistrict joined their counterparts fromthe Limpopo Provincial offices duringthe event.Spokesperson for the Limpopo Tourism

Agency (LTA) Kgatla Ntlhekeng said thatWorld Wetlands Day is an annual eventthat commemorates the signing of theConvention on Wetlands, which tookplace on 2 February 1971, in the Iraniancity of Ramsar. He added that theRamsar Convention is an inter-governmental agreement that providesthe framework for national action andinternational cooperation for theconservation and wise use of wetlandsand their resources.“A Ramsar site is known for ”the

conservation and wise use of allwetlands through local and nationalactions and international cooperation, asa contribution towards achievingsustainable development throughout theworld”.“Nylsvley is an internationally renowned

Ramsar site. Nylsvley was recognizedas a Ramsar site in 1997. It forms partof South Africa’s largest flood-plain, the16,000-ha Nyl River floodplain whichstretches over 70 km from Modimolle toMokopane. Over 104 water bird species

Monareng for MrCommonwealth!

Mr Commonwealth South AfricaSemi Finalist Lucas Monareng.Photo: Lizzy Bapela

involved in charitable causes and upholdthe aims and objectives of theCommonwealth. These include racialharmony, the eradication of poverty andcultural cohesion.”Monareng is currently working on the

challenge of getting involved in charitywork. He says that his love for the needygave him too much passion in modellingand that this is the reason he enteredthe competition.Monareng says his dream is to show

troubled youth in the country that theycan be who they had always dreamedthat they wanted to be, as long as theywork hard and do not give up.“In order for me to qualify to be in the

top 12 finalists to take part on the finalstage of the competition expected to beheld at the end of August this year, I firstneed to host fundraising event anddonate to the needy.To be considered as someone who can

be ambassador for the country in thiscompetition, you have to prove that youhave passion, love and the ability makethe needy happy,” he said.

visit and many breed during extensiveflooding, which only occurs every threeor four years,” said Ntlhekeng.According to Wikipedia website “the

area boasts some 370 bird species —of which more than 100 are waterfowl —and during peak floods, over 80,000birds are to be seen. The reserve is alsohome to roan antelope and Tsessebe.The only stands of wild rice in SouthAfrica, Oryza longistaminata, are to befound there.

WWWWWaaaaaterberterberterberterberterberg hosts Prg hosts Prg hosts Prg hosts Prg hosts ProoooovincialvincialvincialvincialvincialWWWWWetlands Daetlands Daetlands Daetlands Daetlands Day celey celey celey celey celebrbrbrbrbraaaaationstionstionstionstions

MEC for LEDET Seaporo Sekoati.Photo: Lizzy Bapela

Marlene Vermaak

The Environmental Club atMeetsetshehla Secondary Schoolwas started shortly after theWaterberg Biosphere had theirexhibition at the Farmers Hall in2014.Marlene Vermaak previously had an

Outdoor (Environmental) Club atWaterberg Academy but has sincemoved to Meetsetshehla Sec Schoolin April 2013.While attending the Waterberg

Biosphere’s exhibition Vermaak sawthat one of the areas the Biospherewas interested in was YouthEducation and Environmental clubs.She spoke to a member of theBiosphere, Arthur, who has sincebecome her liaison there. Arthurregularly came to the school onThursday’s during the activity periodto help facilitate the environmentalprogramed.The club was formed with 20

learners who volunteered andcurrently 26 learners make up theclub. More students would actually

Environmental Club at Meetsetshehla

like to join but it’s important to keepthe group manageable for all partiesinvolved. The students are not forcedto attend any of the meetings and theidée is that they should want to attendto learn more about the environment. There is only one Grade 12 boy,

the school’s head boy Elias Kekae, inthe group. The rest of the groupconsist of Grade 9, 10 and 11learners. No new Grade 8’s wereaccepted into the group this year, asthere were already enough students.The goals of the club are to educate

students about nature and initiate alove for nature. Students should seethis as knowledge they can use forthe rest of their lives, in potential jobsas well as in general conversationwith their friends and family.The club were expected to have

their first outing to MakapaansCaves, between Mokopane andPolokwane, on Wednesday 4 March,accompanied by Vermaak and twomembers of the WaterbergBiosphere. Members from theBiosphere were vital in making all thenecessary arrangements.

A group of Meetsetshehla Secondary School students that are part ofthe Environmental Club in 2015. The whole group was not availablefor the photo.

Those who educatechildren well are more

to be honored thanparents, for these only

gave life,those the art of living

well.Aristotle

Lizzy Bapela

Lizzy Bapela

Marlene Vermaak


Lizzy Bapela

Bafana Bafana coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’Mashaba visited Bela-Bela over the pastweekend. Mashaba told The BEAT thatthe main reason for his visit was to takea break from his work and enjoy thepeace and quiet.He added that he also wanted to see

the local teams playing casual soccerand interact with the players. Mashabaalso said that he wanted to honour theLocal football Association (LFA) for hisinvitation to Bela-Bela. They planned tocongratulate him for the work he did forthe national team during the Africa Cupof Nations tournament.The coach arrived at Forever Resorts

on Friday, 27 February, and received awarm welcome from the resort’smanagement. He then took a tour ofvarious places in Bela-Bela,accompanied by LFA memberDimakatso Jane Thema and

TK Mashaba

The SAB League continued on Saturday,28 February. Modimolle’s Young Pirateshad a hard time over the weekend, losing4-0 against Total Surrender’s inspiredplay at Moloto Stadium in Bela-Bela.They went into the match determined to

collect maximum points, but Surrenderwas motivated by a visit from BafanaBafana coach Shakes Mashaba. Theywere also supported by RamaselaGalane, Chief Operational Officer ofSurrender and Nobantu Mthunzini, theteam’s vice president.

TK Mashaba

Primary schools across the countryhave been invited to join in the biggestfootball tournament for kids between 10and 12 years of age in the world, byentering the 2015 Danone Nations Cup.Altogether 32 countries have started

the grueling qualifiers to identify theteams that will compete in the WorldFinals in Morocco later this year. Teamregistrations closed on 27 February.“This week ten teams from the Bela-

Bela clusters were expected to meet onWednesday, 4 March, at MolotoStadium, and the winner will berepresenting Bela-Bela at the districtlevel,” said SAFSA chairpersonHendrick Kgwebane. “Last year SpaPark Primary did very well. They made itto the district level before being

These students from Meetsetshehla Secondary School in Vaalwaterqualified for the Limpopo Athletics on Saturday, 7 March, in Polokwane.They are Edwin Skota, U-19 boys (400 meters and 100 meters), EnifaMophuting, U-15 girls (javelin), Boitumelo Makhubela, U-19 girls(javelin) and Betty Kosana, U-17 girls (800 meters and 1 500 meters).Photos: Marlene Vermaak

Bafana BafanaCoach Ephraim

Shakes Mashabatook pictures

with players andmanagement

from the SABteam TotalSurrender.

Photo: LizzyBapela

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management from other local teams.He met and took pictures with fans.

Mashaba visited the Zone 14 soccerfields in Phomolong, where Bazooka FCwas playing against a visiting team. Heproceeded to the Moloto Stadium justbefore the match between SAB teamsTotal Surrender and Young Piratesended in a 4-0 loss for Pirates.Mashaba concluded his visit at SunfaStadium, where Diesel n Dust wasplaying against a visiting team.During his interactions with local fans,

Mashaba indicated that he may returnsoon to watch more games, as residentsmade his stay a great one.“I came here to rest but ended up

seeing places I never thought I wouldvisit, and loved the warm welcome thatthe people of Bela-Bela gave me. I neverexperienced any difficulties in my visithere, and will surely come back to visitthese wonderful folks again,” Mashabasaid.

Soccer fans andsupporters

flocked to Zone14 soccer fieldsto take pictures

with CoachMashaba. Photo:

Lizzy Bapela

Young Pirates suffer againstSurrender

In the first half of the game Pirates ledwith possession but failed to net goalsagainst the excellent performance ofSurrender’s goal keeper.Surrender scored in the first half of the

game. They received a penalty later,after a player was fouled in the 18-area,and scored the penalty.Pirates’ tactics in the second half game

them an addition of momentum, butSurrender’s defense was solid.Surrender later scored another two

goals sealing the deal at 4-0.Surrender lost 5-2 against Qualitho on

Sunday.

Danone NaDanone NaDanone NaDanone NaDanone Nations Cuptions Cuptions Cuptions Cuptions Cuptourtourtourtourtournament starnament starnament starnament starnament starts upts upts upts upts up

Some of theyoung players

who are aimingfor the top.Photo: TKMashaba

disqualified.”The competition is run under the

auspices of the South African SchoolsFootball Association (SASFA) and theDepartment of Basic Education.The winners will progress to regional

finals, culminating in the nine provincialwinners playing in the national finals todetermine the national winner.“Through the Danone Nations Cup we

are reaching children at a crucial age,”said Chantel Ehlers, a communicationsspecialist at Danone, during a mediabriefing.“We are passionate about making a

difference to people’s lives and ourmission is ‘bringing health through foodto as many people as possible,’ whichwe are achieving through thistournament. We are also encouragingkids to believe in their dreams.”

‘Through the Danone Nations Cup weare reaching kids at a crucial age’..

Surrender playerup for the ballduring theirgame againstPirates. Photo:TK Mashaba

Lizzy Bapela

TK Mashaba

TK Mashaba

the beat 6 march 2015

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