Expressnc 20140917

TEL: 053 8312331 WEDNESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2014 WWW.EXPRESSNEWS.CO.ZA

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Northern Cape

}

Boipelo Mere

THE decision by the Department

of Education to redeploy teachers

from the schools affected by the

Joe Morolong school closure to

other schools was not taken well

by the members of the Road

Forum.

According to the forum, this

proves that they will not get their

road and that government does not

care about the well-being of the

learners.

They claim they are concerned

and want the schools to open while

in the meantime they send the

teachers to other schools, the

forum members said.

According to reports, the head of

department (HOD) of the Depart-

ment of Education, Tshepo

Pharasi, called a teachers meeting

at Maropeng on Thursday where

he made the announcement that

the teachers would be redeployed

to other schools around Kuruman

and that they would be transported

by the department.

Not all teachers had reported to

the identified schools by Tuesday

as they were still waiting for final

instructions in terms of travelling

costs.

The South African Democratic

Teachers Union (Sadtu) says that

the Department of Education had

the right to redeploy the teachers

to use their skills where they were

needed.

There was consultation from

the department concerning the

issue. The closure of the schools is

unfortunate, but it is the preroga-

tive of the employer to make the

decision, Sipho Mayongo, the

provincial secretary of Sadtu, said.

Mayongo dismissed the allega-

tions that Sadtu had sent out SMSs

to its members in protest against

the redeployment which some of

the teachers, who wanted to

remain anonymous, said they had

received.

I do not have knowledge of any

messages that we are reported to

have sent to our members, he

added.

Cosas, on the other hand, also

raised concerns about the deregis-

tration of the matriculants that

was announced by the Department

of Education. It was a concern to

them that there would be no gr. 12

classes in all Joe Morolong schools

next year.

Sydney Stander of the Depart-

ment of Education said on Thurs-

day: We are now at a stage where

it is not reasonably possible to

provide any help to the 469 gr. 12

learners. There are 45 days left to

the start of the final exam. The 469

gr. 12 learners have incomplete

assessments. These learners have

not been part of a normal teaching

and learning process since 5 June.

The Northern Cape Department

of Education (NCDOE) has there-

fore arrived at the following

conclusion informed by current

circumstances:

1. That all the gr. 12 learners of

the affected eight high schools in

Joe Morolong be deregistered and

reregistered as part-time learners.

This will afford them the opportu-

nity to prepare and write supple-

mentary exams in February/March

2015.

2. That all gr. R to gr. 11 learners

be allowed to redo their current

grades in 2015 as they have been

unable to complete a full academic

year in the system.

This position of the NCDOE is

reasonable and should be support-

ed because we have taken all steps

necessary to protect our learners,

but were not successful.

The provincial coordinator,

Tshiamo Mosimanyane, said that

the PTT felt that the department

should be lenient towards the

gr. 10, gr. 11 and gr. 12 learners and

meet them halfway by giving them

a second chance to repeat.

The school closure is a tragedy

to everyone. The learners deserve

special treatment because they

(government) are the ones to blame

by not delivering, he added.

) Log onto our website for

pictures and videos of Lucky

Kaibis giving the background of

their protest and the experience of

driving on the Joe Morolong roads.

Teachers redeployed

Departments decision does not sit well with Road Forum

THE National Council of Provinces (NCOP) also failed to convince the community to allow the children to go to school during a recent visit

to Bothithong in Kuruman where schools have been closed in the 49 villages. Photo: Boipelo Mere

2 EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2014

NEWS

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Boipelo Mere

THE young and out-going aspiring writer

Noxolo Tshukela from Kimberley has come

upon a great opportunity to grow and

advance within the literary industry.

That is after she sealed an agreement with

an international publishing company known

to Express Northern Cape from London to

fulfil her dreams of publishing and launching

her book.

The company is willing to publish and

launch her book for free, provided she pays

for her travelling expenses to London.

Tshukela is ready to jett off to London to

launch her book, which is already complete

and ready to hit the book shelves.

The launch is scheduled to be on 10

October. All she needs, is a sponsor, with

whom she is prepared to share her royalties.

The young writer urgently needs assist-

ance in terms of sponsorship to buy plane

tickets.

According to her, upon finding out earlier

in June about the publishing deal, she

relentlessly knocked on many doors and

hosted events in a bid to raise the funds

needed, but with no success.

Her efforts to find a sponsorship for her

trip, have still not borne any fruits as she

has still not even booked a plane ticket.

I need help, a sponsor, and that is why I

am calling out to all persons capable of

assisting to come forward. My book is a

highlight to my province as it will be able to

put it on the map and attract more invest-

ments. I have already sent a draft of the final

piece and it was approved, she pleads.

Tshukela explained during the interview

that her book is a compilation of short

stories that elaborates on the many intrica-

cies and complexities women deal with.

Growing up with many diverse ideologies

and teachings, confusion and curiosity

triggered the inception of her book titled

Elements of a unique compound where she

went on a journey of self-discovery of

understanding what being a woman was

about, beyond the body image and cooking

and cleaning.

The young writer was expecting the big

question as to why she had to jump the

borders and launch her book in London. She

explained that she got the confidence from

the publisher, who showed interest in her

book the first time they laid eyes on it.

The arts in South Africa is a tough

industry to get into. There is a lot of us

trying, but only a few make it. Going

overseas, is going to an audience that has a

fresh perspective and new appreciation of

our stories compared to local audiences that

are already familiar with our stories, so

overseas is fertile ground for me.

She says that she approached them

(publishers) back in 2010 and they liked her

stories because of its different story-line. The

book, which will sell at R120 per copy, will

also produce audio and braille editions for

impaired people.

Tshukela promises that if she finds an

investor, it will benefit a lot from the book

sales, including beyond money value.

I have the support of a recognised

company that has a great success rate; will

they approach a lost cause and lose a lot of

money by spending it on me? I know I will

make money, because my stories are

one-of-a-kind, she said in a desperate tone.

A quote from the book:

You are the element that completes the

compound, the flavour in the meal, the colour

in the sky, the life on earth. You are her . . .

the mystery is uncovered, the equation solved,

you are the fine print of humanity, the most

important and binding component, you are the

memory tucked away together in an album for

a triumphant journey, the souvenir in itself.

The celebration is her; the celebration is you

and I.

Aspiring writer

needs sponsor

THE aspirant writer Noxolo Tshukela from

Kimberley is looking for an investor to assist

her in launching her book in London.

Photo: Boipelo Mere

JOSEPHINE MODI-

PANEwho is formal-

ly fromBeaconsfield

is currently at the

Lethlabile Old Age

Home in Brits in the

North-West. She al-

leges that she left

home many years

ago and cannot re-

member the exact

time. She believes

that her children are

still living in Bea-

consfield and they

are known as Enge-

line Modipane,

Joseph Modipane,

Peter Modipane and

Johannes Modi-

pane. The police are

appealing to the

family of Modipane

or anyone who may

know her to contact

Const. Dineo Lucy

Sekgotodi of the

SAPS Namakgale

on 073-4148-339 or

015-769-1530 or fax

015-769-1128 or on

email.

Photo: Supplied

}

Boipelo Mere

IN an effort to stop ghost employees, the

Northern Cape Provincial Treasury urges all

government employees to physically verify

their personal information at biometric-aided

headcount points in order to avoid suspen-

sion of an employees salary.

That after the Northern Cape Provincial

Government, through the championship of

the Provincial Treasury, embarked on a

Biometric-Aided Headcount Project, which is

a digital headcount with physical verification

of all employees serving under the banner of

the Northern Cape Provincial Government

between 21 July and 21 August.

According to Mojalefa Mphapang, the

provincial Treasury spokesperson, the pay

roll system has already frozen the salaries of

officials who did not submit themselves for

verification, resulting in the affected employ-

ees not receiving salaries on Monday, 15

September. Some will also not get paid on 30

September in pursuit of eliminating ghost

employees.

The extension was already communicated

to departments through Provincial Treasury

circulars as well as interdepartmental

communication platforms.

Affected employees can only receive their

salaries upon verification and once it is

done, departments can raise a payment via a

supplementary run on Persal.

He said four workstations would be opened

at City Hall to allow affected employees to

come for verification. The verification site

was opened on 15 September and will stay

open until today from 08:00 to 16:00.

To achieve the communication objective of

the project, the Provincial Treasury held

numerous workshops engaging nominated

departmental human resources, union

representatives, labour relations and

communication representatives prior to the

commencement of the project to ensure that

information reached all employees; to ensure

a seamless process. For the success of the

project, the department with the assistance

of provincial government communicators,

radically communicated accurately and

regularly in different languages spoken in

the province in order to reach the targeted

audiences.

We call on all affected employees to come

on board for verification, it is the right thing

to do. We urge them to cooperate with

verification officers to allow a smooth and

quick process.

Employees are requested to have in their

possession their valid South African identity

document or smart card, original or certified

copies of highest academic qualification and

proof of affiliation to or registration with a

professional body.

Employeesmust verify info

EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2014 3

NEWS

}

Boipelo Mere

THE current generation of ANC Youth

League (ANCYL) members vow to continue

taking over the baton from their forebearers

and commit themselves to carry on the

revolution towards the attainment of the

national democratic revolution.

The league commits itself to carry on the

fight against the socio-economic exclusion of

young Africans, young blacks in particular.

This the league emphasised through a media

release sent by its provincial secretary, Neo

Maneng, in celebration of its 70th anni-

versary.

We shall remain vigilant and militant just

like the generations which came before us in

pursue of our revolutionary goals and

objectives. We will not confuse militancy

with anarchy, we will remain disciplined at

all times and subject ourselves to the culture

and traditions of the ANC and ANCYL of

Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Govan

Mbeki and other heroes and heroines of our

glorious movement, stated Maneng.

In salutation of the 1940 generation of

pioneers like Anton Lembede, Walter Sisulu,

Nelson Mandela and others, the generation

which galvanised the ANC into a pragmatic

path of active militancy against the colonial

regime, the ANCYL promises to dip their

banners in honour of all those leaders.

We honour the youth of the 1976 genera-

tion, the ones who took to the streets to

signal their rejection of the system of

apartheid and all its laws and policies. We

honour the generation of young combatants

who skipped the country illegally to receive

military training in the frontline states of

Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Botswana

and Zimbabwe.

We continue to salute the 1980s and 1990s

generations led by Jackie Selebi, Peter

Mokaba, Lulu Johnson and many others who

came after them. A generation which

re-organised the young people of our move-

ment from in- and outside the country to

come back and make a contribution to the

transitional process from apartheid to the

democratic order we all are benefiting from

today, continued the provincial secretary.

He continued to highlight how the genera-

tion of Mxolisi Majombozi, Robert Sobukwe,

Dilizintaba Mji and Robert Resha fought for

political freedom in our lifetime.

Our generation has a mammoth task of

fighting for economic freedom in our

lifetime. The fight for economic freedom in

our lifetime cannot be haphazard, full of

political rhetoric and populist monotonous

humdrums, but a scientific, clinical, yet

militant approach.

Maneng continued to urge the young

people to commit themselves to self-capacita-

tion by penetrating institutions of higher

learning in order to champion the aspiration

of the National Democratic Revolution,

which was underpinned by amongst others

the transfer of economic power to the people.

ANCYL

will fight

for goals


NEWS

}

Hendre Jacobs

MPHO MAROANES dream was realised

at last. The 2014 Tsantsabane Idol finally

released her long-anticipated debut album

on 5 September in the Postmasburg town

hall.

It was a night of bliss as the petite

singer went about delivering a five-star

performance to a capacity crowd.

The first batch of the 12-track album,

Yes, Lord, was sold out even before the

end of the night. Mpho, a truly gifted

soloist and composer, was stunning in her

performance and delivered an excellent

repertoire of dance, spoken word and

gospel music. She was supported by a

star-studded backing vocal team and

gospel band. Hilton Appollis, a communi-

ty leader in Olifantshoek, had high

praises after the show.

I am astounded by the depth of talent

in the Northern Cape, he said.

Mphos amazing vocal mastery was

discovered when she won the 2014

Tsantsabane Idols, a talent-seeking

competition in Postmasburg. She has

since been performing at every major gig

around town and fans describe her as a

singing wonder.

During the show, Mpho thanked the

Postmasburg community for their

support.

May God bless everyone that made

this project possible, especially the donor

community. It is such an honour to be the

first ever Tsantsabane Idol. Young people,

as you listen to the album, remember God

has not forgotten about you, she said.

Mpho is available for singing or

speaking engagements and can be

accessed via Facebook.

The Tsantsabane Idols is an annual

youth development programme brought to

Postmasburg by the National Youth

Development Outreach.

Mphos dream realised

MPHOMAROANE performing during the

launch of her CD. Photo: Hendre Jacobs

THREE suspects, Thato Pasman (20),

Siyanda Mxoli (23) and Randy Hoogstander

(22), appeared before the Galeshewe Magis-

trates Court on Monday on charges of the

murder of Dichaba Mabija (22).

It is alleged that the three suspects

approached the victim on Friday, 5 Septem-

ber, at about 22:30 when he was walking

home with his friend from a local tavern.

The suspects allegedly started to harass the

two friends.

That is when Mabija was fatally stabbed in

his neck while his friend was stabbed in his

hand. Mabija stumbled a few metres and fell,

where he died. The suspects, who were

known to the witnesses, were arrested the

Saturday by the police in Kagisho at about

02:30. The murder weapon was also confiscat-

ed from one of the men and they were

charged for murder and assault with intent

to do grievous bodily harm. They remained

in police custody and their next court

appearance is on 22 September.

Three arrested for murder

FROM the left are Thato Pasman (20), Siyan-

da Mxoli (23) and Randy Hoogstander (22).

Photo: Supplied

}

Noxolo Tshukela

WHEN we compare the success rate of other

provinces to that of the Northern Cape, we

rank very low. Artists in the province are

having it difficult. The few who brave

adversity and try to host shows, sessions and

so forth to familiarise themselves with local

audiences often find themselves having to

spend more than they profit because there

are too few people in attendance.

The question is why. Why do audiences

not support the arts in the province so that

artists can make a living from their craft?

Well, for me it is pretty simple. The

majority of the audience is swept up by the

night club wave which does not help the

artistic movement to advance.

There is rarely an influx of audience

members and the province is not often

considered within the national artistic

movements, and this leads to more problems.

I am not bashing the night club movement;

it is about preference and personal choice.

This leads to another point: Is the night

club movement to blame for the struggles of

local artists, and should audiences be

selected for the type of entertainment?

Absolutely not.

How can we promote the

artistic movement in the

province?

There is an enormous

lack of funding for ground-

level artists (governmental

and corporate), which

forces them to cough up their own money;

which is very little in most instances. They

then produce low-grade craftsmanship (poor

delivery of artistry), which is primarily

disappointing and embarrassing and which

causes the most talented and ambitious

artists to procrastinate to showcase their

talent.

This in turn deprives audiences of unique

experiences and growth when it comes to

new ideas and discovering new frontiers.

I am very passionate about artistry,

craftsmanship and breaking new ground

towards making the Northern Cape a

formidable city, a city to be reckoned with.

That is why I am writing this, to in a

sense, break new ground. Many artists have

a plea to make. They would like to make

their struggles known and see a change take

place to better conditions and to create more

opportunities so that a new and refreshing

breed of artists can take to the stage.

Artists in the NC

struggle to exist

}

Boipelo Mere

THE establishment of the Ivuma Arts Centre

in the heart of Greater No 2, Galeshewe,

came as a relief to local artists. They now

have a permanent meeting place where they

can showcase their talent.

Established as a Non Profit Organisation

(NPO) in February, the art centre is run

with the objective of exposing, promoting

and networking the art landscape and its

stakeholders.

The Ivuma Arts Centre will take part in

celebrating Heritage Month by telling its

stories through music, dance, storytelling,

poetry, stage performance, crafts and visual

art on 24, 26 and 27 September.

Many artists will display their work under

the theme My African Dream: Telling your

story that moves South Africa forward as a

way of reflecting and celebrating 20 years of

democracy in the country.

Artists from all walks of life will be

exhibiting. Among the local artist are

Bokhutlo Makhale (actor, writer and director

and painter), Mosekiemang Kola (painter,

wood-carver and arts crafter) and Nosipho

Mtabani (poet).

The arts centre was jointly established by

Ikgopoleng NGO, Vukani Ma Afrika (busi-

ness entity) and the Marcus Garvey Ortho-

dox Movement NGO. It is managed by a

committee of seven members with Thusho

Mokolare as the chairperson. Both the social

and economic development of the surround-

ing community and its artists rank high in

the centres agenda.

)Visit www.express-news.co.za for a video

of the local artist Seun Botake during a

rehearsal at the centre. Also share your view

or experience of the centre on the Facebook

page at Northern Cape Express.

Ivuma gives artists a home

LEFT: Visitors are

attracted by the

interesting menu

at the entrance of

the Ivuma Arts

Centre.

Photos: Boipelo Mere

RIGHT: The writ-

ing on the wall

explaining the

short history of

Dr Arthur Letele.


NEWS

}

Boipelo Mere

DRIVING from Kuruman to Bothitong

proved to be a sure way of learning how

unequal communities are, given the

terrible conditions of the roads in which

the rural communities on the Joe Moro-

long Municipality travel.

The pain of travelling on the bad roads

is easily eased once one meets a group of

young musicians calling themselves

Geenstress Records.

Geenstress Records is made up of four

local guys whose musical gifts remained

hidden until discovered by Express

Northern Cape.

According to the group, they strutt their

stuff with the hope of seeing government

tar their roads, so that it can be easy for

producers and big record labels to travel

to Bothitong and discover their hidden

talent.

They continue to highlight how there

has never been a time when their villages

have been more popular and visited by

different government officials, including

ministers.

The group, Geenstress, meaning no

stress, has come of age even though they

have many problems.

In the absence of two of the members,

Fanny Mkay Thobega and Otshepang

Candyboy Mokomele, the two remaining

members, Agisanang Delicate Modise

and Amogelang Aka DJ Ngamla Thupay-

agale, are honoured to take Express

Northern Cape through their experience.

We all had our own small recording

companies, even though they were not

efficient and registered. We came together

as home boys with some drums and the

love for music and plotted a better path of

forming one formidable record company to

avoid working in silos, says Agisanang

Delicate Modise, looking at Thupayagae

to take over the interview.

We agreed to work together and pro-

duce our music as a team so as to add

value to our product, adds Thupayagae.

He says that they have no problem

working together hence we have become

a formidable force in our region.

Counting on the close to R50 000 that

they spent on buying their musical

equipment, the boys are adamant that they

are facing a bright future.

In response to how they managed to buy

the expensive material in their unem-

ployed state, they reveal how their parents

had assisted them financially.

Our parents believe in us. They have

funded the equipment with the knowledge

that we will make money with them. We

had to make strong business proposals to

our unemployed parents, adds the ever

talkative Modise.

He proudly says that they (the group) do

not starve themselves from enjoying life

like their peers.

) Log onto thr website www.express-

news.co.za for a video of the groups first

song.

Noworries for geen stress

MEMBERS of the Geenstress Record Company based in Bothithong, Kuruman, in their

make-shift studio in a bedroom. They are Agisanang Delicate Modise (left) and Amoge-

lang Aka DJ Ngamla Thupayagale. Photo: Boipelo Mere

Our parents believe in us.

They have funded the

equipment with the knowl

edge that we will make

money with them.We had

tomake strong business

proposals to our unem

ployed parents. Ag

isanang Delicate Modise


}

Sidwell Guduka

THE Bloemfontein Celtic coach, Ernst

Middendorp, might not be facing the wrath

of angry fans baying for his blood, but he is

under pressure to overturn his teams poor

start to the season.

After an encouraging opening day 1-1 draw

against Mpumalanga Black Aces, followed by

another 2-all draw against Orlando Pirates,

Celtic lost 1-0 to high-riding Kaizer Chiefs

before registering a 2-0 victory over Amazu-

lu, which was followed by a scoreless draw

against Platinum Stars.

Middendorp, who is skating on thin ice,

watched the game from the stands as his side

were taught free football lessons by Mamelo-

di Sundowns at the Free State Stadium on

Sunday. The Brazilians deservedly won the

match 1-0 courtesy of an Elias Pelembe

tap-in.

MiddenDraw, as the German mentor is

nicknamed for specialising in draws, is in

dire straits and needs a convincing win over

Supersport United in Pretoria next Saturday

to buy himself more time in charge.

Celtic lie sixth from the bottom of the log

and they might drop to the basement of the

table if they fail to notch up a win against

United, and all the teams behind them

register victories in their next league

encounters.

The arrogant Middendorp must be wary of

any pink flyers in his post of late, having

picked up a meagre six points with a single

win in six matches since the beginning of

the current season. His days are said to be

numbered at the Bloemfontein outfit.

The highly-rated but under-performing

mentor joined Phunya Sele Sele to replace

Clinton Larsen in October last year after the

latter had resigned following a string of poor

results.

The beleaguered coach has not delivered

yet for his new employers since taking over

almost one year ago and will be cognisant of

the fact that Celtic have fired Mich DAvray,

who has since joined Chippa United as the

technical advisor. He held the same position

at Celtic for as many years.

The sooner Middendraw realises that his

defensive approach doesnt win games, the

better.

According to our reliable source, Midden-

dorp met with the team management on

Monday to map a way forward.

He is close to the exit door, the source

says.

Efforts to talk to Max Tshabalala, Celtic

chairman, about Middendorps future at

Siwelele Park proved futile.

)We want to hear from you: Should Celtic

keep Middendorp or hire a new coach? Send

your view to sidwell.guduka@express-

news.co.za.

Middendorp under fire

GIMME GIMME SOME WINS: Ernst Middendorp is under pressure to get positive results.

Photo: Sidwell Guduka

The underfire coach

has not delivered yet

for his new employers

since taking over al

most one year ago and

will be cognisant of

the fact that Celtic

have firedMich

DAvray, who has since

joined Chippa United

as the technical

advisor. He held the

same position at Celtic

for as many years.

ARE you good at sport, or is someone in your

school or place of education good at sport? Are you

motivating or training others to be good at sport?

Are you getting people active at your school,

community or gym?

Express Northern Cape wants to hear from you.

SuperSport and Lets Play, in association with

Express Northern Cape, has launched a special

initiative. Express Northern Cape wants to find and

give recognition to learners at either primary or

high school level who excel in sport, or helping

others to be more active.

The SuperSport Lets Play Sports Star of the

Month is a competition for anyone aged 6 to 18.

You can nominate yourself or be nominated by a

friend or teacher, lecturer or coach at your school

or place of education. You can even be nominated

by a family member or friend who knows how good

you are. From all the entries received each month,

one will be chosen as the SuperSport Lets Play

Sports Star of the Month. The monthly winner will

receive a Lets Play hamper. At the end of the year

one entry from all the monthly winners will be

chosen as the SuperSport Lets Play Sports Star of

the Year.

Your nomination must include your name, age,

contact details and a short paragraph (less than 200

words) about your achievements.

) You can email your nomination to super-

[email protected] or send a fax to 086-552-4922.

) For more information call Lynne or Juanr at

Z PR on 051-522-9574.

Let us know if you are good at sport

Visit the Express website

www.express-news

for competitions

and give-aways.

Remember to register and

become part of the Express

family!

Engage with us

on Facebook we

love to hearing

from our readers.

Facebook search:

Express-News03

}

Sidwell Guduka

JEAN DE VIL-

LIERS (33), the

Springbok captain,

celebrated his 100th

test appearance this

weekend.

He achieved the

milestone with a 10-

14 defeat to New Zea-

land inWellington on

Saturday.

Jeans contribu-

tion to South African

rugby and the

Springboks over

such an extended pe-

riod has been im-

mense, said Oregan

Hoskins, president of

the South African

Rugby Union (Saru),

on Monday.

He is held in high

regard as a player,

captain and person.

De Villiers

a stalwart

Documents

Expressnc 20140917