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TEL: 053 - 831-2331 WEDNESDAY 30 JULY 2014 WWW.EXPRESS-NEWS.CO.ZA FREE Northern Cape } Boipelo Mere THE ongoing war between the Northern Cape Government and Kuruman Develop- ment Forum (KDF) is bound to escalate. Government has already implemented a plan as a measure of intervention to salvage what is left of the school days for this academic year, including a school catch-up plan and visible policing in the Joe Morolong Municipality. Since the KDF, purporting to be represent- ing the Joe Morolong community, launched a protest centred around the construction of tarred roads leading from the N14 to connect Kuruman and Vryburg, learners of Joe Morolong have since February not attended school. According to Lucky Kaebis, a member of the Kuruman Development Forum, the Kuruman Community Forum and the Northern Cape Government did not see eye to eye. However, Monwabisi Nkompela, spokesper- son at the Office of the Premier, said that there had been an opportunity for both parties to find each other at a scheduled meeting at the John Taolo Gaetsewe Munici- pal Offices, but that the members of the chamber had walked out of the meeting. He admitted this had been during an argument concerning the removal of one of the councillors which had been turned down by government. The KDF demanded that the construction of the road should first take place, and only then would they allow their children to return to school. Government, however, went on the offensive and labelled the prevention of learners from going to school as criminal. Mafu Davids, the spokesperson for the premier, was quoted as saying in the New Age newspaper: “We hold the safety of the community in high regard, that is why we are including the police in this plan. “The community has indicated to us that they are afraid of being attacked. Their safety is important to us and that is why we must have high police visibility.” A community member in the Joe Morolong Municipality, who wished to remain anony- mous, lamented the fact that they, as the community, were stuck between a rock and a hard place. “As much as we want our children to be in school, we also want tarred roads. Our problem is that the police cannot be with us 24 hours a day because there are more than 100 villages. “What happens if we are attacked and the police are in another village? How will they get here if the roads are this bad?” ) See letter on page 6. Still no end to dispute Government and KDF still at loggerheads over road THE minister of Public Enterprises, Lynne Brown, together with the Northern Cape premier, Sylvia Lucas, launched key projects in De Aar in an attempt to revitalise the town’s economy and create jobs and development skills. They officially opened the Transnet Wagons Refurbishing Facility and a youth multi-purpose precinct and handed over houses to two indigent families in De Aar. The minister is pictured switching on the Transnet Wagons Refurbishing Facility. Visit our website at www.express-news.co.za for the full story. Photo: Supplied All powered up

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Expressnc 20140730

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TEL: 053 ­ 831­2331 WEDNESDAY 30 JULY 2014 WWW.EXPRESS­NEWS.CO.ZA FREE

Northern Cape

}Boipelo Mere

THE ongoing war between the NorthernCape Government and Kuruman Develop-ment Forum (KDF) is bound to escalate.

Government has already implemented aplan as a measure of intervention to salvagewhat is left of the school days for thisacademic year, including a school catch-upplan and visible policing in the Joe MorolongMunicipality.

Since the KDF, purporting to be represent-ing the Joe Morolong community, launched aprotest centred around the construction oftarred roads leading from the N14 to connectKuruman and Vryburg, learners of JoeMorolong have since February not attendedschool.

According to Lucky Kaebis, a member ofthe Kuruman Development Forum, theKuruman Community Forum and theNorthern Cape Government did not see eyeto eye.

However, Monwabisi Nkompela, spokesper-son at the Office of the Premier, said thatthere had been an opportunity for bothparties to find each other at a scheduledmeeting at the John Taolo Gaetsewe Munici-pal Offices, but that the members of thechamber had walked out of the meeting.

He admitted this had been during anargument concerning the removal of one ofthe councillors which had been turned downby government.

The KDF demanded that the constructionof the road should first take place, and onlythen would they allow their children toreturn to school. Government, however, wenton the offensive and labelled the preventionof learners from going to school as criminal.

Mafu Davids, the spokesperson for thepremier, was quoted as saying in the NewAge newspaper: “We hold the safety of thecommunity in high regard, that is why weare including the police in this plan.

“The community has indicated to us thatthey are afraid of being attacked. Theirsafety is important to us and that is why wemust have high police visibility.”

A community member in the Joe MorolongMunicipality, who wished to remain anony-mous, lamented the fact that they, as thecommunity, were stuck between a rock and ahard place. “As much as we want ourchildren to be in school, we also want tarredroads. Our problem is that the police cannotbe with us 24 hours a day because there aremore than 100 villages.

“What happens if we are attacked and thepolice are in another village? How will theyget here if the roads are this bad?”) See letter on page 6.

Still no end to disputeGovernment and KDF still at loggerheads over road

THE minister of Public Enterprises, Lynne Brown, together with the Northern Cape premier, Sylvia Lucas, launched key projectsin DeAar in an attempt to revitalise the town’s economy and create jobs and development skills. They officially opened the TransnetWagons Refurbishing Facility and a youth multi­purpose precinct and handed over houses to two indigent families in De Aar.The minister is pictured switching on the Transnet Wagons Refurbishing Facility. Visit our website at www.express­news.co.zafor the full story. Photo: Supplied

All powered up

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} Boipelo Mere

THE South African Local GovernmentAssociation (Salga) in the Northern Capespent Nelson Mandela Day at the KagishoDay-care Centre for Children with Disabili-ties in Ritchie.According to Salga, the centre has 37

children in one classroom and a shack thatis used as a kitchen.The centre is run by two teachers and a

principal.The facilities are not adequate.Salga and other sponsors are committed

to improve the centre through variousprojects.They started on Mandela Day when Salga

Northern Cape donated four brand-newwheelchairs, clothing (second-hand clothingfrom staff), food items and a signpost forthe centre (which also acknowledged allsponsors).The National Development Agency (NDA)

contributed to the centre’s food gardenwhich was extended by all stakeholders.As part of the sponsorship sourced by

Salga in the Northern Cape, the Sol PlaatjeMunicipality will go back to the centre tobuild a proper structure, which will be abuilding that is suited for a day-care centrefor disabled children.

Salga reaches out

PICTURED are the representatives of the Nasional Development Agency (NDA), the South African Local Government Association (Salga)in the Northern Cape and Old Mutual with the items that they donated to the centre. Photo: Supplied

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} Boipelo Mere

THE Northern Cape prides itself for beingthe first hospital in the country where3D-printing titanium mandible implantswere performed.That is after the transplant was success-

fully performed on the first two patientsdiagnosed with neck and mouth cancer atthe Kimberley Hospital last week by a teamof medical doctors.According to the Kimberley Hospital, this

innovation is an effort to bring aboutchange in the lives of patients.Dr Waleed Ikram of the Kimberley

Hospital says the progress of the first twopatients will determine whether the trans-plant can spread to other countries.According to the doctors who performed

the transplant, the aim of the procedure isto restore the patient’s dignity by repairingthe mandible and fixing the facial contours.Prof. Cules van den Heever of the Centre

or Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing(CRPM) at the Central University of Tech-nology, Free State (CUT), expresses theirexcitement over the transplant as it will getthe patient to function and look normal, andbe disease free.Van den Heever says that the innovation

will better the lives of patients in theNorthern Cape, where 500 new cases arereported for head and neck cancer annually.“Once the patient has cancer, the lower

jaw has to be removed, making their qualityof life terrible. They do not even have anyspeech function.”He adds that with the microvascular

reconstructive techniques, which is a veryexpensive procedure, they used to restorethe jaw, and the preformed recon plates thatwere previously constructed to replace thelower jaw of a patient fractures in mostcases or erodes through the tissue.One of the transplant patients on the day

was a patient who had developed a massivetrauma on the lower jaw that had to be

replaced with the 3D-printing titaniummandible implants.The other patient received a recon plate

that had fractured and had to be replaced bythe custom-made plate.Ikram says that it is an honour for the

province to be offered the opportunity toperform this kind of procedure.He also says that the procedure will be a

cost-saving measure as it will now costR800 000 less than the previous proceduredue to less titanium material being usedduring the design of the jaw.“We are now able to perform specialised

transplants in other areas. Our previouspatients used to travel either to Johannes-burg or to Cape Town for treatment oncancer of the jaw.”Ikram appeals to government and the

private sector for sponsorships to makethese operations a success.

NC hospital leads way

THEdigital layout of a patient’s jawlinewitha previously reconstructed jaw.

} Boipelo Mere

AFTER failing in their bid to be promoted tothe first division league now known as theABC Motsepe League, Steach United fromGaleshewe in the Northern Cape has vowedto regroup. They plan to concentrate on theupcoming matches in their division andensure that next year this time, they areback at the qualifications for the ABCMotsepe League. Things did not turn outwell for Steach in Durban in their quest tobe promoted to the first division. Everysoccer fan in the province has been crossingfingers, praying for a positive outcome forSteach United. The MEC for Sport, Arts andCulture, Lebogang Mokoena, has expressed

his desire to reign in an era where theprovince has a professional club playing inthe Absa Premier Soccer league, so, Steach’sattempt would have been a step up for theprovince. Steach Mnguye expressed hissatisfaction at the team’s performance inDurban. “We were motivated by everyone,including Safa officials, who highlighted ourtalent and hard work and encouraged us tocome again next year. I sincerely send myappreciation to the Department of Sport, Artsand Culture and all who supported us indeeds and prayers. This was truly a learningcurve for us and good exposure for theplayers. I believe if the community can worktogether we can keep these boys out ofcourt,” said Mnguye.

Steach Utd regroupTHE Steach United team plans to regroup for the next challenge. Photo: Supplied

FOCUS ON TWO OCEANS FORWARDERS

TWO OCEANS FORWARDERS pridesitself on being the definite answer to alltypes of goods transportation.Transporting from small and bulk

shipments to chemicals, including theshipment of dangerous goods, Two OceansForwarders has been operating from andto South Africa over the past five years.With a good track record and manage-

ment that has 20 years of experience in

the transport industry, the companyaccepts cash and cash on delivery (COD)transactions.The office can be contacted on 053-832-

3516 or 053-831-7907 during weekdays(Monday to Friday) between 08:00 and17:00.The Kimberley premises of Two Oceans

Forwarders can be located at 18 FabriciaRoad, Fabricia, Kimberley.

Your goods in safe hands

For more news and photos go towww.express-news.co.za.

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} Boipelo Mere

ALL government employees areurged to visit the identified verifica-tion centres to have their informa-tion verified and to assist the processof updating their information andcleaning up the pay-roll system.

That is after the Northern CapeProvincial Government committeditself to conducting biometricheadcount projects to clean up thesystem of government with the aimof eliminating ghost employees.

The process was engaged by theDepartment of the ProvincialTreasury which scheduled a list ofvenues for government officials toverify their details between July and

August. Mojalefa Mphapang of theDepartment of Communications atthe Provincial Treasury made theappeal to all officials to come innumbers to verify their details.

Officials are requested to producea green South African bar-coded ID,smart card, valid temporary ID, validpassport issued by country of originor work permit. Certified copies ofhighest academic qualifications orproof of affiliation or registrationwith a professional body (e.g.HPCSA, SACE), must also besupplied.

The Kimberley verification sitesare the Floors Civic Hall (StokroosStreet, Squarehill Park), KimberleyHospital Complex (James Exum

Auditorium, Dutoitspan Road),Northern Cape Provincial Legisla-ture (Nobengula Boulevard, Galesh-ewe), Mayibuye Multi-purpose Centre(Sehurutshe Street, Galeshewe),Kimberley City Hall (Market Square)and Recreational Hall (corner ofHulana and Lang Streets, Galesh-ewe).

The scheduled regional verificationsites are Upington, Kuruman, De Aarand Springbok between 4 and 8August. Carnarvon, Williston,Prieska, Colesberg, Kenhardt,Pofadder and Askham will be on 11and 12 August, while Sutherland,Calvinia, Victoria West, Douglas,Postmasburg and Port Nolloth willbe on 14 and 15 August.

Government doing headcount

NOLIZWE TAME (right) of the Department of Transport and Liaisonwas among those who heard the call during the first week of theverification process. Here she is assisted by headcount officialMpho Kgatlane (left) at the city hall. Photo: Boipelo Mere

A TO Z GUIDE

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NEWS

MONWABISI NKOMPELA (head of commu-nication: Office of the Premier, writing inhis personal capacity):

THE so-called crisis, or rather anarchy,caused by some selfish individuals in theJohn Taolo Gaetsewe (JTG) region should beproperly contextualised. Furthermore, theutterances and the actions of the forumleaves much to be desired.All along, the issue has been about the

construction of the roads, which governmenthas committed to address and the work isunderway to deliver on that commitment.Not for the sake of the demands from the

forum, but to respond to the service delivery

needs of our people in JTG.Now the goal posts have been completely

shifted. To the extent that the chairperson ofthe forum says: “We want them (government)to tell us where is the R240 million that wasgiven by the mine? Otherwise, there won’t beany development of the road in this area”.The same forum demanded that Premier

Sylvia Lucas come to meet with them. Whenshe availed herself to meet them, theydecided to stage a walk-out because ofsomeone who they did not want in themeeting. Now any sober-minded person whowants to resolve a crisis will never act andbehave in this manner.This makes me ask a few questions:

1. Is it not that the forum members want ashare of the so-called R240 million?2. Is it not that the forum members areengaged in a political battle?3. Is it not that the forum members are justselfish people who seek attention at theexpense of our school children?You be the judge.

Forummembers act childish} Boipelo Mere

DONALD MOJAKI, who was a scout forthe South African Football Association(Safa) during the SAB u.21 Championshipin Mahikeng, reported to Express North-ern Cape that five boys who were in theu.21 Northern Cape team were selectedfor the 2015 Castle Lager Football Acade-my.The squad will go into camp under the

mentorship and training of Neil Tovey andassistants where the team will be trimmeddown to a last 23.The selected players are Howard Mbasa,

Avril Vries, Christopher Balie, ZinzanCoetzee and Alroy Baardman.

Five off to academy

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THE minister of Public Enterprises, LynneBrown, and the premier of the NorthernCape, Sylvia Lucas, officially opened theTransnet Wagons Refurbishing Facility, theYouth Multi-Purpose Precinct and handedover houses to two indigent families in DeAar on 28 July.

The Transnet Wagons RefurbishingFacility will maintain various types ofwagons for Transnet Freight Rail (TFR)operations. This investment of more thanR30 million is aimed at increasing theTFR’s capacity on the main corridorbetween Sentrarand and Cape Town,known as Capecor.

The facility has already created jobs andimproved rail engineering skills, a boostfor De Aar’s economy. The De Aar wagonfacility has 47 employees, 22 of them fromDe Aar, and it is estimated that about 300direct and indirect jobs will be createdthrough the facility. The De Aar wagonsdepot will be run as a satellite workshopfor the Transnet Rail Engineering Beacons-field Depot in Kimberley and will have aproduction capacity of 250 wagons perannum.

Brown and Lucas proceeded to hand overhouses to two families that had to makeway for Trans-net’s plans to establish theYouth Multi-Purpose Precinct at theirdilapidated houses next to the De AarRailway Station. Transnet volunteers werecalled in on Mandela Day last year to cleanthe houses in preparation for the rebuild-ing of the youth precinct.

Transnet relocated the two families tonew houses.

The youth precinct consists of:) Youth shelter for 20 homeless boys: Ashelter which aims to take homeless boysoff the streets and place them in a healthyenvironment from which they can bereintegrated into their families, society orbe equipped with self-sustaining life skills.) A youth educational centre: An educa-tion information centre offering access to alibrary, career information, higher educa-tion information, healthcare and more.Provision of information and knowledgethat will create informed and inspiredyoung people from De Aar.) Youth recreational park: A positiveenvironment for youth to interact andsocialise in constructive and safe surround-ings. This will consist of, amongst otherthings, an outdoor amphitheatre, anoutdoor chess board and a basketball court.) Youth enterprise development: An exitstrategy for men older than 18 who have asustainable occupation as artisans; menwill be trained to form their own small

enterprises and contracted to maintainTransnet properties. This programme willbe funded by Transnet Property.) Youth volunteers: A social club of youthvolunteers who embark on monthlyvolunteering activities; youths who areengaged constructively and develop sociallyresponsible values and furthermorecontribute towards volunteering activitiesthat will impact positively on the landscapeof De Aar.

The Transnet Foundation will fully fundthe De Aar Youth Precinct NGO for thefirst three years (2014 to 2016). During thistime the Transnet Foundation and theboard will engage with other potentialdonors and partners to invest in theprecinct and thus ensure its sustainability.

“Government is committed to revitalisingthe economy of rural towns such as De Aarso that we create sustainable livelihoodsfor the local people. A wagon refurbish-ment facility will have a long-term impact,not only on De Aar, but also the surround-ing areas as it will be a springboard fordevelopment within the broader NorthernCape. The establishment of such a facilitybrings hope to the youth of De Aar tobecome engineers and better their lives,”said Brown.

The Northern Cape is proud to be thehost of this facility that will have a

positive impact on the people of De Aar,said Lucas.

“We are happy that state-owned compa-nies such as Transnet’s business philoso-phy is clearly defined in the saying that forthe companies to prosper, they need thecommunities they operate in to alsoprosper.”

Guided by the belief that South Africa’sgreatest resource is its youthful populationand that through their active participation

the country can surmount many of itschallenges, Transnet’s investment in DeAar reaffirms its long-standing commit-ment to youth development.

“We believe we can make an importantcontribution to society by going a stepbeyond corporate social responsibility tocreate value through our core business forour society, employees and the sharehold-ers,” says Transnet Foundation head,Cynthia Mgijima.

Youth in De Aar gets a boost

THE Transnet Wagons Refurbishing Facility was officially opened after Lynne Brown had cut the ribbon. Photos: Supplied

THE minister proceeded to hand over the keys to the Youth Multi­Purpose Precinct toPremier Sylvia Lucas to declare it operational.

AFTER being crowned the first Tsantsabane Idol in May,Mpho Maroane is bound to release her 12­track album, Yes,Lord, in August. The talented Mpho would like to pursue herdream of singing for Joyous Celebration and has opted fora gospel album with classic hymns and praise and worshipmedleys. The album, which was part of the prize package ofthe 2014 Tsantsabane Idols competition, includes composi­tions fromher ownpen. The first ever Tsantsabane Idolswereheld as part of an innovative youth development partnershipbetween the Tsantsabane Centre of Hope, National YouthDevelopmentOutreachand theNationalArtsCouncil. “Mphois a very talented lady and the album will be a runaway hit,”says Hendré Jacobs of the Tsantsabane Centre of Hope.Mpho will also make her television debut soon. Photo: Supplied

Going places . . .

KUMBA IRONORE’S KolomelaMine devoted 67minutes of theirtime for MandelaDay to the JanVorster Old­AgeHome by handingout knitted scarvesand blankets to thesenior citizens ofPostmasburg andto patients at thePostmasburgHospi­tal. Pictured are theKolomela team dis­playing the scarvesthat were handedout at the old­agehome. Thesescarves were knit­ted by a few of theKolomela femaleemployees.

Photos: Supplied

THE Kolomela Minewith the Shopriteteam who also didtheir part for Man­dela Day, are seenhere with the Post­masburg Hospitalstaff.

Doingtheir bitfor others

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} Boipelo Mere

THE teams that participated in the 2014 u.15Fernando Visagie Community Tournamentpraised it to be a success as it succeeded intaking the children’s minds off the streetsduring the school holiday.The organisers of the event said it was

evident from the talent that the young boysdisplayed, that they had practised hard forthe tournament.Three of the selected teams failed to

participate in the tournament, because thechildren were at different destinationsduring the holidays. Five teams from ColvilleDevelopment Structure and the Galesheweand Mankurwane Structures managed topitch.According to the organiser of the event,

Jerome Doyle, the tournament, which wassponsored by Fernando Visagie, is one oftheir annually community developmentprogrammes.He added that the tournament was a

success and everything went well during theorganising process.“The aim of the tournament was to keep

the children off the streets during the schoolholiday. The small tokens of recognition thatwere sponsored, made a huge difference,because it motivated the players to concen-trate and keep their eyes on the ball,” hesaid.Doyle said that Visagie donated gold and

silver medals, soccer balls and a trophy forthe tournament.Tokelo Thekisho from Bush Bucks FC said

the absence of three teams did not discour-age them.The teams that took pride in participating

in the tournament at the Homevale SportsGrounds were Hope United, Masokolaar,Bush Bucks FC, World 11 and Norman FC.The Dalton Brothers, Diamond City and

Vuduka were absent.The round robin tournaments that started

the Friday, caused the Fernando VisagieCommunity Tournament’s semi-finals to shiftto the Saturday.In the finals, Bush Bucks FC ended up

with the trophy in their hands after beatingHope United 2-1.They received a trophy, soccer balls worth

R400 and gold medals. The runners-upreceived silver medals.The teams are looking forward to next

year’s tournament.

Gamesinspirekids

WORLD 11 were one of the teams that participated in the Fernando Visagie Community Tournament. Photos: Supplied

The aim of the tour­nament was to keepthe children off thestreets during theschool holiday