BE HOSTED BY THE LEGISLATURE IN STANDERTON

BE HOSTED BY THE LEGISLATURE IN STANDERTON

As the Women’s Month draws to an end, the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature will host a Young Women’s Forum. A platform for young women to discuss issues that directly affects them in their daily lives. It is expected that Ms Phathekile Sibiya- a motivation speaker will do a presentation under the subject - Building an Assertive, Responsible and Focussed Women: Creating a Balanced Society.

Young women from all walks of life are expected to attend.

The Young Women’s Forum, is an initiative by Speaker, Mrs Thandi Shongwe and will be held as follows:

Date      : 2 September 2014

Time     : 10:00

Venue   : Sakhile Community Hall, Lekwa Local Municipality

MEC KHOLWANE TO ANNOUNCE MTPA INTERIM BOARD MEMBERS

MEC KHOLWANE TO ANNOUNCE MTPA INTERIM BOARD MEMBERS

Mbombela- The MEC for the Department of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Honourable Sikhumbuzo Eric Kholwane, will on 01 September 2014 host a Media Conference to announce the interim Board members of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA).

 The announcement is line with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency Act, 2005 (Act No 5 of 2005), section 7 (4) which state that the Member of the Executive Council may, in the event of all the positions on the Board being vacant, and with due regard to section 6, appoint persons as temporary Members to constitute an interim Board until such vacancies have been duly filled as contemplated in subsection (2): Provided that the term of office of such interim Board may not exceed a period of six months.

All media is invited to attend the Media Conference that has been arranged as follows:

Venue  : MTPA Boardroom

Date     : 01 September 2014

Time    : 16:00

MINISTER DAVIES CONGRATULATES WEBHELP SA ON THE LAUNCH OF THE VODAFONE CONTACT CENTRE IN JOHANNESBURG

MINISTER DAVIES CONGRATULATES WEBHELP SA ON THE LAUNCH OF THE VODAFONE CONTACT CENTRE IN JOHANNESBURG

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, congratulates Webhelp SA on the launch of their Johannesburg Contact Centre which has thus far created 200 jobs.  It further expected that the contact centre will create a total of 570 jobs in the next four years.

Webhelp is a French-owned Global Contact Centre company which has   contact centres in Algeria, Belgium, France, Madagascar, Morocco, Netherlands, Romania, United Kingdom, and more recently South Africa. The Webhelp investment in South Africa expected to rise to more than R220m over three years.

Minister Davies says the Business Process Service sector is key to attracting investment and creating new jobs especially in the 18-35 age group, where jobs are most needed.

 “It is good to see the partnership between government and business working together to promote South Africa as a preferred location for outsourced business processes. Job creation and growing our economy are important objectives for the South African government,” he added.

 Webhelp  CE , Craig Gibson said the company  took the strategic decision to proceed with the South African investment once the business criteria of a large skills pool of English language speakers was verified together with the quality of the skills available.

Additional factors included the ability to scale the operations whilst sustaining high performance, cultural affinity with the UK and the time zone compatibility. The  BPS incentive has made the South African Value Proposition compelling as it allows South African companies bidding for UK contracts to offer a more cost competitive proposal when compared to other offshore destinations such as India and the Philippines,” said Gibson.

The Webhelp Contact Centre in Johannesburg will service the UK Cellular Phone operator Vodafone, providing Customer Services to their UK subscribers. The Contact Centre is the second operation launched by the company. The first facility was launched in Cape Town in March 2014 which created 350 new jobs. Webhelp SA expects to create a total of 5000 jobs in South Africa by 2017.

the dti’s Business Process Services (BPS) incentive plays a supporting role in attracting new investment into the sector. The BPS incentive was introduced in 2007 with the purpose of making South Africa’s Value Proposition increasingly attractive when compared to other countries competing for offshore work such as India and the Philippines. The BPS incentive has been reviewed and the updated incentive for the industry will be launched be launched in October 2014

MINISTER DAVIES TO VISIT THE HOUSE OF MONETIC IN SALT RIVER, CAPE TOWN

MINISTER DAVIES TO VISIT THE HOUSE OF MONETIC IN SALT RIVER, CAPE TOWN

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies will visit the House of Monatic to assess the impact of the financial assistance that the company has received from the department.

DATE              : Friday, 29 August 2014

TIME               : 10:00

VENUE           :  364 Victoria Road, Salt River Cape Town

As a result of the dti’s successful clothing and textile productive incentive, the company has become more competitive, growing its business and ensuring sustainable job-creation in the sector; particularly important in the Western Cape.

SOUTH AFRICA FOSTERS CLOSER TRADE WITH MOZAMBIQUE TO BOOST ECONOMIC RELATIONS

SOUTH AFRICA FOSTERS CLOSER TRADE WITH MOZAMBIQUE TO BOOST ECONOMIC RELATIONS 

South Africa is fostering closer trade relations with Mozambique – one of the fastest growing economies in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) has sponsored twenty-nine (29) export-ready Small and Medium South African Businesses, who are currently showcasing their products at the 50th Jubilee of the Feira International de Maputo (FACIM) Fair, in Maputo

Speaking at the official launch, the Director for Export Promotion at the the dti, Dr Julius Nyalunga said South Africa urged closer trade relations with Mozambique.

“Mozambique is amongst the seven fastest growing economies in sub-Saharan Africa and we cannot achieve economic growth if our economies are not linked. It is important to understand that we are pursuing a mutually beneficial regional economic development agenda, and for us to turn around our economy we need to be outward looking in order to strengthen trade with our neighbouring partners,” he said.

 Dr Nyalunga highlighted that although the biggest challenge in African countries is economic diversification, human capital is key to successful business in Mozambique.  

“Africa contributes only 2% of the world’s exports; therefore South African companies should fast-track trade with their Mozambican partners in order to

          achieve economic diversification,” he added.

The head of Business Linkage Services at the Centre for Promotion of Investment (CPI) in Mozambique, Mr Antonio Makamo said strong investment opportunities exist in sectors, including construction, mining and petroleum and strong relations between the two countries will be mutually beneficial. Makamo added that Mozambique also has abundant reserves in gas, coal, agriculture and forestry.

In recognising South Africa’s continuous contribution to development and implementation of FACIM, Mozambican President Armanda Geubuza, awarded SA with a diploma of merit.

          Makoma further stated that Mozambique will tap into South African expertise    

         to overcome hindrances in economic growth.

“Infrastructure development is one of the biggest challenges Mozambique is faced with. Mozambicans cannot easily grow their oil sector because of lack of infrastructure and know-how. We are counting on South African expertise to grow this sector through your proven track record in the rail sector,” alluded Makomahe said.

Caption:

SA High Commission Official, Ms Jill Maimela receiving the diploma of merit for continuously contributing to the development and implementation of FACIM from President Armando Guebuza

MINISTER DAVIES DEFENDS NRCS FROM DA MP's CRITICISM

MINISTER DAVIES DEFENDS NRCS FROM DA MP's CRITICISM

Minister Rob Davies has called on MP’s particularly those from opposition parties, to think more carefully before associating themselves with complaints raised by market players. The Minister’s comment’s fallows calls made by DA MP’s Hill-Lewis and Dean Macpherson for a reduction in the time taken by National Regulator for Compulsory Specification (NRCS) to process Letters of Authority (LoA).

Minister Davies said he had discussed the matter with the CEO of the NRCS, Mr Asogan Moodley, who had indicated that it was important that the organisation be given adequate time to carry out its inspection work before issuing LoA’s.

Mr Moodley had pointed out that the 120 days it takes to process such LoA’s in SA compared favourably with comparable countries.

 Minister Davies said that SA continues to bombard with harmful sub- standard products which are both harmful to consumers and constitute unfair competition to South African producers.

“At this stage of our development the priority is to ensure that we step up on efforts to combat the entry of sub-standard products, and not pander to the demands of vested interests that seek, in the name of greater administrative efficiency, to keep open the doors to such potential abuse,” said Minister Davies.

Workers down tools in the backdrop of a dismal 1st quarterly performance

Workers down tools in the backdrop of a dismal 1^st quarterly performance

Across the province employees of the department of public works, roads and transport who are affiliated with NEHAWU, downed tools and arrived at the doorstep of the Legislature to hand over a memorandum of demand to the provincial government.

Among the demands are better working conditions and improved salary scales.  The MEC of the department arrived to address the striking workers, but the workers rejected the MEC and demanded that the premier avail himself to receive the memorandum of demands and address them accordingly.

 Amidst all this the department has reported a dismal performance in their 1^st quarterly report.  According to the report out of a total of 38 planned targets for the 1^st quarter of the 2014/15 financial year, the department only managed to achieve 58% of the targets despite using 24% of the allocated 25% budget for this quarter and having a staff compliment of 96.5%. In the same quarter of the previous financialyear, the department achieved 68% of their set targets.  This  shows a clear decline in the overall performanceof the department and the continuation in their trend of non-delivery.

What particularly concerned the DA in this report was Programme 2: Public works infrastructure,

Programme 3: Transport infrastructure and Programme 5: Community based programme which achieved 38%, 33.3% and 10% respectively.

It is clear that the department will once again fail to achieve its targets by the end of the 2014/15 financial year. These sentiments also echoed by the relevant portfolio committee’s analysis of this departments’ quarterly performance.  Such a situation is indicative of a department that lacks both HR and financial management as well as decisive political leadership.

The DA will monitor the situation closely taking into consideration the collective bargaining agreement between the Trade Union and the Department.

Crisis Management required at Thaba Chweu Municipality

Crisis Management required at Thaba Chweu

Municipality

Once again Thaba Chweu is making headlines with mismanagement and maladministration running

rife through the corridors of the municipality.

During last week officials of the municipality had to do damage control in order to prevent the assets

from being seized due to outstanding monies owed to service providers.  The Sheriff of the court arrived

with a notice of attachment issued to Thaba Chweu Municipality for R563 670 owing to Sivuthumlilo Trading.

Amongst the list of assets to be seized were four tractors, three trucks, five bakkies, two trailers, twenty

computers, twenty tables and twenty chairs.  Thaba Chweu then proceeded to make the necessary

payment and seizure of the assets was prevented.

It is obvious that the financial woes of the municipality are nowhere near ending.  The DA can only hope

that the recent by-election is a sign that the tide is turning and that the residents of Thaba Chweu are

also realising that the status quo cannot continue.

The time is coming when the DA will get the opportunity to step in with political will and determination to

change the situation.  The current government has proven time and again in the Thaba Chweu district

that they are incompetent and not capable of running a municipality.

It is an absolute disgrace that the residents of Thaba Chweu are the ones who have to carry the brunt of

bad service delivery, corruption and maladministration.

INVITATION TO THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF INKHOSI Thulani David Nkosi

INVITATION TO THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF INKHOSI Thulani David Nkosi

MEC for COGTA, Hon Refilwe Mtshweni will preside over the inauguration of Inkhosi TD Nkosi of Bhevula Somcuba Traditional Council. The inauguration accentuates the recognition of Inkhosi Nkosi as one the 60 recognized traditional leaders in Mpumalanga Province

During the ceremony MEC Mtshweni will hand over a certificate of recognition. She will also deliver a key note address which will focus on government’s effort to provide traditional leaders to execute their duties diligently and the role of government in improving the lives of communities in rural areas.

The ceremony will be attended by amongst others, Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders, Kgosi Mathibela Mokoena and his Executive, The Executive Mayor of Gert Sibande District Municipality Cllr Nhlabathi

The media is invited to attend. The function is scheduled as follows:

Date    : 31 August 2014

Time    : 10H00

Venue  : eBuhleni Sports Ground ( Mooiplas near Elukwatini)

SANParks puts translocation of rhino into perspective

SANParks puts translocation of rhino into perspective

South African National Parks (SANParks) today responded to recent reports that Cabinet’s decision to translocate rhino from the Iconic Kruger National Park postponed.

Ike Phaahla, SANParks Media Specialist, quoted in a Sunday newspaper as contradicting the Minister by stating that the programme would only be implemented from next year. SANParks realises the importance of protecting the animals by implementing the strategy announced by the Minister on behalf of cabinet and has no intention to delay the implementation of Cabinet’s decision and by implication defying the Minister.

“In my explanation yesterday (23 August 2014), I merely gave context to the fact that there is currently no definite date that has been set aside for the translocations to take place, the fact is that we have to plan the logistics around the translocations as required. The reports suggesting a postponement were false and that the best time to do mass capturing and translocations was coming to a close. I had stated that the period recommended by scientists is between March and October and that is what I pointed out. At no stage did I mention a date and suggest that this will only take place next year.” said Phaahla.

The translocations will be taking place as soon as all the planning has been finalised and SANParks will take the public into their confidence.

Phaahla concluded by saying that any misunderstanding due to his explanation was regrettable and hopes that the picture will be made clearer by future announcements of the start of the relocations by the SANParks Board.

RHINO POACHERS BUST in the Mapungubwe

RHINO POACHERS BUST in the Mapungubwe

Makhado- one more suspect in the case of a rhino poaching incident that took place in Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site in July arrested. This follows the arrest of four other suspects earlier this month.

The suspect was observed whilst he was attending the bail hearing of the four accused which took place on 26 August and was immediately arrested. The said bail hearing further remanded to the 26 September 2014 where he will appear together with the other four suspects.

“We are happy with the progress that is being made in this regard, our Environmental Crime Investigators team together with the South African Police Services have worked very hard in bringing these perpetrators to book” said SANParks Acting head of communications, Reynold Thakhuli.

Thakhuli further reminded the public to work with SAPS and SANParks in reporting the perpetrators should they know them in the communities.

MINISTER DAVIES CONGRATULATES WEB HELP SA ON THE LAUNCH OF THE VODAFONE CONTACT CENTRE IN JOHANNESBURG

MINISTER DAVIES CONGRATULATES WEB HELP SA ON THE LAUNCH OF THE VODAFONE CONTACT CENTRE IN JOHANNESBURG

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies, congratulates Webhelp SA on the launch of their Johannesburg Contact Centre which has thus far created 200 jobs.  It further expected that the contact centre will create a total of 570 jobs in the next four years.

Webhelp is a French-owned Global Contact Centre company which has   contact centres in Algeria, Belgium, France, Madagascar, Morocco, Netherlands, Romania, United Kingdom, and more recently South Africa. The Webhelp investment in South Africa expected to rise to more than R220m over three years.

Minister Davies says the Business Process Service sector is key to attracting investment and creating new jobs especially in the 18-35 age group, where jobs are most needed.

It is good to see the partnership between government and business working together to promote South Africa as a preferred location for outsourced business processes. Job creation and growing our economy are important objectives for the South African government, he added.

Webhelp  CE , Craig Gibson said the company  took the strategic decision to proceed with the South African investment once the business criteria of a large skills pool of English language speakers was verified together with the quality of the skills available. 

Additional factors included the ability to scale the operations whilst sustaining high performance, cultural affinity with the UK and the time zone compatibility. The  BPS incentive has made the South African Value Proposition compelling as it allows South African companies bidding for UK contracts to offer a more cost competitive proposal when compared to other offshore destinations such as India and the Philippines, said Gibson.

The Webhelp Contact Centre in Johannesburg will service the UK Cellular Phone operator Vodafone, providing Customer Services to their UK subscribers. The Contact Centre is the second operation launched by the company. The first facility launched in Cape Town in March 2014 which created 350 new jobs. Webhelp SA expects to create a total of 5000 jobs in South Africa by 2017.

the dtis Business Process Services (BPS) incentive plays a supporting role in attracting new investment into the sector. The BPS incentive introduced in 2007 with the purpose of making South Africas Value Proposition increasingly attractive when compared to other countries competing for offshore work such as India and the Philippines. The BPS incentive has been reviewed and the updated incentive for the industry will be launched be launched in October 2014 

Invitation to SAPS Women’s Month Closing Event – Revival

Invitation to SAPS Women’s Month Closing Event – Revival

The Deputy National Commissioner of the South African Police Service, Lieutenant General Christine Mbekela, as well as the Provincial Commissioner of Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Thulani Ntobela, will be hosting the Provincial Women’s Prayer Revival as part of Women’s Month closing event.

Vigorous transformation processes have taken place in the SAPS, including that of fighting crime through the guidance and protection of God which is of paramount importance. As police members, SAPS women in particular should view prayer as an opportunity to request divine intervention from God to assist in our quest to reduce the scourge of crime that continue to salvage our community.

Apart from the revival, Lt Gen Mbekela will also be presenting the newly recruited members for Secunda Cluster to the community as part of our revised recruitment strategy. The strategy stipulates that our recruitment is now community based which requires the community to be involved in the selection and recruitment of police trainees. According the strategy, after the candidates are received from the grooming camps, a board must be established comprising of the Community Policing Forum (CPF), School Principals and Tribal Authorities.

A total of 189 astute candidates in Mpumalanga have successfully passed the grooming camp and need to introduce to the community. Out of the 189, the Secunda Cluster has 21 candidates.

In respect of the above, the media cordially invited to attend and grace the occasion which will take place at Embalenhle near Secunda as follows:

Date                :           Tomorrow (Thursday) 28 August 2014

Time               :           09:00 for 09:30

Venue            :           The House of Praise Church (opposite Thomas Nhlabathi High School)

There are also other dignitaries, senior government officials, local public representatives and other major role players from community structures that will be in attendance

DA launches Mbombela Come Clean Campaign

DA launches Mbombela Come Clean Campaign

Next week, the Democratic Alliance will launch our ‘Mbombela Come Clean Campaign’. This campaign originates from the increasing frustration of residents across the municipality at the dirty conditions of our city. Enough is enough and the time has come for Mbombela to come clean in all its forms.

It has become a common sight in Mbombela to see litter scattered along streets and roads, uncollected garbage bags and parks unsafe for children and families to enjoy. The municipality continually fails in its obligation to deliver a clean, environmentally friendly community.

This largely caused by the municipality’s inability to enforce bylaws. Spaces in and around our provinces capital city have become notorious illegal dumping sites. 

As our municipal area continues to deteriorate, the arrogant and careless attitude of municipal officials does little to assist in improving the conditions of our town. Yet the municipality expects residents to pay for services which either not provided or provided poorly.

This is evident in the drastic increase in property taxes and
municipal rates on the 1^st of July 2014.

It is for this reason that the DA will embark on the Mbombela “Come Clean Campaign” in which we will collect at least 5000 signatures from local residents, expressing their disgust at our town’s condition.

By means of this campaign, the DA will call on the Mbombela Municipality to come clean on its obligation towards residents and ratepayers and to enforce by-laws thereby ensuring a safe and clean living environment.

The DA will demand that Mbombela Municipality fulfils its legal obligations by:

•        Cleaning-up the city and towns

•        Maintaining streets, parks and open spaces

•        Enforcing by-laws with the support of a dedicated law enforcement unit

•        Making available accessible landfill sites

•        Establishing transfer stations for easy disposal of waste and refuse  

The DA will launch the campaign at the next ordinary council meeting that is taking place on Thursday,
28 August 2014. Thereafter, it will embark on a visible 30 day campaign across Mbombela to collect signatures
for the petition by holding information tables at various centres across the city, conducting door-to-door visits
and the clean-up of roads and parks.

We call on all residents and businesses to support this campaign by assisting in the collection of petition signatures,
as well as getting involved in the various DA clean-up campaigns.  

The time has come to clean up our city, lets stand together to make the City of Mbombela a better place for all.

MEC FOR PUBLIC WORKS, ROADS AND TRANSPORT DUMISILE NHLENGETHWA WILL HOST THE 2014 EPWP SUMMIT

MEC FOR PUBLIC WORKS, ROADS AND TRANSPORT DUMISILE NHLENGETHWA WILL HOST THE 2014 EPWP SUMMIT

A total of 300 delegates from public and private sector will converge at Gert Sibande District Municipality in Ermelo on the 28^th and 29^th August 2014, where the MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport, Ms Dumisile Nhlengethwa officially hosts the 2014 EPWP Summit. Executive Mayors, Councillors as well as Municipal Managers from various municipalities will grace the occasion. Attendance to the Summit is per invitation only.

The issues of job creation in the province will take centre stage at the event. During EPWP Phase 3, the province is expected to contribute towards the National target of six million (6 000 000) work opportunities within the next five year period. The Mpumalanga province will contribute at least a total of three hundred and ninety thousand (390 000) EPWP job opportunities during the same period.

It is against this light that the Department, as coordinator of the programme will prioritise on youth unemployment and training under Phase 3. A total target of 55% youth employment has been set for Phase 3.

  

The Department will further galvanize support in terms of participation into the programme from various stakeholders who expected to converge at the event. The Summit will be under the theme “EPWP changing many lives for the better”

Members of the media therefore invited to form part of the Summit which is scheduled to take place as follows:

Date                :           28 and 29 August 2014

Venue             :           Gert Sibande District Municipality Offices

Cop to spend 17 in jail for murder

Cop to spend 17 in jail for murder

On wednesday 27 August 2014, the North Gauteng High Court sitting in Nelspruit has sentenced a former police constable to 17 years effectively for murder.

Richwell Request Nyakane (31), who stationed at Pilgrim’s Rest as a detective shot and killed the mother of his child Virginia Mashele 27. The court heard that on 10 March 2013, at approximately 11:00, Nyakane and Mashele were travelling in a car together with their three-years-old son when an argument ensued.

It unravelled by the court that the argument was about the maintenance of the child. Mashele demanded Nyakane to pay more for the maintenance which he became angry and did not want to approve the amount.

In the plea bargain Nyakane made yesterday, Tuesday 26 August 2014, Nyakane told the court that he could not control his anger which led him instantly stopping his car and shooting her four times in her back in front of the child. He then drove to the direction of Bushbuckridge leaving the profusely bleeding body of Mashele.

Nyakane then abandoned the child alone on the side of the road and proceeded further to his home in Bushbuckridge. The court heard that when he arrived at home, he picked some of his family members as well as his wife to Hoedspruit for lunch as if nothing happened.

Motorists who in turn alerted the police spotted the body of Mashele. Firstly, Mashele’s body was stored in a state mortuary as unidentified. The diligent investigation by police led to Nyakane arrested on Monday 11 March 2013, a day after the committed the heartless acts.

According to the investigator of the case, Nyakane did not hesitate in confessing to the brutally killing and arrested. He has since languished in the prison cells without succeeding in securing bail until his sentencing today as follows:

1. On the charge of murder, the court sentences him to 15 years imprisonment.

2. He also sentenced to 5 years imprisonment for abandoning his child alongside the road of which three years will run concurrently with the murder charge.

Nyakane will serve 17 years effectively in jail and he ordered to compensate the family of Mashele with an amount of R 5000 towards the expenses they incurred during the funeral arrangements. The amount Nyakane has to pay before the end of October 2014.     

The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thulani Ntobela welcomed the sentence and further warned other SAPS members that they are not law unto themselves. “There are some other police members whom we have dismissed for misconducts however their criminal cases are still pending. We believe and trust our courts that they will deal harshly with them. All members with criminal cases should know that their days are numbered”, warned Lt Gen Ntobela.

SACP Phillip Radebe District Executive Committee meeting Statement

SACP Phillip Radebe District Executive Committee meeting Statement

The South African Communist Party in Phillip Radebe held its DEC meeting on 24 August 2014 organised in Barbeton, at the ANC Constituency offices.  The DEC blessed by the presence of the ANC and PEC members of the SACP.  The meeting received both Organization and Political reports as well as the PEC Address. 

Launching of Sub-Districts

The DEC welcomes the launch of the first Sub-District in Nkomazi.  Reasonable progress and dates are set for the launching of Umjindi, Mbombela, and Hazyview Sub-Districts.  The SACP strengthened more by services that rendered to Voting Districts Branches across the entire District. 

On the barbarism of CEFUPS private school

We have been consistently sharp and outright in raising issues pertaining CEFUPS private school particularly when it relates to the use of corporal punishment.  There have been a number of life-threatening incidents before, including once which have received little or no media coverage.  Our clarion call comes after the death of a learner from beatings.  We would like to remind people that our democratic government has outlawed corporal punishment.  No school can undermine the constitution of the land.  We call upon the Department of Education in Mpumalanga to release the report surrounding the matter and be decisive.  We also call for the de-privatization of the school be made a public entity. CEFUPS cannot continue to be an island. 

Closure of Sharma private school in Nkomazi

The SACP had learned with deepest shock the closure of Sharma High School.  This happens when learners are just few weeks to writing final year examinations.  To this end, we shall intensify the Joe Slovo Right to Learn campaign by visiting the school and safe the future of this generation.  It is clear the implication of the closure is massive. 

On the insensitive treatment of Communist Party of Swaziland leaders by the Department of Home Affairs

The SACP condemns with strongest possible terms the refusal by the Department of Home Affairs to sanction asylum to Swazi political exiles.  The comrades affected are the General Secretary of CPS, the National Deputy chairperson and Head of Campaigns, and International Organizer.  The comrades left with just approximately 10 days before the department hands them over to the barbaric despotic regime of Swaziland.  This is the regime that has arrested the President of PUDEMO who also reported to be gravely ill of diabetes.  The regime known for unlawful arrests and mysterious killing and disappearance of the comrades. Expatriating them back to the worst form of governance on earth, defeats the many resolutions and character of the Congress movement as led by the ANC, that of internationalism.  We call on the ANC in all levels to stop the hypocrisy of appearing to support the peoples of Palestine and world over who are thousand miles away yet fail to characterise and condemn this barbarity.  We call on the ANC in particular to implement Mangaung resolution on Swaziland that ‘The ANC calls on the Swazi monarch and leaders in Swaziland to create the space for open and free dialogue to find a lasting solution to the challenges facing Swaziland…The ANC supports the campaigns for the unbanning of the political parties and the release of all political prisoners…’

The Ebola outbreak

We have noted the outbreak of the Ebola virus in the West Africa and the casualties and general threat it has posed to humanity.  We appreciate the work done thus far to contain the virus.  We acknowledge the work done by the department of Health as led by Comrade Arron Motsoaledi. The strategies in place and the banning on certain travel are keys to the containment of the disease.  Education on this virus must be intensified. We have also noted how the virus has exposed women to gender oppression in that they subjected to care for, and not expose male victims (partners) while caring for them and contract the virus in the process. 

Honouring heroes of our revolution

The District will be engaged in the series of memorial lecturers in the honour of our heroes who contributed tirelessly and uninterruptedly to the course of a caring and prosperous world.  Amongst the lecturers we shall have Phillip Radebe memorial lecture on the 13 September 2014, VD Mnguni memorial lecture, as well as Jimmy Mohlala memorial lecture. 

Building a strong Civic movement in SANCO

The SACP has a historic mission to assist build a strong Civic movement as led by SANCO.  Ordinary civilians without clear ideological grounding lead more often than not protests, particularly service delivery protests.  We shall amongst others help re-establish structures of SANCO to capture the space that rightfully belongs to it.   SANCO has been picking issues and elevating them to the level where authorities take them seriously. 

ANC Ehlanzeni Regional Congress

The SACP as part of broader strategy of taking responsibility for the revolution wish the upcoming ANC Regional congress a resounding success.  A united ANC is at the best interest of advancing, deepening, and consolidating the National Democratic Revolution. We call upon delegates to use the conference to sharpen their policy formulation skill.  The use of the “Through the eye of needle” document to elect leaders is of utmost importance in order to defeat factionalism. We wish the Congress a resounding success for a more united ANC.

Premier Mabuza launches foundation on birthday celebration

Premier Mabuza launches foundation on birthday celebration

Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza celebrated his 54^th birthday in style on Saturday as he brought huge smiles in the faces of his home villagers of Phola near Hazyview.

Although the Premier’s birthday Monday 25 August 2014, he celebrated on Saturday 23 August 2014 with the rest of his community, family, and friends.

More than 4 000 children were treated to fun and game, while 450 elderly women were given food parcels and blankets. As if that was not enough, a further 462 learners from Mdzimba Primary School, the school where the Premier first studied as young boy, received school uniforms, soccer and netball kits.

A real surprise came when the Premier launched a DD Mabuza Foundation, which he described as a “new-born baby” which he said he was handing over to the youth of Mpumalanga to developed themselves. Shortly after its launch, the foundation managed to raise more than R50 million from the pledges in front of a 6 000 strong crowd.

“We have just witnesses the birth of a child called ‘DD Mabuza Foundation’ which I am gladly handing over to the youth of this province. The people who are pledging their support to this foundation are simply saying the youth should go to school and empower itself.

“We are securing our future with this foundation. Education indeed changes life of the very impoverished families to be better, there is no better way of achieving that unless our youth go to school and study. I am not taking these donations for granted, as there is nothing that comes easy in life, it is the hard work and sweat of these men and women who have pledged to say the youth should go to school,” said Mabuza.

He explained that the foundation would focus mainly on providing financial support for in education, look at the affairs of the elderly people, would further deal with matters relevant to health, youth development, environment and sports. The foundation is already registered and has a bank number.

Besides encouraging the youth to go to school, Mabuza has previously supported more than 300 students from his own pocket to pursue higher education. The foundation will help provide a structured support as students always queue at the Premier’s house to ask for financial support.

The Premier further utilized the opportunity to thank his family, friends and the rest of the villagers for the support gave while he was young.

“I thank you all for your special contribution in my life. I think my ancestors are turning in their graves, it feels good to be back home. You taught me well to love, forgive and care for others. I will remain strong and resolute in life,” said Mabuza.

The Premier further utilized the celebration to thank his friends and business people for the support including a well-know businessman Mr Robert Gumede, one of the trustees who donated R5 million to the foundation for a period of five years. Gumede further donated 25 computers with Internet at the school and had brought the games for fun for children.

“Mr Gumede is a good example that nothing is impossible in life,” said Mabuza.

Mabuza further surprised a well-known Mpumalanga gospel group, Masibuyele KuJehova, with a brand new kombi to assist them travel to their gigs.

Mpumalanga Water – A crisis in the making

Mpumalanga Water – A crisis in the making

The inability of ANC-run municipalities to provide residents with a continuous and reliable supply of

portable drinking water is a crisis in the making.

The DA takes note of the protest action held by residents of Mzinti in the Nkomazi Local District Municipality. 

According to reports, residents are becoming increasingly impatient with the municipality’s failure to

provide them with water and electricity. As a result residents have now taken their grievances to the streets. 

While the DA condemns violence in any form, we cannot fault the residents for their frustrations with a municipality

that cannot supply them with the most basic of services, and as the water crisis escalates to all parts of the

province more service delivery protests are an almost certainty.

Access to sufficient water is a basic human right enshrined in the Bill of Rights, a right that the ANC government

does not take seriously. Indeed the inability of the ANC to honor this human right substantiates the notion that

the ANC itself has become the new oppressor of human rights in our province.

Similarly, the DA has been alerted to a notice issued to the residents of Kriel (Emalahleni municipality) that they

will be without water from 29 September until 17 October 2014. The impact of such a prolonged water shortage

will be severe. No individual, family, school, community or business can function without any water supply for this

period of time. 

Despite efforts by the DA to address this matter with the MEC, Refilwe Mtsweni, she has to date failed to respond

to our requests.

The water problems in Mpumalanga are now reaching epic proportions.  The DA will again approach the MEC to

take immediate action. The DA will not rest until clean water is available to all Mpumalanga’s residents.