3MB - Gauteng Online

2
Human Settlements fast-tracking
the replacements of roofs
damaged by hail in Tshwane
YOUTH MONTH 2014
In Brief
Companies invited to
partake in Chinese Expo
4
Jabulani Hospital now ready to service
the residents of Soweto
HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
6
Premier Makhura making sure
Gauteng is indeed a better
place to live in
COMMUNITY SAFETY
8
Fat Cats Athletic Club creates a home
for running enthusiasts
HEALTH
SPORT
Honouring the Youth of ’76
The Department of Trade and
Industry (dti) has invited companies
to apply for participation at the
South African Expo and Investment
Seminars to be held in China, in
October. Companies targeted
are those operating in the agroprocessing, chemicals, plastics, steel,
aluminium, automotive, electrotechnical, transport, mining and
renewable energy sectors, among
others. The expos will take place
in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Chengdu,
Shanghai and Beijing from 20 to
31 October. Businesses interested
should apply to the dti before 27
June 2014 and should have been
in business for at least three years,
possess a proven business track
record and be competitive in the
South African market.
Communities educated
about child abuse
The
Gauteng
Government
Communication and Information
System (GCIS) regional office visited
the communities of Hekpoort and
Smoke Down in Mogale City to
provide them with information that
would help curb child abuse in the
areas. The visit was part of a series
of road shows by the Gauteng
GCIS aimed at raising awareness
about child abuse and children’s
rights against the backdrop of Child
Protection Week.
Services back to normal
at Diepkloof hostel
The sanitation, maintenance and
security services at the Diepkloof
hostel in Soweto are back to
normal. This follows an intervention
by MEC for Human Settlements,
Jacob Mamabolo where he met
with the leadership of the hostel.
The services at the hostel were
cut off following the expiry of the
contracts for contractors who were
providing such services. Residents in
the area blocked Chris Hani Road
and protested in anger because the
bucket system, which their hostel
still depends on, had not been
emptied in three months. “We are
making internal arrangements to
make sure that this problem is never
repeated. We have also agreed
with the City of Johannesburg to
attend to all the issues related to
the management of contracts for
services being provided at the
hostel,” MEC Mamabolo said.
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REMEMBERING YOUTH HEROES... Premier David Makhura was one of the many South Africans who paid tribute to the scholars who matched on 16 June 1976 Newly-appointed Gauteng Premier, David Makhura, has promised
to ensure that the province builds more memorial centres in order
to “ensure that the story is told and that future generations know
where we come from as a people.”
Khuitsemang Diseko and
SANews
Addressing hundreds of young
people and guests at the official opening
of the multi-million rand June 16
Memorial Acre in Soweto, situated next
to the historic Morris Isaacson High,
Premier Makhura, said:
“We want to make sure that we
preserve and promote our rich cultural
heritage. We want to write our history as
we all know it, (and) it will no longer be
the history of the conqueror.”
Visitors to the Memorial Acre,
comprising a two-storey building with a
unique design in the shape of an AK 47
rifle - which was a symbol of the struggle
– first pass next to the statue of the iconic
late student leader, Tsietsi Mashinini,
before passing a section of glazed steel
bearing the words: Struggle, Liberty,
Freedom, June 16, Memorial Acre, Youth
and Rise.
Speaker after speaker at the launch,
which was followed by a re-enactment
of the march by the Class of ’76 and
a musical event at the Mofolo Park
commemorating the 38th anniversary
of the 16 June 1976 youth uprising,
extolled the brevity of the Mashinini’s
generation.
“We are here to commemorate the
38th anniversary of the June 16 Soweto
Uprising. We are remembering the
bravery of those young people who
stood firm and remained principled in
fighting the apartheid system which
was aimed at making us inferior and
less of a people. We will never forget
their commitment to the course, the love
they had for us and for this country.
They died for freedom,” Premier
Makhura said. “Today marks a giant
step in commemorating our liberation, it
evokes nostalgia and is also a powerful
indicator of the strides we have made
together as a people, government and
country,” said MEC for Infrastructure
Development, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza,
who, together with Education MEC,
Panyaza Lesufi, and Sport, Recreation,
Arts and Culture MEC, Molebatsi
Bopape, had accompanied Premier
Makhura to the opening of the institute.
Soweto born and bred MayathulaKhoza, then aged 14, participated in
the 1976 youth uprisings and marched,
like Mashinini, in protest against Bantu
education.
The site is enclosed by a memorial
wall which depicts the history of the
area and the events of June 16, 1976. It
forms a walkway for learners en route to
the Morris Isaacson High School.
The institute is expected to become
a centre of memory and a resource for
young people to contribute to community
development through various youth
developmental programmes that will be
run from the institute.
Photograph: Thomas Chauke
“We are remembering the
bravery of those young
people who stood firm
and remained principled
in fighting the apartheid
system which was aimed
at making us inferior
and less of a people. We
will never forget their
commitment to the course,
the love they had for us
and for this country. They
died for freedom.”
The institute will partner with
universities to develop an accessible
June 16 historical reference centre, offer
support programmes to out-of-school
youth and help them acquire skills
and employment through leadership
training and mentoring.
Khuitsemang.diseko@gauteng.gov.za
10:00am,
27 June 2014
Sam Ntuli Sports
Complex
Khumalo Street,
Thokoza
The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently. - Friedrich Nietzsche
President Zuma places economy on centre stage
Officially-launching the multimillion rand June 16 Memorial
Acre at the 38th anniversary
of the commemoration of that
fateful day in 1976; new Gauteng
Premier, David Makhura, paid
tribute to the valiant Class of 1976:
“We
are
here
to
commemorate
the
38th
anniversary of the June 16 Soweto
uprising. We are remembering
the bravery of those young people
who stood firm and remained
principled in fighting the apartheid
system - which was aimed at
making us inferior and less of a
people. We will never forget their
commitment to the course, the
love they had for us and for this
country. They died for freedom.”
The former student leader,
who was appointed the sixth
Gauteng Premier on 21 May, also
emphasised that the government
will ensure that South Africans
never forgot about the pivotal
role the youth of Soweto played
in bringing the country closer to
freedom and democracy. Premier
Makhura also promised that other
parts of Gauteng have similar
heritage sites so that we “tell our
history, teach future generations
about where we come from and
where we are going as a nation.”
In this edition of Gauteng
News, we take the opportunity
to introduce residents to Premier
Makhura - the new man at the
helm of Gauteng, one of the most
important economies in Africa.
Read more about Gauteng new
Number One Citizen on Page 5.
We also report back to you
on the work of the Gauteng
Provincial Government’s various
programmes – including the
Human
Settlements,
Cooperative
Governance
and
Traditional Affairs’ Winter Fire
Safety and Asbestos Replacement
campaigns.
As you know, your opinions
and views matter. So, many of you
will be happy to read the opinions
page (Page 7). This month we
touch on issues affecting youth
development and child safety,
following Child Protection Week
held earlier in June.
We close off on a good note
with a story of how a group of
Gauteng residents is promoting
healthy living through athletics.
Read the fascinating story of
the people behind the Fac Cats
Athletics Club.
Finally, Premier Makhura will
be delivering his maiden State of
the Province Address (SOPA) in
Thokoza on 27 June 2014.
Visit our website, www.
gautengonline.gov.za, to get more
information on where you can
listen or view the delivery of the
SOPA. The SOPA is important
as it spells out the priorities of
the provincial government this
financial year.
You can send your letters
by fax: 011 355 6245 or e-mail:
letters@gauteng.gov.za
Expanding the economy will take centre stage in the new
administration. This was the main message of President Jacob Zuma
while delivering his State of the Nation Address in mid-June. Zuma
said there was a need for “far-reaching” interventions by government,
business and other social partners to bolster growth and create decent
jobs.
SANews
The President said while the
country was a better place to live
in compared to 1994, more still
needed to be done. The President
said this as the country was
hit by low growth in the first
quarter of 2014, with Stats SA
announcing that the seasonally
adjusted
Gross
Domestic
Product (GDP) at market prices
had slumped at an annualised
rate of 0.6%.
“As we enter the second phase
of our transition from apartheid
to a national democratic society,
we have to embark on radical
socio-economic transformation
to push back the triple challenge.
“The economy takes centre
stage in this programme. It
remains our strong belief that
the most effective weapon in
the campaign against poverty
is the creation of decent work,
and that creating work requires
faster economic growth.
“We have set a growth target
of 5% by 2019. To achieve this,
we will embark on various
measures and interventions to
jump-start the economy,” he
“The economy takes centre
stage in this programme. It
remains our strong belief
that the most effective
weapon in the campaign
against poverty is the
creation of decent work,
and that creating work
requires faster economic
growth. We have set a
growth target of 5% by
2019.”
said.
The President said the growth
target was set at a difficult
period, where the economy had
grown below desirable levels
over the past three years, with
households also feeling the
pinch.
He said the low economic
growth was caused by the
global economic slowdown
and domestic conditions – the
protracted and at times violent
strikes – and a shortage of
energy.
“We will implement the
undertaking to build housing
and other services to revitalise
mining towns, as part of
the October 2012 agreement
between business, government
and labour.
“The focus is the mining
areas of Motlosana, Emalahleni,
Sekhukhune, Lephalale, West
Rand and Matjhabeng.
The President said there will
be an increased focus to ensure
that the creation of jobs for youth
was accelerated.
“We will expand the number
of internship positions in
the public sector, with every
government department and
public entity being required to
take on interns for experiential
training.
“The private sector has
responded positively to the
introduction of the employment
tax incentive. In only five
months, there are 133 000
employees who have benefited
and 11 000 employers who have
participated in the incentive
scheme,” he said.
He said the majority of young
people have been employed
in wholesale and retail trade,
manufacturing and finance
sectors.
www.sanews.gov.za
MEC Mamabolo commits to fast-tracking asbestos
replacements
The Gauteng Department of
Human Settlements is working
hard to find ways to fast track the
replacement of roofs damaged
by hail storms in Tshwane.
Luzuko Pongoma
The
MEC
of
Human
Settlements, Jacob Mamabolo,
visited Soshanguve and Mamelodi
to see progress on the work done
after residents complained that the
process was taking too long.
The houses are part of those
that were damaged by hailstorm
around Gauteng in early December
last year.
“Excellent work has been done,
but we have to improve and work
faster,” said the MEC.
MEC Mamabolo also explained
to residents that the project was not
slow because since it was launched
in March, the department had to
do an audit of damaged houses
which also took time.
“We have reliable data that 71
000 houses were audited and 29
000 needed urgent attention owing
to the serious damages caused,” he
said.
Mamabolo also said that he
was worried that government was
not communicating clear messages
with the communities about the
time frame of the project.
Speaking to Maria Shabangu
in Soshanguve, whose home had
COMMITTED... MEC of Human Settlements, Jacob Mamabolo is committed to replacing all roofs
damaged by hailstorm in Tshwane
Photograph: Luzuko Pongoma
the roof replaced, MEC Mamabolo
said that when the certificate
of work is issued the Shabangu
family will be happy.
“When you (Shabangu) are
given a letter to sign, do not sign
it if you are not happy with the
work done. Be sure about the
repairs because the problems of
incomplete work will affect you in
the future,” MEC said.
Shabangu, 72, told the MEC
that the machinery used when
replacing the roof consumed her
electricity.
Mamabolo instructed the local
councillor and contractor replacing
the roof to find ways of fairly
compensating all the residents
whose electricity was used.
“Government is here to help
the people - it must not leave pain;
it must leave smiles,” he said.
Mamabolo advised Shabangu
and other community members to
write down everything as that will
help them remember how things
were before the roof was changed.
The MEC also assured
Mamelodi residents that their
houses will also be reached
because a number of contractors
were working on the project.
luzuko.pongoma@gauteng.gov.za
Top Five
Highlights from
SONA 2014
President Jacob Zuma delivered
his seventh State of the Nation
Address (SONA) in Parliament on
Tuesday 17 June. Here are some
of the main points of President
Zuma’s address:
1. The economy will take centre
stage
“The economy takes centre stage
in this programme. It remains
our strong belief that the most
effective weapon in the campaign
against poverty, is the creation of
decent work, and that creating
work requires faster economic
growth.
“We have set a growth target of
5 percent by 2019. To achieve
this, we will embark on various
measures and interventions to
jump-start the economy.”
2. The mining sector
will receive attention
“[Mining] companies are expected
to convert or upgrade hostels into
family units, attain the occupancy
rate of one person per room and
also facilitate home ownership
options for mine workers.
“An Inter-Ministerial Committee
on the Revitalisation of Distressed
Mining Communities has been
established under the leadership
of the Minister in the Presidency
responsible
for
Planning,
Performance Monitoring and
Evaluation, Mr Jeff Radebe.”
3. Energy will be
given prominence
“We will also continue the
4th window of the renewable
energy
independent
power
producers programme, to take
advantage of wind, solar, biomass
and other technologies that
increase the opportunity for rural
development.
“Nuclear has the possibility
of generating well over 9000
megawatts, while shale gas is
recognised as a game changer
for our economy. We will pursue
the shale gas option within
the framework of our good
environmental laws.”
4. Infrastructure
will be scaled up
“We will continue to implement
the
successful
National
Infrastructure Plan .Over the next
three years, we will spend 847
billion rand on the infrastructure
and several projects are to be
started or completed.”
5. Youth employment
and empowerment
will be prioritised
“Youth empowerment will be
prioritised in our economic
transformation
programme.
Government
will
introduce
further measures to speed
up the employment of young
people, consistent with the Youth
Employment Accord.
“We will expand the number of
internship positions in the public
sector, with every government
department and public entity
being required to take on interns
for experiential training.”
Our children are the rock on which our future will be built, our greatest asset as a nation. They will be the leaders of our country, the creators of our national wealth, those who
care for and protect our people. - Nelson Mandela
Government worried about winter fires – MEC Mamabolo
Gauteng’s new MEC for Human Settlements, Co-operative
Governance and Traditional Affairs, Jacob Mamabolo, has
made an impassioned plea to Gauteng communities to use
heating sources carefully this winter.
Sibongile Baloyi and SAPA
“We are worried that every
year scores of poor families including children and women
- are left homeless due to winter
fires caused mainly by human
error and disregard for safety
measures,” MEC Mamabolo said.
The MEC was speaking
immediately after yet another fire
was reported to the Provincial
Disaster Management Centre,
where a house and several shacks
were burnt in Orlando East,
Soweto.
“Such fires are common in
winter as residents try to warm
themselves, especially when cold
fronts move into the interior.
However, all forms of heating
must be used with caution and
high level of alertness. In Orlando
East, we understand that the
cause of fire was an unattended
heater,” Mamabolo said.
Metros
around
Gauteng
have embarked on winter safety
campaigns to create awareness
on fire safety during the winter
season. Fire incidents remain rife
during the winter season in the
province, especially in informal
settlements where people still use
candles and paraffin stoves for
heating.
The City of Johannesburg
recently launched its Winter
Safety Campaign in Kya Sands,
an informal settlement north of
Johannesburg. The community
has been hit by devastating shack
fires in the past, leaving people
destitute while two people lost
their lives last year.
“We launched the winter
safety campaign to reduce the
number of fire incidents in the city
during winter seasons, especially
in informal settlements,” said
Robert Mulaudzi, a spokesperson
for the Johannesburg Emergency
Medical Services.
The City of Joburg has 178
informal settlements, most of
which are at risk of fire because
of the close proximity of shacks in
these kinds of dwellings.
A few weeks ago a fire swept
through shops in Joburg CBD with
a heater being suspected to be the
cause of the fire. “The door-todoor campaign focuses on safety
around the use of paraffin stoves,
heaters and candles. We have seen
a decrease of fire incidents since
the campaign was launched.
“Three hundred people from
the community received fire
detectors and candle safety jars
to assist residents in detecting
fires early before they break out,”
added Mulaudzi.
The City of Ekurhuleni also
launched its pre-winter campaign
last month. The city has urged
BE CAUTIOUS... The government has urged residents to use heating sources carefully this winter
people to take precautions during
winter and not leave heaters on
unattended.
Spokesperson for Ekurhuleni
Emergency Medical Services,
William Mohale-Ntladi said every
household should have a safety
check plan.
“The person who is the last to
leave the house should enter each
and every room to make sure
that all appliances are switched
off and unplugged. The same
procedure should be repeated
before bedtime,” he said.
“ Fires are common in
winter as residents try
to warm themselves,
especially when cold
fronts move into the
interior. However, all
forms of heating must
be used with caution
and high level of
alertness.”
Photograph: Andronica Nedzamba
SOME FIRE SAFETY TIPS
Fire Safety Tips - A simple fire
safety technique dubbed the
STOP, DROP and ROLL can
save lives in case of fire. In
case of fire, stop, drop to the
ground and roll to extinguish fire from your clothes.
Always have a bucket of sand
nearby when using a paraffin
appliance.
In case of fire, contact the
Emergency Medical Services
on 10177 or 1112
Procurement of green cars proves Tshwane’s commitment to sustainable
transport initiatives - Ramokgopa
“We are gradually moving towards low carbon emission solutions and will procure several
Nissan LEAF vehicles to be used for local operational activities and promote the use of
cleaner sources of fuel. We plan to phase in these vehicles in our fleet,” said the Executive
Mayor, Kgosientso Ramokgopa.
Tshwane Metro Communication
INNOVATION... Tshwane Executive Mayor, Kgosientso Ramokgopa will be driving around in one of the Nissan LEAF cars for the next two months
Photograph: Sikhumbuzo Ngobese
As one of the transport
innovative solutions the City’s
Sustainability Unit is driving the
process of igniting and enhancing
the interest to move from fossil
fuel-based modes of transport
toward modes like electricity.
This will demonstrate the City’s
seriousness regarding sustainable
transport initiatives and a future
economy with zero emission.
The electric vehicles are
e n v i r o n m e n t a l l y - f r i e n d l y,
specifically because they have zero
carbon emissions. This has been
identified as a viable and practical
solution needed for the City fleet
to showcase the importance of
gradually moving towards low
carbon emission solutions.
By introducing the zero
emission electric vehicles the
City will be promoting the use of
cleaner sources of fuel. Emissions
from the fossil fuel-powered
vehicles cause the depletion of the
ozone layer and lung diseases.
The electric vehicle was
showcased around the city and
during the Sustainability Expo
Week at CSIR from 14 to 18 June
2014.
The City had to implement
simple and practical measures
to reduce carbon emissions to
alleviate against the impact
of climate change and global
warming. The City of Tshwane, as
the capital and largest metro by
land mass on the continent, has
to lead from the front in the fight
against greenhouse emission.
Advocating for this green
initiative will go a long way in
encouraging Tshwane residents,
and the rest of South Africa, to
migrate from fossil fuel-powered
vehicles to electronic zero
emissions green cars and other
green alternatives.
Mayor Ramokgopa will be
driving around one of the LEAF
cars for the next two months.
www.tshwane.gov.za
“ The City had to
implement simple and
practical measures to
reduce carbon emissions to
alleviate against the impact
of climate change and
global warming.”
There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will
truly have defeated age. - Sophia Loren
Zola Jabulani Hospital opens
its doors
r
s fo
fact ment
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The brand new Zola
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Chris Hani Baragwanath
Hospital
Photograph: Thomas
Chauke
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The eagerly awaited Zola Jabulani District Hospital in Soweto has
officially opened its doors. The R730 million state-of-the-art hospital
will ease pressure on the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, which is
currently forced to operate with 2 888 beds due to the population in
the area, said Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi
Staff Writer
The hospital, built to improve
access to health services will
provide care in critical areas of
gynaecology and obstetrics, post
natal care, radiology, emergency
and outpatient departments.
“The population of Gauteng
is growing fast and the solution
is to build more hospitals.
Jabulani will perform six elective
caesareans each working day on
patients currently on the waiting
list at Bara,” said Motsoaledi.
Speaking at the official opening
of the hospital, then Gauteng
Premier Nomvula Mokonyane
apologised to the community of
Soweto on the delayed opening of
the hospital.
“We want quality healthcare
to be a norm in the country; this
hospital will be accessible to
everyone in the community,” said
Premier Mokonyane.
Mokonyane
urged
the
community to look after the
hospital and not torch it alight
when protesting.
S event y-t h re e -yea r- old
Martha Mahlangu from Naledi,
one of the first patients to be
treated at the hospital, said she is
pleased with the services she has
received at the hospital.
“It’s a huge relief for us
patients, we no longer have to
wait in long queues like we did
when we were all dependent on
Bara hospital for healthcare,” said
Mama Mahlangu.
“R49.7 million has been
spent on medical equipment,
the hospital has three theatres
for minor operations,” said then
Mixed feelings as Gautrain fares go up
Gautrain commuters who travel outside peak periods are in for some savings – sometimes
getting discounts of up to 30-percent. The price increase came into effect on Sunday 1 June
2014. According to the new fare structure, commuters who travel in the rush hour of the
morning and after work will have to fork out more than those who travel in the off peak
times.
Sibongile Baloyi
“(The)
Gautrain
has
introduced a multi-tiered fare
structure offering discounts of
up to 30% between peak ‘red’ and
off-peak ‘green’ train fares while
commuters in an intermediate
‘orange’ period will enjoy a 10%
discount from the peak ‘red’ fare,”
said Operations Executive, Errol
Braithwaite, from the Mbombela
Concession Company.
Elizabeth Moridi, who travels
from Sandton to Johannesburg
Park Station everyday, said
the price increase is affordable
considering what you pay for an
underground train in Europe.
Moridi, from Zimbabwe, has lived
in England and uses both the
Gautrain and the bus.
“I pay R23 for the train and R6
for the bus which, according to
me, is very reasonable considering
the efficiency of the Gautrain,”
she said.
With the new price increase,
the fare from Sandton to Park
Station now costs Elizabeth R27
during the red peak hours, R24
during the orange period and R19
during off peak green period.
The traffic network in
Gauteng is getting more
congested by the day; many
people are choosing to use
public transport more
than ever.
While
the
price increase was
structured to reduced
fares during off-peak
times,
encouraging
many people to use
the train, not many
residents are happy with
the move.
“Every time I use
the Gautrain I
use it with a
heavy
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info@sa-etoll.co.za | 0800 SANRAL (726 725)
Health MEC, Hope Papo.
The
Health
Minister
rubbished reports that there
are shortages of beds at Bara.
He said according to the World
Health Organisation (WHO),
no hospital must operate with
more than 1 200 beds because it
becomes difficult to manage.
Zola Jabulani Hospital
will service the northern and
western communities of Soweto
such as Dobsonville, Emdeni,
Meadowlands, Moletsane, Tladi,
Naledi Protea, Braamfischerville,
Zola and Jabulani
“A maintenance budget of R16
million has been allocated for the
2014/15 financial year, which will
be used to support the day-today maintenance of Zola-Jabulani
Hospital,” said Qedani Mahlangu,
then MEC for Infrastructure
development in Gauteng.
heart. While the Gautrain is very
efficient, the travel routes tells you
that it caters for a certain class of
people only, but what about the
majority of people who live in
the outskirts of Gauteng?,” asked
Tlhagiso Moloantwa, a researcher
working in Tshwane.
While bus fares remain
unchanged, peak hour (06h30
to 07h30) commuters will pay
between 5% and 9% increase and
also those travelling in the
peak demand directions for the
train: South-bound (Tshwane,
Midrand and Centurion routes)
and West-bound (Marlboro and
Sandton routes).
The fare structures is a
continuation of the changes made
last year to encourage overall
usage of the Gautrain. Airport
link services will also increase by
R10 from each station.
STILL AFFORDABLE... Despite Gautrain
fares going up, it is still the most cheapest and
reliable form of transport. Photograph:
Thomas Chauke
In youth we learn; in age we understand. - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach
Introducing Your New Executive
and Education Committee of the
trade union federation during the
same period.
He was recruited to the
ANC and SACP in 1986 and
1987, respectively. Between 2001
and 2014, he served as the ANC
Gauteng Provincial Secretary
and member of the PEC and an
ex-officio member of the National
Executive Committee. He served
in several sub-committees of
the ANC National Executive
Committee – Drafting, Political
Education,
Organising
and
Campaigns. He was the First
Convener of the South African
Communist Party National Youth
Desk (predecessor to the Young
Communist League of SA).
Overseeing policy implementation and governance was one of
Makhura’s responsibilities as the
ANC provincial secretary. This in-
Over the next few editions, Gauteng News will be profiling your
new Gauteng Executive Council (Exco). We begin with the province
newly-appointed Number One Citizen, Premier David Makhura.
Who is Premier Makhura?
Staff Writer
Malemolla David Makhura
was born on 22 February
1968 at Mara Buysdorp in the
Soutpansberg District of Limpopo
Province, near the Mapungubwe
World Heritage Site.
Between 1984 and 2004,
Makhura was involved in student
and youth politics – the Azanian
Student
Movement
(Azasm),
the Congress of South African
Students (Cosas), South African
National
Students’
Congress
((SANSCO) and the South African
Youth Congress (Sayco). He held
various leadership positions,
including the President of the
Student Representative Council
(SRC)at Turfloop University (1990,
1992), National President of the
South African Student Congress
(1994-1996); ANC Youth League
National Executive Committee
member (1998-2004).
Between 1997 and 2001,
Makhura was the National
Education
Secretary
and
subsequently
the
Deputy
General Secretary of the National
Education Health and Allied
Workers’ Union (NEHAWU). He
was also a member of COSATU’s
Central Executive Committee and
served in the Political Commission
cludes overseeing ANC Caucuses
in the provincial legislature and
municipalities. Makhura played
an important role in the introduction of a performance monitoring
and evaluation system in the ANC
Gauteng province and overseeing
the performance of provincial and
local government in the province,
working closely with all the ANC
mayors and three successive ANC
premiers over a decade.
Premier Makhura has been
part of several delegations of the
ANC and NEHAWU that visited
sister parties and trade unions
on the African continent and in
China, Cuba, Latin America and
Europe, to exchange experiences
on party-building, socio-economic
development and governance.
The Premier holds a Master
of Science (MSc) degree in Public
Policy and Management from
the University of London and
is studying towards a Master of
Philosophy (MPhil) in Future
Studies at the University of
Stellenbosch.
Premier Makhura is a trustee of
the Board of the Ahmed Kathrada
Foundation. He is married to his
wife, Mpho and they have three
children. David Makhura was
elected Premier of Gauteng, South
Africa’s most populous province
and economic hub of the country,
on 21 May 2014.
Premier Makhura to
deliver his first State of the
Province Address
Gauteng residents will on
27 June know exactly how
newly-appointed
Premier,
David
Makhura,
will
improve their lives in the
next year. Makhura will
deliver his maiden State
of the Province Address at
the Thokoza Auditorium
in Ekurhuleni. Prior to the
address, the Premier will
declare the grave of the late
struggle icon, Sam Ntuli
at the Skoeman Cemetery
in Thokoza a provincial
heritage site. After the SOPA,
the Premier will engage
in a
public participation
engagement at the Sam Ntuli
Sports Complex.
Staff Writer
Centre
Gauteng Premier, David Makhura
Left
MEC
Panyaza Lesufi
Education
MEC
Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane
Community Safety
MEC
Lebogang Maile
Economic Development
MEC
Molebatsi Bopape
Sport, Arts, Culture and
Recreation
MEC
Barbara Creecy
Finance
MEC
Ismail Vadi
Roads and Transport
MEC
Nandi Mayathula-Khoza
Infrastructure Development
Right
MEC
Qedani Mahlangu
Health
MEC
Jacob Mamabolo
Human Settlements and
Co-operative Governance
and Traditional Affairs
MEC
Faith Mazibuko
Agriculture, Environment,
Rural Development and
Social Development
Below are some interesting
facts about the Gauteng SOPAs
through the years:
• Gauteng’s first Premier
was Tokyo Sexwale who
served between 7 May
1994 and 19 January 1998;
• Mathole Motshekga was
the second Premier of
Gauteng, serving from 19
January 1998 to 15 June
1999;
• Mbhazima Shilowa was
Gauteng’s third Premier,
leading from 15 June 1999
to 29 September 2008;
• Paul Mashatile became
Gauteng’s fourth Premier
when he took office on 7
October 2008 to 6 May
2009;
• Nomvula
Mokonyane
was
Gauteng’s
fifth
Premier, serving from 6
May 2009 to 21 May 2014
while
• Premier David Makhura
is
Gauteng’s
sixth
Premier, having taken
office from 21 May 2014 to
date.
We will never forget their commitment to the course, the love they had for us and for this country. They died for freedom. - David Makhura
Premier Makhura In
Action
1. WALING FOR FREEDOM ... Thousands of young people participated in the June 16 Memorial March
- Walk for Freedom. This was part of honouring the spirit of the brave Class of 1976.
2. DOING IT FOR THE
YOUTH... The Gauteng Premier
officially opens the June 16
Memorial Acre.
3.
PLANTING
FOR
TOMOR ROW... Pre mi e r
Makhura honoured the youth
of ‘76 by planting trees in the
Garden of Hope.
4. DEAL MAKERS... One of Premier Makhura ‘s first duties was
engaging strategic partners like the visiting delegation from India led by
the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhanm.
5. PAYING THEIR DUES … Young and old South Africans came through to honour the memory of late
student leader, Tsietsi Mashinini.
6. ENGAGING RESIDENTS... The new Premier took time took time
to introduce himself to Thembisa Hospital patients during his surprise
visit to the hospital.
7. WALKING IN MASHININI’S FOOTSTEPS ... Premier David Makhura, accompanied by his wife and
the Education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi, took part in the Walk of Freedom March which took place on Youth
Day.
Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a
mineworker can become the head of the mine that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation. - Nelson Mandela
Today’s youth can learn from Class of ‘76
It has been 38 years since the youth of South Africa marched
in all parts of the country – their steps directing and leading
them on a journey toward a better education, a better South
Africa and a better life.
With the commemoration of June 16 upon us, the images of
young bodies strewn in the streets of Soweto still resonate
in the minds of many – but it was not in vain.
Bathandwa Mbola from sanews
The deafening silence of
death, the fading smoke of guns,
the rivers of tears that flowed in
communities - all these images
come rushing back to remind us
of the terrible past from which
we come. And despite the horror
and turmoil – the sorrow fades,
to be replaced with a glowing
picture of heroism of our youth
and a determination that never
again shall guns be pointed on
our youth or anyone else simply
because they dare hope for a
better future.
Many of those who bravely
took that journey did not live to
see a free South Africa. Others
were forced into exile while many
served lengthy jail times for their
part in the 1976 June uprisings.
Today, the fruit of their journey
can be found in our democracy,
but the struggle is far from over.
Twenty years into this
hard-won democracy, in a
post-Apartheid South Africa,
young people face the task of
identifying and defining the
societal challenges embedded in
the womb of our era. Ours is a
different, but equally important
struggle.
We no longer have to
physically fight against an
oppressive government, but we
face the legacies of poverty, crime
and socio-economic inequalities.
One of our biggest battles is
also that of striving for equality
in education – an absolute
imperative if we are to ensure that
we can enjoy economic freedom,
alongside hard-won political
“As we commemorate
this year’s June 16, the
task at hand for South
African youth is to
mobilise our collective
energies to advance the
transformation of our
country, and to build a
united and prosperous
nation.”
DOWN WITH AFRIKAANS... A mural at the Morris Isaacson High tells the story of the historic events which took place at the school in 1976.
Photograph: Khuitsimang Diseko
freedoms.
The critical question we
should ask ourselves as the youth
of South Africa is whether we all
have a common understanding
and vision of the struggles into
which the energies of the youth
need to be channelled?
We need to ask ourselves:
What kind of youth consciousness
do we need today to address the
kind of issues that are brought
about by a free and non-racial
society? And what kind of
youth do we need today in post-
apartheid South Africa, 20 years
into our freedom?
I raise these
questions
because as young people today,
during this period of building a
united, non-racial and non-sexist
society, we need to cultivate a
clear understanding of the kind
of socio-economic conditions
we will inevitably pass on to the
next generation.
More than ever before, the
challenges of reconstruction
and development of our country
cannot be tackled effectively
without a deepened understanding
of existing societal issues. We
know what they are. Drugs and
alcohol abuse, teenage pregnancy,
HIV and Aids and other diseases,
illiteracy, women and child abuse
…..and the list goes on.
As we commemorate this year’s
June 16, the task at hand for South
African youth is to mobilise our
collective energies to advance the
transformation of our country, and
to build a united and prosperous
nation.
www.sanews.gov
Gauteng needs to strongly condemn the rapes and
murders of children
In the last week of May, the country commemorated Child
Protection Week under the theme; “working together to
protect our children”. What emerged from this weeklong
campaign is that more Gauteng parents need to need to ask
themselves this question: what are we doing to ensure the
safety of our little ones?
Sibongile Baloyi
While the government is
working to safe-guard our
communities
and
children,
as parents, we need to take
responsibility for our children,
we need to be vigilant and know
the whereabouts of our children
at all times.
Last year, the rape and murder
of two Diepsloot cousins sparked
outrage across the country. The
two cousins, Yonelisa (1) and
Zandile Mali (3) were found
dumped inside a communal toilet
in Diepsloot Extension 1. Another
seven-month old body was found
mutilated inside a shack while the
mother disappeared, reportedly
after going on a drinking spree
the night before, leaving the baby
unattended.
As a young mother from
the same community, I fear for
the safety of my daughter. I go
to extreme measures to protect
my child and never let her out
of my sight. While I grew up in
Diepsloot, I must admit that it
is not easy to raise a child in a
community that is as denselypopulated as Diepsloot, with
strangers roaming the streets
day and night.
While community safety
is being prioritised with the
building of a new police station
and a mobile station already
serves the community, I still
wouldn’t know where to start
looking if my child were to
disappear. It’s very important
that we, as parents, do not put
the responsibility to safeguard
our kids entirely in the hands of
the authorities.
We need to work together with
the police by ensuring we know
where our kids are at all times,
that we leave them in the care of
people we can trust and always
ensure that they play under
supervision at all times.
Not only should we, as
parents, prioritise the safety of
our own children; we must also
do our part to protect every child
in our community. It truly takes a
whole community to raise, protect
and report the abuse or neglect of
children.
It is not the police who spotted
the abuse at Nobuhle Hostel in
Alexandra where parents had
locked up five children in a
room for some eight years. The
police could not know what was
happening at the house until the
eldest child broke out and alerted
the neighbours. Similarly, in
Springs, it was neighbours who
alerted the police to the abuse of
five children after an 11-year old
“Not only should we,
as parents, prioritise
the safety of our own
children; we must
also do our part to
protect every child
in our community. It
truly takes a whole
community to raise,
protect and report the
abuse or neglect of
children.”
escaped from his home – dubbed
the ‘House of Horrors’. So, the
police can only be as effective
as the community which they
serve.
As part of the Child
Protection Week, the Gauteng
Department
of
Social
Development launched the Child
Protection Week awareness
campaign in Diepsloot Extension 1
on Monday 2 June 2014 where the
gruesome murders took place last
year. The Gauteng Department of
Community Safety also visited
different communities in Gauteng
for the screening of child safety
DVDs to promote awareness of
child abuse and how to prevent it.
Furthermore, the provincial
government launched a Green
Door in Diepsloot Extension 6 last
year. The Green Door was launched
as a reception area and a safe haven
to accommodate victims of abuse
for a period of 4-6 hours. During
this period a victim is provided
with counselling, connected to
the nearest police station as well
as shelter for abused women and
children. We need to strongly
condemn the abuse and neglect
of children in our province and
work with authorities to report and
bring a stop to the ill-treatment of
our children. They expect nothing
less than that.
Baloyi is a public servant who
writes in her personal capacity.
YOUTH MONTH 2014
Entries open for BMX
N.A.G. Series 3 and 4
Staff writer
Entries are open for the
third and fourth rounds
of the 2014 BMX National
Age
Group
(N.A.G.)
Championship Series, which
takes place in Kempton
Park, Gauteng, from 5-6 July.
The N.A.G. Series attracts
South Africa’s top BMX riders,
from as young as the under-5 age
category, through to the 30+ age
category, in the Novice, Expert,
Cruiser and Elite classes. All are
welcome to attend to give BMX
racing a try. Entries for the final
legs, 3 and 4.
Entries close on Tuesday
1 July, and no late entries
will be accepted. For further
information, please contact
Michelle Eggar on 084 628 3960
or email shelleggar@mweb.co.za
Ekurhuleni Champions shines at 2014 kiddies Games
It was all fun and games at this
year’ annual Kiddies Games,
hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni
in conjunction with the Gauteng
Department of Sports, Arts,
Culture and Recreation. The
Games were held at Reiger Park
Stadium in Germiston.
Staff writer
Scores of pre-schoolers from
different regions across the
Ekurhuleni Metro took part in the
finals of the 2014 Kiddies’ Games,
which are aimed at developing
motor co-ordination and sparking
an interest of sports in schoolgoing children.
Speaking at the opening of
the tournament, Member of the
Mayoral Committee (MMC) for
Arts and Culture in Ekurhuleni,
Councillor Zeni Tshongweni
said this is to enhance the needs
of children in Early Childhood
Development.
“We have three regions and
these children present today are
those who have made it to the
finals. This programme is created
to groom pre-schoolers for a
future in sports while meeting
their developmental needs,” said
Councillor Tshongweni.
The MMC emphasised that
the programme is created to
make sports interesting and not
competitive. “The winners are
awarded sporting codes and
equipment that will be useful
for their development at Early
Childhood Development centres,”
HEALTHY YOUNG MINDS... Pre-schoolers from Ekurhuleni Metro participated in the finals of the Kiddie’s Games held recently.
Photograph: Mbali Mkhwanazi
added Tshongweni.
The Games included ballthrowing, ball-hopping (exercise
ball), ball-dribbling, ball-kicking,
and ring-throwing as well as
cycling. Pre-schools competed
against each other in a way to
make the games fun for the future
sports champions.
Princess Zwane, Owner of
Little Stars Day Care Centre in
Kempton Park, said this is their
third year in the annual games.
“We made it to second place
last year and beat all the other
pre-schools in the northern region
trials for the 2014 Kiddies Games.
We believe we are getting the cup
today,” said Zwane.
“This is a fun day for me
because I get to participate in
different activities, especially
cycling, which is my favourite,”
said Tim from Little Stars.
Ward Councillor Charlie
Crawford for Ward 34 said the
programme is created to boost
the confidence of young people in
preparation for the big school.
“The age groups represented
here today are those who will
be exiting the Early Childhood
Development phase next year
and this programme is created to
trace their progress and continue
nurturing their interest in sports,”
he said.
The winning pre-schools in
order of positions were Tholilwazi
Day Care Centre, Ebenezer Day
Care and Happy Kids Valley. All
were awarded an educational
toy, bicycles to boost their motor
coordination and water dispensers.
Fat Cats get Gauteng running
Running enthusiasts in Gauteng
will soon be able to join a virtual
social club for athletes in the
province. The Fat Cats Athletic
Club was officially launched in
Linksfield, East of Johannesburg
recently.
Sibongile Baloyi
Registered with the Central
Gauteng Athletics, the club will
provide a home for runners in
Gauteng and individuals who
are committed to maintaining a
healthy lifestyle of exercising.
“We understand that people
have hectic lifestyles and most
are mobile, particularly in
metropolitan areas. Fat Cats plans
to bring together those aspirant
runners, friends and family to join
other runners and walkers on the
road at competitive events,” says
Isaac Teka, Chairman of the club.
Teka said there is a healthy
appetite for athletics in the
province, particularly running,
and quite number of people who
exercise by running or jogging in
communities around Gauteng to
maintain some level of fitness.
The club aims to accommodate all
these groups of athletes.
At the launch of the club, the
Fat Cats Football Club unveiled
its new jersey sponsored by
Lakama, which also sponsors
Mpumalanga Black Aces. The
team also showcased kits by its
long-term technical sponsor, Nike.
Athletes belonging to the club will
also be able to buy sportswear at
discounted rates from Sportslink.
“The running club fulfils a
very important ambition for us
as we have long wanted to create
a platform that brings together
“We understand that
people have hectic
lifestyles and most are
mobile, particularly in
metropolitan areas.
Fat Cats plans to bring
together those aspirant
runners, friends and
family to join other
runners and walkers on
the road at competitive
events.”
families and friends to socialise
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE... The Fat Cats Athletic Club was launched recently in Linksfield, Johannesburg.
Photograph: Amos Mananyetso
and compete with linked minded
athletes, while maintaining a
healthy lifestyle,” added Amos
Mananyetso, co–founder of the
club and former Gauteng News
editor.
Melsa Thobejane, a devoted
runner, said she is eager to join the
club.
“I run to stay healthy and I
have since longed to join a club
that will connect me with people
who share my love for running.”
Interested readers can get
a hold of the club on Twitter - @
factcatsfc – as well.