Sky is no limit for young GP tycoon

Gauteng gogo over
the moon after having
potable water in her
home for the first time
in 70 years
2
JUNE 2011
SERVICE DELIVERY
In Brief
DO YOUR BIT FOR MADIBA
On July 18 2011, the world’s greatest living
statesman, Nelson Mandela, turns a youthful
93 years. To celebrate this milestone, the
Gauteng Provincial Government is urging
all residents to donate their time or skills
to worthy community-uplifting initiatives in
areas where they live. For more on what
you can do on Mandela Day, please visit the
Nelson Mandela Foundation website
(www.nelsonmandela.org)
The world class Gautrain will be fully
operational from next month. Win a trip on
the super train
4
Four thousand young people start their
new lives as government concludes
learnership placements
FOOD SECURITY
COMMUNITY PAGE
FEATURES
7
SOCIETY AND SECURITY
SPORTS
Sky is no limit for
young GP tycoon
GET YOUR FLU JAB
The Gauteng Department of Health and
Social Development is calling on pregnant
women, patients with chronic lung and heart
diseases, diabetic, learners under the age of
20 as well as senior citizens over 65 years
to immunise against influenza. The vaccine is
available at all public health facilities as well
as private pharmacies in the province.
SCIENTISTS KILL DISEASE
Rinderpest is the first animal illness to
be eradicated by humans, the World
Organisation on Animal Health said. The
cattle disease that has devastated animal
herds for centuries no longer exists.
LAND SUSPECTS NABBED
The Gauteng Department of Local
Government and Housing’s Fraud and
Anti Corruption Unit together with the
Hawks have arrested three more suspects
in the illegal selling of land in Lenasia. This
follows the arrest of two other suspects in
September last year. The suspects appeared
in the Johannesburg Magistrate court and
their next court appearance will be on 21
June 2011.
Young Sebokeng retail mogul, Mohau Mosai, is an inspiration for youth. Mosai (right) is flanked by employees Mapaseka Maloka and Joe Letsoalo.
AT 30, Mohau Mosai is a proud owner of two Pick n Pay stores and
employs more than 190 people. This inspiring story is playing itself
out in Sebokeng on the Vaal where Mosai was born, raised and
educated. One of his big stores is situated in his birth place while the
other is across in Evaton.
MELITAH MADIBA
While
many
other
entrepreneurs took years to work
their way up the business ladder,
Mosai’s story reads like a fairytale
with a happy ending.
“I used to work for a small
accounting firm in Pretoria,
whose main clientele was Pick n
Pay’s Family Stores. One day my
former boss took me to a new
store opening in Braamfontein
in Johannesburg. It was owned
by a black person. It is there that
I discovered that Pick n Pay had
established a Franchise Academy
aimed at assisting previously
disadvantaged people to open
their own franchises,” explained
Mosai.
At that moment, Mosai was a
junior professional armed with a
B-Tech degree in Internal Auditing
from the Tshwane University
of Technology. He had also
obtained a Retail Management
Diploma from the University of
Johannesburg “to broaden my
knowledge and understanding of
the retail industry”.
Photographer : Thomas Chauke
“The Pick n Pay Franchise
Academy made it relatively easy
for me. It provided me with the
relevant skills and information on
how to run a successful franchise.
All I had to do was to go through
the academy and finish my course.
“But also, we must remember
that such opportunities are there
because of the transformation
and other policies that are meant
for the economic empowerment
of the previously disadvantaged
people in our country. I am glad
that I managed to (to page 2)
Gauteng government condemns xenophobic attacks in Ramaphosa
The
Gauteng
Provincial
Government has condemned
the xenophobic attacks against
foreign
shop
owners
in
Ramaphosa informal settlement.
NOZIPHO DLAMINI
Confidence in the local equity markets is
returning as stronger earnings coupled with
perceived lower market risks emerge, says
Theo Vorster, chairman of the Institute of
Behavioral Finance (IBFSA).
“The latest South African Investor
Confidence Index indicates a significant
change in attitude among the institutional
investors and financial advisors who
participated in May in the IBFSA’s survey, on
which the index is based,” says Vorster.
Spokesperson
for
the
Department
of
Community
Safety, Thapelo Moiloa says the
department understands that
some of these incidents are driven
by criminal elements.
“Criminals take advantage
and hide behind xenophobia,”
says Moila
In recent weeks, a group
calling
themselves
Greater
Gauteng Business Forum (GGBF)
embarked on a move to chase out
all foreign spaza shop owners
from
Ramaphosa
informal
settlement and in other areas
around Gauteng.
However, in Ramaphosa it
appears that the majority of the
community members are against
this move.
Resident, Agreement Bopape
(26) said if foreigners were to leave
the area, there won’t be enough
shops and the community would
have to walk long distances to buy
their groceries.
Another resident, Sonto Nkosi
said the community was not
happy.
“We do not want the repeat of
2008 where people lost their lives
due to xenophobia. Foreigners
are also people trying to make a
living just like everybody else.
“They are helpful, when we
don’t have money they give us on
credit and when we are short they
don’t turn us away they still give
us the goods with the promise to
pay later,” said Nkosi.
Nkosi accuses local shop
owners of selling expired goods
at times.
According to Somali shop
owner in the area, Ahmed
Mohamed Osman, they received
a letter from the GGBF in April.
“The letter was warning us
that we have to leave the area
within a period of seven days. It
said if we failed to abide by this
request drastic measures would
be taken against us. They claimed
it was not xenophobia but what
else can you call this?,” he asked.
A local shop owner, Caiphus
Nkoane refuted claims that he is
part of a plan to force all foreign
shop owners in the area.
nozipho.dlamini@gauteng.gov.za
Somali shop owner Ahmed Mohamed Osman
says they are constantly forced to close down.
Photograph: Andronica Nedzamba
New sewer system restores dignity for villagers
Death always brings
sadness
and
sorrow,
especially to those close to
the person who has passed
on. In the case of Albertina
“Ma” Sisulu, her death is a
loss to the entire nation, if not
humanity.
However, given her track
record and the amount of
work she put in to make sure
that South Africa became
what it is today, we therefore
celebrate her life. We take off
our hats to her for her bravery
and hard work in making
sure that the majority of
South Africans, especially
women, were freed.
It is also a sad coincidence
that Ma Sisulu bowed out in
June, a month that is being
commemorated as Youth
Month in this country.
At the time when the
anger of a group of students
in Soweto boiled over and
decided to challenge the
apartheid monster head-on,
Ma Sisulu had already been
a veteran of the trenches in
the war against that despotic
system of government.
On a larger scale of things,
she was not only a beacon
of hope that one day the
segregationist government
will be brought to its knees,
but she was also a role model
to the young ones. In part,
the youth of 1976, whom we
are today saluting for their
part in the freedom struggle,
looked up to Ma Sisulu
and walked where she had
walked.
It is therefore befitting
that we are bidding farewell
to this gentle soul of our
golden generation during
a month where part of the
struggle for freedom is
being commemorated. We
are hopeful that the death
of Ma Sisulu and the 35th
anniversary commemoration
of June 16 will inspire the
youth of today to learn more
about her life and what she
stood for.
At the same time, we
are hopeful that they will
also strive to take advantage
of the opportunities that
the
Gauteng
Provincial
Government
is
making
available to fight their own
struggle; that of economic
freedom.
Therefore, all young
business-minded
people
are urged to register on
the
Provincial
Supplier
database and take advatnage
of the opportunities being
provided.
Registration for interested
youth enterprises not already
on the database is open until
the end of June.
Contact us: 011 355 6414/6492
Construction workers laying sewer pipes at Trust Farm in Hammanskraal outside Pretoria. Photograph: Thomas Chauke
project because the contractors
have to use local labour. In the
process, there will be skills
transferred to those who are
working in the construction
phase and more permanent jobs
will be created at the end as there
should be people working on the
maintenance of the network and
its facilities.
“There are currently six
women and 22 young people
working on the project. There is
also an intern who is working as
a safety officer. Those who are
getting specialised skills from the
project will be accredited with
Construction Education training
Authority (CETA) certificates,”
Tleane explained.
When Gauteng News visited
the site, a crane was dangling a
bucket of concrete to pour into the
big pump station being built on the
outskirts of the villages. Further
into the residential settlements,
tens of construction workers were
busy building toilet structures in
the yards while others we laying
pipes in deep excavations.
With these villages already
enjoying the benefits of electricity
and clean water since the dawn
of democracy in 1994, the new
addition in the quality of their
lives will come in handy in the
middle of next year.
amos.mananyetso@gauteng.gov.za
Days of dashing to nearby bushes or facing rickety long drop ablution
facilities to respond to the call of nature will soon be a thing of the
past for thousands of villagers of Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria.
AMOS MANANYETSO
A number of villages including
Stinkwater,
New
Eersterus,
Mogogelo,
Sekampaneng,
Suurman and Dilopye are among
those that are going to benefit from
a massive City of Tshwane bulk
infrastructure rollout project that
is currently under construction.
The municipality spent almost
R14 million last year when the
project to supply previously
disadvantaged residents with
potable water started and a
further R14 million will be used
in the current financial year to
build a sewer pump station and
connect thousands of residents to
the system.
City of Tshwane spokesperson
Console Tleane said the project
started in November last year and
is expected to be completed early
next year. “The local communities
are already benefitting from the
From page 1
No more stolen water for gogo
take
advantage
of
the
opportunities out there and
helped improve my community
by contributing towards job
creation,” Mosai said.
The only challenge that Mosai
had as he was trying to establish
himself was funding. But that
was also soon a thing of the past
as he struck a partnership with
Johannes Letswalo who provided
collateral for him. However, Mosai
stressed that building a successful
business is not only about being
able to raise the required capital.
“You have to be passionate
about entrepreneurship. Fortunately, I have always had passion
for business. While still studying
at the university, my friends and I
tried to start a youth radio station
in Mpumalanga.
“I am also grateful of Pick n
Pay founder Raymond Ackerman
who once said one needs 90
percent guts and 10 percent capital
to be successful. That inspired
me,” Mosai said.
Mosai’s advise to the youth of
Gauteng is that they should not
wait for anyone to give them a job
but rather go out there and grab
the many business opportunities
available. melitha.madiba@gauteng.gov.za
Although
inhumane
and
degrading, sharing drinking
water with domestic animals
or drawing water from filthy
rivers and streams was part of
everyday life for a lot of South
Africans during the dark days of
apartheid.
the beginning of the year, every
household has a tap.
“It is an emotional feeling for
me to have water right here,” said
Khalo pointing to a water metre
AMOS MANANYETSO
The same hardship became
second nature to 73-year-old Ruth
Khalo from the impoverished
village
of
Ramotse
in
Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria.
For seven decades, Khalo and
her family depended mostly on
unhygienic water drawn from the
nearby Tshwane River.
But all that changed for the
better when the City of Tshwane
embarked on a massive bulk
infrastructure development of
the settlement and dozen other
neighbouring villages perched to
the north of the capital city.
“At first, the government put
communal taps on the streets
and we could just go there and
collect water from them. But now
it is even better because since
Ruth Khalo enjoys clean water from her home
tap.
Photograph: Thomas Chauke
located just outside her rugged
fence. “I always look at it and
think of the days when we used
to walk for kilometres to draw
water from the river. Sometimes
we risked being shot by farmers
and would trespass into plots and
farms to steal water meant for
cattle.”
Khalo’s neighbour, Florence
Mabote, is equally overjoyed to
have potable water in her home.
When Gauteng News visited her,
she was in the middle of washing
her family’s laundry.
“When I was young, we used
to walk for about 30 minutes to
go and fetch water from the river.
There was once a borehole pump
but it kept breaking down. So we
got used to drinking water from
the river even though it was not
clean and healthy.
“I remember my mom used
to punish me when I had been
naughty and instruct me to fill
up a barrel with water. It took
about ten trips of walking up and
down with a bucket full of water
balanced on my head. I am really
happy that we have water in our
homes now,” reminisced the
50-year-old.
With
every
household
enjoying running water and
electriciy, the municipality’s
next development project will be
rolling out sewer system for the
residents.
Food parcel project helps needy Sedibeng families
All that 19-year-old Dieketseng
Moloi from Phumas’bethane,
near Sharpeville in the Sedibeng
District, dreams of is becoming
a traffic officer and donning the
distinctive white glove as she
directs traffic.
KHUITSEMANG DISEKO
But as fate would have it, the
teenager is instead already a
widowed mother of one, having
lost one of her twin girls earlier
this year. Without an Identity
Document to access her child’s
social grant, the five months since
December have not brought with
them the joys of motherhood
enjoyed by many others across the
country.
“My son, who is the father of
this girl’s children, passed away
recently and Dieketseng has since
moved in with my daughter,”
says
an
elderly
diabetic,
Disebo Motloung, who lives in
Krugersdorp.
None of the family members,
including Motloung’s daughter,
Stoki, and an aged uncle residing
at C 227 in the depressing informal
settlement next to the George
Thabe stadium, is employed.
Their two-roomed shack is
very modest; boasting the barest
of luxuries and enslaved to the
whims of the elements. As the
still-shy Moloi speaks to Gauteng
News, one cannot help but feel
for the young girl’s daughter,
Tshepang, who was down with a
cold.
“Without the help of the
community, I don’t know what
would happen to these children,”
Motloung says, pointing towards
Moloi and her child.
Moloi is one of the 856 families
being assisted by the Gauteng
Provincial Government’s Buyisa
Ubuntu poverty intervention
project in the Sedibeng District.
“We help with food parcels,
which we distribute to the
families once a month,” Project
Co-ordinator, Portia Sila says.
The project, which is being
administered by the Department
of Health and Social Development,
works in partnership with the
private sector and FoodBank SA
to collect and distribute food and
clothing to the most distressed
members of the community.
“Most of our beneficiaries
are identified through the Social
Development Department but
there are cases where Faithbased and Non-Governmental
Organisations assist.
“Qualifying indigent families
receive a monthly food parcel of
around R475. Even this is too little
for some families and runs out
before the end of the month,” says
Sila.
As the aim is not to create
dependency, the programme
also identifies a family member
who is then linked to some skills
development programme.
“This change agent is then
sent to a skills development centre
in the region where they will be
taught various skills which could
later be used to help pull the
family out of poverty,” she adds.
As the winter temperatures
plunge towards zero, Sila says the
Buyisa Ubuntu warehouse she
and her eight colleagues work at
in Vanderbijlpark has seen a dip
in donations – something which
is of great concern.
Dieketseng Moloi (middle) with her daughter Tshepang is flanked by family members Mmatieho Sennanyane (left) and Disebo Motloung at her rundown shack in Sharpeville. Photograph: Thomas Chauke
“Look, despite poverty being
hard in itself, I feel it becomes
particularly harder for many
of our beneficiaries in winter
because of the weather, shack fires
and a lack of ‘free food’ one can
plant and harvest in summer,”
she says.
She called on big corporates,
wholesalers and ordinary citizens
to donate more to ease the burden
on people such as Moloi, who
is among the 150 child-headed
households they assist monthly.
“Anything can help; blankets,
clothes and other non-perishables
can come in handy at this time of
the year. We normally distribute
food and other materials worth
around R500 000 a month. As you
can see, we clearly need more,”
she adds, motioning towards the
quarter-full warehouse.
Motloung,
holding
her
granddaughter close, said she
would be leaving with her to
Klerksdorp to give Moloi a chance
to go back to school and achieve
her dream of becoming a traffic
cop.
“Please send my deepest
gratitude to the people of Vaal
University of Technology who
came and assisted my child.
Also, extend my thanks to Buyisa
Ubuntu for keeping the wolves
out of the door,” she said in her
parting shot to Gauteng News.
Those who would like to help
Moloi’s daughter, five month-old
Tshepang, should please contact
Disebo Motloung on 072 949 5813.
Portia Sila of Buyisa Ubuntu can
be contacted on 016 931 3907.
khuitsemang.diseko@gauteng.gov.za
Gautrain ride an experience to remember, says granny
Fast, silent and sparkling clean.
This is how Salamina Mahlangu,
64, of Atteridgeville described
her very first journey on the
fancy, world class Gautrain.
NOZIPHO DLAMINI
Salamina Mahlangu and her grandchildren Mpho (left) and Kutlwano after a ride on the Gautrain
at the OR Tambo International Airport Station. Photograph: Andronica Nedzamba
Accompanied by her two
young
grandchildren,
she
embarked on a Gautrain trip
from Sandton to OR Tambo
International Airport recently.
“The ride was smooth, quite
and the seats are plush and
comfortable, unlike anything I
am used to. This is an experience
to remember,” said an elated
Mahlangu.
Gautrain travels at lightningfast speed and can reach a top
speed of 160km per hour. The ride
from Sandton to the airport takes
about 14 minutes.
Mahlangu is a regular
commuter on the Metrorail trains,
travelling between Pretoria and
Johannesburg every day. She says
there is a huge difference between
the two trains.
“With my regular train,
commuters are always unhappy
for many reasons. The trains
are not reliable because they are
always late and fully packed.
“If I could afford it I would use
Gautrain everyday when the
route between Pretoria and
Johannesburg finally opens,” she
said.
The first part of the journey
from Sandton to Marlboro is
underground and thereafter
above ground to the airport.
“I was impressed that they
keep their passengers informed
all the time. The train has voiceovers telling passengers which
stations they are stopping at,” she
notes.
Mahlangu’s grandchild, sixyear-old Kutlwano, excitedly
announced that she does not want
to go to school anymore but wants
to accompany her granny on the
fancy train ride every day. Little
Kutlwano could not stop beaming.
For the four-year-old Mpho,
the super train’s blistering speed
was a bit too much for her. She
clung on her seat and looked
edgy. However, on the return trip,
she seemed relaxed, comfortable
and was even falling asleep.
In the platforms and inside
the Gautrain, there are rules
stipulating that no eating,
drinking, smoking and even
chewing gum is allowed. Any
commuter failing to follow these
rules can be fined up to R700.
Gautrain will be fully
operational from the beginning
July with the opening of the
Johannesburg to Pretoria route.
A comprehensive time table is
available on www.gautrain.co.za
nozipho.dlamini@gauteng.gov.za
Gauteng launches
biggest learnership
programme
The Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development (DID) has
confirmed that its effort to get up to four thousand young people to
work this year is well underway. After receiving more than 25 000
CVs in response to a newspaper advert for its Expanded Public Works
Programme (EPWP) National Youth Service three months ago, the
DID is now in the process of placing the 4 000 selected learners into
various work assignments.
TEFO MOHALE
Learners sign a one year
work
contract
allowing
them to experience the work
environment while being paid a
monthly allowance. In its role as
provincial custodians of national
government’s EPWP, the DID has
not only sought to create space for
young people in its own branches
but it has also asked sister
departments to do the same.
At the beginning of this
month, co-ordinators of the
NYS job placement process had
deployed 2 866 work learners.
Mariha Tumane (21) is one of
eleven work learners stationed in
the maintenance unit at Kopanong
Hospital in Vereeniging. He joins
a team of 14 staff members whose
workload is nearly double their
capacity.
Instead of spending his days
helping local tradesman with
their temporary jobs as he has
done since matriculating in 2008,
Tumane is now waking up to
report for work at the hospital.
Over the next twelve months,
his supervisor Ntate Mofokeng
says Tumane “will assist a team
of artisans and electricians to
respond to electrical maintenance
work that needs to be done around
the hospital”.
Another learner in the
team is 29-year-old Mathapelo
Mnyamane. She has a N4 in
electrical
engineering
from
Sedibeng College and like
Tumane, she has been looking for
an opportunity to prove herself.
Mnyamane had been unemployed
for more than three years before
starting work at Kopanong.
For Matshidiso Majoang, this
work opportunity is her first
experience of a job situation. On
Technician Mathapelo Mnyamane hard at work fixing faulty electrical installations. her first day of work at Lehlasedi
Primary School in Sharpeville,
Majoang was thrown in the
deep end when she was asked to
help the school’s administration
assistant prepare for a high-level
departmental visit the next day.
“That’s when I finally understood
what a deadline is,” she says. She
says she spends R15 a day on
transport and she is happy that
she still has enough left to pay her
debts and put food on the table.
The EPWP-led job placement
of young people is also benefiting
NGOs in the province. Phesie
Kays (22) now walks daily to the
Four Steps Home-Based Care
NGO in Zone 7, Sebokeng, where
she is stationed.
Photograph: Thomas Chauke
Initiated by a traditional healer
who was seeing more and more
patients refusing to visit hospitals,
this 10-year-old organisation is
now reaching about 120 people in
need every month.
For more information contact
the DID on 011 355 5000 or www.
gautengonline.gov.za
tefo.mohale@gauteng.gov.za
Making money the healthy way
A
group
of
self-taught
entrepreneurs
could
not
just sit back and wait for the
government to give them jobs.
Instead, they started their own
farming business in Ivory Park,
Thembisa.
MELITAH MADIBA
Julia Makaringe weeding the cabbage patch at Mathomo Mayo farm in Thembisa.
Photograph: Thomas Chauke
Mathomo Mayo Garden Project
started as a small vegetable nursery
back in 2005. Today it is a flourishing
enterprise which supplies freshlypicked vegetables to individuals
and businesses.
Julia Makaringe, one of the
projects’s founding members, said
that over the years their customer
base has grown and that their wish
is to get a bigger farm to be able to
meet the increasing demand.
“It is thanks to the Gauteng
Department of Agriculture and
Rural Development that our
business is flourishing. The
department provided us with seeds
and working tools. Importantly,
they also trained us in business
skills,” Makaringe said.
African Bank sponsored the
project with security fence and the and Rural Development.
Komape proudly said that the
irrigation system.
Ida Komape, another member, money that they make from their
added that with the skills and small farm was enough to support
experience that they have gained their families and encouraged other
so far, they were ready to take their unemployed young people to take
advantage of the business skills
business to bigger markets.
Her sentiments were echoed training provided by different
by Ivory Park Pick n Pay Customer government institutions.
Services Manager Bella Hlatswayo,
“When
I
who said that
was growing
they
were
“It is thanks to the
I did not
the farmers’
Gauteng
Department of up,
have
the
r e g u l a r
Agriculture and Rural opportunities
customers.
Development that our that today’s
“We
have.
always
buy business is flourishing. youth
The department
We were just
our vegetables
f r o m provided us with seeds c o n d i t i o n e d
and working tools.
to go to school
Mathomo
Mayo
and
Importantly, they also and look for a
they
are
trained us in business job afterwards.
We were never
always fresh.
skills,”
encouraged
Their spinach
to start our
and peaches
are the best. They fly off the shelves own businesses and create jobs for
ourselves and others,” Komape
everytime,” said Hlatswayo.
Their
hard-work
and said.
Looking at the traffic of people
commitment was rewarded when
they won two Gauteng Female coming in and out of the farm
Farmers awards hosted by the with bunches of vegetables, this
Gauteng Department of Agriculture enterprise is surely a success.
Thinking ahead
Every winter, the Johannesburg
Emergency Services (JES) in
Gauteng have their hands full
trying to manage fires and save
lives. To prevent this, here are
some advices from the JES
Nthabeleng Mashigoane and Eugene Jele are both 18-year-old
matriculants from Soshanguve, north of Pretoria. Both learners
are doing Mathematics and Physical Science as part of their final
year high school curriculum and have just wrote their first papers
for the midyear exams when we speak to them. They both say they
understand the importance of doing well in these exams so that they
could stand better chances of being admitted to university.
HOME/RESIDENTIAL
* Every household should have a
“Safety Check Plan”. A person (a cohabitor/family member) who is last
of the rest to leave the house should
enter each an every room, to check
and make sure that all appliances
are off and unplugged. The same
procedure should be repeated when
preparing to go to bed.
AMOS MANANYETSO
But what they have in common
does not end there. They both
failed their grades before.
Mashigoane, who is a pupil at
Kgomotso High School, says she
was repeating Grade 11 last year
but that has since opened her eyes
and made her more focused.
“It was such a bad feeling
when I failed,” she says with a
disappointing look in her eyes. “I
got very sick when I was supposed
to write my final exam in Physics
in 2009 and that’s how I failed to
progress to matric last year.
“I have now put that behind
me and I am working very hard
to make sure that I don’t waste
another year. I have big dreams
and it is important that I pass my
matric very well in order for me to
be admitted at university.”
Mashigoane says she is
intending to study psychology
at either the University of
Limpopo’s Medunsa campus or
the University of Pretoria.
As for Jele, who attends
Hlanganani
High
School,
Medunsa is also his intended place
of study but unlike Mashigoane,
he will be reading towards a
degree in Somatology.
“I started school way too
early and I think my parents and
teachers struck a deal to have me
repeat Grade 1. It did not affect
that much because I was still
very young and did not see any
difference.
“I have not yet applied
at Medunsa but will do so
immediately after my midyear
results are available. I am taking
these exams very seriously
because I also want to apply for
a bursary,” Jele said. Meanwhile,
the Gauteng Department of
Education has lined up a number
of workshops in which officials
will train parents on how to
support their children’s education.
The workshops will take place
as follows:
Matriculant Nthabeleng Mashigoane of Soshanguve Photograph: Thomas Chauke
Date
Venue
18 June
Mphe-Thuto and Maputle
19 June
Thuto-Bokamoso and Brandvlei
23 July
Mohlakeng Recreation Centre
30 July
Phatudi (SeTswana and IsiZulu facilitator)
6 August
Matlhasedi and Die Poort
20 August
Atlholang and Thembile
27 August
Swartkop Valley, Kid Maponya and Khululekani
War on HIV and Aids can be won
Simon Zwane
“I just wish that the government
can start giving AZT to pregnant
HIV (positive) mothers to help
stop the virus being passed on to
their babies.”
With this plea, a young Nkosi
Johnson was catapulted from an
innocent 11-year-old child living
with HIV into an international
icon and an activist for HIV and
AIDS treatment in South Africa.
SIMON ZWANE
Since the uttering of those
words at the International AIDS
Conference in Durban in 2000
there is little doubt that a lot
of progress has been made to
protect babies from contracting
the incurable virus at birth. Now
HIV-positive pregnant mothers
qualify to receive AZT treatment
at 14 weeks of pregnancy with
nevirapine administered once
they get into labour. With effect
from last year, mothers whose
CD4 count is less than 350 receive
a triple cocktail therapy.
These measures are yielding
encouraging results.
Evidence indicates that more
children born from HIV-positive
mothers are born without HIV.
Transmission rates in Gauteng
have fallen from the highs of 30
percent around the time Nkosi
was born in 1989 to below 10
percent in the past few years.
Importantly, there is hope that
these statistics can be brought
down even further. A major step
forward in treating children born
with HIV was the introduction
of new protocols last year
enabling these children to access
anti-retroviral treatment early,
irrespective of their CD4 count.
As we observed 10 years since
the death of Johnson during Child
Protection Week, it is encouraging
to note that there is hope for a
better life for many children in
Gauteng.
Indeed, Gauteng is working
better for its children now than it
was a decade ago.
More than 100 percent of
children are protected against
vaccine-preventable diseases. The
high number of children reached
through
the
immunization
campaign indicates that the
campaign reaches even children
whose births have not been
recorded and those brought into
the province after being born in
other provinces, and even from
neighbouring countries.
It is true that poverty remains
a major challenge facing young
people. However, it is also a
fact that the government is
implementing programmes that
seek to give young people a solid
start in life. The Gauteng Provincial
Government recognises that
education is critical in giving
children a stable foundation in
life. By building early childhood
development centres (ECD) in
poor areas, the government has
made it possible for the number of
children attending ECD to reach
about 100 000.
However, our province cannot
make meaningful changes in the
lives of children if it does not
adequately tackle the problem
of substance abuse and crime.
Gauteng cannot work better
for young people while illicit
drugs remain easily accessible
in some communities, helping
destroy the community’s moral
fibre and fuel crime. As such, we
conduct anti-substance abuse
campaigns annually in schools
and communities.
Special attention is also paid
to the increasing incidents of drug
abuse among girl- children, with
the government expanding its
services at Dr Fabian and Florence
Ribeiro Treatment Centre in
Tshwane.
We are also doing our bit in
trying to ensure that young people
do not enter the harsh prison
system which could do possible
irreparable damage to children.
Children in conflict with the law
now benefit from the diversion
programmes that are intended
to teach children accountability
and respect for the fundamental
freedoms of others.
While children continue to
face many daunting challenges,
there is notable progress in efforts
to make Gauteng a province fit
for children. As a resident of this
province Nkosi Johnson would
have been proud to see progress
that has been made to protect
children’s lives. His heart would
have been warmed by the clear
evidence that his innocent plea
did not fall on deaf ears. Through
our daily work, we at the Gauteng
Health and Social Development
Department commit to making
his legacy a reality.
Zwane is the Head of
Communications and spokesperson
at the Gauteng Health and Social
Development Department.
* Only SABS-approved electrical and/
or cooking apparatus should be used.
Equipment that is “fong kong” can
burn uncontrollably, tilt over when
being used and may explode due to
heat. Heaters, two plates stoves etc,
should be used for their intended
purposes - as per owner’s instruction
manual.
* Shacks should be built at least 10
metres apart. Close proximity of
shacks increases the risk of run-away
and uncontrollable infernos that may
lead to excessive loss of property and
precious lives. This will also make it
possible for fire-fighters - with their
equipment - easier access to affected
area/s.
* The abuse of liquor - experience has
shown that in informal settlements
(this can also be the case in brick
and mortar structures), people
tend to disregard even the smallest
detail with regard to fire safety, by
attempting to warm themselves
- using (paraffin) heaters, primus
stoves and braziers (mbaolas), only
to fall asleep and their homes goingup in flames. Liquor should be used in
moderation.
* Children should be closely
monitored, especially around the
house. Fire sources such as heaters,
stoves and irons should not be left
unattended. Boxes of matches and
cigarette lighters should be placed
safely.
VELD FIRES
* Do not leave an open fire
unattended.
* Do not throw away burning
cigarettes ends.
* Do not burn rubbish on a windy
day, as the fire can spread and cause
a wildfire.
* Keep the area around your house
clear of material that can burn, such
as firewood, kindling and garbage.
* Get rid of hot ash and coal from
heating and cooking in a safe place
where there is no plant material or
rubbish that can catch light.
For more information contact Percy
Morokane at percymo@joburg.org.za
FIVE FUN PLACES TO
VISIT IN GAUTENG
THIS WINTER
ALEXANDER THEATRE
Although smaller in size than
its nearby and more renowned
counterparts, the Market Theatre
and Joburg Theatre Complex, the
Alexander Theatre has a rich history
in Johannesburg’s entertainment
industry.
PHONE : 083 694 2774
with Khabonina “Kha’bodicious” Qubeka
In this edition Love your Gauteng’s Melitah Madiba
speaks to Soweto-born Khabonina Qubeka (30),
affectionately known as “Doobsie” in the popular
soapie Muvhango. Qubeka is now a proud resident of
Bedfordview in Ekurhuleni.
1. You are known as a very
active young actress, musician,
businesswoman, choreographer
as well as a judge. Do you ever
relax? And when you do, what
relaxes you?
I read and write to relax. I also
practice Yoga.
2. If you were not into the
entertainment industry, what
would you be doing and why?
I would be a lawyer and a damn
good one because I’m able to see
things in a logical way and I’m
also able to make you see things
my way.
3. As one of the
successful
entertainers
in
this
c o u n t r y,
w h a t
message do you have for any
aspirant youngster wishing
to go into the entertainment
industry?
Know what you want to do and
stick with it. Don’t ever let the
industry change you. Rather let
it be you who change it for the
better.
4. What is your favourite book
and why? Are you reading
anything at the moment?
“Purpose Driven Life” by Rick
Warren. I feel that this book was
dedicated to me. It’s inspiration
waya waya (all the way).
5. When did you first realise
you have passion for the
entertainment industry?
At the age of six when mommy
took me to my first dance class in
Newtown. I also went to watch
my mom singing in the choir
iMilonji kaNtu and I knew that
I belonged there.
6. What is your
favourite movie or
drama?
“Face Off” is my all
time favourite movie.
My latest favourite is
“The Kings Speech”. As for
drama, it has to be the The
Lab!
7. When last did you go
out with your family and
where did you go?
Lunch at “Thaba
ya Basotho” for
my aunts 76th surprise birthday.
8. How many times do you hit
the gym in a week?
I go to gym about three times a
week then I do Bikram Yoga once
or twice a week. I also do a bit of
road running.
9. What is your favourite meal
and why?
Paella, it reminds me of when I
was staying in Spain.
10. If you had three wishes for
Gauteng, what would they be?
To continue being the best
province setting examples for
the other provinces. For all
Gautengers to pull together and
help our police to bring down
crime and I wish for us to spread
more positive energy and love.
11. What do
you
love
most about
Gauteng?
The
energy.
12. What is your favourite place
in Gauteng and why?
The Botanical Gardens. The
history, the beauty and the peace
there.
13. Are you into sports, and if so,
which one do you follow?
I follow soccer when Pirates and
Chiefs are involved.
THE CARNIVAL
CITY CASINO AND
ENTERTAINMENT WORLD
Carnival
City
Casino
and
Entertainment World is one of
the busiest entertainment centres
in Gauteng. It boasts top-class
entertainment and gaming facilities,
restaurants, retail outlets, two
hotels, conferencing facilities and
child friendly entertainment.
PHONE : 011 898 7000
THE SOUTH AFRICAN
STATE THEATRE
The South African State Theatre
is one of the primary performing
arts venues in the country. Since
its doors opened in 1981, the
theatre complex has hosted
numerous plays, musicals, operas,
ballets, dramas, cabarets and
children’s theatre performances.
PHONE : 012 392 4000
GOLD REEF CITY
Themed around the Johannesburg
gold rush in the late 1800s, Gold
Reef City is an entertainment
complex that comprises a theme
park and casino.
PHONE : 011 248 5000
14. What would you say are the
highs and the lows of being an
entertainer?
The lows are the inconsistencies
of the industry and the highs
are the opportunities you get to
inspire others.
15. How will you be celebrating
youth month?
“Kha’bodicious Moves” will
be performing and motivating
learners. We do this every year.
16. Which projects are you
currently involved with?
I’m now in a play “The Table”
and we open in Grahamstown on
30 June and Market Theatre on 4
August then Aardklop Festival in
October.
I’m also releasing my single
“Abuti”, a new high energy dance
album. I’m also judging the
second season of Dance Your Butt
Off.
NAMBITHA
Located within the vicinity of the
Mandela Family Museum and Hector
Pieterson Memorial in Vilakazi
Street, Orlando West, Soweto,
Nambitha offers a super selection
of local and traditional cuisine.
PHONE : 011 936 9128
The new Sharpeville Library
building is taking shape near the
George Thabe Stadium.
A Social Development official
helps pack food parcels and
blankets for the needy at a
warehouse in Sedibeng.
Premier Nomvula Mokonyane fields questions from journalists
outside the Sisulu house after the passing on of struggle icon
Albertina Sisulu
Voters came out in large numbers
for the recently held local
government elections last month.
Residents of Boipatong
loading material for
recycling outside
Vanderbijlpark.
MEC Lebogang Maile (forth from the left) and TV sports presenter Robert
Marawa with some of the ambassadors at the Gauteng Sports Indaba.
Answer an easy question and win four Gautrain tickets
Have you ever taken a ride on Gautrain? If not, Gauteng News is giving you and your family an
opportunity to win Gautrain return tickets by answering an easy question based on the Gautrain
story on page 3. You will get a chance to travel from Sandton to OR Tambo International Airport. You
will also be featured in the next issue of Gauteng News to boast about your experience!
Gauteng Premier’s Hotline:
086 042 88 364
Office of the Premier:
Tel: 011 355 6000
Fax: 086 515 5350
Agriculture and Rural
Development:
Tel: 011 355 1432/ 1900
Fax: 011 333 0620/ 0699
Community Safety:
Tel: 011 689 3618
Fax: 011 689 3660
Economic Development:
Tel: 011 355 8703
Fax: 011 834 1972
Education:
Tel: 011 355 0909
Fax: 011 355 0542
Finance:
Tel: 011 689 8081
Fax: 011 355 2481
Health and Social
Development
Tel: 011 355 3235
Fax: 011 355 3259
Infrastructure
Development
Tel: 011 355 5010
Fax: 011 355 5182
Local Government and
Housing:
Tel: 011 355 4028
Fax: 011 838 2116
Roads and Transport:
Tel: 011 355 7501
Fax: 011 355 7509
Sports, Arts, Culture
and Recreation:
Tel: 011 355 2504
Fax: 011 333 4319
Question: How long does it take to travel with the Gautrain from Sandton to OR International
Airport? Forward your answers to Amos Mananyetso at: amos.mananyetso@gauteng.gov.za
June 16 2011 marks 35 years since the brutal killing of innocent learners
who were protesting against the imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of
instruction in their schools. The day has since been commemorated as
Youth Day with the whole of June declared Youth Month. Do Gauteng
youth have anything to celebrate in the 17 years of democracy?
Daniel Ramodiba (26) Thembisa
What I like since we have democracy is the prevention
of the imposition of Afrikaans at our schools, because
the dream of the 1976 youth was realised. I’m now
doing a learnership facilitated by government,
proving that there are many skills development opportunities for youth.
There is a higher learning institution in my township - Ekurhuleni West
College, giving me enough reasons to celebrate. I would only wish that
we can have metro buses from Thembisa to Joburg.
Mondeka Faniso (23) Kagiso
The month of June marks exactly a year since the Province and the
country successfully hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup. As a resident of
Gauteng, do you think the province benefitted from hosting the global
football spectacle?
Bjorn Van Rooyen (24) Randburg
The main benefit I loved during the 2010 World Cup
was how the event brought South Africans together
from their different cultures and races, we all
united
behind the team (Bafana Bafana). There was
a real sense of feeling proud of our nation. We were able to show the
world what Gauteng is capable of. The development of infrastructure,
businesses, transport and tourism are great benefits.
Theo Senokoane (25) Thokoza
I celebrate the fact that Afrikaans is no longer
compulsory at our schools; our African languages are
now recognised. Black and white children attend the
same
schools nowadays. We are free to choose careers
that we want while before democracy blacks were limited to certain
career paths and could not study certain courses. There are more
opportunities for Gauteng youth than ever before.
The soccer World Cup was a great benefit especially
for the youth; they realised that there are many
opportunities in sports. Now our youth know that
there
can be opportunities to play overseas because of
the exposure given by the international event. International businesses
could invest here because the spectacle has changed the perceptions of
the world.
Qinisa Khumalo (24) Doornfontein
Lerato Mosiane (24) Dobsonville
As youth we were exposed to various opportunities;
businesses and other developments as well as B&Bs in
Soweto created jobs. We now have Bus Rapid Transit
which saves us money and is safe. I shall treasure
moments we shared with international visitors at fan
parks as we learned about other cultures.
I do not have anything to celebrate because in this
democracy I’m not employed and there aren’t enough
opportunities for me. I was working as a car guard in
CBD streets, able to maintain my needs with the
the
little income. Now the City of Joburg has given a certain company the
authority to guard parking lots. They have their own employees and
that deprived me of my source of income.
SPORT BRIEFS
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
FOR OUR NETBALL STARS,
GOVT URGES PUBLIC
The Department of Sport and
Recreation and Netball South
Africa late last month launched
the Magnificent Fridays at the
Mbolekwa Sports Centre in
Atteridgeville ahead of the World
Netball Championship 2011 in
Singapore. The Championship
is essentially the World Cup of
netball and will start on Sunday
3 July with a game between the
hosts and Botswana. South Africa
will start their campaign against
Jamaica on 4 July. Also showing
their support were celebrities
Penny Lebyane, DJ Zinhle,
Ntokozo Masinga and TV stars
Nthabiseng Mphahlele and Katlego
Danke.
World Cup legacy lives
June marks exactly a year
since the first FIFA World
Cup was held on the African
soil and taking a leisure walk
down memory lane will do
no harm but remind us how
far we have come.
AMOS MANANYETSO
That the first and last balls
were kicked at FNB Stadium
right here in Gauteng is well
documented. What is important
at the moment is to look at the
legacy that was left behind after
all was said and done following
the extremely successful hosting
of the month-long football
spectacle.
While most doomsayers
predicted that the new stadiums
built before the tournament
would turn into white elephants,
Gauteng has led the way in
utilising those facilities on a
sustainable basis. And besides
the stadiums, many other
infrastructure
developments
have continued to positively
benefit communities.
For those whose memories
fade quickly, be reminded that
Gauteng hosted the African
Women’s Championships and the
African Under-20 Championships
in the past twelve months. The
latter was brought here at the
eleventh hour after initial hosts
Libya experienced civil unrest.
Both tournaments went smoothly
and once again demonstrated
that Gauteng is indeed a home of
competitive sports.
FNB Stadium continues to
attract big name events and
among others that have been
hosted there include the U2 and
Neil Diamond concerts. Two more
concerts by Kings of Leon and
British band Coldplay will follow
in October.
Despite being one of the
important football institutions in
this country, Moroka Swallows
spent decades as nomads because
of a lack of a proper home ground.
That became a thing of the past
after the World Cup as Swallows
opted to use the revamped
Dobsonville Stadium in the heart
of Soweto as their home base.
Kaizer Chiefs were also
spoilt for choice as they switched
Fans having fun during the 2010 FIFA World Cup between FNB and Rand Stadiums.
Orlando Pirates have just
made history as the first PSL
side to win three trophies in one
season and their success can
partly be attributed to the fact that
they had a stable home ground.
They played almost all their home
matches at their ancestral home
ground, Orlando Stadium. This
is the same stadium that they had
a tug-of-war with a church group
for its usage. While the standoff
was widely viewed in bad light,
on the brighter side of things
Humble netball star keeps rising
CAMERON DOES IT AGAIN
Pretoria-born swimming sensation
Cameron van der Burgh has
continued with his fine form in
the pool for South Africa. The
23-year-old scooped the gold
prize in the 50m breaststroke race
– beating off stiff competition from
Japanese Ryo Tateishi at the first
day of the Canet, France leg of the
Mare Nostrum early this month.
Netball queen Khethiwe Mathebula basking in the glory of her latest achievements (Pic: zimbio.com)
It started as a childhood past-time, but today Khethiwe Mathebula
is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to netball.
SA GYMNASTICS STARS TO
JET OFF TO SWITZERLAND
MELITAH MADIBA
South Africa’s gymnasts will
be heading off to Lausanne,
Switzerland to participate at
the week-long 14th World
Gymnaestrada from 11-16 July.
This will be the ninth time that
South Africa has participated in
this international event.
Khethiwe started playing the
sport at the tender age of nine at
the dusty grounds of Ebomini
Primary School in Ivory Park,
Tembisa, east of Johannesburg.
“I was encouraged by my
primary school teacher Mrs
Masibi, who saw my talent and
motivated me to pursue netball
as a career. I took her advice and
a year later I was rewarded with
the top goal scorer trophy of the
tournament during the district
netball championships,” she said
Photograph: Thomas Chauke
shyly.
Since then, she has never
looked back as she started
practising three times a week.
The 16-year-old Grade 9
learner is a proud winner of six
awards and aims to add more to
her cabinet.
Besides collecting trophies for
her school, Khethiwe also plays
for the local Ivory Park United
Netball Club. She won the Player
of the Tournament award last
Photograph: fifa.com
it showed that the facilities are
being sought-after for usage.
In
Pretoria,
SuperSport
United and Mamelodi Sundowns
have the benefit of playing at a
much-better-than-before Loftus
Stadium and newly-built Lucas
Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.
The playing surface at Moripe
was considered the best training
venue during the World Cup.
All in all, the World Cup legacy
continues to benefit communities
and will benefit generations to
come.
December at a game played at
Mehlareng Stadium.
Her mentor and coach, Mrs
Khosi Mahlangu, had nothing
but praise for this young rising
star.
“Khethiwe is very talented
and humble. My wish is for her
to attend more netball trials so
that she gets as much exposure
as she could. With her talent and
passion, I am confident that one
day she will be representing our
province nationally,” Mahlangu
said proudly.
Khethiwe said that she was
passionate about the sport and
encourage other girls to follow
their passion and to never give
up on their dreams.
“As we celebrate June 16
later this month, I would like
to urge fellow peers to take on
extramural activities as they will
help them avoid falling into the
crime and drug abuse trap,” she
added.
The challenge for Mathebula,
like many other talented
youngsters
from
underdeveloped areas, is that of a lack
of equipment.
Anyone interested in assisting
Mathebula with sporting apparel
can contact Coach Mahlangu on
083 643 2864.