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21 August 2015

Raging fires at Modimolledestroy 10 000 hectaresWorking on Fire (WoF) participants inLimpopo have been hard at work duringthe past three months as they continue tobattle ongoing veld and forest firesravaging the province.WoF Limpopo Provincial spokesperson

Matema Gwangwa said that the provinceexperienced 15 fires in May, 31 in June,32 in July and the stats are already at 28

Lizzy Bapela for of August, which gives a total of 96fires since 1 May.WoF Limpopo Provincial General

Manager Sam Maepa said that the WoFprogramme participants have beentrained professionally in firesuppression. A total of 660 participantsare deployed across the province to fightthe unwanted veld and forest fires.He added that the WoF teams in the

Waterberg have been very busy, workingall hours to fight the raging fires in

mountainous areas.Maepa further said that the worst fire

occurred at Doornfontein which led tothe WoF team fighting it from 06:00until very late in the evening, and10 000 hectares were left destroyed.“It was not easy terrain for our

participants to work in,” he commented.“The fire was burning fast and it was ina mountainous area, which was a bigchallenge for our team.”The Doornfontein fire occurred very

early on Saturday morning and it wasnot easily accessible according toMapela. He said that as a result of theirphysical fitness, the participants couldtackle the mountains to get to where thefire because their mandate was toprevent personal and economic harmthat could be caused by that fire.Gwangwa confirmed that a total of 10

000 hectares were lost during the fire,and luckily there was no life lost.

The Doornfontein fire was declared the worst fire to occur in Limpopo since the beginning of the current fire season. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

Woman woundedby dog attack

P. 3

2 |21 August, 2015

beateditor@gmail.com | Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.zaCRIME

Two wanted for escaping from police custodyThe police in Modimolle are looking forsuspects who escaped from custody onThursday, 13 August. Policespokesperson Warrant Officer JamesFindlay said that the two were supposedto appear before the local magistrate’s

Lizzy Bapelacourt when they escaped.Mpho Kekana was arrested for theft out

of a motor vehicle in the township, whileAlfred Sipho Hlongwane was arrestedfor possession of suspected stolenproperty in Hostel View, Hammanskraal.The suspects are both from Modimolleand were both arrested on Wednesday,12 August.

Warrant Officer Findlay said that thepolice are currently busy conductinginvestigations to determine how the twoescaped and more details will berevealed once the investigations arecompleted. He added that if theinvestigations reveal any kind ofnegligence from the side of the police,then the responsible members will be

charged accordingly.The police further urged members of

the community to come forward if theyknow the suspects’ whereabouts or mighthave information that can help the policein the case. Anyone with suchinformation can contact the investigatingofficer in the case Captain Pierre Nel on082 565 7800.

Bela-Bela Post Office robbed

TK Mashaba

The Bela-Bela post office’s manager, SonjaSmallberger, and her personnel, suspectedthat their workplace had been broken intowhen they arrived at work on Mondaymorning.“Many of the small packages had been torn

open. We think they were looking for money,but fortunately they didn’t get anything,” saidSmallberger.It is suspected that the suspects, who are still

The broken window allegedly used by the suspects to gain entrance to the PostOffice. Photo: TK Mashaba

at large, used a dustbin to obtain access to thebuilding.“This is a high wall and the windows are

high as well, so they might have jumped fromanother business to get inside,” she said.The police apparently suspect that the

burglary may have been the work ofhomeless youths. The Post Office was closedon Monday as the police were gatheringevidence.Nobody has been arrested in connection

with the case as yet, and investigations arecontinuing.

Bela-Bela DA calms neglectedTsakane residents

dominated by DA supporters and it isalleged that the toilet theft was part of apolitical strategy.The residents told the delegates that

they were told previously that their areafalls under Councillor John Sesane’sleadership, but they have never seen orheard of him hosting any meetings inthe area. Many said that they do noteven know what he looks like.In their response, the delegates told

the residents that they will look into thematter and raise every complaint withthe relevant unit. They furtherencouraged them to ensure that theyattend meetings in numbers and sign apetition that was provided on the day inorder to get the relevant number to getthe attention of the municipality. Thedelegates further promised to bringtheir superiors to come and addressthem and give them clarity on allmatters.Meanwhile, Bela-Bela Mayor Lucas

Nhlapo said that it surprises him tohear that the community of Tsakanestill pays Thubela for the electricity togive water to them even after he toldthem not to. He said that he had visitedthe area several times and made it clearto them that Thubela does not own theland.“I promised the residents that I will

make time to visit them again andinteract with them about issuesinvolving services that they need to beprovided with. However, the area is nota formalised settlement so we cannotprovide them with all the services. Weonly donated a certain number oftoilets to assist them in terms ofsanitation and now others from outsideare erecting more stands there, growinginformal settlements which we arestriving to demolish. I will go thereagain and address them, and listen towhat they need from us,” said themayor.

Lizzy Bapela

Residents of Tsakane voiced their concers to the Bela-Bela DA leadership.Photo: Lizzy Bapela

Leaders of the DA in Bela-Belacomprising of among others councillorsKeenan Alberts, David Senosha andFrancina Masalesa visited and addressedresidents of Tsakane on Saturday, 15August. The delegates went to the areato listen to the residents’ complaints onservice delivery and share ideas andsolutions to find a way forward andmaintain peace in the area.Over 290 households in the area share

two water tanks and they each have topay R10 a month to a private individual,Pascoe Thubela, who has a machine topump the water to be available and theysay it is not even enough for all of them.The residents told The BEAT that theyhave to persevere the long ques to fetchwater in order to get their householdactivities done and this affect theirday-to-day living.Not all of the households have

electricity and toilets and they say thatthey have been engaging with theirmunicipality to assist and bring them thebasic services. The residents also requestthat the municipality bring them bins forrubbish because people throw it all overand it endangers the residents’ lives,especially children. They also request foran effective mobile clinic and at leastone street light as the place is too darkand feels unsafe for those who comefrom work late in the evening.The residents further said that some

contractor built them strong pit toiletspreviously but the recent phase of toiletsare not strong and are already full and itis not even six months since they werebuilt.It is alleged that Magalies Water

donated 150 VIP toilets to the residentsand certain members of the Bela-BelaMunicipal Council allegedly took 75 ofthe toilets and got them erected inVingerkraal. The area is said to be

DA councillors addressed the residents of Tsakane. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

| 321 August, 2015

beateditor@gmail.com | Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za GOVERNMENT / POLITICAL

Woman badly wounded indog attack

TK Mashaba

A woman was recently admitted tothe Bela-Bela hospital with seriousbite wounds to her leg afterallegedly being attacked by herneighbour’s dog.The woman, who refused to speak

to the media, was brought to thehospital after being bitten onWednesday, 12 August, allegedly bythe owner of the dog which hadbitten her. The BEAT was told thatthe victim and the owner of thedog were neighbours, but thatno bad blood existed betweenthem.Bela-Bela Police

spokesperson Maria Maletosaid that no case had beenopened relating to thematter, and could notcomment on rumours that the

owner of the dog was a policeofficer.The alleged owner of the dog also

refused to speak with the media.When The BEAT contacted him, thejournalist was reportedly threatenedby the person.Readers are cautioned to be careful

of strange dogs, and even offamiliar dogs if they encounter themat a strange time, as even previouslyfriendly dogs may becomeaggressive if they feel threatened.

Photo for illustrationpurposes olny

Toddler injured after hot waterincident

A toddler sustained severe burn woundsafter hot water was allegedly spilled on him.The incident occurred on Thursday 13 Augustafternoon in Shongoane, in Lephalale.Upon their arrival, paramedics found him

lying on his right side on a bed, The Beat wastold.He was immediately assessed and found to

have sustained burn wounds to the left side ofhis body. Paramedics treated the child and transported

him to MediClinic Lephalale for furthermedical care.The exact cause of the incident is unknown

Justin Steynhowever paramedics were informed that thechild’s brother allegedly pushed him in apram to an area outside where other childrenwere heating water on a fire. “The exact cause of the incident is

unknown but our paramedics have beentold that the incident took place close towhere other children had been boilingwater,” said ER 24 Spokesperson ChitraBodasing.Bodasing said that the children had

allegedly decided to put the container of hotwater in the pram. The water had apparentlyspilled on the child when they tried to pushthe pram. He got out of the pram and ranhome crying, following which paramedicswere contacted to attend to him.

The proposal to lease land to cattle farmers inthe catchment area of the Bela-Bela dam hasbeen temporarily placed on hold.The proposal came to light in early July and a

meeting where the local community staunchlyopposed the proposal was held shortlythereafter. During the meeting reasons such aswater pollution, crime and vandalism as someof the main reasons why community membersopposed the proposed solution.Cattle farming in the specified area would be

a bad idea. In response, the Bela-Belamunicipal spokesperson Matome Sebelebelesaid that the municipality will publically unveiltheir plans for the area at the appropriate timeSebelebele also said that they are quite willing

to meet with concerned residents about this

Stray cattle “solution” temperarily offthe table

matter, urged the public not to “run wild on thebasis of mere rumour”.During the rural safety meeting for July, the

mayor of Bela-Bela said that there have beenno immediate plans for the area.According to DA councillor Kobus van der

Merwe no official announcements about thearea has been made but the issue will bediscussed during a sub-committee meetingduring the coming week.Meanwhile, Van der Merwe said that he is

very displeased that Nhlapo has not beenattending to members within Koppewaai northe illegal squatters at stand 1924.“There are a lot of uncertainties regarding

these areas and the people in my ward aresuffering. The Mayor arranges meetingswhich he himself have failed to attend andthis leaves a bitter taste for the community,”he said.

Justin Steyn

4 | 21 August, 2015beateditor@gmail.com | Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.zaGOVERNMENT / POLITICAL

Career advice for Modimolle Grade 12 learnersThe Modimolle-based New AgeOrganization hosted a career guidancesession for learners of Phagameng HighSchool and Solomon Mahlangu HighSchool on Wednesday, 12 August.Representatives from various government

departments shared important informationwith Grade 12 learners, advising themabout the importance of education andchoosing the right career.Phagameng High School was the host,

with Solomon Mahlangu High Schoollearners travelling to the nearest school forthis educational session.Edward Masingi of the New Age

Organization said the main purpose of theevent was to have various stakeholdersunder one roof so that they can shareimportant career information with thelearners.“We had different stakeholders even

though we were disappointed by some, butthen at the end of the day the event wassuccessful. We achieved what we wanted to,and the young people are excited as theyalso received informative pamphlets andbrochures. From the New AgeOrganization, we would like to say that thisis only the beginning”, said Masingi.Masingi said that everything is possible,

Grade 12 learners received career advice from various departments.Photo: Mzamane Ringane

Mzamane Ringane and further encouraged young people tobelieve in themselves in order to achievetheir goals.Even though some of the learners felt

disappointed due to the absence of otherdepartments, they were equally happy withthe information they received from thosewho were present at the event.Anneline Molele of Solomon Mahlangu

High School said she initially thoughtagriculture was all about getting your handsdirty and working on farms, but then afterthis event she learnt that there are manyopportunities and careers with thedepartment.“Unfortunately I felt a bit disappointed

because I expected the Department ofHealth to be part of this event, but theydidn’t show up. It would have been helpfulif they were also here, because some of uswould like to pursue careers relating totheir department. I also learnt a lot from theDepartment of Justice and I’m verythankful that we had this event,” saidMolele.Phagameng High School learner Alpheus

Boya said he learnt that there are manyopportunity that are awaiting the learners ofModimolle and the country at large.Boya said the information they received

from various speakers would make adifference in the lives of many students whoattended the session.

Local DA member Councillor Kobus vander Merwe pointed the finger at Bela-BelaMayor Lucas Nhlapo regarding issues withthe recent eviction of illegal residents inBela-Bela.Councillor van der Merwe responded to an

allegation that the DA was, to a certainextent, involved in the decision to evict theillegal residents from Extension 9 using theRed Ants.“This is totally false. In fact I tried to

discuss the issue with the mayor while theRed Ants were busy, but I could not gethold of him telephonically or at his office.Later that same day I managed to reach himand mentioned that I am not satisfied withthe way the matter was handled, that weshould at least assist the people who wereinjured during the eviction,” he said.Van der Merwe said that he discussed the

matter with the mayor the next day, atwhich time the mayor made it clear that hethought there was nothing further todiscuss, and that the place had beenearmarked for a school.“I conveyed my dissatisfaction and said

that the people could at least have beenwarned properly, other land made available,and the residents assisted with relocating,”Van der Merwe said.“It was mentioned that the majority of the

illegal residents were from the EFF. I saidto the mayor that he should stop managingthe whole town on his own, takingdecisions on his own. I said that he shouldcall an Executive Meeting whenever aserious issue such as this arise,” he said.According to Van der Merwe, the mayor

said that he saw no need to call anExecutive Council meeting. Since the landhad been earmarked for a school, whichwill take several years to plan andconstruct, there was no urgent need toremove them at that point.“A good government,” he said, “should

have made provision a long time ago,should have prevented any illegalsettlement and proper consultation shouldhave taken place or another solution shouldhave been found.”He complained that the council was not

properly informed or invited to discuss thematter.“We and a number of ANC councillors

were not informed properly and webelieved that the mayor would do his

DA leader and Bela-Bela Municipality in tug-of-war overevicted squatters

TK Mashaba

utmost to resolve the issue, discuss it withthe councillors or at least with theExecutive Committee who are responsiblefor the day to day running of themunicipality.”The BEAT spoke to Matome Sebelebele,

the communications spokesperson of themunicipality.“The Office of the Mayor has taken note

of the matters as raised by CouncillorKobus van der Merwe, and we believed thatthe Councillor is raising a political pointwhich has nothing to do with the council’sdecision to remove the illegal settlers inExtension 9,” he said. “As an ExecutiveCommittee Member Councillor Van der

The Red Ants during the eviction of the illegal residents earlier this year.Photo: TK Mashaba

Merwe can and should raise these issueswithin official Executive Committee andCouncil meetings, where these matters andmany others are discussed. The removal ofillegal squatters is not a decision by theMayor, but a Council decision whichCouncillor Van der Merwe is part of.”Sebelebele continued to say that it was

misleading to label the mayor as achampion of evictions, because all legalevictions, such as the one in Extension 9,happened within the parameters of the law,and were carried out by the Council.No provision has yet been made for the

people who were evicted, and most of theirbelongings are still in storage inModimolle.

Five prisoners have escaped from aBela-Bela police vehicle en route tothe Kgosi Mampuru II Prison inPretoria on Monday 17 August.The vehicle was transporting ten

alleged criminals who are currentlyawaiting trial.It has been reported that the five

men had “somehow managed toremove the security grating in thevehicle and kicked open the backwindow and escaped at the corner ofEs’kia and Bloed Street in Pretoria.The five men are Liston Baloyi (21),Innocent Mahlalela (40), SammySibiya (23), Justice Moakiri (27) andDiver Mogudu (25).All five men have been accused of

armed robbery and are considereddangerous.The Bela-Bela police

spokesperson, Maria Maleto, saidthat an extensive investigation tofind the men has been conducted.

Five escapefrom policecustody

Justin Steyn

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EDITORIAL

A goalkeeper relaxing in the goalpost during game against Teekay All Stars andMountain View. Photo: TK Mashaba.

David Sebelebele writes: The DAand all tax-payers in and aroundModimolle greet with disgust theANC Chief Whip’s ill-conceivedcouncil meeting boycott.The latter in cahoots with otherrogue ANC councillors spearheadedcouncil setting boycott in a bid toderail all-important council meetingduring which such pressing issues asmassive irregular selling of RDPhouses and calendar-related scandalwould have been canvassed.

DA in Modimolle once again notewith great concern that even thenumber one citizen of Modimolle,Mayor, Kgaretsa Lekalakala, has alsobeen at the forefront of themisplaced council sitting boycott.

Is the Mayor not supposed tooversee all legal mechanismsdesigned to curb malpractices in alltheir manifestations?

What is she then paid mega bucksfor?

No amount of council sittingboycott will successfully dispel theANC’s involvement in the megabucks calendar scandal.

The DA will stop at nothing to drawon debate power to beget requisiteaccountability from the ANC andfinally brought them to book.

The DA in Modimolle wants tocongratulate both the CouncilSpeaker, Councillor Sechele SebolaiSA, and his service-drivenlieutenant, Municipal Manager, SamBambo, for mastering the courageand wisdom for allowing issues likeRDP house selling and calendarscandal to make it to council agenda.This is precisely what they arehandsomely remunerated for.

The DA in Modimolle assuresall Modimolle communities that itwill do everything humanlyimaginable to have justice done toconcerns canvassed immediatelyabove including opening “a fatcriminal case” with the Hawks.

Nkhosinathi Ndhlovu, a Bela-Belaresident, writes: I think now is thetime for us as the youth of thiscountry to stand up and stopcomplaining. This country mustbenefit from us.

Don’t be lazy, use your mind andyour talent. Sitting on a corner andpointing fingers at other people willnot help you.

God gave us hands and brains touse them, and we are lucky to live inthis country — this country doeswhat it needs to give us a bettereducation.

The South African governmentinvests a lot in education.

Each and every year when the newbudget is announced, a lot of moneyis spent on education. But what dowe do?

Nothing.We don’t take our education

seriously; we spend our time withalcohol and drugs.

Those things affect our future.People drop out of school and thencome and sit on the corner anddemand that the government mustgive them jobs.

We blame the government forservice delivery, but the samegovernment we blame, is the one thatgives us free education.

Education is the key to success.Remember our late former presidentNelson Mandela once said:“Education is the most powerfulweapon to change the world.”

Let us use this weapon to changeour country by adding skills.

If we take education more seriouslywe can produce more skilledworkers.

We must meet government halfway,and the only way to do that is to takeeducation seriously.

When you walk through thetownships, you will be pained bythe sight of the youth destroyingtheir own futures.

Young boys are smoking nyaope,and young girls have sugardaddies.

Guys, we are destroying our ownlives.

Who is going to change this?Who is going to make this country

proud?There are shortages of doctors,

engineers and artisans in ourcountry.

What does this mean to us?It means that our government is

investing taxpayer money’s in us,but we are not taking advantage.Let us stand up and take this

opportunity to equip ourselves.Now is the time to give back to

our country, and if we use thisopportunity I am optimistic that ourcountry will only get better.

LETTERTO THEEDITOR

May2015

LETTERTO THEEDITOR

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NOTICEEnvironmental Authorizationfor the construction of a 75MW Solar Energygeneration Facility onportion 67 of the farmTweefontein 462 KR, BelaBela Municipality,Waterberg DistrictMunicipality, LimpopoProvince (Bela Bela SolarPark) was granted by theDepartment ofEnvironmental Affairs(DEA) on the 17 August2015 (DEA Ref no: 14/12/16/3/3/2/688). Should youwish to appeal against thedecision as refered to above,

you must lodge a notice ofintent to appeal with theMinister of EnvironmentalAffairs within 20 days of thedate when the EA was issuedby one of the followingmethods:1. By Post: Private Bagx447, Pretoria, 00012. By Hand:ENVIRONMENTALHOUSE473 Steve BikoArcadiaPretoria, 0083The procedure pertaining tothe appeal process isdetailed in Chapter 7 of theNational EnvironmentalManagement Act, 1998(Act 107 of 1998). A copyof the EA is available atAGES, 120 MarshallStreet, Polokwane (Tel:015 291 1577).

BELA BELA LAND USESCHEME, 2008

APPLICATION FORSPECIAL CONSENT INTERMS OF CLAUSE 21OF THE BELA BELALAND-USE SCHEME,2008, TO PERMIT AREZONING OF 2H.Notice is hereby given that,in terms of Clause 21 of theBela Bela Land UseScheme 2008, I/we, theundersigned, intendapplying to the Bela BelaMunicipality for SpecialConsent to establish a In-Patient Treatment Centreon erf/portion 13 (Portion6) 40 Mantsole zonedAgriculture, situated atRadium.Plans and/or particularsrelating to the application

may be inspected duringoffice hours at Bela BelaMunicipality CommandoBuilding or at the offices ofthe Manager: Planning andDevelopment, Bela BelaMunicipality, Chris HaniDrive, Bela Bela.Any person having anyobjections to the granting ofthis application must lodgesuch objection together withthe grounds thereof in writing,with both the Manager:Planning and Development,Bela Bela Municipality andthe undersigned not later than31 August 2015.Applicant’s details:Full name: MOSIMASELOLOAddress: 13 (Portion 6) 40 RJMantsoleTel: (Home) 082 494 3891Tel: (Work) 083 988 9048.

Mzamane Ringane

Deserving women from around the area ofModimolle will be honoured duringWomen’s Month, when the localorganisation Friends and Fun Projects planto be hosting the first Modimolle Women’sAwards ceremony in Phagameng.

The prestigious event was scheduled forSaturday 29 August, at the PeterNchabeleng Community Hall from 10:00 inthe morning.

Local businessman and founder of Friendsand Fun Projects Phillip Seema said themain objective of hosting this event is tohonour women who served the communityrelentlessly, regardless of their professions.

“As Friends and Fun Projects we areworking in conjunction with KranskopScholar Transport Association and otherbusiness people in the area to ensure thesuccess of this event.

We want to acknowledge the good work ofwomen from various sectors in Modimolleby rewarding them with these specialawards.

There are many women who stood firmand continued to serve the community ofModimolle from previous years till today,and such people deserves to berecognized”, said Seema.

Seema said as Friends and Fun Projectsalso focus on primary school children andthe youth, with the aim of getting them offthe streets and raising awareness of drugand alcohol abuse.

He said they also motivate youngsters totake education seriously, as it is their key tobetter lives.

Friends and FunProjects founderPhillip Seema.Photo: MzamaneRingane

As a build up to the main event,Friends and Fun Projects in conjunction

with the local organisation One Must Diewould host what they dubbed as theappreciation campaign at the local taxi rankin Phagameng Township.

Seema extended gratitude towardsWaterberg renowned politician KlaasMabunda, founding member of MissModimolle beauty pageant FrancinahMashaba, businessman Piet Chauke andKranskop Scholar Transport for supportingthis initiative.

He said the event would be held under thetheme “Wathinta abafazi, wa thint’Imbhokodo” (you strike a woman, youstrike a rock).

The month of August was markedWomen’s Month following the courageousaction by 20 000 women of all races whomarched to the Union Buildings in Pretoriaprotesting against the pass laws.

Modimolle to hostsinaugural female awards

Mzamane Ringane

| 721 August, 2015beateditor@gmail.com | Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.za CHARITY / ENTERTAINMENT / SCHOOL

Lizzy Bapela

The Bela-Bela Disability CouncilCommittee regards their indaba held onFriday, 7 August at the local CommunityHall a success, even though themunicipality allegedly failed them.The council told The BEAT that they

had engaged with the local municipalityseveral times and were promisedassistance with their needs and were toreceive aid to bring people together forthe indaba.They said that no support had been

received from the municipality and saidthat no municipal representativesattended the event, despite havingreceived invitations.Present during the event were the

Departments of Agriculture, PublicWorks, Correctional Services, Justice,Constituency and the OccupationalTherapy Unit from the Bela-BelaHospital.The SAPS and the Department of

Labour did not make it to the event andno apologies were allegedly receivedfrom them. This posed a concern to thecommittee, since these departments playa key role in the development of peoplewith disabilities.The council’s chairperson Piet

Mabusela said that they had needed theDepartment of Health to attend,especially the spokesperson for the localhospital Buti Moagi. He also said thatpeople with disabilities often raise issuesrelated to their health during the eventand said that the Department’s presencewould have made a great impact with theattendees.Over 200 people with disabilities

attended the event, although Mabuselaexpressed concern over the absence oftheir counterparts in areas such asRapotokoane, Masakhane, Spa Park andPienaarsrivier. He said that most of themneed transport to make it from one place

to another and rely on assistance fromthe municipality.

During the event Sandra de Wet fromthe Department of Education’s DistrictOffice encouraged parents of childrenwith disabilities to take them to specialschools so that they may have theirspecial needs catered for. She alsoencouraged people with disabilities toacquire relevant skills in order to beinformed and knowledgeable especiallyon issues that involve them.

“It was disappointing to have arepresentative from office of the Premierin Malota Mulubana present during theevent, expressing disappointment overthe non-attendance by our localmunicipality, whereas they are the oneswho are supposed to chairdevelopmental programmes involvingpeople with disability. His main concernwas that their absence proves that ourusual complains are not taken intoconsideration and the municipality is notdoing things properly. Mulubana advisedus to sit and table complaints andgeneral concerns and forward them totheir office for urgent intervention,” saidMabusela.

The council’s Secretary Isaac Sitholesaid that they feel that their rights areviolated since the mandate for 2%employment of people with disabilitiesacross government institutions, 4%empowerment in procurement and 5% ofthe people receiving skills anddevelopmental training was notdelivered accordingly. He added that thedeadline for the policies to beimplemented is nearing and if we are notconsulted until then, we will have nochoice but to engage Section 9organisations such as the Human RightsCommission for their assistance.

The committee thanked the attendingdepartments on behalf of the membersand committee, saying that they werehands on and assisted a lot to make theevent a success.

Chairperson ofthe Bela-Bela

DisabilityCouncil Piet

Mabusela andhis secretary

Isaac Sithole.Photo: Lizzy

Bapela

Disability Council hostsa successful indaba

Lizzy Bapela

Marlene Vermaak

The Mabatlane Youth Friendly ServiceGroup is dedicated to uplifting the youth ofVaalwater and Leseding.This vibrant group of boy dancers

performed at the Vaalwater Clinic inLeseding onMonday, 10 August,for both patientsand staff. Thepurpose of theirvisit was tocelebrate Women’sDay. The groupconsists of 25 boysaged between 10and 14 years. Thegroup practices theirdance routines sixdays a week and areextremelydedicated.“The Mabatlane

Youth FriendlyServices alsoorganizes moredance groups basedon the film Sarafina,Mango Groovedances, gumbootdances, and a poetrygroup,” saidorganizer BethaManganya, whoseoffice is based at theVaalwater clinic.All the

organization’s dance groups also performedat the Leseding Community Hall onSaturday, 15 August. They celebratedInternational Youth Day as well as Women’sMonth. All the youth from Leseding wereinvited to attend and the hall was full andbuzzing with voices by 11:00. Celebration andperformances lasted until 14:00.

Vaalwater dances for success

The Mango GrooveDance Group

which also formspart of the

Mabatlane YouthFriendly Service at

the VaalwaterClinic. Photo:

Marlene Vermaak

The gumbootdancers who formpart of theMabatlane YouthFriendly Service atthe VaalwaterClinic. Photo:Marlene Vermaak

Marlene Vermaak

8 |21 August, 2015

beateditor@gmail.com | Website: thebeat.linmedia.co.zaSPORT

TK Mashaba

The off-season has not kept local soccerfans from doing what they love.

On Sunday, 16 August, the local Bela-Belateam Teekay All Stars hosted two otherteams, Mountain View and Midway Chic atMoloto Stadium.

They played to a 4-1 win against theMountain View team, whose goalkeeper,DA Councillor Keenan Alberts, wasdefeated between the posts four times. Theylater played to a 3-2 win against MidwayChix.

Lizzy Bapela

Bela-Bela Pirates FC won the CouncillorHlungwane Cup in the 2015 soccertournament, which kicked off in thebeginning of August at the Zone 14soccer field. Eight teams from Ward 4battled for the first prize, which includeda R3 000 cheque, soccer kit, goldmedals, and a trophy, with Pirates FCemerging the winner.

In the semi-finals, Bela-Bela Pirates FCdrew 0-0 against Mathaithai and won 4-3in penalties, while Cash Build won 1-0against Marikana FC.

In the losers’ final, Marikana FC won 5-1 against Mathaithai FC, with Bela-BelaPirates drawing 2-2 against Cash BuildFC and winning 6-5 in the finals.

Bela-Bela Pirates FC coach SantaMokhonoana expressed their gratitudeover the team’s victory, saying that it wastheir clever strategy and teamworkthroughout the tournament and the matchthat won them the first prize.Mokhonoana has five years’ experiencein coaching but only two with this team,and he could not contain his excitementover the victory.

He told The BEAT that he aimed to bein the lead from the very first whistle andexpected to lead by four goals, but onlymanaged two.

He added that it had not deterred him orhis players from being positive about thegame and playing to win.

“The fact that the boys seemed to have

Lizzy Bapela

Two athletes from Modimolle have beenselected to be part of the MandelaMarathon scheduled for Sunday, 30 Augustin Durban. The athletes, Junior Moatsheand Piet Lekalakala are also members ofthe Addicted to Life Athletics team fromModimolle. The two will depart fromModimolle on Friday, 21 August to preparefor the marathon.Lekalakala was also selected for the

Provincial Indigenous Games which wereheld in Polokwane on Wednesday, 12, andThursday, 13 August, where he obtainedsecond place.Both Lekalakala also took part in the

Exarro-Mogolo Marathon which took place

‘We plan to have more gamesin the off season’

According to their captain, Papi Mothapo,they showed team spirit and playedoutstandingly well even when they wereunder pressure, especially in their secondgame against Midway Chix.

“This helps us to keep fit and also givegame time to some of the SAB players whoare in their off-season while we wait for thenew season to start,” said Mothapo, aformer Total Surrender player.

Diesel n Dust key player Sam Modise,who also scored a goal against MountainView, said that he loved his team spirit.

“We played well and will be playing moregames in the off-season,” he added.

Teekay All Stars soc-cer team triumphant

lost concentration in the last half nearlygave away the game but I kept a levelhead and remained focused.I am so impressed by their overall

performance and congratulate the goal-scorers,” said Mokhonoana.Strikers Lolo Seswai and Jonas Lebodi

scored the two goals during the match andthey claimed victory by scoring anothersix goals with other team members.Ephraim Mochabeni missed a penalty

kick, but that did not prevent the teamfrom winning.The goal scorers also said that they

knew from the beginning of thetournament and the winning match thatthey will walk out of the field as victors,and that they would score the winninggoal, which would result in their win.Tournament founder Freddy Hlungwane

and other members in the board ofdirectors congratulated the victors andwished all the players luck in their futureventures.Soccer fanatic and Bela-Bela Pirates FC

manager Johannes Mabua said thatwinning made him feel proud andhonoured for his contribution to theteam’s success.He added that all in all the game was

tough but fun, and added that he wishedthere was a replay for the next weekend.The winning teams received their prizes

and all the participating teams areexpected to gather at the Bela-BelaCommunity Hall for a prize-givingceremony during a gala dinner scheduledto take place soon.

Bela-Bela Pirates FC wins theCouncillor Hlungwane Cup

Teekay All Starplayer Sam Seemain full swing onthe ball. Photo: TKMashaba

Teekay All Starteam after theywon their game.Photo: TKMashaba

Winners of the2015 CouncillorHlungwane CupsoccertournamentBela-BelaPirates FC.Photo: LizzyBapela

It was a toughbut enjoyablegame for theboys during thetournament.Photo: LizzyBapela

in Lephalale on Saturday, 15 August, whereMoatshe came first in the 21 km andLekalakala came third in the 32 km race.

Both the athletes and other members of theAddicted to Life Athletics team have builttheir profiles by participating in the 2015Executive Mayor’s Marathon and otherracing competitions, where they emergedvictorious. Other members took part in theComrades Marathons which took place inDurban in May.

They told The BEAT that they pay for alltheir costs for their endeavours from theirown pockets, and that some of the chosenathletes are in need of logistics help aheadof the championships.

They urged anyone who is interested insponsoring their team to contact Moashe on072 925 0054.

Modimolle athletes to take part inMandela Marathon in August

TK Mashaba

Lizzy Bapela

Lizzy Bapela