Let us continue the legacy of Madiba

By Afred Makhubela

Thursday 18 July 2013 marked  Nelson Mandela’s  95^th birthday, hundreds of people chanted and sang  birth day songs and struggle songs outside the Mediclinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria were the struggle Icon is fighting for his life.

Ahmed Kathrada, Mandela’s long time friend  encouraged people to perpetuate the values Mandela has lived for. “ South Africa and the world  devoted  much more than 67 minutes that shows love and respect, the world has once more united,  wishing him good health and pledging  to carry on his values and what he lived for”, said the former Rivonia trialist.

Gogo On Tour marketing director  Khensani  Matjokane took his members to the hospital  for well wishes for Mandela and they shared cake with  children at the Hospital as part of their Mandela Day celebrations. She edged young people to reflect back  and compare current states of  South Africa.

“ Young people must look back and see the changes, they will know where they come from  because Mandela has brought a huge change”, said Matjokane.

The former statesman has been in hospital since the 8th of June 2013 with a recurring lung infection.  His close friends and family celebrted his historical birthday as the presidency says he responds well to medication.

TCE 2 wins healthy lifestyle tournament

Alfred Makhubela

Stay strong and healthy this winter, that was the theme of the top four soccer tournament which took place at TCE stadium on Saturday.

The first semi final saw TCE 2 crushing TCE 1 with 3 goals to none in an exciting game with flair and skills, amusing the spectators who were flocking into the stadium.

The tournament was dubbed a welcome back tournament for education students who were participating in teaching practices for more than 6 weeks. It was also an initiative for students to participate in sports instead of spending time in using drugs and alcohol during weekends.

“Fourth year students most of them reside on campus, so this tournament helps us to avoid drinking beer and using drugs on weekends. Sports especially soccer also contributes to us staying fit at all times”, said Charles Nsibande, TCE1 sports officer.

Spectators experienced six goal thriller between Tembisa classic of Block K residence and Sivutsa Stars of CCT residence. The much anticipated encounter ended with 3 all draw and went to penalties which saw  Sivutsa  marching to the final with  6-5  win over their rival.

The second semi final was not only an amusing goals galore thriller, it was full of drama which saw referee Charles Nsibande being replaced as a result of protest by Sivutsa Stars players as they regarded his decisions unfair.

The final was honoured by the presence of SRC president Sipho Njokweni who greeted the players before the final commenced. It was a tensed final which saw both teams failing to open the scoring during normal time. As the day darkened, it became difficult for the teams to see the soccer ball as the stadium had power failure. TCE 2 managed to win the 4-3 on penalties and clinched the trophy and R1, 200 prize money.

TCE 2 captain Anthony Hlongwa appreciated his team’s performance and determination they showed in order to clinch the title. “I thank the boys for being serious, their team spirit was amazing”, said the captain.

 Newly appointed TCE 2 coach Sir A.S Mathebula encouraged  his players to stick to their right diet. “Players should keep a good diet for their health, i always emphasise that. Mathebula was appointed three days before the tournament and he was off to a flying start registering his first major win.

Slain TUT student remembered



Dismayed Family amembers and friends during a memorial service of Gopolang Ngobeni

Alfred Makhubela

Hundreds of Tshwane University of Technology students and staff members paid tribute during a memorial service of slain student Gopolang Ngobeni who was allegedly shot and killed by police officials last Saturday at Caltex Garage in Randfontein.

Ngobeni’s campus life and times was described as the family of the deceased occupied the front row with sombre faces, weeping as the quivering voices of students recited poems and sang spiritual hymns.Speakers condemned  the police’s action which resulted with the  22 year old’s life being cut shot.

Micheal Ngobeni, Gopolang's uncle during a memorial service of Gopolang 

Emotional resident manager Willemina Mosomane said that Telkom residence where Ngobeni resided has lost not only a student but a family member and it took her time to accept the fact that he’s a victim of police killings. “It is very sad to lose a student and it was difficult to confirm that really he is gone. We built a strong bond together as I took him as my son and he called me mother. It took only minutes to take him away”, said the distraught manager.

Academic Department representative Professor MC Mashige said that the Department of Applied Languages and Language Practice is under serious attack as reports of sexual assaults and death rate escalate. He consoled the Ngobeni family and condemned the May 25^th shooting. “Gopolang’s death was not a natural death, he was killed by police. Nevertheless to the Ngobeni family we will celebrate his life and cherish the good times we had while he was still with us.” he said.

It is alleged that on 25 May Ngobeni and his four friends were travelling to the funeral of their friend’s father in Mohlakeng, West Rand. According to a media statement released by the Department of Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) the five students did not know the direction and they got lost. They then followed a security vehicle which had come in front of them. After the security vehicle made a U-turn at a cul-de-sac, the students also made a U-turn.

 While driving towards a Caltex Garage with the intention of asking for directions, another security vehicle from the same company cut in front of them. Both security vehicles stopped next to a marked SAPS vehicle. The students drove on to the filling station. It is alleged that within a short space of time, the police vehicle (with its blue light on), as well as the security vehicles, followed the students to the filling station, which is near where they were.

The students were ordered to get out of their vehicle by the police. While trying to get out of the vehicle, Gopolang Ngobeni was shot by a policeman with an R5 rifle. The victim was declared dead at the scene. The vehicle in which the students were travelling was searched and nothing illegal was found, read the statement.

 Family spokesperson Michael Ngobeni said that the family wants answers of why Ngobeni was shot. The 30 year old constable will appear in court on the 3^rd of June for a possible bill application.

 

Cosatu general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi will continue to serve in his position, the trade union federation said on Wednesday.

"There is no question that can arise about any of the leaders here," Congress of SA Trade Unions president Sidumo Dlamini told reporters in Johannesburg.

"They have been elected at congress... They are not deterred or embargoed to perform their duties, including the general-secretary of the federation."

Cosatu was briefing the media after holding its central executive committee (CEC) meeting earlier this week.

Vavi said the CEC took a special resolution to continue "discussions" about the allegations of corruption in the sale of Cosatu's headquarters building, which allegedly implicated him.

He said it was "grossly unfair" to ask him to step down before the probe had been concluded.

He could not discuss whether there had been any calls in the CEC meeting for him to step down.

"No organisation works like that. It is an internal discussion."

The CEC had agreed that it was important to complete the discussion of "some problematic ideological, organisational, and administrative issues" that arose at an earlier CEC meeting.

Vavi said former president of the SA Municipal Workers' Union Petrus Mashishi and labour lawyer Charles Nupen were requested to facilitate discussions on these issues at that meeting.

"They gave the CEC a report of the meetings which had taken place -- and some which had not taken place -- and some problems which had arisen, which had led to the process failing to resolve the issues under discussion."

Vavi said the CEC resolved that the internal process continue, and all affiliated unions and Cosatu national office-bearers could make submissions.

"The facilitators will provide an opportunity to all accused of wrong-doing to respond to any allegations contained in the submissions."

Auditing firm Sizwe Ntsaluba Gobodo had been appointed to do a forensic audit on the building's sale.

The CEC had resolved that the firm would be handed a file containing the background of the sale, which would form a part of his own submission.

The auditors would conclude their report at the end of June. The CEC would meet in July to discuss the reports, he said.

In March, there were calls for Vavi to be investigated after allegations of corruption in the acquisition of Cosatu's new headquarters.

He denied that unity in Cosatu was beginning to collapse and that the organisation was split.

"After a thorough two-day-long discussion the CEC resolved to fight harder than ever before for the workers," he said.

"We have to show them that we are not splitting or paralysed, as the media and their 'sources' want us to believe."

Allegations that he was involved in the headquarters building sale were given to the media by "ghost" sources.

"We do admit that an environment has been created in the public that there is something amiss in the sale and purchase of the building," Vavi said.

"If any union has something about that matter it has an opportunity to go directly to the auditors."

He said it was natural for any organisation to have internal differences.

"No such [perfect] organisation exists in the world. There will never be a world where individuals do not debate before agreeing on tactical and strategic issues," Vavi said.

"Even my own twins at home can never agree to everything."

Vavi again denied being involved in any corruption.

"All I know is that I have done absolutely nothing wrong as an individual. That is why... I have said anyone who can produce evidence that indeed what the sources are saying is true, then they won't see me here.

"There will be no hearing, there will be no divisions in the federations, there will be no commission of inquiry. If such evidence is produced I will do want I always ask people to do: save Cosatu, [and] walk," he said. Timeslive

http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2013/05/29/vavi-will-continue-to-serve-cosatu

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Sexual assaults in South African universities

By Alfred Makhubela, Ntsako Mashaba and Ernest Mabasa

Several sexual assaults have been reported in various universities in South Africa. The main perpetrators are lecturers who take advantage of vulnerable underperforming students in search for marks to boost their academic records.

Reverend Ramokgadi of Tshwane University of Technology student Support and Development said female are not the only victims. He said that in most cases the weak are overpowered by the powerful of any gender. “Sexual assaults are mostly done by those who are powerful, either in positions or physic and doing it to the vulnerable it can be either male or female”, he said.

Ramokgadi emphasised that strong messages should be distributed for society and perpetrators to know that what they are doing is bad and eventually might stop abusing. He advices students to report sexual abuse to the relevant people.

Bandile Ngobese , a 3^rd year Education studentsaid that to  avoid sexual abuse people should start by respecting themselves. “It all starts with respect, we should respect our selves. We should respect our bodies by dressing appropriately”.

A month ago, secretes  about alleged sexual predation at University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg were exposed. After a series of leaks, a Sunday newspaper, Sunday Times that would see the mass spilling of a public shame. The academic institution celebrated for its research ability and for producing four Nobel Prize Laureates stood accused of a sexual scandals.

Audiohttp://soundcloud.com/sounds-of-alfy/students-views-on-sexual

Related stories linkshttp://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2013/04/22/wits-sends-second-sex-pest-packing
http://www.wits.ac.za/prospective/studervices/ccdu/11490/sexual_harassment.html

COCA COLA POP STAR GOES SOLO

Alfred Makhubela

Sometimes in life you have to do something that will represent you as an individual that’s according to former Coca-cola pop star contender Letang Tlome.

Letang Tlome was part of the pop group Adillah which consisted of members such as Karabo Motlhabi, Thembisile Ntaka, Itumeleng Kgosana and Refiloe Motha. The group lasted until 2008 and reached the top five in the 2003’s edition of Coca-cola pop stars which aired on SABC 1.

Tlome said that Adillah as a group did not give her the platform to do the kind of music she always wanted. “Adillah was a pop group and we had to do songs and subjects which were chosen for us” she said.

The 32 year old studied music and drama at the National School of the Arts. Her genre is Afro-Soul she focuses on subject matters such love and life experiences because she feels they relate with her.

Born in Soshanguve Letang is adamant that going solo will be a journey to higher places. “My dream has always been a super star like my favourite artists, the likes of Swazi Dlamini and Judith Sephuma”, she exclaimed.

She is currently working on her debut album titled Journey of my soul which is scheduled to be released this winter. The album is produced by Zakhele Mabena. “Fans can expect fun and love of any kind on my upcoming album”, she added.

Letang Tlome is a SAMA award winner with her group Adillah in 2004 for Best Newcomer with their debut album Ses’fikile which sold 40 000 copies.

Enough is enough: Methodist Church Marches against rape.

Members of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, Soshanguve circuit march to Soshanguve police station against rape.

 

 

The Methodist Church of Southern Africa Soshanguve circuit took their Sunday service to the streets as they marched against rape on 17 March Sunday morning.

Hundreds of church members known for their community awareness marched with placards and banners displaying strong messages such as“Enough is enough”, “Rape Destroys” and “Say No to Abuse”. They chanted spiritual hymns and “Senzeni na” struggle song.

The march was dubbed a ‘spiritual march against rape’ and the church described rape assaults as satanic.

Earlier this month Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshega announced details of a major initiative to raise rape awareness and educate the 10,2 million learners in South African schools.

The Methodist church adopted the pledge which was circulated by the Department of Basic Education based on the Bill of Responsibilities that includes a statement on violence and rape. The pledge was given to members of the church before the march commenced.

Church members marched from Block K were the church is located to Soshanguve police station in Block H. Other community members also joined.

Motorists were patient despite being delayed as the fed-up devotees hit the Mabopane highway headed for the police station.

The church led by Reverend Norman Raphahlele and Reverend Refilwe Tawana submitted a memorandum to Soshanguve police station commander, Sello Molokwane, who accepted the memorandum on behalf of Provincial Commissioner in the presence of other police officials.

The memorandum was read aloud to everyone by Reverend Tawana.

The main theme of the memorandum was that the community is fed-up about escalating rape rates in the community and is a violation of human rights.

The memorandum requested the turnaround time to be improved, victims to be informed about the progress, protection of evidence, and the SAPS to educate the church regarding the preservation of evidence.

This campaign was initiated by the church following various rape incidents that stunned the Soshanguve community earlier this year.

Two minors from Soshanguve Block AA and Block XX were raped. The incidents took place on 26 January and 17 February respectively.

The suspects were also minors who were later released into the custody of their parents.

According to Reverend Tawana the matter was still under investigation.

The victims were members of the Methodist Church and the church was determined to support them.

“The victims would ask what the church would do about these growing immoral acts. As a church we were calling for an end to rape. We say enough is enough,” said Rev Tawana.

Commander Molokwane showed his gratitude to the church for halting their usual Sunday service to march against one of the escalating crimes in South Africa.

“I thank the church for standing against such offences and disrupting their schedules to fight crime in our communities. Thanks for notifying the police about such challenges,” he said.

Immediately after signing the memorandum together with Tawana Molokwane promised to take the church’s plea to the highest authority of the SAPS and promised to start fighting rape in Soshanguve.

Reverend Tawana told Rekord that they were enthusiastic to do such campaigns and joining hands with the SAPS would eradicate crime in the community.

“We are still going to engage the police to educate us. We are going to do another march in June or July which we hope other churches will join,” said Rev Tawana.