Table of contents for 2021-06-18 in DFA News

Benida Phillips Staff reporter 19 563 online admission applications have been captured by the Northern Cape Department of Education so far. Spokesperson for the Department of Education, Geoffrey van der Merwe said the majority of the applications were for Grade-8 placement for 2022. “The breakdown per Grade is: 9 498 applications for Grade-8, 6 977 applications for Grade-R and 3 088 applications for Grade-1. Parents are reminded that the admission application for middle grades should be made directly at the school of choice,” said Van der Merwe. He said the department is however concerned about a large number of Grade-7 learners that have not yet registered for placement. “The department has identified 150 walk-in centres across the Province to assist parents to capture their applications, however the usage of…

A BUDGET of R22 million has been allocated towards the further development of the Online Application System of the Northern Cape Department of Education. The department said the online system has enabled parents in the Province to now apply for school placement from the comfort of their homes. Last year parents could apply for school placement for their children using the online system when they logged on to a website provided by the department. The department, however, indicated this year that only entry grades will make use of the application system. Parents will have to apply at the school of their choice for placement for middle grades. The department said it also has 150 walk-in centres across the Province to assist parents with no Internet access to capture their applications.…

Goitsemang Tlhabye The South African Medical Association (SAMA) has become the latest organisation to question the efficacy of President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to only move the country back to lockdown level 3 to combat the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. The organisation announced shortly after Ramaphosa's speech ahead of the youth day celebrations that they believed the move back to level 3 would do very little to stem the rising tide of daily Covid-19 infections. Much more needed to be done in order to give the country's struggling healthcare system a chance to cope with the ever-increasing rate of daily infections picked up across all provinces, so said the association. If anything, the association said, it believed that even stricter measures were required taking into consideration that the infection…

Sisonke Mlamla Cape Town – While South Africans commemorated the youth of 1976 which sparked a revolution, many youngsters charged with violent crimes are still incarcerated in government facilities, according to the Judicial Inspectorate Correctional Services (Jics). The inspectorate says it is devising plans to keep at-risk youth off the streets and out of correctional facilities where an increasing number of them are being held while awaiting trial. This after Jics issued statistics stating that as of May 31, there were 55 children in remand detention, 3 105 juveniles awaiting trial, 42 children sentenced and 1 503 juveniles sentenced. Jics spokesperson Emerantia Cupido said between 2019 and 2020 there were 2 058 sentenced juveniles and 3 724 remand juveniles, 65 sentenced children and 58 remand children. She said in the…

Lance Fredericks SO I WENT out and bought it! Remember last week when I mentioned in this very newspaper that I was being nagged by an algorithm to buy a bicycle? Well, the nagging worked and last week I visited a small cycle shop in the shadow of an imposing microwave tower here in the city. I must admit that not being a cyclist at all, I was pretty intimidated by the shiny frames and the fresh rubber tyres, the helmets, kit and accessories. I felt really out of my depth. But the owner of the store was patient and accommodating and gave me a few pointers that he specially toned down to my level of understanding. I have this terrible habit of responding to good service, so I bought…

Ashfak Mohamed in Cape Town HAVING played for Ulster in Northern Ireland for five years, new Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee is well versed in what to expect from referees up north. However, his Bulls teammates won't, and he has urged them to adapt quickly in tomorrow's Rainbow Cup final against Benetton in Treviso (6.15pm SA kick-off). Even the South African players battled to adjust at the start of the Rainbow Cup SA, where there was extra emphasis on tackle heights. Yellow- and red cards were dished out left, right and centre, even when players were tackled on their shoulders. It is clear that the big hits have to be lower than that, with tackles on the chest even questionable as arms often slide up to the shoulder and neck area.…

Ashfak Mohamed in Cape Town Wayde van Niekerk will finally be back on an athletics track tomorrow, and he will be joined by six other South Africans, including Akani Simbine, at the Meeting de Madrid. The 400m world record-holder has yet to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics in any event, having only run 200m races this season following instructions from new American coach Lance Brauman. The 28-year-old pulled up with a hip issue during a 200m event at the Adidas Boston Boost Games last month, but said afterwards that it was “nothing serious”. That race was on May 23, and he hasn’t run competitively since. But the 400m Olympic champion has been hard at work in training at his Florida base, where he works alongside 200m world champion Noah Lyles…

Stuart Hess in Johannesburg The West Indies and South Africa find themselves in very similar positions heading into the second Test despite being on opposite sides of the result in the first match. They’re both trying to maintain an even keel as it were – in the Proteas’ case not wanting to get too high after winning that opening Test so comprehensively and for the home side not wanting to get too down on themselves. They are inexperienced teams, a point emphasised by both Aiden Markram and Jason Holder this week. The West Indies had started feeling good about themselves when a young side went to Bangladesh in February and surprisingly won a series there. The South Africans have generally felt and looked flat, but perhaps the appointment of new…

Benida Phillips staff reporter WITH the aim of reducing unemployment, the Northern Cape Provincial Government is constantly seeking ways and partnerships to ensure the youth in the Province is part of the economy as well as the Covid-19 recovery plans. The premier, Dr Zamani Saul, yesterday launched the Civil Engineering Internship Programme of the Department of Roads and Public Works. A total of 14 youths from across the Northern Cape have been selected to participate in this programme. Saul said initiatives such as the internship programme have played a huge role in providing the youth with employment opportunities and reducing the unemployment rate in the Province. “We are pleased that youth unemployment dropped from 78 000 to 71 000, representing 36.4% in Quarter 1 of 2021. If we look at…

AN ADDITIONAL R30 million has been allocated for Covid-19 related expenses at several schools in the Northern Cape. This was according to the MEC of Education, Zolile Monakali, who presented his R7.14 billion budget speech this week. Monakali said the current pandemic has placed tremendous unbudgeted strain and challenges on the department. He said the pandemic resulted in the department being forced to use additional unbudgeted resources and manpower to assist in the fight against the spread of the virus in schools. “It must be noted that, like other departments, we were compelled to reprioritise our limited resources in response to the challenges posed by Covid-19, particularly in our schools. “In this regard, we had to defer infrastructure projects from the 2020/21 financial year to the Medium Term Expenditure Framework…

Benida Phillips staff reporter “THE RENOSTERBERG people always support the ANC and that is the reason why we have decided to open an office in this area.” These were the words of Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul during the opening of the Parliamentary Constituency Office in Petrusville on Monday, June 14, 2021. Saul said the aim of the office is to assist residents from Pertusville and neighbouring towns such as Vanderkloof and surrounding towns with various community services. “If you have a child that needs a bursary, someone who needs a pension or even when there is a funeral and the family requires funding for the funeral, this office will be able to assist. Even those who have business plans and want to launch their businesses can approach…

Siyabonga Mkhwanazi Cape Town – Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathale has defended the budget of the VIP Protection Service, which provides security for Ministers, Premiers and other dignatories as taking priority against the budget of the Hawks. This was after the EFF and DA yesterday questioned the slashing of the budget of the Hawks by millions of rand when the VIP Protection Services budget was not severely cut. Mathale said VIP provides the necessary support to politicians and other signatories. “I don’t think it’s correct to say that the VIP is meant for politicians. It’s meant for all those who require protection, the judiciary, the foreign dignatories including major events we host as a country. “The monies are meant for that. It is incorrect that we sit and…

Siphelele Dludla THE LIQUOR industry has slammed the government’s decision to ban alcohol sales over weekends as the country scrambles to halt rising Covid-19 cases amid an unstable vaccine roll-out programme. President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday night moved the country back to level 3 of the lockdown, reducing the number of social gatherings and extending the curfew by one hour. Ramaphosa said the sale of alcohol from retail outlets for off-site consumption would be permitted between 10am and 6pm from Monday to Thursday, excluding public holidays. He said alcohol sales for on-site consumption would be permitted per licence conditions up to 9pm, while consumption in all public spaces was strictly forbidden. The restrictions could further hurt the fragile economy, as the alcohol industry plays an important role as an engine…

Boipelo Mere THE NORTHERN Cape Province experienced a significant drop in sexual offences cases with 77 fewer cases reported in the last quarter compared to the previous quarter. The Province’s crime statistics were released yesterday by Premier Dr Zamani Saul, the MEC of Safety and Liaison, Nomandla Bloem, and the Acting Police Commissioner, Major General Henriette de Waal. Breaking down sexual offences, rape incidents decreased by 59 cases, attempted sexual offences dropped with 15 cases while contact sexual offences decreased by 10. In total sexual offences decreased by 18.5% although incidents of sexual assault increased by seven cases. De Waal highlighted that sexual offences are usually at the top of the list of reported offences in the Northern Cape. She indicated that the Covid-19 lockdown has had an impact on…

Manuel Locatelli bagged a brace of goals for the first time in his career as imperious Italy defeated Switzerland 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday to become the first side into the last-16 of Euro 2020. Midfielder Locatelli started and finished the move from which he opened the scoring, netting from close range following Sassuolo teammate Domenico Berardi's excellent run down the right wing. He then rifled a shot into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the box early in the second half. Ciro Immobile added a late third to secure back-to-back 3-0 wins for Italy in the tournament, which extends their unbeaten run to 29 games, the last 10 of which have been victories where they have scored 31 goals and conceded none. Italy,…

Boipelo Mere THE GALESHEWE police need help in tracking down a suspect who might be connected to the murder of Lentikile Samuel Metsing, 71, who was killed in Number Two, Galeshewe, on Saturday. Police spokesperson, Captain Basoabile Kale, said the deceased is suspected to have been beaten to death just before midnight. Police responded and found a 71-year old-man dead in his house. It is believed the suspect fled the scene after being caught in the process of digging a shallow grave next to the door of the deceased’s RDP house in the middle of the night. “A neighbour heard the sound of the shovel and enquired what was going on as it was so late at night. It is suspected that the suspect intended to bury the body in…

Benida Phillips Staff reporter FORTY-nine schools in the Northern Cape have been identified to receive either corrective or preventive maintenance in the current and next financial year. Presenting his budget speech, Northern Cape MEC of Education, Zolile Monakali, said the department has allocated R190 million out of its R633 million budget for Education Infrastructure Grants towards the maintenance of schools in the Province. Monakali said according to the three-year Infrastructure Implementation Programme, all public schools in the Province must have access to basic services. “The programme states that all public schools in the Northern Cape must have access to water, electricity and sanitation and all inappropriate structures built from materials such as mud, asbestos, metal and wood, must be eradicated. It is anticipated that a total of 49 schools will…

Boipelo Mere staff reporter AS PART of Youth Month, Droogfontein Solar Power has been funding a now blossoming youth-owned uniform manufacturing enterprise that produces school uniforms for local schools in the Northern Cape Province. Ottie & Angie Holdings is among several SMMEs that have been receiving funding and business support from the power plant as part of an Economic Development collaboration programme. The programme focuses on supporting youth start-ups and help these young business people to become more sustainable so that they can thrive and employ more young people. Owned by Keaoleboga Lerumo, Othie and Angie Holdings has already been able to increase its production run and is hoping to supply more schools with uniforms. Lerumo expressed appreciation for the support which has enabled him to sustain his business. “My…

Beryl Botha BASIC Education Minister Angie Motshekga says while she’s aware that there is plenty of anxiety about the return of all learners in primary school next month, there is no need to panic. While the country has technically entered the third wave of Covid-19, it was announced that all Grade R to Grade 7 are expected to be in daily attendance as of July 26. Similarly, schools for learners with special education needs (Grade R to Grade 12) must also return to the daily attendance and traditional timetabling model from July 26. Motshekga said the department will continue to monitor the trajectory of the pandemic and make all necessary regulations and directions in line with the Covid-19 Risk Adjusted Differentiated Strategy. “I realise that there is anxiety about sending…

ANA Reporter in Cape Town It was the 1960s and the United States and the then-Soviet Union space race was reaching its peak. However, in a newly independent landlocked African country known as Zambia, schoolteacher Edward Mukuka Nkoloso and the Afronauts – which included a “spacegirl” and cats – were planning to be the first to reach the moon and Mars. “They’d (the US and the Soviet Union) be only surprised because they underestimate our resources plus our intelligence, but I’m sure we are catching them.” These were the words spoken by the Nkoloso, the director-general of Zambia’s unofficial National Academy of Science, Space Research and Philosophy, who was also a science teacher, according to a video posted on YouTube that states it was originally from the Reuters News Archive.…

Dave Alexander Sports Reporter TAFEL Lager Griquas will play their opening round fixture in the 2021 Carling Currie Cup against a strong Cell C Sharks outfit at Tafel Lager Park tomorrow kicking off at 1.30pm. Speaking to the DFA yesterday, Griqua coach Scott Mathie said that the team was aware of the huge challenge ahead. “We are excited to kick off our Currie Cup campaign at home against the Sharks. “We obviously know it’s going to be a tough game, they are coming off a rainbow cup competition where they have played six obviously very competitive games and they have a lot of squad depth even with their Springboks out. “We will be welcoming a very strong Sharks team in Kimberley on Saturday,” Mathie added. Griquas will, however, be taking…

Mihlali Baleka in Johannesburg Kaizer Chiefs’ interim coach Arthur Zwane is wary of the threat posed by Champions League’s semi-final opponents Wydad Casablanca who are undefeated in their last 12 matches, but says he's banking on the mental strength of his players to help them. After a turbulent outing in the domestic campaign, where they qualified for the top-eight on the very last day of the season, Chiefs have enjoyed an impressive run in the Champions League. They reached their first group stage, quarter-final and semi-final campaigns this term. The Amakhosi will be hoping to achieve the improbable by reaching their first ever final as well, where they’ll meet either the defending champions Al Ahly or Esperance. But that’s easier said than done as they have to pass through Wydad…