Platinum

Gazette

SHATTERED
You can come, you will be safe, just travel in your known car said the voice over
the telephone. Platinum Gazette had to travel into an unsafe village during this
weeks unrest to visit a client.
With slight apprehension the newspapers large 4 x 4 traversed the bad and
dusty gravel road slowly amid an eerie quietness in the normally bustling village.
The diesel engine of the vehicle was unexpectedly loud through the open windows.
Our client made it clear A lot of things are wrong, like the road you just travelled on, but the majority of people do not support the destruction of existing
infrastructure. I myself am from the DA. Some of this whole unrest is political also,
you know for next years election. Then there is a criminal element, p**smense
he called them in Afrikaans.
The children must go to school, we must be able to do business, why do they
just break? Last night at the meeting they said they wanted to burn the electricity
transformer and pull down the electricity poles. That is not right. F*k. Again in
Afrikaans.
We concluded our business and travel back on the same road. An old bakkie
come from the opposite direction. The driver greet in a friendly manner. At the
villages entrance a few cadres in ANC T-shirts recognize us, gesture they want
to talk. They confirm DA-mans evaluation of the situation. Drive safe they say
when we leave.
On Wednesday representatives of all stakeholders had a meeting in Pretoria
to find a solution to the senseless unrest and violence that rocked the area since a
few weeks ago.
Late on Wednesday news came through an agreement . No details. News
travel slowly to the villages and sporadic burning, torching and stone throwing
continued. By yesterday just before going to press, everything seemed quiet and
calm. The wheels turn slowly and we had to go onto the press before more information could be obtained.

Burgersfort, Steelpoort, Ohrigstad

14 August 2015

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Fax

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14 AUGUST 2015

NEWS

Last week Saturday the Tubatse Crossing

Mall parking lot was abuzz with the vibrant
vibe of the Thobela FM presenters when
Bison Falls Spur hosted a well attended
Womens Day celebration for local shoppers.
Thobela FM did a live broadcast from the
Spur and interviewed Mr. Powers Motsileng
and other guests. The crowds outside was
entertained by Thobela FM presenters, local
artists and even a surprise appearance by
legendary local Gospel artist Winnie Mashaba. The crowd also did not go empty handed,
as lots of prizes were given away.
Later that evening a Gala Dinner was
also hosted by Bison Falls Spur at Thaba
Moshate Casino where the Spur honored
local Women that has made an impact in
our Community and South Africa as a whole.
These women (honourees) were: Malese Ndlovu - busy with her PhD Docorate in Computer Science, Winnie Mashaba - well known
Gospel singer, Pinkie Motsileng - Mr. Powers
Motsilengs mother, Makgoshi Pasha - hard
working and steadfast agricultural stalwart
Malese Ndlovu and Powers Motsileng
in the local community and Mosh Matsena Station Manager at Thobela FM.
The event was also attended by representatives from local municipalities and the
Mayor of Fetakgomo reminding guests of
the history of Womens Day and that society
has to respect women in the workplace. The
Mmakgoshi gave a rousing keynote speech
to attendees telling women to grab opportunities by the horns and not wait for men to lead
the way.
Bison Falls Spur would like to thank all
the persons and businesses involved in the
organising of this event and for making it a
smashing success.

Women honoured by
Bison Falls Spur

(Information & some photographs: JB

Willers)

Mrs. Pinkie Motsileng and Powers Motsileng.

Mosh Matsena and Powers Motsileng.

Winnie Mashaba and Powers Motsileng

Powers Motsileng, Mmakgoshi Pasha and Mosh Matsena.

14 AUGUSTUS 2015

NUUS

R230 million for

projects will be spend
The Sekhukhune District Municipality says it is commited
to fight corruption, whether real or percieved.
The Executive Mayor Cllr Mogobo David Magabe
said this in response to thge Democratic Alliances (DA)
plan to open a case against Ms Manching Monama the
Chief Operations Officer of the District Municipality.
While we acknowledge that it is within the
DAs right to take any step regarding the delay in
the implementation of 15 projects worth more than
230 million rands, we need to assure the people
of Sekhukhune that we are on course to spent
the more than R230 million budgeted for water
projects irrespective of the delay that was caused by
investigations into tender irregularities said Executive
Mayor Magabe..
The Executive Mayor further says we appreciate the
patience exercised by our people following the delay in
the implementation of the 15 projects while awaiting due
processes of the law to take its course. Together with our
people we know that these projects were supposed to be
implemented from March 2015 and now they will only be
implemented during the course of the 2015/ 6 financial
year. We can as well guarantee our people that we have
successfully applied for the retention of the monies from
the Treasury Department into the Sekhukhune account,
communicated our decision to all relevant government
departments and that we have not changed the IDP and
Budget due to this delay.
The SDM says it is is optimistic that the challenges
surrounding these tenders will be resolved soon
because the court which has been requested to manage
this matter is in the process of issuing a Declaration
Order, which will outline the way forward as per the
effected officials and contractors. This is done following
investigations that the Municipal Manager instituted

following the awarding of 15 tenders worth more than

R230 million to contractors in February 2015. The
Municipal Manager queried the tender processes
and ordered an investigation in March 2015 by the
department of Corporative Governance, Human
Settlements, and Traditional Affairs, which have now
being concluded successfully. A report to this effect has
been forwarded to a court of law for a final decision.
SDM says As the District Municipality, we are
signitories to SALGAs anti-fraud and anti-Corruption
Strategy. And therefore, we cant afford to be lured
into suspicios tender activities. We are aware that
our people are denied opportunity to benefit from
the implementation of these projects in the form of
employment, skills development and water provisioning
at the planned duration, however, we cannot allow a
situation where good governance is trampled upon in the
name of hasty manner of providing these services. We
are very proud of our current exceptional audit opinion
and we wish to remain the code of good practice when
it comes to clean governance by spending public funds
in accordance with the Municipal Finance Management
Act, with due diligence and responsibility towards all the
laws governing our country.
Currently, no official of government has been
subjected to a disciplinary process whilst awaiting the
ruling of the court on this matter.
The Municipal Manager, as the Accounting Officer
has been given full mandate by the Municipal Council
to make sure that this process is completed speedily.
Council has also mandated the Municipal Manager to
ensure that all the water and infrastructure projects
targeted are implemented and concluded successfully so
that the people of Sekhukhune receive the much needed
services they deserve.

14 AUGUST 2015

NEWS

Praying for
stability
Christians of several denominations
gathered in the church building of
the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in
Steelpoort on Tuesday eveninw--g.
They prayed for stability in the area
where political, laabour and social unrests reigned for the past few weeks.
More than 150 people of all walks of
life attended.
(Information and photograph: Pastor
Neels Beukes of the AFM)

Eleven
arrested
for
intimidation
11 suspects had been arrested at Mukutung
village near Echo Caves bay Leboeng Police
on charges of Intimidation.
They all appearedin court on Tuesday and
Wednesday this week. They were all granted
a bail of R750 each.
The arrest followed after a case was
opened by one of the witnesses in last
years arson case whereby the house of the
Morowane family was burnt down in Mukutung
village. The witness alleged that the suspects
threatened the victim.
The Police in Leboeng appeal to
communities that they must respect the law.
When a suspect is out on bail, people must not
interfere with the state witnesses, saying As
the police we are still going to arrest people who
take the law into their own hands.
Their cases were remanded till 8 Sptember
this year.

Thought for
the week

Matthew 26:75 NIV

75 Then Peter remembered the word
Jesus had spoken: Before the
rooster crows, you will disown me
three times. And he went outside
and wept bitterly.
(This character in the photograph was on
the loose at Tubatse Crossing Mall last
week Saturday)

Need to advertise? Phone or email

Bennla Celliers at 083 543 1676
or adverts@platinumgazette.com

Springbok Rugby:
The Springbok rugby team will be taking on
Argentina this weekend after their shock loss
of 35-27 against the South Americans last
weekend.
This is a Rugby World Cup year and South
Africans hope on bringing back the cup that
brought together a nation in 1995, was dealt
a blow when the latest world rankings saw
the Springboks being dropped to number five
in the world.
While the team is trying to focus on getting
their act together for this weekend, the trade
union Cosatu has asked for a closed-door
meeting with the Springboks to discuss
issues of transformation.
Cosatus Western Cape secretary, Tony
Ehrenreich said that the majority of South
Africans would rather lose with a representative team and not a team chosen by the
white mafia of rugby that is excluding black
players.
Cosatu added that they were approached by
both black and white players to help address
issues of transformation.
Cosatus move to ask for a closed-door meeting has been criticized by political parties
warning that South Africa will be punished for
breaching international sport codes where
political interference and not merit played a
part in the selection process of teams.
South African Rugby recently signed a
memorandum of understanding with government, the South African sports confederation
and the Olympic committee on a strategic
transformation plan for rugby. This week they
confirmed that they are focusing on delivering
on the understanding and will continue their
engagement in this regard.
Platinum Gazette asked readers what they
think about the whole issue, the Springboks
chances this weekend and at the World Cup
later this year.

Mr. Patrick Mathabatha said: Theyve learnt

from last weeks loss and this week theyll
be fine against Argentina. Theyll rectify what
was wrong and go out with a fighting spirit.
I dont know about the World Cup. If it was
a team like Orlando Pirates going there it
would have been a done deal that they will
bring back the cup. There is not much Madiba Magic left with the
Springboks. It is racism
of Cosatu to become involved with rugby. Dont
worry about rugby transformation where is the
better life government
promised us? What if
many blacks dont want
to play rugby? It is ridiculous, it is nonsense this
transformation issue.
There are other issues,
especially in our area
that needs attention.

14 AUGUST 2015

NEWS

Mnr. Llewellyn Wolmarans s: Die Springbokke sal hierdie naweek wen. Hulle moet
net hul besluite reg neem oor wie hulle speel.
Moenie nou fokus op die huidige kompetisie
nie. Dis die Wreldbeker wat belangrik is.
Ons moet spelers daarvoor in plek kry. Wat
betref transformasie kies die beste ouens.
Maak nie saak wat hulle kleur is nie. Die
ouens wat kla oor transformasie moet darem
ook konsekwent wees kyk na Bafana Bafana, hulle is nie verteenwoordigend nie.

Mr. Solly Shingange said: They will do it this

weekend. The coaches must pick a team
on merit, no matter what colour the players
are. This weekend the score will be 29-18 in
favour of South Africa.

Me. Michelle Mc Cabe s: Sport is n plek

waar politiek nie hoort nie. As jy goed is hoort
jy daar en as jy nie is nie moet jy nie plek
kry nie. Ervaring en leierskap tel ook soos
met Jean de Villiers. Die Springbokke gaan
hierdie naweek wen. Daar is meer druk op
hulle hierdie naweek. Ek dink hulle sal beslis
ook vorder tot in die Wreldbeker semi-finaal,
maar is nie so seker oor die finaal nie.

Above: Ms. Itumeleng Kgwete and Ms. Pearl Mashego said: The Springboks will be prepared
this weekend. Anyone can play what they like and black people mostly like to play soccer
while white people play rugby and cricket and that should not be a problem. Pick the best
team regardless of the colour of the players. Cosatu should not at all be interfering with the
rugby. We dont know what to predict for this weekends score but theyll win. The World Cup
will be tough but not impossible to win.

Score prediction,
transformation and more

Mr. Moses Mankge said: This weekend the

Springboks will win. I love them. I love my
country. God sees no colour and we should
not either. When it comes to selecting a team
just pick the best players. Dont pick because
of colour. Coaches must be colour blind. The
Springboks will win the World Cup again. I
love sport Ama Bokko Bokko!

Mnr. Terrence Roberts s: Die Springbokke

gaan die naweek verloorvrek ver. Hulle
kans is 50/50 in die Wreldbeker. Ek dink
hulle moet meer kleurlinge in die span sit.
Dan kan die span Afrikaans praat. Daar is
duidelik nou n kommunikasiegaping.
Left: Ms. Charitty Mavuso and Ms. Lungile
Zimba said: They will
win this Saturday. Yes,
they will also win the
World Cup. We are
100% sure of that. If not
theyll be in the finals
and it will be very close.
Cosatu is a bit unfair. It is
about passion and every
player must be picked on
merit. We want to have
the best team and not
the most representative
one.

Mnr. Arthur Loubser s: Saterdag sal die

Springbokke 28-15 wen. Die kans is goed
om die Wreldbeker ook te wen. Ons het die
spelers en ons moet net die regte kombinasies kry. Transformasie is oppad. Mense
moet dit net nie ryp druk nie. Kyk na Australi
en Nieu-Seeland. Daar is in baie van hul
spanne n wit meerderheid al is daar ook
swart spelers beskikbaar. Hulle kies op die
einde van die dag die ouens wat die beste
speel. Ons swart spelers sal ook nog kom.
Daar word nog aan hulle geskaaf.

Mnr. Lourens Nel s: n Ou is positief oor

die Springbokke. Die verloor laas week en
hierdie wedstryde is maar n opbou na die
Wreldbeker. Die surprise gaan nog kom in
die Wreldbeker. Ons het al twee keer as die
under dogs gewen. Ek is positief dit kan weer
gebeur. Cosatu moet hulle by die sokker
bepaal dit verteenwoordig ook nie Suid-Afrika nie. Hoekom net op rugby fokus? Daar
is goeie spelers in elke posisie. Daar is goeie
jong talent wit en swart, wat goed sal vaar
as hulle die kans kry. Transformasie sal kom.
Daai spelers sal hulle geleentheid kry, kyk
net na die Stormers. Soos die ouer manne
klaar maak word hul plekke geneem deur
hierdie belowende jonges.
Right: Mr. Mohtubatse Mashabela said: The
Springboks will improve this week. We are
a democratic country and we should get
more rugby development to have a better
representative team. Black and white players
should be included. They must however
be picked on merit to be a black and white
team.

Mr. Linius Makgopa said: Theyll bring back

the World Cup this year. Theyve learned
from the mistakes last week and this week
the Springboks will win. Transformation
should still be based on the performance of
the players.

14 AUGUSTUS 2015

NUUS

Style stars at
matric farewell
It was all glamour, glitz and glitter as staff and
Grade 12 learners celebrated the 2015 Matric
Dance at the up-market Lapeng Lodge just a
few kilometres from Burgersfort.
The event was graced by Dr. Lorna Maphutuma, the Circuit Manager of the Department of
Education, Mr. Solly Lingwati, the Chairperson of the Calvin College Board of Directors,
Mr. Anthony Devassy, the Principal, Mrs.
Lorraine Britz and many staff members of the
school.
Mr. Lingwati congratulated the learners
for conducting the event in a disciplined and
organised manner, adding that the class of
2015 was the most decently dressed group
of students over the years at an occasion like
this.
It was the first time Calvin College held its
Matric Farewell so early in the year. Normally
Matric Dances are held towards the end of
the year, but addressing the audience, one of
the Grade 12 educators and organisers of the
function, Mr. Ronald Mavhaire, justified the
early staging of the event as a way of making learners concentrate on their studies and
exams as a priority for the rest of the year.
(Article: Mr. R. Mavhaire, Photographs:
Calvin College)

Khomotso Motau and Dimpho Radingwana.

Tshoganetso Sefiti and Mapulana Pholwana.

Desiree Nkwana (Head Girl) and Derek Mohlala (Head Boy).

Right: Masello
Masalane and Jimmy
Tshabalala.

Below: Kano Mokweno and Sharon

Matlala.

Alusani Modau, Fortune Mashabela and Ntabiseng Makola.

Pebetsi Makgata and Anthony Mashile.

Right: Minenhle Xulu

and Conny
Riba.

Below: Kgaugelo
Bopape and Prince
Pandala.
Right:
Obakeng
Kgwedi
and Tshegofatso
Mamekoa.

Dikhutla Ramohlale and Success Mokgetloane.

Left:
Moshito
Mosoma
and
Miemie
Makofane.

NEWS

14 AUGUST 2015

DA unhappy about
Makopung road

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has filed a complaint with the Public Protector on 5 August to
probe the Greater Tubatse Municipality for paying R19 million to a contractor for a 3 kilometres road project which party alleges, was not completed.
The DA says the Department of Treasury advertised a tender on the behalf of the municipality on the departments Tender Bulletin, No 18 of 2013/14 financial year to tar the junction
of the R36 road at Leboeng leading to Makgalane and the D4158 to Makopung village at the
cost of R19 million for a 3km road.
The contractor only managed to finish 2,5 kilometres without completing the job. During
a visit to the project, the party says that there are no signs that the remaining portion can be
finished anytime soon as all equipment and construction vehicles have been removed from
the site.
The part says It is clear that finishing the remaining 500km stretch will be a pipedream
which will never come true due to lack of monitoring from government officials before making
the final payments. It is also alleged that the contractor was given a whopping bonus of R3.1
million after completing the 2,5 kilometres road.
The DA believes that an investigation by the Public Protector will have answers to this
fruitless expenditure and ensure that that officials implicated in this financial mismanagement
are held accountable and recoup the taxpayers money.

10

14 AUGUST 2015

Platinum Gazette

Klein Advertensies Smalls

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Adverteer/Advertise
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Clubs
2.Betrekking/Vacancy
3.Dienste/Services
4. Oornag Akkommodasie/Overnight
accommodation
5. Troeteldiere/Pets
6. Persoonlik/Personal
7. Allerlei/Miscellaneous
8. Finansies/Financial
9. Te Huur/To Rent
10. Te Koop/For sale

3. Dienste/
Services
Burgersfort Transport
For all your transport
requirements
(transport of mine &
construction workers)
Contact Ariff
072 337 7332

5. Troeteldiere/
Pets
Pragtige Rottweiler
hondjies te koop.
Tans 5 weke oud. R2
500.
Eerste inentings

en ontwurming sal
gedoen wees.
Sel: 083 414 7291.

9. Te Huur/
For Rent
Two bedroom
apartment available.
R5000 with lights and
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West.
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Call 082 578 6113
Lang en kort termyn
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op plaas 10km buite
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Stopping
advertising to
save money
is like stopping your
watch to save
time.
Henry Ford
Doing
business
without
advertising
is like winking at a girl
in the dark.
You know
what you
are doing
but nobody
else does
- Stuart
Henderson

Get your hard copy of the

newspaper here:
* Pick n Pay Tubatse Crossing
* Temba Garage
* Dunlop
* Supa Quick
Burgersfort

* Boxer Khadima
Centre
* Phelo Pharmacy
Khadima Centre
* Cheap Cheap #2
* Tubatse Superspar
* Greater Tubatse
Municipality Burgersfort
* Toyota Burgersfort
* Choppies Burgersfort
* Magaba Filling
Station
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SAPS
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* Praktiseer SAPS
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* Pick n Pay
Steelpoort
* Winterveld

Village
* Tubatse Village
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(Steel Bridge)
* Glencore Eastern Limb Training
Centre
* Sediman Tuck
Shop - Kalkfontein
* Modikwa Platinum Mine
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Mine (ASA Metals)
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Platinum Mine
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Attorneys

* Lebowa Panel
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Ohrigstad
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Burgersfort
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Twin City (A1 Fisheries)
* Burgersfort Pharmacy
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Handelshuis
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Pantry

Platinum Gazette
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regard to design and
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Contact her on
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14 AUGUSTUS 2015

11

NUUS

All dressed
up for
the golf

Tubatse Chrome
Golf Club celebrated
Womens Day with a
special golf tournament. The course
was a sea for pink
and the usually neatly dressed gentlemen were dressed to
kill in skirts, dresses
and pink accessories
to help celebrate
Womens Day in a
fun way.
Read more about
this on page 12 of
this newspaper.

Platinum Gazette contact details:

Editorial: William Zwart
Tel: 083 271 9151
E-mail: editorial@platinumgazette.com
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Tel: 083 543 1676
E-mail: adverts@platinumgazette.com
Fax: 086 554 9031/013 231 7147
Postal address: P O Box 2208, Burgersfort, 1150
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Printers:
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Kom speel saam met die

Kruppel Buffels golf
Die jaarlikse Kruppel Buffel Golfdag word
vir 29 Augustus 2015 beplan.
Daar is nog plek vir spelers en spanne wat
wil inskryf. Die dag word jaarliks by die
Tubatse Chroom Golf Klub gehou.
Die inskrywingsfoo is R250 per persoon.
Enige een wat wil bespreek kan vir Martin

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1676 or 013
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The
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deadline is
every
Tuesday at
17:00.

van Rooyen kontak by 072 564 2811.

Die fondse wat met hierdie dag ingesamel
word, word gebruik vir die jaarlikse toer na
die Goue Oues Rugby Toernooi. Dit word
elke jaar op n ander plek gehou.
Die Klub en die Kruppel Buffels nooi almal
uit om hulle te kom ondersteun.

Copyright: All rights concerning any advertisement and /

or other material contained in the Platinum Gazette are
expressly reserved in terms of Section 12 (7) of the Copyright
Act (98 of 1978).

12

14 AUGUST 2015
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Platinum Gazette

SPORT
Womens
Day Golf a
pink affair
Tubatse Chrome Golf Club hosted a fun
Womens Day Golf tournament. The day was

well supported. Everyone was requested to

wear something pink. The men were also seriously handicapped
with being able to use
only irons and joining
the women on the ladies tee boxes. They
were also requested
to wear skirts or
dresses.
In the end the
prizes were allocated
through a lucky draw.
The Club would
like to thank the
following sponsors for
their support of the
day: Bison Falls Spur,
Filterman, Samancor ECM, Samancor
Tubatse Chrome,
Advanced Fire,
HERS, Chrome Golf
Club, PTS, Chrome
Golf Club Committee
Members and Tyre
Corporation.