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26 March 2014Volume 2 Week 13

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Baphalane threaten to boycott elections

UNHAPPY: George Selokela

and Lazarus Mfulwane (PHOTO:

FARIRAYI KAHWEMBA)

FULL REPORT PAGE 2

02 26 March Leseding News - Rustenburg

Baphalane Threaten to Boycott Elections

Inside the Baphalane chieftainship

Lazarus Mfulwane, 76, has been exercising his voting right since the birth of South Africa’s democracy. He might forfeit his right this time around, however. Mfulwane and his community are threatening to boycott the May 7 general election. Mfulwane is the secretary of the Bakwena Ba Phalane Action Committee. The committee represents 7 Baphalane villages situated in the Moses Kotane local municipality namely: Ga-Ramokokastad, Phadi,

Mmorogong, Bojating, Rankelenyane, Module, Gevonden, and Mantserre.

Peeved at the system that they say has failed to address its

traditional leadership disputes and the indifference attitude of provincial leaders to their problem, the Baphalane communities say they are

not going to cast their vote if the premier of the North West, Thandi

Modise, does not announce the outcome of

the Mafereka commission before the elections.

The Bakwena Ba Baphalane Action Committee

leadership has even

decided that no political party leader would be allowed to enter their villages for election campaigning. As if this was not enough, the committee say they want their traditional administration to be moved to the Limpopo province.“The North West government is no longer interested in the administration of the affairs of our tribe,” said Mfulwane.Chairperson, George Selokela added, “Our problem has been pending for around 20 years, and we even met the office of the premier but nothing has been done.”The agitators alleged that the failure of premier Modise to release the findings of the commission has deprived their tribe of various benefits meant for the tribe. “There is no leadership in our tribe. While other tribes enjoy government benefits, our communities lead miserable lives,” said Mfulwane.The Mafereka commission was established by the North West government to investigate the dispute into the traditional leadership of the Baphalane tribe. The commission closed its findings on 21 February 2013.The committee say they want Bosman Noah Ramokoka (who they claim is their rightful ruler) to be reinstated as chief of the tribe.Bosman was enthroned chief of the Baphalane in 1980 by the then Bophuthatswna homeland government following the recommendations of the Van Zyl commission.After taking over power in1994, the ANC led Popo Molefe administration established the Mabiletsa commission to conduct yet another

investigation into the Baphalane traditional leadership dispute.The Mabiletsa commission ruled contrarily to the Van Zyl commission. The commission ruled that August Rammalane Ramokoka son of Saltin Rammalane Ramokoka is the rightful chief. Bosman was dethrone.Since then, there has been instability and uncertainty in the poverty stricken village as to who is the rightful heir to its throne.Premier Modise is mum over the Baphalane plight. Written questions send to her office were by the time of going to press not answered.

In 1980, Bosman Noah Ramokoka was a successful young traffic officer in Gauteng.That was until he was persuaded by his father’s tribe, Baphalane to come and lead his father’s village, Ramokokastad.Bosman’s father, kgosi Orphan Mafudi Ramokoka died in 1955. At that time Bosman was still young and his father’s brother Saltiel Rammalane Ramokoka was made acting kgosi of the village on behalf of Bosman.Saltiel Ramokoka ruled the tribe until 1980, when the village decided to call Bosman to come and take over his royal chair as he was deemed old enough to take the responsibility. A commission of enquiry, the Van Zyl Commission, was established by the Bophuthatswana government to investigate the chieftainship of the tribe.The Van Zyl commission, the Royal family and the entire Baphalane tribe agreed that Bosman was the rightful heir to the throne and recommended that he take over the reins.Under strong persuasions from his father’s tribe, Bosman, the young traffic officer left the glittering streets of Gauteng and returned home to the dusty streets of Ramokokastad to lead his father’s tribe.At a function held at the village on 29 October 1980, Bosman was officially enthroned as kgosi of Baphalane tribe.

“Morafe ke oo kgosi, o tla ka pelo e lengwe, o rata o tsaya tiro ya bogosi jwa bona, jo o bo tsaletsweng,” said Kgosi T.R. Pilane at the function.Speaking on the day of the inauguration, Bophuthatswana leader, Kgosi Mangope said: “Puso ya Bophuthatswana e dirile tlhotlhomiso mabapi le gore bogosi jwa morafe wa Baphalane bo tshwanetse ke go tsewa ke mang.“Puso morago ga tlhotlhomiso, e bone bogosi bo tshwanela Kgosi Bosman Ramokoka.” In June 1995, Bosman was shocked when the North West provincial government under the premiership of Popo Molefe mysteriously called for the establishment of another commission to investigate the Baphalane chieftainship.Thus, the Mabiletsa commission was established.The Mabiletsa commission ruled differently to the Van Zyl commission that Rammalane who was removed by Van Zyl commission was the rightful heir and that his son August Kobete be the chief.Bosman was dethroned.Since then, there has been instability and uncertainty in the poverty stricken village as to who is the rightful heir to its throne.In a Document over the dispute of Baphalane that Leseding News has seen, over 100 community members testify that Bosman is their “rightful chief.”

Mantshusu Dire who was born on 15 October 1915 testifies that when Kgosi Berthul Matetene Ramokoka died on 15 October 1927, he was succeeded by Orpahn Mafudi Ramokoka father of Bosman Noah Ramokoka.Margret Bethi Mmabatho Ramokoka who was born in 1937 said Orphan Mafudi Ramokoka had appointed his son Bosman Noah Ramokoka to be the chief before he died.Senkepeng Maubane who was born in 1921 testifies that kgosi Berthul Matetene Ramokoka was the leader of the tribe and was succeeded by Orphan Mafudi Ramokoka, the father of Bosman. A third commission, the Mafereka commission was established by the North West government to further investigate the dispute. The commission closed its investigation on 21 February 2013.While still waiting for the North West provincial government to release the findings of the commission, the question remains – Who is the rightful heir to the Baphalane chieftainship?

levy@lesedingnews.co.zaLevy Mokwele

10 500 to: Rustenburg. 10 500 to Brits, Marikana and Derby

EditorLevy Mokwele

News EditorFarirayi Kahwemba

JournalistsKutlwano Motsepe

Production ManagerDivan Bekker

Advertising ExecutivesRaymond SelebogoTarryn-Lee GroblerAndre Dutoit

ClassifiedsPertunia Morekisi

PhotographerAndrew Mahlaba

Although reasonable efforts are made by the owners, directors, publishers, editors and staff thereof (all refered to as “Leseding News”), no responsibility is taken by Leseding News for any errors and/or incorrect aspects and/or misstatements in any format published herein, and whoever provides Leseding News with any information, including editorial, advetorial and/or advertising material, in any format, indemnifies Leseding News against any claim of whatsoever nature which may be brought against Leseding News by whoever

PO BOX 2335, Rustenburg, 0300. Tel: 014 597 9980. Published by Ukhahlamba Newspapers

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WAITING: Lazarus Mfulwane

FLASHBACK: Kgosi Bosman Noah Ramokoka during his enthronement in 1980 (PHOTO: SUPPLIED)

0326 MarchLeseding News - Rustenburg

Prince is disabled but not unablelevy@lesedingnews.co.zaLevy Mokwele

ARTIST: Prince shows some of his work (PHOTO: LEVY MOKWELE)

WORKS OF ART: These are some of Prince’s drawings (PHOTO: LEVY MOKWELE)

Leseding girl of the weekMaud Letsholo (23) has got big dreams and ambitions. Our Girl of the Week, who was born in Mogwase, was drawn to modeling during her schooling days at J.M Ntsime High School. She was crowned the First Princess of J.M Ntsime in 2008 – a modeling contest she says she will never forget. Now studying Electrical Engineering in Gauteng, Maud hopes to work towards opening her own modeling agency.Models between 17 and 30, who are interested in appearing in this space, are requested to phone: (014) 597 9980.

Release Date: 7 March 2014

For those of you who enjoy action, this movie is certainly for you.In this crime drama from Silver Linings Playbook and The Fighter director David O. Russell, brilliant con man Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) and his equally cunning and seductive British partner Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) are forced to work for a wild FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper). DiMaso pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia that’s as dangerous as it is enchanting.DIRECTED BY David O. RussellPRODUCED BY Charles Roven, Jonathan Gordon, Megan Ellison and Richard Suckle

Release date: 7 March 2014

Has the movie industry done justice to the life of Winnie Mandela as a South African liberation struggle hero or has most of the attention been on her former husband, Nelson Mandela? Maybe this drama – which chronicles the life of Winnie Mandela from her childhood through her marriage and her husband’s incarceration – will provide you with further insights into her life and political activism. The film is an epic, often heart-wrenching voyage of understanding – painting a vivid portrait of one of the world’s most controversial women.DIRECTED BY Darrell RoodtPRODUCED BY Michael Mosca

Almost 22 years after a tragic accident which left him disabled, 25-year-old Prince Mmelesi has adapted well to his new life.Before the accident, young Prince like all his peers, was a keen soccer player who had dreams of playing professionally.But his dream was shattered, when he was hit by a taxi at GG in Tlhabane, outside Rustenburg. The accident left him permanently disabled.However, Prince could not let his condition stand on his way. At the age of 11, he started practicing pencil drawing. And today, Prince is an inspirational artist who uses his art to make a living.His work captures aspects of daily township life, with the aim of confronting the viewers. He says his first sold artwork was a drawing depicting gospel singer, Solly Moholo.“Moholo bought the artwork for R1000.00,” said Prince.“Since then I’ve never looked back. It was drawing after drawing,” he said.But just like other Rustenburg artists, Prince is concerned by what he calls “lack of local government

support for artists”.Prince said he has written letters to the local municipality requesting support but nothing has happened.Professional dancer, Sammuel Malinga said the collapse of local artist organization, District Arts and Culture Alliance (DACA) and the disappearance of committed cultural workers such as Basil Dube from the local arts and culture sphere has left the

sector in tatters.“We are denied access to use venues. We really need a body that can speak for us,” said Malinga.

04 26 March Leseding News - Rustenburg

0526 MarchLeseding News - Rustenburg

Leseding News06 26 March Leseding News - Rustenburg

PLATINUM PEOPLEGetting to Know: Themba Gwabeni

Did you know that some famous people that you only get to see on the television or read about in

the newspapers have hidden talents that you might never get

to know until you interact with them?

One such person is Themba Gwabeni, the former Executive Mayor of the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality. Besides his involvement in politics – which dates back to the period when the country was still striving to attain independence – Gwabeni has rediscovered his passion for singing, which he developed during his school days in Mahikeng. His new album, “Bantenne”, is a fusion of traditional music and poetry. “I was always keen about the arts, especially during the days when I was at school,” Gwabeni – who attended Makgetla Secondary School – said in an interview with Leseding News.“I have dedicated one of the songs on this album to my grandmother, Sebudio Phetlhu. She played a key role during my upbringing,” he added. Gwabeni said his album is receiving a positive response from people who appreciate music and the arts.“I was a great debater and was involved in activities centered on the arts. Those who know me are actually not surprised that I am venturing into music. “The album has done very well, more than I expected actually. What is more important to me is the fact that for the first time in 26 years, I have gone back to the things that I am passionate about,” he said. “At the moment, we are also writing a book about some of the history that we experienced before the country attained its independence.

“We are doing this to honor all the sons and daughters who were part of this history,” he added. Born on October 13, 1983, Gwabeni did his schooling at Mahikeng before he managed to secure employment with the then Bophuthatswana police as a passport officer in 1982.He also obtained a qualification in Transport Management at the then Randse Afrikaanse Universiteit, which is now known as the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Owing to his involvement in ANC underground activities during that time, Gwabeni was expelled from his position in 1986. He pursued his political activities. After the country attained independence, he rose through the ranks until he was appointed the mayor of Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality in the North West.On his musical passion, Gwabeni revealed that plans are underway for a second album to be released in the not so distant future. “There will definitely be more musical compilations. We are still working on it [second album]”, revealed Gwabeni, without disclosing any further details.

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SPORTSPORT

The renovations at Tlhabane Stadium – which started around the beginning of February – have stalled following a complaint by community members that are being excluded from the job opportunities that have been created by the project. On 28 January 2014, lesedingnews.co.za carried a report which revealed how the Rustenburg Local Municipality plans to install an artificial turf on the stadium’s football pitch as part of a wider initiative aimed at transforming the facility to enable it to serve the community better.The project – which is part of the municipality’s sports development programme – is geared at encouraging more people to take part in sporting activities as a means of staying healthy.

A visit by Leseding News to the construction site on 26 February revealed that the renovation process had begun. Many parts of the stadium, close to where the stands are located, had been dug up while the football pitch in the middle of the complex was covered in gravel as part of the process leading up to the installation of the artificial turf.However, on this particular day, there were no construction activities. One community member told Leseding News that “the Rustenburg Municipality had contracted a company in Pretoria to refurbish the stadium” and that this move has not gone down well with a number of people within the community, especially those who are unemployed.

Leseding News is reliably informed that the municipality decided to stop all renovation activities at the stadium recently after community members confronted employees (said to be from the Pretoria-based company) while they were going about their duties. Lebo Makete, from the Rustenburg Local Municipality’s external communications department, could not immediately confirm whether or not a Pretoria-based company was overseeing the renovation processes. However, a construction worker based in Tlhabane, confirmed the confrontation.“How can the municipality decide to enlist the services of a company from outside Rustenburg when this project is supposed to benefit people

from our area,” the man, who refused to be named, said. “It is very disappointing because this means then that we are being excluded from a project that we can all benefit from. “We need jobs and part of the responsibilities of the Municipality must be to provide us with employment opportunities,” the man added.Geoff Moeletsi – a resident in Tlhabane who actively participates in civic issues – told Leseding News that two companies based in Limpopo and Gauteng managed to secure the tender to refurbish the Stadium.“We are not happy at all. We are not happy with the tender process and we will continue to voice out our grievances until the matter is resolved. This project has to empower the people,” Moeletsi said.

farirai@lesedingnews.co.za Farirayi Kahwemba

CHANGES: Renovations at the stadium are being delayed (PHOTO: FARIRAYI KAHWEMBA)

Thlabane Stadium renovations delayed

NOTICE: APPROVED ADJUSTMENTS BUDGET FOR 2013 / 2014Notice is hereby given in terms of Regulation 26 of the Municipal Budget and Reporting Regulations, 2009, made in terms of

Section 168 of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, Act No. 56 of 2003, read with Chapter 4 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000) that the Adjustments Budget of the municipality for 2013/2014 was

tabled and approved at a special council meeting on 28 February 2014 at 10h00.

The complete Adjustments Budget is available at all reasonable times at the Municipal Offices in Mogwase and Madikwe as well as on the municipal website at www.moseskotane.gov.za

Civic Centre933 Station Road, Mogwase

Private Bag X1011, Mogwase0314 - 014 555 1300

Ms. S.R. DinceMunicipal Manager