All eyes will be on Penza this weekend as the City hosts the only International Triathlon race in Russia with a double header of ITU European Cup and… Time-to-Run – TRI Pre-event Penza European Cup double header is a post from: Time-to-TriPenza European Cup double header is a post from: Time-to-Tri


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Johannesburg – The FNB Stadium, also known as Soccer City and the Calabash, outside Soweto has erupted into a frenzy excitement of vuvuzelas in unison to the inaugural Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day.

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula arrived at the inaugural Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day at the FNB stadium, outside Soweto a few hours ago.

Thousands of the South Africans at the stadium are wearing their green and yellow Bafana Bafana jerseys, while others are wearing the green Springbok jerseys.

For the first time in history of the rainbow nation, fans will enjoy a double header of rugby and a football match, played at the same venue.

The 60 minute masters match will be followed by an international friendly match between Bafana and the 2013 Africa Nations Cup (Afcon) runners-up, Burkina Faso, the Les Etalons at 1:30pm also in honour of Madiba.

At 5pm, South Africans will unite in cheering the Springboks as they take on Argentina in a rugby test match which is expected to be a thriller.

Again, the Rugby and soccer fans will also be treated to a music concert featuring a number of top local artists such as the legendary Mahotella Queens, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Black Coffee, Kurt Darren and Mafikizolo as well as international artists such as Salif Keita to mention but a few.

The sporting event is also part of the United4Mandela campaign which seeks to bring together South Africans in celebration of former President Mandela’s vision of sports as a unifying force in society.

SA/Italy Masters match

Although the South African masters led by their skipper, the legendary Radebe, played exciting football, they were beaten 2-nil by the Italian Masters.

Roberto put his side in the 20th minute when he took a sloppy shot in the box and managed to beat Arendse. During half-time, the Italians were still leading 1-nil.

The Italians increased their tally in the second half, through Emiliano in the 53rd minute. After the match, Deputy President Motlanthe and Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula conferred medals to the two teams, but the winning team also received a trophy.

South African masters line up: Andre Arendse, Edward Motale, Mark Fish, Neil Tovey, skipper, Lucas Radebe, Doctor Khumalo, Shoes Moshoeu, David Nyathi, Helman Mkhalele, Phil Masinga and Teenage Dladla.

Substitute: John Tlale, Linda Buthelezi, Shaun Bartlert, Jomo Sono, Calvin Peterson, Owen da Gama, Mark Tovey, Les Grobler, Mlungisi Ngubane and Shane McGregor.

Italian Masters: Ballota Marco, Gentile Claudio, Vierchowod Pietro, Mussi Roberto, Pavan Simone, De Agostini Luigi, Barone Simon, Galia Roberto, Rizzitelli Ruggiero, Giordano Bruno, Salvetti Emiliano.

Substitute: Galli Giovanni, Caniato Massimiliano, Negro Paulo, Di Chiara Alberto, Nela Sebastiano, Rossi Maurizo, Agostini Massimo, Caricola Nicola and Galderisi Giueseppe. - SAnews.gov.za

Durban - An additional 150 new schools will be delivered to communities by 2015, Deputy Minister of Basic Education (DBE) Enver Surty said today.

Surty said the department has commenced its one-school-a-week handover schedule earlier this year.

He was addressing the Kwa-Zulu Natal National Conference 2013 of the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA) on Friday, held at Isibaya Casino Conference Centre, in Durban.

The Deputy Minister said since 2011, the DBE’s Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI) has been making concrete advances against set targets for new school buildings, as well as, the implementation of water, sanitation and electrification facilities.

“Since 1996, the number of schools which had no running water dropped from around 9 000 to around 1 700. ASIDI has a target of 1039 water projects,” he said.

The number of schools without electricity dropped from 15 000 to 2 800.

He said in 2011 alone, 160 of these projects were successfully completed. “The remaining 879 water projects are to be completed by 2013/14”. In the same year (2011), ASIDI delivered, “131 of the 159 electrification projects and is expected to deliver a further 369 such projects by 2013/2014,” he said.

In 2012, Surty said ASIDI exceeded its sanitation project target of 186 schools by delivering 197 facilities; and he is confident that a further 448 sanitation facilities will be delivered by the end of 2013/2014.

He revealed that the government successfully launched the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT) on 16 July 2013. The aim is to involve the private sector in the delivery of quality education. He said private companies complement the DBE’s ASIDI programme.

As an example he mentioned that Minister Angie Motshekga and ArcelorMittal Foundation unveiled the Mandela Park Primary school in Mthatha, on 17 July 2013, a day before Madiba’s birthday and international Mandela Day.

The NECT is according to the Deputy Minster, “arguably the most ambitious attempt yet to create a unity of purpose on education reform and development among diverse – but critically important – stakeholders.”

The collaboration, he said, is a civil-society initiative, established in partnership with government, “it aims to create unity and focus among stakeholders in order to achieve the education targets of the National Development Plan (NDP).”

Time and Attendance Monitoring

He stressed that teacher attendance and quality teachings are critical components of any effective education system.

“Systematic monitoring and analysis of teacher attendance is essential to ensure that informed and appropriate measures are put in place in order to maintain optimum levels of teacher attendance,” he said.

He announced that four main Time and Attendance systems used in the country had been researched and recommendations were then formulated for consideration by the Minister. “The most feasible system will be decided upon by the Minister after consultation with the Provincial Departments of Education,” he said.

Norms and Standards

With regard to the Norms and Standards for School Infrastructure, the Deputy Minister announced that the daft norms and standards for school infrastructure were published for public comment in December 2012.

“The DBE is in the process of considering the wide ranging comments that have been received and will again publish draft regulations for comments by 12 September 2013 and the final Norms and Standards before 30 November 2013, as per the order of Court.” - SAnews.gov.za

It’s a chilly Tuesday morning and I am on my way to meet Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Elizabeth Thabethe, with a tinge of nervousness tugging at me.

Nervous because Thabethe is a woman of the world, as many would say. She wines and dines some of the most influential businessmen and women and hobnobs from one country to another; a life that many of us could only dream of.

But as soon as I meet her, I realise that there was no reason to be edgy because behind that savvy, glamorous persona, is a down to earth woman, who is easy to talk to.

Appointed as one of two deputy ministers in what is seen as a perplexing and complex portfolio in 2005, Thabethe oozes passion about her line of work. She doesn’t hide the fact that one of her many passions is to empower women for the betterment of society.

“Yes, it’s quite a heavy type of a department,” she says.

Among the strategic objectives of the dti is to facilitate the transformation of the economy to promote industrial development, investment, competitiveness and employment, as well as to facilitate broad-based economic participation through targeted interventions to achieve more inclusive growth.

“The dti then [is] one of the huge departments in government that is dealing with very critical issues related to the economy,” she says.

I ask how she would describe her time serving as the deputy minister in what could be termed as a difficult portfolio and she aptly replies that someone must do the job no matter how difficult it is.

“It’s quite hectic, I must say. It’s quite heavy but I believe that if you are deployed to a position, you must do your best. That is what I do, to the best of my capability,” she says.

First appointed to serve in 2005 to 2009 under the then dti Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa, Thabethe has served the dti twice, returning again to the department on 1 November 2010.

“We are here to serve [people]. To me, it’s a thankless job. It’s quite a challenging … position,” says Thabethe, who is frequently busy with work both locally and internationally.

Women Empowerment

Thabethe’s scope of work at the department deals with the second economy, and women empowerment, among others.

Taking delegations to trade fairs around the world forms part of the work the 53-year-old mother does. Trade fairs, which seek to promote the country as a trade and investment destination, are among the deputy minister’s highlights.

In April, South Africa scooped the Best Stand Award for a second year running at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, being crowned the best exhibitor in an international fair.

The department also won an award at a trade fair in India, which showcased the work of business people from across the nine provinces.

“We try and take lots of women, I’m biased to that,” she laughs.

Thabethe speaks passionately of the department’s mechanisms that are geared at the empowerment of women, particularly with the Techno-girl Entrepreneurship programme.

The programme is aimed at removing the stereotypes and biases that often prevent girl learners from taking science based subjects at school and pursuing careers in science and technology, with a focus on entrepreneurship. It is aimed at inspiring young girls to take advantage of study opportunities that exist in science and technology for the advancement of the South African economy.

The programme involves the selection of school girls that come together from 10 schools, selected by the provincial departments of education and economic development, to participate in a three-day camp where girls come up with viable business plans (responding to issues such as technology and innovation), which are presented to a panel of judges. The overall winner gets to visit Parliament with the deputy minister.

The programme began as a one day initiative in 2006, kicking off with pupils from Soweto. The first three-day camp began in the North West.

Since the programme began, Deputy Minister Thabethe has made several pacts with some techno-girls.

“I have made a pact with several girls that they will not get pregnant until they finish their tertiary education and they are working,” she says in a motherly tone.

Two voluminous files lay on a couch not too far from where we were sitting. She points out later that she has to go through the contents of those files for an upcoming meeting at the Union Buildings.

She laughs when she recalls how she had four school girls, who were work shadowing, her expressed shock at the workload she faces. “I was asked: Do you have children? Do you have a family?” she says of their initial reaction to the workload, making it seem as if she does not have a life of her own.

“They didn’t understand that work starts before the sun is even up.”

Thabethe does not want to see young women being trapped in cycle of poverty.

“We don’t want them to be products of early pregnancy, receiving a grant from government. We want them to move out of that vicious cycle. We want to instill a business sense in them,” she says.

In June this year, the minister took a delegation to the 2013 Global Summit of Women held in Malaysia. Among those forming part of the delegation was this year’s techno-girl Boitumelo Oliphant of the Tetlanyo High School in the Northern Cape.

The summit is a meeting of hundreds of women leaders across various disciplines that come together and share their winning strategies to advance women’s economic opportunities. The summit was a rousing success, she says, adding that the summit was an eye-opener for women.

Key Decision Makers

Thabethe says that women have come a long way with women participating in government as key decision makers.

And what about women on the continent?

Thabethe says that for most African countries, women are not fully active in business.

“Experiences are different for most countries in Africa women are not fully active in business.”

Thabethe, who is also keen on a healthy lifestyle, is a firm believer that women can do a lot for the country. In her free time, she enjoys exercising and being with her family.

"It’s rare to get a weekend at home with the kids. It’s very rare, if you have the weekend off it’s like once a year,” she says.

And with such dedication, the women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 against pass laws would be proud of such commitment displayed by Thabethe. - SAnews.gov.za

Pretoria - Nuclear power is more of a necessity than an option, with South Africa’s nuclear programme set to stimulate massive industrialisation, says Department of Energy Director General Nelisiwe Magubane.

“Given our climate change commitments and the fact that some of the coal-fired power stations will retire around 2022 and require replacement, nuclear power is becoming more of a necessity than an option,” Magubane said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa (NIASA) conference in Port Elizabeth, Magubane said the country’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2010 to 2030 committed the country to nuclear power. The plan is a 20-year projection on electricity supply and demand. In March 2011, Cabinet decided that 9 600 MW of energy in South Africa will be developed using nuclear energy.

The department has recently obtained Cabinet approval to publish the Integrated Energy Plan (IEP), which is seen as guiding future energy infrastructure investment and policy. Public consultations on the IEP will commence next month, while at the same time, the department is reviewing the IRP 2010-2030.

“Preliminary results indicate that if we intend to reduce our carbon footprint and also have vibrant economic growth, nuclear energy will be part of the solution,” Magubane said.

The last nuclear build (Koeberg Nuclear Power station) was done more than 25 years ago.

“Resistance to nuclear energy has been part and parcel of this industry. We know that the lack of information and knowledge is a preliminary source of fear in any setting and the nuclear sector is not exempt from this,” said Magubane.

Eskom would be the major shareholder as the owner-operator of new nuclear plants.

“To assist with obtaining good financing and bringing in operational experience, we are looking at various ownership options for the nuclear power plants, such as an investor or equity partner to join forces with Eskom in the nuclear new build,” she said.

In addition, the department has been seeking advisors to assist in preparation for the nuclear programme. However, some of the work done has been less than satisfactory. Government needs high quality advice in order to take appropriate decision. Magubane said.

“We are of the view that nuclear energy can be deployed successfully, built on time and budget.” - SAnews.gov.za

Pretoria - Gauteng Education MEC Barbara Creecy has urged girl learners to take up careers in science and technology as the field holds a position of great importance in the economy.Addressing the Girl Learner Seminar Programme at Sci-Bono Discovery Centre on Thursday, Creecy also called on girl...

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Pretoria - A trust to support the educational needs of the children of South African Police Service members, who die in the line of duty, has been officially unveiled.

“We undertook this conscious decision in recognition that the education of our members’ orphaned children is a fundamental social responsibility, which as the department, we fully embrace,” Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa said at the launch on Wednesday.

The trust, which was first muted in 2010, has already identified 11 beneficiaries.

Among them is second year BCom Accounting student, Pheladi Mphahlele, 22, who is the daughter of the late warrant officer, who was stationed at the Modimolle Police Station in Limpopo, before meeting his death in December 2011.

Others include third year Civil Engineering student Amukelani Rivombo, who is the son of the late warrant officer, who was stationed at the Johannesburg Central Police Station, who was killed in 2010.

Most beneficiaries of the trust are aged between 19 and 29 years. Mthethwa said this was a sign that the youth were determined to become leaders.

“The fact that they are at tertiary institutions shows that our investment will not be in vain. We are proud of you because you are growing at a time when the youth are under constant challenges of unemployment, substance abuse and crime.”

Mthethwa believed that through the establishment of the trust, SAPS have set the motion of development in place.

“We have planted the seeds of prosperity and youth development. We challenge all influential role models and leaders to join our crusade and support this initiative,” he said, calling for more financial, corporate, training and moral support for the trust.

The minister said SAPS management would continue to address the dangers that face police members on a daily basis and endeavour to find ways to protect them.

“Let their passing not be in vain. We can never bring them back to life but hope such an important initiative of furthering their children’s education shall communicate a message that their gallant actions were not in vain.” – SAnews.gov.za

Umhlanga Hindu Society invites you to the KGB 10km Spring Run and Walk incorporating KGB Holdings 5km Fun Run and Walk on Saturday afternoon, 31 August 2013 at Chris Saunders Park in Umhlanga, opposite Gateway.

The afternoon begins with a 5km Fun Run and Walk at 3.00pm and a KZN Athletics sanctioned 10 km Run and Walk starting at 5.00 pm. There are many prizes on offer to the winners and participants, including surprise spot prizes for visitors.

The event will be supported by carnival atmosphere, organised by the Umhlanga Hindu Society, which promises to be fun for the whole family. There will be multi-cultural entertainment, delectable food stalls and an array of craft and other stalls. Also on the programme will be live bands, yoga demos, martial arts, interactive drumming sessions, dance demos, gum boot dancing and lots more.

“The objectives of the event is to encourage the youth and adults in our community and surrounding areas to participate in an event that promotes a healthy lifestyle so as to embrace a wellness concept; to use this event as a springboard for the possible establishment of a sports club for the youth at our centre that would interact with other similar clubs in the community in the promotion of the true spirit of Ubuntu and nation building; and as part of our on-going campaign to raise funds to complete our much needed Universal Place of Worship and Spiritual Resource Centre in Somerset Park, Umhlanga,” says Dr. Suren Lutchminarayan: Public Relations Manager & Fun Run Convenor.

The Race Logistics will be co-ordinated by Verulam Athletic Club. Race registration and number collection will be on Saturday, 31 August 2013 from 9.00am onwards till race start at Chris Saunders Park, Gateway, Umhlanga.

The event is proudly sponsored by KGB Holdings: Serving to Grow - Growing to Serve

Pretoria - The Super Eagles of Nigeria notched their sixth win over South Africa when they beat Bafana Bafana 2-0 in the annual Nelson Mandela Challenge match at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Wednesday night.

Wednesday’s victory made it six wins in eight matches for the defending African champions against Bafana, who have since registered one win over the West Africans.

The Super Eagles started the match showing why they are the African champions and as the home team continued to show them too much respect, the Nigerians were controlling ball possession.

In the 6th minute, Bafana were awarded the first free kick of the match after Bernard Parker was brought down by John Ogu, and Thuso Phala got a yellow card for taking the free kick before the whistle, a harsh decision by the referee. Siphiwe Tshabalala took the free-kick, but Ogu cleared it away.

On the 10th minute, a long ball almost found Nnamdi Oduamadi in the box, after Tsepo Masilela was caught napping on the left back, but as always Bafana skipper Itumeleng Khune raced off his line and kept the ball out of the path of the striker.

Moments later, the Nigerian full-back, Uwa Echiejile made a brilliant run into the box and tried a spectacular volley, but it flew into the crowd on the stands.

Bafana created a good counter attack led by Reneilwe Letsholonyane, who passed the ball to Phala who wasted the opportunity by playing a back pass instead of striking a shot and the Super Eagles cleared it easily.

In the 24th minute, Parker created a great chance for Tshabalala down the left flank, but his cross, which evaded a sliding Tshabalala by a whisker, was too strong.

The Super Eagles edged closer to the opener in the 27th minute when Ogu unleashed a volley from outside the box, which beat Khune for pace, but crashed into the cross bar.

Ogu continued to trouble Khune with another shot in the 34th minute, which he took outside the box. Although the shot took an awkward bounce, Khune managed to keep the ball from entering the net.

Just five minutes before half-time, Thulani Hlatshwayo got a yellow card following his late challenge and a minute later, Ogu took another powerful long range shot, which was brilliantly saved by Khune.

Moments before the referee blew the whistle for the half-time break, Parker found space down the left hand side of midfield and sent a cross into the path of Letsholonyane, but the midfielder's effort was blocked by Godfrey Oboabona.

The first 45 minutes saw Bafana battling to keep the ball, leading the Super Eagles to be all over them, especially in the midfield where Letsholonyane and Dean Furman were struggling to stop the Nigerians from attacking.

The changes made by the Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi when he brought in Victor Moses for Sunday Mba and Ahmed Musa for Obinna Nsofor and Uche Nwafor for Shola Ameobi paid off three minutes into the second-half.

As the Bafana defence was torn apart by the Super Eagles, the substitute, Nwafor scored with an impeccable back heel from inside the box.

Free State Stars wide player Luvuyo Nomandela earned his first Bafana Bafana cap, when he replaced Phala in the 60th minute.

Two minutes later, Letsholonyane hit a somewhat disappointing, very high shot into the stands. The shocking shot was met with a chorus of boos by the home crowd.

The goal made the home team continue struggling for ball possession, while the introduction of Moses and Musa tested the strength of Bafana’s defence.

Following a clinical move by Moses and Musa, Nwafor doubled his tally in the 68th minute to give his home country a 2-0 lead.

Igesund replaced a tired looking Letsholonyane and brought in Lerato Chabangu, who took a long range shot shortly after he was introduced, but unfortunately the shot clipped the top of the net.

After taking a free-kick, Parker was replaced by Lebogang Manyama in the 80th minute.

Bafana will play against Burkina Faso at the inaugural Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day at FNB stadium on Saturday. - SAnews.gov.za

Pretoria - The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is calling for harsher penalties to be imposed on sea polluters in order to protect fishery living resources around the country’s seashore.

The call follows the recent incident of oil leaking from a German cargo ship, Kiani Satu, which ran aground off Buffels Bay near Knysna last week.

Committee Chairperson Lulu Johnson said: “We have observed the several similar incidents around the shores of South Africa in which the vessels, either for transportation and fishing, are grounded or capsized, with some not only leaving the government authorities with a burden to rescue them and cleaning their damage, but posing a serious health risk for fishery living resources.

“Unfortunately, most, if not all of them, go unpunished. Much as we recognise the significance of either their fishing or transportation impact and also care about their safety, we equally call for the protection of the fishery resources through enforcing penalties for non-compliance and consequences of their activities.”

Had it not been for the swift response by the sea rescue authorities, Johnson pointed out, the oil spill from Kiani Satu could have posed a more serious health hazard to marine living resources, including the fishery resources.

Johnson said the committee is calling for collaboration by all relevant stakeholders and law enforcement agencies in order to ensure the protection of marine living resources.

He said the inclusion or review of penalties for any sailing and fishing activities that may be life-threatening to the fishery resources may also be proposed.

According to Chapter 1 of the National Environmental Management Act number 107 of 1998, the costs of remedying pollution, environmental degradation and consequent adverse health effects and of preventing, controlling or minimising further pollution, environmental damage or adverse health effects must be paid for by those responsible for harming the environment. - SAnews.gov.za