Angry BBR community to Zuma’s office

By : Frans Sello waga Machate

(unti-clockwise) Deputy Director General of Communication in the Presidency Vusi Mona signs the memorundum while march organisers Ferris Mokgope, Sinot Mashego and Grinos Sebatane are looking on.

Angry Bushbuckridge residents have on Thursday, 20th May marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to handover their memorandum of demands to the Presidency. The community boils over inadequate Bushbuckridge Local Municipality’s (BBR LM) service delivery and a number of unfinished projects in the area. The disgruntled BBR residents have previously taken their grievances to both the office of the Mayor of BBR LM, Milton Morema in December last year and to the Office of Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza in February this year without any positive response from any of the offices.

When over 15 buses that ferried around 1000 Bushbuckridge residents arrived at the Union Buildings south-lawns, the crowd peacefully chanted struggle songs towards the Presidency. South African Police Force officers escorted them to hand-over their memorandum to the Deputy Director General of Communications in the Presidency Vusi Mona. Although prior arrangements were made with the Presidency regarding the march; President Jacob Zuma who was attending the Third Meeting of BEE Advisory Council in Union Buildings was not aware of his guests for the day, which was confirmed by his spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.

The community wants the Mayor, Municipality Manager Canza Lisa and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs member of executive council (MEC); Norman Mokoena to step down immediately before they resort into violent protests across the municipality. Meanwhile the community also demands that the Mayoral Committee and the Municipal Bid Committee be disbanded and the Municipality be put under administration. It is alleged that the people deployed on these committees are only there to enrich themselves.

Among other unfinished projects that the disgruntled members of community are complaining about are; Morele Bulk water supply, Brooklyn/Maotole water reticulation and Morele reticulation both implemented during the 2000-2005 council. According to one of the march-organizers Delta Mokoena the residents feel that their grievances are being neglected by both the municipality and the provincial government and it is the reason they now seek the intervention of the Presidency. “We submitted our memorandums last year December and February this year to the municipality and Office of the Premier respectively, but we have not yet heard anything from them. That is the reason we have taken the Union Buildings route as we are not taken serious down there.” Mokoena added.

Meanwhile the BBR LM spokesman Matome Malatjie concurred that there are service delivery issues that are of concern and other pending projects such as RDP houses. Malatjie pleaded for the community’s patience; because most of these service areas of concern raised in the memorandum they received in December last year, are not mainly their sole responsibility as a municipality but that of various Provincial and National governments departments. “It is true that there are certain services that are taking too long, but we are directing them to relevant department and engaging with these departments on continuous basis to speed-up progress.” Said Malatjie.

On whether will the mayor or the municipal manager resign Malatjie said he is not aware of any intentions of resignation by either of the two. The mayor Milton Morema said he is not moved by the community’s march to the Union Buildings and he is not going to resign. “I was not deployed by the community, I was deployed to my position by the organization (ANC); so I will only resign when the organization that deployed me tell me to resign.” Concluded Morema.

The Mpumalanga Premier’ spokesperson Mabutho Sithole confirmed the receipt of the BBR community’s memorandum by the Premier’s office, but denied that his office has neglected the complaints raised; although nothing was communicated to the community since the memorandum was received. Sithole said it was unnecessary for the marchers to escalate to Union Buildings in Pretoria in such a short period without affording them an opportunity to look into their demands. It is not clear even to Sithole as to how long will it take the Mpumalanga Provincial government to address the issues raised by Bushbuckridge community.

“We told them (the BBR residents) that they must give us a chance to investigate those things (grievances raised in the memorandum) and now we are surprised that they decided to go to Union Buildings.” Said the Mpumalanga Premier’ spokesman.

One of the concerned residents from Zoeknog village Rebecca Lebjang said: “We are tied of how the municipality is being operated, many things are in disarray. People are there (in the Municipality) not to serve us the public, except for their own enrichment. “Our children’s education is affected badly during rainy seasons because of inaccessibility of roads to schools, after 16 years of democracy we still do not have access to clean water as we drink with animals in the rivers and some of us are being targeted for rape whist fetching water in those rivers and dug wells.” Said the fuming Lebjang.

The residents vow to render the Bushbuckridge municipality ungovernable if the Local, Provincial and National governments do not address their demands within three months time. Over 10 years ago the area was brought to standstill when Bushbuckridge residents demanded to be incorporated into Mpumalanga Province. During this riots access into the area was restricted, properties vandalized and some burnt down, while school calendar was also interrupted.

Vuvuzela Flavor For New Gear!

By : Frans Sello waga Machate

The German S. Chiloane High School soccer pitch in Acornhoek was full of excitment on Saturday 3rd April, when Moloro community members gathered together to unveil the new soccer kit. The community soccer team; Fighters Footbal Club that has never had a soccer kit of their own for a while now, was fortunate this Easter weekend to receive a new soccer kit. The kit includes: two soccer balls, a full blue and white coloured Bonitas soccer gear, about 10 training cones, shinguards, a complete goalkeeper gear, whistle and referee cards.

The Easter egg that Fighters FC received is a result of a successful kind and selfless contribution of the following people:  Pontsho Mashego (organisor), Buti Malele, Kgaugelo "Dommy" Mogakane, Mountain Segodi, Calvin Mashego, Oliver Mohlala, Humphrey Malomane, Ronnie Machate and Elvis Machate. The official presentation and hand-over of the gear left a lasting joy on the faces of the community members, as this was not expected anytime sooner that Saturday. Fighters FC was not operational as a team since they did not have a kit, some of the players were only co-opted by surrounding teams such as Boelang United to assist when they had games. This was one of the reasons the contributors found it crucial to be selfless and rescue Moloro youth from substance and drug abuse.

There was a lot of deliberation,  dedication, ambition and financial contribution even under tight economic circumstances  from all contributors for this dream to come true.  The chief organisor Pontsho Mashego said that for him, it was heart-breaking to see the youth resorting to alcohol due to unavailability of soccer equipment for the team and decent sporting facilities in the area. "I always wanted to be part of the change that I want to see in my community, again I knew that I wouldn't be able to reach it alone without the help of my fellow villagers. It was very bad seeing Fighters FC going down the drain, while some of our players helped other teams and others getting engaged into alcohol because Fighters FC was considered dead. "I had to organise my fellow hommies to come on board and together as one we made it possible to drag our fellow brothers off the streets." Said Mashego.

Back row: (Left to Right) Pontsho Mashego, Morris Hlatshwayo, Humphrey Malomane, Daniel Sekgobela, Moses Mogakane, Dalton Chiloane, Cliford Shubane and Khutso Device Sekgobela.
Front row: (Left to Right) Khomotšo Malele, Oliver Mohlala, Sakkie Dibakoane, Clive Segodi (Goalkeeper), Ishmail "Bokwene" Sakwane, Kgotatso Mashiloane and Ronald Machate.

Although not all goals that the contributors wanted to achieve were accomplished; more than 80 percent was achieved. One of the contributors Oliver Mohlala said that there is a lot still to come for the Moloro community in Bushbuckridge. "This is our pilot project for the community, we want to bring in development ourselves and the time is now. This is the beggining, the new dawn!" Mohlala added. The responsibility for the kit was put on the shoulders of each and every single team member, meanwhile Kgaugelo Mogakane will be it's Care-taker and Humphrey Malomane will take care of the club's finances until the club committee is elected.

The kit unveiling match that was nearly unsuccessful, was organised between the home team (Fighters FC) and Barcelonor FC from Boyelang village. The teams held each other at 3-3 draw, despite that Fighters FC was at better chance for a win.

MST nail-hummered again

Although MST looked much more stronger this time when they clashed with Pretoria Sheraton Hotel soccer team than when they met Venning FC last weekend at Brooklyn Soccer Pitch, they lost 3-1.

More to come...... 

MST Dealt a Hummer-Blow

By : Frans Sello waga Machate

It was not a business as usual for Mapulana Soccer Team (MST) when they clashed with Venning Football Club. The energy and passion for a win was very high for MST on Saturday at Brooklyn Soccer Field, but the rivals were better positioned for any attack against them. Although it was still hot on that sunny Saturday when the game kicked-off, the zeal was high on both sides.

There were plenty of goal opportunities for Venning FC’ striker Sipho Kwinda, who scored the opening goal, the second and the closing goal for the game. It was amazing how Kwinda was able to score two brilliant goals within the first 15 minutes. MST was oblivious that more goals against them were on the way, despite that the pendulum always swung into their territory. Another talented Venning player Fannie Mofomme scored two spectacular goals that finished MST.

MST was rescued by its well talented first timer Joel Chiloane who recorded two goals for Mapulana. Despite that it was a though game for MST, defender Herbert Chiloane and goalkeeper Lebogang Pebane from Newline in Arthurseat saved MST on a number of occasions. Both goalkeepers were able to save penalty shoots, on two separate instances, closing at 5-2 score against MST.

Venning FC coach David Kekana said he was satisfied with the game and his team’s performance, although he was not impressed with the second half because there were some loopholes on their side. Kekana further said that when they came for the game they had only one thing in mind, which was scoring as many goals as possible.

David said: “What we are aiming at is participating in the Pretoria Association of Football (PAF) League next season, so we take every game we play very serious.” The game produced two men of the match; namely Joel of MST and Fannie on the Venning side. The MST coach Aubrey Mashile blamed non-commitment for certain games on players. “Our players choose which games to attend and which ones not to attend, that is impacting badly on our performance. “ We are not consistent, we need to be more serious and not select certain games to attend.” Mashile emphasized.

The next MST’s game still to be confirmed will be against a Sheraton Hotel Team on Sunday the 21st at an unconfirmed venue, meanwhile Venning FC will play against Jacaranda Football Club on Saturday the 20th.

BBR TO BE RENDERED UNGOVERNABLE

By: Frans Sello waga Machate    

MapTimes has reliably been informed about the possible mass action against the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality (BBR LM). The Bushbuckridge community is currently planning to render Bushbuckridge ungovernable in a near future, if their demands are not met. Preparations for protests are being finalized and a mass rally is due for this Sunday, March 14th at Greenvalley Soccer Field. Thousands of community members are expected to attend the rally in support of the mass action.

The community is calling for Mayor Milton Morema's removal as the mayor and all the Mayoral Committee members to step down. The community is angry about the mayor’s continuous failure to deliver basic services such as water, roads and housing to the needy. They accuse the municipality to have failed on many instances in delivering these basic services to the community and its nepotism on providing jobs to the deserving.

Amongst other community complaints are unfinished Greenvalley to Salique Estates road tarring, Morele road maintenance and the Champaign Project which was completed in 1997 but not utilized. Both projects have already cost the tax payers millions of rands and yet the community claims to have not benefited directly.

The Bushbuckridge community has already marched twice this year in an attempt to submit their memorandum to the offices of the mayor and the premier David Mabuza respectively. Although all their grievances fell into deaf ears in the Mpumalanga Province, the community is now threatening to take it up to Union Building in Pretoria if the mayor and his committee do not step down with immediate effect.

Amongst the march organizers are Bushbuckridge tribal authority Chiefs, Headmen and women who feel that their authorities are being neglected at local level. One of the March organizers Delta Mokoena, said that over 100 buses will be organized to ferry the masses to Pretoria.

It is alleged that Morema had previously mobilized South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) members and other Municipal employees for a counter-march against the community. It is also alleged that jobs are given to the mayor’s allies who are not capable to deliver their mandates, except to misuse state funds.

Mokoena said “When we marched previously we expected the mayor to acknowledge our Memorandums, except he decided to march against the community. “The Bushbuckridge community can no longer tolerate this kind of behavior and negligence in service delivery, this time we are going to march up to President (Jacob) Zuma’s office in Union Buildings.”

Further attempts to get BBR LM Mayor Milton Morema’s comment failed, as several calls on his cellphone were unattended. The community's outcry is mainly poor service delivery, the mayor’s underperformance and the municipality's inadequate financial accountability. The protest is likely to take place from this weekend.

MST GASHED AVIS

By: Frans Sello waga Machate

The recent Mapulana Soccer Team’s (MST) game against Avis on March 06th was one of the team’s easiest pass-through, as the opponents were the weakest link in the chain. Although Avis was the host for the Saturday game on the Pretoria West soccer pitch, that didn’t pose any threat for MST which looked more bold throughout the game.

MST joined scores of both South Africans and Africans in celebrating less than 100 days before the kick-off of the first FIFA Soccer World Cup in Africa, which is due on June 11 at Soccer City in Johannesburg by slapping Avis team 7-1. The encounter between the Avis and MST was so thrilling and humorous; because MST was able showcase all their skills and styles freely as it was a green-light on the Avis defense.

Despite that the game kicked off about 45 minutes before the end of the Premier Soccer League (PSL) game between Kaizer Chiefs and Free State Stars, which played some few kilometers away at Loftus Versfeld, it received satisfactory spectators. MST coach Thabiso Malapane said he is happy with the team’s recent performance against Avis and that makes him more optimistic about the future of MST. “On our side we have improved a lot with regard to ball control and passing.” Malapane added.

Nicholus ‘Tornado’ came up with some brilliant and more spectacular three goals in few minutes after Real Mashego and Tshepo Mashego’s goals. Saturday seemed to be the Mashegos’ day as amongst other players who trashed Avis with red-hot goals was Thabo Mashego. Tshepo who scored two goals also complemented brilliant goals scored by ‘Tornado’ and emphasized they were an award winning goals.

MST defender Mike got a hand injury and had to be substituted before the end of the game. MST might play against Monitoring SA at Sports Park in Centurion this weekend.