Die Kwêvoël, Thabazimbi

The people and their representative organizations on the newly established Thabazimbi NPO Forum are (behind from the left) Tessa White (Thabang), Barbara Gunther (Tshepong), Sam Sentsho (TBZ Community Based Organisation), Karlien Nienaber (Legae La Bona) and Ramajwe Mosea (Sivukile). In front are Elizabeth Mpasalala (Bopanang), Elsie Kekana (Thabang) and Pam Vuba (TBZ Community Based Organisation).

Hennie Pauw

THABAZIMBI – The Thabazimbi NPO (Non Profit Organization) Forum was established in May this year to enable private organizations involved in social development to deliver a better co-ordinated welfare service in the Thabazimbi municipal district.
Amongst other things the newly established Thabazimbi NPO Forum hopes to establish a much stronger working relationship between the member organizations and government departments such as Health and Welfare (Social Services) and SASSA (SA Social Security Agency) responsible for paying grants.
The forum will present a platform to all involved to promote common interests and goals, achieve better service delivery en achieve better co-operation with government departments.
The forum hopes to be able to share and jointly address their problems, share knowledge, acquire funds, co-ordinate tasks and address issues with one voice.
It seems that problems, such as acquiring funds for NPO’s or getting grants approved, prevents these charity organizations from fulfilling their roles in the community.
The Department of Social Services seems unable to reach all of its clients in the field, for a variety of reasons, one of which is that it is understaffed. For example, there is only one social worker to serve the communities of Smashblock and Northam. And this one person is not in possession of a driver’s licence. Unconfirmed rumours have it that there are more social workers within the department without driver’s licences and there is also a shortage of transport.
Another problem which occurs monthly is submitting financial statements of NGO’s (non government organizations) to the region and province in time in order for them to qualify for financial support and funding. It seems that a bottle neck occurs locally which prevents these requests from being processed in time. The result is private welfare organizations being unable to do work in the community because of a lack of funds.
Another complaint lodged by private individuals and charities is the unavailability of staff at Social Service’s local office. Whenever the offices are visited for papers to be authorized for social grants and other legal procedures, often nobody is available to assist. In other instances the relevant persons cannot be reached telephonically or do not attend meetings.
It has also been known that projects which should be run by Social Services do not materialize.
The organizations currently represented on the Thabazimbi NPO Forum are Thabang Children’s Project (Smashblock), Legae la Bona (Makoppa), Bopanang Home Based Caring (Northam), Sivukile Education and Training Trust (Northam), Thabazimbi Community Based Organization (Regorogile), Tshepong Children’s Project (Koedoeskop) and Diakonia Orphans and Vulnerable Children (Regorogile).
A committee for the Thabazimbi NPO Forum has recently been established. The chairman is Ramajwe Mosea (Sivukile), the deputy chairperson is Tessa White, the secretary is Julia Mathlodi (Legae La Bona), the deputy secretary is Rorisang Modungwa (Sivukile) and the treasurer is Joy Dlakavu (Tshepong).
Any organization interested in joining can contact Ramajwe Mosea at 072 117 3085, Tessa White at 014 772 1268 or 083 296 6940 or Julia Mathlodi at 078 284 2858.

From the left, a representative from the DME; Head of SD Kumba: Ms. Priscilla Pholoto, Kumba Board Director: Ms. Dolly Mokgatle; MEC of Roads and Transport: Ms. Pinky Kekana and Mayor of Thabazimbi Cllr. Naledi L Matlou.

THABAZIMBI – Ha re so bonne Mathatha Kumba e teng (We don’t see any problems Kumba is here). These were the words that reverberated in the marquee after the women of Thabazimbi started to understand why they were at the Bomme Itsoseng launch on Saturday 29 August 2009.
Kumba Iron Ore launched it’s second rural women development initiative in Thabazimbi in conjunction with the Mayor of Thabazimbi Cllr Naledi Matlou, after the success of the first initiative that was launched last year in the Northern Cape at Sishen Mine.
The words mean “Women rise and do it for yourselves”. This annual event aims to empower, motivate, share information and to understand the needs of women in the mining communities. Simultaneously allowing the municipality and businesses to identify and implement developmental programs which are aligned with the needs of the community.
Bomme Itsoseng is the brain child of Priscilla Pholoto, manager Sustainable development and Environment at Kumba. She believes that there is a lot more that can be achieved if women are empowered to make decisions and to be part of community development. “We are gathered here today, to use this event as a platform to understand the needs of the community and to give our support. “We (Kumba) strongly believe that through empowering our women who are here today, we will truly empower families, our children, our future generations and the nation,” she said.
What made this event different was that it was not about office bearer but about ordinary women in the community who wanted to be heard. The Mayor of Thabazimbi and his councilors attended the workshop sessions with the women and listened attentively to their needs and priorities. The topics of discussion were broadly around issues of housing, education and skills development, social support, health care, security, economic empowerment opportunities and basic services.
The jam packed programme went off to a brilliant start with Mayor Matlou and the General Manager of Kumba’s Thabazimbi Mine, mr Emmy Leeka welcoming the guests to what promised to be a very informative event. Speaker after speaker the message was very clear to the women of Thabazimbi. Rise and to do it for yourselves don’t wait for government or private sector to come to you. This was summarized eloquently by the motivational speaker and facilitator Matsilo Motsei when she said you have to “make up the bed in your head, stop sleep walking and letting opportunities pass you by”.  She reminded the delegates that it is not every day that companies like Kumba extend this helping hand having worked on community development projects for many years.
Local development organizations and businesses also exhibited their services and shared information with the community. Kumba’s skill development centre was also present showing off some of the skills they have learned at the centre.
There were lots of prizes, sponsored by Thabazimbi businesses Shoprite, PEP stores, Spur and Wimpy. The entertainment was provided by the Di Alogenywe Thloping, Thabang place of safety Marimba band and the Kumba Thabazimbi Mine drama group.

Right to left: Ms Beauty Maguga, Mr Radikwega Selomo (Community Leader Smash Block), Ms Sarah Morrison, Ward Councilor Annah Makola, Ms Priscilla Pholoto (Head of Sustainable Development, Kumba), Ms Lerato Thobejani (Communications Officer, Kumba) with Home Base Carers (in red shirts) and kids

THABAZIMBI – A brand new 22-seater Iveco bus has been handed over to the Thabang Children’s Project by the Anglo American Chairman’s Fund and Kumba Iron Ore. The ceremony, on Thursday 27 August 2009, took place at the Thabang Youth Centre. Kumba Iron Ore is a major contributor to the AAC Fund and is represented on its board. The bus will be used to transport patients to the wellness clinic as well as for the Thabang children. Thabang’s home-based care program in the informal settlement Smash Block co-ordinates a Support Group of people living with HIV and transports these patients on a weekly basis to the nearest ARV roll out hospital in Thabazimbi, which is 35 km away from their community. Presently Thabang runs about 100 patients to the hospital and back every month. Furthermore the bus will carry Thabang’s soccer team to trainings and matches. And it will be useful for outings of the children like to the Bela Bela Forever Resort or the Pretoria Zoo. In her speech Ms Sarah Morrison, manager of the AAC Fund, underlined that “the bus that we hand over today is symbolic of something much bigger – of the initiative of the people of greater Thabazimbi in realising that proper development means working across different things, and drawing them together. And so the wheels of life go ‘round and ‘round.” Ms Morrison stressed that the AAC Fund will continue working directly with projects such as Thabang that are able to deliver. “The best that corporate social investors can hope for”, she went on saying, “is to increase opportunity or to expand possibilities. The real victories come afterwards and always and only through remarkable and dedicated individuals.” Mr Derek Torlage, Trustee of the Thabang Children’s Home Trust and Child Commissioner of Thabazimbi, reminded the audience of the small beginnings of the Thabang Project which now has become a household name in the Thabazimbi region. In very warm words he thanked all players – Thabang staff and management, the members of the Community Committee and the Trustees as well as the donors – for their role and good work in bringing this about.

Left, Mayor Naledi Matlou receiving Street and block committee guidelines from Cllr AR Ramogale of Ward 10.

REGOROGILE – Street and block committees were launched in ward 10 under Councilor AR Ramogale.
The event was marked with the official handing over of committee guidelines which were handed over to the Mayor, Naledi Lucas Matlou and the other copy to Supt LI Mantjane of Thabazimbi Police station.
Street committees are launched in order to establish and build a well organised and orientated citizen which is crime free and having good working and healthy relationship. The aims of street committees were highlighted as that of eradication of crime such as theft, rape, pick pocketing, assault and other street related crimes. The issue of service delivery improvements will also be raised by the street committees, funeral societies, suppressing of unnecessary noises among the communities in that particular street, know your neighbour, socialise, progress and development and sharing of ideas.
To add on the guidelines, street and block committees will be expected to conduct their own meetings, wherein they will discuss their problems, comments, proposals, resolutions and achievements and also challenges faced by the communities where they live.
The Mayor applauded Cllr Ramogale for compliance as the issue of street and block committees was one of the mandate from the President to have them launched in the whole country. He further said that working together with all South Africans we will intensify the fight against crime and corruption. We will build cohesive, caring and sustainable communities.
In conclusion Supt LI Mantjane re-iterated the good work done by the community of Regorogile Extensions 1,3,4,5,6 and Meriting informal settlement for the cooperation they have shown and commitment for availing themselves when invited to do so. He also made an appeal to all individual members to avail themselves during the signing of the cooperation between them and SAPS as it will be in the interest of the law and a requirement thereof.

Perpetrators of traffic offences were brought to task during Operation Basadi. During Operation Basadi roadblocks were held by female members of the police and traffic department at Amandelbult and in Thabazimbi.

Hennie Pauw

THABAZIMBI – As part of Woman’s Month celebrations members in the Thabazimbi Police Cluster (and wider) participated in Operation Basadi to highlight the role of women in the community. Roadblocks were held on the R510 under the bridge at Amandelbult and at the Dwaalboom/Thabazimbi T-junction on Wednesday 26 August. Many traffic fines were issued for, amongst others, drivers not carrying their driver’s licences, not wearing safety belts and other traffic offences. Pamphlets, containing information on domestic violence, were distributed to female motorists during Operation Basadi. In the pamphlet the nature of domestic relationships and domestic violence is explained, as well as actions that can be taken to help protect victims, such as laying charges at the police station and applying for protection orders. Afterwards, participants in Operation Basadi were addressed at a function at Bonanza. Participaing in Operation Basadi were female members of police stations in Thabazimbi, Northam, Dwaalboom, Cumberland, Hoopdal, Rooiberg, Thabazimbi Training Institution (Verdrag), as well as provincial and local traffic officials.

Gavin Henrico het ‘n karp van 8kg, die grootste nóg hierdie seisoen by die Konsentratordam, tydens die Kurper Bonanza uitgetrek. Ongelukkig tel hierdie mooi vangs nie by ‘n kurper-kompetisie nie.

NORTHAM – Die Kurper Bonanza op Sondag 23 Augustus, aangebied deur die Northam Hengelklub by die Konsentratordam, was ‘n groot sukses en het selfs hengelaars van Rustenburg getrek. Die weer het saamgespeel en hengelaars was reeds om 06:00 by die dam om in te skryf en penne te trek. Daar was altesaam 42 hengelaars wat 184.31kg se kurpers ingeweeg het. ‘n Pragtige karp van 8kg, die grootste nóg hierdie seisoen uit die Konsentratordam, is ook tydens die Kurper Bonanza uitgetrek deur Gavin Henrico. Die vis is geweeg en nie te lig bevind nie, maar kon natuurlik geen bydrae maak tot die kurpervangs nie. Die kompetisie, wat van 07:00 tot 15:00 geduur het, se wenners is bepaal deur die drie persone wie se nette die swaarste geweeg het. Die Geldenhuys broers het met ‘n eerste en derde plek weggeloop. Jaco Geldenhuys, met ‘n sakgewig van 25.115kg, was die eersteplekwenner, Dawie van der Merwe (sakgewig van 20.618kg) tweedeplekwenner en Nico Geldenhuys (sakgewig van 18.825kg) die derdeplekwenner.

These 10 learners from Seribane and Deo Gloria primary schools each received a bicycle from Thalita Mathebula, wife of the Thabazimbi doctor. Behind the learners are (from left) Mr Molobi (Seribane Primary School), Thalita Mathebula (donor) and Ms Kgotlong (Deo Gloria Primary Schoo

Hennie Pauw

THABAZIMBI – Ten bicycles were donated to learners of Seribane and Deo Gloria primary schools by Thalita Mathebula, wife of Dr Mathebula of Thabazimbi. The bicycles were given to six identified learners from Seribane and four from Deo Gloria who live a long way from school and whom would benefit from this mode of transport. The bicycles were handed over on 13 August at Mabogopedi High School. Represented at the handing over ceremony were the beneficiaries, the schools, the Thabazimbi police and the Department of Education’s Circuit Office. The donor had requested that the police co-ordinate the event.

Hennie Pauw

MAKOPPA – Daar is in Augustus begin met ‘n projek om huiswerkers in die Makoppa-omgewing vaardighede aan te leer.
Die eerste van hierdie maandelikse werksessies het op 19 Augustus in die NG Kerksaal plaasgevind. Die kursus word gelei deur Elmaré Weatherall Thomas en die afgelope maand is huiswerkers touwys gemaak oor hoe om kerse te maak met afval stukkies kers.
In September word die huiswerkers gewys hoe om ‘n gehekelde mat te maak van plastieksakke. Enigeen in Makoppa is welkom om in te skakel. Vir enige verdere inligting kan Elmaré geskakel word by 072 142 9372.

THABAZIMBI – Dit het een van Thabazimbi Gimnastiekseuns te beurt geval om gekies te word vir die MAG Top Tien Spele. Tegan Theron se algehele derdeplek by die onlangse ‘NorthZone’ Spele te Centurion, het verseker dat hy gekies word om aan die komende SA Nasionale Spele deel te neem. Daar word slegs 10 gimnaste per provinsie per vlak en ouderdomsgroep gekeur om aan die Spele deel te neem. Tegan het ook ‘n silwer medalje in die sprong verwerf. Die ander gimnaste wat aan die NorthZone deelgeneem en medaljes verwerf het  vir hul prestasies is Marco Myburgh [goud – vloer] en Igee Theron [brons - sprong & brug].

Thabazimbiese skilder, Stephanus Botha, staan hierdie by die kunswerk van ‘n luiperd waaraan hy tans werk.

Hennie Pauw

THABAZIMBI – Die talent van kunstenaars in Thabazimbi kan gerus beter ontgin word, tot die voordeel van inwoners en besoekers aan die omgewing.
Daar is heelwat kunstenaars in die Thabazimbi omgewing van wie se talente inwoners salig onbewus is. ‘n Mens kan maar hoop dat hierdie groep mense die dorp en toeriste aan Thabazimbi aan hul werk bekendstel deur uitstallings te hou en hul kunswerke vir besigtiging beskikbaar te stel.
Een van hierdie kunstenaars is Stephanus Botha, sy hele lewe lank reeds ‘n inwoner van Thabazimbi en miskien meer bekend vir die naamskilder-besigheid wat hy bedryf.
Tot sowat drie jaar gelede was Stephanus in ‘n heel ander lyn van werk, naamlik vervoer en uitgrawings, maar dit het tyd geword vir verandering en Botha het reeds van kleintyd talent openbaar. Op laerskool (in Thabazimbi), sowat 38 jaar gelede reeds, is sy kuns as voorbeeld gebruik in ander skole.
Botha skilder hoofsaaklik in olieverf. Met sommige van sy kunswerke gebruik hy ‘n tegniek, wat die gebruik van rimpelpapier (crinkle paper) insluit, om ‘n growwer tekstuur te verkry. Sy onderwerpe wissel van wilde diere soos buffels en luiperds tot natuurtonele en stillewes. 
Hy, saam met ander kunstenaars van Thabazimbi, kry reeds vir drie jaar lesse by Elreza Huygen, ‘n kunstenaar van Rustenburg. En die resultate spreek vanself. Hulle het ook al klas geloop by Kobus Moller van Hartebeespoortdam, wat hulle veral van raad bedien het oor die bemarking van hul kuns.
Volgens Botha is kunswerke ‘n vorm van belegging. ‘n Kunswerk stel ‘n kunstenaar in staat om iets of ‘n oomblik vas te vang, vir mense wat nie self die oomblik kon deel nie.
Enigeen wat Botha se kunswerke wil besigtig kan hom kontak by 083 700 3818.