September 2010

Durban - Rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal will soon have access to sport and recreation facilities thanks to two multi-million rand developmental projects.

The first project to be unveiled is the development of a R2 million sport complex at Tobi in Umbumbulu, south of Durban.

The second project will be a sports field at Magede Mzobe, in Mvutshin near Margate, at a cost of R1.5 million.

"Both these sports facilities will be constructed in rural areas that lack infrastructure for sports and recreation and this will go a long way in addressing social problems that result from under development," said Vukani Mbhele, spokesperson for the provincial Department of Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation.

The implementation of these projects will contribute towards job creation with more than 50 employment opportunities for the local people in both areas combined.

The Umbumbulu project has been earmarked by South African Breweries (SAB) as one of the five projects they have agreed to deliver in conjunction with the department.

Pretoria - Government has admitted something is fundamentally wrong with the way in which municipalities operate - a worry it says could threaten the success and development achieved in South Africa thus far.

Policy, legislation, weaknesses in the accountability system, capacity and skills constraints and weak intergovernmental support and oversight are some of the factors that have lead to a break down in service delivery at local government level.

But there is a ray of hope in the form of the Local Government Turnaround Strategy, which Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Sicelo Shiceka, is adamant will turn the tide of service delivery in South Africa.

The ambitious Local Government Turnaround Strategy, approved by Cabinet last year, aims to turn municipalities into responsive, efficient, effective and accountable structures. It further addresses management challenges faced by municipalities and finds ways to help them achieve clean audits by 2014.

Shiceka believes these targets set to turn things around will be met.

Pretoria - Police are still investigating the cause of the fire which razed more than 60 shacks, leaving over a hundred families homeless and one person dead in Kya Sands, north of Johannesburg.

Gauteng police spokesperson, Eugene Opperman, said police were following up on leads into the cause of the fire. The fire is suspected to have broken out after a tavern owner tried to refill an electricity generator.

"We have opened an inquest docket. We hope to finish with the investigation soon.

Many of those left homeless said they were at work when the frantic calls about the fire came in urging them to rush home. When they arrived, everything they owned was gone. They have this morning begun to rebuild their homes with the remaining materials.

A local church has stepped in to help with accommodation and Disaster Management Services have also arranged shelter for some of the displaced in the meantime. - BuaNews

Pretoria - Visitors to Maropeng are in for a treat on 24 September, Heritage Day - they will get free entrance.

Maropeng is situated in the heart of the Cradle of Humankind which is known as the birthplace of humanity.

Premier Nomvula Mokonyane is expected to be part of the special programme of events at Maropeng on Heritage Day. Activities will start at 9am with live performances by musicians and dance groups representing the diverse spectrum of cultural groups in the province.

Mokonyane will also pay tribute to the people of Gauteng for their support and commitment in ensuring that the country hosted a successful FIFA World cup.

Public transport will be offered from various points in Gauteng and residents with private cars are invited to drive through to Maropeng where parking will be organised.

MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Nelisiwe Moerane said: "We are lucky to live in a place that is unlike any other in the world, a place filled with easy-to-access and highly enjoyable living treasures that speak directly about our collective heritage.