By PAKO REPORTER

GOOD FRIDAY, Leap Year 29 April 2024 came earlier than expected as usually this Easter weekend is celebrated in May, many people were confused when Easter weekend was introduced self-unannounced.

The church of Praise and Salvation (Christ Apostolic Church) popularly known as Pako le Pholoso celebrated its Good Friday or Easter weekend on the 29 April 2024, at Pella Mount Horebe next to Letlhakane. The Easter weekend marked an important date on the Christian calendar, there are many interpretations of the popular meaning of this date but it is still valid and valuable to Christians worldwide. 

Virginia Tlhapi the North West Province MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, candidate councilor Orapeleng “Castro” Setlhodi and other important members of the African National Congress visited The Church of Praise and Salvation Christ on Good Friday.

Archbishop Stephan Mokgadi Molokwane, Bishop Ramapatsi, Baruti and the congregation welcomed them. The MEC Tlhapi said they are not there to campaign but this is a special visit to pray and praise God.

“This is Good Friday, it is an important day for Christians across the globe, we commemorate the death of Jesus Christ according to the Christian religious calendar. We are here to spend a day with our constituency and community members to celebrate this important day,” said Tlhapi.

 Archbishop Stephen Mokgadi Molokwane said it’s a great honour to be remembered by special peoples in our government even if they’re not here as governmental officials but to us, they remain our governors. 

“We know and understand that our visitors come to church like ordinary congregation members, nothing special and wish they could also visit other churches. This visit will make defiantly bring change in our own life and certainly to our visitor’s life hence we have Setswana saying, Moeng goroga re ja kawena,” Molokwane.

Speaking at the church Castro said, “I’m here to give thanks to the church as I have been at this church before. As you know from our previous local government election, you voted for me and successfully won but when I meet challenges. The church was there for me during that time.

“I won but was not allowed to take the position of being a Councillor but it was not God's time. Today I can confirm that I will contest the same position again but to cut this short I am not here to campaign but to enjoy church service.”

Congregation member MmeMmamatute Lesejane said I feel blessed to be part of this service and church led by Archbishop Molokwane. “This Good Friday is different as we are in the mountain where we will be able to refresh our soul, mind and body with the word of God accompanied by this beautiful natural environment.

“This place is at peace and full with the presence of the Holy Spirit. This year's main message was about praying for a free and fair election environment, our archbishop reminded politicians as society leaders must take responsibility for avoiding violence and have a sense of political tolerance for each other.” 

By PAKO REPORTER

THE SOUTH AFRICAN Police Service in Madikwe extends their service to help 102-year-old Togo with a decent home. The gogo was staying in a one-room shack that she was sharing with 9 family members in Madikwe in the North West province. Gogo Johannah Mmaletlhokwa Motlhanke who was born in 1921 has a reason to smile after a house 3 room house was handed to her by SAPS Madikwe.

In an interview with Pako Community News, Gogo Motlhanke who could not hide her happiness said, “I am happy to receive this house, three rooms is better than this shack. Shack had its challenges, during rainfall water comes inside, and during winter, it is like we are sleeping outside in an icy cold winter.

“It is very cold and we got sick with flu. No one is working, and we survive on my old age grand. I would like to thank the police and other members of the community for their support.”

Sergent Tumelo Mogami of the SAPS Madikwe Cluster Social Crime Prevention said Gogo Motlhanke survived on her social grant, with no additional income or financial support to sustain and maintain herself, her children and her grandchildren.

“Gogo Motlhanke stays in one one-room shack with 9 family members and there is no privacy for all of them. She turned 102 years on 6 November last year so we joined hands with different community members and organizations to assist them with three three-room house,” said Mogami. 

Archbishop Stephan MokgadiMolokwane of the nonprofit charity organization Praised and Salvation Foundation said even if they didn’t present anything, they thank the SAPS and all those who managed to make contributions to provide decent shelter to the old woman and her family.

“We will be with the family and ensure that all family members access relevant assistance provided by our government starting with children's birth certificates so they can get identity documents and have access to SASSA grants for their survival,” said Archbishop Molokwane.

By TUMELO MOTSHEGARE

We welcome 2024 with Saint Valentine, a Roman Priest who dedicated 14 February as a day to spend quality time with children. The day has been associated with romantic love since the 14 and 15th centuries till this day. 

This day is used to celebrate romantic love not just love, this day is celebrated in many ways by many people globally.    What is Valentine’s Day to you? Musician Thato Lesejane says, “Valentine’s Day does exist and can’t be ignored, in my understanding this is one of those special days in some dedicated to romantic love not just love”.

The day talks to a couple in a romantic relationship, it's a day of self-reflection, where a couple has an opportunity to assess their journey in building their future.

Snajo the entertainer, father and husband from Hammanskraal said to him Valentine’s Day is to help a couple to revive their relationship commitment.

“Valentine’s Day is like an important date when couples meet, many people especially males forget the day they made relationship union with their partners and its wrong issue to be addressed at this year's man’s conference”, said Snajo.

Thabo Ngwetsana from Phokeng said although this day comes with a Western meaning and may be celebrated in any way, I am African.

“I always embrace Africanism meaning promoting African progressive ideologies which has the right to compete globally, this means as a couple we celebrate our relationship every day and value the day we agree to establish this relationship.

“We are motivated by our will to achieve all that we promise each other and this relationship. Valentine’s Day is good and let the people enjoy it and celebrate it the way they can, is not about expensive things but can be all about exclusivity”, said Thabo.

He said one can choose to cook an exclusive meal for a partner or can wash and iron the clothes for a partner and so on.

He concluded by saying many males are not working or employed so it is difficult to provide even the simplest present but if one can create something with their hands so let it be. 

By PAKO REPORTER

 MOSES KOTANE COMMUNITY Center and Armscor continue to walk their talk through the inspiring disadvantageous community of Letlhakane village in the North West by donating nearly 300 shoes and socks to learners.

Moses Kotane Community Center and Armscor visited the village's Botlhale Primary School and donated 277 school shoes and socks to learners on 14 December.

Moses Kotane Community Center represented by its founder, Ann Kotane encourage learners and educators to continue their efforts in sacrificing their time in education because education is the key to prosperity, and success and brings individual freedom especially social and financial freedom.

“Educators continue your efforts in sacrificing your time in education; education is the key to prosperity, and success and to bring individual freedom especially social and financial freedom.

“Be strong and love education, make education a priority because only education will set you free from dependence. Education will make you bring changes that they need to see in your families and to your own life”, said Kotane.

Armscor representative Mathwadi Motau on making a donation presentation of 277 school shoes and socks said, “Today the light has shine for Botlhale Primary School community in Letlhakane village, through our partnership with Moses Kotane Community Services Centre we can bring this donation to you.

“Out of so many donation applications we receive every day. Today it is a day for Botlhale Primary School. This donation is our messages to you which say go to school. I am leading by example as I am a product of the school; I went to school so I can get this opportunity of employment to get financial freedoms so I can make change in my life and communities”.

Among the guests were Monnimang Pule from Moses Kotane Community Service Center who also had an opportunity to speak at the event about the importance of education.

By PAKO REPORTER

YOUNG PEOPLE OF Pella Village in the North West celebrated World Aids Day in style. The event was organized by Angels Guides, top achievers in debate, brownies, girl guide, and rangers were awarded certificates.

Speakers include Lenah Kgaswane and Lefa Papa, who spoke about abuse and advised kids what to do, Ann Kotane talked about HIV/AIDS and how they can protect themselves and prevent it and Manno Mekgwe talked about a healthy lifestyle and the importance of education.

In an interview with Pako Newspaper, Keabetswe Mekgwe one of the organizers said they organized the event as part of World Aids Day and 16 days of activism against gender-based violence to involve the youth who are future leaders of this country.

 “This was a special day to honour our young volunteers’ with all these trophies as a token of appreciation, we have the responsibility of motivating and giving hope for success to our young rural leaders, and instilling in them a sense of self-discipline that helps build self-confidence and character. Training and teaching girl child to be socially and economically self-sufficient reduce dependency from male partners and it is necessary to ensure that young males also access this opportunities in advancing their own life and living.

“The event was organized as part of World Aids Day and 16 days of activism against gender-based violence to involve the youth who are future leaders of this country. Top achievers in debate, brownies, girl guides, and rangers were awarded certificates at the event to motivate the youth,” said Keabetswe.

Lenah Kgaswane told the audience particularly girls and children who experience abuse from parents what steps can they take, some parents do abuse their children but might also not be aware that what they do is referred to as child abuse.

“There are some social behaviours, what might be known as traditional, cultural or customary norms used by parents in their daily management and administration of home, rules and regulations for a child to participate in house activities.

“Some of these rules and regulations including processes were made to humiliate female and girl children since slavery and forced to be part of our customary or cultural process, rules and regulation such as child hard labour, denials girl child right to education, right to associate and freedom of expression,” said Kgaswane.

She added by saying some parents who think they're within their rights trade with their girl child, encouraging them to sleep around with elderly males and demand exaggerated financial payment for unofficial sexual exchange.

“We condemn rape at all times and we must equally condemn this new trend of sexual exchange schemes,” she concluded.

By PAKO REPORTER

THE PRAISE AND Salvation Foundation’s Victim Empowerment Programme donated the full school uniform to a Pella boy who cannot be named because he is a minor. The 9-year-old boy was going to worn-out shoes because her mother was taking Sassa grants for her own personal use. The boy who was reported to local social workers by the Praised and Salvation Foundation Victim Empowerment was happy to receive the new school uniform: shoes, trousers, socks, shirt, lots of toys and groceries.

Angy Motlhabane of the Praised and Salvation Foundation Victim Empowerment said the vulnerable community members' knock at their door made them stand up and launch a communal door-to-door campaign with the aim of understanding what might be wrong in their communal family.

“One of the common cases we discovered during our door-to-door campaigns is a situation where some young mothers trusted to receive Sassa grants on behalf of their children as beneficiaries neglected their children while cashing Sassa grants every month while rightful beneficiaries starve with hunger alone in the village.

 “Same situation with our brave kid, we then referred his case to our Madikwe Social workers then we monitored the developments to a point that through the Social worker child, Sassa card was taken from the mother's hand to the uncle of these children who are leaving fulltime with this children’s. We also donated full school uniform and toys to the boy,” said Motlhabane.

She said as an organization they had to monitor the process through time to time engagement with relevant social workers. “We also had to facilitate on our side by tracing the mother and convincing her to acknowledge situations or changes made. It was not an easy task for us, but finally, mother was cooperative hence we are in this fruitful moment.  We will continue working with social workers; mother and uncle for the benefit of the children as it takes a village to raise a child.”

Uncle Kebakilwe Mothobi who was impressed by the intervention of Praised and Salvation Foundation Victim Empowerment said, “I am honestly relief that I will be able to help my sister's children, I try to engage her sometimes back but it is what it is. When comes to money some people have their own ways of doing things but together with Praised and Salvation Foundation Victim Empowerment will be able to take care of my nephew.”

By PAKO REPORTER 

MORE THAN 20 youths from Pella village attended a business workshop organized by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) from 29 August to 1 September. They were given 5 days to pitch selling business ideas and eight of them managed to come up with credible ideas. The 8 were awarded NYDA certificates that will enhance them to start their own business and allow them to apply for funding at NYDA.

The eight who received certificates are Tumelo Motshegare, Paballo Pule, Bertha Selotlego, Remoneilwe Selotlego, Mpiri Kgaswane, Keabetswe Ngobeni, Kopano Masoko, and Reamogetswe Lesejane.

Simon Mokwena also from NYDA came and spoke to them about the process of funding he also told them as soon as they are done registering their business they should call him so that he can come and help them with funding.

“You should register your business and our doors will be open to help you get funding for your business and we will give support where we can as NYDA. Praised and Salvation Foundation should also involve disabled people so that they can also join the entrepreneurial segment of owning their businesses but through training first,” said Mokwena.

 The CEO of the Praised and Salvation Foundation, Archbishop Stephen Mokgadi Molokwane thanked the youth for their effort and the NYDA for caring about the youth and empowering them with business skills to boost the village economy.

“I would like to thank the NYDA for their good work in empowering the youth with business skills and helping them to kick start their businesses. I would like to encourage youth to work hard around the clock to make sure that their businesses succeed and the important rule in any business is respecting time and time management,” said Molokwane.