Express eastern free state 08 04 2015

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Achiever shares recipe

Best­performing student at UFS’s Qwaqwa Campus } Tladi Moloi PHUTHADITJHABA. – When Isaac Msibi got 80% in Accounting in 2010 when he completed his matric, he thought the doors to furthering his studies would automatically open.

Little did he know that he would stay at home the following year due to a lack of study opportunities.

His conditions were further compounded by the fact that his parents were pensioners who had to take care of him and his five siblings.

However, he never gave up. In 2011 he kept his mind busy revisiting his priorities and eventually applying to enroll for a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Qwaqwa Campus.

“Like many of my high school friends, I nearly gave up as I come from a very poor background,” Isaac said.

He said his English results made life difficult. “I had an admission points score of 31, but my level 3 in English nearly cost me the bright future that I am now staring at.

“As learners in high school we tend to focus more on certain subjects that we think are better than others and ignore the rest. I feel that it was very irresponsible of me to concentrate on getting the best marks in Accounting and ignoring an equally important subject like English,” he said.

As time went on Isaac eventually registered for a BCom degree.

“I could not get into the mainstream of the course for the BCom degree (three-year degree) because of my English and I ended up enrolling for the extended programme (four-year degree) which I truly believe made me a better student.

“I am aware that many of the students see extended pro-

ISAAC MSIBI (left), a BCom Extended Programme student, received a trophy and a cheque from campus principal, Prof. Prakash Naidoo, and Patricia Kissane, regional manager: Compass Group.

Photo: Supplied grammes as a form of punishment. I did too, but I quickly realised that it offered me a second chance to do my best in all my subjects.

“The sooner extended programme students realise their potential, the better for them to even excel and do better than their mainstream counterparts,” Isaac advised.

Today, Isaac is the current Qwaqwa Campus best-performing student (dux student) having won six awards during last year’s Student Excellence Awards.

Some of his accolades included best student in Economics (second year) and Accounting (second year), best academically performing resident student, and best overall performer in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences.

When asked how he did it, he said: “Class attendance is the single most important aspect of our studies that we need to take care of.

“I also believe in the CASH in Mind, CASH in Pocket principle that my Accounting lecturer, Andrew Mohan, loves emphasis-

ing.

“CASH stands for C – concentration in class and when studying, A – paying attention to detail, S – sincerity in whatever you do, and H – hardworking at all times,” he said.

Looking into the future, Isaac revealed that he would like to study for his honours and master’s degrees in Economics.

“I believe my future lies in this field and I hope to make a positive contribution to my impoverished community of Intabazwe in Harrismith and beyond,” Isaac concluded.

‘The sooner extended programme students realise their potential, the better for them to even excel and do better than their mainstream counterparts.’ – Isaac Msibi

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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL 2015

NEWS

Four steal phones

Ready to take part in polo match PLAYERS who took part at the first annual polo lifestyle match which was held in Harrismith on Saturday, 28 March. The event was organised

by Pencillead Designs in association with Free State Tourism.

Photo: Supplied

Tokologo in hot water } Selloane Khalane THE Tokologo Local Municipality in the western region of the Free State is embroiled in a legal battle which regards the unfair dismissal of an employee.

The legal battle has seen the Boshof Sheriff attach the mayor’s official vehicle, a C18 MercedesBenz on Monday 30 March for contempt of order.

Express reliably learnt that the attached vehicle was a surplus and was not being utilised by Boitumelo Seakge, Tokologo’s mayor.

Informed sources told this publication that the Sheriff was likely to attach more assets of the municipality to recover money owed to the fired employee Palo Modibedi, who held a senior position in the mayor’s office.

Led by Seakge as the mayor, the Tokologo Municipality governs

three towns, Boshof, Dealesville and Hertzogville.

Informed sources also stated Seakge declined answering questions relating to the debacle at the municipal council meeting held last Wednesday (01/04).

The attached vehicle is the property of the municipality in question. It was attached following the municipality’s failure to honour an award to pay the aggrieved employee, Modibedi, the estimated R130 000 owed to him.

In 2013, Modibedi lodged a dispute with the Free State’s South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) against unfair dismissal by the municipality. The SALGBC found Modibedi had been unfairly dismissed by the municipality in 2013, and ruled in his favour, subsequently ordering the municipality to reinstate Modibedi.

Modibedi says the council ordered the municipality to reinstate him and reimburse him an estimated R130 000.

Modibedi claims that Kelehile Motlhale, the municipal manager, dismissed him again on 3 February 2014 when he reported for duty, despite the ruling of the council.

After the municipality failed to abide by the ruling of the bargaining council, Modibedi took up the matter with the Labour Court, which issued a writ of execution to attach movable goods of the municipality in order to reimburse Modibedi.

Eye witnesses told this publication that the municipal officials, including the chief financial officer and Motlhale, abandoned their officers upon the arrival of the Sheriff to impound the vehicle last Monday.

“The senior officials locked their

offices and left to prevent the sheriff from attaching other movable municipal furniture,” says a source.

The attached black MercedesBenz is gathering dust at the Boshof Magistrate’s Court.

Last year the mayor made headlines when the municipality bought him a brand new Jeep vehicle estimated to worth more than R510 000.

Municipal council members of the opposition parties argued that the vehicle had been way over budget.

Meanwhile the municipality has been criticised for forcing municipal workers to drive vehicles which are not road worthy and failure to implement its sewer system in Dealesville.

The mayor and the municipal manager failed to respond to phone calls made by this publication.

HARRISMITH. – The Harrismith police seek information regarding a business robbery which occurred recently at a cellphone chain store where four suspects allegedly stole cellphones which were under repair, laptops and employees’ jewellery.

Sgt Mmako Mophiring, the police spokesperson, said the incident took place on Wednesday (25/03) at approximately 08:30.

He said the employees had just opened the doors of the shop for business when they were approached by the four unknown suspects who pretended to be interested in buying cellphones.

“It is alleged that they had asked for cellphone prices before one of them suddenly pulled out a firearm demanding cellphones and jewellery of the employees,” he said.

Mophiring said the suspects fled the shop on foot without causing harm to anyone.

“A case of armed robbery is being investigated. Any person with information that may lead to the arrest of the suspects can contact the nearest police station or Crime Stop on 086-001-0111 or the Harrismith police on 058-624-1000,” Mophiring requested.

“We urge members of the community to refrain from buying such cellphones, because they are under repair and not in good working order. It is our duty to assist in this investigation by rejecting and reporting suspected stolen goods.

“Let us work together and assist in the fight against crime,” said the Free State provincial commissioner, Lt Gen Thabethe Mpembe.

‘It is alleged that they had asked for cell phone prices before one of them suddenly pulled out a firearm . . .’

– Sgt Mmako Mo­ phiring

‘Worthy African leaders overlooked’ ROY JANKIELSOHN, the DA’s MPL in the Free State, believes there are worthy home-grown African leaders, deserving to be honoured, whom the C.R. Swart Building in Bloemfontein can be named after.

Jankielsohn’s remarks came in the wake of Free State Premier Elias “Ace” Magashule’s announcement of the renaming of the Lebohang Building to O.R. Tambo in honour of the ANC’s late president and the C.R. Swart Building to Fidel Castro, honouring the late prime minister of Cuba.

Magashule announced this during his State of the Province Address on 25 February.

Jankielsohn remarked during the debate on the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill on 16 March that Magashule was overlooking African leaders of note, such as Morena Mohlomi, as deserving the honour to have the building named after them.

Jankielsohn maintained Mohlomi had distinguished himself as an inspiring leader.

“In 2011 Max du Preez delivered the annual C.R. Swart Lecture at the University of the Free State (UFS). In his lecture he spoke a great deal about African philosophers and what we could learn from them,” Jankielsohn said.

“I am talking about it again, because it appears from the way we debate that our province has rejected that which is indigenous and inherently good in favour of

‘By naming a building after Fidel Castro, a foreigner and a man of violence, we are entrenching violence as a value that is acceptable and one to strive towards.’

– Roy Jankielsohn

ROY JANKIELSOHN

Photo: Conrad Bornman

the perpetuation of a chapter of our history that should be systematically closing. This is bad for the Free State.

“By naming a building after Fidel Castro, a foreigner and a man of violence, we are entrenching violence as a value that is acceptable and one to strive towards.

“Many people regard Castro as a revolutionary and a liberator, which might within a specific context appear to be noble, but one must always be careful not to

entrench the concept of violence and violent revolution as ongoing ideals in our current society.

“At the same time, we must not forget the plight of many who were victims of Castro’s human rights abuses, mass executions, torture, imprisonment and institutionalised theft of property.

“For many Cubans, Castro was a tyrant who, through his deeds, despised all the democratic rights and freedoms that we cherish in our Constitution. For others Castro might be a hero.”

Jankielsohn emphasised that from Du Preez’s appraisal about Mohlomi there were positive aspects politicians in the Free State should not only learn from, but strive to follow.

“Mohlomi was a king in the Mohokare area in the 18th century.

He was a visionary leader whose counter-intuitive leadership should not only be recognised, but be part of our collective vision for the province.

“According to legend, Mohlomi was told in a vision to be a man of

love and peace, to be fair and just, to see all people as his brothers and sisters, to have compassion and patience, and to give special consideration to children, women and old people.

“Based on this, we must ask ourselves whether our actions and examples as politicians in the Free State promote this vision. We must also ask ourselves whether this is what adults are teaching our children in our broader society, schools and homes.

“Mohlomi disbanded his fighting units and encouraged his able-bodied men to get involved in agriculture and be better husbands and fathers. He set an example by never using alcohol, dagga or tobacco.

“Today, our society is faced with serious problems relating to the spread of HIV and Aids, teenage pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse and the lack of paternal responsibility. Our reaction has been to distribute contraceptives, pay out child grants, run anti-drug and alcohol-abuse campaigns, while

continuing to promote so called ‘macho’ (male-dominated) values.

“Mohlomi coined the phrases ‘peace is my sister’ and ‘a knobkerrie is far more valuable when used to thrash corn than to kill men on the battlefield’. In fact, he started the traditional greeting of ‘khotso’, meaning ‘peace’.

“Another lesson that we can learn from Mohlomi is that which he instructed his chiefs: ‘When you sit in judgement, let your decisions be just. The law knows none as a poor man.’

“This is an important lesson for those in authority. Decisions of politicians affect every aspect of people’s lives. Just decision-making does not only apply to the direct use of political authority, but in the motives that underlie political decision-making.

“We have to constantly do introspection as politicians to determine what our real motives are and be brutally honest with ourselves in the process.

“South Africa has a violent past, and while we now have one of the most progressive constitutions in the world and where the rule of law is supposed to exist, we all live under fear of criminal violence.

“In this respect our criminal justice system attempts to deal with the symptoms, but not the root causes of this problem. The cause lies with the lack of personal responsibility and lack of respect for authority – a result of the breakdown of the family.”

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NEWS

Gospel revived in Maluti-a-Phofung } Tladi Moloi QWAQWA. – If you think the clap and tap gospel music has died you must think again, because it has taken the Malutia-Phofung Local Municipality by storm.

The Bahale Ba Tumele Gospel Choir (Lusaka, Qwaqwa), St Peter’s Gospel Choir (Namahadi, Qwaqwa), Ba Lopollwa Ba Kgotso (Bolata, Qwaqwa), Elegants Gospel Choir and Baemedi Ba Tumelo, both from Kestell, are some of the groups that make sure that the clap and tap music stays alive and strong like before.

All these groups have released albums which are selling at a reasonable price. The groups recently came together to launch their gospel albums at the Charles Mopeli Stadium.

During the launch (Clash of the CDs), each group was given time on the stage to sing some of their songs on the album.

Abel Mokhosi, the event organiser, told Express Eastern Free State that clap and tap music would never die. He said he had been in the game for a long time and added that he would make sure that he shared his experience with the young ones.

“Yes, the standard is no longer like before, but we hope to raise it,” he said.

Mokhosi said the event was

REPRESENTATIVES of the gospel choirs who took part in the stage launch with their albums are from the left, front: Nomusa Mazibuko, Tsietsi Molise, Matisetso Tshabalala, Nozika Tshabalala and Jabulele Mthopeng; back: Sipwile Mposula, Dingane Mazibuko, Simon Ntsane, Sabata Tetsoane, Neo Moloi, Mxolisi Moloi and Lekhotla Mosia.

Photo: Tladi Moloi aimed at launching the albums and feed the souls of the gospel followers with newly-released songs.

“We want to uplift the stan-

dard of clap and tap music in our municipality and I thought we should start with all the groups that have released albums. This type of music has

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taken many people from the streets,” he said.

Mokhosi said the biggest challenge faced by all the choirs was transport.

He said the team did not have sponsors and they would struggle every time they wanted to go out and compete against other groups outside the province.

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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL 2015

NEWS

Clever boys fix road TSHEPANG MAKHALEMA (left), Tumisane Mhlambi, Thami Malakoane and Lehlohonolo Mabitli of Matateng near Tshiame, Harrismith are very clever. The four friends are making money from filling the potholes in the road. They told Express Eastern Free State that they were making R300 on a daily basis if they worked from 09:00 to 17:00.

Photo: Tladi Moloi

AT the graduation ceremony of the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, (Welkom Campus) on 14 March Dr Simon Sikosana (right) received another feather in his cap when he obtained the degree Philosophiae Doctor: Educationis. Sikosana is currently serving as a school management and governance developer (SMGD) in the Thabo Mofutsanyana Education District. Sikosana is seen here with his promoter Prof. Gawie Schlebusch. His doctorate was awarded on the basis of an investigation into the performance management and development scheme for office-based educators.

Photo: Supplied

Proud father of graduate

Suspects wanted

ARCHBISHOP PHEELLO RADEBE of the Salvation Church in Christ in Bohlokong, Bethlehem is the proud father of Tlalane Radebe, his youngest daughter who recently graduated in Somatology at the Central University of Technology (CUT) Free State. From the left, are Mathapelo Sebatana, Sizakele Mazibuko, Archbishop Radebe, Tlallane, Naledi Mosala, Sophi Radebe (mother), Naume Mofokeng and Thandeka Zondo.

Photo: Supplied

Injured cyclist waits hours VREDE. – The Free State Department of Health is investigating allegations that a critically injured man waited over two hours for an ambulance.

On Sunday, 29 March, an off-duty paramedic came across an accident just minutes after an elderly cyclist had been hit by an SUV on the N3 near the R34 Bridge in Vrede.

The medic alleged the bloodied body of the cyclist had lain in the middle of the freeway for nearly two hours before the first ambulance arrived.

The incident comes on the back of allegations of poor quality of care at state hospitals in the province.

The paramedic, who spoke on condition of anonymity, made a detailed log of his frantic calls for help.

“When I got there he had just been hit while riding his bicycle. He had sustained a range of injuries including broken bones, as well as head, chest and abdominal trauma,” he said. Off-duty and without life-saving medical equipment, the medic called for help.

“I made the first call to the state ambulance department at 18:35 and it was nearly an hour before anyone arrived.

“I didn’t want to move the patient, but we

‘I made the first call to the state ambulance depart­ ment at 18:35 and it was nearly an hour before any­ one arrived.’ were losing light and with all of us in the middle of the road, I made the call to move him,” he added.

After a traffic official and two response units from the N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) had arrived, the first ambulance stopped at the roadside.

“By then I was desperate. I had used the little medical equipment the N3TC units had with them, but the ambulance had no stock in it.

“They didn’t even have a bag and the shelves were bare.”

Two more ambulances arrived, and the critically wounded cyclist, who has yet to be identified, was rushed to the Phumelela Government Hospital.

Department spokesperson Mondli Mvambi

would only say that the incident would be investigated.

The fate of the injured cyclist remains unknown.

The timeline of events is as follows: 17:15: The medic arrives at the scene and calls for an ambulance.

18:28: With no first responders on scene and without medical equipment, he makes the judgement that with the fading light, it was unsafe to stay on the road and the patient was moved to the roadside.

18:35: A Free State Traffic Department officer arrives at the scene.

18:50: The first N3TC response vehicle arrives. The medical equipment on board the vehicle was limited to bandages.

19:00: The second N3TC response vehicle arrives. This vehicle also had limited medical stock, however, some equipment was used to treat the injured man.

19:45: The first Free State Health Department ambulance arrives at the scene. The medic alleges that this ambulance had a scant supply of medical equipment. The second ambulance arrived shortly thereafter.

20:00: When a third department vehicle arrives at the scene, the critically injured cyclist is rushed to hospital.

– News24

PHUTHADITJHABA. – The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Phuthaditjhaba is seeking information regarding two suspects alleged to have committed a cash-in-transit robbery at Tseseng Village in Qwaqwa in February.

It is alleged that the two unknown suspects, armed with firearms, approached the Coin Security guards after the latter had picked up cash from a local shop. They forcefully robbed them of an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene.

Sgt. Mmako Mophiring, the police spokesperson, said a case of armed robbery is being investigated.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest and conviction of the suspects can contact Det. WO Msimanga on 071-481-2565.

WANTED suspects.

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL 2015 5

NEWS

Participate in awareness campaign STAFF MEMBERS of the Bophelong Clinic in Sun Rise, Thabong, participated in the Tuberculosis Awareness Campaign held at primary health-care centres on Friday (27/03). From the left are Justice Khomoatsana, Vina Madlenge, Motsheoa Lebona, Puleng Langa, Lerato Tsolo and Ouma Mofolo. The event was held in support of World Tuberculosis Day. Photo: Teboho Setena

When the human spirit triumphs THREE decades ago I visited a dentist on the 4th floor of the Metropolitan Building in Welkom’s Central Business District. On my return in the lift, I was accompanied by a white woman with her son of about three years old. The little fellow lifted his hands indicating that I should pick him up. I obliged and picked him up. The little lad put his hands around my neck. Then the mother smiled awkwardly, hiding what I perceived was her racial hatred and being embarrassed by the unsuspecting and innocent toddler.

Our historic past bears testimony that as white children grew up (not all though), the more they were indoctrinated with hatred and intolerance of their black counterparts. The ten second elevator ride from the 4th to the ground floor must have felt like ten years looking at the mother of the innocent child.

I then asked myself why it had to take something so extraordinary to experience such an encounter between a fearless child and an adult mother.

One thing my eyes were opened to, is the fact that a human being is born free without sin and prejudice.

It is the environment into which one is born that influences one’s life-style and religion. That means at that age, children were not yet fed an apartheid mentality or any ideologies for that matter. Their young and innocent hearts could not differentiate between black and white people.

I again thought of this incident recently while watching Against All Odds broadcast on e.tv.

It was about a white woman,

TB in spotlight

} Anne Cardoso Da Silva

My view

Moeti Molelekoa Social Observer ‘We are born free, without sin and prejudice.’

Lilene van Hoolwerf, who dived on top of a wounded young black woman who was shot twice during an armed robbery in the Bedfordview Centre Mall in Johannesburg late in January this year.

The brave woman did that in order to protect the victim from being wounded further. The victim was later identified as Palesa Sebuyi, an accounting student in China. She was shot during an exchange of gunfire between the robbers and security guards.

The heroin Hoolwerf stopped the victim’s father DJ Sebuyi when he wanted to carry his wounded daughter in his arms and transport her to the nearest hospital. She was afraid he could aggravate the injury.

She (Van Hoolwerf) put her life on the line for a total stranger she never met before, protecting Palesa by covering her body from being hurt further after she was shot twice.

It is people like Van Hoolwerf with a true human spirit that will

make us realize a Rainbow Nation.

One such person also coming to mind, who is symbolic of the Rainbow Nation, is the late Father Jan Jansen, former priest of the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) in Thabong.

He too risked his life by making his church available for political meetings and memorial services during the dark days of apartheid.

The forgotten Father Jansen risked his comfortable life and the love of the white community by accommodating struggle events.

The Azanian People’s Organisation (AZAPO) held historical and memorial occasions here. The ANC and other political movements were banned organisations at the time.

Through Father Jansen’s efforts, several deserving students received bursaries and some of them are pharmacists, nurses, social workers nurses and doctors today. ) To comment on or express your views about the issue highlighted in the column, go to www.express-news.co.za. ) Express Goldfields & NFS welcomes anyone interested in contributing to the weekly column as public observers or citizen journalists. There is no payment for writers. Send your opinion piece (not exceeding 500 words) to teboho.setena@volksblad.com.

SOUTH AFRICA has the sixth highest incidence of tuberculosis in the world, almost 1% of the South African population get active tuberculosis every year.

This came to light at the three-day summit held from Tuesday (17/03) to Thursday (19/03) in Durban where stakeholders made resolutions to curb the illness. Stakeholders discussed means to optimise the decentralisation of MDR-TB treatment, maximising reporting and advocating efforts to scale up models of care in the fight against drug-resistant TB. Under the banner of the Lilly MDR-TB partnership, representatives of the national and provincial Departments of Health, various NGOs and healthcare facilities, and academics, share best practices and debate the challenges of treating South Africa’s growing burden of multi-drug resistant and extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB and XDR-TB). While the number of TB patients initiated on treatment under the National TB Programme appears to have been decreasing over the last four years, the number of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) cases is escalating.

“We face challenges in the fight against MDR-TB,” said Dr Norbert Ndjeka, head of the

National MDR-TB Directorate at the National Department of Health. “Before approval of decentralised management of the MDR-TB policy, we had several challenges including the fact that nearly half of people diagnosed with MDR-TB would not be started on treatment for various reasons, including months of waiting for admission to treatment facilities and the onerous demands on patients in terms of transport to treatment centres for follow-ups. There was also a negative impact on the social and economic status of the individual and family due to the long hospital stay and risk of transmission in hospital due to inadequate implementation of infection control measures.”

Ndjeka said stakeholders were working hard to strengthen the decentralisation of MDR-TB services: “Policy implementation is well underway. Monitoring and evaluation of the facilities and outcomes are critical. Our target is to have one MDR-TB treatment initiation (decentralised) site per district by 2016 and to strengthen community MDR-TB care. Last year only 38 districts had at least a MDR-TB treatment site, while 14 districts did not have any form of MDR-TB treatment initiation site. The number of treatment sites had increased from 11 to 63 between 2011 and 2013.”

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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL 2015

SPORT

Hard work pays off for Cardoso

field, wearing the national team jersey, singing the national anthem?

It felt like a dream when I walked out there, seeing a couple of thousand fans wearing the national team jersey. It’s an amazing experience and for every footballer and young footballer, I am sure they can’t wait to do the same to achieve that goal. It has always been a goal of mine to play for the national team.

WHEN Bafana Bafana head coach Ephraim Mashaba announced his 30-man squad for the two international friendly matches against Swaziland and Nigeria, he named six new players – among them was Daniel Cardoso of Free State Stars.

Not only was he called up for the first time into the national team set-up, but he also made it into the starting line-up and played the entire 90 minutes against Swaziland in a 3-1 win at the Somhlolo Stadium on Wednesday (25/03).

MATLHOMOLA MORAKE spoke to Cardoso about his call-up, his debut and his hopes.

It must have felt even greater to win the match on debut?

It was great, the squad battled a bit in the recent Afcon tournament, going up one nil then pressure coming – I felt it here too. We go 2-0 up and Swaziland scores one goal and piles on the pressure. But it was a good win for us and we can only go higher from here.

WHO is Daniel Cardoso?

I am a player from Free State Stars. I am a versatile player X I play at right-back, left-back, centre-back, I have played in the midfield, I have played upfront, in fact anywhere on the field except for goalkeeper.

What do you think of your overall performance against Swaziland?

I think I did well overall. Like I said, in the beginning there were a lot of nerves, but when I came out of those nerves I started playing my natural football and it felt much better.

And your surname . . .

It’s a Portuguese surname, my dad is from Portugal, his parents grew up in Portugal, and he moved to South Africa when he was younger and my mom is from South Africa.

Have you been to Portugal?

I have yes, I actually went for trials with some club there when I was younger, but nothing came of it and I returned to South Africa.

Did you speak to anyone prior to the match to calm down the nerves?

I spoke to a few players who said I had to play my normal game and even before I walked out onto the field the coach said I had to play my own game and not worry about other things and it helped to calm me down a bit.

Would you like to play in Portugal some day?

Of course yes, I would really like to play anywhere in Europe, as long as it is a good league I don’t mind.

Coming back to Bafana Bafana matters, what was your first reaction when you heard your name called up in the squad announcement?

I was sitting at home in Bethlehem in the Free State, and I got a tweet from one of my friends to say I have been called up to the national team and I didn’t believe him and ten minutes later I got a call from the media.

They said I should check on a sports channel on television and I saw my name there.

Then I had goose bumps all over my body for about ten minutes. I was very thrilled about it.

I have been working hard. I didn’t expect the call up, because I was injured at the beginning of the season, but I must say hard work pays off.

Who was the first person you called or spoke to about your inclusion in the national team?

My agent Bradley Carnell, I have a very good relationship with him, and then I called my dad who was in shock and didn’t believe it until I convinced him it was true.

What was it like mixing with players like Ayanda Patosi, Lebogang Phiri, Thulani Serero, Andile Jali X who all ply their trade overseas?

It’s a great feeling. When the overseas contingent comes back here it’s a big family, we all stick together and that’s what I think brings a lot of confidence in the team.

DANIEL CARDOSO of Free State Stars made his debut for Bafana Bafana against Swaziland at the Somhlolo Stadium in Swaziland last Wednesday (25/03).

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix Did you at any stage of your career think you would be playing for Bafana Bafana some day?

I did, but never thought it would be so soon.

I really thought you have to play for one of the bigger teams to be recognised, but now it has happened earlier than I anticipated, so hard work really pays off.

How were your first few days in camp?

It was awesome. I am working

with a great bunch of players – the cream of the crop in South Africa.

The coaching staff, the backroom staff, they were all welcoming so it has been a good venture so far.

Day of the match against Swaziland. You see your name in the starting line-up, what goes through your mind?

Again emotions running high, it was a good feeling for me.

I really didn’t expect to get a

starting berth on my debut, but I believe it’s a great achievement for me and my football career and I just hope it gets beter and better.

Were you nervous?

Of course I was a bit nervous and you could see it on the field.

In the first half I was a bit shy to play, but in the second half I came out of my shell and was more confident.

How was it walking onto the

Anything you have learnt from those guys or the set-up?

First of all it’s the professionalism in the team, that’s the first thing you notice about the players here.

I also have a lot of respect for the guys.

I look up to them, the likes of Itumeleng Khune, Mandla Masango, Bongani Zungu, Kamohelo Mokotjo – all the players who were in camp.

Finally, what lies ahead for Daniel Cardoso?

I am still concentrating on Free State Stars, we are in the bottom half of the table and it’s not a comfortable feeling.

We escaped relegation last season so this time the focus is to help get the team to safety and I will take it from there.

Chess stars represent school in Bloemfontein HARRISMITH. – Makhosini Nkosi and Naledi Ntsoahae of the New Horizon College in Harrismith excelled in the recent chess tournament held in Bloemfontein.

Makhosini has been part of New Horizon’s chess A team in the past, though rugby took up his attention for a while.

Naledi is a new learner at the school.

Naledi has quickly shown his skill against some of the school’s top players.

Makhosini and Naledi accompanied the school’s athletics team to Bloemfontein, sharing travel arrangements and accommodation.

‘New Horizon is proud that their performance more than justi­ fied the expense.’

– Diana Lombard Diana Lombard, a teacher at the New Horizon College, said it had become a costly exercise for their chess players to play in Chess South Africa’s (Chessa) tournaments.

“Each of our two participants had to pay nearly R600

towards the cost of the weekend in Bloemfontein,” said Lombard.

“Chessa keeps the entry fee down to R85 per individual, which makes it relatively inexpensive for Bloemfontein residents.

“In the past, one of the three qualifying tournaments for inclusion in the Free State team was held in Harrismith, and another in Bethlehem or Frankfort.

“Our chess players then had to pay far less for transport and accommodation.

“New Horizon is proud that their performance more than justified the expense.”

MAKHOSINI NKOSI (left) and Naledi Ntsoahae of the New Horizon College in Harrismith recently took part in a chess tournament in Bloemfontein.

Photo: Supplied

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL 2015 7

NEWS

School’s climate plans impress } Tladi Moloi BETHLEHEM. – The Dihlabeng local municipality has congratulated the Bodikela Intermediate School on their excellent achievement in gaining second place in the recent Thabo Mofutsanyana District climate change awareness competition.

The competition that was held in the Phuthaditjhaba Hall in Qwaqwa on Monday (23/03), saw selected eco-schools from different local municipalities making presentations on the negative impact of climate change.

Climate change is the measure of patterns in meteorological variables in a given region over long periods of time with an impact on humans and the environment.

Bodikela was chosen to represent Dihlabeng by Mpho Motaung, the environmental officer at the municipality Their presentation focused on what climate change is, the causes of climate change and other factors such as the effect of radiation on the earth’s atmosphere.

Their presentations also touched on the Greenhouse effect, where the heat of the sun is trapped by the earth’s atmosphere due to gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and a range of other gases that are produced by pollution.

These gases are emitted when

THE learners of the Bodikela Intermediate School from Bohlokong near Bethlehem pose with their teachers after they claimed the second place during the recent Thabo Mofutsanyana District climate change awareness competition.

Photo: Supplied fossil fuels such as coal, oil and petrol are burned.

The learners rounded off their presentation by highlighting what citizens of this beautiful planet could do to put an end to the “threat” we are facing.

Boxing nationals in Welkom } Teboho Setena THE South African National Boxing Organisation’s (Sanabo) National Championship started on Tuesday (07/04) with elimination rounds in the Kopanong Indoor Sports Centre in Welkom.

The five-day competition is for non-professional male and female boxers. It will culminate in the final on Saturday (11/04) after which the national team will be announced. With contestants from all provinces, the tournament has categories for juniors (15 and 16) and youths (17 and 18). The national squads will be chosen.

Fusi Hlasoa, Sanabo’s Free State

spokesperson, says candidates selected for the national team will represent South Africa at the African Youth Championship in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, in September.

This is the first tournament staged by the federation and is a flagship event aimed at nurturing prospective fighters for the elite division.

The Free State is represented by a squad of 25 boxers, 6 females and 19 male boxers. Hlasoa appeals to the public to assist with accommodation, meals, transport and attire for the provincial team for the competition. Call Hlasoa on 073-239-6087.

Suggestions, such as using our own muscle power like walking or cycling when and wherever possible instead of using cars and taxis as modes of transport were made.

Measures such as planting more

trees were proposed, as trees use up the carbon dioxide in the air and emit oxygen for us to breathe in.

Recycling was also promoted, as well as conserving electricity by turning off appliances that are not

in use. It was this presentation that saw the Bodikela Junior School walk away with the second prize of R7 000. ) Local socialite Khanyi Mbau, contributed an HD decoder and dish as a prize.

Checkmate JOHN EROS RADEBE X Tshiame, Harrismith: I HOPE she’s motivated, I tend to be excellent on her charisma, I kill every negative thought, I hope she’s so careful, indeed!

She’s so determined, I become eager to voice my character, O! I bet she admires my mentality, I bow in tranquility, I abide the concord fervently I asked for comfort, sympathy

she proposes; My heart was reciting euphoria, The rhythm was so fascinating Wow! I become transparent within the communication For two, tête-à-tête it is called, I wonder about the dialogue, She’s talented with the discussion, My brain kept on regurgitating, She admires my facial expression, I keep on accelerating my intensity,

She’s so perky and sincere; Exuberant her cognisance is, Relax she ain’t gonna hurt you.

I bow before her castle, Pawns moving like never afore, Rational I had to be, Evidence was Shakespeare’s sonnets, Checkmate The King is optimistic

X1PXT9BR-QQ080415

EASTERN FREE STATE

FOCUSED: City Spurs FC player Moeketsi Tshalala (in the red) chases the ball, with Tshepo Moleko (left) and Themba Msimanga of Dikwena FC hot on his heels in the two teams’ SAB League encounter at the Bluegumbosch Stadium in Qwaqwa.

Photo: Tladi Moloi

Promotion the ultimate goal BETHLEHEM. – Dikwena FC and FK FC are the winners of stream A and B respectively of the South African Football Association’s (Safa) Thabo Mofutsanyana South African Breweries (SAB) League.

The two teams won the streams on a high note with a three-goal margin per team.

FK hammered their league contenders, Zebras FC, by 3-0 on Saturday (28/03), in Senekal to open a six-point gap. Dikwena thrashed City Spurs by 5-2 on Sunday (29/3) at the Bluegumbosch Stadium.

Dikwena, from Qwaqwa, are at the top in the A-stream with 46 points after 17 games.

They are eight points away from Dla2 FC, who are second on the log table, and even though Dla2 still have two more games to play, they will probably only finish with 44 points should they win their last two games.

The Senekal outfit FK are on top of the table by six points.

They made their job easy by beating Zebras, who were at the top of the log for the better part of the season.

FK finished second last season, behind Free State Development Academy, who were promoted to the ABC Motsepe League after winning the promotional play-offs.

They have worked hard again this season to claim the numberone spot at the top of the log and

‘We had a chance to watch our opponents playing against Zebras, and believe you me, they will not match us.’

– Nkoko Malefane, Dikwena FC coach that in itself shows the consistancy within the team.

However, the job is not done for the two teams yet, as they still have to play against each other to

decide the team that will represent the Thabo Mofutsanyana Region in the promotional play-offs against other regions in the Free State.

The date and venue for the play-offs are yet to be announced.

Nkoko Malefane, head coach of Dikwena, said he was happy with the way his boys wrapped up the league. He said he knew that the season was not over yet and added that they were still to work harder.

“We had a chance to watch our opponents playing against Zebras, and believe you me, they will not match us,” Malefane said.

“Even if they woke us up tomorrow morning and said we should play FK, that is a game we

would win.”

The former Free State Stars player Malefane was adamant that his team would play in the promotional play-offs.

Next season the region will only have 16 teams in the league.

This season is the last time that regions will be divided into streams. This resulted in the relegation of three teams per stream. In stream A, Junior United Brothers and Phumelela Leeds were relegated.

In stream B, City Ramblers and A-Z FC of Paul Roux were relegated.

The two teams that will join the remaining four teams will be announced this week, as they are yet to play their last games.

Football star March winner JULIO DA CONCEICAO (16), a learner at Witteberg High School, was chosen as March’s SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the Month for Express Eastern Free State.

This young football star has been playing club football since 2010 in Reitz/Petsana and has since then competed in league matches.

Julio was also a member of the team that made it to the playoffs in the VKB Tournament held in Reitz recently.

He has also been included in the 22 player squad that was chosen for the Thabo Mofutsanyana u.17 football team. Julio lives by his motto: “Success and respect are earned through hard work and passion, not through money and popularity.”

Send your SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the Month nomination for school learners between the ages

of 6 and 18 today (nominations received before the 20th of each month will be included in that month’s selection). You can email your nomination to supersport@zpr.co.za or fax it to 086-5524922. ) More on the Let’s Play initiative:

SuperSport has over time evolved into the quintessential sports authority.

With such strong sporting influence within the South African market, SuperSport has been perfectly poised to harness this power and mobilize the public and corporates to truly make a difference in society.

SuperSport has identified several factors that are severely inhibiting the development of children, such as the absence of skills learned by playing, through physical education and sport – all of which are essential for the holistic development of young people.

It was from this insight that Let’s Play was born in November 2005, its aim being to raise awareness of our social situation and to introduce and encourage play, activity and sport in schools.For more information, please contact Lynne Landman of Z PR on 051-522-9574.

JULIO DA CONCEICAO, a learner of the Witteberg High School, was chosen as March’s SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the month for Express Eastern Free State.

For more news and photos go to www.express-news.co.za

} Tladi Moloi