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www.express-news.co.za WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014
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Motshumi remembered } Tladi Moloi
HUNDREDS of mourners, including colleagues, friends and family members, paid tribute to the Express Eastern Free State advertising consultant Molefi Motshumi (34) who was laid to rest on Saturday at the Bluegumbosch Cemetery. The joint funeral service for Motshumi, Bongani Motloung (27) and Paulina Mahlaba (71) was held by the Phuthaditjhaba community. Motshumi, Motloung and Lerebe Chakela (84) died in a car accident on 29 December last year after Motshumi had lost control of his grey Opel Corsa and the vehicle had overturned about 27 km from Clarens. Chakela was buried the week before. Motshumi’s wife, Palesa (31), was the only survivor of the accident. She was discharged from the Elizabeth Ross Hospital after she had been treated for serious injuries. The accident took place on their way back to Qwaqwa from a church service in Fouriesburg. Motshumi started working as an advertising consultant at the newspaper in September 2012. Coleen Cilliers, Motshumi’s supervisor at the Volksblad Group, said Motshumi had been quiet and humble. She said he made a big impact on his colleagues and clients in a short period of time. “His passion, faith and love of life and all he attempted, ensured that he remained positive and never gave up. He was always nice and focused and tried to help others where he could. His life and the example he set were an
REST IN PEACE: Molefi Motshumi was buried at the Bluegumbosch Cemetery on Saturday.
Photo: Reginald Witbooi
inspiration. His legacy will remain with us always. We’ll miss him tremendously,” Cilliers said. Vusi Tshabalala, the acting
executive mayor of the Maluti-aPhofung Municipality, said Motshumi had left at a time when he was needed the most. He said
Motshumi had been a good man who always did his best for his community. “May his soul rest in peace. I’ll always remember him.”
MOLEFI MOTSHUMI
Photo: Facebook
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NEWS
Mayor denies electricity problem } Tladi Moloi EVERYTHING has ground to a halt in the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality Offices after Rural Maintenance cut off the electricity supply. Vusi Tshabalala, the acting mayor, denied on a radio station that Rural Maintenance had cut the electricity supply to the municipality and said it had been a technical error. Rural Maintenance confirmed that the electricity supply to the Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality had indeed been disconnected due to the municipality’s continuous failure to pay for its electricity usage since 1 September 2013. The statement issued by Frieda du Plessis, the Rural Maintenance media liaison officer, read: “The outstanding amount is currently R14,170 million. Even though the municipality failed to honour its obligations, Rural Maintenance has nevertheless been timeously paying the Eskom bulk account since 1 September 2013, and will continue to do so in order to ensure that the paying consumers in the community of Malutia-Phofung will not be affected and will receive uninterrupted power supply.” One of the municipality employees, who preferred to remain anonymous for security reasons, confirmed on Monday that they were still without electricity. The statement further read Rural Maintenance had to date paid Eskom R92,389 million for electricity. “The failure by the Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality to pay for its electricity consumption is rather perturbing as the municipality has received money from central government through the allocation of the Equitable Share in order to meet its obligations towards paying for its own electricity consumption. “More importantly, the money must provide for and pay for the provision of
‘The outstanding amount is currently R14,170 million. Even though the municipality failed to honour its obligations, Rural Maintenance has nevertheless been timeously paying the Eskom bulk account since 1 September 2013, and will continue to do so in order to ensure that the paying consumers in the community of Maluti-a-Phofung will not to be affected.’ free basic electricity to the community, which has up to date been subsidised by Rural Maintenance,” said Du Plessis. She said Rural Maintenance’s main focus was to deliver affordable and reliable electricity to the community, which could only be achieved with the cooperation of every consumer paying for electricity used. The Charles Mopeli Stadium is also one of the municipal buildings without electricity. On Sunday candles were lined-up to help the players find their way onto the field.
VUSI TSHABALALA, the acting mayor of the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality. Photo: Tladi Moloi
FS matrics exceed expectations } Teboho Setena THE Free State MEC for Education, Pule “Tate” Makgoe, outlined the province’s action plan to achieve specific targets last Tuesday following the 2013 matric results announcement at the Central University of Technology in Bloemfontein. The action plan towards schooling 2025 will be implemented from the start of the academic year 2014. Makgoe emphasised that the bold plan was aimed at ensuring the province continued to produce exceptional results and maintained momentum. For the first time ever since the dawn of democracy in 1994 the Free State claimed first position nationally, achieving a pass percentage of 87,4%, a 6,3% increase from 2012. According to Makgoe the 2012 Free State pass percentage of 81,1% served as the strong base for 2013’s sterling achievement. He said the 2012 pass percentage which saw the Free State obtain third position overall was the all-time best pass rate. Initially Makgoe targeted an 85% pass rate for 2013, but he got more than he had bargained for. Makgoe outlined targets for the action plan as follows: Increase the number of learners eligible for bachelor’s study, increase the number of gr. 12 learners who pass Mathematics and increase the number of learners who pass Physical Science. For 2013 the Free State produced 8 961 candidates qualifying for bachelor’s studies. Makgoe said although there were 82% bachelor entries, only 40,8% passed and
qualified for bachelor’s study. “To improve our quality in bachelor’s passes we will have to focus on quality teaching rather than quantity enrolment,”
said Makgoe. He said the province had seen an improved pass percentage in Mathematics attaining 70,19% in Mathematics and 73,96% in Physical Science in
2013. In 2012 the Free State obtained 63,75 % in Mathematics and 66,58 % in Physical Science.
SIX suspects who were arrested by the Kestell Crime Prevention and Stock Theft Unit are expected to appear before the Kestell Magistrate’s Court facing charges of stock theft. The suspects were arrested last Thursday and Friday respectively. According to the police spokesperson, Sgt Mmako Mophiring, they were arrested during a police operation. He said the Kestell Crime Prevention and Stock Theft Unit had a joint operation on the R57 Road with the aim of addressing
stock theft which is a problematic crime in their policing precinct on Friday. “Whilst the police were busy with the stop-and-searching of vehicles and persons walking on foot, they stopped a man who was carrying a bag. They searched his bag and found two lambs valued at R1 500. During interrogation they found that the alleged thief was a shepherd at the De Necker Farm, District Kestell,” he said. He said the suspect was allegedly on his way to sell the lambs in Phuthaditjhaba,
Qwaqwa. “On 9 January, two members of the Stock Theft Unit found two sheep skins near the Tlhlolong Township, Kestell. The heads were not marked, but through community information it was established that two sheep were stolen from the Petra Farm, District Kestell,” he said. Meanwhile, the three suspects, aged between 32 and 43, appeared before the Makwane Magistrate’s Court yesterday facing charges of stock theft. At the time of
print the outcome of the court case was not yet known. Mophiring said: “The Kestell Stock Theft Unit members followed up information with regards to stolen cattle where they arrested three suspects including a Lesotho national. The police in the process recovered two animals and found the suspects busy marking the cattle. “It was discovered that the cattle were stolen at the Weldevrede Farm near the Makwane Village.”
REACHING FOR THE SKY: The MEC for Education rejoices with five of the six top gr. 12 achievers. From the left are Mpho Moeti, Leboea Tigeli, MEC Pule “Tate” Makgoe, Anje Elize Venter, Kgotso Phomane and Joel Fekile. Photo: Marinus Mulder
Stock theft suspects arrested during police operation
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NEWS
DA standing up for youth jobs PROPOSED changes to the Youth Wage Subsidy in the ANC manifesto undermine the legislative process and will put youth jobs at risk by creating confusion in the minds of employers. The DA calls on all employers to utilise the tax breaks for youth jobs in the Employment Tax Incentive Act, and not to be put off by the ANC’s threats to compromise the legislation. In its election manifesto for the 2014
election, the ANC claims that it will consult all relevant stakeholders in the implementation of the act and will introduce new regulations to ensure there is no displacement of unsubsidised workers to avoid a multi-tiered labour market. These proposals are deeply problematic. The legislation has already been in place for two weeks and employers are free to start reducing their tax payable in exchange for new jobs created for young
people. Suggesting that there is some implementation that has not yet started is disingenuous. Furthermore, the law already contains strong penalties for displacement; so proposing additional regulations simply creates confusion in the minds of employers who could be creating much-needed jobs for young people. This move by the ANC will increase
uncertainty around the Youth Wage Subsidy that has already been significantly watered-down by the ANC in Parliament. It shows that the ANC is more interested in pandering to Cosatu than it is in creating jobs for young South Africans. The DA will continue to fight for a real strong Youth Wage Subsidy and urges employers not to be put off by threats in the ANC manifesto.
FOCUS ON NEW HORIZON
New school for 2014 THE New Horizon College in Harrismith is well known in the Free State for its hard work and the school has obtained a 100% pass rate for six years consecutively. This private school, which falls under the Thabo Mofutsanyana District, has claimed the fifth position of all schools in the Free State. This was announced at the Free State Department of Education’s Well Done Ceremony which was held in Bloemfontein last Tuesday. New Horizon College Harrismith has been one of the top 50 schools for the past nine years. The management of the school is hoping to keep the standard high with the new branch in Bethlehem. The school launched today for gr. 1, gr. 2, gr. 3, gr. 4 and gr. 8. The school will enforce the same discipline and high standard of teaching as its Harrismith branch. This school will open at Du Plessis Park, 2 Cambridge Street, Bethlehem. The hostel is at Ekhaya in Môrelig and will accommodate gr. 1 to gr. 8 learners. N.J. and V.M. Eyberg are the founders of New Horizon
MAX TSHABALALA
Mnisi, pay up or else . . . } Sidwell Guduka MAX TSHABALALA, the former owner of Roses United FC, is fuming with anger. The no-nonsense Free State businessman alleges that Sinki Mnisi, the man who purchased his club’s franchise, has failed to honour their contractual agreement. Now he wants him to pay up or else lose the club. Tshabalala sold Roses to Mnisi for a whopping R8 million in October last year, but the former has allegedly not seen a cent from the sale of the club which campaigns in the National First Division (NFD). Mnisi was supposed to have paid the first instalment of R4 million to Tshabalala by 31 December last year. However, he failed to do so as per their written agreement. The balance of the sale agreement was due to be paid on 31 March this year. “I’m very disappointed with Sinki. We did this deal in good faith, but now he doesn’t want to pay me. He failed to make the first payment before the end of last year and he has been quiet,” Tshabalala told reporters at a press conference in
Photo: Sidwell Guduka
Bloemfontein on Friday. After the sale agreement between the two gentlemen was finalised, Roses relocated to Tembisa in the East Rand where Mnisi hails from. But Tshabalala wants the club to return to Bloemfontein as a matter of urgency. “Mnisi must pay up or else I’m taking back my team. He has failed to honour our agreement. There was also a Cape Town businessman who was interested in buying Roses, but I turned him down, because I trusted Sinki. Now look what happens,” Tshabalala fumed. “The club is sitting in the relegation zone. I want to save it, I don’t want to see it going down to Division 2, because it will lose its value. The value of the NFD and Division 1 clubs is R10 million and R2 million respectively,” he said. Roses are sitting on position 13 on the 16-team log table after collecting 13 points from 14 matches. They have just 3 points more than 16th-placed Royal Thanda Zulu who have played 15 games. When asked to comment about the matter, Mnisi replied in an SMS, saying: “Mr Guduka thanks for your time, but unfortunately no comment, Sir.”
Bethlehem. This school will offer the following sport activities: athletics rugby, soccer, tennis, netball and hockey. The following personnel will be at New Horizon College Bethlehem: Principal (pre-primary, primary and secondary) – Danelene Meyer Gr. 1 – Corné de Klerk Gr. 2 – Nicola Kotzé Gr. 3 – Carla Main Gr. 4 – Louise Coetzer Gr. 8 – Jeanne Wasserfall and Lee van Rensburg Gr. 4 and gr. 8 – Candice Ramonotsi (Sotho and Zulu) Admin co-ordinator – Petro Windt Pre-school: 0 to 1 years – Angelina Ntobela 2 to 3 years – Cristine Lefata RRR – Pamela Koratsti RR – Caylene Prins R – Chrisna Venter School uniforms are now available at the school. Direct any queries to 058-303-4714 or 087-231-7474.
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NEWS
View on an eventful week
THE deputy president of the ANC, Cyril Ramaphosa, addressing the Jeppe’s Reef community outside Nelspruit on Wednesday during his walkabout ahead of the party’s birthday celebrations and the launch of the manifesto on Saturday at the Mbombela Stadium.
PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA addressing the community of KaNyamazana in Nelspruit on Wednesday during his walkabout ahead of the party’s birthday celebrations and the launch of the manifesto on Saturday at the Mbombela Stadium.
FORMER colleagues of the late Molefi Motshumi who attended his funeral at the Phuthaditjhaba Hall on Saturday.
FREE STATE PREMIER ACE MAGASHULE and Education MEC Tate Makgoe at the official announcement of the province’s matric pass rate at the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, last week. The event was also used to name and honour the top learners in the province.
Photos: Felix Dlangamandla
Photo: Supplied
THE deputy president of the ANC, Cyril Ramaphosa, is welcomed by the community of Schoemansdal outside Nelspruit on Wednesday ahead of the party’s birthday celebrations and the launch of the manifesto on Saturday at the Mbombela Stadium.
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NEWS
South Africans abroad: register! THE Electoral Commission (IEC) and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) hereby announce their collaboration to register South Africans living outside of the country as voters for the very first time. This follows the presidential assent to the Electoral Amendment Act No. 18 of 2013 and the publication of amendments to the Regulations on the Registration of Voters late last year. In terms of the amended regulations, South Africans living outside of the country who wish to vote in next year’s national election are required to register in person either in South Africa or at one of South Africa’s 124 embassies, high commissions or consulates-general located in 108 countries. These South Africans need to be in possession of a valid South African identity document (either a green bar-coded South African ID book, a new smart-card ID or a valid temporary identity certificate) and a valid South African passport to register. South African citizens living outside of the country and who are already registered as voters in South Africa do not need to register again. Applications for registration are open with immediate effect and take place during normal office hours of the various missions until 7 February. A list of South African missions is available on http://www.dirco.gov.za/foreign/sa_abroad/index.htm. South Africans living abroad are urged to confirm the working hours of their nearest foreign mission before attempting to apply for registration to avoid disappointment. Provision has also been made for two special registration weekends, on 18 and 19 January and 25 and 26 January, to accommodate those South Africans living abroad who are unable to register at their nearest South African foreign mission during normal working hours.
SHINING STAR: This bright learner of the Reitzpark Primary School in Welkom, Gabriella Mogale, received an all-expenses-paid scholarship from the Allan Gray Foundation Scholarship to further her education in gr. 8 at the Collegate Girls High School in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. Gabrielle passed two assessment tests written in Bloemfontein and the final in Cape Town during the school terms last year. Her excellent performance earned her the accolades of best learner in Mathematics in gr. 7, best learner in English and dux learner. She was head girl at Reitzpark Primary and was chosen as the dux for 2013 as she obtained first position in all her subjects at the school. Photo: Teboho Setena
Chapter 3 of the election regulations, dealing with special votes, has also been revised to accommodate voting by South African citizens abroad. It requires registered voters who will not be in South Africa on election day (including those who registered outside of the country) to notify the chief electoral officer of the IEC of their intention to apply to cast their ballot at a South African diplomatic mission. Notifications of intention to apply for a special vote are made online via the IEC’s website (www.elections.gov.za) using a VEC10 form which will only be available once the president of the republic has proclaimed the election date. Online applications must be made within 15 days of the proclamation. “The 2014 general election is a watershed for South Africa, as it marks the 20th anniversary of our democracy. “The IEC takes great pride in enabling all South Africans to exercise their democratic right to vote, wherever they may be around the world and we wish to thank the Department of International Relations and Cooperation for their assistance in enabling South Africans to exercise this right,” said Mosotho Moepya, chief electoral officer of the IEC. During the first registration last year, the IEC raised grave concerns regarding the poor number of registered voters aged 18 to 19, deemed as the Born Free generation. In the Free State of the 140 304 citizens who had registered to vote during this year’s (2014) national elections, only 13 913 Born Free’s showed up at the 1 523 registration stations in the province over the weekend. According to the provincial electoral officer, Chris Mepha, the 18 to 19 year age groups were the lowest of all age groups who registered to vote for the up-coming elections.
Hurry, hurry . . . REGISTRATION RUSH: Record numbers of undergraduate students from different backgrounds are rushing to the Welkom Campus of the Goldfields Further Education and Training College to enroll. Photo: Teboho Setena
People encouraged to register to vote
AN advert of the IEC in Thabong reminds potential voters to register on 8 and 9 February for the 2014 general election. The second-phase voters’ registration next month follows poor registration during the first phase last year during the month of November. Photo: Teboho Setena
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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014
NEWS
Best wishes for 2014 I WOULD like to start off by wishing everyone compliments of the new year. We are in the first month of the new year and resolutions have been made by many of us – promises of starting gym, yoga and quitting smoking. Many have splurged over the festive season and January is a reminder that life is indeed tough and money does not grow on trees. As matriculants get their results and most start with their tertiary studies, I wonder
whether this will be a year full of blessings, trials or scandals. Will it be as eventful as the previous year where we had to send our condolences to Madiba’s family for losing one of the greatest men to have ever lived in our lifetime? Will we get clarity on Nkandla
as the Public Protector makes her findings into this controversial presidential upgrade public, and will we see the finalisation of the Marikana Commission, Arms Deal Probe and other matters which were left unresolved? Will we survive e-toll, and is it really true when they say it does not affect the petrol price hike, food prices and car rental prices? I hope it will be a year to remember, that goals are met and everyone gets to enjoy it fully. A happy new year and a prosperous 2014 to all readers of Express Eastern Free State.
Not a racial issue THEUNIS BOTHA, Christian Democratic Party (CDP) leader:
THE only thing Pres. Jacob Zuma managed to do when commenting on the matric results was to once again succeed in increasing racial tension. “Whites have always said that black people cannot succeed, and we are succeeding now,” said Zuma. I heard this white person saying: ‘Let there be an investigation, they cannot pass like this.’
“I said to myself that that person still had that old mentality that black people were not intelligent – if they succeeded it had to be probed.” As usual, Zuma is missing the point. The question on the hike in the pass rate is well motivated, and an audit will go a long way in allaying concerns. To make a racial issue of this is tantamount to hate speech, and coming from the president, it only shows how bankrupt the ANC has become when it comes to positive ideas.
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A new view on currency needed MBUSI MUSAWENKOSI RADEBE, Bohlokong, Bethlehem: GOOD PEOPLE, the reality that we still need to debate and share ideas on is that politics cannot move separately from currency. In this continent the idea of the late Dr Kwame Nkrumah and Thabo Mbeki on an African Renaissance still needs to be considered. This starts with the currencies from former colonised states that became liberated and independent politically and legacies attached to them by former masters. Neo-liberalism exists in our market economy and the currencies of some resourceful states are undervalued against the US dollar, British pound and euro. Internal sovereignty in terms of money evaluation and strength is still a problem to be attended to by progressive forces. The rights of other progressive market states like the Russian rouble as a currency, are still seen as inferior. Africa supplied the world with minerals and this is still continuing. Africa is very resourceful, but the rand is still valued less than currencies of countries who do not even produce minerals or oil. There will be no inequity if states’ currencies are valued equally. Altogether 54 African states are productive and each country is rich in minerals. Poverty will continue if currency dynamics stay suppressed, and leaders supportive of the United State of Africa are attacked and portrayed as dictators. It is up to the forces of change to bring about a revolution from Cape Town to Cairo.
EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 7
SPORT
Luyolo remains with FS Stars LUYOLO NOMANDELA is set to continue wearing the red and white of Free State Stars when the PSL fixtures fully resume in three weeks’ time. This is according to Lebohang Maketa, the Free State Stars public relations officer. The club PRO said the 24-year-old had been training with the rest of the squad following a short Christmas break. “He started training with the rest of the squad on Monday and is among the players travelling with the team to Lesotho,” said Maketa. Stars will be taking part in the Prime Minister’s Charity Cup along with seven clubs from the Mountain Kingdom. Maketa said the players were focused on getting their regular place in the team to help them move away from the relegation zone. Bobby Motaung, Kaizer Chiefs’ football manager, recently rubbished reports linking their club with Nomandela, but Sundowns reportedly remain interested. Meanwhile, Mamelodi Sundowns striker Richard Henyekane is poised to join Stars on loan, with the 30-yearold expected to link up with Ea Lla Koto before the end of the week. The Brazilians confirmed the news on their official website, stating: “Richard Henyekane is finalising a loan move to Stars”. Henyekane, who is contracted to Sundowns until June 2016, has made just three appearances this season. The former Golden Arrows man, affectionately known as the “Kimberley Express”, has nine caps for South Africa. – KickOff.com
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LESLY BALOYI and Lerato Mofokeng of the Maluti FET College disappointed with a 2-2 result after African Warriors had come down from 2-0 to draw the game on Saturday. Photo: Tladi Moloi
Derby ends in 2-2 draw } Tladi Moloi
AN entertaining Qwaqwa Derby between the two National First Division (NFD) campaigners Maluti FET College and African Warriors ended in a 2-2 draw on Saturday afternoon. The game took place in the Charles Mopeli Stadium in Qwaqwa. Thembinkosi Lorch and Thabiso Mokenkoane each scored the two goals for Maluti while S’Celo Zuma netted the two goals for Maihlome Ihlasele. Maluti started the game with determination, scoring two goals in the first half even though their goalkeeper, Mohlolo Khuse, was substituted just five minutes into the game. Khuse was sent off after he had collided with the Warriors striker. Lefu Moloi, who had an impressive game, had to step in.
We handed them two soft goals and in the end we paid the price. However, a point is better than nothing. We’ll go back to the drawing board and make sure that we prepare for our next game,” – Morena Ramorebudi However, the college boys could not handle the pressure during the second half when the experienced Warriors attacked them in numbers. Zuma reduced the deficit to 2-1 a few minutes into the second half before he pulled the rocket shot from 22 yards to level matters 2-2. Maluti skipper, Tsakatsi Misikili, nearly stole the three points towards the dying minutes of the game, but
the ball that went past the keeper, could not beat the pole as it came back off the upright. Morena Ramorebudi, the head coach of Maluti, said they should have won the game in the first half if they had converted all their chances. He said 2-2 was not a true reflection of the game because their opponents had not deserved to get the goals. “We handed them two soft goals
and in the end we paid the price. However, a point is better than nothing. “We’ll go back to the drawing board and make sure that we prepare for our next game,” he said. Maluti’s next game is on Sunday against Black Leopards in the Charles Mopeli Stadium. Kick-off is at 15:30. Meanwhile, Warriors are off to the Makhulong Stadium where they are set for a contest against Jomo Cosmos at 15:30. Abraham Nteo, the Warriors’ mentor, said his side had lacked aggression in front of the goal. “We started the game slowly and must make sure we don’t do it again. “We need to score more goals because the game of football is won on goals. “We have only a day to prepare our boys for the next game, but we’ll make sure that we collect maximum points today,” he said.
Qwaqwa golf star (16) on the rise THE 16-year-old Letsoso Letsai from Qwaqwa has become the latest golfer to be invited to join the Ernie Els and Fancourt Foundation (EEFF). Letsoso has signed as an associate member from 2015. Joining the ranks of this elite foundation is not just a huge honour for Letsoso, but will also ensure that he receives even greater levels of support in his golfing career. Letsoso, who is ranked sixth in the Free State and Northern Cape u.17 order of merit, plays
off a three handicap. He is also the South African Golf Development Board’s (SAGDB) top player in the province. His story is a remarkable one, as he started playing golf by chance. He was already nine years old when he encountered the game for the first time. “I just saw some guys practising in a field, so I walked over and asked what they were doing,” he recalls. “I’d never seen golf before. The older man introduced himself as Bentley Selepe. He was the SAGDB
coach and he told me to take a club and try hitting a couple of balls. I think from the moment I first picked up that golf club, I knew this was what I would do with my life.” Encouraged by his grandmother, Elizabeth, and the late Selepe, Letsoso made quick progress and within just a few years was representing the Free State and Northern Cape at age group level. Letsoso is now part of a passionate group of players who turn up to play or practise every day at the old Qwaqwa Golf Course in
Phuthaditjhaba. “When we’re not practising, you will find us at the mashie course. We play golf seven days a week; that’s how serious we are.” The group also travels nearly 20 km to Harrismith at least once every two weeks to ply their craft at the Harrismith Golf Club. “The Qwaqwa chapter receives great support from the Harrismith Golf Club,” explains Ratha Motaung, the SAGDB’s Free State regional manager. “The club gives junior memberships to some of our top players
and we also pay reduced fees for their rounds.” Letsoso is now following in the footsteps of fellow Qwaqwa residents Zanele Mazibuko and Ntsoaki Mokoena who received residential scholarships at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria through the Department of Sport and Recreation. “The girls are always telling us education first, golf second. “My dream is to play golf professionally, but I understand the importance of education first,” he says.
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EASTERN FREE STATE
THE Rhino FC players with the management of the team.
Photo: Supplied
Rhino FC well on their way to victory Discipline, dedication now needed
} Tladi Moloi ZOA MOLOI, the Rhino Football Club mentor, warned his players not to get carried away with the position they found themselves in on the league table. He pointed out that this was the time their strength would be put to the test. Moloi insisted his team could still claim the first spot in the Safa Thabo Mofutsanyana SAB League and advance to the second division play-offs. However, he pointed out that they would need to be more disciplined, dedicated and focused to accomplish their mission. Rhino FC, the Safa Thabo Mofutsanyana SAB League rookies, are currently in third place on the league table. With 12 points after six games, they are only two points
‘We have young play ers who are still hungry for success and one can see on the field that they are willing to die for the team.’ behind the leaders in the league, FC FK of Senekal. “We have a good team that can fight until the end. We played well in our games and I hope to continue at the same pace as before the Christmas break.” Moloi said Rhino FC had surprised many because few had given them a chance after they had won the promotional play-offs. “I told my boys that they should
not panic and play their normal football and they did exactly that. “We have young players who are still hungry for success and one can see on the field that they are willing to die for the team,” he said. The boys in blue and white reported back from the festive season break on Monday and the coach was worried that he was going to lose some of his players. “We had a few gr. 12 players last year, and surely some of them will leave the team as they will be going to university or college to further their studies. However, we will sit down as management and decide what to do from now on.” Moloi said they would invite some players to trials so that they could see how they could fill the spots in the team.