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SPIRIT LIVES ON: Nel son Mandela’s legacy continues to live on with more branded products being de signed and unpacked onto shelves follow ing huge public de mand. Hundreds of people waste no time to purchase them to keep his memory alive. At Mandela’s memorial services various products of the icon were un packed for interested people and proved bestselling with priz es ranging from R100 per item. Photo: Teboho Setena
Merry Christmas and a happy 2014 THE Express Goldfields & Northern Free State team is delighted to be able to wish their valued clients and readers, as well as the public at large, a merry Christmas. This serves to inform you that this edition is the last for 2013. The next edition of Express Goldfields & Northern Free State will be published on 15
January 2014. We wish all our valued clients and readers as well as the public at large a merry Christmas and happy, prosperous 2014. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their continued support and important contribution
towards this publication. In the new year, as a community newspaper, we’ll continue to strive to maintain our traditions while striving to keep up with the ever-changing times we live in. Part thereof is to continue to bring you an exciting and balanced coverage
of local news across a wide spectrum. Remember, you are our valued readers and clients. Remember that this is the time of the year to visit with and cherish your loved-ones, family and friends. A merry Christmas and a prosperous 2014 to you all. – Editor
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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 18 DECEMBER 2013
NEWS
Show their support DORIGHT MEN:This trio of the health care organisation of Lesedi Lechabile Primary Care, Neo David, Thabo Moholobela and Tiisetso Sekobolo, supported the antigenderbased violence programme of the 16 Days of Activism of No Violence against Women and Children that climaxed with the staging of an event by the Department of Correctional Services Free State and Northern Cape last Tuesday. The occasion took place in Virginia. Photo: Teboho Setena
Matrics honoured for their hard work
‘The preparations for the two events – the an nouncement and function to honour the top 100 best performing candidates – a r e a l r e a d y i n p l a c e .’ – Howard Ndaba, depart mental spokesperson
THE Free State Department of Education announced that on 7 January it would roll out the red carpet for the top 100 matrics at a function where the gr. 12 results of 2013 will be made known. The eagerly-awaited event is the culmination of the hard work of the 31 218 candidates who wrote their National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations from 28 October to 29 November. “The preparations for the two events – the announcement and function to honour the top 100 best-performing candidates – are already in place,” said Howard Ndaba, the departmental spokesperson. He said that Herbert “Tate” Makgoe, the MEC for Education, would announce the 2013 gr. 12 results at a function to be held at the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, in Bloemfontein.
About 700 guests are expected to grace the occasion, including parents of the learners, teachers and provincial members of the executive council (MECs), as well as representatives of the private sector. Ndaba said the learners that had made it into the top 100 provincially would be honoured at an exclusive function coinciding with the announcement of the gr. 12 results. Ndaba said Makgoe had expressed his satisfaction that the examinations had gone well without disruptive incidents that could have plunged the education system into disrepute. He said about 28 010 full-time and 3 208 candidates had written their NSC examinations in 2013. Ndaba said they were hopeful that they would improve on the previous year’s results that had seen the Free State obtain a 81,1% pass rate nationally. The target for 2013 is 85%.
Elderly not to be left THE 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign, from 25 November to 10 December, closed with an anti-climax in the Goldfields last Thursday. The police, together with non-government organisations (NGO) in the Goldfields, finished the campaign on a sad note against the backdrop of two separate incidents of the gruesome murder and assault of two elderly women. Police are yet to make a breakthrough in both cases. The two victims lived respectively in Virginia, Hennenman and Botshabelo. The perpetrators are still on the lose. Various church denominations, the South African Civic Organisation (Sanco) and the police held a memorial service for the 80-year-old Anna Ntsane of Phomolong, Hennenman. She was found dead in her residence on 2 December. Police said she was found lying naked on the floor with a stab wound to her right upper leg. A table fork had been pushed into the victim’s vagina, police had said. The 62-year-old woman of Virginia was raped and robbed. In Botshabelo, a 90-year-old woman was stabbed with a sharp object by an unknown suspect who allegedly broke into her house to gain entrance. A neighbour heard her scream. She was taken to hospital where she later died. The Free State police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele, said in both incidents,
forensic investigations were undertaken to determine the cause of death and whether or not the deceased were raped. Makhele said a number of incidents relating to rape, robbery and murder of elderly people were reported, and added that they were gravely concerned. “The community is to take note of the recent crime trend where elderly women staying alone in their houses are taken advantage of by criminals. These incidents are a cause for concern, especially during this festive season when many people will be going on holiday. Precautionary measures must be taken to guard against criminals who take advantage of vulnerable elderly women,” he said. Makhele has advised people to be on high alert and tighten security systems and discouraged elderly people being left alone. “Ensuring there is a person to look after our elderly is very important. As far as possible, valuables which may attract criminals must be minimal in such houses. Lessons on how to respond must be given and emergency numbers (speed dials) kept handy. However, we discourage leaving the elderly without supervision,” he said. The SAPS appeal to the communities where there are senior citizens living alone in their residences, to provide assistance and report any suspicious activities to the police or by contacting our crime stop number 08600 10111 or SMS 32211.
Two survivors in care of next of kin THE two children that survived the tragic love triangle on the farm in the Bothaville district have begun life in the care of their close next of kin in the town of Wesselsbron. They are ten-year-old Thabang and Lebohang Modisadife. Lebohang is a toddler and less than a year old. Welkom SAPS spokesperson Stephen Thakeng said the pair had been
in the care of their next of kin since they were discharged from the Nala Hospital last week. They were admitted at the hospital for treatment of a deadly poison used in the killing of five family members that included their parents, father, Teboho Andries Mahoko (30), and mother, Emily Modisadife (25). The other victims are Dimakatso Modisadife (23), sister to
Emily, Tshepo Modisadife (6), and one-year-old Nthabeleng Modisadife. Thakeng said the four-step poison used was found inside pots with food. The lucky pair of Thabang and Lebohang survived the gruesome incident that occurred earlier this month on the farm Sandvliet in the Bothaville district. Apparently conflict among the parents that occurred two days before
the ill-fated incident led to the killing. The conflict apparently followed when Emily Modisadife reprimanded Mahoko, who allegedly wanted to sleep with a 16-year-old teenager who is Modisadife’s younger sister. The teenager, who was staying with the couple on the farm, escaped death. She left two days earlier following the outbreak of the conflict.
EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 18 DECEMBER 2013
Matjhabeng
Local Municipality
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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 18 DECEMBER 2013
NEWS
Offenders receive training skills } Teboho Setena A group of 47 offenders in correctional centres in the Goldfields have received a new lease of life after the successful completion of a life-long skills programme. The training was for eight and three months on a health and wellness programme. The wellness training was in football assistant coaching while the eight-month programme was on tuberculosis and directly observed treatment (DOT). The training is an initiative driven by Footballers for Life, a non-governmental body whose ambassadors are prominent retired professional soccer players. The Free State ambassador is a former Bloemfontein Celtic and Mamelodi Sundowns star midfielder, Charles Motlohi. He said knowledge and skills acquired by the candidates were far-reaching in that it made them valuable in the community. “Their skills will be utilised in the very same centres to help their fellow offenders. Through the practice of rendering services in correctional centres to train and help fellow inmates, they acquire good experience that is for life,” said Motlohi. The former Welkom Eagles player said he was encouraged by the response and huge interest shown by offenders to be trained on life-changing programmes. “The good thing is that they attend training voluntarily instead of being forced. That is a sign of commitment by them and by doing so every candidate gets to perform well. The support we get from the officials helps a great deal in ensuring the success of the project,’’ said Motlohi. The officials of the centres make sure that every candidate goes through a screening process before attending training, ensuring the aims and objectives for which the programme has been introduced for are achieved. Successful candidates are positive to tackle challenges head-on and have expressed their wish to also transfer the skills and knowledge they have acquired to their fellow inmates.
OFFENDERS that successfully completed the basic course in assistant coaching and the national TB control strategy of directly observed treatment offered by Footballers For Life, queue to receive their certificates. Photo: Teboho Setena
Leeto honouring Madiba } Teboho Setena
MANDELA’S LEGACY: The mayor of the Lejwel eputswa District Municipality, Mathabo Leeto. Photo: Teboho Setena
THE self-esteemed Lejweleputswa District Municipality’s mayor, Mathabo Leeto, says she feels very privileged to live to take a leaf from Nelson Mandela’s legacy having not realised her wish to meet the icon. Attending a political rally in Welkom that Mandela addressed in the mid 1990’s was her closest. However, Leeto said she drew inspiration knowing Mandela has left a rich legacy for generations to learn from. She was amongst the scores of mourners who last Thursday gathered at the Welkom Club to pay tribute to Mandela. Leeto said taking from Mandela’s legacy still fulfils her wish although she was unable to personally meet Mandela. “I have never met Mandela personally. It was my wish to meet him personally, to share with him the tactics and strategy he utilized to make him what he represent to us. I would have loved to have a discussion with him. He was patient, and dedicated
to lead South Africans. The kind of work he has done, can only be done by a person who is a true servant of the people as Mandela,” said Leeto. “His ability to ensure that South Africans reconcile with forgiveness and are able to move forward is what I believe we should take notice from. Mandela lived that legacy that he left us,” said Leeto. She said testimony that Mandela lived his legacy to reconcile with forgiveness was to reconcile with Rory Steyn who was one of the human shields for the man he once regarded as a terrorist. Steyn was (for three years) the head of the bodyguards of Mandela. Mandela even discouraged his comrades from ill-treating Steyn. “Mandela never said my life was at risk with this man around. He reconciled with an understanding that as an individual we should forgive and forget about the past and be able to move forward. I’ll remember and hold Mandela in high regard for his ability to be decisive in decision-making,” said Leeto.
FOOTPRINTS OF MANDELA: In 1998 Dr Nelson Mandela visit ed Welkom to campaign for the ruling party and here he was captured with the former Free State premier and ex Matjhabeng Council mayor Mosiuoa ‘’Terror’’ Lekota, Vin cent Matsepe, David Manzini and Corrinah Ntai, both Thabong residents). Mandela died on 5 December and was laid to rest on Sunday in Qunu in the Eastern Cape. Photo: Moeti Molelekoa
EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 18 DECEMBER 2013
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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 18 DECEMBER 2013
Light of hope
SOCIAL PHOTOS
PASTOR TSHIDISO KHOLOANYANE lit a candle, symbolising the World Aids Day during the Department of Correctional Services Free State & Northern Cape ceremony held at the Virginia Correctional Centre last Tuesday. The event also coincided with the antigender based violence programme of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children and memorial service of the late and former South Africa’s state president, Nelson Mandela. Photos: Teboho Setena
STANDING TOGETHER: Members of different church denominations and the community joined the Department of Correctional Services Free State & Northern Cape to mark World Aids Day last Tuesday. The event was held at the Virginia Correctional Centre
HAIRSTYLE TRENDS: Female awardens at the Virginia Correctional Centre boast with phe nomenal hairstyles that transform their public image and lifestyle, bringing out their per sonality and beauty.
HAIRSTYLE TRENDS
DANCING QUEENS: The energetic women of the Kofifi Dancers from Kroonstad had the audience hooked and entertained people with the floating dance at the Department of Correctional Services Free State & Northern Cape World Aids Day event at the Virginia Correction al Centre last Tuesday.
EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 18 DECEMBER 2013
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Madiba’s spirit of humanity lives on } Teboho Setena FORMER PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA will be fondly remembered for upholding true values and principles as well as being a true humanitarian. One speaker after another praised the former South African statesman for his invaluable role fighting for the freedom of South Africa and its people. Mandela led the racially divided nation from the brink of bloodshed to unexpected levels of peace and stability. And he inspired the world as the champion of reconciliation and forgiveness. Scores of mourners gathered at the Welkom Club for Mandela’s memorial service and praised this fallen son of the soil. It was a befitting occasion with people of all races paying tribute to Madiba. King Lerotholi Thebe of the royal family in Lesotho said: “Mandela was an embodiment of the human race as champion of reconciliation. His legacy is not only for South Africans and Africa as a continent, but for the world. He has enriched people’s lives in every respect. I feel blessed that I could shake his hand at an encounter in Lesotho – I was indeed unaware of whom I
had the pleasure of meeting.” Past. Jackie Botes, and also the project manager of House of Hope in Welkom, said Mandela had been a hero of children. “In his memory we also celebrate the humanitarian spirit. He brought a smile to every child’s face and gave children hope. I’ll always remember Mandela as a person who stood for true human values and his warmness, irrespective of race,” said Botes. Scores of mourners paid tribute writing messages in a book to be presented to the Mandela family. In celebration of Mandela’s life some were in traditional Xhosa dress, bearing beads befitting Mandela and how he had been dressed during the Rivonia Trials in 1964, the year which he had delivered his famous speech in the Pretoria Supreme Court. During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to the struggle of African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I’m prepared to die.
PASTOR JACKIE BOTES
Photo: Teboho Setena
TRIBUTE: Sophia Mokhoea, a member of the Methodist Church in Welkom, reads a tribute she wrote in the condolence book for the late former South African president Nel son Mandela. Photo: Teboho Setena
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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 18 DECEMBER 2013 WELKOM REAL HEARTS leg end Dick Nkuna.
STALWART writer Moeti “Rhu” Molelekoa.
Photo: Teboho Setena
} Teboho Setena THE rebuilding of the Thabong Stadium by the Matjhabeng Municipality is envisaged to reawaken the existing football spirit that slumbers there. The Matjhabeng Municipality’s spokesperson, Kgojane Matutle, said the council would fork out R6,5 million for the first phase only. Construction work has just begun on this facility situated in the Themba residency and close to the Bongani Regional Hospital. Matutle said the scope of work would be massive with the second phase of the stadium to be advertised in January next year. The Matjhabeng Municipality is currently upgrading five sports facilities under its jurisdiction including the Thabong Stadium. The others include the Bronville Stadium (R6 million), Zuka Baloyi
Millions for stadiums
(R3,5 million), Kopano Indoor Sports Centre in Welkom (R7 million) and the Phomolong Stadium in Hennenman (R6 million). The scope of work includes installing flood lights, upgrading pitches to have automatic irrigation systems, revamping of change rooms, parking facilities, boundary fences and ticket offices. Matutle estimates that some stadiums will be ready by March and April next year. The Thabong Stadium was the centre where local and international breeds showcased their talent. The stadium was the home turf of Welkom Real Hearts and the now defunct Hungry Lions. The two teams campaigned in the then National Professional Soccer League and National Soccer League in the golden era of the 1970’s and 1980’s. One of the historic venues in
the Free State’s capital of gold, Thabong evokes good and sad emotions among the locals, especially the generation that was
‘This stadium has a rich history to be told to the new generation about its significance in terms of sport in the Goldfields.’ – Dick Nkuna involved in football. Veteran writer Moeti Molelekoa and Dick Nkuna have fond memories of the Thabong Stadium during its heydays.
“Adjacent to the stadium there was a hall which collapsed during a big friendly match between Real Hearts and Kaizer Chiefs in the mid 1970’s. Tickets were oversold and hundreds of fans had to watch from the trees while others sat on the roof of the hall. About 7 000 fans crammed into the venue with a capacity of 5 000. Just after the start of the game the roof of the hall collapsed and several people were injured. It was sad to witness this but it showed how enthusiastic were people about sport. These renovations are welcomed. The previous renovated structure was vandalised by residents due to the lack of activities. The renewed attempt will pose a challenge to federations of the various sporting codes and schools to make full use of these venues,” Molelekoa said. “We welcome the effort by the
municipality although it’s long overdue. This stadium has a rich history to be told to the new generation about its significance in terms of sport in the Goldfields. I played there as a Real Hearts player. We used to recruit and groom players there. I hope and trust the spirit of football that exists in our minds will be reawakened by ensuring the stadiums host games. Real Hearts and Hungry Lions were forces of attraction and that is not impossible to restore,” said Nkuna. People remember fierce Free State derbies locally that featured Hearts and Lions, Bloemfontein Celtic and Hearts. Real Hearts became hoodoo of outsiders Small Rangers from Parys. The team boasted talented players’ scouted from mine labourers and attracted outsiders from beyond the borders.