BUY / RENT
HET U KONTANT NODIG? *LENINGS BESKIKBAAR!! *ITC WELKOM!!!
BENODIG VOERTUIG? FAX VOLGENDE:
*PAY SLIPS *INDENTITEITSDOKUMENT *BEWYS VAN ADRES * 3 MAANDE BANKSTATE *RYBEWYS INDIEN NODIG
Skakel: Hanlie 082 356 4343 of Zelda 079 133 1188 Faks: 086 226 3285 E-mail: hanlielombard.motor@gmail.com
TEL: 057 357 1304
Contact: Richard 083 317 9641
EXPRESSPAPER.MOBI
WEDNESDAY 2224 JANUARY 2014
FREE
WWW.EXPRESSNEWS.CO.ZA
Shortage of doctors critical } Teboho Setena
LABOUR CRISIS: The leader of the concerned unemployed people of Matjhabeng, Sono Mokoena, addresses the masses at a gathering last Tuesday. Insert: A group of youth seeking jobs in the Matjhabeng at a gathering at an open field where they met last Tuesday to strategise on how to address joblessness with labour force. Photos: Teboho Setena
Youth felt left out } Teboho Setena
SABOTAGE and betrayal are facing the concerned unemployed youth of Thabong in their tough battle to fight the labour sector to be patriotic and consider the locals when employing. The feeling of mistrust was raised often at the gathering held last Tuesday. This followed betrayal by people who were appointed to
lead the course in the past. The participants expressed different views with some left with mixed emotions when recalling how they were betrayed by people they had tasked to lead the course. After lengthy discussion at the gathering at an open field, the participants agreed to again appoint people to represent the unemployed youth at meetings with companies. The gathering was aimed at
Black Label
89
3499
Three Ships Whisky
99
Hansa
3499
nominated people to lead the course. We are of the strong view that companies within the Goldfields can help to restore our dignity by training and employing the locals,” spokesperson for the organisers, Sono Mokoena, said. He said the positive from the gathering was that they had secured a meeting with stakeholders in the mining sector. The meeting is set to be held today.
Castle Lager
6 Pack
3499
6 Pack
LIQUORS
Johnnie Walker Red Label
13499
6 Pack
finding a strategic approach to ensure companies within the Goldfields prioritise the locals over outsiders when recruiting for employees. The organisers embarked on an unprotected public protest. The protest followed claims that one of the Goldfields mines had employed outsiders during the course of last week. “We have met youth in the Goldfields mining towns and have
1 Langenhoven Street, Jan Cillierspark, Welkom. Tel. 057 352 4925
Trading Hours: 08H00 -20H00 Monday-Saturday
Valid while Stocks Last. We reserve the right to limit quantities
THE apparent shortage of medical doctors at the Bongani Regional Hospital has begun to take its toll as the number of patients on the waiting list grows. Despite denial, the hospital was under immense pressure due to the shortage of doctors last Monday and Tuesday when it came to light that the health facility was trouble-ridden. A group of patients placed in the outpatient department were turned away without receiving any treatment and some had their appointments for critical issues postponed indefinitely. These patients were from primary healthcare clinics from three towns: Winburg, Theunissen and Verkeerdevlei. They were referred to Bongani with specific cases that nurses in their respective clinics do not handle. Among these patients there were some who were due to be examined before undergoing surgery and others had fixed appointments to be treated as per arrangements done last year. Patients told Express Goldfields & Northern Free State that the reason given by the nurse in charge was that there were no doctors on duty. “One on-duty doctor refused to tend to us after nurses had pleaded with him to assist us. I heard the doctor saying he was tending to a patient admitted with an emergency. We were advised to write complaints in the grievance book, which we did. But none of us received treatment,” said the patient. Scores of angry patients lamented that they were left unattended for hours before being told doctors were unavailable. “My appointment has been postponed indefinitely. The sister just told us they would phone us for new appointments. I’m still in a critical state after surgery last year,” the aggrieved patient said. Efforts to get a response from the hospital were futile, with the spokesperson said to be on study leave for January and the chief executive officer unavailable.
Cash Only NO DEBIT or CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED
Sky Vodka
Smirnoff Vodka
6999
14299
2
EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 22 JANUARY 2014
NEWS
Officers appear in court for assault } Refilwe Mochoari A POLICE OFFICER in Kutlwanong in Odendaalsrus accused of assaulting a 17-year-old girl and burning her with a hot iron is still reporting for duty. Const. Maditaba Lebeko, stationed at the Thabong Organised Crime Unit, allegedly assaulted her 17-year-old cousin, Selloane Maretele, after accusing her of stealing R200 from her bedroom. Lebeko is the second member of the Thabong Police Station to allegedly have gone on a rampage, brutally assaulting someone. Early in November Const. Funeka Mzamo allegedly assaulted Andries Mashele with a bottle. Mzamo was arrested two weeks later, long after the victim had reported the incident to the Jan Hofmeyr Road Police Station. The male police officer then opened a case of malicious damage to property against Mashele. The case was opened on 17 November, while he allegedly assaulted his victim on the night of 16 November. Mzamo is also still reporting for duty. Both incidents allegedly happened while the police officers were off duty. Mzamo briefly appeared in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court on 3 December facing a charge of assault with the intention to do grievous bodily harm. The reasons for Mzamo brutally attacking Mashele are unknown. Young Maretele gave an explanation of what had led to the attack by Lebeko who used an electric iron to burn her. “On the morning of 26 December Lebeko asked me to clean her bedroom. I did what she asked me to do and left. “While I was visiting my friend on that day, she gave me a call telling me to come back home immediately as her money was missing. “I went back home as she had instructed me to do. When I arrived, without asking me anything, she started beating me with a broom and stones. With the help of two of her friends she dragged me to her backroom and locked the burglar gate, closed all the windows and locked the door. “I started screaming for help, but to no avail as the doors were locked. She asked one of her friends to plug the iron (into the electrical socket) on the wall so she could burn and scar me for life. “When she said that, I thought she was playing – but I received the shock of my life when she placed the burning hot iron on my body. She started with my thighs and then moved to my face. “She kept shouting that I had to give her money back, but I told her that I had not taken it. I kept telling her that I had not even seen money when I was cleaning the house. “I was so helpless and had no energy. I thought she was going to kill me. My father and neighbours were trying to open the door, but had no luck in doing so as the security gates are very strong. “Her two friends were holding both my hands while she was
SELLOANE MARETELE shows the burn marks on her face.
Photos: Refilwe Mochoari
YOUNG SELLOANE MARETELE shows off her burned thighs.
ANDRIES MASHELE was allegedly assaulted by Const. Funeka Mzamo early in November.
placing the iron on me. “Eventually, when they opened the door to let me go, my father could not believe his eyes. “I do not know what went wrong that day; we (my cousin and I) used to get along,” she said. Aron Maretele, Selloane’s father, said he wanted to report the incident immediately, but Lebeko kept stopping him. “She said if I did not report the issue she would give me R10 000. We procrastinated, but eventually
family member for such a small amount? We are happy that she appeared in court, but we still want to see her suffer for the pain she had caused us physically and emotionally,” said Maretele. Lebeko appeared in the Odendaalsrus Magistrate’s Court on 9 January and the case was postponed to 28 February. Lebeko was granted R3 000 bail with strict bail conditions. Her two accomplices will face assault with the intention to do grievous bodily
I told myself that I had to report her because she almost killed my daughter. “Lebeko wanted to take advantage of the fact that I’m struggling financially. “As a family we do not want to see Lebeko anywhere near us, because she has showed us how evil she can get. How can you beat up a child who is more than 15 years younger than you like that? “Even if the child stole the R200, why would you kill your own
harm. Capt. Stephen Thakeng, Welkom police spokesperson, said: “The SAPS member is facing charges of assault and corruption for allegedly trying to bribe the complainant with a fee of R10 000. “She is still on duty, but the internal investigation has been initiated with immediate effect. “We will have to wait until the internal investigation process is completed before any decision of suspension is taken.”
Father’s stance against bribery makes him a hero AARON MARETELE has restored the dignity of his daughter, Selloane Maretele, when he refused to accept an alleged R10 000 bribe from police constable Maditaba Lebeko to remain silent about the girl’s brutal abuse. It is alarming to say the least as seen in photos that show the bruises following the assault of the girl by the constable who accused her of stealing R200. Lebeko’s attempt to bribe the girl’s father is all about
My view Teboho Setena Express Goldfields Editor self-importance. I personally cannot even stand the thought of how the girl would have screamed for help as she was being burnt with an electrical iron. Maretele, the girl’s father, did the unthinkable in the eyes of
many to stand up for the right of his lovely daughter by turning down Lebeko’s offer. By doing this he also proved his worth as a father and a man. It is worth a mention that he did the right thing at this point in time when men are seen as monsters. By not accepting a bribe Maretele restored both his and his daughter’s dignity and showed himself to be a man of integrity. Human life is irreplaceable. On the other side, Maretele stood up against the rampant, ongoing
abuse of children. Thumbs up to Maretele for taking a very brave stance. It would have been like throwing his daughter to the vultures if he had accepted this bribe. Over and above this, the girl would only have been more traumatised – and she only wants to live life to the fullest. It is people who don’t have a soul and respect for the lives of others who go about showing the power of money and think that only they deserve to live.
As a police officer Lebeko should know best about what to do in a case of this nature. Maretele’s bold step is very encouraging and must be commended. Shame on Lebeko for this act of self-importance. The lesson we need to learn is that we should never undermine people and accept they are who we think they are. Maretele’s background of being a father struggling financially does not make him or his sibling worthless at all.
EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 22 JANUARY 2014
3
NEWS LOOTING: A group of youths forced a taxi to take a different route allegedly after the driver had refused to pay R2 or R5 to drive through an area they had closed off for traffic between the cross road of Nkoane leading to Constantia Road following a protest by youths demanding jobs. Photo: Teboho Setena
CEO
BECOME THE
OF YOUR DREAMS
Protest turns ugly THE organisers of a protest against unemployment in the Goldfields have criticised the seven people arrested for looting last week Monday and Tuesday. Labelled by some of the organisers as opportunistic vultures waiting for the kill, the suspected looters were arrested during the night of the first day and in the morning hours of the second day of the protest. Following the looting, shop owners in Thabong feared the worst. Things got out of hand when other participants went on the rampage, closing off Mothusi Road for traffic using various dangerous objects. Burning tyres and stones were utilised to blockade the road. “Our frustration arises from a lack of job opportunities that have left countless youths and people eligible for work disgruntled. We warned everyone who attended our gathering against criminal acts. So those who looted are not part of our course. We never planned to loot shops, because it is not our intention.
People who looted have put us in a bad light, because people think negative about us,” said Sono Mokoena, spokesperson for the organisers. The protest followed wide-spread claims that one of the Goldfields mines had during the course of last week employed outsiders instead of people from the Goldfields community. A Public Order Policing team was deployed in Thabong to restore law and order after the protest turned violent with unruly participants looting shops. Four suspects were caught red-handed on the business premises. Thabong police spokesperson Malebo Khosana said a case of burglary at business premises was opened following the arrest of the four suspected looters who were found inside one of the tuck shops on Monday at about 21:30. He said their intention was to loot as groceries were found in their possession. “The swift reaction of SAPS members averted what could have
been a disaster as among the nine shops that were attacked, five were only damaged and three looted. House-breaking implements such as crow bars and bolt cutters were confiscated as the perpetrators fled from the shops they were intending to loot,” said Malebo. On Tuesday at about 05:25, three suspects were arrested for possession of suspected stolen goods. “They were found pushing a dust bin with wheels containing groceries in James Ngake Street,” said Malebo. Criminal acts were rampant on Tuesday when opportunistic youths closed off Mothusi Road for traffic between James Ngaka and Nkoane Streets, making it impossible for motorists from the south and north to pass. There was fear over the escalation of unrest following a confrontation between some taxi operators and a group of disgruntled youths who demanded money from motorists in order to drive past an area they had closed off for traffic in Mothusi. Police patrolled the affected area until the protest subsided.
BUSINESS MIND: Thabiso Leburu (left) with one of his three co-workers, Retshedisitsoe Mofokeng (right), sell ice nectar to the Thotagauta Secondary School’s learners during break time. Photo: Teboho Setena
Businessman aims high } Teboho Setena STUDYING Business Economics at school level has given Thabiso Leburu the determination to venture into small-scale entrepreneurship. A former learner of the Thatogauta High School in Thabong’s township, he sells fruity ice nectar, available in flavours ranging from guava to peach as well as mango. He sells the product at a special price of R1,70 while the normal price is R2 per 200 ml. Leburu is far ahead of his peers who sell the product on the streets of Thabong. He even took three young men, who had no income, under his wings. They are Retshidisitsoe Mofokeng, Vusimuzi Mavuso and Nani Mawande. Leburu said he used the cash he made from selling the mouth-watering ice nectar to help his wife provide for the family, including two children. “I was jobless after obtaining my matric certificate in 2005. With no cash to further my studies, I put into practise the Business Economics tips I was taught at school. It works wonders. With cash from the project I
managed to pay lobola for my wife,” said Leburu. With money made from sales he can even pay his three employees. On the first day of school this year, learners of the Thotagauta High School stampeded to to buy the juicy ice after the heat wave had made them uncomfortable in class. A total of 15 bags were sold out within an hour during break at the 3 high schools Teto, Lephola and Thotagauta. “Like any business, I have good and bad days. But I don’t despair. During summer sales are better than during winter,” he said. Leburu is very grateful of the influence of his granny, Grace Ngema. “She encouraged me to try out entrepreneurship. My granny was very supportive and helped with all my school needs, but she never gave money to buy items she deemed unnecessary. If I wanted trendy jeans and casual shoes, she told me to make money legally so that I could purchase them myself. Her attitude has helped me to stand my ground,” he said. Leburu dreams of acquiring a franchise of the fruity ice nectar and go big, selling different types of ice nectar.
Shape your future by making the right choice, right now. Study Opportunities: • • • • • •
IT/Computers Accounting Marketing Sports Administration Management Media
• Tourism • Boston Degrees • UNISA Degree Support
SMS "CEO" AND YOUR NAME TO WE LL GET YOU STARTED.
'
45139
13316 IDEA ENGINEE ® S
} Teboho Setena
SMS charged at R1.
Ask about our easy payment options
Over 40 Tuition Centres Nationwide
Welkom | 057 357-4542/46 1st Floor Boston House 311 Stateway www.boston.co.za
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Boston City Campus & Business College (Pty) Ltd Reg. No.1996/013220/07 is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act No.101 of 1997). Registration Certificate No. 2003/HE07/002.
4
EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 22 JANUARY 2014
NEWS
Ha rebe le pelo ya ho arolelana
Motivating learners
A re bueng Kutenwane Kareli Cultural Practitioner ‘Ke a tseba hore batho ba bang re ditlhong tsa ho fana. Ebang ho le jwalo ke o phephetsa ho botsa ka lefapha la thekolohelo tikolo hong ya heno mme o ise eng kapa eng feela eo okabang le yona ya kgale.’
KE sa boela ke hoa madume. Selemo se fetileng se fetile le tsa sona, bang se ba tsamaetse hantle, bang sa ba tsamaela hampe. Ho bao se ba tsamaetseng hantle, pele ya pele, mme ho bao se ba tsamaetseng hampe, hase mara hase ho fela. Bophelong re iphumana re phela le batho ba kojwana di mahetleng, ba kollang ntsi hanong. Ba bang ba kopane le dikgohola tsa bophelo mme ‘Kgale le benya ba fetlama’. Metwa le mewhabadi ya tshotleho e kgomaretse mekokotlong ya bona, mme bofuma bo tjhatjhametsa jwalo ka tsenene maphelong a bona. Ditlamorao tsa bofuma ba bona di sekisa meokgo. Re keke ra phelang hamonate kaofela harona, bang ke barui, bang ke ba nang le ho lekaneng, bang ho re ba phele ba fufulelwa tsatsi le tjhabang le le dikelang. Empa ho na le ba bang bao lentswe lena ‘Bofutsana’, ekareng ha le sa ba hlalosa hantle. Ba hlophehile hona ho otlang pelo. Batho ba ba shebela fatshe jwalo kaha eka ha se batho kapa ba na le monnko. Ke ngola seratswana sena ke rotloetsa tjhaba sa rantso ho ba le pelo ya ho fana. Ebang ona le dijo tse salletseng ka kopo hle, o seke wa di lahla, ho na le motho ya ka dijang sa mpana phatloha. Ebang o na le diaparo tsa kgale tseo oseng o sa di ratisisi, kapa di se di o haella, nehelana ka tsona hona le ho di tjhesa. Malapeng a rona ha o ka tadimisisa, re qhala dijo tse ngata haholo. Ka nako enngwe sena ha se bolele kapa ho hlalosa hore re na le tjhelete, empa ele tlwaelo hoba hangata tlwaelo e hlola kelello. Dikolo di butswe, mme diketekete
tsa bana di kgutletse sekolong. Boholo ba bana bana bo itllhophere haholo, ba bang ba tsamaya ka maoto, ba se na le dieta. O tla pakelwa le ke ho omella hwa molomo wa ngwana feela esale hoseng hore le thahameso ha e a feta pela hae. A ke re shebeng ka mabokoseng diaparo tse seng di sa lekane bana ba rona, mme re nehelaneng ka tsona ho bana ba di hlokang. Ba baka mohau haholo hoba hahona letho leo ba ka le etsang, ke maemo ao ba iphumanang ba le ka hara ona mme ba lokela ho a phela. Le bona ba lakatsa eka ba ka tshwana le bana ba bang, ebe ke thabo maphelong a bona ha dikolo di bulwa, eseng ba hloname ha kana. Ebang ho na le lelapa leo o le tsebang le futsanehileng, kakopo hle pele o qhala dijo, le nahanele. Ke a tseba hore batho ba bang re ditlhong tsa ho fana. Ebang ho le jwalo ke o phephetsa ho botsa ka lefapha la thekolohelo tikolohong ya heno mme o ise eng kapa eng feela eo okabang le yona ya kgale. Ekaba dieta, diaparo, kobo, poletjhe ya dieta, jwalo jwalo. Ke a o hlapanyetsa sena se ka etsa phethoho e makatsang bophelong ba motho e mong. Re lokela re le batho ho nahanelana, ha se setlamo empa ke moya wa botho. Ebang Ramasedi a o hlohonolofaditse ka ho hong bophelong ba hao, nahanela ya hlokang tlhohonolofatso eo. Ke Motaung wa Rampai ya reng: Mehoma mobung, tjhaba sa Rantsho se none. ) Mang kapa mang ya a batlang ho ngola kholomong ena, a ka ikopanya le Jabulani Dlamini ho 051-404-7910 kapa ho Jabulani.Dlamini@volksblad.com. ) Mongodi ha ana ho lefiwa.
Your opportunity to become a journalist DO you have a story to tell? Do you have your finger on the pulse of your community? Then we want you to write for us. Express Goldfields & Northern Free State is looking for volunteer citizen journalists to tell us about events happening in their area. We also want to know about the issues, as well as the good news, in your community. You may have a story you want to share or you may want to write reviews for the Express Goldfields & NFS
website. Maybe you want to offer traffic reports on your way to work via the mobi-site, or maybe you want to start your own blog and become a famous blogger. You may also be a keen gardener and want to offer your tips on gardening via the website, or you might just have a fascinating local story to tell. As long as it is local and original, we are interested to read about it. Register at www.expressnews.co.za and join our team as a citizen journalist.
CARIS FRANS, the principal of the Golden Park Primary School, accompanied by teachers, addressed the learners at assembly on the first day of the 2014 school term last week Wednesday, emphasising the significance of good principles and moral values. Photo: Teboho Setena
Bursaries, uniforms given to eligible youths } Teboho Setena THE Matjhabeng Municipality in its endeavour to better people’s lives has offered bursaries and school uniforms to eligible youths residing within its jurisdictional area. However, the municipality would not reveal the value of the bursaries presented last week Tuesday at a function held in Welkom. The recipients of bursaries will study at different universities and the uniform recipients are of local schools. For 2014, the municipality has offered bursaries to 10 candidates and 105 pupils from needy families. Some of the pupils are orphans in the care of non-governmental institutions. The bursary recipients will study at the Central University of Technology of the Free State, University of the Free State, Durban Westville University in KwaZulu-Natal, University of Pretoria and University of the Witwatersrand. This year’s intake of 10 students makes it 25 in the total number of candidates funded by the Matjhabeng Municipality. Addressing the recipients Matjhabeng’s mayor, Sebenzile Ngangelizwe, said education was significant in positively changing South Africa. “We need educated leaders and thus your studies should be a main priority at university. This country cannot progress without educated leaders. “If a leader is not educated, how are we going to analyse space broadly and lead the way? You must be educated to be able to lead and analyse space broadly,” said Ngangelizwe. He said
THE trio of Nkeletseng Mokabo, Lefu Khepheng and Nombulelo Ngema are among the lucky bursary recipients from the Matjhabeng Local Municipality. Photo: Teboho Setena efforts by Matjhabeng were in line to ensure South Africa was on par with countries such as Ghana and Zimbabwe that boast quality education in the African continent. “South Africa can only shine when producing educated leaders and we will ensure we provide quality education. “After successful completion of your studies, you should be patriotic to South Africa, serve your communities and use the knowledge gained to improve people’s lives,” said Ngangelizwe.
THE mayor of the Matjhabeng Municipality, Sebenzile Ngangelizwe.
EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 22 JANUARY 2014
NEWS
Hijacking suspects receive no bail SUSPECTED car hijackers will remain behind bars while the police continue with further investigation. David Ntsuku (35), Mohapi Nteleki (35), Thabiso Diphoko (37) and Victor Majozi (34) face charges ranging from attempted murder, armed robbery and car hijacking. The state turned down their bail application on their brief appearance in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court on 7 January. Following their appearance the state charged Ntsuku with eight accounts of armed robbery and attempted murder. His co-accused face charges of hijacking and attempted murder. The four suspects were arrested on 4 January after the foiled hijacking of a Toyota Hilux vehicle belonging to a resident of Thabong, Tiisetso Nona. The Thabong police spokesperson, Mamello Mokhuane, said the arrest followed after the stolen vehicle the suspects were driving had collided with Nona’s brother Golf 5 GTI during a high speed chase. She said the collision took place near Moshoeshoe and Constantia Roads in Thabong. “While patrolling, crime prevention members saw the speeding vehicles and began to tail them. “Through radio communication they realized that one of the vehicles was a
CENTENARIAN: Afrika Kolisang who reached the milestone of a 100 years, shares his joy with his only surviving offspring, Moipone Litabe (76) and Kekeletso Makoko (72) (left).
Photo: Moeti Molelekoa
A 100 years of good memories } Teboho Setena THE century mark is certainly a milestone birthday that is worthy of celebration, and for Afrika Kolisang the event was a blessing. He says he cherishes being a centenarian. Amongst family and friends, Kolisang celebrated his 100th birthday on Friday, 10 January, at his house in Thabong’s township where he had been living since the 1940s. A father of five children, he was born in 1914 in Thaba Nchu. Kolisang is the first born in the family of ten children. He got married in his late 20s. Kolisang is one of the centenarians of the world’s 100th anniversary of the First World War that began in Europe on 28 July 1914 and lasted until November 1918. Kolisang has lived to see several developments and evolutions. He has memories of the Second World War fought from 1939 to 1945, well-known to some as Hitler’s World War as it came as a direct result of the dictatorial leader of the Nazis, Adolf Hitler. Just like a cricket batsman achieving a 100 century milestone, Kolisang received a standing ovation of well wishes. “The secret of me living so long is respect. “Respecting your parents and people is one of the rules of God. You should be disciplined. Just like a car, if you don’t service and maintain it, it will never perform and last,” he said. He came to settle in Welkom in 1934 at the youthful age of 20. He arrived way before the mines and the founding of the gold mega town after the discovery of gold. Kolisang’s first experience was to work on the farm of Edward Pienaar, who was one of the farmers in the region. He originates from Thaba Nchu, the town which was then under Bophuthatswana. One of the other farmers was Frikkie Bekker. “There were a few farms, mostly planting mabele and
What’s on Fax information to: 086-676-3805 Email: teboho.setena@volksblad.com
Before 10:00 on Fridays
THE African Methodist Episcopal Church Kroonstad Diamond District invites members of the Madodana (Ace League) to a plenary leadership meeting. The meeting
maize. Wheat followed suit during the era of Adolf Hitler. The farmers were encouraged to plant wheat for fear of starvation from Adolf Hitler’s World War. My house was situated at Steyn no. 2 Mine on the farm of Edward Pienaar,” he said. “The first mine was St Helena. Welkom was actually a farm on which geologists settled during their mission to discover gold. Then farm owner Willem Pienaar insisted that the town be named after his farm. Odendaalsrus was the main town where everybody would go for shopping with Ventersburg an alternative town,” said Kolisang. “A settlement was laid out on the farm Welkom and officially proclaimed a town in 1948. It became a municipality from 1960 with Phillip Smith as the chief administrator of the township,” said the old man. Welkom is the realisation of an ideal held by Sir Ernest Oppenheimer, at that time chairman of the Anglo American Corporation. Kolisang had journeyed far and wide to celebrate his 100th birthday. He is a very religious man. “I feel happy whenever I pray,” said Kolisang. He, together with the late Joseph Thakguli and Pitso Molelekoa, father of veteran writer Moeti Molelekoa, contributed in the construction of the Pentecostals Church in Thabong. “When you mention that only three men built the church, there is a huge outcry as it’s unreal,” said Kolisang. “In 1956 a group of women who were making a living by selling the home-brewed beer mqombothi (traditional beer) burned down the bar in protest against a forced law to only drink beer sold from a statecontrolled bar. People were arrested for making home-brewed beer and were forced to purchase and drink at the bar only. That did not go down well with them, so they burned down the beer hall,” he said. will be held at Tilo Mabote in Ventersburg on 1 February 2014, starting at 09:00. The meeting will be under guidance of Revent Moeti Mofokeng and the Lay Organization president, Sello Seteiso. For details church members can contact Khumalo Motsei on 071-457-8898 or Makoko Nico on 078-166-6443. Also remember the Kroonstad church race. The deadline for the What’s On community diary is Wednesdays at 13:00. Send the entries to teboho.setena@volksblad.com.
Toyota Hilux that had been reported stolen. “The members continued to tail the vehicles until they collided near Constantia and Moshoeshoe Road,’’ said Mokhuoane. She said one of the two suspects was arrested at the scene of the collision while the other fled on foot. “The suspect was taken in for questioning. Within a few minutes the police received information that two of the four suspects who were driving another vehicle were residing in Meloding and Virginia. Two suspects were arrested while the fourth one was found in Thabong,” she said. Mokhuoane said further investigation led to the discovery of a firearm, a Glock pistol with ten live rounds and one magazine in K1 Kutlwanong in Odendaalsrus. She said the complainant was hijacked at his house in Thabong at the time he went to inspect what was wrong after finding that his two dogs had been killed. The hijackers allegedly started firing shots in the complainant’s direction. Mokhuoane said the complainant jumped the fence at the back of his house to hide in the neighbourhood and then alerted the Thabong SAPS and his brother about the incident.
For more photos and news visit www.express-news.co.za
5
6
EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 22 JANUARY 2014
SOCIAL PHOTOS
FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL: Scores of parents with expressions of mixed emotions accompanied their children to start their first day of school at the Golden Park Primary School in Bronville.
Starting school
SHARING one umbrella to protect themselves against the searing heat, these four girls attend the Polokong Intermediate School. They are only a few of the scores of learners from the Thabong Township who risk their lives daily to cross the dangerous and busy road linking Virginia and Welkom. They then walk through the open field to school every morning. They brave all kinds of weather to get invaluable education from the school situated at one of the no longer functioning mines in Welkom. NEW at the Golden Park Primary School in Bronville and from different pre-schools, Leechen van Rooyen and Thato Kgotseng (right), met on the first day of the 2014 school year last week Wednesday. The pair was accompanied by their parents to start formal school as gr. 1s which will culminate in them matriculating in 2026. Photos: Teboho Setena
ENFORCING THE LAW: Motorists flouting traffic rules and driving unroadworthy vehicles found themselves in hot water during a routine inspection conducted by the Matjhabeng traffic officers on the busy Constantia Road in Thabong last Wednesday.
RAY OF HOPE: Lynette du Preez, Maria Marcus and Elizabeth Nqabeni of House of Hope attended the Matjhabeng Municipality’s bursaries and uniform presentation function held last Tuesday in Welkom. This function is for students who are furthering their studies at universities and destitute learners attending school.
EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 22 JANUARY 2014
7
NEWS
Nedbank Cup is heating up } Tladi Moloi
LOSING HERO: Despite Bernard Parker’s record equalling goal from the penalty spot, Bafana Bafana crashed out spectacularly of the African Nations Championship after going down 3-1 to Super Eagles of Nigeria. Sport minister Fikile Mbalula has controversially labelled the team “a bunch of losers”.
Bafana outmuscled by Nigeria in tournament
THE South Africa coach Gordon Igesund says his men were outmuscled by Nigeria in their final outing at the African Nations Championship on Sunday night. The Super Eagles knocked Bafana Bafana out of the tournament via a brace from Man of the Match, Ejike Uzoenyi, and a strike from Ifeanyi Ede, with Bernard Parker pulling one back for the hosts at the Cape Town Stadium. Stephen Keshi’s charges advanced to the quarter-finals of the event alongside Group A winners Mali, who came from a goal down to beat Mozambique 2-1 at the Athlone Stadium. “I’m very disappointed not to get something out of this,” Igesund said. “But well done to Nigeria, they were more physical than us and won the second ball and got the goals, so I have to give them credit. “They outmuscled us, they were physically much stronger than us. It’s not an excuse, it’s just how it is. “We tried to create situations, once you’re 2-0 down, you’re gonna take chances and throw bodies forward. “I did that, I had five up front attacking in the last 15 minutes. If we had got a goal a little earlier, something could have happened, but it was not to be, so well done to them.” Keshi, meanwhile, was buoyed by his side’s efforts, having bounced back from an opening day loss to Mali with back-to-back victories. “The boys fought like wounded lions to stay in this competition,” Keshi said. “I’m very grateful to them and I salute them, they did wonderfully well. “In the first game they had a little bit of stage fright. But I knew their ability,
I know what they can do, so I knew they would qualify. “We’ll just take it game by game,” he added of the African champions’ prospects going forward. Meanwhile, Igesund insists that he didn’t have a mandate going into the African Nations Championships, adding that he has no plans of stepping down as national team coach either. Fans were hopeful of a strong showing in the tournament, especially following the memorable win against Spain towards the end of 2013, but it was not to be. Still, Igesund defended his record as head coach and insisted the team was on an upward curve. “From my personal point of view I had no mandate for this competition; we wanted to be the best we could,” he said after the game. “I’m at peace where I am at the moment. We have played 28 games and have won 14 of those games, that is 50%. We lost seven and drew seven, and along the way we have beaten Spain. “There has been a huge improvement in our football and we have gained a lot of players along the way. I’m at peace with myself and I’m at peace where we are at the moment.” Asked if he feared the axe after the early exit, Igesund said: “Somewhere along the line, wherever you get employed, you get employed to get fired eventually. “As far as the way forward, I just have to continue where I am. I have a job to do as my contract is until June, so I need to continue working hard and start helping us qualify for the 2015 African Cup of Nations.” – KickOff.com
Sports events for February Golf tournament THIS year’s Free State Goldfield Chamber of Business President’s Cup Golf Tournament will be held on 15 February at the Oppenheimer Park Golf Club. Entry fee is R250 per player, inclusive of the green fee. Tee-off time is set to be 11:00. The format is a two-person better-ball Stableford and shortgun with no halfway. Players with and without a handicap are welcome to enter. Should a team have a player without a handicap, they will only be able to compete for prizes and not for the President’s Cup. The competition will be divided into four categories namely men with and without handicaps and women with and without handicaps. The first and second runner-up teams in the handicap categories will play
for the Floating President’s Cup Trophee. Prizes will be awarded in each of the four categories. Companies are welcome to enter an unlimited team of two players. Tees, putting greens and wet holes can be sponsored at R500 each, respectively. Contact 057-352-7211/2. Kroonstad Jubel Race The Kroonstad Cell Church and Transformation Centre’s Jubel Festival Race will be held on 8 February. The starting point of the three races is the Kroonstad Cell Church. For details contact Marita Serfontein on 079-896-7210 or Anchen Nel on 082-561-9059. Send all events for Sports On to teboho.setena@volkslbad.com.
FREE STATE STARS will play Witbank Spurs, a team playing in the National First Division (NFD), in the last-32 leg of the Nedbank Cup Tournament, while African Warriors will travel to play Mainstay United. The dates and venues for the games are yet to be confirmed, but the first-round games are scheduled to be played between 19 and 26 February. The draw was conducted last Thursday. The two teams from the Eastern Free State will be hoping to win their games to advance to the second stage of the tournament. The struggling Maihlome Ihlasele will surely be worried as they have never played against these opponents before. However, Ea Lla Koto knows what to expect when they face Spurs, as they knocked out the same opponents in last year’s edition of the tournament beating them 1-0 at the Charles Mopeli Stadium. The Nedbank Cup Tournament is the only cup competition in the South African League to set a contest for the Absa Premier League, NFD and the South African Football Association (Safa) teams. The 16 teams from South Africa’s top-flight – PSL – have entered the competition along with eight qualifiers from the NFD and a further eight sides from the Safa ranks – which this year include two teams from the fourth tier of the domestic game, Mainstay United FC from the Northern Cape and the University of Stellenbosch from the Western Cape. “The PSL partnership with Nedbank has been one of the key drivers behind
fulfilling the dreams of young talent across the country,” says Brand de Villiers, the PSL chief executive officer. “We have seen the important role played by the Nedbank Cup Tournament, not only in nurturing youngsters, but in fuelling ambition of lower division clubs to climb the ladder to the elite league. “Clubs like Maluti FET College, Baroka FC and the University of Pretoria, amongst others, are testament to that. This tournament has remained relevant to all South Africans because of the role it plays in bringing together top professional sides and clubs in the amateur ranks.” Full fixtures ) United FC vs AmaZulu ) Golden Arrows vs Polokwane City ) University of Pretoria vs SuperSport United ) University of Stellenbosch vs Bloem Celtic ) FC Buffalo (Eastern Cape) vs FC Cape Town ) Mainstay United (Northern Cape) vs African Warriors ) Milano United vs Bloemfontein Young Tigers ) Moroka Swallows vs Mbombela United ) Maritzburg United vs MP Black Aces ) Santos vs Gamalakhe United (KZN) ) Free State Stars vs Witbank Spurs ) Platinum Stars vs Great North FC (Limpopo) ) Ajax Cape Town vs Mamelodi Sundowns ) Black Leopards vs Kaizer Chiefs ) AmaBEE FC/PLK City Rovers FC vs Bidvest Wits ) Thanda Royal Zulu vs Orlando Pirates
8
EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 22 JANUARY 2014
Looking for sports star SUPERSPORT’S LET’S PLAY and Express Goldfields & Northern Free State are looking for youths who are good at sport! Are you good SUPERSPORT’S at sport – or is Let’s Play Star of someone in your the Month. school or place of education good at sport? Are you a young coach who is coaching future stars? Are you getting people active at your school, community or gym? We want to hear from you. SuperSport’s Let’s Play identified the need amongst the youth to get more sport active. With this in mind SuperSport and Let’s Play in association with Express Goldfields & Northern Free State have launched a special initiative for 2014. We want to find and give recognition to learners at either primary or high schools who excel in sport or who are helping others to be more active. SuperSport’s Let’s Play Star of the Month is a monthly competition for anyone aged 6 to 18. You can nominate yourself or be nominated by a friend, any teacher or coach at your place of education. You can even be nominated by a family member or friend who knows how good you are. The winner is chosen from all the nominations received for that month. The monthly winner will receive a Let’s Play hamper filled with goodies. From all the entries we receive each month, one athlete will be chosen as the SuperSport Let’s Play Star of the Month. At the end of the year one candidate from all the Star of the Month winners during the year will be chosen as the SuperSport Let’s Play Star of the Year. (Do not worry - we do an overall annual summary of all your sporting achievements at the end of November before the year-winner is chosen). Let’s Play is an initiative to enhance recreation and development at schools through play and sport. Every educational institution has talented sports achievers. Don’t be shy – we want to know who you are. Send us your nomination today (nominations received before the 20th of every month will be included in that month’s selection. Nominations received after the 20th of every month will be carried over to the next month’s selection). Nominations must include your name, age and a short paragraph (200 words or less) on what you have achieved, as well as your contact details. For example: Name, age and grade, school or place of education’s name and contact telephone number or address. You can email your nomination to supersport@zpr.co.za or fax 086-5524922. For more information contact Lynne or Juanré on 051-522-9574.
BATTERIES
For more sport news and stories, visit www.express-news.co.za or like us on Facebook: Express Goldfields
NEW players for the Griffons are from the left, front: Pieter Botha, Shaun Prins, Mayizukiswe Ntshoko and Stephan Helm; back: Dirk Grobbellaar, Wynand Pienaar, Kobus Kalp, Henry Liebenberg, Sheldon Erasmus and Werner Lourens Photo:Teboho Setena
Griffons unveil new guns
} Teboho Setena THE Griffons have set themselves a target to prove they are one of the teams worth challenging. In their quest to realise the objective and end the roller coaster situation, the lads from the Free State’s capital of gold have enlisted ten players. Oersond Gorgonzola, the Griffons mentor, believes the effort is significant in the team’s resurgence. The new boys are Pieter Botha (prop), Shaun Prins (wing), Mayizukiswe Ntshoko (flank), Stephan Helm (flank), Dirk Grobbellaar (loose forward), Wynand Pienaar (utility back), Kobus Kalp (prop), Henry Liebenberg (loose forward), Sheldon Erasmus (wing), Werner Lourens (lock) and AJ le Roux (hooker). The enlisted players will be part of the squad of 30, that ambitious coach Gorgonzola has pinned his hopes on in his major task to rebuild the Griffons into a formidable side. He said the management had brought the youthful players into the team’s fold with the main
objective to turn around the Griffons’ fortunes. “They are talented young players with some having experience from the Varsity Cup. They fit into our plan to rebuild a competitive team for a longer period. The team’s best season ever was in 2012 when we reached the semi-final of the Vodacom Cup and we have to work hard to get back there,” said Gorgonzola. He said enlisting talented players was the starting point in the resurgence of the Griffons: “We have to ensure this year we reach the Vodacom Cup quarterfinal if all goes well. Major injuries will be the only thing that will threaten us.” The inclusion of six Griffons players in the Cheetah squad to campaign in this year’s Super Rugby 15 championship will be significant in the resurgence of the Griffons. Gorgonzola said there was room for improvement and the learners could learn the ropes by playing big-time rugby. Six Griffons players received the call-up
to train with the Free State giants after impressing the team’s head coach, Naka Drotské. Those selected for the preliminary team are Inus Kritzinger, Chris Ehlers, Martin Sithole, Norman Nelson, AJ le Roux and Danie van der Merwe. “This is the first time six of our players have been chosen for the Cheetahs’ Super Rugby team. It signifies that we are on track in scouting for talented players. It’s also recognition for the Griffons,’’ Gorgonzola said. He added that the Griffons players’ participation at high level rugby would go a long way in improving the players. Taken through vigorous conditioning training last week, he said he had been impressed with the new and old boys’ response to the programme. “We are nursing some minor injuries, but we’ll be ready to compete when the season starts.” The Griffons build-up games will be against the Northern Cape’s Griquas and the Toyota Cheetahs on 7 and 14 February.