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Bongani near collapse
Not even basic needs of patients met } Teboho Setena PATIENTS, doctors and nurses at the Bongani Regional Hospital in Welkom bear the brunt of the Free State Department of Health’s apparent financial predicament. The hospital is teetering on the brink of collapse. This became evident last Thursday when disgruntled nurses, more than 100, downed tools. They gathered outside the hospital to voice their frustration with working under dire conditions, including long and unpaid overtime hours. Patients, desperate to receive health services on the day, had to wait longer than expected as outraged nurses would not budge. They demanded that the Bongani Hospital’s management took decisive action to remedy the situation that had been described as a death trap for patients as well as nurses and health-care workers. Disgusted with the deteriorating health services, the nurses held a meeting with management – not inside the hospital but outside – for everyone to see. They demanded answers from the hospital’s management led by Dr Yusuf Vahed, the newly appointed chief executive officer, and Dr Osmel Hechavarria-Hernandez, the former chief executive officer. Vahed, who has been in office only eight days, read a riot act with nurses refusing to work under the conditions they had described as risky for everyone. Tempers flared when Vahed instructed the nurses to return to work. “What are we going to use to attend to the patients? There are no needles, no gloves and nappies or identity tags for newborns,” said one nurse. “The conditions that we are now working under will result in an anxiety disorder if management does not take a decisive step to address it,” another nurse remarked. “That is an arrogant statement which you should not make. I have only been in office a few days,” said Vahed in reaction to this. “How am I supposed to know about all your problems. I’m in the process of solving them,” he said. Hechavarria-Hernandez, who had acted as chief executive officer for eight months, told the nurses that he had authorised all the necessary documents for the suppliers. An aggrieved nurse question Vahed: “How long should we wait because management has been saying the same thing over and over? Enough is enough.” In the heat of the moment another nurse demanded answers regarding a range of
‘We have tried all that we could, even using hospital sheets as nappies.’ – Nurse at the Bon gani Hospital issues pertaining to the unavailability of health consumable items to enable the nurses to perform their duty. Angry nurses demanded answers about unpaid overtime monies owed to them by the hospital, and wanted to know why the shortage of staff nurses and appointment of nurses had not yet been addressed. It emerged that about 60 positions had yet to be filled at the Bongani Hospital. Tumo Talane, a member of the hospital’s management, responded to the nurses and said it was their choice not to work. “But we have started paying people overtime monies owed them,” he said. ) Express Goldfields & Northern Free State reliably learnt that the situation at the hospital remained unchanged despite Vahed’s promise to turn the hospital around. There was still no stock on Monday, and nurses were left to deal with the situation. Scores of nurses were spotted criss-crossing the corridors of the hospital from one ward to another searching for basic items such as gloves, needles and nappies in order for them (nurses) to do their work and to help the hundreds of patients desperate to receive health care. Many nurses did not hide their frustration at working in an environment that was too risky for them and their patients. A nurse warned the hospital management and said: “We now face a situation where patients will sue the hospital or sue us for incompetence.” One nurse revealed that during the last three months there were incidents in which nurses had been accused of negligence. “We have tried all that we could, even using hospital sheets as nappies. Those are the extremes we have gone to. Now tell me, is that not enough improvisation by us nurses? You come to work daily already frustrated because you don’t have basic equipment,” said the nurse. ) Express Goldfields & NFS reliably learnt that companies providing stock are owed millions of rands by the Department of Health.
CHAOS: Dr Osmel HechavarriaHernandez and Dr Yusuf Vahed (former acting chief executive officer at the Bongani Regional Hos pital and his successor) address disgruntled staff nurses who downed tools last Thursday. The nurses were protesting against a range of problems including the unavailability of equipment to render quality services to patients and outstanding overtime pay ments due to them by the embattled Free State Department of Health. Photos: Teboho Setena
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SHOCKING: A patient at the Bongani Regional Hospital wrapped up in a sheet instead of wearing a nappy.
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Scores of mourners pay tribute to Bra Dick } Teboho Setena and Motlalepule Mokgosi HUGE crowds of mourners attended the memorial and funeral mass of prominent Free State sports administrator Dick Nkuna. Sports, political and cultural figures from all the corners of the country gathered at the Roman Catholic Church of Grace in Oppenheimer Park in Thabong, Welkom, to pay their last respect to a man many drew inspiration from for his tireless work to do just what was good and progressive. The venue was too small to accommodate the hundreds of mourners in attendance. Scores of them even stood outside the venue which turned out to be a meeting point for Nkuna’s old friends, peers, colleagues and business
‘We have lost a father, a mentor in Dick Nkuna.’ – Dan Kgothule associates in the taxi transport sector – through which he created employment opportunities. Nkuna’s life spanned 69 years and he leaves behind his wife, Emily, three daughters, Maletsatsi, S’bongile, Thokozile, and his only son, Junior Nkuna. Although also a businessman, sport was an integral part of his life. At the time of his death he was Boxing South Africa’s manager for the Free State. A whistle utilised in football and netball was blown and a boxing bell rung in honour of
Nkuna’s lasting contribution to sport while the church congregation sang inspiring hymns to bid farewell to one of their pillars of strength. In recognition of Nkuna’s role in sport, former colleague Washington Mogadi blew a whistle and said: “Bra Dick’s role in promoting and developing sport was immense. He played his part in the game and today his 90th minute has come to take a deserving rest.” Mogadi said Nkuna’s strength was his ability to organise, his administrative
MEMBERS of Boxing South Africa provincially and nationally paid tribute to the late Dick Nkuna at his funeral last Friday. From the left are Teboho Poone, Andrew Ncheche, Mapaseka Nkoane, Dr Peter Ngatane and Freddie Makhathini.
EMILY NKUNA, wife of the late Dick Nkuna, a wellknown sports ad ministrator and businessman in the Free State and in South Africa. Photos: Teboho Setena
knowledge of sport and willingness to be involved. One speaker after another regarded Bra Dick, as Nkuna was known, as an inspiration to so many. Numerous speakers stated that they were grateful for their connection to a man who had lived his life with elegance and humanity. They honoured his life by remembering his pride, willingness, his honest work and his humour. Some said they would remember Nkuna for his family values and principles as a husband, father, uncle, father-inlaw, brother-in-law and friend. Despite Nkuna’s passion for and knowledge of sport, translating his talent into the field of play appeared to be a big challenge following a revelation by boxing promoter Fezile Mabuya. “Bra Dick tried his luck at boxing, but never won a single fight. He was beaten at all times and I don’t remember him even scoring a draw. We should also just remember that Nkuna was a comrade.” Mabuya said Nkuna was one of the people that used the library in Thabong to have secret meetings and inform their fellow freedom fighters about the events unfolding. “But when it came to his son, Junior, Bra Dick did not compromise. He would do just about anything for Junior. He almost killed me upon finding out I was involved in letting Junior and my two sons go into exile during the anti-apartheid struggle. ‘Junior is my only son, at least you have five sons to look after your family’,” Mabuya quoted Nkuna. The Free State MEC for Sport,
Arts, Culture and Recreation, Dan Kgothule, said: “We have lost a father, a mentor in Dick Nkuna. I have worked with Bra Dick for eight years in restructuring the stadium in Hertzogville as our first task, but I have known Bra Dick for over 28 years. “He nurtured me and gave me an opportunity to play a role in the negotiations for the merging of the Griffons rugby team players of both black and white since both teams participated separately. The white team played on Saturdays and the black team on Sundays.” A group of senior citizens honoured Nkuna performing a well-known choral song titled Ka Selemo sa 1937 – sending the scores of people in attendance into raptures and they sang along in his remembrance. Watch the video and see more pictures at www.expressnews.co.za.
JUNIOR NKUNA, son of the late prominent sports administrator Dick Nkuna.
Suspects on the run
Successfully completed course HEALTH GRADUATES: The South African Academy in Welkom held its graduation ceremony for students who successfully completed a course in Professional Healthcare Assistance with 14 students receiving their qualifications. From the left are, front: Munira Gqzi, Caroline Maphasa, Nontombi Mboyana, Nomsa Ngcolwane (SA Academy recruitment manager), Itumeleng Rantsatsi, Mathapelo Mokhohlane and Emily Matlap aneng; back: Dikeledi Koto, Sylvia Siyale, Dimakatso Molete, Luyolo Ngqulunga, Olga Ntlhare, Albertina Hlabathi and Elisa Segonyane. More pictures at www.expressnews.co.za Photo: Teboho Setena
THE Odendaalsrus Police are on the hunt for two armed robbers who robbed a woman and her son at their house in Welkom under the false pretence that they were police members. The armed robbery took place in April. The Welkom police spokesperson, Capt. Stephen Thakeng, says the suspects are still on the run. “Someone knocked at the door and the woman opened it. Two neatly-dressed unknown African males, both with firearms in their possession, identified themselves as police officers and showed the woman a brown purse with a police emblem,” says Thakeng. The robbers took a plasma television set, a Sony hi-fi system, Playstation, two laptops, two cellphones, a handbag, a computer, a microwave oven, a kettle, AMC Classic pots and R600 cash during the robbery. Anyone with information that can help the police in tracing the suspects can contact the Odendaalsrus detectives on 057-916-2461.
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Frustration boils over } Motlalepule Mokgosi
SHOCKING allegations of the poor conditions nurses at the Bongani Regional Hospital had been working under emerged last week Thursday. This followed after more than 100 staff members had downed tools in protest against the chaotic situation they had been working under for more than three months. The shocking situation at the Bongani Hospital arose from the Free State Department of Health’s financial problems which came to the fore last year. The nurses said the situation at the hospital affected people at every level and patients were being neglected due to a shortage of basic materials. They said for them to do their work and render services to the patients they even had to borrow equipment from other hospitals such as the Oppenheimer Private Hospital and the Thusanong Hospital in Odendaalsrus. The nurses said they were fed up with things within their working environment. “Nothing is being done about the situation,” said one nurse. The findings were that the situation at the hospital was critical. The following was identified: ) patients are unable to bathe and some are left unwashed, wards are dirty and there are no hooks to hang curtains for privacy; ) two nurses have to monitor between 28 to 29 patients; ) there are no surgical gloves, toilet paper or diapers for the elderly and babies; and ) some patients even give birth in the bathrooms. The nurses said the hospital discharged patients before they had fully recovered. A nurse at the hospital, who wished to remain anonymous, said the hospital was bankrupt and had lost sight of its fundamental responsibility to provide safe care. It also emerged that contracted service providers had stopped the supply of the materials. “Why can’t management plan ahead and place orders timeously? If this was taken into consideration none of this would have happened,” lamented one
CHAOS: Fed up with the disarray arising from the poor management style staff nurses at the Bongani Regional Hospital downed tools and gathered near the parking bay on the hospital premises last week Thursday. Photo: Teboho Setena nurse. The nurses highlighted this local scandal and said their overall conclusion was the blistering condemnation of the approach to labour at government hospitals. However, Dr Yusuf Vahed, the new
chief executive officer, said: “We don’t know why the suppliers are not delivering the orders.” He said that the Department of Health’s head office was working on the matter. After he had spoken to the nurses for more than three hours Vahed pleaded
with them to return to work and promised that he would accept accountability and would see what he could do for them. “Even if I have to take the money from my own pocket so that the work can be done.”
‘Why can’t management plan ahead and place orders timeously? If this was taken into consideration none of this would have happened.’ – Anonymous nurse at the Bongani Regional Hospital
Youth get kickstart THE South African Breweries (SAB) Central Region invites emerging and established business minds to enter the 2014 edition of their annual KickStart Youth Entrepreneurship competition. This year entrants will be competing for a share of more than R6 million in grants and will also be provided with business skills training as well as various networking opportunities. The KickStart Youth Entrepreneurship initiative, which is one of the longest youth entrepreneurship programmes, was first launched in 1995. The main aim of the project is two-fold; firstly to promote the spirit of entrepreneurship among the youth and secondly to encourage business awareness through training, funding and mentorship to empower their projects to be sustainable. To date the project has amassed over 22 700 success stories with more than 3 200 businesses having been started since the start of the initiative. One such success story is that of Tsholofelo Majeng who won R100 000 to expand and further develop her business. Based in Kuruman, the businesswoman is the sole owner of Maiktronix which specialises in the fabrication of structural metal products, including window frames, door units, steel fencing and gates. Additionally, the company supplies and installs surveillance security and automation systems. In order to qualify, entrants must be between 18 and 35 years old and must be a previously disadvantaged black South African youth. Furthermore, businesses must be 50% black owned, be in operation for less than five years and make less than R5 million in revenue. Entrants must also be able to demon-
strate that they have fewer than 15 employees, have high growth potential and sustainable competitive advantage. Entries close on 30 May. For entry criteria or for more information, visit www.sabkickstart.net. Alternatively, contact Patience Selesho on 053-840-0426 or email her at Patience.Selesho@za.sabmiller.com.
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Primary duties: • Calculate daily chemical costs and maintain appropriate stock levels • Attend stakeholder meetings • Prepare annual budget in terms of agreed templates, criteria and timeframes • Optimise chemical dosage • Plan and arrange annual cleaning of reservoirs • Ensure regular cleaning and maintenance of treatment process units • Assist with pipeline failures as and when required • Report minor maintenance work on reservoirs, plant and pump stations • Be responsible for Meter Master Plan maintenance • Ensure that meter readings are done at the required time, data captured and approved on intranet • Ensure that bacteriological and physical samples are taken fortnightly, delivered to service providers and attending to feedback/report outcomes • Verify bulk billing meters • Proactively plan plant operation for 24 hours in advance • Be responsible for payroll matters • Coordinate and approve leave • Oversee disciplinary matters • Be responsible for performance assessments for Senior Process Controllers and Lab Process Controllers • Ensure overtime, shifts and standby duties are planned and managed properly • In-service training to be conducted • Develop and maintain SOPs • Compile operational report to the Regional Manager • Be responsible for chemical usage, pump readings, lab averages of tests report • Report to the Bloemfontein Office and DWA monthly and quarterly • Be responsible for Blue Drop Assessment • Be responsible for production report • Undertake inspections • Adhere to H&S standards in all plants and pump stations • Perform all assignments as directed from time to time Requirements: • National Diploma: Water Care/Chemical Engineering • 7 years’ experience in Water Treatment Plants • Class IV Classification with DWA • Computer literacy • Computerised Maintenance Management System • Valid driver’s licence • Report-writing skills • Leadership skills • Budgeting skills • Problem-solving skills. Bloem Water is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. The intention is to promote representivity in the organisation through the filling of vacancies. Send your application with comprehensive CV and supporting documents to: The Executive Human Resource, PO Box 30121, Pellissier, Bloemfontein 9322. Closing date: 3 June 2014 Applicants who have not received feedback by 30 June 2014 must accept that their applications have been unsuccessful. Bloem Water reserves the right not to appoint in any advertised position. www.humanjobs.co.za
Human Communications 109222
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Brebner ready for rivals HTS Louis Botha
It’s my ball! FIVE netball players of two opposition sides go for the ball all at once during action packed trials to select the Free State u.13 and u.14 teams held at the Goudveld High School a week ago. The selected players will represent the province at this year’s interprovincial competitions set to be staged in Naboomspruit in Limpopo next month. Photo: Teboho Setena
Are you good at sport? SUPERSPORT’S LET’S PLAY and Express Goldfields & NFS are searching for talented youths in the region that excel in the different sporting codes. Are you good at sport or is someone in your school or place of education good at sport? Are you a young coach who is coaching future stars? We want to hear from you. SuperSport’s Let’s Play identified the need amongst the youth to get more sports active to enable them to expose their talent. With this in mind SuperSport and Let’s Play, in association with Express Goldfields & NFS, have launched a special initiative for 2014. They want to find and give recognition to learners at either primary or high school level who excel in sport or who are helping others to be more active. SuperSport’s Let’s Play Sports Star of the Month is a competition for anyone aged 6 to 18. 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 received each month, one athlete will be chosen as the SuperSport Let’s Play Sports 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 Sports Star of the Year. Send them 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. You can e-mail your nomination to supersport@zpr.co.za or send a fax to 086-552-4922. For more information contact Lynne or Juanré on 051-5229574.
A NUMBER of secondary schools in the Free State have high ambitions to win the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup. Most of the schools are chasing the record of Harmony High School, the most successful of all the teams in the province. The Virginia-based school has won the event provincially more than five times. Harmony won more than R2,2 million in prize money between 2010 and 2013. The school won R700 000 in 2010 after finishing in second place and winning the provincial finals. In 2011 the school won the R1 million first prize and in 2012 finished in third place, taking home R500 000. Bloemfontein-based Brebner High School also has the ambition to win a slice of the R3,4 million on offer in the u.19 tournament. The trophy has eluded Brebner from the Motheo District over the years. This year, with a more experienced team, they are hoping their status will change, but they will have to beat the current Free State champions, HTS Louis Botha, first. “So far so good,” says coach, Lee-Sheldon Bateman. “We have won all our cluster games to date and we are looking forward to squaring up, once again, against our rival, HTS Louis Botha.” The champions, Louis Botha, have an advantage over Brebner and Bateman believes it is because their scouts travel all over the country to look for talent. “We work with learners that come to study at the school and do not have the option of choosing from a pool of academy players. “Louis Botha will always be our rival school and I think that my team gets a bit intimidated, because they are part of an academy. However, when it comes to football skills, technically and tactically we can match up against them on any given day,” says Bateman. The 2014 Brebner team is an experienced one. Bateman explains that last year he had younger players in the team and that many of them are still there.
‘Louis Botha will always be our rival school . . . How ever, when it comes to foot ball skills, technically and tactically we can match up against them on any given day.’ – LeeSheldon Bateman “That works for us, because they now have the experience of participating in this tournament so they know what to expect. They also work hard, are passionate and have the mental ability to play soccer.” Bateman has a solid background in the game. He has been coaching since 2004, after playing for Bloemfontein Celtic from 2001 to 2003. He has a Level 1 qualification and has attended a number of coaching courses over the years. Bateman appreciates the work that Sanlam and the Motsepe Foundation are doing for soccer development. “Aspiring players have the opportunity to better themselves, they just need to work hard and be determined. “I have heard that some of the HTS Louis Botha players were scouted and are now part of the Mamelodi Sundowns Academy. I hope some of our players will get this opportunity this year, when they progress to the nationals.” Bateman is not sure who they will be playing next, but says they have upped their level of training as the more they progress the tougher it will be. “We need to make sure that we are prepared for the competition as it’s not going to be easy from now on,” Bateman says.
Club hosts recruitment trials } Teboho Setena THE National First Division outfit, Maluti FET College FC, will criss-cross the Free State from 24 May until 8 June hosting a series of talent identification trials to recruit players. The trials are in line with the club’s plan to strengthen itself up for the new 2014-’15 football season which is expected to start in August this year. This is the only Free State team attached to a learning institution that campaigns in the professional rank. The club boasts of a blend of youthful players studying at the Qwaqwa-based Maluti FET College. The trials as planned by the club’s technical team led by Coach Morena Ramorebodi are set to start this Saturday in Wepener at the Louw Wepener Stadium followed by 25 May at the Edenburg Stadium. The dates and venues where the
recruitment trials will be held are as follows: 31 May in Parys at the Parys Stadium, 1 June in Botshabelo at the Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium and 7 and 8 June at the Phuthaditjhaba Stadium in Qwaqwa. The starting time of the trials at the venues will be from 08:00 till 17:00. The players interested to attend are advised to bring their attire, Identity Document, make their travelling and accommodation arrangements and must provide food for themselves. The trials are open for players between 17 and 27. For any information interested players can contact Monnanyane on 073-447-7163 or 072-267-3834 and Ntsoetsa on 083-898-9416.
BUILDING THE FUTURE: The coach of Maluti FET College FC, Morena Ramorebodi. Photo: Teboho Setena
To read previous issues of Express online, go to www.express-news.co.za