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It’s ‘ghetto fabulous’
Upmarket guesthouse a gem deep in the heart of Thabong } Motlalepule Mokgosi SITUATED in the upmarket area of Oppenheimer Park in Welkom’s township of Thabong, the Bonjun Ekasi Guesthouse is an elegant establishment offering guests what is beyond their imagination. This bed and breakfast facilty does not ring a bell to many people within the greater Thabong, yet it is mostly popular to patrons from outside the Goldfields area. Some politicians of note from outside the Free State have experienced the comfort of staying here. Located on Bridget Crescent Street in Thabong, this guesthouse boasts of a tranquil garden suitable for relaxation and reading. It is a perfect place for business travellers seeking a spot for relaxation and for adventurous tourists itching to experience township tourism during World Tourism Month and beyond. The guesthouse won the Best Accommodation of the Year Award for 2013 at the Matjhabeng Local Municipality’s Tourism Service Excellence Awards. While taking a Sho’t Left in Thabong, it would be worth the effort to discover this hidden gem. Owned by Aubrey Stanley, a plumber, the Bonjun Ekasi Guesthouse has been operational since 2009. He transformed his personal home into this top-class hospitality facility. Stanley initially started off with five bedrooms and later decided to convert the garage into two elegant bedroom suites with mirror walls – giving you a special feeling plus a full view in privacy of oneself when dressing up. “These are all my ideas,” said Stanley, with a twinkle in his eye. “During apartheid we were not
familiar with travelling. So I saw an opportunity and it triggered me to venture into hospitality, especially in the township as it is a niche market. Nevertheless, the hospitality sector is like any other industry. It is important to offer good customer service in order to attract a large clientele,” he told Express Goldfields & NFS. “I have not encountered any major problems because my customers are always content with services offered and the menu,” said Stanley. “The important skill in hospitality is to offer a dynamic and professional hospitality service. Passion has been the recipe of my success in running the guesthouse thus far. Generating instant money has never been a priority. Making guests feel at home, away from their personal homes, is fundamental in the hospitality industry.” The fact that the bed and breakfast is more popular with outsiders than the locals is not surprising, according to Stanley. “I think it’s an issue of ignorance or lack of interest. Except for the internet, the popularity of the guesthouse has
come through word of mouth by people who made reservations here for funerals and conferences. I have not invested in an advertising campaign,” he said. Stanley said during the Phakisa race event he’s fully booked. The word Ekasi simply means township in colloquial street language. However, considering the guesthouse’s appearence, Stanley said most people would
think it was situated in town. “People find it unbelievable that the guesthouse is located in the township. “Surprisingly, in the process they even fight for an available room. People going to the Mangaung African Cultural Festival (Macufe) also book here for their return or when going to Bloemfontein,” said Stanley. The guesthouse is in the heart of Thabong and not far from
entertainment venues which include braai places, commonly known as chesa nyamas. Stanley was born in Kliptown in Gauteng, then relocated to Thabong where he started school at the Thabong Primary School. He also attended the Lebogang Secondary School. Stanley is the vice-president of the Matjhabeng Accommodation Association (MAA). Find more photos at www.express-news.co.za.
‘Passion has been the recipe of my success in running the guesthouse thus far. Generating instant money has never been a priority.’
LAYING COMFORTABLY in one of the bedroom suites in his hidden treasure of a guesthouse, Aubrey Stanley is the owner of the Bonjun Ekasi Guesthouse. Photo: Teboho Setena
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Programme actively helping ECD } Motlalepule Mokgosi EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT (ECD) CENTRES in the Goldfields have embraced the concept of introducing sport as a tool to contribute to children’s holistic development. In line with this objective, a sporting event featuring soccer, netball and athletics, was staged a week ago at the Welkom Club. Children’s teams, representing their pre-schools and crèches, showcased their talent in the games played. The ECD centres were from within the Matjhabeng Local Municipality area, Thabong, Bronville, Hani Park and Welkom. Aimed at influencing ECD centres to include sport in their programme, and also providing an opportunity for children to participate in sport, the event was organised by the Maremusa Sport Academy in partnership with Matjhabeng Regional Sports and Recreation. The event was the culmination of a series of preliminary activities held in different zones. The young boys and girls braved the cold weather conditions to participate in the event. They were spotted at various community fields, excelling to their potential. “We aim to give sport in the district a face-lift and thus far we have managed to attract 50 teams. We are going to select one team that will represent the Lejweleputswa region at another level of the games,” Modipa Rakometsi, spokesperson for the organisers of the event, said. He said he was confident they would achieve the goal set for the programme. “Our challenge is to get partners to sponsor the event and prizes, as well as equipment necessary to sustain the project and ensure the active participation of children at this level.” Nevertheless, he said they as the organisers were delighted with the support by parents, centres and the matrons in ensuring the event’s success. About nine athletes from different centres were awarded individual prizes as the best
SPORT FEVER: Future netball stars in action at the Maremusa Sport Academy Games. From the left infront Bokamoso Thuthani (goal keeper, blue bib) catches the ball while Naledi Xaba (goal shooter, green) scores and Bontle Sera (goal defence, green) and Karabo Zim (wing defence, green), as well as umpire and coach Matshepo Motsumi, watch on. The event was held a week ago at the Welkom Club. Photo: Teboho Setena performers on the day as selected by the panel. Four u.6 netball teams from the greater Thabong and Bronville played against each
New commander in charge
CAPTAIN MATHAthis community,” PELO ROSE says Maj. Gen. RAMATSA of the Lerato Molale, SAPS has been Thabong Cluster appointed as the new commander. station commander Ramatsa assures of Ventersburg. the community that She is taking over the belt will be from Capt. Nkopane tightened against May, who has taken rampant crime. up a position in the According to her, Welkom Flying it is important Squad. prioritising crime Ramatsa will serve prevention regarding Ventersburg, as well women and children, as the farming as well as vulnerable community within people,who include the area. She has the elderly and vast experience disabled in Ventersserving in the SAPS, burg. having served as a “I will need station commander support from all the starting in 2008 in community members Marquard in the across the boundries Eastern Free State. of race so that we She served for two can work together to CAPT. MATHAPELO ROSE RAMATSA years in the same curb the crime that position in Kestell is prevalent in our and was later transferred to Fouriesburg area,” says Ramatsa. where she served another two-year term “Emphasis will also be on stock-theft, before being transferred to Ventersburg. which is a priority for the national commisRamatsa’s career in the SAPS started sioner, provincial commissioner and cluster when she enlisted for training in 1989 and commander.” she has never looked back. Ramatsa was born and raised in ViljoensShe holds a national diploma in Policing kroon on the farm Skietlaagte 45 years ago. obtained from the University of South Africa She is the second child of four siblings in (Unisa). the Sefuli family. “Her appointment is a step in the right She started her primary education at the direction to empower women into manageSkietlaagte Primary School and proceeded to rial positions. Her presence at Ventersburg the Phehellang Secondary School in Parys will help us to effectively deliver services to where she matriculated in 1987.
other. In the series final, Thabong 1 beat Thabong 2 with 5-2 and Bronville outclassed Thabong east 7-0 to scoop the trophy. In soccer final series u.4, Thabong east
won 3-2 against the Thabong 2 side. In the u.5 category Thabong one beat Thabong 2 with 2-1, while in the u.6 games Thabong 1 beat Thabong 2 with 3-2.
Murder trial postponed } Teboho Setena THE murder trial in which John Serotho Mahasela stands accused of allegedly killing his lover, Mantwa Seakhi, has been rescheduled for 2 October in the Odendaalsrus Magistrate’s Court. The state postponed the trial for further investigation last Monday while the accused remained in custody. The 35-year-old Mahasela re-appeared in court last Monday after a brief appearance on 21 August. He decided against bail application on his last appearance. Mahasela is facing two charges: attempted murder, as well as the murder of the 32-year-old Seakhi. The charge of attempted murder relates to an incident on 11 July when the accused allegedly tried to kill Seakhi by pouring petrol over her and setting her on fire. The incident took place at the house of the deceased’s younger sister Masetoki Rasenyalo who resides in Block 7 in Kutlwanong. Following the incident Mahasela apparently went into hiding until the ill-fated day of 18 August when he allegedly murdered the deceased, slitting her throat with a knife. The motive for the murder relates to the deceased deciding to end their troubled love affair, the police have said. The pair’s relationship had apparently suffered an irreparable breakdown as it was overshadowed by incidents of
THE late Mantwa Seakhi. assault during June and July, according to the deceased’s family members. The late Seakhi was the oldest of four siblings. She was buried on 30 August in Kutlwanong.
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Help police trace suspects
Hunting for a bargain JUMBLE SALE FEVER: It was a case of the early bird catching the worm when women, young and old, scrambled for the best clothing items during a jumble sale held along Constantia Road near G Hostel and the Teto Secondary School in Thabong on Tuesday. Items, which included everything from curtains to T-shirts, trousers and jackets, were sold with the cheapest selling for R15. Photo: Teboho Setena
THE police in the Goldfields continue their manhunt to find and bring to book those guilty of the rape and murder of Adeline Stompie Nyamane (47). The victim, who lived in the Odendaalsrus township of Kutlwanong, was killed two years ago. The police have been unsuccessful in finding her killer or killers. Capt. Stephen Thakeng, spokesperson of the Welkom police, says Nyamane’s body was found on 5 February 2012 at about 06:30 in the K4 section in Kutlwanong. He says the victim had a severe wound on her nose bridge. Thakeng said the findings of the investigation conducted revealed that she had been hit on the nose with a stone and lost consciousness. “A post-mortem revealed that she had been raped and bled profusely until she died at the scene. Apparently she inhaled her blood (and suffocated) while she was unconscious,” says Thakeng. The police appeal to anyone in Kutlwanong who has information regarding the incident and the whereabouts of suspects to come forward in order to bring the guilty to book. Anyone with information must contact the investigative officer, WO Priscillia Britz of the Odendaalsrus Detective Services, on 057-916-2440 during office hours.
For more photos and news visit www.express-news.co.za
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WIN win WIN win WIN win WIN
Win exciting hamper EXPRESS GOLDFIELDS & NFS, in conjunction with SuperSport, is giving away a fabulous hamper to one lucky reader who answers a question regarding the Absa Currie Cup trivia correctly. The Currie Cup Series is one of the oldest and most prestigious competitions dating back to 1889 when the first games were played. The story of how the name came to be, comes from the first overseas team to tour South Africa in 1891, the British Isles, who carried with them a precious bit of cargo.
FS boys face Egypt
Among the bags, boots and balls was a golden cup given by Sir Donald Currie, British owner of UnionCastle Lines, the shipping company that transported them to the southern tip of Africa. Sir Donald was clear with his instructions: Hand this trophy over to the team in South Africa that gives you the best game. Question: After whom was the Currie Cup named? To enter the competition, go to www.express-news.co.za before the closing date on 15 September. Provide your details as well as a contact number.
} Teboho Setena
THE Harmony Secondary School pair of Junior Mantjie and Felix Noge will be in the thick of things in the South African u.17 national boys’ team quest qualifier for the 2015 African Youth Championships. They have been included in the squad to face Egypt in Saturday’s tough first leg of the two-legged qualifier for the continental junior tournament by head coach Molefi Ntseki based on their good form. The two Free State boys joined the rest of the players in the camp last Friday. Noge and Mantjie, who are part of the Harmony Sports Academy’s Football Development Programme, have been impressive in their previous games. They have been an integral part of the team, featuring in the official and friendly games of the junior team. The friendly matches aimed at preparing the team were played in July against Botswana and Lesotho with the South African side emerging victorious. The team’s official fixture was a game at the African Youth Championships against Tanzania earlier last month. South Africa won 4-0 to go through to this stage of the tournament staged by the Confederation of African Football (Caf). Noge was part of the team that hammered Tanzania in an encounter played in Dobsonville. Mantjie watched from the bench when his team demolished Tanzania 4-0 with his schoolmate in the thick of things. Both can hope that Ntseki selects them to start in Saturday’s intriguing clash against the junior Pharaohs who narrowly beat Congo 1-0 to reach this stage of the continental event. Victory for South Africa will take them closer to making history by qualifying for the continental championship finals scheduled for Niger next year in March or April. On their return Noge and Mantjie will be expected to also help their school in the Sanlam Kay Motsepe Schools Cup.
Expression of Interest (EOI) IDT/FS/EOI/14/1: FS IDT BUILDING PROGRAMMES
THE Harmony High School’s duo, Junior Mantjie and Felix Noge, have been included in the South African u.17 national team to face Egypt in the qualifier match for the 2015 African Youth Championships. Photo: Teboho Setena
The Independent Development Trust (IDT) invites qualifying/eligible Exempted Micro Enterprise (EMEs) and Qualifying Small Enterprise (QSE) construction entities to express their interest in registering on the FS IDT database of General Building (GB) contractors to access sub-contracting opportunities within the infrastructure programmes. Construction entities must be registered with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) and be in possession of valid Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) certificates. Registration forms (IDT Supplier Questionnaire) are available at the IDT Free State Regional Office: PHG Building, 196 Nelson Mandela Drive, Brandwag, Bloemfontein, from 10 September 2014. Completed supplier questionnaires with supporting documentation must be deposited in the tender box at IDT Free State Regional Office, on or before the closing date and time of 26 September 2014 at 10:00. Queries should be directed to e-mail: malehloan@idt.org.za or tel. (051) 411-6240 Human Communications 112378
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