Expresses 20140917

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WEDNESDAY 17­19 SEPTEMBER 2014

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No escape, says chief Corrupt officials, civilians will be brought to book after gold bust } Teboho Setena LT GEN THABETHE MPEMBE, the Free State police commissioner, is determined that with investigation done there will be no escape for the 19 police officials and six civilians who began appearing in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

The 25 suspects are facing charges ranging from corruption to money laundering. They were busted by the Hawks and the police on Thursday, following months of investigation.

The suspects appeared in court briefly on Friday. All of them were kept in custody while investigation continued.

Mpembe stated clearly that there was no escape for the 19 police officials suspected to have their hands in the cookie jar, adding there was enough evidence to bring the suspected police officials to book.

“In terms of the nature of the investigation conducted, which is still underway, and how we started, I do not think that any of the suspects will easily walk free,” says Mpembe.

“The police officials will be subjected to facing charges in court, as well as internal disciplinary measures within the police service. So if they escape the one, the other is waiting for them. There are arrangements in place in all our systems to clean up corruption.

“We have a corruption strategy in place and success in arrest is proof of that.”

He says the police were already working to intensify an anti-crime strategy to crack down on the complex methods the syndicates utilise to conceal their activities.

He says part of their plan involves working together with the members of the community to bring to book crime elements.

“I’m very happy with the involvement of the community, especially the community of Thabong. Some of the people they have been complaining about have been arrested.

“It has been a while since the public honoured the police in Thabong for the good work they are doing. The arrest will restore the confidence of the public to work with the police in the fight against crime, which is a challenge in the various government departments,” says Mpembe.

The suspects in this case are: Capt. Mosia December (Thabong Organised Crime), Pule Lelao Matlabe (Welkom Flying Squad), Motseki Alfred Setenane (Thabong resident), Tsholo Sello (Thabong resident), WO Mbulelo Samson Jaho

LT GEN THABETHE MPEMBE, the Free State police commissioner.

(Welkom Flying Squad), Sekeleli Jeremia Tsibulane (Welkom Public Order Policing), Thuli Daniel Tladi (Welkom Public Order Policing), WO Thamsanqa Hendrik Djalivani (Bronville detective), David Mahlalela (Thabong Police Station), Tshidiso Methews Rampoporo (Thabong Social Crime Preventiong), Thebenyane Michael Masakala (Thabong Social Crime Prevention), Lloyd

Samuel Modupe Moeti (Thabong resident), Phinithi Daniel Mpholo (Thabong Crime Prevention), Josiah Themba Mdaka (Thabong Detective Service), Sebolai Hendrik Molete (Thabong Detective Service), Capt. Rehab Mankokone Letsie (Welkom Crime Prevention), Const. Tshidiso Johannes Macala (Welkom Crime Prevention), Const. Kedibone Elisa Dlamini

Photo: Teboho Setena

(Welkom Crime Prevention), WO Tshokolo Samuel Makhisa (Welkom Crime Prevention), WO Daniel David Sempapalele (Welkom Crime Prevention), Tankiso Ishmael Masilo (Thabong resident), Const.

Zekhethile Joseph Mbena (Thabong detective), Const. Molo Samuel Monyaki (Thabong Detective), Dan Sello and Ditaba David Ntone (both Thabong residents).

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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2014

NEWS

Winner wants to hit it big } Motlalepule Mokgosi THE passionate woman entrepreneur Audra Visser is on the verge of hitting the big time in the bakery industry. Her business, only known as The Bakery, specialises in producing a variety of mouthwatering cookies. Visser is one of the 71 entrepreneurs who were chosen as the winner at this year’s Free State enterPRIZE Job Creation Challenge. The entrepreneurship initiative is for programmes conceptualised to assist the provincial government in job creation.

Visser’s business received the first prize in the social economic category for which she received R150 000 in prize-money to enable her to transform the business. She will receive technical support to grow the business.

The funds are a shot in the arm to enable Visser to produce more freshly-baked products like rusks, cookies and anything bread-related.

She plans on targeting established supermarkets and cities which include Bloemfontein and Kimberley in the Northern Cape.

“I’m planning to use the funds to expand and this will enable us to promote the Cansa Cookie Drive on a national basis and not just in Matjhabeng,” said Visser.

Already the business supports the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa), Riebeeckstad High School, Mediclinic Welkom and other hospices within the Matjhabeng Local Municipality.

Visser is fervent about hospitality and believes in hard work. She started off in 1997 at the family business of Anjellicas Coffee and Cake Shop, managing it for 13 years. In 2005 she started her own business, the carwash Splash ’n Dash and the toyshop Treasure Traders which she closed down because both had failed to flourish.

However, Visser did not give up.

The same year she went in full swing, starting the bakery business from the backyard on their farm situated approximately 8 km outside Welkom – utilising the experience gained from the previous businesses effectively.

“I was encouraged by my husband, Ian. He is supplementary

‘I’m also planning to train and mentor young people, mostly women, especially in Kutl­ wanong, on how to empower themselves.’ – Audra Visser

AUDRA VISSER, prize winner of the Free State SME Development enterPRIZE Job Creation Challenge.

Photos: Teboho Setena

skilled in business development,” she said.

Visser then employed two women as her assistants, Jacobeth Ntlahla and Racheal Mokhothu. The women reside in Kutlwanong, Odendaalrus. Visser said she planned to transfer her bakery skills to empower the youth.

“I’m also planning to train and mentor young people, mostly women, especially in Kutlwanong, on how to empower themselves.”

Visser is a multi-tasking woman with business abilities. She also owns the guesthouse known as Rhino’s Rest established in 2007.

Visser serves as the chairperson of the Matjhabeng Accommodation Association in the Lejweleputswa district.

RACHEAL MOKHOTHU (left) and Jacobeth Ntlanhla.

Two ring leaders arrested THE police in the Goldfields have made a breakthrough busting two alleged masterminds behind a spate of violent crimes which included car hijacking, robberies, kidnapping and possession of stolen vehicles. The suspects are Molahlehi Joseph Morake (39) and Sibusiso Tyabula (27).

They are to reappear in the Virginia Magistrate’s Court on 26 September, facing charges of hijacking, robbery, kidnapping and possession of stolen vehicles.

Capt. Stephen Thakeng, Welkom police spokesperson, said the two men were on the police’s most wanted list regarding a spate of crimes committed in Kempton Park in Gauteng, Mthatha in the Eastern Cape and the Goldfields towns of Welkom, Virginia, Hennenman, Odendaalsrus and Ventersburg in the Free State.

He said several cases of car hijackings, robberies, kidnapping and possession of stolen vehicles were reported at the police station in the towns in question.

Thakeng said the suspects had been busted a week ago following a full-scale investigation by the Welkom Vehicle Identification and Safeguarding Section.

Led by Capt. Mzuvukile Gushana the team comprised WOs Ephraim Radebe, Mosuwa Tolo, Const. Leepile Nteo and Lebalele Thobisa.

Both suspects remained in custody while the police continued with their investigation.

Thakeng said a warrant of arrest had been issued for the arrest of Morake for kidnapping in Hennenman. He said Morake was wanted in connection with the alleged assault of Steve van Staden (78), robbing the victim of his vehicle, mobile phone and cash.

“Though Van Staden tried to fight back, he was overpowered and assaulted. He was tied up with cables and left in the bush.

The suspect pretended to assist the victim when driving to Welkom with Van Staden who was due to pay a traffic fine,” said Thakeng.

He said Tyabula had pretended to be hiking on the Virginia-Winburg road and attacked and robbed motorists at gun point.

IDENTIKIT of deceased man.

Information wanted

Showing their support for the disabled IN attendance to support the Thabong Police Cluster’s Casual Day celebration and to embrace people with disabilities within the police service on 5 September are from the left, front: Col Cynthia Molale and Mokati Moledi, representative of Disabled People South Africa (DPSA); back: Chabedi Dlamini, Sampi Motsamai, Col Senobia Solomon and WO Cethekile Kunene. The event was held in the Virginia police’s recreation hall.

Photo: Supplied

THE Welkom police are looking for the next of kin or family of an unknown deceased black male.

Capt. Stephen Thakeng, spokesperson of the Welkom police, said the skull and bones of the deceased in the identikit were found on 28 September 2012 buried in a shallow grave on the Langeverwaght Farm in the Welkom district.

He said the investigation had revealed that both hands of the deceased had been tied up with a wire.

Anyone with information that can help in the investigation of the murder of the deceased and the family’s whereabouts must phone the investigative officer, WO Rassie Erasmus, on 057-391-6290 during office hours or cellphone number 071-608-1313.

EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2014

NEWS

Prices often inflated } Selloane Khalane

MEMBERS of parliament of the National Council of Provinces in the Free State walking in the Elizabeth Ross Hospital.

Delegates inspect health-care facilities } Tladi Moloi

QWAQWA. – The members of parliament of the National Council of Provinces in the Free State are impressed with the quality of the health-care facilities they viewed on Wednesday in the Thabo Mofutsanyane District Municipality.

The delegation, which is conducting a week-long oversight programme known as provincial week, visited two health-care facilities, the Tina Moloi Clinic in Moeding, Tsheseng, and the Elizabeth Ross Hospital.

The delegation is of the view that the standard these facilities have reached, is a major step in the right direction for the implementation of government’s National Health Insurance (NHI) policy which will improve access to quality health-care services for the whole population, and health promotion and prevention services at community and household level.

“It is heartwarming to see such world-

class health infrastructure in rural areas.

The newly built Tina Moloi Clinic, which was built to the tune of R8,3 m including equipment, is of the standard that rural people everywhere in South Africa deserve,” said Manana Tlake, leader of the delegation.

She said the delegation applauded the management of the facilities for their sterling work in ensuring that these facilities were clean and that there were no queues in sight.

“It is also worth noting that the facilities did not raise the issue of a shortage of essential medication, which is a good barometer for effective health-care systems,” Tlake said.

While the infrastructure is to be applauded, the facility faces a challenge with a shortage of human resources similar to that faced by other health facilities nationwide.

The clinic’s staff complement is currently at 50%, meaning that the facility is operating at half of its capacity.

Photo: Tladi Moloi

The delegation is of the view that the shortage of skilled health-care practitioners remains a major impediment to the effective implementation of the NHI. Tlake said the delegation called on the provincial and national Department of Health to further strengthen their campaigns to lure young South Africans to professions within the health-care industry.

“I think the department and National Council of Provinces (NCOP) have taken us to the clinic and hospital that look very good. We would actually like to go to those places about which we receive complaints and visit local clinics unexpectedly,” Roy Jankielsohn, leader of the Democratic Alliance in the Free State, said.

He said it was clear that there were preparations made for that visit.

“We would recommend to them that in future when we visit places, we should go unannounced.

“In that way we would be able to do a decent oversight over the functioning of the provincial department.”

Stringent measures planned to recover debt THE Matjhabeng Local Municipality is on the verge of introducing stringent measures to recover a huge amount of R2 billion in service delivery due to it by residents and businesses. In a statement, the municipality says the measures are in line with the municipality’s Operation Patala, meaning pay up, which aims to address cash flow problems which hamstrung the municipality’s ability to render services.

The measures will possibly see the municipality switching off services to defaulters failing to pay up. The increase in huge debt arises from amongst others failure by consumers to pay for their services.

The municipality states that it is currently collecting 55% out of the envisaged 75% every month of rates and taxes. According to the acting municipal manager, Mothusi Lepheana, the government’s constitutional obligation to ensure sustainable, effective and efficient municipal services, promote social and economic development, encourage a safe and healthy environment by working with communities in creating environments and human settlements in which all people can lead uplifted and dignified lives, has been compromised by deliberate withholding

of payments by ratepayers.

“The payment rate has dropped significantly to 55% and this has impacted negatively on our plans to improve service delivery and respond in time to our constitutional mandates due to a lack of resources,” he said.

Residents, businesses, indigents, rentals, mines, schools, farmers and government departments owe the municipality approximately R2 645 737 268 in unpaid debt. Lepheana stated that the Operation Patala campaign aimed at clamping down on services payment defaulters was in full swing.

“Our objective as the municipality is to ensure that services are delivered in an efficient, reliable and sustainable manner to all residents. To achieve that, we need income generated from, amongst others, electricity and water,” said Thabiso Tsoaeli, chief financial officer, adding that the municipality’s cut-off campaign was the last resort to enforce the discipline that came with any credit transaction.

“We will be cutting the supply of electricity and water to consumers who are defaulting and we are also making a call to all ratepayers to make arrangements to settle

their accounts before we get to them.

Ratepayers are also warned that illegal bypasses and meter tampering are serious offences and culprits will be dealt with accordingly,” said Tsoaeli.

“The disconnections are not something out of the blue. The Matjhabeng Municipality will implement its credit control policy in all cases, which include letters of demand and other measures to retrieve the payments in arrears. We will even offer ratepayers the opportunity to make arrangements for payment of their arrears. The window of relief will obviously have deadlines to those who make arrangements. We are also aware that in some cases residents have tried to escape their arrears by installing a pre-paid meter. We are in the process of checking those pre-paid meters against accounts and these meters will be blocked. Illegal bypasses and meter tampering are serious offences and a scourge in Matjhabeng.

“Those who do engage in such acts steal from their neighbours and their community and will face harsh consequences in the interest of rate payers who are honest and pay for the electricity and water they use,” said Tsoaeli.

THE failure by numerous municipalities in the Free State to adhere to supply chain regulations is costing the provincial government millions, according to auditor general representative Odwa Duda.

Duda said some municipalities were found to inflate prices of items, purchasing a water pipe for R10 million while its actual value was only R1 000 at standard price.

Duda revealed the alleged gross financial accountability last week Thursday when tabling the audit outcomes of local government for the 2012-’13 financial year to the delegation of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in the Free State Legislature.

The NCOP delegation visited the Free State to assess service delivery in the province.

The provincial leader of the NCOP delegation, Manana Tlake, said the visit was in line with the annual provincial week programme which was aimed at ensuring that parliament interacted with people to purposely improve service delivery.

According to the auditor general report, an estimated R207 million was spent by municipalities to pay consultants in the previous financial year without measuring the performance of the consultants assigned to do the work. Duda further revealed to the delegation that municipalities owed suppliers an estimated R2 billion for services rendered or contracted in the 2012-’13 financial year. The auditor general report showed that municipalities were failing to follow supply chain regulations such as publicly tendering services above R500 000.

“Some municipalities have failed to provide certain financial documents and continue to deviate from the supply chain regulations,” said Duda.

According to the auditor general report, 53% of chief financial officers in Free State municipalities were not competent for the positions they held.

Duda further said: “Only two out of nine supply chain managers in municipalities were found to be competent by the auditor general. The municipalities are showing red flags.”

Following the presentations regarding the state of municipalities’ financial management, Tlake said the delegation would be doing oversight visits in the Dihlabeng Local Municipality and Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality to monitor service delivery. She said the province was planning to partner with Gauteng to find solutions for the water crises faced by towns in the Free State.

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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2014

NEWS

Winner example of true entrepreneur JOHAN EKSTEEN, owner of Agricon Pty Ltd, has scooped the 2014 Sanlam Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

He was announced the award recipient at the annual Sanlam and Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® event held in Johannesburg a week ago.

Eksteen’s company is a worldwide supplier of pelletising machinery and equipment as well as agri-processing factories. With over 15 years of experience in the agriculture industry, Eksteen has gained a wealth of knowledge and expertise in pelletising by working in countries such as South Africa, Uganda, Australia, Singapore and New Caledonia. Pelletising, involving the processing of materials into small dry pellets, is a common practice in industrial procedures. This process is used globally by manufacturers of animal feed or recycling facilities that specialise in processing materials for reuse.

Eksteen says this process can only be successfully accomplished with specialised equipment, namely a pelletiser.

“Agricon has successfully been able to supply businesses with a variety of pelleting products such as tobacco dust, rooibos tea, human sludge waste, organic fertilisers and vermi-compost, but also specialised industry-specific pelletising equipment.”

In addition to the manufacturing of machines and equipment, the company also provides training and on-site installation for clients, as well as support following a sale or the provision of spare parts.

According to Lionel Billings, a member of the Sanlam and Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year judging panel, Eksteen is a prime example of a true entrepreneur – someone who was able to not give up on his dream.

“Through sheer grit and determination, Eksteen stabilised a struggling business, became a specialist and was able to infiltrate a difficult European market successfully with his unique business offering.”

Eksteen says being granted the opportunity to have his business assessed by a successful and experienced panel of competition judges, as well as winning this division, has given added courage and confidence to expand his business even further.

“Winning this award proves to me the journey was worth all the hard work and sacrifices. It also provides my team and I with a new, invigorated feeling of enthusiasm to take Agricon even further.”

JOHAN EKSTEEN, owner of Agricon Pty Ltd, with the 2014 Sanlam Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year award. Photo: Supplied

MEMBERS of the Welkom police clusters in bling attire in support of the annual Casual Day event celebrated on 5 September.

From the left are Lt Col Caroline Segalo, Col Sibusisiswe Mathenjwa, Col Mathibello Coobi, Lt Khutsitse Makole and Jacob Motaung, a representative of the South African National Council for the Blind. For more Casual Day pictures visit www.express-news.co.za.

Police bring on the bling

THE Welkom police cluster stations’ members from Welkom, Odendaalsrus, Allanridge, Wesselsbron and Bothaville relived the nightlife era of the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s wearing bling clothing on Casual Day celebrated on 5 September.

Themed Bring out the Bling, the event was held at the Welkom rugby sports ground and was in support of the annual Casual Day fundraising event in aid of people with disabilities. Casual Day is South Africa’s foremost fundraising

campaign for persons with disabilities and is the flagship project of the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities.

The proceedings reflected the theme with members participating in eventful activities aimed at raising awareness about disabilities.

Col Sibusisiwe Mathenjwa of the police’s Disability Management in Employee Health and Wellness Department in the head office in Pretoria has

encouraged members to support persons with disabilities in their respective communities and members within the police force. She said supporting people with disabilities reflected that people do care.

Jacob Motaung, representative of the South African National Council for the Blind, has urged people to also undergo eye inspections at various optometrists since eyes were significant in enabling people to live their lives.

Boys need father figures in life RECENTLY I reprimanded my neighbours for burning hazardous materials in their fireplace. The reason to discourage this is because such materials are not only dangerous to the health of my family, but also his family and other neighbours due to a poisonous smoke which engulfs the area.

There are foreign nationals who are tenants and they allegedly survive by recycling and selling different kinds of items. The other neighbour remarked that instead of stopping these people I should have asked to be a part and benefit from what seems to be a profitable undertaking.

I responded that I could not risk the health of my family; and my family’s washing could not be put on the washing line due to the dark cloud of smoke that polluted the atmosphere.

That scenario reminded me of Rahab in Joshua 2:12-21 when she hosted two Israelite spies who had come to initiate a move to take over Jericho. The two spies had gold in their possession which they were willing to give her for having kept them in safety. But Rahab, despite being a prostitute, asked for her family to be saved. I also chose my family.

On a separate matter, the Lejweleputswa

A re bueng Moeti Molelekoa Social Observer region is being riddled with gangster wars.

Gangs are roaming the streets, shooting, stabbing and killing people, because we don’t have wise and older, mature men who are positively inspiring younger men to change their lives through mentoring and teaching them what behaviour is acceptable and not acceptable. A boy who grows up without a father figure is likely to encounter problems which will in the long run require to be solved by a father.

The man you call “Dad” plays an important role in the life of a boy.

A boy looks up to his father for guidance and direction in life.

Over ten gangsters have died in the Welkom township of Thabong last December alone. It is for your own good as a father to play soccer games and chess with your sons after work. The more the father

and son play together, the better they bond and in this way the son becomes wiser and will grow up with good morals making him ready for when he too becomes a father.

The father ought to be there at the school’s sports days and prize-giving events to motivate his son(s).

It is also to your advantage as fathers to be involved in community projects and community organisations like the school committees and the community policing forum (CPF).

Should the G Hostel, notorious for gold and copper smuggling, be converted into family units, we can expect more foreigners relocating to the Thabong township in great numbers.

South Africa is losing billions of rands through the illicit selling of gold, diamonds and copper. ) To comment or express your views about the issue highlighted in the column, go to www.express-news.co.za. Express Goldfields & NFS welcomes anyone interested in contributing to the weekly column as public observers or citizen journalists. There is no payment for writers.

Send your opinion piece (not exceeding 450 words) to teboho.setena@volksblad.com.

For more photos and news visit www.expressnews.co.za

EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2014

Operation Patala E Tswella Pele Ka Sekgahla Chief Financial Officer

Acting Municipal Manager

Mr. Thabiso Tsoaeli

Advocate Mothusi Lepheana

Ho Kgaolwa Ha Ditshebeletso Ho Tlo Qala Haofinyana Hona le kgonahalo ya hore Masepala wa Matjhabeng o we sihla ka lebaka la sekoloto sa tjhelete e fetang R2.6 bilione.

Baahi, borakgwebo, borapolasi, merafo hammoho le mafapha a mmuso ho kenyelletswa le dikolo di kolota masepala ho feta R2.6 bilione. Masepala o kolotwa tjhelete ya metsi le motlakase tse so patalweng. Boemo bona bo eketswa ke diketso tse swabisang tsa batho ba utswang motlakase le metsi le ho se patale ditshebeletso ke borakgwebo le baahi ba ikgonang ka ditjhelete.

Ntate Mothusi Lepheana, e leng mookamedi wa nakwana o re bao ba sa patalleng ditshebeletso tsa bona ba etseditse masepala mathata a mangata hobane masepala o haellwa ke ho fana ka ditshebeletso tseo o tshwanetseng ho di neha setjhaba. “Ho patalwa ha ditshebeletso ho theohile haholo mme hona ho etsa hore masepala o haellwe ke ditshebeletso tseo o di tshepisitseng setjhaba.” O hlalosa hore masepala o tlo qala ka letsholo la ho kgaola ditshebeletso e leng mohato wa ho qetela wa ho leka hore ditshebeletso di patalwe.

“ Ke nnete hore tokoloho ya naha e file bohle ditokelo tseo naha ya rona e neng e sena yona ngwahola. Leha ho le jwalo, ditokelo di tsamaya le boikarabelo a baahi bohle. Ha ebe o sa ngodiswa jwalo ka motho a nang le mathata a ditjhelete mme a thuswa ke masepala, o tshwanela ho patala ditshebeletso tsa hao; ke seo o tshwanetseng ho se etsa “

“Re tla fana ka ditsebiso hore bao ba sokang ba patala ditshebeletso ba etse ditukiso le masepala hore na ba tla patala

ditjhelete tse salletseng morao neng le hore ba patale ditjhelete tse salletseng morao pele ditshebeletso di kgaolwa.” Ho feta moo, bohle ba utswang ditshebeletso tsa metsi le motlakase ka botsotsi ba tla kopana le pela di falla. Ntate Thabiso Tsoaeli mookamedi wa ditjhelete o hlalosa hore bao ba sa pataleng haholo holo ke batho ba ikgonang ba nang le ditjhelete ba dulang dibakeng tsa dikgakgatha.

Ho feta moo, baahi ba hopotswa hore Masepala wa Matjhabeng o hloka tjhelete ho tswellisa pele di tshebeletso. Masepala o fumana tjhelete ya ona ka tsela tse pedi: baahing ba patalang ditshebeletso hammoho le thuso ya ditjhelete e tswang mmusong wa naha.

Engwe ya dithuso tsena ke e thusang dimasepala ka meaho le diporojeke hore diporojeke tse salletseng morao di kgone ho tswelliswa pele, haholoholo dibakeng tse neng di sena menyetla ngwahola. Le ha hole jwalo, lekgotla la masepala le lona le tshwanela ho etsa matsapa a ho bokelletsa tjhelete, ka mantswe a mang, lekgotla le tshwanela ho etsa leano la hore le fumane tjhelete ya ho patella tsona diporojeke tseo.

MATJHABENG LOCAL MUNICIPALITy

Ka bomadimabe, ditjhelete tsena ha di a lekana ho tswellisa pele mananeo a Masepala wa Matjhabeng kaofela. Sena se etsa hore lekgotla le tshwanele ho ipatlela ditjhelete tsa ho tswellisa tsena tsohle pele. Phano ya ditshebeletso e keke ya kgona ho tswella pele ntle le hore lekgotla le iphumanele ditjhelete tsa ho tswellisa mananeo pele.

Ha hole jwalo, ho bohlokwa hore baahi ba patale ditshwanelo tsa bona tse jwalo ka metsi, motlakase, le tse ding. Lekgotla le rekela baahi metsi ho mofani wa ditshebeletso e leng Sedibeng Water mme a patalwa pele a rekisetswa baahi.

Ha baahi ba sa patale metsi, hona ho bolela hore lekgotla ke lona le tla tshwanela ho patala sekoloto seo. Hona ho bolela hore lekgotla le iphumana le na le mathata a ditjhelete, a etsang hore phano ya ditshebeletso e tsamaye ka monyebe.

Ditshebeletso tsena di kenyelletsa ho lokisa ditsela, mabone le tseding.

Tshebediso ya ditjhelete ya masepala e ka lekangwa le sedikwadikwe: ha baahi ba sa patalle ditshebeletso tseo ba di nehilweng, sedikwadikwe se a robeha ebe ho hlaha mathata a hore phano ya ditshebeletso tseding e seke ya tsamaya ka nepo. Ka baka leo, ho bohlokwa haholo hore baahi ba patalle ditshebeletso tsa bona.

Ho se patale ditshebeletso ho qetella ho etsa hore dintho di seke tsa tsamaya ka tsela eo din eng di tshwanela ho tsamaya ka yona.

“Ke nnete hore tokoloho ya naha e file bohle ditokelo tseo naha ya rona e neng e sena yona ngwahola. Leha ho le jwalo, ditokelo di tsamaya le boikarabelo a baahi bohle. Ha ebe o sa ngodiswa jwalo ka motho a nang le mathata a ditjhelete mme a thuswa ke masepala, o tshwanela ho patala ditshebeletso tsa hao; ke seo o tshwanetseng ho se etsa. Ha o patella ditshebeletso tsa hao, o thusa lekgotla ho o thusa ho ntlafatsa bophelo ba hao”, ho hlalosa Majoro wa Phetahatso, Ntate Sebenzile Ngangelizwe.

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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2014

Bling it on!

NEWS

THE Reitz Park Primary School teachers in casual wear supported Casual Day held countrywide on 5 September. The theme of the day was Bring on the Bling. The teachers are from the left Lizandri Rheeder, Mampai Gareko, Rozanne Mocke and Chantelle Botha.

Photo: Supplied

A TOUCH OF SCOTTISH BLING: Dressed up in Scottish skirts to celebrate Casual Day are from the left Lebo Ramasia, Emmanuel Madziwa and Maspuli Mosuoane.

At women’s event

SCORES of women attended the Christian Revival Church’s Women’s Day event held a week ago in Welkom. In attendance were amongst others Lizzy Makhathini, Mankalo Mbotshane, Doreen Lichakane, Mpho Maraisane and Anola Lake.

Photos: Teboho Setena

JESSICA SANTOS and Monica Mestre had a good time at the comedy show of Loyiso Gola held at the Goldfields Casino recently.

THE trio of Megan Gatyeni, Jacqui Malgas and Thato Sethunya were among the women who attended the Christian Revival Church’s Women’s Day event held a week ago in Welkom.

Out for a good laugh THE Canham and Godeffroy families had a good laugh at the comedy show of Loyiso Gola held at the Goldfields Casino recently. From the left are David, Nicky, Thomas, Anne and Tayla.

Photos: Teboho Setena

EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2014

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NEWS

Club making huge strides } Teboho Setena

RAMOTSEHOA “DAN” MOLIFI, coach and owner of Days FC (far right), monitors the players that include Maruping Leshoro and Teboho Mthombeni during a robust speed-training session at a dusty pitch in K6, Kutlwanong. More pictures and a video at www.expressnews.co.za.

Photos: Teboho Setena

THE dusty pitch surrounded by houses and the towering building of the Seqhobong Secondary School is where the players of the Days Football Club perfect their God-given talent. The turf is located in the K6 residential area in Odendaalsrus’s township of Kutlwanong.

The outfit is owned by Ramotsehoa Molifi, an ex-player of now defunct professional clubs Welkom Unisaints and Welkom Stars.

He is a Jack of all trades as he oversees the smooth running of the team as the owner and coach. Molifi works full time as the chief executive officer of Phakama Security. His last assignment of the day is preparing the team. Molifi’s duty also entails transporting the players to and from their respective destinations.

A couple of residents in this area sit on the stoep of their houses to watch the players working it out with interest. At the other end some people are spotted criss-crossing the dusty field heading or coming from different directions. However, none of these elements, which includes the condition of the pitch, discourage the team’s players, including Molifi. They live the dream to make it into the big league.

Those that seem uninterested in the team are probably unaware that things have changed for the better for this amateur outfit which is gearing up to compete in the Free State stream of the South African Football Association’s (Safa) Second Division known as the ABC Motsepe. The last five years have

THE players of Days FC are from the left, front: Tiisetso Tsotetsi, Lazarus Selinga, Maruping Leshoro, Nation Mokhachane, Samson Motsoeneng, Mokhele Khitsane and Mbuyiselo Thethani; back: Mpho Makoko, Papi Teleko, Lebohang Maleme, Toko Nyelele, Steve Mthombeni, William Makoko, Daniel Mokhutle and Phindile Mlakalaka.

Likeledi always on the ball

LIKELEDI PITSO’s (17) talent has earned her recognition and she has been chosen as Express Goldfields & Northern Free State’s SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the Month for August.

This teenager was chosen for her excellent performance in basketball.

This honour was bestowed on Likeledi, a learner of the Ed-U-College, after a panel had chosen her from a number of nominees.

She helped to steer her team to victory in recent regional and provincial competitions. Likeledi was part of the team that won silver medals at the Free State Dlala Mantombozana Games held last month in Thaba Nchu.

Her form also saw her included in the Free State basketball u.20 girls’ team for this year. She was part of the team that represented the Free State at this year’s national tournament staged in Johannesburg earlier this year.

Likeledi’s other achievements include being named the 2013 Ed-U-College basketball player of the year for which she received an accolade. She helped her team win the Lejweleputswa League Championships last year. Likeledi also has great talent in athletics and in football having played for her school’s team last year.

LIKELEDI PITSO in action during the final of a regional tournament. Photo: Teboho Setena She says she draws inspiration from the encouragement of her best friend, Lesego Lonake, one of the finest players in the province. Likeledi continues to shine and her motto is Practise makes perfect.

Send your sports star nominations for learners between the ages of 6 and 18 today (nominations received before the 20th of each month will be included in that month’s selection). You can email your nomination to supersport@zpr.co.za or fax it to 086-5524922. For more information call Lynne or Juanré at Z PR on 051-522-9574.

Entrepreneur seminar The Elite Entrepreneurs Seminar organised by Strategic Marketing jointly with the Wisdom Cup Media Centre, will be held from 25 to 27 September at the Ernest Oppenheimer Theatre in Welkom, starting at 09:00. Those interested in attending the event who want more information can contact Mmusa Moleli during office hours on 057-353-1097.

Thokoza Day-care Centre Heritage Day The Thokoza Progressive Day-care Centre, together with Ziyaduma Promotions, will host a one-day cultural fundraising event to celebrate Heritage Day on 24 September. The event will be held at the Community Hall in Sunrise View in the far-east of Thabong near the Nanabolela Secondary School. Local crèches and pre-schools are invited to participate in the event. Activities set to

been a roller-coaster as the clubs struggled to reach this rank. This youthful team was recently promoted to campaign in the second division and will be among the 16 clubs that will compete for the championship set to commence later this month. Days were promoted this just-ended season of 2013-’14 via the promotional play-offs staged at the Beatrix Mine Sports Complex outside Welkom two months ago. They finished top of the table on nine points of the five teams that were vying for the two available spots in the Safa Second Division. The club’s sole defeat was 1-0 against the Free State Development Academy who grabbed the other spot of the two that were available.

Molifi’s lads qualified for the provincial promotional play-offs by virtue of winning the Safa Lejweleputswa region’s third division known as the Castle League.

Attaining the second-tier league status is a step closer to the team’s ultimate dream to compete in the professional league. It has been really a hard and winding journey for Molifi and his young guns to get to where they are. In his effort to get the team to the second division, Molifi had entrusted two former professional players, Leornard Ponoane, one of Bloemfontein Celtic’s 1985 Mainstay Cup winning players, and Daniel Matsau, ex-Kaizer Chiefs and Bloemfontein Celtic striker. He also tried out Mashea “Chester” Toki without success.

“I took over the coaching responsibility and managing the team last season. I took the bold decision to do it myself because I no longer wanted to blame anyone when the club failed in its mission to attain promotion.

Over four years, I have been dealt a blow to see numerous players follow those coaches when they cut ties with the team. I was forced to start from scratch. I’m delighted to have achieved this goal,” said Molifi.

During the tenure of his predecessors the team finished third once in 2011-’12, fourth twice in 2009-’10 and 2012-’13. Molifi does not hide his disappointment with the team’s sixth-place finish in 2010-’11.

This just-ended season of 2013-’14 with Molifi in charge, the club saw a complete turnaround when promoted to the second division, which is just one step away from the professional rank of the National First Division (NFD). In building a formidable team, he scouted players from and from outside Kutlwanong.

“I organised a tournament involving schools, offering prizes which included jerseys to the winning school. That effort paid off handsomely because I scouted players that understood me and who were also passionate about football,” said Molifi.

He targeted players in towns such as Ventersburg, Bothaville and Wesselsbron.

Molifi purchased the team’s franchise in 2010 and retained the name. The team is originally from Bothaville. Kutlwanong has become the permanent home of Days since then. The core of the players originate from the Kutlwanong township which is one of the toughest and most deprived of the Free State townships. Besides the impoverished conditions, the township is ridden by gangster. “Fortunately for me the players have succeeded to avoid the temptation of being involved in gangsterism,” said Molifi.

What’s on Fax information to: 086-676-3805 Email: teboho.setena@volksblad.com

Before 10:00 on Fridays

start at 11:00 include drama, poetry, dance, music, comedy and visual arts.

Admission is R10 per person for adults and R5 for children. Each member of the participating or performing group is requested to donate R3 towards the initiative.

Proceeds raised will be in aid of the Thokoza Centre. For more information interested parties can contact Saduma Miya on 061-369-5528 or Thembisile Ngcobo on 083-346-3018. ) The deadline for What’s On entries is Wednesdays at 13:00. Send information to teboho.setena@volksblad.com.

For more photos and news visit www.expressnews.co.za

8

EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2014

Harmony fired up for FS final } Teboho Setena

PITSO MOKOENA, coach of the soccer team of the Harmony High School, is gunning for Copa Coca-Cola silverware.

Photo: Teboho Setena

TOP-SEEDED Free State schools u.15 boys’ soccer teams are wired for the tough quest to clinch the title in this year’s provincial edition of the Copa Coca-Cola Tournament on Saturday.

In the mix are rival schools and the favourites, Harmony High School from Virginia (Lejweleputswa) and HTS Louis Botha from Bloemfontein (Motheo).

The other contestants are Kgothalang from Qwaqwa (Thabo Mofutsanyana), Retshidisitswe from Villiers (Fezile Dabi) and Luckhoff from Luckhoff (Xhariep).

The Fezile Dabi region is at an advantage by having two schools representing the region at Saturday’s final. The name of the second school was withheld following a dispute involving the two schools believing they duly deserve to compete in the final. The South African Schools Football Associa-

tion (Sasfa) disciplinary committee is expected to announce the name of the school before Friday after a hearing today.

The teams will battle it out at the Flavius Mareka FET College campus sports complex in Sasolburg. Two Free State rival schools, Harmony and HTS Louis Botha, have over the years dominated the tournament provincially. Both have reached the national finals and ultimately won once. Louis Botha were the national champions in 2011 and Harmony in 2008.

As the reigning Free State champions, Harmony will look to continue their winning streak while Louis Botha is expected to unleash their best.

However, it will be a tough ask for all the teams against gutsy Harmony led by their mentor, Pitso Mokoena. The former Free State Stars stalwart’s mission is to see Harmony lift the provincial trophy and continue dominance in schools

soccer in the Free State.

Harmony boasts a blend of talented players in their fold, capable of plotting another cup success on Saturday.

Victory at the weekend will see Harmony also secure a spot at this year’s nationals held at the King Zwelithini Stadium in KwaZulu-Natal from 17 to 19 October.

Harmony will then join national contenders that include Robinvale Secondary School (Western Cape), S.A. Van Wyk High School (Northern Cape), Slindokuhle Secondary School (KwaZulu Natal), Sikhulile Secondary School (Eastern Cape), Clapham High School (Gauteng) and Thlavekisa Secondary School (Mpumalanga).

The national winner of the Copa Coca-Cola Tournament will take home R60 000 in prize money for a legacy project for sporting facilities. The runner-up and third-place achievers will get R30 000 and R25 000 respectively.

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