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WEDNESDAY 15­17 OCTOBER 2014

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Bad start to school term

Administration block damaged in fire } Teboho Setena LEARNING and teaching at the Letsete Secondary School in Thabong, Welkom, began on a negative note on Monday following what appeared to be an act of arson to burn down the school’s administration block. The ill-fated act has sent shockwaves through the community, raising serious concerns about safety and security ahead of the year-end examinations.

The school’s administration block was too damaged for the teachers to immediately start with their work on Monday on their return from a week-long holiday. The administration block was left half-burnt, with windows and walls damaged by smoke. The school’s management is yet to determine the cost of the fire which has damaged furniture, administration material which includes half-burnt books, cabinets, tables and the air-conditioning which appears irreparable.

The attempt to burn down the administration building occurred last Saturday in the early hours, according to the police. WO Malebo Khosana, spokesperson for the Thabong Police Station, said an investigation into a case of arson was underway, adding that no arrests had been made thus far.

“The motive for setting the administration building of this school on fire is unknown,” he said.

Khosana said firefighters had managed to extinguish the flames before it could cause extensive damage to the building.

“On investigating the scene, it was found that two windows were broken and two bottles containing a flammable liquid were used to set the staff room and the office next to it alight. It is suspected that petrol bombs could have been the cause of the fire,” Malebo said. He said the fire brigade had been called by the security guard employed by the Letsete School after he had noticed smoke coming from the windows during a routine

TEACHERS and learners of the Letsete Secondary School in Thabong, Welkom, removing administration material from the half­burnt administra­ tion block on Monday. Photo: Teboho Setena patrol.

The police are appealing to any person with information which can help in their investigation and the arrest of the suspect(s) to contact the Thabong police on 057-9102300/2396 or the toll-free number: 086-001-0111.

‘It is suspected that petrol bombs could have been the cause of the fire,’ – Malebo Khosana, spokesperson for the Thabong Po­ lice Station

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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 15 OCTOBER 2014

NEWS

Garden project in Brent Park thriving } Teboho Setena A GROUP of youths from Brent Park in Kroonstad are reaping the rewards of their effort to start a vegetable garden project with the mission to create employment.

The garden was established in February on the barren sportsfields on the premises of the Brent Park Secondary School.

The vegetable garden has proven to be a catalyst for the community of Brent Park. It is growing in leaps and bounds.

The project produces so much it even provides for the Brent Park School’s feeding scheme and sells to a fresh produce shop in Kroonstad, as well as the community of Brent Park.

The garden is pioneered by a non-profit organisation, Change Adapt Build (Cab), which is mainly made up of youth from Brent Park.

“Because of the type of soil we decided to plant spinach, as it is viable while we are looking at other types of crops to plant later,” says Warren Jordaan, spokesperson and founding member.

He says groundwork to start the garden project began in 2012 with a feasibility study, business plan and sourcing funding.

“The concept followed a discussion by community members of whom about 15 participated actively. Vincent Beukes, a student of Political Science at the University of the Free State (UFS), and Adriaan Botha, a police officer, were instrumental.”

The initiative became a reality this year after the organisation secured funding by the National Development Agency and the provincial Social Development Department to purchase equipment.

“With part of the funding we purchased a C-model shaded tunnel and constructed an electrical borehole system on the school premises.

Opinion piece was not meant to harm } Moeti Molelekoa I, MOETI MOLELEKOA, concede the mistake to be critical of the late Cameron Thulo without any defensive in the opinion piece published on 1 October with the headline “Mob justice”, as harsh and emotionally charged.

It was indeed wrong of me to have used the background of the defunct Tribune newspaper in the opinion piece in relation to what I highlighted regarding the events which had led to the mob justice.

Thus, I apologise unreservedly to his family and also to have broken the code of ethics bringing to the public’s attention what happened back then in the corridors of the defunct publication’s newsroom. The lower part was to consider the background a part of the historic experiences that one encountered, it was not meant to harm anyone.

What I tried to highlight was that media people should not allow the public or organisations to dictate the terms and influence their decisions – especially if they have the facts correct.

This error is regrettable.

THE workers of the vegetable garden project are from the left, front: Annaline du Plessis, Portia Kok and Sarah Lemmetjies; back: Moses Clarke, Cyril Steyn and Jaftha Koalepe.

Photo: Teboho Setena “The possibility of a borehole was discovered during a feasibility study by an assessor we had assigned. The borehole system is a major contributing factor to the project’s lifespan. It pumps water for 48 hours for about five minutes every hour.”

Water cans were purchased for when

problems are experienced with power supply for the borehole irrigation system.

“The borehole greatly decreased the financial costs that we would have had to be contend with if we were to utilise municipality water.”

He says from the income generated from sales they are able to pay the seven

people working full time. These workers maintain the entire project, which results in minimal labour costs.

“With plans to expand the project and plant more crops such as beetroot, onions, carrots, cabbage and tomatoes, the project has the potential to create employment for at least three people to work full time,” says Jordaan.

Rapists get 10 years JUSTICE has prevailed for two women of Kutlwanong who were raped and robbed in November 2008.

Two of their four assailants, Nelson Vusi Bob and Jappie Telle Phomane, were sentenced.

Prosecutor Mariaan du Preez and Magistrate Susan Meintjies presided over the proceedings to end the five-year wait for justice to prevail.

Phomane and Bob were convicted and sentenced in the Odendaalsrus Regional Court last week Wednesday after they had been found guilty of housebreaking with the intent to rob and rape the two women (20 and 23 years old at the time). The accused will both serve ten years each in prison.

However, their co-accused who had been on trial for five years as well, were acquitted.

The four men broke into the victims’ house in K5 section on the night of 28 November and on entry demanded money and cellphones from their victims.

The women did not have what their assailants wanted and one of the four accused then ordered one woman to undress and sexually assaulted her.

The other three men took the other woman to an open field near their residence where they raped her.

The three men later called their other accomplice who was in the house to join them.

When this happened the victim in the house ran to her neighbours to ask for help and informed the police who succeeded in arresting all four the assailants.

Col. Disebo Cezula, the Odendaalsrus police station commander, lauded the investigative officer WO Hasemothohasengwana Ramongalo for his commitment during this investigation that took almost six years.

THE youth of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa’s youth movement, Wesley Guild, marched to the Thabong Police Cluster Offices to hand over a memorandum of grievances regarding drug and substance abuse, as well as escalating crime.

Photo: Supplied

Youth take a stand THE Methodist Church of Southern Africa’s youth movement, the Wesley Guild, in Thabong, Welkom, has challenged youths to guard against the temptation of being lured into using drugs.

In their anti-drug and substance abuse mission they recently marched to the Thabong Police Cluster Offices and handed over a memorandum of grievances urging the police to enforce the law against drug dealing, crime and substance abuse in order to free the youth from this vicious circle.

Isaac Leseba, community development convenor of the Wesley Guild, said their cause coincided with the movement’s programme held annually during September which were centred on four pillars: consecration, creativity, comradeship and community development.

“The march was against alcohol and substance abuse as part of community

development. It is evident that alcohol and drugs have led to the youth of Thabong astray. The become involved in serious acts of crime. Through the march we aimed to reclaim the freedom of the youth and open the doors of the Methodist Church to welcome back those who have become lost in the midst of crime, alcohol and drug abuse,” said Leseba. He highlighted youth involvement in gangsterism and said it was an issue that needed serious attention from the community, police and churches.

Leseba said as with the recent march, future activities would involve youth in the different churches, community organisations and police to intensify the fight against all forms of drug and substance abuse as well as crime. He said they had considered involving persons that had served prison terms to speak to the youth about the negative impact thereof.

EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 15 OCTOBER 2014

3

NEWS

Leteane committed to students

MOSA LETEANE, a law student at the University of the Free State, has made history by being elected the first black female president of the Students Representative Council (SRC). She hails from the Free State’s Goldfields town of Welkom and has roots in the township of Thabong.

Tshenolo Meruti, Express journalist, spoke exclusively to Leteane to find out more about her.

How do you balance your studies and being SRC president?

Sometimes I find it hard to balance everything. It takes extra out of you, more time, less sleep, fewer friends. I just have to make it work. My primary goal is to graduate so I can’t lose focus.

What are you studying?

I am studying LLB. This was not what I started with when I came to university. I started off with public management and then moved on to Law. I have always wanted to do something in the arts, but pressure from my mom drove me to law.

Tell me about growing up.

I grew up in Thabong, Welkom, and later on I moved to my

grandparents’ place and did my high school studies at Unitas.

I’m from a single-parent household. I have one sibling, a brother.

My grandparents and extended family are very close and dear to me. My mother started from nothing, but worked her way up.

and Constitution last year, so I am not new, I know the system, I am aware.

I have been able to assist the new council to make their transition easier.

The challenges don’t scare me as much. The only huge transition has been academically, socially, religiously and so forth.

My team has made it easier.

What are your plans after you graduate?

I sometimes feel really bad that I am at this point in my life and I am still unclear about what exactly it is I want to do. All I know is that I love working with people and helping people.

My first thought after graduating will be to maybe take up a second degree in politics and governance.

The world is my oyster and giving back to this country is what I want to do.

First black female SRC president, how does it feel and what does it mean?

When I ran for council this was not exactly one of my initial thoughts. All I knew was that given the years of experience and the issues that students at the university are faced with, perhaps I can still do more.

For me it was (and still is) about what had to be done, the work.

But firstly, I’m extremely humbled by the opportunity to serve. It means a great deal to us

Do many young people still not understand the role of an SRC president?

MOSA LETEANE, SRC president, University of the Free State. (the SRC) that so many students have trusted us to be their voice.

Being the “first black female president” of a historically Afrikaner university is an honour, but more than anything a huge responsibility, especially with our transformation project.

We remain committed to our students and their interests.

What are some of the hurdles you have already faced as SRC president?

I am aware of the system, so I am not shocked by it.

I was the SRC member for Legal

Officers to face disciplinary hearings The accused are as follows 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 (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 Services), Sebolai Hendrik Molete (Thabong Detective Services), Capt.

Rehab Mankokone Letsie (Welkom Crime Prevention), Const. Tshidiso Johannes Macala (Welkom Crime Prevention), Const. Kedibone Elisa Dlamini (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).

} Teboho Setena THE 19 police officers who were busted last month in connection with alleged theft, corruption and money laundering have begun to walk the tightrope with internal disciplinary hearings against them instituted.

The officers are part of a group of 25 people who were arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) also known as the Hawks early in September.

The law enforcement agents cracked down on the group last month following months of investigations into the alleged crime activities after concerned members of the community had blown the whistle.

The 19 police officers, together with six civilians, are facing criminal charges ranging from theft and corruption to money laundering.

Paul Ramaloko, spokesperson for the Hawks, said the 19 police officers, including the six civilians, had been granted bail ranging from R1 000 to R10 000 on their appearance in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court last month.

They appeared in court on different dates from 12 to 17 September.

Ramaloko said bail granted to the 25 suspects had been determined by their involvement in the alleged crimes.

He said the police officers had been suspended from duty while in-depth investigations into their alleged crime activities continued.

Lt. Gen. Thabethe Mpembe, the Free State police commissioner, stated clearly that there would be no escape for the 19 police officers suspected to have had their hands in the cookie jar upon their arrest last month.

He added there was enough evidence to bring the police officers and the six civilians to book.

Technically you are part of the university structures, forms and boards. The president is there to voice students’ concerns; the president is the external relation for students.

The president is there to oversee that the SRC is run smoothly.

It’s a nine to five thing. You are the voice of the students.

You probe, you consolidate, you fight and it’s crucial that students elect the correct people. I am not limited to that; I’m what is required of me at any point in time.

What are your plans for your term?

I have a lot of plans. I have a vision and through the different portfolios I will address and achieve them. Academic and financial exclusion are the biggest problems that the SRC president

faces.

We need more money and I want to raise money.

A hug won’t solve the problem of financial exclusion so we need to raise as much money as possible before registrations.

Residences are also going through a lot of transformation.

Who would you say has moulded you?

I thank God for blessing me with my mom; she is my numberone supporter. My mom is my pillar of strength, it all starts with her. My family is also very supportive, as well as my best friend, Mel. I have been very blessed to have many motherly figures, women who didn’t owe me anything, but saw potential in me.

Had it not been for teachers who whispered in my ear that I could become more, I would not be here today. I hope one day to thank them all.

What is your greatest fear in life?

It has always been the same thing to me, failure.

You know why I am afraid of failure, because you won’t fail if you do your part.

Failure is you not doing your part. Of course there are situations that are out of my control, but I take that as a “not yet” from God, not a no.

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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 15 OCTOBER 2014

NEWS

Community builder honoured THE respected community builder Elizabeth “Nnuku” Radebe received another deserving honour at a glittering function held recently at the Meloding Hall in Virginia. She was presented with an honorary certificate, rewarding her legacy in community building in Meloding.

Befitting to Radebe’s influential role, the honorary certificate was signed by the Free State MEC for Social Development, Sisi Ntombela.

The occasion also coincided with the annual general meeting of the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) Free State, of which Radebe is a member.

Radebe’s legacy as a community builder and developer spans over 40 years, during which she contributed in different forms in her community of Meloding, which included her influential role in the YWCA. The auspicious event was organised in partnership with Kgothatso Mokoena, YWCA international ambassador, and the Meloding police cluster, as well as the following provincial departments – Social Development, Education and Correctional Service.

“The concept came after realising a need to celebrate and rightfully thank the legendary Radebe for her tireless efforts towards the development of the community of Meloding and Virginia.

“Words can never express how grateful we are to Radebe for dedicating over 40 years of her life to develop an African child, educate and nurture women and girls in this community,” said Mokoena.

The speakers who included friends of various departments and organisations, applauded Radebe for devoting her energy and knowledge towards bringing a positive change in her community.

Radebe’s involvement in the community dates back from the late 1950’s. In 1959 she was appointed as the first black midwife in Virginia serving till 1967, and in 1968 she became the first black person to serve in the Early Childhood Development Body.

She has been instrumental in the founding of the following organisations –

RECOGNITION: Legendary Elizabeth Nnuku Radebe (second from the right), community builder of Meloding, flanked by some of the multitudes in attendance to honour her. From the left are Rammereki Matlokotsi, Eunice Tsolo, Yoliswa Mfecane and Lolo Nkoalo.

Photo Supplied

Goldfields African Nurses Association in (1969), YWCA Virginia branch in (1969) and the Meloding Care Centre in 1960 where she served until 1979.

Radebe has received recognition for her extensive work in the community – an award for best YWCA member of the year in community work served for one year in 1991, Eskom/Sowetan Woman of the Year

Say goodbye to colleague THE Human Resources Department of the Thabong police station recently held a farewell function for their longest­serving colleague, Capt. Francina Manoto (second left), who has retired. With her are from the left Capt. Thamsanqa Mokapela, Lt. Col Ina Botes and Diphapang Mohlakoana (senior aministration clerk).

Photo: Teboho Setena

in 1993, Beneficiary: “Women Together Club” training Community Development in Sweden 2000 and a Merit Award from the Rotary Club of Virginia in 1995.

Radebe has expressed her appreciation to the community of Meloding for their support over the years and for acknowledging her while she was still alive as well as the well-wishing messages from

around the world which she had received on this special day.

“There will always be a part, and always a very large part of every community, that have no care for themselves, and whose care reaches a little further than the impatience of immediate pain, and eagerness for the nearest good,” said Radebe.

WITH 11 days to go before the 2014 matric examinations start, the Free State Education MEC, Pule Tate Makgoe, has urged gr. 12 learners to focus.

The province will see 26 834 full-time candidates registered for the 2014 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination to begin on 27 October and end on 28 November. In a statement Makgoe expressed confidence in the department’s ability to deliver a credible gr. 12 examination.

“Measures have been put in place to ensure that the department conducts quality and credible examinations and prevents possible leakages of the 2014 National Senior Certificate examination question papers. We’ll adequately respond to any potential crisis and other security-related incidents,” Makgoe said.

He said on Friday, 17 October, all gr. 12 learners would be asked to sign a pledge to confirm their commitment to uphold the principles of honesty and integrity in the examinations.

“We hope that every learner will heed the call to voluntarily sign the pledge. We also call on parents and community members to support the gr. 12 class of 2014.”

He said about 330 examination centres across the Free State were ready for examinations.

“Systems have been developed to ensure that question papers are delivered on time to all the districts. Invigilators have been trained to respond to any challenges they might encounter.

“To assist learners to adequately prepare for exams we have provided the schools

‘Measures have been put in place to ensure that the de­ partment conducts quality and credible examinations and prevents possible leak­ ages of the 2014 National Senior Certificate examina­ tion question papers.’ – Tate Makgoe

Few days to go before exams

with exemplary question papers and memoranda, 2014 gr. 12 examination guidelines and rubrics, examination guidelines to administer Common Task (CAT) for Life Orientation, a preparatory examinations timetable, and the 2014 language vision,” Makgoe said.

He encouraged the schools to share documents with learners.

“All efforts have been made for learners to write the correct paper. The papers set in the prelims cover the entire syllabus and are expected to be of a similar standard to that expected in the final examinations. The results also contribute to the School-based Assessment (SBA) mark. We wish all learners well with their preliminary examinations,” Makgoe said.

The department’s 2014 target in the NSC results is a 90% pass rate and 40% bachelor passes. “Our recent visits to various schools in the province have confirmed our readiness for the 2014 exams,” Makgoe said.

EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 15 OCTOBER 2014

5

SOCIAL NEWS

Dressed to the nines

LERATO THEBE and her partner, Thabiso Ramaisa, in their stunning attire arrived for the Riebeeckstad High School matric farewell held at the Goldfields Casino a week ago.

Photos: Teboho Setena

CHENE VAN WYK and Relebohile Mallane were dressed to the nines for the Riebeeck­ stad High School’s matric farewell.

MOJALEFA MOLELEKOA (right) and his partner, Thato Mzinyathi, dressed for the occasion when they attended the Riebeeckstad High School’s matric farewell held at the Goldfields Casino.

FINANCIAL

THE Thabong police station in Welkom’s Human Resources staff attended a farewell function of one their longest serving colleagues, Capt. Francina Manoto, last Tuesday. From the left are Rose Chambal, Mmakge Ramathe, Lourens Thekiso, Mo­ sele Nhlapo, Nthabiseng Tsoaeli and Eva Kwanya.

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KAYLA LOUW and her partner, Juandre Goodman, looked very styl­ ish at the matric farewell of the Riebeeckstad High School. The func­ tion took place at the Goldfields Casino a week ago.

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KGOTHATSO MOKOENA (left) and Franscina Ramaele graced the occasion to honour the legendary community worker and developer of the Meloding community, Nnuku Radebe. The event was held at the Meloding Community Hall recently.

Photo: Supplied

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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 15 OCTOBER 2014

EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 15 OCTOBER 2014

7

Goble Park to light up

For more sportnews and stories, visit www.express-news.co.za or like us on Facebook: Express Goldfields

} Tladi Moloi ABOUT R3 million has been spent on the installation of the floodlights at the Goble Park Stadium in Bethlehem, Tjhetane Mofokeng, the executive mayor of the Dihlabeng Local Municipality, told Express.

Mofokeng said they decided to install the floodlights at the stadium after they had received a proposal from the Absa Premier League outfit Free State Stars.

“We received a proposal from the management of the team indicating to us that the light in the stadium was poor and did not meet the Premier Soccer League (PSL) standards.

“So, they asked the municipality to change the lights. I am proud to announce that we are busy working on that at the moment,” he said.

Ea Lla Koto have been using both Goble Park and the Charles Mopeli Stadium in Namahadi, Qwaqwa, for their home games.

Charles Mopeli has mostly been used for the evening games and to host Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Bloemfontein Celtic because of the bigger crowds.

However, it is likely that the Mike Mokoena-owned team will move their night fixtures to Bethlehem as soon as the lights are up and running.

Mofokeng said they had promised that the lights would be working at the end of October.

“We hope the team will be playing their evening games at that stadium as of next month,” he said.

He said he had been overwhelmed when he received the proposal stating that the team wanted to take their evening fixtures to Bethlehem because that would boost the economy.

“It is obvious that some people will be sleeping here, and that means our B&B’s (bed and breakfast), guest houses and hostels will always be full.

Our filling stations and shops will make money from people who will be coming here to watch games,” he said.

Dihlabeng has never disappointed in matters regarding football.

They have always kept their cheque open for the development of sports within the municipality.

The municipality pumped R500 000 into the Dihlabeng Local Football Association (DLFA), arguably one of the richest associations within the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality. He said Bethlehem was known for good football and they wanted to get it back to that standard.

“I can tell that the talent is there and we have to make sure that we nurture it.

“We have stars in our municipality and we have to make sure that we grab the chance to showcase them,” he said.

YOUNG WARRIORS: Vuyo Mantjie, Thulani Dhladhla and Felix Noge are members of the Harmony Sports Academy and learners of the Harmony High School. They received a hero’s welcome from Pitso Mokoena (head coach, left) and Hector Mogadi (manager, right) on their return after their historic quest to help South Africa’s national u.17 boys’ team qualify for the 2015 Confederation of African Football u.17 championship.

Photo: Teboho Setena

Trio receives a hero’s welcome } Teboho Setena

THREE members of the Harmony Sports Academy and learners of the Harmony High School, Vuyo Mantjie, Thulani Dhladhla and Felix Noge, received a hero’s reception after their continental quest.

They helped the South African national u.17 boys’ team to qualify for the 2015 Confederation of African Football u.17 Championship to be staged in Niger.

It is the first time that South Africa will be represented at the tournament since the country had been re-admitted to compete globally in 1992.

The trio was part of the South African national u.17 team that made history by qualifying for the continental football championship last month following victories over Tanzania and Egypt.

Led by Molefi Ntseki as head coach, the team hammered Tanzania and Egypt 4-0 and 4-3 respectively to cruise to the final to feature Niger (hosts), Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Zambia, the Ivory Coast and Nigeria.

After being drawn in a group that featured one of the continent’s strongest contenders, the young Pharaohs, the South African side were not given much of a chance to qualify.

However, they surprised everyone by advancing from the group knocking out the favourites, Egypt. The team were unbeaten in home and away matches for the duration of the qualifier stage.

Dhladhla made his debut in South Africa’s 4-3 win over Egypt and looks to follow in the steps of fellow teammates Noge and Mantjies, who boast eight and seven caps.

Mantjie and Noge were included in the start-up team but Dhladhla was a late inclusion in the team by Ntseki following the suspension of tried and tested central defender Katleho Mohame. The debut defender came in the second stanza replacing Reeve Frosler.

“We feel great to be a part of a team that have made history for South Africa. It inspires us to do well in future tournaments and whenever we are called up to represent our country,” said Dhladhla.

Dhladhla was a surprise package who was spotted at this year’s Engen u.17 tournament staged in Bloemfontein in July. Ntseki had no doubt of the player’s ability.

“It was a big surprise because I was called up a day before the team jetted off to Egypt.

I’m excited about everything that is happening,” said Dhladhla.