Expresses 20141210

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Mambalo calls on court Says decision is being taken as a last resort regarding dispute } Teboho Setena

THABANG MAMBALO has been waging a legal battle against the embattled The Rock FM over longstanding unpaid money following unfair dismissal.

Photo: Teboho Setena

AFTER MONTHS of failure to settle an unfair pay dispute the aggrieved Thabang Mambalo is now planning to drag the beleaguered The Rock FM to Labour Court.

He says the decision to approach the court was a last resort to seek help against the community station. Mambalo is one of the founders of the community radio station.

Express Goldfields & NFS reliably learnt that he is owed more than R100 000 by the station in a settlement over unfair dismissal in April 2013 as the chief executive officer.

In terms of correspondence by Mambalo’s legal representative (in the possession of Express Goldfields & NFS), The Rock FM did not make further payment at the beginning of October, as was agreed earlier.

“We have to date not received any such payment,” states the letter from Mambalo’s legal representative Podbielski Incorporated Attorneys.

“The fact is, there are certain obligations The Rock FM have to meet in terms of the settlement agreement.

“They have two months left, until January 2015, to meet obligations, failing which we will apply to the labour court to summon the station,” says Casper Kruger, the attorney representing Mambalo.

The money in question in monthly wages is for backpay after the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) ruled in favour of Mambalo on 20 August 2013 after finding The Rock FM’s board had unfairly dismissed him and had ordered he be reinstated as CEO on 2 September 2013. Following the CCMA’s ruling, the station was ordered to pay Mambalo R29 616,60 calculated from 23 April when he was suspended from duty until August after the hearing.

‘I have given my attorney permis­ sion to go ahead with the process of instituting legal action in the la­ bour court against The Rock FM.’ – Thabang Mambalo Mambalo says the decision to institute legal action through the Labour Court as a last resort, came after the board and the management of The Rock FM had broken an agreement made in June this year to make payment of the outstanding balance which includes legal costs by Mambalo due to his legal team.

He says he was frustrated by their delaying tactics which have seen legal costs also continue to rise. The legal costs

by Mambalo to his legal representative are estimated to exceed R10 000.

Mambalo says he has taken the advice of his legal representative to urgently apply to the labour court for the necessary contempt of court order against the embattled The Rock FM. “I have given my attorney permission to go ahead with the process of instituting legal action in the labour court against The Rock FM, following the delay exceeding 15 months after the CCMA ruled in my favour, awarded default over unfair dismal by the board of The Rock FM last year,” Mambalo says.

In terms of the CCMA’s ruling, the station was ordered to pay him R29 616,60 before or on 30 September 2013.

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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 10 DECEMBER 2014

NEWS

Causing a stir at mall WITH the police on guard, shoppers photograph the black smoke that spread panic at the Goldfields Mall on Friday. The smoke, which started billowing from the mall’s east side around mid-day, was apparently caused during the testing of a standby generator that had been overfilled with fuel. The incident occurred in the wake of load shedding experienced on the day. No casualties were reported.

Photo: Teboho Setena

Finances in FS head for disaster

Receive awards for excellence TOP REWARDS: Volksblad honoured its top achievers for their contribution during 2014 at the annual year-end function held on Saturday, 29 November, in Bloemfontein. Three of the top achievers were of Volksblad’s Central Local Newspapers. From the left are Teboho Setena, Express Goldfields & NFS editor in Welkom (winner of the Volksblad trophy for best journalist of the group’s local newspapers), Valeska Kruger of Vista in Welkom (top consultant of the group’s local newspapers) and Marti Will, Vista editor (local newspapers’ top achiever: internet and social media).

Photo: Stef Krüger

For more photos and news visit www.express-news.co.za

THE DA in the Free State has objected to the Free State government’s budget adjustment tabled last week Wednesday in the Provincial Legislature.

The adjustments came ahead of the expected allocations for the various provincial government departments during February and March in 2015.

David van Vuuren, the DA’s chief whip in the provincial legislature, cites failure to meet obligations pertaining to accountability to budget by the departments, alluding to a crisis experienced by two departments, Health and Education, during the year.

“The DA objects to the adjustment budget on the grounds that the people of the Free State are not getting value for their money in terms of good governance, accountability and transparency as indicated in the National Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation’s annual Management Performance Assessment Tool (MPAT) 2013-’14, which showed that the Free State dropped five places, making the province the second worst governed province in the country.

“Our two main concerns are with the Department of Health and the Department of Education.

“Both departments are struggling financially to meet their obligations due to massive accumulated accruals. Accruals for Health top almost R800 million and for Education a staggering R1,2 billion. Both the departments are functioning in the past, using resources in the current financial year to settle debt incurred from previous years.

“We are also concerned that the

Office of the Premier continues to receive additional funding. In this adjustment an additional R33 499 million has been appropriated to an already inflated allocation of R270 514 million.

“The Office of the Premier is not a service delivery entity, yet more and more resources are made available for the convenience of Premier Ace Magashule.

Over the last financial year the Office of the Premier regressed in its audit outcomes to a qualified audit,” said Van Vuuren.

He further raised serious concerns regarding the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development continuing to squander hundreds of millions of rands on unsuccessful vanity projects like the Vrede Dairy Project.

“The ANC-led Free State government under Magashule is unable to manage its finances appropriately as proven by the Auditor General’s annual reports.

The AG reports show an increase of 87% in unauthorised expenditure amounting to R470 million.

Within the Department of Education unauthorised expenditure increased by 441% in one year totalling R427 million.

“Irregular expenditure came in at R2,429 billion and in total the province lost almost R3 billion to questionable financial management practises,” said Van Vuuren.

According to him, the provincial government could be stabilised once the MEC for Finance, Elzabe Rockman, takes immediate action.

“Unless the MEC for Finance implements radical cost-cutting measures and adjusts resources appropriately, the Free State will very soon find itself bankrupt.

EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 10 DECEMBER 2014

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NEWS

Group dedicated to promoting health } Teboho Setena THE newly-founded Khothalang Support Group, a non-profit community-based organisation in Meloding, Virginia, plans to drive the cause of community health as it evolves.

The main objective of this organisation is to promote wellness and health within the community by educating people about the prevention of chronic illnesses, as well as the care of people suffering from these.

Founded in October, the group comprises 15 members, youth and adults, who have knowledge in rendering services promoting health care and physical well-being.

The members are: Disebo Moseli (secretary), Pulane Morabe, Mokgadi Serekego (organisers), Pulane Kholoanyane (chairperson), Thabo Seli (project manager), Mapuleng Matala (treasurer), MaJabu Kumalo (deputy chairperson), Mmatsie Nxekana (deputy secretary), as well as additional members Lydia Chere, Alina Chabaku, Nono Tleru, Limakatso Hlalele, Mamorena Moloi, Tlou Monnye and Seipati Mafoso.

“We saw there was a need in our community for this service, as many people in treatment programmes struggle to go to clinics for treatment,” Kholoanyane says.

“Some are very old and others are chronically struggling with transport to primary healthcare facilities. We hope to change their situations through the comprehensive outreach services we are going to render.” As a community-based organisation, Khothalang will focus on networking and house-to-house

THE Khothalang Support Group members are from the left, front: Disebo Moseli, Limakatso Hlalele, Mamorena Moloi, Tlou Monnye and Pulane Morabe; back: MaJabu Kumalo, Lydia Chere, Mapuleng Matala, Mokgadi Serekego, Thabo Seli, Pulane Kholoanyane, Alina Chabaku, Seipati Mafoso, Mmatsie Nxekana and Nono Tleru.

Photo: Teboho Setena visits, rendering the much-needed service of promoting wellness and health care and educating people.

The scope of focus will include counselling to people affected and infected by HIV and Aids and tuberculosis, as well as raising awareness about the negative

effects of defaulting treatment.

The majority of the members gained experience working on a fixed-term contract for the Free State Department of Health’s intervention programme. They have united to form Khothalang following the termination of their

contracts in the wake of financial distress. Other members gained experience from working as health workers for the Free State Department of Health.

Among the members of Khothalang is the highly experienced Kumalo, a retired nurse with

experience spanning 40 years.

The organisation is appealing for assistance in the form of a building to work from and funding.

Those willing to assist and those needing more information can call Thabo Seli on 071-155-5292 and Disebo Moseli on 078-985-6969.

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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 10 DECEMBER 2014

NEWS

Celebrating 25 years of caring for little ones THE Ikemiseng Preschool in Thabong, Welkom, celebrated its 25th anniversary and hosted a feast a week ago. Staff members are from the left Emily Phakane, Sebina Chaka, Makgotso Moletsane, Ntswaki Ramoeletsi, Alina Marumo (founder), Mmami Marumo, Pulane Malimabe and Mathato Melato.

Photo: Teboho Setena

Parents, lead by example GROWING UP in Thabong, we watched with excitement whenever nurses of that time came around on bicycles. They carried brown cardboard cases to deliver infants in our homes which we believed they collected from airplanes that landed at the old Thabong Clinic.

We were made to believe that children came by airplane. We knew nothing about pregnancy and labour. While our mothers were screaming in pain in labour with nurses assisting, we were under the impression that they were busy unpacking the newborn from the brown cardboard cases that the nurses carried.

We only learned about the biological reality after primary school.

Today’s children know almost everything relating to birth. They know that women carry unborn babies in their stomachs for nine months before they are delivered.

My argument is that whether children drop from the sky or are born through a pregnancy process, is besides the point.

My gripe is that cheats, rapists, thugs and prostitutes are the flesh and blood of their parents. An old Chinese saying goes: “A fish rots from the head”.

Parents of children involved in wrong deeds know what their children are doing.

The question is, what are parents doing about this?

There are also children who have been raised the godly way by their parents. Such children grow up in

It is impossible to teach your children what you have not learnt yourself.

In order to raise godly children, you need to be godly yourself.

My view Moeti Molelekoa Social observer church and school. They are brought up wearing church uniforms on Sundays and academic blazers during the week. Such children end up as leaders in society, captains in sport, and managers in business, topnotch lawyers, medical practitioners and engineers.

Children depend on us to teach them by principle and precept.

It is one task that God does not expect us to accomplish alone.

He has promised to work with us, provide us with wisdom and understanding, inspiration and instruction.

It is impossible to teach your children what you have not learnt yourself.

In order to raise godly children, you need to be godly yourself.

Every step of this journey, godly parents pray for their children.

Prayer is the single weapon one can use to fight temptations of the devil, the world and the flesh.

When frustrated by school work, problems with friends, personal appearance, challenges in mental aptitude or physical inability, take that opportunity to motivate and pep them up.

It is up to us as parents to make or break our children. ) Comment or express your views about the issue highlighted in this column at www.express-news.co.za.

Express Goldfields & NFS welcomes anyone to contribute to the 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.

Sentence handed down to rapists THE Welkom Specialised Court for Sexual Offences has slapped two rapists, Tshidiso “Matshidi” “Zukie” Mbele (26) and Mosioua John “Pelesa” Korie (31) with 15-year and 9-year prison sentences respectively.

They were convicted and sentenced recently for raping two women in separate instances in Welkom’s township of Thabong.

Mbele, a South African citizen, was found guilty of the rape of a then 30-year-old woman at the Phumlani Cemetery in the vicinity

of Doornpan east of Thabong.

During the investigation of the case, the suspect was labelled the Graveyard Rapist.

Mbele, together with his accomplice, who is still on the run, sexually assaulted the victim in August 2012.

They forced the woman off a taxi at about 03:00, threatening her and the driver with knives.

They then dragged her into the graveyard where they sexually assaulted her, taking turns.

WO Malebo Khosana, spokesper-

son of the Thabong Police Cluster, said there were no leads in tracing Mbele’s accomplice, adding that should there be any concrete leads, the case against him would be reinstated.

The court convicted and sentenced Lesotho national Korie to nine years for raping a 25-yearold woman at knifepoint on 28 June this year.

The accused sexually assaulted the woman in the open field in the vicinity of the Lephola Secondary School in Thabong.

Hub could improve future A FEASIBILITY STUDY for the establishment of a Technology Innovation Hub in the Lejweleputswa District Municipality has been commissioned.

A private company has been assigned to conduct the research with the Lejweleputswa Development Agency (LDA).

Edward Lesenyelo, acting chief executive officer of the LDA, said embarking on such an initiative had been prompted by the demand to stimulate growth in the region.

“The aim of the Technology Innovation Hub is to increase the competitiveness of the Lejweleputswa District by stimulating a culture of quality and innovation among its associated businesses and institutions,” Lesenyelo stated.

He said technology was fundamental in fostering the creation of new and sustainable ventures to turn around the economy of the region in order to create employment opportunities.

“The National Development Plan 2030 is based on the principles of innovation.

“It clearly identifies a need to improve the quality of education, to support skills development in the population and to

‘This project will allow the municipal­ ity to improve and this is also an op­ portunity to update information and identify gaps requir­ ing urgent prioriti­ sation for growth and development.’

– Palesa Kaota encourage innovation as a key enabler for economic development.

“This sentiment is echoed from a global perspective in the Global Innovation Index 2014.

“These are two of many references that support the concept of establishing a Technology Innovation Hub that will impact highly on economic development and job creation opportunities in the area.”

Lesenyelo said the scope of the project would cover the whole district, and added that

the research company would have to do an assessment across the district municipality, as well as all five the local municipalities in the district.

In addition, the assessment would have to include the broader list of stakeholders located in the district. This includes the private and the public sector.

Palesa Kaota, municipal manager of the Lejweleputswa District Municipality, has urged local municipalities to support the research, based on its significance in providing the correct data about the region and the realisation of the technology hub.

“The Census 2011 report concluded that about 80% of the population had no internet connectivity and of those few who had access, around 75% accessed the internet via their cellphones.

“This indicates that there is a serious lack of adequate and affordable telecommunications infrastructure in our district.

“This project will allow the municipality to improve and this is also an opportunity to update information and identify gaps requiring urgent prioritisation for growth and development.”

EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 10 DECEMBER 2014

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MATJHABENG LOCAL MUNICIPALITy

Adv. Lepheana Promises Change In No Time The new Municipal Manager Adv. Mothusi Lepheana is adamant that Matjhabeng will be a different place in

“In the next 90 days

Tough talk: Adv. Mothusi Lepheana has hit the ground running.

people will be talking a different story about Matjhabeng and I expect all of you (managers and supervisors) to ensure the implementation of what will be resolved in the Stratplan “

three months.

He said this during the first day of strategic planning meeting with managers, supervisors, unions, and community stake holders at the Welkom Theater. The leadership of the Municipality will have a strategic planning session at Aldam Estate in Ventersburg from Thursday 4 December until Friday 5 December 2014.

“I don’t have the luxury of time because I don’t intend finishing my four year term.

I don’t need the whole term to change Matjhabeng and so as my managers, if they can’t deliver they need to go home”, said Lepheana adding that he needs to leave a healthy Matjhabeng to the locals.

“In the next 90 days people will be talking a different story about Matjhabeng and I expect all of you (managers and supervisors) to ensure the implementation of what will be resolved in the Stratplan”, he said.

Adv. Lepheana continued that the managers are off the mark and they should slow down, stop, indicate and make a

The Future Of Matjhabeng Municipality sharp turn to the desired destination, which is a Municipality that has a clean audit; excellent service delivery; financially stable and improved customer care.

Officials are expected to lead by examples and their attitudes to change for Matjhabeng to turn around. Unions, business and community stakeholders gave speeches of support and welcomed the Municipal Manager’s plans and vision.

New Theft And Vandalism Stats The alarming rate at which cable theft has been plaguing Matjhabeng has left its residents carrying the brunt of this heavy burden.

“ The Municipality

is unable to deliver excellent services to its residents as money constantly needs to be spent on replacing stolen “ During the current financial year, the municipality has had an astonishing 95 incidents which has cost it more than R2 054 478.20.

The spate of theft incidents means that the Municipality is unable to deliver excellent services to its residents as money constantly needs to be spent on replacing stolen infrastructure.

• Hennenman with one incident estimated cost R3440.00 • Odendaalsrus with 79 incidents estimated cost R1 330 550.50 • Ventersburg with 7 incidents estimated cost R237 360.00 • Virginia with 2 incidents estimated

cost R190 200.00 Welkom with 6 incidents estimated cost R292 927.70 Welkom’s main bulk power supply, affecting Welkom’s Central Business District, Industrial Area as well as Bronville has recently been the target.

In the past two months, the main plant has been broken into twice in the same manner. Perpetrators entered the plant by digging a hole in the ground, breaking the cement fence, and crawling under the electric fencing that is meant to safeguard the plant.

In the first break in, they stole control cables to the street value of approximately R8000, the second time they only cut the cables and were caught red handed in the plant.

These two incidents cost the Municipality millions to repair the infrastructure.

According to Acting Manager: Electrical Services, Zacharia Mabaso, the two cases are still being investigated and no arrests have been made. But a new security company has been appointed and they have been set up a guard house for the guards on duty. The guard house is situated so that the guards can see movement from all sides of the plant.

Various other security measures have been taken to ensure that perpetrators would pay for their crimes.

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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 10 DECEMBER 2014

NEWS

Libraries in shocking state

Paying tribute

BRIAN LEROKO, Welkom: IT has come to my attention that we do not necessarily have public libraries in Matjhabeng, particularly in Welkom and Thabong. What we have are “hangout” areas in the form of disguised, useless buildings.

I am a young man from Matjhabeng with a passion for reading and education. However, what I have witnessed recently with the management of local libraries is disturbing.

As an employed man who studies part time, I find it challenging to balance my studies and to work from 09:00 to 17:00. This requires energy and motivation. One needs to be reminded why education is important even when one already earns a salary.

Unfortunately, study facilities in libraries are far from adequate.

Two months ago I was preparing for my mini exams and I visited the Thabong Library in St Helena. A security officer was sitting outside the building not far from the entrance. She alluded that she did not know much about the operation structures as I enquired about the available service.

I entered the building and found that it was dark inside. It was just after 13:00 on a Wednesday. The lady who sat alone in an empty room on the right side of the entrance told me that the library was not open for the public due to a power cut they had been experiencing at the library for more than a week. She explained that it was actually due to non-payment by the local municipality.

Unfortunately, I could not make out who was responsible to explain the situation and give clarity, as the women at the information counter were chatting excitedly to each other and ignored me as I walked in.

Do not be fooled by thinking that the branch in Welkom is better. Other than the noise and the bad staff attitude, inconsistencies in their operation hours are appalling.

On 11 November, while studying with other students from different local institutions in the Free State, a familiar gentleman working at the library just decided to switch off the lights at 16:25, citing in Sesotho, “e tjhaile” (it is knock-off time). It was not the first time this gentleman had done this to the students. One high school learner who was seated not far from me even said to his friend, “O qadile” (he has started).

Recently, the same guy ordered me and my study mates to get out of a “private study room” in which we had a lesson and module discussion. He was making way for three gentlemen whom he claimed had booked the room in advance.

I would like to advise our municipality or the Department of Education to pay their library employees a big enough salary for them to do their work properly, or appoint people who actually want to do the job.

I believe that a library is a reputable place and it requires proper management to maintain its dignity and functionality.

Furthermore, what use is a library if it cannot help you achieve your educational aspirations?

Mines should benefit Free Staters MIKE LEDWABA, Thabong: BAD things that happened in the past still prevail today. Do we have to fight against them or stop?

What happened in the past was that the so-called investors took gold from the mines here in the Free State and then, with profits made from the sales, continued developing their countries and improving the standard of living in those countries of their origin, including other areas in South Africa.

Residents of Thabong in Welkom and Meloding in Virginia live in abject poverty, as they did not benefit from the wealth of gold mines in their immediate area – they continue to live in such a bad state for the rest of their lives.

At mines here in the Free State, Basotho people are treated as foreigners while Xhosas, including Pondos, are treated with respect.

Out of ten officials, one will be of Sotho origin. Also, when ten people are employed in the mines, two will be of the Basotho ethnic group.

Perhaps the Basotho can try to defend the Free State by ensuring they benefit from the wealth and that other countries do not continue to develop at the expense of the Free State inhabitants.

The wealth of the Free State must improve the standard of the lives of its inhabitants.

The Basotho, as the majority in the Free State, must see to it that they benefit. The mines in Welkom and Virginia do not benefit the people of Meloding and Thabong.

THE Groenewald family from Colesberg, together with friends from Port Elizabeth, travelled to Bloemfontein to see the Nelson Mandela statue on Naval Hill, joining the rest of the world to mark one year since the former state president died on 5 December 2013.

Photo: Mlungisi Louw

HRC investigates FS Health THE DA in the Free State has welcomed the announcement by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to investigate human rights violations by the provincial Department of Health.

Mariette Pittaway, DA member of the Provincial Legislature, said: “The DA has fought a long battle spanning almost six months for the department to be investigated. Public health care in the province is in a crisis and Health MEC Benny Malakoane and his department has failed to

respond positively to our constructive engagement that sought to turn the situation around.

“The DA first approached the SAHRC requesting it to launch an investigation in June earlier this year. We raised serious concerns and provided sufficient prima facie evidence that would warrant an investigation, but our initial request was unfortunately denied,” he said.

Pittaway said the request by their party for an SAHRC investigation into the department was purely

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for the benefit of the people of the Free State.

“The DA is not in the business of playing politics with people’s lives.

“We trust that the SAHRC will conduct its investigation with the urgency that it deserves. We look forward to the commission’s findings and recommendations that would compel the provincial Department of Health to implement an honest and dedicated strategy that would seek to bring public health care in the province up to acceptable standards of best medical practice.”

Boedel Wyle: M Mqikela Boedelnommer: 24273/2014

Boedel Wyle: T Mbeceni Boedelnommer: 24271/2014

BOEDELKENNISGEWING:

BOEDELKENNISGEWING:

In die boedel van wyle MNCEDISI MQIKELA, Boedelnommer: 24273/2014, Identiteitsnommer: 601029 5836 08 7, wie oorlede is op 11/04/2010, van 58/4 HOSTEL, WELKOM, 9460.

KREDITEURE en DEBITEURE in bogemelde boedel word versoek om hulle vorderings in te lewer en hulle skulde te betaal by ondergetekende binne 'n tydperk van 30 (DERTIG) dae vanaf 12 DESEMBER 2014.

In die boedel van wyle THANDIWE MBECENI, Boedelnommer: 24271/2014, Identiteitsnommer: 750305 1190 08 6, wie oorlede is op 01/07/2014, van KINGSTRAAT 102, DAGBREEK, WELKOM, 9460.

KREDITEURE en DEBITEURE in bogemelde boedel word versoek om hulle vorderings in te lewer en hulle skulde te betaal by ondergetekende binne 'n tydperk van 30 (DERTIG) dae vanaf 12 DESEMBER 2014.

[GET] A STYGER NAMENS DIE EKSEKUTEUR P/A NEUMANN VAN ROOYEN HEERENSTRAAT 2 WELKOM 9459 (VERW: A STYGER/Catherine/ BJ 3557) (VERW: A STYGER/Catherine/ AAM 109)

[GET] A STYGER NAMENS DIE EKSEKUTEUR P/A NEUMANN VAN ROOYEN HEERENSTRAAT 2 WELKOM 9459 (VERW: A STYGER/Catherine/ BJ 3521) (VERW: A STYGER/Catherine/ AAM 108)

EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 10 DECEMBER 2014

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Break- Ins Cost Municipality Millions The Matjhabeng Local Municipality suffered a great blow following two separate break -ins at the Matjhabeng Fire Department and Virginia Municipal Offices recently.

In the first incident, a total of R1.5 million of fire fighting equipment was stolen during the weekend of 28 November from the Fire Department. It is alleged that the key of the station officer was stolen and the suspects had enough time during the weekend to raid the store room where all the equipment is kept.

In Virginia, an empty safe was bombed inside the Municipality and R600 was stolen. According to Supt. Bokvel Pieterse, the perpetrators used dynamite candles to blow up both the main door and the safe door. He said the damage will cost Matjhabeng approximately R40 000.

There has not been any arrest at this stage Municipal employees are being investigated for both incidents.

According to Adv Mothusi Lepheana criminals have made Matjhabeng their playing field and that has to stop. “We had a high level meeting in Bloemfontein

MATJHABENG LOCAL MUNICIPALITy

recently to discuss this plight and I can confirm that those responsible for the crimes will be brought to book”, he said.

Anyone with information can contact Supt. Pieterse on 084-336-3974 or to report the information at the Matjhabeng Fire Department.

Station Officer Training, Ms. Selloane Khuze said, equipment that was taken from the store room are: SCBA SETS • 4 x SCBA Cylinders • 3 x SCBA Backpacks +3 x SCBA Face shield masks • 1 x New Back pack inside the box not even used JAWS OF LIFE • 1 x generator for Jaws of Life • 1 x spreader • 1 x cutter • 2 x rams • Two set of hoses for Jaws of Life • 1 x set of Air Chisel AIR(VETTER) BAGS SETS • 2 x set of Air (Vetter) Bags • Consists of • 2 x Big Air (Vetter) Bag • 2 x Medium Air (Vetter) Bag • 2 x Small Air (Vetter) Bag • 2 x sets of Hoses for Air (Vetter) Bags • 2 x regulators for Air (Vetter) Bags • 1 x Bomb Blanket HOSES • 12 x 65mm Hoses • 9 x 45mm Hoses • 9 x Helmets

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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 10 DECEMBER 2014

Zola, others do CSA proud } Ruan Bruwer “A FEATHER in the cap for Free State Cricket, not just for myself.”

Zola Thamae, who was named the Administrator of the Year at the South African Sports Awards held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on 30 November, says she is very humbled by and grateful for the award.

“I am what I am because of other people who believe in me,” she says.

Thamae, the first female president in the history of South African Cricket, made an immediate impression after being chosen in August last year.

The period in which judging was done, stretched from October 2013 to October 2014.

“This is a very prestigious award to receive.

What this also says to me is that I can do more.

“One often only gets recognised after one is dead, so it is great to receive this while I am still alive.”

The trophy will be on display in her house, but she first had to take it to work because her colleagues wanted to see it.

According to her, she did not experience extra pressure when she started working in a male-dominated sport.

“I worked very closely with my predecessor, Leon Crawley, who showed me around.

Also, as the vice-president (for four years) I could start to prepare myself.”

Thamae has come a long way in Free State Cricket.

She started there in 1996. In 2007 she became the first woman to serve on the board of Cricket South Africa.

From 2004 to 2009 she acted as the manager of the Protea Women’s Cricket team.

“I would say in my first 15 months I put an emphasis on youth cricket and transformation.”

Meanwhile, Cricket South Africa (CSA) has congratulated Thamae, its players and administrators – both past and present – who were also honoured at the awards function. They include Ray Mali, former CSA and International Cricket Council

‘We take great pride in the achievements of these individuals and I extend our heartiest congratula­ tions to all of them on behalf of the CSA f a m i l y.’

– Haroon Lorgat, CSA chief executive (ICC) president, AB de Villiers, the Castle Lager Proteas One Day International (ODI) captain, and the South African u.19 team that won the ICC Cricket World Cup u.19 title earlier this year.

Mali received the Steve Tshwete Lifetime Achievement Award, while De Villiers and the u.19 team walked away with the Ministerial Excellence Award and the Team of the Year Award respectively.

“We take great pride in the achievements of these individuals and I extend our heartiest congratulations to all of them on behalf of the CSA family,” Haroon Lorgat, CSA chief executive, says.

“As we reach the end of the year we can reflect on and be proud of the many good things that have happened across so many areas of our operations.

“With the South African season now in full swing we can look forward to further highlights with the arrival of the West Indies team in the country for their full-length tour across all three formats, the final of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge for our franchises and our desire to achieve success at next year’s ICC World Cup in Australasia.

“These are indeed exciting and vibrant times for South African cricket.” ) For more sports stories, visit www.express-news.co.za.

TOP AWARD: Nokuzola Thamae, president of Free State Cricket, was honoured with the Administrator of the Year Award at the 2014 South African Sports Awards. Photo: Supplied

Budding boxers excel

SHOWING confidence, the Free State Cadet Boxing team of boys and girls between the ages of 13 and 15 scooped nine medals at this year’s South African National Boxing Organisation (Sanabo) tournament staged recently in Welkom.

The squad’s performance earned the province the fourth position overall out of the nine provinces which took part in the five-day event.

The tournament is a development initiative of Sanabo aimed at identifying and mentoring future prospective boxers that will represent not only the provinces, but South Africa, internationally.

The Free State team clinched three bronze, five silver and one gold medal, courtesy of Sabata Lihaba, who won in the 64 kg boys category.

The three girls, Palesa Nkoanyane (girls 34 kg), Mpolokeng Tutubala (girls 46 kg) and Boitumelo Mahlatsi (girls 39 kg) did well with each getting a bronze medal. The girls showed they had great potential in boxing as they rose to the occasion to win some silverware at the national cham- pionships.

Both the boys and girls were included in the Free State team based on their individual performance during lead-up competitions staged at other regions in the province.

THESE budding boxers represented the Free State in different divisions at this year’s South African National Boxing Organisation (Sanabo) Cadet Boxing Championships staged recently at the Kopano Indoor Sports Centre in Thabong, Welkom. They are from the left Palesa Nkoanyane (girls 34 kg), Katleho Khoako (boys 40 kg), Mpolokeng Tutubala (girls 46 kg), Boitumelo Mahlatsi (girls 39 kg) and Matshisi Yamkela (boys 36 kg).

Photo: Teboho Setena