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WEDNESDAY 7足9 MAY 2014
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MAKE YOUR MARK: With a simple X you will ensure that South Africa remains the best place to live in. Express encourages all its readers and Free State citizens to go out and exercise their hard足won right to vote. Remember to visit the voting station where you are registered and vote before 21:00.
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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 7 MAY 2014
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Will they vote?
NONCEBA SOLO (20), Freedom Square: “Yes, I will, I am voting for my country and I have learnt from high school about apart heid and how my parents struggled. I am glad about the elections and know the party I will vote for will win. I cannot wait for Wednesday (today), I will be first in line.”
OLEBOGENG CHAUKE (19), Phahameng: “Yes, I will be voting and my vote will bring change, it will count. I am voting for a better future.”
MOHALE TANTSI (18), Phase 10: “I am not sure, but I know I want democracy to con tinue. We were born when democracy in our country was in its infancy and our people suffered in the past, so I don’t want to re gret.”
MPHO LETHIBA (21), Botshabelo: “Yes, in the future we need something better, hope from our side means ‘hold on, pains end’ voting can bring a better life.”
WITH today’s national elections being the first elections in which the so-called “born-frees” will cast their votes, there is curiosity whether these young people will vote. Express journalist Tshenolo Meruti asked those born in and around 1994 whether they will be casting their vote today.
SIPHENATHI CHINGO (20), Willows: “Yes, of course. I believe it is my chance to stand for myself, I believe it counts and it will bring change.
TRISHA FANYANE (18), Grootvlei: “Yes, I will vote to help people. My vote counts. People should vote for change.”
Photos: Tshenolo Meruti
VOX POP vox pop VOX POP vox pop VOX POP vox pop
DADDY LENTO (21), Bloemfontein: “No, I am not going to vote. I will vote if Malema would win, he is a cool guy, he is into himself and thinks a lot about people. I am a bad boy and so is he, it all just makes sense.”
LINDIWE TSHABALALA (20), Klerksdorp: “Yes, I will be voting. You will never know if there will be change, so just do it. Take a leap of faith and have hope that things will get better and change.”
Each individual vote is significant MOTHER THERESA said: “If I looked at the masses I would never act.” Maybe all young voters who have lost faith should stop looking at collective power and start considering how poor our democracy would be without their votes. Student apathy remains a much-debated topic, but ironically is always addressed to the wrong group. Looking at students on the whole (and disregarding individuality for the sake of this exercise), there are many things we do not worry about: global warming, women’s rights, civil unrest in the Central African Republic and our annual Student Representative Council (SRC) election. Last year, less than 16% of all students at the University of Stellenbosch voted in the SRC election. Accordingly, there are few things that students, in general, care about. So few that I have had to think hard to come up with examples. It seems most students simply cannot be bothered with anything beyond their immediate lives (academics, friends, internet connection-speed and parking restrictions). This is if we accept enthusiasm is manifested by mass-participation. I have reason to think this approach is incorrect. For if we are to believe one
My view
Emily van der Merwe Social observer
person can make a difference by caring – cue Dr. Seuss: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” – we cannot measure contributions by numbers. I am part of a generation of South Africans known as “born frees” (people born since the dawn of democracy in the country). Many believe us to be the “wind of change” in South African politics when we vote the first time today. This is not only an unfair burden to place on the shoulders of a group of 20 year olds, it is also unlikely to be the case. Of the about 2 million born frees eligible to vote, only 680 000 registered this year, according to the Independent Electoral Commission. Even if they all vote, theirs will amount to less than 3% of the total vote. It is highly unfeasible that they shall
pose a serious threat to the ruling party. Again I rely on the notion that numbers are not the only thing that brings about change. There is something to be said about the enthusiasm of the individuals who do take voting seriously and who do believe that they can contribute, no matter what the statistics say. Because the simple fact of a democracy is that every vote counts. It is not student apathy or indifference that prevents born frees (and their slightly older counterparts) from making the difference they are able to, but perhaps rather a disbelief in the power of their vote. While born frees account for a small percentage of voters, estimates suggest that by 2019, when the next presidential election is held, a third of South African voters could be born frees. It remains to be seen if these numbers will lead to change. For my part, the change will occur when I make my first mark on an election ballot today, confident that my vote is significant. ) Emily van der Merwe is a second year law student at the University of Stellenbosch and content editor at Die Matie student newspaper. She is originally from Calvinia in the Northern Cape.
EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 7 MAY 2014
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NEWS
Win weekend stay at scenic Glen Reenen
} Christo van Staden
THE Glen Reenen Rest Camp in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park is not only the oldest camp in the park, but also the heartbeat from where most of the activities in the park are launched. The rest camp is situated between the well-known sandstone cliffs in the park, and the ideal position from where visitors can enjoy the brilliant, colourful shades cast by the sun on the sandstone rocks, especially the imposing Brandwag Buttress, keeping vigil over the camp.
The rest camp, erected in 1963 with the proclamation of Golden Gate as a national park, consists of 31 self catering chalets, all fully equipped and with a neat, comfortable and classy interior. Nine of the rondavels are divided in two – interlinked with a door. The other rondavels have a loft serving as a second bedroom. There are also family cottages in the camp, accommodating four to six people. Apart from the hiking trails as well as the horse trails that all start here, there is also a natural swimming pool next to the camp. Glen Reenen is a destination for every nature lover that needs to break away to a haven of peace, beauty and hiking. For more information on Glen Reenen and Golden Gate, go to www.sanparks.co.za, or call the national park on 058-255-1000. ) Express and SANParks today start a brand-new competition in which one lucky reader who enters before 28 May stands a chance to win a weekend stay for a family of four in the Glen Reenen Rest Camp. All you need to do, is to visit the Express website at www.express-news.co.za and follow the instructions to enter. You only need to answer an easy question. The closing date is 28 May. ) The winner of a weekend for four at the Basotho Cultural Village in Golden Gate is Joseph Rantseke. This competition ran in April.
TO the left of the pic ture are the green roofs of chalets at Glen Reenen. The trees are hiding the caravan park, and to the right is the Brandwag Buttress. Photo: Supplied
Glen Reenen is a destination for every nature lover that needs to break away to a ha ven of peace, beauty and hiking.
LEFT: The rondavels at the Glen Reenen Rest Camp against the backdrop of the winter landscape in the park.
THE interior of the chalets.Photo: Victor Mokoena
Photo: Victor Mokoena
Unemployment rate shows increase SOUTH AFRICA’S unemployment rate rose to 25,2% in the first quarter of 2014, up from the 24,1% in the fourth quarter of 2013, Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) said on Monday. The unemployment rate increased in the first three months of 2014 from the previous rate of 24,1%, according to the Quarterly Labour Force (QLF) report released by Stats SA. The number of people without work increased by 237 000, showing that this amounted to five million people, noted the report that polls households. Year-on-year figures show that both employment and unemployment rose by
496 000 and 205 000 respectively. The unemployment rate increased by 0,2%, while the absorption rate and labour force participation rate increased by 0,7% and 1% respectively. A decrease in employment was mainly driven by a decrease in employment in the transport, storage and communication industries. “Between the fourth quarter of 2013 and the first quarter of 2014, the number of employed people declined by 122 000 mainly due to decreases observed in the transport (66 000), community and social services (42 000) and trade (38 000) industries,” noted the report.
Releasing the report, the statistician general, Pali Lehohla, said unemployment is the main poverty driver in the country. In the first quarter, formal sector employment increased in the construction and manufacturing industries. In its reaction to the data, Nedbank economists said the rise in unemployment reflected a sharp drop in employment in the informal non-agricultural sector jobs, saying it was likely to remain high. “The unemployment rate is likely to remain high in the short term given weak domestic demand, rising input costs, labour disputes, significant infrastructure constraints and other regulatory issues in some
of the key sectors. “Today’s figures provide further evidence that local economic performance is still well below potential. However, we anticipate that the Reserve Bank will tighten policy gradually by a cumulative 50 basis points over the next few months as inflation rises above the target range,” said Nedbank. According to the report, youth continued to be vulnerable in the labour market, although their level of educational attainment has improved from 2008 to 2014. “In the first quarter of 2014 the unemployment rate among young people aged 15 to 34 was 36,1%, which is 3,4% higher than in the first quarter of 2008,” it said. – SAnews.gov.za
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Monna wa gago ke kgosi
APEELA rre le lelapa. Mo tlhatswetse, o tlhwekise ntlo. Fa o sa kgone bona motho yo o tla mo duelang a go thuse go tlhokomela ntlo. Gopola gore dijo di tshwanetse tsa apewa ke wena. Fa o sa itse go apaya reka dibuka kgotsa o kope diresepe. O se ke wa letlelela mme yo o dirang mo ntlong go apeela mogatso. Gopola tsela e e yang pelong e feta ka mpa. Fa mme a sa itse go apaya mo thuse, o mo rute. Mmamoruti mongwe o bolela fa mo ngwageng tse 44 tsa lenyalo la gagwe a sa itse go apaya. Rre moruti e ne e le ene a apayang mme Mmamoruti a dira mo tshingwaneng. Ga go sepe se se phosho. Modimo o re kopantse gore re tlaleletse batho ba rona – compliment each other. Mo ke tlhaelang mme mogatsake a kgona o tla ntlaleletsa mme mo a tlhaelang ke tla mo tlaleletsa. Gantsi re kopana re sa tshwane. Motho yo o buang bobe o nyala yo o sa bueng thata – fa lo le magano ka bobedi ke ofeng o o tla reetsang o mongwe. Fa lo le bonolo ka bobedi batho ba tla tshamekela mo godimo ga lona. Fa mogatso a na le se a tlhaelang ka sone, se mo tsole diaparo, o mo senolela dira. Se phetlhele mogatla wa nku magodu. Mongwe le mongwe o na le bokowa ba gagwe. Le fa go le dikgotlhang, go se monate, fa oe tswela kwa ntle, se bontsheng batho gore lo a lwana. Fa dira ditla, re lwana le tsone re le mmogo, re le seoposengwe. Fa mathata
Fuel prices drop from today GOOD news for consumers is that the price of all grades of petrol dropped 15c a litre today. The Department of Energy announced that the price of diesel in the Free State would decrease by 29,78c a litre, that of illuminating paraffin by 25c and that of liquefied petroleum gas by 4c. “The decrease in the price of illuminating paraffin and LPG will benefit households that use these products, especially as winter approaches,” Ben Martins, Energy minister, said. The price decreases took effect today. South Africa’s fuel prices are adjusted monthly, informed by international and local factors. The decrease in the prices of all the petroleum products is due to changes in international factors, namely, crude oil prices, the Rand/Dollar exchange rate and the prices of finished products, the department said in a media release. The Rand appreciated against the US Dollar from $10.76 to $10.55 during the period under review. It contributed to the fuel price decreases. Locally, the price changes have been influenced by the reduction of the slate levy by 8,78c per litre, in line with the self-adjusting slate mechanism. A slate levy is the money that is collected from motorists to compensate the industry for cumulative under recovery. This arises because the fuel prices are adjusted once a month, but international factors change daily.
A re bueng
Kuni Ditira Advocate
a tla re a dika mmogo. Se letle metsi go tsena ka molelwane. Se lwane fa pele ga bana gonne bone ba bona fela fa lo tlhalana. Tsenang mo phaposing lo bue go fele. Phaposi ya go robala e diretswe go robala le go ratana. Ntsha thelebishene mo kamoreng. Se balele mo phaposing kgotsa go dira tiro e nngwe. Monna wa gago ke kgosi Se lebale se. Dira gore monna wa gago a ikutlwe gore ke kgosi. Dira mo o kgonang gore o dire tse di mo itumedisang. Mo tlhapise dinao, o mo sidile fa a tswa tirong a lapile. Fa mmele o katlegile a tswa go itshidila mo sidile. Ga o mo fa dijo teka tafole o e kgabise. Reka dikerese le ditsheshe. Mo supetse gore wa mo rata. Mo reneketse o mo bitse ka maina a a amonate – rragwe Dikeledi – mmagwe Itumeleng - mogatsake. Apara se a se ratang. Itire montle go kgatlhisa monna wa gago. Le e ne fa a sa itse go apara, mo thuse, a lebege. Fa a ya
tirong kgotsa gongwe mo ntshetse diaparo, o bone gore a di siame. Fa di batla go phuthulolwa di baakanye. Mo tshelele metsi a tlhape. Fa o na le nako tlhapa le ene. Gopola gore ga lo tshwane. O seke wa bolaya bonna ba gagwe. Banna ba rata fa e le basireletsi, e le batsomi mme ba tlhokomela mosadi le bana. Nako tsa jaanong bomme ba bantsi ba a dira mme ba amogela lotseno lo lo fetang lwa bo rre. Se, gantsi se tlisa gore mme a nyatse rre kgotsa ene rre a inyatse a bone e ka re mme ga a sa mo tlhompha gonne a bona letseno le le fetang la gagwe. Se se ka thusang ke gore batho ba lebogele se Modimo o ba fileng sone. Gore ke amogela madi a a fetang a ga rre ga go bolele gore ga e sale rre. Mo lefatsheng la rona go baakanngwa kgatelelo ya bomme mme bomme gantsi ke bone ba bonang ditiro tse di kwa godimo. Gopola fela gore rre ke kgosi mme o se ke
‘Fa o sa itse go apaya reka dibuka kgotsa o kope diresepe. O se ke wa letlelela mme yo o dirang mo ntlong go apeela mogatso.’
wa dira gore a ikutlwe a nyatsegile. Fa o sa mo fe bothitho go bangwe ba ba tlang go mo fa bone kwa ntle. ) Mang kapa mang ya a batlang ho ngola kholomong ena, a ka ikopanya le Jabulani Dlamini ho 051-404-7910 kapa ho Jabulani.Dlamini@volksblad.com ) Mongodi ha ana ho lefiwa. This is the third article of a four-part series on Marriage. The last article will be published next week – Ed. ) Where necessary Express edits some columns - Ed.
Your donation can win you a car
THE For Our Children Project in aid of Engo Free State’s children in need was launched last week at the Bloem Show. A Chevrolet Spark Campus to the value of R112 400 is the prize vehicle for this year’s For Our Children competition. By making a donation of only R20, you stand a chance to be the owner of the Spark. But more importantly – your contribution of R20 is one of the sparks that might kindle a flame of caring. This flame will make a big difference in the lives of thousands of children. Tickets, at R20 per ticket, are available at all Engo offices and centres in the Free State. The closing date for entries will be on 23 November. Five finalists will be announced on 9 January 2015 with the help of PwC. The final draw function will be on 23 January 2015 in Bloemfontein. The winner will drive away with a brand new Chevrolet Spark Campus. There will be several promotions during the next seven months across the Free State. People will be encouraged to buy tickets in aid of the For Our Children Project at these promotions. The Spark Campus will also be at the Kos-enkunsmark of Volksblad, the Vryfees in Bloemfontein, the Cherry Festival in Ficksburg and several shopping centres across the Free State. The project would not have been possible without the support of loyal sponsors. This year’s sponsors are Imperial GM Bloemfontein, Radio Rosestad and Volksblad Sentrale Plaaslike Koerante. Engo Child and Youth Care (youth care centres, formerly known as orphanages) is a nonprofit organisation that takes care of children who were removed by the Children’s Court from their parental homes, because they were in urgent need of care. These child and youth care centres create a homely atmosphere for the children and is located within the community. About 800 children from the ages 0 to 18 years, in 34 child and
THE Chevrolet Spark that can be won. youth care centres across the Free State, are being cared for. Additional help and support is provided to approximately 2 500 children in surrounding communities who live in risky conditions. The vision is to create hope in the lives of children. The goal is to provide protection and care for as
many children in the Free State as possible. Engo Youth Care Centres in the Free State are struggling financially. The government’s subsidies have increased very little over the past few years and the centres are still expected to provide food for the children with less than R12 per
child per day. It has become essential for the community to get involved in projects such as the For Our Children Project. For more information on the project and the availability of tickets in your area, call 051-4077222 or visit www.engo.co.za.
EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 7 MAY 2014
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‘Reach out like Bram Fischer’ } Qondile Khedama
ADVOCATES BRAM FISCHER (left) and Vernon Berrangé during the Rivonia Trial.
Photo: Archives
THE executive mayor of Mangaung, Thabo Manyoni, on 23 April, delivered the first annual Bram Fischer Memorial Lecture on the day that Fischer, an icon of the political struggle, would have celebrated his 106th birthday. As part of the city’s 20 Years of Liberation celebrations, this memorial lecture served to recognise the sacrifices that were made by people like Fischer who lived a life aimed at promoting social cohesion and social justice during a volatile period in South Africa. Through this lecture, the city seeks to remind the youth, particularly that of Mangaung, that Bloemfontein is the birthplace of an icon who can be mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo. Delivering the lecture to an audience that included Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor, renowned academics, students and Mangaung residents, Manyoni emphasised that in order for South Africa to become a nation that was envisioned by the fallen heroes, every citizen of the country needed to be involved in the national mainstream of political, social and cultural activities benefiting South Africans. “It will take leaders of the likes of him to encourage people to reach out to others, to join hands, to share knowledge, experience and expertise towards making South Africa a truly united society where all care for the well-being of others, where all relate with mutual respect and recognition.” Manyoni said nation-building and a non-racist and non-sexist society were some of the ideals envisioned by all those who fought against the apartheid regime. These are but some of the ideals that South Africa’s democracy was borne from, “and perhaps we need to be reminded of
the vision that all fighters against the apartheid regime were striving for. If not in memory of the slain, then it should be for generations that will come after us. “An insurmountable legacy was left by Fischer and his peers; one which we need to continue with and not throw to the wolves. It is true that a lot has been achieved in the past 20 years, but more work needs to be done.” Manyoni had previously said it was time to acknowledge this legacy and the responsibility it placed on everyone to work together to lighten the burden on people less fortunate, whether in South Africa or elsewhere. “Our voice is not loud enough. Instead we are saying: Everyone for himself. I don’t believe those great men who sacrificed so much for our freedom were thinking this. They felt they needed to do something to change the status quo and we need to follow in their footsteps. The country, its people and its leaders had a responsibility to live up to the potential that was born out of the fight for democracy. This responsibility comes not only from the country’s economic power on the continent, but also from the faith placed in the liberation struggle by Africa’s people,” Manyoni said. This quest was not only the preserve of the giants of society, and everyone had to do what they could to reverse the ills of poverty and inequality. “I don’t think the struggle heroes ultimately thought South Africa would be where it is today, but because they had a vision they felt that, bit by bit, they would reach that destination.” ) Khedama is the communications manager of the Mangaung Metro Municipality. ) This is the second of a four-part article series on Bram Fischer. The third will be published next week.
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Love is (colour) blind
DYLAN MYBURGH and Lerato Modise. } Oteng Mpete
THE married couple Faheeza en Shiraz Morris.
GRANT RICHARDSON and Joanna Lu.
Photos: Conrad Bornman
THE heart of South Africa is embracing an idea that would have been unthinkable 20 years ago: interracial relationships. In 1927 the Immorality Act was designed to ensure that the union between whites and non-whites would be illegal. This act allowed their homes to be raided. Those found guilty of such unions would be arrested and intimate artefacts from their homes would be used as evidence in court of their blatant defiance of the law. Once the Immorality Act was repelled in 1985, it was clear that white rule was coming to an end. Black and white With the celebration of our 20-year-old democracy came also a challenge to find positive stories that have transpired over this period. Lerato Modise and Dylan Myburgh are a handsome pair and at first glance one would be oblivious to the fact that they are an interracial couple. “When I realised that he was not perfect I knew I had to be with him,” said 25-year-old Modise. “I realised that she was a blessing,” said Myburgh, the 26-year-old manager of BellaSarmie. The one thing that they both agree on is that they never took each other’s race into consideration. Myburgh and Modise are one of very few couples that are fortunate enough to receive support and understanding from both sides of their families. This is probably because both Modise and Myburgh are children of mixed race couples. They both will be voting in the upcoming national elections. They assertively express that the state of current political affairs is purely based on antics and gimmicks. They hope that in time South Africa’s government will provide societal transparency and consistency. The couple believes that there should not be any racial classifications for South Africa to become a colour blind society. “We have never experienced discrimination as a couple,” said Modise. Myburgh retorted: “There are certain places that make me uncomfortable. We get stared at and are given dirty looks. I can handle being stared at by five or ten people. However, when 30 people are making it difficult for us to enjoy our dinner, then I feel like we are being discriminated against and I leave. “If South Africans would adopt a humanist approach, interracial couples would not experience hostility,” said Myburgh.
Not a new thing in South Africa Interracial couples are not new in South Africa; some iconic couples include renowned 90s television personality Dali Tambo and his wife of 15 years, Rachel Tambo. The now divorced politician Mosima Tokyo Sexwale and Judy van Vuuren, who were married for 20 years is another example. East and west Grant Richardson, an assistant researcher at the University of the Free State’s Medical Faculty, knew he had to be with 24-yearold professional nurse Jo-anna Lu the moment a mutual friend introduced them at a braai. Richardson was concerned about how his family would react the first time they met Lu. “Within the first five minutes of meeting Jo-anna, they loved her,” said Richardson. “My family is old school and they grew up in that (conservative) era. My great-grandfather came to South Africa during the Boer War, that is how white I am, but my decision to be with Jo-Anna was unconscious.” For Lu her decision to be with Richardson was a natural one. Lu’s parents are of different ethnicities. “My mother is a white woman with blonde hair and blue eyes and my father is Taiwanese. “We have never experienced discrimination as a couple,” said Lu. Lu has had her fair share of discrimination; she recollects: “When I was in high school, a boy told me I was not white enough for him to date. I have since learned to overlook such com-
ments and ignore the bad.” Lu has been exposing Grant to Asian dishes. “Chicken feet are delicious. Grant is trying and is open to suggestion but he does not always like what I try and force on him,” chuckles Lu. “We want children and mixed babies are the best. Our children will be taught and will understand exactly who and what their parents are,” said Richardson. The couple will be voting together. They both think that South Africa is headed in the right direction. “If we can be given all the principles of good governance, we will have a better South Africa. We need justness and fairness from our government,” said Lu. Grant’s sentiments are that it will take up to four or five generations to justify and correct the injustices of apartheid but it will happen. It is now easier to fall in love On 27 April 1994, the one-manone-vote dream became a reality. The realisation of this dream meant a new South Africa. A South Africa that would eradicate all unjust laws from the apartheid era, ultimately ensuring that South Africa belongs to all those who live in it. Nelson Mandela urged all to forgive and reconcile and these very messages resonate through the relationships of these interracial couples. Love in the age of technology makes interracial interaction far easier than going up and talking to someone of a different race. More than half of South Africa’s population never willingly engage a person of a different race. This is according to a study done by
the Institution of Justice and Reconciliation. Mild and spicy “The first time I met Shiraz was when I found out that he was white,” said Faheeza Morris, a 26-year-old Indian women. “We met online in a chatroom; I was 17 years old. We physically met when I was 20 years old, in front of Sweets from Heaven in Mimosa Mall. “I knew that I was going to marry this woman,” said Werner Shiraz Morris, 28. Faheeza grew up in Wepener, a small town near the border of Lesotho. Faheeza recalls that she and her sister were the only children of colour in the school. The community was predominately white Afrikaans in 1993, but they accepted our family. I never experienced any discrimination,” said Faheeza. “My father wanted me to be with a good Indian man from India so it was hard for him to initially accept my relationship with Werner.” Shiraz was born in Hermanus and comes from a staunch Afrikaans home. His decision to be with Faheeza was not received very well by his family. “Right up to our engagement, my mother thought that my relationship with Faheeza was a phase and that I would eventually get over it. My family is very Afrikaans; my ancestors were probably on the same boat that Jan van Riebeeck came on,” said Shiraz. The couple decided to be together even though they were completely different people. Morris converted to Islam for his
bride because it was important for her grandmother. He did that for two years and he followed all the rites and passages to become Shiraz, his Muslim name. The couple had to have two weddings to accommodate their families; a traditional Indian wedding with a red dress and a traditional church wedding with a white dress. Since their wedding, both families have reconciled with the couple and support their union. The couple has been married for two years, with no plans of having children any time soon. “We are still learning how to enjoy each other and work through all the quirks we face each day,” said Shiraz. The couple shares completely different viewpoints on politics. Faheeza will be voting alone. Even though she has not made up her mind about which party she will be voting for, she knows what she expects from the government. “Transparency and a government that is not selfish is important.” “I have no interest in politics but I do believe that South Africa has a great future. We were able to achieve what most countries cannot; a democracy without war or bloodshed. I can be proud of that,” said Shiraz. Faheeza’s hope for South Africa is that South Africans can learn to open up to people of different ethnic backgrounds. Even after apartheid, South Africa remains largely a racially segregated country, in that the different racial groups lead separate existences. The consensus is that most South Africans agree that reconciliation and moving forward is essential. Keep our future safe The responsibility of rectifying, this past lies with the current generation of young people, not only simply taking up the inherent role of being the custodians of these freedoms, but also the burdening role of being the safe keepers of the constitution of the republic. The urbanisation of Bloemfontein will indeed create opportunities for people of different ethnic backgrounds to interact, even though South Africans find it easier to identify with people who speak the same language or share the same cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Interracial couples break these constricts and create a story that is worth telling; a story that celebrates the growth of our young democracy, a story of progress, hope and determination. A new South Africa was indeed possible and not a misplaced dream.
EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 7 MAY 2014
NEWS
Fun at the Bloem Show THOUSANDS of visitors visited the Bloem Show which ended on Saturday.
God’s promises never change } Prophet Godfrey Thomas GOD brings in seasons just as He gets rid of them. A wise man, skilled in interpreting seasons, wrote: “May the name of God be praised forever and ever; wisdom and power belong to Him. He changes times and seasons . . .” (Daniel 2:20-21a). According to the Scripture, the responsibility to change seasons lies with God. Unfortunately, we look at things from a human point of view and blame others for our misfortunes. In reality we cannot just put the blame on others; many things may have happened that are beyond human comprehension. Politicians are not entirely sure of the final outcome during an election; this is why they all embark on aggressive marketing strategies. History shows that every political party can be shaken. The only unshakeable authority is God’s kingdom. Perhaps this may be the reason for the “shaking”. God allowed the state of this coming election to be tense so that we must stop blaming each other and start focusing on Him. The greatest protection against change is to expect it. This tense state left us all in obscurity because we’ve never expected such changes and the posed threats of
other parties who’ve joined in. Lack of preparation is the reason why so many are in the dark. Think of what will happen to you if God does not save you from seemingly impossible situations. When King Nebuchadnezzar threatened to throw Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into the fiery furnace, they replied: “If the God we serve exists, then He can rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not . . .” (Daniel 3:17-18). This kind of faith is necessary when confronted by challenges. You must be certain that the other party is reliable, trustworthy, stable and faithful. God and His promises never change (Isaiah 43:2). the words of God cannot fail without him failing, because his words reflect his essential character (Numbers 23:19). Nothing in this life is permanent except God and what He has promised in His Word. God also promises seasons in our lives (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). Always prepare yourself for the final outcome of any season, because seasons are temporary and linked to a life-span. ) Those who wish to join the group that will be visiting the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Lagos, Nigeria, can call 074-210-4096/071-164-8928 or email: kingdom.consultant@gmail.com.
Enjoying the view from Naval Hill EYES ON ME: From the left are Tlamelo Magano, Dineo van Rooyen and Phemelo Moshodi with little Kamo Moshodi at the unveiling of the new viewing platform at Naval Hill in Bloemfontein last Friday. Photo: Sidwell Guduka
Photo: Voight Mokone
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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 7 MAY 2014
NEWS
Equipment provides huge boost ABOUT 40 entrepreneurs in the Lejweleputswa District Municipality have received the necessary boost in the form of equipment that will keep them on the forefront of job creation. The equipment will capacitate the existing entrepreneurs to thrive to possibly curb the high unemployment rate. The much-needed assistance is provided by the Free State Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs through its flagship empowering programme known as Jwale Ke Nako ya Kotulo – which means now is the time to harvest. The empowerment tools were officially handed over at the Bronville Community Hall in Welkom last week Wednesday by the MEC of Tourism, Economic and Environmental Affairs, Mosebenzi Zwane. The majority of the entrepreneurs, youth and adults, falls in the small-scale economy as some operate from home and lower-class sectors in the townships. They trade in catering, photography, media, security, cleaning services, sewing, knitting, carpentry, mechanics, shoe shining, refuse bin cleaning, music production, tuck-shops, confectioneries and butcheries. The beneficiaries were identified by the department’s trade advisors that identified the deserving businesses and then registered them for capacity training. They were identified on the basis of who had potential to create employment. Ensuring their sustainability, all beneficiaries are obliged to attend training that cover the basics such as bookkeeping, stock management, pricing, customer relations, marketing and other business skills. Furthermore, the department and the local municipalities will conduct on-going assessments to ensure sustainability and progress.
A GROUP of beneficiary entre preneurs of the Free State De partment of Economic Devel opment, Tourism and Environ mental Affairs’s flagship empowering programme known as Jwale Ke Nako ya Ko tulo. From the left are, front: Fu mane Mohono, Busisiwe Jantjies, Charissa Williams, Rachel Dijane and Nobonke Ji ja; back: Lefanyana Masolane, Moeti Mphatsoe, Tumelo Mpanyane, Mpho Mantutle, Majalefa Shuping, Lauden Mc Farlane and Tseliso Thulo. LEFT: A group of the beneficiary entrepreneurs of the Free State Department of Economic De velopment, Tourism and Envi ronmental Affairs’s flagship empowering programme known as Jwale Ke Nako ya Ko tulo. From the left are, front: Modiehi Thabane, Merry Jo hane and Albertina Mohapi; back: Mahlomola Mosolot sane, Mabuti Mojahi, Eric Kom etsi and Ben Motilane. Photos: Teboho Setena
EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 7 MAY 2014
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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 7 MAY 2014
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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 7 MAY 2014
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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 7 MAY 2014
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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 7 MAY 2014
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EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 7 MAY 2014
NEWS
PSL Awards soon to be decided WITH the Absa Premiership season drawing to a close this weekend, the attention will quickly turn to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) Year-end Awards. Last Wednesday saw the Hyatt Regency Hotel’s auditorium in Rosebank, Johannesburg, filled with some of South Africa’s finest journalists who gathered to debate and motivate support for nominees in the various categories of the awards. Express’s sports editor, Sidwell Guduka, was again invited by Absa and the PSL to be a member of the judging panel that will decide on the outcome of the winners of the prestigious Absa Premiership Year-end Awards. Boipelo Mere, Express Northern Cape editor, spoke to him. Boipelo Mere (BM): Hi, Sid, congratulations on your invitation to be a judge for the PSL awards. Sidwell Guduka (SG): Thank you. I am very pleased and honoured indeed to have been invited to be on the judging panel. BM: This is not the first time that Absa and the PSL have invited you to be a judge in their awards, is it? SG: Very true. I have been one of the PSL Awards judges for over four years now. Absa and PSL keep on inviting me to help in these awards every year. This shows that the two organisations trust my judgement.
SIDWELL GUDUKA
Photo: Voight Mokone
BM: Please explain how the Absa Premiership Year-end Awards are decided. SG: First, three nominations for each category are made, and each journalist chooses his personal choice of one to
Curtain comes down on Premiership this weekend } Sidwell Guduka THE Absa Premiership reaches the finishing line on Saturday with Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs embroiled in a battle for the topflight crown. At the time of writing this article yesterday, Sundowns were leading the title race with 61 points while Chiefs were breathing down their neck with 57 points – both sides had played 28 matches apiece. The Brazilians were last night set to play against their neighbours Supersport United in the Tshwane Derby at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, and victory over Matsatsantsa would have handed Pitso Mosimane his first Premiership title as a coach. Mosimane’s men needed to win last night’s match to be crowned Absa Premiership champions for the fifth time – with one game remaining before the season ends. Any slip-up would have given Chiefs some hope to defend their title going into the last round of matches. Chiefs were also scheduled to face the team of the University of Pretoria in a must-win game at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. If they had won against AmaTuks and Sundowns had lost or drawn their match, then the league championship would be decided on Saturday. In their last match of the season, Ama-
Crowned Safa u.19 champs SUPERSPORT UNITED were crowned the Safa u.19 champions af ter they defeated Ajax Cape Town 41 on penalties in the final in the Clive Solomon Stadium in Bloemfontein last Thursday. The sides were deadlocked 00 after regulation time. Photo: Voight Mokone
khosi welcome Amazulu to the Peter Mokaba Stadium while The Brazilians travel to the Harry Gwala Stadium for a date with Maritzburg United. Away from the title race, Golden Arrows, Free State Stars, Polokwane City and Moroka Swallows will all be fighting for survival. Any of the four sides will be automatically relegated to the National First Division (NFD) on Saturday. And the team finishing 15th on the log will be involved with relegation/promotion play-offs. The Saturday fixtures (all matches start at 15:00) are as follows: ) Kaizer Chiefs vs. AmaZulu at Peter Mokaba Stadium ) Moroka Swallows vs. Free State Stars at Dobsonville Stadium ) SuperSport United vs. Polokwane City at Lucas Moripe Stadium ) Golden Arrows vs. Orlando Pirates at Moses Mabhida Stadium ) Platinum Stars vs. Ajax Cape Town at Royal Bafokeng Stadium ) Bloemfontein Celtic vs. Bidvest Wits at Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium ) Black Aces vs. University of Pretoria Mbombela Stadium ) Maritzburg United vs. Mamelodi Sundowns at Harry Gwala Stadium
three in each category. Then the results are officially counted and the winners chosen. Journalists get together a week before the final matches are played. We nominated three people per category, but asked if we could all make our final choices after the final matches; for example, giving the three nominees in each category a ranking one, two or three in our eyes. Points are awarded for your number 1 choice (he gets 3 points), number 2 (2 points) and number 3 (1 point). We did this on Wednesday, 30 April. BM: Who is part of the judging panel for the 2013-’14 Absa Premiership Year-end Awards? SG: It is a panel of journalists that is selected. There were approximately 30 of us – which means various opinions. There were writers from all over the country, including radio guys and television commentators. The veteran journalist Ramatsiyi Moholoa from Sowetan, Duane Dell’Oca, SABC commentator, Timothy Molobi from City Press, Billy Cooper, the chief soccer writer of Daily Sun, Carol Tshabalala, SuperSport presenter, Lindani Makwela from Thobela FM, myself, Rodney Reiners from Cape Augus, John Goliath from Cape Times, Jonty Mark from The Star, and Kgomotso Sethusha from Sowetan Sunday World, you name it, they were all there. BM: What is the procedure for nominating the player of the season? SG: Well, we do not have anything to
do with this process. The media are called in for the other awards only, namely coach of the season, goalkeeper of the season, young player of the season and Absa-lutely awesome goal. The PSL instruct the clubs to get all their players to vote. The clubs then send this back to the PSL and they give out the shortlist of three nominees. This has been done already. BM: And who nominates the player’s player of the year? SG: It must be said that we have no idea who would win the player’s player of the year. That is done separately between Absa and the players. BM: Do you guys also do judging for the MTN8, Telkom Knockout and Nedbank Cup Awards? SG: No. Each competition organises its own panel of judges. I am led to believe they also consist of media people, I am not certain, though. I have only ever worked on the Absa Premiership nominations. BM: Lastly, when are the nominations and winners going to be announced? SG: The nominees and venue for the awards ceremony will be announced at a press conference in Johannesburg tomorrow. Winners will be announced at the PSL Awards on 18 May. BM: Thanks for your time, Sid, it is always a great pleasure talking to you. SG: You are welcome.
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Fact file:
Full name: Jan Adriaan Strauss Date of birth: 18 November 1985, Bloemfontein Age: 28 Length: 1,84 m Weight: 114 kg School: Grey College, Bloem-
fontein University: University of Pretoria, Unisa First-class matches: 219 (27 tries) Tests: 33 (5 tries) Favourite food: Lamb spit-braai Favourite activities: Hunting, golf, fishing and outdoors.
Strauss celebrates milestone
CELEBRATING CENTURY: Toyota Cheetahs captain, Adriaan Strauss, made his 100th Vodacom Super Rugby appearance on Saturday. } Sidwell Guduka
To read previous issues of Express online, go to www.express-news.co.za
ADRIAAN STRAUSS, the Toyota Cheetahs’ captain, made his 100th Vodacom Super Rugby appearance as his side lost 26-21 to the Vodacom Bulls at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria this past weekend. Despite his team’s loss to the Bulls, Saturday’s encounter was different to this Cheetah as he celebrated his century of matches in Super Rugby. What made the day even more special to Strauss was the fact that Loftus Versfeld was the place
where he made his Super Rugby debut on 17 March 2006. He was playing for the Bulls against the Hurricanes in that match. “Strauss’s rugby dreams started when he was a small boy in the Philippolis district, and it later became more of a reality during his primary and secondary school days at Grey College in Bloemfontein. “His leadership abilities became visible here (at the Cheetahs) as vice-captain and hostel captain. He already had a taste of firstteam rugby in his gr. 11 year and, in his matric year, he represented
not only Grey College’s first team, but also the Free State and SA Schools teams,” Ronel Pienaar, the Cheetahs’ manager of strategic communication, tells Express. After finishing his matric, Strauss studied Financial Mathematics at the University of Pretoria from where his rugby career started with the Blue Bulls. During his time in Pretoria he played Absa Currie Cup and Vodacom Super Rugby for the Bulls, but returned to Bloemfontein in 2007. Only a year later, on 19 July
2008, at age 22, he got the opportunity to wear the green and gold colours of Springbok rugby when he made his national team debut as reserve hooker against Australia in Perth. He became Springbok no. 800. “With tight competition on hooker, Strauss only played in nine test matches (eight as reserve) during the following four years. This waiting period only made him more content to play more test rugby and today, with 33 tests behind his name, he played as vice-captain of the Springboks and has become one
Photo: Charl Devenish/Foto24
of the best-known rugby players in South Africa,” Pienaar says. Strauss was awarded the South African Super Rugby Player of the Year Award for 2013. He also led the Toyota Cheetahs in more than 50 Super Rugby matches and is among the few players who have played more than 100 Super Rugby matches. “Free State Rugby is truly proud of this special player and congratulates him on this exceptional milestone. His work behind the scenes to make a success of Cheetah rugby is invaluable,” Pienaar concludes.