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No tears for these gr. 1s Excited pupils are prepared for primary school
} Boipelo Mere GR. 1 LEARNERS are reported to be crying less this year. Several primary school teachers reported that the learners seemed to be more prepared and matured when they start gr. R. The small ones are also reported to be ready for their first grade, as most of them could already write their names on the first day. “The only problem is when one child starts crying, emotions start rising. But our work is to make them feel at home and relaxed, especially during the first week,” said gr. 1 student teacher Masego Selemogo at Tshiamo Primary in Galeshewe. She appreciates the fact that the learners come already prepared from gr. R or pre-school. The other challenge is that they are still in the holiday mood and fall asleep in class, but that is a minor problem. “Some just stand up and leave the classroom to go to the bathroom or for a drink of water,” laughed Susan Mokoena, another gr. 1 teacher of Kim-kgolo. She highlighted how entertaining, yet challenging, it was to be a gr. 1 teacher, especially during the first quarter. “They are so adorable. Sometimes they get confused when we ask them their names, but that is just due to nervousness. They come around in time and relax. But truly speaking,
we saw less crying from gr. 1 learners this year, it was mostly the excitement of wearing a school uniform,” she said with passion. A gr. R teacher Kelebogile Springbok of Kim-kgolo revealed that the trick of experiencing less crying was to ask the parents to leave quicker after dropping off their children. “I know it is difficult and emotional for both the parent and the child. Then the children will make friends faster and understand that they are in a different environment from home. “The reason for them to become teary is when the parents stay too long. I know and understand as a parent that parents feel proud and at the same time feel like they are abandoning them, leaving them with us. But I assure you, that is for the best,” said Springbok. “I had two children who cried today, but they soon got used to the environment and relaxed. The girl cried when her mother left and the boy started screaming immediately when he entered the classroom door,” she said.
ME! . . . Me! . . . Me, Teacher! Mixed feelings on the first day at school when Kimkgolo gr. 1s were asked who can already write their own names. More pictures on page 4. Also visit our website on www.express news. co.za for more exciting pictures. Photo: Boipelo Mere
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 22 JANUARY 2014
NEWS
Hug on big day BACK TO SCHOOL: The class of 2014 in the Northern Cape has started their academic year. Here Sylvia Lucas, the North ern Cape premier, wishes her granddaughter Thando Lucas well for her first day of school at the Staats Swart School last week. Photo: Emile Hendricks
Classes to begin soon } Andre Botha
HISTORY will be made again in Kimberley when the first 135 students of the new Sol Plaatje University, the city’s first, will officially begin classes. Academic staff have already started the hard work last week as registration of students begins on 3 February. Spokesman for the Department of Higher Education, Manana Makhanya, said about 200 applications from prospective students were received, of which 135 have been selected for admission. She said the university was pleased with the number of applications received and the quality of the students selected. A strategic plan has already been developed for the university over the next ten years to expand. The minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande, has set a target of about 5 000 students after 10 years. Existing infrastructure of the National Institute for Higher Education (NIHE) and
the College for Continuing Education and Training in the Oppenheimer Gardens, are availed for first use while construction of new buildings will begin this year. New courses will be added annually. The B.Ed. degree already at the National Institute for Higher Education offered this year will continue. According to the university’s planning document, the first new degree courses being in Nursing, and Life, as well as Physical Sciences, only begin in 2015. The national diploma in Tourism Management, Agricultural and Fine Arts is set for 2016. The degree courses at the university in 2016 will also be further expanded when the B.Sc.Eng. degree is offered. Two new courses (the first in South Africa) that will be presented are a higher certificate in Field Archaeology in 2015 and BA Museum Studies, which include Conservation Science in 2016. The new university’s Heritage Faculty will offer courses in Field Archaeology, Museum Studies and Restoration Architecture.
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 22 JANUARY 2014
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
School is FUN GRANDMOTHER MARTHA MOMPE braced the hot sun to fetch her granddaughter Tshegofatso Riet at the Letshego Primary School, Galeshewe. She is now in gr. 1.
LETEANE MASENG (left) and Thapelo Lerumo know the meaning of attending school is to start knowing how to write your name.
MAKING FRIENDS: From the left are Kimkgolo Sonia Modise, Keneilwe Magano and Boipelo Molaolwa who had already found one another as friends on their first day of school.
DEPARTMENT OF ENviRONMENT AND NATuRE cONsERvATiON
ERRATUM
The posts below appeared in City Press on 15 December 2013; The Weekly, Gemsbok, Northern Cape Express and Noordkaap on 18 December 2013; Kalahari Bulletin on 19 December 2013 and Die Plattelander on 20 December 2013.
NB: The closing date for all positions below has been extended to 31 January 2014.
DiREcToR: PRoTEcTED AREA MAnAgEMEnT (Ref. PAM01/12/2013) DiREcToR: coMPliAncE AnD EnfoRcEMEnT (Ref. BioDiV 02/12/2013) DiREcToR: EnViRonMEnTAl QUAliTy MAnAgEMEnT SERVicES (Ref. BioDiV01/01/2012) REgionAl MAnAgER (5 PoSTS) (Ref. coRP/01/2013 to coRP/05/2013) conTRol EnViRonMEnTAl officER gRADE A: iMPAcT MAnAgEMEnT (Ref. iMPAcT01/12/2013) EnViRonMEnTAl officER gRADE c: PRoDUcTion (Ref. EQM03/12/2013)
EnViRonMEnTAl officER gRADE c: WASTE AnD PollUTion MAnAgEMEnT (Ref. EQM01/12/2013) EnViRonMEnTAl officER gRADE A: WASTE AnD PollUTion MAnAgEMEnT (Ref. EQM02/12/2013) conTRol EnViRonMEnTAl officER gRADE A: EDUcATion AnD AWAREnESS RAiSing (Ref. EES/01/12/2013) EnViRonMEnTAl officER gRADE A-B: PRoDUcTion
NOT BAD:Ohentse Modise making an effort to keep up. Photos: Boipelo Mere
PROUD: Even though little Tshepo passed out due to the hot weather, his mother, Martha Brandt, patiently waited for his gr. R sister under a tree at the Tshiamo Primary School. According to Brandt her daughter could not wait to start her first day of school and to wear school uniform.
(Ref. EES02/12/2013)
EnViRonMEnTAl officER gRADE A-B: PRoDUcTion (Ref. icSDP 01/12/2013)
conTRol EnViRonMEnTAl officER gRADE A: EnViRonMEnTAl EnfoRcEMEnT (Ref. Enf01/12/2013) EnViRonMEnTAl officER gRADE A-B: BioDiVERSiTy coMPliAncE MoniToRing (Ref. Enf02/12/2013) EnViRonMEnTAl officER gRADE A-B: EnViRonMEnTAl EnfoRcEMEnT (2 PoSTS) (Ref. Enf/03/12/2013 and Enf/04/12/2013) EnViRonMEnTAl officER gRADE A-B: EnViRonMEnTAl coMPliAncE MoniToRing (Ref. Enf05/12/2013) ASSiSTAnT MAnAgER: PAyMEnTS (Ref. fin/01/12/2013) RiSk officE (ASSiSTAnT DiREcToR lEVEl) (Ref. fin/02/12/2013) ASSiSTAnT DiREcToR: lABoUR RElATionS (Ref. HRlR/01/2012)
ASSiSTAnT DiREcToR: coMMUnicATion (Ref. coRP/06/2013)
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KEEPING her tie in its place was far from Gaylene Le Roux of the Kim kgolo Primary School’s mind. She was too busy with her school work.
TIDINESS: Thabiso Tshipa and Otu miseng Marema understood the school rules of keeping clean and ti dy at all times.
OLEBOGENG RAMOSIE was amongst those learners who im pressed their teacher by doing their work quietly.
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EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE, WEDNESDAY 22 JANUARY 2014
NEWS
Best soccer players rewarded
} Boipelo Mere
IT was interesting to listen to an u.9 soccer player Oratile Pudi proudly reading from a piece of paper and expressing his gratitude for being chosen the top goal scorer. In front of their parents and invitees Pudi, together with some of his team mates of Tshwaragano All Stars, was awarded with trophies at the team’s award ceremony in Galeshewe over the weekend. The award ceremony was held thanks to the team’s biggest sponsor Ace Outfitters and the players’ parents. Medals were given to all players during the team’s second annual award ceremony in a row. Directing his gratitude to the boys’ parents, the team manager, Rodger Semeri, said that their annual ceremony was growing from strength to strength as more parents attended to motivate their children. According to Raymond Witkoei, the u.17 coordinator, Tshwaragano All Stars is still the only Galeshewe and Mankurwane development structure to host a ceremony of this calibre. The team was also acknowledged as hard working in the structure as they managed the presentation through hard work. He however acknowledged that it was due to lack of funds that local teams were unable to host similar presentations because Tshwaragano hosted it on their own. Witkoei encourages other teams to attend this function to see how it was done in order to do the same. “This type of function is meant to be an eye-opener and exemplary to all other clubs. Attendance of their parents is testimony enough that by hosting events like these youngsters will go far,” he bragged. He added that he wished that all teams could do the same in order to motivate and acknowledge their players. He urged other teams to ask for advice on fundraising from Tshwaragano in order to host similar events. “I mean, life is all about sharing, why not share good things,” he said. “One can see by the presence of all executive members that it was a success. I really appreciate the efforts of the players for participating in tournaments and wish them the best in the next season. Assistance was asked from anyone who can, terms of transport for the players, especially from the parents,” as he continued. “The boys have to walk long distances in the hot sun as they cannot practice after sunset because they are learners and the stadiums do not have lights,” pleaded one parent, Oarabile Pudi. During his speech Semeri encouraged his players to work hard at school and keep on attending church. “Sports is there to refresh a child’s mind, it is not meant to distract them from their school work, that is what I keep reminding my team,” he emphasised. To his players he said: “Those of you who did not get an award today, it is not the end of the world. “Even if you did not perform well in school, 2014 lies ahead of you to pick up your socks.” Semeri concluded by announcing that the team’s biggest sponsor, Ace Outfitters, offered to pay for the player’s extra Mathematics classes once a week for gr. 8 learners.
KABELO SEMERI (middle) with his floating trophy of the season’s top goal scorer from the Sol Plaatje Local Football Association and his team. Pictured with him are guest Cheryl Roberts and his father, Rodger Semeri. Photos: Boipelo Mere
MONDE EVERYDAY was chosen the u.11 goal scorer of the year. He recieved the trophy from Refilwe Sehularo
MZWA SEIENE was chosen as the u.15 best defender of the season. On the right is Cheryl Roberts.
TSHEPO MBALI was the u.13 top goal scorer of the season. With him is Cheryl Roberts.
RESA NEO is the u.15 player of the season with Refilwe Sehularo.
EXPRESS NORTHERN CAPE , WEDNESDAY 22 JANUARY 2014
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NEWS
‘It takes no effort to love . . .’ } Dimakatso Lechwenyo IT was on the 24th of October when I looked in his eyes and unbuttoned my soul to let him in. It was at his sacred cave that I personalised his name and I called him mine exposing my thoughts to hear knowing well that my heart is blind, It was in the missteps of this day that I learned that I too could love without conditions and I kept you occupied with my mind Knowing all too well that many a woman have given you their heart, and many have given you the sacred pie . . . I have made the mistake of loving too much but with you . . . it takes no effort to love . . . I simply do. Too many a times the she in me has been broken and still she walks with her head held high. Too many a times it was he that I treasured that stole my moments of secrecy Many a times I find my sisters sitting with my she-me on the train of despair all due to the funny warm feeling only a man can provide. Many a times I find me and her writing
DIMAKATSO LECH WENYO – citizen journalist.
poetry that is lengthened by heels so that brothers like you would notice Many a times I find me with my love-fed blown belly in the kitchen trying to cook and master the way to
your heart But with you my love . . . it takes no effort to love . . . I simply do. You see the heart of a woman is her castle. It is her hideout, her extraordinary freedom that highlights her character that lies in the oceans of her being See the problem with us sisters is that
Identity of body still unknown THE Vredendal police in the Western Cape are urgently trying to trace the identity of an unknown woman who was allegedly murdered. Her decomposed body was found in 2012 on Friday, 30 November, near a sewerage dam in Vredendal North. The woman was clad in blue jeans and a blue and white check sleeveless top. A grey and white hooded jacket and red slip-on sandals were lying next to her body. She
sustained wounds to her body, face and head. The police believe she could have been a seasonal worker and it may be possible that she was from the Northern Cape. The woman has since been given a state burial. The Vredendal police are investigating a case of murder. Anyone who may identify the woman is asked to contact the investigating officer, Const. Vumazonki, on 073-212-3167 or the Vredendal police on 027-201-3244.
our hearts bear no umbilical cord with our sacred pie. We give it away as if it is the missed labour transaction that will bring reconciliation to all we have ever wanted. We give it away like it is some or other form of payment to buy and sell at the market square. Between you and me I close my eyes and I shut my legs, I cuddle with your mind and I make love to your heart. With you I need not be confined to neon light hotels where man would never get to see what you mean to me. With you nature plays fair game and I can colour the sky with my voice and cloth you with a badge that announces that you Mr are loved. Being in love is like taking a gun putting it in his hand . . . channelling it towards your heart. He could pull that trigger at any moment and that’s what 16-year-olds might not know. So many times when we feel warm and fuzzy we make surreal promises that dance in your soul and convince you that what you feel is everlasting, I thought big bro was wrong to say to
me at 18 that I still had to break hearts and have mine broken. Mmmm I loved him too, but the puzzles of being young and blooming kept us away from the truths of reality. Half a decade later I keep to the word that was carried over by my grandmother, she says “Love him with your heart, carry him with your arms, keep the cookie in its jar and pray for him and with him.” So as I bump and fall . . . I tame this wild lion who has broken hearts and tasted too many a sacred pie. Even today when I looked in his eyes, it felt right to unbutton my soul and let him in I personalised his name and I called him mine exposing my thoughts to hear knowing well that my heart is blind. It was in the missteps of everyday that I learned that I too can love without conditions and I keep you occupied with my mind. Knowing all too well that many a woman have given you their heart and many have given you the sacred pie . . . I have made the mistake of loving too much but with you . . . it takes no effort to love . . . I simply do.