EASTERN FREE STATE
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WEDNESDAY 23 APRIL 2014
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Mayor plays hideandseek
Community up in arms; wants Rural Maintenance back } Tladi Moloi LESS than a month after the power supplier Rural Maintenance parted ways with the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality, the United Residents Front and community members have shown their frustration with the situation. Rural Maintenance announced their termination of the controversial 25-year electricity contract between them and the local municipality a fortnight ago. But community members want Rural Maintenance back. About 100 community members marched to the local municipality to hand over a memorandum of grievances to the mayor. Lekhotla “Bongo Man” Rammiki, the United Residents Front national organiser, said they wanted Rural Maintenance back because they were the best company the municipality had ever contracted. “We want them to tell us why they fired the power supply company. They should bring it back as soon as possible. We have instructed the community members to remove electricity meters and to use free electricity until Rural comes back. We want them to become bankrupt,” he said. The community members, who were joined by political parties including the DA, Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), as well as the United Residents Front, spent about four hours at the municipal head office waiting for the executive mayor, Vusi Tshabalala, who never showed up. They were later addressed by Charles Taetsane, the municipal manager, but they refused to give him a memorandum even though they were told that the mayor was not available. They said they would come back before the end of this week to give the memorundum to the relevant person. However, Express Eastern Free State was reliably informed that the mayor had been sitting in his office and had refused to come out to accept the memorandum. Rammiki said they would not give the memorandum to anyone besides the mayor. He said they had submitted their first
UP IN ARMS: Some of the community members who took part in the march to hand over a memorandum to the MalutiaPhofung Local Municipality. Photo: Tladi Moloi memorandum on 20 March and they should have received the response on 10 April but that had never happened. “We don’t know if he received the first memorandum because we did not give it to him personally. So, this time we wanted to make sure that he has it in his hands.”
Rammiki said they would meet with the municipal officials for a new march date. “We’ll have a bigger march on that day,” he said. Taetsane confirmed that the concerned residents had indeed refused to give him a memorandum. He added that they would
hold a meeting with them to give them another date when the mayor would be available. ) Do you think Rural Maintanance should return? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page at ExpressEFS.
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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 23 APRIL 2014
NEWS
Gogo without ID has never voted } Tladi Moloi “I WANT to vote but I can’t,” says Evelyn Mosimanga who hails from the Makgolokoeng Village near Harrismith. At 62, this grandmother has never cast her vote for any political party. Mosimanga is a South African citizen who has always wanted to vote, but says she has never had the chance to exercise her rights because she does not have an identity document (ID). “Election days hurt me. I always want to join the others and vote for my beloved party. I know that I won’t be able to do it without an ID. “I’ve never had one in my life because my children did not want to help me obtain it,” she says. Mosimanga grew up on a farm near Harrismith. She has, however, not lost hope to vote and is hoping to vote before she dies. “I won’t die before I vote. I know that it is impossible to vote in the upcoming elections but I am certain that my day will come.” Mosimanga is unemployed and an ID will also help her to qualify for an old-age grant like others her age. She lives with her younger sister, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Ntombi Motaung (31), who lives with her, says she has given up on getting an ID for Mosimanga. She says she has visited the Department of Home Affairs in Qwaqwa and Harrismith numerous times without luck. “They sent me from pillar to post until I told myself I should stop bothering them. They wanted me to find her mother’s ID which at the time was obviously a dompas. I could not obtain that ID because the house they lived in was destroyed by fire. That is why my mother took her in,” she says. Motaung says they are all unemployed and that they depend on child grants to survive.
HELPING HANDS: Collen Charlie, the manager of the Masibonisenaneni Sonke Project, Ntombi Motaung, Evelyn Mosimanga and Ca tharine Majona with a donation from the project. Photo: Tladi Moloi She says even though she is paid that money every month, it is not enough for them. “Eish, life is difficult here. At times we ask for food from the neighbours,” she says. On Tuesday last week, the Masibon-
isenaneni Sonke Project from Harrismith visited the family to donate food parcels and clothes. Collen Charlie, the project manager, says they were touched by the living conditions of the family.
“We had a meeting with the management of Home Affairs in Harrismith and they promised that the granny would be helped as soon as possible. “However, we’ll do a follow up to ensure she is helped,” he says.
Consumers offered more protection
DAVID MASHININI, a wellknown businessman from Bethlehem, was allegedly robbed at gunpoint by three unknown persons at his house. Photo: Tladi Moloi
Businessman robbed at home } Tladi Moloi DAVID MASHININI, a well-known businessman in Bethlehem, was allegedly robbed at gunpoint by three unknown persons at his house last Tuesday. It is alleged that the suspects withdrew cash from his bank account and later abandoned his vehicle in town. No family members were injured in the process. Sgt Mmako Mophiring, police spokesperson, confirmed the incident. “It is alleged that on 15 April at approximately 08:00 three armed suspects wearing balaclavas approached the businessman at home while he was with his children,” said Mophiring. “They demanded money and withdrew an undisclosed amount at the bank while one
of them stayed behind and held the family at gunpoint. Their hands were tied with pieces of cloth. “It is further alleged that two of the three suspects came back and left in two of Mashinini’s vehicles,” said Mophiring. He said the two vehicles had later been found abandoned in town and the other in Panoroma East. “No one was injured,” he said. Mophiring said it was not yet clear how the suspects had gained entry into the house and that a case of armed robbery was being investigated. “Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest and conviction of the suspects can call the Bethlehem Police on 058-3075700, Crime Stop on 086-001-0111 or the crime line 32211,” he concluded.
THE Debt Counselling Industry has applauded the clampdown on the credit industry by Dr Rob Davies, the minister of Trade and Industry, following the several radical and far-reaching provisions of the National Credit Amendment Bill announced recently. Deborah Solomon, founder of the Debt Counselling Industry Portal, DCI.co.za, an online information platform for debt counsellors and consumers, said the provisions of the bill “desperately needed good news” for consumers and the economy. She said the provisions would go a long way to ensure the long-term sustainability of the credit industry and the economy, while prohibiting widespread abuse by criminalising certain contraventions of the new regulations, such as overcharging and selling prescribed debt, which has caused severe financial stress for consumers. “We applaud the minister and the government for taking a strong stand and for understanding the plight of consumers who have suffered the brunt of the many loopholes in the National Credit Act (NCA) over the past six years. “Self-regulation by the banks and other credit providers has failed dismally and the minister has come to the rescue to forever change the landscape of this vital financial sector,” Solomon said. “These radical changes will empower debt counsellors and consumers by breathing new life into the debt review process, which until now has been hampered by severe legal challenges.” Solomon has lobbied the government on behalf of debt counsellors to take the plight of consumers seriously, after it became evident that the wellintentioned NCA has failed to protect consumers in certain aspects of the credit granting and debt review process. “We are absolutely delighted that the minister took our submissions on the
bill as debt counsellors very seriously as he has implemented many of our recommendations in the final provisions.” Solomon added the move to develop a statutory industry code and affordability assessment regulations were “huge steps” that would “sweep clean” the credit industry. “These regulations will give the regulator and the courts more teeth when it comes to assessing cases of reckless lending and will leave no wriggle room for credit providers to blame debt-stressed consumers for lying about their financial positions.” Solomon added that the decision was taken to cap the cost of credit life insurance and to include a provision that credit providers would no longer be able to terminate a credit agreement when a debt review application is before the court. She also added that the decision offers consumers “protection and predictability”. “The provisions will ensure that the credit market works efficiently for consumers, the banks and the economy as a whole. “The way the credit market has been operating was not sustainable, given the high levels of household debt, consumers with impaired credit records and the continual granting of additional credit to the already over-indebted.” The household debt to income ratio rose to 75,8% in the second quarter of 2013 – the highest level in a year, while 9,53 million consumers have impaired credit records. Solomon said more good news for consumers was the ban on buying, selling and collecting prescribed debts by third parties. “South African consumers have been plagued for many years by companies that seek to profit from chasing consumers for payments of prescribed debts. “Finally, these companies can now be brought to book, along with their bullying tactics.”
EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 23 APRIL 2014 3
NEWS
Vote to make a difference – Lekota } Tladi Moloi WITH the 2014 national elections around the corner, leaders of political parties are doing everything in their power to obtain new voters and to secure the old ones. On Friday Mosioua “Terror” Lekota, the Congress of the People (Cope) leader, travelled around Bethlehem and told Express Eastern Free State that his visit was aimed at meeting people in different areas to talk to them about issues confronting the nation and to tell them about the importance of voting for the party. “I have been talking to people on the radio and from a podium in parliament. We felt that it was time to visit them so that they could ask us their questions directly. In essence it was to let them know that I am familiar with the conditions under which they live and to persuade them to trust me and vote for me, for a party that will work for them,” he said. Lekota said the level of unemployment in Bethlehem was devastating. “People need jobs because they need food,” he said. “The money that used to be available to employ young people and people to clean the streets now disappears into the pockets of the corrupt local and provincial leaders. The result is these people are no longer employed,” he said. Lekota said he was not giving people hope, but explained that if they voted for men and women who were reliable (referring to those who worked with Mbeki and Mandela) the country would surely change. “At the moment we can see that the ruling party has been taken over by corrupt elements. You must vote for a political party that will not protect corrupt people. We want to focus on the education of your children. If you educate children they will grow up to build their own homes. They will take their parents out of the four-room houses of apartheid,” Lekota concluded.
MOSIOUA “TERROR” LEKOTA (right), the Congress of the People (Cope) president, with Maria Matroos, Madintja Mokoena, Pinky Mofo keng and Sylvia Motaung (Cope youth secretary). Photo: Tladi Moloi
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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 23 APRIL 2014
NEWS
Malema calls Ace ‘fake Jesus’ } Tladi Moloi JULIUS MALEMA, commander in chief of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), said Ace Magashule, the premier of the Free State, should be voted out of government because he was a criminal. He said Magashule had failed the people of the Free State and that he should be replaced by the EFF premier candidate, Mandisa Makhesini. “We know about your frustrations. Your children went to school but they are not employed because our municipalities give jobs to their friends. “You don’t get a job if you don’t have a relative working in government. “You don’t get RDP houses because Magashule has chewed up the money budgeted for these homes.” Malema spoke that in Bohlokong, Bethlehem, during his visit on Thursday. He said in the whole of South Africa the Free State was the only province that had a backlog in RDP houses. He said the Free State was without leadership. “Magashule gave that money to his business
CLEM HARRINGTON (left), the MMC for local economic development and tourism in the Dihlabeng Local Municipality, and Ace Magashule, the Free State premier, at the launch of the Bethlehem and Paul Roux Bulk Water and Sanitation Project. Photo: Tladi Moloi
Water problem solved } Tladi Moloi
WATER is a source of life and it is a given that dirty water can cause health problems. The residents of Paul Roux have been struggling with water, but this is a thing of the past thanks to the Bethlehem and Paul Roux Bulk Water and Sanitation Project, worth R51 million, that was launched on Wednesday. Express Eastern Free State was told that there had been only four taps in the Fateng tse Ntsho location and that water had come from boreholes. Ndabiseng Ndaba (37), who hails from Fateng tse Ntsho, said she was happy with what the government had done for them. She said water was a problem, as at times they had to travel far to get it. “At least we were still getting it. The most irritating thing was the bucket system. At times we had to sit with a full bucket when the municipal workers were on strike.
They have built VIP toilets for us and they are installing the pipes. I am very happy,” she said. The project was launched by Ace Magashule, the Free State premier. He was accompanied by Sisi Ntombela, the MEC for Social Development, Sisi Mabe, the MEC for Public Works and Olly Mlamleli, the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements. Magashule said he was happy that people of Paul Roux would now have water. “I am very happy for you. I want to thank you for being patient. We told you in 2009 that life would be different. You should go and vote for us, because we’ll make sure that after the votes we come back here and do the same,” he said. Tjhetane Mofokeng, the executive mayor of the Dihlabeng Local Municipality, said the launch of the project was a good story to tell. “We want to thank our government. They have brought hope to our community,” he said.
partners. “We know that if you have a business and you don’t support Magashule you will never get a job. “If you’re working and you don’t support him, they fire you because he is ‘Jesus’ in this province. “We celebrated Jesus on Friday, but in the Free State there is a fake Jesus. We don’t know Jesus as a criminal. “We know a Jesus Christ who loves his people.” He said the EFF were going to put an end to corruption in the Free State and make sure that they arrested Magashule. “We know that he was taught crime by his father, Jacob Zuma. “We know that Zuma has stolen your money. Your children don’t have food. The roads are bad. You don’t have electricity, land and clinics, but Zuma built a swimming pool. “What is a 72-year-old man going to do with a pool?” Malema urged the community to vote for the EFF on 7 May because they are the ones who can change the country. “We’ll give you land because if you have land, you have everything,” he said.
JULIUS MALEMA, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), during his address in Bohlokong, Bethlehem.
Photo: Tladi Moloi
‘We know that Zuma has stolen your money. Your children don’t have food. The roads are bad. You don’t have electricity, land and clinics, but Zuma built a swimming pool.’ – Julius Malema
Hao hlompha lenyalo la gao wa le tiisa RE LAYA banyalani ka letsatsi la lenyalo mme gantsi ga ba utlwe sepe. Letsatsi le o ba bo ba itumetse mme ditlhaloganyo tsa bone di sa letle sepe se se ka nnang sa ba kgopisa. Dipuo di le dintsi ebile ba lapile go reetsa. Ba tla utlwa fela fa e le gongwe lenyalo le gatisitswe mme ba le bona le go utlwa mo kgatisong ya video. Fa go sa nna jalo ga ba utlwe sepe. Ka moetlo go tle go nne le ditlhobogano. Ga ke itse goreng gotwe ke ditlhobogano. Ka letsatsi le, e ka nna letsatsi morago ga lenyalo kgotsa go ne letsatsi la lenyalo mo dikgaolong tse dingwe, bobedi bo kopana le bagolo mme ba lawe. Ke kopane le mme yo o santseng a le monnye a re, re a ba nyadisa mme ga gona nako epe mo morago re ba rotloetsang re ba fa dikgakololo. Go na le batho ba ba atleng ba rulaganye dikopano mo banyalani ba kopanang gone mme ba dule matsatsi a le mmalwa ba bua ka lenyalo le dikamano tsa lenyalo. Mo dibekeng tse di latelang ke eletsa go bua gagolo le banyalani le bao ba ikaelelang go tsena mo nyalong. Lenyalo le monate e bile le lentle. Mo bukeng ya me Botshelo bo Marara, ke kwadile ka lenyalo. Ke Mokreste mme ke tla sekega
A re bueng Advocate Kuni Ditira Author dikgakololo tsa me mo Beibeleng. Hlompha monna wa gago. Beible e re monna ke tlhogo. Ke gakolola bomme go tlhompha borre. Se omane rre mo pele ga batho o mo tlontlolola. Shupa tlhompho ka dinako tsotlhe. Rre le ene a reetse mme, a se ka a tsaya ditshwetso a le esi. Tlhogo e ka se phele kwa-ntle le mmele. Nagana tlhogo ke ele e tlola-tlola e le yosi – dikgakgamatso. Moeteledipele mongwe le mongwe o na le bagakolodi. Pele moeteledipele a tsaya tshwetso o bitsa pitso mme a thagisese a se akantseng. Morago ga go bona dikeletso, ke gone a tsayang tshwetso. Moeteledipele yo o botlhale o itikaganyetsa ka baeletsi ba ba botlhale go mo feta mme o reetsa dikeletso. Fa re lebeletse baeteledipele ba ba botlhale jaaka borre Mandela, borre Obama, re tle re lebale gore
ga ba bosi, ba na le bathusi le baeletsi. Fa motho a bua fale re re o botlhale. Rre yo o botlhale o dula le mogatse ba bontshane mme e re a tswela kwa ntle a bue jaaka tlhogo. Rona basadi ba ba rutegileng re tle re nagane gore re botlhale mme borre ba re nyalaneng le bone re ba feta ka botlhale. Fa o le botlhale o tla gakolola rre mme nako dingwe le fa e kare ga a go reetsa o le mme o tla bona a tla ka yone tlhagiso e, e kare ke ya gagwe. Se mo gakolole gore ke go reetse jalo. Itumele mme o mo reye o re eya rra, ke kakanyo e e botlhale eo. Bothata ke gore rona re rata matshwao le gore batho ba itse fa re le botlhale mme rre e le sematla. Hlompha lenyalo la gago Lenyalo le phepa, le itshekile, le le shweu le a galalela. Kano e re e tsayang mo len-
Ka letsatsi le, e ka nna letsatsi morago ga lenyalo kgotsa go ne letsatsi la lenya lo mo dikgaolong tse dingwe, bobedi bo kopana le bagolo mme ba lawe. Ke kopane le mme yo o santseng a le monnye a re, re a ba nyadisa mme ga gona nako epe mo morago re ba rotloetsang re ba fa dikgakololo. Adv. Kuni Ditira yalong e re – “ke tla mo rata, ke mo direle, ke mo rate, ke mo tlotle, ke mmoloke mo pobolong le mo boitekanelong, mme ke tlogele botlhe ke itshegetse mo go ene a le esi, ka sebaka sotlhe se re tla tshelang ka sone re le babedi”. O seke wa letlelela wa boraro go tsena mo gare. E ka nna motsadi, ngwana, kgaitsadi, nyatsi kgotsa mongwe le mongwe. hlompha kano ya gago. Hlompha lenyalo la gago. Se letlelele sepe go lo silafatsa. Fa o lebelela pala-monwana ga o bone gore e simolola kae, e felela
kae, le gore e kopantswe kae. Fa lo nyalana, lo babedi mo gare ga pala-monwana e. Se letlelele ope kgotsa sepe go e kgaola. ) 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 feature is part of a four-part series on Marriage. Part 2 will be published next week - Ed. ) Visit www.express-news.co.za to follow the series
EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 23 APRIL 2014 5
NEWS
Campus reaches great hights THE University of the Free State (UFS) Qwaqwa Campus management has recently held a series of presentations to update staff and student leaders on recent developments. The presentations were titled The year behind and the years ahead. Prof. Prakash Naidoo, the campus principal, Teboho Manchu (vice principal: support services) and Elsa Crause (vice-principal: academic and research) looked back at 2013 as well as the plans going ahead. “We are proud of the numerous and significant strides that we have seen over the last year. Our academics have won about nine awards, highlighting our emphasis on research and development. We are proud to have two of the ten top researchers at the UFS, Dipane Hlalele and Riaan Luyt. “Hlalele specialises in rural education and spent three months in Sweden last year researching how to make education accessible to rural communities. “Luyt specialises in polymer science. They have both put our campus on the international map and they rub shoulders with the best in the world and we are indeed very proud of them,” said Naidoo. Naidoo said they were also very glad that the winner of the 2013 Vice Chancellor’s Prestige Award, Aliza le Roux, was of their Department of Zoology and Entomology. “Her research on the communicative skills of wild mammals like foxes and monkeys has created big waves within the international research world,” he said. Naidoo also revealed how the campus had physically developed the last few months. “We are one of the very few institutions with almost 100% wireless internet
PROF. PRAKASH NAIDOO, the campus prin cipal at the University of the Free State, Qwaqwa Campus. Photo: Supplied connection which helps in reducing the burden on our computer labs. We have an eye-catching entrance which has become more than just our gate. It has become an important landmark for all people driving into Qwaqwa. You just cannot ignore it. “Looking ahead, we have two major constructions underway – the new Physics and Geography labs to advance scientific research and the new 250-bed residence. “There are long-term plans like a student life centre and the construction of the ablution and change room facilities at the sports fields which will benefit the entire community. “In as far as sports is concerned, these new facilities will make us competitive and we’ll be able to offer outstanding students
Win with Express
THE view from the luxurious chalets at the Basotho Cultural Village in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park with the veld teeming with wild animals, including blesbok, eland and zebras. Express and SANParks are running a competition in which one lucky reader who enters before the end of April stands a chance to win a weekend stay for a family of four at the Basotho Cultural Village in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. All you need to do to win, is to visit the Express mobi site (www.expresspaper.mobi), login and enter by answering an easy question. If you have not yet registered, now is your chance. To register, go to the mobi site by opening your phone’s internet browser, type in www.expresspaper.mobi and enter. Follow the instructions to register. Directions on how to enter the competition will be on the site. The winners will be announced in the Express edition of 7 May. Photos: Christo van Staden
sports bursaries.” The management also acknowledged growing interaction between the campus and the surrounding communities through joint partnerships forged by community engagement. Naidoo said they were currently running a leadership programme in partnership with the Kagiso Trust and the University of the Western Cape. “The programme trains our students to be mentors to the gr. 10 learners at our local schools. Their graduation ceremony late last year was a community affair with parents of the gr. 10 learners present who gave testimonies on how the programme had changed the lives of their children. “We also have deepened involvement with the community through the Mandela Day activities where we lend a helping hand beyond the day itself. We are becoming a truly community-based campus,” he said. Naidoo also revealed that plans were at an advanced stage to introduce the Bachelor of Administration (BAdmin) degree in 2015. “This degree will empower students who are planning to make an impact in the management of both government departments and local government. We are also working hard to introduce the new and unique Bachelor of Community Development degree. Our communities have a lot of community workers who are, unfortunately, not qualified and this makes it hard for them to progress. This Bachelor of Community Development degree will afford them such a qualification,” he said. Going forward, Naidoo revealed that the campus would soon have complete access for the disabled to make it fully accessible to all members of the community.
Blood levels low due to holidays THE South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is experiencing yet another difficult time with regards to blood collection. Almost 40% of blood collected comes from schools and universities and due to the holidays the SANBS is unable to host these blood drives. This, and the many donors who decide to take a break, impact the blood stock levels significantly, the SANBS says in a press release. Currently, the blood stock at national level is 2,7 days and in the Free State and Northern Cape province it is 3,4 days. “The SANBS needs to maintain a stock level of 5 days at all times by collecting 3 000 units of blood per day to meet the demand of the thousands of patients who rely on blood transfusions for their survival,” says Vanessa Raju, communications manager of the SANBS. The organisation is appealing to members of the public who meet the minimum blood donor requirements, especially blood donors who may have missed a blood donation, to help boost supplies by committing to donating blood. In order to become a blood donor you must weigh at least 50 kg, be between the ages of 16 and 65, lead a safe sexual lifestyle, be in general good health, and consider your blood safe for transfusion to a patient. For more information, call 080-011-9031, send a email to customerservice@sanbs.org.za oor visit www.sanbs.org. za.
For more news and photos go to www.express-news.co.za
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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 23 APRIL 2014
NEWS
Sports stars wanted
Bring flair to celebrations THE drum majorettes team of the Tiisetsang Secondary School in Bethlehem was part of the Human Rights Day Celebrations at the new Bohlokong Hall. Photo: Tladi Moloi
Free State Stars beat UP
FREE STATE STARS defeated the University of Pretoria 1-0 in an early Absa Premiership match at the Charles Mopeli Stadium on Wednesday evening, with Moeketsi Sekola scoring the only goal of the game. This result is a crucial one for Ea Lla Koto, who have boosted their hopes of avoiding the dreaded promotion relegation playoff, though they remain – temporarily at least – second from the bottom on the log. Stars were the more positive team in attack in the first half, pinning the visitors
Stars were the more positive team in at tack in the first half. back and creating several good chances from which they could have claimed the lead. Sekola, Richard Henyekane, Luyolo Nomandela and Paulus Masehe all attempted goals that were no trouble for Tuks goalkeeper Washington Arubi. However, the Zimbabwean shot-stopper made an excellent save to parry a 33rd
minute effort from Camaldine Abraw that looked destined for the back of the net. The visitors offered occasional threats, but they rarely called Ea Lla Koto’s Ayanda Mtshali into action during the first half, which ended with the teams locked at 0-0. The home side continued to dominate in the second half and finally broke the deadlock at 57 minutes, with a corner kick seeing Sadate Ouro-Akoriko providing an assist for Sekola to beat Arubi with a right-footed shot, 1-0. Ten minutes later Abraw
almost doubled Stars’ lead with a powerful shot on target that forced Arubi into an excellent finger-tip save. The University of Pretoria shuffled their pack by introducing the likes of Raymond Monama and Lucky Mathosi off their bench, and they very nearly forced an equaliser on 78 minutes when Grant Kekana was denied by a diving save from Mtshali. That was as good as it got in the visitors’ search for an equaliser, allowing Stars to break a four-game winless streak in the League. – KickOff.com
Double tickets up for grabs
EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE and Nedbank are giving away 15 double tickets for the Nedbank Cup quarterfinal game between African Warriors and Maritzburg United on Saturday at the Charles Mopeli Stadium. To win a ticket answer this ques tion: Who did African Warriors beat to qualify for the quarterfi nals? Send you answer starting with the keyword “EXP” to 45533.
THE Nedbank Ke Yona Team Search 2014 is underway. The search started in Polokwane on Monday and KwaZulu-Natal will follow on Saturday. A first of its kind in the history of South African football, the Nedbank Ke Yona Team Search launched in 2013 is set to be even bigger and better this year. The call was made by Nedbank to ordinary South Africans to grab the once in a lifetime opportunity to make their football dreams a reality when the search was officially announced on 1 April. To date, more than 18 000 applications have been re-
ceived from aspiring football stars from all walks of life and Nedbank is again pulling out all the stops to ensure that it provides the best platform for the next football heroes to make a name for themselves. A total of 48 players will be identified for a professional and exciting boot camp that will see the squad eventually trimmed down to the final 18-man squad to face the winners of the most prized tournament in South Africa, the Nedbank Cup. Nedbank Ke Yona Team Search try-out dates and venues: 1. Saturday, 26 April: King
Zwelethini Stadium, Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal. 2. Monday, 28 April: Clive Solomon Stadium, Bloemfontein, Free State. 3. Saturday, 10 May: Ajax Cape Town Ikamva Complex, Parow, Western Cape. 4. Saturday and Sunday, 24 and 25 May: FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng. Interested players can enter by simply dialling *120*KEYONA# or *120*539662# and following the easy steps. Players must be between the ages of 18 and 35 and in possession of a valid South African ID to be eligible to enter. All entries close 48 hours before each try-out date.
Ministry branch opens up in Bethlehem LAST Saturday about 50 community members from Bohlokong, Bethlehem, gathered at house number 5773 in Extension 2 in celebration of the official launch of the Rivers
of Living Water Ministry of Arch branch in Bethlehem. The branch was launched successfully and it was followed by the opening of another branch in Reitz on the same
day. More people were healed on the day as they also received prayers from different pastors who attended the ceremony. Most of the community
members who attended the ceremony revealed that it had always been their wish to have a branch in Bethlehem and added that a dream had come true.
ARE you good at sport – or is someone in your school or place of education good at sport? Are you motivating or training others to be good at sport? Are you a young coach who is coaching future stars? Are you getting people active at your school, community or gym? Express Eastern Free State wants to hear from you. SuperSport’s Let’s Play identified the need amongst the youth to get more sport active. With this in mind SuperSport and Let’s Play, in association with Express EFS, have launched a special initiative. We want to find and give recognition to learners at either primary or high school level who excel in sport or who are helping others to be more active. The SuperSport’s Let’s Play Sports Star of the Month is a competition for anyone aged six to 18. You can nominate yourself or be nominated by a friend or any teacher, lecturer or coach at your school or place of education. You can even be nominated by a family member or friend who knows how good you are. The winner is chosen from all the nominations received for that month. The monthly winner will receive a Let’s Play hamper filled with goodies. From all the entries received each month, one player will be chosen as the SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the Month. At the end of the year one player from all the monthly winners will be chosen as the SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the Year. Send your nomination today (nominations received before the 20th of every month will be included in that month’s selection. Nominations received after the 20th of every month will be carried over to the next month’s selection). Your nomination must include your name, age and a short paragraph (less than 200 words) on what you have achieved, as well as your contact details. You can email your nomination to supersport@zpr.co.za or send a fax to 086-552-4922. For more information contact Lynne or Juanré at Z PR on 051-522-9574.
Write stories for newspaper EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE is looking for volunteer citizen journalists to write about events happening in and around their area of residence. The paper also wants to know about the kind of issues that the community is faced with, as well as the good news in your community. You may have a story you want to share, or you may want to write reviews of any kind for the Express Estern Free State website. Maybe you want to offer other drivers traffic reports on your way to work via the mobi-site, or maybe you want to start a blog and become a famous blogger. The paper’s website can help you with that. You may even be a keen gardener and want to offer tips on gardening via the website, or you could have a fascinating local story to tell. As long as it is local and original, Express Eastern Free State is interested. Register at www.express-news.co.za and join the team as a citizen journalist.
EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 23 APRIL 2014 7
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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 23 APRIL 2014
EASTERN FREE STATE
TLADI MOLOI
THE remaining fixtures for the league season are as follows: Sundowns’ remaining matches: ) vs Black Aces (Loftus Versfeld Stadium); ) vs Moroka Swallows (Dobsonville Stadium); ) vs Supersport United (Loftus Versfeld Stadium); and ) vs Maritzburg United (Harry
JABULANI DLAMINI
Remaining fixtures Gwala Stadium). Chiefs’ remaining matches: ) vs Polokwane City (Peter Mokaba Stadium); ) vs Bidvest Wits (Bidvest Stadium); ) vs Free State Stars (FNB Stadium);
) vs University of Pretoria (Mbombela Stadium); and ) vs Amazulu (Peter Mokaba Stadium). Wits’ remaining matches: ) vs Moroka Swallows (Bidvest-
Stadium); ) vs Supersport United (Lucas Moripe Stadium); ) vs Kaizer Chiefs (Bidvest Stadium); ) vs Maritzburg United (Bidvest Stadium); ) vs Orlando Pirates (Bidvest Stadium); and ) vs Bloemfontein Celtic (Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium).
SIDWELL GUDUKA
BOIPELO MERE
TEBOHO SETENA
In Stuart Baxter, Chiefs seem to have found the right man for the job. He seems to continuously bring out the best in his players and all he has to do now is simply show them that the league is theirs to lose not Sundowns’ to win. While Bidvest Wits still have an outside chance to clinch it, I believe Chiefs are hungry enough to fight to keep the trophy for a second successive season. Whatever happens, this one is going down to the wire.
ing a blur. Now they have to win all their remaining matches and hope that Sundowns will lose or draw so that they can have the PSL title in their hands. I put it to you, Amakhosi will prevail eventually.
The bookmakers have put their money on Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns given the two sides’ prospects to lift the title over third-placed Bidvest Wits. The Students are like vultures waiting for the kill, and could spoil the party for the title race is far from over. Second-placed Chiefs are four points off the lead and also have the title in their sight with one of their last four games against AmaZulu and the leaders Sundowns braced for Maritzburg United. The title will be claimed the last day of the league on 10 May. A lot of things can happen between now and the end of the season. Chiefs and Sundowns wish that they could win. As it stands, Chiefs need four points to regain the lead and to become best placed to wrestle the title from Sundowns, who are required to collect four points to have their hands firmly on the crown. It is no longer the coaches but rather the team. The players with the ability and mental strength to execute the game plan will be the champions. If Amakhosi tie on points with Sundowns, it will be motivation enough to ensure the title is theirs. Such a scenario will put the Brazilians under immense pressure – costly mistakes are inevitable. Sundowns have the edge unless the unthinkable happens.
The Premiership battle WHO will win the Absa Premiership title? Express’s writers give their verdict. MAMELODI SUNDOWNS, Kaizer Chiefs and Bidvest Wits are in a three-horse race to be crowned champions . . . but who will finish at the top? With just over four weeks of the 2013-’14 Absa Premierhip League season remaining, the division’s top two teams are separated by three points in one of the most fiercely contested title races since the competition had begun in 1996. The Brazilians, who no longer have to divide their attention between the Premiership League and Nedbank Cup, are sitting at the top of the log, and they have been in excellent form. Amakhosi lie second, and they have one game in hand – although that does not guarantee them three points. The Soweto giants are also still competing in the Nedbank Cup competition. Mathematically, Bidvest Wits are also still in with a chance to win the league championship if they win all their remaining matches. But that will only happen if Sundowns and Chiefs falter. Express’s writers give their verdict on who will prevail:
Tladi Moloi
Who? Kaizer Chiefs Why? I think Kaizer Chiefs stand a good chance of winning the league championship this season. They may be sitting second on the table, but they have proven themselves to be a good team, and so have Mamelodi Sundowns. However, Pitso Mosimane seems to run out of ideas at times, despite all the quality players he has at his disposal. Mosimane’s men still have to play against Supersport United in the Tshwane Derby and that is where his side might kiss the league title goodbye. They also have Maritzburg United waiting for them on the last day of the season. Guess who is guiding United? Steve “Mr Mind” Komphela. Coming back to Chiefs, they have lost two league games in a row but they will bounce back to their winning ways. They are used to this kind of pressure. They will go on to beat every team that comes their way, but let me tell you the Wits game against Chiefs will be a hell of a game. Jabulani Dlamini Who? Kaizer Chiefs Why? The mighty Amakhosi have the pedigree to bounce back from their demoralising defeat to Mpumalanga Black Aces which saw the Brazilians overtake them to go to the summit of the Absa Premiership standings.
Sidwell Guduka Who? Kaizer Chiefs Why? Because they are the best team in it. I backed them before the season and while it is tempting to switch to Mamelodi Sundowns, I’ll resist. My money is still on Chiefs. I believe they have the pedigree to successfully defend their league title. They may have two difficult trips to Polokwane City and Bidvest Wits to contend with, but Stuart Baxter’s side certainly has the quality and no other distractions. However, they played their best in most of the games but failed to perform in the games that were vital (against Sundowns and Black Aces). The outcome of those two matches affected their position on top of the log. This was a huge disappointment for the team and the fans as they saw their dream becom-
Boipelo Mere Who? Kaizer Chiefs Why? Kaizer Chiefs are more than likely to be crowned the Absa Premiership champions this season. The league seems destined for a photo finish as the present champions Kaiser Chiefs and the star-studded Mamelodi Sundowns stand toe-to-toe for the 2014 crown, and pocketing the R10 million prize. Not because Sundowns have experienced a drought in the past, but because the Chiefs are the only team in the PSL who have the never-say-die attitude and the tendency of fighting to the bitter end. Kaizer Chiefs have played one game less than Sundowns. If both sides manage to win all their remaining games Chiefs will win it on goal difference. Teboho Setena Who? Mamelodi Sundowns Why? The really big titles in sport are the ultimate confirmation of excellence. Thousands of people have the talent, but only a chosen few are made of the right stuff.