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WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2014
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Mopeli honoured Hall named after former founder and leader } Tladi Moloi
TATE MAKGOE, the Free State MEC for Education, honoured Dr Tshiame Kenneth Mopeli, the former founder and leader of the Dikwankwetla Party of South Africa (DPSA) and prime minister of Qwaqwa by naming the new hall at the Sekhutlong High School after him. Sekhutlong is a boarding school situated in the Monontsha Village, Qwaqwa. The school has 676 learners from gr. 10 to gr. 12 and 24 committed teachers. The Sekhutlong High School was earmarked by the Free State Department of Education for its excellent performance in 2012 when they obtained a 100% pass rate and 98,3% in 2013. Following these results, the school received a school hall and boarding facilities to the value of R18 million from the Department of Education. Makgoe said the contribution that Mopeli had made towards education, especially during the apartheid era, was immeasurable. He said he had built many schools and had laid a solid foundation for the provision of quality education for all. “We want to thank you for the vision that you had for the future of black people. During those hard times people came together in Qwaqwa and you never once chased them away. “Today some of them are doctors and lawyers,” he said. Mopeli welcomed the Department of Education’s decision to name the school after him.
’This is like a miracle because no one wants to name any thing after former homeland leaders.’ – Dr Tshiame Kenneth Mopeli
TATE MAKGOE (middle), the Free State MEC for Education, with the former founder and leader of the Dikwankwetla Party of South Africa (DPSA) and prime minister of Qwaqwa, Dr Tshiame Kenneth Mopeli, and his wife, Matshediso. Photo: Tladi Moloi “I don’t know how to thank you for honouring me by naming a school hall after me. This is like a miracle because no one wants to name anything
after former homeland leaders,” he said. He said he was happy with the achievements in the final matric examination by the 2013
Free State Department of Education. Mopeli said he was happy to hear that Makgoe was working hard to improve the Mathemat-
ics and Physical Sciences results. “Those are the difficult subjects feared by many in the past. “When I heard that you were working on them, I told myself that now we have a good Education MEC,” he said. Pheello Kumalo, the school principal, said he was happy that the school had a new hall and that it had been named after one of the leaders who had played a pivotal role in Education. “He built many schools in this area. If you go around you will see that every village has a high school,” he said. Kumalo said they would appreciate it if Makgoe could talk to the MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation to come and build sports facilities at their school.
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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2014
NEWS
At opening of new hall and hostel facilities OVER THE MOON: Teachers, support members and school governing body (SGB) members of the Sekgutlong Secondary School in the Monontsha Village, Qwaqwa, pose with the MEC for Education, Tate Makgoe, during the official opening of the new school hall and the hostel facilities. Photo: Tladi Moloi
Debating standard high } Nkareng Moloi THE Kgolathuto Secondary School is the 2014 winner of the Maluti Arts Festival debating challenge. The school walked away with the first prize in the recent challenge which was hosted by the Maluti Arts Festival. They had defeated Akofang Intermediate and the Mampoi Secondary School in the contest. Mampoi came second with Akofang third. Initially four schools were expected to take part in the challenge, but only three turned up. Charmaine Sithole, the debating coordinator of the Maluti Arts Festival, said she was happy with the performance of the schools even though they had to change the plan due to the fact that the other school didn’t show up. “We are pleased with the standard of debating in the schools. It shows teachers are doing a good job, but I also feel that we have to have as many competitions as we can to reach for the stars,” she said. She congratulated the winners of the day and encouraged the losing teams to go back and work hard. “Let us congratulate team Kgolathuto as they are our champions this year. There is a lot of potential from our kids. We hope to have a representative in the debating nationals. I will also like to thank our sponsors, Vodacom and Verbal Stream magazine,” Sithole said. Thato Nhlapo, the Kgolathuto debating team leader, couldn’t hide her excitement when they were announced as the winners. “We are so happy. And this is the result of a team effort. We work together. We do not rely on one individual. We push each other to reach the impossible. I am also happy for Rantjhemane for being the overall speaker of the day.”
Mosadi wa bobedi
RE ka se tshabele se, tlhalano le loso di gone. Fa monna a tlhala kgotsa mosadi a tlhokafala, gantsi o tle a nyale gape. Se, se tlisa kgwetlho gagolo fa go na le bana. Mosadi yo wa batho o lebeletswe go tsena mo ditlhakong tsa wa pele. Sengwe le sengwe se a se dirang o tla lekanngwa le o mongwe. Gantsi re bona diphosho. Fa motho a sa tlhole a le fa pele ga rona ke gone re gopolang tse di ntle tse a neng a di dira. Nako nngwe fa o le mosadi wa bobedi o fitlhela go na le ntlo le dithoto tsa ntlo. Gongwe mme yo o tsamaileng o na le karolo e kgolo e a e dirileng go bonweng ga dithoto tse. Gongwe rre e ne e sale a taboga a tswa mo a tsena mo. Wena fa o fitlha o nagana ke dilo tsa rre yo. O ipetsa sefuba o le motlotlo. E le wena e le wena. Fa bana ba le gone go nna thata gore ba amogele mme yo mongwe. Go sa kgathalasege gore o leka go ba amogela o nne mme wa bone. O tla dula o le mme yo o tseileng bodulo jwa sa mme wa bone. Le fa o ka leka go ba shupetsa lerato bone ga ba bone se. Nako dingwe ke bo-rakgadi ba tlhotlheletsang. Le fa o le motho yo o molemo gongwe o na le tse di ntsi tse o gaisang mosadi wa ntlha ka tsone, go tshwana fela. O tla dula o le mosadi wa bobedi. Mo nakong tse
A re bueng
Advocate Kuni Ditira Author dingwe, mme wa bobedi le ene ke ene a nang le mathata a sa rate bana ba. O rata tse di monate tse lenyalo di tlang ka tsona fela ga a rate maikarabelo a bana ba e seng ba gagwe. Monna e ne o nna le mathata. O rata mosadi wa gagwe wa bobedi ebile o rata le bana ba gagwe. Nako dingwe ga a itse a itumedise mang. Mo nakong tse dingwe rre o tsaya letlhakore la mosadi mme bana ba utlwe botlhoko. Bana ba dula ba sa itumela ba gopotse mme wa bona le ka moo a neng a ba tlhokometse ka gone. Go botlhoko go bona bana ba sasanka le mebila ka ntlha ya mme wa bobedi. Bo-mme se shotleng ka bana ba. Letsatsi lengwe lo tla botswa. Dira gotlhe go tsaya bana ba jaaka ba gago. Fa o sa kgone rulaganya fa go kgonagala gore wena le monna wa gago lo tswe lo ye go simolola botshelo ba lona gongwe lo tlogele bana ba ka ntlo fa e le gore ga ba bannye kgotsa bana le yo o ka ba tlhokomelang. Se kganele rre go
Sheep nicked from farm THE police are looking for 28 stolen sheep from a farm near Phuthaditjhaba known as Dikhabetjheng. According to the shepherd they had been stolen after he had gone to bed during the night or in the morning. Sgt Mmako Mophiring, the police spokesperson, said allegedly 28 sheep had been kept overnight in a kraal on the farm. “The shepherd went to bed and
only realised in the morning that they were missing. It is suspected that they could have been loaded onto a vehicle and taken to an unknown destination. A case of stock theft is being investigated.” Anyone with information that may lead to the recovery, arrest and conviction of the suspect(s) can call the Phuthaditjhaba police on 058-718-0895 or Crime Stop on 086-001-0111, or send an SMS to the SMS Crime Line on 32211.
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tlhokomela bana ba gagwe fela wena a go itumedisa. Bana e nne masiela rre wa bone a sa ntse a tshela. Bo-rre gongwe ba se ke ba nyala mme ba tlhokomele bana ba bone. Borre ba leke go itumedisa bana ba bone. Fela bo-rre bana le maikarabelo a go ruta bana ba bone. Rre o tshwanetse a kaela bana tsela e e siameng. Tswelela o nne rre. Mme wa me e ne e le mme wa bobedi. Fa a nyalwa rre o ne a na le bana ba babedi ba bannye mme mme a na le bana ba bararo ba bannye. Nna ke godile ke sa itse se. Se ke ne ke se bona e ne e le mme le rre ba ratana ebile ba rata bana ba bone. Gongwe ka gonne ke le monnye ke ne ke sa bone kgethololo. Gongwe kgethololo e ne e le gone ga ke itse. Nna ke bone fela re godisiwa ka go tshwana, re tsena sekolo rotlhe, re kgalemelwa rotlhe. Go a kgonagala gore mme wa bobedi o tla amogelwa ke bana thata fa ba le bannye ba sa itse sepe. Fa ba gola batho ke bone ba
Nako nngwe fa o le mosadi wa bobedi o fitlhela go na le ntlo le dithoto tsa ntlo. Gongwe mme yo o tsamaileng o na le karolo e kgolo e a e dirileng go bonweng ga dithoto tse. Gongwe rre e ne e sale a taboga a tswa mo a tsena mo. Wena fa o fitlha o nagana ke dilo tsa rre yo. ba tlhotlheletsang ba ba itsise gore ga se mmago ke gone a dirang se a sa dirang se. Fa o ne o sa itse o ne o tla bona fela e le mme jaaka bo-mme ba bangwe mme a kgalemela. Mme morago ga tsotlhe ke wena o ratileng rre a na le bana. Ba amogele o nne mme wa bone. *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. *Where necessary Express edits some columns - Ed.
Pivotal role of family celebrated } Nkareng Moloi THE 20th International Family Day was celebrated at the Tsebo Secondary School last Thursday. The celebrations were organised by the Qholaqhwe Advice Centre and the school’s support team. It was attended by learners, parents and the staff of the school. Mapaseka Madonsela, the Qholaqhwe Advice Centre’s social programmes coordinator, said it would not have been wise to celebrate the day with the learners only. She said they had had to invite the parents because they were the important stakeholders of the family. “The issues we are discussing today are relevant to parents and, therefore, we invited them. The
issues that we need to look at are domestic violence and HIV/Aids. Learners who suffer from domestic violence can become abusive and this can destroy their future,” said Madonsela. She emphasised the importance of protecting young people. “Issues like HIV and Aids can destroy the future of our country. So, it is important for parents to talk to their children about sexual issues,” she concluded. Seabata Thateng, the principal of the school, said they were happy and felt honoured by the event because they were the only school in the district chosen by the Qholaqhwe Advice Centre to celebrate this day. “We appreciate the support the parents showed to build their children academically and socially,” he said.
EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2014 3
NEWS
Mofokeng fills Mphuthi’s shoes } Tladi Moloi LERATO MOFOKENG has been elected as the chairperson of the Thabo Mofutsanyana Mining Association (TMMA). Mofokeng comes in to fill the shoes of Matowane Mphuthi, who resigned a month ago naming business commitments as a reason for his resignation. The association was only seven months old when Mphuthi jumped ship. Since then, the members have mapped a way forward. They have decided to give this little baby (TMMA) to a mother who they believe will take good care of it. They have also elected a new committee that consists of people from five municipalities within the Thabo Mofutsanyana district. Siza Majola is the deputy chairperson. Disebo Sephoko is the treasurer, Kopano Mokoena the secretary and Nelly Tshabangu the vice-secretary. Mofokeng says she is looking forward to drive the association to reach its aims and objectives. “We all know that the association has been in the news for the wrong reasons. “We are hoping to work hard as a team to make sure that people get a different taste to what they have read in the papers in the past,” she says. Mofokeng says whatever happened in the association before is now water under the bridge. “We are not going to talk about what happened in the past, but rather concentrate on what the future holds for us,” she says. Mofokeng says she would like to invite all the miners to come on board and join the association. She adds that
HANDS ON: The new Thabo Mofutsanyana Mining Association committee. They are from the left Disebo Sephoko (treasurer), Nelly Tshabangu (vice-secretary), Kopano Mokoena (secretary), Lerato Mofokeng (chairperson) and Siza Matla (deputy chairperson).
Photo: Tladi Moloi
they had many people asking why they had named the association Thabo Mofutsanyana while it only exists in Bethlehem. “The association is not a Bethlehem thing. “We have decided to have our office in
Bethlehem because it is the central town in our district,” Mofokeng says. When asked what they were going to do to make sure that people know about them, she said: “We are going to have a meeting with the Thabo Mofutsanyana
Local Economic Development (LED) manager where some of these things will be discussed. We will make sure that we go back to host awareness meetings to promote the association,” she concludes.
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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2014
NEWS
Nepotism strongly denied by DA
} Selloane Khalane
THE DA Free State leader, Patricia Kopane, has been accused of nepotism by disgruntled party members after her father, James Lethuka, was listed as one of the party’s five members heading to the Free State legislature. Lethuka is one of the DA members heading to the legislature in the new term which will commence in June. Kopane told Express she could not comment on the matter and referred the newspaper to the party’s Free State portfolio committee chairperson, Annelie Lotriet. Lotriet said Lethuka went through an intensive candidate’s process before he was given the seat. According to Lotriet, candidates write a series of tests and undergo interviews during assessments. Lotriet dismissed the allegations of nepotism levelled against Kopane and said that it was not strange for family members to pursue politics. “Lethuka made himself available and went through the process just like anybody else,” Lotriet said. On Saturday, the ANC Free State chairperson, Premier Ace Magashule, told the masses at the Mangaung Outdoor Sports Centre he was happy that the party retained the 22 seats in the Free State legislature. Magashule was addressing scores of people who had gathered there to celebrate the party’s victory in the fifth democratic elections. Magashule told people while Pres. Jacob Zuma was slaughtering cows, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, was slaughtering chickens for the celebrations. “I want to see how they are going to deliver those big promises like doubling the pension grants when they are the ruling party,” said Magashule. Magashule boldly told the masses the ANC would rule for the next 100 years. The EFF will have two seats in the provincial legislature, which will be occupied by the party’s premier candidate Mandisa Makhesini and Willie Tshabalala. The Cope provincial secretary, Mzwandile Hleko, said although his party had failed to
THE ANC in the legislature will be represented by Free State chairperson, Ace Magashule, Sisi Mabe, Tate Makgoe, Mathabo Leeto, Butana Khompela, Sisi Ntombela, Oupa Khoabane, Mamiki Qabathe, Sam Mashinini, Olli Mlamleli, Mosebenzi Zwane, Sarah Moleleki, Isaak Mbalo, Nombulelo Mapena, Thabo Meeko, Elzabe Rockman, Benny Malakoane, Patricia Mahasa, Neels Van Rooyen, Kediinametse Sechoaro and Dora Kotzee.
THE EFF will be represented by Mandisa Makhesini and Willie Tshabalala. ROY JANKIELSOHN, David van Vuuren, Leona Kleynhans, James Lethuka and Marieta Pi-ttaway will represent the DA in the Free State legislature.
PATRICIA KOPANE secure seats in the legislature, the party still has 27 councillors across the province. “We are going to work very hard in the upcoming elections,” said Hleko.
Photo: Facebook
The Freedom Front Plus provincial leader, Wouter Wessels, told Express he was happy his party secured its seat in the legislature.
WOUTER WESSELS will represent the Vryheidsfront Plus.
Event shows great potential } Tladi Moloi VUSI TSHABALALA, the executive mayor of the Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality, says he is happy to be the first mayor to revive the Qwaqwa cultural event known as “Dipontso tsa Maluti”. He says even though the event didn’t reach as far as they had hoped, it makes him happy that it took place. He also promised that they would make sure that next year they made it bigger and better. “We will stage it in the summer to accommodate more people. It was very cold, but our people enjoyed every moment and we wished the event would never end,” he says. The outspoken executive mayor has promised a much better show next year. “The show came and went, but I personally feel we did not live up to expectations. For example, we expected to have the merry-go-round for the kids, but in the end it was not there. We know that the event clashed with the Rand Easter Show and other events,
‘Our marketing was poor, but we will make sure that we start to market the event as early as possible next time.’ – Vusi Tshabalala that is why we could not get some of the equipment we needed,” he says. Dipontso tsa Maluti was launched back in 1979 in Qwaqwa under the leadership of Tsiame Kenneth Mopeli. The festival, which won many hearts in the Eastern Free State, was taken away from Qwaqwa in 1993 when the ANC took over. Tshabalala says they felt as the office of the mayor that it was important to bring back the dignity of Qwaqwa. “Dipontso was one of the most famous events and it also boosted our economy. We have started it again. We are not going to look back anymore,” he says. Tshabalala cannot disclose the amount which was spent on the event: “I think we have spent an adequate amount of money.”
Express Eastern Free State has learnt from a source in the municipality that about R4 million was spent on the event. He has, however, admitted that the event was not well marketed. He also admitted that the timing was not good. “Our marketing was poor, but we will make sure that we start to market the event as early as possible next time,” he says. Giving his overall impression, he says: “I am happy with the way things went and we have shown the world that we have the capacity to host such events. We know that we might have made mistakes somewhere, but people should understand that it was the first time that it was staged in many years.” He says he is happy for the hawkers because they scored big during the week-long event.
VUSI TSHABALALA, the executive mayor of the Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality. Photo: Tladi Moloi
EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2014 5
NEWS
Having pets will benefit your child DECADE after decade the debate continues – is it good for children to grow up with pets? There are many positive reasons why children should own pets. Not only do pets teach children many life skills, they are also wonderful friends. Here are ten reasons why your child should have a pet. 1. Responsibility Children with pets develop a sense of responsibility and care for others early on in life. Pets need care and attention all the time. They depend on their humans to feed, entertain and exercise them. Children who are active in raising their pets usually learn how to be empathetic and compassionate. Learning how to be responsible for another creature will allow the youngsters to better take care of themselves as well. It is important for pet owners to help their children take care of the pets, gradually releasing responsibility to them over time. When they are young, children can help their parents fill the water or food bowls. As they get older, the assistance can gradually increase. 2. Self-confidence Along with the responsibility for a pet comes the building of self-confidence. When children are successful at raising their pets, they feel good about themselves. In turn, their self-esteem increases and they carry a confident air about them. They are, in a sense, proud of their accomplishments. 3. Less prone to allergies and asthma Multiple studies over the years have shown that children who grow up with pets are less prone to develop allergies and asthma. When exposed to pet dander and other allergens before the age of one year, children tend to develop stronger immune systems. Results published in Clinical and Experimental Allergy state that boys who grew up with indoor pets were half as likely to develop severe allergies later on in life. 4. Exercise and play Pets, especially dogs, need exercise and play. The activities that children participate in with their pets are usually physical. This allows boys and girls to stay fit. In general, families spend more time outside when they have pets. The sunshine and fresh air are good for everyone. Learning about the need for exercise for pets to stay healthy helps children apply the same concepts to their own wellbeing. 5. Calm Pets tend to bring about a sense of calm for children. Some youngsters are more relaxed around their pets than other humans. Like adults, children turn to their pets when they are feeling sad, angry or otherwise upset. Magically, pets will bring peace to the situation and provide their humans with unconditional love. 6. Relieve stress Along the same lines of keeping children calm, dogs are also great to have around as stress relievers. Being around dogs can be extremely therapeutic for the entire family. Just cuddling with the family pooch can bring about a sense of safety and security
It has been scientifically proven that having a dog helps children learn about discipline. Some would argue that cats, on the other hand, discipline their owners. for children, let alone the rest of the family. Often, people turn to their dogs for comfort. They are good listeners and never talk back. They never try to give advice when it is not wanted. They are simply there as calming influences for people who are flustered and stressed out. Although cats are not as compassionate, as pets they can still help relieve undue stress. There is something to be said when cats cuddle up. Their soft coats and purring can help their owners feel a sense of calm. There are gentle sides to cats – they just don’t like to show it very often. 7. Improve reading skills Many children are more comfortable reading aloud to pets than to other humans. Perhaps it is because pets do not judge – pets do not correct the children and make them reread. The bottom line to improving reading skills is to practice it repeatedly. The more children read, the better they get at it. At younger ages, it is best for children to read aloud so that they can hear themselves. When pets are used to help children read, they essentially support the improvement of fluency. The oral practice children experience when reading to their pets helps them become fluent readers, resulting in better comprehension of what they are reading. 8. Learn about consequences Caring for pets can teach children a great deal about consequences. When pets are not cared for properly, the results are real and easy for children to grasp. If fish are not fed, they die. If dogs don’t exercise, they get agitated. When cats are ignored, they will seek revenge and do something mean. If a gerbil or hamster’s cage does not get cleaned out, it will start to really smell bad. 9. Learn about commitment Growing up with a pet is a huge commitment on the part of the human. Pets are not things children can just put on shelves when they get tired of taking care of them. They need to be fed, cleaned, exercised, played with and otherwise loved every single day. Having a pet is a total commitment and cannot ever be treated as a part-time job. This teaches children to commit and follow through with the task. 10. Discipline When growing up with a pet, children learn a great deal about discipline. If they have a dog at home, they learn to train it and teach it how to listen. It has been scientifically proven that having a dog helps children learn about discipline. Some would argue that cats, on the other
WARM HUG: Children with pets develop a sense of responsibility and care for others early on in life. hand, discipline their owners. There are many sound reasons why children benefit from owning pets. There are many life skills they learn as a result of caring for another being and
Only votes count, not service DR CLEM HARRINGTON, Bethlehem: IN the Captain Charles Informal Settlement in Bethlehem at least 1 466 households are living in inhuman conditions. The ruling party, the ANC, wants every family in a comfortable and affordable dwelling. For this reason the Housing Department in the Dihlabeng Local Municipality interacted with the Housing Development Agency. An item was served before the council on 30 April for the development of the above dwellings. The agency identified Du Plessis Park for this development
of 900 flats. The houses will be similar to the flats built near Tempe in Mangaung, Bloemfontein. They are two and three storeys high and are one- and two-bedroomed flats. Councillor Bonthuys of the DA vehemently objected to this development. His arguments were that Du Plessis Park must be kept
as a soccer and rugby field and for children to play on. He went further to say that these fields are flooded every six years. Conveniently he forgot that the Metropolitan Centre in Bethlehem was built on a spruit and is still standing after 20 years. The DA is doing everything possible to stop progress in Dihlabeng, but will try and canvas the votes of the residents of the Captain Charles Informal Settlement. I think Councillor Bonthuys’s domestic animals are living under better conditions. Only votes count for the DA, not service delivery.
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committing to the responsibility. As an added bonus, children would be able to share their youths with automatic best friends. ) Source: www.womanitely.com.
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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2014
SOCIAL NEWS
UFS holds winter graduations THE University of the Free State’s Qwaqwa Campus hosted its winter graduation ceremony on Friday and Saturday. THE University of the Free State’s Qwaqwa Campus student representative council members. They are from the left, back: Simphiwe Yende, Ntai Litabo, Zinhle Madlala, Nonjabulo Zuma, Thoko Dube, Amanda Ndabankulu, Sibusiso Mtetwa, Ntando Mndebele, Sechaba Mohlakoana and Tsholofelo Mofokeng; front: Motlogelwa Moema.
FEZILE MANTHENJWA (left) and Mono Motsiri.
FROM the left are Mabale Moloi of eNCA news, Mofumahadi Thato Mopeli and Choice Makhetha, the University of the Free State vice-rector: External Affairs.
PROF. ORIEL THEKISOE and Ronel Pienaar.
EVIDENCE MSIMANGO (left) and Rethabile Mohlabane.
FROM the left are Thoko Madonsela, Mohau Nkutha and Nthabiseng Matsoso.
EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2014 7
SPORTS NEWS
FS Stars dismiss nine players } Tladi Moloi AFTER surviving the relegation play-offs, Free State Stars have booted nine players and have transfer one. Tshepo Motsoeneng, Mongezi Bobe, Sadate Akoriko, Enva Wiltwer, Anver Esterhuizen, Mthokosizi Yende, Mbuyiselo Sambu, Jurie Basie and Saalman King are the players who will have to search for new teams, while the Ghanaian goal minder Daniel Agyei is on transfer. Rantsi Mokoena, the team’s general manager, confirmed that they had parted ways with these players, adding that they would get quality players to replace them. “Those players are not in the coach’s plans for next season. We felt that it was fair to release them early so that they could search for a place in other teams,” he said. He said Basie was a good player, but they had no option but to release him as he lacked discipline. “He is not disciplined and we at one stage thought he would work on that, but he never did.” Akoriko is expected to make a move to Amazulu. Rumours doing the rounds are that Bobe might reunite with his former side, Black Leopards. “We will make sure that we replace those players with quality players. We saw what happened this season with the team and we don’t want to witness that again,” Mokoena said.
OUT: Tshepo Motsoeneng, looking to stop the ball, is one of the players who were axed by Free State Stars.
Photo: Tladi Moloi
Sports on THE Orlando Pirates Bethlehem branch invites members to its birthday braai. Date: 31 May. Venue: Clubhouse.
Time: 15:00. Plate of food will be sold at R20. The contact person is Jabu Nhlapo on 082-7371748.
Club to host recruitment trials } Teboho Setena
Extends invitation EXCELLENT HLALELE, regional organiser of Orlando Pirates in the Thabo Mofutsanyana District, invites people to become members of the Orlando Pirates Club in the Eastern Free State. The main aim is to build each other up spiritually, psychologically and physically and ensure that people understand the importance of being a cardcarrying member. Phone him for more information on 073-318-9967.
THE National First Division outfit, Maluti FET College FC, will criss-cross the Free State from 24 May until 8 June hosting a series of talent identification trials to recruit players. The trials are in line with the club’s plan to strengthen itself up for the new 2014-’15 football season which is expected to start in August this year. This is the only Free State team attached to a learning institution that campaigns in the professional rank. The club boasts of a blend of youthful players studying at the Qwaqwa-based Maluti FET College. The trials as planned by the club’s technical team led by Coach Morena Ramorebodi are set to start this Saturday in Wepener at the Louw Wepener
Stadium followed by 25 May at the Edenburg Stadium. The dates and venues where the recruitment trials will be held are as follows: 31 May in Parys at the Parys Stadium, 1 June in Botshabelo at the Kaizer Sebothelo Stadium and 7 and 8 June at the Phuthaditjhaba Stadium in Qwaqwa. The starting time of the trials at the venues will be from 08:00 till 17:00. The players interested to attend are advised to bring their attire, Identity Document, make their travelling and accommodation arrangements and must provide food for themselves. The trials are open for players between 17 and 27. For any information interested players can contact Monnanyane on 073-447-7163 or 072-267-3834 and Ntsoetsa on 083-898-9416.
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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2014
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Maluti now shift focus to future } Tladi Moloi MALUTI FET COLLEGE FC, a team campaigning in the National First Division (NFD), rose to prominence when they eliminated the Premiership giants Orlando Pirates in the last-16 leg of the lucrative Nedbank Cup series, hammering them 4-1 in February 2013. Inspired by their good run in the 2013 edition of the Nedbank Cup series, the Qwaqwa-based outfit went on to make their presence felt in the professional football ranks in the season that had just ended, ensuring they retained their status in the NFD. They are hoping to improve in the 2014-’15 season. They were promoted after they had lost 1-2 to Baroka FC in the Safa Second Division national promotional play-offs which were held on 28 July 2013 at the Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa. However, the rookies did not have a good season as they found themselves fighting at the bottom of the league to secure the licence to be in the same league for the following season. They finished 14th with 30 points in 30 games. They finished 7 and 12 point ahead of Roses United FC and Blackburn Rovers FC who were relegated to the Safa Second Division. Morena Ramorebudi, the team mentor, admitted that they did not have a good season at all. He said they had, however, learnt a lot and they were hoping for a better position next season. “We have learnt from our mistakes. We knew that the
‘We’ll make sure that we build a strong team to compete next season,’ – Morena Ramorebudi
MORENA RAMOREBUDI, the Maluti FET College FC team mentor.
Photo: Tladi Moloi
season would be tough, but personally I did not expect us to finish where we did. I wanted to finish in the top-eight,” he said. He said he was happy that in the end they had managed to secure the status for next season. “We know that if the team is not good enough for a certain league it will be relegated at the end of the season. We’ll make sure that we work hard to avoid fighting for relegation next season,” he said. Ramorebudi said they would make sure that they were better next season. “We’ll make sure that we build
a strong team to compete next season. We’ll be going around to look for young players to beef up the team. “I always say if we can be
promoted, we’ll produce players. So, we’ll take those inexperienced players and balance them with experience. “With that mix, something must
happen,” he said. He said the players were on holiday and they would be expected to report back for duty on 25 June.