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From dream to reality
One man’s dedication motivates others to help build churches
} Tladi Moloi SENEKAL. – To some people dreams do not really matter, but this is not the case with Sello “Dada” Mofokeng – he is living his dream. Five years ago, Dada, from Matwabeng near Senekal, had a dream. According to him, he dreamt of building ten churches after he had won the Lotto. After he had woken up, he looked into the matter and started a project – this project was to build those churches he had dreamt about. “I was honestly gambling,” Mofokeng says. “I stopped after that dream. I then looked at the ways of making that dream a reality.” Mofokeng has built four churches thus far and that means there are six more to come. This ambitious, humble man is a leader at the Uniting Reformed Church of Southern Africa, but he decided to build the churches for the Apostolic Church. “If you check, those are the churches that never had the privilege of being awarded money in the past years, but they kept going. Most of their buildings are shacks and I want to change that.” Mofokeng and his team of strong men, Thabiso Ramatsa, Tseko Mofokeng and Mokhane Nthoroane, are now building the walls of the fourth church, the Khopoltso Apostolic Faith Mission Church of Africa, in Matwabeng. Express Eastern Free State was told that this church has been without a decent building for about 15 years. Mofokeng says all the churches where built in Mandela Month, because he has turned it into his dedication to giving 67 minutes. On Friday, the day when the world
was celebrating the late former president Nelson Mandela’s birthday by reaching out to the community for 67 minutes, people from Matwabeng came together to help build the church. Most importantly, it was also Mofokeng’s birthday. Even the traffic officers forgot about their daily work of giving fines to misbehaving drivers and helped in building the church. “We took some money from our salaries and asked for donations for this church to be built. We had challenges before, but as time goes on, God sends people with golden hearts to help us.” Mofokeng says Serame Letsoaka, assistant coach of Bafana Bafana, bought bricks for them, while Charles Taetsane, the municipal manager at the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality, helped with bags of cement. “After they had donated these, the problem was who would build for us, because obviously whoever would come, would charge us. “We then approached the management of the Kroonstad Prison to help us with inmates who could build for us. Through the help of Nthoroane, we got them and they are now assisting us.” Pastor Mathetsi Mofokeng of the Khopoltso Apostolic Faith Mission Church of Africa says he cannot wait for the church to be completed, because they have been congregating in a shack for a long time. “I am happy that these people came in numbers to help. Some members of the congregation had to stand outside the shack, but that problem looks like it will be something of the past. I wish God to give them power every hour to help others,” he said. ) Visit express-news.co.za for more interviews and a video.
SETSOTO LOCAL MUNICIPALITY TRAFFIC OFFICERS from Senekal join the community in helping to build the Khopoltso Apostolic Faith Mission Church of Africa as part of Mandela Day celebrations. LEFT: From the left are Thabiso Ra matsa, provincial principal inspec tor of the traffic department, Tse ko Mofokeng, road safety princi pal, and Sello "Dada" Mofokeng, senior superintendent at the traf fic department, the men behind the good story of helping to build churches. Photos: Tladi Moloi
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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 23 JULY 2014
NEWS
Bikers help to give back } Tladi Moloi
MEMBERS of the Free State Bikers, representatives of Gift of the Givers and beneficiaries during the recent donation which was made at the Mapenyadira Hall in Meqheleng, Ficksburg. Photo: Tladi Moloi
‘I was born in Senekal and doing something for them was a good thing. I am happy that they allowed me to come here and do something for the community.’ – Fokane Tukele
FICKSBURG. – Gift of the Givers, in partnership with the Free State Bikers, donated eight wheelchairs, 250 blankets and food parcels to the community of Meqheleng, Ficksburg, and Matwabeng, Senekal. The donation was made at the Mapenydira Hall in Ficksburg on Saturday. The day started with the bikers’ convoy in town to the hall where the official programme was conducted. Fokane Tukele, a representative of Gift of the Givers, said the reason they had made the donation was that they wanted to have a hand in the 67 minutes for Mandela Day. He said they also aimed to change the mentality of people who thought bikers were hooligans who bullied people on the roads. “The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) helped us in identifying the beneficiaries. It was not the first time that we made a donation in the Setsoto Local Municipality. The first event was held at Marquard and Senekal,” he said. He said they gave back in Setsoto, because he wanted to do something for the community he grew up in. “I was born in Senekal and doing something for them was a good thing. I am happy that they allowed me to come here and do something for the community,” he said. “I am overwhelmed with the donation. I wish God will give them power to do more and help other people,” said Hoseng Letima (74), one of the beneficiaries from Meqeleng. “I wish they could always help us, but I know that is not possible as they have to help others.”
Donation vital for project } Tladi Moloi QWAQWA. – The Masebonisaneni Sonke Project, in conjunction with Eskom, donated food parcels, clothes and blankets to the victims of electricity flow inconsistency in the Maluti-a-Phofung (MAP) Local Municipality. The donations were handed over to four families on Tuesday at the municipal headquarters. According to Collen Charlie, the project manager, the beneficiaries were those people who had lost some of their belongings during the electricity catastrophe in Qwaqwa. It is alleged that the ongoing problem of electricity going on and off in the local municipality had resulted in damaging the electric supply in some of the villages, while it is alleged that other people had lost houses as they were damaged by fires. Charlie said they came on board after they were approached by the municipality to help the families. He said since that has been their role for a long time, they never
hesitated to assist, but asked for Eskom to help them. “We approached the Eskom branch in Harrismith after we had been invited to help. They never turned us down, but offered a helping hand. They gave us ten blankets, because we understand that some people might have lost their blankets,” he said. It was not the first time that this NGO from Harrismith has lent a helping hand to the community. They have done it on several occasions and Charlie declared that they would keep on doing it. “I want to thank the NGO and Eskom. It is a good thing when we work together and that will help in giving services to our people,” said Vusi Tshabalala, the executive mayor of MAP. The mayor said they would love to work with NGO’s in future and added that their relationship with Eskom would be improved. “People have always thought Eskom was only interest in electricity and will now witness that it could also help people.”
FROM the left are Margi Charlie, senior supervisor of Eskom in Harrismith, Mamosebetsi Tsotetsi, Lepekola Raputsoane, portfolio manager of Eskom in Harrismith, Mapene Mokoe na, Mantwa Mokoena, Collen Charlie, Masebonisaneni Sonke, project manager, and Vusi Tshabalala, executive mayor of the MalutiaPhofung Municipality. Photo: Tladi Moloi Lepekola Raputsoane, the portfolio manager of Eskom in Harrismith, said they were happy to be part of making the donation and added that they were always available to assist where they were needed.
Neo Motaung (33), one of the beneficiaries, said he was happy with the donation. “They gave us food parcels and blankets and they have promised to come back with more,” he said.
WINNER: Nyatso Lekhoaba from Qwaqwa is the winner of the Ex press Eastern Free State Youth Day competition. He won R250 in price money. Photo: Adelina Mokoena
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NEWS
Church chooses finalists } Thabo Mokoena QWAQWA. – Nthabiseng Tsotetsi and Malefetsane Mokoena are the new Miss and Mr Tyrannus Apostolic Church. The duo will represent Qwaqwa in the finals which will be held from 8 to 10 August in the Botshabelo Stadium in Bloemfontein where the overall winners will be chosen. The contest was held in several towns and all the winners will compete in Botshabelo. Tsotetsi and Mofokeng won the round in Boiketlo Village, Qwaqwa, and this was their ticket to the next stage of the competition. The contest is aimed at developing talent at
FROM the left are, front: Esther Tsotetsi (first princess), Nthabiseng Tsotetsi (queen) and Thande ka Tshabalala (sec ond princess); back: Thabo Mofokeng (first prince), Malefet sane Mokoena (king) and Danone Khum alo (second prince).
For more news and photos go to www.expressnews.co.za
Photo: Thabo Mokoena
the church. There were many activities on the day with the youth taking part in drama, aerobics and dancing. Danone Khumalo, one of the contestants, said he was happy to be a winner and added that he had not expected it. “I never thought there would be a party in a church but today I saw it happen,” he said. He said he was happy to worship God in a different way. “I encourage the youth to stop going around searching for ‘fun’ things to do that are not good for them. They must rather gather at church with other youngsters and worship God,” he said.
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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 23 JULY 2014
NEWS
MICHAEL MOFOKENG
MANY sangoma initiates flock to the Nkokomohi Caves in Ficksburg, some even stay there permanently.
Sangoma – a heavy cross to bear
} Selloane Khalane “THOKOZA GOGO,” he greets in a crouching position, his skin smeared in red ochre, adorning his red and white sangoma (traditional healer) attire Fusi Khumalo (24) starts chanting to the sound of the African drum. “Thongo lam liyavuma, Thongo lam liyavuma”, (My ancestors are with me, my ancestors are with me) he chants in Zulu while stamping his feet. Khumalo, originally from Qwaqwa, says the chant evokes the ancestors and asks God to lead the way into the spirit world. He is one of the many sangoma initiates who flock to the Nkokomohi Caves, located on the outskirts of Ficksburg, to speak to their ancestors and learn their skills. The area is considered sacred and is known as Badimong, Mautse or Nkokomohi, meaning to “rise up like smoke”, a reference to the spirits of the ancestors. Mautse means “holy waters”. Khumalo says his spiritual journey began at the young age of eight, when he was plagued by dreams and visions of his ancestors. Following much resistance to succumb to his calling, Khumalo fell ill throughout his teenage life until he decided to yield to his ministry. “When you are young your flesh tends to speak louder than your spirit, my journey has not been easy,” Khumalo explains. The beautiful valleys with numerous cliff overhangs at Nkokomohi have different spiritual connotations. As dusk approaches, the scent of imphepho (Helichrysum petiolare), fills the many huts nestled in the caves. Traditional healers and herbalists believe they summon the ancestors by burning sacred plants like imphepho. The sound of flowing water seeping from one of the caves fondly called “University”, where sangomas pass on the knowledge of the ancestors to those called to
FUSI KHUMALO inside the Nkokomuhi Caves in Ficksburg. serve, cloaks the dwelling in tranquillity. The springs are littered with coins left by the many people who flock to the springs to drink the water believed to have healing powers. Letters and Bibles left by people going to the caves to seek spiritual intervention from God and the ancestors can be found throughout most of the caves. A short walk from the University will lead you to a cliff called Maseyeng, meaning “Children’s Cave”. This cave has been earmarked to help barren women to conceive.
Across the stream from Maseyeng, lies “Jerusalem”, a cave used by those following the apostolic faith system. Jerusalem has the most spiritual initiates wearing red cloaks bearing white crosses on the back. When night falls the shapes and colours worn into the walls of the caves of Jerusalem dance to the hum of the voices and the beat of the drums belted by its inhabitants. An enchanting ritual practised every evening is to meditate. While the owls hoot and the jackals howl at the moon, Michael Mofokeng (49) says those dwelling
at the caves are not allowed to hunt the animals that live amongst them with the exception of an instruction from the ancestors. Mofokeng has been living in the caves for five years. “This valley is the place to honour your ancestors and to dwell on matters of the spirit,” Mofokeng says. For harmony between the living and the dead, vital for a troublefree life, traditional healers believe that the ancestors must be shown respect through ritual and animal sacrifice. Traditional healers will often
give their patients muti – medications made from plant, animals and minerals –imbued with spiritual significance. These muti often have powerful symbolism; for example, lion fat might be prepared for children to promote courage. There are medicines for everything from physical and mental illness, social disharmony and spiritual difficulties to potions for protection, love and luck. Mofokeng explains the significance of the throng of dassies, called pela in Sesotho, idling throughout the area. Not shy of human interaction, the dassies are believed to be a good omen of the presence of the ancestors. Mofokeng says the peaceful surroundings can be deceiving. “Like any other community jealousy and witchcraft do prevail among some of these mud huts,” Mofokeng echoes in deep thought. We trudge uphill through the sun-scorched golden fields to a waterfall called Dipororong. Here, water falls over a cliff throughout the year. The waterfall is believed to have cleansing abilities and a power to enhance one’s calling. Following a short prayer at the waterfall, we throw caution to the wind and bask under the cold water shower. One cannot help but embrace the simplicity and beauty of creation. With no network reception, life for the community of Nkokomohi has no fancy frills. From sunrise traditional healers are occupied with various tasks from collecting firewood for cooking to cleaning the respective caves. There are several areas of prayer where you can respectfully light candles and leave tokens of food for the spirits to consume. The caves are overwhelmed with local and international visitors curious of the simple life many have long abandoned. “I did not choose this life, it chose me, it is my cross to bear,” Mofokeng concludes.
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NEWS
Officer shot dead in robbery QWAQWA. – WO Tomolane Ishmael Moloi (48), a police officer of Phuthaditjhaba’s K9 Unit, was shot and killed by four suspects during a robbery at Marakong Village in Qwaqwa on Thursday. He was responding to the alleged robbery at a business owned by a foreigner in which a son of the shop owner was also assaulted by the assailants. It is alleged that a security guard working at a Bangladeshi shop saw four people attempting to break into the business before he phoned the police. Sgt. Mmako Mophiring said when the
police arrived at the shop the suspects fled the scene. “A few hours later, at about 01:50, the suspects allegedly returned to the shop and managed to break into the shop. “The security guard phoned Moloi, the K9 Unit police officer, who resided a few metres from the shop. “The police officer walked from his home to the shop after he had received the phone call. “Moloi was found dead with a bullet wound in the forehead. He died instantly on the scene,” said Mophiring.
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NEWS
THE community of Matwabeng in Senekal who helped to build the Khopoltso Apostolic Faith Mission Church of Africa.
Community shows heart } Tladi Moloi PEOPLE from across the country gave their time in celebration of Mandela Day on Friday by doing community work as part of the 67 minutes of Mandela Day. This is how some of the people celebrated it in the Eastern Free State. KESTELL. – The ANC Phaksmankahlama branch in Kestell celebrated the day by painting the walls of the Thlolong Care of the Aged Luncheon Club as well as cleaning the place. MAP Water also offered their helping hand by donating a Jojo tank. BETHLEHEM. – The Matswapitseng non-profit organisation visited Selahliwe, an informal settlement in Bohlokong in Bethlehem, to
donate clothes to the needy families. BETHLEHEM. – The office of the executive mayor of the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality had a long line-up for the day. The day started in the Bethlehem Town Hall where the comrades were briefed. They then visited the two hospitals in town, Dihlabeng Regional Hospital and Phekolong Hospital. They ended the day with a birthday party and distribution of food parcels on Omdraai Farm. SENEKAL. – The community of Matwabeng in Senekal and the Setsoto traffic officers came together in helping to build the Khopoltso Apostolic Faith Mission Church of Africa as part of the 67 minutes of the Mandela Day.
Photos: Tladi Moloi
THE ANC Phaksmankahlama branch in Kestell after they had painted the walls of the Thlolong Care of the Aged Luncheon Club.
SOME of the people from the office of the executive mayor of the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality cleaning at the Dihlabeng Regional Hospital.
FROM left are Tjetane Mofokeng (executive mayor of the Dihlabeng Local Municipality), Samson Mofokeng, David Mokoena, Moitswadi Mofokeng, Masao Mokoena, Lekhokolo Mofokeng and Thabang Labane with the clothes that they donated to the Selahliwe com munity.
EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 23 JULY 2014 7
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WIRED: Sibanye Golden Stars twin strikers Tsita Mokhakoane and Vuyo Ntakakase, who are instrumental in their team’s success provincially, will spearhead their team at the promotional playoffs.
Team cleared
} Teboho Setena
The Bloemfontein-based team was among the four THE Sibanye Golden clubs that were favoured Stars have been cleared to win the provincial of any wrong-doing championships. The regarding the improper contestants included registration of two Super Eagles from players – giving them the Bethlehem and Bloemfongreen light to compete at tein Young Tigers and the national promotional Stars who pulled all the play-offs. stops in the hotly The South African contested league champiFootball Association’s onship. (Safa) national discipliThe final log updated nary committee and nationally by Safa appeals board found the showed that Bubchu Goldfields team not guilty finished the season in on the charge of alleged third position on 52 improper registration of points and Stars in first two players, Joseph position with 59 points. Molete and Thabiso Bethlehem-based team Ntseki. Eagles came in second on The charge of miscon53 points while Young duct to field improperly Tigers settled for fourth registered players came spot with 43 points. after the BloemfonteinUnder the leadership of based side Bubchu United the coach Samuel “Ace” had lodged a complaint Mpakane Stars are now with the association, gearing up for the alleging Ntseki and national promotional Molete had been impropplay-offs to be staged in erly registered. The two Durban from 21 to 27 players featured in Stars’ July. The Free State return leg league match champions will be among against Bubchu. the nine teams from the Klip Moremi, Safa nine provinces that will UPBEAT: Samuel “Ace” Mpakane, coach of Sibanye Gold be vying for promotion to competitions coordinator en Stars. Photos: Teboho Setena for the Free State, said the professional National the case against Stars First Division League at Stars registered Ntseki and Molete had been dismissed by the associathe promotional play-offs in Durban. from their local rivals Welkom Stars Only two clubs will be promoted tion’s national disciplinary commitduring the registration period from tee and the appeals board on the and Mpakane hopes his team January ending February during basis that Bubchu had not followed succeeds. which teams were allowed to the grievance procedure to the If promoted, Stars will be the only register players. letter. He said the aggrieved club team from the Goldfields to camHowever, their former team had failed to lodge a protest during paign in the professional league Welkom United allegedly decided to their league fixture against Stars, when the new 2014-’15 season withhold the two players’ identity and had waited until the league commences in August. cards against their will to deny competition had finished to lodge “Despite the dispute disturbing them a chance to join rivals Stars. their complaint. our programme, we are going to It emerged that the two players The dispute was dismissed at the fight tooth and nail to ensure we were given clearance by one of first hearing on 28 June by the gain promotion. We want to achieve Welkom United’s officials with association’s disciplinary committee. the dream of having a professional signatory powers and that Stars Bubchu was granted leave to appeal team in the Goldfields region that informed Safa that the players’ and the team did so. However, the will change the lives of the youth in identity cards were being withheld appeals board dismissed the case the region. by Welkom United. with costs at the hearing on 3 July. “We don’t have a professional The dismissal means Bubchu will Stars were found not guilty of team here in the region and with us have to pay the costs of the appeals being in contravention of the Safa promoted it’s going to make a hearing, including the travel uniform rules and regulations, in difference to promote football. We expenses of Stars. particular rule 24.2.6 and 24.2.10 to are relying on the support of the The outcome of the dispute has field illegitimate players. If found locals in our mission,” said Mpadealt Bubchu a double blow. Not guilty, the club would have been kane. only were they beaten by Stars in charged for bringing the game, Safa His confidence has been boosted the boardroom, but also on the field and its sponsors into disrepute. Safa by the fact that he has an injuryin contention for the Free State would also have docked Stars points free team to compete at the promosecond division title. as part of the punishment. tional play-offs.
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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 23 JULY 2014
Play-offs start THE winner between Dikwena and Academy will compete for promotion against other regional winners: Days (Lejweleputswa), Lazio (Mangaung Metro), Roots United (Xhariep) and Avalon
EASTERN FREE STATE (Fezile Dabi). The provincial play-offs are set to start on Friday and end on Sunday in Welkom where the teams representing the five regions will compete for promotion to Safa’s second division league.
ON the war path: The Free State Development Academy players in red against Rhino FC will hope to help their team to beat Dikwena FC, a team from Qwaqwa, when they lock horns today in the Safa Thabo Mofutsanyana SAB regional league interstreams playoffs in the Platberg Stadium in Harrismith.
New twist in dispute drama } Tladi Moloi BETHLEHEM. – There is a new twist in the drama of disputes involving amateur clubs in the South African Football Association (Safa) Thabo Mofutsanyana South African Breweries League. This is after Dikwena FC was declared the winner of Stream A in the boardroom, giving them the ticket to compete against Free State Development Academy, winner of Stream B, at the region’s inter-stream play-offs to determine the overall winner. The two teams, Academy and Dikwena, will lock horns today in the Platberg Stadium in Harrismith to decide the overall winner of the Thabo Mofutsanyana league. Kick-off is at 15:00. Initially, Dla2 FC were the winners of Stream A, waiting for the outcome of a dispute between Academy (a development outfit of the Premier League team Free State Stars) and FK FC. The bitter dispute involving Academy and FK apparently
regarded a transgression of the rule by FK to not field the required number of u.21 players in a league fixture against the Ladybrand-based Manyatseng United Brothers. It is alleged that FK were in contradiction of the rule. The Safa national disciplinary committee has ruled in favour of Academy in this matter. Dla2 FC were assured of a spot at the inter-stream play-offs but got a major surprise to find out that Dikwena had other ideas as they had lodged a complaint against Dla2, claiming the club fielded a defaulter. According to Dimakatso Mokoena, the region’s competitions coordinator, Dikwena will go to the inter-streams play-offs after the region’s disciplinary committee ruled in their favour, thus finding Dla2 in transgression of the rule. She also pointed out that they knew nothing about an appeal by FK. “Dikwena lodged a complaint against Dla2 who were the winners of the stream. That
complaint was about a defaulter which was used by Dla2 in two games. Apparently they used a certain player who was suspended for two matches after being sent off. Dla2 won a case in the region and the appeal board but went on to lose it in arbitration,” she said. Mokoena confirmed that Academy were the winners of Stream B after FK had lost the case. She said FK had the right to appeal nationally (Safa national disciplinary committee). “But they delayed to appeal,” she said. “We have spoke to the national Safa office to find out if there was an appeal. However, they told us they had not received an appeal from the team from Senekal. As things stand, we have to produce a winner that will represent us at the provincial play-offs this coming weekend,” she said. Mokoena said they were instructed by Safa national to start a case involving FK and duly did so. “However, FK lost the case for the second time,” said Mokoena.