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Residents blockade road Demand service delivery and replacement of bucket system } Sidwell Guduka THE community of MK1 Square in Bloemfontein blockaded Sengonzo Street in Phelindaba with burning tyres and rocks last week. They were furious about poor service delivery and the use of the bucket system in the area. The disgruntled protesters also claimed that sometimes the buckets were not collected for up to a month. One of the protesters, who asked to remain anonymous, said he disliked the government because they were failing to deliver their mandate. “I think the white government was much better than this government. “It is sad because these (the current government) are the people we voted into power. “We keep voting them into power, but they do not help us. They are failing to deliver,” the protester said. “There is no service delivery in our area. We want flushing toilets. “It is sad that we are still using a bucket system 20 years into democracy, and they have not been emptied for three weeks. “So, we decided to block this road to get the attention of the Mangaung Metro Municipality,” he said. “We are being ignored and we don’t know why. Are we not citizens of South Africa?” Thobeka, who, like other residents Express Eastern Free State spoke to in the same area, did not want to give her surname.
UP IN ARMS: MK1 residents blocked Sengonzo Street in Phelindaba with burning tyres and rocks. “We have been living here since 1994, but we don’t have water and toilets. “In fact, we only have one tap
in the whole area and there are more than 400 people living here. We want development, we have nothing,” she said.
) Express tried to obtain comment from Qondile Khedama, the Mangaung Metro Municipality’s spokesperson, but at the time of
Photo: Sidwell Guduka
going to print he had not yet responded to the questions the newspaper had emailed to him the previous week.
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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 6 AUGUST 2014
NEWS
Hlaudi pays his FS roots little heed } Selloane Khalane
ALINA MAHLABA lives with seven other people in a small house. They all depend on her pension.
Photos: Mlungisi Louw
WHILE Hlaudi Motsoeneng, chief operating officer (COO) of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), pockets a salary of R2,4 million, the woman who raised him lives in squalor and poverty in a rundown RDP house in Qwaqwa. The 90-year-old Alina Mahlaba, Motsoeneng’s aunt who raised him from the age of three, said she had raised Motsoeneng after his mother had abandoned him. Mahlaba lives with seven other family members in a dilapidated RDP house in the small village of Thaba-Bosiu in Qwaqwa. Being the only breadwinner of the household, Mahlaba said feeding eight people from her meagre pension grant was taking its toll on her. “The battle to put food on the table is a daily one,” she said. According to Mahlaba, Motsoeneng left home 19 years ago to look for a job after he had completed gr. 11. “I could no longer afford to pay for his school fees, so he couldn’t complete matric,” Mahlaba explained. Mahlaba said Motsoeneng had always been an ambitious person determined to succeed at any cost. Motsoeneng has been mired in controversy following a damning report by the Public Protector Thuli Madonsela earlier this year. Madonsela found Motsoeneng had lied about completing matric at the Metsimatsho High School in Qwaqwa. As dusk fell, Mahlaba scrambled for firewood in the surrounding area to keep the cold at bay in her
three-roomed, scantily furnished RDP home. The walls of the house are charred black by smoke from the open fire in a brazier. Despite the obvious poverty in the house, Mahlaba’s eyes gleamed with pride and sadness when she spoke of the man who now ran the SABC. “I carried him on my back when he was three years old,” Mahlaba said. She told Express Motsoeneng rarely came home due to his tight work schedule and could not hide her surprise when she heard of Motsoeneng’s hefty salary. Wearing worn-out sneakers and a threadbare jersey, Mahlaba said Motsoeneng had built a house for his mother and father although she was the one who had raised him. “I thank God for his achievements and I am happy that he has honoured his parents, but I feel like he has forgotten me.” Although she could not hide her sadness concerning her poor living conditions, she admitted that Motsoeneng gave her money from time to time. Mahlaba could not tell the newspaper with certainty when last she saw her nephew. With Motsoeneng battling to hold on to his position as the head of the SABC, Mahlaba was quick to defend her nephew and said Motsoeneng could not be persecuted because he had no matric certificate. “I raised Hlaudi under poor conditions but I did the best I could,” said Mahlaba, who then asked for any food and blanket donations.
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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 6 AUGUST 2014
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Women celebrated
FROM the left are Fortunate Mathonsi (learnership administrator of the South African Wildlife College), Azael Nhlapo (acting executive mayor of Maluti-a-Phofung), Teboho Litali (one of the three top students) and Msebenzi Zwane, the acting premier of Free State. Photo: Nkareng Moloi
Conservation graduates receive certificates } Nkareng Moloi
AS MANY as 22 nature conservation graduates were awarded certificates after they had completed their learnership programme. They received their certificates at a ceremony held at the Tshiya Resource Centre in Qwaqwa last Friday. The ten-month programme valued at R1,5 million, which was conducted by the South African Wildlife College (SAWC) in Mpumalanga, came as a result of a partnership between the Department of Economic Development, Tourism, Environmental Affairs and Small Business Development, the Culture, Arts,
Tourism, Hospitality, Sports, Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA) and SANParks. At the ceremony Msebenzi Zwane, the acting premier of the Free State, encouraged the graduates to use the skills they had gained to create jobs and not seek jobs. “We must realise one thing in life, we can’t all be employees. There must be employers. So, the decision lies with you (the graduate) whether you want to be a job seeker or creator. We have done our part to equip you with skills,” Zwane said. “Government has given you tools to uplift your families and
communities and it is up to you how you use what you have learned to be helpful to others,” he added. Teboho Litali, one of the top three students, expressed his delight with the certificate he had received. “I am so grateful to have benefited from this learnership programme. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity which every young person should have. I am really happy,” Litali said. “I want to thank the provincial government for having granted us this opportunity. I hope they will continue to empower young people in our province. I am ready to serve in the nature conservation sector,” Litali concluded.
SUSAN SHABANGU, the minister in the presidency responsible for women, has launched the 2014 National Women’s Month programme, which will see the building of almost 2 000 houses in each province. Shabangu, the minister of Women’s Affairs, spoke at the launch of Women’s Month and announced that the Department of Human Settlements would launch its annual Women’s Built Project, during which 1 956 houses would be built in each province. “This will be done through a partnership between the department and sector stakeholders such as South African Women in Construction,” Shabangu said. The 2014 National Women’s Month programme marks the coming together of women from across the African continent and the diaspora to launch one association, the Pan African Women’s Organisation. The month-long programme, which kicked off last Friday, will be held under the theme Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Women’s Charter and 20 Years of Freedom: Moving Women’s Agenda Forward. The sub-themes are: ) Equality – Recognising the need to address the historical imbalances between women and men in all spheres of life including the political, civic and social life. ) Non-discrimination and rights – Women’s rights are human rights and include rights to legal status, land,
property, inheritance, dignity and freedom of association. ) Socioeconomic empowerment – A focus on women’s education, health, access to productive resources (land, credit and employment, amongst others) and social infrastructure. ) Moving the women’s agenda forward – Reviewing progress made on women’s empowerment and gender equality over a 60-year period and charting the road map for women’s advancement, development and a better quality of life. Pres. Jacob Zuma will on Saturday deliver a keynote address during the National Women’s Day celebrations to be held in KwaZulu-Natal, where various South African artists will feature on the cultural programme, particularly to honour the resilience of women. In the last 20 years of freedom, the democratic government declared 9 August as Women’s Day to honour the role of women in the emancipation of South Africa. Shabangu said August was a special month for both men and women. “On 9 August, we remember and celebrate the resilience and vanguard of our women in fighting institutional racism and oppression. “This is not an ordinary public holiday – this is a day that has its roots in the committed and principled political activism of women who defied their personal circumstances to take up their rightful place in the struggle for freedom,” Shabangu said.
Kallis a great spirit JACQUES KALLIS recently announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket. “I realised in Sri Lanka that my dream of playing in a World Cup Tournament was a bridge too far,” said Kallis. “I knew on that tour that I was done. The squad that was in Sri Lanka is an amazing one and I believe they have a good chance of bringing the trophy home in March. I would like to thank Cricket South Africa (CSA), the team, team sponsors, my sponsors, fans and all the people who have been involved in my career. It has been an amazing journey. “I am not retiring from all cricket as I have a two-year contract with Sydney Thunder and, if possible, to help the Kolkata Knight Riders defend their IPL title.” Haroon Lorgat, chief executive of CSA, said: “South Africa has been blessed with one of the world’s greatest cricketing talents in Kallis. He is undeniably one of the greatest players ever to have graced our wonderful game and he has been the Proteas’ standard-bearer of excellence. “He has played a huge part in making cricket a truly national sport of winners and, in doing so, contributed much to the important process of nation building. He is a true professional and it has been an absolute privilege to have worked with him. “To say that we’ll miss him on the playing field is stating the obvious. On behalf of CSA and all our stakeholders, I would like to thank him for his huge contribution to cricket and wish him only the best as he moves on from the international playing arena.”
SASSA is a dynamic organisation that provides a range of essential services to a diverse group , of South Africans. With offices countrywide, our operational structures aspire to embrace all that is state-of-the-art, offices that are modern and an environment designed to stimulate the worker to achieve, enjoy, progress and prosper.
Internship Programme
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is inviting unemployed graduates, throughout South Africa, to apply for our Internship Programme. The following positions are available in Free State: Grants Administration (2 posts) (Qualification: Social Science/ Public Administration) (Ref No: SAS In-19) Legal Services (Qualification: National Diploma/B Tech/Legal Degree - LLB or B Proc) (Ref No: SAS In- 20) All applicants must be: between the ages of 18-35 years and be a South African citizen. Students who need Experiential Training. Studied at the recognized institution or higher learning in the Republic of South Africa. Successful candidates will be appointed on a 12 month internship contract. An all inclusive monthly stipend of R4200 will be paid for a National Diploma and R5200 for a Bachelors Degree. Important notes: Appointment will be subject to compulsory pre-employment screening in the form of qualification, ITC, criminal checks and compulsory competency assessment (where necessary). It is our intention to promote representivity in terms of race, gender, disability and youth through the filling of these posts and candidates whose appointment will promote representivity will receive preference. It is the applicant's responsibility to have foreign qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) prior to the selection process. SASSA is under no obligation to fill a post after the advertisement thereof. No faxed or e-mailed applications will be accepted. Closing date: 22 August 2014 Persons interested in applying for the following internships programme should send their application (s) form with motivation for placement, CV, recently certified copies of qualifications, academic transcript and ID including a signed z83) quoting the reference number to: Attention: Ms L Swanepoel. Postal address: Private Bag x 20553, Bloemfontein 9300. Hand delivery: African Life Building ,75 St Andrews street, Bloemfontein. Enquiries: Ms L Swanepoel on 051 410 8317. Failure to comply with the above will automatically disqualify candidates. Visit us at www.sassa.gov.za or toll free: 0800 60 10 11
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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 6 AUGUST 2014
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Mixed feelings over renaming } Nkareng Moloi THERE has been mixed reaction from Bluegumbosch residents regarding the renaming of their local stadium after controversial SABC chief operation officer (COO), Hlaudi Motsoeneng. Last week, the provincial geographical naming committee (PGNC) conducted a public hearing in the Bluegumbosch Stadium about the renaming of the stadium, over a 100 residents attended the hearing. The residents participated in the renaming of their stadium with the most popular names being that of Orlando Pirates chairman, Dr Irvan Khoza and Hlaudi Motsoeneng. Some of the residents were unhappy with the final decision, but the majority of residents who attended the hearing voted for Motsoeneng. Those who voted for the stadium to be named “Hlaudi Motsoeneng” said he was from Qwaqwa and was
flying the Qwaqwa flag. This is how they can appreciate his good work. Thabo Mazibuko, one of the residents who is happy about the renaming, said people must appreciate Hlaudi’s work. “We are very happy to have our stadium named after him. “He is wrongly accused, because he does not have the qualifications for his current position. This is a symbol of appreciation,” said Mazibuko. Earlier this year, public protector Thuli Madonsela, discovered that Motsoeneng had lied about his qualifications when he was hired as the public broadcaster’s COO and he gave himself a massive salary increase without following proper procedures. Mantwa Motloung, one of the unhappy residents, shared her frustration. “I am not happy, Hlaudi did nothing for the community of Qwaqwa. We have people who
contributed in sport like Mike Mokoena and the late Jabu Khumalo, not Hlaudi,” Motloung said. Msebenzi Zwane, the acting premier, said he was happy with the name. “I am happy, because our people are appreciating what they have and Hlaudi is from Qwaqwa. “The stadium will be named the Hlaudi Motsoeneng Stadium. This is a democratic country. People are making decisions. That means they are governing,” said Zwane. In a statement that was released by the DA shortly after the announcement, the party’s provincial leader, Patricia Kopane, said she would write to Arts and Culture MEC Mathabo Leeto to propose that the Bluegumbosch Stadium be renamed after Dr K.P.D. Maphalla, a renowned Sotho writer. “Dr Maphalla was born and raised near the stadium in Bluegumbosch. He contributed to the Sotho language and culture and is loved by the community.”
RENAMED: The Bluegumbosch Stadium is to be named after controversial SABC chief operation officer, Hlaudi Motsoeneng.
Photo: Nkareng Moloi
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Request for Proposals: Bid Number: FDC 04/2014/04
Perimeter Fence and Control Gates – Industriqwa Industrial Estate: Harrismith Free State Development Corporation hereby invites bids for the Perimeter Fence and Control Gates – Industriqwa Industrial Estate: Harrismith. Compulsory clarification meeting: Harrismith Testing Centre, No 1 Lindley Street, Harrismith on 12 August 2014 at 12:00. Closing date: 22 August 2014 at 10:00. Bid box: Free State Development Corporation, 33 Kellner Street, Westdene, Bloemfontein. Supply chain enquiries: Technical enquiries:
Eugene Ntsane at 051 400 0832. Mzwakhe Shoba at 082 598 0100.
Acceptable bids will be evaluated by using a system that awards points on the basis of financial offer, functionality and preferences, as set out in the bid document. The bid will be evaluated in terms of: 90/10 PREFERENCE POINT SCORING SYSTEM Price 90 points BEE 10 points Total 100 points The compulsory clarification meeting will be on 12 August 2014 at 12:00. Bid documents will be available from the FDC offices in Tshiame, corner of Amanda & Delange Streets, Industriqwa, Harrismith and the FDC offices in Bloemfontein, upon proof of payment of the non-refundable document fee of R1000-00 per set (NO CASH WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR BID DOCUMENTS – ONLY PROOF OF ELECTRONIC FUND TRANSFERS WILL BE ACCEPTED). ABSA, Branch 630 734, Account No 0102-100-1771, REFERENCE NUMBER FDC 04/2014/04. Bids are to be completed in accordance with the conditions and bid rules contained in the bid documents and supporting documents must be sealed and externally endorsed with THE CONTRACT NUMBER AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION and placed in the bid box indicated above before the closing time and date. All bids shall hold good for 120 days as from the closing date.
GENERAL & HOME SERVICES
Bidders’ attention is specifically drawn to the provisions of the bid rules that are included in the bid documents. The lowest or any bid will not necessarily be accepted and the FDC reserves the right not to consider any bid not suitably endorsed or comprehensively completed, as well as the right to accept a bid in whole or part. Bids completed in pencil will be regarded as invalid bids. Bids may only be submitted on the documentation provided by the FREE STATE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
MISCELLANEOUS
The following information must be submitted together with the bid document: BEE Status Level Verification Certificates, Company Profile, Valid Tax Clearance Certificate and CIDB certificate indicating class grading of 7GB PE, 7CE PE or 8SQ, or higher. Bids (1st Envelope only) will be opened at 10:00 on Friday 22 August 2014, in public, at FDC House, 33 Kellner Street, Westdene, Bloemfontein. FDC reserves the right to reject any bid and all Bids at any time. 8868
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FOR ALL TOMBSTONES and repairs to damaged tombstones, as well as epitaphs, etc. Phone 058 303 4840. BHM.
EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 6 AUGUST 2014 7
NEWS
No confirmed Ebola cases in SA SOUTH AFRICA has no confirmed cases of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVB), the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said on Friday. The virus, which has reportedly killed around 700 people in the West African countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, was first discovered in 1976. From 1976 to 1980 there were sporadic outbreaks. From 1980 to 1994, the virus disappeared. “Since 1994, we’ve seen an increase in the number of Ebola outbreaks and most recently in 2007 a new virus was discovered in Uganda. “Since 1976 until now, there was a total of 23 large outbreaks. This is worrying,” said Prof. Janusz Paweska, head of the Centre for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases at the NICD. As to where the virus is hiding, Paweska said recent stud-
ies that had been undertaken, including the catching of various animals, had found that it was most likely in bats, particularly fruit bats. “It is maintained in the bat population and the bats in turn transfer it to other animals like forest antelopes and spread it to humans,” he said. In Central Africa, it is common for people to hunt bats, which become available as culinary dishes sold at markets. The NICD stressed that the virus was not airborne and that real close unprotected contact was needed to contract the virus. The virus is spread through exposure to bodily fluids. NICD executive director, Prof. Shabir Madhi, said the outbreak was a localised one. “To put it into context, what we’re dealing with is a very localised outbreak in
certain regions of the world. “One of the driving forces behind that outbreak is the interface between humans and animals and cultural practices,” said Madhi. South Africa’s climatic conditions do no favour the outbreak of Ebola. Madhi said that Ebola would be present in the country through an imported case, which would not affect the general public. “Such a case will be imported. We are not going to have a sporadic outbreak in South Africa. “People who are going to be at risk from that imported case are not the general public, but (will be) health-care workers that will need to deal with that individual,” said Madhi. There is no reason for the country to close its borders. Prof. Lucille Blumberg, the head of the division for public health surveillance
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and response at the NICD, said the symptoms of the virus were not specific, but included fever and vomiting. “If it’s a foreign national with confirmed Ebola, South Africa at the moment will not be accepting them. “That is the policy. If a patient is trans-
ferred to South Africa – whether it is a South African or foreign national – and there is an unknown diagnosis and (there is a suspected case of Ebola), they will admit the patient, run tests and the patient will be cared for,” said Blumberg. – SAnews.gov.za
‘People who are going to be at risk from that imported case are not the general public, but (will be) health care workers that will need to deal with that individual,’ – NICD executive director, Prof. Shabir Madhi
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EASTERN FREE STATE
SA athletes flex their muscles THREE of South Africa’s best Varsity Sport competition athletes have won medals in Glasgow in the last few days. The University of Johannesburg athletes Zarck Visser and Rushwal Samaai took silver and bronze respectively in the long jump, and the University of the Free State’s Wayde van Niekerk took silver in the 400 m. These remarkable achievements prove that Varsity Sport is a world-class platform for South African sports talent. Now in its 84th year, the Commonwealth Games (formerly known as the British Empire Games and the British Commonwealth Games), is an international multi-sports event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The games are the third largest multi-sports event in the world after the Olympic Games and the Asian Games. Samaai’s 8,08 m leap propelled him into third place behind the Olympic British champion Greg Rutherford, who is five years his senior, and his teammate Zarck Visser who took silver. Commenting on his achievement, Samaai said: “It’s a huge breakthrough in my career. I’m only 22.” Guy Loxton, Varsity Sport marketing executive, added: “Often it is about the opportunity we give athletes like Samaai to excel, and the resultant recognition they receive. Varsity Sport is enabling promising young athletes to take on greater challenges.” Visser reinforced his teammate’s assertion: “It really was a great breakthrough. I told ‘Rush’ that qualifying was the most important thing. “Once you’re in the final, the fun really begins. “I know what talent I have and I think I could have gotten gold,
but tonight I had to settle for silver. Now we have to work towards winning gold and silver at next month’s African Championships in Morocco.” Now a third-year Transport Management student at UP-Tuks, Visser holds the varsity athletics record for long jump. He was ranked first in South Africa and fifth in the world in 2013. Wayde van Niekerk’s magnificent performance in the 400 m final won him the silver medal, with the Olympic champion Kirani James from Grenada taking gold and setting a new Commonwealth Games record. The 22-year-old Van Niekerk finished in 44.68 seconds, just ahead of Lalonde Gordon of Trinidad and Tobago. Shortly after his race Van Niekerk commented: “It was tough. I had a fast start because I know the first 200 m is my forte and I also know that Kirani has a very strong finish. “My goal was to place in the top three. It was close though, and I could hear Gordon coming up on my inside. “I had to kind of dive across the finish line. “I think the fact that I ran the 200 m first round this morning helped a bit because it loosened up my legs. “Now I’m looking ahead to the African Championships. It is great to win my first Commonwealth Games medal. I feel that a door has now been opened for me.” Van Niekerk, a third-year BA Marketing student at the University of the Free State), participated at all the Varsity Sport athletics events this year. He went on to achieve second place in the 400 m at a Diamond League event in New York, breaking the 15-year-old South African record.
‘Now I’m looking ahead to the African Championships. It’s great to win my first C o m m o nwe a l t h G a m e s medal. I feel that a door has n o w o p e n e d f o r m e .’ – Wayde van Niekerk
WAYDE VAN NIEKERK
Photo: Supplied