Expressqq 20141217

EASTERN FREE STATE

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WEDNESDAY 17 DECEMBER

2014

FREE

Still on the run

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Maseko wanted on assault charges } Tladi Moloi

NKOSANA MASEKO is being sought by the South African Police Service (SAPS).

BETHLEHEM. – Nkosana Maseko, the former Bloemfontein Celtic and Golden Arrows goal minder, is still hiding.

He is wanted by the police for two charges of assault common and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to his wife, Mpho Maseko (31).

Maseko, who hails from Baken Park near Bethlehem, has been on the run since August. It was alleged that Maseko stabbed his wife with a knife on Friday, 8 August, at the Dihlabeng municipal headquarters and fled afterwards.

The wife was rushed to the Mediclinic Hoogland soon after the incident, but Express Eastern Free State has reliably been informed that she is now back at work and is fine.

Sgt Mmako Mophiring, police spokesperson, told Express EFS that Nkosana had not been arrested yet.

“He said the police were still looking for

‘We must find him. We can’t just let him go like that. It is just unfortunate that we haven’t heard any­ thing from the community regarding his wherea­ b o u t s .’ – S g t M m a k o Mophiring him.

“We must find him. We can’t just let him go like that.

“It is just unfortunate that we haven’t heard anything from the community regarding his whereabouts,” he said.

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE would like to thank all its readers and advertisers for sharing 2014 with the newspaper.

This is the last issue for 2014. The first edition for the new year will be available on 14 January 2015. The office will reopen on 5 January 2015. We wish you a merry Christmas and prosperous new year.

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2

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 17 DECEMBER 2014

NEWS

Harrismith under fire Susan Maré THE proposed name change of Harrismith to Intabazwe has been announced through an advertisement placed in the media. For life-long ratepayers who helped to build this beautiful town at the foothills of old Platberg it is unsettling news.

According to Henk Badenhorst, DA councillor of the Maluti-aPhofung Municipality (MAP), legislation requires that at least 14 days be given for the public to comment or raise objection to such a proposal. In this case people have one day to do so.

This makes the current process illegal in terms of the legislation.

Badenhorst says legislation also states that a place cannot be named after a place which already exists. The proposal is to rename Harrismith to the adjacent Intabazwe.

In 2005 there was also a proposal for a name change. It was rejected by the whole community of the greater Harrismith who drew up a petition containing almost 3 000 names.

Badenhorst says the name Harrismith is in no way offensive and has no apartheid connotation. The town was established in

the 1800’s, while Intabazwe was established as an apartheid dormitory township in the mid-1900’s. Most residents of Intabazwe use the name Harrismith in their postal address and they argue that this is a smokescreen to draw attention away from the service delivery failures.

Furthermore, Badenhorst says, Harrismith is a name recognised worldwide by tourists who use the town as a halfway stop between Gauteng and KwaZuluNatal, or en route to the World Heritage Site of the Drakensberg.

“It is most disturbing that it again appears the intention is to change the name of the second oldest town in the Free State without the community being fully informed,” says Badenhorst.

“A name change will destroy the struggling tourism industry in the town and would cause an enormous financial burden on the already bankrupt municipality.

“The name change will involve an immense cost implication. It is untimely to sign something like this off on residents at the end of the year without proper notice.

The financial situation of the MAP does not allow such a change,” says Gerhard van Wyk, an attorney from Harrismith.

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BETHLEHEM. – Malefu Vilakazi, the executive mayor of the Thabo Mofutsanya District Municipality, says she is happy with the progress made in helping the families who suffered losses in the hail and storm that hit Bohlokong near Bethlehem recently. The district municipality mayor came forward with her recently launched programme of helping the victims with roofs after many roofs had been blown off by the strong wind.

Two months ago a strong wind storm that only lasted about 15 minutes left over a 100 families without roofs and caused extensive damage to residential properties.

After the incident the local

municipality of Dihlabeng assisted the victims with tents and tarpaulins to cover their houses.

Vilakazi, who recently visited the victims to check the progress after they had appointed a contractor to fix 109 houses, says she would like to see all the houses finished before Christmas.

“I am happy with the progress that has been made. About 40% of the work has been done.

However, I have requested the contractor to move fast, because we want all the victims to be in proper houses before Christmas,” she says.

She says they have reached an agreement with her co-workers to donate and put a ceiling in one of the houses, because the owner is old and he is not

working.

Vilakazi says 111 houses were affected, but after an audit they found that some people have managed to fix their houses themselves.

“While we were still going around we found that there was an RDP house in Ward 9 which had no roof. I requested the contractor to construct a roof for us without charging the municipality and he agreed. We thank him for that,” she says.

Pita Lerata (58) says he is overwhelmed with what the government has done for him. “I was frustrated after the storm and I did not know what to do. I am still recovering from the shock. The big question on my mind was who would fix the house for me,” he says.

‘About 40% of the work has been done. However, I have requested the contractor to move fast, because we want all the victims to be in proper houses before Christmas.’ – Malefu Vilakazi

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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 17 DECEMBER 2014 3

NEWS

Rapist sent to jail

Centre proud of new home BETHLEHEM. – The Phedisang Bana Centre for the Disabled has a new premises, a home they can proudly call their own.

The home is the result of hard work, commitment and passion that moved benefactors to open their hearts and wallets.

The occasion of the opening of the centre was recently held at 16 Retief Street, Môrelig, and it was graced by the executive mayor of the Dihlabeng Local Municipality, Tjhetane Mofokeng.

The mayor has always been passionate about social transformation, the empowerment of the poor and more significantly, the welfare of children with disabilities in the community.

In an effort to raise funds for Phedisang Bana and other charities, Mofokeng enlisted the help of Koos Radebe, a veteran radio personality and previously with Tracker. This is how the idea of the Mayoral Golf Charity event was born, now in its second year.

The charity golfing event has raised hundreds of thousands of rands for the benefit of charitable organisations. The children of Phedisang Bana have also had custom-made wheelchairs donated to them.

One of the country’s top funeral houses, B3, has provided funeral cover to the children at no cost. The cover will ensure that should the eventuality happen, at least the children will be given a decent send-off.

Despite these donations the centre remains with many other challenges that include food, running costs, equipping a physiotherapy room, surveillance cameras, et cetera. Any form of assistance will be appreciated by the centre. The centre currently takes care of 48 children with about 100 on their waiting list.

} Tladi Moloi

CHILDREN and caregivers of the Phedisang Bana Centre for the Disabled at their new home.

Photos: Supplied

LEFT: Tjhetane Mofokeng (executive mayor of the Dihlabeng Local Municipality), Yvonne Sebotsa (Phedisang Bana Centre for the Disabled, matron) and Koos Radebe (centre patron and Mayoral Golf Charity Event organiser) during the official handing over of the new Phedisang Bana Centre in Retief Street, Môrelig.

QWAQWA. – Lebo Mokoena (36), who was accused of raping his mother (66) and neighbour (23), has been sentenced to an effective 45 years imprisonment by the Bloemfontein High Court last Friday.

Mokoena, who hails from the Tseki Village, threatened his mother with a knife in their home and raped her. He later forced his mother to call her neighbour (23) and took the neighbour to a nearby mountain and also raped her.

He was arrested through the help of his brother and members of the community who handed him over to the police.

The case was investigated by the Phuthaditjhaba Family, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.

What is your opinion?

To share your view, go to Facebook and search for Qwaqwa Express Eastern Free State.

Sedibeng Water, with with its headquarters situated in situated BalkfonteininjustBalkfontein outside Bothaville, has an operational areahas that Sedibeng Water, its headquarters just outside Bothaville, covers about 86 000area km² that making it one about of the largest water providing approximately million an operational covers 86 000 km²utilities making it oneservices of thetolargest watertwo utilities people acrossservices three provinces, namely Free State, Westpeople and Northern providing to approximately twoNorth million acrossCape. three provinces, namely Free In order to meet the demands of its growth strategy, the organization is looking for suitably qualified individuals to fill State, North West and Northern Cape.

In order to meet the demands of its growth strategy, the following vacancies in its Vaal Gamagara Plant, Northern Cape Region: the organization is looking for a LABORATORY suitably qualified individual to fill the following vacancy in POSITION: TECHNICIAN - MICROBIOLOGY Namakwa (Springbok), Northern Cape Region: PREREQUISITES: • National Diploma in Microbiology/Biotechnology; • Minimum of 1 year practical experience in

SANAS ISO 17025 accredited laboratory; • Knowledge of ISO 17025; • Computer literacy; and • A Valid driver`s license will be an added advantage. POSITION: Driver Operator (Heavy duty) PERSON PROFILE; incumbent must: • Be able to workin within tight timejust constraints; Be able to work Sedibeng Water,Thewith its headquarters situated Balkfontein outside •Bothaville, has independently, havearea passion compliance and86 quality; Be able to analyse andplus problems; • Willingutilities to work PREREQUISITES: • Grade 12 • about Code 14 valid•km² driver’s licence • 2 water years driving an operational thatforcovers 000 making it one ofsolve thePDP largest overtime. experience of heavy duty vehicles. two PERSON PROFILE; The incumbent must: •namely Have good providing services to approximately people across three Freeof MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: • Compile, implement, million validate and evaluate methods andprovinces, investigate the root cause interpersonal and communication skills.InMAJOR Transport goods from State, North West Northern order toRESPONSIBILITIES: meet the demands of itscalibrate growth strategy, non-conforming work; •and Conduct routineCape. bacteriological analyses on water samples; ••Verify, and maintain one destination tois •looking another, and transporting of•chlorine gas.following • Assist the artisan laboratory equipment; Handle and maintain bacteriological cultures; Media • Prepare analytical the organization forhandling a suitably qualified individual to fillpreparation; the vacancy in reportsthe andservicing conduct transfer checks;clean • Monitor and and control laboratory supplies; pre-trip • Conductinspection in-house training on with of vehicles, engine chassis, • Perform on the Namakwa (Springbok), Northern Cape Region: relevant methods; • Assist withlogbook, implementation of internal according to ISOcivil 17025;work • Conduct sterility vehicles and complete • Assist with Quality small system maintenance and buildings, verification tests; • Report water quality failures to customers; • Participate in proficiency testing and address repair punchers of heavyPOSITION: duty vehicles.

Operator (Heavy duty) outliers; • Must be SANAS approved TechnicalDriver signatory; • Ensure adherence to health and safety standards.

POSITION: LABORATORY TECHNICIAN - CHEMISTRY The organization reserves makedriver’s an appointment and,PDP if an• 2appointment PREREQUISITES: • Grade the 12 •right Codenot14tovalid licence plus years drivingis PREREQUISITES: • National Diploma in Analytical Chemistry/ Chemistry; • Minimum of 1 year practical experience in made, it will be in accordance with the organization’s Employment Equity Plan. experience of heavy duty vehicles.

PERSON PROFILE; The incumbent must: • HaveCoupled good SANAS ISO 17025 accredited laboratory; • Knowledge of specialised laboratory instruments e.g. inductively interpersonal andetc. communication MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: • Transport goods Plasma, Ion Analyser • Knowledge of skills.

ISO 17025; • Computer literacy; and • Valid driver`s license willfrom be an Written applications together with and detailed Curriculum Vitae and copies of addeddestination advantage. one to another, handling transporting of chlorine gas. certified • Assist the artisan PERSON Theofincumbent must: Be toHuman work within tight timeOfficer, constraints; • Be able toX work qualifications should be forwarded to:able The Resources Private Bagon 39, with thePROFILE; servicing vehicles, clean•engine and chassis, • Perform pre-trip inspection the independently,8240, have passion forfax: compliance and 5097 quality;or• Be able tofbeukes@sedibengwater.co.za analyse and solve problems and willing to work Springbok, 086•512 vehicles and complete logbook, Assist with email: small maintenance and civil work buildings, overtime; • Have team work spirit. repair punchers of heavy duty vehicles.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: • Compile, implement, validate and evaluate methods and investigate the root cause of Enquiries: Mr.work; Sithele Monyamane/ Felicia Beukes, telephone: (053) 562(Ion9300 or non-conforming • Conduct routine analysesMs. on water samples using specialised instrumentation Analyser, (027) 744 1546 Organic Carbon Analyser, Inductively Plasma • Prepare analytical reports transfer checks; The organization reserves theCoupled right not to etc.) make an appointment and,andif conduct an appointment is • Prepareit calibration and quality samples for all instrumentation; PerformPlan. routine maintenance made, will be instandards accordance withcontrol the organization’s Employment•Equity Applicants clearly specify the position which they applying and, applications and calibrationshould of instrumentation; • Compile quality control charts andare verify accuracyfor of results; • Monitor and control laboratory supplies; • Conduct in-house on relevant methods; Assistapplicants with implementation received after the closing date will not betraining considered.

Please note•that who haveof Written applications together with detailed Curriculum Vitae and certified copies of internal Quality system to ISO(4) 17025; • Communicate quality failures to customers; • Participate not heard from us according within four weeks after the water closing date should accept that their qualifications should be forwarded to: The Human Resources Officer, Private Bag X 39,to in proficiency testing and address outliers; • Must be SANAS approved Technical signatory; • Ensure adherence applications were unsuccessful. health and safety standards. fax: 086 512 5097 or email: fbeukes@sedibengwater.co.za Springbok, 8240, Closing Date: 21 October 2014 The organization reserves the right not to make an appointment and, if an appointment is made, it will be in Enquiries: Mr. Sithele Monyamane/ Ms. Felicia Beukes, telephone: (053) 562 9300 or accordance with the organization’s Employment Equity Plan.

(027) 1546 with cover letter specifying the post applying for, together with detailed Curriculum Vitae and Written744 applications certified copies of qualifications to be forwarded to: The Human Resources Officer, Private Bag X 1, Delportshoop,

Applicants should clearly specify the position which they are applying for and, applications 8377, fax: 086 661 8087 or email: smonyamane@sedibengwater.co.za received after the closing date will not be considered. Please note that applicants who have Enquiries: Mr. Sithele Monyamane, telephone: (053) 562 9300 Closing Date: 23 December 2014 not heard from us within four (4) weeks after the closing date should accept that their Applications received after the closing date will not be considered; and applicants who have not heard from us within applications were four (4) weeks after theunsuccessful. closing date should accept that their applications were unsuccessful.

Closing Date: 21 October 2014

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4

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 17 DECEMBER 2014

NEWS

Your birthday shout-out

WE would like to wish our lovely mother, Jabulile Ndaba, a happy belated birthday.

She turned many years on 12 December.

May God our Heavenly Father shower her with mercy and protect her from evil. We love you, Mother. – MaNomkhosi, Ntokozo, Mpho, Mpendulo and Reitumetse, Intabazwe, Harrismith

I WOULD like to wish Nomaswazi Masejane a happy belated birthday on 5 December.

I wish her all the best and success in life.

– Kopano Tsie (stepfather)

Jumping for joy at celebration FROM the left are Tshepo Mofokeng, Lwandle Lepesa, Ramubane Marotholi, Mokhethi Radebe, Lawrence Maseko, Lefa Mokgosi, Tsatsi Moabi and Mkithika Mokgosi at Rathebe’s wedding ceremony held at Doornpark in Welkom.

TODAY is a big day for Mandidi Masejane who is turning six years old. We would like to wish her a happy birthday and ask God to protect her. – Masejane family

I WISH Siyabonga Mabaso a happy belated birthday. He turned three years old on 10 December. I love you, my son. – Nkasibeng Mabaso, Tsheseng, Qwaqwa

I WISH my lovely daughter a happy belated eighth year birthday. Mommy loves you, Poelane Motaung. May God protect you. – Sibongile Thwala, Bohlokong, Bethlehem

I WOULD like to wish Jabulile Msimanga a happy belated birthday. She turned one on 11 December. Rakgadi loves you, my baby.

– Monalisa Cindi, Bethlehem

I WOULD like to wish my brother Lebohang Mokoena a happy belated birthday. We love you, boy. – Mpho Malakoane, Bohlokong, Bethlehem

THE Tlhohonolofatso Youth Club, based in Bluegumbosch in Qwaqwa, recently celebrated its seventh anniversary. A ceremony was held, aimed at showing appreciation for all the members who served the organisation with loyalty since its establishment in 2007. Members were awarded with certificates of appreciation according to the activities that they had been involved in through the years.

Festive wishes for wife and kids I WOULD like to wish my lovely wife, Celiwe Tshabalala, and my children a happy festive season and a prosperous new year.

Our ending will not be like our beginning.

– Gcini Tshabalala, Bohlokong, Bethlehem.

Best of luck for 2015 BONOLO MANYARELA turned three years old on 5 December and I would like to wish her a happy belated birthday. Daddy loves you, my baby. – Manyarela

A HAPPY belated birthday to my class mate Retha Mofokeng who turned 24 years old yesterday.

– Reitumetse Mahlaba, Bohlokong, Bethlehem

I WOULD like to wish everyone, including the president, Jacob Zuma, and his cabinet members and the Free State premier, Ace Magashule, a merry

Christmas and a prosperous and blessed new year.

Hamba 2014.

– Butinyana Mofokeng

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 17 DECEMBER 2014 5

NEWS

Entrepreneurs get a kickstart THIS year’s KickStart entrepreneurship competition’s top three winners in the central region, were announced recently at a function held in Bloemfontein.

They are Shadrack Litabe (Litabe Technologies in Kroonstad), Solomon Tohlang (Stokvel Business Connect in Bloemfontein) and Carol Kgomo (Maqheleng Waste Management in Ficksburg).

They were chosen from ten finalists who made it through to the regional leg.

More than 1 000 aspiring entrepreneurs from the central region, including the Free State, Northern Cape and North West, entered the competition.

The entrants came from the Northern Cape town of Kuruman, Free State towns such as Ficksburg, Bloemfontein and Kroonstad, as well as the North-West town of Mafikeng.

Funded by the South African Breweries (SAB), the competition is aimed at helping aspiring entrepreneurs realise the dream of esta-blishing their own business through a mentorship programme and funding.

A knowledgeable team from the breweries will further conduct an on-site assessment to determine the needs of the three winners, after which the winners will be taught the skills to enable them to sustain their businesses.

Through this initiative, more than R64 million has been injected into developing youth-owned businesses, benefiting more than 22 900 young entrepreneurs and helping start 3 200 businesses.

The 2013 winner, Tsholofelo Majeng, owner of Maiktronic CC, won R100 000 as the regional winner and made it into the top 18 of the national final. Majeng, from Kuruman, managed to obtain a third place nationally and received a further R300 000 grant and six months of business development mentorship.

Her company was established in 2011 and specialises in the manufacture of structural metal products and the supply and installation of electronic and security systems.

FROM left are Neo Sephoti (SAB's Corporate Affairs manager), Shadrack Litabe (Litabe Technologies in Kroonstad), Carol Kgomo (Maqheleng Waste Management in Ficksburg), Solomon Tohlang (Stokvel Business Connect in Bloemfontein) and Patience Selesho (SAB).

Photo Supplied

“The SAB KickStart has helped me develop clear goals to work towards in my business and to identify problem areas which were neglected in the past,” Majeng said.

This year, the business has moved from home-based production to a spacious

Lesotho nationals sentenced THE Virginia High Court recently sentenced three Lesotho nationals to life in prison for murder relating to rampant illicit gold mining in the Goldfields towns.

The three murder accused are Thato Ratolo (41), Boitumelo Elias Thokoa (25) and Thabang Baptista Mareka (28).

They were found guilty on charges ranging from four murders, three attempted murders and the Illegal Immigration Act. The three men were each convicted and sentenced to four life sentences after the court had found them guilty on four counts of murder, 30 years for three counts of attempted murder, three months in jail or a R500 fine for being illegally in South Africa.

They were all declared unfit to possess a firearm. The state further insisted the murder accused serve their prison terms before being repatriated to their native country of Lesotho.

The trio’s sentencing relates to the bloodshed on 1 September 2011 after different illegal gold miners (known as zama-zamas) clashed underground at the dysfunctional No.4 shaft of the St Helena Mine in Welkom.

The ill-fated incident followed a bitter argument over gold dug illegally underground.

“The other faction made a human circle while attacking the others and the victims were fatally shot and others sustained wounds.

“The deceased were then thrown inside the unused No. 4 shaft of the St Helena Mine in Welkom.

“A number of the victims who were thrown into the unused mine shaft could not be taken out as it was declared too dangerous by the mine rescue team.

“The deceased did not receive a proper burial as the shaft was closed to avoid further disasters,” Capt. Stephen Thakeng, spokesperson of Welkom police, says.

Thakeng says illicit mining is a grave concern in the Goldfields and thus from

‘These illegal min­ ers are risk­takers and people actively partake in the illicit mining trade. The fight for rich gold­ bearing turf and dif­ ferent factions from Lesotho are the root cause of the mur­ d e r s .’

– Capt. Stephen Thakeng 2011 until 2014, 1 394 joint operations were conducted targeting illegal miners.

He says from 2007 until 2014, 6 002 illegal miners were arrested, adding that from 2007 until 2014, 545 illegal miners were injured while during the same period 252 were killed due to illegal gold mining.

According to the Harmony Mine R539 million was spend over five years just to deal with illegal mining.

“These illegal miners are risk-takers and people actively partake in the illicit mining trade. The fight for rich goldbearing turf and different factions from Lesotho are the root cause of the murders,” Thakeng says.

industrial work site and DIY tools have been exchanged for industrial machinery.

The KickStart competition is open to previously economically marginalised black South African youth, aged between 18 and 35 years.

Selection criteria include the entrepre-

neur’s business must be 50% black-owned, be in operation for less than five-years and generate less than R5 million in revenue.

Entrants must also show that they employ less than 15 individuals, have high growth potential and a sustainable competitive advantage.

6

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 17 DECEMBER 2014

NEWS

Stop the rot of fake qualifications in SA THE rot of fake qualifications is nothing new in South Africa. Its increase is simply because it was left unchecked for too long without verifying with academic institutions.

Unscrupulous individuals go to the extreme to pay for fake qualifications, and have no shame in producing fraudulent documents to support their curricula vitae – compromising integrity.

Referring to the fake qualifications rot as something not uncommon in South Africa came with my time in the media in the 1980’s as an employee at the defunct weekly newspaper Tribute which was based in the North-West town of Klerksdorp. The publication was managed by a gentleman known as Cayenne as the editor and my immediate senior journalist was Abe (both are late).

The editor claimed to have had a BA degree in Human Resource Management obtained at the Fort Hare University.

The editor’s fake qualifications became a talking point after his death. He used to deliver speeches at the newspaper’s yearly corporate social event titled Against All Odds at which he presented a CV with fake

My view Moeti Molelekoa Social observer qualifications.

Through this event he qualified his fake qualifications in a way, and thus earned the respect of the public while in fact he deceived people.

The corporate initiative was aimed at encouraging excellence in education among the local high schools, targeting matriculants in the township of Matlosana. It was our task, Abe and mine, to venture into the township to identify the deserving candidates. At the event Abe and I laughed our lungs out that the editor was a dummy as he had faked his qualifications. Unknowingly, Abe too also faked his qualifications. Abe’s

obituary read he had a diploma in Journalism from the University of South Africa (Unisa) – very much to my surprise having known him for years. The lie to misrepresent their qualifications followed the two men to their graves as their obituary had read as such.

Both these guys could have easily obtained any qualification if they pursued it. The two guys, including myself, matriculated at the Mampoi Secondary School in Qwaqwa.

The duo were drop-outs of the University of the North (now University of Limpopo).

It is on this basis I state that we have in South Africa people who unashamedly fake their qualifications. Therefore, the growing number of South Africans misrepresenting their academic achievements is not new.

Convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik, who had a longstanding friendship with Pres.

Jacob Zuma, faked his qualifications. He claimed he was a member of a professional organisation in an attempt to match his learned siblings. Shaik claimed he had a master’s in Business Administration and two degrees from the United Kingdom and

America. One of my preferred politicians, Pallo Jordan, whom I held in high esteem as an independent political commentator who always called a spade a spade, faked doctorate qualifications. As if that is not enough, Ellen Tshabalala, the SABC’s board chairperson, claims to have attained a BCom degree and a post-graduate diploma in Labour Relations at Unisa, which the institution has refuted. Instead of producing proof of qualifications to rest the matter, Tshabalala saw it fit to go to court for protection.

It is my strongly held view that the private and public sector must verify with academic institutions the qualifications of people they appoint to key positions to end the fake qualifications rot. ) Comment or give your view about the issue in this column at www.expressnews.co.za. Express Goldfields & NFS welcomes anyone to contribute to the column as public observers or citizen journalists. There is no payment for writers. Send your opinion piece (not exceeding 450 words) to tladi.moloi@volksblad.com.

LETLOTLO FARMING DINKU LE DIKGOMO KA THEKO E TLASE, BAKENG SA MOKETE LE MAFU

SOME of the people who attended the Thusanang Advice Centre (TAC) Awareness Campaign as part its 16 Days of Activism of No Violence against Women and Children Campaign.

Photo: Thabo Mokoena

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Abuse in the spotlight } Thabo Mokoena

MAKWANE. – The Thusanang Advice Centre (TAC) recently held an awareness campaign as part of the 16 Days of Activism of No Violence against Women and Children campaign.

The campaign was held at the Makwane Junior Primary School.

Among the guests who attended the event were Brothers for Life and members of the Makwane police.

Jeanette Makae, acting director of the TAC, said the campaign was aimed at spreading the message around Qwaqwa to stop abuse.

“We want our people to break

the silence and report any kind of abuse,” she said.

Makae said they had hosted the event at Makwane because that is where they have had the most cases of abuses.

“I am so happy with the attendance. The community has responded positively to our call.

“We are aware that more women are afraid to report abuse because they have lost confidence in the police and the courts.

“So we as the TAC pleaded with them to visit our offices for help,” she said.

Sgt Relebohile Tau of the Makwane police said their concern was that the most cases of violence against women and

children were not reported, which made it difficult for them to deal with perpetrators.

“There are many women and children who are being abused, but they are afraid to come and report it. The police’s door is always open and people should come to report such cases,” he said.

He urged the community members to stop going around at night because it is dangerous.

“We also want those mothers who use child grants for their own purpose to stop because that is child abuse,” he said.

He added that that money was meant for the children.

For more news and photos go to www.express-news.co.za

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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 17 DECEMBER 2014 7

SPORT

Boxing event in 2015 } Teboho Setena THE South African Boxing Federation (SABOF) has provisionally rescheduled its national championship to July 2015.

The tournament was initially set to take place at the Tempe Military Base in the Free State’s capital of Bloemfontein from the fourth to the seventh of this month.

Dr Linda Ncakeni, the SABOF’s general secretary, said the reason for the postponement was due to the unavailability of the venue which she said was utilised by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) during the week in question. She said the prepared accommodation for the visiting teams from the nine provinces was utilised by members of the SANDF for the purpose of parachute training.

“We were left with no option but to postpone the national championship to July 2015. We accepted the situation as it was beyond our control and we hope to utilise the available time well to prepare for the championships. The postponement will further enable us to run our district, regional and provincial championships in the build-up to the national championship in 2015,” Ncakeni said.

The competition was to feature both men and women competing in different divisions. Ncakeni said the federation’s leadership would decide on the new date with a decision on whether or not the championship would be staged in the Free State also expected to be made at the federation’s forthcoming meeting in the new year.

BLOW BY BLOW: Members of the Qwaqwa Boxing Club recently won medals during the OR Tambo Games. They are from the left Maletsatsi Mbele (bronze), Tebello Moloi (gold), Nthabiseng Mosia (gold) and Malefetsane Mokhatla (coach).

Photo: Tladi Moloi

Golf day grows in popularity BETHLEHEM. – The Office of Tjhetane Mofokeng, the executive mayor of the Dihlabeng Local Municipality, recently hosted its second annual Dihlabeng Mayoral Charity Golf Challenge.

This year’s event was held at the revamped Bethlehem Golf Course.

The golfing event has been hosted since 2009 with various sponsors such as MTN, Absa, B3, Sanitech, Sasria, Ntumba and Associates, Transnet, MCE, the Frontier Inn and Casino, the Department of Social Development and the Free State Stars, to name just a few.

The tournament has become very popular over the years and has become an integral part of the events calendar of the municipality, attracting golfers from all over the country – resulting in a number of economic spin-offs for the area.

Mofokeng deemed it appropriate that the tournament would not be discontinued, despite the withdrawal of certain sponsors and as such the tournament was adopted and has become a mayoral project.

Part of the proceeds of this initiative is awarded to organisations dealing with disabled children, as well as other deserving charity organisations at the discretion of the executive mayor across all units.

The Phedisang Bana Centre for the Disabled aims to secure suitable land to finally create a safer environment for the children, equipped with therapeutic play facilities and other necessities.

Tracker is the sponsor of Phedisang Bana and was able to help raise about R800 000. Phedisang Bana has indeed managed to buy land and opened its new centre on 28 November.

FOCUSED: Tjhetane Mofokeng, the executive mayor of the Dihlabeng Local Municipality, playing golf at the second annual Dihlabeng Mayoral Charity Golf Challenge.

Basit hopes to be back BETHLEHEM. – The Free State Stars striker Abdul Adam Basit hopes to make his return in the club’s final game of the year against Platinum Stars at Goble Park on 20 December.

Basit, who is nursing a muscle strain, has been limited to only three substitute outings this season due to a combination of injury and illness.

The Ghanaian has neverthless scored twice courtesy of a brace against Moroka Swallows, and naturally he is hungry for more game time.

“I do feel like I have made an impact when I had a chance to play because I have never started this season,” Basit told his club’s official website.

“I have always come in during the second half and at least I managed to have two goals in three matches.

“But it is not enough for me and it is not enough for the team. What else can we do?

“My injury is getting better. I am just trying to see if I can play the last match for 2014.

“This week I am out, and also for Tuesday’s game.

“I should actually be out, for the next two weeks. I have a muscle strain.

“Today, I was completely off the field and receiving treatment.

“I managed to jog and do some exercise and I am feeling better now.”

He added that Ea Lla Koto should not be languishing in the relegation zone given the talent at coach Kinnah Phiri’s disposal.

“I still want to achieve big things in the PSL and I want to make my team proud and take my team where we belong.

“For the quality we have, we should not be where we are. I am working hard just to try and achieve big.”

– KickOff.com

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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 17 DECEMBER 2014

EASTERN FREE STATE

Local NFD teams in last 32

For more sports news and photos go to www.express-news.co.za

} Tladi Moloi QWAQWA. – The two National First Division (NFD) outfits from the Eastern Free State, Maluti FET College FC and African Warriors FC, both qualified for the lucrative last 32 of the 2015 Nedbank Cup. This was after both teams narrowly beat Royal Eagles and Ga-Rankuwa United respectively in the preliminary games at the Charles Mopeli Stadium on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Maluti beat Eagles 4-3 in extra time, while Warriors knocked out United 2-1.

The two victories mean Eastern Free State will have three representatives in the last 32 of the tournament. The third team is the Absa Premier League campaigners Free State Stars FC. Morena Ramorebudi, the Maluti head coach, said he was happy with the team’s performance and raised his concern with his defence that gave away soft goals.

“I think they played well considering the fact that it was a first game for some of them. We needed a win more than the opponents because that would boost our morale going forward in the league.

However, we would have to work hard with our defence that gives away soft goals in every game,” he said.

Ramorebudi said he was ready for any team. “We want the team that will make money for us. The last time Orlando Pirates was here we made money through gate takings,” he said.

Sam Banda, the Warriors interim coach, said: “The boys played very well, but fitness was a big concern. We gave the players who struggled to make it into the first 11 a chance and they never disappointed. We will have to work hard at training.

They started well, but dropped towards the dying minutes of the game.”

Warriors’ coach off to Durban } Tladi Moloi

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QWAQWA. – Abram Nteo has left African Warriors to re-unite with Thami Ngubane at the Durban outfit Royal Eagles FC. The duo worked together as the coach and assistant at Warriors until Ngubane left for Thanda Royal Zulu towards the end of the 2013-’14 season.

Nteo, who was a caretaker coach at the Qwaqwa-based outfit, left the team a fortnight ago after losing 1-0 to Highlands Park.

He was given the responsibly to guide the team in September after the management of the team fired David Vilakazi who was the head coach of the team.

According to Tsepiso Senyane, the team’s communication officer, Nteo left the team for a better offer.

He said they had not fired him since they had been happy with his performance. “We had no choice but to let him go. He has been loyal to the team and when he asked to leave, we granted his wish,” Senyane said.

Senyane said Sam Banda was the caretaker coach while they were still looking for a head coach.

“Banda and Molifi Sekhokho, who is the goalkeeper coach, will take care of the team until we announce a new coach,” he concluded.

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Photo: Tladi Moloi

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