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A HELPING HAND: The learners of the Mabate Intermediate Farm School with the stakeholders who are part of the Masibonisaneni Project who donated school uniforms and shoes to learners at the school.

Photo: Tladi Moloi

Kids get new uniforms } Tladi Moloi

TSHIAME. – Thabo Tshabalala (11), a gr. 2 learner of the Mabate Intermediate Farm School, is an orphan who lives with his aunt, Nomqebelo Tshabalala, in Khalanyoni near Harrismith.

Thabo and his two siblings, Tshidisehang (17) and Malehlwa (8), are all being cared for by their unemployed aunt who struggles to make ends meet. Apparently their parents died in 2008.

“Life is tough. Sometimes we go to bed on empty stomachs. I would love to give the children every-

thing, but I cannot,” said Tshabalala.

Thabo has to walk about 10 km to and from school daily. He wears tattered shoes.

“Sometimes I take them off when I get to school because they are no good,” said the boy.

Thanks to the Masibonisaneni Project, however, Thabo is now able to attend school like any normal child in a proper, brandnew school uniform.

This non-profit organisation from Tshiame in partnership with Ackermans and Pep in Harrismith donated about 41 pairs of school

shoes and shirts to destitute learners, and Thabo was one of the beneficiaries.

Thabo said he was very happy with the donation and added that it would feel good to wear brandnew things.

“I love coming to school. I will make sure that I work hard and finish school so I can help my family one day. My aunt is trying her best to make us happy even though she is not working,” he said.

Collen Charlie, the project manager, said the donation was not something new because it was

their mission to help their communities.

“We want to change the lives of our people. We came here to help with school uniforms. We gave them shoes, socks and T-shirts. We are partnering with Spar, the Fire Department, the Thabo Mofutsanyana District Municipality, Old Mutual, Pep and Ackermans,” he said.

He said they had decided upon the school because it was a farm school with disadvantaged learners.

“We are going to roll out this project at other schools in the

Thabo Mofutsanyana District,” he said.

Motlatsi Moloi, the principal, expressed his appreciation with the gesture. “I am happy with what the organisation has done for us. We have more learners from poor backgrounds. So through this gesture they will be able to have something to smile about this year,” he said. ) Give us you views on our facebook page, ExpressEFS, or visit our website at www.express-news.co.za. You can also send your comment via WatsApp to 060-914-1180.

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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2015

NEWS

Course offers new opportunities } Tladi Moloi BETHLEHEM. – Lovey Tshabalala is a young, ambitious woman who hails from Bohlokong near Bethlehem.

She worked for a well-known private company, but resigned.

According to her, she did it because she wanted to start her own beauty spa.

She attended a five-day hair and beauty technical training course in September last year which was offered by the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda).

Tshabalala said the training had enhanced her existing skills.

“There were also some new things that I learnt. Usually one will know about hair without going to school, but they taught us the techniques and how to treat the customers,” she said.

She said she saw the light even though she had little time.

“We were in one class but I think it would have been better if they had a class for beginners and one for those who are already in business,” she advised.

Tshabalala was among the group of 39 people who received certificates during the certificate ceremony which was held in the Bethlehem Town Hall on Thursday (05/02).

The well-known Suga Motloung was the training facilitator and with his experience the graduates said they had learnt a lot in a very short time.

Peter Changube, business development officer: local economic development at the Dihlabeng Local Municipality, said this was their initiative and

THE graduates of the hair and beauty technical training course with the stakeholders during the certificate ceremony which was held in the Bethlehem Town Hall.

Photo: Tladi Moloi they had later invited Seda to offer training.

“I was touched going around town witnessing women sitting on the pavement doing others’ hair.

“I felt they were making money out of that and thought about what we could do to help. We

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then decided to give them training,” he said.

Changube said they would come with the second round of training and added they had not reached all the units in Dihlabeng.

Lesego Zengele, the branch manager at the Seda in the Thabo

Mofutsanyana District, said they had expected 30 people when the training started, but they had ended up training 45 because there was a great need.

“We only awarded 39 certificates, because some joined us on the last day of the training.

“We promised them that we

Man sentenced for rape BETHLEHEM. – The Bethlehem Regional Court has recently sentenced Joseph Lebakeng Sephula (33), aka Oupa, of Lavender Hill outside Bethlehem, to life imprisonment for raping a woman (32) in his house, and also assaulting her.

On 12 July 2013 at approximately 08:00 Sephula arrived at the woman’s house while she was in the shack with her grandmother. He asked to

What’s on? ) THE Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality will broadcast the State of the Nation Address on Thursday, 12 February, at the Phuthaditjhaba Multipurpose Hall at 17:00. Dress is formal.

speak to her and they both went to his house.

He locked the door of the house and assaulted and raped her.

She reported the incident to the police.

He tried several times to commit suicide by drinking poison, cutting his wrists and hanging himself.

He was arrested and taken to hospital for medical treatment. ) FREE STATE STARS will welcome Pretoria University on Saturday, 14 February, at Goble Park. Kick-off is at 15:30. ) THE Maluti FET College FC will host the Royal Eagles on Saturday, 14 February, at the Charles Mopeli Stadium. The event will start at 15:30.

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would help and give them certificates afterwards,” she said.

Zengele said they had realised there was a big need for training and added that they had agreed with the municipality that they would combine their budget to help others who still needed it.

Life in prison for rapists } Tladi Moloi QWAQWA. – Mokete Maduna (26) from the Harankopane Village and Pitso Makibinyane (25) and his brother Ditabe (26) from the Letshalemaduke Village in Qwaqwa have been sent to jail for life plus 15 years by the Bethlehem High Court.

They were found guilty on charges of robbery under aggravating circumstances and rape. They were sentenced on Friday (06/02).

The trio raped an 18-year-old woman in March 2013 and robbed her of her personal belongings.

On 23 March 2013 at approximately 19:30 the 18-year-old from Qwaqwa was on her way home.

It was raining when the three young men, who were under the influence of alcohol, spotted the victim and made her their target. They approached her near the school yard at the Namahadi Village.

They forced her to the school toilets where they robbed her of her cell phone, a pair of shoes and money, after which they all raped her.

They were all arrested after the incident had been reported to the police, because the victim managed to identify two of the suspects as her relatives.

Sgt Mmako Mophiring, the police spokesperson, said the Namahadi police had arrested the suspects and they had been awaiting trial for almost two years.

The case was investigated by Det. WO Daniel Maloka of the Phuthaditjhaba Family, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS).

“Rape perpetrators cannot escape the heat, because of the serious nature of crimes against women and children,” said the Free State provincial commissioner, Lt. Gen. Thabethe Mpembe.

“As members of the community, and also law enforcers, we need to see more men forming part of committees such as Men for Change and Imbizo ya Madoda. Both programmes fall under the police and teaches young men morals and values.

“I want to thank the investigator for her great work presenting the accused and the victim before the court for justice to be served.”

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2015 3

NEWS

Women awarded for excellence } Tladi Moloi BETHLEHEM. – Trephine Malakoena, the owner of the Realeboha Day-Care Centre in Letshalemaduke, Qwaqwa, and Vuyelwa Bongoza of the Lerato Edu-Care Centre in Zastron walked away with the award for Best Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre of the Year and the award for the Best ECD Practitioner of the Year in the Free State respectively.

They received their awards at the South African Early Childhood Development Provincial Awards which were held at the Lavender Country Estate outside Bethlehem on Tuesday (03/02).

They each received R5 000 for their hard work.

The awards ceremony was hosted by the National Development Agency (NDA) and the Free State Department of Social Development.

Their victory has made both Realeboha and Bongoza qualify for a licence to compete at the national finals that will be held on 26 March in Johannesburg.

The South African Early Childhood Development Awards (SAECD Awards) has been in existence since 2003.

Starting at provincial level, the ECD awards achieved national coverage in 2006.

The awards are aimed at recognising excellence in the ECD sector, innovations in ECD training methods and practice, best practice and at encouraging

SISI NTOMBELA, the MEC for Social Development, Vuyelwa Bongoza of the Lerato Edu-Care Centre in Zastron (Best Early Childhood Development (ECD) Practitioner of the Year), Trephine Malakoena, the owner of the Realeboha Day-Care Centre from Letshalemaduke (Best Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centre of the Year), and Dr. Vuyelwa Nhlapo, the NDA chief executive officer (CEO), during the South African Early Childhood Development Provincial Awards which were held at the Lavender Country Estate outside Bethlehem.

Photo: Tladi Moloi

the pursuit of excellence in the ECD sector.

The awards are run by a partnership consisting of the South African Congress for Early Childhood Development, Absa, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and Social Development (DSD), the National Development Agency (NDA), Unicef and the Jim Joel Fund.

The process for the first two categories begins at provincial level and culminates at national

level.

Applications are accepted at provincial level following an outreach process that calls for nominations.

The provincial committee goes through a process of short-listing, conducting verification site visits and selecting finalists, after which provincial events are held to announce the provincial winners.

The provincial winners then advance to the national awards.

The national award is ceremony is

preceded by a three-day stay in Gauteng that consists of a development workshop, networking sessions, wellness treatments and a day excursion.

Bongoza said she had not expected to win the competition because it had always been tough.

“I am happy that I have managed to win. For the second time I am looking forward to winning at national level. I came fourth in the last competition and I now know what is expected of me,” he said.

Malakoena said she was confident.

“I expected it. I always work hard to make sure things are going well. I think I will bring something to the national level. I am going to work harder,” she said.

Her centre is 21 years old. It started with five children and at the moment there are 81.

Dr. Vuyelwa Nhlapo, the NDA chief executive officer (CEO), said she would like to see more entries in the province.

“We received 3 911 entries in 2014 and 241 were from the Free State. I am confident we can do better,” she said.

She wished the winners the best of luck going to the national finals. “I would like to wish you the best of luck. You should be proud of yourselves. Nevertheless, know that the work is not over; this is just the beginning because from now on we are expecting more good results from you,” she said.

Sisi Ntombela, the MEC for Social Development, said she was happy with the commitment that she had witnessed in the province.

She urged those who had attended that they should keep up the good work and build the future of the children.

“This is the beginning of good things. I am sure we will have more entries next year.

“I am proud of those who have won and surely they will do well in the national competitions,” she concluded.

Tshebediso ya nomoro ya lekunutu (Pin) ho netefatatsa basebedisi ba dikarete mabenkeleng

SASSA e eletsa baamohedi bohle ba ditjhelete tsa dikerante ba ka tlase ho dilemo tse 60, ntle le batho ba nang le boqhwala, ba fumanang ditjhelete tsa mmuso ka tshebediso ya kgatiso ya monwana ha ba hula tjheletse ho tswa mabenkeleng hore: 1. O se o tlamehile ho sebedisa nomoro ya lekunutu ha o batla ho dumela mabenkele hore e be mokgwa wa ho hula tjhelete.

2. O se o tla kgona hore o kgethe nomoro ya lekunutu lebenkeleng la kgetho ya hao mohlang o latang tjhelete ya hao.

3. E bang o kgetha ho se sebedise nomoro ya lekunutu, ha ona kgona ho hula tjhelete ya hao lebenkeleng, empa o tla kgona ho sebedisa sebaka seo SASSA e patallang teng kapa o sebedise motjhini wa banka o sebedisang kgatiso tsa mengwana.

4. Batho bohle ba qalang ho ba le karete ba lokela ho etsa bonnete ba hore ba kgetha nomoro ya lekunutu ka dikarete tsa bona tse ntjha tsa SASSA. Ela hloko: O seke wa fana ka nomoro ya hao ya lekunutu ho mang kapa mang.

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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2015

NEWS

Buisanang go rarabolla kgotlhang THE three recipients of the Vice-Rector’s Award for Community Engagement are from the left Benedict Sebastian, Dr Dipane Hlalele and Dr Cias Tsotetsi.

Photo: Supplied

Awards for three of UFS

PHUTHADITJHABA. – Dr Dipane Hlalele, Dr Cias Tsotetsi and Benedict Sebastian of the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Qwaqwa Campus were recently honoured for their community involvement.

They were awarded the ViceRector’s Award for Community Engagement.

Hlalele and Tsotetsi of the School of Education Studies were jointly honoured for their exten-

sive research on engaging student teachers in various communityoriented projects and programmes that prepare them for their future roles in society.

Both have over the last few years been involved with research in the sustainable rural learning ecologies niche area and are known to be advocates of the emancipation of rural people in matters related to education and learning.

Follow Express Newspaper on Twitter @Express_efs and join in the conversation.

KA nako e nngwe kena le go tsenwa ke letsapa fa ke tshwanetse go kwala, ke tlhoka se ke tla buang ka sona.

Nako nngwe dikakanyo tsame di a kgaoga, di sa gokagane go nna sengwe se se feletseng, se se tlhamaletseng, se dira tlhaloganyo.

Fa go le jalo ke gopola bogolo jwa batho ba ba lebeletseng sengwe go tswa mo go nna. Gantsi ke bona e kete ke bua ke atlhola, fela fa o ka lebelela ke bua gonne ke nna ke ithuta kgotsa ke rata ba bangwe go ithuta go tswa mo diphoshong tsa me.

Ke lemogile thata gore dipuisano di botlhokwa mo matshelong a rona. Dikamano tsotlhe di tlhoka dipuisano. Ko tirong, ko gae, ko kerekeng, ko sekolong, gotlhe mo motho o tshelang gone, go tshwan-

Letla gore batho ba itse o mang, o rata eng, ga o rate eng, o dumela mo go eng.

Go sireletsa maikutlo a batho ba bangwe wena o sa kgotsofala ga se yona karabo. A re bueng. A re bue go fitlhela o mongwe a tlhaloganya.

A re bueng Advocate Kuni Ditara Author etse ga buisanwa. Re bone kgololosego ka go buisana. Fa go na le kgotlang e tlise re sa iketlile pele re nna le kgatelelo ya maikutlo mme maikutlo a re tswala tlhaloganyo, re tlholega go nagana. Fa o lwa le mongwe, e ka tswa e le mogatso, go supa gore nako e yotlhe lo ne lo ikgatholosa go bua ka dilo tse di masisi, lo di potologa go fitlhela o mongwe a thubega ke go bipetsana.

Go tlholega go reetsa kgotsa go bua gongwe go ba bangwe go ipolelela nnete, go feletsa go le ntwa, dilo di senyegile. Fa re tlogela go bua go sa le gale ntwa e nna e kgolo mme e tla kubuga nako e re sa e tlhokeng ka yona. Fa dilo di senyegile, di siamise go sa le gale. Se di tlogelele di senyegela pele gonne go ka nna thata go di siamisa kgotsa go tsaya matsapa.

Mathata gantsi a tlisiwa ke go sa itse se o se batlang kgotsa bobedi lo sa bone ka go tshwana. Go baya mabaka go dira o eme go lo go le gongwe mme gantsi go dira gore o tlholege go tsaya maikarabelo. Gore go na le phosho mo nneteng o ka bona fa re tshaba go bua ka dilo tse di thata, re gata mae fa re tshwanetse go tsamaya mmogo, re

tshaba go bua gore re bua phosho mme ra utlwisa yo mongwe botlhoko. Re dira ditshwetso ka go inaganela fela re fitlha dikgang tse dingwe. Nnete ga e yo fa re dula re gakgamala kgotsa re swabisiwa ke o mongwe, fa re seba, fa re nagana gore ke a itse o ikemiseditse eng jalo jalo. Gore re siamise re tshwanetse ra buisana. Ra botsa dipotso mo re sa tlhaloganyeng.

Nako e nngwe re a fitlha fa re utlwile botlhoko kgotsa re tenegile.

Re nagana fela gore ke a mo itse, o jalo, ke a itse o tla araba a re eng.

Itsise o mongwe gore ditlhoko tsa gago ke dife.

Letla gore batho ba itse o mang, o rata eng, ga o rate eng, o dumela mo go eng. Go sireletsa maikutlo a batho ba bangwe wena o sa kgotsofala ga se yona karabo. A re bueng. A re bue go fitlhela o mongwe a tlhaloganya. ) Mang kapa mang ya a batlang ho ngola kholomong ena, a ka ikopanya le Jabulani Dlamini ho 051-404-7910 kapa email: Jabulani.Dlamini@volksblad.com ) Mongodi ha ana ho lefiwa. ) Where necessary Express edits some columns. – Ed.

Your messages and shout-outs

Getting washed away

THE 14th of February is a special day to you. But you need to do the following when you are on a date.

You must be positive, be creative with romantic gestures. Share your feelings, not your thoughts.

Make sure you love the one you’re with. Lastly, you should prioritise your significant other. – Bongane MofokengBohlokong, Bethlehem.

I WOULD like to wish my wife, Matshidiso Sekhotsoenyane, a happy belated birthday. I wish her many more years to come.

– Matela Mokoena, Bohlokong, Bethlehem.

ERIC MOTLOUNG is 100% correct. Service delivery in Bohlokong is nonexistent. Just look at the picture, even though it is of poor quality. This is what we experience during heavy rainfall. The area is 9th Avenue from circle 2 to Egypt.

Photo: Supplied ARE you using WhatsApp? If you are, Express Eastern Free State wants to interact with you. Tell us what is happening in your area. This gives you a chance to have local events in the paper. You can also send us newsworthy photos. Just send a message to 060-914-1180. Keep on following us as we’ll have interesting topics for debate and

will give you the chance to send birthday wishes to your loved ones.

I JUST want to say happy birthday to my lovely friend Nozipho Ngubeni. She is turning 20 years old on 14 February. I want to say you should enjoy your day and let no one spoil your day. – Tshidi Motaung from Harrismith.

I WOULD like to send a shout out to Zoleka Pauline, whose birthday was on Saturday the seventh. A happy belated birthday. I wish her many more years to come. – Martha Mokoena from Kestell.

I WOULD like to say you must have a nice day to my wife to be, Mari. – Lebohang Mogoaladi.

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2015 5

NEWS

Holy cow! I am worth what?

V Oteng Mpete “MY lobola was R1 200 in 1987. I was the most expensive bride your father’s village had ever seen, because I was beautiful with long flowing hair and red nails,” says my mother beaming with pride.

The women of Masaleng in Qwaqwa never stood a chance against my mother’s beauty and her Tswana heritage.

Now, 28 years later, according to the controversial “Lobola Calculator” app for smartphones, my lobola would be a whopping R78 000.

A series of questions are used to calculate one’s worth. What is your highest qualification? How much do you weigh?

(Because your worth is closely determined by how many vetkoek you had last week) How attractive are you? To which the app’s creators crassly ask the quiz-taker to be “honest” on a scale that ranges from not at all, average and really hot.

Not for the faint-hearted When Nxobile Khubeka, a stay-at-home mom, met her husband in 2012, she was only 17 years old.

The following year he proposed and married her. Six months later, they were blessed with a baby girl.

“My lobola was R60 000. I was barely out of high school when my husband married me.

“I hear a lot of whispers about my lobola; that it was too much money for an unaccomplished woman.

“But I have never really paid attention to gossip,” says Khubeka.

“I am not hurt by the gossip, I believe that people are just jealous, that my husband could afford to splurge on lobola and an extravagant wedding,” she says.

Lobola, which is loosely translated to bride price, is meant to be a symbolic expression of gratitude from a man to a woman. The groom shows his gratitude to the bride’s family by paying them a “reasonable” amount of money.

Lobola acts as the binding of the couple’s marriage because it joins two families.

“It is founded on two beliefs. First, that lobola is never finished nor paid in full. A man is forever indebted to his wife’s family for raising a wife for him and the mother of his children,” says Lesley Mofokeng, City Press columnist and writer.

“Second, it is to say that this precious woman’s value cannot be put into monetary terms. A more romantic man would say: ‘This is how far my money can stretch. It’s not enough to afford you, for I’m the lucky one to have you agree to spend the rest of your life with me’.”

“Everybody is doing it all wrong. The way lobola is practised nowadays is blatant exploitation of men.

“I wouldn’t mind if my partner would lobola me with just one cow. There should not be a monetary amount attached to lobola,” says Ntando Mbata, heritage specialist and writer.

“It isn’t about the amount of money or cows one can give, but rather about the blood shed that connects two families’ ancestors.”

With South Africa’s divorce rate increasing drastically each year, most black couples need to bear in mind that lobola money is non-refundable. Selloane Khalane, journalist and mother of two, is currently going through an amicable divorce with her husband. She is grateful for the life they spent together and the home she had built with him.

“My father didn’t want their lobola money; he didn’t believe that it was

KHULUBUSE ZUMA, mining millionaire and former taxi boss, paid R600 000 which is 100 cows worth of lobola for his Swati bride, Fikisiwe-Dlamini.

Photo: SundaySun practical. He always emphasised that the best thing that must come out of the lobola process is that my husband treats me like a queen,” she says.

“My lobola was just over R20 000, because I was independent, charismatic and hard-working.

“I could drive a car and I was studying at a university.

“Although we’re not together anymore, my husband would never ask for his lobola back. It is an insult to do so.

“The money paid out during the lobola process is a small part of what lobola truly signifies.”

Why women do it

are going to use the app during your negotiations,” tweeted Moshugi Sihle Ntsaluba tweeted: “What is the weighing based on? Does nobody feel that this app ridicules the true meaning behind what lobola stands for?”

People like to hide behind the name of culture and do things that are logically insensible and say “it’s my culture”.

All one can hope for, as a future participant of the lobola process, is that sensibility be practised by both families.

Today, more and more women in South Africa are accomplished professionals.

These women drive expensive cars, pay their own rent and buy property.

“I would never be able to afford to pay lobola, I am an artisan and my girlfriend is a dentist,” says Musa Mchunu (27).

“I want to marry her, but I know that I will never be able to afford to please her family.”

Nevertheless, women with the financial means to do so, are considering paying their own lobola.

Lolola is now a trending topic The uproar caused by the “Lobola Calculator” on Twitter and Facebook is proof that the algorithms used to measure the value of the woman are flawed.

“I knew this app would end up being a way of making fun of our tradition, but I’m probably being oversensitive,” tweeted Mayihlome Tshwete, spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs and the son of ANC stalwart Steve Tshwete who died in 2002.

Atlegang Moshugi thought it was ridiculous. “Relax, it’s not like your uncles

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FANIE FOURIE’S LOBOLA was a movie that depicted love between a Zulu woman and an Afrikaans man and the woes that came with negotiating lobola.

Photo: Channel24

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EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2015

NEWS

Firefighters help out at hospital } Tladi Moloi BETHLEHEM. – Working on Fire’s (WoF) firefighters recently worked hard in the Bethlehem Regional Hospital after the hospital’s lifts had a mechanical problem and eventually broke down.

The hospital management requested the WoF to assist with the logistics in the four-storey building while the lift problem was being attended to.

Firefighters helped by delivering food to patients, walking patients to their wards and taking the bodies of patients who had died to the mortuary.

The two groups of firefighters worked in alternating 12-hour shifts from 06:00 to 18:00 and vice versa to ensure the smooth running of the hospital.

Dr Liam Selfridge, who was in charge of the hospital over the weekend, said the fire fighters had been of great value to the hospital.

“They were brilliant; they walked up and down the hospital helping patients in and out. We would not have been able to cope without their help,” he said.

He said the part necessary to fix the lifts had been ordered from Dubai and usually took two days to arrive.

Although he was not sure, he hoped things would be back to normal on Tuesday.

Willem van Aswegen, the general manager of WoF in the Free State, said he was very proud of the firefighters who had

EMPLOYEES of Working on Fire (WOF) in Bethlehem were temporarily working at the hospital until two elevators which had been damaged by lightning, were fixed. From the left are Mookgo Matuka, Jacob Radebe Ntsebeng, Maitse Charl Genis (chairman of the Bethlehem Fire Association), Ntseke Zongezile, Seipai Mokoena, Papiki Mthimkulu, Rantho Mofokeng and Joyce Zulu.

Photo: Susan Maré contributed to the easy running of the hospital.

“We are always there to help wherever we can, it’s part of the programme to save people’s lives

and make things better.”

WoF is a government funded programme established in 2003.

In the programme, young people from disadvantaged backgrounds

houses for the beneficiaries.

A primary school and crèche have been erected for the local farm children, and also for kids in the neighbouring areas. Houses were built for teachers and a hostel facility for the kids.

Solar panels were also installed to supply cheaper power and water.

There is about 750 ha of land where maize and soy beans have been planted by the community.

A total of 2 ha of land is covered in apple trees and approximately 40 cows supply milk for dairy products.

The farm also boasts 100 head of cattle and the pastures are under irrigation to provide feed for these animals.

“We are grateful to have China as our stakeholder. We are also grateful for your cooperation with the South African Government and sharing crucial information with us,” said Taetsane.

“We are honoured to be a part of the programme which nurtures agricultural growth and community upliftment. Joining forces with the South African Government will enable both our countries to achieve a common goal,” said Zuo Changsheng, the director general of the International Poverty Reduction Centre in China.

CHARLES TAETSANE (left), the Maluti-a-Phofung municipal manager, shakes hands with Zuo Changsheng, director general of the International Poverty Reduction Centre in China. On the right is Jiang Xiaohua, viceminister of poverty alleviation and development.

Photo: Nthati Motsoeneng

are recruited and trained as veld and forest firefighters.

The firefighters are professionally trained and employed all year round.

Apart from their fire- fighting work during the fire season, they also participate in fire prevention campaigns in communities mostly affected by veld fires.

Chinese delegation visits Diyatalawa Farm

} Nthati Motsoeneng DIYATALAWA. – A Chinese delegation recently visited the Diyatalawa Agricultural Farm in the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality.

The visit was aimed at monitoring the agricultural and community development initiatives on the farm.

Diyatalawa was identified as one of the sites of the Rural Development Programme by the Free State Government, which invests in infrastructure development, social economic development, as well as services provision, including water and energy in the community.

The Chinese delegation also held a meeting with Charles Taetsane, the Maluti-a-Phofung municipal manager, who represented the executive mayor, Vusi Tshabalala.

One of the key points raised during the presentation session, was the methodology and strategy followed in the early stages of this programme until its final stages, for benchmarking purposes.

Diyatalawa has been developed into a full agricultural area. The government bought the land for beneficiaries who are residents on the farm. Government also built

Launch postponed THE cast of Moratuwa, the new Southern Sotho movie from Qwaqwa, at the Phuthaditjhaba Hall in Qwaqwa. The movie was supposed to be launched here on Saturday (07/02). However, the event did not take place due to load shedding. Pokotho Zondo, the producer, said he was disappointed and added that load shedding was one of the problems they could not solve. He said they would announce another date for the launch.

Photo: Tladi Moloi

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2015 7

SPORT

Ivory Coast claims Afcon IVORY COAST won a second African Cup of Nations (Afcon) title by edging out Ghana 9-8 on penalties in the final on Sunday (08/02).

Veteran goalkeeper Boubacar Barry slotted the winning kick after saving the previous attempt by his counterpart from Ghana, Razak Braimah.

Frenchman Herve Renard consequently became the first coach to win the competition with two countries, having guided Zambia to their sole continental triumph in 2012.

The tense shootout, which involved every man in the park and saw the Elephants miss their first two penalties, followed an otherwise dull 120 minutes of football in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.

In a combative opening period, the Black Stars came agonisingly close to scoring when Christian Atsu struck the post in the 25th minute.

At the other end, Wilfried Bony failed to hit the target on the half-hour mark after being teed up on the edge of the area by Siaka Tiene.

Ghana X four-time Afcon champions X threatened again soon after, as André Ayew’s attempted cutback was deflected onto the upright.

The second stanza was similarly physical, but woefully short of goal-mouth action, as was extra time.

The Ivorians first won the tournament in 1992, ousting the same opponents 11-10 on penalties in Senegal.

The penalty sequence played out as follows: Wakaso scores, Bony misses; J Ayew scores, Tallo misses; Acquah saved, Aurier scores; Acheampong misses, Doumbia scores; Ayew scores, Yaya Toure scores; Mensah scores, Kalou scores; Agyemang-Badu scores, Kolo Toure scores; Afful scores, Kanon scores; Rahman scores, Bailly scores; Boye scores, Serey Die scores; Braimah saved, Barry scores.

– KickOff.com

Search for young sports stars is on ARE you good at sport – or is someone in your school or place of education good at sport?

Are you motivating or training others to be good at sport?

Are you getting people active at your school, in your community or at your gym?

Express Eastern Free State (EFS) wants to hear from you.

SuperSport’s Let’s Play identified the need among the youth to get more active in sport.

With this in mind, SuperSport and Let’s Play, in association with Express EFS, annually present a special initiative.

We want to find and give recognition to learners at either primary or high school level who excel in sport or who are helping others to be more active in their daily lifestyle.

The SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the Month is a competition for anyone aged six to 18.

You can nominate yourself or even be nominated by a friend or teacher, lecturer or coach at your school or place of education.

The winner will be chosen from all the nominations received for that month.

The monthly winner will receive a Let’s Play hamper filled with goodies.

From all the entries received each month, one player will be chosen as the SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the Month.

At the end of the year only one player from all the monthly winners will be chosen as the SuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of the Year.

Your nomination must include the following information: your name and surname, your age and a short paragraph (less than 200 words) on what you have achieved on the sport sphere.

Your contact details must also be included.

You can email your nomination to supersport@zpr.co.za or send a fax to 086-552-4922.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS

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FOR ALL TOMBSTONES and repairs to damaged tombstones, as well as epitaphs, etc.

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GENERAL NOTICES

Notice is given in terms of the National Environmental Waste Management Act, 2008 (Act 59 of 2008) of intent to apply for a licence for the upgrading of the existing landfill site in Koffiefontein. The public participation process will be managed according to Section 56(2)(c) of the regulations published in Government Notice No. R. 385 published in Government Notice 28753 of 21 April 2006 of the National Environmental Management Act 1998 (Act 107 of 1998) as amended.

The proposed licensing of the existing waste site requires an application subject to a Scoping and Environmental Impact Assessment Process (EIA).

Table 1: Project Description PROJECT NAME Koffiefontein SWS Licence Application SITE LOCATION: Portion 1 and 2 of Rorich’s Hoop, to the West of Koffiefontein.

The activity is listed in Government Gazette No. 37083 (29/11/13) under the National Environmental Management: Waste Act (59/2008), as: Activity number: Activity B 8: New licence application for the disposal of general waste to land covering an area of in excess of 200 sq m and with a total capacity exceeding 25 000 tons.

The projected has been registered with the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, ref: WML/EIA/11/2014.

In order to ensure that you are identified as interested and/or affected parties please submit your name, contact information and interest in the matter in writing to the contact person given below within 40 days of publication of this notice.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DRAFT SCOPING REPORT IS AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW Environmental Assessment Practitioner Lorato Tigedi (T) 051 430 1041/2 or lorato@nsvt.co.za PO Box 42452, Heuwelsig 9332

X1PQ80ER-QQ110215

X1PQ81AW-QQ110215

NKETOANA (F.S. 193) (Reitz, Petrus Steyn, Lindley and Arlington)

LOCAL MUNICIPALITY ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2013/2014 INVITATION FOR COMMENTS AND INPUTS Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 127 (5)(a)(i)(ii) of the Municipal Finance Management Act, Act 56 of 2003, for the community of Nketoana to submit their representation and public comments on the Draft Annual Report for 2013/2014 financial year, which was tabled before Council on 29/01/2015. A copy thereof may be scrutinized at the following places: 1.

4010

2.

SEEK, BUY, SELL

Public Libraries in Reitz, Petsana, Mamafubedu, Lindley,Ntha and Leratswana.

Municipal Offices in Reitz, Mamafubedu, Lindley and Arlington

Any comments or representations must be submitted in writing to the Municipal Manager’s Office or send by post to: PO Box 26 Reitz 9810 and to reach him on or before 4 March 2015.

Any person who cannot write may come to the Manager IDP & PMS during office hours for assistance with the transcribing of comments and representations on the report.

For more information please contact the Manager IDP &PMS, Stephani Venter on Tel number : 058 863 2811 x 220 Fax : 086 402 9244 E-mail : stephani@nketoanafs.co.za LI Mokgatlhe Municipal Manager PO Box 26 REITZ 9810 X1PQBM89-QQ110215

8

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 11 FEBRUARY 2015

EASTERN FREE STATE

Khumalo takes over reigns

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

BETHLEHEM. – Free State Stars have hired former Ea Lla Koto gloveman Walter Khumalo as their interim goalkeeper coach.

Khumalo takes over the duties from Jo Stock, who resigned on

Tuesday. Stars general manager Rantsi Mokoena said on the club’s website: “Khumalo will work as an interim keeper coach until the management meets to finalise his future at the club.”

– KickOff.com

Pair signs with Celtic BLOEMFONTEIN. – Bloemfontein Celtic have announced the signing of defenders Marubini Alushavhiwi and Tshepo Mbhazima Rikhotso of Roses United.

The two have signed four-year deal with Phunya Sele Sele, having also previously played for Celtic Colts and National First Division side Vasco da Gama.

Alushavhiwi (23) told Celtic’s official website: “My vision has expanded to new horizons. I’m eternally blessed for the opportunity. I recall how I travelled to Bloemfontein from Venda a few years ago in search of a brighter future and now can see the light. I will not only commit, but make sure I play my heart out for this beautiful brand.”

Rikhotso (22) added: “Most players are dying for such a great opportunity. I’m shaking in disbelief knowing how huge the Celtic brand is. I promise that the desire to prosper will keep me focused.”

– KickOff.com

Stars need three points } Tladi Moloi

ON THE BALL: Modibedi Mokoena (left, the Maluti FET College right winger), will be hoping to guide his team to their first win of 2015 when they face Santos at the Charles Mopeli stadium. The other player going for the ball here is Mopapa “Zidane” Mofokeng (right).

Photo: Tladi Moloi

NFD encounter a must-win

} Tladi Moloi PHUTHADITJHABA. – Maluti FET College FC will be hoping for positive results in their National First Division (NFD) league encounter against Santos at the Charles Mopeli Stadium in Qwaqwa today (11/02).

Kick-off is scheduled for 15:30. With a new coach in charge, Jonny Mafereka, the students know that they will have to fight for dear life in this second round of the league.

They are sitting at a dangerous position on the log table that could see them being relegated to the ABC Motsepe League if they don’t wake up.

Maluti is rooted at the bottom of the table with only eight points after 16 games.

They are coming head-to-head against the Cape Town outfit who is sitting on position five on the table with 23 points after the same number of games.

They are just nine points away from the log leaders, Jomo Cosmos.

In their first leg encounter, Santos narrowly beat Maluti 3-2 in the game that took place at the Athlone stadium in Cape Town.

However, nothing much could be said about the two teams since they have been warming up themselves with friendly games during the African Cup of Nations break.

Mafereka said the team was ready for the game and added that the players were aware that it was a must-win game.

“We should make sure that we collect

points as soon as possible,” he said. “Winning the Santos game will give us more confidence going into the next league game.”

He said he was happy with the team’s performance.

“We played a few friendly games and all of them yielded positive results. Our last game was against the Premier League outfit, Free State Stars, and we held them to a 2-2 draw.

“We have managed to instil discipline at the back and goals have been coming around lately,” he said.

Mafereka said they needed 30 points to avoid relegation. “We just need to win ten games out of the remaining ones and we will be safe.”

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BETHLEHEM. – Free State Stars are looking for three points in the Absa Premier League clash against SuperSport United in the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on Wednesday (11/02). Kick-off is at 18:30.

The PSL resumed on Tuesday (10/02) with three games after a long Christmas combined with the African Cup of Nations break.

Ea Lla Koto come into Wednesday’s encounter sitting on the wrong end of the table. They are third from the bottom of the league, above Platinum Stars and Amazulu.

The Bethlehem-based outfit have collected 18 points in 17 league games, which means they still have a mountain to climb in order to avoid relegation, which they dodged at the 11th hour last season.

However, they know that playing Matsatsantsa in Pretoria will not be a walk in the park. United are on position 11 with 20 points in 16 games.

Gordon Igesund’s boys will be gunning for revenge after they had suffered a 3-2 defeat to the same side in August last year.

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