Monday, February 2, 2009

Free State News (January, 2009 edition)

FREE STATE NEWS (January, 2009)

This web page(s) would regularly focus on the leading Free State (South Africa) newspaper – Free State news – the first regular newspaper to be orchestrated fully by black people in the Free State province (the paper celebrates its 10th year anniversary this year). The paper has been published on a weekly basis since 1999. Here, we shall have regular items like “Feature of the week”, which started in July, 2008.

Free State News crew

Publisher
Moses Vinger

Confidential Secretary/Manager
Maki Mohapi

Editor
Kaya M

News Editor
Omoseye Bolaji

News Desk
Julia Stuurman
Flaxman Qoopane
Neo Mvubu

Sports Reporter
Michael Tlhakudi

Lay-out artist
Tumisang Takang

Photographer
Fresh Pix

Contact number:
051 447 1655

JAN 30 - FEB 05 2009 edition

FEATURE OF THE WEEK:

“Chocolate Soul album unveiled” (page 2) By Michael Tlhakudi
(reproduced here)


Chocolate Soul album unveiled

By Michael Tlhakudi

Finally, the long awaited album of the Lesotho born artist is out and available in all good stores in and around Bloemfontein. Refiloe ‘Chocolate Soul’ Thoahlane (23) took just over a year to work on this project of House Music after three years of creating Hip hop Instrumentals.

This comes after Chocolate Soul initially wanted to become a Hip hop artist but all this changed after a hectic exposure to the Bloemfontein night life, influenced mainly by Deep House music. After four years of building a name for himself in the Free State, he met business partner and best friend Teboho Rankae better known as Tza who is also an Executive Producer in this offering. Together they decided to work with Chocolate Soul in preparation for molding him into a House Musician. They invented a new genre of Music called Crunch House, a combination of Hip hop instrumentals and House Music.

The 15-track album comprises a mixture of Sesotho and English tunes. City of Roses is the first single that is receiving airplay in various radio stations in the Free State. The other songs that deserve mention include Maseru Strawberries featuring Ntsiki and Erik, Eternal Love featuring Erik and Live another Day.

“This album has been an eye-opener for me and I experienced challenges nevertheless. Working with DJ Christos has certainly helped me a lot to grow as an artist,” he said.

Chocolate Soul will also be performing in different places across the country to promote the album.
To book Chocolate Soul call 072 874 4210/076 318 1285

Jan 23 – Jan 29 2009 edition

FEATURE OF THE WEEK:

“Ministers light torch of peace” By Neo Mvubu (Front page)

(reproduced here)

MINISTERS LIGHT TORCH OF PEACE

By Neo Mvubu

The Torch of Peace was lit at Nkgopoleng Secondary School in Sasolburg by the Minister of Education, Naledi Pandor together with the Minister of Public Safety and Security, Jeff Radebe.

The ministers arrived at the school earlier than all the other people, and then started their surprise visits to schools. Later that day, they returned to Nkgopoleng Secondary School and the formal torch of peace ceremony began.

The torch was lit to encourage learners as well as all the other road users to remain safe and secure in the roads. According to the Minister of Public Transport Safety and Security, Jeff Radebe, the level of collisions on our roads has decreased and that this is due to road safety campaigns that have been implemented so far.

The significance of lighting the torch was to combine the need for 16 days of Activism against women and children campaign with the need for safety and security on our roads and in schools.

The Minister of Education, Naledi Pandor said that the department is committed to, “deliver books, process appointments, pay salaries…and to ensure schools have resources,” She also added that the torch of hope should act as a reflection of the commitment both the educators and the students have for the year ahead.

The learners from various schools, in and around the Free State welcomed the encouraging messages from the ministers, and one representative of the students stood up from her seat and commented on the realities surrounding road safety.

JAN 16 – JAN 22 2009 edition

FEATURE OF THE WEEK:

“Seleke’s day of glory” (Front page)

(reproduced here)

SELEKE’S DAY OF GLORY

By Neo Mvubu

Free State news columnist, Seleke Botsime (who writes the Silhouettes column) was named this week as “The Free State Columnist of the year” (2008) at a successful occasion hosted by Phoenix Literary Press and Club. Venue was the Cuthberts Building in Bloemfontein. The event will take place annually to celebrate the hard earned work of columnists in the Free State.

“I am blessed to be here and receiving this award today, it is but God who should receive the ultimate recognition,” an ecstatic Seleke told Free State news.

The Chairman at the auspicious occasion was Ntate Kgang Abel Motheane, well known prolific author and publisher. Also present was the Chief Executive Officer of Melodi Productions, Tebogo Seseane, the MD of Josh 158 Recording Studio, Urbain Tila, commentator and critic, Jerry Seekoei, among others. There were performances and deliveries from notable bards, “Icebound” and Charmaine Kolwane. The press was amply represented too.

Phoenix Press operative Mr. George Rampai explained how the firm continues to boost literacy and literature in the Free State, including through the publication of books. In a most illuminating Citation delivered by literary icon Mr. Lebohang Thaisi, the reasons why Mr. Seleke emerged as “the Columnist of the year” were lucidly explained.

Seleke is a man of wisdom, his works reflect on traditional values that are but day by day disintegrating. His column is known by many as Silhouettes and taps into the daily lives of the spiritual. He won the award in the midst of impressive column writers from publications such as Mangaung Issue as well as The Way.

According to Lebohang Thaisi, “The profundity of the column (Silhouettes) has to be specially commended. These are not articles we can just pick up and read quickly. We have to savour slowly the special language and intellectualism that bedeck them; we ponder over them, re-read and appreciate.”

Seleke Botsime was presented with a special Certificate, the sum of R1000 00, and other gifts.

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