FREE STATE NEWS MAY 10 2013 SAMPLE STORIES

FREE STATE NEWS MAY 10 2013 SAMPLE STORIES

This web page(s) regularly focuses 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 has been published on a weekly basis since 1999. Regular items like “Feature of the week” have appeared here over the years. 


Free State News crew

Publisher

Moses Vinger

Confidential Secretary/Manager

Maki Mohapi aka “Madam Maki” “H.C”

Editor

Kaya M

News Editor

Omoseye Bolaji

Contributors

Letshego Moeng
Sebedi Seroalo
Raselebeli Khotseng

Lay-out artist

Tumisang Takang

Contact number:

051 447 1655 051 447 1655 

All about ‘Shades’!!

By Regomoditswe Motsalane

What happens when one switches from music to theatre? It is said that there is always growth and an artist has to evolve. That is what has happened with the legend, Seleke Botsime (SLK). He is now based in Kroonstad and has started BANTU THEATRE PRODUCTION which embraces the “the plight of the youth who are jobless”

                                                             Above pix: Seleke

SLK has switched from music and is now writing plays! When did all this start? He says: “I started to understand the dynamics of theatre in the year two thousand but putting down one play was the most difficult thing because I just wanted to do it right for the very first time, so last year I wrote a play called Shades of Grey which I am even directing.”

What is the play all about? A beaming Seleke says: “Shades of Grey is a family drama, it’s about love, acceptance and forgiveness and I have been performing the play since from the beginning of this year. I am very excited about this play ‘cos it’s just one of the plays that will be a stepping stone for me; there is a lot to follow, but just for now I wanna focus on Shades of Grey"…It’s a mad house play, but my aim is to take it to the next level like Grahamstown, but unfortunately the selection has already been done and we can just wait and be ready to crack it next year when there is District festival that will be scheduled for early next year.”

The play is about a father and a mother who have two children. The male child brings home for the very first time a girlfriend… all this happens through a family dinner. “One has to book a seat and watch it and see how the plot thickens...I simply cannot dish out everything!” said Seleke. One of the main characters of the play is Ascante Langa, who plays the girlfriend of Lebone and her name on the play is Nnane Buthelezi. She appears to be rather brash and doesn’t mince her words, turning the Khumalo family upside down! She is twenty years old and studied Human Resources.

Apparently her parents could not afford for her to finish her studies and she was just at home thinking about a way out. “I am not bubbly and I am extremely shy, so it took more for me to be able to act the part, but I am thankful to people like Mr Seleke Botsime who was able to step in and unleash my latent talents as an actor; not in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I could act.”

The young lady adds: “I had to put a lot of effort to excel in her character, I have to dig deep deep inside of me, and Mr Seleke gave me advice that in my family I have to look at people that fit the description of the character, Nnane Buthelezi, and that has helped me a lot in order to perform it.”

Please book yourself to be exhilarated, Ascante Langa stresses. “I am definitely going places with this guy and I know that my star is always shining; wisdom is that when you are ready, the teacher will appear.”

SLK chips in: “I am very thankful to the department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation in Fezile Dabi which has been so supportive about my vision. Starting a production is not a child’s play.”

The play will start going around the country after winter as it is busy being promoted at Kroonstad first. Those interested in seeing the play can call Mr Lethola @ 071 0868 161\ 073 500 6326  

COMMUTERS’ FORUM EXHORTS POSITIVE COLLECTIVE RELATIONS

By Letshego Moeng

The Free State Commuters’ Forum has called on disparate cogs in the wheel of progress to pull together and ensure that the industry at large forges ahead.

“We value all stakeholders in the transportation industry such as taxi operators, bus service operators, railway, private vehicle commuters and other road users and air travel commuters. As much as we value them, we are requesting improved customer relations, encouraging team work spirit.” Mr. M.L Bokako, Chairperson and the Executive Committee, pointed out.

Free State News gathered that sequel to desk negotiations the Forum should be able to establish service levels of operations peacefully, support and encourage the government at central, provincial and local level to carry out its declared vision of promoting public transport for the benefit of the entire community. “This includes promoting the idea of provision of adequate public passenger as the primary means of transportation through education pilot program.”

Additionally, “government at all levels is urged to create the conditions for the introduction of public transport services which are reasonably comparable to private cars in terms of convenience and accessibility. The main idea behind it is to strive for improvement of safety for the beloved drivers and the commuters in all forms of transport while travelling and while waiting at road side stops, bus terminal and taxi rank.”

It is also gathered that scheduling management has an impact on pertinent mental health; also, a practical guide to creative efficient commuter communication is for commuters to be treated as contributors to social and economic development. “Passengers’ and drivers and transport operators are requested to treat each other with respect and dignity in order to achieve the goals of sustainable, affordable and reliable transport services.”

Admirably, the Free State Commuters’ Chairperson and his executives hope to foment the best and most pristine of values; “to make a difference in promoting the spirit of UBUNTU and cooperation as well as tolerance between all structures involved in the transport industry.”

Contact M.L Bokako via 061 082 0264; 074 779 5889; and 072 957 3115

The Significance of Story Telling

By Raselebeli Khotseng

The Commission of the Promotion of the Rights of Cultural Religious and Linguistic Community (CRL) has once again hosted a dialogue on the importance of story-telling in South Africa.

The event was held at Protea Hotel, Bloemfontein, on the 7^th May 2013 kicking off at 9h00. Different representatives from diverse cultural and religious background graced the event. These included Rastafarians, Christians, cultural organizations, and other NGOs.

Mr Brian Makekeeta, the programme Director and CRL official from its head office welcomed the guests and reminded them about the resolutions taken by the National Council of CLR in Pretoria where it was decided that all three aspects (Culture, Religion and Language) should be treated separately. “Hence today we are only focusing on story-telling as a cultural aspect” he said.

This issue raised the concern that TV soapies have made modern children to forget their own indigenous stories “that our parents used to tell when we sat around the fire with them”

Mr Joseph Ntabeni, also from CRL briefed the guests about the purpose of the event as to get views and methods of how story-telling can change the society to maintain our cultural teaching. He went further to ask what message does story-telling carry to nourish our children’s minds?

In response to that, attendees mentioned what has been largely lost by sending their kids to ‘model schools’ that are unable to teach the young ones about indigenous story-telling. The other problem raised, touched on the fact that children are now interested in technological things at the expense of indigenous ones.

“As a result we should combine them together so as to build or promote our story-telling method in a modern way.”

Lastly, it was suggested that cultural centres should be established in every town as a means to encourage children to engage in story-telling and indigenous games. It was also recommended that the department of Education, Arts and Culture and SABC Radios should broadcast the old indigenous stories that used to regale past generations.

The CRL Officials promised to “come back to stakeholders and fulfill some of the resolutions, and hosting of further dialogues on religion and language”