Free State News (September 2009 editions)

FREE STATE NEWS (September 2009 editions)

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 celebrates its 10th year anniversary this year). The paper has been published on a weekly basis since 1999. Regular items like “Feature of the week” have appeared here over the months. Free State News crew

PublisherMoses Vinger

Confidential Secretary/Manager
Maki Mohapi aka “Madam Maki” “H.C”

EditorKaya M

News Editor
Omoseye Bolaji

News DeskGloria Marobele
S. Botsime

Office Assistant
Thato Josephine Nkatswang

Lay-out artist
Tumisang Takang

Contact number:
051 447 1655


SEPTEMBER 25 – OCT 1 2009 edition

FEATURE OF THE WEEK:

“The quintessence of Heritage Day” (By Gloria Marobele). Front page
(Reproduced here)

The Quintessence of Heritage Day

By Gloria Marobele

Yesterday (24th of September) was identified as a special day set aside to celebrate and recognize what all South Africans are proud of and identify with.

Indeed South Africa is a diverse society, with tantalizing culture, systems, religion, languages and races. The word “heritage” comes from inherit and that means our heritage is what we have learnt or what we have gained through learning.

Sfiso Maling, a government official from the Department of Education (Values in Education) told Free State News: “The history that we have is our heritage and also our heritage is the link between the past, the current and the future. For us as the Department of Education it’s not just celebrating the Heritage Day but we have taken out the month of September for celebrating. We have got the events as the department and activities which include acknowledging the national symbols like coat of arms, national anthems and national flags.”

Meanwhile, Free State News spoke to a number of people in Mangaung who basked in the significance of Heritage Day this week. “Our country is diverse and I like the fact that we can be free to speak our languages and practice our cultures. I think we should preserve our heritage sites for the next generations. I think we should all be proud of where we come from and of who we are because we are privileged to have a country which takes pride in the history that we have,” Ukhona Makalima (22) told Free State News.

Angela Phahlane(32) said: “ I am just going to sit in my house and spend some quality time with my family. I am going to tell my children about the importance of knowing who we are and where we are going. My oldest son, Nathan is seven but he knows that we are a rainbow nation and we should integrate with people from different cultures. I personally think that integration is part and parcel of our heritage because as South African we paid a terrible price to get to where we are today.”

Also note in same issue:

“Bafana ends losing streak” (Back page sports)

BAFANA ENDS LOSING STREAK

It had become a nightmare, as the national football team lost six consecutive matches in a row. This unpalatable run embraced defeats by Spain (twice), Brazil, Serbia, Germany and a pitiably under-strength Ireland (who also won 1-0).

Fans across the land were incensed with these losses. It seemed that Bafana Bafana were not learning anything at all, and were toothless bulldogs, as it were. With the 2010 World Cup finals just around the corner, millions at home and abroad feared that imminent disgrace could be on the cards next year.

In his colourful way, Jerry Seekoei, the Freedom Square based intellectual and polemicist, also known for his love of sports had commented after the loss to Ireland: “This latest loss has shown a rigid losing streak, a calamitous range. Is it a reality myth to say that one day they (Bafana) will show up in office and have a good field day and never look back? In sweeping generality, will they ever shift from bad days?”

But against Madagascar last weekend, locally based players representing Bafana Bafana were at last able to win 1-0 win over minnows Madagascar…

SEPTEMBER 18 – SEPTEMBER 24 2009 edition

FEATURE OF THE WEEK:

“Accolade for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation”. (By Gloria Marobele) Front page

(Reproduced here)

Accolade for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation

By Gloria Marobele

The South African Institute of Government Auditors (SAIGA) has awarded the Free State Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation with SAIGA Annual Public Sector Reporting Awards. This award seeks to encourage other public bodies like the Municipalities to be transparent in how funds have been spent.
The SAIGA Awards started in 2002, and the Free State

The Department of Sports Arts Culture and Recreation has won it for two consecutive terms; now reaching the highest score of 95.90 since inception. Professor Deiter Gloeck, the Executive President of SAIGA, said: “This complete transformation may sometimes be embarrassing for government departments, especially as the published information provides the media with a lot to write about. The comparisons I have made are not done with the intention of blemishing the private sector, but allow us to fully appreciate the rate of public sector development and reform, and to view the public sector achievements in the proper sector.”

Gloeck added: “Applying the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) requirements of transparency, relevancy, (being) understandable, accurate, timely and trustworthy financial and performance information means actual empowerment of South Africa’s citizens to participate in a free democracy. In striving to deliver the above, the massive organization called the state needs leaders and examples.”

The MEC of Sports Arts, Culture and Recreation, Dan Kgothule said: “The fact that the award is for the best performance, both at provincial and national level further speaks volumes about the good work that has been done by the Department in putting together an annual report that is reflective of the work being done in the department.”

He added: “I heard that last year the Department won this award, and Mr. T.J. Kambule who was then the Executive Manager, and now the Head of the Department challenged his colleagues not to lower the standard but to rise to the occasion and keep the standard - or escalate it to greater levels.”

SEPTEMBER 11 – SEPTEMBER 17 2009 edition

FEATURE OF THE WEEK:

“‘Ma Leburu’ harvests lofty award”. (By S Botsime) Page 3
(Reproduced here)

‘Ma Leburu’ harvests lofty award

By S Botsime


Diemiso Leburu of ofm radio station has won the Vodacom award for Journalist of the year, Central region. She was named the winner in the radio general news category.

Diemiso, still a young lady, cut her teeth at Free State News a few years ago when she was a reporter, feature writer, columnist and general office administrator. Her versatility stood her in good stead to move on to other genres of journalism, where she has now carved a niche for herself.

Khaya Mntsantsa, Free State News editor, said this week: “We are all delighted with Diemiso’s success. When she was at Free State News she showed her ability and efficiency in diverse ways. On a personal level ‘Ma Leburu’ – as we affectionately call her - was always courteous, respectful with a lot of Ubuntu. She also has a great sense of humour!”

In recent times Diemiso has shown her prowess as a great news hound and presenter on radio. She has interviewed countless people and her dexterity in her field has now been recognised at a very high level. She was the only Black winner in the Central region. She will now travel to Johannesburg next month (October) for the national finals of the Vodacom awards.

A well travelled, Diemiso has visited a number of African countries, and ventured overseas as far as the United States of America.


SEPTEMBER 4 – SEPTEMBER 10 2009 edition

FEATURE OF THE WEEK:

“Women are ‘multi-taskers’”. (Opinion By Gloria Marobele) Page 2
(Reproduced here)


FEATURE

Women are multi-taskers

By Gloria Marobele

Yes – women’s month (August) has just petered to an end. As women we must take time out to reflect on our lot, our achievements, our dreams; our vision.

Some people take women as incompetent people, some take them as “losers” but I feel that this is a smoke screen – actually, women are multi-taskers; a woman can raise children and work two jobs at the same time, a woman can also carry a baby on her back while cooking.

There is a truism that “God made women to be strong but he gave a Black woman more strength” and I definitely agree with that. I have seen a couple of Black women working assiduously for White families while taking care of their families at the same time. A Black woman will wake up in the morning and prepare food for her children and go to work where she will do the same (amongst many other duties) for the children of her employers.

Usually when we celebrate women’s month we always mention famous women and honour them whilst forgetting the ones who are unrecognized. I mean the hapless women in the rural areas or should I say the poor women. These women actually had to deal with lots of challenges during the apartheid government and some of them also marched to the Union Building in 1956.

For example, in Ladybrand, there is a woman called Ellen Kopele, this woman is 97 years and she was part of the 1956 march. This woman is still beautiful and you will swear she is 50 years old. Even though she is not well known she is a heroine and I think next year when we celebrate Women’s month again, we should honour such women.

Lastly, I think that we as women also give ourselves these labels, being seen as incompetent people. I mean if you want a promotion why should you charm your boss instead of doing your job with passion allied to hard work? Sisters, we have brains like men; many of you would even say we have brains more than men! Let’s just prove that to the rest of the world.