FREE STATE NEWS (December 2011 editions)

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in advance!

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”

Office Assistant
Thobeka Funani aka ‘supermodel’

Editor
Kaya M

News Editor
Omoseye Bolaji

Journalists
Seleke Botsime
Nthabiseng Lisele
Dineo Mokgosi

Lay-out artist
Tumisang Takang

Contact number:
051 447 1655

DECEMBER 16 – DECEMBER 22 2011 edition

FEATURE OF THE WEEK: “Furore over name change” By Dineo Mokgosi Page 3

Reproduced hereunder:

Furore over name change
By Dineo Mokgosi

Trouble is brewing in Thaba Nchu over the proposed name change of the N8 Corridor development that passes through Thaba Nchu all the way to Lesotho.

On Monday, December 12 at Mmabana Centre in Thaba Nchu, a consultation process was held by the Free State Provincial Geographical Names Committee (PGNC) to discuss the proposed name change. Although poorly attended, the few residents in attendance made their voice heard loud and clear.

“We don’t accept the name, King Moshoeshoe Development Corridor. There were no proper presentations to the community. We want to support government but they should have consulted with us first”, said an aggrieved Leonard Mothobi.

Mothobi shared the views of the residents that they don’t want the name King Moshoeshoe. They opined that Dr. J. S. Moroka would be better suited, “as he is a local hero.”

The residents’ complaints centred on who chose the name, and who agreed with the name. A man by the name of N. J. Malefane from Mokoena location in Thaba Nchu is alleged to have proposed the name, King Moshoeshoe; however he was not present at the consultations.

Chairperson of the PGNC, Advocate Sephiri Moshodi said the way that the form for the name change is designed, is so stringent that it does not provide space for a second name.

Moshodi said that a consensus was reached when the name was proposed.
“This is a public hearing. A name is here and has already been proposed. We understand that people don’t want the name King Moshoeshoe. This is our second meeting that we’ve held about this issue. It does not matter how many people attended: seven, or 30; we go through with the meeting”, said Moshodi.

Head Secretariat, Jeff Mphomela said that the residents had to be careful when choosing a name as the name change does not affect only them but also Botshabelo, Ladybrand, and other towns on the corridor all the way to Lesotho.

“We need to advice people that what we are talking about is a national road, we really need to have a name proposed. Regard must be had to the fact that Dr. J. S. Moroka and Reverend Richard Mahabane are international figures and local heroes”, said Mphomela.

Motsididi Kgitsane said that he was concerned, as it appeared that the name King Moshoeshoe has already been chosen as the new name for the N8 Corridor.

“From where I am standing, there is only one name, King Moshoeshoe. No one has proposed another name. So on Friday, January 05, 2012 if there is no other name, we are done. King Moshoeshoe will remain”, said Moshodi.

Also:

DJ HLETHE UNMASKED!

BY NTHABISENG LISELE

Who is the main man behind the name DJ Hlethe? What are the origins of this enigmatic personality? How did he metamorphose into a renowned Free State DJ?

His real name is Itumeleng Ernest Mohotloane. He started his music career while he was doing Grade 9. Apparently there were DJ auditions at the Botshabelo local radio station called Mosupatsela FM in 2006.

He reminisces: “The competition was all about winning a record deal, as listeners were voting live on air; they voted and I was mostly voted for by the listeners; but at a later stage there was no record deal…”

According to Itumeleng: “The majority of the people were demanding my music; so I decided to record an album that was called MEROPA. I was selling these copies during promotions even when I was doing grade 10.”

He added: “I met Justice Mpopo who owns Golden Tree Production. He gave me a deal and I signed with him, then we took some songs from my previous album, Meropa and added some of his songs and released my second album called POMPA”.

The album was well accepted by the public as it was played everywhere at the time. But DJ Hlethe confirmed that his partnership with Justice Mpopo never went well as DJ Hlethe had problems getting his royalties. “He also refused to release the pertinent sales statement and I decided to leave him and find another production.”

“Until 2007 while I was doing grade 11, I met Genius Malgas who wanted to work with me after hearing a lot of people who loved my music recommending me to him. I started working at his record label (Genius Record) as a music producer and a DJ. Later that year, he decided to release my album!”

“Most of my albums are played in different radio stations,” he acknowledged with a beatific smile. “They have managed to be played and reached Top 20/30. I am proud to say that in the past 5 years I have learnt a lot and grown so much as an artist and I have lots of fans in Free State who love and respect me. I have performed on big events so far”, said Hlethe smiling.

DJ Hlethe has managed to share the stage with artists like DJ Finzo, Ba2cada, DJ Zinhle, Bojo Mujo, DJ Kent and many more popular South African artists.


DECEMBER 9 – DECEMBER 15 2011 edition


FEATURE OF THE WEEK: “Magashule augments festive mood with Operation Hlasela” By Nthabiseng Lisele Page 3

Reproduced hereunder:

MAGASHULE AUGMENTS FESTIVE MOOD WITH OPERATION HLASELA

BY NTHABISENG LISELE

The Free State provincial government under the leadership of Ace Magashule went to QwaQwa to meet with the unemployed graduates.

“This meeting is part of the on-going efforts by government to align the skills of the province to job creation opportunities as part of the national drive, fight the scourge of poverty and contribute to a growing national economy that is inclusive of all the people of the country”, Premier Magashule adumbrated.

The Department of Education allocated bursaries to students interested in studying Teaching, Maths and Science courses next year. Public Works Department hired two students and gave a full-time bursary to one student who struggled with finances to complete her studies.

To complement this, the Department of Social Development absorbed qualified social workers, and the Department of Health also hired nurses from Thabo Mofutsanyana district.

Operation Hlasela didn’t stop at QwaQwa; it also went to Jaggersfontein where it has built a swimming pool with a changing room; a netball and basketball court - these projects have also created jobs for the community. Bopa Lesedi was one of the project organisations used by Free State provincial government to make these projects successful.

Margaret Phenethi, a resident of Jaggersfontein said: “I was doing a computer learnership, which is one of Operation Hlasela programmes. I have completed it and soon I will get my certificate; and while waiting for my certificate to apply for jobs I will keep myself busy playing netball at the new court, as it’s one of my hobbies”.

The community of Jaggersfontein admitted that there are no jobs, and most youth keep themselves busy by squatting at the taverns; yet some lamentably are loitering in the streets committing crime.

“I didn’t have anything to do besides clubbing, but Operation Hlasela gave me a job by building the swimming pool and netball and basketball courts. And it has also helped to reduce unnecessary crime and high rate of drunkards in our community”, said Lumka Sodawe from Jaggersfontein.

Also:

FEMININE FLUTTERS

LAMENT OF AN ABUSED WOMAN!

With Regomoditswe Motsalane

You used to be the man of my dreams, a great father to our kids and the only man I gave my heart to. I wanted to grow old with you, I was sure that one of us was going to die in the other’s arms. I trusted you, I respected you, I loved you and even when the signs started showing I was in denial and I convinced myself that you will never hurt me intentionally.

I couldn’t believe that the hands that used to warm me in cold night and the ones that used to make me feel safe will be the ones that will torture me, the ones that left me with bruises; but still I covered for you, telling my friends and family that I was hit by a door. You used to beat me in front of our kids, I remember when you came home drunk and you started swearing telling me how useless I am and how you regret having me as your wife. You even told me how much you hate coming home to us and every time you look at us we make you feel like vomiting.

Well, I started blaming myself. I helped you to discourage myself, I lost my self-confidence though I was putting on my make-up and the smile on my face, I knew I was a fake and deep in my heart I was broken. I had excuses for my physical bruises because everybody could see them; and when you used to beat me in front of our children wanting to make love to me and telling them to watch, for they always do when I do it with my other men in front of them and after all that I also had to lie to my kids saying you were just stressed because of work-related things.

I cried day and night praying to God to bring back my lost lover, for this one might have done something to the man I loved with all my being; but I guess jealousy, insecurity and power were the ones controlling you. So next time when the sun shines in your direction again, you must remember that a true man will never lift a finger on those he claims to love, and no man, woman or child can ever respect a man who abuses his siblings; and regardless of your animal behaviour you’re a good man. Learn to fight your demons but foremost, ask God to give you understanding, patience, courage to make you the world’s best man.

All I am trying to do here is to show how much our sisters, mothers and kids are going through every day and we keep a blind eye saying it’s not our business; we can’t get in-between, intervene, but we are a nation… each and every crime here affects all of us. So let’s start caring for each other with the concept of ‘it might happen to me or someone I love’.


DECEMBER 2 – DECEMBER 8 2011 edition

FEATURE OF THE WEEK: “Diabetes Day in Sasolburg” By Seleke Botsime Page 2

Reproduced hereunder:

Diabetes Day in Sasolburg!

By Seleke Botsime

It was a campaign conceived by Bongi Zuma, the wife of the president Jacob Zuma as Diabetic Day was successfully launched at Sasolburg in the Free State. Speaking at the function she said that she never had a problem with diabetes, but her mother was the one that has diabetes.

Speaking to the media about the project, she said that it’s important that people should know that the disease can be controlled. Fezi Ngombentombi, MEC of Health was among those who supported the launch at Fezile Dabi. She said that people must eat vegetables and even more important, grow vegetables in their gardens. She said that there is a high number of pregnant women who are suffering from diabetes, and her message is that they must visit the clinic regularly

She said: “People are urged to visit clinics regularly for check-ups so as to control this disease which can be very dangerous, especially for children. Diabetes is a silent killer and everyone can have it irrespective of age. As regards precautions people must monitor their weight and jog every morning. That is the key.”

She added that her department is embarking on a door to door campaign in order to inform the community about Diabetes. Together with NGO and other partners they must continue to fight and inform the society about these diseases. Free State News spoke to Dr Nandi Diliza and Bongi Ngema Zuma; they said that people must screen since there are about 6, 5 million people who are living with Diabetes. All the participants took a walk for almost 5KM around Sasolburg.

Another speaker who graced the function was a young lady called Mapaseka who is around 17 years ago. She recollected her battle with diabetes when she was barely fifteen years old. She spoke openly and candidly about living with Diabetes since three years ago. She said: “The symptoms include being thirsty; and urinating constantly and losing weight which baffled my mother a lot; I was also sick all the time and finally we went to the hospital where they found out that I was Diabetic!”

Mapaseka explained further that young people should not be afraid to go and test “and just like any other disease it’s manageable." Another visitor was Gwen Ramokgopa who said that whether one is rich or poor diabetes affects everyone. She said that they have decided to come up with resolution, and now it’s time for people not to blame others but find a collective solution in order to create a healthy environment.

Ramokgopa said that about 70% of women are overweight, and even many men show signs of obesity. Gwen said that even many children these days are not eating healthy at all. “It remains a challenge that everyone must play their part in remedying the situation. I encourage everyone to test regularly for even other diseases.”