Thursday, November 22, 2012

FREE STATE NEWS NOVEMBER 23 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

Nthabiseng Lisele

Dineo Mokgosi

Raselebeli Khotseng


Lay-out artist

Tumisang Takang

Contact number:

051 447 1655

FSNEWS shines at Mbali Awards

By Nthabiseng Lisele

It was a night of triumph for Free State news at the Mbali Literary Awards at the weekend as both Omoseye Bolaji (Free State News news editor) and Kgang Abel Motheane (Free State News long-standing columnist) garnered major awards.

Out of the four awards dished out, Bolaji was rewarded with a special Lifetime Achievement Award, whilst Motheane was named winner of Commentator/Writer on Literature category. The glittering ceremony took place at Batho Centre in Clocolan.

Here are the Citations on the two winners:

“Mbali Awards Committee is also happy to announce that we decided to bestow a special Lifetime Achievement award on Mr Omoseye Bolaji this year. Here is a man who has seen it all and done it all. Mr Bolaji is truly a great African writer. Not only because he has ublished some 30 books of various genre. Not only because multiple critical books have been published on him; not to talk of countless essays published around the world on his literary work; and never mind his many awards.

"But also mainly because he has dedicated his life selflessly to promoting quintessential literature, inspiring, spreading pertinent literary information and knowledge in excellent fashion whilst somewhat seemingly lurking in the background most of the time. He remains the key, pivotal protagonist in respect of our literature.”

“The award for commentator on literature was also a simple choice. It goes to Ntate Kgang Abel Motheane for his Bookshelf column. It is a superb, concise, informative column which comes out every week.

"This year alone, the column has published excellent appraisals on writers like Leseli Mokhele, Gomolemo Mokae, George Rampai, Job Mzamo etc; why, even the late illustrious Gore Vidal (American) was featured in the column! It is no surprise that a large number of these excellent write-ups have found themselves on the internet for the world to read”

Other winners:

George Rampai – Winner, Author of the Year

Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga – Winner, Promising newcomer of the year



Above photo: Ishmael Soqaga with his Certificate.

Another land invasion by community

By Dineo Mokgosi

With the Gauteng government’s recent demolitions of houses built on illegally purchased land, the municipality of Maluti-a-Phofung in the Free State province is warning the residents of Bluegumbusch 199 farm to vacate the area or face eviction by court order.

“Occupation of this area is illegal and unlawful as has been confirmed by a High Court Order issued and made available to the illegal occupants in July 2012. The municipality wants to alert the illegal occupants that by staying on this land, they run the risk of being evicted as ordered by the High Court, and losing some if not all of their assets on the premises. Entrance to this area is trespassing, which can be criminally prosecuted,” the municipality said.

Land grabs have become a common site in the country with many blaming the slow progress of government in processing land claims. Critics have also put the blame on government’s policy of willing buy-willing seller saying that land owners can choose not to sell the land.

The Bluegumbusch farm is situated on the south side of the University of the Free State, Qwa Qwa campus. The area is commonly known as Bokamoso.

“There are people who are already erecting permanent structures on this land, and they are warned that nobody will take responsibility of their financial losses as a result of eviction, as ordered by the High Court of South Africa,” the municipality said.

The municipality has advertised serviced sites for sale in Phuthaditjhaba Extension 10, to make provision for those people who are in need of sites to buy and are willing to move there to avoid being evicted.

The municipality has called on all people who need residential sites to apply at the municipal offices to be awarded sites in the proclaimed and serviced areas. Residents can approach the municipality for the available sites from now up until the end of December 2012. Set criteria will be used by the municipality for the allocation of sites.

SPORT

Bloem Celtic saunter into Telkom KO Final!

By Mahlomola Moshe

Bloemfontein Celtic in the final of a major cup! It seems almost surreal to long-suffering proliferating fans. Yet that is the reality, after a resilient display against Free State stars in the semi final.

The city of roses’ darling club booked a place in the final of the Telkom Knockout with a dramatic 3-2 victory over derby rivals Free State Stars at the

Charles Mopeli Stadium at the weekend.



In a five-goal thriller that went to extra time, Phunya Sele Sele were twice pegged back by Ea Lla Koto’s Togolese attacker Dove Wome before netting the decisive goal through Botswana winger Joel Mogorosi.



Celtic should have opened the scoring as early as the third minute when Lyle Lakay whipped in a great cross from a free kick that found the head of Thabo Nthethe, but the Bafana Bafana defender put his effort wide of goal.



Two minutes later Stars striker Moeketsi Mvula tested goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb with a well-struck drive from a tight angle. It was to be the first of several good saves from the Cameroonian between the away team’s posts.



Ea Lla Koto were mere inches away from a goal in the eighth minute when Dove Wome fired a free kick into the danger area that was touched on by Sadate Ouro-Akoriko, with the ball striking the upright.



Stars played with a strong breeze at their back in the first half and made good use of it to stretch Celtic’s defence, while also never being shy of shooting from long range, but they were unable to get the better of Tignyemb.

And the celebrations are still spilling over….

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Free State News November 9 2012 samples


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

Nthabiseng Lisele
Dineo Mokgosi
Raselebeli Khotseng

Columnist (Feminine Flutters)

Regomoditswe Motsalane

Lay-out artist

Tumisang Takang

Contact number:

051 447 1655

9-YEAR-OLD CHESS PRODIGY!

By Nthabiseng Lisele

He’s still very young, but his mind is impeccably sharp and ready to beat his folks in chess. His personal bedroom is bedecked with certificates, medals and trophies garnered thanks to chess championships.

Itumeleng Leeuw is only 9 years- old but brilliant in chess; even his father Edwin Leeuw confirmed to Free State News this week that his boy is good at what he does.

Itumeleng has won about 15 chess competitions around the Free State. He has 15 certificates of chess championship, 2 medals and a trophy. He has won most of these competitions at the provincial and national level.

Itumeleng told Free State News that he started picking up notes and rules for chess at the age of 7 years when he was doing grade 1. He’s now in grade 3 at Kruitberg primary school in Bloemfontein.

According to Itumeleng, he got inspired to play chess from his uncle who usually played outside their house with friends. “He showed me some tactics and the rest of training I got from school.”

Itumeleng’s proud parents said that they support their boy all the way as they see good results of this game to their son even academically.

“We are proud of the sport our boy has chosen at school and we support him. We have realized that this sport can take him places as young as he is and we are especially happy that it plays a big role in his education”, said his mother, Connie Leeuw.

When Free State News interviewed the young, intelligent and brave Itumeleng, about education he gets from playing chess, he said: “I don’t only enjoy playing chess but I learn academically from the game”.

Itumeleng said that chess game helps him a lot with his Mathematics at school and currently he’s doing very well in the subjects. This young boy has academically achieved about 5 certificates in Mathematics for being one of the best achievers in the subjects.

“Chess really helps me a lot to be the best in Maths in my class and that’s one of my advices to my fellow schools mates who think Maths is too difficult for them”, said Itumeleng.

Itumeleng also vouchsafed that when he finishes his matric he wishes to study Electrical Engineering, Information Technology or Accounting because he’s the best in Mathematics.

Itumeleng is going to Cape Town on the 14 December this year as he’s one of the competitors for 2012 South African Chess Championship.

His parents need sponsorship for their son and for his chess team mates of about 13 pupils. They mostly need assistance in accommodation, refreshments, chess uniform and transport and they will spend 4 days in Cape Town.

If you are willing to give any assistance you can call the Free State News offices to pledge or sponsor this chess champions.

City of Roses hosts mammoth literary occasion

By Raselebeli Khotseng

The International African Writers Conference kicked off this week with focus concentrated on the University of the Free State which was the venue of the pivotal events. An incredibly large number of distinguished arts and culture exponents were present at the occasion.

Dignitaries included the national Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr Joe Phaahla, Prof Keorapetse Kgotsile the superb poet, Lebo Mashile, a celebrated female poet, Dr Osinubi who was the keynote speaker, Tinah Mnumzana well known actress and writer; Prof Andries Oliphant the academic; Oswald Mtshali the long-standing poet and activist; and Elinor Sisulu the brilliant biographer and writer; and of course Nadine Gordimer the outstanding Nobel Laureate for literature.

Wordsmiths from the Free State who from the early stage contributed to the proceedings included Nthabiseng Jah Rose Jafta, Charmaine Mrwebi, Icebound Makhele, Raselebeli Khotseng, and Alinah Morake.

Mr Khotseng, a poet, held sway over a large group of youngsters from Legae Primary School (from Phahameng in Mangaung). He highlighted the importance of libraries and literacy in general to the kids. He also encouraged the young ones to relish poetry and general reading; using personal examples as illustration.

Charmaine Mrwebi from the Bloemfontein Public Library was in her element as she introduced many literary works to the children; she utilized her experience as a librarian to point out how important it is for the young ones to start reading creatively from their infancy.

On her own part, Tinah Mnumzana talked about the age-old art of story-telling to the young. She emphasized how the world of animals can be woven into such stories in a fascinating manner to grip the attention of the very young ones.

The event culminates tomorrow in the South African Literary awards which would be graced by the great African writer, Prof Chinua Achebe.

SPORT:

Mangaung Rugby Club Annual General Meeting

By Mahlomola Moshe

The Mangaung Rugby Club held its annual general meeting on 01 November 2012 at the Mangaung Outdoor Centre in Bloemfontein. The meeting which was attended by players of the team was a platform to give the team and management the opportunity to come up with new plans to help the club and also strengthen their management which was a problem for the club.

The main business of the annual meeting was to elect the Office and also to give awards to the players that have played vital role to ensure that Mangaung became a better side during their league campaign this year. The meeting which was conducted by Manager of Development from Free Sate Rugby Union, Mr Dick pointed out the current situation that confronted the club.

According to him, the status of Mangaung Rugby Club was not in good shape which forced them to come to the decision of placing the club under administration. Dick stated that the club’s entire resources come directly from the union, due to bad management.

He elaborated that due to the fact that the club was placed under administration, there were no minutes, annual and financial reports. As the result of the status the club, the new Office bearers were nominated and elected. They included Chairperson James Letuka, deputy chairperson Mpho Ditedu, Secretary Jerry Maele, and additional member Tsikane Litsoane.

The new chairperson, James Lutuka stated that their plan is to place Mangaung rugby club on the map by creating a strong side that will compete, and distinguish itself next year. He thanked people that entrusted them into the leadership. “We shall ensure that Mangaung will never be placed under administration again” he promised.

The meeting adopted the motion that the awards should be postponed to the next meeting.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Free State News November 2 samples


Free State News November 2 samples

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

Nthabiseng Lisele

Dineo Mokgosi

Raselebeli Khotseng

Columnist (Feminine Flutters)
Regomoditswe Motsalane

Lay-out artist

Tumisang Takang

Contact number:

051 447 1655 051 447 1655


FS YOUTH FRUITFULLY ENGAGE WITH MAGASHULE

By Nthabiseng Lisele

The Premier of the Free State Ace Magashule hosted a Provincial Youth Indaba facilitating a two day conference at Phillip Sanders Resort and Conference Centre in Bloemfontein.

According to Magashule, this is part of the effort by the Free State Provincial Government to advance sustainable youth development as recognition that the youth are the oyster of their common and sustainable future.

This conference is called Youth Indaba and their theme is: “Advance Youth Development: Working Together To Eradicate Poverty, Inequality and Unemployment”.

Premier Magashule said that the Provincial Government will be convening a Free State Youth Indaba where the government will create an opportunity to interact with all youth on matters relating to empowerment and development.

Premier’s office said that since the State of the Province Address earlier this year, the Youth Affairs Unit in the Office of the Premier has been hard at work to develop an all-inclusive database of youth organisations, businesses, identification of youth cooperatives, as well as group and individual initiatives and excellence.

“This has been with a view to widen and broaden youth participation and activism in all spheres of life such as Education, Business, and the wider spectrum of Entrepreneurship”, premier’s office stated.

Premier Magashule further has earlier this year outlined various interventions that were showcased by the Provincial Government since 2009 that were meant to advance youth development like such as Provision of Bursaries to more than 4000 young people since 2009.

Provision of support to Provincial Government Bursary Holders through mentorship by Skills Development Officers and dedicated annual visits by Premier and Members of the Executive Council to all Institutions of Higher Learning were also showcased.

Magashule also created opportunities for Provincial Government Bursary Holders to be employed in the private sector whilst absorbing more than 200 of these in the various provincial government departments

According to the premier all these initiatives are an indication of the commitment of the Free State Provincial Government in implementing a sustainable programme to advance sustainable youth development.

“This programmatic approach is unleashed to secure a sustainable future and a meaningful role and beneficiation of our youth in the current socio-economic and political environment”, Magashule indicated.

Premier Magashule said that this is not enough as this government must and should do more to ensure that they build a future that is secure for the youth.

“The Youth Indaba is indeed a decisive step towards ensuring that the youth take their rightful place in determining their future and destiny”, he said.

The Provincial Youth Indaba is expecting more than 400 young people across the province that has responded to the invitation.



SAHRC CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION

By Thapelo Molebatsi

Northern Cape - The alleged beating to death of a man in police custody in the Northern Cape must be investigated, the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) said this week.

“The commission is currently in a process of further investigating this matter after a complaint was laid with our provincial office by the family of the deceased,” the SAHRC said in a statement.

The man was allegedly assaulted on October 6, while he was an awaiting trial prisoner being held at the Rosedale police station, in Upington.

Preliminary reports showed that he died of bleeding on the brain, a fractured skull and aspiration, the SAHRC said.

“The commission is also worried about reports of similar cases implicating the police from the same station in instances of brutality against suspects in lawful custody.”

The commission said it had scheduled a meeting with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate and would ask what action would be taken to deal with the allegations of brutality.

“The death or assault of anybody in the custody of the police is a matter that deserves full investigation,” it said.

SPORT:

Telkom KO Humdinger for Bloemfontein Celtic

...meet Orlando Pirates this weekend



By Mahlomola Moshe

The quarterfinals of the 2012 Telkom Knockout will get underway today `with a clash between Maritzburg United and SuperSport United at Harry Gwala Stadium.

The last fixture of the last eight round takes place on Sunday, November 4, at the Free State Stadium where Bloemfontein Celtic face the daunting task of overcoming defending champions, Orlando Pirates, who were clinical in their 2-0 away win over Black Leopards in the

round of 16.



Siwelele were equally impressive when they came back from a goal down

to win 2-1 against a determined Chippa United side at Philippi. Clint

Larsen will hope to make it two out of two against the Sea Robbers,

having already beaten them in the league this season.



Back to the first game today (Nov 2), Maritzburg are nicknamed, have done well so far and will look to continue with their impressive form when Gavin Hunt’s charges come to Maritzburg.



Matsatsantsa on the other hand will play their second away match in

this year’s TKO tournament and a fight against Ernst Middendorp’s much

improved side will provide a stern test for the Pretoria based outfit.



The second encounter of the last eight will take place tomorrow (Saturday,

November 3), where Mamelodi Sundowns will travel to KwaZulu Natal to

face AmaZulu at the King Zwelithini Stadium. Kick-off for that match

will be 3pm.



Both sides have been struggling in the league this season and a win

for either side will go a long a way in changing the mindset among the

players fighting to prove their worth in these trying times.



On the same day, Bidvest Wits will welcome Free State Stars at the

Bidvest Stadium, kickoff 8pm. The Students overcame a resilient Kaizer

Chiefs side 3-2 in the opening round to get to this stage, while Ea

Lla Koto were impressive in their 3-1 demolition on Golden Arrows.


Full fixtures



Friday, 2 November 2012

Maritzburg United vs SuperSport United- Harry Gwala Stadium, 8pm


Saturday, 3 November 2012


AmaZulu vs Mamelodi Sundowns- King Zwelithini Stadium, 3pm

Bidvest Wits vs Free State Stars- Bidvest Stadium, 8:15pm

Sunday, 4 November 2012



Bloemfontein Celtic vs Orlando Pirates- Free State Stadium, 3pm