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.
MERRY XMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
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 (below)
Contact number:
051 447 1655
POLICE ENGAGE WITH YOUTH IN SPORTS
By Nthabiseng Lisele
Thabong SAPS Partnership policing members in conjunction with Community Policing Forum (CPF) engaged youth with sports.
This was an effort by these policing partners to take young people off the streets by initiating sports against crime event which was launched on Wednesday, 19 December at ZokaBaloyi Stadium. The tournament will come to an end on Friday, 21 December.
The youth were addressed by the chairperson of Thabong CPF, Mr Serake Leeuw who encouraged young people to be involved in activities such as sports rather than supporting evil groups.
“We want young people who focus on socially acceptable activities in Thabong. These youth is the one that does not abuse alcohol in the name of entertainment. Those who abuse alcohol are easily lured into criminal activities,” said Leeuw.
He further thanked the youth for participating in this year’s sports against crime in large numbers. The girls were then ferried to Thabong Indoor Sports Center for competing in netball while the boys remained at the stadium for soccer. The teams for both males and ladies were formed out of the twelve sub sectors in terms of sector policing model used by Thabong SAPS.
One of the young participants in the games, Liziwe Manyane, 19 asserted that this initiative is good for them. She pointed out that they learn about crime while engaging in sports on the other hand. The spirit of working together is enhanced through.
“It also takes us away from the streets and drinking booze. It keeps us busy as schools are closed,” said Manyane.
On arrival at Thabong Indoor Sports Centre the ladies were also addressed by Captain Matladi Sello on sexual offences. They were strongly warned about roaming on the streets at night while drunk as there are scoundrels waiting to pounce on them.
“Don’t put your lives and dignity in danger unnecessarily. Should you be attacked in any way, please report it immediately and please don’t withdraw these cases,” warned Captain Sello.
BOOK REVIEW
A fine work to guide us all
Book: Mr Kgaile, you were Wrong
Author: Bennet Mkhehlane
Reviewer: Raselebeli Khotseng
By now it is clear that the author, Bennet Mkheklane, is a very powerful motivator, and a deeply spiritual individual. This is his second book which confirms the promise of his first work.
His debut book, titled ‘A Passion to Serve’ was a great success, and elements of the book can be seen in the second. The strain of spirituality runs through the work as we are urged to abide by the word of God.
The author covers many topics and subjects that are part of daily life. The emphasis is always on the positive and it is obvious that the author goes out of his way to ensure that the spiritual path is the only real fruitful path.
There are examples taken from around the world, especially the United States of America which has always been a vibrant and fruitful source of so many exciting things; with colourful characters and a lot of publicity.
I enjoyed the wide discourse and advice on marital conflicts late on in this new book. Here the author shows humility and empathy; even pointing out what could be his own weaknesses as a human being in keeping his family together.
This is the work of a very intelligent person, already making a difference in our society. Despite the rather controversial reference in the title, this is another thorough work to cherish.
SPORT:
FS STARS, CELTIC DRAW LAST GAMES
By Mahlomola Moshe
Was it coincidence as both elite Free State clubs, Free State Stars and Bloemfontein Celtic pulled off 1-1 draws in their last matches of the year? Some wags are speculating! Free State Stars drew 1-1 with Bidvest Wits at the Bidvest Stadium on Wednesday evening in an Absa Premiership match.
As regards the Free State match, In the fifth minute Matthew Pattison saw his curling left-footed free-kick from outside the box deflected over the bar. Then Wits defender Thomas Sweswe hit a low drive from 30-yards out, which Motsoeneng tipped away for a corner.
Ea Lla Koto should have taken the lead in the 35th minute when Anver Esterhuizen unleashed a shot from 25-yards out, which Wits keeper Ryan Harrison mistakenly thought to be going over the bar but the ball hit the woodwork.
Then Calvin Kadi spotted Motsoeneng off his line in the 48th minute and came close to scoring when his attempt from just inside the halfway line went wide of goal.
The home side were awarded a penalty in the 58th minute when Kadi was brought down in the area. The striker stepped up and took the spot kick himself and sent Motsoeneng the wrong way to make it 1-0. In the 72nd minute Pattison threatened with a free kick from just outside the box. After his initial shot hit the wall, his second bite of the cherry just shaved the post.
Noah Chivuta nearly got his side the equaliser when he turned and shot from just outside the box, but saw his attempt fly high and over. Stars never gave up and got the equaliser in the 93rd minute when Nomandela beat a few markers and shot from close range beyond the reach of Harrison.
On their own part, Bloemfontein Celtic could only draw 1-1 at the Free State Stadium on Wednesday night as incessant rains drenched the ambience. Lerato Manzini opened the scoring midway through the first half, before captain Mongezi Bobe replied for Leopards.
The visitors had an early chance to take the lead in the 11th minute when Joshua Obaje went on a great run on the left before finding Thomas Madimba inside the box, but he fired wide of goal.
However, it was the home side who broke the deadlock in the 28th minute after Posnet Omony did well to block a header from Manzini, but the striker managed to tuck the ball in from the rebound, 1-0.
Lidoda Duvha didn’t take long to get back into the game as they leveled matters four minutes later through captain Bobe, who drilled an unstoppable shot into the back of the net from just outside the penalty area, 1-1.
Celtic could’ve regained the lead two minute before the break when Joel Mogorosi delivered a telling cross to find substitute Jacky Motshegwa inside the box, but his first shot was blocked while his second attempt went over the crossbar.
Then six minutes into the second half it was the away side who came close to scoring their second goal of the match, but Brian Amidu’s shot produced a brilliant save from Patrick Tignyemb.
Siwelele had an early chance of their own in the 54th minute when Mogorosi met a well-taken corner from Lyle Lakay, but he directed his header wide of goal.
With a quarter of an hour left on the clock, it was Mogorosi yet again who threatened to separate the two sides, but his shot was saved by Omony. Then in the 88th minute Johannes Motlhaping came close to scoring what would’ve been the winner for his side, but his header grazed the upright with the goalkeeper well-beaten.
The result leaves Celtic in seventh place with 21 points, while Leopards are in 12th place with 17 points. Now the festive season break commences!
