Thursday, December 6, 2012

FREE STATE NEWS December 7 2012 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

Museum Celebrates Life and Times of Gilbert Modise

By Dineo Mokgosi



The National Afrikaans Literary Museum and Research Centre (NALN) will be hosting a celebration of the life and times of deceased Free State poet and mbongi, Gilbert Modise today (Friday, December 07.)

“The objective is to honour Modise as a poet, mbongi and a sangoma. His life will be celebrated in the context of the 100 years of the ANC because he was born and bred in Mangaung,” said Mpikeleni Duma, veteran journalist, activist and essayist.

Modise was born in 1964 in Batho Location in the Free State. He obtained his secondary education at Sehunelo High School in Bloemfontein and thereafter educated himself further by reading widely and imaginatively. He went on to become one of the most celebrated black cultural activists in the Free State- an author, poet, general innovator, musician, playwright and literary activist. He has also published novels in Setswana.

During his life time, his house in Mangaung became a pilgrimage of sorts for writers and cultural artists. His most impressive published work, an anthology of powerful poetry, was called “An Eyesore”

The event will take place at NALN Museum in Bloemfontein at 13h00 in the afternoon. Interested persons can contact Charmaine on 071 5573 231 to get more information.


The unsung literary hero (George Rampai)



By Raselebeli Khotseng

Those in the literary fraternity are already calling him the “unsung literary hero” of the Free State – but George Rampai from Ladybrand prefers to remain in the background.

Rampai was named “Author of the Year” at the recent Mbali Literary Awards that took place in Clocolan. This was on the strength of his novel titled From where I stand which was published this year.

“I have loved literature all my life,” George told Free State News. “I was so delighted when I won that award. My novel – From where I stand – I worked on for many, many years till it came out in its present format. I am happy so many positive reviews of the book have been written,”

Indeed, the literary world has appreciated Rampai’s novel. Impressive reviews and criticisms continue to be churned out. Rampai says: “It is a great pleasure for me when I Google myself and see all the excellent articles on my book. This encourages me to write even better and with more focus,”

George Rampai is a shining example of the great talent that exists in the smaller towns of South Africa. He says: “I have always been involved in creative writing at the grassroots level and I know there is a lot of talent out there. I am happy to be a role model for many. Great writers like Omoseye Bolaji and Pule Lechesa have encouraged me along the line,”

With a grin, Rampai adds: “It’s been a successful year. I intend to enjoy the festive season in great fashion!”


FS SAPS WELCOMES NEW POLICE OFFICIALS

By Nthabiseng Lisele

More than two hundred police trainees from different Police Academies have been welcomed at Thabong. The formal welcoming took place at Thabong SAPS Academy on Wednesday 28 November 2012.



Thabong and Kroonstad Cluster Commanders General Lerato Molale and Brigadier Appaphia Modise were among Station Commanders and Field Training Officers who welcomed the trainees. Free State Provincial Head of Field Training Development, Lieutenant Colonel Hugo Erasmus and Thabong SAPS Academy Commander Colonel Linkie Masilela were also present at the ceremony.



The trainees will perform their field training programme at their different stations at six clusters namely Thabong, Welkom, Bultfontein, Tumahole, Kroonstad as well as Zamdela.



When welcoming the trainees, Kroonstad Cluster Commander Brigadier Appaphia Modise encouraged the trainees to go and serve their communities with respect and discipline as they were taught at the Police Academies.



“Each one of you must know and understand that you are the ambassadors of the South African Police organisation. You must not misuse your powers and ill-treat the community members out there”, said Brig Modise.



Major General Molale illustrated a short history of policing and explained the circumstances that led to the establishment of policing in South Africa. He also emphasized the issue of discipline to the trainees and all members who were present at the ceremony.



“If you have joined the police with the intention of getting rich by robbing members of the community, please be informed that you have followed the wrong career and your destiny to jail is very short because you will be locked up in jail sooner that you can think. This organisation has no place for corrupt police officials”, said Major General Molale.

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