FREE STATE NEWS JUNE 28 2013 SAMPLE STORIES

FREE STATE NEWS JUNE 28 2013 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

Letshego Moeng

Raselebeli Khotseng

Lay-out artist

Tumisang Takang

Contact number:

051 447 1655 051 447 1655 

Community service produces budding stars

By Letshego Moeng   

It was exhilarating times as Free State News – which has always committed itself to teaching young high school students about the world of Journalism – added another feather to its cap last week in respect of the newspaper’s educational development programme.

Kamogelo Motse (17) who lives in Bloemanda and Zikhona Hleko (17) who lives in Bayswater, are both from Eunice High school. These two young students are aspiring future journalists and wanted an opportunity to see how the newspaper works.

“We came here to find out more about what journalism entails and we learnt a lot from proficient mentors,” said Kamogelo Motse.

The reason Motse decided to pursue a career in journalism was because she loves reading and has also written articles for the school newspaper.

During the mentorship programme both young ladies were exposed to the layout of the newspaper and given a chance to interview people. Motse’s classmate, Zikhona Hleko was also impressed with the information she received. “We got a lot of information from different perspectives and this enabled us to make an informed decision pertaining to our career,” said Hleko.

According to her, they received an assignment from school to not only research about the career they want but they also want to pragmatically step in the shoes of journalists.

“We went to other newspapers but they were unable to assist us, however the Free State News welcomed them,” said Hleko.

“Other newspapers could not help us but here we felt much welcomed by the publication,” she said.

During the lessons they had an opportunity to meet with the staff who had a positive impact on their choices.  “It was fun and nice to meet the people and see the different characters and still be able to work together,” said Hleko.

The students realised that in order to go somewhere in life, there is always a starting point. “In order to achieve our goals, we needed to take the first step and we also realised that success does not happen without hard work.  It depends on whether to come here because you have to start somewhere and not be in the upper position haphazardly,” said Hleko.

They felt that they did receive what they came to seek. They learnt that they didn’t necessarily have to study journalism to become good journalists or writers.

Motse echoed that now that she has an idea of what Journalism is all about she will definitely look more into studying Law. “Look more into studying law and not journalism only,” said Motse.

“Our expectations were met and we are still going to do more research regarding what we would like to study,” said Motse.

PRAISE FOR IHOBE

By Regomoditswe Motsalane

Praise has been pouring in for the play, Ihobe the freedom song which was dramatized in Bloemfontein last week courtesy of Pacofs. There are now plans to ensure the drama continues to be ensconced on stage.

Ntate Godfrey Nthejane who told Free State news that he is a “veteran” of the struggle having once been a “thespian” for the late Gilbert Modise said: “It is very important that people, the youth in particular must know about South African history and the struggle that almost tore the nation apart in the past,”

“On my own part I am very excited about Ihobe,” Thabo Mafike, a well known playwright and author said. “I found the drama exciting and timely – especially as it was churned out during Youth Month. The actors did well and obviously rehearsed a lot prior to performance”

Matshidiso Rutla, part of the audience that savoured the play, said: “I was a bit ashamed whilst watching the great play, as I realized I hardly know the history of my own country not to talk of what Free Staters, the youth contributed to the struggle decades ago. We the youth are mainly obsessed with material things now, not appreciating what those who came before us in the past did,”

Fikile Qithi, the gentleman of whom the riveting play is essentially weaved around is a former student leader of Ihobe Secondary School, and former political prisoner at Robben Island. He said: “The event commemorates the Mangaung Students Outburst. We are all indebted to younger students in Mangaung who were inspired by the Soweto uprisings of June 1976, who also took part in the struggle against Afrikaans as the medium for education.” Fikile Qithi, real life icon of the struggle has pointed out.

Free State News gathered that such schools included: Ihobe Secondary School, and Marang Primary School, Sehunelo High School, Lereko High School, St Bernard Roman Catholic School. History reveals that these institutions rejected the imposition of Afrikaans. Their heroes included: Mpho Diba, Pinkie Litheko, and the indomitable Fikile Qithi himself.

Mr Mpikeleni Duma, veteran journalist and activist who was instrumental in ensuring the play was successfully put on stage has been milking the applause since. He said this week: “I make no apologies that I want our people to realize the type of jagged history our country has had. Ihobe was conceived in this light. We must not be supine or rest on our laurels,”

Riveting Workshops on Storytelling, et al

By Raselebeli Khotseng

The Archives Organization for poetry sessions in partnership with RAONA Trading organised an amazing educational workshops on story-telling and literature reading for pre-schools and high schools at National Afrikaans Literature Museum in Bloemfontein.

The event was in line with the June 16 celebration month and took place on the 14^th and 15^th June respectively (2013). They both kick-started at 10 am

The first event for pre-schools or crèches took place on a high note with story-telling and puppet show on Friday the 14^th June. Various crèches’ learners from five pre-schools around Bloemfontein attended in great numbers where they (the little ones) were exposed to the ways of telling stories and enjoying puppet shows.

About one hundred and ninety children graced the occasion which was conducted by Me Charmaine Mrwebi and Ratanang Menong, both the co-founders of RAONA; whilst the entertaining puppet show was demonstrated by Lindiwe Damane under the watchful eyes of the archives poetry pundits.

“Children should be informed about the importance of historical celebrations like June 16 and know that what you’re fighting now as a right cause will benefit you in the future” said Charmaine, a well known writer and literary activist. She went on to say that they (kids) must learn to say yes when they realize that it is right to say so and also learn to say no without being forced to say so,” she concluded.

Mme Lindiwe agreed that children should be given an opportunity to learn, by playing, unlike adults whose attention span is more limited to about twenty minutes.

With this the Archives committed to inspire the spirit of reading amongst young children, and also to host many creative workshops throughout the year.

The second most important workshop for secondary high schools and adults took place in the afternoon till Saturday…it was attended by local and other schools from Welkom, Virginia, Odendalsrus and Mangaung. Under the theme, “Creative Writers Workshop” the event sparked into life with the high participation of students from Welkom CUT, Lepholla Secondary (Welkom), Harmony High (Virginia) to mention a few.

Impressively, an array of artists displayed their paintings and craft. One of the well-known writers and author of the scintillating poetry book, SECRETS, Matshidiso Taleng (above) motivated budding writers and generously donated two copies of her book to Harmony and Lepholla schools.