FREE STATE NEWS JULY 12 2013 SAMPLE STORIES

FREE STATE NEWS JULY 12 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 

THE LAMBENT, HAUNTING LEGACY OF POELO NTSEKI

By Raselebeli Khotseng

Following hot on the heels of the untimely demise of communications guru, Vuyo Mbuli, the Free State has now been left devastated by the sudden death of Poelo Ntseki, a suave, proficient communications technocrat.

The memorial service of the late Poelo Kamogelo Ntseki which took place at the Floreat hall Bloemfontein on Wednesday (July 10) was punctuated with sorrow, tears and profound tributes. The emotional occasion started with tears of sorrow as Mr Padi Mokodutlo, the MC belted out a touching song to the appreciative crowd.

Mme Rev Mary Lebopo opened with a prayer. Afterwards Tselane Moiloa read the deceased’s profile that inter alia explained how Poelo contributed to the development of Masupatsela FM and worked with Standard Bank. His resume shows that he was also an avid soccer fan for Kaizer Chiefs and Manchester United.

As Mokodutlo said: “Africa will be safe” He never held back his repeated praise that Poelo was a perfectionist. The media representative, Mr Sello Mosala who worked with Poelo at Mosupatsela from 1995 went down memory lane about how he managed to collect 2000 comments from the community so as to convince ICASA that Botshabelo and Free State that they need a radio station.

He added: “Poelo was a workaholic who presented a favourite youth programme” at large. Another glowing tribute came from Mr Lucky Manzingane who worked with Poelo.

Lucky’s message mesmerized many people but he made a plea that mourners should not despair as he concluded that, “I can see your broken hearts weeping for a peaceful person”.

The hall reverberated with praises whilst mourners sang together with Padi, the gospel song, ‘If you think God is dead’.

SAMWU Union’s Congo Matsepe also praised Poelo for being a stickler for punctuality and prepared in SAMWU’s interviews. He added “If you work hard fruitful results will follow you”.

Meanwhile Poelo’s colleague, Nicolette Maysiels said: “He was a dedicated father who loved his family and children. He was also in love with books and reading”.

Qondile Khedama, GM for Communications said, “Poelo started serving the municipality when it was not yet a metropolitan and never had any ill-feeling against any mayor along the line. “It’s a pleasure to work with him and farewell to this committed communicator” he concluded.    

Afterwards, Ms T and Friends in Worship took mourners by storm with their hymn. Me Haodio Ntshingane described Poelo as a humble person who did things when requested to do so. “He was a trusted member of the mayor’s task team responsible for organising events,” she explained. “We had expected more from him,” said Hadio.

Me Sechoaro, MMC in Mayor’s office said good people don’t last. “He was a patriot loved by his people and loyal to his political party who served his country with dignity,” she concluded.

“We lost a mouth that used to talk to people and thanks to God for giving us such a treasure,” added Mr Padi.

Lastly Rev. Seeretsi proceeded with his sermon to honour the tireless fighter whilst the family gave details of the forthcoming funeral.

“After Freedom I still live this harrowing way”

Letshego Moeng

Masechaba Bereng (51) a domestic worker based in Mangaung, has been forced to live in a dilapidated shack in Phase three Bloemfontein since 1992.

Phase three is a formal settlement which has inordinately struggled to get access to basic services such as water, electricity and proper housing.  She and her husband live inside a small old, dilapidated rusty shack that has holes in it where she has to fit in all her things in the cramped up space

Bereng has 2 children, Thabang (22) who is currently employed, as well as Khotso (16) who will be finishing his grade 7 this year.

”When Thabang visits home, he sleeps on the ground and as you can see, it’s just sand and nothing to protect him from the cold,” she said.

“In the past drunkards used to throw stones on top of our shack, they did that for a while but stopped. This shack is old and unstable and there is no water here so I have to go ask water at that other house,” explained Bereng.

According to her husband, Jimmy Bereng, when the wind blows, the dilapidated shack does not move. “However, we can hear by the shaking of the mattresses that it is windy outside.

“We use this prima-stove for everything, cooking and to bathe ourselves. When we turn it off it makes a sound and flickers of fire.  It is like a bomb and sometimes I am afraid to go turn it off outside lest someone hurts me,” she said.

Bereng does not even have access to water closet toilets and uses the bucket system. “This toilet is not stable. It gets tipped over by the wind and when you are in it you have to hold on still so that it doesn’t fall. This is because it is connected by strings and now they are rusty and worn out. When the bucket is full I just put water in there and wash it,” she said.

According to Bereng, the former councillor who goes by the name ‘Glass’ asked them to move from Ipopeng to Phase three and that he would assist them. After a while, they witnessed no changes and a new councillor named Matjeke was appointed.

Free State News was informed that Matjeke told them to move and that was when Masechaba moved in with her husband. Bereng who is a domestic worker helps other people to clean their houses. Her husband is a gardener. “It was five of us who were left and when he (Matjeke) was supposed to give us a place, he reneged on his promise and our sufferings still continue,” said a disconsolate Bereng.

Now the family is apparently facing the possibility of eviction. Bereng explained: “A man from the municipality came and said we must leave this place, it is not meant for people to reside.” Bereng who still lives in the congested shack somehow has to fit in all her things in the cramped up space. “During the rain, it pours on us and we have to take buckets to get rid of the water outside. It is so bad that we have to put bricks so we can walk inside the house,” she said.

LITERATURE CORNER

With Kgang Abel Motheane

I must admit that this column is somewhat enthralled these days – mainly because our Government has at last decided to implement rules and regulations to the effect that in schools indigenous languages must be compulsory.

Indeed the mother tongue, first languages are of cardinal importance. I have been very worried in this wise because the culture of our languages has been going down the drain. I have witnessed in many homes and schools the depressing fact that so many children can hardly express themselves in their own mother tongues; their so-called reading skills are shocking.

On my own part I am there to help the pupils, public at large as readings, reading, writing, comprehension, cognate skills in a medley of our African languages.

The mother tongue should always be given primacy; it is a sort of invaluable dowry the young can not afford to sneer at. As the old saying goes, if you don’t know where you come from, then you do not know where you are going.

Yes this column is very concerned about our mother tongues, and I willingly volunteer any help I can render pertaining to this. Poetry clubs, book clubs, reading circles – that is the way to go!

Feel free to call me at 0733002306