FREE STATE NEWS SEPTEMBER 27 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
Free State News crew
Publisher
Moses Vinger
Moses Vinger
Confidential
Secretary/Manager
Maki Mohapi aka “Madam Maki” “H.C”
Maki Mohapi aka “Madam Maki” “H.C”
Editor
Kaya M
Kaya M
News Editor
Omoseye Bolaji
Omoseye Bolaji
Contributors
Letshego Moeng
Raselebeli Khotseng
Letshego Moeng
Raselebeli Khotseng
Lay-out artist
Tumisang Takang
Contact number:
051 447 1655 051 447 1655
Tumisang Takang
Contact number:
051 447 1655 051 447 1655
SWEEPING
DEVELOPMENTS IN RURAL NICHE
By
Letshego Moeng
The Department of Rural Development Minister,
Gugile Nkwinti visited farms in the Free State to evaluate if they are making
progress. The process involved his quest to find out more about what the
farmers are saying. The people that were present were Director General Mdu
Shabane, Deputy Director Vussy Mahlangu and the MEC Mamiki Hlabathe as well as
Head of Department of the DARD Peter Thabethe.
The farm in Cecilia is that they keep the
details of the cost with the help of abattoir mentor helps them by teaching
them how to use the tractors and feed for the cattle is their biggest cost.
Diesel is also very expensive. The reason they are able to detect if the cows
are sick is by applying what they learnt at a course.
They have a schedule in which to give
medication to the cows, as it is now September they immunise them against
invidious infections. In February and August they managed to sell some cows.
They are planning to sell again in November but all this depends on the price
because the owner will have to sell but keep and specifically sell the winners
which are 195 in total; whereas the total number of them are 520.
“We bought another good bull so that we can
have better weight and thus need to have a total of 3 bulls. The Nguni that we
have is the one we are struggling to have a market for because people are reluctant
to buy them due to the horns,”
Specialist Mike Sparg who is working with
them teaches them how to farm and he also works with a strategic partner Graeme
Leach as well as Johan Grove and Werner Rautenbach. ‘We have a passion about
what we do. And have been doing this from 2006 to 2012,” Sparg explained.
The MEC proceeded to ask all the farmers
categorised in red, green and amber to stand and Nomsa who was in the green
said: “You need to know your market access and let them know how to comply. If
you are not managing conflict you will be found wanting in terms of the issue
of principles. You must just have patience, honesty and proper communication.”
CPA-Mokgashe said that “you must be
passionate, aggressive, and available for what you do and be committed as well
as work in a team”.
“Black farmers are doing it and this
opportunity is not only for KZN,” said Siyabonga Madladla who is a young
farmer.
“Let us not eat up the seed we are supposed
to produce. I was brought up in farming. To those in green I say aluta continua and let us not disappoint
the government. If we waste resources we may not get them again”. Madladla
said.
Nkwinti said: “We are here to review and
recap the performance because this is tax payers’ money. Those who are being
mentored accept it that you are being mentored. Please consider who is going to
lose the farm at the end of the day.”
The people who proved to be unsuccessful the
minister said that in 6 months’ time he will be coming to them and if they are
not green, they must at least be amber and not red “for it is their
responsibility to turn it around”.
Siyabonga invited the minister to celebrate
his success of the CRDP in the Mantsoming district, KZN. “We want to buy equity
in the Bloemfontein arboretum for these farmers, we bought eleven but now there
is more in the Free State. We want you to begin to move in the value chain and
in order to do that, have sustained production discipline.”
AGED BASK IN HERITAGE DAY
By Raselebeli Khotseng
A
glittering Heritage Day with elders from Mafora including surrounding areas taking
centre stage was held with Amplaid at Bramfischer services centre situated in Mafora
informal settlement in Bloemfontein.
The
event was blessed with important guests from different NGOs, leader, men
structure and wards committee member, Me Mpontsheng Kgotle programme director
called upon Pastor Pitso Lekeka to open the day with a short prayer and
afterwards Me Cecelia Tshidi Mokgoro welcomed the guest as Manager of the center.
Among
the important guests she introduced were pastor Lekeka from St Rama Apostolic
Church in Zion, Mr Thabo Lekgetho who briefed the attendees about the purpose
of the day, motivational speakers from Putswa Stene Patrons Mr Piki Plaatjie
and Raselebedi Khotseng who is also a manager of Men’s Solidarity, Tebello
Masita (From Social Development) who attended on personal capacity as he is no
longer tasked to work with local NGO’s but helped to capacitate the Centre’s
management.
Lastly,
in attendance was a self-motivated Health Practitioner Me Beverly Aaron and
Manaledi Malebo, a traditional healer. This attendance by different people from
their respective organization shows how our initiatives are being cared for”,
said Matshidiso after she finally introduced her committee members. Mr Piki
Plaatjie asked people not to paint every man with the same brush by regarding
all men as abusive but women must come and see other men who changed lives of
abused ones at Putswa Stene.
Me
Naledi Malebo warned girls from the initiation school not to make their mothers
feel they are no longer having control over them.
“Girls
must remain girls even after their course to their parents”, she concluded. Me
Aaron appealed to the communities to help themselves and others as she did to
empower and train home-based careers of Bramfischer.
Entertainment
was provided by the Bramfischer Carers Choirs to the applause of the audience.
There was also traditional music by young girls, and poems by yours truly added
excitement and ululations.
Me
Phephile Ndaba Mbele made a handover of T-shirts as a uniform to little
traditional dancers. Thereafter Me Kgotle closed the event formally – and
guests were entertained with traditional food and drinks.
Fulsome celebrations for N.G Church
By Gordon Vinger
Amidst
fizz, pomp and flamboyance, the N.G Church Batho celebrated its anniversary in
Batho Location in Mangaung last Sunday.
Reverend
Samuel Mbebe conducted the sermon during the celebration, whilst various church
choirs and cultural groups entertained the audience.
During
the whopping 120th anniversary of the Church, the congregation participated in
ruffling and children entertained themselves with jumping castles
Many
stakeholders on the ground, and aficionados of the church in general, told Free State news that it was a wonderful,
auspicious occasion; and the future was bright in very respects.
Indeed
no stone was left unturned to ensure that the occasion was a roaring success
with informed, proficient speakers sketching out what a historic occasion was being
marked.
This
comment was typical. “We envisage that the great deeds and prospects will go on
for many years to come – even in 200 years’ time. This is a veritable great
Church. That’s the way to go!”
LITERATURE CORNER
With K A Motheane
Efficacy of Boy Scouts Movement
I
have been a Boy Scout for many decades now, and this Column today can reveal
the profound impact of the World Organisation, the Boy Scouts on my career.
Lord Baden Powell who founded the Boy Scouts was born on 22 February 1857 in
London, England.
This
Columnist has learnt a lot of things, thanks to the movement; for example
compass tracking sign, mapping signalling, flag-breaks etc. For decades I have
been teaching the boys to be good citizens and to respect everybody. The training
provided by scouting is very broad and adventurous.
The
training comprises practical things, and cleaniness and handicrafts are also
taught. The iconic Neil Armstrong who was the first man on the moon was also a
Scout. Astronomy is also taught at the Boy Scout Organisation.
Incidentally,
Baden-Powell who started the Boy Scouts was also a most prolific writer, having
published well over 20 books on military warfare, the Scouting movement, and
many other general works. His book, Scouting
for Boys is one of the most bestselling works of all time
This
Column encourages the children to join the movement, but not only the children
and the adults as well. Those who are interested in joining the Movement, I am
there for them as I will love to keep the children off the street, refraining
from smoking, drugs etc.
As usual I can be contacted via 073 3002306
