Free State News

Thursday, October 18, 2012

FREE STATE NEWS October 19 2012 samples

Free State News October 19 samples

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”

Receptionist

Thobeka Funani

Editor

Kaya M

News Editor

Omoseye Bolaji

Contributors

Nthabiseng Lisele
Dineo Mokgosi
Raselebeli Khotseng

Columnist (Feminine Flutters)

Regomoditswe Motsalane (below)

Lay-out artist

Tumisang Takang

Contact number:

051 447 1655 051 447 1655

KOMPHELA REVEALS CRIME STATS

By Nthabiseng Lisele

The Mec for police, roads and transport Butana Komphela released the provincial crime statistics for the period of 1 April to 31 March this year.

“This is a duty that must be understood by society as a reflection o the work done in the fight crime”, said Komphela.

Komphela said that, “the crime stat that we are sharing with the province indicates a mixed bag with marginal downward trends in some of the crime categories. We will continue to draw from the lesson and replicate in other areas”.

Numbers shows that for the 2011/12 financial year, the sexual offences ratio increased by 1, 8% and as for rape it increased by 2, 5%.

“We need to emphasize that as government we are still concerned about the scourge of rape in our province”, said Mec Komphela.

Komphela admitted that this one of challenging for police to police. He said that it is also influenced by a reporting behavior, if victims trust the police then they will get more reporting.

“So the issue of under-reporting remains a challenge and not just in the Free State but also in South Africa and internationally”, said Komphela.

For 2011/12 financial year only, car hijacking increased by 20, 9%, cash-in-transit decreased by33, 3%, as for the bank robberies there was a stable reports with no increase or decrease reported.

There was also increase in crime regarding house robberies by 4, 0% and business robberies increased by 8, 0%.

Komphela indicated that most crime takes place within communities and many members of the public are aware.

“As such the public is encouraged to be whistle-blowers against crime and report crime at all times”, he said.

He further said that communities must resist from creating a market for stolen goods including CDs and DVDs by not buying stolen items and participate in neighbourhood safety forums.

The illegal possession of firearms ratio decreased by 1, 5% while ATM bombings decreased by 26, 6% from 15 cases to 11 cases.

“For at least the past four financial years the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition case remained absolutely constant however we still remain concerned and we shall be rolling out various campaigns to address this challenge”, said Mec Komphela.

Arts and Crafts feast at Macufe

By Dineo Mokgosi

Accomplished deaf artist, sports coach and arts teacher at Bartimea School for the Deaf and Blind in Thaba Nchu, Simon Ndaba exhibited his artworks at the 15th annual Macufe arts and crafts exhibition in Bloemfontein.

Ndaba who has exhibited and sold his art pieces at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival, showcased two of his most prized pieces at this year’s Macufe. He exhibited a painting called Mask and Women Dance valued at a whopping R5 000 and a Mahatma Gandhi portrait valued at over R3 000.

Other exhibitors on the day included Thaba Blinds from Phuthaditjhaba in the Eastern Free State. Thaba Blinds are manufactures of unique African range of natural grass products. Their collection of blinds is well known in both South Africa and international décor. This proudly South African product is suitable for a whole range of environments and offers a natural aesthetically pleasing alternative to providing privacy and light diffusion in the home.

The Thaba Blinds cooperative is situated about 50 km outside of Harrismith in Phuthaditjhaba. The local community joined forces with the Department of Social Development and the Department of Arts and Culture to establish the Phuthaditjhaba Grass Weaving Factory Trust that has been providing the area with a highly successful and sustainable job creation and empowerment project, benefiting hundreds.

One of the benefactors of the project is Mamoya Mofokeng from QwaQwa. She is one of the women involved in crafting the products.

“I really enjoy this job. It has benefited our community a lot. We are now able to feed our families from the money that we receive,” said Mofokeng.

Mofokeng said they provide a full service to their customers. They take all measurements in the house and windows, and deliver your products via courier.

Thaba Blinds’s other products include African pots, baskets, ceiling finishes, bags, wall and floor, wine bottle covers and table mats which are valued at R30 each, small décor hats go for R5 and blinds are valued at R50 each.

THE BOOKSHELF (Column) With K A Motheane

Illuminating wordfest!!

It’s been exciting times for FS literature again, as the government – via Dept for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation put together a three day superb Wordfest; as part of the just concluded Macufe.

A wide range of speakers turned up and delivered speeches on many aspects of writing, publishing, marketing etc. There was especial focus on Sesotho literature from the very beginning and current trends and developments.

Speakers included the likes of Mongane Wally Serote, Simphiwo Mahala, Flaxman Qoopane, KPD Maphalla, Pule Lechesa and many others. It was an artistic and dramatic occasioned characterized by cultural dances, songs and open mike sessions where stakeholders joined in the fun.

The MEC for Sport, Arts Culture and Recreation Dan Kgothule who basked in the occasion also delivered key address where he pointed out the vital significance of writing, especially in the mother tongue. He was on hand to advise younger writers against certain temptations

Mr Qoopane delivered an excellent address on the fusion of journalistic and fictional aspects of writing. Using eclectic examples from around the world including Eurocentric and African wordsmiths he painted a vivid picture to the audience.

Mr Pule Lechesa also held forth on Sesotho writing over the years especially as regards the importance of the mother tongue. He also elaborated on other aspects of writing like self-publishing, rejection by publishers and their readers – in sum he took the floor and fielded many questions with some expertise

PIX: Free State News' Raselebeli Magic Khotseng and O Bolaji at the wordfest

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Free State News October 5 2012 samples

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”

Receptionist

Thobeka Funani

Editor

Kaya M

News Editor

Omoseye Bolaji

Contributors

Nthabiseng Lisele

Dineo Mokgosi

Lay-out artist

Tumisang Takang

Contact number:

051 447 1655 051 447 1655

Correctional Services week commemorated

By Dineo Mokgosi

The Department of Correctional Services in the Free State and Northern Cape region embarked on a corrections week which began on September 24th to September 30th in an effort to showcase pockets of excellence throughout the correctional centres at the department.

During the week, the department sought to inform and educate the public about the achievements in the delivery of corrections, rehabilitations and reintegration of offenders into the society, ensuring a safer and more secure country.

Regional Commissioner, Subashni Moodley said they were only following the mandate of the minister of correctional services, Sbu Ndebele when he said “correctional centres must not be places for locking people up and throwing away the key, not letting offenders rot in cells, but where offenders have to face up to what they have done to victims, engage with restorative justice processes, complete corrections and development programmes and become involved in production workshops and return to the community with skills,” Commissioner Moodley said.

The commissioner said correctional services are the last hope for victims of crime and for many of the individuals sentenced for crime.

“All offenders except for lifers who are considered inappropriate for parole, return to society at the end of the sentence. It is the responsibility of us all to ensure that they are in the best state to be constructive members of society upon their release. Corrections is a societal responsibility in partnership with each other and with the department, we can help reduce the levels of crime in our country,” the commissioner said.

Corrections week was commemorated to create awareness among communities and different stakeholders to take responsibility for correcting offending behavior through foundation units in the family.

Activities in the corrections week included restorative justice processes at the Colesburg centre where there were interactions with victims of crime and awareness on victim participation in parole hearings. There was also a public awareness day in Upington where different regions embarked on a public awareness drive targeting masses as busy intersections, taxi ranks and busy routes to distribute educational information packs about correctional services. Kroonstad correctional centre had an offender family day to encourage family members to visit their offenders in the correctional centre.

FS ROAD ACCIDENT FUND MEET THEIR CLIENTS

By Nthabiseng Lisele

The Road Accident Fund (RAF) dedicated a day to every resident who has been affected by death and injuries from the everyday road accidents. They organized a campaign where people where informed more about the procedures of RAF.

According to the Road Accident Fund (RAF), 2012 has been declared as “The Year of the Customer” which implies that the RAF will be embarking on various initiatives to take their service offering to their customers.

The department such as marketing, communications including stakeholder relations was in collaboration with RAF’s provincial offices, regions and customer services network in the Free State. This special event took place at Batho Township in Mangaung.

The communication manager Jacquie Sobantu indicated that, “In our endeavour to meet the faces behind our files, as well as those families who have been affected by motor vehicle accidents, the RAF hosted this massive community outreach campaign for you”.

The Free State News did learn that the mandate of the RAF is to assist the residents with the status of claims, making settlement offers, to issue medical undertakings certificates and invite eligible community members to lodge claims directly with the RAF.

This campaign amongst other things helped the RAF management to also educate residents of the Free State province, community members of Batho Township and the society at large including the surrounding communities about the RAF.

“The aim of this campaign is to bridge the gap between the RAF and our customers in order to improve service delivery and meet the RAF’s overall strategic objectives”, said Jacquie.

The RAF management also added that this campaign is being rolled out nationally and the visit to Bloemfontein, Batho Township was their 9th lap of the highly successful ‘RAF on the Road’ community outreach, since beginning of the year.

Illuminating Seminar in Mangaung

By Raselebeli Khotseng

The community hall teemed with diverse activities as the World Bible School from America orchestrated proceedings.

The resonant theme at the occasion on the day was – “The word of God must be known to the people, the word says we must trust in god” Indeed, many people here warmed to this theme, as Free State News gathered.

Eddie Mogopodi excelled at the occasion. The main speaker, Mr Mabena, extolled the virtues of the World Bible school. “One nation, one God!” He pointed out that people should join the school, as the courses were not only free, but also illuminating.

“The school is very important for all communities around the world,” he said. A wide medley of people, including officials, the community at large, the Grootvlei choir, basked at the seminar.

It was a majestic day that witnessed fine speeches, moving prayers, and responses from stake holders. The way forward was suggested by many, with the society at large expected to move forward.

Others called for the positive transformation of the people, more especially the prisoners from Grootvlei. Sipho, who works at Gospel Chariot Mission touched on the significance of the bible, and community libraries.

“The Lord is surely coming soon,” he said. Also in attendance was Ntate Kgang Abel Motheane, the well known, prolific, versatile writer and columnist

Friday, September 21, 2012

Free State News September 21 2012 samples

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”

Receptionist

Thobeka Funani

Editor

Kaya M

News Editor

Omoseye Bolaji

Contributors

Nthabiseng Lisele
Dineo Mokgosi

Lay-out artist

Tumisang Takang

Contact number:

051 447 1655 051 447 1655

Grey College dominates quiz competition

By Dineo Mokgosi

Grey College came out on top at the Free State provincial quiz competition winning a total of five awards on Friday, September 14 at the Motheo Education Resource Centre in Bloemfontein.

The school came in number one in English (home language) and third in English (second language). They also achieved first position in Mathematics and second position in Natural Science.

Relebohile Tsoai, 11, a grade 6 pupil at Grey College said he was happy to be part of the winning team.

“I am very happy with our performance. I think we did very well. Some of the questions were very difficult but we managed,” Tsoai said.

More than 700 learners from across the Free State province converged at the Motheo Education Resource Centre in Bayswater to take part in provincial quiz competition. The learners from Grade 4-9 wrote quizzes in Mathematics, Natural Science, Economics and Management Sciences (EMS), Technology, Social Sciences and Arts and Culture.

Not all schools were as lucky as Grey College though, Tlhabaki Intermediate School from Sediba Trust in Thaba Nchu only made it to the third round of the quiz competition on Friday. They scored a total of 14 out of 25 in EMS which was not enough to see them through to the next round.

“It was our first time taking part in this competition and I am very happy with the outcome. Before this competition, we came first in EMS at cluster level and second in district level. My children did well today. I didn’t even expect them to go so far as this is only their first time. This will motivate them to work harder next time,” Mathematics and EMS teacher at Tlhabaki Intermediate, Sam Abeoagye said.

Abeoagye said they’ve always had quizzes at their school however the provincial competition is on a different level than what they are used to.

Reabetswe Leepile, 15, a grade 9 pupil from Tlhabaki Intermediate said that in retrospect the tests were not that difficult but due to the lack of resources at their school, they found themselves lacking certain information to fully tackle the quizzes.

Shadrack Phele, Director Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges in the Free State said that the quizzes are an opportunity to develop the full potential of learners in specific subjects, foster good and improved performance, and promote the culture of learning as well as to prepare learners for the Annual Assessments in languages and mathematics.

MBALI LITERARY AWARDS

By Nthabiseng Lisele

Mbali Press Literacy Assn has confirmed that the inaugural Mbali Literary Awards will commence this year. The award would initially be restricted to the Free State.

Mbali Press is an internationally respected publishing firm which inter alia churns out quality books in both South Africa and Lesotho, books which are distributed globally. This year the firm has published a number of top quality works.

Papa Kimenyo of Mbali told Free State News this week that the firm has always intended to orchestrate such awards. “In more advanced countries there are countless awards for writers to give them a boost, to encourage them to enhance their work. Whilst it is true that relatively we have few creative writers here, we should acknowledge and honour the outstanding ones”.

Free State News learnt that this inaugural award will honour writers who have distinguished themselves this current year (2012).

Kimenyo said: “A number of books have been published this year, and they are being considered. We are also excited that we’ll also be honouring other writers who are not necessarily authors of books, but who have contributed to pure literature (this year) by way of their critical articles or reviews, columns or blogs”.

Already, Free State writers are excited about the awards. “Yes, it is a good idea. It’s about celebrating literacy and literature, showing writers that their efforts are at least appreciated”, frontline poet Lebohang Thasi said.

Kimenyo also said that the awards are scheduled for November this year, also disclosed some other details pertaining to pertinent categories and those short-listed thus far.

SHORT-LISTED FOR AWARDS…

Book of the year category:

Free State of mind (by Jah Rose Jafta, Rita Chihawa)

From where I stand (by George Rampai)

Landscape from within (by Seipati Thomas).

Writers/Commentators on Literature category:

Paul Lothane

Kgang Abel Motheane (The Bookshelf column)

Tiisetso Thiba.

Promising newcomer of the year category:

Sam Mothupi

Mayibongwe Mpanda

Ishmael Soqaga.

SPORT:

Proud champions of Engen!

By Mahlomola Moshe

The Engen soccer knockout challenge 2012 attracted soccer lovers and teams from all walks of life, when knockout games were played in Bloemfontein.

The Engen games which started from 14 September, 2012, came to its final stage when defending champions, Harmony met with Grey College on 16 September 2012 to determine the best team for the competition.

Harmony from Welkom showed everybody why they were defending champions as they displayed a good game in the final when they met with host team, Grey College. The Grey College which was struggling with the game in the first half of the game could not match the Welkom side which was composed in all departments; but their problem was that they failed to put the ball inside the net even though they created more opportunities.

The game gained a different complexion in the second half when Grey College began to show total commitment and took the game to Harmony which felt the pressure from Grey. Harmony which was on top of the game in the first half of the game could not do as they wished because Grey came with a different tune for the second half which helped them to understand the momentum of the game.

The game which was hot for both teams could not produce the result as players failed to convert chances created .Due to the situation whereby no goals were scored in the first half and in the second half too. The match was compelled to go to a penalty shoot-out which Grey won by 8-7.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Free State News August 31 2012 samples

Author and political economist Moeletsi Mbeki has warned that efforts to grow South Africa’s economy could be derailed because of de-industrialization and failure by the leadership to recognize the source of South Africa’s problems.

According to Mbeki, South Africa is one of the countries that should be the jewel of Africa but compared to the most of Africa, it is the one country that is faced with a “dazzling array of problems”.

“One of the problems we have in this country is de-industrialisation. According to the CEO of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), three to four years from now, South Africa won’t have a car manufacturing industry because of the dearth of the component manufacturers who today are supplying the components that go into a South African-made car,” Mbeki said.

Mbeki related an example of a South African company that was making spark plugs which has now relocated to Hungary citing an unviable operating environment.

“The company just packed its bags and moved to Hungary, and took not just the factory equipment, but the South African workers as well. This means South African car manufacturers now have to import from Hungary.

“The industrialisation of the South African economy is a huge problem which may not be visible to the naked eye but its carrying on,” Mbeki said.

He also said one of the major crisis facing South Africa is the falling life expectancy of South Africans.

“A few years ago the average South Africa expected to live up to 55 and maybe even more than that and today our life expectancy at birth is 45 only. Now that is a big crisis,” Mbeki said.

He said the high levels of unemployment, massive violence directed towards women and children as well as an incompetent state contribute to the downfall of the South African economy.

“We have amazing criminal violence in this country. There are more people murdered in South Africa which has a population of about 50 million than there are murdered in United States (of America) which has a huge population of 350 million,” Mbeki said.

Mbeki added: “We have a massively incompetent state in South Africa. What is going on in Limpopo with the text book saga is only the tip of the iceberg”.

He said South Africa does not have the political or the economic leadership to solve the problems reason being that neither of them knows the source of the problems.

MANGAUNG 76 COMMEMORATED

Mangaung celebrated the 36th anniversary student uprising of 20 August
1976. The commemoration was held at the Pax Nova Hall at Bochabela
recently.

One of the organizers of the event, journalist and black consciousness

activist Mpikeleni Duma said the other objective of the celebration

was to pay respect to the fallen heroes of 1976; Mpho Diba and Pinkie

Ditheko to mention just but a few.

Diba and Ditheko spent 5 years each at the Robben Island Prison for

their involvement in the student uprising of 1976. The event was a

turning point for the struggle in Mangaung.

Different speakers paid tribute to these heroes and recalled events

from 1976 up to 1980 leading to the death of Papi Makotoko on 21 May

32 years ago.

Litaba Mokhosi, a former student of Lereko High School at Batho

Location recalled events leading to the burning of an office at

Sehunelo High School and the jailing of Morena Matseletsele and Modise

Phekonyane.

Another speaker, Peter Maloro and a cultural worker, said parents told

him that a class was burnt Ihobe Junior Secondary School. Maloro said

that he was at Mothusi Primary School before he enrolled at Lereko High

School. He also recalled how students at both Lereko and Sehunelo

smashed down an "apartheid wall" that divided both schools.

Principal of Nzamane and a political activist, Smanga Ntlola told the

audience that he was doing practicals at Ihobe School when a class was

burnt. He said that student consulted him together with struggle

stalwart Victor Shumane. Shumane and Ntlola were History teachers at

Ihobe School.

Celebrated poet, Magic Khotseng electrified the atmosphere when he recited

his poem Aluta Continua. Ironically the theme of the event was Aluta

Continua.

Fikile Qithi, who single-handedly challenged the apartheid government as

a student at Ihobe School 1976 said it was a great honour that such

events celebrated in Mangaung. Quoting Leon Trotsky, he said :

'People have short memory".

Playwright Thjabang Lenko spoke of his suffering in detation and

torture as a result of his involvement in student politics. He was

held for 8 months at the Grootvlie Prison after the declaration of the

state of emergency 1986.

It was proposed at the meeting that the event must be held annually. A

play titled Ihobe The Freedom Song has being composed about the 1976

events.

THE BOOKSHELF (Column)

With K A Motheane

Book: Omoseye Bolaji: A voyage around his literary work

By Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga

This new book is already making waves in literary circles. It is the latest full-length book study on prolific and versatile writer, Omoseye Bolaji

The author, Ishmael Soqaga is a well known celebrated pan Africanist, essayist, and critic. Here he utilizes his vast experience and knowledge to write this new study on Bolaji. The book shows how much the author appreciates and respects his subject.

Literary pundits are already praising Soqaga’s style, describing it as “grandiose”, “somber”, “dignified” etc. His study has already been likened to other illustrious studies written by the likes of Robert Fraser and Adele King.

It is uplifting to see the great strides the Free State continues to make in the genre of literature. The province has produced world class literary critics, and this new work shows that Ishmael Soqaga can now be included among the best.

I think his book is a must for those who care about literature, its studies, evolution, the African perspective; and of course in particular robust analyses of some of Bolaji’s books. I recommend this work to the public at large.

Earlier studies (books) on Bolaji:

Omoseye Bolaji: His writings/ his role as a catalyst. By Pule Lebuso (2001)

Omoseye Bolaji: Perspectives on his literary work. By Flaxman Qoopane (2003)

Omoseye Bolaji: Channelling one’s thoughts onto paper. By Charmaine Kolwane (2005)

Tebogo on the prowl: On the sleuth created by Omoseye Bolaji. By Petro Schonfeld (2006)

Omoseye Bolaji: On awards, authors, literature. By Pule Lechesa (2007)

The Crest: Omoseye Bolaji honoured in Nigeria. By Flaxman Qoopane (2008)

Omoseye Bolaji: Further perspectives. By Julia Mooi (2009)

OMOSEYE BOLAJI. By Hector Kunene (2010)

Friday, August 17, 2012

Free State News August 2012 - samples

Glee over SA’s Olympic Gold medals

By Omoseye Bolaji

Unbridled glee swept through the country after Cameron van der Burgh and Chad le Clos, both at the current Olympics (Swimming) soared to victory, winning gold medals with panache. And Free Staters have not been left out of the euphoria.

Seasoned Free State sports pundit, Masilonyane Lefuo told Free State News: “It was a magnificent triumph and we have been blazing a trail so early at the global fiesta. My mind went back to the 1996 Olympics when Penny Heyns did so well bagging gold twice at the swimming events! Both Cameron and Chad have done very well,”

Jerry Seekoei of Mangaung also beamed; saying: “It’s been two exhilarating moments from the Swimming events for us. The two gold medals put the country on the map solidly – remember at the time South Africa was already much ahead of great sporting nations like Britain (hosts) Germany and Australia. And of course we were then the only African country to have won medals, not to say gold!”

It started with Cameron van der Burgh on Sunday night, as he bagged South Africa's first medal of the London Olympics when he won gold in the men's 100 metres breaststroke in a world record time of 58.46 seconds.

The South African led from start to finish as he annihilated the rest of the field. He set a world record, becoming the country's first male swimmer to win a gold medal in an individual event at the Games.

"It is just a feeling that I can't describe right now," Van der Burgh said after the race. "The last four years have been a lot of hard work."

Van der Burgh was followed by Christian Sprenger of Australia in a time of 58.93 and American Brendan Hansen who was third in 59.49.

The night before, Van der Burgh had clocked a time of 58.83, improving his previous national and continental record of 58.95 which he set at the 2009 Fina World Championships in Rome.

Van der Burgh, however, said he cared more about the Olympic crown, a title he will carry with him for the rest of his life, than he did about the time.

“I don't really care about the world record. It really doesn't faze me,” he said. “Once you become an Olympic champion, you join a club and they can never take it away from you."

He said if was difficult to stay focused in the build-up to the race and had relied on friends and family to keep his mind off the matter. Then Chad le Clos chipped in with his own magic too!
(Published in August 3 2012 edition)

ALUTA CONTINUA

By Raselebeli “Magic” Khotseng

Like birds chirruping in the sky nor waves roaring in the sea

Before mighty throne angels lead their uncompromising hosannas

But in the battlefield Aluta unifies our hearts in solidarity with the vanquished

From struggle via the grave to Martyrdom

With defiant message on their placards “An Injury to one, is an Injury to all”

A message borne out of devastation of Bantu Native Act and State of emergency

That holds spirits of martyrs in Mangaung and Avalon

Aluta Continua! Shame the enemy and embrace Lembethe, Tambo and Sobukwe

For time is over to remain playing ground for colonial vampires

Their bullets smile when blood is scattered in the battlefield

Their blood dripping hands cannot plant any seed but could easily pull a trigger

With destructive minds they plan our future with cornflakes and wine

And emerged with a binding solution “Education first, liberation after”

Their slave teaching never make us desert emancipatory programme

Yes we’ve been taught “renegades are not the advocates of the cause they deserted”

Man afraid to give his life for a right cause is like roots refuse to absorb water

Always confess before a racist Magistrate and prosecutor

Shivers before an arrogant police and interpreter

Aluta Continua! Fighting evil is an indication of bravery to horrified witnesses of brutal murder of police dogs

Mangaung braces up for ’76 uprising!

Mangaung will come alive this weekend as the 36th anniversary of the pertinent 1976 student uprising is commemorated.

Already, many stalwarts of the struggle are bracing up for the occasion. Some of them told Free State News this week that the Soweto uprisings of 1976 was also mirrored in the Free State at the time, and young people must realise this.

“I believe very strongly that youngsters of today must be conscientized about the past,” Raselebeli “Magic” Khotseng said. “When I see the very good life available to young blacks nowadays, it rather saddens me that so many of them do not even know the horrific struggle people like me went through in the past for them to be enjoying today. It is good that the Mangaung uprising will be remembered this weekend,”

Mr Khotseng, who is a well known, celebrated poet and literary activist, will be one of the keynote speakers at the event this weekend at Pax Nova in Bochabela. Other speakers include Sekhopi Malebo, Modise Phekonyane, Smanga Ntlola among others. The celebrated journalist, Mr Mpikeleni Duma will be orchestrating proceedings.

Meanwhile Free State News spoke to a number of people in the Province this week about the event. Unfortunately, many young people professed that they did not know anything about those galvanic events in Mangaung 36 years ago; but also pointed out that they would be proud to be enlightened in this wise. Older respondents stated that they are happy that even in the new dispensation, the terrible struggles of the past can still be remembered.

The theme of the anniversary this year is “Aluta Continua”. The date of the event is Saturday the 18th of August, 2012. Proceedings kick-off at 14H00.
(Published in August 17 2012 edition)

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Free State News July 20 2012 edition sample stories

By Reitumetse Mokhoantle

Six years ago I got raped! This occurred at what was suppose to be at secure environment (at school to be precise) and all I could say then was; dreams which seemed to be coming true were shattered within a blink of an eye.

This incident was never known till this point of sharing it with you.

Perhaps I was too alarmed even confused. "Who would believe me?" I pondered in my thoughts, but, regardless of how I was feeling, the main reason which prompt my silence is that I was (and still) uncomfortable of how people would claim me as being a victim. I asked myself, "who is going to claim my survivorhood instead of my victimhood?"

What happened to me can be viewed from many aspects. My story is one of forgiveness

Claiming your worth

Letting go of past incidents and holding on to the hope of tomorrow or however you might perceive it. What I learned from this experience might sound like a cliche but it's actually the truth.

1. I took 6 years to break the silence and forgive whereas I was oblivious to the fact that; forgiving your perpetrator will be like taking off a painful pair of shoes after walking in them the entire day. I don't know the anything about the two male persons who took away my innocence, but I know that nothing weighs heavily upon progress than a heart filled with grudges. Many are trapped in the prison of grudges due to people who have caused their lives to be a living hell. Grudges rob you of your sanity as you approach different stops of your life.

2. Letting go means I can look towards my future and new possibilities, hence rape is not me but it happened to me. Sipho Mnyakeni says: "my sisters, you are still in line for your personal greatness

Seize it,

Your future depends on you,

Size it,

Self-pitying is self destructive,

Cease it,

As the incident seeks to finish you

Your will to survive will sustain you

You are not defined by it

You are greater than that ;

I wish you could see what I see in your eyes,

Hope lives,

The future is safe,

You are still in line for greatness

SEIZE IT!

Turn to the mental field of your youth

Play again

dream again

believe again

live again"

3. If you are still breathing then God hasn't given up on you. Your occupation is to persevere and your promotion will be victory. We all have the ability to see the brighter picture in our dark experiences. Break the silence and claim your survivorhood.

This article is for all those women who have been denied the platform to say: "I was raped!" I know you. I feel you. I, too, was raped. And rape is NOT us. It just happened to us!

Sport:

Crusaders capitulate to Platteland

By Mahlomola Moshe

The cold winter condition did not constitute a damper as teeming supporters and players surged to Clive Solomon stadium over the weekend. The freezing conditions which compel referee and his assistants to wear tracksuits continued unabated when the Crusaders and Platteland met over the weekend in a friendly game, as both teams were preparing for the oncoming league games.

The first team to make a decisive move was Platteland which opened the score and convert to make the score 7 goals. The game which was difficult for both teams in the first half saw Crusaders wake-up after they were scored by Platteland and they managed to score a goal and convert it to equalize the score. After the Crusaders scored, they never looked back, as they rallied and scored, to make their score 21-7.

For the visitors the condition was somewhat undermining for them, as they were the first team to put the ball inside the net, therefore they fought so hard to gain ascendancy in the game and everything worked for them and after they scored they led the first half with 28-21.

The second half of the game came with a different hue and picture as Platteland showed grim determination, bent on finishing the Crusaders .The few minutes of the second half the Platteland was the first team to score and it was followed by the Crusaders which also notched.

The game which was dominated by Platteland showed the side and ability of Platteland when confronted with their opponents’ nous. The Crusaders which attempted to play the game; could not match Platteland which was over the pitch. For the Platteland the friendly game helped them to prepare for the next game, while the Crusaders was left with much work to do, as they lost the game 59-33.

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Free State News June 29 2012

SAMPLE PIECES

The example of Teboho Masakala

It is always painful to see literacy and literature going to the dogs amidst the youngsters of today. Modern technology worsens this.

Our youth now mistakenly think that social networking with its largely inane and irresponsible messages shows they are literate and modern. But this is not so. They are going backwards.

In the good old days the young ones studied, read a lot. They absorbed their own legacy, and learnt a lot via books and libraries, even during
apartheid. Now our young ones can hardly read properly, not to talk of
appreciating literature! Youngsters hardly read any books again these days – a disaster for the nation.

That is why a very young man like Teboho Masakala deserves all praise. He is still in his early 20s, but he has already published three books! What a shining example to the youth!

Never mind the critics, or quality - and even the greatest of writers
and books are ruthlessly criticised worldwide anyway - the fact is
Ntate Masakala is doing very well, and we should all appreciate him.

An exemplary youth during Youth Month. That’s Masakala. His books
include – Mind, pen, papers, idea, Through it all, and The fall of Marcus Desmond

(From the Bookshelf column; by KA Motheane)

Mangaung romp to victory

By Mahlomola Moshe

Mangaung played an excellent, exhilarating game when they met with Warriors over the weekend in a match which was played at Masenkeng stadium in Bloemfontein. The first match of the day was between Warriors second side and Mangaung second side which Mangaung won with 18-5.

The big match of the day was between the first team of Warriors and Mangaung first team, where the match was surrounded by throbbing drama. From the beginning of the game Mangaung showed no regard to the Warriors which looked hapless and helpless inside the pitch.

Mangaung was the first team to open scoring after a long struggle to score. On the other hand the Warriors which was fighting hard to make sure that the game was balanced was confronted with a huge task of penetrating the solid line of Mangaung which left no stone unturned to prevent them from scoring.

For Mangaung the game was more or less in the bag with points collected in order for them to improve their position on the league. Mangaung came again and scored, even though they failed to convert a goal, but they pocketed 10 goals in the first half of a match.

The second half was covered with clouds, as Warriors could not understand what was happening inside the pitch. The Warriors which looked confused and frustrated could not match Mangaung which was all over the pitch and in control of the match. Mangaung romped home in decisive manner, winning the game with 50 goals while Warriors failed to notch even one goal!

------------------------

Free State News congratulates Premier Ace Magashule for coming out tops again! His resilience, fortitude, and assiduous approach have been hallmarks of his stewardship. Felicitations to the dynamic
Premier!