E F SASTERN REE TATE

TEL: 058 ­ 3035411 WEDNESDAY 2 JULY 2014 WWW.EXPRESS­NEWS.CO.ZA FREE

Visit the Expresswebsite

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news-streaming ofall the socceraction in Brazil.

} Tladi Moloi

QWAQWA. – Ace Magashule, the FreeState premier, says no child should bedenied access to school because they do nothave a birth certificate.Magashule said this during his State of

the Province address in the University ofthe Free State Qwaqwa Campus (Uniqwa)Hall on Thursday evening.He said because education was key to

success, a high standard had been set ineducation. He added that they wanted theFree State to be number one in the countryfor the next few years.“The birth certificate campaign for

learners’ admission will be expanded. Thiswill be implemented between July andSeptember each year and no child shouldbe refused access to school,” he said.He said focus would be retained to

ensure the registration of learners ofschool-going age throughout the province,especially at farm schools.“Two hostels for schools on farms or in

rural areas will be added to the hostelprogramme in this financial year,” he said.Good news, Magashule said, for teachers

who have been working temporarily, wasthat 80 of them would be employed perma-nently.“The induction of new teachers and

principals will be prioritised and specificleadership programmes for the principalswill be facilitated,” he said.He said the quality of teaching and

learning would be improved through theAnnual National Assessments and ensureregular communication of learner assess-ment results to the school community.“We have formulated clear targets for the

education sector. We want to increase ourmatric pass rate to 90% this year, andincrease our bachelor’s pass rate from 40%this year to 60% by 2019. A total of 60% oflearners in gr. 3, gr. 6 and gr. 9 shouldperform above 50% in numeracy andliteracy,” he said.In his address, the premier also touched

on fighting crime and corruption, jobcreation and managing the situation in the

troubled Department of Health.He admitted that the health sector was

currently facing challenges. He said theywould treat this as a matter of urgency.“We have taken the appropriate interven-

tion measures through the provincialtreasury and are comprehensively andsystematically addressing key focus areas.”He said a new clinic would be built in

Rouxville using the massification approachand planning for the construction of aclinic in Ratanang in Jacobsdal wouldcommence, while the Thabong Clinic inWelkom would be extended.) Visit express-news.com to watch a videoof the EFF supporters as they leave thehall minutes after the premier had justwalked in to address the mass.

Education comes firstAce announces plans in his State of the Province address

ACE MAGASHULE, the Free State premier, during his State of the Province address inthe University of the Free State Qwaqwa Campus Hall on Thursday evening. See morepictures of the event on p 4. Photo: Tladi Moloi

‘The birth certificatecampaign for learners’admission will be ex­panded. This will beimplemented betweenJuly and Septembereach year and no childshould be refused ac­cess to school.’– Ace Magashule, pre­mier of the Free State

2 EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 2 JULY 2014

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Formorenewsand

photosgoto

www.express-news.co.za

} Tladi Moloi

QWAQWA. – Farmer Gerrie van Deventerof the Partyfontein Farm just outsideKestell has described himself as thehappiest person in the world after 68 of his85 stolen sheep were recovered by thepolice.

Free State Police MEC Butana Komphelaand provincial police commissioner Lt. Gen.Simon Mpembe drove with Van Deventer tothe Lesotho side of the Monontsha BorderPolice Station where the stolen sheep,stolen last month and worth about R74 300,were kept.

A 34-year-old suspect, a Lesotho citizen,has been arrested and is detained inBothabothe, Lesotho. He will be released tothe South African authorities once extradi-tion arrangements have been finalisedbetween the two countries.

“I went to the kraal on the morning of 27May and when I got there my sheep weregone.

“I immediately phoned the police andthey were positive that they would findthem and indeed they did,” said a relievedVan Deventer.

He said his heart nearly stopped when hefound that 85 of his sheep were stolen.

He said he would like to thank the policefor a job well done and was adamant thatat least 10 or 11 of the still missing 17 sheepwould be recovered.

“I had a good working relationship withthe police while I was working at theMaluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality, that iswhy I had faith in them.

“It was heartbreaking because I took mypension money and bought sheep to make aliving from and then someone comes andsteals it,” he said.

Komphela said the sheep recovery waspart of the recently launched 102 DaysPremier Operation.

The 102 Days Premier Operation, accord-ing to Premier Ace Magashule, is an

initiative by his administration to celebratethe ANC’s 102 years of existence where theywill double their efforts to address theprovince’s crime challenges.

“I am impressed with our workingrelations with the Lesotho police. I wishthis marriage could go a long way so thatwe could make South Africa and Lesotho

better places to live in,” he said.He said he would like to congratulate the

Monontsha police and the members of theLesotho police for recovering the sheep.

“You must remember that this is ourbank. So you could imagine if they stealthat much from your bank, you will get aheart attack and die,” he said.

Mpembe said the had shown the worldthat stock theft was a big problem in SouthAfrica.

“We have this 102 days programmewhere, believe me, criminals will bearrested and sent to jail. We are happy withwhat our police together with those fromLesotho have done,” he said.

Police recover 68 stolen sheep

JOB WELL DONE: From the left are Gerrie van Deventer, a farmer whose stolen sheep were recovered, Free State police MEC ButanaKomphela and provincial police commissioner Lt. Gen. Simon Mpembe in a kraal with the recovered sheep. Photo: Tladi Moloi

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 2 JULY 2014 3

NEWS

} Tladi Moloi

PHUTHA-DITJHABA. –Matau Kubashe, theprincipal of theTiisetso PrimarySchool, has re-sponded to a photopublished in theExpress EasternFree State of 11June.The photo – with

the headline“Dangerous games”– show learners ofthe school playingon a frame used tosupport a billboardat the BP Garage inPhuthaditjhaba,Qwaqwa.Kubashe said she

was hurt becausethe photo gave abad impression of her school.She said she had spoken to the taxi

driver on numerous occasions and hadasked him to pick up the learners in theschoolyard, but that he had never donethat.“Those learners were waiting for

transport. I have asked the people whotransport the children to come and pickthem up in the schoolyard. They, however,ask the learners to wait for them outsidethe gate but that is not safe because weare near a busy road to town,” she said.Kubashe said she had not seen the paper

until a head of department (HOD) at theschool had shown it to her a week ago.(Rigt is the newspaper where the photowas published.

“I did not get the paper. Afterwards, wehad a short meeting with the HOD.I went to the class to speak to the

learners and told them that from that dayonward no one would be allowed to go outthe school gate and wait for their trans-port outside the school premises,” shesaid.She said even though she was hurt, that

the photo had been a wake-up call to themand also a message to the parents aboutwhat the school had to go through withtheir children.“We know that they enrolled their kids

here because they trust us. We would loveit if they could also come on board andhelp us teach the children what to do andwhat not to do,” she said.

Photo of learnersupsets principal

MATAU KUBASHE, the principal of the Tiisetso Primary School.Photo: Tladi Moloi

4 EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 2 JULY 2014

NEWS

} Thabisile Dube

FOUNDED in 2000, the Dimakatso IntabazweCentre for Disabled People situated atIntabazwe, Harrismith, cares for the physi-cally and mentally disabled, and for peoplewith any disability.

The centre, which is still in full operationeven after the death of its founder, Di-makatso Peggy Thwala, accommodatespeople from the age of three upwards.

A “normal” school can be challenging evenfor a child without any disability. Thwalarealised a child with a disability andlearning difficulties could sometimes behindered to interact with other kids.

She then took it upon herself to start thecentre. This is according to Topsy Saukaza,who is the project manager at the centre.

“She saw that there was a lot of discrimi-nation at schools, some children werelaughed at because of their disability andstate of mind. She also did this because someparents hid their kids at home. She wanted aplace where disabled children could gettogether and interact,” said Saukaza.

Together not only do they interact, butthey get a sense of belonging and they areable to accept themselves for who they reallyare.

A caregiver at the centre, RolelinahMokhothu, encourages parents to enrol theirkids at centres like these.

“Parents must not hide their kids; some-times you find that a disability is not as badas you thought. In some cases it can be aminor thing. We have physiotherapist visitshere, so you wouldn’t know how bad itreally is if you are keeping the child athome,” she added.

Learners are taught life skills, they playgames, and vigilance is emphasised. Thosewho are older are introduced to artwork,gardening and poultry projects so that theycan earn extra cash.

However, getting learners to grasp

whatever information is provided to themserves as a challenge to their caregivers.According to Saukaza they are forgetful.“When you read them a story and then askthem questions afterwards, very few of themcan actually answer the questions.

“That is not the only challenge we have;sometimes parents send learners who do not

have social grants and we make it ourmission to get them grants,” said Mokhothu.

Saukaza extended her gratitude to theDepartment of Social Development forsupporting them with food. She also saidthat she was indebted to the Department ofHealth for their help with assisting devicessuch as wheelchairs. She called on people

who wanted to help with transport forlearners.

“We have a problem with transport; weneed people who can help with transport forchildren from home to the centre. We alsoneed help with our building. It is notsuitable for people with disabilities,” shesaid.

Disabled children flourish at centre

HAPPY SPIRITS: Learners at the Dimakatso Intabazwe Centre for Disabled People in their best pose. Photo: Thabisile Dube

TJHETANE MOFOKENG, mayor of the Dihlabeng Local Municipality, with Jomo So­no, the chairperson of the National First Division (NFD) team Jomo Cosmos, duringthe State of the Province Address that took place in the University of the Free State’sQwaqwa Campus (Uniqwa) Hall on Thursday.

MANDISA MAKHESINI, the EconomicFreedom Fighters (EFF) premier candi­date, duringherState of theProvinceAd­dress in theUniversity of the Free State’sQwaqwa Campus (Uniqwa) Hall onThursday.

CHIPPA MPENGESI, Chippa United FCowner, during the State of the ProvinceAddress that took place at theUniversityof the Free State’s Qwaqwa Campus(Uniqwa) Hall on Thursday.

Photos: Tladi Moloi

HARRISMITH. – This winter will certainlybe different for residents of the Eastern FreeState.

To combat the extreme cold experienced inthis province, the Eskom subsidiary Rosh-con SOC Limited partnered with the EskomFree State Operating Unit to donate 300blankets to people in the Harrismith area.

“Sinobuntu, one of Eskom’s values, hasbeen practised in the Free State to not onlyenhance the well-being of employees, butalso to care for the communities around itsoperations. Donating blankets becomes evenmore relevant as Eskom urges SouthAfricans to use electricity efficiently,” saysNuala Jackson, Roshcon’s general manager.

Lindi Mthombeni, the general manager ofEskom’s Free State Operating Unit, saysgiving back to the community is one of theirresponsibilities as an organisation.

“We indirectly support our own employeesby enabling and helping the community that

they come from,” she says.Blankets were donated to the following

people or institutions:) Hope House Orphanage in Harrismith (50blankets).) Child-headed households at the IntabazweHall, previously known as 42nd Hill (90blankets).) The people of the Makgolokweng Villageled by Chief Moloi (100 blankets).) Tlholong Care of the Aged in Kestell (60blankets).

Ward councillors from various areashelped to identify places where the need forassistance was the greatest.

“It is great to see Eskom giving back tothe people living under today’s circumstanc-es, which include challenges such as povertyand unemployment.

“It might be small, but to us it is some-thing big,” said Lesole Mokoena, a wardcouncillor from Kestell.

Blankets relieve winter’s biteRESIDENTS from Harrismith, excited about receiving blankets. Photo: Supplied

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 2 JULY 2014 5

NEWS

BLOEMFONTEIN. – TheEastern Free State had itshand raised during therecent Free State enter-PRIZE Job CreationChallenge banquet andawards.The eight winners werefrom Bethlehem, Phutha-ditjhaba, Qwaqwa, Harri-smith and Ficksburg.This ceremony, which washeld at Ilanga Estate inBloemf ontein, saw the 71Free State entrepreneursreceive various prizes tothe value of R7,5 million.The winners were mainlyfrom Bethlehem, Bloemfon-tein, Botshabelo, Ficks-burg, Harrismith, Kroons-tad, Parys, Philippolis,Qwaqwa, Sasolburg, ThabaNchu, Welkom andWepener. Lynne Land-man, the general managerat Z PR Communicationand Public RelationsConsultants, says thiscompetition, which hasalso been coined as themost exciting businesscompetition in the FreeState, has been activelysearching for entrepre-neurs since its launch on18 March this year.“A total of 769 entries was

received from all fivedistricts across the FreeState.“Independent judges from12 judging panels selectedthe shortlisted candidateswho presented theirbusiness plans on 3 June.“The Free State SMEDevelopment Initiativeconceptualised the FreeState enterPRIZE JobCreation Challenge in orderto assist provincial govern-ment in meeting its priori-ties towards job creationand SME development.”Landman says this initia-tive was funded by theFlanders InternationalCorporation Agency (Fica)and executed by theInternational LabourOrganisation (ILO) and theFree State Department forEconomic Development,Tourism and EnvironmentalAffairs (DETEA).“In addition to the prizemoney received, the 71entrepreneurs will alsoreceive technical support.“The technical supportwill be demand led andincludes mentorship,training, incubation andbusiness developmentservices,” says Landman.

Eastern FS well-presented

MARK ROTTER (Microsoft) and David Uwah (Black Management Forum) hand over a cheque to Caroline Kgomofrom Ficksburg who won the first prize for best woman entrepreneur with her business Meqheleng Waste Manage­ment (Pty) Ltd. Second from right is Ayanda Makhanya. Photo: Supplied

THERE are five fundamentals or pillarsof Islam, and Ramadan is the third. It isalso known as the Month of Fasting.It is considered the most venerated,

blessed and spiritually beneficial monthof the Islamic year.In the month of Ramadan Muslims all

over the world pay attention to prayers,fasting, charity and self-accountability.Religious observations associated with

Ramadan are kept throughout themonth.The month of Ramadan has an

important place in the lives of Muslims.Ramadan was the month during

which the Quran was revealed to theholy prophet Muhammed (peace be uponhim), for providing guidance for thepeople and clear teachings.Ramadan is the ninth month of the

Islamic lunar calendar.Every year in the month of Ramadan,

the majority of Muslims fast from

dawn to sunset, abstaining from food,drink and sexual relations (during fastinghours).Those who are ill, pregnant, elderly or

travelling, can make up an equal numberof days later in the year. If they arephysically unable to do this, they can feeda needy person for every day missed.

Fasting places everybody, the rich andthe poor, the strong and the weak, on thesame platform. It is not meant as self-tor-ture.Although stricter than other fasts, it also

provides for special circumstances.It is not merely a temporary rejection of

food and drink, but this abstention enablesthe attention to be directed towards loftierideals.Fasting accustoms a person to face the

hardships of life by renouncing everydaycomfort; gives strength to their resolve andincreases the power of resistance.

Charity during RamadanAllah (the most high) has given to you,

so Muslims should try to give generouslyin Ramadan, both sadaqah (optionalcharity) and zakaah (obligatory charity).Every time a servant of Allah (the most

high) gives something in charity Allah (themost high) eases his physical, spiritual and

mental conditions.Sadaqah does not only have to be

money.It can also be a good deed, such as

helping another person, done for thesake of Allah (the most high) andwithout expecting any reward from thatperson. Even a smile is consideredcharity in Islam.Most Muslims pay their zakaah

during Ramadan because the reward isso much greater in that month.Wealth is like water, if its flow is

obstructed, it becomes brackish, and ifit flows, it becomes sweet and fresh.The first day of the new month (Shaw-waal) is the day of Eid – celebrated byMuslims in the culmination of themonth of Ramadan.Ramadan will commence on 21 July.Express Eastern Free State would like

to wish all our clients, readers andfriends Ramadan Mubarak.

Ramadan spiritually beneficialExpress EasternFree State wouldlike to wish all its cli­ents and readers Ra­madan Mubarak.

6 EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 2 JULY 2014

NEWS

} MBUSI MUSAWENKOSI RADEBE,Bohlokong, Bethlehem:

GOOD people, we need to analyse andadvise our government even though wediffer with perspectives of development.As we belong to the biggest region in

the province, Thabo Mofutsanyana, andare very busy in terms of the effective-ness of transport and national roads, wehave to be realistic. Land is available inmost areas of the sub-municipalities andthat means infrastructure developmentsuch as airports could be developed. Thatwill reduce unemployment, boost anenvironment for industrialisation anddominate the capacity of the IntegratedDevelopment Plan (IDP) for a long time.There is the possible establishment of anew settlement area. This cannot disputeagainst other air transport businesses asinvestors. They can reach good outcomesby a feasibility study of the programmefor the next 15 to 40 years. Our region is

surrounded by neighbourhoods, provincialdemarcations of KwaZulu-Natal, Mpuma-langa and a few border gates to Lesotho.This is also helpful for the expansion of

business plans or strategies in the taxiindustry in avoiding the scarcity ofbusiness routes. The challenge is tostrategise deeper on economic develop-ment.Constructors, engineers, surveyors,

entrepreneurs, under-developed societyand historical sites can be revived and beempowered by the existence of airports.Land redistribution is more relevant for

this project. We need projects that willempower people for a lifetime.

} TUMELO MOLAHLEHI - ANCYouth League spokesperson inThabo Mofutsanyana district

AFTER reading and re-reading Adv.Diba’s article published on ExpressEastern Free State, dated (18 June2014), titled: “Should we still observe 16June?”, I realised that his views in thisregard cannot go unchallenged.It is not a bad thing to have a view

outside the confines of popular beliefs.The advocate’s Facebook profile

captures him to be a very intelligentman.I suspect the advocate has his own

apprentices whom under his guidancebecame the best role models in theworld.With his liberal tone the advocate

starts the article with a warning “June16 induces some sense of pain andsuffering, which we can do without”.

I am myself charmed by his style ofwriting. His apologetic tone compelsone not to question the logic behind his‘erase-history’ campaign. Through hisarticle the advocate seems moreapologetic, however, his strategicobjective is to compel us to do awaywith history that cleared us fromsuffering.We must pardon the advocate, for he

does not persuade anyone to share hispersonal beliefs, nor does he attempt toattract anybody to join a particularschool of thought.The advocate pleads with us to

remain intelligently critical andopen-minded and use our judgment withunderstanding and of course, with thedesire to discover.The reasons as to why we should stop

commemorating 16 June seems unclearall through his article except forreliance on a friend’s narrative on thepains and suffering brought by memo-ries of 16 June.It was 80 years ago when the Cuban

revolution overthrew the dictatorshipgovernment as led by Fulgencio Batista.Even today celebrations are still held tocommemorate history.History is used as a lens to study the

past events in order to influence thefuture, history is also one of the bestteachers.The ‘76 generation refused to bow

down to the apartheid regime and stoodin the gallows and barricades of theracist regime.This version of history is written in

all the archives and cannot just be

thrown in the dustbin of history.We will be denying the coming

generations of their history from whicheducation derives.With his apologetic stunt, the advo-

cate wants us to disconnect with ourancestors, because by stopping remem-brance programmes one is prepared tosurrender anything.If you want to see the true colours of

a particular nation, you must insulttheir ancestors.Events that led to Steve Biko’s death

was resultant of the 16 June strikeswaged by students across the lengthand breadth of South Africa in protestsagainst the legitimization of Afrikaansto the detriment of black population.We refuse to forget this history, in spiteof the advocate’s wishes to discard whatbuilt us as a nation.To qualify the article Advocate Diba

concludes by quoting the great Ameri-can philosopher and spiritual teacherJiddu Krishnamurti as saying in one ofhis books: “without freedom from thepast, there is no freedom at all, becausethe mind is never anew, fresh, inno-cent”.Though Krishnamurti want us to free

ourselves from our pasts, the mind; ashe correctly points out, is never anewand has no programmed cut-and-dryremote controlled sequence of events.A human being’s mind shall not be

juxtaposed to recordable MP3 disk, thatgladly welcomes new information insuch a way that the old informationdon’t exist.Forgetting does not negate remem-

brance, to cancel commemorationswon’t erase pains and won’t rewritehistory.Krishnamurti himself taught us that

life itself is an action, an endless actionthat has no beginning and no end.To even begin to suggest that people

must in the course of history take thevery same history and put it under thecarpet is to advance a misplaced notionthat needs no revolutionary nor socialintelligence to comprehend.This suggestion must be rejected with

the absolute contempt that it deserves.We cannot live in the past and blameour present failures for it, but as theCuban revolution has it, a nation thatburies its history under annals like ahatchet has no future.A struggle in memoirs is also a

struggle against forgetting. We dare notforget our history.Not even you advocate.

REV. THEUNIS BOTHA, leader of theChristian Democratic Party (CDP):

AT the risk of giving Julius Malemaeven more exposure, the ChristianDemocratic Party (CDP) reacts withdisgust to his disregard for parliamenta-ry protocol.In his maiden speech, reacting to

Pres. Jacob Zuma’s State of the NationAddress, he abused this esteemedplatform by using it for his brand ofcheap politicking.It seems inconceivable that anyone

could actually address someone like

Malema as “honourable”, when he notonly dishonoured the position he holdsbut also the country as a whole. Hispast history of alleged tender riggingand defrauding of Sars to the tune ofR16 million has also shown him to beless than honourable.His attack on whites shows that,

along with his racist comrades, he isincapable of acknowledging that it is asa result of a negotiated agreement thathe is experiencing the privileges he ispresently enjoying. It would appear thatall he can do is to lash out at anyonethat exposes his mediocrity.

Need to invest in transport

Youth can’t negate history

Malema not ‘honourable’

DECIDING how to invest your retirementfund money is not about completing forms.Instead, it is about making one of thebiggest financial decisions of your life.Karin Muller, head of Sanlam’s Growth

Market Solutions, says the latest researchresults from the Sanlam Benchmark Surveyshowed that a third of all South Africans,when faced with important decisions abouttheir retirement fund savings options, didnot make use of professional financialadvice but relied on their own knowledge,that of a colleague, their human resourcesdepartment or their employer.“To put this into perspective, an impor-

tant consideration is that a staggering 88%of people who are financially better off intheir retirement received professionalfinancial advice.”This, she says, is clear evidence of how

critical it is to ensure that you obtainadvice from a professional when you makesome of the most important financialdecisions of your life.“Retirement fund members don’t under-

stand that retirement planning and provid-ing for retirement should start on day oneof their employment or the date of joiningtheir retirement fund.“The retirement planning decisions

people make while they are employed willultimately determine how comfortably theyare able to live during retirement.“Unfortunately, most retirement fund

members only start considering retirementwhen they get closer to retirement.”Apart from seeking professional advice,

the latest Sanlam Benchmark Survey showsthat people who are indeed able to retirecomfortably also share a number of othersuccesses:) They started saving for retirement a fewyears earlier than the average person.) They saved more each month duringtheir working lives.) They preserved their savings when theychanged jobs.) When they retired, they reinvested theirlump sums to bolster their retirementincome.) They had additional sources of savings,such as other retirement annuities.Muller says it is worrying that just

29% of South Africans are able tomaintain their standard of living inretirement. What’s more, people who retirenow experience longer retirements, buthave less money to live on and many arelooking after dependants in their retire-ment.“The starting point, it seems, is to ensure

that you treat your retirement planning asa priority from the very day that you join acompany’s retirement fund.“This means you should obtain profes-

sional advice on how to make the most ofyour investment in the fund and reviewyour planning on a regular basis.”

Retirement: Seekprofessional advice

For more news andphotos go to

www.express-news.co.za

} MLANJANE JOHANNESRADEBE, Tshiame C, Harrimith:

I WAS walking on the street;Perception accused me in judgement

day;Where is the lesson of our forefa-

thers?I stand stagnant, motion granted in

my sense;Though isn’t a common sense. I

greeted you, but you denied . . . youquestioned . . .Do I know you? What type of world is

nowadays?Indeed! Transparent I must be,

nevertheless;Generation of hope, lost is our

dignity . . . intellect of wisdom;I wave my hand at you, but youJust gazed at me. Where is the

humanity?Where is the spirit of veneration?I said, I was walking on the street;My heart felt pain, the wound of

isolation;The redeem of discrimination singing

tunes of apartheid;I thought I misheard the tune, but

your character displayedMe the chapter of hatred; lost I was

feeling then, ferventlyThe wise words came to my rescue to

“love thy neighbourAs I love thyself”, loyal to the

ideologies of humankind.Superlative the commandments shall

always be in my memory.I was walking on the street.Perception accused me, no spectator

to give evidence;I’m guilty, as accused by the opin-

ions.The street is full of blood, depression

and discomfort;I just wonder, I thought I was blind

when I saw you in ICU,Damn I was feeling assembled in my

brain ligament.Why this virus is so domestic?National the antivirus shall be,Discussion should be the bugs,I feel revelation in atmosphere.Indeed! I was walking on the

street . . . I felt pain in my heart andMy heart was full of torment.I dropped tears in reality show.Amen.

A perceptive poet’s prayer

THE type of alcohol aperson drinks doesn’tautomatically give themclass.Ever since I have started

going out, I have noticed acertain trend amongstpeople.One would think this is irrelevant, but I

think it has to do with advertising becausesome companies spend millions on advertis-ing and this leads to consumers shifting tothat brand with the idea that it is the best.I was once in the same category until I

attended a brandy tasting event and wasshocked with the little knowledge I hadabout my choice of drink and how it wasintended to be consumed.It is quite funny because you see affluent

people drinking what most poor peopleconsider not good because of a lack ofknowledge. They spend their hard-earned

money on expensivebottles of champagnefrom abroad not realis-ing that the reason theycost an arm and a leg isbecause of tax, transportcosts and levies paid.We have the best

South African brands that have won interna-tional awards yet we shun them and go forimported brands.Some claim they do not drink brandy, yet

you see them holding bottles of cognac atparties.This ignorance has people spending

thousands of madibas trying to appear cool,however, they end up broke and not able tomaintain the habit.I think my people are still not free because

of this practice, and for this reason we spendmoney on a useless habit just to impressothers.

Labels to impress

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 2 JULY 2014 7

NEWS

} Sidwell Guduka

PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE (PSL)outfits Bloemfontein Celtic, MpumalangaBlack Aces, Bidvest Wits and AmaZuluwill feature in the inaugural four-teampre-season tournament in Johannesburgthis month.The event, dubbed the Charity Show-

down, will take place at the BidvestStadium on 19 July.It will use a semi-final format, with

the winners of both semi-finals progress-ing to square off in the final on thesame day.The Charity Showdown has been

organised by e.tv, in association withOpenView HD.“Soccer is one of the most popular

sports in this country, and education isone of the most critical childhooddevelopment tools.The combination of the chosen charity,

which gives young people the opportuni-ty to fully partake in their education;and the solidarity of sportsmanshipmakes for a formidable partnership inshaping the future for many youngSouth Africans,” said Monde Twala,group head of e.tv’s Channels Division.“The e.tv brand is in the business of

people; we are committed to ensure thatour content does not only educate, butalso provides for fun and family enter-tainment.“It is partnerships like these that

assist us in ensuring a well-learnedcommunity,” Twala added.The day will also be packed with

family inclusive activities happeningsimultaneously with the soccer games.These include a family fun zone

complete with a food market, a kiddiesarea with child minders, jumpingcastles, face painters and clowns.There will also be a beer garden, VIP

hospitality, as well as a showdown

concert, featuring some of South Africa’stop-selling bands. Families will also get achance to win OpenView HD decodersthroughout the day, as well as meet some of

e.tv’s stars and personalities.The first semi-final match kicks off at

09:30, the next game at 12:00 and the final isscheduled for 16:00.

The tournament will be broadcast liveon e.tv’s OpenView HD satellite channel,giving the broadcaster a long-sought testwith the local football market.

Teams clash in Charity Showdown

TUSSLE: Themba Zwane of Black Aces (wearing the blue shirt) and Tumelo Mogapi of Bloemfontein Celtic will be key players whentheir sides feature in the inaugural four­team pre­season tournament. Photo: Backpagepix

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2635

www.humanjobs.co.za Human Communications 110375

Building a world-classdiamond group

Koffiefontein MineJoint Venture

Koffiefontein Mine JV is based in the town of Koffiefontein, located 100km from Kimberleyand 136km from Bloemfontein.

Human Resources PractitionerThe successful candidate will manage the Human Resources Department, which willinclude: Administration; employee benefits; recruitment and selection; training anddevelopment; industrial relations; Social and Labour Plan; and generalist guidance andsupport.

Tasks and responsibilities: • Perform labour planning • Be involved in employeerelations • Manage HR systems and procedures • Manage the Employee AssistanceProgramme • Ensure compliance with all Mining Charter and Social and Labour Planissues • Plan Employment Equity.

Minimum requirements: • A B degree or National Diploma in Human Resources• 5 years’ experience in a Human Resources environment • Registration as a SkillsDevelopment Facilitator will be an advantage • A Code EB driver’s licence • Computerliteracy (MS Office Suite, with advanced Excel proficiency).

Other skills/competencies: • Good verbal and written communication skills in English• Organisational and mining industry-specific knowledge will be advantageous • Provenskill in the application of appropriate labour legislation: Basic Conditions of Employment,Employment Equity and Labour Relations Act • Quality academic report-writing skills• Competence in HR Information Data Systems (VIP, SACO). (Ref. KOFF045)

Koffiefontein Mine JV is an equal opportunity employer. Preference will be given tosuitable candidates from the designated groups in line with the Company’s EmploymentEquity Policy and Plan. Pre-screening, profile testing, on-mine assessments, medicaland security clearance form part of the recruitment and selection process. Short-listedcandidates will be required to attend a panel interview. Employment of the successfulcandidate is subject to the aforementioned criteria. Preference will be given tocandidates who reside within our host labour sending area of Letsemeng/Xhariep DistrictMunicipalities (proof of residence may be requested).

Please complete an application form (available on http://www.petradiamonds.com/careers/current-vacancies) and forward this, together with your résumé,qualifications and ID, to e1-recruitment@petradiamonds.com or fax: 086 6922442 before or on 7 July 2014. Please note that incomplete application forms anddocumentation will not be considered.

If you have not heard from us within 30 days of the closing date, please regard yourapplication as unsuccessful.

Please note that Petra Diamonds does not at any time require any form of paymentfor recruitment purposes. If you are approached in this regard, you should reportthe incident immediately via one of the following hotlines: South Africa 0800 22 22 00(toll-free from an RSA landline) or international +27 12 305-2711.

http://www.petradiamonds.com/careers/current-vacancies

ROCKLANDS HOLIDAYRESORT: This block offlats, all with full seaview, in the very popularholiday town of Margate,offers fully furnished andserviced 2-bedr (6 sleeper)units with 24- hour secu-rity and a swimming-pool.For bookings and enquiriesplease contact office at039 312 0812.www.rocklandsresort.co.za(Now for sale! Finance canbe arranged).All bookings till endAugust 2014 qualify for10% discount.

8 EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 2 JULY 2014

E F SASTERN REE TATE

Visit the Express website

www.express-news for live

news-streaming of all the

soccer action in Brazil.

} Tladi Moloi

FICKSBURG. – As a token of apprecia-tion to the boxing legend Palallo Khuto,the Thabo Mofutsanyana Boxing Organi-sation celebrated the 70th birthday ofthis old man with a boxing tournament.The tournament was recently hosted at

the Mapenyadira Hall in Meqhgeleng,Ficksburg. The hall was packed tocapacity with friends, family andcolleagues coming in numbers tocelebrate the birthday of Khuto, who isalso a businessman.The day started with the unveiling of

Khuto’s mother’s tombstone in themorning followed by a party and aboxing tournament. He said the partywould not have been blessed withoutdoing something special for his mother.“I am what I am because of my mother,so I decided to start the day with theunveiling of her tombstone,” he said.The organisation presented Khuto with

a trophy and a certificate.“I am overwhelmed because some

people have never reached this mile-stone. I am over the moon, becausepeople from the Free State have comehere. These are people who had uncondi-tional love for me and they made itclear today. I thank them all. Whatmade me even happier was when thedoctor told me that my heart wasbeating like a 30-year-old person’s. Andthat proved to me that training has

played a big role in making me a betterperson,” he said.Khuto started boxing in 1960 when he

was 16 years old. His first fight was in1964 and since then he has never lookedback. He hung up his gloves in Septem-ber 1978 after the death of his mentor.“I still wanted to be a boxer, but my

heart was also in coaching. Theywouldn’t allow me to be a coach and aboxer at the same time, so I opted forcoaching,” he said.He is proclaimed to be the best coach

in the Free State. “In 2002 to 2003 I usedto go with four to six boxers to thenational championship and all werefrom Ficksburg.”Khuto said he loved boxing. He said

he would love to see a few boxers fromthe Free State, especially Ficksburg,fighting in the national tournament.“I think the veterans should come

forth and help the upcoming boxers.Getting the foundation right at a youngage is very important,” he said.Platjie Mokoena, the president of the

organisation, said they saw it fit to givethe old man what he adored. He saidthey knew as an organisation that hewould love to see what was happeningwith the young boxers.“He has contributed a lot to boxing

and he deserves to be honoured,” hesaid.) Visit www.express-news.co.za formore pictures and videos.

Khuto turns 70 PLATJIEMOKOENA, the president of the ThaboMofutsanyana Box­ing Organisation, presents a trophy and a certificate to PalalloKhuto.

FOCUSED: Katleo Mokota of the East Side Boxing Association of Qwaqwa in blue and whitelooks with hawk eyes at his opponent, Kalego Molonyane of the South African Defence Forcefrom Bloemfontein, during a recent boxing tournament. Photo: Tladi Moloi