E F SASTERN REE TATE

TEL: 058 ­ 3035411 WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2014 WWW.EXPRESS­NEWS.CO.ZA FREE

} Tladi Moloi

TATE MAKGOE, the Free StateMEC for Education, honouredDr Tshiame Kenneth Mopeli, theformer founder and leader of theDikwankwetla Party of SouthAfrica (DPSA) and primeminister of Qwaqwa by namingthe new hall at the SekhutlongHigh School after him.

Sekhutlong is a boardingschool situated in the Monont-sha Village, Qwaqwa. The schoolhas 676 learners from gr. 10 togr. 12 and 24 committed teach-ers.

The Sekhutlong High Schoolwas earmarked by the FreeState Department of Educationfor its excellent performance in2012 when they obtained a 100%pass rate and 98,3% in 2013.

Following these results, theschool received a school halland boarding facilities to thevalue of R18 million from theDepartment of Education.

Makgoe said the contributionthat Mopeli had made towardseducation, especially during theapartheid era, was immeasura-ble.

He said he had built manyschools and had laid a solidfoundation for the provision ofquality education for all.

“We want to thank you for thevision that you had for thefuture of black people. Duringthose hard times people cametogether in Qwaqwa and younever once chased them away.

“Today some of them aredoctors and lawyers,” he said.

Mopeli welcomed the Depart-ment of Education’s decision toname the school after him.

“I don’t know how to thankyou for honouring me bynaming a school hall after me.This is like a miracle becauseno one wants to name anything

after former homeland leaders,”he said.

He said he was happy withthe achievements in the finalmatric examination by the 2013

Free State Department ofEducation.

Mopeli said he was happy tohear that Makgoe was workinghard to improve the Mathemat-

ics and Physical Sciencesresults.

“Those are the difficultsubjects feared by many in thepast.

“When I heard that you wereworking on them, I told myselfthat now we have a goodEducation MEC,” he said.

Pheello Kumalo, the schoolprincipal, said he was happythat the school had a new halland that it had been namedafter one of the leaders who hadplayed a pivotal role in Educa-tion.

“He built many schools in thisarea. If you go around you willsee that every village has a highschool,” he said.

Kumalo said they wouldappreciate it if Makgoe couldtalk to the MEC for Sport, Arts,Culture and Recreation to comeand build sports facilities attheir school.

Mopeli honouredHall named after former founder and leader

TATE MAKGOE (middle), the Free State MEC for Education, with the former founder and leader of theDikwankwetla Party of South Africa (DPSA) and primeminister of Qwaqwa, Dr Tshiame Kenneth Mopeli,and his wife, Matshediso. Photo: Tladi Moloi

’This is like a miracleb e c a u s e n o o n ewants to name any­thing after formerhomeland leaders.’– Dr TshiameKennethMopeli

Visit the Express Eastern FreeState website at

www.express-news.co.za toflip through the digitalversion of the newspaper.

2 EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2014

NEWS

OVER THE MOON: Teachers, support members and school governing body (SGB) members of the Sekgutlong Secondary School in the Monontsha Village, Qwaqwa, pose withthe MEC for Education, Tate Makgoe, during the official opening of the new school hall and the hostel facilities. Photo: Tladi Moloi

At opening of new hall and hostel facilities

} Nkareng Moloi

THE Kgolathuto SecondarySchool is the 2014 winner ofthe Maluti Arts Festivaldebating challenge.

The school walked awaywith the first prize in therecent challenge which washosted by the Maluti ArtsFestival.

They had defeatedAkofang Intermediate andthe Mampoi SecondarySchool in the contest.Mampoi came second withAkofang third. Initially fourschools were expected totake part in the challenge,but only three turned up.

Charmaine Sithole, thedebating coordinator of theMaluti Arts Festival, saidshe was happy with theperformance of the schoolseven though they had tochange the plan due to thefact that the other schooldidn’t show up.

“We are pleased with thestandard of debating in theschools. It shows teachersare doing a good job, but Ialso feel that we have tohave as many competitionsas we can to reach for thestars,” she said.

She congratulated thewinners of the day andencouraged the losing teamsto go back and work hard.“Let us congratulate teamKgolathuto as they are ourchampions this year. Thereis a lot of potential from ourkids. We hope to have arepresentative in thedebating nationals. I willalso like to thank oursponsors, Vodacom andVerbal Stream magazine,”Sithole said.

Thato Nhlapo, theKgolathuto debating teamleader, couldn’t hide herexcitement when they wereannounced as the winners.“We are so happy. And thisis the result of a team effort.We work together. We donot rely on one individual.We push each other to reachthe impossible. I am alsohappy for Rantjhemane forbeing the overall speaker ofthe day.”

Debatingstandardhigh

}Nkareng Moloi

THE 20th International Family Daywas celebrated at the TseboSecondary School last Thursday.

The celebrations were organisedby the Qholaqhwe Advice Centreand the school’s support team. Itwas attended by learners, parentsand the staff of the school.

Mapaseka Madonsela, theQholaqhwe Advice Centre’s socialprogrammes coordinator, said itwould not have been wise tocelebrate the day with the learnersonly.

She said they had had to invitethe parents because they were theimportant stakeholders of thefamily.

“The issues we are discussingtoday are relevant to parents and,therefore, we invited them. The

issues that we need to look at aredomestic violence and HIV/Aids.Learners who suffer from domesticviolence can become abusive andthis can destroy their future,” saidMadonsela.

She emphasised the importanceof protecting young people. “Issueslike HIV and Aids can destroy thefuture of our country. So, it isimportant for parents to talk totheir children about sexual issues,”she concluded.

Seabata Thateng, the principal ofthe school, said they were happyand felt honoured by the eventbecause they were the only schoolin the district chosen by theQholaqhwe Advice Centre tocelebrate this day. “We appreciatethe support the parents showed tobuild their children academicallyand socially,” he said.

Pivotal role offamily celebratedTHE police are looking for 28

stolen sheep from a farm nearPhuthaditjhaba known as Dikha-betjheng.

According to the shepherd theyhad been stolen after he had goneto bed during the night or in themorning.

Sgt Mmako Mophiring, thepolice spokesperson, said allegedly28 sheep had been kept overnightin a kraal on the farm.

“The shepherd went to bed and

only realised in the morning thatthey were missing. It is suspectedthat they could have been loadedonto a vehicle and taken to anunknown destination. A case ofstock theft is being investigated.”

Anyone with information thatmay lead to the recovery, arrestand conviction of the suspect(s)can call the Phuthaditjhaba policeon 058-718-0895 or Crime Stop on086-001-0111, or send an SMS to theSMS Crime Line on 32211.

Sheep nicked from farm

RE ka se tshabele se, tlhalano leloso di gone. Fa monna a tlhalakgotsa mosadi a tlhokafala, gantsio tle a nyale gape. Se, se tlisakgwetlho gagolo fa go na le bana.Mosadi yo wa batho o lebeletswego tsena mo ditlhakong tsa wapele.

Sengwe le sengwe se a se dirango tla lekanngwa le o mongwe.Gantsi re bona diphosho. Famotho a sa tlhole a le fa pele garona ke gone re gopolang tse dintle tse a neng a di dira.

Nako nngwe fa o le mosadi wabobedi o fitlhela go na le ntlo ledithoto tsa ntlo. Gongwe mme yoo tsamaileng o na le karolo ekgolo e a e dirileng go bonwengga dithoto tse. Gongwe rre e ne esale a taboga a tswa mo a tsenamo. Wena fa o fitlha o nagana kedilo tsa rre yo.

O ipetsa sefuba o le motlotlo. Ele wena e le wena. Fa bana ba legone go nna thata gore ba amogelemme yo mongwe. Go sa kgatha-lasege gore o leka go ba amogela onne mme wa bone. O tla dula o lemme yo o tseileng bodulo jwa samme wa bone.

Le fa o ka leka go ba shupetsalerato bone ga ba bone se. Nakodingwe ke bo-rakgadi ba tlhotlhe-letsang.

Le fa o le motho yo o molemogongwe o na le tse di ntsi tse ogaisang mosadi wa ntlha ka tsone,go tshwana fela. O tla dula o lemosadi wa bobedi. Mo nakong tse

dingwe, mme wa bobedi le ene keene a nang le mathata a sa ratebana ba.

O rata tse di monate tse lenyalodi tlang ka tsona fela ga a ratemaikarabelo a bana ba e seng bagagwe. Monna e ne o nna lemathata. O rata mosadi wa gagwewa bobedi ebile o rata le bana bagagwe. Nako dingwe ga a itse aitumedise mang.

Mo nakong tse dingwe rre otsaya letlhakore la mosadi mmebana ba utlwe botlhoko. Bana badula ba sa itumela ba gopotsemme wa bona le ka moo a neng aba tlhokometse ka gone.

Go botlhoko go bona bana basasanka le mebila ka ntlha yamme wa bobedi. Bo-mme seshotleng ka bana ba. Letsatsilengwe lo tla botswa. Dira gotlhego tsaya bana ba jaaka ba gago.

Fa o sa kgone rulaganya fa gokgonagala gore wena le monna wagago lo tswe lo ye go simololabotshelo ba lona gongwe lo tlogelebana ba ka ntlo fa e le gore ga babannye kgotsa bana le yo o ka batlhokomelang. Se kganele rre go

tlhokomela bana ba gagwe felawena a go itumedisa. Bana e nnemasiela rre wa bone a sa ntse atshela.

Bo-rre gongwe ba se ke ba nyalamme ba tlhokomele bana ba bone.Borre ba leke go itumedisa banaba bone. Fela bo-rre bana lemaikarabelo a go ruta bana babone. Rre o tshwanetse a kaelabana tsela e e siameng. Tswelela onne rre.

Mme wa me e ne e le mme wabobedi. Fa a nyalwa rre o ne a nale bana ba babedi ba bannye mmemme a na le bana ba bararo babannye. Nna ke godile ke sa itsese. Se ke ne ke se bona e ne e lemme le rre ba ratana ebile ba ratabana ba bone.

Gongwe ka gonne ke le monnyeke ne ke sa bone kgethololo.Gongwe kgethololo e ne e le gonega ke itse. Nna ke bone fela regodisiwa ka go tshwana, re tsenasekolo rotlhe, re kgalemelwarotlhe. Go a kgonagala gore mmewa bobedi o tla amogelwa ke banathata fa ba le bannye ba sa itsesepe. Fa ba gola batho ke bone ba

ba tlhotlheletsang ba ba itsise gorega se mmago ke gone a dirang sea sa dirang se. Fa o ne o sa itse one o tla bona fela e le mme jaakabo-mme ba bangwe mme akgalemela.

Mme morago ga tsotlhe ke wenao ratileng rre a na le bana. Baamogele o nne mme wa bone.*Mang kapa mang ya a

batlang ho ngola kholomongena, a ka ikopanya le JabulaniDlamini ho 051-404-7910 kapaho Jabulani.Dlamini@volks-blad.com*Mongodi ha ana ho lefiwa.*Where necessary Express

edits some columns - Ed.

Mosadi wa bobediA re buengAdvocate Kuni DitiraAuthor

Nako nngwe fa o lemosadi wa bobedi ofitlhela go na le ntlo ledithoto tsa ntlo. Gongwemme yo o tsamaileng ona le karolo e kgolo e a edirileng go bonweng gadithoto tse. Gongwe rre ene e sale a taboga a tswamo a tsenamo.Wena fao fitlha o nagana ke dilo

tsa rre yo.

Find us on Facebook atQwaqwa Eastern Free

State.For more news and photos

visit www.express-news.co.za

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2014 3

NEWS

} Tladi Moloi

LERATO MOFOKENG has beenelected as the chairperson of the ThaboMofutsanyana Mining Association(TMMA).

Mofokeng comes in to fill the shoes ofMatowane Mphuthi, who resigned amonth ago naming business commit-ments as a reason for his resignation.

The association was only sevenmonths old when Mphuthi jumped ship.Since then, the members have mappeda way forward. They have decided togive this little baby (TMMA) to amother who they believe will take goodcare of it.

They have also elected a new commit-tee that consists of people from fivemunicipalities within the ThaboMofutsanyana district.

Siza Majola is the deputy chairperson.Disebo Sephoko is the treasurer,Kopano Mokoena the secretary andNelly Tshabangu the vice-secretary.

Mofokeng says she is looking forwardto drive the association to reach itsaims and objectives.

“We all know that the association hasbeen in the news for the wrongreasons.

“We are hoping to work hard as ateam to make sure that people get adifferent taste to what they have readin the papers in the past,” she says.

Mofokeng says whatever happened inthe association before is now waterunder the bridge.

“We are not going to talk about whathappened in the past, but ratherconcentrate on what the future holdsfor us,” she says.

Mofokeng says she would like toinvite all the miners to come on boardand join the association. She adds that

they had many people asking why theyhad named the association Thabo Mofut-sanyana while it only exists in Bethlehem.

“The association is not a Bethlehemthing.

“We have decided to have our office in

Bethlehem because it is the central townin our district,” Mofokeng says.

When asked what they were going to doto make sure that people know aboutthem, she said: “We are going to have ameeting with the Thabo Mofutsanyana

Local Economic Development (LED)manager where some of these thingswill be discussed. We will make surethat we go back to host awarenessmeetings to promote the association,”she concludes.

Mofokeng fills Mphuthi’s shoes

HANDS ON: The new Thabo Mofutsanyana Mining Association committee. They are from the left Disebo Sephoko (treasurer), NellyTshabangu (vice-secretary), Kopano Mokoena (secretary), Lerato Mofokeng (chairperson) and Siza Matla (deputy chairperson).

Photo: Tladi Moloi

4 EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2014

NEWS

} Selloane Khalane

THE DA Free State leader, Patricia Kopane,has been accused of nepotism by disgrun-tled party members after her father, JamesLethuka, was listed as one of the party’sfive members heading to the Free Statelegislature.Lethuka is one of the DA members

heading to the legislature in the new termwhich will commence in June.Kopane told Express she could not

comment on the matter and referred thenewspaper to the party’s Free State portfoliocommittee chairperson, Annelie Lotriet.Lotriet said Lethuka went through an

intensive candidate’s process before he wasgiven the seat.According to Lotriet, candidates write a

series of tests and undergo interviewsduring assessments.Lotriet dismissed the allegations of

nepotism levelled against Kopane and saidthat it was not strange for family membersto pursue politics.“Lethuka made himself available and

went through the process just like anybodyelse,” Lotriet said.On Saturday, the ANC Free State chair-

person, Premier Ace Magashule, told themasses at the Mangaung Outdoor SportsCentre he was happy that the party retainedthe 22 seats in the Free State legislature.Magashule was addressing scores of

people who had gathered there to celebratethe party’s victory in the fifth democraticelections.Magashule told people while Pres. Jacob

Zuma was slaughtering cows, the EconomicFreedom Fighters (EFF) leader, JuliusMalema, was slaughtering chickens for thecelebrations.“I want to see how they are going to

deliver those big promises like doubling thepension grants when they are the rulingparty,” said Magashule.Magashule boldly told the masses the

ANC would rule for the next 100 years.The EFF will have two seats in the

provincial legislature, which will beoccupied by the party’s premier candidateMandisa Makhesini and Willie Tshabalala.The Cope provincial secretary, Mzwandile

Hleko, said although his party had failed to

secure seats in the legislature, the partystill has 27 councillors across the province.“We are going to work very hard in the

upcoming elections,” said Hleko.

The Freedom Front Plus provincialleader, Wouter Wessels, told Express he washappy his party secured its seat in thelegislature.

Nepotism stronglydenied by DA

PATRICIA KOPANE Photo: Facebook

WOUTERWESSELS willrepresent theVryheidsfrontPlus.

THE EFF will be represented by Man-disaMakhesini andWillie Tshabalala.

THEANC in the legislaturewill be rep-resented by Free State chairperson,AceMagashule, SisiMabe, TateMakg-oe, Mathabo Leeto, Butana Khompe-la, Sisi Ntombela, Oupa Khoabane,Mamiki Qabathe, SamMashinini, OlliMlamleli, Mosebenzi Zwane, SarahMoleleki, Isaak Mbalo, NombuleloMapena, Thabo Meeko, Elzabe Rock-man, Benny Malakoane, Patricia Ma-hasa, Neels Van Rooyen, Kediinamet-se Sechoaro and Dora Kotzee.

ROY JAN-KIELSOHN,David vanVu-uren, LeonaKleynhans,James Lethu-ka and Marie-ta Pi-ttawaywill repre-sent the DAin the FreeState legisla-ture.

} Tladi Moloi

VUSI TSHABALALA, the executivemayor of the Maluti-a-Phofung Munici-pality, says he is happy to be the firstmayor to revive the Qwaqwa culturalevent known as “Dipontso tsa Maluti”.He says even though the event didn’t

reach as far as they had hoped, itmakes him happy that it took place. Healso promised that they would makesure that next year they made it biggerand better.“We will stage it in the summer to

accommodate more people. It was verycold, but our people enjoyed everymoment and we wished the event wouldnever end,” he says.The outspoken executive mayor has

promised a much better show next year.“The show came and went, but Ipersonally feel we did not live up toexpectations. For example, we expectedto have the merry-go-round for the kids,but in the end it was not there. Weknow that the event clashed with theRand Easter Show and other events,

that is why we could not get some of theequipment we needed,” he says.Dipontso tsa Maluti was launched back

in 1979 in Qwaqwa under the leadership ofTsiame Kenneth Mopeli. The festival,which won many hearts in the EasternFree State, was taken away from Qwaqwain 1993 when the ANC took over.Tshabalala says they felt as the office of

the mayor that it was important to bringback the dignity of Qwaqwa.“Dipontso was one of the most famous

events and it also boosted our economy.We have started it again. We are not goingto look back anymore,” he says.Tshabalala cannot disclose the amount

which was spent on the event: “I think wehave spent an adequate amount of money.”

Express Eastern Free State has learntfrom a source in the municipality thatabout R4 million was spent on the event.He has, however, admitted that the event

was not well marketed.He also admitted that the timing was not

good.“Our marketing was poor, but we will

make sure that we start to market theevent as early as possible next time,” hesays.Giving his overall impression, he says:

“I am happy with the way things went andwe have shown the world that we have thecapacity to host such events. We knowthat we might have made mistakessomewhere, but people should understandthat it was the first time that it was stagedin many years.”He says he is happy for the hawkers

because they scored big during theweek-long event.

Event shows great potential

VUSI TSHABALALA, the executivemayor ofthe Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality.

Photo: Tladi Moloi

‘Our marketing was poor,but we will make sure thatwe start to market the eventas early as possible nexttime.’ – Vusi Tshabalala

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2014 5

NEWS

DECADE after decade the debate continues– is it good for children to grow up withpets? There are many positive reasons whychildren should own pets.

Not only do pets teach children many lifeskills, they are also wonderful friends. Hereare ten reasons why your child should havea pet.

1. ResponsibilityChildren with pets develop a sense of

responsibility and care for others early onin life. Pets need care and attention all thetime. They depend on their humans to feed,entertain and exercise them. Children whoare active in raising their pets usuallylearn how to be empathetic and compas-sionate.

Learning how to be responsible foranother creature will allow the youngstersto better take care of themselves as well.

It is important for pet owners to helptheir children take care of the pets, gradu-ally releasing responsibility to them overtime. When they are young, children canhelp their parents fill the water or foodbowls. As they get older, the assistance cangradually increase.

2. Self-confidenceAlong with the responsibility for a pet

comes the building of self-confidence. Whenchildren are successful at raising their pets,they feel good about themselves. In turn,their self-esteem increases and they carry aconfident air about them. They are, in asense, proud of their accomplishments.

3. Less prone to allergies and asthmaMultiple studies over the years have

shown that children who grow up with petsare less prone to develop allergies andasthma. When exposed to pet dander andother allergens before the age of one year,children tend to develop stronger immunesystems.

Results published in Clinical and Experi-mental Allergy state that boys who grew upwith indoor pets were half as likely todevelop severe allergies later on in life.

4. Exercise and playPets, especially dogs, need exercise and

play. The activities that children participatein with their pets are usually physical. Thisallows boys and girls to stay fit.

In general, families spend more timeoutside when they have pets. The sunshineand fresh air are good for everyone.Learning about the need for exercise forpets to stay healthy helps children applythe same concepts to their own wellbeing.

5. CalmPets tend to bring about a sense of calm

for children. Some youngsters are morerelaxed around their pets than otherhumans.

Like adults, children turn to their petswhen they are feeling sad, angry orotherwise upset. Magically, pets will bringpeace to the situation and provide theirhumans with unconditional love.

6. Relieve stressAlong the same lines of keeping children

calm, dogs are also great to have around asstress relievers. Being around dogs can beextremely therapeutic for the entire family.Just cuddling with the family pooch canbring about a sense of safety and security

for children, let alone the rest of the family.Often, people turn to their dogs for

comfort. They are good listeners and nevertalk back. They never try to give advicewhen it is not wanted. They are simplythere as calming influences for people whoare flustered and stressed out.

Although cats are not as compassionate,as pets they can still help relieve unduestress. There is something to be said whencats cuddle up. Their soft coats and purringcan help their owners feel a sense of calm.There are gentle sides to cats – they justdon’t like to show it very often.

7. Improve reading skillsMany children are more comfortable

reading aloud to pets than to other humans.Perhaps it is because pets do not judge –pets do not correct the children and makethem reread. The bottom line to improvingreading skills is to practice it repeatedly.The more children read, the better they getat it. At younger ages, it is best for chil-dren to read aloud so that they can hearthemselves.

When pets are used to help children read,they essentially support the improvement offluency. The oral practice children expe-rience when reading to their pets helpsthem become fluent readers, resulting inbetter comprehension of what they arereading.

8. Learn about consequencesCaring for pets can teach children a great

deal about consequences. When pets are notcared for properly, the results are real andeasy for children to grasp. If fish are notfed, they die. If dogs don’t exercise, they getagitated. When cats are ignored, they willseek revenge and do something mean. If agerbil or hamster’s cage does not getcleaned out, it will start to really smell bad.

9. Learn about commitmentGrowing up with a pet is a huge commit-

ment on the part of the human. Pets arenot things children can just put on shelveswhen they get tired of taking care of them.They need to be fed, cleaned, exercised,played with and otherwise loved everysingle day.

Having a pet is a total commitment andcannot ever be treated as a part-time job.This teaches children to commit and followthrough with the task.

10. DisciplineWhen growing up with a pet, children

learn a great deal about discipline. If theyhave a dog at home, they learn to train itand teach it how to listen.

It has been scientifically proven thathaving a dog helps children learn aboutdiscipline.

Some would argue that cats, on the other

hand, discipline their owners.There are many sound reasons why

children benefit from owning pets.There are many life skills they learn as a

result of caring for another being and

committing to the responsibility.As an added bonus, children would be

able to share their youths with automaticbest friends.) Source: www.womanitely.com.

Having pets will benefit your child

WARMHUG: Children with pets develop a sense of responsibility and care for others earlyon in life.

It has been scientifically proven that having a dog helpschildren learn about discipline.

Somewould argue that cats, on the other hand, disciplinetheir owners.

DR CLEM HARRINGTON,Bethlehem:

IN the Captain Charles Infor-mal Settlement in Bethlehem atleast 1 466 households are livingin inhuman conditions.

The ruling party, the ANC,wants every family in a comforta-ble and affordable dwelling. Forthis reason the Housing Depart-ment in the Dihlabeng LocalMunicipality interacted with theHousing Development Agency.

An item was served before thecouncil on 30 April for thedevelopment of the above dwell-ings. The agency identified DuPlessis Park for this development

of 900 flats.The houses will be similar to

the flats built near Tempe inMangaung, Bloemfontein. Theyare two and three storeys highand are one- and two-bedroomedflats.

Councillor Bonthuys of the DAvehemently objected to thisdevelopment. His arguments werethat Du Plessis Park must be kept

as a soccer and rugby field andfor children to play on. He wentfurther to say that these fields areflooded every six years.

Conveniently he forgot that theMetropolitan Centre in Bethlehemwas built on a spruit and is stillstanding after 20 years.

The DA is doing everythingpossible to stop progress inDihlabeng, but will try andcanvas the votes of the residentsof the Captain Charles InformalSettlement.

I think Councillor Bonthuys’sdomestic animals are living underbetter conditions.

Only votes count for the DA,not service delivery.

Only votes count, not service

Visit www.express-news.co.za for more news and photos

6 EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2014

SOCIAL NEWS

THEUniversity ofthe FreeState’sQwaqwaCampushosted itswintergraduationceremony onFriday andSaturday.

UFS holds winter graduations

THE University ofthe Free State’sQwaqwa Campusstudent representa-tive council mem-bers. They are fromthe left, back: Sim-phiwe Yende, NtaiLitabo, Zinhle Mad-lala, Nonjabulo Zu-ma, Thoko Dube,Amanda Ndabanku-lu, Sibusiso Mtet-wa, Ntando Mnde-bele, SechabaMohlakoana andTsholofelo Mofo-keng; front: Motlo-gelwa Moema.

FROM the left are Mabale Moloi of eNCA news, Mofumahadi Thato Mopeli and ChoiceMakhetha, the University of the Free State vice-rector: External Affairs.

FEZILE MANTHENJWA (left) and Mono Motsiri.

PROF. ORIEL THEKISOE and Ronel Pienaar.

EVIDENCE MSIMANGO (left) and Rethabile Mohlabane. FROM the left are Thoko Madonsela, Mohau Nkutha and Nthabiseng Matsoso.

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2014 7

SPORTS NEWS

} Tladi Moloi

AFTER surviving the relega-tion play-offs, Free State Starshave booted nine players andhave transfer one.Tshepo Motsoeneng, Mongezi

Bobe, Sadate Akoriko, EnvaWiltwer, Anver Esterhuizen,Mthokosizi Yende, MbuyiseloSambu, Jurie Basie andSaalman King are the playerswho will have to search fornew teams, while the Ghanaiangoal minder Daniel Agyei is ontransfer.Rantsi Mokoena, the team’s

general manager, confirmedthat they had parted ways withthese players, adding that theywould get quality players toreplace them.“Those players are not in the

coach’s plans for next season.We felt that it was fair torelease them early so that theycould search for a place inother teams,” he said.He said Basie was a good

player, but they had no optionbut to release him as he lackeddiscipline.“He is not disciplined and we

at one stage thought he wouldwork on that, but he neverdid.”Akoriko is expected to make

a move to Amazulu. Rumoursdoing the rounds are that Bobemight reunite with his formerside, Black Leopards.“We will make sure that we

replace those players withquality players. We saw whathappened this season with theteam and we don’t want towitness that again,” Mokoenasaid.

FS Stars dismiss nine players

OUT: Tshepo Motsoeneng, looking to stop the ball, is one of the players who were axed by Free State Stars. Photo: Tladi Moloi

FOR SALE

CLOTHING

1615

GENERAL &

HOME SERVICES

MISCELLANEOUS

1845

SANDSTONE: Blocks,bricks, cladding,rivens, tiles, etc.Tel: 058 303 4840.

12 Archbell Street, BHM.

THE Orlando PiratesBethlehem branch invitesmembers to its birthdaybraai.Date: 31 May.Venue: Clubhouse.

Time: 15:00.Plate of food will be sold

at R20.The contact person is

Jabu Nhlapo on 082-737-1748.

Sports on

EXCELLENT HLALELE, regional organiser of Orlando Pirates in theThabo Mofutsanyana District, invites people to become membersof the Orlando Pirates Club in the Eastern Free State. Themain aimis to build each other up spiritually, psychologically and physicallyand ensure that people understand the importance of being a card-carryingmember. Phone him formore information on 073-318-9967.

Extends invitation

} Teboho Setena

THE National First Divisionoutfit, Maluti FET College FC,will criss-cross the Free Statefrom 24 May until 8 Junehosting a series of talentidentification trials to recruitplayers.The trials are in line with

the club’s plan to strengthenitself up for the new 2014-’15football season which isexpected to start in August thisyear.This is the only Free State

team attached to a learninginstitution that campaigns inthe professional rank.The club boasts of a blend of

youthful players studying atthe Qwaqwa-based Maluti FETCollege.The trials as planned by the

club’s technical team led byCoach Morena Ramorebodi areset to start this Saturday inWepener at the Louw Wepener

Stadium followed by 25 May atthe Edenburg Stadium.The dates and venues where

the recruitment trials will beheld are as follows: 31 May inParys at the Parys Stadium, 1June in Botshabelo at theKaizer Sebothelo Stadium and 7and 8 June at the Phutha-ditjhaba Stadium in Qwaqwa.The starting time of the

trials at the venues will befrom 08:00 till 17:00.The players interested to

attend are advised to bringtheir attire, Identity Document,make their travelling andaccommodation arrange-ments and must provide foodfor themselves.The trials are open for

players between 17 and 27.For any information interest-

ed players can contact Mon-nanyane on 073-447-7163 or072-267-3834 and Ntsoetsa on083-898-9416.

Club to hostrecruitment trials

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State.For more news and photos visitwww.express-news.co.za.

8 EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2014

E F SASTERN REE TATE

} Tladi Moloi

MALUTI FET COLLEGE FC,a team campaigning in theNational First Division (NFD),rose to prominence when theyeliminated the Premiershipgiants Orlando Pirates in thelast-16 leg of the lucrativeNedbank Cup series, hammer-ing them 4-1 in February 2013.

Inspired by their good run inthe 2013 edition of the NedbankCup series, the Qwaqwa-basedoutfit went on to make theirpresence felt in the profession-al football ranks in the seasonthat had just ended, ensuringthey retained their status inthe NFD. They are hoping toimprove in the 2014-’15 season.

They were promoted afterthey had lost 1-2 to Baroka FCin the Safa Second Divisionnational promotional play-offswhich were held on 28 July2013 at the Makhulong Stadiumin Tembisa.

However, the rookies did nothave a good season as theyfound themselves fighting atthe bottom of the league tosecure the licence to be in thesame league for the followingseason.

They finished 14th with 30points in 30 games. Theyfinished 7 and 12 point aheadof Roses United FC andBlackburn Rovers FC who wererelegated to the Safa SecondDivision.

Morena Ramorebudi, theteam mentor, admitted thatthey did not have a goodseason at all. He said they had,however, learnt a lot and theywere hoping for a betterposition next season.

“We have learnt from ourmistakes. We knew that the

season would be tough,but personally I did notexpect us to finish wherewe did. I wanted to finishin the top-eight,” he said.

He said he was happythat in the end they hadmanaged to secure the statusfor next season.

“We know that if the team isnot good enough for a certainleague it will be relegated at theend of the season. We’ll make surethat we work hard to avoidfighting for relegation nextseason,” he said.

Ramorebudi said they wouldmake sure that they were betternext season.

“We’ll make sure that we build

a strong team to compete nextseason. We’ll be going around tolook for young players to beef upthe team.

“I always say if we can be

promoted, we’ll produce players.So, we’ll take those inexperiencedplayers and balance them withexperience.

“With that mix, something must

happen,” he said.He said the players were on

holiday and they would beexpected to report back forduty on 25 June.

E F SASTERN REE TATE

season would be tough,but personally I did notexpect us to finish wherewe did. I wanted to finishin the top-eight,” he said.

He said he was happythat in the end they hadmanaged to secure the status

“We know that if the team isnot good enough for a certainleague it will be relegated at theend of the season. We’ll make surethat we work hard to avoidfighting for relegation next

promoted, we’ll produce players. happen,” he said.

Maluti nowshift focusto future

MORENA RAMOREBU-DI, the Maluti FET Col-lege FC team mentor.

Photo: Tladi Moloi

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sports news and photos

go to

www.express-news.co.za

‘We’ll makesure that webuild a

strong teamto

compete nextseason,’– MorenaRamorebudi