E F SASTERN REE TATE

TEL: 058 ­ 3035411 WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL 2015 WWW.EXPRESS­NEWS.CO.ZA FREE

} Tladi Moloi

PHUTHADITJHABA. – WhenIsaac Msibi got 80% in Account-ing in 2010 when he completedhis matric, he thought the doorsto furthering his studies wouldautomatically open.

Little did he know that hewould stay at home the followingyear due to a lack of studyopportunities.

His conditions were furthercompounded by the fact that hisparents were pensioners whohad to take care of him and hisfive siblings.

However, he never gave up. In2011 he kept his mind busyrevisiting his priorities andeventually applying to enroll fora Bachelor of Commerce degreeat the University of the FreeState’s (UFS) Qwaqwa Campus.

“Like many of my high schoolfriends, I nearly gave up as Icome from a very poor back-ground,” Isaac said.

He said his English resultsmade life difficult. “I had anadmission points score of 31, butmy level 3 in English nearly costme the bright future that I amnow staring at.

“As learners in high school wetend to focus more on certainsubjects that we think are betterthan others and ignore the rest. Ifeel that it was very irresponsi-ble of me to concentrate ongetting the best marks inAccounting and ignoring anequally important subject likeEnglish,” he said.

As time went on Isaac eventu-ally registered for a BComdegree.

“I could not get into themainstream of the course for theBCom degree (three-year degree)because of my English and Iended up enrolling for theextended programme (four-yeardegree) which I truly believemade me a better student.

“I am aware that many of thestudents see extended pro-

grammes as a form of punish-ment. I did too, but I quicklyrealised that it offered me asecond chance to do my best inall my subjects.

“The sooner extended pro-gramme students realise theirpotential, the better for them toeven excel and do better thantheir mainstream counterparts,”Isaac advised.

Today, Isaac is the currentQwaqwa Campus best-performingstudent (dux student) havingwon six awards during lastyear’s Student ExcellenceAwards.

Some of his accolades includedbest student in Economics(second year) and Accounting(second year), best academicallyperforming resident student, andbest overall performer in theFaculty of Economic andManagement Sciences.

When asked how he did it, hesaid: “Class attendance is thesingle most important aspect ofour studies that we need to takecare of.

“I also believe in the CASH inMind, CASH in Pocket principlethat my Accounting lecturer,Andrew Mohan, loves emphasis-

ing.“CASH stands for C – concen-

tration in class and whenstudying, A – paying attention todetail, S – sincerity in whateveryou do, and H – hardworking atall times,” he said.

Looking into the future, Isaacrevealed that he would like tostudy for his honours andmaster’s degrees in Economics.

“I believe my future lies inthis field and I hope to make apositive contribution to myimpoverished community ofIntabazwe in Harrismith andbeyond,” Isaac concluded.

Achiever shares recipeBest­performing student at UFS’s Qwaqwa Campus

ISAAC MSIBI (left), a BCom Extended Programme student, received a trophy and a cheque from campus principal, Prof. Prakash Naidoo, andPatricia Kissane, regional manager: Compass Group. Photo: Supplied

‘The sooner extend-ed programme stu-dents realise their

potential, the betterfor them to even

excel and do betterthan their main-stream counter-

parts.’ – Isaac Msibi

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2 EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL 2015

NEWS

‘Worthy African leaders overlooked’ROY JANKIELSOHN, the DA’sMPL in the Free State, believesthere are worthy home-grownAfrican leaders, deserving to behonoured, whom the C.R. SwartBuilding in Bloemfontein can benamed after.Jankielsohn’s remarks came in

the wake of Free State PremierElias “Ace” Magashule’s announce-ment of the renaming of theLebohang Building to O.R. Tamboin honour of the ANC’s latepresident and the C.R. SwartBuilding to Fidel Castro, honouringthe late prime minister of Cuba.Magashule announced this duringhis State of the Province Addresson 25 February.Jankielsohn remarked during the

debate on the Second Reading ofthe Appropriation Bill on 16 Marchthat Magashule was overlookingAfrican leaders of note, such asMorena Mohlomi, as deserving thehonour to have the building namedafter them.Jankielsohn maintained Mohlomi

had distinguished himself as aninspiring leader.“In 2011 Max du Preez delivered

the annual C.R. Swart Lecture atthe University of the Free State(UFS). In his lecture he spoke agreat deal about African philoso-phers and what we could learnfrom them,” Jankielsohn said.“I am talking about it again,

because it appears from the waywe debate that our province hasrejected that which is indigenousand inherently good in favour of

the perpetuation of a chapter of ourhistory that should be systematical-ly closing. This is bad for the FreeState.“By naming a building after

Fidel Castro, a foreigner and a manof violence, we are entrenchingviolence as a value that is accepta-ble and one to strive towards.“Many people regard Castro as a

revolutionary and a liberator,which might within a specificcontext appear to be noble, but onemust always be careful not to

entrench the concept of violenceand violent revolution as ongoingideals in our current society.“At the same time, we must not

forget the plight of many who werevictims of Castro’s human rightsabuses, mass executions, torture,imprisonment and institutionalisedtheft of property.“For many Cubans, Castro was a

tyrant who, through his deeds,despised all the democratic rightsand freedoms that we cherish inour Constitution. For others Castromight be a hero.”Jankielsohn emphasised that

from Du Preez’s appraisal aboutMohlomi there were positiveaspects politicians in the Free Stateshould not only learn from, butstrive to follow.“Mohlomi was a king in the

Mohokare area in the 18th century.He was a visionary leader whosecounter-intuitive leadership shouldnot only be recognised, but be partof our collective vision for theprovince.“According to legend, Mohlomi

was told in a vision to be a man of

love and peace, to be fair and just,to see all people as his brothersand sisters, to have compassionand patience, and to give specialconsideration to children, womenand old people.“Based on this, we must ask

ourselves whether our actions andexamples as politicians in the FreeState promote this vision. We mustalso ask ourselves whether this iswhat adults are teaching ourchildren in our broader society,schools and homes.“Mohlomi disbanded his fighting

units and encouraged his able-bod-ied men to get involved in agricul-ture and be better husbands andfathers. He set an example bynever using alcohol, dagga ortobacco.“Today, our society is faced with

serious problems relating to thespread of HIV and Aids, teenagepregnancy, drug and alcohol abuseand the lack of paternal responsi-bility. Our reaction has been todistribute contraceptives, pay outchild grants, run anti-drug andalcohol-abuse campaigns, while

continuing to promote so called‘macho’ (male-dominated) values.“Mohlomi coined the phrases

‘peace is my sister’ and ‘a knobker-rie is far more valuable when usedto thrash corn than to kill men onthe battlefield’. In fact, he startedthe traditional greeting of ‘khotso’,meaning ‘peace’.“Another lesson that we can

learn from Mohlomi is that whichhe instructed his chiefs: ‘When yousit in judgement, let your decisionsbe just. The law knows none as apoor man.’“This is an important lesson for

those in authority. Decisions ofpoliticians affect every aspect ofpeople’s lives. Just decision-makingdoes not only apply to the directuse of political authority, but in themotives that underlie politicaldecision-making.“We have to constantly do

introspection as politicians todetermine what our real motivesare and be brutally honest withourselves in the process.“South Africa has a violent past,

and while we now have one of themost progressive constitutions inthe world and where the rule oflaw is supposed to exist, we all liveunder fear of criminal violence.“In this respect our criminal

justice system attempts to deal withthe symptoms, but not the rootcauses of this problem. The causelies with the lack of personalresponsibility and lack of respectfor authority – a result of thebreakdown of the family.”

ROY JANKIELSOHNPhoto: Conrad Bornman

‘By naming a building after FidelCastro, a foreigner and aman of violence,we are entrenching violence as a value thatis acceptable and one to strive towards.’

– Roy Jankielsohn

HARRISMITH. – The Harrismithpolice seek information regarding abusiness robbery which occurredrecently at a cellphone chain storewhere four suspects allegedly stolecellphones which were underrepair, laptops and employees’jewellery.Sgt Mmako Mophiring, the police

spokesperson, said the incidenttook place on Wednesday (25/03) atapproximately 08:30.He said the employees had just

opened the doors of the shop forbusiness when they were ap-proached by the four unknownsuspects who pretended to beinterested in buying cellphones.“It is alleged that they had asked

for cellphone prices before one ofthem suddenly pulled out a firearmdemanding cellphones and jewel-lery of the employees,” he said.Mophiring said the suspects fledthe shop on foot without causingharm to anyone.“A case of armed robbery is

being investigated. Any personwith information that may lead tothe arrest of the suspects cancontact the nearest police station orCrime Stop on 086-001-0111 or theHarrismith police on 058-624-1000,”Mophiring requested.“We urge members of the

community to refrain from buyingsuch cellphones, because they areunder repair and not in goodworking order. It is our duty toassist in this investigation byrejecting and reporting suspectedstolen goods.“Let us work together and assist

in the fight against crime,” said theFree State provincial commissio-ner, Lt Gen Thabethe Mpembe.

Four stealphones

PLAYERSwho took part at the first annual polo lifestylematchwhichwas held in Harrismith on Saturday, 28March. The eventwas organisedby Pencillead Designs in association with Free State Tourism. Photo: Supplied

‘It is alleged thatthey had asked forcell phone pricesbefore one of themsuddenly pulled out

a firearm . . .’– Sgt MmakoMo­

phiring

} Selloane Khalane

THE Tokologo Local Municipalityin the western region of the FreeState is embroiled in a legal battlewhich regards the unfair dismissalof an employee.The legal battle has seen the

Boshof Sheriff attach the mayor’sofficial vehicle, a C18 Mercedes-Benz on Monday 30 March forcontempt of order.Express reliably learnt that the

attached vehicle was a surplus andwas not being utilised by Boitume-lo Seakge, Tokologo’s mayor.Informed sources told this

publication that the Sheriff waslikely to attach more assets of themunicipality to recover moneyowed to the fired employee PaloModibedi, who held a seniorposition in the mayor’s office.Led by Seakge as the mayor, the

Tokologo Municipality governs

three towns, Boshof, Dealesvilleand Hertzogville.Informed sources also stated

Seakge declined answering ques-tions relating to the debacle at themunicipal council meeting held lastWednesday (01/04).The attached vehicle is the

property of the municipality inquestion. It was attached followingthe municipality’s failure to honouran award to pay the aggrievedemployee, Modibedi, the estimatedR130 000 owed to him.In 2013, Modibedi lodged a

dispute with the Free State’s SouthAfrican Local GovernmentBargaining Council (SALGBC)against unfair dismissal by themunicipality. The SALGBC foundModibedi had been unfairlydismissed by the municipality in2013, and ruled in his favour,subsequently ordering the munici-pality to reinstate Modibedi.

Modibedi says the councilordered the municipality toreinstate him and reimburse himan estimated R130 000.Modibedi claims that Kelehile

Motlhale, the municipal manager,dismissed him again on 3 February2014 when he reported for duty,despite the ruling of the council.After the municipality failed to

abide by the ruling of the bargain-ing council, Modibedi took up thematter with the Labour Court,which issued a writ of execution toattach movable goods of themunicipality in order to reimburseModibedi.Eye witnesses told this publica-

tion that the municipal officials,including the chief financial officerand Motlhale, abandoned theirofficers upon the arrival of theSheriff to impound the vehicle lastMonday.“The senior officials locked their

offices and left to prevent thesheriff from attaching othermovable municipal furniture,” saysa source.The attached black Mercedes-

Benz is gathering dust at theBoshof Magistrate’s Court.Last year the mayor made

headlines when the municipalitybought him a brand new Jeepvehicle estimated to worth morethan R510 000.Municipal council members of

the opposition parties argued thatthe vehicle had been way overbudget.Meanwhile the municipality has

been criticised for forcing munici-pal workers to drive vehicles whichare not road worthy and failure toimplement its sewer system inDealesville.The mayor and the municipal

manager failed to respond to phonecalls made by this publication.

Tokologo in hot water

Ready to take part in polo match

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL 2015 3

NEWS

} Tladi Moloi

QWAQWA. – If you think theclap and tap gospel music hasdied you must think again,because it has taken the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality bystorm.The Bahale Ba Tumele Gospel

Choir (Lusaka, Qwaqwa), StPeter’s Gospel Choir (Namahadi,Qwaqwa), Ba Lopollwa Ba Kgotso(Bolata, Qwaqwa), ElegantsGospel Choir and Baemedi BaTumelo, both from Kestell, aresome of the groups that makesure that the clap and tap musicstays alive and strong likebefore.All these groups have released

albums which are selling at areasonable price. The groupsrecently came together to launchtheir gospel albums at theCharles Mopeli Stadium.During the launch (Clash of

the CDs), each group was giventime on the stage to sing some oftheir songs on the album.Abel Mokhosi, the event

organiser, told Express EasternFree State that clap and tapmusic would never die. He saidhe had been in the game for along time and added that hewould make sure that he sharedhis experience with the youngones.“Yes, the standard is no longer

like before, but we hope to raiseit,” he said.Mokhosi said the event was

aimed at launching the albumsand feed the souls of the gospelfollowers with newly-releasedsongs.“We want to uplift the stan-

dard of clap and tap music inour municipality and I thoughtwe should start with all thegroups that have releasedalbums. This type of music has

taken many people from thestreets,” he said.Mokhosi said the biggest

challenge faced by all the choirswas transport.

He said the team did not havesponsors and they would struggleevery time they wanted to go outand compete against othergroups outside the province.

Gospel revived in Maluti-a-Phofung

REPRESENTATIVES of the gospel choirs who took part in the stage launch with their albums are from the left, front: Nomusa Mazibuko,Tsietsi Molise, Matisetso Tshabalala, Nozika Tshabalala and Jabulele Mthopeng; back: Sipwile Mposula, Dingane Mazibuko, Simon Ntsane,Sabata Tetsoane, Neo Moloi, Mxolisi Moloi and Lekhotla Mosia. Photo: Tladi Moloi

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4 EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL 2015

NEWS

ARCHBISHOPPHEELLORADE-BE of the Salvation Church inChrist in Bohlokong, Bethle-hem is the proud father of Tla-lane Radebe, his youngestdaughter who recently gradu-ated inSomatologyat theCen-tral University of Technology(CUT) Free State. From the left,are Mathapelo Sebatana, Si-zakele Mazibuko, ArchbishopRadebe, Tlallane, Naledi Mo-sala, Sophi Radebe (mother),Naume Mofokeng and Than-deka Zondo. Photo: Supplied

TSHEPANG MAKHALEMA (left), Tumisane Mhlambi, Thami Malakoane and Lehlohonolo Mabitli of Mata-teng near Tshiame, Harrismith are very clever. The four friends are making money from filling the potholesin the road. They told Express Eastern Free State that they were making R300 on a daily basis if theyworked from 09:00 to 17:00. Photo: Tladi Moloi

AT the graduation ceremony of the Central University of Technolo-gy (CUT), FreeState, (WelkomCampus) on14MarchDrSimonSiko-sana (right) received another feather in his cap when he obtainedthe degree Philosophiae Doctor: Educationis. Sikosana is currentlyserving as a school management and governance developer(SMGD) in the Thabo Mofutsanyana Education District. Sikosanais seen here with his promoter Prof. Gawie Schlebusch. His doctor-ate was awarded on the basis of an investigation into the perform-ance management and development scheme for office-based edu-cators. Photo: Supplied

Clever boysfix road

PHUTHADITJHABA. – The SouthAfrican Police Service (SAPS) inPhuthaditjhaba is seeking informationregarding two suspects alleged tohave committed a cash-in-transitrobbery at Tseseng Village in Qwa-qwa in February.It is alleged that the two unknown

suspects, armed with firearms,approached the Coin Security guardsafter the latter had picked up cashfrom a local shop. They forcefullyrobbed them of an undisclosedamount of cash and fled the scene.Sgt. Mmako Mophiring, the police

spokesperson, said a case of armedrobbery is being investigated.Anyone with information that may

lead to the arrest and conviction ofthe suspects can contact Det. WOMsimanga on 071-481-2565.

Suspectswanted

WANTED suspects.

VREDE. – The Free State Department ofHealth is investigating allegations that acritically injured man waited over two hoursfor an ambulance.On Sunday, 29 March, an off-duty para-

medic came across an accident just minutesafter an elderly cyclist had been hit by anSUV on the N3 near the R34 Bridge inVrede.The medic alleged the bloodied body of the

cyclist had lain in the middle of the freewayfor nearly two hours before the first ambu-lance arrived.The incident comes on the back of allega-

tions of poor quality of care at state hospi-tals in the province.The paramedic, who spoke on condition of

anonymity, made a detailed log of his franticcalls for help.“When I got there he had just been hit

while riding his bicycle. He had sustained arange of injuries including broken bones, aswell as head, chest and abdominal trauma,”he said. Off-duty and without life-savingmedical equipment, the medic called forhelp.“I made the first call to the state ambu-

lance department at 18:35 and it was nearlyan hour before anyone arrived.“I didn’t want to move the patient, but we

were losing light and with all of us in themiddle of the road, I made the call to movehim,” he added.After a traffic official and two response

units from the N3 Toll Concession (N3TC)had arrived, the first ambulance stopped atthe roadside.“By then I was desperate. I had used the

little medical equipment the N3TC units hadwith them, but the ambulance had no stockin it.“They didn’t even have a bag and the

shelves were bare.”Two more ambulances arrived, and the

critically wounded cyclist, who has yet to beidentified, was rushed to the PhumelelaGovernment Hospital.Department spokesperson Mondli Mvambi

would only say that the incident would beinvestigated.The fate of the injured cyclist remains

unknown.The timeline of events is as follows:17:15: The medic arrives at the scene and

calls for an ambulance.18:28: With no first responders on scene

and without medical equipment, he makesthe judgement that with the fading light, itwas unsafe to stay on the road and thepatient was moved to the roadside.18:35: A Free State Traffic Department

officer arrives at the scene.18:50: The first N3TC response vehicle

arrives. The medical equipment on board thevehicle was limited to bandages.19:00: The second N3TC response vehicle

arrives. This vehicle also had limitedmedical stock, however, some equipment wasused to treat the injured man.19:45: The first Free State Health Depart-

ment ambulance arrives at the scene. Themedic alleges that this ambulance had ascant supply of medical equipment. Thesecond ambulance arrived shortly thereafter.20:00: When a third department vehicle

arrives at the scene, the critically injuredcyclist is rushed to hospital.– News24

Injured cyclist waits hours‘I made the first call to thestate ambulance depart­ment at 18:35 and it wasnearly an hour before any­one arrived.’

Proud fatherof graduate

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL 2015 5

NEWS

}Anne Cardoso Da Silva

SOUTH AFRICA has the sixthhighest incidence of tuberculosisin the world, almost 1% of theSouth African population getactive tuberculosis every year.This came to light at the

three-day summit held fromTuesday (17/03) to Thursday(19/03) in Durban where stake-holders made resolutions to curbthe illness. Stakeholders dis-cussed means to optimise thedecentralisation of MDR-TBtreatment, maximising reportingand advocating efforts to scaleup models of care in the fightagainst drug-resistant TB.Under the banner of the Lilly

MDR-TB partnership, representa-tives of the national and provin-cial Departments of Health,various NGOs and healthcarefacilities, and academics, sharebest practices and debate thechallenges of treating SouthAfrica’s growing burden ofmulti-drug resistant and exten-sively drug resistant tuberculosis(MDR-TB and XDR-TB). Whilethe number of TB patientsinitiated on treatment under theNational TB Programme appearsto have been decreasing over thelast four years, the number ofmultidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB)cases is escalating.“We face challenges in the

fight against MDR-TB,” said DrNorbert Ndjeka, head of the

National MDR-TB Directorate atthe National Department ofHealth. “Before approval ofdecentralised management of theMDR-TB policy, we had severalchallenges including the fact thatnearly half of people diagnosedwith MDR-TB would not bestarted on treatment for variousreasons, including months ofwaiting for admission to treat-ment facilities and the onerousdemands on patients in terms oftransport to treatment centresfor follow-ups. There was also anegative impact on the socialand economic status of theindividual and family due to thelong hospital stay and risk oftransmission in hospital due toinadequate implementation ofinfection control measures.”Ndjeka said stakeholders were

working hard to strengthen thedecentralisation of MDR-TBservices: “Policy implementationis well underway. Monitoringand evaluation of the facilitiesand outcomes are critical. Ourtarget is to have one MDR-TBtreatment initiation (decentral-ised) site per district by 2016 andto strengthen communityMDR-TB care. Last year only 38districts had at least a MDR-TBtreatment site, while 14 districtsdid not have any form ofMDR-TB treatment initiationsite. The number of treatmentsites had increased from 11 to 63between 2011 and 2013.”

THREE decades ago I visited adentist on the 4th floor of theMetropolitan Building in Welkom’sCentral Business District. On myreturn in the lift, I was accompa-nied by a white woman with herson of about three years old. Thelittle fellow lifted his hands indicat-ing that I should pick him up. Iobliged and picked him up. Thelittle lad put his hands around myneck. Then the mother smiledawkwardly, hiding what I perceivedwas her racial hatred and beingembarrassed by the unsuspectingand innocent toddler.Our historic past bears testimony

that as white children grew up (notall though), the more they wereindoctrinated with hatred andintolerance of their black counter-parts. The ten second elevator ridefrom the 4th to the ground floormust have felt like ten yearslooking at the mother of theinnocent child.I then asked myself why it had to

take something so extraordinary toexperience such an encounterbetween a fearless child and anadult mother.One thing my eyes were opened

to, is the fact that a human being isborn free without sin and prejudice.It is the environment into whichone is born that influences one’slife-style and religion. That meansat that age, children were not yetfed an apartheid mentality or anyideologies for that matter. Theiryoung and innocent hearts couldnot differentiate between black andwhite people.I again thought of this incident

recently while watching Against AllOdds broadcast on e.tv.It was about a white woman,

Lilene van Hoolwerf, who dived ontop of a wounded young blackwoman who was shot twice duringan armed robbery in the Bedford-view Centre Mall in Johannesburglate in January this year.The brave woman did that in

order to protect the victim frombeing wounded further. The victimwas later identified as PalesaSebuyi, an accounting student inChina. She was shot during anexchange of gunfire between therobbers and security guards.The heroin Hoolwerf stopped the

victim’s father DJ Sebuyi when hewanted to carry his woundeddaughter in his arms and transporther to the nearest hospital. She wasafraid he could aggravate theinjury.She (Van Hoolwerf) put her life

on the line for a total stranger shenever met before, protecting Palesaby covering her body from beinghurt further after she was shottwice.It is people like Van Hoolwerf

with a true human spirit that will

make us realize a Rainbow Nation.One such person also coming tomind, who is symbolic of theRainbow Nation, is the late FatherJan Jansen, former priest of theRoman Catholic Church (RCC) inThabong.He too risked his life by making

his church available for politicalmeetings and memorial servicesduring the dark days of apartheid.The forgotten Father Jansen riskedhis comfortable life and the loveof the white community by accom-modating struggle events.The Azanian People’s Organisa-

tion (AZAPO) held historical andmemorial occasions here. The ANCand other political movements werebanned organisations at the time.

Through Father Jansen’s efforts,several deserving students receivedbursaries and some of them arepharmacists, nurses, social workersnurses and doctors today.) To comment on or expressyour views about the issuehighlighted in the column, go towww.express-news.co.za.) Express Goldfields & NFSwelcomes anyone interested incontributing to the weeklycolumn as public observers orcitizen journalists. There is nopayment for writers. Send youropinion piece (not exceeding 500words) to teboho.setena@volks-blad.com.

When the humanspirit triumphs

TB in spotlight

STAFF MEMBERS of the Bophelong Clinic in Sun Rise, Thabong, participated in the Tuberculosis Awareness Campaign held at primary health-care centres on Friday(27/03). From the left are Justice Khomoatsana, Vina Madlenge, Motsheoa Lebona, Puleng Langa, Lerato Tsolo and Ouma Mofolo. The event was held in support ofWorld Tuberculosis Day. Photo: Teboho Setena

Participate in awareness campaign

My viewMoeti MolelekoaSocial Observer

‘We are born free,without sin andprejudice.’

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6 EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL 2015

SPORT

WHO is Daniel Cardoso?I am a player from Free State

Stars. I am a versatile player X Iplay at right-back, left-back,centre-back, I have played in themidfield, I have played upfront,in fact anywhere on the fieldexcept for goalkeeper.

And your surname . . .It’s a Portuguese surname, my

dad is from Portugal, his parentsgrew up in Portugal, and hemoved to South Africa when hewas younger and my mom isfrom South Africa.

Have you been to Portugal?I have yes, I actually went for

trials with some club there whenI was younger, but nothing cameof it and I returned to SouthAfrica.

Would you like to play inPortugal some day?

Of course yes, I would reallylike to play anywhere in Europe,as long as it is a good league Idon’t mind.

Coming back to BafanaBafana matters, what was yourfirst reaction when you heardyour name called up in thesquad announcement?

I was sitting at home inBethlehem in the Free State, andI got a tweet from one of myfriends to say I have been calledup to the national team and Ididn’t believe him and tenminutes later I got a call fromthe media.

They said I should check on asports channel on television and Isaw my name there.

Then I had goose bumps allover my body for about tenminutes. I was very thrilledabout it.

I have been working hard. Ididn’t expect the call up, becauseI was injured at the beginning ofthe season, but I must say hardwork pays off.

Who was the first person youcalled or spoke to about yourinclusion in the national team?

My agent Bradley Carnell, Ihave a very good relationshipwith him, and then I called mydad who was in shock and didn’tbelieve it until I convinced him itwas true.

Did you at any stage of yourcareer think you would beplaying for Bafana Bafanasome day?

I did, but never thought itwould be so soon.

I really thought you have toplay for one of the bigger teamsto be recognised, but now it hashappened earlier than I anticipat-ed, so hard work really pays off.

How were your first few daysin camp?

It was awesome. I am working

with a great bunch of players –the cream of the crop in SouthAfrica.

The coaching staff, the back-room staff, they were all welcom-ing so it has been a good ventureso far.

Day of the match againstSwaziland. You see your namein the starting line-up, whatgoes through your mind?

Again emotions running high,it was a good feeling for me.

I really didn’t expect to get a

starting berth on my debut, but Ibelieve it’s a great achievementfor me and my football careerand I just hope it gets beter andbetter.

Were you nervous?Of course I was a bit nervous

and you could see it on the field.In the first half I was a bit shy toplay, but in the second half Icame out of my shell and wasmore confident.

How was it walking onto the

field, wearing the nationalteam jersey, singing thenational anthem?

It felt like a dream when Iwalked out there, seeing a coupleof thousand fans wearing thenational team jersey. It’s anamazing experience and for everyfootballer and young footballer, Iam sure they can’t wait to do thesame to achieve that goal. It hasalways been a goal of mine toplay for the national team.

It must have felt evengreater to win the match ondebut?

It was great, the squad battleda bit in the recent Afcon tourna-ment, going up one nil thenpressure coming – I felt it heretoo. We go 2-0 up and Swazilandscores one goal and piles on thepressure. But it was a good winfor us and we can only go higherfrom here.

What do you think of youroverall performance againstSwaziland?

I think I did well overall. LikeI said, in the beginning therewere a lot of nerves, but when Icame out of those nerves I startedplaying my natural football and itfelt much better.

Did you speak to anyoneprior to the match to calmdown the nerves?

I spoke to a few players whosaid I had to play my normalgame and even before I walkedout onto the field the coach said Ihad to play my own game andnot worry about other things andit helped to calm me down a bit.

What was it like mixing withplayers like Ayanda Patosi,Lebogang Phiri, ThulaniSerero, Andile Jali X who allply their trade overseas?

It’s a great feeling. When theoverseas contingent comes backhere it’s a big family, we all sticktogether and that’s what I thinkbrings a lot of confidence in theteam.

Anything you have learntfrom those guys or the set-up?

First of all it’s the professional-ism in the team, that’s the firstthing you notice about theplayers here.

I also have a lot of respect forthe guys.

I look up to them, the likes ofItumeleng Khune, MandlaMasango, Bongani Zungu,Kamohelo Mokotjo – all theplayers who were in camp.

Finally, what lies ahead forDaniel Cardoso?

I am still concentrating on FreeState Stars, we are in the bottomhalf of the table and it’s not acomfortable feeling.

We escaped relegation lastseason so this time the focus is tohelp get the team to safety and Iwill take it from there.

Hard work pays off for Cardoso

DANIEL CARDOSO of Free State Stars made his debut for Bafana Bafana against Swaziland at the SomhloloStadium in Swaziland last Wednesday (25/03). Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

WHEN Bafana Bafana head coach Ephraim Mashabaannounced his 30-man squad for the two internationalfriendly matches against Swaziland and Nigeria, henamed six new players – among them was DanielCardoso of Free State Stars.Not only was he called up for the first time into thenational team set-up, but he also made it into thestarting line-up and played the entire 90 minutesagainst Swaziland in a 3-1 win at the Somhlolo Stadi-um on Wednesday (25/03).MATLHOMOLA MORAKE spoke to Cardoso about hiscall-up, his debut and his hopes.

HARRISMITH. – MakhosiniNkosi and Naledi Ntsoahae ofthe New Horizon College inHarrismith excelled in therecent chess tournament heldin Bloemfontein.

Makhosini has been part ofNew Horizon’s chess A team inthe past, though rugby took uphis attention for a while.

Naledi is a new learner atthe school.

Naledi has quickly shown hisskill against some of theschool’s top players.

Makhosini and Nalediaccompanied the school’sathletics team to Bloemfontein,sharing travel arrangementsand accommodation.

Diana Lombard, a teacher atthe New Horizon College, saidit had become a costly exercisefor their chess players to playin Chess South Africa’s(Chessa) tournaments.

“Each of our two partici-pants had to pay nearly R600

towards the cost of the week-end in Bloemfontein,” saidLombard.

“Chessa keeps the entry feedown to R85 per individual,which makes it relativelyinexpensive for Bloemfonteinresidents.

“In the past, one of the threequalifying tournaments forinclusion in the Free Stateteam was held in Harrismith,and another in Bethlehem orFrankfort.

“Our chess players then hadto pay far less for transportand accommodation.

“New Horizon is proud thattheir performance more thanjustified the expense.”

Chess stars represent school in Bloemfontein

MAKHOSININKOSI (left) andNaledi Ntsoahae of theNewHorizonCollegein Harrismith recently took part in a chess tournament in Bloemfontein.

Photo: Supplied

‘New Horizon isproud that theirperformancemore than justi­fied the expense.’– Diana Lombard

EXPRESS EASTERN FREE STATE, WEDNESDAY 8 APRIL 2015 7

NEWS

} Tladi Moloi

BETHLEHEM. – The Dihlabenglocal municipality has congratulat-ed the Bodikela IntermediateSchool on their excellent achieve-ment in gaining second place inthe recent Thabo MofutsanyanaDistrict climate change awarenesscompetition.The competition that was held

in the Phuthaditjhaba Hall inQwaqwa on Monday (23/03), sawselected eco-schools from differentlocal municipalities makingpresentations on the negativeimpact of climate change.Climate change is the measure

of patterns in meteorologicalvariables in a given region overlong periods of time with animpact on humans and theenvironment.Bodikela was chosen to repre-

sent Dihlabeng by Mpho Motaung,the environmental officer at themunicipalityTheir presentation focused on

what climate change is, the causesof climate change and otherfactors such as the effect ofradiation on the earth’s atmos-phere.Their presentations also touched

on the Greenhouse effect, wherethe heat of the sun is trapped bythe earth’s atmosphere due togases such as carbon dioxide,methane and a range of othergases that are produced bypollution.These gases are emitted when

fossil fuels such as coal, oil andpetrol are burned.The learners rounded off their

presentation by highlighting whatcitizens of this beautiful planetcould do to put an end to the“threat” we are facing.

Suggestions, such as using ourown muscle power like walking orcycling when and whereverpossible instead of using cars andtaxis as modes of transport weremade.Measures such as planting more

trees were proposed, as trees useup the carbon dioxide in the airand emit oxygen for us to breathein.Recycling was also promoted, as

well as conserving electricity byturning off appliances that are not

in use. It was this presentationthat saw the Bodikela JuniorSchool walk away with the secondprize of R7 000.) Local socialite Khanyi Mbau,contributed an HD decoder anddish as a prize.

School’s climate plans impress

THE learners of the Bodikela Intermediate School from Bohlokong near Bethlehem pose with their teachers after they claimed the second placeduring the recent Thabo Mofutsanyana District climate change awareness competition. Photo: Supplied

} Teboho Setena

THE South African NationalBoxing Organisation’s (Sanabo)National Championship started onTuesday (07/04) with eliminationrounds in the Kopanong IndoorSports Centre in Welkom.The five-day competition is for

non-professional male and femaleboxers. It will culminate in thefinal on Saturday (11/04) afterwhich the national team will beannounced. With contestants fromall provinces, the tournament hascategories for juniors (15 and 16)and youths (17 and 18). Thenational squads will be chosen.Fusi Hlasoa, Sanabo’s Free State

spokesperson, says candidatesselected for the national team willrepresent South Africa at theAfrican Youth Championship inBrazzaville, Republic of Congo, inSeptember.This is the first tournament

staged by the federation and is aflagship event aimed at nurturingprospective fighters for the elitedivision.The Free State is represented by

a squad of 25 boxers, 6 femalesand 19 male boxers. Hlasoaappeals to the public to assistwith accommodation, meals,transport and attire for theprovincial team for the competi-tion. Call Hlasoa on 073-239-6087.

Boxing nationals in Welkom

JOHN EROS RADEBE XTshiame, Harrismith:

I HOPE she’s motivated,I tend to be excellent on her

charisma,I kill every negative thought,I hope she’s so careful, indeed!She’s so determined,I become eager to voice my

character,O! I bet she admires my

mentality,I bow in tranquility,I abide the concord ferventlyI asked for comfort, sympathy

she proposes;My heart was reciting eupho-

ria,The rhythm was so fascinatingWow!I become transparent within

the communicationFor two, tête-à-tête it is called,I wonder about the dialogue,She’s talented with the

discussion,My brain kept on regurgita-

ting, She admires my facialexpression,I keep on accelerating my

intensity,

She’s so perky and sincere;Exuberant her cognisance is,Relax she ain’t gonna hurt

you.I bow before her castle,Pawns moving like never

afore,Rational I had to be,Evidence was Shakespeare’s

sonnets,CheckmateThe King is optimistic

Checkmate

X1PXT9BR-QQ080415

E F SASTERN REE TATE

} Tladi Moloi

BETHLEHEM. – Dikwena FC andFK FC are the winners of streamA and B respectively of the SouthAfrican Football Association’s(Safa) Thabo Mofutsanyana SouthAfrican Breweries (SAB) League.

The two teams won the streamson a high note with a three-goalmargin per team.

FK hammered their leaguecontenders, Zebras FC, by 3-0 onSaturday (28/03), in Senekal toopen a six-point gap. Dikwenathrashed City Spurs by 5-2 onSunday (29/3) at the Bluegum-bosch Stadium.

Dikwena, from Qwaqwa, are atthe top in the A-stream with 46points after 17 games.

They are eight points away fromDla2 FC, who are second on thelog table, and even though Dla2still have two more games to play,they will probably only finishwith 44 points should they wintheir last two games.

The Senekal outfit FK are ontop of the table by six points.They made their job easy bybeating Zebras, who were at thetop of the log for the better part ofthe season.

FK finished second last season,behind Free State DevelopmentAcademy, who were promoted tothe ABC Motsepe League afterwinning the promotional play-offs.

They have worked hard againthis season to claim the number-one spot at the top of the log and

that in itself shows the consistan-cy within the team.

However, the job is not done forthe two teams yet, as they stillhave to play against each other to

decide the team that will repre-sent the Thabo MofutsanyanaRegion in the promotionalplay-offs against other regions inthe Free State.

The date and venue for theplay-offs are yet to be announced.

Nkoko Malefane, head coach ofDikwena, said he was happy withthe way his boys wrapped up theleague. He said he knew that theseason was not over yet and addedthat they were still to workharder.

“We had a chance to watch ouropponents playing against Zebras,and believe you me, they will notmatch us,” Malefane said.

“Even if they woke us uptomorrow morning and said weshould play FK, that is a game we

would win.”The former Free State Stars

player Malefane was adamant thathis team would play in thepromotional play-offs.

Next season the region will onlyhave 16 teams in the league.

This season is the last time thatregions will be divided intostreams. This resulted in therelegation of three teams perstream. In stream A, JuniorUnited Brothers and PhumelelaLeeds were relegated.

In stream B, City Ramblers andA-Z FC of Paul Roux wererelegated.

The two teams that will join theremaining four teams will beannounced this week, as they areyet to play their last games.

Promotion the ultimate goalFOCUSED: City Spurs FC player Moeketsi Tshalala (in the red) chases the ball, with Tshepo Moleko (left) and Themba Msimanga of Dikwena FC hot on his heels in the two teams’SAB League encounter at the Bluegumbosch Stadium in Qwaqwa. Photo: Tladi Moloi

‘We had a chance towatch our opponentsplaying against

Zebras, and believeyoume, they will not

match us.’– NkokoMalefane,Dikwena FC coach

JULIO DA CONCEICAO (16), alearner at Witteberg High School, waschosen as March’s SuperSport Let’sPlay Sports Star of the Month forExpress Eastern Free State.

This young football star has beenplaying club football since 2010 inReitz/Petsana and has since thencompeted in league matches.

Julio was also a member of theteam that made it to the playoffs inthe VKB Tournament held in Reitzrecently.

He has also been included in the 22player squad that was chosen for theThabo Mofutsanyana u.17 footballteam. Julio lives by his motto:“Success and respect are earnedthrough hard work and passion, notthrough money and popularity.”

Send your SuperSport Let’s PlaySports Star of the Month nominationfor school learners between the ages

of 6 and 18 today (nominationsreceived before the 20th of eachmonth will be included in thatmonth’s selection). You can emailyour nomination to super-sport@zpr.co.za or fax it to 086-552-4922.) More on the Let’s Play initiative:

SuperSport has over time evolved intothe quintessential sports authority.

With such strong sporting influencewithin the South African market,SuperSport has been perfectly poisedto harness this power and mobilizethe public and corporates to trulymake a difference in society.

SuperSport has identified severalfactors that are severely inhibiting thedevelopment of children, such as theabsence of skills learned by playing,through physical education and sport– all of which are essential for theholistic development of young people.

It was from this insight that Let’sPlay was born in November 2005, itsaim being to raise awareness of oursocial situation and to introduce andencourage play, activity and sport inschools.For more information, pleasecontact Lynne Landman of Z PR on051-522-9574.

Football star March winner

JULIO DA CONCEICAO, alearner of the Witteberg HighSchool, was chosen as March’sSuperSport Let’s Play SportsStar of the month for ExpressEastern Free State.

Formorenewsand

photosgoto

www.express-news.co.za