Roads changing hands
The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (Sanral) announced on Wednesday, 25 June, that it is embarking on an urgent routine road maintenance project on sections of the N6 and N8 national roads, within the Mangaung Metro region.
The sections of the routes are part of the networks the Free State government handed over to the agency for maintenance during November last year
Just over 1 200 kilometres of the province’s roads were transferred to the agency between October 2023 and November last year The takeover of maintenance is owing to the provincial government's failure to eradicate the backlog to maintain and repair the central region’s deteriorating roads
Edgar Dube, Sanral’s project manager, said the urgent maintenance project was necessary to bring these sections of the road to a “drivable standard,” making it safer for motorists, adding that this will be worth R130 million
He said the project will economically benefit the locals, addressing local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and community members in Mangaung Metro
“Key works to be done on the roads include surface repairs, base repairs, the erection and cleaning of guardrails, cleaning of culverts, grass cutting, erection and repair of fences, and other general maintenance work The project will take over a year to be completed
“Local SMMEs and community members will benefit through job opportunities that will be offered on this project,” said Dube
He said through this project, Sanral will ensure that previously marginalised communities – including women, young people, military veterans, and people with disabilities – play a meaningful role and benefit from it
Thandeka Ngema, the agency ’ s acting stakeholder relations coordinator for the Free State, said the benefit will be through the 30% stake in subcontractors
“About 30% of the contract value will go to local contractors, particularly those on grades one to four Although our focus will be on grades one to four for this project, we have not neglected contractors from grade five to nine Sanral has now completed its consultation process on the Contractor Development
Programme, and the programme will be rolled out to assist contractors from grade five and above This is indeed part of our ongoing endeavours to transform the construction industry and for local SMMEs to benefit from our projects,” said Ngema
According to Ngema, the agency was in the process of opening a provincial office in Mangaung
“This is in line with the roads agency ’ s decision to move the organisation from a regional office-based model to a provincial office-based one The office will allow Sanral to enhance its endeavours with the Free State government, municipalities and the various communities that are affected by its projects”
Former cop fingered in alleged trafficking
TEBOHO SETENA
A retired Free State Hawks member, Raoul Hartman (59), is among the arrestees fingered in the alleged trafficking of a woman for sexual exploitation in Bloemfontein
When in service, he held the rank of warrant officer (WO) and was attached to the Bloemfontein Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit Hartman reappeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 8 July, alongside Alicha Britz (29), Rian Mulder (56) and Francois Steve van der Merwe (34) They first appeared on 1 July, following their arrest in Bloemfontein The fourth suspect, Van der Merwe, was arrested in Secunda, Mpumalanga, and appeared in court on 2 July Mulder and Hartman were released on R3 000 bail each during their first appearance Britz and Van der Merwe, who were remanded, pursued their bail during their appearance on Tuesday
The foursome’s appearance is the culmination of investigation by the Bloemfontein Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team A multi-disciplinary team consisting of the Bloemfontein Hawks, K9 unit, Crime Intelligence and Police Emergency Services pounced on three suspects on 30 June, in
Bloemfontein, while the arrest of the fourth suspect was imminent in Secunda WO Fikiswa Matoti, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said Hartman had retired from the elite crime fighting wing in 2019 She said charges included trafficking in persons, rape and attempted murder
Matoti said the complainant, a young woman from Ventersburg, had allegedly been trafficked for sexual exploitation through a deceptive job offer in 2022 “The 26-year-old victim alleges that, during July 2022, she saw an advertisement on Facebook for a job as a bar tender at a certain gentleman’s club in Ferreira, Bloemfontein She started talking to the club owner, who made arrangements for the victim to be transported from Ventersburg
“Upon her arrival in Bloemfontein a few days later, she was taken to the house of one of the accused persons, where she was allegedly drugged, sexually assaulted and repeatedly raped by a group of males
“The victim further alleges that one of the suspects was taking pictures during the ordeal The victim managed to escape through the bathroom window and sought help,” said Matoti
The Hawks launched an investigation after the case had been transferred from a local police station, culminating in the arrests
Alleged swindlers go to trial after Sassa’s loss
TEBOHO SETENA
The ex-workers of the Tsheseng Post Office linked to the alleged fraud involving well over R8 million of the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), are set to go on trial
The matter is set to continue from 28 to 30 July in the Bethlehem Specialised Commercial Crime Court
The four accused are: Matshediso Merriam Mokoena (35), Ntswaki Chrestinah Sefako (38), Mabuti Johannes Mbongo (45) and Sabi Letta Mokwena (58)
They have been appearing since their arrest in January last year and are now out on bail The bail of Sefako, Mokoena, and Mbongo is set at R10 000, while Mokwena was released on bail set at R5 000
They are facing charges of fraud, money laundering, and contravention of the Cyber Crime Act and the Electronic Communication Transaction (ECT) Act
The case is a result of indepth probing by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team
The arrests came after the Free State High Court successfully granted an order to forfeit four vehicles plus money in various bank accounts of the suspects
The application was brought by the Hawks, the Asset For-
feiture Unit (AFU), and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) The forfeited vehicles include two Toyota Avanzas, a Citi Golf, and a bakkie
The Hawks’ findings revealed the accused had allegedly used a church’s account to siphon more than R8 million from a Sassa account
At the time of allegedly committing the crime, between 2020 and 2022, the accused were responsible for performing transactions to assist Sassa beneficiaries to obtain their grants
According to the investigation, they allegedly transferred different amounts to the individuals’ accounts
The amount of R324 950 was apparently transferred to Mokoena’s bank account; R887 010 to that of Sefako; R7 527 107 to Mbongo’s account; and R1 700 to Mokwena ’ s bank account
According to WO Fikiswa Matoti, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, the Tsheseng Post Office was prejudiced and suffered a total loss of over R8,7 million in the process
In-depth probing revealed the accused had been issued with unique numbers, which are not transferable, and they allegedly inflated the amounts accounted for as entries on the system, resulting in misappropriating the entity funds as
valid amounts claimed to have been paid to the valid beneficiaries
The Hawks’ investigation revealed the monies were seemingly instead transferred into the bank accounts of the accused, as well as their associates
■ Additional fraud cases Sassa has uncovered at its Eastern Cape offices involve thousands of missing files, fictitious children, and fake pensioners
The agency reported it has suffered losses of R4,3 million due to cases of fraud in the Eastern Cape, while in Gauteng more than R260 million has been lost
■ Furthermore, the agency has identified about 210 000 social grant beneficiaries nationally, including 25,612 in the Free State, who appear to be receiving income that was not truthfully disclosed to the agency
In accordance with the Social Assistance Act and its regulations, beneficiaries are legally required to fully disclose all sources of income during their initial application
They are also obligated to inform Sassa of any changes to their financial circumstances after their application has been approved
Failure to comply with these requirements constitutes a violation of the act and may result in corrective action
The officials of the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (Sanral) address local enterprises and community members in the Mangaung Metro during a consultative meeting held in Bloemfontein on 25 June Photo: Supplied
Phase 2 of water project in the pipeline
TEBOHO SETENA
Significant strides have been made to the water supply challenge of the greater Mangaung Metro with the completion of the Welbedacht pipeline Phase 1 project. Entailing installation of a new steel pipeline, replacing the outdated asbestos pipeline, the work commenced in 2017.
This is a project funded by the Department of Water and Sanitation through its Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant to the tune of R595 744 836 70
The time frame to complete Phase 1 was delayed The department blames the delay on various challenges such as community disruptions, landowners refusing to grant access and vandalism of equipment These challenges are water under the bridge The Minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, marked the significant progress on 27 June, handing over to Vaal Central Water in Bloemfontein
Attendees to witness the significant chapter of the water infrastructure handover include Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae, MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements, Saki Mokoena, and the executive mayor
of the Mangaung Metro, Gregory Nthatisi
Majodina has reemphasised the importance of maintenance of the Welbedacht Pipeline phase 1 project, which is fundamental to augment supply and enhance reliable water provision to residents of Mangaung
She has called on the Mangaung authorities to constantly ensure maintenance and operation of the infrastructure to guarantee future water security; calling on residents to play their part in terms rooting out vandalism of important infrastructure
“This is a very huge project that will bring change in the lives of the people of Mangaung as far as water supply is concerned Reticulation of water to communities should also be priority,” said Majodina The outdated asbestos pipeline caused disruptions in water supply due to leakage and frequent bursts, resulting in loss of large amounts of water The 50-year-old asbestos pipeline, which supplies 70% of water to the metro, has been experiencing regular bursts and leaks due to its fragility and pressure The new steel
Two jailed for illegal trade
TEBOHO SETENA
The Edenburg Regional Court has slapped two abalone smugglers with a minimum of five years ’ direct imprisonment each, without the option of paying a fine
The court found Mxolisi Andrew Khinana (32) and Mduduzi Nephtaly Phafoli (43) guilty on the strength of evidence proving their involvement in illicit abalone trading
WO Fikiswa Matoti, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said the court found Phafoli and Khinana guilty on two charges of possession of abalone without a permit and the illegal transportation thereof under the Marine Act, which entails contravention of the Marine Living Resources Act
The sentencing on Friday, 4 July, was the culmination of an investigation by the police as well as the Hawks
Their sentencing came after several court appearances – following their arrest two years ago
Members of the Trompsburg highway police patrol unit arrested the accused on the N1 outside Trompsburg on 4 June 2023
Matoti said the members had discovered
the species – also known as “perlemoen” – in 53 refuse bags, transported in a white Toyota bakkie with a canopy “The accused were arrested on the spot for possession of the abalone species The estimated value of the recovered abalone is R1,3 million” she said
■ In March last year, a Ghanaian man, Sakyi Samuel (51), was subjected to paying a fine of R60 000 for the illegal possession of the endangered abalone species in the Bloemfontein Regional Court
Abalone with an estimated value of R314 755 was seized at Samuel’s base of operations in the Bloemfontein suburb of Bayswater In addition, the police discovered gas cylinders, buckets, fans, a scale, and other equipment used for processing abalone
In April this year, the Douglas police arrested five men – two Malawian nationals, and three Chinese nationals – regarding the illicit trading of abalone
Law enforcement agents seized 8 136 units of abalone with an estimated value of R1,9 million
The suspects were arrested during an anti-crime operation conducted in Douglas
pipeline was fully tested in February last year
Construction work entailed the reconstruction of a 33,7 km pipeline with a 1000 mm diameter bypass that stretches between Brandkop Reservoir and the R702, approximately 20km from Dewetsdorp
Construction work began with an additional pipeline route upstream of the existing Bloemwater control chamber on the Leeuwkop farm, crossing the R702 to the northern side of the road and then stretching parallel for approximately 10 km between
the R702 and the Eskom power line servitude
It then follows the north-west direction crossing the M30 at the junction with the N6, before crossing under the N1, the railway line, Ferreira Road and finally under the R706 The pipeline project supplies potable water to an estimated 81 236 households Successful completion of phase 1 paves the way for work to start phase 2, which will involve the construction of a 71,3 km bypass, 1 200 mm diameter, pipeline from Leeuwkop Chamber to Welbedacht
Police bust alleged UIF fraud masterminds
LIENTJIE MENTZ
A 42-year-old male office manager of the Bloemfontein branch of the Department of Labour was the first of several suspects arrested on Thursday, 3 July, in connection with alleged corruption and fraud pertaining to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Pending the ongoing investigation, 15 suspects were due to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 7 July Brig Motantsi Makhele said Thursday’s arrest followed a five-month investigation into allegations of fraud and corruption within the Department of Labour Various police units raided the department’s office located on the corner of Wesburger and Charlotte Maxeke Street at 09:30 Bloemfontein members of the Provincial Organised Crime unit operationalised intelligence-driven information, as supported by Crime Intelligence, the Tactical Response Team (TRT) and the Public Order Police, as well as the Mounted unit
Although initially not at the office, informants soon revealed the suspect’s whereabouts He was brought to the offices before police took him to the Park Road Police Station in an unmarked vehicle Makhele explains the arrests follow an investigation into a sophisticated scam involving false claims from the UIF It is alleged that the mastermind behind the operation recruited unsuspecting individ-
‘CHILDREN MUST BE PROTECTED FROM OUTBREAK’
TEBOHO SETENA
The Free State’s Department of Health has made a clarion call for parents to have their children vaccinated against measles following a rapid outbreak in selected municipalities in the province
The Lejweleputswa District has been identified as the epicentre, with most cases detected among minor children
Mondli Mvambi, spokesperson for the department, confirmed that the number of reported cases stood at 64 by Wednesday 2 July
Cases were reported in the Nala (12), Masilonyana (9), Matjhabeng (38) and Tswelopele (5) local municipalities
“We urge all parents to ensure that their children are vaccinated against measles, given the
affected individuals are primarily children aged between five and nine years old ” said Mvambi
“The measles vaccine is safe and effective, and is the best way to protect your child and the community from this disease
“Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that can lead to serious health complications It is crucial for parents and guardians to be vigilant and aware of the symptoms associated with measles ” Mvambi said routine measles vaccination catch-up doses were continually being administered in healthcare facilities for the children who had missed their scheduled doses
According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) measles spread rapidly in areas with low measles immunity, adding that
the disease can lead to serious complications, especially in young children and those with weakened immune systems Countrywide, there were 280 cases of rubella and 182 cases of measles reported during the period in question, from January to May
The provincial Department of Health urges parents to take their children to the nearest healthcare facility when noticing measles symptoms
Measles symptoms
A runny nose;
red rash;
feeling
and
(red eyes)
uals and used their personal information to register false claims with the department
The money obtained in this fraudulent manner reportedly enriched the recruiter and, in some cases, was shared with the person whose identity was used Makhele said the Department of Labour has lost more than R1,5 million He has confirmed that the police have arrested numerous other suspects in the Free State and Gauteng
“We expect to arrest about 20 suspects in this operation,” Makhele said shortly after the operation began on Thursday
The main distribution tap connected to the new steel pipeline that minister Pemmy Majodina officially opened to supply water to the Mangaung Metro Photos: Teboho Setena
The Minister of Water and Sanitation,Pemmy Majodina,marked the significant progress on 27 June,handing over to Vaal Central Water in Bloemfontein.
Police effecting an arrest at the Bloemfontein branch of the Department of Labour. Photo: Lientjie Mentz
Showing team spirit by extending an uplifting hand
Mamelodi Sundowns supporters of the Bloemfontein-based,western branch,have aided destitute and
are Kvevane Possa,Pretty Ramorobi,Mpho Mfebe,Isaac Sekike and Thabo Leeuw
significantly large group of mostly youths relying solely on hand-outs for
on 28 June
Cyberlab launched to prep youths for future
The Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, has marked another significant technological chapter with the launch of the STEMPower Cyberlab This state-of-the-art facility is envisaged to empower students and the surrounding community with vital digital and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Stem) skills
Launched by Solly Malatsi, minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, the lab officially opened on 13 June It features a fully equipped computer lab, a robotics centre, and a dedicated space for training youth in cellphone repair The facility is the culmination of a partnership between STEMPower, DHL, the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (Nemisa), Smart Aid and Ripples for Change
“We are not just building infrastructure; we are helping build a more equitable future for all of us, ” said Malatsi
“My plea is that for everyone who is going to be interfacing with the opportunities that emerge from this facility, that we do so with the knowledge that we must share this with those who are still coming”
Prof David Ngidi, deputy vice-chancellor
Dignitaries at the STEMPower launch are from the left Jenny Mohanlall (DHL),Galit Cohen (director of Ripples for Change),Prof Mpho Primus (Nemisa),Prof Wendy Setlalentoa (acting deputy vice-chancellor of Research,Innovation and Engagement at the CUT),Solly Malatsi (minister of Communications and Digital Technologies),Prof David Ngidi (deputy vice-chancellor of Teaching and Learning at the CUT),Prof Muthoni Masinde (dean of the Faculty of Engineering,Built Environment and Information Technology at the CUT) and Trevor Rammitiwa (chief executive officer of Nemisa) Photo: Supplied
for Teaching and Learning at the CUT, said the programme underscored academic excellence and was a demonstration of the many years of investment placed in Stem offerings
“We are deeply grateful that the minister of Communications and Digital Technologies’ department has once again chosen the CUT as a hub for national digital innovation This follows our selection as one of the three founding insti-
tutions of the Artificial Intelligence Institute of South Africa (Aiisa) and our impactful ongoing partnership with Nemisa,” said Ngidi He said this milestone was made significant with the training of about 1 300 participants in digital and data literacy this year, including 54 learners of the St Michael’s School for Girls “This is proof that we are reaching the heart of communities,” he stated
Play brings parents, youth closer
A moving new theatre production for young audiences, Dimpho and the Catfish, will premiere at this year ’ s Vrystaat Arts Festival The festival will this year take place from 15 to 19 July on the University of the Free State’s (UFS) main campus in Bloemfontein
The family-friendly drama is a blend of performance, music and storytelling that speaks directly to the challenges of growing up in a digital world At the heart of the story is Dimpho, a young girl thrilled to receive her first smartphone from her mother, Madimpho What begins as a moment of joy quickly unravels when Dimpho connects with a stranger online
The story unfolds into a powerful tale of courage, trust, and the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter The production explores themes of technology, safety and love in a way that resonates with both children and adults
It was written and directed by Jane Mpholo-Mehlape, a Free State-bred actor and activist against gender-based violence (GBV) The plight of children suffering in silence inspired her to pen the educational theatre production
“There are so many cases in South Africa where young people are bullied, go missing or are harmed after meeting strangers online We keep warning each other about the dangers of social media, but we often forget to include children in those conversations,” she said Dimpho and the Catfish is intended for audience members as young as ten years old, but is also suitable for teenagers It has been written to be interactive, filled with humor, and packed with meaningful moments The production offers a safe and welcoming space for open
dialogue between generations
“This is about what every child should know about the digital world – told through the power of theatre,” believes Mpholo-Mehlape
The production will be performed in the Kunstetrust Rep Theatre on the following dates:
■ 16 July at 10:00
■ 17 July at 13:00
■ 18 July at 11:00
■ 19 July at 13:00
Safety of data centre a priority
BEN SELIER
There is more to the story of power generation than meets the eye Beyond energy distribution and the infrastructure that enables it, are the information technology (IT) systems that play a fundamental role in keeping systems running However, it is also these invisible, if you will, point-of-presence (PoP) data centres – located in the remotest parts of our country – that often go unseen
The reality is that in order for utilities to deliver safe, reliable and sustainable electricity to even the smallest of South African towns, the remote sites must be maintained and secured You cannot separate the infrastructure that manages input from the systems that enable output
Data centres today serve the digital infrastructure of utilities; whether it is ensuring billing accuracy or controlling grid distribution, these facilities provide essential IT services that enable the services to function properly
Like physical operational infrastructure, IT failure can also lead to service interruption, safety risks, and increased operational costs And unfortunately, particularly at remote sites, the maintenance of IT systems is not always prioritised It becomes a bit contradictory when a transformer can still deliver electricity, but the utility’s billing or monitoring system is offline due to battery failure or overheating
Indeed, acid leaks, non-functional air condition and unstable uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems can be downright catastrophic If left unchecked, these remote sites can experience complete system outages, which are not only costly but also time-consuming when considereing the repairs due to the isolated location of some of these sites
There are solutions, today So, what can be done to provide some relief to our country’s already overburdened utilities?
Data Centre Infrastructure Managements (DCIM) overcome a lot of the abovementioned challenges The DCIM offerings that today incorporate Building Management Systems (BMS) and facility management platforms offer importantly functionality such as early warnings through the use of environmental sensors, helping utilities act before minor issues escalate Also, vibration sensors can detect irregularities in generators long before it fails, and temperatures spikes in battery rooms can prompt immediate cooling interventions, avoiding the need for expensive replacements
Importantly, the DCIM overcomes the need to travel hundreds of kilometres to physically inspect every PoP data centre, which is extremely challenging given the size and spread of South Africa’s grid infrastructure
The DCIM’s centralised monitoring systems allow utilities to keep tabs on all their sites from a single control room, often located hundreds of kilometres away
The DCIM offering is an integrated solution tailored to the needs of remote utility sites It includes features like:
■ environmental and equipment monitoring of temperature, humidity, power load, UPS health, and more;
■ access control and surveillance – cameras installed both on site and inside racks for physical security;
■ vibration sensors – monitoring generators and other critical machinery (centralised control and visibility that enable real-time insight from a single command centre); and
■ proactive alerts that allow for early intervention before equipment fails
The benefits are also immediate, reduced downtime; lower maintenance costs; improved safety; and longer equipment life cycles which, in turn, avoid large-scale repairs or replacement – all contributing to reduced capital expenditure
■ Ben Selier is the vice-president for Secure Power, Anglophone Africa, at Schneider Electric
Photo: Teboho Setena
Jane Mpholo-Mehlape Photo: Supplied
UFS veterinary project to boost SA
The University of the Free State (UFS) announced that plans to establish a new veterinary science programme, which is set to become the second of its kind in South Africa, are at an advanced stage
The chief objective of the programme, as announced on 13 June, is to increase the number of veterinary scientists in the country The university’s plans have been bolstered upon receiving in-principle approval from the Department of Agriculture (DoA), the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and its minister, and the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC)
This initiative includes the development of a professionally accredited Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) degree and a state-of-the-art veterinary teaching hospital on the South Campus in Bloemfontein
According to Prof Johan van Niekerk, vice-dean of Agriculture in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the university, the programme will also leverage the university’s Paradys Experimental Farm The farm aims to advance agricultural infrastructure and established production animal herds
“The campus provides an ideal environment for practical veterinary training The farm’s real-world livestock systems will offer students invaluable experiential learning opportunities in animal care, disease management, and sustainable agriculture,” said Van Niekerk
Prof Hester Klopper, vice-chancellor and principal of the UFS, high-
lighted the importance of this development, noting that it would position the university as a key contributor to veterinary science education in South Africa
“The establishment of a veterinary science programme at the UFS reflects our commitment to transdisciplinary research and addressing national priorities through innovation in higher education
“This initiative not only strengthens our role in advancing food securi-
ty, animal health, and sustainable agriculture, but also positions the UFS as a pivotal contributor to the continent’s development goals in these critical sectors”
South Africa’s shortage of veterinary scientists poses a risk to food security, animal welfare, public health, and agricultural productivity – proven in a report by the Western Cape government in February 2023 The report revealed the country only has 60 to 70 veterinarians per million people
This is far below the international norm of 200 to 400 per million and underscores the urgency of expanding veterinary education and training opportunities
“This initiative directly addresses a national priority, while aligning with continental and global aspirations towards sustainable development – especially in the areas of modern agriculture, food security and environmental sustainability,” said Dr Nalize Scheepers of the Depart-
ment of Sustainable Food Systems and Development
The UFS’ management stated it has been exploring the feasibility of this programme for the past five years, which involved consultations with various stakeholders in the higher education and veterinary sectors
“As a public higher education institution, we are subject to national regulation and will confirm commencement dates once final approval and accreditation of the qualification are secured,” said Scheepers As part of this initiative, a veterinary academic hospital is planned on the UFS South Campus
“The facility will feature clinical training facilities – providing students with supervised, hands-on experience in animal diagnosis, surgery and treatment; public veterinary services
– offering essential care to local farmers, livestock owners, and pet owners in the surrounding communities; and research support – enabling applied research in critical areas such as animal health, epidemiology, and public health,” said Van Niekerk “The hospital will address the urgent shortage of veterinary services in the region and contribute to the province’s animal health and food security goals,” he added Van Niekerk said initially, the BVSc degree would be offered within the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, with plans to establish a dedicated School of Veterinary Science as the programme develops The initiative also supports the UFS One Health Initiative, creating broad opportunities for research and development
Cattle on the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Paradys Experimental Farm The establishment of South Africa’s second veterinary training facility is being planned Photo: Supplied
Deal can bolster local sports scene
TEBOHO SETENA
The big reveal was made – Calvin Le John is the frontman who purchased the franchise of the SuperSport United Premier Soccer League (PSL) team, to now trade as Siwelele Football Club (Pty) Ltd
The success of this deal will further bolster professional football in the Free State’s capital of Bloemfontein
The city is already enjoying its share through the Marumo Gallants The approval of the pending deal will see the establishment of a local derby
In a statement issued on Thursday, 3 July, SuperSport International confirmed the sale of its PSL franchise SuperSport United to Siwelele Football Club (Pty) Ltd
In the statement, it explained this was the culmination of a closed bidding process, with Siwelele awarded the rights to purchase The deal is pending approval by the PSL executive committee
The price tag, however, has not been revealed yet, but the deal is reportedly worth R50 million
According to Rendani Ramovha, SuperSport chief executive officer
(CEO), the decision to sell the franchise of the three-time PSL champions was purely a business decision “The sale of the club comes as SuperSport makes strategic shifts to allow us to remain the biggest broadcaster in Africa and a leading global competitor Shifts in the market, as well as the need to innovate in accordance with our core business, have necessitated focused direction to allow SuperSport to remain the
best sports content provider on the continent and a leader in broadcast innovation,” said Ramovha
The ambitious buyer, Le John, commented: “As Siwelele, we are privileged to have been given the responsibility of continuing with a rich winning tradition in the PSL
“SuperSport and the MultiChoice Group laid an incredible 30-year platform that we wish to build upon, should we get the final vote of approv-
al from the PSL executive committee”
The parties indicated that out of respect for the PSL executive committee’s processes, they would not be making further statements, pending the decision of approval of the deal
According to reports, including comments by Gayton McKenzie, minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Le John has big plans – which extend to his investing R400 million to transform the newly formed Siwelele team into a powerhouse McKenzie reportedly stated he had no ties to Le John’s newly formed football club business and that the latter operated independently
He confirmed that Le John was his firstborn child, and had changed his surname to step out of his father’s shadow Purportedly, this happened after McKenzie had become a minister in cabinet Le John took over the reins of the family businesses, which have interests in mining, transport, hospitality, entertainment, properties and publishing Big-spender Le John has strategically moved away from a possible conflict arising from the naming rights He opted for a supporters’ decorated name, Siwelele, rather than attempting to retain the original Bloemfontein
Celtic, aliased Phunya Sele Sele Eddie Modise, well-known property pioneer in Bloemfontein, announced he had acquired the naming rights of the Celtic club from Samuel “Max” Tshabalala, who purchased the team from Jimmy Augusti Modise reportedly forked out in the region of R5 million for the name Celtic Subsequently, Tshabalala had announced in early January this year that the club decided to discontinue its participation in the ABC Motsepe League – a second-tier division in the country This was after a brief revival of the Celtic’s purchasing status in the Free State’s ABC Motsepe League Initially, the demise of the Celtic club came in 2021 when Tshabalala sold the franchise to Shauwn “MaMkhize” Mkhize, who renamed the club Royal AM and relocated it to Durban The club has since been expelled from the PSL The decision was made by the PSL’s board of governors after the league’s executive committee had recommended the expulsion This decision arose from a combination of factors, including the club’s financial struggles and inability to fulfil its obligations to the league and its players
Talented sports star creates a stir on tennis court
ein-based and rapidly ar Philip Henning is ht at this year ’ s Curro eries, which is already early impact, recordwins along with some s top players at the going at Curro Hillu-Natal minates week one at Shine at Curro Centre ourt Series His relentless consistency paid dividends as the player claimed his fourth Curro Centre Court series singles tle, headlining a minant week for South n players He recorded – 7, and 6 – 1 victory can Adhithya Ganepped off a tournament Africans captured half itles, with over 45% of senting the country ust had an unbelieving consistently at a ” said Jared Temlett, er at Curro Sport e are dubbing him as next star to move up st stage” ive opening where uggled to find their ng found his straps to t Ganesan fired back et, levelling the match peared to be struggling his left glute and back decider Henning then g he final set with 6 – 1 to secure his second title at the venue, adding to his 2024 triumph at
the same site
Henning heads into week two of the competition ready to continue his dominance
A grueling marathon saw Zimbabwe’s Valeria Bhunu prevail after three-hour in the women ’ s singles final against France’s Astrid Cirrotte
The versatile campaigner edged a first-set tiebreak of 7 – 3 before closing out the match with 6 – 3
“The match was close to three hours long with lots of gruelling rallies,” noted Temlett
“Astrid put up an unbelievable fight, but in the end, the experience of Valeria came through”
The victory provided another Southern African success story at a
tournament that continues as a happy hunting ground for regional talent
The men ’ s doubles final delivered the day's most compelling drama as the South African pair of Devin Badenhorst and Luc Koenig survived a three-set thriller against the Egyptian-South African pairing of Akram El Salally and Kholowam Montsi
After dropping the opening set 7 – 5, Badenhorst and Koenig stormed back with a dominant 6 – 1 second set before edging the super tiebreak 10 – 8 in a nail-biting finish
The women ’ s doubles saw a more straightforward affair, with Russian Polina Leykina and France’s Astrid Cirrotte combining for a convincing victory of 6 – 4 and 6 – 3 over Benin’s
The tournament’s international appeal was evident with players from across the globe descending on Curro Hillcrest, including representatives from America, multiple European nations, Asia, Australia, South America, and Nepal
The champion results of week one are:
■ Men’s singles: Henning (South Africa)
■ Women’s singles: Bhunu (Zimbabwe)
■ Men’s doubles: Badenhorst and Koenig (South Africa)
■ Women’s doubles: Leykina (Russia) and Cirrotte (France)
PLAYERS COMPETE TO SEPARATE BEST FROM REST
The Free State is well represented in this year’s selected U16 girls team for the South African Schools Netball (SASN) Schools Championship
Six players were chosen during a tournament at the Hoërskool Dr E G Jansen in Boksburg, Gauteng
The tournament took place from 30 June to 2 July
Those selected are Tiisetso Sikhosana, Kyla Myburgh, Daniella Ngeleka, Carli Uys, Bongumusa Nkabinde, and Siphosihle Msimanga They are part of the top 35 players selected from the respective
nine provinces
The journey will continue with trials to select the best of the best to make it to the national team
The selected team will represent South Africa at the upcoming international competition in Eswatini at the end of August
Some of the selected players will also feature in the DStv Schools Netball Challenge, offering players the chance to compete at the highest level in both rural and urban areas Teboho Setena
Calvin Le John has stunned by purchasing SuperSport United Photo: Facebook
The minister of Sport,Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie Photo: Teboho Setena
Glorianna Nahum and China’s Yichen Zhao
Philip Henning in action for South Africa. Photos: Supplied
Valeria Bhunu
New players unveiled
TEBOHO SETENA
The Marumo Gallants have unveiled ten new players and head coach Alexandre Lafitte, enlisted for the Premier Soccer League (PSL) 2025-’26 term The club unveiled both at media conferences, one in Johannesburg and one in Bloemfontein, held on Monday, 7 July and Tuesday, respectively
The players are: Darrel Matsheke, Teboho Motloung, Bongolwethu Siyase, Abram Tjahikika, Simo Luthuli, Shaun Morgan, Jaisen Clifford, Kamohelo Sithole, Karabo Khoza and Bheki Mabuza Tjahikika is a Namibian striker and
joins retained goal-poacher Junior Zindonga in the striking department
The newcomers replace 11 players released recently The Gallants have one spot available for a goalkeeper to compete with the remaining pair, Washington Arubi and Kagiso Mlambo The position for third shot-stopper became available after the club released Daniel Akpeyi, veteran Nigerian keeper
The latest arrivals added to the core of 24 players the Gallants retained from this just-ended season Among those retained are captain Edgar Manaka, utility player Trevor Mathiane and striker Daniel Msendani
Ambitions to win renewed
South Africa’s premier university football tournament, the Varsity Football Cup, returns this August
The participating clubs will begin their guest to clinch the trophy on 7 August and this will culminate in the final, scheduled for 2 October
The Free State universities of the Central University of Technology (CUT) and the University of the Free State (UFS) will again attempt to conquer the tournament
Both are yet to win the competition The UFS came close to lifting the prestigious university trophy, but faltered at the gate of glory The Kovsie boys lost in the semifinal last year, while CUT had a dismal run the tournament
Ultimately the winner was the University of the Western Cape (UWC), after beating North West University (NWU)
8 – 7 via penalties The match was decided on penalties after the two clubs failed to produce a winner in regulation time
They were gridlocked 1 – 1
All men ’ s matches in the Varsity Football Cup will be played on Thursdays, with live broadcasts on SuperSport and additional coverage via live stream on the SuperSport Schools App
Fans can expect a high-energy, talent-packed competition featuring the country’s top student-athletes and rising football stars
This year brings a fresh twist, with the Durban University of Technology (DUT) hosting for the first time, adding new flavour to the tournament’s long-standing tradition The University of Johannesburg (UJ) and Wits both make a return to the competition after missing out last year
Siya Noqayi, Varsity Football manager, is of the view the evolution of the tournament raises the standard
“As we prepare for another exciting season of Varsity Football, we are really proud of how far the tournament has come It’s become more than just a competition; it’s a platform that changes lives The rise of the women ’ s game especially shows the talent and determination of our student-athletes, and we ’ re committed to building on that momentum
Whether it’s the men ’ s or women ’ s tournament, Varsity Football is about creating real opportunities and celebrating the impact sport can have both on and off the field”
The other varsities featured in the 2025 men ’ s tournament are the University of Pretoria (UP) and the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
The Marumo Gallants goalkeeper coach Jacob Mokhasi with the remaining goalstoppers,Washington Arubi and Kagiso Mlambo. Photo: Teboho Setena
Wednesday, 9 July 2025
Cheetah
clash against Georgia marks celebration
Fanfarethiswaycomes
TEBOHO SETENA
The stage is set for the celebration of Free State Rugby’s 130 year milestone of thriving and promoting the sport in the province and South Africa. What has transcended into a lasting legacy will be celebrated on Friday, 11 July, in the Free State capital of Bloemfontein.
As luck would have it, this celebration coincides with another reason for excitement: an international match between the Cheetahs and Georgia’s national men ’ s team
The teams will go head to head in the 45 000-seater Toyota Stadium Kick-off is at 19:00
This match has been organised specifically to mark the formation of Free State Rugby and its achievements
The journey of a thousands miles began with the then Orange Free State
Rugby Union’s formation in 1895 The name changed along the way to keep in line with innovations to impact positively on the growth of the sport of rugby
Rory Duncan, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Free State Cheetahs, has commented on this chapter of rugby history and Friday’s event to mark the milestone
“This event is a tribute to every player who has worn the jersey, every fan who has filled the stands, and every young boy or girl dreaming of one day playing for the Cheetahs
“We cannot wait to welcome the rugby community to the Toyota Stadium for an unforgettable day
“This will be more than a thrilling international clash It is so much more than a game – it is a full-on family
rugby festival
“This historic fixture honours Free State Rugby’s 130th anniversary, marking over a century of iconic
moments, fierce pride, and a legacy that continues to shape South African rugby
“This is a great opportunity for us to show how hungry Bloemfontein is for international rugby
“I believe the Georgia game is a great opportunity to showcase that we can host a world-class event It is a great day out for the family, and a lot is going on at the Toyota Stadium,” said Duncan
This fixture will also mark the beginning of Georgia’s tour in South Africa, which will see the visitors take on the reigning rugby world champions, the Springboks, in Nelspruit on 19 July
Passionate supporters can be part of the big hooray by purchasing tickets for Friday’s game sold at R100 for seating on the open stand, and R150 for a seat on the main stand
Buy at the ticket office at the Toyota Stadium or online at ticketpros co za
The big hooray of the Free State Rugby Union’s 130 year landmark celebration is sweeping through the city of Bloemfontein Photo: Lientjie Mentz