Conditionstillindecline
SETENA
Healthcare services in the Free State face a “ticking time bomb” over concerns regarding work conditions and the neglect of infrastructure maintenance
This is made evident by the Department of Labour continuing to issue prohibition orders to the Department of Health for its non-adherence to health and safety regulations in the work environment , risking the workers and the public
Owing to the grave concern over the deterioration of healthcare facilities in the province, Monyatso Mahlatsi, MEC for Health, has embarked on a campaign to assess the situation
He conducted an inspection at the Kutlwanong District Hospital in Odendaalsrus, the fire-gutted supply chain management store lo-
cated at the Lejweleputswa district office, and the Bophelong Clinic in Welkom and Leratong Clinic in Allanridge on Friday, 20 June “The cost of burnt dental stock in the store is estimated at R850 000, while damage to the property is estimated at R1,3 million The cause of the fire, which occurred in May, is still unknown The experts who came to do their work at the facility are yet to provide a final report,” said Mondli Mvambi, spokesperson for the provincial health department
He said the staff at the fire damaged facility had since been relocated to continue with operations
while the department restored the damaged facility He said the restoration would commence next year, as the department’s budget was under strain
Mvambi said the primary health clinics had been closed in April due to a prohibition notice issued by the Department of Employment and Labour, citing non-compliance with health and safety regulations
The workers at two Bloemfontein hospitals, Pelonomi and National, lament the mental distress to continue working in unpleasant conditions This is in reference to both interior and exterior conditions at the two iconic health facilities in Bloemfontein
Speaking on grounds of anonymity for fear of intimidation, female nurses say the unkempt building surroundings are a safety risk, recalling the rape of a medical practitioner in 2010 and attempted rape of a medical intern in 2019 at Pelonomi
The MEC for Health,Monyatso Mahlatsi (left),with an unidentified worker inside a mobile container being used to render services following the closure of a clinic in Allanridge
Photo: Supplied
TEBOHO
Call to serve embr
TEBOHO SETENA
Another senior member of the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, has been appointed to serve in the Free State government
The latest is Prof Pakiso “Parks” Moses Makhoahle, appointed to serve in the Provincial Health Research Committee of the Free State’s Department of Health (PHRC-FS) for the 2025-’28 term
The university announced his appointment on Friday, 20 June Makhoahle is a senior lecturer of the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences at the university
His new role has multifaced responsibilities in the provincial health research body These include overseeing the implementation and quality of health research conducted in the province, ensuring that health research agendas and resources are aligned with priority health issues, advising the MEC on applying and implementing an integrated national strategy for health research, and coordinating research activities among public health authorities
Makhoahle’s appointment is due to his research expertise and academic qualifications His qualifications include a BSc in Microbiology and Biotechnology; a B Med Sc honours in Medical Microbiology; an M Med Sc in Medical Microbiology and Virology from the University of the Free State (UFS); a doctorate in Health Sciences (Biomedical Technology), and a postgraduate diploma in Higher Education from the CUT
Makhoahle has served as a reviewer for the National Research Foundation (NRF) and postgraduate examiner for multiple universities He is a recipient of several Vice-Chancellor’s Awards, and last year he was selected
as one of 52 participants nationwide for the prestigious Teaching Advancement at University (Tau) Fellowship Programme During his tenure he spearheaded the development of a student financial assessment mobile application and played a pivotal role in establishing the CUT’s Centre for Quality of Health and Living (CQHL), a state-of-the-art facility for biochemistry and tissue culture research
“I feel deeply humbled, grateful, and inspired by this appointment It is both a recognition of my contribution to research and a call to serve with greater commitment I see this opportunity as a platform to work collaboratively with other professionals to shape a healthier, research-informed future for the Free State,” said Makhoahle
He said he was eager to serve with integrity and diligence
“This appointment is not just a personal milestone, but a professional responsibility to
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Prof Pakiso“Parks”Moses Makhoahle Photos: Supplied Prof P of the
Team up to celebrate Youth Day
The Charmza Literary Club and Kgato Primary School in Bloemfontein teamed up to mark National Youth Day,by coming together on 13 June The history of the origin of the significant day,resonating with South African youth,was narrated as part of this eventful celebration Learners participated in storytelling,poetry,drama and musical drama, Sarafina.This 1992 musical drama depicts the 1976 Soweto uprising in South Africa,where scores of learners protested against the apartheid regime’s imposition of Afrikaans as the language of instruction Photo: Supplied
‘Don’t just include, but truly foster dignity’
The iconic Naval Hill Planetarium played host to a sold-out event in support of the Champions Club at Reign Church on 1 June
Drawing together families, advocates and community members passionate about inclusion for children and adults with special needs, an event was held that included a movie screening of Max Goes to the Moon, a puppet show and various prizes sponsored by local restaurants
Black Sheep and Bossa
The event was the vision of senior pastor Cindy Postman’s in 2024, when families with special needes children began visiting Reign Church prior to its official launch in September that year
“I realised we could not simply offer babysitting,” said Postman
“These children deserve an intentional space where they can be ministered to and developed in ways that honour their unique design”
This heartcry found direction when Postman attended an Alliance for REsponsible Citzenship (ARC) Conference in Johannesburg, where she was introduced to the Champions Club Curriculum - a 19-year-old programme developed in collaboration with doctors, occupational therapists, professors, and churches worldwide The curriculum is designed to help people with special needs learn, grow, and actively participate in church life
Youths still in crossfire
VUSUMZI GQALANE
What does it mean to survive in a country that once promised freedom? For South African youths, this question is no longer rhetorical –it is a daily confrontation with a reality shaped by economic uncertainty, political instability, and a zero sense of opportunity
And yet, the act of waking up, showing up, and holding on has become a form of resistance Not because it is easy, but because of the hope that change can happen at the very table where decisions are made about our future
The term “kuzolunga” loosely translates to “it will be okay” It is often used in our everyday language as a phrase of comfort whispered in times of distress However, for today's youth, it is no longer mere reassurance; it has evolved into a silent battle cry, demonstrating a firm conviction that, despite everything, we remain standing with hope and resilience
A good friend of mine, Sibongiseni, recently introduced me to an Amapiano song titled Kuzolunga by Supta, featuring Thalitha and Bongane Sax Part of the lyrics go: "Qiniseka ungalahli ithemba, konke kuzolunga, Yonk’ into inexesha layo kuzojika, Qhubeka " Simply translated: "Make sure not to lose hope, everything will be okay Everything has its time, and things will turn around Keep going”
These lines perfectly capture an unwavering determination of South African youth – hope not as ignorance, but as agitation Kuzolunga is a courageous act of protest disguised as music, a subtle struggle against despair, and an anthem of survival in the face of suffering In a country where young people are constantly confronted with the structural violence of unemployment, injustice, and systemic exclusion, continuing to hope, dream, and go is more than simply survival; it is resistance It is revolutionary
Adding a powerful and personal voice was Karabelo Senatle, a 21-year-old graduate of the University of the Free State (UFS) and a Champions Club ambassador at the church
The event on Naval Hill was graced by Beulah van Aswegen of Beudene, a local centre known for its work with individuals with disabilities In her address, Beulah emphasised the importance of creating communities that do not just include people with special needs, but truly foster their development and dignity
Awarded at event
Model and pageant contestant Lieka Terblanche made Bloemfontein proud at this year’s South African Children and Youth Ambassador She walked away with two prizes, Best Dressed: second runner up medal and a Green Jacket Tying with Youth Month,the event was held Sunday,15 June,at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg Lieka is the reigning Ms Pre-Teen Mangaung Metro queen The SA Children and Youth Ambassadors programme aims to empower young individuals as advocates and leaders,equipping them with skills to address human rights issues and contribute to positive change
Photo: Supplied
Living with albinism, Karabelo passionately shared: “It is not enough to include people with special needs – we must integrate them into the fabric of our society, value their presence, and celebrate their contribution”
As the church continues to grow, it brings hope to families navigating the complexities of raising children with special needs, and reminds all that every person has a purpose
During this very month of June, 49 years ago in 1976, schoolchildren in Soweto stood up in defiance to protest the injustice of Bantu Education and institutionalised racism The frustration, anger, and pain they carried became a source of power in shaping South Africa’s political discourse These were young people at the heart of the country’s liberation struggle I am not going to go into detail about the 1976 Soweto Uprising Not out of disrespect, but because the history has been discussed many times before Yet, nothing has been done to fully honour those who fought to change the status quo
Today, the battlefield has changed but the struggle continues The spirit of resistance remains, though it now takes different forms It is the student who perseveres despite hunger It is the graduate who sends out hundreds of CVs It is in the activist, the artist, the entrepreneur, the hustler Young people are no longer dodging apartheid bullets; instead, they are navigating an exclusionary economic system that continues to marginalise both the educated and the uneducated They are drowning in an ocean of unemployment, burdened by an under-resourced education system, and confronted daily with mental health challenges in a society still tormented by deep inequalities
According to Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), the country’s youth unemployment rate is 62,4% in 2025 At the same time, the government is losing ground in its efforts to combat gender-based violence (GBV) Mental health remains severely underfunded, receiving only 5% of the national healthcare budget All of this unfolds amid a devastating student debt crisis, with many students in our higher education institutions struggling to afford both tuition and living expenses
These challenges are not isolated – they are symptoms of deeper systemic failures
How much longer are we expected to merely survive and keep hoping for a better future amid a directionless government? How long must young people remain excluded from decision-making spaces? And how long will young people – especially women – be sidelined and deprioritised? Until when? And are we to blame? ■Vusumzi Gqalane is a transition academic adviser
At the special event are,from the left,Karabelo Senatle,Sarah Sease,Ruald van Heerden (Papadi Park Puppeteers) and Jade Lemmetjies Photo: Supplied
Women nourish men’s zeal to work
TEBOHO SETENA
The Women’s Outreach Committee of the Uniting Reformed Church branch in Bochabela, Bloemfontein, marked National Youth Day by lending a helping hand to young and adult men seeking jobs
These women of goodwill provided a meal to a group of men in Bloemfontein’s East End Business Park on 16 June
The job-seeking men brave adverse weather conditions on a daily basis, wait-
ing with bated breath at the intersection of McGregor and Mackenzie Street for job offers in order to provide for themselves and their families
Armed with different skills, ranging from construction to gardening, these men are ready for work Some are already in possession of the necessary tools of their trade
They accept any gesture of goodwill –which usually includes food – but with an underlying hope for temporary employment in order to make ends meet
As part of the scores of unemployed South Africans, they persevere despite
the talks that there are no job opportunities
Keitumetse Makhele, secretary of the Women’s Outreach Committee, at the Youth Day outreach said their efforts were inspired by the spirit of humanity and as a temporary intervention for a positive change to the lives of the men and their families
The unemployment rate in the Free State is currently at 38,5%, having increased from 37%
The province’s unemployment rate is reported to be among the highest in the country
Men,actively seeking jobs to support themselves and their family,receiving a meal from the Uniting Reformed Church Women’s Outreach Committee
The members of the Women’s Outreach Committee of the Uniting Reformed Church branch in Bochabela are,from the left,Sarah Makolomakoe,Mpho Matoba,Ntibi Mokhele,Keitumetse Makhele,Lydia Lekaota,Alice Makhema,Motsilisi Motaung,Pontshe Sempe,Sophia Rammile and Mathapelo Jasong Photos: Supplied
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social development
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR FUNDING OF NON-PROFIT ORGANISATIONS (NPOs), COMMUNITY BASED ORGANISATIONS (CBOs), NON-PROFIT COMPANIES (NPCs) AND COOPERATIVES IMPLEMENTING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
The Department of Social Development hereby requests proposals from registered NPOs, CBOs, NPCs and Coopera�ves implemen�ng Community Development Projects in the 4 Districts and Metro of the Free State Province. The request for proposal is for a period not exceeding 9 months. This means that the qualifying organisa�ons will enter into a contract with the Department commencing 1 August 2025 and ending 31 March 2025
NPOs, CBOs, NPCs and Coopera�ves implemen�ng the following projects can apply for funding:
Type of Service
Targeted Towns Distrcit
Youth Development Programmes / Projects All towns
Women Development Programmes / Projects All towns
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 9 July 2025
Metro and All Districts
Metro and All Districts
It is the inten�on of the Department to partner with suitable organisa�ons based on the specifica�ons provided. The Department of Social Development will consider the applica�ons but does not create any expecta�on to appoint a par�cular NPOs, CBOs, NPCs and Coopera�ves Applica�on forms must be handdelivered to the Local District Offices of the Department of Social Development, as listed below: CONTACT NUMBERS FOR DISTRICT OFFICES:
DISTRICT
XHARIEP
Second Ave, Charles Ville, Jaggersfontein 071 864 6076
MANGAUNG METRO Shop number 46, Lemo Mall, Bloemfontein 071 864 5919
LEJWELEPUTSWA Macholo Building, 10 Elizabeth Street, CBD, Welkom 083 443 8215
THABO MOFUTSANYANA FDC Building Setsing Shopping Complex, Phuthaditjhaba 061 779 1488
Sederhof Building, 30 Johan Blignaut Drive, Bethlehem 060 405 7009
FEZILE DABI 51/53 Kort Street, Parys 9585 084 088 0321
20 Cross Street, Kroonstad 066 487 6173
Mr R Mokenela Refiloe.Mokenela@fssocdev gov.za
Ms M. Maduna Modiehi.Maduna@fssocdev gov.za
Ms N. Bothma Nadine.Bothma@fssocdev.gov.za
Mr J Skosana Jerry.Skosana@fssocdev gov.za
Mr. N. Kharafu Jabulani.Khambule@fssocdev gov.za
Mr E. Lephoto Ephraim.Lephoto@fssocdev gov.za
Ms N. Sethabela Ntsoaki.Sethabela@fssocdev gov.za
