Attorney in hot water with the legal system
Courtcondemnsactions
TEBOHO SETENA
Dishonesty of the highest order – this is how a Free State High Court judge described the conduct of disbarred attorney Lebohang Michael Mokhele (40), who resurfaced practicing under the surname Sondhlane
The judge’s utterance followed the apparent evasive conduct the former practicing attorney displayed during his appeal hearing in September 2023, against the decision of the Legal Practice Council (LPC) to suspend his certificate to practice based on strong prima facie evidence of alleged corruption Mokhele (Sondhlane) purportedly swindled large amounts of money from the trust account of Xolile Mac-
Donald Yawa and Mathabo Emily Tau
The persons had enlisted his services for their respective matters
The LPC, which is the regulatory body for legal practitioners, made some adverse findings against Sondhlane, ultimately leading to his disbarring from the roll in January 2024 Despite being struck from the roll, Sondhlane continued with his business
Ultimately, the Hawks arrested
Sondhlane in connection with fraud charges and being in contempt of court in the Free State High Court on Tuesday, 25 March, where he was due to represent one of the accused persons in the R255 million asbestos contract awarded by the Free State Department of Human Settlements
He was apprehended shortly after acting Judge President Martha Mbhele told him he had no right to appear before her and ordered him out of the court
Col Zweli Mohobeleli, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said the disbarred attorney appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on charges of fraud, contempt of court, and contravention of the Legal Practice Act He confirmed Sondhlane had been in the High Court the previous day, representing one of the fraud-accused in the asbestos matter
“The asbestos matter was postponed to the following day, 25 March, to afford Sondhlane an opportunity to prove that he was still certified, which he failed to do The Hawks’ detectives, who were in court, arrested him for misrepresenting himself as a legal representative,” said Mohobeleli
The LPC struck Sondhlane off the roll in January 2024 after suspending him based on the strength of evidence of alleged misconduct, relating to his
alleged defrauding of two persons His certificate to practice was revoked and rendered invalid He was unsuccessful in his appeal to overturn the judgment for striking him off the roll by the LPC
The LPC has since updated the details of Sondhlane on its list of attorneys struck off the roll on its website, using Lebohang Michael Sondhlane
He had been practising under the name and style of LM Mokhele INC since 2011, and operated from 117 President Reitz Avenue in Westdene, Bloemfontein
The LPC probing revealed that Sondhlane had invoiced the complainant Yawa R165 000 for services not rendered Following Yawa’s enquiry, the amount was reduced to R45 000, paid on 26 February 2021 This was used as evidence to disbar him
The LPC’s probing in the case of Tau revealed unauthorised withdrawals of funds (in various transactions amounting to more than R1 million), and that no payments were made to any of the estate’s creditors
Once a TV pundit, and regarded an expert law analyst, Sondhlane is expected to reappear in court on 2 June to answer to all accusations levelled against him
Mohobeleli said he had been granted bail of R1 000
Slain teacher’s family relieved suspect’s bail was denied
TEBOHO SETENA
The family of slain teacher Mpho Judith Moalosi is relieved that bail was denied for the prime murder suspect, Songezo Steven Sejakane (42), paving the way for the murder trial in the Free State High Court
Judgement in the bail application was delivered on 25 March, ending Sejakane’s bail bid – which had been ongoing since June last year, after the police arrested him in connection with the ruthless murder of Moalosi
Pule Mokhele, father of the deceased, said the refusal of bail gave them much hope in finding justice for his slain daughter
“As a family, we are relieved that bail has been turned down
““We are very thankful for the
support we have been receiving from people and community organisations such as Buang Basadi, Man Up Ndoda, and anti-gender-based violence (GBV) groups that stood up and gave reasons why the state should object to Sejakane’s bail application,” said Mokhele
He also praised the investigative officer who probed the case and worked with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) The officer also made a presentation objecting to Sejakane’s bail application, further indicating that he was a flight risk
The grief-stricken Mokhele has been attending the hearings since the first day Sejakane appeared regarding Moalosi’s alleged murder At some hearings he was accompanied by other daughter Rethabile Mathafeng,
and two children of Moalosi Women’s rights advocacy groups filed petitions opposing Sejakane’s application for bail and further galvanised support since his arrest The refusal of bail extends his stay in the prison cell since his arrest on 17 June last year
In this bail application, Sejakane explored all avenues, ranging from illhealth in regard to an asthmatic condition, food poisoning and purported risky conditions in the prison cell where he is remanded In addition, he cited the severity of the situation for his two adopted children Sejakane's attorney submitted two additional affidavits, and went further to explore case laws Sejakane has not pleaded in this case of of Moalosi, who taught at the Tsoseletso Secondary School
The disbarred legal practioner Lebohang Michael Mokhele Sondhlane. Photo: Supplied
Father of the slain teacher Mpho Judith Moalosi,Pule Mokhele,and daughter Rethabile Mathafeng during the hearing of the bail application of Songezo Steven Sejakane, accused of murdering Moalosi. Photo: Supplied
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CUT bestows honour upon its former student
The Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment, and Information Technology (Febit) at the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, has given another feather to the cap of the astute William Hlakoane, during the autumn graduation ceremonies held from 19 to 25 March.
The institution has conferred the Honorary Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering (honoris causa) degree to the mechanical engineer by trade, and chief operating officer (COO) of the Denel Group
This recognition was awarded for Hlakoane’s contribution in the profession
The university bestowed the doctoral-level degree on Friday, 21 March
Hlakoane attained both his National Diploma and Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering qualifications at the CUT
According to Hlakoane, his career in Engineering started in his early childhood when he and his peers used wires to build cars He mentioned that he has always been an inquisitive child
“As a child, I enjoyed assembling and disassembling things, and I also loved makingwire cars I think I would have been the first person to invent a car made of aluminium or zinc plates I was a very curious young boy, so it was no surprise that I ended up in the engineering field,” he said Hlakoane said the honorary announcement brought him
honour, pride, and emotional joy
“I was in tears It made me think back to where it all started Thinking back on the relationship that I have with the institution, from the good old days to now, and everything that I have achieved throughout my career
“Out of a million of the things that I ever wanted in my life, this honour and recognition is the one that my family and I will cherish forever”
Asked about his leadership and how he managed to wear multiple caps in his role, Hlakoane said he has always taken the approach of empowering himself with all the available knowledge, insisting on not only focusing on one specific role
“I always wanted to be knowledgeable, but what has been outstanding for me in my
career is the ability to be able to work in different environments and apply my engineering knowledge in various aspects of businesses People always ask me why I know so much, and my answer is simple:
Curiosity
“Even outside of my career, I always say, the lessons learnt from school only gives you a certain level of thinking or knowledge But it is how you use it to have more knowledge beyond those lessons
“Use the same knowledge that you have gained to go beyond what you have acquired here”
Accepting his honorary doctorate, Hlakoane stated that he was proud of the university for what it has become
“I am a very proud alumni of this institution, and I wish all of you the success that you deserve”
Rewarded as college’s top achievers
Students who obtained excellent results in the programmes they completed at the Botshabelo campus of the Motheo Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College received special recognition from the college management at the autumn prize-giving event.The recipients,with representatives,are from the left Juliet Mohlahli (lecturer in computer subjects),Joyce Morwagae (top achiever in all Business Management N6),Esihle Tyesi (top achiever in Human Resource management N5 course and overall winner on campus), Thato Khauoe (top achiever in all Marketing Management N4) and Vincent Menyatso (lecturer in computer subjects and business management subjects) The prize-giving event was held on 20 March
Student body says crisis is resolved
TEBOHO SETENA
The Democratic Alliance Students Organisation (Daso) at the University of the Free State (UFS) announced intervention programme to alleviate the crisis of students studying through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has yield result
The intervention saw five NSFAS representatives placed on the varsity Bloemfontein campus to address pressing issue affecting several students
The representatives directed support affected students on the campus from Tuesday, 25 till Friday, 28 March
According to Wanné Andrews, chairperson of Daso at UFS, more than 1000 students were negatively impacted by the ongoing crisis hampering progress of scores f d ll d h h
ardising their academic future
Daso stands in solidarity with affected students facing financial exclusion and anxiety
It is unacceptable that the university cites the N+1 funding limit without prior notification or clear justification Inconsistent NSFAS statuses, from "Application in Process" to "Provisionally funded", only worsen confusion and distress
The NSFAS N+1 rule limits the number of years a student can receive financial aid to ensure efficient use of funding "N" represents the minimum years required to complete a qualification, and "+1" allows an extra year for any delays,” said Andrews
According to Andrews, these contextual matters have been afflicting students for the past two months “ h b
in working day and night to address their problems,” said Andrews
The university announced in February that its UFS Financial Working Group, which includes representatives from the Institutional Student Representative Council (ISRC), meets regularly to determine how it can best assist students, taking into consideration the financial constraints of the university
It further confirmed funding had been allocated to 25 551 students, and that 22 246 of these students had been successfully registered for the academic year
In addition, the varsity also confirmed NSFAS allowances were paid to 14 303 registered students on 3 February and that on 17 February, interim allowances will be paid to d h
Dr William Hlakoane (right) with Prof Deon de Beer during the graduation ceremony
Polishing up to shine at crowing event
Mabitle,Kearabetsoe Khotle,Karabo Sekese and Hlompho Sekgolo The crowning will be done in the Bloemfontein Civic Centre Tickets selling at R150 per person will also be sold at the host venue,where
Hearing loss alarmingly prevalent
It is estimated that 136 million people, approximately, suffer some degree of hearing loss across 47 African regions where the World Health Organisation has a presence
The number is projected to increase to 337 million by 2050
The concerning news came to light against the backdrop of World Hearing Day, observed annually on 3 March, and highlights the importance of raising awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care globally The theme for 2025 is “Changing mindsets: empower yourself to make ear and hearing care a reality for all”
According to the World Report on Hearing, approximately 12 million people in South Africa have varying degrees of hearing loss and that
only around 29% of those with hearing loss use hearing aids, despite prevalence
According to the finding, 3 6 million persons need treatment, yet fewer than 10% receive it
Bronwyn Van Wyk, head of Audiology at Spec-Savers, hearing loss affects about one in three adults between the ages of 65 and 74, and more than 80% of those aged 85 years or older
She said the most common type of hearing loss is age-related, although many conditions can interfere with the process of sound vibrations reaching the inner ear and being turned into electrical signals that are sent to the brain
“Some of the first, and often subtle signs of hearing loss may include difficulty hearing speech in the presence of background noise, having to ask people to repeat themselves,
turning up the volume of the television louder than normal and difficulty hearing well over the telephone
“Many people with hearing loss experience a drop in self-esteem and confidence because of their impaired ability to communicate with other people, which in turn impacts their mental health, social participation and work life Because people are struggling to hear, they start to withdraw themselves from social interaction
“This can lead to isolation, loneliness and depression and has a huge impact on their quality of life Untreated hearing loss has also been linked to dementia
Treating your hearing is not only about looking after your ears, but also about looking after your brain too, by keeping the neural pathways stimulated,” said Van Wyk
Opportunity knocks for fresh produce
Community food gardeners in the Free State will have the opportunity to sell their fresh produce directly to the public at selected Shoprite and Checkers supermarkets on Thursday, 3 April
More than 60 community food gardens across Southern Africa, producing organically grown products, will sell directly to customers at selected supermarkets
Those from this province are:
■ the Dikonyana Community Based Care Centre in Bloemfontein;
■ Hola Le Rona Integrated Educare Centre in Harrismith;
■ Realeboga Bakubung Training and Development Agency in Thaba Nchu; as well as
■ the Ntoanatsatsi Community Garden and the Qholaqhwe Garden Project, both from Phuthaditjhaba
This initiative was first introduced in 2017, with the chief objective to extend support to the many community food gardens the group has partnered with By providing a direct route to market, Market Day helps emerging farmers generate an income, develop critical business and retail skills and engage directly with
local customers
The initiative is a key part of the retail group ’ s ongoing commitment to supporting sustainable hunger relief and food security efforts
“Market Day continues to grow each year, unlocking more opportunities for community food gardens to bring their produce directly to customers,” said Sanjeev Raghubir, chief sustainability officer at the group
Rights need to be saluted
PROF HESTER KLOPPER
It seems sadly ironic that South Africa has just recently wrapped up Human Rights Month celebrations at a time when global news headlines are dominated by events characterised by a flagrant disregard for human rights
They range from continuing wars and armed conflicts, refugee crises, political oppression and suppression of free speech, to news of mass surveillance, economic exploitation, and environmental violations leading to forced displacement of communities
Human rights considerations are very easily trumped by narrow self-interest and purely economic considerations World leaders and society in general seem to need an urgent re-education on the value of human rights As repositories of knowledge and agents for social change, universities have an essential role to play in this
South Africa’s traumatic history of human rights neglect and abuse is a painful reminder of what can go wrong in the absence of a general respect for and protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of every citizen But the mere fact that we now have a Bill of Rights enshrined in one of the most progressive constitutions in the world is not enough to ensure a society based on fairness and equality
There must be a prevailing culture of human rights respect, observance, and protection that guides our attitudes and actions What we have instead is a political and social landscape abounding with alarming instances of elected leaders embroiled in scandal and corruption, revealing selfish motives and a disregard for the common good Universities’ mandate extends beyond just equipping graduates with academic qualifications and skills
We are not merely churning out competent professionals for the job market; we are shaping responsible citizens with a social conscience, who should be active agents in generating positive change
It is vital that our graduates’ vision extends beyond a narrow view or self-interest to a wider societal-focused view – which will ultimately see them become ethical-responsible leaders and advocates for fairness, respect, and long-term sustainability – in whatever career they pursue It is essential that universities prioritise the holistic and not just academic development of students This includes embedding human rights principles in our teaching methodologies, our programme content, and our institutional policies Students need to learn about all the ethical considerations that inevitably form part of their specific discipline
But they also need to experience the observance of human rights in the way a university is managed, the way it approaches teaching and learning, and the way it conducts ethical research
In addition, we as university leaders need to have a keen insight into who makes up our student population and be cognisant of the unique challenges they face
In South Africa, we have to deal with the sobering reality that many of our students come from fragmented households, often with limited exposure to good role models in general – and good male role models in particular A lack of exposure to moral and family values in their formative years can have far-reaching consequences on how they ultimately view the world and other people
“Beyond generating an income, it equips farmers with valuable retail experience and encourages climate-resilient farming methods that are essential for long-term food security” Through its Act For Change programme, the retail group supports over 260 community food gardens and 4 000 home gardens, positively impacting the lives of more than 80 000 people
Among the disturbing potential outflows of this is Gender-based Violence (GBV) – a phenomenon that still has an unacceptably high prevalence on our university campuses
Of course – policies, policing, and proper processes need to be in place at universities to address the GBV scourge But we also need to focus on the root of the problem, which is often found in archaic and skewed perceptions of gender roles and male superiority
As thought leaders and social guardians, universities need to challenge these outdated ideas by stimulating innovative thinking and offering opportunities for dialogue and discussion
■ Klopper is vice-chancellor and principal of the University of the Free State (UFS)
Members of the Yizanazo Co-operative,Nomake Namhla and Myeko Sapho,with customer Thandi Dangwane (right) on a Market Day This initiative empowers community fresh produce projects. Photo: Supplied
African music zest brought to stage
TEBOHO SETENA
Pioneers of Africa’s rich and diverse music genres received a fitting tribute in the form of a concert titled Marabi Meets Highlife at the Odeion School of Music (OSM) at the University of the Free State (UFS) on Saturday, 29 March
It featured the artists Dr Joseph “Jo” Kunnuji, Mlungisi Gegana, John Smit, Thembi Dunjana and Vuyani Gxavu
This collaborative initiative was pioneered by two greats: Kunnuji, a Nigerian born trumpet player working as a senior lecturer in Ethnomusicology and African Music at the university’s school of music; and Gegana, acoustic and electric bass player born and bred in Queenstown, in the Eastern Cape Kunnuji explained to the audience members, who had turned up in numbers, that the idea of hosting the event underscored the role of the pioneers who coined jazz music and used it as a powerful vehicle to unify people across diverse cultures – signalling positive change, as well as inspiring the next generations
He said the marabi and highlife music styles were a perfect fit to their mission Marabi is said to be a style of music and dance form that emerged and evolved in South Africa between the 1890s and 1920s Highlife has its roots in West African regions
“The jazz of today came from the traditions that they pioneered In South Africa we have marabi and in West Africa we have highlife and Afrobeat – these genres have crossed continents, and what the pioneers did was to indigenise sounds that were
imported into Africa,” said Kunnuji
“Those original popular genres gave birth to millions of genres we have across Africa
“So, if you want to think deeply, these people sort of paved the path for many people who are thriving on those genres Today, we are honouring those legacies, musically
“There are many possibilities besides being divided in Africa, as Africans The news often shines the light on how Africa is poor, struggling; on wars, xenophobia, terrible elections; but outside that space there is so much in Africa
“The concert highlights just that –when marabi music meets highlife
Africa. – Dr Joseph “Jo” Kunnuji
Dunjana, a pianist from Cape Town with a qualification in jazz and who has released two albums; John Smit, whose experience spans decades in the music industry as versatile drummer and bassist
Smit has audio mixed numerous national and international music productions – covering from classical to rock, traditional to jazz recordings and live performances From 2006 to 2023 he lectured part-time in Music Technology at the OSM As for Afrobeat, Fela Kuti is widely credited with innovative creation of the genre, blending West Africa rhythm funk and jazz during the era of 1960 to 1970s The towering Nigerian is further considered the pioneer in popularising Afrobeat music
music, what happens”
Consistent to the power of music in breaking barriers and bridging divides, the concert featured Gxavu, a trombone player who is an active performer with Bloemfontein orchestras, including the Free State Symphony Orchestra (FSSO) and the Bloemfontein Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO);
Kuti’s ability to play a variety of instruments is said to have given him the edge to Afrobeat genres Almost three decades after his passing in 1997, the genre music movement remains the subject of global brands Kuti’s innovation transcends the music, introducing Afrobeat Queens, a group of talented energetic young women Because of their dancing they reportedly grew into indispensable actors in the making of Afrobeat music and subculture, a compliment in Fela’s rise to prominence as a musician and activist
Showcasing their talent during the Marabi Meets Highlife concert,are Vuyani Gxavu (trombone),Jo Kunnuji (trumpet),Mlungisi Gegana (double bass) and John Smit (drummer)
Diamonds Festival soon
Around 10 000 to 12 000 guests are expected at this year ’ s Diamonds and Dorings Music Festival, taking place on 20 April at the Langleg Resort near Kimberley
Launched at the recent Premier’s Golf Day, festive organisers describe the festival to be redefining luxury, music and lifestyle under the theme, “The Experience” International jazz legend and musician, Jonathan Butler, and the award-winning Vusi Nova were present at the launch on 14 March at the Kimberley Golf Course Butler, who grown up in South Africa and performed in Kimberley on many occassions since the age of seven, had been living in America for the past 40 years
He said he is happy to be back in Kimberley and that he will be the oldest one on stage Nova, the official brand-ambassador for Diamonds and Dorings, said it will be his third time performing at the festival, and he described the previous performances as “amazing”
The line-up of artists include Butler, Nova, Zonke, Mafikizolo, Enore, Nathi, Amanda Black, Bhudaza, DJ Scottt, Shekinah, KG
Smallz, and the Northern Cape Symphony Youth Orchestra
The festival, with amongst other the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality and the Northern Cape Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC) as stakeholders and under the execution of Exilite Holdings Event Management, offers various packages, including amongst other a VVIP package
Local artists will be promoted during the festival,
and the department will work hand in hand with the municipality to assure good administration, including timely payments to artists and service providers, said the MEC of DSAC, Mangaliso Matika Martha Bartlett said the festival is about Kimberley and its residents, and many businesses will benefit from this event, one of the biggest for Kimberley
The local community, especially, is needed to contribute to make this
successful Thapelo Matlala, municipal manager, said this year the municipality partnered with the DSAC, and that 10 000 to 12 000 people are expected Park and ride opportunities will be available this year, with more information on this to follow
This will align with the Arrive Align campaign of the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison
Those who purchase tickets early for the festival, qualify for the early bird discount
Tickets can be purchased at Computicket, Checkers or ShopRite
A call is made to traders to showcase their products at the resort during the duration of the festival
Food vendors, arts and crafts traders, and general goods sellers are invited
The closing date for applications for traders is on 11 April at 16:00
Collect applications forms at the Kimberley Information Centre at the tourism front desk, alternatively dial 053 830 6496/6779 to speak to Keitumetse Shapo or Olebogang Mogoje Visit Diamonds and Dorings “The Experience” on Facebook for more information
UFS honours greats
The University of the Free State (UFS) will confer honorary degrees during its graduation ceremonies for the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa campuses – starting on Friday, 4 April, and ending on 12 April They are former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, Joyce Siwani and Prof Toyin Falola
This is for their significant contribution to society in their respective fields, academia, and the betterment of humanity
“We are honoured to recognise three such distinguished individuals as former Chief Justice Zondo, Siwani and Prof Falola, said Prof Hester Klopper, vice-chancellor and principal of the UFS “Their exemplary leadership, scholarship, and unwavering commitment guides current and future generations to build a more equitable, inclusive, and just society”
The university will confer the honorary degree LLD (h c ) on Justice Zondo and the honorary degree in Social Work (h c ) on Siwani on 9 April, while the presentation of an honorary degree LLD (h c ) will be made to
Falola on 11 April, all three on the Bloemfontein campus Justice Zondo holds a B Iuris from the University of Zululand (UniZul); an LLB from the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN); and three LLM degrees (Labour Law, Commercial Law, and Patent Law) from the University of South Africa (Unisa) He practised as an attorney for numerous years and was a member of the Ministerial Task Team that drafted the Labour Relations Bill In 1999, he was appointed as a Judge of the High Court in Pretoria He went on to serve as Judge-President of the Labour Appeal Court (20002010) and later returned to the High Court in Pretoria (2010-2012) In September 2012, he was appointed as a Justice of the Constitutional Court, followed by his appointment as Deputy Chief Justice in 2017 Siwani holds a BA in Social Science, majoring in Social Work and Psychology at Unisa; a higher diploma in Communication Studies from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), and additional qualifications in Adult
Basic Education and project evaluation
She was principal report writer for the National Children’s Rights Committee, and contributed to community development as a community liaison officer for the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) She worked as a communication officer for the South African Council of Churches and served as executive secretary of the South African Black Social Workers’ Association Falola is the Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities, Professor of History, and University Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Texas at Austin He has served in esteemed positions, including the Kluge Chair of the Countries and Cultures of the South at the Library of Congress in Washington, D C He has authored and edited more than 150 books, making contributions to African history, politics and epistemology His achievements have been recognised globally, earning him over 20 honorary doctorates
The mayor of the Sol Plaatje Municipality,Martha Bartlett,with award-winning artist Vusi Nova Photo: Supplied
FS coaches get savvy with online aid
LIENTJIE MENTZ
A new platform that will open opportunities for coaches in all sporting codes to grow and extend their knowledge, will soon be available in the Free State
CoachConnectED, an e-learning platform specifically aimed at coaches, was launched in Bloemfontein on Saturday, 29 March
Dr Celesti Jansen van Rensburg, deputy director of the Free State Sport Science Institute, said the platform had been developed by the institute, in conjunction with the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, to aid the development of sport in the province
“Thanks to the skills in online learning that we acquired during the Covid-19 pandemic, we saw a wonderful opportunity to improve the skill sets of local coaches,” she explained
Being a tennis coach for the past 25 years, Jansen van Rensburg believes the modules are very practical, aimed at easy learning and taking it into practice immediately
At the launch, 67 courses were uploaded to the platform
“We plan to upload new courses every week, from 1 May onward”
CoachConnectED is the very first online education system for coaches on all levels, from development to elite, which is completely free of charge This is an online learning platform through which coaches are able to further their career through continued, value-added education in the form of Sport Science, Coaching Science, Sport Nutrition, Sport Psychology and more
“We want to grow sport in the province, and we are starting with the coaches, giving them a free opportunity to improve their skills continuously”
Jansen van Rensburg said this new venture would add to the efforts already made to boost the development of Free State sportspersons at the Free State Academy of Sports
The guest speaker at the launch was Dean Price, high performance manager of Swimming South Africa He spoke on the importance of coach education He shared stories from his more than 40 years in coaching, seeing some of South Africa’s top swimmers winning medals at the Olympic Games
Price started out as a swimmer of note, being able to swim before he could walk He swam competitively from the age of 11 years and was awarded national colors for swimming at the age of 13 At the age of 18, he was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy – and although he was treated, his swimming days were over
He however stood fast in his love for the sport and took up coaching to become one of the top coaches in the country
He explained that coaching was like giving an athlete a map of how to get from point A to point B
“Coaching is a holistic approach that includes mental preparation, having the right mindset, as well as the physical training”
Price said that if coaches wanted to make a diffirence in athletes’ lives, they had to keep themselves informed
“Technology is there for us to use It is a wonderful tool in every athlete’s preperation and training”
Coaches can visit coachconnect fsacademy co za, which was expected to go live on 2 May For more information, contact Jansen van Rensburg on 066-479-1782 or send email to celestivr27@gmail com
KA THABENG CARWASH AND RESTAURANT (PTY) LTD
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY IN TERMS OF SECTION 27 READ WITH SECTION 31 FOR REGISTRATION
FREE STATE GAMBLING, LIQUOR AND TOURISM ACT, 2010 Notice is hereby given that KA Thabeng and Restaurant (Pty) Ltd intends to lodge an application on 04 April 2025, particulars of which appear hereunder, with the relevant authority.
1. Municipality: Mangaung
2. Full names, street and postal address of applicant and identity no. or registration no.: KA Thabeng Carwash and Restaurant (Pty) Ltd, 469 Section B, Botshabelo, 901 Section B, Botshabelo, 479 Section B, Botshabelo, Reg No: 2025/008734/07
3. Kind of registration applied for: Restaurant registration certificate;
4. Kind of product to be sold/manufactured: All kinds of liquor;
5. Name under which
4. Type of product to be sold/manufactured: All kinds of Liquor.
5. Name under which the business is to be conducted: Ndade's Bottlestore, Full Business Address of premises: 11146 Machuisa Street Bloemanda, Bloemfontein 9323
6. N/A
Any person may, within 21 days from 04 April 2025 (date of publication in Provincial Gazette) lodge in terms of section 33 of the Free State Gambling and Liquor Act, 2010 an objection in writing to the Free State Liquor Authority (address set out hereunder) The objection must clearly indicate the full names, identity number, residential address, postal address and telephone number, if any, and where applicable, its registration number and address of its office, of the objector The objection must also identify the application which it relates. The application may be inspected at the offices of the Authority during their office hours. The address of the relevant Office of the Liquor Authority is: 85 Henry Street, Westdene, Bloemfontein, 9301 Place: Bloemfontein Date: 17 March 2025
Dean Price (high performance swimming manager) and Dr Celeste Jansen van Rensburg at the launch of CoachConnectED Photo: Lientjie Mentz
Wednesday, 2 April 2025
Shimlasedgeclosetofinal
TEBOHO SETENA
The University of the Free State (UFS) men’s rugby side, the Shimlas, have one final challenge to overcome in achieving their goal of successfully defending their Varsity Cup title
This last hurdle to cross is their arch-rivals, the Stellenbosch University’s Maties, in their semifinal face-off scheduled for Monday, 7 April, at the Danie Craven Stadium
The other semifinal fixture is between the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Tuks and the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Ikey Tigers
The Shimlas beat the Tuks 48 - 35 on Monday, 31 March, in a round-robin tournament stage, setting up a grueling clash against the Maties This was a must-win fixture for André Tredoux, coach of the Shimlas, and his boys as they were facing the prospect of elimination The Shimlas were pressured to win and earn five points to advance to the semifinals, or the North-West University (NWU) Eagles could snatch the last playoff spot
The
Ixias rejoice the fact that they avoided the relegation/promotion playoffs,despite losing against the Eagles in their last tournament match
Monday,31 March
The Eagles beat the Ixias of the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, 117 - 19 to secure one of the four slots in the semi-finals Going into this match, it was obvious the Ixias lacked the capacity to win Their hard-fought victory brought the Shimlas a step closer to successfully defending the sought-after trophy in South African university rugby tournament
Two teams have achieved this remarkable feat thus far, these being Maties and Tuks, who have both won the championship five times since the tournament’s inception in 2008
In the upcoming pulsating semifinal outing against Maties, Tredoux’s lads are bound to shift their mindset to this crucial stage of knockout rugby and further unleash their full potential to realise their dream of stepping
off the field after the match with their heads held aloft Maties lost the semifinals round in 2023 and 2024, respectively Their goal is to atone for these failures
The Ixias, however, can celebrate the fact that they completely avoided the relegation/promotion playoffs, despite losing against the Eagles
Sponsorship deal bolsters team’s values
Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has continued its investment in the Free State rugby giants, the Cheetahs, extending a sponsorship deal
The seven-time Currie Cup champions will continue as the brand ambassadors as Toyota Cheetahs, as part of the naming rights
The extension of the deal was announced on Monday, 31 March, in Bloemfontein
Building on a strong heritage of 15 years, the sponsorship was extended for another three years, from April 2025 to March 2028 This also underscores the commitment to raising the profile of the sport and passion for the game
Leon Theron, senior vice-president of sales and marketing for Toyota SA, said the TSAM is highly driven by the values of teamwork, resilience, continuous improvement, and respect for people and the planet
“These values align perfectly with the enthusiastic spirit that the Toyota Cheetahs embodies, making this partnership truly symbiotic The TSAM is proud to be associated with the Toyota Cheetahs”
Rugby is a sport deeply woven into the fabric of the South African heritage, showcasing the cultural diversity amongst South Africans and contributing towards the sense of nation-building and unity
“By extending the partnership, we reaffirm our commitment to sport and community development for another three years, ” said Theron
Since its inception in 2015, the parties have repeated some rewards of their investment The Toyota Academy has championed exemplary work that align with the TSAM’s commitment to excellent sports develop-
ment within South Africa
Through extensive training and education
offered at the Toyota Academy, the TSAM is playing an active role in nurturing and safeguarding the future of South African rugby
To this effect, the company is proud that nine players from the Toyota Cheetahs Academy have advanced to the senior Toyota Cheetahs team, and four players are part of the national U20 team
“We are incredibly proud about the extension of our valued partnership with Toyota SA for an additional three years, particularly in this historic year as Free State Rugby celebrates 130 years of existence,” said Rory Duncan, chief executive officer (CEO) of the
Cheetahs
“Since 2011, Toyota has been more than just a sponsor – they have been an integral part of the Cheetahs family, sharing our passion for rugby and commitment to excellence Toyota has stood firmly by our side throughout the years, especially during tough times Their unwavering support is a testament to the brand's integrity and loyalty
“This partnership allows us to keep growing the game, developing talent, and inspiring our loyal supporters We look forward to building on this strong foundation and achieving even greater success together,” Duncan concludes
During the previous seasons they were subjected to these after finishing in seventh position This year, the Ixias ended in sixth position with 11 points after winning at least three matches Their 34 - 28 win over the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) last Monday, was crucial to secure their future in next year ’ s tournament
CLUB CHASE FOUR VICTORIES
TEBOHO SETENA
Realistically between 38 and 40 points is seen as a marker for teams in the Betway Premiership to avoid relegation and finish in the top eight bracket, looking at the current scenario Hypothetically speaking, Marumo Gallants would therefore need four more wins in the seven remaining games to reach this target
The club’s immediate target is to get well past the 30-point threshold, which guarantees a future in the country’s elite domestic league
The Bahlabane ba Ntwa edged very close to pass that points tally and avoid a record low points total in the Premiership after beating TS Galaxy, 2 – 1 in a league fixture played on Sunday, 30 March
The morale-boosting win lifted them to position 12 on the league table, with 25 points
However, the Gallants still require more wins to steer away clear from the danger zone
The Bloemfontein-based outfit is bound to make it in the remaining league matches The remaining must-win matches at home in Bloemfontein are against Golden Arrows (19 April) and Chippa United (17 May), while away fixtures are against Kaizer
Chiefs (26 April) and Magesi (24 May)
The Gallants have all to play for in another crucial Premiership fixture against SuperSport United on Saturday, 5 April, at the Dr R P Molemela Stadium
This is a must-win match for both teams, given both are fighting to avoid the dreaded relegation at the end of the current season, and even going to relegation-promotion play-offs
The forthcoming match against the Pretorians will be the sixth match of the league with the club’s newly enlisted coach Abdeslam Ouaddou leading his charges His first match entailed a 2 – 0 win over Orlando Pirates Under the towering Moroccan the Bahlabane ba Ntwa have lost two matches and managed to record three wins including over Pirates The other wins were against Cape Town City (1 – 0) and Galaxy (2 – 1)
■ The Gallants’ two matches against the auction-bound Royal AM remain a subject of crucial decision-making by the Premiership board of governors
There are other clubs in a similar situation and impacted by Royal’s impending future arising from a tax evasion matter involving the South Africa Revenue Service (Sars)
The University of the Free State men’s rugby team,the Shimlas,after celebrating reaching the semifinal after a crucial win against the University of Pretoria’s Tuks on
Central University of Technology’s
At the announcement of extension of the financial sponsorship deal between the Free State Cheetahs and Toyota South Africa Motors are,from the left,Louis van der Westhuizen (player),Rory Duncan (chief executive officer: Cheetahs),Victor Sekekete (captain: Cheetahs),Leon Theron (senior vice-president: sales and marketing for Toyota SA) and Michael Annies (player) Photo: Supplied