Expresses 20150121

TEL: 057 357 1304 WEDNESDAY 2123 JANUARY 2015 WWW.EXPRESSNEWS.CO.ZA FREE

} Teboho Setena

A MULTITUDE of prospectivestudents who came to enrol at theGoldfields College in Welkom forthe 2015 academic year lastTuesday endured a day of frustra-tion.

Over 4 000 candidates waitedoutside the institution’s premisesfor hours in long queues in thesweltering heat in the hope ofenrolling.

Queues at the college’s campusin town in Buren Street wentfrom east to west and snakedaround the fence of the institu-tion.

Buren Street, as well as thestreets crossing it, experiencedheavy problems with traffic flowwith vehicles parked along thepavements and both lanes of thestreets.

In the hope to be first in line,many started arriving as early as04:30, some told Express Goldfields& Northern Free State.

When the gates were still closedbetween 07:00 and 08:00, the crowdbecame panicky.

This prompted students tocrowd around the gates as doubtsabout not being registeredincreased.

The huge increase in thenumber of applicants comes in thewake of universities around thecountry declining late applicationsand students failing in largenumbers to meet universityrequirements.

This left FET colleges as thealternative for those intending tofurther their studies this year.

Those waiting in the linesranged from those looking toimprove their dismal matricresults with the goal of applyingagain to universities for admis-sion in 2016, to those who, forfinancial reasons, regard FETinstitutions as better options overuniversities.

Among the applicants wereindividuals who came to re-enrolto continue their studies.

When the gates opened at about08:45, many were seen sprinting as

though they competed in a 100 mrace to be first in the queues atregistration points.

The lucky ones, includingMorobi Mokwena, a second-yearHuman Resource Managementstudent, told this publication theywere happy to have managed toenrol.

“I’m relieved that I managed toregister under such frustratingconditions. We stood in longqueues for hours,” Mokwena said.

“It’s advisable that the college’smanagement should make alterna-tive arrangements for first-timeapplicants and those who registerto continue their studies, to avoidthe frustration and panic we

experienced,” said Mokwena.According to information on the

Goldfields College’s website,registration was from 13 to 16January.

FET college swarmedOver 4 000 prospective students wait for hours to register

WOULDBE students cramped in front of the Goldfield College campus gate in town, in Buren Street. Photos: Teboho Setena

HOPEFUL students raced to theregistration points at the Goldfields College’s Tosa campus inThabong last Tuesday.

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2 EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 21 JANUARY 2015

NEWS

} Tladi Moloi

HARRISMITH. – Fuming communitymembers of both Tshiame A and B nearHarrismith want Vusi Tshabalala, theexecutive mayor of the Maluti-a-Phofung(MAP) Local Municipality, to resign.

They also demand that the municipalityhand over the electricity supply to Eskom.

These shocking demands come after thecommunity spent a dark festive seasonwithout electricity. The community hasbeen without electricity for over a monthas a result of a power sub-station whichwas burnt down after the cables had beenstolen.

In demonstrating their frustrations,thousands of community members fromTshiame A and B marched to the SedibaHall in Khalanyoni on Wednesday tosubmit a memorandum of grievances.

The memorandum was handed over toMohaunyana Bodibe, assistant director:Department of Co-operative Governance andTraditional Affairs (Cogta) in the FreeState, who was accompanied by MatebesiLakaje.

“The community wants the mayor toresign with immediate effect as he hasfailed the community dismally. The MAPmust go out and Eskom must take over,”the memorandum reads under the demands.

The leader, Linda Mbongo, said thingswould have been different if only the mayorhad spoken to them from the day theelectricity had gone off. He said the mayorhad been shying away from them, but kept“going on air to lie”.

“The electricity went off on 10 Decemberand no formal notice to the community wasgiven by the mayor. The community onlyheard on the radio what the problem was.Promises were made, but not kept by themayor and the MAP,” he said.

The memorandum further reads that “thecommunity believed that the mayor had toinform them by holding meetings so thatthe community could hear first-hand. He

should have provided us with the correctinformation from when the problemstarted”.

Apparently the community wanted toblock the N5-road on 31 December todemonstrate their frustration, but theywere promised that the electricity would beback on 8 January. That never happened.

The community has given seven workingdays to the office of the premier, AceMagashule, to come with the answers totheir demands.

Bodibe said they had noted with concernthe problem in Tshiame and promised thathe would submit the memorandum to thepremier.

Fury after dark ChristmasHUNDREDS of residents from Tshiame A and B near Harrismith marched to hand over their memorandum of grievances with some of the community members showing theirmessages on placards. Photo: Tladi Moloi

THE Free State Department ofEducation calls on candidateswho want to rewrite gr. 12exams to register by today forsupplementary exams.

The supplementary examswill start on 16 February andrun until 24 March, with theresults expected to be an-nounced in April.

How to registerCandidates who qualify for a

supplementary examination canregister at the centres wherethey sat for the originalexamination immediately afterreceiving their results.

Who may apply?) Candidates who have notmet the minimum promotion

and certification requirements,but who require a maximum oftwo subjects to obtain theNational Senior Certificate(NSC).) Candidates who could not sitor finish the examination dueto medical reasons, a death inthe immediate family or someother special reason, provideddocumentary evidence issubmitted.) Candidates who are onerequirement short in satisfyingthe minimum higher educationor higher education facultyrequirements or short of onerequirement for a specificoccupation that they wish tofollow.Documentary evidence must besubmitted.

Registration forrewriting closes today

For more photos andnews visit

www.express-news.co.zaRESIDENTS of Mokgomo Street and Chalale Street in Thabong, Welkom’s township, continue to deal withthe frustration of flooded streets after every shower of rain, which makes entrance to and exit from homesdifficult. This was again evident last Wednesday after a heavy downpour in the area. Residents used oldtyres as a temporarybridge to cross the floodedareas, as the conditionsof the streets continue todeterioratedespite efforts by the Matjhabeng Local Municipality to address the situation. Photo: Teboho Setena

Flooded again

EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 21 JANUARY 2015 3

NEWS

REFLECTION: Hani Park Primary School learners queue by the side of a water pool which formed next to the classrooms last Wednesday, when schools opened for the academicyear. The pool was due to heavy rain earlier on the day. Photo: Teboho Setena

Lining up for the new school year

AFTER promising to do goodthrough the Adopt a SchoolProject last year, NkosinjaniSpeelman, the LejweleputswaDistrict Municipality’s executivemayor, promised to make goodon his promise.The initiative is a vehicle

aimed at bridging the gapbetween schools and the com-munity, encouraging politiciansto lead in helping to make theenvironment conducive tolearning at public schools.On t he re-opening of the

school for the 2015 academic year,Speelman visited four schools hehad adopted at the start of theAdopt a School Project.The schools are Tikwe Prima-

ry, Ikaheng Primary, MelodingSecondary in Meloding, Virginia,and Letsete Secondary in Tha-bong, Welkom.Teaching at the schools Speel-

man had visited was reported tohave started on 5 January.In line with his responsibility

he presented school uniforms totwo learners at the TikwePrimary School. Speelman alsocommitted to pay for the uni-forms of 20 learners who hadbeen identified.“This is not a matter of

showing off, but of assistingwhere help is needed the most,”he said.Other challenges, including

electricity bills and learnerswithout birth certificates andIdentity Documents, were high-lighted by Amelia Mofokeng, theprincipal of Tikwe.According to Mofokeng, most

learners in this predicament werethose whose fathers were per-ceived as being foreign nation-als.

Speelman said solving thecrisis of IDs required interven-tion from the Department ofHome Affairs to conduct paterni-ty tests which the principal

said were only done in Klerks-dorp, in the North-West Pro-vince.Schools in Virginia raised

grave concerns regarding

several power cuts in 2014 asthey were reported to owe EskomR176 000, which schools disputedsaying it was due to incorrectbilling.

Speelman encouraged learnersof schools, including Letsete, tofocus on their studies rightaway in order to achieve a 100%pass rate this year.

Mayor extends a helping hand

LAST Wednesday as the 2015 academic year opened, officials of the Free State government visited schools, including the Tikwe Primary School,to monitor progress and also as part of their Back to School Campaign. The delegates are from the left Nkosinjani Speelman, executive mayorof the Lejweleputswa District Municipality, Amelia Mofokeng, Mzwandile Kopi, principal and teacher at the Tikwe Primary School, and SamMokgobo, director of the Department of Education: Lejweleputswa District. Photo: Supplied


NEWS

MY family, like many others,knows the pain of a family rift.Especially during the festiveseason and on special days thereare announcements made in bothprint and electronic media offamily gatherings where birds ofa feather will flock together.

Our families have nevercrossed swords, but the messageof descending on one venueunder the same roof never getsthrough.

The other day we had familyvisitors from Bloemfontein andThaba Nchu who came to moti-vate us to join the rest of thefamilies during get-togethers.

Everything seemed fine andthere were promises that wewould be, like the rest of them,prepared. That was the last timewe met. Mind you, the majorityof the members are based inWelkom.

We seem to be intolerant ofeach other and divided. Whenev-er we have to come togetherwhen there are problems, weseem to be fine.

But sitting together in anorganised fashion remains achallenge. In some families, thefamily gatherings started in pastgenerations. Emerging genera-tions just inherited the scenario.

Maybe with us, it is a genera-tional curse. Other members feelmuch like I do about the scena-

rio, but it is just a feeling and noaction is taken.

A declaration without action isconfusing. Physical and telephon-ic contact is very scarce andChristmas cards had becomeoutdated long before this came tomy mind. I don’t know if previ-ous generations ever exchangedthem. We generally meet acrossthe gravestone every five yearsor so. No soapie-style showdownat these burial meetings. The

disadvantage of not meetingregularly is that one of ourfamily sons will impregnate hisown blood.

Some of our family membersperform rituals and cleansingceremonies that we do not andthey have customs some do not.

Lack of uniformity is caused bynot meeting and discussing whatcustoms and doctrines we haveinherited from our parents.

I have no problem with differ-ent denominations because weare all Christians, praying to thesame God.

Our fathers and forefathers,wherever they are, must be justas heart-broken as I am at such afragmented family.

I wonder if the rest of thefamily ever thinks like I do. Iwonder, as yet another Christmashas passed, will my messagetouch anyone?

As long as I live, I will alwayscherish a hope that one day we’llbe in touch.) Comment or express your viewsabout the issue highlighted in thiscolumn at www.express-news.co.za.Express Goldfields & NFS wel-comes anyone to contribute to thecolumn as public observers orcitizen journalists. There is nopayment for writers. Send youropinion piece (not exceeding 500words) to [email protected].

Families becomefragmented over time

HOPEFUL social grant applicants who turned up in their numbers patiently queue in the blistering sun at the main entrance of the Bronville Community Hall. Employeesof the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) processed applications here last Wednesday. A Statistics South Africa survey in June 2014 showed that social grantsassist 30,2% of South Africans, with 45,5% of households receiving at least one grant. The number of households more than doubled in the last ten years (and continuesto grow) as the country’s economy fails to flourish to create employment. Photo: Teboho Setena

Brave the heat in hope of qualifying for grants

My viewMoetiMolelekoaSocial observer

‘We seem to be intolerant of each

other and divided.Whenever we haveto come togetherwhen there are

problems, we seemto be fine.’

THE Welkom police arewarning the public to guardagainst a scam. This is aftertwo men speaking Sothoswindled a 51-year-old manout of R35 000 under a falseprophecy in November lastyear.

The two false prophets arestill at large. Const. KethabileMofokeng, spokesperson of theWelkom police, said the victimhad been swindled out ofmoney on separate occasionsin one month.

She said the victim had metthe two suspects who had toldhim they could cleanse andprotect him so that he couldmake peace with his ances-tors. She said the victim hadbeen told the whole ceremonywould cost him R40 000, anamount that is equal to fourcows.

“The complainant gave thesuspects R15 000 on 14 Novem-ber and he was given a safe in

which he was told there wasR1 million. He was instructednot to open the safe until theceremony was over. Thecomplainant gave the suspectsanother R20 000 on 27 Novem-ber and after that he wasshown another safe.

He was again told that thesafe contained R2 million andhe would only be given thesafe the next day after he hadpaid them another R20 000.

“That was when the wife ofthe victim became suspiciousand forced her husband toopen the safe in which theyfound lots of paper,” saidMofokeng, further warningmembers of the public toguard against being victims ofthis scam.

Anyone who can assist intracing the suspects mustcontact the investigativeofficer, WO Lorette vanRooyen, on 057-916-6276 duringoffice hours.

Beware of this scam

THE Welkom police are looking forthe killer(s) and also the next ofkin of a man whose decomposedbody was found in the veld nearthe Oppenheimer Golf Course inWelkom.

The body is being kept at theWelkom Government Mortuary.The deceased’s body was found on7 January.

The man was wearing a blueT-shirt, blue trousers and white

gumboots. The police investigationrevealed the deceased had beenshot as he had a bullet wound tothe head. A cartridge was foundnext to the body. The police areappealing to anyone who hasinformation to come forward.

The investigative officer, WOSephoko Sehloho of the WelkomDetective Services, can be contact-ed on 057-391-6301 during officehours.

Police looking for suspect(s)


NEWS

AFRIKAANS songbird Nianellis set to enthral audienceswhen she performs live at theGoldfields Casino’s ConferenceCentre in Welkom on 30January.This will be the first time the

casino will host the multi-plati-num selling singer and song-writer.“A talented and diverse

artist, Nianell includes ele-ments of folk, pop, R&B,country, classic and celticmusic in her songs – fromwriting her music straightthrough to playing her ownbacking music on piano andacoustic guitar,” said SharikaBetts, Goldfields Casinomarketing manager.“Namibian-born Nianell is a

South African and internatio-nal success story, havingperformed with world-re-nowned artists such as AndreaBocelli, Christina Aguilera,Diana Ross and Shakira.“To top it all off, she has also

had many of her songs play-listed on radio stations, notjust locally but all around theworld,” she adds.Along with being a talented

and revered singer, musicianand songwriter, Nianell is alsoan author and has broadenedher reach even further bybecoming an inspirationalkeynote speaker.Nianell’s show is set to start

at 20:00.Tickets are available for

purchase at R80 per person atthe Goldfields Casino CustomerService Desk.

Goldfields Platinum andBlack cardholders will alsoreceive a discount of up to 25%off the ticket price.“We are very excited to be

hosting this Afrikaans musicsuperstar and are proud tokeep bringing only the verybest entertainment to ourguests and Welkom residents.“Make sure not to miss out

on this incredible opportunityto catch Nianell live right hereat Goldfields,” Betts concludes.The musical event coincides

with the Goldfields Casino’s11th birthday celebrationprogramme which has been infull swing since December 2014and ends on 31 January.The jam-packed programme

includes the Goldfields R10k ADay Promotion. Exclusive toGoldfields cardholders only,tickets for the promotion areearned on a daily basis –through Club Card play onSlots and Table games.) For more information, visitwww.goldfieldscasino.co.za.

Nianell on stage

MULTIPLATINUMSELLINGsinger Nianell.

} Teboho Setena

A NEW PLAY, Easter DayWounds, is set to break newground as a stage musical.This is a new epic production

focusing on positive influence tochange the lives of the peoplewithin the community.It takes people on a gripping

journey through daily hardshipsto overcome bad experiences inlife to finding comfort throughhelp.The play focuses on raising

awareness about humanity and itsrelationship with businesses. Anexample of this is a funeralparlour; bringing about comfort todestitute families who strugglewith the burial of their lovedones.It is the brainchild of actor and

playwright Saduma Miya, founderand manager of Ziyaduma Promo-tions, a community-based agencyorganising and promoting artwithin the Goldfields.According to Miya, the play will

be performed during this year.Thabong will be the venue for thefirst performance.A series of build-up events

aimed at recruiting interestedactors and actresses as well asmeetings have been lined upwithin Thabong, Welkom.“The play was inspired by

observation of how a local funeralparlour in the Matjhabeng LocalMunicipality continues to helpfamilies who struggle with theburial of their loved ones and thesense of comfort I see afterwards,”Miya said.“The play provides a chance for

the youth; both men and women

out of school who are interestedin theatre. No acting experience isrequired to feature in the play. Weare going to offer intensivetraining for those who register tofeature in the play.”The first meeting is set to be

held at Thabong 2 Library at 10:00

on 29 January in Sunrise (Put-swastene). Those interested toparticipate as actors and becomepart of the play will be briefedabout the different roles available.Booking closes on 28 January.

Interested parties can call Miyaon 061-369-5528.

Play to change views

PASSIONATE artist Saduma Miya. Photo: Teboho Setena


NEWS

THERE were anxious mo-ments for the guardians andparents who accompaniedtheir children to the HaniPark Primary School inBronville, Welkom, on the firstday of the academic year lastWednesday.

Excited parents and guardi-ans turned up at assembly tosee their children start thejourney of 12 years of school-ing. Some even went withtheir children to see theclassrooms and meet theteachers.

For teachers in the founda-tion phase, the visitors poseda new challenge as they had tocalm down parents as opposedto children at the assembly.

As the teachers called outthe names of children fromthe register and announcedthe classrooms, some parentsjumped to look for their childin the crowd.

Teachers found themselveshaving to repeat the namesand classes in the midst of allthe excitement.

Big day for parents, learners alike

THELMA NKETLE, foundation phase teacher at the Hani Park Primary School, guides learners to their designated classrooms. Photos: Teboho Setena

OLIVIAMEDUPE, headof the foundationphaseat theHani ParkPrimarySchool inBronville,Welkom, read out the names of registered learners in the midst of anxious parents onthe first day of the 2015 academic year last Wednesday.

A PARENT helps her daughter to look her best at the HaniPark Primary School’s assembly last Wednesday.

STUDENTS hopeful to enrol for the Engineering programme at the Goldfields College’s Tosa Campus in Welkom, stand in a long queue that snaked around the fence of the institution last Tuesday.

TIRED of standing long hours in long queues, some of the wouldbe students at the Goldfields College’s Management Campus opted to sit instead of going home last Tuesday.

A WOULDBE STUDENT at the Goldfields College stands all byherself under an umbrella, as others stand in long queues toenrol at the further education and training institution.

Photos: Teboho Setena

Eager to enrol


NEWS

} Teboho Setena

WHILE youthful men seem uninteres-ted in playing soccer, grown men in theGoldfields region have not given upplaying the game.

Men over the age of 35 still love thegame so much that they have formedclubs for the Goldfields Masters League.

No less than 16 clubs, including those

of mineworkers, compete in this league,home and away.

They have been playing since child-hood from the age of six, and continueat the age of 35 and older.

It is more than the love for the gamethat drives these men.

Some of them, occasionally referred toas old-timers, did not have the privi-lege of playing football at the highest

level in South Africa.Those fortunate enough tasted the

joy to play for professional teams in thePremier Soccer League (PSL), thecountry’s senior division and theNational First Division League (NFDL),the second-highest league of SouthAfrican club football (soccer) after thePremier Soccer League.

This past weekend, two of these clubs

in Welkom, Hola Masters and Bamba-nani Masters, braved the afternoonheat to play a preparatory match at theWelkom Rovers Club.

Through this match both clubsensured they were in good shape forthe commencement of the GoldfieldsMasters League. Both clubs are in thetop half of the 16-league stream competi-tion.

Teams ready for Masters League

A TOUGH TUSSLE: Simon Maluleke of Hola Masters (blue) tussles for the ball with Vuyisel Mvaxai of Bambanani Masters during the two clubs’ friendly preparatory match for the start ofthe Goldfields Masters League. See more photos at www.expressnews.co.za. Photos: Teboho Setena

THE players of Hola Masters FC are from the left, front: Sabata Koebu, Tumelo Soke, Kgotso Molefi, Kgotso Mhlambi, Moeketsi Sehoilo and Simon Rathebe, back: ThabisoTheboko, James Mosala, Pule Molelekoa, David Seeta, Simon Maluleka, Tsholo Mokoena, Duda Monokoane and Paballo Ramajoe.

THE players of BambananiMasters are from the left, front: Katleho Korotsoane, Tiisetso Ralefume, ThembekileMzaze and Vusile Mvaxai; back: Khethang Mahase, Thabo Sello, April Madia, Calvin Tjaboka, Danie Mlambo,Molefe Thibeli and Nelson Mkhwanazi.

THE SuperSport Let’s PlaySports Star of the Monthcompetition, recognisinglearners aged 6 to 18 whoexcel in sport, will again be aregular feature this year.

This is a partnership be-tween SuperSport Let’s Playand Express Goldfields & NFS,a publication of the Media24Group.

This year Let’s Play will be celebrat-

ing ten years.Through this initiative the

sponsors identify youth athleteswith disabilities, as well asable-bodied athletes, who excelin the various sporting codeswithin the five regions of theFree State.

The main objective to contin-ue presenting SuperSport’s Let’s

Play Sports Star of the Month stemsfrom a need to help athletes realise the

dream to become professionals andencourage participation amongst theyouth to become more active in sport.

Through this initiative recognition isgiven to both primary and high schoolathletes who excel in sport or who arehelping others to be more active insport.

Athletes chosen from all the nomina-tions received for that month willreceive a Let’s Play hamper.

From all the entries received each

month, one athlete will be chosen as theSuperSport Let’s Play Sports Star of theMonth.

At the end of the year one candidatefrom all the Star of the Month winnerswill be c hosen as the SuperSport Let’sPlay Sports Star of the Year.

Look out for the first 2015 Super-Sport Let’s Play Sports Star of theMonth nomination in Express Gold-fields & NFS to be published inFebruary.

Nominate sports stars to get the recognition they deserve

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LAST Friday’s draw of the 32 clubs tobattle it out in the lucrative Nedbank Cup,South Africa’s prestigious tournament, setthe scene for the unthinkable to happen.The draw followed the completion of

preliminary rounds played across thecountry by both professional and amateurclubs. The championship features big gunscampaigning in the elite premiership, andminnows playing football at grassrootslevel. The competition is termed David andGoliath, because it sees big clubs pairedagainst amateurs, who plot major coups byeliminating the big giants.The formidable unknown clubs often

brand themselves by knocking out the veryhighly-rated professional teams andrewriting their own history.The teams to have managed a feat that

had seemed impossible, include the Qwa-qwa-based Maluti FET College and BarokaFC. Now competing in the National FirstDivision, the two clubs did this whilecampaigning in the South African FootballAssociation’s Second Division. Malutioutclassed Pirates 4-1 to reach the last-16berth and the Eastern Free State side hassince February 2013 branded itself.Baroka rose to prominence following

their 2-1 hammering of Moroka Swallowsin the last-16 berth and Kaizer Chiefs inthe quarter-final in 2011.This season sees the eigth edition of the

competition, which offers the winner achance to compete in continental cham-pionships – the Confederations of AfricanFootball (CAF) Championship League, inwhich Orlando Pirates remain the onlySouth African outfit to win (in 1995).Pirates narrowly beat Asec Mimosa 1-0 inthe final away from home.

The last 32 teams will begin to battle itout on 17 February, with holders Piratesstarting the tough task of defending thetitle. The Buccaneers hammered BidvestWits 3-1 last season, in 2013-’14, to lift thecup. At stake is the whopping R7 million.“As a bank for all, we are thrilled by the

prospect of using the Nedbank Cup onceagain to connect with South Africa, as wedemonstrate how we continue to enablecustomers, current and future soccer stars,as well as their communities, to make theirgoals happen,” said Thulani Sibeko, groupexecutive for marketing, communicationsand corporate affairs of the sponsor.“The Nedbank Cup is a tournament that

has a special place in the hearts of SouthAfricans. It is a tournament that hasauthored some of the most amazing andepic stories of rags to riches. As the league– and as an organisation that believes inunearthing new talent and giving aplatform to aspiring athletes – we prideourselves with what this competition hasdone through our partnership with Ned-bank. We look forward to the 2014-’15edition of the Nedbank Cup,” Brand deVilliers, the PSL’s chief executive officer,added.As anticipated, the draw brought about

some intriguing clashes between theamateur- and professional teams.The last round of 32 consists of 16 clubs

in the PSL, eight from the National FirstDivision and eight from the SAFA struc-tures respectively.The Nedbank Cup is the only cup

competition in South Africa that affordsthe winners a chance to compete againstthe best teams on the African continentthrough the CAF Confederations Cup.

The official launch of the 2015 NedbankCup will take place on 16 February, whenthe bank will unveil its innovative cam-paigns for the year and also provide anupdate on venues and times for the roundof 32 matches, which is scheduled to starton 17 February.

Excitement for Nedbank Cupmounting

PERSONAL

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} Teboho Setena

THE Harmony Secondary School pair,Junior Mantjie and Thulani Dhladhla, hasreceived another feather following theirinclusion in the South African u.17 nationalboys’ team for the 2015 CAF African YouthChampionships.The youth continental championship is set

to start on 14 February in Niger.Harmony’s duo inclusion in the team by

head coach Molefi Ntseki is based on theirrich vein of form.However, Felix Noge, also of the Harmony

Sports Academy, who was a regular in thequalifier for the 2015 African Youth Cham-

pionship, has been left out this time.Dhladhla’s inclusion came as a surprise as

he was called up late last year, playing as asubstitute against Egypt. The defender hasnot looked back since.Both Noge and Mantjie have been an

integral part of the junior team, featuring inofficial and friendly matches.They featured in preparatory games

against Botswana and Lesotho, with theSouth African side emerging victorious.The official qualifying fixtures of the

African Youth Championship were againstTanzania, and South Africa won 4-0 toprogress to the next stage of the tournamentstaged under the auspices of the Confedera-

tion of African Football (CAF).They beat the junior Pharaohs 2-1 and

narrowly beat Congo 1-0 to reach the final.The junior South African team has been in

camp since the beginning of this month ofJanuary to prepare for the final earlier inFebruary.Ntseki’s warriors drew 1-1 with Zambia a

week ago in a preparatory game.Ntseki’s charges are in Group B, alongside

Cote d’Ivoire, Mali and Cameroon in thisyear’s junior continental championship.Other matches lined up are against Nigeria.Ntseki’s target is to finish in the top four

in Niger which will automatically qualifySouth Africa u.17 for the World Cup in Chile.

Two called up for CAF

THE Harmony Sports Academy’s footballcoach Pitso Mokoena with Vuyo Mantjieand Thulani Dhladhla who were called upto thenational u.17boys team’s preparatorycamp. This is for the 2015 Confederation ofAfrican Football u.17 Championship to bestaged in February. Photo: Teboho Setena

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Thulani Dhladhla’sinclusion came as asurprise as he wasonly called up late

last year, playing asa substitute against

Egypt.The defender hasnot looked back

since.