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} Teboho Setena

NO end is in sight to subcontractors’ revoltover unpaid monies which has led to anabrupt halt in construction work at theMerriespruit Community Residential UnitsComplex in Meloding, Virginia.The protest is heading into its fourth week,

with progress at a standstill. The multi-mil-lion rand venture is a Public PrivatePartnership (PPP) development emanatingfrom a tripartite agreement between the FreeState Provincial Government’s Department ofHuman Settlements, the Matjhabeng LocalMunicipality and the Harmony Gold Mines.Express Goldfields & NFS reliably learnt

that a crucial meeting was pending toresolve the dispute between the maincontractor, Reder Construction, and subcon-tractors, including the workers.The meeting would involve stakeholders,

Harmony Gold Mines and the Department ofHuman Settlements.Apparently a meeting last Wednesday

(25/02) between Olly Mlamleli, Free StateMEC for Human Settlements, Reder Con-struction and representatives of subcontrac-tors did not materialise. Mlamleli apparentlyhad to honour commitments that includedattending the presentation of the nationalbudget by Minister Nhlanhla Nene.Zondani Noveld, the intervention officer

for Mlamleli, said construction work wasexpected to resume soon – pending theavailability of Reder Construction to providefeedback to the subcontractors’ grievancesand end the four-week protest.Express Goldfields & NFS has learnt that a

number of workers from as far the WesternCape and Bloemfontein, including foreignlabourers from Mozambique, have allreturned to their respective destinations.“The sooner we have a meeting with the

main contractor, the better, to resolve thematter. Be it by Mlamleli or the depart-ment’s directorates, the dispute whichprolongs the halt of progress in constructionwork at the site must be resolved,” saidNoveld.“Of the 27 aggrieved subcontractors, 14

have confirmed to have been paid what wasdue to them by the main contractor. We areawaiting the feedback from the maincontractor on other disputes. The depart-ment’s auditors will in the process alsoverify payments.”Noveld says assessment done at the site on

the scope of work reveal there was still a lotof work to be done to successfully complete

the project.The multi-billion rand housing project is

for people earning between R800 and R3 500 amonth.Efforts were futile to get comment from

Meshack Reder, the representative of RederConstruction.The expected due date for completion of

the housing complex, according to thedepartment, is the end of March.However, with the ongoing protest, it

seems unlikely to happen.According to the department, the main

contractor could also be liable to penalties.“According to the contractual agreement

and project schedule, the contractor is

obliged to complete work by end March. Thecontract also states penalties – which thecontractor was well aware of from thebeginning – to be imposed on the contractorshould the deadline not be met,” says SenneBogatsu, deputy director: Communication ofthe Free State Department of Housing andHuman Settlement.

Dispute not resolvedProtest due to subcontractors’ concerns entering fourth week

ON­DUTY security guards and angry workers stand on either side of the locked gate of the multi­million rand housing site in Meloding,Virginia, as the dispute, as reported on in the Express Goldfields & NFS of last Wednesday (25/02), is still unresolved. Photo: Teboho Setena

For more photos andnews visit

www.express-news.co.za

2 EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 4 MARCH 2015

NEWS

} Sidwell Guduka

THE picture says it all about the mood ofthe Vinger family who are having the timeof their life at the 2015 InternationalCricket Council World Cup underway inAustralia and New Zealand.The Vinger family from the Goldfields

town of Welkom are on cloud nine afterthey won themselves an all-expenses paidtrip to watch the Cricket World Cup in acompetition by a fast-food chain.“We have never as a family travelled

together and now we received an opportu-nity of a lifetime to travel together all theway to Australia,” Mpho Vinger toldExpress Goldfields and NFS.“We feel so blessed and can’t wait to

support our boys Down Under. I hope theProteas will do us proud during the WorldCup,” said the teacher of the TlamanangPrimary School in Hoopstad.The Vingers jetted off to Australia on

Friday, 20 February, and they watched theProteas as they were beaten by India atthe Melbourne Cricket Grounds onSunday, 22 February. South Africa lost by130 runs.The Free Staters watched the Proteas as

they took on the West Indies at the SydneyCricket Grounds last Friday (27/02) at05:30.

Apart from soaking up the great cricket-ing atmosphere, the Vingers will also getan opportunity to enjoy a number ofbreath-taking experiences such as a tour ofthe iconic Melbourne Cricket Grounds(MCG), lunch overlooking the stunningBondi Beach and a trip to the amazingTaronga Zoo in Sydney.The Johannesburg-based Coetzee family

were also announced as lucky winners ofthe competition.This competition was launched in

December 2014. The passionate cricket fanswere asked to correctly answer the Proteasfamily trivia question which then put themin line to win big.

Vingers loving world cupFROM the left are the winners Sello Terrence Vinger, Mpho Elizabeth Vinger, Tsietsi VictorVinger and Maleepile Rebecca Vinger Photo: Frikkie Knapp

} Selloane Khalane

ABOUT 80 Cuban medical doctors andengineers are set to work in the variousFree State municipalities.The Free State Premier Elias “Ace”

Magashule made this announcementduring his State of the Province Addresson Tuesday, 24 February.This speech mostly highlighted his

extravagant trips to Cuba and China. Hesaid the provincial government hadrecruited 40 medical doctors and 40engineers from Cuba to work in variousmunicipalities throughout the province.Magashule sealed the partnership with

Cuba by announcing that he would berenaming the CR Swart Building theFidel Castro Building.The Lebohang Building, which houses

his offices, will now be called OR TamboHouse.While Magashule explained that

Cuban nationals recruited to theprovince would also transfer skills, hefailed to divulge to the media on howmuch the treaty would cost the FreeState tax payers.Currently, the provincial government

has about 526 students studying medi-cine in China (277), Cuba (212) andTurkey (37) – all of whom are said to befunded by the Free State Government.Magashule did not give more details

on other investments in the pipelinefrom partnerships with the threecountries, China, Cuba and Turkey.While Magashule in his speech did not

delve much into the provincial Depart-ment of Health’s predicament, he saidthe province’s water crisis would betackled through the installation of awater pipeline from the Gariep Dam(Xhariep District) to supply water tovarious towns in the Naledi LocalMunicipality.The Xhariep District Municipality is

faced with a water crisis. Magashuleadded that the Free State Governmentplanned to implement MunicipalInfrastructure Grant (MIG) projectsamounting to R724 million in the 2015-’16financial year. He said these projectswould focus on water, sanitation, roads,storm water systems and pedestrianbridges.Magashule acknowledged the unpleas-

ant crisis in the increase in Eskom billsof the municipality, particularly theDihlabeng and Maluti-a-Phofung LocalMunicipalities as well as the ThaboMofutsanyana District Municipality, and

said the government was trying to findsustainable solutions to curb thechallenge.Magashule said while the Free State

government continued to fight corrup-tion by enforcing the Public Administra-tion Management Act, which prohibitspublic servants from conducting busi-ness with the state, cadre deploymentwould continue in his administration.A heroes’ park at the regional park in

Thaba Nchu earmarked to host statuessuch as the likes of Nelson Mandela,Bram Fischer and Fidel Castro, is alsoin the pipeline.The premier made it clear that the

provincial government would investmore money into the production of soyabeans and deciduous fruits like apples.Roy Jankielsohn, DA leader in the

Free State Legislature, rejected Maga-shule’s address, and said: “Magashulehas failed to address the problems of theFree State; he has failed to tablesolutions. He has failed to inspire, nordid he deal with the challenges faced bythe province, such as the HealthDepartment. The province needs a clearstrategy with marked deliverables toturn the financial situation of theprovincial government around, especial-ly within the Department of Health andEducation.“Magashule repeatedly mentioned

Cuba and China in his speech in adesperate attempt to justify his luxuryholidays to these two countries. TheFree State is almost R8 billion in thered,” said Jankielsohn.“Magashule chose to blame apartheid

exclusively for the inability of munici-palities to deliver services, rather thanaccepting responsibility for appointinginexperienced and unqualified cadresinto senior management positions.“The people of the Free State want

jobs, they do not want hand-outs, buthand-outs is all they will get from thispremier.”Wouter Wessels, Freedom Front Plus

(FF+) leader in the Free State Legisla-ture, also accused Magashule of failingto implement promises made in previ-ous years.“We should rename the Free State

province ‘Chuba’ since its entiresurvival depends on the China and Cubapartnerships,” Wessels said.Opposition parties have criticised the

premier for failing to give direction onsustainable jobs by creating a conduciveenvironment for the private sector.

Ace’s addressfound lacking

} Tladi Moloi

PAUL ROUX. – Any truck or car manu-facturing company looking for innovativedesigners to take their companies into thefuture will do themselves a big favour bylooking no further than Sonnyboy Lehl-wenya (38) from Fateng tse Ntsho, PaulRoux.Lehlwenya is an unemployed artist with

big dreams.He is an expert in designing hand-made

wire toy cars.He has designed and made a Scania-rep-

lica wire truck complete with indicatorsand headlights.Not only is the electric-powered truck

visible in the dark, but it is also strongenough to ride while his two-year-old son,Tshepang, stands on the wheel axles.Lehlwenya says he has been designing

cars since 1998 after realising he couldmake money and a living from of it.“Every young boy in my neighbourhood

grows up driving wire cars and obviouslynot all of their older brothers could makethe cars for them.“I saw an opportunity and charge

between R150 and R300 per car,” he says.The father of three says he was inspired

by the late Abraham Matli, a local resi-dent, who used to design the cars.“I am proud of him. He left me with a

diamond. I just need a little help from ourgovernment to make this a big thing,” hesays.He says he has big dreams, but they are

at a standstill currently as he does not

have enough material to design morecars.“I need to start a company that designs

toy cars.“The problem is, I don’t have the

required material to do all the work. I amhoping that our government can see whatI am capable of and offer a helping hand,”he says.Lehlwenya, who is also a gospel singer

and plays keyboard at the New TestamentApostolic Church, says he once partneredwith a friend to manufacture and sellcars, but the business relationship did notlast long.“We were selling them in bulk to a man,

but after he stopped coming we could notget money,” he says.Eager to show off their father’s work,

his two young sons volunteered to assistwith the demonstration to Express Gold-fields and NFS.“We normally play with the cars here in

the yard, but now that it has rained andthe ground is soft, the wheels are digginginto the ground,” eight-year-old Tiisetsosays.) Share your opinion with us on ourFacebook page Express Goldfields andNFS or visit the Express website atwww.express-news.co.za.

Artist wired for the future with toy cars

BRILLIANT: Sonnyboy Lehlwenya (38) from Fateng tse Ntsho, Paul Roux, shows how heoperates his replica wire truck while his young boy, Tiisetso, stands behind it.

Photo: Tladi Moloi

Apart from soaking up thegreat cricketing atmos­phere, the Vingers will alsoget an opportunity to en­joy a number of breath­taking experiences such asa a trip to the amazing Ta­ronga Zoo in Sydney.

FOR more photos and news visit www.express-news.co.za.Here you can also page through previous issues online.

EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 4 MARCH 2015 3

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} Teboho Setena

WELKOM’S GOT TALENT is set foran interesting closing chapter with atotal of 70 hopeful acts goingthrough to showcase their talentduring the call-back auditionsscheduled for March.Offering a once-in-a-lifetime

opportunity, the talent searchinitiative saw a huge turnout for thefinal public auditions staged at theGoldfields Casino in Welkom and atthe Brandwag Primary School inOdendaalsrus this past weekend of27 and 28 February.The auditions were jam-packed as

aspiring acts pitched in the hope ofmaking the grade.Tanya Lloyd, general manager of

the Goldfields Mall , is impressedwith how the event has unfoldedsince the first leg of auditions, addingthat both the rounds on Friday andSaturday were extremely successfuland a total of 70 acts have receivedtickets to perform at the call-backauditions.The chosen ones will be expected

to pull out all the stops to reach thefinal where the 2015 Welkom’s GotTalent winner will be crowned.The winner walks away with

R20 000 in cash, R5 000 in fashionvouchers sponsored by Just Proper-ty Group Goldfields Mall, as wellas the opportunity to perform as

an opening act at one of theGoldfields Casino’s scheduledconcerts within six months afterwinning the contest.All sound requirements for this

performance will be arranged by thecasino, as well as any other costsrelevant to the performance.Lloyd stated this year’s auditions

have provided a fresh breath oftalent from the Goldfields towns ofHennenman, Odendaalsrus andWelkom.Auditions even reached Welkom’s

township of Thabong and sawabout 60 acts show up at thehost venue at the Lephola Second-ary School.The grand finale is scheduled for

23 May when the winner will beannounced.Another highlight of the final

round will be a performance byVincent Bones, the winner of lastyear’s South African Idol.For answers to any queries,

contestants may call Judy Moran atthe Goldfields Mall Centre Manage-ment Office on 057-352-4251 duringoffice hours. Also keep a close eyeon the newspaper as we willprovide you with detailed informa-tion on a weekly basis or go tohttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Goldfields-Mall to stay up to datewith the latest happenings regardingWelkom’s Got Talent.

SOLO singer Kabelo Ramakoae. Photos: Teboho Setena NALEDI MOTINGOE and Dumisani Ndlovu of the duet group Adore.

NEWS

A total of 70 actsmake the cut

4 EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 4 MARCH 2015

NEWS

MEMBERS of the DA in ward 27 in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality elected a new leadership at an annualgeneral meeting (AGM) held recently (01/02) in Welkom. The new leadership comprises the chairperson, deputychairperson, secretary and treasurer. The new leadership’s mandate includes making the party more visible andresponsive to the needs of the community in the build­up towards the 2016 local government elections.

Photo: Supplied

THE drama raising aware-ness that tuberculosis (TB)is beatable, is set to returnduring the school recesswith performances in thegreater Thabong township.

Pioneered by SadumaMiya, the drama’s title isThibela TB, Stop TB.

A series of performancesby the local Success Cultur-al Group will be at varioushealth facilities such asclinics and hospitals.

This forms part of theEaster holiday schoolsprogramme.

Miya said this year theywould also host health expos(expositions), where peoplewho were on TB treatmentwould be further enlight-ened about the signifi-cance of completing theirtreatment, while alsoencouraging the public totest for TB.

He said this would be tohighlight World TB Day,which is celebrated on 24March annually.

The proceedings will getunderway on 27 March withthe hosting of a health expoat the Bophelong Clinic.

“We are targeting theyouth aged 8 to 20 yearsold, who are interested inthe arts for roles asactors.

“The drama is a platformfor aspiring actors toshowcase their talent.Training will be offered tothose interested,” saidMiya.

Miya added that rehears-als were already underwayto prepare for when thedrama started on 27 March.

Those interested to bepart of the drama can callMiya on 061-369-5528 orPeggy Tilo on 082-959-5653.

Actors needed fordrama about TB

Elect new leadership during AGM

My viewMoetiMolelekoaSocial observer

THE current South African FootballAssociation (Safa) national u.20 men’steam, (Amatjita), is on form and couldbe relied on to produce a medal at the2020 Olympic Games.

The team was guided by Ephraim“Shakes” Mashaba, who has since takenover the reigns at the senior men’s team,Bafana Bafana, as head coach. The lasttime the South African football teamqualified for and competed in theOlympics was in 2000 in Sydney,Australia. Matthew Booth captained themen’s u.23 side, affectionately known asAmagluglug, which did well in theirdebut despite coming home without amedal.

That team featured star players likeSteve Lekoelea, Benni McCarthy, AbramNteo and Daniel Matsau (from Oden-daalsrus and Allanridge respectively).The majority of the players were sourcedfrom the u.20 team – hence I stronglybelieve the same formula can be appliedwith the current South African u.20team which last month (January 25) wonthe Commonwealth Cup in Russia.

The average age of the present u.20players is 18 and they will be eligible toplay in the u.23 team which must benurtured for the 2020 Summer OlympicGames.

This will be staged in Tokyo, Japan.This time around, the future for SouthAfrica’s junior football team looksbright.

In 2016, in Athens, South Africans areexpected to do well in the athletics trackand field events. Medals will be won andrecords are expected to be broken. Theycould even outshine the athletic sportingcode’s best effort since the countryreturned to global sports in 1992.

South Africa collected two silvermedals at the 1992 Olympic Games inBarcelona (Elana Meyer – athletics,women’s 10 000 m and Wayne Ferreiraand Piet Norval – tennis, men’s doubles).

Those on whose shoulders the countrywill rest their hopes in 2016 are CornelFredericks (400 m hurdles), Wayde vanNiekerk (400 m), Godfrey Khotso Mokoe-na (long jump and triple jump), ZarckVisser (long jump), Anaso Jobodwana(200 m) and also the men’s 200 m relayteam.

We hope God will be kind to us andthat all medal prospects. includingRushwal Samaai (long jump), SuzetteViljoen (javelin), Victor Hogan (discus),Johan Cronje (1 500 m) and veterans likeCaster Semenya (800 m) and LJ van Zyl(400 m hurdles) are available.

Eighteen months ahead of the Olym-pics, the future looks bright for SouthAfrica.

The International Amateur AthleticsFederation (IAAF), the athletics worldbody, scrapped A and B standards infavour of a single criterion; A was toughand B was for promising athletes tryingto graduate to that level of excellence. Itwill, therefore, be a challenge for the upand coming athletes.

The draft standards seem to befavouring South Africa’s best athletes.Meetings will be held by the federationand perhaps more changes will beimplemented as time goes on. It is,therefore, up to Athletics South Africa(ASA) to choose whether it intends usingA and B standards in the original senseor whether they will use B standards ifthere are A standards.

It is on these athletes and the futureu.23 soccer team (current u.20 orAmatjita) that we, as a country, will pinour hopes. ASA needs to blood as manyyoung athletes as possible in order tohave depth at their disposal.

) To comment or express your viewsabout the issue highlighted in thecolumn, go to www.express-news.co.za. Express Goldfields & NFSwelcomes anyone interested incontributing to the weekly column aspublic observers or citizen journal-ists. There is no payment for writers.Send your opinion piece (not exceed-ing 500 words) to teboho.sete-na@volksblad.com.

We need teams wecan pin our hopes on

THE police within and around the Gold-fields strongly warn farmers to not employillegal immigrants as shepherds to lookafter their livestock.

This is after the discovery of stolen cattleat the Ventersburg Auction Kraal on 19February and the arrest of seven illegalimmigrants from Lesotho.

Sgt. Mamello Mokhuoane, spokesperson ofthe Thabong police cluster, said eightfarmers owning the auction kraal had beentaken for questioning following the discov-ery of respectively three and five stolenhead of cattle with tempered markings. Shesaid three head of cattle had been positively

identified by owner Roma Badenhorst, whoreported the livestock as stolen. Followinginvestigations she said seven illegalimmigrants from Lesotho employed asshepherds had been arrested.

Mokhuoane said this had led to thediscovery of two head of cattle at one of thefarms in Ventersburg. She said the animalswere not marked in terms of the AnimalIdentification Act 6 of 2002 and the ownershad not yet been traced.

Anyone with information regardingincidents of stock theft in the Ventersburgarea must contact WO Francois Odendaalon 082-388-9813.

Farmers warned about illegals

THE police in Hennenman are mourningthe tragic death of two officers who werekilled instantly in an accident whichinvolved three vehicles last Wednesday(25/02). The deceased officers were WOMolato Alexis Sitole (46) and Const. Lebo-hang Shadrack Ntsia (37). The accidentinvolved a Volkswagen Polo the deceasedwere travelling in, a truck and van belong-ing to a furniture shop.

Sgt Mamello Mokhuoane, spokesperson ofthe Thabong police, said the two officershad been off duty when the fatal accidentoccurred at an intersection of Beyers Streetand the R70 road in Hennenman. She saidthe deceased had been travelling together ina Polo which collided with a truck carryingiron rods heading in the Ventersburgdirection. Mokhuoane said the Polo theofficers had been travelling in, allegedly

spun out of control causing it to collidewith a van heading in the opposite direc-tion of Welkom. She said the two officerswere from Hennenman heading in thedirection of the township of Phomolong.

Mokhuoane said the truck driver hadescaped unharmed while the three employ-ees of the furniture shop sustained minorinjuries and were admitted to a hospital inWelkom.

“The cause of the accident will beinvestigated. A case of culpable homicidewas registered at the Hennenman PoliceStation, pending further investigation,” saidMokhuoane.

Lt. Gen. Thabethe Mpembe, Free Stateprovincial police commissioner, sentcondolences to the families of the deceasedpolice officers on behalf of the Free StatePolice.

Officers’ death mourned

CRACK­DOWN ONCRIME: Const. Mapit­so Mathibedi withsome items, includinga firearm, which wereconfiscated during thearrest of five suspects.The items included aNorinco firearm, onemagazine, six liverounds, five cell­phones and a brownenvelope. Thiswas aft­er the police hadsearched the vehiclethe suspects weretravelling in on theWelkom­Kroonstadroad last Wednesday(25/02). Photo: Supplied

EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 4 MARCH 2015 5

NEWS

(transcript) in advance.) Institute a buddy system – such as aclassroom helper or official note taker.) Provide an opportunity for the pupil toshare information with the class aboutthe hearing aid and/or FM system andhow it works.) Keep extra batteries on hand for yourFM system.) It is important not to have a precon-ceived notion of function based on thedegree of the child’s hearing loss.Remem-ber always to speak naturally and clearly.If using exaggerated mouth movements,extremely fast or slow rates of speakingor overly loud speech, the learners mayhave difficulty understanding.) Be careful not to chew gum or eatwhile talking to learners, so as to makelip reading possible. Remember always tomake a recognisable transition whenmoving on to a new subject.) Consider passing around a written copyof the day’s or week’s assignment for alllearners, or writing assignments on theboard. Confirm your child’s hearingability before making any decisionsrelating to your child’s education.“Be cognisant of the fact that manychildren with hearing loss are oftenincorrectly labelled as children withlearning difficulties.Make an informed decision that willallow your children to claim the bestpossible future for themselves,” concludesTally.

Hearing loss requires team approach

HEARING problems can be managed.

WITH the new educational year wellunderway, many a parent or guardianwill have had contact with their child’steacher(s) during parent evenings and thelike. Every parent, however, dreads beingtold that their child is not performing ashe or she should be.“Before labelling your child incorrectly,

it is important to be aware of the factthat children who experience hearingloss, often present with many of the samesigns as children with learning difficul-ties,” says Tally Sherban, a client rela-tions executive at Oticon South Africa, aleading hearing aid manufacturer. “Thesecan range from a lower academic achieve-ment than their age, background or IQscores would predict, or even inattentionthat is frequently related to frustrationand fatigue,” she adds.Tell-tale signs to look out for in a

learner with a hearing loss:) Inappropriate responses to questions;) Watching other pupils to see what theyare doing;) Articulation problems – speech difficul-ties;) Fatigue, especially at the end of theday;) Academic failure;) Poor self-image;) Day-dreaming; and) Apparent laziness.If your child exhibits any of these

signs, it would be wise not to assume thatyour child has learning or behaviouralproblems. “The first step to helping yourchild is to rule out hearing loss by takingyour child to an audiologist who will lookat any history of hearing loss or earinfections, and perform a hearing test toestablish what your child’s hearingability is,” explains Tally.“If your child has hearing loss, it is

vital to inform your child’s teacher(s) ofthe situation as they have a tremendousimpact on the learners’ learning, self-im-age and social adjustment,” Tally ex-plains. “Working with learners who havehearing loss requires a team approachfrom the parents, classroom teacher,speech and language therapist andaudiologist to determine the individualneeds of each learner and to develop anappropriate educational plan,” she adds.

Self-image and social adjustmentFocusing on the child’s self-image is

crucial throughout the process, as he orshe will most likely perceive themselvesas being different, especially if they arewearing hearing aids and/or using an FMsystem (wireless communication) in theclassroom. “Help your child to accept howtheir hearing impairment makes themdifferent, while emphasising that hearingloss is not the only thing that definesthem. Focus on positive aspects andfacilitate an understanding of what yourchild’s hearing loss is and how it affectstheir everyday lives. Classmates will also

benefit greatly from this knowledge,”suggests Tally.

Hearing instruments and FM in theclassroomThe primary function of amplification

in the classroom is to provide access tospeech information and facilitate learn-ing. In most cases, hearing aids willbenefit the child with a hearing loss, butin specific listening situations, such as invery noisy classrooms, hearing aids alonemay not be enough.“FM systems work with a child’s

hearing aids to enhance the speaker’svoice for better speech understanding andimmediate relief in the classroom. Ittypically consists of a microphone ortransmitter worn by the teacher and areceiver that hooks on to the hearing aidworn by the child. If this is an optionthat you are considering, it would beadvisable to discuss the matter with yourchild’s teacher(s) in order to enlist theirsupport,” says Tally.“An FM system will allow your child to

sit anywhere in the classroom and hearthe teacher’s voice as if it were only afew centimetres away. By reducing thedistance the teacher’s voice has to travel,the effects of background noise and echoare dramatically reduced.“Many children and teachers who use

FM systems report less fatigue at the endof the day, as the teacher does not haveto raise his or her voice to be heard andthe child hears better with less strain,”explains Tally.FM systems are not only for children

with hearing loss. They can also be usedby children with normal hearing whopresent with Attention Deficit Hyperactiv-ity Disorder (ADHD), Auditory ProcessingDisorders, language-learning difficulties,

and so forth. Research has shown thatchildren with these difficulties presentwith improved academic performancethrough the use of these FM systems.

Classroom tips for teachers) When addressing the learner sayhis/her name first and identify the topicyou are covering) Seat the learner for optimal listeningand visual cues within the classroom.Ideally, this should be with the learner’sback to the window, seated a third of thedistance of the room from the teacher,not in the front row directly beneath theteacher.) Be aware of possible misunderstanding– avoid idioms, sarcasm, slang (if you usethem, explain).) Sometimes ask other learners if theyhave heard or understood rather thanalways focusing on the child with hearingloss.) Speak in an ordinary tone of voice,without exaggerated lip movements, andat a normal rate of speaking.) Make sure your lips are clearly visible.Face the class, not the blackboard, whenspeaking.Make sure that the room does not havebright lights shining directly in thechild’s face. Back-lighting is ideal.) Be aware that the learner is unlikely tobe able to lip read or fully hear during afilm or slide presentation. Either use acaptioned film or provide information

TALLY SHERBAN, a client relations execu­tive at Oticon South Africa.

} Tladi Moloi

PHUTHADITJHABA. – The TreatmentAction Campaign (TAC) in the Free State isadamant that the MEC for Health, BennyMalakoane, must resign.The organisation gave reasons for the call

for Malakoane’s resignation, among them theapparent deterioration of the health systemunder his leadership.“One of the challenges that we continuous-

ly face, is the closure of, among others, theNketoane Regional Hospital in Reitz,” saidPatrick Mdletshe, TAC national convener,adding that resigning was the best thingMalakoane could do.Mdletshe spoke to Express Eastern Free

State during their protest at the Phutha-ditjhaba Hall, which culminated in themmarching to the offices of the Department ofHealth near the Setsing Shopping Complex inQwaqwa on Wednesday (25/2).“We’ve got no personal vendetta against

Malakoane. We have a problem with him asthe MEC for Health.“He is a South African official, not just an

official, but MEC for that matter and thatmeans he holds a very important position inthe country,” he said.

“We cannot allow it to happen that we areled by people who are accused of corruption.The corruption charges that he is facing arehampering the delivery in one way oranother,” Mdletshe pointed out.Malakoane is amongst seven people facing

over 100 charges of fraud and corruption.The charges stem from his tenure as

municipal manager at the Matjhabeng LocalMunicipality in 2008.Accused on similar charges are the MEC

for Sport, Arts and Culture, Mathabo Leeto,former mayor of the Matjhabeng andLejweleputswa District Municipality,including other municipal employees, formerMatjhabeng chief financial officer, Louis deBruin, his personal assistant, Leona Nel,Oupa Molete, Hendrik Burger and twocompanies. The charges stem from allegedirregular procedures in the awarding oftenders and the accused persons allegedlyhaving received substantial kickbacks. Theywere arrested by the Hawks in July 2013,after a year-long investigation.Mdletshe said the ANC in its manifesto

stated they were going to decisively dealwith corrupt officials that were defraudingthe government.“So we want that in action. The ANC

should be doing serious work here toimplement one of these resolutions,” he said.Mdletshe said they would not budge from

demanding the resignation of the embattledMalakoane. “We want better service for ourpeople on a daily basis.“We know that inland provinces have got

problems recruiting nurses, but that is nolonger a problem, specifically in the FreeState. We have a lot of institutions that aretraining nurses. Last year in Welkom therewere student nurses that were enrolled butthe programme was cut short. This year theyenrolled new ones.“Where is the logic in that? We are facing

a serious challenge. If we are not investing

correctly in health-care systems, specificallyin human resources, we are going nowhere,”Mdletshe stressed.) Mondli Mvambi, the acting spokespersonof the Department of Health and also theFree State government spokesperson,confirmed that the MEC was facing chargesof fraud and corruption.“He is facing those charges in his personal

capacity. However, he remains innocent untilhe is proven guilty,” Mvambi said.He also rubbished allegations that the

charges against the MEC were affectingservices. “The MEC is always at work andhe has never missed a day in parliament,”Mvambi said.

Group demandsMEC’s resignation

THE angry Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) members who marched to the Departmentof Health offices near the Setsing Shopping Complex in Qwaqwa on Wednesday (25/2).

Photo: Tladi Moloi

6 EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 4 MARCH 2015

NEWS

THESE three learners of the Lekgarietse Secondary School arefrom the left Tshepang Hanyane, Tshediso Makhoali and Thabi­so Manese. They had fun during the re­launch of their school’srecycling programme by the Amalgamated Beverage Industries(ABI) last Friday (20/02) in Thabong, Welkom.

A BIRDS’ EYE VIEW: From the shade of their umbrellas from the top of the school building, this group oflearners of the Lekgarietse Secondary Schoolwatched the proceedings of the relaunch of the school’s recyclingprogramme last Friday (20/02). Photos: Teboho Setena

ATTEND EVENT: These women representing the Goldfields FET College attended the Welkom branch of PwC’sbreakfast function on the 2015 budget analysis last Friday (27/02). From the left areMapaseka Lebambo,MannukuRamakhele, Carly Mahlatsi and Sibongile Baartman. Photos: Teboho Setena

THE trio of HenineJordaan, Alfred Tauand Reme Wheelersalso attended thebreakfast function.Jordaan and Wheel­ers are from theCentral Universityof Technology(CUT), Free State’s,Welkom Campusand Tau is fromSparta Beef. Dr An­dré Mellet, an Eco­nomics lecturer ofthe Northwest Uni­versity’s Vaal Trian­gle Campus, wasthe guest speaker.

THESE representatives of different private business sectors are from the left Koketso Sekonyela,Magriet Ramafot­hole, Teboho Nteo and Connie Bovungana. They also attended the budget analysis breakfast function.

Relaunches programme

POLICE looking for witnessThe Welkom police are

appealing to Bongiwe Molahlu-wa from Kutlwanong inOdendaalsrus to contact them.Molahluwa is a possible

witness regarding the rape of a17-year-old girl on 16 Decemberlast year and the police wouldlike to question her regardingthe matter.Apparently, on the day in

question at about 17:02, Molahlu-wa witnessed three African menarmed with knives overpoweringthe victim and sexually assault-ing her in a park in Doorn, oneof Welkom’s suburbs. The mentook turns at raping the victimand afterwards fled the scene.Det. WO Juan Jansen of the

Welkom Family Violence, ChildProtection and Sexual CrimesUnit, is investigating the case.Anyone who might know thewhereabouts of Molahluwa, orcan help in tracking her down,should call Jansen on 057-391-6189 during office hours or on084-538-5909.

MAN charged with possessionSam Qache, a suspected drugdealer, appeared in the WelkomMagistrate’s Court on Monday,23 February, facing a charge ofpossession of drugs.This was his second appear-

ance. The first was on 16February.This came after 19 Mandrax

tablets were found in Qache’spossession.Sgt Mamello Mokhuoane,

spokesperson of the Thabongpolice cluster, said the arrest ofthe suspected drug dealerfollowed a tip-off. She said the26-year-old Qache was busted athis place of residence after thepolice had searched the house.

POLICE looking for next ofkinThe Welkom police are

appealing for help in trackingdown the family of a deceasedelderly African man whose bodyis still at the Welkom Govern-ment Mortuary.The deceased was found on

the Nooitgedacht farm betweenWelkom and Odendaalsrus on 18August last year.The cause of the man’s death

is still unknown.The deceased is estimated to

have been about 60 years old. Hewas wearing a pair of browntrousers, a blue shirt and ablack windbreaker.He is of dark complexion with

greyish hair and beard, andapproximately 1,6 m tall and ofaverage build.Anyone who can help to find

his relatives or identify thedeceased must call Const. TjodiTamane of the Welkom Detect-ive Services on 057-391-6274during office hours or on079-511-3211.

SAPS askingfor assistance

SANBS meeting heldThe annual general meeting

of the South African NationalBlood Service (SANBS) will beheld on Thursday (05/03) at17:30 in the boardroom of Shop36, The Strip, Stateway,Welkom.The meeting is open to the

general public. Local businesspeople and donors are welcometo attend.For more information and to

confirm attendance, call AltaPienaar on 057-352-22174 duringoffice hours.Child Protection WeekplannedStakeholders of early child-

hood centres, privateand public, inWelkom’s townshipof Thabong, areinvited to theplenary meeting ofthe annual ChildProtection Week.The week will be

observed from 27 May to 2June.The meeting is for organisa-

tions in Thabong east and willbe held on 11 March at theThabong 2 Library, starting at10:00.The meeting is open to all

organisations interested inbeing part of events for ChildProtection Week.Call Saduma Miya on

061-369-5528 or Mary Mkhele on072-293-8941.) The deadline for What’sOn entries is Wednesdays at13:00. Send information toteboho.setena@volks-blad.com.

What’s onFax information to: 086-676-3805Email: teboho.setena@volksblad.comBefore 13:00 onWednesdays

Follow Express onTwitter @Express_News03

EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 4 MARCH 2015 7

SUPERSPORT has secured the rights to anumber of international cycling classics,many of which will feature South Africa’sown Team MTN-Qhubeka.The deal comes in time ahead of

arguably the most important season inthe history of South African cycling.The South African team will be using a

number of these events to fine-tune theirpreparation for their debut – the first by aSouth African team – in the biggest raceof them all, the Tour de France.These include Paris-Raubaix. This is

followed by La Flèche Wallonne, theBelgian cycling classic, which the teamhopes to compete in.Team MTN-Qhubeka will also contest

the Tour of California and, a month later,the Criterium du Dauphine, renowned forits massive climbs.Former Olympian Douglas Ryder, now

team principal of Team MTN-Qhubeka, isdelighted that South Africans will be ableto watch the team go through its pacesahead of the Tour de France.“SuperSport does an amazing job in

building sports in South Africa and acrossAfrica through the exposure and hours ofbroadcast they dedicate on their channels.Cycling has benefited significantly, whichhas helped grow the sport across theAfrican continent,” says Ryder.“The number of events that SuperSport

has acquired rights for in support of theteam’s racing programme is incredibleand has helped motivate our riders togreater achievements knowing that theirperformances will be seen back home.“The Tour de France invitation this

year is the biggest motivator of them all,”says Brandon Foot, acting chief executiveofficer of SuperSport, adding that the

team’s participation has proved integralto the acquisitions.“Cycling is enjoying unprecedented

growth both in South Africa and acrossthe continent,” says Ryder.“With a number of riders from both

South Africa and the continent on thisteam, it is an opportunity to showcase ourcycling excellence. SuperSport is only toohappy to go along for the ride, so tospeak.”In addition, the Absa Cape Epic

prologue will be broadcast live onSuperSport on 15 March, followed bydaily highlights packages.

Broadcast details:) Seven-day Tirreno-Adriatico: 11 March) Milan-San Remo: 22 March) One-day Dwars door Vlaanderen: 25March) One-day Gent-Wevelgem: 29 March) One-day De Ronde van Vlaanderen: 4April) One-day Scheldeprijs: 8 April) Paris-Raubaix: 12 April (SS6, 13:00)) One-day De Brabantse Pijl: 15 April) One-day Amstel Gold Race: 19 April) La Flèche Wallonne: 22 April (SS6, 15:00to 17:00).) Liege-Bastogne-Liege: 26 April (SS6,14:15 to 17:00).) Tour of California: 10 to 16 May (SS6,23:00); stage 8 (SS6, 18:00).) Giro d’Italia: 9 to 31 May) Criterium du Dauphine: 8 to 15 June) Tour de France: Team prologue andrace presentation, followed by first stage,1 to 26 July (SS6)) Seven-day USA Pro-Challenge: 17AugustCheck listings for times and channels.

Cycling televised

WARONA TLALI, a gr. 4 learner of the St Do­minic’s College, was the junior victrix ludo­rum at the district gala held in Kroonstadon 13 February. A total of 15 schools partici­pated and the St Dominic’s College was theoverall winner, winning both the boys’ andgirls’ sections. Photo: Supplied

Takes trophy

SPORT

} Teboho Setena

THE return derby clash between Dinonya-na FC and Harmony FC saw the latterscoring a double following a narrow 1-0win in the ABC Motsepe League tie fixtureplayed on Saturday (28/02) at the BronvilleStadium in Welkom.Saturday’s defeat blew the chance of the

hosts, Dinonyana, to avenge the 0-3hammering at the hands of their rivals inthe first-round derby played last December.

The morale-boosting result saw thevictorious Harmony reclaim the fifth spoton the log table with 26 points, replacingMangaung Unite who suffered a crucial 1-2defeat in a local derby involving clubsfrom Bloemfontein.Despite the poor result on the weekend,

Dinonyana have improved their positionon the log and have managed to steeraway from the dreaded relegation zone.They are currently in tenth position,needing at least six points in two league

matches to cement a place in the top half.They can only hope to pick up the pieces

against a wounded Mangaung side in atough match set for Saturday (07/03) in theBronville Stadium. Mangaung lost 1-2 toHunters in the derby of the Bloemfonteinclubs.Inspired by the result in the derby in

the Goldfields, Harmony can hope tocontinue the good run in another leaguefixture set for Saturday against thestruggling Bloemfontein Young Tigers.

Both the visitors, Tigers, and the hosts,Harmony, are equally desperate formaximum points to improve their standingon the log.Another crucial match at the Bronville

Stadium on Saturday will see the SibanyeGolden Stars battle Roses United fromBloemfontein at 18:00. Boasting a blend offormer professional players, Roses suffereda 1-2 defeat to the Free State Academywhile Stars drew 2-all with Clarens Galaxyin matches played on Saturday.

Harmony claim derby victoryVICTORIOUS: The players of the Harmony FC team are from the left, front: Nakeli Tshita, Tamsanqa Mnanzana, Teboho Moeketsi, Kleinbooi Taaibos and Donald Hlabahlaba; back:Tsokolo Mkumbeni, Pheello Machabane, Bafokeng Moabi, Tankiso Pholosi, Mandal Olifant and Phindile Mkhunjulwa. Photo: Teboho Setena

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8 EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY 4 MARCH 2015

THIS group of the Real Lions Athletics Club will compete at the Free State Athletics Championship starting on Friday (06/03) andending on Saturday (07/03) in Bloemfontein. From the left are, front: Ditaba Machachamisa, Khumbulani Khoarai, Motsapi Phafudi,Thabang Jantjie and Xolisa Quliso; middle: Lettie Dhlamini, Kebileng Mahloko, Boikanyo Setshego, Mamosuwe Lephaila, Mavuso Xabaand Thabiso Thebeko; back: Willem Radebe, Reanetse Lephaila, Jonas Soke, Sibusiso Mculwani, Tshepo Kalane, Mosuwe Lephaila,Hans Mojahi and Ditsietsi Morigitlane. Photo: Teboho Setena

Ready for athletics championship

} Teboho Setena

THE Real Lions Athletics Club’sannual 10 km marathon and 5 km funrun are scheduled for 21 March tocoincide with Human Rights Day.This year’s event is the third

edition of the race, which has seenlocal businesses come on board assponsors. This will help grow thestature of the race.The start and finish point will be

at the Welkom Technical High School(THS). The category winners willreceive gold, silver and bronzemedals.German Ditshoane, the Real Lions

Club’s manager and coach, is opti-mistic they will attract a biggernumber of participants than theprevious years.“The race is open to all interested

participants, including learners.Logistics are in place and some ofthe club members will on the day ofthe race also be on hand, working toensure the event’s success,” saidDitshoane.“Funding has been our main

challenge up until now. This hasresulted in us not being able to stagethe marathon annually, as we hadplanned. We are, however, hopefulthe marathon will grow in stature.”The race’s first edition was held in

2003. Its chief objective is to continueencouraging participation in athleticsand promoting the sport in thetownship.“While also continuing to encour-

age participation, this year part ofthe race will be to raise funds for theclub in order for it to help memberswith basic requirements,” saidDitshoane.He said the marathon had proven

to be significant in terms of enablingtalented athletes to unleash theirpotential and for them to rise toprominence. Among the athletes arelong- and middle-distance runners,and the likes of boys such as XabaMavuso, Frans Thipe, Boy Soke andgirl, Palesa Nthongoa.They have all represented South

Africa internationally: Thipe in the8 km cross-country, Soke in the5 000 m and 10 000 m and cross-coun-try and Mavuso in the 10 000 m, whileNthongoa represented South Africain the 1 500 m and 800 m, respectively.Entry is R40 for the 10 km race and

R20 for the 5 km fun run. Registra-tion is set to start at 06:00 until 07:45with the actual races starting at08:00.

Clubwantsbiggerrace

} Teboho Setena

THE Down Touch Griffons Team startsthe 2015 season in the First Divisionwith a tough away Vodacom Cup clashagainst one of last year’s semi-finalists,the Steval Pumas.Set for Friday (06/03), it will be the

two sides’ opening fixture of thechampionship which features 16 clubs,split into two – North and Southsections, eight teams per section.Both the Griffons and the Pumas are

in the North section, following a drawconducted in February. It saw theGriffons drawn to play four matchesaway and three on their home turf inWelkom.The Welkom-based sides’ away

fixtures are against the Welwitschias(27 March), Vodacom Blue Bulls (17April) and the Leopards XV (2 May).The Griffons’ home fixtures are

against the Valke (10 April), AssupolLimpopo Blue Bulls (25 April) and the

Xerox Golden Lions (8 May).The Griffons had a poor run in the

2014 season, failing to qualify for thequarterfinal.The local lads finished poorly, third

from the bottom, in position six, with12 points.They lost the battle for a spot in the

top four to the Pumas, Blue Bulls,Golden Lions and the champions, theGriquas of the Northern Cape.The Griquas were crowned the

Vodacom Cup champions – their fifthtitle – after demolishing the GoldenLions 30-6 in the final in Kimberley inMay last year.Oersond Gorgonzola, the Griffons

coach, can hope for a complete changeof fortune this year if the form that sawthe team win the 2014 Currie Cup FirstDivision is anything to go by.In addition, he can hope that newly-

enlisted players click in time and gel asthe tournament progresses, and achievea top-four spot in the tournament.

Griffons start season} Teboho Setena

THE high-riding third division ThabongYoung Stars look set to finish the seasonunchallenged in a bid to qualify for thepromotional play-offs for the ABC MotsepeLeague. They still top the table of theSouth African Football Association’s (Safa)Lejweleputswa Castle League on 54 points.The Welkom-based outfit has drawn andlost one game of the 19 league matchesplayed thus far.The goalless draw was against Beatrix

Umlilo in a fixture played on Sunday(15/02) with the defeat against Mphatlalat-sane Stars, 2-1, on 8 February.The winning form of the log leaders,

Young Stars, is set to be tested in thesecond round of the league, with the 18clubs intensifying the fight for the top spot.Potential challengers in the race to finish

in the top at the end of the 2014-’15 seasonare Bothaville-based Barcelona Academy,in second position on 42 points, androokies, the Virginia Sports Academy, inthird place on 37 points.

Stars look set tofinish at top

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