Author: The Free Stater

IN a high-profile case, Matjhabeng Local Municipality executive mayor Thanduxolo Khalipa has been found guilty by the Ondendaalsrus Magistrates Court on charges of assault and crimen injuria. This verdict comes after allegations surfaced that he assaulted his driver and protector during a tense community meeting. The charges against Khalipa included one count of assault and two counts of crimen injuria, reportedly stemming from an incident where he allegedly attacked and insulted his security team. During a community meeting, it is alleged that a group of agitated residents became increasingly disruptive, leading the mayor’s protectors to intervene and attempt to escort…

THE 2024 Free State Gospel Music Awards took centre stage this past weekend, honouring the exceptional talent and creativity within the province’s gospel music industry. Hosted in partnership with the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, the prestigious ceremony celebrates outstanding achievements of artists, producers and professionals who contribute to the region’s rich and diverse music landscape. The MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Ntombizanele Sifuba, commended the winners, reaffirming her department’s commitment to nurturing and supporting initiatives that promote cultural and artistic excellence. In her maiden budget vote speech, she said: “We will continue to…

IN an urgent call to protect the health and well-being of school children, Free State Education MEC Mantlhake Maboya has issued a strong warning to food vendors to prioritise the safety and nutrition of the meals sold to learners. Highlighting recent incidents of food poisoning and other health issues linked to unregulated food sales, she stressed that all food vendors operating near schools must comply with health regulations and nutritional standards. The warning comes in the wake of several serious incidents, including a tragic case in March 2020 where a Grade 3 learner at Tsholetseng Primary School in Bloemfontein died…

IN a bid to promote the Free State’s unique tourist attractions and drive economic growth, Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae and Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille officially launched the province’s Summer Tourism Campaign on Tuesday at De Oude Kraal Country Estate, just outside Bloemfontein. The initiative aims to elevate the Free State as a sought-after destination for both local and international tourists. De Lille emphasised the province’s “untapped potential” in her address, underscoring the region’s capacity to generate employment through tourism. “Tourism has the potential to create jobs, and the Free State has a number of attractions which we must utilise.…

THE Edgar Legoale Foundation has appointed Angel Thekiso, popularly known as “Pink Grapes”, as a new commentator for its upcoming amateur soccer tournaments. A seasoned commentator and analyst, Thekiso is a graduate in TV and radio production and currently a sports presenter at CUT FM in Bloemfontein. Originally from Parys, her experience and energetic style will debut at the Edgar Legoale Festive Soccer Tournament, scheduled for 14-22 December 2024, at Mandela Sports Ground in Tumahole. With a focus on fostering sportsmanship and community spirit, the tournament has become a vital part of local youth development. Thekiso replaces DJ Pots, also…

THE University of the Free State (UFS) recently hosted its inaugural UFS Exceptional Academic Achievers Awards, a celebration of outstanding contributions by researchers, academics and academic support staff at the institution. The awards bring together the Learning and Teaching Awards, hosted annually by the Centre for Teaching and Learning, and the Research Awards organised by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor’s Office for Research and Internationalisation, merging these recognitions to highlight excellence across both research and teaching. Professor Hendrik Swart, Dr Arno van Niekerk, and Jana Lamprecht received the prestigious Prestige Academic Achievers Awards, underscoring their significant impact on their fields and on…

LEXINGTON Gold, a precious metals explorer with interests in South Africa and the United States, has announced plans to establish a maiden exploration target for its Bothaville project in the Free State. The AIM-listed company revealed on Monday that it had appointed Dunrose Trading 186, operating as Shango Solutions, to drive the initiative. Shango Solutions will leverage data from Lexington Gold’s recent drilling activities in Bothaville, located in the Free State province, to develop a JORC 2012-compliant exploration target for the site. This move signals Lexington’s intention to accelerate development of its Free State projects, as the company also noted…

IN a significant decision that will impact more than a thousand healthcare workers, the Free State Department of Health has announced the termination of COVID-19 contracts, citing financial constraints. The department revealed that 1 340 healthcare professionals, initially hired in 2020 to support the provincial healthcare system during the pandemic, will lose their positions as of the end of this month. These contracts were implemented as a response to the national health crisis, with officials deployed across the province to manage increased patient care needs in hospitals, clinics and other health facilities. This workforce provided vital support during the pandemic’s…

THE Central University of Technology (CUT) recently received a donation of R2.4 million from the Kgolo Community Development Trust to help ease the financial burden on graduates from the John Taole Gaetsewe district in the Northern Cape. CUT vice-chancellor and principal, Professor Pamela Dube, expressed her gratitude for the donation, emphasising the challenges in higher education funding that so many students face, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. “Your financial contribution represents a significant investment in our young people’s future and is a beacon of hope for CUT graduates from the Northern Cape,” she remarked. “We are confident that your support…

THE High Court in Bloemfontein has ruled against the Matjhabeng Local Municipality for severe breaches of its constitutional duties, following an application by the Democratic Alliance (DA). Judge Van Rhyn found the municipality failed to provide essential services, promote development and maintain a safe environment, declaring its conduct unconstitutional. The Premier of the Free State and other government officials were also found to have neglected their duty to intervene. The court ordered immediate intervention and the creation of a financial recovery plan, mandating compliance within seven days to address the municipality’s dire financial and service-related crises. The DA’s application argued…