Author: The Free Stater

THE Department of Employment and Labour closed down Thato Secondary School in Botshabelo following an inspection that deemed the school unsafe for learners and employees. The inspectors found that the school had unsafe electrical installations, mobile classrooms that were not stable on the ground and broken ablution facilities. These findings pose imminent danger and possible injury or death to learners and employees, the department said in a statement. The latest prohibition is the third issued to the Department of Education over the last three years. In 2021, Thato Secondary School was found to be non-compliant with some provisions of the…

PREMIER MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae has condemned surge in gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) in the Free State. In the latest case to rock the province, the body of Disebo Mosupa was on Friday found buried in a used grave at a cemetery in Welkom four days after she was reported missing. Two men were arrested in connection with the disappearance and murder of the 30-year-old woman, an acting youth development officer at Matjhabeng Local Municipality. “We must take a bold stand and seek decisive action to curb the heinous crimes of GBVF”, Letsoha-Mathae said during her visit to the family of…

CHEETAHS wing Sbu Nkosi’s career has been hit with another major setback as he faces a four-year ban after returning a positive test for a banned substance. He was left out of Friday night’s Currie Cup clash between the Bloemfontein-based side and Bulls at Loftus Versfeld for ‘personal reasons’. According to Sunday newspaperRapport, Nkosi returned a positive test for an anabolic steroid mainly used by bodybuilders. He was one of three Springbok players tested by World Rugby in May. The 28-year-old could be suspended for four years if his B-sample returns the same positive test as his A-sample, which is often…

WAYDE van Niekerk will not compete in the men’s 400m at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The former Grey College and University of the Free State student won the gold medal at Rio 2016 in the event and holds the world record after breaking Michael Johnson’s time in winning the final in Brazil. Van Niekerk has only raced once in the 400m this season, a third-place finish at the New York City Grand Prix on 9 June, following a career-threatening knee injury. He is now listed to only compete in the men’s 200m. The South Africa Sports Confederation and Olympic…

MINISTER of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has defended his trip to the Paris Olympics, after vowing to watch the games on his television. The outspoken minister – who has also cut the superfan budget–  has also pledged to donate 100 percent of his salary to charity. The Olympics takes place in Paris from 26 July to 11 August. This week, McKenzie posted picture of his trip to France ahead of the Olympics. He was supportingSouth Africa’s Sevens Rugby squad, or the Blitzboks, who advanced to the semi-finals. McKenzie tweeted: “I broke all protocols of sitting in silence and clapping softly…

BLOEMFONTEIN is set to come to a standstill when Kaizer Chiefs take on Young Africans of Tanzania in a highly anticipated pre-season friendly match at the Free State Stadium on Sunday. The clash marks the inaugural Toyota Cup. Before the showdown gets underway, fans will be taken down memory lane when they are treated to a curtain-raiser match between Kaizer Chiefs Legends and Bloemfontein Celtic Legends. Amakhosi have confirmed former stars Brian Baloyi, Cyril Nzama, Bevin Fransman, Morgan Gould, Fabian McCarthy, Simphiwe Tshabalala, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Jabu Mahlangu, Collins Mbesuma, Bernard Parker and David Radebe will feature in the legends game.…

THE Central University of Technology (CUT) has reaffirmed its commitment to partner the provincial government in various initiatives aimed at developing the Free State and uplifting its people. The institution has over the years collaborated with the provincial government on programmes such as the Provincial 4IR Summit, Provincial Research Colloquium and Well-Done Function Project. In her congratulatory message to Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae upon her election to the highest office in the province, CUT vice-chancellor and principal Professor Pamela Dube said her university was looking forward to collaborating with the provincial government on various areas that contribute to the Free State’s…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has announced South Africa’s new cabinet, following weeks of deadlock that delayed the formation of an historic governing coalition. His African National Congress (ANC) party had to settle for 20 of the 32 ministerial positions he announced on Sunday after it was stripped of its majority in the recent elections, with the remainder split among the opposition. The Democratic Alliance (DA) filled six of them. Ramaphosa was forced into the unprecedented power-sharing arrangement with DA and others after his party, a dominant force in South African politics since the end of the apartheid era, lost its parliamentary majority…

FORMER Free State premier Mxolisi Dukwana has been elected as speaker of the provincial legislature. He was sworn in on Wednesday, taking over from Ntombizanele Sifuba following her recent appointment as the MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation. Dukwana was left out of his successor Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae’s executive following South Africa’s general elections on 29 May, sparking speculation about the political future of the ANC Free State chairman. He is familiar with his new role though, having previously served as speaker of the same provincial legislature. “Although it has been over 20 years since I was first elected…

WATER is such a scarce commodity that it is impossible to increase supply – as such, demand and waste need to be monitored and reduced. However, people who have never been without water usually take it for granted. Water scarcity is a problem across the globe, with poorer communities being affected the most. Water is a finite resource and as the population increases and economic development continues, some countries are failing to meet the demand. South Africa falls under this category and has been classified as one of the driest countries in the world, ranking 30th out of 193 arid…