Author: The Free Stater

By Monica Castillo Facts are so often stranger than fiction: the truth can be so terrible that we struggle to believe it, or so joyous and full of life that we are inspired or moved. The past decade has seen a boom in the documentary space as streaming platforms have invested in their production and proliferated their distribution opportunities. So many docs that could have made this list, from those that have inspired public policy changes to others that captured gorgeous slices of life often overlooked, and even a few that pushed the visual boundaries of what’s possible in non-fiction…

Staff Reporter At least 61 people have recovered from COVID-19 in the Free State, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has announced. Addressing journalists in Pietermaritzburg this Friday, Mkhize said a total of 410 people have recovered from the disease in South Africa. “Our health workers are fighting in a heroic way and the number of recoveries is 410 people,” he said. Mkhize said 24 people have died of the disease in the country, with the number of deaths in the Free State remaining at three. South Africa’s confirmed number coronavirus cases has risen to 2003 after an increase of 69 cases…

Staff Reporter President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed confidence the national lockdown has helped slow down the spread of COVID-19 as the increase in the number of confirmed cases has slowed down in recent weeks. “Since the lockdown came into effect, the rate at which new cases have been identified here in South Africa has slowed significantly,” he said in a televised national address on Thursday night in which he also announced the extension of the lockdown by a further two weeks to end on April 30. “While it is too early to make a definitive analysis of the progression of…

Staff Reporter The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has paid out R356 million to help employees who are unable to work following the implementation of the national lockdown set to help curb the spread of COVID-19. Addressing the nation Thursday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the UIF has set aside R40 billion to assist workers across different sectors. He urged businesses to pay for goods and services received so that other companies are able to meet their salary obligations. “I would like to applaud all those employers who have continued to pay their workers during this difficult time, as well as…

Staff Reporter President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended the national lockdown being implemented to help contain the spread of the deadly COVID-19 by two weeks. This means the lockdown which was supposed to end on April 16 will now remain in place until April 30. “After careful consideration of the available evidence, the National Coronavirus Command Council has decided to extend the nationwide lockdown by a further two weeks beyond the initial 21 days,” Ramaphosa said in a televised national address Thursday night. He said most of the existing lockdown measures will remain in force until the end of April. “We…

Staff Reporter The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it will report suspended Matjhabeng Local Municipality mayor Nkosinjani Speelman to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) for the racist and xenophobic comments he made when addressing a military parade this week. “The DA will lodge a complaint with the SAHRC following the racist, xenophobic and violent comments made by . . . mayor Speelman while addressing members of the South African National Defense Force,” DA leader in the Free State, Patricia Kopane, said in a statement. In a video, widely circulated on social media, Speelman can be heard using racist slurs…

Staff Reporter A third person has died from COVID-19 in the Free State, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has announced. The latest victim is a 77-year-old male. South Africa has now recorded a total of 18 coronavirus-related deaths after five more people succumbed to the disease. “Today we are saddened to report five more COVID-19 related deaths,” Mkhize said in a statement on Wednesday night. “This takes the total number of deaths to 18. We convey our condolences to the (families) of the deceased and also appreciate the health workers that treated the deceased (patients).” The minister said the total number…

Staff Reporter The ANC in the Free State has suspended Matjhabeng Local Municipality mayor Nkosinjani Speelman for using a racially offensive word while addressing soldiers on the enforcing of lockdown rules in the mining town of Welkom. His suspension comes after a video of him asking the army to use force against “boesmans” – a derogatory term used to describe coloured people during the apartheid era – went viral. “In Bronville, you know some of the ‘boesmans’, they take some chances; don’t hesitate. I talked to them yesterday, but when you close them (down), they get out and drink again,”…

Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has appealed to South Africans to “find it in your hearts to forgive me” for having lunch at a friend’s house during a nationwide lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus. Her apology followed a directive from President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday. The news of the lunch broke when a picture of Ndabeni-Abrahams having lunch with former deputy minister of higher education Mduduzi Manana at his home went viral on social media. In the picture, the two are seated at a table along with other people. The president then summoned…

Staff Reporter VKB Knights head coach Allan Donald has announced the central franchise’s squad for the 2020/2021 season. Northern Cape opening batsman Jacques Snyman has been rewarded with a franchise contract after an excellent performance in both the CSA Three-Day Provincial Cup and CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge. Snyman also displayed his true potential in the Momentum One Day Cup campaign for the VKB Knights. Free State opening bowler Duan Jansen has also received a franchise contract after an impressive season at senior provincial level. Former WSB Cape Cobras players Matthew Kleinveldt and Ferisco Adams, Momentum Multiply Titans duo Alfred Mothoa…