COMMUNITY COMMUNITY ENTERTAINMENT www.bloemfonteincourant.co.za Mangaung entrepreneurs Refi loe Mocwa is cut from a Nal’ibali gears up for World FS education tackles share success stories different cloth Read Aloud Day curriculum challenges PAGE 2 PAGE 3 PAGE 5 LENTSWE LA BATHO • VOICE OF THE PEOPLE WEDNESDAY 15 February 2017 FREE Tragedy when toddler dies in open waterhole CATHY DLODLO at the time of the incident. They said that brave woman who jumped in and tried to Xuma said the toddler was declared one of the kids pushed Simphiwe and he save him. “The woman said she could not dead on the scene. As family members The community of Ramagari in Thaba fell into the water.” She said she is not see the toddler in the water, but noticed his and volunteers were busy preparing for Nchu is up in arms about several open blaming anyone.“How could we blame fl oating shoe. She then just blindly jumped Simphiwe’s funeral, they remembered this waterholes in the area after one of these kids? They are just kids. We cannot judge in and started searching for him. She then friendly boy who would have turned fi ve claimed the life of a toddler. Four-year-old or convict,” said a very sad Joyce. pulled him out,” said Joyce. Her grandson on Tuesday. Simphiwe Qwema died on Friday after She said she just wanted to thank the was totally covered in mud. [email protected] he had fallen into a hole fi lled with water while he and his friends were playing nearby. Police spokesperson Martin Xuma said a resident, Dikeledi Mokeki, heard the kids screaming and rushed there. It is alleged that the toddler got stuck in the mud and then drowned. Resident Motlalepule Tsikare said the community is very unhappy. She said numerous requests that the holes should be fi lled up have been ignored. They said that one of the kids pushed Simphiwe and he fell into the water. EFF’s provincial secretary in the Free State, Mandisa Makesini, went to visit the family of the toddler. She said they did an inspection of the whole ward and found at least 10 of these open holes in the residential area. “This is very dangerous for kids and we are going to ask that the Mangaung Municipality address the issue as a matter of urgency,” she said. Simphiwe’s grandmother, Joyce Qwema, said her grandchild was loved by everyone For the love of literature and he was very clever. She said she spoke Reikantse Manaka and Stacey Fru launched their books at a dual book launch held at the National Museum and the University of the Free State. to some of his friends who were with him The two young published authors shared their love for literature with fellow book lovers. Read more on PAGE 5. PHOTO: SEITHATI SEMENOKANE 2 COMMUNITY NEWS • SETJHABA www.bloemfonteincourant.co.za • [email protected] • 15 February 2017 Mangaung entrepreneurs share success stories SEITHATI SEMENOKANE formalise her goals. She was also helped bulb business profi le and fl yers as well,” Pholwane says that Seda is in constant by Seda providing her with business cards, says Pholwane. She says the service she communication with her. They have kept Entrepreneurs who have been working which played a big role in making people received from Seda was very professional: an eye on the growth of her company with the Small Enterprise Development aware of her company. She has been going “There was a sense of urgency and and also keep her updated on any new Agency (Seda) to improve their businesses to Seda annually for these marketing empathy from the consultants, and they developments in her line of work. shared their success stories at the annual materials. were very patient with me.” Entrepreneurs can call Seda on 051-411- Entrepreneurs Day held in Bloemfontein “What helped me the most was the Pholwane says this helped her business 3820 or visit the website www.seda.org. on 7 February. Entrepreneurs from across workshops. We would attend workshops grow a lot. After receiving the marketing za. The Seda offi ces can also be visited on the Mangaung Metro attended the event, for marketing, clientele and so on, which material she was able to expand her the fi rst fl oor at the Telkom Building in which included a dialogue between Seda helped a lot. Seda gave me the boost I company and she has even been able to Nelson Mandela Road, Bloemfontein. FS stakeholders, the private sector, the needed for my company at that time,” she sponsor beauty events in her community. [email protected] municipality and existing and aspiring says. She urged the other entrepreneurs to entrepreneurs. attend the workshops and to ensure that Satty Mdhluli of Thabile Tours was proud they apply the knowledge they obtain in to stand in front of the attendants and tell their businesses. them how Seda had helped her through Tumelo Rathobei Pholwane, who owns the journey of starting a business. Mdhuli Botshelo Wellness and Fitness Club based used to be a taxi driver in Heidedal for in Thaba Nchu, says she fi rst approached 23 years and this is when she started Seda when she realised that people didn’t developing an interest in tour operations. know about her company. “I went to Seda She started her tour operations business and met a consultant called Diliza Nogabe. in 2004 and she bought her fi rst 13-seater He helped with the process of fi lling in Quantum in 2006. the legal forms that were needed before I Mdhluli then experienced the diffi culties could get assistance,” she says. of being a woman in a male dominated She then received assistance with her Satty Mdhuli of Thabile Tours says she attends With the marketing materials from Seda, Tumelo industry. She approached Seda in the hope marketing material. “They helped me Seda workshops often and applies the knowlegde Pholwane has expanded her company and she in her company to improve it. Her company is now able to sponsor beauty events in her of getting help. Seda started by helping with marketing materials, including tear has grown from owning one Quantum to two community. with a business plan so that Mdhuli could drop banners, pull-up banners, and a light 22-seaters and two Quantums. Thaba Nchu welcomes new Cluster Commander PULANE CHOANE their roles. The ambitious policeman concludes Newly appointed Cluster Commander by appealing to community members for Thaba Nchu, Brigadier Kgotatso to strive to use their God given Ramokotjo, managed to squeeze fi ve abilities in their respective areas minutes into his busy schedule to where they work and live, adding that speak to Voice. Referring to his new “God has given us everything, for us Club job, Ramokotjo says: “It is a pleasure it is to fl y higher and higher.” As the to be trusted to carry such a huge Provincial Cluster Commander, he Y responsibility. I have been waiting will be responsible for Botshabelo, M for this opportunity.” Excelsior, Hobhouse, Thaba Nchu He adds that it will be yet another and Tweespruit’s safety. He will also new adventure for him in his career ensure that he creates coherence as a policeman and relishes in the among different stations, units and potential for growth that the new communities. position promises. [email protected] JOINAIRTIME UP FOR GRABS’’ Ramokotjo adds that there were less thrilling moments in his career, referring to one of the most traumatic ‘‘R10 000 crime scenes he was assigned to in Maokeng in Kroonstad where he WIN YOUR SHARE! had to attend to a scene where a husband had killed his wife as well as his wife’s mother and sister before going on to commit suicide. He adds that these things are part of the job and that each day brings its own TO REGISTER DIAL *120*70707# challenges. According to Ramokotjo, one of AND FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS. the more challenging aspects of his USSD 20c / 20sec job is that people often stereotype policemen as “heartless, godless WHAT IS MY CLUB? and selfi sh”, which he credits to the MY CLUB is a mobile platform brought to you by handful of rotten police offi cials who Caxton Local Newspapers. Readers stand a chance to win amazing prizes. spoil the reputation of the armful that “God has given us everything. For us it is to are indeed good and trustworthy in fl y higher,” says the new Thaba Nchu Cluster Commander, Brigadier Kgotatso Ramokotjo. T’s & C’s apply. Phase 1 competition is valid until 03 March 2017. 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Verifi ed Distribution: 20000 copies per week. 15 February 2017 • [email protected] • www.bloemfonteincourant.co.za COMMUNITY NEWS • SETJHABA 3 Refiloe Mocwa is cut from a different cloth PULANE CHOANE and loathed being broke.