THURSDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2018 NEWS YOU CAN USE FREE Awesome fire power displayed On Friday evening residents of Bloemfontein and surrounding areas were treated to a display of force by 1 South African Tank Regiment during the annual night shooting exercise at the De Brug military firing range. The regiment, which is stationed at the Tempe Military base, entertained the sizeable crowd with an awesome display of fire power by the military’s older Mark I and more modern Mark II tanks. 16 Squadron of the South African Air Force also formed part of the entertainment by showing off its state-of-the-art Rooivalk gunship firing rockets, as well as its 20-mm cannon boasting a fire rate of 740 rounds per minute. PHOTOS: MORGAN PIEK %ORHP3DUN&HQWUH )DDQ)HUUHLUD5G/+3%IQ ZZZNUDDLQHVEORHPFR]D <RXUKRPHGHVHUYHV Like our facebook page and see what is available The powerToyota FORTUNER 4X4of 2.8 MANUAL savingL Save R93 000 Now Only R539 900 Toyota HILUX Toyota RAV4 2.8 RAIDER AUTOMATIC 2.0.00 GXGX MANUALMANANUA Save R20 000 Save R68 500 Now Only NowNoow OnlyR379 900 R359 900 CALLCAC LLLU USUS FORF A DEAL THAT SUITS YOUR NEEDS wwwwww.ooranjetoyranje otabloemfontein.co.za Oranje Toyota Bloemfonteinin 0510551 40640406 3000303 0000 • CnCnrnr of Nelson Mandela Drive & Muller Street, Spitskop Image for illustration purposes only 2 COMMUNITY NEWS • GEMEENSKAPSNUUS www.bloemfonteincourant.co.za • [email protected] • 13 September 2018 Angry taxi operators invade Bloemfontein PIERCE VAN HEERDEN [email protected] After close to 80 minibus taxis arrived in Bloemfontein from Welkom yesterday, 11 taxi associations from the Lejweleputswa region, which includes Welkom, have threatened to stay in town until their demands are met by the Free State Department of Police, Roads, and Transport. The Welkom United Taxi Association (Wuta) has collectively called for the head of the Chief Registrar of Public Transport in the Free State after an alleged illegal taxi rank has been running in Welkom for nearly 13 months. “We will stay here until they come to us, even if it means we will have to stay here for a week or two,” said Itumeleng Sehume, CEO of Wuta. According to Sehume, the Free State Department of Police, Roads, and Transport’s chief director, Mangaliso Xaba, failed to fulfil his duties and in an interview with Bloemfontein Courant Sehume shared his frustration and stated that the law cannot be negotiated. Sehume added Police officers had their hands full to control that they had, on several occasions since the traffic after close to 80 taxi operators 2014, tried to engage with the department from Welkom arrived in the Bloemfontein CBD but their calls have fallen on (Xaba’s) deaf yesterday. ears and they have now had enough. (RIGHT) Taxi operators from Welkom demanding “The reason why this problem cannot be the resignation of the Chief Registrar of Public solved is that Mr Xaba’s sister, the head Transport in the Free State. PHOTOS PIERCE VAN of the department in Welkom, and some HEERDEN traffic officials are also taxi owners and have an interest in this business,” Sehume added. Xaba, on the other hand, had in a statement dated September 3, said they intended to meet (on 17 Septemmber) with As a result of the taxis being lined up the general membership of the association next to the Anchor House building in at their offices in Anchor House, known as East Burger Street, motorists where left the Permit Board Offices, in the boardroom stranded and law enforcement officials on the fourth floor. Sehume said they had had to step in to try and keep the traffic no knowledge thereof. flowing. Pacofs’ spotlight slowly dimming SEITHATI SEMENOKANE theatre as well as the service they have [email protected] received, to which Makhabane replied: “The challenge Pacofs is facing with The pride and joy of the Free State regards to cleanliness around the building theatrical arts community, Pacofs, has emanates from the skating community slowly been fading out of the spotlight. that practice outside the building, causing Although the institution denies being damage. The other challenge is the in trouble, it ascribes its recent woes to homeless people who have turned the budget cuts, which it claims resulted in the Pacofs buildings into their homes. To institution not being able to afford most address these, we have engaged with the of the big quality productions that the Department of Public Works, as the owner community members are used to. of the building, to assist by fencing the However, some people have commented building in order to control unauthorised that since Jerry Mofokeng retired as the access.” artistic director, the Makhabane added quality of productions that among the has not been the same. upcoming productions, “Pacofs has to contend theatre lovers can with the dwindling Homeless people look forward to shows financial resources, who have turned the including one by the the impact of which Pacofs buildings nationally acclaimed is that good quality comedian, Skhumba, productions cannot into their homes which is coming up be commissioned or in November. “The procured. Pacofs has institution has managed developed a turnaround strategy. One of to successfully run projects such as; the strategies is to partner with different Russian Ballet, The greatest laughter institutions and arts practitioners with comedy show, Meatology drama, and good quality works to stage productions Once a woman show. Just last week, there instead of commissioning them for their was variety of good drama and dance works. That is why there has been a productions that were staged through the huge improvement in the quality of the Camagu Festival.” work being staged in the current year,” Makhabane concluded by stating that a said Maseeta Makgabane of the Pacofs turnaround strategy has been developed, Marketing Department. and if Pacofs implements it correctly, it Bloemfontein Courant has also received should be able to restore the image and a few complaints about the tidiness of the stature of the once acclaimed arts centre. Editor - Pieter Delport SALES STUDIO AUDIT REPORT NEWS: [email protected] Corni Fourie - 051 505 0997 Elmarie Venter The distribution of this ABC Community Specialist - Seithati Semenokane Marelize Dunlop - 082 291 4124 newspaper is independently 082 3701 268 [email protected] Mitzi Noome - 082 575 0571 Liezl Magson audited to the professional General Manager - Christel Basson Tarryn Swartz - 071 762 7535 051 5050 900 Moloko Moholwa standards administrated [email protected] Judy Barnard - 076 791 0304 by the [email protected] Sales Manager - Corni Fourie Tumo Moabi - 071 456 2267 Orefile Malebo Felecia Wessels - 051 5050 926 Audit Bureau of Central Media Park. Distribution Supervisor - Nicodemus Mokapane (Classifieds) Andries Miennie Circulations of South Africa. 7 Christo Groenewald street. This newspaper is obligated to report news truthfully, accurately and fairly. All rights and reproduction material published in this newspaper are hereby reserved in terms of the Copyright Act. This publication is registered as a newspaper. Verified distribution: 50 000 copies per week. Wild Olive Estate. Bloemfontein. 9301. For any complaints about our distribution, please contact Andries Kleinhans on 084-610-8337 or send an email to: [email protected] 13 September 2018 • [email protected] • www.bloemfonteincourant.co.za COMMUNITY NEWS • GEMEENSKAPSNUUS 3 FS Rose to represent South Africa in Manila PIERCE VAN HEERDEN [email protected] Embracing her natural beauty, working hard and caring for her community and environment, it is no surprise that the 26-year- old Margo Fargo from Heidedal in Bloemfontein has been announced Miss Earth South Africa 2018. She will be representing South Africa in Manila. “Four years ago I took part in the Miss Earth South Africa programme, having been named an ambassador. I have never stopped applying Margo Fargo what this programme has taught me. They say when you live something every day, little by little country. It is basically to share you become it. What an honour my heart, what South Africa to be representing South Africa stands for and where South at this year’s international Miss Africa is going from a perspective Earth 2018 pageant,” Fargo of the hashtag #Wastestops Kommer heers regoor SA oor rugbystadions wat al hoe leër word wedstryd na wedstryd. wrote on social media. with me, which is going to be my Fargo, who was a Miss South advocacy for South Africa. I really Africa top 12 finalist, is not just a hope to represent SA to the best pretty face. With her Honours in of my ability,” Fargo said. Al minder toeskouers by B.Sc. Consumer Science at the “We are so pleased to have University of the Free State, she Margo take our environmental, is also co-director of a non-profit climate, waste and water projects organisation called the A&M and initiatives to share with the rugby wedstryde kwel Foundation, hair influencer for global platform. As a leadership Shea Moisture South Africa, part- programme for women we pride JERETHA OOSTHUIZEN Hy vertel dat hulle wel ’n paar time model, part-time teacher ourselves in the impact we have [email protected] planne in die mou voer om and mentor. on our communities and on the groter skares terug te lok na die “For me to represent my lives of the amazing women who Dit is op die oog af duidelik dat stadion. “Die Vrystaat Cheetahs country is an absolute dream share a journey with us each rugbystadions landwyd al leër raak is daarvoor bekend dat ons baie come true. It is such a feeling of year,” said executive director wanneer wedstryde gespeel word. innoverende denke aan die dag fulfilment because I have always of the Miss Earth programme, Kaartjiepryse word gereeld lê om toeskouers na wedsdryde just wanted to represent my Catherine Constantinides.