October 2016 1. PRINCIPAL’S CORNER: As usual, I’m delighted and honoured to once more convey my monthly message to all officials and staff of the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation. In October we hosted several events and we continued to find ways of fostering social cohesion within our soci- ety through these events. We witnessed with awe as the masses of our people from the length and breadth of our country took part in the vari- ous festivities brought forth by the Mangaung Cultural Festival (MA- CUFE). It is also important to note that the month of October coincided with the birthday of one of the pioneering fathers of our freedom and democracy – Mr. Oliver Reginald Tambo. We should at all times strive towards drawing inspiration and lessons from the values and ethos that were embedded in the person of OR Tambo. He selflessly dedicated his life towards the destruction of the previous dispensation and his tireless efforts in mobilising international solidar- ity against the apartheid regime for the noble cause of freedom and democracy are worth celebrating even to date. It is for these and many other reasons that as DSACR we consciously chose to host our annual OR Tambo Games again in 2016 while educating the public about this impeccable character. I’m confident that if each of us in the Department would selflessly serve the public in the same manner that OR Tambo did and strive for excellence in all we do daily then the Department will reach greater heights. There is so much we can learn from OR Tambo and many others who fought alongside him and we shouldn’t cease to learn from them. As we enter the month of November, let’s carry out the values and ethos we’ve drawn from the founding fathers of our liberation such as OR Tambo. Regards MEC:Mrs Sport,N.S Arts,Leeto Culture and Recreation Pg 2 2. BRAGGING RIGHTS: CHEETAHS WIN THE CURRIECUP WITH THE HELP OF THE FSSSI of the year and individual players EC Leeto congratulated the • Coach Franco Smith the only M like Ox Nche and Nico Lee are Toyota Free State Cheetahs on coach to have secured a Var also nominated as players of the winning the Nashua Currie Cup sity Cup title as well as a tournament. Final following their 36 - 16 vic- Currie Cup title. Free State Cheetahs’ performance tory over the Blue Bulls on 22 Oc- Coach Franco Smith winning also ensured that captain Francois • tober 2016. The team dominated the title as player (playing for Venter, winger Sergeal Peterson all aspects of the final match, and the Blue Bulls), as assistant and flanker Oupa Mohoje were converted almost every oppor- coach (Cheetahs) and as head named in the Springbok squad tunity into points to ultimately coach. to tour Europe in November. In be crowned the 2016 Currie Cup Congratulating the Free State addition, Cheetahs flanker Usair champions. Cheetahs MEC Leeto said, “The Caseem has also been named in The Free State Cheetahs have won Department is responsible for the the Springbok squad to play the all 8 of the round robin matches conditioning of the team at the Barbarians in a non-official test and have earned a 4 try bonus FSSSI and our support for the Free match. point in 7 of the 8 round robin State Cheetahs as a department The Free State Cheetahs has matches – the only match where continues to yield positive results. won the title in 1976, 2005, 2006 they did not score 4 tries or more The Department also supports the (Shared with the Blue Bulls), was against the Western Province team financially each year. We are 2007 and now 2016. The Free in Cape Town. To this, they have proud to once again be associated State Cheetahs has secured sever- added the semi-final victory of with champions. We urge all our al records in their victory, which 55-17 over the Lions and the final people to show their unwavering are as follows: victory over the Blue Bulls, mak- support for the Free State Chee- ing the 2016 season a 10 out of • Most converted penalties in a tahs as the team will, after a short 10 season. Due to the team’s per- final (7 by Niel Marais) rest, start preparations for the Su- formance, the team as a collective • Second largest winning per Rugby tournament starting in is one of the nominees for team margin in history February 2017.” Pg 3 3. SERVICE DELIVERY MILESTONE: MACUFE 2016 received massive support from EC Leeto thanked all stake- M the public hence the performance holders who were involved in the line-up included South Africa’s preparation and staging of the finest Rock artists such as Wonder 19th annual Mangaung African Boom, Manny Walters, Howie Cultural Festival (MACUFE) as Combrinck, Just Jinjer, and Dry- well as the general public for their water. The MACUFE Gospel, support and for making MACUFE MACUFE Comedy, MACUFE a very successful cultural event. Jazz Festival, MACUFE Divas The 19th annual MACUFE host- Concert and MACUFE Urban ed under the theme “Igniting the Festival shows also showcased African Spirit” proved to be a Free State finest talents and the brand that continues to receive Department will continue to uti- overwhelming support from pa- lize such esteemed platforms to trons across the country and the prioritize and expose Free State continent while contributing artists to a larger audience per- enormously to the economy of the forming alongside South Africa’s Free State province. In 2016 MA- most celebrated artists, and where CUFE reaffirmed itself as the only possible, encourage collabora- festival in South Africa that caters tions that will see our own local for all interest groups and people artists benefit. from all walks of life primarily because of its diverse program. The Department also brought The 19th annual MACUFE pro- back the MACUFE Word-Fest gram kick-started with the MA- under the auspice of the Free State CUFE Hip-hop show under the Writers Forum for those patrons theme Tshepe vs. New Era on 30 of MACUFE who appreciate lit- September where Free State Hip- erature and the spoken word on hop acts who dominate the Tshepe 05-07 October because the event movement such as Andrianto, J was last held in 2013 due to finan- Cob, Naycha, Castino, DJ Shaxe cial constraints. MACUFE Word- and Thwenny Thwenny enter- Fest also served as a platform for tained a youthful crowd alongside Free State writers to launch their some renowned South African books, and hosted workshops Hip-hop acts such as Ricky Rick, on writing skills and techniques. Da Les, L Tido,Moozlie, Gigi MACUFE Word-Fest received Lamayne, Gemini Major, Yanga, presentations from the legendary Dj Capital, and Dj Switch. Khotso Nkhatho, Pule Lechesa, In 2016 the Department integrat- Chopo Teleki and many other im- ed the MACUFE Rock-Fest as an minent Free State writers. addition to the many events that As per tradition the 19th annual form part of the festival on 01 MACUFE ended on a high note October at Emoya Estate in Man- with the SPARTA MACUFE Cup gaung. The MACUFE Rock-Fest, match between Bloemfontein like all other MACUFE events, Pg 4 Celtic and Kaizer Chiefs held at Free State Writers Forum. More the Free State Stadium on 09 Oc- than 130 writers attended the 3 tober in Mangaung which saw day festival, where poetry rendi- Kaizer Chiefs claim the trophy tions and storytelling were show- with a 4-1 victory over Bloem- cased by the lively literary artists. fontein Celtics. Sport continues to The Language Services first took be a powerful tool that the Depart- this initiative to give writers from ment uses to foster social cohe- across the Free State a platform to sion and the SPARTA MACUFE showcase their talents, in 2008. Cup was no different. This year, the Wordfest was held at the Indaba Auditorium at the Commenting about the success Bram Fischer Building, as part of the 19th annual MACUFE of the Macufe 2016 celebrations. Free State MEC for Sport, Arts, Many well-known authors and Culture and Recreation Mrs N.S experts in their fields featured in Leeto said, “We thank the people the festival this year. Workshops of the Free State, South Africa, on creative writing, intellectual and the rest of the continent for property and commercial pub- their unwavering support for the lishing were held by Mr Tseliso 19th annual MACUFE. Indeed Masolane, Mr Khotso Nkhatho, we have all reaffirmed MACUFE Mr Thabiso Mofokeng and Mr as a brand that attracts thousands Pule Lechesa, respectively. The of patrons and this would not have writers fully appreciated these been possible without the strong workshops and gained valuable collaborations the department has knowledge from them. with various stakeholders such as the Traffic Department, South Af- The Wordfest also saw the rican Police Service, Emergency book launch of the book “Man- Services, Hospitality Sector, and yekathipa”, written by Mr Kag- the many sponsors MACUFE re- isho Senkge, posthumously pub- ceived. lished by the FSWF and presented to his family. The novel is about Most importantly, we wish to the way of life during the ancient sincerely thank the people of the periods, when the Basotho com- Free State for being very hospita- munities were under the leader- ble to our guests. Moving forward ship of chiefs. A group of men we encourage our people in the became fearless fighters who townships to take advantage of would defend the community dur- the accommodation backlog we ing senseless wars.