End May 2019 Issue No.05 1. PRINCIPAL’S CORNER In announcing the new Free State Executive Council of the 6th demo- cratic dispensation, Honourable Premier Sefora “Sisi” Ntombela stated that, “The struggle for radical socio-economic change is the cornerstone of our mandate, and we shall ensure that the visions contained in the Freedom Charter are realised. We are concerned about the high levels of unemployment, especially amongst the youth. Statistics show that almost three hundred thousand youth are unemployed in Free State. This represents 48% of the entire unemployed population”. Undoubtedly, this new Executive Council is seized with the responsibility of uplifting many of our youths and women out of the bondage of unemployment, inequality and poverty. Through sport, arts, culture and recreation, we shall create an environ- ment that is abundant with opportunities for all the people of the Free State to explore their talents and express their innovations. The Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (DSACR) is funda- mentally seeking to “Champion Social Transformation” as stated in its vision statement. In doing so, we commit to accelerating sport tourism and unlocking all economic opportunities within the arts and culture sector. We are guided by the need to build a modern developmental state that has the means to drive economic and social transformation, to embrace innovation and to direct effort and resources towards where they will have the greatest impact. With this in mind, it is also befitting to commend the ruling party for appointing a significant number of young people into the 6th Executive Council. This is in fulfilment of our commitment to giving young people roles of responsibility in all sectors of society and forms part of a generational transition in which we are creating a pipeline of leaders to take our country further into the future. Let’s grow South Africa together! MEC:Ms Sport,LP Arts, Mahasa Culture and Recreation 1 2. BRAGGING RIGHTS DSACR’S NEW MEC ANNOUNCED FREE STATE-BORN ARTIST COENIE DE VILLIERS WINS SAMA AWARD stated that, “On behalf of the Depart- The Free State Department of Sport, ment I wish to congratulate Coenie for Arts, Culture and Recreation (DSACR) his befitting award at the 25th SAMAs. congratulated Coenie de Villiers for win- His discography is that of a legend in ning the Beste Kontemporëre Musiek Al- the South African music industry and bum award at the 25th South African Mu- we wish him all the best going into the sic Awards (SAMAs) held from 31 May future. May he continue to receive more – 01 June 2019 at the Sun City Resort in recognition from his fans and peers in the North West Province. Coenie was born on music industry. We also wish to congrat- 11 October 1956 in Bloemfontein and is a ulate other Free State-born artists who renowned South African singer/songwriter, were nominated at the 25th SAMAs pianist, pop artist who sings in his mother such as Brendan Peyper and Prince Kay- tongue of Afrikaans. bee. Another Free State-born personality Congratulating Coenie on his SAMA win, who deserves our recognition is Lesedi Free State MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture FM’s Seipati Seoke who hosted the and Recreation Ms Limakatso Mahasa event with excellence. 2 MEC MAHASA MEETS SENIOR MANAGEMENT MEC Limakatso Mahasa met with The MEC outlined her vision for of the Department, Mr Stanley DSACR senior management as the department and rallied man- Malope, pledged the commitment she commenced her term as the agement to have a collective com- of Management in ensuring the vi- political head of the department. mitment to that vision. The Head sion of the MEC is realised. 3 SA BOXING AWARDS HELD DSACR Chief Director for Sport and Recreation Me Kgomotso Tlhakudi and other dignitaries at the South African Boxing Awards at Sandton Convention Centre on May 17, 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Winners of the 2019 edition of the awards were as follows: Male boxer of the year: Tulani Mbenge Female boxer of the year: Mellisa Miller Male fight of the year: Mzoxolo Ndwayana v Shaun Ness Female fight of the year: Asandiswa Nxokwana v Sherodine Fortuin Male prospect of the year: Ayabonga Sonjica Female prospect of the year: Simangele Hadebe Media person of the year: Thabiso Mosia Female ring official of the year: Siya Vabaza Male ring official of the year: Alan Matakane Most promising ring official of the year: Simphiwe Gceba Knockout of the year: Zolani Tete v Siboniso Gonya Trainer of the Year: Colin Nathan Promoter of the year: Teris Ntutu (Rumble Africa Promotions) Most promising promoter of the year: Xolani Mampunye of Last-Born Promotions Manager of the year: Colleen McAusland Special achievements: Zolani Tete‚ Hekkie Budler‚ Moruti Mthalane‚ Xaba Boxing Promotions Lifetime achievement awards: Themba Zulu‚ Les Andreasen‚ Gladys Tsenene‚ Jeff Ellis‚ Mzoli Madyaka 4 SESOTHO LITERARY MUSEUM HONORS KHOTSO NKHATO The Free State Department of “SLM in Dialogue” project and it lator and producer of radio and Sport, Arts, Culture and Recrea- further served as a platform to fol- television dramas, all in Sesotho. tion (DSACR) through its Ses- low up on the developments made For that, SLM, in its gesture of otho Literature Museum (SLM) and resolutions taken in the previ- goodwill, produced a huge poster hosted a consultative workshop ous eight dialogues. of his portrait honoring him for his under the auspice of “SLM in Dia- It was during the this event that undying support for the develop- logue” project on 23 May 2019 at SLM honored the legendary Ntate ment and preservation of Sesotho Ventersburg Intermediate School. Khotso Nkhato and appreciated language and literature. In attend- With the theme being “Tsosoloso the contributions and support he ance were 120 audience members ya lerato la puo ya Sesotho le din- displayed towards previous SLM who comprised of learners and ed- golwa” this consultative workshop Dialogues. He was also highly ucators from Matseripe Secondary was aimed at resuscitating the love recognized for the pivotal role he School and Ventersburg Intermedi- for Sesotho language and litera- played as a writer, presenter, ac- ate School. ture. It was also the 9th edition of tor, director, screenwriter, trans- 3. SERVICE DELIVERY MILESTONES SESOTHO LITERARY MUSEUM ENGAGES LEARNERS ments with schools and the gen- languages particularly Sesotho. He On the 2nd May 2019 Sesotho eral public in order to foster na- further conducted a reading ses- Literature Museum (SLM) inter- tion building and patriotism. Mr sion and highlighted the role of acted with learners of Monamodi Thapelo Monoane and Mr Molale museums in our communities and Public School in Brandfort, Ma- Shuping who works at SLM as distributed national symbols such jwemasweu as part of its outreach a Museum Human Scientist in- as the Preamble of the SA Consti- activities for Grade 4, 5 & 6 learn- formed learners about the impor- tution, National Anthem of South ers. Provincial Museum Services tance of languages, writing & pub- Africa as well as the AU Anthem. is mandated to facilitate engage- lishing of books written in African 5 4. POLICY SPOTLIGHT NORMAL SICK LEAVE An employee is entitled to 36 working days sick leave with full pay over a three-year cycle. Any unused sick leave credits shall lapse at the expiry of the three-year cycle. It is incumbent on the employee to utilise and manage his/her normal sick leave responsibly and with cir- cumspect. An employee must submit his/her application for sick leave in respect of clinical procedures in advance, unless the treating practitioner certifies that such procedures have to be conducted as an emergency. If overcome by a sudden illness or injury, the employee must personally notify his/her supervisor/manager immediately. A verbal message to the supervisor/manager by a relative, fellow employee or friend is only acceptable if the nature and/or extent of the illness/injury prevents the employee to inform the supervisor/ 6 manager personally. An employee must submit an application for sick leave personally or through a relative, fellow employee within 5 working days after the first day of absence. The employee’s supervisor/manager/ Head of Depart- ment and/or his/her delegate/must within two working days from receipt of the leave application form recommend/not recommend and/or approve/disapprove the application and submit to the relevant Human Resource division in the department. If the employee fails to submit an application within the period indicated above, the following arrange- ments apply: • The employee’s manager/supervisor must immediately notify the employee that if such application is not received within 2 working days, the leave period will be regarded as unpaid leave or annual leave. If the employee fails to submit the application on time or compelling reasons why an application cannot be submitted, the supervisor/manager must immediately inform the Human Resource division and the rel- evant authority shall approve such absence as unpaid leave or annual leave if the employee consents. The employee’s supervisor/manager/ Head of Departments and/or his/her delegate must within two working days from receipt of the leave application form recommend/not recommend and/or approve/disapprove this leave application and submit to the relevant Human Resource division in the department. • Failure by the employee to submit his/her application form within the stated periods, or failure by the supervisor/manager to properly manage it, must be viewed in a serious light and disciplinary steps against the employee and/or supervisor/manager should be taken. During the month of MAY we mourned the loss of: • Mr September Nkoe who was a Museum Officer at Provincial Museum Services.