Three degrees behind his name, yet unemployed

 By Katleho Morapela

Seun Komolafe, who has three degrees behind his name, is looking for work at a street corner in Bloemfontein. The 31-year-old Kovsie Alumnus, Seun Komolafe, holds an undergraduate degree in Actuarial Science, an Honours degree and a Master’s degree in Mathematics, which he obtained recently.Yet he is struggling to put bread on his table. Coming from an impoverished background in Nigeria, Komolafe did not hesitate when his uncle, who was living in South Africa, suggested that he furthers his studies at the University of the Free State.Komolafe says having grown up in dire poverty, raised by a single father, he knew that education was his only key to success.

“My uncle came with this suggestion at the time when I was working at a local factory after completing my final year of school. I had no money to come and study in South Africa but I decided to take the risk either way. After completing my school year, I spent four years working at a factory just to put something on the table and I knew that I wanted something more out of life. All I ever wanted, was to achieve something in life. All I ever wanted, was to be somebody. So when my uncle offered to help with registration fees, I grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Little did I know that I would still face financial drawbacks after completing my studies,” says Komolafe.

In his first year studying towards his undergraduate degree in Actuarial Science, Komolafe struggled to finance his studies and had to rely on church members and family friends who helped raise funds to pay for his tuition fee.

He thereafter managed to obtain a merit bursary from the university to further his studies until this point.

Komolafe says, despite having obtained three degrees with distinctions in fields that are seldom studied, his biggest challenge remains finding employment.

He is, however, hopeful that his love for mathematics and numbers will bear fruit in no time.

Komolafe has thus far made several job applications and stands at a street corner near the university, asking people passing to assist in finding him a job.

Katleho Morapela
katleho@centralmediagroup.co.za

Katlehomorapela@gmail.com

Never give up, advises the Prince of House Music

By Katleho Morapela

Prince Kaybee

Kabelo Motsamai, better known as Prince Kaybee, the Free State-born House Music DJ and producer, attracted the spotlight when he released his debut album in October 2015 and has relatively managed to get himself counted among the likes of international DJs within a short period of time.

The Free State music star’s album has officially reached gold status in South Africa.

During the 15th Metro FM Awards, he was the most nominated artist in several categories: Best Newcomer, Best Male Album, Best Dance Album, Song of the Year, Best Produced Album, Best Styled and Artist of the Year.

He won the Best Dance Album. While he scored relative success with “Wajellwa”, his single featuring Shaun Dihoro, it’s “Better Days” that has put him in the spotlight.

Prince Kaybee says he was going through a tough time in his career and felt as if he was not progressing in life when he wrote the song.

“The album is a reflection of my life, I was going through a rough period in my life and prayed for better days, and that’s how the title came about. My music means a lot to me, it’s like adopting a baby whom you can’t live without.”

Having grown up in the rural areas of the Free State, in Senekal and Welkom, and being raised by his grandparents, Prince Kaybee remains humble regardless of being South Africa’s Prince of House music.

“Growing up, I was not connected to music. My love for music only developed at a later stage in my life.”

Prince Kaybee says his music journey started in his 10th Grade, and he has since struggled to find his feet in the music industry.

Considering how competitive the entertainment industry is and the large number of talented producers and DJs there are within the industry, Prince Kaybee says he manages to survive because he knows challenges are meant to strengthen people and are tests that contribute to people’s character.

He urges youngsters who want to enter the music industry to develop character and be spiritually grounded.

“Young people should pursue their dreams and trust in the power of the divine God. Today’s youth are faced with challenges of alcohol and drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, and other socio-economic issues that could prevent them from reaching their full potential. They should set goals, focus on their dreams and unveil themselves to the Divine High,” says the Prince.

Being based in Bloemfontein and having achieved to put his name on an international map, the Free State music star says it’s important to remain humble and rooted in who you are.

“I always reflect back at my life, coming from an impoverished background motivates me to work even harder, and through my music, I want to reach the world and motivate people to never give up on their dreams.”

Katleho Morapela
katleho@centralmediagroup.co.za

katlehomorapela@gmail

Mangaung Metro sets target to eradicate SA’s number one killer

By Katleho Morapela  

Mangaung Metro Municipality Executive Mayor, Olly Mlamleli. Photo: Katleho Morapela

The Mangaung Metro aims to reduce the number of people who are infected with TB. Its mayor, Olly Mlamleli, wants to have 54% of the citizens screened and 89% of those diagnosed, to be treated successfully, within her five-year term.

Mlamleli says she will undertake the necessary measures to help Mangaung residents to fight the stigma around TB and HIV/AIDS. She added that she has recently been informed that people infected with these communicable diseases queue up in separate rooms to receive their medication at public facilities. This side-lines them and contributes to the stigma surrounding infected people.

Mlamleli said she will ensure that residents are provided with the best service delivery at public health care facilities.

“There are targets proposed to prevent the spread of communicable diseases, and as the new Mayor I will embark on different programmes to ensure that our people receive the best services at public facilities,” she said.

The Executive Mayor further committed to fund non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that assist people who are infected with TB and HIV/AIDS.

Mlamleli alluded that a number of NGOs have raised issues relating to the lack of funding. She mentioned that besides complaints about funding, a lack of treatment at public health care facilities is one of the issues the municipality will address shortly.

She said she will soon visit public clinics and hospitals to assess the state of service delivery.

Mlamleli added that the municipality will intensify collaboration with the provincial Department of Health to roll out an awareness campaign, which will focus on regular campaigns at taxi ranks and informal settlements.

She says various NGOs in the province have been doing this work for ages and the time has come for the government to assist them financially.

“I am making a request for us to work together because together we can achieve more. I will be looking at funding NGOs that help communities eradicate the spread of communicable diseases. I will also visit public hospitals unannounced to monitor how people are treated and how they deal with the stigma. Mlamleli appeals to all government departments and the private sector to join hands in funding organisations that help fight the pandemic.”

Katleho Morapela

katleho@centralmediagroup.co.za

Katlehomorapela@gmail.com

Experience outdoor living and plant a garden

By Katleho Morapela

Walking into Urth Garden Centre, one is greeted by the aroma of roses and eatery. If you look around you, you realise that the colours of nature take precedence here. Greens, Browns and splashes of colour everywhere bring nature closer. This is indeed a home to nature conservationists, nature lovers and food lovers alike.

“Spectacular outdoor living” are the words to describe Urth Garden Centre. Flowers, roses, indigenous trees, plant fertilisers, herbs and vegetables, and sculptures are all on the market. High teas, small wedding events, baby showers, and birthday parties are also part and parcel of the centre’s specialities. Urth Garden Centre, UrthCafé, and Flowers from Urth are the three distinct brands that make up Urth Garden Centre.

Should you not be interested in flowers or any other plants, you can always treat yourself and your loved ones to a delicious slice of cheesecakeor apple crumble. In summer the coolers with a splash of nature is definite worth trying.

With the Christmas school holidays around the corner, our kiddie’s party venue and playground is available to your little Miss or Mr Busy Body. Make Urth Garden Centre your Christmas holiday getaway destination and your children will reminisce the memories. Although accommodation is not provided, you can always make a turn for breakfast, lunch or supper.

The retail garden centre and wholesale business owner, Risna Opperman, says that the employees are well trained to master the tasks at hand in different divisions. “Within the café, we have people who take pride in preparing our famous, delicious waffles and cakes, while in the garden there are people that look after the quality of our plants.  They take pride in their knowledge of their chosen profession and this is evident in the advice given to customers. Opperman says Urth Garden Centre currently has 35 employees on its payroll, of which 30 are employed full-time. “This is to ensure that we deliver the best quality service to our customers,” said Opperman.

People who now visit Urth Garden Centre for the first time in a period of over 12 months will attest that the place has developed tremendously this past year. What better way to experience these upgrades than to make a turn. Urth Garden Centre, previously known as Roses for U, currently appeals to a wider, eco-friendly market inclusive of a younger and more modern clientele.

What better way to find a place that is quiet and offers a farm atmosphere within minutes from town, than to visit Urth Garden Centre on Kenneth Kaunda Road, just 300m from Northridge Mall.  They are open on weekdays between 8 am and 5 pm, Saturdays from 9 to 4 or on Sundays and public holidays between 9am and 3pm.

Katleho Morapela

Katleho@centralmediagroup.co.za

Katlehomorapela@gmail.com

Madonsela joins academia

By Katleho Morapela

Photo supplied: Former Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela.

Former Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, has taken up a Chair in Social Justice in the Faculty of Law, at the Stellenbosch University.

According to the Dean of the Faculty, Sonia Human, Madonsela’s scope of work will mainly focus on issues relating to social justice, particularly administrative justice and civil society.

She will also be involved in lecturing and providing postgraduate supervision.

Human mentioned that a large portion of Madonsela’s remuneration package will be externally funded. She added that Madonsela will also be able to determine her own agenda.

“She can play an important role in the faculty and the university itself. It’s an honour that she decided to join the university.  This will make a great contribution to the curriculum and to what our students are exposed to.”

Human said the decision to appoint Madonsela will contribute significantly to the broader education system and the realisation of a constitutional democracy for the country.

She elaborated that the focus of the chair will also include ethical governance in public institutions and realising of the Constitution’s mandate to meet people’s need.

Human said it is an honour for the Faculty and the University to have someone of Madonsela’s calibre. Madonsela will however, commence her duties at the University in 2018, after a sabbatical.

Human said Madonsela’s appointment falls under permanent positions. She however, mentions that external funders of this appointment is confidential at this stage and has not yet been concluded.

Katleho Morapela

katleho@centralmediagroup.co.za

Katlehomorapela@gmail.com

Hillandale Hospital workers demand higher salary

By Katleho Morapela & Seithati Semenokane 

Picketing Nehawu members at Hillandale. Photo by Katleho Morapela

A group of about 30 workers at Hillandale Hospital in Woodlands, Bloemfontein are on strike for higher wages.

The Nehawu members, including nurses, caregivers, physiotherapy assistants, cleaners and maintenance workers are demanding a R1 000 increase on their basic salary. They’ve been on strike for several weeks.

The union’s Daniel Motlatsi says workers receive no employment benefits, including those who have been employed for longer than ten years.

He says the hospital is short staffed and alleges that the hospital often admits an excessive number of patients. Caregivers say they are even forced to perform the duties of professional nurses.

Motlatsi says they have declined a R330 increase, which is currently being offered by their employee.

“We are picketing here because our demands are not met by our employer. The employer is not willing to negotiate with us in good faith. As employees we generate a lot of money for the hospital, so they need to share some of the income with us.”

Motlatsi says they previously approached the CCMA for wage negotiations, but were not pleased with the outcome which is why they decided to go on this legal strike.

Workers allege being dismissed by their employer whenever they raise labour law concerns. They also mentioned being treated unfairly, based on race.

Workers were also angry that the employer deducted R1 500 from their October salary, even though they only started striking later this month.

Meanwhile Hillandale Hospital manager, Tertius Venter, says the hospital was well within their rights to deduct the money, as no work means no pay.

Venter says negotiations with the striking workers have reached a deadlock. He says they have offered an increase which is more than double the inflation rate, however workers have rejected this.

He added that the hospital is still operating as they have a contingency plan in place.

Venter says that unfortunately when workers go on strike it’s a lose-lose situation for all who are involved.

“Unfortunately we’ve reached a deadlock. We are always open to talk to them but it’s their move now because unfortunately in the current climate we can’t go any further than we’ve gone already. We do have contingency plans because it’s a hospital, otherwise patients could have serious problems so we need to continue what we do, and everything is running smoothly.”

Katleho Morapela & Seithati Semenokane
katleho@centralmediagroup.co.za/seithati@centralmediagroup.co.za

Specialised Mother and Child Academic Hospital underway in FS

By Katleho Morapela

The message, from a dream to a reality, echoed throughout the launch of the Mother and Child Academic Hospital. From left to right: Dr Khotso Mokhele, Chancellor of the UFS, Rolene Strauss, Miss World 2014 and Patron of the Mother and Child Academic Hospital, Prof André Venter, Head of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, and Dr Riaan Els, CEO of the Fuchs Foundation South Africa. PHOTO: CHARL DEVENISH

Plans for the construction of the first mother and child academic hospital in the Free State province have officially been approved. The hospital will form part of Universitas Academic Hospital in Bloemfontein and will exclusively cater for mothers and children’s medical needs. Speaking at the launch of the Free State Mother and Child Academic Hospital, held at the University of the Free State in the past months, Head of the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Prof. André Venter, announced that the hospital will be privately owned. The hospital will start off with a bed capacity of 350. Prof. Venter said at this moment the Department of Paediatrics is faced with infrastructural challenges and the limitation of space. He said besides providing paediatric medical care to over 250 000 children in the Free State region and to children from other provinces such as the Northern Cape, North West and Lesotho, the hospital will also enable medical students to develop their expertise.

This however, brings to mind the question of sustainability and appropriate funding model. The provincial Department of Health is facing a lack of financial and management crisis at it is, so one can’t help but wonder how the smooth operation of this hospital is going to be ensured.  

Venter, further announced that the hospital’s name will remain Free State Mother and Child Academic Hospital. He said in addition to this specialised hospital, the university is also seeking to establish a Mother and Child Academic Trust. “We aim for the board of this project to be independent of the University and the Provincial Department of Health, although they are key stakeholders.” This project will serve the fundamental medical needs of Bloemfontein residents.

Prof Jonathan Jansen, the former Vice-chancellor and Rector of the UFS, described the project as one which captures the head and the heart, as it caters most for little lives, a hub wherein great talent and potential waits to be unleashed. In support of the project, the university has offered a piece of land on the campus where the hospital will be built, thus strengthening the quality of tertiary education.

Former Miss World, Mrs Rolene Strauss, also pledged her support. She said she is honoured to be the patron of the project, one she believes will lead to healthier women, healthier children, and a healthier nation.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Fuchs Foundation, CEO Dr Riaan Els, awarded a donation of R2250000 towards the building of the hospital. However, what remains to be questioned is how much more is still needed to realise this dream, and how it will operate in conjunction with the Universitas Hospital, of which currently falls under maladministration second to Bongani Hospital.

Prof André Venter, leader of the project, hopes that it will serve as a blueprint for other academic hospitals in the country, and mark the beginning of an era of highly specialised medical care for humanity’s most precious people.

Katleho Morapela

katleho@centralmediagroup.co.za

Katlehomorapela@gmail.com

Phenomenal FS woman makes great strides

By Katleho Morapela

SABC 2 Morning Live presenter, Palesa Chubisi, is proud to call herself a Free State woman.South Africans have celebrated Women’s Month for the 60th time this year. The 1956 women’s march to the Union Buildings in protest to the Pass Laws, is generally commemorated on 9 August. Bloemfontein Courant spoke to a phenomenal woman from the small Free State town, Ficksburg, who is educating and informing the nation while advocating quality education for all and who is making strides to bring about positive change. Palesa Chubisi, known to many as a radio and television news anchor, wants to educate and inform the public of current affairs in and out of the country. As a young, self-driven woman, Chubisi started her career in her 11th grade as a voice over artist at a community radio station. This inspired her to pursue a tertiary qualification at the Vaal University of Technology.

Having grown up in Ficksburg, Chubisi decided to make Bloemfontein her home and she worked for SABC News at Lesedi FM. Her recent progression to a popular SABC 2 Morning Live Show followed. Chubisi stands as a testimony of what can be reached with dedication and good education. “Having worked at a public broadcaster over a period of ten years, I have come across people from different spheres of life, influential people and those living in dire poverty. This has made me realise the importance of empowering one another,” she explained. With a strong belief that education is the most powerful tool to fight poverty, Chubisi has taken it upon herself to empower previously disadvantaged students. For the past six years she has helped a number of prospective students in need of tertiary financial aid. “I have decided to share the little that I have with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly young woman, because I know what it’s like to be unprivileged.”

Coming from a family of six living in the rural areas of the Free State, Chubisi explains that her experience of growing up was not smooth sailing, because of financial constraints she had to endure. “I remember how difficult it was to complete my tertiary qualification, as my parents were unemployed. There were days when I would wonder how I was going to survive the next day, but today I stand tall as I am on the verge of completing my Master’s degree. It is very stressful for a young person to be worrying about tuition fees, accommodation fees and where your next meal will come from and still be expected to return home with a qualification,” she says.

“Education has opened doors of opportunities for me and for this reason I would like to leave a legacy of young educated South African youth.” With Free State being the third leading province in the country with regard to a high unemployment rate, Chubisi advises young women to empower themselves with education and skills to move South Africa forward.

Katleho Morapela katleho@centralmediagroup.co.zakatlehomorapela@gmail.com 

Entry two

Journey of discovery

“What made you choose journalism?” asked human resource managers during the course of internship interviews. When I first applied for a radio content producing internship right after my undergrad graduation in 2015 at the SABC this was the first question I was asked by the interviewing panel, to my surprise the same question was again asked by the editor at OFM in 2016, and guess what?  The answer was still the same. “I want to make a different in society. I want to teach people and inform them on matters that affect their daily lives. The media is very influential and needs people who are not afraid to be the voice for the voiceless, I want to influence perceptions and build the nation through knowledge” I replied. Because this question was asked in a context of seeking exposure to gain work experience, you would ask yourself whether it was truthful or sugar-coated. 

Well, they say your eyes are the mirror to your heart, so I guess reading this you will need to look into my eyes to find out... ok, enough of jokes.  The response to the interview question was however not a joke. It is the same answer that motivated me to once again further my studies in Journalism; it is the same answer that committed me to register for an Honours degree, of which I do not have money to fund. It is the same answer that motivates me to go to a news room everyday of the week. It is the same answer as to why I find myself channel-hopping between different radio stations on a given day. It is the same answer as to why I would write articles that sometimes do not get published, well sometimes political and commercial reasons ‘seems to take over’ in newsrooms, but that’s’ a topic for another day.  

Compared to where I was at the beginning of the year I would certainly say I have thus far travelled on a journey of discovery. Discovery of thy self, discovery of how the media operates, discovery of how radio programmes get produced, discovery of how news get produced for radio, digital and print platforms, and of course on how to do academic research. I mean I am a postgraduate now, Hello!

So, the big question is:  Where to from here?

Well, for as long as we are still alive, the journey continues..... Read the next blog entry for more or simply follow @katlehomorapela, or Katleho Prudy Morapela on Instagram and Facebook.  

Entry one

From Disney to reality

“Journalism is nie vir sisies” said Margaret Linstrom in the first year of journalism studies. A 19 year old township girl coming from high school with a dream of simultaneously becoming successful, famous, and being the world’s hero, never understood the quote until she landed in the world of a fleeting medium, the world of broadcast or the world of ‘theatre of the mind’ as they refer to radio. It was during this time after completion of her undergraduate degree when she finally understood what her lecture meant with the figurative expression.

It then became clear to her that this world was not Disney, but a world characterised by pressure to meet deadlines. A world characterised by pressure to be factually corrected. A world characterised by politics and economics. A world characterised by cause and effect. Where what you report subsequently proves to have enormous consequences for others.  A world where producers have an enormous potential to shape the country’s perceptions;  a world in demand of objectivity from the reporter, but where public interest sometimes conflicts with political and economic feasibility so she kept explaining in her class. 

  

It was during her first work experience when the 21 year old started comparing her experiences to what her lecture had told her during the course of her studies. It was then when she started questioning her interest in media. On the one hand, it was also then when her inquisitiveness for journalism and media developed. 

Today in 2016 her interest in the production of radio, the medium that never sleeps has escalated even further and the journey continues…