Callofdutyanswe
MADLI GORBBELAAR
Abold step hasbeentaken to rebuild Kroonstad with theestablishmentofthe town’s firstChristian BusinessChamber (CBC)
In adecisivemovetoconfront deepeningmunicipal challenges and restoreconfidence in thetown’s future, businessand faith leaders have united in what is widelyregardedasa turningpointfor localrenewal Thechamber waslaunchedonFriday20March,atabusinessbreakfast hostedbythe Igniteand Reviveorganisation. Businessleaders, church representatives and community stakeholdersgathered to address the urgent need for coordinated action in responsetothe ongoingdecline within the MoqhakaMunicipality.
Guestspeaker SidneyPittaway delivered astarkassessmentofthe municipality’scondition, warningthat it wassinkingdeeperinto financial distress, with escalatingdebtand deterioratingservice delivery. His addressreinforcedthe call for immediateand decisivecommunity-led intervention
Andrévan PletzenofIgniteand Reviveassertedthat the four-pillar
Allthosewhogathered shareapurpose:torebuild Kroonstad.
framework stemmedfromwhat he describedasadivinelyinspired vision, whichhebelieves sets outa structured wayforward forcommunities in crisis.Henoted it was firmly rooted in the principles of Nehemiah in the Bible, emphasising restoration, unityand accountable leadership Igniteand Revivehas indicated its intention to expand theinitiativeand setanexamplefor other groups across South Africa,despite acknowledging the challengesoflong-termsustainabilityasmorecommunities are expected to adopt themodel “Through thesefourpillars, we will ensure that communities areable to implementsustainable and lasting change,” said VanPletzen.
CharlMarais outlineda clearand structured vision for the CBC, built on the four strategicpillarsaimedat driving meaningful change
The firstcallsfor unityamong church leaders across denominations, urgingthemtoset aside differences and work togetherfor thecommon good Thesecond pillar focuseson
Business and faith leaders came together on 20 March forthe launch of Kroonst nalling adecisive efforttoaddressmunicipal decline and promotecommunityr unity,accountabilityand sustainabledevelopment.Members of the newlyelect Müller(vice-president),Tommie Hugo (president),Pascal le Roux,Jacovan derW Carvahlo,Victor de Beer,Simon Lues and Wesley Robbertze. PHOTO:Madli Grobbel
establishingneighbourhood committees,empoweringresidents to take ownership of their communities and activelycontributetotheir restoration. Thethird pillar introduces a communitywatch forum designed to hold localgovernmentaccountable and applysustainedpressure to ensuretransparencyand effective governance Thefourthand central
pillaristhe CBCitself,through businessleaderswill serveasas organised voice representingt interestsofKroonstad in engage with localauthorities
Acall to actionwas issued to in attendance,and 11 business andwomen stepped forward, co mittingthemselves to the cham andtothe responsibilityofdrivin
Schools shutdown
Twoprimary schools in the Free Statehavebeenforcedtoclose after labour inspectorsuncovered serioushealth and safety violations,sparkingconcern amongparents and raisingfresh questions aboutoversightinthe province’s education system
TheMatla PrimarySchoolin Bloemfontein and St.Benedict PrimarySchoolinLadybrand were shut down following inspections that revealed non-compliance with occupational health and safety regulations in classrooms and other areasofthe school grounds
Theclosures have left learners outofthe classroom,with many nowmissing valuable teachingtime.For affectedfamilies, the disruption hasaddedto concerns aboutthe stability and qualityofeducation in the province
TheDAcriticised the situation, describingitasavoidable while placingblame on the Free StateDepartmentofEducation.
Jafta Mokoena, DA memberof the Free StateLegislature, said the partyhad writtentoDrJulia Maboya,MEC for Education, callingfor urgent steps to bring the schools back into compliance and resume teaching.
“For many,education remains theonlypathway outofpoverty; we cannot allowgovernance failures to undermine that hope.”
Mokoenaarguedthat the violations pointedtoa breakdown in planningand maintenance
Diverseculture honoured here
Excitement is building in theEasternFreeState as thepicturesque villageofClarens gears up to host its much-anticipatedannual arts festival.
Setagainstabackdropofgolden autumn hues,the eventpromises arich celebration of literature, music, visual arts,and cultural dialogue.
Thefour-dayfestival will runfrom the afternoonofFriday24April through to Monday 27 April, offering apackedand diverse programme of events.Festivitieswillopenwith the lively poetryshowcaseFreeState, Free Verse, featuringacclaimedpoets SiphokaziJonas,HelenaHettema,Rethabile Possa,and Zama Madinana.
This free multilingual eventwill celebratethe powerofpoetryinAfrikaans, English,and Sesotho.Musicloverscan look forward to avariety of performances,including the tributeproduction AmyWinehouse – TheDivaand HerDemons,aswell aspianistCharl
du Plessisperformingworks by Bach, Beethoven, and TheBeatles
Additionalhighlights include performances by the Bloemfontein Children’sChoir, the OdeionString Quartet, andthe cabaret Rooiwyn & GreenSigrettes featuringChristofvan der Berg andKateRok
Astrongliteraryline-up will feature celebratedSouth AfricanwriterAntjie Krog in conversation with veteran broadcasterRudaLandman.Former Constitutional Courtjudge Edwin Cameron will join journalist Kyle Cowan andcommentator Ferial Haffajee to discuss the stateofthe nation.
Popularauthor Dana Snyman will presenthis storytellingsession alongside astagingofhis play Seun.Film critic Leon vanNierop will hosta discussiononcrime writingwith authors Dibi Breytenbachand Marieta Carrick Festival-goers canalsoattend thought-provokingtalkssuchas“How to EmbraceAI” with futurists Bronwyn Williams;while DionChang will presenta light-heartedsession on pets
EconomistDawie Roodtwill provide insightsintoSouth Africa’s economic outlook
Author and publisher Melinda Ferguson will host discussionswith writersYewande Omotosoand Lindiwe Hani, as well as lead aworkshop on writingthrough grief
Thefestivalwill also featureawide rangeofworkshops,frompaintingand sculptingtoprintmaking.Culinary enthusiastscan enjoyaspecial threecourse lunchpreparedbyElmarie Berry.
Book discussionswill include anew publicationonFreeState sandstone architecture by Jackie Kalleyand historian KathyMunro, alongside aworkon acelebratedKwaZulu-Natal garden by MicheleMagwood Twomajor theatricalproductions areset to headlinethe programme: UnderMilk Wood by Dylan Thomas, featuringactorsTobie Cronjé,Kim Cloete,and FionaRamsey;and Ingrid: ’n Vlam in dieSneeu,starring Lizelle Pike,which explores the lifeofpoet
Candidates promisetobring about change
TheDA hasannounced its mayoral candidates for the Moqhakaand Matjhabeng LocalMunicipality. The announcement wasmade on Thursday 19 March, confirmingChris Dalton as the party’smayoral candidate for Moqhakaand PietBothaasits candidate for Matjhabeng Dalton, basedinKroonstad,has been involved in communityleadership since 2005. Throughout hiscareer, Dalton has held severalleadershippositions within the DA,including that of caucus whip,
caucus chairperson, caucus leader and constituencychairperson. He hasalso served on the party’sprovincial council andprovincial executivecommittee.In 2023, he wasapproved as acandidate for both Member of Parliament(MP) and Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL).
As mayoralcandidate,Dalton has committedtorestoring Moqhaka through improved service delivery, strengthenedaccountability, transparent communication, andefforts to
Ingrid Jonker.Inthe visual arts arena, internationally acclaimedsculptor AntonSmit will showcasehis work Anew ceramics exhibition, Highveld Ceramics:Curated,will featureleading artists includingKevin Collinsand Eugene Hön.
Newadditions to this year’s festival include intimateauthor dinners, where attendees canengagewith writerssuch as Landman, VanNierop,and Williams over ameal.
Families have notbeenforgotten, with an expandedchildren’s programme and arange of nature-and history-themedactivities Visitors canenjoy guidedwalks, stargazing, and early morningexcursions, as well as talksbyrenowned paleontologistGideon Groenewald, who will shareinsightsintothe region’s prehistoricpast.
TheClarens Arts Festival is setto once again transform the village into a vibranthub of artistic expression.For moreinformation and ticketbookings, visit the festival’s official website.
if elected to lead
attractinvestmentaimedatdrivingjob creation.
Botha, from Welkom,joined the DA in 2005 and became awardcouncillor forward34in2006.
From 2008 to 2024, Bothaserved as caucus chairperson, and he was re-elected to the position in 2026. As the DA’s mayoralcandidatefor Matjhabeng, Bothahas pledgedtoworkdiligently to improveservice deliveryand to root out corruption, particularly within procurementand supplychain processes.
Chris Dalton of theDAinKroonstad was announced as the mayoralcandidate forthe MoqhakaLocal Municipalityon Thursday. PHOTO:Supplied
Vroue maakhartoop
MADLIGROBBELAAR
Inwoners van dieJordaniapark-aftreeoordinKroonstad hetdie afgelopejaar metgroot entoesiasmeaan diePoppies virliefde-projek deelgeneem.
Dié projek,wat deur die vrouevan die aftreeoord gedryf word,fokus daarop om handgemaaktepoppeaan kindersin jeugsorgsentrums en kinderhuiseteskenk
Alta Els, eienaarvan die oord,sêdie vrouehet saam besluit om poppetebreiom vir kinders ’n tekenvan liefde te wees,veralvir kindersin nood “Sóhet die naam ‘Poppies vir Liefde’ontstaan,”sêEls
Toedie resvan die inwoners hoor datdie poppevir liefdadigheidbedoelis, het hullevinnigingespringomte help Totdusveris reeds250 poppegebrei.
“Die poppies salbinnekort
aandie kindersoorhandig word en dien as ’n simboolvan koestering en ondersteuning–’n herinneringdat daar iemand is watspesiaal aanhulle gedink heten’nverskil in hullewewil maak.”
Elke handgemaakte poppie dra’nstille boodskap:Jyisnie alleen nie,iemanddink aan jou.
Enigeenwat weet van kinderswat by die projek kan baat,kan die aftreeoordkontak met die toepaslike besonderhede
Met breinaalde en ’n groot harthet die inwoners vanJordaniapark-aftreeoord in Kroonstad al 250 Poppies vir liefde gebrei om hoop en omgee aan kinders in nood te bring. Elkehandgemaakte poppiedra ’n stille boodskap: Jy is nie alleen nie,iemand dink aan jou.Van linksisDalina Heymans,Elsabe Peacock, Alta Els,Babs GroblerenAnna Fleming. Foto:Verskaf
Hoop weer op verandering
VrystaatKroon berig gereeld oorvervalle infrastruktuur,stygendemunisipale skuld en gemeenskappewat al hoemeergefrustreerd raak.
In dié ligisdit verfrissend en inspirerend om te sien hoeKroonstad se nuwe Christelike Besigheidskamer (CBC) ’n ander verhaalbegin skryf.
Die CBCbehels meer as net samewerkingtussenbesigheidsleiersenkerkleiers;dit is ’n strategie,’nvisie en ’n beroep op die gemeenskapom deel te wees vandie oplossing.
Gebouopvier pilare eenheid, diebetrokkenheid vaninwoners, ’n gemeenskapsforumen ’n georganiseerdebesigheidskamer bied dit’n praktieseraamwerkomplaaslike uitdagings aan te spreek
Hierdie pilareisnie bloot teorie nie; ditis’n oproeptot aktiewedeelname enverantwoordelikheid. Watdie CBCbesondersmaak, is datdit inwonersdie instrumente geeomselfveranderingtedryf.
Dit plaasnie die lasnet op die munisipaliteit nie,maarherinner almal aandie rolwat hulle kanspeel.
Dit wysdat selfs in moeiliketye ’n georganiseerde,gefokusde en moreelgeankerde benadering ’n merkbareverskil kanmaak.
Die uitdagingsal wees om momentum te behouendie pilarevolhoubaarintespan.
Dit is egterpresies diesoort leierskapenvisie watKroonstad nodighet,sêdie ledevan die nuwe besigheidskamer
Die CBCherinner onsdat ware verandering nie net vanboafkom nie dit komvan ’n gemeenskapwat saamstaan, saamwerk en ’n beter toekoms vir die volgende geslagwil nalaat
Volg VrystaatKroon op Facebook virdie nuutste nuus en gebeurein jou omgewing.
Kykskelm deur wolkekombers
Die Suid-AfrikaanseWeerdiens se kantoor in Bloemfontein voorspelvir die komede week in dieNoord-enOos-Vrystaat minimum temperature tussen14°Cen16°C, metmaksimum temperaturewat wissel van21°Ctot 26°C.Reën en verspreide donderbuie word oorgroot delevan die streek verwag,veral in dienamiddag.Die afgelope naweek is ’n skouspelagtigesonsopkoms,waar die sondramatiesdeurdie wolkebreek,afgeneem.Die streek hetintussengoeie reën ontvang. FOTO:CecileNijland
Vrystaatsedraai
Sitdie opdringerigeslegtenuus op sy plek
JACO
CROMHOUT
Onsleefin ’n tyd datslegtenuus nie meer netaanklop nie dit bars sommer deur diedeur. Dit bereik jou oral: op televisie,op diesosiale media, en waar jy ook al jou nuus ontvang; heeldaglank, deur elkeskerm,elkekennisgewing en elkegesprek
Diewêreldroephard, en selde met goeie nuus.Maardie ou Stoïsyne souwaarskynlik net hul
skouerslig.
Hulle hetlankalverstaanwat ons dikwels vergeet: Die meeste van watons ontstel, lê buiteons beheer
Oorloë,verskuiwings in die markte,politiekedwaasheid, die volgende krisis dit allesgebeur,of jy noubekommerd is of nie
Om jousiel daaraanvas te bind, is om jouvrede prys te geevir iets watnooit werklik joune wasnie
Die eerste beginsel is dus eenvoudig, maar moeilik:onderskeiding; watbinne joubeheeris, en wat nie
Joureaksieisjoune.Jou ingesteldheid is joune Joukarakter, eindelik,isalwat jy werklik besit.
Tweedens, beoefenafstand.
Nieonverskilligheid nie, maar helderheid. Om alles te diep te voel is nie altydwysheid nie, maar soms bloot oorlading. Die wêreld se geraas word nie stiller omdat jy harder luisternie
Derdens, onthoudat die wêreld nogaltyd gebrokewas
Daar wasnog nooit ’n erasonder ’n krisis nie. Watnuut is,isnet die
Veranderingeenmyplek
DR.HANNESELS
In Psalm 90:1-17 lees ons;die mens is soos gras;vir Godisduisend jaar soos ’n dag.
Mosesskryf hierdiePsalm nadathy dieteleurstellingbeleefvan Godwat sê dathulle nog40jaarindie woestyngaan blyomdat dievolk weier om die land in te gaan. Ditgee hommoedomteweetdat menseverganklik en klein is,maarGod betroubaar en altyd daar
Daar is gevind datveranderinge alle menseoor God, hulle self en hulle plek laat dink
Dit isgoedomtedink oorwaarenwie ons voor Godis, want ons hetGod in hierdie lewenodig:Laatons die goedheid vandie Here ons Godbelewe- (Psalm
90:17). Maar onsdink ookoor die ewige lewe na die dood:Ulaat die mens sterwe: Usênet:“Word weer stof!” (Psalm 90:3) Maak sekervan joukindskapvan Vader virdaaglikse versorging: Maar aanalmal watHom aangeneem het, dié watinHom glo, hetHydie reggegeeomkindersvan Godteword. (Johannes1:12)Erken dat hierdie aardse lewe weleindig, neem die verdienste vandie kruisaan en sê dankie virdie sekerwete: Ek geehulle die ewige lewe,enhulle salinalle ewigheid nooit verloregaannie Niemandsal hulle uit my hand ruknie (Johannes10:28). Ek kanleefensterf in vrede. Hetjyal gedink om Vadertebedankoor veranderinge en selfs teenspoed omdat dit ons laat dink oorons kindskapvan Hom? Vader-God,ekisgras. Ek kannie hierdie of ewigeleweopmyeie vind nie.Amen.
■ Els is ’n oudleraar vanKroonstad
Diary
17 APRIL
spoedenvolume daarvan. Onsdra noudie lastevan miljoene mensesedae op ons skouers, ’n onmensliketaak. En tog, in hierdie geraas,bly iets eenvoudig: Jy kannog regoptree Jy kannog eerlik wees,kalmbly, en joudeeldoensonder om deur vreesgedryfteword.
Miskien is dit die ware antwoord op slegte nuus nieomdit te ontken nie, maar om niedaardeur gevorm te word nie. Soos ’n rots in ’n rivier:Die water vloei, maar die rots blyvas staan.
VRYDAE
Die Bethlehem-gholfklubbied ’n geslotefunksie metgaskunstenaarsBelinda en Amyaan ten bate vanfondsinsameling. Vir navrae,skakel058 3030940.
29 MEI
Die Salileni-gholfdag, in samewerkingmet die Bethlehem Rotariërs,sal by die Bethlehem-gholfbaan om 11:00plaasvind. Die speelformaat is Vierbal American ScrambleShotgun, teen R2 000 per vierbal. Rig navrae aan Louisavan den Berg by 072893 4623.
30 MAY
Theannual Wingsand Wheels BethlehemAir Showwilltake place. Formoreinformation, visit mydihlabeng.co.za.
Die Kroonstad-buiteklubbied elke Vrydag “Chicken RunFridays”aan. Gholfspelers slaan om 12:00af en die formaat is IPSvir die eerste nege gatjies. Bel063 233 3144 of 056 2125169vir meer inligting.
SATERDAE
Elkeeerste Saterdag vandie maand bied die Hoërskool Trio in Kroonstad hul Trio Boeremark aan. Die mark salbydie Trio-landbouterrein vanaf 07:00tot 11:00 aangebied word.Rig navrae aan CarinaSerfontein by 083635 2851.
Die Kroonstad-Rotary-mark word op die laasteSaterdagvan die maand gehou, op die hoekvan Border-en Vander Lingenstraat, van08:00 tot13:00.Vir meer inligting, skakel 076055 7025.
Sielskos
WillieEbertsohnensyvriende het Saterdag geld ingesamel vir Ryno Strydom,watmet gesondheid sukkel.Van linksisArnu Steyn,Ebertsohn,ArtieBester,Theunis Steyn,Ruhan SteynenCorné Kriel. FOTO:Verskaf
Ma en seun met geesdrif gehelp
Ná ’n welkomebui reën hetWillieEbertsohnensy vriende op Saterdagoggend 21 Maart gaanblikskudten bate van Ryno Strydom (34), watreedssedert 2004 metsy gesondheid worstel
Strydomhet ’n virusopgedoen watsyliggaam ernstig aantas en sy toestand deur die jare laat verswakhet.Groot geldelikedrukopdie gesin hetontstaan, en sy ma moes uitdagings alleen oorkom Strydomisdie seun vanKarin Jordaan, watvoorheenbyHospice in Bethlehemgewerkhet Ebertsohn hetverlede jaar ’n artikel op Facebook gelees waarin Strydom se verhaalvertelis, en hy hetdadelikbesluit om te help waar hy kan.
Hy hetJordaan gekontak om haar situasie beterteverstaan en om ’n plan te beraam “Ekhet besefsydra ’n swaar lasenmoethaarseun dagen nagalleen versorgenbystaan,” sê Ebertsohn.
Tydens ’n besoek aanhul huis hethyeerstehands beleef hoesyStrydom versorgen selfs buisvoedingmet groot toewydingengeduld toedien en bestuur
Ebertsohn hetsyvriende genader,die situasie verduidelik en hulle oortuigomsaamdie geldinsameling aantepak Dit is goed ondersteun toe motoriste by verkeersligtestilhou, ruiteafdraaienskenkings gee. Vragmotorbestuurdershet hultoeters laat hoor,mensehet gewaai en diegemeenskaphet
Geldinsameling tenbatevan Ryno Strydom(34),watreeds sedert 2004 met sy gesondheid worstel,is deur’nSamaritaan vanBethlehem en sy vriende gehou. FOTO:Verskaf
hulhartoopgemaak
“Dit is besonders om te sien hoemense saamstaan en mekaarondersteun en ophef,” het Ebertsohn gesê Hy en sy vriende is dankbaar dathulle ’n verskil in Strydom en sy ma se lewekon meebring.
Ebertsohn is reedsbekend vir verskeie projekte waardeur hy gemeenskappe dien; onder meer het hy al motorwagte by die DihlabengMallbederf en ondersteun.In2025 het hy homself simbolies laat “toesluit”omgeld vir minderbevoorregtes in te samel en
bewusmakingtehelp skep Die 2026-projek wasvir hom besonders aangesien dit gefokushet op die ondersteuning vaneen gesin. “’nMenskan netdankbaar wees vir elkedag en die gesondheid watons het,” meen hy Ebertsohn beplan reeds’n volgende projek,wat hy as “Seisoen4”beskryf,omindie toekoms nogmense te bereik en te helpseën. Hy is dankbaar teenooralle motoriste en gemeenskapslede watbygedra en die projek ondersteun het
Youths provided with insight
Acrime preventionawarenesscampaignaimed at tacklingyouth-related social issues reached hundredsoflearnersinKroonstad last week,as policeand communitypartnersjoined forces to promotepositivebehaviour in schools
TheKroonstadSocialCrime Prevention unit ledthe initiativeatthe JohanSlabbertHigh School and NorthHighSchool, workingincollaboration with the DepartmentofEducation, aparoleerepresentative, ENCOOrganisation, trafficofficials,CommunityPolicingForum (CPF),Youth Desk,MateteMatches,and the DepartmentofSocialDevelopment. Thecampaignfocused on keychallenges affectingyoung people,includinggangsterism,substance abuse, andgeneral learner behaviour.
Learnerswereimplored to make better life choices by gettinginvolved in constructiveactivities,engagingwith positiverole models, and
making useofavailable supportand reporting structures.Particular attention wasgiven to male learners, with discussionshighlightingthe seriousconsequencesofcriminal behaviour and howpoordecisionscan limit futureopportunities and negativelyaffectlong-term life outcomes.A total of 471 male learnerstookpart in the programme.Accordingtoorganisers, the sessionswerehighlyinteractive, allowing learnerstoopenlyengageindiscussions and activities aimedatreinforcingresponsible decision-making. Theinitiativealsosoughtto strengthen peer supportnetworksamonglearnersand improveawareness of lawful behaviour, whileencouragingyoung people to seek guidance when facedwith challenges.
Organisers described the campaign as apositivesteptowardbuildingsafer school environments and empowering learners.
REGSKENNISGEWINGS
BOEDELKENNIS
BOEDELS:
BOEDELS:
BoedelWyle Jo ha nnes Tumelo Ramatsa
BOEDELNOMMER: 2528/2025
Ingevolge Artikel35(5) van die Boedelwet, 1965 word hierby kennis gegee dat die Eerste en Finale Likw idasie- en Distribusierekeningindie boe del van wyle JOHANNESTUMELO
RAMATSA, Identiteitsnommer 661013 5437 085, boedelnommer: 2528/2025, 'n meerderjarige man, wie in lewe woonagtigwas te 6917 IT HOB ALLE, BETHLEHEM, PROVINSIE
L. Swart EERSTE EN FINALE LI KWI DASIE EN DISTRUBISIE REKENING IN DIE BOEDELVAN LIESEL SWART IDENTITEITS NOMMER: 780222 0049 086 VAN 13 DE LA REYSTRAAT, SENEKAL,VRYSTAAT WAT OORLEDE IS OP 28 NOVEMBER 2024
BOEDEL NOM MER: 001334/2025
Dieeersteenfinale lik wi da sie- en distribus ken die sal ntoor die Hooggeregshof, 'n n af oemde ware betrokke word rs g UWS
