By: Abigail Visagie
Free State MEC for Agriculture, Rural Development and Environmental Affairs, Elzabe Rockman, joined dignitaries, stakeholders and proud families last week to celebrate the Glen College of Agriculture’s annual graduation ceremony in Bloemfontein. A total of 63 graduates walked across the stage to receive their Diploma certificates in Agriculture (NQF Level 6) after successfully completing their three-year programmes. The intensive curriculum covered crop production, animal production and agribusiness. Through a combination of scientific theory, technology and hands-on practical training, graduates are now equipped to enter the diverse agricultural sector. Rockman highlighted that although agriculture was historically viewed as a white male-dominated field, agricultural colleges such as Glen are reshaping the narrative by creating opportunities for youth, women and people with disabilities. “We want to reach a point where black commercial farmers dominate the industry, and the starting point is through our agricultural colleges,” said Rockman. She added that Glen College plays a critical role in empowering young people and contributes meaningfully to the fight against unemployment, poverty and inequality. “Agriculture will always be a top priority because everyone needs to eat. As long as you are willing to put in the hours, there will always be opportunities in this sector,” Rockman said. Guest speaker Dr Pascalina Pilane from the University of the Free State echoed these sentiments, noting that the graduates now possess tools and knowledge vital to both the provincial and national economy. “Agriculture is the heartbeat of the Free State and the country at large. The future of this vital sector lies in your hands,” said Pilane. “You are now instrumental in improving food security, creating employment and reducing unemployment.” Top achiever Fumane Junior Lenkoe emerged as the standout graduate, receiving five trophies and achieving top marks in Animal Production, Pasture Science, Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Engineering. Lenkoe was also awarded the prestigious Dux Student Award for 2026. In addition to the Glen qualification, Lenkoe has completed an Advanced Diploma in Agricultural Management at the Central University of Technology (CUT) in Bloemfontein and is set to graduate in March 2026. She has also been admitted for a Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Management at CUT. “Being named the overall top achiever was an emotional and unforgettable moment,” said Lenkoe. “Seeing the proud smile on my mother’s face made me want to do even more. The journey was challenging, but giving up was never an option.” She credited her success to the support of her family and friends, and her determination to create a better life through education. “I wanted to set a high standard for the next generation in my family and across the province,” she said. Rockman concluded the ceremony by reminding graduates that they had been equipped with the necessary skills and training. “Now it is up to you to use the knowledge gained at Glen College of Agriculture to shine in the agricultural sector and make us proud,” she said.
By: Matshediso Selebeleng
As schools settle into the new academic year, Bartimea School for the Deaf and Blind is also preparing for the season ahead, with teachers and learners adjusting to the return to classrooms. In support of the school community, Minister of Social Development Nokuzola Tolashe visited Bartimea as part of a back-to-school campaign, where she offered words of encouragement and appreciation to both educators and learners. Tolashe commended teachers for their dedication to ensuring quality education for learners with special needs, noting the school’s continued growth and positive impact on families and communities. “The growth and success of this school would not have been possible without your individual and collective commitment. You inspire learners to reach new heights, think critically, and embrace the joy of learning. Your efforts have created an environment where students are not only educated but empowered to reach their full potential,” she said. Highlighting the shared responsibility in education, Tolashe also thanked parents and guardians for their ongoing support, acknowledging the challenges they face as caregivers. She emphasised that parents are a child’s first teachers and play a critical role in their development. The minister reiterated government’s commitment to supporting families of children with disabilities through various programmes, including positive parenting initiatives designed to equip caregivers with knowledge and practical skills. “These programmes aim to support caregivers in providing nurturing, responsive care for children with disabilities,” she said. She further outlined social assistance measures aimed at reducing economic vulnerability, including the Disability Grant, Care Dependency Grant and Grant-in-Aid. Tolashe also welcomed a donation from the Ashraful Foundation, stressing the importance of partnerships and collaboration in advancing inclusivity in education. Encouraging the class of 2026, she highlighted the school’s strong academic performance, noting that the class of 2025 achieved a 94% matric pass rate. “This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the hard work, dedication and shared vision of everyone at the school,” she said. Addressing learners, Tolashe urged them to approach the year with confidence and curiosity. “This year is an opportunity to learn, explore and challenge yourselves. Remember, you are part of a community that believes in you and is eager to see you succeed,” she said. She added that the 2025 NSC results were a source of pride not only for Bartimea but for learners with special educational needs across the country. “These results send a powerful message: with the right support from parents, caregivers, teachers and school leadership, learners with disabilities can excel— and even outperform their peers without disabilities,” she said.
By: Lerato Mutlanyane
Ngwathe Local Municipality has disconnected electricity supply to the under-construction Parys Prison over an unpaid municipal debt, in a move aimed at enforcing payment compliance by the correctional facility. According to the municipality, the construction site has been using municipal electricity in a questionable manner, with internal wiring in occupied buildings failing to comply with South African National Standards (SANS). Executive Mayor Cllr Victoria De Beer-Mthombeni said the municipality’s technical team uncovered unusually high electricity usage at the Parys Prison construction site during an ongoing audit of electricity consumption among large businesses, entities and institutions. She said the site had been using electricity without being billed, prompting the municipality to disconnect supply on Thursday in order to protect municipal revenue and ensure public safety for nearby residents and workers on the project. “Government departments collectively owe the municipality more than R250 million. Notices were issued in October last year, and only R8.8 million has been paid, which undermines our Credit Control Policy,” De Beer-Mthombeni said. “Correctional Services was disconnected after we had also disconnected large alcohol-selling outlets for similar cases of unauthorised electricity consumption that compromised our revenue collection and service delivery.” However, Department of Correctional Services (DCS) national spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo rejected the municipality’s claims, insisting that there was no blackout at the facility. Speaking to Journal News, Nxumalo said allegations of a total power outage were false and misleading. “The facility is currently under construction and is functioning as normal. The site was handed over to a contractor several years ago, therefore there is no outstanding bill as claimed,” he said. A complete power outage at a correctional facility would pose a serious national security and safety risk, potentially compromising perimeter security, disrupting communication systems and triggering unrest. “For now, the official word from Correctional Services is clear: despite the claimed debt, the lights are on, the fences are electrified, and the facility remains under secure control,” he said.
By: Abigail Visagie
‘We are not Kids’ Families Warn Masemola “We are not kids.” Those were the sharp words from families of three Free State constables as they pushed back against National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola’s preliminary report into what they describe as the “mysterious” circumstances surrounding their loved ones’ deaths, insisting they will not accept vague explanations or half-answers. Nearly 10 months after Constables Boipelo Senoge, Keamogetswe Buys, and Cebekhulu Linda were reported missing in April 2025 — and later found dead in the Hennops River in Centurion, Gauteng — Masemola met with their families on Tuesday to provide an update on progress in the investigation. What was initially scheduled as an hour-long presentation of the preliminary report, however, stretched into a three-hour, tense back-and-forth between the National Commissioner and the families. The prolonged engagement pushed a planned 4pm media briefing well after 7pm. According to Lwazi Thepa, husband of Constable Keamogetswe Buys, the meeting dragged on as investigating officers tried to present the case as an ordinary accident. Speaking to Journal News on the sidelines of the delayed media briefing, Thepa said the families felt undermined by the police. “We are definitely not satisfied with the preliminary report. They (SAPS) made us look like we’re kids who know nothing about this CIA program and whatever work they are doing there. It is not like they are topclass or that they did their level best, which they clearly did not,” Thepa said. “Although it is presumed that this was an accident, we hope the final report tells the truth. After the final report, we can decide whether it was an accident or not.” A representative referred to as ‘Linda,’ from Cebekhulu Linda’s family, said that the family is still questioning a few intricate matters. “We had a meeting with SAPS, where we were briefed by experts about what led to the accident or what transpired, so we are still questioning some things, but we are promised that we will be given a month for a final report so that we can put the matter at rest,” said Linda. Boipelo Senoge’s mother, Jane, is not satisfied, mentioning that she will only be satisfied once the last whistle blows. “I am trying to cope, but when you lose a child as young as my daughter, it shatters you, you shatter into pieces, and you don’t know how to connect the dots,” said Senoge. Senoge said that she is encouraged by her daughter’s words. “Boipelo would always remind me of my strength. I can hear her words echoing in my head: “Mama, I know you are strong, you are my mother, so I know that you are strong,” concluded Senoge. The meeting was set to give the families a thorough progress report, and quite enough information was exchanged. Masemola confirmed that the investigation has not yet been finalised as there are several areas to divulge in and finalise, such as the forensic report and the post-mortem report, which is still not complete, nine months after the tragedy transpired. “We will be meeting with the families in a month to track our progress and how far we’ve gone,” confirmed Masemola. Masemola and his team, consisting of a special crash investigation expert, elaborated on what could have transpired in the VW Polo that the three constables were travelling in. “We know that it is an accident that has happened, but there are still a few areas that we need to investigate to support that. “We cannot conclusively say that we are done with everything. Experts who were present in terms of electronic data can account for the movement of the car and how far it went, but some reports still need to be finalised,” said Masemola. Masemola mentioned that the cause of death, post-mortem, blood and alcohol reports are still not confirmed.
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National Police Commissioner to present the final report pending conclusion of investigations and toxicology report
Abigail Visagie
The South African Police Service (SAPS) National Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, met with the families of deceased Constables Cebekhulu Linda, Boipelo Senoge, and Keamogetswe Buys, who tragically died in what appeared to be a car crash last year.
The meeting was intended to provide the families with a thorough progress report, and substantial information was exchanged.
Masemola confirmed that the investigation has not yet been finalised as there are several areas to investigate further, such as the forensic and post-mortem reports, which remain incomplete nine months after the tragedy transpired.
“We will be meeting with the families in a month to track our progress and how far we've gone,” confirmed Masemola.
The Commissioner’s team included a special crash investigation expert who elaborated on what could have transpired in the VW Polo that the three constables were traveling in.
“We know that it is an accident that has happened, but there are still a few areas that we need to investigate to support that. We cannot conclusively say that we are done with everything.
“Experts who were present in terms of electronic data can account for the movement of the car and how far it went, but some reports still need to be finalised,” Masemola added.
The National Police Commissioner further mentioned that the toxicology report, which determine whether there was any consumption of alcohol or any type of substances by the deceased constables, is also yet to be concluded.
