Maluti

15/10/2026

15/10/2026

LADYBRAND SCHOOL OF SKILLS TRIUMPHS IN SOUTH FREE STATE SOCCER LEAGUE

Correspondent

The soccer team of Ladybrand School of Skills has officially been crowned the champions of the South Free State League. This monumental victory marks a historic milestone for the school, securing their spot to compete against the remaining regional winners in the upcoming provincial championship rounds.
For many of the players, this victory represents far more than just a sporting achievement. A significant number of the learners at the school come from highly challenging backgrounds and face difficult socio-economic circumstances daily. The soccer field, however, has become a space of hope, resilience, and transformation.
Ladybrand School of Skills prides itself on offering holistic development opportunities that allow learners to fully express themselves and discover their potential. Beyond the soccer pitch, the school provides a wide array of activities including netball, athletics, cross-country, and various cultural programs. These initiatives are designed to give the learners valuable exposure to the world outside their immediate communities, building their confidence and expanding their horizons.
School management has highly commended the exceptional commitment of the teaching and coaching staff. The teachers' unwavering dedication and long hours spent mentoring the learners both in the classroom and on the sports fields have been instrumental in this success.
Congratulations to the soccer team on this spectacular achievement. The entire community is incredibly proud of your hard work, and your progress on the road to the regional finals will be watched with great interest.

15/10/2026

YESHUA WELCOMES BACK MRS. PRETORIUS AND MR. BEHARIE

Correspondent

Yeshua College is pleased to welcome back Mrs. Pretorius and Mr. Beharie as the school continues
with its normal operations and remains focused on providing quality education and a positive
environment for its learners.
The school would like to reassure parents, learners and the wider community that it is business as
usual at Yeshua College. Classes, academic programmes and school activities continue as normal,
with the school leadership, staff and governing structures committed to the wellbeing and education of
every learner.
Yeshua College extends its sincere appreciation to Mrs. Lizane Naude, who served as Acting Principal
during this period. Her dedication, leadership and commitment to the school are deeply appreciated.
The school also wishes to thank Dr. ND Mokone and the Department of Education for their support
and engagement during this period, as well as the many parents who continued to stand behind the
school and support its learners and staff.
Yeshua College remains grateful for the trust placed in the school by parents and the wider
community. The school looks forward to continuing its work with confidence, unity and a renewed
focus on the future of our learners.
Yeshua College committed to our learners, our families and our community.

15/10/2026

LADYBRAND HIGH SCHOOL HONORS ACADEMIC ACHIEVERS WITH THRILLING CLARENS ADVENTURE

Correspondent

In a world where school sports achievements frequently dominate the headlines, Ladybrand High School has taken a powerful stand to ensure that intellectual excellence and dedication shine just as brightly. The school recently treated its top academic performers to an action-packed reward trip to Clarens Extreme, celebrating their exceptional hard work and perseverance.
Accompanied by the school’s active media committee—who documented every thrilling moment to share across social media platforms—the learners enjoyed a day filled with adventure and camaraderie. The excursion served as a tangible thank-you from the school management for the long hours and grit these students poured into their studies.
Ladybrand High School continues to excel across multiple disciplines, from culture to academics. However, it is unfortunate that the institution does not always receive the full support of the local community. It is a well-known truth that a town ultimately gets the school it deserves; a thriving school requires a thriving partnership with the community it serves.
Too often, people are quick to focus on the negative aspects, completely overlooking the incredible positive stories unfolding right on their doorstep. Many parents are bent on sending their children to other schools – to each his own – but at least show appreciation and support to the local schools through positive response to its achievements – build our town, even if your children do not attend our local schools. This initiative by Ladybrand High School not only rewarded its brightest minds but also served as a reminder to the community to recognise, support, and celebrate the excellent achievements happening within the school's walls.

15/10/2026

LHS PRYSUITDELING 2026

Korrespondent

Uitnemende akademiese prestasies, leierskap en veelsydigheid het die kollig gesteel tydens Hoërskool Ladybrand se prysuitdeling.
Hoërskool Ladybrand het tydens sy prysuitdeling die uitsonderlike prestasies van sy leerders gevier.
Die geleentheid was ’n gepaste huldeblyk aan harde werk, deursettingsvermoë en toewyding, met Mia Coetzer as die trotse Dux-leerder van die skool. Mia, wat ook as onderhoofdogter van die skool gedien het, het akademiese uitnemendheid op ’n besondere wyse gedemonstreer. Sy het ’n indrukwekkende gemiddelde van 93% behaal en onderskeidings in al haar vakke verwerf. Wat haar prestasie nóg merkwaardiger maak, is dat nie een van haar onderskeidings onder 90% was nie. As erkenning vir hierdie besonderse prestasie het sy ook die trofee vir die beste prestasie in al haar vakke ontvang. Mia se prestasies strek verder as die klaskamer. Sy het ook ’n indrukwekkende 91% in die finale ronde van die SAICA Rekeningkunde-olimpiade behaal. Haar akademiese sukses, tesame met haar bydrae as onderhoofdogter, maak haar ’n besondere voorbeeld van uitnemendheid en leierskap. Veelsydigheid word beloon:
Die skool het ook erkenning gegee aan leerders wat op verskeie terreine uitgeblink het. Ayanfeoluwa Akintade is aangewys as die veelsydigste seun in graad 12, terwyl Marianne Oosthuizen met die titel van veelsydigste dogter in graad 12 vereer is.
Nuwe leierspan vir 2027 aangewys: Die nuwe hoofleiers is soos volg: Hoofdogters: Xankea Kotze en Ntswaki Ramaseli. Hoofseuns: Cole Ontong en Mothibeli Makoele.Onderhoofdogters: Inke Terblanche en Limpho Mpopo.Onderhoofseuns: Mihlan Kotze en Onthatile Masisi.
Baie geluk aan mnr. Riaan Fourie (skoolhoof) en sy toegewyde span onderwysers met ‘n uitstekende aanbieding.

15/10/2026

INSPO DANCE STUDIO DAZZLES AUDIENCES WITH “AFRICAN BUTTERFLY”

Correspondent

Inspo Dance Studio of Ladybrand captivated audiences on 9 and 10 October with an outstanding dance production titled African Butterfly, a spectacular showcase of colour, music and remarkable talent.
The nearly three-hour-long production was nothing short of mesmerising, keeping the audience enchanted from beginning to end. Every performance reflected dedication, creativity and a genuine passion for dance, making the show a memorable experience for all who attended.
One of the highlights was the young dancers, some as young as four to five years old, who took to the stage with confidence, enthusiasm and undeniable charm. Their performances were a testament to the talent nurtured at the studio. The breathtaking costumes added a magical dimension to the production, while the enchanting music beautifully complemented the choreography. The combination created a feast for the senses, with vibrant colours, captivating sounds and an abundance of talent filling the stage. Behind this remarkable achievement is
Mrs Ane Pike, owner and teacher at Inspo Dance Studio, whose dedication and commitment to her dancers were evident throughout the production. In her speech she emphasised the importance of the role played by parents and her co-teachers in a production of this magnitude. African Butterfly was more than just a dance show; it was a celebration of artistic expression, teamwork and the transformative power of dance.
Ladybrand can be proud of Inspo Dance Studio for delivering such an exceptional production, leaving audiences inspired, entertained and thoroughly mesmerised by the magic of dance.

09/10/2026

Dink 'n Bietjie...

ANC…DA…Action SA…Good Party… of enige van die sowat 250 politieke partye in ons land…niemand van hulle kan ‘n Suid-Afrikaner so vinnig in twee kampe kan verdeel soos ’n braaibroodjie nie. Nie rugby nie. Nie eens die vraag of ’n pynappel op ’n pizza hoort nie. Nee, dit is die braaibroodjie wat ware karakter openbaar. Vir party mense moet die broodjie eenvoudig wees: witbrood, botter, tamatie, kaas en ui. Klaar. Moenie eksperimenteer nie. Vir ander is ’n gewone braaibroodjie ’n geleentheid om die calory deficit in ‘n calory over-drive te verander… hulle voeg knoffel, speserye, blatjang, spek, biltong en enigiets anders by wat binne armlengte lê. Jy verwag half dat iemand volgende keer ’n avokado en ’n gebakte eier tussen die snye gaan druk. Dan is daar natuurlik die braaibroodjie-puriste. Hulle staan by die rooster soos ’n chirurg in ’n operasiesaal. Die broodjie moet presies 45 grade gedraai word, die kaas moet perfek gesmelt wees en die tamatie mag onder geen omstandighede pap wees nie. Mense, dan moet die braaier wéét wat hy doen! Daar moet gefokus word! Geen nonsens pratery terwyl die broodjies op die vuur is nie. En moet asseblief tog ook nie die een met die afgesnyde hoek aan die ander laat raak nie, want boetie hou nie van die smaak van uie naby sy konfyt en kaas meesterstuk nie! Glo my, dit kan oorlog veroorsaak! En tog, wanneer daardie eerste warm, krakerige happie geneem word, verdwyn al die verskille. Skielik is ons almal familie. Miskien is dit die ware krag van die braaibroodjie: Dit herinner ons daaraan dat ons oor baie dinge kan stry – maar sit vir ons ’n warm broodjie met gesmelte kaas voor, en vrede breek onmiddellik uit.

09/10/2026

EASTERN FREE STATE STABLES GALLOP AWAY WITH MULTIPLE ROSETTES AT PEKAN FESTIVAL

Correspondent

Going Back West Stables of Westminster and Rina Beukes from Clocolan delivered outstanding performances at the Pekan Festival Horse Show in Magogong, held from 30 September to 4 October 2026. They walked away with an impressive 10 rosettes and 6 rosettes respectively.
The achievements are a proud reflection of the dedication, patience and experience behind the stable, which breeds its own Flemish horses on the farm without relying on imported bloodlines.
Leading the team at Going Back West is trainer Mr Antoon Tshabalala, assisted by his stable hand, Thabiso Letsoane. Together, they produced an impressive string of results against strong competition from across South Africa.
Among the highlights was Carla van Wyk, who won the Ladies' Single Harness with Sombrero, a Flemish gelding owned by Hennie van Wyk.
Meester, a Flemish stallion bred by his owner, renowned breeder, trainer and judge Shattie van Huyssteen, claimed the prestigious title of Grand Champion Stallion in Hand.
Another memorable performance came from Celebré, a 19-year-old Hackney pony who is no longer actively trained for competition. Despite this, Celebré secured an impressive fourth place in the Ladies' Single Harness. Five-year-old Hannes van Wyk Junior also made his mark, earning sixth place in the Assisted Riders class with Celebré.
In the Championships, Sombrero and Meester placed third and fourth, respectively.
Rina Beukes from Clocolan had excellent results with her Flemish horses: Galant: Grand Champion Stallion: Reserve champion lead by Small Beukes. Karnet: Grand Champion Mare in hand: 1st place. Galant: Single Harness Stallion/Gelding: fifth place driven by Kantoor Mohapi. Karnet: Single Harness Mare: fourth place driven by Kantoor Mohapi and Ladies’ Single Harness: fifth place driven by Juané Coetzee. The senior double harness produced another outstanding result with Rina’s Galant and Karnet, driven by Joané Coetzee, claiming Reserve Champion! Their performance was particularly noteworthy, competing against some of the country's top horses.
The Pekan Festival Horse Show attracts stables from across South Africa, including the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, North West and Free State, making the results achieved by Going Back West Stables and Rina Beukes all the more significant.
Their success is also a powerful reminder that having the most expensive equipment or large imported bloodlines is not the only route to success in the show ring. Sometimes, the winning combination is simply patience, experience and a genuine love for these majestic animals.
Going Back West Stables' and Rina Beukes’s achievements are a testament to what can be accomplished through dedication and hard work, and they have proudly carried the banner of the Eastern Free State at the Pekan Festival.
Congratulations to Going Back West, Rina and Joané — you have made the Eastern Free State proud!

09/10/2026

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