OFM News
OFM News, in touch with your world. Covering local and national news focusing on the Free State, Northern Cape, North West and the Vaal. See more: https://www.ofm.co.za/News
Agri SA's Omri van Zyl
Agri SA Executive Director Omri van Zyl says everyone is going to be affected by the drought
Heidedal parents furious after school refuses their children access
A group of furious parents are gathered at the Dr Block Secondary School in Heidedal and refuse the leave after the school informed them there was no space for their children at the school. A disgruntled Elizabeth Buffel says she and about 50 other parents urgently want answers from the…
Feature: School Readiness 2016
Cathy Dlodlo spoke to the spokesperson of the department Howard Ndaba about the readiness of schools in the province…
Relief for drought-affected QwaQwa residents
The Maluti-A-Phofung local municipality says plans are in place to provide water to citizens in QwaQwa after dams ran dry because due to the drought. Executive Mayor, Vusimusi Tshabalala says water is being provided from the Sterkfontein Dam after the Fika Patso Dam, which provides water to QwaQwa, dried out…
Jannie de Villiers – irrigation
Grain SA CEO Jannie de Villiers explains how recent rains could assist irrigation farmers
Jannie de Villiers – worrying
Grain SA CEO Jannie de Villiers speaks about maize plantings in the Free State
Parys
The bail hearing of four Parys farmers will proceed at 14:00. Magistrate Leshni Pillay has just denied an application by the state to postpone the case against Boeta van der Westhuizen, Johan Cilliers senior, his son Johan jr. and Anton Loggenberg. The four are in the dock in connection with…
QwaQwa residents to receive donated water
Residents of QwaQwa in the eastern Free State will receive water today as part of the "Operation Hydrate" initiative. The Free State has been hard hit by the drought, with some towns being without water completely. A group of volunteers for Operation Hydrate will donate water in QwaQwa today. CrimeLine…
UV gereed vir moontlike betogings
Die Universiteit van die Vrystaat (UV) is gereed vir enige moontlike studente-optogte tydens vanjaar se registrasieproses, en het gebeurlikheidsplanne in plek. UV-woordvoerder Lacea Loader se komentaar volg ná betogings by verskeie universiteite gister voorgekom het. Loader sê intussen die registrasiedatums vir die universiteit se drie kampusse, waarvan twee in Bloemfontein…
Feature: David Bowie
Music fans around the world awoke today to the sad news of legendary singer David Bowie's passing. OFM New's Dane Beisheim went searching in the archives to find out more about this fascinating man, and compiled the following report.
Gift of the givers assisting with FS drought
A fleet of trucks with bottled drinking water is expected to arrive in the Free State as part of the disaster relief organisation, Gift of the Givers Foundation’s plans for drought relief in the province. The foundation’s Imtiaz Sooliman says they received a request for help from Bethlehem on Friday…
Korkie-boek binnekort op winkelrakke
Dit was gister presies twee jaar gelede wat die Bloemfonteinse weduwee, Yolandé Korkie, in Jemen as gyselaar deur Al-Kaïda vrygelaat is. Haar man, Pierre Korkie, ‘n gewese onderwyser van Grey-kollege in die Rosestad, is steeds as gyselaar aangehou nadat hulle in 2013 in die stad Taiz, ontvoer is. Die egpaar…
Abathembu royal household unaware of Dalindyebo's hospitalisation
The Abathembu royal household says it is unaware that its recently imprisoned king, Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo is in hospital. Dalindyebo was admitted to a private hospital in East London on Friday night after going on a hunger strike. He is serving a 12-year sentence for assault with intent to cause grievous…
"Operation Hydrate" to deliver 1 million litres of water by week's end
"Operation Hydrate" says it hopes to deliver over a million litres of drinking water to drought-stricken areas by the end of next week, in a bid to help South Africans affected by severe water shortages. In a statement on Facebook yesterday, coordinator, Yaseen Theba, saids some 350 000 litres of…
Education consultant welcomes plans for new three-tiered school system
An education consultant has welcomed plans by the Department of Basic Education to introduce a new three-tiered school system from next year. According to the City Press, the system is aimed having at least 60% of school learners acquire technical qualifications and hopefully become artisans and engineers among other similar…
NC man to appear for illegal possession of human body parts
A Northern Cape man is expected to appear in court today in connection with the illegal possession of human body parts. The 27-year-old man from Bathlaros was arrested on Friday afternoon after a tip-off from a community member. Police spokesperson, Mohale Ramatseba said the body parts, which include a heart…
Returning holidaymakers warned to obey road rules
Free State MEC for Police, Roads and Transport, Butana Komphela has warned South Africans who are returning home from holidays this weekend to respect and obey the rules of the road. With schools set to reopen on Wednesday and many people returning to work next week, roads across the country…
Sexual harassment case opened against ANC's Marius Fransman
Police in North West have confirmed that a sexual harassment case has been opened against ANC Western Cape chairperson Marius Fransman. Spokesperson, Sabata Mokgwabone says details of the case cannot be disclosed to allow for the investigations to continue. He says no arrest has been made. ANC national spokesperson, Zizi…
WHO declares the end of Ebola virus transmission in Guinea
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the end of Ebola virus transmission in the Republic of Guinea. Forty-two days have passed since the last person confirmed to have Ebola tested negative for the second time. Guinea now enters a 90-day period of heightened surveillance to ensure that any new…
Graan SA sê boere moet vasbyt
Bloemfontein - Graan SA het ‘n boodskap van hoop uitgestuur aan moedelose boere wat swaar gebuk gaan onder droogtetoestande. Voorsitter, Louw Steytler, glo dit is vir talle boere in die sentrale deel van die land te laat om mielies aan te plant tensy milde reën nie gou voorkom nie. Volgens…