─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 12:53 Mon
“You can imagine how people with serious or chronic conditions are suffering.”
Residents of Theunissen have raised serious concerns about the dire state of the Masilo Clinic
which has reportedly been without water for more than a decade
is said to have endured a 12-year-long water shortage
leaving patients and staff to face appalling conditions.
Resident Thato Sethoba (39) told OFM News the clinic’s toilets have been locked for years due to the lack of running water
already burdened by the lack of basic amenities
to endure additional hardships when seeking medical care
Sethoba also highlighted the severe staffing shortages at the clinic
which currently operates with only two permanent employees – a matron and a nurse
She claimed the remaining nurses were on short-term contracts
Sethoba shared her personal experience of struggling to receive care last week
as there was only one nurse on duty who had to manage both her regular duties and the responsibilities of the absent matron
I went to the clinic on Monday and Tuesday
but I could only get assistance on Wednesday because the nurse was working alone while the matron was on leave,” Sethoba said
“You can imagine how people with serious or chronic conditions are suffering
The situation is even more concerning because the contracts for nurses in the antenatal ward are set to end in August
and some have already threatened not to even show up to work this week due to unpaid salaries.”
Sethoba revealed the facility has been without cleaning staff for several months
The previous cleaners retired due to old age
Now the clinic is allegedly being cleaned by municipal workers contracted to clean the streets
a water tanker dispatched to the clinic is out of commission due to a broken tap
The tap of the tanker at the clinic is broken
The water crisis in Theunissen is not limited to the Masilo Clinic
services at the municipal offices were brought to a halt by angry residents protesting after days without water supply
Both the Masilo and Lusaka clinics were also affected
Despite the presence of water tankers at the clinics
the water in the tanks was found to be unfit for consumption
The Masilonyana Municipality has come under fire for the ongoing water issues
which many residents believe are linked to vandalism of water supply stations
Some allege this vandalism is being orchestrated by municipal officials seeking to benefit from contracts to supply water trucks during water outages
OFM News has reached out to the Free State Department of Health for comment on the situation at Masilo but no response has been received
OFM News/ Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg
North West scholar transport operators will finally receive payments
Vrystaatse ouerpaar in hof ná kinders doodbrand
Besoekers sprakeloos oor skouspelagtige Augrabies
UV ontken aantygings oor buitelandse werknemers
Ondersoek duur voort ná skietery op Lichtenburg
Oekraïne vra Suid-Afrika om ontvoerde kinders te help terugbring
Wyle pous Franciskus het begrafnisrituele vooraf vereenvoudig
Mianmar-aardbewing: Hulp stroom in ná meer as 1 700 sterftes
Suid-Afrikaners wen gesogte blommeskou-trofee in China
South Africa (27 August 2024) – The inaugural Splash Tri Dash in Amanzimtoti was a resounding success
drawing in hundreds of spectators and showcasing the talent of South Africa’s top triathletes
2016 Olympic bronze medalist Henri Schoeman and event organiser and rising star Bridget Theunissen claimed victory in the individual and women’s categories
Schoeman took honours in the individual race
as well as pipping the 1st team (Toti Lifeguards A) to the finish line
Sharing his thoughts on the exhilarating race
Schoeman said it was a tricky start on the surf but he soon made up ground in the biking section:
I love this kind of racing and it’s so good for the development of our juniors and triathlon.”
who is also a reserve Olympian is set to represent South Africa in the short-distance triathlon at the U23 World Championships in Spain
with more people coming out than she’d anticipated
and a really exciting day out for everyone
so only those who were competent enough could swim on the day
with the alternative being to swim in the tidal pool which was a safer option for the younger competitors
The feedback was really positive and we’re hoping that the Splash Tri Dash can be an annual feature on the sporting events calendar,” Theunissen said
This exciting new event modelled after the popular Super League Triathlon format
offered a fast-paced and spectator-friendly experience
the race was met with enthusiastic feedback
and organisers hope to make it an annual tradition on the South African sporting calendar
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Be sure you have your GPS enabled and try again
Ask anyone in the rugby business about the Sale Sharks and that’s the answer you will get
with the English team heading to Cape Town for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup showdown with the DHL Stormers with several beefy South African ball carriers in tow
Former national age-group captain and Stormers utility forward Ernst van Rhyn is one of those
who many consider to be a better player than the England captain
Add to that the physical approach of a side that also includes the apparently much improved Ben Curry
and it amounts to a good challenge to a Stormers pack that has pretty much outplayed all comers in the last few months
that includes the Bok laden Hollywoodbets Sharks forward unit
The Stormers lost in Durban at the end of November and squeaked to a narrow win in the more recent Vodacom United Rugby Championship coastal derby in Cape Town
but in both games they got the better of their opponents in the battle up front
“We have been working really hard at key aspects of our forward game and it is starting to pay off,” said No 8 Marcel Theunissen in looking ahead to Saturday’s clash with the English version of the Sharks
“Every Wednesday we work really hard on our mauling and on our scrums
and I thought the maul that won us the game against the Sharks last time we played was excellent and really good for our confidence
"We also scored really good maul tries against Toulon (in the Champions Cup) and against the Lions (in the URC).”
but Theunissen is aware that he and his teammates are up against a team at the weekend that also prides itself on the ability of the big men to carry the ball and also bring the necessary physicality
“Against Sale you mustn’t let them dominate and the we have trained this week has been aimed at everyone knowing they must pitch up mentally on Saturday ready to be physical and to dominate up front
We need to be ready for what is coming at us
and give it back to them,” said the Stormers loose-forward
Defence coach Norman Laker has as usual been spending his down time obsessing over the game strategies of his team’s next opponents and is in accord with Theunissen
“They do have a very big pack and they have good
“Of course we know the Du Preez brothers well
two more players that do a carrying role for them
They are extremely physical so you have to make sure you match them physically
“But they are not just about carrying the ball at the opposition (and getting through with force)
they are also good at beating you individually
They can get in a few off-loads and beat you that way
I am not sure if (England flyhalf) George Ford is playing because he was injured recently
Outside centre is Du Preez’s usual position these days and that’s where he is likely to face the Stormers
who perhaps consider his new position as a bit incongruous as Du Preez is far from the quickest player playing the game
It will be interesting to see on Saturday if that is something the Stormers will look to exploit as they continue to evolve their attacking game
“Everyone knows that the Stormers like to play running rugby to please the faithful
and we are also not giving away too many tries
and we can build some confidence out of that,” said Theunissen
“The previous two wins (in the URC) have given us confidence
There were a lot of positives to be taken out of those two games
"We feel we are back to being a winning side again
and we are taking that confidence into this game.”
and probably with a try scoring bonus point
or they will be missing the round of 16 phase for the first time in three seasons of participation in the Champions Cup
but Laker did not take the bait when he was asked if the DHL Stadium clash was a knock-out game for his team
“In this competition every game is effectively a playoff
we know it is a quite important game in this competition,” said the defence coach
Home | South Africa
The South African Police Service in the Free State has expressed sadness for the loss of the three police officers over the weekend.
Two male police officers stationed at the Namahadi police station in Qwaqwa were gunned down, metres away from the station.
Police spokesperson Motantsi Makhele says constables Sipho Mohapi and Gedione Motloung were attending to a house robbery complaint.
In another incident, a female constable booked out a service firearm as she reported for duty at Theunissen Police Station and then shot herself in the toilets on Saturday.
Makhele has sent a message of condolence to the families.
“To the families, friends and colleagues of our fallen members we extend our deepest condolences. Your loss is our loss and we stand with you in this time of grief. As police officers you are called to serve and protect others often at great personal cost. The Provincial Commissioner would like to urge our SAPS members to utilise our services of employee wellness, either if they feel under pressure due to work or for personal issues. These services are here for our members.”
with ball) warned the Stormers to watch out for Jean-Luc du Preez’s offloading game when they face Sale on Saturday
The Stormers are gearing up for a massive forward battle with a Sale Sharks pack spearheaded by the Du Preez twins and former Capetonian Ernst van Rhyn
The Manchester team are in the Mother City for Saturday’s round-three Champions Cup game at the Cape Town Stadium (3pm kick-off)
and coach John Dobson’s side have to win to revive their chances of advancing in the competition
The Sale forwards have a reputation for their physicality in the English Premiership
given that the Premiership has a major focus on set-piece play
Besides Springboks Dan and Jean-Luc du Preez and Van Rhyn
Sale have an exceptional hooker in England’s Luke Cowan-Dickie
But the Stormers will back themselves after encouraging performances by their forwards in recent matches
They got on top of both the Lions and the Sharks in their recent United Rugby Championship wins
and also in the narrow loss to the Sharks in Durban
“We have been working very hard at key aspects of our forward game
and it is starting to pay off,” said No 8 Marcel Theunissen
we work really hard on our mauling and our scrums
“I thought the maul that won us the game against the Sharks the last time we played was excellent and good for our confidence
We also scored excellent maul tries against Toulon (in the Champions Cup) and against the Lions.”
But Theunissen said that the Stormers have to go up a level against Sale
and the way we have trained this week has been aimed at everyone knowing they must pitch up mentally and ready to be physical,” he said
Welkom in die Kaap @SaleSharksRugby #STOvSAL #iamastormer #dhldelivers pic.twitter.com/hPjDRqd7ku
Defence coach Norman Laker backed up Theunissen’s analysis of what should be done against Sale
Those are just four players that carry the ball very effectively for them
so you have to make sure you match them in that department
“But they are not just about carrying the ball strongly to get momentum
“They can get in a few offloads and beat you that way
Jean-Luc is one of the top offloaders in the Premiership
“I am not sure if (England flyhalf) George Ford is playing because he was injured recently
they should have the class and pace out wide to put Sale under serious pressure
Theunissen said his team will not be shy to move the ball
We can build some confidence from that,” he said
“The previous two wins in the URC have given us confidence
We feel we are back to being a winning side like we used to be
and we are taking that confidence into this game
every game is effectively a playoff,” Theunissen said of the importance of winning
and we understand the importance of getting our first win in this competition.” | Independent Media Sport
Cape Times aim to make the editorial mix such that readers get everything they need between pages first thing in the morning: news
lifestyle and provocative commentary from leading columnists
Read more
is delighted to have the Mamelodi Sundowns player
back from injury ahead of their two remaining Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers
The Theunissen born-and-bred centre-back played a vital part in Sundowns Carling Knockout Cup semi-final win against Marumo Gallants in Bloemfontein on Sunday
Broos said he is more than delighted to have the important player back in defence
I was very happy that Mothobi played again for Sundowns,” said Broos about the former Highlands Park player
and if you see the things he did in the past for Bafana Bafana
I don’t think I’m telling you that I’m very happy that he’s back
but he was so important for us in the past games
So it was also a loss that he wasn’t in Congo because that is the player who can help us in such games
I’m very happy that he played for Sundowns in the last few games
on Monday the Stellenbosch FC midfielder Devin Titus was called up to the squad following an injury to the Cypress-based Mihlali Mayambela
Broos added that Titus was the perfect player to step up to the role in the absence of Mayambela
“When you see the performances from Devin and with Mihlali Mayambela injured
I don’t see another player who can replace him
I think you can’t say anything bad about the choice of Devin Titus
“I’m sure of it because he has a certain talent and he can eliminate another player from scoring
Friday’s qualifier between Uganda and South Africa in Kampala kicks off at 15:00
OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg
Amakhosi and Bucs both seek redemption in Soweto Derby
Two Gallants players named in Bafana squad for CHAN Qualifiers
Liverpool claim 20th league title in fine style
Sundowns into CAF Champions League final
Marumo must make chances count against the Amakhosi
South Africa (13 January 2025) – Inspiring children to get lost in the wonder-filled magic through the pages of a great book lies at the heart of Basetsana Sheane
she has become a champion of literacy in her community of Theunissen
Through Nal’ibali
Basetsana has found a platform to nurture a love of reading in young minds
Basetsana enrolled in the Nal’ibali literacy volunteer training through the Nal’ibali WhatsApp platform
Inspired by the programme, she founded the Tsebo Ke Lesedi reading club in December 2022
The club currently boasts 15 enthusiastic members
Basetsana organises holiday reading programmes and events to instil a love of reading in her community’s children
who uses the Nal’ibali supplement in her reading club
has also worked with Nal’ibali as a Sesotho storyteller on audio and video stories
“Basetsana is a perfect example of the contribution that we can all make towards improving literacy in our communities,” Nal’ibali shares
more and more children get to see books as more than just learning tools to be used in the classroom but as gateways that inspire their imagination and creativity and unlock endless possibilities that life has to offer through each turned page
enrol in the Nal’ibali WhatsApp “courses” by sending a message to 0600 44 22 54 to learn how to start your own Nal’ibali reading club and receive a FUNda Leader certificate
you can register your reading club and receive reading club materials from Nal’ibali
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─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 14:29 Wed
we consider ourselves without a mayor in Masilonyana.”
Masilonyana’s mayor is facing mounting pressure from workers and unions calling for her removal from office
During more than two weeks of protests municipal workers downed tools and refused to return to work until Dimakatso Modise vacated her position
escalated when it was reported that Modise sought to oust the chief financial officer
Municipal workers’ union Samwu has since thrown its support behind the workers’ demands for the mayor’s removal
Samwu regional chairperson for Lejweleputswa
said the ANC leadership in Lejweleputswa indicated during a meeting in the Theunissen town hall on Friday (20/9) that the decision to remove Modise lies with the ANC Free State Provincial Executive Committee (PEC).
there has been no official communication from the PEC regarding Modise’s fate
the issue of the mayor is to be handled through the party’s internal processes
it will be communicated to us,” Kobane said.
‘Until the ANC PEC resolves the matter we are without a mayor’
we consider ourselves without a mayor in Masilonyana
We condemn the false information circulating that claims Mayor Modise is not going anywhere – those are lies
Until the ANC PEC resolves the matter we are without a mayor.”
Kobane reiterated Samwu had instructed all municipal employees to remain home until further notice
But it expected from specific employees – such as plumbers
and the team assisting HR with applications – to continue working during this period
Kobane urged support for a planned community march in Brandfort
stressing that the issues affecting residents also impacted them
“The ANC Regional Executive Committee was clear in our last meeting: the mayor must be removed
Our position remains unchanged – Mayor Modise must go,” Kobane said
The cash-strapped Masilonyana has also come under fire for mismanagement of public funds
This prompted the Special Investigating Unit to initiate investigations into allegations of maladministration and misconduct.
The former legal adviser to the ailing municipality
filed a lawsuit in the High Court in Bloemfontein against Modise and both the former and current municipal managers.
OFM News has contacted ANC Free State spokesperson
OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg/mc
Police in Theunissen in the Free State have intercepted thousands of food items that were believed to be delivered to illegal miners underground
three men and three women while they were busy with food packaging
Police discovered 2500 cans of energy drinks
2600 instant porridge and 2000 packs of powdered milk
Police spokesperson Thabo Covane says they worked with the South African National Defence Force in the operation
“The team searched the premises and discovered that the house was under surveillance with highly sophisticated cameras which can be monitored from another location
A case docket of conspiracy to commit the crime of illicit mining and aiding illegal underground miners was opened at Theunissen police station
The suspects will appear before court soon.”
#sapsFS Members of operation Vala Umgodi in the Free State are currently processing a scene where packaged foodstuffs intended to be delivered for underground illegal miners were found at a farm near R708 outside Theunissen. Six suspects were arrested for conspiracy to commit… pic.twitter.com/bOjHQhk7x7
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) April 3, 2025
The Rosehill SUPERSPAR in Port Alfred joined forces with Palcare during the month of October for breast cancer awareness through cupcake sales and a raffle
The Cupcakes for Cancer drive along with the raffle drew donations amounting to R18 000 and on Friday
donated R30 000 to Palcare bringing the total to a superb R48 000
“We appreciate the continued service that Palcare provides in the community,” Theunissen said
Talk of the Town is the weekly newspaper of record for the community of Ndlambe and serves readers in and around Port Alfred
Two notorious Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) members have been dismissed following their unethical conduct
This comes after community members launched complaints against the duo
MMC Grandi Theunissen said the duo have been a source of terror for residents in the greater Centurion area for many years and their actions were deemed a gross violation of the ethical standards expected of TMPD members
Theunissen added that the City of Tshwane is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of Tshwane residents
“The City of Tshwane has zero tolerance for any form of misconduct – corruption or abuse of power within its ranks
These individuals have not only betrayed the trust of the community but also the own reputation
and integrity of the TMPD,” said Theunissen.
Theunissen added that if action is not taken against the duo
“Their continued presence in the force posed a threat to the community and the values we uphold.”
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managed to become loved throughout the land and even the wider world while never leaving his small Karoo town of Matjiesfontein
Johnny T was a rare yet humble man who was born in one of the smallest towns in the world. All he needed to do to achieve this success was to be who he was: a born entertainer and comedian who made a life and a living out of his charm and talents. advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads
and was as integral to Matjiesfontein as the very bricks and mortar laid by the Victorians
blowing his bugle for Lord Milner Hotel visitors to board for the evening tour
My family first became aware of Johnny in 1985
four years after we discovered the village and the year our daughter Rebecca was born
who played the bugle to alert guests that the evening London red bus tour was imminent
then stuck his head through the ornate doors to the pub where a man in his cups had been dozing with his head on the bar counter
whether from Calgary or Paris or Edinburgh or Berlin
My wife Diane Cassere was “James Logan’s great-great-great-granddaughter”, a status he conferred on somebody on the bus every day; a sort of rotating title.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads
“One day I was sitting in the cane chairs on the stoep of the Lord Milner Hotel sipping a beverage and watching the Rovos Rail pull in,” she recalls
“Johnny appeared from the railway platform with a party of Japanese tourists in his wake
‘And this is Lord Logan’s great great great granddaughter – she sits here every day.’
and they all disappeared into the hotel to be shown Matjiesfontein’s beautifully dressed lounges.”
We were introduced as “the honeymoon couple” countless times
but any couple from anywhere in the world who was riding that bus would find themselves bestowed with one of these honours
International guests were told that “the birds’ nests in the tree near the yellow lounge are dried coconuts” and that Johnny’s own grandmother “was Logan’s Hot Chocolate and I came out as the cappuccino”
was the founder of Matjiesfontein as a health spa resort for continental visitors in the 1880s
“Showtime!” The commentary was ever eccentric and familiar
“This house was home to the first telephone
and he called the guy with the second telephone.”
“You get married in the church and divorced in the bar.” advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads
“The bus has no power steering, so the driver must use his sixpack.” advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads
“We turn to the left because we cannot turn to the right.”
Every now and then he’d throw in a “Vat hom
Younger guys on board would be told to “come and show your sixpack tonight and then we share the tips”
There are families and groups of friends who have been going to Matjiesfontein all their adult lives to get a fix of the essence that only people who love this eccentric hotel village can understand
and we would be bereft were that to change
Matjiesfontein Village is like a Persian rug; it is meant to have flaws
Nobody needs Matjiesfontein to lose its soul
through various waves of the life that has washed over this strange little village
And now that a man who was a part of the essence of the place has moved on
we who love the man have asked ourselves this week
can Matjiesfontein ever be the same without Johnny in it
because history and decades of that resilience have demonstrated this
she had been grooming a teenager called Johnny Theunissen
had encouraged him to play the capricious old piano
and in no time at all Johnny was Mr Entertainer for a generation and more of the village’s tens of thousands of guests
It turns out that Johnny had been getting piano tutoring nearby as well
Johnny told me about Muriel Bownes’ easing of him into the role the last time I was standing next to the piano with him
between the songs he would always ask me to join him in singing whenever we were there
He would lift a hand from the piano to tap me on the shoulder
point to his bowler hat on top of the piano
I’d take it around the room and gather him some tips
I’d told him he didn’t look well and he’d looked up at the ceiling in that Johnny way
I’m fine!” and played De La Rey (Sal jy die Guptas kom kry?) and Cotton Fields
My own family have been going there since 1981
as she swore she would when she was little
rich association with “Matjies” and its people
have been visiting virtually as long as we have
Restaurateur Peter Tempelhoff and his family have known Matjies well since Liz McGrath took over after hotelier David Rawdon’s death a decade ago
Etienne van Heerden wrote to say: “Sat in Haarlem
I walked out and the church bells in the enormous
lighted tower looming over the street started ringing
Most people knew him only for his happy-hour showtimes
I was lucky enough to sit in the bar over a pint and listen to him sing and play
My fondest memory of him though is on the red London bus in stitches while he guided a tour of Matjiesfontein’s one street
who have the management contract to operate the Lord Milner
first alerted me to Johnny’s passing: “Very sad news from Matjiesfontein is that Johnny Theunissen passed away yesterday – he had been battling lung cancer
“We know Matjies is a place that is close to your heart and as such you will have known Johnny
experienced his tours and singalongs in the Lairds Arms
He has been the personality of the village for 35 years and leaves a huge hole in the community
“I’m not sure if you were one of James Logan’s grandchildren or a Chippendale [I was both
but either way there is no way that Johnny would not have not left his indelible mark on you as he did us all
“The only anecdote I can add that might stack up to yours/Jon’s/Tom’s [both are David Rawdon’s nephews] is when I first arrived at Matjies with Liz McGrath in 2013
She had not been before and instantly fell in love with the Village and the Lord Milner
Johnny must have picked this up as he immediately crowned Mrs M as ‘the Blonde chick’ and I can’t think of anyone else in and beyond SA who would have got away with that
General Manager Werner Smit revealed that Johnny had first started “officially at the hotel” on June 1
although he asked David Rawdon to be an entertainer at first”
Jonathan Rawdon, David Rawdon’s nephew, posted on the hotel’s Facebook page: “I recall how Johnny approached my uncle David Rawdon and said you know what you need in this Village… an entertainer
The fabric of the community with church and family
He will be missed and Judy and I pass on our love to his family.”
Jon told Daily Maverick that he remembered his Canadian wife Judy “telling me a story of how Johnny had her throw a sheet on and pretend she was a ghost on the other side of the river while he innocently showed guests the Travellers’ Chapel
But what made the story was another guest lying on the lawn in the dark looking at the stars and Judy tripped over him and he screamed in horror thinking she was a real ghost.”
The news was also broken by the hotel on their Facebook page
“It is with a heavy heart to inform everyone that Matjiesfontein’s legend
has lost his battle with cancer after a short time in hospital
Johnny has served Matjiesfontein Village over 35 years as entertainer and will be remembered for his love for people.”
Restaurateur Matthew Gordon was among those who posted his condolences: “This is terribly sad news
We will miss him so much in this little town we love and have been coming to for many many years.”
Johnny was also a key member of his community
was born and bred in Matjiesfontein and a member of Johnny’s congregation
She told us Johnny “always told us that he was a soccer player in the 1980s and he loved the game very much but injured his right leg and could not play any more
“Johnny also worked in the Matjiesfontein Post Office situated in the main street in the 1990s
When the post office closed and they wanted Johnny to move to Cape Town
Johnny decided to resign from his position as postman and applied for a porter position at the hotel and soon became a wine steward and barman
“Johnny was very devoted to his work and also became the hotel tour guide; he always mentioned that working with people was his passion.”
Cindy Anthonie confirmed that Johnny’s mother had worked for Logan’s son-in-law Major John Buist (a name every visitor to Matjiesfontein hears) and his family for about 40 years
gave him piano lessons on the days when he accompanied his mother to work.”
She also provided an insight into the possible future of entertaining guests: “We know that no one can replace our legendary Johnny T
but we have a barman who is also called John who always joined Johnny with singalongs in the bar.”
and that brings with it a sad tear for Johnny
followed by a happy one at the thought of what lies ahead for those of us for whom Matjies is a part of the fabric of our lives
We will return to Matjiesfontein again and again as long as life allows us to
and whenever we walk into the Lairds Arms we will glance at the piano and picture Johnny T there
Johnny T liked to tell random international guests
“Look how thick the walls of the hotel are
It shows you how scared the English were of the Boers.”
His presence will live on in the echoes of Matjiesfontein
Sitting here in rural Kilkenny Ireland what a lovely well written story
When I lived in South Africa the Karoo was a place I enjoyed spending time in although I never visited Matjiesfontein the story of Johnny put a smile on my face
His presence in the bar and on the bus was an absolute delight and the unmissable highlight of a stay there
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Ariane Theunissen draws inspiration from a mythical era
where extravagance and individuality were celebrated without limits
the brand highlights a concerning contemporary phenomenon: the standardization of trends that pushes women to follow uniform aesthetic codes
thus erasing their creativity and differences
which were once at the very heart of fashion
Reflection on the Standardization of Trends and the Loss of IndividualityIn a world where uniformity reigns supreme
where trends dictate our appearance and erase our uniqueness
A Harsh Critique of Aesthetic UniformityWhile fashion is often perceived as a space of freedom
one truth becomes evident: by following the same influences andtrends
we end up blending into an undifferentiated mass
and beauty standardsimposed by society contribute to this standardization of styles
progressively erasing the distinctive traits that enrich ouridentities
Theunissen Paris shines a light on this drift
where the quest for a “perfect” appearance transforms into a form ofcollective erasure
A Call to Reclaim IndividualityTheunissen’s artistic choice serves as a visual metaphor for the social pressure that pushes us to adopt a singular beauty model
The brand invites us to reflect on the role of fashion in identity construction and the need to break free from imposed codes to rediscover our authenticity in a world that constantly urges us to conform.During the era of Studio 54
Theunissen laments how much we have lost this ability to stand out
Her show becomes not only a critique but also an invitation to rekindle diversity in our style and appearance choices
the page you are looking for can't be found.Please use the search to find what you're looking for
The Masilonyana Municipality in the Free State has opened a case of vandalism after vandals damaged the water treatment plant in Theunissen
The damage to the tune of R5 million has left residents without running water for over 20 days and counting
Residents woke up to dry taps on the 14th of December
they rely on water tankers to deliver water to them
Some days they wait for days without getting any supply
Residents are concerned that the situation is increasingly posing health risks
“It’s painful to not have water
As a community we help to what we should do because we have been waiting since four in the morning waiting for the water tanker
We want to know when are we getting our water.”
“The problem that is hurting is that we have grannies who don’t know what to do
We are waiting here with who came here in the morning.”
Sewage is smelling at sunset we can’t stay in our houses
We get that there is theft but municipality must ensure that we get water from morning or only skip one day
The last time we got water it was Tuesday.”
The Masilonyana Municipality says what happened on the 13th of December was out of the ordinary
It says the water treatment plant was maliciously damaged
It happened a day after the security company that is responsible for guarding the plant left the site unattended
It is reported that there was an issue over non-payment
Now the municipality has to fork out millions of rand
“We are sitting with a bill totally more than R5 million just to fix and restore the plant into operation so basically as of yesterday we were able to hand over the site to a contractor that is ow busy with restoration work so that at least in the next couple of days or on a week or two weeks time we will have the plant fully operational or some levels of the capacity of the plant pumping water to the community,” explains Zongezile Ntswabule
the spokesperson of Masilonyana Municipality
The municipality concedes that it lacks capacity
“We are now over stretched in terms of the resources that we are having
Theunissen has got four wards and we have to supply all those wards
We have even come up with a strategy where we are focusing on two wards a day
This is based on a number of trucks that we are having on the ground but we are trying all the means with what we have,” adds Ntswabule
Residents say they are frustrated by the lack of communication from the municipality
Theunissen residents left without running water after vandals damaged water treatment plant:
─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 11:49 Fri
“We have been in Brandfort and now we are in Theunissen
Services have been brought to a halt in Masilonyana after angry Theunissen residents arrived in their numbers to close down municipal offices
It’s understood that residents of the embattled Masilonyana Local Municipality in the Free State initiated the shutdown of municipal offices on Wednesday (31/1)
was part of the group picketing in front of the municipal headquarters
Among the issues raised by residents was the restoration of water in all areas
The issue of water in this municipality has caused hostility between residents and the municipality
The vandalism which took place at the water treatment plant in December 2023
worsened the situation in the municipality which even struggled to pay workers for months last year.
OFM News previously reported that Nadia du Toit
said the festive season was bleak for them
as the lack of water had a significant impact on households and businesses.
with a resident whose tap has been dry for some time
Marchesi said she conducted oversight visits to two community clinics with Rise Mzansi’s convenor in the Free State
They discovered that the Lusaka and Masilo clinics had to close due to a lack of water supply
This is despite the clinics having Jojo tanks
They discovered the water from the tanks was not suitable for consumption
A video shared by a resident shows community members collecting water to drink from one of the bakkies in town
““We have been in Brandfort and now we are in Theunissen
Both these towns do not have water.” Some residents in Theunissen say they haven’t had water for 8 years
Residents say they have decided to close down the municipal offices because they do not see any purpose of this municipality,” Marchesi said
She further added that people who were at the clinic from 08:00 were told to go home at 13:00
without any assistance on Wednesday 31 January 2024 due to a lack of water
An elderly woman was sent home by a local clinic without being assisted
there was an old woman who said she uses her SASSA grant to have people collect water for her
The whole community has decided to stand up and say enough is enough,” she added
They discovered the water from the Jojo tanks was not suitable for consumption
residents have called for the council to be placed under section 135 C
which translates into the dissolution of the troubled municipal council
Residents are also calling for municipal mayor Dimakatso Modise to be removed
Despite the municipality’s efforts to dispatch water trucks
a resident noted that one truck is currently broken while another two are stranded without diesel
OFM News has sent an enquiry to the municipality and is waiting for the response.
OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg
Tasleem Gierdien4 March 2024 | 5:58Matjiesfontein legend 'Johnny' Theunissen passes awayTheunissen - a pillar of the Matjiesfontein community - has succumbed to his battle with cancer.Matjiesfontein legend John Theunissen has passed away after a courageous battle with cancer.
Bekyk hierdie plasing op Instagram 'n Plasing gedeel deur Matjiesfontein (@matjiesfontein)
Affectionately known as Johnny, Theunissen dedicated over three decades to serving the Matjiesfontein Village, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Theunissen was a beloved local tour guide and entertainer at the Laird’s Arms where he entertained guests with his piano-playing, high spirits, witty charm and Madiba impressions.
Theunissen's obituary highlighted his unwavering commitment, compassion and kindness towards everyone he came across.
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Regional KFC franchisee Kuku Foods East Africa is unwaveringly committed to offering exclusively Finger Lickin’ Good chicken for its customers
highlights how the company and its KFC restaurants are key to accelerating youth employment in the region
CEO of KFC’s franchise holder in East Africa
has always had a keen interest in the hospitality industry
originally stemming from his weekend job as a waiter at school
Following the completion of his university degree
Theunissen’s love for the culinary scene drew him to Putney in London
the owner of the establishment he worked at in his younger years asked if he wanted to buy the restaurant from him
“My passion continued to grow as the days progressed
I franchised the business and opened another two restaurants,” Theunissen opens
he was invited to take up the position of Area Manager with KFC in Cape Town
where he jumped at the opportunity to work with such a significant brand in the global quick service restaurant (QSR) space
Theunissen briefly transferred to another company where his passion for the African food and beverage industry truly blossomed
before finally returning to the internationally beloved chicken restaurateurs
“I went back to KFC as I realised that it was the only brand for me
I have been in the restaurant business my whole working life and I love it more every day
It is an industry that in many ways is looked down upon in the corporate world
but very few realise the actual impact we make on the ground,” he notes
Theunissen’s love for the brand means he is ideally positioned at the helm of Kuku
Since opening its first restaurant in Junction Mall
the business has grown substantially to now own and operate 55 KFC locations across East Africa
with big ambitions to continue expanding the brand in the years to come
Kuku currently employs over 1,300 individuals across the region who are the secret to its success
We are deeply passionate about the KFC brand and our customers
and strongly believe in supporting regional industry by localising most of our supply chain,” Theunissen explains
the company is in the process of delivering delectable chicken meals in six to eight new restaurants over the coming year
Kuku prioritises local recruitment when opening a new restaurant
aiming to create 20 to 30 direct jobs alongside several indirect roles with its local suppliers as demand increases
“It is part of our mission to ensure that KFC is accessible to as many people as possible in the regions where we operate
as everyone deserves to experience our Finger Lickin’ Good chicken,” he adds
Kuku leverages a localised supply chain to ensure the best flavours and adherence to food safety standards across its restaurants
This is a key contributor to its growth as partnering with local contractors positively impacts the business from a working capital perspective
whilst also mitigating the volatility of local currencies
making significant contributions to the economies in which it operates
Food safety is a non-negotiable factor in the business
to the extent that Kuku has numerous systems and checks in place to guarantee that every product served over the counter is completely traceable
quality is ingrained throughout the company
as evidenced by the several feedback mechanisms in place that alert staff if the quality and safety standards of any food products have been compromised
Kuku and the KFC brand have become very important in recent years to the development of East Africa’s growing young workforce
particularly since youth unemployment continues to be an increasing issue in the region
the company is proud that 90 percent of its workforce is below the age of 30
whilst many of those in management roles have developed from team member positions
as many individuals have progressed to find themselves running restaurants
“I am a big believer in the idea that you cannot tell someone how to do something if you have not done it yourself
and through the internal development processes that we have in place
every promoted person has done the work of the team they are leading,” he shares
Kuku has seen first-hand the vital impact that its internal development processes have had
as many people from diverse backgrounds have now become remarkably successful
“Businesses have a responsibility to make a difference
What bigger impact can you have than creating employment opportunities in a community and providing each team member with the skills and tools necessary to develop personally and professionally?”
ensuring that everybody has a seat at the table
the company has fostered an environment in which its staff can grow
a statistic which stems across management and leadership teams
The company also participates in many fantastic programmes such as Women on the Move
which prepares talented employees both personally and professionally for their journey ahead
our winning culture is the recipe for our success
we have made sure that our employees have a voice and a seat at the table
as well as guaranteeing that we walk the walk as a leadership team,” Theunissen assures
Kuku has also introduced mandatory training initiatives that equip the entire staff base with the necessary knowledge and skills to efficiently execute the required standards consistently
“We have received numerous awards over the years
and I am immensely proud to say that we were recognised as the Heart-Led
Inclusive Culture Leader of the Year at the 2023 Global Franchise Convention,” he smiles
Kuku’s supply chain has been the lifeblood of the business as it not only ensures the company’s success but also guarantees that it can efficiently operate on the world stage
This is illustrated by the company’s appointment of a Quality Assurance Manager who works across the supply chain at all levels to ensure its counterparts are 100 percent compliant with international food standards and audited by third-party compliers
its suppliers not only work with KFC but also other supermarket retailers in modern food trade
by working in conjunction with these suppliers to improve food safety to global standards
the company’s reach can be felt far beyond its own customer base
Kuku has not been immune to the pressures caused by increasing input costs that have resulted in recent market depreciation
a localised supplier strategy helps mitigate the effects of currency devaluation
“Our local suppliers have been incredibly supportive during these times
and we partnered with these businesses to tackle the problem together and ensure that we can continue to make our products accessible to our customers,” Theunissen expands
Kuku has additionally focused on automating certain systems to help navigate industry challenges
enabling it to obtain accurate and reliable data and ensure quick decision-making
The company’s state-of-the-art systems are also supported by an innovative mindset – one of Kuku’s most valuable assets in uncontrollable market conditions and an expansive supply chain
This is most aptly illustrated by Kuku’s implementation of its Sales Overnight and Brand Overtime (SOBO) strategy
which helps guarantee that the business remains relevant in all consumer sectors
ultimately making the brand more accessible and distinctive in its service and product offerings
Kuku was the first QSR organisation in Kenya to introduce self-service kiosks across a number of restaurants in 2023 and will continue to roll out this technology across its expanding portfolio in the coming year
the introduction of home delivery services is transforming its customer interactions
becoming integral to making KFC’s delectable dishes more accessible and convenient
we must keep things exciting and ensure that we exceed our consumers’ expectations every day
Kuku is set to continue its trajectory of growth and effectively navigate industry challenges by utilising the local workforce and supply chain communities that actively benefit from socioeconomic growth
the customer experience will remain a top priority for the foreseeable future
as the company strives to exceed their expectations and consistently deliver on its service and quality promise
“Our customers must leave with a smile every time they visit; this is non-negotiable,” Theunissen concludes
the company will continue to expand its core mission in youth employment and people development with programmes that have been created to further build exceptional staff capabilities and steer the business towards growth
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Volume 11 - 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2023.1326131
Organic photovoltaics (OPV) present a promising thin-film solar cell technology with particular benefits in terms of weight
despite being studied intensively since the mid 90's
OPV has not entered the mass consumer market yet
Although the efficiency gap with other thin-film photovoltaics has largely been overcome
active layer stability and performance reproducibility issues have not been fully resolved
State-of-the-art OPV devices employ a physical mixture of electron donor and acceptor molecules in a bulk heterojunction active layer
These blends are prone to morphological changes
in “single-component” organic solar cells
the donor and acceptor constituents are chemically connected within a single material
preventing demixing and thereby enhancing device stability
Novel single-component materials affording reasonably high solar cell efficiencies and improved lifetimes have recently emerged
the combination of donor and acceptor structures in conjugated block copolymers (CBCs) presents an exciting approach
the current CBCs are poorly defined from a structural point of view
while synthetic protocols remain unoptimized
More controlled synthesis followed by proper structural analysis of CBCs is
essential to develop rational structure-property-device relations and to drive the field forward
we provide a short overview of the state-of-the-art in single-component organic solar cells prepared from CBCs
reflect on their troublesome characterization and the importance of chemical precision in these structures
and discuss the potential impact of these aspects on the field
This efficiency boost has caused renewed enthusiasm which
combined with some skepticism on lead-based perovskite solar cells
opening the door for large-area OPV applications
additional steps need to be taken in terms of precise control over and analysis of the CBC composition (vide infra)
which essentially defines charge generation and transport
this perspective presents the state-of-the-art in CBC synthesis
discusses on the difficulties faced in their preparation
and emphasizes the importance of chemical precision as a leverage for further development of the SC-OSC and the wider OPV field
illustrating the economic relevance of this approach
(D) Illustration of CBC preparation via one- and two-pot synthesis pathways and chemical structure of the prototype material PM6-b-PYIT
They postulated that the higher solubility of the A block would ensure a more homogenous polymerization of the second (D) block
it does impede the establishment of rational CBC structural guidelines
it is clear that additional efforts are required to unravel the structure of CBCs and to investigate how this structural variability influences the final SC-OSC efficiency and stability
it is obvious that further development in field of SC-OSCs is hampered by the lack of control over the CBC structure as well as the troublesome characterization
Both aspects severely hinder the establishment of structure-property-device relations
we propose a stepwise approach to tackle this challenge
starting from the more controlled synthesis and detailed analysis of the individual blocks before gradually moving to the final CBCs
a (two-pot synthesis) CBC product was subjected to MALDI-ToF MS analysis
The number-average molar mass (Mn) was in line with the GPC results but no real assignment of species was performed
We call on the field to routinely apply MALDI-ToF MS to get a more realistic picture of the different species present in their CBC products
In the mass spectrum of the alternating conjugated polymer D18
the software incorrectly identifies the weakly intense tail-end of the S6 signal to the (unlikely) highly homocoupled species S1
Since the amount of plausible species gets much larger when analysing CBCs
this issue is expected to increase in severity
current tools cannot be used for polymer systems containing more than two monomers
the development of software which can automatically annotate and process the intricate mass spectra of CBCs through deconvolution of overlapping signals is highly desirable
it would obviously be very helpful to characterize them and acquire deeper insights on the CBC composition and polymerization mechanism
the statistical analysis is labor-intensive
and end-group identification remains difficult
Their findings revealed a substantial influence of the A polymer's length on the aggregation behavior and overall performance of the polymer blend
we propose to control the size of both the D and A blocks by separately preparing them in continuous flow streams and then combine these further on
the flow chemistry approach emerges as the go-to technique
since it enables swift optimization of various reaction parameters like temperature
As a final note, we would like to mention that the currently best-performing CBCs have rather complex structures. As synthetic complexity is part of the i-FOM metric, it would be good to not only focus on PM6, PYIT, and related high-efficiency D and A polymers but rather to start introducing “simpler”, more industrially relevant materials [e.g., PTQ-10 as the D part (Szymanski et al., 2020)]
preferably even containing bio-based building blocks
The raw data supporting the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors
WM: Writing—review & editing
The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research
The authors acknowledge financial support from Hasselt University
the Research Foundation—Flanders (FWO Vlaanderen; projects W000620N
and the European Research Council (ERC; grant agreement 864625)
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations
Any product that may be evaluated in this article
or claim that may be made by its manufacturer
is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher
The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fchem.2023.1326131/full#supplementary-material
Controlling solution-phase polymer aggregation with molecular weight and solvent additives to optimize polymer-fullerene bulk heterojunction solar cells
Continuous droplet flow synthesis of a near-infrared responsive push–pull copolymer toward large scale implementation of organic photodetectors
Perspective on the application of continuous flow chemistry for polymer-based organic electronics
Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar
High-performance binary all-polymer solar cells with efficiency over 18.3% enabled by tuning phase transition kinetics
Backbone conformation tuning of carboxylate-functionalized wide band gap polymers for efficient non-fullerene organic solar cells
Regulating the sequence structure of conjugated block copolymers enables large-area single-component organic solar cells with high efficiency and stability
Effects of the molecular weight and the side-chain length on the photovoltaic performance of dithienosilole/thienopyrrolodione copolymers
Synthesis of conjugated polymers via transition metal catalysed C-H bond activation
Polymerized small molecular acceptor based all-polymer solar cells with an efficiency of 16.16% via tuning polymer blend morphology by molecular design
Progress in stability of organic solar cells
PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar
Photophysics of molecular-weight-induced losses in indacenodithienothiophene-based solar cells
Conjugated block copolymer photovoltaics with near 3% efficiency through microphase separation
Single-component organic solar cells with competitive performance
Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar
Industrial viability of single-component organic solar cells
Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar
Homocoupling defects in diketopyrrolopyrrole-based copolymers and their effect on photovoltaic performance
Y-series-based polymer acceptors for high-performance all-polymer solar cells in binary and non-binary systems
Oligoethylene glycol side chains increase charge generation in organic semiconductor nanoparticles for enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Batch-to-batch variation of polymeric photovoltaic materials: its origin and impacts on charge carrier transport and device performances
High-performance polymer solar cell with single active material of fully conjugated block copolymer composed of wide-band gap donor and narrow-band gap acceptor blocks
Stable block copolymer single-material organic solar cells: progress and perspective
Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar
Regioselectivity control of block copolymers for high-performance single-material organic solar cells
Narrow-bandgap single-component polymer solar cells with approaching 9% efficiency
Achieving an efficiency exceeding 10% for fullerene-based polymer solar cells employing a thick active layer via tuning molecular weight
Efficient and stable organic solar cells enabled by multicomponent photoactive layer based on one-pot polymerization
Organic solar cells with over 19% efficiency enabled by a 2D-conjugated non-fullerene acceptor featuring favorable electronic and aggregation structures
From monomer to conjugated polymer: a perspective on best practices for synthesis
Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar
On the effect of prevalent carbazole homocoupling defects on the photovoltaic performance of PCDTBT:PCBM solar cells
Synergistic catalysis for the synthesis of semiconducting polymers
Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar
Defect-free alternating conjugated polymers enabled by room-temperature stille polymerization
Direct arylation polycondensation as conjugated polymer synthesis methodology
Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar
Facile one-pot polymerization of a fully conjugated donor–acceptor block copolymer and its application in efficient single component polymer solar cells
and long-term stability for large-area organic photovoltaics
Significantly improved morphology and efficiency of nonhalogenated solvent-processed solar cells derived from a conjugated donor-acceptor block copolymer
Efficient and nonhalogenated solvent-processed organic solar cells enabled by conjugated donor-acceptor block copolymers containing the same benzodithiophene unit
Continuous flow polymer synthesis toward reproducible large-scale production for efficient bulk heterojunction organic solar cells
On the “true” structure of push-pull-type low-bandgap polymers for organic electronics
Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar
high molecular weight indacenodithiophene (IDT) polymers via a C–H activation: evaluation of a simpler and greener approach to organic electronic materials
Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar
Structurally pure and reproducible polymer materials for high-performance organic solar cells
Balanced charge transport optimizes industry-relevant ternary polymer solar cells
Impact of the segment ratio on a donor-acceptor all-conjugated block copolymer in single-component organic solar cells
On the importance of chemical precision in organic electronics: fullerene intercalation in perfectly alternating conjugated polymers
Molar mass versus polymer solar cell performance: highlighting the role of homocouplings
Binary organic solar cells with 19.2% efficiency enabled by solid additive
design and applications of fused-ring electron acceptors
Challenges to the stability of active layer materials in organic solar cells
PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar
Advances in the synthesis of π-conjugated polymers by photopolymerization
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Non-fullerene acceptor doped block copolymer for efficient and stable organic solar cells
A conjugated donor-acceptor block copolymer enables over 11% efficiency for single-component polymer solar cells
Precise control of conjugated polymer synthesis from step-growth polymerization to iterative synthesis
Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar
Recent advances in single-junction organic solar cells
PubMed Abstract | Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar
All-polymer solar cells with 17% efficiency enabled by the “end-capped” ternary strategy
Renewed prospects for organic photovoltaics
Large-bandgap conjugated polymer for versatile photovoltaic applications with high performance
Unraveling the device performance differences between bulk-heterojunction and single-component polymer solar cells
Recent advances of nonfullerene acceptors in organic solar cells
Smeets S and Maes W (2023) Single-component organic solar cells—Perspective on the importance of chemical precision in conjugated block copolymers
Received: 22 October 2023; Accepted: 17 November 2023; Published: 12 December 2023
Copyright © 2023 Theunissen, Smeets and Maes. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY)
distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted
provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited
in accordance with accepted academic practice
distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms
*Correspondence: Wouter Maes, d291dGVyLm1hZXNAdWhhc3NlbHQuYmU=
Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
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no municipal workers were present during our visit
reminiscent of its former glory in 1998 when it was considered the best available technology
grass now grows within one of the aerators
while the malfunctioning augers fail to remove solids
causing methane bubbles to surface from the dysfunctional ponds
both the Water Manager and Municipal Manager
who claimed ignorance regarding the prolonged power outage
The DA remains committed to closely monitoring this dire situation
We will not stand idly by while the health and safety of our communities are at risk
we will take immediate action by tabling questions in the council to demand answers on the electricity restoration implementation plan and initiate an investigation into the root causes of this negligent situation
We call on the municipality to seek alternative energy solutions to prevent future occurrences
Every effort must be made to prevent the further spread of cholera and ensure the well-being of our communities
The DA is determined to hold those responsible accountable and to work towards swift and effective solutions
registered non profit organisation in South AfricaReg No: 011-895 NPO
MY TIME AT BILFINGER HAS REASSURED MY PASSION FOR WORKING CLOSELY WITH OTHERS AND MAKING A MEANINGFUL IMPACT"
My name is Jennifer Theunissen and I would like to share some valuable experiences I have gained during my internship at Bilfinger Tebodin
I am in my third year studying Human Resource Management at Fontys Eindhoven
I have been fortunate to join the Bilfinger Human Resource team as an intern and work in a multinational company with many different people and situations
My journey with Bilfinger started unexpectedly
The idea of doing an internship at a larger
especially because it aligned with what I was looking for
what truly sealed the deal for me was the company's emphasis on international exposure and its welcoming atmosphere
I am a Human Resources intern primarily for corporate recruitment
I was also given the opportunity to organize the monthly onboarding event Bilfinger organizes in the Netherlands and Belgium
Each task assigned to me by my team is chosen with care to ensure valuable learning experiences
This internship offers a diverse array of responsibilities
from conducting research on employee development to contributing to the creation of a personal development manual
What I like most is having freedom and responsibility given to me
I am encouraged to take on tasks and be involved in different parts of Human Resources
which enriches my professional development
One highlight of the first week of my internship was seeing firsthand the engineering work on one of Bilfinger's projects through a site visit
Even though stepping out of my comfort zone and approaching people was a challenge for me personally that I had to overcome
this experience sparked my interest and broadened my horizons
with the support and encouragement from my colleagues
I embrace these challenges as opportunities for personal and professional growth
“My time at Bilfinger has reassured my passion for working closely with others and making a meaningful impact”
I am learning the importance of asking questions and taking initiative
The internship improves my problem-solving skills and enhances my confidence in my skills and abilities
working in a multinational company teaches me the significance of adaptability and professionalism in a diverse environment
I aspire to continue exploring the field of Human Resources
with a focus on being a point of contact for people within an organization
For those considering an internship at Bilfinger
I would advise taking and embracing such an opportunity
Do not be worried about lacking technical knowledge
focus on learning and expanding your skills
as there are plenty of knowledgeable people at Bilfinger willing to help you
Be proactive in seeking out projects that align with your interests
and do not hesitate to ask questions along the way
so make the most out of every opportunity presented to you.”
my internship at Bilfinger is a journey filled with growth
I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given and I look forward to applying the lessons I learn in my future career path
Click here for more information about internships