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08 May 2018 Photo Reg Caldecott
Yet another victory for Kesa
Kesa Molotsane crossing the line at the second Spar women’s challenge in Port Elizabeth on Saturday morning. She also won the first race in March.
Kesa Molotsane, ace distance runner of the University of the Free State (UFS) continued her rich vein of form on Saturday (May 5) by registering yet another win.

Molotsane coasted to victory in the Spar women’s 10km challenge in Port Elizabeth. Her winning time was 33:46 minutes, 15 seconds ahead of rival and reigning South African cross-country champion, Glenrose Xaba.

Molotsane also reigned supreme in the first race towards the end of March in Cape Town in a time of 34:10. There are six races in total and last year Molotsane was crowned the overall champion in which she achieved her personal best of 32:59.

Just a week before, the 26-year-old smashed the national student record in the 10000m by a massive three minutes and five seconds at the University Sport South Africa champs. The record now stands at 34:49.16.

She was one of two Kovsies to walk away with two gold medals (in the 5000m and 10000m).

“I wasn’t in the right frame of mind and I couldn’t run according to my original plan. It was only at about 5km that I really felt I was in the race. I’m a fighter and at 7km I felt I had to go for it,” Molotsane said about Saturday’s race.

8108 runners entered the 10km challenge and the 5km fun run.

According to Molotsane she is struggling to juggle her track running, cross-country and Spar races.

“I’m trying to qualify for the 5000m at the African championships. I still want to do all three disciplines, although I will eventually have to decide on one.”

News Archive

New conductor of OSM Camerata is one of South Africa’s most successful young people
2014-03-27

 
Mr Xavier Cloete

The OSM Camerata at the University of the Free State boasts with a young renowned conductor to lead them in the next season.

Mr Xavier Cloete, winner of the 2013 National Len van Zyl Conductor’s Competition, will conduct the Camerata during the Odeion School of Music’s opening concert.

He completed his BMus degree at the University of Stellenbosch in 2011 with bassoon and orchestral conducting as main instruments and is currently employed by the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra (KZNPO).

As winner of the Len van Zyl Competition, he completed a conducting internship with the famous Philadelphia Orchestra, which gave him the opportunity to work with acclaimed conductors. He also studied at the Bienen School of Music (Northwestern University) in the Advanced Graduate Conducting Class of Prof Victor Yampolski.

Last year Xavier was also invited to attend the first Sasha Mäkilä International Master Classes in Finland.

His love and passion for music started early in his life – and somewhat coincidentally - in church.

“I was learning to play a few hymns on my dad’s Hammond organ at home. One Sunday our church organist didn’t turn up and I nonchalantly moved in behind the organ. It went very well.”

Xavier ascribes his success to lots of hard work and his love for music.
“My passion for music drives me to work hard. Hard work shows that you are dedicated and this is again seen in the successes you achieve. The reward of one’s hard work is the best instrument.”

He will be making his international debut with the St Michel’s City Orchestra (Finland) during April 2014.


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