Issue 171 - FREE
13 april 2018
Community News. Original - accurate - first
017 631 1903 / 017 631 1845 • admin@thebulletin.co.za • 1 Kiewiet Street, Secunda (Lake Umuzi)
SPCA - Friend or foe? Community outraged by decision to shoot baboon
“The National Council of SPCA is the largest animal welfare organisation in South Africa. It prevents cruelty, promotes kindness and alleviates the suffering of animals. Our objective is to serve and protect all animals, to uplift their welfare and to ensure that the protection they have under South African law is upheld and protected.” In a bizarre twist of events, the protector of animal rights, turned into the hunter when Jenneth Geel, Senior Inspector of the Highveld Ridge SPCA gave the order to shoot an escaped baboon. In January the Bulletin reported the following: “A Brahman Bullock calf was shot in eMbahlenhle after causing havoc and attacking several people. It all started when the bullock somehow found his way into the eMba Sasol club on the morning of 15 January.” As well as “We decided to rather put it down before it caused more damage” A baboon was sighted on the 4th of April in the Tugela street area as it vaulted a wall. First reactions of everybody was that it was a very good April fool’s joke. Social media then came alive with reports of baboon sightings as well as offers to help capture the baboon. At the time of writing this article, 117 598 thousand people saw this post on the Bulletin’s Facebook page alone (post reaches), it was shared 656 times and had received 863 comments. These figures do not include shares, reaches and comments on other pages. The shares even reached animal rights groups countrywide. Groups such as Baboon matters and Prime crew. A number of people have offered assistance to capture the animal or even dart the animal. Jenneth told the Bulletin not to interfere and to leave the issue with them that actually know more about these animals than the Bulletin. “This animal is stressed out and needs to be shot,” said Jenneth, “someone might be injured” The Editor of the Bulletin himself offered his help in shooting the animal to GMM’s Fire department if the animal posed any risk to the public. After sighting the animal, it became clear that this animal was not stressed as said by inspector Geel. Therefore, no need to put it down. The Bulletin has actually been in contact with several people to help capture the animal. We have contacted a group of people called “Saving the Survivors” from Pretoria that immediately arranged for a baboon trap as well as a darting
team. The cage was immediately made available and could have arrived in GMM within two hours. The pleas fell on deaf ears as the order came from the SPCA to shoot the animal. Pressure from the public also did not deter Inspector Geel from giving the order. It was witnessed that Inspector Geel was listening to the conversations on the Zello channels on more than one occasion. The conversation was played to her by another reporter. Arguments were made that this animal is stressed and threatened people. When speaking to those that were involved in tracking down the animal it became clear that this was a captured animal that came loose. Members of Stratconrisk were able to approach the animal and get as close as 5 meters from him before he bared his teeth. This cancels the argument that he was unapproachable and that no one could get close enough to dart him. Animals that are cornered will warn people when they are getting too close. This is exactly what happened with the baboon. Witnesses also spoke to the Bulletin and said that the baboon has his regular sleeping spot, just as baboons would do. The baboon has been observed in the trees for a while according to the same witnesses. If there was a pattern it could easily have been captured. One of the people tracking the baboon even called him by name and knew who the owner was, stating that the baboon lived in the trees behind the fire station. It could not be determined if this baboon was the same baboon. Observations made by the Bulletin was not of a frightened, angry and aggressive animal but more of an escaped pet. At no time was anyone threatened nor did it show any aggressiveness towards people or animals. At one stage it jumped down from a tree and casually ran between barking dogs to the next yard. It is not how a frightened, cornered animal would behave. The order to shoot could have waited until all options have been exhausted. This was surely not the case! Once the animal was shot, Inspector Geel tried to prevent the Bulletin from taking photos. She also tried to chase the Bulletin of the property. When told that it is not her property she tried to get the owners to instruct the Bulletin to leave the premises. Again this was refused. Continued to page 3
Jenneth Geel, Senior Inspector of the Highveld Ridge SPCA.
NEWS
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13 April 2018
Accidents claim five lives
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The past weekend saw a number of serious accidents. On Friday night two people died when the driver lost control of the vehicle that they were travelling in. The vehicle overturned and the two occupants were flung from the vehicle. One person died at the scene. The driver (or so presumed) was declared dead on arrival at Evander hospital. A fatal accident occurred early on Sunday morning when a motorcycle and a bakkie collided at the Albany traffic lights. The driver of the motorcycle (Daan Stander) was unfortunately killed on impact. The family of the deceased have been contacted and notified. The driver of the bakkie was taken to hospital for observation. The motorcycle was completely destroyed in the impact and debris strewn over a large area. The exact cause of the accident is not known at the time of going to press. The notorious road from Evander to Trichardt saw a tragic motor vehicle accident on Monday morning. A family travelling in a Nissan NP200 from Evander towards Trichardt collided with the rear of a slow-moving abnormal vehicle. One young girl was killed on impact and her stepbrother was declared dead on the scene a few minutes later. The driver (mother) and one other sibling were transported to Evander Hospital by Langamed Services South. ER24 also assisted as well as Stratconrisk. GMM emergency services, traffic, provincial traffic and SAPS all responded and assisted. Accident etiquette: If you are the first on an accident scene, phone your local ambulance, police or fire department. Do not phone the family or friends! There are trained people to handle that situation. Today the family were phoned by tow-in operators while the Chaplain on the scene was trying to contact them.
Do not take photos and videos and do not post them on Facebook. Leave that for the media and other officials. There are guidelines to what can be posted. You wouldn’t want to be notified on Facebook about your family’s accidents or even death. Do not try and move anybody until trained personnel arrive. Hand over to EMS as soon as they
arrive. Regulate traffic from causing more chaos if possible and you are not endangering yourself. If you are driving past, please keep moving. Put your cell phones away and do not take pictures. Please follow all orders of personnel on the scene. Try and stay calm.
Above: Accident scene on the Evander-Trichardt Road that happened on Monday morning. Middle: Accident scene near Albany traffic lights that happened on Sunday morning. Below: Accident scene on the Kinross-Kriel road that happened on Friday night.
GMM watch out – OUTA is coming to town! OUTA (Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse) Local is launching in Govan Mbeki on Wednesday, 11 April. The launch will take place at Boesies restaurant at Lake Umuzi. “Basic service delivery is the lifeblood of any community and over the years, Govan Mbeki Local Municipality has seen a decline in service delivery, leaving residents frustrated and helpless against corrupt and inadequate officials,” a press release read. “Clean running water, electricity, sanitation and waste removal are directly linked to our constitutional rights; yet, billions of Rands that were meant to provide these services are stolen and mismanaged by our municipal officials. Corruption and greed has rendered many of our municipalities dysfunctional, hurting the most vulnerable in our communities the most.” “Maladministration in our municipalities has led to infrastructure deterioration which has had negative consequences on businesses, economic growth and employment.” “The collapse of municipalities
throughout South Africa developed an increased demand by local communities for OUTA to intervene. For this reason, the OUTA Local Government Strategy was born.” “OUTA Govan Mbeki is the first Municipality where we will be launching. For us to successfully, intervene and hold local government to account, we need the support of residents,” Michael Holenstein, OUTA’s Manager on Local Government Initiative, said. OUTA will host a stakeholders information session this Wednesday at 16:00 at Boesies Restaurant to present how the OUTA local initiative works. “We categorically state, that OUTA does not fix potholes or provide service delivery. Residents pay rates and taxes and this money needs to be used to ensure the town is run effectively. What we do at OUTA is hold municipal officials and politicians to account and use our legal muscle to enforce the constitution when necessary,” added Holenstein. “We have invited business leaders and requested a meeting with the municipal manager,” Camille de Villiers, Administrative Assistant, said.
NEWS
13 April 2018
Crime snippets Murder in Embalenhle The Bulletin visited the scene of a murder in Embalenhle Ext25 on Saturday, 7 April.
A distraught father had to identify his son (28 years) after he has been missing for a week. Unconfirmed reports states that the man and his best friend left a function the previous Saturday but he never returned to his father. After a week of searching the father confronted his son’s friend that allegedly confessed to murdering the young man. The body was found after the murder scene was pointed out as well as where the body was dumped. Police divers recovered the body.
Divers Jacobus Nagel and Andries Lee, helping forensic services retrieve the body.
From page 1
The worms are slowly coming out of the woodwork regarding the Highveld Ridge SPCA and their treatment of animals in the region. The Bulletin was inundated with reports of animals being put down without exploring any other action first. Most people do not want to be mentioned as they fear intimidation. Some have even quoted accounts of intimidation. “I will make sure that you get a criminal record” Inspector Geel was quoted as saying. Earlier the same day the SPCA posted on their Facebook page ”Baboons are Free Roaming wildlife. They are therefore protected by the Nature Conservation laws” as well as “If we do not chase it out of town it will be shot, do we really want another wild animal’s death on our conscious” The story that the SPCA told everybody kept changing to the point that nobody knows what the SPCA is using to base their decision on. The SPCA released a press statement on Monday 9 April regarding the incident. The statement states that Inspector Geel is to be contacted for more information. Inspector Geel refused to speak to the Bulletin stating “I’m not speaking to The Bulletin as you are always lying”. The Bulletin then enquired about the chairperson of the Highveld Ridge
Police looking for cash-in-transit heist gang NELSPRUIT - Members of the South African Police Service are looking for a daring gang of men who carried out a cash-in-transit heist along the University of Mpumalanga Road, in the outskirts of Nelspruit last week Tuesday, around 05:00. The gang of approximately 10 men used a brownish Mercedes Benz with GP registration plates to ram the cash van forcing it off the road. Once stationery, the gang immediately pounced on it shooting at the armoured vehicle, but the security guards fought tooth and nail by firing back at the suspects from inside their vehicle. However, the villains managed to blast the van with the guards still inside, gathered an undisclosed amount of cash at which point the security company’s Reaction Unit emerged. The gun battle continued between the guards and the suspects, with one suspect, who was wearing a bullet resistant vest believed to be belonging to the police being fatally wounded and a police officer injured. The rest of the suspects managed to flee the scene with a number of vehicles, including a white BMW X5 with false Limpopo
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Province registration plates being found abandoned not very far from the main crime scene. The police responded swiftly and recovered four firearms, namely two AK 47 rifles, an R5 rifle, a 9mm pistol, another bullet resistant vest as well as a balaclava. At this stage, the police are probing how the police officer travelling on a state vehicle got to be shot and injured, within the vicinity of the crime scene. The Provincial Commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma commended the members of the security company for their prompt response as well as the brave crew for standing their ground inside their vehicle in the face of calamity. General Zuma has instructed all the police units involved including the Hawks, to ensure that the suspects are brought to book. Anyone with information that may assist in the investigation of this matter is requested to contact Colonel William Mokonyama at 082 565 7099 or the SAPS Crime Line, 08600 10111
SPCA - Friend or foe? SPCA Management Committee as we would like to enquire about the press statement and who wrote it. Inspector Geel replied “It doesn’t matter as she is in Germany anyway” Inspector Geel was also offered an opportunity to apologise to the public. She declined to do this as well. The National Council of SPCAs have on their page a very thoughtful introductory video explaining the aims of the NSPCA. “The lives of tens of thousands of animals are improved because of our passion, our intervention and our commitment to bring about change.” These are the words of Marcelle Meredith, Executive Director- National Council of SPCAs.” The NSPCA plays a vital role in bringing extraordinary support to these people and their animals (when speaking about people and their animals countrywide).” This introductory video goes on to ask for support for the NSPCA. The Bulletin referred to Inspector Geel as an inspector from the NSPCA. The Bulletin received an email from Meg Wilson (Public
Relations NSPCA) informing us that she is not an NSPCA inspector but rather an SPCA inspector and that they (SPCA) operate autonomously from the NSPCA. This is strange because all references to their (SPCA) website is to NSPCA.co.za. Please visit this website to see what should happen when dealing with animals, wild and domestic. Shooting them is not mentioned! In response to enquiries from the Bulletin to their involvement in this matter, the Mpumalanga tourism and parks agency replied, “Our officials from MTPA received a call from the community on this matter. Due to nonavailability of the team to go to Secunda at that particular moment, SPCA was requested to attend to the matter. Our officials gave SPCA permission to eliminate the baboon if it posed any risk to the community at that particular moment. According to our team, SPCA inspectors went to the scene and
assessed the situation and made a call on a way forward.” People, in droves, have all voiced their disappointment with the handling of the incident. As well as withdrawing their support to the SPCA. Animals will be the only loser in this cacophony of bad decisions.
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Wie is ons / Who are we: Redaksie / Editorial 017 631 1903
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Distribution: We pride ourselves in delivering a Bulletin to businesses in Secunda, Trichardt, Evander and Bethal and Kriel. We also distribute additional copies to several points of business in Kinross and eMbalenhle. Should you have a delivery enquiry or complaint, send us an email containing your name, contact details and home address to admin@thebulletin. co.za. COPYRIGHT All rights of reproduction of all reports, photographs, drawings and other materials are hereby expressively reserved in terms of section 12 (7) of the Copyright Act No 96 of 1978 and any amendments thereof. Banking details: The Bulletin Absa RBB Commercial Secunda Branch code: 637256 Account number: 408 499 2285 Checque /Current account
Psalm 29:11 The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.
13 April 2018
“Ballad of the Green Berets”, ook “Oshakati, Wamboland.” Die troepe se kenwysie. En daar kom ‘n e-pos deur in die ateljee, effens onsamehangend. “Ek was daar. In die Bos. Ek het lyke gesien. Baie. Ek het iemand geskiet. Ek het hom in die oë gekyk voordat ek hom doodgeskiet het. Hy kyk nou nog elke dag en elke nag vir my. Oral waar ek gaan. Ek wil hom net verwoes. Ek gooi hom met koppies, glase. Selfs met die kombuisstoel. Hy wil nie weggaan nie. My vrou en kinders weet nie hoekom ek so bang en kwaad is nie. Niemand weet iets daarvan nie. My vrou slaap in ‘n ander kamer omdat ek snags so skreeu in my slaap, omdat die nagmerries my kranksinnig maak. Ek was net agttien jaar oud. Maar brandewyn help. Dit help baie om te vergeet. Dis al wat help. Wou maar net vir jou sê.” Tydens ‘n klassieke musiekprogram in Pase speel jy Bach se Matteus-passie, die roerende gedeelte waar Jesus se dooie liggaam ter ruste gelê word in die graf van Josef van Arimitea. Die musiek is tragieshartseer, dramaties. Die woorde verruklik mooi. “Ruht wohl, ich weiss, einst gibt der Tod mir Rüh.” En toe kom daar ‘n oproep deur in die ateljee: “Hei tjomma, hê jy nie vi’ ons ‘n lekka raat vir spuitpoep nie?” Maar die belonings is ook daar. Net
ná ‘n direkte uitsending van ‘n erediens, laat weet iemand: “Ek was as kind laas in die kerk. Maar ek het vanoggend my lewe in die diens aan die Here oorgegee. Dankie. Dankie. Dankie. Ek weet nou my Verlosser leef!” Jy bied ‘n program aan oor depressie, en die reaksie is so oorweldigend, oorspoel met rou, verskriklike stories wat met jou gedeel word, dat jyself tydens die lewendige uitsending begin huil. Want jy dink aan die RSM wat een aand, lank terug, teen ‘n boom geleun het in ‘n tydelike basis, omring deur ‘n klomp dooies en gewondes. Hy het met sy hand beduie. Padrè, welcome to the real world,” het hy gevoelloos, afgestomp, emosioneel verrinneweer, gesê. Ter wille van jou eie oorlewing moet jy soms net wegkom, net wegbreek van die “real world”. Jy klim vroegoggend, terwyl dit nog stikdonker is op die Weskus, op jou motorfiets, en ry sommer ‘n koers in. Lambertsbaai, Clanwilliam toe. Maar die mis is dig, en dis gevaarlik. Daarom stop jy by ‘n Ultracity se Wimpy vir ‘n koffie. Jy is die enigste persoon daar. Die personeel is moeg, nagskof gewerk. Jy is omring deur moeë mense, dink jy. Terwyl jy jou koffie drink, kom die kelnerin verneem: “Is alles in orde, meneer?”. “Als is reg,” lieg jy.
So is die lewe
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Bemarking / Advertising 017 631 1845
WHAT’S UP/News
Ds Marius Britz Om ‘n omroeper te wees op ‘n radiostasie, klink baie romanties. As jy na jou radio luister, klink dit of hulle woorde sommer so maklik vloei. Elke woord netjies ingemessel in ‘n muur van stories en nuus en sport en vertellings en aanhalings. Maar in werklikheid is dit baie moeilik. Om ‘n program vooraf op te neem, is maklik, want dan kan jy die stotter en verkeerde woordkeuses uitredigeer. Om “lewendig” op die lug te gaan, is ‘n ander storie. Dit vat ure se noukeurige navorsing en voorbereiding, en intense konsentrasie. Die wye wêreld daarbuite luister met ‘n fyn oor na enige teken van rassisme, obseniteite, godsdienstig omstrede stellings, politiek inkorrektheid, ens. Dink maar hoeveel omroepers die afgelope tyd in die nuus was oor uitlatings wat hulle gemaak het. En dan ook die moeiliker deel: as jy laataand voor die rekenaarskerm sit, en al beweging wat jy sien, is die monitors en volumebeheer en die speellys, en jou enigste gehoor is die mikrofoon voor jou. Dan dink jy soms aan die vroeë jare van Radio Jakaranda, rondom 1985, toe ‘n gewilde deurnagomroeper een oggend in die hartjie van die nag gesê het: “Ek mors my tyd. Daar is niemand daar buite nie”. Hy het alles in die ateljee afgesit, en huis toe gegaan. Groot opskudding, en hy moes vir depressie behandel word voordat hy weer kon uitsaai. Maar die impak van radio op mense se lewens is elke dag verrassend. So speel jy ABBA
WHAT’S UP Sasol Hydra-Arc Rugby Practice @ Sasol Club - Every Tuesday and Thursday @ 18:00 to 20:00. Contact: Theuns Kruger Club Captain on 082 602 4035. 14 April - Wedding Exhibition at Boesies. From 9:00 till 16:00. For more information contact 072 580 8563. 14 April - Cansa Golf Day. Teeoff Times: From 07:00 - 11:00. Entry fee: R200pp. Format IPS for all divisions. Enter and book carts at the PRO-SHOP (0176201188). Contact André Blom to sponsor holes/greens. 19 April - SACBW seminar with Henriette Brand. Mastering Facebook Marketing like a pro. From 18:30. R200 per non member. Bring your laptop. RSVP 073 635 5682
se Andantè Andantè. “Take it easy, with me, please. Touch me gently, like a summer breeze”. En die boodskap kom in die ateljee deur: “Jy ken my nie. Maar dankie vir hierdie lied. Ek huil terwyl ek vir jou skryf. My man het my alweer geslaan. My oog is toegeswel, en my lip gebars. Ek is ‘n adjunkhoof by ‘n hoërskool. En ek het moreoggend ‘n belangrike vergadering.” Jy speel “Alleenheid” van Coenie de Villiers. Hy sing: “om die alleenheid te ontwyk, koop ons boeke en musiek, drink ons whiskey in die donker, luister Bach, hoor hoe iemand langsaan lag”. En die Watsapp kom van die ou tannie. Sy is al jarelank ‘n weduwee, en haar kinders het alle kontak met haar verbreek. (Terloops, sy is verbasend tegnologies vaardig vir iemand van in die sewentigs). “Liefie,” sê sy, “ek maak gou vir ons twee ‘n broodjie en lekker tee”. En twee minute later: “skuus Engel, ek was gou badkamer toe. Maar ek luister heeltyd na jou.” En jy weet jou stem op die radio, jou onsigbare teenwoordigheid, word die harnas teen haar eie oorweldigende eensaamheid. En nog later: “Ek is verskriklik lief vir jou”. Haar eensame lewe, haar gepredestineerde ballingskap is onoorkombaar. Op ‘n ander program praat jy oor weermagtye. Jy speel
Dear editor On 6 April 2018 the community of Govan Mbeki Municipality was in dire need as a result of a damaged water supply pipe. A large part of Secunda were without water as a contractor damaged the pipe that supplied water to the residences. The FF+ of Secunda want to thank Jose from SkyHill for all their assistance that their valuable team has provided to the residents of GMM, by offering to repair the damaged pipe, but ultimately replacing the damaged pipe when welding the cast-iron pipe proved to be unsuccessful. The SkyHill team took the initiative to rebuild the pipe and returned the new pipe section to site by 18H00. The FF+ and the community of GMM appreciate the effort that the SkyHill team have done. Your expertise and help have been invaluable during this process. Again, thank you so much. The community of Secunda and I sincerely appreciate your generosity. Best Regards, Freedom Front Plus Secunda Aranda Nel-Buitendag
SPORT News
13 April 2018
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Bethal sewage system failing
Angry residents from Bethal contacted the Bulletin to complain about the stench engulfing their homes every day and night. One resident said that they cannot eat as the stench is overwhelming. The Bulletin found large streams of raw sewage flowing into the Blesbokspruit system. Investigation in the area highlighted a broken pipe system between a few pump stations. According to a security guard (that does not want to be named for fear of intimidation), some contractors service the area but nothing has been done.
There is some evidence of diggings but it looks fairly old and is filled with water. The one pump station that we visited is not functioning at all and the sewer is flowing from the station into the field and then into the river system. Resident are also complaining about their health and are stating that their children are suffering from the spillages. The problem with spillages into the river system is that it eventually ends up within our dams. This water, in return, needs to be cleaned, filtered and treated to make it safe for human
consumption. This treatment is done at an ever-increasing cost and effort. The whole of Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) is affected by poor maintenance and failing infrastructure. The Bulletin has spoken to an environmental specialist of one of our mines and he stated that there is not one river or stream that is not polluted within GMM. The sewer plant within Emzinoni was functioning when the Bulletin visited the plant on Sunday. It seems that the pipe system supplying the Sewer plant is failing and therefore polluting the system.
The sewage system at Lebohang (Leandra) is not functioning at all, this is quite evident when travelling on the N17 towards Johannesburg. The sewer smell penetrates into your vehicle as you pass the tollgate. There is a constant flow of sewage in Kinross (close to GMM offices) that is diverted into the field. The pump station at Kinross dam wall is also a problem with reed beds growing where the sewage is flowing. The Bulletin will bring further news in a later publication regarding the state of all the other towns, including Secunda and Embalenhle.
Ackermans speaks out after woman falls Bethal Ackermans has apologised to a customer after she recently slipped and fell on their wheelchair ramp. You can access the store via the stairs or the wheelchair ramp, which has tiles that were replaced by slippery ones. Safety non-slip strips are also worn out. “People are forever sitting on the stairs, sometimes it’s people sitting there breastfeeding their babies and that is why I used the wheelchair ramp,” the woman, who wants to remain anonymous, said. She slipped and hurt her leg, which is still blue after a week. “I went to speak to the assistant
manager as the manager was not available at that stage. She wasn’t very friendly. I went back another day to speak to the manager, Esther Sebothoma. She was in contradiction very friendly and helpful. She made me fill in forms about the incident,” the woman said. Esther confirmed that the customer filled in forms and that she sent it to head office for investigation. “I wasn’t aware that people are sitting on the stairs, but when I see them, I will definitely ask them to leave. I will also update everyone involved when the strips and tiles have been fixed,” Esther said.
Non-slip strips are worn off out on the wheelchair ramp.
Feature
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13 April 2018
Planning a wedding can be stress free
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lanning a wedding can be stressful, that is why at Boesies, Lake Umuzi we strive to make your planning process as stress free as possible. To help with your wedding planning even further we have the Boesies Wedding Exhibition For Brides on 14 April 2018, from 9:00 until 16:00. Here you can browse through a variety of local wedding suppliers all under
one roof. This will prevent you from spending hours in search of the perfect supplier. Brides that have chosen Lake Umuzi as their wedding venue have become accustomed to royal treatment like never seen before, since 2000. Not only do they have an option between 4 venues in and around Lake Umuzi, but guests have multiple accommodation
options on the Lake Umuzi complex. The exhibition will also boast photographers, make-up artists, cake decorators, hairdressers and a multiple of very interesting exhibitors to add interest to your big day and to make this a pleasant journey. “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times always with the same person�, Mignon McLaughlin
13 April 2018
SPORT Feature
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NEWS
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SERVICES
To Advertise Call Mariëtte 083 476 2860 Mari 084 483 0280
To advertisE call: 017 631 1903 017 631 1845 or Mariëtte 083 476 2860 Mari 084 483 0280
13 April 2018
Snotkop at Eish!! Eish!! restaurant hosted Snotkop as well as the popular female group Saartjie over the past weekend during the Craft beer festival. The deck area was packed with people enjoying craft beer as well as good music. The noise level was quite high as everyone was filled with excitement. When Snotkop got to the stage the spectators started dancing in the small area in front of the stage. Screams of ME, ME, ME came from the floor every
time Snotkop dished out a cap or a shirt. The rest of the crowd sat down to listen to Snotkop and enjoying the food. There were Spitbraai’s as well as Pizzas on order. And of course, a few other things as well to fill the right spot. Over 350 people crammed onto the deck area on Friday and Saturday night. Snotkop as wel as Saartjie proved to be a huge hit with everybody.
13 April 2018
SPORT News
Divorce a comedy? The ever-popular Trevor Gumbi entertained the crowd on Saturday night with comedy regarding his divorce. His whole supporting act’s focus was on divorce. Trevor said that he went through a divorce himself and that this was a way of coping with the divorce. His ex-wife helped to write the show and even produced the first show. The show also helped to mend his relationship with his ex-wife. Trevor was bullied a lot as a child and comedy was a way for him to cope with the bullying.
His supporting cast also echoed the same sentiments. “Bullying is not on!” The hall at Graceland was packed with patrons waiting to be entertained and they were not disappointed. Shrieks of laughter came from the crowds as the supporting acts and later Trevor himself entertained the crowds with comedy, music and even a little bit of seriousness. Trevor's message to his crowd was: divorce can be enjoyed and do not have to ruin your life. It can also mend relationships. And there is always humour to be found!
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Hollywoodbets Kinross Supports Kosmos Kinderhawe
This safe haven for children was first started in 1998. Kosmos functions as a halfway house for abused and neglected children. They provide a home for the kids and also help them to secure places at schools in the area. The Hollywoodbets Kinross Team visited the centre to donate school jerseys for all of the children.
Lettie Schwarz, manager and social worker at Kosmos, was grateful for the much-needed support. “We were in desperate need of school jerseys for the children to help keep them warm during the cold winter months. Thank you Hollywoodbets for helping us with this donation,” she said.
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NEWS
13 April 2018
Lake Umuzi hosts ECO Wild Toute Outdoor & 4x4 Expo
NEWS
13 April 2018
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Lake Umuzi Soccer Challenge
The local Lake Umuzi Soccer Challenge resumed over the past weekend with a number of games played. The results are as follows: Saturday 7 April in Kwathema Springs United 2 - Duduza All Stars 0 Tsakane Stars 2 – Blue Warriors 1 Two Touch 4 – Young Lions 1
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Sunday 8 April at Embalenhle Embalenhle Royal Force 2 – Embalenhle Blue Eagles 5 Embalenhle Bees Ladies 1 – Embalenhle Blue Eagles 3 Emba Young Stars 0 – Emba Evaton Home Boys 2 – Young Stars 1
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Secunda skeidsregters beoordeel by kampioenskappe Nico van den Berg en Brandon Rokebrand het albei Secunda Stoeiklub as Skeidsregters by die SA President Stoeikampioenskappe verteenwoordig. Die kampioenskappe het Saterdag in Pretoria plaasgevind. Deelnemers het op vier matte gestoei, met Nico wat Mat 1 behartig het en Brandon Mat 3.
Nico en Brandon is na afloop van die kampioenskappe as beste Skeidsregters vir die dag op hul betrokke matte aangewys. “Secunda Stoeiklub is trots op die twee Skeidsregters,” het Lollie van den Berg, gesê. Hulle is gelukgewens deur Secunda Stoeiklub se President, Johan van den Berg.
Nico van den Berg (Skeidsregter), Charles Villet (Internasionale Skeidsregter van Suid-Afrika) en Brandon Rokebrand (Skeidsregter) met die sertifikate wat hul Saterdag ontvang het.
13 April
2018
Bulletin
Tobie Visser en Willie Weber
Willie en Tobie presteer Willie Weber en Tobie Visser, van SASOL Secunda, het baie suksesvol aan die uitdagende ABSA Cape Epic bergfietswedren deelgeneem. Die 15de ABSA Cape Epic het op Sondag 18 Maart begin met ‘n vinnige 20 km tydtoets op bergpaadjies aan die hange van Tafelberg, 600m klim. Daarna het Skof 1 & 2 in en om Robertson se berge plaasgevind met 110 km elk maar met onderskeidelik klimme van 1900 en 2000 meter. Nou volg die langste skof. Nommer drie was 122 km en die deelnemers klim 1800m oor die berg na Worcester. Skof vier, 111 km, gaan oor die geskiedkundige Bainskloofpas na Wellington en hulle klim 1800m. Die volgende drie skofte is deur die organiseerders beskryf as baie “tegnies” en waar die spanne se taktiese en uithou vermoëns tot die uiterstes getoets sou word. Skof vyf, 39 km, klim 1430m en skof ses, 76 km en klim 2000 meter was in die berge om Wellington. Skof sewe vat hulle oor die
berge vir 70 km en 2000 meter klim na Paarl waar die wedren op Sondag 25 Maart 2018 eindig by die Val de Vie Landgoed. Die ABSA Cape Epic is ‘n twee-manspan geleentheid. Willie is in Januarie 2018 genooi om in te skryf en hy het dadelik vir Tobie geskakel, waarna hulle ‘n intensiewe oefenprogram begin het. Die Epic organiseerders het gereël vir kos, water, mediese spanne, en alles nodig tydens die wedren. Hulle het elke aand in eenmantentjies in ‘n tentedorp wat die organiseerders vooraf opgerig het oornag. Willie en Tobie het ook al aan die 73.4 myl Standerdbank Ironman kompetisie, die Transdraak, die Sani2c en ander langafstand bergfietsbyeenkomste deelgeneem. Die “grootte” was egter die 2018 Cape Epic. Die ABSA Cape Epic geniet die meeste televisiedekking ter wêreld vir ‘n MTB byeenkoms en dit is die enigste 8-skof bergfietswedren wat deur die UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale)
geklassifiseer is as ‘n sogenaamde “hors categorie”. Dit is dieselfde premier klassifikasie as o.a. die Tour de France en die Giro d Italia padfiets byeenkomste. Hierdie klassifikasie maak die ABSA Cape Epic ‘n hoogtepunt op die kalender van die professionele bergfietsryers wêreldwyd. Hier kan opkomende amateurryers hulle meet aan die wêreld se beste professionele ryers. Die agt moordende skofte het die 256 spanne in 2018 oor 658km van die mooiste, ongeskonde, maar ook die rofste bergpasse van die Boland gevat waar hulle in totaal meer as 13 530 meter moes klim (en weer af ook!) Willie en Tobie se span het deelgeneem in die “masters” afdeling, saam met onder andere Joel Stransky en ander bekendes. Baie van die amateurspanne het hulle deelname gekoppel aan die promosie en bewusmaking van die een of ander liefdadigheidsorganisasie of projek. So het Willie en Tobie geregistreer dat
hulle deelneem ter ondersteuning van die groot taak wat die “Rare Deseases Foundation of SA” doen. Om die daad by die woord te voeg het Willie met ‘n baksteen in sy rugsak oor die hele roete gery en by die eindpunt uitgehaal tot almal se vermaak. Die webadres is www.rare deseases.co.za vir meer inligting. Die droogte in die Kaap was ooral opmerklik. Ook in en om die berge en die deelnemers moes, behalwe die ruwe terrein, ook hoë temperature en baie stof trotseer. Die organiseerders het water van elders aangery om nie van die Kaap se skaars bronne te gebruik nie. Die wedren is gewen deur die InvesticSongoSpecialized span: Jaroslav Kulhavy – Czech Republic (2016 – Olimpiese Silwer Medalje wenner) en Howard Grotts – VSA (2016 – Amerikaanse “National Short Track Champion”) (inligting: hpps//www.bikehub.co.za/ events/ABSA Cape Epic – 2018)