Issue 149 - FREE
13 OCTOBER 2017
the good news paper
017 631 1903 / 017 631 1845 • admin@thebulletin.co.za • 1 Kiewiet Street, Secunda (Lake Umuzi)
Highveld Killing Fields Government’s controversial non-enforcement of minimum emission standards for Eskom and Sasol are resulting in people of the Highveld dying prematurely. It also causes respiratory and cardiac illnesses. This all according to findings released on Monday in a damning report by the Centre for Environmental Rights, groundWork and the Highveld Environmental Justice Network. The release of the report, entitled Broken Promises: the Failure of the Highveld Priority Area, coincided with a peaceful protest at the Department of Environmental Affairs annual Air Quality Lekgotla in Woodmead by people who live and work in areas most effected. In 2007 the Minister of Environmental Affairs declared 31 000 square kilometres of the heavily-polluted Mpumalanga Highveld a priority area in terms of the Air Quality Act. The Highveld Priority Area (HPA) was created because, as the DEA said at the time, ‘people living and working in these areas do not enjoy air quality that is not harmful to their health and well-being.’ In 2015 however, Eskom and Sasol were permitted postponements of compliance with minimum emission standards. According to the report, this makes it significantly less likely that air pollution in the area will be reduced. It estimates that Eskom’s power stations alone cause 2 239 deaths a year, 94 680 days of asthma symptoms, 9 533 cases of bronchitis in children, 996 628 lost working days, nearly four million days of restricted activity, all at a cost of US$2,3 billion a year. The report lists each death or type of disease or caused and at which power stations per year, showing Medupi to be the worst offender responsible for 364 deaths a year in its vicinity. Mpumalanga Highveld towns of eMalahleni, Middelburg, Secunda, Standerton, Edenvale, Boksburg
and Benoni are home to 12 of Eskom’s 15 coal-fired power stations, Sasol’s giant refinery at Secunda, metal smelters, hundreds of coal mines and producers of fertilizer, chemicals, explosives and charcoal. As a result, the towns have ongoing problems with air pollution. ‘A decade after the HPA’s declaration,’ says the report, ‘air quality in the HPA remains poor and out of compliance with health-based national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). This is confirmed by expert analysis and the DEA’s own reports, including its draft review published in February 2017 which found that emissions have not decreased significantly over this period. ‘It is likely that the continued noncompliance with NAAQS is, in large part, due to the failure of key major industrial facilities to reduce their emissions either adequately, or at all. The report sets out a number of key recommendations that authorities should implement to demonstrate that improving air quality in the HPA is, in fact, a priority for government. These include the insistence that all facilities in the HPA comply with at least the minimum emission standards, that no further postponements of compliance be allowed, and that licensing authorities suspend the issuing of all new emission licences until there is consistent compliance. It calls for effective compliance monitoring, the strengthening of monitoring institutions and transparency in dealings with the DEA. Credit-Conservation Action Trust & IOL.co.za Sasol indicated that they will be responding to this article, but it was not received by The Bulletin’s time of going to press. Please read next week’s Bulletin for Sasol’s response. The report Broken Promises will also be available on our website for perusal.
Community mourns Tarnia See page 3 for story
transport month
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13 October 2017
Stay Safe on the Roads
All photo’s on this page is courtesy of Langamed Services South. An accident accured close to the Leandra Tollgates early on Monday evening. It is alleged that a vw polo did a u-turn on the N17, into the path of the Truck. The driver of the Polo, unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. SAPS is still busy with their investigation.
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Transport month is for many just another phrase that the government coined. But Transport month is more than that. The following was taken from the government website: During this month government and specifically the Department of Transport and its entities will showcase transport infrastructure services in aviation; maritime; public transport and roads. This month will also be used to further advance the country’s road safety initiatives, while also creating awareness of the economic benefits of the sector. The Bulletin wishes to place emphasis on the road safety part of Transport month. A recent article in our paper stated that 7 people were killed in the GMM region. That Heritage weekend saw 11 people dying on our town’s roads, according to the local emergency services. The Facebook statistics show that it touched every person here in South Africa. That
small article on Facebook reached 63 854 people, with 21 649 people who clicked on the post. There was a steep increase in the number of collisions in the Highveld Ridge area over the past few years. Many factors contributed to these collisions, like deteriorating road conditions, rain, traffic lights that were faulty and most of all bad driving behaviours. A thing that was also noted was that people were unsure on how to use the new traffic circles, this is something new in GMM. The recent death of MP Tarnia Baker proves that not only motorists are killed on our roads. Mrs Baker was crossing the road when a truck ran her over, killing her instantly according to reports. The new trend of cattle herds grazing next to the main roads is also adding to the road problems. Motorists are urged to reduce the speed at which they are traveling - especially at night. Recent pockets of mist have also increased the risk of accidents. Here are a few safety tips to get home safely:
• Drive defensively! ... • Avoid all distractions -Keep both eyes on the road and hands on the steering wheel! • Be visible – drive with your lights on! • Headlights should be dipped well before an approaching vehicle is within range of the main beam. • Stay within the speed limit at all times. Emergency responders reported many disturbing factors that aggravated injuries, and in some cases even caused death. One of these include occupants not wearing safety belts. These instances resulted in patients suffering neck fractures and severe head injuries, children that were seated on a parent’s lap were forced into the windshields, occupants were ejected from vehicles and killed, and people lost limbs when they were ejected and the vehicle rolled over them. Remember, that there might be a loved one waiting for you or you passenger.
A woman sustained minor injuries after the vehicle she and her husband were travelling in collided with another vehicle. While the exact cause of the collision is still unclear it appeared as if the one vehicle swerved out for a truck that attempted to enter the N17 in dense fog and collided with an uncoming
vehicle. The South African Police Services will further investigate as to what the exact cause was. The injured was treated on scene and transported to a nearby hospital for further care. Motorists are advised to take extreme caution while driving in fog conditions. A man was injured on Saturday night in Embalanhle after the vehicle he was traveling in collided into the back of another vehicle. He was treated on scene and taken to hospital by ambulance for further care. The cause of the collision is still unclear and will subject to further investigation.
NEWS
13 October 2017
“We are all South Africans first then Zulus, Xhosas, Coloured’s, White or Indian”. These words will forever ring in the ears of those who knew Tarnia Baker, MP Member of the Democratic Alliance and resident of Secunda. Tarnia sadly passed away on Friday, 6 October, when she was hit by a truck while crossing a road in Park Rynie on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal. The news was met with utter shock and disbelief. Tarnia was loved and wellrespected by her colleagues. “She always had great advice on how to tackle things and was a great motivator,” says DA Cllr Ena van Rooyen. Ena believes that her compassion came from her faith and that she believed life can be great for everyone. In the words of Mmusi Maimane, DA Leader “I have worked with Tarnia, she was one of our finest MP’s. A truly talented South African, and someone who, even at this time, went to KZN on an oversight to look at what was happening with water management. Tarnia was dedicated to the party and this country. It is indeed a great tragedy and a great loss. May her soul rest in peace.” “It was one of the most difficult messages that I had to convey to my colleagues” says DA Cllr Encee van Huyssteen. “Tarnia and I were elected at the same time and grew to be friends. I only had the greatest respect for her. I cannot express the sense of loss that I feel.” John Steenhuisen, MP and DA Chief whip, said “I have no words of my own, for once…” and quoted a poem by A.E. Housman called “To an Athlete Dying Young”. (The poem will be available on The Bulletin’s web page) All who knew Tarnia Baker, knew her as a loving person that loved her family tremendously and were extremely proud of them all. She also loved the work that she was doing in parliament. On the People’s assembly webpage, she wrote the following: “I love my country, I think we live in a very beautiful part of the world, but I am most saddened by the extent of the environmental degradation I see everywhere I go. Together we are stronger. As the saying goes, there’s so much more which unites us than divides us. We should not allow all the negative influences to tear us apart as a nation, and sow seeds of division within our
people, just to serve the means of a particular group of selfish people. South Africa is definitely worth fighting for, worth saving from the stranglehold of greed and corruption.” “The void she leaves with her passing can never truly be understood by any one person, because the impact that she made on the lives of so many South Africans stretched further than maybe she might even have known. She was the kind of person who lit up a room instantly with her aweinspiring personality and her smile reaching from ear to ear” Says DA Cllr Ciska Botha. “Tarnia Baker might be gone but she will continue to live in the hearts of her family, friends and colleagues. Long live Tarnia Baker, Long live!”
Accident scene in Park Rynie South Coast KZN, where Tarnia tragically lost her life. Photo supplied by: Juan Venter / South Coast Herald
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Readers’ view on this Samantha van Deventer - Very very sad. Truely shocked. Condolences to the family in this time. Leona Mathee - Cnt believe shocked and sad RIP Tarnia condolences to the fam Aranda Swanepoel Nel-Buitendag Namens die VF+, ons innige simpatie met haar familie, deur die swaer tyd, ons Hemelse Vader jul styf vas hou Sabashnie Pillay - So sad, condolences to the family. Hannelie De Jager - Sterkte vir die familie. Jammer om te hoor. Shobana Chathury - So shocking and sad. RIP Tarnia. Bhavna Bhalla - Heart felt condolences Debbie Van Den Heever - Innige simpatie aan al die naasbestaandes
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WHAT’S UP/News
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• 017 631 1903 • 017 631 1845 Wie is ons / Who are we: Redaksie / Editorial 017 631 1903
Encee van Huyssteen 082 554 7589 encee@thebulletin.co.za admin@thebulletin.co.za
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WHAT’S UP 14 Oktober Hoërskool Oosterland orkes Taptoe by H/S Oosterland 18H30 27 Oktober. Hand-marathon by die Rondekerk. Inskrywings is by die kerkkantoor beskikbaar. Skakel die kantoor by 017 631 3470. 27 October. Mpumalanga Comedy at Graceland Hotel, Casino and Country Club. Contact Graceland @ 017 620 1000 28 October. Radio Raps by Graceland Hotel, Casino and Country Club. Contact Graceland @ 017 620 1000 28 Oktober. Die Rondekerk hou weer lekker Rondefees (basaar) 09:00 tot 13:00. Die ingang na die basaar is verniet. Die aand geniet ons lekker potjiekos en dan vermaak Pietman (van Oppiestoep) ons met sy stories en sangtalent. Kaartjies is by die kerkkantoor beskikbaar teen R250 (potjiekos ingesluit). Skakel die kantoor by 017 631 3470.
13 October 2017
Businesses March for Jobs Local business forums recently marched to Evander Gold Mines to protest the employment of people outside of the Govan Mbeki municipal area.Various Forums from all over Govan Mbeki municipal area joined hands and demanded that money be spend locally and that local people be employed. They also said a promise was made that skills transfers would take place. Claims are also
made that the contactors only bring their own people and that they are all from outside the Govan Mbeki municipal area. Mr Lazarus Mtshwoiwa, General Manager of Elikhulu Projects, received a memorandum stating all their claims. A heap of CV’s was also handed in with the demands that these CV’s receive priority. The forums also stated that boxes for CV’s were placed all over
GMM, but never collected. Mr Oriel Shikwambana, Project Coordinator of Elikhulu Projects said they have been engaging with various business forums on procurement and local employment. He also gave his assurance that they will look at all the points on the memorandum and address it accordingly. The Forums have vowed to stage sit-ins should the mine not comply.
Protesters at Evander gold mine demanding jobs
Arrest Imminent! 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
‘With Your unfailing love You lead the people You have redeemed. In Your might, You guide them to Your sacred home.’ Exodus 15:13
Escaped blood convicts were last seen in the vicinity of Lake Umuzi on the early morning of Monday, 9 October. These two have been observed lurking in offices on the premises, working on papers planning their next move. It is rumoured that the blood shortage country wide can be attributed to these two convicts. It is also rumoured that the pair of convicts will lure unsuspecting citizens to donate their blood under a disguise of blood shortages. No one knows where they hide all the blood collected but it is suspected that the blood is sold on the black (Red) market as paint pigment. The SANBS have plans in place to arrest the pair on Saturday, 14 October. It is extremely difficult to arrest them during normal working hours as they blend with the unsuspecting public. A ransom of one unit of blood will be asked from
all their friends, colleagues and acquaintances for their release. A large sum of ten units will secure their early release. Please come and supprt them in their quest for freedom. You, the public can also help come and donate blood. You can save a life! The South African National Blood Services are calling for donations now that it is running on just two days of stock. The service says it is in particular need of blood group O. The organisation says it experiences sporadic shortages, given that less than 1% of South Africans donate blood. General Manager Ivor Hobbs says they need at least five days of stock to function optimally. “When you donate blood, it’s not just preventing death, but it’s really about celebrating the lives, the experiences, the opportunities, and the potential that blood donors are able to give to patients in need.”
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13 October 2017
SPORT
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13 October 2017
SCHOOLS
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SERVICES
To advertise call: 017 631 1903 or Hannelie 082 789 2529 Clive 082 724 5165
13 October 2017
Goedehoop spog met langasems
Elri Kruger (O/10) is die Suid-Afrikaanse skolekampioen in landloop in haar ouderdomsafdeling. Sy is ook die Super 12-skolekampioen, Mussakampioen en SA Klubkampioen.
Laerskool Goedehoop se Dogters O/12- en O/13-spanne van Mpumalanga het elk ‘n tweede plek behaal op die Suid-Afrikaanse landloopkampioenskap vir skole. Abrie van Zyl is die afrigter van Laerskool Goedehoop se landloopspan. Sy span het as volg presteer: Elri Kruger 1ste (O/10), Mia du Toit 22ste(O/10), Nika Thomas 10de (0/11), Tiffany Phillipson 1ste (O/12), Meceila Brits 10de (O/12), Ane Botha 16de (O/12), Liane Parkes 22ste (O/12), Caylin Loock 6de (O/13), Sherona Klein 8ste (O/13) en Michelle Parkes 6de (O/14).
Tiffany Phillipson (O/12) is die Mussakampioen en ook die Suid-Afrikaanse skolekampioen in haar ouderdomsgroep.
To Advertise Call Clive: 082 724 5165 Hannelie: 082 789 2529
LEGAL NOTICE
Dié o.16-sokkerspelers van Jim van Tonderskool is vir die LSEN Mpumalangasokkerspan gekies. Voor is Gift Nkosi, Melusi Nhlapo, James July (afrigter), Nkanyiso Mkwebane en Sipesihle Mtsweni. Agter is Nkosinathi Moyo, Minenhle Malaza en Lindokuhle Vilakazi.
Dié leerders van Hoërskool Secunda is gekies vir die 2017 Mpumalanga binnenshuise-hokkiespan. Hullle is Johannè Fourie (o.16), Danae Bouwer (o.14), Henru Hugo (o.16), Zirk du Preez (o.18) en Philip de Vos (o.16).
SPORT NEWS
13 October 2017
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Platter treats for furry friends Little Paws Big Hearts (LPBH) participated in the Umuzi Week of Festivals on Saturday, 8 October. The unpredictable weather hampered the participation by the public a bit with fewer entrants than last year. The dogs, however, enjoyed taking their owners for a walk around the dam. There were all kinds of breeds – big and small. One of the Queen’s Corgis also joined in the fun. The smallest was a very small Yorkshire terrier. There were a stall with the most beautiful treats for the dogs. It is even edible for their owners. Little cupcakes and cookies all handmade and decorated. Delightful coffee mugs were on sale and all the profits went directly to the vet bills. Some dogs are adopted and acts as ambassadors for LPBH. Flaps is one such dog, he wears his ambassador’s jacket with pride and love to visit the crèches in Govan Mbeki. One couple came with their three spaniels all the way
from Witbank to walk around the dam. LPBH made it a priority to help animal owners from poor communities care for their dogs. These communities do not always have the financial means to really care for their animals. LPBH provide basic care and training in the care of animals. People are taught how to wash their animal, give them enough shelter and how to feed the animals. Sometimes an animal would need to be rescued just to save its life. These dogs (mostly) are then nursed back to good health. Only then will they look for a new home for the animals LPBH rely entirely on donations from the public and really need help. They have a huge veterinarian bill as well as shortages of food. Please contact the Bulletin if you want to help. The Bulletin challenges Little Paws Big Hearts to join in our blood drive this weekend. SANBS is having their annual “Geboei om te bloei” blood drive.
PROPERTIES eiendomme TO ADVERTISE CALL 017 631 1903 • 017 631 1845
VACANCY
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sport
13 October 2017
Mariscke vaar goed by SA’s Deur Barnie van Heerden
Parys – Die jaar se SAWMGA (Ssouth African Western Mounted Games Ascosiation) se Nasionale Kampioenskap het vanaf 7 Oktober in Parys by die Afridome plaasgevind. Die toestande het die ruiters deeglik beproef met sand arenas wat beide die perd en ruiter tot op hulle uiterste getoets het. Die sterk winde en droë toestande het die stof erg laat staan en het bygedra tot die moeilike omstandighede. Daar was ʼn totaal van 372 ruiters wat op vyf vlakke deelgeneem het. Getrou aan die tradisie was die kompetisie baie straf en die uitslae, asook tye het dit bevestig, met sewe nasionale rekords wat gespat het. Met drie van die items is die rekords in drie agtervolgende lopies gebreek. Vir Secunda het Mariscke Groenenwald en haar perd Tokyo die Mpumalangaspan verteenwoordig. Sy was een van 87 ruiters wat op Vlak 3 deelgeneem het. Sy het haarself baie goed van haar taak gekwyt en in vyf van die twaalf items Vlak 4-tye gelewer om sodoende algeheel 14de te eindig met 839 punte. Haar top-uitslae het sy bereik in die Quadrangle waar sy derde geëindig het. Haar tyd van 21.077 sekondes was Mariscke Groenewald op haar perd Tokyo. Foto: Denford Studios slegs 0.46 sekondes stadiger as die wentyd van 20.619 sekondes. Hierdie tyd is ʼn tyd gelykstaande aan ʼn Vlak 4-tyd. Haar ander uitslae was as volg: Barrel Race - 39ste met ʼn tyd van 21.986 The pool games of the Gold Cup QUARTER-FINAL FIXTURES (Sat 14 Oct): sekondes; BiRangle - 32ste met ʼn tyd Rugby Playoffs have now all been QF1 – Cape Town: Tygerberg (Winvan 15.874; Big T - 77ste met ʼn tyd van played and the quarter final spots ner Pool C) v Go Nutz College Rovers 19.547; Figure 8 Flags – 6de met ʼn tyd booked. Sasol ended 2nd on their (Runner-up Pool D) – Florida Park, Ravan 13.368 (Vlak - tyd); Figure 8 Stakes log with only the points difference vensmead, 16h00 – 13de met ʼn tyd van 12.533; Hurry allowing Impala into the first spot. QF2 – Pretoria: QBR (Winner Pool B) v Scurry - 8ste met ʼn tyd van 11.206 (Vlak Sasol Hydra-Arc made it 3 out of 4. Sasol Hydra-Arc Secunda (Runner-up 4-tyd); Poles 2 – 15de met ʼn tyd van Blue Bulls Carlton Cup champions Pool A) – Harlequins Club, 16h00 25.470; Poles 1 - 36ste met ʼn tyd van QBR made it four wins out of four QF3 – Cape Town: Direct Axis False 13.112; Quandrangle – 3de met ʼn tyd when they overwhelmed Limpopo Bay (Winner Pool D) v Progress van 21.077 (Vlak 4-tyd); Single Stake George (Runner-up Pool C) – Phillip 27ste met ʼn tyd van 10.496 (Vlak 4-tyd); champions Northam Platinum Rhinos 50-12 in Setaria. QBR now faces Sasol Herbstein Field, Constantia, 15h00 Speedbarrels - 16de met ʼn tyd van Hydra-Arc Secunda on 14 October. QF4 – Rustenburg: Newrak Impala 11.028 (Vlak 4-tyd).
Sasol Hydra-Arc team to tackle QBR (Winner Pool A) v Northam Platinum Rhinos (Runner-up Pool B) – Impala Rugby Club, 16h00 Sasol Rugby thanks Talisman Secunda for supplying lights in case of Eskom power cuts. The lights will ensure that there is no interruption in their preparation for the weekends Gold Cup game. This is now the knock out stages of the competition and the whole of Mpumalanga is supporting Sasol Hydra-Arc rugby team.
eMba wrestlers excel These wrestlers from eMbalenhle Wrestling Club took part in the South African Youth Wrestling Championships in Johannesburg on Saturday, 7 October. They were part of the Mpumalanga Wrestling team. Mbongeni Ngwenya won a gold medal and is now the South African champion. Mojalifa Mdluli obtained a silver medal and Mfundo Skhosana achieved bronze. At the back are Lukas Ngwenya (coach) and Thapelo Mkhabela (team manager).
13 October 2017
SPORT
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13 OCTOBER
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Bulletin
4x4 Extreme Dirt Day
▶ The 4x4 Extreme Dirt Day tested every contender’s skill to their limits. Anyone with a 4x4 vehicle could enter. The event took place at the 4x4 track opposite Graceland’s entrance at the 4x4 track. A number of cars entered and a few
struggled with the extreme terrain that had to be navigated. Some of the cars took to the route as they were specifically made for such an event. It was make or break for a few people as they struggled to keep their 4x4’s from tipping over. The crowd
quickly caught on to some of the rules and they called in unison each time a vehicle moved backwards “Roll Back”. There were three categories of difficulty namely a green track, a yellow track and a red track, with green being the easiest.
View video on our Facebook page - The Bulletin
The day was enjoyed by participants and spectators alike. A number of vendors showcased their wares around the track. This day proved to be a very enjoyable day and will only grow from here. Photo’s by - Pierre Jordaan