The Bulletin Newspaper - 17 January 2020

ISSUE 255 - FREE

17

JANUARY 2020

COMMUNITY NEWS. ORIGINAL - ACCURATE - FIRST

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Mr Bonakele Majuba, MEC for Education Mpumalanga with Greta Kurpershoek, no. 1 learner for quantile 4 schools in the country, from Hoërskool Middelburg

Class of 2019 NSC examinations results

A

nother number jumble occured last week at the reveal of the 2019 matric results. The Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, was delivering a vital part of her speech when she turned into a comedienne. Instead of saying 1.763 million, the numbers came out as: “1.1 million 763 million.” She quickly corrected herself and enjoyed a chuckle with the crowd.

In her speech titled: “LAST DECADE OF THE NDP 2030 – LET’S GROW SOUTH AFRICA TOGETHER”, she spoke about the importance of education in South Africa and how the time is now to find permanent solutions to change the education and training system. These were some of the priorities mentioned: - improving the foundational skills of numeracy and literary, which should be underpinned by a Reading Revolution; - ramping up Early Childhood Development (ECD), which includes the urgent implementation of twoyear of ECD before Grade 1, and the migration of 0-4-year-olds from the Department of Social Development to Department of Basic Education.

The DBE is cooperating with the

Departments of Social Development, Health, as well as Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs to develop and comprehensive and integrated Framework for ECD, which will be launched soon.

- the immediate implementation of a curriculum with skills and competencies for a changing world in all public schools, particularly the Three-Stream Curriculum Model, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Entrepreneurship, Schools of Specialisation, Decolonisation of the Curriculum, amongst others; - dealing decisively with the quality and efficiency through the implementation of standardised assessments at various exit points of the system at Grades 3, 6 and 9 and offer the General Education Certificate (GEC) before the Grade 12 exit qualification to direct learners through different pathways and introduce multiple qualifications and certification; - completing an Integrated Infrastructure Development Plan and the Agency, informed by infrastructure delivery and regular maintenance as well as resourcing; - working with Sports and Recreation,

Arts and Culture, Health, and South African Police Service to teach and promote social cohesion, health, and school safety and - in line with our commitment towards an inclusive education and ensuring that no child is left behind, the Sector needs to continue with its work to improve and strengthen education provisions of learners with special education needs (LSEN).

She continued by congratulating the Class of 2019 with their results and also spoke about the growth the country has made in the last few years.

Minister Motshekga said: “Of the 34 498 progressed learners, who wrote the requisite seven subjects during the 2019 NSC examinations, 23 485 passed; which represents 68.1% of progressed learners, who wrote all seven subjects during the 2019 NSC examinations, and 5.7% of all learners, who passed the 2019 NSC examinations. 3 912 of the progressed learners, who passed, achieved Bachelor passes; 10 704 obtained Diploma passes; 8 854 obtained Higher Certificate passes and 13 obtained NSC passes. A total of 2 136 distinctions were attained by progressed learners, including

distinctions in critical subjects, such as Accounting, Business Studies, Economics, Mathematics and Physical Science. The significance of these achievements is that the 23 485 progressed learners, who passed the 2019 NSC examinations – the would-be-high-school repeaters and dropouts if they were not progressed, now have a golden opportunity to access either higher education institutions, TVET Colleges, and other skills development institutions.”

She also mentioned the achievements of the LSEN sector and said that 2576 learners with special education needs wrote their NSC examinations. It was a proud moment when she announced that there were 1277 distinctions achieved by these learners.

The Class of 2019 outperformed previous years’ classes by ensuring the pass rate has improved from 60% in 2009 to a whopping 82.3% pass rate in 2019. This is a 2.9% improvement from 2018’s 79.4%.

Wherein Mpumalanga achieved 80.3%, a 1.4% improvement from the 2018 academic year.

Continued on page 5

NEWS

2

Crime

snippets Provincial Commissioner warns SAPS members to refrain from committing acts of crime

old Sergeant Nonthuthuzelo Mabena, 34-year-old Constable Mellicent Mlambo, 51-year-old Saint Manyakalala reported to be a member of the Community Police Forum, as well as 49-year-sold Karolus Pienaar who is a former police officer. Meanwhile, 39-year-old Constable Charles Motshele Mogoba ,who works at Germiston Police Station, was added on the list by the Mpumalanga AntiCorruption Unit on Tuesday, 7 January, in Gauteng and was on the dock on Wednesday, 8 January, at Witbank Magistrate’s Court facing the same charges as the others. He was also granted bail of R2000 and is expected to appear again in the same Court with his co-accused on 4 March. The investigation of the corruption case is still ongoing with the aim to clean up any rotten elements within the ranks as well as anywhere where corruption rises its ugly head. The Provincial Commissioner has further sent a strong warning to law enforcement officers who might be thinking of engaging in corrupt activities. “We will not allow criminality within our ranks which has a potential to dent the image of other upstanding officers who are working hard to root out crime and corruption.

We will arrest anyone who commits crime and engage in corrupt activities without fear or favour, even if it means arresting our own,” said General Zuma.

The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, has strongly condemned the acts of criminality by SAPS members more so as members of the police, a former police officer as well as a member of Community Police Forum, appeared at the Witbank Magistrate’s Court on 7 January and on 8 January, on charges of Corruption. All six suspects were granted bail of R2000 each and their case was postponed to 4 March. These first five suspects were arrested on 20 December 2019, by the Mpumalanga Anti-Corruption Unit and made their first court appearance in the Witbank Magistrate Court on the same day, 20 December 2019.

At that time, they were remanded in custody until their court appearance on Tuesday, 7 January. Their court appearance follows an incident which occurred on 29 August 2019, whereby suspects entered a Witbank Ten suspects intercepted before furniture and electronics shop in the robbery Central business area of Witbank.

Reports allege that three of the Ten suspects arrested by the police at suspects were dressed in police Verena after being intercepted while uniform and the other four were on their way to commit an armed wearing civilian clothes. These suspects robbery on Tuesday, have been informed the owner of the business remanded in custody. The arrest of the that they are searching the shop and villains came as a result of persistent they are specifically looking for drugs. efforts by the police in Mpumalanga, During the search, drugs were found to curtail the proliferation of illegal and were confiscated with about R86 firearms which in the main, are used 000 in cash. The business owner and by hardened criminals to commit two of his employees were informed ruthless crimes including murder. by these men that they were under According to reports, the arrest arrest and were taken to Witbank Police took place after police received Station for detention. The business information from members of the owner and the two employees were public on Tuesday, 7 January, about released on the premise that the firearms and ammunition that were confiscated drugs had gone missing, in transit in a suspicious vehicle. This however he was given back an amount information led the police to a scene of about R36 000 and the rest was kept near Verena where they spotted the by the accused. The anti-corruption said vehicle, a Toyota Quantum, on unit of Mpumalanga investigated the R544 road, which matched the the matter and a case docket of vehicle description provided. They corruption was opened at Witbank stopped the vehicle and conducted police station which subsequently led a thorough search and also searched to the arrest of the five suspects. The its occupants. Whilst searching, suspects that appeared in Court on police recovered five firearms and Tuesday, 7 January, are 52-year-old ammunition. They also managed to Captain Sekgweni Phasha, 43-yearrecover equipment inside the vehicle, which the police suspected to be used for house breakings. The suspects were charged with possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition.

They appeared at the Mkobola Magistrate’s Court on 9 January.

The suspects, Klaas Mokgoswane, Ayanda Mnisi, Steven Zulu, Godfrey Lubisi, Tshepo Mogapane, Norman Sibiya, Lucky Malebana, Kenneth Senosha, Jerry Mohawule and Nicholas Seimela, aged 25 - 40, were not asked to plea but were all remanded in custody until 14 January, for a formal bail application. The Provincial Commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, welcomes the arrest as well as the recovery of the firearms and labelled the efforts of the police as commendable. He further applauds members of the public for providing such valuable information that led to the arrest of the suspects. “This is a step in the right direction of which it will definitely lead towards eradicating illegal firearms that are being used by heartless criminals to perpetuate

vicious crimes in our society. We commend the partnership that exists between police and the community which seeks to narrow the trust deficit and with it, I have no doubt that it will ensure the realisation of Police Minister, General Bheki Cele’s quest of ‘Zizojika Izinto’ (turning the tide against crime), if we could continue to work together, then we can also realise our goal of making sure that our community does not only feel safe but is safe. As the police, we will continue to be robust in searching as well as removing illegal firearms and ammunitions. We therefore encourage community members to continue to partner with the police and to also provide information so that we can be able to operationalise it,” said General Zuma. The police will also probe the suspects further to see if they are not involved in other criminal matters in the province or elsewhere as during the time of their arrest, it came forth that they were intercepted while on their way to commit an armed robbery.

It is evident on this information that these villains were determined given the manner in which they were armed and it is also possible that they might be wanted suspects in other places for other violent crimes.

“No place for murderers, rapists and other ills,” says Provincial Commissioner The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, has reiterated the government’s position of stamping the authority of the state against criminals.

General Zuma has indicated that murderers, rapists and other criminal perverts is not supposed to share a space amongst society but in jail. He calls on the community to work closely with the police with a clear and solid view of exchanging information that may lead to the arrest of perpetrators of crime. The unwavering words of General Zuma were echoed after he welcomed hefty sentences which were meted against Nhlanhla Mahlangu, 23 and Sifundo Zulu, 22, by Judge Johannes Strydom at the Circuit of the Pretoria High Court, which was sitting at Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 10 January. Mahlangu and Zulu were sentenced to Life Imprisonment for rape and Life Imprisonment for murder. The sentencing comes after Mahlangu and Zulu were linked to a horrendous incident whereby then 20-year-old Nokuthula Skhosana was raped and ruthlessly murdered by these two heartless criminals on Sunday, 3 September 2017, in Tweefontein. The High Court heard how on that fateful day, Mahlangu and Zulu waylaid to strike, like predators, Nokuthula who was walking with a male friend from a liquor outlet situated in Tweefontein. Mahlangu and Zulu viciously attacked the pair, robbed Nokuthula of her cell phone whilst assaulting her friend who managed to abscond from the terrible scene. Unfortunately, Nokuthula never managed to break loose from the two criminals who dragged her to the nearby bushes. These heartless men took turns raping her. After satisfying their evil lusts, they decided to cut her life short by casting her with stones.

When they realised that she was still breathing, they strangled her to death using her waist belt.

Eventually it dawned on the two killers and rapists that they have committed a heinous act. So, before abandoning her body, they carried out a plan of masking their evil deed by covering her body with stones for people not to see it. Even after their attempt to

17 January 2020 hide their sin, Mahlangu was restless at home to a point where he later stole his uncle’s bakkie, drove back to the murder scene where he took Nokuthula’s body and buried it in a shallow grave, about 10 kilometres away from the scene where she was killed.

The matter was reported to police in Tweefontein and the case docket thereof handed over to Detectives who wasted no time and immediately conducted a thorough investigation.

The well dedicated police investigation team worked tirelessly, knitted all bits and pieces of information together and followed all leads available. It took them a maximum of seven days to arrest Mahlangu and Zulu who were positively linked to the rape and brutal murder of Nokuthula. The duo was nabbed on 11 September 2017. Police tightened all screws regarding the case at which point even on the bail bid by suspects, which was heard at the Kwaggafontein Magistrate’s Court, was successfully opposed. When Judge Strydom handed down the sentence, he stated that a defenceless young woman was gang raped and brutally killed. That was very heartless and cruel and it was uncalled for. The Judge also appreciated the coordination between the police and the National Prosecution Authority that made the case watertight. Mahlangu was also sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for theft whilst Zulu was sentenced to 3 more years imprisonment on the same charge. For Kidnapping, both suspects were sentenced to 5 years to languish in prison and 5 years imprisonment for defeating the ends of Justice. However, all their sentences will run concurrently.

The Provincial Commissioner has applauded the sterling work done by the Justice Cluster and the team of astute Detectives in ensuring that their investigation was done thoroughly, which has led to the conviction and sentencing of Mahlangu and Zulu who attacked, raped and threatened as well as killed an innocent young woman. He also used the platform to call on the public to come forth with information that could lead to the arrest of 25-yearold Simphiwe Mtsweni’s murderers.

“I want to assure the community that the manner in which we used all the resources at our disposal to secure maximum sentence on Mahlangu and Zulu, we will do the same to Simphiwe’s killers. Perpetrators of Gender Based Violence should know that they do not have a space in our society. It is scary to mention that there are a number of young women who have died in the hands of so called jealous and cowardly boyfriends in the province. These types of killings are often taking place in closed doors where police are not aware. It is against this background that the Traditional Leaders Policing Concept will play a pivotal role in bridging the gap of moral regeneration within the society as they have been instrumental in instilling morals within the society during ancient times. What we have realised is that there is moral decay in the society hence women are willy-nilly being maimed. We need all opinion leaders to partner with government, the police in particular with a view to eradicate the scourge of Gender Based Violence. On the same note, I am glad though that the suspect who mercilessly shot at Laurancia Zinhle Mathebula in December 2019 and absconded the scene, has been apprehended. The arrest of the suspect signal a sigh of relief to the family that at least the suspect, Skhumbuzo Patrick Khoza, 36, was brought to book on Sunday, 5 January,” concluded General Zuma.

NEWS

17 January 2020

3

Brace for 10-hour blackouts as Stage 6 load shedding looms Brace yourselves for the worst.

Stage 6 load shedding, which the country experienced on December 9, is set to become more frequent as Eskom’s plant breakdowns remain at dangerously high levels.

Stage 6 means 6000 megawatts need to be shed from the national grid to avert its collapse.

In Gauteng, where load shedding intervals last four hours, Eskom customers could be without electricity for an average of 10 hours a day.

Last night, Eskom’s tale of woe was worsened by the announcement that Jabu Mabuza, the board chair, had quit after the utility could not meet a pledge made to President Cyril Ramaphosa to avoid load shedding until next week.

Last weekend, Eskom implemented stage 2 power cuts, dropping 2000MW from the grid, which continued until yesterday. But had demand been at normal levels, it would have been necessary to move to stage 6 last weekend.

“Given the current lack of effective forward planning and poor execution on our capacity expansion strategy, stage 6 may well be a common occurrence for the foreseeable future,” said Des Muller, the managing director for Nu-Energy Developments.

“Not only does an unreliable power system constrain our economy, but it also deters local and foreign investment into our economy to help alleviate unprecedented levels of unemployment in South Africa.”

Experiencing stage 6 regularly would be detrimental.

“This will place South Africa on par with most African countries where only the minority have access to very expensive or own-generated electricity.”

Energy expert Lungile Mashele said continued outages at stage 6 could signal the shutdown of the economy.

“Industries, businesses and residents will not be able to proceed with business. Further downgrades are to be expected with a negative outlook for the economy,” she said.

“While hospitals are seldom load shed and have generators as back-ups, this is not the case, however, for palliative

care institutions and houses where people are on life support systems.

Those people are in danger and there have been fatalities due to load shedding.

“Load shedding that persists at this nature will have an impact on foreign direct investment, political and economic stability, employment and economic growth.”

Eskom said plant breakdowns must be limited to 9500MW of capacity to avoid load shedding. Over the past two weeks, however, breakdowns have been substantially higher, reaching 14096MW last Friday, while Monday’s breakdowns stood at 13119MW at 6am.

Over 2019 as a whole, Eskom’s energy availability factor was 67%, compared with 72% over 2018 and 79% over 2017. The last two weeks of December saw the energy availability factor hit 59.7% and 58% respectively.

Professor Hartmut Winkler from the department of physics at the University of Johannesburg expects the power situation to get far worse before it gets better.

“Things could certainly get worse, especially if some of the remaining coal plants that have been performing reasonably to date also experience major breakdowns,” said Winkler.

“Permanent stage 2 load shedding, occasionally rising to stage 4 or even stage 6, is not unthinkable in the current state of affairs.

“Some people are even advocating that this is the way to go, as it would make it easier for Eskom to catch up on its delayed maintenance schedule.”

Winkler said it could take around five years before the power utility recovered.

“In five years, Medupi and Kusile can hopefully be completed and, even more importantly, a massive amount of renewable energy generating capacity can be put in place.

“The latter of course requires governmental support, but the present minister that has the power to initiate the renewable power development process seems to be very slow and even reluctant, to do so.”

With load shedding remaining on the

Man found dead in Ext 7, eMbalenhle Concerns were raised amongst the eMbalenhle community just after the peaceful festive season. Everyone was still celebrating the huge decrease in murder, burglary, arson and assault cases in the eMbalenhle community.

The community praised the hard work of the police during the festive season in enforcing the law and ensuring that the people were safe, during the busiest time of year, in the township. Huge law enforcement visibility was set to be the reason for the major decrease in gangsterism amongst the community.

But that was not going to last very long as this past weekend a young man was brutally killed in Ext 7, eMbalenhle, by unknown suspects.

The murder occurred while he was on his way home from a family event.

It is alleged that he left everyone at the party to go home and rest.

When his friends left the party, they were shocked to find his helpless body on the side of the road with

his clothes stripped off. They immediately called the police who came and investigated.

The investigation which is still on going.

Speaking for the family one member who wishes to remain anonymous said: “They killed his brother and took sneakers and his cell phone as well as other belongings, a family conducted their own investigation which led them to a young man who confessed that he had got sneakers from his older brother then they took him to eMbalenhle police station for further assistance.”

On Monday morning The Bulletin asked several times for any feedback from eMbalenhle police regarding the matter but to no avail.

“For the whole of December it was very quiet you could say this is not Embalenhle we know until second weekend of January where we start to have reports of murders,” said one of the police officers at eMbalenhle.

- Sandile Mkhwanazi

cards indefinitely at this stage, Mashele warned South Africans to expect the worst.

“I’d love to say things can’t get worse, but this week we hit an excess of 15000MW, which was out for unplanned maintenance. This has never happened in the organisation’s 96-year history. Eskom has a problem with its ageing fleet and overdue maintenance,” said Mashele. “We should expect load shedding for many months to come. Eskom should communicate this as fact - tell people that for the next 18 months we need to maintain our system and thus will be at stage 1 load shedding daily. This creates transparency, accountability and reliability.”

Nicolette Pombo-van Zyl, editor of ESI Africa, an energy industry journal, said the electricity supply industry was likely to remain constrained for a number of years.

“Commercial and industrial businesses and the public must be prepared to actively manage the impact as we can no longer expect a reliable supply of electricity,” she said. “The electricity supply system will take years to be brought back up to speed.”

There is also the looming threat of a national blackout. While this may be a distant threat, it could very well be a possibility in the future, said Winkler.

“There is still some way to go before that situation is reached and I think this is still only a distant threat. Bear in mind also that Eskom preferably likes to schedule its planned maintenance in December/January as that is when demand is lowest.

“That is why when we had stage 6 in December, some plants were off even though they were not actually faulty. If there is a crisis looming on the scale of a national blackout, then Eskom will probably return idle plants to operation sooner than planned, though this can take days or even weeks, so I’m not going to claim that a national blackout is not possible.”

Mashele agreed the threat of a national blackout was real.

“The reason we are load shedding is to avoid a national blackout. That’s how serious the issue is. Load shedding by

its nature is an extreme event to try to salvage a system that is not meeting capacity and is about to lead to a system collapse, which will lead to a blackout.”

South Africa has only once experienced a national blackout - in December 1975. This was caused by a switch that malfunctioned in the Northern Cape. Should the country experience another, it would signal disaster.

A total blackout, said Mashele, would mean a complete shutdown of the economy and possibly the region.

“No movement, no travel, no food, no water, no work or schooling. People will stockpile food, water and fuel and the poorest will feel the impact the most.”

Eskom said it would continue to work around the clock to increase generating capacity and blamed years of “inadequate maintenance” for the system’s vulnerability to breakdowns and unplanned outages.

“Lack of maintenance leading to a large number of generators not being ready for service and resulting in failure of units while generating, is why we are experiencing load shedding,” said Professor Willie Cronje, of the school of electrical and information engineering at Wits University.

Winkler agreed. “Like with an old car, breakdowns will become more frequent and difficult to fix with age, especially if the car/plant has not been maintained properly. Many of the coal plants still operating were supposed to have been retired by now.

“Medupi and Kusile are still not finished. Furthermore, they have cost Eskom more than double of the initial projection and are the main reason for Eskom’s cash crunch. I also do not dismiss sabotage claims, though the majority of breakdowns are unlikely to be linked to that.”

Mashele agreed that sabotage could not be ruled out.

“However, the major reason boils down to maintenance. Eskom’s headache are boiler tube leaks, a common cause of outages and generation loss in thermal power plants.”

Saturday Star SAMEER NAIK

NEWS

4

So is die lewe

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17 January 2020

Ds Marius Britz Lidi de Waal is ‘n baie gewilde, talentvolle en bekende kunstenares van die Suid-Kaap.

Wat haar kunswerke so besonders maak, is dat sy by baie van hulle ‘n gedig skryf wat die gees van die spesifieke skildery of beeld vasvang. Haar werke is rou eerlik, en soms baie persoonlik. So skryf sy die volgende by ‘n skildery van ‘n vrou: “vir my klink om te declutter altyd na ń goeie idee / ruim op / minimaliseer / maak minder / vereenvoudig / maar dis nie sommer net vir woeps / daar’s als gedeclutter nie / nee dis werk en moeite en tyd / en jy moet dink wat vreeslik ergs sal gebeur as ek dié ding weggooi / en as ek dit weer nodig kry / sal ek dit kan leen of huur / is dié ding rêrig al die spasie wat hy opneem werd / anyway declutter jou huis..../ jy sal ligter voel / maar om jou lewe te declutter is meer belangrik / en jou kop ook / maar dis way out meer ingewikkeld / om ontslae te raak / ligter te maak / om jou lewe te vereenvoudig / om weg te doen met onnodig swaar mense en verpligtinge en selfopofferinge / en loodsware onthoue wat jou afrem. / Geseënd is die mens wat dit ligvoets regkry om te declutter.”

Jy verstaan iets hiervan as jy jou motorhuis regpak waar die kartondose nog net so staan sedert jy drie jaar gelede ingetrek het. Wat as ‘n onaangename taak voor jou lê om die goed uit te sorteer, word uiteindelik ‘n reuse ontdekkingstog. Boks een se inhoud, wat al twintig jaar onoopgemaak saam met jou trek, het jy totaal al vergeet van: jou menasiedrag uit jou dae as staandemaglid in die lugmag en leër. Meteens onthou jy die formele dinees, hoe die ou tradisies met groot presiesheid nagekom is. Die port- en wynflesse wat met die regterhand geneem word, en met die linkerhand aangegee word. Die president van die

offisiersmenasie wat na die vyfgangmaaltyd op die ghong voor hom slaan, opstaan, en sy glas port uitsteek na die foto van die staatspresident wat teen die muur hang, en plegtig verklaar: “Dames en here, op die staatspresident.” Dan die hele geselskap wat opstaan, hulle glase lig, en soos een man sê: “Op die staatspresident.”

Die kelners het daarna vir elke offisier ‘n sigaar aangebied en aangesteek. By een basis was dit tradisie dat die kapelaan juis dan ‘n grap of storie moet vertel. Of dit die kapelaan se grap was wat dit veroorsaak het, weet ek nie, maar dikwels het die formele dinee effe meer informeel geraak daarna. Met meestal ‘n groot boete vir die skuldiges en uitspattiges tot gevolg om die menasiefonds ‘n hupstoot te gee, of selfs iets ergers. Soos die een luitenant uitgevind het toe hy ‘n glas gelig het op die staatspresident, en luidkeels uitgeroep het: “Op die stasiemeester!” Hy het lank en duur daarvoor geboet. Of die kaptein wat in sy menasiedrag onder die tafels deurgekruip het, hangende medaljes klingelend, en die manne wat teenoor mekaar gesit het, se skoenveters aanmekaar gebind het kort voor die heildronk op die staatspresident. Met ‘n minder waardige heildronk tot gevolg. Of die keer toe julle laataand bokbok gespeel het in die deftige offisiersmenasie, die oorlog vir ‘n wyle vergete. Dadelik weet jy: boks een word net so toegemaak, en gebêre.

Boks twee het dieselfde proses: die briefies van jou kinders toe hulle klein was. Die eerste briefie met ‘n prentjie van ‘n huisie waar die rook uittrek en stokmannetjies oortuig jou. “papa is n goeje papa ek is lif vir papa.” Boks twee bly. Boks drie dieselfde nadat jy jou ou skoolrapporte opspoor en al die punte en kommentare lees. Juffrou Struwig wat in die eerste kwartaal van graad een skryf: “Marius is ‘n goeie seun, maar is somtyds baie stadig.”

Ditto, juffrou Struwig! Jou boks bly. So ook boks vier, vyf en ses. Et cetera. Tot al die bokse weer terug is presies waar hulle gestaan het.

Soos mens deur die opgegaarde goed van jou lewe kyk, wat “hoarding” genoem word in

Engels, besef jy dat jy net so baie rommel versamel in jou kop en jou hart, goed waarvan jy eenvoudig net nie ontslae kan raak raak nie. Daarmee word nie bedoel aangename herinneringe of ervarings nie, ook nie hoogtepunte van jou lewe nie. Maar juis daardie bokse wat jy nooit oopmaak nie, omdat dit te seer is. Of nog steeds jou vernederd laat voel. Die oomblik as jy aan daardie gemoedsbokse raak, kom ook dáárdie onthou terug. Woede, skaamheid.

Bitterheid. Soos Koos Doep sing: “As almal vêr is, word die hart skielik oud…/ as die wêreld ‘n ster is, afsydig en koud…/ smee die gordyne ‘n komplot teen die lig/ krimp die kosyne en deure

sluit dig / as almal ver is, vind jy jouself/ waar jy in stilte in ou hartkamers delf.”

Dit is waarvan Lidi praat as sy sê: “Geseënd is die mens wat dit ligvoets regkry om te declutter.”

Ligvoets is dit beslis nie. Maar bevrydend wel. Dit is nogal ‘n missie om ontslae te raak van daardie dowwe kopkiekies, en vry te word. Daardie onoopgemaakte bokse van jare terug kan vandag nog oor mens hang soos die Spookmeisie van Uniondale. Al is dit nie so eenvoudig om juis die donker dinge weg te gooi nie, bly dit egter ‘n katarsis, ‘n suiwering, as jy dit kan regkry. Dit verg waagmoed. “Decluttering” is nie vir sissies nie. Nie vir stadige mense soos ek nie….

Tannie Poppie se Stadig-gebakte robynrooi kwepers in vanieljewynstroop Dit is ‘n naweek-projek, want jy het enigiets tussen 6 tot 9 ure (en selfs oornag as jy wil diepdieper-diepste rooi gaan) nodig vir die kwepers om donkerrooi te kleur in die oond en vir die geur om te verdiep. As jy jou kwepers egter net roospienk wil hê of net 2 ure het om hierdie paradyslike nagereg te maak, verskaf ek daarvoor ook ‘n resep. Bedien 6 • 800 g strooisuiker • 1 liter water of wyn van jou keuse. Ek het rosé gebruik.

• 1 vanieljepeul, oopgesny • Dun afgesnyde skil van halwe suurlemoen • 1 pypkaneel • 2 steranys • 3 groot kwepers Metode: • Voorverhit die oond tot 130°C. Plaas die suiker en 1 liter water in ‘n wye oondvaste skottel en verhit tot kookpunt. Voeg die vanieljepeul, suurlemoenskil en kaneelstokkie by.

• Intussen, skil die kwepers (behou die skil), sny in kwarte en verwyder die klokhuis (alhoewel ek hou die pitte in).

Plaas die kwepers in die stroop soos jy aangaan, saam met die skil, om te keer dat dit verkleur.

Bedek die pot met ‘n stuk bakpapier

of waspapier, verhit tot dit net liggies begin kook. Sit die deksel op en plaas die bak in die oond.

Bak tot die verlangde tekstuur en kleur: 5-6 ure vir ‘n medium robynrooi; 7-9 ure vir diep-rooi. As jy dit nog donkerder wil kry, skakel die oond na 9 ure af en laat oornag in die oond afkoel. Kwepers wat so in stroop gekook word hou tot ‘n maand in die yskas – as jy dit nie dan alreeds verslind het nie.

Ek sal dit bedien met zabaglione of creme fraiche.

Die boek word deur Human & Rousseau uitgegee

17 January 2020

SPORT NEWS

5

Neighbourhood watch: a solution to illegal dumping?

For several years Govan Mbeki Municipality has been on the receiving end of the public’s disapproval because of the lack of a waste collection schedule.

This has resulted in the illegal dumping all over the township.

Recently, community members spent their holidays cleaning up the township to ensure that all the garbage, nappies and all waste in all the well-known illegal dumping sites were removed. These sites cause an increase in contagious diseases such as swine flu, diarrhoea, etc.

Community members started a neighbourhood watch WhatsApp group on which members can report illegal dumping in particular places in and around eMbalenhle. It is very easy when you suspect that there is a

person who is dumping something in the street; take a picture and post it on the WhatsApp group with a location.

Continued from page 1

It is against the municipality bylaws to dump used nappies and plastic everywhere. The council thinks that

this is going to be the solution to the crisis in eMbalenhle.

“We can’t go on like that maybe people don’t know about scheduled times and place where municipality vehicles collect waste.”

Here is the collection truck schedule: Monday: Ext 4,5,9,11,12,24 & CBD. Tuesday: Ext 2,6,7,8,10 & 25.

Wednesday: Ext 18,19,20 & CBD. Thursday: Ext 14,15,21 & parts of 22.

Fridays: Ext 17,22 & 16.

On the abovementioned dates, community members are urged to monitor the availability of trucks and if not, they can ask their wards councillors.

We hope 2020 is going to be a different year in regards to the attitude of waste collection and dumping. - Sandile Mkhwanazi

Class of 2019 NSC examinations results

On Wednesday, 8 January the Mpumalanga Top 10 and best performing learners were announced at Graceland Hotel, Casino and Country Club. This day was also the ANC’s 108-year birthday celebration.

The lavish event was attended by Mr Jackson Mthembu, currently serving as Minister in the Presidency, Mr Bonakele Majuba, MEC for Education in Mpumalanga, Mrs LH Moyane, Deputy Director General: Curriculum, Mr JR Nkosi, Acting Head: Education, Mr Busi Sheba, speaker of the Mpumalanga Provincial legislature, the executive council, chief whip of the ANC, members of parliament, traditional leaders, Mayor Thandi Nxgonono, Sasol’s senior vice president, Mr Simon Baloyi, media and the top achieving matriculants.

The day was opened with our National Anthem after which the programme director, Mr JR Nkosi, Acting Head of Education in Mpumalanga, welcomed everyone and announced the speakers of the day.

The theme of the event seemed to be surrounding the 25 years of freedom and how ANC-led government has improved the country. One of the speakers said that the results that were achieved in last year’s NSC exams were the highest ever and could never be achieved by the apartheid government.

It was said: “The class of 2019 wrote at the apex of the celebrations and review of a 25-year journey that this beautiful country and province has travelled and traverse. These results therefore represent a good narrative compared to where we were 25-years ago. They provide a reflection of outstanding progress made and the epitome of gains recorded within the education realm. They also constitute a solid foundation to usher.”

The Mpumalanga numbers that were given that day, was later disputed by Jane Sithole: MPL DA Mpumalanga spokesperson on Education in a press release: “The class of 2019 got an overall pass rate of 80.3%, an improvement of 1.3 % from the 79% it received in the 2018 academic year. However, Mpumalanga’s real pass rate

stands at 37%, taking into consideration that in 2017 the Province had 94 103 learners in Grade 10 and only 34 995 of those passed the 2019 Matric Exam.

What happened to the other 59 108?

It means these 59 108 young uneducated people will be entering the competitive job market this year.

The ANC government has failed these young people, many of whom will and are languishing at home and on the streets.

None the less, the DA would like to congratulate the class of 2019 and their teachers for obtaining the official pass rate of 80.3%, an improvement of 1.3 % from the 79% it received in the 2018 academic year. This improvement is despite challenges learners were faced with in their learning environment.

There were burning of schools, lack of sanitation, strikes and load-shedding.”

Jane Sithole asked a valid question in her statement: “What happened to the other 59108?”

Despite all the political agendas, the students were celebrated that day and they received a bursary from the Department of Education, some received R15 000, kettles, microwaves etc and the top performing learner received a brand-new Toyota Aygo and petrol money. The Top 10 students in Mpumalanga were announced and Mpumalanga Province also boasted that the number 1 learner for quantile 4 schools hails form our beautiful province, Greta Kurpershoek from Hoërskool Middelburg.

Well done to all the students and congratulations on all their hard work that paid off! – Ané Prinsloo

MATRIC RESULTS

6

17 January 2020

Congratulations Class of 2019!

Hoërskool Secunda Hoërskool Secunda is trots op sy matrikulante se uitstekende prestasies. Baie dankie aan elke matrikulant, ouer en onderwyser vir harde werk en deursettingsvermoë.

Hoërskool Secunda se personeel wil elke matrikulant voorspoed toewens in die verwesenliking van hul toekomsplanne.

Kaylie Strydom - 8 onderskeidings

Lize Smit - 8 onderskeidings

Johan Viljoen - 7 onderskeidings

Thaseen Karim - 7 distinctions

Niné Rudolph - 7 onderskeidings

Janine Orsmond - 7 distinctions

Niël Gertenbach - 7 onderskeidings

Ntyokozo Mzizi - 6 distinctions

Highveld Park Highschool

Wandile Mavimbela - Top Learner in matric 2019 Distinctions: Mathematics 84%, CAT 81%, EGD 82%, Physical Science 92%

Zainub Adigun Distinctions: LO 91%, Life Sciences 87%

Highschool Evander

Nothando Mahlangu, 2 distinctions - Life science - Life Orientation

17 January 2020

SPORT MATRIC RESULTS

7

Welgedaan matrieks 2019!

HoĂŤrskool Oosterland

Dano Sadie - 6 onderskeidings

Zander Luus - 6 onderskeidings

Mohini Gouden - 5 distinctions

Chanel Cloete - 5 onderskeidings

HoĂŤrskool Hoogenhout

Kayla Jensen - 4 onderskeidings

Rutendo Zhonga - 4 distinctions

NEWS

8

SERVICES TO ADVERTISE CALL: 017 631 1903 017 631 1845

17 January 2020

An introduction to Metal Metal, the music with the most subgenres.

Adaptations of heavier music, popularised in South Africa in the previous century, spawning and inspiring unique and mindgrinding bands such as Black Cat Bones, Rhutz, Boargazm, Demogoroth Satanum and many more.

Set by the beautiful freedom and rebellion brought to the scene by legendary vocalist and guitarist; Jack Hammer (Piet Botha). Although they weren’t playing metal at all, they broke the ground and built the foundation for what the metal scene has become in the last decade. Jack Hammer was the opening band for acts such as ZZ top and Uriah Heep, causing their exposure to skyrocket and it made their message of rock n roll even more

clear.

There are a lot of opinionated misconceptions about the metal scene, not only in South Africa, but worldwide. This is because of the extreme sound and controversial lyrical content.

Yes, there are dark themes and evil lyrical and visual content, but one should look deeper into the subject matter or no?

Metal touches the harsher side of life one does not necessarily embrace and it shouldn’t be considered as such, rather an outlet for that “harsher side of life” in a beautifully chaotic and enjoyable manner. On the other side, there are bands who are blatantly violent or evil for the simple reason of entertainment. It consists of the same kind of aesthetic that thriller novels

Photo: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-06heavy-metal-music-healthbenefits.html and movies have… it is an acquired taste of course.

Those associated with this particular scene may seem very brute in nature, but rest assured they are the most laid-back and loving people

you might ever come across. Ordinary people, with extraordinary views of themselves and the world. – Henco Follow our weekly blog on Metal with Henco

Join the #spekboomchallenge today!

Find us on Facebook - The Bulletin For the latest in breaking news go to www.thebulletin.co.za Follow us on Instagram: thebulletininsa

Join our #spekboomchallenge Plant a Spekboom in 2020! Not just one but 10, that is the challenge!

Global warming and carbon emissions are slowly killing us. We can, however, make a difference! The Spekboom can absorb Carbon and it is also easy to cultivate.

The Bulletin would like to challenge everyone in the Govan Mbeki Municipal area to take up this challenge. Purchase one plant from the nurseries in GMM and start your own project.

Challenge everybody that you can!

The Bulletin partnered with Garden Terrace to ensure that the Spekboom is as affordable as possible. Please visit them next to Lake Umuzi in Kiewiet Street and purchase your own Spekboom.

The Bulletin will have a photo album on our FB page so that you can post photos of your Spekboom.

The #spekboomchallenge originated from Boplaas Vineyard in Calitzdorp.

The following is taken from their website www.boplaas.co.za: “Boplaas has always been conservation-minded.

Now we’ve stepped up our drive and pledged to establish one million plants of the Portulacaria afra succulent variety – commonly known as the spekboom – before 2025.

The world is at a tipping point and we should do everything in our power to avoid a global climate catastrophe. The spekboom that is indigenous to the Klein Karoo area is a carbon miracle worker. Spekboom, for the amount of water it uses, is the most efficient carbon sequester in the world. The humble spekboom can gobble up between 4 and 10 tons of carbon per hectare per year. But it needs our help. According to the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change, the world currently produces 1 331 tons/sec CO2. Our goal at Boplaas is to escalate plantation of the spekboom through strategic partnerships and as a wider aim to spread awareness.

We want to encourage its cultivation in private gardens, on estates and on farms. It’s not an impossible task – the spekboom is great at adapting to its surroundings and can flourish almost

anywhere. It makes wonderful hedges and beautiful shrubs; and, can be planted in fields, flowerbeds and pots.

Boplaas has over 2 200 hectares of veld under conservation where the variety occurs naturally. In addition to planting more, this project will actively distribute spekboom cuttings from our Calitzdorp farm and our wine tasting room in Klein Brak River on the Garden Route.

We will also distribute information

on how further cuttings can be made and the best way to plant them.

The spekboom requires very little maintenance and can survive with only the most minimal amounts of water.

If we can get 1 000 people to plant 100 plants, that’s 100 000 spekboom shrubs helping us fight global climate change.”

Spekboom – Wonder plant?

Global warming is here to stay!

Our air quality is deteriorating at an alarming rate… but never fear when the Spekboom is near! There were a lot of debates regarding the qualities of the Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) in the media lately and The Bulletin decided to highlight some of its features.

Whether you call it a Spekboom, Elephant’s Food or Pork Bush, this incredible plant with its bright green, circular leaves should be planted in every South African garden (and maybe even every garden around the world).

Here’s why: 1. It improves the quality of the air we breathe and helps fight climate change.

Spekboom (aka Portulacaria afra) is a succulent that helps fight air pollution. It has the ability to ‘sequester’ or capture four to ten tons of carbon per hectare!

Essentially, it acts as a carbon sponge, absorbing carbon from the atmosphere and turning it into plant matter.

Excess carbon in the atmosphere is responsible for global warming, so the more carbon we can remove from the air and return to the ground, the better.

2. The Spekboom is a proudly South African plant.

The Spekboom is indigenous to the Eastern Cape where South African elephants consider the plant a delicacy.

3. It’s water wise.

No time to water your garden? The Spekboom is a water-wise plant that’s ideal for lowmaintenance gardens. This drought-resistant plant can survive on just 250 - 350mm of water a year!

4. Suitable for all seasons and weather conditions.

The Spekboom has a photosynthetic mechanism which allows it to adapt to both rainforest-like conditions and semi-arid conditions, making it incredibly adaptable and suited to almost any garden.

5. It’s easy to grow.

The Spekboom is easily propagated, which is great news for budget gardeners. Simply cut or break off a piece of a Spekboom, let it dry out for one or two days and then stick it in the ground. Give it a little water every few days and you’ll soon have a new Spekboom plant of your own. Make sure you don’t give it too much water or it will rot.

6. The Spekboom is a really versatile plant.

Whether you are looking for a plant that can be turned into a hedge or a bonsai, or used as groundcover or a large bush, the Spekboom can do it all. It responds well to pruning and grows densely, making it an excellent, hardy screen or hedge. Some varieties grow low to the ground and others reach as high as 2 metres!

7. You can even eat it.

We’re not suggesting you chow down on a plate of Spekboom, but it is edible and apparently has a light, citrussy flavour. If you ever find yourself hiking through the Karoo, you can suck on a leaf – they are traditionally used to treat exhaustion and dehydration.

Monique Warner – All4Women

17 January 2020

SPORT NEWS

9

Make donating blood your New Year’s resolution With a new decade upon us, this is a time for reflection and resolutions.

A time for making plans for the year ahead. However the beginning of a year is a time when for many the demands of our day to day life still continue. Such is the case for doctors who work hard at saving lives and in many cases can only do so with the help of blood and blood products from blood donors.

Due to the loyalty of our regular blood donors and the increasing number of South Africans who have started donating, 2019 was a successful year for the South African National Blood Service (SANBS). Blood stock levels were adequate throughout the year and well over a million blood products were issued to patients requiring blood transfusions. The SANBS wishes to thank all blood donors for their support

during 2019. During the last week blood stocks have, for the first time in many months, dropped below the ideal level of 5 days cover due to the holiday period and associated decrease in blood donations. 3500 donations is required daily to meet the demand of patients. The SANBS encourages the public and current blood donors to find time this New Year to donate blood and help us ensure another year of sufficient blood products so that every patient requiring a life-saving blood transfusion receives it when needed. Each blood donation can save up to three lives. Bring your friends and family and commit to starting the year on a good note and offer someone in need an opportunity to do the same with their loved ones.

The SANBS can only do this with the help of regular and committed blood

donors.

Visit www.sanbs.org.za or contact 0800 11 9031 to find out where you can

donate blood. Follow us on Twitter (@ theSANBS), Facebook (@SANBS) and Instagram (@thesanbs).

AfriForum Bethal laat nie gras onder hulle voete groei nie

AfriForum se Bethal tak het gewoeker gedurende die feestyd deur verskeie projekte aan te pak.

Daar is ‘n groot straatnaam projek afgehandel en ‘n klomp strate se name is herstel en weer aangebring.

Kosmos Sector 1 unit Brandwacht starts 2020 at Kruik Café

Opened in prayer and a reading of Psalm 23 by Piet Niewenhuys.

Chairman Henry Buys welcomed all.

Referring to the reading, Henry asked that we use the basis of God being our guide in this coming year, that we always look to Him in our endeavours in order to make a difference where we live. Our focus would continue with our current projects supporting pupils at Laerskool Trichardt and the Janelle Children’s home .

A great time was had sharing breakfast and we look forward to next month’s gathering on Saturday, 8 February at 08H00 at Kruik church.

Also that day at 17H00 we will be attending a Pro Patria parade at the MOTH shell hole.

Anyone interested to join this wonderfully supportive group is welcome to contact Henry Buys on 0723692611 or Kevin Oliver on 0716135965

“Die projek is geloods om twee redes. Die eerste is om die prag van die dorp te herstel en die tweede is omdat nooddienste sukkel om adresse op te spoor as straatname nie duidelik is nie”, sê Hennie Bekker AfriForum se distrikskoördineerder vir die Laeveld.

“Die projek sal deur die loop van 2020 voortgesit word om ander dele van die dorp ook te herstel” sê Bekker verder. Grassny projekte is ook besig om aandag te geniet. Die plaaslike polisiestasie se gras is gesny en die

N17 hoofweg word ook gesny. As ons nie nou ingryp nie gaan die parke en sypaadjies nie meer bruikbaar wees nie”, sê Ingrid Human, Voorsitter van AfriForum se Bethal tak.

AfriForum Bethal het ook weekliks 30 asdromme in die sentrale besigheids distrik van Bethal skoongemaak. Die aksie vind elke week plaas en help om die dorp skoner te hou.

Daar is verdere beplanning om die Nestlè brug en die driehoek daar naby weer netjies te maak en te herstel ook. Die area is ‘n kenmerk van Bethal en talle besoekers ry daar verby elke dag. Sluit vandag nog by hierdie aktiewe tak aan SMS “Bethal” na 45350 (R1). Hennie Bekker Distrikskoördineerder: Laeveld

Tweede Groep gradueer by Easy Zulu! aandklasse

Van links: Desmond van Rooyen, Jaco Louw (Top Student), Sean Boyley.

Hulle het geleer om basiese Zulu te praat, skryf en te verstaan. Dit is ‘n 12 week kursus, elke Dinsdagaand.

SPORT/SCHOOL

10

17 January 2020

Voortrekkers besoek Trichardtsfonteindam Sasol Canoe Club was die afgelope naweek gasheer vir 'n klein, maar entoesiastiese groepie Voortrekkers van af Centurion en Midstream.

Die kinders was tussen 10 en 11 jaar oud.

Die kinders het 'n program gevolg wat hulle dan so mee kon kwalifiseer vir 'n Roeikunde kenteken.

Soos met alle programme was daar eers 'n les of twee in die klaskamer.

Daar is bespreek hoe mens 'n flot kan maak asook verskillende soorte vlotte.

Die verskille tussen 'n Kayak en 'n Kano is ook bespreek. Natuurlik is die geskiedenis van Roei ook bespreek.

Die belangrikste was veiligheid. Daar was reddingsbaadjies wat mens kon bespreek.

Die groot oomblik het toe aangebreek.

Dis nou om die water aan te durf, eers nadat al die roei tegnieke sorgvuldig verduidelik is.

Dit was duidelik dat roei nie so maklik is as wat dit lyk nie en baie het met hulle Kano's omgeval gelukkig was die water vlak en die kinders kon dan staan. Baie dankie aan Sasol Canoe Club vir hulle gasvryheid.

Sasol Canoe Club is a fairly small club with 20 adult members. Practices are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Members can also join just for excersise. There is enough equipment to test the sport first before buying.

Mev Cole opgewonde vir die nuwe jaar.

Wat ‘n voorreg is dit nie om weereens aan die vooraand te staan van nog ‘n opwindende akademiese skooljaar wat voorlê nie. Laerskool Secunda het 2019 afgesluit met baie seëninge en voorspoed vanaf ons Hemelse Vader.

In 2020 sal die skool voortbou op die voordelige en positiewe verhoudings wat gevestig is en daarop fokus om nuwe verhoudings die lig te laat sien.

Die skool, wat uit sy nate bars as gevolg van groeiende getalle, sien uit daarna om in 2020 voort te bou op die wenkultuur wat stadig, maar seker gekweek is deur passievolle personeel, ongelooflike talentvolle klein wenners en ‘n ondersteunende ouerkorps.

Namens die hoof, Mev Marietha Cole, alle personeel asook die beheerliggaam verwelkom ons graag al die wenners terug na n luilekker lang vakansie. ‘n Spesiale woord van welkom gaan aan al die nuwe Gr RRR, Gr 1 wenners en hul ouers. Wees verseker dat Laerskool Secunda die

Kruinpark Landsdiens

regte keuse was! Laerskool Secunda wens ook alle lede van die Secundagemeenskap ‘n baie voorspoedige nuwe jaar toe.

Hou Laerskool Secunda se wenfabriek dop. Hierdie jaar gaan n grote wees! Volg ons gerus op Facebook (Laerskool Secunda) vir positiewe nuus asook bemarking van opwindende geleenthede wat hierdie jaar deur die skool ge-organiseer word.

Elke kind is n wenner. #wenner

Mev Marietha Cole, Laerskool Secunda Hoof

Na die afgelope Mpumalanga Landsdiens vergadering wat die afgelope naweek in Badplaas gehou is, is Mnr Barnie Botha (Adjunkhoof) van L/S Kruinpark weer verkies as Provinsiale Bestuur: Ondervoorsitter vir die volgende termyn van 3 jaar.

Laerskool Kruinpark is trots op hulle Landsdiens en glo die jaar gaan hulle die 600 Landsdiens leerders verbeter!

Lake Umuzi soccer challenge kicks off 2020 Siyabonga Mtsweni (Two for Joy Footbal Club) from eMbalenhle, shows his skills at the games played in ext 18, eMba. It was the opening league games, Two for Joy beat God Arsenal 15-1. Any player who is interested to be part of the league games around Leslie, Kinross, Evander, Secunda, Bethal and eMbalenhle are invited to come and play.

Ages 7 years to 14 can contact Mr Jacob Mtakwende of Lake Umuzi Soccer Challenge @ 082 7051247.

Left: Siyabonga Mtsweni (Two for Joy Footbal Club) from eMbalenhle

SPORT

17 January 2020

11

Panda’s on point at open tournament

Panda’s Darts played in the Victor Khanye Open Tournament that was held at Delmas on Saturday, 11 January.

Mens Singles (Top Photo): 3rd-Terence van Vuuren. Winner-Rees Naidoo.

R/up - Freddie Burmeister.

Ladies and Juniors played together (Right Bottom): R/up - Jason Bernard (junior).

Winner - Karen Anthony.

3rd - Wendy van Vuuren.

Mixed Doubles (Photo top right): Winner - Terence and Linda. R/up Jaco and Wendy The tournament was played in an excellent atmosphere and everybody enjoyed themselves thoroughly.

Panda’s dominated the tournament taking all the top spots.

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17 JANUARY

2020

Bulletin

Sad day at tough Dakar race One of the toughest Dakar races ever and sadly a biker died.

First Week: 5 January to 12 January 2020 – 7 Stages: Liaison 1514km; Special 2942km; Total 4456km.

Paulo Goncalves from Portugal died after a crash on his Indian manufactured Hero during Sunday’s 7th stage of the Dakar Rally. The 40-year-old was competing in his 13th Dakar. Goncalves is the first competitor to die in the Dakar since Michal Hernik in 2015.

Known as the most relentless of the world’s cross-country rallies, the Dakar, has moved from South America to Saudi Arabia. After Stage 7 on Sunday 12 January 2020, a Total of 235 out of 351 vehicles that started the event, were still competing, consisting of 103 of 147 Bikes, 13 of 23 Quads, 61 of 89 Cars, 29 of 47 Side-by-sides, and 27 of 45 Trucks. In the first week competitors raced 2942km, covering a total distance of 4456km when the Liaison stages are included. Racing on some of the most unforgiving and challenging terrain that the globe offers and the top biker completed it in 28H 25’ 01” at a blazing average speed of 103,53km/h. This field included 13 women.

Initially the rocky terrain and the roads were filled with stones that gave the impression of lava spatters, with extremely rough edges. This resulted in the Toyota Gazoo Racing team losing 11 tyres between 4 vehicles in the first stage.

As the stages went on the roads became large flat lava rocks with sandy tracks in between, that led into deep sand dunes and terrain similar to the old Dakar in Africa up to the capital, Riyadh, where the teams enjoyed a rest day on Saturday before they raced Stage 7 on Sunday, where most of the stage was run on desert sand across big dunes.

On day 1, 13km into the first stage, Frenchman Willy Jobard withdrew when he dislocated his shoulder.

In stage 2 Bolivian, Daniel Nosiglia Jager, crashed and was forced to withdraw resulting from a head injury.

Then stage 3 saw Frenchman, Adrien van Beveren, crash out of the race with a fractured collar bone and injured hip. Guillaume Cholet crashed at 58km which resulted in pain in his ribs forcing him out of the event. Olaf Harmsen from the Netherlands was forced to retire after he crashed at a jump around 122km. 59-year-old Dutchman, Martien Jimmink in his 2nd Dakar crashed after 180km and was evacuated by the medical team. Xavier

de Soultrait badly injured his wrist, with top 2 Yamaha riders already out of the race. These were a few of the six withdrawals from the race in the stage.

Paulo Goncalves lost a lot of time during the stage and it was expected that he would withdraw from his 13th Dakar, but he soldiered on.

In stage 4 Jo Bareda lost a lot of time after he took a tumble and hurt his ribs 270km into the stage.

In Stage 5, Dutchman, Guillaume Martens took a spectacular tumble at the 270km mark with injuries to his head, hip and buttocks and he wanted to carry on, but the medical team stopped him. 2017 Dakar winner, Sam Sunderland crashed out after 187km.

Ricky Brabec (USA) on a Monster Energy Honda took a strong grip on the leader position from Stage 2; He has a 24’48” lead. Chilean, Pablo Quintanilla, on a Rockstar Energy Husqvarna, is second place for the last 2 stages, with a small margin.

Chile’s Ignacio Casale controlled the Quad race from the front since Stage 1. In the last two stages Frenchman Simon Vitse is in 2nd place ahead of Polish rider Rafal Sonik.

In the car category Romain Dumas (France) was the first retirement when his buggy went up in flames 65km into the first stage.

Former World Rally Champion, Carlos Sainz Sr. from Spain in a Bahrain JCW X-Raid Mini took the overall lead in the cars at the end of stage 3, with Nasser Al-Attiyah from Qatar in a Toyota

Gazoo Racing Hilux in second place and Frenchman, Stephane Peterhansel, in third place, driving the second Mini.

Sainz leads the Toyota by 10 minutes.

Due to punctures, South Africa’s Giniel de Villiers dropped down to 14th place in his Toyota Gazoo Racing Hilux. He has since regained the 6th place.

Formula 1 champion, Spaniard Fernando Alonso, from the Toyota Gazoo Racing Team, had a few mishaps in the early stages and dropped to 48th place in stage 2. He has since fought back and has demonstrated why he is a world champion, because he is in 15th place.

The side-by-Side or SSV class proves to be the most challenging, as no dominance has emerged up to stage 7. Two strong contenders, Casey Currie

from the USA and Francisco Lopez Contardo from Chile have both led the race twice. Currie spent four stages in 2nd place and Contardo three.

In the truck category the Petronas De Rooy Iveco team lost their experienced team members, while the multi-time winners, Russian KAMAZ Teams are the favourites.

Andrey Karginov took the lead in stage 4 and since secured a 21’12” lead over his countryman and KAMAZ team mate Anton Shibalov who has been in second place since stage 5.

With 5 stages remaining and 2174km of racing with a total distance of 3401km to be completed, a lot can still happen in a very challenging 2020 Dakar.

- Coen van Zyl

Homage to Goncalvez Paulo on Jan 12, 2020.

Photo: Francois Flamand/DPPI

#27 Rodrigues Joachim, Hero Motorsports Team Rally January 12, 2020 Photo: DPPI Media