The Bulletin Newspaper - 15 November 2019

ISSUE 249 - FREE

15

NOVEMBER 2019

COMMUNITY NEWS. ORIGINAL - ACCURATE - FIRST

017 631 1903 / 017 631 1845 • admin@thebulletin.co.za • 1 Kiewiet Street, Secunda (Lake Umuzi)

Remebrance Day: Lest we forget...

Read full story on pg 6

GMM financial recovery plan

T

he Govan Mbeki Municipality is in trouble! If one looks at all the comments on all the social media platforms, it is clear that the majority of GMM residents believe this is a fact. This was strengthened by the recent reports of being placed under Section 106 and Section 139 etc (read more in the mayor’s statement on pg ???).

The office of the MEC for Finance Economic Development & Tourism, Mr Pat Ngomani, handed an approved Financial Recovery Plan over to Govan Mbeki Municipality in compliance with Section 143(3) of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, Act 56 of 2003.

In his presentation Basie Straus (Head of MFMA (Municipal Finance Management Act) in Mpumalanga) said: “The municipality is facing financial crisis and numerous governances, service delivery and institutional challenges. Many of these challenges have been recurring over a period of time and repeatedly reported in the annual reports of the municipality, oversight reports and the audit reports, amongst others.

The mandatory provincial intervention requires that a Financial Recovery Plan (“Plan”) must be prepared.“ He further stated in his presentation:

“The approach adopted in the development of the Financial Recovery Plan was a consultative approach and the process included consultation with, amongst others, management and other staff of the municipality, organised labour, municipality’s principal creditors, Salga , MISA, relevant National and Provincial government departments (Provincial Treasury, Mpumalanga Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, DCoG) and that, the Financial Recovery Plan was published on the 22 March 2019 for public comments also that written inputs have been taken into consideration in the compilation of the Financial Recovery Plan which is holistic in nature and that the plan was approved on the 23 August 2019 by the MEC and the implementation thereof is critical to ensure financial recovery and sustainable service delivery.”

Basie Straus painted a bleak picture of the workings of the municipality.

“The governance challenges include amongst others: Dysfunctional council since January 2019 which resulted in gaps in oversight, risk management and control coupled with leadership inefficiencies have created opportunity for misappropriation of funds, non-adherence to legislation and prescripts, none implementation of

risk management, audit committee and internal audit recommendations, lack of mechanisms to address prevention of irregular, unauthorised, fruitless and wasteful expenditure.”

The presentation further states that: “The current vacancy rate is at 42%” and “There had been situations of disregard for recruitment legislation, policies and processes.” The bleak picture does not end there: “It is noted that there is no consequence management and there is a need to establish a Municipal Disciplinary Board.” When addressing the financial capabilities Basie said: “Majority of employees within finance and supply chain do not comply with minimum competency level. Also, the municipality needs to conduct a skills audit to assess level of skills, knowledge and competency it has.” There had been numerous calls, especially by the opposition, for a skills audit over the past years. This has been falling on deaf ears as the ruling party overruled the suggestion by using their majority.

Poor management of overtime and sick leave also compounded to the financial problems of GMM. When speaking about the infrastructure and service delivery Basie said: “Shortage of technical skills in the municipality such as engineers, electricians, technicians and planners

to plan, implement operate and maintain municipal infrastructure,” and “Distribution losses in water and electricity services, as a result of illegal connections, poor maintenance of the existing infrastructure and old electrical infrastructure with high energy indexes.”

Then this was highlighted: “Poor conditional grant management and expenditure. The Municipality was underspending on grant funding expenditure against national bench marks in the 2017/18 FY. As a result of the under expenditure, a total of R 33,2 million of grant funding was returned to the National Revenue Fund at the close of the financial year. This is highly unacceptable given the high service delivery backlogs and capital projects funding challenges the Municipality is currently facing.” It is very worrying that money that was given as a grant to improve our infrastructure was not spent on improving infrastructure.

The Financial status is the worst, “Liquidity Ratio: 0.34:1 (2015/16) decreased to 0.29:1 (2016/17) and increased to only 0.47:1 (2017/18).”

This means that the municipality would not even be able to carry their financial responsibilities for one month should all payments to GMM cease.

Continued on pg 5

NEWS

2

Crime

snippets Police looking for farm attackers Police have launched a manhunt for several suspects after an elderly couple, aged between 82 and 78, was allegedly attacked on a nearby farm outside Nelspruit during the early hours of Sunday morning, 3 November.

According to police, it is alleged that about four unknown suspects managed to gain entry of the house through a window, while the elderly couple and their son were asleep.

It was reported that once the suspects were inside, they accosted the elderly couple and money was demanded from the victims. The suspects allegedly assaulted the couple with sharp objects, believed to be pangas. It was further reported that during the commotion, the elderly couple’s middle-aged son, who was reportedly armed, woke up and intervened and there was an exchange of fire.

Subsequent to the shooting, the son sustained injuries to his lower body but reportedly managed to shoot at one of the suspects. The suspects, who left their firearm on the scene, allegedly took one firearm belonging to one of the victims, before they retreated. After the shooting, the suspects tried dragging the injured suspect out, but he reportedly died and was left nearby by the other suspects who fled.

The suspect’s body was found in the nearby bushes, a few meters away from the house.

The elderly couple and their son were rushed to hospital, while police have launched a manhunt to track down the remaining attackers. The Provincial Commissioner in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma has sent out a strong message that police will not rest until all of the suspects are brought to book.

Anyone with information that can assist the police in apprehending the remaining suspects can contact Detective Captain Boy Ellias Muahari on 082 303 9658. Alternatively, the public can anonymously call Crime Stop on 08600 10 111.

Police in Mpumalanga condemns the burning of six trucks, suspects sought

The police in Mpumalanga condemns in the strongest possible terms the burning of 6 trucks, one in Hendrina, four at Arnot and the sixth truck was reportedly set alight in Kriel. According to information, the three incidents took place on Monday night, 4 November.

At Hendrina, the complainant was reportedly asleep inside a parked truck when he was awoken by a noise of a breaking window of the truck.

It is alleged that the complainant saw an unknown male suspect who ordered him to get out of the truck. He reportedly saw 7 other unknown male suspects who are suspected to be accomplices to the one that was next to him.

The suspect that initially ordered him to get out of the truck, allegedly took out a box of matches and set alight the blankets that were inside the truck.

The suspects reportedly fled the scene in a White Toyota Corolla after noticing that police were coming. Police gave a chase to the suspects and they have not been arrested yet.

Four other trucks were also reportedly burnt in Arnot. This was after allegations that one of the truck drivers was ordered to take out his belongings by an unknown male suspect who made accusations that the truck driver is amongst people that continue to work while others are on strike.

Thereafter the said driver saw other trucks, that were in the same queue he was in, burning. The reports suggested that the trucks were queuing to deliver coal at Arnot Power Station.

The estimated damage caused by the burning of these trucks can amount to approximately R5 million and no arrests have been made as yet.

At this stage police are investigating cases of malicious damage to property and request that anyone with information that can lead to the arrest of the suspects involved in burning of the trucks.

Police in Mpumalanga welcome sentences meted against two robbers The police in Mpumalanga welcome sentences which were meted against two robbers. The accused Smangaliso Mathebula (25) and Edwin Zitha’s (27) reign of terror ended on 4 November when the Witbank Magistrates Court did not hesitate to sentence them to fifteen years as well as eight years respectively.

The court heard that on 10 September 2015, at approximately 10:45, a 28-yearold female victim was approached by two male perpetrators while waiting at a hiking spot on the Witbank/Ogies road.

One of the perpetrators pointed a knife at her and demanded cash and a cell phone from her. The victim surrendered both her cell phone and cash to the two men and screamed for help. The two men fled the scene into the bushes nearby. Meanwhile police vehicles from Witbank station arrived at the scene and immediately began searching for the perpetrators in the bushes. The dedicated members managed to arrest the two robbers and subsequently recovered the robbed items.

Both men were found guilty of robbery with aggravating circumstances.

Smangiso Mathebula was sentenced to fifteen years imprisonment whereas Edwin Zitha was sentenced to eight years. Both suspects were declared in terms of Section 103(1) Act 60/2000, unfit to possess firearms.

The police in Mpumalanga led by Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, sends a stern warning to other criminals that are still at large, that the net is soon closing-in on them. General Zuma has also applauded the dedicated Criminal Justice System

for ensuring that the robbers are convicted. General Zuma has further reiterated SAPS’ commitment to making sure that the members of the community are and feel safe. He encouraged the public to continue reporting any criminal activity that they witness so that police can effectively act on it.

Former Department of Labour employee sentenced for fraud The Witbank Regional Court on Monday, 4 November, convicted Thokozani Percy Skosana (42) for 15 counts of fraud.

Skosana is a former employee of the Department of Labour who was attached to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) section. During 2012, he fraudulently started a company named Simajale Transport and General Dealer and registered ghost employees and he claimed UIF benefits on their behalf resulting in the department losing R63033.56.

The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation ensued after the matter was reported, consequently Skosana was arrested and statements from people who were falsely registered to receive UIF benefits were obtained and they turned state witnesses.

Following a series of court appearances Skosana was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment, wholly suspended for 5 years and the Court additionally ordered him to pay the spent money back to the department. Furthermore, the convict was declared unfit to own a firearm in terms of the firearms control Act. The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Mpumalanga, Major General Zodwa Mokoena applauded the Investigating and the Prosecuting teams for the conviction.

An ATM card cloner to appear before court tomorrow Police’s relentless efforts to reduce crime in the province, especially during this festive season, has yielded positive results as a 45-year-old suspect was arrested on Saturday, 2 November, in connection with a case of theft in the Graskop area.

It is alleged that the man would target tourists whereby he would tamper with ATM machines so that when someone would attempt to insert a bank card, the card will get stuck and he would offer ‘courtesy assistance’ of some kind. The man would end up taking large amounts of the victims’ cash without their consent.

The police cannot rule out possibilities of linking this man to other various unresolved cases that similar modus operandi was used.

The police call on anyone that might have fallen victim to this scheme, especially in the Graskop and the surrounding areas, to approach the nearest police station or contact Detective Colonel James Mziako or Detective Sergeant Muzi Ngomane at 013 762 4419 or 082 565 7658 (c). Alternatively, members of the community can call 10111 or call and remain anonymous at 08600 10111.

The man is believed to have been operating in-and-around the area of Graskop for quite some time, targeting tourists and mostly those who are residing outside of the country, thinking that he cannot be caught as the majority of his victims would be reluctant to travel to-and-from overseas to attend court cases. However, his reign of terror has been halted by police and the man has already appeared at the Graskop Magistrate Court on Monday, 4 November. He was remanded in custody and had his 2nd appearance at the

15 November 2019 same Magistrate Court on Thursday, 7 November, for bail information.

The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma, has applauded the SAPS members for finally apprehending this suspect who have already been charged.

“We are looking forward to arresting more suspects that are terrorising our community especially during this time of the year where our people are targeted at ATMs as well as when they leave the banks with cash. Mpumalanga is a province that is visited by many tourists that are coming from other countries.

The province is also visited by tourists who invest a lot into the province’s economy and as police we cannot allow criminals to reign as well as terrorise our people and tourists under our watch. I want to send a stern warning to other criminals that we are coming for you and we will not rest until you are all behind bars”.

Suspect to appear for dealing in dagga A 39-year-old man appeared at the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court on 7 November for dealing in dagga.

The man was arrested on 6 November after police received information about a vehicle that was loading dagga at a farm in Magudu alongside the South Africa and the Kingdom of Eswatini borderline.

Police immediately responded to the information given and launched an operation. The vehicle that matched the description was spotted, stopped and searched. Upon searching, twelve bags loaded with dagga were found in the vehicle. The suspect was arrested and the vehicle confiscated.

A few minutes after the arrest, police received more information relating to dagga and immediately rushed to the scene. On arrival, about eight suspects fled the scene, leaving behind five bags fully loaded with dagga.

Meanwhile, three suspects aged between 39 and 51 were arrested on 5 November, at Masoyi, for possession of an unlicensed firearms and ammunitions.

Their arrest came after Pienaar Tactical Response Team received information about a vehicle with three occupants planning to enter the Kruger National Park via Numbi Gate. Police officials rushed to Masoyi area for visibility and while patrolling, they saw a vehicle matching the description given and stopped it. The vehicle was searched and a hunting rifle, an axe, silencer, seven live ammunitions, together with two butcher knives and two black bags were found inside the vehicle. All suspects were arrested and charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunitions.

Help police find 13-year-old girl Police at Kwamhlanga are asking the community to assist in locating 13-yearold Patricia Sihlangu who allegedly went missing last month.

According to information at police disposal, on 19 October Patricia attended a wedding with her family around Phola Park. Later, her mother began looking for her and one of her siblings mentioned that she left and indicated that she will be back soon.

Since that day, she never returned home and her whereabouts are unknown.

When they tried to call her cell phone, it was found to be switched off.

Police are making an appeal to the community to assist with information that can lead to the whereabouts of Patricia. Warrant Officer Lukas Mampho can be contacted on 079 572 2512/ 082 923 1974 or call the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111.

NEWS

15 November 2019

3

Sewerage: A lifestyle in eMbalenhle

The situation in eMbalenhle continues to deteriorate under the current leadership of Govan Mbeki Municipality, be it waste collection, electricity, water supply or sewerage, these are all big problems of late.

Earlier this year a company, known to the public, was appointed to sort out the sewerage problem in eMbalenhle.

A big budget by the National Government (COGTA) was assigned for this programme.

But more than a year later sewerage continues to run rampant in eMbalenhle. If you are driving around the township, you’ll come across

severe sewerage spills all over the township. Recently African Swine Fever hit eMbalenhle and affected pigs are still in the community. Everyone knows how contagious African Swine Fever is. There is a great concern from the community in extension 19 (Gate 5 and 6) eMbalenhle. The community is concerned that the pigs are drinking and eating from the sewerage in their yards. This has been reported to the municipality multiple times. The community has only given guidelines to deal with the situation but no action has been taken at all.

The community wrote to the office of

the Public Protector of South Africa regarding this situation and are still awaiting an answer.

“But as long as the community continues to be sick and our children vomit blood now and then because we smell sewerage every day,” said a concerned member from extension 19.

The Bulletin investigated the problem and the conditions are truly horrendous for anyone to live in.

A contractor was based in extension 18, near the sportsground, but when The Bulletin visited the site there was no one and the pipes weren’t being worked on nor could anyone tell how far along the project is.

When people nearby this site were asked about the contractor, they said that a very bad job has been done.

The community was unsatisfied and no one knows what is happening.

Now the questions arise again: did the contractor up and leave with all the money and no one from GMM is

following up on what happened or did no one from Co-operative Governance (COGTA) follow up on the progress of the programme?

One of the community members said: “The problem is accountability from the Tendering Committee in Govan Mbeki Municipality it is not monitored by anyone which makes them to do as they please. There is nothing good going on in this township because no one from Gert Sibande Municipality ever do roadshows to evaluate and monitor the day to day running of the municipality but this municipality is under the big District Gert Sibande.”

If no action is taken, sooner rather than later, eMbalenhle will have to be declared a Disaster Place to live in because health conditions are at its worst and no one cares about it.

- Sandile Mkhwanazi

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NEWS

4

So is die lewe

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pasaangeëer tydelik verdwyn, en jy is skielik weer 22 jaar oud.

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15 November 2019

Ds Marius Britz Dit was ‘n grou, deinserige Augustusmiddag in Springs. Die mense rondom die oop graf waarin Pa se kis besig was om te sak, het soos skimme in swart geklee voor my oë gewaad.

Sy skielike dood het ons almal verward, geskok en antwoordloos gelaat. Meteens sien ek dit: op die vars graf net langs syne het ‘n opgerolde velletjie papier gelê.

Toe ek en broer en ooms en neefs klaar vir Pa toegegooi het, het ek uit nuuskierigheid die opgerolde papier opgetel. Die woorde daarop, met die hand geskryf, het my tussen die oë geboul: “Wie, Wie het ek buiten U / buiten U, in die hemel?/ Sonder U begeer ek niks / begeer ek niks op aarde.” Die bekende geestelike lied se woorde het op daardie oomblik my oorrompel in ‘n mengsel van verdriet, verrukking en verlange. Dieselfde het ek dikwels daarna ervaar die talle kere toe ek as kapelaan agter die kanonwa geloop het waarop ‘n gesneuwelde soldaat se kis, gedrapeer met die landsvlag, vasgemaak is. Die draers en slippedaers agter my het, soos ek, stadige pas marsjeer op die maat van Handel se Dodemars van Saul, wat deur die militêre orkes gespeel is. Maar daar is ook vroliker musiek wat jou in ruimte en tyd verplaas na ander tye van jou lewe. Die klank van Grease op jou matriekafskeid, en jy en die pragtige swartkopmeisie wat die liefde van jou lewe op skool was, rittel en beef op die maat van John Travolta en Olivia Newton John. Sy met haar wit rokkie, en jy met jou driestukpak en blink skoene wat by Josephs, die Indiese winkel by die duikweg langs Springsstasie teen ‘n “special price for you” gekoop is. Oudword was nie ‘n woord wat vir ons bestaan het nie. Die onthou van jou en jou maters wat in Kerkstraat in Pretoria met jou geel duinebesie ry, terwyl Golden Earring se Radar Love luidrugtig blêr, laat jou borskaspyne en

Neurowetenskaplikes verklaar sulke emosies deur te wys op bepaalde breingebiede se funksies wat ekstase bewerkstellig. Musiek het ‘n bepaalde effek op daardie funksies, en jou ervarings as gevolg daarvan. So byvoorbeeld beinvloed barokmusiek breingolwe. Gamma-breingolwe is die vinnigste golwe. Hulle word geassosieer met diep konsentrasie en hoë vlakke van kognitiewe funksionering.

Dit lei tot verhoogde rasionele aktiwiteit, waarvan mens in leketaal sê dat jy “nie kan afskakel nie.” Barokmusiek, soos diè van Vivaldi, verander dit egter in Alpha-golwe, wat verstandelike kalmte, rustigheid en selfs studeervaardighede stimuleer. Dit bring die brein na ‘n meditatiewe fase. Daarom is barokmusiek goed om na te luister as jy gaan slaap, en dit is selfs deel van die baie studiepakkette wat op die mark verkrygbaar is.

Musiek het die manier om ‘n dubbelhartigheid by ons te besorg: ons kan daarmee by die kruis kniel, of ten hemele “waarom?” skreeu soos Habakuk; ons kan met geestelike musiek lofprysing doen, en met rockmusiek alles bevraagteken.

Musiek kan ons sag en deernisvol maak, maar musiek kan ons ook opsweep tot hardvogtige aggressie en roekeloosheid.

Musiek kan ons verplaas na ‘n diepe gevoelswêreld van pyn en weerloosheid, en dit kan ons gemoed laat oorloop van goeie onthou, van ‘n herlewing van ekstatiese oomblikke. Ek het talle kere gesien hoe “Going back west” van Boney M ‘n gevrekte onthaal of jaareindfunksie eensklaps lewe gee. Ek het ook beleef hoe “Oshakati Vamboland” en “The ballad of the green berets” my onbeskaamd laat huil tussen vreemde mense.

Die filosoof Plato het gesê dat die siel van die heelal deur musikale harmonie gekomponeer is. Wanneer jy stigtelike musiek hoor, spreek die skoonheid en harmonie daarvan tot die disharmonie in jou. Daaruit kom die weemoed en die verlange na heelmaking, die verrukking van die musiek beklemtoon jou eie disharmonie, dit neem jou

breingolwe terug na soortgelyke ervarings in jou lewe, tye van vrees, van vreugde of van hartseer. Soos Queen se lied “I want to break free” my altyd sal laat dink aan troepe in hulle browns wat tydens basiese opleiding in peletonne voor my kantoor by Lugmaggimnasium verbyhardloop, terwyl hulle dit uit volle bors sing. Of “San Francisco” deur Scott Mackenzie aan my laaste gesprek met ‘n boesemvriend, kort voordat hy selfdood gepleeg het.

Prof. Wilhelm Jordaan maak die stelling dat baie vorme van kunste doen wat musiek doen.

Hy gebruik die voorbeeld Van El Greco se skildery Die trane van Petrus wat in Toledo, Spanje hang. In die middle van die skildery staan die apostel Petrus in die stilte van trane – trane oor die dood van sy geliefde Meester, en trane oor sy eie verraad. Die skildery lei jou oë

van ‘n oorheersend donker en somber gedeelte na Petrus se betraande oë wat, beklemtoon deur lig, met eerbied opkyk na ‘n onsigbare God wat iewers daar bo is.

Om daarmee te sê: In die mens Petrus, soos in elkeen van ons, is daar donker en lig. Dit sluit mekaar nie uit nie. Ons het donker nodig om lig te herken, ons het huil nodig om lag te waardeer, donker is ‘n voorwaarde om lig te verstaan.

Soos Danie Niehaus sing in sy lied Grys Gebiede: “In elkeen is daar donker / in elkeen is daar lig. / o, ek kan net raai, maar ek kan nie sê / hoe wyd die grys gebiede voor ons lê. / Stilte, doodse stilte / waar is almal heen?” Musiek, gedigte en skilderye vat jou daarheen, na die goed en die sleg.

En so word die harmonie in die heelal buite ons, uiteindelik die immer skuiwende ewewig tussen donker en lig ín ons.

Tannie Poppie se Lekker Souskluitjies Genoeg vir 6-8 mense 1,5 L water 300g (375 ml) suiker 15 ml botter 5 ml fyn kaneel 280g (500) koekmeel 15 ml bakpoeier 1 ml sout 30 ml ongesoute botter 2 eiers, geklits 125 ml melk Verhit die oond tot 2600C of op die hoogste stelling op jou oond.

Gooi die water, suiker, botter en kaneel in ‘n plat kastrol.

Bring tot kookpunt en roer tot suiker opgelos het.

Sif meel, bakpoeier en sout saam in ‘n mengbak.

Vryf die botter in met jou fingerpunte tot dit soos broodkrummels lyk.

Klits eiers en melk saam en voeg by droë bestanddele. Maak aan tot deeg.

Skep eetlepelsvol deeg in warm stroop in die kastrol en maak kastrol toe met deksel.

Plaas in warm oond en bak 40 minute.

Haal uit en sit warm voor.

(Poppie se wenk: Ek gebruik altyd ongesoute botter want botter met sout maak vir my ‘n gereg net souter.)

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15 November 2019

SPORT NEWS

5

Budget amended downwards During the Special Council sitting on Friday, 8 November, an item relating to the adjustment of the budget was presented to council.

The first line of the item read as follows: “On the advice received from National Treasury, to submit a 2019/2020 Special Adjustment Budget for consideration and approval.” And also: ”In a letter dated the 08th of October 2019, National Treasury informed the municipality that it has failed to comply with the stipulations of Section 18 of the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, Act 56 of 2003, which prohibits the adoption of an unfunded budget.”

The leading paragraph in the letter from National Treasury reads as follows: “According to our records, your municipality has proceeded to adopt an unfunded budget for the 2019/20 financial year. As you are aware in terms of your fiduciary duties as the Accounting Officer of the municipality, section 18 of the Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003 (Act No 56 of 2003), prohibits the adoption of an unfunded budget. Your failure to comply with the requirements of the MFMA is not only disappointing but can have adverse consequences for your municipality if left uncorrected.”

Followed by: “An unfunded budget is indicative that the financial plan adopted by the municipality is inadequate to give effect to the priorities identified by a municipality for a particular year. It is also a leading indicator of impending financial distress.”

On 23 October the Provincial Treasury met with GMM and the following recommendations were made: “The municipality should reduce the bulk purchase electricity by R90 million or 15 percent from an original budget of R601 million, representing the distribution losses reduction. Ultimately the final budget for bulk purchases for electricity will be R511 million.

The bulk purchases for water expenditure should be decreased from R313 million to R294 million, which

translate to R18 million of 6 percent reduction on distribution losses.

The municipality should reduce the contracted services by R8 million from technical services, which is from an original budget of R271 million to R263 million which

million from R34 million and they will be left with R10 million.

The municipality should consider improving its collection rate from 65% to 90% and all adjustments mentioned above. The

translates to a 3 percent saving.

The municipality should restructure their balance sheet through Eskom and Rand Water debt of R931 million being moved from current to long term liabilities.

Municipality should negotiate a repayment plan with the two creditors and pay the debt over a long term and the payment plan should be implemented from the 1st of July 2020.

The municipality was advised to increase their collection rate from 65 percent to 90 percent and this shift will assist the municipality in reducing the unfunded budget.

The municipality should collect 20 percent of R1.2 billion of the total debtors which would amount to R240 million, the deficit will be reduced.

The municipality should reduce the debtors with credit balances with R24

municipality should finally realise a surplus of R38 million.”

This would be a tall order indeed.

The original budget was opposed by all opposition parties when presented in council earlier this year.

“The Democratic Alliance had vehemently opposed the approval of both the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 unfunded budgets which reflected deficits of millions of Rands to the point that several extraordinary council meetings were left without a quorum due to walkouts.

It was responded at the time by the ANC Executive Mayor that Treasury had given permission for the municipality to approve a budget with a deficit and that this was not a problem. Despite the cardinal warning of the DA against approving an unfunded budget which is prohibited by law, the budgets were pushed through

the council every time by an ANC majority vote.” Said DA Caucus leader Cllr Ciska Jordaan, “It is inexcusable that the council must now be slapped on the wrist by the province and threatened with funds that could be withheld from Provincial and National treasuries, should these strategic documents not be implemented. In addition, it is extremely disconcerting how the “special adjustment budget” could have been conjured without the Annual Financial Statement having been presented to the council, the Auditor General and the respective Treasuries.”

“Had the council adopted and implemented motions that were submitted by the DA to this effect in the past year, the municipality would have been well underway in improving the status quo,” said Ciska, “The DA is also immensely concerned that communities are yet to receive word on the status of negotiations with ESKOM since there had been notice to the municipality of a cut-off due to non-payment.”

FF+ Cllr Aranda Nel-Buitendag said in a statement that “While the opposition voted against the said budget – the ruling party ANC approved it. The ANC must stop using ourpolitical interferences in the budget. This just shows with all the red lights that came out of council and the ruling party did not take it into consideration the financial crises the municipality is in.

The municipal is using Eskom and Rand Water like a bank to generate income from the paying community while the others enjoy services for free.”

The opposition parties decided not to oppose nor approve the budget.

All opposition parties voted against the first budgets and have made their choices clear.

The budget is a tough one and it will be hard to keep to the requirements of the budget.

Let us all hope that the political will be enough to put GMM on the recovery path.

GMM financial recovery plan Basie continues with: “Creditors payment period for the 2015/16 and 2016/17 financial years was extremely high at 192 days and 265 days respectively and increased to 329 days for the 2017/18 financial year showing that the municipality is unable to pay its creditors within 30 days as per MFMA.” Then lastly: “Govan Mbeki Local Municipality is in breach of its obligations to meet its financial commitments by failing to make payments as and when due which in aggregate is more than 2 percent of the Municipality’s budgeted operating expenditure in terms of Section 140 (2) (c) of the MFMA.” The Supply Chain Management is a major concern for the team from Mbombela. They site: “Lack of skills and expertise in SCM officials, Gross non-adherence to SCM Regulations and procedures, Bid Adjudication Committee not consistent with SCM Regulations, R324 million will be classified as irregular expenditure as a minimum amount and Financial misconduct in corruption and fraudulent cases have not been investigated as per the MFMA Financial

Misconduct Regulations.” One of the first steps in the Financial Recovery Plan (FRP) is to align the IDP and Budget process plan with the FRP, monitor budget performance in relation to actual performance on revenue collection and spending, reprioritise the budget in line with the Cashflow Management Plan, re-align budgeted expenditure from non-critical expenditure items and to agreed service delivery priorities, review the budget for tabling of a realistic adjustment budget considering the actual performance since beginning of the financial year and consider and implement Provincial Treasuries recommendations on unfunded budget assessments. The implementation of the FRP vests with Govan Mbeki Municipality, the Mayor and Council, the Municipal Manager, Chief Financial Officer, other Senior Managers and staff in general.

The municipality must report monthly on the implementation of this plan as required in terms of Section 146(1) (c) of the MFMA to the MEC Finance, including to the Provincial Executive,

National and Provincial Treasury, DCoG and Mpumalanga CoGTA. The Bulletin spoke to the official opposition party, The Democratic Alliance, for their responses on the proposed FRP. Democratic Alliance Caucus leader, Ciska Jordaan, said in a statement to The Bulletin: “The Democratic Alliance is disappointed that this severe level of intervention by the Provincial Treasury was only discussed in the council chambers now since the municipality has been aware of the necessity for the construction of the FRP from 11 October. This disappointment is especially fuelled by the fact that the DA has been calling for the intervention of the Province since before the first unfunded budget was approved in 2018 and the lack of transparency with which the process of preparing the FRP was conducted.” Ciska further said: “According to the MFMA, 14 days before finalising such a plan, a variety of stakeholders must provide their input including organised labour and the local community. It is doubtful whether these stakeholders have been given the

opportunity, since the DA was not made aware of any public participation that was taking place. The inconsistency with which the ANC Executive of the Municipality attempted to defend the process had not done much to clarify these doubts and shows a total lack of transparency. While the Speaker, Nhlakanipho Zuma indicated that there were stakeholders who have submitted written comments; the Chief Whip of Council, Doctor Mtshali had said during the council meeting that public participation still needs to take place.”

(Read the Full statement online) The Bulletin noted that none of the opposition parties received copies of the approved FRP. The Council noted that if the Municipal Council fails to take necessary measures to implement the FRP, the Provincial Executive may take necessary steps as legislated. This includes steps up to dissolving council.

The resolve of the entire council will determine the outcome of this FRP. Let us all hope that the ruling party will see this as an opportunity to rectify some of the incompetency’s of the past decade.

NEWS

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15 November 2019

Remeberance Day - Lest we Forget

▶ 11 November 1918, a day that will be remembered for a long time still. On this day at 11AM the fighting stopped.

The first World War broke out in 1914, 105 years ago. It was the first true Global War, where fighting took place from the icy waters of the South Atlantic to the deserts of the Middle East, from the coasts of China and Turkey to the simmering heat of East Africa, from the highest peaks of the Alps to the trenches of Western Europe.

Over 71 million (71 497 467) soldiers fought in the war, and where every country suffered the loss of loved ones.

Armistice Day is on 11 November and is also known as Remembrance Day. It marks the day World War One ended, at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month, in 1918.

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A two-minute silence is held at 11am to remember the people who have died in wars.

There is also Remembrance Sunday every year, which falls on the second Sunday in November.

On this day, there are usually ceremonies at war memorials, cenotaphs and churches throughout the country, as well as abroad.

The anniversary is used to remember all the people who have died in wars - not just World War One. The first twominute silence in Britain was held on 11 November 1919, when King George V asked the public to observe a silence at 11am.

This was one year after the end of World War One. He made the request so “the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead”.

South Africa is no different when it comes to remembering the Fallen.

The Moths commemorated Armistace day at the Makumbura Shellhole near Kruik. The parade started before 11AM. It was a very emotional affair. People laid wreaths for those that they would like to remember. It was also the first time that a wreath was laid for our own Regimental Sergeant Major Aart Reedijk.

The ‘war to end all wars’ cost the lives of a total of 8 634 300 soldiers. Twenty years later, the Second World War (1939-1945) saw the loss of 24 517 000 combatants’ lives. In addition to these statistics, millions of civilians died during both conflicts.

As a comparatively young country which permitted only a small segment of its population to bear arms, South Africa nevertheless made significant contributions to the Allied causes in both world wars and in the Korean War (1950-3). In the First World War, 245 419 South Africans of all races volunteered for military service; during the Second World War, 342 692 South African men and women of every race came forward; and in the Korean War, 826 men saw service with No 2 Squadron, South African Air Force while ten officers of the South African Armoured Corps served with the British Army. Will we remember them?

Ideas of silent remembrance for those who died for their country emerged

around the world at the time of the First World War. The horrendous slaughter of that war and the grieving it caused sent shockwaves around the world.

When the war took a turn for the worse in 1918, many areas in South Africa called for a halt of activity at midday to ‘...direct the minds of the people to the tremendous issues which are being fought out on the Western Front’. The Mayor of Cape Town, Sir Harry Hands, declared this policy official on 14 May 1918 and, on 14 December 1918, following the signing of the armistice in November, an impressive public display of remembrance was observed in Cape Town. At the firing of the midday gun, traffic came to a halt, all hats were raised and the public stood in silence as the Last Post and Reveille sounded through the streets.

The implementation of the ‘Two Minute Silence’, traditionally held throughout the British Empire (now the Commonwealth of Nations), has its roots in South Africa. It was the proposal by Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, wellknown South African philanthropist, author and politician, which was acted upon. Fitzpatrick had been deeply affected by the loss of his son, Nugent, in France in December 1917.

In commemoration of the Armistice, he appealed to King George V for a two-minute pause to be observed annually throughout the Empire at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month: one minute in remembrance of the fallen in war; and one minute in gratitude for those who survived. Fitzpatrick had access to the King, who was moved by the idea.

After the end of the Second World War in 1945, the observance of Remembrance Day has also embraced silent remembrance of all those who have died in conflict since the First World War. As South Africans unite as one nation, we should use 11 November to remember the 12 452 South African casualties suffered in the First World War, the 38 208 casualties suffered in the Second World War, and the 34 pilots killed in the Korean War. Many war graves to South Africans lie far from home, in Namibia, in France and Belgium, in Tanzania, Ethiopia, the Middle East, Italy, Korea and elsewhere.

Closer to home, we should remember the many South Africans who died in

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the conflicts on our borders and in the Liberation Struggle of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

As yet, there are no reliable figures for these casualties, but what is important is that they all contributed to building our country as we know it today.

As the soldier’s prayer states, And when you go home tell them of us and say For your tomorrow we gave our today Our gift was great, but you must now give a greater gift We died. Now you must nobly live To complete the plan And make man brother unto man.

The Remembrance Prayer: They shall not grow old As we that are left grow old Age shall not weary them Nor the years condemn them At the going down of the sun And in the morning WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM -Theheritageportal.co.za -wikipedia

SPORT NEWS

15 November 2019

7

For the love of flying

A few years ago, a man had a dream and within 4 months his dream was a reality! This man was Christoff le Grange.

Christoff grew up in Bothaville, Free State, on a farm. During his formative years his love grew for aviation. He spoke to a lot of people about joining the air force but everyone he spoke to had very pessimistic views regarding the air force. Instead Christoff attended the University of the Free State (Kovsies) and studied BCom. Still, the aviation bug bit him and he did not want to give up on his dream of becoming a pilot. Anyone can tell you that once the aviation bug bites you it becomes an expensive hobby that only later turns into a career.

He went to England for 6 months and came back to finish his PPL (Private Pilot’s Licence). In 2003 Christoff finished his PPL in Klerksdorp and in 2012 he made the decision to finish his CPL (Commercial Pilot’s Licence).

He kept on going to England to do conversions on his licence and also to obtain new aircraft types on his licence. Before finishing his CPL Christoff did freelance flying to make up his hours for his CPL. With his passion for aviation Christoff was very involved in air races. He and his wife, Zené, were a mean team in this year’s Pilot Insure Speed Navigation Rally that was held at the Secunda Airfield.

But back to the story… In 2017

Christoff took the big leap and resigned from Sasol where he was a Project Manager. He did not make this move carelessly. He ensured that he did all his homework first. He spoke to a lot of people and was met with more negative feedback than positive.

But the fact remained that there was a need for a flying school in the Highveld area.

Christoff contacted the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) and submitted the manuals that were required to open the school. He wrote all the manuals himself. During the time he waited for the CAA to issue the school’s licence, Christoff started marketing the school to ensure that there were students once the licence was approved by the CAA. Four months later, 15 August 2017, the licence was in hand and the school started to operate. By December the school was so busy he had to hire another instructor. In a matter of four months there were two permanent instructor and two temporary instructors employed by the school. That was when Aviation Junction was born!

Today, Christoff is off to Hong Kong to fly for Cathay Pacific. “I took a chance and didn’t think I’ll get the job. In August I went for the interview and a month later the job was mine,” he said. After hearing the brilliant news, Christoff still went full steam ahead in running Aviation Junction. He realised

Christoff flying with his daughter and wife, Zené later on that it would be difficult to run the school from another country with the time difference.

A lot of people approached him, he had to know that when he leaves Secunda the school will be in safe hands. After much thought he decided that it was best to sell the school and leave it in the capable hands of Peter Nordin. Peter was a perfect decision for Christoff because they share the same dedication and passion for

aviation.

“You always think that you do not have opportunities and that the opportunity will come to you one day. Do not wait for an opportunity to come to you!

You have to go out there and make your own opportunity. If you follow your passion and put everything in something has to work for you.

We wish you all the best with your new adventure Christoff. Safe skies!

– Ané Prinsloo

Local Choir to Sing with Manuel Escorcio On Sunday, 17 November, the Highveld Ridge Youth Choir will be performing with the world renowned Manuel Escorcio. Manuel is well known as the man with the “golden voice”. He started out as an Opera singer where he grabbed the attention of many

but he gained more popularity with his popular music and charismatic stage presence. Some of his hits are Vrygesel and Take me where the sun is shining. He has travelled the world and performed in numerous countries.

One of his career milestones is that he

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was awarded the exceptional honour of a Medallion and Comendador title for the Portuguese Government. Highveld Ridge Youth Choir has requested to sing “Funiculi Funicula” with Manuel and he has agreed to do so. On Sunday, 17 November the Highveld Ridge

Youth Choir will perform at Eish!! South African Kitchen from 11h00, thereafter Manuel will perform. Entrance is free of charge and families can enjoy the lovely classical sounds on Eish!!’s deck or from any of the other restaurants at Lake Umuzi Waterfront. - Rolin Booysen

NEWS/SCHOOL

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15 November 2019

Thank You GMM

Another day. Another senseless tragedy. But thankfully, no more.

Over the past many years the intersection of PdP Kruger and Kiewiet Street, the corner with the Proconics building on the way towards Lake Umuzi, was the scene of many gruesome accidents. It seemed that hardly a week went by without a bumper bashing or worse. Over the years there had been many discussions about what should be done – but ultimately nothing changed – and smashed cars kept piling up. The situation culminated several months ago with a horrific accident – and a scene of mangled bodies – many of them small children. The first responders, on their way to work or running from inside the Proconics building, tell hair-raising stories of that day.

Often it takes a crisis to get us to action. And while it took a tragedy, the dangers of the intersection have been addressed through decisive action. The new stop street erected here has turned the situation around.

There have been no accidents over the last several months, and those of us frequently using that junction can all breath easier.

Thank-you GMM for your action.

It reminds all of us that one good execution beats a hundred great plans every time.

Signed, Govan Mbeki Chamber of Business Lifestyle Supermarket hosted a Potjiekos competition at their shop

Die volgende leerders is as trofeewenners by die Prestasie-aand van Laerskool Secunda aangekondig. Van links na regs: Voor: Andoré Doman, Lukas Coetzee, Alanzo Blankenberg, Anina Joubert, Matshidiso Makgato, Schalk Brits, Mielan Prinsloo, Juan Jacobs en Ruben Meister.

Agter: Lu-Mari du Plessis, Cayleigh Uys, Verena Nadasen, Heide-Mari Jooste, Gabriella Stemmet, John Opperman, Janco van Zyl, Steffan Meister, Tristen Bezuidenhout, Jared Davies en Eben Binneman.

Laerskool Secunda se hoofleiers vir 2020 is aangekondig. Van links na regs: Mecayla Mudrovcic, Anina Joubert, Annemé Breytenbach (Hoofmeisie), Alanzo Blankenberg (Hoofseun), Sakkie Brits en Ruben Strydom. recently. The aim was to raise funds to donate to a children’s charity. Heritage

Properties was declared the winner of the day. Well done to all!

Congratulations to Pets Moderna on their 1 Year anniversary on Friday, 15 November! Pets Moderna is located at Terra Nova May there be many more years to come and many happy, healthy pets.

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15 November 2019

SPORT SCHOOL

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Carnival Kids hosted graduation and Christmas concert

On Wednesday, 6 November, Carnival Kids hosted their graduation and Christmas concert at eish!! with special guest PJ Pretorius.

The evening kicked off at 18:00 with

the graduates in their togas and mortarboards better known as Oxford caps. The graduates received their certificates and were all very proud of finishing “small” school and entering

the “big” school world!

The rest of the classes performed different Christmas carols and PJ Pretorius entertained the crowd with songs like Hallelujah and Holy Night.

It was an evening to remember and enjoyed by all. Congratulations to all the graduates and we hope you’ll enjoy the “big” school.

– Ané Prinsloo

Mpumalanga Kampioenskappe vir Laerskool Gholfers

Goedehoop is naaswenners in Gholf Mpumalanga-finaal

Op Maandag, 4 November, het die Hoëveldrif streek die Mpumalanga Kampioenskappe aangebied op Graceland vir Laerskool Gholfers. Die 18 lede, waarvan 12 seuns en 6 dogters was, van die Hoëveldrif span is gekies na aanleiding van die Hoëveldrif-proewe en Laerskool Liga. Daar was 11 Laerskole en 95 Laerskool Gholfers betrokke in die Liga. Al 4 streke in Mpumalanga (Nkangala; Hoëveld Bond; Laeveld & Hoëveldrif) het hul beste Gholfers gestuur, daar was 45 Seuns en 14 Dogters op die dag. Na 18 putjies in die warm son op Graceland se baan is daar 12 seuns en 6 dogters gekies om Mpumalanga te verteenwoordig by die Interprovinsiale Laerskole Gholfkampionskappe wat vroeg Desember gespeel word.

Die Gholf Mpumalanga-finaal het plaasgevind op 28 Oktober te Nelspruit. Goedehoop se A-span is naaswenners in Mpumalanga in die IPS afdeling. Hulle dring deur na die Interprovinsiale toernooi wat plaasvind op 25 en 26 November te Noordwes. Goedehoop se B-span eindig 3de in die IPS afdeling.

Voor: Dieter van Niekerk, Rickardt van Heerden, Lourens van Niekerk, Hancke van Heerden Agter: Dieter Adendorff, Nico Viljoen, Jayden Joubert, Iman de Necker

Goedehoop stel hoofleiers bekend

Goedehoop gholf super 12

Die Hoofleiers en Uitvoerende Leierraad vir 2020.

Voor: Cayla Rossouw (ULR Kultuur), Simeon Rudolph (Hoofseun), Juandri Fourie (Hoofdogter), Christiaan Jonker (ULR Kultuur) Agter: Elri Kruger (ULR Sport), Bismarck Jansen (ULR Sport), Walt Voster (ULR Akademie), Mia du Toit (ULR Akademie)

Op 24 & 25 Oktober het die Super 12 Gholf the Randpark plaasgevind.

Goedehoop eindig 3de in die IPS-afdeling en 9de in die Zero voorgee afdeling.

Lourens van Niekerk wen die IPS-afdeling en eindig 2de in die Zero voorgee afdeling. VLNR: Hancke van Heerden, Lourens van Niekerk, Dieter Adendorff, Rickardt van Heerden

SPORT

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15 November 2019

Sasol Cycling Club Lords & Ladies Charity Ride Background: As part of their community involvement project for the year the Sasol Cycling Club (SCC) is arranging a charity ride on 23 November 2019 at 9:30. All proceeds of the event will go towards Janelle Huis, safe haven for orphaned children.

Format of the Event: The event will be in the format of a safari picnic on bicycles through the green area in Secunda. All this while being dressed in High Tea style clothing with a cycling helmet. The event will start at the parking area across the Builders Warehouse shopping area. From there participants will cycle towards

the duck pond stopping half way at the first picnic area. They will be treated with a range of picnic treats: · Muffins · Small biscuits · Scones and jam These treats will be enjoyed while relaxing on a picnic blanket in the shade of the trees.

The next stop will be at the duck pond where there will be a range of refreshments: · Ice tea · Soft drinks or · Flavoured water On their way back participants will be treated with ice cream or a similar desert. Along the route there will be photographers capturing the memorable moments. Photos will be

available on the SCC Facebook web page after the event.

Entry to the event will be a short message of hope in the event book and a shopping bag with nonperishable food, baby nappies or a cash donation.

Depending on the availability the organisers would like to hand a small token of appreciation to the participants in the form of a memento once they completed the safari picnic.

The event will be covered by The Bulletin newspaper before and after the event.

All the local schools will be invited to partake. The organisers realise that

the event is scheduled during the end of the exams but will aim to keep the break to 2 - 3 hours.

Prizes: There will be prizes for the following categories: · Primary School Lady and Gentleman · High school Lady and Gentleman · Adult Lady and Gentleman Judgment will not be on the time taken to complete the event but rather for the spirit in which it was completed.

Support required: The organisers are looking for support with the following: · Sponsoring a suitable prize for the category winners · Supplies and manning of any of the picnic station · Mementos for the participants.

Wild Cat Energy National Rally Continued from pg 12 Chris Coertse, this time with Kes Naidoo reading the notes for him in a Toyota Etios set the second fastest time (following the loaning of his Etios to Matthew Vacy-Lyle/ Schalk Van Heerden in 2015, after they destroyed their car in a massive roll, Vacy-Lyle thought it only right to return the favour for Coertse, whose car was completely destroyed by fire in the previous rally, to chase a second place in the championship) Botterill/Vacy Lyle (Toyota Gazoo) finished both stages in third.

Potgieter/Swartz continued their domination and won both stage three

and four putting them at the top of the leader board followed by Coertse/ Naidoo and Botterill/Vacy-Lyle.

Stage five was a tar stage held at the newly built Formula K Kart Track. The 1,562m long track built to CIK FIA specifications would be used for day one end stage and the start of day two, where they would run at two-minute intervals, with up to six cars running at the same time.

Again, it was Potgieter/Swartz took the stage with Botterill/Vacy-Lyle setting the second fastest time to move ahead of Coertse/Naidoo at the end of the day.

Day 2 dawned with cold wet conditions greeting the teams as they lined up

Girls' soccer team beats the boys

for a repeat of the Formula K Kart track stage. Botterill/Vacy-Lyle, just to remind everyone what the were capable of, won the stage ahead of Potgieter/ Swartz. Third fastest time was regional competitor Jayden Els/ Barry White (Jemsport Toyota Conquest). At 15, Els is the youngest competitor in the field and showing great promise as a future rally driver to watch out for.

Stage seven and eight, a repeat of day one’s stages three and four, once again belonged to Potgieter/Swartz with Botterill/ Vacy-Lyle happy to take it easy and just finish.

“We are quite happy not to push and possibly damage the car,” said Botterill.

LPBH: Just Nuisance Dog Walk

Yvette Jonker with Camelot This squad that was selected to play in the trials for Wits University that took place at Sasol Club, Kinross on 10 November. Thanks to Lake Umuzi for for an invite. Our girls participate in the Top 18 with 17 of the teams being boys' teams. We are only 1 girls' team.

They played a 1 - 1 draw and won with a penalty 4 - 2. Penalty scored by

1.Ntokozo Mbape 2. Zain Mshishi 3.

Katsande Fabrigas 4. Anitta S’k. Our goalkeeper, Karabo, saved two of them.

Our next fixture this coming Sunday, 16 november, against another boys' team.

We hope we will go through to the semifinal.From head coach Lindokuhle Mngomezulu (0818999516) "Your support will be much appreciated!"

“We have a championship to win not a race.”

With two more stages two go, barring any major incidents, it looked like Potgieter/Swartz were ready to take their third rally win for the year. Keeping up their form, they won the last two stages. Botterill/VacyLyle’s second position ensured Vacy-Lyle joined Botterill with their sixth South African Rally Championship.

So, the 2019 Rally championship ended with the rally wins being shared between Botterill and Potgieter, setting up for an interesting 2020.

AND THAT’S A WRAP FOLKS….

- Sue Vacy Lyle - Motorsport Mondays

Little Paws Big Hearts hosted their Just Nuisance Dog Walk this past Saturday, 9 November, at Kamp Oase, Lake Umuzi.

The route was 2-kilometres around the Kamp Oase dam. The theme was Bringing Honour to our Dog Heroes. At 08:00 people started arriving with their fur babies, big and small! You could enter your dog or cat into a show or just enjoy

FLTR: Jonathan Jordaan and Hannibal, Mariaan Chamberlain and Amy, Ciska Jordaan and Camelot and Jessica Jonker and Hunter the 2-kilometre fun walk around the dam.

The walk started just after 09:00 once registration was completed by all. Dogs big and small walked their owners, yes walked their owners, around the 2-kilometre track.

The day was enjoyed by big and small; cats and dogs and we are sure the humans enjoyed it too! – Ané Prinsloo

SPORT

15 November 2019

11

The Lake Umuzi Soccer Challenge and Sevens Project Games

Emba Yizo-Yizo (Red) vs. Emba Inter Roses (Blue)

Games at Sasol Club, Kinross: Balfour Liverpool 4 – 1 Vosloorus TK MICS Empowerment Group 4 – 3 Emba Home Boys Sasol Juventus Ladies 4 – 3 Leandra Boys Kinross Thistle Grove 4 – 0 Emba Power United Emba Carara Kicks 3 – 2 Vosloo Stars Games played in eMbalenhle ext 5:

Emba Stars 4 – 5 Emba Getto Emba Sabelo Stars 2 – 1 Emba Golden Lions Games played in Leandra: Emba Yizo-Yizo 4 – 0 Emba Inter Roses Leslie London Roots 2 – 1 Devon United Leslie Zone 13 – 0 Leslie Mkhonza FC 1

All teams who qualify will be competing in the selection games on 17 November in eMbalenhle. The Bidvest WITS Junior team will also be present at the trails.

“All players must please ensure that all their exams are passed and the players must study for the remaining exams. If a player is selected for the Bidvest WITS Junior team, they

cannot fail any exams.

If a player fails an exam, the player can lose their spot in the team.

Education is very important and that is why all players must ensure to study hard and pass all the exams,” said Mr Jacob Khanyeni.

For more information contact Mr Jacob Khanyeni: 066 123 0411/ Doctor Mokoena: 079 286 6934

Lions Gala Dinner Postponed The Lions Rugby squad is scheduled to visit Lake Umuzi in the last week of November and have a gala evening on 28 November with Jonathan, Radio Raps. Jonathan has informed Lake Umuzi that he will be unable to attend the event on, 28 November.

For this reason, the gala evening will be postponed until further notice.

However, the Lions will still visit Lake Umuzi and fans from all over will have a chance to meet their heroes and have their rugby jerseys and rugby balls signed on 28 November at Boesies, Lake Umuzi South Bank.

The evening will consist of a buffet braai and cash bar. Tickets can be bought at

Lake Umuzi Box Office at R 150.00 per adult, R 75.00 for children between the ages of 7 and 12 years, preschoolers enter for free. No tickets will be sold at the gate.

For more information please contact Elmarie on 082 461 3821.

The Lions released the following statement:

Lake Umuzi in Secunda will again host the Emirates Lions Vodacom Super Rugby pre-season camp which will take place from 26-29 November.

It will be the third time that the Lions will base their training camp in Secunda at Lake Umuzi.

Located on the shores of Lake Umuzi, it is the ideal spot for our players to

7th World Aquathon Day

The 7th worldwide aquathon day was celebrated at Aqua Zone, Lake Umuzi on Saturday, 9 November. This day was hosted by Theresa Grey and her team.

For three hours the ladies, gentlemen and children treaded water while they were instructed by Theresa, Alicia or Gabby.

Since the first aquathon where 42

countries took part, the event has grown to each year with over 280 venues in 80 countries! The aquathon movement was started to bring promote the health benefits of the sport and also bring awareness to aqua fitness.

This year was definitely a splashing event! – Ané Prinsloo

get away and reconnect as a team. The Lions train at the Sasol Rugby Club and every year we are so impressed with the superior state of their fields.

We want to thank Lake Umuzi for the support and for making our stay such a pleasant one every year.

- Rolin Booysen

15 NOVEMBER

2019

Bulletin

Wild Cat Energy National Rally 2019 has been a difficult year for the South African National Championship, with some highs and lows along the way. The launch of two new cars during the year was a definite step forward to try stimulating interest in rallying again, but the lows were the loss of three of the rally fraternity in a tragic accident whilst returning from the Eastern Cape rally and the loss of a rally car in a fire whilst competing.

Sponsorship for the rallies has always been a difficult task but the committee and competitors worked tirelessly to ensure that rallies took place. Cost cutting measures were attempted in the form of a one-day rally and proved very successful.

The year started off on a high note with 31 entries for the Overberg Rally in Caledon, where Paulus Franken and Hilton Auffray debuted the new generation, 1 litre turbo powered engine VW Polo, this car was the proposed Vivo Cup car for an entry level class as most parts used were stock standard off the shelf VW parts.

Their performance at the rally bodes well for the future class.

A disappointing 16 entries were received for the Rally of South Africa,

several competitors in the Africa Rally Championship opting not to take part.

However, all eyes were on the newly launched R4 Toyota Etios driven by Hergen Fekken/Pierre Arries and how it would perform against the stronger but more expensive R5 machines. The R4 proved it potential and outclassed the R5, with Fekken/Arries taking the overall win.

More disappointment was to follow with only 14 entries for the King Price Rally held in Delmas. Botterill took his third R2 class win on his way to his sixth South African Rally Championship win.

All was not lost though, as the strong regional club in Port Elizabeth ensured one of the biggest fields of cars in recent years with 39 entries. But sadly, torrential rain affected play and the rally was cancelled at the end of day one with only three stages having been run. This played into the hands of AC Potgieter/Nico Swartz who held the lead at the end of day one and were declared the winners after Botterill/ VacyLyle had suffered mechanical issues.

The Zane Rencken Rally in Kwazulu Natal proved popular with it’s one day format, however it failed to draw the

Thank you to all our sponsors!

Team AC Potgieter Rally statistics 2019: Caledon Grand Prix Rally – Caledon 3rd SCC East Rand Rally – Delmas 2nd Baywest National Rally – Port Elizabeth 1st TRACN4 Rally - Bronkhorstspruit 1st Wildcat Energy National Rally – Meyerton 1stAWe would like to thank Trevor Bland, Mario De Beer and TB Racing for your excellent work on #2.

We would like to thank our sponsors who made all of this possible.

Lake Umuzi Waterfront (Johan Rosslee) Streicher De Swardt Attorneys (Marius & Jacoleen de Swardt) Timbercity Trichardt House of Tiles Trichardt Klinkerstene Delmas Pansolutions Ermelo (Jacques van Dyk) De Stroom Guest Lodge (Tjorrie Kruger) TW Stene (Billy te Water) Euro Bath & Tile Proline Aluminium (Fred & Trevor Toerien) Potwyk Bouers (Johan Potgieter) Top Carpets Secunda (Ash Kallis) Turaco Trussers Leandra (Henri Smuts) VR Visuals Secunda (Marius & Zander de Swardt) MP Directory (Jaco van der Merwe) Volkswagen Motorsport (Mike Rowe/ Cobus Barnard) Classiq Auto Repair Centre Middelburg (Jose Fernandes de Gouveia) Supa Quick Secunda Our Lake Umuzi VW Polo 1.0L Turbo was constantly in development during the year but AC Potgieter and Nico Swartz both managed to finish 2nd in the 2019 South African National Rally Championship.

Thank you, Mike Rowe, Cobus Barnard and the Volkswagen Motorsport team for assisting us.

Team AC Potgieter Rally: AC Potgieter, Nico Swartz and Jaco van der Merwe (Team Manager) would like to thank all our #FaceBookFriends, #RallyFriends and #Supporters for believing in us during the 2019 Rally Championship.

- Jaco van der Merwe

numbers hoped for. Botterill made history by winning the rally for his sixth championship, then immediately headed for Zambia overnight to participate in a leg of the Zambian Championship which he won, making it two rally wins in two countries in two days. A fantastic achievement.

The Trac4 National rally was to be a talking point for many days. Firstly, a win by Kelvin Mhlanga made him the Zambian to win a leg of the South African Rally Championship, but it was AC Potgieter/Nico Swartz win in the R2 class that was to be a contentious point. After he was excluded for a technical infringement, an appeal to a court of appeal at MSA overturned the original decision and he was reinstated as the winner. Botterill/ VacyLyle having suffered a broken side shaft, was pushed down into fourth place. Many were horrified at the news of Chris Coerste/Greg Godrich’s car being completely gutted by fire after rolling onto the dry grass verge, a sad end to their rally and his reliable Mazda.

With Potgieter/Swartz now back in the points, it was down to the last rally of the season to determine the

Navigators championship, the drivers’ championship having been decided

by Botterill’s win in Round five. VacyLyle at the end of the sixth round was 14 points ahead of Swartz meaning he had to get three points to win the championship and Swartz had to finish first with a non-finish from Botterill/ Vacy-lyle to take the championship.

Onto the last rally of the season held in the Heidelberg/ Meyerton area.

Following Wildcat Energy, Kelvin Mhlanga’s first win, Wildcat Energy agreed to sponsor the last rally.

Unfortunately, Mhlanga was unable to compete as he had raced in Zambia the weekend before and the car would not have been ready in time.

So it was a disappointing ten cars that lined up for the final rally, but they gave it their all on day one, with only one car, the Subaru of Johan Strauss/ Elzaan Venter having to withdraw due to a broken clutch.

Stage one was run again as stage two in the Meyerton area. Out to prove a point, AC Potgieter/Nico Swartz (Lake Umuzi VW Polo) set the fastest time for both stages.

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