Issue 159 - FREE
19 JANUARY 2018
Community News. Original - accurate - first
017 631 1903 / 017 631 1845 • admin@thebulletin.co.za • 1 Kiewiet Street, Secunda (Lake Umuzi)
Lisensiekantoor frustreer inwoners
Lang rye, geen toiletgeriewe en ‘n stelsel wat kort-kort van lyn af is by Secunda se lisensiekantore, is van die probleme wat inwoners frustreer. “Dit is onaanvaarbaar en dit is onregverdig. Dit is reeds die vyfde keer vanjaar wat ek in die ry staan, maar kry niks uitgerig nie,” het ‘n inwoner wat anoniem wil bly, gesê. “Ek kan met jou praat, maar ek wil nie geidentifiseer word nie. Ek glo iemand sal my kom vervolg as hulle weet wie ek is,” het ‘n inwoner van eMba gesê. Ten spyte van die klagtes, is daar ook die kwessie van personeel wat glo ongeskik en geirriteerd is. ‘n Personeellid het nie op die Bulletin se navraag oor die omstandighede waaronder hulle moet werk, gereageer nie. Sover ons kon vasstel werk die personeel in ‘n kantoor sonder lugversorging, maar dit kon nie bevestig word nie. “Ek kan hulle frustrasie ook verstaan, dit kan nie lekker wees om so te werk nie. Enige persoon sal gefrustreerd raak as die stelsel kort-kort af is en hulle moet dit ontgeld,” het ‘n motoris, Marie Duvenhage, gesê. Die Bulletin het met die areabestuurder gesels, wat openlik vriendelik was terwyl Ena van Rooyen, DA raadslid, daar was. Die oomblik toe sy loop het sy houding egter verander van vriendelik en behulpsaam, na ongeskik en aanvallend. Daar is onsekerheid oor wat met die stelsel aan die gang is want mense se weergawes verskil heelwat. Sover ons kon aflei weet die areabestuurder nie eintlik wat hy bestuur of wat werklik aangaan nie. Elke keer as ongemaklike vrae oor instandhouding en die stelsel aan hom gestel is, het hy van voor af begin om dieselfde storie, wat niks met die vraag te doen gehad het nie, te vertel. Volgens hom neem hulle ongeveer 80 aansoeke per dag in. Indien hulle nie almal gehelp word nie, word diegene glo op ‘n prioriteitslys geplaas om die volgende dag eerste gehelp te word. Die kantoor maak egter eers 8 uur oop en is veronderstel om 15:00 te sluit. Met die Bulletin se besoek is daar belowe dat almal die betrokke dag gehelp sal word. Na ‘n baie lang frustrasie en na ons geweier het om te loop totdat die laaste persoon gehelp is, het die kantore eers om ongeveer 16:00 gesluit. Verskeie motoriste het beaam dat hulle nie gehelp sou word as ons geloop het nie. Die gronde en die onderhoud daarvan, is volgens hom die verantwoordelik
van die munisipaliteit. Hy wou egter geen verdere kommentaar lewer nie en het ons verwys na die Media verhoudingsoffisier wat in die ander lisensiekantore sit. Iets wat ‘n groot frustrasie is, omdat hulle kwansuis ons navrae na Nelspruit sal verwys, wat dit weer na Secunda sal verwys, wat dan ‘n antwoord sal verskaf. ‘n Ander skokkende voorval wat plaasgevind het is ‘n sekuriteitswag wat in ‘n polisiebaadjie geklee was. Die Bulletin het haar gekonfronteer
en gevra waarom sy dié baadjie dra, waarop sy geantwoord het dat dit reën. “Ek het dit nie gesteel nie, dit is my eie, ek was voorheen in die polisie gewees,” het sy gesê. Toe ons ‘n foto wou neem het sy egter weggehardloop en met ons terugkeer na die kantore het sy reeds ‘n ander baadjie aangetrek. Sy het ook geweier om haar naam aan ons bekend te maak. Onbevestigede bronne in die SAPD het gesê dat jy dit nie mag dra nie,
of dit ‘n polisiewapen op het of nie. “Wie gee hulle die reg om as gewone inwoner uniform te dra? Dan kan ek mos ook vir my so baadjie kry. Hoe moet jy dan nou weet wie is polisie en wie nie. Vir wie moet jy nou respek hê en vir wie moet jy stop as jy afgetrek word? Wie kan jy dan nou vertrou?,” het ‘n vrou, wat ook verkies om anoniem te bly, gesê. “Die toestande is onmenslik en onaanvaarbaar,” het Ena, DA raadslid, gesê.
NEWS
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19 January 2018
Sasol to the rescue!
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October 2017 was one of the darkest months in Govan Mbeki Municipalities’ history with violent protest against the Eskom Power Cuts causing damage to the value of more than R21,5 million to property of Govan Mbeki. This saw the total collapse of service delivery in Embalenhle. Govan Mbeki Municipality had no choice but to ask for intervention from Sasol as a key stakeholder and partner to donate or procure minimal needed resources in a form of fleet to ensure that the municipality was able to render essential services. Sasol handed over a fleet of 11 vehicles, skips and mobile toilets to Govan Mbeki Municipality during a ceremony at Secunda Library on Thursday 21 December 2017. These resources were received by the Honourable Executive Mayor Cllr. NF Maboa-Boltman on behalf of the municipality. “The level of service delivery in GMM has troubled us and we are very grateful for Sasol and the good relationship we have,” Flora Boltman, GMM mayor said. The loss of infrastructure caused lots of frustration as municipal workers could
not do their job properly. “I would like to thank all GMM employees. We know it’s not always easy. We are proud to be associated with you,” Sugnét Dixon from Sasol said to GMM employees. There is a misconception that all the equipment that was handed over were donated by Sasol. The agreement, however, is that whilst there is donation included some of the equipment will be rented to GMM for a period of six months. This will place further pressure on GMM to address their collection and cash flow problems that is such a plague at the moment, as the equipment will have to be returned. Unconfirmed reports also indicated that one of the refuge trucks was already involved in an accident. It is alleged that the truck drove into the back of another truck. GMM had to pay approximately R48million to Eskom by the end of December. It could not yet be confirmed if they managed to do so. The Rand water account is also under pressure with several payments missed according to sources within the municipality.
Readers’ view on this
Japie Moolman - Thanks to Sasol. The bad thing is that in no time this equipment will be destroyed, the same as the sewerage trucks Sasol donated a while ago which was rendered useless by the destructive behaviour of operators. The refuse trucks are always disfunctional. Michael Dhlamini - I think sasol must take over the municipality as they can’t stand on their own lol A BIG THANK YOU SASOL Maria Lockwood - A very good strategy on GMM . Let’s keep on destroying, spending reckless as they know they will be bailed out every time. They have to learn the hard way to achieve good results. Thank you Sasol . Ann Noreen Norie Shepherd - Thanks Sasol we as residents appreciate all you do for this area. The big problem is GMM need educating. As the saying goes “Give a man a fish and he will always be hungry - Give a man a fishing rod and teach him how to fish and he will never be hungry again” THANKS AGAIN SASOL Singalela Mahlangu KaMgwezane thanks to Sasol.....bt its now confusing bcos we dont know who’s actually delivering.....just let Sasol to take over Themba Lusenga - Sasol is continuing to spoil the useless GMM. They will never learn to manage their finances. View more comments on our Facebook page
Skips and water truck are some of the euipment that Sasol made available to Govan Mbeki Municipality
The Hounorable Mayor of Govan Mbeki, Cllr Flora MaboaBoltman and Sugnét Dixon from Sasol
An excited driver inhis truck
NEWS
19 January 2018
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Inwoners beplan ingryping in chaos Inwoners beplan ingryping in chaos Inwoners van Bethal het besluit om nié te wag vir die munisipaliteit om hul dorp op te ruim nie, maar tussentyd self in te gryp om dié varkhok skoon te kry. Eposse is reeds aan die Departement van Omgewingsake gestuur waarin die gemors, waaraan GMM nie aandag gee nie, openbaar word. Christa Malan Venter en haar dogter Anelia, het die inisiatief geneem “omdat hulle moeg is vir die dorp wat so lyk.” Hulle, in samewerking met Afriforum, is nou besig om reëlings te tref vir opruiming. Hulle is op soek na hande wat bereid is om te help, asook toerusting soos grawe, bossiekappers, besems , sakke en enigiets wat kan help met dié projek. Kontantskenkings is ook welkom. Hoewel meeste mense dink dit is ‘n baie goeie projek, is daar diegene wat voel dat dit die munisipaliteit se probleem is en dat die dorp vinnig weer soos ‘n ashoop sal lyk. “Ons kan ten minste probeer. Ons dorp hoef nie 30dae van ‘n maand so te lyk nie. Dit is ongelukkig so dat daar mense is wat ‘n vere voel, maar dit help nie ons kla en doen niks,” het Christa gesê. Intussen kon GMM se waarnemende munisipalebestuurder, Tisha Mhlanga, nie bereik word vir kommentaar nie aangesien hy glo wegkruip omdat hy geteiken word deur inwoners van Emba. Sasol leen vullistrokke aan GMM nadat van hul trokke tydens ‘n betoging oor Eskom se kragonderbrekings, in Oktober aan die brand gesteek is. Tydens die oorhandigingsseremonie het Mhlanga belowe dat Secunda voor Kersfees opgeruim sou wees. Niks het egter van dié belofte gekom nie. Indien jy belange in Bethal het of ‘n inwoner is en bereid is om dié projek
Toestand van Bethal Dam se geboue
te ondersteun, kontak Die Bulletin vir meer besonderhede. Kontak Die Bulletin ook as jy ‘n besigheid het wat skenkings kan maak. As jy in of naby Secunda is en ‘n bydrae wil maak, kan skenkings by Die Bulletin se kantore by Lake Umuzi afgelewer word. Ons sal dit Bethal toe neem.
Mpumalanga is in the grips of several heat waves. Please do not leave your pets in the car. If it hot for you, it is hot from them! Remember, dogs can’t sweat like humans
WHAT’S UP/News
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So is die lewe
• 017 631 1903 • 017 631 1845 Wie is ons / Who are we: Redaksie / Editorial 017 631 1903
Encee van Huyssteen 082 554 7589 encee@thebulletin.co.za admin@thebulletin.co.za Gwendie Venter 082 896 4660 gwendie@thebulletin.co.za
Bemarking / Advertising 017 631 1845 Hannelie de Jager 082 789 2529 hannelie@thebulletin.co.za
Produksie / Production Kerry Bird 017 631 1903 / 017 631 1845 artwork@thebulletin.co.za
Finansies / Finances Elmarie van Huyssteen 017 634 8312 elmarie.vh@telkomsa.net Bulletin word deur Paarl Coldset Printers gedruk in Johannesburg. Bulletin is printed by Paarl Coldset Printers in Johannesburg
ou bekende kafee waar ons altyd die slaptjips met chili gekoop het. Alles lyk dieselfde in die kafee, selfs die effe verlepte piesangs wat op die tafel uitgestal is. Maar die bekende Portugese eienaar, wat in 1976 saam met sy ouers en broers en susters uit Mosambiek gevlug het om ‘n nuwe lewe te kom begin, is nie meer hier nie. Ook nie sy ma, die bejaarde Ds Marius Britz tannie wat rondgeskuifel het in die Die klimaat hier op die Hoëveld winkel met haar swart kouse en swart is uniek. Daar is iets , bekend, rok nie. Hulle gesigte is vervang koesterend, vertroostend aan deur dié van ‘n onbekende jong hierdie Januarieweer. Ek ry van Chinese meisie, wat duidelik geen Springs, my grootwordplek, Afrikaans of Engels verstaan nie. Ek na Trichardt toe. En diep, diep koop ‘n botteltjie melk, en stap by musiek breek los uit my binneste: die kafee uit met ‘n onverklaarbare jou naam besing verlore ou gevoel van verlies. Wanneer ek die fonteine, sing Koos Doep toe ek motor aanskakel, sit ek die radio aan by Daggafontein en Eendracht nadat ek my klankstokkie in die usb verby ry. Koesterende knusheid gedruk het. En toe, die toevalligheid: van jou ou-ou leefwêreld. . tussen al die duisende liedjies op Ek stop in die verweerde my stokkie, begin Amalia Rodriques hoofstraat van Trichardt by die se Fado Portuguese speel. Uit die bloute. Sonder dat ek dit gekies of gesoek het. Toeval? En my kop begin speel met die idee oor toeval. Daar is soveel dinge wat met mens gebeur wat eenvoudig nie toevallig kan wees nie. Veral jou belewenisse van God in krisis situasies. Baie mense kan getuig daarvan dat God onverklaarbaar ingegryp het in bepaalde situasies. Jare terug, net nadat selfone op die mark verskyn het, het ek so geleentheid beleef. As staandemaglede Sasol Hydra-Arc Rugby Practice is ons as sleutelpersoneel @ Sasol Club - Every Tuesday and by die versamelpunt van alle nie-statutére magte in Thursday @ 18:00 to 20:00 Wallmansthal in 1993 met Contact: Theuns Kruger Club selfone toegerus sodat ons ten Captain on 082 602 4035. alle tye beskikbaar kan wees. Oppiestoep met Pietman en Ek het myne behou nadat Andries - 2 Februarie om 18:00 ek uit die weermag bedank by Curro Secunda Skool saal. R en na die karoo verhuis het. Natuurlik is selfone so vreemd 10 000 per tafel van 10, Ete en op hierdie plattelandse dorpie
WHAT’S UP
Distribution: We pride ourselves in delivering a Bulletin to businesses in Secunda, Trichardt, Evander and Bethal and Kriel. We also distribute additional copies to several points of business in Kinross and eMbalenhle. Should you have a delivery enquiry or complaint, send us an email containing your name, contact details and home address to admin@thebulletin. co.za. COPYRIGHT All rights of reproduction of all reports, photographs, drawings and other materials are hereby expressively reserved in terms of section 12 (7) of the Copyright Act No 96 of 1978 and any amendments thereof. Banking details: The Bulletin Absa RBB Commercial Secunda Branch code: 637256 Account number: 408 499 2285 Checque /Current account
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
19 January 2018
Drankies ingesluit. Navrae: 017 634 8355. Lions Visiting Secunda- Dinner with your favourite Lions player @ Boesies, Lake Umuzi 05 Februarie om 18:00 R2800 vir ‘n tafel van 8 Spitbraai ingesluit met kontant kroeg Besprekings: Elmarie 082 461 3821. CANSA Relay for life - 17 – 18 March @ Highveld Ridge Primary @ 16:00 to 04:00. Contact: Natasha on 079 404 4196.
soos ‘n bankrower op ‘n sendingkonferensie. Boonop is daar nog plaaslyne: my lui is ‘n korte en twee langes. Om watter rede ookal, sentimente, afwagting op nuwe tegnologie, ry ek met die selfoon in die bakkie se rommelkissie rond, en ek hou die foon gelaai. Die naaste selfoonmas is in Kimberley, amper 80 kilos vêr. Dus, geen sein, geen selfoonsin, pure sentiment. Op ‘n dag moes ek ‘n groot operasie ondergaan. So, geen ryery nie, maar die gelaaide selfoon lê steeds in die bakkie. Met streng opdragte dat ek vir ses weke nie mag opstaan in die hersteltydperk nie, lees ek toe maar my toekoms tegemoet. Maar in die eerste week van my herstelproses lui die plaasfoon. Een korte en twee langes. En die nuus: oom HL lê op sterwe. ‘n Uiters merkwaardige oom met wie ek ure lange gesprekke gehad het, oor geskiedenis, oor politiek, oor die toekoms. Hy was inderdaad ‘n menslike biblioteek. En hy wil my sien. Sy plaas is so driekwartuur se grondpad vêr. Ek besluit: ek gáán. Ek sukkel skuifelvoet tot in my bejaarde bakkie, en ons twee kranklikes durf die pad aan in die vuurwarm Noord Kaap. Die pad dans voor in die hittegolwe. En toe die ondenkbare: Antie Suzie hik, knal en gaan staan tussen nêrens en niks, tussen Nooitgevonden en Allesverloren. Ek is te swak om die enjinkap oop te maak. My enigste gedagte: Here, help! Dis warm, dis verlate, daar is vir myle geen plaashuis nie. In die vêrte staan ‘n bedremmelde esel onder ‘n boom en vlieë wegjaag met sy stert. En ek,
ek het geen planne nie. Daar is geen bakkie wat verbykom nie. Selfs geen fiets of donkiekar nie. Ek grawe in die bakkie rond. En skielik, soos die fenomenologie dit verduidelik: die Ding-ansich. Die voorwerp. Die selfoon. Nog effens batterykrag oor. Maar wat maak jy met die ding in die haai Karoo waar daar niks is nie, nog geen selfoondekking ooit nie. Ek hou die foon vas soos ‘n klein dogtertjie haar Barbiepop. Trek sy lugdraad uit (ja, in daardie dae moes jy jou selfoon se lugdraad uittrek om beter ontvangs te kry.) En ek bid, ek smeek woordeloos die woorde van die ou gesang: Heer, waar dan heen, tot U alleen. En toe. Onverklaarbaar, irrasioneel, bonatuurlik, daar waar niemand nog ooit ‘n selfoon gebruik het nie: op die skermpie wys een enkele kolletjie van seinopvangs. Ek moes twee keer kyk, maar, onteenseglik. Ek skakel die sentrale: 0535892. En die foon lui. Luid basuin die vrouestem deur die Karoolandskap. “Telkom goeiemore!” Ek stamel verboureerd: Oom HL se huis, dringend asb. En nadat ek vinnig my situasie en posisie aan een van sy kinders kon verduidelik, verdwyn die oproep. Weg, stil. Geen sein nie. Vir ‘n hele paar jaar sou daar nie ‘n selfoonmas in daardie omgewing wees nie. Selfs vandag is daar net een diensverskaffer, en ek is oortuig daar is steeds geen selfoonontvangs op daardie spesifieke plek nie. Toeval? Onmoontlik. Saam met Thomas van Acquinas se Godsbewyse wil ek met oortuiging sê: It can only be God.
Woman shot during house robbery A house robbery took place at Enkomeni farm, a settlement near Evander last Sunday. According to Evander SAPS, a Lesotho National broke into a zinc house around 22:30. He allegedly forced a window open to gain entrance. The suspect, who is known to the victim, went to a woman’s (46)
room and shook her to wake her up. He demanded money, but a struggle ensued during which the suspect bit he woman on her forehead. The fight ended in the lounge area, where the suspect shot the woman in her right upper arm with a 9mm pistol. Two shots were fired,
but only one hit the woman. Fortunately, the wound was an entry-exit flesh wound and the woman is in a stable condition. The suspect went to the next tuck shop and grabbed a beer out of the fridge. He fled on foot and got away with R400. The suspect has been seen around the tuck shop before.
Swimming pool reopens at Sasol Club With temperatures soaring, Sasol Club swimming pool is the place to be. After being closed for a long time, the swimming pool reopened in November last year. The pool is open to any public member and not just Sasol employees. There is also a kiosk where you can buy refreshments. There is also a pool for the kids. You have to watch out for the Kiewiet nests as they are quite aggressive when they
are breeding and their nests are located on the grounds. Visiting hours are: Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 11:00 – 18:00 due to the cleaning of the pool. On Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday they are open from 09:00 until 18:00. On Sunday you can visit from 11:00 – 18:00. Entrance fee is R20 per adult. School children pay R10 each and children 5 years and younger enter for free.
SPORT NEWS
19 January 2018
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Die “Vreemdeling Gevaar” So skrikwekkend soos dit mag wees, moet ouers praat met hulle kinders oor mense wat hulle dalk wil seer te maak. Die beste manier om jou kinders te beskerm , is om hulle betrokke te kry by hulle eie beskerming . Ouers moet ten eerste uiters bewus wees van die gevare wat moontlike pedofiel roofdiere inhou. Tipiese tekens kan wees: iemand wat te goed lyk om waar te wees , iemand wat uit sy of haar pad gaan om jou familie, en veral die kinders te help. Iemand wat te veel van jou kinders se doen en late weet. Die gene wat alles oor kinders weet, maar self geen kinders het nie. Jy moet weet wie en watter volwassenes kontak met jou mag kind hê. Praat met jou kinders so gou as moontlik oor die “Vreemdeling Gevaar” so gou hulle kan verstaan. Kinders 3-5 jaar oud, is al vatbaar vir die uitken van die gevare, veral wanneer kinders begin om interaksie met die wêreld om hulle te hê. Onthou ’n kind vertrou onvoorwaardelik, en kan dus maklike slagoffers wees van die “vriendelike oom of tannie! Maak seker jou kinders besef dat jy
lief is vir hulle, maak nie saak wat ook al gebeur nie. Herinner hulle kort kort daaraan dat hulle jou alles kan vertel en jy nog steeds lief vir hulle sal wees met jou hele hart. Moenie bang wees om met jou kinders hier oor te praat nie. Praat met hulle in vir hulle in ouderdom- toepaslike taal en gee hulle instruksies wat om te doen. Hulle sal bemagtig en goed voel deur te weet hoe om hulself te beskerm. Kinders moet weet dat hulle die reg het om NEE sê, te gil, of vir hulp te vra. Dit kan ’n weerspreking wees t.o.v. die respek wat hulle volwassenes het, maar as hulle bedreig voel, het hulle die toestemming om daarop te reageer met die nodige woorde, gille, of om weg te hardloop na ‘n openbare plek. En hulle nodig het om te weet hulle sal nie in die moeilikheid beland as hulle dalk verkeerd was nie. Laat hulle weet dat NIEMAND ooit die reg om hulle seer te maak nie. Leer jou kind om jou te roep as ‘n vreemdeling aan huis kom en daar geen ander volwassenes rondom is nie. Maak seker dat jou kinders weet wat is
aanvaarbare gedrag , en wat is buiteperke. Maak seker dat hulle verstaan dat daar private areas van hul liggame is wat niemand anders kan of mag aan raak nie. Identifiseer ook die areas aan jou kinders sodat dat daar geen onduidelikheid bestaan nie. Oefen jou kind se reaksie op gevaar. As hy of sy nie oefen nie, sal jou kind regtig nie weet wat om te doen nie. Vir jou kind om te skreeu vir hulp is dalk nie genoeg nie. In die aangesig van gevaar, kan ‘n kind vergeet, daarom, oefen deur rolspel, en verduidelik wat jou kind moet doen in gevaar situasies. Herinner jou kinders dat die gevaarlike oom of tannie nie noodwendig gevaarlik lyk nie. ʼn Gevaarlike persoon kan lyk en wees
Alexandra’s Travels...
...an encounter with the Matterhorn
By Alexandra Wuzyk Driving through the alps brings the car coughing up 2000m passes, twisting around hundreds of small waterfalls of ice-melt. Cold air shocks my lungs as I step out of the car. Backpack, tent, water, shoes - when I have everything I say goodbye to my friends, who I’ve spent more than a week driving with. It feels strange now to be on my own. I find a place to pitch my tent where a copse of trees shields me from the picturesque houses that are scattered through the little valley. Church bells usher in a blushing pink sunset. I toss
uneasily, waiting for a farmer and his swiss goats to warn me off his land. Dawn sees me packed and walking down to the tiny gas station in the village. Thumb out. My first ride is a German, a plumber, working clothes, working van, rough around the edges. His haphazard English doesn’t stop him from being eager to communicate. From South Africa!? Marijuana, bad place, Johannesburg! Dangerous! The next one is dressed in a suit at 8AM driving a sleek black BMW “You know, we have wonderful trains here in Switzerland”, yes, I know you do. Zermatt is an alpine town, the kind ranked #1 in ‘10 most beautiful towns in the world’ clickbait. I’m assailed by American accents and billboards showing blonde white woman eating Toblerone. Restaurants, big swiss hotels, every kind of souvenir, money, money, money. I yawn in the sunshine, finding maps, supplies, a route. It’s afternoon before I can begin walking up. I get lost on the gravel roads between empty ski lifts. By the time I reach Gandegghutte I’m exhausted. The price I pay for one mattress in a room of ten would pay my rent for a week, but now it’s so beautiful I don’t care. I’ve
climbed out of the warmth and civilization in the valley. Up here rocks are bare and the sky is dyed pink and purple, with white peaks stretching as far as the eye can see. This hut is a base for ice climbers, sitting right on Matterhorn, and it’s sculpted upper slopes look close enough to touch. I sit on a spire of rock in red socks, watching the sky until the moon rises. Inside I’m served a huge hot supper and sleep in seventh heaven under a massive warm eiderdown. The next morning I get an early start, walking the high route, soaring above winding valleys. I spend the day smiling ear to ear, fuelled by the pure mountain air, hardly able to absorb all the heart-wrenchingly beautiful views. A glacier and a steep climb bring me to my second hut, where I spend the evening with a funny Belgian, who had left his yellow VW van to hike the Haute route with a tent, a ukulele, and the Harry Potter book collection. After two richly filled days I have to leave the strange alpine kingdom, twisting down, down, down on the narrow paths back into Zermatt, quickly, quickly. By midday I’m hitchhiking out, and three rides later I make it over the Italian border, sto andando a Milano.
TO ADVERTISE CALL 017 631 1903 • 017 631 1845 Hannelie: 082 789 2529
soos die persoon langsaan , of selfs iemand wat hulle ken, ʼn familie lid. Moenie soos die volstruis jou kop in die sand steek en maak of dit nie bestaan of dit sal nie met my kinders gebeur nie. Jy het as ouer die opdrag om die kind/kinders wat vir jou geleen is, te beskerm Onthou die “Vreemdeling Gevaar” is ʼn werklikheid. - Aart Reedijk
NEWS
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19 January 2018
Vakansie kortgeknip na huis brand Die Cronjé gesin van Kriel se plaashuis is verlede Maandag in ‘n brand verwoes na dat rowers die huis aan die brand gesteek het. “Ons het reeds ons jaarlikse kruideniersware gaan koop,” het Jana, huiseienaar se vrou gesê. Dit, asook hul vier kinders se kersgeskenke moet nou vervang word. Die gesin het Sondagoggend na Lake Jozine (Pongolapoort dam), ongeveer 280km van Durban, vertrek. Die vakansie is egter kortgeknip toe hulle Maandagaand ‘n oproep ontvang dat hulle huis in vlamme gehul was. Jana en haar man, Larry het onmiddelik terug gery Kriel toe terwyl die kinders saam met hul grootouers agtergebly het. Larry is ‘n graan-en beesboer. “Ons het Dinsdag en Woensdag saam met die polisie spandeer en terug gery om die kinders te gaan haal,” het Jana gesê. “Die polisie vermoed dat hulle net op soek was na kontant aangesien juwele, tv’s en ander items in die afgebrande huis gevind is. Die SAPD het ook bevestig dat die huis met opset aan die brand gesteek is,” het Jana gesê. Die gesin het kameras in die huis gehad en daar is ‘n vermoede dat die
brand gestig is om hul spore dood te vee. Volgens Jana kon die polisie nie die kameraboks opspoor nie. “In die 2 ½ jaar wat ons hier bly, het ons nog nooit enige probleme gehad nie, “ het Jana gesê. Dié brand motiveer die gesin egter nog meer dat hul besluit om te emigreer, die regte een was. “Ons het reeds in Februarie (2017) besluit om Kanada toe te gaan om ‘n beter toekoms vir ons en ons kinders te skep, maar wag vir permanente verblyfreg,” het Jana gesê. Hulle nominasie is reeds goedgekeur, maar dit is onseker wanner hulle sal hoor of hulle verblyfreg goedgekeur is. Intussen bly die gesin in Kriel in Jana se ma se huis. “Ons wag nog vir die bouinspekteur om te hoor of die huis gesloop of herstel gaan word, want van die mure het uitmekaargetrek van die hitte. Ons het nie versekering op die huisinhoud gehad nie, maar wel op die geboue,” het sy bygevoeg. Hulle gaan elk geval eers wag om van hul verblyfreg te hoor voordat hulle besluit om meer permanente blyplek te soek. “Ons is heel kalm oor die storie, sulke dinge gebeur en ons wil graag elkeen bedank vir hulle vinnige en onbaatsugtige optrede. Daar is mense
wat items uit die huis gedra het met die doel om iets te probeer red. Ons is tans besig om deur dit te werk en te kyk wat ons nog kan gebruik, maar
alles is pikswart van die roet” het Jana gesê. Die ondersoekbeampte kon teen druktyd nie bereik word vir kommentaar nie.
Die Cronje gesin se plaashuis na die brand. Net die strukture het staande gebly
Photography club hosts first meeting Sasol Highveld Photography club held their first meeting of the year on Friday Jan 12. Jenny Stilwell (APSSA in Colour prints (1st) and Mono prints (2nd) and Digital colour (3rd) and EPSSA) was the host for the evening, she showed club members some of her outstanding photographs and discussed them with every one present. The Scrum in at Sasol Club was packed with photographers with a number of new faces in between. After the break the entries were judged by Jenny and commentary was given on each photograph. The level of entries was once again of outstanding quality with a wide variety of subjects covered. The Photography club encourages photographers to join them at their next meeting on February 9 at Sasol club.
Junior winner Hotelgang by Sussa Pelser
Senior winner Meerkat Familie by Leon Pelser
Set Subject winner Lighthouse at Umhlanga 1 By james Harris
19 January 2018
SPORT News
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Brand by Laerskool Secunda 'n Brand het vroeg in die oggend 11 Januarie uitgebreek by een van Laerskool Secunda se voorskool klaskamers. Die brand is gelukkig vroeg opgemerk deur ‘n lid van die personeel wat dadelik alarm gemaak het.Ouers en lede van Afriforum Buurtwag het blitsig gereageer en kon die brand blus voordat te veel skade aangerig is. 'n Ondersoek na die oorsaak van die brand is afgehandel en onbevestigde aanduidings is dat n’n elektriese fout in een van die skakelaars die brand veroorsaak het. Mev Cole het Sasol genader om ‘n forensies ondersoek na die oorsaak
te doen. Al die rolspelers het uiters vinnig saamgewerk om die klas weer gangbaar te he vir die nuwe jaar. Laerskool Secunda wil graag elke ouers en publiek wat gehelp het bedank vir hul flinke optrede. Mev. Cole, Hoof van Laerskool Secunda het aan die Bulletin gesê dat alle klasse gereed sal wees om die leerlinge te ontvang wanneer die skool Woensdag heropen vir die nuwe jaar. Mev Cole wil ook dan haar dank uitspreek aan almal wat gehelp het om die klassie gereed te kry. Sasol met die ondersoek, die versekering en ook die kontrakteur wat selfs die naweek gebruik het om die klassie gereed te kry.
GS College registrations Gert Sibande college opened for 2018 registrations. The college was buzzing with students young and old trying to get everything done to enrol for the year. A truck driver, grey hair betraying his advanced age, from Springs said that he drives to Evander once a week to attend classes. Students all were intend in making this year the best year ever. Student organisations Sasco and Daso were at the college to make sure that they are also represented. Both organisations were busy recruiting new members and assisting with registrations where possible. The EFF caused a major upset at
TUT last year when they contested positions on the SRC (student representative council) and ousted Sasco by winning all the available seats. Sasco’s Evander Chairperson Ntokhoso Khumalo said that they would like to see as many people as possible registering in this academic year. “Most problems experienced is with NSFAS (National Students Finacial Aid Scheme) insomuch that students are not helped and need to reregister again and again” says Nthokosa “we also need more experienced lecturers”. Thulani Maseko, Youth leader for the DA in Govan Mbeki Municipality also
Kontrakteurs is hard aan die werk om die klas betyds klaar te kry
said that the NSFAS is the biggest stumbling block for students in registering for the academic year and needs to be addressed. “the DA did not contest the SRC elections last year” says Thulani, “and we will be doing a lot of work to put structures in place to address that problem.”
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NEWS
19 January 2018
Lewensredder van mense én slange Shayne van der Heever, mede-eienaar van Langamed South Services, het nie net ‘n passie om menselewens te red nie, maar ook die van slange. Shayne en sy dogter Chantay (19) is twee van die slangvangers in Secunda wat die publiek se mispersepsie van slange wil verander. “Sonder slange sou ons baie meer siektes en peste gehad het wat deur bv. rotte en muise oorgedra word. Dit is min mense se gunsteling dier, maar hulle jaag en bestorm jou nie. Hulle byt slegs as hulle bedreig voel, andersins vlug hulle,” het Shayne gesê. “Slange doen verskillende dinge om jou eers te waarsku voordat hulle sal byt. Van die dinge wat ‘n Rinkhals doen om jou eers te waarsku is om op hulle rug te gaan lê en maak asof hulle reeds dood is of hulle sal eers blaas,” het Chantay vertel. Die slange wat hulle vang word in ‘n omgewing vrygelaat wat nie ‘n gevaar vir die slang of mens inhou nie, ‘n habitat waar hulle genoeg van hulle tipe kos sal hê. Dit het alles begin toe Shayne se paaie ongeveer twee jaar gelede met dié van Oosie Oosthuizen kruis. Sy is ook ‘n slangvanger van Secunda en werksaam vir die SAPD. “Ek het beluit om die ‘Snake Awareness and Venemous Snake Handling’ kursus te gaan loop. Chantay se liefde vir dié besonderse diere het begin toe sy as 4-jarige in ‘n dokter se versameling van slange geinteresseerd geraak het. “Ek was nog nooit bang vir hulle nie en wil dit graag professioneel doen, maar het ook ander planne soos om grafiese ontwerp en fotografie te studeer,” het dié blondekop gesê. Nie Shayne of Chantay is al gebyt nie en hulle het duidelik ook nie ‘n besonderse vrees vir dié besonderse diere nie. “Daar is altyd die moontlikheid, maar as jy versigtig werk en die basiese reëls volg, is die kanse om gebyt te raak minimaal. Hoewel sy vrou, Yvette, nie ‘n voorliefde vir slange het nie, sal sy seun Bryan (11) graag in sy voetspore wil volg as hy ouer is. Hoekom doen hulle dit? “Daar was ‘n behoefte van ons kant af om terug te gee aan die gemeenskap en ter selfde tyd iets vir die diere te doen,” het Shayne laat hoor. Dit word nie aanbeveel om self verdwaalde slange te vang nie, so as jy ooit hulp nodig het, is Shayne die regte persoon om te bel.
Shayne met die grootste Rinkhals wat hy nog gevang het
19 January 2018
SPORT
school/NEWS
Social Media: Could it land me in a boiling pot or not? Social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram has become synonym to our daily routines and a platform where you think you may raise your concern or comments without any consequence. The question that arise is whether this is simply arrogance or a simple mistake? In the South African Law, social media has become quite a headache to courts, as the public are not aware that they could be sued for posts, comments or likes on such platforms. The different kinds of actions that may be claimed against you are defamation, hate speech and dismissal in an employment environment. Defamation can be described as the wrongful, intentional publication of words or behavior in relation to another person which has the effect of injuring his/her status, good name, dignity or reputation. Hate Speech is any speech, behavior or writing which is not allowed due to the fact that it incites violence or prejudicial action against a person or group because intimidate or lower the values of such person or group (for example race, gender or religion). Dismissal in an employment environment is where an employee posted, liked or made comments that could lower the reputation of the employer or firm. Some might say that freedom of expression is a constitutional right and as such gain protection and immunity against an action instituted against them where they have posted or shared a defamatory post. This however is not an absolute right, as Section 36 of the Constitution place a limitation on rights. This in general terms means that you don’t enjoy full protection, it may be tested by the courts and you can still be liable to pay damages to the person you made the defamatory comments, like or post. The most common defence against defamation is that the comments or posts that were made is in the public’s interest and that they are both true and correct. Someone might think that the comments or posts were the truth, but by completing a proper investigation to the matter it appears not to be the fact and as such a simple mistake could cost you dearly. “Therefor it is important to note that a defamatory publication which is untrue, or only part true, can never be in the public interest and there can be no justification for the publication of untruths” (Bainsvlei Lodges (Pty) Ltd T/A Bains Game Lodge v C Lessing). It is very important to note that you don’t have to be the person who posted something (such as a status or photo) to be held liable, by repeating, sharing or liking such a post is sufficient to constitute defamation against you, and could land you in hot water with the originator thereof. The golden rule of posting something
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SERVICES
on social media is to ask yourself if you would have done the same in the public or in front of your colleagues? If the answer is no, then don’t post it on social media. - Frikkie du Plessis of Van Schalkwyk-Le Roux Venter Attorneys
Evander High School Jackey Evers retires
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Hannelie: 082 789 2529
Mrs Jackey Evers retired from teaching after a career of 42 years. She started her career at Evander High School in January 1975, and she remained at the school until December 2017. She was mainly involved in teaching Hospitality Studies at the school’s restaurant. Mrs Evers relocated to Eldoraigne, Pretoria to enjoy her retirement.
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NEWS
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19 January 2018
Bosluise, mense en diere – Wat jy moet weet Dit is weer die seisoen van die bloeddorstiges. Bosluise kan binne dae dood veroorsaak in diere en ook ernstige siektes onder mense versprei. Hier is ‘n paar interessanthede oor bosluise en vlooie.
Verskillende Stadia van ‘n bosluis
Interessante feite oor die bosluis: -Die bosluis se lewenssiklus bestaan uit vier ontwikkelingsstadiums. -Die volwasse mannetjiebosluis is van ligbruin tot donkerbruin tot rooibruin van kleur. Party is helderkleurig. -Die mannetjiebosluis suig ook bloed, maar hul lywe sit nie uit nie. -Wyfies lyk aanvanklik soos mannetjies, maar hulle buike sit geweldig uit wanneer hulle volgesuig is en word grysblou van kleur (afhangende van die spesie)
-Meeste bosluitsbyte by mense in Suid-Afrika word deur bosluislarwe (veral die van die bontbosluis) veroorsaak. -Die bosluis wat Krim-kongokoors veroorsaak, is die bontpootbosluis. -Bosluise word geklassifiseer onder spinnekopagtiges. -Daar is 850 bosluisspesies op aarde. Nagenoeg 175 is sagte bosluise en die res is harde bosluise. Hoe gemaak as ‘n bosluis jou byt? -Verwyder die bosluis geleidelik met kort trek-en wikkelbewegings. Sodoende word verseker dat die mondgedeeltes ook verwyder word. -Hou simptome dop en gaan spreek jou dokter vir ‘n positiewe diagnose. Indien jy vermoed jou troeteldier het bosluiskoors, neem hom onmiddelik na die veearts. Watter siektes kan deur bosluise veroorsaak word? In Suid-Afrika word daar veral drie siektes aan mense oorgedra. -Die bekendste is bosluisbytkoors wat deur ‘n Rickettsia conorii bakterie veroorsaak word. Dié siekte het ‘n inkubasietydperd van ongeveer 5 of 6 dae en word deur honde en vee oorgedra. Wees op die uitkyk vir ‘n rooi bytplekkie waarvan die middelpunt swart word. Daarna volg swelling en pyn van die omliggende limfkliere, koors en hoofpyn. Daar mag ook ‘n uitslag op die vel voorkom. -Tweede is Afrika-bosluiskoors was wat veral op landelike gebiede voorkom. Dit word veroorsaak deur Rickettsia africae en die kliniese tekens is dieselfde as die van bosluisbytkoors. Die bontbosluis veroorsaak hartswater by diere en bosluisbytkoors by mense. -Die derde siekte, en ook ‘n baie ernstige een, is Krim-Kongo hemoragiekoors, veroorsaak deur ‘n virus. Volwasse bontpootbosluise word by die oordraging van dié virus betrek. Die bosluis byt ook mense en heg veral aan die kopvel, hare of baard vas. Die inkubasietydperk van Kongokoors wissel van 1 dag tot 3 dae, maar mag so lank as ‘n week wees. Die simptome is soortgelyk aan die van ‘n baie ernstige griepaanval. Indien jy gebyt word, sal jy ‘n rooi uitslag op jou vel opmerk en daarna volg groot kneusplekke onder die vel. Bloeding uit verskillende liggaamsopeninge kan ook moontlik waargeneem word. Gemiddeld 20 gevalle van Kongokoors word jaarliks aangemeld. Soorte bosluise -Bosluise word in drie families ingedeel nl. die harde bosluise of skildbosluise, die sagte bosluise en die Nuttalliellidae wat in Suidelike Afrika voorkom. bruinhondebosluis en die bontbosluis -Daar is ‘n verskil tussen bosluisbytkoors en bosluiskoors (galkoors). Bosluiskoors affekteer perde, honde en katte se lewer en vernietig al die rooibloedselle. -
News
19 January 2018
Sasol celebrates top achievers
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Sasol hosted their 23rd annual Gr. 12 Merit Awards ceremony at Graceland Arena on Friday evening. This function was hosted together with Osizweni Science Centre, their education flagship project. The Sasol Grade 12 Merit Awards recognise the best performing learners in Govan Mbeki, Lekwa and Dipaleseng municipalities. The awards also acknowledged the best performing teachers and schools in these areas, particularly those who performed well in Mathematics and Science. The awards are given out to learners who have obtained 3 – 9 distinctions, overall top achievers from quantile 1 -3 schools (non-fee schools) and quantile 4 schools. The best performing teachers and most improved schools also received awards. A total 100 learners received merit award certificates as well as cash prizes for their outstanding performance. Each top achiever received a sum of R15 000 towards registration at institutions of higher learning. Learners who obtained more than three distinctions received R1 000 for each distinction. “Sasol is committed to the transformation of the communities near our operations and views education as an enabler to improving the lives of people in these communities,” said Willem Jacobs, Acting Senior Vice President: Sasol Secunda Chemicals Operations. For the past 22 years, Sasol through our flagship project Osizweni Science Centre has been providing teacher development and educational support to learners doing science and mathematics with the intention to enable top performance in these subjects.
“The company has over the years also provided bursaries to institutions of higher learning and infrastructure support to schools and Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in the form of mobile classrooms, classroom refurbishment and mobile science laboratories,” said Jacobs. Awards were also handed out in the following categories: • Top 15 achievers (Level 6 +) in Mathematics and Science from Quantile 1-3 Sasol supported schools (non-fee schools) in Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) • Top 5 achievers (Level 6+) in Mathematics and Science from Quantile 1-3 Sasol supported schools in Lekwa Municipality • Top 5 achievers (Level 6+) in Mathematics and Science from Quantile 1-3 Sasol supported schools in Dipaleseng Municipality • Top 5 achievers in Mathematics and Science from Quantile 4 schools • Overall Best Teacher in Mathematics • Overall Best Teacher in Science • Best Teacher in Mathematics from Quantile 1-3 schools • Best Teacher in Science from Quantile 1-3 schools • Overall Best teacher in Mathematics (for each of the six circuits) • Overall Best teacher in Science (for each of the six circuits) • Sasol Secunda Management Excellence awards for: • Top achiever from Quantile 1-3 schools (All circuits) • 2017 Top 3 most improved schools in Quantile 1-3 schools • Overall Most improved school • Top Performing school in Maths and Science • Overall Best performer school per municipality • Overall top achiever.
19 JANUARY
2018
Bulletin
Various sports start Practicing
Sasol Hydra Arc Rugby club also started their practices with the first practice taking place in the rain. Around 30 players attended the practice on Tuesday and Thursday nights. “We will be competing in 7’s tournaments from 10 February” says
Mariette Kruger“ and we hope to host the Pumas 7’s final here in Secunda on February 17”. Full team games will only start competing after this and The Bulletin will be bringing you all the rugby news during this season. Secunda Wrestling Club started
practicing last week. A lot of hard work is going into preparing wrestlers for this year’s tournaments. Secunda Wrestling Club (Secunda Stoei Klub) invites interested wrestlers to their practices on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Sasol Sports Hall. Nico van Den berg competed
for South Africa during the 2017 Commonwealth games held at Carnival City, Brakpan on the 17th December 2017. 12 Countries competed and Nico ended fifth. Manie en Lollie van den Berg handled the administration side at the games.