ISSUE 217 - FREE
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MARCH 2019
COMMUNITY NEWS. ORIGINAL - ACCURATE - FIRST
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Eskom sends mixed signals The recent load shedding that gripped the country had a lot of people up in arms. The social media pages were buzzing with questions and suggestions. Zello groups were inundated with calls about the load shedding schedules and the messages on the Facebook page “Secunda Utilities Forum” had to be updated on a daily basis to keep residents in the know. The problem also lies with the way that Eskom handles the situation. At one stage Eskom admitted that preparations for stage 5 and 6 are underway but within a week suspended the load shedding. There were even talks of a national blackout. The national power grid is very fragile at the moment. The following article from mybroadband.co.za makes it very clear that Eskom is in deep trouble: Eskom is preparing for stage 5 and stage 6 load shedding, according to a report by Fin24. The report stated that Eskom and government officials said there is a “race against time to ensure that a
national blackout and grid collapse does not happen”. Stage 5 and 6 load shedding require 5,000MW and 6,000MW to be shed from the grid respectively. In 2019, Eskom has not implemented anything above stage 4 load shedding to date. No end in sight During a briefing from Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan, today, South Africans looking for an indication of when load shedding will end were left disappointed. Eskom and Gordhan said they do not have answers on when the power cuts will stop. “I know the most important issue for South Africans is how long will this last and when will you be able to give us the certainty that load shedding will end. At this point in time we are still getting a better grasp of the technical problems and other problems that Eskom power stations are confronting,” said Gordhan. Big problems Energy expert Chris Yelland has also warned that Eskom is facing many
immediate problems which South Africans are not being told about. These problems are: South Africa is out of diesel, which is needed to run backup diesel-fuelled power stations but on Thursday, a major shipment of diesel arrived at our shores. This is the more expensive — but necessary — alternative to power generation. Diesel is the alternative to the use of coal to power up gas turbines that, in turn, convert energy into power. According to Andrew Etzinger, the Power Utility’s head of generation, the offloading of about 13-million litres of diesel will go a long way into allowing the power utility the much-needed time it requires to mend the technical and infrastructural issues in its power generation units. Pumped storage dams are low. There is no power from Mozambique’s Cahora-Bassa hydroelectric generation station, this situation has improved slightly. “Eskom’s power generation capabilities were further strained by events that took place in Mozambique. Two transmission lines that feed power
into South Africa were destroyed by Cyclone Idai. Thankfully, after the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was deployed to the CahoraBassa hydroelectric dam to assess and service the issues, one of the two transmission lines has been restored. As reported by Tech Central, this has allowed an estimated 890MW of power supply into the country, which is the main reason why things are looking positive heading into this weekend.” Eskom is missing 5,000MW of power from 8 generator units, which are down due to boiler tube leaks. Three generator units are running, but with boiler tube leaks which place them at risk. There are many other unplanned outages at Eskom. Energy advisor Ted Blom said a total blackout in South Africa is “totally possible”. “All you need for a total blackout to occur is one accident by Eskom. It can be staff going to the bathroom or a malfunction in a switch and you can have dire consequences,” Blom said. But for now, there is no load shedding!
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29 March 2019
SSS Security saves the day Two suspects were apprehended by SSS Security in Nelson Mandela drive opposite Five-Star Spar when they were trying to sell a laptop to taxi drivers. A call came through to Secunda Sector Policing about two young males aged 27 and 30 who had stolen a bag with a laptop and other belongings inside. It is alleged that they stole the laptop from someone in the early hours of Monday, 25 March. When Vince from SSS Security asked them where they obtained those goods, they failed to give any correct information and that was when the police were called. Upon arrival, they
asked them to show proof that the goods belonged to them. They told the police that the bag with everything in it belongs to them. They drove with the police to their house to prove their story, this failed. They were then charged with a case of Stock Theft by Secunda police. It is reported that cases of theft are on the rise in Secunda and surrounding areas and the community is urged to be vigilant at all times especially when travelling on the street at night or early hours of the day. The community is also advised to keep their houses locked at all times. - Sandile Mkhwanazi
Crime snippets
was apparently working in cahoots with the other three accomplices who were apprehended from a vehicle that was waiting in the vicinity. All four suspects are expected back at court on the 26 March for a formal bail application.
Four suspects remanded in custody for fraud Fortune Matongo Zhou (39), Patrick Nzuzo Gumbi (53), Siyamthanda Kula (38) and Chantal Louise De Lange (36) have been remanded in custody after they appeared at the Nelspruit District Court last Friday for alleged fraud. The group was arrested by Members of Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit on 8 March after information was received that De Lange submitted a fraudulent cheque belonging to an orphanage in an attempt to cash R135 000.00 at the local bank in Nelspruit. The bank staff suspected something was amiss and alerted the Hawks. Preliminary investigations revealed that De Lange
Serial rapist sentenced to 12 life sentences and 194 years On 19 March the High court sitting in Delmas sentenced Smaga Goodwill Gwebu (37) of Vosman to 12 life sentences and an additional 194 years imprisonment after he was convicted on multiple counts of rape, housebreaking, contravening of Section 21(2) of the Sexual Offences Act, robbery with aggravating circumstances and pointing of a firearm. Gwebu started his terror of frightening people of Vosman from 2004 to 2014 where he would break into the victims’ houses at night, threaten them with a knife or at gun point and rape them in front of their families. He would sometimes rob them of their belongings like cell phones and cash with his face covered with a balaclava. Gwebu robbed one of his victims of her cell phone and gave it to his girlfriend. The victim reported the matter, during the police investigation, the same cellular phone was found in the girlfriend’s possession and the accused was arrested. DNA samples were taken and Gwebu was positively linked with other crimes. During trial, Gwebu pleaded not guilty and Senior State Advocate Sonja Ntuli, led testimonies of the police and the victims who told the court that they could not identify the assailant as his face was covered with a balaclava during the commission of the offences. Gwebu was convicted on 12 counts of rape, 6 counts of housebreaking and 6 counts of contravention of Section 21(2) of sexual offences act(s), 6 counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and 5 counts of pointing of a firearm. The NPA applauds the good work done by die team and hopes that the sentence will deter would-be sexual offenders and address the scourge of sexual violence in our society.
started when police were conducting a stop and search operation. They stopped a black sedan with foreign registration plates and four occupants, for a search. Three bags stuffed with 28 plastic balls of dagga were found in the vehicle, hence their arrest. The vehicle was also seized for further investigation. In the second incident, a foreign national was arrested at Evander also at a stop and search operation conducted by members of Crime Prevention. The man was searched and 12 packets of drugs (crystal meth) were found in his possession. The suspects are due to appear tomorrow, 20 March, facing charges of possession of illegal drugs. Police Management in the province hailed the arrests and urged all members to put more effort in ensuring that the authority of the state is stamped.
Five suspects due to appear for possession of drugs Five suspects aged between 31 and 71 are due to appear in two separate courts at Nkomazi and Evander respectively, for the alleged possession of drugs. In the first incident, two men and two women were arrested at Tonga, near Malelane in possession of drugs. It all
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29 March 2019
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Trichardt CPF to the rescue The Trichardt CPF had a clean-up action on Saturday, 23 March, at the Trichardt Library, Clinic and Traffic Department. The area around these buildings was extremely overgrown and nothing was being done about it. The long grass not only posed a snake threat to surrounding houses, but the broken glass all around the area was a danger to people who would take their children to play in the park.
The clean-up was well supported by many. The DA’s Ciska Jordaan and Terry-Lee Kleynhans were also present on the day assisting in the clean-up action. “Several community members and stakeholders joined in with the Trichardt CPF this Saturday and put some elbow grease into cleaning up the area in front of and next to the Trichardt Library. Ward 25
DA Councillor Ciska Jordaan, who welcomed everybody’s effort of getting their hands dirty and taking part in the clean-up, thanked the CPF and the community for this event, which has sparked pride in the hearts of Trichardt residents, and encouraged everyone in Trichardt to join in. The CPF aims to have a clean-up once a month.” Said Ciska. The Trichardt CPF would like to thank
the followings sponsors: Talisman, Masshire, Shell garage Trichardt, Kosie van der Merwe, Hassims, A & E, Vegiking Ext 22, Sabers, GMM, Terra Nova, King Take Aways and community members. The Trichardt CPF is looking to clean this area on a monthly basis and asks for more support and assistance from the local community with the clean-up operation. – Ané Prinsloo
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So is die lewe
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COMMUNITY NEWS ORIGINAL ACCURATE FIRST WE SET THE TREND OTHERS FOLLOW
29 March 2019
Ds Marius Britz In die fliek Fiddler on the roof word die Joodse inwoners van Anatevka in Rusland kennis gegee dat hulle drie dae tyd het om die dorp te verlaat, of anders sou hulle uitgedwing word deur die regering. Tevye, sy familie en vriende begin dan pak om weg te gaan na verskeie onbekende dele in Europa, Amerika en Palestinië. Die meeste van hulle het geslagte in Anatevka gewoon. Hulle is net toegelaat om die noodsaaklikste dinge saam te vat, net dit wat hulle self kon dra. Dan kyk die hoofkarakter, Tevye, en sy vrou na hulle armoedige huisie, en probeer hulleself troos: “What have got here? A pot, a pan, a broom, a hat. Someone should have turned a match on Anatevka years ago.” Die fliek eindig as die inwoners, sommige hoogs bejaard, andere kleuters, in alle rigtings strompelend begin loop met hulle karige besittings, die koue Russiese winter in, en dan so dapper moontlik mekaar probeer groet, asof die onbekende nuwe lewe hulle voor ‘n groot avontuur is. Iets van daardie gevoel van absolute verslaentheid oor ‘n gevestigde, bestendige en voorspelbare lewe wat eensklaps ineenstort het ek ook ervaar toe my eie moeder weens omstandighede oornag moes verhuis van die omgewing waar sy haar hele lewe lank gewoon en geleef het, na ‘n dorp waar sy nog nooit was nie. Ek moes alleen besluit waarheen nou met haar besittings. Die grootste gros van haar aardse goed het noodgedwonge beland in ‘n pakstoor in Pretoria, waar dit vandag nog is. Eenvoudig omdat ek nie dapper genoeg was om daardie harde besluit te kon neem om dit te verkoop nie. Sy het ook letterlik net ‘n pot, ‘n pan, ‘n besem en ‘n hoed
saamgevat. En so is daar baie mense langs die pad wat skielik gedwing word om afskeid te neem van alles waaraan hulle gewoond is, waarvoor hulle hul lewe lank gewerk het. Daardie aardse goedjies was die verlenging van hulle identiteit, dit het hulle gemaak wie hulle is. Die storie van ‘n lewe. ‘n Egpaar wat jare lank getroud is, se bestaan word soms drasties verander wanneer een van hulle wegval. Hulle kosbare goedjies, die uitroeptekens van hulle menswees, word maklik deur andere, selfs deur hulle kinders, as waardeloos geag. Kinders besluit baie keer simpatieloos, genadeloos, oor ouma en oupa se besittings as die oorblywende een na ‘n kleiner woonplek, of na ‘n aftreeoord of selfs ‘n woonstel by die kinders verhuis. Dit waarvan ontslae geraak moet word, is die letters wat die woorde en sinne van hulle lewens skryf. ‘n Ou leuenstoel waarop oupa elke aand gesit en radio luister het. ‘n Dubbelbedmatras met twee holtes in geslaap. ‘n Asbakkie wat ’n verlangse neef gemaak het. ‘n Teestel wat hulle ‘n halfeeu gelede as trougeskenk gekry het. ‘n Gekerfde olifant wat oupagrootjie, vol verlange na die bos van die ou Transvaal, as Boerekryger in ballingskap op Ceylon uitgekerf het. ‘n Doilie wat oumagrootjie met haar knopperige rumatiekvingers gehekel het. Terwyl die dinge eenkant gesit word om die jarelange woning te ontruim, is daar ook dikwels die ongevoelige, selfs spottende kommentaar van almal wat diep grawe in ouma en oupa se onthougoed: “Wat wil ma met hierdie ou koekblik maak? Gooi weg!” Die blik waarin haar eie ma altyd vir haar koekies ingesit het van die plaas af koshuis toe. “Watse snaakse houtbal is dit hierdie? A nee a, pa het darem ‘n groot klomp gemors opgegaar!” Die houtbal wat oumagrootjie gebruik het om die gesin se kouse te stop in daardie arm jare, toe goed reggemaak, en nie weggegooi is nie. “En hierdie kartondoos
vol outydse dasse! Niemand dra diè goed meer nie!” Dan word dit onseremonieel in ‘n swart sak gegooi. Maar daardie dasse is deur oupagrootjie gekoop met die laaste paar pennies wat hy oorgehad het toe hulle vanweë die groot droogte uitgeboer het, en hy van huis tot huis aan die Oos Rand probeer dasse smous het om sy gesin aan die lewe te hou. Fragmente van ‘n bestaan. Ek het hierdie week weer aan die klompie Jode in Anatevka gedink, ook aan my eie ervarings van afskeid neem en die toemaak van ‘n lewe. Familievriende, hoogs bejaard alreeds, is gedwing om weens spesifieke redes hulle beskeie woning op te gee, en by hulle dogter in ‘n kamer te gaan bly. Hulle kom wys vinnig oë hier by ons, onder meer om raad te kry oor hulle landlyn wat hulle moet opgee. Dis vir ouer mense amper ondenkbaar om nie meer ‘n vastelyntelefoon te hê nie. Hulle is half moedeloos. “Daar is soveel goed wat ons nie weet wat om mee te maak nie.” Goed oor ‘n huwelik van meer as sestig jaar bymekaar gemaak. Ons gaan maak ‘n draai. Duursame goed. ‘n Handgesnede kis. ‘n Antieke embuiatafel. Die fynste porselein.
Geelhoutriempiestoele wat ouer as ‘n honderd jaar is. Hulle ouma se pragtige staanlamp. ‘n silwerteestel, nog volledig. Trots vertel hulle die storie van elkeen van daardie goed. Verstandige beplanning, spaarsamigheid, verantwoordelikheid met finansiële sake, is duidelik sigbaar in daardie huisie. Maar, sê hulle, vol vertroue in hulle medemens, gelukkig is daar mense wat belangstel om te koop, antieke versamelaars, wat die volgende dag kom. Nadat die kopers daar was, stap ek weer in die leë huis in. Twee verdwaasde, verwese gesigte staar my aan. Die teestel is verkoop vir R20-00. Die riempiesstoele vir R200. Die antieke lamp vir R5-00. Die embuiatafel vir R30-00. Ek ry daar weg. Twee oú, gebroke mense, hulle weerlose, maer liggame soos nat klere opgehang aan hulle geboë skouers, is al wat ek in my truspieeltjie sien. Hulle beeld is verwronge deur die trane in my oë. Richard van der Westhuizen speel op my motorradio. “My lewe pas nou min of meer in ‘n rugsak. Uiteindelik leef ek skotvry soos ‘n kind.”
Tannie Poppie se: Melkkos met snysels 250ml koekmeelblom 2ml sout 2 eiers 1 liter melk 1. Sif die koekmeelblom en sout saam. 2. Plaas die meelmengsel op ‘n plank en breek die eiers daarop oop. 3. Meng om ‘n stywe deeg te
vorm. 4. Rol die deeg dun uit op die plank en besprinkel liggies met koekmeelblom. 5. Rol die deeg op en sny in dun snytjies. 6. Verhit die melk en plaas die snysels in die kokende melk. 7. Kook 15 – 20 minute lank tot gaar.
Die boek word deur Human & Rousseau uitgegee
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29 March 2019
SPORT NEWS
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Award winning photo for Nick
Most people will know Nick Mathios just as Nick from Spar, but what they do not know is that he is an esteemed photographer. Nick has been birding since 2010 and proudly says that his second home is the Kruger National Park. Birding is to observe birds in their natural habitats as a hobby. In South Africa alone there are 850 recorded bird species and Nick has recorded
Nick Mathios showing off his prize and photo,”Lilac-breasted roller at nest”, published in the Kruger Magazine. The competition Nick entered was for the Kruger Magazine Amatuer Photo Competition.
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312 of these recorded species. On 11 September 2017 at 17:30 Nick snapped a photo that won him the first runner up prize in the Kruger Magazine Amateur Photo Competition. His photo “Lilac-breasted roller at nest” won him a four-night midweek stay for six at one of the Mjejane Bush Lodges. Nick waited three days at the nest, always in the late afternoon, watching the
mommy Lilac-breasted roller (better known as a Troupant) fly around, looking for food, fly by the nest 3 or 4 times and finally feeding her begging chicks. The late afternoon ensured that Nick had the best light to photograph the bird and he had to be alert and on top of his game to ensure the perfect photo. For this perfect photo Nick used his Canon 7D Mark 2 with EF300mm
f/2.8L II USM lens and also used his EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II lens. This was not Nick’s first published photo. He has been published in numerous magazines, newspapers and on 50/50. Nick is excited to continue birding and see the other 538 recorded species to get to the full 850 recorded species in South Africa. - Ané Prinsloo
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29 March 2019
SNC-Lavalin awarded the Compliance Leader Verification from Ethisphere Institute Johannesburg, South Africa: March 25, 2019 – SNC-Lavalin is pleased to announce that it has earned the prestigious Compliance Leader Verification from the Ethisphere Institute, an independent centre for research, best practices and thought leadership. The Compliance Leader Verification is awarded exclusively to companies with the best industry ethics and compliance program that are proactively investing resources in compliance, sending a clear signal that an organization takes compliance and ethics seriously. This certification is valid until the end of 2020. “Ethisphere’s recognition acknowledges the efforts we have made to build a strong ethics and compliance program,” said Neil Bruce, President and CEO of SNCLavalin. “It is by measuring ourselves against leading companies that we will continue to improve our program elements, structure and processes. I want to thank all our employees for their commitment to fostering a culture of integrity.” Ethisphere completed a thorough assessment of SNC-Lavalin’s Integrity Program and benchmarked it against its 2018 World’s Most Ethical Companies data set, providing insight into the programs and practices of leading companies around the world. SNCLavalin’s performance was specifically
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evaluated on six main areas: program resources and structure, perceptions of ethical culture, written standards, training and communication, risk assessment, monitoring and auditing, enforcement, discipline and incentives. “We are happy to award the Compliance Leader Verification™” designation to SNC-Lavalin, said Erica Salmon Byrne, Executive Vice President, Ethisphere. “The structure of the program is exemplary, adopting many leading practices that reflect the company’s genuine commitment to integrity in all of its actions. In addition, the visible leadership provided by Neil Bruce and Dr. Hentie Dirker at the helm reflects true adherence to doing business the right way, and communicates that message to SNC-Lavalin employees around the globe.” “We all play a role in maintaining a strong culture of integrity and embedding ethical standards in the decisions we make every day,” said Tony Lenard, Regional Integrity Head - Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific at SNCLavalin. “This recognition is yet another testament to our ongoing commitment and focus on doing business the right way, with the highest ethical standards. As a leading engineering end-to-end services provider, we will continue to promote compliance and ethics excellence among our employees and in communities where we operate in sub-Saharan Africa and globally.”
SANBS stalward retires Ansie Meintjies has been with SANBS for years and through these years at the blood bank she has become a force to be reckoned with. She will be retiring on Friday, 29 March. Ansie started her career at H F Verwoerd Hospital (now Steve Biko Academic Hospital) in 1974 as a nurse. Through the years she worked her way up and has mixed feelings about retirement. She is happy to retire, but will miss her donators and colleagues immensely. When Ansie was asked what some of the major events were that happened during her career she answered that in 1996 Dr Rina Venter changed many of the nurses in the industry’s lives. Dr Rina Venter fought for better salaries and benefits for nurses around the country. Ansie will be enjoying her retirement with her husband and is looking forward to seeing more of her granddaughters (aged between 1 – 4). Ansie also said that she would keep on donating blood and has already donated 93 units up to now! – Ané Prinsloo
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Compassion and love drives Santie compassion noun noun: compassion; plural noun: compassions 1. sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. “the victims should be treated with compassion” “The victims should be treated with compassion” explains Santie Combrink’s life to a tee. Santie, a retired ICU nurse, now spends her time with victims that cannot talk, but can meow. All her experience with nursing gives her the edge she needs to take care of the little kittens. She has been rescuing kittens for some time now and takes it very seriously.
Santie renovated the garden cottage of her home into an ICU and care unit to support the day-old kittens that she receives. The breeding box is fully equipped with a heating mat, heat light, thermometer, a big teddy bear to substitute as a mommy cat, onesies for the little kittens and a fluffy hat to lie on. Why all of these? The answer is easy: most kittens pass away because of being too cold. Santie will then bottle feed these kittens, vaccinate them herself, deworm them and once they are of age, she puts the kittens up for adoption. Santie recently joined Little Paws Big Hearts and through them she gets amazing homes for her little ones. She truly is a Mother Teresa for cats! – Ané Prinsloo
Above: Ash, one of the kittens Santie bottle fed since birth. Left: Santie's breeding box
Sasol offers support to Cyclone Idai victims
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/world/385225/cyclone-idai-mozambique-survivors-desperate-for-help Maputo, Mozambique – On 21 March Sasol committed to donate US$250,000, approximately 15 million Meticais, for the relief and support of communities that have been severely affected by tropical Cyclone Idai in Beira and Dondo in the Sofala province, as well as other impacted areas in Inhambane province, Mozambique. “Our solidarity is with the people of Mozambique, particularly those communities whose lives need to be rebuilt after this devastating natural disaster,” said Ovidio Rodolfo, Sasol Country
Director for Mozambique. Sasol is working with Red Cross Mozambique and Instituto Nacional de Calamidades (INGC) to assist in providing relief to affected communities. “We hope our contribution and the efforts of our partners will bring some relief to families affected by this terrible event,” added Rodolfo. Sasol is a committed longterm partner to Mozambique and its people, as it seeks to create value through the ongoing production of natural gas and further exploration of hydrocarbons.
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29 March 2019
SERVICES AfriForum se Bethal-tak is hard aan die werk TO ADVERTISE CALL: 017 631 1903 017 631 1845 MARIËTTE 083 476 2860 ANNALIE 082 906 0546
AfriForum se Bethal-tak is weer eens besig om die dorp ’n beter en skoner plek vir inwoners te maak. Die jaarlikse slaggatprojek het weer afgeskop en 240 sakkies teer is reeds gebruik. Taklede het slaggate in Ribbok- en Blesbokstraat herstel. Verder is verskeie aksies geloods om die netheid van die dorp te verbeter. Gras is rondom die Bethal-polisiestasie, die N17 en ook om die Nestlè-brug gesny. ’n Kontrakteur is die laaste paar maande gebruik om gereelde skoonmaakaksies in die sentrale sakesektor van Bethal te behartig. “Die lang gras wat die dorp oorheers is ’n groot veiligheidsrisiko. Kriminele gebruik dié gebiede om gesteelde goedere te versteek en ook om van die gereg te ontglip. Inwoners word gevra om te help deur die gebiede in die dorp met lang gras te help onderhou. As elke inwoner sy deel doen, sal ons die dorp
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Unhappy divorced dad Good day Editor. I recently was divorced and would like to share my experience of going through a divorce. For the first 4 months after separating it was an emotional roller coaster, not knowing how you are going to survive on your own after being with your wife and children for so many years. You feel like you have failed in life. When you stand in front of the minister to get married and make a lifelong commitment only to have this ripped apart. The unfortunate part of a divorce is when there are children from the marriage. As a Dad it is difficult to get custody of the children and visiting times are restricted. From being able to see your kids on a daily basis to now only seeing them every second weekend breaks a Dad down. The light of any parent’s life is and will always be his children. As mentioned above the time has been a roller coaster of emotions. From being a happy person to a person who is filled with anger and depression. It takes time for you to start trusting people again. This makes for a very difficult time when you spend time with your children as you are always depressed and this then rubs off on your kids. The kids also get used against you in the divorce procedure. Using the children and putting them in the middle to get what you want is a common thing most women and men do. This is unacceptable. I went through that and I am still being bad mouthed to my kids when I was the one that was cheated on multiple times. The sad reality is that there are no support groups for one to join to
vinnig netjies kry,” sê Hennie Bekker, punte wat ons geidentifiseer het. Ons distrikskoördineerder vir AfriForum in neem eienaarskap van die probleme in Bethal en los dit self op,” sê Ingrid die Laeveld. Human van AfriForum se Bethal-tak. Die rotstuin wat ’n paar jaar Raak betrokke by AfriForum in Bethal: gelede aangebring is, is ook weer SMS “Bethal” na 45350 (R1). skoongemaak en AfriForum se Bethaltak hou dit gereeld netjies. Die hoek van Kieser- en Du Plooystraat is ook beveilig deur borde aan te bring wat motoriste daarop wys dat dit doodloop. Dit is gedoen ná ’n ongeluk daar plaasgevind het. “Die dorp se netheid is vir ons belangrik en juis daarom gaan ons nog asblikke aanbring by Slaggatprojek in Ribbokstraat. assist you to get through his very rough time of your life. So, one starts to look to your friends for support this is where you get to learn who your friends truly are. Anonymous
Hartseer afskeid van J&B Op 18 Maart moes ek my honde kind laat slaap, ons harte is stukkend. Ongelukkig was dit toe prostaat kanker wat al versprei het met ‘n bloed klont. Die behandeling wat ‘n lokale veearts vir hom gegee het was vir ‘n 3 dae proef tydperk en as dit nie kon help nie, dan moes ons ‘n keuse maak, aangesien dit agresiewe kanker by honde kinders is. J&B was maar net 3 jaar oud en het gekreun van pyn. Ek het die oggend van 18 Maart om 9 uur vir J&B geneem sodat hy maar eerder uitgesit word, ons kon nie meer hom so sien ly nie. Ons het afskeid geneem van J&B en Die veearts het vir sy assistant gese om vir J&B in die hok te sit met sy bedjie en al todat die krag aan kom. Min het ek besef, maar wat het die krag met uit sit te doen! Met so ‘n seer in my het ek gesê ek sal later kom betaal en dan ook sy bedjie op tel. So is ek huis toe en die middag, 15H15, toe ek die rekening wil gaan effen en ook om sy bedjie te gaan optel. Toe sien ek J&B lê nog in sy bedjie in die hokkie, jy kon hom duidelik sien in die gang af. Hy was so bly om my te sien, en hy was bitter dors. Om te dink dat hy die heeldag net daar gelê het sonder water en dat hy nie verlos is van sy pyn nie. Ek was stukkend! Hoe onmenslik kan so ‘n Dr. wees, vir die pyn en leiding wat my kind moes deur maak en dat ek die heel dag gehuil het en verlang het na my kind en met skok hom daar gekry het sonder dat hy verlos is van sy pyn. As hul my maar net laat weet het dan het ek by hom gaan sit of hom geneem na ‘n ander veearts wat dadelik sou kon help. Niemand het eers die moeite gedoen om my te bel of net ‘n sms te stuur dat Dr. nie vir J&B kan uit sit voordat ek nie ‘n dokument geteken het nie. As daar net die regte inligting vir my gegee was oor die prosedure dan was
ek nie nou so verbitterd en seer nie. Hoekom het hy en sy ontvangsdame het nie die regte inligting vir my gegee toe ek daar was vir omtrent ‘n uur nie. Om die verskoning te gebruik die krag was af en hulle nie vorms in voorraad het nie, maar een moet print as daar ‘n versoek is. En soos ek van die assistent die middag verstaan het, het die krag half 3 weer aangegaan. Ek het dadelik J&B uitgehaal en hom vas gehou en met water gevoer deur ‘n inspuiting wat ek by die assistant gekry het. As dit nie diere mishandeling is nie dan weet ek nie! Hy het net aangehou drink so dors was hy. Ek kon selfs die toestemming op ‘n blaai geskryf het, as hul dit net vir my genoem het. So het ek hom vas gehou tot 16H20 en die Dr. was nog nie daar nie. Sy besoektyd moes van 16H00 tot 19H00 gewees het. Die assistent het kom sê Dr. het laat weet hy gaan eers 5 uur by praktyk wees, waar daar al ‘n paar mense in die spreekkamer gesit en wag het. Ek het net daar vir J&B gevat en na ‘n ander veearts toe geneem, hy is onmiddelik daar gehelp. Hy was so moeg van al die pyn en stoei dat hy net weggeraak het met die inspuiting. Terwyl ons daar was het mnr. Johan Verwey ingekom en my gehoor praat en ook ‘n klagte gehad oor sy Labrador wat olik was en ook dieselfde dag net in die hok gesit is by dié veearts en ook die middag na 4 toe hy by die praktyk aan kom was sy Labrador ook die hele dag sonder water en ook nog nie ondersoek of medikasie gegee nie, mnr. Vervey het toe ook sy hond gevat en eers huis toe gevat sodat hy water kon drink, so dors was hy. En toe ook sy hond na die ander veearts geneem vir ondersoek. Mnr Verwey is net so ongelukkig dat hy ook nooit weer die dienste van die ander veearts sal gebruik nie. Wat ons kon waarneem is dat die veearts geen menslikheid het nie en dat dit net oor geld gaan. My hart is stukkend van die pyn en lyding wat J&B gehad het, en verseker sal ek dit aan al my vriende vertel in Secunda. Ek wil graag hê die gemeenskap moet weet wat se mens hy is en hoe hy diere behandel. Groete Renet
29 March 2019
SPORT NEWS
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On Saturday, 23 March, Afriforum stepped up and mowed the overgrown grass veld and trees in Lombard street after numerous breakins were reported earlier during the week.
Weekend carnage causes havoc
The accident between Leandra and Devon took place approximately 2 km from the chicken farm, on Devon’s side on 24 March. Three vehicles were involved. One Nissan NP 200 and two VW Polos. Three people sustained serious injuries and one moderate injuries. Langamed, ER24 and the Provincial EMS transported the injured to hospital.
Be aware! A burnt out truck on the N17 is posing a danger for all drivers. The truck is located between Devon and Springs.
An accident occurred on the R580. The driver of the Toyota Hilux bakkie lost control and veered off the road. The driver of the vehicle and 2 passengers are not from the area and misjudged the road. Moderate injuries sustained by all. 2 Patients transported by Langamed and 1 by ER24.
SPORT
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29 March 2019
Sasol hosts its 13th sports weekend in support of local talent Secunda, Mpumalanga – Sasol, through its Community Centres, has created a platform for aspirant sports people around Govan Mbeki Municipal (GMM) area and beyond to showcase their talent during the annual sports weekend. The event will take place from 05 – 07 April 2019 at the various Sasol Community Centres and other local sports grounds. The annual sports weekend is a Sasol initiative that was established in 2007 with an aim to encourage employees and community members to actively participate in sports. Through this competition the company also promotes local talent and different sporting codes. It is also a platform for talent scouts to identify talent that can be developed within the GMM communities. The event is free and open to sport clubs and individuals in and around Mpumalanga. In the past, the event also attracted a variety of teams from other
provinces. The following sporting codes and activities will participate during this event: • Chess, • Aerobics & Wellness, • Basketball • Boxing • Cricket (Juniors and Seniors) • Cross country, • Handball, • Karate, • Netball, Rugby (juniors and seniors), • Soccer (juniors and seniors), • Softball, • Tennis (juniors and seniors) and Table tennis, and Volleyball An official opening ceremony will take place on Friday, 5 April at 15h00 eMbalenhle Community Centre. Sporting activities will commence on Saturday, 6 April at 08h00. For more information, contact Johnson Nghondweni on 079 502 6030 or Johannes Nkosi on 082 464 1914.
Hollywoodbets Govan Mbeki supports Portville FC Hollywoodbets chose to support this local club for the second year in a row because Portville relies heavily on fundraising to provide for their players’ needs. The club is made up of two junior teams, two senior teams and one legends team. They are more than 150 players strong and get together to practice three times a week. The club was started to give the guys in their community something to belong to as well as to create travel opportunities for those who excel at the sport. They are proud of the fact
that three of their junior players have advanced to the Northern Areas’ district team – NAFA. The Hollywoodbets Govan Mbeki team visited the club and donated a soccer kit for one team. Club representative, Larry Beukes, thanked Hollywoodbets for their continued generosity. “We are so appreciative of the support we have received from Hollywoodbets, our players are so grateful and this gives our club such a positive boost,” he said.
Lake Umuzi Soccer challenge The organisers of the Lake Umuzi Soccer challenge (Jacob) met with Innocent Mayoyo, a well-known goal keeper on the South African soccer scene, on Sunday. Innocent hosted the Lake Umuzi Soccer Challenge Draw ay Kwathema Sports Complex on Sunday. Innocent was so impressed that he decided to
get involved in the Lake Umuzi Soccer Challenge. 32 teams, 16 from GMM and 16 from Gauteng will compete in the challenge on 30 and 31 March. The games on Saturday will be played in Kwathema and the Sunday games will be played in Leandra. Come and support your teams!
29 March 2019
SPORT/SCHOOL
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Special Olympics Wêreldspele Abu Dhabi
Hierdie hele avontuur het begin in die eerste week van April 2018 toe die nasionale Special Olympics span vir die Wêreldspele in Abu Dhabi aangekondig is. Toe begin die harde werk: administrasie, paspoorte, webinaars en eksamens, visums, identiteitsdokumente en oefening vir ‘n span wat oor Suid-Afrika verspei is. Nogal nie altyd goed wat ‘n mens aan dink wanneer die span en sy afrigters aangekondig word nie. Gelukkig is daar baie mense wat help. Graceland gee fasiliteite en vir Heinrich Britz om te help met afrigting, 2 nagte met alle etes en iemand (Lizzie) om atlete hotel-gereed te kry. (Weer iets waaraan mens nie aldag dink nie). Toe begin dit: Jeppe Boys High toe vir voorbereiding. Klere, tasse, mense wie se goed nog nie reg is nie ens. ens. ens. Dit hou nie op nie, maar uiteindelik is ons gereed om OR Tambo lughawe toe te vertrek. Eers ‘n afskeidseremonie met Dr. Matthews Phosa (Nasionale beskermheer van Special Olympics Suid-Afrika) en ander hooggeplaastes wat almal die beste toewens. Na ‘n lang gewag, uiteindelik in die vliegtuig. Al singende die gang af tot by die deur van die vliegtuig en toe moes ons stop, want sing mag mens nie in die land waar ons heengaan nie. Agt ure later. ..Abu Dhabi. Die mense is wonderlik en die slagspreuk van “Just help the people” is duidelik waarneembaar. Ons hotel is vyf-ster
Skhumbuzo Nkomo from Marietjie School won Gold at the Special Olympics in his division (Golf level 1)
Mbali Dladla from Marietjie school won 1st place at the Special Olympics in his division (Golf level 1)
“Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.” - Pat Riley Skumbuzo Mkomo and Mbali Dladla are bringing back home gold medals from the Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi. We are so proud of them, never doubted them once and the hard work and skills paid off in one of the biggest events in the world. They are an inspiration to the learners at Marietjie Skool. It also shows that anything is possible if you set your mind to it.
en die kos te veel om van te kies. Ons word die kultuur van die Emirate gewys en bederf tot in die grond toe. Uiteindelik begin die kompetisie. Gholf vind plaas by Yas Links, die 40’e beste gholfbaan in die wêreld. Fasiliteite is asemrowend en die gholfers word soos die pro’s hanteer – aangekondig op die bof en als. Ons sal ons wat verbeel. Ons gholfers doen baie goed. Ses kry goud, een silwer en een brons. Die ander twee kry 4’e plekke. Ons is in die wolke hieroor en 2 van die span is toe sommer nommer 1 in die wêreld op hulle vlakke. Skhumbuzo Nkoko-vlak 1 vaardighede en Neil van Niekerk – vlak 4 – 9 gaatjies onondersteund. Terug in Suid-Afrika op 22 Maart. Die polisie hom haal ons en sê ons moet asseblief gou maak, want die ondersteuners is besig om OR tot stilstand te bring met hulle gesingery. Span Suid-Afrika bring 35 goue, 12 silwer en 12 brons medaljes huis toe tussen die 72 atlete. Tot dusver is hierdie span die mees suksesvolle span om die land internasionaal te verteenwoordig. Dr. Phoza en almal van Special Olympics Suid-Afrika het baie te sê gehad hieroor by die perskonferensie. Uiteindelik is alles verby en ons kan huistoe gaan na ons mense toe. Wat ‘n wonderlike ervaring vir almal. Dankie vir julle wondelike ondersteuning. Julle is great. - JJ van Wyk – Hoofafrigter SOSA Gholf
29 MARCH
2019
Bulletin
Cyclists tackle tough Cosmos 3-in-1 The Cosmos 3-in-1 kicked off in cool weather on Saturday morning. It was to be a race in the Cosmos that started to bloom but it also proved to be a tough race. Three races took place during the day with a 70km race through the country side. The second race (33km) took place around noon and the day ended with a lap race. The lap race is always completed at a blistering pace. 717 cyclists entered the Cosmos 3-in-1 and 135 cyclists entered the fun ride. Jan Withaar was crowned the overall men’s winner. Janika Smit became the women’s champion when she won the overall Cosmos 3-in-1. The water points had to look after the rider’s liquid intakes and KISME
won the best water point prize with Recovery Smoothies and Chill Lounges. They even provided a physiotherapist to help massage the weary legs.
There were different Chill Zones at the end of the race from the different sponsors to help the riders relax. The following sponsors need to be mentioned and thanked. Without them an event such as this cannot be possible: Sasol, Prommac, Proconics, Megchem, EOH, Kijima, Kisme, Talisman, Lead EPC and Lake Umuzi. The organisers would also express their gratitude to all the farmers that hosted the race. They are the most important part of the preparations.
Janika Smit was crowned the overall women’s winner.
Jan Withaar was crowned the overall men’s winner.