The Beat 14 November 2014

14 November 2014 R1-20/FREE

Bela-Bela Bela-Bela Marathon Marathon aa scorc scorcher her

Shopping centr e rroof oof centre collapses in Vaal water aalw

Page 3 Shoc king Shocking libr ar y librar ary figur es igures

Perry Lamola from Polokwane is pictured here spraying himself with water to keep cool in the scorching heat during the BelaBela Marathon.

Photo: Herman Steyn

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stor oryy on Page 8

Spa P ar k Par ark Primar y Primary Sc hool School Awar ds ards Day

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14 November, 2014

Crime round-up Lizzy Bapela Two Bela-Bela locals suspected of dealing dagga were released from police custody after paying a fine of R500 each. John Lesabane (25) and Surgeon Setumo (20) of Extension 5, were arrested when they were found packaging dagga into small plastic bags at a house in Extension 5.

Bela Bela police spokesperson Constable Glen Manamela said that members of the Crime Prevention Unit were conducting a patrol in the area when they found the suspects. * Three suspects arrested for fraud in October appeared before the Bela Bela

Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 11 November. Kedibone Baloyi, Emily Bertha and Rosina Sekgala were granted bail when they appeared in court in October and their case was postponed for further investigation. The three were arrested after a customer at Price & Pride was billed for purchases she did not remember making. The customer reported the matter to the store, and it was discovered that the three opened accounts in the victim’s name and bought furniture to the value of R27 000 in her name. Bela-Bela police spokesperson Constable Glen Manamela said that the suspects were employees of the store.

Rapist g ets six y ear s gets year ears Lizzy Bapela Daniel Mokwena (41) from Thabazimbi was sentenced to six years in prison in the Thabazimbi Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 5 November.

Thabazimbi Police Spokesperson Constable Moshira Modise said that Mokwena was arrested in November 2013.

Mokwena’s arrest and subsequent court appearances follow an incident in 2013. The victim, a family member

of Mokwena, said that Mokwena had broken into her home and raped her.

The police opened a case docket when the case was reported to them, and the suspect was arrested immediately.

Constable Modise said that Mokwena remained in custody between his arrest and sentencing.

The case’s investigating officer, Detective Warrant Officer Seraka Temane, said that he welcome the sentence

SAPS concerned about shoplifting at the Bela Mall

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Vaalwater SAPS gears up for the festive season Vaalwater Police Spokesperson Constable Simon Makhuvele posed for a picture next to a bakkie full of confiscated goods. Photo: Marlene Vermaak

Marlene Vermaak The festive season is the busiest time of the year for many businesses. This is also the case for the police. ‘Operation Festive Season’ is put into action across the country every year during November, December and January.

Colonel Ronel Otto, spokesperson for the SAPS in Limpopo, said that members of the public can expect increased visibility from police during this time.

“There will be an increase in roadblocks, and vehicles and pedestrians may be searched,” she said. “We urge the public to cooperate with the police to make the Waterberg safer for everyone.”

Otto reminded the public that the festive season brought with it the need for

increased vigilance.

“It would be better to leave your expensive jewelry at home,” she said.

“Don’t put all your important cards and documents in one handbag, and be wary when making use of ATMs. Protecting yourself is very important.”

In Vaalwater, the launch of Operation Festive Season resulted in a number of criminals behind bars. Large numbers of vehicles, pedestrians and shops were searched.

Vaalwater police spokesperson Constable Simon Makhuvele told the media that the police had confiscated several thousand rands’ worth of items which had already expired. Eight illegal immigrants, including a Chinese national, were also arrested.

“The police want to protect residents and make them feel safe,” said Makhuvele

Rhino poachers still at large This rhino was killed by poachers. Photo as illustration

The new Bela Mall is allegedly a shoplifting hotspot. Photo: TK Mashaba Lizzy Bapela

TK Mashaba Only a month after its opening the Bela Mall has already been the site of several attempts at shoplifting. Bela-Bela police are expected to hold a meeting with shop owners to increase wariness.

“We have received several cases of shoplifting,” said Bela-Bela police spokesperson Constable Glen Manamela. She advised shop owners to beef up their security in advance of the festive season.

The Bela Mall opened on 22 October.

Police in Hoopdal near Thabazimbi are still searching for their suspects in a case of rhino poaching at Leeupan Farm in October. No arrests have been made yet but investigations are continuing.

The Waterberg is an internationally recognized conservation area and home to one of the largest populations of rhinos in South Africa.

Rhino poaching has been a problem

the past few years.

Thabazimbi has recently seen efforts to raise awareness rhino poaching.

Events include a mass awareness project and a celebration of the Fifth Annual World Rhino Day in September.

Save the Waterberg Rhino and Waterberg Unites Against Rhino Poaching hosted the campaigns in collaboration with SANParks, the SAPS, anti-poaching units and others.

This person is wanted for questioning by Modimolle detectives in connection with a case of theft. Anybody with information can contact Warrant Officer Gawie Greeff on 083 661 7239.

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Modimolle urged to be sparing with water Lizzy Bapela The Modimolle Local Municipality urged the community to continue using water sparingly, following the high water demand due to rising temperatures.

Municipal spokesperson Patrick Shika said that water usage is very high in the area, resulting in the reservoir levels being lowered. He added that Magalies Water is experiencing power surges

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14 November, 2014

which affect the supply to Modimolle and leads to the water treatment facilities being overtaxed.

The municipality promised to keep the community updated on the matter. Water supply has been erratic in several municipalities lately. Matters came to a head in Mookgophong when concerned residents marched on the municipality.

The Limpopo Provincial Government is said to be attending to the matter.

Vaal water Oasis’ s rroof oof aalw Oasis’s collapses

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Goa or tr espassing Goatt shot ffor trespassing

The goat, which was allegedly shot for trespassing by the neighbour of Japie Rankapole.

Photo: TK Mashaba TK Mashaba A case of malicious damage to property has been opened against a farmer in the Noodhulp area after he allegedly shot his neighbour’s goat.

The goat was allegedly shot on Monday, and the caretaker found it on Tuesday morning. Former BelaBela police officer Japie Rankapole

went to the neighbouring farm to confront the alleged shooter. On arrival, the owner of the farm took Rankapole on a circuit of the farm, explaining that the goats are evading his perimeter fences and vandalizing his land.

He said that he did not have time to watch them, as he had his own work to do.

When asked what damage the goat had done, he allegedly said that he could not say, but pointed out that the goats had been there before.

“I am disappointed by his remarks,” Rankapole said. “As a farmer and a neighbour he should have told me that my animals are bothering him.”

Rankapole said that he had offered to pay for any damage the goat may have caused.

Rankapole told The BEAT that he had decided to place the matter in the hands of the law, and would have more information once the case was opened. The neighbour declined to comment.

No stadium for Bela-Bela Justin Steyn

The collapse of part of Vaalwater Oasis’ roof caused consternation in the town. Photo: Marlene Vermaak Marlene Vermaak Residents of Vaalwater received a nasty shock when rumours hit the town that the roof of the town’s new shopping centre, Vaalwater Oasis’ roof fad collapsed on Wednesday, 8 October just before 09:00.

The area where the collapse occurred is at the back of the centre and can be seen clearly from Bosveld Street in town, and is not close to the area where the public will soon be able to do their shopping.

Jaco Jansen van Rensburg, the owner of the development, hastened to reassure residents that the collapse was not accidental, but part of a planned demolition of that part of the mall.

“I wish to reassure residents that the roof collapse was part of a design change and

not a structural fault. The architect and the engineer’s plans differed and the decision was made to go in another direction with that part of the building,” he said.

Jansen van Rensburg went on to announce that 75% of the centre’s new occupants will be national franschises, and that thorough safety inspections have been done on all parts of the new construction.

“Vaalwater Oasis is perfectly safe for occupants and the public,” he said.

Employees of Edwin Construction, Johannes Lehutso and Klaas Monyeki, who were present during the collapse, confirmed that no-one was hurt during the incident.

The opening of the new shopping centre is due in the first week of December 2014.

If the Bela-Bela local municipality was expecting residents to jump for joy at the announcement of a planned R28 million sports stadium for the township, they were sorely disappointed.

Bela-Bela residents took to social media, expressing their disappointment and concern. An often repeated plea was for the municipality to focus the budget on the town’s infrastructure and water supply instead, while others said that the stadium would only be a white elephant.

“I’m sure that the R28 million can be used to benefit the entire town,”

was just one of many Facebook messages on the subject.

Bela-Bela’s DA councilor, Kobus van der Merwe, said that there are no plans at the moment to build the stadium, due to lack of funding.

“At this stage only R3.7 million has been allocated for the upgrading of soccer and athletics fields in the township,” he said, Van der Merwe said negotiations had been in progress with a private contractor to build the stadium for a more sensible R18 million, but the negotiations fell through.

At the time of going to press Bela Bela municipal spokesperson Matome Sebelebele had not responded to requests for comment.

What office is there which involves more responsibility, which requires more qualifications, and which ought, therefore, to be more honorable than teaching?

Harriet Martineau

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70% of South African schools have no libraries

DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Basic Education Desiree van der Walt. Photo: Lizzy Bapela Lizzy Bapela According to the National Education Infrastructure Management System figures released recently, 18 301 ordinary schools in South Africa do not have libraries. This figure represents 71.3% of the total schools in the country.

“This is in strong contrast to the remarks of Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga in her speech to district officials and principals on her department’s performance over the past five years,” said DA Shadow Deputy Minister for Basic Education, Desiree van der Walt. “The Minister

told principals to encourage parents to help their children to read at a young age and said that the only way to improve literacy and numeracy in this country is to encourage children to read. The NEIMS report has revealed that eighteen thousand of the twentythree thousand schools in South Africa are without libraries. Limpopo accounts for 3 580 of these schools and this is a disgrace.”

Van der Walt said that the DA plans to write to the Minister requesting a progress report on her department’s interventions in the affected provinces.

“The report also revealed that only sixteen percent of the libraries in the country are stocked. It is clear that most provinces are not meeting their infrastructure targets, forcing students to study in inadequate facilities.”

The DA said that the relevant departments must, as a matter of urgency, provide functional and well-stocked libraries. The party said that if the Minister is serious about transforming education in South Africa, she would do well to consider making the proper facilities available to learners in South African schools.

The Department of Basic Education could not be reached for comment in the matter.

Stakeholders celebrate with senior citizens Modimolle Municipal Speaker Sechele Sebolai interacted with senior citizens during the event.

Photo: Lizzy Bapela

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Waterberg firefighters take on their duties Candidates running during the Working on Fire recruitment session in Vingerkraal.

Photo: Lizzy Bapela

The fire fighters got on to some push-ups during the selections.

Photo: Lizzy Bapela

Lizzy Bapela Firefighters from across the Waterberg who were chosen during the Working on Fire recruitment process are expected to gather at the training academy in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, very soon. The newly-appointed staff have already started their practical training and briefing sessions ahead of the theory course they will be attending in Nelspruit. The practical sessions are being conducted at a Working on Fire basecamp in Vingerkraal.

The organization conducted its recruitment process during the month of October, and selected a total of 33 firefighters who passed their physical tests. Among the areas that contributed firefighters are Vingerkraal, with seven recruits, Vaalwater with 21 and Modimolle with five.

Limpopo launc hes Disa bility launches Disability Month

The Phagameng Old Age home Choir entertained the audience during the event.

Photo: Lizzy Bapela

Lizzy Bapela Senior citizens from within the Modimolle Municipality’s jurisdiction were treated to a day of fun and games hosted by the local municipality in Vaalwater. The event was held at the Leseding Community Hall on Friday, 31 October, with senior citizens from Phagameng, Alma, Vaalwater and surrounding villages in attendance.

Institutions including the local IEC, SAPS, SASSA, and the Department of Health and Social Development were present and addressed attendees.

During the event some of those present learned that there were still

elderly citizens facing financial and physical abuse by members of their own families. Some of the attendees reported being robbed of their grants and left for days without food and adequate hygiene. The relevant departments were engaged for assistance.

The senior citizens were educated about their rights as well as challenges such as illness, in addition to being given more information about the benefits they can claim from various departments.

The IEC taught the attendees about the importance of voting and explained the voting registration process.

Working on Fire spokesperson Matema Gwangwa told the media that the new appointees were expected to start their training in January. She said that initially, the course was due to start in December, but had to be postponed because of the festive season.

Gwangwa said that only two teams in the province are on standby during the holidays.

The organization’s provincial manager Sello Kobe conducted the recruitment sessions and said that it had not been easy to select the most competent individuals for the job.

He said that the program attracted a large number of school leavers, but added that a lack of academic qualifications need not be a disadvantage to a healthy, fit individual, as the organization provides its own training.

Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha is expected to lead the Disability Awareness Month campaign during November. Photo: Lizzy Bapela Lizzy Bapela National Disability month started on 3 November and is expected to conclude on 3 December. The aim of National Disability Month is to educate communities and uphold the rights of the disabled. The Limpopo Provincial Government, in co-operation with the Human Rights Commission, officially launched Provincial Disability Month on Thursday, 6 November.

The office of the Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha is expected to host a public participation programme in Rapotokwane this month, in honour of

people with disabilities. An event scheduled to be held by the Waterberg District Municipality in Pienaarsrivier this week was postponed in order to make way for this event.

This year’s theme for the event is “Break barriers, open doors to realise an inclusive society for all.”

Limpopo Provincial Spokesperson Phuti Seloba said that the objective of disability awareness month include communicating with communities on progress relating to the implementation of polies, programmes and legislation that seeks to improve the quality of life of persons living with disabilities.

The provincial government also seeks to engage the public to explore and showcase innovative ways by which barriers to the inclusion of people living with disabilities and their families can be broken.

Seloba highlighted that the South African Constitution also embraces people living with disabilities.

“The constitution upholds their rights and prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability,” he said.

While the provincial launch took place in Polokwane, local and district municipalities are expected to host their own events as part of the campaign.

The United Nations celebrates the International Day for Persons with Disabilities on the 3rd of December annually.

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14 November, 2014

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Photo of the week The quality of mer cy merc

Ar mistice Armistice Day

Many of us have heard the quote “the quality of mercy is not strained,” but perhaps not so many of us know the source of this quote.

Once again, we can thank Shakespeare for a sentiment that has informed the world. The full quote, which is a speech by Portia in the play The Merchant of Venice runs as follows: The quality of mercy is not strained.

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes. ’Tis mightiest in the mightiest. It becomes The thronèd monarch better than his crown.

It’s a lovely sentiment although, in the play, it did not work. In translation into modern English, according to the website No Fear Shakespeare, it runs: No-one shows mercy because he has to. It just happens, the way gentle rain drops on the ground. Mercy is a double blessing; it blesses the one who gives it and the one who receives it. It is strongest in the strongest people, and looks better on a king than a crown.

And the thing about mercy is that, much like forgiveness, love and other positive emotions, it cannot be earned, only given.

Mercy uplifts us, makes us better than we were before. It changes both the giver and receiver into better, wiser people — or it should do.

And the thing that many forget is that mercy is not for the weak. Only the strong are in a position to bestow it.

In our modern world with its sentiments of tit-for-tat and an eye for an eye it is easy to forget that everyone needs mercy sometimes.

Everyone needs forgiveness. The quote an eye for an eye, by the way, is from the Bible although many prefer the Gandhi version: An eye for an eye, and all the world is blind. The sentiment of the Gandhi quote is radically different from the Bible’s, which promotes the kind of tit-for-tat we were just speaking of.

Gandhi understood that nobody is perfect, and we are all in the wrong sometimes. We need to practice forgiveness in our lives or risk hemming ourselves in with so many old hatreds that we can’t move.

11 November was Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War. Across Europe, the month of November is marked by the wearing of poppies in honour of those killed during the darkest four years in human history. Which was, within thirty years, followed by an even more shameful period in history, the Second World War. South Africa was not really involved in the first World War, but the whole world is still feeling the effects of the second.

By the end of the war, over 60 million people — 2,5% of the world’s population at that time — had been killed. The Third Reich had collapsed, the Italian and Japanese Empires had fallen, and Europe was in ruins.

An estimated eleven million of the dead were Jews, who were slaughtered like cattle in German concentration camps such as Dachau and Auswitch.

It was a dark time for Europe and the world, and the scars are still there. There are still people alive today who survived the death camps.

It is important that we never forget the risks of inaction. Most of Europe declined to enter the war until they were attacked themselves. The only exception was Great Britain – but they waited until after France had fallen, and until it was clear that they were next on Hitler’s lists. The United States did not enter the war until after the sneak attack on Pearl Harbour, despite the urgent pleas of every European nation who could see the armies of the Reich bearing down upon them.

When they did, they did so with a vengeance, flattening the Japanese empire and eventually dropping two nuclear bombs on Japan at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. August 9 and August 6, the days on which the bombs were dropped on Japan, killing two hundred thousand civilians in the space of a few days, is not a national day of remembrance in America, although it should be. It is possibly the darkest day in human history, and certainly the darkest in American history, and resulted in the fall of an empire that had stood for thousands of years.

The nation perhaps most scarred by the War is Germany. Every German citizen remembers what happened when they sat back and let history take its course, resulting in a nation full of the most fanatical proponents of democracy and freedom in the world.

In a stroke of wonderful irony, American citizens are immigrating to Germany in order to escape the increasingly militarized surveillance state that the United States is in the process of becoming. The freedom of the individual is sacred in Germany, and the power of the state strictly circumscribed.

“Never again” is the motto of the German nation.

And they do not shy away from their history. They do not lie about it, or try to paint over their failures — not that Europe would have allowed them to forget if they had tried. They accept it, and they learn from it, and in the end, they are a stronger nation for it.

We have something to learn from Germany.

The first step in the acquisition of wisdom is silence, the second listening, the third memory, the fourth practice, the fifth teaching others.

Solomon Ibn Gabriol

A field of 888 246 ceramic poppies was installed in the moat of the Tower of London to honour those who fell during the First World War. Photo: Bernice Mills

The BEAT wants to hear from our readers. If you have a great story or something that you want us to bring to light, please email beateditor@gmail.com or send an SMS to one of our reporters. Lizzy: 072 264 7740 or TK: 076 756 9740. We would also LOVE to see some of your weird and wonderful photos for our editorial page.

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Jinnah Par k Primar y School Splash Day

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Gospel show a no-show

Learners at Jinnah Park Primary School took full advantage of the jumping castle. Photo: TK Mashaba

Mzet performing his popular song ‘Trap die Duiwel’. Photo: Lizzy Bapela Lizzy Bapela Well-known gospel artist Two-Boy ‘Mzet’ Oliphant expressed concern in an interview with The BEAT over poor attendance at gospel shows in the area, saying that it shows that young people in Bela-Bela are not interested in religious issues.

Mzet spoke to The BEAT after poor turnout disappointed the artists who had come to entertain Bela-Bela youth on Saturday, 8 November. Mzet said that the lack of turnout really disappointed him and the other artists. He said that he would have to get together with other artists to come up with plans to revive

The school set up an artificial climbing mountain for learners.

Photo: TK Mashaba TK Mashaba Jinnah Park Primary School recently held a fundraising event called a Splash Day. Learners took advantage of water slides, jumping castles and

SMALLS

Leobo Private Reserve conducted by the Seller at Leobo Private Reserve.

BARGAIN - newly built 3 bedroom house, 2 bathrooms, garage, open plan living room/dining room. Paul Kruger str.

Nylstroom. R680 000.

Contact Francois 082 495 3299. (-19/12)(NSR)

Transfer of the Business is intended to take place on 1 December 2014 being a date not less than 30 (Thirty) days nor more than 60 (Sixty) days after the date of the last publication of this notice.

(7&14/11).

LEGALS SALE OF BUSINESS NOTICE IN TERMS OF SECTION 34 OF THE INSOVENCY ACT, NO. 24 OF 1936 Notice is hereby given in terms of section 34(1) of the Insolvency Act No. 24 of 1936, as amended, to interested parties and creditors, that GORGEOUS PROPERTIES (PTY) LIMITED (Registration No. 2000/ 001497/07). (“the Seller”) sold to LEOBO PRIVATE RESERVE (PTY) LIMITED (Registration No. 2014/ 129574/07) (“the Purchaser”) the Business being the guest accommodation and leisure activity enterprise conducted under the name

ESTATE NOTICE In the Estate of the late CHRISTIAN MULKE OERTEL ID: 190418 5019 082 of Warmbad Rusoord, Chris Hani Drive, Bela Bela Date of death: 16 March 2014 Estate Number: 020743/ 2014 Kindly take notice that the First and Final Liquidation and Distribution Account in the above Estate will lie for inspection for a period of 21 days from date of publication hereof at the Office of the Master of the High Court, Polokwane and at the office of the Magistrate, Bela Bela.

D E WILLIAMS Attorney for Executrix LANSER & WILLIAMS 16 Sutter Road P. O. Box 18 Bela Bela 0480 Tel: (014) 736 2216/7.

the love for gospel in Bela-Bela.

“We expected better than what we are seeing now, especially because we advertised well in advance. Due to the sales of our music and our popularity outside Bela-Bela, we thought that the same would happen today,” he said. “I chose my genre to bring young people closer to the word of God and gospel music, but today proved that things are not as we thought in Bela-Bela.”

He called on other artists not to lose faith but to continue to spread the Word.

Chaiphus ‘Tau Dia Roroa’ Khoza, and other artists such as Mavusana, Hosea and Crazy Midas were also slated to perform at the event.

Some of the learners enjoyed a ride on trikes. Photo: TK Mashaba other activities to cool down in the heat of the day.

Charlotte De Klerk, an educator at the school and a coordinator at the event, said that the event was held in order to raise funds for the school.

“This is an annual event for our students and the money raised here helps the school in many areas,” she said.

The learners wore swimwear and casual clothes for the day.

Stick your “We chose something neck out that we know and children like,” she said, advertise “and it benefits their lives.”

The school is in the process of building new classrooms and a new administration office, which are expected to be complete by March 2015.

Ebrahim Noor of Spa Park in Bela-Bela recently turned 70, and celebrated his birthday with his family and close friends. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

Modimolle learner Jan Baloyi was seen removing a snake from the local hall premises after it was killed.

Photo: Lizzy Bapela

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14 November, 2014

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Former Bela-Bela mayor shows her support for Matric Fridays

Spa Park Primary School rewards outstanding work Grade R learners filled the stage during their graduation ceremony.

Photo: Lizzy Bapela

Former Bela-Bela Mayor Hendrietta Ledwaba wearing school uniform to show her support for matric learners. Photo: TK Mashaba

Modimolle municipal chief whip Grace Mashitisho supports matric Fridays by wearing her school uniform. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

“It is a way to show the children that they are not alone” Spa Park School learners entertained the audience during the event. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

TK Mashaba The Matric Friday program launched by Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha during October has been picking up steam in the Waterberg.

Former Bela-Bela mayor Hendrietta Ledwaba is among the political figures who has taken to wearing school uniform every Friday, in addition to making appearances at various schools.

“This is an initiative by the government and the SABC in support of our children,” she said. “It is a way to show the children that they are not alone.

They know that their parents and leaders know their struggles.”

Ledwaba has been joined by the ANC

Women’s League in the Waterberg in wearing school uniforms as part of the program.

Ledwaba said that education is a priority for her, as she is currently studying toward a BA degree in Administration through Unisa. After her term as mayor she enrolled at Wits University and obtained a Public Management Degree in addition to a Development of Municipal Finance degree.

“Education is the future and we would like for the learners to do well so that they can become leaders in the future,” she added.

The programme will continue until the matric learners finish writing their exams.

Twins Auto Ser vices gi ves Services giv bac k to the comm unity back community The intersen phase learners staged a drama on Nelson Mandela’s life. Photo: Lizzy Bapela

Lizzy Bapela Spa Park Primary School held their annual academic awards ceremony at Bela-Bela Forever Resorts on Monday, 10 November. The event was divided into three sessions — the Grade R graduation ceremony, the Foundation Phase Awards, and the Intersen Phase merit evening and Grade 7 farewell party.

Pastor Tshepo Leshilo was among the motivational speakers who attended the event, and learners led the entertainment program. Parents and family members also attended to

witness their children’s achievements and show their support for the learners.

The school principal, Johan Adams, thanked the parents for being involved in their children’s education, and for working with teachers to make sure that their children perform well in their studies. He also thanked sponsors for making the event possible.

Adams said that the awards were established to give motivation to learners to work hard and push those who did not make the cut in the current year to work harder next year.

Students from the InTouch learnership programme posed for a photo with Twins Auto Services owner Monama Aphiri.

Photo: TK Mashaba

TK Mashaba Bela-Bela Twins Auto Services recently welcomed thirteen students from the InTouch apprenticeship programme at the show grounds, for practical experience training.

According to Monama Aphiri, the manager at Twin Auto Services, this is the company’s way of giving back to the community and helping the students to obtain practical experience.

“I am glad to have received the students and so far they have been doing well,” he said. “They came to us with excellent theoretical knowledge but are eager to learn more practical skills.”

Karabo Manamela of Hostel View said

that she is enjoying the experience.

“I learned a lot from the theory section of the course and the practical is making everything simpler,” she said.

Linah Nkuna from Skierlik said that she is enjoying the course and is pleased that the practical experience will help her to complete her apprenticeship.

“I think I will pursue Mechanical Engineering after we are done with the apprenticeship,” she said.

Piet Seboya of Extension Six in BelaBela said that he also has larger ambitions, and plans to pursue his studies further.

“I would love to own a big engineering company someday, and help people too,” he said.

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Bela-Bela Marathon feels the heat

A runner waving for the camera. Photo: TK Mashaba

This athlete did not look as though she was planning to run out of water! Photo: TK Mashaba

This runner was sweaty but determined. Photo: TK Mashaba

Staff from Die Pos and The BEAT celebrated after the race was over. Photo: Herman Steyn

The steep hills in the area surrounding Bela Bela were the least of the problems for those who took part in the Bela-Bela Marathon on Saturday, 8 October. That prize is bound to go to the temperature, which rose well past 30°C, Nearly 1 000 athletes from a wide variety of clubs in the northern part of South Africa took part in the race which, once again, was split into

distances of 42,2-, 21,1-, 10- and 5 kilometers. The shorter-distance runners started after the marathon athletes and, especially in the 5km race, there was many a local face to be seen.

Spectators were impressed by the front-runner in the exhausting 42,2km race. Phuti Mohale, a member of the Pietersburg Road Runners, won the race handily with a time of 02:32:39.

Elias Mabane from Nedbank Road Runners was second in the men’s division with a time of 02:39:22.

The first woman over the finish line was Monica Forster of the Boksburg Athletics Club, with a time of -3:23:07.

The 21,1km men’s’ race was won by Stephan Lekalakala with a time of 01:12:42, from Ikhozi Club in Bronkhorstspruit, and the women’s race was won by Catheren Malungane

from Transnet with a time of 00:40:22.

The route was clearly marked this year and once again local businesses supported the marathon by providing water stalls for the athletes.

The prize for best water point went to KFC (Clabo Investments) for the seventh year in a row.

The 2015 Bela-Bela Marathon is planned to be held on Saturday, 7 November.

SAB League delayed due to player registration failures TK Mashaba Soccer fans in the Waterberg will have to wait to see their favourite soccer teams in action this season.

SAFA recently announced that the SAB League opening weekend, which was expected to have taken place on the weekend of 8 and 9 November, is being delayed pending team registration.

The league was expected to kick off on Saturday, 8 November, but according to SAFA officials a number of teams have not yet registered all their players.

The Nedbank Cup, meanwhile, is expected to kick off on Sunday, 16 November at Ephraim Mohale Stadium in Modimolle, for teams from

the ABC Motsepe League.

The Waterberg district is represented in the ABC Motsepe League by Modimolle Aces, Lephalale Young Killers, Mosesetjane All Stars and the newly-promoted Terrors FC. Terrors FC will be playing their first game in the new league in the Nedbank Challenge, and the Modimolle team is said to be beefing up their squad ahead of their first match.

Terrors, who made it to the regional knockout of the Nedbank Challenge in 2013, is eager to take part in this important tournament.

“We have beefed up our squad and we believe that our boys will deliver,” said William Thulare, the owner of Terrors FC.

Terrors FC will be taking part in the Nedbank Cup Challenge under the banner of the ABC Motsepe League instead of the SAB League this season, having been promoted in the previous season. Photo: TK Mashaba