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BEST IN THE COUNTRY Bulletin once again claimed the bragging rights this year at the annual national media awards for excellence in community journalism. The Forum for Community Journalism Excellence Awards (FCJ) is held each year to honour the best of the best in the community journalism industry across the country. This year Bulletin again made it to the final five in the category Best Independent Newspaper for 2019 (a title Bulletin won in 2016 and 2017 and were runners up in 2018). Editor Joe Dreyer, who previously shared second spot in the Investigative Journalist of the Year category, this year walked away as the winner for the General Photo of the Year and was crowned the 2019 Photographer of the Year for his portfolio of work. His colleague, Roelof de Jonge, made the finals in the General Photography category.
NATIONAL AWARDS
12 March 2021
Photo: Joe Dreyer
EXPOSÉ: WE TAKE AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE PARK
A lot has been said about the happenings at Minitzani Park in Tzaneen. This week we break down every aspect of the project which has caused unwarranted division among the community. We spoke to Zantelle Ras in a two-hour long interview to set the record straight and acquired some feedback from the municipality on what exactly went wrong to tarnish an otherwise uplifting community project. Read the full story on Pages 4 & 5 inside.
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“We saw a guy jump from the bridge” ■ Roelof de Jonge
Personeel | Personnel Kantoor: 015 306 0198 Office: 064 650 7123 Redakteur / Editor Joe Dreyer 072 930 1462 joe@farnorthbulletin.co.za Joernaliste / Journalists Roelof de Jonge 078 672 7306 roelof@farnorthbulletin.co.za Billy Sibuyi 081 429 2040 billy@farnorthbulletin.co.za
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On Saturday morning the 6th of March, a man in his early 30’s, jumped over the rails of one of the twin bridges over the Tzaneen Dam. In respect and for the privacy of the relatives and his loved ones, Far North Bulletin would like to abstain from mentioning any names. The passing of a person is always relevant. Traditionally, journalists with years of experience would not report on suicides - only if the person was a very well-known resident of an area, or a celebrity. What makes this case unique was the fact that it happened in a public space. The most astonishing however, was the curiosity of the public. Instead of passing by, their inquisitiveness got the better of them. So much so that they displayed a complete disregard for the road rules and the authority of traffic officials on the scene, even less for the victim and his next of kin. Traffic officials had their hands full to prevent people from parking their vehicles on the bridge whilst search and rescue workers calculated the position of the deceased who had vanished beneath the murky water. With the help of the SAPS, the traffic officials were able to at least keep the snooping public at bay. The sheer number of onlookers and their morbid curiosity eventually led to an accident right on the bridge. Although nobody was seriously injured in said accident, it could have, nay should have, been avoided. On Sunday there was still no sight of the body as search and rescue workers circled in the area with a boat in the hopes of finding him. It was only on Monday morning, when a colleague and friend of the deceased, went back to the bridges to see if he could perhaps spot his friend, that he did indeed make the traumatic discovery. After he had spotted his friend, he immediately notified the SAPS who send out a search and rescue team to retrieve his body from the water. It was a sad sight and time for his family, friends and colleagues who all held a glimmer of hope that he might return alive and safe. The inquisitive vultures with no regard for traffic laws or the grieving relatives were back on the bridge again, wanting to park on the bridge and some even taking cell phone photos. This time the SAPS and traffic officials took no non-
Search and rescue workers having the grim task to retrieve the body of a person on Monday morning the 8th of March from the Tzaneen Dam. Photos: Roelof de Jonge sense and chased them away. Bulletin spoke to the deceased’s former manager on Tuesday the 9th of March to gain some form of clarity on the matter. “We were here at the office, ready for the day’s work ahead. He asked me if he could go to buy something to eat. A while after he left, I received a message from him that I should call him,” the manager said. “He usually answers when I call him. I must have made at least six missed calls. I realised something was wrong. I contacted our office in Polokwane to trace his vehicle as it is equipped with a tracking device. I was informed that the vehicle was parked on one of the twin bridges.” “I rushed immediately over to the bridge where I found his vehicle, but no sign of him. I saw an informal fisherman and a young boy with him seated under the bridge, busy fishing. I asked them if they saw my colleague, whereby they replied that they saw a man jumping from the bridge. They did not bother much, because they thought he came for a swim.” “I did not see my friend around and I immediately notified the authorities as well as his family. We are all very saddened by his passing. He was a good guy and very experienced in his trade. He was honestly one of the best employees here and it is not going to be easy to find a replacement for him. We are missing a giant right now.”
Search and rescue workers at the scene on Saturday the 6th of March at one of the twin bridges over the Tzaneen Dam where a person jumped over from and sadly passed away.
Daar is slegs een vraag: hoe op dees aarde? ■ Roelof de Jonge Verlede Donderdagmiddag die 4de Maart, is verkeersbeamptes met ‘n provinsiale verkeersvoertuig van Limpopo met ‘n privaat bakkie reg voor die High Grove Lodge en Restaurant in ‘n ongeluk betrokke. Volgens die Polisie se verklaring, het die ongeluk omstreeks 17:30 plaasgevind. Die verklaring lui dat die Duitse sedanmotor van die verkeersbeamptes vanuit Tzaneen op die R36 gery het. Die bakkie het vanaf die teenoorgestelde rigting aangery gekom. Volgens die SAPD, het die bakkie na bewering regs gedraai om by High Grove te parkeer. Die verkeersbeampte se voertuig het op daardie tydstip die bakkie aan die passasierskant getref. Die SAPD se verklaring dui verder aan dat nie die bestuurder van die bakkie, of die verkeersvoertuig mekaar gesien het nie. Die bestuurder van die bakkie se verklaring was dat hy net ‘n groot slag gehoor en gevoel het toe die verkeersvoertuig Agter elke man, is daar ‘n vrou, selfs by ongelukstonele. ‘n Lid van die SAPS op Tzaneen en ‘n paramedikus was op bystand tydens ‘n ongeluk teen hom vas bots. tussen ‘n provinsiale verkeersvoertuig en ‘n privaatvoertuig op die 4de Maart. Foto: Roelof de Jonge Volgens die bestuurder van die verkeersvoertuig se verklaring het hy ook nie tend moet wees wat om hul aangaan wanneer ‘n ‘n faktor gewees het nie. Nie een van die twee die bakkie gesien voor hom indraai nie. bestuurders het op ‘n reguit stuk pad waar die Beide voertuie is erg beskadig, alhoewel niemand mens agter die stuur van ‘n voertuig is. Teen 17:30 toe die ongeluk gebeur het, was dit spoedbeperking 60km/h is, mekaar gesien nie of ernstig beseer is nie. Die insident dui net wéér aan dat mense, en selfs verkeersbeamptes, altyd oplet- nog lig genoeg. Sigbaarheid kon seersekerlik nie bewus was van mekaar nie. Foto deur: Willie & Mariette Source: www.dwa.gov.za Information updated: 08/03/2021
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So is it five or twenty?
■ Billy Sibuyi
Phalaborwa faces more power cuts ■ Billy Sibuyi A power failure on the 7th and 8th of March left roughly 60% of Phalaborwa town’s residents without power for two whole days. Authorities reported that there was no evidence of sabotage as an electrical cable on the Grosvenor Crescent substation had blown up. Initially the municipality could not identify where the fault was and presumed it was at a substation which was never really the case. After finding the fault the resourceful municipality could not garner a TLB to dig out the cable and that meant the residents had to sleep in the dark. The excuse given for the lack of a TLB was that the water team was using it in Namakgale, the township that go without water for weeks. However, Illanga Constructions, a construction company in Phalaborwa, offered to assist with a TLB, something that residents in Phalaborwa always do for the municipality. David Vun was one of the many residents who shared their experience of being hit hard by the municipality’s incompetency. Vun told Far North Bulletin that his freezer defrosted during the day on Monday and by the evening when he got back from work, his entire freezer was defrosted, and he had to discard R2 900 worth of groceries.
“What bothers me the most is, I had just bought a massive amount of meat given the fact that I had family members coming to visit me for a few days,” stated Vun who also said that he since had to cancel the visit since he no longer has food to cater for them. The lights finally came back on just before midnight on Monday evening but that was a few hours too late for residents who lost thousand Rands worth of food. ***Editor’s Comment: In defense of the municipality and their electrical team however, it is not shoddy workmanship that is to blame for the constant power outages, but rather aging infrastructure where most of the power cables that feed the town, are around 50 years old. To join a high-voltage cable is also not an hour’s job but can take up to six hours depending on where the fault lies and the conditions the team must operate under. The aged cables add to the difficulty of performing a joint and some cases the team will need to make two joints where a portion of the cable is replaced with a new one. The origin of the Phalaborwa Municipality’s electricity crisis therefore seems to lie with maintenance, misappropriation of funds, and continued line inspection. Bulletin was confidentially informed that there is a massive problem with the ring feed system that needs urgent attention.
“They had not written it [the statement] well, so I will correct it.” These were the words of the Ba-Phalaborwa Mayor, Merriam Malatji, following questions raised by Bulletin about a R1 million bursary scheme that was recently awarded to five learners...or 20 learners. Malatji, who has suddenly broken her silence after completely ignoring her residents and the media on many issues in the past, blamed the municipality’s communication team led by Jonas Mahesu, for the statement they released regarding the bursary scheme, which caused confusion and enraged the community at large. The municipality issued a statement on the 19th of February which declared that Malatji, and the Municipality had set aside R1 million to assist poor and top performing grade 12 learners in Phalaborwa. Two weeks later, the municipality again issued a statement mentioning that Malatji, in her capacity as the mayor, awarded the top five learners from the grade 12 class of 2020 and mentioned that the awarded learners were from underprivileged backgrounds. It further highlighted that the learners were selected wholly by the mayor from destitute families and schools identified by the Department of Education. Nowhere did the statement make mention that the five learners were handpicked by the department of education, and that the mayor just approved the selection. “All of you here today are identified not only based on your performance at school but also based on the vulnerable situation that you face at home,” read the quote by Malatji in the official release. Bulletin asked the BPM how the learners were
selected, what their results were, how it was determined that they were the most vulnerable in Phalaborwa, and what varsity institutions they were going to that would cost a staggering R200 000 per child. Our inquiry was met with a personal phone call from the mayor followed by a new press release. Malatji explained that the bursary covered 20 learners and not five as stated by her communication department. “The figure of five learners mentioned, is the wrong information as we give out one million every financial year to 20 learners,” she said. “We gave 20 learners last year and we have the evidence here, and I personally do not know these students or how their marks are as I am advised by the circuit,” she added. “These are not the top achievers. The top achievers have already applied and were accepted at their respective schools and they have their own bursaries. These students are those that are left behind and are not accepted for any bursary or NSFAS”. It is not clear how the learners were selected and why, if according to Malatji that there are 20 beneficiaries, only five were invited to the municipality. Not surprisingly, in the new press statement the municipality contradicts its first two statements in what they call a “point of clarification”. The municipality now states that the mayor who they had vividly highlighted as the one to have selected the five learners was no longer the one who selected the learners, but rather the circuit of the department of education which selected the ‘top achievers’. The municipality did not name the beneficiaries, but inexplicably posted their photos on Facebook. This is a developing story and we will keep our readers updated.
Sewerage crisis looms
Lions devour tracker ■ Billy Sibuyi
A 27-year-old man who worked as game tracker at Marataba Safari Lodge in Limpopo was attacked and killed by two lions after he disembarked from his vehicle on Sunday, the 7th of March. Malibongwe Mfila, a tracking specialist, is alleged to have exited from his vehicle, something trackers normally do, when he was suddenly attacked by two lions who are reported to have been hiding in a thicket a few meters from where he had parked. Trackers normally accompany rangers on game drives as they are considered the eyes and ears of the game drive and they spend the duration of the drive perched in an exposed seat at the helm of 4×4 game vehicle where they are too often exposed to close encounters with predators. So, Mfila had according to the police allegedly been busy driving around in the bush checking where animals such as elephants, lions and others were to advise the guides when they do game drives. “Someone who was also driving inside the park noticed these two Lions busy devouring the deceased and he then alerted the Park Manager who alerted the police. The lions were found still attacking the deceased and were both immediately put down,” stated Brig Motlalefelo Mojapelo, the Limpopo police spokesperson. Reacting to the news, SANParks Chief Executive Officer, Fun-
■ Billy Sibuyi
disile Mketeni, said that the incident has left SANParks distraught, and sent his condolences to the family, friends and staff at Marataba Contractual Park during the difficult time.
Every part of the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality’s infrastructure is crumbling. The electricity grid is failing, the water system is close on its heels, and it would appear as though no thorough inspection of building plans are conducted before a property owner is given the go ahead to transform a residential home into a boarding house for students. This is evident in the current sewerage problem in Phalaborwa which the municipality seems to not notice despite the hundreds of residents with various complaints and subsequent reference numbers. Bulletin has reported on the dire situation at Frangipani School for mentally challenged children where rivers of sewerage continue to flood their premises. This week the headmaster of that school announced that she will be closing the school until the problem is resolved. The municipality shrugged its shoulders. A building designed to house six adults, has a
plumbing system to accommodate six adults. When that building is transformed into a makeshift hostel and then houses 20 adults, the plumbing system must be upgraded too, or the raw sewerage will simply spill over from the manholes and flood the neighbours, or run into rivers and streams. Not even the man who stands a higher chance of getting things done, Sybrandt de Beer, is winning as he too has lost all hope in delivering service to his people. “We struggle with sewerage running down the street, sometimes for up to six days after reporting it, nothing has happened. If it is not the sewerage running down the street then it is hundreds of litres of potable water,” stated de Beer. Perhaps with the recent donation of a jet sewer machine as part of a strategic relationship between the mine and the municipality, which was made by PMC on Wednesday, the 10th of March, the residents might be afforded the service and tthe lack of sewerage in their streets they deserve.
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Greater Tzaneen Municipality applauds the ■ Joe Dreyer There was no official written approval from the Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) for the erection of the fence around Minitzani Park, nor for the signboards upon it. There is no approval for the proposed selling of the streets inside this public park (of which one street has already been sold) or the picnic spots, to local businesses with the option of rebranding them at a fee of up to R10 000. It is also not clear at this stage who exactly will be maintaining the park’s grounds and facilities as there exists no agreement between the municipality and any outside contractor to this effect. No proposal has yet been tabled to the public regarding entry times and access control to the park, or the enforcement of Covid-19 adherence guidelines at said access point. There is no clarity regarding the proposed rule of “no child no entry” or how this will affect the municipality’s letting of the tuckshop or the hall on the park’s grounds, or access to the park to any member of the public as defined in the very definition of a public park. It is not clear either, how many individuals possess keys to the park’s gate, and what process to follow should a citizen of Tzaneen require entry. The only clarity on this matter is that only the municipality has the keys. Furthermore, it is not clear what the money paid by businesses for the “purchasing” of the streets or picnic spots in the park, would be used for considering that there are numerous sponsors for the project who have offered their time and money – in exchange for their right to display their advertisement boards - to maintain the facilities which according to the municipality, is still the property of the municipality. “The fact is that we don’t have an official approval for anyone to own the park, so nobody is in charge of the park. What they did was to renovate the park at their cost, I don’t know whether they raised funds or what, but they renovated the park apparently at about R150 000 for repainting the roof, the palisade and all the equipment in the park,” said Neville Ndlala, spokesperson for the GTM. “Now, the feeling is that we must appreciate the efforts because they came on when they saw that the park needed to be taken care of and they assisted there. These other issues that has to do with advertising and the naming of the streets at a fee, are issues that will be discussed in a meeting with Ms Ras and the director for Community Services [Aleck Nkuna] and the Manager for Parks [Xoliswa Gala]. Whatever comes out of that meeting will be discussed with the Municipal Manager [Thapelo Matlala].” Ndlala went on to say that the park is still open to the public and the reason the gates were locked was because of the Covid-19 regulations where the municipality was not ready to open parks. He made no mention of what the municipality would have done to close the park before the convenient erection of the fence and the gate. On the 1st of March, we met with Zantelle Ras, the Minitzani project manager who admitted that she had obtained no official approval documents from the municipality before the start of the project but claimed that she had received the go ahead from Xoliswa Gala, the GTM Parks Manager, via a WhatsApp discussion. When asked for proof of this consent, Ras said that she had lost all her information on her phone including all WhatsApp communication history when she inadvertently wiped the device. To rectify this, Ras sent a voice note to Gala during our meeting, requesting a screenshot of the conversation. At the time of going to print, yesterday, the 11th of March, we had still not received said screenshot and the spokesperson for the GTM, Neville Ndlala had not confirmed either. “This is not just about good intentions, and that is where you are missing the point. Like I said before, I obtained permission. The only thing I do not have is a letter in my hands that says ‘Zantelle you can go ahead and do what you like’. I did not know about the processes which included a public participation meeting.” The proposal A little over a year ago, on the 28th of August 2019, Ras presented a decent proposal to the municipality detailing every part of her planned project. The presentation contained photographs, the plan to erect the fence, the reconstruction of the roof, the painting and repairing of all the utilities inside the park grounds and even the proposal for construction of the brand-new wooden jungle gym built and installed by local carpenter, Craig Woodward. All of this, she sent to the municipality for approval. According to Ras, she never asked for financial assistance from the municipality, only approval. Inexplicably, the office of the manager of parks at the GTM failed to follow protocol, nor did they advise Ras on which steps she should follow to proceed with the project. After waiting three months, Ras asked Gala via WhatsApp for feedback upon which Gala apparently gave the go ahead. “I didn’t know I needed a letter of approval. Like, here’s a letter, please go to the headmaster’s office?”
Whilst the upgrades to the equipment and the grounds of Minitzani Park was a fantastic initiative, the fact remains that the processes that were not followed, will negatively impact on its sustainability. Photos: Roelof de Jonge
The Fence According to Ras the fence is an absolute necessity given the increase in the number of vehicles on the road over the course of the last thirty years, and the perceived rise in child abductions. When asked to name an instance of child abduction at the park, or an instance where a child ran into traffic and was struck by a car, Ras argued that it was better to be safe than sorry. She was presented with the following scenario: There is only one access gate and little parking near it. This often leads to parents having to park their vehicles at the bottom of the park in Boundary Street and having to walk up to the gate to enter the park. What does the parent stand to do, should they be inside the park and notice a thief breaking into their vehicle on the other side of the fence? Despite the vehicle being only a meter away from the swings, the owner of the vehicle would have to stand helplessly looking on. Her response to this was simply; “do you not have insurance?” She also said that it was the municipality’s responsibility to inform the public that a fence would be erected around the park and in so doing afford anyone the opportunity to give feedback or debate
the matter. “I did my part as was expected. I presented my plans and waited for the approval which I received through phone calls and WhatsApp messages. Later, after you first contacted me about the project, I went and spoke to the municipal manager, Thapelo Matlala, and took my presentation to him as well. I told him that we have a problem because Joe Dreyer is asking for the approvals for the project. He said to me that he could not give me the approval because there is a lengthy process that needs to be followed first. This was the very first time that anybody explained the entire process to me.” Ras said that she then asked Matlala if they could please start that process. “He said that he agreed with me and the project because it is a good cause, and it assists the municipality greatly as they would not have to spend any funds on the upgrading of the park. He also admitted that Xoliswa did not follow the correct processes and did not do her job.” According to Ras, the fence was signed over to the GTM in a document brought to her to sign by a man named “John”. In this document she said she determined the value of the fence to be R80 000. She could not provide a date for the signing of the document.
Though supporters involved in the Minitzani beautification project seemingly refuse to accept any grievances against the erection of the palisade fence, there are in fact many residents who find it to be appauling and "resembling a washing line". These residents were never afforded the opportunity to voice their opinions before the erection of said fence.
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unauthorized upgrades to Minitzani Park
Before the erection of the fence, Minitzani was accessible to every member of the public. That right is now locked to selected members of the public only.
Access to the Park The controversial “rule” instituted by Ras proclaiming no entry to the park without a child is not only contra to the idea of a public park, but also not a municipal rule. It immediately excludes any person who wishes to sit at one of the picnic benches during lunchtime and enjoy a meal, or simply get out of the office and take a stroll through the park to relax. It also excludes adult-only gatherings such as club meetings or even excludes an elderly couple wanting to take a lazy Sunday stroll through the park. Ras defended the rule stating that as a parent she would feel safer in the park without any strangers “hanging around” unless they were strangers with children. “That park is a children’s playpark so what would an adult male want to do in that park? Sit there and look at other people’s children? For the safety of your own children? Or do you not really care about the safety of your children. I cannot keep my children at home just because of the safety issues in the country.” When we asked her how she thought it would be possible for a private individual to create a rule not promulgated by the municipality who owns the park, she denied having created the rule. “I did not create the rule, I merely presented it to the municipality, and they approved it because of the number of hijackings that have been reported.” The rule and the logic behind it immediately insinuated that every single adult male walking in a park is to be considered a paedophile, which opens the municipality and by default Ras herself, up to a host of legal claims. To this, she responded with: “maybe not you, but what about another man?” Minitzani is however, not exclusively a child-only park, despite the swings and other apparatus. We could find no instances of kidnapping in Minitzani Park for the last 20 years. Ironically, after the erection of the fence and the gate, a group of people attended a child’s birthday party in Minitzani. Whilst there, two men were reportedly roaming around inside the park with cooler boxes selling ice cream to the children. Advertisement Boards Ras explained that any business who sponsored more than R10 000 (whether financially or through material or labour) would be allowed to erect a large board on the fence. Those who could not afford a large donation and contributed less than R10 000 (whether financially or through material or labour) would be allowed a smaller board. To make it logistically easier, the board sizes were divided into two sizes only namely 2m x 930cm and 930cm x 930cm. She also stated that the agreement between herself and the sponsors was that the boards could remain on the fence indefinitely if the sponsor is willing to stay involved in the maintenance of the park. Ras said that she also has consent for these boards, though she cannot provide proof of this as it was given over WhatsApp and her device was wiped. According to Ndlala, there is a process that usually needs to be followed in order to erect and, or display advertisement signboards. “You make an application to the municipality and an adjudication process must take place. Decisions are taken there and the fee is determined through the valuer. The application form is available on our website at www.greatertzaneen.gov.za”
Zantelle Ras
Paying for services On the last day of February this year, months after work was done at the park, Ras made a public statement on Facebook declaring that she had used sponsors’ money to pay her husband’s company, for work at the park. According to her, she paid him R14 600 for 23 days’ work at the site. The work included tearing down an old roof, working soil into the ground and tearing up the surface of the roads inside the park, which will eventually be resurfaced. To justify this, she explained that although she had lined up a sponsor for the labour, the sponsor however, was unable to help at the time and so she paid her husband. In addition, she admitted that she had not requested quotes from any other company or any other sponsor but said that her husband offered her a special rate of R634.78 per day which was a lot less than his regular day rate of R1 500. “I now understand that this was not the right way to do things. Currently I am receiving guidance from an incredibly wise man who is teaching me what I can do and what not. He told me that the fact that my husband received payment for the work at the park without all the directors signing off and agreeing on quotations, was not the right way to do things. But at that time, I did not have directors and it was just me on my own. I really did not know the processes that had to be followed.” A Word from the DA “This municipality has officials who do not do their jobs and are not checked up on regularly enough.” Those were the words of Desiree van der Walt, DA Constituency Head for Limpopo. “Municipal or government property belongs to government and there has never been a case that it was accepted that an individual could come in and just do something. Yes, they can write proposals, but according to the law, government has to be transparent. So, if there is a need for assistance to maintain parks or whatever the case may be, it must be advertised that there was a proposal made and are there other people interested or any objections, so that the entire process is transparent and fair,” explained Van der Walt. “Minitzani does not belong to the people of Ward 15 exclusively. It was established many years ago and the children from all over went there to be taught traffic rules. There were many birthday parties held there and later one would see many parents, single parents and even grandparents who would go to the park and take their children or grandchildren to play there. And later when they were on their own in Tzaneen, they still went to the park to sit there. The DA as an organization has booked that hall from the GTM many times. The point is that if you give the park to someone, the processes and agreement must always be transparent. Money floating around must be managed. Political parties spy on one another for exactly these types of reasons. People who have advertised illegally must remove their boards.” Van der Walt went on to say that the municipality in total, has had no control for the last couple of years, to manage or implement their own bylaws on all illegal advertising in Tzaneen. “You can just go and have a look at the main street and see all the posters of churches and penis enlarging procedures pasted on government infrastructure. I am posing this question to parliament. When was the last time this municipality took money for advertising and when was the last time they removed illegal advertising across the spec-
Minitzani Park was never, and still is not exclusively a playground for children, despite the many swings and jungle gyms. It is a public park available to every member of the public.
trum on properties, road signage and the flower boxes in the main street.” Van der Walt concluded by saying that if citizens wish to do good, it must happen within the laws and regulations and in a transparent manner. “I cannot agree to even a good deed if it is done illegally. And that is where this whole issue started which is now obviously dividing communities which I don’t think was the intention of anyone writing about it or anyone trying to do a good deed and contribute to this good deed. This is what happens and how communities are divided, cleverly so, by government officials when they don’t do their jobs.” In summary At the time of going to print the GTM spokesperson had not divulged a date or time for the meeting to be held with Ras. The registration process of the NGO “Projekte Sonder Grense” had been finalized according to a Facebook post Ras made, with registration number 2021/455430/08. There is still not a detailed audit on the full amounts of money received and spent during this project, as it is in the process of being audited. Ras did however say that R35 000 was paid into Tzaneen Swaarvoertuie’s bank account, for the project, and a total of R38 617.27 was spent on the purchasing of materials and payment for labour. This means that in effect, the Minitzani Project now owes Tzaneen Swaarvoertuie an amount of R3 617.27. It is difficult to determine exact monetary amounts at this time, as many of the sponsors bought material directly from the supplier and many others traded labour. “This whole ordeal with the park has taught me a tremendous amount about not only the processes that need to be followed, but also to ask when I am not certain of the steps. There are so many other projects that we are planning to launch to help our community, and it is my hope that we will now have the support of the community when we officially start as a registered NGO.” ***Editor’s Comment: As Desiree van der Walt mentioned, this entire debacle could have been avoided had the right processes been followed. There are processes for a reason, and that reason includes the protection of not just the public, but also those involved in the project. One of the main sponsors of the project is himself a member of council. In fact, the ward councillor for the ward where the park is situated. He could have advised Zantelle on the way forward. Conversely, she could have asked for help. Nevertheless, the problem is that nobody really knows who will be maintaining the park now and in the future. The GTM claims it is their park and they gave no permission to anyone to take over the running of it. If the GTM then, will be maintaining the park, the sponsors will not have to, and that will mean that the advertisement boards “agreement” is no longer valid as the agreement states that they can keep their boards up for as long as they are willing to be involved in the maintenance of the project. If a child or any person is injured in that park, who’s responsibility will it be? There are many members of the public who do not agree with the erection of the fence and the locking of the gate, and many who find the advertising boards and fence to be an eyesore. It has been suggested that instead of the massive boards which not only shows which businesses have more money than others, the project team could have offered each sponsor a brick-sized plaque on the side of the hall to thank them for their efforts. Those people do not voice their opinions over social media for fear of retribution, and quite honestly, most of them really do not have the time to engage in fruitless debates on Facebook. This is where the importance of public participation comes in. By following the process of public participation, it helps improve relationships and trust between decision-makers and the public, and among different stakeholders themselves. Also, when done well, public participation helps to teach stakeholders meaningful and collaborative ways to approach each other, manage difficult decisions, and resolve disputes. Many commentators have attacked me for investigating the Minitzani Park project. Many of those same people have in the past asked me to investigate other matters for them which also reference municipal bylaws and processes. Bulletin has always been here for the community, and we still are, irrespective of colour or creed. This is not a personal attack on anyone, on the contrary, it is in the interest of everyone – including the sponsors, the project team, the municipality and most importantly, the citizenry. It cannot be expected of a newspaper to hold the municipality accountable when it is also expected of that newspaper to turn a blind eye to selected instances.
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Phalaborwa's Valentine royals crowned ■ Billy Sibuyi
Zinhle Khambule and Mariska Nowak, both from different walks of life, were crowned Miss and Mrs Valentine’s Phalaborwa 2021 respectively in February at the Unique Modelling Phalaborwa pageant finale. The event was held at the Phalaborwa Methodist Church where Unique Modelling is based. Nowak was also voted this year’s overall senior debutant winner whilst Carmen Vermaak was crowned in the junior category. Passionate about community upliftment and education, the owner of Unique Modelling Phalaborwa, Chantelle Ströh, said that these pageants serve also as fundraisers where goods such as food and clothing are received to help poor communities
around Phalaborwa. As Phalaborwa’s newest beauty queens, the group which included, Mincke de Villiers, Dime-Lee Nel, Jayrene van Zyl, Zinhle Khambule, Carmen Vermaak and Mariska Nowak, will be helping Unique Modelling in raising awareness for less fortunate communities through charity events. Non-perishable goods were raised at this year’s Mrs and Miss Phalaborwa Valentines and those goods will be given to families in need across Phalaborwa. Ströh told Bulletin that six of her models will also be representing Phalaborwa at the Miss Junior SA pageant later this year in Pretoria. In her message of thanks, Ströh said that she would like to thank all the sponsors that contributed to making the event a success.
Mariska Nowak crowned Mrs Valentine Phalaborwa
Zinhle Khambule crowned Miss Valentine Phalaborwa
Chantelle Ströh with 8-11 year old winner, Carmen Vermaak
Nicci Gerber
Danielle Wheeler
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083 708 8749 Legals & Notices NOTICE: LOST OR DESTROYED DEED Notice is hereby given in terms of Regulation 68 of the Deeds Registries Act, 1937, of the intention to apply for the issue of a certified copy of Title Deed T123019/2002 passed by in favour of WILLEM FRANCOIS CLOETE, Identity Number: 630131 5041 083, in respect of Remaining Extent of Portion 29 of the Farm Lushof 540, Registration Division L.T., Limpopo Province which has been lost or destroyed. All interested persons having objection to the issue of such copy are hereby required to lodge the same in writing with the Register of Deeds Limpopo at Polokwane within two weeks from the date of publication of this notice.
Dated at Tzaneen on this the 4TH day March 2021. Applicant: Joubert & May Attorneys Address: 50 Boundary Street, Tzaneen, 0850 Telno: 015 307-3660 Email address: lilize@ joubertmay.co.za Our Ref: LILIZE/LC066 _________________________________
NOTICE: LOST OR DESTROYED DEED Notice is hereby given in terms of Regulation 68 of the Deeds Registries Act, 1937, of the intention to apply for the issue of a certified copy of Title Deed T11092/1990 passed by The Executor in the Estate of the late MAGDALENA MARIA BORCHERDS, No. 5205/1989 in favour of HANSFONTEIN BOERDERY CC, Registration Number 1989/017704/23 in re-
spect of certain Remaining Extent of Portion 11 of the Farm Hansfontein 456, Registration Division L.T., Limpopo Province, which has been lost or destroyed. All interested persons having objection to the issue of such copy are hereby required to lodge the same in writing with the Register of Deeds Limpopo at Polokwane within two weeks from the date of publication of this notice. Dated at Tzaneen on this the 9th day of January 2020. Applicant: Joubert & May Attorneys Address: 50 Boundary Street, Tzaneen, 0850 Tel no: 015 307-3660 Email address: fransie@ joubertmay.co.za Our Ref: Fransie/FH140 _________________________________
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12 March 2021
9
Pronutro and a new local radio station for Tzaneen ■ Joe Dreyer
Everybody knows Chris. He’s that hippy muso artist guy who lives in that igloo house on Lushof he built with his own two hands with money raised from busking at the Mall of the North in Polokwane. At least, that’s what people who think they know Chris Mocke, think they know about him. Whilst it is certainly true that the 43-year-old musician did in fact build the home he shares with his family, three dogs and four cats, with his own hands through money raised by playing his guitar. Chris Mocke is much more than local legend lays bare. He has a degree in classical piano from the University of South Africa (UNISA) which he obtained in the same year he graduated High School from PHS in 1995. To put this into context, the highest grade you can obtain in music is grade 8. Which is what Chris Mocke achieved whilst writing and passing matric. The piano is however, not the only instrument he plays at a level comparable to the best in the industry (literally – the man has 400 recorded songs that will prove this). He plays piano, drums, guitar (lead, acoustic and rhythm), bass guitar, lead trumpet (which he played in the cadet band), banjo, balalaika,
Chris en Catherina Mocke
mandolin, bouzouki and piano accordion. To top off the list, he also has an amazing vocal range as evidenced during his time in the choir. Chris has performed and toured with South African music legends including Joel Karabu Elliott and the Stone Aged Souls for Alliance Frances through the Eastern Cape and Swaziland. He also performed on stage in the Soweto Theatre with Stompie Selebe in a ten piece ensemble which included another legend, Sibusile Xaba. Die Swerwer (José Bezuidenhout) hired Chris as a session guitarist. Most recently his band opened for Matthys Roets in Hoedspruit, Prime Circle in Tzaneen, Appel and Bok van Blerk in Polokwane. He is currently signed to Nokternal Hemizphere, a record label in Wisconsin, the US, for his solo project “FireGate” – the first album was released a year ago. Why does he not list the mouthorgan as an instrument he plays, when many have actually seen him with one? “Well that brings us to Pronutro,” he explained. “I was eight years old and I took my dad’s mouthorgan to the breakfast table. I was eating Pronutro at the time and as I blew into the instrument, a small amount of the porridge blew into the mouthpiece as well. When I inhaled one of the notes, that bit of porridge flew into the back of my throat and nearly choked me! So I don’t like that instrument and stay far away from it.” Chris met Catherina (Kattie for those in their immediate circle) 19 years ago and since then the pair have been inseparable. They celebrated their 19th anniversary this week. Together, they established the recording studio, Katbok Studios, which has already recorded 13 of their own albums and produced and recorded hundreds of tracks for other South African artists. This studio has built a reputation as being one of the top-rated for any artists looking to record either a full-length album, a single or a collaboration. More than that, Chris has used the studio to record voice overs for radio adverts and even recorded music scores for films. He recorded Tzaneen Primary School and Oosskool choirs, and songs for artists including Jaworx, Phillip-Jan van Zyl, Joel Karabu Elliott, Final Solution, Dez Getta, The Duke, Marsha Moon, Borderline and Corné Loots. During Lockdown the Mockes’ survived through Chris’ recording and publishing of tuition videos on Youtube which included weekly “2-Minute Drums” videos which became a hit with youngsters wanting to learn, but who were stuck in homes due to the pandemic. And now, they have their sights set on a local radio station. “The idea behind a local streaming radio station has always been something I wanted to establish to help South African artists become known. We have fantastic musicians across the entire music spectrum who do not receive the exposure to the audiences and scouts, which they deserve. I want to create that platform for them.” The challenge is of course two-fold. “If you want people to listen to your radio station, you need to be able to play music that they want to hear, and music that they know. In between the classic rock anthems and hits from internationally acclaimed bands, you want to introduce local musicians and artists to the audience. To do that though, you need a license to play music of these well-known and recorded artists. That license is R20 000 a year - even for an internet streaming service.” The second challenge is a fitting name for the radio station. Instead of scribbling hundreds of names onto hundreds of pages which essentially land in the bin, the Mockes’ are requesting
the help of the community. “This radio station will be for the community and so it seems fitting that the community get to name the station. It is extremely exciting actually! So please guys, give it your best shot and send us your name suggestions via email to cvon777@gmail.com. The winner will get one month’s free music lessons in either guitar or drums!” Chris teaches music to youngsters from 7-years old to adult in guitar and drums. His classes are hosted at Hoërskool Ben Vorster every week and he already boasts a growing number of students. The lessons are R150 per lesson, but those who pay a month in advance are offered a special price of R120. Besides the guitar lessons and the recording studio, Chris offers corporate team building events like drumming circles and djembe workshops, the latter he has hosted at venues including ATKV Eiland Resort and Spa. If anyone is interested in booking any of these, you can contact Chris on 072 241 8290. Bulletin has pledged R500 towards the start-up of the new local radio station and we would like to issue a challenge to all local businesses to join in and help the Mocke’s bring this fantastic initiative to life by making a small donation. Those interested and able to help, should contact Chris for details. Chris plans to start streaming in April this year and will be offering advertising space on the station’s social media platform as well as on air. Details will be made available in due time. Go checkout this amazing artist’s work on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube and Soundcloud and read more about their other endeavours, including the Letaba Fresh Market at www.farnorthbulletin.co.za
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VW’s T-Roc set to rock South Africa ■ Roelof de Jonge Volkswagen’s major vehicle launch for 2020 was streamed via a digital event. The exciting new T-Roc was one such vehicle in the Volkswagen stall that premiered in South Africa in 2020. “Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lock down regulations associated with this virus, has necessitated our brand to find new and innovative ways to communicate with our customers as well as launch our exciting range of products. We are excited to debut the T-Roc in South Africa through a digital event which will be a first for the South African automotive industry,” said Martina Biene, Head of the Volkswagen Brand. The sporty, stylish, and contemporary T-Roc will complete Volkswagen’s SUV T-range in South Africa which currently consists of the T-Cross, Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace and the Touareg. The T-Roc slots between the T-Cross and the Tiguan in Volkswagen’s SUV range. The T-Roc was officially launched in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana from November 2020. At its South African debut, Volkswagen will announce the T-Roc model line-up that will be available in the local market, Namibia and Botswana. The Volkswagen T-SUV range in the Southern African market now consists of the T-Cross, T-Roc, Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace and the Touareg. The T-Roc, which slots above the T-Cross and below the Tiguan in the Volkswagen SUV range, offers maximum personalisation, innovative digitalisation, perfect connectivity, class-leading driver assistance systems, dynamic engines, and a modern and expressive design. The T-Roc is now available in the following derivatives: 1.4 TSI 110kW Design 2.0 TSI 140kW 4MOTION® DSG® Design 2.0 TSI 140kW 4MOTION® DSG® R-Line. The Volkswagen T-Roc comes standard with a three-year or 120 000km warranty, a five year or 90 000km Volkswagen Service Plan and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. The service interval is every 15 000km.
Jaguar C-type joins classic continuation family ■ Roelof de Jonge Jaguar Classic is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the legendary C-type sports race car by creating a strictly limited production run of new C-type Continuation cars, which will be hand built at Jaguar’s Classic Works facility in Coventry. The C-type Continuation programme will allow historic motor racing enthusiasts to purchase a new factory-built example of the ultimate 1953 disc-braked ‘works’ C-type direct from Jaguar for the first time. The C-type, which was originally made between 1951-53, was famed for its exceptionally fluid shape by Jaguar Cars designer, aerodynamicist and artist Malcolm Sayer. The C-type won the famous Le Mans 24 Hours on its debut in 1951, scoring the first of Jaguar’s seven outright wins at the French endurance race. From 1952, the C-type pioneered the adoption of innovative disc brake technology in motorsport, with a revolutionary system developed by Jaguar and Dunlop scoring the first win for a disc-braked car with Stirling Moss at the Reims Grand Prix in France and contesting the 1000-mile Mille Miglia in Italy. The C-type won the Le Mans 24 Hours again in 1953, another first for disc brakes, and also enjoyed success in the hands of private owners,
which contributed to Jaguar finishing as the vice-champion in the inaugural World Sportscar Championship. “Driven by some of the most-admired racing drivers in history, the C-type laid the foundations for Jaguar’s success in endurance racing and is synonymous with design and engineering innovation”, said Dan Pink, Director of Jaguar Classic. “Seventy years on, Jaguar Classic is proud to be able to utilise the latest innovations in manufacturing technology, alongside traditional skills and unrivalled expertise, to reintroduce this legendary car for a new generation of enthusiasts to enjoy.” Of the 53 Jaguar C-types built in the 1950s, 43 were sold to private owners. The production C-type specification was limited to drum-braked cars with twin SU carburettors and 200bhp (149,14kW), in the style of the 1951 works cars. Eight new C-type Continuation cars will be built ahead of a racing-inspired celebration event for their owners in 2022. Each example will reflect the 1953 Le Mans-winning works team car specification, including the 3.4-litre straight-six engine with triple Weber 40DCO3 carburettors and disc brakes. Building on the experience gained with previous Jaguar Classic Continuation programmes for
Eight new C-type Continuation cars will be built ahead of a racing-inspired celebration event for their owners in 2022.
The C-type won the famous Le Mans 24 Hours on its debut in 1951, scoring the first of Jaguar’s seven outright wins at the French endurance race.
Lightweight E-type, XKSS and D-type, Jaguar Classic engineers have consulted Jaguar’s archives and cross-referenced scan data taken from an original C-type in conjunction with the latest computer aided design technology to create the most authentic new C-type possible. Exclusive access to the original engineering drawings and company records created by the original C-type development team, including Malcolm Sayer, competitions manager Lofty England,
Each example will reflect the 1953 Le Mans-winning works team car specification.
and engineers William Heynes, Bob Knight and Norman Dewis, ensured the authentic 1953 specifications are accurately maintained. Taking that engineering CAD (computer aided design) data a stage further, for the first time ever the Jaguar Classic is also able to give customers the opportunity to visualise their C-type Continuation virtually using a specially designed online configurator. This new tool at classicvisualiser.jaguar.com allows users to compare colour and trim options from the 12 authentic exterior colours and eight interior colours available, and apply optional racing roundels, steering wheel badge and bonnet badging. Additional options available to the C-type Continuation for customers include an FIA-approved Harness Retention System or rollover protection. Not just for show, these authentic new C-types will be eligible for historic racing, track and closedroad use. Visit www.jaguar.com/classic, where you can find more information on the full range of cars, services, parts and experiences offered by Jaguar Classic. Jaguar Classic is the official source of authentic cars, expert services, genuine parts and unforgettable experiences for classic Jaguar enthusiasts worldwide. A team of highly skilled engineers at the Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works facility in Coventry specialises in the outstanding E-type Reborn restorations and building exclusive New Original Jaguar Continuation cars.
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11
BJV-skuts berei voor vir seisoen
■ Roelof de Jonge
Die Bosveld Jagters- en Wildbewaringsvereniging (BJV) se Letaba-tak op Tzaneen het Saterdag die 6de Maart ‘n skietdag vir sy skuts aangebied. Dié skietdag was ‘n oefensessie om die skuts vir opkomende skietkompetisies voor te berei. Die reënbui wat gepaard gegaan het met ‘n swaar donderstorm Vrydagaand, het klaarblyklik ‘n paar skuts afgeskrik. Nietemin het daar steeds ‘n handvol skuts hul opwagting gemaak om hulself en hulle wapentoerusting vir dié komende seisoen voor te berei. Die skuts het ondermeer met handwapens, .22-gewere sowel as jaggewere geskiet. Die kleiduifskuts het ook hul vernuf op die proef gestel.
Rodney Wright Machiel Pieterse
Peter Terblanche
Francois Olivier, Bryan Hyland and Liesel Roos
Johnny Rech
F1 Fans revved up over 2021 GP calendar ■ Roelof de Jonge Formula One Grand Prix enthusiasts will have to endure another two weeks before the first race of the 2021 championship season starts. The revised 2021 calendar was recently released and it is indeed a biggy! Due the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s championship will not start in Melbourne, Australia as initially anticipated, but will leave the grid with the Bahrain Grand Prix from the 26th until the 28th of March at the Sakhir Circuit. The Australian Grand Prix was shifted way down the calendar, which this year consists of 23 races, and is scheduled to be the 21st race of the season which will commence from the 19th to the 21st of November. Some exiting news is that two of the replacement Grand Prix races from 2020 due to the worldwide outbreak of the Corona Virus, will be back for the 2021 championship. The Portuguese Grand Prix
at the new Portimao Circuit will be the third race of the season and will take place from the 30th of April until the 2nd of May. The other stand-in Grand Prix race of 2020, the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola in Italy, will be the host of the second race for the 2021 season and is set to take place from the 16th until the 18th of April. There are two more new additions to this year’s calendar. The one is the return of the Dutch Grand Prix on the new revised Zandvoort Circuit set to be the 13th race and will be held from the 3rd until the 5th of September. The other one, is the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah. This race, taking place from the 3rd until the 5th of December, will be the 22nd race and the second last of a very long season. The season ender will be the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from the 10th until the 12th of December at the Yas Marina Circuit. All of these promise to make for some spectacular racing action and it will be interesting to see how the new Ferrari will match up. Scuderia Ferrari F1
Alpine F1
Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.
Sport 12 March 2021
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Rekords spat by interhuis ■ Roelof de Jonge
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Maynard Kleinhans
Freddy Pinto
Die Hoërskool Ben Vorster het op Woensdag en Donderdag die 3de en 4de Maart sy jaarlikese interhuis atletiekbyeenkoms gehou. Die Covid-19 verwante inperkings waar skoliere vir etlike maande nie aan sport kon deelneem nie, het beslis nie die Vossies se brandende begeerte vir sport en veggees geblus nie. ‘n Aantal van dié skool se atlete het ook dan ‘n aantal rekords laat spat. In die afdeling vir meisies o/15 het Megan Lee-Mans die gewigstoot sowel as die diskus-items se rekords herskryf. Sy het ‘n afstand van 11,74m met die gewigstoot-item bereik en het die diskus oor ‘n afstand van 35,85 geslinger om die nuwe rekord agter haar naam te skryf. Nerise Grobler het in die afdeling vir meisies o/17 ‘n nuwe gewigstoot-rekord van 10,91m opgestel. Zander Rikhotsom het in die 100m hekkies-item vir seuns o/14 die rekord na 15,11 sekondes verbeter. Die 110m hekkies-item vir seuns o/17 se nuwe rekord van 15,01 sekondes behoort nou aan die atleet, Tshego Ramaloko. Sean Roulston het in die 110m hekkies-item vir seuns o/19 die eersteplek geneem en sodoende ‘n nuwe rekord van 14,48 sekondes opgestel. Na afloop van die atletiekbyeenkoms was verskeie atlete vir hul prestasies vereer. Die toekenning vir die Beste Junior Meisies Veldatleet was aan Megan Lee-Mans toegeken. Mans het ook die Junior Victrix Ludorum ontvang. Nerise Grobler was as die Beste Senior Meisies Veldatleet aangewys. Isabelle Homan was die Beste Junior Meisies Baanatleet en die kroon vir die Beste Senior Meisies Baanatleet was deur Yvette Mokwena ingepalm. Die Beste Junior Seuns Veldatleet was Juandré Marais en die titel vir die Beste Senior Seuns Veldatleet het aan Tshego Ramaloko gegaan. Damian Bye het met die Beste Junior Seuns Baanatleet trofee weggestap. Die toekenning vir die Beste Senior Seuns Baanatleet was aan Sean Roulston toegeken. Die Senior Victrix Ludorum het aan Elsjé Kriel gegaan en die Senior Victor Ludorum was deur Tshego Ramaloko ingepalm. Die Junior Victor Ludorum-toekenning was deur Freddy Pinto verower. Die Atletiekbeker was vanjaar deur die Vyfster Seunskoshuis en die Toekie Dameskoshuis gewen. Dylan Titus