Bulletin Newspaper 21 October 2022

No water because of wages?

■ Sta Writer

Sabotage could be at the heart of the water issues in Phalaborwa town as residents were left without water for four days amid an ongoing wage dispute.

DA ward councilor, Sybrandt de Beer, said that the municipality was aware of the water crisis but have not done anything constructive to intervene. He believed that there was an element of sabotage, as most of the water valves in town were manually closed.

This according to him could have been due to the ongoing labour dispute between the municipality and its employees regarding overtime. According to de Beer, overtime at the municipality was temporarily halted following last month’s R900 000 overtime bill. This has led to employees refusing to tend to call outs after hours.

“The valves in town were closed and not one of the standby team members answered their phones.

So I decided to help the residents by checking which areas did not have water and open those valves since the employees were the only ones with valve spanners,” stressed de Beer.

More than 30 valves in 20 different streets were opened by de Beer and the team, which included private citizens and plumbers on Saturday, the 15th of October.

“Limpopo is currently experiencing daily heat waves and some people need to take medication. This water crisis is not only avoidable, but totally

unacceptable and we cannot allow our people to be subjected to this. Water is a basic right, our government needs to intervene here, it’s a crisis and we need help,” he explained.

In another hollow attempt to pacify rather than rectify, the local municipality paid their usual lip service and said they would investigate the claims of sabotage.

In the meantime hopeless residents, David Vun and Hlanganiso Mnisi, have arranged a drilling rig and will soon have a borehole sunk in an effort to have an alternative water supply source.

***Editor’s comment: It is unfathomable that a municipality as clearly inept and mismanaged as the BPM continues to evade the radar of parliament. If one compares the current abhorrent state of Phalaborwa town to the absolutely thriving jewel it was during the 1960’s right through to the late-1990’s it is strikingly clear that government has, and continues to, turn a blind eye to the plight of small local municipalities and the voting public, most of whom who happen to be ratepayers, who are forced to suffer the incessant greed-fueled arrogance of these somehow elected officials. Officials under whose watch their town has been raped, humiliated, and stripped of all its dignity in plain view of every international tourist that now steers clear of this once proud holiday destination. Remove the current benchwarmers who occupy the halls of what used to be municipal offices, replace them with publicly elected officials who possess the nec-

Jamming at KNP

■ Sta Writer

A visitor to the Kruger National Park fell victim to a remote jamming incident at the Malelane Gate earlier this week which has prompted investigations by the police and SANParks. Suné Eloff, was reportedly robbed of her camera equipment and other valuables on Sunday, the 16th of October. According to her the incident happened in front of security guards and other tourists at the gate when they left their vehicle and presumed it was locked.

Over social media Eloff explained that she had double locked the vehicle and suspects who were driving a blue Hyundai Getz came from behind them, drove over the curb, and parked their vehicle next to theirs.

She said that her friends attempted to pursue the suspects when they noticed that they had just stolen from their vehicle but the suspects sped away and in the process dropped one of the cameras.

The South African National Parks (SANParks) in a post on Facebook said that they have noted with concern the report by the tourist of an incident of car jamming at Malelane Gate. They urged tourists visiting the park to be extra vigilant and to ensure that vehicles were locked whenever they left them unattended.

Last year, KNP management said it was made aware of several remote jamming incidents at the Phabeni Gate and although no formal complaints were received, steps were taken to investigate the incidents.

Earlier this month, a German tourist Jörg Schnarr, who had arrived in South Africa on the 20th of September, died in a botched hijacking near the Numbi Gate entrance of the KNP. The accused, Napoleon Joseph Nyalunga (35) appeared in the kaBokweni Magistrates’ Court on charges related to murder, attempted murder, and attempted hijacking on Wednesday, the 19th of October.

His case was postponed to the 28th of October for a formal bail hearing which the state would oppose according to the Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority’s spokesperson, Monica Nyaswu.

Schnarr, his wife Vera, Reiner Nuchter, and his wife Andrea, were travelling to Mdluli Safari Lodge when a group of people attacked them. Schnarr was shot through the window of the rented Hyundai Staria they were travelling in.

essary skills to deliver services and earn their wages.

In fact, Phalaborwa doesn’t need political deployees who don’t pay rates or taxes on their properties, who work harder on increasing the circumference of their waistlines than learning basic governance or who loot public coffers to install generators at their private homes. Phalaborwa needs them to be replaced by artisans. Start with the axing of the current spokesperson whose retirement is long overdue. Perhaps then at least the residents will hear from their municipality despite not seeing them anywhere.

PMC to tar an additional 3kms of road to village

■ Billy Sibuyi

Palabora Mining Company (PMC) held a sod-turning ceremony on Tuesday afternoon to extend the 3 kilometre tar road it built in Selwana Village earlier this year, by and additional 3 kilometres.

“The stretchy 60km undeveloped provincial road leading to Giyani is a thorny issue and as a responsible corporate citizen, PMC is actively participating to bring about positive social change,” said the communications department of the mine. The mining company said that they were investing a hefty sum of money to resolve the major challenge in Selwana village.

“Constructing a road, will impact the

farm-orientated villagers in a multi-layered way enabling them to diversify the economy, and limit reliance on the mine for employment,” said Zani Kutumela of PMC.

“PMC has through this investment, successfully managed to create a platform for Road Agency Limpopo (RAL) and the Ba-Phalaborwa local municipality (BPM) to work together, delivering on the fair expectations of the locals in Selwana, who have a fair demand of service delivery,” stated Kutumela.

Kutumela also said that extending the road would stretch benefits such as issuing of work to local contractors, sub-contracting of local talent, and the general employment for local workforce more especially women, youth, and the disabled.

Sybrand de Beer opening one of the water valves

MEC for Public works, Nkankareng Rakgale, and executive Mayor Pule Shayi, turning the soil to commerce work for the extension of the road.

Water tankers – are they legal or illegal?

■ Joe Dreyer

Private water tankers are proliferating at an alarming rate in Tzaneen. It’s confusing - this situation with the water tankers which Bulletin has been highlighting since it first became a major public outcry in 2017. Initially the Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) enlisted the help of private water tankers owned by private citizens, to assist in delivering water to the outlying areas which do not have adequate water supply. This, the municipality said was because they did not own enough water tankers to service the outlying areas.

Though it seemed a reasonable response to a looming crisis defended by the GTM’s insistence that water was a basic human right, the well-intended yet not well thought-through plan acted as catalyst to what has now become a major crisis. It took the private water tanker operators little time to find ways in which to exploit the desperation of their countrymen and turn a tremendous profit at the cost of the rate paying public.

Soon the streets of the old and new industrial areas as well as anywhere in any residential neighbourhood where a fire hydrant was visible, turned into muddy distribution points for not one, but literally tens of privately owned lowbed trucks fitted with JoJo tanks. The reports soon followed of water trucks not delivering water to the villages, but selling water to the desperate and poor, often at between R200 and R300 per 20litre container. Water, which these truck drivers drew from hydrants at no cost, and often at volumes exceeding 10 000 litres per day.

In addition to drawing water, the sheer number of truckers frequent-

ing the hydrants daily, resulted in significant damage to infrastructure. Hydrants’ heads were broken off spewing thousands of litres of potable water into the air, curb stones and stormwater drains were destroyed and pavements upturned.

The Agreement

In 2021 the GTM entered into an agreement with these private truck owners, who formed a group calling themselves the Group of Private Water Tankers (GPWT). Before his resignation in September last year, former Municipal Manager, Thapelo Matlala, drew up an agreement between the municipality and this group to allow them to draw water from the municipal fire hydrant in Koedoe Street at a cost of R16.50 per kilolitre.

The agreement stated clearly that the water tankers needed to provide proof of payment to the municipality before they were permitted to draw water, and that all other hydrants around the residential areas of town were strictly off limits. The details of the trucks which were to be doing the water drawing, were also to be provided (license and registration) so that a database could be compiled.

“Any truck found to be drawing water form the municipal supply lines without adhering to the above conditions, will be doing so illegally and will therefore be subjected to a fine” read the contract which was signed by Matlala and Benjamin Mathebula.

We sent an inquiry to the municipality’s spokesperson, asking how the conditions of the contract were being enforced given that the trucks were spotted drawing water from hydrants all over town; specifically in King Edward Street. We wanted to know (as we have asked in four previous correspondences) how the volumes of water being drawn by these tankers were calculated and how the truckers were being billed.

No way of monitoring

Given that there exists no system allowing the municipality to actually monitor these trucks, we still wonder how the agreement is being enforced. There is no record system whether digitally or even just an employee designated at the fire hydrant with a clipboard noting the trucks, their frequency, their usage, or their permits. How then, can the GTM claim to be billing any of these truckers?

Confusion

Two years ago we were told that the water tankers were not employed by the GTM, but were privateers who paid for their water.

Then we were told that there is a group of these truckers that is being paid by the municipality to distribute the water on tender.

But nobody has to date been able to supply any list that distinguishes privateer from contractor. And this then opens an entirely new can of worms where a contractors can earn payment, and even overtime from the municipality whilst also selling the water in the rural areas for profit – an undisputed fact as reported by residents of those villages.

One resident claimed that even the manager of the water and sanitation department at

the GTM, Tedia Molewa, is apparently also aware of this.

Legal or illegal?

As it stands currently, the municipality is obligated to ensure that water is delivered to all members within its jurisdiction. So, they need the contractors. The Mopani District Municipality is the water authority, and they supply water to the GTM via the Department of Water and Sanitation. The GTM then distributes the water. The hydrants however, do not all belong to the GTM.

The water manager, Molewa, sent out an email to management on the 11th of October in which she said that the municipality’s water drawing station was temporarily shut down “in order to balance water within town.” In this email she further requested that all water tankers that are legally authorised to draw water at the station acknowledge the temporary shutdown, and that all illegal water tankers refrain from vandalising and stealing water at municipal fire hydrants.

That same email contained a public notice which read: “The Greater Tzaneen Municipality appeals to private water tanker operators to refrain from illegally abstracting water from municipal hydrants. The fire hydrants are meant for emergency fire extinguishing. The municipality appeals to members of the public to report the illegal use of fire hydrants by water tanker operators or any person by calling 015 307 8217/8021. You can also use our WhatsApp line 066 019 4801 to report by sending pictures.”

The statement went on: “We request water tanker operators and honey suckers to apply for haulage permits as stipulated in the Mopani District Municipality Bylaw Section 77 (1) (2) which requires water tankers to have authorization approved by the Accounting Officer/ Municipal Manager.”

Finally, the statement closes with: “We have set up a dedicated water point for private water tankers at our plumbing workshop at Kudu Street in the Old Industrial area. Operators who fail to comply with the above will be liable to a fine or prosecution.”

So what does this mean? Can they or can’t they draw water from hydrants?

Possible solution

The Freedom Front Plus and the Democratic Alliance councillors, following relentless complaints by the residents of trucks drawing water at all hours of the day and even in the evenings, devised a plan to raise funds and purchase 13 specialized locking devices which they plan on attaching to hydrants in so-called “hot-spots” as deterrent to the water tankers. This does bring with it a new set of possible challenges which may include vandalism and even more damage to council infrastructure.

More information

Through some digging Bulletin has learnt that roughly 7 million litres of water is currently unaccounted for. We have also learnt that allegedly the Mopani District Municipality owes the GTM a significant amount of money for distributing the water – we will be verifying this. We have also been informed by one of the water tanker operators, that a municipal employee in the traffic department, owns two of the private water tankers. We had the license plates of one of the trucks checked out and this turned out to be true.

In conclusion

Is there a water shortage problem? Yes. Is there a need for contractors to deliver water? Yes. Are there unscrupulous operators taking advantage of the crisis? Yes. Has the municipality devised a workable plan to address the matter? No.

Totsiens Oom Soekie

Die breër gemeenskap van Tzaneen groet hierdie week een van hul oudste inwoners. Oom Nicolaas Jacobus Espach, alombekend as ‘Soekie’, is verlede week na ‘n lang siekbed oorlede. Soekie het in 1964 aan die Hoërskool Ben Vorster gematrikuleer. Hy was bekend vir sy uitmuntende sporttalent asook prestasies op talle ander gebiede. Hy het later sy talente aan sy nageslagte oorgedra. Ererolle spreek as getuie van die Espach’s se prestasies.

Hier het hy sy vrou, van 54 jaar, ontmoet. Sy vier kinders: Amanda, Lindie, Yolanda en Wynand is almal oud-Vossies wat nou nog betrokke is in Tzaneen se gemeenskap. Vyf van sy sewe kleinkinders en drie van hul eggenote het ook hul skoolloopbane op Ben Vorster voltooi. Soekie laat sy vier kinders Amanda, Lindie, Yolanda en Wynand, asook sewe kleinkinders en vier agterkleinkinders na. Sy begrafnis was Woensdagmiddag by Die Boom op die APC Jagkamp gehou.

Welcome to the bar

Public Notice

Far North Bulletin and Limpopo Sun wish to inform all our current and future clients that Riaan Barnard is no longer affiliated to any of our operations including our social media, digital or printed products. Mr Barnard is no longer an employee of Far North Media (Pty) Ltd or Limpopo Sun. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

Kennisgewing

Graag wil ons die publiek asook ons kliente in kennis stel dat Mnr Riaan Barnard geen meer affiliasie met enige van ons publiekasies of produkte, hetsy digital, aanlyn, of gedrukte media het nie. Mnr Barnard is nie meer ‘n werknemer by Bulletin of Limpopo Sun nie. Ons wens hom alle voorspoed toe vir sy toekomsplanne.

Any future inquiries or information can be obtained via Joe Dreyer on 072 930 1462, or 015 306 0198 or via email on joe@farnorthbulletin.co.za

Visit our website: www.farnorthbulletin.co.za

Legals & Notices

NOTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT PROCESS

FOR A MINING PERMIT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCESS

ON BEHALF OF VAN DER GRYP NICOLAAS LEONARD

REFERENCE NUMBER: LP 30/5/1/1/2/14726 PR

AVAILABILITY OF BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR REVIEW

Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 24 of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No.107 of 1998) read with Regulation 19 of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2014 (as amended) and Section 16 of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act No. 28 of2002), as amended by Section 12 of the MPRDA, 2008 (Act No. 49 of 2008) for a Mining Permit.

Project Applicant: Van Der Gryp Nicolaas Leonard Project Location: Portion 1, 7 & 8 of the farm Fleurbaai 533 LT; situated in Mopani Local Municipality within the Magisterial District of Greater Tzaneen in Limpopo Province

Proposed Activities: Van Der Gryp Nicolaas Leonard has applied for a prospecting right in terms of Section 24 of the NEMA, 1998 read with Regulation 19 of the EIA Regulations, 2014 and in terms of Section 16 of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources De-

velopment Act, 2002 (Act No. 28 of 2002) (MPRDA), as amended by Section 12 of the MPRDA, 2008 (Act No. 49 of 2008), for the environmental authorisation of mining permit activities for the following mineral: Sand on the above-mentioned farm. The environmental authorisation application was lodged with Department of Mineral Resources (DMR): Mine Environmental Management as the Competent Authority.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESMENT PROCESS

The environmental authorisation (EA) application process for prospecting activities is required to be supported by a Basic Assessment (BA) carried out in terms of EIA Regulations, 2014. Tshiko Enviro & Gis (Pty) Ltd has been appointed as the independent Public Participation Consultants to conduct the public consultation, as part of the environmental impact assessment process. Land owners, lawful occupants and interested & affected parties (I&APs) are invited to participate in this proposed project by registering as an I&AP and forwarding comments or concerns relating to the project to Tshiko Enviro & Gis (Pty) Ltd. A background information document (BID) can be obtained from Tshiko Enviro & Gis (Pty) Ltd upon request.

Draft Basic Assessment Report Available for Public

Review: The report is available for a 30-day review period, from the day the advert is advertise on the local newspaper. Please submit your comment. Comments can be made as written submission via post or email. To obtain further information or submit a comment, please submit your name, contact information and interest in the project to: Tshiko Enviro & Gis (Pty) Ltd 232 Glover Avenue Feather Tree Park Unit 101 Centurion Cell: 076 3416 534 Fax: 086 535 6320 Email: murangir@vodamail.co.za info@tshikoenvirogis.co.za

NOTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

A MINING PERMIT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

VAN

2002 (Act No. 28 of2002), as amended by Section 12 of the MPRDA, 2008 (Act No. 49 of 2008) for a Mining Permit.

Project Applicant: Van Der Gryp Nicolaas Leonard

Project Location: Portion 8 of the farm Fleurbaai 533 LT; situated in Mopani Local Municipality within the Magisterial District of Greater Tzaneen in Limpopo Province

BEHALF

GRYP NICOLAAS LEONARD REFERENCE NUMBER: LP 30/5/1/3/2/11882 MP AVAILABILITY OF BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR REVIEW

Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 24 of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No.107 of 1998) read with Regulation 19 of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations, 2014 (as amended) and Section 16 of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act,

Proposed Activities: Van Der Gryp Nicolaas Leonard has applied for a mining permit in terms of Section 24 of the NEMA, 1998 read with Regulation 19 of the EIA Regulations, 2014 and in terms of Section 16 of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002 (Act No. 28 of 2002) (MPRDA), as amended by Section 12 of the MPRDA, 2008 (Act No. 49 of 2008), for the environmental authorisation of mining permit activities for the following mineral: Sand on the above-mentioned farm. The environmental authorisation application was lodged with Department of Mineral Resources (DMR): Mine Environmental Management as the Competent Authority.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESMENT PROCESS

The environmental authorisation (EA) application process for prospecting activities is required to be supported by a Basic Assessment (BA) carried out in terms of EIA Regula-

tions, 2014. Tshiko Enviro & Gis (Pty) Ltd has been appointed as the independent Public Participation Consultants to conduct the public consultation, as part of the environmental impact assessment process. Land owners, lawful occupants and interested & affected parties (I&APs) are invited to participate in this proposed project by registering as an I&AP and forwarding comments or concerns relating to the project to Tshiko Enviro & Gis (Pty) Ltd. A background information document (BID) can be obtained from Tshiko Enviro & Gis (Pty) Ltd upon request.

Draft Basic Assessment Report Available for Public Review: The report is available for a 30-day review period, from the day the advert is advertise on the local newspaper.

Please submit your comment. Comments can be made as written submission via post or email. To obtain further information or submit a comment, please submit your name, contact information and interest in the project to: Tshiko Enviro & Gis (Pty) Ltd 232 Glover Avenue Feather Tree Park Unit 101 Centurion Cell: 076 3416 534 Fax: 086 535 6320 Email: murangir@vodamail.co.za info@tshikoenvirogis.co.za

Mariska Koekemoer, a proud employee and Candidate Attorney at Stewart Maritz Basson Inc. recently completed her LLB Qualification. She would like to thank Natasha van Wyngaardt and Bill Basson, the Directors of Stewart Maritz Basson Inc, for giving her the chance to be part of this progressive law firm.

Studente ervaar eksotiese Egipte eerstehands

■ Roelof de Jonge

Daar is niks soos die afwagting op ‘n lughawe nie. Die heen en weer, gewoel en warrel van reisigers – oppad na verre lande, die plekke in brosjures en ervarings, om ‘n rugsak te pak en vol te prop met aandenkinge, en om stories te vertel oor ‘n koppie koffie in ‘n straatkafee êrens in ‘n mistieke stad.

Dit is hoe die wonderlike ervaring beskryf kan word wat leerders van die Hoërskool Ben Vorster gedurende die onlangse skoolvakansie ervaar het toe hulle vir hul jaarlikse Akademiese Toer die reis na Egipte aangepak het.

Tien dae van woestyn ekskursies, die Nylrivier per luukse boot en die droommooi blou water van die Rooi See, is die “onthou oomblikke” wat hul lewens verryk het. Die leerders van gr. 8 tot gr. 11 is deur Anel Griesel en Elsa Smith vergesel.

“Vir die toergroep was daar niks soos die stempel-sirkels op ‘n paspoortbladsy en die glimlag van jou eie-selwers as jy jou visum bestudeer nie. Jou vrypas om te gaan verdwyn in ‘n antieke stad met tempels en piramides, feluca’s en markte!”, volgens Ben Vorster se leerkrag, Anel Griesel, wie die toer saam met die groep meegemaak het.

Tutankhamun se doodsmasker lyk, hoe hoog die piramides by Giza werklik is, hoe romanties ‘n vaart in ‘n Feluca op die Nylrivier is en hoe mistiek die suilegang van Karnak in die blou lug uittoring.

“Ma al Salamah – gaan in vrede die

“Ma al Salamah – gaan in vrede Vossies. Ons sal ons kleinnood herinneringe aan die Sfinks, Hathor, Cleopatra en Karnak vir altyd met ons saamdra.”

Kaïro, Luxor en Hurghada. Dit is name wat die groep se voete laat jeuk het en hul hartsnare geroer het. Dié toer het die leerders na plekke geneem waarvan nog net gedroom was. Van die bestemmings kon hulle in lewende lywe gaan kyk hoe

na

Een van die leerders in die groep, Kotie van Zyl, het danksy barmhartige weldoeners in die gemeenskap hierdie toer saam haar skoolmaats meegemaak. Dié leerder wil graag iedere en elke persoon wat haar gehelp het, hartlik bedank vir ‘n onvergeetlike ervaring.

Agri-Merensky boer vooruit by Jeugskou

■ Roelof de Jonge

Die 21ste Nasionale Jeugskou het vanaf die 2de tot 5de Oktober op Lichtenburg plaasgevind. Altesaam 44 leerders van die Hoërskool Merensky se Agri-Merensky landbou-instelling het die Limpopo Jeugskouspan verteenwoordig.

Die ander deelnemende spanne vanuit Gauteng, Oostelike Provinsie, Noord-Wes, Kwazulu-Natal, Namakwaland en Mpumalanga kon na afloop van die skou, by dié Limpopo-span kers opsteek hoe om suksesvol te boer. Die spanne het oor die vier dae van strawwe kompetisie in bloedige hitte mekaar opgekeil.

Agri-Merensky se Limpopo-span het vyf pluimvee, vyf konyne, drie grootvee en elf kleinvee na Lichtenburg vervoer. Die algehele prys vir die Beste Veedokumentasie was deur die personeellid, Arno Last, namens Limpopo ingepalm. Dit het behels dat al die protokolle vir die vervoer van die vee vanaf Merensky na Lichtenburg onbesproke was.

Noord-Wes se span het egter in die eersteplek algeheel geëindig, met Limpopo in die tweedeplek en Gauteng wat die derdeplek behaal het.

Agri-Merensky se Andrea van Vuuren was derde in die Vleisbeeste Junior Skouman-afdeling met Natacha Badenhorst wie derde in die Vleisbeeste Senior Skouman geëindig het. Die Vleisbeeste Junior Groep-afdeling is deur Ina-Merie Burger, Zanica Linde en Andrea van Vuuren gewen.

Die Vleisskape Junior Groep met Stephen-John Walker, Reinhardt Hanekom en Callie Buitendag het ook die botoon in hierdie afdeling gevoer om die eersteplek te verower. Die Vleisskape Senior Groep bestaande uit Nyaki Sekgobela, Claire Coppen en DJ Basson het ‘n tweedeplek behaal.

Simoné Schonken het ‘n tweedeplek in die Wolskape Junior Skouman-afdeling vermag en in die Wolskape Senior Skouman se afdeling het Adelia Schonken die derdeplek beklee. Die Wolskape Senior Groep met Simoné Schonken, Adelia Schonken en Hano Potgieter het nog ‘n derdeplek by Agri-Merensky se rits toekennings gevoeg. Agri-Merensky se Melkbokke Senior Skouman-af-

deling deelnemers hoef geensins vir hul mededingers terug te staan nie en het ‘n aantal plekke onder die top vyf deelnemers ingepalm. Dorey Burger het ‘n toekenning vir die derdeplek ontvang met spanmaats André van Deventer in die vierdeplek en Seithati Selematsela het vyfde geëindig.

Die Melkbokke Junior Groep bestaande uit Anibré Botes, Ebbey Burger en Jané Buitendag was met die tweedeplek beloon.

Die Melkbokke Senior Groep met André van Deventer, Dorey Burger en Seithati Selematsela het ook ‘n toekenning vir tweedeplek na die Agri-Merensky plaas geneem.

Sefastian Janse van Vuuren was in die derdeplek in die Vleisbokke Junior Skouman-afdeling en nog ‘n derdeplek in die Vleisbokke Senior Skouman-kategorie was deur Meliné Roux behaal. Die vierde- en vyfdeplekke het onderskeidelik aan Tamar Kellerman en Lexi Erasmus behoort.

Die Vleisbokke se Senior Groep deelnemers met Meliné Roux, Lexi Erasmus en Tamar Kellerman het selfs beter gevaar met hul deelname en het ‘n tweedeplek verwerf.

In die Pluimvee Junior Skouman-afdeling was Bernard Louw as die wenner aangewys en Bernard Gilfillan het die prys vir tweedeplek geneem. Leandri Kilian het in die afdeling vir Konyne Junior Skouman met die wennerslouere weggestap.

In die Suiwelbereiding Senior Skouman-afdeling het Yasmine Joubert ‘n tweedeplek behaal met spanmaat Ancke Koekemoer in die derdeplek. Louis Vorster het net op ‘n top drie plek uitgemis en het die vierdeplek algeheel beklee.

Nog ‘n wen het aan Agri-Merensky en die Limpopo-span gegaan in die afdeling vir Afslaers Senior Skouman waar Nic de Beer die eersteprys opgeraap het.

■ Ben Theunissen

Parkering vir jou motor in die middestad van Johannesburg was seker een van die grootste probleme in die tyd voor die nuwe regering aan bewind gekom het. Vandag is dit nie eers meer ‘n probleem nie, want die regering het groter probleme geskep en jy kan letterlik vandag parkeer net waar jy wil.....op die sypaadjie, dubbel of dwars, makie sakie.

Dit is eintlik vandag ‘n probleem vir die motoriste wat nie wil parkeer nie, maar of jy wil of nie parkeer nie....dit bly ‘n probleem.

As jy gelukkig was om ‘n parkeerplek te kry, het jy vyf sent nodig gehad om in die parkeermeter te deponeer. Dit was vir ‘n uur se parkering. Dan moes jy, ongeag waarmee jy besig was tydens jou werksure, elke uur na jou motor gaan om nog 5 sente in die meter te voer.

‘n Ander probleem was dat jy nie altyd ‘n vyf sent stuk by jou gehad het nie. Dan moes jy maar die kans waag en gaan werk met die hoop dat die verkeerskonstabels diens doen in ‘n ander deel van die stad en by jou kollegas gaan hoor of hulle kleingeld het vir die paar pitte wat jy het.... as jy gehad het.

Dus, nog voordat jy begin werk het, het die stresvlakke hoër gestyg as die kwik in Piet Plessis op ‘n snikhete dag.

So het dit gebeur dat die uwe een goeie dag so besig geraak het dat die verkeerskonstabels dit nie eers agtergekom het nie. Toe ek in ‘n stadium na my motor gaan om die honger

parkeermeter te voer, het die pink rapport teen my motor se voorruit gewapper soos die ou vlag.

Dit was genoeg om my stresvlak hoër te laat styg as die kwik op ‘n snikhete dag op Tshipise. Met die opgefrommelde rapport in my hand, het ek koers gekies na die naaste asblik. Selfs jonger mense is geneig om te vergeet en ongeveer ‘n maand later daag ek een middag by die huis op, net om ‘n wit rapport (meer gevorderd) teen my voordeur vasgenael te kry.

Ek kan nie die presiese bewoording onthou nie, maar dit was iets soos; Indien u nie more-oggend om 9-uur by John Vorsterplein, kamer so en so, rapporteer nie, sal u summier gearresteer word.

Nodeloos om te sê. maar ek sê dit in elk geval, het ek daardie nag nie ‘n oog toegemaak nie.

Skoon vergeet van die parkeerkaartjie.

Kwart voor nege was ek by die spesifieke kantoor. Op aandag. Daar het ‘n jong “diener” my ingewag om my na die verkeershof te vergesel. Ek was van plan om my kruideniers vir die week te gaan koop en het gelukkig die nodige R40 daarvoor in my sak gehad. Die landdros se van was Haarhoff en dit was ook so. Ek moes maar my beurt afwag om te verskyn en uiteindelik is my naam gelees.

Ek moes eers pleit....om my vry te spreek, maar sy wou niks weet nie want sy was baie goed in wetenskap. Toe pleit ek maar skuldig. Haar woorde was toe; “R45 vir minagting van die hof”!

Dit het beteken dat ek R5 te min by my gehad het. Die jong diener het my na die prisoniersvriend geneem waar ek moes onderneem om die R5 die volgende oggend om 7uur te betaal, wat ek toe gedoen het.

Die les uit die storie is; “Doen dit nou, want nou-nou is te laat” Virseker!

TYE VAN VERANDERING MET PARKERING

Arno Last het vir die Limpopo-span die prys vir die Beste Veedokumentasie ontvang

Die Jeugskou-span van Agri-Merensky het Limpopo met welslae by vanjaar se Nasionale Jeugskole verteenwoordig

Nic de Beer was die wenner in die Afslaers-afdeling

Kruger takes 7 for 31 Judokas make the grade

■ Roelof de Jonge

The BB Motors Hornbills Cricket Club from Tzaneen welcomed Phalaborwa Cricket Club on Sunday the 16th of October for the second round of the Premier League. The Hornbills won the toss and elected to field first, sending the visitors in to bat. Phalaborwa struggled through their innings and amassed a mere 93 runs, all out.

The home team chased down this target relatively easily and went on to clinch the match by six wickets.

The Hornbills’ bowlers piled on the pressure from the get-go and held the visitors’ opening batsmen to a mere 10 runs, thanks to Zylon McGaffin who claimed both of the Phalaborwa opening scalps. McGaffin took the first two wickets and the third wicket tumbled thanks to a catch by Stebian van der Walt off the bowling of Richard Atherstone. If a Man of the Match was awarded, it would

have been given to Emille Kruger. Kruger was explosive and decimated the rest of the Phalaborwa batting line-up scoring a hat trick to conclude his incredible spell of 7 wickets for 31 runs in just six overs.

In their turn in the field, the Phalaborwa bowlers initially showed some sting as openers Aubrey van Reenen (5 runs from 21 balls) and Abré Cilliers (14 runs from 25 balls) were dismissed quite early.

When Eric Kruger (2 runs from 13 balls) and Wilhelm Groenewald (0 from 7 balls) lost their wickets in quick succession, the visitors visibly gained some hope. That was until Zylon McGaffin and Richard Atherstone walked onto the pitch to salvage the game. McGaffin’s batting frustrated the Phalaborwa bowlers.

He was just short of his half century, having scored 43 runs from 34 balls, which included two fours and four sixes. Atherstone batted steadily at the other end and added 22 runs from 24 balls which included a four and a six.

■ Roelof de Jonge

A couple of local Judokas from the Jukado Judo Club under the guidance of sensei Ivan Steyn, reaped the rewards for all their hard work during the year. Sensei Steyn took the students through their grading paces on the 21st of September in Tzaneen. Steyn said it took the students between six to eight months to prepare for their gradings.

The students who all passed their gradings successfully were Conner Beukes King (2nd Mon Kyu yellow belt), Topher Beukes King (3rd Mon Kyu yellow belt), Lia Thompson (yellow belt) and Mia Zeni (2nd Mon Kyu yellow belt).

New judo members are welcome to join sensei Steyn and the other students. The Jukado Judo Club practices on Mondays and Wednesdays from 18:00 until 19:15 and is situated at the Laeveld Dutch Reformed Church in Claude Wheatly Street, right opposite HI-Q Tire Fitment Centre and Tzaneen Technical College. The club will host open practice sessions on Saturdays from 08:00 until 12:00.

For further information people can contact sensei Ivan Steyn on 083 348 6711.

Eagles nest on top of log

■ Roelof de Jonge

The second round of the Sunday Premier League match was decided on Sunday the 16th of October between BB Motors Phoenix and Louis Trichardt Cricket Clubs at the Phoenix oval in Modjadjiskloof. It proved to be quite a tussle between the two sides.

After an impressive first round win on home turf just the weekend before against Polokwane’s Nirvana team, the Phoenix squad had their tails up in the air for this second round clash. The Louis Trichard squad on the other hand having lost their first encounter, needed to get their campaign going to reel in the front running teams on the points log. In the end the visitors managed to outplay their rivals and win by a single wicket. Both batting line-ups did not hesitate to stack up the runs. Louis Trichardt won the toss and elected to field first. Phoenix batted well and eventually set the target at 172 runs for their rivals to chase.

The Phoenix batsmen who mainly contributed runs in their innings were the opening batsman Imran Badar (10 from 17 balls), Kian Loughor-Clark (30 from 57 balls), SJ Kaber (11 from 24 balls), Mikateko Rikhotso (39 from 46 balls) and Shahzaib Muhammad (32 from 40 balls).

Louis Trichardt’s Sahil Patel with his steady batting of 66 runs from 97 balls, not out, was essentially

responsible for his team’s one wicket victory. The other batsmen who supported Patel in Louis Trichardt’s run chase were Saif Amirbux (21 from 38 balls), Juan-Michael Phillips (12 from 21 balls) and Solman Patel (25 from 56 balls).

The bowlers who took wickets for Phoenix were Rainart Schoonbee (2/23 in 6 overs), Akani Mongwe (1/20 in 6 overs), Jonty Brown (1/45 in 8 overs), SJ Kaber (2/10 in 7 overs), Mikateko Rikhotso (1/18 in 6.3 overs) and Kian Loughor-Clark (1/12 in 4 overs).

The leading wicket takers from Louis Trichardt were JP Coetzee (2/22 in 5 overs), Skonza Mxanana (3/24 in 5.3 overs) and Solman Patel (2/34 in 8 overs).

The other bowlers who each claimed a wicket were Saif Amirbux, Paulo Piorek and Sahil Parel.

Eagles Cricket Club from Polokwane currently tops the standings after two rounds on 10 points. Second is Nashua Aces, also from Polokwane, also on 10 points. A better nett run rate is why the Eagles team currently tops the standings. Phoenix currently occupy third spot on five points with the fourth and fifth places, also on 5 points each, occupied by Nkowankowa and BB Motors Hornbills respectively.

The team of Louis Trichardt, now with four points, occupies the sixth spot on the log.

Nirvana in seventh spot and Phalaborwa in last place are the teams still looking for a first win to start off their 2022/2023 campaign.

Sensei Ivan Steyn with the judo students who passed their gradings. In front are Conner Beukes King and Topher Beukes King with Lia Thompson at the back. Mia Zeni was absent.

Emille Kruger

Richard Atherstone

Zylon McGaffin

Spor

BATTLE

■ Joe Dreyer

It was a momentous occasion for swimmers across the province who participated in the annual Top Schools gala held at the Tzaneen municipal swimming pool this past weekend. The last time a gala of this magnitude was held at this swimming pool which the municipality has not been able to open to the public, was two years ago.

Initially ten schools would participate, however two schools had to withdraw form the competition given the distance needed to travel and the encroaching final exams that await the grade 12 pupils.

The High Schools that did participate were Ben Viljoen, Pietersburg, Ellisras, Ben Vorster, Merensky, Stanford Lake, Frans du Toit and Piet Potgieter. It would turn out to be a magnificent tussle for the top spot on the podium between the two Bens as Ben Viljoen concluded their outing with a combined score of 1 776 to claim first place with Ben Vorster High in second spot on 1 508.

Third place went to Pietersburg on 1 425 with Ellisras in fourth on 1 381, Piet Potgieter in fifth on 1 317, Merensky in sixth spot on 1 155, Frans du Toit in seventh position on 891 and Stanford Lake College taking eighth place on 751.

It was the Viljoen girls who ultimately sealed the victory for their school when they amassed 893 points to claim victory over second placed Pietersburg on 696 and Ellisras on 695 points. Ben Vorster’s girls scored 681 to claim fourth spot with Merensky in fifth on 665.

In the boys battle for top honours Ben Viljoen scored 883 with Ben Vorster in second place on 827, Pietersburg in third on 729, Piet Potgieter in fourth on 724 and Ellisras rounding off the top five on 686.

There were some very impressive individual performances on the day with Stanford Lake’s Jenny Zhang landing top of the podium in the girls’ events on 110 points – a position she shared with Ben Viljoen’s Simone Theron. Elné Haynes of Ben Vorster took second place (third on the rankings list behind the shared top spot) on 95 points.

In the boys individual rankings Pieterburg’s Juan Randall took the top step on 115 points with Ben Vorster’s Marnus Kruger in second on 100 points and Ben Viljoen’s Mighael Alberts in third on 99 points.

In one of the most hotly contested events on the day, the 100m Freestyle for boys 15 years, Ruan Potgieter and Mighael Alberts both broke Ben Vorster’s 2017 record of 57,45 when they touched the plate in 56,55 and 56,88 respectively. Alberts would redeem himself later in the 50m Freestyle when he broke the 2008 record set by Heinrich Alberts (25,95) in a time of 25,63 to out stretch Potgieter who touched the plate in second place on 26,17.

Stanford Lake’s Jenny Zhang obliterated the 100m Backstroke for girls 16 years record which was set by Anika Schmidt in 2018 (1:19,92) when she finished almost half a length ahead of her competition on 1:12,96. Zhang repeated her performances in the 100m Butterfly where she smashed the record set by Lané Prinsloo in 2018 (1:18,73) to take gold in a time of 1:12,89. She also took first place in the 50m Butterfly event for her age group in 31,61 and first place in the Individual Medley in a time of 2:42,23.

At the end of the day the Senior Victor Ludorum was hoisted by Marnus Kruger of Ben Vorster whilst Jenny Zhang lifted the Senior Victrix. Juan Randall took home the Junior Victor and Simoné Theron lifted the Junior Victrix.

Jason Lucao

Simoné Schonken

Joshua Joubert

Justin Dias