Bulletin Newspaper 9 December 2022

■ Billy Sibuyi

For a third week in a row, Hans Merensky Spa and Golf Estate was slowed to a snail’s pace by an all-day miniature roadblock on the main road leading to the estate. The blockade, manned by Beyond 2000 Security, was set up to restrict any hotel employees’ and other non-home owners’ access to the estate, which now belongs to Indalo Hotels and Leisure.

This now means there are two security companies currently at the estate. One operating the main gate contracted to the estate under ownership of the previous owner, Shamira Rinderknecht, and the other by Indalo Hotels and Leisure, which operates the mini-roadblock on the main road towards the main gate.

Bulletin spoke with some personnel from both security companies with the agreement of keeping their identities anonymous.

“We were told that we need to go the main gate and control from there, but when we went there the security company that was there, refused us access. We tried to reach an understanding with them, but it was not going to happen,” said one of the Beyond 2000 guards. “We don’t know what’s going on, we were just told not to allow anybody inside unless they were homeowners.”

One of the guards at the main gate told Bulletin that they were still contracted to the estate and were merely doing their job.

“Our work roster is out, and we are working as normal, we are not disturbed by the other guys because they are on their own post and we are on our own post. We are not going to abandon our post unless instructed to do so,” said one of the guards stationed at the main gate.

“We are not at war with Beyond 2000 at the other post, they are also doing their jobs. So, they just need to allow us to do ours which is being here and guarding the estate,” said another guard, also stationed inside the estate.

Now, more displeasing information has surfaced as Bulletin was reliably informed that several employees of

Ford thieves jailed

A man who was part of a syndicate that stole six brand new Ford vehicles from a dealership in Phalaborwa, five years ago, was finally sentenced last month.

Tsununu Ahmad Maphosa (36) was convicted and sentenced for burglary at business premises and theft of motor vehicles by the Musina Regional court on the 30th of November 2022.

According to the Hawks, in the early hours of the 9th of December 2017, the accused together with his co-accused broke into a Ford Vehicle Dealership in Phalaborwa and stole six Ford vehicles (2 x Ford Everest and 4 x Ford Rangers) to the value of R3 235 000.

The matter was reported to the police and a case was opened and referred to the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation for further probe. The Hawks reported that an intensive investigation was conducted which resulted in the recovery of five of the six stolen motor vehicles in the Masisi area near the Limpopo River on the very same day that they were reported stolen.

The vehicles were intercepted and prevented from crossing the Limpopo River into Zimbabwe and all the driv-

ers ran away. Through the assistance of law-abiding citizens however, Maphosa was arrested in the area while attempting to flee.

The Hawks’ continuous investigation resulted in the arrest of another suspect, Raymond Sibusiso Tshabalala in the Gauteng Province. Tshabalala is believed to be a mastermind behind the vehicle theft syndicate.

Maphosa was never granted bail until he was convicted and sentenced. He was handed four years imprisonment for housebreaking at a business premises and 15 years imprisonment for the theft of the motor vehicles.

“Two years in count one are ordered to run concurrently with fifteen years in count two,” explained Capt Matimba Maluleke of the Hawks in Limpopo. “The accused will serve an effective 17 years in jail. The accused was further declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of the Firearm Control Act.”

The other accused Tshabalala is still at large after he was released on bail. The warrant of arrest was authorised against him and anyone with information regarding his whereabouts may contact Captain Makhani on 082 565 7842 or the nearest police station.

the hotel were still unpaid for the month of November.

“Well by Monday this week, the entire staff was still not paid. I am not too sure if something has occurred yet. She [Rinderknecht] is not responding to any of our texts or calls, and we do not know what to do now. All we need is our compensation,” a disgruntled employee said.

“Nobody wants to do business with Shamira. Some of the people she contracted at the estate were not even paid. Recently, she had clients for golf and others for a conference meeting, but when those clients arrived even after they had paid in full, they were not allowed access into the property,” a reliable source within the management structures of the hotel told Bulletin.

Bulletin has contacted both Shamira Rinderknecht and Senzo Tsabedze, but at the time of going to print we had not been successful in reaching Rinderknecht.

We did however manage to speak with Tsabedze, only for a short while as he was unable to talk at the time. He said that he would be in communication with us, and stated that he was informed that Rinderknecht had allegedly recently terminated the contracts off all her employees with immediate effect and without a notice.

It remains to be seen how long this stand-off will run for. Will Indalo finally be let through the gates which they now own, or will the former owner maintain her stance until plausibly the 26th of January 2023, when the two owners, in their own rights, will be in court again? Bulletin will update our readers on the progress of the story as it continues to unfold.

SANParks rangers jailed for poaching

■ Billy Sibuyi

Two former Kruger National Park field rangers, stationed in Skukuza, were sentenced to 14 years imprisonment on Tuesday, 6th of December, for poaching-related offences they committed in the park.

Hendrick Experience Silinda (31) and Archieve Musa Mlambo (38), were on duty on the 26th of February 2019, when the regional rangers received information that poachers were going to enter Kruger National Park, with the assistance of Skukuza rangers.

The court heard that the regional rangers followed the information and went to the camp where the duo were deployed and started searching.

“They found Silinda and his co-accused Mlambo, in possession of a hunting rifle, seven live rounds of ammunition, a silencer, and three hunting knives,” reported Monica Nyuswa, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority in Mpu-

malanga.

According to her, the pair had pleaded not guilty and claimed that they were being framed.

The State Prosecutor, Lot Mgiba, led evidence of the arresting officers who testified about how they had found the hunting rifle hidden in their tent. The senior rangers also testified that the rifle that was in their possession, does not belong to SANParks.

During court proceedings, the ballistics report was presented, and it confirmed that the hunting rifle had an obliterated serial number. The pair were convicted of possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm with a serial number obliterated, possession of live ammunition, and possession of three hunting knives.

They were each sentenced to 14 years direct imprisonment and the court ordered that some of the sentences should run concurrently, the effective sentence being seven years imprisonment each.

■ Je Jackson

The barricade eracted by Beyond 2000 security on the road leading to the estate, which is being protected by another security company Senzo Tsabedze

Dogs, donkeys and goodwill thanks to ARRC

■ Billy Sibuyi

Animal Relief for Rural Communities (ARRC), a non-profit organization, continued their quest to educate and equip young herdsmen in Selwane with veterinary care and donkey harness workshops.

On Wednesday, the 7th of December, they travelled to Mohlanatsi, a government funded children’s project in Selwane for orphans and underprivileged children. Unfortunately, the government according to Dr Lani Anagnostou gives funding for only 30 children, there being 131 children on the register.

The organisation which is directed by Joanne Marden, Tracey Mobley, Dr Fernando Prados Nieto (veterinarian), and Dr Lani Anagnostou (veterinarian) was started in November 2021 for the purpose of making a difference in the community.

“We run a small education program where we give the children a 20-minute lesson on varied topics based around animal welfare, compassion for animals, anti-poaching and wildlife. We also engage them with interactive play,” Dr Anagnostou told Bulletin.

The reason they chose Selwane Village to assist was because they had noticed that the community had a lack of veterinary care, running water, and was in real need of help.

Anagnostou said they conducted a monthly outreach for dogs and donkeys. “For the dogs we health check them, treat them for ticks and fleas, vaccinate them, and if any are sick, we take and treat them.”

The donkeys are treated for parasites, and abrasions, or cuts that they may have received from the harnesses. She explained that donkeys in Selwane were mainly used to fetch water and commonly

their harnesses were made from uncomfortable, ill-fitting material which develops sores and cuts that may have a massive effect on their health and performance.

This was one the reasons they now do a Thursday weekly donkey harness workshop in the community, “We use the inside of donated firehoses to make harnesses which fit correctly and are comfortable. The last 12 months have been a learning curve and we have learnt so much, had such a positive response in the community, and everyone seems very willing and committed to their animal’s health”.

She told Bulletin that some of the challenges that they faced in their last 13 months has been time and money as they run completely off donations and volunteers.

“Since there has been such a positive turnout, and such an uptake of our services, we are growing so fast and that comes with growing expenses. Our donors have been incredible, and we could not have done it without them,” she ex-

plained. Bulletin have dewormed, 50 530

She told Bulletin that to date, they have treated several dogs including giving 569 rabies vaccinations, 816 were dewormed, and 415 were vaccinated against other common canine ailments. The team also health checked and treated 216 donkeys, and made more than 50 donkey harnesses and bridles. Anagnostou and her team fed a nutritious meal to more than 2 530 orphaned or underprivileged children.

part of the world record!

Tomorrow is the big day. Local photographer, Joe Dreyer, will attempt to improve the current world record for the most individual studio portraits taken in eight hours which was originally set by Rajesh Kumar, a Sydney-based photographer. Kumar took eight hours to capture portraits of 1 010 individuals. He set the record during the India-Australia Friendship Fair in Sydney, Australia.

Bulletin has registered the record attempt on the Guinness Book of World Records website and we await confirmation from their team. According to them, in order to have an official present at the attempt, an amount of just over US$12 000 must be made. Considering that we do not have the required amount, we have opted to live stream the entire event as a form of record keeping and proof in the event that the record is shattered. Dreyer will attempt to reach the required number of portraits in seven hours with the support of locals willing to take 10 seconds and have a seat in front of his lens.

The chosen venue for the record breaking attempt

is Tzaneen Lifestyle Centre and Dreyer will be set up and ready to go by 09:00 on Saturday (tomorrow morning) inside the entrance hall in front of Checkers. There will be entertainment and prizes for the first, 100th, 500th and 1000th individual to be photographed.

All the portraits taken on the day will be available to download off the Bulletin Facebook page by simply clicking on the subscribe button on our page which will navigate you to the subscribers-only area of our page. Subscribers have exclusive access to video interviews, photo galleries and giveaways not visible to the general Facebook follower. We therefor encourage our loyal supporters to hit that subscriber button and show your support to the only independent, completely locally owned and managed news agency in your area.

A video detailing the process to be followed, and the benefits to be gained, has been loaded onto the Far North Bulletin Facebook page. Please show your support and stop by at Tzaneen Lifestyle Centre between 09:00 and 16:00 tomorrow, have your portrait taken and become part of the record!

■ Je Jackson

Fun, festivities, and Santa at Frangipani

■ Billy Sibuyi

Schools for children with special needs, and early childhood educators, rarely make it into the spotlight, as it is typically reserved for the more “prestigious” schools and senior phase educators.

But that’s starting to change, as one family in Phalaborwa awarded both learners and teachers at Frangipani School with top honors on Friday last week, the 2nd of December. Santa was even invited and much to the delight of the children in attendance, handed them each a special gift.

Delighted children stood outside in anticipation as they heard the sounds of sirens wailing up the street, as emergency personnel took a few minutes off their busy schedules to specially deliver Santa to the school. With their eyes fixed on the ambulance door as it swung open, and Santa jumped out, the children screamed in excitement as they ran towards the jolly white bearded bringer of joy.

Belinda and Michael du Plessis, the couple who organised the event, said that they just wanted to put Frangipani on the map.

“The school does not have a lot of funders and sponsors so we decided to help them this Christmas. We really appreciate what they are doing in the community,” said the du Plessis family.

The family handed over gifts and certificates of excellence to the school and learners. In doing so, they said that they were hoping more people would lend a helping hand to the school. Parents of the children at the school were overjoyed and some couldn’t contain their emotions as they saw the bright smiles on the faces of their young ones.

In terms of Section 35(5) of Act 66 of 1965 notice is hereby given that copies of the liquidation and distribution account (first and final) in the estate specified below will be open for the inspection of all persons with interest therein for a period of 21 days from the date of publication hereof, and at the offices of the Master in Polokwane and the Magistrate’s office in Ga-Kgapane. Should no objection thereto be lodged with the Master concerned during the specified period, the executors will proceed to make payment in accordance with the account. Registration Number of Estate: 001228/2022

Surname: RAMATLADI. Name: MASILO PETRUS. Identity Number: 5803065409080.

Married in Community of Property to: SELAELO

MAGDELINE RAMAT-

LADI. Identity Number: 5803080545082. Last address: Relele Village, Bolobedu South, Limpopo.

Joubert & May Attorneys. 50 Boundary Street P O Box 35, Tzaneen, Tel: 015 307 3660 Ref: Mr Rech/avs/R15879

LOST OR DESTROYED DEED Notice is hereby given in terms of regulation 68 of the Deeds Registries Act, 1937, to the intention to apply for the issue of a certified copy of Deed of Transfer T2049/2003, passed by ARTHUR HENRY PICKWORTH, Identity Number 620702 5040 002, in favour of NEIL DAVID ELPHINSTONE, Identity Number 350922 5024 089 and ALMARINA ELPHINSTONE, Identity Number 421112 0066 088, in respect of certain PORTION 375 (A PORTION OF PORTION 367) OF THE FARM PUSELA 555, 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 Registrar of Deeds, Deeds Office, 101 Dorp Street, Polokwane, Limpopo within two weeks from the date of the publication of this notice.

Applicant: ND & A Elphinstone p/a Thomas & Swanepoel Attorneys / Ref: V2530 / J Jacobsz.

Address: 19 Peace Street, Tzaneen E-mail: judy@tslegal. co.za. Contact: 015 307 1027

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 Certificate of registered Sectional Title 52/1981 (10) (UNIT) in favour of:

JEANETTE VALENTINE DEEKS (FORMERLY MILNE), IDENTITY NUMBER: 350214 0010 085 In respect of: (a) Section No. 10 as shown and more fully

Legals & Notices

described on Sectional Plan No SS 52/1981 in the scheme known as LETABA VIEW in respect of the land and building or buildings situated at ERF 786, Tzaneen Extention 10 Township, Local Authority, Greater Tzaneen Municipality, of which section the floor area, according to the said sectional plan is 82 (Eighty Two) square metres in extent and (b) An undivided share in the common property in the scheme apportioned to the said section in accordance with the participation quota as endorsed on the said sectional plan. Held under Certificate of registered Sectional Title 52/1981 (10) (UNIT). Which has been lost or destroyed.

All persons having objection to the issue of such copy are hereby required to lodge the same in writing with the Registrar of Deeds at 101 DORP STREET, POLOKWANE within two weeks after the date of the publication

of this notice.

Applicant, STEWART MARITZ BASSON , LEX NUMERI BUILDING, 32 PEACE STREET, TZANEEN, E-mail: mariska@ smbattorneys.co.za. Tel: 015 307 3760

TZANEEN AMENDMENT SCHEME 546

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR AMENDMENT OF A TOWN-PLANNING SCHEME IN TERMS OF SECTION 57 OF THE GREATER TZANEEN MUNICIPAL SPLUMA BY-LAWS 2016 I, Willem Johannes Jacobsz of Omniplan Town Planners, being the authorised agent of the registered owner of Erf 141 Tzaneen X2 hereby give notice in terms of Section 57 of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality’s SPLUMA By-Laws 2016, that I have applied to the Greater Tzaneen Municipality for the amendment of the town-planning scheme known as the Tzaneen Town Planning Scheme, 2000 by the rezoning of the prop-

erty described above, situated at 21 King Edward Street, Tzaneen, from “Business 3” to “Residential 2”. Particulars of the application will lie for inspection during normal office hours at the office of the Municipal Manager, Civic Centre, Tzaneen for a period of 30 days from 09 December 2022 (the date of the first publication of the notice).

Objections to or representations in respect of the applications must be lodged with or made in writing to the Municipal Manager at the above address or be delivered to room 9 at GTM Satellite Office, situated at 15B Peace Street, Tzaneen, 0850 within a period of 30 days from 09 December 2022, by quoting the above-mentioned heading, the objector’s interest in the matter, the ground(s) of the objection/representation, the objector’s property description, phone numbers and address. A person who cannot write may during office hours visit the above-

mentioned municipality requesting assistance to transcribe his/her objections, comments, or representations.

Contact person: Mr. B Mathebula (015 307 8031).

Address of authorised agent: Omniplan Town Planners, PO Box 2071, TZANEEN, 0850, Tel :015 307 1041 Ref No: J341

TZANEEN WYSIGINGSKEMA 546 KENNISGEWING VAN AANSOEK OM WYSIGING VAN ‘N DORPSBEPLANNINGSKEMA INGEVOLGE ARTIKEL 57 VAN DIE GROTER

TZANEEN MUNISIPALE SPLUMA BY-WETTE

Terwyl ons, Kommissaris, Dawid, Weyers en ek nat maak, dis nou die kele, in ateljee 13, stap ‘n goeie vriend en skerp besigheidsman, Johan van Piet Plessis in, net om te kom groet. Want Piet Plessis is so vêr soos in die ou Kalahari, en hy sit ook nie sy mond aan dit waarvan ons monde vol is nie.

Tyd vir ‘n mooi storie het Johan altyd en sy kuier het ‘n guldige geleentheid daarvoor geskep.

Hy vertel dat ‘n vriend van hom met volstruise geboer het, daar onder naby Oudtshoorn se wêreld. Met een oggend se besoek aan die volstruishuis, merk hy op dat twee van sy volstruise gevrek het. Wat nou gedaan? Hy gaan kuier by ‘n vriend van hom, wat ook vol van die kennis van volstruise is en vertel hom van die tragedie.

Sy vriend vra vir hom: “Waar hou jy die volstruise aan?”

Hy antwoord toe: “In ‘n gewone kamp met ‘n draad-

heining.”

Die vriend sê vir hom: “Nee man. Jy moet hulle in ‘n hok sit met ‘n muur om!”

“Baie dankie”, was die boer se woorde en hy is daar weg. ‘n Maand later is hy terug by die vriend.

“Daar is vanoggend weer twee volstruise dood,” vertel hy vir die volstruiskenner.

Die vriend vra: “Waaruit bestaan die vloer van die kamp?”

Die boer antwoord terug: “Hulle loop op grond.”

Toe sê die vriend: “Nee man! Jy moet baie gras gooi, hulle hou van ‘n sagte oppervlak.”

Die boer maak toe so. Twee weke later is die boer terug.

“Ek is regtig raadop. Vier van my volstruise het alweer gevrek.”

“Is hulle onderdak?”, vra die vriend. “Nee”, sê die boer.

“Ag nee man!”, antwoord die vriend. “Jy moet hulle onderdak hou”.

Die boer volg toe sy raad. Drie weke later is hy weer terug by sy vriend: “Ek is werklik raadop. Vier van my volstruise het intussen weer gevrek!”

“Ai, dis jammer”, sê die vriend. “Maar sê my, is die ventilasie genoegsaam?”

“Ek weet nie,” sê die boer.

“Man. Jy moet waaiers aan die kante van die area sit waar hulle beweeg,” is die vriend se raad weer. Weer maak die boer so. Twee weke later is hy terug by sy vriend met ‘n droewige uitdrukking op sy gesig. “Ek is moedeloos verby. My laaste twee volstruise is vanoggend dood.”

Waarop die vriend antwoord: “Dit is regtig jammer! Ek het nog soveel raad vir jou gehad.”

Jobseeker

Ek, Willem Johannes Jacobsz van Omniplan Stadsbeplanners, synde die gemagtigde agent van die geregistreerde eienaar van Erf 141 Tzaneen X2 gee hiermee ingevolge Artikel 57 van die Groter Tzaneen Munisipale SPLUMA By-Wette, 2016 kennis dat ek by die Groter Tzaneen Munisipaliteit aansoek gedoen het om die wysiging van die Dorpsbeplanningskema bekend as die Tzaneen Dorpsbeplanningskema, 2000 deur die hersonering van die eiendom hierbo beskryf, geleë te 21 King Edward Tzaneen X2, vanaf “Besigheid 3” na “Residensieel 2”. Besonderhede van die aansoek lê ter insae

gedurende gewone kantoor ure by die kantoor van die Munisipale Bestuurder, Burgersentrum, Tzaneen vir ‘n tydperk van 30 dae vanaf 09 Desember 2022 (die datum van eerste publikasie van hierdie kennisgewing). Besware teen of vertoë ten opsigte van die aansoek moet binne ‘n tydperk van 30 dae vanaf 09 Desember 2022 skriftelik by of tot die Munisipale Bestuurder gerig word en by bovermelde adres afgelewer word, of by kamer 9 by GTM Sateliet Kantoor te Peace Straat 15B, Tzaneen, 0850 ingedien word deur die verwysing na bostaande opskrif, die beswaarmaker se belang in die saak, die gronde/ redes vir die beswaar, die beswaarmaker se eiendomsbeskrywing, telefoonnommer en adres. Enige persoon wat nie kan skryf nie mag gedurende kantoorure die bovermelde Munisipaliteit besoek en hulp versoek om sy/haar besware, kommentare of voorstelle op skrif te stel.

Kontak persoon: Mnr. B Mathebula (015 307 8031). Adres van gemagtigde agent: Omniplan Stads- en Streekbeplanners, Posbus 2071, Tzaneen, 0850, Tel.: 015 307 1041. Verw. No. J341

Events

• 9 December

The Exclusive Summer Pool Party will be held on 9 December 2022 at the Wanga Guest House from 12h00 at R100.00 per person. For more information contact 065 854 3759 or 066 417 5448.

• 10 December

Die Klofie Kersmark word aangebied op 10 Desember 2022 by die Hervormde Kerk vanaf 09h00 tot 16h00.

Vir meer inligting skakel Alta by 082 779 9409.

• 10 December

The Mr & Miss Royalty Limpopo Crowning will be held on 10 December 2022 at the Kgapane Community Hall from 10h00 until 18h00 at R50.00 per person. For more information contact 076 723 5250.

• 11 December

Domestic My name is Linah Mahasha. I am looking for office work. Cleaning or typing in Security. I have references. Contact me on 079 143 2570.

Domestic

For a quote contact: Maria: 072 553 7249

My name is Makoma Julia Sithole. I am looking for domestic work. Full or part time. Sleep in or out. Please contact me on 071 158 2618.

The Local Gospel Music Show will be held on 11 December 2022 at the Bokgaga Baptist Church from 17h30 at R30.00 per person. For more information contact 076 899 0873 or 067 246 7380.

• 16 December

The Christmas Carols & Social will be held on 16 December 2022 at The Village Hall from 17h00 at R80.00 per person.

For more information contact Michel on 079 212 0598.

LIQUIDATION AND DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNT IN DECEASED ESTATE LYING FOR INSPECTION

■ Ben Theunissen

‘Wors’ sorg vir ‘n ‘doring’ in die vlees

Judoka Nic se koelkop ontlont ‘n onderonsie

■ Roelof de Jonge

Nic de Beer en sy ouers het onlangs ‘n Sondagmiddag oppad terug Tzaneen toe vanaf ‘n familie aangeleentheid in Gauteng, ‘n noue ontkoming beleef wat hulle vir gou nie sal vergeet nie.

Nic, ‘n Graad 11 leerling by die Hoërskool Merensky, het ook ‘n waardevolle les uit hierdie ervaring geleer. Danksy sy kalmte en selfbeheersing het hy verhoed dat ‘n situasie ontlont en hul ongedeerd daar van kon afkom. Hierdie karaktertrekke is iets wat hy by Judo aangekweek het – ‘n sportsoort wat hy sedert Graad 1 al beoefen.

“Ons was alreeds verby Polokwane in Mankweng, toe ek vanuit my slaap wakker geword het. Ek sê toe vir my ouers dat ek ‘n badkamer wil besoek en dat ons iewers moet stop. Ons het toe by ‘n winkelsentrum in Mankweng gestop.”

Nic, nog half deur die slaap, klim toe uit die motor uit om by een van die winkels uit te vind waar die badkamers geleë is. Oppad badkamers toe is daar ‘n man wat kort op Nic se hakke gevolg het. Nic het egter gou besef die man is erg aangeklam.

Die gemarineerde man, vir geen rede, begin toe fisies Nic van agteraf te teister, heel moontlik om die jong man uit te lok.

“Ek het omgedraai en vir hom gevra wat sy probleem is. Dit is toe dat hy probeer om my met ‘n plathand by te dam. Ek het egter in Judo geleer dat die ander hand waarmee nie geslaan word nie, gewoonlik ‘n wapen dra. En dis waarop gefokus was,” verduidelik hy.

“Gelukkig het hy nie enige wapens aan hom gedra nie, maar ongelukkig het hy raak geklap. Maar die feit dat hy lekker gedrink was, het sy klap nie veel van ‘n impak gehad nie. Hy het egter ‘n tweede poging aangewend, maar dié keer was ek reg vir hom.”

Nic het die klap afgeweer, die aanvaller se arm afwaarts gedwing en reggemaak om terug te baklei. Op daardie tydstip het sy ouers reeds uit hul voer-

tuig gespring om hul seun te hulp te snel.

Enkele treë vanwaar die onderonsie plaasvind het ‘n groep mans, sowat tien van hulle volgens Nic, gesit en een of ander spel gespeel. Toe hulle die ontmoeting met Nic en sy dronk aanvaller sien, het hulle opgestaan en begin om nader te beweeg.

Dis hier waar Nic besef het, of hy gooi die trawant met een van sy Judo style te pletter teen die grond, of hy stamp die ou net bloot opsy en beweeg van hom af weg. Nic het toe eerder die laaste opsie oorweeg.

“Ek het aan my ouers se veiligheid gedink. Met die groep mans wat nader begin staan het toe ek die man begin vasvat het, het ek besef hulle is baie meer as ons en dinge kan dalk lelik uitdraai as ek die dronkie seermaak.”

Nes soos wat Nic die man opsy stamp was die groep mans by, maar instede om Nic aan te vat, het hulle eerder hulle aandag na die aangeklamde man gewend.

“Hulle het met hom gepraat en dit het voorgekom asof hulle hom uitgetrap het omrede hy besig is om moeilikheid te maak. Een van die mans in die groep het hom toe weggelei, gelukkig het daar toe niks verder gebeur nie.”

Nic sê deur koelkop te bly en selfbeheersing toe te kon pas, het beslis gehelp om die situasie te kalmeer, waarvoor hy baie dankbaar was.

Nic sê sy Sensai, Ivan Steyn, het beslis ‘n rol gespeel in sy judo loopbaan en dat hy verseker ‘n bydrae gelewer het om gedissiplineerd te wees en respek vir die samelewing te hê.

Afgesien van Judo is Nic ook die kaptein van Merensky se boogspan, hy is ‘n ywerige krieketspeler en is tans deel van sy skool se eerstespan waar hy as kolwer en draaibouler uitblink.

Hy is ook ‘n voorslag in die Plasies se sweepspan wat veral dié skool se eerste rugbyspan voor wedstryde met ‘n vertoning opsweep. En natuurlik die swepe laat klap as daar drieë gedruk word.

Maar dit is nie net op die sportgebied waar Nic

Private sector saves the day for boxers

■ Roelof de Jonge

The South African National Boxing Championships for cadet and junior category boxers is set to take place from the 11th until the 16th of December. This prestigious tournament will take place at the Mangosuthu University of Technology in Umlazi near Durban. Cadet boxers fall between the ages of 12 and 14 years old and the ages for the junior fighters is between 15 to 16 years.

Limpopo Boxing initially planned to take a team of 40 of the best fighters in the province, along with judges, referees and coaches (three coaches is the minimum allowed per team according to SANOBO rules for national championships).

But the unfortunate non-supportive stance from the Limpopo Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, who claimed budgetary constraints for their lacking support, meant that the team’s management had to scamper around at the last minute to make alternative arrangements for their trip. Which caused quite a logistical nightmare.

This also meant that the team managers and coaches had to trim the numbers of the team members, including some of the young boxers who were pinning their aspirations on going to compete. Very few of these boxers have ever competed at a tournament of this magnitude and one can justifiably understand their disappointment.

Limpopo Boxing Organisation appointed Gerhard ‘Soutie’ Rossouw from Champ’s Boxing Academy in Tzaneen as the team’s manager, although he will

fulfill the role as a coach too. Thanks to his relentless attitude, Rossouw refused to cancel the trip, and he and his associates found an alternative way to make the tour happen. Through social media he managed to spread the word about the team’s predicament.

Yet again, as has become the norm, the private sector stepped in to fulfill the role the provincial sports department was meant to, and the tour will now go ahead. Although the team had to be chiseled down to 25 members instead of the 40 who would have originally represented Limpopo.

“It was not long after we made the call for assistance, that I was contacted by Galaxy Bingo and V Bets which contributed a total of R105 000 to enable us to take these boxers on tour and expose them to national level competition which they deserve.

We received a further R5 000 from Bio Fertility all the way from Letsitele which we are immensely thankful for. On behalf of the team, myself, Limpopo Boxing, and the young boxers, we give our sincerest appreciation for their gestures.

It means more to us than words would ever adequately convey.”

doenig is nie, hy blink ook uit op vele kultuurgebiede soos ondermeer om aan debatte deel te neem. Maar iets wat sedert verlede jaar belangstelling by hom gewek het, is die van ‘n vandisie afslaer.

Nic het vanjaar as deel van die Agri-Merensky se jeugskou-span saam gegaan na die nasionale jeuglandbouskou waar hy in die afslaers-afdeling sy slag gewys het.

“Die afslaers onderwerp het toevallig oor my pad gekom. Dit was deel van ‘n jeugskou en die organiseerders het ‘n kursus oor die onderwerp aangebied. Ek het toe gedink dat dit nogal interessant kan wees en het toe daarvoor ingeskryf.”

Nic stel veral belang in varke wat landbou aanbetref, maar die loopbaan van ‘n afslaer het reeds by hom begin posvat. Met bek en klouseer siekte in die rondte het die varke agterweë gebly. Arno Last, Praktiese Bestuurder van Agri-Merensky, vra toe vir Nic of hy nie vir ‘n nuwe afdeling by vanjaar se skou wil inskryf nie, naamlik vir opkomende afslaers.

“Ek was aangenaam verras toe ek as die algehele wenner aangewys word. Dit was ‘n aangename verrassing, veral omdat ek eers verlede jaar daarin begin belang stel het en omdat ek nog nie veel weet van afslaers nie. Maar ek hou ongelooflik baie daarvan.”

Hy beplan om na skool by Tukkies te gaan

studeer en by die Universiteit se Judoklub verder as sy bruingordel te vorder. Hy wil graag vir ‘n B.Com Graad sowel as Risikobestuur studeer.

Net soos Nic de Beer weet hoe om koelkop te bly in benoude omstandighede omstandighede, net so kalm is hy as ‘n afslaer.

Gerhard “Soutie” Rossouwa

Limpopo’s best splash it out

■ Joe Dreyer

The best swimmers in the province pitted the results of their arduous training the past season against each other at the Tzaneen municipal swimming pool this past weekend from Friday the 2nd of December to Sunday the 4th.

The level of swimming on display was breath taking with some of the more junior swimmers recording remarkable times which should bode well for the coming season as they prepare for the levels, age groups and national galas in 2023.

At the end of the three-day event the scorecards showed that once again the local clubs held their own against the bigger clubs with the Shamu Swimming Club and Tzaneen Amateur Swimming Club (TASK) landing spots in the top five. In total, 12 swimming clubs from across the province had swimmers in the water.

Shamu finished in top spot on 9 385 points thanks in large part to the outstanding performances by both their Boys’ and Girls’ teams. The Girls raked in a total score of 4 183 points with the Boys adding an impressive 5 202 points to the tally to seal the deal.

Limpopo Tuks Swimming Club’s Simone Theron (15) scored the most individual points in the Girls division when she finished her aquatic siege on 264 points. Theron was followed by Ellisras Aquatics’ Talitha van der Schyff (11) on 232 points and Limpopo Tuks Swimming’s Kinique De Agrella on 229.5 points.

In the individual Boys’ division local swimming sensation Ruan Hanaczeck-Kruger proved that at age 20, he was still a force to be reckoned with, with his total

Hof 254 points landing Shamu on the top of the list. He was followed by Action Aquatics’ Juan Randall (14) on 249 points who tied with Limpopo Tuks Swimming’s Mighael Alberts (15) for second place. In third was another Tuks swimmer, Marnus Truter on 244 points.

Hanazeck-Kruger was awarded the Senior Victor Ludorum, while Simone Theron took home the Senior Victrix. Marnus Truter and Talita van der Schyff took the Junior Victor and Victrix with Wouter Venter and Ditebogo Pheea walked away with the Starfish Victor and Victrix for their efforts.

Some notable times to mention were Hanazeck-Kruger’s remarkable 25,87 for the 50m Fly, 30,26 for the 50m Breast, 24,89 for the 50m Free and his outstanding 53,41 for the 100m Free. The 15-year old Mighael Alberts impressed everyone on the day when he touched the wall in 25,27 for his 50m Free, 55,65 for the 100m Free and 27,25 for the 50m Fly.

***Editor’s Comment: Thanks to Denzel Heyns and Tienie Prinsloo, the local swimming pool was repaired and ready to host this prestigious event following the failure by the Greater Tzaneen Municipality to repair and maintain their own facilities. This after the municipality spent more than R10 million on alleged upgrades at this pool in 2016, after which theft and irregular appointments kick started the infamous Poolgate Saga which was intensively investigated and reported on by Bulletin over the course of four years. Our readers will remember the video interview we conducted at poolside with the newly appointed lifeguards who couldn’t swim, and the R80 000 the municipality spent on coaches from Durban to come and teach them, despite local coaches o ering their services free of charge.

Currently there is no cashier at the pool nor is there a manager or lifeguards.

Jason Lucao

Layah Petersen

Ruan Hanaczeck-Kruger

Photos: Joe Dreyer