Anybody out there? Please assist with the water crises at Longtill
Platinum
“I am appealing to our Executive Mayor to please intervene into this matter because this is really getting too much. We are now in the 8th month of 2017 struggling without water at Longtill,when you need answers regarding this water problem the Lepelle workers will tell you this and when you go to our Municipal Office they will tell you that. Is this how we must survive by buying water from Water Trucks of which you must pay from R300 to R350 in order to fill-up your jojo tank every week And what about those who cannot afford to buy? As I write this note we don’t have a Municipal Office because is locked for weeks now. “Aag-man this is too much’’ Please help this beloved Township of mine. Regards JM (Resident) 18.08.2017”
Gazette
Welcoming with song The choir of Sehlaku Technical High School gave a top notch performance this week when Samancor Chrome officially opened another of their community projects, Phabema Guesthouse, at Steelpoort. Read all about it on page 2.
Fetakgomo Greater Tubatse Burgersfort, Steelpoort, Ohrigstad, Apel
25 Augustus 2017
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NEWS
Phabema Guesthouse officially handed over
Marota Primary School and Sehlaku Technical High School provided the entertainment on the day. After the formalities guests had the opportunity to walk through the property and have a look at the rooms and other facilities before the official plaque unveilling. The private and secure location makes it ideal to accommodate groups and individuals seeking value for money accommodation in Steelpoort. In celebration of the handover guests enjoyed a meal fit for the occasion at Winterveld Club.
25 AUGUST 2017 Samancor Eastern Chrome Mines (ECM) officially handed over the Phabema Guesthouse to the community on Thursday 17 August 2017. The guesthouse is the second income generating initiative handed to the community. In 2014 the Phabema Cement Plant was handed over and despite challenges, the plant is still going strong. Creating the multi-million rand guesthouse was the next goal for ECM. The official handover was attended by various stakeholders, including government officials, Samancor Chrome employees and top management, surrounding communities, traditional leaders and politicians. A plaque was unveiled at the Guesthouse by Samancor CEO, Mr JĂźrgen Schalamon and MEC Charles Sekoati. Ms Ndando Dlamini from the DMR acknowledged the handover and successful completion of the SLP project on behalf of the department. She encouraged the community to take care of the project and use it in a way that it will benefit their children in the future. The Guesthouse consists of 16 rooms that are comfortably furnished and includes a braai area, swimming pool, lapa and serving hall for breakfast and other meals. The rooms are semi-detached and private with safe parking. The facility is situated on the Eerstegeluk road towards Winterveld. Both company and private bookings for accommodation are welcome. There are plans for future expansion and additional amenities as the project takes flight and start to generate an income.
25 AUGUSTUS 2017
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NUUS
SAPS Women’s Network cares
The Burgersfort SAPS women’s network hosted a crime awareness campaign on 16 August 2017. The event took place in celebration of Women’s Month at Boerboomkraal School. The team donated uniforms to three learners in need and all the learners received hand watches and pens. They addressed the learners about breaking the silence on child abuse. (Information & photographs: Constable M. V Maluleka).
Suspected stolen property recovered On 17 August the Burgersfort SAPS arrested a 34-year old man in possession of suspected stolen property at the local taxi rank. They are appealing to the community to buy property that might be stolen. “The community must know that if we find them with stolen property, even if they bought it from the suspects, they will be charged for possession of stolen property,” said Constable M.V. Maluleka of the Burgersfort SAPS.
jPhotograph & Information: Constable M.V. Maluleka)
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25 AUGUST 2017
NEWS
Department of Education prepares for matric examinations This week Preparatory Examinations popularly known as Trial Exams started for Grade 12 learners in the province. The Examination will assist the Department and Learners to gauge their strength in getting quality pass marks at the end of the year. Full time grade 12 learners have started writing their preparatory examinations wih English (Home language & First additional language) 3rd papers. The examinations will end on 18 September 2017. There are 97 824 learners writing English Additional Language (FAL) while 2120 are writing English Home Language. This brings the number of learners that started their examinations to 99 944. The Department is working hard in making sure the final examination centres are well equipped. A total of 124 117 full time learners will sit for their examinations at the end of the year and the Department said that it is fully prepared already. There are 54 independent and 1343 public schools centres ready for the final examinations with 23 marking centres.
The Department of Education is also finalising plans for the additional Radio broadcast lessons to start on 4 September. It will run until 24 October 2017. Emphasis is also placed on strengthening the 2 nd Chance Matric Programme. There are 7000 learners in this programme with 48 centres. MEC Kgetjepe and the top management of the Department met this week to try and speed up various aspects influencing education in the province. Small schools are being merged to try an improve their performance. There is also 215 vacant positions that need to be filled accross the province and speeding up of the Human Resource branch within the Department was also discussed. With regards to deliveriing Learning and Teaching Support Material (LTSM), it was reported that the Ten Point Plan of the department is implemented as per the arrangement. Delivery of material to the Warehouse is expected to end in August and delivery to schools is planned to be completed at the end of October.
Farmer’s Day a success The Protea Community Forum and the Department of Agriculture hosted a successful Farmer’s Day at Draai Kraal Farms. They used the Group 8 team at Draai Kraal Farms as an example to practically demonstrate farming. The talented Group 8 team has produced tons and tons of maize on a two hector area. They received assistance from the Department of Agriculture and Green SA amongst
others. Mr Mthunzi Nkosi from the Department of Agriculture and Mr Segafa from the Group 8 Draai Kraal farming team (photo below) were proud to show the other farmers around and encourage them to invest time into farming. They were reminded that farming is essential for survival of the state. (Information and photographs: Protea Community Farms)
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Free entrance to KNP and other Sanparks Get ready to visit your national park during SA National Parks Week in September. During the week all South African citizens are allowed to enter most national parks for free for a day visit. SA National Parks Week will officially be launched on 17 September 2017 at an event to be officiated by the minister of Environmental Affairs, Dr Edna Molewa at Golden Gate Highlands National Park (GGHNP) in the eastern Free State. South African National Parks (SANParks) hosts South African National Parks Week annually. Since its inception in 2006, National Parks week has seen an influx of over 220 000 day visitors in all participating National Parks. The concept of National Parks Week was established in a bid to cultivate a sense of pride in South Africa’s natural, cultural and historical heritage, protected by the National Parks system. After the official opening on Sunday the 17th September, the following day people can start making their way to a national park of their choice and that include Mapungubwe, Marakele and Kruger in the Limpopo Province. GGHNP, Mapungubwe and Marakele will extend the week to Sunday the 24th September whilst Kruger is only until Friday
the 22nd September. “We are hoping to see an influx of people at all our parks especially because Sunday the 24th is Heritage Day which is all about celebrating our heritage and culture and what a better way to celebrate that if not spending a day in a national park” said Lombard Shirindzi, General Manager of the Northern Region Parks. “Our theme for this year is still ‘Know your national parks’ and we encourage one and all to visit these parks that are full of rich history and heritage”. All people from school groups, community members and higher education institutions are encouraged to use this opportunity that will give them a wealth of knowledge about the deep heritage entrenched in our national parks. All that is required is for individuals to produce their green bar-coded South African identity document. A detailed programme on the activities lined up for the week will be posted on the SANParks website soon. Large groups such as schools and communities are encouraged to call the parks and pre-book to avoid waiting for long. Parks contacts are as follows: Mapungubwe (015) 534 7923/4, Marakele (014) 777- 6929 and Golden Gate (058) 255 0937.
Apply online to study The University of Venda opened its online application process for South African prospective students on 31 July 2017. The online application process only applies to South African prospective students who will be writing their matric / grade 12 in the academic year 2017. The online application process is available for prospective students to apply from anywhere and anytime without any hassles. Now prospective students can apply via their cellphones and other internet powered technological device from the comfort of their homes and schools. For Prospective students to apply online, they should be in possession of a valid South African Identity number, active cellphone number and an Email-address. This online application process is flexible and user friendly because during the application process an applicant may save and return at a later stage to complete the application. More importantly, after online submission of the application, R100.00 (one hundred rand only) non-refundable application fee must be paid at ABSA Account No. 1000 000 589 and prospective students
must write their computer generated student number as a reference. To complete the application process, a certified copy of Identity document, testimonial, grade 11 report and proof of payment should accompany the application. All the documents mentioned above must be uploaded online on a PDF format. After successful submission and upon completion of online application, a student can then log into ‘My access’ page on the University of Venda website to view the application details. The closing date for all the applications for the admission at the University of Venda for 2018 academic year is 29 September 2017. Visit www.univen.ac.za to apply online. All post graduate and international students are required to submit their paper application for admission at the University of Venda to: University of Venda, Student Admission, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950. Local students should remember that they can make use of the free internet service offered at the Siyakha Learning Lab at Tubatse Crossing Mall - designed to help in cases like this.
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25 AUGUST 2017
Platinum Gazette
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Visit your local professional art and décor framer in Steelpoort. 23 Years experience in framing. Visit Esmé Framers in Steelpoort next to Pick n Pay or contact Esmé on 079 100 9643.
PRET LIQUOR SPORTS BAR AND BOTTLE STORE FOR SALE. Contact owners on: 074 565 6231 or 071 410 1664.
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Get your hard copy of the newspaper here: * A1 Food Store * Bronrich Slaghuis * Tubatse Build It * Vyfster Slaghuis * Burgersfort Pharmacy *Fouché Medical Practice * Mooifontein Kafee * Mahlasedi Health * Health Zone Gym * Cheap Cheap * CTM * Pret Liquor * Boxer Steelpoort * Build It Praktiseer * Themba Filling Station * Madeleen Willers Attorneys * Supa Dry Cleaners
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25 AUGUSTUS 2017
Sadness at passing of local reggae artist
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NUUS The communities of Riba Cross and Lydenburg together with the music industry mourns the sudden passing of Mr. Jafta Bestenbier, a local reggae artist. He is originally from Riba Cross, but spent most of his time living in Lydenburg. He was passionate about music and his songs were played on SABC radio stations and local community radio stations. He was enthusiastic about creating opportunities for local artists and his last local performance was at the Nthame music show that took place on 1 April this year. “To his family, we mourn with you,” said local music organiser Mr Douglas Mabokwane. “We share your pain and may his soul rest in peace”. Fellow musicians and fans are invited to join his family for the burial ceremony this weekend on 26 August 2017. A procession from Riba Cross will leave for Lydenburg at 06:30 the morning. A Friday night service will be held at Riba Cross and all artists, his fans and community members are invited to come and give support. (Information and photograph: Douglas Mabokwane).
Job 41:1-11 Living Bible (TLB) “Can you catch a crocodile[a] with a hook and line? Or put a noose around his tongue? 2 Can you tie him with a rope through the nose, or pierce his jaw with a spike? 3 Will he beg you to desist or try to flatter you from your intentions? 4 Will he agree to let you make him your slave for life? 5 Can you make a pet of him like a bird, or give him to your little girls to play with? 6 Do fishing partners sell him to the fishmongers? 7 Will his hide be hurt by darts, or his head with a harpoon? 8 “If you lay your hands upon him, you will long remember the battle that ensues and you will never try it again! 9 No, it’s useless to try to capture him. It is frightening even to think about it! 10 No one dares to stir him up, let alone try to conquer him. And if no one can stand before him, who can stand before me? 11 I owe no one anything. Everything under the heaven is mine.
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25 AUGUST 2017 It‛s child‛s play to read your Platinum Gazette online Visit www.platinum gazette.com or subscribe to get it on e-mail by sending us your request to adverts@ platinumgazette. com
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SPORT
Prize giving at Pulana Maroga On Saturday 19 August the Pulana Maroga Soccer League held an awards ceremony at the Pulana Maroga community hall. The event turned into a big hit with a large turnout. The awards given out were: Arandies FC was crowned 2016/2017 league champions. They received a trophy, jerseys, ball and R10
000,00 cash. In the Thomas Madigage Soccer Tournament Batau FC was crowned champions. The money paid as prizes were: 1st prize R7000; 2nd prize - R5000; 3rd prize- R3500; 4th prize - R2500; Quarter final losers R1200; R150 for each of those who fail to qualify.
Ngwatle Doctor from Batau FC scooped the Player of the Tournament award while Thabo Mnisi from Batau FC took the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award. Batau FC walked away with the Most Deciplined Team award. Surprise Tjie of Tearing FC was the Top Goal Scorer. Mohlophi FC coach, V. Mashego was nominated as the Best Coach. Kabelo Mnisi was the Best Referee of the tournament. Three community members were also honoured for their contribution towards developing sports and unity within the community. They are Jameson Chiloane, Horse Makwana and Valture Mohlala. The ceremony ended with food and drinks being served. “We would like to thank everyone who supported the event and those who made it possible. Pulana Maroga Soccer League thank you very much. May God bless you all”. (Information & photographs: Pulana Maroga Soccer League).