tame TIMES A fresh approach to local news
Volume 02, 16 January 2015 Week 3 Tel: 011 862 8500 Fax: 011 869 7335
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Reiger Park bulletin
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tame TIMES
EDITOR
I love taking pictures of children, because every picture of a child tells a new story. It tells of an excited curiosity that does not seem to seize, and cannot be tamed as long as the child is still within their spirit. Wednesday the schools opened for 2015 and a new group of 6 and 7 year olds braved the challenge of having to deal with teachers *haha*. I went to capture the smiles, tears, excitement and curiosity on film, and it was as if I became engulfed in the beauty of their innocence. I’m sure most of them could not wait to put on their uniforms and go to school so that they could go back home and tell their younger siblings, or friends who are not in school yet, or even look their bigger brother/sister in the eyes with a sense of we are equals now, I am in ‘big school’. What saddens is how we as adults so often steal this innocence from them. This is not in relation to physical abuse. Children look to their parents and those they see as equal to their parents for guidance, and emulate their behavior. So if you treat others with disrespect, for example, the child will see this as normal behavior, because “my guardian can’t be wrong,” and treat others the same way. Curiosity is nothing more than the hope to know or experience something new or different, in order to share it with others. Those others for some people might be dogs or cats, but they consider it sharing still. So, let us be good guides by feeding the most fundamental need of every human, the curiosity that drives us to form bonds with other people. Let us through our behaviour and lifestyles teach our children – the children of our community – that a good relationship with your fellow person is much more important than gold and diamonds. A Blessed new year to you all and to those taking on new challenges, SUCCEED!
16 January 2015
Many people walking to town from Reiger Park would take the pathway next to Middle Street. The problem, however, was that it was not a very convenient and comfortable walk. Except that it was a dusty pathway, one had to be careful not hit your foot against a stone. In the rainy season the pathway was muddy and people had to avoid puddles of water and mud on the way. This all changed since December 2014, when the pathway, starting from Drommedaris Street all the way to the ‘stone crushers’, was paved. According to Clr Charles Crawford, councillors from some of the other more affluent Wards around Boksburg donated what they had left in their budgets for paving to Reiger Park, and that is why that stretch could be paved. This also gave an opportunity for some unemployed residents from Reiger Park to earn a bit of money for
Christmas. According to Andile and Leonard, also known as ‘Spokes’, when they heard of the contract to pave the pathway they insisted that people from Reiger Park should be employed by the contractor. The contractor agreed and people were approached and employed. They were however disappointed when most of those who were employed were not willing to perform hard labour – although they were unemployed and without any income – they just walked away from the opportunity for employment. Other young men were soon employed, and the feedback is that they were dedicated and hardworking young men. So when you walk to town via this walkway, spare a thought for the young men of Reiger Park whose sweat and dedication went into paving the it. We are very proud of you, thank you!
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tame TIMES
Reiger Park post piling up
Reiger Park Cancer Support Group Launch
“
We hope there comes a day when cancer is just a zodiac sign.
”
By Ulita Billings
During 2014 the South African Postal Post Office was plagued by labour disputes that led to lengthy and sometimes intimidating strikes. The delivery of post came to a complete halt. The strike that halted the delivery of post went on for so long that even when the strike was over and Reiger Park residents still didn’t receive their post, no-one seemed concerned and the answer when payments on accounts were queried was still “the Post Office strike.” What most did not realise, though, was that the strike was long over. But instead of the end of the strike ending the woes of Reiger Park residents expecting their post to be delivered, it was the beginning of other problems. The post that should be delivered to physical addresses is not making it there. When the postmen who delivered the post in Reiger Park retired, other postmen were routed to deliver in the area. According to representatives from the Post Office, these postmen were mugged and one postman was also robbed of his bicycle. These incidents mostly occurred at the flats and in Wesley Street. Due to these incidents the postmen were unwilling to deliver in Reiger Park, fearing that their safety can not guaranteed.
When the tame Times Reiger Park Bulletin visited the Post Office depot in Boksburg, we found piles and piles of unsorted mail just standing in crates and on shelves. Post Office employees we spoke to at the depot expressed their frustration with the situation, saying that if a solution to the Reiger Park postal delivery service is not found soon they have no idea where they are going to store all the undelivered mail. Our Ward Councillor was approached by the Post Office management for assistance with a possible solution to this mounting problem. The councillor indicated that he would speak to the Reiger Park Police station commander for assistance, but by the time of going to print no feedback was received from the councillor regarding a possible solution. As a solution to the problem, the Post Office management decided to employ people from Reiger Park to replace those who retired. Two residents from Reiger Park also approached the Post Office management and asked to be given the opportunity to be employed on a fix term contract, to clear the backlog. They are still awaiting feedback from the management. In the meantime, mail addressed to Reiger Park residents is piling up at the Boksburg depot.
The RPCSG was formed on 5 January 2015 because of a need that was identified for such an initiative within our community, as well as to break the stigma that leaves many cancer patients suffering in silence. The group aims to create an environment where cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and families can find support and also to create awareness of the disease. RPCSG believes that no one should have to walk the cancer journey alone. “We walk it heart to heart and hand in hand together”. The monthly meetings are set to take place at the Christian Reformed Church and attendees can expect either guest speakers or testimonies from the survivors, sufferers and families. “We hope there comes a day when cancer is just a zodiac sign”. – Unknown Everyone, young and old, are encouraged to become a part of the cause and help make a difference. Should you wish to join the committee, please attend our next meeting on Tuesday 20 January 2015, at 7pm at the Christian Reformed Church. For further information contact Ulita Billings on 073 214 6692.
The recently established Reiger Park Cancer Support Group (RPCSG) will officially be launched on Saturday, 31 January 2015, at 14:30 at the Christian Reformed Church (Dawie Kabouter). The launch is organised to introduce the community to the members of the support group and to give an in depth outline of what our goals are, but also to share the day with cancer survivors and sufferers in order to form closer bonds.
Curburne van Wyk case transferred to High Court Emotions ran high when family, friends and the media were informed that the Curburne van Wyk murder and kidnapping case will be moved to 15:00 the afternoon of the 5 January 2015, although being on the Boksburg Magistrate court’s role for the morning. The parents of Curburne, the three year old boy who was kidnapped and killed during 2014, did not know what to make of this delay and feared that this might follow the trend of other high profile cases in recent times, where charges were withdrawn against the accused. Family members could not hold their tears back and cried outside the court building, saying that they want to see Justice done. At approximately 14:30 the case proceeded. The NPD (National Prosecuting Department) confirmed their charges of kidnapping and
murder against the accused, Nathaniel Katlego Mpoku, and a decision was reached that the matter will be transferred to the South Gauteng High court (Palmridge) for trial on 22 April 2015. The tame Times Reiger Park Bulletin, after the court session, asked the parents of Curburne van Wyk for their comments on the latest outcome: the mother replied that she just feels sad and confused and need answers, at least, on what happened to her child. The father was not happy that it took so long to reach this point. We spoke to the mother of the accused, who said: “I don’t want to speak to anyone.” She went on to say, “What do you want from me? I can’t send someone to kill.” When asked whether she feels her son could have committed these crimes, she said: “only God will know … only God knows everything.”
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ñ Late complimets vir almal. So die laastes is die 12de span toe. Dit is nou nog net die fridge wat op leave is tot next pay day. Ja dit was lekker, ne.Die back to school vat nog die laaste. Gepraat van daai back to school stationary: wat is dit met die kinders van vandag? In ons dae moes ons ons boeke oor trek met bruin papier en plastic en dan sit jy n picture op as jy wil. Jy moes ook jou eie papier en plastic sny. Nou is dit van readymade Sponge Bob, of power puff goeters en goeters… tjo! En die ouers koop ook net. Maar more hoor jy weer van daar is nie geld vir die en daai, en groei geld op my rug. Dan vergeet jy jy het hulle klaar bederf. En hayibo! Wie is nou die ouer en wie is die kind? Die kinders kyk jou regtig in jou gevreet, en nog somtyds vuil ook, maar kan nie groet nie. Die ma, pa, of ouma is langsaan en sal ook nie sê “groet jou ombeskof, daai persoon is even ouer as ek!” Nee, as jy praat van hulle ombeskofde kinders dan loop hulle liewers duk bek rond en leer hulle kinders even beter hoe om nie te groet nie. Yoh mense, nee man! Dit is darem n nuwe jaar, leer julle kinders nuwe maniere. Of wag… nee… leer julself eers nuwe maniere sodat julle kinders kan sien hoe dit gedoen moet word. Maar laat ons maar nie die nuwe jaar al skel skel in gaan nie… of nee wag, dat ek nog net so bietjie skel. Mr Crawford, kom ons vra jou maar nou sommer reguit: Wanneer hou jy public meetings? Daar is millions of problems wat address moet word en nowhere to go. CPF executive… waar is julle? Het julle al planne hoe julle die mense gaan help? Met al die complaints wat mens elke dag hoor van die polisie kan ek nie dink hoe julle so stil kan wees nie. Maar ons kan maar net hoop, ne. Bietjie goeie nuus, wat ek sien word ge-report in die issue: julle kan darem nou julle wit tekkies aan trek as julle dorp toe stap, maar vat maar nog ou skoene saam vir van daar van die crushers af, ons het nuwe paving tot daar by die crushers. Dankie vir daai een Mr Crawford, ons hoop nou net daar is genoeg teer die jaar vir speed humps om al die vinnige karre wat half pad Kimberley toe stuck want dit overheat, maar wil 120 verby die onderste shops ry, te help om nie dalk iewers during die jaar iemand se geliefde hond of miljoen keer erger, kind, dood te stamp nie. Of wag ons vir die next dead child to re-act? Daai attitude, sê ek sommer straight, maak naar. Dat iemand eerste moet dood gaan voor daar action is. Die einde van skel. Blessed 2015 mense, en enjoy maar nog die twee weke van January vaas voor die shopping spree van “yes! Month end!” arrive.
Morena Tsotetsi is a young man from Windmill Park who lives out his dream to uplift the lives of those around him. He was born with two fingers, one on each arm – so he has no hands. But he says that for as far back as he could remember he never felt sorry about his condition or regarded himself less capable than others. When he was a child the other children would tease him and tell him that he would not amount to much. He says that made him more determined to succeed so he could prove them wrong. He recalls how they would ride on bicycles and tell him he will not be able to ride a bike, but he did learn. He can even drive a car. His mother was his hero. Sadly, she has passed away in 2008, but her support and love built him to be the confident and determined young man that he is today. He tells of an incident in 2004: when he entered
16 January 2015
tame TIMES
Ek is soos almal van Reigies trots is op ons woongebied, net ’n bietjie meer trots. Vir my was die onooglike scenario hier oorkant Dromedaris Laan reg onder die kragdrade nie net morsig nie maar ook gevaarlik. Sekere gebeure het vir my diepdenk e n d en bekommerd gelaat. Morsige inwoners het hulle vullis hier in die veld kom gooi waar siektes, rotte, slange asook skurke begin brooi het. Van hierdie skurke het byvoorbeeld agter die lang gras weggesteek en vir Venessa Moosa ge-hijack en ‘n paar maande later is daar 5 slange in een week dood gemaak deur mense wat in Dromedaris Laan woonagtig is, maar ongelukkig het Keir Triegaardt in die ICU beland nadat een van hierdie slange hom gepik het en dit nogal op ‘n Sondag. Maar soos u weet het hy dit gelukkig oorleef. Dit is begenoemde faktore wat geboorte gegee het aan my tuin idee. Ek het met die beamptes by Ekurhuleni gaan gesels en my idee aan hulle voorgelê en gevra of dat hulle so gaaf sal wees om die gebied Middelstraat en L/Fereirra oorkant Dromedaris Laan skoon te maak en gelyk te sloop. Hulle was baie gretig om van hulp te wees en het daad by die woord gevoeg solank ek net’ie bome onder die kragdrade plant wat baie hoog sal groei nie . . . iets te doen met weerlig. Die goeie nuus is die volgende. My idee is aansteeklik, en dit is die doel van my projek. Die Hartley Broers (wyle meneer Barnes se kleinkin’ers) het ook nou ‘n tuin langs myne begin. Dit is die oop stuk veld direk oorkant hulle huis. Daar is mense met baie mooi tuine wat vir belangstellendes kan advies gee, vra maar net. Party inwoners verf en verfraai hulle huise en kyk net hoe mooi maak sommige inwoners hulle sypadjies en heinings; kunstig en netjies. Ek is trots op my
the 30 seconds to fame dance competition that was screened on SABC. Instead of wearing a long sleeved shirt to hide his arms, his mother told him to wear a sleeveless shirt. He could not understand at first until he realised that his mother did not want him to hide his ‘disability’. She did this to teach him confidence and to show him that she was proud of him, regardless of his condition. He went on to win the competition and took home the R20 000 prize money. There is no limit to Morena’s skills in the entertainment industry. He gives his résumé as Dancer, DJ, Singer, Producer and Designer. He has released four CD’s and started his own clothing brand, named Roto. Roto is also his stage name. Morena can be heard regularly on Kasi FM and will be on Soweto TV during this week. When we caught up with Morena, he was on his way to the Boksburg prison near
gebied en sy mense. Maar die lewe bly maar ‘n raaisel nê, want sodra jy ‘n bordjie opsit wat lees – NO DUMPING – dan stort almal hulle gemors daar, maar niemand, maar niemand sal hulle gemors in ‘n tuin gaan weggooi nie. Snaaks nê?! Hierdie tuinmaak projek van my is nog in sy begin stadium. Tuinmaak is ‘n baie lang proses, dis ‘n plantjie, struik of boompie wat jy bekom en dan op ‘n dag gaan plant. Hierdie tuin van my sal seker eers teen die einde van 2015 werklik soos ‘n tuin begin lyk. So is ook die genesing van Reiger Park ‘n lang proses.’n Proses waar al die negatiewe aspekte, soos dwelms, losbandigheid, alcohol, asook baie ander belangrike aspekte binne ons gemeenskap aangespreek moet word. Ons moet iewers begin en vir ons kinders HOOP gee. Ons, ons studente, asook die jongmense moet met trots in hulle werksplekke, skole of universiteite kan spog en sê, “EK WOON IN REIGER PARK!” Ons moet ons kin’ers van kindsbeen af leer on LIEF TE WEES vir hulself. ‘n Persoon wat LIEF is vir hom/haarself sal nooit-ooit hulself met dwelms em meer vernietig nie. Die nuus wat die media uitsaai rakende Reiger Park was nog altyd negatiewe nuus, maar ‘n muntstuk het twee kante, kom ons wys vir die wêreld WIE ons in werklikheid is. Trotse Reigerparkers met gemeenskaps- en sosiale waardes, geloof en selfrespek as die spil waarom alles draai. ACTIONS SPEAKS LOADER THAN WORDS. Ons droom en ons droom groot ! Met Groot Respek.
Om tuin te maak is tres-medisyne, dis ‘n stokperdjie en dis ‘n hengse plesier, glo my.
Windmill Park to propose a perpetrator/victim reconciliation idea that he had thought about. He wants to host a talent show in the prison, and the prisoners will donate their prizes to the people that they have offended, together with a video message to apologise and ask for forgiveness. He was hopeful that this idea would sell and could be promoted in other prisons around the country. Morena runs an Arts school from his house in Windmill Park. Here he teaches young children and other youths skills in dancing, drama, how to DJ and other skills in the entertainment industry that can give them some advantage in life. Referring to God, he points to the sky and says: “He gave me a flexible brain and I thank Him”. Morena does not believe that he is more disabled than the next person. He says others’ disabilities you might not see, and
feels that some people might seem healthy but because they don’t use their mental ability to improve their situation, they might even have created their own disability. “I want to kill disability,” he says. “You can’t complain in 2014 and now in 2015 you are still complaining about the same thing. It is a new year, you should see what you’ve done last year that didn’t work, or improve your situation and you should do it differently this year.” What an inspirational young man!
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By Alexandria Allan Christmas is a time for giving, and this has also been the tradition at the St Francis Catholic Church in Reiger Park, since 16 December 1999. Fr Stan Brennan organised the first Christmas party for about 30 children and since then it has been an annual event on the parish calendar. The party is arranged for all the children in the area, regardless of their religious beliefs. Children, aged between 4 and 12 years old, from all around Reiger Park, Joe Slovo and Ramaphosa informal settlements gather at the Catholic Church every year on the 16th of December. The day begins inside the church with a performance of the nativity play by the parish youth group, thereafter they are entertained in creative, constructive and positive ways. The objective is to ensure that they leave with a positive massage from the bible. The highlight of the day of course is when the children receive their gifts, along with something to eat and drink. For many of these children, this is their only Christmas gift or often also their only gift for the year. At previous Christmas parties, the entertainment ranged from the Windmill Park dance group to the Fire Department raising the children’s awareness about safety around the house. The Re-imagine Reiger Park initiative joined forces with the church over the past two years to make the day an even greater success by spreading good cheer through the township, ending off the
Christmas parties with a parade through the streets of Reiger Park. Unfortunately similar efforts were dampened by the heavy rain at the last children’s Christmas party. The party was a major success nonetheless, judging by the excitement and smiling faces of more than 1200 children.. A Big thank you to Fr Gerry O’Reilly, all the sponsors, the volunteers, the youth and the organising committee members. All these people contribute yearly to make this day as memorable as possible for all the children – and they do it with a smile in their hearts.
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tame TIMES
16 January 2015
Ruchaida Hanse was the school’s top achiever
Genevieve van Staden was the school’s 2nd highest top achiever Reiger Park Secondary school achieved a pass rate of 92.7 percent. The Principal, Mr Fisch, thanked the hard working and dedicated teachers, the School Governing Body, the parents and the community for assisting the school to achieve this result.
Jeremy Brown was the school’s top achiever with a distinction in Afrikaans.
Pretty Vundla was the school’s 2nd highest achiever with 2 distinctions in Accountancy and Maths Literacy.
“We are delighted about the results, and give credit to the teachers, parents, SGB and community and especially to the learners for this achievement,” said Mr Fisch. He said that the educators at the school are grateful that they can “contribute a small percentage through education” and that
Windmill Park Secondary School achieved a matric pass rate of 79.5 percent The Head of Department of Life Orientation, Mrs Lehlokwa, thanked the teachers and learners who worked hard to pass to the next phase of the leaners’ educational career. She, however, pointed out some of the challenges that the school faces in trying to keep the learners motivated. These challenges are; • Many of the learners are come from child headed households. “This means that the teachers cannot only focus on education, but need to, be the parent and counsellor at times,” she said. • The rate of unemployment is high among the households where there are parents. • Lack of support from parents. This also due to many parents working far from home and can’t attend events or meetings at the school, or even participate in the child’s school career. Despite the above and many other challenges,, most grade 12 learners passed the final exams. 1. Jeremy Brown was the top achiever at the school with a total average of 72 percent and a distinction in Afrikaans. 2. Pretty Vundla was second with a total average of 70 percent and two distinctions, in Accountancy and Maths Literacy. The tame Times Reiger Park Bulletin congratulate the teachers, leaners and parents for achieving these success stories and wish you all the best in your future endeavours.
this can serve as a “stepping stone” for the children to carve out a better future for themselves. 1. Ruchaida Hanse was the top achiever, with a total average of 76 percent - also placing her as the top achiever of the two Reiger Park High Schools – and three
Isaac Mahimunye was the top achiever with two distinctions, in Geology and Life Science.
Alonzo Barnes was the 2nd highest achiever with three distinctions, in Mathematics, Life Science and Physical Science.
distinctions, in Afrikaans, Life Orientation and Business Studies. 2. Genevieve van Staaden was second, with a total average of 73 percent, also obtaining three distinctions, in Afrikaans, Life Orientation and Business Studies. The school had a total of 30 distinctions.
The school achieved a Matric pass rate of 90.1 percent, down from the 96 percent in 2013. The Principal, Mr Van Ross, attributes the reduced pass rate to the new curriculum that they had to introduce to the 2014 grade 12 leaners. All the learners who failed the matric exams were progressed from Grade 11 without actually passing the Grade. The process of progressing a learner to the next grade although s/he did not pass the previous grade was also implemented in the last phase of secondary schooling in 2013. So learners who had already failed once in a learning phase cannot be retained for a second time they are just progressed to the next grade. The Principal and Deputy Principals, however, thanked the teachers for their hard work and dedication throughout the year, and also attributed their success, in achieving over 90 percent, in part to the extra classes that were offered after school and over weekends. Of the 151 leaners who wrote the 2014 final grade 12 exam at the school, 16 failed and 135 passed. All those who failed have qualified to write supplementary exams early in this year. 1. Isaac Mahimunye was the top achiever, with a total average mark of 73 percent. He obtained two distinctions, in Geology and Life Science. 2. Alonzo Barnes finished second, with an average of 70 percent and three distinctions, in Mathematics, Life Science and Physical Science. Mr van Ross appealed to the parents and community to support their children and the education centres that they attend. He said the biggest challenges at Oosrand Secondary School are the lack of support from parents and, at times, funds to run additional programs to assist the learners.
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A happy New Year back at home
Page 7
SASSA food vouchers for the poor During late December 2014, the tame Times Reiger Park Bulletin was summoned to the councillor’s office by members of the community who had a complaint. Upon arrival we were met by a group of about 40 Reiger Park residents who were there to find out more about the food vouchers being distributed by the South African Social Services Agency (SASSA). The group alleged that the poor and hungry people from Reiger Park only received 15 food vouchers whilst other areas clearly received more. They also complained about the disrespectful way that the recipients were treated when they went to collect the food vouchers. The Reiger Park residents had to wait in long queues and produce documentation, while people from other areas were simply allowed in without all these stringent requirements. People also indicated that they did not understand the criteria to qualify for a food voucher. Councillor Charles Crawford explained to the tame Times that the food voucher process is an initiative by SASSA to help alleviate the plight of extremely poor residents by providing them with a voucher that they can use to buy food and some basic necessities. He explained that he has no control over this process other than assisting in the process of forwarding applications to SASSA. He indicated that the Community
Development Worker (CDW), Mrs Cathy Ruiters, was responsible to identify people in need and to assist them to apply for the food vouchers. When the councillor was asked how the issue of the food vouchers was communicated to the community, he indicated that during the on-going door to door process of one of his council members, indigent households are identified. No general communiqué regarding these food vouchers went out to the community of Reiger Park, and it became clear that it was simply assumed by the Councillor and members of his council that people should know about it and how to apply. According to Clr Charles Crawford, underprivileged people and households with no basic income can apply for assistance from SASSA. Application forms can be obtained from the local community development worker or from the councillor’s office at the Reiger Park Civic Centre, all the necessary information must be completed and a copy of the applicant’s ID must be attached to the form that will be forwarded to SASSA. The agency will then investigate the matter and determine the validity of the application. The successful applicants will then be contacted by phone as to when they can collect their food voucher. This is an on-going process so applications may be submitted throughout the year.
‘Shorts’ & ‘Shades’ By Anver Jansen
It was a good start to 2015 for Michelle and Irvin Pieterson from ‘Opmekaar’ in Reiger Park, when they started the New Year back in their own home. Michelle expressed her sincere gratitude towards the people who helped them out with accommodation when part of their house burned down in September 2014, but she says that she couldn’t wait to move back to her own house. The family is happy with the restorations made by the insurance contractor. Unfortunately there has been no progress with the investigation into the mysterious
circumstances around the house burning down; Michelle says that nothing came of the investigation. They never heard from the police again and the case simply went cold. They decided not to follow-up on the matter, because they were not very hopeful that the police would be able to solve it. Instead the family focused on having the house repaired so that they could move back home. Although the house was not completely renovated, Michelle and Irvin decided to move back on 5 December 2014, because, as Michelle says: “I wanted to be in my own house by Christmas.”
With a theme like that, one would expect parents to forbid their 16 year olds from attending the event. Clearly not! ‘Shorts & Shades’ is an event hosted annually, as part of the summer theme. The theme is believed to have originated from ‘Miami’, and has been adopted in several places throughout Southern-Africa. The theme seems to be growing annually, with more and more folks attending each year. The 2014 theme kicked off in Popcorn Valley on the 20 December 2014, music blasting full volume until sunrise the next morning. What is most disturbing about this event is that amongst the hundreds of revellers who attended the event, a very large number of them was under the age of 16, and some younger than 14. Are such events not supposed to be held and hosted within the framework of the law that restricts minors from exposure to alcohol and other dangerous substances? Further, the event itself, I found, was hosted without following proper protocol or applying for the needed approval when hosting events. Relevant departments such as SAPS and the EMPD were completely left out and overlooked. This story gets more interesting: Neither the
Police nor the CPF (Community Policing Forum) did anything to stop the event from going ahead, or requested for any investigation after the fact. The event went ahead unhindered. Weeks before this event, another themed bash party took centre stage in ruining young lives. This event was held on the corner of Roos and John Collins Streets. This event made underage drinking and smoking appear normal and fashionable. Winston Alberts, a concerned community resident, accompanied me to the Reiger Park police station where the matter was reported. But as usual the Reiger Park SAPS was not very helpful. A Constable came up with some lame excuses as to why they won’t be able to help. This, whilst an illegal gathering was taking place just a few meters away from the Police station, where underage children were drinking openly in the street. One is left with the words of Clr Charles Crawford: “These are really the kinds of things, people…!” The question I asked myself while walking home through this little Sodom: where are the parents of these children? But also, when will our leadership, including the SAPS leadership, perform their duties? Police vehicles patrolled the streets, passing this criminal behaviour, and simply drove on.
SPORT
Time To Play
16 JANUARY 2015 - PAGE 8
Easter Soccer Tournament
Reiger Park runners at Dischem race The 19 year old Juanrique Speelman did Reiger Park proud at the Dischem 5km race, on Sunday 11 January 2015, by finishing in a time of 22m:53secs. Ricardo Esterhuizen from Reiger Park Active also participated in the 5km race, but said that he struggled a bit and could only manage a time of 29min:21secs. Andrian Franch, also from Reiger Park, finished the 21km race 2hours:10min. At the time of going to print the overall race results for the 5km race was not available yet.
Foreign coaches dominate Afcon Cup
Sun United Football Club is proud to announce the 2015, 29th Birthday Celebration Annual Easter Tournament. This high energy, entertaining competition will be held at WJ Clements Stadium, Boksburg on the weekend of the 3rd April 2015 to 6th April 2015. The competition will attract professional and local based players, as well as teams from other provinces. In addition, the event will provide a faire-like atmosphere for diverse groups such as dancers, football masters, and football conjurers who will conduct demonstrations, hold competitions and exhibit their unique talents. This is a family event where people from in and around Reiger Park can enjoy good football and friendship.
rate and was until recently one of the highest crime areas in Gauteng where gangsterism used to be rife. Over the years a lot of talent was discovered but due to improper development, and woeful guidance, most of the local talent was lost to crime. So to a certain extent the social structure in our community has determined, and even dictated the modus operandi of our youth. Through such tournaments we hope to expose the youth to a competitive spirit that might help them to fight and overcome any difficulties keeping them from achieving their goals in life.
2014 WINNERS:
OUR AFRICAN COACH: Soweto born Coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba will lead Bafana Bafana in Afcon 2015.
The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Equatorial Guinea on Saturday is dominated by foreign coaches. - Closed section: Winners: Bronco FC (Reiger Park) This situation has raised concerns about the direction that the - Runners up: second place Dalpark FC (Dalpark) POSITIVE YOUTH INSPIRATION Confederation of African Football (CAF) is taking in developing - Open section: Winners Siyanbonga FC (Kwa-Zulu Natal) football and local coaches on the continent. While the beautiful – Runners up: Argentino’s FC (Eldorado Park) Reiger Park is a community with a high unemployment game’s pundits are continuing to preach about the African football renaissance or the development of footballers, most of the CAF affiliate associations snub domestic coaches and prefer to employ TOURNAMENT STRUCTURE foreign coaches to lead their respective senior national teams. Seniors In the Equatorial Guinea Afcon 2015 there will be only three African Two (2) Divisions, made up of a Closed Division and an Open Division. born coaches leading national soccer teams. They include: the Democratic Republic of Congo team, which will be led by Florent Lebenge who was born in Kinshasa DRC; the Zambian national team, which is coached by Zambian born Honour Janza and the South African team, which is led by the industrious Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba. The other 13 countries taking part in the Afcon 2015 tournament will be led by foreign coaches. So, it is ironic that CAF has the ambition to see an African team lift the World Cup trophy in the near future. Juniors – Affiliation Free for all BCFA affiliates based in Reiger Park. That seems to be a far-fetched dream, as most of the continent’s football governing associations have little faith in their own homegrown coaches. Africa is optimistic that the three African born coaches will prove the other countries wrong by winning the AFCON. This would make history and remind CAF and its affiliates that African coaches are equally skilled, and competent enough to rub shoulders with the best coaches in the world.