Zoutpansberger 10 April 2020 by Zoutnet

outpansberger

10 April 2020

News with an independent soul

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Jaargang 36 Vol. 14

Joubertstraat 16B Louis Trichardt TEL: 516 4996/7/8

C VID-19 lockdown See P6 & P7 for a list of businesses that are open and their trading hours

ISSN 2409-2835

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9 772409 283001

Confusion reigns By Andries van Zyl What an eventful week this has been on the frontlines in the fight against the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic. The past week saw Louis Trichardt record its first confirmed Covid-19 case and for many the news came as somewhat of a shock. The only official detail known about the patient is what was made available by the Limpopo Department of Health on 1 April. According to them, the 40-year-old Bangladeshi man from Eltivillas, who became the 18th person in Limpopo to test positive for the virus, had recently travelled overseas. He has identified 10 possible contacts, of which six could be traced by Wednesday last week. At the same time, the Limpopo Department of Health also stated that 19 cases of Covid-19 had been confirmed in Limpopo. A week later, both the provincial and national statistics still reflected only 19 cases for Limpopo. Numerous attempts by the Zoutpansberger to find out why this number remained unchanged went unanswered, with the provincial spokesperson for the Department of Health, Mr Neil Shikwambana, ignoring all media enquiries. What the past week did highlight was major confusion among local residents regarding the 21-day lockdown regulations. Reports were received of a local shop owner who was threatened with closure of his shop by One thing that became very clear is that a lot of confusion exists regarding, members of the South African Police Service among others, whether or not wearing a face mask and protective gloves because he and some of when going outside to obtain essential services or items is compulsory.

his staff were not wearing protective face masks and gloves. Another report came in of a nurse being arrested for not wearing a face mask while travelling in a minibus taxi on her way to work. Yet at the same time, another resident reported being visited by several government officials telling her that their shop staff should not wear face masks and gloves. This led to a confrontation with a well-known resident when the shop’s staff refused to serve him because he was wearing a face mask and gloves. In another unconfirmed report of a shop owner being threatened with shop closure, the owner was accused of selling a non-essential product, a light bulb, to a customer. Yet in this week’s newspaper, on page 3, a Game advertisement states that light bulbs are considered an essential item. Other items, among others, include rechargeable lights and torches, multi-plugs, adaptors and extension cords. The interpretation of what is considered an essential item seems at present to be done by the police official or government official visiting a store, which just adds to the confusion. The Zoutpansberger will try and confirm over the next few days what exactly is considered essential items and what the status quo is regarding the wearing of face masks and protective gloves. One thing that needs no confirmation is the call for people to maintain social distancing of at least one metre and to wash their hands frequently. The newspaper is also awaiting an update on the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases for Limpopo, specifically regarding confirmed cases in Louis Trichardt and surrounds. In the meantime, unconfirmed reports state that the Eltivillas man has since been moved to the Modimolle Multi-Drug

Resistant TB Hospital as per instruction of the Limpopo MEC for Health, Dr Phophi Ramathuba. Ramathuba has been making newspaper headlines the past week after giving instructions that nobody who has tested positive for Covid-19 in the province would be allowed to self-isolate at home and must be taken to the Modimolle Multi-Drug Resistant TB Hospital to be quarantined. The arrest of two doctors from Mpumalanga, who live in Modimolle, after testing positive for the Covid-19 virus sparked huge public outcry. They were forcibly removed from their home, where they had self-isolated themselves, by the police and government officials. For people to self-isolate at home when infected by the virus is an internationally accepted practice. With looming court action against Ramathuba for her hard-handed handling of the two doctors, the Limpopo Department of Health issued a statement that the two doctors had recovered, with a second test showing a negative result. “Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba welcomes the COVID-19 negative test results of two doctors from Modimolle. The two doctors, who work in Mpumalanga, tested positive for COVID-19 and were taken into the department’s isolation site. The doctors’ latest test results have come out negative. Subsequent to the release of the latest results, doctors at the isolation site have recommended that the two doctors be released. The two doctors will be released immediately,” the statement reads. The action by the MEC of “arresting” people who tested positive for the Covid-19 virus and not allowing them to self-isolate has sparked fears from all over that people will now hide their symptoms and status, pushing the virus “underground”.

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ZOUTPANSBERGER, 10 APRIL 2020

“I am homeless, hungry and very frustrated” By Tshifhiwa Mukwevho

Lucky “Shasha” Nethavhani sits in front the kiosk where he stores his few belongings.

Vhembe brings relief to areas without water to help fight Covid-19 Municipal News The Department of Water and Sanitation has donated four water trucks and 132 water tanks (10 000 litres each) to the Vhembe District Municipality (VDM) in order to fight Covid-19. One of the water tanks was handed over at Ha-Ramantsha village (Ward 22) under the Makhado Local Municipality. Ward Councillor, Ms Grace Matlodi, indicated that from the year 2000 when the residential sites were extended there was no water supply. People used to walk for four kilometres to fetch water. “We are very grateful for the installation of the water tank because elderly people and persons with disability were having serious challenges when it comes to the prevention of the coronavirus,” said Matlodi in a press release issued by the VDM. In the press release, Ms Lucy Kobe (provincial head of the department) explained that they are providing water tanks so that community members can be able to wash their hands regularly as a way to prevent the spread of coronavirus. “We request community members to take care of the tank because they belong to them for now and the future. We have brought in 132 water tanks and we will assess the situation if more

tanks are needed. Then we will add other tanks. Community members will no longer walk long distances because water will be next to them,” said Kobe. VDM executive mayor Cllr Dowelani Nenguda highlighted that water tanks will be supplied in all four local municipalities in areas without water. The tanks will be used on a permanent basis until this areas receives water supply from the Nandoni Dam or other water projects.

Thulamela Municipality will receive 37 tanks, Makhado Municipality will get 35 tanks, Musina Municipality will receive 35 tanks while the Collins Chabane Municipality will get 25 water tanks. “We request residents to wash their hands hence we are bringing water tanks and they must also take care of the tanks and protect them. We are working together with the department to bring service to the people,” said Nenguda.

“The town is empty and almost lifeless. There’s no one in sight to offer me a piece job. Times are hard for me. As I speak now, I am hungry – I am tired and frustrated.” For the past 28 years, Shasha, as he is known to many out there, has been living on the streets of Louis Trichardt. During this time, he said, he had never had to spend a night on an empty stomach. All this changed when the lockdown period to curb the coronavirus was announced, and now he does not know where his next meal will come from. “All mothers and sisters who operate fastfood kiosks are not coming; their businesses are closed because there’s a word moving around about a certain deadly disease,” Shasha said. “When I hear people speak about the disease, it makes me feel afraid of it, but I am not sure if that thing exists because I have not seen anyone suffering from it here.” Shasha said that it would seem like he would perish from hunger, rather than from Covid-19. For nearly three decades, he has been surviving on odd jobs provided to him by the vendors and stall owners in the town. “They all know me, they see me as their son or brother,” he said. “During the night I also keep watch at the fruit market near Ayoba, to make sure that there are no thieves who steal from my ‘mothers’.” He said that he hates crime with a passion, and that it is one reason he does not make friends with any of the new boys who arrive in town, because most of them eventually turn out to be thieves. “I was falsely accused of stealing way back in 1993 here in the town and the Apartheid police used electric shocks to have me and my friend

confess to a crime we didn’t commit,” he said. “On the third day, we pleaded guilty to the crime which we surely knew we had not committed. We spent a couple of years in jail before we were released on a presidential pardon.” However, he is quick to add, the pain that was inflicted on him and his friend by the police and the bad conditions they were exposed to inside the prison could not be compared to his present situation. “I have not eaten any food for the past two days; I even feel weak,” he says and lets out a weak smile. “I am not a beggar. I am used to earning my food through working for the mothers and sisters, or any other person who offers me a piece job.” Shasha said that his mother was of Zimbab wean origin, and he did not say much about her. His father, though, was a prominent businessman who had lived at Mudimeli village. “There was a fallout between me and my father, and I came over to Ha-Magau village in the early 1990s where I worked at a poultry farm,” he said. “When they shut down, I had to come and live on the streets of Louis Trichardt because I couldn’t go back to my father.” He said that when his father passed away some years after, an old man had come and fetched him, so that he could lay his father to rest. “I am a strong man,” he said. “But I am not immune to hunger; it makes me feel frustrated.” When Shasha was interviewed on Monday, he was spending his time sitting in front the kiosk in which he stores his few belongings at Eltivillas. “I seriously need help in the form of food,” he said. (UPDATE: The situation changed on Tuesday when the Makhado Municipality managed to set up a shelter for the homeless at the show grounds. Fortunately, “Shasha” Nethavhani was one of the 15 people moved to the shelter.)

“I am not a beggar. I am used to earning my food through working for the mothers and sisters, or any other person who offers me a piece job.”

Consumers advised to use their credit life insurance for loan relief Consumer News

The executive mayor of the Vhembe District Municipality, Cllr Dowelani Nenguda, digging the foundation for one of the 10 000 litre water tanks that will be installed at Ha-Ramantsha village under the Makhado Municipality. The tank is one of the 132 tanks donated by the Department of Water and Sanitation in areas without water in order to assist in the prevention of Covid-19. Photo: Vhembe District Municipality.

As South Africa is battling with the impact of COVID-19 on the economy, many consumers have been left with the inability to earn an income. Some are unemployed whilst others are receiving less income due to reduced working hours. Some credit providers have pronounced interim debt relief measures for consumers who have been hard hit by this pandemic. “The National Credit Regulator (NCR) advises consumers that, where applicable, they first consider the option of using their credit life insurance benefit as a relief in this difficult period,” said Nomsa Motshegare, chief executive officer

DEPRESSIEF MOEDELOOS DESPERAAT MAKHADO CARE GROUP IS A NON PROFIT ORGANISATION WHICH ASSISTS WITH THE CARE OF CANCER PATIENTS IN THE MAKHADO AREA CONTACT DETAILS: Dr Casper Venter: 082 857 0022 Dr Emil Gaigher: 082 892 8862 Jernay Mcleod: 083 403 5752 Angela Brennan: 082 902 6271

of the NCR, in a press release. A credit life insurance is an insurance that a consumer signs up for when applying for credit or a loan and it covers the outstanding debt in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as death, retrenchment, unemployment, inability to earn an income, disability and others. Motshegare advised that, in the event of the consumer’s becoming unemployed or unable to earn an income, the credit life insurance cover provides that credit providers must settle/pay the consumer’s debt for a period of twelve (12) months or for the remaining repayment period or until the consumer finds employment or is able to earn an income, whichever period is shorter. “Many consumers may not be aware that they have credit life insurance in place and that the premium for this insurance is already included in the cost of credit. To check if this insurance is in place, consumers must contact their credit providers and, where applicable, consider use of this benefit to provide relief,” said Motshegare.

Ons kan help

ALCOHOLICS

Plaaslike beraders: 072 262 8646 of 082 256 6423 òf SADAG (Suid-Afrikaanse Depressie en Angs Groep) 0800 205 026 011 262 6396 0800 21 22 23 of SMS 31393 www.sadag.org

ANONYMOUS Contact: Jannie - 076 501 8285 24/7 or Makweta 082 063 7500 / Levubu / Louis Trichardt and Thohoyandou

ZOUTPANSBERGER, 10 APRIL 2020

Ons Tuiste stel maatreëls in om inwoners te beskerm Deur Andries van Zyl Met die coronavirus wat veral dodelik kan wees vir die oues en siekes het Ons Tuiste Ouetehuis in Louis Trichardt ook drastiese maatreëls ingestel om hul inwoners te beskerm. Dié maatreëls sluit in ‘n algehele verbod op besoeke gedurende die totale grendeltydperk. “Die familie sal wel toegelaat word met die nodige voorsorgmaatreëls vir noodgevalle en sterfgevalle,” het me. Kittie de Bruin, bestuurder van Ons Tuiste, gesê. Die personeel by die tehuis se toegang word ook streng gereguleer. “Daar is slegs een beheerde ingang tot die perseel. By elke ingang tot die gebou en verskillende afdelings is daar handontsmettingsmiddels en elke personeellid is voorsien van ‘n gesigmasker en handsak-grootte botteltjie ontsmettingsmiddel wat hulle kan gebruik in die tehuis sowel as wanneer hulle die tehuis verlaat. Handskoene is vrylik beskikbaar in die onderskeie afdelings,” het De Bruin gesê. De Bruin het bygevoeg dat, in die lig van die streng toegangsbeheer, geen spesiale reëlings nog getref is ten opsigte van etes in die eetsaal nie. “Die situasie word gemonitor en die reëlings sal aangepas word soos nodig. Soos reeds gesê is daar ontsmettingsmiddels by al die in- en uit-

gange wat ook deur die inwoners gebruik moet word,” het sy gesê. Met die grendelperiode in plek is dit ‘n geweldige tydperk van alleenwees vir baie, en nog meer so vir die bejaarde inwoners van die tehuis. Danksy selfone het hulle egter steeds kontak met familie en vriende. Nie almal het egter ‘n selfoon nie, en vir hulle word daar ook voorsie ning gemaak. “Die kinders van ouers wat nie hul eie fone het nie, is welkom om die dienskamer te kontak en reëlings te tref om telefonies met hul ouers in verbinding te tree,” het De Bruin gesê. Onsekerheid of die grendelperiode verleng gaan word volgende week, het ook daartoe gelei dat die tehuis hulle jaarlikse basaar van 30 Mei vanjaar uitgestel het na Mei 2121. “Daar is soveel reëlings wat getref moet word en ons kan net nie die kans waag nie. Vir vanjaar sal ons die finansiële verlies maar moet absorbeer,” het De Bruin gesê. Ten spyte van die streng voorsorgmaatreëls bestaan die kans egter altyd dat een van die inwoners die virus op welke wyse ook al mag opdoen. In so ‘n geval het Ons Tuiste ook planne in plek. “Ons Tuiste is in noue kontak met ons plaaslike dokters. Groot dank aan dr. Casper Venter en dr. Anton Stroebel vir hul omgeeharte en vir die voorsiening van die nodige inligting. Dankie ook vir hul besoeke aan Ons Tuiste. Dit

verlig vir seker ons spanning rondom die situasie,” het De Bruin gesê. Rakende die onderwerp van dankie sê het De Bruin ook haar dank uitgespreek teenoor Luke en Mari Enslin van Spar en Nico Lotter van Woolworths wat vir hul bejaarde inwoners inkopies aflewer; vir Danelle Fourie wat die inwoners bederf het met bosse pragtige proteas; vir die boerderygemeenskap van Levubu (onder

leiding van Lana Hoffman) vir die gereelde skenkings van groente en vrugte; vir Eddie en Seretha Schlesinger, Elmien Vermaak en Elthea Schlesinger vir die skenk en maak van 100 maskers; en Khoja’s wat van die materiaal vir die maskers geskenk het. “Laastens, dankie aan elke personeellid wat nog elke dag getrou opgedaag het vir diens. Julle word waardeer,” het De Bruin gesê.

Ons Tuiste Ouetehuis het streng maatreëls ingestel om hul inwoners teen die gevreesde coronavirus te beskerm. Dit sluit in ‘n algehele verbod op besoeke.

The Zoutpansberger took a quick drive through town on Wednesday morning and, sure enough, most of the rubbish that had been accumulating on street corners and at residential homes had been removed. At a few places in town, heaps of refuse were still visible on street corners, such as on the corner or President and Joubert Street.

Refuse removal is taking place as announced, says municipality most of the businesses in town had been forced to close because of the lockdown, while refuse Despite a nationwide call for people to sharp- removal would only take place once every two en up on their personal hygiene and live more weeks at residential properties while everybody hygienically amidst the Covid-19 outbreak, was forced to stay at home. “Much more rubbish the rubbish started piling up at homes and on is now generated at home with everybody being street corners in Louis Trichardt. forced to stay there,” remarked one resident in This has been the case since the lockdown a comment on the Zoutpansberger’s Facebook came into effect at midnight on 26 March. The page. main reason for this is the Makhado MunicipalBy Tuesday this week, the volume of rubbish ity’s decision only to remove refuse at residential on streets corners and in residential areas had properties once every two weeks, but once every become an eyesore and many residents started week at businesses. wondering whether the municipality had not As the garbage started piling up, many resijust decided to stay home and not perform any dents questioned the logic behind the municipal- more of their essential services. ity’s decision. They wanted to know why refuse Upon enquiry, municipal spokesperson Mr removal was done at businesses once a week as Louis Bobodi was quick to respond to this allegation. “The process of refuse removal is taking place as we speak right now,” said Bobodi on Tuesday. Bobodi was also asked to explain the rationale behind the municipality’s decision to only remove refuse at homes once every two weeks. “You must take into consideration that we scaled down the process and the workforce as we didn’t want to expose our employees to this condition. But we remain resolute to providing our communities with services,” said Bobodi. The Zoutpansberger took a quick drive through town on Wednesday morning and, sure enough, most of the rubbish that had been accumulating on street corners and at residential homes had been removed. At a few places in town heaps of refuse were still visible on street corners. In some places the municipal waste-removal truck had “missed” some rubbish, but this was sadly due to some residents’ dumping their trash in the town’s parks, such as the park opposite Soutpansberg Spar. Driving past the park at the Protea Street corner, a large number of black garbage bags were barely visible through the thick grass. It would seem that some residents’ solution to their garbage problem is merely “out of sight is out of mind”. By Andries van Zyl

In terms of the Disaster Management Act of 2002 (“Act”) and the amended Regulations of this Act (Regulations 11B), all retail shops must be closed for the duration of the lock-down period declared in terms of the Act, except where essential goods are sold by the retailer. We have reviewed all products sold by Masstores Pty Ltd trading as Game (“Game”). The items listed in the table below are essential items in our reasonable view and Game will be selling these essentials at all its South African stores during the lockdown period:

ESSENTIAL ITEMS LIST • Food and non-alcoholic beverages: All food and beverage products. Pet food • Non-food essentials: Health and beauty/toiletries Supplements and vitamins Charcoal, briquettes Personal protective equipment Gas cylinders, butane gas canisters Batteries • Electrical and Lighting Globes Rechargeable lights, torches Multi-plugs and adaptors Extension cords Extension reels • Baby/toddler care Baby accessories, e.g., bottles, cleaning products. Newborn essentials, e.g., blankets, diapers, babygrows • Bedding Pillows, duvets, sheets, pillow and duvet covers, blankets • Cellular Airtime (voice and data) Sim cards, starter packs International airtime Cellular devices • Cleaning products Cleaning materials Cloths, scourers, mops, brooms, buckets Granulated chlorine • Cooking products 2-plate stoves Hendler & Hart aluminium pots

• Financial services Prepaid utilities, cash back, money transfers, bill payments Ikhokha payment devices • Ofﬁce automation Calculators • Personal computers USB flash drives • Printing Toner cartridges & Ink cartridges • Stationery Hard cover books Soft cover books Lever arch files Ring binders Filing sleeves Storage files Filing indexes Filing accessories Glue sticks Adhesive tape/reusable adhesives Pens Pencils and leads Markers Labels and stickers Erasers Correction Staplers and accessories Punches Scissors and sharpeners Cutting equipment Presentation and planning accessories • Telecommunications DSTV decoders and ancillaries, e.g., WiFi connectors, satellite dish, LNB • Water storage Domestic indoor water storage, Jojo tanks

Ek is ... die Weg, die Waarheid en die lewe

it die Skrif is daar drie belangrike feite te leer aangaande God se wese. 1. God is Gees (Johannes 4:24). Omdat God Gees is, het Hy nie ‘n tasbare liggaam nie. As God ‘n tasbare liggaam gehad het, sou Hy nie alomteenwoordig wees nie, want Hy sou tot een plek beperk wees. Maar omdat God Gees is, vul Hy hemel en aarde. 2. God is lig (1 Johannes 1:5). Lig is die teenoorgestelde van duisternis. In die Skrif beteken duisternis sonde, boosheid, dood. En lig beteken heiligheid, goedheid, lewe. God is lig beteken God is die somtotaal van alle voortreflikheid. 3. God is liefde (1 Johannes 1:8). Dit beteken nie dat God slegs lief het nie, maar dat Hy liefde self is. Liefde is nie slegs een van die karaktertrekke van God nie, maar sy eie natuur. Baie mense praat oor die liefde van God, maar is totale vreemdelinge vir die God van liefde. Ons gedagtes moet deur die Skrif gevorm word, want daar is ‘n groot behoefte hieraan as ons kyk na die onkunde wat in die wêreld heers in verband met God. Selfs in die kerk van Christus is die standaard van geestelikheid besig om af te neem. Hoe min werklike liefde word aan God getoon? Een van die hoof redes hiervoor is dat ons nie ons harte vul met die feit dat God lief is vir sy uitverkorenes. Hoe meer ons bekend raak met God se liefde, die karakter, volheid, geseëndheid daarvan, hoe meer sal ons harte in liefde getrek word na God. - Ds. Johan Marais (Louis Trichardt Baptistekerk)

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Contact: Jannie - 076 501 8285 24/7 or Makweta 082 063 7500 Levubu, Louis Trichardt, Thohoyandou

ZOUTPANSBERGER, 10 APRIL 2020

Harte en hande oop te midde van pandemie Deur Andries van Zyl Te midde van die baie negatiwiteit rondom die coronavirus en die landswye grendeltydperk het die pandemie ook die beste in mense uitgebring ten opsigte van omgee vir sy medemens.

Inwoners se goedhartigheid het hierdie week voortgeduur, met nog ‘n groot skenking van avokado’s van Leon Welthagen van Wolkberg Plase. In die foto staan die Zoutpansberg Privaathospitaal se Christel Leonard. Foto: Zoutpansberg Privaathospitaal.

Hierdie week, 25 jaar gelede in die

Zoutpansberger

Hierdie week, 25 jaar gelede, was die beriggewing in die Zoutpansberger van 14 April 1995 maar somber gewees. Op die voorblad word berig dat daar steeds baie vrae is oor die dood van die 26-jarige mej. Thearisia Wilders van Louis Trichardt. Die familie se huishulp het haar bewusteloos op die badkamervloer gevind nadat sy ‘n harde slag gehoor het. ‘n Ambulans is ontbied, maar Wilders is met hul aankoms dood verklaar. Daar is vermoed dat Wilders gegly en in die proses haar nek gebreek het. Daar is ook vermoed dat sy ‘n epileptiese aanval kon gekry het. In die ander voorbladberig word geskryf oor ‘n 33-jarige inwoner van Louis Trichardt wat in die hof skuldig bevind is op ‘n klag van aanranding (gewoon). Die beskuldigde is aanvanklik aangekla van moord, nadat hy op 15 Julie 1994 vir mnr. Charles Molewa op Waterpoort aangerand het. Beide was in daardie stadium werksaam vir Cosmos Civils. Molewa het weens sy beserings beswyk. As straf moes die beskuldigde ‘n boete van R300 betaal of 30 dae gevangenisstraf uitdien. Op ‘n meer positiewe noot word daar ook op die voorblad berig van twee Ierse mans wat besluit het om deur die wêreld te reis met ‘n 1917 Model T Ford wat hulle self opgebou het. Nicky Bailey en Tim Cabot van Dublin, Ierland, het in November die vorige jaar uit Ierland vertrek met die doel om geld in te samel vir die World Alleviation Program. Met hul aankoms in Louis Trichardt het hulle reeds sowat 6 500 km gereis. Vanaf Dublin is hulle deur Europa, waarna hulle die kar na Mombasa verskeep het. Daarna het hulle via Kenia, Tanzanië, Malawi en Zimbabwe gereis.

Sedert die begin van die grendeltydperk het hul dank uitgespreek teenoor Kobus van Dyk die publiek hulle harte en hande oopgemaak vir wat nie net die tente en baie meer gratis beskikdie personeel van die Zoutpansberg Privaathosbaar gestel het nie, maar ook gehelp opslaan het. pitaal wat deurlopend poog om een stappie voor Inwoners se goedhartigheid het hierdie week die virus te bly. voortgeduur met nog ‘n groot skenking van So het die vrugteboere van Levubu en Vivo avokado’s van Leon Welthagen van Wolkberg “met seënwense vir die dokters en personeel se Plase. gesondheid” verlede week reeds ‘n groot vrag “Hierdie avokado’s sal onder meer ook aan ons avokado’s en piesangs by die hospitaal afgelaai. kanker en dialise pasiënte uitgedeel word,” het Hierdie vrag groente is in kleiner pakkies verpak die hospitaal se bestuurder, Anneke Stroebel, deur vrywilligers Richardt en Madelé Stroebel gesê. Sy het haar opregte dank uitgespreek in sakkies wat deur die plaaslike Spar geborg is. teenoor almal wat hulle in hierdie moeilike tyd Buiten vir die pasiënte, dokters en personeel, is bystaan, asook in die moeilike tye wat kom. hierdie “kospakkies” ook aan vrywilligers wat Laerskool Louis Trichardt het op hulle beurt die gehelp het met die bak van piesangmuffins en hospitaal uitgehelp met gazebos en transparant-papier. -broodjies uitgedeel. Plaaslike protea kweker Johanna Breytenbach het op haar beurt die vrouepersoneel en pasiënte se dag opgevrolik met die skenk van pragtige proteas, terwyl Elsabé Wilson help sorg het dat lede van die hospitaal se rampbe stuurkomitee veilig buite kan rondbeweeg deur vir hulle mate riaal maskers te maak. Om die personeel verder by te staan met die behandeling van pasiënte het Sanrie van Niekerk vir die hospitaal ‘n termo meter geskenk, terwyl fisioterapeut Elmien van der Goot die hospitaal gehelp het met ‘n addisionele vier ondersoekbeddens. Hierdie beddens sal beslis goed aangewend kan word in die tydelike triage-afdeling wat verlede week in die hospitaal se parkeerterrein opgerig is ter voorbereiding vir ‘n moontlik toestroming Vrywilligers Richardt en Madelé Stroebel het gehelp om die geskenkte van Covid-19 pasiënte. goedere in kleiner “kospakkies” te verpak vir verdere verspreiding. Hier het die hospitaal Foto: Zoutpansberg Privaathospitaal.

Met ‘n topspoed van 50 km per uur en nege kilometer per liter, kon die duo sowat 400 km per dag aflê. Binne die koerant het die slegte nuus voortgeduur, met nuus van ‘n taxi-ongeluk wat twee mense se lewens geëis het, ‘n fratsongeluk op ‘n plaas wat die lewe van ‘n trekkerbestuurder geneem het, ‘n onbekende man wat in die Limpoporivier verdrink het en vele meer berigte oor diefstalle en aanvalle. Die polisie was ook nog hard op soek na enige leidrade en inligting wat sou kon help om die moordenaar(s) van die 19-jarige Peter Kruger van Louis Trichardt vas te trek. Kruger se liggaam is op 1 April van daardie jaar in die bos naby die treinspoor langs Munnikstraat gevind.

Die hospitaal het verlede week, ter voorbereiding van ‘n moontlik toeloop van Covid-19 pasiënte, ‘n tydelike triage-afdeling in die hospitaal se parkeerterrein opgerig. Hier het die hospitaal hul dank uitgespreek teenoor Kobus van Dyk wat nie net die tente en baie meer gratis beskikbaar gestel het nie, maar ook gehelp opslaan het. Foto: Zoutpansberg Privaathospitaal.

ZOUTPANSBERGER, 10 APRIL 2020

ZOUTPANSBERGER & LIMPOPO MIRROR, 10 APRIL 2020

30. Zoutpansberg Private Hospital 47 Joubert Street, Louis Trichardt. 31. Montimart Cleaning Chemicals 86 Munnik Street, Louis Trichardt. Monday - Friday 08:00 - 17:00 Sat 08:00 - 12:00 Hand sanitizers, general cleaning products.

LI G

T.P.A.

St r.

PRISON

R EN

KU W U

St U

r. St A M

TH AG

St r. N T

tr. NT S UPA TRO

Str.

SENTHIMULE / KUTAMA

TRIA

St S r.

VAN Str.

Str.

KAM EEL Str.

45. Bandelierkop winkel Bandelierkop Centre, N1. 24 Hours. Essential groceries. VO Fresh Stop Caltex 46. ND EL IN Safari Motors G We are open during the lockdown.

47. Eden Oil 27 Klein Street, Weekdays 07:00 - 17:00 Saturdays 07:30 - 12:30 Selling motor oil, other lubricants, diesel, petrol and gas.

ESCOM SUBSTATION

Str.

RAM

48.

Str. ERG

DER B

Str. NN BRO

Str. LITH DER VAN

E Str . EYN

VER R

STRIA

INDU

44. BP Pick n Pay Express 4 Rissik Street Louis Trichardt Open 24 hours. Tel: 015 880 1220. Filling station and convenience store.

REFUSE DUMP

IND US

Str

E YL

Str.

KAS .

r. St

E Str

HMIR

venu e

Str

IND

EIND

BOSBOK

LEEU Str. AL

A IAL

DAH LIA

KS tr. RIE TBO

LEEU Str.

STEENBOK

OIB RO

43. Mount Fuji Shop and Filling Station Cnr of Krogh and Stubbs Street Open 24 hours. Tel: 015 516 6503. Filling station and convenience store.

KI IN

tr.

KT N

27. Boxer Superstores Maintaining normal trading hours. Open until 19:00 Essential groceries.

API

BUFFEL Str.

ELAND Str. DUIKER

ELAND Str.

. KOEDOE Str

2'nd Avenue

IKI

TULSI

Str.

UN St

3'rd Aven

6'th Street

A Str

5'th Street

4'th Street

SIVANANDA

IND

IAN

UNIK

2'nd Street 3'rd Street

ELTI VILLAS SCHOOL

IAL

1'st Street

3'rd Str.

2'nd Avenue

Str. NT

CE ME TRY

IDE

UG E

RG E

tr.

KLE

INDUS

Str.

3'rd A

TRIA S tr.

tr. IN S

I St

29. Kings Butchery 100 Burger Street Monday - Friday 07:30 - 16:00 Saturday 07:30 - 13:00 Suppliers of essential meat products

ME E

RK ORIENT Rd.

COMERCIAL Str.

Str. LER OB GR

tr. RS

Str.

VAAL

VLE

IL IV

FUEL & GAS .

S LA

BENGAL Str

Str.

R5 SI 24 BA to TH S LE PU OH A (9 VU ND OY 0 k BU A AN m), , MA DO RI U & A (1 44 km PO L )

STABLES

ORANJE

tr.

RIDGEWAY COLLEGE

S GR HO OU W ND S

Str.

S.P.C.A.

I H IB

Str.

42. LM Electrical 39 Azalea Street Leon Koen 082 899 1732 PRIVATE for emergency electrical and TO VONDELING Andries Smal 082 899 9543 for plumbing emergencies.

KOMANDO

CEMETRY

RIU

39. Cois Elektries OL team. 24/7 Standby SCHO Louis Trichardt and surrounding areas. Electrical services, for emergency breakdowns.

41. Limpopo Spark (PTY) LTD 32A Munnik Street, Louis Trichardt Electrical emergencies to essential business.

Str

2'n

50 49

WA TE RW

tr.

ETO

24. Bandelierkop Abattoir Bandelierkop Centre, N1 Monday - Friday. Suppliers of essential meat products.

IN S

JEP

STATION

KLE

RAILWAY

MAIN

ORIENT Rd.

tr. IJE ME

SOETDORING

SHORTStr.

44 14

ETUM

Str.

ELECTRICAL SERVICES

40. PD Otto Elektries 24/7 - Louis Trichardt and surrounding areas. Electrical services, for emergency breakdowns.

COMBR

BOABAB

SPORTS HALLS

CRICKET

tr.

A Str

Str.

tr.

IA S

IMPALA Str.

HIN

AZALEA Str.

LIMPOPORd.

RIU

LIA

TAMBOTIE Str

MOPANI Str.

MAKHADO CROSSING TRE SHOPPING CEN

1'st Avenue

UNI

MIMOSA Str.

Str.

BIRD PARK

SIK

Str.

PET

BAU

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DASSIE

SINI) Str (JOAO ALBA

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KIAAT Str.

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ACACIA Str

HLANGANANI

RIS

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Str. IDE

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NIC

HS Str.

tr.

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62 36 MU 38 S S 64 t

BOABAB Av.

Str.

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NIS

OLIFANT Str.

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Str.

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SC AG U S NO L. JA LIA L. SM HE Y ID N L E . PR L. O TE A L.

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25. Bandelierkop Maize Depot Bandelierkop Centre, N1 Monday - Friday. Suppliers of super and super fine maize meal.

tr.

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BEIT BRU ZIM G (1 AB 1 TSH ABWE 0km) IPIS WA E N1 t TERPO & oM USI ORT, NA (95k HLA NGA m), NAN I

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23. Woolworths Makhado Crossing, Cnr Songozwi & N1, Louis Trichardt. Monday - Friday 08:30 - 18:00 Saturdays 08:00 - 15:00 Sundays 09:00 - 13:00 Essential groceries.

26. Royal Macadamia (PTY) Ltd 07:00 until 16:00 during lockdown. Processing of macadamia nuts.

JAIL

AKG

PARK

PIETERSON

IPOPENG

THOLO

TITELO

EDI

MAS

TITE

TSE

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Str.

STU

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9. Die Vrieskas Slaghuis 57A Burger Street Monday -Friday 08:00-17:00 Tel: 015 516 0072 083 979 4550

18. Machema Butchery Kruger Street Plaza Monday - Friday 08:00 - 16:00 Saturday 08:00 - 13:00 Supply of meat only.

SIK

22. Checkers Makhado Crossing Cnr Songozwi Street and N1, Louis Trichardt. Monday - Friday 08:00 - 19:00 Saturdays 08:00 - 17:00 Sundays 08:00 - 15:00 Essential groceries.

8. Elim Spar Monday to Saturday, 06:00 - 18:30 Sunday 07:00 - 16:00

17. Checkers Louis Trichardt Cnr Songozwi and Munnik Street, Louis Trichardt. Monday - Friday - 08:00 - 19:00 Saturdays - 08:00 - 17:00 Sundays - 08:00 - 15:00 Essential groceries.

RIS

EE L

16. Macs Patel Brothers CC Shop Shop no 36, Block F, Eltivillas, Louis Trichardt, 0920. Tel: 015 516 5087/ 082 666 1080 Mehul@macs.co.za Not open, but registered to respond to emergency needs. Providers of food essentials more specifically Indian spices. Also provides liquid petroleum gas.

NIC

NIS

ICH

UIS LAE TRICH RS AR KO DT OL

CLI

DISA L.

15. Rissik Kafee Monday to Friday. 08:00 to 17:00 Saturday 08:00 to 12:00 Grocery essentials.

Rd. NA SSI PARK

tr.

Str.

Zoutpansberg Private Hospital

DAM

KEO

(TR

35. Weldons Apteek FLA Street, Louis Trichardt 24 Songozwi MBO YAN TS tr. Mondays to Fridays 08:00 - 17:00 Saturdays 08:00 13:30 W ATE JAS MAR MYN RBE YA OEL SSI Str. NT AS Deliveries 14:00 ES tr. tr. St TSH r. IRU Phone 015LU516 0343 / 015 516 4413 LUN BOE RBO I (K ON SPR MD T P and ING Suppliers of medicine ANG IET BOK MO ELIE POIN LLE SETT RS R tr IA St. ) . Str. pharmaceutical products.

tr.

SO C TS R. 14. Commien Veggies BAL E Klein Street 52, Louis Trichardt Monday - Friday 07:00 - 16:00 Supplier of fresh produce such as potatoes, onions and butternuts.

Str.

RIVIER

KGANAKGA

UIS

TEK

EYN S

A AM

TER

S. B

ENT ST PRESID

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BUZ

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TEN

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7. Soutpansberg Spar Baobab Ave, Louis Trichardt. Monday to Friday 07:00 - 17:00 Saturdays 08:00 - 15:00 Suppliers of essential groceries.

6. Spar Louis Trichardt Cnr Songozwi & Grobler Street, Louis Trichardt. Monday to Friday 07:00 - 17:00 Saturdays 08:00 - 15:00 Suppliers of essential groceries.

PIGEON 5. CLAY Spiff Chicken Cnr President and Songozwi Street, Louis Trichardt. Tel: (015) 004 0322. Frozen whole chicken or pieces.

4. C&M Spice and Packaging Rissik Street 17, Louis Trichardt, (Next to Vleismark). Monday to TFriday 08:00 - 16:00 OR IRP Saturdays closed. A TO Essential packaging and spice products.

13. Fire Fly Take Away Butchery TSHIKOTA and Bakery KHENSANI tr. NG IS NI LEHLAB GO SA Louis GA 2MAIndustrial Trichardt, ILE NRd LE E KH THABANG LEP Limpopo. ITERELE HAL ALA NG IPOPENG 08:00 17:00 LEBONE KA NA KANA Essential groceries, butchery KAMOGELO SCHOOL BABADU and bakery. HANSI

96 Grobler Street, Louis Trichardt. Monday to Friday 07:30 - 18:00 Saturdays 07:30 - 17:00 Fruit and vegetables, butchery and groceries.

21. Pick ‘n Pay Louis Trichardt Makhado Crossing Mall. Monday - Friday 09:00 - 18:00 Saturday 08:00 - 17:00 Sunday 09:00 - 16:00 PICNIC Special shopping hours for pensioners during lockdown: Wednesdays 07:00 - 08:00 Essentials like groceries, household cleaning materials, toiletries & baby products.

2. Vleismark Rissik Street 17, Louis Trichardt. Monday to Friday 08:00 - 16:00 12. Perfect Water Saturdays 08:00 - 13:00 32-34 Songozwi Street, R522 to B Meat products. U Louis Trichardt. Y S VIVO & DORP, The company also A delivers LLDAYSin town. Monday to Friday 09:00 - 16:00 . Suppliers of purified water. 3. Fruit and Veg

28. Game Stores Cnr President & Songozwi Street, Louis Trichardt. Saturday 09:00 - 15:00 Sunday 09:00 - 13:00 Essentials like groceries, household cleaning materials, toiletries & baby products. L CLUB

20. Shoprite 105 Burger Street, Louis Trichardt. Monday - Friday 07:00 - 20:00 Saturdays 07:00 - 19:00 Sundays 07:00 - 17:00 Essential groceries.

d. TRY R

11. Oasis Water Makhado Crossing, LTT & Mini@Ricky’s Spar Monday - Friday 09:00 - 16:00 Thohoyandou, Giyani, Nzhelele Monday - Friday 09:00 - 16:00 Musina, Monday to Friday 08:00 - 15:00 Suppliers of filtered water.

FORES

r. St

HOSPITAL

38. South African National Blood Service 27 Erasmus Street, Louis Trichardt. Monday - Friday 08:00 - 18:00 Blood bank where essential blood FL AM BO donations can be done.

LEOPARD

AN YM

19. M Premjee & Sons Cash & Carry 77 Kruger Street, Louis Trichardt. Monday to Friday 08:00 - 15:00 Saturday 08:00 - 13:00 Groceries + essentials.

E IT

RCr.

HERTZOG

1. Soutpansberg Koelkamers 18 Joubert Street, Louis Trichardt. Monday - Friday 08:00 - 15:00 Saturday 08:00 - 13:00 Supplier of frozen food products such as chicken.

10. Hanglip Slaghuis 26 Rissik Street, Louis Trichardt. 08:00 - 17:00 Tel: 083 711 9306. Beef and pork products.

IEF P. RET

FOOD SERVICES

32. Marius Bronn Apteek Str. ARD Shop no. 6, Checkers center, BARN Str. Cnr Songozwi & Munnik Street, H G R E B VA Louis Trichardt, Limpopo. NW AR ME Str. LO Tel: 015 516 REY4223. Str. DE LA Pharmaceutical products. L.T.T. MEMORIAL PARK

Here is a list of local essential businesses open in town & surrounding areas during the lockdown period

IVA

DE VAAL Str.

RESERVOIR

Str

ATE

37. Mobile Detergent Solutions PTY LTD Mobile service - no business address Tel: 071 640 7385. Essential service provider of hand sanitizer, masks and gloves as well as cleaning liquids.

FOX Cr.

Local Essential Service Providers PRIV

36. Sanity City Shop 7, Rentmeester building, 89 Krogh Street, Louis Trichardt. Open in the mornings, weekdays. Stock hand sanitizer, cleaning products and face masks. Also sells electricity.

34. Pharmacy @ Spar Soutpansberg Ricky Centre, 61 Baobab Street. Monday - Friday 08:00 - 17:00 Sat - 08:30 - 17:00 Sun - 09:00 - 14:00 Suppliers of medicine and pharmaceutical Cr. products.

AZALEA

LOCKDOWN

33. Da Silva Apteek 144 Krogh Street, Louis Trichardt, 0920. Monday to Friday 08:00 to +/- 17:00 Saturdays 08:00 - 13:00 Tel: 015 516 7736. Pharmaceutical products.

HEALTH & MEDICAL

1'st Avenue

C VID-19

ZOUTPANSBERGER & LIMPOPO MIRROR, 10 APRIL 2020

UNIK A

Disclaimer: Str. These are not all essential services open in Louis Trichardt, N1 only the ones we were made aware of. 0km) km) RG (11 OP (38 LIERK PIETERSBU E Also note that the details can change at any moment. D N ANE / 1 to BA

N KW POLO ELIM /

ROW

SPAR

GT Verspreiders Unika Street, Louis Trichardt, 0920 Tel: 015 516 1570. Bulk fuel deliveries.

49. Palm Motors 2 Kort Street, Louis Trichardt. Daily from 06:00 - 18:00 Fuel Station. 50. Palm Gas 2 Kort Street, Louis Trichardt. Daily from 06:00 - 18:00 Suppliers of gas products. 51. Alliance Fuel Bronn Street, Louis Trichardt. 07:00 - 17:00 Supplier of bulk fuel and oil.

OTHER SERVICES 52. Pest Control Monday to Friday 07:00 - 16:00 Only assisting business in essential services. Fumigations. 53. The Nappy Company 5 Songozwi Street, Louis Trichardt. Monday to Friday 09:00 - 15:00 Tel: 082 521 6196 54. Blouberg Dierekliniek Monday to Friday 08:00 – 18:00 Saturdays 08:30 - 13:00 Sundays 10:00 – 11:00 Vet products, medicines & dog food. 55. NTK 96 Unika Street, Louis Trichardt Monday - Friday 08:00 - 16:00 Saturday 08:00 - 12:00 Suppliers of essential goods to farmers. 56. AP & C Verspreiders Unika Street, Louis Trichardt. Monday to Friday 08:00 – 12:00. Suppliers of agricultural products such as fertilizer and chemicals. 57. Lawnmower Clinic 94 President Street, Louis Trichardt. On standby for repairs on generators, water pumps and firefighting equipment. 58. Water 2000 Unika Street, We are open during the lockdown for essential supplies & services. Tel: 076 872 5317. 59. Brennco Feeds 41 Kruger Street, Louis Trichardt. Monday - Friday 07:00 - 16:30 60. VKB Meule 53 Grobler Street, Louis Trichardt Monday - Friday 08:00 - 16:00 Tel: 015 516 0155 61. BK de Beer 44 Kruger Street We are on standby for assistance with security systems & networks. Standby hours 08:00 - 16h00 Bertus de Beer: 081 474 0246 62. Gen Key Locksmith 94B Krogh Street, Louis Trichardt. Marco Voight 082 902 5657 or Hannes Voight 082 926 2969. 63. ZCP Konsult 28B Landros Ave, Louis Trichardt Contact ZC: 082 493 1133 Tax related enquiries. 64. Sheldon & Prinsloo Elize Eloff elize@sheldonprinsloo.co.za Assist with essential service certificate and tax related queries.

ZOUTPANSBERGER, 10 APRIL 2020

“If I close down, my siblings and I will starve”

of us – who solely rely on small business ventures like mine for a livelihood – not opening our A resident of Hlanganani RDP township in business is a matter of life and death,” he said the Collins Chabane area, Bornwise Malu when interviewed. leke, waited patiently in the shade of a tree Maluleke stays with his five siblings, and he inside his small yard for customers to trickle is the sole breadwinner. Apart from operating a in on Friday. Looking at the outside walls of barbershop, he runs a small pay-for-use recordMaluleke’s RDP house, one can obviously see ing studio right from his RDP house, and he also that he is a barber – the walls are adorned rents out a music sound system. with stunning illustrations of haircuts. “There are no activities, which means that “I know there’s a 21-day lockdown period there’s no business for me as a music engineer which is in operation countrywide, but for some and sound system hirer,” he said. “The only business which remains in operation on my side is the barbershop.” He said that he had not closed his barbershop for a single day after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of the lockdown but added that he was not doing that out of disrespect. “I live in an area where, if you steal from someone else, you get stoned and burnt to death,” he said. “What if, after I fail to provide for my siblings, one of them goes out to steal to dissipate the cramps of hunger inside his stomach, and they catch him? Will they not stone him to death and further come to torch my house, as if I am the one who sent him to steal?” He pointed out that it was an oversight from the side of the government to declare a lockdown without first evaluating the imBornwise Maluleke tries to earn some money to put food on the table pact on less fortunate for him and his siblings. By Tshifhiwa Mukwevho

people such as he and his siblings. He reckoned that plans to assist them with food should firstly have been put in place. “I won’t speak lies and say that the President is wrong. He’s totally right to place the country on lockdown, but somehow it’s affecting some of us,” he said. “There’s nothing to do apart from remaining strong for the remaining days and hoping that things return to normal. I am not making much money now from my business. Sometimes a day or two passes without any customer coming in for a haircut,” he said. Maluleke said that he had only a mixture of methylated spirits and Dettol anti-bacterial wash for hand sanitisation when a customer arrived. “I can’t afford all those other expensive chemicals (sanitisers) from the main shops in town,” he said. “I care for the customers’ health as much as I care for myself and my siblings,” he said.

WEEKLY DAM LEVELS According to latest available information from the Department WEEKLIKSE of Water Affairs and Forestry as on Monday, 6 April. DAMVLAKKE Dams/damme:

06/04/2020 30/03/2020

Albasini Dam 76.1% 76.3% Ebenezer Dam 21.7% 22.4% Flag Boshielo Dam 98.9% 97.8% Glen Alpine Dam 97.3% 98.8% Luphephe Dam 100.5% 100% Middel Letaba Dam 4.3% 4.5% Nandoni Dam 101.1% 101% Nsami Dam 67.4% 68.9% Nwanedzi Dam 100.2% 100% Nzhelele Dam 93.4% 93.9% Tzaneen Dam 19.6% 19.7% Vondo Dam #101.2% 101% # Means latest available data

Published by Zoutnet CC, trading as Zoutpansberger and printed by D Brits, Jeppe Street 1, Louis Trichardt. POSTAL ADDRESS / POSADRES PO Box / Posbus 1680, Louis Trichardt, 0920 TELEPHONE / TELEFOON: Louis Trichardt: (015) 516 4996/7 Louis Trichardt fax (015) 516 2303 E-MAIL / E-POS: Advertising / Advertensies: Editor / Redakteur: Administrative / Administratief: Website / Webtuiste:

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Irwinstreet, Private Bag X626, Musina Tel: 015 534 0706 • Fax: 015 534 0899 E-mail: principal@ericlouw.co.za

Vakant: Beheerliggaamspos Tydelik Vereistes: * Engels Huistaal Gr 8, 9 en 10 * Rekenaarvaardig * Buitemuurse Aktiwiteite * Administratiewe Pligte * SACE Geregistreerd * Mediums van onderrrig: Afrikaans en Engels

Vacant: Governing body post Temporary Requirements: * English Home Language Gr 8, 9 and 10 * Computer literate * Extra-mural Activities * Administrative duties * SACE Registered * Mediums of instruction/ teaching: Afrikaans and English

Sluitingsdatum: 20 April 2020

Closing date: 20 April 2020

Handig volledige CV en gesertifiseerde afskrifte ( nie ouer as 3 maande) van kwalifikasies by: Hoërskool Eric Louw Administrasiekantoor Irwinstraat, Musina.

Submit detailed CV and certified copies (not older than 3 months) of qualifications at: Eric Louw High School Administrative Office Irwin street, Musina

Of stuur per epos aan: Principal.ericlouw@gmail.com

Or send it via email to: Principal.ericlouw@gmail.com

Vakant: HOD Departementele Onderwyserspos Vereistes: * Engels Huistaal Gr 12 * Rekenaarvaardig * Minimum toepaslike Graad voltooi * SACE Geregistreerd * Onderrigmedium: Afrikaans & Engels * Administratiewe pligte * Dissipline profiel * Buitemuurseaktiwiteite

Vacant: HOD Departmental post Teacher’s Post Requirements: * English Home Language Gr 12 * Computer Literate * Minimum relevant Degree completed * SACE Registered * Medium of Instruction: Afrikaans & English * Administrative duties * Discipline profile * Extra mural activities

Sluitingsdatum: 20 April 2020

Closing date: 20 April 2020

Handig aansoek op LPDE 1 met dekbrief, volledige CV en gesertifiseerde afskrifte (nie ouer as 3 maande) van enige kwalifikasies in by die skool kantoor ofper epos. Of stuur per epos aan:

Submit your application on LPDE 1 form, with cover letter, detailed CV and certified copies (not older than 3 months) of any qualifications to the school office, or or send it via email to:

Principal.ericlouw@gmail.com

CURRENTLY UP FOR ADOPTION AT SPCA LOUIS TRICHARDT Contact Insp Lawrence Khodobo Cell 082 965 5151• Follow SPCA Louis Trichardt on Facebook

Neville Male

Nadiya Female

Blair Male

Tyler Male

Julian Male

Katy

Female

Patch Male

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ZOUTPANSBERGER, 10 APRIL 2020

Residents take hands to assist Covid-19 destitute

transfers to a supplier of such hampers. needy families in adjacent residential Spar Louis Trichardt came on board areas such as Tshikota and Vleyfontein. While the world is grappling to come and offered to compile a bucket with es- At the time of our going to press, the to terms with the coronavirus crisis, sential food stuff. The hamper includes lists had been assessed and strategies a group of Louis Trichardt residents maize meal, sugar, rice, baked beans, discussed to maximise the impact of the are collecting funds to buy food pilchards, cooking oil and soya mince. assistance. hampers and assist destitute families. A bar of soap will also be added. Each Some group members warned that By Tuesday, the group had already hamper costs R250. the Covid-19 crisis has not yet reached collected more than R42 000, enough Another resident, Ms Nousheen a peak. The urgent need may only into buy 170 food hampers. Cassim, offered to assist and compile tensify in a week or two. The fear is that The initiative started in an almost a list of people who made contribumany families will have no more money spontaneous manner, with several restions. What was made clear right from left to buy food. The important thing idents realising that the Covid-19 crisis the start was that the project should that was stated was that the food parcels might cause severe food shortages. Mr be strictly regulated and everything be distributed when the need is critical. Taimon Gumbo, one of the residents in possible must be done to ensure that A further suggestion was made that the upper part of town, contacted a cou- the relief ends up with the families that information leaflets about Covid-19 be ple of his neighbours and discussed a need it most. made available to recipients of these possible project to assist people in need. A local non-profit company, Bergfood hampers. The Zoutpansberger and “I noticed that many around Louis care, also came on board and offered Limpopo Mirror, in conjunction with Trichardt live from hand to mouth and logistical assistance. Bergcare currently the Zoutpansberg Private Hospital, they earn their living from day-todelivers food parcels to 135 people in came on board and offered to compile day interaction with others. With the town every two weeks. The proposal and print an eight-page booklet on lockdown, their means of providing was made that Bergcare serve as a Covid-19. An appeal was made to more an income was taken away,” he says. centralised depot where these hampers residents to become involved in the Gumbo realised that the notice period can be stored and then collected by the project. “Worldwide, we should all rally was also too short for people to be able distribution teams. together for a common cause,” says to prepare and be ready for the financial A representative of the Department of Gumbo. For more information about crisis. “All I wanted to achieve was to Social Development was asked to assist the project, Gumbo (061 4792664) or put food on the table, especially for with the project and several church Cassim (072 285 1009) can be contactwomen and child-headed families, to groups also offered to help identify ed. provide some relief,” he says. His ideas were quickly embraced by other residents and an still living normal lives, includAn international perspective Journal in Washington State, informal WhatsApp who currently stays in France: ing riding in the sardine cans group was formed. A The Zoutpansberger is a “I guess I fall into the ‘ignore know as subway cars. We met a decision was made member of the International the scientists’ explanations at vendor at the market who said not to collect money Society of Weekly Newsyour own peril’ camp because I he couldn’t greet my wife with An eight-page brochure was compiled that is distributed with the food directly, but rather paper Editors (ISWNE). have read a couple of scientific a kiss as normal because he had to ask residents to do parcels. This society also serves as a papers that explain the matha cold. We joked that maybe he useful discussion forum for ematical models showing how had the coronavirus. He played hundreds of editors of weekly coronavirus infections grow down the day’s coronavirus newspapers across the globe. exponentially instead of slowly news by saying, ‘You know, The past week the discussion like the normal flu. There is an 1,400 people died of the flu in less there last Friday, but the project failed as Editorial Comment focused on the manner in R factor that we need to reduce France last winter.’ If I saw him the people scattered shortly afterwards. One which coronavirus statistics to keep the medical system today, I could say to him, ‘But, “It seems to me that in that town (Louis of the reasons seem to be because there was no are being reflected. from being overwhelmed. The Monsieur, 1,417 people died of Trichardt) nothing has changed. No-one food. (Not surprising that the homeless did not Sandra George from MichR is the number of other people coronavirus in France today.’ wants to see the sun shining on another…” stay.) igan in the USA started off by that the average coronavirus France’s toll so far is 10,328. This is a loose translation of the comment On Tuesday, the municipality tried again and asking whether death compar- carrier infects. It is somewhere My point about the mathea reader left on the newspaper’s Facebook put out a call to members of the community isons were useful to readers. around 1.0 for the normal flu matical model was supposed to page last week. He was responding to a photo to assist with mattresses, blankets, food items “I’d be wanting to report deaths and was 2.2 for the Spanish flu. be that the scientists are saying, published (inset) depicting a relatively busy and toiletries. The list was made available to this year compared to deaths Early research has shown that ‘The worst is yet to come,’ main street, amidst the nationwide Covid-19 the group of residents who had pledged food last year. … My math says that it is 3.0 or more for this corona- because they have studied lockdown period. hampers, and within minutes the responses the global tally so far this year virus, which makes it nastier the numbers. What they have Perhaps he was partly correct – the photo started streaming in. of 76,488 coronavirus deaths is than the flu; it is particularly warned about has come to pass, showed no empathy for the hundreds of SASSA By 17:30 on Tuesday, the municipality’s a little more than 2% of a total virulent and can grow exponenand they are happy that most grantees who had to travel to town to collect representatives had collected all the essential of 3,463,700 deaths from com- tially with that R factor. Surely people have been isolating their money. Perhaps it did not do justice to the items. Bergcare, a non-profit organisation camunicable diseases. Wouldn’t everyone has seen the stories themselves because a virus left many essential workers who needed to travel tering for needy families in town, organised the this information be helpful to about people carrying it and unchecked would allow it to into the CBD. But the swipe at the town and its bulk of the mattresses and blankets. Bergcare the public in evaluating the spreading it without knowing spread exponentially. Why do people hit a nerve. This town is not filled with also assisted with toiletries and food. Members government’s response and althey have it. I think things will be worse greedy and envious people. of the local business community arranged for location of resources? I think it There was a very strange and in a week than they are now? The past week showed up the soul of this the remainder of the mattresses and blankets might help the public’s respect scary case in my home state of Because I look at the graphs community. Every one of us and promised to supply the for the media too. Now that Washington, epicenter of the with 200 deaths in the U.S. is affected by the lockdown other products still needed. there’s so much corporate con- outbreak in the U.S. before on March 24, 400 on March period and we are all very Several individual members trol of so much of the media, New York was overwhelmed. 28, 800 on March 31, 1,200 afraid of how an unknown promised to assist with the groupthink is a tide that is When the outbreak was still on April 4 and 1,600 today. virus may affect us. Still, in whatever is needed. pretty hard to resist. Let’s give ‘confined’ to the Seattle area Maybe the doomsday stuff is between the uncertainty and Probably the most people context even if no one and centered around the Kirktoo outlandish to believe, but fear, residents opened up amazing part of all that was else is doing it.” land nursing home that lost as a layman, I’m not going to sit their hearts (and purses) for happening, is that the “us Thomas V Ward, publisher 27 residents to the virus, the here and tell the scientists they the ones less privileged. and them” factor was not of The Valley Breeze in Lincoln, Skagit County Chorale about an are wrong when they predict What started off as a present. No colour, culture hour north of Seattle decided to 2,000 deaths a day next week. call from one resident to a or religion was involved. No- USA, had a slightly different perspective. He commented practise. Sixty singers showed I pray they’re wrong, but I have neighbour, snow-balled into one asked whether the ason the (thus far) fairly empty up. Within a few days 45 people no reason to believe they’re a huge project. Ironically, sistance was meant for “our hospitals in parts of the US. were sick and two later died. wrong. the person who initiated the people” or “their people”, “So far, it is not what they It raised questions about how There is no ‘good’ solution to idea is not even a long-time because that did not matter. fear, but they keep telling us in the world the virus spreads end the coronavirus outbreak. resident, only having moved Much like the coronavirus ‘the worst is coming.’ In anoth- through the air. Methinks There’s death and economic into town a few months ago. His idea was does not ask whether you are rich or poor, er 10 days, no one will believe whatever asymptomatic singer pain in all proposals. It should straightforward – let us all just pledge a small black or white or a South African citizen, the them. But for now, most people went to the rehearsal played be obvious from the 53,000 bit and eventually it will grow into something residents who supported the cause did not ask. are hunkered down, and small havoc with the R factor by deaths in a few weeks in Italy, big. “If we all pledge R1 000 and we get 80 So, to get back to the person who made the business is in crisis. gathering with a huge group Spain, France and the U.S. that people, we have R80 000, which we can do a nasty comment about our town: You have no There’s another thing people rather than just a few co-work- the virus will take a devastating lot with,” he said. right to depict us as a group of uncaring and might notice if they look at the ers or family. But that’s what toll on life if everybody just A WhatsApp group was formed, and the envious people. We are not perfect (in fact, charts. mathematical averages are goes back to school, work and first pledges started to come in. A decision was we are probably far from perfect), but when As we ‘flatten the curve,’ we about. church. It’s also obvious that made to rather get the residents to deposit the a crisis exists in our midst, we do rise to the also lengthen it. Flattening the So about six weeks ago when snuffing the virus with this isomoney into the account of a supermarket store occasion. curve appears more to be about the coronavirus was basically lation is going to kill our roarwilling to compile food hampers. The R1 000 Only two kinds of people exist, namely good not overwhelming hospitals a foreign news story here in ing economy. The policymakers suddenly became four hampers. No limit was people and bad people, and each group comes all at once. But, how long will France, my wife and I went to have picked their poison; they set on the donations. Some gave one hamper, in different shapes and sizes, colours and lanbusiness owners be expected to the Porte de Vanves flea market prefer what they’re doing to while others promised many more. By Tuesday guages. I choose to believe that there are many remain forced out of business? in Paris. The country had a couple million dead. The the group had grown to more than 50 memgood people and only a small number of bad And will it be even longer with recorded its first coronavirus American people are just going bers, with almost R35 000 being pledged. The people. When I see what happened during the a flattened curve? The curves I death (a Chinese tourist had to have to say they will rebuild pledges continued to stream in. past week in our town, I know that this town look at say ‘yes’ . ” come here without knowing he and that they will learn from But things did not end there. On Tuesday, has an abundance of good people. The best contribution, howwas sick, entered a Paris hosSouth Korea and Germany that the municipality (at last) managed to set up a I am proud to be associated with them. ever, came from Charlie Gay, pital on January 27 and died there is an aggressive way to temporary shelter for the homeless. The mu- Anton van Zyl (Manager: Zoutnet Pubthe former editor and publisher there February 10), but people wage war when under attack nicipality apparently tried to move the homelishers) of the Shelton-Mason County in this city of 2.3 million were from a virus to cut your losses.” By Anton van Zyl

We will have to suffer and then rebuild

No, this community has a heart of gold

ZOUTPANSBERGER, 10 APRIL 2020

Interventions to assist the agricultural sector Agricultural News The Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Ms Thoko Didiza, has announced the department’s interventions to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus. In a press release issued by the department on Monday, the department says it has ring-fenced R1.2 billion for assistance to mainly target financially distressed small-scale farmers. Of the R1.2 billion, R400 million has been allocated for farmers within the Proactive Land Acquisition Strategy (PLAS) programme and the remainder will be channelled towards all other farmers that are mainly within the following commodity sectors: * Poultry: Day-old chicks, Point-of-lay chickens, feed, medication and sawdust. * Other Livestock: Feed and medication. * Vegetables: Seedlings, fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides and soil correction. * Other commodity sectors will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, as the department continuously monitors the impact of COVID-19 on the sector at large. According to Minister Didiza, the qualifying criteria for farmers include South African citizens who have been actively farming for a minimum of 12 months and are currently in the production season or cycle. They must also be

registered on the farmers’ register, commodity database or the provincial database. It includes communal farmers and smallholder farmers with an annual turnover between R50 000 and R1 million. The adjudication will also prioritise women, the youth and people with disabilities. “Mechanisation, infrastructure and overhead costs will NOT be supported. This is not comprehensive support but an intervention package amid COVID-19,” said the department, They added that farmers who are preparing for the 2020 summer production season will also not be supported. “The aim is to provide immediate to near-term support to smallholder farmers currently affected by Covid-19,” said the department. Other exclusions include farmers who are currently receiving support through other programmes of government and its entities and no payments for debts will be made. The applications for this funding opened yesterday, 8 April, and will close on 22 April. No late entries will be accepted. Application forms will be available on the departmental website and www.dalrrd.gov.za and through national, provincial, district and local offices of both the national Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and Provincial Departments of Agriculture. Applications will be lodged electronically at applications@dalrrd. gov.za or submitted to the offices as outlined.

Kommersiële boere moeg om weereens oorgesien te word vir befondsing boere, wat ‘n kardinale rol speel om voedsel te voorsien en Die TLU SA het gesê hulle is sodoende kosnood en anargie nie tevrede dat kommersiële bekamp, altyd aan die kortboere aanhoudend oorgesien ste end trek,” het mnr. Louis word wanneer hulp van die Meintjes, die president van regering aangebied word nie. TLU SA, in ‘n verklaring gesê. Dit volg ná die Minister van “Hoe moet ons die kommersiële Landbou, Grondhervorming boer motiveer om, ten spyte van en Plaaslike Ontwikkeling, me. die risiko van blootstelling aan Thoko Didiza, se aankondiging die coronavirus, voort te gaan Maandag dat haar departement om te produseer, terwyl die tydens die COVID-19 inper regering niks doen om hulle te king hulp ten bedrae van R1,2 help nie?” wou Meintjes weet. miljard aan kleinskaalboere Hy het bygevoeg dat bykans (met ‘n jaarlikse omset van 70% van die Suid-Afrikaanse tussen R50 000 en R1 miljoen) bevolking in stede woon en sal bied. Vroue- en jeugboere, afhanklik is van kommersiële en boere met gestremdhede sal boere as voedselbron. Volgens voorkeur geniet. Slegs sekere hom verskaf die groep boere kommoditeitsektore sal kwalifi- wat nou bevoordeel gaan word, seer om vir die befondsing aan- volgens die mees onlangse soek te doen. “Dit is betreuren- landbousensus, maar net 1,9% swaardig dat kommersiële van die land se voedsel. Lanbounuus

“Kommersiële boere, die land se grootste bate, gaan ten spyte van die inperking steeds gebuk onder misdaad en selfs plaasaanvalle,” het Meintjes gesê. “Ons veiligheidspatrollies word ingeperk en ons is nou afhanklik van die oorlaaide SAPD – wat beslis nie nou die kapasiteit het hiervoor nie – vir beskerming. Maar tog gaan hulle voort met hulle daaglikse take. Ons boere verdien beter,” het Meintjes gesê. Volgens Meintjies kan landbou in dié tyd ‘n verskil maak. Hy meen die ideale geleentheid het nou gekom vir die onderskeie rege ringsinstansies wat met hierdie programme werk om uit te reik na landbou-organisasies om vas te stel hoe hulle van hulp kan wees en watter ondersteuning hulle nodig het.

The delegates included traditional leaders; the Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) Department; the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF); municipal councillors; business representatives; NGOs and civil-society representatives. Photo: SANParks.

SANParks leads KNP strategic development consultations Nature Conservation South African National Parks (SANParks) led a historic two-day consultative workshop of the Greater Kruger Strategic Development Programme in Tzaneen on 9 and 10 March. The aim of the gathering was to look at ways in which the Kruger National Park (KNP) can be used as a catalyst to unlock economic opportunities for SMMEs and ordinary people, especially the youth and women. The gathering was attended by traditional leaders; the Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) Department; the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF); municipal councillors; business representatives; NGOs and civil-society representatives. “The meeting emphasised collaboration and cooperation of all participants to make sure that this initiative succeeds and benefits people staying along the western boundary of KNP. The initiative is seen as a means to involve all parties to

make the most of conservation as a channel for rural economic development and to take on opportunities as presented by the existence of the KNP in the area,” stated SANParks in a media statement last week. Speaking at the meeting, SANParks CEO Fundisile Mketeni told delegates that “it is time to drop mind fences that KNP is an island” but that it should be viewed as a catalyst for development. He urged delegates to begin to talk business amongst themselves and how they can eradicate unemployment, which is very high in the region and has a negative impact on the communities. He further said: “Studies have shown the social impact that KNP has in the region, but that is not enough. We need everybody to put an effort if we are to succeed with this framework by working with traditional leaders, local municipalities, social groupings and national departments to implement the programme. We need to mobilise resources to make this a reality within the frameworks of government priorities as outlined in the National Development Plan as

espoused by the sixth administration of government.” Mketeni urged government representatives to facilitate local business with the KNP as the park was ready to transact with local communities. He lamented the fact that services and products within the park were being supplied by companies based outside the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Mketeni indicated that community-based entrepreneurs needed to be supported by the relevant government departments. Responding to the SANParks CEO’s statement, the MEC of LEDET, Thabo Mokone, said he fully supported SANParks in this initiative and urged all parties to work together to improve the lives of people in the province. “We have been elected to serve our people and create opportunities for them. I’m happy this is not a plan or a strategy, but a call to partnership and implementation. I expect officials to facilitate the programme to awaken Limpopo, which is a sleeping giant,” concluded Mokone.

Steps to follow when deciding to pay a visit to the private hospital hands with soap and water. At the consulting room or hospital, proceed to the screening area The Zoutpansberg Private Hospital in Louis and follow the guidelines given by your doctor Trichardt has introduced several easy steps and laboratory. to follow in case of medical emergencies In case of casualties during lockdown, your during the Covid-19 lockdown period. These doctor or ambulance service will inform the measures will be applicable at the hospital hospital of until 10 April. your arrival. Firstly, if you feel as if you have flu, the steps At the to follow are to look at the flu symptoms, such hospital, as a runny nose, WET cough, sore throat, body pull into the pain, headache and fever. For flu you can conallocated sult/phone your doctor only when necessary or emergency consult/phone your pharmacist. Stay at home, parking maintain healthy hygiene and remember to wash space your hands. and move If you start feeling sick during the lockdown through to period as a result of symptoms that include a the screenfever, DRY cough, sore throat, body pain and ing area. constant tiredness, the steps to follow include PLEASE staying at home, phoning your doctor or hospital note that and maintaining a social distance of 1,5 metres only the to 2 metres. Continue to wash your hands with patient will soap and clean surfaces thoroughly that you be allowed share with others, such as light switches, door into the handles and toilets. hospital, If you start feeling VERY sick during the lock- and please down period because of continued symptoms respect clinical staff ’s authority. such as fever, dry cough and difficulty breathing, If you need to visit the laboratory at the the steps to follow are to phone the doctor or hospital for Covid-19 tests during the lockdown, hospital, wear a mask (if you have one) when you your doctor will inform them of your arrival. come to the hospital or doctor and continue to The testing will be done by Ampath. If you have maintain social distance. Continue to wash your a mask, wear it! Pull your car into the allocated Health

parking space at the testing station and STAY IN YOUR CAR. After the test, GO DIRECTLY HOME, self-isolate and wait for the result. Please follow the guidelines given by your doctor and laboratory and again, respect clinical staff ’s authority. If you need to visit the laboratory for regular tests during the lockdown, you must get a test form from your doctor. At the hospital, enter at the dedicated entrance. Move through the screening area to Ampath and again, respect the clinical staff ’s authority. Regarding admissions, your doctor will inform the hospital of your admission. At the hospital, pull into the allocated emergency parking space and move through to the screening area. PLEASE note that only the patient will

be allowed into the hospital. Maintain healthy hygiene and respect the clinical staff ’s authority. If you want to visit a patient during lockdown, forget it. No visits will be allowed. The only exceptions are as follows: Birthing partner allowed ONLY with special arrangement; Nursery: only ONE parent at a time. No grandparents and siblings will be allowed to visit. Paediatrics: Only ONE parent at a time is permitted to live in with an admitted child. No grandparents and siblings will be allowed to visit. Terminally ill patients: an exception can be granted by the hospital manager and nursing manager. A minimal number of visitors will be granted this exception and they will be required to wear a mask. In case of death (not Covid-19 related) the hospital will assist to complete the notice of death. (DHA 1663). Inform the nursing staff of who the undertakers will be as the hospital will contact the undertakers for the transportation of the body. The undertakers will assist you with the notification of death, together with ID copies of the deceased and other forms you will be required to fill in with the Department of Home Affairs for registration, where a death certificate will be issued (DHA 5). In case of deaths related to Covid-19, everything is the same as above, but bereavement guidelines will also be available. Please be warned that the Department of Environmental Affairs will become involved, so respect their authority.

ZOUTPANSBERGER, 10 APRIL 2020

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The never-ending queues at the Hubyeni Complex at Elim.

They have no choice but to queue together By Tshifhiwa Mukwevho A man standing at a marketplace on a hilltop looked down at the snaking queue at Hubyeni Complex at Elim and whistled softly in shock and distress, shaking his head. “This fills me with fear. Lockdown was meant to manage the possible spread of the coronavirus, but now here people, including the elderly, are lined up at the chain store supermarket to get some groceries. It is just because they have no choice,” Mr Thomas Mathebula said. He said that he understood the purpose of the lockdown and that hearing Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize say that the ministry was observing that the increase of new infection cases was below what the department had initially projected was heart-warming. “The Minister believes that this lower-than-expected infection rate can be ascribed to the restrictions they placed on movement

and border crossing,” Mathebula said. “Yes, about border-crossing restriction I fully agree; but when it comes to local-movement restrictions, this is another thing to look into. Where are those reported new cases collected from? I mean the tests, because here is a congestion of poor people who are all in a long queue to Spar Supermarket and they risk spreading infection to one another.” Mathebula felt that Covid-19 tests should be provided for all people who would like to test, and that it should happen at no financial cost. “We are listening to the Department of Health’s projects on the radio of sending health workers who will conduct tests in the rural areas as well, but which are those rural areas?” he said. “Are we included?” He added that he feared for a situation where the government might declare a “shutdown, because we are not so sure what the government’s next move or decision will be right after the

21-day lockdown”. “Just looking at this kind of congestion at our main supermarkets and ATMs, I pray that the government does not think of a shutdown, because it will only affect the majority of the poorest of the poor,” he said. Ms Matimu Khosa, a mother of two children, said that she had to stand in the ATM queue for three hours on Monday, so she could collect her social grant. “By the time you get to withdraw the money, you are drained and hungry, but you stare at the longest queue at Shoprite and your spirit dies in you,” she said. “If it had taken me three hours to withdraw money, how long would it take me to get into the shop and stand in another queue to the till?” Khosa said that she had walked to join an equally long queue for the taxi to her village of Chavani. “I had no choice but to buy my groceries at the local spaza shop, where things are expensive – which only means that the R880 social

grant had not helped that much this month,” she despaired. Rufus Mugwena, who spoke from his home at Mpheni village, said: “People should stay at home and stop going on a spending spree, because that is where they will pass on the virus to one another. There are people who would go to town and risk their lives and those of loved ones just to buy some luxuries. Why can’t they stay home and share the little that they have, and then only after lockdown will they continue to stock up their fridges with delicacies and more meat?” More people who spoke to the Zoutpansberger at Elim said that they had only one prayer in mind: for the 21-day lockdown to come to an end quickly, so that life could get back to normal. However, so far, what will happen at the end of 21-day lockdown, whether the lockdown will be declared over or extended, is not clear.

We are not prepared to be taken into shelters” Article by GroundUp As the provincial government of Limpopo starts to move people living on the streets into shelters, some say they will resist. “We are already living under very harsh conditions so we are not scared of this disease. We are not prepared to be taken into shelters,” Classmore*, a 16-year-old Zimbabwean immigrant, told GroundUp. Classmore was with a group of seven homeless Zimbabwean teenagers, all aged between 14 and 16, who live in an open space behind the Spar in Louis Trichardt town. They came from Masvingo and Mwenezi to South Africa looking for employment. Now during the day they wait at a skip bin near a Shoprite store looking for any food that is dumped.

Classmore arrived in 2015. He said he had a bad experience in 2016 when he stayed in a church-run shelter in Musina. “No one will take care of you there. At times you go for almost a day without food. It is better to stay in the streets or bushes, then wake up in the morning and scavenge for food in bins,” he said. Asked about physical distancing to avoid Covid-19, he said, “We do not have blankets so we sleep close to each other for warmth and we trust no one will get sick.” Another in the group, Bernard*, said he had wanted to save up money to return to Zimbabwe but he was caught by the lockdown. “Both my parents are not working. Life was tough at home, so I decided to come to South Africa for any casual job, so that I could feed the family back home. But it was

unfortunate this Covid-19 operation caught me unaware and not prepared,” he said. “I am not sure what to do. Should we be relocated to shelters it makes me afraid, because we will be many at one place,” he said. The Limpopo government has identified six shelters to accommodate homeless people during the lockdown period: Makhado, Lephalale and Tzaneen will each have one shelter, and Musina will have three. According to Kenny Mathivha, spokesperson for the Premier, Limpopo does not have a big homeless population. Witness Tiva from the Limpopo Department of Social Development estimated there are about 315 homeless people in Musina. *Surnames withheld to protect the identity of the youths.

Youths wait for any leftovers that may be dumped in a skip bin near Shoprite in Louis Trichardt. Photo: Bernard Chiguvare