Roshini can now add Mrs SA semi-finalist to her resume

By Pétria de Vaal Louis Trichardt’s

own Roshini Pakkiree can now add Mrs South Africa Semi­finalist to her impressive resume as she joins the class of 2023.

Roshini received the happy news on Friday, 3 February, after the National Casting event at Emperor’s Palace in Johannesburg. Following the announcement, the semi-finalists took part in a jam-packed two-day conference filled with motivational talks, workshops, upskilling sessions, socialising and networking opportunities, and an introduction to the famous Mrs SA sisterhood.

“I was quite surprised to receive the news of being one of 100 semi-finalists, as I entered at the last minute,” says Roshini. The cut-off date for entries was 31 January. “I battled with the correct requirements for the photographs and decided not to do this anymore. My husband, Mark, insisted and finalised the entry.”

Mrs South Africa is foremost a self-discovery and empowerment programme that celebrates diversity, ambition, and confidence while showcasing some of the country’s most phenomenal and talented women, and giving them the skills and tools needed to achieve their dreams. Experienced mentors teach leadership, entrepreneurship, marketing, self-promotion, and self-discovery throughout the year to ensure that all participants have a truly life-changing experience.

Roshini says that she did not enter previously as she was too old to qualify. “This year, they extended the age to up to 55 years. I am now 52 and qualified!” She mentions that she decided to give it a try. “I can only gain by getting out of my comfort zone. By doing this, I also want to encourage women to get out of their comfort zones. This opportunity serves as a platform to actually show women that we all have a God-given strength to survive. God gave us all the same amount of strength, but we don’t tap into it.”

Louis Trichardt Post Office robbed

By Kaizer Nengovhela

The SAPS in Louis Trichardt are investigating an armed robbery at the local post office in Krogh Street on Monday, 6 February.

According to an eyewitness who was present at the time, the post office officials were busy preparing to assist clients when seven men entered the building, pretending to be waiting in line with the rest. Suddenly, one of the suspects pushed to the front and jumped inside the teller’s working area, pointing a gun at the cashier and ordering her to lie down. He ordered the workers to hand him money, while the other suspects pointed guns at the clients.

One of the staff members at the post office told the Zoutpansberger that they were still in shock after the incident and that the management had arranged counselling for the employees.

Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed that the police are on a manhunt for seven suspects who had fled with an undisclosed amount of money. He appealed to anyone with relevant information to contact the nearest police station.

Former SACM deputy director sentenced for fraud and corruption

Court News

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) said they were content with the sentences that were handed down against a former deputy director at the Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Facility (SACM) outside Louis Trichardt, Musiiwa Clement Raphalalani (57), by the Sibasa Regional Court on 31

January.

During 2017, Raphalalani, who was a procurement officer at the facility, connived with his apparent lover, Delicia Sadiki, to award tenders to Vhalenda Zwashu Trading Enterprise without following due process. Raphalalani and his co-accused were arrested during a sting operation by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation members in December 2018. The Hawks’ investigation revealed that Sadiki is a director of Vhalenda Zwashu Trading Enterprise. The company benefitted R10.8 million from these corrupt activities.

Roshini adds that her eyes are not on the crown, but on the journey. “This is not only about beauty, it is about being confident with who you are, even with humps, bumps and cellulite. There are ladies from the age of 26 and only one older than me – aged 53. I cannot compete with a 26-year-old, but everybody brings something with them – I bring my life experience. One should rather compete against yourself, focus on your own goal and have fun! I thoroughly enjoyed the fun so far and made many friends,” says Roshini.

Roshini shares that she was nervous during the interview on Friday. It was also extremely hard for her to answer the question “do you have children?” She had to mention that she only had one son who sadly passed away. “I realised that my situation can still make a difference in someone’s life.”

This year, the casting panel was looking for women who have a keen interest in empowering others, display strong family values, and are passionate about making a difference in their community and the world.

During the coming months, Roshini will be doing all her duties as expected until the 30 finalists are chosen during July. The final event will be in November.

Be sure to follow Roshini’s journey on the Mrs South Africa Instagram and Facebook pages, as well on Roshini’s own Facebook page. To vote for her, like and share or SMS her name to 47587 on the SMS voting line.

Familie en vriende het verlede week met hartseer afskeid geneem van ‘n jarelange inwoner van Louis Trichardt, die 87­jarige oom Koos Fritz, wat op 1 Februarie oorlede is. Hy het tot met sy dood by sy dogter gewoon. Wyle oom Koos word oorleef deur sy dogter Deseré, skoonseun Gerrit en kleinkinders Dihan en Rynard Pretorius. Sy roudiens het op 4 Februarie vanuit die Geloofsbond van Hervormers se kerk in Louis Trichardt plaasgevind. Foto verskaf.

On 20 October 2022, the court found Raphalalani guilty on nine counts of fraud and corruption and the case was postponed to 31 January 2023 for sentencing. During sentencing last week, Raphalalani was sentenced to a fine of R12 000 or three years’ imprisonment on count one; a R15 000 fine or 15 months’ imprisonment on count two; a fine of R20 000 or six years’ imprisonment on count three, a fine of R15 000 or five years’ imprisonment on count four; a fine of R14 000.00 or four years’ imprisonment on count five; a fine of R8 000 or two years’ imprisonment on count six; a fine of R25 000 or seven years’ imprisonment on count 7; a fine of R10 000 or 36 months’ imprisonment on count 8; and a fine of R8 000 or 18 months’ imprisonment on count nine. In total, Raphalalani was fined R120 000 or 32 years’ imprisonment.

The provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Major General Gopz Govender, applauded the investigation team for their sterling work that led to the conviction and sentencing of the accused on numerous counts of fraud and corruption. “I would like to extend my gratitude to the prosecution team and the judiciary for ensuring that justice prevails,” he added.

ZoutieWeather

Louis Trichardt

(Source: http://www.accuweather.com)

KERKE/CHURCHES

• Afrikaanse Protestantse Kerk (LTT)

Tshirululunistraat 28, Sondag 09:00, Tel: 015 516 2272

• Afrikaanse Protestantse Kerk (Musina)

Cass Straat 16, Sondag 09:00, Tel: 015 534 2126

• Agapé Gemeente (LTT)

Sondae: Afrikaanse diens om 08:30 insluitend Peuter-, Kinder- en Tienerbedieninge. Sundays: English service at 10:30 including Toddler-, Children- and Teen Ministries, phone Pastor Chris Mattheus Tel (082 696 2619).

• AGS Louis Trichardt

Munnikstraat 70, Sondae om 09:00, past. J. Wilkins (071 161 9254), J. Victor (073 799 8479), M Struwig (083 400 2511).

• AGS El-Shaddai (Musina) Watsonlaan 17, Sondag 10:00 en 18:00, Past. Boetie Visser, Tel: 015 534 3361 / 084 456 6959

• AGS Levubu

Sien Levubu Christelike Gemeente (Hatfield)

• All Nations for Jesus Christian Centre (LTT) 93 Burger Street (Maranatha Centre), Sunday 09:30 & Wednesday 18:00, Past Benjamin Sithole, Tel 083 532 9492/ 015 516 2275

• Anglican Church / St Marks (LTT)

128 Munnik Street, Sunday 10:30, Rev Robbie Novella, Tel: 015 516

5165

• Baptist Church (Musina)

Corner of Whyte & Limpopo Street, Sunday 09:30, Rev Paul Richardson, Tel: 015 534 0479 or 082 446 1728

• Baptist Church Baptiste Kerk (LTT)

1st Sunday of the month

Humid; a stray a.m. thundershower.

Tel: 015 534 2085)

• Chapel of Grace Church Sunday 09:00 - 11:00 at Forestry 165 in Louis Trichardt (temporary)/ Siloam/Nzhelele Past Oke Tel 083 461 6455.

• Corpus Christi Christian Church Corner Tarentaal and Tuva Street (Makhado Park, Extension 8), Sunday service 09:30, School of Ministry at 13:30 on Sundays. Pastor

Peter Thovhakale Tel 082 691 9943.

• St Peters Church (LTT)

33 Breda Street, Sunday 09:00, Tel: 083 377 0984 (Iain Purdon), 084

404 0050 (Soekie Bierman)

• Emmanuel Christelike Kerk (LTT)

Koraalboomstraat 3, Sondae 09:00 & 18:00, Jeug Vrydae 19:00, Past. Andries van Heerden, Tel: 015 516 4282 / 083 357 1658

• Evangelies-Gereformeerde Kerk (LTT)

LTT Lodge-saal (Hlangananistraat), Sondagoggend erediens 08:00, kontak ds. Herbie Lyon Tel: 082 906 0288

• Gereformeerde Kerk (LTT)

H/v Anderson & Songozwistraat, Sondag 09:00 en 10:45, leraar ds. Innes Nagel, Tel. 082 701 5602

• Gereformeerde Kerk (Musina) Wilsonlaan 1, Sondag 09:30, Ds. Hannes Lee, Tel 081 043 0910 of 015 534 2253.

• Hervormde Gemeente Louis Trichardt (Musina & Alldays)

H/v Stubbs & Forestryweg, Louis Trichardt, Sondag 08:30, Alldays (09:30 elke tweede Sondag). Kontak dr. B.J. van Wyk by tel. 082 629 9851 vir meer inligting.

• Hervormde Gemeente Zoutpansberg (LTT)

H/v Stubb & Forestry, Elke tweede Sondag om 08:30, Dr. B.J. van Wyk, Tel: 082 828 5711

• Hervormde Kerk Zoutpansberg: Geloofsbond van Hervormde Gemeentes (LTT)

H/v Stubb & Forestry, Sondag 10:15, Ds. Ronel Eckard, Tel 072 122 7956

• Hervormde Kerk (Geloofsbond Musina)

H/v Van Zyl & Celliersstraat, Sondag om 09:00, ds. Eddie Eckard, Tel: 015 534 2519 of 082 958 9095, Kerkkantoor 015 534 2756.

• Lede in Christus Kerk (LTT)

Joubertstraat 29, Sondag oggenddiens 09:30, evangeliediens om 18:00. Past. T. Gilfillan, Tel 082 465 8774

• Lewende Woord Louis Trichardt

Sondag erediens 10:00 te 49 Rissikstraat. Past. Andrew Bezuidenhout (071 078 1631).

• Levubu Christelike Gemeente (Hatfield)

Sondag 09:00 & 18:00, Past. Craig Whitcomb, Tel 015 583 0134 of 084 400 8937

• Methodist Church (LTT) 79 Munnik Street, Sunday 09:00 (English service) 10:00 (Multilingual service), Past. Alan Molyneux, Tel. 082 428 7980.

• NG Kerk (Levubu) Perseel 316, Sondag 08:30, Ds. Petrus Kriel Tel: 015 583 002 / 082

898 2081

• NG Kerk (LTT)

Erasmusstraat 23, Sondae: 09:00 oggenddiens & kinder- en kleuterkerk; 10:15 kategese; 11:00 Soekmekaar (1 x pm); 11:00

Waterpoort en Bandelierkop (1x pm); en 14:00 Kutama Sinthumule

Gevangenis; ds. Jan Pretorius (079 881 9673), ds. Corné Burger (073 759 0451), Kerkkantoor 015 516 3902.

• NG Kerk Soutpansberg (LTT)

H/v Stubbs & Andersonstraat, Sondag 09:00, ds. Etienne van Staden (083 274 3227), Kerkkantoor 079 116 1700.

• NG Kerk (Musina)

Ds. Henricostraat, Sondag 09:00, ds. André van Rooyen, Tel: 082 468 7640 / E-pos: ngkmsa@lantic.net of alvanrooyen@gmail.com

• New Covenant Kerk/Church (LTT)

115 Krogh Street, Sondag 09:00 en 18:30, Louis Trichardt, André van Niekerk, Tel 015 516 5305 or 082 926 7313.

• Ou Apostoliese Kerk van SA (LTT)

Kroghstraat, Sondagdienste 09:00 tot 10:00 en aanddiens 17:00 tot 18:00, Priester JJ Janse van Rensburg, Tel. 072 544 7505.

• Reformed Church Songozwi

Corner of Songozwi and Anderson Street, Louis Trichardt, Sunday

11:00, Rev Paul Mushayabasa (076 860 0669)

• PPK Bet-El Gemeente (LTT)

Rissikstraat 50. Sondag: 09:00 Hoofdiens & Kinderkerk, 17:00

Connect Groups. Vrydae 19:00 Jeug. Past Anthony Hees 084 418

3803.

• Sewendedag-adventiste (LTT)

Groblerstraat, Saterdag 09:00 en 11:00, leraar Johan Steyn, Tel 082

372 7362

• Sewendedag-adventiste (Musina)

H/v Turner & Whytestraat, Saterdag 11:00, Marguerite Sindon & Marietjie Diener, Tel: 015 534 3240 / 082 358 2526

• Volle Evangelie Kerk (LTT)

H/v Rissik & Burgersraat, Sondae 09:00 & 17:00, Past. Philip de

Jager, Tel: 015 516 0758 / 071 674

Deurlopend

Ondersteuningsgroep

Elke Maandag om 17:30 vind ‘n byeenkoms van die Christelike Ondersteuningsgroep vir alkoholen dwelmafhanklikes plaas.

Die vergadering is in die Jesus Kroon lokaal by die NG Kerk Louis Trichardt-gemeente.

Alhoewel die byeenkoms by die NG-kerk aangebied word, is persone van enige denominasie welkom. Vir meer inligting skakel Johan by 064 682 9725, Friede by 082 657 8602 of ds. Jan by 079 881 9673

Soutpansberg Kofukan Karateklub

Die Soutpansberg Kofukan Karateklub oefen elke Woensdag vanaf 18:00 tot 20:00 by die Emmanuel Christian School net buite Louis Trichardt. Die klub se Musina-tak oefen Maandae ook vanaf 18:00 tot 20:00. Vir meer inligting, skakel Tommy by tel. 083 346 6600.

Friday, 10 February High: 26oC Low: 19oC

Cloudy, a thunderstorm; humid.