Zoutpansberger 18 December 2020

Z

outpansberger

18 Desember 2020

News with an independent soul

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Jaargang 36 Vol.50

Thi s i s t he la st ed i t i o n f o r 2 02 0. O u r o f f i c e s h a v e c l o s e d fo r 2 0 2 0 a nd we wi l l o pe n a ga i n o n 4 J a n u a r y 2 02 1. M a y y o u ha v e a b lessed C h r i s tm a s a n d a h a ppy N e w Y e a r

ISSN 2409-2835

Audited Distribution Figures

50

9 772409 283001

Sies Vhembe!

min. Antwoorde van die Makhado Munisipaliteit is eweneens min wat betref die kroniese kragonDie feestyd is in volle swang, maar vir baie derbrekings wat die streeks die afgelope paar is die groot vraag of inwoners van Louis Triweke ervaar het – en dit is nie beurtkrag nie (sien chardt ‘n nat of droë Kersfees gaan hê? Dit het berig hieroor op p.2). egter niks met reën te doen nie.

Hierdie onvermoë van die VDM en Makhado Mens kan maar net die sosiale media platforms Munisipaliteite om dienslewering te verseker ten dophou die afgelope paar weke, en spesifiek die opsigte van hul onderskeie mandate om water, laaste week, om te weet waaroor dit gaan. Inder- riool en krag te voorsien, het Maandag oorgekook daad is dit die Vhembe Distriksmunisipaliteit met ‘n massa protesaksie deur die Zoutpans(VDM) se onvermoë om konstant water aan die berg Community Development Forum (ZCDF), dorp en omstreke te voorsien. “Lyk my ons het inwoners, plaaslike sakelui en self die boerderyvanjaar vroeër droë krane. Gewoonlik het ons gemeenskap (sien berig hieroor op p.2). eers van 20 Desember af geen water gehad nie,” Die afgelope twee weke het talle inwoners, wat het een inwoner gesê. nie die luuksheid van ‘n boorgat het nie, weer vir As daar wel water is, borrel die riool orals uit. dae sonder water gesit. Dit volg nadat die VDM Hoekom dit soms dae, weke en maande vat om op 9 Desember aangekondig het dat ‘n pyp by probleme op te los, weet niemand nie. In gevalle beide pompstasie 2 en 3 gebars het. Inwoners van worstel inwoners nou al jare met spesifieke rioLouis Trichardt en Tshikota se opgewondenheid ollekke. Van die VDM se kant af is die antwoorde met die nuus dat die pype reggemaak is, was Deur Andries van Zyl

egter van korte duur. In die afwesigheid van enige kennisgewing vanaf die VDM het plaaslike DA raadslid Brian du Plooy Saterdag op die Louis Trichardt Water Shedding Facebook-blad laat weet dat die rouwater suiweringsaanleg by die Albasinidam weer onder water is. “Dit sal dinge nog erger maak vir mense wat reeds dae sonder water sit,” het Du Plooy gesê. Teen druktyd was daar steeds inwoners wat gekla het dat hulle nog steeds nie water het nie. Hierdie rouwater suiweringsaanleg was in Augustus vanjaar ook onder water en dit is moeilik om te verstaan waarom dit telkens gebeur. Aangesien die elektriese waterpompe by die aanleg nie gemaak is om onder water te funksioneer nie, moes die pompe teen groot koste vervang of reggemaak word.

Terug na die rioolprobleem. Die DA het die afgelope week twee klagte van rioolbesoedeling by die Groen Skerpioene gelê teen die VDM. Die een was vir die erge rioolprobleem by Grobler-

straat 110 (sien meegaande foto’s) en die tweede van die rioolstorting op die hoek van Stubbs- en Krugerstraat. Laasgenoemde rioolstorting vind al jare plaas en vrese bestaan dat die ondergrondse watertafel in daardie area (in die omgewing van die brug in Stubbsstraat) wat boorgate voed reeds onherstelbaar besoedel is.

Soos genoem is antwoorde van die VDM oor water- en rioolprobleme min of geen. Die koerant se mees onlangse navrae hieroor was reeds op 20 Oktober aan die VDM gerig. Na talle opvolgversoeke om kommentaar te lewer, bly hierdie navrae steeds onbeantwoord. Onder meer wou die koerant weet of die gerugte waar is dat die VDM nie meer geld oor het om instandhouding te doen nie? Ons wou ook weet wat die VDM se totale begroting vir die huidige finansiële jaar beloop en hoeveel daarvan al bestee is.

(Vervolg op p. 2)

‘n Reeks foto’s van die erge rioolstorting by ‘n woning in Groblerstraat, Louis Trichardt. Die probleem is herhaaldelik al by die Vhembe Distriksmunisipaliteit gerapporteer, maar die klagte val blykbaar op dowe ore. Die afgelope week het die Demokratiese Alliansie in Limpopo ‘n klag by die Groen Skerpioene gaan lê teen die distriksmunisipaliteit. Foto’s verskaf.

ZOUTPANSBERGER, 18 DECEMBER 2020

2

Fibre optic trench digging a nightmare for many

By Andries van Zyl

Hundreds of protestors marched to Makhado Local Municipality’s offices in Louis Trichardt on Monday to demand better service delivery. Photo: Bernard Chiguvare.

Hundreds march to demand water, sanitation and proper roads

By GroundUp Hundreds of protestors marched to Makhado Local Municipality’s offices in Louis Trichardt on Monday to demand better service delivery.

Many people were bused in from Madombidzha, about 15km outside Louis Trichardt.

The protesters sang. Some waved placards reading: “Tired of constant electricity interruptions and potholes, we want better roads”, “We demand water” and “We are tired of being taken for granted”.

The protesters demanded a regular supply of clean water, that sewage be fixed timeously and an end to power outages in the Makhado district. They also took issue with the poor conditions of roads across the town as well as infrastructure.

As they marched along Songozwi Street, vendors and stores along the route quickly

closed. One vendor, who asked that her name not be published, said she was afraid the march would turn violent; fortunately, it did not.

The protest was organised by the Zoutpansberg Community Development Forum (ZCDF), an organisation fighting for the rights of communities.

“We have come here to formally raise our grievances with the government, so that they can begin to seriously attend to our issues. On Sunday, we lost lives on the Madombidzha road. We believe it is because of the state of the roads. We would like the government to intervene immediately,” said Patrick Sikhutshi, the ZCDF chairperson. He said that the forum had been interacting with the local government for a long time, but nothing fruitful had come of it.

Tshilidzi Maraga from Tshiozwi village said she was

worried about the inconsistent water supply in her area. She said she had to buy water from other community members who had drilled their own boreholes. “I have a big family (of seven) and it becomes very costly to buy water every time.

A 20-litre container of water is R5 and I use about four or five of those per day. This is really a serious issue, since I am unemployed,” said Maraga.

The group handed over a memorandum, which was signed by councillor Thina Mbedzi from the Vhembe District Municipality and councillor Lindiwe Mogale from the Makhado Municipality.

After signing the memorandum, Mbedzi promised that the Vhembe District (which is the local water authority) would attend to all water grievances. She said the district had plans to solve the water challenges and that all boreholes not functioning would be restored soon.

Since the announcement a couple of weeks ago by the Vuma company that they will start digging trenches for the installation of high-speed fibre optic Internet cables in Louis Trichardt, a feeding frenzy has seemingly erupted between competing fibre optic companies to “get there first” with residents suffering the consequences.

Hundreds of contract workers descended into the streets of Louis Trichardt, digging trenches, hitting waterpipes and power cables and generally messing up residents’ driveways and sidewalk gardens.

Last week the Zoutpansberger asked residents who suffered these damages at the hands of the contractors to give the newspaper a call. “They promised that they will leave it as they found it.

Rubbish!” was the general consensus.

The biggest problem remains: To whom do you report it if a waterpipe or power cable is hit, cutting of supply to your home?

This was exactly the frustration suffered by a resident of Devenish Street who preferred to stay anonymous. After one of the contractors damaged a power cable leading to his home, he was left without electricity for three days. “When I asked the contractor to fix the problem, he said it is the municipality’s responsibility. When I asked the municipality to fix it, they said the contractor must fix it. This is a ridiculous situation!” said the man. Eventually power supply to his home was restored after consultation between the contractor and the municipality. “But I have lost all my food in the fridge and freezer. Who is going to pay for that?” the man wanted to know.

In reaction to a media enquiry about the unacceptable state of affairs, Makhado Municipal spokesperson Mr Louis Bobodi said that they are aware of instances where there are erratic cable damages by the fibre installation contractors. Regarding this he, however, stated that the municipality has an arrangement with the contractors. “We have approved their operations with corrective conditions on damages to our infrastructure,” said Bobodi.

Asked about the frequency of damage to cables, Bobodi said that even though it may only be a few incidents per week, one bulk supply cable that gets damages will unfortunately affect several customers.

As for contractor’s failure to leave things as they found it, Bobodi said that they expect contractors to respect the improvements made on walk and driveways on servitudes. “Contractors are responsible for the restoration of such facil-

ities should their operations happen to disturb such. Peaceful engagements with home-owners of facilities should precede contractors’ trenching activities,” said Bobodi.

One of the major complaints by residents is that the contract workers are not easily recognisable. Residents therefor do not know who the contractor is if they want to pursue “peaceful engagements” as pointed out by Bobodi. This begged the question: How many contractors are at present digging trenches?

“Permission was given to six companies,” said Bobodi. He did not, however, know who they were. “We have also received complaints that related to cables damaged by these contractors for fibre cable installations. We are further meeting with these contractors this week,” Bobodi concluded.

Staff at this company in Devenish Street were told that the contractors would be finished digging and the paving restored within two hours. The paving was eventually only placed back two days later. Photo supplied.

Vhembe-probleme baie, antwoorde min (Vervolg van p. 1) Dit is ‘n feit dat Louis Trichardt se water- en rioolnetwerke nie meer kan byhou met die volumes soos wat die dorp uitbrei nie. Wat dit betref is die VDM gevra of hulle enigsins planne het om dié stelsels op te gradeer? Hulle is ook gevra hoekom hulle so lank neem om waterlekke en rioolstortings wat gerapporteer word aan te spreek?

In die afwesigheid van antwoorde is dit duidelik dat inwoners maar net hoop vir ‘n nat Kersfees wat watervoorsiening betref en droë Kersfees wat riool betref. Intussen kan mens net sê: Sies Vhembe!

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: 086 403 5752 Angela Brennan: 082 902 6271

3

ZOUTPANSBERGER, 18 DESEMBER 2020

“Jy moet nie twee dae laat verby gaan sonder om ‘n slaai te deel nie” Deur Andries van Zyl Die Bybel sê vir ons in Psalm 90 vers 10 dat mens maar 70 jaar, of, as ons baie sterk is, 80 jaar oud word, en in hierdie tyd ken mens baie swaarkry en leed. Hoe wonderlik is dit dan nie dat man en vrou kan terugkyk op 60

This Limpopo traffic officer, by the name of Mr Rabakali, was found stopping vehicles - even trucks - about 4km outside Louis Trichardt on the N1 last Tuesday to help a kitten across the road. Local resident Elizabeth Lemmer and a friend, Dorothy Ditloge, told the Zoutpansberger that they were on their way into town when they saw vehicles and a truck blocking the road. As they looked for the cause of the delay in the traffic flow, they saw a tiny, wild kitten struggling to cross the road and Mr Rabakali patiently helping it along. “He wouldn’t allow vehicles to pass before the kitten had safely crossed the road. This was such a rare thing to see,” Lemmer said. “Mr Rabakali is proof that there is still goodness among us,” she added. Photo supplied.

jaar se getroude lewe en sê dit is elke dag nog lekker.

Hiervan kan oom Peet en tannie Nellie Pretorius getuig. Hulle het op 10 Desember hul 60ste huweliksherdenking gevier het. Die Zoutpansberger het so vinnig by hulle gaan inloer waar hulle ‘n dubbelkamer deel in Ons Tuiste se siekeboeg. Alhoewel die jare wys, met oom Peet ‘n rype 93 jaar oud en tannie Nellie 81, is albei se geheue nog heel vars.

Die jong egpaar Pretorius het mekaar in Vereeniging ontmoet. “Maar ek is eintlik ‘n Suidwester, daar van Stampriet se wêreld,” het oom Peet gesê. Tannie Nellie, wat 21 was toe hulle getroud is, het op haar beurt gesê sy is van Olifantshoek se wêreld. Tannie Nellie was ‘n onderwyseres en oom Peet “die poskantoor se polisieman”.

“Alhoewel ons in jare ‘n paar jaar verskil, verjaar ons ook op dieselfde dag, 1 Mei,” het die egpaar met ‘n glimlag gesê en mens kan duidelik nog die sprankel van liefde in hul oë sien. Oom Peet blyk ook die romantikus te wees en ‘n kranige digter. Met entoesiasme sê hy een van sy gedigte op. Uit die laaste vers daarvan is dit duidelik dat oom Peet-hulle naby aan hulle Here leef. Die versie lui: Maar dan onthou ek ook my Heer dat U o redder my in ‘n grenselose nag, My nooit vergeet en nie verlaat het nie. Dan buig ek laag my God, want U hou wag.

Hierdie gedig, het oom Peet gesê, het hy geskryf as jong man in die Tweede Wêreldoorlog.

“Ek kom nog uit die laaste oorlog uit. Ek was in Italië gestasioneer. Ek was 15 jaar oud toe ek by die weermag aangesluit het en het ná die oorlog my 18de verjaarsdag in Windhoek gevier,” ont­ hou oom Peet. Skertsend voeg hy by dat hy hoop daar is nie meer iets soos ‘n NAT en ‘n SAP nie.

Uit oom Peet en tannie Nellie se huwelik is twee dogters, Fransie en Petro, gebore. “Daar is vier kleinkinders en ‘n hele spul agterkleinkinders,” lag die egpaar.

Die groot vraag wat almal egter altyd vra as

‘n egpaar so ‘n mylpaal in hulle lewe behaal, is: Wat is die geheim van ‘n gelukkig huwelik. Humor blyk duidelik deel te wees daarvan.

“Jy moet nie twee dae laat verby gaan sonder om ‘n slaai te deel nie,” het oom Peet gesê, met tannie Nellie wat lekker saam lag. Op ‘n ernstiger noot het oom Peet egter bygevoeg: “Nee, dit is maar net die Here se genade. Vir ons was dit nie harde werk nie. Ons het mekaar dadelik gevind,” het oom Peet gesê.

Oom Peet en tannie Nellie Pretorius het verlede Donderdag, 10 Desember, hulle 60ste huweliksherdenking gevier. In die agtergrond staan Kittie de Bruin, be­ stuurder van Ons Tuiste Oue­tehuis, waar die egpaar tans ‘n kamer in die siekeboeg deel.

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ZOUTPANSBERGER, 18 DECEMBER 2020

4

It’s Christmas Time Make someone happy with a great Christmas gift

Use this Gift Guide to buy the perfict gifts for your loved ones

Ideas for Christmas presents personal experiences in boarding school, as well as his personal life at home, and are written in the style of a diary. They are ‘wickedly funny’. This whole series costs only R25 and will keep your boy amused for a while, once he starts reading it.

By Denise van Bergen Christmas time can be tough for most of us, for the simple reason that it not only requires a budget of some sorts, but also focus and great imagination to come up with fresh, new ideas for presents - year after year. This year, however, presents an even greater challenge for most of us as our budgets have shrunk significantly, thanks to Covid-19.

Thankfully, I have come to a realisation a long time ago that fits my budget perfectly at any time (even now), and that is that the cost of the presents is less important than the originality behind it. Of course, it helps to know your family to get each one something that will suit their personalities.

As I set out for my Christmas shopping, I came across a few places that I just know I will return to again. For our readers who have not braved this task yet, I would like to share some ideas for Christmas presents again, as Zoutpansberger has been doing for the past few years.

If you and/or your family members are bookworms, you will love the Bookshop in Joubert Street. They have an endless variety of second-hand books, all in good, readable condition, for ages 1 up to 100 at prices so affordable that you can walk out with arms full of reading material on absolutely any topic, for very little. They have compiled a few books from different genres and bound them together in little stacks, which I thought was a brilliant idea. This makes the perfect gift for any age.

Among their selections I found South African author John van de Ruit’s novel, Spud and thought it would make a great gift for a teenage boy. This stack includes the whole series of 4 books starting with Spud (#1), Spud: The Madness Continues (#2), Spud: Learning to Fly (#3) and Spud: Exit, Pursued by a Bear (final of series). The books are about a young boy and his

John van de Ruit’s Spud book paper and put it inside the handbag gift as an set (four books) for extra. They have some very pretty costume jewR25 at the ellery behind the handbag shelf to select from.

- Continues on page 5 Bookshop.

If R25 for a present feels a little too affordable for your conscience and your son loves music, you can always top it up with a pair of headsets.

You can get the Everest JB950 Wireless Stereo Super Bass Headset (Mp3) for R253 at Seisoene.

For mom I found a variety stack of books at the Bookshop, made up of five Afrikaans novels for light, Everest JB950 Wireless Stereo Super easy reading (you Bass Headset (Mp3) for R253 at can choose your Seisoene. own selection).

This specific stack includes P.C. Haarhoff ’s Uit ‘n ander wêreld, Dolf van Niekerk’s Gannavlei, Chris Barnard’s Moerland, Petri Jacobs’s Wanneer die musiek ophou and Jeanne Goosen’s A.O. Daantjie Dromer. These five books also cost a mere R25.

I would definitely top up this gift for mom

coffee and filters to the cup, and some more tasty treats to enjoy with it. This is ideal for those rare moments when she can put her feet up and relax. This special gift will cost you R200.

Seisoene also has gifts to pick and choose from for everyone in the family. Among them is a whole variety of fun, colourful handbags for girls who like to make a (fashion) statement. The Troo Color Handbag costs R240. An interesting idea would be to add a few bangles and a necklace and/or earrings, wrapped in tissue

Coffee Gift Bag for R200 at the Bookshop.

Variety stack of five books for R25 at the Bookshop. with a treat I found among the books at the Bookshop. A Coffee Gift Bag that contains all the paraphernalia she will need to brew herself a steamy cup of homemade filter coffee; from the

BP Filling Station, Pick n Pay Express and Wild Bean Café would like to thank all our clients for your support during 2020. We wish you a blessed Christmas and a prosperous 2021.

Tel: 015 880 1220 • 4 Rissik str.

Louis Trichardt

Troo Color Handbag for R240 at Seisoene.

M AZ DA LOU I S T RI C H ARDT

9 Rissik Street, Louis Trichardt • Tel: 015 516 0405 Fax: 015 516 1886

Merry Christmas to all our customers. May you have a blessed Christmas Season and a Happy New Year.

S U Z U KI M AK H ADO

Address: 9 Rissik Street, Louis Trichardt • Tel: 015 516 0405

ZOUTPANSBERGER, 18 DESEMBER 2020

It’s Christmas Time Make someone happy with a great Christmas gift

5

Use this Gift Guide to buy the perfict gifts for your loved ones

Ideas for Christmas presents - Continues from page 4 Seisoene also has a variety of beautiful paint-by-numbers sets for girls who love art. The Diamond Painting by Numbers Art Set can be purchased for R280. For the adventurous boy, they have a Superhero Collection - all the famous Superheroes under one roof for R70.

Dads/husbands are usually easy to please in terms of presents, and for that reason you can spoil him properly this year without breaking your bank account. Surat has a selection of useful electronics and gadgets, including the Astrum PB100 waterproof Camping Light with 10 000mAh Power Bank and five LED modes for only R379.

If he too loves to have his nose in a book and happens to be into motoring, science, history, engineering and just about every other interesting topic men sit and think about, the Bookshop has a stack made up especially for him. They have put together a set of five books by author, journalist, and writer Jeremy Clarkson (famed as former Top Gear presenter). The selection includes I Know You Got Soul, Born to be Riled, Motorworld, The World According to Clarkson and Clarkson on Cars. His opinionated but humorous tongue-in-cheek writing will definitely provide for good, quality reading for as little as R75 for all five books.

Diamond Painting by Numbers Art Set for R280 at Seisoene.

Superhero Collection for R70 at Seisoene.

Astrum PB100 Waterproof Camping Light with 10 000mAh Power Bank and five LED modes for R379 at Surat.

Last, but not least. For those who want to spoil their furry children over the festive season, I strongly recommend supporting the Louis Trichardt SPCA along the Vondeling Road. They have a selection of gifts for cats and dogs to choose from, as well as some chewable treats to snack on. You can buy a hamper of goodies for your animal for less than R500, and you will be contributing to a very good cause.

Rogz Cuddle Iglo Pod cat bed for R430 at Louis Trichardt SPCA.

Remember to spend wisely this festive season festive season end up applying for credit to get through The National Credit RegJanuary. ulator (NCR) has warned When their applications for people not to indulge in credit are declined by regisimpulsive and spontaneous tered credit providers, due to spending this festive season. unaffordability, they opt for “If you enter January unregistered credit providers unprepared, the month will such as Mashonisas, Skopseem longer compared to pers etc. “Unregistered credit other months. Avoid excesproviders charge consumers sive spending with an aim of exorbitant interest and use unimpressing friends, family or lawful tactics such as retention even strangers,” was the advice of cards and PINs to collect given by Anne-Carien Du their monies,” said Du Plooy.

Plooy, the acting manager of She urged consumers to report education and communication such conduct by unregistered at the NCR. credit providers to the NCR on Du Plooy said in a press re- 0860 627 727 or by sending lease that many people will re- an e-mail to complaints@ncr. ceive their December salaries org.za. mid-month as opposed to the “The COVID-19 pandemic end of the month as is usually has caused financial strain the norm. “This does not mean to many consumers, which that you should spend all of it calls for consumers to save before the end of December. more and spend less,” said Du Bear in mind that the very Plooy. She advised consumers same salary should cater for battling to repay their debts debit orders at the end of to seek assistance by contactDecember and for all Januing their credit providers for ary’s expenses, such as rent, assistance. “If this fails, they food, electricity, transport and should contact registered debt additional expenses such as counsellors for assistance,” school fees, school uniforms, said Du Plooy. She cautioned registration fees, stationery consumers, however, to be etc,” said Du Plooy. wary of debt counsellors who Du Plooy warned that many use misleading marketing consumers who spend without and advertising practices, a proper budget during the particularly on social media Consumer News

And who would say no to biltong?

If you are looking for a more informal gift for someone special, Hanglip Butchery does the tastiest biltong bouquets. They have branches in Makhado Crossing and in Rissik Street. Their biltong bouquets can cost anything from R200 to R500. Orders can be placed in advance and delivered to your door (locally).

Biltong bouquets from R200 to R500 at Hanglip Butchery.

Jeremy Clarkson book set (5 books) for R75 at the Bookshop.

platforms such as Facebook to lure consumers into their businesses. “These advertisements are misleading in nature as they misrepresent the spirit and the objectives of the National Credit Act regarding the provisions of debt counselling as a debt-relief measure,” said Du Plooy. An example of these advertisements is “NCR DC is giving South Africans ‘Extra Cash’ to enjoy by reducing debt interest and protection from repossession of assets.

Free assessment SMS ‘YES’.”

Du Plooy gave the following tips to consumers during these difficult times: * If you have credit life insurance, submit a claim in the event of loss of income, retrenchment, disability or death; * If you get a bonus, count yourself lucky and use it wisely to repay debt and save as you do not know what the future holds; * Do not be tempted by “Sales” and “Specials” in the shops, stick to your budget; and * Always remember that budgeting is crucial; do one and spend wisely!

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6

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, Past. Sampie van Niekerk, Tel: 015 516 3725 or 082 926 9538 • AGS Charisma (LTT) Munnikstraat 70, Sondag 09:00 & 18:00, Past. Leonie Meyfarth (084 219 4406), Tel 015 516 0486 (kerkkantoor) • AGS El-Shaddai (Musina) Watsonlaan 17, Sondag 10:00 en 18:00, Past. Boetie Visser, Tel: 015 534 3361 / 084 456 6959 • AGS Levubu Enkeldoring E21, Sondag 09:00, Past Bennie en Annemarie Malan, Tel 084 277 2081 of 074 625 9942.

• 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 combined morning service (English/Afrikaans) 10:00. Rest of the month English morning service 08:30. Afrikaans morning service 10:00. Evening services combined 18:00. Prayer meeting/Bible study Wednesday 18:00. Ds. Johan Marais 015 516 2714.

• Catholic Church (LTT) Corner Burger & Jeppe Street, Mass times: 1st Sunday 10:00 - 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sunday 17:00, Father Frank Gallagher, Tel: 015 516 0566 / 082 664 1393 (Catholic Church Musina, 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.

Thursday, 17 December

Friday, 18 December

Saturday, 19 December

A morning thunderstorm, shower

A couple of morning showers.

Couple of thunderstorms.

High: 20oC Low: 18oC

High: 22oC Low: 18oC

High: 21oC Low: 18oC

WHAT IS HAPPENING? DESEMBER

18

TEATERPROGRAM

BY BOEKWINKEL

Die Boekwinkel by Die Wawiel op die hoek van Joubert en Kroghstraat bied ‘n vermaaklike teaterprogram oor die vakansietyd aan.

Die filmvertoning in die Boekwinkel se teater het reeds verlede week afgeskop. Op 18 Desember om 14:00 word The Christmas Chronicle vertoon. Om 10:00 die volgende dag (19 Desember) sal die film Christmas in Graceland vertoon word en op 23 Desember om 10:00 en weer om 14:00 die film Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane.

Vir meer inligting, skakel Jeneane Roets by tel. 082 230 3929.

JANUARIE

10

BACK TO SCHOOL RALLY Die Roadhogs

motorfietsklub van Louis Trichardt het inwoners nou reeds herinner aan hulle Back to School Rally op 10 Januarie 2021.

Die rally begin om 10:00 by die Lalapanzi Hotel en toegang is betaalbaar in die vorm van skryfbehoeftes. ‘n Kroegete bestaande uit ‘n biefstuk, eiers en tjips (of Schnitzel en tjips) sal teen R79 te koop wees en sluit ‘n SAB bier in asook bodemlose koffie.

Vir meer inligting, skakel Michael Kock (president) by 083 297 7280 of Peter Meiring (vise-president) by 082 935 4069.

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS

Making a difference for Christmas Despite the festive nature of the December holidays, the season will, unfortunately, again deliver its fair share of drama and trauma, which will once again bring about a shortage of blood. The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has therefore embarked on a campaign to try and stock up as much blood as possible through several blood drives.

One of these blood drives was the Makhado Jail and Bail taking place at the SANBS’s blood donor centre in Louis Trichardt on 9 December. Donors could come and “bail out” their “jailed” friends by donating units of blood. The local “jailbirds” included Anthony Hees from Shammah Ministries, Hendré Labuschagne (Round Table Zoutpansberg 66), Riana Otto (Ladies Circle 4), Peshy Ngudza (Old Mutual), Lawrence Khodobo (SPCA Louis Trichardt), Shantel du Toit (Timbercity), sister Riana Viviers (SANBS), sister Sharon Botha (SANBS) and Hulisani Mathiba (Makhado FM). Pictured is the well-known Lawrence from the local SPCA.

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

• Hervormde Gemeente Louis Trichardt (Musina & Alldays) H/v Stubbs & Forestryweg, Louis Trichardt, Sondag 08:30, Alldays (09:30 elke tweede Sondag). Kontak ds. Susan Oosthuizen 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. Louis Schoeman, Tel: 015 516 0521 / 082 465 8774 • Lewende Woord Louis Trichardt Sondag erediens 10:00 te 49 Rissikstraat. Senior past. Andrew Bezuidenhout (071 078 1631) en past. Jan Wilkins (071 161 9254).

• Levubu Christelike Gemeente (Hatfield) Sondag 09:00 & 18:00, Past. Craig Whitcomb, Tel 015 583 0134 of 084 400 8937 • Lewende Hoop Bedieninge (Louis Trichardt) Plaasgemeente, Sondagdiens 09:30, skakel Susan (076 812 4013) vir meer inligting.

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

Making a difference this festive season. Else Fourie was one of the many local donors who came to support the Jail and Bail blood donor drive on 9 December. Standing with her is nurse Riana Viviers of the SANBS donor centre in Louis Trichardt.

• 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; 08:30 Braambos; 10:30 Soekmekaar; 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) • Shammah Bedieninge / Ministries - PPK (LTT) Rissikstraat 50. Sondag: 09:00 Hoofdiens & Kinderkerk, 17:00 Connect Groups. Vrydae 19:00 Jeug. Past Anthony Hees 060 577 5217 / Kerkkantoor 015 516 4018 • 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 7205 • Volle Evangelie Kerk Ebenhaeser (Musina) H/v Turner & Watsonstraat, Sondag 09:00 & 18:00, Past. Jimmy Venter, Tel: 082 920 4493 • Veritas Gemeenskapskerk (LTT) Groblerstraat 80, Sondae 09:00, dr. Philip Venter, Tel. 083 444 7672

NOODNOMMERS

EMERGENCY NUMBERS LOUIS TRICHARDT • SAPS/SAPD

- 10111/ 015 519 4300 / 083 206 5594 • Ambulance/Ambulans - 015 516 4378 015 516 2395 • Electricity (after hours) - 087 350 2764 • Water (after hours) - 087 350 2764 • Fire Brigade/Brandweer - 015 516 0551 015 516 0554 • Munisipaliteit/Municipality - 015 519 3000 • Hospital (Government) - 015 516 0148 / 9 • Hospital (Private) - 015 516 0720 015 516 6980 • SPB Dorpswag - 082 251 0827

MUSINA • SAPS/SAPD • Ambulance/Ambulans • Fire Brigade/Brandweer • Hospital (Government) • Municipality • Electricity/Water

- 10111 / 015 534 7601 - 10177 / 015 534 0061 - 015 534 0061 - 015 534 0446 / 7 - 015 534 6000 - 083 457 2183

LEVUBU • SAPS/SAPD

- 015 583 7400 015 583 7418 • Municipal and other services (see Louis Trichardt)

WEEKLY DAM LEVELS According to latest available information from the Department WEEKLIKSE of Water Affairs and Forestry as on Monday, 14 December DAMVLAKKE Dams/damme:

14/12/2020 07/12/2020

Albasini Dam Ebenezer Dam Flag Boshielo Dam Glen Alpine Dam Luphephe Dam Middel Letaba Dam Nandoni Dam Nsami Dam Nwanedzi Dam Nzhelele Dam Tzaneen Dam Vondo Dam

68.5% 16.5% 80.7% 5.7% 78.2% 0.7% 93.2% 28.3% 23.2% 62.2% 10.2% 86.3%

# Means latest available data

68.7% 15.6% 81.9% 6.5% 78.3% 0.7% 93.4% 29.5% 29.3% 63.1% 9.5% 85%

SHOWTIMES FRI 18 DEC - THU 24 DEC SHOWS, PRICES & TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE. (*) NO COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS FOR NEW RELEASES FOR ONE WEEK FROM RELEASE DATE UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED

SCAN HERE TO VISIT OUR MOBI SITE

MALL OF THE NORTH HILLSONG CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR A ¸

Ç

WONDER WOMAN 1984 TBA (13) ¸

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Fri: 11:15, 13:30, 15:45, 18:15 Sat: 10:30, 12:45, 15:00, 17:15, 19:30 Sun - Thu: 11:15, 13:30, 15:45, 18:00

Fri, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu: 14:00, 17:30 Sat: 10:00, 14:00, 17:45 Sun: 13:00, 16:30

WONDER WOMAN 1984 (3D) TBA (13) ¸ Ç Fri, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu: 11:00, 14:30, 18:00 Sat: 11:00, 15:00, 19:00 Sun: 10:00, 13:30, 17:00

BIGFOOT FAMILY

PG ¸ Fri, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu: 11:00, 13:30, 16:00, 18:45 Sat: 11:15, 13:45, 16:30, 19:15 Sun: 10:15, 12:45, 15:15, 18:00

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CROODS 2, THE: A NEW AGE PG Ç Fri, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu: 11:45, 15:00, 17:45 Sat: 10:45, 14:15, 17:00, 19:30 Sun: 11:00, 14:15, 17:00

HONEST THIEF

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PG

Fri, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu: 11:00, 13:30, 16:00, 18:45

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Fri, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu: 11:30, 15:15 Sat: 10:15, 15:45 Sun: 10:30, 14:30

BIGFOOT FAMILY

HILLSONG CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

Ç

Ç

WONDER WOMAN 1984 TBA (13)

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A

Sun - Thu: 11:15, 13:30, 15:45, 18:00

MONSTER HUNTER 13

Fri, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu: 11:30, 18:30 Sat: 13:00, 18:45 Sun: 10:45, 17:45

Fri, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu: 14:00, 17:30

WONDER WOMAN 1984 (3D) TBA (13) Ç Fri, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu: 11:00, 14:30, 18:00

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7

ZOUTPANSBERGER, 18 DESEMBER 2020

Sunday, 20 December

Monday, 21 December

Tuesday, 22 December

Wednesday, 23 December

Humid with a thunderstorm.

Humid with a thunderstorm.

A thunderdtorm in spots.

A morning thunderstorm or two.

High: 25oC Low: 17oC

High: 27oC Low: 18oC

High: 29oC Low: 19oC

High: 29oC Low: 21oC

BRIEWE / LETTERS

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

Write to us at PO Box 1680, Louis Trichardt, 0920 / Skryf aan ons te Posbus 1680, Louis Trichardt, 0920 of news@zoutnet.co.za

1 Petrus 1:13-23 etrus probeer om die gelowiges wat oor die wêreld verstrooi is te bemoedig. Hy bemoedig hulle met die wete dat hulle deur God gekies is.

Hulle is deur Christus gereinig en word deur die Heilige Gees daagliks gelei tot heiligmaking.

Daarom kan hulle in hierdie lewe, selfs met al die swaarkry en beproewings, bly wees. Daarom moet hulle te midde van die swaarkry wat hulle beleef daagliks volhard in die geloof.

Petrus gaan dan verder vanaf vers 13 en hy begin die gedeelte met die woordjie “daarom”. Op grond van dit wat hulle nou weet, op grond van dit wat hy hulle tot dusver geleer het, moet hulle verstandelik wakker en nugter wees. Letterlik staan hier: “omgord die lendene van julle verstand”.

Met ander woorde, wees gereed, wees paraat, wees nugter. Tree op in die volle verwagting van God se genade.

Hy beskryf dit dan nog verder. Dit gaan nie net oor jou denke nie, maar jou hele lewe moet van God getuig. Gelowiges moet heilig wees en heilig leef, omdat God self heilig is. Omdat God heilig is, moet ons ook heilig wees.

Die woordjie “heilig” is baie keer vir ons moeilik om te verstaan. Dit is iets wat baie keer verkeerd verstaan word. Wat Petrus hier sê is nie dat die gelowiges hulleself moet beter ag as ander nie. Ook nie dat hulle moet maak en voorgee asof hulle sondeloos is nie. Hulle moet egter lewe in ooreenstemming met dit wat God vir hulle beveel. Later in die boek word in baie meer diepte beskryf wat die gelowiges moet doen, maar hier word dit meer algemeen gestel. Op grond van dit wat hulle weet, moet hulle nie leef soos wat hulle vorige natuurlike neigings en drange was nie. Nie soos wat die oorlewering van hulle voorvaders hulle voorgeskryf het nie. Hierdie dinge is sonder die kennis van God, en dit lei tot ‘n sinlose lewe.

Hoe gelowiges wel moet lewe is soos wat God aan ons openbaar in die Skrif, in Jesus Christus.

Want Christus is die voorbeeld en die inhoud van ons geloof. God se heiligheid moet ons tot ontsag vir Hom beweeg. Nie om vir Hom bang te wees nie, maar om vir Hom lief te wees, om Hom te gehoorsaam. Want, beklemtoon Petrus, ons is verlos. Hierdie verlossing was nie goedkoop nie; dit het duur gekos. Ons is losgekoop deur die kosbare bloed van Jesus Christus - Hy wat die Sondelose Lam was. Die offer van Christus bring ons met ander woorde in die regte verhouding met God, en daarom moet ons hele lewe vir God geleef word. Ons word egter so maklik saamgesleep met die stroom van die wêreld en ons daaglikse lewe word ‘n gejaag na geld, status, en aansien. Tog word ons hier duidelik deur die Woord van die Here, deur die leiding van die Gees, tot stilstand gebring met die vraag: Lewe ons vir God? Dan gaan hierdie oproep van Petrus verder.

Dit gaan nie net oor ons verhouding met God nie, maar ook oor ons verhouding met ons medemens.

Ons moet nou, as gelowiges, met ons naaste op ‘n sekere manier saameef. As ons verbintenis tot God reg is, is daar ‘n outomatiese uitvloeisel na hoe ons teenoor ons broeders en susters leef.

Dan sal ons mekaar innig en opreg, ongeveins en met rein harte liefhê. Die woord van hier gebruik word vir “innig” kan ook vertaal word met “onophoudelik.” Ons moet mekaar onophoudelik liefhê - die tipe liefde wat pas by mense wat ewig deur God liefgehê word. Dit kom dan na vore in die manier waarop ons met mekaar werk, maar ook in die manier waarop ons mekaar bystaan en vir mekaar bid. Daarom moet ons die vraag vra: Bid ons werklik nog vir mekaar? Dra ons nog mekaar se laste? Hier kry ons wel die versekering dat God se ewige werk kan nie uitgewis word nie.

Die werk van God word hier gekontrasteer met die bestaan van die mens, wat maar verwelklik is en soos ‘n veldblom vinnig vergaan. Dan besef ons dat ons as mense maar verganklik is, en dat God ewig is.

- Ds.Hardus Lee (Gereformeerde Kerk Derdepoort)

Hierdie borge en persone het P gholfdag moontlik gemaak Die organiseerders van Laerskool Messina se gholfdag op 28 November, as deel van die Graad 7-fondsinsamelingsprojek, skryf:

H

iermee wil ons graag baie dankie sê vir almal wat ons gholfdag bygewoon het, en vir ons borge. Sonder julle hulp kon ons nie so ‘n wonderlike dag aangebied het nie.

Wheelchair for young man who loses leg Residents of the Soutpansberg showed once again that they are a caring community. Through the help of Ladies Circle 4 (LC4) and the Louis Trichardt Rotary Club, they were able to assist the young Corrie Dercksen with a wheelchair. Corrie’s right leg had to be amputated just above the knee recently after complications from an injury. The family thanked the two charity organisations for the goodwill displayed. At present, Corrie’s family are in the process of establishing a trust fund to raise money for his future medical costs and prosthesis. Pictured from left to right are Cherise Hamman (LC4 treasurer), Corrie, and Riana Otto (LC4 chair). Photo supplied.

Dank gaan aan die volgende persone en borge: Magnus Crossberg van Rugby Skills Development vir die hulp met Phillip Snyman om hom deel te maak van ons gholfdag; die Messina Gholfklub vir die gebruik van hul fasiliteite; elke Graad 7 ouer vir julle hulp en bystand (ons het regtig baie goed gedoen in die moeilike tyd); Messina Toyota; M Pak; Maroi Boerdery; Bonded Wear House; Buffalo Ridge Spur; Messina Apteek; die Mediese Sentrum; Groenewald Elektries; NFA Blouster Musina; CAC; Boabab Grill House; Inland Tool Hire; Fire Fly Polokwane; Michiel Roos; Managa Safari; Salon Eden; Super Spar Musina; VKB Musina; Musina Motors; ALS Aircons; Calabash Water; PC Worx; King Pie Musina; Chris en Yolandi Bezuidenhout; MAC Transport (Follie van Zyl); Pro-forum; Northern Auto; M&M Textiles; Crooks Corner; Supa Quick; Hi Q; Dunlop; TOPS; Baobab Petroleum; SA Wood Factory; Steyn Steel; Tiger Wheels; Elegant Fuel; Doreen Estate; Limpopo Wildsvleis; Hennco en Marie Bretyenbach; Auto Boys LTT; Jaco Wessels; Sprokies Land; Build it Musina; Talisman Musina; Baobab Spares, Standard Bank; Big 5 Security; Johan Ellis; Raubex; Moses Mashivha; BD Tiles; Japenese Engine and Motor Spares; Thompson’s Motors; Trio Pumps; Noordgrens Landgoed; Jaco en Martie Swarts; Elsie en Hermanus Schoeman; Anneli Kleinhans; Cartrek; Musina Lodge; Thabo Elektries; Jan en Cindy Roos; SmartBrain Musina; Sanet Human; Peet en Tània Bezuidenhout van Tshipise Safari; Christo Vorster, Ri-Jan Fourie en Tielman Erasmus van Sandstone Safaris; Cecil Henry Nel van

Old Rock Safari; Gerhard Minaar van Sheldrake Safaris; Willem en Nadia van Ostrolonia; Hennie Erwee van Henco Boerdery; Freek en Werner Pieterse van Vernon Oil; Johan Verster van Bwanajim Safaris, Blou Bulle Rugby Unie en RSD Rugby Skills Development.

Weereens baie dankie vir die wonderlike ondersteuning.

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:

luandi@zoutnet.co.za anton@zoutnet.co.za anton@zoutnet.co.za http://www.zoutnet.co.za

NEWS / NUUS: News Editor / Nuusredakteur: Andries van Zyl (015) 516 4996/7 Reporter / Verslaggewer Denise van Bergen 072 034 7467 denise@zoutnet.co.za

ASSOCIATION OF

INDEPENDENT PUBLISHERS

ADVERTISING / ADVERTENSIES: George Janse van Rensburg 082 419 2359 Zander Goedhals 064 687 8521 Classified/Legal Notices: (015) 516 4996/7

Audited Distribution Figures

DISTRIBUTION / VERSPREIDING:

The newspaper is distributed by Far North Media Distributors.

Any queries regarding distribution can be directed to George Janse van Rensburg (082 419 2359)

Zoutpansberger publication subscribes to the South African Press Code that prescribes news that is truthful, accurate, fair and balanced. If we don’t live up to the standards set in the Code, please feel free to contact the editor at the numbers provided above. Complaints about advertisements are handled by the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa (ASA). Complaints must be directed to the ASA at Willowview, Burnside Island Office Park, 410 Jan Smuts Avenue, Craighall Park, Johannesburg or PO Box 41555, Craighall, 2024. Fax: (011) 781 1616 E-mail: complaint@asasa.org.za © All rights of reproduction of all articles, advertisements and all other material published in this newspaper are hereby distinctly reserved in compliance with Article 12(7) of the Copyright Act. Alle regte van reproduksie van alle berigte, foto’s, advertensies en alle ander materiaal wat in hierdie koerant gepubliseer word, word hiermee uitdruklik voorbehou ingevolge die bepalings van Artikel 12(7) van die Wet op Outeursregte en wysigings daarvan.

DEPRESSIEF MOEDELOOS DESPERAAT 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

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

Joli

Female

Bailey Male

Maddox Male

Ludwig Male

Dover Male

Jesse Feale

Mia

Female

Lots of cats & kittens

8

ZOUTPANSBERGER, 18 DECEMBER 2020

2020 – The annus horribilis of our time?

By Anton van Zyl

Anton van Zyl, owner/manager of the Zoutnet group of newspapers.

This was the year that started on a high – literally. When the first rays of the sun appeared on the distant horizon, I was making my way up to Uhuru peak, on Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro.

An hour or so later, I proudly posed for a photo in the snow with my two sons next to me.

Our group at the top included Rovha Kharivhe, a dentist from Thohoyandou. Just below us my wife and a very good friend were waiting. From a height of 5 895 metres above sea level we greeted the new year. Things could not be better…

Unfortunately, the year made an about-turn soon after that. On

the way back from Tanzania, some of my luggage was stolen. Perhaps it was already a sign that the stars were misaligned. At the end of March, the world realised that life as we knew it was about to change.

Strangely enough, the world of journalism did not go into limp mode. Probably some of the best journalistic pieces were produced during the lockdown period and in the months after that. The Limpopo Mirror and Zoutpansberger ‘s reporters were doing an absolutely amazing job, reflecting the problems everyday people experienced.

They also reported on the efforts of the amazing people in our community who stood up and extended a helping hand to those in need.

To me, the stories that stood

out the past year are the ones that needed a bit of scratching. In some cases, we had to dig deep to get to the truth and, on occasion, reporters were threatened, but we kept on exposing the anomalies.

The National Lotteries Commission (NLC) came under scrutiny once more, especially for the way funds meant to uplift the poor ended up in seemingly bottomless pits.

In March we wrote about the pit toilet project that the NLC funded to the tune of R10 million. It took us months to try and get to the bottom of this hole of crap (excuse all the puns), but the story just kept on getting more and more depressing.

Money meant to improve the lives of thousands of school children was simply syphoned off by unscrupulous “Lottopreneurs”.

In July we reported on the mysterious R15 million in NLC funding made to the Vyeboom Youth Development NPO since 2017. The members of the NPO denied any knowledge of the funding. When the Mirror started asking questions about this grant, one of its correspondents was threatened. The NLC, in yet another brazen display of arrogance, refused to say where the money had ended up.

That was, however, very far from the end of the saga. In September, we exposed another scam where a non-profit organisation received an R11,37 million lottery grant to build a stadium. The only problem was that the Mdabula Stadium, held up as proof that the money had been well spent, was already built a couple of years earlier. The original funder was the Thulamela Municipality, and from what could be established, most of the NLC grant money had gone missing. As usual, the NLC refused to respond to enquiries.

The continued exposés by the local journalists seemed to have some effect later in the year. At the end of October, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a proclamation authorising the Special Investigating Unit to probe alleged corruption in the National Lotteries Commission. A special team of investigators are currently busy investigating many of the dodgy grants, and two weeks ago, the NLC’s offices were raided. We choose to believe that the wheels of justice are starting to turn at last, thanks to excellent work done by investigative reporters such as Raymond Joseph from GroundUp and, of course, our own reporters.

The struggle for access to information also made the main headlines the past year. In September, a ground-breaking ruling was made

in the Louis Trichardt Magistrate’s Court. The court ruled in favour of the Zoutnet group of newspapers to get access to tender documents of the Makhado Municipality. We filed a PAIA application at the end of 2019 to get more information about a dodgy tender deal. The municipality ignored the process and was eventually told by the court that they should start acting according to what legislation tells them. Of course, since they are not spending their own money, the municipality appealed. This case will become more interesting.

In 2020 we also we reported on the aftermath of the VBS looting.

The acting Venda king (although he objects if he is called by that title) professed his innocence and his willingness to pay back any money owed to the mutual bank. The reality is, however, that the effects of the looting can still be felt. Two of the municipalities that lost hundreds of millions in the scam are plagued by service-delivery problems. Money supposed to improve the lives of ordinary people ended up in flashy cars, mansions, and a helicopter instead of improving infrastructure in poor villages.

The year that was taught us a lot about ourselves. It taught us that, despite a crisis, the corrupt will still steal from the poor. It taught us that we should change our social behaviour, to wear masks and keep a social distance as a matter of urgency. We do not do it to protect ourselves, but to protect those around us. In a crisis, we have to look out for the vulnerable in our community and care for them.

Yes, we do have a lot of bad people in our community, but by far the majority are incredible beings who shone in 2020, in spite of what the world threw at them.

And finally – we lost a lot of loved ones the past year. Among the many obituaries we did, was the one for Wikus Lee. Wikus was the editor when the Mirror was launched in September 1990. He died in September this year, shortly after the Mirror celebrated its 30th birthday with him at the helm.

Perhaps 2020 was our annus horribilis, a year that everyone would want to forget.

Perhaps it was the year that forced us to re-evaluate how we do things and how we view the world around us. The world is fragile. Our businesses and our lives are fragile.

We need to respect it all and we need to appreciate what we have, especially our loved ones.

May you have a blessed festive season and let us prepare for 2021 – because we will make it wonderful.

Geniet die rus, maar bly paraat Kersboodskap Mnr. Fanie Havinga, voorsitter van Soutpansberg Distrikslandbou-unie, het in sy Kersboodskap aan die hele gemeenskap gesê dat die afgelope jaar, soos elke jaar vantevore, hoogte- en laagtepunte opgelewer het. “Tog is ons hier om te bly. Ons sal aanhou en uithou en ook ons lewens en eiendom beskerm,” het Ha­vinga gesê.

Die afgelope jaar het gewys dat hulle kan aanhou en vasbyt te midde van ‘n pandemie, asook onvriendelike Mnr. Fanie Havinga. regerings-

besluite, het Havinga bygevoeg.

“Die boeregemeenskap se onwrikbare geloof in hulle Godgegewe roeping om aan te hou boer, ten spyte van baie struikelblokke, is waarvoor ons staan en bly voortleef.”

Havinga het gewaarsku dat in die feesseisoen, elke lid van die gemeenskap moet onthou dat veiligheid nie gedelegeer kan word nie. Hy het gesê mense moet voorkomend optree aangesien kriminele nie vir wetsgehoorsame, hardwerkende mense ‘n rustyd gun nie.

“Kerstyd is ‘n tyd van rus en vrede, maar nooit moet ons rus om onsself te beveilig nie.”

Ter afsluiting het Havinga almal ‘n geseënde Kersfees en positiewe 2021 toegewens. “In hierdie tyd dank ons die Skepper vir dit wat Hy aan ons toevertrou het, en vra dan ook vir die nodige wysheid dat ons positief sal bly in die komende jaar,” het Havinga gesê.

ZOUTPANSBERGER, 18 DESEMBER 2020

9

ZOUTPANSBERGER, 18 DECEMBER 2020

10

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ZOUTPANSBERGER, 18 DECEMBER 2020

11

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LEGALS H VAN ZYL PROKUREURS VERLORE OF VERNIETIGDE TITELBEWYS Hiermee word kennis gegee dat kragtens die bepalings van Regulasie 68 van die Registrasie van Aktes Wet, 1937, dit die voorneme is om aansoek te doen om die uitreiking van ‘n geser�fiseerde afskrif van Akte van Transport T47703/1986 gepasseer deur MARTHA MARIA NAUDE, iden�teitsnommer: 551209 0084 00 4, Getroud Buite Gemeenskap van Goed Ten gunste van STEPHANUS MARTHINUS ROUX, Iden�teitsnommer: 431121 5011 08 8, Getroud Buite Gemeenskap van Goed, ten aansoek van sekere RESTERENDE GEDEELTE VAN GEDEELTE 26 VAN DIE PLAAS CLOUDEND 279, REGISTRASIE AFDELING L.S., LIMPOPO PROVINSIE, wat verlore geraak het of vernie�g is Alle belanghebbendes wat teen die uitreiking van sodanige afskrif beswaar het, word hierby versoek om dit skri�elik in te dien by die Registrateur van Aktes te LIMPOPO binne twee weke vanaf datum van publikasie van hierdie kennisgewing.

GEDATEER TE LOUIS TRICHARDT OP 14 Desember 2020.

H VAN ZYL PROKUREURS Adres: 136 KROGHSTRAAT, LOUIS TRICHARDT, 0920 E-pos: h.vanzyl@mweb.co. za Kontaknommer: (015) 516-1286

VAN HEERDEN & RUDOLPH ATTORNEYS NOTICE IN TERMS OF SECTION 35 (5) OF ACT 66 OF 1965 No�ce is hereby given that copies of the Liquida�on and Distribu�on account (first and final, unless otherwise stated) in the estate below will be open for the inspec�on of all persons with an interest therein for a period of 21 (Twenty one) days from the date specified or from the date of publica�on hereof, whichever may be the later, at the Magistrates office, Louis Trichardt Estate number: 2305/2017 Surname: SADIE First Names: DAWID JOHANNES en ELSIE HELENA JOHANNA ID Numbers: 5505245149086 / 5708120021087.

Last address: 18 Breda Street, Louis Trichardt, 0920, Magistrate office: Louis Trichardt Master’s Office: Thohoyandou Adver�ser: VAN HEERDEN EN RUDOLPH ATTORNEYS, GSB Building, 24 Devenish Street, Louis Trichardt, 0920, PO Box 246 Louis Trichardt Tel: 015 516 0164/5/6 Fax: 015 516 1091 Docex 1, Louis Trichardt, AND Shop 4, Office GO1, Metropolitan Centre Thohoyandou, 0950 Tel: 015 962 6157 Fax: 015 962 6060 Ref.: DR S RUDOLPH/ Lure�e/25279

Please note that our offices will close on 17 December 2020 and open again on 4 January 2021.

Enjoy your Christmas Season

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ZOUT CLASSIFIEDS

Business owner Muhammad Sumon says business is very bad in Musina this year.

It’s not business as usual in once busy border town

By Bernard Chiguvare Despite the fact that borders are open again for travelling, businesses in Musina are struggling to pick up where they left off before the Covid-19 lockdown period started.

“It doesn’t look as if the borders are opened for Zimbabweans to come into South Africa to do their shopping. December is not usually this quiet,” said Mohammed Sumon, who owns a grocery store.

Sumon is one of many shop owners in Musina who are worried about the lack of customers buying from their shops.

Most of them say that they were hard hit by the lockdown and that business is still not picking up as it should, as most of their customers come from Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe’s borders were opened on 1 December this year, but as a measure to control the spread of the coronavirus, strict travelling requirements were imposed, and

no-one can cross its borders without a negative Covid-19 certificate. This seems to be the heart of the problem for business owners.

“I think both governments (South African and Zimbabwean) should try to reduce the costs for Covid-19 testing. It seems that most of our Zimbabwean customers are struggling to raise the required amount,” said Sumon.

Another business owner, Shiplo Miah, told the Zoutpansberger that if business here continued at the current low rate, he would be forced to relocate to Cape Town, or return to his home country in Bangladesh.

“In all the years I have run a grocery shop, this is the worst year. Customers from Zimbabwe usually flock to Musina for shopping over December. Now look, there is no-one in the shop,” he said worriedly when the Zoutpansberger visited his shop. A single customer was being served. Miah said they used to employ many

people, now they had only two employees.

The Zoutpansberger’s reporter had visited Musina town before the country went into lockdown. Zimbabweans could then be seen everywhere on the streets. Even at one of Musina’s busiest streets, only a few Zimbabweans can now be seen packing their groceries up and waiting for transportation to go back home.

Most of the Zimbabwean shoppers told us that they could not afford to make several trips back and forth in a month anymore. They said it cost them $60US (around R900) in Zimbabwe to test for Covid-19, and they did not have that kind of money.

“I run a small business in Masvingo,” an anonymous Zimbabwean man said. “The Covid-19 test is too much for me. If the (cost of ) tests were reduced, I might make several trips per month to do my shopping in Musina, but as it is, I can come once a month at most.”

TENDER NOTICES

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In terms of section 10 (1) (a) (b) of the MPRDA (Act 28 of 2002), as part of public participation process for the above mentioned project. Interested and Affected Parties (A&IP’s) are invited to raise their views, or any concerns about the intended project to the below address; All Interested & Affected Parties are invited to submit their comments at Tel: 012 643 0266, Email: marvin@manngwe.co.za, wesley@manngwe.co.za or via postal address on Posnet suite 268 Private Bag x 06, Waterkloof, 0145.

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Usually one of the busiest streets in Musina at this time of the year, now almost deserted. The few Zimbabweans who could be seen at the parking bay on Saturday, 12 December, were packing up to go back home.

ZOUTPANSBERGER, 18 DESEMBER 2020

The VBS horror story, now available in book form Mphephu Ramabulana, is especially important. largest asset manager. They were deployed to Whether Ramabulana is part of the royal family VBS to act as watchdogs and make sure that the Perhaps, one day, a movie might be made whom his lawyer, Nkhume Paul Makhavhu, interests of, among others, the government penabout South Africa’s greatest bank heist. described as “clueless as far as business is consion fund’s members were protected. Instead, Some famous Hollywood actors could pocerned”, is debatable. What is clear, however, is they conveniently looked the other way and tentially be roped in to play the roles of the that Ramabulana was used as a gateway to VBS. were well remunerated for this. KPMGs crooked protagonists. I can picture a younger Forest For Ramabulana’s efforts, he received millions in accountants made their lives a lot easier.

Whitaker featuring in the role of Tshifhigratuities. His lawyer, Makhavhu, is said to have What is almost unbelievable is how quickly wa Matodzi, the man whom advocate Terry received over R30 million. the small bank from Vhembe went from near Motau described as the mastermind behind The story of VBS is not a straightforward obscurity to being an international player. the scam. tale of looting. This is not a story of a group When the virtually unknown bank announced Unfortunately, the movie will have no happy of robbers planning a stick-up and speeding in September 2016 that it would give the then ending and be classified as a “horror film”, only away with the President Jato be shown to people to illustrate how easily loot. Reading cob Zuma the people lose respect for money and how greed through the R7,1 million can corrupt even the most likeable of persons. chapters, one he needed The final scene may depict the doors of jail cells quickly sees to finance closing behind the main characters, while the that numerous his Nkandla politicians drive away in their luxury cars to good ideas had debt, very few attend another meeting. been brought people had In October this year, Dewald van Rensburg’s to the table. heard about book, VBS – A dream defrauded, was published Perhaps the VBS. Less than - a must-read for those who can stomach 22 contract-fia year later, chapters of escalating fraud and corruption. nancing that in July 2017, Van Rensburg spends the first few chapters of the bank did a delegation the book setting the background. He goes into was opporfrom VBS and interesting detail of how the “Venda boys” ended tunistic, but Vele flew to up at the (at the time) small VBS Mutual Bank. a gap existed London to This was a group of bright young men, studying in the market meet Dr Alvaat the Rand Afrikaans University (now UJ) in that they ro Sobrinho, the late 1990s. exploited. an Angolan “After graduating … the ‘Venda boys’ parted This gave banker and ways, spreading out to become part of the first them a sniff of reported wave of young black professionals defining the the potential billionaire. The new South Africa. Some went on to do articles to finance plan was for at major firms in order to attain the sought-after large, and Sobrinho to badge of honour of being chartered accounts very lucrative, buy shares in (CAs). Others set out to establish businesses,” he transactions.

Vele and ultiwrites.

The plan to mately launch In less than three years, the lives of these partner with VBS into the young professionals got tied up in the VBS quag- the powerful international mire that seemed to be a life of excessive wealth Nazareth Bapbanking arena. and power. A life where consequences and tist Church For all of accountability waned as the cars became flashier. and create this to happen, In the end, thousands of people lost out, either the Shembe VBS needed directly by losing their stokvel or pension money, Unyazi Bank money - a or indirectly because money meant for service of SA may also constant flow delivery at municipalities was devoured. have worked. of money. The The author clearly had to do a lot of research Unfortubank found VBS - A dream defrauded. Dewald van Rensburg’s book on before starting to write the book. He worked as nately, the this partly in the VBS saga. an investigative reporter for City Press, alongside role players municipalities.

Sipho Masondo, and they broke the story of the did not always go about things in the correct The flow of municipal deposits to the bank was VBS fraud in early 2018. Apart from reading the manner. The old bank was effectively hi-jacked encouraged by powerful politicians such as the voluminous reports and affidavits filed in court, by the newcomers and the culture of “fictitious ANC’s treasurer in Limpopo, Danny Msiza. he interviewed dozens of the role players to try money” started. This entailed Vele Investments’ Between 2015 and 2018, municipal deposits of and reflect their version of events. becoming the majority shareholder in the bank, R3,4 billion and withdrawals of R2,3 billion, Van Rensburg spends a lot of time and effort effectively without paying a cent. involving 20 different local governments, were to explain who the different role players are The “PIC men”, Paul Magula and Ernest Nemade. and how they benefited from VBS. The matter sane, also get a chapter in the book. These two In February 2018, Vele Investments believed is not as straightforward as it may seem. The were supposed to look after the interests of the that it was exploring new heights, with the role of the caretaker king of the Vhavenda, Toni Public Investment Corporation (PIC), Africa’s launch of Vele Financial services. “In a year’s

By Anton van Zyl

12

time, we will not be talking about handling R40 billion, but about handling R300 billion,” said the group’s new CEO, Robert Madzonga.

VBS even tried to get its hands on the funds of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). The biggest “fish”, however, was the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), where the bank hoped to secure a R1 billion deposit.

The only problem was that the ponzi scheme started to crumble. As is the case with ponzi schemes, a continuous supply of money is needed to feed the scheme. With national treasury putting the brakes on municipalities’ spending, feeding the beast became increasingly difficult. Too many people were eating at the trough, which included municipal officials who had to get their bribes and politically connected persons who received millions in loans, most of which were never properly recorded. Money was leaving the bank at a much faster rate than new depositors could be lured.

In March 2018, everything came to an end when the bank was placed under curatorship.

Van Rensburg’s book is a very valuable resource in this instance. He provides a lot of detail as to why the SA Reserve Bank (SARB) acted and the dirty games that were played, which also entailed getting political parties such as the EFF to join the campaign to discredit the SARB. The final chapters will probably play out in real life in the next year or two. Just after the book was published the first jail sentence was handed down. Philip Truter, VBS’s chief financial officer, is already serving part of his ten-year sentence. The other accused are waiting in line for trial. More arrests of the people involved are expected.

VBS - A dream defrauded should be compulsory reading for anyone in the accounting industry and those involved in management. It presents a scary reflection on what happens when board members neglect their responsibilities and gives valuable insight on the extent of the corruption at municipalities, government departments and especially a completely broken party-political system. The checks and balances expected, such as auditors with integrity, are not there.

The story of VBS Mutual Bank is also about how something that was small, precious, and very much a part of the life of the Vhavenda people, was corrupted in a relatively short space of time, mostly because of greed. This caused misery to many poor pensioners and the effect of the looting will be visible in the Vhembe District for many more years to come.

VBS – A dream defrauded is published by Penguin Books and is available at most leading bookstores. Online it retails for around R280 but is currently available on Takealot.com for R189.

TLU SA moedig inwoners aan om kommentaar te lewer oor Onteieningswet bestaande wet is volgens die regering strydig met die transformasiemandaat van die Grondwet.

TLU SA het Suid-Afrikaners aangemoedig om “Ons is teen hierdie wetsontwerp gekant op die wysiging van die bestaande Onteienomdat die definisie vir onteiening daarin ‘n deur ingswet (Wet 63 van 1975) kommentaar te oopmaak vir die regering om enige eiendom van lewer. enige persoon af te neem of te gebruik sonder Die parlementêre portefeuljekomitee vir open- vergoeding,” sê mnr. Henry Geldenhuys, die bare werke en infrastruktuur het einde Novempresident van TLU SA, in ‘n persverkla­ring. ber ‘n voorlegging hieroor goedgekeur wat vir “Suid-Afrikaners - nie net boere nie - moet kommentaar deur die publiek oopgestel is. Die verstaan dat dit nie net grond is wat in gedrang Grondhervorming

is nie. Die regering kan dan ook pensioene, huise en beleggings afneem, aangesien die Grondwet reeds bepaal dat bates nie tot grond beperk is nie.”

Die publiek het nou 60 dae (tot 10 Februarie 2021) geleentheid om op die voorgestelde wetswysiging kommentaar te lewer. TLU SA het ‘n platform* geskep waar Suid-Afrikaners op die wet kan kommentaar lewer. Hierdie kommentaar sal dan ook deel vorm van TLU SA

se mondelinge voorlegging aan die parlement.

“Hierdie wet is ‘n aanslag op private besitreg,” sê Geldenhuys. “Dit is van uiterste belang dat die publiek hulle teenkanting hieroor uitspreek deur deel te neem aan die proses van kommentaar. As privaat besitreg nie meer geld nie, is kommunisme ons voorland,” sê Geldenhuys. *Die platform is beskikbaar by hierdie skakel: https://www.tlu.co.za/onteieningswet/

Uitslae/Results

Soutpansberg Gholfklub

THE

19 th HOLE

Fixtures/Bepalings Opkomende Kompetisie

The newly elected councillor for Musina’s Ward 1, Mashudu Meltah Munzhelele (left), was sworn in on Monday at the municipality’s chambers. She took the oath of office before senior magistrate Willem Guldenhuis (right) while Council Speaker Gilbert Netshisaulu (middle) presided over the council meeting. Munzhelele, who contested the by-election on behalf of the ANC, replaces the late Cllr Gift Phiri, who passed on two months ago. The by-election was held on Wednesday, 9 December. During the by-election, the ANC emerged as winner with a total of 693 votes, followed by the DA with 241 and the EFF with 158 votes.

Datum

Kompetisie

Formaat

25/12/20

Kersdag

-

26/12/20

Welwillendheidsdag

-

BS - Beterbal Stableford, IS - Ind Sta­bleford, BBB - B/bal Bonus Bogey, HS - Houespel, GS - Gekombineerde Stable­ford, 4BA/S - 4Bal Alliansie Stableford, 2B/AS - 2Bal American Scramble, BBM - Beterbal Multiplier, 4 Man Cha Cha Cha

Woensdagspel Datum 09/12/20

Hoofborg Eie reëlings

Naam

Plek

Formaat IS Punte

1

Dion Svoboda

44

2

Kobus Barkhuizen (jr.)

41

3

Kobus van der Goot

uittel 39

4

Flippie Greyling

uittel 39

5

Hercu Snyman

uittel 39

Kerskompetisie Datum 12/12/20 Plek

Hoofborg SPB Gholfklub

Naam

Formaat BB Punte

1

Andre & Damel

49

2

Marius & Erna

48

3

Flappies & Peter

47

4

Maarten & Tinus

46

5

Anton & Bennie

44

13

ZOUTPANSBERGER, 18 DESEMBER 2020

Leon en Heine skitter tydens Africa Strongman 2020 (Vervolg van p.14) “Dit plaas baie stremming op jou lyf en dit maak nie saak hoe hard jy vooraf geoefen het nie, dit gaan jou steeds vang op die einde van die dag,” het Heine gesê.

Heine het aan ses items in die onder 90 kg beginnerskategorie deelgeneem. Hy sê sy gunstelingitem was die Load Race.

Leon is ongelooflik trots op sy kleinneef. “Om op jou eerste kompetisie ‘n derde plek in te palm is beslis nie sleg nie ... Dit was ‘n internasionale kompetisie. Daar was ouens vanoor die hele Afrika kontinent, met ouens van Nigerië, Zambië en selfs ouens van Egipte,” het Leon gesê.

Soos genoem het Leon eweneens goed gedoen. “Hierdie jaar is daar drie ouens wat 40 geword het, so hulle het van die 105 kg pro-klas oorgekom na my klas. Dit was dus hulle eerste keer wat hulle saam met my in die onder 105 kg meestersklas deelgeneem het. Daar is dus nou heelwat meer kompetisie vir my en ek geniet dit,” het Leon gesê.

Volgens Leon het hy dit egter bietjie rustig gevat tydens sy deelname in Rustenburg. “Ek het basies net deur die kompetisie ge-cruise, want ek wou my nie seermaak nie.

Ek het my gespaar vir volgende jaar dat as ek die fondse kan bymekaarkry, ek kan gaan deelneem aan die wêreldkampioenskap,” het Leon gesê. Hy het verwys na die na

Wêreld Sterkmankompetisie wat vanaf 12 tot 14 November 2021 te Daytona Beach in Florida, Amerika, aangebied word. Deelname aan dié kampioenskap geskied slegs op uitnodiging en vir Leon was dit ‘n hoogtepunt in sy loopbaan om in September vanjaar na die kampi­ oenskap uitgenooi te word.

Alhoewel hy dit rustig gevat het tydens die Africa Strongman, het Leon steeds twee van sy afdelings gewen. Hy het ook twee persoonlike bestes opgestel. In die Dead Lift het hy vir die eerste keer 260 kg gelig en in die Apollons Press het hy vir die eerste keer 125 kg bokant sy kop uitgedruk.

Die gogga het egter behoorlik vir Heine gebyt. “Beslis gaan ek aangaan met die sport. Dit is heeltemal iets anders. Die ondersteuning is ongelooflik en die meisies is nêrens so mooi soos by die kompetisies nie,” het Heine skertsend gesê.

Leon en Heine se volgende groot kompetisie is die jaarlikse Arnold Classic in Johannesburg in Mei volgende jaar. “Dit gaan maar moeilik wees, want in Januarie begin ek met offisierskursus. Ek glo egter ons sal genoeg tyd hê om ordentlik voor te berei,” het Heine gesê. Gelukkig beskik die lugmagkollege oor ‘n goed toegeruste gimnasium waar Heine kan oefen. “Oom Leon help tans as my afrigter. As hy volgende jaar ná die wêreldkampioenskap klaarmaak, gaan hy permanent oorvat as my afrigter,” het Heine gesê.

Laerskool Messina het op 28 November hulle jaarlikse gholfdag gehou as deel van die Graad 7’s se fondsinsame­ lingsprojek. Die manspan wat die dag gewen het, was Jannie en Ettienne Koekemoer en Jasper en Juan Coetzee.

Bekende Suid-Afrikaanse rugby- en Blitzbokspeler Phillip Snyman was die eregas tydens die geleentheid. Afgeneem (van links na regs) is Jasper, Juan, Robbie Human (organiseerder) Snyman en Lucinda Vorster (skoolhoof ).

Jannie en Ettienne was afwesig tydens die neem van die foto. Foto verskaf.

Laerskool Messina se onderwyserspan het op 28 November, tydens die skool se jaarlikse gholfdag, as wenner van die onderwysers teen die ouers kompetisie uit die stryd getree. Die wenspan het bestaan uit (voor, van links na regs) Marichelle Geyer, Nicolene Whelan, Elizna Clifford en Maret van Niekerk. Agter staan Robbie Human (organiseerder), Suid-Afrikaanse rugby- en Blitzbokspeler Phillip Snyman en skoolhoof Lucinda Vorster. Foto verskaf.

Leon le Roux stoei met die 140 kg gewig in die Atlas Stone kategorie van die Africa Strongman 2020-kompetisie. Foto verskaf.

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Everyone. Connected Vir die jong Heine de Jager was sy gunsteling item tydens die Africa Strongman-kompetisie die Load Race. Foto verskaf.

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ZOUTPANSBERGER, 18 DECEMBER 2020

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Twee skitter by Africa Strongman Deur Andries van Zyl Meeste inwoners is nou reeds goed bekend met plaaslike kragman Leon Le Roux se prestasies, maar dit blyk dat sy kleinneef, Heine de Jager (jnr.), net so vasberade is om opgang in die sterkman arena te maak. Leon en Heine het die naweek van 5 en 6 Desember deelgeneem aan die Africa Strongman-kompetisie in Rustenburg, waar albei met algehele derde plekke uit die stryd getree het.

Vir die 20-jarige Heine was dit ‘n eerste. Maar hoe het dit gekom dat hierdie oud-leerling van Hoërskool Louis Trichardt ook besluit het om aan sterkmankompetisie te begin deel neem?

“Aan die begin was dit maar om goed te lyk

en fiks te word vir die lugmag,” het Heine aan die Zoutpansberger gesê. Hy is tans besig met opleiding by die lugmag kollege in Pretoria met die doel om ‘n vegvlieënier te word. Sy oom Leon, sy ma Leonie se broer, is reeds etlike jare op Lugmagbasis Makhado gestasioneer.

So twee, drie maande gelede het Leon hom egter genader en gevra of hy nie saam met hom aan sterkmankompetisies wil begin deelneem nie. “Oom Leon is ‘n legend en ek het vir hom gesê ‘Yes, ek is game’,” het Heine gesê.

Leon het vir Heine ‘n oefenprogram gestuur met wenke oor hoe om te oefen. Die eerste kompetisie was egter nie kinderspeletjies nie. “Dit was baie erger as wat ek oorspronklik verwag het. (Vervolg op p.13)

Plaaslike sterkman Leon le Roux (regs) en sy kleinneef Heine de Jager (links) het op 5 en 6 De- Kragman Leon le Roux het ‘n nuwe persoonlike beste opgestel toe hy tydens die Africa Strongsember deelgeneem aan die Africa Strongman 2020-kompetisie en beide derde plekke behaal. man-kompetisie 125 kg bokant sy kop uitgedruk het in die Apollons-kategorie. Hy het ook ‘n Dit was Heine se eerste kompetisie, waarvoor hy slegs twee maande geoefen het. Foto verskaf. persoonlike beste van 260 kg in die Dead Lift opgestel. Foto verskaf.

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