DIHLABENG REKORD

Bethlehem | Clarens | Fouriesburg | Paul Roux

FRIDAY July 31, 2020

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072 757 0514 | editor@rekordmediafs.co.za

425kg dierekos geskenk aan Bethlehem SPCA

Lees artikel op Bladsy 2

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DEADLINE: Thursday 12:00

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Edition: 19/2020

12349 readers every week read the Dihlabeng Rekord!

Pick n Pay donates donates food for 25 in Kgubetswana, Clarens CLARENS: Pick ‘n Pay Sechaba Mall in Bethlehem donated food for 25 families in Clarens. Pick ‘n Pay launched an project called Phaphama where they give back to the community. 25 parcel's worth R200 was donated to the Clarens community. Pick ‘n Pay thanked the community for their continuous support during this trying times.

425kg dierekos geskenk aan Bethlehem SPCA ►Bethlehem SPCA BETHLEHEM: So lyk dit soos 'n massa optrede toe ons vanoggend oopsluit! Wat 'n wonderlike gesig om soveel mense te sien wag voor die hek! Bethlehem SPCA bedank die gesinne van Bethlehem Round Table, wat ons dierekinders vanoggend so lekker kom bederf het. 'n Hele 425kg hondekos, katkos, blikkies kos, komberse en speelgoed vir ons katjies!

Dankie ook vir die lekker "cuddles" wat uitgedeel is tussen al ons viervoete. Die SPCA het tans nog ‘n behoefte aan krag en enige skenking sal waardeer word.

Independent HERBALIFE member Call me for products Bess on 072 400 8103

STEEL STRUCTURES

School feeding scheme to continue during break Learners on the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) should continue going to their respective schools to collect their daily rations during the month-long break, the Free State Department of Education has said. Head of department Tsoarelo Malakoane said in a statement that schools will continue preparing meals throughout the school break which has been ordered to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. “We will prepare meals for the learners even when schools are closed,” he said on Wednesday.

Malakoane urged parents to ensure their children collect their food so that it does not go to waste. “We are deeply concerned that very few learners turn up and this creates fruitless expenditure,” he said. “Hence I am appealing to parents to encourage learners to collect their food.” Close to 600 000 learners drawn from quintile 1-3 schools and some special schools in the province are beneficiaries of the NSNP. All public schools in the country are on a four-week break which is expected to end on August 24. Grade 12 learners are however expected to resume classes on August 3, while Grade 7 learners will report for school a week later on August 10. The phased reopening for other grades is expected to commence from August 24.

| Die gesegde "dinamiet kom in klein botteltjies" is van toepassing op die jong dame. Jy mag haar dalk nie persoonlik ken nie maar elke week sorg die dame dat duisende lesers elke week hulle Rekord koerant per e.pos, whatsApp, Issuu, Instagram, Twitter, en op Facebook kry. Jy ken haar dalk as Violet. Violet werk al 2 jaar by Rekord Media. Sy het hier as 'n intern begin en in twee jaar haar weg oopgewerk om vandag as Bestuurder die kantoor met 'n ferm en regverdige hand te bestuur. Danksy haar inisiatief en harde werk het ons sirkulasie gegroei tot wat dit vandag is. Danksy die stukkie dinamiet se leiding en harde werk spog ons vandag met meer as 94 000 lesers wat elke week ons 31 Digitale koerante lees! Dis om en by 7500 meer lesers as wat ons twee maande terug gehad het! En die week loods ons met trots ons 32ste digitale koerant! Tokologo Rekord sal Boshof en omgewing bedien. En dit beteken nou dat ons ‘n digitale koerant in elke Munisipale distrik in die Vrystaat het! Sonder u die lser en adverteerder en personeel soos Voilet sou dit nie moontlik gewees het nie. Baie dankie vir u getroue ondersteuning!

Groete Gerhard Olivier

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■ Om ons lesers... volledig, betroubaar, objektief en geloofwaardig in te lig oor die nuusgebeure in ons gemeenskap.

■ Ons verbind ons... tot geen politieke party of ideologie nie.

■ Ons streef na... die waarheid, objektiwiteit en die belange van die gemeenskap in ons beriggewing.

■ Ons beywer ons vir... persvryheid, menseregte en die ekonomiese en maatskaplike opheffing van die dorpe waarin ons digitale koerant versprei word.

August is National Organ Donation Awareness Month

Who is TELL? Tell (Transplant Education for Living Legacies) was created with heart, for hearts (and other organs). One of the biggest problems we face in South Africa lies in the process of identifying and referring potential donors.

South Africa already has a shortage of organ donors, and the lack of education around the situation is only making matters more difficult. It is also important to note that in South Africa, the donor’s family has the final say in whether or not organs are permitted to be donated.

What is ORGUST? August is National Organ donation awareness month, and we also know that it is Women’s Month and so, this year we’re linking these two themes to make the conversation more relevant than ever! Here are some fast facts:  Women are more likely to discuss donation, as men reported feeling less informed about organ donation.  Access to treatment for chronic conditions such as renal failure are not equal amongst men and women; women are disadvantaged by discrimination rooted in sociocultural factors.  Women are more likely to donate kidneys for transplantation than to receive them.

Patient Advocates: Two of the three of our TELL founders are speaking from first-hand experience, having received life-saving lung transplants. This not only gives them a second chance at life, but it places them in the unique position to make a difference in the transplant community. We also have a large number of volunteers who are either awaiting a life saving organ transplant or they have received an organ transplant For more information: Tell is more than happy to answer any questions you still have around organ donation. Please email stella.dekock@tell.org.za for more info or contact Stella de Kock on 0827852530

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So 2 jaar of meer gelede ry ek na 'n tawwe dag as redakteur huistoe. Huis is my heimat.

'N redakteur is almal se slaansak, yellow pages, gratis prokureur, sielkundige, tussenganger en sy of haar ore is almal se asblik vir afpak. Iewers moet jy uitsien na jou binnekamer.

Jy word die koerant en die koerant word jy.

In Maraisstraat, Kroonstad, sien ek 'n oom met 'n hark wat die gras, wat uiteindelik gesny is, bymekaar maak. Hy is grys, maar fiks. Op 'n afstand herken ek nie Koos Basson nie.

Toe ek hom, 'n belangrike man destyds ontmoet, het hy 'n rang gehad. Kom ek sê generaal. Hy was bevelvoerder van die gevangenisdiens in Kroonstad. 'n Perfeksionis! Streng!

Ek parkeer sommer aan die verkeerde kant van die pad.

Joernalis-nuuskierigheid laat jou soms "voor op die wa" voorkom. "Kan ek help? " vra ek om die ys te breek. Wat wil iemand met die reste doen? Dalk 'n storie, reken ek so by myself.

Ek wil oom Koos help om die gras op te hark vir sy jong varkies se kooigoed. My fiksheid is minus nul, so ek bied aan om my tuiningenieur 'n blok verder te gaan haal. As ek net twee sakke se gras moes stop, het ek die plasing uit die hospitaal geskryf...

Oom Koos, ook bekend as Rooi Koos, weens sy rooi hare destyds, praat sommer lekker. Sy hande het oumensvlekke en hy is grys. So bietjie rooi by die snor verklap sy rooi hare van destyds. Ek het hom as mooi, jong skakelbeampte van Kroonstad-munisipaliteit in die 90's ontmoet.

Kort en lank in 'n paragraaf. Oom Koos het sy vrou, hul dogter en later hul musikale prokureurseun, Jacques Basson, aan die dood afgestaan.

My traanfontein het ek met jare se eina opgelei om 'in te hou', maar op 'n manier kan ek oom Koos se hartseer sien en sommer net daar in 'n straat vee ek baie trane af. Oom Koos gesels en sy stem kraak ook. Hy is nog 'n man wat 'n wit sakdoek het. "Flip! Waarom het ek die gesig waar almal met gemak kan huil?" vra ek in my binneste.

Oom Koos was 'n streng bevelvoerder van die destydse gevangenisdiens. 'n Statige man. Die mooiste funksies wat ek al ooit bygewoon het was by die destydse A la carte Restaurant by DKD. Vandag is die restaurant net 'n vervalle iets van die 90's. Ek verstout my om te sê geen gevangenes, skuus vandag beskryf as in-proses gerehabiliteerdes of skuus oortreders, word as sjefs opgelei nie.

Onder oom Koos se bevel was 6000 gevangenes en minstens 700 bewaarders. Die terrein was een van die mooiste voorbeelde van hoe 'n staatsdepartement moet funksioneer.

Vandag mag oortreders nie bandiete wees wat terreine onderhou nie. Dis hul, die misdadigers, se grondwetlike reg om geen arbeid te verrig nie, word ek deesdae meegedeel.

Oom Koos boer met varke. Na sy aftrede is dit sy liefde en spesialiteit. Hy is 'n bekende gesig op veilings. Hy wil en moet dit doen om sy kop skoon te hou.

Hy het 'n slag met woorde en ken tekste uit die Bybel waarvan ek net kan droom. Hy is lid van die Volle Evangeliese Kerk in Kroonstad. "Happy clappies" sou ek maklik sê.

"Toe my vrou, my seun en dogter dood is, wou ek moed opgee, maar God het my geroep: ek het 'n doel en dis waarom ek vandag lewe. Ek moet en kan net aanhou," vertel hy. In my binnenste wil ek hom dominee of pastoor roep.

Ek gaan bitter min kerk toe. Die TV-dominee is vir my piekfyn!

Ja, ja die kerk is die hospitaal vir mense wat godsdiens benodig. Preek maar, ek luister...

Oom Koos vee sy trane af. Ek ook. Hy haal sy hoed met sweetvlekke af. Hy vat my hand. Ek plaas myne bo-oor syne.

Hy bid. En ek voel geseën. Ek het 'n doel op aarde. Al voel ek hoe alleen.

Oom Koos, jy en ek kan en wil 'n verskil maak.

My boodskap is eenvoudig. Stop, smell the roses, look and be what you need to be. Give our glory to God (vergewe die Engels- dis geïnspireer).

Just do it! As jy iemand of iets sien, stop and smell the roses.

Vandag is ek en oom Koos goeie vriende. Hy bid enige plek of tyd vir almal se lewens wat saakmaak. Myne, joune, wit, swart, bruin... vir almal. https://www.facebook.com/Kroonstad-Times-368326463896514/

Critical that Public remains focused on health as SA braces itself for COVID-19 peak

By Brigitte Taim After more than 140 days of coronavirus restrictions, including a hard lockdown, South Africans are starting to allow cracks to form in their protective Coronavirus armour as their willpower starts to wane. In recent weeks a surge in snaps and videos of family gatherings, braais with friends, neighbourhood get-togethers and birthday bashes have surfaced on social media – showing signs that South Africans are lowering their guard.

Nicole Jennings, spokesperson for Pharma Dynamics says up until now, the preventative practices of wearing masks, physical distancing and frequent hand sanitising have kept cold and flu viruses at bay. “Influenza cases usually spike around mid to late April in South Africa’s flu season, but to date there has been little sign of it. The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms has also been delayed. However, it is critical that we keep flu cases low to avoid overburdening our already stretched healthcare system as we near the COVID-19 peak.” Jennings cautions that as lockdown rules ease, the public shouldn’t become lax in adhering to health and safety regulations. “By now everyone is experiencing quarantine or social distancing fatigue, and many may be looking for ways to ‘cheat’ as ‘safely’ as possible. In time, people will want to expand the circle of people they see.

Already, parents are allowing their children to ride bikes together with friends and are experimenting with picnics and socially distanced walks, while wearing masks. “People are yearning for some normalcy, but the reality is, the more we mingle – even when wearing masks and social distancing – it increases our risk of infection. “Our response to the easing of the lockdown will largely depend on our individual approaches to risk taking. The more risk-friendly among us, will welcome the newly sanctioned freedoms, whereas those that are more risk-averse will feel cautious about navigating the new normal.

“Keeping ourselves healthy and finding ways to boost our immune system has never been more important.” For those living with a partner or family member that has a compromised immune system or underlying medical conditions, she has the following advice: 1. The first line of defense is to practice good hygiene. Wash your hands well with soap and water, especially before preparing food and after sneezing, coughing or using the bathroom.

2.

Good nutrition from a well-balanced diet is key to a strong immune system. Choose fresh, plant-based foods as much as possible. Frozen fruit and vegetables are also a good choice. At least two thirds of your plate should be filled with

vegetables, whole grains and fruit. The remaining third can be protein from lean animal or plant-based sources. Also try to limit the amount of processed foods you purchase.

3.

If you are unable to follow a well-balanced diet, take a multi-vitamin or an immune-boosting supplement to top you up.

4. If you’re working from home or at the office, take regular breaks – especially if you’re sitting for most of the day. Be sure to stand up and stretch at least every hour. Your body needs the mental and physical time-out.

5.

Stay hydrated by drinking between six and eight glasses of water a day. It will also help reduce cravings for unhealthy food.

6.

Beat stress and anxiety by exercising regularly. Try walking or running outside or any home-based workout – YouTube is a great source for home workout videos.

7. Quit smoking and limit your alcohol intake.

8. End your day with a good night’s sleep. Healthy sleeping habits promote good sleep that is needed to maintain strong immunity.

Should mild cold and flu symptoms arise, Jennings recommends treating it with over-the-counter pain relievers that will help reduce a fever, sore throat and headache.

Antihistamines and decongestant nasal sprays will also reduce nasal congestion, while cough syrups will help to break up phlegm. Drinking plenty of fluids and getting enough rest is also vital.

“The healthier you are and the better you take care of your immune system, the less likely you are to fall ill.” She says if you suspect you may have COVID-19, it’s best to selfquarantine and to contact your GP over the phone first before going to their rooms. “Your doctor will ask you specific questions in order to properly assess you telephonically and then advise whether you should be tested for COVID-19.

“Doctors and other admin staff around the country have been trained to deal with COVID-19 cases and will take the necessary precautions to assist you promptly,” says Jennings.

Never be Discouraged by People: All people do is talk about people. Unfortunately some people will drag your name into the mud by spreading, twisted stories, nasty rumors and plain lies about you.

Others will make up stories, exaggerate your mistakes and falsify facts about your life. Then there are those who will seek to discredit your successes, dishonor your achievements and ignore your accomplishments. Don’t be distracted by all this.

Don’t even be tempted to respond to them; it isn't worth your attention and time. You have better things to do than worry about what people think and say about you. While they waste time talking about you, use your valuable time to better yourself and make a difference in the lives of others. Keep your head high and your eyes and ears above ordinary talk.

Cheap talkers operate on short wave with lots of interference and interruptions. Tune into God Frequency Modulation and all other voices will grow strangely faint.

Some things you just have to let in through one ear and out through the other and move on with your life. https://www.facebook.com/hamilton.jansen

MY DARK VANESSA

by Kate Elizabeth Russell (HarperCollins/ Jonathan Ball) In these times of the revelations of the appetites of the likes of Jeffrey Epstein and the #Me Too campaigns, My Dark Vanessa is a tricksy novel to get your head around.

In 2000 fifteen-year-old boarding school pupil Vanessa Wye has a sexual relationship with her 42-year-old English teacher. She is flattered, excited and convinced that she is in love – and is loved in return. But while she doesn’t believe their relationship is wrong, she’s savvy enough to know it has to be a secret.

The dilemma is: is someone a victim if she doesn’t believe she is one? Even 17 years later, as an adult, she still loves Jacob Strane, and doesn’t think he hurt her. And yet…

The novel interweaves two timelines: the period when Vanessa is at her private boarding school in Maine and goes on to college, and later in her early 30s, when she is working as a concierge in a Portland hotel, drinking a lot and sleeping around; her early promise come to naught.

QUARTER OF A CENTURY As June comes to a close, it also opens up a whole new age for me as I have finally hit the (relatively) big 2-5!

Apparently, this is the part of life where a quarter-life crisis awaits me, and I’m supposed to wallow in a sense of “WTF is my life…”

But the way I see it, this is the part of my life where I’m genuinely entering a new, refreshing and necessary season where I’m not really pressing the reset button, but actively making a change to propel myself into the very clear and bright future I have.

In all honesty, I will say that there are A LOT of moments in my life I wish I had dedicated more time to – the book trilogy I’ve written. That cooking class I wanted to take in 2014. The extra online courses I could have taken. The therapy I needed after getting my heart broken. I had time; I just wish I had used a couple minutes to better use…

But there’s no point crying over spent minutes. Now, as I enter this quarter of a century phase of my life, every second that has contributed to who I am and where I am in life is a second that I don’t think I’d want to change. That’s the beauty of time – it really doesn’t wait for anyone and you have to make the most of whatever time you do you have. And I’ve done a fair amount with the 25 years that I’ve spent on our blue planet.

So, in good old fashion, my birthday this year was one where reflection was the name of the game for the day on 23 June 2020. I’ll be honest, turning 25 is big milestone for me. Apart from what society has constructed the idea of where I should be in my mid-20s, this milestone is big because, while it is yet another turning point towards moving towards the (yet another) big 3-0, this is a time where I’ve chosen to be grateful for 25 years.

For a quarter of a century.

For who I am. For where I’ve been. And for where I’m going.

And for anyone headed towards their own 25th birthday, enjoy the time you have towards getting there. Relish in the growth you have experienced. Learn from the failures that have come your way.

And most of all, be grateful for your quarter of a century.

Love and light,

www.khaliphantloko.blog

WHAT 2020 HAS TAUGHT WE REVIEW THE US ABOUT STREET INSTAX MINI LINK! STYLE. Whether you like it or not, your selfies, photos and other great 2020 thus far has shown us a recession, a pandemic and a horrific racial injustice - 6 months in. The reality is that these traumatic events are highly likely to re-shape the way we consume and express fashion. As history proves, fashion is reactionary. So while we slowly embrace a world of re-opening, it’s unlikely that we will return to ‘normal’ as it once was.

With designers cancelling traditional extravagant fashion reveals for simpler, innovative showcases. One of the major concerns in the industry right now is regarding street style photography and how the lack of could ultimately impact the industry as a whole. *But how?* Many people look to street style photography to anaylze and perceive trends. However, street photography as of recent is largely showcasing group protesting. Perhaps covid-19 could bring about certain change in fashion that promotes a more authentic, seasonless, I’ll-do-itmy-way view on fashion and what’s deemed ‘trendy’.

We know that its now time to think out-side of the fashion week box, out of the editorial reliance box and consider a more natural, authentic street-style.

If anything 2020 has taught us, its that change has arrived whether we were ready or not. www.racksandrails.co.za

shots are all consumed by the likes of mobile phones and digital cameras. Not saying that’s a bad thing, but since the rise of digital photography we’re missing out on one great thing about our pictures. The option to display them in a way that isn’t digital.

Instax by Fujifilm changed that with their range of devices, but have now decided to go full out into wireless image printing with their Mini Link.

The link “links” up to the app on your phone (available on Android or iOS) and makes it easy to get your images out with its high speed Bluetooth connection. Being in charge of perfect photos to display has never been easier!

Being able to print around 100 photos in a single charge means that there’s no need to lug around cables or plugs that take up space on the go. The mini link prints in an average of 12 seconds and makes getting any photo off your phone – easy!

This printer also has the function to create collages and split prints, as well as to print photos from videos. The app has 2 modes – Print Mode and Fun Mode which makes your photos come out in endless options to display in anyway which you choose https://www.gotrend.co.za

RED PEPPER & CHICKEN PASTA INGREDIENTS 350 g chicken breasts 100 g bacon 2 red peppers 100 g cherry tomatoes 1 onion 1 tsp crushed garlic 1 tsp dried oregano 150 ml white wine 300 ml chicken stock 500 ml tomato puree 300 g wholewheat pasta Parmesan cheese olive oil salt & pepper Basil

INSTRUCTIONS Cut chicken breast into bite size pieces and finely chop bacon.

Slice pepper into thin strips and halve the cherry tomatoes.

Finely chop the onion.

Heat olive oil in a large pan over med high heat and fry chicken for about 5 minutes.

Add bacon, onion and pepper and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for another 3 minutes.

Add garlic, oregano and cherry tomatoes. Cook for approximately 3 more minutes, or until liquid has evaporated.

Deglase the pan with white wine, chicken stock and tomato puree, making sure to scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pan into the sauce.

Bring to a boil, then add the uncooked pasta.

Cover and cook over medium heat for around 10 minutes until pasta is cooked but still firm.

Garnish with basil and Parmesan and serve steaming hot! http://www.mammachefjozi.com

WHY READING IS SO IMPORTANT AND HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN MAGICAL LIBRARY One of my fondest childhood memories look a little bit like this‌ All four of us sitting side by side in our blue kombi. Dressed warmly because in Ermelo (where I grew up) –3 degrees are considered normal. The kombi was filled with excitement because we were on our way to the local library. I still don’t know how my Mom did it. I mean just to get my one kid in the car is difficult. She got four of us in the car with utter determination and unknown skills.

Granted my little sister fell on her head once, just when we stopped at the library, but she turned out okay.

Oh by the way that’s my mom (and dad) with their star child. đ&#x;™‚ But here’s the thing, we were so little but we were excited.

About books!? I still remember the smell of the library, the hush-hush atmosphere, and the colourful cushions where we can sit and read. We were allowed to pick two books each and what a great adventure to select our books for the week. I read about princes and princesses and a brave little lion. My favourite? Beauty and the Beast. Oh how I wanted to be Belle in that yellow ball gown‌ (Un) fortunately technology came around and now it’s quite normal to see kids with their noses buried in I-pads rather than books. No judging here, I also hand Minki the I-pad when I really need a moment to regroup. But reading is not something that must be left behind. It is the key to your child academic future. Studies show that reading to babies and toddlers gives them a head start and helps to prepare them for school later down the line. Not to mention set them up for success later in life. A love of reading is a stepping stone to becoming an enthusiastic learner and a confident reader, writer and speaker. With confidence and enthusiasm, children can enjoy a wonderful world of learning and exploration.

A Love of reading starts with one special story‌ www.prettybelle.co.za

CTRL, ALT, DEL! One of the hardest things in life is to let go. I can never fathom how some people do it. But I must say, it’s a need. At times we hold onto things that no longer serve us any good purpose to an extent that it becomes a burden we carry daily. If you resonate with this I have some news for you. Both good and bad. This time I’ll start with the good news. Here it goes: you are a great person and God will continue blessing you abundantly. But I’m gonna burst that bubble before you enjoy it. Holding on to things or people rather that don’t bring any value in your life is what holds us back in most cases. You know that one “friend” and I use the term wisely… That friend that only calls you when they need something? Why are we giving people so much power over us. All in the name of good deeds? I read this powerful quote today that got me thinking. For a second, I started doubting myself. Am I selfish? Am I a bad person? Then I remembered, thinking of yourself less doesn’t mean allowing people to run all over you. It simply means empathizing with other rather. There’s nothing wrong with carefully analyzing the people we bring close to us. They say, keep your circle small. All in the name of avoiding a lot of drama that comes with different people who carry differing views. Here’s a scenario: you have roughly 10 people you feel are dear to heart, enough to call them close friends. All these people want their time. Only to find you can cater for 2 a week. In a cycle of 5 weeks where do you find your own time because when the cycle ends, friend 1 and 2 want to see you all over again? I’ll repeat: KEEP YOUR CIRCLE SMALL. The idea behind this post was to enlighten you a bit about not allowing people to take advantage of you, but because the term friendship comes with so much to bare, I found myself blabbing. Let’s dive into the business of the day. If you feel friendships are starting to drain you, Leave. If you feel people are starting to take you for a fool, Leave. If you think you aren’t wanted in a relationship, it’s time to Leave. Good relations never leave room for doubt. So Control, Alt and Delete. A term used by computer geeks to automatically delete all files/folders without wasting time. In simple terms, it’s a shortcut. Why not use it yourself? Ctrl-Alt-Del all toxic friendships and relationships. No one is worth your time if all they do is waste it. Remember time is the most valuable asset one can have. Because time wasted can never be regained. Even the most powerful man can never invent a time machine that will bring back lost time. So give it to those who cherish it.

More inspiration on www.lolittah.co.za

MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS 1.5 TURBO GLS (2020) REVIEW ►Cars.co.za This is not our first foray with the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross; we've had considerable experience with it already. The derivative you see here, however, is powered by a 1.5-litre 4cylinder turbocharged engine, which we've keenly awaited.

While Mitsubishi has sold quite a few of the naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre derivatives, the Japanese firm has been keen to demonstrate exactly what its new powertrain is capable of. As the engine-downsizing trend continues amid increasingly stricter emissions regulations, adversity has forced innovation – we've encountered impressive compact engines. Granted, some have been a bit limp and thirstier than claimed, so the 1.5 Turbo GLS will have to prove itself.

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is the Japanese brand's take on a compact family car. Like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos, it's one of the larger models in its segment. In an embattled new vehicle market, demand for compact crossovers and SUVs have been resilient and, seeing as downsized forced-induction powerplants are de rigueur at the upper end of the segment, we're hoping to get the full Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross experience thanks to its promising new turbopetrol motor.

If you've had your eye on the Eclipse Cross for a while, but were waiting for this engine to become available, well, it's arguably been worth the wait. Not only is the new powerplant punchier and more responsive than the 2.0-litre, but it's lighter on fuel. It costs R10k more than the all-wheel-drive version of its naturallyaspirated sibling and a full R50 000 more than the front-wheeldrive 2.0 GLS, but in our opinion, it offers a more flexible and satisfying driving experience by comparison. The 1.5 Turbo GLS sits at the upper end of the compact family car market – in the territory of (larger) entry-level family cars – but, in its defence, its standard specification is more comprehensive.

The Mitsubishi's design won't be to everyone's taste, but, like its recently introduced Kia Seltos rival, the Eclipse Cross offers nonconformist appeal. Its performance is willing, yet frugal, it's well made and reasonably refined, plus it's well specified. If the limited luggage capacity is not a deal-breaker, consider adding this vehicle to your shortlist.