CAPE TOWN ADVERTISER

City of Cape Town bids new R145m electricity switching station

■ CAPE TOWN

On May 4, 2023, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Councillor Beverley van Reenen, and officials in the Energy Directorate visited the new switchingstation.‘TheMorgen Gronde electricity switching station in the Brackengate Business Park is a 132 kV station and is built in close proximity to the Eskom electricity substation in the area 'This R145 million switching station will enable much-needed upgrades to the currently constrained networks in the surrounding areas of Bellville and Oakdale It will assist in enabling reliable supply to residents, businesses, and a number of large power users in Brackenfell Our teams and contractors commenced construction on site in early 2021, and we are pleased to

see this switching station nearingcompletion.'Thisisan example of the city’s commitment to providing reliable and adequate electricity supply and to investing in the electricity needsofa growing metro The City will continue to invest in its critical electricity infrastructure that will provide reliable supply and services to residents and businesses across the metro ‘InFebruary this year,theCity launched a R120 billion infrastructure portfolio. As part of this portfolio, Cape Town will spend about R1 billion a year on electricity infrastructure between now and 2028. Almost 60% of this outlay is earmarked to expand and strengthen our grid and medium voltage infrastructure,"saidCouncillor VanReenen.

Kidnapped Cape Town woman rescued by police task team

A woman allegedly abducted from her workplaceon Friday has been reunited with her family after Western Cape policetracedherandarrested five suspects. Brig. Novela Potelwa said this was due to the concerted efforts of a multidisciplinary provincial anti-kidnapping task force The Welgemoed woman was foundatahouseinMfulenion Tuesday afternoon, June 6, 2023 "The 31-year-old woman was kidnapped at Parow Industria on the eveningofJune2aftersheleft a family business where she works Her vehicle was later discovered abandoned at NY 99 in Gugulethu," Potelwa

said. The alarm was sounded aftershefailedtoreturnhome from work "The task team comprising organised crime investigators, crime intelligence, the Hawks, special task force members, hostage negotiators, the City of Cape Town, and the crime scene investigation team has been hard at work pursuing leads using several investigative techniques since the kidnapping was reported "The arrested suspects, between the ages of 25 and 32,face kidnapping, hijacking, human trafficking, and extortion charges They are expected toappearincourtin duecourse."

Photo: SABC News

■ CAPE TOWN

Photo: City of Cape Town

Curro Durbanville High School boys played Westerford High School

The Curro Durbanville High School boys played Westerford High School away and managed to achieve the following results: Their under-14 boys won 1-0, our under-16 boys won 6-0, the under-19B boys won 3-1, and their first team boys won 6-1 The girls played against St. Cyprians at home and unfortunately lost every game. The under-14 girls lost 11-0, the under-16 girls lost 11-0, and the first team girls lost3-0 26May:Owingtothe illness within the school, we were only able to play two

Photo: Curro Durbanville High School

matches this past Friday Their girls played against Durbanville High School at home The under-14 girls lost 16-0, and the first team girls lost3-1 Theseresultsdidnot, however, dull the spirits Their very own Carah Kotze (Grade 12) was awarded her 100th cap. "We thoroughly enjoyed celebrating this moment with her" The moment was slightly bittersweet, as it was Coach Darryl’s last game with us before he undertakes his new adventureatGrantleigh

‘SURVIVOR’ SE NICOLE:

“EK WIL STEREOTIPES MET MY TITEL HELP BESTRY…”

‘Survivor’ se Nicole wil stereotipes as Mej. SA help bestry

ARTIKEL DEUR: MAROELA MEDIA

Nicole Eksteen is goed bewus van die stereotipiese boksies waarin die samelewing haar nog haar hele lewe lank probeer plaas; dié van ʼn “klein, blonde poppie” Maar of sy nou taai uitdagings in tekkies op die strande van Survivor trotseer, of in hakke op die uitdunrondtes van die Mej SuidAfrikaskoonheidskompetisie pronk, wil dié vurige blondekop aanhou om oppervlakkige beelde wat aan vroue vaskleef, af te breek Sy wil boonop vir Suid-Afrikaners herinner dat klein botteltjies groot gif kan bevat “Ek voel ons as vroue is so veerkragtig en veelsydig en het baie meer diepte as net ons voorkoms Een van my grootste doelwitte is om daardie boodskap uit te straal,” vertel sy aan Maroela Media oor haar plek onder die top-30 finaliste in vanjaar se Mej SA-kompetisie Nicole, wat in Januarie vanjaar die jawoord aan haar man, Ryno Eksteen, gegee het, maak ook geskiedenis as een van twee getroude finaliste wat vir die eerste keer in aanmerking vir die Mej SA-titel kan kom nadat die kompetisie hul deelnamereëls in 2022 aangepas het. “Toe die reëls verander het om ma’s en getroude vroue toe te laat, het ek geweet dat ek weer moet probeer Natuurlik sal mense só ʼn verandering

kritiseer, maar dit gee ons nou die kans om ʼn Mej. SA te hê wat meer verteenwoordigend is van die algemene vrou en waarmee meer mense kan vereenselwig Dit is nie genoeg om ʼn mooi, 20-jarige gesiggie met min lewenservaring te wees nie.” Die teleurstelling wat gepaard gaan met groot drome soos dié najaag, ken Nicole goed Sy het reeds in 2021 haar naam in die hoed vir Mej SA gegooi en nie verder as die top-30 gevaar nie In dieselfde jaar het sy egter R1 miljoen in haar sak gesteek as die wenner van Survivor SA: Immunity Island, iets waarvoor sy ook drie keer moes inskryf voordat sy suksesvol was Daarom, glo sy, het dit haar nou die nodige selfvertroue gee om Mej. SA aan te pak “Ek is glad nie senuweeagtig nie Ek geniet uitdagings en ná 39 dae op Survivor voel ek asof ek enigiets kan doen Dit was werklik die moeilikste tyd van my lewe, maar ek het geleer dat waar ʼn mens gewoonlik in jouself begin twyfel as dit moeilik raak, jy dan juis moet besef dat uitdagings jou karakter help vorm ” Sy voeg by dit iets soos Survivor veral ʼn kwesbare ervaring vir vroue is. “Ek is nou veral ewe gemaklik om in die bos met ʼn skoon gesig te baljaar as wat ek dit geniet om myself mooi te maak en grimering te dra Ek wil

veral vir vroue laat besef dat diepte belangriker is as voorkoms, en dat jy jou drome móét najaag om getrou aan jouself te bly ” As ʼn selferkende realis, is sy ook voorbereid sou haar Mej SA-droom weer kortgeknip word “Ek glo vas dat God dinge op jou pad sit wat bedoel is vir jou, en as hierdie nie vir my bedoel is nie, aanvaar ek dit so Ek weet net dat ek is hierdie keer baie meer gerus in myself is en 100% weet wat my boodskap as Mej SA sal wees ” Nicole, wat tans as projekbestuurder van Creatory, ʼn bemarking- en ontwerpagentskap wat in die Paarl gebaseer is, werk, glo ook dat dit belangrik is om ʼn gemeenskap te kweek wat op meer as materialistiese welvaart fokus. “Daar is deesdae soveel eksterne en oppervlakkige faktore wat ons as mense beïnvloed en veroorsaak dat ons met ons identiteite sukkel Vir my gaan dit nie oor wat jy in die lewe het of gekry het nie, maar wat jy daarvan maak ” Sy wil mense ook aanspoor om nie mislukking te vrees nie, maar dit eerder te gebruik om hulle in die lewe aan te spoor “Die Mej SA-titel is net joune vir ʼn jaar, en al kan ek net een vrou in daardie 365 dae inspireer, sal dit vir my ʼn reusevoorreg wees ”

Nicole beskryf ‘Survivor’ as die uitdagendste ervaring van haar lewe. (Foto: Verskaf)

ARTIKEL DEUR: MAROELA MEDIA

Die Demokratiese Alliansie het Woensdag (31 Mei 2023) die “Kom ons eet”-begroting verwerp wat die Thabo Mofutsanyanadistriksmunisipaliteit (Phuthaditjhaba) in die Vrystaat ingedien het Personeel en funksies word bó noodsaaklike dienslewering aan inwoners gestel “Die DA se primêre kommer is opgesluit in die begroting se beduidende toewysings vir spyseniering en geleenthede terwyl noodsaaklike items soos geletterdheidsprogramme, begraafplase en die bekamping van siektes soos cholera en witseerkeel geen finansiering ontvang nie,” sê Bea Campbell-Cloete, DA-raadslid in die munisipaliteit Spyseniering sal die distrik R7 612 624 kos, terwyl R6 500 850 vir geleentheidspromotors begroot is. Tussen 2024 en 2026 beloop salarisse vir werknemers R220 061 041 Die enigste kapitaalprojek wat in die begroting verwag word, is R10 miljoen vir paden brugkonstruksie. “Beloftes word al jare lank gemaak om weer beheer te neem oor noodsaaklike dienste soos water- en kragtoevoer en rioolstelsels Die distrik gaan egter gebuk onder agterstallige skuld aan Eskom en voortdurende watertekorte wat inwoners vir lang periodes

ontneem van dié basiese menseregte.” Campbell-Cloete sê daar was soortgelyke voornemens vir brandweer- en nooddienste, maar nie een van dié verpligtings het gematerialiseer nie

“Brandweerstasies in Warden en Bethlehem verswak en die QwaQwabrandweerstasie het tans slegs een brandbestrydingsvragmotor om verskeie gebiede te bedien Die distrik het die afgelope vyf jaar versuim om ʼn padoudit te doen en paaie in die distrik is vervalle Afvalbestuur en rommelstortingsterreine onder beheer van die plaaslike munisipaliteit het ook ineengestort en begraafplase is ʼn toevlugsoord vir swerwers en misdadigers Daar is geen plan vir langtermynoplossings nie.” Sy sê toerismefasiliteite bestaan nie en daar ekonomiese groei staan stil met ondernemings en fabrieke wat hul deure sluit “Waar die DA regeer, geniet dienslewering en ekonomiese groei voorrang tydens die begrotingsproses Die gemeenskap se behoeftes is die prioriteit Dié party bly verbind daartoe om die munisipaliteit aanspreeklik te hou vir die verantwoordelike gebruik van belastingbetalers se geld ”

Vrystaatmunisipaliteit dien ‘Kom ons eet’- begroting in

R500 000 vir Sassa-funksie terwyl begunstigdes ly

ARTIKEL DEUR: MAROELA MEDIA

Dit blyk dat die Suid-Afrikaanse agentskap vir maatskaplike sekerheid (Sassa) en die minister van maatskaplike ontwikkeling, Lindiwe Zulu, uitgawes as onbelangrik wil afmaak wat spandeer is aan ʼn internasionale Vrouedaggeleentheid vir die Vrystaatse streekskantoor Die geleentheid het op 28 Maart 2023 plaasgevind Bridget Masango, die DA se skaduminister oor maatskaplike ontwikkeling, sê in antwoord op ʼn geskrewe parlementêre vraag van die DA, het die minister onthul dat Sassa meer as R185 000 aan die venue spandeer het, meer as R43 000 vir die klankstelsel en byna R228 000 vir spyseniering ʼn Verdere R32 000 is spandeer aan diensfooie vir die reisagent “Dit is raaiselagtig waarom

Sassa en die minister skynbaar nie wil onthul hoe R1 miljoen vir geskenke spandeer is nie In plaas daarvan om die nodige inligting te verskaf, het hulle eenvoudig gesê dat Sassa in die Vrystaat ‘nie geskenke aangeskaf het uit die begroting van die instansie nie’ ” Die DA het verdere vrae gerig om te bepaal uit watter begroting Sassa die geskenke vir die geleentheid aangeskaf het; die aard van en getal geskenke en wat die uiteindelike koste was “Sedert die DA die skandaal in Mei onthul het, het dit aan die lig gekom dat meer as R500 miljoen die afgelope dekade van Sassa gesteel is. Gevolgebestuur oor dieselfde tydperk was egter minimaal en dit is boonop nie deurlopend gemonitor nie en daar is ook nie verslag gedoen daaroor

nie ” Dit is ook onthul dat die nasionale tesourie R9,162 miljard uit die departement van maatskaplike ontwikkeling heraangewend het, weens die departement se versuim om sy begroting vir 2022/23 te spandeer “Talle begunstigdes van die maatskaplike toelaag moet steeds die klein bietjie geld wat hulle het, mors op vervoer na en van Sassa-kantore om te hoop dat hulle daardie maand betyds betaling sal ontvang Probleme duur ook voort met Sassa- goue kaarte wat verval en die hernuwing van dié kaarte ” Masango sê dit is tyd dat Sassa en die departement begunstigdes prioritiseer. “Die departement se mislukkings het ʼn baie ernstige impak op Suid-Afrika se armste en mees kwesbare burgers ”

Conny Msibi, uitvoerende burgemeester van die Thabo Mofutsanyana-distriksmunisipaliteit (Foto: TeamTMDM/Twitter)

Lindiwe Zulu, minister van maatskaplike ontwikkeling.

(Foto: GCIS)

• The wife and I took a long, leisurely drive out to the country and pulled over to fill up our car's gas tank and tires... She was surprised to see that the station had a fee to fill the tires and asked me, "Why in the world do they charge for AIR?!" I responded, "Inflation."

• One day Max went to see Carl. Carl had a big swollen nose. “Whoa, what happened, Carl?” Max asked. “I sniffed a brose,” Carl replied. “What?” Max said. “There’s no ‘b’ in rose!” Carl replied, “There was in this one!”

Fight like dogs and cats? Not these two!

Helene Haworth from Harrismith wrote: “As its icy cold in Harrismith, Robbie decided to cuddle with Tigger in the garage as not to miss what's going on outside!”

Donation process

World Blood Donor Day

van

nie Hierdie is ons lesers se eie blad waar hulle kan kla, prys, voorstelle maak of menings lug. E.pos ons by editor@veldbrandmediasa.co.za

Donating safe blood means you are committed to participating in a vital community service to improve the quality of life, for patients in need of blood transfusions The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has various measures in place to protect the health and wellbeing of blood donors and patients These measures ensure that our blood supply is among the safest in the world You will be required to complete a Donor Questionnaire The questions are aimed at assessing your health and lifestyle to eliminate any effects that could pose a risk to your health and the health of a recipient This is followed by a one-on-one interview with the nurse who goes through the questions to ensure that the questions are understood and that the donor understands the importance of being honest on the questionnaire Your blood pressure and hemoglobin (iron) levels are checked (The checking of your iron level is done with a small prick to your finger ) If you meet this criteria you may continue, if not you will be deferred When you are comfortable on the chair: We will need to confirm your name, address and date of birth; We examine your arm and place a cuff on your arm to maintain a small amount of pressure during donation (this does not measure blood pressure); We then examine your arm to find a suitable vein and clean it with an antiseptic sponge We will insert a needle in your arm which will collect your blood into a blood bag with your unique number We only use new, sterile needles which are used once and incinerated thereafter. A scale weighs the blood and stops when you have donated 450ml This usually takes between 5-10 minutes In addition to the blood bag donated, 3 small vials of blood will also be collected This is what goes through for testing with the unique number that refers back to the blood donated You should not feel any discomfort or pain If you do, tell a member of staff The needle will be removed and a sterile dressing applied to your arm The blood donation process takes about 30 minutes from start to finish You are requested to lay down for a few minutes once you have donated Remember these tips: Increase your fluid intake for four to six hours after donation Avoid strenuous physical exercise or heavy lifting with the arm used for donating for two hours Do not

smoke for at least half an hour after donation If you feel unwell after making a donation or think you may be coming down with an infection, please contact your donor centre, call our toll free number 0800 119 031 or send an email to customerservice@sanbs.org.za How often should I donate?: You can donate blood every 56 days and we would like donors to commit to regular blood donation This means at least four donations during a two-year period This will assist in ensuring a safe and sufficient blood supply Remember – don’t wait, please DONATE! The universal access to safe blood is the lifeline for the healthcare system of any nation We can all be proud of the dedicated and selfless South Africans who regularly donate their blood to save the lives of thousands of other people every year What can go wrong?: Not much for the vast majority of people the process of giving blood is a simple, trouble-free and a positive experience Blood donors can’t wait for their next donation and feel good knowing that they are saving lives However, a small number of donors may experience some side effects such as: Bruising or a painful arm Dizziness and Fainting; in some very rare cases nerve and tendon injuries may occur Keep in mind that this happens in less than 2% of donors You can be assured that staff is fully trained to recognise and manage all complications related to blood donation Another unintentional consequence of donating blood is iron loss which may lead to or aggravate anemia While most donors are able to easily replace the iron lost during blood donation, some donors struggle to do so This is especially true in females of childbearing age as well as vegetarian donors or any donor who follows a low iron diet Such donors should consider donating less frequently, eating iron rich foods regularly or taking iron supplements What happens to my blood after donation? Less than 5% of blood is used as whole blood (the way you donated it) By separating the other 95% into its components; red blood cells, platelets and plasma, the unit you donated can save up to 3 lives Which is wonderful considering the whole process takes only about 30 minutes Your platelets can be used for a cancer patient, plasma to replace clotting factors in a trauma patient and your red blood cells for patients who needed surgery or suffered complications during childbirth

Coca-Cola Chicken Wings

INGREDIENTS:

1 kg of chicken wings

1/2 liter of coke

4 tablespoons brown sugar

4 tablespoons of soy sauce

1/2 lemon

1 tablespoon mustard

Oregano Salt Pepper

PREPARATION:

1. In a bowl, pour the coke and mix with the sugar, the soy sauce, the juice of half a lemon and a little oregano. Stir well.

2. You heat this mixture in a saucepan, until the sugar has completely dissolved.

3. Grease the oven tray that you are going to use with olive oil and place the chicken wings, which you season with salt and pepper to your personal taste and put in the oven at 150º C and it will gradually brown.

4. When you see that the meat is already golden brown, pour in half of the sauce and let it roast even more, for about 10-15 more minutes.

5. Go checking the level of the sauce, and if it reduces a lot, add a lot more sauce.

6. Remember that you have to turn the chicken wings so that they cook equally on both sides.

Werk gebed?

Help dit om te bid, en het jy al klinkklare bewyse daarvan gesien dat dit "werk"? Sien jy daagliks die uitkomste van jou gebede? Of het jy ook al kliphard gebid vir 'n posisie waarvoor jy aansoek gedoen het, net om teleurgesteld te hoor dat jy onsuksesvol was? En vir siektes? Het jy al saam met hordes mense aan 'n gebedsketting deelgeneem vir iemand se genesing, toe sterf die persoon? Moet mens spesifieke woorde bid vir spesifieke siektes, anders het dit geen effek nie? Ek het dit al gehoor by mense. Hoekom bid ek drie keer per dag voor 'n ete en nie net sommer vanoggend vir al die etes nie? Hoekom bid ek gewoonlik nie voor ek 'n beskuitjie in my koffie doop nie? Moet ek op 'n gebedsreis na 'n spesifieke land toe gaan en daar gaan bid (teen enorme koste), of kan ek sommer tuis bid? Raak die gebed se krag minder met afstand? En wat van daai ou bederfie wat ek graag vir myself wil gun? Mag ek bid vir daardie nuwe vuurwa wat ek begeer? En wat van Jesus toe Hy in die tuin gaan bid het dat die Vader daardie bitter beker by Hom moes laat verbygaan? Hy is dan self God, en Hy het mos geweet hoe die raadsplan uiteengesit was Is ons enigsins beter af in die lewe as die ongelowige wat lankal ophou bid het? Word ons meer gesond as hulle? En wat van hierdie klein goedjies waarvoor ons bid? Gryp die Here in op mikro-bestuurs vlak? Reageer Hy elke keer onmiddellik as ek "nitty-gritty" goed vra? En so sal die ongelowige jou probeer vasvra, en my antwoord is eenvoudig: ek neem nie deel aan hierdie sinnelose is/is nie argumente nie Ek hoef niks aan niemand te bewys nie en ek is sekerlik nie geïnteresseerd daarin om te kyk wie die meeste punte in 'n argument te behaal nie Baie van my gebede is dalk net uit gewoonte, maar dis 'n wonderlike gewoonte Baie gebede is nie verhoor soos ek gevra het nie (Goddank), want daar was ander beter uitkomste As jy bid maak jy die Here deel van elke faset van jou lewe, en as jy dankie sê gee jy erkenning aan die hoogste gesag wat in die heelal bestaan As Hy besluit om nie my gebede te verhoor soos ek graag sou wou nie, berus ek baie maklik daarby, want soms sê Hy ja, soms nee, en soms wag Daar gebeur bonatuurlike goed in die geestesrealm as mens bid, en die ongelowiges kan die eenvoudig nie verstaan nie "Die mens wat nie die Gees van God het nie, aanvaar nie die dinge van die Gees van God nie Vir hom is dit onsin " (1Kor 2:14) Maar het ek al die bonatuurlike werking van gebed gesien? Natuurlik!!! Male sonder tal, soos jy ook "Bid gedurig " (1 Tes 5:17)

Die uitkontraktering van emosionele skuld - deur Chris Chameleon

Dit is ʼn kenmerk van wat algemeen as ʼn hedendaagse, moderne beskawing beskou word om dinge uit te kontrakteer Spesialisasie noodsaak dit Tot so min as 100 jaar gelede was dit nog moontlik om ʼn meester van vele nerings te wees, terwyl dit deesdae so te sê onmoontlik is En die rede daarvoor is dat spesialisasie die grense van uitnemendheid na sulke verre uiterstes gedu het, dat vir jou bevoegdheid om enigsins in aanmerking te kom vir die meesterlinie in enige dissipline, verg ʼn toewyding en aanwending van tyd en inspanning wat noodwendig geskied ten koste van gelyke aandag aan ander velde. Vyfhonderd jaar gelede kon ʼn genie soos Leonardo Da Vinci hom meesterlik van sy taak kwyt in ingenieurswese, argitektuur, beeldhouwerk en skilderkuns ʼn Mens kan jou nouliks indink hoe enige persoon in vandag se wêreld die tyd kan hê om in al hierdie rigtings tot die hoogste vlak uit te styg ʼn Verdere nadeel van hedendaagse

Klitsgras

Ek het geen te kort aan drama in my eie lewe nie, maar jy kry nou mos daai meisies wat drama tot 'n hele nuwe vlak toe vat Alles is beter en groter en jy is convinced dis Chuck Norris se sussie want alles wat jy doen het sy natuurlik beter gedoen Totdat sy dit actually moet begin doen dan brand die huisie vinniger af as wat Zuma geld aan nog 'n Nkandla kan bestee En dan is dit mos nou jou skuld want dis te klein of dat te min Maar dis nie die storie wat agterna die rondte in die dorp doen nie Sy's die victim, geslag soos'n gesteelde bees en die stukke daar gelos om deur die aasvoëls stuk vir stuk opgepik te word Mandela is nie 'n match vir haar long walk for freedom nie. Kry tog asseblief net vir Ellen of Oprah op die lyn oor alles wat sy moes deurmaak #stoppiebuswantjysitdiepotmis Klitsie het nuus vir jou Mense gaan luister en saam gesels maar nadat die laaste dop gesluk is, gaan jy nog steeds die een wees wat weer van vooraf jou idee van hoe wonderlik jy is moet verkoop. Kom ons hoop daar is nog 'n sucker wat jou 'n kans gaan gee

Tot volgende week

ARTIKEL DEUR: MAROELA MEDIA

spesialisasie is dat daar juis as gevolg van die enorme toewyding van tyd en inspanning wat deur sodanige uitnemendheid vereis word, ʼn groter kans bestaan vir wesenlike tekortkominge in vele ander fasette van die lewe Die karikatuur van die verstrooide, emosioneel afgeslote professor is in ʼn groot mate ʼn manifestasie van hierdie tekortkoming. En so word ons dan deur hierdie neiging tot spesialisasie genoop om ʼn verskeidenheid aspekte van ons hedendaagse lewe uit te kontrakteer: die skoonmaak van ons huise, die in stand houding van ons tuine, die opvoeding van ons kinders, die voorbereiding van ons etes, ons veiligheid, welstand ensovoorts Hierdie kontrakteurs kom uit die privaatsektor, maar ook, veral vir dinge soos veiligheid en welstand, uit die regering Verantwoordelikheid is mag vanuit die self Hoe meer verantwoordelikheid die individu uitkontrakteer, hoe meer mag vanuit homself staan hy af In beginsel hoef dit nie ʼn probleem te wees nie, maar, soos alle dinge, word dit by oormaat ongewens en selfs gevaarlik Ek het tydens die vele jare wat ek in die buiteland gewerk het, gemerk hoe die burgery se druk op die regerings van Europa om vir hulle meer, omvattender welsyn te bewerkstellig, stelselmatig al hoe meer reëls en regulasies tot gevolg gehad het En ja, reëls en regulasies is noodsaaklik vir ʼn samelewing, want dit fasiliteer die samelewendheid van mense deur die wispelturigheid en uiteenlopendheid van individue te tem deur middel van toegepaste konvensies Vir die wins in orde en voorspelbaarheid is daar egter met elke reël en regulasie die teenprestasie van inperking van denke en handelinge, wat uiteindelik ʼn kreatiewe inperking konstateer Beide is noodsaaklik, die reëlmatige sowel as die kreatiewe, en die balans tussen die twee is die balans tussen onderdrukking en anargie waarvan ʼn oormatige neiging na ieder kant distopies uitspeel Maar die visier van hierdie skrywe rig ek eintlik op ʼn baie spesifieke vorm van uitkontraktering, naamlik die uitkontraktering van skuld Nie finansiële skuld nie, maar emosionele skuld Toe ek nog in die stad gewoon het, het ek gereeld die verskyning waargeneem veral onder juis die individue wat makliker skuld kan verkry en dienste kan uitkontrakteer, naamlik die relatief hoog

opgeleide, hoër middelklas burgery. ʼn Meer bekende voorbeeld is waar ouers vanweë hul professionele spesialisasie die emosionele skuld, voortspruitend uit ʼn gebrek aan teenwoordigheid in hulle kinders se lewens, uitkontrakteer aan vermaaklikheidsdienste, versorgers of die vervaardigers van speelgoed en lekkernye. In hierdie voorbeeld is dit duidelik dat die langtermynseëninge van ouerlike teenwoordigheid, toewyding en aandag, verpand word vir die kortstondige bevrediging van afleidende dopamien-dosisse ʼn Verdere, langtermynverskil tussen die twee fenomene is dat die een bevrediging en versekering broei, terwyl die ander verslawing en onsekerheid kweek ʼn Minder bekende, heimliker voorbeeld, is waar mense inkoop op die propagandaaanslag waarvolgens die hardverworwe verdienste van hul voorouers, wat uiteindelik hul erfenis geword het en soms ook hul eie swaarverworwe lewenswinste, onverdiend en deur middel van sistemiese bevoorregting in hulle skote geval het. Die skuldgevoelens wat spruit uit die inkoop op hierdie propagandatrant, kan vir sulke individue dikwels bemiddel word deur die aankoop van boetedoenings wat toevallig verskaf word deur dieselfde kanale wat die aanvanklike aanslag van stapel gestuur het Hierdie boetedoenings vra dat die intekenare hulle tradisies ontsê, hulle erfenis versmaai, hulle so luidkeels as moontlik uitspreek teen hulle voorouers se waardes en die pogings van hulle gemeenskappe om hul tradisies, erfenis en voorouers te eer en in stand te hou, sonder gesprekvoering of debat af te maak as verkrampte ekstremisme Die bonus van hierdie boetedoenings is dat dit geen wesenlike belegging buiten napratery en smadelikheid verg nie Die langtermynnadeel is egter dat dit die torings van hul huidige werksaamhede laat ineenstort bo-op die vergruisde fondasies, ʼn proses wat egter so lank duur om te vergestalt dat die skade daarvan na alle waarskynlikheid eers in die volgende geslagte beleef sal word Want skuld, in die materiële wêreld sowel as die emosionele, is presies dit: ʼn onbetaalde, uitstaande som vir dienste en goedere wat reeds ontvang is, wat tot in die boedel verreken word en teen presies dieselfde insette terugbetaal moet word En met rente, natuurlik

Where does the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB fit in?

Not too long ago, Mercedes-Benz had a fascinating product strategy The Sindelfingen-based brand tried to cover all corners of the premium passenger car market by offering a model bearing the Three-pointed Star in every segment Granted, there were overlaps, but this blanket approach (which is only feasible if you have the vast resources of a large OEM) was a way of keeping its brand ubiquitous The Mercedes-Benz compact range is all-encompassing; the A-Class is the C-segment hatchback, the B-Class targets the few remaining small-MPV fans, while the CLA and AClass sedans appeal to those whose budgets couldn’t quite stretch to the larger and luxurious C-Class The GLA is a popular entry point to the luxury raised-body crossover market, while the GLB is a more off-roaderesque family SUV The 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB is a 5-seater (but is optionally available with a 2-seat 3rd row) and is the biggest of the small crossovers that the brand offers Customers can choose between turbopetrol and -diesel powerplant – the former in combination with front-wheel drive and the latter with all-wheel drive As far as rivals are concerned, if you have R1 million and want a premium small crossover (or “baby luxury SUV”, if you want to call it that) your choices are surprisingly diverse How the 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLB fares in terms of… Design and Packaging: As ever, first impressions count; the Mercedes-Benz GLB’s blocky old school off-roaderlike styling is eye-catching and handsome It may be positioned as one of the brand’s compact models, but the ‘Benz is anything but dinky In fact, thanks to its boxy shape, it offers more cabin space than you may expect The driver’s seat is positioned quite high (for a compact car) and it affords its occupant a commanding view of the road, as well as excellent allround visibility In fact, the ‘Benz’s “big car” feel applies to its entire cabin, which seems as spacious as a significantly larger family SUV Is this really the GLA’s sibling? The GLB offers ample leg- and headroom for all passengers It’s one of few vehicles in which this author (who is 1 92-metres tall) could sit behind the driver’s seat (set to his driving position) with ample room to spare The fact that the ‘Benz can easily accommodate 4 average-sized adults bodes well for occupant comfort on long journeys Cleverly, the rear bench can slide fore and aft to increase comfort further If you want the GLB220d 4Matic Progressive in 7-seater configuration, you’ll have to fork out R20 200 (March 2023) to get a 3rd row, which isn’t an unreasonable premium given the GLB’s pricing structure Bear in mind, however, that the pair of rearmost seats would be suitable for small children only and reduce luggage capacity; we think the GLB works better as a 5-seater with a capacious load bay Ride and Handling: In our experience, Mercedes-Benz’s compact models ride quite firmly,

Mercedes-Benz GLB

The Mercedes-Benz GLB is the largest of the compact models that the Three pointed Star offers in South Africa. The GLB220d 4Matic Progressive offers plenty of space and has a great powerplant, but can the boxy small crossover justify its price tag?

which is perhaps exaggerated by the fact that media evaluation units tend to be specced with AMG Line trim and/or optional larger wheels Customers can specify 19-inch alloys on the Progressive (and go up to 20-inch items on AMG Line versions), but we suggest doing what Mercedes-Benz South Africa did with this GLB unit: stick with the 18-inch wheels; they look fine and their higher-profile tyres (235/55) absorb road imperfections better During the GLB220d 4Matic Progressive’s tenure in our test fleet, its suspension did a reasonable job of soaking bumps on coarse gravel- and uneven asphalt roads, plus its wheels and tyres withstood several pothole impacts Overall, the ride comfort is fair, but there’s still some element of stiffness/sportiness Perhaps consider the “adjustable damping” option (R18 000) – it allows a more pliant suspension setting in Comfort mode, as well as a firm setup when you engage Sport with the Dynamic Select mode selector If you’re looking for an engaging driving experience, the GLB won’t wow you (but, to be fair, none of the ‘Benz’s rivals are fun to pilot) To its credit, the steering setup strikes a good balance between lightness and responsiveness, which help round town, and heft and damping, which feel good on the open road Performance and Efficiency: Under the bonnet of the GLB220d 4Matic Progressive is a 2 0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which produces 140 kW and a generous 400 Nm The 2 0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol in the frontwheel-drive GLB250, in turn, makes 165 kW and 350 Nm, while there’s the option of full electrification with the EQB The 8-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission is mated with ‘Benz’s 4Matic all-wheeldrive system, which cleverly directs torque to the wheels that have the most traction Primarily, the vehicle is front-wheel driven, but the rear axle can be called upon to deliver propulsion in low-grip road conditions Apart from the Comfort, Eco and Sport drive modes, the GLB220d 4Matic Progressive offers an Off-road setting that optimizes traction on loose road surfaces But as handy as all-wheel drive and the Off-road mode are, the ‘Benz doesn’t have generous ground clearance, which makes its underside vulnerable to rock impacts Therefore, it isn’t an off-roader, but it’s well suited to travelling on gravel roads or snow Meanwhile, the ‘Benz’s 2 0litre turbodiesel motor proved rather muscular: not only when accelerating from a standstill, but when overtaking slower vehicles Our test gear confirmed that the GLB dispatched the 0-to-100km/h sprint in just 7 71 sec (close to the claimed figure) Its in-gear performance was even more impressive; that 400 Nm of torque between 1 600 and 2 600 rpm certainly made its presence felt In terms of fuel economy, Mercedes-Benz claims this derivative will consume an average of 5 5 L/100 km, which, given its 60-litre fuel tank, gives the GLB220d 4Matic Progressive a

theoretical range of more than 1 000 km After completing a road trip up the Garden Route, the test unit indicated 5 4 L/100 km, but, following a subsequent stint of urban driving (in severe traffic) the figure climbed to 6 7 L/100 km Overall, the GLB’s turbodiesel engine delivers a great blend of performance and economy, plus it’s an impressively quiet/refined motor Given the excellence of this powertrain, it remains a pity that most brands are bowing to pressure and phasing out their dieselpowered passenger car derivatives Tech and Safety features: Once ensconced in the driver’s seat, you’re greeted by the latest generation of Mercedes-Benz’s all-digital instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen, which combine into the MBUX interface The latter’s menu system is initially a little intimidating, but after some familiarization, it becomes easy to operate If all else fails, just make use of the voicecommand system, which is pleasantly effective “Hey Mercedes, I am hot” is a quick and sure-fire way of getting the climate control to blast you with Arctic air The screens’ displays are pleasingly responsive and feature crisp and modern graphics The instrument cluster’s look is configurable with various different dial colours and themes If there’s one drawback, the steering wheel features those Blackberry-style swipe pads, which are not the most accurate to use At this price point, buyers expect a comprehensive standard features list and, even in stock standard guise, the GLB220d 4Matic Progressive comes equipped with a fair number of comfort, tech and safety features Having said that, there are some optional features that we think you should consider adding Our test unit was fitted with R160 000 worth of additional content and, while it may look like a sparsely equipped vehicle from the outside (due to its standard wheels), the ‘Benz was, in fact, cleverly optioned Leather sports seats with a heating function (R36 000) and the Premium Package (R51 000) were fitted, with the latter including some really useful features such as wireless device charging, a 360-degree parking camera system and built-in navigation, to name but a few of the gizmos Most testers suggested that they’d add adaptive dampers (R18 000) for extra comfort, as well as a panoramic sunroof (R20 100) In terms of safety equipment, the GLB220d 4Matic Progressive has 7 airbags, but you specify a couple more In addition, the vehicle features semi-autonomous emergency braking and traction/stability control as standard If you want blind spot- and lane-tracking assist functions, they’re optional (R13 800) Price & After-sales Support: The Mercedes-Benz GLB range starts from R998 338 and goes all the way to R1 050 287 The vehicle is sold with a 2-year/unlimited kilometer warranty, as well as a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan

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