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24 January 2014
Bulletin
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Ons Mening
The Message
Vrydag 24 Januarie 2014
Rev Ron Reiners
Nog leuens Nou is die padagentskap wat na Limpopo se hoofpaaie moet omsien, ook uitgevang dat hulle oor hul prestasies en werk gelieg het. Die Ouditeur-generaal het bevind dat daar by die agentskap (Roads Agency Limpopo — RAL) fout is, maar die agentskap se topbestuur het dit op ‘n erg bedrieglike wyse probeer toesmeer. Die regering van Limpopo het by monde van die LUR vir Vervoer gou ingegryp en ‘n forensie ondersoek gelas. Die fiktiewe jaarverslag wat RAL aangebied het, is ook onttrek. Sodra die forensiese ondersoek afgehandel is, sal verdere stappe aangekondig word, maar intussen het die LUR beloof daar sal sterk opgetree word. En dit is wat belastingbetalers verwag: genadelose optrede teen die swetterjoel korrupte amptenare in ons land, wat sonder om te blik of te bloos die burgery daagliks besteel, bedrieg en afjak asof hulle wat vir die burgery werk eintlik die base is. Die vlakke van arrogansie by amptenare blyk toe te neem, eerder as dat dit afneem of heeltemal verdwyn. Iets gaan een of ander tyd meegee en hoe gouer die regering besef dat hul skelm amptenare ons land in ‘n toestand van anargie kan dompel, des te beter. Dienslewering, of eerder die gebrek daaraan is besig om mense oor ‘n baie wye front kwaad te maak. Waaroor min mense dink en wat ons politieke leiers nie bereid is om te erken nie, is dat as anargie in Suid-Afrika onbeheersd raak, die ganse streek suid van die Sahara ook in chaos gedompel gaan word.
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Anglican Church
Die agentskap wat na die provinsiale paaie in Limpopo moet omsien, is uitgevang dat hulle gelieg het in hul jaarverslag oor hul prestasies. Terwyl die Ouditeur-generaal gewys het op bepaalde tekortkomings, het die agentskap, Road Agency Limpopo (RAL), die OG se kritiek weggelaat en vir hulself ‘n beeld van onskuld en voortreflikheid geteken. Dit is bedrog. RAL se doen en late is lankal onder verdenking en nou is dit bevestig. Op die foto’s hierby is dit duidelik hoe onderhoud afgeskeep word — terwyl die veiligheid van motoriste eenvoudig geminag word. Die foto’s is by die Selokwerivier geneem, waar die pad van Tzaneen by die pad van Politsi na Kgapane aansluit.
Bulletin
We support all actions aimed at combatting gender-based violence and the abuse of children
Wow we have almost come to the end of the first month in January, to all intents and purposes it seems to have been a rather a quiet period, but dig deeper and the worms come out. The media love a story and especially if the church is involved. Take for instance the media coverage behind the pastor from some church who made his folk eat grass or the constant sexual harassment of children in the Catholic Church, although I do not condone this action, why do people paint the whole religious community with the same brush? There are those who do what God has called them to do and obey His Laws, but never-the-less the whole Christian church is seen as to be bad. I agree that we as God-fearing people must stamp out these practices but it is not necessary to place the blame on the entire Church. We need to pray that God will intervene in these people’s lives and root out all evil. Do not refrain from going to church just because of one or two who are not up to standard, who are sinners of the worst kind. Jesus commanded us to pray for all. He and God are the judges and these people will in the end have to answer to Them, just as we all will have to answer for our mistakes. Listen to what Jesus says: “A new commandment I give you: that you love one another just as I have loved you” So think twice and get the true story behind each incident before you judge. Blessings
Tzn support group gets training “People who are unemployed, feel desperate and stressed about not earning an income”, says Connie from Tzaneen, one of the South African Depression and Anxiety Group’s (SADAG) support group leaders. “This depression and pain tempts them to take drugs to take away the pain.” In Limpopo, like in many regions of the country, unemployment and substance abuse are closely linked. “People often don’t recognise the signs of depression or try to self-medicate stress with alcohol or drugs”, warns SADAG. And the cycle becomes a vicious one — having no hope for a brighter future, trying to get through one day at a time, and falling into addiction. Sadly, many people who turn to substances to cope with financial or employment stress, lose their jobs as a result of their addiction; causing greater stress. According to the Central Drug Authority (CDA), over R3,5 billion is spent annually by South Africans to purchase dagga — a lot of money for people with no income. Dagga (marijuana) is a very misunderstood substance — many people think it is a ‘natural weed’ and that it is harmless. But use of dagga can result in changes in personality, excessive aggression, fear and distrust. According to Another Chance to Change Rehabilitation Centre, marijuana is more destructive to the brain than any other drug. There has been a call to communities to act on grassroots level and do something tangible at community
Top 5 Benefits of being in a support group 1. A safe, confidential forum for sharing concerns and challenges. 2. A regular source of inspiration and motivation as you witness your fellow members’ achievements and they support and encourage yours so you don’t feel you are “doing it alone”. 3. The opportunity to brainstorm ideas and receive useful feedback and access to other people’s experiences and learning. 4. A structure in the group will help you set and keep track of your goals. 5. Lofts of new professional relationships and personal friendships. 6. Helps you realise that you are not alone and that there are people who understand what you are going through. 7. Helps you take control of the problems you are experiencing.
level to positively impact communities in need. SADAG’s Support Group programme is such a project. It’s often hard for sufferers and their loved ones to discuss substance abuse issues or get support. In disadvantaged areas, where unemployment is high, information, resources and treatment is often severely lacking. By training community members to start and run Support Groups, places of hope and help are created and sustained. “Dagga is a big problem in my community”, says Connie. “I wanted to help and share accurate information about what it is, what it does and how to stay clean with community members. If people have the right information about the dangers of addiction and are able to get support in a nonjudgemental way, there is still hope.” “Just knowing that there are many other addicts who want help is important”, says Connie. “It gives hope and shows people that there’s nothing to be ashamed of.” Sadly families don’t always support their loved one’s substances abuse because of anger, stigma and misunderstanding. Addicts are often blamed or turned on and don’t have the support or understanding to get clean or stay clean. “Most of my members rely on the support group because they are either rejected or judged by their families”, says Connie. Her group’s members are desperate to get out of the cycle of addiction and are grateful for any information, support and help that can help them do that. A group of people, who meet regularly, who share a common issue, and have committed to helping each other and themselves achieve their goals through sharing experiencing, advice and support is powerful. Connie hopes that through empowering of the group, the effects are duplicated on their friends, neighbours and families and that there is a generally new idea about substance and how to stay sober. Connie is working hard to gain the trust and support of local clinics, social workers, schools and police in the area. SADAG has over two hundred Support Groups working across the country and is running workshops to train community members to start more groups. The reality is that many South Africans don’t have access to treatment or specialist clinics, many are isolated and alone, but through these
groups, all people have access to information, answers, and help. Get in touch with a Support Group — or start your own — by calling SADAG on 0800 12 13 14 or 0800 21 22 23. “In my community, like in many others, we need each other to get information and help. Thank you to SADAG for the invaluable help and support,” Connie said.