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R4
Rural areas: FREE • Platteland: GRATIS
13 Desember 2013
Christmas comes early to Hope for Life centre Thanks to the incredible generosity of a large group of individuals and businesses from Tzaneen a Christmas gift bag was donated to each child at the Hope for Life day care centre at Nkowankowa. In addition, an extensive range of supplies, including food and stationery was donated to help the centre when school kicks off again in the new year. All of the children who will be moving to Grade R in 2014 were given extra books and
Killer wasp worry
One of the most devastating pests ever to hit forestry and Eucalyptus plantation owners in Tzaneen brought widespread damage over a large area, causing losses of millions of rands. It is called the Blue Gum Chalcid or Gall wasp (Leptocybe invasa) and has already caused indefinite damage to plantations around Tzaneen, Politsi and Magoebaskloof. The nasty wasp has spread to many countries around the world and was discovered in South Africa in June 2007. Infested plantations was only discovered in 2010. Seedlings and trees of less than three years appear to be the most severely affected by attack of the wasp, originating from Australia. It is a big threat to the eucalyptus forestry and
biological agents are now released on a wide scale to control the pest. A parasitic wasp (Selitrichodes neseri) was discovered by prof Stefan Neser of the University of Pretoria in Australia in 2010. This minute wasp was imported into the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) in the UP where a rearing colony was established. After nearly two years of studies it was released on more than 300 locations across the most highly infested areas in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. Mr Willem Hollestein of Komatiland Plantations said the pests attack the leaves and branches of young Eucalyptus Grandis (widely grown in SA) and limit the
Left and above images illustrate the wasp exit holes out of the galls on leaves and branches of the trees. To the right is the Leptocybe Invasa wasp. Photos: Jolanda Roux, UP
development of the trees immensely. Chemical pesticides are applied on a limited scale, as there are restrictions on certain products to protect the bee population. Ms Sonia du Buisson from Research and Development at Merensky said many people and organizations were involved in the release of the parasitic wasp, including the department of agriculture, forestry and fisheries, Forestry SA and the team at FABI. They were all part of the Tree Protection Cooperative Programme (TPCP). The releases will be ongoing. Du Buisson said Merensky (Westfalia) also takes part in the release programme and has done so extensively for the benefit of all neighbouring plantation owners. These are the first releases outside of Australia. Consequently, the expected rate of establishment and spread of this biocontrol agent is not known and will require investigation. Expectations are that, in time, parasitism rates will increase to over 70% as obtained in contained in release sites in Pretoria, said dr Brett Hurley, researcher in UP’s department of Zoology and Entomology.
stationery to start them off at their new school. Special thanks must go to Spar, BF Distributors and the team from the Happy Ethan Project, who generously donated stationery, food, soccer balls and two much needed full size bookshelves. The owner of the school, Ms Rose Mboweni, the teachers and parents of the school extended their sincere thanks to everyone who helped make this Christmas very special for their little ones, who definitely will treasure this year’s Xmas.
Nog ‘n deurbraak Deurbrake in die MediClinic Tzaneen hou net nie op nie. Die jongste was ‘n prosedure om Takboksteen uit ‘n vrou se nier te verwyder. Dit is ‘n baie fyn prosedure met ‘n hoë morbiditeit- én mortaliteitsrisiko. ‘n Niersteen is gewoonlik ‘n klein steentjie in een van die nierholtes. Takboksteen lê ‘n holte vol en selfs meer as een holte. Die uroloog wat die delikate prosedure uitgevoer het, dr Nathan October, is hier saam met sy pasiënt, me Nicolene Coetzee van Letsitele se kontrei. Met ‘n prosedure om Takboksteen te verwyder word daar onvermydelik ook baie naby aan die groot bloedvate in die liggaam gewerk en is dit een van die gevaarprobleme, Dit gaan baie goed met Coetsee.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela 18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013 18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013