Bulletin Newspaper 30 April 2021

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30 April 2021

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HERO BIKER SAVES DAY

THE DRAFT IDP IS TABLED - WHERE WILL YOUR MONEY GO? The GTM (your municipality if you live in Tzaneen, Letsitele or surroundings) announced their 5-year plan for the electrical infrastructure, roads, water and other projects for which your rates and taxes will mostly be paying. There were two extremely important meetings this week and last, where you could have your say in how you wanted your money spent. Your Ward Councillor however, did not tell you about it, and so Bulletin will. Read a summary on Page 2 inside.

SPORTNUUS

Photo: Roelof de Jonge

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Draft IDP

Personeel | Personnel Kantoor: 015 306 0198 Office: 064 650 7123 Redakteur / Editor Joe Dreyer 072 930 1462 joe@farnorthbulletin.co.za Joernaliste / Journalists Roelof de Jonge 078 672 7306 roelof@farnorthbulletin.co.za Billy Sibuyi 081 429 2040 billy@farnorthbulletin.co.za

Drukker/Printer: Novus Print Ontwerp / Design Tessa Thompson 079 653 6317 tessa@farnorthbulletin.co.za Bemarking / Marketing Chrizelle Dreyer 082 628 4181 chrizelle@farnorthbulletin.co.za Admin / Finance Jacqueline Allan admin@bulletin.us.com

What you must know ■ Joe Dreyer The Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) published its draft Integrated Development Plan (IDP) earlier this month. The IDP is essentially the municipality’s proposed planning for the budget spend on various projects within the municipality over the next five years. The draft IDP is currently in the public participation phase where the ward councillors of every ward hold

meetings with their residents to discuss the IDP and offer them opportunities to provide input.

These meetings, which are crucially important to the residents of every ward in every town, are meant to be publicised ahead of time so that residents can plan to attend and say their say. This however, was not done and it was only by pure chance that the media took note of the Ward 14 and Ward 15 meetings which were held last week Thursday, and this week

Wednesday at the council chambers. For some reason, the two ward councillors in charge of these wards failed to inform their residents of these meetings in which they would have had a say in how their rates and taxes monies were to be spent.

We have broken down the 321-page document into the most important sections for you, our fellow community members, to better understand, in the articles on this page.

Verspreiding | Distribution Tzaneen • Haenertsburg • Modjadjiskloof • Mooketsi • Letsitele Gravelotte • Lenyenye Nkowankowa • Phalaborwa • Hoedspruit

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Kontak besonderhede Contact Details

Posbus/P O Box 3838, Tzaneen, 0850.

Tel: 015 306 0198 072 930 1462 (Joe) Fax: 086 502 1853 E-posadresse/E-mail addresses: Agri-advertensies/Agri ads: chrizelle@farnorthbulletin.co.za Briewe/Letters: joe@farnorthbulletin.co.za Sport: roelof@farnorthbulletin.co.za Nuus & foto’s/News & photos: joe@farnorthbulletin.co.za Copyright © 2021 Far North Bulletin All rights reserved. No part of this publication (including editorial, artwork and layout) may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or be transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior permission by Far North Bulletin.

Website Visit our website at www.farnorthbulletin.co.za and read the latest news, as well as back copies.

Noodnommers Emergency numbers Tzaneen

Ambulance / Ambulans Police / Polisie Fire Brigade / Brandweer Electricity / Electrisiteit Water Municipality / Munisipaliteit Letaba Fire Protection Ass. Fire / Brand nr.

Citizen Band Van Velden Hospital/Hospitaal Mediclinic Tzaneen Child line

10177 / 015 307 7077 10111 / 015 306 2129 015 307 5555 / 7000 082 679 0720 015 307 8000/8190 a/h 015 307 8000 076 550 2260 076 844 1646 Foxtrot Papa Alpha/ Letaba Fire Ops. 015 307 8800 015 306 8500 0800 055 555

DEEP BLUE to the rescue

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Thapelo “Ironhide” Matlala, the GTM Municipal Manager, stands in front of the newly installed tranformers at Tzaneen main substation. Photo: Joe Dreyer

R46,5 Million allocated for power In its draft IDP the GTM plans to spend R46 500 000 on the upgrading and expansion of its massive power grid. As per the IDP, it must be remembered that this money will be spent over the course of the next five years.

For the period 2021/2022 which starts on the 1st of July this year, the municipality plans to spend R10 million on new electrical connections, a further R10 million will be spent on new electrical connections the following year for the period between the 1st of July 2022 and 30th of June 2023.

Though no mention of additional work to the electrical grid is mentioned in the IDP for the 2021/2022 period, it does not mean that no additional work will be done. This is because the GTM have already put out tenders for various electrical projects, prior to the drafting of this IDP. These projects which amounted to R28 100 000 were implemented in the 2019/2021 period and included rebuilding and refurbishments of the Letaba and Ebenezer 33kv Feeders as well as R16 600 000 spent on replacing transformers at the Tzaneen Main Substation.

The municipality plans to spend R500 000 on the refurbishment of prepaid meter installations in the Talana, Politsi, Tarentaalrand and Mieliekloof areas, in phases, over the next five years. Additionally the plan is to replace the 11kv cables within Tzaneen’s CBD as of July 2023 due to an increase in the capacity and demand. For the replacing of two 15MVA 66/11Kv Transformers with two 20 MVA Transformers at the Tzaneen Main substation,

the GTM has budgeted R5 000 000.

A major factor in the failure of the electrical grid to handle the load, is the protection on the lines which have become aged and need replacing.

These include 11Kv and 33Kv auto-reclosers which the GTM plans to start replacing at a rate of five per year, starting this year, at a total budgeted cost of R3 000 000. Quite possibly the most exciting if not ambitious endeavour, is the GTM’s plan to install a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) monitoring system onto their electrical grid by the 30th of June 2025. This system is a complex network which allows the operators in the control room to monitor and be alerted of possible faults on the electrical grid in real time, which will speed up the municipality’s response and repair time and limit the end-user’s downtime. SCADA generally refers to an industrial computer system that monitors and controls a process. In the case of the transmission and distribution elements of electrical utilities, SCADA will monitor substations, transformers, and other electrical assets.

It must be remembered that the municipality receives funding from two main sources which are the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) and the collection of rates and taxes from you, the residents. According to this draft IDP, the funding for the various electrical projects will not come from the MIG, which should offer you, the reader a clearer indication of what your rates and taxes will be paying for, for the next five years.

R6,7 Million R58,7 Million for roads on vehicles The Greater Tzaneen Municipality’s Mayor, Maripe Mangena, and the Speaker, Dikiledi Mmetle (the previous mayor who currently has her sights set on reclaiming the Mayor’s position) will each receive a new vehicle on the 1st of July this year. Each of the vehicle’s carry a price tag of R750 000. The Municipal Manager, Thapelo Matlala, known for his hostile attitude towards wasting money on trivialities, will not be receiving a new vehicle.

Tzaneen’s highly acclaimed Solid Waste management team is fortunately set to benefit from the vehicle shopping season and is in line for a new waste removal truck this year and another one next year at a cost of R1 800 000 each. The traffic department is also in line for a new trailer at a cost of R270 000 and R1 600 000 will be spent on grass cutters over two years from the 1st of July 2024. To top it all off, the GTM is looking to spend R800 000 on a Fleet management System.

The GTM’s draft Integrated Development Plan (IDP) published this month, revealed that the municipality’s roads infrastructure would finally be receiving some attention in the next five years. For the 2021/2022 period the rehabilitation of the Haenertsburg cemetery road for which R3 million is budgeted for, the upgrading of Tzaneen Ext. 13 internal streets from paving blocks to tar (R9 000 000) and the construction of speedbumps throughout all wards within the municipality (R1 million) will be the first projects to kick off.

These three projects are expected to start on the 1st of July 2021 and should be completed by the 30th of June 2022. No details were given as to the proposed locations of the intended speedbumps at this stage.

The 2022/2023 fiscal year will see a total of R21 050 000 allocated for the rehabilitation of Nkowankowa’s internal streets (R6 000 000), rehabilitation of Lenyenye’s internal streets (R11 250 000), the rehabilitation of Danie Joubert Street (from the Police station to CTM) in Tzaneen (R1 000 000), the rehabilitation of

Stand van Damme Dam Levels

Tzaneen: Office: 015 590 1200/ 060 739 2048 Email: info@uniwisp.co.za/helpdesk@uniwisp.co.za Peace str 21B, Tzaneen Visit www.uniwisp.co.za

Pusela to Van Velden to Billy Maritz Street in Tzaneen (R1 000 000), the rehabilitation of 1st Avenue in Tzaneen (R1 000 000) and the complete rehabilitation of Eerste Street in Letsitele (R800 000). These projects are expected to kick off on the 1st of July 2022 and to be completed by the 30th of June 2023.

Boundary Street is marked for rehabilitation during the 2023/2024 fiscal year and the GTM has allocated a total of R250 000 for this project expected to kick off on the 1st of July 2023. During this period, a complete rehabilitation of the entire main street and parking bays in the Letsitele CBD, as well as Vorster Street, is planned with a total budget of R3 225 000. Rehabilitation of 3rd Avenue to Hospital Street to 2nd Avenue in Tzaneen is also panned for this period on a budget of R2 000 000.

In order to complete these projects the GTM allocated R18 700 000 for the purchase of Walk-Behind-Rollers (2), a bulldozer, a lowbed truck and trailer, tar cutting machines and small compactors, TLB’s (4), G140 graders (2) and a dumper tractor for the sewer plant.

Foto deur: Willie & Mariette Source: www.dwa.gov.za Information updated: 19/04/2021

Tzaneen 100.8%

Ebenezer 98.7%

Merensky 101.9%

Dap Naude 103.8%

Middel Letaba 11.6%

Blyde Rivier Poort 100.5%

Klaserie 100.2%

Tours 99.9%

Vergelegen 101%

Magoebaskloof 100.6%

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Private citizens do municipality’s job (again) ■ Joe Dreyer The public park in Maritz Street in Aquapark has over the last few years suffered at the hands of vandals, drug users and absolute neglect by the Greater Tzaneen Municipality’s Parks department. The problem with this area, however, does not necessarily lie in the absence of a fence around this park (or any park for that matter) but with the inability of a municipality to fulfil its obligations to the taxpaying public.

If regular maintenance and upkeep were the norm, there would be no graffiti against the walls, there would be no illegal electrical connections, stolen faucets or vandalised benches, tables and other apparatus. If the GTM’s Parks, Recreation and Cemeteries department were up to the task, there would be no need for private citizens and human rights organizations to step in and maintain the municipality’s property. It is quite evident that this particular department within the GTM, headed by Xolisa Gala, lacks either adequate funding, adequate planning or adequate interest in the execution of its duties. How can a department that exists solely for the maintenance and regular upkeep of public areas, not manage to fulfil its only purpose? Gala allowed a park to be camped off without following procedure and in the process permitted the transgression of other bylaws including those on the display of outdoor advertising. This department is also responsible for the upkeep of the cemeteries in Tzaneen and surrounding areas. A matter better not discussed on this platform as it is as embarrassing as it is insulting to the residents within this municipality.

This past weekend Afriforum and Tzaneen Neighbourhood Watch once again joined hands and did the GTM’s job for them. A budget of R3 500 was afforded for the purchasing of paint and petrol for the chainsaw, and a few other items needed, and the team met at the park on Saturday morning. The swings and various other rides were repainted, bottles

and other litter removed, and a large tree that collapsed onto a slide, was sawed into pieces and removed from the grounds. A large sign was erected as a warning to those considering loitering in the area in future.

“We will patrol this area, and anybody found loitering or dealing in this park will be chased away. If we monitor our parks continuously, there can be no time for criminal activities to find a nesting place,” said Chris van Vuuren of the Tzaneen Neighbourhood Watch.

“A very big thank you to the guys who came and helped us with removing the big trees that had rotten down to their core and fallen over. Tolstoi Kruger, JP Kruger and Pretorius Broers Konstruksie for the loaning of the TLB, and then Eric Heffner of Heffner Construction for helping us level the soil afterwards with their skid steer. We cleaned this park for our community, and we hope that those who are up to no good in these areas, will move elsewhere and take heed of the warning signs we placed at the entrance of this park,” said Shaun Potgieter of Afriforum Tzaneen.

In the recently published draft Integrated development Plan (IDP) for the next five years, the GTM published no budget for the upgrade or maintenance of their public parks.

We found an entry in the 2014 approved IDP which noted R1 000 000 budgeted for the upgrade of Maritz Street’s park. The Minitzani Park also is not mentioned in this new draft IDP. The IDP does make mention of insufficient maintenance and upgrading of parks and open spaces, and a two-year plan to develop a parks and open space maintenance plan. ***Editor’s Comment: The state of Tzaneen’s cemeteries is a striking example of how effective putting up a fence around a public area is.

A lock is there to keep an honest person out. Let’s stop with the semantics and start taking on our Ward Councillors who are notoriously silent on all matters concerning the wellbeing of the residents in their wards. You voted them in, you can vote them out.

Chris van Vuuren, chairperson of the Tzaneen Neighbourhood Watch busy chopping up a fallen tree in the park. Photo: Joe Dreyer

Afriforum and Tzaneen Neigbourhood Watch will keep their eyes on this park in the future..

Dirty Sprite pandemic Not on my watch, Punk ■ hits Tzaneen youth Roelof de Jonge

■ Joe Dreyer

Fourty-three empty bottles of Stilpane were picked up from a corner in the public park in Maritz Street during the clean-up operation this past weekend. Three days later, on Tuesday this week, another batch of 24 bottles of the syrup were collected at the exact same corner of the park. Near the empty medicine bottles, members of Afriforum and the Tzaneen Neighbourhood Watch found broken beer and empty Sprite bottles.

Bulletin contacted three of Tzaneen’s local pharmacies and discovered that the ingredients mentioned above were used to create a drug called “Lean” or “Purple Drank” – also called “Dirty Sprite” – and was a popular recreational drug among high school children especially. The concoction is made by combining cough syrup, Sprite and sweets with alcohol to give the user a feeling of extreme euphoria and relaxation.

There have been cases reported of users slipping into coma because of an overdose and in some instances, there were deaths reported. It was made popular by chart-topping rap artists like Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy and other artists prevalent on the playlists of many high school children.

While no prescription is needed to purchase Stilpane syrup over a counter, the pharmacists Bulletin spoke to have all said that they do not sell schedule medication to anybody under the age of 18 years. “We know exactly what these

kids get up to and we have a few of them who come into the pharmacy and take a chance regularly. And they get very rude when you tell them you won’t help them,” said one pharmacist. “We have a register in which we record the names of people who buy any scheduled medication. All the pharmacies in our town work very closely together and we warn each other of a potential “chancer” so that we can be on the lookout for that individual, whom we just don’t help when they come in.”

Unofficially, the pharmacies in Tzaneen have a list containing flagged individuals. Stilpane is a schedule 2 drug and this means that your name and contact details must be logged by a pharmacist if you intend on purchasing it. In theory.

“This purple drank or dirty Sprite concoction is extremely dangerous, especially when combined with alcohol. One of the side-effects is a complete loss of one’s memory and appetite.

Parents must please be vigilant and take note of your child’s behaviour. If they seem agitated and moody or restless, it could be a sign of withdrawal after the effects of this drug has worn off.”

The active ingredient in this Purple Drank mixtures is Codeine, which is found in most cough syrups. It is an opiate that produces feelings of euphoria and thus puts it in the same classification as morphine and heroin. Six common signs of codeine abuse include anxiety, loss of appetite, nausea, cramps, diarrhoea, and excessive yawning.

A would-be tsotsi met his match in the form of a delivery driver on Monday this week when he was literally stopped in his tracks near Sugarloaf. Adolph Letsoala, a motorbike delivery man from Adam’s Café was driving along his route in King Edward Drive when he noticed a woman knelt on the side of the road in distress. Adolph pulled over his steed and asked if she needed help.

“She explained that she was robbed of her belongings not moments before I passed by. A man had offered her a job in exchange for R200 which she should pay him so that he could get her a name tag before she could start work.

When she reached for her handbag to pay him, he grabbed the bag and dashed off into the direction of Sugarloaf,” explained a very humble Adolph shyly.

After obtaining a description of the culprit, Adolph jumped on his bike and headed towards the Sugarloaf complex. Once in the parking lot, he slowed down and carefully examined the pedestrians around him until he spotted the man matching the suspect’s description. Adolph stopped his bike and grabbed the suspect who was still carrying the handbag and trying to make his way towards the taxi rank.

The suspect tried to get away but was overpowered and put on the ground by the brave delivery driver. After a short scuffle, the suspect realized his luck had run out and Adolph keep him on the ground until authorities arrived and made an arrest. He then took the stolen

belongings back to the woman who was overcome with relief.

“What I did is not supposed to be noteworthy, it is supposed to be second nature to anyone who sees another person in need of help. I saw someone in need and helped them out, that’s all.”

Adolph Letsoalo drags the would-be tsotsi into the street.

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Briewe | Letters

LET’S TALK REAL ESTATE Property owners Beware With the recent spate of robberies and attacks in our area, one can never be too safe or too vigilant. Whenever you read the newspaper or watch television, one is constantly confronted with all sorts of violence. Unfortunately, this has become part of every South African’s every day life.

As a property owner who puts up his/her property for sale, the risk becomes even greater of being robbed, scammed or attacked.

So how do you as a seller avoid becoming a statistic? The answer is easy. By appointing a reputable, qualified and trustworthy real estate company. An estate agent is the first point of contact between a buyer and

a seller. A reputable agent will interview a potential buyer, pre qualify the buyer and make sure of the true identity of the buyer.

The estate agent will at all times accompany buyers to a property and take responsibility to keep the sellers property and belongings safe. With 17 years of experience, Seeff Tzaneen train our agents about their own safety and that of their clients, as well as the protection of our seller’s interests and property.

As trained professionals we can advice our seller’s on the following precautions when selling your home: • Appoint a reputable company.

• Know the agents going in and out of your home. (Ask the company to send you a list and photos of all agents employed under that company).

• Ask for a fidelity fund certificate of the real estate company as well as all the agents registered under the company.

• Be careful of “fly by night” agents.

• Only allow agents with appointments.

• Do not allow buyers to view without being accompanied by the agent, even if the buyers view for a second or third time.

• Whenever an agent takes a client for viewing, ask the agent to produce or leave a business card.

• Make sure to inform domestic workers or gardeners not to allow entry to any person without prior arrangements.

• Ensure that all valuables are safely locked up and out of sight.

By following these top tips, all sellers working with the agent can minimize the risk of being targeted.

To list your property or to arrange a viewing with one of our accredited agents kindly call our office on 015 307 7677, WhatsApp Nicola on 082 447 1512 or email at nicola.strydom@seeff.com Happy Selling!

Pioniers sê dankie!

Die inwoners van die Pioniers Woonstelle bedank graag die publiek en sakelui van Tzaneen wat die afgelope maand hulle met varsprodukte en ander verassings bederf het. Die Round Table vir heerlike avokadoes en tydskrifte, Thys Steynberg en die boere vir die kraakvars groente, Henk Minnie en Romans Pizzeria vir die pizzas, dit was ‘n lekker bederfie! Northen Sekuriteit vir die nuwe paniek-knoppies wat ons almal nou baie veiliger laat voel, Ansie Opperman vir die lemoene, Desireé van der Walt en haar groepie DA-hasies vir die Paaseiers, dit was ‘n lekker soetigheidjie. Weereens dankie aan Henk Minnie en Woolworths vir die hoendervleis slaai en brood, die BTG Groep vir piesangs en die anonieme skenker vir die gedroogte vrugte. Mag die Here elkeen van julle seën!

VACANCY

MARKETING & SALES AGENT Are you into white water rafting, base jumping and other adrenalin-fuelled sports? Do you have one of those attitudes that frequently saw you in the principle’s office? Has your mother ever told you that it would be better to work for yourself?

If you shouted “yes! That’s so me!” when you read that intro, then you need to give us a call. We have two positions open in our pit crew and we would like you to fill them. One of the positions will be in the Phalaborwa / Hoedspruit area and the other will be in the Tzaneen / Polokwane arena.

Ideally you will need to have a valid driver’s license and a set of four wheels, be capable of some form of coherent speech and have an understanding that life as a sales and marketing person leaves no room for jealous or overprotective partners or spouses. It will be expected of you to spend your time on the road four days a week, attend events and functions, and meet your target deadlines.

Remuneration (the amount of dough we will pay you for your efforts) will depend on you, and your sparkling personality(ies) so be willing to work for a basic salary and commission. We will fill up you car for you too, and give you a really nice spot at the table for team meetings.

If you can decipher the cryptogram below, then follow the instructions and mail your cv to joe@ farnorthbulletin.co.za and copy into that mail (cc) chrizelle@farnorthbulletin.co.za REPAPSWEN EHT NI REBMUN EHT DNIF. LLEC SIH NO EGASSEM A EOJ DNES

61 Boundary Road, Tzaneen 015 307 7677 • 082 447 1512 • nicola.strydom@seeff.com

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Contact us for more information: André Nel: 076 871 3243.

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Pest Control Specialists Workplace readiness solutions. Protect yourself, your staff and the health of your customers.

015 307 4065

HobbyPrint Full Colour Work, Self-Carbonized books, Business Cards, Flyers, Calendars and more.

015 309 9382

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Quality Waste Management Honey Sucker, Waste Bins, Compactable waste.

079 511 3536

__________________________________

Deep cleaning of all types of FLOORS/TILES. Contact Lorraine: 073 722 7913 0726340032

083 628 9257

Quality Plant Hire Rental of Earth moving equipment, Roads/Buildings and dam construction, Earth works & bush clearing.

081 358 2277 Community Crisis Services 084 400 0911

Authorised dealer & Service centre 015 307 1849 contact@starspares.com

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www.starsparestzaneen.com

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Go Trans Tippers, Flat Beds & Low Beds. 071 108 0308 __________________________________

Saniplas Great packaging sells your products. 060 792 7034

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SAS Workshop Major Petrol and Diesel service deals.

Open on Saturdays.

2 Antimony Street, New Industrial Area, Tzaneen.

072 988 8522

VERVOER & VERPAK VAN MEUBELS SKAKEL MELODY VIR KWOTASIE 015 345 1192/ 084 627 0956 076 410 9503 082 851 7139 Epos:troktrek@mweb.co.za www.steynbergmeubelvervoer.com

Sleebok Supplier of quality granite, engineered quartz and Caesar Stone. Private home owners and building contractors are welcome. www.sleebok.co.za 015 307 1205/6005 __________________________________

DASS Domestic appliances.

Speed Queen, Bosch, Whirlpool, Defy etc. Repairs, spares and service.

We collect and deliver.

11 Plantation Rd, Tzaneen.

015 307 1798 082 898 0468 ASSESSORS REQUIRED

Established Training Provider requires the services of Facilitators and Assessors in the Transport, Agriculture and Construction sectors.

TETA, AGRIseta and CETA registration will be an added advantage.

Send CV and proof of SETA registration to phalaborwa@ trainingforce.co.za www.farnorthbulletin.co.za

Absolutely Water Verkoop en verhuur van watersuiweraars en dispensers.

Heelhuis filtrasie, water bars, industriele suiweraars ens.

Diens van alle suiweraars en waterversagters.

Danna 083 560 8636 Elsie 083 458 4746

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Enkel manspersoon Beskikbaar teen 30 April 2021 R4000-00/maand (Krag, water en Wi-fi ingesluit) Kontak : Eben 081 874 7904 of Marina 076 8123 295

Te Koop For Sale MANGO BOME TE KOOP HOEDSPRUIT Tommy Atkins en Keitt Bome te koop vir R20.

Kwekery geregistreer

by Dept Landbou .

Kontak Tony: 082 387 2880 of Willem: 083 263 3321 Chester Kwekery Hoedspruit

Supervisor (Foskor 2.9.2 Legal Exam Certificate).

10 years’ experience. Kevin Reynecke 063 491 7103. _________________________________

Qualified Millwright.

7 years’ experience. Lucas Armand Voigt 066 329 9376.

47 jaar ondervinding – Piet Geldenhuys 079 792 7765 / 079 808 5880 _________________________________

Qualified Electrician 6 years’ experience. Mosale Nyoffu 082 660 5051

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Qualified Boilermaker.

10 years’ experience. CO2 & Stick welding. Lucious Green 078 370 4812

Qualified Boilermaker, CO2 welding, Drawings, Conveyor belts.

12 years’ experience.

Petrus Olivier 066 409 3368

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Gekwalifeerde Instrument Meganikus.

40 jaar ondervinding.

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Local/Export Logistics Coordinator, Palbroker, Palpack – 2 ½ years’ experience – Tiaan von Straate 083 279 9153

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Gekwalifiseerde dieselwertuigkundige

Qualified Fitter, Plant Fitter, Manage work teams, Workshop manager.

More than 20 yrs. JJ van der Merwe 082 683 4155

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Semi-skilled welder, Co2 welding, Arc welding, Semi-Skilled Boiler maker.

4 years’ experience. Andrew Martin Van Niekerk

060 529 3843 / 078 570 6763 _________________________________

Fitter Machinist, Maintenance and Management.

35 years’ experience. Darryl Maritz 083 859 0949 _________________________________

Red Seal Boilermaker, Arc welding, CO2 welding 6 years’ experience. TM Mampane 079 231 5160 / 082 633 4024 _________________________________

Semi-skilled boilermaker 8 years’ experience. Jeffrey Pienaar 083 611 6195 _________________________________

Red Seal Boilermaker, Red Seal Qualified boilermaker, structural/ earth moving - over 10 years’ experience. Reino Roux 082 419 7304 _________________________________

Evac 911

083 708 8749

083 641 7406 Ambulance Dispatch Service Deon van Tonder Advance Life Support Paramedic

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Marric Service Centre undergoes a facelift ■ Joe Dreyer

The same but different. Seen here is Mark and Rentia Elphinstone with new owners Chante and Franna Lamprecht, their children and Rachel Senyolo. In front of them are Steam Malatji, John Seale, Winter Sekgobela and Thabo Rasekgale.

The Workshop Team

A quarter of a century ago Mark and Rentia Elphinstone opened the doors to what would become one of the longest standing mechanical workshops in the area. Marric Service Centre became synonymous with exceptional service and a very high standard of workmanship which was mostly attributed to Mark’s time as a qualified mechanic in the BMW workshop before he took the step to go solo and open his own operation.

“We started in 1996 over there at the back in the old Mazda Ford workshop,” he said with a smile as he reminisced about a time when he and his wife started with no staff and very limited office space. “It was daunting and very hard work at the start, thankfully that old saying of when you love what you… rings completely true. Gradually we worked up to the point where the workload became too much for just a single pair of hands and we started employing staff. Soon though, the challenge was no longer the workforce, but the actual working space and so when this property was listed for sale, we jumped at the chance to buy it. And hey, here we are 25 years on and ready to hand the baton to the new blood.”

In the time since he first started, Mark grew his business to a point where it became time to step aside and let a younger generation take control of the reigns. Because he and Rentia do not have children of their own, it was good fit when the young man and his wife stepped over their threshold three months ago and expressed his interest in buying the business. “When I saw Franna and his wife I saw myself and Rentia all those years ago and I just knew that it would be the right choice.

Marric Service Centre was a family-owned and managed enterprise and to see it passed on to another family-owned enterprise bring my heart joy.”

Franna Lamprecht and his wife, Chanté, moved to Tzaneen from Rustenburg about six years ago where he joined the Lannie Motors team as the Sales and Service Advisor. In his time in Rustenburg he owned and operated his own driving school, but the greener pastures of the bushveld beckoned and so he took the opportunity that was presented and has never looked back since. It is rather ironic that the Marric Service Centre started with a recognized German automotive mechanic, and will now pass on to another.

“I really enjoyed my time at Lannie Motors and the friends I made there will stick with me for the rest of my life. The experience and the standards that were imprinted in me during my time at Lannie will help us here at Marric

Steam Malatji

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after 25 Years in the game that level of perfectionism and quality,” he said with a level of confidence that bodes well for the future of this new venture.

“From our side we say thank you very much to Mark and Rentia for handing over a business that is already so well established. They have supported and advised us so much these last few months, that we feel a part of their family. To the existing Marric Service Centre customers, we would like to extend a very warm welcome from the new team, and offer our promise of the same quality workmanship and trust that you were used to over the last quarter of a century, and thank you for your continued support,” added Lamprecht.

Mark and Rentia have their eyes set on other exciting endeavours related to their farming operations in Gravelotte where they have now added a butchery to their repertoire. “One must realize when the time comes for you to work less and start enjoying the fruits of your youth’s labour,” he said. “We will now focus on farming and our butchery and the peace and quiet that goes with it. From the bottom of my heart I extend my sincerest thanks to the hundreds

of loyal customers we serviced in the last 25 years.

Without their support and the abundant blessings from our Lord, we would never have made it through the tough times, and would never have had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people. It is our hope that Franna and Chanté will continue where we left off and we pray that our Heavenly father bless them and the business so that they may enjoy success.”

Though the business will now be under new ownership and management, Franna and Chanté will retain the name and the staff and according to them, there will be very little changes as they settle into the business. As a whole, Marric Service Centre will remain the bastion of good service and trust it grew to be. “Come and pay us a visit next time your vehicle needs a service or repair. Share a cup of coffee, shoot the breeze and let us build up a relationship that you can trust and rely on. We are here, when you need us to be.”

Winter Sekgobela

John Seale

Thabo Rasekgale

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Helping you with Crossing the retail river ■ Joe Dreyer One of the largest, and arguably busiest, intersections in Tzaneen’s central business district is the four-way crossing where Danie Joubert Street meets Morgan and Peace Streets. On the one corner you have the Tzaneen Police Station, on the other you find the Superspar Centre and opposite to both these landmarks, you meet the Tzaneen Crossing shopping centre. Long-time residents will likely know this popular shopping complex by its maiden name, “Sanlam Centre” which it went by from its construction in 1984, through to its engagement and subsequent matrimony to Resilient Properties in 2002 at age 22.

It was love at first sight and a year later in 2003, the union between Resilient and Tzaneen Crossing proved fruitful as the centre underwent a massive upgrade and birthed a string of new retail shops and parking bays. This upgrading and refurbishment lasted for a year until the end of 2004 when the CBD was introduced to what has since become one of the most pop-

Alida Smit

ular shopping experiences in the area. As love goes, three years later in 2007 the property group overhauled and upgraded their beloved Crossing once more which elevated the once tiny retail park to a fully fletched mall.

One man who followed this epic love tale is Eben Fichardt. He started working for the property group in 1990 and to this day insures the smooth running of Tzaneen Crossing after his recent promotion to Operations Manager at the centre. Tzaneen Crossing is the second largest retail centre of the three prominent shopping malls owned and managed by the Resilient Group and boats a total of 15 673 square metres of lettable retail space. The centre has ample parking with 221 bays for its 45 shops and is situated just down the road from its bigger baby brother, Tzaneng Mall.

The same management team responsible for the upkeep of Tzaneng Mall and the Tzaneen Lifestyle Centre also ensures client satisfaction at Crossing and are available to assist should you have any queries or suggestions. They can be contacted on 015 307 1883.

Lucas Ramano Maintenance Worker

Eben Fichardt Operations Manager

Tzaneen Crossing as viewed from Danie Joubert Street.

Samuel Mokwena Maintenance worker

Sylvia Moagi Maintenance Worker

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Legals & Notices IN THE ESTATE OF THE LATE DION JOHN DE RUIG, (IDENTITY NUMBER 610331 5083 08 5), A PENSIONER, IN LIFE OF MEYERSRUS, AGATHA, TZANEEN, PROVINCE OF LIMPOPO WHO DIED ON 29 MARCH 2020, AND WHO WERE UNMARRIED ESTATE NO: (2650/2020) POLOKWANE LIQUIDATION AND DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNT IN DECEASED ESTATE LYING FOR INSPECTION In terms of Section 35 (5) of Act 66 of 1965 notice is hereby given that copies of the First and Final Liquidation and Distribution Account in the abovementioned estate, will be open for the inspection of all persons with an interest therein for a period of 21 (twenty one) days as from date of publication hereof, at the offices of the Master, POLOKWANE, and the Magistrate, TZANEEN. Should no objection thereto be lodged with the Master during the specified period, the executor will proceed to make payments in accordance with the said account.

GARTH COLIN DE RUIG

For: Executor C/O. NATA PRETORIUS ATTORNEYS, PO BOX 832, GREAT BRAK RIVER, 6525 TEL: 044 620 3895 E-MAIL: nata@natapretorius.co.za

publication of this notice.

Dated at Tzaneen on this the 5 MARCH 2021 Applicant: Joubert & May Attorneys Reference: GM0205/ FM933 Address: 50 Boundary Street, Tzaneen, 0850 Tel no: 015 307-3660 Email address: fransie@ joubertmay.co.za

_________________________________

NOTICE: LOST OR DESTROYED DEED Notice is hereby given in terms of Schedule R documents in terms of regulation 13 of proclamation 293/62 of the intention to apply for the issue of a certified copy of the Deed of Grant TG652/1993LB passed by THE DEPARTMENT OF REGIONAL AND LAND AFFAIRS, in favour of MARIA MAITE MODIBA, Identity Number 5860625 0845 08 7, Unmarried, in respect of certain ERF 1726 LENYEENYEE-A TOWNSHIP, Registration Division L.T., Limpopo Province which has been lost or destroyed.

All interested persons having objection to the issue of such copy are hereby required to lodge the same in writing with the Register of Deeds Limpopo at Polokwane within two weeks from the date of

_________________________________

LOST OR DESTROYED DEED Notice is hereby given in terms of regulation 68 of the Deeds Registries Act, 1937, to the intention to apply for the issue of a certified copy of Deed of Transfer T16218/1964 issued in favour of GREATER TZANEEN MUNICIPALITY in respect of certain THE REMAINDER OF ERF 441 TZANEEN EXTENSION 4, REGISTRATION DIVISION L.T, LIMPOPO PROVINCE, which has been lost or destroyed.

All interested persons having objection to the issue of such copy are hereby required to lodge the same in writing with the Registrar of Deeds, Deeds Office, 101 Dorp Street, Polok-

wane, Limpopo within two weeks from the date of the publication of this notice.

Dated at Tzaneen this 22nd day of April 2021.

Applicant: Greater Tzaneen Municipality / Ref: C657 / M v Rensburg Address: 19 Peace Street, Tzaneen E-mail address: marelize@ tslegal.co.za Contact number: 015 307 1027 _________________________________

TZANEEN AMENDMENT SCHEME 465 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR AMENDMENT OF THE TZANEEN TOWN-PLANNING SCHEME 2000 IN TERMS OF SECTION 57 OF THE SPLUMA BY-LAWS OF GREATER TZANEEN MUNICIPALITY 2016 I, Willem Johannes Jacobsz of Omniplan CC Town Planners, being the authorised agent of the registered owner of Portion 15 of the Farm Rubbervale 784-LT hereby give notice in terms of Section 57 of the Greater Tzaneen SPLUMA By-Laws 2016, that I have applied to the Greater Tzaneen Municipality for consent from

the Controlling Authority and the amendment of the town planning scheme known as the Tzaneen Town Planning Scheme, 2000 by the rezoning of the property described above, from “Agricultural” to “Special” with annexure 287 describing the rights.

Particulars of the application will lie for inspection during normal office hours at the office of the Municipal Manager, Civic Centre, Agatha Street, Tzaneen, for a period of 30 days from 30 April 2021 (the date of the first publication of the notice). Objections to or representations in respect of the application must be lodged with or made in writing to the Municipal Manager at the above address or be delivered to room 257, Civic Centre, Agatha Street, Tzaneen within 30 days from 30 April 2021, by quoting the above-mentioned heading, the objector’s interest in the matter, the ground(s) of the objection/representation, the objector’s property description, phone numbers and address. A person who cannot write may during office hours visit the abovementioned Municipality requesting assistance to transcribe his/her objections, comments or representations.

Contact person: Mr. M J Mathye (015-307-8031)

Address of Agent: Omniplan Town Planners, P.O. Box 2071, TZANEEN, 0850.

Tel. 015 307 1041. Ref. J253 _________________________________

TZANEEN WYSIGINGSKEMA 465 KENNISGEWING VAN AANSOEK OM WYSIGING VAN DIE TZANEEN DORPSBEPLANNINGSKEMA INGEVOLGE ARTIKEL 57 VAN DIE SPLUMA BY-WETTE VAN DIE GROTER TZANEEN MUNISIPALITEIT 2016 Ek, Willem Johannes Jacobsz van Omniplan CC Stadsbeplanners, synde die gemagtigde agent van die geregistreerde eienaars van Gedeelte 15 van die Plaas Rubbervale 784-LT gee hiermee ingevolge Artikel 57 van die Groter Tzaneen SPLUMA By-Wette 2016, kennis dat ek by die Groter Tzaneen Munisipaliteit aansoek gedoen het vir toestemming vanaf die Beherende Gesag en vir die wysiging van die Dorpsbeplanningskema bekend as die Tzaneen Dorpsbeplanningskema, 2000 deur die hersonering van die eiendom hierbo beskryf, vanaf “Landbou” na “Spesiaal” met Bylae 287 wat die regte beskryf.

Besonderhede van die aansoek lê ter insae gedurende gewone kantoorure by die kantoor van die Munisipale Bestuurder, Burgersentrum, Agathastraat,

Tzaneen vir ‘n tydperk van 30 dae vanaf 30 April 2021 (die datum van eerste publikasie van hierdie kennisgewing). Besware teen of vertoë ten opsigte van die aansoeke moet skriftelik binne 30 dae vanaf 30 April 2021 gerig word aan die Munisipale Bestuurder by bovermelde adres of afgelewer word by kamer 257, Burgersentrum, Agathastraat, Tzaneen, deur die verwysing na bostaande opskrif, die beswaarmaker se belang in die saak, die gronde/redes vir die beswaar, die beswaarmaker se eiendomsbeskrywing, telefoonnommer en adres.

Enige persoon wat nie kan skryf nie mag gedurende kantoorure die bovermelde Munisipaliteit besoek en hulp versoek om sy/ haar besware, kommentare of voorstelle op skrif te stel. Kontak persoon: Mnr. M J Mathye (015-3078031) Adres van Agent: Omniplan CC, Posbus 2071, Tzaneen, 0850, Tel. 015 307 1041. Verw. J253 _________________________________

NOTICE MARULENG LAND USE SCHEME, 2008 REZONING PORTION 10 FARM EDINBURGH 217KT AND FARM MANUTSA 233KT Notice is hereby given in terms of Section 52 of the Maruleng Muncipality SPLUMA Bylaws, 2016, that we, Jacques du Toit & Associates, have applied to the Maruleng Municipality for rezoning of part of Portion 10 Farm Edinburgh 217KT and part of Farm Manutsa 233KT from “Agricultural” to “Special for Place of Instruction” and “Special for Tourism Accommodation Facility” respectively as provided for in the Scheme, on the properties situated along the R36, South of the intersection with the R527. The current zoning of the land is “Agricultural”.

Particulars of the application will lie for inspection during normal office hours at the office of the Municipal Manager, 64 Springbok Street, Hoedspruit, for the period of 30 days from 30 April 2021. Objections to or representations in respect of the application must be lodged with or made in writing to the Municipal Manager at the above address or posted to P.O Box 627, Hoedspruit, 1380 on or before 31 May 2021, quoting the above-mentioned heading, the objector’s interest in the matter, the ground(s) of the objection/ representation, the objector’s property descrip-

tion, phone numbers and address. A person who cannot write may during office hours and within the objection period, visit the abovementioned Municipality requesting assistance to transcribe his/her objections, comments or representations.

Contact person: Mr. Gabriel Mailula Tel. 015 793 2409 Address of Agent: Jacques du Toit & Associates, PO Box 754, Tzaneen, 0850 Tel. 015-307 3710 _________________________________

TSEBISO MARULENG LAND USE SCHEME, 2008 REZONING PORTION 10 FARM EDINBURGH 217KT AND FARM MANUTSA 233KT Le a tsebišwa go ya ka Section 52 ya Maruleng Minicipality SPLUMA Bylaws 2016 gore rena, baga, Jacques du Toit and Associates, re dirile kgopelo go ba Maruleng Municipality go dira diphetogo go seripa sa Portion 10 Farm Edinburgh 217KT le seripa sa Manutsa 233KT go tloga go lefelo la tša temo go ya go lefelo la go ikgetha la di taelo gape le lefelo la go ikhutša la baeti jwale ka ge go beilwe godimo ga meago ya mmileng wa R36 mo e hlakanago le tsela ya R527.

Ga bjalo ke lefelo la temo.

Ditlabakelo tša kgopelo di tla ba di dutše ka fase ga hlahlobo mo nakong ya mošomo go moetapele wa masipala, 64 Springbok Street, Hoedspruit, tekano ya matšatši a masometharo (30) go tloga ka di 30 Moranang (April) 2021 (go tloga ka tšatši la mathomo la tsebišo ye tšweleditšwego ka lona). Dikganetšo goba baemedi ka hlompho go ya ka kgopelo ye swanetšwe e tsebišwe goba go ngwalela go Moetapele wa Masipala ka fase ga aterese ye e latelago goba le fihlišwe kantorong ya Moetapele go; P O Box 627, Hoedspruit, 1380 pele ga tšatši la 31 Mopitlo (May) 2021.

Go ya ka kgetho ya seo se ngwadilwego mo hlogong ya taba. Baganetši bao ba nago le kgahlego mo tabeng ye, ditlabakelo tša moganetši e tlaba nomoro ya mogala (founo) le aterese ya gagwe ya bodulo.

Go bao bas a kgonego go ngwala ba ka etela go diofisi tša Masepala ka nako tša mošomo go yo kgopela mothuši go hlaloša dikganetšo go ba polelo ya gagwe.Contact person: Mr Gabriel Mailula Tel 015 793 2409. Address of Agent Jacques du Toit & Associates, PO Box 754, Tzaneen, 0850 Tel. 015-307 3710

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Mundell and Morrison crowned champions ■ Roelof de Jonge Tzaneen Bowls Club held its final round of the men’s and women’s two-ball single club competition on Saturday the 24th of April. Ben Mundell was crowned as the men’s winner while Sue Morrison walked away with the honours in the women’s division.

The second place in the men’s division went to Stoffel Vermaak with Koos Luyt in third place.

The club’s president, Carine Chadwick, took up second spot in the ladies division with Adriana Jacobs who settled for third place.

The abundance of support from businesses of the annual social Business League, was enough to provide the club a financial lifeline to survive after the severe implications of the lock down last year. The final round took place on Thursday the 22nd of April with 28 teams vying for top honours on the two bowling greens.

The 2021 edition of the Tzaneen Bowls

Business League saw the team of Elbow Rockers once again reign supreme against the other participants on 50 points, five ahead of their closest rivals, HI-Q in second and Tzaneng Trusses in third place.

Carine Chadwick, president Tzaneen Bowls

Brave 300 celebrate Freedom Day outdoors ■ Roelof de Jonge

Freedom Day this week saw a bunch of locals take to the wilderness in various sporting codes to enjoy the proverbial freedoms still afforded to the general populace during the government sanctioned lockdown. One of the most enjoyable – and most supported – outdoor sporting events in the Mopani District is mountain biking.

Magoebaskloof Adventurers held a Fun Trial Run and Mountain Bike (MTB) Ride to commemorate Freedom Day and the freedom for people to simply enjoy the great outdoors and the scenic beauty and rolling hills of George’s Valley. This event took place on Tuesday the 27th of April.

Mark Mone, of Magoebaskloof Adventurers who co-organized of the event, said he and his team invested quite a substantial amount into cleaning out weeds and overgrowth to clean paths for mountain bikers and for those who took part in the walking trail. He said the Freedom Day Fun Day event was an ideal opportunity to raise money to

Rynier de Jager, Erika Swart and Thinus van Deventer from the Elbow Rockers team congratulating them is Carine Chadwick.

Tawwe tekkies en rolballe máák die geleentheid ■ Roelof de Jonge

build and clean-up more paths and tracks for adventurous walkers, runners and cyclists alike.

“We initially expected about 100 entries for this event, but to our surprise the entries exceeded our expectations and we saw closer to 300 people who came out to take part and support the cause,” said Mone. “It just goes to show the hunger to get out and participate in sport and other activities by people after all the lock down regulations that people had to endure for the past few months due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Our ultimate aim is to establish a regularly maintained MTB and walkers trial in this area.”

The next big event is scheduled for later in August this year which sport fanatics can look forward to. The Wolkberg Trial Run will start from Stanford Lake College and the dates and exact routes will be published closer to the time.

Die rolbalklubs van die omgewing was die afgelope tyd ‘n miernes van bedrywighede met klubligawedstryde en sosiale rolbalgeleenthede wat aan die orde van die dag was. Op Dinsdag die 27ste April op Vryheidsdag, het die kollig op Duiwelskloof Rolbalklub geval met sowat 27 spanne wat die Tekkie Dag gelok het.

Hierdie Tekkie Dag was op dieselfde konsep as die besigheidsrolballiga gegrond, al verskil is dat hierdie samekoms op ‘n enkele dag beslis is instede van om weekliks plaas te vind.

Nietemin het hierdie Tekkie Dag heelwat belangstelling en ondersteuning van besighede in die omgewing ontvang.

Die span van Willie Jonker was uiteindelik die wenners met die span van Lizel’s Hair Design wat die tweedeplek beklee het.

Die ZZ2-span van Jan Bekker was derde algeheel met die spelers van Spies en Vennote wie in die vierdeplek geëindig het.

Monnas Eeufees rugbyles vir die Vossie Buffels ■ Roelof de Jonge

Photo: Roelof de Jonge

Van Suid-Afrika se beste skole rugbyspanne het aan die Hoërskool Monument oftwel Monnas op Krugersdorp se Eeufees rugbytoernooi deelgeneem wat van Vrydag die 23ste tot Maandag die 26ste April beslis is.

Een van hierdie top-skolespanne is van die Hoërskool Ben Vorster.

Van die top rugbyskole wat ondermeer deelneem het is Pretoria Boys High, Hoërskool Nelspruit, Hoërskool Menlopark, Hoërskool EG Jansen, Hoërskool Waterkloof, Hoërskool Helpmekaar, Affies, Hoërskool Garsfontein, Grey College en Paarl Gimnasium om enkeles op te noem.

Op die 24ste April het die Vossie se Buffels in hul eerste wedstryd van die Eeufees die span van EG Jansen aangedurf. Die span van Ben Vorster het die eerste paar minute EG Jansen se 15-tal op hul hoede gehad.

Maar ‘n te kort aan dissipline het die Vossies se aanslag in die wiele gery en EG Jansen het hul teenstanders se foute behoorlik uitgebuit deur met 33-15 as oorwinnaars van die veld te stap.

Ben Vorster het in sy tweede wedstryd teen die Hoër Tegniese Skool Drostdy te staan gekom. Die Buffels het fluks gegaffel teen die tegniese skoolspan, maar moes nog steeds die knie buig met HTS Drostdy wat die wedstryd met 34-20 in hul guns beklink het.

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Tourism Recovery Plan finally approved ■ Billy Sibuyi The Cabinet of South Africa has approved the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan which is expected to facilitate the preservation of R189-billion of value. The plan was approved by the cabinet last week Thursday, the 22nd of April, and is expected to enable the tourism sector to recover the 2019 activity and employment levels by 2023.

The Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, made this announcement during a media briefing she hosted to unpack the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan which represents the tourism’s industry’s collective response to the havoc brought about by the pandemic.

The plan is a product of extensive industry consultation and reflects the industry’s commitment to deep and intensive collaboration around a set of clearly defined and specific areas of cooperation as tourism is an important contributor to the South African economy.

The Covid -19 pandemic has plunged the sector into an unprecedented crisis, both locally and globally, as the sector continues to shed jobs with tourism enterprises in distress and small and medium enterprises being the worse affected and many facing the possibility of permanent closures.

What makes matters worse is more countries are banning travel to and from South Africa.

In response, the Department of Tourism, working with the industry, developed a Tourism Sector Recovery Plan. This plan outlines a set of interventions to ignite the recovery of the tourism sector and to place it on a path to long-term sustainability.

“Noting the tourism sector’s impact on the wider economy, the

Tourism Sector Recovery Plan is aligned to the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP), in particular to the ERRP’s priorities in the areas of employment creation, infrastructure investment, green economy or sustainability interventions, inclusion of women and youth, as well as skills development,” stated Minister Kubayi-Ngubane.

“The Tourism Sector Recovery Plan contains a set of interventions to protect and rejuvenate supply, reignite demand and strengthen enabling capability to support the sector’s recovery. The goal is to preserve jobs and livelihoods within the sector, facilitate the creation of new job opportunities, match demand and supply as well as strengthen transformation in the sector including empowerment of women, youth and people with disabilities in the sector,” said Minister Kubayi-Ngubane.

The plan also identifies specific enablers as well as the activities linked to them, their timeframes for implementation and the lines of accountability and its successful implementation will, in part, depend on a set of enablers which is beyond the immediate mandate by the Department of Tourism and the tourism industry in general.

“We anticipate that the interventions and enablers outlined in the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan will facilitate the preservation of R189

MTPA strike ends ■ Billy Sibuyi The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) resumed all its operations last week after the unprotected industrial action that has been ongoing since the 6th of April kept its parks and reserves closed.

This followed a dispute between the union NEHAWU and the MTPA which manages Manyeleti Nature Reserve, just outside Hoedspruit. The dispute revolved around salary, service, change of working conditions, and housing disparities within the agency.

The strike, according to MTPA CEO, Johannes Nobunga, had a negative effect on the positive development of tourism after Covid -19. Tour operators opted to take their guests to the Kruger National Park as opposed to the reserve during the two-week long strike.

The Executive Management of the MTPA announced last week Wednesday that the strike had come to end. According to a statement released by the MTPA, they, together with the Provincial Leadership of NEHAWU would sign an agreement which will see all issues raised since the beginning of the industrial action being addressed.

This agreement was signed by NEHAWU on Friday last week and the organization’s secretary, Welcome Mnisi, who told Bulletin that all the issues raised by themselves would be addressed.

“It was only after we engaged the MEC that we were able to achieve 95% of the issues that we raised. We have given them 30 days to start the process of procuring whatever is needed to change the living conditions of our members,” stated Mnisi.

Mnisi explained to Bulletin that in demanding that the recognition of long service awards should start from five to 30 years, with a monetary value ranging from R2 500 to R15 000, the agency management said it would be resolved.

“We are happy that they are willing to review these awards, because this will ensure that our members know that they are being recognized for their hard work,” stated Mnisi.

Johannes Nobunga, CEO of MTPA stated that they were pleased, after numerous engagements with NEHAWU, to have finally managed to reach an agreement. “We are confident that the work currently underway by the Joint Task Team will be concluded and we will implement the agreement that we will be signing accordingly.”

Another long-time resident and local Samaritan, José van den Elsen, passed away on the 24th of March, at the age of 84. José was born in the Netherlands and at age 19 fell in love with, and later at age 21, married an American soldier in England.

This was done without the approval of her father who at the time had some concerns over the age gap between the two love birds.

The couple later moved to Japan where the soldier was stationed.

Some time after that José divorced from her soldier-love and moved to the United States as an American citizen where she became a nurse and worked in several hospitals until 1963 when she returned to her home country.

There, she found employment as a pharmaceutical representative for the US Pharma outfit, Wyeth. She left the pharmaceutical industry after securing a position as the secretary for a major gas and oil company. It was only after this company was bought out by the Germans that she resigned and joined the Christian organization “Zorg & Welzjin” where she stayed on until the 1980’ before taking up an office job for a family-owned business where she worked as a secretary for an 84-year old businessman by the name of “Mr Schoenmaker”. When the old man retired his sons took over the company and by default his father’s

Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane

PMC donates PPE ■ Billy Sibuyi

The fight to ensure that the Ba-Phalaborwa communities are safe from contracting the Covid-19 virus and that the number of infections are reduced is still ongoing. This is after Palabora Mining Company (PMC) handed over Covid-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Maphuta Malatji Hospital, a stakeholder which is in the forefront of the virus to continuously ensure that lives are spared, last week on the 19th of April.

According to a statement issued by the mine, the Executive Management of Maphutha Malatji hospital, in Phalaborwa, received 1000 surgical gowns, 900 surgical masks, 1 000 Biohazard infectious waste plastic bags, 1 900 face masks, and 840 bottles of hands sanitizers from PMC. During his address the PMC Secretary, Dennis Modise, elaborated that the ‘hard’ lockdown called on frontline workers to sacrifice and commit to saving lives. “As PMC, we appreciate your efforts and commend you for the hard work that you are doing. There are speculations that there is a possibility of a third wave and as PMC we took a decision to support you so that you continue the fight against Covid-19,” stated Modise.

The month of April 2021 marked exactly 13 months since the country recorded its first Coro-

A Samaritan laid to rest ■ Joe Dreyer

billion of value and recover the tourism sector to its 2019 output, and employment levels by 2023. Additionally, it will position the sector for long-term sustainable growth,” stated Minister Kubayi-Ngubane. She added that the Department of Tourism in conjunction with its marketing entity would lead, coordinate, and support the implementation of the plan through the reprioritization of current resource allocation.

loyal secretary, José. This was on condition that she be willing to move to South Africa – which she dually agreed to and was soon living in Randburg.

Because of her connection to a man named Jan Willem Sterks, who owned Sefapane Lodge in a small mining town called Phalaborwa, José bought a house in Tambotie Street, the garage of which was later converted into a guesthouse for the many Dutch holidaymakers who would frequent her home.

After the death of her second husband, Nol (Arnold) Jansen, she stayed on in Phalaborwa where for the following 25 years until her death earlier this year, she played a pivotal role in the lives of many locals including students and young children.

Unbeknown to many residents, José privately funded and sponsored many a student, scholar and creche-going child through training and education. She never had children of her own and her passion was to fund the poorest of the poor. The couple built and established a few creches around Lulekani and Namakgale areas and in conjunction with the Palabora Foundation they established the Stitching of Bambanani in The Netherlands which is continuously funding more than 30 creches in the Ba-Phalaborwa area. José is survived by her brother and four sisters who all reside in the Netherlands.

navirus case. Today, the country has allegedly recorded over 1.57 million Coronavirus cases and according to the government just over 54, 000 deaths.

Rebecca Peta, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Maphutha Malatji Hospital, took to the stage and expressed her gratitude with a song, singing “Thank you PMC, it is because of you that Covid-19 did not hit our hospital hard, and we are happy that you are taking good care of us. This donation is more than enough to keep us going and we appreciate it. We hope that we are going to move through the third wave together if it comes and we are bound to conquer if we stick together as a family. The attention we get from you gives us that oomph to keep going even though it is not easy”.

According to the PMC’s communication department, the harsh realities of Covid-19 have left a devastating effect on many families since the day the pandemic hit the South African shores.

“Palabora Mining Company, including other businesses, had to equally adjust and adopt to the new normal of doing things to survive. The frequent washing of hands for 20 seconds, sanitizing with a 70% alcohol-based sanitizer, correct wearing of face mask and keeping a safe distance between each person are a few messages PMC shared to prevent the scourge,” concluded PMC.

SANParks worried about Algal Bloom ■ Billy Sibuyi One of the rivers in the South African National Parks (SANParks), Kruger National Park (KNP), has seen a rapid build-up of a potential harmful Algal Bloom in its waters. Algal blooms are the result of an increase in nutrients in the water, like nitrogen or phosphorus from fertilizer runoff, entering the water system and causing excessive growth of algae, a green soup like, which affects the whole ecosystem.

As algal blooms grow, they deplete the oxygen in the water and block sunlight from reaching fish and plants. The SANParks Scientists studying the Olifants River within the Kruger National Park, part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, have been monitoring water quality effects on the health of the aquatic ecosystem.

According to a statement released by SANParks on Wednesday, the 28th of April, recent satellite observations suggested the rapid build-up of a potential harmful Algal Bloom in the lower Olifants River, as it flows through a deep gorge with a large Nile crocodile population, before it enters the large Massingir Dam

in the Republic of Mozambique.

These conditions have arisen due to a combination of several factors including very high lake levels in Massingir Dam following the good summer rains, increased water clarity allowing mono-cellular algae to access sunlight and build up large biomass, high nutrient inputs (pollution) from upstream catchment areas, and the warm early winter temperatures experienced that increase surface water temperature.

SANParks said they were also keeping the parks and catchment management partners informed in South Africa and Mozambique. “Through this collaboration [we] intend to mitigate negative impacts of this event on the health of ecosystem of the Olifants River and to those that depend on its resources downstream”.

The Head of Conservation and Area Integrity Management in KNP, Danie Pienaar, said that they have learned valuable scientific lessons about the mechanisms giving rise to Pansteatitis (a physiological condition in which the body fat becomes inflamed) outbreaks, and the impact on the park’s crocodile population following the outbreak of the disease in 2008-2009.

Sport 30 April 2021

• Fall Arrest • Hand Tools Tel: 015 781 6280 Email: info@sikelelaskills.co.za Website: www.sikelelaskills.co.za Address: 22a Potgieter Street, Phalaborwa

Mudslinging for a good cause ■ Roelof de Jonge

Mud, mud and more mud was at the order of the day during last weekend’s 4x4 Family Fun Day held near the Bushveld Hunters and Wildlife Conservation Association grounds just on the outskirts of Tzaneen. A total of 27 entrants took the opportunity to showcase their extreme off-road capabilities and much to the delight of the spectators, put their magnificent beasts through their paces.

This event which was hosted by the parents of the Ben Vorster High School grade 11 pupils as a fundraiser for the school’s Matric Farewell ceremony later this year, attracted old and young, and was considered a roaring success.

According to the organizing committee, they needed to raise about a R100 000 in order to host the matric farewell, and Saturday’s event certainly contributed adequately to bringing them closer to this target. The 4x4 Family Fun Day consisted of three classes, namely Factory, Extreme and Side-by-Side.

Stephen Bisschoff and his co-driver Jacques Bisschoff literally flung mud pies into the faces of their rivals to claim the win in the Extreme class. Riaan Smith conquered the various obstacles, rather effortlessly he would later say, to claim victory in the Side-by-Side class while the winners’ laurels in the Factory class went to the couple, Jaco and Natashia Beukes.

The organizers not only lauded the good heartedness of each and every person that came out in support of this event, but also Stephen Bisschoff who gave up his prize to be auctioned off and then contributed the amount towards the school’s fund. This event proved not only popular among the competitors, but also attracted immense support from spectators and the local business community. So much so, in fact, that it was already considered to host a second event in the coming months.

Louis Render

Koos Groenewald

Riaan Smith

Marius Grobler