Mabuza concerned over TB infection rate 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 6 April 2021 “We should also work hard to regain those who have fallen by the wayside. Each and every one of us has a role to play in the fight to end TB,” Mabuza concluded. Deputy president, David Mabuza, said according to the results of the latest tuberculosis (TB) prevalence survey report, TB prevalence is 1,6 times higher in men than in women. According to the reports, nearly 40% of all infected individuals do not know that they have TB. “The SANAC men’s sector has done commendable work through various platforms in an effort to sensitise men about the importance of fostering health-seeking behaviour. Until we reach and change men’s perspective in every setting, we will never win the battle against TB. Out of the estimated 390 000 people infected with the disease, only 60% have been diagnosed. Mabuza called on all South Africans to rally behind national efforts to end TB, and scale up the national response through urgently finding, initiating and retaining TB clients in treatment and care. “We should also work hard to regain those who have fallen by the wayside. Each and every one of us has a role to play in the fight to end TB,” Mabuza concluded. < Previous Article Next Article >

SASSA launches online application portal 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 29 September 2020 A receipt will be generated when the application is completed. Supporting documents that are attached must be certified by a Commissioner of Oath. The agency is currently reviewing its system, and thereafter the other grants will also be added to the portal. The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) launched a pilot programme, entailing a self-service portal that can be used on both computers and mobile devices. According to SASSA, the turnaround time is 10 days, provided the candidate supplies all the stipulated documents linked to the application such as identity documents of applicant and spouse’s as well as banking details, among others. At this time, the project will cover Child Support, Older Persons and Foster Child grants. SASSA stated that this pilot will provide much-needed relief to grant applicants, as it will save them the inconvenience of standing in queues at SASSA offices. According to the agency, the added advantage is that the convenience of online applications eliminates the risk of being infected with the COVID-19 virus. The agency may require documents supporting a change of circumstances such as payment method, banking details and address. The portal also provides updates on the status of the application. To access this service, applicants need to have an e-mail address to sign up, and to be able to log in for further services. Feedback will be sent via e-mail or through an SMS for those who do not have e-mail addresses. A receipt will be generated when the application is completed. Supporting documents that are attached must be certified by a Commissioner of Oath. The agency is currently reviewing its system, and thereafter the other grants will also be added to the portal. Qualifying applications can be lodged on https://services.sassa.gov.za . < Previous Article Next Article >

New bank card suggested by the SARB 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 16 March 2021 This should allow for cheaper transactions than those offered by institutions such as Visa and Mastercard. The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) stated that it will conduct an assessment on the feasibility of establishing a domestic card scheme. The central bank said that the assessment will look at creating ‘white-label’ banking cards that can only be used in South Africa or neighbouring countries, which should allow for cheaper transactions than those offered by institutions such as Visa and Mastercard. “In South Africa, Visa and Mastercard have dominated the card scheme market. In 2019, approximately 48.8 million cards were in circulation in South Africa, and 5.6 billion transactions to the value of R2.1 trillion were processed,” the SARB said. “This is an increase in volume of 16.2% and in value of 15.6% compared to 2018. A card scheme is therefore a key component of the NPS.” The SARB said that most of unbanked South Africans have no immediate need for a card that can be used overseas. “This raises the question regarding the scope for developing white-label or locally branded cards as cheaper alternatives to the brands of the major card schemes, especially for consumers who do not enter into global internet transactions or use cards beyond the borders of South Africa or beyond the Southern African Development Community (SADC). SARB said. The Reserve Bank said that the success of a sustainable domestic card scheme would depend on the collective effort and support of card issuers, retailers, consumers, regulators, policymakers, and government departments. < Previous Article Next Article >

JJ onnies verwerf graad 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 23 February 2021 Vier onderwysers van Laerskool JJ van der Merwe het onlangs hul grade verwerf. Vier onderwysers van Laerskool JJ van der Merwe het onlangs hul grade verwerf. Retief van der Walt ontvang sy B.ed graad in Intermediêre en Senior Fase in 2020, en gee tans Wiskunde. Carli Oberholster ontvang haar BSW (Bachelors degree in Social Work) graad in 2021. Sy is tans die Maatskaplike werkster by JJ. Ansuné Neethling ontvang haar B.ed graad in Grondslagfase in 2020. Sy gee tans Afrikaans HT, Afrikaans EAT en Wiskunde. Marlene Robinson ontvang haar B.ed graad in Grondslagfase in 2020. Sy is tans ‘n Graad 2 onderwyseres. Op die foto verskyn (v.l.n.r) Retief vd Walt, Carli Obeholster en Ansuné Neethling. Inlas - Marlene Robinson. < Previous Article Next Article >

Inwoners word genoop om aan te sluit by buurtwag groepe Ken Robertson, VF Plus. Ken Robertson, VF Plus. Ken Robertson, VF Plus. 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 8 September 2020 In ‘n voorval naby Bethal het rowers by ‘n kleinhoewe ‘n deur van mnr. Butch Goosen oopgeskop waarna ‘n skietery tussen mnr. Goosen en sy aanvallers plaasgevind het. Mnr Goosen is in die bors geskiet en is na ‘n hospitaal gebring. Die rowers is nog soek. Dit is van die grootste noodsaaklikheid vir mense wat in landelike gebiede woon om hul waaksaamheid te verskerp, om voor te berei teen misdaad en by buurtwag groepe en gemeenskapspolisiëringsforums (GPF's) aan te sluit. Dit word onderstreep deur die onlangse voorval waar mev. Erika Muller van Rietkol naby Sundra, wat alleen tuis was nadat haar man, Sampie, plaaswerkers gaan haal het, ’n aanval afgeweer het deur haar veiligheidshekke te sluit en op haar aanvallers te skiet. Daar bestaan geen twyfel nie dat gereedheid, goeie kommunikasie en die gemeenskaplike doelwit van buurtwaggroepe en samewerking met die polisie lei tot die voorkoming van meer plaasaanvalle in Rietkol en Sundra. Na die aanval op mev. Muller het goeie kommunikasie tussen die buurtwag en die polisie gelei tot die inhegtenisneming van twee verdagtes. ’n Derde verdagte is tydens ’n skietgeveg noodlottig gewond. In ‘n tweede voorval naby Bethal het rowers by ‘n kleinhoewe ‘n deur van mnr. Butch Goosen oopgeskop waarna ‘n skietery tussen mnr. Goosen en sy aanvallers plaasgevind het. Mnr Goosen is in die bors geskiet en is na ‘n hospitaal gebring. Die rowers is nog soek. Die VF Plus doen ʼn beroep op alle Suid-Afrikaners, en veral boere, om hul voor te berei vir die moontlikheid van misdaad en aanvalle en om binne die reg op te tree om hulself en hul eiendom te beskerm. < Previous Article Next Article >

ATKV Tienertoneel maak golwe 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 24 August 2021 Die toneel is `n kombinasie van digkuns, sang, ballet en drama. Die optrede het te Roodepoort teater in Johannesburg plaasgevind, op 14 Augustus 2021. “Kettings” vertel die verhaal van `n dogter wat haarself moet vergewe. Deur die loop van die verhaal praat sy met drie karakters/spoke, mense van haar verlede wat oorlede is. Deur hierdie gesprekke vind sy bevryding, en is dit vir haar moontlik om meer en meer kettings van haarself af te haal. Janneke de Villiers het die hoofrol vertolk, en Lohan Coetzee het die rol van die beste vriend gespeel. René Walters het die rol van haar ma gespeel, en Marzé du Plessis het die rol van haar sussie gespeel. Die toneel is `n kombinasie van digkuns, sang, ballet en drama. Die optrede het te Roodepoort teater in Johannesburg plaasgevind, op 14 Augustus 2021. Mari Molefe van Heerden en Pietie Beyers was as beoordelaars aangewys, en Janneke de Villiers, Lohan Coetzee, René Walters en Marzé du Plessis was betrokke by die toneelspel. Janneke de Villiers het spesiale bedanking ontvang vir spel in die produksie, en het brons behaal. Renske van Niekerk, ‘n Ligbron onderwyser, het spesiale dank ontvang vir stelontwerp en -inkleding, en het silwer behaal. < Previous Article Next Article >

State of disaster extended yet again 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 14 January 2021 The ban on alcohol remains in place, as allowing the sale of liquor would result in a spike in trauma cases. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has now announced the extended the national state of disaster for another month. Existing level 3 lockdown restrictions were recently extended until further notice, following an address to the nation by President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this week. In his address, Ramaphosa stated that the COVID-19 pandemic is at the worst stage it has ever been in South Africa, and he stressed the importance of compliance with lockdown restrictions. Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has now announced the extended the national state of disaster for another month. Dalmini-Zuma announced the change in a new government gazette, which stated that the national state of disaster will remain in place until 15 February 2021, and cited the “need to continue augmenting the existing legislation and contingency arrangements undertaken by organs of state to address the impact of the disaster” as the reason for the extension. While South Africa remains under lockdown restrictions the national state of disaster must remain in place, as the legislation enforcing restrictions on citizens is promulgated under the National State of Disaster Act. The ban on alcohol remains in place, as allowing the sale of liquor would result in a spike in trauma cases. Government will use this period to ready the deployment of a comprehensive vaccination strategy that aims to reach all parts of the country. “It will be far more extensive than our HIV treatment programme or even our national, provincial and local elections in terms of the number of people who have to be reached within a short space of time,” Ramaphosa said. < Previous Article Next Article >

Hefty fine for tampering with fire hydrants Hefty fine for tampering with fire hydrants 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 3 November 2020 A person who uses a fire hydrant without the appropriate authorization is liable to prosecution. A fine of R2 500 awaits individuals who illegally tamper with municipal fire hydrants. It was noticed in Friday that individuals helped themselves at a fire hydrant in Church Street, and several large containers were repeatedly filled with water from the hydrant. The culprit had a makeshift tool handy to open the fire hydrant. According to the available by-laws, it is illegal to use a fire hydrant to obtain water for purposes other than fire fighting, unless authorised by the water authority or person to whom the hydrant belongs. A person who uses a fire hydrant without the appropriate authorization is liable to prosecution. A fine of R2 500 awaits individuals who illegally tamper with municipal fire hydrants. The community is urged to refrain from tampering with fire hydrants, as those in question often waste precious water, and also repeatedly leave fire hydrants partially open, aggravating the wasteful behavior. < Previous Article Next Article >

MLA tweede in Gert Sibande Distrik 1/5 Share SM HATTINGH 18 May 2021 “Namens die hoof en die skool, baie geluk aan die individue met hul besonderse prestasies. Dit het ons trots gemaak om 'n Landtie te wees by hierdie prestige geleentheid.” By 2020 se Prestige Awards byeenkoms waar skole, onderwysers en leerder beloon is vir uitstekende werk in Gert Sibande Distrik, het Morgenzon Landbou Akademie (MLA) met ‘n groot hoeveelheid van die pryse weg gestap. Msukaligwa 2, waarvan MLA een van die 6 skole is, het met 'n totale slaagsyfer van 89.7%, tweede plek behaal in Gert Sibande Distrik. Hier volg 'n uiteensetting van die pryse wat aan MLA by hierdie prestige geleentheid oor handig is - MLA is aangewys as skool met die hoogste persentasie Baccalaureus studente in Msukaligwa 2 kring, beste skool in Afrikaans Huistaal, asook beste skool in Lewensoriëntering (LO). Op vak gebied is die volgende onderwysers bekroon as die beste presterend in die kring, en ook 'n 100% slaagsyfer in sy of haar vakke: Rekeningkunde - Jeanine van Aarde, Afrikaans Huistaal - Nelanie du Plessis, Gasvryheid - Mariska Janse Van Rensburg, IGO - Wybrand Wondergom, Toerisme - Janine Rautenbach, Landbou Tegnologie - Ruan Jansen van Vuuren, LO - Marina van Eck en Lewenswetenskap - Nelanie du Plessis. Die volgende leerders het geraamde sertifikate, asook trofees ontvang vir uitstekende prestasies: Jan-Hendrik Zwarts - Afrikaans Huistaal, Jan-Hendrik Zwarts - English First Additional, Jan-Hendrik Zwarts - Lewenswetenskap, Lou Grobbelaar- Landbou Tegnologie en Lou Grobbelaar- Wiskunde Gelleterdheid. “Namens die hoof en die skool, baie geluk aan die individue met hul besonderse prestasies. Dit het ons trots gemaak om 'n Landtie te wees by hierdie prestige geleentheid.” < Previous Article Next Article >

NPSS learners participate in Radikale Redenaars 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 11 August 2020 All of the learners achieved an A+ or A symbol for their speeches and poems. Four learners are going through to the nationals which will take place later this year. The learners had to submit a video recording of them doing a speech or reciting a poem. Seven learners from Netherland Park Secondary School participated in the Radikale Redenaars competition. All of the learners achieved an A+ or A symbol for their speeches and poems. Four learners are going through to the nationals which will take place later this year. The learners had to submit a video recording of them doing a speech or reciting a poem. The following learners participated: Nadia Ngcobo: Grade 12: 1 poem, 1 speech (nationals), Siphesihle Nkosi: Grade 11: 1 poem (nationals), Nothando Nzimande: Grade 12, 1 poem (nationals), Siphamandla Hlatswayo: Grade 12: 1 poem (nationals), Londeka Sibanyoni: Grade 11: 1 speech, Noluthando Mkhwanazi: Grade 11: 1 poem, Wandile Mathebula: Grade 11: 1 speech.. “We are proud of them and look forward to them participating in the nationals later this year.” Nadia Ngcobo and Nothando Nzimande appearing on the photo (front), and Siphamandla Hlatswayo at the back. Siphesihle Nkosi is absent from the photo. These learners have made it to the nationals of Radikale Redenaars. < Previous Article Next Article >

Kleintjie publiseer vierde digbundel 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 7 June 2022 "In elke publikasie is daar gedigte vir almal, en van oud tot jonk kan dit lees. Die gedigte is maklik verstaanbaar, en elke gedig vertel ‘n storie. " Kleintjie Smalberger (Strydom) is ‘n hoogs talentvolle dame, wat asems laat snak met haar pragtige woorde wat sy pen. “Ek skryf tans hoofsaaklik poësie... Dit lê my baie na aan die hart. Dit is baie goeie terapie, en is vir my ontspannend. My grootste aansporing was maar omdat ek al soveel hartseer en ongelukkige tye beleef en ervaar het. My groot liefde vir die Groot-Karoo, asook groot heimwee na my grootword dorp deel ook in my gedigte. Alles wat mooi en kosbaar is vir my, moet ek egter neerpen. Fotografie, musiek en die mooie natuur vorm alles deel van my skryfwerk,” het Kleintjie aan die Tribune gesê. “Dinge wat ons land raak, asook ons boere in erge droogte tye het my vinnig laat voel ek moet daaroor skryf. Dan natuurlik ook ons destydse spoorweë en hawens, vir wie ek ook gewerk het, het my genoop om daaroor te skryf.” Kleintjie het onlangs haar vierde digbundel laat publiseer, en het gesê dat dit nogal baie aangenaam voel om die uiteindelike fisiese digbundel in haar hande vas te hou. In elke publikasie is daar gedigte vir almal, en van oud tot jonk kan dit lees. Die gedigte is maklik verstaanbaar, en elke gedig vertel ‘n storie. “Ek beskou myself as ‘n romantikus en dromer. Ek is ook egter deeglik bewus van al die hartseer en onaangename dinge van ons samelewing. Lewensrealiteite is soms niks aangenaam nie. Om oor hierdie tipe dinge te skryf, maak my soms baie hartseer, maar dit moet ook uitgelaat word sonder om ander te na te kom. Ongelukkig moet ek as digter en skryfster my woorde mooi kies,” sê Kleintjie. Sy het ook vir ‘n jaar lank vir die Insig Koerant in Ermelo ‘n rubriek geskryf, wat goeie reaksie uitgelok het. Kleintjie het die afgelope jaar begin konsentreer op kortverhale skryf, en het gesê dat sy dit baie aangenaam vind. Baie van die verhale is fiksie, en sommiges is fiksie gemeng met ware lewensgebeure. “Ek beplan, indien alles goed verloop, en indien ek gespaar bly, om ‘n kortverhaal omnibus te laat publiseer teen Desember 2022. Dit sal dan my debuut kortverhaal boek wees. Ek glo die lesers sal dit ook baie geniet.” Huidiglik werk Kleintjie aan haar vyfde digbundel, en beplan om dit binne die volgende twee maande te laat publiseer. “Dit is nogal baie tikwerk, waarvan die stilsit seker die ergste is. Vir almal wat ‘n droom het wat hul wil najaag, sou ek sê gaan daarvoor, en moet nooit ophou glo of tou opgooi nie. Byt vas, en druk deur. Eendag word daardie groot droom waar.” sluit sy af. Kleintjie se nuutste digbundel, genaamd “Aberdeen se Roep”, asook haar reeks van van drie, Windpomp Dans, is beskikbaar vir lesers se genot via Mar-Leo uitgewers. Belangstellendes kan Kleintjie gerus kontak by 066 564 1992, of via e-pos kleintjiestrydom@gmail.com . < Previous Article Next Article >

NSFAS students urged to use allowances to buy devices 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 2 June 2020 Nchabeleng said the work that NSFAS is doing in support of the departmental objectives to increase the number of poor students in higher education at no cost, is noted. He said more work needs to be done around a policy that will ensure access to the category of students who belong to the ‘missing middle’. Students receiving aid from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) have been urged to use their learning material allowances to purchase learning devices so they can learn remotely during the lockdown. “Many students, who still have not bought laptops must do so, especially those who have been paid the annual teaching assistance allowance of R5 200, to buy gadgets that will facilitate their learning during this challenging time,” said the chairperson of the Select Committee on Education and Technology, Sports, Arts and Culture, Elleck Nchabeleng. NSFAS qualifying students receive learning material allowance for the year, which includes R5 200 issued once a year to beneficiaries to purchase things like laptops, tablets and books. Nchabeleng said the committee is satisfied with the proficiency and efficiency with which the NSFAS Administrator, Dr Randall Carolissen has run the entity, even during the Covid-19 distraction. The committee also welcomed the task team announced by Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister, Dr. Blade Nzimande, over the weekend. The task team will investigate challenges associated with the move to the student-centred model at NSFAS in 2017. “The intervention will enhance the work of the Administrator and improve the service to poor students. Commendable work to stabilise the student financial aid scheme is being realised, and that has been demonstrated by how allowances are being distributed to students,” Nchabeleng said. Nchabeleng said the work that NSFAS is doing in support of the departmental objectives to increase the number of poor students in higher education at no cost, is noted. He said more work needs to be done around a policy that will ensure access to the category of students who belong to the ‘missing middle’. “NSFAS is now an entity where consequence management is prioritised. Certain employees and criminal syndicates that were operating within the student financial aid scheme have been reported to law enforcement agencies. “The committee will support NSFAS so that the entity does not regress from the progress that was realised during the administration period. NSFAS is a changed and a well-functioning student financial aid scheme,” Nchabeleng said. < Previous Article Next Article >