AFPO threatens full shutdown 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 15 September 2020 AFPO has warned that it will intensify its action should government fail to meet its demands. The Department of Health said that it tried at several meetings last month to resolve the dispute, and that the National Funeral Practitioners Association of South Africa was the only organization that had informed them of the strike. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, funeral parlor directors are demanding that the outsourcing of mortuary facilities be recognized and legalized, along with various other demands. The African Funeral Practitioners Organisation (AFPO) said that the organization and its affiliates plans to embark on a strike, and warned that no bodies will be picked up from private and government mortuaries and homes. AFPO has also warned that no funerals would be conducted due to the strike action by affiliated members, and more than 3000 employed staff. The organization also demands that the Department of Home Affairs must allow them to appoint a third party to conduct some duties on their behalf, which is now prohibited by law. The organization has warned that it will intensify its action should government fail to meet its demands. The Department of Health said that it tried at several meetings last month to resolve the dispute, and that the National Funeral Practitioners Association of South Africa was the only organization that had informed them of the strike. “We've been trying to talk to the government, but they've never wanted to listen to us. We'll still help our members, we'll direct them to the police, and then we will direct them to forensics to do the pick-ups.” AFPO president, Raisibe Pole-Nkosi, stated. < Previous Article Next Article >

Fed up residents demand change Sun City residents during their peacful demonstration of dissatisfaction. Sun City residents during their peacful demonstration of dissatisfaction. 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 14 July 2020 Complaints included the crime rate in Sun City, as well as alleged service delivery issues. Irate residents from Sun City Extension 33 displayed their dismay at the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court yesterday, citing that they’re awaiting documents from the court. Complaints included the crime rate in Sun City, as well as alleged service delivery issues. Although the protestors were determined ti be noticed, the demonstration was peaceful and organized. < Previous Article Next Article >

Hoërskool Ermelo nommer een in Msukaligwa 1/1 Share SHNHATTINGH 27 April 2021 “Hoërskool Ermelo is besonder trots op die prestasie wat die skool, onderwysers en Vosjan behaal het. Dankie vir elkeen se bydrae om te sorg dat EHS se akademie van top gehalte is.” Op Vrydag, 16 April 2021, het die prysuitdeling van die Msukaligwa 1-streek vir die 2020-matriekuitslae plaasgevind. Nie net is Hoërskool Ermelo die nommer een presterende skool in die GertSibande-distrik nie, maar ook, soos aangewys tydens die Msukaligwa 1-streeksprysuitdeling, neem EHS die eerste plek in vir die beste skool in dié streek. Te danke aan 'n slaagsyfer van 99,1%, en 79% leerders wat slaag met universiteitsvrystelling, het die prestasie die Erries te beurt geval. Various teachers received certificates for best educator in subject performance in the circuit 2020, with a pass rate of 100%: Pieter du Plooy: Geografie, Elana Fourie: Wiskundige Geletterheid, Lynelle Grobler: English First Additional Language, Diana Loots: Afrikaans Eerste Addisionele Taal, Annaliza Mentz: Rekeningkunde, Restah Pretorius: Rekeningkunde, Erna Schoeman: English Home Language, Faans van der Merwe: Landbouwetenskap, Gerda van Zyl: Afrikaans Huistaal. Vosjan Grey, EHS-President van 2020, het die prys ontvang vir beste leerder in Hoërskool Ermelo. Hy spog met ses onderskeidings, en ‘n gemiddeld van 85,4%. “Hoërskool Ermelo is besonder trots op die prestasie wat die skool, onderwysers en Vosjan behaal het. Dankie vir elkeen se bydrae om te sorg dat EHS se akademie van top gehalte is.” < Previous Article Next Article >

PROJECT ERMELO - Mike Bolhuis to intervene as MLM falls apart 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 8 June 2021 "If a municipality fails to fulfill any of the mandates set forth by the national government, it is a crime. As simple as that." As you sit in the dark for 20 hours a day, for the fourth consecutive day, as yourself if it is acceptable. As you watch how polluted and muddy water runs from your taps, ask yourself if it is acceptable. As you hit yet another pothole, and have to replace yet another tyre on your vehicle, ask yourself if it is acceptable. As Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) simply blames your woes on the 88kVA and 11kVA being “overloaded”, the onus of appliances ruined by electrical spikes are on you as tax paying resident. As new developments are approved left and right by MLM’s apparent town planner, no foresight is given to the residents who suffer without electricity on a daily basis. While MLM claims that the electrical infrastructure is overloaded and at maximum capacity, more developments are approved by MLM on a monthly basis. While MLM claims that non-paying residents are to blame for the lack of maintenance, the municipality has set forth a mandate that consumer debt be written off under certain conditions, to the tune of nearly R600 million. Does this make sense to you? While you have to weave and bob to miss the thousands of potholes and sinkholes on the roads in Ermelo and the surrounding areas, MLM claims to have a “shoestring budget” that they receive from government. Thousands, if not millions of Rands, are wasted on half-hearted patchwork of the roads, instead of repairing the roadway as mandated. Potholes are filled with dirt and gravel, and expand exponentially as the surface deteriorates to a state of non-existence. Are you satisfied with this? As you stand in your front yard, and take a deep whiff of rank, raw sewage flowing in the streets in front of your house... Are you satisfied? As you have to drive through pools of sewage as you exit your yard, and your children have to tread carefully not to be contaminated with raw sewage, does it make you feel good? While you sit without street lights, and your residence is shrouded in darkness, are you complacent with the fact that you can be robbed blind without even knowing it? Are you content with the fact that hijackers and criminals can sit outside your yard and wait for you to open your gate, remaining unseen due to the street lights that have been out of commission for over ten years? Are you content with the fact that your tax money is wasted on fruitless expenditures by Msukaligwa Local Municipality, that you are overcharged by the municipality’s archaic billing system, that you pay penalties on payments that are not logged by the municipality, and that year after year, you are done in with bogus property taxes that are thumbsucked by municipal officials? If the answer to any of the above is no, then it your time to shine. It is time for residents to stop talking and complaining, and to take action. A group of like-minded residents, that have had it in chunks with the utter incompetence displayed by Msukaligwa Local Municipality, have approached Private Investigator, Mike Bolhuis, to assist in solving the humanitarian crisis that Ermelo is steering towards. Mr. Bolhuis has thus requested that all complaints be submitted in a categorized fashion. Speaking to Mr. Bolhuis, residents are urged to take heed of his words. “I would like to issue a friendly but serious warning to residents of Ermelo. Project Ermelo, that we are requested to assist with, can only be a success if everyone sets their differences and varied opinions aside, and sets the issue of crime as the main focus and problem. Residents of Ermelo should look past race, politics and differences in faith. We are all just human, and God has no blue-eyed boys. We request unequivocal unity from the community, that all residents and tax payers take hands and stand together, and assist us in any way necessary with our project and investigation. With Project Ermelo, we can not afford infighting between residents, where the best apples are compared to the best oranges. The main and singular focus of the community and this project should be to identify, solve and prevent crime. This trio of goals are of utmost importance. There is no place for persons who dislike one another, and each and every community member is urged to be part of the investigation, e-mail messages and WhatsApp groups. I would like to urge the community to keep all issues that are not relevant to Project Ermelo to be set aside, and that all energy should be focused on the project goal. The fact of the matter is that a crime is being committed. If a municipality fails to fulfill any of the mandates set forth by the national government, it is a crime. As simple as that. If the municipality does not maintain the infrastructure, it is a crime. A municipality can not be called a municipality, if it does not deliver a service. The solution to this problem can only be had if the community as a whole stands together, and works together. We will be the spearhead, and in this way work for the community. We appreciate any donations, no matter how big or small. When the opportunity presents itself, we visit Ermelo, we conduct the investigation, we collect audio and video evidence, and we confront the municipality. If no heed is paid by the municipality, it is escalated to a national project, complete with audio and video, and will be presented to national government.” If you have a complaint regarding electricity, sewage, road conditions, lack of service delivery, suspected corruption, financial mismanagement and more, please send each complaint in a separate e-mail, with the subject stating the category of the complaint. This way it will be easier to sort and compile a list of the issues that need attention. You may send your categorized complaint to ermeloproject@gmail.com . Please ensure that your e-mail body and complaints match the subject heading as described above. Residents who wish to make a donation, no matter how big or small, towards the compensation of service from Mr. Bolhuis, may do so by depositing funds into the slated trust account. Mr. Bolhuis has agreed to come to Ermelo and address the community as a whole to take note of all complaints right through the board. Kevin Duggan on 071 476 2028, or Lynette Hattingh on 082 542 9592 with any enquiries. The account details are as follows: PWG Attorneys, FNB Ermelo (270 344) Account Number: 52180048278. Reference: E747, please include your initials and surname afterwards. These funds will thus be regulated and tightly controlled, and will be utilized solely for the purpose of reimbursing Mr. Bolhuis and his team for their provided service. At the time of publication, more than 150 detailed and categorized complaints have been submitted by businesses and residents. From here, what the community does as a whole will affect the future of Ermelo. All residents are urged to unite in solidarity, and to take back the power which rightly belongs to them as paying consumers. < Previous Article Next Article >

Drug syndicate busted by Hawks Drug syndicate busted by Hawks Noluvoyo Sali. Henry Nwagu. Noluvoyo Sali. 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 10 February 2021 The total value of the equipment and chemicals was estimated at R1.5 million. The Balfour Regional Court, on 5 February 2021, sentenced Henry Nwagu (38), a Nigerian national, and Noluvoyo Sali (32), after they were arrested by members of the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation Secunda, assisted by members of Secunda Crime Intelligence, Secunda SAPS and Secunda bike squad. The arrests took place on 9 February 2015 during a search and seizure operation at Toon Van Der Heever Street in Secunda. Upon the arrival at the house, the team found a fully equipped and operational drug lab. There were chemicals, ephedrine, weighing scales, fans, big fridges, cash and drugs valued at an estimated R380 000. The total value of the equipment and chemicals was estimated at R1.5 million. In 2019, Sali was released on bail pending sentencing, while Nwagu remained in custody. Nwagu was sentenced to 27 years direct imprisonment on charges of manufacturing of drugs, dealing and possession of drugs, being an illegal immigrant. Nwagu was found to be having four passports, two Lesotho passports and two Nigerian passports. Sali was also sentenced to 27 years direct imprisonment on charges of manufacturing of drugs and dealing and possession of drugs. Both accused were declared unfit to possess firearms, and the court forfeited the cash and the equipment to the state. The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Zodwa Mokoena, applauded the team and judiciary for the successful conviction, and hopes it will serve as warning to those who are still involved in these type of crimes. < Previous Article Next Article >

Take a stand against poor service delivery 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 23 February 2021 This will assist the MB&CF’s legal team in bringing the municipality to penance. The Msukaligwa Business & Community Forum (MB&CF) has launched an initiative to get the public involved in bringing Msukaligwa Local Municipality to fulfil their service delivery obligations towards tax paying residents within its jurisdiction. Residents are requested to download the GPS Camera Map on their mobile phones, available from all app stores. Once installed, this application will allow the user to take photos of any and all service delivery issues, be it potholes, electrical issues, refuse, street lights, or any other service delivery related issues. The GPS Camera Application automatically overlays the exact coordinates of the photo, along with other essential information, which will assist the MB&CF’s legal team in bringing the municipality to penance. The MB&CF requests that all residents play their part in this by sending photographs via WhatsApp to 072 401 1449, or by sending an e-mail with the photo attached to mbc@myermelo.co.za . All received photographs will be presented as evidence in upcoming court cases. < Previous Article Next Article >

TLU SA Jongboere moedig landbou aan om die bedryf te versterk 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 18 May 2021 Die konferensie is afgesluit deur die president van TLU SA, mnr. Henry Geldenhuys. Hy het jong boere aangemoedig om as ‘n kliphoeksteen sterk te staan in die gemeenskap. TLU SA het boere regoor die land tydens die onlangse Jongboerkonferensie sterk aangemoedig om by georganiseerde landboustrukture aan te sluit om die uitdagings wat die bedryf ervaar, saam aan te pak. Die Jongboerkonferensie word jaarliks aangebied, maar moes verlede jaar as gevolg van die inperking afgestel word. Vanjaar is die konferensie fisies by die hoofkantoor in Silverton, Pretoria aangebied en regoor die land gestroom via die Zoom-platform. Groot groepe jong boere het bymekaar gekom en die verrigtinge regstreeks oor hulle skerms gevolg. Die TLU SA Jongboerkonferensie 2021 is in samewerking met die borge Santam Landbou, Nedbank, NWK, die Solidariteit Beweging, Agri All Africa, Obaro en die LWO Werkgewersorganisasie aangebied. Die tema van vanjaar se konferensie, Die waarde van ‘n boer is deur al die sprekers beklemtoon. TLU SA se hoofbestuurder, mnr. Bennie van Zyl het die waarde van boere onderstreep deur te verwys na hoe landbou dwarsdeur die COVID-19 inperking voedsel aan die land verskaf het, onder baie moeilike omstandighede. Hy het gesê dat landbou die enigste bedryf was wat tydens hierdie tye gegroei het, maar dat dit ook die bedryf is wat verskeie uitdagings ervaar wat die voortbestaan van landbou en boere bedreig. Hy het boere bedank vir hulle bydrae tot die land maar ook gemaan dat hulle die Godgegewe grond verantwoordelik en winsgewend moet bestuur. “Ons mag ons koppe hoog hou en ons moet ons koppe hoog hou. Maar gemeenskappe moet hande vat en bou en konstruktief wees in die omgewing. Ons moet saam staan,” het hy gesê. Tydens die konferensie is ook ooreengekom dat die bestaande Jongboerkomitee met hulle taak sal voortgaan sonder om van bestuur te verander. Die voorstel is sonder teenkanting aanvaar. Die voorsitter van die TLU SA Jongboerkomitee, mnr. Henna du Plessis het jong boere op sy beurt ook aangemoedig om by georganiseerde landbou aan te sluit. Hy het die waarde van ‘n organisasie soos TLU SA beklemtoon deur na sy eie ervaring te verwys. TLU SA het hom ondersteun om finansiering te kry nadat hy op sy eie nie daarin kon slaag nie as gevolg van die Landbank se wanbestuur. Deur die TLU SA-netwerk het hy ook die ondersteuning van die LWO Werkgewersvereniging met arbeidskwessies waarmee hy nou te doen het. “Dit is nodig om 'n ondersteuningsnetwerk te hê as boere. Sluit aan by TLU SA,” het hy gesê. Die hoogtepunt van die konferensie was ‘n aanbieding van TLU SA se Jongboer van die Jaar 2020, mnr. Danie Bester oor die gebruik van presisie tegnologie in landbou. Hierdie tipe boerdery is daarop gemik om winsgewendheid te verhoog deur tegnologie in te span om sodoende hulpbronne optimaal te benut. Die volledige aanbieding sal binnekort op TLU SA se webwerf beskikbaar gemaak word sodat ander jong boere van die inligting gebruik kan maak. Die konferensie is afgesluit deur die president van TLU SA, mnr. Henry Geldenhuys. Hy het jong boere aangemoedig om as ‘n kliphoeksteen sterk te staan in die gemeenskap. “Jongboere, landbou het jou nodig,” het hy gesê. “Jy is die toekoms van landbou, maar jy het ook ‘n landbou organisasie nodig en dit is TLU SA. Raak betrokke, dit is jou spreekbuis. Jong boer, jy het waarde in die voedselwaardeketting.” < Previous Article Next Article >

EN Building Supplies Ermelo kondig wenner aan 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 23 Junie 2020 EN Building Supplies Ermelo het ‘n kompetisie geloots in samewerking met Dulux, waar jy enige Dulux produkte kon koop vir R1 000 of meer, en kwalifiseer om ‘n patio verwarmer te wen. EN Building Supplies Ermelo het ‘n kompetisie geloots in samewerking met Dulux, waar jy enige Dulux produkte kon koop vir R1 000 of meer, en kwalifiseer om ‘n patio verwarmer te wen. Martin du Preez, of beter bekend as Mossel van Azucron, was die gelukkige wenner van die verwarmer. Op die foto verskyn Mossel, saam met Cornelius van der Merwe van EN Building Supplies. < Previous Article Next Article >

Fury as cats are wounded by pellet gun Fury as cats are wounded by pellet gun 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 24 August 2022 Perrins also noted that sadistic curiosity and delinquent behaviour are some of the causes, and animals wounded by pellet guns are never accidental. A resident in Grobler Street has stated with concern that they have noticed that a young male in the area has been targeting and wounding animals with a pellet gun, most notably her cats. It is troubling to note the extent of the injuries inflicted by the shooter. The pellet inflicted two wounds, one behind the animal’s ear, and another laceration above the left eye. While a pellet gun is considered as a non-lethal weapon, an adequately placed pellet is enough to wound, maim and even fatally harm an animal, especially smaller animals such as cats and smaller dogs. Another complaint has also been noted that a resident’s ginger cat had been seriously wounded by a pellet gun. Suffering lacerations and punctures to the chest, the cat has now been missing for two days. Both cats have been spayed, and pose no threat or nuisance. It is also alleged that a shooter in the same area have opened fire on passing pedestrians. It is unclear if the incident relates to the same individual shooting the animals. There have, however, been a slwe of complaints of animals being injured in this manner in this general area. A pellet gun has a caliber smaller than 5.66mm, as to which it falls under the South African airgun laws. While it is not a requirement to possess a firearm licence for a person to own a pellet gun, a pellet gun is regarded as a firearm in terms of the definition section of the Firearms Act. Any person who uses a pellet gun to commit a crime may be charged for possession of a firearm replica to induce fear. It is also an offence to discharge a pellet gun in a residential area, since it jeopardizes the safety of an innocent person. Animals that are targeted fall under the same. In terms of Section 2(1) (s) of the Animal Protection Act of 1962, any person who kills an animal in contravention of a prohibition in terms of a notice published in the Gazette is guilty of an offence, and liable to a R4 000 fine or imprisonment of up to one 2 years. The wilful injury or maiming on any animal also falls under this category. It is an offence to cause injury to any person, animal, or cause damage to property of any person by negligently using a firearm, an antique firearm or an airgun (pellet gun). It is also an offence to fire an airgun (pellet gun) in a manner likely to injure or endanger the safety or property of any person, or with reckless disregard for the safety or property of any person. AWS spokesperson, Allan Perrins, says that most cases involving pellet guns involve cats. Perrins also noted that sadistic curiosity and delinquent behaviour are some of the causes, and animals wounded by pellet guns are never accidental. Injuries inflicted to animals could result in loss of sight or limbs, permanent disfiguration or disability, and even death. Pellets lodged in animals could potentially become infected, and lead to the animal’s death. If you notice someone discharging a pellet gun in a residential ward, please report the guilty party immediately to the neighborhood watch, CPF, SACCW or SAPS. < Previous Article Next Article >

AfriForum water-uitslae laat wenkbroue lig 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 12 January 2022 “AfriForum se nasionale blou-en-groendruppelprojek fokus op die stand van dorpe se drinkwater- en rioolaanlegte." AfriForum het in 2021 verskeie dorpe in Mpumalanga se water getoets om die gehalte van dié dorpe se drink- (bloudruppelstatus) en rioolwater (groendruppelstatus) te bepaal. “Ons kon vasstel dat al die dorpe in die provinsie se drinkwater aan die minimum standaarde voldoen en geen skadelike bakterieë bevat nie. AfriForum sal die watergehalte deurlopend toets want inwoners het ’n grondwetlike reg tot skoon drinkwater,” sê Hennie Bekker, AfriForum se distrikskoördineerder vir Mpumalanga. In Ermelo is beide die drink- en rioolwater as “skoon” bepaal. Hierdie bepaling het altans verskeie inwoners hardop laat skater van die lag, aangesien verskeie dele van Ermelo en die omgewing se waterkwaliteit en toevoer laakbaar is, om die minste te sê. “AfriForum se nasionale blou-en-groendruppelprojek fokus op die stand van dorpe se drinkwater- en rioolaanlegte. Dié projekte fokus nie noodwendig op die toestand van die aanleg self nie, maar wel op die gehalte van die water wat ná die proses as eindproduk in die vorm van drinkwater en behandelde rioolwater gelewer word,” sluit Bekker af. AfriForum versoek elke jaar dat die Departement van Water en Sanitasie (DWS) weer ’n blou-en-groendruppelverslag bekend maak en verwelkom dus dat die Departement vroeër vanjaar bekend gemaak het dat hulle weer die blou-en-groen-druppelverslag gaan opstel om sowel die waterkwaliteit as infrastruktuurkwaliteit in die land te bepaal. As die bewaarder van water kom die DWS nie sy verpligtinge na deur wetgewing toe te pas wanneer munisipale owerhede die skuldige partye is nie. Dit is van kardinale belang dat ons nie ophou om die gehalte van ons drink- en rioolafvalwater toets nie. Ons moet dié lewensbelangrike bron beskerm. Die Tribune ePaper het navraag gerig aan AfriForum rakende die uitslae, en die bleek realiteit van die water in Ermelo. Tot hede is geen terugvoering ontvang nie. < Previous Article Next Article >

Ermelo clinic scores lowly on service efficiency The suggestion box at Ermelo Clinic. The filing system at Ermelo Clinic. The suggestion box at Ermelo Clinic. 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 6 July 2022 “Communities are continuously complaining that the healthcare workers are in the wrong or not doing their jobs." Ritshidze, a system that offers community-led clinic monitoring, has release their report of primary healthcare in Mpumalanga, which leaves much to be desired. The institution noted that many facilities in the province experience severe staff shortages, amongst other serious issues. Ritshidze stated that the average waiting time per patient was more than four hours, which is unacceptable in light of the sheer volume of patients that require care. The delays were caused by lost files, staff shortages and inefficiency from staff. In 2021, Ritshidze reported that only 7% of facility managers at clinics in Mpumalanga said they had enough staff. The number increased to an astounding 41% in 2022. There is still a massive human resources gap, despite other marginal improvements that had been made, the report states. A total of 74% of the facilities that Ritshidze monitored in 2021 had inadequate filing systems. In 2022, the number has improved to 38%. Ermelo Clinic, Amsterdam Community Health Care, Bethal Town Clinic and Embalenhle Community Health were amongst the bad apples that saw little to no improvement. The Democratic Alliance (DA) health spokesperson, Jane Sithole, stated that clinics and community healthcare centres are barely functioning due to long overdue maintenance, ranging from dysfunctional geysers and leaking roofs, to broken water pumps, which forced nurses to collect water in buckets to clean clinics. “Communities are continuously complaining that the healthcare workers are in the wrong or not doing their jobs. What the communities don’t know is that it is not their fault, but it’s actually the MEC and the officials in the department who are failing to deliver on the basics to ensure clinics have things such as medicine and rotational doctors. Departmental health officials don’t have to face patients and their families, but it is healthcare workers who must deal with angry family members and it is understandable why healthcare workers are negative at times towards patients.” Of the Mpumalanga Department of Health’s R16 billion budget for this financial year, R10 billion has been allocated to district health services, which clinics fall under. While tabling the 2022/2023 budget, MEC Sasekani Manzini stated that her department was determined to increase access to health services. “This is done through deploying mobile clinics to augment the 292 primary healthcare facilities, particularly in remote and rural areas. The department has 92 mobile clinics with 2 186 points that service these remote areas,” she said. < Previous Article Next Article >

Dr. Rian Swart lê sy stetoskoop neer 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 23 February 2021 Sy aftreeplanne is om meer betrokke te raak by die boerdery, asook om in Jeffreysbaai te gaan kuier, waar Riekie ‘n huis het en waar haar kinders woon. Dr. Swart, ‘n welbekende in Ermelo, nie net onder die medici nie, maar ook onder die boere en gemeenskap, het besluit op die ouderdom van 78 jaar sy stetoskoop neer te lê. Hy is op 13 Julie 1942 in Amersfoort gebore. Hy was in Piet Retief in die laerskool, en het sy Hoêrskool loopbaan voltooi by Hoêrskool Ermelo. Dr. Swart het sy MBChB graad verwerf by die Universiteit van Pretoria , waarna hy vir ses jaar in Kroonstad gepraktiseer het. In 1973 verloor dr. Swart sy vader, en is genoodsaak om terug te keer Ermelo toe. Hy begin saam met vier ou manne werk, drs. Van Niekerk, Van Rensburg, De Bruin en Visagie. Met tyd wat aan gestap het, het van die dokters afgetree, en hy moes vennote kry om saam met hom te praktiseer. Dr. Swart en Vennote, wat bestaan uit Drs. Van Der Poel, Botha en Olivier, vier hul 47ste bestaansjaar die jaar. Hy het die voorreg gehad om meer as vierduisend babas in die wêreld in te kan bring. Tydens ‘n onderhoud met Dr. Swart, het hy aan die Tribune gesê daar was meer hoogtepunte in sy beroep gewees as wat daar laagtepunte was. Dit was altyd vir hom ‘n hoogtepunt as hy sy pasiënte kon gesond maak, of wanneer daar geopereer moes word, en die operasie ‘n sukses was. “Wanneer ek weet ek het ‘n operasie om te doen, dan het ek die vorige aand, asook die oggend gebid, en vir die Liewe Vader gevra om my te help tydens die operasie dat alles goed sal afloop. Ek het altyd op die Here vertrou, dit wat ek weet is baie maar die Here weet baie meer.” sê Dr. Swart. Hy verloor sy huweliksmaat, Miemie, vroeg in 2019, en het gedink hy sal die res van sy pad alleen stap. Die egpaar was vir 53 jaar getroud. Op 27 Junie 2020 trou hy egter weer met ‘n ou vriendin, Riekie, wat ook haar lewensmaat verloor het. Sy aftreeplanne is om meer betrokke te raak by die boerdery, asook om in Jeffreysbaai te gaan kuier, waar Riekie ‘n huis het en waar haar kinders woon. “Ek was baie lief vir my werk, en gaan defnitief terug verlang na die werk. Ek het ‘n baie aangename vennootskap met die ander dokters gehad, en dit was vir my ‘n groot voorreg om saam met hulle te kon werk.” sluit Dr. Swart sy onderhoud af met ‘n groot glimlag op sy gesig. < Previous Article Next Article >