Ermelo receives “clean” water test rating Ermelo's sewage treatment plant. Ermelo's sewage treatment plant. 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 4 December 2020 In the latest blue drop status tests, Ermelo has scored a “clean” rating, which means that tap water is safe for consumption. AfriForum has tested the water of various towns in Mpumalanga, from August to October 2020, to determine the quality of these town’s drinking water (blue drop status) and sewage water (green drop status). This project was even more important this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and research that shows that this virus could be traced in sewage systems, meaning that one can identify focus points. “We could determine that the drinking water in all the towns tested complies with the minimum standards and does not contain harmful bacteria. AfriForum will continuously test the water quality because residents have a constitutional right to clean drinking water,” says Hennie Bekker, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Lowveld. In the latest blue drop status tests, Ermelo has scored a “clean” rating, which means that tap water is safe for consumption. Bethal also scored a “clean” rating, along with Amersfoort, and Breyten. Carolina’s status is not yet available. Piet Retief scored a “clean” rating in 2020, compared to the 2019 rating, which found feacal coliform and E. Coli in the water. In the latest green drop status tests, Ermelo also scored a “clean” rating, both in 2019 and 2020. Amersfoort’s rating in unavailable, and Bethal’s sewage could not be tested as the water did not flow through the plant. Evander received a “red” rating, meaning that the prescribed microbiological standards are not adhered to. Piet Retief scored a “clean” rating, while Morgenzon’s rating is unavailable. Trichardt, Secunda, Standerton and Emalahleni all received a “red” rating, meaning it is not up to standard. AfriForum voiced its concern over sewage treatment plants in the municipalities that do not comply with the prescribed standards.. “We will further investigate the non-compliance and act where necessary. AfriForum’s national blue and green drop project focuses on the state of drinking water and sewage treatment plants in towns. This project does not necessarily focus on the condition of the plant itself, but rather on the quality of the water that is supplied after this process as the end product in the form of drinking water and treated sewage water,” says Bronwen Pretorius, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Highveld district. As the custodian of water, the Department of Water and Sanitation does not fulfil its obligation to enforce legislation when municipal authorities are the guilty parties. AfriForum requests residents of the Mpumalanga province to give this organisation a mandate to continuously monitor the water quality. SMS “Clean water” to 45350 (R1) and support this action. < Previous Article Next Article >

Mkhondo mayor blows nearly R1 million on unauthorized outing 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 12 July 2022 "The state of Mkhondo continues to deteriorate as lack of accountability and poor governance continues to haunt this municipality,” the DA stated. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has expressed their distress regarding the businesses and residents of Mkhondo Local Municipality, who face a bleak future as they experience up to 10 hours a day without electricity because of load shedding and load reduction. The DA has stated that the situation is so dire that it threatens their existence. While this scenario plagues business owners and residents, the mayor allegedly spent almost R1 million of taxpayers' money in Durban on an unauthorized “meeting”. The DA has noted that they find it strange that the meeting coincidentally took place on the same weekend as the Durban July. Despite the increasing population in Mkhondo Local Municipality over the past couple of years, and many requests to Eskom to increase their Notified Maximum Demand (NMD) of electricity to 40MVA, Eskom has refused. The municipality is being restricted to using only 18MVA due to their R341 million debt. The last payment made to Eskom was in April 2022, and they paid only R500 000. “Then you have a mayor and councillors who decided to go to Durban for an unauthorized meeting, that caused taxpayers and council almost R1 million. The state of Mkhondo continues to deteriorate as lack of accountability and poor governance continues to haunt this municipality,” the DA stated. The DA also noted that other than Mkhondo, residents in Govan Mbeki and Msukaligwa Local Municipalities are also experiencing daily load reduction because of their Eskom debt. “This is concerning because it will lead to job losses as businesses will eventually be forced to close doors. With the loss of 51 000 jobs in the first quarter of 2022, Mpumalanga cannot afford to lose more jobs as businesses and local economies are crippled by an inadequate electricity supply. We must create a conducive environment and that can only be attained by keeping the lights on. As these municipalities had their requests to increase their Notified Maximum Demand (NMD) rejected due to outstanding debts, the DA calls on COGTA MEC, Mandla Ndlovu, to engage with Eskom to suspend rotational load reduction in municipalities that exceed their NMD in the midst of load shedding,” the DA concluded. < Previous Article Next Article >

EHS-atlete palm medaljes in by SA’s 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 13 April 2021 “Aan elke Errie wat deelgeneem het, baie geluk! Hoërskool Ermelo is besonder trots op elkeen se prestasie en deelname.” Vanaf 8 tot 10 April 2021 het die Erries se top atlete deelgeneem aan die Suid-Afrikaanse Junior Atletiek-kampioenskap in die Paarl. Dit was vir die Erries ‘n heerlike ondervinding, en drie EHS-atlete spog met brons medaljes op Suid-Afrikaanse vlak. Tyrone Berning (o/16) behaal derde plek in beide 300m-hekkies, met ‘n tyd van 38,65 sekondes (pb), en in hoogspring, met ‘n hoogte van 1,9 meter. Mia Davel (o/16) behaal ook derde plek in hoogspring. Sy spring ‘n hoogte van 1,65 meter. Carla Ferreira eindig agtste in spiesgooi, met ‘n afstand van 41,08 meter. “Aan elke Errie wat deelgeneem het, baie geluk! Hoërskool Ermelo is besonder trots op elkeen se prestasie en deelname.” < Previous Article Next Article >

SAPD slaan toe op R135K dagga SAPD slaan toe op R135K dagga 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 7 September 2021 Die dagga wat gevind is, is 90kg, met ‘n straatwaarde van R135 000.00. Speurders van SAPD Ermelo het op Donderdag, 2 September, twee persone gearresteer vir handel in dagga. Die lede was besig om na 'n verdagte voertuig te soek. 'n Soortgelyke voertuig is by 'n motorwas fasiliteit opgemerk. Die lede het die voertuig deursoek, en dagga binne die voertuig gevind. Die dagga wat gevind is, is 90kg, met ‘n straatwaarde van R135 000.00. < Previous Article Next Article >

AfriForum-teenboelieveldtogspan besoek skole in Ermelo 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 22 February 2022 Vir meer inligting oor AfriForum se teenboelieveldtog besoek gerus www.teenboelie.co.za . Die burgerregteorganisasie AfriForum se teenboelieveldtogspan het op 16 Februarie by Ermelo English Primary School, Hoërskool Ligbron en Laerskool JJ van der Merwe in Ermelo besoek afgelê. Dié veldtog dien as bewusmaking van afknouery in skole. “Dit is vir AfriForum belangrik om saam met leerders, onderwysers en ouers te werk om ’n verskil te maak en afknouery in skole hok te slaan. Veilige skole sorg ook vir ’n veilige gemeenskap, nie net nou nie, maar ook in die toekoms. Elke leerder wat die teenboeliepraatjie bywoon, word toegerus met die nodige kennis en vaardighede om as leier in situasies op te tree waar afknouery plaasvind. Kinders word ook geleer om te kan onderskei tussen afknouery en konflik. Die doel van hierdie praatjie is om leerders te bemagtig. Die hoërskool leerders is ook meer ingelig oor die gevare rondom kuberafknouery,” sê Leandie Bräsler, AfriForum se bestuurder vir jeugleierskap. “AfriForum het waardevolle inligting oor boeliegedrag aan die Liggies oorgedra. Boeliegedrag is ongelukkig ’n realiteit en die Liggies het wenke van onskatbare waarde ontvang wat hulle bemagtig om teen boelies op te staan,” sê Saretha Ferns, jeugwerker by die Hoërskool Ligbron. “Die bewusmaking van afknouery is van kardinale belang, aangesien die leerlinge weens sosiale media meer daaraan blootgestel word. Leerlinge moet leer hoe om dit te hanteer en sonder die nodige bewusmaking weet hulle nie altyd hoe om korrek op te tree in boeliesituasies nie,” sê Erika Bester, onderwyseres by die Laerskool JJ van der Merwe. Vir meer inligting oor AfriForum se teenboelieveldtog besoek gerus www.teenboelie.co.za . < Previous Article Next Article >

Ligbron learners participate in De Beers Olympiad Appearing on the photo are the learners who participated in the De Beers Olympiad. In front (f.l.t.r): Hannah Peer, Fatiema Dendar, Nikita-Amber Cairns, Ammaarah Arbee and Victor Kruger, in the middle are (f.l.t.r): Mpo Mathabatha, Nomphumelo Shabangu, Unami Bhembe, Shraddha Agre and Cristian Izquierdo-Ortega and at the back (f.l.t.r): Keitumetse Msibi, Megan Lourens and Itumeleng Nkambule. Appearing on the photo are the learners who participated in the De Beers Olympiad. In front (f.l.t.r): Hannah Peer, Fatiema Dendar, Nikita-Amber Cairns, Ammaarah Arbee and Victor Kruger, in the middle are (f.l.t.r): Mpo Mathabatha, Nomphumelo Shabangu, Unami Bhembe, Shraddha Agre and Cristian Izquierdo-Ortega and at the back (f.l.t.r): Keitumetse Msibi, Megan Lourens and Itumeleng Nkambule. 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 15 September 2020 Several learners of Ligbron Academy for Technology participated in the De Beers English Olympiad. The learners enjoyed the Olympiad, and fared extremely well. Several learners of Ligbron Academy for Technology participated in the De Beers English Olympiad. The learners enjoyed the Olympiad, and fared extremely well. Megan Lourens received Silver for FAL. Ammaarah Arbee, Shraddha Agre, Fatiema Dendar, Itumeleng Nkambule and Cristian Izquierdo-Ortega received Silver for Home Language. Victor Kruger, Hannah Peer, Unami Bhembe, Nikita-Amber Cairns, Mpo Mathabatha, Nomphumelelo Shabangu and Keitumetse Msibi received Bronze for Home Language. “Congratulations to every learner.” Appearing on the photo are the learners who participated in the De Beers Olympiad. In front (f.l.t.r): Hannah Peer, Fatiema Dendar, Nikita-Amber Cairns, Ammaarah Arbee and Victor Kruger, in the middle are (f.l.t.r): Mpo Mathabatha, Nomphumelo Shabangu, Unami Bhembe, Shraddha Agre and Cristian Izquierdo-Ortega and at the back (f.l.t.r): Keitumetse Msibi, Megan Lourens and Itumeleng Nkambule. < Previous Article Next Article >

Man aangekeer vir verkragting en aanranding Man aangekeer vir verkragting en aanranding 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 17 August 2021 Die klaer was buite by die wasgoed draad, waar sy weer dieselfde verdagte gewaar het en hom gesê het om van haar erf af te gaan. Later die middag het die klaer gaan hout haal buite, waar die verdagte haar aangerand en verkrag het. Sikhumbuzo Majana Shongwe (44) is op Donderdag, 12 Augustus, gearresteer vir verkragting te Breyten. Die verdagte het op dié dag by die klaer (47) in Breyten aangeklop, waar hy by haar wou hoenders koop. Die klaer het egter vir hom gesê dat sy nie hoenders verkoop nie. Die klaer was buite by die wasgoed draad, waar sy weer dieselfde verdagte gewaar het en hom gesê het om van haar erf af te gaan. Later die middag het die klaer gaan hout haal buite, waar die verdagte haar aangerand en verkrag het. Dieselfde dag, ongeveer 16:00, was die verdagte gearresteer. Shongwe se saak is uitgestel na 20 Augustus, waar hy voor Breyten se hof sal verskyn. Hy bly steeds in aanhouding. < Previous Article Next Article >

Continued load shedding highly likely 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 14 July 2020 The load shedding and breakdown of units is troubling, especially considering the fact that Eskom bemoans the fact that Arnot and Kendal contributes a large amount of the MW, but at the same time, has plans to decommission Arnot and Kendal plants in the near future, bringing into question the rationale behind these decisions. Despite Eskom’s claimed best efforts to return additional generation units to service after the breakdowns that occurred during the week, the crumbling state-owned power utility said on that it had not made sufficient progress to enable us to suspend load shedding. In a statement, Eskom said that it wished to assure the public that implementing load shedding was the last resort, in order to protect the national grid. “In order to limit the impact of load shedding on the morning traffic peak, Eskom will start implementing Stage 2 load shedding from 09:00. This will continue until 22:00. Implementing load shedding is also necessary in order to replenish the emergency generation reserves to better prepare for the week,” the entity stated. On Sunday evening, Eskom teams successfully returned one unit at the Kriel power station, adding 475MW to the grid. The return of a generation unit each at Tutuka and Kriel power stations has been delayed, contributing to the supply constraints. The power utility said during the coming week Eskom would continue to experience supply constraints. According to the utility, Arnot, Duvha and Kendal power stations were successfully returned to service after unexpected breakdowns. These have added a combined 1 565MW capacity to the generation system. The return of a generation unit each at Tutuka, Kriel and Hendrina power stations has been delayed, contributing to the supply constraint. According to Eskom, the cold weather has put the capacity to supply electricity “under severe strain”. The load shedding and breakdown of units is troubling, especially considering the fact that Eskom bemoans the fact that Arnot and Kendal contributes a large amount of the MW, but at the same time, has plans to decommission Arnot and Kendal plants in the near future, bringing into question the rationale behind these decisions. < Previous Article Next Article >

HMV ploughs through SAVF palisade fencing HMV ploughs through SAVF palisade fencing 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 30 March 2021 EMS confirmed that no life threatening injuries were reported. Residents of the SAVF old age home were in a for one hell of a shock on Friday evening, 26 March 2021. What was supposed to be a peaceful Friday night, turned into a hubbub of confusion, shock and awe, as a heavy motor vehicle lumbered through the establishment’s fencing, and came to a stop against a tree, which prevented the HMV from smashing into the building. According to eye witnesses on scene, the HMV attempted the turn at Fourie Street at too high a speed, and started to topple. The HMV attempted to correct course, and collided with a bakkie. Following the collision, the HMV lost control and flattened the fencing. Emergency personnel and medical services, Van Wettens Towing Services, ETS Towing Services, SAPS, traffic department and fire brigade were on scene in a matter of minutes, and traffic officials had their hands full directing the constant flow of traffic, and passing motorists slowing traffic with the rubbernecking. Many motorists were scolded as they attempted to make u-turns, or pass by the obstructions by driving in the lane of oncoming traffic. EMS confirmed that no life threatening injuries were reported. Motorists are urged to adhere to the directions given by traffic officials when encountering an accident scene, and no obey the traffic rules. Motorists are requested to keep moving as instructed by officials, as disregarding the instructions causes disruption in the flow of traffic directed from the scene. < Previous Article Next Article >

Kiette personeel verwerf diplomas 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 20 July 2021 “Ons is ook baie trots op twee van ons personeellede, Cherise van Dyk en Bernadette Gibbon, wat onlangs elkeen 'n Boekhouding diploma verwerf het deur die Universiteit van Kaapstad. Ten spyte van die uitdagings wat die land tans beleef, het albei hulle diploma met lof geslaag.” Kiette Rekenmeesters, gebasser in Ermelo, vier vanjaar 4 jaar se bestaan in bedryf, en wil graag groot dank uitspreek aan hul lojale kliënte. Hul het gegroei vanaf 'n klein, nederige begin, tot 'n gevestigde naam in die omgewing, met 'n kliëntebasis regoor Suid-Afrika. Kiette Rekenmeesters registreer tans as 'n SAICA opleidingskantoor, en verwelkom hul eerste leerlingrekenmeester in 2022. “Ons is ook baie trots op twee van ons personeellede, Cherise van Dyk en Bernadette Gibbon, wat onlangs elkeen 'n Boekhouding diploma verwerf het deur die Universiteit van Kaapstad. Ten spyte van die uitdagings wat die land tans beleef, het albei hulle diploma met lof geslaag.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Beware of fuel tablet hoax 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 2 August 2022 "So, really it's a pyramid scheme and a scam more than anything else, unfortunately." Social media has exploded with the new ‘miracle tablet’ that claims to reduce your fuel consumption by up to 25%, while apparently boosting your engine’s efficiency. The B-Eco fuel tablets are manufactured by a company called Pro-One. The brand was co-founded by South African businessman Lawrence Kahn, and claims to approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency. He said the pills save petrol by lowering the temperature at which the fuel burns. However, neither the brand, nor manufacturer can be located on the approval list of gasoline additives. The company’s ‘brand ambassadors’ are put to task selling the tablets, which are R100 per tablet. Research done by Sasol Fuels Application Centre has proven that the product is a waste of money, and may lead to the cancellation of your warranty due to the risks your engine is exposed to. Senior engineer and researcher, Adrian Velears, urges citizens to steer clear of this tablet, and knockoff tablets like these. “I don't think your manufacturer would approve it. They wouldn't honour your warranty if they knew you were putting such things in your car and something went wrong. So, from that point of view, it's not safe. It doesn't work at all. It's not only a matter of risk, it's a matter of they don't do anything. So, really it's a pyramid scheme and a scam more than anything else, unfortunately,” he stated. Mikel Mabasa, CEO of the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa, also released a statement regarding the tablet. “Besides the fact that local authorities have not tested these products as part of South Africa’s current emissions standards, they simply do not work. Consumers are advised to check with the manufacturers of their vehicles first before they inject any foreign properties into their tanks or engines. Vehicles are manufactured to specific standards, and they are supposed to use prescribed products approved by the manufacturer for the efficacy and longevity of the engine,” Mabasa said. “It is highly unlikely that the products South Africans are being sold can better fuel consumption. If they do, and do not contain the problematic ingredients mentioned, then South Africa has finally developed the product companies worldwide have been trying to develop for decades,” The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, concluded. < Previous Article Next Article >

EHS bedank borge vir opgradering van tegnologie 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 23 March 2021 George Couros het gesê: “Technology will not replace great teachers, but technology in the hands of great teachers can be transformational.” Alhoewel tegnologie in die klaskamer nooit ‘n goeie onderwyser sal kan vervang nie, is die beskikbaarheid van dié hulpmiddels definitief gereedskap om enige onderwyser se taak te vergemaklik. Hoërskool Ermelo bedank die ErrieUnie, asook Nashua Highveld wat elk groot bedrae geskenk het vir die opgradering van tegnologie in die Erries se klaskamers. Dit sluit onderandere nuwe projektors, witborde en “visualizers” in. “Baie dankie vir u volgehoue betrokkenheid by EHS en die ondersteuning waarby die Erries baat.” George Couros het gesê: “Technology will not replace great teachers, but technology in the hands of great teachers can be transformational.” Hierdie waarheid is iets wat die Erries daagliks ervaar. Op die foto is me Dedré Schoeman besig om klas te gee, vergemaklik deur tegnologie vir beide die leerders en die onderwyser. < Previous Article Next Article >