MLM VOIP call centre up and running 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 17 November 2020 MLM is establishing a 16-hour service for the clientele community of Msukaligwa who wishes to log in a service, or to get information from 06:00- 20:00. Media Statement - MLM is establishing a 16-hour service for the clientele community of Msukaligwa who wishes to log in a service, or to get information from 06:00- 20:00. MLM is now using a toll free number to make it easier for the customers to reach the municipality, which is 0800 0149 03. The municipality has installed a contact centre solution system, which includes, among others, the soft phones (it enables voice over internet protocol (VOIP) telephone calls from computer devices, work in conjunction with headset. It records the interaction between agents and callers. The system has statistics wall board, which track important information, such as how long it takes agent to answer, how many calls they’ve taken, how many they’ve missed, average call time and who answers the most calls. The contact centre has a multichannel communication (USSD, e-mail, WhatsApp). The USSD works on all phones, across all cellular networks, and no internet connection or data needed. The USSD code is *134*3043#. The USSD will commenced on or before Monday, 23 November 2020. The SMS function will assist the municipality to send SMS’s out to residents or clients, informing them about planned maintenance or outages. The e-mail address is contactcentre@msukaligwa.gov.za , you may send a WhatsApp message, voice note or video to 079 503 6729. The role of the community members and customer are to report and log in interruptions, to provide clear and concise information about the interruption area, and to make a follow-up using the reference number. The role of the contact centre agent entails answering the calls, logging of queries on the system, giving reference numbers and information to customers, and to dispatch queries out to technicians. The role of the technician is to attend to the query, report back to the contact centre agent on the progress, or lack thereof. The municipality is currently training the agents on new system. < Previous Article Next Article >

UFS warns against WhatsApp voicenote 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 26 January 2021 “The voice clip is premature and was shared with a small group, from where it went viral." The University of the Free State (UFS) has stated that it is in the process of preparing a clinical trial protocol to determine the efficacy of Ivermectin in the fight against COVID-19. This is being handled by FARMOVS, a wholly-owned clinical research company of the university, together with several medical and scientific experts at the university. The clinical trial protocol will be for a randomised, controlled study according to the requirements of the legal professions, to submit it for approval to the relevant national regulatory authority. UFS management distanced the institution from a viral WhatsApp voice clip that is being circulated, in which reference is made to a particular meeting, and mention is made of the role the institution is playing in establishing the efficacy of Ivermectin to treat COVID-19. “The voice clip is premature and was shared with a small group, from where it went viral. The voice clip is also not factual, specifically regarding the university and its alleged opinion pertaining to the usage and need for scientific investigation into the matter. The UFS is committed to rigorous science and evidence-based research, and both FARMOVS and the university fully support the published opinions and guidelines of SAHPRA and the scientific advisory boards established by the scientific community, as well as the stance of the SA government on Ivermectin for COVID-19.” The university statement comes as AfriForum said it had brought an urgent court application against the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and Dr Zweli Mkhize, minister of health, to ensure that Ivermectin developed for human consumption is available to doctors who want to prescribe it to treat COVID-19. SAHPRA has until now failed to approve applications by doctors, which were brought in terms of section 21 of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, to have Ivermectin approved for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. < Previous Article Next Article >

SAICE Nasionale Brugboukompetisie 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 31 August 2021 “Ligbron is so trots op hierdie jong ingenieurs, en hoop dat die ervaring julle motiveer om met julle talente te woeker vir die toekoms!” Ligbron se Graad 10 span, Beverly Kirsten, Luhlelo Motha en Thando Motsoane, het deurgedring na dié kompetisie nadat hulle die Hoëveld kompetisie loshande gewen het. Beverly Kirsten het die 155 gram bruggie ontwerp, wat ‘n ongelooflike vrag van 133.6 kg kon dra voordat dit meegegee het. With this achievement they qualified for the national bridge building competition held at the St George Hotel in Doornkloof. Unfortunately their bridge gave way with the scale on 68.9kg, and the finished 6th in this national competition. “Ligbron is so trots op hierdie jong ingenieurs, en hoop dat die ervaring julle motiveer om met julle talente te woeker vir die toekoms!” < Previous Article Next Article >

EHS bied prag Graad 12-Lourierfunksie aan Zara Büchling tydens die Graad 12-Lourierfunksie. Zara Büchling tydens die Graad 12-Lourierfunksie. 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 27 October 2020 Die Top Tien vir 2020 se Graad 12-groep is vanaf nommer een tot nommer tien, Vosjan Grey, Zara Büchling, Simoné Beyer, Alana Leibbrandt, Dané du Toit, Jana Nel, Anja Wege, Elizia van Heerden, André Strauss en Kerry-Ann Botha. Op Maandag, 19 Oktober 2020, was hierdie jaar se Graad 12’s beloon vir hul harde werk tydens ‘n spog-prysuitdeling. Die Top Tien vir 2020 se Graad 12-groep is vanaf nommer een tot nommer tien, Vosjan Grey, Zara Büchling, Simoné Beyer, Alana Leibbrandt, Dané du Toit, Jana Nel, Anja Wege, Elizia van Heerden, André Strauss en Kerry-Ann Botha. Zara Büchling ontvang die Hoëveld Tribune Wisseltrofee vir die beste kreatiewe skrywer in Afrikaans Huistaal. She also receives the Highveld Tribune Floating Trophy for the best creative writer in English First Additional Language. Van die spesiale pryse wat toegeken is, is die ware heer en ware dame wat onderskeidelik aan Chad Coetzee en Ania Snyman toegeken is. Vosjan Grey en Yané Broekman ontvang die prys vir Kameradie en Luyanda Mabuza en Mandisa Dube vir Companionship. Die volgende Graad 12-leerders ontvang “Onthou-medaljes” wat deur TWK geborg is: Yané Broekman, Zara Büchling, Vosjan Grey, Amy Greyling, Alana Leibbrandt, Precious Matshaya, Jana Nel, Bonke Sambo en GJ Swart. Die boek pryse vir beste tweetaligheid is toegeken aan Zara Büchling (Afrikaans Huistaal en Engels Eerste Addisionele Taal) en Ania Snyman (English Home Language en Afrikaans Eerste Addisionele Taal). Vosjan Grey word aangewys as die Dux-leerder vir 2020. Hy ontvang drie toekennings wat ook deur TWK geborg is: ‘n kontant bedrag, silwer skinkbord en die Fairbairn-medalje. EHS bedank die hoofborg, TWK, asook elke ander borg wat bygedra het om 2020 se prysuitdeling ‘n sukses te maak. “Baie geluk aan elke leerder wat ‘n toekenning ontvang het, en dankie aan elke Graad 12 leerder wat, ten spyte van ‘n moeilike jaar, die ekstra myl gestap het om hul laaste jaar as Erries goed af te sluit. Hoërskool Ermelo is trots op elkeen wat op verskeie gebiede die EHS se naam steeds hoog hou.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Ingoma temporarily suspended by MEC 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 20 July 2021 “This suspension is in accordance with the Disaster Management regulations outlined by the national Department of Cooperative Governance as one of the preventative measures against the spread of the virus." COGTA minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, designated under section 3 and 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002), has gazetted a notice which moved the country to adjusted level 4 as announced by the president. In a statement, the minister said the third wave and the Delta variant have led to a massive surge in new infections which necessitated that they must once again tighten restrictions on the movement of persons, gatherings, curfews and non pharmaceutical interventions. Therefore, under alert Level 4, initiation (ingoma) practices and post-initiation celebrations are prohibited. MEC Busi Shiba has officially suspended all initiation schools in Mpumalanga. Traditional leaders are urged to follow the rules, and to adhere to these extraordinary steps to reduce the infection rate. The suspension of the practice will be until further notice. “This suspension is in accordance with the Disaster Management regulations outlined by the national Department of Cooperative Governance as one of the preventative measures against the spread of the virus, as well as President Ramaphosa’s call to suspend all gatherings during the Level 4 lockdown. Regulations direct the traditional leadership institution to suspend all cultural activities in order to reduce human contact,” the MEC stated. < Previous Article Next Article >

Ripe for the picking 1/5 Share GK CRONJE 16 June 2020 Like a frog in a pot of slowly heating water, criminal elements coax more and more from MLM with each passing day, and the lack of maintenance to infrastructure makes it a walk in the park. Scenes such as this one in Erica Avenue is commonplace, with more and more substation doors, coverings, wiring and internals making a miraculous disappearance with each passing day. Amidst constant electricity outages and rotational load shedding by Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM), sub- and mini-substations are systematically stripped away and vandalized. Like a frog in a pot of slowly heating water, criminal elements coax more and more from MLM with each passing day, and the lack of maintenance to infrastructure makes it a walk in the park. Scenes such as this one in Erica Avenue is commonplace, with more and more substation doors, coverings, wiring and internals making a miraculous disappearance with each passing day. This coverless substation begs to be vandalized, and should the surrounding field be set alight, the internals will be melted beyond repair. Alas, this is but one of many substations being left without maintenance, without doors and coverings, to rust away and be systematically stripped, and MLM all the while lamenting and blaming the inadequate electrical infrastructure for outages. As the old saying goes, a bad workman always blames his tools. < Previous Article Next Article >

WOF contingent deployed to Canada 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 17 August 2021 The request for assistance came from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC), which has, in terms of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Canada and South Africa, asked for firefighting assistance from the Working on Fire Programme (WOF) to assist with their fire management in Canada. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Working on Fire Programme deployed 109 firefighters and management to the province of Manitoba, in Canada, to assist with firefighting efforts on Tuesday evening, 10 August 2021. This is the Programme’s fourth deployment of firefighters to Canada. Working on Fire Mpumalanga proudly boasts with seven representatives in the WOF contingent. Led by Walter Khoza, Ground Operations Manager, Highveld region, the firefighting delegation consists of Sibusiso Ngobeni, Type 1 Crewleader of the Mlambongwane team, Sphilile Khumalo, a female firefighter from the Piet Retief team, Bongani Sifunda from the Barberton team, Siphesihle Makhubu from the Wakkerstroom team, and Sipho Mlotshwa from the Badplaas team. Prior to their departure, the firefighters and management underwent refresher training in Stone Ridge, Hekpoort, in Gauteng to ensure that they are fit and ready for the conditions expected in Canada. Canada has been experiencing record-breaking heat that is associated with dry weather. Large wildland fires are currently burning in the province of Manitoba, and extreme fire danger exists across the western provinces. The request for assistance came from the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC), which has, in terms of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Canada and South Africa, asked for firefighting assistance from the Working on Fire Programme (WOF) to assist with their fire management in Canada. The MOU provides for the exchange of Wildland Fire Management Resources between the two countries. The Working on Fire Programme is an Expanded Public Works Programme funded by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. It recruits young men and women from disadvantaged communities, and equips them with specialized veld and forestry firefighting skills. < Previous Article Next Article >

MSV Roads opens their hearts in Ermelo 1/6 Share GK CRONJE 19 April 2022 MSV Roads will also in the near future hand over another donation to a local school in Wesselton. The needs of the disproportionate and struggling individuals in and around Ermelo is systematically starting to outweigh the support that charity organizations are able to provide. Most charity organizations and assistance programs require quite a number of resources, not to mention constant donations towards the NGO’s cause. While the economic climate has caused everyone to tighten the purse strings, Vusi Nkosi from MSV Roads, based in Piet Retief, opened their hearts towards charity organizations in need in Ermelo. On Tuesday, 12 April 2022, Vusi personally delivered a total of 50 supportive packages to the CMR Ermelo, as well as a total of 144 sanitary pads. Additionally, to Ermelo Outreach, he handed over a cheque to the amount of R10 000, to assist in the costs incurred in the food parcels and delivery for the needy in Ermelo. MSV Roads will also in the near future hand over another donation to a local school in Wesselton, as the parcels needs to be sent from the disaster-stricken KwaZulu-Natal. The name of the school, and the details regarding the donation will be published as soon as it is available. < Previous Article Next Article >

MPU tenderpreneurs ride the PPE cash cow 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 26 January 2021 “It is questionable how these items help to contain the spread of COVID-19.” According to an SUI report compiled in 2020, the purchase of surgical masks, sanitizer, food parcels and thermometers varied significantly across all government departments. Tenderpreneurs in Mpumalanga, however, are having a field day with dubious supply contracts amidst the pandemic. Department of Health has come under scrutiny after it has come to light that purchases were made for seven thousand branded umbrellas at a cost of R805 450, seven thousand branded backpacks at a cost of R1 082 725, as well as cellular tablets at Vodacom, amounting to a whopping R1 714 512. The cost of thermometers also came to light, with the majority of government departments paying R2 527 and upwards per thermometer. The Democratic Alliance (DA) will once again place sustained pressure on the Mpumalanga Premier, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, citing her statement of 20 August last year for a Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to be appointed. Ms Jane Sithole, provincial leader of the DA, demanded a progress report on COVID-19 corruption from the Premier. Ms Sithole said an investigative report into possible corruption of COVID-19 funds for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has still not come to light. “The DA submitted a letter to the office of the Premier on 25 August, detailing information contained in the Provincial Procurement Report, which showed exactly how the funds meant to contain the spread of COVID-19, became a breeding ground for corruption. The DA further asked the Premier to table the final SIU report in the Provincial Legislature.” Ms Sithole stated. “It is questionable how these items help to contain the spread of COVID-19.” she concluded. At this time, the report is still being awaited. Given the above, the DA has once again written to the Office of the Premier requesting the progress report relating to the investigation process and the outcomes. < Previous Article Next Article >

Ermelo to see construction of 360 social housing units 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 25 February 2022 While the concept is sound, the additional burden that these units will place on the already dilapidated sewerage and electrical infrastructure of Ermelo has raised red flags with residents and businesses alike. It has been announced that Ermelo will form part of an extensive housing construction project that will see social housing units being constructed, promising over 1000 employment opportunities. Department of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, revealed the projects that will roll out over the next two years, starting in the financial year 2022/23. The Ermelo project has been dubbed as Willow Creek development, and will, according to the department, be situated in the CBD. Additionally, 492 units are planned to be rolled out in Govan Mbeki Local Municipality. Social housing units (SHU) is a rental or co-operative housing option for households earning between R1 501 - R15 000 per month. SHU projects require management by an institution, which should be an accredited Social Housing Institution, and projects are developed within areas that contribute to spatial, economic and social development. Through this subsidized programme, individuals can gain access to a rental house or apartment. Government funding is provided to SHU institutions to manage the rental units. Occupants are expected to pay a reduced rental amount, based on their household income, to the appointed institution. “Social housing is financed with a combination of government funding, debt and equity, making this sub-sector more dynamic and attractive for public-private partnership. These developments aim to increase the supply of rental housing in central locations for low- to middle-income earners,” said Kubayi-Ngubane. According to the minister, SHU solutions are government’s most promising programme that will help to disrupt the apartheid spatial development and make cities more inclusive. The Willow Creek moniker has been scurried around various developer’s hands since 2015, and if this project is related to the same as above, the housing development would be situated in the wetland between Wes Street and President Fouché Avenue. This is, however, conjecture. The Tribune ePaper repeatedly attempted to contact the Department of Human Settlements to clarify the project’s details, but were referred from person to person, and from department to department, each representative claiming that “it’s not their department” and that they could not provide any information regarding the project. Feedback had been awaited from Charlotte Porter from the department, who would refer the right representative for the department. She, however, failed to reply with the requested information. Additional enquiries lodged with the department’s Paul Mnisi, which had promised to provide a full scope of project as soon as possible. While the concept is sound, the additional burden that these units will place on the already dilapidated sewerage and electrical infrastructure of Ermelo has raised red flags with residents and businesses alike. Updates on the project will be provided as and when information is received from the department. < Previous Article Next Article >

Ex-Liggie graduates 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 12 January 2021 Raeesa graduated as a Dentist in 2020 with the highest distinction, summa cum laude. Raeesa Seedat, an ex-Liggie, graduated as a Dentist in 2020 with the highest distinction, summa cum laude. Raeesa is currently the community service dentist at the Ermelo Provincial Hospital. “Congratulations, we are very proud of you.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Department of Education rewards excellent top achievers LB Busisiwe Vemba from Ligbron Academy for Technology with Cllr. W Mngomezulu, Executive Mayor of Gert Sibande District Municipality (left) and Cllr. Agnes Mahlalela, Executive Mayor of Msukwaligwa Local Municipality (right). EHS Leandri Viviers from Hoërskool Ermelo with (f.l.t.r): Mr. PP Magagula - District Director, Cllr. W Mngomezulu, Executive Mayor of Gert Sibande District Municipality, and Cllr. Agnes Mahlalela, Executive Mayor of Msukwaligwa Local Municipality. LB Busisiwe Vemba from Ligbron Academy for Technology with Cllr. W Mngomezulu, Executive Mayor of Gert Sibande District Municipality (left) and Cllr. Agnes Mahlalela, Executive Mayor of Msukwaligwa Local Municipality (right). 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 8 February 2022 The following four schools receive the awards for 100% pass rate in 2021: George Hofmeyer, Chief CJ Nkosi Secondary School, Morgenzon Landbou Akademie and Highveld Muslim. The Mpumalanga Department of Education hosted the annual Gert Sibande District Grade 12 Award Ceremony at the District Municipality on Friday, 4 February. These awards are aimed at honoring the top achievers and schools in the Gert Sibande District for their hard work in 2021. The following four schools receive the awards for 100% pass rate in 2021: George Hofmeyer, Chief CJ Nkosi Secondary School, Morgenzon Landbou Akademie and Highveld Muslim. The best teachers in large enrollment content subjects are: Hoërskool Ermelo - Ms. E Fourie for Maths Literacy, 100% pass rate and 9 distinctions, Ligbron Academy for Technology - Ms SE van Zyl for Mathematics, 100% pass and rate 18 distinctions, as well as Ms. M. Bosman for Physical Science, 100% pass rate and 18 distinctions. The top ten learners in the Gert Sibande District are: Busisiwe Vemba from Ligbron Academy for Technology with 1705 marks, Chenelle Roux from Hoërskool Hoogenhout with 1701 marks, Grace Thanjan form Hoërskool Secunda with 1693 marks, and Leandri Viviers from Hoërskool Ermelo with 1689 marks. Busisiwe Vemba, a learner from Ligbron Academy for Technology, was awarded for best overall learner in the District. Netherland Park Secondary School received an award for outstanding academic performance (90 - 100%) over 3 consecutive years, with an average of 93.5% for 2019, 94.6% for 2020 and 95.7% for 2021. < Previous Article Next Article >