JJ Top Tien nie weg, maar net verbreed 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 24 August 2021 Die leerders sal dan alfabeties gelys word en ’n foto van die groep steeds op die skool se “Facebook” en Webblad asook die plaaslike koerant geplaas word. Die Akademiese Presteerders se % sal wel nié bekend gemaak word nie. Verskeie klagtes, asook positiewe terugvoering, het Laerskool JJ van der Merwe ontvang rakende die Top Tien. Daar is ‘n brief uitgestuur op Dinsdag, 17 Augustus 2021, waar daar gesê is dat die Top Tien nie meer gaan voort gaan by die skool nie. Op Vrydag, 20 Augustus, het die Tribune ‘n vergadering met Mnr. Nel (skoolhoof) asook Mev. Bester ( beheerliggaam voorsitter) gehad, waar die hele situasie mooi verduidelik is. Die Top Tien is nie weg gevat nie, dit word nou net verbreed. Elke leerder wat bo 85% behaal, word vereer en die nuwe benaming sal dan Akademiese Presteerder wees. Dit gee net elke leerder ‘n kans om deel te vorm van die groep, en om hard te werk sodat die leerder 85% kan behaal. Aangeheg is die brief wat die Tribune op Maandag, 23 Augustus, ontvang het vanaf die skool om die hele verandering mooi te verduidelik, asook om ‘n breër spektrum te gee rondom die verandering. “Ons het verskeie terugvoer ontvang na die bekendmaking om JJ se Top 10 en Akademiese struktuur te verander en het ons die negatiewe en positiewe terugvoer deeglik oorweeg. Die besluit gaan nié omgekeer word nie, daarom plaas ons die brief om meer duidelikheid aan die ouergemeenskap te bied rondom die nuwe akademiese prestasie model, in ag genome van ’n paar veranderings: Ons skool het in so mate gegroei na ongeveer 170/180 leerders per graad, dat dit reg en regverdig is, om verskeie redes, dat daar ’n meer inklusiewe prestasie model gevolg kan word, sodat meer leerders per graad die geleentheid gegun kan word om as ons skool se Akademiese Presteerders bekend te staan en vereer te word. Voormelde is slegs een van die vele redes hoekom daar besluit is om ’n minimum vereiste van 85% en meer daar te stel vir leerders as mikpunt om dan as ’n Akademiese Presteerder vereer te word. Die ou Top 10 model word dus vervang met die nuwe Akademiese Presteerder model.Alle leerders van graad 4 tot graad 7 wat die top prestasie van 85% en meer per kwartaal bereik, sal dus nou kwartaalliks bekend gemaak word. Die leerders sal dan alfabeties gelys word en ’n foto van die groep steeds op die skool se “Facebook” en Webblad asook die plaaslike koerant geplaas word. Die Akademiese Presteerders se % sal wel nié bekend gemaak word nie. Die leerders sal elke kwartaal, ’n balkie kry om te dra. Ons is nog in die proses om sodanige balkie te ontwerp. Die Top Akademiese Presteerder per graad, asook die verskeie top presteerders per vakgebied sal steeds aan die einde van die jaar soos per die Prospektus sy/haar prys ontvang en hulle gemiddelde per vak, sal dan bekend gemaak word. Alle leerders wat ’n gemiddeld van 80% – 84% behaal, sal steeds soos in die Prospektus uiteengesit en in die verlede, ’n akademiese balkie per kwartaal ontvang. Indien die leerder die gemiddeld vir ’n jaar handhaaf sal hy/sy ’n geweefde akademiese balkie ontvang. Sodanige leerders sal ook steeds sy/haar sertifikaat aan die einde van die jaar ontvang soos uiteengesit in ons Prospektus. LET WEL! Alle ander akademiese prestasies so per die Prospektus sal steeds toegeken word." "We received several responses after the announcement of the change in JJ’s Top 10 and Academic structure. We considered the negative and positive feedback received with due diligence and record that the decision will not be rescinded. With this letter we will provide more clarity to our parent community with regards to the new Academic Performance Model that will apply in future, taking into consideration a few small amendments: Our school has grown exponentially in the past few years to approximately 170/180 learners per grade and we are of opinion that it is only right and fair that a more inclusive award model be followed with our Academic Achievers to provide more learners the opportunity to be known as our school’s Academic Achievers and for them to be honored for their hard work. It was decided to set a minimum requirement of an 85% and higher average grade for learners to be honoured as an Academic Achiever. The old Top 10 model is therefore being replaced with the new Academic Achiever model. All learners from Grade 4 to Grade 7 who achieve an average grade of 85% and more per term will from now on be known as our school’s Academic Achievers. An alphabetical list of these learners with a photo of the group will be posted on the school’s “Facebook” and Web page as well as in the local newspaper. The % of the Academic Achievers will not be disclosed. After each term these learners will receive a pin to wear. We are still in the process of designing the pins. The Top Academic Achiever per grade, as well as the various other top achievers per subject, will still received his/her prize at the end of the year as set forth in the Prospectus and their mark achieved per subject will then be announced. All learners who obtain an average grade of 80% - 84% will still, as set out in the Prospectus, receive an academic pin to wear the following term and if the learner maintains the average for a year, receive his/her woven academic scroll. These learners will also still receive his/her certificate of achievement at the end of a year as set out in our Prospectus. NOTE! All other academic achievements as per the Prospectus will be awarded.” < Previous Article Next Article >

EHS rugby klop Rand Park High Tiaan Grobler, Kobus van Heerden, Herman Holtzhausen, Billy van der Walt en Walter van der Walt besig om reg te maak vir 'n skrum. Tiaan Grobler, Kobus van Heerden, Herman Holtzhausen, Billy van der Walt en Walter van der Walt besig om reg te maak vir 'n skrum. 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 7 September 2021 “EHS is dankbaar vir die geleentheid en blootstelling wat die rugby seuns kan kry ten spyte van ‘n besige program en uitdagende omstandighede. Baie sterkte met die volgende wedstryd.” Ter voorbereiding vir volgende jaar se rugby, neem die o/17-span van EHS deel aan ‘n rugby-reeks wat oor verskeie datums te Hoërskool Eldoraigne plaasvind. Op Maandag, 30 Augustus, het die seuns te staan gekom teen Rand Park High en as oorwinnaars van die veld gestap met ‘n eindtelling van 22-17. Tiaan Grobler is aangewys as man van die wedstryd. Die volgende wedstryd vind plaas op 16 September teen Hoërskool Eldoraigne. “EHS is dankbaar vir die geleentheid en blootstelling wat die rugby seuns kan kry ten spyte van ‘n besige program en uitdagende omstandighede. Baie sterkte met die volgende wedstryd.” < Previous Article Next Article >

COGTA to be asked to intervene as MLM’s financial crisis deepens 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 27 July 2021 According to the AG, MLM incurred a staggering loss of R76 348 177 during the financial year 2019/2020, and also that the municipality’s current liabilities exceeded their current assets by R923 548 805. A local municipality is charged with providing basic services, including temporary services, to all residents, formal and informal. “A municipality which is in financial distress can never be in a position to deliver services to its residents. A letter will be written to the MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Busisiwe Shiba, asking her to intervene and help these municipalities fix their dismal financial status so that they can be in a better state to provide proper services to residents.” Trudie Grovè-Morgan, MPL Democratic Alliance (DA) Spokesperson on COGTA expressed concern over the lack of service delivery from several Mpumalanga municipalities, with Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) and eMalahleni being in the spotlight. The 2019/2020 Auditor-General’s (AG) report of both municipalities of eMalahleni and Msukaligwa showed that they are facing deepening financial crises. This, in turn, makes it difficult for them to provide services to residents. “Since 2016, the DA has been requesting that they are placed under administration, to no avail. The Eskom debt in eMalahleni increased from R1 billion at the end of December 2016, to being the R5 billion it is today. This exponential increase can never be justified as deserving residents are robbed of basic services by interest which is generated on this overdue account,” Grovè-Morgan said. Closer to home, residents under the wing of MLM are also feeling the brunt, with service delivery being an extremely sore point, in Ermelo, Breyten, Chrissiesmeer, Wesselton, and Sun City. The financial issues faced by MLM has also not improved since the previous AG’s report. The report stated that several Mpumalanga municipalities showed blatant disregard of compliance with key legislation, with no consequences from government. MLM, along with six other local municipalities were identified by the AG as in crisis. The AG further expressed concern that despite highlighting areas of concern and recommending action to remedy the situation on the two reports prior to the 2019/2020 report, municipalities did not investigate any unauthorized, irregular or fruitless and wasteful expenditure. Therefore, the trend of wasteful expenditure while residents suffer still continue. According to the AG, MLM incurred a staggering loss of R76 348 177 during the financial year 2019/2020, and also that the municipality’s current liabilities exceeded their current assets by R923 548 805. A local municipality is charged with providing basic services, including temporary services, to all residents, formal and informal. However, there have been several reports and complaints from residents that fall under MLM, living in informal settlements, who, amongst other things, have to dig their own pit toilets or use the veld. The provision of basic electrical and sewerage infrastructure is also being neglected , or simply not provided. Refuse is not removed, and the dubious quality of the water supply is a major cause for concern. A myriad of raw sewage overflows in a multitude of areas further aggravate the situation. All of these factors endangers residents’ health, particularly during a pandemic. Residents and businesses in Ermelo and the surrounding areas buckle under the strain of daily electrical outages, where many areas are left without electricity for days on end. Damage to electronics and household appliances is a burden weighing heavily on residents withing MLM’s governance, with the municipality simply washing their hands of it. Furthermore, the political and administrative leadership in Mpumalanga local government is criticized for not demonstrating decisiveness in dealing with the deteriorating internal control environment, allowing unethical behavior, misconduct and a culture of no consequences in the process. The AG has noted concern that these circumstances may facilitate theft and fraud, while a number of financially distressed municipalities in the province can’t be resuscitated, even with assistance from the provincial task teams dispatched to implement financial recovery plans. The audit outcomes indicate that internal controls do not work effectively. According to the AG’s reports, employee cost across the municipalities averaged up to 45% of the total municipal budget. This, in turn, cuts into funds allocated for service delivery, hence the spectacular failure of service delivery from many municipalities, including Msukaligwa Local Municipality. It was also noted that the majority of the local municipalities, including Msukaligwa Local Municipality, failed to spend conditional grants for infrastructure development and maintenance from the national government. “The DA thus calls on the Mpumalanga provincial government to intervene and assist municipalities such as eMalahleni and Msukaligwa Local Municipality, as they are financially distressed, and not in a position to deliver the intended services to residents.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Rondloper beeste steek inwoners dwars in die krop 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 25 May 2022 Op hierdie tydstip draai beide MLM en die SAPD in Ermelo ‘n blinde oog na die groeiende kwessie, wat al telkens ernstige beserings en lewensverlies tot gevolg gehad het. Die kwessie van verdwaalde en rondloper vee in Ermelo woongebiede, omliggende areas en die buitewyke is al jare ‘n doring in die vlees van motoriste, sonder enige optrede van die Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit (MLM) en die relevante departemente. In hierdie geval word verordeninge heeltemal geïgnoreer, en die wette word nie deur die owerhede afgedwing nie, wat 'n bose kringloop van frustrasie, saakbeskadiging en gevaar vir motoriste veroorsaak. Verskeie inwoners het gerapporteer dat hul honde onbeheerbaar opgewerk word deur die rondloper vee wat ronddwaal in die woongebied, veral in die De Bruin Park omgewing. Klagtes vanaf inwoners beweer dat dié rondlopers so gewoond geraak het aan verkeer en gevloek van frustreerde motoriste en inwoners, dan die diere hul geensins steur aan die kwaad wat hul stook nie. Verskeie motoriste het nouliks vermy om met hierdie diere te bots, wat ‘n veer voel vir aankomende verkeer. Hierdie kwessie is egter nie net tot diewoongebiede beperk nie, aangesien inwoners verskeie klagtes ingedien het oor beeste wat in die begraafplase wei, en kosbare herinneringe vertrap, blomme opvreet en vase beskadig, en ander gedenkwaardighede verniel. Alhoewel dit 'n dringende kwessie in Ermelo is, wag almal in spanning dat MLM -amptenare nog beslissend optree. Op hierdie tydstip draai beide MLM en die SAPD in Ermelo ‘n blinde oog na die groeiende kwessie, wat al telkens ernstige beserings en lewensverlies tot gevolg gehad het. Verskeie navrae was al aan MLM gerig. Dié het egter die navrae doodluiters ignoreer, en het tot hede geen terugvoer gegee nie. < Previous Article Next Article >

NPO bied brandbestryding lugondersteuning aan boere 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 16 Junie 2020 ‘n NPO groep tot die redding gekom met ‘n diens wat lugondersteuning sal bied aan boere wat tot die diens aangeteken het. Teen slegs R1.50 per hektaar, per maand, vir n tydperk van 3 maande, word boere tot rus gestel met die wete dat hul nie met hande in die hare sal sit tydens ‘n noodgeval nie. Die droeë winter maande hou reuse brandgevaar in vir boere van die omgewing, en wegholbrande is ‘n potensiële realiteit wat elke boer in die gesig staar. Boere in die omgewing het nie meer toegang tot die diens van lugondersteuning tydens ‘n veldbrand nie. In hierdie tyd van nood het ‘n NPO groep tot die redding gekom met ‘n diens wat lugondersteuning sal bied aan boere wat tot die diens aangeteken het. Teen slegs R1.50 per hektaar, per maand, vir n tydperk van 3 maande, word boere tot rus gestel met die wete dat hul nie met hande in die hare sal sit tydens ‘n noodgeval nie. Die dekking sal geldig wees vir Julie, Augustus en September 2020. Hoe meer lede aansluit, hoe goedkoper kan die diens word in die toekoms. Die lugondersteuning daag binne ‘n blitsige 18 minute op teen die verste punt van die area. Die koste per hektaar sal gewend word na die akkommodasie van die vlieënier en die span, asook die staankoste van die helikopter op die lugveld. Om vir die diens aan te teken, moet jy voldoen en behoort aan FPA en regulasies, en moet ook beskik oor lugondersteuning brandversekering. Dié projek sal vanaf Ermelo bestuur word, en ‘n radius van 50KM om Ermelo dek. Hierdie diens is nie munisipaliteit- of distrik gekoppel nie. Plaaslike sekuriteitsmaatskappye in Ermelo en paramedici sal ook genader word om hul steun te bied aan die projek waar benodig. Belangstellendes kan Roger Barnett by 072 852 4686, Johan vd Merwe by 082 338 4362, of Hein Aucomp by 082 571 2530 skakel. < Previous Article Next Article >

Ligbron matriekuitslae maak Ermelo trots 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 2 March 2021 "Dankie vir julle harde werk en deursettingsvermoë. Mag voorspoed julle vergesel op julle reis vorentoe!" Die Liggies is saam die Graad 12’s opgewonde en dankbaar oor die matriekuitslae wat na ‘n onsekere 2020 bekend gemaak is. Ligbron Akademie vir Tegnologie het ‘n slaagsyfer van 96% behaal, waarvan 110 leerders kwalifiseer vir universiteits vrystelling. Die klas van 2020 het 162 onderskeidings en 177B’s verower. Vakke wat uitgeblink het by die Liggies is die 21A’s vir Wiskunde, 9A’s vir Fisiese Wetenskap, 18A’s vir Afrikaans Eerste Addisionele Taal, 10A’s vir Engels Eerste Addisionele Taal, 60A’s vir Lewensoriëntering en 7A’s vir Wiskunde Geletterheid, Lewenswetenskappe, Rekeningkunde en Toerisme. Elke onderwyser se toewyding gaan nie ongesiens verby nie. “Dankie, ons waardeer julle.” Die Liggies se top leerder, Ammaarah Mohammed Arbee, het 8 onderskeidings en ‘n merkwaardige persentasie van 94.43% verwerf: Wiskunde (95%), Fisiese Wetenskap (97%), Rekeningkunde (97%), Afrikaans Eerste Addisionele Taal, (95%), Engels HT (94%), Lewensoriëntering (95%), Lewenswetenskap (88%), Add Maths (84%). Sy is ook op Dinsdag, 23 Februarie in Nelspruit, by die Universiteit van Mpumalanga aangewys as een van die Top 5 leerders in Mpumalanga. Ammaarah het die volgende as pryse ontvang: ‘n yskas, mikrogolfoond, broodrooster, ketel, strykyster, skootrekenaar, iPad en en ‘n kontant prys ter waarde van R10 000. Sy het aan die Liggies meegedeel dat sy in haar vrye tyd graag lees en skryf, en ook baie van Netflix hou. Ammaarah is baie gefokus, en beplan om op Wits of Stellenbosch medies studeer. “Die Liggies is baie trots op jou!” Cristian Izquierdo Ortega spog ook met ‘n baie mooi gemiddeld van 92.29% en 8 onderskeidings. Alhoewel Cristian vir 4 maande in Kuba ingeperk was, het hy sonder enige leer materiaal beskikbaar daarin geslaag om by te bly met sy skoolwerk, deur middel van Ligbron se uitsendings. Hy behaal ook die hoogste persentasie in Wiskunde by die Liggies, met ‘n ongelooflike 98%. Hy het aan die Beeld vertel dat hy sy suksesse aan die hulp van sy vriende en onnies toeskryf. Cristian wil in sy ouers en broer se voetspore volg, en ook medies by die Universiteit van Witwatersrand studeer. Sy ander vakke: Fisiese Wetenskap (96%), Afrikaans EAT (92%), Engels HT (90%), Lewensoriëntering (94%), Lewenswetenskap (87%), Rekeningkunde (89%), Add Maths (83%). Drie Liggies verwerf almal 7 onderskeidings. Hannah Peer, het ‘n gemiddeld van 91.14%. Sy aspireer om ‘n rekenmeester te word, en sy gaan haar drome by die Universiteit van Pretoria in dié veld navolg. Shraddha Agre behaal ‘n persentasie van 89.86%, en Fatiema Dendar 89.43%. Wel gedaan aan Megan Lourens, met 6 onderskeidings (83.29%). Cara Bruwer (83.29%) en Itumeleng Nkambule (81.86%) het beide 5A’s verwerf. Die volgende leerders verwerf almal 4 A’s: Amoné Fraser (80.86), Hardu Prinsloo (73%), Moné du Plessis (75.57%), Roché Chemaly (78%), Nomuso Nkosi (78.86%) en Unami Bhembe (80.14%). “Met dankbare harte wens ons elke matrikulant van 2020 geluk. Dankie vir julle harde werk en deursettingsvermoë. Mag voorspoed julle vergesel op julle reis vorentoe! < Previous Article Next Article >

Georgie verruil sy valhelm en herenig saam sy Dedda 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 11 May 2021 Georgie laat sy ma, Priscilla, Alycia en Kaytlin, Japie, sy oudste broer, en sy gesin, Anel, Franco, Leander, Janel, Willie, middel broer en sy gesin, Angie, Damian, Jayden, agter. Georgie De La Rosa (32), gebore op 16 Oktober 1988, is op Saterdag, 8 Mei 2021 skielik in ‘n frats motorfiets ongeluk oorlede. George was ‘n welbekende onder die motorfiets ryers. Hy het gematrikuleer by Ligbron Akademie vir Tegnologie, en is daarna Secunda toe waar hy daar begin werk het. Georgie het van vroeg in sy lewe begin met die motorfiets wedrenne waar sy ma, Priscilla, pa, wyle Flip, asook sy hele familie hom altyd ondersteun het tydens sy wedrenne. Georgie het gelewe vir sy vriende, familie en natuurlik vir sy pragtige dogtertjie Kaytlin (8). Hy het ook onlangs vir Kaytlin ‘n motorfiets gekoop, waarna sy ook in haar pappa se voetspore gevolg het en ook begin het om wedrenne te ry. Hy was altyd langs die baan, en het lank voor die tyd altyd seker gemaak dat alles op haar motorfiets reg is, en dat sy altyd goed voorberei is vir haar wedren. Wanneer mens vir Georgie gesien het, in die dorp, by die huis of op die baan, daar was altyd ‘n glimlag op sy gesig, en hy het altyd tyd gemaak vir ‘n ou grappie. Hy het altyd seker gemaak al die mense om hom voel altyd geliefd. Tydens ‘n telefoniese onderhoud met sy ma, Priscilla, het sy aan die Tribune gesê, sy laaste woorde aan sy dogter op Saterdag voor hy begin het met sy wedren was, “Bye, Kaytlin” en dis die woorde wat sy vir altyd sal koester en aan sal vas hou. “George se skielike heengaan is vir ons as familie ‘n baie groot skok. Toe ons die nuus van die ongeluk gekry het, was dit die laaste ding wat ons verwag het, alhoewel ons geweet het dat dit die keer baie ernstig was. Dis ‘n baie hoë risiko sport, en ons was maar altyd bekommerd oor George gedurende die wedrenne. Van hospitaal beddens en operasies kon hy boeke skryf, en was al baie ernstig beseer. Sy passie vir motorfietse was “next level”, en hy het uit en uit daarvoor gelewe. Die feit dat hy dit met sy dogtertjie, Kaytlin, kon doen, het sy liefde vir motorfietse net soveel sterker gemaak. George ons harte is baie seer, maar weet jy is op ‘n beter plek en dat jy nou by “Dedda” is. Ons gaan jou baie mis. Rug sag... Tot ons eendag weer ontmoet.” Georgie laat sy ma, Priscilla, Alycia en Kaytlin, Japie, sy oudste broer, en sy gesin, Anel, Franco, Leander, Janel, Willie, middel broer en sy gesin, Angie, Damian, Jayden, agter. < Previous Article Next Article >

The 88kV Line - Words akin to foul language 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 8 June 2021 "The municipality has since moved some of the kiosks from 88kV substation to the 11kV substation in order to try and ameliorate the situation at the 88kV." As residents sit and contemplate their fate in the darkness of yet another and endlessly ongoing electrical outage, tempers are starting to flare, and many sit in desperation. Scores of residents have been left, and still are, without electricity, as Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) flogs the 88kV line horse to tatters. According to the responses provided by the call centre and electrical support groups, alleged overloading of the electrical infrastructure is causing havoc on all fronts, leaving hundreds of residents in the cold and dark for days on end. Many have complained about damages suffered from electrical fluctuations, with droves of geysers, televisions and residential circuit breakers biting the dust as the electrical supply spikes repeatedly. The constant barrage of electrical flow being switched on and off have caused thousands or Rands worth of damage to residents, and even more to MLM, as substations, junction boxes and circuit breakers melt, catch fire, explode, or are irreparably damaged. As the municipality states that illegal connections are to blame, coupled with residents “drawing too much electricity” for the 88kV and 11kV lines to handle, many residents aren’t biting on the carrot presented by MLM. Rolling bouts of load reduction is the order of the day, with the electrical supply often failing to return after the scheduled times. Even more frustrating to residents is the fact that the apparent schedule issued by MLM is rarely followed, and load reduction is implemented without notice, and without consequence. The community must simply grin and bear the mounting issues. Speaking to Mr. Zwane, municipal spokesman, attempts at obtaining clarity regarding the rolling outages produced the following reply: “The municipality reiterates that there are two substations. The first one is called the 88kV substation, where Eskom is supplying the municipality with Notified Maximum Demand (NMD) of 14 MVA. The second substation is called 11kV sub station, where Eskom is supplying the municipality NMD of 27MVA. The municipality has since moved some of the kiosks from 88kV substation to the 11kV substation in order to try and ameliorate the situation at the 88kV. The NMDs for the four substations are informed by the electrical master plan, which is in line with the growth of the municipality. During the winter period there’s exponential increase on power demand causes load to exceed the licensed NDM per substation. Unfortunately, numerous informal settlements mushroom all over the municipal area, and started connecting illegally into municipal electrical grid. This then causes a spike on the power load demand. MLM tried in numerous accounts to cut off the illegal connections from our grid, with no luck. MLM went as far as hiring external service provider to eradicate this problem. MLM exceeded the licensed NMD, and incurring payable penalties. This precipitated the inclination in Eskom bills. Over the past five years, together with ESKOM, the ANC led government in Msukaligwa Local Municipality has facilitated the electrification of 1195 new households between 2016 and 2021. The percentage of households that are electrified increased from 44683 (87%) in 2016 to 45878 (90%) in June 2020. The electricity master plan for the entire Msukaligwa LM was developed in 2019. The master plan guided the development of technical reports for electricity infrastructure development and upgrades which are still under consideration by the Department of Energy. Public lighting has been provided to various communities, as thirty new high mast lights were installed throughout the municipality. The municipality has built a switch station /substation 88/11kV in Ermelo Extension 33, and further constructed the MV line and switching station at Extension 7 and refurbishment of switching station at Extension 6. Integrated national electrification programme (INEP) of R10 million, and another R10 million to replace the burnt transformer at 88kV late last year.” The Tribune ePaper has lodged a detailed enquiry with MLM regarding the plan to resolve the electrical crisis, with the response dated to be printed in next week’s publication. < Previous Article Next Article >

Medirite among the first to launch flu shots 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 13 April 2021 Medirite is offering the flu vaccine at it’s 146 pharmacies located across South Africa. It retails from just R109 - and the pharmacy accepts all major medical aids. To book, call your preferred Medirite to make an appointment. Medirite is among the first pharmacies in South Africa to offer the 2021 flu vaccine, retailing from just R109, ahead of the upcoming winter season. The seasonal flu vaccine available from Medirite, the chain of pharmacies conveniently located inside Shoprite and Checkers supermarkets, protects against four strains of flu. Although the vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, it will play an important role during the pandemic, says Lisa Giltrow, Senior Pharmacist at Medirite. “The flu vaccine won’t make you more resilient to COVID-19. It may however make diagnosis of a COVID-19 infection easier. As the typical viral infection symptoms are largely similar in both the flu and a Coronavirus infection, presentation of these symptoms could mask a COVID-19 infection and result in a missed diagnosis. By having the flu vaccine and thus reducing the risk of contracting flu, it could rule out flu as a possible diagnosis and the person being tested for COVID-19 rather than writing it off as a ‘case of the flu’,” explains Giltrow. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection and severe outcomes caused by influenza viruses, advises Giltrow, and the flu vaccine reduces the number of flu-related doctor’s visits and hospitalizations each year. “Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of serious influenza complications, and for people who live with or care for high risk individuals. The flu vaccine also protects both mother and child when administered during pregnancy - passive protection of the infant occurs from birth to less than 6 months of age following vaccination of pregnant women,” says Giltrow. Although anyone can obtain the vaccine, during the COVID-19 pandemic the World Health Organisation (WHO) has specifically recommended seasonal influenza vaccinations for health workers, older adults, pregnant women, individuals with specific chronic medical conditions, and children aged 6-59 months. Those who’ve previously had flu vaccinations should also return for their shots this year, as the new vaccines contain protection against the latest strains detected for the 2021 season, says Giltrow. The results are highly effective, and although no vaccine can offer 100% protection, they can reduce the severity of illness in people who may still contract it. “The flu vaccine stimulates your body’s natural defence system to produce antibodies. This occurs within two to three weeks after vaccination. These antibodies neutralise the flu viruses when the body is later exposed to them,” explains Giltrow. Medirite is offering the flu vaccine at it’s 146 pharmacies located across South Africa. It retails from just R109 - and the pharmacy accepts all major medical aids. To book, call your preferred Medirite to make an appointment. < Previous Article Next Article >

The Bed Shop kondig wenner aan 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 31 August 2021 Shantelle Meyer stap weg as die wenner van ‘n Dynamic Orthopaedic Premium Queen bed stel. Tydens ‘n opwindende kompetisie geloods deur The Bed Shop Ermelo en Hoërskool Ermelo, het Shantelle Meyer weg gestap as die wenner van ‘n Dynamic Orthopaedic Premium Queen bed stel. Die Errie raad het lootjies verkoop, waardeur mens kans gestaan het om die prys te wen. “Ons het die fondse ingesamel en aan EHS besorg om terug te ploeg in die gemeenskap. Dit is ‘n klein druppel wat ons vir die gemeenskap kon doen,” het Annatjie Burger, bestuurder, gesê. < Previous Article Next Article >

World Alzheimer’s Month: Understand the warning signs and symptoms of dementia 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 8 September 2020 Memory loss that disrupts daily life may be a symptom of dementia, a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. There are warning signs and symptoms, but every individual may experience one or more of these signs to a different degree. One of the most common signs of dementia, especially in the early stage, is forgetting recently learned information. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, and this September, for World Alzheimer’s Month, Livewell aims to encourage understanding, reduce stigma, and raise awareness around this common, yet devastating disease. Memory loss that disrupts daily life may be a symptom of dementia, a brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. There are warning signs and symptoms, but every individual may experience one or more of these signs to a different degree. One of the most common signs of dementia, especially in the early stage, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events, asking for the same information over and over, and increasingly needing to rely on aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own. Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before. People with dementia often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes they may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game. People with dementia can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there. For some people, having vision problems is a sign of dementia. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance, and determining colour or contrast, which may cause problems with driving. People with dementia may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a “watch” a “hand clock.”) A person with dementia may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time. People with dementia may experience changes in judgment or decision making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean. A person with dementia may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favourite sports team or remembering how to complete a favourite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced. The mood and personalities of people with dementia can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone. If you, or someone you care about is experiencing any of these warning signs, please consult with a medical professional. Early diagnosis gives you a chance to seek treatment and plan for your future. < Previous Article Next Article >

Do not set fire to dry leaves and fields Do not set fire to dry leaves and fields 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 25 May 2021 The case had been reported to the SACCW, who in turn dispatched the required services. Arson is the act whereby a person sets the fire, or intends to start a fire, knowing that the fire will destroy something. Though the act typically involves buildings, the term arson can also refer to the intentional burning of fields, dry grass and leaves. The imprisonment term for a convicted crime relating to arson could be set up to seven years or more, and a fine of up to R250 000, and four years of probation. If you see a suspected arsonist in your ward or area, please contact ACSU on 017 811 1274, the SAPS on 10111, or your neighborhood watch, such as SACCW’s Theo Craven on 081 733 0032, immediately. Where possible, obtain photographs or video footage of the suspect in the act, as this will make identification and possible conviction or fining of the felon easier. The pictured fires were reported in Oosthuise Street, where the alleged arsonist has been identified. The case had been reported to the SACCW, who in turn dispatched the required services. < Previous Article Next Article >