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Stray cattle wreaks havoc 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 11 May 2021 Despite this being a known and pressing issue in Ermelo, MLM officials are yet to take decisive action. The issue of stray livestock in Ermelo residential areas, parts of the CBD and the outskirts has been ongoing for years, with no action on part of Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) and its departments. In this case, by-laws are wholly ignored and remain unenforced by authorities, creating a vicious cycle of frustration, property damage and danger for motorists. Various residents have reported that their dogs get uncontrollably riled up by stray livestock roaming the residential wards, most notably in the De Bruin Park area. Reports have come in from residents stating that livestock has gotten so used to residential traffic and scolds from angry residents that not even car horns spook these cattle when they loaf around the streets, impeding traffic and grazing on the sidewalks of residences. Several motorists have narrowly avoided colliding with these bumbling animals, who couldn’t care less for oncoming traffic. Motorists having to swerve, brake suddenly and drive on the opposite side of the roadway to avoid these animals pose a grave danger for motorists, pedestrians and the cattle alike. This issue, however, is not confined to the CBD and residential wards, as several complaints have been lodged by residents regarding cattle grazing the graveyards, trampling precious memories and damaging vases, flowers and other memorabilia left to honor those long gone. Despite this being a known and pressing issue in Ermelo, MLM officials are yet to take decisive action. At this time, both MLM and the SAPS in Ermelo turn a blind eye to the growing issue, which have, and will again, result in a loss of life as motorists collide with stray animals which are left to their own devices. Stray cattle have been reported lounging around the non-working traffic light at the Church- and Voortrekker Streets intersection. The photo right depicts the damage a motorist suffered after colliding with a stray calf in Border Street, which darted across the road while shrouded in darkness. < Previous Article Next Article >

Blou Masjien Rugby - 19 spelers in Puma-spanne 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 25 May 2021 "What an accomplishment! As soon as rugby may commence, they will play against the Falcons and Limpopo after which the final teams will be announced." Alhoewel almal hartseer is oor skolesport wat vir eers uitgestel is, het 19 Liggies se harte trots geklop. Dié spelers is in die voorlopige Puma Hoërskole Spanne vir 2021 opgeneem. Sodra ons weer aan kontaksport mag deelneem, gaan die spanne wedstryde teen die Valke en Limpopo speel, waarna die onderskeie spanne (A/B) gefinaliseer sal word. “Baie geluk met julle prestasie!” 19 Ligbron rugby players received the good news that they have been included in the preliminary Puma High school teams for 2021. What an accomplishment! As soon as rugby may commence, they will play against the Falcons and Limpopo after which the final teams will be announced. “Congratulations - hard work was rewarded!” < Previous Article Next Article >

Multi-million Rand white elephant 1/5 Share GK CRONJE 17 August 2021 The Pet Dam fence has been reduced to a limp, corroded and rusted husk in less than 3 years, bringing into question the quality of the materials paid for. Circa 2016, Msukaligwa Local Municipality took it upon themselves to erect a fence surrounding the Pet Dam, which would have been part of the supposed reform of the Pet Dam and surroundings. The BetaView fence, which is over 700 meters long, was erected amidst severe disgust and disapproval from the community, and at a staggering cost. Concerns have also been raised regarding the dubious quality of the fence erected. According to BetaView, their products carry a warranty of ten years against corrosive elements. The Pet Dam fence has been reduced to a limp, corroded and rusted husk in less than 3 years, bringing into question the quality of the materials paid for. However, nothing has come of the touted reform project, and the fence has since been left to rust away, being systematically vandalized and damaged. The fence has fallen victim to sever lack of maintenance, with no attempt at maintenance and upkeep from MLM. The point of the fence is now moot, as the fence has been extensively damaged in several sections, and at this time, serves no other purpose than being an eyesore to residents, travelers and tourists. < Previous Article Next Article >

EHS groet matrieks op gepaste en stylvolle wyse Kenello Nchela en Pearl Nkosi. Jana Nel en GJ Swart. Kenello Nchela en Pearl Nkosi. 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 27 October 2020 Voor die matriekafskeid was die jaarlikse modeparade wat deur die Graad 10-leerders, -ouers en onderwysers gereël is. Hier kon die Graad 12’s op ‘n stylvolle wyse met hul uitrustings spog. Dit is elke jaar vir Hoërskool Ermelo ‘n besondere groot voorreg om vir die matrieks ‘n glans geleentheid te reël vir die matriekafskeid. Op Vrydagaand, 23 Oktober 2020, het EHS se Graad 11’s, Graad 11-ouers en onderwysers weereens ‘n spog aangeleentheid gereël vir die matrieks van 2020 te Perdekraal. Ten spyte van die feit dat alles op kort kennisgewing gereël moes word weens COVID-19, het dit niks van die geesdrif gedemp nie. Nie net het die uitsonderlike uitrustings, kos, dekor, venue en geskenke getuig van Hoërskool Ermelo se unieke klas nie, maar ook van die spesiale band wat tussen leerders, onderwysers en ouers gevorm word in die vyf jaar van hoërskool. Dit het duidelik geblyk uit die emosionele toesprake wat deur die hoof, mnr Pieter Grobler, en die twee presidente van 2020, Vosjan Grey en Jana Nel, gegee is. Die matrieks is as geliefde Errie-leerders gegroet en toegewens met seën en voorspoed vir die toekoms. Nie net was daar ‘n spesiale tekenprent-kunstenaar vir die Graad 12’s gereël nie, maar het die Erries ook die voorreg gehad om ‘n span van kykNet te kon deel hê van die verrigtinge. EHS se opname deur kykNet word in Januarie 2021 uitgesaai op kykNet Skole Top 10. Voor die matriekafskeid was die jaarlikse modeparade wat deur die Graad 10-leerders, -ouers en onderwysers gereël is. Hier kon die Graad 12’s op ‘n stylvolle wyse met hul uitrustings spog. Ook hierdie geleentheid het plaasgevind met besondere sukses en styl. < Previous Article Next Article >

DRLD farm allocation dream turns to corruption nightmare DRLD farm allocation dream turns to corruption nightmare 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 16 March 2021 The terms and conditions of the contract requires applicants to jump through endless hoops, and submit a mountain of paperwork to be approved, only to have the rug pulled from under them as their farms flourish. Much to the excitement of emerging farmers, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DLRD) launched a programme where individuals could apply for available agricultural state land, as part of the government contribution to the land reform programme. According to the DLRD, government issued notices of 896 farms, measuring 700 0000 hectares of underutilized or vacant state land in various provinces. The lease agreement signed between the state and the beneficiary will be a legally binding contractual agreement, and will be legally binding for 30 years. The lease obligates the beneficiary to maintain all the infrastructure and upkeep of the land allocated to him/her. Beneficiaries will pay a monthly or annual rental fee per hectare determined by the state, consistent with the value of the land in line with area valuation. A credit management system will be put in place to manage debt recovery and management. This sounds idyllic, and a dream come true for cash-strapped prospective agriculture boffins. Alas, the dream has turned to a corruption nightmare, as complaints from farmers are surfacing with troubling regularity. A large number of farmers across all provinces, who have contracts with the state, and who has made a great success of their farms, are being strong-armed off their farms by government officials in a spectacular display of contract breach. Some farmers have been given only 24 hours to vacate their property, as DLRD officials pounce on these successful farms. Close to home, Amersfort farmer Swazi Motha, producer of maize, soya and dry beans for over 10 years, is one of the farmers caught in the breach of contract by the state. Motha is the coordinator of the Mkhululi Agri Union, which has been established to oppose the eviction of farmers who have contracts. More than 30 affected farmers reside in Mpumalanga. Maize and cattle farmer in Ermelo, John Mabasa, have also been subjected to the contract breach from the state. Mabasa has been tending to his farm since 2013, where his father and grandfather also farmed. Allegations of corruption from the state and its officials have since been the centre of attention, as some successful farmers have allegedly been offered to be relocated to other farms. This raises several questions, as to the logic behind state officials reclaiming successful farms, and breaching contract. Affected farmers are extremely unhappy with the U-turn by the DLRD and its officials. The terms and conditions of the contract requires applicants to jump through endless hoops, and submit a mountain of paperwork to be approved, only to have the rug pulled from under them as their farms flourish. At this point in time, there is no feasible explanation as to the behaviour of the DLRD. The Tribune ePaper have attempted on several occasions to engage with the DLRD. The Ermelo branch simply smacked down the phone in the journalist’s ear, and has since not answered the telephone at all. Attempts to contact a DLRD spokesperson, one Gugu Nkosi, yielded no result. The DLRD did also not respond to correspondence at the time of going to print. < Previous Article Next Article >

Frustration at the Ermelo licensing office 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 22 September 2020 For now, residents wishing to renew their driver’s licenses need to take a day off work and be sure to be the early bird in line. Residents who have to renew their license discs may stand in line, or use a queuing service such as J&P Queuing Service, which handles renewals of license discs on your behalf, provided you supply the appropriate documentation. Since the relaxation of the national lockdown, life as we know it is slowly returning to normal. However, since the re-opening of Ermelo’s licensing office, the institution has been inundated with license renewals and learner’s license applications. Reports have been received of residents queuing from 19:00 the previous evening, just to be one of the lucky few being assisted the next morning. According to the information at hand, a mere 50 residents are assisted per day, with COVID-19 regulations being put to blame. Desperate residents sleep in their vehicles at night to secure their spaces, and have even resorted to having a braai to alleviate the tension of standing in line for hours on end. Licensing office staff also allegedly close their booths early (before end of business) and also close their booths whilst on extended lunch and tea breaks. It is also alleged that the staff often never return to their booths, leaving residents in frustration and infuriated. Residents are now left high and dry, with a massive backlog of applications that needs to be processed, which could take weeks, if not months. The limited number of applicants being assisted per day also shows no positive effect, as this does little to reduce the backlog. Due to tighter regulations, residents are also now forced to stand in queue in Ermelo, as Breyten and Hendrina no longer accepts renewals and applications from Ermelo residents, and Morgenzon’s license office is bogged down with system issues and protest action. Speaking to Mr. Zwane, Msukaligwa Local Municipality’s spokesman, he stated that the municipality is aware of the issue, and is working on implementing a solution. “It is true that the licensing office assists a limited number of residents on a daily basis, due to the current lockdown. However, we are waiting for the new regulation after the President has announced that we are moving to level 1 of the lockdown. Management had also to consider the health and safety of both employees and residents, as the office has to be sanitized from time to time. It is also true that there is a huge backlog, due to ongoing lockdown, hence we are appealing to the community to bear with us in this trying times. It should be noted that learners licenses are only done Mondays, and not on Wednesdays as reported, and that the office have decreased the number applications to avoid further infections of the virus. As part of ameliorating the situation, government has appointed the South African Post Office to rendered services like MVL (motor vehicle licensing) renewal. Ermelo post office is one of the branches that will render such services in not too distance future. This will reduce the number of people visiting the license office by 20%.” For now, residents wishing to renew their driver’s licenses need to take a day off work and be sure to be the early bird in line. Residents who have to renew their license discs may stand in line, or use a queuing service such as J&P Queuing Service, which handles renewals of license discs on your behalf, provided you supply the appropriate documentation. For more information regarding their services, you may contact Janecka on 073 120 8312, or Pieter on 071 854 7915.Other than that, residents have little choice but to grin and bear the delay in service provision. < Previous Article Next Article >

Hoërskool Ermelo wen TWK Hoëveld Interhoër 1/12 Share SM HATTINGH 24 February 2022 Beste Dogterspan van die dag - Hoërskool Ermelo, 84 medaljes (33 Goud, 31 Silwer en 20 Brons). Op Saterdag, 19 Februarie, is die jaarlikse Hoëveld Interhoër deur Hoërskool Oosterland by die Secunda stadion aangebied. Die deelnemende skole was as volg: Hoërskool Ermelo, Hoërskool Rob Ferreira, HTS Witbank, Hoërskool Middelburg, Hoërskool Oosterland, Hoër Volkskool Heidelberg en Ligbron Akademie vir Tegnologie. Die Errie-atlete was vroeg uit die blokke, en het reeds sedert die eerste item getoon dat hul daar was om te wen. Daar was deurlopend aanskoulike atletiek op die baan, sowel as op die veld. Elke Errie het met deursettingsvermoë, motivering en trots deelgeneem en hul beste gegee. Dit is hierdie veggees en hardwerkende gesindheid wat die Erries bo aan die punteleer geplaas het. Die uitslae was as volg: Algeheel: 1ste Plek - Hoërskool Ermelo, 2de Plek - Hoërskool Rob Ferreira, 3de Plek - Hoër Volkskool Heidelberg. Trofeë vir die besondere prestasies van die dag: Beste Worpe Jnr. Dogter - Elizma Swart, Beste Spronge Snr. Dogter - Mia Davel, Beste Hekkies Jnr. Dogter - Elizca Lotz, Beste Hekkies Snr. Dogter - Mia Davel, Beste Hekkies Snr. Seun - Tyrone Berning, Beste Middel- en Langafstande Jnr. Dogter - Esmarie Klopper, Senior Victor Ludorum - Tyrone Berning, Beste Dogterspan van die dag - Hoërskool Ermelo, 84 medaljes (33 Goud, 31 Silwer en 20 Brons). Hoërskool Ermelo is besonder trots op elke atleet wat deelgeneem het. “Alhoewel atletiek ‘n individuele sport is, is Interhoër beslis ‘n spansport waar elke bydrae tot die span van groot waarde is. Dankie aan elke atleet wat sy/haar beste, op en van die baan, gegee het deur die loop van die seisoen. Dankie aan elke ouer en leerder wat hul kinders en maats met liefde en positiwiteit ondersteun het. Hoërskool Ermelo bedank ook graag al ons afrigters wat hard gewerk het om ons atlete gereed te kry om tot die beste van hul vermoë te presteer. Die Erries is trots op elkeen van julle.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Tempers flare as Ermelo crumbles 1/12 Share GK CRONJE 16 February 2021 The time of penance has now come to pass, as MLM flounders in its inability to keep the tattered pieces of Ermelo’s infrastructure together. Dissatisfaction is growing as the state of Ermelo regresses by the day, with the state of the roads taking the spotlight. The state of Chris de Villiers Street, amongst others, have come under fire from road users, especially transport companies, with heavy vehicles being bogged down in the utterly astonishing sinkholes where the surface of the road used to be. Msukaligwa Local Municipality's neglect of maintenance is slowly but surely catching up with them, as tempers flare from fed-up road users. Msukaligwa Local Municipality, who claims to have a “shoestring budget” to maintain the roads, are now hampered by their half-measures and futile attempts at maintenance, as more and more of Ermelo’s roadways are crumbling away. What would have been clean and easy road maintenance, is now a road rehabilitation nightmare that will cost MLM millions to implement. Instead of patching of potholes and sinkholes according to set forth standards, MLM opted to filling it with soil and loose gravel, an act which has on numerous occasions been highlighted as wholly ineffective and a waste of resources. The time of penance has now come to pass, as MLM flounders in its inability to keep the tattered pieces of Ermelo’s infrastructure together. < Previous Article Next Article >

GSDM's water tankers do little to appease disgruntled communities Delegates during the handover of the water tankers. Delegates during the handover of the water tankers. 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 25 August 2020 GSDM touted that the tankers handed over culminated in an amount of R10.3 million, which equates to approximately R1.4 million per tanker. This has already raised eyebrows, and stirred up a hornet’s nest, as similar tankers can be procured for as little as R450 000 each, if working on a tight budget. Residents bemoaned this fact, and claims that the prices of these tankers have been grossly overinflated. Delivering on their promise to assist municipalities to deliver basic services, Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) handed over seven 10 000 liter water tankers to seven municipalities, in a bid to improve service delivery to rural areas. “Gert Sibande District Municipality remains focused on its mandate which is to support local municipalities to provide excellent services and development. During the State of the District Address (SODA) for 2020, District Executive Mayor, Cllr. Muzi Chirwa, made a commitment that GSDM would continue to support local municipalities with service delivery fleet which is needed by the municipalities in the provision of basic services, especially in rural areas. On 12 August 2020, GSDM lived up to its promises. Seven 10 000 liter water tankers, amounting to R10.3 million, were handed over to the local municipalities to help improve the provision of water to communities without access to running portable water particularly amid the corona virus outbreak,” the statement from GSDM read. While this act, in itself, is a boon for residents who struggle with potable water, the reception of the announcement of these tankers were less than positive. What is supposed to be a positive act, has turned to fury from residents questioning the logic, as well as the math, behind these water tankers. Residents lamented the fact that money is being wasted on fruitless expenditures, instead of implementing lasting solutions to issues faced. Community members questioned why boreholes weren’t considered, and why groundwork for running water weren’t laid with these funds. Another lamented the fact that townships are riddled with overflowing sewerage pipes and manholes, and that water tankers do nothing to assist the struggling communities. Many residents outright stated that they do not trust the municipalities to use the tankers to its full potential, stating that they’ve never received potable water on the municipality’s own accord, even though they were so promised. Others were infuriated by the fact that a skyhigh Eskom bill, and the dismal electrical infrastructure could have been serviced with the cost of the tankers. GSDM touted that the tankers handed over culminated in an amount of R10.3 million, which equates to approximately R1.4 million per tanker. This has already raised eyebrows, and stirred up a hornet’s nest, as similar tankers can be procured for as little as R450 000 each, if working on a tight budget. Residents bemoaned this fact, and claims that the prices of these tankers have been grossly overinflated. Rubbing salt in the already smarting wounds of local municipalities that are teetering dangerously close to the brink of bankruptcy, GSDM has placed the onus of maintenance and upkeep of these tankers on the respective municipalities. The majority of these local municipalities can barely keep the ship afloat as is, without the need of additional financial strain. Govan Mbeki Local Municipality (GMM) is facing massive backlash from residents for their gross lack of service delivery and shocking mismanagement of their payment agreement with Eskom, which has resulted in municipal load shedding of up to 14 hours per day, coupled with incalculable water supply issues due to owing the Rand Water Board in excess of R245 million. Lekwa Local Municipality is knee-deep in lawsuits, as basic service delivery is virtually non-existent, and the ongoing pollution of the Vaal river being a major issue which the municipality has turned a blind eye to. Closer to home, Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) owes Eskom a whopping R170 million, with a monthly repayment of nearly R10 million. In a trajectory that is distressingly similar to that of GMM, the supply of electricity to residents have been rationed considerably, with outages of up to 48 hours in some area due to alleged cable faults and transformer overloads. Coupled with load shedding, which wreaks havoc on the ill-maintained electrical infrastructure of MLM, residents sit in the dark for hours on end, while MLM technicians desperately scramble to patch up the mess caused by the gross lack of maintenance. It’s six months later, and MLM still plods along with the rotational load shedding, and is yet to announce a recovery plan for the situation, if one exists at all. Unfortunately, this isn’t an issue that will resolve itself with dreams and good wishes, and MLM isn’t forthcoming with information. This does not bode well for MLM, nor the frustrated, angry and desperate residents under it’s governance. In 2018, Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane announced that MLM, amongst others, were announced as “being placed under financial rescue to address issues of financial mismanagement.” Alas, this initiative has failed, as the state, and mountains of debt of all mentioned municipalities, including MLM, have worsened. Frankly, Mpumalanga municipalities are in a deep financial crisis, and are on the brink of total collapse, and no amount of honey around the mouths of residents is able to hide this fact. Funds and assistance received from district, provincial and government levels are poured into an endless black hole of cadre employment, exorbitant salaries, luxury vehicles and a myriad of other fruitless expenditures. < Previous Article Next Article >

Renewed hope for Chris de Villiers Street 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 2 March 2021 The entirety of this area’s road surface has gone to hell in a hand basket, littered with large sinkholes and untended potholes. Road users who traverse the area between De Emigratie Road and Chris de Villiers Street will agree that the entirety of this area’s road surface has gone to hell in a hand basket. Wards are littered with large sinkholes and untended potholes, which cause thousands of Rands of damage to unsuspecting road users on a weekly basis. Heavy vehicles also have a terrible time of it, with more often than not, heavy vehicles are bogged down in the massive, waterfilled sinkhole in Chris de Villiers Street, which then requires the expense of a towing service to free them from the quagmire. This comes at great financial cost for transport companies, as this is the only route where heavy vehicles are allowed to travel, lest they wish to risk a traffic fine by weaving through the residential wards or CBD. There is, however, a glimmer of hope, as Athol Stark, president of the Ermelo Business Association (EBA), has arranged to take hands with Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) to rehabilitate the road surface to a certain extent. The cash strapped entity has had a hard time maintaining the roadways within its area of governance, and the EBA has now graciously offered to extend a helping hand. According to Mr. Stark, they have made arrangements with several key roleplayers to cordon off the entire area for heavy vehicles only, including the heavy vehicle route. Residents of the area, and other light motor vehicles, will still be allowed to travel the area freely. This is necessary, as time is needed to drain the sinkhole in Chris de Villers Street, and allow loads of crushed rock and sediment to be offloaded and compacted. This will make the road surface traversable for the foreseeable future, although it should not be misconstrued as a complete overhaul and resurfacing of the roadway. The EBA’s goal is to ease the strain and toll on motorists and heavy vehicles, who have no choice but to use the roads in this area on a daily basis. MLM has also committed themselves to patching the potholes in the wards of this area to the best of their ability. During the time that this heavy vehicle route is cordoned off, it should be noted that heavy vehicles will be utilizing Voortekker Avenue, turning into Church Street, and exiting Ermelo at the De Emigratie intersection towards Volksrust. Residents are urged to be patient during this time, as there will be a noticeable influx of heavy vehicles on the above mentioned route. Ultimately, the short duration of this mild inconvenience will be well worth the results, making life easier for all residents and road users. Operations will commence within the week. Should you have any enquiries regarding this project, you may contact Mr. Stark on 082 786 7959. < Previous Article Next Article >

Hiert! 'n Vrot kol in Camden Laan 1/7 Share GK CRONJE 16 March 2022 Klagtes gerig aan Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit val doodluiters op dowe ore. Verskeie klagtes vanaf inwoners in Camden Laan is opgemerk, rakende die haglike toestand van die pad waar rou riool al vir etlike maande opdam. Volgens nabye inwoners, het konstruksievoertuie na bewering die rioolstelsel to erg beskadig dat die kant van die pad inmekaar gesak het, en die middel gedeelte totaal en al vertap is. Volgens bewering is die asbespyp in die area totaal en al verbrokkel, en sodoende borrel rou riool al vir maande vanuit die oppervlak van die verbruiselde pad, sowel as die omliggende sypaadjies. Klagtes gerig aan Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit val doodluiters op dowe ore. Die gesondheidsgevaar wat hierdie dam rou riool inhou is geen grap nie, en motoriste moet daagliks die walglike modderspul aandurf om by hul huise te kom. Voetgangers se enigste keuse is om deur die elle lange gras van die nabye veldjie te loop, of om ‘n ander roete te vind. < Previous Article Next Article >

Heads of Department announced at NPSS 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 2 March 2021 Four staff members of NPSS have been announced as Heads of Department. Four staff members of NPSS have been announced as Heads of Department, (f.l.t.r) Ms Yolandi Bezuidenhout (Afrikaans and GET phase), Ms Anje Breedt (Computer Applications Technology), Mr Sudeep Surendran (Mathematics and Science) and Ms Polile Malaza (HOD of English and FET phase). “Congratulations, and good luck with the new journey.” < Previous Article Next Article >