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Apart from the large amount of household refuse bobbing about in the pools of sewage, other unsavory items which include nappies, pieces of cloth and condoms, litter the area. Poo troubles in Pet Street 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 21 September 2021 Apart from the large amount of household refuse bobbing about in the pools of sewage, other unsavory items which include nappies, pieces of cloth and condoms, litter the area. Complaints from businesses and residents in Pet Street led to the discovery of a massive sewage overflow, with raw sewage encompassing an area of several hundred meters. Apart from the health risks associated with the overflow, where pedestrians and nearby residents have to traverse, the sewage also flows into a stream flowing towards Klein Drinkwater stream, ultimately ending up polluting the Vaal Dam. Residences on the opposite side of the read also has their fair share of sewage overflow, as the main lines were seemingly blocked. Apart from the large amount of household refuse bobbing about in the pools of sewage, other unsavory items which include nappies, pieces of cloth and condoms, litter the area. Speaking to Mandla Zwane, spokesman for Msukaligwa Local Municipality, he has confirmed that the relevant teams have responded to the issue. “According to the sewer section, two of the three main holes were cleaned and unblocked last week. Today (Monday, 20 September 2021) they are cleaning the last one. The municipality appeals to the public to report any sewer spillage to the municipal contact centre for speedy responses. Our sincere apology to the affected community,” he stated. < Previous Article Next Article >

Carel, rus sag 1/3 Share SM HATTINGH 26 January 2021 Hy was gereed om te groet met ‘n breë glimlag en, net ‘n “sharp” te wys. Carel Jacobsz is op die ouderdom van 72 skielik oorlede op Maandag, 25 Januarie. Hy was ‘n welbekende in die gemeenskap, asook onder die boere gemeenskap. Hy het groot liefde vir perde gewys, en het ook sy eie stoet genaamd Calela SA Boerperd gehad. Hy was ook by die perdry kompetisies deel van die beoordeelaaars gewees. Carel was ‘n wonderlike mens, altyd gehelp waar hy kon, en het altyd tyd gehad om ‘n geselsie aan te knoop. Hy was vir verskeie jare deel van die skou kommitee, en het altyd gehelp met al die reëlings wat daarmee saam gaan om seker te maak dat dit ‘n reuse sukses was. Hy was vreeslik geliefd in die gemeenskap, en het gelewe vir sy vrou, vriende en familie. Wanneer hy in die dorp gery het, was sy bakkie se venster altyd oop, en was hy gereed om te groet met ‘n breë glimlag en, net ‘n “sharp” te wys. Hy laat ‘n groot leemte in die gemeenskap agter, en sal altyd onthou word. Hy word oorleef deur sy vrou, Martie, Jannie, Lana, Wim, hulle eggenote en kleinkinders. < Previous Article Next Article >

Op Dinsdag, 15 September, was twee verdagtes opgemerk wat besig is om motors se alarms te keer dat dit aktiveer, bekend as “remote jamming”. Die twee verdagtes is gekonfronteer deur twee mans, waarna die verdagtes te voet gevlug het uit ‘n winkelsentrum in Kerk Straat. Hulle is egter vasgetrek naby ‘n restaurant in Kerk Straat. Die karwagte het saam met die twee mans gewerk om die verdagtes vas te trek. Die twee verdagtes is dadelik na die SAPD geneem, waar daar op die stelesel gesien is dat daar by beide die verdagtes twee ander hangende sake is. Die twee gemeenskapslede, wat anoniem wil bly, wil graag die karwagte, asook die plaaslike SAPD bedank vir hulle flinke werk. Twee verdagtes vasgetrek deur gemeenskapslede Twee verdagtes vasgetrek deur gemeenskapslede Die verdagtes wat vasgetrek is deur die gemeenskap. Die verdagtes wat vasgetrek is deur die gemeenskap. Die verdagtes wat vasgetrek is deur die gemeenskap. 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 22 September 2020 Die karwagte het saam met die twee mans gewerk om die verdagtes vas te trek. Die twee verdagtes is dadelik na die SAPD geneem, waar daar op die stelesel gesien is dat daar by beide die verdagtes twee ander hangende sake is. Op Dinsdag, 15 September, was twee verdagtes opgemerk wat besig is om motors se alarms te keer dat dit aktiveer, bekend as “remote jamming”. Die twee verdagtes is gekonfronteer deur twee mans, waarna die verdagtes te voet gevlug het uit ‘n winkelsentrum in Kerk Straat. Hulle is egter vasgetrek naby ‘n restaurant in Kerk Straat. Die karwagte het saam met die twee mans gewerk om die verdagtes vas te trek. Die twee verdagtes is dadelik na die SAPD geneem, waar daar op die stelesel gesien is dat daar by beide die verdagtes twee ander hangende sake is. Die twee gemeenskapslede, wat anoniem wil bly, wil graag die karwagte, asook die plaaslike SAPD bedank vir hulle flinke werk. < Previous Article Next Article >

Farm workers should be prioritized 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 13 April 2021 “We need a balance to ensure that these two threats are both addressed,” says Geldenhuys. The need to maintain food chains and production is one of the most important things currently needed. We cannot afford to have farms quarantined should a COVID-19 outbreak occur." The TLU SA wrote a letter to the Minister of Health requesting that farm workers be considered as a priority group for vaccination against COVID-19. Farm workers perform an essential service and have been classified as such since the beginning of the restriction. The potential exposure of workers to COVID-19 is significantly high and it would be harmful if production units had to be placed in isolation in the event of an outbreak. “To date, we have not received any response from Minister Zweli Mkhize," says Henry Geldenhuys, the president of TLU SA. Since the beginning of the pandemic, TLU SA has held the view that everything possible must be done to fight the virus, but that it must be done with a functioning economy. By severely restricting the economy, a second threat is created, namely poverty and famine. “We need a balance to ensure that these two threats are both addressed,” says Geldenhuys. The need to maintain food chains and production is one of the most important things currently needed. We cannot afford to have farms quarantined should a COVID-19 outbreak occur. What worries the TLU SA is that President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that Phase 2 will start in mid-May and that 5.5 million people over the age of 60, with comorbidities, will be vaccinated between 17 May and 31 July. TLU reiterates its urgent call to the Minister to prioritize the vaccinations of farmworkers. < Previous Article Next Article >

The Heart Of Middelburg celebrates 10 years in operation Appearing on the photo (f.l.t.r): Jabu Mokwena, handyman, Allen Snyman, operations manager, Nelly Shabalala, receptionist, Mike Tammadge, general manager, Morgan-Lee van der Walt, marketing manager, and Dennis Mukoma, security manager. Appearing on the photo (f.l.t.r): Jabu Mokwena, handyman, Allen Snyman, operations manager, Nelly Shabalala, receptionist, Mike Tammadge, general manager, Morgan-Lee van der Walt, marketing manager, and Dennis Mukoma, security manager. 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 10 May 2022 Middelburg Mall offers a one-stop, family friendly shopping experience where convenience and safety are of utmost importance. Press release - 10 years of special Middelburg Moments shared with our shoppers, tenants, suppliers and contractors. When the Moolman Group and Flanagan & Gerard opened the mall in 2012, little did they know that it would evolve into a respected community landmark - a place of giving, coming together and creating countless memories. The heart of Middelburg! Creating countless job opportunities for the Middelburg community, the mall has become a valued asset in the Middelburg business community. More than 60 million shoppers have visited the mall since opening day, and hopes to see many, many more in the future. With over 140 retailers, free parking and a mini revamp in the pipeline, Middelburg Mall offers a one-stop, family friendly shopping experience where convenience and safety are of utmost importance. We would like to thank the community, our tenants & shoppers for their continued support. Here’s to the next 10 – may they be filled with countless Middelburg Mall Moments < Previous Article Next Article >

Gedurende verlede week het die Tribune ePaper ‘n klagte ontvang van ‘n inwoner, wat werkers van Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit (MLM) op heter daad betrap het terwyl hul rommel stort net buite die Ermelo Vliegveld. Morsjors, tel op jou papiere! 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 20 April 2021 Gedurende verlede week het die Tribune ePaper ‘n klagte ontvang van ‘n inwoner, wat werkers van Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit (MLM) op heter daad betrap het terwyl hul rommel stort net buite die Ermelo Vliegveld. Gedurende verlede week het die Tribune ePaper ‘n klagte ontvang van ‘n inwoner, wat werkers van Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit (MLM) op heter daad betrap het terwyl hul rommel stort net buite die Ermelo Vliegveld. Ironies genoeg preek die munisipale leiers aanhoudend vir lede van die gemeenskap oor onwettige rommel storting, maar word dan betrap as deel van die groeiende probleem. Die Tribune ePaper het ‘n navraag gestuur aan die munisipale verteenwoordiger rakende die kwessie, en wat se stappe geneem gaan word teen die skuldiges. Teen tye van publikasie, was daar geen terugvoer ontvang vanaf MLM nie. < Previous Article Next Article >

Looming strike from trucking industry 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 26 January 2021 SANCATDRA and the All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied South Africa’s (ATDF-ASA’s) national shutdown, which Mofokeng assured would be legal, is scheduled to start on Monday, 25 January 2021. A national shutdown of the trucking industry is imminent as the South African National Cargo Transport Drivers Association (SANCATDRA) continues to push for clarity on the employment of foreign drivers. The association marched to the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI) on 15 December 2020 to hand over a memorandum demanding that the bargaining council should be neutral and impartial, clause 35 should be scrapped from the main collective agreement, labour brokers should be abolished in the road freight industry and court-designated agents must be investigated and apprehended. They also stated in the memorandum that the employment of foreigners is transferring poverty in the industry The association’s president Daniel Mofokeng stated that the union expected a response from the council within 21 days. However, to date there has been no response. “We are currently following the legal route in pursuing the council to respond to us. After we have obtained permits and authorisation from law enforcement agencies, then we will give out an announcement on when the shutdown will be,” Mofokeng explained. According to NBCRFLI, the bargaining council’s first board meeting for 2021 is scheduled to take place in February. “There is still an issue of employment of foreigners. We are very much dissatisfied with what is happening in the country, with the burning of trucks and driver attacks. There is a lot of corruption, with no companies actually complying with the council. Drivers are frustrated, waiting, not being paid accordingly… There is total noncompliance in the industry but people are meant to monitor compliance. There are laws to follow.” stated Mofokeng. “With unemployment such as South Africa’s, we still believe someone is not doing their job properly; someone is benefiting. Ministers want to come up with quotas. If they allow say 20% of foreigners, it means another 20% of South Africans are not working. We’ve got all the resources, we need to deal with these issues, but we are turning a blind eye to the issue of foreigners,” he closed off. SANCATDRA and the All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied South Africa’s (ATDF-ASA’s) national shutdown, which Mofokeng assured would be legal, is scheduled to start on Monday, 25 January 2021. < Previous Article Next Article >

Die straat en veld is gesaai met menslike ontlasting, sanitêre produkte, kondome en toiletpapier. Inwoners stik aan stank van ontlasting 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 6 July 2022 Die straat en veld is gesaai met menslike ontlasting, sanitêre produkte, kondome en toiletpapier. Te midde van die Msukaligwa Plaaslike Munisipaliteit (MLM) wat nuwe konstruksieprojekte, bouplanne en koshuisuitbreidings links en regs goedkeur, trek die omgewing, fauna en flora, asook inwoners letterlik vir jare lank al aan die kortste punt. Die onvoldoende rioolnetwerk, wat vanaf Camdenlaan, via President Fouchélaan tot en met Robbertsstraat strek, is al vir meer as 10 jaar ‘n doring in die vlees van menigte inwoners. Munisipale bestuurders van vier verkiesings terug se beloftes bly steeds onvervuld, met die probleem wat daagliks vererger. Die impak op die natuurlewe en vleilanddiere, veral opmerklik die reiers wat Ermelo bekoor, is 'n rede tot groot kommer, aangesien die rioolstorting direk in die Pet Dam vloei, wat 'n spoor van besoedeling en wildsterftes in sy nasleep laat. Vanaf die Pet Dam, wat alreeds buitensporig besoedel is, sluit die oorloop aan by die Klein Drinkwaterstroom, wat uiteindelik in die Vaalrivier beland. In 'n omgewingstudie wat vrygestel is, word MLM, onder drie ander Mpumalanga-munisipaliteite, uitdruklik as 'n hoofskuldige in die jare lange besoedeling van die Vaalrivier uitgewys. Tot op hede is geen opgraderings, of aksie geneem nie, met die situasie wat onverklaarbaar erger is as voorheen. Daar is wel bewerings van ‘n kontrakteur wat besig is met rioolstelsel opgraderings in dié area. Helaas, inwoners weeklaag die feit dat die kontrakteur, volgens klagtes ontvang vanaf inwoners, die probleem egter vererger het. “Die manne dolwe die hele area om, en gaan kwansuis nuwe pype installeer. Dit lyk vir my meer of hulle aanjaag, want die riool is nou tien keer erger as wat dit was. As ek by my voordeur uit kyk, sien ek net plasse rou riool waar die kontrakteur werk gedoen het. Is dit nou die tipe werkmanskap wat ons tevrede mee moet wees. My hele huis riuk na ontlasting, en dit vererger soggens en saans. Ons gaan slaap met die reuk, en word wakker met die reuk. Ons kan nie eers meer buite braai nie, want die walglike reuk maak mens letterlik naar,” het ‘n woedende inwoner aan die Tribune gesê. Die gereelde verstoppings en oorloop van die rioollyn in President Fouchélaan dui duidelik op 'n groter probleemfaktor met die netwerkarea, aangesien inwoners naby die President Fouchélaan en Robertsstraat-kruising in 'n konstante walm van ontlasting woon. Die straat en veld is gesaai met menslike ontlasting, sanitêre produkte, kondome en toiletpapier. Die velde in hierdie area is voortdurend deurdrenk met riool, en hou ook ernstige gesondheidsimplikasies in vir inwoners en leerders van die nabygeleë skole. Terwyl MLM se gesagsfigure, sowel as verskeie wyksraadslede deeglik bewus is van die probleme waarmee inwoners te kampe het, wil dit voorkom asof min gedoen word om 'n permanente en lewensvatbare oplossing te bied. Gert Sibande-distriksmunisipaliteit is ook by verskeie geleenthede oor die kwessie ingelig, maar beweer dat hulle geen jurisdiksie in die saak het nie. Die Demokratiese Alliansie (DA) het opgemerk dat die party 'n brief aan die premier van Mpumalanga gestuur het. Ongelukkig is dit bykans ‘n jaar later, met geen terugvoer of aksie rakende die probleem nie. Lesers kan meer foto's en video's op ons Facebook-blad, Tribune Ermelo, sien. < Previous Article Next Article >

ESKOM to switch off overloaded networks during peak 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 7 July 2020 Illegal connections will result in communities staying for days without electricity, as parts and resources are not always available. The replacement of a 20 MVA power transformer costs anything between R100 000 and R7.3 million, which is untenable,’ Eskom stated. This after reporting a significant rise in network overloading as a result of illegal connections and bypassed meters, Eskom has decided to take drastic measures. Due to inability of municipalities to control illegal connections, provide equitable electricity to all residents in a safe manner, and honor payment agreements to the power utility, load reduction measures have been put in place. The power utility said in a that illegal activities on their network results in damage to the electricity infrastructure through explosions in overloaded transformers and mini-substations. In response to the problem, Eskom will switch off overloaded networks during peak periods, and power will be switched back on after the peak loading period. “Should Eskom’s infrastructure be damaged due to illegal connections, for the safety of the network and the public and its infrastructure, Eskom will only replace the transformer once the illegal connections have been removed and it is safe to energise the area. This will result in communities staying for days without electricity, as parts and resources are not always available. The replacement of a 20 MVA power transformer costs anything between R100 000 and R7.3 million, which is untenable,’ Eskom stated. Introduced in mid-May this year, load reduction is when power is switched off in neighborhoods where illegal connections cause overload and damage infrastructure. < Previous Article Next Article >

5G towers do not spread COVID-19 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 19 January 2021 The destruction of 5G, or any cellular towers, will be treated as an act of criminality. Various chain messages on social media, WhatsApp and Telegram, based mainly on the fact that the 5G network was rolled out in the Chinese city of Wuhan just a few weeks before the first COVID-19 reports, are fueling misinformation and destructive behavior by gullible citizens in South Africa. These chain messages are based on false information, stating that infected passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship had been using the technology, and that the electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by wireless communications networks are to blame for the spread of the virus. This is not only wholly untrue, but also impossible by any standard. Various reports of citizens in South Africa destroying cellular towers have come to light, with the vandals seeing themselves as unsung heroes. However, Premier Sihle Zikalala has warned that the destruction of 5G, or any cellular towers, will be treated as an act of criminality. “We should all be united against COVID-19, and such things detract us from the main focus now, which is to deal with COVID-19. If you vandalize such networks, you are affecting the communication and therefore services of the community are undermined. It would be irresponsible of any leader to peddle misinformation, and it is uncalled for any leader to mislead the people.” the premier stated. The vandalism of towers belonging to major network companies has come in the wake of viral social media posts which have eluded to a link between 5G and the spread of COVID-19 .Zikalala added that community leaders who misinform the public regarding the 5G networks and COVID-19 will also face the law. Other articles containing false information are also doing the rounds, and are most distressing. Antibiotics work against bacteria, not viruses, therefore taking antibiotics to treat or prevent COVID-19 could prove harmful by reducing a person’s vigilance. Vaccines against pneumonia don’t provide protection against COVID-19 either. The potential efficacy of chloroquine is currently being studied but doesn’t look particularly promising. Hand dryers and UV lamps don’t effectively guard against the virus, and the WHO has also discredited the idea that cold weather and snow can kill COVID-19. In more unorthodox approaches, some wrongly maintain that people can protect themselves against COVID-19 by washing their hands with children’s urine, applying sesame oil all over their body or consuming cannabis. These are simply examples of false advertising or clickbait. Excessive digestion of garlic, beetroot and ginger also holds no scientific merit. Another great fallacy is that you can get infected by parcels arriving from China. Although the lifespan varies depending on the environment and temperature, pathogenic germs can only survive on objects such as parcels, coins and credit cards for a few hours. Products imported from China to Africa have been traveling for too long to transmit the virus. A huge misconception is that youthfulness offers immunity to the virus. The virus doesn’t just impact the elderly, although being in a fragile state influences the body’s ability to fight infection. Lastly, just as conspiracy theories proliferated about HIV, theories peddled by gullible individuals claim that COVID-19 is a bioweapon engineered by the Chinese government, the US government, and most laughably, the Bill Gates Foundation, and that it was either deliberately released. Fake rumors also claim that Bill Gates himself is waging a one-man war against humanity, and using humans as guinea pigs with a supposed immortality drug he is developing for himself. Residents are urged to refrain from spreading panic and false information regarding COVID-19, as such acts could land you in very, very hot water. < Previous Article Next Article >

Toil and trouble for motorists in Camden Avenue 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 17 August 2021 The drivers of these heavy vehicles are supposedly liable to a fine of R1500, and traffic officials do an excellent job at clamping down on a large number of heavy vehicles in the CBD. Alas, the lament of the residential wards seem to be the least of MLM’s worries. “What are they even doing in the residential area? I mean, there are traffic officers who live near here, who drive past these trucks every day. Nothing is being done. The municipality ignores our pleas, and the traffic department couldn’t be bothered.” These are the words of a frustrated resident in De Bruin Park, where several self-titled businessmen park their heavy vehicles at night, lining the streets and obstructing the traffic flow. During the early morning rush hour traffic, these lumbering vehicles have been reported driving carelessly, ignoring stop siggns and traffic lights, making u-turns in front of oncoming traffic, and being a general nuisance to the residents in the area. “I can’t see if there are oncoming traffic when I exit my yard, because my view is blocked by a heavy vehicle which is parked on the sidewalk. It’s very dangerous, and nothing is being done about it.” Camden Avenue is known for its motorists who travel at unacceptably high speed, and often disregard the rules of the road. These dangerous drivers, coupled with the heavy vehicles that have no business being in a residential area, is a recipe for disaster. Despite the issue being raised with Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) on several occasions, the issue persists, and has, in fact, worsened. Heavy vehicles, which transport coal, large loads and often livestock, can be spotted in Camden Avenue on a daily basis. These heavy vehicles have on several occasions been deemed as a danger to road users and pedestrians, especially college students and children whose parents reside in the Autumn Ridge security village. Heavy vehicle drivers have, on numerous occasions, been spotted double parking on the sidewalks to offload passengers, damaging curbs and street signs by misjudging turns, driving at excessively high or low speeds, in both cases frustrating motorists to a large extent. This issue is, however, not confined to De Bruin Park, as there are several wards in Ermelo East where heavy vehicles are parked in the road at night, and often detach their trailers, leaving it on the roadside as an accident waiting to happen. The drivers of these heavy vehicles are supposedly liable to a fine of R1500, and traffic officials do an excellent job at clamping down on a large number of heavy vehicles in the CBD. Alas, the lament of the residential wards seem to be the least of MLM’s worries. < Previous Article Next Article >

Mayestra SA makes waves on local music scene 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 14 September 2021 "One of my biggest achievements thus far is getting interviews and air plays after a hit song of mine, Madumane, blasted over the airwaves. I made the track in collaboration with my producer, Thabang Nhlapho, or more well known as Jaded Gluck. He is a very gifted producer and very close friend, and we are working on a powerful album." 21-Year-old Njabulo Zwane, born and raised in Ermelo, and better known by his performer name Mayestra SA, has been making waves on the local scene after one of his tracks, Madumane, exploded on the radio charts. Njabulo started his school career at Ermelo Laerskool, and graduated at Netherland Park Secondary School. “Music came to me as a gift from God, and it came at the most emotional time of my life, after I was involved in a car accident in 2013. I was so in love with sports back then, but things changed when I lost the use of my left leg as a result of the accident. It was then when I started writing lyrics. I started saving money for studio sessions, which were expensive for me back then. It used to cost R300, and I recorded my music with the money I saved from my pocket money from school. I stopped eating at school because I had love and passion for music. In 2018, I decided to start my own studio, and helped other local artists to record at a very cheap price, because I knew how hard it was to save money just so you can record. I was already a businessman, because my studio made some money, even thought it wasn't a lot. When it comes to business, my father is my role model and mentor, and has helped me extensively. I started getting supporters from some classmates, and soon from the whole school. Before long, my music spread through Ermelo and the surrounding areas. Fast forward to 2021, as I moved to Johannesburg, and started grabbing the attention from people around Gauteng. I started getting bookings to open stages for one the biggest names in the South African music industry, and it really was a blessing! One of my biggest achievements thus far is getting interviews and air plays after a hit song of mine, Madumane, blasted over the airwaves. I made the track in collaboration with my producer, Thabang Nhlapho, or more well known as Jaded Gluck. He is a very gifted producer and very close friend, and we are working on a powerful album. I can't wait for it to be released! My biggest dream is to put Ermelo’s name on top of the world, and give hope to the hopeless kids in the streets of Ermelo, because I know exactly what it feels like to try your best, and still get rejected. Ultimately, I will use my success to create jobs in Ermelo, and help not just the youth, but also the less fortunate. I hope Ermelo continues to support not just me, but every talent in our town. It's a beautiful thing, and I love you all!” < Previous Article Next Article >