Search this site

“Ligbron is so trots op hierdie jong ingenieurs, en hoop dat die ervaring julle motiveer om met julle talente te woeker vir die toekoms!” 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 >

President’s Air Trophy touches down at Ermelo Airfield 1/5 Share GK CRONJE 25 May 2021 The PTAR - Presidents Trophy Air Race, is the most historically elite, internationally recognized prestigious air race in the world. Excitement and joy filled both pilots and spectators, who partook in the event hosted at Ermelo Airfield from 20-22 May. Aircraftof all shapes and sizes landed at the airport strip, while onlookers stared in amazement. The planes were then parked and shown off, where spectators could view and photograph these beautiful inventions. The PTAR - Presidents Trophy Air Race, is the most historically elite, internationally recognized prestigious air race in the world. If you’re interested in competing in future events, you may visit www.safpa.co.za . You may also view more photos and videos of the event on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >

Local talent secures finalist-spot 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 29 June 2021 The sprightly and go-getter attitude of Nompumelelo has made her an ideal candidate. 22-Year-old Nompumelelo Mabona, a chemical engineering student at Vaal University of Technology, has been selected as a finalist for Miss Township South Africa 2021. Nompumelelo hails from Siyabuswa, Extension D. The sprightly and go-getter attitude of Nompumelelo has made her an ideal candidate. “I am doing my final year as a finalist, and I am required to raise 50 pads for underprivileged girls at school or orphanages. I entered the pageant in order to create a difference, and I aim to create awareness on sanitary pad donations. I would like to see that my community outreach will reach as broad a audience as possible. I am also an upcoming writer, and I aim to publish my first novel this year, titled “Tears Blinding, A Depressed Black Child”. I am hunting to find a publishing company that will be willing to publish my book on their platform.” Nompumelelo would like to thank everyone for their support on her journey thus far. If you would like to become involved in a project with Nompumelelo, you may contact her via WhatsApp on 072 035 0519. < Previous Article Next Article >

“Baie geluk en baie sterkte vir julle. Die Liggies is baie trots op julle.” Liggies gekies vir KSA Mpumalanga span 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 2 March 2021 “Baie geluk en baie sterkte vir julle. Die Liggies is baie trots op julle.” Twee leerders van Ligbron Akademie vir Tegnologie, Jaco van Wyk en Zandri du Preez, is gekies vir die KSA-Mpumalanga elite karate span wat vanaf 5-7 Maart 2021 aan die SA Kampioenskappe gaan deelneem. “Baie geluk en baie sterkte vir julle. Die Liggies is baie trots op julle.” < Previous Article Next Article >

According to Ntekele, the electrical demand far exceeds the supply that the municipality is capable of providing. Mountain of Eskom debt blamed on consumers 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 3 May 2022 According to Ntekele, the electrical demand far exceeds the supply that the municipality is capable of providing. Amidst intermittent national load shedding, electrical outages and municipal load reduction, the community of Msukaligwa are gnawing on hard bones. According to Msukaligwa Local Municipality’s (MLM) director Ntekele, the load reduction is implemented as a last resort to avoid being completely switched off by Eskom for exceeding the notified maximum demand (NMD) set forth by the power utility. According to Ntekele, the electrical demand far exceeds the supply that the municipality is capable of providing. Ntekele claimed that Eskom has set forth an ultimatum that the municipality must manage the load to avoid exceeding the NMD, which, according to Eskom, will cause damage to transformers, cables and infrastructure. Ntekele has stated during a meeting that the current infrastructure isn’t rated to handle a higher electricity demand without suffering damage. According to the director, requesting a higher NMD from Eskom requires infrastructure upgrades, which the municipality simply does not have the fiscal capacity to provide. He also claims that Eskom charges an exorbitant amount to increase the NMD, and claims that Eskom does not have the appetite to supply a higher rating. Furthermore, the director claims that the agreement between Eskom and the municipality, which dates back to circa 1985, has not been sufficiently amended to provide adequate electrical supply to meet the demand of the rapidly expanding Ermelo and surroundings. The situation is of such a nature that even the Democratic Alliance (DA) has taken note, and wrote a letter to the COGTA MEC. “The DA finds it extremely concerning that during the recent load shedding, the residents and business owners of Ermelo have been forced to face 12 hours or more without electricity - as areas in Msukaligwa Local Municipality faced a combination of load shedding together with load reduction because the municipality goes over the Notified Maximum Demand from Eskom. In a number of municipalities across the province, situations like these not only place a strain on businesses in the area but it also can destroy household appliances due to fluctuating voltages and the potential surge when turning the power back on. It is shocking to note that if Msukaligwa Local Municipality was able to capitalize on reducing the exceptionally high electricity distribution loss of 45% as reported on in the 2019/ 2020 Auditor General’s report, the residents and businesses could have been saved from this prolonged darkness,” the DA’s Trudie Grové-Morgan said. To add insult to injury, Eskom has released a list of the top ten defaulting municipalities in Mpumalanga, which includes MLM. According to Eskom, the top ten owes a combined amount over R13 billion. eMalahleni is the biggest debt culprit, and owes Eskom nearly R6 billion in arrear payment. MLM is, as of 31 March 2022, R153 719 572 in arrears on their repayment agreement to Eskom. This, in turn also has an adverse effect on Eskom’s willingness to increase the NMD to MLM, seen as repayment is a clear hurdle. However, shortly after Eskom’s announcement, MLM was quick on the draw, releasing a statement claiming that consumers owe the municipality an amount of R909 557 309 for service delivery. However, residents have scoffed at the statement in derision. “If you skip one month of payments to the municipality, even if you pay late, you are swiftly disconnected by the municipality. How is it possible to have so many non-paying residents. That is a clear indication that the municipality’s finance department is not doing its work in collection of funds,” one resident stated. In addition to this, questions are also raised if this is an actual owed amount by residents. MLM has garnered a notorious reputation for wholly incorrect and exorbitant estimates of water and utlitly accounts, which are rarely corrected and updated on the crippled billing system. According to MLM, Ermelo owes nearly R220 million in service delivery fees, with Wesselton owing R191 million, Breyten owes R150 million, Lothair owes R93 million, Davel owes R56 million, Chrissiesmeer owes R44 million, Sheepmoor owes nearly R9 million, Warburton owes a mere R213 000. MLM further states that state departments owe nearly R22 million, the business sector owes R170 million, and farms owe nearly R47 million. It is unclear at this stage how farms were calculated, as the majority of farms are Eskom supplied. < Previous Article Next Article >

The Balfour Regional Court, on 5 February 2021, sentenced Henry Nwagu (38), a Nigerian national, and Noluvoyo Sali (32), after they were arrested by members of the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation Secunda, assisted by members of Secunda Crime Intelligence, Secunda SAPS and Secunda bike squad. The arrests took place on 9 February 2015 during a search and seizure operation at Toon Van Der Heever Street in Secunda. Upon the arrival at the house, the team found a fully equipped and operational drug lab. There were chemicals, ephedrine, weighing scales, fans, big fridges, cash and drugs valued at an estimated R380 000. The total value of the equipment and chemicals was estimated at R1.5 million. In 2019, Sali was released on bail pending sentencing, while Nwagu remained in custody. Nwagu was sentenced to 27 years direct imprisonment on charges of manufacturing of drugs, dealing and possession of drugs, being an illegal immigrant. Nwagu was found to be having four passports, two Lesotho passports and two Nigerian passports. Sali was also sentenced to 27 years direct imprisonment on charges of manufacturing of drugs and dealing and possession of drugs. Both accused were declared unfit to possess firearms, and the court forfeited the cash and the equipment to the state. The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Zodwa Mokoena, applauded the team and judiciary for the successful conviction, and hopes it will serve as warning to those who are still involved in these type of crimes.   Drug syndicate busted by Hawks Drug syndicate busted by Hawks Noluvoyo Sali. Henry Nwagu. Noluvoyo Sali. 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 10 February 2021 The total value of the equipment and chemicals was estimated at R1.5 million. The Balfour Regional Court, on 5 February 2021, sentenced Henry Nwagu (38), a Nigerian national, and Noluvoyo Sali (32), after they were arrested by members of the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation Secunda, assisted by members of Secunda Crime Intelligence, Secunda SAPS and Secunda bike squad. The arrests took place on 9 February 2015 during a search and seizure operation at Toon Van Der Heever Street in Secunda. Upon the arrival at the house, the team found a fully equipped and operational drug lab. There were chemicals, ephedrine, weighing scales, fans, big fridges, cash and drugs valued at an estimated R380 000. The total value of the equipment and chemicals was estimated at R1.5 million. In 2019, Sali was released on bail pending sentencing, while Nwagu remained in custody. Nwagu was sentenced to 27 years direct imprisonment on charges of manufacturing of drugs, dealing and possession of drugs, being an illegal immigrant. Nwagu was found to be having four passports, two Lesotho passports and two Nigerian passports. Sali was also sentenced to 27 years direct imprisonment on charges of manufacturing of drugs and dealing and possession of drugs. Both accused were declared unfit to possess firearms, and the court forfeited the cash and the equipment to the state. The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Zodwa Mokoena, applauded the team and judiciary for the successful conviction, and hopes it will serve as warning to those who are still involved in these type of crimes. < Previous Article Next Article >

MBCF invites members to join the cause 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 10 November 2020 “People have been accepting the unacceptable for far too long, and unfortunately there are no quick fixes. But what is important is to start”. The legal council for the Msukaligwa Business and Community Forum (MBCF), Mr. Andreas Peens, recently joined in a meeting with members of the MBCF committee in Ermelo. It is with great excitement that the announcement has been made that membership forms are now available to interested parties. During the meeting, Mr. Peens discussed immediate and long term legal strategy, and gave feedback on the matter of the application to stop the NMD load shedding currently being implemented by Eskom and Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM). The case will be heard in court on 12 November 2020. He also discussed the next urgent steps of addressing sewerage, water, rubbish removal and environmental issues in town. Furthermore, the issue of incorrect municipal accounts, accounts not being received by businesses and residents, and the system being offline at the municipality for weeksat end, were also discussed. Mr. Peens indicated that a document will be made available to the MBCF that can be distributed to its members in order to help them lodge a dispute with regards to irregular water and electricity accounts. This will prevent MLM from suspending services to businesses and residents until the irregularity has been resolved. Members also addressed the current frustration at the licensing office, where only 50 renewal applications are being processed per day. Also on the cards was the fact that the municipality allegedly refuses the installation of prepaid electricity meters at business premises, to which Mr. Peens relayed some insightful strategy in resolving the challenges going forward. He explained that addressing the service delivery issues mentioned will provide viable results for all the residents, but it can be a lengthy process. “People have been accepting the unacceptable for far too long, and unfortunately there are no quick fixes. But what is important is to start”. To support the MBCF cause, donations can be made to Msukaligwa Business and Community Forum, Standard Bank, account number 031064701, Ermelo branch, with branch code 052844. Kindly remember to use your cellphone number as reference. Business owners and residents who would like to become members, can do so by completing the membership form. Membership costs entail R25 per household, and R100 per business, per month. For more enquiries, please contact 072 401 1449. < Previous Article Next Article >

GSDM calls for an end to GBV 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 7 July 2020 Leaders from various faith-based organisations joined the GSDM political and administrative leadership during the prayer session, which was held under the theme “An Outcry for spiritual Intervention against COVID-19, Gender Based Violence and Femicide”. Press Release - The Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) has again called for an immediate end to the scourge of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Femicide. The call was made during a prayer session that was conducted from the GSDM Council Chambers on Thursday, 25 June where less than 50 delegates were gathered while others joined virtually in line with the lockdown alert level 3 regulations. Leaders from various faith-based organisations joined the GSDM political and administrative leadership during the prayer session, which was held under the theme “An Outcry for spiritual Intervention against COVID-19, Gender Based Violence and Femicide”. In his address, GSDM Executive Mayor, Councillor Muzi Chirwa, said the municipality was very concerned by the emergence of violence directed at women and children. “These acts of Gender Based Violence and Femicide are rising and they are done by some of us in the society, in particular men. That is why as the collective leadership of this municipality are calling on men to desist from this conduct of abusing and killing of women and children,” said Chirwa. He also announced that GSDM would be hosting a first ‘District Women and Men Parliament’ the following day, 26 June 2020, virtually, to try and find solutions in fighting the scourge and grow the District together. He further added that the municipality had the full confidence on all the law enforcement agencies that they will act swiftly against the perpetrators of Gender Based Violence and called on members of the community to work with them by reporting incidences to the police. Cllr. Chirwa also raised his concerns about the sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 infection rates in the country, particularly in the District, and called on all to remain vigilant. The leaders of the faith-based organisations applauded the GSDM for the initiative and pledged their support. < 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 >

Die afgelope naweek was ‘n besige naweek vir die nooddienste, met verskeie botsings wat plaasgevind het. Al die nodige dienste was blitsvinnig op die tonele, en die owerhede vra alle motoriste of veilig te bestuur ten alle tye. Botsings teister motoriste Botsings teister motoriste 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 18 Augustus 2020 Nooddienste was druk besig met verskeie tonele, met skare wat hul vergaap aan die botings. Die afgelope naweek was ‘n besige naweek vir die nooddienste, met verskeie botsings wat plaasgevind het. Al die nodige dienste was blitsvinnig op die tonele, en die owerhede vra alle motoriste of veilig te bestuur ten alle tye. < Previous Article Next Article >

MECs Majuba and Shongwe visit Cebisa School 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 18 August 2022 The suspect is a fellow student, and has since been arrested on a farm between Ermelo and Breyten. Following the gang-related fatal stabbing of a student at Cebisa Secondary School in Wesselton on Tuesday, 16 August 2022, the eyes of the country are on the government to take action. Mpumalanga education MEC, Bonakele Majuba, condemned the incident, and also conveyed his sincere condolences to the bereaved family. “Regrettably, the stabbed learner succumbed to his injuries at Ermelo Provincial Hospital. It is alleged that the learners belonged to different troublesome gangs in the township,” the department said in a statement. The suspect is a fellow student, and has since been arrested on a farm between Ermelo and Breyten. MEC Majuba visited the school on this morning, together with Mpumalanga Community Safety and Security MEC, Vusi Shongwe, and other officials, who rendered psychosocial assistance to all who are affected by the incident. During the visit, it was also announced that an imbizo will be hosted at the Wesselton Stadium on 28 August 2022. The imbizo will commence at 11:00. The imbizo will be led by MEC Shongwe, where gang violence and school safety will be discussed. < Previous Article Next Article >

Daar vind tot ses onderbrekings per dag in Bethal plaas. Tydens 'n aanlyn-portefeuljekomiteevergadering oor die aangeleentheid, het verteenwoordigers van Eskom gesê dat hulle weens uitstaande skuld van R1.7 miljard van Govan Mbeki Munisipaliteit, nie bereid is om die uitset van die substasie te verhoog nie. VF Plus vereis antwoorde vanaf GMM 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 2 Junie 2020 Daar vind tot ses onderbrekings per dag in Bethal plaas. Tydens 'n aanlyn-portefeuljekomiteevergadering oor die aangeleentheid, het verteenwoordigers van Eskom gesê dat hulle weens uitstaande skuld van R1.7 miljard van Govan Mbeki Munisipaliteit, nie bereid is om die uitset van die substasie te verhoog nie. Persverklaring - Dit het onder die aandag van die VF Plus gekom dat die gereelde beurtkrag wat in Bethal plaasvind, die gevolg is van ‘n substasie wat nie die aanvraag na Bethal sowel as Emzinoni, 'n aangrensende dorp langs Bethal, kan voorsien nie. Daar vind tot ses onderbrekings per dag plaas. Tydens 'n aanlyn-portefeuljekomiteevergadering oor die aangeleentheid, het verteenwoordigers van Eskom gesê dat hulle weens uitstaande skuld van R1.7 miljard van Govan Mbeki Munisipaliteit, nie bereid is om die uitset van die substasie te verhoog nie. Die situasie is onaanvaarbaar, en die munisipaliteit se optrede is ʼn belediging vir die inwoners van Bethal wat wel gereeld hul rekenings betaal, maar wat nou weens die wanbetaling van ander en van die munisipaliteit moet boet. Die ANC moet aanvaar dat daar 'n probleem in Bethal is, en moet dringend optree teen onwettige aansluitings en wanbetalers. Agterstallige skuld moet ingevorder word, en vrugtelose en verkwistende uitgawes van openbare fondse moet stopgesit word. Die VF Plus dring aan op antwoorde van die munisipaliteit, en van die departement oor die aangeleentheid. Wetsgehoorsame betalers kan nie gestraf word weens die onbevoegdheid van die munisipaliteit en die wanbetaling van ander nie. < Previous Article Next Article >