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Shoddy roads batter already limping tourism sector 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 6 April 2021 Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane mentioned in the State of the Province Address that tourist destinations in Mpumalanga would be upgraded, however, what was not mentioned was how they planned to deal with issues of the severely dilapidated roads that feed the sites. Tourism is Mpumalanga’s major potential job creator and a large source of income for many. However, the absolute ghastly state of the roads are making it extremely difficult for tourism operators to run their businesses. The provincial MEC for public works, roads and transport, Mohita Latchminarain, was called upon to prioritize rehabilitation of all roads which lead to major tourist destination sites. According to Bosman Grobler, potholes are a major deterrent for tourists looking to visit the province. Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane mentioned in the State of the Province Address that tourist destinations in Mpumalanga would be upgraded, however, what was not mentioned was how they planned to deal with issues of the severely dilapidated roads that feed the sites. “Provincial government is advised to devise strategies aimed at growing the economy provincially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The roads are in need of attention, and local government has to do something, because these roads reflect what our society is like to visitors. Mpumalanga’s tourism sector has been affected badly by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the state of roads is becoming a deterrent for visiting tourists. Roads leading to prominent tourist destination sites have been riddled with potholes for years now.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Op Donderdag, 4 Augustus, ongeveer 17:15, het vier gewapende mans by ‘n besigheid ingestap. Hulle het rond gekyk in die winkel, vuurwapens uitgepluk, en het ‘n man (73) en sy vrou aangerand in die winkel. Die verdagtes het die slagoffers beveel om plat te lê op die vloer. Die man en die verdagtes het in ‘n struweling betrokke geraak, waarby die man kop beserings, asook beserings aan beide sy arms opgedoen het. Die man is Ermelo Medi-Clinic toe geneem vir mediese behandeling, waarby hy op Vrydag, 5 Augustus, na Medi-Clinic Trichardt geneem is vir verdere mediese behandeling. Tydens ‘n telefoon onderhoud met die eienaar van die winkel, het hy sy pa op Sondag, 7 Augsutus besoek, waarby hy gesê het dat sy pa vandag operasies sal ondergaan. Die verdagtes het gevlug met ‘n onbekende bedrag kontant vanuit die kasregisters. Bekende plaaslike besigheid beroof Bekende plaaslike besigheid beroof 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 10 August 2022 Die verdagtes het gevlug met ‘n onbekende bedrag kontant vanuit die kasregisters. Op Donderdag, 4 Augustus, ongeveer 17:15, het vier gewapende mans by ‘n besigheid ingestap. Hulle het rond gekyk in die winkel, vuurwapens uitgepluk, en het ‘n man (73) en sy vrou aangerand in die winkel. Die verdagtes het die slagoffers beveel om plat te lê op die vloer. Die man en die verdagtes het in ‘n struweling betrokke geraak, waarby die man kop beserings, asook beserings aan beide sy arms opgedoen het. Die man is Ermelo Medi-Clinic toe geneem vir mediese behandeling, waarby hy op Vrydag, 5 Augustus, na Medi-Clinic Trichardt geneem is vir verdere mediese behandeling. Tydens ‘n telefoon onderhoud met die eienaar van die winkel, het hy sy pa op Sondag, 7 Augsutus besoek, waarby hy gesê het dat sy pa vandag operasies sal ondergaan. Die verdagtes het gevlug met ‘n onbekende bedrag kontant vanuit die kasregisters. < Previous Article Next Article >

Merino Mall offers construction progress sneak peak 1/8 Share GK CRONJE 31 May 2022 You may view walkthrough videos, as well as more photos on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. On Tuesday, 24 May 2022, the management of the Merino Mall offered a tour of the construction site to the community of Ermelo, guided by site safety officers. The community, as well as local schools were invited to join them on the day, where all aspects of the mall’s construction were explained, and any questions answered by professionals on site who are involved in the project. The mall, which is slated to open on 27 October 2022, has the majority of Ermelo excited beyond measure. The single-storey, fully-enclosed mall, which has a gross leasable area (GLA) of 27 000m², will house a total of ninety stores, and 1743 parking bays. The mall sports a total of approximately 32 000 floor tiles used, 600 kilometers of bricks laid, 750 employed individuals and steel which weighs a total of 200 elephants. The management has also stated that due to the trees removed during construction, of which most were invasive plants, a total of 275 new trees will be planted in and around the mall. New retailers to Ermelo, which will be based in the mall, are Crazy Plastics, @Home, Dis-Chem, PNA, Cape Union Mart, Queenspark, The Cross Trainer, Old Khaki, Crazy Pets, Refinery and a Burger King drive-thru. Additionally, other stores include, but are not limited to Pick n Pay, Footgear, Spitz, Markham, Tip Top Tailor, Mr Price Sport, Mellin’s iStyle, Capitec, Media Store, Nedbank, Identity, Jet, Sheet Street, Pick n Pay Liquor, Studio 88, Sportscene, Tasko Sweets, Mr. Price Home, Pick n Pay Clothing, Soviet, Checkers, Dis-Chem, Truworths, Ackermans, Crazy Store, Computer Den, Side Step, Tekkie Town, Total Sports, Foschini, Computer Den, FNB, King Pie, Checkers Liquor, Miladys, Woolworths, Mr. Price, PEP, Torga Optical, Oasis Water, The Fix, ASJ, Sneaker Factory, Bingo, Boesmanland Biltong, PEP Home, Exact and Clicks. You may view walkthrough videos, as well as more photos on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >

Kleintjie publiseer vierde digbundel 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 7 June 2022 "In elke publikasie is daar gedigte vir almal, en van oud tot jonk kan dit lees. Die gedigte is maklik verstaanbaar, en elke gedig vertel ‘n storie. " Kleintjie Smalberger (Strydom) is ‘n hoogs talentvolle dame, wat asems laat snak met haar pragtige woorde wat sy pen. “Ek skryf tans hoofsaaklik poësie... Dit lê my baie na aan die hart. Dit is baie goeie terapie, en is vir my ontspannend. My grootste aansporing was maar omdat ek al soveel hartseer en ongelukkige tye beleef en ervaar het. My groot liefde vir die Groot-Karoo, asook groot heimwee na my grootword dorp deel ook in my gedigte. Alles wat mooi en kosbaar is vir my, moet ek egter neerpen. Fotografie, musiek en die mooie natuur vorm alles deel van my skryfwerk,” het Kleintjie aan die Tribune gesê. “Dinge wat ons land raak, asook ons boere in erge droogte tye het my vinnig laat voel ek moet daaroor skryf. Dan natuurlik ook ons destydse spoorweë en hawens, vir wie ek ook gewerk het, het my genoop om daaroor te skryf.” Kleintjie het onlangs haar vierde digbundel laat publiseer, en het gesê dat dit nogal baie aangenaam voel om die uiteindelike fisiese digbundel in haar hande vas te hou. In elke publikasie is daar gedigte vir almal, en van oud tot jonk kan dit lees. Die gedigte is maklik verstaanbaar, en elke gedig vertel ‘n storie. “Ek beskou myself as ‘n romantikus en dromer. Ek is ook egter deeglik bewus van al die hartseer en onaangename dinge van ons samelewing. Lewensrealiteite is soms niks aangenaam nie. Om oor hierdie tipe dinge te skryf, maak my soms baie hartseer, maar dit moet ook uitgelaat word sonder om ander te na te kom. Ongelukkig moet ek as digter en skryfster my woorde mooi kies,” sê Kleintjie. Sy het ook vir ‘n jaar lank vir die Insig Koerant in Ermelo ‘n rubriek geskryf, wat goeie reaksie uitgelok het. Kleintjie het die afgelope jaar begin konsentreer op kortverhale skryf, en het gesê dat sy dit baie aangenaam vind. Baie van die verhale is fiksie, en sommiges is fiksie gemeng met ware lewensgebeure. “Ek beplan, indien alles goed verloop, en indien ek gespaar bly, om ‘n kortverhaal omnibus te laat publiseer teen Desember 2022. Dit sal dan my debuut kortverhaal boek wees. Ek glo die lesers sal dit ook baie geniet.” Huidiglik werk Kleintjie aan haar vyfde digbundel, en beplan om dit binne die volgende twee maande te laat publiseer. “Dit is nogal baie tikwerk, waarvan die stilsit seker die ergste is. Vir almal wat ‘n droom het wat hul wil najaag, sou ek sê gaan daarvoor, en moet nooit ophou glo of tou opgooi nie. Byt vas, en druk deur. Eendag word daardie groot droom waar.” sluit sy af. Kleintjie se nuutste digbundel, genaamd “Aberdeen se Roep”, asook haar reeks van van drie, Windpomp Dans, is beskikbaar vir lesers se genot via Mar-Leo uitgewers. Belangstellendes kan Kleintjie gerus kontak by 066 564 1992, of via e-pos kleintjiestrydom@gmail.com . < Previous Article Next Article >

An ACSU reaction vehicle patrolling Havenga Road noticed a suspicious vehicle. The vehicle sped away, and upon investigation, reaction members discovered nine cases of 750ml Johnny Walker Black Label Whisky, as well as five cases of 750ml Hennessy. The approximate value of the liquor is estimated at R218 000. The seized goods was handed over to the SAPS. ACSU seizes R218 000 worth of liquor ACSU seizes R218 000 worth of liquor 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 28 January 2021 ACSU reaction members discovered nine cases of 750ml Johnny Walker Black Label Whisky, as well as five cases of 750ml Hennessy. An ACSU reaction vehicle patrolling Havenga Road noticed a suspicious vehicle. The vehicle sped away, and upon investigation, reaction members discovered nine cases of 750ml Johnny Walker Black Label Whisky, as well as five cases of 750ml Hennessy. The approximate value of the liquor is estimated at R218 000. The seized goods was handed over to the SAPS. < Previous Article Next Article >

Power Hour Motivations Movement hosts footy tournament 1/6 Share GK CRONJE 26 April 2022 "We invited men and boys to the stadiums, because they are labeled in a bad stigma of abusing alcohol, drugs and women." With an electric atmosphere, the Easter Weekend Soccer Tournament was showcased from 15-18 April 2022 at AJ Swanepoel Stadium. The event, organized by Power Hour Motivations Movement (PHMM) NGO founder, Ntokozo “Bro Ntosh” Sithole, in association with the South African Football Association (SAFA) and Msukaligwa Local Football Association (MLFA) proved to be a massive success. The tournament was moved from Thuthukani Sports Grounds to AJ Swanepoel Stadium due to the wet weather conditions. PHMM is an NGO based in Ermelo, making a difference in many lives on the daily. During the tournament, sixteen teams participated in 4 matches per day, during all four days of the Easter Weekend. The teams were extremely excited, and had boundless fun during the event, with supporters that came in numbers to the stadium, braving the finicky weather. In a surprise part of the tournament, the Local Pastors and Ermelo Fleet met lock-heads as a Cut-In-Razors for the final: Abagcotshwa versus Ermelo Taxi Association (ETA), where the ETA won the Cut-In-Razors with 1-2. The tournament also featured prizes to end off the tournament, proudly sponsored by PHMM. The finalists were given a brand new soccer jersey to compete in, wearing it in the competition (each soccer kit per team). The winner received a trophy, and 18 gold medals, with the runner-up receiving 18 silver medals. Teams received their prizes with pride and joy. The final match of the tournament was Davel Juniors against Zone 8, with Zone 8 from Ermelo emerging as victors with a score of 3-1. “The objective of the tournament was to decrease crime rate over the long weekend. I have challenged the SAPS to hand over the long weekend crime stats to me. Unfortunately, I haven’t received any thus far, and that is a clear indication that the impact of the tournament was massive. We invited men and boys to the stadiums, because they are labeled in a bad stigma of abusing alcohol, drugs and women. We were making noise to say that there are still good men out there, and that there are men who stand against the stigma given to men as abusers in GBV,” Sithole said. “PHMM has a motto that says ‘Developing a Mentality to see Greatness in the midst of the Worst’... We still believe that we can change the status quo in our township and greater Ermelo around men.” You may view more photos on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >

Community stands together to rehab roadway 1/12 Share GK CRONJE 16 March 2021 Pick n Pay Ermelo rustled up meals and cold drinks, and delivered it to the teams on site, and showing their support in the initiative. Chris de Villiers Street, a notorious sight for sore eyes, and a menace to motorists and heavy vehicle drivers alike, as been partially rehabilitated in order to make the surface traversable once again. As complaints regarding this roadway has fallen on deaf ears at Msukaligwa Local Municipality for more than 4 years, residents and business owners decided to band together and take action. In an unprecedented joint operation, members of SG Coal, Van Wettens Towing Services, Wozani Berg Gasoline (WBG), Mavuso Towing and various other stakeholders toiled in the scorching heat of the past weekend, making the road surface fit for traffic yet again. Pick n Pay Ermelo rustled up meals and cold drinks, and delivered it to the teams on site, and showing their support in the initiative. Ellwyn Thomas of WBG and Gerhard de Kock from SG Coal has been on site from dawn until disk, motivating the teams, and ensuring that the rehabilitation was done in record time. FJ Oosthuizen from SG Coal was also in site, and encouraged and thanked his drivers for sacrificing their weekend for the benefit of the community. Ronnie and his team pumped water from the sinkholes to ensure easier compacting of materials, while Msukaligwa Local Municipality also provided teams and a roller to assist in the work. Vida Water Ermelo also contributed in quenching the thirst, by donating water to site workers and assistants. A local resident also expressed gratitude by providing lunch to the workers on site. A mention of thanks is also extended to James Gregory, CEO of WBG for donating fuel for trucks on site. It goes to show that if the community works together, much can be achieved. Thanks to a group of sterling individuals and companies, the nightmare that was Chris de Villiers Street is relieved for a while, and motorists and heavy vehicle drivers can traverse the roadway with very few issues. You may view more videos and photos on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >

TLU demands clarity on hunting regulations 1/0 Share GK CRONJE 4 August 2020 “We urge the department and government to explain why these regulations were revised,” says Mr. Meintjes. “Farmers are already fed up with the impact of the lockdown while government depends on them to continue with food production. The day will come when farmers cannot supply the demand anymore.” Media Statement - TLU SA demands an explanation about the revised regulations published in the Government Gazette on Tuesday which prohibits interprovincial travel for hunting. The department of environment, forestry and fisheries also put an end to accommodation for hunters with the regulations. “It is utterly reckless and irrational to publish these types of regulations,” says Mr. Louis Meintjes, the president of TLU SA. “This is another economic blow for game farmers who’ve had massive losses because of the regulations during the first week of the lockdown. Our members already accepted deposits and made arrangements for hunters from other provinces who would have hunted with them. The risk for the spread of COVID-19 in remote areas, where people have little contact with each other, is minimal.” Game farmers had to forfeit the income from international hunters this year and depended on local hunters to have at least some form of revenue during the hunting season. Now they have minimal opportunity to earn an income and keep their farms running. It will have an impact on employment as well. In April Wildlife Ranching South Africa reported that the limitations had negatively impacted 67% of all employers in the game industry. In many rural areas, the local economy depends on hunters and game farmers spending money in the town or district. It keeps the local community alive. “We urge the department and government to explain why these regulations were revised,” says Mr. Meintjes. “Farmers are already fed up with the impact of the lockdown while government depends on them to continue with food production. The day will come when farmers cannot supply the demand anymore.” < Previous Article Next Article >

The King Team actively making a difference 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 1 February 2022 "At this time, we would also greatly appreciate reflective vests and clothing, as it is extremely cumbersome working in the hot sun with full overalls." An enterprising and caring resident of Ermelo, Surprise “King” Makutu, has assembled a team of dedicated volunteers to tackle the deteriorating roads in Ermelo and the surrounding areas. Making use of compacted building rubble and neatly chipped and packed bricks, the King Team make the lives of motorists much easier, one pothole at a time. Their excellent workmanship with the materials that they have is nothing to be scoffed at. Speaking to Surprise at Mandela Drive in Wesselton last week, he proudly showed off the stellar work that they are doing. “We are doing the best that we can with what we have. We do the work in our own capacity, and aim to make a difference on the roads that residents use every day. However, we request donations from the community to keep up the work.” The team is highly organized, and have poinstmen directing traffic around the sites they work at. “If any business or individual would like to make a donation or has material to supply, we will greatly appreciate it. At this time, we would also greatly appreciate reflective vests and clothing, as it is extremely cumbersome working in the hot sun with full overalls. Reflective vests will also add to the safety of our initiative, as to alert road users that there are works in progress,” Surprise told the Tribune. The team also requires equipment such as spades, wheelbarrows and pickaxes, and other construction tools that can be used for road repairs, as they make do with their own scrounged equipment. Any business or individual who would like to be involved with this brilliant initiative, be it with material, tools, or even just a hot meal or cold drink, may contact Surprise on 066 422 3811. < Previous Article Next Article >

More malarkey at Standerton Hospital 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 30 March 2021 Enquiries to the Department of Health’s spokesperson, Dumisani Malamule, yielded no result. Shocking reports of healthcare workers carrying patients up and down staircases at Standerton Hospital have sent waves of shock through the community. Critically ill patients are forced to use the stairs, as the elevators have been out of order for four months. Healthcare workers have to carry patients on their backs, while others are carried in makeshift slings made of sheets. Further aggrivating the matter, is the fact that the operating theatre is on the second floor of the hospital, brining into question how emergency patients are taken to surgery, and how groggy and anaesthetized patients are transported from surgery back to their rooms. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has launched an investigation into the matter, and has also learned that the hospital has run out of theatre clothing. Patients are just wrapped with a cloth or a sheet, walking up and down the stairs naked. According to the DA, this is inhumane, and a complete violation of a patient's rights to privacy. The DA has therefore called upon the Provincial Government, particularly the Department of Health and Public Works, to urgently repair or replace the elevators at Standerton Hospital, and that the hospital must be provided with theatre clothing with immediate effect to restore patients’ dignity. The DA is pleased to announce that a tabled motion in the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature on this particular matter has been adopted. This isn’t the first scandal faced by the embattled hospital. Serious complaints have been lodged against the hospital and it its management, including breaches of patient confidentiality, unattended patients falling and sustaining serious injuries, and the overall filthy and disheveled condition of the hospital itself. Enquiries to the Department of Health’s spokesperson, Dumisani Malamule, yielded no result. < Previous Article Next Article >

Save more with Shoprite MVNO 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 30 March 2021 Airtime, data bundles and rewards only expire after 60 days, rather than the more common 30-day expiry. The Shoprite Group has announced its own mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) called K’nect mobile. The service will go online in April. Shoprite said that K’nect mobile’s key differentiator is its simplicity, with flat call and data rates, and no complicated tiers. The service piggybacks off the mobile network infrastructure of Cell C, whose roaming partnership with MTN provides coverage. The group said that airtime, data bundles and rewards only expire after 60 days, rather than the more common 30-day expiry. In addition, K’nect mobile will offer 100MB free data for three months. The group said that its call and data rates are among the most competitive in the country, with 50c per minute all day K’nect to K’nect calls, 99c per minute all day calls to other networks, and 15c per megabyte for any size data bundle, up to 1GB. K’nect mobile also offers 10% free on recharge, 10% Xtra for Xtra Savings cardholders, 5% Xtra when recharging via Money Market Account, and double airtime rewards on Xtra Savings airtime deals. Shoprite said that other rewards include early access to Computicket events and tickets, and 100MB free for three months, subject to in-store RICA and activation. “Importantly, customers using a K’nect mobile SIM card will also benefit from zero-rated data on selected Shoprite and Checkers websites and apps, including the Money Market Account, Computicket website and the Group’s jobs portal, all without incurring any data charges.” At the same time, the move will help the Shoprite Group streamline communication and drastically reduce its internal data costs, it said. Shoprite said its 141,000 employees are now able to receive communications directly on the group’s internal app, called SiyaRinga, without the need to reverse data costs. The network forms part of the group’s financial services offering, which enables customers to conveniently pay bills, buy cell phones, make money transfers, buy airtime and data, lotto tickets, electricity and even funeral insurance in partnership with OUTsurance. “K’nect mobile is part of our ever-growing suite of fintech products designed to better serve our customers,” said Jean Olivier, general manager of Financial Services. “We’ve spent a lot of time understanding how a mobile network can add value to our customers’ lives, and our solution is an easy to understand network that offers straightforward call and data rates as well as tangible rewards.” < 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 >