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MM lays down her reigns 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 10 February 2021 Her formidable stature within the ranks placed her as a beacon of excellence within the municipality, often lauded for her no-nonsense approach to issues faced. The community as a whole, as well as the staff and management of Msukaligwa Municipality was left flabbergasted following the sudden passing of the municipal manager, Ms Gladness Majola. Ms Majola’s untimely demise was announced on Saturday, 6 February 2021. Ms Majola, born on 13 September 1970, was appointed as municipal manager of Msukaligwa Municipality in November 2018, serving a four year contract. She took over from acting municipal manager, Mr S.R. Magudulela, and caught the community and her employees by surprise with her vast work experience in senior positions, and her determination to find solutions to issues as speedily and efficiently as possible. Her formidable stature within the ranks placed her as a beacon of excellence within the municipality, often lauded for her no-nonsense approach to issues faced. With a Bachelor of Law degree, Advanced Certificate, Certificate in Executive Municipal Management and Leadership, Project Management, Municipal Service Partnership, Supply Chain Management for Municipal Senior Managers, 16 years experience in senior management and seven years as Deputy Director-General Corporate Services in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, she has been a stalwart of service delivery during her term as municipal manager. Condolences continues to flood in from community members, friends and family, who are all left reeling in the wake of these tragic events. Ms Majola will be fondly remembered for her service, and her unrelenting fighting spirit in untangling the myriad of issues within Msukaligwa Municipality during her term. < Previous Article Next Article >

The slightest moisture, drizzle or rain results in leaving hundreds of residents without electricity at any given time. Dilapidated kiosks lure idle hands 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 24 May 2022 The slightest moisture, drizzle or rain results in leaving hundreds of residents without electricity at any given time. Despite a ruckus made by political parties, warnings from NERSA and the slew of tampering, vandalism and damages suffered by Msukaligwa Local Municipality, waterproofing, safeguarding and maintaining the electrical kiosks and substations in Ermelo, Wesselton and the surrounding areas seems to be the last on the municipality’s agenda. The slightest moisture, drizzle or rain results in leaving hundreds of residents without electricity at any given time. Being a major inconvenience and that equipment and devices are damaged in the resulting electricity spikes, this is an issue which addressing is long overdue. Additionally, the sharp increase in wilful vandalism and alleged sabotage from unknown entities further aggravate the situation. The outages caused by the exposed innards of the kiosks, coupled with municipal load reduction and national load shedding, residents and businesses are left in utter frustration. In reported incidents, neutral electrical wires were cut at various kiosks, the loose covers of the kiosks were carried away and presumably sold for scrap metal, long grass around kiosks were set alight, and in several instances, main switches were simply switched off, leaving ward upon ward in darkness. The ease of which kiosks and substations in Ermelo can be tampered with is nothing short of laughable, with the vast majority of electrical kiosks being without doors, lids or covers. Nary a kiosk is locked with a padlock as required by law, and many kiosks are completely devoid of cover doors. Several instances have been reported to MLM, where their own technicians have jerry-rigged kiosks or substations in unsafe and dangerous manners. The municipality has appealed to the public to report any suspicious persons near electrical infrastructures, and has stated that municipal employees are identified by overalls and reflector vest with the logo, and/or the name of the municipality. This statement from the municipality is contradictory, as many contractors employed by the municipality drive unmarked vehicles, and wear civilian clothing. Furthermore, NERSA requires mini-substations and kiosks to be free of rust, and be locked as to be of no safety risk to the public. It is also expected by NERSA that municipalities keep substations and mini-substations painted, numbered and marked correctly, and that hazard signs be clearly displayed. Alas, this is not the case in Ermelo. While polictal strife ravages the inner workings of Msukaligwa Local Municipality, there is no bright light in the municipal tunnel ahead. < Previous Article Next Article >

As December arrives with apathetic festivity, so has a surge in crime. Several reports have been noted of burglaries and attempted burglaries in Ermelo, with the main focus of wily criminals being Ermelo East, Cassim Park and De Bruin Park. Several reports have been lodged regarding a white single cab Toyota Hilux bakkie that trawls the streets of Ermelo East, most notably Cloete and Pet Streets. The passengers of the bakkie, reportedly between two and four at a time, allegedly pose as contractors, and by this means gain unauthorized access to properties, where they help themselves to any items that are not bolted down. It is also alleged that the same group lifts motorized gates from the track, and also herewith gain access to properties without permission. The same bakkie has also been reported to have been spotted in Oosthuise Street, and reports of sightings in De Bruin Park have recently been noted. However, the issue regarding the suspects in the Hilux is finicky at best. According to the SAPS spokesperson, Captain Prinsloo, the act of removing a motorized gate from its track is not viewed as a misdemeanor in the eyes of the court. “In order to successfully arrest and convict any trespassing suspect on your property, the said suspect needs to be caught red-handed, and the fact that the suspect has stolen property needs to be proven beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law. The fact that the bakkie and its passengers are trawling the streets and properties is, in itself, not basis of an arrest by the SAPS, lest an act of crime can be proven.” This is of little comfort to residents who have suffered damages by the hands of the group, and by other criminal elements. Due to the fact of increased criminal activity, the cases reported to the SAPS is handled on basis of severity, and this subsequently impacts the response time by officers on duty. A higher priority crime will enjoy a swifter response time than a menial crime, according to Captain Prinsloo. Another issue that security groups and the SAPS face is that of a female suspect that is notorious for scaling walls and electric fences, gaining access illegally, and making off with all manner of items, most notably hose pipes, garden equipment and meat grills. This suspect is well known, and has been apprehended on numerous occasions with stolen items. Residents in Jorrison Street have also faced a slew of burglaries and attempted burglaries. Over the last week, wily criminals have attempted to gain access to properties in this street, luckily mostly without success. An attempted burglary also left a window to a property smashed. Fortunately, no items of value were able to be pilfered through the window. Residents are urged to ensure that their properties are secure this December. Ensure that all items of value that can easily be carried, concealed or stolen are locked indoors or in your garage. Furthermore, double check that your windows are properly latched, and ensure that all small- and side windows are closed and on latch, as larger windows can easily be opened with creative use of metal wire. The SAPS has provided the contact numbers of the officers in each area affected by the activities of these criminal elements, and the SAPS requests any resident that notices suspicious behavior, to report it to the numbers provided. Ermelo East - W/O Pillay, 082 448 2653. De Bruin Park - Sgt. Ngcobo, 082 304 0138, and in Cassim Park - Sgt Lubambo, 082 419 6371 / 082 591 7353. Should you notice any suspicious regarding the Hilux, you may contact the above numbers corresponding to your area. Residents are urged to be vigilant, and report any suspicious behavior, criminal acts and burglaries to the following numbers for swift response and awareness: ACSU on 017 811 1274, Spartan Team on 081 325 7259, or the SAPS on 017 819 7803 / 017 819 7279 / 017 819 7329. Residents may also report emergencies and incidents of suspicious behavior to the SACCW: Theo Craven, SACCW Gert Sibande District Director, 081 733 0032, Chantal Boonstra, SACCW Gert Sibande District Director of Administration & Social Development, 072 460 1654, or Paul Koen, 078 670 1730. The SACCW members are also available on WhatsApp. The safest approach is to look out for one another as residents of Ermelo. If you are away for the weekend or going on vacation, please ask your neighbor to periodically check on your property and alert authorities of any suspicious activity, Likewise, do the same for your neighbors if they are not present at their residence. Crime wave hits Ermelo as December arrives Crime wave hits Ermelo as December arrives 1/5 Share GK CRONJE 7 December 2021 Furthermore, double check that your windows are properly latched, and ensure that all small- and side windows are closed and on latch, as larger windows can easily be opened with creative use of metal wire. As December arrives with apathetic festivity, so has a surge in crime. Several reports have been noted of burglaries and attempted burglaries in Ermelo, with the main focus of wily criminals being Ermelo East, Cassim Park and De Bruin Park. Several reports have been lodged regarding a white single cab Toyota Hilux bakkie that trawls the streets of Ermelo East, most notably Cloete and Pet Streets. The passengers of the bakkie, reportedly between two and four at a time, allegedly pose as contractors, and by this means gain unauthorized access to properties, where they help themselves to any items that are not bolted down. It is also alleged that the same group lifts motorized gates from the track, and also herewith gain access to properties without permission. The same bakkie has also been reported to have been spotted in Oosthuise Street, and reports of sightings in De Bruin Park have recently been noted. However, the issue regarding the suspects in the Hilux is finicky at best. According to the SAPS spokesperson, Captain Prinsloo, the act of removing a motorized gate from its track is not viewed as a misdemeanor in the eyes of the court. “In order to successfully arrest and convict any trespassing suspect on your property, the said suspect needs to be caught red-handed, and the fact that the suspect has stolen property needs to be proven beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law. The fact that the bakkie and its passengers are trawling the streets and properties is, in itself, not basis of an arrest by the SAPS, lest an act of crime can be proven.” This is of little comfort to residents who have suffered damages by the hands of the group, and by other criminal elements. Due to the fact of increased criminal activity, the cases reported to the SAPS is handled on basis of severity, and this subsequently impacts the response time by officers on duty. A higher priority crime will enjoy a swifter response time than a menial crime, according to Captain Prinsloo. Another issue that security groups and the SAPS face is that of a female suspect that is notorious for scaling walls and electric fences, gaining access illegally, and making off with all manner of items, most notably hose pipes, garden equipment and meat grills. This suspect is well known, and has been apprehended on numerous occasions with stolen items. Residents in Jorrison Street have also faced a slew of burglaries and attempted burglaries. Over the last week, wily criminals have attempted to gain access to properties in this street, luckily mostly without success. An attempted burglary also left a window to a property smashed. Fortunately, no items of value were able to be pilfered through the window. Residents are urged to ensure that their properties are secure this December. Ensure that all items of value that can easily be carried, concealed or stolen are locked indoors or in your garage. Furthermore, double check that your windows are properly latched, and ensure that all small- and side windows are closed and on latch, as larger windows can easily be opened with creative use of metal wire. The SAPS has provided the contact numbers of the officers in each area affected by the activities of these criminal elements, and the SAPS requests any resident that notices suspicious behavior, to report it to the numbers provided. Ermelo East - W/O Pillay, 082 448 2653. De Bruin Park - Sgt. Ngcobo, 082 304 0138, and in Cassim Park - Sgt Lubambo, 082 419 6371 / 082 591 7353. Should you notice any suspicious regarding the Hilux, you may contact the above numbers corresponding to your area. Residents are urged to be vigilant, and report any suspicious behavior, criminal acts and burglaries to the following numbers for swift response and awareness: ACSU on 017 811 1274, Spartan Team on 081 325 7259, or the SAPS on 017 819 7803 / 017 819 7279 / 017 819 7329. Residents may also report emergencies and incidents of suspicious behavior to the SACCW: Theo Craven, SACCW Gert Sibande District Director, 081 733 0032, Chantal Boonstra, SACCW Gert Sibande District Director of Administration & Social Development, 072 460 1654, or Paul Koen, 078 670 1730. The SACCW members are also available on WhatsApp. The safest approach is to look out for one another as residents of Ermelo. If you are away for the weekend or going on vacation, please ask your neighbor to periodically check on your property and alert authorities of any suspicious activity, Likewise, do the same for your neighbors if they are not present at their residence. < Previous Article Next Article >

Ms Thandi Ngxonono, accused of poor leadership, also decided to duck and run, and resigned as executive mayor of Govan Mbeki Municipality. GMM residents in for a tough time Ms Thandi Ngxonono, accused of poor leadership, also decided to duck and run, and resigned as executive mayor of Govan Mbeki Municipality. Ms Thandi Ngxonono, accused of poor leadership, also decided to duck and run, and resigned as executive mayor of Govan Mbeki Municipality. 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 10 November 2020 Ms Thandi Ngxonono, accused of poor leadership, also decided to duck and run, and resigned as executive mayor of Govan Mbeki Municipality. The embattled Govan Mbeki Municipality(GMM) have had their water pressure reduced by another by 20% due to the poor servicing of their account to Rand Water. The utility’s Justice Mohale said they were in talks with the municipality, with little success. GMM is one of 3 municipalities who have had their pressure reduced in an effort from the utility to recover millions owed. Residents in the GMM service area are already experiencing near constant water issues, which will be further aggravated by the pressure cut. “Rand Water has reached out to these municipalities on many occasions and entered into repayment agreements with them, but they have failed to honour these agreements.” Emfuleni municipality is in arrears of nearly R100 million, Victor Khanye stands at R185 million, while GMM takes the cake, owing Rand Water a boggling R314 million. According to Mohale, should Rand Water reach out to the municipalities again, and if they fail to adhere to the agreements amde, they would again reduce water pressure by another 20%. All residents within GMM’s service area will e adversely affected by this reduction in pressure. This comes as another blow to the failed municipality, which has also been placed under administration due to rampant fraud, corruption and financial mismanagement within the entity. Ms Thandi Ngxonono, accused of poor leadership, also decided to duck and run, and resigned as executive mayor of Govan Mbeki Municipality shortly before the municipality was placed under administration < Previous Article Next Article >

The spill contravenes several statutory requirements, as stated by AfriForum in their 2014 summons. In terms of the National Water Act, 36 of 1998, as read with the National Environmental Act, 107 of 1998, the pollution of a water resource is a criminal offence. 12 Years of Vaal River pollution 1/19 Share GK CRONJE 13 July 2021 The spill contravenes several statutory requirements, as stated by AfriForum in their 2014 summons. In terms of the National Water Act, 36 of 1998, as read with the National Environmental Act, 107 of 1998, the pollution of a water resource is a criminal offence. “There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. As Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) fails to deliver on services across multiple levels of their management structure, the quote seems fitting. The Vaal river, a source of water for approximately 19 million South Africans, has been slated as polluted “beyond acceptable levels”, impacting on natural ecosystems and endangering the people's health. Raw sewage flowing into living areas is also a major health hazard, The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) stated. The investigation by the SAHRC followed media reports that raw sewage from various water management works from several municipalities had been leaking into the Vaal River. MLM is no exception, and is, in fact, one of the major contributors to the pollution of the Vaal River. The constant flow of raw sewage from President Fouché Avenue, the field between Oosthuise and Joubert Streets, as well as a constant flow of raw sewage from the informal settlements along the outskirts of the N17. However, the issue of MLM’s blatant disregard of environmental impact is nothing new. In 2014, Municipal Manager at the time, Mr M.W. Zungu, the Head of the Water Department, Mr B. van der Merwe, and the Director of Technical Services, Mr S. Magudulela, received a summons, whilst performing in their capacity as managers of Msukaligwa Local Municipality, in connection to the blocked sewage drains in the vicinity of the Pet Dam. The raw sewage, which, to this very day, still overflows into the creek, deposits a quantity of >1 000 000 E. Coli per 100ml of water. This contravenes several statutory requirements, as stated by AfriForum in their 2014 summons. In terms of the National Water Act, 36 of 1998, as read with the National Environmental Act, 107 of 1998, the pollution of a water resource is a criminal offence. However, no heed has been, or is paid by MLM. In 2014, stated that Rand Water has appointed contractors to see to the general maintenance of the sewer network. The purpose of the work being done at this site was to flush the bulk sewer lines so that proper water inflows at the sewer work can be measured. This is part of the Water Demand Management Project that has been launched. Birds, other wildlife and stray cattle feasts on the daily smorgasbord of excrement gushing from the sewerage lines, and cattle herders plod through the soggy marsh of sewage. The large-scale environmental contamination holds immense health risks to animals, and especially residents, facing the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic. Several half-hearted attempts from MLM to remedy the issue has yielded no results or solution to the issue, and was done to quell the barrage of complaints from residents and businesses. The overflow from all the abovementioned sites connect directly to the Klein Drinkwater stream. This stream flows through several farms an small holdings to eventually contaminates the Vaal River with thousands of kiloliters of raw sewage per month. The overflow from the field in Camden Avenue contaminates the entire field between Mauritz Read Street and President Fouché Avenue, where cattle often graze and residents cross by foot. This sewage then flows towards the field between President Fouché Avenue and Wes Street, where it contributes to the shocking amount of sewage that overflows from the manholes and dilapidated sewerage network in this area. Instead of finding a solution to the overflow of raw sewage from the manholes in President Fouché Avenue, MLM has opted to brazenly dig trenches to redirect the sewage towards the middle of the field in an attempt to make the overflow less noticeable. However, this is of little comfort to residents in this area, as well as the local school, who have to suffer in the unsanitary environment and gagging stench, day in, and day out. This combined, constant stream of raw sewage then flows directly into the Pet Dam, which overflows into the creek between Oosthuise and Joubert Streets. There, it is joined by the overflow of the manhole in yet another field, which flows past the informal settlements and towards the Klein Drinkwater stream. Despite the raw sewage, the Klein Drinkwater stream is contaminated beyond all recognition by refuse, sanitary pads, tyres and all manner of other refuse being tossed in the stream by nearby residents. The Democratic Alliance of Mpumalanga (DA) has announced that they will write to COGTA MEC, Busisiwe Shiba, asking her to capacitate and help municipalities spend their infrastructure grant as residents are struggling with service delivery because of old and dilapidated infrastructure. “The recent Auditor-General report has mentioned that despite there being huge infrastructure backlogs in all municipalities across Mpumalanga, municipalities are still failing to utilize grants given by national government for the purposes provided. Over the past couple of years, Msukaligwa Local Municipality has become synonymous with infrastructure issues relating to water shortages, sewage leaks that run into the rivers and onto land, and issues around power outages. Numerous infrastructure backlogs resulted in a failure of the municipality to provide water to the residents of Sheepmoore, Skaapruiz and parts of Lothair and Breyten. In addition to the above, dilapidated sewage systems have resulted in sewage spills across the municipality, and the resultant pollution of land and the water systems such as the Vaal River. It is from this perspective, the DA condemns the municipality’s underspending of the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant by 95% as reported on by the Auditor-General in the 2019/20 audit of local municipalities,” the DA stated. < Previous Article Next Article >

Inwoners word genoop om aan te sluit by buurtwag groepe Ken Robertson, VF Plus. Ken Robertson, VF Plus. Ken Robertson, VF Plus. 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 8 September 2020 In ‘n voorval naby Bethal het rowers by ‘n kleinhoewe ‘n deur van mnr. Butch Goosen oopgeskop waarna ‘n skietery tussen mnr. Goosen en sy aanvallers plaasgevind het. Mnr Goosen is in die bors geskiet en is na ‘n hospitaal gebring. Die rowers is nog soek. Dit is van die grootste noodsaaklikheid vir mense wat in landelike gebiede woon om hul waaksaamheid te verskerp, om voor te berei teen misdaad en by buurtwag groepe en gemeenskapspolisiëringsforums (GPF's) aan te sluit. Dit word onderstreep deur die onlangse voorval waar mev. Erika Muller van Rietkol naby Sundra, wat alleen tuis was nadat haar man, Sampie, plaaswerkers gaan haal het, ’n aanval afgeweer het deur haar veiligheidshekke te sluit en op haar aanvallers te skiet. Daar bestaan geen twyfel nie dat gereedheid, goeie kommunikasie en die gemeenskaplike doelwit van buurtwaggroepe en samewerking met die polisie lei tot die voorkoming van meer plaasaanvalle in Rietkol en Sundra. Na die aanval op mev. Muller het goeie kommunikasie tussen die buurtwag en die polisie gelei tot die inhegtenisneming van twee verdagtes. ’n Derde verdagte is tydens ’n skietgeveg noodlottig gewond. In ‘n tweede voorval naby Bethal het rowers by ‘n kleinhoewe ‘n deur van mnr. Butch Goosen oopgeskop waarna ‘n skietery tussen mnr. Goosen en sy aanvallers plaasgevind het. Mnr Goosen is in die bors geskiet en is na ‘n hospitaal gebring. Die rowers is nog soek. Die VF Plus doen ʼn beroep op alle Suid-Afrikaners, en veral boere, om hul voor te berei vir die moontlikheid van misdaad en aanvalle en om binne die reg op te tree om hulself en hul eiendom te beskerm. < Previous Article Next Article >

TLU bied 2021 Jongboer-konferensie aan 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 11 May 2021 Danie Bester, Jongboer van die Jaar 2020, het ‘n informatiewe toespraak gelewer aan ander jong boere, en sy kennis gedeel met die boere gemeenskap. Die TLU-SA het op Vrydag, 7 Mei 2021, hul 2021 Jongboer Konferensie aangebied, waar talle besprekings plaasgevind het oor die toestand van die landbousektor in die land. As gevolg van die pandemie, kon slegs ‘n beperkte aantal boere en besoekers die konferensie te Pretoria bywoon. Die TLU het egter ‘n Zoom-skakel beskikbaar gestel vir diegene wat virtueel wou deel wees van die konferensie. Die konferesnie, gelei deur Henna du Plessis, Jongboer Komitee Voorsitter, en Henry Geldenhuys, TLU SA President, was gestaaf as ‘n groot sukses. Danie Bester, Jongboer van die Jaar 2020, het ‘n informatiewe toespraak gelewer aan ander jong boere, en sy kennis gedeel met die boere gemeenskap. Hou die volgende publikasie dop vir ‘n volledige verklaring deur die TLU rakende die konferensie. < Previous Article Next Article >

VLU Amersfoort geniet spesiale dag 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 23 August 2022 Die tak bedank ook vir Anne-Marie, wat ‘n spesiale geskenk aan Carina oorhandig het. Amersfoort VLU Tambuki Streek het op Vrouedag, 9 Augustus 2022 hul vergadering gehou by die AGS kerksaal. Carina Bam, ‘n somatoloog van Platteland Aesthetics in Ermelo het vir die dames ‘n demonstrasie aangebied, en hul meer vertel van “needling”, sowel as vele ander vel prosedures. Martie Struwig was die gelukkige wenner van ‘n gratis velbehandeling sessie, en elke dame het op die dag ‘n geskenkpakkie ontvang. Amersfoort VLU bedank graag elkeen wat die dag geniet het saam hul, en sien uit na volgende maand se vergadering. Die tak bedank ook vir Anne-Marie, wat ‘n spesiale geskenk aan Carina oorhandig het. < Previous Article Next Article >

Air Liquide finalizes biggest oxygen production site in the world 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 29 June 2021 We are pleased to welcome the employees who are joining us from Sasol, and are looking forward to modernizing the site and implementing our decarbonization plan. Air Liquide has finalized the acquisition of Sasol’s 16 Air Separation Units (ASU) located in Secunda. Air Liquide will operate this site, which will be the biggest oxygen production site in the world, with a plan to reduce its CO2 emissions by 30% to 40% within the next ten years. As part of this operation, Air Liquide welcomes the more than 220 employees who will continue to operate these ASUs, joining the Air Liquide team in Secunda, where it already operates a 17th ASU. The initial investment is approximately 8 billion South African Rand (circa 480 million euros). The 16 ASUs will be operated by Air Liquide Large Industries South Africa (ALLISA) with a total installed capacity of 42,000 tonnes per day. Since 2018, Air Liquide has been operating a 17th ASU for Sasol on the Secunda site, with a total production capacity of 5,000 tonnes per day. The 16 ASUs taken over from Sasol will be integrated in Air Liquide’s accounts starting immediately. Air Liquide will bring to the site its expertise in implementing highly mastered operational practices, state of the art technologies, modernization investments and digital capabilities to optimize the operation of the ASUs and the energy consumption. In addition, Air Liquide and Sasol have launched a Request for Proposal (RFP) to pursue supply of 600MW of renewable energy to the operations in Secunda by 2025. This RFP is part of the joint commitment to pursue procurement of a total of up to 900MW of renewables by 2030. The implementation of all these solutions will allow Air Liquide to reduce by 30% to 40% the CO2 emissions linked to oxygen production within the next 10 years, in line with the group’s climate commitments. “The finalization of this deal is a key milestone in our ambition to work together with Sasol, our partner for 40 years, to combine operational efficiency and reduction of CO2 emissions while making a meaningful contribution to the economy of South Africa. We are pleased to welcome the employees who are joining us from Sasol, and are looking forward to modernizing the site and implementing our decarbonization plan. In line with our strategy, and with our commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, this operation demonstrates our resolve to act now in favor of the climate and local ecosystems,” Benoît Potier, Chairman and CEO of Air Liquide, said. < Previous Article Next Article >

Alcohol sale now allowed under National Alert Level 3 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 2 June 2020 In terms of the regulations, the sale of liquor at any licensed premises or through e-commerce delivery is permitted from Monday to Thursday, between 09:00 and 17:00, the transportation and distribution of liquor to licensed premises is permitted, the consumption of liquor at the place of sale is prohibited, the sale of liquor is prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and on public holidays, and no special or events liquor licenses may be approved for the duration of the national state of disaster. Under National Alert Level 3, all licensed liquor outlets, including shebeens and taverns, will be able to sell alcohol on a takeaway basis. Finance, Economic Development and Tourism MEC, Mr. Pat Ngomane, emphasized that the sale of alcohol by licensed outlets will be permitted for consumption off the licensed premises only. This follows the release of the regulations for Alert Level 3 by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. “Under Alert Level 3, all licensed liquor outlets including shebeens and taverns, will be allowed to sell liquor but only for consumption off the licensed premises. By off-consumption, we mean people will only be allowed to buy liquor to take home to consume at their private residences. Therefore, consumption in premises will be strictly prohibited. I must stress that only licensed outlets, whether licensed to sell for on-consumption or off-consumption, will be allowed to sell liquor but for consumption off the licensed premises only. Level 3 regulations suspend the on-consumption condition for the outlets licensed as such and permit them to sell for off-consumption as well, during lockdown Alert Level 3. Licensees must therefore adhere to the rules and regulations, as well as all safety measures, as provided. I must add that outlets with liquor licenses that expired during the lockdown period will also be permitted to sell, but all those with licenses that expired or lapsed long before the lockdown are prohibited from operating”, explained MEC Ngomane. In terms of the regulations, the sale of liquor at any licensed premises or through e-commerce delivery is permitted from Monday to Thursday, between 09:00 and 17:00, the transportation and distribution of liquor to licensed premises is permitted, the consumption of liquor at the place of sale is prohibited, the sale of liquor is prohibited on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and on public holidays, and no special or events liquor licenses may be approved for the duration of the national state of disaster. The offices of the Mpumalanga Economic Regulator (MER) will remain closed until further notice, as the return to operations guidelines are being implemented. In the meantime, enquiries or submission of all documents can be forwarded via email to licensing@mer.org.za . Licensees and their customers are also reminded that the validity of licenses can be verified free of charge by using the SMS service offered by the MER or via portal on www.meronline.org.za . < Previous Article Next Article >

AfriForum rig watertenks op in Piet Retief 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 29 September 2020 Die AfriForum-tak in Piet Retief het onlangs hul eerste ses noodwaterpunte op strategiese plekke in die dorp opgerig, sodat inwoners en gemeenskapslede in tye van nood toegang tot water sal hê. Die AfriForum-tak in Piet Retief het onlangs hul eerste ses noodwaterpunte op strategiese plekke in die dorp opgerig, sodat inwoners en gemeenskapslede in tye van nood toegang tot water sal hê. Deborah Straat, Jasmyne Straat, Magnolia Straat, Piet Retief-moskee en die AGS Kerk Fontana is almal voorsien met watertenks wat 5 kiloliter water kan hou. AfriForum bedank graag vir Build It, wat die tenks voorsien het. Inwoners word genooi om gebruik te maak van die waterpunte gedurende die twee-weke lang waterinperking soos bekendgestel. “Die projek se sukses en volhoubaarheid is afhanklik van die hele gemeenskap se samewerking en betrokkenheid. Ons wil gemeenskapslede wat daartoe in staat is, aanmoedig om tot dié projek by te dra, veral persone wat boorgate het en kan help om water te verskaf. Ons wil graag nóg waterpunte in die Piet Retief-omgewing oprig om meer water tydens onderbrekings beskikbaar te stel.” sê AfriForum se distrikskoördineerder vir die Hoëveld, Bronwen Pretorius. < Previous Article Next Article >

Lizelle Lee is a cricketing powerhouse 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 15 March 2022 Cricket is a simple sport at its core. A ball is delivered. Someone with a bat 20.12m away has to hit it... and few hit it harder than Lee. South Africa’s Proteas find themselves in an unfamiliar position heading into the 50-over World Cup in New Zealand. For the first time in 14 global tournaments, they harbour realistic ambitions of lifting the trophy. “We wouldn’t be going if we didn’t all believe we could actually do it,” says Lizelle Lee, the team’s destructive opening batter who was recently recognized as the best 50-over player in the world by the International Cricket Council (ICC). “We spoke about this in camp. We all agreed that there was no point in going if we didn’t intend to come back as champions. We know it’s never been done before, but we want to make history as the first South African team to win a World Cup.” South Africans have conquered the world before. The men’s Under-19 team, captained by Aiden Markram and coached by Ray Jennings, in 2014 became the first side to win a major final. But no senior squad has done it. This group is unburdened by a history of failing when it mattered. The South African women’s side, under-resourced in every metric compared with their male counterparts, have long fought for equality in the country’s third most popular sport. All too often they’ve been regarded as an afterthought, contesting untelevised games in near-empty stadiums. “When I was growing up, I didn’t even know there was a South African women’s team,” says Lee, who grew up in Ermelo, and will be turning 30-years-old in April. “It just wasn’t something I was conscious of and I know a lot of other girls will tell you the same thing. It wasn’t on TV. You didn’t see games advertised. I played because I loved the game. I didn’t play for fame or money or recognition.” The dial shifted in 2013 when insurance firm Momentum joined as a title sponsor and helped Cricket South Africa (CSA) fund full-time contracts for six players. That number increased over the years, there are currently 15 centrally contracted players with CSA, but changes in other facets have been slow. The team was constantly playing catch-up with the more advanced cricket ecosystems in Australia and England, which together have won 16 of the 18 global showpieces since 1973. “Those countries are so far ahead,” says Lee, who has been a mainstay in the Australian Women’s Big Bash League, and has played for Somerset and Surrey in England. “Women players are given a much bigger platform there. I’m more recognised when I walk around there than I am in South Africa. But it is changing.” Lee credits CSA for ‘promoting the women’s game’ but the players have advanced their own cause on the field. By the time the T20 World Cup in Australia came into focus in January 2020, Lee could look around a dressing room studded with match-winners. “It’s not that it happened all of a sudden, because we’d been working hard for a few years,” she says. “But now we have superstars all around, genuine world-class players.” By winning the ICC ODI’s Women’s Cricketer of the Year award for 2021, she joins an elite list that includes all-time greats Stefanie Taylor of the West Indies, England’s Sarah Taylor, New Zealand’s Suzie Bates and Australian duo Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry. That’s easy enough to understand. Cricket is a simple sport at its core. A ball is delivered. Someone with a bat 20.12m away has to hit it... and few hit it harder than Lee. She’s officially the best woman in 50-over cricket. And if she can hit enough balls with enough force, she may also be a World Cup champion. - Daniel Gallan, New Frame < Previous Article Next Article >