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Die sprokiesmooi funksie het by Kralinbergh plaasgevind. Die matrikulante het die aand terdeë geniet, en bedank elke onderwyser, ouer en mede-leerling wat bygedra het tot die onvergeetlike aand. Ligbron matrikulante geniet sprokiesmooi matriekafskeid Lungelo en Sandile. Carla Barnard en WJ Vorster. Lungelo en Sandile. 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 27 October 2020 Die sprokiesmooi funksie het by Kralinbergh plaasgevind. Die matrikulante het die aand terdeë geniet, en bedank elke onderwyser, ouer en mede-leerling wat bygedra het tot die onvergeetlike aand. Donderdagaand, 22 Oktober, was ‘n sprokiesmooi, glans-geleentheid vir Ligbron Akademie vir Tegnologie se matrikulante toe hulle hul matriekjaar op ‘n stylvolle wyse afgesluit het, met hulle asemrowende matriekafskeid. Die Liggie-matrikulante het elkeen pragtig gelyk en behoorlik geskitter soos net die Liggies kan. Die sprokiesmooi funksie het by Kralinbergh plaasgevind. Die matrikulante het die aand terdeë geniet, en bedank elke onderwyser, ouer en mede-leerling wat bygedra het tot die onvergeetlike aand. < Previous Article Next Article >

“Hoërskool Ermelo is besonder trots op die prestasie wat die skool, onderwysers en Vosjan behaal het. Dankie vir elkeen se bydrae om te sorg dat EHS se akademie van top gehalte is.” Hoërskool Ermelo nommer een in Msukaligwa 1/1 Share SHNHATTINGH 27 April 2021 “Hoërskool Ermelo is besonder trots op die prestasie wat die skool, onderwysers en Vosjan behaal het. Dankie vir elkeen se bydrae om te sorg dat EHS se akademie van top gehalte is.” Op Vrydag, 16 April 2021, het die prysuitdeling van die Msukaligwa 1-streek vir die 2020-matriekuitslae plaasgevind. Nie net is Hoërskool Ermelo die nommer een presterende skool in die GertSibande-distrik nie, maar ook, soos aangewys tydens die Msukaligwa 1-streeksprysuitdeling, neem EHS die eerste plek in vir die beste skool in dié streek. Te danke aan 'n slaagsyfer van 99,1%, en 79% leerders wat slaag met universiteitsvrystelling, het die prestasie die Erries te beurt geval. Various teachers received certificates for best educator in subject performance in the circuit 2020, with a pass rate of 100%: Pieter du Plooy: Geografie, Elana Fourie: Wiskundige Geletterheid, Lynelle Grobler: English First Additional Language, Diana Loots: Afrikaans Eerste Addisionele Taal, Annaliza Mentz: Rekeningkunde, Restah Pretorius: Rekeningkunde, Erna Schoeman: English Home Language, Faans van der Merwe: Landbouwetenskap, Gerda van Zyl: Afrikaans Huistaal. Vosjan Grey, EHS-President van 2020, het die prys ontvang vir beste leerder in Hoërskool Ermelo. Hy spog met ses onderskeidings, en ‘n gemiddeld van 85,4%. “Hoërskool Ermelo is besonder trots op die prestasie wat die skool, onderwysers en Vosjan behaal het. Dankie vir elkeen se bydrae om te sorg dat EHS se akademie van top gehalte is.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Die Erries is besonder opgewonde om die eind produk te sien en is dankbaar vir hierdie geleentheid wat die Erries te beurtgeval het. Hoërskool Ermelo deel in Afrikaanse rolprent 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 23 February 2021 Die Erries is besonder opgewonde om die eind produk te sien en is dankbaar vir hierdie geleentheid wat die Erries te beurtgeval het. Die EHS is besonder bevoorreg om deel te wees van ‘n nuwe rolprent, “Mense van die Wind”. Die produksie maatskappy, Azania Productions, het EHS in 2020 genader na aanleiding van die Erries se mooi terrein, geboue en fasiliteite. Die skrywer en regisseur, David Schröder, het die film geskryf met die Ermelo-omgewing in gedagte. Hoërskool Ermelo was Schröder se nommer een keuse om die hoërskool te wees wat ‘n groot gedeelte van die rolprent uitmaak. Klaskamers, stoepe, kafeteria, sport-spankamer, ouditorium, sportvelde en koshuise van Hoërskool Ermelo is ondere ander gebruik vir die verfilming. Die Errie-leerder en –ouers was met groot entoesiasme deel van die produksie as agtergrond-ekstra’s. Om betrokke te wees by die maak van die film was vir die Erries ‘n baie interessante leerskool – soveel aspekte van die filmbedryf en van wat agter die skerms gebeur, het die leerders se belangstelling geprikkel. Dit sluit in: videografie, beligting, grimering en uitrustings, stel- en kuns-ontwerp, klank- en video-redigering, regie, produksiebestuur, spesiale-effekte, kontinuïteit, om net ‘n paar te noem. Groot name, soos Armand Aucamp, Diani Gernandt, Juan de Wet, Ramey Short, Greta Pietersen, Renier Basson, Nieke Lombard, Msuthu Mbobowana, Magda van Biljon en Erik Holm, is akteurs wat in die rolprent te sien sal wees. Die storielyn hande loor ‘n bekende sanger van Pretoria wat as gevolg van verskeie verliese uit die stad vlug. Hy (Armand Aucamp) kom soek vrede op ‘n familieplaas buite Ermelo. Met die terugkeer na die platteland, loop hy ‘n vorige liefde van hom raak wat ‘n musiek onderwyser is by die hoërskool. Sal hy sy vrede vind op die platteland? Mense van die Wind se verwagte vrystellings datum is in 2022. Die Erries is besonder opgewonde om die eind produk te sien en is dankbaar vir hierdie geleentheid wat die Erries te beurtgeval het. Op die foto is die regisseur, David Schröder, besig om vir Juan de Wet (akteur) en Erries GJ Swanepoel en Tiaan Grobler, leiding te gee voor die skiet van ‘n toneel < Previous Article Next Article >

Verkeer was vir omtrent twee ure lank belemmer op die N11, oorkant die ingang van die Ermelo stortingsterrein. Volgens ooggetuies op die toneel het die botsing tussen die voertuie plaasgeving nadat een van die bestuurders die agterklap van ‘n motor teen ‘n redelike hoë spoed getref het. Volgens die omstaanders was loslopende diere te danke vir die chaos, maar dié moet egter deur die SAPS bevestig word. Tydens die botsing was vier voertuie oënskynlik betrokke, waarvan twee voertuie erge skade opgedoen het, een ligte skade, en een voertuig het in ‘n nabye veld opgeinding. Verkeersbeamptes het hul hande vol gehad met motoriste was ongeduld getoon het in die ry van voertuie wat bykans 500 meter lank tougestaaan het. Motoriste wat in die rigting van Ermelo gereis het moes ook wyd kyk vir omstaanders wat blindelings oor die pad gehardloop het om ‘n oog te gooi, en groot skares wat langs die pad saamgedrom het. Ten tye van pers kon die SAPS geen terugvoer gee aan die Tribune ePaper rakende die botsing nie. Daar word verneem dan slegs ligte beserings opgedoen was deur die betrokke partye. Kyk gerus na die video van die toneel op ons Facebook blad, Tribune Ermelo. Agterklap-botsing saai chaos op N11 Agterklap-botsing saai chaos op N11 1/6 Share GK CRONJE 4 May 2021 Motoriste wat in die rigting van Ermelo gereis het moes ook wyd kyk vir omstaanders wat blindelings oor die pad gehardloop het om ‘n oog te gooi, en groot skares wat langs die pad saamgedrom het. Verkeer was vir omtrent twee ure lank belemmer op die N11, oorkant die ingang van die Ermelo stortingsterrein. Volgens ooggetuies op die toneel het die botsing tussen die voertuie plaasgeving nadat een van die bestuurders die agterklap van ‘n motor teen ‘n redelike hoë spoed getref het. Volgens die omstaanders was loslopende diere te danke vir die chaos, maar dié moet egter deur die SAPS bevestig word. Tydens die botsing was vier voertuie oënskynlik betrokke, waarvan twee voertuie erge skade opgedoen het, een ligte skade, en een voertuig het in ‘n nabye veld opgeinding. Verkeersbeamptes het hul hande vol gehad met motoriste was ongeduld getoon het in die ry van voertuie wat bykans 500 meter lank tougestaaan het. Motoriste wat in die rigting van Ermelo gereis het moes ook wyd kyk vir omstaanders wat blindelings oor die pad gehardloop het om ‘n oog te gooi, en groot skares wat langs die pad saamgedrom het. Ten tye van pers kon die SAPS geen terugvoer gee aan die Tribune ePaper rakende die botsing nie. Daar word verneem dan slegs ligte beserings opgedoen was deur die betrokke partye. Kyk gerus na die video van die toneel op ons Facebook blad, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >

Vyf van die Erries is gekies om die Mpumalanga-atletiek span te verteenwoordig by die Suid-Afrikaanse kampioenskap. Errie-atlete gekies vir Mpumalanga span 1/5 Share SH HATTINGH 30 March 2021 Vyf van die Erries is gekies om die Mpumalanga-atletiek span te verteenwoordig by die Suid-Afrikaanse kampioenskap. Op Saterdag, 27 Maart, het van Hoërskool Ermelo se atlete deelgeneem aan die Mpumalanga-atletiek kampioenskap by die Secunda Atletiek stadion. Vyf van die Erries is gekies om die Mpumalanga-atletiek span te verteenwoordig by die Suid-Afrikaanse kampioenskap, wat plaasvind vanaf 7 tot 10 April in die Paarl. Die volgende EHS-atlete is vir die Mpumalanga span gekies: Mia Davel (o/16) behaal twee eerste plekke in onderskeidelik hoogspring, met ‘n hoogte van 1,63 meter, asook in die 300m-hekkies, met ‘n tyd van 47,17 sekondes. Mikaela Hand (o/16) behaal tweede plek in skyfwerp, met ‘n afstand van 30,89 meter, en sesde plek in gewigstoot, met ‘n afstand van 10,59 meter. Carla Ferreira (o/18) verower tweede plek in spiesgooi, met ‘n afstand van 39,92 meter. Tyrone Berning (o/16) spog met drie uitstekende eerste plekke. In hoogspring, spring hy 1,92 meter, hy voltooi die 300m-hekkies in 39,02 sekondes, en die 400m in 50,90 sekondes. Ruan du Toit (o/18) behaal tweede plek in die 400m, met ‘n tyd van 48,93 sekondes. Alhoewel die volgende atlete nie gekies is vir die Mpumalnga span nie, presteer hulle nie te min ook uitstekend: Chester Mphahlele (o/17) behaal agtste plek in die 3000m, en BongmusaVilakazi behaal ook agtste plek in die 1500m. Deidre van der Meyden (o/17) behaal tweede en vierde plek in onderskeidelik die 100m en die 200m, Johnke Prinsloo (o/17) behaal tweede plek in die 400m, Mia Steenkamp behaal sewende plek in die 400m-hekkies, Zané du Plessis (o/17) behaal derde plek in hoogspring, asook vierde plek in die 400m-hekkies, en Chantelle Swart (o/19) behaal tweede plek in die 800m. “Baie geluk aan elke Errie wat deelgeneem het, asook dié wat gekies is vir die Mpumalanga span. Die EHS is met reg trots op elkeen se uitsonderlike prestasie.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Isabelle Moussier is announced as item winner in Prepared Reading English and goes through to the next round with this item. Stella van Niekerk advances through to the next round with Vocals (singing) English with backtrack. Erries vaar besonders goed tydens Con Spirito 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 6 July 2021 Isabelle Moussier is announced as item winner in Prepared Reading English and goes through to the next round with this item. Stella van Niekerk advances through to the next round with Vocals (singing) English with backtrack. Op Dinsdag, 16 Junie, het 11 van EHS se kultuur leerders deelgeneem aan die eerste ronde van die Con Spirito-kompetisie. Die Erries het aan ‘n verskeidenheid items deelgeneem en het besonder goed presteer in die onderskeie afdelings. Johnke Prinsoo is as item wenner aangekondig in die volgende kategorieë: Dramatized poetry English, Prepared Public Speaking English (FAT), Voorbereide Redenaars tweetalig en Gedramatiseerde Poësie. Sy dring deur na die volgende rondte met al dié items, asook met Voorbereide Redenaars Afrikaans (HT). Chrizanne Joubert presteer ook uitstekend met vier items waarmee sy deurdring na die volgende rondte: Voorbereide Bybellees, Voorbereide lees Afrikaans, Voorbereide Redenaars Afrikaans en Onvoorbereide Redenaars Afrikaans. Sy word as item wenner vir die eerste drie items aangewys. Leandri Viviers word as item wenner aangewys in drie afdelings: Unprepared reading English, Onvoorbereide Bybellees en Voorbereide Redenaars Afrikaans. Sy dring ook deur na die vogende rondte met al drie items. Met beide Voorbereide en Onvoorbereide Redenaars Afrikaans dring Zané du Plessis deur na die volgende rondte. Isabelle Moussier is announced as item winner in Prepared Reading English and goes through to the next round with this item. Stella van Niekerk advances through to the next round with Vocals (singing) English with backtrack. She is also the item winner for this item. Elandri Swart wins the item, Vocals English with self-accompaniment, and goes through to the next round. Hayley van der Walt word aangewys as item wenner vir haar Monoloog-item in die Afrikaans Drama kategorie en sy gaan met dié item deur na die volgende rondte. Baie geluk aan die leerders wat uitstekend presteer het. Hoërskool Ermelo is trots op elkeen wat deelgeneem het en kultuur by die Erries lewendig hou. < Previous Article Next Article >

NASASA warns against illegal pyramid or Ponzi schemes 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 9 March 2021 There are roughly 810 000 active stokvel groups, consisting of over 11 million South Africans, collecting an estimated R50 billion annually. According to the National Stokvel Association of South Africa (NASASA), there are roughly 810 000 active stokvel groups, consisting of over 11 million South Africans, collecting an estimated R50 billion annually. Nearly 40% of South Africa’s adult population are members of a stokvel. Recently there has been an increase in illegal pyramid schemes or Ponzi schemes, which continue to pop up around South Africa. These schemes defraud many unsuspecting South Africans of their hard-earned money, with the promise of fast financial returns every year. It is critical that South Africans are able to tell the difference between a stokvel and an illegal pyramid and/or Ponzi scheme. A stokvel is defined as a savings or investment society in which a group of people agree to save money together for a defined purpose, by way of contributing a fixed amount of money over a specific period of time. Originally stokvels were known as “stock fairs” dating back to the 19th century by English settlers in the Eastern cape as a rotating cattle auction. This was an in person gathering, and attendance was key for participation. The foundation of such a culture was trust. This financial vehicle has since evolved into a unique financial system created within communities by members and for members, built on need, trust and a common goal for financial liberation. The stokvel market has grown remarkably and, over time, the types of stokvels have increased significantly from rotational, grocery, investment, burial right down to social stokvels. Stokvels have become a key financial vehicle that many people rely on, amassing revenue in the billions. The increasing numbers, financial potential and popularity of stokvels has resulted in scammers trying to swindle stokvel groups out of their hard-earned savings and investments by posing as a lucrative investment scheme or some other form of financial breakthrough opportunity. Scammers often pose as legitimate stokvels, investment schemes or property stokvels but in reality, are nothing more than get rich quick schemes in the form of a Ponzi or pyramid scheme. “At NASASA, we want to educate on, protect and preserve this financial system which is a legitimate means for many to achieve financial stability and wellbeing,” says Miziyonke Mtshali, Chief Executive Officer at NASASA. It is important to NASASA to ensure that members of stokvels are protected from scammers, this can only be done through education and awareness, by ensuring that members are always able to distinguish between a legitimate stokvel and an illegal Ponzi or pyramid scheme. The most known and popular mechanisms which scammers use are pyramid schemes and Ponzi schemes. Being able to identify these scams is key to safeguarding yourself from them. A pyramid scheme requires its members to recruit other people as members and the few top-level members recruit newer members, who pay upfront costs, to those who enrolled them. In fact, money simply exchanges hands with no real economic activity or products attached and is just a smoke screen to hide the pyramid scheme. Significant returns are derived from the recruitment of people, with the majority of financial return being made by the top tier people through administration fees charged to new recruits. With a Ponzi scheme, members are promised huge returns within a short period of time and are based on fraudulent investment management services, which are disguised as legitimate business investments. Members contribute money to the “portfolio manager” who promises them a high return. When those members want their money back, they are paid out with the incoming funds contributed by participants who join at a later stage. By merely transferring funds from one client to another, there is no real investment product at all. In terms of a legitimate and sustainable savings vehicle, a stokvel works because many people find it easier to save when they do it in a group. A stokvel member knows where his/her money is kept and when and how much will be paid out. Furthermore, most stokvel members know each other and have a genuine and enduring relationship, based on trust. Anyone who has any queries, or wants to know more, please email info@mswsa.co.za . For more information about stokvels, go to www.nasasa.co.za . < Previous Article Next Article >

Die Erries bedank vir Hendi-Hein Matthews en Jan Grey vir hulle tyd en vir die ongelooflike leer ervaring waar by Hoërskool Ermelo se leerders soveel kon baat. EHS landbou leerders geniet landbou uitstappie Op die foto verskyn (v.l.n.r): Alexander Kirk, Corné Jansen Van Vuuren en Lourens Uys. Op die foto verskyn Claudia Jacobs Op die foto verskyn (v.l.n.r): Alexander Kirk, Corné Jansen Van Vuuren en Lourens Uys. 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 13 October 2020 Die Erries bedank vir Hendi-Hein Matthews en Jan Grey vir hulle tyd en vir die ongelooflike leer ervaring waar by Hoërskool Ermelo se leerders soveel kon baat. Die Graad 10- en 11-Errie landbou bestuur-leerders het op Woensdag, 7 Oktober, die Jan Vos Landgoed besoek van mnr. Jan Grey. Daar het die leerders baie gesien en geleer, onder andere hoe bulle se saad getap en getoets word vir verskeie siektes, hoe die veearts dragtigheid op vroulike diere getoets het, hoe om beeste inentings te gee, oor die bestuur van ‘n Boran-stoet, asook algemene hantering van stoet-kuddes. Daarna het die leerders die melkportaal en die behuisingstelsel by die melkbeeste besigtig, waar hulle kon sien hoe tegnologie hierdie boerdery-afdeling tot sukses lei. Die Erries bedank vir Hendi-Hein Matthews en Jan Grey vir hulle tyd en vir die ongelooflike leer ervaring waar by Hoërskool Ermelo se leerders soveel kon baat. < Previous Article Next Article >

No mask, no taxi 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 26 January 2021 A mask can be a cloth face mask, a homemade item or another appropriate item that covers both the mouth and nose. Amidst the second wave of COVID-19 in the country, taxi associations warned that the public needs to be more vigilant than before. A taxi driver, owner or operator may not allow any commuter not wearing a mask to get into any form of public transport. Some commuters and operators have become complacent with the regulations, allowing all manner of contravention. This has raised serious concerns within taxi associations, as it puts both commuters and drivers in danger of getting exposed to COVID-19. “We have lost some of our members to this virus and we have heard many other families out there losing loved ones. This should be a wake-up call to all of us. This second wave of the virus is dangerous and it is killing people daily. The passengers need to understand they cannot wear a mask while outside the taxi and then take it off when they get in. It is very important that they all follow the regulations all the time. The members of the association can work in unity with the public to fight this. We have WhatsApp groups on which we communicate and share information regarding regulations. We also talk about challenges the taxi operators face while transporting people.” one of the associations stated. According to the Department of Transport’s COVID-19 regulations, a mask can be a cloth face mask, a homemade item or another appropriate item that covers both the mouth and nose. < Previous Article Next Article >

Die afgelope naweek was ‘n vreeslike besige naweek vir al die nooddienste, waar verskeie bostings op verskillende paaie plaasgevind het. Nadat die verbod op drank laat vaar is, het die ongeluk syfer skielik verhoog. Al die nooddienste, Van Wettens, ETS, All City, ER24, Provinsiale Ambulans Dienste, asook die Brandweer en SAPD was vinnig op die tonele. Die nooddienste doen ‘n beroep op die gemeenskap om alle verkeersreëls te gehoorsaam, en nie te bestuur onder die invloed van alkohol nie. Botsings neem drasties toe Botsings neem drasties toe 1/0 Share SH HATTINGH 25 August 2020 Die nooddienste doen ‘n beroep op die gemeenskap om alle verkeersreëls te gehoorsaam, en nie te bestuur onder die invloed van alkohol nie. Die afgelope naweek was ‘n vreeslike besige naweek vir al die nooddienste, waar verskeie bostings op verskillende paaie plaasgevind het. Nadat die verbod op drank laat vaar is, het die ongeluk syfer skielik verhoog. Al die nooddienste, Van Wettens, ETS, All City, ER24, Provinsiale Ambulans Dienste, asook die Brandweer en SAPD was vinnig op die tonele. Die nooddienste doen ‘n beroep op die gemeenskap om alle verkeersreëls te gehoorsaam, en nie te bestuur onder die invloed van alkohol nie. < Previous Article Next Article >

Sprankelende Tersia laat reuse leemte 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 28 September 2021 “Tersia, ons mis jou reeds, maar ons weet jy kyk af na ons met ‘n glimlag op jou gesig. Weet ons sal jou sprankelende persoonlikheid en jou glimlag altyd saam met ons dra.” Tersia Oosthuizen (56) het op Vrydag, 24 September haar engel vlerkies gekry. Sy was ‘n welbekende in die omgewing, en het altyd reg gestaan vir raad, ‘n geselsie en ‘n glasie wyn. Sy was baie geliefd in die gemeenskap, en het gelewe vir haar kinders, familie, diere en dan ook haar vriend, Flip Venter. Tersia was werksaam by De Wit Motors in Ermelo vir die afgelope dertien jaar. Tersia het in die laaste jaar vir Flip ontmoet, vir wie sy werklik baie lief was, en saam wie sy weer kon glo in liefde. Die paartjie het elke kans gebruik wat hul saam kon wees om mekaar se geselskap te kon geniet, en het altyd heerlik saam gedans. “Haar skielike afsterwe was vir ons almal ‘n groot skok, maar ons almal weet sy is nou op ‘n baie beter plek”, het haar kinders en Flip aan die Tribune gesê. Tersia se Facebook blad kan getuig hoe geliefd sy was, hoe baie mense werklik vir haar om gegee het, en in wie se lewens sy verskille gemaak het. Tersia was vreeslik lief vir haar huis en haar diere, en oor ‘n naweek sou jy altyd vir Tersia by die huis gekry het waar sy in haar tuin gewerk het en altyd gesorg het dat daar nuwe blommetjies geplant word. Sy was baie lief vir die buite lewe, en het die see vreeslik geniet. “Tersia, ons mis jou reeds, maar ons weet jy kyk af na ons met ‘n glimlag op jou gesig. Weet ons sal jou sprankelende persoonlikheid en jou glimlag altyd saam met ons dra.” Tersia word oorleef deur haar twee sussies, Lizette Joubert en Alta Lombard, haar drie kinders, Rynhard, Andrè en Liezl, en dan ook haar vriend, Flip Venter. Die familie wil net graag die gemeenskap bedank vir elke oproep, boodskap en vinnige inloer en al die ondersteuning. “Rus sag by Liewe Jesus se voete.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Warning against Ivermectin to treat COVID-19 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 19 January 2021 SAHPRA said it was not yet possible to recommend Ivermectin as a COVID-19 drug. Scientists, authorities and most notably, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States of America have warned against taking an anti-parasite drug as a treatment for COVID-19, despite headlines, WhatsApp chain messages and posts on social media that have touted it as a cure. Facebook posts and articles endorsing Ivermectin have proliferated in Brazil, France, South Africa and South Korea as governments around the world scramble to roll out vaccination programmes. However, citizens are cautioned against taking the drug. A myriad of health agencies have stated that there is not enough evidence to promote the drug as a remedy for COVID-19, and that research into the question has often been unsound. Authorities are clamping down on the dispensing of Ivermectin, which is being marketed as a COVID-19 “miracle drug”, and concern that an underground market may soon emerge is very real. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has warned the public against using the drug to treat COVID-19, as it has not been approved for use in humans. Ivermectin is a widely used drug for the treatment and control of parasites in animals, and is used to treat several tropical diseases in humans not commonly seen in South Africa, as well as scabies and head lice. In South Africa, Ivermectin is registered for use under Act 36 of 1947 (Department of Agriculture) for use in animals. This means that veterinarians and other trained personnel are allowed to prescribe it as an anti-parasitic agent for a variety of animals. The drug is not currently registered for human use, but SAHPRA occasionally grants Section 21 permits for the use of topical Ivermectin as an unregistered product for the treatment of individual patients with conditions such as scabies or head lice. Researchers stated that flawed studies backing the drug have stoked black market sales, hampered further scientific research and swayed government responses to the pandemic. “The policy decisions of Ivermectin in Latin America have been largely based on the analysis presented in a pre-print in early April,” experts at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health said. A pre-print typically means a study that has been put on the internet but not undergone peer review, the process by which findings are scrutinized by other scientists before they are published in a scholarly journal. The paper was later retracted after experts raised methodological concerns. Ivermectin is one of a string of medications tested as a potential COVID-19 treatment since the pandemic began, and there is currently no sound evidence that it is effective and safe to use. Much like the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine, which is also so far unproven by clinical trials, Ivermectin is widely available and relatively cheap. The FDA has also thrown its weight beind the caution against Ivermectin, and stated that drug had not been approved to prevent or treat COVID-19. “While there are approved uses for Ivermectin in people and animals, it is not approved for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19," it stated. A widely-cited study published in April in the Antiviral Research medical journal found that Ivermectin was effective against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in cells tested in a lab dish. However, the findings have been misconstrued by the public, as drugs that give promising results in a laboratory setting are frequently ineffective in humans, often because the dose required to neutralize a pathogen cannot safely be administered to patients. SAHPRA said it was not yet possible to recommend Ivermectin as a COVID-19 drug. “From the available randomized control trial evidence, Ivermectin is not superior to placebo in terms of viral load reduction or clinical progression. There is no evidence from randomized control trials for any reduction in mortality,” it said in a statement. “Some of the side-effects that may be associated with Ivermectin include skin rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, facial or limb swelling, neurologic adverse events (dizziness, seizures, confusion), sudden drop in blood pressure, severe skin rash potentially requiring hospitalization and liver injury (hepatitis). Laboratory test abnormalities include decrease in white cell count and elevated liver tests. Any use of Ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 should be avoided as its benefits and safety for these purposes have not been established. Data from clinical trials are necessary for us to determine whether Ivermectin is safe and effective in treating or preventing COVID-19.” < Previous Article Next Article >