Ermelo Toyota gee terug aan die gemeenskap Op die foto verskyn die bestuur van Ermelo Toyota, saam met Chimèn Janse van Rensburg van die CMR Carolina. Op die foto verskyn die bestuur van Ermelo Toyota, saam met Annelize Marè van die Ermelo SAVF. Op die foto verskyn die bestuur van Ermelo Toyota, saam met Saretha Ferns van Annebel Ermelo. Op die foto verskyn die bestuur van Ermelo Toyota, saam met Chimèn Janse van Rensburg van die CMR Carolina. 1/4 Share SM HATTINGH 3 November 2021 Ermelo Toyota wil weer die gemeenskap bedank vir hulle getroue ondersteuning gedurende hul jaarlikse gholfdag. Ermelo Toyota het tydens hul jaarliks gholfdag ‘n bedrag van R90 000 ingesamel deur verskeie items wat opgeveil is, onder andere ‘n skaap wat opgeveil was met die finale bie van R33 500. Die eienaar en die bestuur van Ermelo Toyota het dit goed gedink om die gelde wat ingesamel is, aan verskeie instansies te skenk. Die CMR Carolina, Ermelo SAVF, Ermelo CMR en Annebel was gekies om skenkings te ontvang. Ermelo Toyota wil weer die gemeenskap bedank vir hulle getroue ondersteuning gedurende hul jaarlikse gholfdag. < Previous Article Next Article >

Hierdie jaar se Errie-presteerders is gekies uit 137 inskrywings regoor die provinsie. Dit is ‘n merkwaardige prestasie. Sewe Visuele kunste-leerders van Hoërskool Ermelo het hierdie jaar ingeskryf vir die Mpumalanga Kunskompetisie, en ontvang meriete-toekennings van die Departement van Onderwys. Die tema vir 2020 was ‘Heritage Re-imagined’. Errie kuns-leerders tydens Mpumalanga Kunskompetisie 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 6 Oktober 2020 Hierdie jaar se Errie-presteerders is gekies uit 137 inskrywings regoor die provinsie. Dit is ‘n merkwaardige prestasie. Sewe Visuele kunste-leerders van Hoërskool Ermelo het hierdie jaar ingeskryf vir die Mpumalanga Kunskompetisie, en ontvang meriete-toekennings van die Departement van Onderwys. Die tema vir 2020 was ‘Heritage Re-imagined’. Die Erries neem elke jaar deel aan die kunskompetisie, wat deur die Departement van Onderwys geloods word, en vele top tien plekke is al deur die Erries ingepalm. Hierdie jaar se Errie-presteerders is gekies uit 137 inskrywings regoor die provinsie. Dit is ‘n merkwaardige prestasie. Sewe Visuele kunste-leerders van Hoërskool Ermelo het hierdie jaar ingeskryf vir die Mpumalanga Kunskompetisie, en ontvang meriete-toekennings van die Departement van Onderwys. Die tema vir 2020 was ‘Heritage Re-imagined’. Die leerders moes unieke kuns werke skep, waarin hulle die tema vanaf konseptualisering tot ‘n produk op ‘n kreatiewe wyse moes interpreteer en uitbeeld. Hierdie tema vorm ook deel van die Graad 12 werk vir 2020. Geluk aan Micheala Erasmus (87%), Zara Büchling (86%), Nontokozo Ngwenya (86%), Nomfundo Shabangu (85%), Cara Roos (82%), Phumelele Malinga (81%) en Geraldine Liebenberg (81%), met hul puik uitslae. “Hoërskool Ermelo is besonder trots op elkeen, en het groot waardering vir jul besondere kuns talent, asook die leiding wat die leerders ontvang vanaf EHS se kuns onderwyser, me Carin van der Merwe. Mag elkeen se toekoms kleurvol wees!” < Previous Article Next Article >

Malaza stated that substantial amounts are being paid to Eskom, servicing an account that, according to him, may not be settled in the near future. Update: MLM budget announcement 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 15 June 2021 Malaza stated that substantial amounts are being paid to Eskom, servicing an account that, according to him, may not be settled in the near future. Amidst all-time high dissatisfaction from residents, and a new low in service delivery, the IDP budget has been announced by Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM), and has been slated as a multi-year budget. The MLM executive mayor, Cllr. Mkhaliphi, delivered the budget announcement, and subsequently outlined the state of the municipality. He admitted that the municipality is currently in a mixed state, and that several backlogs have been ameliorated due to the purchase of new equipment. According to Mkhaliphi, MLM will no longer rely on private service providers for fault finding and other services and that service delivery will be fast tracked. According to the report, MLM acquired, since 2019, 15 new vehicles, a compactor truck, a sweage suction tanker, 2 TLB heavy machinery vehicles and 2 vehicles for traffic management. According to Mkhaliphi, this will reduce expenditure on contractors. However, water delivery to rural areas are still maintained by hired vehicles. The acting municipal manager, SI Malaza, further stated that with the assistance of Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM), the municipality has aquired 5 water tankers, a bulldozer for the landfill site, a waste compactor truck, crane truck, a TLB, 6 light delivery vehicles and 1 traffic vehicle. He further stated that the municipality struggles with ageing infrastructure, insufficient maintenance budget, as well as issues with revenue collection. MLM is currently implementing a financial recovery plan to enhance revenue. Another major setback involves electricity, cable and copper theft, as well as arson. Malaza stated that substantial amounts are being paid to Eskom, servicing an account that, according to him, may not be settled in the near future. According to the latest know figures, MLM has an arrangement of R180 634 883 with Eskom, with R35 000 000 already paid, and R145 634 883 being outstanding. It is unclear how these figures were calculated, or if these amounts are the interest or the capital amount owed. According to the last known report, MLM owed Eskom R172 million in August 2020. According to the MLM spokesman, Mandla Zwane, the municipality is on schedule with the arrangement between MLM and Eskom, and has stated that the NMD has remain unchanged since the court order forcing the lowered NMD to be restored. Find the detailed layout of the IDP in next week’s publication of the Tribune ePaper, including the services covered by MIG, departmental and WSIG funds. < Previous Article Next Article >

For months, residents and businesses have complained about refuse skip bins not being emptied, but instead being set alight. Smouldering refuse leaves residents disgusted 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 20 September 2022 For months, residents and businesses have complained about refuse skip bins not being emptied, but instead being set alight. The lack of effective law enforcement in Ermelo has long been a thorn in the sides of residents and businesses, especially with regards to council properties. The issue of effective refuse removal and management had also come under the spotlight recently, with the Pet Dam, residential wards and the CBD being a veritable pigsty, flooded in refuse. For months, residents and businesses have complained about refuse skip bins not being emptied, but instead being set alight. The resulting smog is of great frustration, not to mention the health hazards. Ignored complaints of vagrants that have settled in a dilapidated public restroom at a popular shopping complex in the CBD also takes its toll, and these individuals, as well as the ghastly state of the area, are slowly creeping under the skin of surrounding residents and businesses. “I can't open the windows to my flat anymore, because the soot and smoke from the perpetually smouldering skip bins, along with the piles of refuse set alight on a near-daily basis, engulf my residence. The smell chokes us, and the smell from the building makes you nauseated,” a resident complained. Businesses in the area also suffer, with the parking area being littered with all manner of refuse, and shady characters lurking about, wringing their idle hands. “The vagrants are a big issue. One feels unsafe if you are constantly watched by drug-addled individuals every second of every day. You worry about your vehicle's wellbeing, you worry about being mugged. It's extremely stressful. Some days there are individuals openly abusing substances at this building, and no action is taken,” lamented another. On scene, the stench of urine and feaces, coupled with the piles of refuse lining the interior of the vandalized building is overwhelming, with the Tribune noting at least six different individuals entering and exiting the building, while clearly acting nervous and erratic. An enquiry had been sent to Msukaligwa Local Municipality regarding this issue, as well as the removal of refuse, which is being neglected. The municipal spokesman, Mandla Zwane, failed to provide feedback to enquiries lodged. Yopu may view more photos and a video on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >

The fiery enthusiasm shown by the DPWRT in 2019, has fizzled in fantastic fashion, and the construction site now has transformed to a refuse dump. All manner of refuse is strewn on site, illegally so. This is a sight for sore eyes, and the multiplying mound of refuse reflects very poorly on a nearby primary school. Extensions turned dumping site as DPWRT fails to deliver 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 29 September 2020 The fiery enthusiasm shown by the DPWRT in 2019, has fizzled in fantastic fashion, and the construction site now has transformed to a refuse dump. All manner of refuse is strewn on site, illegally so. This is a sight for sore eyes, and the multiplying mound of refuse reflects very poorly on a nearby primary school. The Tribune has received complaints from residents in Ermelo Extension 44 and KwaZanele Extension 6, regarding illegal public dumping near the abattoir bridge. This is a slap in the face of reisdents in this area, who were delighted to learn of a community clinic that was to be erected by the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (DPWRT). In mid-2019, sudden preparations and excavations kicked off on site, and the project was touted to be a 24-Hour Community Health Centre, to be constructed by the DPWRT on behalf of Mpumalanga Provincial Department of Health. These two extensions were claimed to be identified to be part of the UISP Programme (Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme. The fiery enthusiasm shown by the DPWRT in 2019, has fizzled in fantastic fashion, and the construction site now has transformed to a refuse dump. All manner of refuse is strewn on site, illegally so. This is a sight for sore eyes, and the multiplying mound of refuse reflects very poorly on a nearby primary school. Whilst Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) has issued a warning to residents who dump refuse illegally, no heed is paid to the warning. According to information available, no residents who partake in illegal dumping have been reprimanded, nor issued a fine. Enquiries to the DPWRT have yielded no results, and the status of the project is unknown at this time. < Previous Article Next Article >

Jansen Street drug den causes unease 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 12 January 2021 “I have phoned the SAPS on several occasions, as looters carry away stolen items from the property. On one specific day a looter brought his own wheelbarrow, and casually loaded the geyser looted from the property. I phoned the SAPS, but they took over an hour to arrive." What once was a beautifully maintained residence, has now regressed to a source of disconcertment to surrounding residents, most notably for its infamy as a known drug haven for addicts and all manner of vagrants. Reports of blatant prostitution within the husk of the residence has also surfaced, with no heed paid by authorities. The house, which is being systematically looted of all valuable items, which includes pipes, fittings, taps, window frames and doors, is now a source of concern, as well as a threat to the safety of surrounding residents. “We can not even leave our residence for more than a day, because the vagrants that squat in the abandoned house keeps and eye on our movements. I have resorted to adding extra security gates and burglar bars to our house, because the squatters steal items from our yard. I have caught several of them red-handed, where they carry items out of our yard during broad daylight. I don’t feel safe in my own home, and the constant stream of devious characters visiting this abandoned property gives me the shivers. They deal drugs in the open, and couldn’t care less about who sees them. Many of the vagrants who visit the property to get their fix, can barely walk straight when the exit the property. It is unacceptable, but nobody cares.” a nearby resident lamented. “I have phoned the SAPS on several occasions, as looters carry away stolen items from the property. On one specific day a looter brought his own wheelbarrow, and casually loaded the geyser looted from the property. I phoned the SAPS, but they took over an hour to arrive, and when they finally arrived, they just looked at the house and drove away without investigating. I am also very concerned about the long grass and shrubbery on this abandoned property, as it is an extreme fire hazard, especially during winter time. I just wish someone would take action, or the owner of the property would sell or demolish the house. I really stresses me out.” the resident concluded. < Previous Article Next Article >

25 educators received certificates for best educator in subject: 100% pass rate. Ligbron pointed as best school in circuit 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 24 February 2022 25 educators received certificates for best educator in subject: 100% pass rate. Ligbron het tydens die Msukaligwa 1 Prysuitdeling op 14 Februarie die volgende toekennings verwerf: Best school in Circuit and Best school in Mathematics and Science. 25 educators received certificates for best educator in subject: 100% pass rate, Jan Bosman (Mechanical Technology), Andrew Els (Civil Technology), Jacques Snyman (Electrical Technology), Christiaan van Greunen (Electronics), Gerhard Ebersohn (Motor), Rosaan Kapp (Maths Lit), Lenerie Cilliers (Life Sciences), Erika Brand (Geography), Frankie Nell (Technical Maths), Marelize Delport & Lizmari van Eeden (Technical Science), Pierre van Wyngaard (CAT), Gerhard Prinsloo (IT), Leon de Jager (LO), Magdeli Bosman (Science), Rousille Coetzee, Elsa van Zyl & Lenie van Zyl (Mathematics), Elmarie Grobler (Afrikaans FAL), Andrea jv Rensburg (Afrikaans HL), Mari Bosman (English FAL), Magda Smit & Caroline de Wet (English HL), Elsa van der Schyff (Accounting) and Carinche Pretorius (Tourism). Baie geluk aan elke onderwyser met hul puik uitslae. Die Liggies is baie trots op julle. - Soos ontvang vanaf skool < Previous Article Next Article >

Die lesings oor onder andere konflik hantering en spanbou-aktiwiteite wat spanwerk bevorder het, en talle ander uitdagings wat die leerders geforseer het om kreatief te dink, het die raad bemagtig om as ‘n groen eenheid te funksioneer. Errie raadskamp berei leiers voor vir 2021 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 13 October 2020 Die lesings oor onder andere konflik hantering en spanbou-aktiwiteite wat spanwerk bevorder het, en talle ander uitdagings wat die leerders geforseer het om kreatief te dink, het die raad bemagtig om as ‘n groen eenheid te funksioneer. Hoërskool Ermelo het vanaf 23 tot 26 September weereens‘n insiggewende en suksesvolle Errieraadskamp te u-Bhetyan-o-Africa aangebied. Die lesings oor onder andere konflik hantering en spanbou-aktiwiteite wat spanwerk bevorder het, en talle ander uitdagings wat die leerders geforseer het om kreatief te dink, het die raad bemagtig om as ‘n groen eenheid te funksioneer. Die Errieraad is slag gereed vir 2021, asook om met trots vertoon vensters van Hoërskool Ermelo te wees. Hou die Errieraad van 2021 gerus dop, hulle het baie om te bied vir die Erries. ‘n Toespraak van Margha Greyling, een van volgende jaar se leiers, het die visie van die nuwe raad so mooi opgesom: “Tradition is tending the flame, not worshiping the ashes. According to the Oxford dictionary, tradition is a long established custom or belief that has been passed on from one generation to another. Maar, sonder‘n brandende hart vol passie, is tradisie maar net gebare teen‘n muur. ‘n Errie se hart is een van die mooiste harte wat enigeiemand ooit sal teëkom. Hy lewer die mooiste produk wat nog ooit tersprake was: opregtheid, eerlikheid, respek, lojaliteit en passie. Hierdie produk is meer werd as ‘n Opperman-Blou-Diamant. Die produk van hierdie vurige hart maak jou wie jy is. Dit is soos die goue randjie om jou groen skoolbaadjie. Dit is soos die eksotiese lente bloeisels na‘n snerpende winter. Dit is die somer son wat weer sy verskyning maak na ‘n lang, vaal nag. Hierdie produk maak alles beter. Mense bewonder ons. Hulle bewonder ons menswees. Hulle bewonder ons optrede. ‘n Ware Errie praat met wysheid, luister met respek en leer met geduld. Cultures grow on the vine of tradition. Tradition is the one thing that binds us all together as one, no matter what culture you may follow.” < Previous Article Next Article >

NERSA requires mini-substations 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. Lack of kiosk maintenance causes concern 1/5 Share GK CRONJE 11 January 2022 NERSA requires mini-substations 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. Despite several enquiries and reports regarding the issue from various media outlets, little to no information is available as to the action plan that Msukaligwa Local Municipality’s (MLM) departments are taking in waterproofing, safeguarding and maintaining the electrical kiosks and substations in Ermelo, Wesselton and the surrounding areas. 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. In the latest of a string of instances of kiosk vandalism, neutral electrical wires were cut at a kiosk in George Botha Park. This act in itself is extremely dangerous, and can be the cause of thousands of Rands in damages to residents receiving electricity from this feed. When a neutral wire is broken, cut or disconnected, the unbalanced current cannot return to the supply through the star point, and this current takes the path back to the supply through the lines. This causes “hot” voltage or unequal voltage currents. An instance such as this has been reported recently in the area of Camden Avenue, where the supply current was measured at 380 volt, shockingly higher than the 220 volt that is supposed to be measured. When the voltage is too high, electrical wires may melt, light bulb would burned out real time, and other electrical devices may stop working, or may even burst into flames if an overvoltage is delivered to the circuit. However, 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. However, these reports have fallen on deaf ears. By now, it is no secret that MLM officials, as well as ward councillors are well aware of the myriad of electrical kiosks and substations which are without doors, have been severely damaged, either my accidents, vandalism or plain neglect on part of MLM, which carries direct correlation in the outages that plague Ermelo. 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. This makes the point moot, aggravated by the fact that the call centre operators are all but a zero with regards to public assistance. According to the standards set forth by the National Energy Regulator (NERSA), any municipality, at any given time must, upon inspection, be able to provide a safe and reliable electrical network, that does not pose a hazard to personnel, especially during switching. It is expected of municipalities to provide evidence to NERSA of preventative maintenance on substations. Substations are expected to be built on well-constructed plinths to avoid contact with moisture, or minimize damage during flooding or heavy rain, and also be free of vegetation and/or grass that might pose a fire hazard. This is not the case of some of the substations in Ermelo, which are on ground level and covered in vegetation. Furthermore, NERSA requires mini-substations 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, with no bright light in the municipal tunnel ahead. An electrical kiosk in Steynberg Street has been reported to the municipality on numerous occasions, with no joy. The high voltage cable has been haphazardly connected and snaked through a tree’s branches by municipal teams more than two years ago. The cable poses a direct danger to small children of the nearby preschool, as well as to pedestrians and patrons of a nearby superette. This is but one of hundreds of exposed and dangerous kiosks with the municipal service area. < Previous Article Next Article >

“Baie geluk aan elke onderwyser asook elke leerder. Baie dankie vir julle harde werk in 2021.” MLA leerders en personeel vaar puik 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 25 February 2022 “Baie geluk aan elke onderwyser asook elke leerder. Baie dankie vir julle harde werk in 2021.” By ‘n prysuitdelingsfunksie wat deur die kringkantoor Msukaligwa 2 en distrikskantoor Gert Sibande gehou was, het Morgenzon Landbou Akademie die volgende toekennings ontvang: Toekenning vir die enigste skool met ‘n 100% matriek slaagsyfer vir 2021, asook die skool met die hoogste persentasie leerders wat geslaag het met bachalaureus. Die volgende personeel het ook toekennings gekry vir die personeellid met die beste prestasie in sy/haar vakgebied: Mnr Pierre Venter - Wiskunde Geletterdheid, Mev Almarie Broekman - Wiskunde, Mnr Ruan Janse van Vuuren - Landboutegnologie, Mnr Armand van Niekerk - Fisiese wetenskap, Mev. Nelanie Smith - Afrikaans Huistaal, Mej Jeanine van Aarde - Rekeningkunde en Mej Wiana Eksteen - Toerisme. Van ons leerders was ook beloon vir hul insette deurdat hul aangewys was as die leerder wat die beste presteer het in ‘n spesifieke vak: Richard Ackerman - Ingenieursgrafika en Ontwerp, Anneleen Erasmus - Afrikaans Huistaal, Gerty Mostert - Wiskunde Geletterdheid, Kiara Mostert - Gasvryheidstudies en Danielle Prinsloo - Landboutegnologie. “Baie geluk aan elke onderwyser asook elke leerder. Baie dankie vir julle harde werk in 2021.” - Soos ontvang vanaf skool < Previous Article Next Article >

He’s the co-founder of “The Deep Learning Indaba”, an organisation whose mission is to strengthen Machine Learning & Artificial intelligence in Africa. Tegnologie vir die toekoms 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 4 May 2021 He’s the co-founder of “The Deep Learning Indaba”, an organisation whose mission is to strengthen Machine Learning & Artificial intelligence in Africa. Ulrich Paquet, oud- Ermeloër, het ‘n baie insiggewende gesprek met die Graad 11' s en 12's gehad oor sy interessante vakgebied, en wenke met hulle gedeel wat hulle kan help op hul pad na sukses. Ulrich Paquet is a South African Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning veteran, with over 10 years experience and service. He took some time to talk to the Grade 11 and 12 learners about his interesting area of expertise. He’s the co-founder of “The Deep Learning Indaba”, an organisation whose mission is to strengthen Machine Learning & Artificial intelligence in Africa. Ulrich holds a PhD in Machine Learning from the University of Cambridge’s Computer Laboratory, and had worked at several tech companies such as Microsoft, where he developed the core of Microsoft recommender system, managed a team at VocallQ which was later acquired by Apple, and recommender team for XBOX (a definite highlight; the XBOX One launch). He is now a research scientist at Deepmind, the world’s leading centre for research in artificial intelligence. < Previous Article Next Article >

Calstar Group truly cares 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 24 August 2021 The printer will go a long way in making the administrative duties of the school’s personnel much easier. In an act of true charity, the Calstar Group recently donated a printer to Ithafa Secondary School. The printer will go a long way in making the administrative duties of the school’s personnel much easier. Appearing on the photo (f.l.t.r): Sheila Maseko, Operation Manager at Debonairs Ermelo , Mrs Mabuya, Ithafa school principal, and Sweetness Mpofu, Manager at Debonairs Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >