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COSATU throws weight behind NUMSA strike 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 7 October 2021 Metalworkers union NUMSA had commenced its national strike on Tuesday, which will continue indefinitely until demands are met. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) stated that it will take part in the strike today to putpressure on the government and private sector to pay more attention to the working class. The strike has been slated as a "one day participation" by COSATU. “The federation is issuing a call to all workers and South Africans to join the strike. They can either join the planned activities across the country, or withdraw their labour by staying at home on the day,” said COSATU spokesperson, Sizwe Pamla. He said the union was demanding urgent action from policy makers in the government, as well as the private sector, to ensure that workers receive their dues. “Both the public and the private sector have been blatantly undermining collective bargaining. We want the reversal of budget cuts that have led to an unacceptable wage freeze in the public service, the disintegration of the CCMA, and retrenchments in state-owned companies,” Pamla said. Metalworkers union NUMSA had commenced its national strike on Tuesday, which will continue indefinitely until demands are met. The union demands an 8% wage increase for workers, and have accused employers of using the pandemic as an excuse to sidestep lawfully stipulated annual salary increases. An estimated 430 000 workers across 9 000 steel and engineering companies countrywide will down tools in solidarity. NUMSA spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, stated that all their members are fed up with the fact that the employers refuse to give them a meaningful increase. Therefore they are demanding an 8% wage increase across the board. < Previous Article Next Article >

Beware of fuel tablet hoax 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 2 August 2022 "So, really it's a pyramid scheme and a scam more than anything else, unfortunately." Social media has exploded with the new ‘miracle tablet’ that claims to reduce your fuel consumption by up to 25%, while apparently boosting your engine’s efficiency. The B-Eco fuel tablets are manufactured by a company called Pro-One. The brand was co-founded by South African businessman Lawrence Kahn, and claims to approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency. He said the pills save petrol by lowering the temperature at which the fuel burns. However, neither the brand, nor manufacturer can be located on the approval list of gasoline additives. The company’s ‘brand ambassadors’ are put to task selling the tablets, which are R100 per tablet. Research done by Sasol Fuels Application Centre has proven that the product is a waste of money, and may lead to the cancellation of your warranty due to the risks your engine is exposed to. Senior engineer and researcher, Adrian Velears, urges citizens to steer clear of this tablet, and knockoff tablets like these. “I don't think your manufacturer would approve it. They wouldn't honour your warranty if they knew you were putting such things in your car and something went wrong. So, from that point of view, it's not safe. It doesn't work at all. It's not only a matter of risk, it's a matter of they don't do anything. So, really it's a pyramid scheme and a scam more than anything else, unfortunately,” he stated. Mikel Mabasa, CEO of the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa, also released a statement regarding the tablet. “Besides the fact that local authorities have not tested these products as part of South Africa’s current emissions standards, they simply do not work. Consumers are advised to check with the manufacturers of their vehicles first before they inject any foreign properties into their tanks or engines. Vehicles are manufactured to specific standards, and they are supposed to use prescribed products approved by the manufacturer for the efficacy and longevity of the engine,” Mabasa said. “It is highly unlikely that the products South Africans are being sold can better fuel consumption. If they do, and do not contain the problematic ingredients mentioned, then South Africa has finally developed the product companies worldwide have been trying to develop for decades,” The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, concluded. < Previous Article Next Article >

Eskom discourages building near power lines 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 15 September 2020 Eskom staff needs to remove or replace pieces of equipment when they maintain these lines, and these pieces of equipment, which are often heavy, could fall on the dwellings or people below the line. Eskom uses various types of heavy machinery to maintain its power lines, which require enough space to access the structure. Eskom has noted in a statement that it has seen an escalation in homes being built within power line servitudes, without Eskom approval. This is not only against Eskom regulations, but also poses a number of safety risks. Eskom appeals to the public to refrain from this illegal activity. The ground below and adjacent to a power line is called a servitude, and belongs to the relevant landowner in that area. However, Eskom has sole rights to this portion of land as they have to perform periodic maintenance or repairs. “The perception that power lines are harmless due to their size and overhead distance could not be more wrong. In order to ensure the safety of communities, residents are not allowed to live within power line servitudes, because it is almost impossible to ensure their safety,” says Miranda Moahlodi, Senior Manager for Occupational Health and Safety at Eskom. Electricity transmitted or distributed on power lines can be up to 765 000 volts. A fault anywhere on the power line may cause very high current to flow down to the ground. If somebody is close to the line, fault current can flow through the person and instantly kill. Also, a conductor may break due to strong winds or bad weather, and land on a shack, house or a person, which could kill or seriously hurt the inhabitants. There have been incidents where residents have been injured due to metal objects that have come into contact with live electricity. Metal is a conductor of electricity, and there is a possibility of an arc to a shack built within a power line servitude. If lightning hits the line, as it does in many cases due to the height of a line, a flash of electricity may occur to the homes in the servitude. “If Chiefs or traditional authorities want to give pieces of land to their people and these stands are in an Eskom servitude, they must speak to the local Eskom office. The traditional leaders and Eskom can then together make sure that all the people get pieces of land away from the power lines, ensuring their safety,” continues Moahlodi. At the same time, developers should make sure that the required clearance is maintained when access roads are built crossing servitudes. Beyond the direct safety issues this can cause, building close to power lines makes it difficult for Eskom to conduct infrastructure inspections, which can affect the supply of power in an area and hinder the early detection of issues that could cause major damage. In many cases, Eskom staff needs to remove or replace pieces of equipment when they maintain these lines, and these pieces of equipment, which are often heavy, could fall on the dwellings or people below the line. Eskom uses various types of heavy machinery to maintain its power lines, which require enough space to access the structure. Eskom also often uses helicopters to perform live line maintenance, and as such it becomes risky to the people living under the lines. “We hope that the public will heed this call and assist us by only building in designated areas that have been approved by the local municipality and government. We will continue to educate communities about electricity safety, ensuring that we all use electricity safely and responsibly, remains one of our central goals.” Moahlodi concludes. < 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 >

NERSA rejects price hike application by Eskom 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 5 October 2021 Power plants are being constructed at exorbitant inflated costs of nearly 300%, and have a 60% surplus of staff at a cost of an estimated R10 billion per annum. In January, Nersa allowed Eskom to recoup an additional R6-billion after a court set aside several of its earlier decisions. It had rejected Eskom’s fifth multi-year price determination (MYPD5) revenue application for the financial years 2022/2023, 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 on the basis that it was based on an expired methodology. Eskom has also come under fire for their notorious fruitless en wasteful expenditure, which includes, amongst others, paying R300 per roll of toilet paper, coughing up a blistering R238 000 for a single floor mop, and purchasing kneepads at R80 000 each. This has been slated as cadre enrichment and gross corruption withing the struggling entity. In an effort to curb the corruption, and alleviate mounting pressure on consumers, NERSA has started its process to develop this new pricing methodology that will be applicable to the industry. The first step entails a consultation to determine the new pricing methodology. This will be followed by the development of the actual methodology. As is usual all stakeholders will be given an opportunity to influence the finalization of the new pricing methodology. Once this is finalized, utilities will be required to submit applications to NERSA for analysis to be undertaken before price increase decisions are made. According to Eskom, NERSA’s rejection of Eskom’s MYPD 5 application, has created a regulatory vacuum for the electricity supply industry in South Africa. Eskom is accordingly considering how to proceed, and is taking advice on its position following the NERSA decision. Eskom claims that the situation will create a legal liability for the company. Consumers and regulatory boards are having none of the wet dog attitude set forth by Eskom, stating that power plants being constructed at exorbitant inflated costs of nearly 300% and having a 60% surplus of staff at a cost of an estimated R10 billion per annum. Ultimately, consumers cannot, and should not pay for inefficiency in a state monopoly’s internal structural inflation. < Previous Article Next Article >

CCBSA expands on returnable PET bottles The new recyclable PET bottles rolled out by CCBSA. The new recyclable PET bottles rolled out by CCBSA. The new recyclable PET bottles rolled out by CCBSA. The new recyclable PET bottles rolled out by CCBSA. 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 8 September 2020 The returnable bottles are made of PET plastic and feature a paper label with ‘RETURNABLE’ appearing on a green or yellow strip on the front of the bottle. The recommended retail price for the 2L Coca-Cola Original Taste – Less Sugar beverage is R15, which excludes a R9 deposit. Other brands, like Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite and Fanta, are also be available in the new 2L returnable PET plastic bottle at a recommended retail price of R12 excluding the R9 deposit. Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) continues the roll-out of its 2L returnable Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastic bottle into more regions across South Africa. Returnable PET is part of The Coca-Cola Company’s World Without Waste vision, which focuses on the entire packaging value chain from how bottles and cans are designed and made to how they’re collected, recycled and reused later. CCBSA is offering more consumers across South Africa value-for-money, while playing its part in protecting the environment. During September, which is the National Clean-up and Recycle Month in South Africa, CCBSA will roll-out numerous community clean-ups and litter collection campaigns around the country to raise awareness and reduce plastic pollution. “As a user of packaging we have a responsibility to not only recycle packaging through our various initiatives, but also to continue to invest in infrastructure that can help us develop innovative packaging to achieve our World Without Waste ambitions,” says CCBSA Managing Director, Velaphi Ratshefola. “By offering a returnable PET bottle, we are creating greater value for money, as well as an incentive for consumers to collect packaging, rather than disposing of it into the environment.” The returnable bottles are made of PET plastic and feature a paper label with ‘RETURNABLE’ appearing on a green or yellow strip on the front of the bottle. The recommended retail price for the 2L Coca-Cola Original Taste – Less Sugar beverage is R15, which excludes a R9 deposit. Other brands, like Coca-Cola No Sugar, Sprite and Fanta, are also be available in the new 2L returnable PET plastic bottle at a recommended retail price of R12 excluding the R9 deposit. Once a bottle is returned to CCBSA, it will go on a looped journey to be cleaned to Coca-Cola’s stringent measures and requirements, then refilled and distributed back to retail outlets. When the bottle reaches the end of its life cycles, after being returned to CCBSA, it will be recycled and turned into another PET plastic bottle. “This initiative strengthens our PET collection efforts through our various partnerships such as our membership in the PET Recycling Company (PETCO) and several buy-back centres we have established in communities around the country,” adds Ratshefola. “Last year, 62% of PET bottles were collected for recycling. Through this new returnable PET packaging and other innovations, we are set to continue improving our collection and recycling rates, until we reach our ambitious targets.” During 2019, more than 92 000 tonnes of post-consumer PET bottles were collected through the PET Recycling Company (PETCO). These bottles were diverted from landfills in South Africa, saving 612,000m² of landfill space. < Previous Article Next Article >

Carolina gemeenskap staan saam teen grusame moord Petrus Phakamile Sitho, wat alle Suid-Afrikaners van enige ras aanmoedig om op Maandag, 7 Maart, in Carolina te wees tydens die hofsaak. Leonora Steenkamp (63) en Renier Lens (82) Petrus Phakamile Sitho, wat alle Suid-Afrikaners van enige ras aanmoedig om op Maandag, 7 Maart, in Carolina te wees tydens die hofsaak. 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 1 March 2022 Tydens die verdagtes se eerste verskyning, het die Carolina gemeenskap reeds voor die Carolina hof gebou bymekaar gekom en ‘n optog gehou. Leonora Steenkamp (63) en Renier Lens (82), jarelange inwoners van Carolina is op Saterdag, 19 Februarie 2022, vermoor in hul woning in Vootrekker Straat te Carolina. Die twee inwoners is vir ‘n tydjie nie gesien nie, waar daar dadelik onraad vermoed is. Carolina SAPD is op Dinsdag, 22 Februarie, om 07:10 ontbied na die huis, waar die inwoners gevind, en later deur nood personeel dood verklaar is. Die SAPD het die huis binne gegaan, waar beide deure wat nie gesluit was nie. Enkele ure nadat die inwoners in die huis gevind is, was daar reeds 2 verdagtes gearresteer. Gedurende die loop van die week is daar nog drie verdagtes gearresteer deur verskeie Ermelo SAPD lede, naamlik Adjudant-Offisier Thomo, Sersant Maharaj, Sersant Mkoko, Konstabel Sikhonde, Sersant Nkuna en Konstabel SE Nkosi. Al vyf wat gearresteer is, is tussen die ouderdomme van 18-30 jaar oud. Daar is klagtes teen hul geopen vir dubbel moord, asook diefstal. Tydens die insident is daar ‘n vuurwapen en ‘n Toyota Carolla gesteel. Die voertuig is later gevind naby die toneel. Die verdagtes het op Donderdag, 24 Februarie 2022 hul eerste verskyning in die hof gemaak, waar die saak uitgestel is na Maandag, 7 Maart 2022. Tydens die verdagtes se eerste verskyning, het die Carolina gemeenskap reeds voor die Carolina hof gebou bymekaar gekom en ‘n optog gehou. Petrus Phakamile Sitho, ‘n aktivis teen plaasmoorde, het mense van Suid-Afrika gevra om op Maandag in Carolina te wees vir die hofsaak, en om saam te staan teen moord. Met ‘n video opname het Petrus in sy boodskap gesê “Mense, ek gaan daar voor wees vir julle, want ek is nie bang nie. Dit is so hartseer as ek sien wat met hierdie ou mense gebeur het”. Kyk gerus na die video op ons Facebook blad, Tribune Ermelo. Mev. Steenkamp word oorleef deur haar vier kinders en tien kleinkinders. < Previous Article Next Article >

TLU SA underwhelmed by predictable budget 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 2 March 2021 “The government should get to a point where it takes hard economic decisions instead of ideological decisions,” concludes Mr Geldenhuys. The National Budget 2021 did nothing to excite agriculture. Minister of Finance, Mr Tito Mboweni, delivered the budget in parliament, and as expected, there was a strong focus on economic growth. Early on in his speech, the minister said that this budget would create South Africa’s framework to achieve a primary surplus on the budget in 2024/25 and stabilize debt by 2025/26. “Economic growth does not happen because someone announced it during a budget speech,” says Mr Henry Geldenhuys, the TLU SA president. “The government wants to build an economy through government expenditure and grants. Any economy can only grow through processing, production and job creation. The government missed this part of Economy 101.” Mboweni admits that the majority of the R2 trillion spending goes towards social services. The government is trying to make as many South Africans as possible dependent on the state, so the ANC controls them. “The balance between people receiving grants and those who work and pay taxes is growing bigger,” says Mr Geldenhuys. “It is a ticking timebomb for the country.” From an agricultural view, the industry which must save the country all the time – the 8% increase in the excise duties on alcohol and tobacco products will hit those producers hard. The combined aspects affecting the production process – such as higher wages, more expensive power supply and an increase in fuel prices, increasingly make it more difficult for farmers to show a profit. “Because of the increased price of production costs, farmers depend on financing more, but the Land Bank is also on its last legs – even if the minister budgeted R7 billion for its rescue,” says Mr Geldenhuys. “The injection will not yield the needed results if the Land Bank does not restructure its management. The bank should be allowed to function according to the principles of banking without the government interfering and forcing an ideological agenda with unrealistic requirements for financing.” The R791.2 billion infrastructure investment drive is a highlight but should be seen against the background of corrupt tender processes and inexperience. “The government should get to a point where it takes hard economic decisions instead of ideological decisions,” concludes Mr Geldenhuys. “As long as anything other guides the economic direction, the economy will just stumble ahead.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Unsung hero changes lives in Davel 1/5 Share GK CRONJE 27 April 2021 “I thank God for being with me, and making my dream came true. I like to thank the school principal and the staff members for giving me the opportunity to do so, and my friends and family for supporting me.” A rolemodel and hero to many, Bongani Jonas Mokoena celebrated his 29th birthday with an amazing act of charity. Bongani decided to open his heart, and to celebrate his birthday in a different manner, by donating school uniforms to learners in need at Umfudlana Combined School in the Davel area. This is the same school he attended from Grade R until his matric year in 2011. “I thank God for being with me, and making my dream came true. I like to thank the school principal and the staff members for giving me the opportunity to do so, and my friends and family for supporting me.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Water contamination rumors unfounded 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 26 November 2020 According to allegations doing the rounds on social media, the local hospital has issued a notice that the water supply has been “poisoned” with a chemical that affects the lungs. According to allegations doing the rounds on social media, the local hospital has issued a notice that the water supply has been “poisoned” with a chemical that affects the lungs, feigning COVID-19 symptoms. The chain message states that residents should boil the tap water before consuming, as to ensure safety. Speaking to Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM), Ms. Dube investigated the allegations, and confirmed that the chain message is a hoax. Ms. Dube has spoken to the Head of Scientific Services, who, who assists with water testing. According to GSDM, the water tests conducted this month, no alarming or poisonous chemicals have been noted. She also stated that Msukaligwa Local Municipality is not aware of any reports indicating that the water has been contaminated, as no reports from the Department of Health have been received in relation to the allegations. Residents are urged to confirm the validity of such allegations and dubious chain messages before forwarding them to friends and family, causing unnecessary panic. < Previous Article Next Article >

AfriForum water-uitslae laat wenkbroue lig 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 12 January 2022 “AfriForum se nasionale blou-en-groendruppelprojek fokus op die stand van dorpe se drinkwater- en rioolaanlegte." AfriForum het in 2021 verskeie dorpe in Mpumalanga se water getoets om die gehalte van dié dorpe se drink- (bloudruppelstatus) en rioolwater (groendruppelstatus) te bepaal. “Ons kon vasstel dat al die dorpe in die provinsie se drinkwater aan die minimum standaarde voldoen en geen skadelike bakterieë bevat nie. AfriForum sal die watergehalte deurlopend toets want inwoners het ’n grondwetlike reg tot skoon drinkwater,” sê Hennie Bekker, AfriForum se distrikskoördineerder vir Mpumalanga. In Ermelo is beide die drink- en rioolwater as “skoon” bepaal. Hierdie bepaling het altans verskeie inwoners hardop laat skater van die lag, aangesien verskeie dele van Ermelo en die omgewing se waterkwaliteit en toevoer laakbaar is, om die minste te sê. “AfriForum se nasionale blou-en-groendruppelprojek fokus op die stand van dorpe se drinkwater- en rioolaanlegte. Dié projekte fokus nie noodwendig op die toestand van die aanleg self nie, maar wel op die gehalte van die water wat ná die proses as eindproduk in die vorm van drinkwater en behandelde rioolwater gelewer word,” sluit Bekker af. AfriForum versoek elke jaar dat die Departement van Water en Sanitasie (DWS) weer ’n blou-en-groendruppelverslag bekend maak en verwelkom dus dat die Departement vroeër vanjaar bekend gemaak het dat hulle weer die blou-en-groen-druppelverslag gaan opstel om sowel die waterkwaliteit as infrastruktuurkwaliteit in die land te bepaal. As die bewaarder van water kom die DWS nie sy verpligtinge na deur wetgewing toe te pas wanneer munisipale owerhede die skuldige partye is nie. Dit is van kardinale belang dat ons nie ophou om die gehalte van ons drink- en rioolafvalwater toets nie. Ons moet dié lewensbelangrike bron beskerm. Die Tribune ePaper het navraag gerig aan AfriForum rakende die uitslae, en die bleek realiteit van die water in Ermelo. Tot hede is geen terugvoering ontvang nie. < Previous Article Next Article >

Easter fun at reimagined Veltman Park 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 6 April 2021 If you’d like to get involved in this project, feel free to contact Maryke on 079 917 4306, or Silvija on 082 905 7272. The Msukaligwa Business & Community Forum (MB&CF) recently unveiled their plans to rehabilitate the dilapidated Veltman Park in De Bruin Street. The organization aims to repair and add many features that had been lost over years of neglect, and the fun-filled egg hunt showed off the potential of the park. Laughter and excitement filled the air on Saturday, as Veltman Park crawled with eager Easter egg hunters. The MB&CF envisions a safe and peaceful area where residents can enjoy themselves without the hooliganism and drunken tomfoolery of unruly and lawless residents. Ben Greyling of Sakuma Engineering had offered to construct new playground equipment, with Neil Mattieson of Tidius Garden Services tending to the shrubbery. Ermelo Phoenix Rotary Club and various other roleplayers are involved in the project, who will be thanked in an upcoming article that will detail the plans for the park. The MB&CF had also categorically stated that it has measures that will be put in place to prevent loitering and public drinking in the park, and to ensure that it is a safe area for children to enjoy themselves. If you’d like to get involved in this project, feel free to contact Maryke on 079 917 4306, or Silvija on 082 905 7272. < Previous Article Next Article >