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Proposed Upgrade to PG Bison's Mkhondo Plant 1/1 Share PAID CONTENT 1 December 2020 Basic Environmental Impact Assessment Process and Variation of Existing Air Emissions Licence (AEL) NOTICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESSES (NEMA & NEM:AQA) Proposed Upgrade to PG Bison's Mkhondo Plant Basic Environmental Impact Assessment Process and Variation of Existing Air Emissions Licence (AEL) PRE-APPLICATION PHASE Notice is hereby given of a Public Participation Process (PPP) in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) (No. 107 of 1998, as amended) as well as the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act (NEM: AQA) (No. 39 of 2004) and the National Water Act (No. 36 of 1998). Activity Description: PG Bison is proposing to extend their current particle board manufacturing facility in Mkhondo via installation of an additional 35000m²/day MFB press line; and a new MDF processing plant with associated 75MW thermal energy plant. This would trigger the activities listed in terms of the EIA regulations (2014, as amended), including GN R.983 (Listing Notice 1), 9, 12, 19, 27, 28, 32, 34, 51; GN R.985 (Listing Notice 3) Activity 14.NEM:AQA activities for “wood burning, drying and production of manufactured wood products” (Category 9, sub-cat 9.5) and “solid biomass combustion installations” (Cat 1, sub-cat 1.3) are also triggered, requiring variation of the existing AEL. Competent Authorities: Application in terms of NEMA will be made to the Mpumalanga Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (MDARDLEA): Gert Sibande Region. Application in terms of NEM:AQA will be made via SAAELIP to Gert Sibande District Municipality. Copies obtainable via the Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP). Notice is also given in terms of NEM:AQA of the intention to vary the AEL (Mkhondo/PGB/0003/2015/F02) for current operations (Cat 9, sub-cat 9.5) to cater for a manufacturer change for the new dryer and to exclude the previously proposed sawmill facility. Opportunity to participate: You are herewith invited to submit your written (fax, letter or email) request to be registered as an Interested and/or Affected Party (including your full name, contact details and interest in the matter) to Zutari by 25 January 2021. Additional information can be requested from Zutari. EAP Contact Details: Kelly Levendal (Zutari), Tel: 041 503 3900, E-mail: EnviroEC@zutari.com Date of Notification: 01 December 2020 < Previous Article Next Article >

On 19 June 2020, Thulani Ndhlovu (2) was reported missing in Extension 5, eMzinoni, Bethal. According to the mother, Thulani was last seen on the morning of the day of disappearance, when he was playing in the street. A missing child case was opened, and is under investigation. If anyone has seen Thulani, please contact the SAPS on 017 647 9665. Toddler sought Toddler sought 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 23 June 2020 Thulani was last seen on the morning of the day of disappearance, when he was playing in the street. On 19 June 2020, Thulani Ndhlovu (2) was reported missing in Extension 5, eMzinoni, Bethal. According to the mother, Thulani was last seen on the morning of the day of disappearance, when he was playing in the street. A missing child case was opened, and is under investigation. If anyone has seen Thulani, please contact the SAPS on 017 647 9665. < Previous Article Next Article >

Were it not for the MIG and WSIG grant funds, the financial aspect of the municipality would be deemed unviable. Even with the additional funds allocated, the financial outlook for the municipality, and residents under its area of governance, is extremely poor. MLM keeps mum on plan to improve service delivery 1/42 Share GK CRONJE 22 June 2021 Were it not for the MIG and WSIG grant funds, the financial aspect of the municipality would be deemed unviable. Even with the additional funds allocated, the financial outlook for the municipality, and residents under its area of governance, is extremely poor. 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 the budget speech, MLM’s success will rely on it ability to adhere to the national and provincial planning frameworks. This framework includes, amongst others, that the municipality should ensure transparency, accountability and regular engagement with the community. Most notably, the framework stipulates that the municipality should deliver basic services, which includes basic electricity, basic water, sanitation, waste removal and more. The framework also explicitly states that the municipality should ensure that services such as grass cutting, patching of potholes, working traffic lights and street lights and consistent refuse removal are implemented. It further states that focus must be placed on the operations and maintenance of existing infrastructure to ensure continuity of service provision. In total, the IDP lists 243 separate community issues and needs across all wards within its governance. Unfortunately, the majority of the listed issues have been longstanding for several years, with MLM failing to address the issues. Notably, the majority of complaints are of a service delivery nature, which includes the ghastly state of all roads, traffic lights and street lights that are in non-working condition, water provision, electrical infrastructure and provision complaints, refuse removal and general neatness of the wards and CBD. The rampant and unchecked drug use in Ermelo and informal townships have also been noted in several complaints. Ironically, no mention of the infamous 88kV substation can be found in the IDP. Electrical issues are simply referred to as “electrical infrastructure” issues. Other issues include the lack of healthcare and clinics, the lack of maintenance of council sportsgrounds, the lack of dumping sites and the issue of illegal dumping, illegal electricity connections and ageing infrastructure. A major point of concern is the Thusong Service Centre in Lothair, which, according to available information, started construction circa 2013/2014, but remains incomplete. According to the IDP, the main issues of focus from MLM should be housing, road upgrades, storm water drainage upgrades, access to sanitation, electricity supply, provision of water, waste management and public lighting. However, the prioritizes pie chart in the IDP makes no sense, as electricity shows a 12% priority scale, public lighting and waste management both at 9%, with roads and stormwater drains taking up 20%, and housing taking 21%. Sanitation takes up a mere 13%. In light of the current electricity situation that the community finds itself in, 12% priority is a slap in the face of residents. By-Laws: According to MLM, the by-laws are not enforced due to “high costs associated” with the enforcement. According to MLM, nuisance, traffic, street trading and electricity by-laws will be enforced with the assistance of the SAPS and NPA. If these by-laws will be enforced, remains a topic of conversation. No mention of stray cattle and stray animal by-laws is made, except in the issues raised by the community. A direct enquiry to Mandla Zwane, municipal spokesman, dated 2 June 2021, yielded no response regarding the plan to step up the enforcement of all by-laws. Water Quality & Sanitation: MLM has stated that it has appointed a technician to control the quality of the water supply, and claims to work towards SANS 241 compliance. MLM claims that the Blue Drop status was at 18.1% in 2014, but makes no further mention as to the current quality of the water supply. Water maintenance budget for 2021/2022 from municipal coffers stand at R3 933 000, with a total of R17 298 735 being allocated from municipal infrastructure grants (MIG). The MIG is a conditional grant from the national government, with the aim of improving service delivery. MLM claims that an actual amount of R12 000 000 is needed for operations and maintenance of water supply. The backlog is 4.97%. Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) has assisted in initiating the upgrade of the bulk water supply pipeline and infrastructure for Ermelo, Wesselton, Breyten, Chrissiesmeer, Nganga and Warburton at a cost of R264 594 000. Free basic water to indigent households enjoys a staggering R6 835 987. Strangely, the budget for indigent water supply exceeds the water maintenance budget. Sanitation budget stands at a mere R897 000, with R9 187 380 from MIG and a blistering R50 000 000 from water services infrastructure grant (WSIG) funds. The green drop status of MLM is stated as a shockingly poor 98.5% in 2014. Again, no recent Green Drop status is mentioned. A equitable finance share from national government assists in the mammoth R14 922 000 bill racked up by supplying free basic wastewater management to indigent households. No mention of the dilapidated sewerage network is noted. Enquiries lodged, explicitly naming Cassim Park, President Fouché Avenue, Autumn Ridge, Wesselton, Sun City and surrounding areas as areas of focus where the sewerage infrastructure is virtually collapsed, saw no joy. The municipal spokesman simply ignored the enquires. Electricity supply: Amidst the electrical infrastructure of Ermelo teetering on the brink of collapse, with rolling blackouts and load reduction on a daily basis, MLM has allocated a measly R3 000 000 for maintenance of electricity in 2021/2022. R10 000 000 has been allocated from the integrated national electrification programme (INEP) grant, for bulk electricity infrastructure and the electrification of households. MLM stated that it needs to apply for bulk capacity upgrade of the notified maximum demand (NMD) from Eskom. Mandla Zwane has stated that there has been no reduction in the NMD from Eskom. However, residents aren’t biting this carrot, with the load reduction and power outages from MLM that have dramatically increased withing a very short space of time. The municipality claims that ageing infrastructure and insufficient cable sizes are to blame for the electrical outages. These need to be replaced. With the paying residents getting the short end of the stick, indigent support sees a budget allocation of R11 136 000, where MLM supplies free basic electricity of 50kWh to more than 11 500 registrants. A direct enquiry to Mandla Zwane, municipal spokesman, dated 2 June 2021, explicitly enquired as to how MLM plans to resolve the issues faced by the inadequate supply from the 88kV line, as claimed by the municipality. Additional enquiries regarding the budget for the upgrade of the substation, as well as the maintenance and upkeep of the line were also lodged. To date, the enquiries yielded no response. It is clear from the allocated funds above did not make provision for neither upgrade nor maintenance of the 88kV substation. No provision has been made for the upkeep and servicing of the electrical infrastructure. Enquiries lodged on numerous occasions regarding the damages suffered by residents due to neglect of the infrastructure and erratic electricity supply, and how they can claim reparations from the municipality, has simply been ignored by the spokesman. MLM also failed to elaborate on how they plan to engage with illegal connections, and the fact that entire towns, such as Breyten and Chrissiesmeer, have, for all intents and purposes, a zero percent payment rate from residents. 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, the municipality is on schedule with the arrangement between MLM and Eskom. Roads and infrastructure - Of the total length of 446km of roads within the municipality’s jurisdiction, a mere 234km is either paved or tarred. A total of 212km of roadway lies in the backlog, or are farm and backroads. According to MLM, there is no funds in the municipal coffer for new roads. A measly amount of R2 579 800 has been allocated for infrastructure and maintenance. An additional allocation of R23 969 985 has been funded by the MIG for upgrading existing roads. According to MLM, a total of R86 500 000 is required annually to maintain road infrastructure within the municipal jurisdiction. Therefore, MLM essentially states that there are no funds in the municipal coffer to maintain the roads and infrastructure. Enquiries explicitly outlining the dilemma faced of the collapsing roads in Ermelo, and the virtually non-existent roads in Wesselton, Sun City and other areas have been ignored by MLM. Enquiries regarding the plan of action to rehabilitate and maintain the roadways in high traffic areas, most notably school routes, roadways surround new developments and housing complexes in Camden Avenue and Wes Street and, as well as high density routes in the CBD, have also been ignored. Stormwater management - Puzzlingly, the funds allocated for the maintenance and management of the stormwater infrastructure falls under the measly amount allocated to roads and infrastructure. According to MLM, Human Resources shortages remain a challenge, as no personnel are available due to financial constraints. Refuse removal - MLM will fork out R9 233 000 for free basic refuse removal for indigent registrants. Ultimately, it would be logical to view the budget and financial state of Msukaligwa Local Municipality as likely to collapse, as the municipality is, for all practical, technically bankrupt. Were it not for the MIG and WSIG grant funds, the financial aspect of the municipality would be deemed unviable. Even with the additional funds allocated, the financial outlook for the municipality, and residents under its area of governance, is extremely poor. < Previous Article Next Article >

“Baie geluk aan dié seuns met uitstekende tellings en pragtige gholf. EHS is trots op elkeen.” EHS-gholf behaal weer eerste plek 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 25 May 2021 “Baie geluk aan dié seuns met uitstekende tellings en pragtige gholf. EHS is trots op elkeen.” Op Vrydag, 21 Mei, het een van die Erries se gholfspanne die volgende rondte liga gaan speel op Volksrust. As gevolg van die COVID-regulasies, kon daar net een span aan dié liga-rondte deelneem. EHS se A-span verteenwoordig egter die Erries uitstekend, en stap as wenners van die baan af. Dié span is goed op dreef om die liga te wen, met net nog een rondte om te speel. Die tellings van die spelers is as volg: Tobie Leibbrandt behaal15 punte, Wian Swart behaal 14 punte, Liam Kitchenmaster 13 punte en Pieter Leibbrandt 11 punte. “Baie geluk aan dié seuns met uitstekende tellings en pragtige gholf. EHS is trots op elkeen.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Blossom Care Solutions fights poverty 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 28 September 2021 The Blossom Care Solutions initiative creates shared value that benefits everyone. When women thrive, communities flourish. The financial inability to afford sanitary products, coupled with a lack of knowledge about menstruation, is called period poverty. The problem affects millions of young girls and women in South Africa every day, and yet there are ways to combat this social issue, while also assisting with job creation at the same time. In Mbombela, HL Hall & Sons, a multinational operation with businesses in fresh produce, property development, pharmaceuticals, technology, and financial services, has joined forces with Blossom Care Solutions to fight this national problem in a practical, holistic way. The approach enables the empowerment of girls and women from both an individual as well as an economic perspective. So says Shamiela Sarlie, Managing Director at Blossom Care Solutions, a social enterprise that exists to combat the issues brought about by period poverty in South Africa, while also investing in sustainable job creation. Sarlie explains, “The overall impact of period poverty is to present even more obstacles to the learning and development of those young girls and women who are affected by it, when compared to their male counterparts. This, together with the social stigma that is still associated with menstruation in township and rural markets, causes additional social and economic disadvantages to those affected. This is why Blossom Care Solutions was established in 2019 as a mission-centric social enterprise: for women, by women.” She notes that Blossom Care Solutions has established a solid foundation over the past three years and will have a national footprint at the end of February 2022. “We are grateful to a number of corporate and NGO partners that have bought into our mission and supported Blossom Care Solutions. The latest of these is HL Hall & Sons, through the initiative in Mbombela, which will see the opening of a sanitary pad production facility, using our specifically-developed business model. During our first year of operations, six previously unemployed women between the ages of 18-34 will be selected to complete Blossoms’ learning and development programme. The emphasis is on developing confident capable young women who are able to take over the running of the business after 12 months. Our social franchise model ensures that each of our franchisees are supported and nurtured with specific support provided by Blossom, including access to markets.” Tracey Davies, CEO at HL Hall & Sons, explains: “With a history of supporting communities, Halls remains committed to the wellbeing of people. We know that women play a pivotal role in contributing to a healthy society. Ensuring equal and ongoing access to education and opportunities for women is thus vital. Inclusion and accessibility put in place a solid foundation for socio-economic empowerment. The Blossom Care Solutions initiative creates shared value that benefits everyone. When women thrive, communities flourish. It is for this reason, we have decided to become involved with the project.” Sarlie clarifies that the Blossom business model has a decentralized low-cost approach towards manufacturing pads so that the franchises can be competitive at a local level. She further notes the importance of working with and helping to develop local small businesses. “Each Blossom franchise needs to be serviced by local businesses in the area. We need security, cleaning, IT support and distribution partners. In deciding on who to work with, we prefer to partner with other small, local businesses as these businesses, like ours, are the engines for job growth in South Africa. Blossom Care Solutions has two important channels to market: firstly, it uses commercial retail outlets like spaza shops, general dealers, pharmacies and regional and national key accounts; and secondly there is a channel composed of corporate partners, which buy pads that Blossom in turn hands out to deserving beneficiaries via the Blossom Beneficiary Programme.” Sarlie also acknowledges the importance of the partnership between Blossom and the Youth Employment Service (YES). The partnership provides for the funding of staff salaries for the first year in each Blossom location. Salaries are paid for by YES’s corporate partners, who have partnered with YES for purposes of improving their B-BBEE score. If you’re interested in getting involved with this initiative, you may contact Blossom Care Solutions, Shamiela Sarlie - shamiela@blossomcare.co.za , or HL Hall & Sons - Tracey Davies, traceyd@halls.co.za . < Previous Article Next Article >

DOH worried by rising COVID-19 infections 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 23 October 2020 The country was also warned that putting South Africa into a hard lockdown is still on the cards as a precautionary measure in a state of ignorance, as residents disregards COVID-19 regulations. South Africa’s health minister, Dr. Zweli Mkhize, has expressed his worry and dismay following a steadily inclining rise in COVID-19 cases. South Africa's latest epidemiological reports shows an increase of 9.1% in new cases of COVID-19 over the past seven days, with an increase of 10.7% over the past two weeks. An increase in new cases has also been noticed in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Gauteng, and a shocking 42% increase in new infections in the Western Cape. “ As we emphasize that the risk of a COVID-19 resurgence is still high, we do not do it to instill fear. We, as government, has a responsibility to keep people informed when we notice trends. It would be irresponsible to ignore 'small ups and downs' that we see in some parts of the country.” Mkhize stated. He further says that the rate of new cases and deaths affects the recommendations to the National Command Council for dealing with issues concerning COVID-19 and regulations. “As we continue to monitor the development of a vaccine, our social behavior and our continuous adherence to health protocols and social distancing are the only weapons we have as a country. All of us must accept this responsibility, and encourage others to do the same.” he concluded. The country was also warned that putting South Africa into a hard lockdown is still on the cards as a precautionary measure in a state of ignorance, as residents disregards COVID-19 regulations. < Previous Article Next Article >

Die afgelope paar maande is daar by verskeie plaaslike restaurante ingebreek, waar die rowers weg gekom het met kontant. Ander besighede het ook deurgeloop onder lang vingers van rowers. Op Saterdag, 22 Augustus, ongeveer 19:46, het ACSU ‘n oproep ontvang dat Nando’s se personeel aangehou word deur twee rowers. ACSU en SAPD was blitsig op die toneel, waar een van die rowers gewapen was met ‘n groot kaliber. Een van die rowers het spoorloos verdwyn, maar die ander is opgemerk by Online Properties, waar hy die venster geskop het om toegang tot die perseel te verkry. Die rower het bo oor die heining gespring, waarna hy sy hand gesny het, en sy handskoen agtergelaat het nadat dit aan die heining gehak het. Dieselfde verdagte is later weer gewaar naby TWK, waar ACSU reaksie die rower genader het. Die rower het laat spaander met twee kasregisters, en een van ACSU se reaksie lede het vier geweerskote afgevuur. Die rower is vermoedelik gekwes, en dié het die kasregisters laat val. Na ‘n lang gesoek deur ACSU, asook buurtwag lede, is een van die kasregisters gevind. Beide rowers is nog nie gevind nie. Die SAPD doen ‘n versoek op die gemeenskap dat enige persoon wat die SAPD kan help met die ondersoek, vir Konstabel ML Mkwanazi te kontak op 082 373 8389 of 017 819 2321/8. Plaaslike restaurante geteiken deur rowers Plaaslike restaurante geteiken deur rowers 1/4 Share SH HATTINGH 25 August 2020 Dieselfde verdagte is later weer gewaar naby TWK, waar ACSU reaksie die rower genader het. Die rower het laat spaander met twee kasregisters, en een van ACSU se reaksie lede het vier geweerskote afgevuur. Die rower is vermoedelik gekwes, en dié het die kasregisters laat val. Na ‘n lang gesoek deur ACSU, asook buurtwag lede, is een van die kasregisters gevind. Die afgelope paar maande is daar by verskeie plaaslike restaurante ingebreek, waar die rowers weg gekom het met kontant. Ander besighede het ook deurgeloop onder lang vingers van rowers. Op Saterdag, 22 Augustus, ongeveer 19:46, het ACSU ‘n oproep ontvang dat Nando’s se personeel aangehou word deur twee rowers. ACSU en SAPD was blitsig op die toneel, waar een van die rowers gewapen was met ‘n groot kaliber. Een van die rowers het spoorloos verdwyn, maar die ander is opgemerk by Online Properties, waar hy die venster geskop het om toegang tot die perseel te verkry. Die rower het bo oor die heining gespring, waarna hy sy hand gesny het, en sy handskoen agtergelaat het nadat dit aan die heining gehak het. Dieselfde verdagte is later weer gewaar naby TWK, waar ACSU reaksie die rower genader het. Die rower het laat spaander met twee kasregisters, en een van ACSU se reaksie lede het vier geweerskote afgevuur. Die rower is vermoedelik gekwes, en dié het die kasregisters laat val. Na ‘n lang gesoek deur ACSU, asook buurtwag lede, is een van die kasregisters gevind. Beide rowers is nog nie gevind nie. Die SAPD doen ‘n versoek op die gemeenskap dat enige persoon wat die SAPD kan help met die ondersoek, vir Konstabel ML Mkwanazi te kontak op 082 373 8389 of 017 819 2321/8. < Previous Article Next Article >

A vigorous manhunt has been launched by police in Mpumalanga following an incident where two dangerous suspects escaped from lawful custody earlier today, Tuesday 26 January 2021. The suspects are 24-year-old Sabelo Nkosi, and Njabulo Nsibande aged 27. The duo are said to have escaped at Gert Sibande District near Ermelo Correctional Centre. They were being transported from Breyten Magistrate's Court to the Correctional facility. Nkosi and Nsibande were initially arrested after they reportedly committed various offences in December 2016. These offences include murder, attempted murder, two counts of rape as well as two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and were both on trial for the said charges. The escapees appeared before the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court which was sitting at Breyten on Monday, 25 January 2021. Police urge members of the public including families of the suspects, to assist with information that may lead to their re-arrest. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Mmabatho Mafate on 072 610 5768 from Ermelo Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) or call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Alternatively members of the public can send information via MY SAPS APP which can be downloaded to any smartphone. All information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous. An internal investigation, that will look into how these suspects escaped, is underway. Manhunt for escaped duo launched by SAPS Manhunt for escaped duo launched by SAPS 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 27 January 2021 An internal investigation, that will look into how these suspects escaped, is underway. A vigorous manhunt has been launched by police in Mpumalanga following an incident where two dangerous suspects escaped from lawful custody earlier today, Tuesday 26 January 2021. The suspects are 24-year-old Sabelo Nkosi, and Njabulo Nsibande aged 27. The duo are said to have escaped at Gert Sibande District near Ermelo Correctional Centre. They were being transported from Breyten Magistrate's Court to the Correctional facility. Nkosi and Nsibande were initially arrested after they reportedly committed various offences in December 2016. These offences include murder, attempted murder, two counts of rape as well as two counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances and were both on trial for the said charges. The escapees appeared before the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court which was sitting at Breyten on Monday, 25 January 2021. Police urge members of the public including families of the suspects, to assist with information that may lead to their re-arrest. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is urged to contact Detective Sergeant Mmabatho Mafate on 072 610 5768 from Ermelo Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) or call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Alternatively members of the public can send information via MY SAPS APP which can be downloaded to any smartphone. All information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous. An internal investigation, that will look into how these suspects escaped, is underway. < Previous Article Next Article >

“Baie geluk aan elke ruiter wat so uitsonderlik presteer het. Julle maak Hoërskool Ermelo keer op keer trots.” Errie-ruiters presteer dat die stof staan 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 27 April 2021 “Baie geluk aan elke ruiter wat so uitsonderlik presteer het. Julle maak Hoërskool Ermelo keer op keer trots.” Verskeie EHS-ruiters het aan twee verskillende Mpumalanga- kwalifiserende rondtes deelgeneem vir onderskeie kategorieë, en die Erries het uitstekend presteer. Die rondtes het plaagevind in Badplaas. In die Dresseer Mpumalanga kwalifiserende rondte presteer die volgende leerders as volg: Helené Lotz behaal twee eerste plekke in onderskeidelik Elementary Medium, asook die Dresseer-klas. Simoné Jacobsz palm drie eerste plekke in: een in die Performance Riding-klas en twee in die Novice Dresseer-klas. Sudré Meyer behaal ook ‘n tweede plek in die Equestrian-klas. In die Mpumalanga Show jumping kwalifiserende rondtes het Hoërskool Ermelo se leerders ook presteer. Die Errie-ruiters behaal die volgende plekke in die onderskeie klasse: Accumulator 70cm-klas: Eerste plek: CJ Steenkamp, Derde plek: Sudré Meyer. Competition 70cm-klas: Eerste plek: CJ Steenkamp, Tweede plek: Sudré Meyer. Competition 80cm-klas: Tweede plek: Mia Steenkamp. Accumulator 90cm-klas: Eerste plek: Mia Steenkamp, Tweede plek: Inge van der Walt. Competition 90cm-klas: Eerste plek: Inge van der Walt, Tweede plek: Mia Steenkamp. Competition 110cm-klas: Eerste plek: Walter van der Walt, Competition 120cm-klas: Eerste plek: Walter van der Walt. “Baie geluk aan elke ruiter wat so uitsonderlik presteer het. Julle maak Hoërskool Ermelo keer op keer trots.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Ermeloërs geniet Signs To See opening 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 1 February 2022 Signs To See is al 21 jaar in die bedryf. Vrydag, 28 Januarie 2022, was ‘n groot sukses vir die opening van Signs To See. Signs To See is al 21 jaar in die bedryf. Koos Olivier, eienaar van Signs To See, het dit goed gedink om almal te nooi om die opening van hul besigheid in hul nuwe perseel saam met hom en sy personeel te kom geniet. Daar was heerlik saam gekuier en gedans, en natuurlik was daar heerlike kerrie met vars gemaakte “Naan”. Pieter Marcato het die mense op hulle voete gehou met al sy liedjies. Mac Rapapali van Jakaranda het ook kom inloer en seker gemaak die mense se voete bly op die dansvloer. Heinrich Olwage, wat in die TV reeks, Ram vir ‘n Rus gespeel het, het ook kom oë wys en lekker saam gekuier. Koos en sy span wil graag die gemeenskap bedank vir hulle getroue ondersteuning, en hy sien uit om nog baie jare saam ‘n pad saam te kan stap. < Previous Article Next Article >

GSDM warns against scam using mayor’s name 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 23 February 2021 There are person(s) pretending to be Cllr. Chirwa, sending e-mails to the mayor’s colleagues using an e-mail created using his name, and requesting urgent assistance with different amounts of money. The Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) has learnt with great disappointment about a scam doing rounds in the public purporting to be from Cllr. Muzi Chirwa, the District Executive Mayor. There are person(s) pretending to be Cllr. Chirwa, sending e-mails to the mayor’s colleagues using an e-mail created using his name, and requesting urgent assistance with different amounts of money. The public is advised and warned that Cllr. Chirwa distances himself from such conduct which is obviously aimed at deceiving people using his name. Such correspondence is not from Cllr. Chirwa, nor his office. Scams often result in members of the public losing their hard-earned money and we urge the public to be vigilant to avoid the success of these scammers. < Previous Article Next Article >

Yet, after the repairs are apparently completed, residents are still left high and dry. Ermelo embroiled in water woes 1/8 Share GK CRONJE 10 May 2022 Yet, after the repairs are apparently completed, residents are still left high and dry. While hundreds of residents sit with dry taps, complaints fall on deaf ears at Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM). The majority of Ermelo East has been without water for more than two weeks. Cassim Park residents have been sitting with dry taps for more than a week, with no reprieve from the municipality. A multitude of residents in Wesselton, Everest and Thusiville experiences a daily struggle with water. The issue is further aggravated by the fact that the dilapidated water pipes, of which some are over twenty years old, are bursting one after the other due to the fluctuating temperatures. Over the weekend, a fire hydrant near Cassim Park Hall was allegedly damaged by a municipal water tanker, and subsequently gushed a stream of potable water for approximately three hours, with no response from municipal departments. While this was ongoing, the enraged residents of Cassim Park, who were already without water, were in for a surprise, and were left with hands in hair. At the time of publication, sections of Cassim Park were still without water. According to MLM, the differences in diameters of the old and new pipes are also an issue for the municipal teams, where jerry-rigging has to be implemented to patch the crumbling water network. Now, even worse, the abysmal response time from the municipality leaves even more residents with dry taps. Complaints from the community include the fact that there is absolutely no feedback from the municipality. When feedback is eventually received, the municipality beats around the bush with implausible explanations. Yet, after the repairs are apparently completed, residents are still left high and dry. Residents have had it in chunks with poor excuses from the municipality, which range from inoperable generators at the pump station, to Eskom load shedding, and at one time, a resident was told that the municipal load reduction has an effect on the pumping capacity of the reservoirs. The Democratic Alliance has went as far as to label the water outage in Msukaligwa as a gross violation of human rights, which isn’t far from the truth. Many questions have also been raised by the community, with some members claiming that the municipality is allegedly rationing the water supply in an attempt to save on their Rand Water debt. This stems from the fact that the water supply is adequate at late hours of the evening and early morning hours in some areas, but the supply dwindles as soon as day breaks. Despite meeting upon meeting between the business chamber and the municipality, all the talk shows no fruition. An enquiry has been sent to Msukaligwa Local Municipality, and feedback will be published in due course. You may view more photos and videos on our Facebook page, Tribune Ermelo. < Previous Article Next Article >