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SASCO steps in at GS College 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 20 April 2021 Students are also irked due to the fact that learning material allowances have not been allocated to some students, even though some have commenced with the 2021 academic year. Gert Sibande Ermelo Campus has seen its fair share of protests and unrest recently, while attempting to appease students who have not received their NSFAS grant payments, whilst others have only received partial payment. Students are also irked due to the fact that learning material allowances have not been allocated to some students, even though some have commenced with the 2021 academic year. The Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande, addressed this issue, and said that NSFAS will only receiving it's first bulk of money from National Treasury in April 2021, from where they will start disbursing funds to institutions. However, the South African Students Congress (SASCO) is having none of this. SASCO has voiced its concern regarding the non-payment to TVET Colleges, and as a result many vulnerable students have been evicted from their residences. SASCO has written to the Chief Executive Officer, Andile Nongogo, requesting an urgent meeting to get a full report on the situation, and will further request to meet the DDG responsible for TVET Colleges. “We call upon all colleges affected to speedily share their registration templates with the National Financial Aid Scheme, in order to ensure that students are not unnecessarily disadvantaged due to negligence and incompetence. We will instruct our SRCs and SAVETSA to ensure that colleges are compliant and cooperating, to speedily resolve these issues. We wish to reiterate our call that TVET Colleges deserve better quality student accommodation of the same standard as universities. This move will ensure that TVET Colleges also accredit and protect the livelihood of college students, and shield them from further abuse by landlords,” SASCO said in a statement. At the time of publication, Gert Sibande College failed to respond to enquiries. < Previous Article Next Article >

These shoes were made for walking 1/9 Share GK CRONJE 6 April 2021 Ermelo Phoenix Rotary Club and Bottomless Blessings would like to thank all who were involved in the project, as well as the residents who took the time to participate. With great excitement, the Ermelo Phoenix Rotary Club hosted a charity walk and run on Monday, 5 April, in celebration of Family Day. An impressively large crowd gathered to take part in the event, which started and ended at Bottomless Blessings Coffee in Robertson Street. The aim of the funds raised is to assist Grade 10 scholars from local high schools. Many prizes were up for grabs, and cold drinks and succulent boerewors rolls were available to ravenous participants. Dros Ermelo also flexed their muscles, and offered free breakfast vouchers on the day, accompanied by a standard cup of coffee. Ermelo Phoenix Rotary Club and Bottomless Blessings would like to thank all who were involved in the project, as well as the residents who took the time to participate. < Previous Article Next Article >

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 >

Inwoners genooi na jaarlikse e-Rommel insameling 15 November 2022 Kom ons neem verantwoordelikheid, en pas ons omgewing op. Read More Brace for year of increased load shedding 15 November 2022 Generating units at Grootvlei, Hendrina and Camden power stations will also be taken offline over the next five years. Read More Duvenage represents MPU in reality show 15 November 2022 The show is filled with all the emotions, drama and suspense one would expect from a world-class reality show. Read More Missing man sought by family 15 November 2022 Willem was last seen traveling from Morgenzon in his white Toyota Hilux Dakar bakkie, with registration number FBH 948 L. Read More Chaos in Havenga Road as trailer snaps 1 November 2022 The entire community is getting the short end of the stick. Read More Merino Mall - A boon for the community 1 November 2022 The vision for the mall includes making a meaningful contribution to the local economy on an ongoing basis. In this regard, it has also created 450 permanent job opportunities. Read More Shoprite launches bigger carrier bag for taxi commuters 25 October 2022 Shoprite’s new red, 60-litre bags are 60 microns thick and more resilient, and costs R4. Read More Eagan Engelbrecht crowned as Little Mr. World 2022 25 October 2022 “Eagan, the Ermelo community is very proud to call you our own Ermelo super model.” Read More Aksiegroep dreig om R33/34/66 roetes te sluit 19 October 2022 Volgens die groep word die areas se padoppervak deur swaarvoertuie vertrap. Read More Ryan het dringend jou hulp nodig 11 Oktober 2022 Ryan en sy vriende het Saterdag aand uitgegaan in Pretoria, waar hy toe beval was in twee aparte insidente. Read More Kiette Rekenmeesters verwelkom NJ Robbertse 13 September 2022 Myburgh en Robbertse Inc is ook ‘n SAICA opleidingskantoor wat klerke die geleentheid bied om hulle klerkskap te voltooi by die firma. Read More MMM displays the power of prayer 13 September 2022 The CPF, SAPS & MMM have pledged to continue visiting schools. Read More Load More Articles

Jurie se hartklop stil in Hartland 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 12 January 2021 Jurie was ‘n voorbeeld vir soveel mense, ‘n rolmodel en Jesus se visserman. Hy het sy lewe voluit gelewe, en gestrewe daarna om ‘n verskil in ander se lewens te maak. Hy was die beste pa waarvoor sy seun en skoondogter kon vra, altyd daar om hulle by te staan en raad te gee. Jurie Blignaut, eienaar van Hartland in Amersfoort, is skielik op 8 Januarie oorlede. Jurie was ‘n welbekende in Amersfoort, en het geleef vir sy blomme, en om blomme rangskikkings te doen. Die gemeenskap is diep geskok met sy skielike afsterwe. Jurie se uitkyk op die lewe, en wat hy altyd vir almal gesê het is “wat ek is, is net genade”. Sy seun, Juwéhan, en skoondogter, Chantelle, het die volgende boodskap oor hulle pappa geskryf: “Die hartklop van Hartland het sy engel vlerkies gegroei, en drink nou koffie saam met Jesus. Geliefde pappa, oom en beste vriend vir so baie, ‘n regte mense-magneet met ‘n hart van goud wat sonder om twee keer te dink sy mede mens sou uithelp, of dit nou was om nog ‘n blomme rangskiking te maak, of ‘n lekker koppie koffie saam met jou te drink as hy sien jy het maar ‘n af dag gehad. Jurie was ‘n voorbeeld vir soveel mense, ‘n rolmodel en Jesus se visserman. Hy het sy lewe voluit gelewe, en gestrewe daarna om ‘n verskil in ander se lewens te maak. Hy was die beste pa waarvoor sy seun en skoondogter kon vra, altyd daar om hulle by te staan en raad te gee. Hy los ongelooflike voetspore na, maar Jesus het nou Sy mooiste blom hier op aarde kom pluk. Ons harte is seer, en pa se plekkie is leeg, maar ons is opgewonde om pa eendag weer te sien en saam koffie te drink! Lief vir pappa.” “Jou hande - hard genoeg vir hout, en sag genoeg vir blomme, met jou “teddiebeer” persoonlikheid het jy almal laat warm voel, altyd gretig vir geselskap. Jy was ‘n regte mense-magneet” is die woorde hoebeskryf is aan die Tribune. Jurie word oorleef deur sy moeder, broers, susters, en sy seun Juwéhan, en skoondogter, Chantelle. < Previous Article Next Article >

GSDM calls for an end to GBV 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 7 July 2020 Leaders from various faith-based organisations joined the GSDM political and administrative leadership during the prayer session, which was held under the theme “An Outcry for spiritual Intervention against COVID-19, Gender Based Violence and Femicide”. Press Release - The Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) has again called for an immediate end to the scourge of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Femicide. The call was made during a prayer session that was conducted from the GSDM Council Chambers on Thursday, 25 June where less than 50 delegates were gathered while others joined virtually in line with the lockdown alert level 3 regulations. Leaders from various faith-based organisations joined the GSDM political and administrative leadership during the prayer session, which was held under the theme “An Outcry for spiritual Intervention against COVID-19, Gender Based Violence and Femicide”. In his address, GSDM Executive Mayor, Councillor Muzi Chirwa, said the municipality was very concerned by the emergence of violence directed at women and children. “These acts of Gender Based Violence and Femicide are rising and they are done by some of us in the society, in particular men. That is why as the collective leadership of this municipality are calling on men to desist from this conduct of abusing and killing of women and children,” said Chirwa. He also announced that GSDM would be hosting a first ‘District Women and Men Parliament’ the following day, 26 June 2020, virtually, to try and find solutions in fighting the scourge and grow the District together. He further added that the municipality had the full confidence on all the law enforcement agencies that they will act swiftly against the perpetrators of Gender Based Violence and called on members of the community to work with them by reporting incidences to the police. Cllr. Chirwa also raised his concerns about the sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 infection rates in the country, particularly in the District, and called on all to remain vigilant. The leaders of the faith-based organisations applauded the GSDM for the initiative and pledged their support. < Previous Article Next Article >

Maak die harte oop vir Juan 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 25 May 2021 Op Woensdag, 12 Mei 2021, is sy linkerbeen bo sy knie geamputeer. Die hele prosedure het suksesvol afgeloop, en Jaun is tans in Ermelo. Jaun Walker (53) ‘n ou bekende in Ermelo, het dringend jou hulp nodig. Hy is werksaam by DJ Motors, waar hy voertuie verkoop. Jaun het tipe twee diabetes, en ‘n bosluis het hom gebyt op sy linker been. Jaun het mooi na die bytplek gekyk, en gehoop dat dit vinnig sal genees, maar die bytplek het glad nie genees nie. Hy het ‘n oggend opgestaan waar sy linker voet en toon begin swart word het, en hy is dadelik Steve Bhiko hospitaal toe. Daar was hy vir ongeveer twee weke waar hulle geensins na hom omgesien het nie. Hy is terug Ermelo toe, waar sy familie hom George Provinsiale Hospitaal toe geneem het vir behandeling, weens die feit dat hy geen medies het nie. Tydens sy aankoms by die hospitaal moes hy en die dokters dadelik ‘n besluit neem oor wat hul gaan doen met sy linkerbeen, want toe het hy reeds gangrene. Op Woensdag, 12 Mei 2021, is sy linkerbeen bo sy knie geamputeer. Die hele prosedure het suksesvol afgeloop, en Jaun is tans in Ermelo. Hy sterk aan saam met sy suster, waar sy na hom omsien. Die familie wil graag ‘n beroep op die gemeenskap doen om hul te help met bydraes om die mediese behandeling te kan doen. Daar is ‘n Trust rekening gestig by PWG Prokureurs. Die bank besonderhede: PWG Prokureurs, Eerste Nasionale Bank, Ermelo, Tak Kode: 270 344, Rekening Nommer: 521 800 48278, Verwysing: W270 - naam en van. Graag wil die familie ook van die geleentheid gebruik maak om almal te bedank vir elke oproep, SMS, kospakkie asook die manne wat veranderings aan die huis gedoen het om na Jaun se belange om te gee en die lewe vir hom te vergemaklik. < Previous Article Next Article >

Ermelo Phoenix Rotary Celebrates Youth Day 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 22 June 2021 Should anyone wish to add support, or get more information about Ermelo Phoenix Rotary, please contact club president, Lakesh Maharaj, on 083 532 2266. To celebrate Youth Day 2021, Ermelo Phoenix Rotary visited Vulinqondo Day Care Centre in Bambanani Village. 100 children of the centre were gifted blankets to keep warm for the winter. Vulinqondo Day Care Centre in the Bambanani Village provides basic learning through play, an introduction to English, meals and a safe space for parents to leave their children. Bruce from Bambanani Village Cooperative would like to share his greatest thanks to the Ermelo Phoenix Rotary Club for their continued support to the village. Should anyone wish to add support, or get more information about Ermelo Phoenix Rotary, please contact club president, Lakesh Maharaj, on 083 532 2266. < Previous Article Next Article >

Msukaligwa CHC project fizzles out 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 19 July 2022 Nearly five years later, and the construction site now has transformed into another white elephant. During the 2018 IDP meeting at the Ella de Bruin Hall, a state of the art 24-hour community health centre (CHC) was in the construction phase at Ward 16, Extension 32. Upon enquiry, little information had been provided by Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) and other involved authorities regarding the services that would be offered by this project. The project would have benefitted approximately many households, who have to travel extensively to reach medical facilities. Rajen Naidoo from the Department of Health, Corporate Services stated that phase one, which involved the construction of concrete palisade fencing, which had been completed. According to Naidoo, phase two would involve the construction of a new Community Health Centre and accommodation units, which would have cost a total of R35 million. According to information available at that time, the project would have been constructed by the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (DPWRT), on behalf of the Mpumalanga Provincial Department of Health. Alas, the fiery enthusiasm shown by involved entities has fizzled in fantastic fashion. Nearly five years later, and the construction site now has transformed into another white elephant. Enquiries to the DPWRT have yielded no results, instead the Tribune was referred to the Department of Human Settlements (DOHS) for enquiries. However, the DOHS has responded, stating that in line with the Department’s broadened mandate, the construction of clinics do not form part of its competence. The Department further confirmed that there are currently no running human settlements projects in the area, except efforts to resolve sewer spillages. The Tribune directed an enquiry to MLM regarding the construction, which is supposed to see a completion date of March 2024, a span of 21 months. The municipality, in turn, could not provide any information regarding the project. According to the tender and leads portal B2B, the Msukaligwa Community Health Centre (CHC) is marked as awarded, but for an amount of R98 million. Furthermore, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) states that the procurement of a contractor for the CHC project entails an amount of R48 745 314. The tender, RFP042/2021, was last updated in February 2022. Another tender by DBSA, RFP244/2019, was for a social facilitator service provider. The bid for this tender closed in January 2020, and the outcome of the tender is unknown. With several awarded tenders amounting to millions of Rands, the site now lays dormant, with no government department seemingly knowing what the state of affairs are, nor who is responsible for the project. No department, nor MLM, could provide clarity if the project is currently ongoing, or if it has been scrapped or delayed. < Previous Article Next Article >

Ziyanda crowned as Miss Inspire SA 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 2 February 2021 Ziyanda is a guiding star during these trying times for many young women. Ziyanda Malope, a 20-year-old success story, was born and raised in Ermelo, and was also awarded the prestigious crown as Miss Inspire SA. Making her mark during her school career, her rise to inspiration came from a young age. Ziyanda boasts the title of school sports captain, and also received a youth camp certificate, awarding her as the best leader. The Miss Inspire SA National pageant places priority on community development, and making a difference in your own life, as well as the lives of others. The pageant is open to all young women across South Africa in various categories, irrespective of race, religion, creed size or shape. The pageant prides itself on having no physical requirements. Ziyanda is currently in her third year as BA in Community Development and Leadership at the University of Johannesburg. Crowned in October 2020 during a marked pageant, she now grows from strength to strength, and spearheads a community based organization called the Ziyanda Malope Foundation, which aims to focus on the empowerment of teenagers and women, running educational programmes for school learners and community projects. She is extremely passionate about community services and assistance, lending a helping hand where needed. “My vision is to shift focus to the positive, and to be a rolemodel for young women in rural areas. I also aim to assist young women in the rural areas to make the right life decisions, and to steer clear of substance abuse and teenage pregnancy. You can achieve anything in life through hard work and dedication.” she concluded. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has made everything in our daily lives a little bleaker, Ziyanda is a guiding star during these trying times for many young women. < Previous Article Next Article >

Continued load shedding highly likely 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 14 July 2020 The load shedding and breakdown of units is troubling, especially considering the fact that Eskom bemoans the fact that Arnot and Kendal contributes a large amount of the MW, but at the same time, has plans to decommission Arnot and Kendal plants in the near future, bringing into question the rationale behind these decisions. Despite Eskom’s claimed best efforts to return additional generation units to service after the breakdowns that occurred during the week, the crumbling state-owned power utility said on that it had not made sufficient progress to enable us to suspend load shedding. In a statement, Eskom said that it wished to assure the public that implementing load shedding was the last resort, in order to protect the national grid. “In order to limit the impact of load shedding on the morning traffic peak, Eskom will start implementing Stage 2 load shedding from 09:00. This will continue until 22:00. Implementing load shedding is also necessary in order to replenish the emergency generation reserves to better prepare for the week,” the entity stated. On Sunday evening, Eskom teams successfully returned one unit at the Kriel power station, adding 475MW to the grid. The return of a generation unit each at Tutuka and Kriel power stations has been delayed, contributing to the supply constraints. The power utility said during the coming week Eskom would continue to experience supply constraints. According to the utility, Arnot, Duvha and Kendal power stations were successfully returned to service after unexpected breakdowns. These have added a combined 1 565MW capacity to the generation system. The return of a generation unit each at Tutuka, Kriel and Hendrina power stations has been delayed, contributing to the supply constraint. According to Eskom, the cold weather has put the capacity to supply electricity “under severe strain”. The load shedding and breakdown of units is troubling, especially considering the fact that Eskom bemoans the fact that Arnot and Kendal contributes a large amount of the MW, but at the same time, has plans to decommission Arnot and Kendal plants in the near future, bringing into question the rationale behind these decisions. < Previous Article Next Article >

Roelof Ferreira bids fond farewell to Laerskool Ermelo 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 25 May 2021 "If I had the chance to change anything in my life, I would have done everything all over again, because of the joy teaching gave me." “I was born on 6 March 1958 in Vereeniging, where I grew up. I also matriculated from Hoërskool Vereeniging. The decision to become a teacher was never planned, it was made in the spur of the moment during the last term of my matric year in 1976. I started my studies at the Potchefstroom Onderwyskollege in 1977. I completed my studies in 1980, and only applied for posts in Pretoria. I was appointed in a permanent departmental post at Laerskool Pretoria-Oos, but first had to complete my compulsory two-year military service, and was sent to Infantry School in Oudtshoorn, where at the end of 1981 I became a full Lieutenant. I wanted to complete my second year of Military Service in Pretoria, but the Military Force had other plans. I had to stay on at Infantry School in Oudtshoorn, a year that I really enjoyed, and in which grew fond of Oudtshoorn and its surrounding districts. In 1983 I started teaching at Laerskool Pretoria-Oos, a time that I really enjoyed. I soon decided that I wanted to be the principal of a big school one day. I then started applying for promotional posts, and was appointed Head of Department Educational Guidance at Laerskool Ermelo in 1989, where I stayed in the hostel of the school, Uitkomst Koshuis (now the District Office). Here I met my wonderful wife, Sarah, and her son. We got married on 29 March 1991, on Good Friday. On 27 May 2004, I was appointed as Principal, P3 of Laerskool Ermelo. The biggest challenge I had at that stage was to get discipline and performance of educators and learners up to a high standard, and to start improving the school’s sports and overall facilities. It started with the palisades, all staff and learner bathrooms, many other projects, and ended with the most beautiful staff room. The high point of my career at Laerskool Ermelo was when other schools started to recognize our sports teams as competitors to be reckoned with. On the academic side, we also did our best, and kept a very high standard of education. Discipline was, and remains of utmost importance to me, because without discipline you cannot achieve good results. Another memorable part of my career as Principal was all the different School Governing Bodies who shared my vision for the school. I want to thank each and every member of all the School Governing Bodies for trusting my ideas and capabilities, and for always having the best interest of the school at heart. My dream of becoming a principal of a big school eventually became true when I was appointed as Principal P4 of Laerskool Ermelo in January 2019. I want to place all that I achieved in the hands of our Lord Jesus, as he guided and protected me in every aspect of my teaching career. I wish to thank the community of Ermelo for all the support Laerskool Ermelo received from them, it is much appreciated. To all the parents, thank you for the support the educators and I got from you for the last 17 years, much appreciated. The learners, you are education! Thank you for respecting me as your principal. It was an honour to serve you. Thank you for all the good wishes, hugs (before COVID-19) and compliments I received from you. One compliment I will always remember, was a little girl in the Foundation Phase who gave me a hug and said to me: “Sir, I love you because you are always neat.” If I had the chance to change anything in my life, I would have done everything all over again, because of the joy teaching gave me. To all members of staff, teaching and non-teaching, I wish to thank you for the respect and support I received from you. You are a great team and the hardest part of retiring is leaving you behind. I truly hope that my successor will realise what a wonderful staff you are! I wish you and Laerskool Ermelo all the best for the future. May God bless you with all the best blessings. After 40 years and 5 months in Education, I think it is just fair that my wife and I may return to Oudtshoorn for a well-deserved retirement. And I promise you, God-willing, we are not planning to sit down and wait for old age. We plan to tour the parts of our country we have not yet seen, as well as Namibia. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for a wonderful career in Education, and thank you to my wife who supported me over the 32 years that I have been at Laerskool Ermelo. We greet the community, learners and teachers. May God bless you!” Roelof Ferreira - Principal < Previous Article Next Article >