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Nuwe verwikkelinge rakende Groen Lisensies 1/3 Share INHOUD VERSKAF 15 September 2020 Die Raad van SA Jagters verwag al `n geruime tyd reeds dat die Polisie hierdie interdik wil herroep en die Vereniging het sy lede oor die afgelope twee maande hieroor ingelig en aangeraai om intussen hul bevoegdheid in plek te kry sodat hulle vir nuwe lisensies kan aansoek doen om die ou groen lisensies te vervang. Persverklaring - SA Jagters het laatmiddag op 8 September 2020, ’n skrywe ontvang van die staatsprokureur waarin hy ons inlig oor die staat se voorneme om die hofinterdik van Junie 2009 wat die ou groen lisensies geld gehou het, te laat herroep. Die staatsprokureur is van mening dat vuurwapeneienaars met ou groen lisensies meer as genoeg geleentheid gehad om hul lisensie te hernu gedurende drie geleenthede waar amnestie aangebied is. Die huidige amnestietydperk is die laaste van die drie waarna hy verwys. Verder stel die staatsprokureur voor dat SA Jagters die hoofaansoek van 2009 onttrek (wat nooit verder geneem is nie) en instem om die interdik van 2009 te herroep. Die Minister van Polisie sal dan nie ’n kostebevel teen SA Jagters versoek nie. Indien SA Jagters nie instem tot hierdie versoek nie, sal die staatsprokureur voortgaan met ’n hofaansoek om die 2009 interdik te herroep en om ’n strafkostebevel teen SA Jagters ook aansoek doen. Die Raad van SA Jagters verwag al `n geruime tyd reeds dat die Polisie hierdie interdik wil herroep en die Vereniging het sy lede oor die afgelope twee maande hieroor ingelig en aangeraai om intussen hul bevoegdheid in plek te kry sodat hulle vir nuwe lisensies kan aansoek doen om die ou groen lisensies te vervang. Daar is uiteraard ook lede van die publiek wat steeds staatmaak op die ou groen lisensies en wat in presies dieselfde omstandighede as lede van SA Jagters sal wees met hierdie stap van die polisie. Die Raad van SA Jagters is tans in gesprek oor hoe om dié saak vorentoe te bestuur. ’n Raadsvergadering is vir 17 September 2020 beplan wanneer ons verder met die regspan sal beraadslaag, waarna die Raad `n standpunt sal formuleer om aan die staatsprokureur sal oordra. Uiteraard sal die Raad ook besluit op die gepaste verdere aksie. Na die beste inligting beskikbaar is daar ongeveer 670 000 ou groen lisensies wat nog geldig kan wees. SA Jagters dink nie dit is haalbaar om die huidige amnestie te gebruik om hierdie wapens in te handig en vir nuwe lisensies aansoek te doen nie. Ons sal ’n ander werkbare oplossing moet vind. SA Jagters sal saam met ander belangegroepe in die vuurwapeneienaargemeenskap werk en waar nodig met ander groepe en individue konsulteer om oplossings te vind. < Previous Article Next Article >

Tomahawks trap Marble Hall Leopards vas met harde rugby 1/5 Share GK CRONJE 5 October 2021 “Die manne het implimenteer wat ons gedoen het tydens oefening, en die spelers het uitgeblink op hierdie reënerige dag. Baie dankie vir elkeen se puik spel!” Op Saterdag, 2 Oktober, het die Ermelo Tomahawks te staan gekom teen die Marble Hall Leopards in ‘n vriendskaplike wedstryd. Ten spyte van goor weer, het toeskouers hul gate uit geniet en die spanne ondersteun met lof. Die wedstryd was hard, met spelers aan beide kante wat hul beste spel gelewer het. Groot manne is van beide spanne is spoedig platgetrek deur opponente, en die ratse spelers het die ketels oopgemaak en laat wiel sodra hul ‘n opening gesien het. Na afloop van die wedstryd, klop die Ermelo Tomahawks die Marble Hall Leopards 54-24. Bennette Burger het laat hoor dat hy heel tevrede is met sy span se kwaliteit spel en taktiek. “Die manne het implimenteer wat ons gedoen het tydens oefening, en die spelers het uitgeblink op hierdie reënerige dag. Baie dankie vir elkeen se puik spel!” < Previous Article Next Article >

Golfers brave wishy-washy weather 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 31 August 2021 On Saturday, 4 September 2021, the Evangelical Reformed Church will be hosting a fundraising golf day at Ermelo Golf Club, and can already be booked from 07:00. On Saturday, avid golfers of Ermelo braved the muddled weather to fit in a day of excitement and camaraderie. The players made swift work of the holes, and breezed through the game in record time. The newly revamped clubhouse provided a welcome refuge from the elements, as players grabbed something to eat, whilst others quenched their thirst with a well-deserved beverage. The clubhouse is almost unrecognizable, but in a good way, with suave interior decorations and exquisite furniture, benches and tables. The golf day was hosted in aid of the renovations to the bar, porch and lounge area of the club. Noeline Loubser from Ermelo Toyota, ladies members and other helpers have worked hard for the past 2 months, and further plan to undergo a transformation of the said part of the club building. Taking part in the event were 27 four-ballers (108 players) lined up to take part in the “4 Ball American Scramble” competition that was presented to celebrate the commissioning of the new facilities. The results of the day’s competition are as follows: 1 - Colin Odendaal, Christian Odendaal, Frikkie Odendaal and Stefan Pelser with 52 points net, 2 - Herman Swart, Niel Clifford, Fred Els and Bossie Bosman with 53 net counts, 3 - James Nkonde, Patrick Thomo, Charles Magagula and David Mashinini with 53 net counts, 4 - Marelize Potgieter, Annecke Fourie, Janice Swanepoel and Karen Cilliers with 55 points, 5 - Derek Fick, Johan Pie-naar, Phillip Steyn and André Steyn with 55 points , and 6 - Tollie Schoeman, Dirk Koch, Pierre Steyn, and Zach Smit only scored 55 points. On Saturday, 4 September 2021, the Evangelical Reformed Church will be hosting a fundraising golf day at Ermelo Golf Club, and can already be booked from 07:00. < Previous Article Next Article >

Mandatory tax increase to fund new grant scheme 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 31 August 2021 The green paper also proposes creating a mandatory pension and insurance system called the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). This will be funded with payroll contributions ranging between 8% and 12% of earnings. The Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, has published the Green Paper that proposes increasing income taxes to fund a Basic Income Grant (BIG) and mandatory contributions to a state-run pension scheme. According to Zulu, this is part of the Comprehensive Social Security and Retirement Reform plan. The Department of Social Development said a 10% increase on income taxes would be needed to raise R200 billion to fund the lowest level of its proposed universal basic income grant,. However, the 10% income tax hike would only fund the lowest level proposed for the Basic Income Grant, which is at the food poverty line. Depending on the government’s objectives, the green paper proposes the following options for the BIG: R585 per month, a grant value set near the food poverty line. R840 per month, a grant value set around the lower-bound poverty line. R1 268 per month, start the grant value at the upper-bound poverty line. The paper further states that basic income for all South Africans should be at least R7 500 per month, using a combination of the grant and labour. Ruffling even more feathers, in addition to the Basic Income Grant, the green paper also proposes creating a mandatory pension and insurance system called the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). This will be funded with payroll contributions ranging between 8% and 12% of earnings. Trade union Solidarity announced that it would fight the green paper. It warned it would result in legal action if the proposals in the paper are implemented in formal legislation. Solidarity stated that South African workers are already overtaxed, and tired of paying more taxes for fewer and fewer services. “Workers in South Africa are tired of seeing their hard-earned money being wasted by the state. At best, the state is just inefficient and clumsy, but more often, funds like this and the NHI is simply an excuse for looting and corruption. On top of that, tax money is still looted at a large scale,” said Dirk Hermann, chief executive officer of Solidarity. Apart from the new tax proposals, Hermann said the country’s tax rate is already high, and ordinary people have to incur expenses for which they are already taxed. The green paper is out for public comment on the government’s website, and submissions close 10 December 2021. < Previous Article Next Article >

Farm workers should be prioritized 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 13 April 2021 “We need a balance to ensure that these two threats are both addressed,” says Geldenhuys. The need to maintain food chains and production is one of the most important things currently needed. We cannot afford to have farms quarantined should a COVID-19 outbreak occur." The TLU SA wrote a letter to the Minister of Health requesting that farm workers be considered as a priority group for vaccination against COVID-19. Farm workers perform an essential service and have been classified as such since the beginning of the restriction. The potential exposure of workers to COVID-19 is significantly high and it would be harmful if production units had to be placed in isolation in the event of an outbreak. “To date, we have not received any response from Minister Zweli Mkhize," says Henry Geldenhuys, the president of TLU SA. Since the beginning of the pandemic, TLU SA has held the view that everything possible must be done to fight the virus, but that it must be done with a functioning economy. By severely restricting the economy, a second threat is created, namely poverty and famine. “We need a balance to ensure that these two threats are both addressed,” says Geldenhuys. The need to maintain food chains and production is one of the most important things currently needed. We cannot afford to have farms quarantined should a COVID-19 outbreak occur. What worries the TLU SA is that President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that Phase 2 will start in mid-May and that 5.5 million people over the age of 60, with comorbidities, will be vaccinated between 17 May and 31 July. TLU reiterates its urgent call to the Minister to prioritize the vaccinations of farmworkers. < Previous Article Next Article >

Tribute to Johanisi Mandla Mahlangu 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 16 February 2021 Be assured, you will be missed. Hamba Kahle Johannes, ‘til we meet again. In the time of COVID-19 we hear about people falling ill, and people dying. Somehow, however, it remains a distant possibility, something that happens to other people. This is until a fateful morning when someone close to you confides that he is not feeling well. For Mandla Mahlangu’s colleagues at Willem Cilliers Attorneys, that date arrived on 3 February 2021. Despite Mandla immediately being sent for medical attention, his illness progressed steadily and led to his unfortunate demise on Friday, 12 February 2021. Though we are stunned by the suddenness and the finality of it all, we also have a heartfelt desire to honour Mandla as a loyal staff member and an invaluable cog in the machinery of our practice. Albert Einstein said: ‘The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive.’ In one word, Mandla was a man who gave. He gave much to his work, he was loyal to his employer and loyal to our clients. That is why we would like to speak in celebration of his life. Here was a life that demanded notice, a life that inspired emulation, a life that burned so that others’ paths be lit. His neighbours in Wesselton will remember him as the guy with the Houghton house in Mabuza Street, the man with the dazzling garden who tried to uplift his community. A man strong of conviction and not shy to weigh in when needed. On a cold winter’s day, 11 July 1994, Mandla and I started a journey on an uncertain path. We started small with baby steps but with a firm belief that the future will be bright. Oh, what a journey it turned out to be, and along the way Mandla became a trusted friend. A journey that lasted for 28 years. The journey that ended to soon! The character of the life he lived might be summed up on a few words, he was sincere, he was earnest, he was loyal. The road without you beckons, Mandla, and it promises to be lonely. Be assured, you will be missed. Hamba Kahle Johannes, ‘til we meet again. - Contributed by Willem Cilliers. < Previous Article Next Article >

Focus shifts toward expensive school uniforms 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 9 March 2021 Investigations pointed out that several schools were overly prescriptive in their uniform choices, which again limited the choices and bargaining power of parents who were beholden to a small number of suppliers. The Competition Commission, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and four associations representing school governing bodies (SGBs) has taken hands to address the skyrocketing costs of school uniforms. Their focus is mainly on the regulation of the procurement of school uniforms and other educational goods and services. The signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at stopping schools from forcing parents to buy from exclusive suppliers will soon be a boon for cash-strapped parents in the country. The organizations signed the MOU on Monday after years of investigations and advocacy, following complaints received from parents who were forced to buy school uniforms from exclusively selected suppliers. Competition Commissioner, Tembinkosi Bonakele, said it was important to note that it was not the commission’s intention to dictate school uniform design, but rather to ensure that uniforms were not unaffordable for parents. Bonakele said as such they called on the SGBs to be cognizant of costs when designing their uniform, and other educational goods and service regimes. “On the enforcement side, we found that the exclusive arrangements between schools and uniform suppliers were pervasive across the country, and made uniforms unnecessarily expensive and increasingly unaffordable for many South Africans,” said Bonakele. Federation of Governing Bodies of SA Schools legal services manager, Juané van der Merwe, stated that the memorandum marks much broader participation by influential stakeholders, and it should contribute to a better South Africa for many people and generations to come, as renewed terms and conditions comes into play. Investigations pointed out that several schools were overly prescriptive in their uniform choices, which again limited the choices and bargaining power of parents who were beholden to a small number of suppliers. DBE spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said the MOU is aimed at solidifying working relations between the commission and the SGBs. < Previous Article Next Article >

Ermelo gholfers skrik nie vir wind nie 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 18 Augustus 2020 Die Medal Monthly Mug kompetisie was by die Ermelo Gholf Klub aangebied. Die erge wind het glad nie die spelers afgeskrik nie. Die spelers het die kompetisie vreeslik geniet. Op Saterdag, 15 Augustus, was die Medal Monthly Mug kompetisie by die Ermelo Gholf Klub aangebied. Die erge wind het glad nie die spelers afgeskrik nie. Die spelers het die kompetisie vreeslik geniet. Die wenner van die dag was F.Els met 69 punte, in die tweede plek was F.Pieterson, P. Grobler het derde plek ingepalm, en die vierde plek is aan J.Grey toegeken. < Previous Article Next Article >

AfriForum lede ontvang opleiding 1/5 Share GK CRONJE 10 May 2022 Die eerste module is regs-en-risiko-opleiding en het ten doel om buurtwaglede met kennis te bemagtig oor hoe om korrek en volgens die wet op te tree. AfriForum se buurtwagte in Mpumalanga het onlangs ’n opleidingsdag in Middelburg bygewoon wat uit drie verskillende modules bestaan het. Die eerste module is regs-en-risiko-opleiding en het ten doel om buurtwaglede met kennis te bemagtig oor hoe om korrek en volgens die wet op te tree. Die tweede module het gehandel oor toneelhantering omdat buurtwaglede op verskillende situasies reageer en soms help om tonele te beveilig en bewyse te bewaar. “Buurtwaglede is soms die eerste persone op ’n toneel en moet verseker dat soveel moontlik bewyse behoue bly sodat ’n ondersoek suksesvol afgehandel kan word,” sê Arlo Van Heerden, AfriForum se distrikskoördineerder vir die Laeveld. Die derde module het gefokus op gebeurliksheidsbeplanning. Hierdie opleiding help buurtwagte om voor te berei vir verskillende situasies soos onluste en voertuigdiefstal. “Gebeurlikheidsbeplanning help ons buurtwagte om onmiddellik suksesvolle en effektiewe optredes te loods saam met die nodige rolspelers,” sê Hennie Bekker, AfriForum se distrikskoördineerder in die Hoëveld. < Previous Article Next Article >

Devin Rheeders needs your help 1/1 Share SM HATTINGH 9 November 2021 Many of the symptoms of auditory neuropathy can also be caused by more common types of hearing loss. Devin Rheeders (4) needs the assistance of the Ermelo community. Devin has been evaluated at the Ear Institute’s Cochlear Implant Unit. The diagnosis of a profound sensorineural hearing loss was made, with a comprehensive audiological test battery, which included electroacoustic and advanced audiometric procedures. The most powerful hearing aids indicated insufficient hearing thresholds for normal functioning and development. Implanting Devin will give him access to sound which will provide him with the only chance of age-appropriate speech and language development. This will help him to perform better at school, and provide him opportunity to a better education resulting in independent employment as an adult in the future. If not implanted, it may lead to permanent changes in the auditory cortex in the brain, which may make it impossible to benefit from a cochlear implant, or any form of hearing restoration surgery in future. Auditory neuropathy is a rare type of hearing loss. It is caused by disruption of the nerve impulses travelling from the inner ear to the brain, although what causes this is unknown, and there is no cure. Both ears are usually affected, and the hearing loss ranges from mild to severe. Auditory neuropathy is sometimes referred to as a form of neural or nerve deafness. In some cases, the affected person can hear, but has difficulty understanding spoken words, particularly in noisy environments. Hearing and understanding speech may be improved by the use of hearing aids or cochlear implants. The symptoms of auditory neuropathy vary from one person to the next, and can fluctuate. Symptoms can include: mild to severe hearing loss, sounds fading in and out, difficulty understanding spoken words (speech perception), normal hearing but with poor speech perception worsened speech perception in noisy environments. Many of the symptoms of auditory neuropathy can also be caused by more common types of hearing loss. Devin is not on an active medical aid, and will therefore have to raise the entire amount of R375 000 to proceed with this life-changing operation. The gift of hearing is a gift of life, and Devin will benefit from a cochlear implant for the rest of his life. Donations can be paid into the following bank account, referring to the stipulated bank reference: Account name: Foundation for Children with a Hearing Loss in SA, Standard Bank, Branch: Gezina, Branch code: 01484500, Account number 011794798, Reference AB00468/Devin. Please send proof of all payments, together with your contact details to the Foundation manager: erika@hearingloss.org.za . In some cases, donations are tax deductible, please enquire with us. < Previous Article Next Article >

Ermelo Community Police Forum new committee 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 22 February 2022 On Saturday, 19 February 2022, the community of Ermelo were invited to attend the Community Police Forum (CPF) meeting. On Saturday, 19 February 2022, the community of Ermelo were invited to attend the Community Police Forum (CPF) meeting. During the meeting, community members were able to talk about their concerns inside Ermelo, as well as the rural areas. The biggest concern from all the people of the community were the crime that takes place during the day, as well as at night, and all the people that walk so freely in town and injecting each other with the same needles, coupled with all the drug use. During the meeting there was an election for a new committee that wil assist the community and SAPS for the next 5 years. The Chairperson is Raphael Mthetwa, Deputy Chairperson is Jaco Kirk, Secretary is Sweetness Thela, Deputy Secretary is Sesi Msibi, Treasurer is Jenny Venter, P.R.O is Rulph Basson, Co-ordinator is Sue-Marie Hattingh. The following are the three additional members - Dumisani Mkhabela, Priscilla Nkosi and Themba Vilakazi. < 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 >