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WOF MPU Canada deployees return home 1/8 Share GK CRONJE 28 September 2021 Khumalo was crowned the best female runner at the pre-deployment camp in Hekpoort, Gauteng, where the WOF crew underwent Refresher Training to ensure they are fit and ready for the conditions expected in Canada. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Working on Fire Programme’s 109 firefighters returned to South African soil with high praises, from Canadian Fire Authorities, after 34 days in the Province of Manitoba, Canada. Aptly named the Black Bear Hotshots after an encounter with a bear in Manitoba, the team landed safely in South Africa on Thursday, 16 September 2021. Canada has been engulfed with wildland fires as of July 2021, and had resorted to South Africa for assistance under the Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries, which provided the exchange of Wildland Fire Management Resources. WOF firefighters joined firefighters from Canada and the USA, and were deployed on the east side of Lake Winnipeg, as well as into The Pas-Cranberry Portage region. Working on Fire Mpumalanga boasted of seven representatives in the WOF contingent. Led by Walter Khoza, Ground Operations Manager in the Highveld region, the firefighters consisted of Sibusiso Ngobeni (Crewleader of the Mlambongwane team ), Sphilile Khumalo (Piet Retief), Bongani Sifunda (Barberton), Siphesihle Makhubu (Wakkerstroom ), Sipho Mlotshwa (Badplaas) and Itumeleng Mogane (Wilgeboom). WOF Mpumalanga General Manager, Martin Bolton, welcomed the firefighters when they returned to the province with words of praise. “We are proud of you, and what you achieved in Canada. Your hard work and dedication have been noted and appreciated. You represented the organization, province, and country well, and well done,” Bolton said. Sphilile Khumalo was the only woman from Working on Fire Mpumalanga, and it was a many of firsts for her. This was the first time Spihilile was deployed outside of the country, and her first time on an airplane. Recruited in 2014, in Piet Retief, Khumalo has had a tumultuous fitness journey in WOF, citing the tough WOF fitness standard as her biggest challenge, adding that she failed at times, and recorded poor performance, but she told herself that she would overcome, and she did. Khumalo began her own fitness regime at home, and worked on her physicality. Her hard work and determination bore fruit, because Khumalo was crowned the best female runner at the pre-deployment camp in Hekpoort, Gauteng, where the WOF crew underwent Refresher Training to ensure they are fit and ready for the conditions expected in Canada. Indeed, a proud moment for the participant and WOF Mpumalanga, and according to Ground Operation Manager, Walter Khoza, Khumalo outperformed a few males on her way to her crowning glory. < Previous Article Next Article >

SA Jagters - Nuwe verwikkeling rakende groen lisensies 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 9 Septmber 2020 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. SA Jagters het laatmiddag op 8 September 2020 (gistermiddag) ’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. Lees die volle artikel in die komende uitgawe van die Tribune Koerant. < Previous Article Next Article >

Warning against Ivermectin to treat COVID-19 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 19 January 2021 SAHPRA said it was not yet possible to recommend Ivermectin as a COVID-19 drug. Scientists, authorities and most notably, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States of America have warned against taking an anti-parasite drug as a treatment for COVID-19, despite headlines, WhatsApp chain messages and posts on social media that have touted it as a cure. Facebook posts and articles endorsing Ivermectin have proliferated in Brazil, France, South Africa and South Korea as governments around the world scramble to roll out vaccination programmes. However, citizens are cautioned against taking the drug. A myriad of health agencies have stated that there is not enough evidence to promote the drug as a remedy for COVID-19, and that research into the question has often been unsound. Authorities are clamping down on the dispensing of Ivermectin, which is being marketed as a COVID-19 “miracle drug”, and concern that an underground market may soon emerge is very real. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has warned the public against using the drug to treat COVID-19, as it has not been approved for use in humans. Ivermectin is a widely used drug for the treatment and control of parasites in animals, and is used to treat several tropical diseases in humans not commonly seen in South Africa, as well as scabies and head lice. In South Africa, Ivermectin is registered for use under Act 36 of 1947 (Department of Agriculture) for use in animals. This means that veterinarians and other trained personnel are allowed to prescribe it as an anti-parasitic agent for a variety of animals. The drug is not currently registered for human use, but SAHPRA occasionally grants Section 21 permits for the use of topical Ivermectin as an unregistered product for the treatment of individual patients with conditions such as scabies or head lice. Researchers stated that flawed studies backing the drug have stoked black market sales, hampered further scientific research and swayed government responses to the pandemic. “The policy decisions of Ivermectin in Latin America have been largely based on the analysis presented in a pre-print in early April,” experts at the Barcelona Institute for Global Health said. A pre-print typically means a study that has been put on the internet but not undergone peer review, the process by which findings are scrutinized by other scientists before they are published in a scholarly journal. The paper was later retracted after experts raised methodological concerns. Ivermectin is one of a string of medications tested as a potential COVID-19 treatment since the pandemic began, and there is currently no sound evidence that it is effective and safe to use. Much like the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine, which is also so far unproven by clinical trials, Ivermectin is widely available and relatively cheap. The FDA has also thrown its weight beind the caution against Ivermectin, and stated that drug had not been approved to prevent or treat COVID-19. “While there are approved uses for Ivermectin in people and animals, it is not approved for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19," it stated. A widely-cited study published in April in the Antiviral Research medical journal found that Ivermectin was effective against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in cells tested in a lab dish. However, the findings have been misconstrued by the public, as drugs that give promising results in a laboratory setting are frequently ineffective in humans, often because the dose required to neutralize a pathogen cannot safely be administered to patients. SAHPRA said it was not yet possible to recommend Ivermectin as a COVID-19 drug. “From the available randomized control trial evidence, Ivermectin is not superior to placebo in terms of viral load reduction or clinical progression. There is no evidence from randomized control trials for any reduction in mortality,” it said in a statement. “Some of the side-effects that may be associated with Ivermectin include skin rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, facial or limb swelling, neurologic adverse events (dizziness, seizures, confusion), sudden drop in blood pressure, severe skin rash potentially requiring hospitalization and liver injury (hepatitis). Laboratory test abnormalities include decrease in white cell count and elevated liver tests. Any use of Ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 should be avoided as its benefits and safety for these purposes have not been established. Data from clinical trials are necessary for us to determine whether Ivermectin is safe and effective in treating or preventing COVID-19.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Ligbron learners participate in De Beers Olympiad Appearing on the photo are the learners who participated in the De Beers Olympiad. In front (f.l.t.r): Hannah Peer, Fatiema Dendar, Nikita-Amber Cairns, Ammaarah Arbee and Victor Kruger, in the middle are (f.l.t.r): Mpo Mathabatha, Nomphumelo Shabangu, Unami Bhembe, Shraddha Agre and Cristian Izquierdo-Ortega and at the back (f.l.t.r): Keitumetse Msibi, Megan Lourens and Itumeleng Nkambule. Appearing on the photo are the learners who participated in the De Beers Olympiad. In front (f.l.t.r): Hannah Peer, Fatiema Dendar, Nikita-Amber Cairns, Ammaarah Arbee and Victor Kruger, in the middle are (f.l.t.r): Mpo Mathabatha, Nomphumelo Shabangu, Unami Bhembe, Shraddha Agre and Cristian Izquierdo-Ortega and at the back (f.l.t.r): Keitumetse Msibi, Megan Lourens and Itumeleng Nkambule. 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 15 September 2020 Several learners of Ligbron Academy for Technology participated in the De Beers English Olympiad. The learners enjoyed the Olympiad, and fared extremely well. Several learners of Ligbron Academy for Technology participated in the De Beers English Olympiad. The learners enjoyed the Olympiad, and fared extremely well. Megan Lourens received Silver for FAL. Ammaarah Arbee, Shraddha Agre, Fatiema Dendar, Itumeleng Nkambule and Cristian Izquierdo-Ortega received Silver for Home Language. Victor Kruger, Hannah Peer, Unami Bhembe, Nikita-Amber Cairns, Mpo Mathabatha, Nomphumelelo Shabangu and Keitumetse Msibi received Bronze for Home Language. “Congratulations to every learner.” Appearing on the photo are the learners who participated in the De Beers Olympiad. In front (f.l.t.r): Hannah Peer, Fatiema Dendar, Nikita-Amber Cairns, Ammaarah Arbee and Victor Kruger, in the middle are (f.l.t.r): Mpo Mathabatha, Nomphumelo Shabangu, Unami Bhembe, Shraddha Agre and Cristian Izquierdo-Ortega and at the back (f.l.t.r): Keitumetse Msibi, Megan Lourens and Itumeleng Nkambule. < Previous Article Next Article >

Morgenzon bied aan... Afrikaans is Groot 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 16 March 2022 Die program het van een hoogtepunt tot ‘n volgende hoogtepunt gevloei, en het die gehoor op die punte van hul stoele gehou. Na maande se oefen en onsekerheid met die COVID pandemie saam, het MLA se Revue – AFRIKAANS IS GROOT – op die planke gerealiseer. Die hele skool se leerders, Graad R tot Graad 12, is die geleentheid gebied om te sing en dans op die maat van Afrikaanse musiek. Sangopnames van die sang groep is professioneel laat doen, en dit, saam met die klank en beligting wat deur ‘n buite maatskappy gedoen is, het tot die sukses van die twee aande se opvoerings bygedra. Die gehoor is op elegante wyse deur die program begelei. Pierre Venter en Nelanie Smith het verdere kleur aan die geleentheid verleen met hul pittighede en amusante staaltjies. Die program het van een hoogtepunt tot ‘n volgende hoogtepunt gevloei, en het die gehoor op die punte van hul stoele gehou. Wat ‘n belewenis om ‘n hele skool se kinders op een verhoog te kon sien. Dit was duidelik dat almal wat deelgeneem het die aand net so veel as die gehoor geniet het. “Baie dankie aan elke Landtie, sowel as elke onderwyser wat hard gewerk het. In besonder ook aan mnr. Pierre Venter, me. Almarie Broekman en me. Judy Power wat aan die stuur van sake gestaan het. Dit was MLA se spog geleentheid waar almal, ouers, grootouers, vriende en deelnemers, in Afrikaans kon lekker kry. < Previous Article Next Article >

Rates increase a blow to cosumer budgets 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 1 July 2022 Msukaligwa Local Municipality had residents hot under the collar with their rate increase proposal in May 2022, where the community was given option to comment on the proposed increases. Msukaligwa Local Municipality had residents hot under the collar with their rate increase proposal in May 2022, where the community was given option to comment on the proposed increases. At the time, the municipality has proposed a 5% (plus 5% rebate covered) increase in property rates, and a section mysteriously named “other” seeing a proposed 6% increase. The municipality now proposes to put a 7.47% increase on electricity tariffs in effect, on top of the already loaded electricity prices. The municipality also proposes an expenditure increase of 9.61% for bulk electrical purchases, and a 15% expenditure increase on the interest of late Eskom payments. The municipality claims that the residents owe R909 557 309 in unpaid services. The municipality has proposed a 6% increase in water tariffs, which has hundreds of residents and business owners hot under the collar. Sewerage services will see a proposed increase of 6%, along with the same being applied to refuse services. These proposed expenditures include employee related costs being increased with 4.90%, councillor remuneration being increased with 4.90%, bulk water inventory being increased with 10%, and contracted services being increased by 4.40%. Repair and maintenance, which is stated as 10% of the municipality’s operating budget, is proposed to be increased by 100%. Lastly, diesel and petrol expenditures are proposed to be increased with 30%, stating the Ukraine conflict as the reason. The infamous “other” expenditures category sees a proposed 4.90% increase. From there, very little communication has been given on part of the municipality. The average rate increases, that steps into effect today, 1 July 2022, have been making the rounds. With no feedback from the municipality, and no updated tariffs on their website, these are the numbers that residents should take into consideration. Residential electricity tariffs will see a 9.61% increase. Tariff bracket A will see consumers pay R1.73 per unit, with a 600 unit bracket limit. From 600 to 700 units, consumers will pay R2.95 per unit, and excess of 700 units will see consumers paying R8.32 per unit. Tariff bracket B will see an increase to R2.56 per unit, with a monthly fixed charge of R57. These prices are exclusive of VAT at 15%. Consumers will pay an 11% increase in water and sanitation services for residential areas. Water rates will be as follows: 0-6kl will be R16.18 per kl, 7-15kl will be R26.66 per kl, 16-30kl will be R32.66 per kl, 31-45kl will be R40.64 per kl, and 46kl and more will cost R50.11 per kl. These are calculated on a 30 day (monthly) cycle. (1000 Litres is equal to 1kl). Waste removal for residential areas will see a 7% increase. The Tribune asked Msukaligwa Local Municipality to confirm the above rates, but had received no feedback from the relevant departments. < Previous Article Next Article >

SACP wants heads to roll at SAPS 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 31 March 2021 The SACP also claims that since Col. Mokoena took the reigns, no progress have been made with investigations, most notably that of Dr. Bhoola. The SACP is calling for the head of Col. Mokoena, Head of Detectives at Ermelo SAPS. According to the SACP, the SAPS has failed to uphold the law, and thus dishonoring the Dludlu, Mlhotshwa and families, as well as Nokothula Sidu. Allegations also included the SAPS fai-ling to detain four murder suspects. The SACP also claims that since Col. Mokoena took the reigns, no progress have been made with investigations, most notably that of Dr. Bhoola. It is also claimed that complainants struggle to receive case numbers and confirmation messages. At the time of publication, the SAPS spokesman had been unreachable. < Previous Article Next Article >

Phoenix Rotary maak kinder-hartjies bly 1/2 Share SH HATTINGH 12 January 2021 Elke kind het ‘n pakkie lekkers, ‘n heerlike worsbroodjie en ‘n Lego stel gekry. Dit was die mooiste oomblikke om te koester, om te sien waar al die kinder hartjies dankbaar is vir wat hulle ontvang het, en om daai glimlaggies op elke gesiggie te kon sien. Op Woensdag, 16 Desember het die Phoenix Rotary drie kinderhuise besoek. Die missie van die dag was om die Kersfees gevoel te versprei, en ook die boodskap uit te dra waaroor Kersfees regtig gaan. Die lede het almal die oggend by Holiday Inn ontmoet, waar hulle die beplanning vir die dag gedoen het. Die drie kinderhuise wat hulle besoek het was Children of the Dawn in Wesselton, dan Bambanani, wat op die Piet Retief pad is, en laastens die CMR kinderhuis in Pet Straat. Een van die lede het as kersvader opgetof, en het aan elke kind ‘n geskenkie oorhandig. Elke kind het ‘n pakkie lekkers, ‘n heerlike worsbroodjie en ‘n Lego stel gekry. Dit was die mooiste oomblikke om te koester, om te sien waar al die kinder hartjies dankbaar is vir wat hulle ontvang het, en om daai glimlaggies op elke gesiggie te kon sien. Die bestuur van die Phoenix Rotary, Lakesh Maharaj, wil graag die gemeenskap nooi om deel te word van hulle span. Vir enige navrae kan Lakesh gekontak word by 083 532 2266. < Previous Article Next Article >

President Ramaphosa to visit Mpumalanga 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 7 July 2020 The visit will conclude with a visit to Rob Ferreira Hospital, as this is a designated hospital for managing COVID-19 cases. The president will be accompanied by health minister, Dr. Zweli Mkhize, minister in the presidency, Jackson Mthembu, basic education minister Angie Motshekga, and Mpumalanga premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane. President Ramaphosa will district municipalities in Mpumalanga to assess the state of COVID-19 readiness. This follows the president’s oversight visits to Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and Western Cape to evaluate the fight against the pandemic. Mpumalanga currently accounts for 0,8 per cent of infections nationally. The president will commence his visit by receiving a presentation from the provincial command council on the province’s COVID-19 response strategy. He will also monitor progress made in managing the impact and spread of the virus in schools. The visit will conclude with a visit to Rob Ferreira Hospital, as this is a designated hospital for managing COVID-19 cases. The president will be accompanied by health minister, Dr. Zweli Mkhize, minister in the presidency, Jackson Mthembu, basic education minister Angie Motshekga, and Mpumalanga premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane. < Previous Article Next Article >

Ryan het dringend jou hulp nodig 1/1 Share SM Hattingh 11 Oktober 2022 Ryan en sy vriende het Saterdag aand uitgegaan in Pretoria, waar hy toe beval was in twee aparte insidente. Vroeg Sondag oggend, 3 Oktober 2022, het die familie en vriende van Ryan Alves skokkende nuus ontvang. Ryan en sy vriende het Saterdag aand uitgegaan in Pretoria, waar hy toe beval was in twee aparte insidente. Ryan was na die bevallings onbewus, waarna sy vriende hom probeer by bring het en ‘n ambulans ontbied het. Ryan was toe na die naaste hospitaal geneem, waar hy onmiddelik opgeneem is. Later dié Sondag aand het die dokters aan sy familie bevestig dat hy kritiek is, al die bene in sy gesig is gekraak, hy het ‘n breuk op sy skedel, infeksie in sy longe en swelling op die brein. Na wese was Ryan Maandag middag in vir ‘n noodoperasie op sy brein, en 15cm van sy kop been was verwyder om te help met die drukking van die swelling op sy brein. Hy is daarna onder sterk sedasie geplaas, en die wag tydperk het begin. Tans is Ryan nog kritiek, en fondse word dringend benodig. Sy hospitaal rekening al klaar yslik groot, en Ryan se herstel proses gaan nog ‘n lang pad wees. Die fondse vir dit lê ook nog soos ‘n berg voor die familie. Daar is ‘n rekening geskep vir hom vir enige donasies deur Mnr. Danie van der Walt by Botha & Van Dyk Prokureurs. Alle en enige donasies sal hartlik waardeer word, en sal ongelooflik baie help. Die bank besonderhede vir donasies is as volg: Nedbank Trust Rekening, Rekening Naam: Botha & Van Dyk Trust Acc, Rekening Nommer: 1468 116 924, Tak Kode: 151644, Verwysing: RYA/3/1naam. Die familie wil graag die gemeenskap bedank vir elke boodskap, oproep asook die gemeenskapslede wat alreeds ‘n donasie gegee het, die familie waardeer dit opreg. < Previous Article Next Article >

Tread carefully during heavy rainfall 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 10 February 2021 Emergency Services have urged residents and motorists to be cautious when flooding occurs, and rather to be safe than sorry. The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) in Mpumalanga says persistent heavy rain has left a trail of death and destruction in the province. The rainfall has damaged infrastructure, roads and at least 100 housing structures in various parts of Mpumalanga. At least eight people were killed in a heavy storm which moved through the province on Saturday. The department’s spokesperson, George Mthethwa, stated that the SAPS is still searching for five people who are presumed to have drowned. He said there is a search operation led by the police to recover those who have drowned and are still unaccounted for, including a 13-year-old boy who was riding a horse when he drowned in a river. “We have eight certified fatalities which occurred as a result of drowning in our rivers. We must say some have been horrendous. For example, in one incident, we had a mother who was trying to cross a local river while carrying a baby on her back. Unfortunately, she could not survive. We still have five missing persons, those who have drowned in the local rivers.” he stated. Other areas, including Mbombela, Bushbuckridge, and Nkomazi were severely affected. Two weeks ago Mpumalanga authorities reported that a five-year-old boy died after he was swept by floods, while in KwaZulu-Natal, a 14-year-old also died after drowning during heavy rainfall. The South African Weather Service has issued a yellow moderate level two warning as more persistent rainfall is expected to hit. Emergency Services have urged residents and motorists to be cautious when flooding occurs, and rather to be safe than sorry. Drive safely and responsibly, keep a safe distance from other vehicles, and make sure you don’t drive on flooded roads. < Previous Article Next Article >

EMS Vehicle flattens traffic light 1/4 Share GK CRONJE 10 August 2022 The force of impact caused the EMS vehicle to careen onto the traffic median, subsequently uprooting one of the traffic lights. On Friday, 5 August 2022, a traffic light was absolutely demolished at the Joubert and Murray Streets intersection, after a collision took place between a Provincial EMS vehicle and a Mazda bakkie. According to information on scene, the EMS was transporting a patient towards the provincial hospital when the collision occurred. The force of impact caused the EMS vehicle to careen onto the traffic median, subsequently uprooting one of the traffic lights. At the time of publication, no life threatening injuries had been reported. ER24 and Msukaligwa Traffic regulated the scene, where drivers blatantly ignored the indications given on several occasions, instead simply gunning it over the intersection. Msukaligwa Fire & Rescue responded swiftly, after tending to another collision mere minutes earlier. Van Wettens, ETS and Shesha Towing Services were on scene to assist where needed. < Previous Article Next Article >