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Bethal hospital urgently needs direct power line 1/2 Share CONTENT SUPPLIED 15 September 2020 Although the Bethal hospital does make use of generators, which costs them approximately R755 000 per month, the hospital morgue and other departments are incurring significant damage due to the constant power outages and fluctuations. Media Statement - Sources at the Bethal hospital voiced their concerns about the frequent power outages that residents and the hospital have been experiencing over the last five months, and it must be resolved. The FF Plus is calling on the Govan Mbeki Municipality (Bethal, Charl Cilliers, Embalenhle, Evander, Kinross, Leandra, Secunda, Trichardt) and Eskom to stop punishing the hospital and paying Bethal residents by implementing load shedding that lasts up to eighteen hours on a daily basis. The municipality simply cannot make the responsible residents, who pay their accounts, suffer the detrimental effects of rotational municipal load shedding because the municipality owes Eskom R1,8 billion, a debt burden for which incompetent and irresponsible officials are to blame. Although the Bethal hospital does make use of generators, which costs them approximately R755 000 per month, the hospital morgue and other departments are incurring significant damage due to the constant power outages and fluctuations. The unnecessary costs of repairing fridges and other essential equipment, which are not directly related to the patients' health, are putting pressure on the hospital's finances, and the FF Plus fears that it might result in the needless loss of lives. The FF Plus will bring these issues to the attention of the MEC’s of the Departments of Health and Public Works, so that a solution to the problem may be found. < Previous Article Next Article >

Revised school calender extends academic year 1/0 Share GK CRONJE 4 August 2020 In terms of the new version of the calendar, the teaching, learning and assessment for the 2020 academic year must be concluded by 15 December 2020 for Grades R to 11. Grade 12 examinations will be completed by this time, and the grading of papers will be wrapped up by January, and results released by 23 February 2021. After much debate, the terms of the new version of the calendar will see that schools resume on 24 August 2020, with as little as 156 actual school days for pupils. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) made the announcement on Saturday. In the previous announcement, Grade 12 pupils and teachers would only take a one-week break, returning to school on 3 August, while Grade 7 pupils would go back to class on August 10 after a two-week break. “The department considered the impact of the decision on the current calendar. The policy process to amend the school calendar commenced considering the urgency of the matter as necessitated by the prevalent COVID-19 environment,” the statement read. In terms of the new version of the calendar, the teaching, learning and assessment for the 2020 academic year must be concluded by 15 December 2020 for Grades R to 11. Grade 12 examinations will be completed by this time, and the grading of papers will be wrapped up by January, and results released by 23 February 2021. The new school year will commence on 25 January 2021. Information published as stated by the DBE at time of publication < Previous Article Next Article >

AfriForum-takke in Mpumalanga help gemeenskappe tydens COVID 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 16 Junie 2020 Die takke in die provinsie – Bethal, Delmas, Ermelo, Leandra, Lydenburg, Machadodorp, Middelburg, Nelspruit, Piet Retief, Secunda, Standerton, Witbank en Witrivier – het altesaam meer as R150 000 se voedsel, handreiniger en maskers versprei. Hierdie projekte is gefinansier vanuit skenkings, takfondse en die taknoodfonds wat tydens die inperking op die been gebring is. AfriForum se takke in Mpumalanga het die afgelope maand meer as 30 ton voedsel aan behoeftige gesinne uitgedeel. Die aksie is in samewerking met Solidariteit Helpende Hand, Saai en verskeie ander organisasies aangepak om gemeenskappe tydens die staat van inperking te ondersteun. Groot nood het in gemeenskappe ontstaan nadat sommige mense nie tydens die inperking salarisse ontvang het nie of selfs hul werk verloor het omdat ondernemings hul deure moes sluit. ’n Taakspan wat uit AfriForum, Saai en Solidariteit Helpende Hand bestaan, is op die been gebring om die verspreiding van voedsel na gemeenskappe op ’n georganiseerde wyse te bestuur. Die takke in die provinsie – Bethal, Delmas, Ermelo, Leandra, Lydenburg, Machadodorp, Middelburg, Nelspruit, Piet Retief, Secunda, Standerton, Witbank en Witrivier – het altesaam meer as R150 000 se voedsel, handreiniger en maskers versprei. Hierdie projekte is gefinansier vanuit skenkings, takfondse en die taknoodfonds wat tydens die inperking op die been gebring is. “Dit is wonderlik om te sien dat gemeenskappe saamstaan en mekaar in dié moeilike tyd ondersteun. Baie van die kospakkies wat versprei word, is moontlik gemaak danksy skenkings wat ons by mense in die gemeenskap ontvang het. Dit sou nie moontlik gewees het om dié projek te dryf sonder die hulp van die gemeenskap nie,” sê Hennie Bekker, AfriForum se distrikskoördineerder vir die Laeveld. AfriForum het ook ’n noodfonds vir elke tak geskep wat gebruik word om hierdie aksies volhoubaar voort te sit. Lede van die publiek kan skenkings aan die noodfonds maak wat weer gebruik word om noodsaaklike produkte vir behoeftiges aan te koop. Mense wat skenkings wil maak, kan hul naaste tak kontak vir meer inligting of die taknoodfonds-blad op AfriForum se webtuiste besoek. Sluit vandag nog by AfriForum aan en help ons om ’n daadwerklike verskil in mense se lewens te maak. SMS jou naam na 45350 (R1) en word deel van die oplossing. < Previous Article Next Article >

The Pet Dam has returned to its former glory of infamous party site, with no adherence to social distancing. Residents who dance and drink their nights away at the dam do not wear masks or adhere to social hygiene, urinate and defecate in the dam and on the surround shores, thereby risking cross contamination. Business as usual at Pet Dam 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 1 September 2020 The Pet Dam has returned to its former glory of infamous party site, with no adherence to social distancing. Residents who dance and drink their nights away at the dam do not wear masks or adhere to social hygiene, urinate and defecate in the dam and on the surround shores, thereby risking cross contamination. With the National Alert Level being lowered to Level 2, and more freedom is granted to citizen’s movement, the Pet Dam has already lured hundreds of party animals. With th lax law enforcement in Ermelo, it’s business as usual at the dam, complete with overly loud music, dancing, drunk driving and street fights. With residents in proximity to the dam having had some peace and quiet during the lockdown, it’s all back to square one now. The Pet Dam has returned to its former glory of infamous party site, with no adherence to social distancing. Residents who dance and drink their nights away at the dam do not wear masks or adhere to social hygiene, urinate and defecate in the dam and on the surround shores, thereby risking cross contamination. It is expected from residents that Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM) and relevant authorities take charge of this situation, as it is completely unacceptable for such behavior to be allowed during a worldwide pandemic. As stated previously, the SAPS has made clear that Msukaligwa Local Municipality is required to take action in this regard, and the buck cannot be passed to the SAPS, or any other law enforcement company, by MLM stating that “residents should report incidents such as these”. Upon enquiry as to how MLM plans to curb the increasing numbers of party-goers at the dam, the following response was submitted: “It is a common knowledge that as a country, we are still under the National State of Disaster (COVID-19) as extended by the Minister of Cooperative and Traditional Affairs in terms of section 27(5)(c ) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 , the extension commenced from 15 of August 2020 to 15 September 2020 in terms of Government Notice 756, published in Government Gazette 43524. Enforcement officers are mandated under the Disaster Management Act, 2002 and regulations, if anyone contravene the regulations, the Enforcement Officer is expected to execute his or her her duties in terms of guideline regarding enforcement of the State of Disaster Regulations. Members of the public who commits an offence in terms of the Act, can expect the following: A person may be arrested or requested to accompany an enforcement officer to a police station. If the offence is of a serious nature, the person may be detained, subject hereto that he or she must be brought before a court as soon as reasonably possible, but not later than 48 hours after the arrest. The person may apply for bail at his or her appearance in court. If the offence is less serious, the community service centre commander or the senior member of the SAPS in charge must consider the release of a person (in consultation with the investigating officer) ─ (a) on written warning to appear in court (section 72 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977) (A form SAPS 496 will be issued with a court date); (b) on written notice (section 56 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977) (A form J 534 will be issued with an option to pay a fine or appear in court on the date indicated on the form. This option enables a person to pay an admission of guilt fine and to be released thereafter. This means that the person will not have to appear in court, but by paying the admission of guilt fine, it is regarded as if the person has been conviction in court on the charge and the person will have criminal record); (c) on bail (sections 59 and 59A of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977) [J398 or J399] (This means that an amount for the bail will be determined by the relevant police official or the prosecutor. The person will have to appear on a date indicated on the receipt); (d)after a charge has been withdrawn through an arrangement with the Public Prosecutor; or (e)if he or she was detained as a suspect, but is released from detention before the expiry of the 48-hour period because no charge is brought against him or her(section 50(1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1977) [SAPS 328]. The municipality reiterates that it does not have municipal police like Metros or City ( Johannesburg, Tshwane, eThekweni etc). The municipality relies on the SAPS to enforce the by-laws, same as Parliament makes, laws and law enforcement agencies enforce those laws, not parliament.” In light of this response, residents who feel threatened, or are distraught by misbehavior at the Pet Dam, may contact the SAPS on 017 819 7803, or contact ACSU on 017 811 1274. < 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 >

“Baie geluk aan elkeen van hierdie Erries. EHS is besonder trots op hierdie uitsonderlike prestasie!” Erries vaar uitstekend tydens ATKV 2020 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 17 November 2020 “Baie geluk aan elkeen van hierdie Erries. EHS is besonder trots op hierdie uitsonderlike prestasie!” Vier Graad 12-leerders van Hoërskool Ermelo is aangewys as deel van die Mpumalanga top twintig in die ATKV-Senior Afrikaanse Olimpiade: Zara Büchling behaal 76,67% en eindig sewende. Sy is ook onder die top 100 Nasionaal. Alana Leibbrandt neem twaalfde plek in met 74%, Lianie Jansen van Vuuren is sestiende met 70% en André Strauss is nommer twintig met 68,67%. “Baie geluk aan elkeen van hierdie Erries. EHS is besonder trots op hierdie uitsonderlike prestasie!” < Previous Article Next Article >

Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) executive mayor, Muzi Chirwa, in his capacity the Chairperson of the District Command Council warned councillors to reject involvement in the distribution of food parcels. This comes after ANC councilors throughout the province have been warned to stay away from the distribution of food parcels, to no avail, with councillors still choosing to stick their fingers in the pie. A slew of complaints and allegations have surfaced, which involves ANC councillors looting food parcels, handing food parcels to their friends and families, and even charging residents an alleged “small fee” for the parcels to be delivered. “No councillor in the District must be found to be in violation of the instruction that Councillors should not be involved in the distribution of food parcels. Our role as councillors should be to ensure that the needy people in the communities and the wards we are responsible for, are on the list managed by the Department of Social Department (DSD) and that we monitor that food is received by all. Stakeholders who wish to partner with us in providing food parcels, must all do so through DSD. No one must come with different lists which deviate from the DSD list. There must be coherence and integration of this significant activity,” Chirwa sternly stated. This meeting took place ahead of the lowering of the National Alert Level to Level 3. All government stakeholders presented their progress reports to the DCC during the meeting, according to the different clusters. The next virtual meeting took place on 1 June, details to the meeting was unavailable at the time of publication. ANC councillors warned against food parcel fraud ANC councillors warned against food parcel fraud Cllr. Muzi Chirwa, GSDM executive mayor. Cllr. Muzi Chirwa, GSDM executive mayor. 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 2 June 2020 This comes after ANC councilors throughout the province have been warned to stay away from the distribution of food parcels, to no avail, with councilors still choosing to stick their fingers in the pie. A slew of complaints and allegations have surfaced, which involves ANC councilors looting food parcels, handing food parcels to their friends and families, and even charging residents an alleged “small fee” for the parcels to be delivered. Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM) executive mayor, Muzi Chirwa, in his capacity the Chairperson of the District Command Council warned councillors to reject involvement in the distribution of food parcels. This comes after ANC councilors throughout the province have been warned to stay away from the distribution of food parcels, to no avail, with councillors still choosing to stick their fingers in the pie. A slew of complaints and allegations have surfaced, which involves ANC councillors looting food parcels, handing food parcels to their friends and families, and even charging residents an alleged “small fee” for the parcels to be delivered. “No councillor in the District must be found to be in violation of the instruction that Councillors should not be involved in the distribution of food parcels. Our role as councillors should be to ensure that the needy people in the communities and the wards we are responsible for, are on the list managed by the Department of Social Department (DSD) and that we monitor that food is received by all. Stakeholders who wish to partner with us in providing food parcels, must all do so through DSD. No one must come with different lists which deviate from the DSD list. There must be coherence and integration of this significant activity,” Chirwa sternly stated. This meeting took place ahead of the lowering of the National Alert Level to Level 3. All government stakeholders presented their progress reports to the DCC during the meeting, according to the different clusters. The next virtual meeting took place on 1 June, details to the meeting was unavailable at the time of publication. < Previous Article Next Article >

Heavy rain impacts tomato price 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 20 April 2021 We've already seen a slight improvement and as the weeks go on, probably in the next two to three weeks, the situation should return to normal. ZZ2, the country's biggest supplier of tomatoes' marketing manager, Clive Garrett, has stated that heavy rainfall experienced in the country recently has caused a drop in the supply of tomatoes, a much-loved South African staple. “In dry conditions, tomatoes flourish as long as you have enough water or water rivers or dams but when you have excessive rains like we've had in January and February, generally tomatoes don't thrive. We've already seen a slight improvement and as the weeks go on, probably in the next two to three weeks, the situation should return to normal. In January and February we had more rain in those two months than we generally have in a year,” he said. Garrett added that when there is heavy rain, it brings on infestations of insects and damage to the plants and the fruit from the rain. All salad-type vegetables have been hit hard, as there have also been reports of a shortage of broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and potatoes due to the excessive rain. “Our prices in South Africa are determined by demand and supply. Still, the majority of our products happen to land up on the national fresh produce market. I think the supermarkets take their leads from what happens on the national fresh produce market. It happens all over the world when there is a shortage of goods the price goes up,” Garret concluded. < Previous Article Next Article >

ACSU, die woord wat op almal se lippe hang. ACSU beheerkamer is op Maandag, 1 Junie, ongeveer 09:47 geskakel om te vra vir hulp van ‘n kliënt wat geroof is. ACSU se reaksie lede het blitsvinnig by die toneel opgedaag. Die eienaar van die besigheid wat geleë is in die industriële area het kontant, asook hout goedere vervoer in ‘n wit Nissan bakkie. Die eienaar was gestop langs die pad by die treinspoor in die industriële area, waar daar vier mans, waarvan een gewapen was, beveel het dat hy uit die voertuig moet klim. Die vier mans het binne in die bakkie gespring gevlug met die vrag, sowel as ‘n groot bedrag kontant. Niemand is beseer tydens die voorval nie, en geen verdagtes was teen tye van pers vasgtrek nie. ACSU reageer blitsvinnig ACSU reageer blitsvinnig 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 2 Junie 2020 ACSU se reaksie lede het blitsvinnig by die toneel opgedaag. Die eienaar van die besigheid wat geleë is in die industriële area het kontant, asook hout goedere vervoer in ‘n wit Nissan bakkie. Die eienaar was gestop langs die pad by die treinspoor in die industriële area, waar daar vier mans, waarvan een gewapen was, beveel het dat hy uit die voertuig moet klim. ACSU, die woord wat op almal se lippe hang. ACSU beheerkamer is op Maandag, 1 Junie, ongeveer 09:47 geskakel om te vra vir hulp van ‘n kliënt wat geroof is. ACSU se reaksie lede het blitsvinnig by die toneel opgedaag. Die eienaar van die besigheid wat geleë is in die industriële area het kontant, asook hout goedere vervoer in ‘n wit Nissan bakkie. Die eienaar was gestop langs die pad by die treinspoor in die industriële area, waar daar vier mans, waarvan een gewapen was, beveel het dat hy uit die voertuig moet klim. Die vier mans het binne in die bakkie gespring gevlug met die vrag, sowel as ‘n groot bedrag kontant. Niemand is beseer tydens die voorval nie, en geen verdagtes was teen tye van pers vasgtrek nie. < Previous Article Next Article >

Nomsa makes great strides in Mrs. SA pageant 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 4 May 2021 To vote for Nomsa, and help her to achieve her dreams in the pageant, you can send an SMS, with her name, Nomsa Mokoena to 35959. In a prestigious pageant, where only the best of the best advance, 49-year-old Standerton resident Nomsa Jennifer (Nkutha) Mokoena has secured a spot in the semi-finals of the competition, and has show no signs of slowing down. Being selected for the Mrs. South Africa pageant is an achievement of note, as only 100 women are selected to enter. Sponsors and sessions are hosted and presented at Emperor’s Palace in Gauteng, with the entrants and contestants of Mrs. SA focusing on charity work en empowerment. The event over the weekend was hosted and featured famous guests and delegates from across the country. Nomsa is a successful, self-employed business woman, and does not back down from any challenge. “My main motivation for entering the Mrs. SA pageant was to help the community, and to pave the way for me to fulfill my dreams in helping the needy. I am honored to fulfil my obligations set forth by the Mrs. SA pageant, and my own charity work includes a unique elderly day care that I established in collaboration with my mother.” Nomsa was in the fray, mingling with the influencers, and marking her space in the pageant. “I thank God that my journey in the Mrs. South Africa pageant continues, and I managed to secure one of four sponsors. I still require 3 confirmed sponsors, but believe that I will prevail, and I will never give up.” To vote for Nomsa, and help her to achieve her dreams in the pageant, you can send an SMS, with her name, Nomsa Mokoena to 35959. Appearing on the photo: Margaret Hirsch, the executive director of the mega appliance store, Hirsch’s, with a beaming Nomsa Mokoena, during the weekend’s event at Emperor’s Palace. < Previous Article Next Article >

LUR, Vusi Shongwe, spreek SAPD lede toe 1/2 Share SM HATTINGH 10 August 2021 Hy het tydens sy toespraak gesê dat hulle alles in hulle vermoeë gaan en sal doen om Ermelo ‘n beter, asook veiliger plek te maak. Op Vrydag, 6 Augustus, was daar ‘n toespraak gelewer deur Vusi Shongwe, LUR vir die departement van veiligheid, gemeenskapsveiligheid en skakeling, om al die SAPD lede te inspireer, asook om hulle te bedank vir hulle harde werk. Tydens die toespraak het Shongwe die SAPD lede geinspireer, en gevra dat hulle saam met al die verskillende media huise moet werk, asook om saam met al die verskeie sekuriteits maatskappye. Hy het tydens sy toespraak gesê dat hulle alles in hulle vermoeë gaan en sal doen om Ermelo ‘n beter, asook veiliger plek te maak. Tydens die dag het die verskeie afdelings van die SAPD hulle parade gedoen en hulle respek getoon. Sien meer foto’s op ons Facebook blad, Tribune Ermelo. Op die foto verskyn Vusi Shongwe, LUR vir die departement van veiligheid, gemeenskapsveiligheid en skakeling, tydens sy toespraak. < Previous Article Next Article >

"Die produksies was oudergewoonte van hoogstaande gehalte en Hoërskool Ermelo is trots om dié tradisie jaar na jaar te kan voortsit, uitdagings en al!” Hoërskool Ermelo skitter tydens groentjieskonsert-tradisie 1/4 Share SM HATTINGH 18 May 2021 "Die produksies was oudergewoonte van hoogstaande gehalte en Hoërskool Ermelo is trots om dié tradisie jaar na jaar te kan voortsit, uitdagings en al!” EHS se jaarlikse groentjieskonsert is een van die grootste tradisies wat die Erries besonder naa an die hart lê. Dit is ‘n uitsonderlike geleentheid vir alle leerders om, in gesonde kompetisie formaat, te ontwikkel: vanaf teks te skryf, kostuums en dekor maak, afrigting, danse uitwerk, tot die tegniese aspekte soos beligting en klank. Daarmee saam word die leerders gedwing om hul gemaksone te verlaat en soms verborge talente en onbekende belangstellings te ontdek. Elke leerder, van die Graad 8’s wat die karakters in die konsert is, die Graad 9’s tot 11’s wat die huis dans doen en dirigente is, tot die Graad 12’s wat aan die hoof van reëlings staan, leer baie vining om nie net onderdruk te werk nie, maar onderdruk te presteer! Alhoewel dié hoogtepunt gesonde kompetisie is tussen die EHS se huise, Dorpshuis, Huis Veltman en Nelstehuis, skree en dans en sing en lééf elke leerder vir hul onderskeie huise! Uiteindelik is dit egter besonder belangrik dat die Erries onthou: Hoërskool Ermelo is ‘n eenheid! Baie geluk aan die huise wat die volgende toekennings ontvang het: Beste dirigente – Dorpshuis, Beste huisdans – Dorpshuis, Beste tema uitgebeeld – Nelstehuis, Beste advertensie – Dorpshuis, Beste kostuums – Huis Veltman, Beste dekor – Dorp en Huis Veltman, Beste groentjiesdans – Dorpshuis, Beste humor – Nelstehuis en Dorpshuis, Beste nuusberig – Huis Veltman, Roos van die aand – Abigail Venter (Nelstehuis) (Dié toekenning is ‘n nuwe byvoeging en word oorhandig aan enige karakter wat vir die beoordelaars uitgestaan het), Beste byspeler – Wianke Cloete (Nelstehuis), Beste storieverteller(s) –Amori Prinsloo en Rudolph Knoetze (Dorpshuis), Beste akteur – Ruan Grobler (Dorpshuis), Beste aktrise – Kaylin Coetzee (Dorpshuis) en Beste konsert – Dorpshuis. Die algehele wenner vir EHS Groentjieskonsert 2021 is Dorpshuis. “Baie geluk aan elke Graad 8, elke Graad 12, elke dirigent, elke leerder wat weereens met hart en siel opgetree het. Die produksies was oudergewoonte van hoogstaande gehalte en Hoërskool Ermelo is trots om dié tradisie jaar na jaar te kan voortsit, uitdagings en al!” < Previous Article Next Article >