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Medirite among the first to launch flu shots 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 13 April 2021 Medirite is offering the flu vaccine at it’s 146 pharmacies located across South Africa. It retails from just R109 - and the pharmacy accepts all major medical aids. To book, call your preferred Medirite to make an appointment. Medirite is among the first pharmacies in South Africa to offer the 2021 flu vaccine, retailing from just R109, ahead of the upcoming winter season. The seasonal flu vaccine available from Medirite, the chain of pharmacies conveniently located inside Shoprite and Checkers supermarkets, protects against four strains of flu. Although the vaccine will not protect against COVID-19, it will play an important role during the pandemic, says Lisa Giltrow, Senior Pharmacist at Medirite. “The flu vaccine won’t make you more resilient to COVID-19. It may however make diagnosis of a COVID-19 infection easier. As the typical viral infection symptoms are largely similar in both the flu and a Coronavirus infection, presentation of these symptoms could mask a COVID-19 infection and result in a missed diagnosis. By having the flu vaccine and thus reducing the risk of contracting flu, it could rule out flu as a possible diagnosis and the person being tested for COVID-19 rather than writing it off as a ‘case of the flu’,” explains Giltrow. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent infection and severe outcomes caused by influenza viruses, advises Giltrow, and the flu vaccine reduces the number of flu-related doctor’s visits and hospitalizations each year. “Vaccination is especially important for people at higher risk of serious influenza complications, and for people who live with or care for high risk individuals. The flu vaccine also protects both mother and child when administered during pregnancy - passive protection of the infant occurs from birth to less than 6 months of age following vaccination of pregnant women,” says Giltrow. Although anyone can obtain the vaccine, during the COVID-19 pandemic the World Health Organisation (WHO) has specifically recommended seasonal influenza vaccinations for health workers, older adults, pregnant women, individuals with specific chronic medical conditions, and children aged 6-59 months. Those who’ve previously had flu vaccinations should also return for their shots this year, as the new vaccines contain protection against the latest strains detected for the 2021 season, says Giltrow. The results are highly effective, and although no vaccine can offer 100% protection, they can reduce the severity of illness in people who may still contract it. “The flu vaccine stimulates your body’s natural defence system to produce antibodies. This occurs within two to three weeks after vaccination. These antibodies neutralise the flu viruses when the body is later exposed to them,” explains Giltrow. Medirite is offering the flu vaccine at it’s 146 pharmacies located across South Africa. It retails from just R109 - and the pharmacy accepts all major medical aids. To book, call your preferred Medirite to make an appointment. < Previous Article Next Article >

Kreatiewe dames geniet verfklas 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 14 July 2020 Al was die weer nie van die beste nie en die yskoue wind het om die hoeke gehuil buite, het die dames die dag terdeë geniet. Daar was heerlike koffie en tee bedien, asook smaaklike groentesop om die koue te trotseer. Op Saterdag,11 Julie, het Chalk Paint and Coffee Joint ‘n wonderlike kunsklas aangebied. Tydens die uiters interessante klas het die dames ‘n wasgoedmandjie geverf, en self versier met’n “waterslide” prent van hul eie keuse. Al was die weer nie van die beste nie en die yskoue wind het om die hoeke gehuil buite, het die dames die dag terdeë geniet. Daar was heerlike koffie en tee bedien, asook smaaklike groentesop om die koue te trotseer. < Previous Article Next Article >

MPU tenderpreneurs ride the PPE cash cow 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 26 January 2021 “It is questionable how these items help to contain the spread of COVID-19.” According to an SUI report compiled in 2020, the purchase of surgical masks, sanitizer, food parcels and thermometers varied significantly across all government departments. Tenderpreneurs in Mpumalanga, however, are having a field day with dubious supply contracts amidst the pandemic. Department of Health has come under scrutiny after it has come to light that purchases were made for seven thousand branded umbrellas at a cost of R805 450, seven thousand branded backpacks at a cost of R1 082 725, as well as cellular tablets at Vodacom, amounting to a whopping R1 714 512. The cost of thermometers also came to light, with the majority of government departments paying R2 527 and upwards per thermometer. The Democratic Alliance (DA) will once again place sustained pressure on the Mpumalanga Premier, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, citing her statement of 20 August last year for a Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to be appointed. Ms Jane Sithole, provincial leader of the DA, demanded a progress report on COVID-19 corruption from the Premier. Ms Sithole said an investigative report into possible corruption of COVID-19 funds for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has still not come to light. “The DA submitted a letter to the office of the Premier on 25 August, detailing information contained in the Provincial Procurement Report, which showed exactly how the funds meant to contain the spread of COVID-19, became a breeding ground for corruption. The DA further asked the Premier to table the final SIU report in the Provincial Legislature.” Ms Sithole stated. “It is questionable how these items help to contain the spread of COVID-19.” she concluded. At this time, the report is still being awaited. Given the above, the DA has once again written to the Office of the Premier requesting the progress report relating to the investigation process and the outcomes. < Previous Article Next Article >

Andrea en Flip groet Ermelo 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 10 November 2020 Tydens ‘n onderhoud met die Tribune het Andrea gesê “Ons gaan almal se gesiggies baie mis, en al die vriendlikheid van die Ermelo gemeenskap maar ons sal al die oomblike vir altyd koester”. Andrea en Flip Raaths, eienaars van Blomme vir Almal, sluit hulle deure na 17 jaar van besigheid. Die egpaar het dit beter gedink om nader aan hulle kinders te trek, en ‘n lekker rustige lewe op hul oudag te kan hê. Hulle het vir 17 jaar Blomme vir Almal gehad te Kerk Straat 12. Dit is met hartseer dat hulle Ermelo verlaat na soveel jare. Hulle wil graag van die geleentheid gebruik maak om die Ermelo gemeenskap te bedank vir 17 jaar se getroue en lojale ondersteuning. Tydens ‘n onderhoud met die Tribune het Andrea gesê “Ons gaan almal se gesiggies baie mis, en al die vriendlikheid van die Ermelo gemeenskap maar ons sal al die oomblike vir altyd koester”. Die Tribune wil graag vir die Raath egpaar net seën toewens vir hulle pad vorentoe. < Previous Article Next Article >

Ermelo clinic scores lowly on service efficiency The suggestion box at Ermelo Clinic. The filing system at Ermelo Clinic. The suggestion box at Ermelo Clinic. 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 6 July 2022 “Communities are continuously complaining that the healthcare workers are in the wrong or not doing their jobs." Ritshidze, a system that offers community-led clinic monitoring, has release their report of primary healthcare in Mpumalanga, which leaves much to be desired. The institution noted that many facilities in the province experience severe staff shortages, amongst other serious issues. Ritshidze stated that the average waiting time per patient was more than four hours, which is unacceptable in light of the sheer volume of patients that require care. The delays were caused by lost files, staff shortages and inefficiency from staff. In 2021, Ritshidze reported that only 7% of facility managers at clinics in Mpumalanga said they had enough staff. The number increased to an astounding 41% in 2022. There is still a massive human resources gap, despite other marginal improvements that had been made, the report states. A total of 74% of the facilities that Ritshidze monitored in 2021 had inadequate filing systems. In 2022, the number has improved to 38%. Ermelo Clinic, Amsterdam Community Health Care, Bethal Town Clinic and Embalenhle Community Health were amongst the bad apples that saw little to no improvement. The Democratic Alliance (DA) health spokesperson, Jane Sithole, stated that clinics and community healthcare centres are barely functioning due to long overdue maintenance, ranging from dysfunctional geysers and leaking roofs, to broken water pumps, which forced nurses to collect water in buckets to clean clinics. “Communities are continuously complaining that the healthcare workers are in the wrong or not doing their jobs. What the communities don’t know is that it is not their fault, but it’s actually the MEC and the officials in the department who are failing to deliver on the basics to ensure clinics have things such as medicine and rotational doctors. Departmental health officials don’t have to face patients and their families, but it is healthcare workers who must deal with angry family members and it is understandable why healthcare workers are negative at times towards patients.” Of the Mpumalanga Department of Health’s R16 billion budget for this financial year, R10 billion has been allocated to district health services, which clinics fall under. While tabling the 2022/2023 budget, MEC Sasekani Manzini stated that her department was determined to increase access to health services. “This is done through deploying mobile clinics to augment the 292 primary healthcare facilities, particularly in remote and rural areas. The department has 92 mobile clinics with 2 186 points that service these remote areas,” she said. < Previous Article Next Article >

Looming strike from trucking industry 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 26 January 2021 SANCATDRA and the All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied South Africa’s (ATDF-ASA’s) national shutdown, which Mofokeng assured would be legal, is scheduled to start on Monday, 25 January 2021. A national shutdown of the trucking industry is imminent as the South African National Cargo Transport Drivers Association (SANCATDRA) continues to push for clarity on the employment of foreign drivers. The association marched to the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI) on 15 December 2020 to hand over a memorandum demanding that the bargaining council should be neutral and impartial, clause 35 should be scrapped from the main collective agreement, labour brokers should be abolished in the road freight industry and court-designated agents must be investigated and apprehended. They also stated in the memorandum that the employment of foreigners is transferring poverty in the industry The association’s president Daniel Mofokeng stated that the union expected a response from the council within 21 days. However, to date there has been no response. “We are currently following the legal route in pursuing the council to respond to us. After we have obtained permits and authorisation from law enforcement agencies, then we will give out an announcement on when the shutdown will be,” Mofokeng explained. According to NBCRFLI, the bargaining council’s first board meeting for 2021 is scheduled to take place in February. “There is still an issue of employment of foreigners. We are very much dissatisfied with what is happening in the country, with the burning of trucks and driver attacks. There is a lot of corruption, with no companies actually complying with the council. Drivers are frustrated, waiting, not being paid accordingly… There is total noncompliance in the industry but people are meant to monitor compliance. There are laws to follow.” stated Mofokeng. “With unemployment such as South Africa’s, we still believe someone is not doing their job properly; someone is benefiting. Ministers want to come up with quotas. If they allow say 20% of foreigners, it means another 20% of South Africans are not working. We’ve got all the resources, we need to deal with these issues, but we are turning a blind eye to the issue of foreigners,” he closed off. SANCATDRA and the All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied South Africa’s (ATDF-ASA’s) national shutdown, which Mofokeng assured would be legal, is scheduled to start on Monday, 25 January 2021. < Previous Article Next Article >

1000Kings drops a new project 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 24 AUgust 2021 The DEEP BRIDGE EP brings some solid bangers, and some of the tracks are co-produced by 1000Kings & Sam's Music. 1000Kings Movement is excited to drop another project from 1000Kings Records called DEEP BRIDGE EP, some of the tracks are co-produced by 1000Kings & Sam's Music. All tracks are copyrighted. Digital Release : 01 Sept 2021 Outlets : Traxsource • Junodownload • Beatport • Spotify • iTunes & other digital outlets Author : Makhosi Nkosi Artist : 1000Kings Ft. Sam's Music Label : 1000Kings Records Publisher : 1000Kings Movement Distributor : iMusician Genre : Nu-Jazz • Broken Beats • Soulful • Deep House No of tracks : 8 Registered #SAMRO #RISA #SAMPRA Name : Makhosi S Nkosi Cell : 0732546757 Email : dj.a.k.a.king@webmail.co.za Address: 2282 Nkabinde Street Wesselton Township Ermelo, 2351 https://m.facebook.com/1000kingsMovement https://facebook.com/onethousankings https://twitter.com/1000KINGS_SA https://soundcloud.com/1000king https://youtube.com/1000KINGSMOVEMENT ™ https://instagram.com/onethousandkings https://1000kingsmovement.bandcamp.com https://www.flowcode.com/page/1000kingsrecords https://www.musicinafrica.net/directory/1000kings < Previous Article Next Article >

Lack of kiosk maintenance causes concern 1/5 Share GK CRONJE 11 January 2022 NERSA requires mini-substations to be free of rust, and be locked as to be of no safety risk to the public. It is also expected by NERSA that municipalities keep substations and mini-substations painted, numbered and marked correctly, and that hazard signs be clearly displayed. Despite several enquiries and reports regarding the issue from various media outlets, little to no information is available as to the action plan that Msukaligwa Local Municipality’s (MLM) departments are taking in waterproofing, safeguarding and maintaining the electrical kiosks and substations in Ermelo, Wesselton and the surrounding areas. The slightest moisture, drizzle or rain results in leaving hundreds of residents without electricity at any given time. Being a major inconvenience and that equipment and devices are damaged in the resulting electricity spikes, this is an issue which addressing is long overdue. Additionally, the sharp increase in wilful vandalism and alleged sabotage from unknown entities further aggravate the situation. In the latest of a string of instances of kiosk vandalism, neutral electrical wires were cut at a kiosk in George Botha Park. This act in itself is extremely dangerous, and can be the cause of thousands of Rands in damages to residents receiving electricity from this feed. When a neutral wire is broken, cut or disconnected, the unbalanced current cannot return to the supply through the star point, and this current takes the path back to the supply through the lines. This causes “hot” voltage or unequal voltage currents. An instance such as this has been reported recently in the area of Camden Avenue, where the supply current was measured at 380 volt, shockingly higher than the 220 volt that is supposed to be measured. When the voltage is too high, electrical wires may melt, light bulb would burned out real time, and other electrical devices may stop working, or may even burst into flames if an overvoltage is delivered to the circuit. However, the ease of which kiosks and substations in Ermelo can be tampered with is nothing short of laughable, with the vast majority of electrical kiosks being without doors, lids or covers. Nary a kiosk is locked with a padlock as required by law, and many kiosks are completely devoid of cover doors. Several instances have been reported to MLM, where their own technicians have jerry-rigged kiosks or substations in unsafe and dangerous manners. However, these reports have fallen on deaf ears. By now, it is no secret that MLM officials, as well as ward councillors are well aware of the myriad of electrical kiosks and substations which are without doors, have been severely damaged, either my accidents, vandalism or plain neglect on part of MLM, which carries direct correlation in the outages that plague Ermelo. The municipality has appealed to the public to report any suspicious persons near electrical infrastructures, and has stated that municipal employees are identified by overalls and reflector vest with the logo, and/or the name of the municipality. This statement from the municipality is contradictory, as many contractors employed by the municipality drive unmarked vehicles, and wear civilian clothing. This makes the point moot, aggravated by the fact that the call centre operators are all but a zero with regards to public assistance. According to the standards set forth by the National Energy Regulator (NERSA), any municipality, at any given time must, upon inspection, be able to provide a safe and reliable electrical network, that does not pose a hazard to personnel, especially during switching. It is expected of municipalities to provide evidence to NERSA of preventative maintenance on substations. Substations are expected to be built on well-constructed plinths to avoid contact with moisture, or minimize damage during flooding or heavy rain, and also be free of vegetation and/or grass that might pose a fire hazard. This is not the case of some of the substations in Ermelo, which are on ground level and covered in vegetation. Furthermore, NERSA requires mini-substations to be free of rust, and be locked as to be of no safety risk to the public. It is also expected by NERSA that municipalities keep substations and mini-substations painted, numbered and marked correctly, and that hazard signs be clearly displayed. Alas, this is not the case in Ermelo, with no bright light in the municipal tunnel ahead. An electrical kiosk in Steynberg Street has been reported to the municipality on numerous occasions, with no joy. The high voltage cable has been haphazardly connected and snaked through a tree’s branches by municipal teams more than two years ago. The cable poses a direct danger to small children of the nearby preschool, as well as to pedestrians and patrons of a nearby superette. This is but one of hundreds of exposed and dangerous kiosks with the municipal service area. < Previous Article Next Article >

EHS Landsdiens skop af met ‘n virtuele kamp Marice de Jager. Johnke Prinsloo. Marice de Jager. 1/2 Share INHOUD VERSKAF 11 Augustus 2020 Die leerders moes ook self ‘n TikTok dansie uitwerk, werkskaf in die tuin, iemand in die huis ‘n poets bak, saam met hul troeteldier gaan draf en vir hande-arbeid iets met hul hande maak. Foto’s en video’s van die aktiwiteite moes aan die onderwysers deur gestuur word as bewys daarvan dat die aktiwiteite wel voltooi is. Hoërskool Ermelo begin DV eers amptelik in 2021 met Landsdiens, maar ons is bevoorreg om reeds vyf geregistreerde lede te hê! Marice de Jager, Mariska en Anke van Biljon, Divana Smit en Johnke Prinsloo het vanaf 31 Julie tot 2 Augustus aan Mpumalanga se provinsiale virtuele kamp deelgeneem. Die leerders moes hul eie sakke pak, tent opslaan en die naweek daarin slaap! Hulle was verantwoordelik om self stokbrood te braai, hamburgers te maak, ‘n ontbyt aanmekaar te slaan en potjiekos te maak. Daar was nie veel tyd vir rondsit en niks doen nie: pa of ma se kar moes gewas word, daar is Saterdag oggend al douvoordag aërobiese oefeninge gedoen, Bybelstudie gehou en hindernisbane gebou! Die leerders moes ook self ‘n TikTok dansie uitwerk, werkskaf in die tuin, iemand in die huis ‘n poets bak, saam met hul troeteldier gaan draf en vir hande-arbeid iets met hul hande maak. Foto’s en video’s van die aktiwiteite moes aan die onderwysers deur gestuur word as bewys daarvan dat die aktiwiteite wel voltooi is. Welgedaan aan die Erries se pionier-Landsdieners! Julle maak ons trots en ons sien sommer vreeslik uit na al die lekker Landsdiens-kampe en byeenkomste van 2021! < Previous Article Next Article >

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

Brace for year of increased load shedding 1/1 Share Content Supplied 15 November 2022 Generating units at Grootvlei, Hendrina and Camden power stations will also be taken offline over the next five years. Starting over the next few weeks, Eskom will embark on some major capital investment projects and major repairs that carry significant risk and that will serve to further increase the implementation of loadshedding. These risk factors will remove more than 2 300MW of generating capacity from the system. Eskom cautions the public to anticipate the increased risk of loadshedding until these problems are resolved over the next six to 12 months. Of serious concern is the high levels of unplanned outages, which contributed to the 155 days of loadshedding experienced since January. To limit the stages of loadshedding, Eskom had to heavily rely on the extensive use of open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs), burning millions of litres of diesel. “Due to the vulnerability and unpredictability of the power system, coupled with the major capital projects, maintenance and major repairs to be executed starting during the next few months, the risk of continued loadshedding remains quite high,” said Jan Oberholzer, Eskom Group Chief Operating Officer. On 08 December 2022 Unit 1 of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, which has enjoyed 384 days of uninterrupted supply today, will be shut down for normal maintenance and refuelling, and the replacement of the three Steam Generators (SGR) as part of the long-term operation to extend the operating life of Africa’s only nuclear power station. The most reliable of Eskom’s generation machines, the unit is anticipated to return to service during June 2023. This will remove 920MW of generation capacity from the national grid during this time. Koeberg Unit 2 was returned to service after a forced shutdown to remedy the control rod slippage issue and has been operating for 51 days today. The 23 October 2022 duct (chimney) structural collapse that has shut down Unit 1 of the Kusile Power Station; and the decision to delay the return to service of Units 2 and 3 as a precautionary measure, has inflicted another serious blow to Eskom’s efforts to improve the availability of electricity generation capacity and to reduce the implementation of loadshedding. This loss of the Kusile units has added additional strain to an already constrained generation system. Unit 4 is the only one currently on load at Kusile. The extent of the damage to the Kusile duct system will be established over the next few weeks as investigations into the structural failure pick up speed. The investigations into the duct failure will also establish whether there is any risk to Unit 3 of Kusile, whose chimney is also housed in the same stack as the other two units. This will determine whether it can be returned to service. Unit 3 was online at the time of the duct failure and continued generating at a steady pace for a week. What can be said with certainty at this point is that returning the Kusile units to service is still at least a few months away. “This is the reality of operating a shrunken generation system bereft of any reserve margin - every single breakdown pushes the whole system to the edge,” said Oberholzer. “This loss of capacity, temporary as it is, will make for a very challenging summer season, particularly as this is our peak planned maintenance period where a number of units at various power stations have to be shut down to conduct much needed maintenance.” While Eskom works on returning these large units to service, we will have to continue limping along to meet demand for electricity, particularly over the next six to 12 months, said Oberholzer. This means Eskom continues to experience a tough period in terms of its generation operations, especially on the coal generation side of the business, with the year-to-date energy availability factor (EAF) falling to the current 58.53%. The high levels of planned maintenance, impacted by a high rate of breakdowns, contributed to the low EAF. There has, however, been some notable progress and sustained good performance on several aspects of the business. Coal stock levels are healthy at an average of 35 days, excluding Medupi. Including Medupi, this doubles the coal stock-days to just under 70. Rain Readiness plans have proven to be resilient and have ably withstood the unusually high summer rainfall season last year, which included heavy storms that caused considerable damage in some parts of the country with critical generation infrastructure. The plans are in place for the current rainy season. “All coal-fired power stations plans have been stress-tested to ensure they are again able to withstand the high rainfall period,” said Thomas Conradie, the Acting Managing Director for Generation. The Transmission and Distribution divisions are performing to expectation. However, increased equipment failure, theft and vandalism on the transmission and distribution networks negatively impact operations, safety, and reliability. Electricity theft and non-payment continues to manifest as both operational and financial risk. Kusile Unit 4 achieved commercial operation on 01 June 2022, ahead of the expected target date of January 2023, and is currently producing the maximum 720MW. This brings the capacity brought to the national grid through the New Build Programme since 2005 to a total of 15 533MW. A fire during commissioning in the Gas Air Heater of Kusile Unit 5 on 17 September 2022 has delayed the commercial operation of this unit by an estimated 12 months. The unit was scheduled to be synchronised to the grid early 2023 and contribute to the grid during capability tests prior to commercial operation, which was planned for the middle of 2023. Some of the existing generation capacity must be taken offline as the older power stations reach retirement age and the end of their licenced operating lives. The last unit of Komati Power Station was taken offline in October. Generating units at Grootvlei, Hendrina and Camden power stations must also be taken offline over the next five years as they will reach the end of their licenced operating lives. Within its own scope of influence, Eskom has led initiatives that will result in four independent power producers to invest at least R40 billion in new renewable plants on land leased at four of its power stations. This will produce at least 2 000MW in new generation capacity on approximately 6 200hectares of land over the next few years years. This is the first phase of the land lease programe, which will raise hundreds of billions in renewable energy investment without any underwriting recourse to Eskom and the taxpayer. To contribute to closing the supply gap, Eskom will repurpose these power stations and take advantage of the existing Transmission infrastructure in these facilities and convert these coal-fired power stations to renewable sources. This not only allows Eskom to continue generating much-needed electricity in these and other areas, but also to continue extending economic opportunities to the host communities under its Just Energy Transition programme. < Previous Article Next Article >

Allegations of abuse surface at Expropriation Bill public hearing 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 20 April 2021 The claims of ill treatment of farm dwellers and farm workers dominated the committee’s public hearings in Ermelo, and participants expressed their support to the bill, as farm dwellers told the committee about their severe living conditions on the farms. On Saturday, the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure hosted a public hearing at the Ella de Bruin Hall in Ermelo in light of the implementation of the Expropriation Bill. The Expropriation Bill repeals the existing Expropriation Act of 1975 to provide a common framework in line with the Constitution, to guide the processes and procedures for the expropriation of property by organs of state, and to provide for certain instances where expropriation with nil compensation may be appropriate in the public interest. The meeting in Ermelo also shifted focus to allegations of human rights abuse against farm dwellers, which will be referred to the relevant committees in Parliament. The claims of ill treatment of farm dwellers and farm workers dominated the committee’s public hearings in Ermelo, and participants expressed their support to the bill, as farm dwellers told the committee about their severe living conditions on the farms. They added that they hoped the legislation will rescue them from aleged abuse by land owners. The public hearing in Ermelo formed part of a four-day consultation programme in Mpumalanga. . < Previous Article Next Article >