Read our newspaper online at www.gpsnews.co.za
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Read our newspaper online at www.gpsnews.co.za
17 October 2014 Issue 34 Read our newspaper online at www.gpsnews.co.za Dave Kahts, representing “Wheelbarrow Patterson”, leads the street parade to the opening ceremony of the South African Gold Panning Championships in Pilgrim's Rest, followed by international gold medallists Jane and Sonja Vermaak. See page 5. GPS News 2 From the editor On Saturday morning (11 October), I woke up just as darkness subsided, with the insane chirping of a small sparrow staying just outside our bedroom window. The little bird sang its heart out as if it had received the biggest gift in life. Then the thought dawned on me: the bird did in fact receive the biggest gift – LIFE! We take every day for granted, forever moaning and seeing only our hardships and problems. Life is about being grateful for the small things. Just the fact that we can get out of bed, that we even had a bed to sleep in under a roof, should be enough to let us rejoice like that little birdie. Did you eat last night, or even this morning? There are millions that do not have that privilege, children that had to sleep in the streets with a rumbling tummy full of nothing. If our human race could only replace our selfish nature with an attitude of gratitude, we would live in the paradise that God intended for us originally. But... we would rather grumble about our struggles. When GPS News staff pray together every morning after reading Scripture, we always emphasise that we are grateful for what we have. Make Graskop neat and clean Open letter to Thaba Chweu municipal manager Wikipedia refers to Graskop as a tourist destination, with mention of God’s Window, various beautiful waterfalls, grassy hills and a rich history. Tourists should be encouraged to visit the town. Tourists bring in money, thereby stimulating the economy of Graskop, creating employment, resulting in a better standard of living for all residents. The only way we can encourage tourists to visit is to make sure that the town and the surrounding areas are clean, neat and attractive. At the moment, Graskop is not clean, neat or attractive. On the contrary, it is filthy, and this is unacceptable. I would like to give you a few quick points that could help you help the town: • Have the municipal workers pick up all the rubbish, especially along the R532 passing God’s Window to Berlin Falls. This is the most common tourist route, where tourists sit in busses and look at the rubbish at the side of the road. • Fix the potholes, but get someone to GPS News Supported by When I was a little girl, my mom used to sing: “Count your blessings daily one by one, and in times of trouble don’t forget what God has done.” When dark times want to overcome in my life, I spontaneously start to sing the song, and amazingly, every time I immediately feel better. You see, if we have an attitude of gratitude, your whole demeanour and life changes. Don’t misunderstand me: everyone experiences hardships and tribulations every day, and your circumstances and hurts are real, but it is how you respond that makes the difference. Happiness is a choice. In life you have one of two choices: be bitter or better. You would probably think to yourself now: “She does not know what I am going through,” and you are so right, but there is someone that knows exactly what you are going through. He understands and is always there for you. Seek solace and happiness in the small things in life – the song of the birds, your partner’s laugh, bright sunshine and soft mist, rain caressing your skin. Look up if the blackness wants to overcome you, and realise you are not alone. I pray that each and everyone reading this editorial teach your team how to do it. Rather do it properly once than to keep patching year after year. Best would be to down dig deep below as a pothole is a result of a failure with the subgrade. Therefore you need to fill from the bottom up. • Clean all the grass and rubbish out the side drains so that the water can flow in the drains when it rains and not in the road. If it is overgrown and dirty the water will accumulate and add to your pothole problems. • Every morning, all the rubbish bins seem to have been thrown over during the night (could be dogs). A simple solution would be to erect two sturdy poles and fasten the bins to the poles to prevent them from being tipped over. This would solve much of the cleaning up issues every morning. • The old Graskop “tourist resort/caravan park” looks terrible. It never used to be this way and while I understand that budget constraints may prevent major renovations, it can at least be cleaned up. The chalets are now rented out to private residents as cheap accommodation, but it is looking worse and worse by the day. • The “Chinese” low-cost housing project, which was beautifully built to uplift the community, has become nothing more than a curse. Rumours of corrup- GPS News Prints Business Cards 22 Main Road, Sabie Tel: 01 3 764 31 27 Cell: 083 565 9458 Fax: 086 574 3454 Email: [email protected] www.gpsnews.co.za Editorial: Valerie Kemp, 083 565 9458 Advertising: Magda Loubser, 084 580 9969 Sabie reporting: Michele du Plessis, 072 797 1 487 Pilgrim’s reporting: Frieda Paton, 072 41 9 8905 White River & Hazyview reporting: Lianda Naudé, 072 1 97 81 34 Editing and layout: Pedrie Roberts Accounts & admin: Antoinette Janse van Rensburg Printing: Shilleen van Niekerk will, in a supernatural way, experience the love of Jesus Christ and feel what contentment is by knowing that it is going to be OK! tion are rife with houses even being burnt down. This project needs a thorough investigation, with a person of integrity to manage the distribution of these houses. I know people may say why don’t you get up and do something instead of writing letters. Well, I believe it is important for community members to be involved. I also believe that the municipal department must do its job. After all, the vision and mission of Thaba Chweu Municipality is as follows: Vision: Tourism home to the scenic wonders of Africa. Mission: To provide a tourism-based developmental local government by rendering: world class quality service, socio and economic development, a safe and healthy environment, public participation and tourism enhancement. The vision and mission are excellent. Now it is time for action. Opregte mense help nog In die moeilike tye van vandag, is daar altyd iemand wat iets nodig het, en daarom raak mense raak moeilik betrokke. Ek wil egter almal in Sabie wat my in my omstandighede gehelp het, uit die diepte van my hart bedank. Ek wil nie iemand uitsonder nie – julle almal weet wie julle is. Dis wonderlik om te weet dat daar in vandag se tye nog mense met mooi, opregte harte is, en daarvoor is ons dankbaar. Kiewiet Halvorsen GPS is well-appreciated It is a big honour to be writing to you. GPS News truly inspires me with every issue. I normally pick up the newspaper, look at the front page (before reading), then page to “Letter from editor”, and read it fully. After that, I browse and read the complete newspaper. May the Lord bless you always! Walter Bongani Skaters ready and willing On behalf of the roller skating group of Sabie, a hearty thank you to everyone that supports and encourages us. We would like the public to know that our skaters are available and willing to do a display at any corporate or tourist function. To make a booking, please call Lucky on 079 687 8915. GPS News Prints Flyers GPS News 3 Frustration leads to innovation T ile Direct, incorporating Top Carpets and Floors, in Lydenburg and Burgersfort offers so much to their customers. They offer from the kitchen sink to the dead policeman... ok, ok, maybe not the dead policeman, but everything else. They sell ceramics, porcelain, wall and floor tiles, mosaics, borders and listellos, taps, mirrors and accessories, baths and spa baths, shower roses and arms, basins and vanities, toilets and seats, sinks and prep bowls, trims and accessories, waste fittings and... grout and adhesives, just to name a few. Co-owner Martin Pretorius manages the Tile Direct section and Christiaan Willemse the Top Carpets section. They have been friends since schooldays. The business was started when Christiaan experienced tremendous frustrations as a builder to get building material from either Nelspruit or Witbank. The Lydenburg branch opened in September 2006 and the Burgersfort branch in 2011. Natasha Smith has been the Lydenburg branch manager for the last five years, and started working at the branch with vast experience of the industry. The manager of the Burgersfort branch, Mtenjane Mduduzi, completed writing his last paper for grade 12 and immediately started at the branch. After four years he has managed to work himself up to become manager of the branch. At the Lydenburg branch, other key The team of Tile Direct Lydenburg: Natasha Smith, Benjamin Lebombo, Maryke Pretorius and George Viljoen. Inserts: Martin Pretorius (left) and Christiaan Willemse (right). personnel are George Viljoen (four years service) and Benjamin Lebombo (seven years service), who is a pillar of strength in the branch. He commenced his career as a packer, was promoted to store man and is currently a sales consultant. Tile Direct Lydenburg offers their customers in the country the same quality products, at exactly the same prices, as in the city. With the backing of 30 branches nationwide, Tile Direct Lydenburg under- takes major projects with building specifications, processes plans and also conducts site visits to assist the customer with the best possible option. They offer a backup service and are known as the “one stop shop”. Martin says: “Our company slogan is: Come make your house a home. Our experienced sales consultants are here to assist you to make your shopping experience a joy.” Christiaan, co-owner of the Top Car- pets section inside Tile Direct, says this business offers under-floor heating, carpets, wooden floors, as well as blinds. Top Carpets and Floors is South Africa’s only national flooring group, with over 120 branches nationwide. The network covers all major cities, as well as a number of smaller towns. Christiaan says: “We aim to offer our clients a pleasant and carefree experience, combined with excellent prices and a vast range of products.” 4 GPS News GPS News Prints Carbonised Books Social calendar Sosiale kalender 1 5 October Giant book display. Woodlands School, Sabie. 09:30-1 4:30. Hazyview residents march for conservation Lianda Naudé The International March for Elephants and Rhinos was held on Saturday 4 October. As part of the global awareness campaign, Elephant Whispers in Hazyview initiated a walk for the community in support of the cause. Approximately 40 locals participated in the walk, which started from Perry’s Bridge at 09:00. The group made their way towards Hippo Hollow and then on to Elephant Whispers. Here the group was joined by six elephants from Elephant Whispers, and had the opportunity to interact with these giant creatures. During the march, a total of R2 500 was collected for SAB/Boucher Conservation. This conservation grouping, led by AB Boucher, aims to stop poaching. One of their focus points is the establishment of a database of these species. For more information, contact Ronell at 013 737 7876. To view more photos of the event, go to galleries at www.gpsnews.co.za. Fight poaching, urges deputy minister Yvonne Silaule A World Rhino event was held on 22 September at the Thulamahashe stadium in Bushbuckridge. It was led by Deputy Mister of Environmental Affairs Barbara Thomson, together with SANParks, and in cooperation with Bushbuckridge Local Municipality. Thomson urged a firm stand against rhino poaching. Earlier, hundreds of Bushbuckridge community members joined government officials in a fun run through the streets of Thulamahashe, and participated in a march under the slogan “Not on our watch” to the Thulamahashe police station. Participants in the fun run and march were conscious of the need to raise awareness of and seek economic alternatives to poaching as the number of rhino poached for their horns since the start of the year climbed to 787. Since January, 323 alleged poachers have been arrested. At the police station, marchers showed their concern about rhino poaching, calling for more action by the police to address the scourge. The memorandum carried stated: “As representatives of the citizens of South Africa we would like to pledge our support to you in this battle against rhino poaching and wildlife crime in general. We pledge to become the eyes and ears of the SAPS to ensure that all those responsible for the wildlife crimes, particu- 3-27 October Recent works by Rene Eloff will be on exhibition at White River Art Gallery, Casterbridge shopping centre. Contact: 083 675 8833. 1 November Ama Wheelies Gholf Day at Sabie Country Club. Contact: 01 3 764 2782. 29 November Noon2Moon cycle race. Start and finish at Merry Pebbles, Sabie. Organised by Lowveld Chain Gang. Contact Sandy Korb: 083 799 4458. 1 3-1 6 December Sabie Xperience 4 Day mountain. bike stage race. Visit www.sabiexperience.co.za for information and entries. Deputy Mister of Environmental Affairs Barbara Thomson (seated right) with Bushbuckridge dignitaries at the World Rhino event. larly rhino poaching, are arrested.” During her address, Thomson acknowledged that Bushbuckridge is an economically depressed area with high levels of poverty and unemployment, particularly among the youth. Thomson referred to findings from the 2011 census that more than half of the area’s economically active population are unemployed, with youth unemployment at 64%, while 80% of those employed earning an annual income of R38 000 or less. She said that communities such as Bushbuckridge were being exploited by crime syndicates in their quest to secure rhino horn. Amid the pressing social and economic needs, it is important to save the rhino from extinction for numerous reasons, the deputy minister said. “Without the rhino there will be no big five – the reason millions of people from all over the world travel to South Africa and many of our neighboring countries every year. In other words: if there is no big five, there is no tourism. Without tourism there will be no direct jobs in the tourism industry for communities living adjacent to conservation areas, or indirect jobs in industries and sectors that support the tourism business.” Laurence Mokgakane of People and Parks Community Forum urged South Africans, especially the youth, to use the opportunities they have to improve their skills and lives so that they can contribute to the upliftment of their communities. “As a country prepared to celebrate Heritage Day on 24 September, it is important for South Africans to take a firm stand against the threat of poaching to the nation’s heritage,” said Mokgakane. 1 9-21 December Sabie X-Trail Run. Contact Odette van Staden: 082 678 3937. GPS News Prints Funeral Letters GPS News 5 Gold panning championships ‘forge new friendships’ Frieda Paton T Every morning, Johnny can be found catching up with the daily news on the verandah of The Vine Restaurant. Johnny, the legend of Pilgrim’s Frieda Paton Have you noticed that the roads leading to Pilgrim’s Rest are in a better condition than many of the other roads in the area? This is the result of initiative taken by Johnny Reinders, long time resident of Pilgrim’s Rest and proprietor of The Vine Restaurant and Johnny’s Pub. Before the Staffie Rally earlier this year, Johnny obtained around 80 bags of tar from the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport. Together with his son, JT, they repaired the potholes from Crystal Springs to Graskop. Johnny, a qualified mine surveyor, originally came to Pilgrim’s Rest in 1970 while working for Murray & Roberts. When the contract was completed, he resigned in order to stay in the area rather than to be transferred. After having been involved in various businesses, he started The Vine in 1994. Since then, the restaurant and pub have become a central meeting place in the village, often asked for by name even by visitors from overseas. Over the years, Johnny has been in- volved in various projects to advance Pilgrim’s Rest. In 1996, Johnny initiated the Pilgrim’s Rest Mountain Bike Classic which has been bringing visitors to the area annually since then. He was involved in building the airfield at Barlow, which has a tarred runway of 1,5 km and meets all civil aviation requirements. A number of years ago, he used sand recycled from an old mine dump to prepare a large area for a sport complex for the Pilgrim’s Rest youth. The project still needs some capital input and it is Johnny’s current ambition to see it completed. Another project close to his heart is the upgrading of the day-care centre for local children. He recently negotiated a donation of 40 chairs and is investigating the possibility of felling and selling some blue gum trees in the area to finance upgrades to the building. When talking to Johnny, one finds that he is reluctant about publicity for his contributions to the village and the community. He serves as an example to all of how, with some thought and effort, everyone can play a part in the betterment of society. he value of activities like gold panning, where children, young people, men, women and the elderly from different communities compete together and forge new friendships, was stressed by Norah Mahlangu-Mabena, Mpumalanga’s new MEC for Culture, Sports and Recreation, in her opening address at the 2014 South African National Gold Panning Championships, that started on Wednesday 5 October. “These events provide exciting opportunities for us to learn about each other and appreciate each other,” she said, emphasising that it promotes social cohesion, which is one of the key priorities of the country. According to the MEC, the department is pleased to partner with the South African Gold Panning Association (SAGPA), and will “continue supporting the organisation in its activities”. The opening of the annual South African Gold Panning Championships in Pilgrim’s Rest is the highlight of the year, missed by very few of the residents of the village. This year, it started with a street parade, headed by a local representing “Wheelbarrow Patter- son”, who discovered the alluvial gold in the Pilgrim’s Rest valley. Next in line was the South African flag, carried by the panners who won gold medals this year at the International Gold Panning Championships in Sweden. There were teams representing different provinces in South Africa, floats, a brass band, drum majorettes and more in the parade, which converged on the packed gold panning site for the official opening ceremony. The audience was welcomed by IT Moekoena, acting Executive Mayor of Thaba Chweu Local Municipality, who thanked SAGPA for the opportunity to host the championships. There was also an address by SAGPA chairperson S. Mthuke. The formal proceedings were interspersed with entertainment provided by a line-up showcasing the talent available in Thaba Chweu: the marching band of the St John’s Church in Matibidi, the recently formed drum majorettes corps of Pilgrim’s Rest, musicians Tomas Taljaard and Courtney Gibson from Graskop, and the traditional Pilgrim’s Rest Cancan girls. A party followed with music provided by Rasta Jasper. The brass band that took part in the street parade at the opening of the South African National Gold Panning Championships. GPS News 6 GPS News Prints Greeting Cards Ehlanzeni assists with landfill sites Michele du Plessis E hlanzeni District Municipality was forced to assist Thaba Chweu Local Municipality (TCLM) in trying to rectify the horrendous state of the landfill sites in Graskop, Sabie and Lydenburg. According to Solly Selekane, municipal unit manager in Sabie, an Ehlanzeni representative visited Sabie to investigate what assistance the local municipality needed. “At the moment, we are in the process of restoring the landfill site,” Selekane said. Asked about a new landfill site, he said that they are struggling to find suitable land. In a telephonic interview with GPS News, DA councillor Farhad Essack of Thaba Chweu, said: “It is a tragedy that the municipality cannot fulfill its obligations. No company manages the landfill site for Thaba Chweu.” Essack said that he personally laid two criminal charges against TCLM for the mismanagement of the landfill sites, but so far the SAPS “have failed to respond”. “I urge them to respond urgently and to provide us with feedback on the Ehlanzeni District Municipality assists Thaba Chweu at the Sabie landfill site. cases,” Essack said. The company Eco Maré Waste Management, contracted from 2012 to manage the landfill sites for the municipality, withdrew its services in August last year due to non-payment for services rendered. According to the National Environmental Waste Management Act continuous disregard and lack of management of landfill sites is criminal. Fires that start on landfill sites might have adverse effects on the health of the surrounding community, such as asthma attacks. The lack of management of landfill sites sometimes gives rise to outbreaks of cholera and typhoid fever. Foul smells, dust emissions, environmental nuisances, pollution of ground and surface water, attraction of vermin and pests, chemical instability on affected sites, emission of methane gas and other green house gases pose severe health risks to human beings and animals. Leon de Jager, chairman of Afriforum’s Lydenburg branch, said that “the only option left” is to get an urgent court order against the government of Mpumalanga to properly manage the landfill sites. According to De Jager, the landfill site in Sabie is not being rehabilitated by Ehlanzeni District Municipality. “Rehabilitation is not the correct word to use for the work being done now at the Sabie landfill site. At the moment they are only trying to extinguish the fire and to repair the site for further dumping. There is no proper plan for action to manage the landfill site.” A contact at Ehlanzeni requested that people must try to hold back their garden refuse until the landfill site is functioning again and not to dump their refuse next to the road or on unoccupied land. The healing power of herbs Lianda Naudé Herbs are ancient remedies that are used for a variety of ailments. These remedies are mostly not practised today due to the extensive use of chemical medicines. Antoinette Pienaar is well-known for her knowledge of herbs and she talks regularly on RSG about their medicinal uses. These are South African herbs and are therefore relatively easy to source. Here are some of the herbs she recommends for the treatment of various health problems: • Bitterbos is a liver detox and can be used successfully by people who have cancer of the liver, hepatitis and other liver ailments. • Dasbos and balderjan literally “sweat” out a cold. • Vlakgrashout is a quick but strong way to get rid of a cold. • Bergpatat assists with weight loss because it stimulates metabolism. • Dasbos and karmedip assist with bladder infection and other bladder conditions, as well as prostate problems as they ensure that the bladder is completely emptied when urinating. They detoxify the body and assist with kidney problems because they regulate water balance in the body. • Kankerbossie and karmedip relieve the symptoms of cancers of the bladder, prostate and pancreas. • Gifbolblare speeds up the healing of wounds and sores. • Dawidjie-wortel helps with memory. Antoinette also recommends the following herb mixture when treating bronchitis, pneumonia and emphysema: “Take four branches of wildeals, length Kankerbossie, used for relieving the symptoms of some cancers. from the wrist to the index finger, and one branch of wynruit, also from wrist to index finger. Take nieshout, scrape one teaspoon’s worth of splinters with a knife. Place everything in one litre water, add 1 and a half cups of sugar and boil on medium heat for 45 minutes. Once the syrup mix has cooled off, pour into a glass bottle and keep in the fridge. Drink a tot three times a day. Wildeals and wynruit can be grown in your garden and are available at some nurseries. Use the mixture as necessary.” Antoinette can be contacted only between 17:00 and 19:00 on weekdays on 023 416 1659 or 083 273 9659. You can also listen to her on RSG’s “Kruie kraai koning” on Tjailatyd, Fridays at 16:20. For more information you can visit www.kruiekraaikoning.co.za/. GPS News Prints Wedding Invitations GPS News 7 KNP arrests suspected poachers Six suspected poachers were arrested in Kruger National Park (KNP) on Tuesday 7October. According to SANParks the first three suspects were spotted by patrolling rangers in Kingfisherspruit area. The rangers immediately called for backup and a police helicopter was despatched. The Special Operations Unit of the SANParks Rangers Corps also responded. The suspects were apprehended and found to be in possession of a 458 rifle, ammunition and an axe. Then, in a second incident, rangers in the Crocodile Bridge Section made con- tact with another three suspected poachers. The rangers followed the spoor of the suspects while calling for helicopter support. The suspects were arrested and were found to be in possession of a 375 hunting rifle, ammunition and an axe. SANParks Commanding Officer, Major General (ret.) Johan Jooste, said: “Every individual we arrest, and all the weaponry we confiscate from the suspects give us more energy and hope that one day we will be able to contain and start rolling back this onslaught.” GPS News wishes to congratulate the KNP staff on their continued and determined effort in addressing rhino poaching in the park. You vision will become clear only when you look in your heart. – Carl Jung Die dood maak die held Volgens my is helde dooie mense wat ’n heldedaad verrig het en toe net daarna saggies gesterf het. Soos Dick King se perd en Racheltjie de Beer, wat vir ’n boeremeisie redelik skaamteloos opgetree het om haar boetie te red. Helde is onselfsugtige mense wat hul eie lewe sal opoffer om iemand te red. Gewone mense. Nou verstaan ek dat allerhande popsterretjies en akteurs ook mos helde is. Moenie vergeet van die atlete, rugbyspelers, swemmers en sokkerspelers nie. So, nou verstaan ek nie meer nie. As juffrou in die klas vra die kinders moet skryf oor hulle helde, is dit gewoonlik iemand wat nog lewe en nie iemand gered het nie. Kyk nou maar net na tienermeisies. Hulle faint as jy net die naam Justin “Bibber” noem. Oooh, hy’s my held en dan die gilletjie – eeeeek – en dan val hulle flou. Menige Victoriaanse dame sou wat wou gee om so te kon flou val. Oor vakansies skiet FHM se verkope die hoogte in en ma’s kan nie waag om in hulle kamers in te gaan nie, want die skoonhede sit onbeskaamd op die mure. So tussen die rugbyspelers se posters wat die eintlike helde is. Want rugby- Alternatiewe Anna spelers het sulke meisies aan die arm en hulle wil ook sulke helde wees. Eendag. Die gevolge is ekstra wasgoed. Onstabiele jong meisies wil ook vleiskleertjies hê soos die Gaga-meisietjie. Hulle wil nie besef dat dit deur honde van hulle lywe afgevreet gaan word of deur straatkinders gesteel gaan word vir lunch nie. En dan nog die hitte! ’n Goeie rump steak kan nie in die son gelaat word nie. Dit vrot. Volgens my is heldeverering nie reg nie. Nie eens as jou held Sponsgat is nie. Ons kan nie vir ons kinders sê wie hulle helde of vriende moet wees nie. Maar, ek kan verduidelik dat helde gewoonlik dooie mense is wat onbaatsugtige goed gedoen het. Hulle sal moet wag dat die belangrikes eendag dood gaan voordat hulle kan helde wees. Teen daardie tyd behoort die jongelinge oud genoeg te wees om te kan onderskei. Maklik, né! 8 GPS News GPS News Prints Portfolios Help volunteers help the elderly Michele du Plessis Do elephants have twins? Lianda Naudé Elephants can give birth to twins, but it is extremely rare. There are a few records of such births in the Kruger National Park and Addo Elephant National Park. The last set of twins born in Addo was in 2005. There is a possibility that more sets of twins are born in the wild, especially in herds that do not come into regular contact with humans. However, the reality is that both twins seldom survive. Elephant calves weigh approximately 120 kg when born, and twins would therefore require large amounts of milk. As the mother may not be able to provide the additional milk to rear twins, the competition between the youngsters would be intense. There is a good chance that the weaker of the twins will not reach the age of six months. There is also the constant threat to young elephants from predators such as lion and hyena, especially if the calves become separated from the heard. A pair of elephant twins was recorded in Amboseli National Park in Kenya during the 1970s. It also occurs in Asia: in 2009, twin elephants were born in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, and in Thailand in 2010. An African elephant cow can conceive from the age of 9 to 11 years and can give birth until they are around 50 years old. Their gestation period is 22 months and birth rates peak during the rainy season when conditions are most favourable for the new calf. What does it take to make Christmas special for someone? For some it might be diamonds or perfume; for others a meal will be perfect – especially for the elderly and sometimes forgotten people in society. The volunteer organisation Guardian Angels in Sabie visits and cares for local elderly people. “The motto of the Guardian Angels is to guard over the elderly and sick,” says volunteer Annette Bester. “Not only do we help when they are sick or needy, but we try to make festive days, like Christmas, extra special for them. And to be able to do this, we need all the help we can get.” Special events provide entertainment. With Christmas around the corner, the Guardian Angels are starting early to try and make the day memorable for the elderly. They say: “Please make our load lighter and consider sponsoring any of the items on our Christmas wish list.” For enquiries, contact Elize Potgieter on 079 573 6038. The Guardian Angels wish list Hamper for each elderly person: Face cloth, soap, Lip Ice and hand cream. Dried fruit in a small basket with any nuts, biltong etc. Knee blankets. Box of shortbread biscuits. Bottle of nice jam with a jam spoon. Venue to hold the Christmas function. Sponsorship towards the meal, crackers, serviettes and flowers for the tables. Wysheid van die grysheid Deon Potgieter van Potgieter Prokureurs in Sabie het onlangs 70 jaar geword. Deon, welbekend in Sabie, eggenoot van Ria en pa van Jaco en Liesl, sê: “Ons is nog geseënd om al twee ons kinders in die huis te hê.” Deon, wat al ’n hartvatomleiding gehad het, sê: “Ek sal maar werk totdat my gesondheid dit nie meer toelaat nie. Ek geniet my werk en sal nie graag ophou nie. Dis ’n voorreg om op ’n plek soos Sabie te woon.” GPS News Prints Certificates GPS News A shot of life with your coffee Quadriplegic an inspiration to all Lianda Naudé Lianda Naudé The Good Work Foundation (GWF) in Hazyview has launched an innovative campaign to raise funds for education. The concept is in conjunction with vida e caffè espresso bars, which will afford their customers the opportunity to add “A Shot of Life” (R5) to their bill. This R5 donation will be utilised for GWF’s Open Learning Academy model. The initiative will run until 22 March next year on a national basis. “We are so excited to be able to partner with vida e caffè,” says Kate Groch, GWF CEO. “Both organisations have a vision that the rural children we help today, will one day be stepping off an African street into a bustling coffee shop. They’ll be ordering a cappuccino, checking mail, and interacting with the world online. If we use technology strategically, we can change the lives of an entire generation. “More and more rural students are being left behind because they can’t navigate the digital world. Our model of ‘hub and satellite’ addresses this problem. Rural schools are able to plug into an independent, established centre of digital expertise where – instead of 50 students per teacher – we have a ratio of one student to one tablet.” The Open Learning Academy model provides an opportunity whereby five public-sector schools and up to 6 000 children can plug-in to a single centre. 9 A pupil enjoying the benefits of digital learning. Each centre will provide the following services: digital literacy with facilities, teacher training and support, lessons delivered in the cloud, a full-time digital facilitator for each satellite school, and guidance with the school’s digital curriculum. • For more information, contact Ryan James on 083 382 3618 or at [email protected]. People living with disabilities face enormous challenges in their daily lives, yet GPS News discovered a man who lives his life to the fullest despite his disability. Barry Botes is a quadriplegic who is paralysed from his neck down. Barry is an inspiration not only to other disabled people, but also to those blessed to be able to walk and talk without any obstacles. In 1994, Barry’s life was Barry Botes, an inspirational human being, and his changed in an instant and son Anton. irrevocably so. He was hijacked at gun point and during the incid- “The Timbavati Secrets”, which was written under his pseudonym of Andries ent the robber panicked and shot Barry. Botes. The novel explores the Pedi dynIt took just one bullet to put Barry in a asty, which is one of Africa’s lesserwheelchair for the rest of his life. known kingdoms. What is astonishing, is that this trauIt is also about the mysterious events matic event did not turn him into a bitter, angry and frustrated person. Instead that took place 180 years ago in the Timbavati half-moon area and how this afhe retained his sense of humour and actfected subsequent events there. The book ively continues to fill his life with nuexplores the mysterious appearance of merous activities. the Timbavati white lions, which were His love for wildlife has led him to only discovered 30 years ago. It further study wild plants and participate in field questions the Rain Princess, her meteortrips. He also paints with a brush he poologist knowledge and her unquestioned sitions in his mouth. ceremonies, which she claims cleanses Barry is extensively involved in the sky. Amawheelies, a charity that is both a For more information, contact Barry home and rehabilitation centre for indion 079 875 5040 or mail him at viduals with spinal injuries. [email protected]. He recently published his first book, GPS News 10 GPS News Prints Woodlands Directory Volunteers and sponsors take pride in their town Sabie Pride is a project that was initiated in 2011 by the Sabie Chamber of Commerce & Tourism. Joy Comley is currently in charge of the operation. Joy has been involved with the chamber for many years, and decided to take over the Pride project. Her aim is to step-by-step clean and beautify the town. “There are never finances to run a project like this, and it relies on volunteers and sponsorship,” says Joy. However, businesses and private individuals with the same vision and aim assist Pride. As a rule, GPS News does not allow sponsors to be individually named, but in this case it is permitted because everyone benefits by it. Thomson Building & General in Sabie also offered paint at cost to any business that would like to participate by beautifying the exterior of its premises. Joy, on behalf of the chamber, would like to extend her gratitude to the people involved. Another current chamber project is the P R I i cki n g up e s to ri n g n ve s ti n g D oi n g o u r ru b b i s h o u r b e a u ty in o u r fu tu re i t to g e th e r E Thank you to: n j o yi n g th e C a l te x – Ke i th th e b ru s h P ri d e re s u l ts Cog h i l l cu tte rs an d fo r th e p e tro l s to ra g e tro l l e y. C o n wa y – Th a t i n i ti a l l y d o n a te d b l o we r a n d s e rvi ce s H l a ti n i on an d we e d s Th e b ru s h th e m l oan on l og o an d th e th e th a t a l s o o f ch a rg e . Dam : ro u n d - u p o f s p ra y m a ch i n e p a ve m e n ts S u ppl y Co. Za k Ze l cu tte rs fre e – D i x va n J o u b e rt fo r th e an d fo r o f th e an d poi s- fo r th e ro a d s . Ru g g e d we a r – G e rt Sabi e P ri d e E m b ro i d e rs : e m b ro i d e re d on th e Roy Mohlala and Siphiwe Chiloane, who help keep Sabie town centre clean, with Joy Comley of the Sabie Chamber. u n i fo rm , D ri e s , fo r th e u n i fo rm . painting of traffic sign poles all over town. To date, the chamber has spent R11 000 on this initiative. Another big project recently completed is the Pride Park opposite African Elephant restaurant under the guidance of Debbie Möller, while Antoinette Kopp Park also received a clean-up and fences were erected. The chamber committed R30 000 to fixing potholes in the centre of Sabie. The chamber is always open to suggestions on how to enhance Sabie to its former beauty. Anyone interested in assisting, either with sponsorship or helping hands, can email Joy at [email protected]. Jermaine se teken kom uit sy hart Michele du Plessis Ouma Mamsie en Jermaine Willis. Jermaine Marvin Wallis is ’n tienjarige seun van Harmony Hill, Sabie, met hope talent as ’n ontluikende jong kunstenaar. Sy ouma Mamsie Willis sê Jermaine het sy talent by sy oupa en sy oom Marvin kry. “Die talent in ons familie loop in die bloed, en Jermaine, wat na sy oom Marvin genoem is, is baie talentvol,” sê sy. Jermaine, ’n leerling aan Laerskool Sabie is, sê sy onderwyser Alta Rossouw help hom baie met teken. Volgens hom wil hy ’n kunstenaar word as hy groot is. Ouma Mamsie sê hulle het sy talent ontdek het toe hy sewe jaar oud was. “Hy het op die mure en deure geteken. Net daar waar hy plek kon kry, het hy geteken. Ek het elke dag met hom geraas, maar sy geteken het nie opgehou nie. Dis toe dat ek vir sy ma, Welma, gesê het hy moet ’n boek kry om in te teken.” Volgens Jermaine teken hy in die klas as hy verveeld is. “Ek teken uit my kop uit, maar ek kan van ’n prentjie af ook teken. Ek teken mense en diere en karre. Dit is baie maklik om Michael Jackson só te teken. En as my skets goed genoeg is, kleur ek dit in.” Tydens GPS Nuus se onderhoud het Jermaine sommer vinnig in sy nuwe sketsboek – ’n geskenk van GPS Nuus se redakteur – vir Michael Jackson en ’n leeu geteken. Nie net is hy ’n talentvolle kunstenaar nie, maar ook ’n kranige rugby- en krieketspeler. Hy het tydens die atletiekseisoen eerste in verspring gekom in die junior liga. Jermaine het al ’n prys gewen vir sy sketse. “Toe ek in gr. 2 was, het ek die beste prent in my graad geteken. Ek het ’n sjokolade en R50 gewen. Ons moes ’n sport teken waar mense beweeg. Ek het ’n surfer geteken wat beweeg.” GPS News GPS News Prints Stickers 11 Petro Geyer en Izak Earle het op 27 September getrou. Die egpaar woon in Sabie. Value the company in your life As we travel on life’s journey, we meet different people. Some make a mark on our lives for a little while and then move on. Some are meant to journey with us for a long time. Some are to be avoided at all costs. At times, we don’t see the ones who have an important role to play for a little while. We don’t learn as much as we can whilst we have them. We don’t appreciate our friendship until they are gone. When Jesus arose from the dead, He met up with some disciples along the way and had a conversation with them. They did not know who He was though He was telling them what the Word says about His death and resurrection. They only realised that after they had invited Him to stay over. At supper, after He had broken bread and gave it to them, He disappeared, and then they knew it had been Jesus. Luke 24:13-35. Don’t we sometimes miss some people and wish we have a little more time with them? When they are gone, you realise that they had a big role to play in your life. As you journey along, recognise the people that ought to make an impact in your life and bring them closer. Do not miss an opportunity to empower yourself through interaction with others. There is also an end to some relationships. Let them go – they were there for a season. If you don’t let them go you may end up feeling resentment as you begin to think that they are no longer interested in you, and you think they have abandoned you. Value your company; learn as much as you can as you don’t know how long you have with them. Groentesoorte 12 GPS News GPS News Prints Labels Ice bucket challenge helps promote ALS awarenes Denise van Wyk Morne Basson and Ockie Brits, both from J&M Security, take on the challenge. The Ice Bucket Challenge involves the dumping of a bucket of ice water on someone’s head to promote awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or more commonly known as motor neuron disease (MND) in South Africa. J&M Security accepted the challenge, and nominated three other companies: Hi-Tech Security, ADT Security and Full Circle Security. On Friday 10 October, the challenge took place at Bagdad Centre, White River. Participants either accepted the challenge of having a bucket filled with water and ice thrown over them or they made a donation to one of the ALS or MND charities. GPS News spotted Dr. Toerien and his wife from Mega Holdings and CTU College at the event. Some companies both took on the challenge and donated to the cause. A total of 41 companies registered and/or made donations. ALS is characterised by muscle spasticity – rapidly progressive weakness due to muscle wasting. This results in difficulty speaking, swallowing, and breathing. The disease usually starts around the age of 60, except in cases that are directly inherited, when the usual age of onset is around 50. About 5% to 10% of cases are directly inherited from a person’s parents. ALS is the most common of the five types of motor neuron disease. Former Springbok rugby player Joost van der Westhuizen suffers from this disease. Christians pray for protection of rhinos Lianda Naudé A spiritual gathering was held in the Kruger National Park (KNP) for the protection of the rhino species on Saturday 11 October. KNP and various church denominations from the surrounding communities joined hands at the Skukuza soccer field to pray for the survival of this vulnerable species. “We came here to ask for God’s intervention in this war and to appreciate the Christians’ efforts and contribution in the fight against the torture that our rhino face,” said William Mbasa, KNP’s General Manager: Marketing and Communications. “With continuous co-operation from all levels of society, the success in catching the criminals will soar and we may ultimately win the fight against these criminals. We appreciate this religious contribution because it brings about that heavenly power, which only God can descend upon rhino poachers.” Prayers were also conducted for the protection of the anti-poaching teams, the security forces and the KNP management and staff. The first of these prayer gathering took place in 2012 at Shingwedzi Rest Camp. It has now become an annual event where Christians come together to declare war against rhino poachers. Christians connect in the KNP as they pray for the protection of rhinoceros. GPS News Prints Posters GPS News New touch for both classrooms and grounds Teachers awarded for excellence Gerda van den Bos Gerda van den Bos A new season has dawned for Panorama Secondary School in Graskop. The school has a new vice-principal, Council Lebjane, and a new head of department for science, Nomsa Monana, who is contributing renewed efforts to ensure that the school achieves even better results in mathematics and science. While these teachers are doing their part inside the class rooms, the school grounds are being transformed into a haven of colourful flowers, indigenous plants and vegetables. Niven Rowe recently joined the team as caretaker responsible for all the maintenance at the school and the gardens. He teamed up with Eco Schools, and with the help of the students of the Graskop Environmental Awareness 13 Niven Rowe, new caretaker at Panorama Secondary School. Group they are now eradicating the alien vegetation at the school, replacing it with indigenous plants they found at an old mining settlement. Niven said: “You can’t just take out the alien plants without rehabilitating the ground and replacing them with indigenous plants.” Panorama principal Rachel Jacobs said she is proud of the Graskop Environmental Awareness Group as most of these students had matriculated at Panorama Secondary School. The Department of Basic Education annually awards teachers for their good service and dedication with the national teachers awards. Teachers can enter in various categories on regional level, from where they can go through to the provincial and national awards. The regional awards ceremony for the Bohlabela District was held on 18 September. Nomsa Monana from Panorama Secondary School in Graskop obtained a certificate for third finalist in the Excellence in Secondary School Teaching category. Nomsa was recently appointed as the new head of department for science at the school. She says her goal is to ensure that all the learners pass mathematics and science as she thinks “without maths you cannot get on”. Panorama’s new vice-principal, Council Lebjane, was awarded with the first finalist certificate for Excellence in Science Teaching. He cur- Nomsa Monana, Rachel Jacobs and Council Lebjane. rently teaches physical science for the grade 11 and 12 classes, as well as mathematics for the grade 11s. He says: “We are going to uplift the results of Panorama School in maths and science. It is our passion.” Panorama principal Rachel Jacobs was awarded first finalist position in the Lifetime Achievement category. She and Council have now qualified for the Mpumalanga Teachers Awards, that will be awarded soon. GPS News 14 Sasol invests in Memezile High Elize Potgieter oorhandig die prys vir die langste dryfhou en naaste aan die putjie aan Marcilda Vogel. As part of its Sasol Rally 2014 corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the Southern Africa Energy business of Sasol invested over R300 000 in a project to refurbish facilities at Memezile High School in Simile, Sabie. The refurbishment included the upgrading of 12 ablution facilities at the school, as well as replacing broken windows and ceilings and electrifying classrooms. Zolile Ntukwana, Sasol SAE’s Senior Manager: Marketing and Public Affairs, said: “Our aim is to empower and contribute to the social upliftment of the community, focusing on education and Pienk gholfdag help bejaardes Michele du Plessis Guardian Angels, ’n vrywilligergroep wat bejaardes bystaan, het op 27 September ’n gholfdag by Sabie Country Club gehou. Die organiseerders, gholfspelers, helpers en selfs die pryse was vrolik in alle skakerings van pienk getooi. Al die harde werk vir die gholfdag deur Elize Potgieter, voorsitter, Annette Bester en ander lede van Guardian Angels Sabie was met die doel om geld in te samel om aan bejaardes van Sabie en Harmony Hill ’n feestelike Kersfees te gee. “ ’n Hotel het ’n Kersete vir die bejaardes geborg en ons gaan die dag so spesiaal moontlik vir hulle probeer maak. Al die geld wat ons insamel, word gebruik om bejaardes te help,” sê Elize. GPS News Does Lamination Guardian Angels help bejaardes op verskeie maniere, soos om hulle dokter toe te vat of om inkopies te gaan doen. Dit is onbaatsugtige werk wat met baie liefde en respek gedoen word. Riaan Stander en Sunnyboy Sehlabela het die gholfkompetisie gewen. Dick Claunch en Sunnyboy Sehlabela tweede, met Les Lithgow en Mike Lyall derde en Fanie Bam en Johan Venter in die vierde plek. Vusi Nkosi het die prys gekry vir die langste dryfhou en Thys Kemp die prys vir naaste aan die putjie. Marcilda Vogel het die langste dryfhou deur ’n vrou geslaan en was ook naaste aan die putjie. Zelna Esterhuizen het die prys ontvang as die besgeklede vrou en Obed Mashego as die besgeklede man. ’n Lang lys borge het die geleentheid se sukses verseker. Colour for a bike at Spur Good news for the younger generation of Hazyview: Running Brave Spur has launched its next colouring competition. Children can colour in a picture and stand a chance to win two bicycles – for a boy and a girl. It’s easy – just colour in the picture, fill in your details and place it in the entry box. The winner will be drawn on 21 October at 18:30. The winner must be present to claim the prize. Here are Gabriel Dube, Thandeka Manzini and Nkosinath Zikhali with the bicycles that are up for grabs. the environment. We believe that this project will promote long-term sustainability, which is important for Sasol.” Sasol SAE has also invested in an environmental awareness programme, which will run in ten Mpumalanga schools, including Memezile High School. The programme objective is to create awareness of environmental sustainability in schools and the surrounding communities. “The Sasol Rally is a long standing event in the region for the past 23 years and as such we have identified these CSR initiatives as legacy projects,” Ntukwana said. GPS News Prints Old Exam Papers GPS News WHEELS @ GPS NEWS 15 The definitive car buying guide: part 4 manufacturer’s guarantee or warranty. Make sure you also understand what the amount of cover of this guarantee or warranty entails. Motor plans need to be looked at very carefully as they vary with the amount of cover, the cover period, and the cost to extend such plans. They can normally be divided into three categories: full motor plans, maintenance plans and service plans – or any combination of the above. A full motor plan covers the vehicle for any servicing, repair or maintenance costs for the entire covered period. The only expense to the owner will normally only be fuel and tyres. A maintenance plan refers to the normal maintenance that is carried out on a vehicle during the covered period, but with a customer share, or pro rata payment, which will normally have to be paid by the customer on any work undertaken by the servicing dealer. As a general rule, a service plan is also included in the maintenance plan and works on a customer-share basis as well. A service plan only caters for the normal or scheduled servicing of the vehicle over the cover period of cover. Should there be any other maintenance or repairs to the vehicle, the owner of the vehicle will have to foot the bill. Ask the salesperson or service advisor of the dealer to explain in detail to you the extent and exact period of cover of the particular motor plan that accompanies your vehicle. There are many vehicles that are sold without a motor or service plan, and then the only cover is the This is usually the last event in the conclusion of a vehicle purchase, and the options for your financing, interest rate and add-on products are almost endless. Take the time to apply for finance at more than one finance house and secure the best deal. Also negotiate the best interest rate in order to save a lot of money over the agreed finance period. Try and steer clear of balloon or residual payments, as this type of financing method is used to buy a much more expensive car than the buyer can afford and only pays an instalment on a percentage of the actual purchase price of the vehicle, whilst the remaining percentage of the outstanding capital only gets financed again after the first percentage or part of the finance agreement has been paid off. Note that the residual amount gains interest over the initial finance period, resulting in a balloon payment at the end of the agreement term that is much more than the initial residual amount you did not finance in the beginning. Try to buy what you can afford and do not finance a vehicle with a residual option. Rather look at a normal hire-purchase agreement (full ownership), where you pay off the entire amount over a set period of time without any residual left. Another option is a normal lease agreement, mostly for those with a car allowance or business owners, but it is still a full ownership agreement, also without any residual or balloon payments. Look at add-ons, like “top-up cover” and “credit life”. The “top-up” product from the finance house covers your vehicle in the case of it being stolen or being written off by the insurance company. It will pay the difference or shortfall between the settlement amount owed to the bank and the actual value paid to you by the insurance company. A “credit life” product will settle the outstanding amount owed to the finance house in the event of your death, and will therefore not burden your family with financial difficulties. Ask the dealer consultant or the finance house representative to explain the financial packages so that you can structure a deal that fits your personal needs. GPS News 16 GPS News Prints Tickets Anne at the top in the Lowveld Anne Coetzee from Sabie won a silver medal in the Lowveld open single bowls championship that was held in Nelspruit on 4 and 5 October. Anne was one of 18 players that entered the competition. The others were from Bungalows, White River, Malelane, Barberton, Nelspruit and Lowveld Country Club, while Anne was the only female player from Sabie. The competition was played in a single format with the winner being first player who reaches 21 points. Anne played Martie Janse van Vuuren in the finals who was finally unbeaten. Lawn bowls is an old game that is played the world over. The object of the game is to get your Anne Coetzee, second place at bowls – that Lowveld open. are biased so that they roll in a curve – closer to the jack (a small, white ball) than those of your opponent. Your team receives one point for each bowl closer to the jack than your opponent’s closest bowl. There are many variations of the game, with singles or teams of two to four players. Skuts\ skiet hul ‘moeg’ op kompetisie Michele du Plessis D ie nasionale sportskietkompetisie van die Laeveldse Jagtersvereniging is op 6 September by Sabie gehou. Dit is die eerste keer in die bestaan van die Platorandse tak van die vereniging dat die kompetisie aangebied word. Die “driewapen”-kompetisie bestaan uit drie dissiplines: pistool, haelgeweer en koeëlgeweer, wat almal semi-outomaties is. Altesame 76 skuts het in die kategorieë junior, mans, vroue en veterane deelgeneem. Daar was twee haelgeweer-, twee pistool- en twee geweerbane waaraan almal moes deelneem om te kwalifiseer. Spanne van Piet Retief, Ermelo, Gauteng, Lebombo, Nelspruit en Sabie het meegeding. Die beste skut was ’n deelnemer van Ermelo, die beste veteraanskut een vanf Nelspruit, die beste junior van Gauteng en die beste vroueskut was Lesley Döhne van Sabie. Die beste span was een van Lebombo gewees. Volgens Piet Coetser van die Platorand-tak het die skuts hul “moeg geskiet”, maar dit duidelik baie geniet. “Baie dankie aan al borge en almal wat gehelp het om dit ’n sukses te maak,” het Piet gesê. • Vir inligting oor die vereniging, kontak Piet by 082 466 5239.