Nkanyiso Mashiteng won the 400m for boys under 16 at the South African Championships in Paarl.
His couch, Mike van der Walt, said “I am very proud of Nkanyiso,”
The winning time was 50.63 seconds for the 400m. Nkanyiso ran the outside lane and never really knew where his opponents were and could only see them as they entered the final straight but by then he was ahead and kept on pushing.
Oom Piet struggled with stomach problems and eventually he lost the fight against stomach cancer.
The Bulletin had several encounters with Piet Marais. The first time was when he had trouble with his wheelchair.
We brought the story to you of how Gert Pienaar of We Move You, surprised Piet with a new wheelchair. “Look at how I am shaking now,” is all that Piet could say
Later we covered it when he received his new prosthetic leg. He was so scared.
Hannelie de Jager, part of the Bulletin family, introduced us to oom Piet. He was well known in Evander.
She wrote this about him: ”Oom Piet claimed once that he owns a great deal of participation in The Bulletin Newspaper. I laughed and asked why he would claim such a statement? He abruptly responded by saying “Cause you’re my family”… That was it. He owned us. And we have gladly adhered to this adoption. And that is exactly how everyone at the Bulletin respected and love oom Piet.
Whenever he would call (on the most inconvenient times sometimes) we would respond to the urgency of the hunker for Coke and Marshmallows or just a chat on how we are and when is our next visit. When it was the still printed edition, oom Piet would take it upon himself to personally distribute copies. He did it with great pride.
Oom Piet the Bulletin salutes you for your ever grateful humble attitude towards life. You knew life in a different way. You taught me to live in A moment… We gonna miss our visits under the tree… But when we pass there, we will still hear you whistling and we will know that all is still well. You’re safe at home.”
For those that met oom Piet, He left a lasting impression on all. He struggled with the wheelchair but never complained. We saw him once filling bags of stone for building while sitting flat on the ground.
He could teach us all something about being humble.
Oom Piet, where you are now there are no prosthetic legs or wheelchairs. We will meet again.
Also read: Sydney Arnold lost his fight against illness.
Here are two articles that we placed regarding Oom Piet:
The first one was placed in Afrikaans.
“Kyk hoe bewe ek nou” is al wat Pieter Marais uitkry terwyl hy sy hande uithou. Gert Pienaar, eienaar van We Move You, was besig om ‘n splinternuwe rolstoel uit sy afleweringsvoertuig te gaan haal.
Ná die rolstoel deeglik ondersoek is en met ‘n kennersoog bekyk is, het Pieter (Oom Piet) sy sit in die rolstoel geneem. “Ek kry sommer hoendervleis, kyk net hier” sê hy terwyl hy na sy been wys. Kort-kort praat hy van sy hoendervleis en lag dan lekker. Gert sit op sy knieë by Oom Piet terwyl hulle bespreek wat kan verander word of aangepas word om by Oom Piet te pas.
Skielik sit Oom Piet regop en vra vir Gert “kan ek jou ‘n druk gee?” Hy was oorstelp met vreugde. ‘n Oomblik volg waar alle gebrekke, bekommernisse of ontberings vergete is. Oom Piet borrel en Gert Glimlag tevrede van oor tot oor. Mense gee nog om vir mekaar!
Die Bulletin het betrokke geraak toe hulle ‘n storie gehoor het van ‘n man in ‘n rolstoel wat raakgery was. ‘n Besoek aan Oom Piet het aan die lig gebring dat net die rolstoel beskadig was.
Oom Piet vertel dat hy soos gewoonlik sy stoel agter toe stuur terwyl hy die verkeer dan kan sien aankom. Hy het net een been en sy een arm maak nie reguit nie. Dit maak dit dan makliker om sy stoel te kan beweeg. Terwyl hy dan so beweeg het, het ‘n voertuig te na aan hom beweeg. Hy het so groot geskrik dat hy, volgens hom, “ ‘n Olimpiese sprong uitgevoer het” om weg te kom. Dit is toe dat die stoel beskadig is.
Die Bulletin het toe die eienaar van die voertuig, Gert Pienaar, geskakel en dit was baie duidelik dat hy nie van die voorval bewus was nie. Een van Gert se werkers het die voertuig bestuur. Gert het dadelik voorgestel om die stoel te vervang. Ná ‘n paar logistieke reëlings getref is, het Die Bulletin Gert ontmoet en na Oom Piet geneem.
Graag wil Die Bulletin vir Gert bedank vir die stoel wat hy aangekoop en aan Oom Piet geskenk het. Hy het ook een van sy werknemers gestuur om die ou stoel te herstel sodat dit gebruik kan word indien nodig.
Pieter Marais or rather “Oom Piet” as he is fondly known by all has been without a leg for a number of years. Evander residents will know Oom Piet as the friendly guy in the wheelchair that is often moving about in the streets.
Oom Piet moves backwards in his chair as his left arm cant really propel the wheelchair as it should. Oom Piet had an accident when he was working for a security firm and he fell into a big hole. He received very little help if none at all from the security firm that employed him at that stage. They stopped paying his salary and one day just casually informed him that he wasn’t working for them and hadn’t been working for them for a very long time.
The Bulletin has vowed to pursue the matter. He also did not receive any workman’s compensation for the loss of his leg.
The impact that this has made on his life was tremendous but still Oom Piet chose to make the best of it. He stayed in a small home build dwelling near Evander club for a while until the premises were sold. He built that dwelling with his own hands. Oom Piet had to supplement his income by selling sand and stone and anything else that he could lay his hands on. He would sit flat on the ground while filling the heavy bags for customers.
The one thing that Oom Piet always wanted is to walk again. This yearning is now a reality. Oom Piet received a leg!
The Bulletin received a call in January from a Doctor that said she lost Oom Piet’s number but kept the Bulletin’s article (Dated 22 September 2017, Oom Piet oorstelp van vreugde) on file and thought that the Bulletin might still have contact with Oom Piet. The Workmens Compensation Commissioner approved a leg for him. Wheels were set in motion and Oom Piet was told to dress up, the Bulletin wanted to surprise him with a nice lunch at one of the local restaurants.
Read more on the Mpumalanga dept oh Health HERE
His surprise turned to tears of joy as they entered the Medforum building and he saw Hannelie de Jager and Elmarie van Huyssteen waiting for him.
In his true fashion he made a lot of noise as he entered Pieter Botha’s practice. He was shaking like a leave in anticipation. “Look at my hands” said Oom Piet, “I can’t hold them still.”
The first two meetings were used to measure the part of the leg that was left and to make a mould of the stump.
Then came the big day, Oom Piet had to fit the leg and walk his first steps in a number of years. On the way there he asked, “Can’t we rather leave it?” Oom Piet was scared! It was D-day. Once the leg was fitted the big moment came. “Stand on your own,” said Pieter, “leave your crutches’” Oom Piet responded with “I’m scared!”
The effort to walk was strenuous and scary. Oom Piet persevered and gave the first steps. Everybody was crying. It took Oom Piet a long time to build up courage enough to leave the crutches but he finally did it for a few steps.
Oom Piet was sent home with the leg to practice and will receive the final leg in a few weeks’ time. The road ahead is still full of obstacles as Oom Piet would need therapy for the leg and enough practice.
One thing is for certain. Oom Piet will continue to be seen in Evander. He will continue to prove to people that a disability does not necessarily mean the end of the road and as he says it “YOU must make the best of it!”
“Who Is God” by Anton Knoetze
3 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.
2 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
Also read: Secunda Reformed Church Morning service 4 April 2021
4 And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
7 And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them.
10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.
11 And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
12 And he said, Certainly I will be with thee; and this shall be a token unto thee, that I have sent thee: When thou hast brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain.
Vanoggend se tema is: “Wat wil Jesus vir ons sê”
Wat wil Jesus vir ons sê met verskynings wat Hy gemaak het na die opstanding… ons kyk na gesprek wat Hy het met twee van Sy volgelinge gehad het.
Lees ook: Kruik se Oggenddiens 4 April 2021
Preeknotas + Besprekingsvrae: http://bible.com/events/48677061
Maak ‘n finansiële bydrae op 2 verskillende maniere:
1. Gee Aanlyn – Kruik Gemeente, ABSA, Tjek, 632005, Rek nr: 1510140016
2. Gee deur Zapper App – vind ons QR code in die diens aankondigings.
Kontak ons gerus op Kruik Gemeente se Facebook Messenger en Whatsapp lyn (0721336130) of besoek ons webtuiste by: https://www.kruik.co.za/.
Ons sal graag met jou gesels.
Geniet die diens saam met ons!
Kruik CCLI lisensie nr: #573361
Daar is niemand soos U S Jansen van Veuren ©️ 2009 MAR Gospel Music Publishers CCLI#573661
Ek weet U is lief vir my S Smith ©️ 2006 MAR Gospel Music Publishers CCLI#573661
First, it was Dirkie Arnold on that fateful day, 1 July 2019 and now it is his older brother Sydney that joined him in heaven on 6 April 2021. It was Syndey’s 29th birthday.
As I travel to meet their mother, Henriette Nel, at the Duck pond I can only wonder what type of woman I am going to meet. What hardships did Sydney face over his last days in hospital?
Henriette is a strong woman although her face speaks of many hardships, she has no regrets. Sydney and Dirkie played a huge role in her life.
The shock of Dirkies death is still evident when we speak about him and she has many unanswered questions. But she accepts that there is nothing she can do and believes that the truth will still surface one day. “Sydney knew the truth,” she said, “he just wanted to finish his qualifications before acting on what he knew.”
Bitterness and regret are very evident when she speaks about the treatment that Sydney received at Evander Hospital. While I listened to some of the messages that she played to me as well as her recollection of that fateful day, I can only sit and wonder in horror, when did life become so cheap in our state hospital system?
It was clear that Sydney had difficulty breathing and was very weak in hospital. He could not move himself to even just fetch a bottle of water. He had to ask for help. Help that was not readily available. Although the hospital experience proved to be a nightmare, Henriette could only speak with praise about the provincial ambulance services. “They were great and treated Sydney very well.”
“I could hear him calling for help sometimes when we spoke,” said Henriette, “only to receive no answer or a noticeably short, irritated response from the staff.” The other patient in his room had to help him drink water.
Sydney would sometimes fall asleep when he spoke to his mom, he was so weak and tired. This will haunt Henriette for ever. She spoke to him when he died. “I thought he fell asleep again,” she said, “I could hear the staff working on someone or something but didn’t realise until later that they were working on Sydney.”
“This was about 20H20, I was only phoned at 22h10 by the hospital,” she said.
One of the staff told her a little later that they were working on Sydney trying to revive him while she was still on the phone, they could hear here calling as she was on the loudspeaker.
Sydney was admitted to Evander hospital a year ago with pneumonia. He received good care during this time and recovered well. This time he was ill for about three weeks but was only admitted to hospital 9 days before his death.
Henriette speaks fondly and with great respect of Sydney. “Sydney was busy studying and trying to achieve a qualification (N3) as a Millwright, we were also both just for classes away from qualifying as Safety Officers,” she said, “Sydney was the one that pushed me to qualify and motivated me to do the course.”
The story of the two brothers is one of both happiness and sadness but I will not dwell on their troubled past. The story of Sydney and Dirkie is one of two brothers that supported each other no matter what happened. It is a story of two brothers, that despite setbacks, hardships and poor decisions worked hard to make a better life for themselves.
Sydney in particular took matters into his own hands and started to work on a career. He worked hard. He studied hard. He made a decision to make something of life. He was determined to not do it alone but to also see his mother succeed with a new career path. Only to be failed by a system that no longer function the way it should.
Also read: HEFTY PUNISHMENT FOR CONVICTED RAPIST
The death of Dirkie affected Sydney tremendously. “He knew who was responsible for Dirkie’s death,” said Henriette “The truth will still come out.”
Dirkie and Sydney were two young men in the prime of their lives, only to have it cut short tragically. I asked Henriette how she copes with this terrible loss and the tears started to stream over her face.
“I trust in God for my strength,” she replied, “and then there is my little boy Tatane.” Sydney was very fond of Tatane.
Facebook was flooded with messages of condolences to Sydney. It is clear that he was popular with those that knew him.
The times that I spoke to Sydney he was very courteous and very neat.
We will all miss him dearly
Read more on the Mpumalanga dept oh Health HERE
This was regarding the death of Dirkie.
On Saturday, 1 June, a tragic incident took place. The body of a young man was found between the buildings of Secunda Square and Lewis Stores. It would appear that the young man had been beaten in the days before and succumbed to his injuries. The homeless regularly use this spot to sleep and this fact is well known to everyone moving in that area. The young man, Dirkie Arnold, was found under his blankets by his friends. When he did not wake up, they checked on him and found that he was no longer alive.
His body was found against the wall where he slept. His face was swollen and black and blue from a beating and his arm also showed the same signs, evidence of that brutal beating. At that point in time the only comment given by the police was that they would know more after the autopsy report was released.
The whole incident started off as a mystery, but as soon as the Bulletin started to investigate, the plot thickened. On scene the Bulletin spoke to his friends and family. It was evident that this was foul play. Certain community forums’ names kept popping up by eyewitnesses and those witnesses stated that that was not the first time that that had happened. They also claimed that it happened on a regular basis.
These eyewitnesses told the Bulletin that these community forums, on a regular basis, patrol the area where they sleep, beat them and swear at them. The witnesses all said the same thing and explained what happened as follows: “We have a problem here. We have a problem here because of those CPF sometimes they used to come here and treat us badly, sometimes they are calling us skelms, sometimes they are calling us k… what do want here in the street? When we try to explain to them they say we do not have any rights and beat us. It is not just the CPF but AfriForum, Huntrex and also that makoti from the police too. When we ask them why they beat this guy like this they say “jy k… you like to speak too much. He’s around k..s that’s why we are busy beating him. What you want to do? He run away and then they f… up my friend with the donkie p!$l.”
The Bulletin spoke to a number of people and it is quite clear that those involved are unwilling to comment for fear of implicating themselves. In no uncertain terms did the eyewitnesses say that if their identities were made known they would be next.
Afriforum said the following in a statement: Afriforum is aware of the allegations of assault in the area where community members are involved. Afriforum condemns these types of incidents in the strongest terms and should this be found to be true, Afriforum believes that the law should take its course to ensure that no one is above the law. (Translated from Afrikaans statement)
The following statement was received from the CPF Chairman, Bjon Wright:
“As CPF Chairman I hereby just want to express my condolences to the family of the deceased Dirk Arnold.
This is an unforeseen incident that does not form part of the CPF code of conduct.
An inquest was opened with SAPS in connection with the deceased Dirk Arnold and we are still awaiting feedback from the post-mortem report to determine the cause of death.
In connection with the allegations of the assault, it forms part of the current investigation and it is clear that the individuals that were involved acted on their own as this does not form part of the CPF actions.
As head of the CPF I will assist the SAPS with all enquiries personally and will personally supply a statement and will testify in a court of LAW against the vigilantes that operated outside the CPF code of conduct and this is not the way that the CPF operates as the CPF is only there as the eyes and the ears to the SAPS.
More feedback will be supplied as soon as the post-mortem report is available.”
Colonel Mbhebe from provincial SAPS said the following to the Bulletin: “On Saturday morning an inquest docket was opened after a body of a 25-year-old male was found next to Lewis Store.
It is alleged that the previous night, Friday, his friends living with him on the streets brought him to the police station, using a trolley as he could not walk, requesting for assistance to call for an ambulance due to the difficulties he had in breathing. An ambulance was called and he was taken to Evander Hospital.
It is alleged that later he came out of hospital and asked the family member who was at the hospital to take him back.
He was taken back to Secunda old mall where he was sleeping.
With regard to allegations of assault, no assault case has been reported to Secunda SAPS. An inquest docket has been opened so the post-mortem will reveal the cause of death. The investigation is continuing.”
According to the information at our disposal, the post-mortem will be conducted on Wednesday, 5 June. The Bulletin has learnt from reliable sources that this post-mortem will be treated as high priority and help has been called in from Gauteng.
The Bulletin conducted further investigations into this matter and it surfaced that at least three people are implicated. The names of these individuals are known to the Bulletin and will be made available to the investigating officer as soon as possible.
It is also clear to the Bulletin that vigilantism has infiltrated certain groups in our area and The Bulletin will work tirelessly with those groups to eradicate and expose this unacceptable behaviour.
Social media, in typical fashion, exploded with allegations, accusations and theories as to who the culprits may or may not be. The Bulletin would like to warn people not to speculate regarding the possible perpetrators, but rather to hand the information to the investigating officers. – Ané Prinsloo and Encee van Huyssteen.
NELSPRUIT – The management of police in Mpumalanga has welcomed a hefty punishment that was imposed on a man who raped his 10-year-old niece on Christmas eve of 2019. The 35-year-old man was sentenced yesterday, Thursday 08 March 2021, by the Mkobola Regional Court.
The court sentenced the accused after details were heard on how the young girl became a victim in the hands of a man who was supposed to have protected her unconditionally. It is said that on 24 December 2019, he preyed on a little girl during the time when her mother and grandparents were not around. As her uncle, he was trusted to look after her.
The girl was playing in the veranda when he called her to his room which was at the back of the main house. She reportedly refused to go to her uncle’s room. He then dragged her to his room and tied her with a rope before raping her repeatedly. She later escaped after begging him to let her go and get food.
On the other hand, her mother came back and was worried when she could not find her daughter in the main house as well as the uncle. She (mother) then went to her neighbours to look for her but without any success. The mother came back to the house and was shocked to see her daughter walking in a strange way. The girl then narrated her story to her mother.
The girl was then taken to the doctor and it was confirmed that she was indeed raped. The man tried to convince the girl’s mother not to lay charges against him, but the matter was eventually reported to police. Meanwhile he went into hiding in one of his family members. However, his family instead sought justice for the girl, and they handed him over to police where he was brought to court and hence the sentence as follows:
– The man was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape.
The name of the accused had not been released to protect the identity of the victim
The accused’s particulars will also be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders. The court found him to be unfit to work with children and his particulars will also be entered in the National Child Protection Register.
The police management in the province has noticed with much concern the moral decay in the society where adults entrusted with a responsibility to protect and care for children but instead they break that trust and molest children instead. The management has further thanked the family for handing him over and applauded the excellent work done by members of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS), the Prosecution as well as the Judiciary for their resilience in this case which saw him getting a well-deserved sentence
POLICE MANAGEMENT WELCOMES HEFTY PUNISHMENT IMPOSED TO RAPIST
NELSPRUIT – The management of police in Mpumalanga has welcomed a hefty punishment that was imposed to a man who raped his 10-year-old niece on Christmas eve of 2019. The 35-year-old man was sentenced yesterday, Thursday 08 March 2021, by the Mkobola Regional Court.
The court sentenced the accused after details were heard on how the young girl became a victim in the hands of a man who was supposed to have protected her unconditionally. It is said that on 24 December 2019, he preyed on a little girl during the time when her mother and grandparents were not around. As her uncle, he was trusted to look after her.
The girl was playing in the veranda when he called her to his room which was at the back of the main house. She reportedly refused to go to her uncle’s room. He then dragged her to his room and tied her with a rope before raping her repeatedly. She later escaped after begging him to let her go and get food.
On the other hand, her mother came back and was worried when she could not find her daughter in the main house as well as the uncle. She (mother) then went to her neighbours to look for her but without any success. The mother came back to the house and was shocked to see her daughter walking in a strange way. The girl then narrated her story to her mother.
Also read: Umdzabu Cultural Group host weekend workshop
The girl was then taken to the doctor and it was confirmed that she was indeed raped. The man tried to convince the girl’s mother not to lay charges against him, but the matter was eventually reported to police. Meanwhile he went into hiding in one of his family members. However, his family instead sought justice for the girl, and they handed him over to police where he was brought to court and hence the sentence as follows:
– The man was sentenced to life imprisonment for rape.
The name of the accused had not been released to protect the identity of the victim
Read more on the Department Community Safety, Security and Liaison Here.
The accused’s particulars will also be entered into the National Register for Sex Offenders. The court found him to be unfit to work with children and his particulars will also be entered in the National Child Protection Register.
The Police management in the province has noticed with much concern the moral decay in the society where adults entrusted with a responsibility to protect and care for children but instead they break that trust and molest children instead. The management has further thanked the family for handing him over and applauded the excellent work done by members of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS), the Prosecution as well as the Judiciary for their resilience in this case which saw him getting a well-deserved sentence
Umdzabu Cultural Group host weekend workshop at local abandoned jail
The old Leandra Jail was buzzing with activity the past weekend as 14 cultural groups converged on the jail for a weekend of learning and dancing.
The Umdzabu Cultural Group hosted a weekend workshop in the old Leandra Jail. The jail posed some challenges to the young ones as the toilet facilities are extremely limited as well as the sleeping quarters.
“We need toilets and mattresses,” said Mr Dumisani Nkambula, “we also need paint to make the place look more friendly.”
The Bulletin looked at the quarters and saw that they need a lot of attention.
The Umdzabu Cultural Group started in 2014 and was an immediate sensation. The group continued to impress and won a lot of prizes. They were even invited to a festival overseas but could not attend due to the lack of funding.
The feeding area for members of the Umdzabu Cultural Group is mainly the Lebohang Township. The area is not a rich area and the group has to struggle to make ends meet.
Also read: Easter soccer tournament at Kgotso Hall
A few benefactors have contributed already and hopefully we will be able to bring news as the support grows.
The old Jail is a good place to host the group but needs to be renovated.
“The youngsters like to dance, and it helps to keep them from roaming the streets and getting into trouble,” said Dumisani, “There are a lot of drugs going around and here we don’t allow that.”
Please help us, The Bulletin, to support the Umdzabu Cultural Group. You can contact us directly on this page or send us an email on encee@thebulletin.co.za
In hierdie landjie van ons is daar net drie goed waaroor die inwoners nie saamstem nie: die verlede, die hede en die toekoms. Maar verder is daar hordes dinge wat ons saambind as ’n reënboog. Soos ons passie vir eet by belangrike geleenthede. Ons eet lekker uit by plekke soos die Apachè-restourant (waar ons ook lekker baklei) en die Oseaan se Mandjie.
Ons braai maklik vir enige rede. Van hoenderpote tot beeshaas. En sonder enige rede. Ons eet net so lekker by spesiale geleenthede. Ons eet as ons verjaar, as ons trou, as ons doodgaan.
Ons eet.
Sommige begrafnisondernemers sluit selfs dinge soos pap en potjiekos in as deel van die diens wat hulle lewer tydens teraardebestellings. Kerke se susters hang uit op begrafnisse met frikkadeletjies, eiertoebroodjies, hoenderboudjies en melktertjies. Ons eet ons dan uit ons hartseer uit. Dis deel van ons Suid Afrikaanse kultuur.
Ons is dol oor eet. As jy op Facebook kyk, sien jy hoeveel mense foto’s van hulle kos plaas. Soos die prentjie van die kelner wat vir die restouranteienaar sê: “Ek is bekommerd dat daardie mense in die hoek nie hulle kos geniet nie. Hulle het dit al tien minute terug gekry, en nog nie dit afgeneem nie!”
Soos met begrafnisse, is dit opvallend hoeveel aktiwiteite in kerke draai rondom eet. Basaarpannekoek, basaarkerrie-en-rys. Dan die vleistafel. In een van die gemeentes waar ek was, het die jaarlikse vleistafel ontwikkel tot ‘n hoogs gespesialiseerde industrie, met selfs hulle eie gestileerde etikette. ‘n Klein groepie lidmate het een jaar byna 74 skape, 16 beeste, 30 wildsbokke opgesny, verwerk, en verpak.
Maar ook pinksterdienste, gemeentevierings, en selfs nagmaal word ‘n geleentheid waar ons groot gaan met kos. As ons kollektiewe gewete bietjie pla, gooi ons so Christelike sousie oor die ete, en noem dit ‘n “Bybelse ete.” Dan dra die mans japonne en handdoeke om hulle koppe, die vrouens gedrapeerde lakens om hulle lywe, en die kindertjies lyk soos skaapwagters.
En ons eet.
Daar is baie ervaringe wat ek so langs die pad beleef het met so kerklike etery. Soos die wyksbyeenkomstes in ‘n spesifieke gemeente, waar ons gelees het, gebid het, en dan geëet het. Ek as Oos-Randse dorpsjapie kry toe ‘n ingeskepte bord kos met ‘n heel gebakte skaapkop wat met dowwe, hartseer oë vir my lê en kyk, en vele ander gretige oë wat my met afwagting dophou om te sien met presies hoeveel entoesiasme ek hierdie spesiale bederfie gaan aanpak. Die sèèr in daardie skaapoë sal my vir ewig sleg laat slaap.
Pas aangekom in ‘n nuwe gemeente, hou ons pinkster. Elke aand na die diens eet ons in die kerksaal waar ‘n wyk kans kry om kos te maak. Die eerste aand, my gunsteling: kerrie en rys. Synde ‘n passievolle en voorbeeldige leraar te wees, eet ek drie borde vol. Maar die ongeluk tref my toe die leierouderling my eenkant toe roep, en vriendelik inlig dat een van die steunpilare in die gemeente, oom Jan, daardie aand verjaar, en dit gaaf sal wees as ek net ‘n draaitjie op die plaas gaan maak.
Persoonlike aandag en al daardie dinge. Knuppeldik gevreet aan die kerrie en rys, en vol winde, durf ek toe dieselfde aand die pad aan na oom Jan se plaas toe. Waar ‘n ontsagwekkende toneel my begroet. Skape op die spit, meer biefstukke as wat ek kan tel, jaartse en jaartse plaaswors, meer hoenders as wat die Kolonel nog ooit gaargemaak het, alles om die verjaarsdagfeesvieringe dieptegang te gee. Daarmee saam groentes, pap, aartappels, ad-infinitum.
Ek skraap my moed bymekaar, en bedank beleef en ingetoë die uitnodiging om saam te eet, om voor-die-hand-liggende redes. Maar ek sal saam kom sit aan tafel, dankie. Sommer daar langs oom Jan word die nuwe predikant sitgemaak. Iemand doen die tafelgebed. Lang, innige gebed waarin die Vader gedank word vir al die seëninge, en die mooi voorbeeld wat oom Jan is.
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Maar, toe die bidder sê amen, het daar sowaar ‘n groot bord kos onder gebed voor my beland. Ek meen tot vandag toe dit was oom Jan se handewerk, maar ek is nie seker nie. Ek begin toe maar so stukkie vir stukkie die massiewe bord kos af te werk, happie vir happie. Soos mens ‘n olifant eet. Met ‘n pastorale bewoëndheid en ‘n blymoedige gees.
Ek was net so mooi halfpad, met ‘n belt wat styf span van die oordaad, toe die oom sê: “Man, lyk my jy het nie genoeg kos nie!” En voila! Daar skep hy summier vir my ‘n volgende lading op my bord, tweekeer meer as die eerste rondte. Ek vermoed vandag dat my spastiese dikderm nie geneties van oorsprong is nie, maar wel ‘n beroepsbesering opgedoen in die uitvoer van my ampspligte.
Miskien moet ons as kerke, van alle genootskappe, hierdie eet-ding ons gemene deler maak. Ons plesier, maar ook ons verpligting teenoor die hongeres, die verstotes, die bevreesdes, die hooploses. Moet ons as kerkgemeenskappe bymekaarkom, en ons hoenderpote en ons boerewors op dieselfde kole braai.
Saam praat oor ons kinders en ons vrese en ons land en ons toekoms.
Saam bid, niè net om die hande te seën wat die voedsel voorberei het nie, maar ook vir ons leiers, die besluite wat geneem moet word.
En die straatmense nooi om saam te kom eet, hulle by die robotte en asblikke gaan haal.
Miskien moet die kerk, om PG du Plessis aan te haal, die Fees van die Ongenooides word.
Frans Pretorius oftewel “Oom Treintjie” was ‘n bekende in Secunda. Veral by diegene wat so nou en dan by die Eendjie dam gaan stap of piekniek gehou het.
Elke nou en dan was daar ‘n groot gewoel by die treinstasie en kinders het hulle daarheen gehaas. Dit was egter nie net die kinders wat graag die treintjie gery het nie. Groot mense het dit net so geniet.
Frans het gewys dat as die trein gogga jou eers gebyt het dan hou hy jou.
Gebore te Benoni op 18 Februarie 1948 maar groot geword in Orhigstad en Lydenburg.
Oom Treintjie se liefde vir treine het al vroeg begin. Op 16 jarige ouderdom het hy begin werk by die destydse Spoorweg en het na Dullstroom verhuis.
Frans se verbintenis met Secunda het in 1972 begin toe hy na Secunda verhuis het en hom hier gevestig het.
Hy het een van die eerste treine by Sasol ingery en hulle het hom amper dadelik ‘n pos aangebied.
Sasol het Frans se nuwe werks tuiste geword. Blink Frans, dis nou soos sy kollegas hom genoem het, het vir 40 jaar by Tenkplaas en Versending gewerk (Sasol Spoorbeheer).
Sy bynaam was nie verniet Blink Frans nie. Dit het hy gekry omdat alles altyd skoon en netjies moes wees. Hy was werklik trots op sy werk. Frans was ook baie geliefd onder sy kollegas.
Hy was nie net lief vir treine nie, hy was ook lief vir die natuur, visvang, tuinmaak en sy medemens.
Sien Frans met sy treintjie hier
Hy het ongeveer 25 jaar gelede saam paar ander stoomtrein entoesiaste die Eendedam treintjie begin. Hy is een van die oorspronklike stigters gewees saam nog ‘n paar bekendes en was vir baie jare die Voorsitter tot en met sy afsterwe op 12 Maart 2021.
Die 14de September 2020 het ‘n groot skok vir Frans en sy familie ingehou. Hulle lewens is onherroeplik verander toe hulle die slegte nuus gekry het dat Frans fase 4 longkanker het, ‘n gesonde man wat nog nooit siek was nie.
Frans was ‘n Godvresende man met ‘n sterk geloof waarby ander net kon leer.
Dit was egter nog steeds ‘n baie moeilike pad vir hom en 12de Maart 2021 verloor hy die stryd teen kanker waar hy in die hospitaal in Trichardt gelê het.
Also read: Easter soccer tournament at Kgotso Hall
Hy sal gemis word in die gemeenskap waar kinders hom as “Oom Treintjie” geken het, sy kennis van stoom treine en sy absolute passie daarvoor was uniek en enig in sy soort. Sy liefde vir sy dorp en veral die Eendedam sal gemis word waar hy altyd sy hand oor die tuine gehou het. Alles moes net reg wees voordat die publiek op ‘n Saterdag en Sondag trein sou kom ry. Hy het altyd tyd gehad vir ‘n vinnige geselsie en het graag sy kennis gedeel.
Vir amper 50 jaar was hy ‘n gerespekteerde en geliefde persoon in ons gemeenskap.
Sy grappies, liefde vir boeremusiek, liefde vir die natuur sal vir altyd onthou word deur die wat hom geken het asook sy soettand vir kondensmelk (sy dogter het ‘n blik op sy kis gesit), Malva poeding, heuning, koeksisters en patats.
Hy word nagelaat deur sy vrou, kinders en kleinkinders waarvoor hy so lief was.
Sy roudiens was die 18de Maart vanuit die Kruik Gemeente.
Oom Treine het sy laaste stasie bereik, een waar hy nou nie weer af gaan vertrek nie.
As ons dan opkyk na die Hemel en ons sien dalk ‘n ou wolkie, dink dan aan Oom Treine, miskien is dit ‘n stoompie wat hy vir jou gelos het om te sê: ek hou julle dop!
The past few days saw several teams play in an Easter Soccer tournament at Kgotso Hall in eMbalenhle.
Youngsters, aged around 11, played for their various teams on Friday and Saturday. An Easter team would also be picked from the youngsters.
Southey Contracting sponsored medals and trophies for the day. They also sponsored kits and balls. Thank you to Southey for their contribution to the tournament and in supporting the children.
Rose Serumula, Client relationship manager – Southey Contracting, drove from Johannesburg to hand over the sponsored kit and to enjoy the day with the youngsters. She encouraged the children to keep playing soccer. She also reminded them about the covid situation and told them all to remember to keep wearing masks and adhere to social distancing.
Jacob Ntakwende, the organiser of the tournament, was very excited about the young teams playing in the tournament. Jacob is sponsored by Lake Umuzi and also organises the Lake Umuzi Soccer Challenge.
Some of the kids played barefooted on the field that had only some areas covered in grass. This grass is also not normal grass but wild grass that grew after the recent rains. There are also no lines on the fields and players have to use their imagination to know if the ball is out of bounds etc.
All of this did not damp the enthusiasm that the youngsters showed as they sat waiting for the tournament to start. They took the games quite seriously.
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“I saw that children were vulnerable doing nothing and just walking around in the streets. So, I started this to keep kids off the streets and through soccer teach the children discipline, respect and also educate the children on matters like HIV/AIDS, alcohol and drugs,” said Jacob in an earlier interview with the Bulletin.
Jacob’s dreams are to see more players playing at the professional level and to support these players in their achievements.