MAN EXPECTED TO APPEAR IN COURT AFTER HIS ARREST ON ALLEGATIONS OF HIS GIRLFRIEND’S MURDER AND RAPE OF MINOR
NELSPRUIT – A 27-year-old man is expected to appear before the White River Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, 09 Monday 2020. The man was sought by police for more than a year on allegations of his then 28-year-old girlfriend’s murder and the rape of a minor.
The man’s court appearance comes after his arrest by police yesterday at White River. The suspect allegedly killed his girlfriend, raped her daughter and burnt the house where his girlfriend was staying with her daughter. The tragic incident occurred at Msholozi near White River and it is said after committing this heinous act, the suspect went into hiding. Reports indicate that the neighbours were awakened by the hysteric girl who could barely walk who alleged that she was raped by her mom’s boyfriend. The neighbours also noticed that the house where the girl was residing with her mom was on fire. The severely burnt body of the girl’s mother was later discovered in the burnt house.
Police were notified about the incident and upon their arrival, a case of murder with an additional charge of rape was opened. They (police) began with their investigation and launched a manhunt for the suspect.
Yesterday they made a breakthrough when they received information that the man they were looking for, has been seen at a tavern. Police then followed the information, arrested him at the said place and charged him with murder and rape. Upon further investigation, the members also unearthed that the man is in the country illegally hence an additional charge of contravention of immigration Act has been added.
The police management has since commended members of the public for the valuable information that they provided to the police. The work done by the astute members has also been appreciated by the leadership of the police in the province.
Business Investment Competition ready to boost another SMME
“Registered black-owned small and medium enterprises across the country, which has been operating for 24 months or longer, are urged to enter the Eskom Development Foundation’s Business Investment Competition (BIC) and stand a chance to win a share of R1,3 million worth of prizes,” said Cecil Ramonotsi, CEO of the Eskom Development Foundation.
A report compiled by GEN 22 on Sloane, which offers startups funding opportunities and access to markets, notes that over 55 000 SMMEs in South Africa will not survive the COVID-19 global pandemic. A total of 92% of SMMEs’ business operations have been impacted and at least 42 350 of those working for these SMMEs will lose their jobs.
“This annual competition is that much more relevant this year, simply because our main purpose with the BIC is to boost enterprise development in a year that has seen small businesses challenged, stretched and some decimated,” Ramonotsi continued.
Entries for the competition are open from 4 December 2020 until 31 January 2021, at midnight. “The BIC provides a platform for South African owners of SMMEs to become part of a community of like-minded entrepreneurs as they look to build on their businesses’ solid foundation and realise their potential,” Ramonotsi added.
For the last 12 years, Eskom has been running the BIC to recognise, reward and help boost small businesses that are contributing to skills development, job creation and economic growth. The competition is open to enterprises operating in the manufacturing, engineering/construction, trade/services and agriculture sectors.
The overall winner will walk away with a Grand Prize of R300 000, as well as additional business training once the competition is over. Each of the four sector winners takes home R125 000, while first and second runners up each receive R75 000 and R50 000 respectively.
All BIC finalists will have the opportunity to attend the Business Connect webinar taking place in March 2021, a platform aimed at affording businesses the opportunity to network with other small businesses as well as be exposed to business experts in different fields.
“Don’t miss out on this opportunity to potentially boost your business with resources that can help it recover from the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.
For us at the Eskom Development Foundation, it is truly a privilege to be given the opportunity to support entrepreneurs that create jobs, to help boost small business. We call upon all black-owned and registered enterprises that qualify to seize this chance in order to propel their operations and continue making a positive impact in their local economies” Mr Ramonotsi concluded.
To enter the competition, visit www.eskombic.co.za and for support and assistance, small business owners should email Grounded Media bic@groundedmedia.co.za.
Eskom Development Foundation NPC
The Eskom Development Foundation is tasked with implementing/executing Eskom’s CSI strategy and operates as a not-for-profit company in sectors including enterprise development, education, environment, agriculture, healthcare, social and community development.
Eskom Business Investment Competition Prizes
Winners in each category will take home R131 250. First and second runners-up in each category will win R75 000 and R50 000 respectively.
For media enquiries, contact; Madelline Kadzinga Foundation Marketing/Communication Manager Eskom Development Foundation Telephone: +27 11 800 4438 Email: kadzinm@eskom.co.za
Sasol donated laboratory equipment to Hoërskool Oosterland
Sasol donated laboratory equipment to Hoërskool Oosterland during a small ceremony on Monday, December 7 at the school as part of the company’s strategic intent to support the education fraternity.
During the welcoming speech the HOD Science, Hoërskool Oosterland, Mauriza Pheiffer jokingly said that every expo in the country will task the learners to invent something that will work for the Covid masks as well as spectacles to keep them from fogging up.
She explained how the list of requirements grew from a few items to a large number as they obtained more advice from various role-players.
Liné de Vries, Public Relations Officer, Hoërskool Oosterland delivered a safety moment. She is very passionate about the support that Hoërskool Oosterland gives to its learners. She spoke about creating a safe environment for learners at school. Physical Safety is not the only problem, but Psychological safety is also very important to the school, to create a safe environment where the learners can also talk to the teachers.
“Oosterland strives to be a “#Skool met Hart” said Liné, “That means that when you come into our school we want to have a Heart for You.”
All the short speeches were delivered from behind the “podium”.
Rethabile Ndjibu, Social Impact Manager, Sasol said that she felt very important standing behind the podium. “It reminds me of my days as a student,” she said.
‘I always think that teaching is a calling that not everybody can follow,” said Rethabile, “As I am standing here I would like to honour the teachers who make it possible for learners to become responsible contributors to our communities.”
She also praised the Learners that played Hosts and Hostesses to the event. “I am very impressed with them,” she said.
“Sasol believes that any responsible and caring corporate needs to focus on the education of our youth as leaders of our future and we believe in playing a role to ensure that they are prepared.”
“Our purpose as an organisation is to innovate for a better world,” continued Rethabile, “as we give these donations today we hope that the learners will excel and become those scientists of the future that will be able to find solutions for the types of situations that we find ourselves in currently.”
“Hopefully they will come up with several solutions to the problems that we currently face.” She said.
The donated items will enhance the teaching and learning of science subjects at the school. Learners will be able to conduct prescribed experiments that are essential for the conceptual knowledge of Science and contribute to their assessment marks. The following apparatus was donated to address the need of the school.
Four trolley & rack sets
Six Electric circuit boards
Six Grade 12 organic chemistry (for use in creating Esters)
Six Grade 12 Internal resistance
Six Grade 11 Intermolecular forces
Six Grade 10 Electrostatic
25 laboratory coats
25 Safety goggles
Two digital balance
Four light ray kits (optical kits)
Sasol has over the years supported education from Early Childhood Development (ECD) phase up to tertiary level. The company has provided schools in the fenceline communities with infrastructure support for ECD centres and schools to address the overcrowding of classrooms. Other initiatives include Grade 12 Revision Programmes to prepare learners for their final examinations, Grade 12 awards to acknowledge learners who have performed well, support to technical schools; supporting schools by donating science laboratory equipment, affording schools opportunities to access mobile science laboratories and Sasol Techno X Science Exhibition to showcase different careers that learners can pursue.
“Sasol in partnership with the Department of Education has been working to benefit communities around our operations and beyond, in terms of improving learners results and offering learnerships as well as bursaries to pursue their tertiary studies. However due to cost constraints the bursaries are suspended. We hope that the equipment we have given, will provide the opportunity for Science to come alive by making the theory a reality when the learners do the experiments in class.” Rethabile Ndjibu Manager Social Impact: Sasol Energy Operations.
King Masondo, Circuit Manager, Department of Education said that this donation would go a long way in translating what ever the learners learn in theory can be translated into practical knowledge.
“I remember that during my school days we had a laboratory but had no equipment so we just learned theory and no practical work,” King said, “I hope that the learners will benefit from this donation with practical knowledge.”
“Some schools rather store the equipment and do not use it, let us hope that this will be fully used and not stored.” A lot of schools are lacking the equipment needed.
Jerry Tladi, Subject advisor said that the equipment will help learners grasp the concepts better than just theory.
Fireworks and crackers. A very contentious subject.
For humans, it conjures images of lights and explosions. The booming sounds making spectators gasp and cheer every time there is a small explosion.
It is, unfortunately, not the same for animals. The booming sounds scare most animals sending them into fits of hyperventilation and panic attacks.
Many pets become so frightened by the noise and commotion of fireworks that they run from otherwise familiar environments and people, and sadly become lost.
December has always been a time when people celebrate the holidays with music, parties and presents. Unfortunately, it is also a time that fireworks are indiscriminately set off. Fireworks are used to celebrate and enhance festivities all over the world. In South Africa, fireworks are used to celebrate the Hindu holiday of Diwali, Guy Fawkes and New Year’s Eve.
The Explosives Act
Fireworks in South Africa are controlled in terms of the Explosives Act 15 of 2003 (Explosives Act). There are also specific by-laws that regulate the use or exploding of fireworks. Firework dealers need to be licensed in terms of the Explosives Act. Only individuals in possession of valid licences may deal in the sale of fireworks.
Some shops, however, are still selling Fireworks illegally. It is difficult to police as stocks may not last until law enforcers close on these illegal dealers. No fireworks may be sold by street hawkers or vendors. If you notice these actions, please report it to your nearest police station.
It is also unlawful for any person to use or explode any firework within 500 metres of any building or any public thoroughfare.
Fireworks over Venice, Italy. Photo: Encee van Huyssteen
The Explosives Act 15 of 2003 is clear on how explosives are kept, transported and who can dispose of it. Fireworks are described in the act
“explosive” means-
(a) a substance. or a mixture of substances, in a solid or liquid state, which is capable of producing an explosion;
(b) a pyrotechnic substance in a solid or liquid state, or a mixture of such substances. designed to produce an effect by heat, light, sound, gas or smoke, or a combination of these, as the result of non-detonative self-sustaining exothermic chemical reaction, including pyrotechnic substances which do not evolve gases;
And
“fireworks“ means any pyrotechnic substance contemplated in paragraph (6) of the definition of “explosives” which-
(a) is manufactured for the purposes of amusement or entertainment: and
(b) is divided into such classes as may be prescribed;
The NSPCA has the following advice on pets during firework displays
Your Pets and Fireworks
Our handy guide to pet owners is below:-
· Ensure all animals have identification.
· If possible, stay home with them if you suspect fireworks fiends are about.
· If you can’t be home with them, keep them inside and preferably in a room such as the kitchen where the windows are higher (and more difficult to jump through)
· Attempt to mask any noise by drawing curtains and playing calming music at a reasonable volume.
· Put familiar and comforting things around them such as toys, baskets etc.
· Provide them with something to do such as giving your dog a chewy bone or lots of catnip or a catnip toy for felines.
· If your pets do react badly to fireworks, then seek professional advice from your veterinarian.
· Why not ensure your pets have a hearty and nutritious meal around nightfall. This will make them more likely to be sleepy!
Legacypet has the following advice on how to help your dogs with fireworks.
Preparing pets for fireworks (or thunderstorms):
1. One of the most important things is to provide companionship. Try to stay at home with your pet if fireworks or thunderstorms are expected.
2. Keep pets indoors.
3. Make sure dogs get plenty of exercise earlier in the day.
4. Close all windows, curtains and doors where possible to block out flashing lights and loud sounds.
5. Provide toys, treats and other distractions to keep pets occupied.
6. Make sure your pet is micro-chipped or appropriately tagged for easy identification if they become lost.
1. Turn on music or the television to muffle the sounds, but nothing too loud. It works best when the music or television is on well before the thunderstorm or fireworks start, preferably when the dog is already relaxed.
2. Don’t fuss over or punish pets if they become agitated with the sounds; doing so only makes the behaviour worse.
3. Act calm and stress-free so that your pet’s fear does not mirror your own, they are sensitive to emotion.
4. Allow the pet to hide in a safe place if they choose such as a blanket lined cupboard. When scared of sounds they cannot pinpoint, dogs often prefer small, enclosed areas.
5. If pets run to hide in a corner or under the bed, do not try to coax them out, let them stay where it feels safe.
If your dog starts to show signs of stress when the fireworks start happening, there are things you can do to calm him down. Most importantly, remember your dog is looking to you for guidance and trust. Dogs are pack animals and instinctively want to rely on someone else to make their decisions for him. (In fact, do you really want to make your dog happy? Simply let it know that you will make all of its decisions).
So above all, you must display calm yourself and show your dog that that is how you want it to behave also. Let it know that you are in charge and that it will come to no harm. To do this, do not react to your dog’s stressful state. This includes trying to comfort them which can, in fact, make things worse.
Instead, calmly yet firmly hold your dog by the collar. Stay very calm yourself and do not react to anything the dog is doing. Do not say anything or use any soothing words. If you maintain this state, in time your dog will begin to calm down and sit or lie down. Let go of them only when they lie down and seem quite relaxed.
The bottom line is not to support illegal fireworks, to use them as allowed by law and to put pets and other animals first!
3 So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days’ journey.
4 And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.
5 So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
6 For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7 And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:
8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.
9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
10 And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
Motorists urged to obey road rules this Festive Season
Following the launch of Arrive Alive 365 Days WayaWaya Festive Season Campain by the Minister of Transport, Mr Fikile Mbalula, yesterday, Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Ms Gabisile Shabalala, reiterates her call to road users to obey the rules.
MEC Gabisile Tshabalala
Festive Season is usually associated with high volumes of traffic with people either travelling to visit their loved ones for the holidays or travelling for various reasons.
Since Mpumalanga Province is neighbouring Mozambique and Eswatini, there is usually a high increase of traffic movement between the two countries through the province.
With increased traffic volumes and a number of vehicles on the road, there is a likely increase in the number of crashes.
Experience has shown that some of these crashes are as a result of excessive speeding, driving vehicles which are not roadworthy, fatigue and drinking and driving among others.
It is in this context that MEC Shabalala calls on all road users to be cautious and obey the rules during the Festive Season and beyond.
She says that many lives are lost during the holiday season and it should be everyone’s responsibility to help government curb deadly road crashes.
“We are ready as a department, but we cannot bring an end to these crashes without the involvement of the road users. We need responsible drivers who will always prioritize their own safety and that of other road users.”
“We have lost many lives this year due to Covid-19 and we cannot afford to lose more due to recklessness and negligent driving. Traffic officers on the other hand must not show any leniency to those who disobey the rules during this holiday season and beyond,” she says.
The department together with various stakeholders will stage road blocks, various law enforcement operations, road safety campaigns and rest stops on most routes especially those that have been identified as major contributors to road crashes in the province during the previous holidays.
Meanwhile, the MEC also calls on communities to continue to adhere to the Covid-19 regulations as festivities are expected to increase during this period.
She says that the fact that the country has been placed on Alert level one does not mean that the virus is gone.
She advises communities to continue adhering to the regulations by among other things, maintaining social distance, regularly sanitizing or washing of hands and wearing masks in public spaces.
She states that the police should not hesitate to arrest those who will be found disobeying the regulations.
Visit the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison Facebook page HERE
Sibosiso Hlolweni has a heart for the people in Govan Mbeki Municipality. Sibosiso has spoken to The Bulletin on several occasions on the plight of some of the people here in our area. A little while ago he donated a wheelchair to an elderly lady that couldn’t use her old one anymore. He mustered the help of several members of the community to rebuild a new structure for an old man so that he can sleep better.
Now he is doing it again!
Sisbusiso is going to walk from eMbalenhle (Govan Mbeki Municipality) to Nelspruit. This walk is intended to raise funds to build houses for struggling elderly persons, child-headed families and people living with disabilities.
His first walk of this kind was on February 14, 2015, from eMbalenhle to Nelspruit. This walk was a great success since more than 10 families got their first-ever homes, cutesy of Mpumalanga provincial government.
The walk will start on 14 February and will end on the 19th of February. They will start in eMbalenhle and has invited members of the community to join them on the first short leg of their walk.
They are hoping to raise money to build 50 houses for struggling families from eMbalenhle, Bethal/eMzinoni, Hendrina, Carolina, Waterval Boven and Nelspruit. This walk was inspired firstly by the solo walk by Sibusiso Hlolweni in 2015 and the struggling families on our list.
Living conditions of some of the people
Sibusiso Hlolweni will no longer walk alone this time but will be joined by Lucas Jani and Lucky Sithole, both renowned athletes from Mpumalanga province. They both represented Mpumalanga and South Africa in international athletics.
They are assisted by two NGOs, NDP foundation and Lathoma, who will assist in collecting funds and help with the building project.
Attached are also photos of the conditions in which some of the families are living. The conditions are appalling, to say the least. Some of the dwellings have no floor and mattresses are placed on the soil directly.
They have hope that this walk will change their conditions forever, therefore it’s very important that this walk becomes a success. Should it not succeed, many families will be so disappointed since they have all hopes on this program.
Tehuise en kerke in Morgenzon ontvang skoonmaakmiddels vanaf Afriforum
AfriForum se Bethal-tak het saam met die Helpende Hand-tak in Morgenzon op 3 Desember skoonmaakmiddels aan kerke en tehuise in Morgenzon geskenk en versprei.
Hierdie skenking ter waarde van R8 000 sluit handreinigers en handewasseep asook ’n groot hoeveelheid skoonmaakmiddels soos bleikmiddels en skottelgoedseep in.
Dié skenking is aan AfriForum gemaak deur ’n anonieme donateur wat gevra het dat die organisasie dit versprei na areas waar dit benodig word. Daar is ook ’n soortgelyke skenking aan die Silwerjare-tehuis in Bethal gemaak.
“Organisasies soos tehuise en kerke kry finansieel baie swaar te midde van die COVID-19-pandemie en ’n skenking soos hierdie help om die las ’n bietjie ligter te maak,” sê Hennie Bekker, AfriForum se distrikskoördineerder in Mpumalanga.
Nog ‘n “So is die lewe” rubriek vanuit die pen van Ds Marius Britz. Titel is “Karretjiemense”
Hierdie is pure verbeelding. Of, dalk is dit ‘n storie, ‘n kykie deur die sleutelgat op die fenomeen wat lewe genoem word. Maar, dalk is dit die werklikheid, en, nog meer skrikwekkend, die waarheid.
Op die uitgestrekte N12 deur die karoo het jy hulle dikwels gekry, die karretjiemense: vanaf Hopetown, Strydenburg verby regdeur tot in die Moordenaarskaroo. Donkiekarretjies gelaai met alles en nog wat. ‘n Vrou op die bankie voor, ‘n gryserige man langs haar, blas en seningrig, met ‘n verslete hoedjie op sy kop. Hulle keer die fel son af met serpe om hulle nek gebind, en die pet laag afgetrek.
Hy hits die maer, moedelose en uitgeputte donkies aan met ‘n selfgevlegte swepie, hulle kinders agterop wat grootoog na die omgewing loer. Die vrou het ‘n toegeknoopte Shopriteplastieksak met droë brood in wat eergister op Britstown gekoop is. As die kinders te veel kerm omdat hulle honger is, kry elkeen ‘n homp brood en ‘n paar slukke uit die plastiekkan met water wat in die son staan op die karretjie.
Agter die donkiekarretjie draf ‘n hygende hond met ‘n tong wat uithang in die versengende hitte van die karoo. Die waentjie kreun onder ‘n volledige trek, tafels, beddens, stoele, die raam van ‘n outydse BSA-dikwielfiets sonder wiele kartondose, blikke, sinkplate, ‘n sifdraadhok swaaiend onder die wa met ‘n paar kaalnekhoenders wat kloekend protesteer teen die hitte en dors en ongemaklike hokkie. Die karretjiemense van die karoo wat van plek tot plek swerf; hier vir ‘n paar oulap drade reggemaak, daar weer skaapskeer of krale bou.
Maar altyd maar weer aan die beweeg, rusteloos op soek na ‘n meer permanente staning waar die lewe rustiger sou wees. Dalk ‘n goewermentshophuis, of, indien dit nie moontlik is nie, ‘n selfaanmekaargeflansde pandok met sink en houtpale, dalk ‘n paar groot kalkklippe op die dak om te keer dat die spulletjie wegwaai in een van die karoo se stofstorms. Hunkerend na permanensie vir hulle oudag: ‘n wasgoeddraad waaraan die deurgewaste klere smors vroeg kon hang, ‘n houthok vir die hees hond wat sou waarsku as daar ongewenste besoekers in die nag aankom.
En, wie weet, miskien. Net miskien, selfs ‘n televisieskottel teen die muur vasgemaak om te wys dat die bewoners van hierdie woning nie sommer enige hierjy mense is nie. ‘n Outydse, tweedehandse swaar televisiestel wat op huurkoop lay-buy afbetaal is by die pandjieswinkel, toegegooi met ‘n oranje handdoek om dit te beskerm teen stof. Ook ‘n goedkoop cd-spelertjie op ‘n houtkissie in die vertrek met ‘n rytjie cd’s wat gekoop is by Cash Crusaders teen R2-00 stuk. Greatest Gospel Hits en Country Hits of All Times. Meestal ingeskakel op RSG in die dag, waar Amorè Bekker en Ian Wessels en al die ander omroepers hulle huisgenote geword het. ‘n Kleinnood in die huis.
Tekens van ‘n bestaan, ‘n lewe. Tekens dat hulle darem nie heeltemal agtergebly het by die moderne lewe nie. Die leefvertrek is afgerond met die linoleum wat die plaasvrou van drie stanings gelede uitgegooi het toe haar man die kombuis laat teël het, die kaggelhorlosie met die vermiste wysers wat een of ander familielid vir 25 jaar getroue diens iewers by een of ander maatskappy gekry het, die afdruk van Jesus met ‘n stralekrans om sy kop teen die muur, en dan ook die horde fototjie’s teen die muur aangebring van die karretjiemense se kinders, familie en werkgewers wat vir hulle goed was en baie ou klere en stukkende potte vir hulle gegee het.
‘n Panoramiese blik op ‘n deel van Suid Afrika.
Ek het aan karretjiemense gedink toe ek Saterdag met ‘n sleepwa my studentedogter se trek in Stellenbosch gaan haal het. Die laaste Saterdag van November, en meeste studentekontrakte vir verblyf het verstryk. Oral deur die boomryke strate van Stellenbosch sien jy hulle; die ander Afrika-karretjiemense met dubbelkajuitbakkies, SUV’s, Mercedesse en BMW’s met Ventersleepwaentjies agteraan gehaak wat by luukse landgoede in- en uitry. Meubels agterop wat eintlik nog min gebruik is omdat die meeste van die woonstelle die grootste deel van 2020 leeg gestaan het as gevolg van Covid19.
Duur dubbeldeuryskaste met kouewaterkrane vir Stellenbosch se hitte, draagbare lugversorgers, wasmasjiene wat 9 kilogram wasgoed op een slag kan was, egte leerbanke, mikrogolfoonde, seilplanke, vierwielmotorfietse. Die groot plasmatelevisiestelle, die Blueray-spelers en die gesofistikeerde rekenaars, tablette en skootrekenaars is binne-in die voertuie gelaai. Op verskeie van die waentjies is wynrakke versigtig gelaai, die landgoedwyne wat sorgvuldig geproe en gekoop is verpak in kartonhouers.
Die tuisgimnasium se trapmeule en die R50 000-00 bergfiets is vasgeketting aan die Ventertjie. Die meeste van die woonstelle se inhoud wat nie op die Ventertjie pas nie, word vir bykans niks verkoop aan pandjieswinkels, of bloot afgelaai by Hospice of die DBV se winkels om ontslae te raak daarvan. Beddens, lessenaars, waaiers, lampe, rekenaars, hoëtroustelle, houers vol duur voorgeskrewe boeke wat tot R1000-00 stuk gekos het, kombuistoerusting. Die Venterkarretjies het nie plek daarvoor nie.
Voordat die uittog aangepak word na die dubbelverdiepinghuis by die see, of die groot plaas in die wyndistrik of die mansjoen in die Boland of elders, word daar eers geëet in Andringa- of Kerkstraat by ‘n straatkafee onder die akkerbome. Die gesinnetjie stap in nadat die 4×4 en Ventertjie geparkeer is en die student sy of haar jaaroue afslaandak Golfie GTI of Hyundaitjie langsaan getrek het (oulike studentemotortjie). Al lyk hy soms verspot daar in die parkeerarea van De Goede Verwachting-meenthuiskompleks waar die ander studente se Toyota Prado’s en C-klas Mercedesse, Audi A4’s en 3-reeks BMW’s geparkeer is.
Ons is almal maar karretjiemense.
Met hulle gemaklike ontwerperslenterdrag en hulle Rae-Bans op hulle kroontjies lyk hulle cool, en sou mens nie sê dat die historiese Stellenbosch bak in ‘n 35-grade somersdag nie. Hulle bestel die aanloklikste cocktails with crushed ice, in waatlemoengeur en helderblou bessiegeur, net vir die dors en lekker, voordat die landgoedwynlys gevra word.
Dis ‘n bargain, sê hulle: die gesogte landgoedwyn wat soveel toekennings gewen het, is slegs R495 per bottel. Hulle bestel sommer twee, net om moeite en tyd te spaar. Die geregte op die spyskaart is amazing: 300-gram verouderde biefstuk met Belgiese fritte en gesmelte bokmelk-en-fetakaas met Griekse slaai vir slegs R350! Truly a bargain! Ook die nagereg is divine! Swartwoudkoek vir slegs R75-00 per porsie! Hulle bestel al die goed van die spyskaart af sonder om eers na die kelner te kyk.
Na ete vertrek die Venterkonvooi-karretjiemense na hulle bestemmings, wonings afbetaal en verkoel met lugreëlaars en swembaddens, met jacuzzi’s en saunas. ‘n Panoramiese blik op ‘n ander deel van Suid Afrika.
Ons is almal maar karretjiemense. Dis net genade wat bepaal hoe jou karretjie lyk.
