Sunday 25 October will forever be etched into the memory of the Byleveldt family.
This was the day that so nearly cost Alf Byleveldt his life. A freak accident in his home workshop left Alf with severe burns to his hands, face and head.
But Alf miraculously survived.
Alf Byleveldt survived a freak accident
Alf became known as the man from Jelani security that would mostly be the first on a fire scene. The enthusiasm and passions that Alf displayed towards his work at accident scenes and fires is contagious.
Sometimes Alf would grab the “Jaws of Life” from somewhat hapless GMM firemen shouting “let me show you how” when they would be moving to slow to his liking.
The White and Blue Mahindra also became well known at protest actions as Alf would babysit his client’s assets.
Alf with his Bakkie
Langamed responded immediately to the scene of the accident with ER24 on their heels. Emergency medical care was administered, and Alf was stabilised before ER24 transported him to Mediclinic Highveld. He was airlifted to Milpark Burn ICU shortly after.
Read about Burn Facilities and Services at the Milpark Burn ICU HERE
There is a long recovery road ahead of Alf, as his burns are deep and severe. He is still in ICU and under sedation. He will be critical for at least the next four months. He is also heavily sedated to help with the severe pain that burns victims’ experience. His doctors are considering whether they should reduce some of the sedation to assess his condition better, but it has not been done yet.
The current treatment includes a visit to the theatre every 48 hours for a scrubbing of his wounds. This is especially important as infection is a major concern for burn victims.
The road to good health is awfully long as Alf would need skin transplants, more surgery, and a lot of physiotherapy. But Alf is a fighter and is responding positive to his treatment.
Alf Byleveldt doing what he loves most, fighting a fire. Photo: The Bulletin
Petro Byleveldt, Alf’s wife, is keeping his friends updated on a WhatsApp group. The Bulletin spoke to Petro earlier this week to enquire to Alf’s’ health and the family. What we have found is that the whole family rallied around Alf and his business to ensure that his clients and friends are not neglected.
Jelani Security was found in 2016 by Alf Byleveldt. As a responsible Security Provider, they offer the following services. • Physical Site Security • Access Control • Patrolling • Canine • Guarding
“I would like to assure all our clients at Jelani Security that nothing has change on the operational side of the business” said Petro. She explained that Alf has a passion for his clients but most of all his staff. “we have a little too much staff, but Alf cannot let them go,” said Petro, “he is concerned that they will have nowhere else to go.”
The following contact numbers for Jelani can now be used:
Ben van Jaarsveld- 0820826045
Petro Byleveldt- 0725675345
The Bulletin also often made use of information that Alf would provide, sometimes very late at night, regarding protest actions and other actions. It would appear that Alf never slept.
Petro asked for his friends to send voice messages if they could that she could play for him at her few visits. “His responded every time that he heard messages.” Said Petro Byleveldt. “The Nursing Sisters was so pleased when she saw him moving his foot, that she tried to get him to repeat it. She could not get him to do it.”
Friends all joined the WhatsApp group and regularly send messages of encouragement and well wishes to Alf and his family.
The Byleveldt family
Only his wife is allowed to visit him, not even his children, and then for only 30 minutes a day. Petro can also not even touch him at the moment. Touching is a natural human way of showing affection, empathy etc.
Petro said, “I would like to thank everyone for their words of encouragement, messages and just the quick hugs that everyone were sending to the Family and also to Alf. It would be far more difficult to work through this if it were not for them. I would also like to thank everyone that were involved, and still are, with his care and business.”
The Bulletin would like to express our heartfelt sympathy with the injuries of Alf Byleveldt and wish him a speedy and full recovery.
Laerskool Secunda het besluit om met ATKV Kosmosrand saam te span.
Een van Laerskool Secunda se waardes is omgee en daarom het die skool dit goed gedink om hande te vat met die ATKV om sodoende bewusmaking van prostaatkanker te bevorder. Die fokus is op prostaatkanker gedurende die maand van November. Die skool en die ATKV wil graag die manne aanmoedig om vir hul jaarlikse ondersoeke te gaan. Vroeë opsporing kan jou lewe red!
Die projek skop op 7 November af met Laerskool Secunda se jaarlikse gholfdag by Graceland. Die manne kan ‘n ronde balkie koop teen R20 en dra ter ondersteuning van die projek en vir bewusmaking van prostaatkanker. Laerskool Secunda wil hande neem met hierdie projek, en daarom sal die projek vir die hele November aan die gang wees.
Alle persone (mans en vroue) kan die balkie dra en sodoende hierdie unieke projek ondersteun. Alle gelde wat ingesamel word, word aangewend vir pasiënte wat nie mediese fondse het en nie kan bekostig om die behandeling, of die reis na die behandeling, te betaal nie. Ons doen ‘n beroep op die gemeenskap om asseblief hierdie projek te ondersteun.
Nog ‘n “So is die lewe” rubriek vanuit die pen van Ds Marius Britz. Titel is “Onthou sodat jy nie vergeet nie”
Op 11 November 1918, om 11:00 die oggend, bykans 102 jaar gelede, is ‘n skietstilstand onderteken wat ‘n oorlog op see, land en in die lug beëindig het.
Die Eerste Wêreldoorlog. Gifgas, vliegtuie en tenks het die eerste keer deel van oorlogvoering geword. Miljoene soldate en burgerlikes is in die oorlog dood. Dit het gelyk of planeet aarde teen homself oorlog voer.
Op ‘n gedenkteken in ‘n bos is die Clairière de l’Armistice – die Oopte van die Skietstilstand, waar ‘n betonblok is met die woorde: “Hier op 11 November 1918 is die verwaandheid van die misdadige Duitse Ryk verslaan deur die vrye volkere wat hy probeer verower het.” Hierdie oorlog was veronderstel om alle oorloë te beëindig.
Maar 21 jaar later sou daar weer ‘n oorlog wees op daardie oop stuk grond. ‘n Nog meer skrikwekkende oorlog. Met nog meer miljoene menselewens wat opgeoffer is. Die stil bos word jare ná die Tweede Wêreldoorlog ‘n kosmiese plek van verdwasing.
Die stasie Compiègne in daardie gebied was die plek waar miljoene mense na konsentrasiekampe vervoer word. Die laaste trein met gevangenes, mans, vrouens en kinders, vertrek op 17 Augustus 1944 na Buchenwald met 1250 mense aan boord.
Stef Bos sing: “Hier vertrok de trein / Hier op dit perron / Hier stonden de mensen / Met angst in hun ogen / Voor de reis begon / Hier was het leven / Daar was de dood.”
So is ook ons Suid Afrikaanse landskappe gekenmerk deur oorlogsgedenktekens. Paardeberg, Magersfontein, Ungungundlovu, Bloedrivier, Kimberley, Pretoria. Selfs tussen Trichardt en Bethal en omgewing was daar groot veldslagte tussen die Boere en Britte.
Vir drie myl het Buller se regterflank onder skoot van die Bethalkommando op Frischgewaagd gekom. Britse ongevalle was 36 (insluitend 7 dood en 3 vermis) en aan Boerekant is 3 man gewond. En nader aan ons eie tyd natuurlik die oorlog in Angola.
Mens sou kon vra: “Wat is die sin hiervan?” Daar is al vele boeke, verhandelings en referate hieroor geskryf. Daar sal in die toekoms nog vele wees, soos wat nuwe dokumente ontdek en argeologiese opgrawings gemaak word.
Maar die een nalatenskap wat almal saamdra wat iewers in ‘n oorlog betrokke was, is ervarings. Hetsy goed of sleg. Meer as dit, ‘n kameraadskap wat altyd sal bestaan. Dit is bewys deur die gedenkdienste wat regoor die wêreld plaasvind ook hier in Suid Afrika.
Deel van hierdie kameraadskap is die humor, die staaltjies, wat saamgedra word. Daarvan is daar oorvloed. Soos die Engelse luitenant wat op ‘n parade moes bid en lees omdat daar nie ‘n kapelaan was nie. Hy was swak Afrikaans magtig, maar moes in Afrikaans bid omdat dit Afrikaanse maand was, volgens die tweetaligheidsbeleid van die destydse SAW.
Hy besluit toe op die gebed wat hy in die skool geleer het, die Onse Vader. Na die bevel aan honderde troepe, “pette af!”, bid hy toe: “Onse Vader… wat in die hemel is …lei ons vandag … deur die bosse…” Toe voel die RSM hom geroepe om net daar kliphard te skreeu: “Amen!” En dis die einde van die bidparade en die waardigheid van die seremonie.
So kan elke gewese soldaat vir jou stories vertel oor byname, gebeure, mense, karakters. Selfs in turbulente en gespanne situasies het humor ‘n groot rol gespeel. Soos in die aanval deur die SA Veiligheidsmagte op ‘n groep in Angola. Die aanvalsmag was teen middernag in posisie en gereed.
Radioseine is verbied en almal het in stilte gewag dat die oomblik aanbreek vir die bevel om aan te val. Net voor middernag kom ‘n stem oor die radionet: “Ek is nou vaak.” Die bevelvoerder is woedend en stuur diè boodskap: “Laaste stasie, identifiseer jouself onmiddelik.” Na ‘n hele rukkie kom die stem weer oor die radio: “Ek is darem nog nie só vaak nie.”
Ekself het ook sulke komiese situasies beleef. Negentig persent daarvan kan nie in ‘n ordentlike koerant soos The Bulletin vertel word nie. Dis braaivleisstories. Maar een insident vertel ek altyd weer en weer. Iewers in die bos, tydens my lugmagjare, kom ‘n Bosbok, ‘n verkenningvliegtuig, met groot nood by ons tydelike basis aan.
Bosbok
Hulle basis, waar die vlieënier vandaan kom, se bier het opgeraak. Twintig kaste bier word in die bosbok gelaai. Die vliegtuig moes op ‘n geskraapte grondaanloopbaan land en opstyg, en diè was baie kort en vol bulte. So, dit het groot kundigheid van die vlieënier geverg. Die oplossing was eenvoudig: die troepe hou die vliegtuig was terwyl die revolusies opgewerk word, sodat die vliegtuig vinniger kan wegtrek om op te styg.
En daar gaan hy met sy twintig kaste bier. Maar die Bosbok kom naby die einde van die aanloopbaan tot stilstand. “Nee”, sê die vlieënier, “twintig kaste bier is te swaar. Haal tien uit.” Die vliegtuig word teruggesleep en dieselfde opstygingsproses word herhaal.
En weer rem die vliegtuig voor opstyging en kom tot stilstand aan die einde van die aanloopbaan. “Ek besef nou”, sê die vlieënier, “dat die vliegtuig dit sal maak. Laai vyf van die tien kaste wat julle afgelaai het, terug.” As deel van die weermagstories is daar ‘n skatkis van ervarings wat menswees gekweek het: drilparades, inspeksies, bosopleiding, kontakte, kameraadskap, huistoeverlang, dear-Johnny-briefies, sewedae pas.
Ek onthou die een troep wat kom my kom vra het vir menslikheidspas, omdat sy vrou gaan kraam. “Wanneer kraam sy?”, vra ek. “Oor nege maande”, antwoord hy.
Soos gehoor tydens ‘n uitklaarparade: “Go ahead in peace. Lest we forget.”
The Ithemba Lesiswe Movement are concerned about GMM and held a press conference today to voice their concerns.
“The Ithemba Lesiswe Movement is concerned by the state of paralyses in GMM about the financial position and noncompliance of submitting financial reports.” These were the words of Oupa Linda Mvundla, President of Ithemba Lesiswe Movement.
The Ithemba Lesiswe Movement (ILESMO) wrote a letter in July to the MEC of Cogta, Mandla Msibi, the minister of Cogta, Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma as well as the Premier of Mpumalanga, Premier Refilwe Mtseni Tsipane requesting them to put Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) under administration.
“We as ILESMO are proud of the work we have done by putting on the Provincial COGTA, the National COGTA as well as the Premier to put GMM under administration,” Oupa said, “We would however preferred that they be placed under section 139(1)(c) as they are failing to execute the mandate given to them by the municipality of GMM.”
Ithemba Lesiswe Movement would like to voice their appreciation and give thanks to the select committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) for their visit on 16 September 2020.
“We would also like to send a message of gratitude to all officials of GMM, Councillors, Whistle blower and former councillors who came forward to assist with information regarding the Section 106 investigation.” Oupa said.
The movement is also not happy about the Councillors that are implicated in the report and asked for their immediate suspension.
Ithemba Lesiswe Movement will leave no stone unturned to facilitate the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Section 106 report. The leadership was very adamant that the instructions of the MEC asking for the HAWKS to be involved should be implemented.
It is Movember again and in this week’s Wacky Wednesday article we would like to encourage all men and women to support this amazing cause!
In 2003 the Movember Foundation started with only 30 men and today it has grown into a global phenomenon.
This was not started as an excuse to not shave but rather a chance to grow a ‘stache or beard worthy of a 1970’s porn star all while raising awareness and money for men’s health!
Men’s health has been on a decline and according to the Movember Foundation’s website:
“Men are dying on average 6 years earlier than women and for largely preventable reasons.
Unchecked, prostate cancer rates will double over the next 15 years. Globally, testicular cancer is the most common cancer among men aged 15 – 39 years of age. And across the world, one man dies by suicide every minute of every day, with males accounting for 75% of all suicides.”
If you want to fully participate in Movember, register to be counted amongst the millions that grow out their moustaches for a good cause. Then, you can choose how to participate:
You can simply grow your moustache and use it as a talking point to start important conversations about men’s health.
Participate in “Move for Movember,” during which you’ll commit to walking or running 60 miles over the course of the month. The number 60 represents the 60 men’s lives lost to suicide every hour across the world.
You can host a “Mo-Ment,” or an event to raise awareness about men’s health.
Recently Sasol hosted an event to honour and celebrate the public sector health workers in GMM for their commitment and upstanding work on the front lines during the lockdown.
The event was to ensure that the health workers are aware that they did not go unseen during the time of COVID-19.
“Sasol appreciates and thanks the Healthcare Professionals for their bravery, for going above and beyond their call of duty and for their self-sacrificing courage. They are our everyday heroes, working selflessly with compassion to perform lifesaving work on the COVID-19 frontline, while placing themselves in harm’s way with limited resources and immense pressure,” said Simon Baloyi, Senior Vice President: Secunda Chemicals Operations.
Simon Baloyi, Senior Vice President: Secunda Chemicals Operations
Sasol has been a huge support during these difficult times and have donated:
More than 144 150 litres of alcohol-based sanitiser to health and educational institutes
Rolled out COVID-19 education and awareness programmes in collaboration with the Gert Sibande District Municipality
Donated general hygiene and safety-kit items
Loaning three mobile science laboratory vehicles, fuelled by Sasol, to assist the Department of Health
Provided 10 administrators to assist the Department of Health with data capturing
Donated 66 mattresses and toiletry packs to homeless people housed at the Kinross Golf Club Lapa
On the day of the event Sasol also donated 1200 litres of sanitiser to Evander Hospital, Bethal Hospital and other surrounding Public Health Clinics in Govan Mbeki.
Some of the Bethal Hospital staff entertained the crowd with a dance and after that everyone joined in to dance the Jerusalema dance.
DA approaches Hawks to investigate intensified corruption, fraud and maladministration in Govan Mbeki Municipality
The Democratic Alliance in Govan Mbeki has submitted an affidavit to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) on Monday to request that they investigate instances of possible corruption, fraud, maladministration and failure to uphold the MFMA in the Govan Mbeki Municipality, as reported in the section 106 investigative report.
In 2019, the MEC of CoGTA, Mr Mandla Msibi called for a forensic investigation to be conducted in the Municipality, amongst others, based on section 106 (1)(b) of the Municipal Systems Act which states that:
“If an MEC has reason to believe that a municipality cannot or does not fulfil a statutory obligation binding on that municipality or that maladministration, fraud, corruption or any other serious malpractice is occurring or has occurred, the MEC must consider it necessary, designate a person or persons to investigate this matter”.
The investigation intended to cover 15 focus points of which a recent council meeting has revealed that only 10 were investigated thoroughly. In the report on the outcome of the investigation, several political office bearers and officials in the Municipality were implicated in a number of possible corrupt activities.
Since the outcome had been made known, several council meetings of the Govan Mbeki Council had considered the report, an action plan aimed at corrective measures to address the report as well as the fitting yet opportune resignation of the Executive Mayor, Thandi Ngxonono, two days before facing a Motion of No Confidence submitted against her by the DA.
Visit the Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs (COGTA) website HERE
The DA has opposed the resolutions, in the form of an action plan, by these council meetings, as they do not thoroughly and sufficiently address the matter of possible criminal activities that have taken place in our municipality; and that this plans is designed to continue to stall the matter even further.
It is because of this that the DA has submitted an affidavit with supporting documentation as well as a copy of the section 106 report to the Hawks to ensure that all reasonable steps are being taken to ensure that justice is being served in our municipality.
The Sasol Highveld Photography Club is passionate about photography and about the quality of the images they shoot. They want the members to enjoy their photography.
WHAT THEY DO
Their goal is to help their members to learn, grow and expand their photography. Highveld Photography Club wants to make a difference in each photographer’s life, by giving members inspiration to really appreciate their hobby and by recognizing their work. Each individual is unique and your picture is special!
Sasol Highveld Photography Club
CLUB MEETINGS
The club meets monthly on a Friday at 18:00 for 18:30 at the Scrum Hall in the main building of the Sasol Recreation Centre.
Japsnoet was in 1987 gestig en in 1999 as ‘n privaat dagsorg en nasorg geregistreer. Japsnoet is ‘n voldag voorskoolse speelgroep vir leerders vanaf vier maande tot vyf jaar.
Die kleuterskool spog met klein klasse vir individuele aandag, volg ‘n informele gestruktureerde onderrig program, en bied ‘n veilige leer omgewing met christelike waardes vir leerders.
Japsnoet is al vir 34 jaar deel van die Secunda gemeenskap en is reg om nog 34 en meer jaar na die Secunda se babas en kleuters te kyk.
Jessica en Carolyn sê hulle is reg om 2021 aan te pak met entoesiasme en opwinding en gaan dit ‘n jaar vir die boeke maak.
“Ons is opgewonde om na ons Japsnoetjies om te sien en te help bou aan hulle toekoms. Saam met ons toegewyde en positiewe personeel, onderwysers, assistente, en skoonmaak-span kan ons u en u kind verseker van ‘n blink toekoms,” sê hulle.
Kom loer gerus in by ons Ope-Dag, Woensdag 18 November 2020 en kyk waaroor die dorp gons.
Ope-Dag, Woensdag 18 November 2020
Inskrywings vir 2021 is oop en daar is beperkte spasie. Skakel gerus ons kantoor by 017 634 7036
