The Bulletin News – Page 167

The Road Less Travelled – Little Paws Big Hearts 7-year birthday

Community news

-

October 28, 2020

0

The Road Less Travelled – Little Paws Big Hearts 7-year birthday

As with many things in life, Little Paws Big Hearts started off as a dream.

Founding members and animal lovers, Sonja and Louis Kempen were regular tourists in Ponta do Oura, Mozambique.

During their many visits, they became acutely aware of the lack of animal welfare in the region and tried to help where they can.

One day, on a sunny Saturday morning in 2013, Louis and Sonja decided to take a closer look at the state of animal welfare in their own region – Secunda. What they saw was a real eye opener and left the two in shock. It was evident that animals closer to home were in need of urgent assistance as well.

Louis and Sonja met with two friends to discuss the situation and immediately plans of action were drawn up.

And so, on 2 November 2013, LPBH had its very first outreach in the surrounding townships of Secunda. They started off with one bag of 25kg dog food and seven years later, they are distributing between 575 and 600 kgs of dog food per outreach.

Since that day, they have made many friends, saved countless lives and watched animals grow into strong and happy animals – Foster, Stewie, Oliver, Joseph, Jasper and who can ever forget Sparka, the trolley dog!

There have been many tears, disappointments, heartbreaks and challenges. They also shared an abundance of joy and made many, many memories, some of which they would like to share with you.

First wine festival fundraiser at Graceland
The yearly Misty Waters beer tent and Paws in the park with Lake Umuzi
Donations from Good Morning Angels
Their charity shop
Coco Chanel, who was stolen twice by the same person, is still safe and happily living the good life with Sonja and Louis
Assisting with cats and kittens born at a nearby power station
Taking hands with Dean Bush from the South African Greyhound Association to rehome numerous greyhounds
3 vaccination drives in the camps during lockdown
Rehoming dogs locally and 2 in the Western Cape, of which the 3-legged Jasper was one
Saving Jackals and rehomed horses
During the drought stricken Western Cape with the help of the public managed to send litres and litres of water to animals

2020 has been the toughest year for the LPBH organisation to date. Due to the pandemic, all fundraisers had to be cancelled and they had to change the way they operate during times when movement was restricted.

Yet, despite all the obstacles this year, they managed to be victorious because of the kindness, love and support they have received from the public.

READ ALSO: Little Paws Big Hearts

“We have managed to operate for 7 years and that would have been impossible without each donation, each helping hand, each word of encouragement and support,” said Sonja and Louis.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LPBH – may all your dreams and wishes come true!

Wacky Wednesday: A mother’s natural beauty

Fashion

Ane Prinsloo

-

October 28, 2020

0

Wacky Wednesday: A mother’s natural beauty

Earlier this month in an L & A’s Wacky Wednesday article, we spoke about how YOU are natural beauty and how only YOU can determine your own sexiness.

This week we are bringing you a little extra on the subject of natural beauty with a celebrity.

I spoke to my friend, Monique Muller to get her opinion on natural beauty and what it means to her.

Monique is a social media influencer, business woman and mother.

When I phoned Monique and asked for her opinion on the subject, she was honoured and shocked at the same time.

Monique and I had lost contact for a while but the reunion, even if it was just over the phone, felt like not a day has gone by since the last time we saw each other.

Chatting on the phone, Monique loved the idea of Natural Beauty October with L & A. She agreed that as women we should encourage and support each other. She also brought a new point of view to natural beauty. Something I never thought I would write about… Motherhood.

Before Monique was pregnant, she was always the belle of the ball and dressed to the nines! I cannot remember once, even when we both lived in Dubai, that I ever saw her not looking her best. Whether she had no make-up on or a full face of make-up and hair coiffed. She always took pride in her appearance.

This is not saying that she does not take pride in her appearance today!

No, she still does but while we were chatting on the phone, she opened up about motherhood and how she lost herself for a while.

“It is normal to lose yourself. There is this other being that completely and utterly takes over your life. It is only normal to lose yourself,” Monique said.

Motherhood is a gift that women sometimes take for granted but at the end of the day it is the one thing that each mother holds on to for as long as they can.

Monique’s top tips for mothers are:

1. Self-Care is SOOO important!! Anything that you enjoy! Keep on doing things you used to love doing before becoming a mom.

2. Be easy on yourself; there is sooo much guilt about so many things when it comes to being a mother. But we always know we have our babies’ best interests at heart and be at peace in knowing that.

3. Have fun! I had to learn this the hard way, personally being a perfectionist but just LIVE! LOVE! LAUGH!

4. Always follow your intuition; the same thing does not work for every child as they are all completely different individuals.

5. Find your community/village/support system. This is so beneficial to yourself but also to your little one.

These are definitely tips to take to heart and I am sure mothers can agree!

Police shoot the wrong person, or not?

Crime

Encee van Huyssteen

-

October 27, 2020

2

The Leandra Police allegedly shot and injured the wrong suspect

A robbery took place this afternoon in Leandra.

Information about the vehicles involved was not great, but it was reported that a red VW golf GTI was the suspected vehicle that the robbers used.

The Police gave chase and caught up with a red VW just outside Leandra (direction Kinross).

The police opened fire and the driver, he was alone at the time, was struck in the neck and head.

Did the Police shoot the wrong person?

Fortunately, the driver survived the shooting and was rushed to Mediclinic Highveld in Trichardt.

Also read: HAWKS ARREST DANGEROUS ARMED ROBBERS

The Bulletin briefly spoke to the driver’s wife and was told that “they shot the wrong guy.” “The victim was on his way to work when the Police shot at him,” she told some of the emergency personnel.

The Bulletin learned from reliable sources that the victim said that he thought that he was being hijacked. He even threw out random items from his vehicle to try and distract the SAPS members.

The Bulletin spoke to the SAPS members to try and establish the sequence of events but was told that the commander (or shift commander) was on his way.

The commander did not arrive within the next 45 minutes.

No statement has been received from the Police yet and the Bulletin has also not been successful yet in establishing contact with the station commander to verify the story. We hope to bring you the official response soon

Mayor Thandi Nxgonono resigns

Town News

Ane Prinsloo

-

October 27, 2020

0

The Bulletin has just received word that the Mayor of Govan Mbeki Municipality, Cllr Thandi Nxgonono has resigned.

A special council meeting has been convened for tomorrow, Wednesday, 28 October, at the Lilian Ngoyi Centre.

As previously reported, Nxgonono took special leave after the release of the Section 106 report last week.

Nxgonono was implicated in the report with a few of her fellow councillors.

The MEC for COGTA (Mpumalanga) was clear in his instructions when he delivered the report that disciplinary action should be taken against Nxgonono and several other councillors.

The previous MMC, Ethel Nkosi and the Current Chief Whip of Council, Cllr Doctor Mtsali were also implicated in the report.

Nkosi resigned on 14 September and is currently deployed at the National Council of Provinces in a position that used to be filled by her sister before her sister passed away a few months ago.

The council was further instructed by the MEC to refer certain sections of the report to the HAWKS.

The DA proposed that the instructions of the MEC should be followed. Unfortunately, the ANC majority and the EFF overruled this proposal.

The DA’s proposal was supported by the Freedom Front + and SAPROMO.

Cllr Dan Nhlapo is currently Acting Mayor for GMM even though there were other individuals earmarked for this position as well.

Tomorrow more questions will be able to be answered after the special council meeting.

Young Players honour their colleague at local soccer league

Community news

Encee van Huyssteen

-

October 26, 2020

0

Young Players honour their colleague at local soccer league

Youth Soccer at eMbalenhle.

Saturday was a big day for the young players from Emba and Leandra. They played in a knockout game to determine who would be playing at Vosloosrust next weekend.

The game was quite intense as the young players battled it out. The Carara Kicks against the Banana Boys. In the end, it was the Carara Kicks that managed to secure a 2-1 win over the Banana Boys.

Good luck to our boys from eMbalenhle, Carara Kicks.

The Bulletin spoke to Doctor Mokoena and Jacob Ntekwende

The day was also to honour one of their own. Moeketsi Diago is the first player in the Lake Umuzi Soccer Challenge to be selected as part of the Most Valued Player (MVP) Master Class group.

Lake Umuzi soccer honours Moeketsi — **Moeketsi Diago, Doctor Mokoena and Jacom Mtekwenda**

Moeketsi does not only excel on the soccer field he also studies hard. He achieved excellent results in his school work. He achieved a “level 7” in 7 of his 10 subjects. He is currently in grade 7 at Shapeve Primary School.

“The MVP focuses on young children achieving good results in both the academic fields as well as the sports fields.” Said Jacob Mtekwenda, “this achievement may land him a scholarship at university if he keep this up.”

“The MVP program will provide guidance to the selected indivuduals.” Said Jacob, “The program starts from under 9 untill under 17.”

Also Read: Jacob Mtakwende: from soccer player to 1 hero coach!

Moeketsi received a cash prize and a trophy from Jacob acknowledging his achievement. It was also his last local game.

He will start with the MVP program next season.

Kruik Oggenddiens, 25 Oktober 2020

Community news

Encee van Huyssteen

-

October 25, 2020

0

Welkom by Kruik se oggenddiens 25 Oktober 2020

Vanoggend se tema is: Wat is dit wat kinders weet?

Kruik se oggenddiens 25 Oktober 2020

Wat is dit wat ons by kinders kan leer? Ek dink dat met ons groot word jare leer ons metodes aan om ons gees agter ons gesig, oë en taal te laat wegkruip, sodat ons kan bestuur wat ons wil hê van ander en skuil van die goed wat ons vrees.

Preeknotas + Besprekingsvrae: http://bible.com/events/45803308

Ons het ook ‘n Smallville Kinderkerk les vir jou beskikbaar op Smallville se Facebook blad of op Kruik Gemeente se Youtube kanaal.

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!

Lees ook: Kruik Oggenddiens, 18 Oktober 2020

Kruik CCLI lisensie nr: #573361 “Laat die hele aarde juig” / R Burger / © 2008 Urial Publishing “In die middel van die storm”/ R.Burger & I.Burger / © 2019 Burger, Retief “10 000 Reasons” (Bless the Lord) / J.Myrin & M.Redman / © 2011 Thankyou Music

HAWKS ARREST DANGEROUS ARMED ROBBERS

Crime

Encee van Huyssteen

-

October 24, 2020

0

The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS), Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya has welcomed the arrest of suspects in connection with the armed robbery committed at the Badplaas police station in September this year.

It is alleged that on 12 September, in the early hours of the morning one suspect approached the gate of the police station screaming in the guise that he was under attack and needed assistance from the on-duty police.

When the unarmed police attended to the ‘help seeker,’ another suspect appeared from within the premises and they both pointed members of the Badplaas SAPS with firearms and ordered them back inside the client service centre.

The suspects demanded the safe keys and seized three firearms; an R5 rifle and two pistols as well as ammunition before they fled the scene.

The Mpumalanga Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit in partnership with the Flying Squad and Elukwatini detectives, followed up on information which resulted in the arrest of three suspects aged 36, 37 and 44 around Nelspruit on Thursday, 22 October.

All three firearms that were robbed, were recovered and they are to be subjected to forensic analysis to establish whether they were used in a commission of other crimes.

The two suspects arrested in possession of the firearms have been positively linked to the robbery scene whilst the third is still only being questioned at this stage to establish his role. They are scheduled to appear in the Calcutta Magistrate’s Court today to face charges of armed robbery and possession of state firearms.

It is Fashion Friday with L&A again!

Fashion

Encee van Huyssteen

-

October 24, 2020

0

For this week’s Fashion Friday with L & A, we look into the future to predict what the year of 2021 will hold.

Fashion forecasting is an extremely overlooked aspect in the fashion industry. Meaning, a lot goes into fashion prediction, but nobody ever thinks about what goes into predicting the upcoming fashion trends.

We looked at the past and tried to see what next year could hold.

From sequence to puffy sleeves, there is a lot about to change in your wardrobe in the year 2021.

Here is a roundup of the five fashion trends that dominated the 2020 runways.

READ ALSO: L & A’s 1st Fashion Friday!

Edgy Suits

Do not think boardroom or meeting suits.

The year of 2021 will see suits having a risqué spin to them – sheer fabrics, lace and underwear is a must.

Puffy Sleeves

Puffy sleeves bring flare to simplistic outfits.

Stella McCartney & Alexander McQueen had a lot of puffed sleeves during their spring 2020 shows and this might and will transition into 2021 as a must have in your wardrobe.

Changed-Up White Shirt

Who does not love a basic white tee? Well, take that tee and reinvent it for next year, because it is a MUST!

The white tee has always been a wardrobe staple, but it is time to change it up and take a risk with it.

Time to Shine

On this year’s Spring/Summer runway, designers paired sequence, glitter and even metallics with simple silhouettes.

READ ALSO: DIE SWART SKAAP

For a more realistic take on high shine, add a pop of shine to your wardrobe with a jacket, pair of shoes, or top.

Bold Floral

Bold florals on top of bold florals?

Yes! It is a thing and the designers are loving it!

This trend was seen on Marc Jacobs’ runway, paired with metallic and floral ruffles.

So is die Lewe: Gevaarlik, Gevaarlik Hier!

Columnist

Encee van Huyssteen

-

October 22, 2020

0

So is die Lewe: Gevaarlik, Gevaarlik Hier!

Nog ‘n “So is die lewe” rubriek vanuit die pen van Ds Marius Britz. Titel is “Gevaarlik, Gevaarlik Hier”

NP van Wyk Louw het geskryf: “moet ek vir iemand iets nog sê in hierdie land / wat luid van alle stemme is en blink en brand? of waar die goue lug al lank die aasvoël dra,/ koud ‘n gedoemde waarheid weet / wat niemand vra?”

Facebook, Twitter en WhatsApp kreun die afgelope tyd onder somber, desperate en ook agressiewe plasings: moorde op ‘n boere, senior polisiemanne besig om skaduagtige figure in die onderwêreld te ondersoek word koelbloedig afgemaai, mense van van alle groepe in hierdie land staan in plofbare oomblikke in Senekal neus teen neus mekaar en dreig, 1000e hektare plaasgrond met weiding en gewasse in die Wes Vrystaat en Noord Kaap afgebrand.

Opruiende toesprake word impromptu en ongeregisseerd op nasionale televisie gehou, terwyl emosies hemelhoog opgesweep word. Videos hiervan versprei soos ‘n veldbrand op die sosiale media. Baie tuisgemaakte video’s word gemaak en geplaas as gevolg van hierdie een, en vele van die video’s gee mens koue rillings.

Een van hulle is geplaas deur ‘n bekende sakeman wat ‘n masjiengeweer en ‘n pistool langs hom het, terwyl hy versies uit die Bybel aanhaal, totaal uit konteks, om oorlog en wraak mee te regverdig. Manne wat nie eers ‘n korporaal in die kadette was nie, is nou skielik ‘n generaal, met verspotte leer-epoulette met die Uniegebou op as rangkenteken, en wil oorlog verklaar teen ‘n ander groep mense in hierdie wye en droewe land.

Daar is opgekropte woede onder baie inwoners van hierdie land. Dekades nadat Van Wyk Louw alreeds dit voorspel het met sy woorde: “wat luid van alle stemme is en blink en brand.” Oor baie sake. Korrupsie. Misdaad. Werkloosheid. Geweld. Swak dienslewering. Onbevoegte amptenare. Die kommissie na staatskaping hoor elke dag verstommende getuienis aan oor astronomiese bedrae geld wat gesteel en wanaangewend is.

Koerantplakkate basuin dit uit: 67% van die Covidfondse is weg. Soos in gesteel. Die situasie in die land is hoogs plofbaar. Dit hang soos ‘n newel om my as trotse Suid Afrikaner se gemoed.

Somber, bekommerd, belemmerd deur al hierdie goed wat my slimfoon en gemoed besoedel, staan ek by die kettingwinkel in Langebaan se tou by die kasregister om te betaal. Ek probeer om nie na die rak met koerante te kyk nie, want dit alles is voorbladnuus op al die koerante. Voor my staan ‘n ou tannietjie met haar einde-van-die-salaris-aankope: een rol toiletpapier, ‘n halwe brood, ‘n liter langlewemelk.

Ons praat oor die prys van kos. Sy sê vir my, plastieksakkie bronsmuntstukke in haar hand: “Onse mense kry swaar, meneer.” Toe, skielik, groet die opsigter by die kassiere iemand agter my wat ook in die ry staan, wat verjaar. En skielik begin sy sing: “Happy birthday to you.” Al die kassiere val in en sing saam. Ook die mense in die ry. Almal in die winkel glimlag agter hulle maskers en sing.

Ek weet meteens dat daar nog soveel goedheid en menslikheid is in hierdie wye en droewe land.

En ek, ek begin huil. Die bruin tannietjie voor my ook. Ook die mense om ons. Gemaskerd omhels ons mekaar. Wit en swart en bruin en pienk en helderbont mense. Ek weet meteens dat daar nog soveel goedheid en menslikheid is in hierdie wye en droewe land. Ten spyte van al die duister. Die oorgrote meerderheid van mense soek net vrede, veiligheid en ‘n rustige bestaan.

Lees ook: So is die Lewe: Inperkings het sy voordele

Die meeste se senuwees en geduld is dun deurgeskaaf. Ek dink aan Johannes Kerkorrel en die Gereformeerde Blues-band se lied Liefde: “Gevaarlik, gevaarlik, gevaarlik hier, sonder liefde... Moordenaars loop los en daar is dood in die strate sonder liefde.”

Johannes Kerkorrel en die Gereformeerde Blues Band: Liefde

Toe ek uitstap egter, sien ek die spierwit strand. En die kobaltblou see. Alhoewel Dasseneiland en Schaapeneiland deur ‘n mislaag bedek is, weet ek dit sal netnou verdwyn. Dan sal dit ‘n helder, oop, dag wees. Ek besluit terstond: ek gaan nie dat die huidige miswolke my uitsig op die meerderheid lieflike mense van hierdie reënboogland verberg nie. Daardie miswolke sal ook verdwyn.

Van nou af bid ek ernstig vir almal wat geraak word deur plaasmoorde. Ek bid vir die kinders van die Kaapse Vlakte wat deur ‘n dwaalkoeël getref word agter op hulle ma se rug, of binne in die sinkhuis op die rusbank as bendes roekeloos op mekaar skiet. Ek bid vir nog ‘n dogtertjie wat gesterf het nadat sy ernstig deur haar stiefpa aangerand is. Vir ‘n kind wat in Soshanguve op die skoolgrond met ‘n mes gesteek word. Ek bid vir die kind wat met ‘n wapen skool toe gaan.

Vir my oud-tuinier in Embahlenhle wie se sinkhuis onmenslik warm is in die huidige hitte in Secunda. Vir die kind wat met geweld grootword, dit dra in die letsels aan sy lyf… totdat hy niks meer voel nie. Ek bid vir die weerlose kind wat na alles ‘n siellose man word wat moor. Ek bid vir daardie boere wat betraand staan en kyk na die verbrande karkaste van hulle stoetvee op die roetgebrande plaas.

Want ek weet: as ek vir hulle bid, bid ek ook vir myself. Dan kyk ek verder as die hier en nou, verder as Facebook en Whatsapp en Twitter, as die swart en donker en rou. Ek kyk op, op, op na die berge.

En ek sien die Lig.

Fraudster sentenced for selling fake certificates

Crime

Encee van Huyssteen

-

October 21, 2020

0

Fraudster sentenced for selling fake certificates

FRAUDSTER SENTENCED FOR SELLING FAKE TERTIARY CERTIFICATES

MPUMALANGA – Edmond Okechuku (45) appeared at the Piet Retief Magistrate Court on Monday for sentencing on charges of fraud, forgery and linked to manufacturing false tertiary qualification certificates.

Okechuku was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team in Mpumalanga on the 16 October 2019 during an intelligence-driven operation put in place to intercept his criminal activities. This followed the information received about the sale of fake tertiary certificates sold to the public. He was released on R 2000 on 24 October 2019.

The self-employed salon and internet café operator based in Piet Retief was approached by a police agent who needed N6 Human Resources certificate for which he charged R1500.

Also read: 4 Suspects in court for unlawful possession of firearms

Okechuku pleaded guilty on all charges, subsequently, the Piet Retief Magistrate court sentenced him to six years direct imprisonment. Furthermore, he was denied leave to appeal the sentence and declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The Hawks Provincial Head in Mpumalanga, Major General Zodwa Mokoena welcomed the sentence and applauded the team for the outstanding investigation. “We ought to put a formidable fight in the protection of our education system”, said Major General Mokoena.

Visit the HAWKS HERE