A workshop was held for girls in eMbalenhle on Sunday.
About 15 girls attended the workshop that had the theme of “Girls in power!”
The girls and presenters at the workshop
The day was designed to educate, empower and inspire girls by raising awareness, developing communication skills and cultivating self-respect
Girls between the ages of 12-18 were invited.
“Our goal is to encourage them to look inward for inspiration and set positive goals and consider the steps to achieve the goals.” Said Khanyi Mthimunye, the inspiration behind the workshop.
Khanyi is the co-owner of Employ Her, an employment company that seeks to help women find employment.
“We would like to encourage our girls to think about what inspires them.” Continued Khanyi, “This workshop is also designed to empower our girls to find their own direction by determining individual beliefs. Values and direction.”
The activities for the day included:
Self-awareness and appreciation of strengths.
Enhance self-awareness, strengths and skills of each individual.
Explore passions and talents.
Empowering female role models:
Encourage our girls to think about who inspires them. Also discuss which character strengths they admire in people and for what reason.
“Most importantly this day is dedicated to these young girls because most if not all come from disadvantaged households and some of these households are headed by these young girls, this then means that their childhood has somewhat been stolen from them.
We want to remind them of what it is to be a child. Empower them to Educate them also allowing them to have fun.” Concluded Khanyi.
Dawid sê; U is my Herder, U is alles vir my en U is genoeg!
Vir die laaste twee weke het ons dit beklemtoon dat Dawid psalm 23 eintlik skryf vanuit ‘n donker wegkruip plek in sy lewe. Hy vlug vir sy lewe en hy is in groot nood waar hy vrees dat hy dalk sy lewe kan verloor.
Dawid is baie kwesbaar wanneer hy Psalm 23 skryf.
In die volgende vers praat hy van donker dieptes en doodskaduwee… miskien is dit juis die ding wat ons mee kan vereenselwig. Laat my dink aan Rowan by die huis as hy in ‘n donker vertrek moet ingaan, hy draai net daar om, maar as ek saam is stap hy by enige plek in.
Die Here is my Herder ek kom niks kort nie. Hy lei na groen weivelde na waters waar rus is. Hy verkwik my siel en lei my in die spore van geregtigheid.
En dan by vanoggend – Al gaan ek deur donker dieptes, ek sal geen onheil vrees nie. Al gaan ek deur verlies, honger, siekte, veroudering of selfs dood, het ek geen vrees nie want U, Emanneul is hier saam met my. U stok en U staf vertroos my. Dit gee my vryheid! Twee groot struikelblokke genoem in die laaste twee weke…
1. Ons lewe met ‘n tekort. Ons altyd opsoek na nog.
2. Ons lewe met ‘n verwronge beeld van wie ons is. En dan vanoggend…
3. Ons lewe word meestal beheer deur ons vrese.
Ons wêreld word beheer deur vrees. Vrees is orals rondom ons.
Satan floreer met vrees! Hy loop rond soos brullende leeu (ons weet sy tande is getrek op die kruis van Golgotha) maar hy brul pappie. Hy maak bang. En ons… reageer meestal op hierdie vrese en maak selfs groot besluite as gevolg van hierdie vrese.
Dink bietjie terug hoeveel groot besluite jy al gemaak het op vrees of op iets wat moontlik kon gebeur? Wonder as ons nie moet “pause” by donker en doodskaduwee nie en net toelaat dat God ons die donker in vat – en deur die donker vat, al kan ons niks sien nie.
Dawid is kwesbaar hier, en ek dink nie dis ‘n slegte plek om op te wees nie. Hy sê; Al gaan ek deur ‘n dal van doodskaduwee, donker dieptes ek sal niks vrees nie! Amplified sê; Al skyn die son nie! ‘n Lewe sonder tekort is ‘n lewe waar daar nie vrees is nie.
Ons vertroue in wie God is, is groter as enige iets wat ons kort kom of vrees. Dis nie toevallig dat Jesus telkemale vir sy vriende sê; Moenie vrees nie, hoekom is julle bang? Paulus maak Jesus sy Herder – en Paulus is vervolg tot die uiterste toe…
Hy sê; Want ek reken dat die lyding van die teenwoordige tyd nie opweeg teen die heerlikheid wat aan ons geopenbaar sal word nie. Romeine 8:18
Wat sal ons dan van hierdie dinge sê? As God vír ons is, wie kan teen ons wees? Romeine 8:31
Hy wat selfs sy eie Seun nie gespaar het nie, maar Hom vir ons almal oorgegee het, hoe sal Hy nie saam met Hom ons ook alles genadiglik skenk nie? Romeine 8:32
Wie sal ons skei van die liefde van Christus — verdrukking of benoudheid of vervolging of honger of naaktheid of gevaar of swaard?Romeine 8:35
Maar in al hierdie dinge is ons meer as oorwinnaars deur Hom wat ons liefgehad het. Romeine 8:37
Want ek is versekerd dat geen dood of lewe of engele of owerhede of magte of teenwoordige of toekomende dinge of hoogte of diepte of enige ander skepsel ons sal kan skei van die liefde van God wat daar in Christus Jesus, onse Here, is nie. Romeine 8:38,39
Dawid ken die gevare om hom maar te goed dis hoekom hy gehol het. Maar hy sê ek sal geen onheil vrees nie want… U is by my. Emmanuel U is hier!
Paulus skryf verder – Wees oor niks besorg nie, maar laat julle begeertes in alles deur gebed en smeking met danksegging bekend word by God. En die vrede van God, wat alle verstand te bowe gaan, sal julle harte en julle sinne bewaar in Christus Jesus. Filippense 4:6,7
Wie is groter as die Here die almagtige in hierdie lewe? Hy is aan my kant sê Dawid. Gaan daar dinge wees wat my bang maak? Verseker! Gaan ek toelaat dat dit my lewe beheer? Verseker nie!
Wat is dit wat jy vrees? Daardie gevoel van ‘n donker gat… wat is dit? Is dit groter as die Here die almagtige? Hierdie selfde Here sê vir jou, Ek is jou herder, of, Ek wil jou herder wees. Volg my… luister na my stem… moenie vrees nie, Ek is by jou.
Hier is ‘n groot vraag vir jou vanoggend – Wie is jou herder? Wie volg jy? Want dit kan enige iets wees, geld, ‘n verhouding, werk, mag, wie loop jy agter aan… want dis jou herder. John Ortberg – Everybody needs a shepherd, it stings our pride but it’s true.
Your shepherd is to whomever or whatever you are trusting your life. Your shepherd is who or whatever you’re counting on to take care of you, to watch out for you, to make your life worthwhile, to guide you.
Jesus maak die uitnodiging – Volg My – Ek is die goeie Herder. Want Hy weet ons loop agter baie verskillende herders aan.
Hy sê: En toe Hy die skare sien, het Hy innig jammer gevoel vir hulle, omdat hulle moeg en uitgeput was, soos skape wat geen herder het nie. Matteus 9:36
Miskien is jy moeg en uitgeput, die lewe maak jou klaar! Die donker dieptes raak donkerder, die son skyn nie meer waar jy loop nie. Jy loop die hele tyd agter herders aan wat jou net jaag na nog.
Jesus sê; Kom na My toe, almal wat vermoeid en belas is, en Ek sal julle rus gee. Neem my juk op julle en leer van My, want Ek is sagmoedig en nederig van hart, en julle sal rus vind vir julle siele; want my juk is sag en my las is lig. Matteus 11:28-30
Net ek kan jou laat neerlê in groen weivelde na waters waar rus is, net ek kan jou veilig deur die dal van doodskaduwee vat. Kom! Laat my toe om jou herder te wees.
Besprekingsvrae
Wat is dit wat jy vrees?Is dit groter as die Here?
Wie volg jy met jou lewe? Is dit die Here?
Die Here is die enigste een wat weet wat jy nodig het en jou die nodigste rus en vrede gee, en beskerm teen selfs die dood… Wie vertrou jy om jou deur die donker te vat?
The past weeks have been trying times for residents of Lekwa (Standerton).
Years of mismanagement and neglect have now culminated in protest action from residents of Standerton.
Standerton is one of the worst mismanaged municipalities in Mpumalanga if not the whole of South Africa.
The Mpumalanga premier, Ms Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane, invoked Article 139 (1) b of the Constitution of South Africa at the Lekwa Municipality placing the municipality under administration. Article 139 (1) b permits the provincial executive to intervene in the affairs of a municipality, amongst others, to assume the executive functions of a particular municipality. It is unclear if it is still in place
One resident told The Bulletin that there had been a power cut on Monday that lasted until Tuesday late afternoon. Only intervention from the residents ensured that the power was switched on again. The ratepayer’s association obtained a court order against the municipality forcing them to restore the electricity supply.
Copy of the interdict obtained
Water are also in short supply as residents are struggling with their water supply. There had been a pump failure and when a new pump arrived the Municipality could not install the pump. Private contractors had to do the installation.
Residents staged a protest on Wednesday and handed a memorandum to the Lekwa municipality demanding that the municipality get their house in order.
Scenes from Wednesday’s protest
The memorandum contained the following demands:
Service delivery:
We pay for services, but we receive none. Electricity, clean drinkable water, refuse removal and maintenance of the road to name a few. We demand service delivery become a priority. Not only do we pay for said services but some of them are basic human rights.
The Mayor and Municipal manager must go:
We demand that they be removed from their posts. We demand they be replaced with capable and more importantly, willing candidates. The mere fact that the mayor can’t be bothered to live in the S…Hole he created speaks volumes
Disciplinary action be taken:
We demand that immediate disciplinary action be taken against the electricians for their illegal strike as essential workers. They belong to unions that should be fighting their battles whilst they continue to work. They cannot ever be allowed to keep an entore town hostage because of their disputes with you (Lekwa Municipality) as their employer.
End Finacial mismanagemnt:
We demand financial clarity and insight. We demand that a reputable private accounting firm audit the municipality on a monthly basis to prevent the current mismanagement of funds. We further demand that when said oudits bring to light irregularities that this be investigated and that parties guilty of theft or irregular spending, must be criminally charged.
Pay Eskom
We demand that you pay Eskom so that we can be done with Lekwa shedding. This Lekwa shedding is costing local businesses and farms more that they can afford, It is resulting in job losses and eventually the closing of many businesses.
We urge you to take these demands very seriously. We will no longer sit by and watch our beautiful town be destroyed by incompetent unwilling corrupt officials. The change starts today.
The demands mention that the Mayor does not even reside in Lekwa but in Heidelberg. The Bulletin was told that during election time the current mayor used a fictitious address to register in Lekwa. This came to light when residents started dumping their refuse at his address only to be told that the residents there has no knowledge of him nor are they acquainted with him.
The mayor and the municipal manager were successfully removed through a motion of no confidence a short while ago only to be immediately redeployed by the ANC showing their disregard for the democracy. Both were removed through a motion by the Democratic Alliance that was supported by all opposition parties and even some ANC councillors.
During the past week municipal worker also took to the streets on a far more violent manner to protest the municipalities unwillingness and ultimate refusal to implement wage the outcomes of the collective wage negotiations. In simple terms, they refused to allow increase for the workers.
Scenes from Municipal workers protest
On Wednesday, the municipal workers tried to intimidate the residents of Standerton by singing, chanting, slurs and the burning of tires. The residents were unfazed and continue with their protest and handed the memorandum to a municipal representative.
On Friday the municipal workers continued their protest and the Police had to use crowd control ammunition (rubber bullets etc) to disperse the crowd.
When the Bulletin arrived in Standerton late Friday, the CBD resembled a war sone with smoke billowing from burned out tires and rubble that was littered on the streets.
None of the municipal workers wanted to speak to us on record but we were able to establish the reasons for their strike. Some were still waiting for the ANC leadership to report back as they were locked in discussions inside the municipal buildings.
Barbara Shepard, a business owner of Standerton, said to the Bulletin: “I think that our municipality dug a hole so deep that it is impossible for them to get out off. All the current service delivery problems are indicative of one thing, financial mismanagement!”
“During the last financial year R47m disappeared. No one knows where to,” she continued, “our only hope would be to have a private, accredited and trustworthy accounting firm that would manage the municipalities finances.”
The Bulletin also spoke to Angel Khanyile, DA member of parliament. She explained how the DA tried to use other avenues to try and resolve the problem but to no avail.
We also spoke to Muso Kubheka, DA Cllr at Gert Sibande district. He spoke about other problems plaguing the Lekwa municipalities and shed some light on the plight of the workers.
DA calls for urgent interventions in the on-going violent municipal workers protest in Lekwa Municipality
The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the MEC of Cogta, Mr Mandla Msibi to urgently intervene in the on-going violent protests in Lekwa Municipality.
Violent protests conducted by municipal workers that have been going on for the past two weeks have left the people of Lekwa without water and electricity.
The protests started two weeks back when the municipality failed to address the workers who are affiliated with South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) to find solutions with regards to the 6.25% salary increment.
The dispute saw the refuse not being collected for at least 6 weeks now and electricity disconnected in Standerton.
It is also a great disappointment that while we are requested to not gather in groups over 50 people, members of SAMWU in the municipality saw it fit to actively take on a protest that broke lockdown restrictions.
Yesterday, SAMWU further on took its protest action to Morgenzon, ward 14 were they forcefully chased workers at the water treatment plant, fire fighters and the municipal satellite offices in Morgenzon.
This is an unfortunate situation since the country is still in the middle of winter and is faced with a global pandemic. Residents need to keep up with hygiene practices by washing hands and they need electricity to cook and provide warmth especially with the cold front in the country.
As the DA, we condemn any violence or acts of intimidation in protests and we discourage any forms of breaking the law. We will write to MEC Msibi requesting him to take urgent action in the matter, residents of Lekwa cannot continue to live in such a state.
Recently, there have been many complaints from the community about a neighbour’s dog or the neighbourhood’s dogs that are barking excessively. Once one dog starts to bark the others follow… Dogs are pack animals after all.
Under South African law, owners may not keep any dog that barks for more than six minutes in any hour or more than three minutes in any half hour. An official may order the owner to take necessary steps to stop the disturbance and owners are required to keep the dog under proper control.
Unfortunately, there are those people who have jumped on the bandwagon and have taken their neighbours to court because of a dog barking excessively and making it unpleasant for those whose dogs are barking.
Excessive barking is a form of environmental noise pollution that has been proved to impair wellbeing (can impair hearing, mental health and task performance).
Excessive barking is a form of environmental noise pollution
If a neighbour has complained to authorities about a neighbour’s dog driving them barking mad, the owner of the dog can receive a written warning if they did not investigate the incessant barking.
If the dog owner fails to comply with the written notice after the barking was declared a nuisance, the owner can be fined up to R 20 000 or two years’ imprisonment or both.
There are many reasons why dogs bark; lack of exercise, lack of stimulation, separation anxiety, protecting territory, or something else that can be addressed.
It also depends on the breed of the dog as some breeds are bigger barkers than others.
Barking, howling, growling, whimpering and whining are normal things that dogs do in order to get their message across.
The most common reason dogs bark at night is to send a warning to anything and anyone that is approaching their territory.
Dogs and people hear about the same at low frequencies of sound (around 20 Hz). This changes at high frequencies of sound, where dogs hear up to 70 – 100 kHz. Dogs hear sound frequencies at least three times as high compared to people.
In a dog’s earflaps, there are more than 18 muscles that control it. This allows the dog to lift, tilt and rotate each ear individually. This helps the dog to locate where the sound they are hearing is coming from.
A dog’s sensitive hearing can also be a reason why it is barking excessively. As owner you should know your dog’s barks and pay attention, especially at night, to what your dog is trying to communicate to you.
By listening you might realise your dog is warning you of danger approaching or it just wants to be let in because it is cold outside.
If your dog is warning you of danger, investigate. You do not have to leave your house but you can look through windows to ensure that there is nothing out there.
If you are too afraid or if you are alone phone the police, security company or your neighbourhood watch and ask if they can drive past your house.
If there is danger phone the police immediately.
If you are living next door to a dog that barks excessively, be nosy and investigate before writing a complaint, suing a dog owner or phoning the police.
You never know when you might be the hero and save a life!
Om in die grendeltyd te verjaar is nie baie lekker nie, maar toe Laerskool Secunda se hoof, Marietha Cole, onlangs verjaar het, het die personeel steeds seker gemaak dat dit vir haar ‘n spesiale dag is.
Sowat dertig personeel het op Dinsdag, 4 Augustus, by haar huis opgedaag om haar te verras met ‘n verbyry-verjaarsdagpartytjie.
Almal het in ‘n konvooi by haar huis verby gery om geskenkies, blomme en ballonne af te gee, vir haar ‘n elmboogdruk gegee en haar geseën vir haar 64ste verjaarsdag.
Talitha onder Top 5 van van Talent Africa Nationals
Talitha Kruger, matrikulant van Hoërskool Secunda, het uitstekend tydens die Talent Africa Nationals in die Fotofgrafie -afdeling presteer.
Die foto wat Talitha ‘n plek in die top 5 besorg het
Sy het twee goue toekennings verwerf en is ook aangewys as een van die Top 5 presteerders in die Senior Kreatiewe Kunste afdeling.
Talitha Kruger, Leerling van Hoërskool Secunda
Talitha het ook aan die Allegretto Eistedfodd se fotografie afdeling deelgeneem. Haar beste foto het 99,5% verwerf en haar negende foto het 97% verwerf. Sy dring daarmee deur n Allegretto se “showcase”.
When I think of Ané, my mind doesn’t automatically jump to women in media or journalist, I think formidable blonde who is willing to stand on the back of a moving bakkie in the middle of a location strike in order to get the best shot! She is a woman in media and she is a journalist, but she is so much more than that.
Ané during a Gender Based Violence protest in Bethal
Ané is currently studying journalism through the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) based in London and obtained a diploma in Viral Media Marketing.
Her earlier career started out with Sasol, which quickly progressed to the hotel industry and even faster into the sky, as part of the cabin crew for the renowned Middle Eastern airline, Emirates.
Ané during her Emirates days
Ané spent many years travelling the world, where she gained the valuable skill of dealing with people from diverse cultures. Most of her career was spent interacting with people, however her passion and heart always stayed with journalism and working in media production.
Ané: “I am passionate about public engagement and sharing experiences with people… through various media forms we are able to share information and investigate issues of relevance to the consumer.”
After an astounding career with Emirates, Ané made a full circle back to journalism – an industry she is so completely passionate about.
Ané interviewing the Minister of Police, Bheki Celein eMbalenhle
Ané is one of those rare gems few have the honour to know – an alpha female who is strong in character yet compassionate at heart.
Her journey in journalism has allowed her to interact with many different walks of life as well as dig deep to find the meaning behind the service of the story.
Let us talk achievements, the premise of this article.
Late last year Ané was nominated for the Woman in Media Award hosted by I am a Woman, I have a Purpose in Gauteng.
The late Chester Williams with Ané
Up against other very accomplished women, a win would suggest a highly sought after woman in media.
August, Women’s Month, could not have been a more perfect time to announce the winner. And naturally, the winner had to be someone who grew up with an editor, graphic designer and communication specialists, who has seen the world, who is currently a journalist for hard news and is genuinely concerned for good command of vocabulary.
I cannot imagine anyone else winning this award than Ané.
The post that congratulated Ané on her award
Knowing her not only professionally, but personally provides me with the insight into “Ané’s World,” and let me tell you, this formidable blonde is slowly taking over the world.
TWO PRETORIA SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN STEROID CRACKDOWN
Mpumalanga Serious Organised Crime investigators backed up by a cadre of other police agencies conducted a search and seizure operation on three premises in Pretoria East on Wednesday.
The intelligence-driven operation centred around a drug investigation that led to the arrest of at least two suspects at Silverlakes and Willow Acres Estates respectively.
Agencies involved besides the Mpumalanga Hawks included their Pretoria counterparts, Crime Intelligence, Digital Forensic Laboratory (DFL), Priority Crime Specialised Investigation (PCSI) Mpumalanga and Pretoria, SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).
During the execution of the search at the first location, a residence at Silverlakes Estate, the team recovered steroids allegedly to have been manufactured onsite. A 38-year-old female was arrested.
The second location visited was the storage facility Meerlust Street, Equestria, wherein steroids in various stages of packaging were discovered. The third location was in Willow Acres Estate where more steroids and enhancers were found. A 35-year-old female was also arrested.
The steroids, labels and other packaging materials worth an estimated R3 million have since confiscated pending further investigation. The two female suspects are expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate Court on Thursday.
Ridiculous power cuts are being blamed after another family lost everything when their house burnt to ashes in extension 21, eMbalenhle.
Ashes left of the house
This comes after a house recently burned down in extension 09 and a toddler died in that fire believed to be caused by Govan Mbeki Municipality’s planned load shedding which has drastically affected Embalenhle township since the beginning of this year.
What is more shocking is that there is no clear explanation from the municipality as to why there has been load shedding in eMbalenhle.
