Are you planning to buy your first home or moving home in South Africa? Owning property is a monumental step toward financial independence and long-term wealth. Before diving into the property market, it’s essential to understand the different types of ownership structures available. Each type has its unique benefits and challenges, so knowing the details can help you make the best decision for your needs.
Full Title Ownership: Freedom and Flexibility
Full title ownership, often called freehold ownership, is one of the most common property ownership types in South Africa. With this option, you own both the land and the property outright, giving you complete control over any structures on the property.
Advantages:
Full control: You can renovate, expand, or even subdivide the property, subject to local zoning laws and permits.
Flexibility: There are no shared spaces or restrictions imposed by a body corporate.
Long-term value: Land and freehold properties often appreciate significantly over time.
Disadvantages:
Higher costs: Full title properties are typically more expensive upfront and require significant ongoing maintenance.
Personal responsibility: All upkeep, repairs, and renovations are solely your responsibility.
Additional approvals: Major changes may require permits or municipal approval.
This type of ownership is ideal for families or individuals seeking privacy, space, and long-term investment growth.
Sectional Title Ownership: Shared Living, Lower Costs
Sectional title ownership is a popular choice for those purchasing townhouses, flats, or units within a larger development. When you own a sectional title property, you own your unit outright and share ownership of communal areas like gardens, pools, and parking spaces.
Advantages:
Affordability: Shared maintenance costs make this an appealing option for budget-conscious buyers.
Convenience: Maintenance of communal areas is managed by the body corporate, freeing you from these responsibilities.
Secure living: Many sectional title developments offer enhanced security features, such as gated access and surveillance.
Disadvantages:
Limited control: Any changes to your unit often require approval from the body corporate.
Monthly levies: You’ll pay regular levies for the upkeep of common areas, which may increase over time.
Rules and restrictions: All sectional title schemes have conduct rules that residents must follow.
Sectional title ownership is perfect for first-time buyers, individuals seeking a low-maintenance lifestyle, or those who frequently travel.
Leasehold Ownership: Affordable Long-Term Access
Leasehold ownership grants you the right to occupy and use a property for an agreed-upon period, typically 99 years, without owning the land itself. While commonly used for commercial and industrial properties, this option is becoming increasingly popular for residential purposes.
Advantages:
Lower cost: Leasehold properties are generally more affordable than freehold options, making them accessible to first-time buyers.
Reduced responsibility: Property maintenance is often handled by the landlord.
Disadvantages:
No land ownership: You won’t own the land, limiting your control over the property.
Ongoing costs: Rent payments to the landlord can increase over time.
Restricted changes: Significant alterations to the property require landlord approval.
Leasehold ownership suits buyers looking for affordability and minimal maintenance responsibilities, but it may not offer the long-term benefits of owning property outright.
Choosing the Right Ownership Structure
Each type of property ownership has unique implications for your budget, lifestyle, and long-term goals. Ask yourself the following questions:
How much control do I want over the property?
Am I prepared to handle maintenance and associated costs?
Is affordability my top priority?
Do I want a lock-up-and-go lifestyle or something more private?
Understanding these factors will help you determine whether full title, sectional title, or leasehold ownership is the best fit for your needs.
The last months have seen an increased focus on flooding and the risks of heavy rains, fast flowing rivers and floods have been discussed on several forums.
We would like to discuss in this section a few more facts about flood risks and advise how all our road users can protect themselves from harm on the roads.
Danger of flowing water over roads and low water bridges
We need to be aware of the following facts:
Flowing water applies pressure to contact areas. The higher the speed the higher is the pressure.
With water that is one meter high it will flow out at a speed of 4.47 meters per second or 16 km/h. The pressure is one metric tone per square meter.
With a wheel half under water is the area 0.4 sq m and the force 0.4 tonne per wheel. For the four wheels it becomes one and a half tons and for 2m of water it becomes 2 ton per sq m.
Be careful, water that has fallen only 0.4m reached a speed at 3.2 km/h and can sweep your car off a road bridge.
When the side of the body of a vehicle makes contact with the water the force increases rapidly but the water now also acts on the underside of the vehicle as well and starts to lift it. It is now able to float like as ship. The weight of the vehicle will not be able to hold it on the road. Every cubic meter of space in a vehicle can lift one tonne.
Be careful, 0.6 meters of water can float a car. Only vehicles that are open and let the water through will behave differently.
Establish the body area of the vehicle and its mass. From this calculate the how deep will the vehicle sink in the water before it floats. For a truck that is 8.5 meters long and 2.5 meters wide and with a mass of 12 tonne it will float at a level of .532 meters above the body base and be able to float down the river.
Danger of standing water
Standing water does not exert side pressure but will also lift the vehicle and float it. Then it will be impossible to move it forward.
Speeding vehicles and aquaplaning
When vehicles are moving fast over a layer of water the vehicle can start to aquaplane. If the tyres are worn, it is easier to happen. Under these conditions an untrained driver may easily loose control over the vehicle.
Pans and marshes
This is treacherous as it may appear solid but may only have a thin dry crust. The vehicle may disappear before your eyes in a marsh. The more you struggle the faster it will sink. Stay on the road.
Floods and Debris
When rivers are overflowing their banks the flow of water will cause light objects like trees to float. This could block the flow of water at obstructions and channels the water and cause rapids to form. Avoid these rapids.
Every river has a catchment area. When it starts to rain at the top of the catchment area and the storm is moving along with the flow of the river the water in the river it is going to build up. It will start to avalanche on its way to the sea. This front wave will be full of debris (like trees plants and other floating material.) This will also happen when a dam wall breaks. The higher the water drop the faster it will run. It will run 16 km/h times the square route of the height of the water in meters, max. It will appear like a broken wave on the sea shore.
Destruction of surfaces and structures
The might of the water is very destructive, walls may fall over and road surfaces may be carved away. It may appear solid. It also forms the places where vortexes may form that will suck objects to the bottom. Stay away from eddy currents.
Low water bridges.
Low water bridges are designed without rails, as it will collect some excessive amount of debris. The small pillars sticking out are designed to give the driver of the vehicle an indication of the height of the water over the bridge surface. If you can’t see the small pillars do not attempt to cross the bridge. If there is a causeway underneath the bridge do not attempt to cross the bridge if there is water flowing over it. The extent of the damage to the bridge can not be seen due to the muddy water and the water is flowing at a higher speed over the bridge.
Lack of visibility through muddy water
Due to the mud and debris in the flooding water it becomes impossible to see the condition of the bottom of the surface. Divers may not venture into this water to come and search for you.
Rescue methods and assisting rescue teams
Rescue is often performed via helicopter. This is extremely expensive – To search for you by helicopter costs about R32 000 per hour.
Boats, foot patrols, divers, ropes can be used to try and rescue you. Families normally gather abd create search teams and comb the area. They normally won’t stop until your body has been found.
Wear your safety vest with bright colours and reflective strips. Move into the open and put your wet clothes in an arm upraised position. Pack white stones in a SOS format. Or three short, three long and three short signs. Make smoke if you can, use a mirror to flash to rescuers.
To describe your position: Try to establish north as best as you can, work out the direction of the river flow and say it is flowing so many degrees from north in a wind direction.. Indicate how far you are from large objects and its direction from you. Give the direction to three very large prominent mountains. It makes it very easy to plot your position on a map. The direction of roads you can see from where you are and how far are they. Describe the easiest route to get to you. To save the cell phone life of your batteries send these messages by sms. If they phone don’t talk long. Give facts only. To find North with your watch is to keep a thin stick at 12 and let the shade fall on 6, halfway between the hour pointer and 12 is North.
If you are injured inform the rescuers of the nature of the injury so that the rescuers can come prepared. If you have lost a lot of blood, advise your blood type as well.
Protecting from dangers and saving your phone .
Avoid flooded areas at night. To try your luck at night time makes your chance for survival very slim. No one can see you as it normally raining as well, you can’t see in these conditions and you normally become very disorientated.
When your body is exposed to some cold temperatures, which is a shock to your system, it goes into survival mode and cut the blood flow to the limbs. It goes into shaking mode to generate heat and you feel horrible due to the adrenaline overdose. Treat yourself for shock, meaning, calm down, relax and start to warm up the body gradually. Normally another person’s body heat helps in emergencies. A fire will also help.
The cause of death is normally drowning. At all costs keep the airways open. That means keep your face downstream.
Your cellular phone can be the biggest help to save you if you are still alive. If you have the chance, wrap it in a plastic bag and save it in your underpants or in your bra. Try to ensure that it do not get wet.
What to do if you can’t swim:
It remains best to avoid water if you can’t swim. If you cannot avoid getting in the water – there are a few things to keep in mind:
Do not try to stand in fast flowing water. Should a foot become trapped in the rocks the river will force you over usually in a face down position, try to always face up stream if you are forced to stand in fast flowing water.
Make yourself as light as possible, remove your heavy boots, the dark muddy water will make you float higher. Stay away from white foaming aerated water, it is soft and you will sink deeper into the water. Keep your lungs inflated.
Try to get into a back-float on your back with your feet in front of you and your head up facing down river. Make use of the water rushing past you to push you up. Keep your back at 45 degrees with the water. With your elbows out, and hands down 45 degree you take up a ‘Lazy boy’ position. This will give you the maximum lift and keep your head above water.
The river usually flows fastest in the middle and by maintaining a slight angle to the flow the river will steer you to the side. By opening and closing your hands you can steer yourself to the inside bend of the river where you will be washed out on the sand. The closed hand will feel more water force. With this you have used the least amount of energy and are able to use the force of the water that is around you. This will calm you and you will stay in control.
Stay away from rocks and vegetation. Rocks normally injure you easily and the river may raise more and the vegetation may keep entrap you as the water flow through it. The flow will be slower on the inside of a bend in the river. Go for the white sand. There is also wood for fire. In the wild be careful for crocodiles, as these banks are also their resting area. If you find that the water is slowing down and your head is getting lower into the water try to move your closed hands in and out, all on your back, lifting and pushing you to the shore.
[Recognition to Allen Versteeg from Transnet]
Would you know what to do if you were trapped in a flash flood?
Keep calm and think swiftly.
If you’re caught in a flash flood, do not drive through or over a flooded road or bridge. Turn back and try a higher route and don’t stay in the flooded area.
If your vehicle is surrounded by water, get out and seek higher ground.
If you are stranded in a tree or building, don’t leave it to enter the flood water. Make alarm and wait for rescuers.
What to do when facing a flash flood
Be very aware of your car’s limitations. If you drive through water that is 15 cm deep or more, your car could lose control and stall. Furthermore, 30 cm of water is enough to float most cars, and 60 cm of rushing water can indeed carry away cars, SUVs and pick-ups.
Do not panic if your car becomes submerged by flood waters. Release your seat belt, roll down your window and get out of the car. If your windows won’t open, let the car fill with water. Once that happens, you will be able to open the doors. Get out of the car immediately and swim to the surface. Do not stay in the car until it sinks.
If you are swept away in fast-moving water, try to make sure your feet are pointed downstream.
If you are swept away, make every effort to direct your body over obstacles rather than under them.
If you are on foot, be aware that you can be knocked down by just 15cm of moving water. If you come upon moving water, do not walk into it.
If you can, try to avoid contact with any flood waters. The water may be contaminated with raw sewage, oil or gasoline, and may also be charged with electricity from down power lines.
Be especially vigilant at night, when it is harder to recognise potentially deadly road hazards.
Do not camp or park your car along rivers or washes, especially during heavy rains or thunderstorms.
Stay informed. Tune in to your local radio station during bad weather.
If a flash flood is issued for your area, get to higher ground immediately. You may only have a few seconds before the danger is unavoidable.
Precautions:
People living in low-lying areas must take special care during storms, as sudden floods might affect them.
Residents living next to rivers and streams must evacuate to a safer place or higher spot when the water level rises.
Never try to walk, swim or drive in swift-flowing water; even if the water is 15 cm deep, it can sweep you off.
Do not try to drive over a low-water bridge if water is flowing strongly across it.
Teach your children not to swim in rivers, streams and ponds in open areas.
Keep your important documents in a water-resistant container.
The DA in Govan Mbeki Local Municipality is petitioning the municipality to take action and ensure that the municipality offers services to residents of Esihle Gardens in Secunda.
“Over the past couple of months, this community has been without operational streetlights, were troubled by overgrown grass and there are heaps of rubble scattered throughout the area,” said Councilor Fiona Pelman, DA Ward 21 councilor.
Residents of this area have expressed their deep frustration at the municipality’s lack of intervention. In an effort to restore order, they took it upon themselves to raise funds a few months ago and hire a TLB to remove some of the rubble.
Unfortunately, due to limited resources, they could only afford to rent the equipment for a few hours, making only a small impact. Their disappointment is compounded by the fact that one of the contractors had promised to flatten and remove the rubble months ago, yet nothing has been done to date.
The DA engaged with the contractor responsible for this area and they assured us that they would assist in removing the rubble and cutting down the overgrown grass. However, none of these commitments have materialized.
The municipality’s ongoing neglect has created a haven for criminals, and residents have reported a significant increase in burglaries. The dense vegetation further endangers the community, posing risks of snake infestations and other hazards.
The DA condemns the municipality’s lethargic approach in Govan Mbeki, ratepayers deserve better service delivery and a healthy living environment that they can be proud of. It has become blatantly clear that the municipality is governed by unskilled leaders who have repeatedly failed residents.
The truth of the matter is that the municipality has shown lack of accountability and a blatant disregard to the needs of residents.
Ward 21 DA Councilor Fiona Pelman
“We will await action from the Municipal Manager, Elliot Maseko. Residents cannot continue to suffer because of the ANC’s incompetence,” concluded Councilor Fiona Pelman, DA Ward councilor for ward 21
Govan Mbeki Municipality has been reclassified from a Grade 5 to a Grade 4 municipality, effective 1 July 2025.
The downgrading of the Govan Mbeki Municipality to a Grade 4 municipality, as announced during the council sitting on February 27, 2025, by the speaker of council Cllr Fikile Magagamela, has been attributed to the leadership of key officials. These officials include Executive Mayor Cllr. Nhlakanipho Zuma, MMC of Finance Cllr. Aron Mbokazi, MMC of Budget & Revenue Enhancement Cllr. Jabu Zwane, Accounting Officer Mr. Elliot Maseko, and Acting CFO Mr. Amon Mavimbela who was appointed the 1 March 2024.
Previously, Mrs. Morufa Moloto served as the CFO of Govan Mbeki Municipality on a temporary contract basis, referred by the Gert Sibande District Municipality. During her tenure, the municipality achieved a Grade 5 status, largely due to her revenue enhancement initiatives. Mrs. Moloto resigned 29 February 2024 to pursue other opportunities. Subsequently, she was arrested on fraud charges. Notably, she was recently shortlisted for the CFO position at Govan Mbeki Municipality.
The Executive Mayor’s recent changes to the Mayoral Committee have raised some eyebrows, especially with the replacement of Cllr. Jabu Zwane with Mavis Nsibande on the Budget & Revenue Enhancement portfolio. It’s surprising because Mavis Nsibande’s performance on the Community Service portfolio didn’t exactly impress.
MMC Budget & Revenue Enhancement, Cllr ME NsibandeMMC Electrical and Mechanical, Cllr PJ Zwane
This move has sparked concerns about the municipality’s financial management, given Nsibande’s lacklustre track record. The Budget & Revenue Enhancement department is crucial for the municipality’s financial stability, and the VF Plus questions whether Nsibande has the necessary expertise to lead this department effectively.
“It’s worth noting that Executive Mayors often make changes to their Mayoral Committees to improve service delivery and governance,” said VF Plus Councilor Aranda Nel-Buitendag, “However, in this case, the replacement of Cllr. Jabu Zwane with Mavis Nsibande has raised concerns about the municipality’s financial future,”
“In my opinion, the appointment of permanent councillors without relevant experience has contributed to the municipality’s downgrading,” said VF Plus Councilor Aranda Nel-Buitendag, “Placing individuals in positions of authority without sufficient expertise can lead to ineffective decision-making, particularly when working alongside qualified employees in critical departments like finance.”
“Despite receiving our third consecutive qualified audit opinion from the Office of the Auditor-General last month, the downgrade is primarily attributed to Govan Mbeki Municipality’s reduced budget. This decrease stems from the municipality’s inability to generate as much revenue as anticipated,” Nel-Buitendag said to The Bulletin.
FF+ Cllr Aranda Nel-Buitendag
The Govan Mbeki Municipality’s downgrade from a Grade 5 to a Grade 4 municipality has raised concerns about the impact on councilors’ salaries. According to the speaker of council, Cllr Fikile Magagamela, councilors who joined the municipality on July 1, 2024, will be affected, as they will now receive remuneration according to Grade 4 standards.
However, those who have served since the beginning of the term will continue to receive Grade 5 salaries until the end of the financial year. This change is likely to have significant implications for the municipality’s budget and financial planning.
Ward and PR councilors aren’t responsible for collecting revenue, but rather for overseeing the officials who do. Unfortunately, it seems like these officials are dropping the ball, failing to collect the necessary revenue owed to the municipality. This inefficiency puts a huge strain on the proposed budget, making it challenging to allocate funds for service delivery matters
As councilors, their role is to ensure that the municipality’s finances are managed effectively and that officials are held accountable for their performance. This includes reviewing financial reports, identifying areas of improvement, and making recommendations to address any shortcomings.
The VF Plus is calling on Accounting Officer Mr. Elliot Maseko and Executive Mayor Cllr. Nhlakanipho Zuma to urgently address the critical issue of insufficient revenue collection. This pressing matter affects the municipality’s ability to deliver essential services and maintain its financial stability.
As the Accounting Officer, Mr. Elliot Maseko, is responsible for overseeing the municipality’s financial management. The Executive Mayor, Cllr. Nhlakanipho Zuma, also plays a crucial role in ensuring the municipality’s financial sustainability.
The VF Plus’s call to action emphasizes the need for immediate attention to this critical issue, ensuring the municipality’s financial stability and ability to deliver essential services.
The Executive Mayor’s recent changes to the Mayoral Committee have raised some eyebrows, especially with the replacement of Cllr. Jabu Zwane with Mavis Nsibande on the Budget & Revenue Enhancement portfolio. It’s surprising because Mavis Nsibande’s performance on the Community Service portfolio didn’t exactly impress.
This move has sparked concerns about the municipality’s financial management, given Nsibande’s lackluster track record. The Budget & Revenue Enhancement department is crucial for the municipality’s financial stability, and the VF Plus questions whether Nsibande has the necessary expertise to lead this department effectively.
It’s worth noting that Executive Mayors often make changes to their Mayoral Committees to improve service delivery and governance. However, in this case, the replacement of Cllr. Jabu Zwane with Mavis Nsibande has raised concerns about the municipality’s financial future
Since its formation in 2010, MEGA has been running at a loss, failing its mandate while burning through millions of public funds.
“The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mpumalanga has written to Premier, Mandla Ndlovu, requesting detailed answers as to why his administration is consistently funding and keeping the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA), despite its disastrous financial track record,” said Trudie Grovè-Morgan: MPL – Spokesperson on Finance and Economic Development: Mpumalanga Legislature, to The Bulletin
When formed in 2010, the aim was for MEGA to provide funding and promote foreign trade and investment around Mpumalanga Province with a focus on Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDIs). MEGA’s mandates and responsibilities have slightly shifted today to funding (through loans and grants) Small Medium & Micro Enterprises (SMME’s), Agro Projects and Farming, Housing and Promoting Trade and Investment in the province.
A recent report by the Auditor-General (AG) and the Select Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) paints a grim picture of MEGA’s financial mismanagement. The AG has explicitly stated that the entity’s future is in serious doubt, yet the ANC-led provincial government keeps bailing it out.
SCOPA’s findings are damning:
In 2022/2023, MEGA wrote off over R447 million in irregular expenditure.
In 2023/2024, it racked up another R249 million in irregular expenditure – so severe that Provincial Treasury refused to write it off due to non-compliance with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA)
MEGA continues to flout regulations, with R18.1 million in irregular expenditure linked to payments exceeding contract amounts and non-compliance with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) requirements.
SCOPA and the AG found the following reasons why MEGA is accumulating and sometimes writing-off millions worth of irregular expenditure:
Debtors owing the entity are not servicing their loans
Entity did not take effective and appropriate steps to collect all revenues due as required by Section 51(1)(b)(1) of the PFMA.
Contract extensions which had not been approved as required by Section 56 of the PFMA.
MEGA’s Management did not provide leadership, based on culture of honesty, ethical business practices and good governance, to ensure fairness and transparency in the procurement processes.
SCOPA has now recommended that Premier Ndlovu take disciplinary action against MEGA’s leadership and investigate whether its Accounting Authority is fit to lead.
The DA welcomes the recommendations against MEGA accounting officers, and we feel vindicated on our call for MEGA to be disbanded. But we are also disappointed that in his recent State of the Province Address (SOPA), the Premier did not announce the dissolution of this entity, instead he mentioned that they will coordinate regular investment programmes through MEGA, assisted by a specialist investment company.
We want the Premier to implement the SCOPA recommendations and take disciplinary action against MEGA accounting officials. How long will the ANC use MEGA as its cash-cow? This agency has neither the necessary skills nor expertise to be at the forefront of economic growth in Mpumalanga. The Premier needs to act now and disband MEGA.
Once again, the DA’s call for MEGA to be disbanded continues to be backed by concrete statistics. The provincial economy has and continues to be stagnant. This province is in dire need of a government that possesses the right leadership with the political will to make necessary changes, so that the lives of residents can improve.
Die eerste Umuzi Lees- en kosfees wat teen die einde van Februarie in Secunda gehou is, is baie goed ondersteun, aldus die Feesorganiseerder, Alma Swart.
Benewens die amptelike program met skrywers en besoekers, het skrywers hierdie geleentheid gebruik om saam met ou vriende te kuier en nuwes te maak.
Sommige van die jeugskrywers wat aan die program deelgeneem het, het Donderdag douvoordag al van Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp en Pretoria gery om skole in Secunda te besoek. Skrywers het hul passie vir Afrikaans en die skryf van stories met die leerlinge gedeel en die hoop uitgespreek dat die skoleprojek leerders sal inspireer om met erns te begin lees.
Skrywers Dibi Breytenbach en Hannes Barnard het ook tydens die fees ʼn fiksie-skryfwerkswinkel aangebied met nege aspirant en entoesiastiese skrywers.
Vrydagaand se vyfgang-maaltyd in die Glaskas by Boesies was ʼn kos-en-wynpas met Boplaas wyne en komplimenterende spyskaart deur Charlotte en Cobus van Dyk. Ilse Salzwedel het tydens hierdie suksesvolle geleentheid ʼn genotvolle gesprek op die verhoog gelei met Susan Coetzer en Dana Snyman waarna Tian Nienaber vir die musikale vermaak gesorg het.
Saterdagoggend 1 Maart het afgeskop met ʼn interaktiewe gesprek deur die jeugskrywers, onder aanvoering van Phyllis Green van Sarie tydskrif. Die onderwerp was oor hoe om die jeug-lesersmark te bereik vir interessantheid en volhoubaarheid.
Daarna was die skrywer Susan Coetzer aan die beurt met Haas en Harriet, haar onlangse boek wat handel oor die verhouding tussen ma en dogter en die hartseer en verwydering wat volg terwyl elkeen sy eie lewe leef maar hoe hulle tog weer in mekaar se lewenskringetjie beland. Die gaste is trakteer op vonkelwyn en tuisgemaakte sjokolade terwyl Ilse Salzwedel die gesprek met Susan gelei het. Almal was dit eens dat hierdie boek aanbeveel word vir beide ma’s en dogters.
Die daaropvolgende gesprek met drie van ons land se gerespekteerde skrywers het die lig laat val op die onderwerp, misdaad: fiksie vs.realiteit. Jeremy Veary, Julio Agrella en Dibi Breytenbach het al vele boeke oor misdaad die lig laat sien, en het gedeel oor hulle ervarings van wanneer om die werklikheid te gebruik om die storie te vertel sonder om die leser te veel te ontstel. Die belangrikheid van navorsing en gebruik van die korrekte feite in hul boeke is beklemtoon. Jeremy Veary se Rooisand speel af in Namibië en alhoewel die verwysings na die Bondelswart en ook ander gebeurtenisse feitlik korrek is, is die storie wat afspeel, fiksie. Dibi Breytenbach is bekend vir haar deeglike navorsing en het ʼn vertel hoe sy van haar feite bekom. Julio Agrella is ʼn boorling van Springs met ʼn agtergrond wat self herinner aan ʼn fiksieverhaal. Sy boekspeurder, Zeus van Wyngaard is ʼn geliefde karakter wat die leser maklik betrek by die storie.
Dana Snyman het die middaggesels afgesluit deur met Phyllis Green te gesels oor sy memoir, Seun. Die vraag is gevra, “hoe maak jy ʼn man van ʼn seun?” Dana het openhartig vertel van sy stryd as jongman in die weermag en hoe daardie tyd se letsels die res van sy volwasse lewe aan hom bly klou het.
Die digterswandel wat ‘n eie innisiatief is en parallel gereël en bestuur is deur Christell Brooks van Letter Liefde, was ook ‘n eerste vir Secunda, en heelwat mense het positiewe terugvoer gegee.
Na die fees het die oorblywende skrywers Saterdagaand saamgekuier met pizza en Boplaas se vlagskip uitvoerwyne terwyl Platoppiaarde die agtergrondmusiek verskaf het.
Swart bedank graag Boesies Restaurant, die bemarkingspan van Lake Umuzi, Charlotte en Cobus van Dyk en al die skrywers wat deel was van hierdie eerste Umuzi Lees- en kosfees.
Welcome to our weekly article from the field of social work.
Community Collaboration: Tutela Family Care Secunda’s Projects for the Quarter
Tutela Family Care Secunda is excited to announce a series of impactful projects planned for the upcoming few months aimed at empowering families, schools, and caregivers in the community. These initiatives are designed to provide valuable tools, knowledge, and support to ensure the well-being and development of vulnerable individuals and families. Community participation is highly encouraged, and those interested in supporting these efforts are welcome to contribute through sponsorships, volunteering or donations.
Parenting Workshop: Building Stronger Families
The parenting workshop held on the 22nd of February 2025 focussed on equipping parents and guardians with essential skills to navigate the challenges of raising children in today’s world. 14 participants learned about self-care and preventing burnout, parental resilience, emotional intelligence and financial literacy as well as the developmental stages of a child and age-appropriate parenting techniques, fostering open communication, and building positive relationships within the family. The workshop also addressed the importance of discipline, nurturing, and creating a safe environment for children to thrive. By empowering parents, this initiative aimed to strengthen families as the cornerstone of a healthy community.
School Outreach Program: Supporting Teachers for Better Education
Tutela’s outreach to schools will target teachers, recognizing their critical role in the development of young minds. The program will focus on equipping educators with tools to identify and support vulnerable children in their classrooms. Topics will include recognizing signs of abuse or neglect, strategies for emotional support, and creating inclusive and safe learning environments. This initiative underscores the importance of a collaborative approach between educators, social workers, and families to ensure that no child falls through the cracks.
Alternative Care Workshop: Enhancing Support for Caregivers
The alternative care workshop will provide training and support to caregivers involved in places of safety, temporary safe care, and foster care. The workshop will focus on educating caregivers about their legal responsibilities, understanding the emotional needs of children in care, and building resilience to manage the demands of caregiving. By empowering caregivers, the program aims to enhance the quality of care provided to vulnerable children and ensure that their developmental needs are met in a safe and supportive environment. Those individuals who are interested in becoming alternative care parents are welcome to attend.
Community Involvement and Collaboration
Each of these projects offers a unique opportunity for the community to become actively involved in improving the lives of children and families in the Secunda area. By attending workshops, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, community members can play a vital role in supporting Tutela’s efforts to foster a safer and more empowered society.
Call for Sponsorships and Donations
Tutela Family Care Secunda welcomes sponsorships and donations to support these projects and other ongoing initiatives. Contributions, whether financial or in-kind, directly assist in reaching more individuals and making a meaningful impact. Our banking details are as follow: Tutela Family Care Secunda, Absa – Cheque, Account number 151 023 0287, Branch code 632-005
Businesses, organizations, and individuals interested in sponsoring workshops or donating resources are encouraged to contact the Tutela office at 079 310 2599 or tutela.secunda@gmail.com.
Urgent Needs: A Call for Community Support
Tutela Family Care Secunda is reaching out to the community for support in addressing two critical needs: the establishment of a children’s home and the recruitment of temporary safe care parents. These initiatives are vital to ensuring that vulnerable children have access to safe, stable, and nurturing environments when they are in need of care and protection.
The Need for a Children’s Home
There is an urgent need for a children’s home in the Secunda area to provide a secure and supportive environment for children who are unable to live within their families. A children’s home would serve as a haven where children can receive the care, guidance, and resources they need to grow and thrive. This initiative requires community support in the form of financial contributions, building materials, and volunteers to bring this vision to life. By establishing a children’s home, you can create a space of hope and healing for children who have experienced trauma or neglect.
Temporary Safe Care Parents: A Critical Role
Tutela is also seeking dedicated individuals or families to become temporary safe care parents. These caregivers play a crucial role in providing short-term care for children who have been removed from unsafe situations. Temporary safe care parents offer not just shelter but also love, stability, and reassurance during a challenging time in a child’s life. Tutela provides comprehensive training, guidance, and support to equip caregivers with the necessary skills to fulfil this role effectively.
How You Can Get Involved
The community’s involvement is essential to addressing these needs. If you have a passion for helping children and believe you can make a difference, consider becoming a temporary safe care parent. Alternatively, you can support the establishment of a children’s home by donating funds, resources, or your time. Every contribution, no matter how small, brings Secunda closer to creating a brighter future for children in need.
Contact Us to Make a Difference
If you’re interested in getting involved, whether as a caregiver or a donor, please contact Tutela Family Care Secunda. Together, we can provide the care and protection these children deserve and build a stronger, more compassionate community. Turn caring into action and bring hope to those who need it most.
Contact Us
If you would like to participate in any of these projects or contribute to the success of these initiatives, please reach out to Tutela Family Care Secunda at 079 310 2599 or tutela.secunda@gmail.com . Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of vulnerable children, families, and the broader community. Your support turns care into action, bringing hope to those who need it most.
ANIMALS BEING AGGRESSIVE IS A COMPLEX BEHAVIOUR AND SHOULD BE IDENTIFIED CORRECTLY AND ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BY QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS!
Behavior is one of the most common reasons people surrender animals to shelters, especially dogs—and aggression is often a key concern. But could it be that you’re misunderstanding your dog rather than them “misbehaving”? Aggression is a complex issue and one of the most frequent behavioral challenges addressed by professionals. However, many actions that people interpret as aggression are actually normal forms of canine communication.
As the Whole Dog Journal shares: “The broad spectrum of “aggressive behaviours” is technically called “agonistic behaviours” and is defined in ethology as, “pertaining to the range of activities associated with aggressive encounters between members of the same species or social group, including threat, attack, appeasement, or retreat.” So, while a growl-lunge-bite sequence would be easily recognized by most people as aggression, more subtle agonistic behaviours such as a freeze, a hard stare, or even a lack of eye contact, may go unnoticed (and unaddressed). The lack of understanding of basic and normal animal behaviour remains part of the problem!
Part of the problem is also that there has been a cultural shift about dog aggression. I agree with Patt Miller that our culture has become over-sensitized to dog bites. In the past, if a child was bitten by a neighbour’s dog, the mother would usually question the child about what they did to provoke the animal. Nowadays, however, the first response is to contact a lawyer or a behaviour specialist (less likely), or even take the dog to a shelter. We have become a society that is increasingly fearful of aggression. Read more about the Pitbull crisis in SA and dog bite prevention.
Editor’s note: This article is a reprint from 15 March 2023.
Also, see how to better understand your dog’s body language.
SOME FACTORS THAT MAY CONTRIBUTE TO DOG AGGRESSION
Aggression in animals can be caused by a variety of factors, such as fear, excess energy, self-defence, or pain and physical discomfort for example.
1. Lack of Socialization: Dogs that are not properly socialized may become aggressive when they encounter unfamiliar people or animals. Pups learn valuable information about behaviour from their mom/dad. If they are removed before 10-12 weeks, then this could affect their future behaviour negatively too.
2. Fear: Dogs may become aggressive when they feel threatened or scared, which is a normal response for us as humans too. “Aggressive” behaviour when defending themselves or a mom protecting her puppies are also examples.
3. Pain: Dogs in pain may become aggressive as a way to protect themselves.
4. Dominance: Dogs may become aggressive in an attempt to establish dominance over other animals or people. Whether people believe it or not, animals do establish hierarchy and what appears to be aggressive behaviour might be part of that, although possibly normal. Sometimes just the company of other dogs may be stressful to your dog, which may lead to “aggressive” behaviour.
5. Breed genetics: Some breeds of dogs might be predisposed to aggression and bad breeding practices have certainly contributed to this. All dogs can bite, but some may do more damage than others. Aggression can’t be blamed on the breed. The breed of a dog can tell you what they can do, but how they are raised and cared for, determines what they will do. I believe dog bites are 100% preventable and understanding body language is key to prevention.
6. Hormones: An earlier study showed that dogs with high levels of the hormone vasopressin may be more aggressive than dogs with lower levels; higher levels of oxytocin (the “love hormone”) and higher oxytocin-to-vasopressin levels are seen in the breeds least likely to behave aggressively. Hormone levels when a bitch is in heat may contribute to “aggressive” behaviour for both her and males. One of the many reasons we support spay & neuter.
7. Your response: The owner’s prior experience with dogs can contribute to or reinforce certain behaviours, and when you panic it may worsen the situation. Animals need calm and confident owners. Remember that aggression can be learned; your pup can learn that if he acts aggressively, the things that scare him will go away. This means that his aggressive behaviour is rewarded, and will become more frequent.
MORE ON BEHAVIOUR
Reactivity
Reactivity is a reaction to something that makes a dog uncomfortable. It always starts subtly and as signals are missed, ignored, or punished. We then start to see behaviours that become a problem for us, like growling, snarling, lunging and biting.
All animals engage in defending their resources, and resources come in a variety of forms. Some may make sense, others may not. It may also seem surprising to you that your dog may resource guard items because they have an abundance of things. Food, toys, you…..but resource guarding isn’t about things. It’s about feelings as R+Dogs explains it including:
The fear of losing out on something
The fear associated with not having any control
The fear that comes with intimidation (implied or unknowingly present)
The fear of the unknown
The fear of no escape
The fear of being unsafe
Resource guarding can also be linked to pain so please have your dog thoroughly checked for pain by your vet.
Trigger stacking – when the behaviour happens “out of the blue”
We’ve all experienced days when it feels like everything is going wrong and we’re left feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and ready to lash out at the next person who speaks to us. This person may think we have a serious attitude problem or need anger management when in reality, we’re just having a really bad day and don’t usually act this way. The same is true for dogs. Behaviours that appear out of the blue or are out of character can often be attributed to the stacking of different triggers.
A trigger can be anything that causes a dog to become overwhelmed and have a negative reaction. These can be small, seemingly insignificant things that we may not even notice, but they can add up and eventually lead to a reaction that is out of proportion to the stimulus. When the dog’s stress levels reach a certain point, the next event, no matter how small, can cause an unexpected reaction.
Examples include: Someone at the gate, the garbarge truck passing, strange man fixing the pool, someone on a bike passing, other dogs barking, a kid that hugs the dog etc. If this happens each on a consecutive days you likely avoid the stacking, but if it all occured in one day, they might “snap” with something simple due to stacking of triggers.
WHY PUNISHMENT IS NOT THE ANSWER!
Punishment is not the solution because it only suppresses the symptoms. Physical, punishment-based training is outdated. Such methods may include the use of choke chains, shock collars, or alpha rolls (physically rolling a dog onto the ground and holding him there) and hitting them. While these methods peaked in popularity in the 1960s, the science of dog training has advanced significantly in the last 50 years and today’s reputable trainers/behaviourists overwhelmingly shun them in favour of positive reinforcement or reward-based conditioning. Remember punishment, whether physical or mental, can harm your pet.
Never punish a growl, which usually precedes the bite or snap action. This way they will learn from you that it is safer to skip the growl because you will punish it, and then they bite “out of the blue”. A growl is a way of communicating that they are not happy and that they need your help! No bite is “out of the blue!”
You need an aggression-modifying action plan. A blanket approach can’t be followed for aggression, and an evaluation by a qualified behaviourist, not just a dog trainer, is important as well as addressing the individual needs of that animal if it is correctly identified as aggressive behaviour.
My first stop will always be to go for a vet check to rule out any underlying medical issue or pain.
Educate yourself about dog body language so you can be aware of your dog’s more subtle agonistic behaviours. Listen to what your pet is saying through their vocalizations or body language. TEMP – tails ears/eyes, mouth and posture. Also learn basic first-aid for pets in case of an emergency.
Find out what is the cause of aggression or stressors, and the stress levels. Look for subtle signs too. Avoid putting them in situations where they may be compelled to act aggressively and also to help them cope. Take steps to eliminate it from their life if possible. If it is something that can’t be removed, try to manage it by removing the dog from the environment when the stressor is present or re-directing your pet’s attention. If it is too difficult to be removed or managed, try to change their opinion of the stressor (gradually) through counter-conditioning or behaviour modification in the presence of the stressor. Redirect their attention or give them a job. Always stay calm!
Contact a behaviourist and make the time to follow the plan. Search for a behaviourist near you and ask for references. Remember that you need to look out for your pets, so if you feel uncomfortable with any trainer/behaviourist, then walk away and find someone else. We only support fear-free reward-based training methods. You can follow R+Dogs more on aggression and reactivity.
Become a calm-confident guardian by setting rules and boundaries and being consistent.
Meet all their needs physically and emotionally through species-appropriate enrichment.
Never force affection and let them come to you.
This only includes the basics and each situation must be assessed by a qualified behaviourist and an individual plan needs to be formulated to help the particular animal cope.
Many people wait too long before getting help for their dogs. Invest in learning about body language so you can help your pet to better navigate this human world they were forced into. They are your responsibility and just as most won’t dump their angry child on an already overwhelmed welfare system, you shouldn’t give up on the animals in your care because you are not meeting their needs or understanding their behaviour.
If you are concerned about the way an animal is treated or suspect cruelty, please contact our local (Secunda) Inspector Marius 067 858 9717.
Join us again next week as we explore the pets of our lives.
WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER, DO BETTER!
Disclaimer: I am not a behaviourist although I research these topics.
In South Africa, we often refer to roundabouts as “traffic circles”. A roundabout is a type of circular intersection that reduces potential conflicts between vehicles and improves the efficiency of the intersection.
The advantages of a roundabout are:
Traffic calming
Reduction of angle and head-on crashes
Reduction of crash severity
Improvement of intersection capacity
Aesthetic improvements
Approaching a roundabout:
On approaching a roundabout take notice and act on all the information available to you, including traffic signs, traffic lights and lane markings which direct you into the correct lane.
If you take your time and make sure you are in the correct lane a good distance from the roundabout you can’t go far wrong.
Slow down as you approach the intersection – You’re typically not required to stop.
A roundabout is designed to be driven at low speed. Entering and travelling through a roundabout at higher speed is difficult and could be unsafe.
Don’t worry if you have to stop when you reach the roundabout. When it’s clear, ease up off the clutch smoothly, don’t rush, keep using the mirrors, and above all, stay calm.
As you enter the roundabout, traffic coming from your right has right of way. This means that traffic streaming into the roundabout from the entrance to your right will keep coming as long as no one is coming from their right.
These cars may not even slow down as they enter the roundabout, because they have the right of way. You must stop and wait until there is a break in traffic. Watch out for other traffic in the roundabout.
Once you are on the roundabout maintain a reasonable speed. Failing to do this, especially when you are in the right-hand lane, may result in other drivers passing on the nearside.
Watch out for vehicles already on the roundabout; be aware they may not be signalling correctly or signalling at all.
Always keep an eye on the vehicle in front as you’re about to emerge. Don’t assume the driver won’t have to stop while you’re still looking right. Many rear-end collisions happen this way. Make sure the vehicle has actually moved away.
Watch for pedestrians and bicycles.
Keep in mind that buses or large trucks need extra room to make turns and might take up more than one lane in a traffic circle.
Obey all traffic signs and road markings.
Signal your intent to other drivers when entering, going around and exiting the circle.
If you miss your turn, just go around again. Avoid swerving at the last minute.
Safe Driving at the Roundabout /Traffic Circle and Mini Circle
Step by step example: The animation will provide better insight with regards to the process to follow:
To Turn Left (taking the first exit)
signal left and approach in the left-hand lane
keep to the left on the roundabout and continue signalling left to leave.
To go straight on (taking the second exit)
select the appropriate lane on approach to and on the roundabout. If no marking on the road it is usually safest to keep to the left lane
stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundabout
signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.
To Turn Right (taking the last exit or third exit )
signal right and approach in the right-hand lane
keep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundabout
signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.
Note: The animation shows the vehicle exit the roundabout into the right lane (Lane 2). You should only do this if there is traffic in the nearside lane or you wish to turn right straight after leaving the roundabout. In an ideal situation, you should leave the roundabout in the left lane (Lane 1)
By applying some of this information and sharing this with colleagues and friends we might contribute towards reducing some of the road rage on our roads!
The rules for traffic circles in South Africa are as follows:
Mini-circles
Slow down and give way to other vehicles that cross any Yield line before you do.
Proceed in a clockwise direction around the painted island, without driving on it.
In the words of the official legislation:
Indicates to the driver of a vehicle approaching a mini circle that he or she shall yield right of way to any vehicle which will cross any yield line at such junction before him or her and which, in the normal course of events, will cross the path of such driver’s vehicle and that the driver shall move in a clockwise direction within such junction and attempt not to encroach on the mini-circle.
Roundabouts
You must obey traffic circle rules at the roundabout.
In the words of the official legislation:
Indicates to the driver of a vehicle that he or she shall move in a clockwise direction at the junction ahead and he or she shall yield right of way to traffic approaching from the right, within the roundabout, where such vehicles are so close as to constitute a danger or potential danger.
The official regulations in South Africa leave a lot to be desired when it comes to the finer aspects of driving, and they do not in fact address the situation as described in the sketch provided (below).
It is not clear from this sketch which of the two arrows in the approaching roads represents which of the vehicles.
Assuming that A came from the two-lane dual-carriageway on the right, and was travelling in the LH lane on approach to the roundabout, and B came from the lower road and approached the circle in the RH lane:
– Then he entered the circle from the wrong lane if he intended using the circle to turn back and drive back on the same dual-carriage road to the right. He should have been in the RH lane when entering the circle. – And B should not have entered the circle until A had passed anyway. (rules of traffic circles)
Assuming it was the other way round and A came from the bottom road, in the RH lane: – A was entered the circle from the correct lane but somehow got into the outside lane once in the circle, which is wrong for the exit he wished to take. – Also, A should have waited for B before entering the circle, and would therefore not have ended up in this situation.
Whichever way it happened, either or both of the vehicles ended up in the wrong lane within the circle and that is the cause of the problem.
Of course, this assumes a fairly small roundabout.
Have said that, when one gets in a fix such as this the norm would be for the vehicle that is ahead of the other vehicle to move forward and for the vehicle behind to allow it to get out of the way so that it can exit the circle. However, as both A and B are alongside each other, the Calgary rule would seem the most appropriate.
At the end of the day, no vehicle in a traffic circle should obstruct another’s line of travel. So if there were any doubt at all, B should go around the island another time (or even two) and move into the LH lane when it is safe to do so, and then exit from that outer lane when it is safe to do so. (Of course, he would check mirrors and blind spots first, then if it is safe, use the left indicator, and all that other “good K53 stuff”.
A grade 12 learner at Thomas Nhlabathi Secondary School was stabbed and killed yesterday, 27 February 2024, by a grade 10 learner. The incident took place after school hours.
According to information the Bulletin received the incident came after two boys had an argument during school hours, which led to the grade 12 being stabbed.
“Learners carried the injured learner from outside the school where he was stabbed to the school’s foyer with stab wounds; the learner was quickly rushed to Ext 4 Clinic.
Unfortunately, the learner succumbed to his injuries and was certified deceased by a doctor at the clinic in the presence of his mother,” said Music Ndzukula, SGB Chairperson of the school.
In a separate incident two learners were stabbed at a dysfunctional school in Sundra near Delmas
“For years Sundra Secondary school was plagued daily by vandalism. The school’s fencing has been broken down to nothing, which makes it easier to be vandalised. The breaking of doors and windows have become the norm,” Annerie Weber: MPL – DA Spokesperson on Education: Mpumalanga Province, “The stealing of the electrical cable was detrimental to the school as they now have been for more than a year without electricity. the JOJO tanks vandalised, and taps broken down. The roof is in disrepair.”
Annerie Weber MPL DA Spokesperson on Education Mpumalanga Province
A security guard was employed, and he allegedly was part of the removing of the electrical cable.
On Monday 24 February 2025, two learners were stabbed and fortunately they have survived. Discipline and safety are now truly impossible at the school and teachers and learners are starting to live in fear. Learners should be able to get their education in a safe environment and learners stabbing one another is a serious problem. “Where were the teachers that were supposed to be on duty?” asked Annerie
For years, the Mpumalanga Department of Education has been aware of the above challenges in this school, yet nothing has been done to address them. Now this school has become a true embarrassment not only to the department, but also to the learners and parents. It seems no one, not the SGB, nor the department can control everything that happens there.
The DA is really concerned that the conditions at the school are depriving learners of an opportunity to realize their full potential and access to quality education as enshrined in Section 29(1)(a) of the South African Constitution.
The above challenges that have not been addressed for years, show that the ANC Government cannot be trusted with the future of our children.
The DA would ask both the Mpumalanga Departments of Public Works and Education to have an urgent meeting with the acting Principal and SGB to sort out their differences, and to also find ways of address the issues of security and infrastructure at the school.
It is unfair that many children are forced to learn in dilapidated schools more than 30 years after democracy. Clearly the ANC must make way for a DA government that will prioritise school infrastructure and security, plus all other service delivery requirements.
The DA will continue fighting for our learners as we believe they have a right to safe and dignified learning environments.
