The Bulletin News – Page 205

Sasol, AngloGold Ashanti and Imperial to provide bulk sanitisers to Gauteng hospitals

Ane Prinsloo

-

April 20, 2020

Sasol, AngloGold Ashanti and Imperial to provide bulk sanitisers to Gauteng hospitals

The following is a press released received from Sasol:

Johannesburg, South Africa –AngloGold Ashanti, Sasol and Imperial have created a partnership to protect frontline medical staff and patients at four major Gauteng state hospitals by providing bulk supplies of hand sanitiser at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic, Charlotte Maxeke Academic, Helen Joseph and Leratong hospitals.

It is crucial to have enough supplies of hand sanitiser to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in hospitals. The current precautions being taken at all medical facilities and the expected increase in cases in the months ahead will require medical facilities to have more than their usual stock of sanitiser. The partnering companies have worked closely with the dedicated clinical managers at the hospitals to find an innovative way to address the need for sanitiser in a sustainable way.

Sasol has significantly intensified its relief efforts towards COVID-19 by generously agreeing to support the increased production of the hand sanitiser and will share the cost of production with AngloGold Ashanti, which will also provide the specially manufactured bulk-storage tanks for the product. Imperial, which is playing a pivotal role in ensuring South Africa’s supply chains continue to function, has brought its freight and logistics expertise to bear by ensuring that the sanitiser tanks are safely transported from Sasol to the four hospitals in Gauteng. Additional partners will be sought to ensure this project is not only sustainable but could perhaps be extended to other facilities.

Until there is a vaccine for COVID-19, general hand hygiene remains an effective line of defence. Experience from around the world has shown that partnerships are an effective way to increase the impact of relief efforts.

“We’re proud to join hands with our peers at Sasol and Imperial in this crucial effort toward our collective goal of flattening and eventually bending the curve,” Dr. Bafedile Chauke, AngloGold Ashanti Vice President: Health, said “A partnership that brings together not only capital, but complementary assets and skill sets will be vital to changing the course of this pandemic.”

As the number of positive Covid-19 cases continue to rise in South Africa, hospitals across the country anticipate a huge influx of patients in the coming weeks. In addition to normal, extensive use of sanitiser in hospitals, all staff and patients will be screened before entering hospitals and will need to sanitise their hands before entering, compounding the existing shortage of the product.

Says Thabiet Booley, Senior Vice President of Sasol’s Base Chemicals division: “Sasol recognises its duty and responsibility to support our fence line communities and society at large in these challenging and uncertain times. Through our strategic partnership with AngloGold Ashanti and Imperial, we are pleased that our internally produced sanitisers will provide these hospitals with hand disinfection hygiene support to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading to frontline medical staff, patients and visitors.”

“We are united in the mission to keep those at the frontline of this battle safe from infection,” adds Imperial Group CEO, Mohammed Akoojee. “We are honoured and humbled to play a part in delivering much-needed goods and some peace of mind in these highly uncertain times.”

Secunda Reformed Church: Choices And Consequences

Community news

-

April 19, 2020

0

Secunda Reformed Church: Choices And Consequences

The Secunda Reformed Church shared their sermon “Choices And Consequences” with The Bulletin so that everyone can follow the sermon.

The sermon is lead by Dr Anton Knoetze.

Scripture is 1 Kings 21 verse 19: Say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?’ Then say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!

Secunda Reformed Church: Choices And Consequences

Lockdown Phase 2: What you need to know

Ane Prinsloo

-

April 17, 2020

0

Today marks the three-week mark of the lockdown. Another two weeks to go!

A few rules have been amended for the second phase of the nationwide lockdown, announced co-operative governance and traditional affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Alcohol and cigarettes are still banned and the rule of no alcohol is allowed to be transported has been added.

“Expect almost every week new conditions will be coming,” the minister said. Even though the minister was very vague on the relaxations to come, she did say: “schools might be opening” and “industries may have to come slowly on stream” as part of an “orderly way of easing the lockdown.”

Here are some of the new rules:

Supermarkets, fast food and restaurants

One of the new amendments is that supermarkets, fast food and restaurants cannot sell cooked food nor are the restaurants and fast food chains allowed to reopen. We shall have to wait for that Colonel Burger from KFC!

The minister of trade and industry Ebrahim Patel was unequivocal: “restaurants and takeaways remain closed and supermarkets open to sell essential goods must close their hot-food sections.”

That position is under constant review, Patel said: “but as things stand right now it is very clear what the position is.”

Emergency repair work

As an emergency worker, you will be able to get you car fixed and if there is a plumbing or electrical issue at your house, a plumber or electrician may be called out.

Specifically included in the list of artisans allowed to do emergency repair work:

locksmiths
glaziers
roof repairers
plumbers
electricians

Hardware and car parts

“Components and supplies needed by tradespeople for emergency repairs at homes.”

“Stores selling hardware products and vehicle components must maintain a register of persons buying essential goods… and must keep a record of a signed declaration” from the buyer that the goods are essential, the new regulations read.

Neighbourhood watch

There is still no plan to allow any community/neighbourhood watch to resume their previous posts of patrolling their neighbourhoods. Minister Beki Cele reiterated.

Even though several organisations petitioned for such changes, the rule still remains that only formal security guards are allowed to keep on working.

Minister Cele said that there are two problems with allowing neighbourhood watch: there is no structure to hold them accountable for their actions and unlike police and soldiers they are not “vetted and known”.

Funerals

This rule remains the same.

“Funerals are still strictly for 50 people, that has not changed,” Minister Dlamini-Zuma said.

Children may be able to move between parents with a birth certificate

Currently, divorced parents with shared custody need to show a court-approved co-parenting plan in order for children to move between them – after even such movement was initially banned entirely.

Now, Dlamini-Zuma implied, moving children between parents will be possible as long as the parents can produce at least a birth certificate to prove the connection with their children.

More call centres may open

Credit cards are covered by insurance policies – which need to be activated, more call centres will be allowed to open, including those for retailers.

Other industries

“The rule that goods imported from high-risk SARS-CoV-2 countries must be sanitised in port is being revoked,” Dlamini-Zuma said, “based on evidence that the virus does not survive sea journeys.”

Some mines will be allowed to reopen, under strict conditions including private transport for mineworkers.

Opening of municipal offices (cashiers)

Ane Prinsloo

-

April 15, 2020

0

The following is a press release from the Marketing and Communications Section of GMM.

The Govan Mbeki Municipality is hereby informing all residents that the pay point offices will be open with effect from Thursday, 16 April 2020.

The GMM pay point offices will be open from Mondays to Fridays from 08h00-12h00. The eMbalenhle offices will be opened only after all office logistics and necessities have been installed.

The public is therefore urged to visit the municipality and make payments for the services that the institution is rendering. As we continue to provide these important services to our people, we reiterate the Clarion Call for the strict adherence to hygiene practices of sanitisation, wearing of gloves and masks and compliance with social distancing dictates as given by the Department of Health.

Provincial commissioner applauds police for arresting a man who stabbed a woman to death

Ane Prinsloo

-

April 15, 2020

0

Provincial commissioner applauds police for arresting a man who stabbed a woman to death

The following is a press release from the SAPS.

The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma has applauded police for their swift response in arresting a 30-year-old man who stabbed and killed a 27-year-old woman earlier on Tuesday, 14 April, at Buyisonto near Bushbuckridge.

According to information, the woman left home in the early hours of the morning to go to work and she met the man knew very well. An argument broke out between the two and few moments later, the man drew a knife and allegedly stabbed the woman several times.

After this, the man fled the scene. Police and Paramedics were notified about the incident and they went to the scene where the woman was unfortunately certified dead.

A case of murder was opened and police immediately began with their investigation at which they received information of the whereabouts of the suspect. Police followed the leads that led to the arresting the suspect in a taxi.

The suspect is expected to appear at the Mhala Magistrate’s Court on 15 April facing a charge of murder.

The Provincial Commissioner has strongly condemned the woman’s murder and has called on society to stand up against Gender-Based-Violence. General Zuma indicated that the plight of women seems to be continuing regardless of the efforts that the government’s quest to curb the scourge. In spite of the harsh sentences that our courts impose on perpetrators of Gender-Based-Violence, suspects continue to prey on vulnerable women and children. This situation depicts an underlying problem of a lack of morals in our society.

Meanwhile a lifeless body of a 35-year-old, Kevin Hlathi from Gothenburg Trust near Bushbuckridge, was discovered on 26 March by a friend with burn wounds. Police and the Medical Personnel were notified about the incident and attended the scene where the man was certified dead.

Police opened an inquest case and investigated the matter including a post-mortem which was conducted. The result of thereof indicates that the man died of electric shock. Police would like to warn people who spread unconfirmed rumours that the man was murdered by someone. Such information is not based on facts and people should desist from such malicious acts. If people have information on cases, they should report to police and they will handle such in a professional manner rather than to go out and influence other community members to take the law into their own hands. If anyone is found to be involved in mob justice, the law will take its course without any favour.

DA to donate R1.5 million to the Solidarity Fund

Ane Prinsloo

-

April 15, 2020

0

This press release was written by Solly Malatsi MP – DA National Spokesperson.

The Democratic Alliance’s Federal Executive has resolved to make a financial contribution of R1.5 million to the Solidarity Fund to assist small businesses in distress as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The financial contribution is drawn from the salaries of DA public representatives.

In addition, we will be distributing sanitisers worth R200 000 to essential workers who are at the forefront of keeping the economy functional and saving lives during this difficult time

Notwithstanding this overall contribution, DA public representatives are at liberty to make any additional financial contributions to the Solidarity Fund as individuals if they wish to do so.

The DA recognises that it is important for all role players in society to play our part to act in the best interests of the country during this time.

Education and the lockdown

Ane Prinsloo

-

April 15, 2020

0

With the lockdown extended by another 2 weeks, parents and teachers alike are concerned about the education of the children.

Even though the children can access curriculum work through different platforms, there are still those who do not have the means to do so.

Most of these platforms would require the use of data to access emails, YouTube videos, Facebook etc. which costs money. Data costs can become extremely expensive and with the current lockdown, most families are in a situation of no work, no pay. One must also consider the fact that not everyone has access to Wi-Fi.

During this time parents do their utmost best to ensure that their children stay on top of their schoolwork but some parents are still working and do not always have the time nor means to assist. A lot of concern has also been raised about the amount of screen time children are getting during this time.

Teachers are doing their utmost best by recording classes for the children and uploading these videos onto the different platforms that are being used. This is a challenge for the teachers too. Even though teachers can be seen as public speakers as they are in front of their class presenting during school hours, being in front of a camera is more daunting and a whole other ball game than teaching in front of a Gr 1 class for some. The Bulletin has spoken to some teachers facing this problem but they all said one thing: “We do it for the kids!”

The Bulletin has spoken to teachers from both the private and public sectors’ schools. A source in the private sector told The Bulletin: “We are lucky to have the resources to continue our classes. The challenge is that we shall have to wait for the school to reopen to do a skills gap analysis. It is difficult to that over a computer screen.”

With regards to Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga and the proposals to be tabled before the cabinet, it is difficult to say whether combining the 2020/2021 school years would work.

“So, there are proposals that we will give to Cabinet because the president had said that each sector had to say what safe measures we can put in place to ensure that we phase out the lockdown in a safe manner,” the minister said. She also said: “The worst-case scenario, I suspect, would be the phasing-in period lasts until June. We hope that it will start in mid-April so that we can have testing taking place among pupils. Maybe we can phase in the Grade 12s and Grade 7s first and then work out how to phase in other grades gradually up to June,” regarding returning to school after the lockdown.

The minister also said that the department is looking at combining the 2020/2021 school years to cover areas that would have been neglected.

Another source told The Bulletin: “We do not think combining the school years would be deconstructive as the workload for younger children would be too much. To combine two years into one would be work and information overload not only for the teachers but the children as well. We are also concerned about our children from less fortunate families. We know the parents do the best they can but it will stay a concern.”

Another suggestion was to scrap the June and September holiday and moving the exams that have to take place in November to December.

A lot of people have agreed that scrapping the June and September holidays would be the best decision. By scrapping the holidays, teachers would have time to do skills gap analysis properly and would be able to pinpoint the trouble areas to focus on.

“The foundation phase is a big concern as the amount of repetition of work is extremely important. Children in the foundation phase need more attention because they are learning everything from scrap; writing, reading etc. If the foundation phase is not properly concreted, it could lead to struggles later on,” one source said.

One of the biggest challenges teachers are facing at this point in time is the non-existence of a classroom. “The fact that we do not see the children every day in a classroom is a big challenge but we do know that every teacher out there is doing everything they can to ensure that the children are still receiving the best education and the education they deserve,” said one source.

It is clear that the Department of Basic Education has a big challenge ahead of them and it seems that the Department is doing everything they can to assist children and teachers during this time. It is worrying that not once there was spoken about LSEN schools.

Will the phasing back to school succeed if it is implemented and would the testing of COVID-19 at schools be allowed? One can only wait and see…

Police arrest two suspects for possession of dagga

Ane Prinsloo

-

April 15, 2020

0

Police arrest two suspects for possession of dagga

The following is a press release from the SAPS

The police in Mpumalanga arrested two men, 34 and 38, yesterday at Lydenburg for possession of dagga worth about R180 000, in street value.

According to the report, police received information about people who were involved in drug trafficking between Nelspruit and Lydenburg. They followed up on the information and noticed a suspicious white Toyota Quantum with two occupants. Upon stopping the taxi, police conducted a thorough search and found six bags of dagga stashed inside.

The two suspects were immediately arrested and a preliminary investigation revealed that the men were transporting the dagga from Nelspruit to Lydenburg before they were intercepted.

The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma has applauded members of the public for supplying information to the police which resulted in the arrest of the two. The General also thanked police for their quick reaction and resilience as well as total commitment in rooting out crime in the province. General Zuma further sent out a strong warning to those who think they can take chances and perpetuate crime, that police together with all Law Enforcement Agencies are working around the clock to eliminate and prevent all criminal activities. He further urged community members to continue working with the police.

Meanwhile the duo is expected to appear at the Mashishing Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 15 April, facing charges of possession of dagga.

The public can provide information by calling 10111 or send SMS’s to 32211. Members of the community can also anonymously call 08600 10111. Alternatively, information can be shared with police via MYSAPSAPP and their information will be treated with strictest of confidence.

So is die lewe: Kiem

Columnist

Encee van Huyssteen

-

April 14, 2020

0

Nou kruip ons almal nog langer weg in ons binnekamers sodat die Kiem ons nie betrek en ons hom vinnig aan mekaar laat aangee soos ‘n Springbokspan se agterlyn ‘n rugbybal tydens ‘n onstuitbare beweging nie.

Natuurlik is daar baie reaksies op wat op die oomblik aan die gang is oor die hele situasie. Een daarvan is humor; op sosiale media is daar hordes grappe wat heen en weer vlieg tussen vriende oor mense se dade in hierdie tyd. Die nuutste op facebook is dat mense mekaar uitdaag om ‘n konkoksie gemeng met rou hoendereiers af te sluk, dis nou die ouens wat genoeg alkohol oorhet om dit te meng met rou eiers.

Andere is meer desperaat; weens die verbod op alkoholverkope het die aantal trefslae op Google, soos oor hoe om jou eie bier te brou, met 500% vermeerder. Onteenseglik is daar onder die oppervlakte ook baie onsekerheid en angs. Verskeie kenners meen dat mense, veral entrepreneurs wie se inkomste van hulself afhang, groot angsvlakke het. Hulle beskryf die reaksie op die inperkingsmaatreëls as dieselfde as die fases van ‘n rouproses: ontkenning, woede, depressie, aanvaarding en heraanpassing.

Die positiewe, as mens dit so kan noem, van die hele ervaring is dat ons ons eie grense kan toets en skuif. Tot hoeveel is jy werklik emosioneel en geestelik in staat? Dit is soos basiese opleiding in die weermag: jy leer waartoe jy in staat is deur swaarkry.

Fernando “Nando” Parrado, gebore op 9 Desember 1949, is een van die sestien oorlewendes van die Uruguayse Lugmag se vlug 571 wat op 13 Oktober 1972 in die Andes gebergtes neergestort het. Hierdie vlug staan bekend as die Wonderwerk van die Andes (El Milagro de los Endes), wat ‘n beplande vlug was van 45 mense, insluitende ‘n rugbyklub se spelers, hulle vriende en familie en spanbeamptes.

Meer as ‘n kwart van die passasiers het gesterf in die ongeluk, en ander het daarna vinnig omgekom as gevolg van die bittere koue en beserings. Van die 27 oorlewendes wat ‘n paar dae na die ongeluk nog geleef het, is agt dood as gevolg van ‘n sneeustorting wat oor die vliegtuigwrak wat hulle laaste skuiling was, gestoot het. Die laaste 16 oorlewendes is gered op 23 Desember 1972, meer as twee maande na die ongeluk.

Die oorlewendes het bitter min kos gehad in die verskriklike toestande sowat 3600 meter bo seespieel. Gekonfronteer deur dood en radioberigte wat oor die vliegtuig se radio opgevang kon word, moes hulle hoor dat die soektog na hulle afgelas is.

Hulle het oorleef vir ongeveer twee maande onder haglike omstandighede in die sneeu en gebrek aan lewensmiddele. Hierdie insident het wêreldwyd aandag getrek toe dit bekend geword het dat die oorlewendes van die vliegramp uiteindelik genoodsaak was om die medereisigers wat in die voorval gesterf het, se liggame wat in die ys bewaar is, te eet om te oorleef. Hulle hoop het minder en minder geword.

Daar was naderhand een groot pessimistiese, bykanse fatalistiese aanvaarding dat hulle almal sou sterf. Die reddingspanne kon geen teken van hulle vind nie, geen verkenningsvlugte het eers naby hulle verbygegaan nie. Deurentyd het Parrado positief gebly, en sy medereisigers moed probeer inpraat. Uiteindelik moes hy homself dwing om nie self moed te verloor nie.

Na sestig dae van stryd om aan die lewe te bly in die wanhopige isolasie en onmenslike toestande, het hy en Robert Canassa vir tien dae oor die toegesneeude Andesgebergte geklim, sonder enige beskermende kleredrag of voorraad, om hulp te gaan soek.

In sy biografie skryf Parrado dat sy lewe redelik maklik was voor daardie gebeure. Sy pa was ‘n groot sakeman wat verskeie hardewarewinkels besit het, en hy kon maar net inval. Dit was nie eers nodig om bekommerd te wees of hy gaan deurkom in die Sakeskool waar hy gaan studeer het nie. Hy het die sekerheid van ‘n vaste werk gehad.

Daarom het hy ‘n luilekker lewe gehad. Rugby speel, meisies uitneem, jaag met sy Renault op die paaie langs die see by Punta del Este, partytjies, lang sonskyndae. Hy het gelewe vir die oomblik, die gety gery soos dit kom.

In die Andes het hy op ‘n harde manier die werklikheid van die lewe leer ken: dit loop nie altyd soos jy beplan nie. Die wind kan eensklaps, onverwags teen jou begin draai. Op vele wyses. Soos ons huidig hier in Suid Afrika ervaar. As iemand drie maande gelede gesê het dat hierdie scenario gaan uitspeel, sou hy of sy uitgelag gewees het.

Daar het Parrado tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die ramp in die Alpe, hoe verskriklik dit ookal vir almal gewees het, uiteindelik baie positiewe gevolge vir hom gehad het.

Op sosiale media is dit duidelik dat die werklikhede van Corona nou tot baie mense deurdring, noudat die tydperk van afsondering verleng is. Facebookvriend Bossie Bosman skryf namens baie van ons: “Die peuselhappies in die yskas raak nou op, die peuselhappies in die koskas raak ook nou op, my whiskey raak ook nou min, sigarette ook. TV raak nou straf.

Die lieflike herfsdae raak al mooier, die begeerte om my Landy te vat en in die veld te gaan ry raak al groter. Die horlosie tik die ure al stadiger af, die dae raak al langer en die nagte al korter terwyl dit in werklikheid andersom is.

Die WhatsAppgrappies raak al meer afgesaag en elke grapmaker wat ‘n rou eier wil sluk is ook nie meer snaaks nie. Ek hou my kop met moeite positief, maar ek het ook besluit dat ek my nie gaan laat intimideer deur die swart hond nie. Julle moet ‘n lekker dag hê. Droom van visvang en skydive, van boomklim en bike ry, van braaivleis en rugby. Moet net nie oorweeg om julle polse af te kou nie. Dis teenproduktief.”

Moenie kyk na die slagoffers van die ramp om jou nie. Klim soos Parrado en Robert Canassa daardie toegesneeude duine wat voorlê. Al vat dit nog tien dae. Anderkant dit is redding, lewe. Hoop. Eendag sal ons ook al die lesse wat ons as Suid Afrikaners geleer het in hierdie tyd kan raaksien.

Roadblocks across the province help curb the spread of the Coronavirus.

Coronavirus News

Encee van Huyssteen

-

April 12, 2020

0

Roadblocks across the province help curb the spread of the Coronavirus.

The Bulletin visited a roadblock on the N17 on Saturday to see first-hand what happens at these roadblocks.

The Roadblock is normally a very busy one with thousands of vehicles passing every day. But during our visit, it was a totally different affair. Very few motor vehicles travelled on the road with mostly large trucks being on the road.

A number of police officers were on duty and signalled vehicles at random to stop at the roadblock.

https://youtu.be/HJ5HIdMmKuE

Roadblock on the N17

Motorists were then requested to state their reasons for travelling as well as to show their paperwork. Travellers that want to travel from one province to another are promptly ordered to turn around and proceed to where they came from.

All of the vehicles that were stopped at the roadblock had the correct paperwork and could proceed with their journeys.

Earlier this week the Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, condemned the violation of the lockdown rules by some motorists.

According to a statement released by the ministry on Thursday, April 9, 2020, the number of cars stopped and checked at roadblocks across the country increased from 17 559 on Monday to 29 738 on Wednesday.

Also that the number of e-hailing providers that failed to adhere to passenger limits for a vehicle licensed to carry 4 passengers increased from 32 on Monday and peaked on Wednesday at 509.

On Wednesday, the number of minibus-taxis that failed to adhere to the passenger limit increased from 18 on Monday to 509.

Motorists also attempted to cross provincial boundaries despite a ban on inter-provincial travel.

The number of motorists who tried to travel across provinces increased from 125 on Monday to 196 on Wednesday.

“This conduct demonstrates a worrying trend which must be roundly condemned by both government and civil society. Those who undermine efforts to arrest the spread of this pandemic must face the full might of the law and equally face condemnation by society, as their behaviour places the lives of millions at risk,” said the Minister.

Earlier in the week, Gauteng had the highest number of motorists attempting to cross provincial boundaries to other provinces at 108 but has since been overtaken by Mpumalanga at 149 on Wednesday, 8 April.

Despite this, Minister Mbalula encouraged the majority of citizens who continue to respect and comply with the lockdown regulations and directions to continue to do so and encourage others to follow suit.

The Minister further commended the sterling commitment of traffic law enforcement officers across the country in ensuring that South Africans stay home and further provide critical support to other law enforcement authorities.

The department through its entity, provincial departments responsible for road safety and municipalities deployed a total traffic officers across the country, to ensure compliance with the published Regulations and Directions.

Motivated by taxi associations, e-hailing providers and private motorists who continue to comply with the regulations and directives, the Minister urged industry bodies to play their part to reign in those who continue to demonstrate such flagrant disregard of the law.

“Law enforcement will be intensified and authorities will not hesitate to ensure that the full might of the law is brought to bear on those who continue to break it,” said the Minister.