The Bulletin News – Page 209

New regulations regarding informal & small business traders

Ane Prinsloo

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April 10, 2020

New regulations regarding informal & small business traders

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the world as well as having a large impact on the South African economy, the government has extended the lock-down as per the Presidential address last night, some considerations have been made to ensure essential services and the sale of certain goods will continue to be provided to the public. It is encouraged that the public maintain social distancing and only leave home for emergencies or to obtain essential goods, this is in order to combat the COVID-19 crisis.

In a recently released circular together with a government gazette issued by the Minister of Small Business Development and Ministry of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs dated 5 and 6 April, there have been some regulation clarifications regarding movement and operations by Small, Medium, Micro-sized Enterprises as well as Informal Traders. Sectors that these provisions cover are SMMEs such as grocery stores, corner shops, spaza shops, fruit and vegetable stores and informal food (uncooked) traders.

These sectors will have to comply with the gazetted amendments in order to conduct business. Such operations are considered providers of essential services or goods so are exempt from the lockdown regulations, provided they have the necessary permits or written permissions from municipalities. These regulations require SMMEs and informal traders to obtain permits or written permission from municipalities in order to operate and thus conduct the business of essential services or provide essential goods or trading in food stuffs (uncooked). The municipalities will have the necessary offices dealing with issuing the written permissions and permits operational.

It is recommended to traders that they operate on absolute minimum staff so that businesses can safely conduct operations, hygiene as well as health requirements must be strictly adhered to. Only basic necessities and food stuffs are allowed to be traded and no items prohibited by regulations are allowed to be sold. If it is found that these prohibited items are traded there will be consequences as per the lockdown regulations.

Maintaining social distancing by customers must be encouraged and sanitation measures such as disinfection of trading spaces should be strictly applied by vendors. Aside from having the necessary permits or written permissions to trade and operate, the vendors should ensure that staff at all times have their photo identification and also documents allowing them to provide essential services.

For small business wishing to clarify their status regarding their operations performing an essential service or providing essential goods are able to contact the Department of Small Business Development on 0860 663 7876 or visit their website.

What’s So Good about Good Friday?

Community news

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April 10, 2020

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The following article appeared on Christianity.com and was written by Justin Holcomb.

What is Good Friday and why do we call Good Friday “good,” when it is such a dark and bleak event commemorating a day of suffering and death for Jesus?

What is Good Friday?

For Christians, Good Friday is a crucial day of the year because it celebrates what we believe to be the most momentous weekend in the history of the world. Ever since Jesus died and was raised, Christians have proclaimed the cross and resurrection of Jesus to be the decisive turning point for all creation. Paul considered it to be “of first importance” that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and was raised to life on the third day, all in accordance with what God had promised all along in the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3).

On Good Friday we remember the day Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins (1 John 1:10). It is followed by Easter, the glorious celebration of the day Jesus was raised from the dead, heralding his victory over sin and death and pointing ahead to a future resurrection for all who are united to him by faith (Romans 6:5).

Why “Good” Friday?

Still, why call the day of Jesus’ death “Good Friday” instead of “Bad Friday” or something similar? Some Christian traditions do take this approach: in German, for example, the day is called Karfreitag, or “Sorrowful Friday.” In English, in fact, the origin of the term “Good” is debated: some believe it developed from an older name, “God’s Friday.” Regardless of the origin, the name Good Friday is entirely appropriate because the suffering and death of Jesus, as terrible as it was, marked the dramatic culmination of God’s plan to save his people from their sins.

In order for the good news of the gospel to have meaning for us, we first have to understand the bad news of our condition as sinful people under condemnation. The good news of deliverance only makes sense once we see how we are enslaved. Another way of saying this is that it is important to understand and distinguish between law and gospel in Scripture. We need the law first to show us how hopeless our condition is; then the gospel of Jesus’ grace comes and brings us relief and salvation.

In the same way, Good Friday is “good” because as terrible as that day was, it had to happen for us to receive the joy of Easter. The wrath of God against sin had to be poured out on Jesus, the perfect sacrificial substitute, in order for forgiveness and salvation to be poured out to the nations. Without that awful day of suffering, sorrow, and shed blood at the cross, God could not be both “just and the justifier” of those who trust in Jesus (Romans 3:26). Paradoxically, the day that seemed to be the greatest triumph of evil was actually the deathblow in God’s gloriously good plan to redeem the world from bondage.

The cross is where we see the convergence of great suffering and God’s forgiveness. Psalms 85:10 sings of a day when “righteousness and peace” will “kiss each other.” The cross of Jesus is where that occurred, where God’s demands, his righteousness, coincided with his mercy. We receive divine forgiveness, mercy, and peace because Jesus willingly took our divine punishment, the result of God’s righteousness against sin. “For the joy set before him” (Hebrews 12:2) Jesus endured the cross on Good Friday, knowing it led to his resurrection, our salvation, and the beginning of God’s reign of righteousness and peace.

Good Friday marks the day when wrath and mercy met at the cross. That’s why Good Friday is so dark and so Good.

When Is Good Friday This Year?

Good Friday is on Friday, April 10, 2020. Good Friday is always the Friday before Easter. For a complete list of Good Friday dates, visit: When is Good Friday?

For a full timeline of the Holy week of Easter and future dates visit: When Is Easter?

Good Friday Bible Verses

Romans 5:6-10 – “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”

1 Peter 2:24 – “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

Isaiah 53:3-5 – “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

Matthew 27 – The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus ChristRead more Good Friday Bible verses at BibleStudyTools.com
Justin Holcomb is an Episcopal priest and teaches theology at Reformed Theological Seminary and Knox Theological Seminary. Justin wrote On the Grace of God and co-authored with his wife Lindsey Rid of My Disgrace and Save Me from Violence. He is also the editor of Christian Theologies of Scripture. You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, and at JustinHolcomb.com

Secunda Reformed Church: The Thorn Veil

Community news

Encee van Huyssteen

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April 10, 2020

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The Secunda Reformed Church shared their sermon “The Thorn Veil” with The Bulletin so that everyone can follow the sermon.

This is their Good Friday sermon and is lead by Pastor/Dr Anton Knoetze.

Scripture reading is from Mark 15 vers 38.

The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom
Mark 15 vers 38

Kruik Goeie Vrydag Diens 10 April 2020

Community news

Encee van Huyssteen

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April 10, 2020

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Baie welkom by Kruik Gemeente!

Stap saam met ons rondom ‘n reeks deur die evangelie van Johannes. 21 hoofstukke. 21 dae.

Maak ‘n finansiële bydrae op 2 verskillende maniere: 1.Gee Aanlyn (Kruik Gemeente, ABSA, Tjek, 632005, Rek nr:1510140016) 2.Gee deur Zapper – vind ons QR code in die diens aankondigings.

Hier is ‘n skakel na kinderkmateriaal wat jy kan gebruik en deel met ander: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1UYB…

Kontak ons gerus op Kruik Gemeente se Facebook Messenger en Whatsapp lyn (072 133 6130) of besoek ons webtuiste by: https://www.kruik.co.za/.

Ons sal graag met jou gesels.

Dankie dat jy hierdie diens saam met ons beleef het!

Lockdown extended by 2 weeks

Ane Prinsloo

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April 9, 2020

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President Ramaphosa has announced tonight that the National Lockdown will be extended for another 2 weeks and that the rules shall remain the same.

“At midnight tonight, it will be exactly two weeks since our country entered into an unprecedented nation-wide lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus,” thepresident continued, “For your cooperation, for your commitment and above all for your patience, I wish to thank you personally. I wish to thank you for reaffirming to each other and to the world that we South Africans are a people who come together and unite at moments of great crisis.”

Since South Africa has entered into the lockdown, the number of coronavirus cases per day have decreased to about 4%. Before the lockdown, the number of coronavirus cases per day were 42%. This is a decrease of 38%.

On 27 March there were 1 170 confirmed cases in South Africa and the confirmed cases are standing at 1 934 today. Two weeks ago, there were 340,000 confirmed coronavirus cases in the world. There are over 1.5 million confirmed cases worldwide now and over 90,000 people across the world have died from this disease.

“After careful consideration of the available evidence, the National Coronavirus Command Council has decided to extend the nation-wide lockdown by a further two weeks beyond the initial 21 days. This means that most of the existing lockdown measures will remain in force until the end of April,” said President Ramaphosa.

The president stated that the extension of the lockdown should not be taken lightly and that the government is “determined to pursue a path that both saves lives and protects livelihoods.”

The three-part strategy is as follows:

– Firstly, an intensified public health response to slow down and reduce infections.

– Secondly, a comprehensive package of economic support measures to assist businesses and individuals affected by the pandemic.

– Thirdly, a programme of increased social support to protect poor and vulnerable households.

“Over the next two weeks, we will roll out the community screening and testing programme across all provinces, focusing in particular on highly vulnerable communities,” the president continued, “Those who test positive and cannot self-isolate at home will be isolated at special facilities that have been identified and are now being equipped.”

The president also said that the Unemployment Insurance Fund has set aside R40 billion to help employees who will be unable to work, as part of the effort to prevent jobs losses as a result of the lockdown.

President Ramaphosa also announced: “The Industrial Development Corporation has set aside R3 billion for the procurement of essential medical supplies.

It has already approved R130 million in funding and expects to approve a further R400 million in the coming week to companies who applied for funding under this special facility.

The Small Enterprise Finance Agency has approved the postponement of loan repayments for a period of 6 months.

The small business debt relief and business growth facilities are currently adjudicating applications for assistance.

There is a total of R500 million available in support.

Government has reprioritised R1.2 billion to provide relief to smallholder farmers and to contribute to the security of food supply.”

The President, Deputy President, Ministers and Deputy Ministers will donate a third of their salaries to the Solidarity Fund for the next three months.

“As we walk this road together, as we struggle to defeat this pandemic, we remain strong and united and resolved. Much is being asked of you, far more than should ever be asked. But we know that this is a matter of survival, and we dare not fail. We shall recover. We shall overcome. May God bless South Africa and protect her people. I thank you.”

Suspected diesel thieves stopped in their tracks in Mpumalanga

Ane Prinsloo

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April 9, 2020

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Suspected diesel thieves stopped in their tracks in Mpumalanga

Three suspected diesel thieves have been arrested in Witbank, Mpumalanga.

The Hawks’ provincial Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit received a tip-off that the trio were on their way to steal diesel at Umpunzi Opencast mine. The team, with the assistance of the Witbank SAPS and Bidvest Protea Coin Security, kept observing when the suspects entered the premises on Tuesday evening in a tanker which they immediately started filling with diesel.

The suspects were confronted and arrested on the spot. They were found in possession of the tag which gave them access into the mine. Further probing led to the arrest of the security guard who was believed had assisted the suspects.

Almost R30 000 worth of diesel was already pumped which was handed back to the mine. The three suspects, aged between 40 and 42, are expected to appear before the Witbank Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 14 April.

UPDATE: President Ramaphosa will not be addressing the nation today at 16H00

Ane Prinsloo

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April 9, 2020

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UPDATE: President Ramaphosa will not be addressing the nation today at 16H00

This afternoon a message was circulating on WhatsApp that President Ramaphosa will be addressing the nation at 16:00. This was fake news.

The president did decide to address the nation after all but at 20H00.

BREAKING NEWS⚠‼️

President of the RSA Cyril Ramphosa will address the nation live as regards the stand of Covid – 19 lockdown in South Africa & beyond & the way forward today Thursday 9th of April at around 4pm. Tune in to your radio stations & TV ( SABC , eNCA , Afrikaneez) to hear for yourself.

The above WhatsApp message has been making the rounds and people have been avidly waiting for this address but this is fake news.

Khusela Diko, spokesperson to the President released below statement on twitter:

While the fake news has been making the rounds the Presidency South Africa has been tweeting the following:

Please be very careful of all the fake news circulating. People have been arrested because of the spread of fake news.

Stay Home

Stay Safe

Police Minister, General Bheki Cele visits eMbalenhle

Ane Prinsloo

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April 8, 2020

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Police Minister, General Bheki Cele visits eMbalenhle

Minister Bheki Cele visited eMbalenhle in the light of the disregard of the lockdown in the township.

1295 People have already been arrested but to no avail… The people of eMbalenhle still continue like it is a normal day.

“I hear them crying that cops and soldiers are brutal. Not listening to us is brutality,” Cele said.

The minister reiterated and emphasised that people should stop asking for 3 hours to be able to buy liquor. He said that the ban of alcohol would not be lifted during the 21-day lockdown.

“I just hope that one day there will be no liquor. I don’t run the country but what has happened when you look at the crime stats, for that fact that shebeens are closed, people are sleeping. They don’t move around here in shebeens and taverns being uncontrollable,” he said.

The minister told the police officers that they must protect the people who do not want to protect themselves.

“It’s our duty. If you don’t want to protect yourself and the rest of us, we must start by protecting you.”

The minister also said that he does not know why some people need to be reprimanded when they are caught outside their homes.

“If you stay in your house you behave,” he said.

Mpumalanga has deployed over 17 000 police officers to enforce the COVID-19 regulations and 11 permanent roadblocks have been set up in the province.

“You are doing a remarkable job,” said Cele, “Rape incidents are down by 1 011 since start of lockdown.”

He also said that the decrease in crime was due to the temporary ban on alcohol.

“We would all like to go back to leading our normal lives, it is up to you to stay at home and prevent the spread of this disease which will determine whether the lockdown is extended or not,” the minister added, “We must cherish this time and take some lessons forward.”

So is die Lewe: Skaakmat!

Columnist

Encee van Huyssteen

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April 7, 2020

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Daar was op ‘n stadium ‘n aangrypende skildery in die Louvremuseum in Parys, genaamd Skaakmat. Dit is geskilder deur Friedrich Moritz August Retzsch. Die skildery is nou in die versameling van ‘n privaatversamelaar, nadat dit deur Christie’s in 1999 opgeveil is. Hierdie skildery wys twee skaakspelers in ‘n ernstige spel gewikkel.

Die een is Satan, wat arrogant en vol selfvertroue is. Hy kyk triomfanklik af op sy opponent, wie se siel Satan eis as die teëstaander verloor. Die ooreenkomste tussen hierdie toneel en Chris de Burgh se lied Spanish train, wat jarelank in Suid Afrika verbied is, is nogal merkwaardig.

Die opponent in die skildery was ‘n jong man. Sy kop omlaag geboë, verslae en skaam omdat hy verloor het. Sy gesig was vertrek met pyn, en hy is gekonfronteer deur ‘n honende Satan met sy oorwinningslag. Daar het slegs ‘n paar skaakstukke op die bord oorgebly, en regoor die skildery was die woord “skaakmat” geverf.

‘n Ouerige man stap toe eendag deur die Louvre en stop by die sataniese skaakspel. Hy het doodstil gestaan en vir lank die skildery bekyk. Toe kry hy skielik lewe, en begin uitroep: “Dit is ‘n leuen, dit is ‘n leuen!” Ander mense in die galery het kom kyk wat aangaan. “Wat is die leuen?” vra hulle terwyl hy aangaan om dit uit te roep.

Die kurator van die museum het ook opgedaag. “Meneer, is hier ‘n probleem, kan ek help?”, het hy gevra. Die man kyk die kurator in die oë en sê: “Ek is die Franse skaakkampioen, ek sê vir jou dit is ‘n leuen!” Die kurator was nog steeds verward – wat is ‘n leuen? Die man wys na die skaakbord en sê: “Die skilder sal die skildery moet verander, of hy sal die titel moet verander. Kyk, die spel is nie oor nie. Dit is ‘n leuen, dit is nie skaakmat nie, die koning het nog ‘n skuif! Dit sal die hele spel verander!”

Skaakmat. Dit is die situasie wat baie mense verstaan. Wanneer jou geld te min is en die rekeninge te veel. Wanneer daar niks meer in jou huwelik oorgebly het om te sê nie. Wanneer jou kinders moed opgee om werk te kry, en nie eens meer probeer nie. Wanneer die dokter vir jou sê dat daar menslik gesproke niks meer is wat vir jou gedoen kan word nie.

Wanneer die nuus en koerante vir jou sê dat die nasionale inperking nog verleng kan word, en verskeie mense alreeds sonder inkomste sit. Wanneer die getalle geinfekteerdes met die coronavirus in ons land daagliks styg, en geen korttermynvoorspellings met sekerheid gemaak kan word nie.

Wanneer die Suid Afrikaanse ekonomie afgegradeer word tot rommelstatus deur Moodies en Finch. Wanneer die JSE groot verliese toon en jou pensioenfonds met rasse skrede krimp. Wanneer kerke en winkels gesluit is, begrafnisse baie ingeperk is, en huwelikseremonies nie kan plaasvind nie.

Wanneer skole en universiteite gesluit is, en onderwysers en dosente in ‘n niemandsland sit oor wat nou en waarheen. Baie van ons verstaan daardie jong man in die skildery wat vooroor sit, kop omlaag. Want ons, ons ken ook van skaakmat.

Maar, in hierdie week voor paasfees, lees ons van baie ander skaakmatsituasies. ‘n Klein seuntjie met slegs 2 vissies en 5 brode, en duisende mense wat honger is en kos soek. Dit lyk soos skaakmat, maar dit is ‘n leuen, want die Koning het nog ‘n skuif, en hulle tel 12 mandjies kos na die tyd op.

‘n Man met die naam Daniël word gegooi in ‘n kuil vol honger leeus. Dit lyk soos skaakmat, maar dit is ‘n leuen, want die Koning het nog ‘n skuif oor!

Jesus kom by die graf van Lasarus. Hy’s al dae lank dood. Die graf ruik al. Ook by die dogtertjie van Jairus wat gesterf het. Die mense sê: “los maar, dis verby.” Dit lyk soos skaakmat, maar dit is ‘n leuen, want die Koning het nog ‘n skuif oor!

Die vrou by die put moet deur mans met klippe dood gegooi word. Presies só word dit deur die streng Joodse wette voorgeskryf. Dit lyk soos skaakmat, maar dit is ‘n leuen, want die Koning het nog ‘n skuif oor. “Gaan en moenie langer sondig nie!”

Twee misdadigers hang sterwend langs Jesus aan hulle kruise. Dit lyk soos skaakmat, hulle is alreeds besig om te sterf. Maar dit is ‘n leuen, want die Koning het nog ‘n skuif oor. “Vandag sal jy saam met my in die paradys wees”, hoor die een wat om vergifnis vra.

Op die Paasfees word die Lam geslag. Die mense skreeu veroordelend: “Kruisig Hom, kruisig Hom!”. Die Romeinse soldate spot Hom en slaan Hom. Hulle spoeg Hom en kap Hom met spykers vas aan ‘n kruis. Hulle steek ‘n spies in Sy ribbekas in.

Jesus skreeu met ‘n hortende asemteug en gebarste lippe dit uit: “Eloi, Eloi lama sabagtani – my God, my God waarom het U my verlaat”. Eenkant staan mense en sê: “Ja, ander kon Hy red, maar Homself kan Hy nie red nie”. Dit is verby, skaakmat, gaan maar huis toe.

Satan leun smalend oor die skouer van die toeskouers by die kruis, dit lyk of alles verby is. Jesus blaas sy laaste asem uit. Dit lyk soos skaakmat. Maar dit is ‘n leuen, want die Koning het nog ‘n skuif oor! Drie dae later is dit Opstandingsondag.

Die Koning het die laaste skuif. Altyd. Vir jou en my en ons land.

Sasol Secunda | Making a difference and supporting fence-line communities during the coronavirus pandemic

News

Ane Prinsloo

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April 6, 2020

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Sasol Secunda | Making a difference and supporting fence-line communities during the coronavirus pandemic

The following press release was released by Sasol Secunda.

South Africa has high socio-economic disparities with a great number of vulnerable communities. As a caring and responsible corporate citizen, Sasol recognises its duty to step up and show support for those in need. During the COVID-19 virus outbreak Sasol Secunda has reached out to its surrounding communities to be a force for good to offer support to vulnerable groups.

Mattresses donated to Govan Mbeki municipality for homeless community

In response to the presidential call for a 21-day lockdown, Sasol has donated 66 mattresses to the Govan Mbeki Municipality homeless community. The homeless are being sheltered at Kinross Golf Club Lapa in an effort to keep them off the streets to protect them and combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Sasol donated 400 litres of sanitisers daily in support of government’s effort to combat spread of COVID-19 virus

Sasol, as a producer and bulk supplier of a variety of specialty chemicals, has developed a new unique blend of alcohol-based chemicals to be used in manufacturing of hand sanitisers to help address the increase in market demand for these products.

As part of the company’s ongoing partnership with government to help flatten the coronavirus curve, Sasol has, to date, donated over 2200L of sanitisers to the community through the following government/ community support structures:

400L handed over to Minister State Security (Ayanda Dlodlo) and Govan Mbeki local municipality on 30 March. The sanitisers are being utilised at the local municipality public facilities such as pay points and essential services facilities.
400L handed over to the District Command Council on 31 March to support border post staff especially in hot spots like the Mahamba border post next to Piet Retief/ Swaziland as well as distribution to clinics and local hospitals.
400L handed over on 1 April to the District Department of Health, to support GMM clinics
400L handed over on 2 April to taxi associations, SAPS and army personnel
600L handed over to Dipaleseng and Lekwa municipalities on 3 April

Sanitisers handover to Dipaleseng Municipality on Friday, 3 April 2020

The District Command office was also supported with 500 units of safety PPE (masks and body suits) and sanitisers are being distributed to Bethal prison as well as clinics and hospitals in Evander, Piet Retief, Standerton and Balfour on 3 April.

Donated body suits, masks and sanitisers to District Command Office

Support has also been extended of the SAPS and SANDF with donated resources such as tents, accommodation, generators at the check points.

The distribution of the sanitisers to the community will continue weekly through the above structures during the lockdown period.

We will continue to explore other ways to support our fence line communities in dealing with the impacts of the virus. Together we have the power to flatten the infection curve and to support those most vulnerable.