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First outbreak of Coronavirus confirmed in SA

Last week on one of the radio stations the presenters were joking about the Coronavirus. They were saying that there were only 2 confirmed cases on the African continent. Little did they know that this week there would be a confirmed case in South Africa.

The World Health Organisation explains the virus as follows: Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. 

https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-updates.html

Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans. 

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. 

https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-issues/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing. (https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus)

https://www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2020/03/04/why-hand-washing-more-important-wearing-mask

This morning, 5 March, the first confirmed case of the Coronavirus was confirmed in South Africa by the Minister of Health, Minister Zweli Mkhize.

The Minister tweeted the following on his official account:This morning, Thursday, March 5, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) confirmed that a suspected case of COVID-19 has tested positive. The patient is a 38-year-old male, who travelled to Italy with his wife. They were part of a group of 10 people and they arrived back in South Africa on 1 March 2020.”

This announcement was made on Twitter moments before a Parliamentary debate on South Africa’s readiness to deal with Coronavirus (COVD-19).

The patient consulted a private general practitioner on Tuesday, 3 March, with symptoms of fever, headache, malaise, a sore throat and a cough according to the Minster. The practice nurse took swabs and delivered it to the lab. The patient has been self-isolating since 3 March. The couple has two children.

“The tracer team has been deployed to KwaZulu-Natal with epidemiologists and clinicians from NICD. The doctor has been self-isolating as well. The Emergency Operating Centre (EOC) has identified the contacts by interviewing the patient and doctor,” said Minister Mkhize.

Minister Zweli Mkhize

A media briefing will be held after the Parliamentary debate by the Minister to ensure that the public is kept up to date.

“A press briefing will be held later after the parliamentary debate this evening to shed more light on this issue,” said Mkhize.

Follow this link to watch the full media briefing on the Coronavirus in South Africa: https://youtu.be/PtxCrNqHUYY

This video was streamed live by SABCNews. – Ané Prinsloo

First outbreak of Coronavirus confirmed in SA

Last week on one of the radio stations the presenters were joking about the Coronavirus. They were saying that there were only 2 confirmed cases on the African continent. Little did they know that this week there would be a confirmed case in South Africa.

The World Health Organisation explains the virus as follows: Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. 

https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-updates.html

Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans. 

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. 

https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-issues/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing. (https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus)

https://www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2020/03/04/why-hand-washing-more-important-wearing-mask

This morning, 5 March, the first confirmed case of the Coronavirus was confirmed in South Africa by the Minister of Health, Minister Zweli Mkhize.

The Minister tweeted the following on his official account:This morning, Thursday, March 5, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) confirmed that a suspected case of COVID-19 has tested positive. The patient is a 38-year-old male, who travelled to Italy with his wife. They were part of a group of 10 people and they arrived back in South Africa on 1 March 2020.”

This announcement was made on Twitter moments before a Parliamentary debate on South Africa’s readiness to deal with Coronavirus (COVD-19).

The patient consulted a private general practitioner on Tuesday, 3 March, with symptoms of fever, headache, malaise, a sore throat and a cough according to the Minster. The practice nurse took swabs and delivered it to the lab. The patient has been self-isolating since 3 March. The couple has two children.

“The tracer team has been deployed to KwaZulu-Natal with epidemiologists and clinicians from NICD. The doctor has been self-isolating as well. The Emergency Operating Centre (EOC) has identified the contacts by interviewing the patient and doctor,” said Minister Mkhize.

Minister Zweli Mkhize

A media briefing will be held after the Parliamentary debate by the Minister to ensure that the public is kept up to date.

“A press briefing will be held later after the parliamentary debate this evening to shed more light on this issue,” said Mkhize.

Follow this link to watch the full media briefing on the Coronavirus in South Africa: https://youtu.be/PtxCrNqHUYY

This video was streamed live by SABCNews. – Ané Prinsloo

Police impersonators nabbed

PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER APPLAUDS POLICE AND TRACKER CONNECT FOR ARRESTING SUSPECTS WHO DISGUISED THEMSELVES AS POLICE 

Nelspruit – The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma has applauded police from Gauteng, Mpumalanga as well as Tracker Connect Team who collectively arrested three suspects, aged between 26 and 36, on Thursday 27 February 2020 at Emalahleni, for robbery, impersonating police as well as for possession of suspected stolen property.

The arrest of the suspects is part of the police’s efforts to put an end as well as bring to justice all the suspects who are terrorising motorists by posing as different law enforcement agencies, where they would often pull over vehicles and rob occupants of their goods or belongings around Delmas on the N12 and Emalahleni on the N4, between Balmoral and Bronkhorspruit as well as surrounding areas. Police have registered several cases at which suspects masquerading as law enforcement agencies would flash blue lights at the motorists signalling them to stop, then rob them of their belongings or cargo in the case of trucks. Some of the victims happen to be foreign nationals and domestic tourists who according to information, are usually followed from Gauteng then pounced on around Witbank and Delmas respectively.

In Delmas, vehicles that are targeted  include trucks transporting different cargo, they also stop the drivers by flashing a blue light then force them to drive to secluded areas, the suspects  then tie the victims, empty the loads, leaving them( victims) helpless in the bushes. Overwhelming complaints were reported at Delmas police station however, the modus operandi revealed that police in Mpumalanga were facing a common challenge with their counterparts in Gauteng and therefore worked together hence the breakthrough. After receiving these complaints, both provinces have been initially working on a plan that would bring an end to this reign of terror. They then coordinated their activities diligently as a collective with Tracker Connect Team and monitored movements of these suspects. 

According to reports, police analysed the suspects’ trends, flowing from Gauteng. It is also however known that some of the victims were followed from Nelspruit and other areas in the lowveld but pounced on around Witbank and Delmas. On the said date, police spotted a VW Polo on the N4 National road which fitted the same description of the vehicle they were looking for and it had three occupants, they(police) instructed the driver to stop but he deliberately ignored them. The actions of the driver led to a high-speed chase where the suspects were finally cornered at Emalahleni. Upon searching the three suspects as well as the vehicle, police recovered SAPS Appointment Cards, cell phones believed to be those belonging to the victims as well as other items. The trio were immediately brought to book and charged accordingly.

Extensive investigation into the matter is underway but police are not yet convinced that these are the only suspects operating around Delmas and Emalahleni. A preliminary probe suggests that the trio might be connected to several cases which were committed mainly in Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces respectively. They (police) have vowed to broaden the scope of their investigations against the suspects with a view to ascertain whether the trio are involved in the series of criminal activities, that have been registered around White River and Hazyview as well as other areas where foreign nationals in the main, were victims. 

General Zuma welcomed the arrest of the three men and thanked the team of police from Mpumalanga, Gauteng as well as Tracker Connect for their relentless efforts in dealing with this type of sophisticated crime. “The arrest of the trio has somewhat come as a breakthrough for us and I have ordered for a thorough investigation into this case, especially because police items were used to commit crime. The investigation will reveal how the suspects got hold of these items. Anyone who will be found to have crossed the line, will face the full might of the law. We cannot allow individuals to drag the name of the law enforcement agencies through the mud without any consequence, ” said General Zuma.

Police cannot rule out possibilities of linking the suspects to other reported cases of robberies in and around the province.

Meanwhile the three suspects were expected to appear at the Witbank Magistrate’s Court, Monday 02 March 2020. The police are also making an earnest call to victims who were robbed at the areas mentioned but did not open cases to please approach the Witbank Police Station for help

Secunda Mall Win Your 2020 School Fees Competition

Every year the Secunda Mall runs the Win Your School Fees competition. This competition was started with the idea in mind to excite parents and children who are going back to school. The prize is a year’s school fees. This also gives some financial relief for the year ahead as everyone knows January is 2 months long!

This year the lucky winner was a student from Hoërskool Oosterland, Ethan Lockwood. Ethan’s very proud grandmother entered him into the competition.

Secunda Mall’s Marketing Manager, Danelle van der Watt and Operations Manager, William Smith, surprised Ethan at Hoërskool Oosterland yesterday, 3 March. Ethan was humbly surprised and shocked when Danelle handed over the cheque worth R 16 500.00.

Danelle van der Watt, Mall Manager and the lucky winner, Ethan Lockwood

Danelle said: “Everyone at Secunda Mall would like to wish Ethan only the best in this academic year. We know he’ll be successful in the future.”

Congratulations Ethan on being the lucky winner!!! – Ané Prinsloo

Misty Goes International

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Misty Waters is going international!! We are so excited to release our third and final artist announcement for Misty Waters Music Festival 2020 that will take place at Lake Umuzi Waterfront in Secunda, Mpumalanga.

Kongos Misty Waters Music Festival

All the way from Phoenix, Arizona the KONGOS brothers – Johnny, Jesse, Dylan and Danny – will be visiting their dad in South Africa in April / May 2020 and we have the privilege to have them on the Misty Waters stage. Growing up in London and Johannesburg, these 4 brothers are no strangers to sunny South Africa.

After 9 years of searching for that first break, it finally came in 2011 when “I’m only joking” became a radio smash in South Africa, followed by multiple top 40 hits from their second album “Lunatic” and “Come With Me Now”.

Therefore, it is only fitting that KONGOS come to South Africa, and more specifically to Misty Waters at Lake Umuzi, to launch their new venture KONGOS BEER.

Safety First! Misty Waters

Next up, we have Safety First! combining different styles of genres and personal joy and agony. Safety First! has stumbled onto a uniquely quirky and uplifting sound that will make your foot stomp and heart skip a beat.

Die Wasgoedlyn Misty Waters Music Festival

Die Wasgoedlyn

It is the freshest thing that has hit South Africa’s music scene. It is an innovation to do nation-building through people that have a passion for creating and living out their talents. They are people that get a kick out of making music, just for the sake of creating, without boundaries, rules or genres keeping them inside a predetermined doctrinal box. On the Misty Water stage, we welcome Die Wasgoedlyn with Churchill Naude, Riku Lâtti and Jackie Lâtti.

Akkedis

Akkedis can be dubbed as the stepchildren of South African Rock ‘n Roll. The infamous Dennis-twins, Arthur and Rudolph, strummed their first chord at the age of 12, after being exposed to everyone from Neil Young to Bob Marley.

When Adrian John Graham joined the group, their sound progressed into the timeless rock sound South Africans have known and enjoyed for over two decades. African, Reggae, Blues, Rock, Folk, Zulu, Afrikaans, English, there’s nothing these boys can’t do.

Double Sun

Double Sun

A 5-piece psychedelic, post punk, blues, rock experience with experimental influences from Pretoria.

The Tazers

The Tazers

The Tazers are a psychedelic rock band from Johannesburg. They are a fan favourite in venues in Pretoria, Joburg and Cape Town. Their latest album, Plastic Kids, can take you on a journey through the night from mushroom top to mushroom top.

Stephen Jonathan

Stephen Jonathan is a South African musician and songwriter from Pretoria, who has been active in the music industry for twelve years. Although, he first became known for his incredible guitar skills, Stephen also proved himself as a formidable singer and writer early in his career.

This talented man has formed part of several successful bands/groups, including Stones & Gold (founder, singer, songwriter and guitarist), Jackvalve (guitarist and songwriter), Joshua na die Reën (acoustic guitarist) and Deon Bakkes and the Stolen Horses (rhythm and main guitarist), to name but a few.

Black Water

Black Water

Black Water is one of the south’s hottest and most entertaining emerging rock bands. Black Water’s sound is a combination of the old and the new, the heavy and the traditional, a mix of rock, southern influences and classic metal all wrapped up together!

Jackal & the wind

Jackal & the wind

Jackal and the Wind is an independent band from Stellenbosch, South Africa. The band has been gaining steady acclaim since its inception in 2013. The band’s whimsical name is reminiscent of the yearning of the jackal and the intangible emotion of a howling wind and pays homage to their wish to whisk their listeners away, to a world without boundaries, by means of their emotive harmonies.

Murray

Murray.

These four musicians who all happened to play different instruments (you know… big guitar, small guitar, those barrels you hit), decided to play those instruments together in specific time intervals, based on a recurring pattern of musical notes, accompanied by a rhythmic pronunciation of vocal sounds that were not dissimilar to their spoken languages… classic stuff.

SOZLOL

#Sozlol

Needing little introduction, and making up the first half of these deck-wrecking tequila twins, is long-time legend of the SA music industry, Catherine Grenfell.

Unless you’ve been living under a Jacaranda in the Highveld, you’ll most certainly recall the effervescent presence of Catherine on 5FM, and her subsequent evolution to becoming part of the brains behind radio killing video station, The Eye.

Completing the other half of this party-hardy pair, is rum-loving, gin-sipping gypsy, Vicky Jankiewicz, who, much like the medicinal flu-balm of the similar namesake, Vicks Acta-Plus, will leave your chest feeling warm and your breathing easy.

Wielding the singing voice of an angel, and infectious spirit to match, Vicky has had much experience in the many facets of our local music community, from behind the scenes in radio, to social media and many other interesting adventures and misadventures.

Vicky Jankiewicz and Catherine Grenfell will keep the party going as #SOZLOL after all the bands have played.

There you have it the FULL line-up for Misty Waters 2020. We are super stoked for the next 55 days to fly away so that the REAL party can begin.

Check out the full line up here  – Misty Waters Music Festival

Misty Goes International

0

Misty Waters is going international!! We are so excited to release our third and final artist announcement for Misty Waters Music Festival 2020 that will take place at Lake Umuzi Waterfront in Secunda, Mpumalanga.

Kongos Misty Waters Music Festival

All the way from Phoenix, Arizona the KONGOS brothers – Johnny, Jesse, Dylan and Danny – will be visiting their dad in South Africa in April / May 2020 and we have the privilege to have them on the Misty Waters stage. Growing up in London and Johannesburg, these 4 brothers are no strangers to sunny South Africa.

After 9 years of searching for that first break, it finally came in 2011 when “I’m only joking” became a radio smash in South Africa, followed by multiple top 40 hits from their second album “Lunatic” and “Come With Me Now”.

Therefore, it is only fitting that KONGOS come to South Africa, and more specifically to Misty Waters at Lake Umuzi, to launch their new venture KONGOS BEER.

Safety First! Misty Waters

Next up, we have Safety First! combining different styles of genres and personal joy and agony. Safety First! has stumbled onto a uniquely quirky and uplifting sound that will make your foot stomp and heart skip a beat.

Die Wasgoedlyn Misty Waters Music Festival

Die Wasgoedlyn

It is the freshest thing that has hit South Africa’s music scene. It is an innovation to do nation-building through people that have a passion for creating and living out their talents. They are people that get a kick out of making music, just for the sake of creating, without boundaries, rules or genres keeping them inside a predetermined doctrinal box. On the Misty Water stage, we welcome Die Wasgoedlyn with Churchill Naude, Riku Lâtti and Jackie Lâtti.

Akkedis

Akkedis can be dubbed as the stepchildren of South African Rock ‘n Roll. The infamous Dennis-twins, Arthur and Rudolph, strummed their first chord at the age of 12, after being exposed to everyone from Neil Young to Bob Marley.

When Adrian John Graham joined the group, their sound progressed into the timeless rock sound South Africans have known and enjoyed for over two decades. African, Reggae, Blues, Rock, Folk, Zulu, Afrikaans, English, there’s nothing these boys can’t do.

Double Sun

Double Sun

A 5-piece psychedelic, post punk, blues, rock experience with experimental influences from Pretoria.

The Tazers

The Tazers

The Tazers are a psychedelic rock band from Johannesburg. They are a fan favourite in venues in Pretoria, Joburg and Cape Town. Their latest album, Plastic Kids, can take you on a journey through the night from mushroom top to mushroom top.

Stephen Jonathan

Stephen Jonathan is a South African musician and songwriter from Pretoria, who has been active in the music industry for twelve years. Although, he first became known for his incredible guitar skills, Stephen also proved himself as a formidable singer and writer early in his career.

This talented man has formed part of several successful bands/groups, including Stones & Gold (founder, singer, songwriter and guitarist), Jackvalve (guitarist and songwriter), Joshua na die Reën (acoustic guitarist) and Deon Bakkes and the Stolen Horses (rhythm and main guitarist), to name but a few.

Black Water

Black Water

Black Water is one of the south’s hottest and most entertaining emerging rock bands. Black Water’s sound is a combination of the old and the new, the heavy and the traditional, a mix of rock, southern influences and classic metal all wrapped up together!

Jackal & the wind

Jackal & the wind

Jackal and the Wind is an independent band from Stellenbosch, South Africa. The band has been gaining steady acclaim since its inception in 2013. The band’s whimsical name is reminiscent of the yearning of the jackal and the intangible emotion of a howling wind and pays homage to their wish to whisk their listeners away, to a world without boundaries, by means of their emotive harmonies.

Murray

Murray.

These four musicians who all happened to play different instruments (you know… big guitar, small guitar, those barrels you hit), decided to play those instruments together in specific time intervals, based on a recurring pattern of musical notes, accompanied by a rhythmic pronunciation of vocal sounds that were not dissimilar to their spoken languages… classic stuff.

SOZLOL

#Sozlol

Needing little introduction, and making up the first half of these deck-wrecking tequila twins, is long-time legend of the SA music industry, Catherine Grenfell.

Unless you’ve been living under a Jacaranda in the Highveld, you’ll most certainly recall the effervescent presence of Catherine on 5FM, and her subsequent evolution to becoming part of the brains behind radio killing video station, The Eye.

Completing the other half of this party-hardy pair, is rum-loving, gin-sipping gypsy, Vicky Jankiewicz, who, much like the medicinal flu-balm of the similar namesake, Vicks Acta-Plus, will leave your chest feeling warm and your breathing easy.

Wielding the singing voice of an angel, and infectious spirit to match, Vicky has had much experience in the many facets of our local music community, from behind the scenes in radio, to social media and many other interesting adventures and misadventures.

Vicky Jankiewicz and Catherine Grenfell will keep the party going as #SOZLOL after all the bands have played.

There you have it the FULL line-up for Misty Waters 2020. We are super stoked for the next 55 days to fly away so that the REAL party can begin.

Check out the full line up here  – Misty Waters Music Festival

Locals torch Acornhoek Pastor’s church and vehicles

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PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER CONDEMNS THE BURNING OF CHURCH, HOUSE, AND OTHER PROPERTIES BELONGING TO A LOCAL PASTOR

Nelspruit – The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma has strongly condemned the torching of a church, vehicles as well as property belonging to a local Pastor in Acornhoek during the early hours of Monday morning, 02 March 2020.

Reports indicate that at around 03h30am, unknown suspects entered the yard of the 63-year-old Pastor and torched two vehicles as well as damaged windows of his house. At the time, the Pastor and his wife were still asleep when the wife woke up from some strange noise coming from people who were shouting. The terrified wife woke her husband up to inform him that their cars were burning. At the same time, the windows of their house were also pelted with stones.

The couple quickly ran outside and witnessed their cars engulfed in flames while some community members were already in the yard trying to extinguish the fire. Whilst the community was still trying to extinguish the flames, the Pastor received a call informing him that his church was also in flames. 

Police were notified about the incidents whereupon cases of arson as well as malicious damage to property were opened and investigations thereof are underway. Police noticed that there was a message on the church wall levelling accusations against the church which was written in graffiti style. The writing, amongst other things accused the church of raping people but currently, no such allegations of rape can be proven against the Pastor nor the congregants.

The Provincial Commissioner has called for a quick arrest of the suspects. “We cannot allow lawlessness to prevail, where criminals go on rampage and burn buildings, cars and damage other people’s houses. There are laws in this country, and no one can destroy property in the name of being wronged or having certain grievances against other people. When one feels (s)he is being offended, then that person must report the matter to the relevant authorities. The perpetrators of these cases must be arrested and face their day in court, ” said General Zuma. 

In the meantime, the police call on anyone with information that can assist in the investigation to call Lieutenant Colonel Albert Manzini on 0824691031.

Members of the community can also anonymously call 0860010111 or send SMS’s to 32211.

MYSAPSAPP can also be downloaded where valuable information can be shared with police and the information will be treated with strictest confidence.

Bethal SPCA has adoptions available

The Bethal SPCA has a number of adoptions available.

Please give these pets a second chance on life. Adopted pets make lovely additions to any home.

The Bulletin fully supports the Bethal SPCA and would like to urge you to consider adopting these animals.

Please contact them directly on 0176475360

Five deserving youngsters get Trust bursaries

After a stringent selection and interview process, five deserving youngsters from the Govan Mbeki municipality have been given all-expenses-paid scholarships, valued at R170 000 each, by the Southern Highveld Community Development Trust (SHCDT), a community social investment initiative of Graceland Hotel Casino & Country Club in Secunda to follow their dreams of obtaining a tertiary education. 

The group recently travelled to Emperors Palace to attend an induction function and receive their official scholarship letters, much to their delight.

Five lucky local youngsters have each received an all-expenses paid scholarship this year, valued at over R170 000 each, from the Southern Highveld Community Development Trust (SHCDT), a CSI initiative of Graceland Hotel Casino & Country Club, to follow their dreams of obtaining a tertiary education. Here the lucky recipients, in the front, Angel Phakathi, middle, Asakhanya Maseti, Ellen Maseko, Philisiwe Mayaba and at the back, Nhlakanipho Mngomezulu (middle) celebrate this wonderful opportunity with Peermont Human Resources Executive, Fihliwe Molefi (middle right) and two SHCDT Alumni, Mishael Mashele (back left) and Mike Sibeko (back right) at an induction function at Emperors Palace recently. Successful businessmen, Mashele and Sibeko, who attribute much of their success to the opportunities that arose because of the SHCDT scholarships they received, were involved in the selection of the new bursary recipients.    (Photograph by Yolanda van der Stoep)
Five lucky local youngsters have each received an all-expenses-paid scholarship this year, valued at over R170 000 each, from the Southern Highveld Community Development Trust (SHCDT), a CSI initiative of Graceland Hotel Casino & Country Club, to follow their dreams of obtaining tertiary education. Here the lucky recipients, in the front, Angel Phakathi, middle, Asakhanya Maseti, Ellen Maseko, Philisiwe Mayaba and at the back, Nhlakanipho Mngomezulu (middle) celebrate this wonderful opportunity with Peermont Human Resources Executive, Fihliwe Molefi (middle right) and two SHCDT Alumni, Mishael Mashele (back left) and Mike Sibeko (back right) at an induction function at Emperors Palace recently. Successful businessmen, Mashele and Sibeko, who attribute much of their success to the opportunities that arose because of the SHCDT scholarships they received, were involved in the selection of the new bursary recipients.    (Photograph by Yolanda van der Stoep)

Top learner among the candidates, Nhlakanipho Mngomezulu, who obtained three distinctions when he matriculated from Vukuqhakaze Secondary School at the end of last year, is off to the University of the Witwatersrand to study for his BSc in Electrical Engineering degree.

The 17-year-old, who is one of 10 children, says he chose to study electrical engineering because it is a very broad course comprising of many disciplines and believes he will get exposed to ample opportunities.

When quizzed at the induction event what this scholarship means to him, he commented, “With this bursary, I’ll be able to fully focus on my studies and not worry about finances, so I have no reason to fail and my Mom still can’t believe that she won’t pay a cent towards my studies. It feels great to be granted such an opportunity!”

These feelings were reiterated by Chief Ampie Mayisa Secondary School matriculant, Philisiwe Mayaba (18) who added it (the scholarship) means a lot to her family and she can’t believe it is happening – that she has a fully-funded scholarship to start her BCom Economics and Management Sciences degree studies at the University of Pretoria.

The Leandra youngster, who achieved one distinction in her matric year, then went on to give her reasons for choosing her field of study. “Due to our economy, there is a shortage of resources which prompted me to follow this career path as I want to use research and data analysis to find innovative ways to improve the economy.”

Another of the scholarship recipients who have also selected a career path in which she can contribute to change in society is Thomas Nhlabathi Secondary School matriculant, Asakhanya Maseti (18).

“I’ve chosen to study a BSc in Nursing at the University of Limpopo because I have the passion and love to bring about the change I want to see in healthcare,” says the eMbalenhle resident who lists her attributes as being dedicated, responsible, ambitious and determined, which will certainly stand her in good stead in making a success of her career.

Fellow Thomas Nhlabathi Secondary School matriculant, Angel Phakathi, who also obtained two distinctions last year like Maseti, is off to study LLB Law at the University of KwaZulu Natal thanks to the SHCDT.

“When they informed me that I got the bursary I was so excited because I knew that it was the beginning of my life, while for my family it means everything as they know that I will start this year smoothly and will be mentally fit to study,” the 18-year-old from Kinross commented after getting her scholarship letter.

The goal-driven go-getter, who believes in hard-work has her sights set on fighting gender-based violence and woman and child abuse by becoming a human rights lawyer after her degree.

The fifth recipient, KI Twala Secondary School matriculant Ellen Maseko, feels blessed that she has been included in the SHCDT programme and can now head to Sol Plaatje University to do a BSc Data Science degree without any financial concerns for her or her family.

Being motivated, driven, confident and enjoying challenges the eMbalenhle student says she was inspired to choose this career because there is a demand for people with data science skills and the pay is good.

Apart from having their tuition and accommodation expenses covered, getting their books and a laptop sponsored, the Trust also provides a comprehensive mentorship programme for scholarship recipients to enable them to cope and develop new skills during their time at university. The programme covers study skills, emotional intelligence and employability. Monthly mentorship meetings are also held with the students to ensure that they receive the much-needed socio-psychological support required.

“Over the years we have found that we are able to increase our graduation rate by offering learners additional support throughout the year. To this end the Trust has an impressive 85% graduation rate compared to the national graduation rate of 22%. This is exceptional considering that the learners hail from township schools,” comments Trust Manager, Jenny Findlay.

Apart from the university scholarships, the SHCDT bestows every year to help uplift the community in the Graceland catchment area it (the Trust) also provides the “Go-Getters Programme”. The latter was established to ensure there is a large pool of deserving young people available to benefit from the scholarship offering and improve the chances of learners successfully completing their tertiary studies and becoming economically productive.

In addition, the Trustees fund “Career Dress Up Day” every year where Grade 7 learners research, present and dress up in their chosen career. The day assists learners to make better career choices. The Trust also sponsors an intern programme giving selected young people, from the local TVET Collage, an opportunity to complete the practical component of their qualification.

So is die lewe: Tak

Koos du Plessis skryf: “Eenvoud is die vreugde van die lewe: / dis gee en neem net wat daar is; / dis dankbaar eet van elke skewe / snytjie brood wat liefde is.” Hoe meer jy oor hierdie gedig dink, hoe meer val die wêreld om jou in plek, asof jy die legkaartstukke van lewe beter in plek geplaas kan kry. Die sirkel van mense se lewens is soms so komies, by gebrek aan ‘n beter woord. Hulle werk hard en lang ure om meer en beheer te besit, om finansieel in staat te wees om die lewe, volgens hulle verwagting, beter te leef.

In die proses word die lewe vir baie ‘n proses van gesofistikeerde kompilasie en opwaartse mobiliteit: meubels, motors, huis, posvlak, kwalifikasies, beleggings, eiendomme, noem maar op. Maar eendag, skielik, begin hulle afskaal. Want al die dinge waaraan hulle so hard gewerk het, is nie meer nodig nie, maak nie meer sin nie. Die man wat die kroon van ‘n loopbaan bereik het, vind skielik dat sy huis te groot en te vol is. In die proses van leef het hy die lewe misgeloop, toe al hierdie goed alles was wat sin gemaak het.

Op ‘n dag, egter, is sy grootste vreugde en enigste behoefte die woonstelletjie in Huis Wittekruin waar hy saam met sy lewensmaat op die stoep sit, altwee nog met redelike goeie gesondheid, ‘n gehekelde kombersie oor sy bene, en ‘n koppie tee waarin hy ‘n stukkie beskuit doop voordat hy slurpend die laaste slukkies tee opdrink.

Hulle lewe reflekteer nou agtertoe, nie meer foto’s van gholfdae saam met bekendes nie, nie meer goue sertifikate vir uitnemende prestasie in die maatskappy nie, maar wel rye en rye foto’s van die kinders en kleinkinders.

Hierdie lewensles het ek vroeg in my lewe reeds geleer. Daar iewers in die Bo-Karoo, op ‘n familieplaas, het twee ongetroude broers sedert hulle kindsdae gewoon in die oorspronklike opstal wat meer en meer vervalle geraak het. Hulle was ware kluisenaars wat selde iewers gekom het, selfs nie in die bad of stort nie. Hulle kon glad nie bestuur nie. In die voorkamer het ‘n groot potret van genl.

Jan Smuts gehang, en hulle het met groot stelligheid dit seker gemaak dat hulle nooit vir iemand anders sou stem nie. Hulle voorrade is aangekoop deur ‘n broerskind wat een keer per week daar aangegaan het op pad dorp toe. Daar was ‘n paar uniekhede om hulle leefstyl. Hulle het glad nie gewerk of geboer hulle lewe lank nie, maar geleef van ‘n trustfonds wat hulle pa vir hulle nagelaat het.

Die huis, die stoor en selfs die hoenderhokke was gepak met die mooiste antieke meubels, weliswaar verweerd en verniel van jare in die moordende Noord Kaapse son. Nie een van die twee het formeel skool gegaan nie, maar tog was hulle intelligent. Daarvan het die gereelde pakkies van oorsee wat by die poskantoor aangekom het, getuig. Boeke oor ‘n wye reeks van onderwerpe: sielkunde, teologie, geografie en sterrekunde.

Waar anders as in die Noord Kaap is daar ‘n beter plek om sterrekunde te bestudeer? Hulle het ‘n verdere eksentrieke streek gehad. Hulle het niks weggegooi nie. Leë blikke, bottels, kartonhouers, koerante en tydskrifte is gebêre. Dit sou ook seker opgaar of “hoarding” genoem kon word. Hulle het ook nooit vir enige iemand die deur oopgemaak nie, behalwe hulle niggie wat hulle voorrade gaan aankoop het.

Daar was skynbaar ‘n paar onderonsies as sy met haar tipiese raakvat boervrou-geaardheid soms probeer het om orde in hulle Utopia te skep. Niemand mag aan hulle goed geraak het nie. Ek het as predikant verskeie kere daar probeer besoek aflê, maar hulle het nooit reageer op my geklop nie.

Tot ek eendag die ou gietysterbed wat onder die afdak lê uitgesleep het, en gemaak het of ek dit agter op my bakkie wil gooi. Skielik het hierdie twee krom oompies met hulle verflenterde hoedens by my gestaan. Sommer net daar, in die bloedige son, het ons hulle saligheid en ewige bestemming bespreek.

Na die afsterwe van die ouer broer van die twee, het die ander een dorp toe getrek na sy nagmaalshuis toe, wat ook deel van sy erfenis was. Op ‘n manier het ek en hy beter begin kommunikeer. Hy het sy boeke vir my gewys, maar kon nie regtig aan my verduidelik waaroor elkeen van hulle gehandel het nie.

Weekliks het ek hom sien loop met sy mandjie na die plaaswinkel waar hy gaan eiers, brood melk en boeliebief koop het. Sy stapelvoedsel. Dikwels het hy ‘n koevert gehad wat hy gaan pos het by die winkel, wat ook as poskantoor gedien het. Die een jaar sien ek toe in die nuwe telefoonboek dat daar ‘n “doktor” op die dorp woon.

Nou op ‘n dorp met 35 inwoners is dit onmiddelik opmerklik. Dit was toe my buurman in sy nagmaalshuisie, wat nou as doktor M bekend gestaan het. Nou ek, synde ‘n nuuskierige siel, het onmiddelik gaan gelukwens. (En uitvra.) Op my vraag waarin hy, wat nooit op skool was nie, sy doktorsgraad verwerf het binne drie maande, het hy die naam van ‘n Amerikaanse instansie genoem. Sommer so algemene doktoraal. Sielkunde, teologie, sterrekunde, medisyne en ingenieurswese. So ietsie van alles.

Maar hy was gelukkig. Binne sy leefwêreld het hy alles gehad wat hy kon begeer. Hy was skatryk aan vrede. Selfgenoegsaam. Tevrede. Niks uitstaande drome of ambisies nie. Sy sleurgangroetine was die sin van sy lewe. Sy illusie oor sy kwalifikasies het hom iemand gemaak, laat die mense maar dink wat hulle wil. Op my vraag elke keer as ek hom sien: “hoe gaan dit, oom?” het hy geantwoord. Dit gaan baie goed. En dit het, want hy het baie meer as ek geweet oor lewe.