On Saturday, 15 February, the Bethal SPCA hosted a Barnyard Dance in the Jim van Tonderskool Lapa.
The reason behind the Barnyard Dance was to raise funds for the Bethal SPCA.
Peoople came dressed up as Cowboys and ensured their dancing boots were ready to dance the night away.
There were braais provided and also pap and sauce. Everyone enjoyed the dance thoroughly.
Johannesburg, South Africa – Are you a high-achieving, highly motivated learner in Grade 12 with plans to study towards an engineering or science degree in the 2021 academic year? If so, you’re invited to apply for an all-inclusive bursary from Sasol, the employer of choice in the chemical and energy sector (as voted for by graduates in the SAGEA employer of choice survey).
The bursary is open to learners who are planning to study towards a B Eng or BSc Eng in various engineering disciplines or for a BSc in Chemistry, Geology or Metallurgy. To be considered for a bursary within these disciplines you will need to get 70% for Mathematics and Physical Science and 60% for English. If you’re interested in studying a B Eng Tech/ National Diploma in Engineering, you will need to get 60% for Mathematics, 60% for Physical science and 60% for English.
The bursary covers tuition fees, accommodation, meals, textbooks, pocket money and an allowance for study tools such as a laptop and a calculator. It also provides comprehensive bursar support to help you to reach your academic potential and to maintain your personal wellbeing.
Upon completion of your studies, you may be offered an opportunity to join the Sasol Graduate Development Programme.
“With the scarcity of talent in South Africa, it is essential for Sasol to invest in tomorrow’s talent to sustain our growth.” said Monica Luwes, Manager of the Graduate Centre at Sasol. “We want to give talented young South Africans interested in STEM an opportunity to harness their potential. We aim to help them to excel, not just in their studies, but in their careers.”
Applications are currently open for the 2021 academic year and will close on 30 April 2020. Visit www.sasolbursaries.com to apply and for more information on the opportunities on offer.
Here we are, at the final part of the 4-part series and I feel it’s only justified by an introduction of the members as well as their glorious albums they have released over the years, so that metal and non-metal fans may get acquainted with their amazing art!
Cliff Grabb, born 1971, he plays the throat, yes, the vocalist. With various ranges of high and low, from brutal growls to beautiful clean singing to contrast.
Robbie Riebler, born 14 September 1975, with a bass guitar in his hands! Truly a beast on the bass guitar and backing vocals. Bassists are somewhat under-rated, especially considering that it helps to pack more punch into the fist that is Agro! Brilliant musician, in the studio and on stage! What do you throw at a drowning bass player? His amp.
Alex Temperly, born 4 September 1988, if you felt him kick as a baby, you probably felt the paradiddles and double kicks that enriched and carried the sound of the legendary Agro.
Martin John Dugdale, shreds and chugs on the guitar, melting faces, marking places, never to be forgotten. Though the mysterious figure has little info on the web, his skill is obviously evident.
Ian Gertenbach, previous guitarist for 11th Hour. This legendary Gauteng guitarist brought forth the iconic melodic sound overshadowed by the heaviness that one cannot help but head bang to, born on 5 September, he’s still carrying on with his musical career.
Will Agro return and make SA metal unique once more? Or is it in the hands of the future artists to learn from this unique legacy? – Henco
Photo: http://www.agro-metal.co.za/Gallery.html
Moenie te veel sout in die vulsel gooi nie – die blikkie sampioene is reeds vol geurmiddels.
1 x basiese korsresep
12,5 ml botter
12,5 ml koekmeel
250 ml warm melk
2,5 ml sout
2 eiers
140 g (375 ml) verouderde cheddar, gerasper
1 ui, gekap
1 x 410 g-blikkie geroomde sampioene
peper na smaak
Maak kors aan volgens resep en voer ’n reghoekige losboom-tertpan van 25 x 13 cm daarmee uit.
Verhit oond tot 180 °C.
Maak witsous: Smelt die botter en roer die koekmeel by.
Roer tot mengsel glad is.
Roer die warm melk in en dan die sout.
Kook mengsel tot dit verdik terwyl jy aanhoudend roer. Klits die eiers en voeg dit by.
Voeg dan die res van die bestanddele by en meng deur. Gooi in tertkors.
Bak 20 tot 30 minute.
Laat afkoel en sit voor.
Die eksistensiefilosofie maak veel van hoe ‘n mens se keuses, alhoewel dikwels noodgedwonge, die gang van jou lewe bepaal. Martin Heidegger redeneer byvoorbeeld in sy werk Sein und Zeit dat ‘n mens in ‘n bestaan ingeslinger (gewerfen) word, wat hy “Dasein” noem. Hier moet hy sy eie opsies uitoefen, of “untwerp”, keuses maak om so maklik as moontlik te leef en oorleef, totdat hy uiteindelik weer deel word van die “syn van die syndes,” waar hy vandaan kom. Dit beleef mense al van kleins af. Hoe jy wil reageer teenoor sekere gebeure in jou lewe, hoe jy jou sin kan kry, ensomeer. Natuurlik word gedragspatrone ook vasgelê deur ouers en vele ander rolspelers, maar die uiteindelike keuse lê by die individu.
Daar is hordes klein beslissings wat ons elke dag maak, relatief onbelangrik. Trek ek ‘n blou of wit hemp aan, watter broek dra ek? Dis nie aardskuddende dinge wat die gang van my en ander mense se lewens beinvloed nie. Maar daar is wel veel groter besluite wat drastiese gevolge kan hê vir my bestaan as mens. Elkeen ervaar die veelkantige implikasies van sy besluite. Dikwels het jou besluite positiewe gevolge, maar die kanse is ook goed dat sekere besluite verwoestend kan wees.
Die vriendekring waarmee jy jou vereenselwig, die vakke waarmee jy aangaan op hoërskool, die rigting waarin jy verder gaan studeer, het uiteindelik bepaalde invloede op jou bestaan as mens. Vele jongmense het al afgestudeer, net om na drie of vier jaar se studie te besef dat hulle gekwalifiseerd is vir ‘n loopbaan waarvoor hulle geen passie het nie. Dan ook die besluit met watter lewensmaat jy gaan trou. Die egskeidingstatistieke bewys onweerlegbaar dat vele mense in die strik getrap het, en steeds gaan trap om die verkeerde besluit te maak hieroor, dikwels met verwoestende gevolge vir ‘n klomp ander mense, soos kinders, familie en vriende. So ook met loopbaankeuses, plekke van aftrede en beleggings van jou swaarverdiende geld. Daar is vele hartseerstories oor mense wat op hulle oudag finansieel swaarkry as gevolg van een onbesonne besluit oor wat om met hulle pensioen en beleggings te doen.
Die impak van die kritieke belang van momentele besluitneming is ook toentertyd by kandidaatsoffiere tydens offisierskursusse ingedril. Menige kandidate wat fisies besonders geskik was om offisiere te wees, het uitgeval juis as gevolg van hulle onvermoë om in ‘n krisisoomblik ‘n lewensnoodsaaklike besluit te neem. Ek het dit besef nadat ek op die facebookgroep Die Nagkantoor ‘n plasing gelees het deur Tina Swiegers wat destyds ‘n joernalis by die Beeld was.
Ek plaas haar vertelling verbatim, (met my aanpassing oor die tipe vliegtuig). “Ek wonder of Gert Vosloo nog hierdie storie onthou. Ek en hy moes iewers in 1975/76? ‘n uitpasseringsparade op Voortrekkerhoogte dek. Daarvoor moes jy al 7:00 op die paradegrond wees. Dit was lag-lag die mees gehate joppie in my boek. Tydens ons terugrit in die Beeld-Volla sien Gert hoe ‘n Impala baie laag oor die huise op die Monumentpark-koppie vlieg. Terwyl hy sy verbasing uitspreek, sit hy voet-in-die-hoek en jaag in die rigting van die vliegtuig. Die volgende oomblik sien ons net ‘n bol vlamme.
Ons was binne oomblikke op die toneel. Die brandende wrakstukke het wyd verspreid op die oop stuk veld gelê. Die Impala het letterlik ‘n teerpad verwyderd van die huise neergestort. Ek onthou hoe ek asof van buite my liggaam die verskriklike toneel waargeneem het. Ek en Gert was die enigste mense op die toneel. Terwyl hy foto’s neem het ek tussen die wrakstukke loop soek vir die vlieënier.
Ek het uiteindelik langs ‘n bondeltjie brandende mens tot stilstand gekom. Hy was reeds besig om te verkool. Daar was niks wat ons vir hom kon doen nie.
So het die jong luitenant Winterbottom daardie dag as ‘n held gesterf. Hy kon homself uitgeskiet het, maar hy het die vliegtuig veilig oor die woonhuise geloods om as die enigste slagoffer in die ramp om te kom.
Ek onthou ‘n paar dae later op Winterbottom se begrafnis hoe sy ma soos ‘n standbeeld gestaan het. Sy was ‘n lang vrou in ‘n netjiese swart twee-stuk. Haar hare, ‘n grys bob. Sy het geen emosie getoon nie. Sy het aan die bo-punt van haar kind se graf gestaan. Lot se vrou. En ek kon nie ophou om na haar te staar nie. Dit was die stilste smart wat ek ooit aanskou het. Die lang, regop vrou sonder ‘n traan.”
Ek het hierdie gebeure as oud-Lugmag beroepsoldaat verskeie kere gehoor in die verlede. Ek het al dikwels daaroor gepreek. Maar dit was asof ek dit vir die eerste keer gehoor het. Die statige, stukkende ma wat saam met die offisiere haar enigste kind se kis salueer. Hy kon geleef het as hy volgens noodprosedures betyds uitgeskiet het. Maar hùlle daar onder, die inwoners in Steenboklaan, die kinders in Laerskool Monumentpark, hulle sou beslis nie oorleef het as die brandende Impala op hulle sou val nie. En hy het besluit in ‘n breukdeel van ‘n sekonde. Dit sou hy wees.
En skielik het Kevin Winterbottom se verhaal vir my die sentreerpunt geword van alle besluite wat ek ooit al gemaak het. Watter impak het my besluite gehad op ander mense se lewens? Hoeveel mense is daardeur verryk? Aan die ander kant, hoeveel mense het seergekry deur die verkeerde en dom besluite wat ek gemaak het, ek ingesluit?
Hoog bo ons kortstondige, turbulente bestaan met sy magdom regte en verkeerde besluite, klein en groot, troon daar èèn besluit uit wat alle ander oortref. Op ‘n kaal koppie buite Jerusalem was daar ook ‘n jong man wat ‘n besluit geneem het. Dit was óf Hy, óf ons. En soos Winterbottom, het Hy gekies. Hy was ook ‘n enigste Seun.
On Friday, 14 February, a men’s conference against women and children abuse took place at Dros, Secunda. The men’s conference started with a march from the Sasol CBD to Lake Umuzi Waterfront.
The theme was: Finding a solution and bringing morals to men. The march was led by the Traffic Department to ensure the safety of the march and its participants. The Secunda SAPS also assisted in the March.
Upon arrival at Lake Umuzi, Clement Manfouo said: “We are trying to raise awareness about human rights amongst our youth and amongst our men to address the issue of women and children abuse. We need to sit down as men and discuss the issues that are destroying our society.”
On the panel leading the conference were strong men who are all leaders in the community: Captain Gerhard Elmes, Chaplain Arnold Kester, Clement Manfouo and the host, Samu Pacho.
Once the conference was opened and all protocol was observed the men started discussing issues in society that can be fixed by working together. Chaplain Arnold Kester spoke about his own loss. He said that he had lost his own daughter when she was killed by her husband who was a police officer.
He also spoke about his sister that committed suicide and explained that it is because people do not open up about their feelings. He added that when a woman or girl is wearing a short skirt that something happened to her that she wants to dress like that. He also said that men should protect the women and children around them as it could be their sister, wife or daughter next.
Captain Gerhard Elmes spoke to the crowd and explained it from a police officer’s point of view: “What about the police officer that is also affected by social crime? These gentlemen sitting in front me could be police officers but if they are not emotionally equipped, they are going to suffer and then the community will suffer.” He continued: “Movements like this, must try work together with higher authorities so that we can take in people who are already emotionally healed because domestic violence happens in every house if the father and the mother are not emotionally healed.”
The host, Samu Pacho directed a question to the representative of Lifeline: “Are there any programmes that Lifeline can partner with the police, maybe in training them in how to deal with emotional issues so that they can be more equipped to help society?”
The answer was answered confidently: “We have an office in Nelspruit but in Johannesburg we have men’s forums where we deal with everything holistically. Most of the time men do not share. Hurt people hurt others.” He continued: “With the men’s forums we sit down and talk. We talk about simple things like testing your blood pressure and sugar levels.
People laugh about it but it is serious. From now on whatever you do, empower yourself. If you walk down the street and young boys are fighting, instead of intervening, you are walking past and continuing a cycle. Stop the fight, talk to them and ask them why they are fighting. Let’s heal the hurt people.”
The day was a huge success and the young men learned a lot from the experienced panel. – Ané Prinsloo
Calls of frustration echoed through eMbalenhle the past week when commuters were stranded because of the ongoing disagreements between Vukanini Taxi Association and Megabus.
Only the death of three taxi drivers ensured that a relative calm returned to the township.
Vukanini Taxi Association, Vukta as they are called, barricaded the town of eMbalenhle when negotiations broke down over transport rights in the area.
Sibanonyi said that they had met with Megabus earlier this year and asked the company to stick to their agreement of operating with only 110 buses.
He claimed that Megabus refused to decrease its fleet, citing that it would be forced to retrench drivers.
“The company claimed it had employed more people and each bus had three drivers designated to operate. Those drivers were working on a shift basis. But we complained to them that their action was pushing us out of business. We then met again on Monday, together with government officials, we outlined our problems with Megabus. On Tuesday, two of our drivers were arrested for no reasons by the police. On Wednesday, when we were in town to meet with our lawyers, our drivers decided not to operate and parked all our cars at a taxi rank in eMbalenhle,” he said.
Sibanyoni said that the killings were sparked by their ongoing disagreement with a passenger bus company Megabus, which is operating in various parts of Secunda.
He claimed that the company was pushing the taxis out of business.
Sibanyoni said that the bus company was increasing its fleet of buses in the area, despite their agreement, five years ago, that it would only operate with 110 buses and leave space for taxi operators.
“Since the company is getting subsidy from the provincial government, it wanted to use that as an opportunity to kill the taxi business here in Secunda. Some of their passengers, including school children, ride for free because of government subsidy. The company later added 59 more buses to increase its fleet to 169. With such a number of buses operating in our area, there is no way that we were going to earn a living and our vehicles were going to be repossessed and drivers would be unemployed,” he said.
The Provincial Commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma has strongly condemned violent protests that occurred in eMbalenhle and in the same breath, welcomed the arrest of 29 suspects in connection with the violence.
“When police were conducting their operation as per duty-bound to maintain peace, they were shot at and defended themselves. The member that was shot at, was driving a marked police car and the car was stoned by the protesters before he was shot. Earlier in the morning, six (6) trucks were hijacked and these trucks were used to blockade the exits and entrances to eMbalenhle. What worries us is that one of the trucks that was carrying chemicals and there are specific instructions on how to handle such trucks. If not handled accordingly, we could be dealing with a disastrous situation.” The General said: “South Africa is a country that is governed by laws and people cannot do as they wish. Our country is not a country where people can parade their lawlessness and inhuman behaviour. We cannot allow this situation of anarchy to continue unabated. People are allowed to protest within the ambit of the law. no one is allowed to break the law despite unresolved matters that one faces. People must try to make use of proper channels to resolve their issues rather than perpetuate violence to get what they want.”
An emotional Sibanyoni claimed that members of the police Tactical Response Team, popularly known as Amabherethe, had arrived at the rank and ordered drivers to lie on the ground before opening fire on them.
“All those TRT officers covered their faces with black cloths and opened fire at our members, unprovoked. One of our drivers was shot in the head and killed by a female police officer for only looking at her in the eyes. The officer asked him why he was looking at her, before shooting him with a machine-gun in the head. Two died on the scene and two later died in hospital. Our members were ambushed by people who were supposed to protect and ensure that there is peace between us and Megabus,” Sibanyoni said. “We are not a violent association and will not avenge their deaths, we will rely on our law to play its part. We want all those police officers who killed our men to be arrested and sentenced. We are living under a democratic government, not an apartheid one.”
The Bulletin, while reporting from the scene, observed taxis driving around on more than one occasion and heard gunshots from their direction. It is not clear if the gunshots emanated from the taxis but it came from their direction. Several people told The Bulletin that they saw the drivers with firearms.
The court orders that Megabus obtained were flatly ignored until the violence erupted and drivers were hurt. One Police officer was also shot. He sustained wounds in his arm and hand.
Megabus Operations Executive, Jasen Smallbone said that they are not aware of any agreement reached with the taxi association.
“Megabus operates under a contract with the Department of Transport and have not expanded our services. We currently operate in terms of the authority of our permits. Megabus has obtained a court order preventing the taxi association from interfering in our business. Police are currently investigating the case,” said Smallbone.
Only time will tell if violence will erupt again.
Last year, The Bulletin reported about the MRP Foundation and the amazing work they do. Some of their partners include Absa, SPAR and the SA Rugby Legends. Below is a press release from the SA Rugby Legends, who teamed up with FNB to support charity.
One of the South African Rugby Legends Association’s (SARLA) primary objectives is to provide ongoing support for the upliftment and education of children. So, the Rugby Legends were only too happy to step up when Preggie Pillay, CEO of Commercial Property at FNB, issued a charity challenge to her colleague, Rugby Legend and Provincial Head of Property Finance for FNB Business: KZN, Justin Swart.
The Amaoti settlement is Durban’s largest informal settlement. Amaoti and its surrounding areas are affected by high levels of poverty, unemployment and social issues – including high numbers of orphans, vulnerable children and prevalent HIV – all of which have a direct impact on the kids who attend schools in the area.
Lungisani Indlela is a Christian-based NPO that caters for the ever-growing needs of local Amaoti community. Lungisani Indlela’s vision is to empower the people and children of Amaoti through education and community development. And they currently accommodate 350 children at their Amaoti school.
The Sarasvati Primary School in the Frasers informal settlement in Frasers, Tongaat, was opened on 12 March 1943. And with its 77th birthday approaching, this school also faces several social and financial challenges due to unavoidable circumstances.
Sarasvati is a government school and a no-fee institution, which accommodates underprivileged learners from the Frasers community and other surrounding communities (currently about 400 children from Grade R to Grade 7).
When Preggie Pillay heard of the two schools’ circumstances, she issued a challenge to FNB’s Commercial Property Finance Division, calling on Executive Members to dig deep and contribute to these two worthy causes.
Within a matter of hours, R 30 000 had been raised by 21 CPF Exco Members. Staff members contributed an additional R 3200. And the funds were put towards much-needed school shoes for 750 learners at the two schools.
Justin Swart then enlisted SARLA, who came on board, along with sponsor, Thirsti Water, to drop off the new shoes at the two schools and deliver some much-appreciated Thirsti Water for the kids. They also provided treats and ready-made maize porridge supplies. SARLA CEO, Stefan Terblanche, said: “We’re so glad that Justin and FNB brought SARLA on board to help these kids. It was truly a wonderful moment when the kids all received their brand-new shoes and supplies and we hope we helped them, at least in some small way, find some hope in the world.”
For more information on SARLA please visit: http://www.sarugbylegends.com
Facebook – @SARugbyLegendsAssociation
Twitter – @SARugbyLegends
Instagram – sarugbylegends
Pandas did it again! National Blackball Federation National Championship for Seniors, U/23 and Women was held from 3 – 7 February. Mpumalanga sent a team in each respective category. In the U/23 category, local Panda player Aden Joseph won the South African title in Blackball for the 8th time. Mpumalanga U/23 finished in 4th position. With 14 provincial teams competing at the U/23 Championships Aden Joseph from Panda’s ensured that Panda’s made it 2 Single titles in 3 Events at this year’s National Championships. Two players have been selected for the SA team: Aden Joseph NR 2 and Peter Nwaila NR 7.
Congratulations to them as this will be the first time Peter Nwaila earns SA Colours in Blackball. In the senior’s category, we battled this time around and no stand out awards. Can’t walk away with all the titles. In the woman’s event: Nicola Rossouw, originally from Eastern Cape has joined Pandas in 2019 and since then has become an ambassador for Pandas on the Drug awareness campaign. She has also won the South African title for the 8th time. This making Pandas the most successful club by taking 3 of the 5 single titles in South Africa. From 10 – 15 February the Men and Masters will battle it out at the National Blackball Championships.
Jomo Shembe is a younger player from the Soweto Young Lion Football Club and he will lead his team onto the pitch on 15 February at Marks Park.
He is 7 years old. The Lake Umuzi Soccer Challenge pre-season tournament was postponed until 9 February due to the rain in Johannesburg.
They are scheduled to play on 15 February.
Other Lake Umuzi Soccer Challenge league games will be played on 13 February in Lebohang at the Mpumelelo Primary School’s grounds.
The U/12 games are as follows:
Leandra Mkhonza FC vs Leandra Daily Sun
Leandra Pro Stars vs Leandra Highlanders
On 14 February: Leandra Banana Boys vs Leandra Young Stars.