Laerskool Secunda se 0/9 krieketspan is onoorwonne hierdie seisoen na 7 wedstryde.
Onder leiding van mnr. Ruben Silvo en mnr. Roelof Steyn as afrigters het hierdie span van krag tot krag gegroei gedurende hulle 2022 krieketseisoen. Die seuns het ook ‘n krieketkliniek bygewoon wat deur Nickus Boshoff van NB Krieket akademie aangebied is in Juniemaand.
Met hul harde oefening en vasberadenheid het hierdie seuns al 7 hulle krieketwedstryde gewen. Die volgende 3 Laerskool Secunda krieketspelers is as die beste boulers aangewys; Aldrich Fourie, Aaron Odell en Juan Badenhorst.
Laerskool Secunda se 0/9 krieketspan saam met hulle afrigters.
Die 2 grootste oorwinnings sover was dié van 10 paaltjies elk en waar hulle teenstanders slegs 21 en 31 lopies aangeteken het.
Met 4 wedstryde oor van hierdie seisoen is Laerskool Secunda baie opgewonde om te sien wat vir hierdie gesogte span voorlê.
Vir meer inligting oor ons #wennerskool volg gerus vir Laerskool Secunda op hulle Facebookblad.
WHAT ARE YOU REALLY SUPPORTING WHEN YOU ADVERTISE, SHARE OR TAKE ANIMALS FROM FREE TO GOOD HOME ADS?
Our biggest challenge in an overwhelmed animal welfare system is the massive overpopulation crisis fuelled by irresponsible owners, breeders, pet shops that sell animals and those who support them. This includes every single person who is highly irresponsible in giving away animals, for free, especially to strangers.
There are not enough homes for every domestic animal and that is why we so fiercely advocate for spay and neutering. So, if there are not enough homes, how many good homes do you think there are? What do you consider a good home? Sadly, a “good home” means very little in today’s society.
What people don’t seem to understand, is that whether they sell, buy, give an animal away for free or adopt, it is never just about a good home, but about a good placement for that animal. The needs of the animal should come first.
Your intentions might be considered well-meaning, but here we will share some reasons why you should seriously reconsider free to good home ads! Animal rescuers can share hundreds of stories about this that ended up in horror situations for those animals.
Just a short while back I spoke to someone about a situation locally. A person gave an animal away for free and thought it was a good home. A while later they asked how the animal was doing. The new owners sent photos. The animal was chained, lost weight and appeared very scared. They did take the animal back, but it was an irresponsible homing and the animal paid for it, even if just for a while. They said they wished they did better for the animal and that they will never do this again! Other stories are even worse!
Image by The Paw Company
A FEW REASONS WHY “FREE TO GOOD HOME” ADS HURT ANIMALS.
First of all it fuels the massive overpopulation crisis. How many of those animals do you think are sterilized? If these animals are not re-homed properly with home checks and sterilization, through the SPCA or other reputable animal welfare organizations, these animals countless times, end up in the wrong hands! Trailers full of dogs and other animals are found at borders and other places by authorities.
Where do you think they got all these animals? Free to good home “stock” usually comes from backyard breeders, irresponsible owners or those that do not want animals anymore because it is inconvenient for them. Someone in a difficult situation, the very few exceptions, will do re-homing through a responsible organization. Paying for an animal is no guarantee that they will be taken care of or loved.
There are speculators which mean the person can make a pure profit by selling these animals instead of having to care for mothers and litters. They collect the “free to good home” or buy litters only after they have found buyers.
These “free to good home” animals are targets for animal dealers. They take these animals and sell them for profit too. Some call them “flippers”. They can sell to other people as pets, to breeders, for animal trades like skin or for racing, as security animals and to laboratories for animal testing to mention a few. Some animal dealers troll these ads too and are “experts” when it comes to fooling most. They pretend to care for the animals in front of you and if you are not trained to spot them, like those who work in animal welfare, you will be fooled and an animal will pay the price. There are literally animal brokers who will meet you at a different house or even has a fake Facebook profile where it looks like they love animals.
Those who failed the adoption process are on the list too. Some people could not get animals through reputable shelters, so now they troll these “free to good home” posts. There is a reason that shelters reject some people, whom those who do not work in animal welfare, would consider “good homes”. So, chances are someone who asks for animals online, free or to buy, might have been rejected by reputable organisations already.
Dog fighters may take the power breeds to use in fights and bait dogs (other breeds and species) can easily be obtained through these adverts and used in fights too. Bait animals are used for sparring and building up aggression of the pedigree or power breed, like a pre-show for the main event.
In some cases, these animals are used as food for humans and other animals.
Some people just want to abuse animals for their own entertainment………. Yes, there are people like this living among us.
They are used in witchcraft as offerings. Again, it happens locally!
How can you guarantee it is a good home? Do you really know what we consider a good home? You most likely can’t because you are not trained to do this.
Also read why spaying and neutering your pets is a good idea!
NO ANIMAL IS ACTUALLY FREE
The “buying price” is but a small expense compared to their care by a responsible pet guardian (owner). Usually, the veterinary bill for first vaccinations, de-worming, tick and flea treatment and sterilization will fall on the new owner and this will remain an expense during the animal’s lifespan. If you are at all a responsible pet owner you will need to pay for sterilization as well as spend on proper food, toys and shelter. Easily more than R2000! Do you think someone who asks for free animals will do the above? Can you guarantee they will?
Yes, we don’t support selling and yes, we don’t support “free to good home”, so what do we support? ADOPT DON’T SHOP. Adoption from reputable organizations is the only kind of “trading” of animals we support. These organizations will do an adoption application, home check, sterilization, adoption contract and follow-ups. That’s responsible. There are registered organizations that do not do this. Don’t support them!
The fact remains that millions of animals are euthanized annually because there are just not enough homes for all the animals. If there are fewer animals then chances are less for these animals to fall in the wrong hands and get abused.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Educate your friends and family on this topic and share our posts.
Report any such post on the social media platform and to your local welfare organizations. Facebook doesn’t allow the selling of animals, so report it too.
Sterilize your animals and don’t give them away for free (nor sell them). Rehome your pets through reputable organizations if you can’t take care of them.
Please stop supporting the “free to good home” ads.
Stop being mad at shelters and start blaming breeders (of any kind), irresponsible pet owners and every single person who gives animals away for free as if they are objects and not sentient beings.
Are you willing to take these risks with an animal’s life? If these people really cared about these animals, they would let them be adopted through a responsible organization and sterilize their pets. When you support breeders, pet shops that sell animals and the “free to good home’’ adverts, you contribute to the massive overpopulation crisis. Irresponsible homing hurts animals.
Next week we will look at why you should and how you can keep your cat in your yard!
BRAVE OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICIAL TACKLES ARMED ROBBER
Nelspruit: 06 September 2022 – A brave off-duty police officer’s intervention led to the arrest of a 26-year-old business robbery suspect at Mhluzi Mall near Middleburg yesterday, Monday 05 September 2022.
It is said that the alleged robber and his accomplice got into one of the chain stores at Mhluzi Mall and robbed employees of eight cell phones at ‘gunpoint’.
Mhluzi Mall near Middleburg
Information at the police’s disposal indicates that after the suspects pointed employees with a ‘firearm’, they allegedly broke the glass door where mobile phones were kept.
Upon seeing that, the off-duty police officer who was at the ATM left everything he was doing at the time and intervened. It is further said that the alleged robber then pointed the police officer with a ‘firearm’ compelling the officer to protect his life where he fired a shot, hitting the suspect on his left hand. As a result, the suspect dropped the ‘firearm’ and took to his heels. Unfortunately during the squabble, a 32-year-old innocent passerby also sustained some injuries on his head but was rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
Community members pursued and apprehended the suspect who was in possession of a ‘firearm’ and he was reportedly found still in possession of the suspected stolen mobile phones. It is said that in the process of his apprehension, he sustained some injuries in the hands of community members but was later rescued by a CPF member.
Members of the police from Mhluzi were summoned to the scene and the suspect was arrested and then taken to the hospital for medical treatment as well. He is facing a charge of possession of suspected stolen properties and could possibly be linked to the business robbery. Upon investigation, it was also realised that the suspect’s ‘firearm’ was a toy gun after all.
Meanwhile, the Independence Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) was notified about the incident and they will conduct their own probe into the shooting. The other suspect, who earlier vanished into thin air during the time when his fellow got arrested, was also cornered and arrested today (06 September 2022) after members of the community informed police that they spotted him in the Mall.
The 22-year-old male suspect was charged with business robbery and is expected to appear in the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, 07 September 2022 alongside the injured suspect who faces the same charges but with an additional charge of possession of suspected stolen properties. Police cannot rule out the possibility of linking the two to other criminal activities committed elsewhere where more charges against them are expected as the investigation continues.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela appreciated the commitment displayed by the brave off-duty member and thanked members of the public for not folding their arms when they saw a crime being committed in front of their eyes.
“We pride ourselves in the calibre and bravery of police officials like this one who, in the midst of immediate danger, placed his life at risk for the sake of members of the public. Two days back we just honoured brave men and women in blue who, in the past year paid the ultimate price. This should send a strong message to criminals that the SAPS will continue to dismantle their operations from every corner without fear or favour” said the General.
Police urge anyone with any information on Crime to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111. Alternatively, members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous
GOGO, AGED 63 AND HER GRAND-DAUGHTER, AGED 17 FOUND MURDERED, MAN DETAINED FOR QUESTIONING
Voice clip by Brigadier Selvy Mohlala
Nelspruit: 06 September 2022 – A 32-year-old man was detained though still in hospital under police guard, awaiting questioning regarding the murder of his 17-year-old girlfriend and her grandmother at Emadamini, near Ermelo on Monday 05 September 2022.
The granny and granddaughter’s lifeless bodies were found in their house by family members after being contacted by the granddaughter’s employer who was worried that she failed to show up for work on Monday (05 September 2022).
On their arrival, family members enquired from neighbours, but no one had knowledge of their whereabouts as the doors were locked and nobody responded to their calls.
The granddaughter’s boyfriend is said to have been contacted to give family members the house keys but he reportedly denied any knowledge of the keys. When asked about the whereabouts of his girlfriend, he allegedly mentioned that his girlfriend was in hospital as she indicated that she was not feeling well.
On the said Monday at about 18h00, family members grew concerned and resorted to breaking the house window to investigate. They were reportedly met with two lifeless bodies covered with blankets, both had head injuries and bruises all over.
The report further indicates that community members started a manhunt for the boyfriend with the hope that he will give some indication of what might have happened. The man was tracked down this morning (Tuesday, 06 September 2022) and handed over to the police at about 02h00 am. Although he sustained some injuries and community members alleged that he stabbed himself with a knife. Police then apprehended him for questioning, hence placing him under police guard in the hospital so that he could give clarity and information that may assist in the investigation.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has vehemently condemned such a gruesome murder of the two females. “We continue to experience senseless killings of the vulnerable groups and in this instance, it is a female senior citizen as well as a female minor. This is a matter of concern however police will work hard to get to the bottom of this where any person who is behind their murder will have to face the full might of the law. A team of investigators has been assembled to investigate and we hope that they will make a breakthrough soon” said the General.
Police urge anyone with any information on Crime to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111. Alternatively, members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous
Curro recently staged a concert called “a trip around the preschool in 60 minutes” by the pre-school learners
Parents and grandparents all brave the bitter cold to see what their little children were up to. The expectations were high and the queues kept forming as the hall filled to capacity.
A concert by preschool children will always be full of surprises. They might be good or bad, but you are bound to have surprises.
The biggest surprise would be the skills of the teachers in getting most of the very small children (2 years) to go through their paces. I never thought it was possible, but I have now seen the proof. The screen opened to a group of two-year-olds, or so I am told, that was so cute. Most managed to do some of the moves that they practised for hours. But the stars were the ones that found the crowd more fascinating than the concert.
The stage fright (surprise) kicked in the moment the curtains opened and no amount of coaching and cheering could move the little ones to join the group. The parents enjoyed it thoroughly.
In a higher grade, the movement of the lights (in circles) caught the eye of a toddler and he kept following it with his head as it moved. The crowd cheered and laughed. The rest of the groups did not disappoint and continued to perform the moves that they practised.
Al the groups had a theme and the costumes were brilliant. Music played and the children danced or paraded around the stage, well as I said, most of them did. Those that didn’t, continued to be the delight of the crowd.
A “Flight Captain” gave directions to the concert and made everyone feel at home. She gave a good description of where the groups were “heading” before every appearance.
There were Ladybug Land, Woodlands, Potlood Paradys, Lilo and Stich Island to name but a few.
I am sure that several of the parents and especially grandparents secretly wiped a tear away while enjoying the concert. I know that I was moved and thoroughly enjoyed the kids.
Curro Secunda is an independent preschool in Secunda, Mpumalanga, that provides high-quality early childhood development for children from 3 months to 5 years, with a focus on the ELDAs. Our small class sizes allow our dedicated teachers to engage each child in our internally developed play-based curriculum, at affordable school fees, and build strong, caring relationships with each child. Our school is on the same campus as our primary and high schools, which allows children to easily progress from preschool to primary school in a familiar environment.
What do we offer?
At Curro Secunda, we lay the foundation for your child’s future social and academic life by incorporating play in stimulating, developmental activities, such as creative movement and artistic expression. By involving you, as parents, in your child’s learning experience, we provide a holistic development programme with small class sizes at affordable school fees, that stretches beyond the classroom.
How do we support your child’s early childhood development?
As a Curro School, our internally developed programme is designed with the Early Learning and Development Areas (ELDAs) in mind. This approach to early childhood development aims to stimulate physical, social, emotional and cognitive well-being through developmental activities and engaging play areas. ELDAs focus on aspects such as gross-motor development, fine-motor development, social awareness, communication, spatial awareness and arts.
We encourage loose-parts play
The development of curiosity and imagination in early childhood is vitally important to the development of problem-solving skills and critical thinking later on. Therefore, as a Curro School, we encourage playing with loose-parts and multi-purpose playthings, rather than single-purpose toys that don’t involve much imagination. Through loose-parts play, children in our small class sizes use their natural curiosity to explore previously undiscovered fascinations, such as stacking, rolling, sliding, fitting, colours and more.
Curro Secunda activities
As a Curro School, we believe that participation in extramural activities plays an important role in promoting social skills, self-confidence and physical well-being. These activities are offered by external tutors or coaches, at a cost in addition to our affordable school fees, and generally take place on the preschool premises.
Laerskool Kruinpark het 2 landloop atlete wat deurdring na die Distrik Landloopkampioenskappe.
Dit is ‘n besige jaar vir die landloop atlete van Laerskool Kruinpark. Nie net moet hulle fiks wees en lang asems hê nie, met die landloopkampioenskappe word hulle deursettingsvermoë tot die uiterste getoets.
Die landloop 2022 seisoen het 22 Julie afgeskop met die eerste vriendskaplike wedloop wat by Kallie de Haas plaasgevind het. Reeds daar het Sipho Mashego en Juné van Wyk, altwee O/11 leerders van Laerskool Kruinpark, gewys dat hulle vasbeslote is om dié seisoen ‘n suksesvolle een te maak. Juné van Wyk het 1ste plek, en Sipho Mashego 3de plek behaal.
27 Julie het die Laerskool Oranjegloed ‘n wedstryd aangebied en daar het die landloop atlete net so uitstekend presteer. Daar was ‘n paar atlete wat top 10 plekke behaal het, met Juné van Wyk met ‘n 1ste plek en Sipho Mashego wat ‘n 2de plek behaal het.
Op 29 Julie het Laerskool Goedehoop ook ‘n landloop wedstryd aangebied, waar die landloop atlete goeie prestasies ontvang het. By die juniors het Lihan Roux ‘n 1ste en Lucan Lessing ‘n 2de plek behaal. Juné van Wyk het weereens ‘n 1ste plek en Sipho Mashego het ‘n 2de plek behaal.
Tydens die Zone Landloopkampioenskappe wat 17 Augustus by Laerskool Goedehoop plaasgevind het, was daar 8 landloop atlete wat deurgedring het na die Highveld Ridge Landloopkampioenskappe. Die atlete was Abigail Smit, Milan Zwarts, Jeneska Swanepoel, Emmanuel Mashego, Sipho Mashego, Dyllan van der Merwe, Franco Marais en Juné van Wyk.
Die Highveld Ridge Landloopkampioenskappe het die 25ste Augustus, in Evander, by Hoërskool Evander plaasgevind. Dit was ‘n tawwe kampioenskap met ongelooflike talentvolle atlete wat van regoor die munisipale distrik deelgeneem het. Juné van Wyk het 1ste plek en Sipho Mashego het 2de plek tydens die kampioenskappe behaal en dring ook dan na die Distrik Landloopkampioenskappe deur wat die 10de September in Breyten gaan plaasvind.
Laerskool Kruinpark Landloop atlete; Juné van Wyk O/11 Dogters en Sipho Mashego O/11 Seuns dring deur na Distrik Landloopkampioenskappe.
Dit is ‘n groot prestasie vir hierdie twee landloop atlete, wat elke weet baie hard oefen en voorberei vir die kampioenskappe.
Junè van Wyk blink ook uit met die ASA Atletiek. Sy het Saterdag die 20ste Augustus, ASA Mpumalanga Kampioenskappe gehardloop waar sy eerste plek gekry het. Sy is opgeneem in die Mpumalanga span wat ASA SA gaan harloop die 17de September in Rustenburg!
Juné van Wyk – ASA Atletiek, verteenwoordig Mpumalanga
Theo Scherman, wat O/8 deelneem, het ook 20ste Augustus aan ASA Mpumalanga Kampioenskappe deelgeneem en is gekies vir die Mpumalanga span wat ASA SA gaan harloop die 17de September in Rustenburg! Dit is voorwaar ‘n groot prestasie vir hierdie twee landloopatlete!
Theo Scherman -ASA Atletiek, verteenwoordig Mpumalanga.
Die leerders van Laerskool Kruinpark blink uit in verskillende sportsoorte, soos die Seuns Tennisspan wat as Ligawenners aangewys is. Lees meer hier.
Volg ook gerus Laerskool Kruinpark op hulle Facebookblad.
Sasol addresses food security and unemployment in its communities
Sasol has launched its Energy Innovation Schools competition aimed at raising awareness on the use of renewable and sustainable energy. The competition is geared at grades 4 to 11 learners from schools in its fence-line communities in Sasolburg, Secunda and Ekandustria.
The competition is one of the supporting initiatives of the Sasol Solar Challenge, a biennial endurance event bringing together university and high school teams, and even private engineers who have manufactured fully functioning, roadworthy solar-powered cars. It runs on public roads, sharing space with trucks and regular traffic, and passes through multiple small towns. In turn, the Energy Innovation Schools Competition promotes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education among young people and enables them to innovate, build critical thinking, problem-solving and interpersonal skills.
“The aim of the Energy Innovation Schools Project competition is to stimulate a sense of wonder and curiosity about science, technology and energy among learners to enhance the Intermediate Phase, Senior Phase and FET Phase curriculum in the relevant subjects of Natural Sciences, Technology and Physical Sciences in pursuit of solving real-life problems related to energy sustainability,” said Noxolo Kahlana, Head of the Sasol Foundation Trust. “Sasol is using this opportunity to bring the idea of alternative and renewable energies closer to schools while supporting the solar car teams, which are competing in the Sasol Solar Challenge,”
The Energy Innovation Schools Project competition is divided into two categories – for primary and high schools – and runs in three phases, which are school, regional and final. Primary school learners in grades 4 to 7 are required to present a non-experimental project on renewable and alternative energy, create a poster and orally present it. High school learners in grades 8 to 11 are required to apply scientific methods to investigate a renewable and alternative energy topic, create a prototype and present a project that works on renewable and alternative energy.
“Our goal is to advance chemical and energy solutions that contribute to a thriving planet, society and enterprise. The Energy Innovation Schools Project is one step towards that goal,” added Kahlana. “The competition is also our way of giving back to our fence-line communities by investing in engineers, scientists and thought leaders of tomorrow through education and skills development. Both these elements will play a major role in the development of sustainable solutions to address energy challenges in our fence-line communities and countrywide.”
Patience Mthembu from Botjhorisong Resource Centre in Sasolburg said: “We are excited to be part of this initiative and are grateful to Sasol for investing in our young people and giving them an opportunity to test their abilities and the limits of STEM education. “We are involved in the competition as coordinators, and we are also supporting the schools in carrying out the competition. We, therefore, look forward to reviewing and learning more about each project designed and developed by the learners.”
The school-level competition is already underway and will end on Friday,12 August 2022. Participating teams are from schools in Sasolburg, Secunda and Ekandustria.
Sasol addresses food security and unemployment in its communities
Secunda, Mpumalanga – Sasol has launched Bridge to Work (BtW), a portfolio of initiatives aimed at improving food security and reducing unemployment in its communities across the country. This is by developing emerging farmers and improving access to economic opportunities for the youth, women, and adults out of work by providing training in critical skills such as motor mechanics, welding, technology and digital business management skills.
“As we progress our Future Sasol strategy, giving effect to a just transition is central to our decarbonisation pathways towards achieving our 2050 net zero ambitions,” said Charlotte Mokoena, Executive Vice President: Human Resources and Stakeholder Relations.
“We see the vision of Sasol’s just transition as a shared value proposition that will come to life through the inclusive transformation of our business, people and society. We recognise the socio-economic impact of this transition over time and have developed a portfolio of pilot initiatives and community resilience projects to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth.”
Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane says the programme ties perfectly with the government’s economic revitalization efforts, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which exacerbated the socio-economic challenges in Mpumalanga. “We are currently hard at work to recalibrate the provincial economy, in response to these unfavourable economic conditions. As we accelerate the implementation of the Mpumalanga Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (MERRP), we pin our hopes on partners like SASOL, to render their unwavering support to our efforts to recalibrate the Provincial economy”, the Premier explained.
Mtshweni-Tsipane says the SASOL programme is timely, in light of training programmes initiated by the Provincial Government to improve the skills levels of the unemployed. She cited the Furniture Technology Incubator, among them. “We have invested into the Furniture Technology Incubator, established to train people in furniture manufacturing as well as upholstery. This will assist SMMEs to participate in the furniture manufacturing sector”, she expatiated.
The Premier expressed hope that designated communities, mainly the youth and women, will take advantage of the outcome of the public/private partnerships, such SASOL’s bridge to work. She referenced the SASOL Kraal farmers production programme as a case in point, to be linked with the envisaged Mpumalanga Agri-Mall, initiated by the provincial government. The Agri-Mall will create a market for emerging farmers, on completion.
The programmes under BtW are:
Iphepe, which is aimed at establishing and growing the number of successful smallholder farmers, through integrated support systems;
Community welding is aimed at creating qualified welders who are equipped to meet the required skill level for new and existing projects in Mpumalanga and Free State;
Handyman services to create jobs for unemployed youth and unskilled school handymen;
Motor mechanics to produce certified Motor Mechanics, who will contribute to the motor industry and be positioned to enter the renewable energy-powered vehicle industry;
Business technology programme to assist youth in our communities achieve applied technology skills in order to create scalable start-ups and sustainable digital SMMEs that are relevant to their community; and
Community service programme where the unemployed will be mobilised to become active citizens of the country’s democracy while earning an income and increasing their employability.
To implement these interventions, Sasol has partnered with the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs (DARDLEA) in Mpumalanga, Buhle Farmers’ Academy, and the African Farmer’s Association of South Africa (AFASA). Additional partners include Afrox, Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC), Aurex, the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA), National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Productivity SA, and South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), and the Gert Sibande TVET College.
“Our aspiration to transition to a lower carbon future cannot be achieved at the expense of our communities, which are already experiencing high levels of poverty, unemployment and inequality. If leveraged appropriately, we believe opportunities in a low carbon future can deliver a more inclusive, sustainable and thriving South Africa,” adds Mokoena.
Explaining the rationale behind Afrox’s partnership with Sasol, Corporate Social Investment Manager, Nemenita Mohabir, said over many years, the company has invested in the training of young welders and we are dedicated to encouraging our youth to take up this profession.
“We do this by joining with like-minded organisations like Sasol and Aurex to ensure the success of students at the Boitjhorisong Welding Training Centre.”
Added Aurex Constructors CEO Stuart Kent: “Aurex Constructors are on a mission to change the challenges faced by South Africans, by answering the need for skills development, secure facilities and essentials that will make a difference to people in the communities where we work. Identifying a scarcity of welding skills in the Sasolburg area resulted in an opportunity to partner with Sasol and Afrox and create the Boitjhorisong Welding Training Centre. Aurex trainers educate delegates on theoretical and practical exercises in structural and Argon (TIG) welding.” Sasol will be embarking on a roadshow before the end of the year, visiting communities to raise awareness of these programmes and recruit interested individuals.
Helena Joubert finished 7th in this year’s Comrades Marathon
7th Woman to cross the line and 4th veteran in this year’s Comrades Marathon! That is what Helena Joubert achieved since her first Comrades Marathon in 2014. In only 7 races! Incredible!
Not only did she achieve Top 10 she also did it in under 7 hours! 6 hours, 55 minutes and 36 seconds to be precise.
Helena spoke to the Bulletin regarding her Comrades Marathon.
“The feeling when you enter the stadium is unbelievable,” said Helena, “when I entered the stadium, I was given a rose. The guy even whent down on his knees. It was so special. I wanted to cry!”
The mother of three explains that it is difficult to train properly for Comrades as the training is quite tough. “We had altitude training in Dullstroom for 8 weeks,” said Helena, “I never whent home during that time and missed my children so much.”
She explained that at the start of the race they all warmed up together and moved to the beginning as a group. “It felt so weird, I was running with women that I followed as successful runners.”
The run this year was a Down Run. Next year the Comrades Marathon will be an Up Run
UprunDownrun
During the training in Dullstroom the athletes ran an average of 250 km per week.
Helena won the Cosmos 3 in 1 marathon this year nursing an injury. This injury kept her from preparing for the Comrades Marathon for three months. The same injury kept her from training for about three months.
Helena credits her coach for pushing her on to finish stronger. “He said that I can do better and even planted the seed to run for a gold medal,” said Helena, “I managed to run fast enough for a silver medal in my own dilapidated way. It is 4 years since I joined John Hamlett.”
photo: Gabriella Benjamin Photography
“I never knew how far ahead or behind me the other runners were,” she continued, “fortunately someone next to the road will tell you that you are number 6 or 7 etc,”
“At one stage a runner from the UK passed me and I realised that I was then number 8, I decided that 7 sounded better than 8 so I passed her again,” laughed Helena, “I wanted to look back, but Coach John said one should never look back.” She kept a faster pace after passing the English runner.
“I started to do my pickup although it was a bit early but continued to do so until the end,” she continued, “we normally start to pick up around the last 10kms but I started at 18kms.”
Runners sometimes experience a lot of pain after a race such as the Comrades, they struggle to walk end steps are especially painful. “I have nothing of those pains,” said Helena, “I feel fine. The training programme and diet that John gave us really did the trick.”
We are looking forward to next year’s Comrades Marathon. When the Bulletin asked if she has plans to better her position she answered shyly “I don’t know yet, we will have to wait and see.”
Good luck for next year Helena, you made the whole of Secunda proud!
During the past three decades, John has been instrumental in coaching athletes who have competed and earned in excess of 67 Comrades gold medals, 5 Winners and 1 Record Holder, earned several silver medals and progressed to completing personal best times in ultra-distance Marathons, Comrades Marathon & Trail Running Ultra Marathons.
