1. travel
2. tourist destinations
3. africa

20 March 2015 Issue 43
Tel. 013 764 3127
The adventure
of wine
explored – p. 3
Thaba Chweu
changes unit
managers – p. 4
Helicopter
donated to help
rhinos – p. 10
Readers say what
they think of
service – p. 9
GPS News
2
From the editor
1 April is not April’s fool day to us at
GPS News!
It was on this date that GPS News
started it’s humble beginnings in Sabie
in 2013. We moved into our premises in
the dark because municipal workers
were striking, and we worked by
candlelight and an electrical extension
through a hole in the wall from our
neighbour for three weeks.
We, by the grace of God, pushed
through, and are proud to say that we
are now two years old.
I did not initially wanted to heed
God’s calling to start the newspaper.
The reason was that I used to work at
Ulusaba News (the community newspaper for Sabie, Graskop and Pilgrim’s
for more than 15 years), and knew how
much work goes into producing a newspaper. Readers take it, read it and discard it, but each article starts with an
idea, each advert has to be marketed,
created and published. The paper has
to be printed (and it is very expensive),
and distributed.
However, the idea to start a newspaper with only good, uplifting positive
news was born. It really was divine intervention, and I am proud to say that
we (although it sometimes was very
difficult) stayed true to our calling. Our
name came in a dream to me: GPS
stands for God’s provision and salvation, and the success that we are, is
contributed to us all, working together
as a team for Him.
GPS News has been fortunate
enough to have had Pedrie Roberts as
our freelance subeditor and page layout
artists for the past two years. Pedrie is
leaving to pursue his passion and
dreams. From my side, I want to thank
Pedrie for his professional conduct,
which was one of the key elements in
establishing our paper in the industry.
It is a great loss for us, but seasons
come and go in our lives, and I know
that Pedrie will be successful in his new
endeavour.
Lieze Loots
Op pad...
Dit voel asof ek net maar wil opgee, ingee... toegee aan die gevoel van lusteloosheid, die smagting na niks doen nie,
niks dink nie, niks voel nie, niks omgee
nie. Gedagtes van nie kans sien vir werk
of kuier nie, nie lus vir kosmaak en kinders heen en weer karwy nie. Ek wil toegee aan die impuls om onbedaardelik in
trane uit te bars as iemand vra hoe dit
gaan...
Ek is op pad...
Besig om my gebroke lewe te probeer
regplak, dinge uit te sorteer, heel te
maak, bietjie beheer te probeer terugwen. Maar dit maak nie saak hoeveel
bakkievragte gemors weggery word of
hoeveel laaie uitgepak en reggepak word
nie, of van hoeveel onbenullighede ontslae geraak word nie, my seer bly... in
my, deel van my...
Ek is beslis op pad...
GPS News Prints Business Cards
Supported by
GPS News
22 Main Road, Sabie
Tel: 01 3 764 31 27
Cell: 083 565 9458
Fax: 086 574 3454
Email: [email protected]
www.gpsnews.co.za
Editorial:
Valerie Kemp, 083 565 9458
To meet our team, visit
www.gpsnews.co.za
We may overlook some of the important things in life when we are carried
away by other things that keep us occupied. It is good to step back and slow
down so we can recall all of the things
we should be grateful for. Easter is a
good time for recollection and being
thankful for all the blessings that we
have in our lives. Thank you, God, for
the privilege of having the newspaper
and being an instrument in Your
hands!
Waarheen hang net van myself af.
God se Woord is duidelik: Volg My
(Lukas 9). Vertrou My (Psalm 27).
Ek weet met ’n onverklaarbare vrede
dat daar geen ander weg is as die pad
saam met God nie.
En binne in my stukkende hart en trane wat soms nie kan ophou nie, kom sit
Hy ’n groot gerf genade styf in my siel,
en in my wese, en in my verstand. En ek
herken hierdie genade wat al voor Sarel
se dood op sy plek geplaas is – genade
wat soos kussings om my gepak is om my
val te keer, om my seer ligter te maak.
Genade deur vriende en vreemdes wat
voordurend bid, vertroos, vashou en sodoende my las help dra.
Ek is op pad... op die pad van rou en
treur en seer hartseerdae, maar ook op
die pad van glimlagdae, geseënde dae,
vreugdedae en oorvloedigegenade-dae.
Om my pad met Hom te stap... sy genade is vir my genoeg.
AgriSA en AfriForum werk saam vir veiligheid
Lianda Naudé
AgriSA en AfriForum het op Maandag 9
Maart ’n samewerkingsooreenkoms onderteken om inisiatiewe vir gemeenskapsveiligheid te bevorder. Die inisiatiewe is op sowel landelike as dorpsgebiede van toepassing.
“Die ooreenkoms spruit uit die feit dat
organisasies in die burgerlike samelewing ’n verpligting teenoor die publiek
het om seker te maak dat gemeenskapsveiligheidsoptrede doeltreffend aangepak
word,” sê Kallie Kriel, uitvoerende hoof
van AfriForum.
Om misdaad op gekoördineerde wyse
te bekamp, sal AfriForum konsentreer op
dorp- en landelike gebiede waar funksionerende gemeenskapsveiligheidstrukture nie bestaan nie. AgriSA sal konsentreer op landelike gebiede wat wel veiligheidstrukture het.
Daarby sal AgriSA en AfriForum minstens twee keer per jaar op nasionale en
provinsiale vlak vergader om samewerking met sake van gemeenskaplike belang te bespreek. Die partye sal ook
daarna streef om saam met ander rolspelers op ad hoc-grondslag forums in gemeenskappe tot stand te bring waar spesifieke probleme ontstaan wat verskeie
belanghebbendes raak en ’n gesamentlike strategie nodig is om die probleem op
te los.
“Die doel met die ooreenkoms is om
verwarring, veral in landbougemeenskappe, oor die hantering van veiligheidskwessies uit te skakel,” sê Kobus
Breytenbach, voorsitter van AgriSA se
komitee vir landelike veiligheid.
“AgriSA en sy provinsiale organisasies
het die verantwoordelikheid om landelike veiligheid tot op boereverenigingvlak
te hanteer en binne die prioriteitskomiteestelsel met die polisie uit te klaar. Ek
versoek boerderygemeenskappe om die
veiligheidskwessie in noue samewerking
met hul plaaslike boereverenigingstrukture te hanteer.”
Volgens Moorrees du Toit, voorsitter
van AgriKiepersol, gaan Suid-Afrika, en
meer spesifiek Hazyview, onder toenemende misdaad gebuk. “Die Suid-Arikaanse Polisiediens word gekniehalter
deur begrotingsbesnoeiings, personeeltekort en tegniese probleme,” sê Du Toit.
“Die owerheid maak al hoe meer daarop
staat dat die burgers verantwoordlikheid
vir die beskerming van hul eiendom en
belange aanvaar.”
Hy meen dat al is almal bereid om hul
eie op te pas, raak dit ingewikkeld en gevaarlik weens die gewelddadigheid waarmee misdaad gepleeg word. “Gemeenskapsamewerking en -beskermingsgroepe bind mense met dieselfde probleme
saam. In die Hazyview-omgewing is daar
twee plaaswaggroepe en minstens een
buurtwag in die dorp. Die HELP-groep
het ook ’n positiewe invloed op misdaadbekamping in Hazyview se dorpsgebied.
“Die plaaswagte of beskermingsgroepe
word gereël deur mense wat deur georganiseerde landbou tot AgriSA behoort.
Plaaswagte werk regstreeks met plaaslike polisiestasies saam vir misdaadvoorkoming. Op nasionale vlak werk AgriSA
met die polisie saam om samewerkingsriglyne te skep. Die samewerking het tot
’n merkbare afname in misdaad in die
lanbougebiede rondom Hazyview gelei.”
Social calendar
Sosiale kalender
For weekly activities like VLU or Rotary
meetings and farmers market, please
see our Events Calendar on
www.gpsnews.co.za.
Weekliks
Hazyview-kunstenaarsbyeenkoms.
09:00 tot 1 3:00. Numbi Hotel. Kontak
Rea: 082 825 0641 .
28 March
York Timbers Long Tom Marathon, 21 ,1
km, 42,2 km and 55 km. Out and back.
The race is a Comrades qualifier. A
change to the event is that it starts and
finishes in Sabie. Contact Odette van Staden: 083 678 3937 or adventure@
york.co.za.
29 March
Woodlands Arts & Crafts Evening. 1 7:00.
R1 00 p/p, cheese and wine included,
with cash bar. Floreat Riverside Lodge.
Contact Caroline or Barbara: 01 3 764
1 741 , 082 308 6035 or 083 504 5260.
31 March
White River SANBS blood donation day.
1 4:00-1 8:00. NG Church White River.
Contact Whanita Parkes: 01 3 745 7386
or 082 41 9 11 58.
1 7-1 8 April
Sasol Rally. Contact Henriette Jooste:
083 302 1 974 or [email protected].
25-27 April
Ilanga Trail Run. Visit: www.ilangatrails.
co.za. Contact Clive Smart: 082 894
0432 or [email protected].
1 -4 May
Sabie Xperience MTB race. Visit: www.
sabiexperience.co.za. Contact: 01 3 764
3500.
2 May
Forest 2 Falls MTB race, now incorporated with Sabie Xperience MTB race.
Contact: 01 3 764 3500.
29 May
Paradise Rally in Sabie. More information closer to the time.
GPS News Prints Flyers
GPS News
3
A rema rkable taste jour ney with wines
Tereasa Ferrari
T
he FNB Mpumalanga Wine Show 2015 kicked
off to a tremendous success on Friday night. The
annual show was held on 20 and 21 March at
Emnotweni.
The show, which is directed by wine expert and
world-renowned columnist Michael Fridjhon, featured
over 60 wine producers with over 350 wines on display
for tasting.
Fridjhon is one of the world’s most published writers
on the subject of wine. He told GPS News that he used
to be an advisor to Sotheby’s South Africa and London
about wines sold for long term investments.
“South Africans are becoming more sophisticated, but
as it is only worth investing in the latest wines coming
out of the country, we still have a long way to catch up
with Europe. For a wine to be regarded as a valid investment, it has to be at least 25 years old.”
He said he had been involved with the provincial
wine show since the beginning. “We started about six or
seven years ago, and it has become an extremely vital
show for the wine industry to showcase products.”
According to Fridjhon, this was one way the wine industry could determine exactly what customers were
looking for in a wine.
Fridjhon, who is nicknamed “Winestein” for his vast
knowledge of wine, and his looks, which remind one of
Albert Einstein, pointed the direction to some of the
best wines up for tasting at the show.
Michael Fridjhon, one of the world’s most published writers on the subject of wine.
First one up was a Steenberg sauvignon blanc that
could be described as “the angels come to play in your
mouth and give you a taste of heaven”.
Chance to be trained in basic care skills
Maxine Lambourn
Have you ever felt that you were meant to help others
but lack the skills to do so? You know you have a calling but you are not quite sure how to go about it?
Anne Herbert has been instrumental in empowering people to empower others. She believes she has a
calling. Two year ago, she enrolled in a course in Johannesburg to enable her to effectively equip laymen
at local churches to ensure positive impact on the
community.
She delights in inviting you to partake in a basic yet
life-changing course, which will be presented in White
River with one session per month.
“This is more than a journey – it is an experience
that will equip and enable you to be the body of Christ
in a broken world,” says Anne.
The course follows the basic care skills manual
written by Marge Stathakis and supported by global
care centres. It is not accredited, but will qualify you
as a carer.
She currently has 60 people registered for the
course, but will still take on new registrations. She
says she “firmly believes it will enhance your life”.
The following topics will be covered:
• Who is my neighbour in need?
• Essential ingredients in counselling/care
• Listening skills
• Stages of development/personality styles
• Psychological conditions
• Behavioural patterns and defence mechanisms
• God hunger
• Guilt/forgiveness, inner healing, spiritual maturity.
The course will take place on one Sunday evening of
the month between April and November at White
River Methodist Church. The sessions, starting at
17:00, take about an hour and a half each. The training manual costs R120.
The course will be facilitated by Nancy Grover and
the White River Restore Healing Team.
Email Anne at [email protected] or contact
Yolunda on 082 921 6695, Di on 083 533 9439 or Lucille on 082 377 8680.
Next up for taste was a Groot Constantia chardonnay, which had just been named best chardonnay in the
world. Besides all the award stickers plastered on the
bottle to prove this title, the chardonnay swirled around
the mouth with light woody notes and just the perfect
amount of fruity undertones, with a nice hint of vanilla.
Next was an adventure to an exceptional pinotage on
display, and with the expert guidance of “Winestein”, it
was perfection in bottles.
Beyerskloof had the one wine that stood out from all
the others with an interesting story behind it. What
gives you a hint, is the wine bottle label that depicts a
sketch of an old-looking dog. The story behind this was
that the dog belonged to the owner of the wine farm.
This loyal companion had been helping in the creation
of fine wines on the farm for years.
How he did this, was when walking with his owner
around the vineyards, old Diesel would only eat the
grapes off the ground which were ready to be picked,
thus helping the winemaker to know which and when
the grapes were just right.
But Diesel does not only have an interesting story
about a relationship between a man and a dog, it is on
one of the finest bottles of pinotage ever to be experienced, and rightfully named Diesel.
This award-winning pinotage has sharp aromas of
dark cherries and oak that send sensations of warm delight right down to the toes.
It is a truly remarkable ending to an adventurous
journey through the wine farms of South Africa.
4
Thaba Chweu swops
its unit managers
GPS News
GPS News Prints Carbonised Books
Captain
Mabokalake
Mashabela
Gabriel Msibi
Thaba Chweu Local Municipality temporarily relocated the unit
managers in the different towns until further notice.
Acting municipal manager S.D. Maebela, moved unit manager Solly
Selekane from Sabie to Graskop, unit manager Kemmy Mashego from
Graskop to Sabie, and Ivy Zwane of Sabie to Lydenburg with effect
from 9 March.
No reason for the restructuring has yet been given to GPS News.
Mashego previously was a councillor for five years and unit manager for five years in Graskop. He was born in Pilgrim’s Rest and
grew up in Sabie.
“I look forward to working with the Sabie community, ward committees, business unit and officials, with full and accurate information about the level and standard of service they are entitled to
receive,” Mashego said.
“Working together more closely than ever before can develop solutions that can be implemented successfully.”
He said strong participation from the community will assist the
municipality, which can introduce new services. He noticed that Klein
Sabie shopping centre on the outskirts of Simile has run empty since
the closure of the TTC sawmill in August 2010. “Klein Sabie resembles a graveyard while it was supposed to be a business centre
that assists township people to buy products close to their houses.”
Mashego requested the community to check their electricity and
water meters. “Ensure that your meters are working correctly, and if
there is a problem, report it immediately.”
He appealed to all Sabie residents to be positive regarding the potential of the town as a tourist destination. He said that working together positively can bring about good results that will be mutually
beneficial, and that a partnership consisting of the municipality, York
Timbers, Komatiland Forests and other major companies could “be
the change to bring poverty down and service delivery up”.
Pilgrim’s police
get new
commander
Kopano Dibakwane
Captain Mabokalake Mashabela took over as
the new station commander at Pilgrim’s Rest
SAPS on 3 March. The new station head was
transferred from Mashishing.
Mashabela told GPS News that his goal is to
ensure that safety and security reign supreme
in the town.
“I plan to strengthen the relationship
between the community policing forum (CPF),
rural safety network and police reservists to
encourage the community to work with us. I
plan to intensify police visibility so that this
town can continue to attract tourists from
many countries and host big events, such as
the annual national gold panning competition.
“The country relies on us for safety and security, and we must not let people down,” said
Mashabela.
He joined the police in 1991 as a constable
and ascended through the ranks from sergeant
to warrant officer, and was subsequently pro-
moted to the rank of Captain. He said that he
has gained experience while serving in different stations, such as Mashishing, Maartenshoop and Burgersfort.
“Serving in different stations has exposed
me to the problems different people face, and
their ways of dealing with issues. I believe
that I have gained vast experience in the
SAPS, and I want to implement it with the
help of the community. I plan to hold imbizos
to confirm that I am here to assist,” said
Mashabela.
Vunene Mzimba was appointed as the new
admin clerk at Pilgrim’s Rest police station,
while Donna Mann and Judas Mogane were
appointed as new cleaners.
Communications officer Constable Khethimoze Nkosi expressed relief due to the appointment of the new staff members. He said
that the station previously suffered backlogs
in certain areas due to a shortage of staff
members, and that the new appointments will
bring a positive change.
GPS News Prints Funeral Letters
GPS News
5
Spreading wings of hope
Maxine Lambourn
W
ings of love to people in need –
this is the effective slogan of
Mercy Air, an independent,
faith-based aviation service that provides
humanitarian aid.
Established in 1991, with its
headquarters just outside of White River,
the organisation is currently captained
by CEO Allan Luus. The talents of dedicated pilots and international staff are
utilised to help those who are suffering.
They feed the hungry, aid the needy, and
support the weak and sick. They do this
by digging wells and building clinics, and
with medical outreaches, educational
programmes and feeding schemes.
Mercy Air serves people in need, regardless of race, gender or religion. It
started with Ron and Barbara Wayner,
who flew from the USA to southern
Africa on a Cessna 180 aircraft. Their
initial aim was to help where possible
during the civil war in Mozambique.
Spearheaded by the Swiss, Mercy Air
grew into what it is today, and has just
obtained a brand-new AS350S helicopter.
The organisation supports the ongoing
efforts of various non-governmental organisations, recognised mission and
church ministries and development and
aid agencies. Though it does charge a fee
for its services, the fee is always based
on what the charity can afford.
At the moment, the focus of Mercy
Merciful people (from left): Azarja Groot (pilot), Paul Middleton (pilot), John Herbert (chief pilot), Holger Ziessler
(mechanic), Mathias Reuter, Dean Yeoman and Michi Aebi (helicopter pilots).
Air’s outreach programmes lies in Chimoio, the Zambezi Delta and Ponta Mamoli. The strategy is to target an area and
build a model that works effectively for
that community. Once this is up and
running effectively, the team moves on to
the next project.
The educators in the team teach rural
communities in their own language, empowering them in a way that supports
their own cultures.
You can become a partner to help the
Wings of Love stay aloft. For information, contact Mercy Air Headquarters on
013 750 1221 or [email protected].
6
GPS News
GPS News Prints Greeting Cards
GPS News Prints Wedding Invitations
GPS News
7
GPS journalists receive training for excellence
T
he team of GPS News journalists
attended a special training session on Saturday 14 March at
Tatenda Guest House in Hazyview. The
training was aimed at improving their
writing skills to a level of excellence.
The group of 12 journalists also included two candidate reporters, Jedidja
van der Walt and Vivian Fakude, whom
GPS News are mentoring.
The three speakers addressed specific
areas that are crucial in producing quality articles for both the printed and online versions of the newspaper.
Tereasa Ferrari spoke on how to write
good investigative journalism. This area
of writing requires ingenuity, perseverance and dedication in order to get to the
true facts of the story. To write a comprehensive and good investigative article, you have to become like a pit-bull,
she said. “You don’t let go of the story
until you have all the facts!”
Maxine Lambourn spoke about her experience as a subeditor. She focussed on
improving the writer’s language. “You
should be thorough and check spelling,
names, titles etc. before submitting an
article to the editor in charge,” said
Lambourn. Subeditors check grammar,
spelling etc. and are the final check before articles are published.
Lianda Naudé provided information on
the requirements of a well-constructed
and planned article. She also addressed
the requirements of online media and so-
Front from left: Frieda Paton, Lianda Naudé, Tereasa Ferrari and Maxine
Lambourn. Second row: Kopano Dibakwane, Valerie Kemp, Jedidja van der
Walt and Vivian Fakude. Back: Gabriel Msibi and Jaco de Meyer.
cial platforms. Her topic was: “Your
writing is a reflection of you.”
“It is important to remember that
what you write and how you do it reflects
the writer that you are. Be a journalist
who is proud of your work and one who
acts with integrity at all times. In this
way, your name will gain respect among
those you write about and to your reader,” Lianda said.
The journalists participated energetically in the training by asking questions
and taking copious notes. It was evident
throughout the sessions that the writers
valued the training. It also served to enhance a team spirit at GPS News.
When asked how the journalists experienced the training day, they said the
following:
Kopano Dibakwane: “I feel like a new
journalist. I have learned a lot, and am
grateful for the opportunity to learn. It is
highly appreciated.”
Jaco de Meyer: “It is something that
every journalist should know and experience. From the smallest details to major
happenings, I have learned it all in one
morning. It was presented extremely
professionally, including even the finest
detail. Well done, team!”
Denise van Wyk: “It was a privilege to
learn from the mentors’ experience. It
was presented professionally and
everything ran smoothly. It was so rewarding to learn how to conduct an interview in the correct manner and what
a subeditor’s function is and what they
need and want.”
Michele du Plessis: “I really enjoyed
all the lectures, in particular Tereasa
Ferrari’s lecture on investigative journalism.”
Valerie Kemp, owner of GPS News and
editor of the printed edition, said: “In our
company, we see each other as individuals and respect our differences, and that
was why it was important to have this
training session, apart from the fact that
all the staff could meet each other. I absolutely believe that each and everyone
in my team has been placed personally at
GPS News by God.”
GPS News
8
GPS News Prints Portfolios
32 illegal immigrants detained
Kopano Dibakwane
A
total of 32 Malawi nationals appeared before the Graskop magistrate court on 12 March after
being found in possession of fraudulent
passports and work permits.
The office manager at the department
of home affairs in Mashishing, Angel
Yende, said that the foreign nationals –
some as young as 19 while others as old
as 45 – had been employed by a subcontractor who rendered cleaning and laundry services for Crystal Springs Holiday
Resort near Pilgrim’s Rest.
“32 illegal immigrants were found with
passports and work permits not issued
by our department. We informed the local police, and they were taken to the sta-
tion. They all claimed that they had received the fraudulent documents in Johannesburg,” said Yende.
Warrant officer Floris Kruger of the
Pilgrim’s Rest police said that the foreign
nationals were charged with fraud.
“The foreign nationals are facing a
charge of fraud under the Immigration
Act. Employers must ensure that the
documents of their employees are verified with the department of home affairs
to avoid criminal charges,” said Kruger.
According to communication officer
Constable Kethimoze Nkosi, management was fined an undisclosed amount
for accommodating the foreign nationals,
who were apparently paying R5 000 a
month to stay within the resort.
Yende said her department conducted
routine inspections together with the department of labour, targeting shops
owned by foreign nationals, holiday resorts and guest houses to guarantee that
employers comply with labour laws.
“Some employers hire illegal immigrants because they are regarded as cheap
labourers, but this is wrong. The department will continue to visit different businesses to ensure that illegal immigrants
are not employed at the expense of local
people.”
The foreign nationals requested to
conduct their own court defence in English.
They will remain in custody. Their
next court appearance is scheduled for
25 March at the Pilgrim’s Rest magistrate court.
Eat and drink in a
converted stable
Frieda Paton
Owner
Leona
Oosthuizen inside
Stables
Restaurant.
Stables Restaurant in Pilgrim’s Rest was taken over by new
management at the beginning of March. Leona Oosthuizen,
who was the cook at Graskop Hotel for five years, introduced a new menu with some interesting twists.
The stables were built by George Roy in 1895 to house
the horses belonging to Royal Hotel guests. However, as
very few visitors today arrive in Pilgrim’s Rest on horseback or with horse-drawn carriages, the building was
turned into a venue for feeding and watering travel-weary
humans.
Inside the small building, customers can have a drink at
the bar, which is decorated with saddles, bridles and other
horsey accessories. The wooden tables and bright umbrellas
outside create a cosy street cafe atmosphere.
For the hungry the menu offers sweet and savoury pancakes, including unusual fillings such as chocolate mousse
with macadamia and lavender brittle or Eastern-spiced
crocodile tail. Coffee, tea and milkshakes, including some
“grown-up” milkshakes, are on offer, and in support of its
heritage, Stables also serves “stable hand beer” – a quart of
beer drunk from a traditional tin mug.
For a limited time, there is a special opening offer of 5%
discount for any customer who posts a photograph of their
pancake meal on Facebook.
TGME fixes potholes on Pilgrim’s Rest road
Frieda Paton
Extensive potholes in a portion of the road leading to Pilgrim’s
Rest were recently repaired by the mining company Transvaal
Gold Mining Estates.
This is a good example of how the private sector and the
community can make a difference where government does not
have sufficient resources for the necessary service delivery.
“One of our directors complained about the potholed road on
which he had to drive to work, especially the large hole at the
boom gate entrance to Pilgrim’s Rest,” said TGME environmental manager Christine Rowe. This was the stimulus for the
Environmental Department’s undertaking to fix the road.
The department of roads and transport in Mashishing
provided the tar and Johnny Reinders, proprietor of Johnny’s
Pub and The Vine Restaurant, gave technical guidance. The
project was supervised by Nick van der Merwe of TGME, and a
team of employees who were not being utilised in their usual
work as dense medium separator attendants, became temporary road workers for three weeks.
“I travel on that portion of the road twice a day, and I am
really grateful for the work that was done,” said a member of
the community.
Part of the TGME team that fixed the potholed road
(from left): Aubrey Mogane, Themba Mnisi, Bethuel
Tonga, Pollelo Mashego, Sizile Themba and Vincent
Robinson.
GPS News
GPS News Prints Certificates
Readers speak out about unit managers
Kemmy Mashego
I’ve heard that Graskop has a new
unit manager. I don’t know him
very well, but I hope that he brings
change. There’s no service delivery
in this town and it’s no use to
complain about something that is
not there.
I know that the unit manager has
been moved to Sabie. I think we
should give the new unit manager
a chance to see if he can bring
development to this town. The
service delivery is slow, but it’s
improving, especially the rubbish
collection.
I’ve heard that Kemmy Mashego
was moved. I think that the new
unit manager will bring a
difference because we are
struggling with service delivery in
this town.
I’ve only heard rumours that
Kemmy Mashego is no longer
representing Graskop. We don’t
know this new unit manager, and I
don’t think people must expect
anything new from him.
I have never heard about the new
unit manager. No difference will be
expected from him because in
general government officials are
corrupt, and they usually fail to
provide services and order to this
town.
Solly Selekane
I only heard people talking about
the new unit manager, but I was
not aware of the change and do not
know who’s who. If they can change
all Thaba Chweu staff, it may be
better, but Kemmy Mashego alone
won’t make it. Thaba Chweu is
very poor on service delivery.
I was not informed about the new
unit manager; there never was a
public meeting to brief us about the
changes. Kemmy Mashego cannot
change Sabie. He is not different
from the previous unit managers.
Thaba Chweu’s service delivery is
very poor. Maybe things will be
different if they remove the mayor.
I was aware of the change. Kemmy
Mashego will make a difference in
Sabie – he has passion for the
community and development. He is
different from the previous unit
managers. Service delivery is very
poor, but Mashego must try to
motivate and encourage the
workers.
I don’t know anything about the
new unit manager. We hope he will
make a difference as we know that
a new broom sweeps clean. The
service delivery is very poor. I have
a problem with municipal workers
rummaging through the rubbish
bins, leaving the rubbish lying
around in the public’s eye.
I’m aware that there are changes
in our municipality. If there’s one
change brought by this new unit
manager, it’ll be more than what
Kemmy Mashego ever did for this
town. The rubbish collection has
slightly improved, but the dumping
site needs more work.
I was not aware that Solly
Selekane is not around anymore.
We hope the new unit manager will
make a difference and we have to
support him. I have no problem
with the service, but my only
complaint is that next to my house
is an open field and the grass is
very long. That is a dangerous
situation because criminals can
hide there. I notified municipal
officials, but they have not done
anything about it.
It’s good that we have a new person
in charge, but I hope that he’s
competent. I don’t expect much
difference because it’s not just one
person who makes this town to
work. There’s no service delivery in
Graskop.
I had not been aware of the
changes. I don’t think the new
manager will make any difference
because he is going to start right,
but will do what all the previous
unit managers did. We sometimes
have a problem with electricity and
water supply.
9
10
GPS News
GPS News Prints Woodlands Directory
Die einde van oefen
From left: Arnaud Montalvo (CEO: Airbus Helicopters Southern Africa), Gilberto do Nascimento (Airbus Southern Africa), Kuseni Dlamini (chairperson:
SANParks), Danie Pienaar (acting managing executive: KNP), Rajesh Mahabeer (CFO: SANParks), Rose Masela (department of environmental affairs) and Major General Phahla (deputy provincial commissioner).
Second helicopter against poaching
Lianda Naudé
SANParks received its second Airbus AS350B3e helicopter with night-flying capability on Thursday 19 March. This is in
addition to its rhino anti-poaching flight
operations that are already active in the
Kruger National Park (KNP).
The purchase of the helicopter was
made possible thanks to a R37,7-million
grant from the Howard G. Buffett
Foundation (HGBF), which is based in
the USA.
SANParks chairperson Kuseni
Dlamini said: “In addition to increasing
our current flight-crew capability of flying at night, the helicopter is expected to
improve our response time in dealing
with contacts and other incidents in the
park. The helicopter will also assist in
quick tactical response, particularly at
night, which has been lacking due to
limited resources.”
SANParks is also evaluating the capabilities of technologies such as various
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). “We
are investigating the effectiveness of
such instruments in our efforts to protect
rhinos in a range of operational conditions,” said Dlamini.
Ek het weer eens, vir die honderdste
keer, besef oefeninge is nie vir my nie.
Ek is doodeenvoudig nie daarvoor
ontwerp nie. Maar nou ja, mens kan nie
’n geskenkboek net so drop en gillend
weghardloop nie, want dit sal ongeskik
wees.
Sien, Old Man River het vir my die
verdomde boek gekoop en gedink hy is
baie oulik, want ek hou mos van sulke
volksvreemde goed. En dis hoekom ek
nou minstens ses weke vir fisioterapie
moet gaan.
Sien, die prentjies van hierdie boek oor
joga het baie maklik gelyk en ek het toe
nou maar probeer. Sommerso op my bed,
want ek dink die grond is baie hard. Die
eerste een was maklik, want jy lê net so
vorentoe op jou knieë en hande. En
nommer twee, wat glo die katposisie is,
was ook nog oukei.
Nommer drie is down dog – en met
moeite op die bed reggekry. Ek kon ook
’n lappop wees, maar toe tref die tragedie. Ek het gereken die goed is te
maklik en het ’n paar bladsye verder
geblaai op soek na iets ingewikkelder.
En ek kry dit...
Die hasie en die kameel was bietjie
meer gekoek, maar toe besluit ek in my
malle verstand om die arend te probeer.
Het jy al op jou een been met jou hande
in die lug op jou bedjie probeer
balanseer? Suster, dit werk nie! Eers
wobble ek onbedaarlik, want die
oefeninge het my knieë so lam gevoel
gegee, en net nadat ek die ander been
voor ópgekoek het, donder ek van die bed
af. Net so gekoek – en ek gil hard en
Alternatiewe Anna
aanhoudend.
Old Man River, wat gesit en TV kyk
het, hardloop die hond uit die pad uit en
sy getjank – die hond s’n – vul my gille
aan.
Uiteindelik kry hy my tussen die kas
en die bed en hy begin te lag. Ek kry
myself nie ontkoek nie en ek is gekneus
en moeilik en my been is sweerlik af en
hy lag vir my.
Ewe versigtig help hy my om te
ontknoop en op te kom. En daarna help
hy my al laggend kar toe na die dokter
toe. Geen gebreekte bene nie – net
spierbeserings wat die fisioterapeut
maar moet fix.
Kyk, dit is die einde van oefeninge. Vir
altyd. Al wat vir my nou oorbly, is om my
wynglas eers links en dan regs op te tel.
Ek het selfs ’n naam daarvoor: The art of
wineglass yoga...
GPS News
GPS News Prints Stickers
11
Wildlife said to be sold on N4
Tereasa Ferrari
S
Owner Keith Coghill and his winning team
at Caltex Sabie: Lesias Maile, Piet Mashego,
Aleck Mphonane, Zelda Maile and Kutso
Chilwane.
Caltex Sabie wins gold
Michelle du Plessis
Caltex Sabie won a gold award for customer service and performance for the Mpumalanga region
for 2014.
Keith Coghill, Caltex Sabie owner since 2004,
said he is proud of his staff.
“The only thing that differentiates one garage
from another garage is the service. The prices of
petrol and diesel are all the same, but the service
you receive makes the difference,” Keith said.
Caltex company’s criteria for the assessments
for the gold award are harsh. The business is
evaluated on its service, the sanitation and hygiene of the toilets, cleanliness of the driveway,
health and security. The business and service also
get assessed by a mystery shopper.
“I just want to thank the customers and staff.
Without them this award would not have been
possible!” said Keith.
yndicates are apparently selling vervet monkeys
and other small wildlife animals on the N4 to
tourists. This is according to Mpumalanga Animal Crime Watch founder Jaco Klopper.
“We find that certain people are selling monkeys and
tortoises on the N4 to people on their way to Johannesburg.”
Klopper said the people were buying them as exotic
pets. He said there were also many cases where wildlife
and domestic animals were snared for bush meat.
According to Klopper, their organisation had rescued
some of the animals from criminal syndicates operating
in the Lowveld area.
Mpumalanga Animal Crime Watch is an organisation
that has been rescuing animals out of snares, and has
also tracked missing dogs around the Lowveld area for
the last two years.
“Our organisation will also fight to protect pangolins.
We will monitor their movements and focus on areas
where these rare animals are spotted.”
Pangolins, reported to be the most hunted animal in
the world, is a creature so sought after by Chinese and
Vietnamese consumers that it could be extinct before
most people have ever heard of it.
It is claimed the scales can cure cancer and help
mothers produce breast milk, but there has been no scientific evidence to back that up.
Illegal animal trade is the third largest crime in the
world after drugs and human trafficking. Estimates of
the money generated by animal smuggling vary, in part
because of its illegal nature. Animal smuggling is estimated at $7,8 billion to $10 billion a year, but the illegal nature of such activities make determining the
amount of money involved incredibly difficult to establish.
Anyone with information on illegal animal trade can
contact Mpumalanga Animal Crime Watch at
[email protected].
Eskom requests independent enquiry
Lianda Naudé
The Eskom board announced in a media briefing on 12
March that an independent enquiry will be launched
into its current state of business and the problems it experiences. The commission will be in effect for approximately three months.
The commission will investigate aspects of Eskom’s
operations, including the poor performance of existing
generation power stations, delays in bringing the new
generation power stations such as Medupi and Kusile
on stream, high costs of primary energy (such as coal)
and Eskom’s cash flow problems.
“To ensure that this process is transparent and uninhibited, the board has asked four of its senior executives, including the chief executive, to step down during
the enquiry,” said Eskom Chairman Zola Tsotsi. These
executives are Tshediso Matona, chief executive, Tsholofelo Molefe, finance director, Dan Marokane, group
capital, and Matshela Koko, commercial and technology.
As a result, non-executive board members have been
appointed to fill these positions on an interim basis,
with Zethembe Khoza taking over as interim CEO.
The external parties that will conduct the enquiry
will be given unfettered access to all information necessary for this probe to be successful, Tsotsi said.
12
GPS News
Queen
for the
Night
crowned
Maxine Lambourn
Every year, local women get to
have a night off – a special night Maxine Lambourn, Natalie Cruz and Linda
where they can dress up and inSemmens have a ball at the Queen for the
dulge in an evening of dinner,
Night event.
dancing and socialising.
Freyja Holistic Centre and Wellness Spa.
The event, called Queen for the Night,
These prizes were valued at R17 200 in
was started last year. This year’s event
total.
was even bigger and better, ending after
Marcel expresses her deepest thanks
an evening of dancing until 01:00.
to the sponsors. “Without our sponsors
Organiser and founder of Guardian
this night would not be possible. Thank
Angels, Marcel van Doorn, opted to do a
you to each one of you for your contribusilent auction at this year’s event that
tion.”
fetched R22 800. With more funds still
Next year’s masked ball will be held on
coming in, the event provides a tremend4 March, and the tickers are already goous boost to this volunteer organisation,
ing fast. Every year the evening becomes
which assists the elderly in the commore exciting, with more sponsors on
munity.
board and more prizes to be won.
Megan Spanenberg was crowned
Contact Marcel on 082 452 0940 or
queen. She won a wardrobe consultation
Jackie Maritz on 082 955 5214 for enfrom Ramps to Runways, a hair
quires about Guardian Angels, informamakeover from Hair Tech, a lunch treat
tion how to become involved, or to
from Magnolia at Casterbridge, and a
contribute as an event sponsor.
full-body massage and pedicure from
GPS News Prints Labels
Eskom increases tariffs on 1 April
Lianda Naudé
Eskom will implement a price increase
on 1 April as approved by the National
Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa)
in November.
Direct customers will now pay a fee
increased by 12,69% for their use of energy from Eskom, whereas municipalities will be charged an additional 14,25%.
There are a number of factors that led
to the increase in Eskom tariffs. These
are its financial situation, the need to
purchase short term power from inde-
pendent electricity producers and municipal generators, and the increased use of
open gas turbines.
The power utility is also exploring a
further review of tariff increases. Eskom
has initiated a selective reopener of the
Multi-Year Price Determination 3 application for the 2015/16 financial year
onwards. In terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act, Eskom is required to consult with the national
treasury and the South African Local
Government Association prior to submitting to Nersa for consideration.
HiHelen platform for compliments
Lianda Naudé
In August 2014, an innovative concept
was launched whereby excellence in
South Africa is showcased. Its founder,
Helen Szemerei, created a digital platform acknowledging outstanding service
and simultaneously encouraging better
service in both business and industry.
Szemerei said she first did a test run.
“The reaction was overwhelmingly positive, and as a result the concept was officially launched a month ago.”
There are a number of sites that address complaints from the public. “However, this is not a true representation of
our country as it does not reflect positive
comments regarding good service. It
merely serves to tarnish our country’s
image in the eyes of foreign investors.
Providing an avenue for positive feedback on business and industry will
provide a balanced picture of South
Africa on the international market.
“I believe there is still a lot of hope and
positivity in our country. We need to believe in that and communicate it to the
world. It is only when we uphold good
service as a requirement of doing business that we can move into the zone of
excellence that South Africa deserves.”
Consumers rely heavily on online reviews before making purchasing decisions. Therefore, this platform is also a
valuable tool for companies to utilise as a
credible marketing tool.
If you believe in giving credit where it
is due, visit www.hihelen.co.za or go to
HiHelen on Facebook. For more information email [email protected].
GPS News Prints Posters
GPS News
13
Roadshow helps with career choices
Tereasa Ferrari
A roadshow showcasing career choices
for pupils, is making the rounds to
various schools in the Lowveld. The
roadshow was at Lowveld high School
on Thursday 19 March.
The event was organised by Riaan
Loubser from Unigrad, Alex Asman
from Xela Fashion and Mirinda Bosman from Overseas Visitors Club.
Loubser said they decided to hold
the event to show pupils what study
opportunities there are for them after
finishing grade 12.
Including Lowveld colleges, 37 institutions took part in the roadshow.
Some had come from as far as Bloemfontein and Potchefstroom.
The roadshow was visiting Barberton High School, Bergvlam, Curro,
Penryn, Lowveld High, Rob Ferreira,
Lydenburg High and Sybrand van
Niekerk High in Sabie.
Loubser stated that they were
reaching approximately 2 500 to 3 000
grade 12 pupils through the show.
“Many children still don’t know what
career they want to follow. At Unigrad,
we give them the option of coming to a
workshop during the holidays to see if
what they have chosen, is actually
what they want to study in the future,”
Loubser said.
Woodlands School in Sabie elected James Smyth and Matlhogonolo
Mokoena as school leaders for 2015.
Author
Chris Daniel with
grade 4
pupils from
Maqamela
Primary
School.
Rhino awareness lessons launched
Lianda Naudé
U
plands College pupils, in collaboration with the SMILE
initiative, launched a rhino
awareness campaign for children who
live near the Kruger National Park.
On 4 March, a group of 40 grade 4 pupils from Maqamela Primary School
were given a special rhino lesson at
Uplands.
The non-profit SMILE initiative was
founded by Katelyn Edwards to address the adversity faced by children
born with a cleft palate, such as lack of
medical and educational care.
Author Chris Daniel, dressed in a
rhino suit, taught the children about
poaching and the value of rhinos’ future conservation. Daniel is the author
of “Bongi’s Quest”, a tale about a
young rhino who sets off on a journey
to discover what happened to the horn
that was taken from his uncle. Each
pupil received their own copy of the
book, which is written in SiSwati with
English translation included.
Mamma V from Uplands Outreach
Programme read the book to the
learners in SiSwati. The children were
also introduced to a life-sized cast of a
rhino. Thereafter, the grade 4s signed
a pledge to be Rhino Warriors and tell
someone if they ever saw or heard
something about rhino poaching.
Uplands plans to run these lessons
once every quarter for as long as they
can sustain them. Their goal is to
reach 100 children each year. The
school also plans to take the lessons to
community schools in an area directly
linked to the wildlife industry. For
more information contact Uplands College at 013 751 3141.
GPS News
14
GPS News Does Lamination
Pupils celebrate Human Rights Day
Kopano Dibakwane
T
Smalls
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Antionette: 076 389 2047.
GPS News – 013 764 3127
he pupils at Pilgrim’s Rest
Primary passionately displayed
their artistic talents during a
Human Rights Day celebration held in
the school hall on Friday 20 March. The
function attracted the presence of a large
number of parents who came to enjoy
poems and songs performed by the children.
Principal Selby Khoza said the occasion was aimed at entertaining parents
while reminding the pupils about their
rights.
“Today is also World Happiness Day.
This means that we should smile as we
educate our children about their rights.
I’m happy that parents have honoured
our event. We hope that our learners will
also know that every right comes with a
responsibility,” said Khoza.
One of the parents, Dudu Mokoena,
said that parents welcomed the function
as it did not only entertain, but was
mostly educational.
“I thank the school for inviting us.
This is an important day for our children
to learn more about their culture and
history. We would like to see more activities from the school so that our children
can stay away from bad things,” said
Mokoena.
Grade 4 and 7 teacher David Mashile
took to the podium and moved the audience with a noteworthy history lesson
that received roaring applause. He highlighted the resilience and dedication of
struggle heroes such as Pan Africanist
Congress leader Robert Mangaliso
Sobukwe and Nelson Mandela of the
African National Congress who, he said,
had made memorable contributions towards the country’s democratic dispensation.
Pupils Luyanda Mdluli (grade 4) and
Haidy Mashego (grade 7), entertained
the crowd with poems that touched on
children’s right to education, clothing
and safety. The two budding poets told
GPS News that they were excited to per-
form in front of their friends, teachers
and parents.
The function was organised by teachers Tholaphi Mnisi and Magdeline Sihlangu, who also volunteer their time to
teach additional art lessons on weekdays. Mnisi and Sihlangu thanked their
colleagues for supporting the initiative.
The programme director was grade 3
teacher Joyce Mashego. Engeline Gwaze
from the non-profit organisation Ujama
Resource Africa Projects (URAP) also attended the event.
GPS News Prints Old Exam Papers
GPS News
15
GPS News
16
Katie Prior from
Uplands College
i n ac t i o n .
GPS News Prints Tickets
Teacher high in national competition
Kopano Dibakwane
C
Uplands pupil chosen for
SA indoor cricket team
Lianda Naudé
Katie Prior, a grade 8 pupil at Uplands College in
White River, was selected for the South African
under 18 girls indoor cricket team.
Her membership of the national team gives her
the opportunity to participate in the indoor cricket
world cup competition in Brisbane, Australia, in
September and October.
ouncil Lebjane, a teacher at Panorama Secondary School in Graskop, obtained fourth position
at the 2015 National Teachers Awards held at
Gallagher Estate in Gauteng on 7 March.
The grade 10 and 12 teacher was selected to represent Mpumalanga after convincingly winning the first
prize against other equally competent educators around
the province in the Excellence in Teaching Physical Science FET category.
“I was nominated by the school to represent our circuit in Bohlabela district, and obtained first position. I
went on to represent Bohlabela in the provincial NTA
awards, where I also won. There I qualified to represent
Mpumalanga in the national phase of the competition,”
said Lebjane.
He said the experience would be edged in his mind as
a reminder to contribute added devotion to his profession. He also said that he would not have achieved anything without the encouragement of colleagues,
particularly principal Rachel Jacobs, and circuit manager Nomsa Segodi.
“I’m very motivated to put in more effort, and I would
like to encourage other teachers to go the extra mile to
make science a simplified subject by experiments and
demonstrations. Physical science is a scarce-skill subject, and teachers must encourage pupils to pursue it.”
Graskop’s Council Lebjane, one of the highest regarded science teachers in South Africa.
Lebjane said he was fortunate to share a gala dinner
with deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa and minister of
basic education Angie Motshega. He received two aeroplane tickets and a shuttle service from the airport to
Gallagher Estate as some of the perks afforded to all
competition finalists.
He urged fellow teachers from all schools in the
province to view the educational development of pupils
as a priority.
Police tell Woodlands learners about their rights
Michele du Plessis
The SAPS recently visited Woodlands School in Sabie to
educate children about their rights.
Police officials said children in South Africa live in a
society where their rights are protected by the constitu-
tion, but despite the country’s progressive laws protecting children from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation, many children are still vulnerable.
School administrator Caroline Weber said: “The children were told that they have rights, and can tell a
teacher or the police if they are not treated properly.”