Government backtracks on feeding scheme agreement 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 16 June 2020 “The closure of the NSNP impacts not only on the health and education of learners, but has knock-on effects on entire families – in a context of heightened unemployment and loss of income due to the nationwide lockdown, many families are struggling to put food on the table. These families urgently require the NSNP to be reinstated in order to meet their children's basic nutritional needs and ensure that they are able to buy other desperately needed necessities in the home,” the bodies stated. Two Equal Education (EE) and the school governing bodies (SGBs) launched an urgent court application against the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and provincial education departments to compel the departments to provide meals for pupils. The organisations are challenging what they say is the “current failure to roll-out the National Schools Nutrition Programme (NSNP) to all learners”. “The NSNP normally provides meals to over nine million learners every day, but was halted when schools closed on 18 March 2020, jeopardizing the food security of these learners and exacerbating the severe hardship experienced within their households," Represented by the Equal Education Law Centre and Section27, the organisations have filed legal papers at the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria which argue that the failure of the DBE and provincial education departments to roll-out the NSNP to all qualifying pupils is a regressive measure that violates learners' rights to basic nutrition, basic education and equality. While schools had been closed under the national COVID-19 lockdown, children have not had access to the nutritious meals they would normally receive at school. “The closure of the NSNP impacts not only on the health and education of learners, but has knock-on effects on entire families – in a context of heightened unemployment and loss of income due to the nationwide lockdown, many families are struggling to put food on the table. These families urgently require the NSNP to be reinstated in order to meet their children's basic nutritional needs and ensure that they are able to buy other desperately needed necessities in the home,” the bodies stated. The programme is currently being rolled out only to pupils at school in Grades 7 and 12, while pupils who have not been permitted to return to school are not being fed, the organizations state. The organizations are seeking a declaratory order that there is a duty on government to ensure all qualifying pupils are entitled to a daily meal as provided for under the NSNP, regardless of whether or not they have resumed classes at their respective schools. “We are also seeking a structural order requiring the national and provincial departments, within five days of the court order, to each provide a plan or programme to ensure that all qualifying learners receive their daily meal from the NSNP. It is imperative that the DBE and provincial education departments continue to fulfil their constitutional obligation to deliver nutrition to all eligible learners. The constitutional rights of learners to basic nutrition, basic education and equality must be protected, even during the state of national disaster.” Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga allegedly backtracked on a promise to reinstate the National Schools Nutrition Programme (NSNP) to feed nine million pupils from this month, irrespective of whether or not they are back at school. In late May, with the announcement of the phased reopening of schools, the director-general of basic education undertook that the NSNP would, from 1 June, be rolled out to all pupils, including those not physically attending school. Four days later, Motshekga retracted this, saying it would only restart for Grade 7 and Grade 12 pupils "because we really need to find our feet in this new environment". However, organizations are having none of it. “The minister has given no legitimate reason for this failure. It's not a new programme. All that is new is the need to ensure that it is done in a manner that does not place providers and pupils at risk. All that is needed is planning and implementation. Funding is available to roll out the NSNP to all grades. It is a specific purpose grant. The total budget for this year is R7.6 billion and each province would have received its initial allocations by April 30 this year. With the lockdown, there has been R1.7 billion of potentially unspent funds,” the bodies argued. Equal Education is asking a judge to declare that all qualifying pupils, regardless of whether or not they have resumed classes, must receive a daily meal, and that the minister and the provincial MEC’s are in breach of their constitutional duties. < Previous Article Next Article >

The results are in for the top five 1/3 Share GK CRONJE 3 November 2021 With an approximate 67% of the nationwide votes tallied, several results from local municipalities have been made available. South Africa's municipal elections were held on 1November 2021, to elect councils for all district, metropolitan and local municipalities in each of the country's nine provinces. With more than 23 000 voting stations that opened across the country on Monday, the 2021 local government elections have , however, not been without incident. More than 26 million South Africans were registered to vote in the elections, the majority of which were between the ages of 30 and 39 years. With an approximate 67% of the nationwide votes tallied, several results from local municipalities have been made available. The result for Msukaligwa Local Municipality, as published, marked the African National Congress as the party on top, with 43 167 valid ballots, or 59.79 % of valid votes. The Economic Freedom Fighters came in as runner up with 12 494 valid ballots (17.31 %). The Democratic Alliance placed third, with 7 950 valid ballots (11.01 %). The Freedom Front Plus placed fourth with 4 828 valid ballots (6.69 %) with Independent placing fifth with 1 253 (1.74 %). The remainder is filled by other parties, with a detailed layout being available on the IEC website. Ermelo saw a marked turnout of voters, and grandstanding of the various political parties involved, as the day was declared a public holiday by President Ramaphosa. The full available results for Gert Sibande District Municipality’s local municipalities will be available in Tuesday’s publication. < Previous Article Next Article >

Disregard of traffic light leads to accident Disregard of traffic light leads to accident 1/6 Share GK CRONJE 27 January 2021 According to eye witnesses, the taxi was launched into the air as it hit the Kia, and came to a halt on its side. On Wednesday, 27 January, a collision occurred at the Church- and Buhrman Street intersections. According to bystanders, the driver of the red Toyota Quantum minibus taxi was traveling in Church Street at high speed, wholly disregarding the traffic light. Another motorist, driving a Kia station wagon, was busy turning at the traffic light, and was hit by the taxi. According to eye witnesses, the taxi was launched into the air as it hit the Kia, and came to a halt on its side. At this time, there are no reports of serious injury, although several individuals were transported to the hospital for treatment. Emergency medical services, the fire department and towing services were on scene in a flash, with ACSU ensuring orderly conduct from onlookers. Emergency personnel appeals to motorists to obey the traffic laws, and to keep to the speed limit. < Previous Article Next Article >

Wiskunde en Wetenskap vang gees 1/3 Share SH HATTINGH 9 March 2021 In the Science department, 28 of the 68 learners scored above 70% which include 9 A's. Die Wiskunde en Wetenskap departemente spog met nuwe hempies en uitstaande uitslae in die Gr 12 2020 eksamen. Wiskunde vier die 17de jaar van 100% slaagsyfer met 21 onderskeidings en 20 B-simbole. Die Top 5 leerders spog boonop almal met n gemiddeld bo 90%. Die Wetenskap uitslae staan ook nie terug nie en 28 van die 68 leerders slaag met n persentasie bo 70% waarvan 9 onderskeidings is. Die top 5 leerders in die vak het ook almal bo 90%! Math and Science - hard work with a smile! The Math and Science departments proudly display their new shirts as well as their excellent results during the 2020 exam. The Math department completed the 17th year with a 100% pass rate, 21 A's and 20 B's in the bag. The top 5 learners in the subject all scored above 90%. In the Science department, 28 of the 68 learners scored above 70% which include 9 A's! The top 5 learners in the subject all scored above 90%! < Previous Article Next Article >

Smugglers appear before court Smugglers appear before court 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 16 March 2021 They found eight compressed rolls of dagga, weighing 105KG, with an estimated street value of R15750.00 hidden at the back of the vehicle. Two accused drug peddlers, Sabelo Makamu (40) and Tebatso Mokgabudi (30) appeared before the Carolina Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 11 March 2021, for dealing with dagga. On 10 March 2021, the SAPS was busy with their operational duties, when they saw a suspicious bakkie parking on the side of the road. They approached the vehicle, where they found two suspects. The SAPS requested to search the vehicle, and upon investigation, they found eight compressed rolls of dagga, weighing 105KG, with an estimated street value of R15750.00 hidden at the back of the vehicle. The case was remanded to 18 March 2021 for legal representation, and both the accused remain in custody. < Previous Article Next Article >

Hoërskool Ermelo Top Tien aangekondig 1/3 Share SM HATTINGH 17 August 2021 “Baie geluk aan dié Erries, en dankie aan elkeen van EHS se leerders wat hard bly werk. Julle deursettingsvermoë word raak gesien en EHS is trots op die prestasies behaal.” Afgesien van sovéél wat daagliks verander en onseker is, bly akademie EHS se hoogste prioriteit. Juis hieroor is Hoërskool Ermelo besonder trots op die Top tien-leerders wat aangekondig is na aanleiding van die afgelope eksamen. Graad 12 (vanaf nommer een tot tien): Leandri Viviers (96,29%), Michaela van Rensburg (92,36%), Lana Herholdt (92,29%), Anke de Kock (90,91%), Eunika Snyman (90,48%), Margha Greyling, Jolindi Annandale, Lethu Dlamini, GJ Swanepoel en Chané Bester. Graad 11 (vanaf nommer een tot tien): Lood Geldenhuys (90,56%), Danél Olivier (87,31%), Elandri Swart (86,59%), Spesihle Maseko (86,23%), Dirk Maritz (84,64%), Ilandri Nel, Tobie Leibbrandt, Carla Ferreira, Pieter Leibbrandt en Frané Swart. Graad 10 (vanaf nommer een tot tien): Raees Tikly (93,16%), Altus Boshoff (92,22%), Isabelle Moussier (90,35%), Johan Strauss (88,38%), Otto van Schalkwyk (85,64%), Ronique Botha, Zané du Plessis, Nqobile Zwane, Inge Greyling en Yoliswa Ndlangamandla. Graad 9 (vanaf nommer een tot tien): JF Möller (93,78%), Helené Lotz (92,72%), Kayleigh Moore (92,32%), Lariné Strydom (90,48%), Riël Hugo (90,43%), Sulicé Geldenhuys, Mia Davel, Hayley van der Walt, Duan Hugo en Katelyn Potgieter. Graad 8 (vanaf nommer een tot tien): Tharina Viljoen (94,35%), Wianke Cloete (92,39%), Lindi du Plessis (92,21%), Megan McDermid (91,80%), Esmari Kloppers (89,66%), Maret Maritz, Ulric Badenhorst, Wilné Geldenhuys, De La Rey Hattingh en Amori Prinsloo. “Baie geluk aan dié Erries, en dankie aan elkeen van EHS se leerders wat hard bly werk. Julle deursettingsvermoë word raak gesien en EHS is trots op die prestasies behaal.” < Previous Article Next Article >

Lizelle Lee is a cricketing powerhouse 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 15 March 2022 Cricket is a simple sport at its core. A ball is delivered. Someone with a bat 20.12m away has to hit it... and few hit it harder than Lee. South Africa’s Proteas find themselves in an unfamiliar position heading into the 50-over World Cup in New Zealand. For the first time in 14 global tournaments, they harbour realistic ambitions of lifting the trophy. “We wouldn’t be going if we didn’t all believe we could actually do it,” says Lizelle Lee, the team’s destructive opening batter who was recently recognized as the best 50-over player in the world by the International Cricket Council (ICC). “We spoke about this in camp. We all agreed that there was no point in going if we didn’t intend to come back as champions. We know it’s never been done before, but we want to make history as the first South African team to win a World Cup.” South Africans have conquered the world before. The men’s Under-19 team, captained by Aiden Markram and coached by Ray Jennings, in 2014 became the first side to win a major final. But no senior squad has done it. This group is unburdened by a history of failing when it mattered. The South African women’s side, under-resourced in every metric compared with their male counterparts, have long fought for equality in the country’s third most popular sport. All too often they’ve been regarded as an afterthought, contesting untelevised games in near-empty stadiums. “When I was growing up, I didn’t even know there was a South African women’s team,” says Lee, who grew up in Ermelo, and will be turning 30-years-old in April. “It just wasn’t something I was conscious of and I know a lot of other girls will tell you the same thing. It wasn’t on TV. You didn’t see games advertised. I played because I loved the game. I didn’t play for fame or money or recognition.” The dial shifted in 2013 when insurance firm Momentum joined as a title sponsor and helped Cricket South Africa (CSA) fund full-time contracts for six players. That number increased over the years, there are currently 15 centrally contracted players with CSA, but changes in other facets have been slow. The team was constantly playing catch-up with the more advanced cricket ecosystems in Australia and England, which together have won 16 of the 18 global showpieces since 1973. “Those countries are so far ahead,” says Lee, who has been a mainstay in the Australian Women’s Big Bash League, and has played for Somerset and Surrey in England. “Women players are given a much bigger platform there. I’m more recognised when I walk around there than I am in South Africa. But it is changing.” Lee credits CSA for ‘promoting the women’s game’ but the players have advanced their own cause on the field. By the time the T20 World Cup in Australia came into focus in January 2020, Lee could look around a dressing room studded with match-winners. “It’s not that it happened all of a sudden, because we’d been working hard for a few years,” she says. “But now we have superstars all around, genuine world-class players.” By winning the ICC ODI’s Women’s Cricketer of the Year award for 2021, she joins an elite list that includes all-time greats Stefanie Taylor of the West Indies, England’s Sarah Taylor, New Zealand’s Suzie Bates and Australian duo Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry. That’s easy enough to understand. Cricket is a simple sport at its core. A ball is delivered. Someone with a bat 20.12m away has to hit it... and few hit it harder than Lee. She’s officially the best woman in 50-over cricket. And if she can hit enough balls with enough force, she may also be a World Cup champion. - Daniel Gallan, New Frame < Previous Article Next Article >

ACSU, SAPD en Boere werk saam ACSU, SAPD en Boere werk saam 1/4 Share SH HATTINGH 16 February 2021 Reaksie lede het geloop waar hulle die man gesien het in die mielie land, en het daar nog ‘n verdagte gevind met 12 bale dagga. Op Dinsdag, 9 Februarie, ongeveer 15:00, het ACSU ‘n oproep ontvang ‘n voertuig wat baie verdag lyk op die Goedehoop plaas pad. Twee reaksie voertuie van ACSU is in kennis gestel, en het hul dadelik na die toneel gehaas, waar hulle ‘n voertuig gewaar het op die grondpad. Die bestuurder van die voertuig het binne-in ‘n mielie land ingeloop. Die verdagte, asook die voertuig is deursoek, maar niks is binne die voertuig gevind nie. Reaksie lede het geloop waar hulle die man gesien het in die mielie land, en het daar nog ‘n verdagte gevind met 12 bale dagga. SAPD van Ermelo en Lothair is in kennis gestel, en was spoedig op die toneel. Die twee verdagtes is gearresteer, en gedurende die arrestasie is daar nog twee voertuie afgetrek wat deel was van die groep. Daar is op drie voetuie beslag gelê, en vier verdagtes is gearresteer. ACSU wil graag hulle dank gee aan, Kaptein V. Mahlangu, Sersante M. Dladla en M. Maphophe, en Konstabel B. Khumalo, asook aan die boere van die omgewing vir hulle hulp en vinnige reaksie. < Previous Article Next Article >

1000Kings drops a new project 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 24 AUgust 2021 The DEEP BRIDGE EP brings some solid bangers, and some of the tracks are co-produced by 1000Kings & Sam's Music. 1000Kings Movement is excited to drop another project from 1000Kings Records called DEEP BRIDGE EP, some of the tracks are co-produced by 1000Kings & Sam's Music. All tracks are copyrighted. Digital Release : 01 Sept 2021 Outlets : Traxsource • Junodownload • Beatport • Spotify • iTunes & other digital outlets Author : Makhosi Nkosi Artist : 1000Kings Ft. Sam's Music Label : 1000Kings Records Publisher : 1000Kings Movement Distributor : iMusician Genre : Nu-Jazz • Broken Beats • Soulful • Deep House No of tracks : 8 Registered #SAMRO #RISA #SAMPRA Name : Makhosi S Nkosi Cell : 0732546757 Email : dj.a.k.a.king@webmail.co.za Address: 2282 Nkabinde Street Wesselton Township Ermelo, 2351 https://m.facebook.com/1000kingsMovement https://facebook.com/onethousankings https://twitter.com/1000KINGS_SA https://soundcloud.com/1000king https://youtube.com/1000KINGSMOVEMENT ™ https://instagram.com/onethousandkings https://1000kingsmovement.bandcamp.com https://www.flowcode.com/page/1000kingsrecords https://www.musicinafrica.net/directory/1000kings < Previous Article Next Article >

Uncertainly looms as Motshekga consistently fumbles 1/1 Share GK CRONJE 2 June 2020 The unions said this is a time to show solidarity with the plight of other provinces, and sympathy with the plight of thousands of teachers and children across the country. The unions have called on Motshekga to meet teacher unions and governing body associations on 11 June for "genuine assessment and engagement" about the readiness of the system. “If we follow the protocols and maintain all precautions, we will effectively minimize the risk posed by the coronavirus.” There are the words of President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has urged schools to not reopen until all the necessary precautions are in place. This comes after the return to school for Grades 7 and 12 has been delayed by another week. President Ramaphosa has assured parents that government and all stakeholders are doing all they can to ensure their children’s safety. Teacher unions have called on schools not to reopen amid the chaos caused by government's last-minute 7 day postponement. “We have heard them, we welcome their contributions and are taking steps to address their concerns as well as proposals.” the President stated. Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga was expected to address the nation on Sunday evening, and has been heavily criticized for her apparent inability to maintain a sense of order in her department, and with the confusing myriad of conflicting statements made. The Council of Education Ministers (CEM) was concerned that, in some provinces, personal protective equipment (PPE) for pupils had not been received and some schools had not been made ready for their return. Despite Motshekga claiming otherwise, school governing bodies and unions believe it is not in the best interest of children and teachers to return to school while there is uncertainty about health and safety. “The response never came through until the statement which was released after two cancellations of the media briefing, and despite an undertaking in the meeting by the minister on behalf of the CEM. The teacher unions were vindicated by the independent monitoring consortium led by the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT) that the system wasn't ready for the reopening of the schools for learners in Grade 7 and 12 on 1 June 2020. The minister asked for time to consult her colleagues, and committed to respond on 31 May, which she did not honour. This is a betrayal of trust, and does not bode well for the credibility of the education system. We want to put on record that the date of 8 June was never mentioned in the meeting, because the focus was readying the system and ensuring that all the provinces comply with the 12 non-negotiables,” unions NAPTOSA, PEU, NATU, SADTU and the SAOU collectively stated. The unions alleges that the Department of Basic Education is "obsessed with dates and ignoring the evidence of provincial readiness. The lack of appreciation for evidence can only be characterized as irresponsible and negligent,” they echoed. The unions said this is a time to show solidarity with the plight of other provinces, and sympathy with the plight of thousands of teachers and children across the country. The unions have called on Motshekga to meet teacher unions and governing body associations on 11 June for "genuine assessment and engagement" about the readiness of the system. The proposed date for re-opening is now 8 June 2020, but is subject to change at any time. < Previous Article Next Article >

Ligbron rugby 53ste in die land Ligbron rugby 53ste in die land Ligbron rugby 53ste in die land 1/1 Share SH HATTINGH 8 September 2020 Tydens die dekade is daar na verskeie aspekte gekyk soos, sterkte van opposisie, werklike punte behaal op veld en nog vele meer. Ligbron is onder die top 100 skole van die dekade, en die top groot skool in Mpumalanga asook onder die top drie skole in Mpumalanga. Ligbron Akademie vir Tegnologie is 53ste in die land met hulle puik rugby. Afgesien van die COVID-19 pandemie, wat veroorsaak het dat daar geen sport kon beoefen of gespeel word nie, het die SA Skole Sport na die laaste dekade (2001-2019) gekyk om te kan bevestig waar elke skool lê. Tydens die dekade is daar na verskeie aspekte gekyk soos, sterkte van opposisie, werklike punte behaal op veld en nog vele meer. Ligbron is onder die top 100 skole van die dekade, en die top groot skool in Mpumalanga asook onder die top drie skole in Mpumalanga. < Previous Article Next Article >

Hefty fine for tampering with fire hydrants Hefty fine for tampering with fire hydrants 1/2 Share GK CRONJE 3 November 2020 A person who uses a fire hydrant without the appropriate authorization is liable to prosecution. A fine of R2 500 awaits individuals who illegally tamper with municipal fire hydrants. It was noticed in Friday that individuals helped themselves at a fire hydrant in Church Street, and several large containers were repeatedly filled with water from the hydrant. The culprit had a makeshift tool handy to open the fire hydrant. According to the available by-laws, it is illegal to use a fire hydrant to obtain water for purposes other than fire fighting, unless authorised by the water authority or person to whom the hydrant belongs. A person who uses a fire hydrant without the appropriate authorization is liable to prosecution. A fine of R2 500 awaits individuals who illegally tamper with municipal fire hydrants. The community is urged to refrain from tampering with fire hydrants, as those in question often waste precious water, and also repeatedly leave fire hydrants partially open, aggravating the wasteful behavior. < Previous Article Next Article >