TODAY (Thursday) is the first meeting of the new Ndlambe Council and the new councilors will be sworn in to their respective positions. There have been a lot of changes in terms of ward councilors and it is hoped that they will do a good job and alleviate the plight of some of the poorer residents in the area, while encouraging businesses and tourists to help develop the local economy. As of the time or writing, we are unaware of who the majority ANC council will elect as mayor. Although short in stature, former mayor Sipho Tandani will leave some big shoes to fill. Talk of the Town wishes all the new councilors (and the old ones) a great term in office.
THERE have been a number of court cases heard over the last week, and TotT has received some criticism on social media for its reporting of them. However, the criticism has been unduly influenced by Facebook posters who have attempted to make it into a racial issue. One crime is a murder, and the other is actually two separate cases of sexual assault on minors. TotT has always reported important crimes in the area, but remain bound by the law of the land as well as the strict direction of the courts. It must be clear that the two cases are entirely different, and whether or not they were perpetrated by blacks or whites is entirely irrelevant from a reporting perspective.
As far as this writer is concerned, there are only two races: the human race and the race where Wayde van Niekerk won the 400m gold medal at the Rio Olympics.
NELSON Mandela Bay will almost certainly have a new mayor after the DA won the majority of the votes, but not the 50%+ required to lead the metro outright. DA mayoral candidate Athol Trollip was due to make an announcement of possible coalition (or, at least, cooperation) with some of the smaller parties late on Wednesday, too late for publication in the paper. However, let’s hope that such alliances (which will also need to be made in Tshwane) give some hope to the residents and that issues such as bucket-system toilets and the non-collection of rubbish are handled better there than in the past.
HAPPY birthday greetings to everyone who is another year older in the week ahead. Congratulations to all, especially Dale Waters, Shirley Evans, Raymond Kelbrick, Mary-Anne Goddard, Marge Timm, Beryl van Wyk, Jurie Swart, Thanduxolo Jika, Gary Human, Tracy Hancock, Sute Sülter, Connor Thorp, Amy Bennett, Carole Hill, Nancy Meyer, Yvonne Logan, Gillis de Korte, Karen Kew, Sipho Tandani, Peter Colywas, Chandra Knowles, Eunice van Rooyen, Jacqueline Harris, Lezle Broodryk, Sid Penney, the Scheeper’s twins – Brodwyn and Andrico, Teago Pone, Tanya Adams, Apto Hansen, Amanda Pretorius, Connor Halforty, Millicent Gaseba, Finn Letley, Rhonda Swanepoel, Hilton Keeton, Rob Gimbel, Jennifer Fullarton, Gys Waller, Gail Kember, Daphne Howarth, Patrick Cull, Lionel Nel, Mary Long, Gordon Goff, Stan Webber, Susan Nel, Tammy Johnson, Neville Hope, Carl Marais, Jacqui Parsons, Tracy Wright, Christina Chitsiga, Darian Dove.
WELL done, congrats and further success for the future to the following businesses who are having an anniversary, especially PA Tyre and Exhaust Centre, Spinning Reel Family Beach Cottages, Chalets and B&B on their 53rd anniversary.
THE financial markets are still in disarray due to Brexit and uncertainty regarding the state of the Euro. With the US elections being only a few months away the markets have practically stalled. This is good news for South African businesses purchasing materials and products from overseas, but not so good for our exports. And, with the SA Reserve Bank announcing a 0% growth for 2016, this could come back to bite us in the longer term. Brent crude is also on the rise again, recovering from its low of around $40 per barrel a few weeks ago to around $50 this week. With last year’s figures in brackets to refer to, the Rand was trading at R13.46 to the Dollar (R12.88), R17.50 to the Pound (R20.19) and R15.16 to the Euro (R14.22). Gold is trading at $1 342.31 ($1 122.70), Platinum at $1 121.50 ($994.00) and Brent Crude Oil at $48.74 per barrel ($48.93).
WE extend our sympathy regarding the death of Harold Holt, aged 90, to his wife Sankie, children, grand-children, family and friends.
SPECIAL thoughts and prayers are with all those folk who are not well, who are having or have already had tests, operations and treatments. “Sterkte” to Roy Potter, Andrew de Vries, June Hart, Linda Hulley, Val Kilian, Ben Kember, Blake Squires, Llewellyn Wicks, Philly Dell, Myrna Keet, Barbara Tee, Peter Bassett, Sue Domann, Bevan Edwards and Brenda Shelton.
WEDDING anniversary congratulations to all couples enjoying this wonderful occasion, especially Tim and Chantelle Waller, Rob and Lydia Gimbel, Tom and Kay Hartzenberg.
WELCOME to the newest member of the TotT family, Grayson Haupt, born last Thursday to intrepid reporter Louise Carter and salesman superb Mitch Haupt. Although you’re still down in Port Elizabeth we can’t wait to get you here to show you your new desk so you can start working straight away.
CONGRATULATIONS to Elroy and Laura Winnaar on the birth of their son, Jesse Raymund Winnaar, born August 14.
WELL done to Sonja Koekemoer and Chris Kriedemann on the birth of your daughter, Raeleigh Kay Kriedemann, born August 14.
ALTHOUGH Women’s Day is over, it appears that we must now consider Women’s month as a factor on our calendars. Perhaps it’s a good thing as, according to some, men have had it their own way for far too long. So, here is to Caster Semenya: may you win another gold for South Africa in the 800m (round one was yesterday afternoon).
OUR boys will be on the field this weekend to contest the first of the Rugby Championship matches against Argentina at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. Some of the players will be a little jet-lagged, returning from their bronze-medal performance in the 7s side at the Rio Olympics, but coach Allister Coetzee is anticipating no problems in his team selection.
IT must be said again, that golden boy Wayde van Niekerk’s victory against the best runners in the world, while also smashing the previous world record in the 400m finals, deserves a massive cheer and well done. You have done your country proud.
THOUGHT for the week: “One must marry one’s feelings to one’s beliefs and ideas. That is probably the only way to achieve a measure of harmony in one’s life.”
BEST regards as always,
The Team.
