PROTESTS and yet more protests as residents around Ndlambe ask for the houses promised them many years before. Or else it is residents demanding better law enforcement and protection. Or it could be just another protest against President Jacob Zuma. Whatever the reason, no one benefits in the short term as business is disrupted and people lose money, maybe even jobs. However, it seems like the protest by the residents of New Rest, who are complaining that they have been promised houses or land on which to build them for the past 17 years. They reasoned that, when Ekuphumleni residents protested, money earmarked for the development of Thornhill was diverted to Kenton and the housing project there. After being promised a follow-up meeting following their previous protest which blocked the R67 recently, Ndlambe speaker Vivian Maphaphu and councillor MK Raco had not been in contact with them. Is it just me, or do these seemingly perpetual protests remind you of a time before 1994?
THIS weekend is fairly quiet in terms of events. But don’t forget the Bathurst Vintage Fair / Scramble will take place at the Bathurst Showgrounds where racing will start from 11am on Saturday. Vintage motocross and car show.
AS for local news, a proposal has been submitted to Ndlambe Municipality regarding the erection of a cell tower at the NGK Dias church on Broadway. Some locals are angry that they were not consulted but, as dominie of the church Wikus Venter said, it is still early days. It is a proposal only at this stage and must be addressed by the municipality and then discussed among all residents in the area. This is only likely to take place next month, so residents have time to compile the support or objections before anything takes place.
THE Community Policing Forum (CPF) is again warning residents to be careful when they leave their houses to close all windows and not allow expensive items – particularly electronic devices – exposed. If you are going away for more than a few days, do not leave lights on all night and get your neighbours to pick up any mail or newspapers delivered to your home. This will reduce the chances of being burgled.
DESPITE the Constitutional Court (ConCourt) Ruling that social development minister, Bathabile Dlamini, must fix the debacle at the South African Social Security Agency for benefits payments, the minister seems a long way from fulfilling that mandate. Now she is embroiled in a contest with the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) who want to know why Dlamini spent Sassa money on bodyguards to protect her children (when they are not Sassa employees), where the almost R1.1-billion went in irregular expenditure and why Dlamini wants R6-billion and five years to implement a system that the Con court gave her just 12 months to rectify. This, unfortunately, is the state of our politics at this time. There is never a day without some form of scandal by government officials. This is particularly problematic for the people like those at New Rest, Bathurst and elsewhere, who have legitimate grievances but cannot get them heard because ministers and officials are dealing with their own issues.
HAPPY birthday greetings and every good wish for the year ahead to everyone celebrating a birthday in the coming week, especially Natalie Hanstein, Gavin Deenik, Rose Bartlett, Linda Gibson, Aileen Cunningham, Taylor du Plessis, Roy McLean, Gail Turner, Kay Hartzenberg, Paul Haywood, Lal Purdon, Darren de Bruin, Cuan Macgregor, Risha Faca, Karen Hecht, Gavyn Letley, Justin Thackeray, Ruth Wewege, Gayle le Roux, Denise Cock, Ann Bandy, Taylor du Plessis, Erroleen Boarolo, Joan Dyson, Bev Scoble, Jean Bathomley, Andrew Goetsch, Eileen Moody, Mia Groenewald, Travis Jacobs, Duzi Mklaipi, Billy Paterson, Jacques Scheepers, Julie Bessinger, Hester du Plessis, Ted Mathews, Ann Meyer, Anton Gouws, Dan Ward.
TO all business and community organisations who are enjoying another anniversary, we extend our sincere congratulations and may you have continued success in the future to Ocean Basket, Leach Pharmacy, Kingston Farm and Restaurant (Bathurst), Gail’s Dance School, Nduna Lodge, The Sandbar Floating Restaurant (Bushmans), First Port Alfred Cubs and Scouts, the Bathurst Methodist.
RATINGS agency Fitch has confided that it is wary of the lack of development and strict fiscal management by South Africa, saying that another downgrade is now a real possibility. In town the other day a lady told me that she doesn’t care about the downgrade to “junk status” because it doesn’t affect her. Might I suggest you sell that one to the 114 workers laid off at Johnson and Johnson in Port Elizabeth. This is just the beginning as big companies begin to withdraw due to our unstable economy, slashing jobs and increasing the price of almost every item in your shopping basket. At the time of going to press the rand was trading slightly better at R13.13 to the dollar (R15.73), R17.01 to the pound (R22.74) and R14.57 to the Euro (R17.75). Gold was trading at $1247.80 per fine ounce ($1 271.76), platinum at $943.20 per ounce ($1 041.00) with Brent crude oil at $51.54 per barrel ($49.53).
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, Dot Fetherstonhaugh, Ben Kember, Myrna Keet, Barbara Tee, Brenda Shelton.
CONGRATULATIONS to Roche Vorster and Georgina Rattray who were engaged on Friday May 12. Wishing you all the best for your future together.
WEDDING anniversary greetings and congratulations for many more to everyone celebrating this special occasion in the week ahead, especially Hector and Kathy MacDonald, Gordon and Muriel Gill, Treg and Edna Robey.
RUBY wedding greetings and congratulations to Hein and Kay Vosloo on this great occasion. May your 40th anniversary be wonderful and may there by many more amazing years ahead.
WHAT a fantastic result for the Blitz Bokke in winning the HSBC Sevens Word Series with one leg still to go. The Blitz Bokke beat Scotland 15-5 in a rather tense final at the Stade Jean Bouin on Sunday, but had earlier wrapped up the series after beating New Zealand in the Cup semi-finals. This ends New Zealand’s reign of four successive series wins and is the only fair result for all the work Neil Powell and his men have put in. This is the first World Series the Blitz Bokke have won since 2009.
AND another well done to the Southern Kings who beat (my team) the Sharks 35-32 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. Anyone who underestimates our Eastern Cape side had better watch out because these guys can play.
THOUGHT for the week: “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony”.
BEST regards as always,
The Team
