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Valerie Cilliers ([email protected])

Henko van Rensburg was net 12 toe hy sy eerste giftige slang gevang het. Vandag, 10 jaar later, weet hy genoeg

van slange vang om ‘n lewe daaruit te maak. Hy werk die afgelope paar jaar saam met Marius Koekemoer van Reptile Rescue in Lephalale om giftige slange by huise en boupersele in die dorp te vang vir die melk vir teengif. Met die jare se ondervinding ken hy die verskillende slange se gewoontes en weet hy hoe om elkeen in sy soort te bena-der. Maar verlede Donderdag het hy ook eerstehandse kennis gekry oor hoe dit voel as ‘n 2,4m swartmamba jou pik.

Henko vertel dat hy besig was met roetine hok-skoonmaak. Verskeie giftige slange word in slangkaste by Reptile Res-cue aangehou vir praatjies by skole en be-sighede. In een van die hokke is ‘n meneer van ‘n swart mamba wat Henko Donderdag sonder moeite gevang en in ‘n sak geplaas het. Daarna wou hy die stomp wat in die hok is verwyder. Hy het egter vergeet dat daar nog ‘n mamba onlangs in die hok geplaas is.

“Die mamba het agter die stomp gelê en ek het hom glad nie gesien nie, ek het gedink die hok is leeg. Toe ek aan die stomp vat, pik die mamba my,” vertel Henko Vrydag vanuit sy hospitaalkamer in die Lephalale MediClinic.

“Ek het dadelik besef hier is moeilikheid en het al die hokke toegemaak. Ek het vir Marius gebel, wat op daardie stadium by Medupi besig was om ‘n slang te vang. Hy kon dadelik Eric Roland en Hannes van den Berg van die Hitachi-noodspan ontbied. Ter-

Mamba pik slangvanger

wyl ek vir hulle gewag het, het ek besef ek moet kalm bly en het ‘n sigaret aangesteek. Ek het vir my ‘n toerniket van leerbelde ge-maak en om my voor- en bo arm vasgemaak. Intussen het ek gevoel hoe my lippe dood raak en ek het ‘n metaal smaak in my mond geproe. Ek het die skoonmaker wat daar werk gevra om my dop te hou en my deur die gesig te slaan as ek my bewussyn verloor en

... na bl. 2

Die swart mamba wat Henco verlede Donderdag op sy hand gepik het.

Henco in die hospitaal ‘n dag nadat die swart mamba hom gepik het.

www.noordnuus.co.za Noordelike Nuus / Northern News 2 MEI 20142

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op die bank gaan lê. “Gelukkig was Marius en die

noodspan binne minute daar om vir my suurstof te gee en ‘n drip aan te sit. By die hospitaal het hulle vir my 10 ampules teengif ingespuit. Ek het amper onmid-dellik verligting gevoel. Die teengif het my effens laat hallusineer en ek het op ‘n stadium figure om my bed sien staan.”

Henko se ouers, Athur en Ilze Coop het onmiddellik SMS’e uit-gestuur om mense te vra om vir hom te bid. “Die hele wêreld het omtrent gebid,” vertel Arthur. “Ons is dankbaar dat Henko so vinnig behandeling gekry het, ons glo die gebede wat uitgegaan het en die goeie behandeling wat hy gekry het is die rede waarom hy so gou uit die hospitaal ontslaan kon word. Ek dink die les wat ‘n mens hieruit kan leer is dat jy nooit mak moet word as dit by wilde diere en veral giftige slange kom nie.”

Marius het die week aan Noordelike Nuus gesê dit is belangrik om te besef dat ‘n mens nie sommer dood neerslaan as ‘n slang jou byt nie. “Jy móét kalm bly en jou hartklop stadig hou. As jy gou genoeg by behandeling kan uitkom gaan jy ongedeerd anderkant uit-

Swart mamba pik slangvanger... van bl. 1

kom, met miskien ‘n bietjie meer respek vir die reptiele en dankbaarheid dat jy gespaar is. Die groot faktor wat in Henko se guns getel het, is kennis. Hy het geweet om kalm te bly en hulp te ontbied. Dit is belangrik dat inwoners in die Bosveld, waar daar ses van die 13 dodelike slange voorkom, die slange sal kan uitken met basiese kennis van hoe hulle gif werk.”(Sien gerus Noordelike Nuus se webblad vir ‘n artikel oor die ses dodelike slange).

Henko bedank die dokters en die ver-pleegpersoneel van MediClinic Lephalale vir die uitstekende behandeling wat hy gekry het.

The Southern African Development Commu-nity (SADC) Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM) is impressed and satisfied with the level of South Africa’s preparations for the May 7 General Elections.

SADC launched the first international ob-server mission in Pretoria on Saturday.

Speaking at the launch, Acting Head of SADC Electoral Observer Mission, Mohlabi Kenneth Tsekoa, who is also Foreign Affairs Minister in Lesotho, said the observer mis-sion team is here to observe that democratic processes were being followed during the elections.

Tsekoa said he is impressed with the level of preparations for the elections. “We have no doubt that this atmosphere of peace that exists before the elections will continue to hold during and after the elections, as an ob-server mission, we commit to the neutrality and independence of the observers.

“We insist on our mission to uphold SADC Electoral Observer Mission guidelines,” he said, adding that 160 SADC observers will be monitoring the elections.

During the elections, the observers will be deployed in all the provinces to observe the elections.

Tsekoa said South Africa, as one of the big countries in the sub-region, owes it to itself to set a good example as it has done in the past.

“The legacy of the first President Nelson Mandela must live on, everybody must be persuaded by the fond memories of a man

Boere in die Lephalale omgewing is by verlede Donderdag se landelike veiligheid vergadering weer gevra om heraansoek te doen vir lidmaatskap van die plaaslike Brandbestryding vereniging (BBV).

Voorsitter vir die landelike tak van die BBV, Pieter du Plessis, het by die

SADC gives SA elections the nodwho sacrificed his entire life to ensure that the future generations of South Africa can freely elect governments of their choice and that all have equal opportunities,” he said.

After the elections, the team will converge and compile its report about their experi-ences and the elections.

More members of the observer mission team are expected to arrive in the country during the course of the week.

This year South Africa will be conducting its firth general elections since 1994.

This year’s election is special as it coin-cides with the country’s 20th anniversary of democratic transition.

The observers will work to ensure that the elections are fair, transparent and peaceful.

Some of the observer mission team mem-bers, who are already in the country, have started their work of monitoring the situation prior to the elections.

Also speaking at the same event was SADC Executive Secretary Dr Stergomena Tax who said she was hopeful that all will go well on Elections Day.

“The SADC observers are committed in ensuring that there is peace, security and stability during the elections,” she said.

She echoed Tsekoa’s sentiments that the observers will be guided by the SADC elec-toral code of conduct.

The last SEOM assignment was to ob-serve the elections in Madagascar last year, in December. – SAnews

Wees gereed vir die brandseisoenvergadering gesê boere moet heraansoek doen om te verseker dat die databasis op datum is. Hy het verder ook gesê aansoeke sal slegs aanvaar word indien wyksleiers die aansoekvorms teken. Vorms is ook by die onderskeie wyks-leiers beskikbaar. Vir inligting skakel gerus vir Pieter du Plessis by sel: 082 469 0638.

2 MAY 2014 Northern News / Noordelike Nuus www.noordnuus.co.za 3

SADC gives SA elections the nod

17 residensiële inbrake oor langnaweekResidensiële inbrake in die Lephalale omgewing het die afgelope jaar noemens-waardig toegeneem, so is die gemeenskap verlede Donderdag by die gemeenskaps-polisiëring vergadering meegedeel.

Dit wil voorkom of misdadigers huise in Onverwacht, veral langs die gholfbaan en ook asbes huise teiken. Sekuriteit-eenhede met 24-uur sekuriteit word ook nie uitges-luit nie. In die meeste gevalle word slotte aan deure oopgebreek terwyl inwoners slaap. Meeste inbrake kom voor tussen 02:00 en 05:00. Plasma TV’s, selfone en skootrekenaars bly van die gewildste items wat gesteel word.

Volgens adjudant offisier Frans Mo-koena het die Lephalale polisie inligting ontvang dat die plasma TV’s gesteel word om chemikalieë daaruit te haal om die dwelm Nyaope te vervaardig. Hy het ook bevestig dat daar vanaf Vrydag 25 April tot Dinsdag 29 April 17 huisbrake en drie be-sigheidsinbrake gerapporteer is. Hy maan die gemeenskap om te registreer op die polisie se patrollielys indien hulle huis leeg staan gedurende die vakansies.

Elektronika hoog op inbrekers sy lysBesighede en woonhuise in Mokopane het die afgelope week erg deurgeloop onder die werksaamhede van ‘n groep inbrekers wat hulle op kontant en elektroniese toebehore toelê.

Verlede Vrydag is daar toegeslaan by ‘n huis in Hoogestraat waar inbrekers skootrek-enaars, selfone, ‘n GPS, ‘n kamera, ‘n mikrogolfoond, ‘n draagbare televisie en ‘n hoeksnyer gesteel het.

Daar is oor die naweek ook onder an-dere by drie HOP huise in uitbreiding 17 ingebreek en nog ‘n huis in Rivierstraat in Chroom Park.

Inbrekers het ook in Maandagnag by die Spur in Thabo Mbekilaan ingebreek. Nadat hulle van die dakteëls verwyder het, het hulle deur die dak ingeklim en kontant en ‘n skootrekenaar buitgemaak.

Oor die naweek is daar ook by ‘n besigheidsperseel in Simmentalerstraat in die industriële gebied ingebreek waar ‘n rekenaar en luidsprekers gesteel is.

In Pretoriusstraat is die deur van Spies TV oop geforseer en kontant asook vier rolle elektriese dubbeldraad gesteel.

By ander persele in uitbreiding 17 is ‘n DVD speler en luidsprekers gesteel.

Enigiemand met inligting wat tot die in-hegtenisneming van hierdie inbrekers kan lei word versoek om Lt.Kol. Kidebone Mashe-maite te skakel by 082 565 8629.

Plaaswonings geteikenVerskeie plaaswonings is die afgelope langnaweek in die Lephalale omgewing beroof.

Volgens adjudant offisier Frans Mokoe-na, woordvoerder vir die Lephalale polisie, is plaaswonings wat oor die vakansie tyd-perk leeg staan ‘n maklike teiken vir diewe.

Hy rapporteer ook dat twee voertuie verlede Vrydag op twee van die Rietspruit plotte net buite die dorp gesteel is. Nog geen verdagtes is in verband met die voer-tuigdiefstal aangekeer nie.

The policing of municipal bylaws in Lepha-lale remains a contentious issue as local police and the municipality keeps on passing the buck when it comes to enforcing bylaws related to issues such as urinating, drinking and gambling in public.

At a Community policing forum meeting held last Thursday the issue was once again placed on the agenda for discussion. Chair-person, Thys Eloff, is concerned that there are not enough public toilets in town. He also voiced his concern that not enough is being done to address public indecency.

Over the past few months Northern News has received many complaints from the pub-lic about loiterers who drink and urinate in public at the Onverwacht business centre. At around 07:30 Friday morning a group of men were spotted drinking, gambling and at times urinating in public behind the Onverwacht post office.

The Lephalale police only responded to the call an hour later and after the men had dispersed. They said they were attending to a housebreaking case and could not be there earlier.

Northern News spoke to one of the men who were seen urinating in public who said that lack of public toilets forced him to use the nearest tree. He apologized and left.

In the meantime the municipal bylaws have been approved and the fines set. However, with an overworked police force that do not have enough personnel to police petty crimes, the question remains whether these laws will ever be enforced?

Who will enforce our bylaws?

Stemdag prosedureDie nasionale verkiesing wat Woensdag landwyd plaasvind sal kiesers in staat stel om ‘n nasionale en provinsiale stem uit te bring. ‘n Provinsiale stem sal egter net ge-maak kan word indien die kieser binne die provinsie is waar hy geregistreer is.

As jy in Limpopo geregistreer is, maar jou op stemdag in Gauteng bevind kan jy net ‘n nasionale stem uitbring. Kiesers moet ook seker maak dat daar ‘n wit OVK plakker in hul ID boeke is. Indien jy nie so ‘n plakker het nie (omdat jy dalk ‘n nuwe ID boek gekry het) moet jy by die lokaal stem waar jy op die stemregister verskyn anders sal jy glad nie kan stem nie.

Die OVK raai kiesers aan om in elk geval by hulle eie geregistreerde stemlokale te stem, om die logostiek van die stemprose-dure te vergemaklik.


The MediClinic Lephalale private hospital was officially opened last Thursday at a black tie event hosted by MediClinic. Invited guests were wonderfully entertained by the Gaugteng opera group and councillor Astrid Basson spoke on behalf of the Mayor’s of-fice.

Keynote speaker, the CEO of MediClinic SA, Koert Pretorius, said he is positive about the future of private health care services in South Africa.

“The opening of the new MediClinic Lephalale is a significant achievement for MediClinic Southern Africa and one that we are extremely proud of. The opening of this modern facility, with its 34 beds and one theatre, supports government’s objective to increase access to quality healthcare ser-vices. To this end, we want to acknowledge the support that we have received from the Limpopo department of health who provided permission for the development of this hospi-tal and issued the required license.

“We have always been encouraged by the enthusiastic support that we enjoy from the local medical fraternity and we have to acknowledge the important role that our sup-porting doctors have played in the develop-ment of this new facility. Without the com-mitment and support of the local doctors, a project of this nature would not be possible.”

MediClinic Lephalale which opened its

Hospital makes community proud

Met die verkiesing om die draai het baie lesers van Noordelike Nuus die afgelope tyd by ons kantore navraag gedoen oor die departement van binnelandse sake se ‘Smart ID’ kaarte. Hulle wou weet of hulle dringend moet gaan aansoek doen vir sulke kaarte en of hulle al by die plaaslike departement kantore daarvoor kan aansoek doen.

In hierdie stadium is fasiliteite vir die uitreik van hierdie identiteits-kaarte nog nie beskikbaar in Mokopane of Lephalale nie. Volgens die Departement se webtuiste is sulke fasiliteite net beskikbaar by die Jane Furse kantoor in Lebowa, die Polokwane kantoor en in Tzaneen.

Volgens die Onafhanklike Verkiesingskommissie kan kiesers met hul groen identiteitsdokumente of nuwe ID kaarte stem. Geldige tydelike identiteitsdokumente sal ook aanvaar word.

Hou die Noordelike Nuus dop om te weet wanneer Mokopane en Lephalale se binnelandse sake kantore gereed is om ID Kaarte uit te reik.

Another setback for MashemaiteA court application by Mogalakwena’s former mayor, Thlalefi Mashemaite (photo right) and his right-hand man, Sam Mon-tane, to have their removal from the ex-ecutive committee overturned failed when their application was struck from the roll and they were ordered to pay the munici-pality’s legal costs as well as their own last week.

This followed the April 17 council reso-lution that saw Mashemaite, Montane as well as Sanny Tlhaku, Cllr David Langa, Abram Tsebe and Rahab Lebelo removed from the executive com-mittee. Victor Mashamaite resigned before the resolution. Council resolved to remove all the councilors implicated in the KPMG re-port as Exco members to be ordinary councilors.

Noordelike Nuus se lesers het die afgelope week laat weet dat die e-posse waardeur hulle by Moko-pane se elektroniese gemeenskapspolisiëringsforum aansluit terugkeer met ‘n boodskap dat die adres nie bestaan nie.

Dit blyk dat die korrekte adres iewers in die ver-talingsproses verdraai geraak het. Die korrekte adres is: [email protected].

Mense wat ‘n e-pos na hierdie adres stuur waarin hulle vra om by die forum aan te sluit sal dan outomaties op die e-poslys kom wat maandeliks na afloop van die forum aan alle elektroniese lede terug-voer oor die forum gee.

doors to the public in November last year, is currently a 34-bed hospital consisting of a eight bed paediatric ward, eight-bed obstetric ward, 16-bed general ward, two bed high care unit and one laminar flow theatre.

The hospital serves as a referral hospital for Vaalwater, Steenbokpan, Stockpoort, Seleka, Marken, Tom Bourke and Swartwater.

A pharmacy for the community is also

available in the administrative block of the hospital. The emer-gency department has a Triage area, as well as a two bed resus-citation unit. 24-hour emergency services are available and are contracted out to Dr Matebesi and Partners from In-Control Health Solutions.

Radiology and pathology services are available at the hospital although these services are contracted out to supporting medical practitioners.

Two session rooms are available for our visiting specialists who visit the hospital on a monthly basis. There are two gynaecologists, two orthopaedic surgeons, one general sur-geon, one ear, nose and throat surgeon, one paediatrician, one urologist, one ophthalmologist and one orthodontist who visit the hospital on a regular basis.

The hospital employs 47 permanent staff and according to Pretorius, construction for doctors consulting rooms and staff ac-commodation will start within the next few months.

“In general, the community’s feeling about the hospital is extremely positive, for which we are very grateful. We have been able to maintain a respectable reputation due to community involvement as well as professional nursing and medical care – expertise you can trust,” he added.

ID kaarte nog nie hier beskikbaar Nog ‘n renoster gestroop‘n Renosterbul is verlede Vrydag op ‘n plaas net buite Lephalale dood-geskiet.

Volgens adjudant offisier Frans Mokoena van die Lephalale polisie is die bul na wat vermoed word helder oordag op ‘n plaas so 10km uit die dorp geskiet.

Daar is volgens Mokoena baie min leidrade en geen arrestasies is gemaak nie.

Die regte polisieforum e-pos adresMisdaad wenke en -waarskuwings sal ook aan

lede van hierdie e-poslys gestuur word.Op hulle beurt kan lede wat klagtes het of dalk

raad met die gemeenskap wil deel dit ook via hier-die e-posadres na die forum stuur vanwaar dit met ander lede gedeel word.

GPF voorsitter, Andy Goetsch, het verduidelik dat hierdie stap geneem word omdat baie mense deel wil neem aan die GPF, maar nie vergaderings in besigheidsure kan bywoon nie.

“Ons wil elkeen betrek by die stryd teen misdaad en ek glo hierdie manier gaan dit vir almal moontlik maak om deel te neem.”


An emergency generator valued at R8, 5 million and a R6, 7 million uninter-rupted power supply system is only some of the future acquisitions which will form part of Eskom’s reported R500 million cosmetic upgrade of Megawatt Park, Eskom’s head office in Johannesburg the DA reported this week

The party announced on Tuesday that it will write to the chairperson on the Standing Committee on Public Ac-counts, Themba Godi, demanding Es-kom executives urgently be summoned to Parliament over a upgrade.

“We cannot stand by while the South African public is forced to foot the bill for the mother of all ‘extreme make-overs’. To add insult to injury, it is the South African public who will feel the brunt of load-shedding in the winter months ahead,” says Natasha Michael, DA Shadow Minister of Public Enter-prises.

“Eskom not only struggles to pro-vide tens of thousands of South African homes with power due to delayed con-struction at Medupi and Kusile power stations, but also seeks a government “equity injection” of R50 billion to ease its cash-flow problems.

“Eskom’s dire financial crises is likely to visit higher electricity prices on South Africans and result in wasteful expendi-

Daar het onlangs belangrike kennisgewings in Noordelike Nuus verskyn ten opsigte van kommentaar wat gevra is van die publiek op die Lephalale begroting en die IDP (Inte-grated Development Plan).

Die dokumente is beskikbaar by die Lephalale Munisipaliteit sowel as in Marapong, Thabo Mbeki, Ga-Seleka, Shongoane en Mokoruanyane.

Kommentaar moet teen 16 Mei 2014 ingedien word.

Lede van die publiek moet daarop let dat die voorgestelde nuwe tariewe wat op 1 Julie 2014 in werking sal treë ook in die begroting vervat is. Dit sluit in elektrisiteit- en water-tariewe.

Voorgestelde tariefverhogings sluit in:Eiendomsbelasting 5.6%

Linke Nel die twee-jarige dogtertjie van Lephalale wat tans in Australië behande-ling kry vir 'n seldsame vorm van Akute Limfoblastiese Leukemie (ALL) maak volgens dokters daar goeie vordering.

Haar ma, Rene vertel dat haar nier-funksie die afgelope paar dae noemens-waardig verbeter het.

Dit gaan ook goed met die hele gesin nou dat Linke se pappa, Brandt, ook saam met hulle in Australië is. Hy sal voorlopig tot die einde Junie kan aanbly om sy gesin by te staan.

Intussen kry Linke weekliks IV chemo en daagliks orale chemo en steroiede.

‘n Aspirasie sal weer 5 Junie gedoen word om te sien of die behandeling tot dusver suksesvol was en of sy steeds in remissie is.

Linke het ook onlangs haar tweede ver-jaardag gevier en dokters en verpleegperso-neel van die Westmead kinderhospitaal het die dag vir haar spesiaal gemaak.

Linke se vordering kan gevolg word op die facebook blad “Little Linke Love", daar is ook besonderhede oor hoe finansiëel bygedra kan word tot haar behandeling.

Klein Linke vorder goed

“Eskom HQ upgrade a disgrace” - DAture should government choose to extend further guarantees to cover the power utility’s issued debt,” she added.

According to the DA the proposed up-grades include:

Î R3 million earmarked for a VIP entrance and offices, plus R60 8000 for curtaining;

Î Landscaping at R1, 4 million, fea-turing LED strip lights and a “timber-clad seating wall” made from Rhodesian teak;

Î Timber deck walkways, carpet tiles in “Eskom blue” and semi-polished porcelain floor and wall tiles;

Î Revamped cafés, pause areas with brushed aluminium skirtings, a 9m-high newsstand, feature walls and an awards cabinet;

Î Air conditioning, heating and ventilation at a cost of R81 million and automatic motorised venetian window blinds; and

Î A parking area featuring racks to accommodate 244 bicycles and toilet cubicles with custom-designed graphic wallpaper and new sanitary ware.

Eskom defended its proposed up-grades to Meagwatt Park when spokes-man Andrew Etzinger told the media that the upgrades “are essential and neces-sary for the health and safety of staff, data security and the improvement of energy efficiency.”

Eskom’s cash flow situation is stable, the state entity said on Friday.

Eskom’s statement follows media reports this week that the entity has asked government for a R50 billion “equity injection”.

“Eskom would like to reassure the nation at large that its cash flow situation is very stable. Eskom manages its cash flow in a responsible manner and will always make sure that it has sufficient liquidity balances both in terms of actual liquid assets as well as to easily issue financial instruments to manage any unexpected liquidity needs,” it said in a statement.

For some time Eskom has said that the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa’s) 2013 third multi-year price determination (MYPD3) decision to allow Eskom an 8% annual tariff increase left Eskom with a R225 billion revenue shortfall over a five year period between 2013 and 2018.

In its application to Nersa in October 2012 for a tariff hike, Eskom asked the regulator to grant it a total 16% hike over the course of a five-year period.

The Eskom Board and Executive Committee had to move to find a solution to the R225 billion revenue shortfall from the reduced Nersa determination.

“Although the R225 billion revenue shortfall from the Nersa’s MYPD3 deter-mination has been closed out (through Es-kom’s internal efficiency processes), it has left Eskom’s credit metrics showing negli-gible improvement over the MYPD3 period.

“This is seen as inappropriate as Eskom seeks to be a fiscally responsible entity and where possible limit undue dependence on the shareholder,” said Eskom.

Currently Eskom is in talks with the shareholder ministry, the Department of Public Enterprises, as well as National Trea-sury to find a long-term solution which may or may not include an equity injection.

Eskom denies cash-flow problems“Despite the figures of a possible state

intervention being bandied about in the media, it is still too premature to mention the mechanism or amount of balance sheet improvement which will be pursued as dis-cussions are currently underway.”

Additionally the parastatal has submit-ted a Regulatory Clearing Account (RCA) application to Nersa for the MYPD2 period i.e. the application seeks to recover over/un-der expenditure for that period based on the initial assumptions at MYPD2 award.

Through this process, Nersa is reviewing whether what it awarded Eskom previously, based on its forward estimates of costs such as coal, stacks up against the costs that have actually been incurred over the period.

The regulator will make its own pro-nouncement on that. This is a normal Nersa process and Eskom has not asked Nersa for a re-opening of the MYPD3 price increase decision as had been reported in the media.

The 8% regulatory price determination in February last year has forced Eskom to continue to prioritise productivity and sus-tainability.

“The utility is acutely aware of its obliga-tions and will continue to access financial markets efficiently and will prioritise this in its decision-making as it actively continues to manage its finances. In addition to cost cutting measures mentioned above, Eskom is exploring all other avenues of potential funding, as any business would.

“The renewed focus on the improvement of Eskom’s balance sheet is to ensure that Eskom comfortably maintains an invest-ment grade credit rating, thereby facilitat-ing cost effective access to the substantial domestic and international capital which Eskom requires. It is important that Eskom remains financially sustainable to enable us to keep the lights on and deliver on its build programme,” said Eskom’s Finance Director Tsholofelo Molefe.- SAnews

Kommentaar oor begroting gevraElektrisiteit 8.06%Water 5.60%Sanitasie 5.60%Vullisverwydering 5.60%Kommersiële en industriële gebruikers

sal volgens die voorgestelde tariewe groot stygings ondervind:

Kommersiële basiese heffings verander van R77.52 na R300.00.

Industriële lae spanning verander van R77.52 na R900.00 en hoë spanning van R77.52 na R800.00.

Besware teen tariefverhogings moet voor 9 Mei ingedien word.

Mense is welkom om my te kontak op 082 8229027 indien hulle verdere beson-derhede van die begroting benodig.- Astrid Basson DA raadslid Lephalale

Brief aan die Redakteur


Kom kyk die fossiele en veteraneDie Piet Potgieter Monument tehuis bied op 3 Mei weer sy jaarlikse Veteraan mo-torskou op die tehuis se terrein by Rabe straat 59 aan.

Die dag se verrigtinge begin reeds om 08:00 met die Fossils wat deur die dag vir vermaak gaan sorg. Die Fossils het in 2005 weer bymekaargekom en musiek begin maak nadat hulle 35 laas saam gespeel en opgetree het. Die groep bestaan uit Willem Branders en Ian vd Linde wat al van skool-dae af saam musiekmaak. Na hul eerste CD getiteld “Time Tattoo” is die manne lus vir nog baie jare van musiek.

Vir navrae kan die Piet Potgieter Tehuis geskakel word by 015 491 6314/5.

Onthou die dorpsmark Teken Saterdag10 Mei aan vir die volgende Dorpsmark. Die mark word aangebied deur die NG Hulp en Hoop Gemeenskapskerk. Stalletjies open om 09:00.

Kom eet ’n heerlike boere-ontbyt of ondersteun een van die ander stalletjies! Daar is heerlike gebak, speelgoed, hand-werk- en kuns items.

Die gemeenskap word by die mark betrek. Bespreek jou stalletjies by die Kerk-kantoor teen R50 per stalletjie (bring jou eie gazebo, tafel en stoel).

Vooraf goedkeuring vir stalletjies moet verkry word, aangesien daar nie uitstallers kan wees met dieselfde produkte nie. Slui-tingsdatum vir stalletjies Vrydag 9 Mei om 12:00.

Stalletjie-besprekings en navrae kan ge-doen word by die Kerkkantoor te HF Verwoerdstraat 015 491 3537

Huweliksgroei naweekHulp en Hoop Gemeenskapskerk bied ‘n huweliksgroei naweek aan – vir egpare wat hulle mooi huwelik nog mooier Wil maak. Koste beloop R600 per paar. Dit is ‘n heerlike naweek van ontspan, saamkuier en ook as egpaar by mekaar uitkom.

Inskrywings by die Kerkkantoor te HF Verwoerdstraat 18. Navrae: Dr. Chris Harris 082 335 1155

Liedjie vir Nathan vrygestel‘n Vlooimark om fondse in te samel vir Nathan Hogan (4) van Lephalale wat met neuroblas-toma gediagnoseer is sal Saterdag by die Junction in Lephalale plaasvind.

Verskeie kunstenaars sal by die geleentheid optree en organiseerders is veral opgewonde oor ‘n liedjie wat spesiaal deur Dan Vaux vir Nathan geskryf is. Die liedjie genaamd SA is Blou vir jou sal deur die singende brandweer-man by die geleentheid vrygestel word. An-der kunstenaars wat gaan optree is Erika Tolmay en Pieter Muller.

Volgens die organiseerders is daar al meer as 50 vlooimarkstalletjies, ‘n biertuin, modelkompetisie, die Ellisras got talent-kompetisie en ‘n potjiekoskompe-tisie om die dag spesiaal te maak. Hekke open Saterdag om 09:00 en kaartjies kos R30 vir volwassenes en R10 vir laerskool-kinders .

Vir meer inligting oor die model kom-petisie kontak Tessa Joubert by 014 763 6782 vir die talentkompetisie en potjiekos kompetisie kontak Charmain Robbertse 076 714 5167.

If your heart is after God, if your desire is to know Him, to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth, to meet Him, be at the RET Centre for a Youth Wor-ship evening in Mokopane on 2 May on the corner of Geyser and Fourie street.

Join us in worship on the 2nd of May

Although Merlin Tuttle does not zip around in a batmobile, he is a real-life Batman as he has dedicated most of his life to the study and advocacy of the con-servation of bats.

This world famous bat biologist visited the Soutpansberg and hosted a bat ap-preciation evening at Ridgeway College last Wednesday. Audience members were blown away by his breathtaking photo-graphs of these little night critters, that people should actually appreciate for the enormous role that they play in the eco-logical system.

Merlin and his wife, Paula, travel all over the world to study and photograph bats. Most recently, Merlin published his fifth article in the March issue of National Geographic, about tropical flowers found in Central America that use acoustics to attract bats to pollinate them.

Before Merlin’s research, it was be-lieved that these flowers were pollinated by humming birds.

According to Merlin, bats are not the carriers of rabies but are actually benefi-cial creatures to have on your farm or in your garden. Apart from pollinating flow-ers, bats also act as pest controllers.

In South Africa, bats are one of the key pollinators of the Baobab flower – an industry that generates millions in the Vhembe district alone. Recent studies also suggest that bats can feed on mosquitoes.

“Bats are far more important than what they are believed to be scary,” said Merlin.

“There are still all kinds of discover-ies to be made in the fascinating world of bats.Bats are not only fun creatures, but also profitable.” - LiN News / Zoutpansberger

Real-life Batman visits Limpopo

2 MAY 2014 Northern News / Noordelike Nuus www.noordnuus.co.za

sionele jagter gekwalifiseer en op vryskutbasis met buitelanders in die Bosveld gejag.

Eers nadat die lewe met hom ‘n paar wye draaie gemaak het, het hy so vyf jaar gelede sy volle gewig agter Authentic African Adventures, gegooi.

“Ek is in 2009 vir die eerste keer Amerika toe om kliënte by jag en buitelewe skoue te gaan werf om op ons plaas te kom jag,” vertel hy in Landbou Week-blad. Daardie jaar het hy twee kliënte uit die VSA gehad wat saam $4000 op vlaktewild jagte by hom spandeer het. Dit nadat hy meer as R70 000 span-deer het om in Amerika te gaan skou.

Maar daardie twee kliente was beïndruk met die ervaring wat Hanno en sy vrou, Bardina, aan hulle verkoop het en veral met die kwaliteit van trofeëdiere wat hulle tydens hul safari gejag en gesien het.

Die volgende jaar het hy 11 kliënte gehad en die jaar daarna 84. In 2012 het hy 132 Amerikaanse en Kanadese jagters op sy plaas akkommodeer en sed-ertdien het hy elke dag van die jagseisoen jagters uit die buiteland op sy plaas.

Aanvanklik het dit moeilik gegaan, sê Van Rens-burg. “Ek het te veel geskou en al my geld en energie in bemarking belê.” Hy onthou hoe hy op lughawens geslaap het omdat hy nie geld gehad het vir hotelka-mers nie.

“My vriende en mede-jagters uit Suid-Afrika het vir my kos gekoop, want ek het die depositos wat jag-ters my betaal het vir hul besprekings dadelik gebruik om te betaal vir die volgende skou se stalletjie.”

Nou weet hy van beter en hoewel hy tussen R600 000 en R700 000 per jaar aan bemarking spandeer, kies hy die skoue waar hy homself bemark meer oordeelkundig. Hy het ook intussen ‘n besprekingsagent in die VSA aangestel waardeur sy kliënte nou hul jagte kan bespreek.

‘n Ander been waarop sy jagsuskses rus is sy bereidwilligheid om sakpas safaris vir sy buitelandse kliënte aanmekaar te slaan. “Die meerderheid van my kliënte is gewone ouens - polisiemanne, treindrywers en so aan. Ek probeer om ‘n safari moontlik te maak vir enige ou wat ‘n droom het om in Afrika te kom jag

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Jasper Raats ([email protected])

Hanno van Rensburg van Authentic African Adventures in Baltimore is verlede naweek gekroon as Wildlife Ranching SA se wenner in die Groen Ekonomie-afdeling van die Wildboer van die Jaar toekennings vir 2013.

Van Rensburg is ook vereer as finalis in die Wild-boer van die Jaar kompetisie. Die wenner van hierdie kompetisie was ook hierdie jaar ‘n Bosvelder, Mev. Ellalien Davey van Romaco Ranch by Mookgophong.

Maar met ‘n string toekennings agter sy naam vir die laaste ses maande het dié oud leerder van Hoër-skool Piet Potgieter en eertydse hoofseun van Potgie-tersrus Laerskool baie om oor te glimlag. Hy het selfs verlede week op die blaaie van Landbou Weekblad gepryk.

Dit is sy fokus op bewaring van die ekologie, sy toewyding tot die bemagtiging van sy personeel en byna obsessiewe versorging van sy diere se genetiese gesondheid wat die groen ekonomie toekenning aan hom verseker het.

Hy boer op die plaas Cosmopolite naby Baltimore in Limpopo waar hy met skaars wild teel en waar hy bekendheid verwerf het onder Amerikaanse jagters op soek na ‘n jagervaring in wilde, donker Afrika.

Van Rensburg het sewe professionele jagters vol-tyds in sy diens asook plaasbestuurders, ‘n veeartse-nykundige assistent en ‘n span werkers wat omsien na die huishoudelike take van etes voorberei tot tro-feë slag en sout.

Om hierdie span mense bymekaar te kry het hy by die oorspronklike plaaswerkers begin. Die mans is almal opgelei en gekwalifiseer as professionele jagters en die vrouens in verskillende aspekte van die gasvryheidsbedryf. Eers toe het hy mense van buite af in diens begin neem.

Baie van hierdie mense het nog vir my pa gewerk,” sê hy.

Johan van Rensburg het darem sy seun se sukses met die wildboerdery gesien voordat hy en sy vrou, Gloudien, aan die begin van verlede jaar deur plaas rowers oorval en vermoor is.

Van al die uitdagings wat jag en boerdery in Suid-Afrika bied, was sy ouers se dood vir Hanno dalk die moeilikste ding om te oorbrug en te verwerk. “’n Mens is hartseer en kwaad gelyk. Maar ek moes baie vinnig besluit hoe ek vorentoe gaan, of ek in Suid-Afrika wou voortgaan,” vertel Hanno.

Hy het diep besin en nugter oor alles gedink toe hy tot die slotsom gekom het dat Suid-Afrika alles ten spyt, steeds die beste land in die wêreld is om in die wildbedryf te wees.

“Botswana laat nie meer jag toe nie, stropers is besig om Zimbabwe se wild uit te roei, Zambië is toe vir jagters en Mozambiek sukkel tans met politieke onstabiliteit. Daar is ander lande wat die potensiaal het om puik jagbestemmings te wees, maar met die uitsondering van Namibië maak die gebrek aan infra-struktuur in ander jagbestemmings in Afrika dit net te duur vir die meeste Europese en Amerikaanse jagters.

Hanno het besluit hy gaan nie toelaat dat die onbesonne daad van vier gewetenlose misdadigers hom en sy kinders van hul familiegrond en vaderland beroof nie. “Ten spyte van wat gebeur het, sien ek ons toekoms hier en nêrens anders nie.”

Sy liefde vir die jagveld strek oor sy hele 40-jaar leeftyd en hy het reeds in die middel 90’s as profes-

Hanno doen dit weer binne daarie ou se begroting. Ek bied aan Amerikanes pakette van so min as US$2000 en ek gee vir daai jagter net soveel ‘n Afrika jag-ervaring as wat ek vir die jagter wat die groot vyf kom jag bied.”

Daar is nie ‘n manier waarop mens ‘n besigheid soos Authentic African Adventures kan bou uit biltongjag nie,” sê hy.

“Ons verkoop meer as net karkaste vir biltong, ons verkoop ‘n jagervaring, ‘n diens wat alles van etes en skemerkelkies tot trofee voorbereiding en die was van gaste se klere insluit. Dit is nie dienste waarvoor die gemiddelde Suid-Afrikaanse biltongjagter wil betaal nie. Vir ons Suid-Afrikaners is dit nie snaaks om ‘n rooibok, vlakvark en wildebees te jag nie en ons wil nie R20 000 vir die ervaring be-taal nie.”

Dewan Jansen van Vuuren, ‘n Graad R-leerder van Laerskool Krugerpark kan nie wag vir al die vakansiedae om op ‘n einde te kom nie. Kort voor die vakansie het hy vyf drieë teen Pietersburg Oos Laerskool gedruk tydens ‘n wedstryd op Modi-molle. Dit is al waaroor hy die afgelope week by die see gesels - die skool moet nou weer begin, want hy het nog baie rugby in hom.

Klein bulletjie het groot rugbydrome


Helena Raats

Young people are losing their grip on reality in navigating their way through the pitfalls of everyday life due to continued chal-lenges foisted upon them by drugs, peer pressure and health concerns. With social media only a click away due to the func-tionality of mobile phones and internet ac-cess, they are bombarded with information that is often negative and propagate a dark future in their understanding.

Most young people are afraid of the fu-ture. But what if there’s a way to become a nation builder and for them to contribute towards positive change and social transfor-mation?

“This is what the new Mokopane Gold programme for high school learners is all about,” says Mokopane Gold project mana-ger Imogen van Wyk. “With this programme we aim to build into our country’s greatest resource which is our young people and par-ticipate in the mental, physical and spiritual development of young people in our area.”

Imogen, along with Marinda Marshall and the Gold team, launched the pro-gramme in three schools in January of this year. They have nearly 50 learners from Grade 9 enrolled at Piet Potgieter high school, North Crest Academy and Mokopane Destiny Academy. While the Implementing Organisa-tion in Limpopo is Destiny Alive, it embraces learners from any religious and cultural background.

“The aim is to equip these ‘peer educa-tors’ with the necessary skills via interactive facilitation and mentorship to turn them into leaders who will positively influence the future generation,” explains Imogen,

A message of hope for the youth

adding that these peer educators are taken on a journey of transformation, by under-taking the three year Gold Skills Training programme. These leaders are equipped with tangible skills and character to contrib-ute to positive changes in their schools and communities. Once an Alumni (Gold gradu-ate), these youth are given an opportunity to participate in the Gold Grad community and are given access to connections to future op-portunities. “It will have a ripple effect,” adds Marinda. “They use the power of peer pressure in a

positive way. They influence their friends to have a vision and hope for a brighter future and to adopt health-enhancing and purpose driven behaviour that will enable them to reach their full potential and create positive change.”

Peer education is based on the reality that many people make changes not only based on what they know but on the opinions and actions of their close, trusted peers. Peer educators are the same age as the group in which they are active. Says Marinda: “Peer educators have proven to be

more effective than adults in establishing norms and in changing attitudes related to issues such as drug abuse, bullying, sexual behaviour and even health risks.”

“However, they are not necessarily well enough equipped in transmitting factual health information and this is why they are adult-led by trained facilitators who visit the schools weekly and ensure that they have the proper guidance in dealing with peer-related issues,” says Imogen.

The Gold Peer Education Model uses a well-researched curriculum and resources. It has been tested and refined over eight years and is implemented through two - three year skills training programmes. It is grounded in researched evidence and best practices from the peer education field.

Gold’s curriculum is based on the following modules: self-development; gender, relationships and rights; sexual and reproductive health; leadership; communi-cation skills and community action.

Imogen and Marinda are personally leading the programmes on a weekly basis at the three schools and have found even the most reluctant learners becoming inter-ested as the weeks progress. “Even learn-ers that are often singled out as ‘difficult’ become excited as the programme develops and they see the opportunity to change into a positive role model amongst their friends.”

“We’ve started small with three schools, but hope to expand to all high schools in Mokopane, Mawhelereng and Mapela and even further afield if at all possible, to en-sure positive growth in the communities we live in,” explains Marinda. “The message is one of hope – and we hope to build on that very positive message.”

Mokopane Gold is calling on local busi-nesses, schools and individuals to support this programme which will benefit the com-munity as a whole.

“Partner with us for a better future through any sponsorship by way of T-shirts, caps, bags or donation,” says Imogen. “Companies are welcome to include their logos as way of sponsorships.”

Individuals who would like to donate their time and become involved in the project are also encouraged to make contact with Mokopane Gold.

Any one requiring more information or who would like to contribute via a dona-tion or sponsorship can contact Imogen at cel: 084 814 8055 or at the office on tel: 015 491 7968.

Marinda Marshall and Imogen van Wyk.


Fabrieks goedkeuring op GM,TOYOTA,

LAND ROVER, FORD, MAZDA EN NISSAN.

FERRUMPANEELKLOPPERS BK • PANELBEATERS CC

GEWAARBORGDE WERKWORK GUARANTEEDTel: 015 491 5520 / 491 5800

Insleep: 082 454 4220

Christie Thomas

STALK YOUR PREY!Wear neutral coloured clothing that will

blend in with the surrounding environment. Camo works well. Avoid bright colours!

The shoreline is the number one bass holding area so, where possible, try to pres-ent your first cast before you have reached the edge of the water.

Try to stand next to a tree or bush (or any other large object) when casting because this helps to disguise your shape.

To avoid spooking bass that might be feeding or sunning in the shallows, start with your quietest lures first (worms/plas-tics) and then progress to the noisier lures (topwaters/spinnerbait).

READ THE WATERUse your eyes!Find areas along the bank with some-

thing different close by to attract bass - fallen timber, weeds, riprap or a small river.

OBSERVE!What does the bank look like? Do you

see rocky areas along the bank? Do they extend into the water? Is the surrounding terrain hilly or filled with small koppies? Chances are there could be a hump or two in the dam. Look at weed growth in the water; a patch of weeds growing in deeper water = that spot is shallow enough for weeds to grow = hump. Humps are prime bass-holding spots.

LURES - Keep it simple!Texas-rigged worm/lizard – Use around

Fishing with Christie

Beat the bank-fishing bluescover such as brush, wood and grass beds.

Spinnerbait – Excellent for fishing murky water in all temperatures.

Soft Jerkbait – This category includes lures such as flukes, flounders, flapping shads and a very old favourite, sluggo’s. Twitch these in clear and lightly stained water during spring and autumn. These lures can also be used in the place of con-ventional texas/Carolina/mojo-rigged plas-tics during the hot summer months and colder winter months.

Topwater – Best during the summer. A hard jerkbait, cylindrical bait (zara spook) and popping baits are recommended in clear water. Try a prop-bait or buzz-bait in stained murky water.

Jig-and-pig – Especially good for large bass around woody cover. Best fished in spring.

Weedless Rats, Frogs, etc. – These are good to use when fishing weedy areas with abundant surface cover, such as lily pad beds, during the summer.

Lipless Crankbait – Good to use in stained or muddy water from spring through to autumn.

Floating Worms – This range includes Trick worms and is a great choice to use during the spring. Best used in clear to lightly stained water.

GEAR - Travel light!Rod & Reel – A 6- to 6 ½ -foot medium

spinning or medium heavy baitcasting rig should be able to handle most bank fishing presentations.

Line – 15- to 20-pound line - sub-

merged brush and when you know there are large bass that live in the dam.

6- to 10-pound line - ultra-clear water with virtually no cover.

10- to 14-pound line - a new dam with no prior knowledge.

Tacklebox – You need to find a small compact box that has enough space to pack a variety of different lures for any kind of application. Always remember that you will be carrying this around with you as you move around the bank so try to find some-thing practical.

Insect Repellent – is always a neces-sity when traversing the banks. Water at-tracts mosquitoes and thick grass usually holds ticks. Apply liberally before you start fishing but remember to wash your hands before you start han-dling your lures.

Back-pack – It makes sense to invest in a small com-fortable backpack to carry all of the above plus an ex-tra bottle of water and a lunch pack.



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oordelike uus orthern ewsN NAitblinkerschievers

UGrotes byt fluksDie Van der Westhuizens van Mokopane het verlede naweek die lang pad Frankfort toe aangepak om daar saam met hul familie van Delmas in die Wilgerivier te gaan lyne natmaak. Met die Winterweer was die byttempo niks om oor huistoe te skryf nie, maar die grotes het beslis nog nie te koud gekry om te eet nie. Tinus vd Westhuizen se Karp (Foto 1) is op ‘n amandel floatie gevang en het 6,7kg geweeg.

Sy oom Buks Crawford se vis het op ‘ quattro floatie en soet degie gebyt en het die skaal op 7,9kg getrek (Foto 2). Elsabé Crawford se vis (Foto 3) het 5.9kg geweeg en sy het op tjop-tjop floatie en soetdeegie gevang. Dit was haar eerste vis ooit.

Jenine van der Wes-thuizen van Noordelike Nuus het egter stof in almal se oë geskop met haar baber van 14kg (Foto 4) Hierdie bielie het verby manlief en Oom Buks se hoenderlewertjies geswem om aan ‘n erdwurm te kom byt.

Hierdie naweek gaan hulle vir tiervis probeer - in Jozini Dam.

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