Geliefde pa, broer en man. Ons groet vandag vir Adriaan, hy was ‘n toegewyde man en pa hy was altyd daar met ‘n helpende hand en sou sy laaste gee om iemand uit te help. Sy plek sal altyd leeg wees in ons harte. Ons het wel die vertroosting van baie goeie herinneringe. Ons onthou hom as ‘n sag en behulpsame persoon wat ferm was in wat hy geglo het en nooit gehuiwer het nie. Hy het gedoen waarvoor hy lief was saam die mense waarvoor hy lief was tot die einde en word deur sy broers in die motorfiets klub onthou as ‘n yster, wat altyd daar was maak nie saak wat nie. Hy het op gestaan vir wat reg was en nooit gehuiwer om dit te verdedig nie. Adriaan jy is weg maar ons sal jou nooit vergeet nie. Ons sien mekaar weer in die koninkryk van God.
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Children with Disabilities left vulnerable during Covid-19
” Teachers and support staff need to assist with home schooling and offer support to parents and
caregivers in the care of their disabled children.”With the closure of schools during lockdown most children living with disabilities are left stranded at home, while others are being neglected. Some parents continue to pay expensive school fees, and have to hire someone for additional help for their kids at their expense. Some of these cases have been brought to the attention of SAPS and NCPD during Child Protection Week.
The National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) has expressed its grave concern for the conditions many children are subjected to at home during lockdown. “Not only are the heightened poverty conditions and the absence of food security a concern, but there is also grave concern over the impact of the demands of full-time care by parents and caregivers on the physical and emotional wellbeing of the child”, says André Kalis, specialist in advocacy, policies and children’s matters at the NCPD. The frustrations and demands related to the full-time care, often in crowded conditions, are a heavy burden for parents and caregivers to carry and can in some instances lead to the neglect, abuse and exploitation of the disabled child, says Kalis.
This is where the NCPD’s advocacy and lobbying role comes in. While the NCPD is advocating for special schools not to open now, it is also advocating for the Department of Basic Education to reach out to the children at home through their schools’ teachers. Teachers and support staff need to assist with home schooling and offer support to parents and caregivers in the care of their disabled children. “We want this outreach to children and their families at home to be a collaborative effort between the DBE, the Department of Social Development and organisations of and for persons with disabilities at ground level.”, Kalis said. He added that the NCPD has been very active in facilitating donations of food and distributing it to families of children with disabilities in areas across the country.
The NCPD is of the opinion that special schools should not reopen now while the Covid-19 infection rate is still climbing. “Many children with disabilities have underlying medical conditions and may be immune-compromised, placing them at risk of Covid-19 should they get infected.”, Kalis explained.
Kalis continued: “furthermore, social distancing of disabled learners who rely on assistance from others is not possible. Practicing regular hand sanitation and practicing personal hygiene are complex for many learners who may also need help with this. It is also problematic for many learners to wear face masks and many may need personal assistance.”
“We are of the opinion that special schools should only open after the epidemic has peaked and when the risk of contagion is dramatically reduced.”, Kalis concluded. If you need help contact them via email or SMS only: andre@ncpd.org.za| 0795478589.
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Manage your health better
lifestyle and weight management coach Thembi Mlambo. Thembi helps locals lose weight and live healthier lives by hosting local fitness presentations to those that need it most in Mhluzi. The risk from smoking isn’t just limited to the smoker however. The serious effects of secondary smoking are now very well known. Smoking near your loved ones puts their health at risk also. Second-hand smoke is still as loaded with chemicals and toxins as it was when you inhaled it. Numerous health problems are directly caused by secondary smoking and children are in the highest risk group because their internal organs and immune systems are still developing. Children exposed to secondary smoke are far more vulnerable to asthma, sudden infant death syndrome (cot death), bronchitis, pneumonia, and ear infections amongst other things and now recently potential corona virus infection. “If you love and respect your family do them a favour and don’t smoke anywhere near them. Go outside. Nothing gives you the right to affect their health. Better again why not quit smoking altogether and spend the money you save on a family holiday? Or a new car? Get the ultimate revenge on the tobacco companies by reducing their profits and living a healthier lifestyle,” said lifestyle and weight management coach Thembi Mlambo.
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Common robbery at Piccadilly centre
A case was opened for common robbery in centre town at the Piccadilly centre where a foreign national was held up and robbed of an undisclosed amount of money and a Cell phone. The victim was on his way to the bank when he was blocked by robbers on Tuesday afternoon at 12:00. Members of the community were outraged and disappointed at the same time following the robbery on Tuesday. “It is pointless trying to encourage local business to invest under such conditions. Police patrols are frequent but it seems these thugs are outsmarting the law at every turn,” said Thomas Makua also a shop owner in the area. Local police were not available for comment at the time of going to press.
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Letter to the district manager:
The residents of Uthingo are at great risk of infection To the Municipal manager of Nkangala district
As the leadership of the Uthingo community, we are hereby asking for your intervention in the matter of electricity. We have been without electricity for about a year and we are now exposing our children and those who are around us to unknown dangers because we are not complying to the directive of the president of lock down because we have to move up and down everyday to buy food and refilling gas bottles. We even tried to get assistance from our executive mayor but she failed dismally and this is putting our children and those who are around us in danger of infection. Can you please intervene urgently because our lives and those around us are in danger because we don’t know what to do as much as we would like to comply the situation doesn’t allow us: –
Tebogo Moseme deputy chairperson of Uthingo Residents Committee.
“People of Uthingo can’t be on lockdown without Electricity, they even gathered in numbers trying to get help from the mayor but she couldn’t assist, can somebody out there please help these poor residents or fellow South Africans,” pleaded Mr Tebogo Moseme deputy chairperson of Uthingo Residents Committee.
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Homeless people cared for during the lockdown
Middelburg CPF Chairperson and former councilor Ena Calitz Pilodia would like to thank the community for lending support for the homeless during the lockdown. Middelburg CPF Chairperson and former councilor Ena Calitz Pilodia would like to thank the community for lending support for the homeless during the lockdown. Most destitute people are currently housed in tents at Kees Taljaard Stadium. In a letter she posted on social; media she said: “I want to thank the community for their generosity in this time of uncertainty and need. I also want to thank all my CPF members who came to the table in full force to assist. The good news is that the Municipality has taken over the homeless camp and care. I am saying Good News, because now we can concentrate on the broader community”.
“A very bright and caring young man, leader at CR Swart Laerskool, called me recently and shared his concerns about the children from Middelburg that only received food at the schools, and that are now at home – without those much needed meals. Plenty of residents will also be without an income and many of the charity organizations are not currently giving food to needy families. So now we can spend our resources on the Communities of Middelburg. Thank you Derek for your initiative”, Pilodia. If you want to contribute towards the Homeless, please contact Director Zulu on +27832593558, who is the person in charge. If you want to contribute towards the Community Project, please call mama Pilodia or WhatsApp on 082 415 8029.
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21 DAYS LOCK DOWN ignored in our community
In many areas taverns and pubs were operating normally and people were /are roaming the streets for no good reason. As a result arrests were made and liquor was The 21 days lock down pronounced by President Cyril Ramaphosa which is set to curb the transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic has been received with too much ignorance by some residents mainly in the township. This comes after most parts of Mhluzi, including sections such as extension 24 and Avalon didn’t have any intentions to comply but continued with business as usual, this was seen as in many areas taverns and pubs were operating normally and people were /are roaming the streets for no good reason. The police have since confiscated liquor belonging to the lawbreakers.
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Corona patient is no longer in Middelburg
The Mpumalanga Department of Health has issued clarity in terms of recent Covid 19 cases reported in our town following the discovery of another woman who tested positive for the virus. Prudence Khabonina Mokwena Woman with Corona no longer in Middelburg
The woman who tested positive for the Koronavirus is no longer in Middelburg, but under quarantine at her home in Johannesburg. Dr. Redge van Rensburg (spokesperson for doctors in Middelburg) responded to the Facebook post by Dr. Nadene Jooste and the report on www.mobserver.co.za that the first positive case was confirmed in Middelburg. He made it clear that she was not tested in Middelburg, but in eMalahleni, where she works full time.
What he knows about the incident is that the woman in question has a home in Middelburg, where she stays for the week, while working in eMalahleni.
He says she left shortly after learning that she had been tested positive, and moved to her other home in Johannesburg, where she has since been quarantined. According to him, however, she was tested positive 10 days ago and not at this time before and during the 21-day isolation period. Dr. However, Van Rensburg says people should know that he does not say that the virus cannot be in Middelburg! “That is not to say that because no one has officially tested positive, that the person standing next to you in the supermarket cannot have the virus!”
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Steve Tshwete restrictions during COVID-19 lockdown
In response to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s declaration of 21 days National Lockdown and restrictions to combat the Covid-19 situation in the country. Steve Tshwete Local Municipality has instituted the following restrictions with immediate effect:
Tenders which are due for submission will be extended to 24 April 2020.
o Outstanding payments due to Service providers were finalized by Thursday 26 March 2020.
o Large gatherings are not allowed.
o People are prohibited to visit all Municipal parks.
o The one (1) hour allocation at cemeteries, must be adhered to. Time lapses at funerals increases risks. Preferably keep it immediate family members and friends.
Wear medical masks and gloves in at home, in case a family member is coughing in order to prevent the spread of germs.
o Funeral Parlors must book burial sites for the bereaved families and pay via EFT to the following account details:
Account name: Steve Tshwete Local Municipality
Bank: ABSA Bank Middelburg
Account Number: 1040 000 077
Branch code: 630 397
Type of Account: Cheque
Deposit Reference: Municipal Account number: 94 001 98X
Ref: 171 002
For any enquiries, contact Ms Dalene Lambrechts on 082 442 7712.
o The family should cover the coffin to a point of closure in the grave. The Municipality will use the TLB machinery to close the grave completely.
People who are homeless and on the streets are provided with a shelter at Keestaaljaard Stadium and food will be provided by registered Non Profit Organizations. 
People who are homeless and on the streets are provided with a shelter at Keestaaljaard Stadium and food will be provided by registered Non Profit Organizations.
o Provincial hospitals and clinics will provide the community with screening service.
o The elderly and extremely sick people can be accompanied to hospitals and clinics.
o Botshabelo Cultural Village have been identified for quarantine purposes.
o Residents are encouraged to register on Prepaid24, an online service to safely purchase of electricity, pay municipal rates and taxes. In the meantime electricity can be purchased at the garages, pay accounts via EFT.
o for electricity enquiries you can call Mr N. Gubevu on 073 813 1331.
o STLM urge the community to separate waste that is contaminated from normal waste. They will also notify the community when waste will be collected.
o Frequent updates will be communicated via the Municipal Website, Facebook page @officialstlm and local media.
o You are allowed to leave your home to seek medical care, buy food or collect a social grant. Your ID will be required as proof for your errands.
o SAPS will be patrolling the streets supported by South African National Defense Force.
o The community is urged to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and all deployed government officials who will be monitoring the situation.
o Pharmacies, laboratories, banks, supermarkets, petrol stations and healthcare providers will operate normally.
o Only South African owned and managed Spaza shops and rural supermarkets will be allowed to operate.
Essential services such as Water and Sanitation, Electrical Engineering, Emergency Services, Traffic Law Enforcement and Security, Waste Collection, ICT, Cemeteries, Fire Services, Communications and Call Centre will be rendered on a standby basis. The following contact details can be used for enquiries:
a. Water and Sanitation – 0603623310/0731022422
b. Electrical Engineering- 073 813 1331.
c. Emergency Services – 0823163361
d. Traffic Law Enforcement and Security- 0732006945
e. Waste Collection- 0824406180
f. ICT- 0832617329 /0822195536
g. Cemeteries-082 442 7712
h. Fire Services-0823163361
i. Communications-063 832 8316
j. Call centre – 076 100 5660
o All restaurants, bars, cafes, coffee shops will remain closed during this period.
o Members of the media and broadcasting services, who will serve as a vital communication between STLM and the public, will be allowed to work during this period. Proof to be provided.
o for gender-based violence and domestic violence, please contact the local Social Development Department on (013) 243 4089, SAPS toll-free number-10111 and Department of Health on 013 249 3700/10177.
o Roadblocks will be instituted on highways to avoid travelling from one Province to another and regions to regions. Further updates will be communicated on a continuous basis.
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Jobs on the line as some Edgars, Jet stores may not reopen post lockdown
The bulk of Edcon’s more than 1,000 clothing stores will close, and that will cost the retailer about R800-million in sales. That’s according Edcon CEO Grant Pattison who told suppliers on the eve of the lockdown that March revenue will be R400-million below forecasts. It’s a devastating blow to Edcon suppliers.
An emotional Pattison told suppliers during a conference call that the company only has sufficient liquidity to pay salaries, and is unable to honour any other accounts payable during the period.