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VOTER REGISTRATION
DRIVE IS STILL ON
If you thought it was late to register for next year's general election,
well it isn’t. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Matlosana
office, confirmed this week that following the past weekend of November
8 and 9th dedicated drive to register South Africans for voting, they
are still encouraging those people who have not registered to find out
how they can still do so.
According to Lucky Mkhabela, IEC’s Electoral Project Coordinator in
Matlosana, last weekend’s voter registration drive was intended to
provide eligible voters with an opportunity to register in their correct
voting stations where they are residing. Voters were also given an
opportunity to find out if they were registered to vote. “We wanted to
encourage the greater community of Matlosana as part of the national
drive to check their voter registration details and find out which
station they would need to go to cast their votes next year,” said Mr.
Mkhabela.
Despite drizzles, people of Matlosana flocked to more than 108 voter
registration stations across Matlosana to register for next year’s
general elections. Some of them visited the local IEC office to confirm
their voting status. Weather conditions continued to impact on the
anticipated turnout however, the local IEC office reported that the
total number of re-registered and new registered voters was around 26
000.
With the recent developments of a landslide win of US’s Presidency by
Barack Obama, South Africans are encouraged to ensure that they are
registered to vote next year so that they are in a position to make a
difference in the outcome of South Africa’s national elections.
According to the US Embassy in Pretoria and the Statistical abstract of
the United States Bureau of Census, the number of people registered to
vote for the US Presidency 2008 elections was significant. The resident
population of voting age of 18 was about 231,230 million and about
125,226 million votes were cast for the new President. Press Attaché for
the Embassy, Sharon Hudson-Dean, said that they were excited about the
new administration as this is a historical change for the USA.
Back home, people are advised if not sure whether they are registered to
SMS their ID number to 32810 or to visit the IEC office at No. 74 Siddle
Street, Debmark Building, Klerksdorp. Alternatively visit IEC website
www.elections.org.za and enter their ID number to find out if they need
to register or change their details.
"If you voted at the previous election then you will still be
registered, but if you have moved address then you will need to
re-register and you must do this in person," he added.
The IEC specifies that to register you must be a SA citizen and must
have a barcoded identity document with you or a valid temporary ID. The
IEC also stipulates that you can only register to vote in the place
where you are currently living. Another registration drive is planned
for February.
Mr. Mkhabela summed up the voter registration drive in Matlosana by
saying: “We wish thank the people of Matlosana for their patience during
last weekend’s challenging weather conditions and still turning out in
numbers. We also want to thank our stakeholders, IEC and registration
staff for their commitment to service excellence in this process.”
LIFE AND TIMES WITH COLLIN
Wealth
The word wealth is derived from the Old English word weal,
meaning 'well-being'.
In 1776, The Wealth of Nations was published. The author was the
Scottish economist and philosopher, Adam Smith. In it he wrote, 'Every
man is rich or poor according to the degree in which he can afford to
enjoy the necessaries, conveniences and amusements of human life'. He
goes on to say that, by and large, what we purchase to satisfy our needs
and wants is dependant on the labour of others. This is known as the
labour theory of value. Put another way it states that: 'The real price
of everything, what everything really costs to the man who wants to
acquire it, is the toil and trouble [of others]'.
Sitting in an economics 1 class all those years ago, this all sounded
very nice and all so very easy for a first year student. I mean a person
makes or produces something and then sells it to someone else for an
agreed price. Or it gets bartered for something else. This is all well
and good in what I would call a simple society. Like a small village in
sixteenth century England where the economics of the day was mostly
agrarian (living off the land). But societies don't generally stay
simple for long. Soon products need to be sourced from the next town,
the next country, across the English Channel. The next thing, tea and
sugar is being brought in from the East Indies. The supply chain gets
longer and longer. There are middlemen and brokers who all play a role
in getting the 'product to market'. And they need to be rewarded for
their effort. Society is now no longer simple, but complex and
convoluted. And the agent that keeps it all spinning around is money.
A by-product of this is the accumulation of assets, including real
estate, stocks and shares and money in the bank.
From the earliest of times man has, almost naturally, known about the
advantages of saving and investing, rather than consuming and spending.
Putting aside something for a rainy day.
We live in a democracy where wealth creation is a concomitant and
desirable part of our social fabric. And herein lies one of its biggest
flaws, and one of its greatest treasures. With a democracy comes the
power of unfettered choice. Amongst others, we can choose whether or not
to save. Setting aside something toward a wealth creation plan is
invariably and incredibly something that people do not find favour with
nowadays. I suspect it has to do with the power of modern advertising.
Advertising which subtly sends out a universal message of: 'Why wait
until tomorrow, you can own it now'. And to aid you in your buying
decision is the sexiest of ladies. Whether it's a copier ad or a
motorbike ad, there is always that leggy chick with that slight demure
smile. You actually end up feeling guilty not owning that throbbing
two-wheeled beast, which when you open up the throttle, promises to blow
all your problems away. Of course you also imagine that leggy chick
riding pillion behind you. Your guilt gets the better of you and you
start to rationalize, 'I will be able to afford the payment if I cancel
my life insurance policy or my retirement annuity.' And before long, you
own the beast. In the beginning she feels great. And yes on those first
few breakfast runs you do blow away your problems, even if that leggy
chick is not at your back with her long blonde hair flailing in the
stiff, cool azure breeze. Then a few months into the purchase interest
rates start going up and that payment which you could barely afford, now
starts biting. 'Yes I remember now when Tito Mboweni warned, about two
years ago, that South Africans should stop spending, because sooner or
later it's going to come back and haunt them.'
What ever happened to that way of life where we used to save up for
something first and then walk into the motorbike dealer and pay cash. I
know it sounds anachronistic, but surely there must be some sense, some
pride in being able to pay cash for something. You don't have to worry
about repayments. What's more, you don't have to waste money on
anti-depressants. Judging from what's going on right now, there must be
quite a lot of these pills being consumed.
With the way markets are right now, the best returns are going to be had
from paying off debt.
I spent quite a bit of time looking up a decent definition of wealth.
Most of it was too technical or too detailed. So I thought mine would
suffice for this article. I hope you agree: 'Wealth is quite simply
owning more than you owe'.
One of the saddest indictments on us as a society and it never fails to
baffle me, is how people get to retirement and they have nothing. They
have accumulated nothing towards those proverbial golden years. Surely
with the modern economic and financial systems that are in place
nowadays, it must be quite easy to provide for the future.
But tomorrow never comes and sadly there is no bail-out plan. How does
one rationalize in that situation? It's too late.
Chat again next week.
Collin Hyman
YourProfile
Name: DAWN HANEKOM
Birthday: 1 JULY
Star Sign: CANCER
Occupation: PROPERTY CONSULTANT
When I look into the mirror every morning I think: WHAT I AM I OWE TO MY
MOTHER AND FATHER
My favourite people in the world are: MY GRAND CHILDREN
My favourite quote is: TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE
CHILDREN makes me laugh.
The greatest lesson life has taught me so far is: WHEN DIFFICUTIES ARISE
“HANG IN THERE”
I'll do almost anything for: MY FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND CLIENTS
When I get stressed I am most likely to throw MY SENSE OF HUMOUR out a
window.
I want my tombstone to read: LOVE YOU MOM
I wouldn't mind being stuck in an elevator with: RICHARD BRANSON
In three words I am: POSITIVE, OPTIMISTIC, ENERGETIC
If I had a million rand to spare I would: TRAVEL
I live in Klerksdorp because: I HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE IN THE CITY
The first thing I would save from a house fire is; MY PHOTOGRAPHS
My nickname is: “DORIS”
I love my job because: PEOPLE ARE MY PASSION
Loslit dag vir Jesus
Loslit dag vir Jesus het plaas gevind op 14 November. 'n Epos het die
ronte gedoen en gevra dat almal rooi en wit op hierdie spesiale dag moes
dra wat bevestig dat Jesus jou herder is. Shield Safety se personeel het
die dag spesiaal t-hemde laat druk met die volgende woorde: “Don't mess
with me satan; I belong to Jesus!”.
BIG BLOOD BASH TO BOOST BLOOD STOCKS
Blood donors can lend a helping vein to boost blood stocks next month
when the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) will be holding
its second Big Blood Bash.
The Big Blood Bash will be held across SANBS's seven operating zones in
a quest to collect enough blood before the festive season.
Each of the seven zones will hold their own events to attract the
attention of current and potential blood donors.
The zones will be promoting inter-company challenges as part of the
campaign and companies are invited to participate.
“The festive season is upon us and SANBS has to be creative this time of
the year to ensure we have sufficient blood for the festive holidays,”
says …Zone Marketing Manager for the Vaal Zone.
To support the Vaal Zone, the public can join the Klerkdorp branch at
the Pick n Pay Hyper Klerkdorp and Mooi River Mall Potchefstroom on the
5th December 2008 at 09h00 to 15h00 as well as 6th December 2008 at
09h00 to 15h00.
Blood donors can donate blood every 56 days, are between the age of 16
and 65, weigh 50kg or more and lead a sexually safe lifestyle.
Botaniese tuin spog met nuwe bome
Die spog botaniese tuin van die Pukkampus van die Noordwes-Universiteit
het vandeesweek 'n paar bome ryker geword.
Die hoof van die tuinbou-advieskomitee van die botaniese tuin en
plantkundedosent, prof. Sarel Cilliers, het Dinsdag gesê hoewel
boomplantdag reeds verby is, is dit nou 'n goeie tyd van die jaar om
bome in die Potchefstroom-gebied te plant. Verskeie akademici het gehelp
om die wildeperske, witolien en ouhout bome te plant.
Die Puk se botaniese tuin is onlangs by Botanical Garden Conservation
International geregistreer en is een van slegs twee botaniese tuine in
die land by 'n universiteit wat by BGCI geregistreer is. Dit is ook die
enigste erkende botaniese tuin in Noordwes.
Cilliers sê die tuin is in 1962 ontwikkel en is sedert 2003 met die hulp
van die kurator, Peter Mortimer, en sy opvolger Martin Smit, weer na sy
oorspronklike toestand verbeter. Smit is tans besig om die sowat 1 500
spesies in die tuin met naambordjies te merk.
Die botaniese tuin word primêr aangewend om plantmateriaal vir opleiding
te verskaf, asook navorsingsondersteuning aan die universiteit. Cilliers
sê sowat 700 studente gebruik van die spesies in hulle opleiding.
Hy sê skaars en bedreigde inheemse plante word in die tuin bewaar en
verskaf belangrike inligting aan die publiek oor watter plantsoorte in
die gebied aard en omgewingsbewaring in die algemeen.
Leerders van Seiphemelo Sekondêre Skool wat ook opgelei word as junior
veldwagters het die boomplantseremonie saam met hulle onderwyser, mnr.
John Tlale, bygewoon. Tlale is self 'n ere-velwagter.
'n Kunsgalery is pas in die tuin voltooi waar uitstallings binnekort
gehou sal word.
Enige besoekers is welkom om die tuin weeksdae te besoek tussen 08:00 en
16:30 in die somer en tot 16:00 in die winter.
Belangstellendes kan Martin Smit by 018 299 2753 skakel.
FIRST TIME SPORTS AWARDS FOR LOFDAAL ACHIEVERS
On 13 November, Lofdaal Christian School awarded more that 100 of their
pupils certificate awards, merit awards and trophy awards for their
achievements in various Sport activities for the year 2008.
This is the first time ever that the school has dedicated an evening for
the sports awards. “We felt the need to congratulate our sport achievers
by hosting special sports awards evening separate from the academic
awards. We want encourage our sport achievers to keep running the race
with perseverance and to stay focused on God in their endeavour to excel
in sports,” said Hendrik Malan, the school's principal.
The highlight of the evening was the overall winners for both junior and
senior sports girl and boy of the year awards. Anelda Smith won junior
sports girl award for first place in Girls U/14 SACSSA (South African
Christian Schools Sports Association) Chess Nationals and her
participation in Vaal West Athletics and Swimming teams. Shane J.V
Rensburg won junior sports boy award for his achievements in SACSSA
National Athletics, SACCSA team for PCE, U/13 SACCSA six-a-side Soccer
tournament (1st place), U/13 Sportweni Cricket team, SACCSA National
Cross country Team and Vaal West Swimming Team.
Senior sports girl award went to Marie-Louise Nagel for winning 1st
place in the 400m SACSSA National Athletic Team, 800m (1st place), Long
Jump (3rd place), Mixed relay (3rd place). She also participated in the
SACSSA Team for PCE and SACSSA national Cross Country where she got 2nd
place.
Berry Gaserotse won the Senior sport boy award for 3rd place in Inter
School's six-a-side Soccer, 2nd place in Inter School's 11-a-side
Soccer, 3rd place in Vaal West Team 11-a-side Soccer and SACSSA National
Athletics 400m (3rd place) as well as Mixed Relay (3rd place). He was
also selected in SACSSA Team for PCE.
In addition, the school honoured 25 junior girls, 35 junior boys, and 9
senior girls, 33 senior Boys with various sport certificate awards
ranging from cricket, athletics, netball, and chess to swimming.
Other sport merit awards were presented to seven students who obtained
South African Christian School Sport Association colours and they were
Josue Thomo (Athletics), Ian Niewenhuizen and Shane J.V. Rensburg
(Cricket), Anelda Smith, Cherise Volschenk, James Vorster and Titus
Vorster (Chess). The overall winner for provincial colours was Joshua
Thomo for his outstanding performance in Gymnastics. SA national colours
also went to Tshepo Xaba, Luan van Wyk and Lesedi Tlholoe for Ju-Jitsu.
Hennie Botha, a motivational speaker from Champion for Christ and SA's
U/23 champion runner and an Olympic Games medal winner for all student
games, encouraged the learners by giving his testimony of how God used
him in sport to touch lives of many. “Running is what you do and not who
you are. You are champions in soccer, chess, cricket, athletics etc. I
had a dream to become a bigger runner. Start dreaming big because I
believe that you are more than Champions”
Prophet Kobus van Rensburg applauded the student's achievers in various
sports categories and reminded them that once again, “God has proven to
us that he has made us as good Christians.”
TRIBUTE TO THE LATE MIRRIAM MAKEBA
The North West Provincial Government has joined millions of people
across the world who have paid tribute to the late singing music icon,
Mama Mirriam Makeba, who will forever remain one of the most loyal and
outstanding servants of our people.
The passing away of Mirriam Makeba marked the end of an era.
History will no doubt recognize that the achievements and contribution
of Mirriam Makeba as having transcended the arts and culture.
She used her gift of song to help build a nation. Not only was she a
gifted singer, she was also one of the architects of the demise of
apartheid and the ushering in of a new nation.
The best tribute we can pay to this legend of our struggle and song is
to ensure that her ideals live on.
Amongst other things this means that we must jealously defend our common
culture and heritage and promote local music and nurture local talent.
Her untimely death marks the end of a life that was genuinely committed
to the struggle for peace, justice and the defence of our freedom.
Indeed our nation and the entire religious community have lost a
selfless and loyal servant.
Up to her last days, Mirriam Makeba was a loyal servant of the people of
South Africa. Her passion for justice and for defending those who are
vulnerable in our society will remain forever indelible in our memories.
The people of South Africa can take solace from the fact that she leaves
behind a proud legacy of selfless service. It is this legacy that must
propel us as we confront the challenges that lie ahead. Indeed, the best
tribute we can pay to this distinguished patriot is to remain firm in
our commitment to continue building a caring society out of the ruins of
the callousness and brutality of our ugly past.
Mirriam Makeba's name will certainly be mentioned alongside those of the
best sons and daughters of our country who passed away in service of
their people.
PALLIATIVE CARE TOP PRIORITY FOR HOSPICE MATLOSANA
At the recent AGM held by Hospice Matlosana, palliative care remains top
priority to caring for all communities with terminal illnesses in the
KOSH area and the surrounding townships of Jouberton, Alabama, Kanana,
Khuma and Tigane.
The team behind the success of Hospice Matlosana consists of five people
at management level, nurses, teachers and volunteers. The core of its
existence, is the nursing department.
According to the CEO of Hospice Matlosana, Joan Moira de Jong, 12 years
ago there were only about 15 patients and one professional nurse. “We
now have a great team of professional nurses and volunteers who look
after 620 patients and 53 children. Our vision is to serve all people
who need our services,” she said.
Hospice Matlosana runs programs such as Home based care where
professional nurses care for patients in the privacy of their homes with
the help of care givers, Khaya Tshepo (Home of Hope), a Paediatric
Palliative Daycare Centre where about 53 children of their patients,
past & present, infected and affected by HIV/Aids are cared for,
Jouberton In-Patient Unit, a unit in the township providing end of life
care and ARV education and Community Home Based Care Training where
local people are trained in basic nursing care.
Reflecting on this year's achievements, Nursing Director, Estelle du
Toit mentioned that the success such as the Jouberton-In patient Unit
would not have been possible without the help of Dr. Henry Sekhukhune.
“We want to thank him for his work ethics and his involvement in the
inter-disciplinary meetings,” she added.
Other highlights for the year include orphaned & vulnerable pilot site
for HPCA, Service level agreement between Tshepong and Klerksdorp
Hospitals, Cohsasa Accreditation, fundraising, bus donation by ABSA for
Khaya Tshepo and helping 53 out 54 Child headed homes in receiving
social grants. According to Nomonde Lehloo, Community Liaison Officer,
they often experience patients who are sad and have lost hope and their
role is to bring hope.
Present at the event was the honourable MEC of Social Development,
Nikiwe Manqo who commended Hospice Matlosana for their hard work and
dedication in ensuring that the needs of the communities are met.
“This AGM provides a sound platform for men & women gathered to reflect
on the needs of our communities and align our strategies, in the cause
we have been called to, and that is to serve mankind. We are born to
serve, some of us as ministers, doctors, volunteers, as we are better
positioned as ordinary members of society to address the challenges
facing our people such as health, poverty, vulnerability, trauma and the
like,” she mentioned.
The MEC's key message was based on three key principles, to dream, have
hope and vision. “As a leader, nothing is impossible.
The community work you engage in as a collective does not rely on
government and private sector funding.
I want to challenge you to look beyond the limited resources. The
question is how far can you go in mobilising resources as an individual
and a collective? I urge you to go out there and inspire change in our
society, as transformed leaders who can transform others,” she
concluded.
HONDERD
KHS-MATRIEKS VEREER BY PRYSUITDELING
Puik prestasies in die afgelope jaar het vanjaar daartoe gelei dat
honderd KHS'ers by die Matrieks se Prysuitdeling beloon is vir hul harde
werk.
Die Prysuitdeling val jaarliks saam met die Matrieks se spesiale laaste
kerkdiens en is vanjaar gekenmerk deur talle hoogtepunte. Daaronder was
die uitsonderlikste sekerlik dié waar Elizna Steyn bekroon is as KHS'er
van die Jaar, Johan Ferreira die J W Saunderson trofee ontvang het as
die persoon wat KHS se naam die beste uitgedra het en Wilco van der
Schyff en Ulrike Becker die Diligenter-toekenning ontvang het vir
gesindheid. Dries van Onselen en Lereinda van Wyngaardt, Chantél Smit,
Laurianne van Vuuren, Nadia Swanepoel en Esmaralda Pretorius is vir
Dienslewering bekroon.
Die Top Tien Akademiese presteerders, wat elkeen 'n medalje ontvang het,
is dux-leerling Johan Ferreira met 'n skitterende gemiddeld van 90,7%,
Pieter-Jan Pienaar (no. 2: 86.7%), Karien Steyn (no. 3: 86,6%), Retha
Peach (no. 4: 86,6%), Elizna Steyn (no. 5: 86,0%), Jaco Joubert (no. 6:
84,4%), Lené van Rooyen (no. 7: 82,5%), Lourens Linde (no. 8: 82,4%),
Francois van der Walt (no. 9: 80,7%) en Stiena Hoffmann (no. 10: 80,3%)
- almal bo 80 % en met 'n A-gemiddeld 'n Rekordgetal van 27 matrieks het
erekleure (75% en meer) ontvang.
NW KLEURE VIR KHS-KRIEKETSPELERS
Klerksdorp se Sportvrou van die Jaar wat veral bekend is vir haar
prestasies met die spies, het pas vir die vyfde agtereenvolgende jaar
Noordwes kleure vir krieket verwerf. Tazmin Brits is nie net 'n befaamde
atleet nie, maar ook 'n uitstekende krieketspeler en neem in Desember
deel aan die interprovinsiale krieketweek in Pietermaritzburg.
Nog ses KHS'ers neem aan krieketweke deel: C J Ferreira (O/17) is
ingesluit in die span wat van 10 -14 Desember ook in Pietermaritzburg
deelneem. Dirk van Staden is vir die O/19 Noordwes-span gekies wat in
die vakansie aan drie driedag-wedstryde gaan deelneem.
Drie O/15-krieketspelers verteenwoordig Noordwes in Oudtshoorn by 'n
interprovinsiale toernooi, naamlik Marcus Fourie, Adriaan J van Rensburg
en Herman Smith.
Jacques Matthee is vir die O/19 Noordwes-span gekies wat aan die Khaya
Majola Coca Cola Krieketweek in Port Elizabeth gaan deelneem. Mnr. Gert
de Beer, adjunkhoof van KHS, is die spanbestuurder van die span.
Wesvalia NW-wenners
Hoërskool Wesvalia se o/16 krieketspan het 8 November behoorlik gewys
wat krieket is toe hulle KHS in die Noordwes finaal met 'n ongelooflike
puntetelling van 7 paaltjies gewen het. Die Wessies het KHS uitgeboul
vir 36 lopies en Wesvalia tree uit die finale stryd as Noordwes Wenners.
Die was definitiewe 'n puik wedstryd om te beleef en een waarop die
Wessie baie trots kan wees.
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