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OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN
WITH THE NEW
So 2008 didn't exactly go as you had planned. Maybe the house foundation
cracked, the petrol price went thru the roof and the toddler hit the
“terrible twos.”
It happens to all of us; it can leave us frustrated, resentful and even
bitter at times. As we look toward 2009 and all the adventures you might
face this year, take the time to cultivate a positive attitude. It makes
all the difference between surviving and thriving in life.
There is an old but true cliché that says, you must be the change you
want to see in your life. At the end of the day we can blame the
government, blame the neighbors or blame the world banks but if we don't
make changes in our own lives all we will be is a bunch of miserable
people looking for scapegoats. It is time to stand up and take
responsibility for our own lives.
Things you can do in 2009 that would make a difference to the whole
nation if we ALL did it:
• Smile at more people.
• Give R5 a month to charity.
• Count to ten instead of swearing at the idiots in the traffic.
• Have a cup of tea or coffee with somebody who annoys you instead of
shouting at them - sort the issue out .
• Every time you want to buy something useless - a chocolate, a cheap
plastic toy - say no and put the money in your piggy bank. You would be
amazed at how it adds up.
• Set yourself a small personal goal each month - then achieve it. Don't
make it big and impossible. It could be something small like plant one
packet of pumpkin seeds and keep them watered. When you eat your first
pumpkin you will feel a sense of achievement.
• Diarise birthdays and special occasions. You don't need to splash out
big money - just a call or SMS on that special date will be enough to
let people know you care and make them feel special.
• Register to vote. Make your opinion count.
• Be generous on praise and sparing on criticism.
• Don't hold onto to old and negative stuff. Move forward and embrace
the new with positive attitude.
Our problems are very real but the attitude we take can make all the
difference. Do not let yourself be a victim. Stand up and take charge of
your own life.
Tell yourself 2009 is going to be a positive year.
YourProfile
Name: Monique Janse v Rensburg
Birthday: 17 April 1984
Star Sign: Aries
Occupation: Marketer
When I look into the mirror every morning I think: I'm going to make the
best of the day as if its my last day.
My favourite people in the world are: My family, friends and my dog
Pluto.
My favourite quote is: “Don't rely on appearances, they can be
deceiving”
“Don't look for riches for they will most likely disappear before your
eyes”
“ Ek is tot alles instaat deur Jesus Christus wat my krag gee”
The greatest lesson life has taught me so far is: Don't trust anyone but
in God
I'll do almost anything for: My family and friends
When I get stressed I am most likely to throw the bad mood out a window.
I wouldn't mind being stuck in an elevator with: a hot date.
In three words I am: Energetic, spontaneous and enthusiastic
If I had a million rand to spend I would: See the world and shop till a
drop
I live in Klerksdorp because: I love my family and friends
The first thing I would save from a house fire is: My dog Pluto
My nickname is: Monnas
I love my job because: I work with people and can be creativeand would
do anything to make them happy.
LIFE AND TIMES WITH COLLIN
Auri Sacra Fames
The rather haughty sounding title for this week's article comes from
Virgil's Aeneid and translated means, “To what lengths will man's
passion for gold not lead him? Or more plainly, 'The holy lust for
gold'.
Virgil (70-19BC) was arguably the greatest Latin poet that ever lived.
The Aeneid is an epic poem in 12 books and tells of the adventures of
the hero Aeneas from the sack of Troy to the foundation of Alba Longa,
an ancient city in Italy. In various places Virgil refers to man's
longing for gold. More specifically, man's evil longing for gold. In one
passage there is told how Polymestor, the king of Thrace killed his
brother-in-law for the gold that he was carrying with him after the fall
of Troy.
Whenever I get mixed up with that merry band of fly-fishing mates of
mine known as the Sopranos, I think Italian; I think Roman; I think
Latin. I can't help it: There is invariably a lot of pasta around and
good dose of Italian expletives too boot especially when the fish come
off, or just don't bite. This last week we went in search of a gold of
different sort. Or more correctly, lusted after. We went hunting for the
fabled yellowfish. And the El Dorado in our quest was Sterkfontein Dam,
near Harrismith.
Guggi, the Don, of the Sopranos, with nostrils flared, had set out ahead
of the main party to pave the way so to speak. The rest of us Roberto,
the philosopher, Dr Paolo Donnoli (from Pietermaritzburg) and myself,
arrived later.
I have never concerned myself with the I.Q. of yellowfish. In my years
of flyfishing, I have never had to. Somehow or other my fishing needs
have always been satiated. So why concern oneself about something that
is not an issue? Afrikaners put it rather quaintly: moenie krap waar dit
nie juk nie. By the end of the week and with the amount of fish in the
bag, there was cause for concern and much krapping. I for one, due to
the amount of fish (or lack thereof) I caught, found myself scratching
whatever part of my anatomy best suited my mood at the time. And I
wasn't in the best of moods, most of the time down there. In a rather
sanguine way I remarked to the Don, 'you need moments like these to make
you appreciate the Vaal River.'
It wasn't as if any of us were ready to cut our wrists and do the blood
brothers thing. Nothing of the sort. But it was depressing nonetheless.
So why am I writing this article in a rather heavy tone, when I
generally write with a certain flippancy? You see I want there to be an
honesty about the trip. I would like to capture the correct ambience.
Should I leave the story for a while, I am going to battle to remember
with any degree of accuracy, what actually happened.
To start with, I got lost. I ended up at Little Switzerland instead of
Kwantani Lodge. That delayed me about an hour. On the positive side I
met a whole lot of new people who were most helpful in getting me in the
right track. I also got to seeing a whole lot more of the countryside I
turned off at just about every dirt track that was available. So getting
lost has its ups.
Eventually I arrived at Kwantani. There is something special about
arriving late. Everybody is concerned about your wellbeing. 'Did you
pick up any trouble along the way?' The Don was so excited, I swear he
almost gave me a hug. So arriving late also has its positive side.
Next we rigged up the boat, which was very generously lent to me by a
good friend, Dr Herman Botha. Not being nautically inclined this side of
the business proved to a little more problematical.
We couldn't get the darn thing started. Luckily for us there was someone
who took an interest in our rather energetic efforts in pulling the rope
starter. He ambled over and asked if he could assist. Rob, the
philosopher and I, dripping with sweat and by now uttering some choice
words, said in unison, 'Please'. 'Just switch that switch on'.
Sheepishly Rob flipped the switch and in a short while we had the motor
purring like a wife on payday. Again, in unison, but somewhat muted,
'Thanks'. It's getting better all the time: Rob and I have some serious
biceps; We know how to start an outboard motor; and we learnt a little
more about teamwork.
'Rob'. 'Yeah Collie' 'We now have to learn how to ride this boat'. 'Sure
Collie, you steer'. The two of us jumped in (the Don shot into
Harrismith to get supplies you can't fish on an empty stomach) and
without much angst actually managed to ride the boat without flipping
her over.
By the time the ordeal was over the sun had set. I came away with a
strange sense of optimism. 'The was going to be the fishing trip of a
lifetime. By the end of the week I was proven right. Optimism is just
the wrong word to describe it.
Around dinner on the Monday evening, Guggi, the Don, was his usual
ebullient, fluffy self. As fluffy as the clouds filling up an ink-black
sky. 'Boys, tomorrow we are going to slaughter them'. I had visions of
Napoleon addressing his soldiers before the Russian campaign of 1813.
All that was missing was that famous rampant white steed.
At around four the next morning I got the gang up. The sky was an
ominous grey with an irritating wind whipping up irritating little waves
that stung our eager faces. This little pre-breakfast foray was to prove
to be the first of many dry-runs that week. Sure there were fish
everywhere they just weren't on the end of our lines.
Later that Tuesday we tried a lovely little cove known as Elizabeth.
This was meant to be the holy grail of Sterkfontein. Here we were going
to show them who's boss. We left Elizabeth with an empty grail on an
otherwise halcyon sea of calmness. Oh! before I forget, Paolo did manage
to catch a very small bass. This was to prove pyrrhic in the battles
that lay ahead. It was getting on in the day with the wind working up a
nasty froth on ever bigger waves.
There was just one little problem, the clip holding the fuel line to the
motor had broken and the only way home was for me to hold the line with
my hand. This proved easier said than done. But with what I thought was
the Italian version of, 'for those in peril on the sea', we made if
safely, home albeit with frayed nerves. Here I definitely learnt a
little more about faith. And there was always tomorrow. And I managed to
get the fuel line fixed.
Later that evening at an informal board meeting it was decided to try
Ararat, a place not too far away. And it had a spiritual connotation, so
we should be blessed . . . a little. But no, it was more of the same.
All four of us blanked that day. The mood was palpably somber around the
braai fire that evening. But I was impressed all the same. No one had
hurled a rod into the dam or smashed one against a rock. A few unsavoury
expletives (not too serious) were however uttered. All of us slept
soundly that night, because Thursday was going to be our day . . . our
last chance.
And so it came to pass; Thursday dawned bright and clear with a slight
breeze. This was it. Our last stand. This was where we were going to
give it to them, come hell or high water. The usual spots offered up
nothing. By now I thought that there was something seriously wrong. Not
with us, but with the darn fish. But our luck was about to change. Paolo
remembered a spot stuck away in a little cosy bay not too far away. We
had nothing to lose so we gave it full throttle to this little nameless
bay. We saw hundreds of fish cruising around. I could swear that some of
them came up to the surface and winked at me. Thank heavens fish don't
have fingers. Just as I was settling down into one of those fishless
moods of mine, my line tightened and my rod bent. A fish at last, thank
God a fish at last. It wasn't a big one size didn't matter at that
stage. While I was scrambling down the cliff-face I recall Paolo asking,
'What did he take?' 'The end of my line', came the cool dry reply.
Later on Paolo managed to catch two in the same area. Our luck was truly
changing. The Don told me of a monster that broke him off. But alas our
time was up and the night was closing in.
In trying to draw such a trip together, what can one say, how does one
reflect?
It was tough arguably the toughest trip I have encountered. I would
imagine my mates feel the same. I learnt a valuable lesson as well: one
is always at the mercy of the elements. Just live with the fact that
there is a greater force out there. Far greater than us. And let's
respect it.
As far fish having I.Q.s', I definitely think more research needs to
done in this area. Can't have fish being smarter than fishermen.
Regarding honesty, taxing as it may be for me to say, the four of us
only managed to catch five fish. Five small fish, that is.
Chat again next week.
Collin Hyman
Thousands arrested in
North West
More than 8 500 people were arrested during Operation Festive Season in
the North West. The operation started in October last year. The total
number of arrests during the operation was 8580. "Before Christmas 3 103
people were arrested during the first phase of the operation. Another 5
000 were arrested during Christmas and New Year," said Metsi. Suspects
were arrested for crimes including assault, rape, common assault,
housebreaking, shoplifting and theft, public violence, possession of
illegal firearms and explosives, and theft of motor vehicles. At least
148 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol,
said Metsi. "Police confiscated more than 5 000 grams of dagga, 124
dagga plants. Other drugs like ecstasy, cocaine and CAT were also
seized," said Metsi.
Police arrested 662 undocu-
mented foreign nationals at the beginning of the operation.
-Sapa
MUCH NEEDED BEDS
HANDED OVER TO HOSPICE
While delivering some wheelchairs and mattresses to the poor community
last year; the Rotary Anns of Klerksdorp Rotary Club found that there
was a great need for beds and mattresses especially for the very sick.
They approached Neil Oates, Manager of Life Anncron Clinic who in turn
made an appeal to all the hospitals in his region. As a result 38
reconditioned hospital beds and mattresses were donated to the Rotary
Annes Club by Life Flora Clinic.
These beds are now being distributed with the help of Klerksdorp Rotary
president Piet Lombard of Lombards Transport to Hospice Matlosana. On 14
January these much needed beds were handed over to Hospice.
Sasco:
Pandor not to blame for Matric results drama
Education Minister Naledi Pandor was not to blame for the blunder which
saw thousands of matric results withheld, the South African Students'
Congress said recently.
Addressing the media in Johannesburg, Sasco president Mawethu Rune said
education managers at district level were to blame.
"The minister is not the culprit. We therefore call on the education
department to investigate and to bring all culprits to book.”
The results of 56 300 matriculants were not released on December 30
along with the rest of the matric class, due to irregularities. The
affected matriculants will not be able to further their studies if
results are not released soon.
Sasco also called on all institutions of higher learning to establish
special senate committees to ensure that all disadvantaged students get
financial assistance to avoid academic and financial exclusions.”We also
wish to advise students to consider going to public Further Education
and Training (FET) colleges as the government has allocated the
resources for poor students in the FET sector.”
The student wing also advised matriculants who failed to apply for the
supplementary examinations or go back to school.
Sasco also raised concerns that while 107 642 matriculants obtained
minimum admission to a Bachelor Degree, many would not meet "ridiculous
standards set by universities".
Rune said the student body had sent members of the Congress of South
African Students (Cosas) to monitor the re-opening of schools.
Sasco members would also monitor registration at universities and
colleges.
“Our guys will inform relevant authorities if there are problems so that
they can be solved immediately," said Rune. – Sapa
Failed matrics can
rewrite exams at school
Pupils who failed matric last year will be allowed to repeat their
national senior certificate exams at high schools.
The national Education Department confirmed this, but said the decision
to accept any any such pupils would be at the discretion of the schools.
Ministry spokesperson Lunga Ngqengelele said the department was busy
with preparations for supplementary exams for last year's matrics.
"Matrics who failed must not despair.
There are private institutions that allow matrics to register as
part-time candidates, and further education training colleges also offer
national vocation certificates.
“We will also be establishing centres across the country for Grade 12
pupils who cannot find schools to accommodate them. They will have to
register as part-time candidates, and though they might not be able to
have classes in school, we will do our best to prepare for the final
exams in October and November this year," he said.
Matrics have also been advised against "job snobbery", as experts have
said that there were several lucrative career opportunities that matric
graduates could explore.
But these careers are traditionally shunned because they are not popular
choices.
Recruiting consultant, Frances Kazan, said snubbing jobs that were
deemed inferior was destructive, and created artificial work limits and
unrealistic expectations.
Unfashionable careers included those in the hospitality, retail and
beauty industries (hair, nails, face) as well as dirty or physically
challenging jobs like mining and plumbing.
Career consultant, Silvia Stringer, said many universities were probably
full and would be unable to take late applicants. She urged those who
had not applied to go to university this year to take a gap year and use
the time to consider various occupations.
Property prospects look bleak
The residential property market faces bleak prospects this year as
distressed sales and sales in execution encounter reduced demand and the
fall in house prices is likely to continue.
But the construction industry is defying economic difficulties, with
some firms reporting order books at record levels.
Jacques du Toit, a senior property analyst at Absa, says the market will
hit bottom only around the middle of this year and gradually recover in
the second half, on the back of lower inflation and interest rates,
before showing a noticeable improvement next year.
Du Toit has forecast that house prices, after adjustment for inflation,
will drop by 4.5 percent this year, after a fall of about seven percent
in real terms last year.
John Loos, a First National Bank Home Loans property strategist,
forecasts house price deflation of between three percent and five
percent this year.
Loos says the national price deflation figure recorded was not a
surprise given the range that have been steadily mounting against the
residential market.
Debt levels
One of the biggest obstacles to a recovery in residential property is
the high debt levels of households, which, with the cumulative increase
of 500 basis points in interest rates since June 2006, had reduced
housing affordability.
The ratio of household debt to disposable income fell to 75.3 percent in
the third quarter, from 76.3 percent in the second quarter and 78.5
percent in the first.
Distressed sales of houses increased dramatically during the year, and
the financial plight of homeowners was exacerbated by banks tightening
up on access homeowners had to the equity in their homes.
The slowdown in sales of residential property resulted in thousands of
estate agents quitting the business. The mortgage sector origination
industry started retrenching staff after a year-on-year slump in volumes
of more than 50 percent because of the housing market slowdown.
Loos describes the performance of the residential property market last
year as dismal.
He attributes it to the effects of a commodity price spike and global
food prices going into orbit, leading to a major inflation surge and a
further resumption of interest rate hikes in the second quarter.
Loos says the overall index moved into deflation late last year and
forecasts that it will return to positive territory only in 2010. – iol
Scores left homeless after storm
Disaster Management teams in the North West were distributing tents to
about 45 families left homeless by strong winds that ripped through
Taung recently.
The SABC news reported Saturday that villagers in Vergenoeg, Molelema,
Kokomeng and Longaneng lost their homes when the storm lashed through
the area and destroyed everything..
Only one woman was injured in the incident and she has been discharged
from hospital. - Sapa
Taxi operators
targeted in police blitz
Seventeen taxi operators were arrested in Klerksdorp for operating with
fraudulent taxi permits, the North West transport department said on 13
January.
The operators were arrested during a blitz that began on December 1 and
ended on 17 January. Thirty minibus taxis were also impounded after they
were found operating on unauthorised routes or without a valid taxi
permit, said spokesperson James Moche.
"The operation was initiated by the MEC, Phenye Vilakazi, after 15 taxi
associations operating around Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality
were involved in a feud over routes," said Moche.
Operators have to pay a R5 000 fine for their taxis to be released.
The taxi conflict has affected taxi operations in areas such as
Klerksdorp, Potchefstroom, Orkney, Stilfontein, Hartebeesfontein, Kanana
and other routes linking the areas and other provinces. - Sapa
R2,6 MILLION HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FOR ABANDONED FARMWORKERS
The North West Department of Local Government and Housing has allocated
over R2, 6 million for the construction of emergency housing for
abandoned farmworkers in Willow Park near Zeerust, MEC Howard Yawa told
SABC TV 2' s Morning Live.
The Project that commenced in December 2008 for the construction of 60
low cost houses to replace 35 dilapidated one roomed mud houses is part
of the multisectoral intervention by provincial and sectoral government
departments to alleviate the plight of the impoverished rural community.
“We now feel that we are part of the new South Africa. The one roomed
mud houses that my family of eleven occupied since being dumped by our
former employer on the farm in 1986 had robbed us of privacy and a
decent shelter," said unemployed Samuel Matlakala (46) .Matlakala and
his daughter,
Lerato (26) who is also a mother of two are proud beneficiaries of
completed four roomed, 45 square meters low cost houses.
"Now that a foundation for my house is dug, I am confident that the
commitment for housing that MEC Yawa made when he addressed our
community on his visit to our area on the 14 August 2008 was not a
bluff. I never thought that I would have a house of my own in my
lifetime to make up for the years of suffering that we had to endure."
says Lebalang Botlholo (57) mother of four.
“Geo-technical investigations had to be conducted prior the commencement
of the project .This is a requisite before any project can start to
check the type and condition of the soil to inform the type of
foundations to be constructed.The department as part of a caring
government had to appoint a turnkey developer to expedite the completion
of the project by the end of March 2009. We are confident that the
target for the completion of all 60 houses by that deadline is
realisable." assured MEC Yawa.
The live broadcast was a follow-up to ascertain progress since the
initial expose of the 18 June 2008 by Morning Live and the Commission
for Gender Equality on the poor living conditions of the abondoned
farmworkers in Willow Park.
BE SUN SMART
We all need some sun exposure; it's our primary source of vitamin D,
which helps us absorb calcium for stronger, healthier bones. But it
doesn't take much time in the sun for most people to get the vitamin D
they need, and unprotected exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays can
cause skin damage, eye damage, immune system suppression, and even
cancer. Even people in their twenties can develop skin cancer.
Most kids rack up between 50% and 80% of their lifetime sun exposure
before age 18, so it's important that parents teach their children how
to enjoy fun in the sun safely. With the right precautions, you can
greatly reduce your child's chance of developing skin cancer.
Facts about Sun Exposure
The sun radiates light to the earth, and part of that light consists of
invisible ultraviolet (UV) rays. When these rays reach the skin, they
cause tanning, burning, and other skin damage.
Sunlight contains three types of ultraviolet rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC.
1. UVA rays cause skin aging and wrinkling and contribute to skin
cancer, such as melanoma. Because UVA rays pass effortlessly through the
ozone layer (the protective layer of atmosphere, or shield, surrounding
the earth), they make up the majority of our sun exposure. Beware of
tanning beds because they use UVA rays. A UVA tan does not help protect
the skin from further sun damage; it merely produces color and a false
sense of protection from the sun.
2. UVB rays are also dangerous, causing sunburns, cataracts (clouding of
the eye lens), and immune system damage. They also contribute to skin
cancer. Melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, is thought to
be associated with severe UVB sunburns that occur before the age of 20.
Most UVB rays are absorbed by the ozone layer, but enough of these rays
pass through to cause serious damage.
3. UVC rays are the most dangerous, but fortunately, these rays are
blocked by the ozone layer and don't reach the earth.
What's important is to protect your family from exposure to UVA and UVB,
the rays that cause skin damage.
UV rays react with a chemical called melanin that's found in most
people's skin. Melanin is the first defense against the sun because it
absorbs dangerous UV rays before they do serious skin damage. Melanin is
found in different concentrations and colors, resulting in different
skin colors. The lighter a person's natural skin color, the less melanin
it has to absorb UV and protect itself.
The darker a person's natural skin color, the more melanin it has to
protect itself. (But both dark- and light-skinned kids need protection
from UV rays because any tanning or burning causes skin damage.)
Also, anyone with a fair complexion lighter skin and eye color is more
likely to have freckles because there's less melanin in the skin.
Although freckles are harmless, being outside in the sun may help cause
them or make them darker.
As the melanin increases in response to sun exposure, the skin tans. But
even that "healthy" tan may be a sign of sun damage. The risk of damage
increases with the amount and intensity of exposure. Those who are
chronically exposed to the sun, such as farmers, boaters, and
sunbathers, are at much greater risk. A sunburn develops when the amount
of UV exposure is greater than what can be protected against by the
skin's melanin.
Unprotected sun exposure is even more dangerous for kids with:
• moles on their skin (or whose parents have a tendency to develop
moles)
• very fair skin and hair
• a family history of skin cancer, including melanoma
You should be especially careful about sun protection if your child has
one or more of these high-risk characteristics.
With the right precautions, kids can safely play in the sun. Here are
the most effective strategies:
Avoid the Strongest Rays of the Day
Cover Up
Use Sunscreen Consistently
Use Protective Eyewear
Check Medications - Some medications increase the skin's sensitivity to
UV rays. |
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