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RUSTENBURG HERALD 17 JULIE 2020 BLADSY 5 Ms Johanna Tau, Stakeholder Engagement Manager at Impala Rustenburg will be discussing what Impala is doing as an opera�on to combat COVID-19 and support their communi�es in a live interview with YOU FM radio – at 9.40 am on Thursday (16 July). She will also be interviewed on this very important subject by Radio Mafisa on Friday (17 July) at 5.15 pm. Do not forget to tune in. RUSTENBURG HERALD - RUSTENBURG - Two suspects aged 27 and 34 were arrested on Saturday (10 July) during a multi prolonged operation by the Hawk’s Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Crime Intelligence, K9, Flying Squad and Transnet Officials, for tampering with essential infrastructure and theft of diesel worth approximately R480 000. The suspects, according to Captain Tlangelani Rikhotso, Hawks spokesperson, were allegedly caught while stealing diesel at an underground pipeline site in Rustenburg by extracting the diesel from underground and pumping it into a fuel tanker. Two suspects were immediately arrested while the third suspect managed to escape, the fuel tanker and other equipment used during the crime were seized for further investigations. They both appeared before the Rustenburg Magistrates Court on Monday (13 July). The fuel tanker used to commit the crime was seized for further inves�ga�ons. Suspects were extrac�ng diesel from an underground pipeline. Brenda will stop at nothing! RUSTENBURG HERALD - RUSTENBURG - “The human spirit really is capable of allowing the body to do anything.” Brenda Klopper’s body might not be able to do all the things that most people take for granted, but this woman has never allowed anything to put restrictions on what she can do. Brenda, who suffered a injury to her brain at birth, is living with cerebral palsy. But being, technically, bound to a wheelchair, is definitely not hampering her. She has done more, and achieved more, than most other people twice her age. Brenda has done bungee jumping, she has skydived and she walked on burning coals. Why did she do that? Walking on coals? “Because I wanted the fire to remind me to live with love, God’s grace and a burning passion in my heart, inside of my soul. No matter how difficult life gets and how impossible everything appears. I will live with purpose. In many ways living with cerebral palsy, trying to make sense of life, finding meaning, and trying to make a difference, is just like walking on fire: it seems impossible at times; it may get really hot and exceptionally difficult; it may hurt and I may even get burnt. The good news is, it still remains possible, one step at a time. Being alive is a blessing - no matter how hot it gets!” Brenda, who works for Sibanye, has just been nominated for a Women’s Network award in the category ‘Women in Community’ - a title she would surely deserve. She has never focused on the fact that she does not have everything in life; She focused on all she does have - and what she can do for others. For her to walk with the help of a walking frame is really a challenge, it is not easy. Yet, she accepted a challenge to walk a number of laps in order to get donations for warm clothing and food for children who are less fortunate. “I have completed three laps already - seven to go, but i have already been able to hand over track suits and other necessities to families in need as part of the Walk for Warmth initiative.” This is just one of the community actions she is involved with. Before Lockdown she assisted with projects at Spes Bona in the city, as well a number of other activities. “I love doing community work, I really do. It makes a difference, you can make an impact - whether big or small,” says Brenda. It explains then why she has chosen Social Work as her field of study. “I’m studying through Unisa and I still have a couple of modules left - but I’ll get there,” Two caught for diesel theft in Rustenburg she says, laughingly. She jokes that she is a “well-rounded student” and then adds, more seriously again: “I have achieved distinctions, but I have also failed. I know how it feels to achieve, and I also know how it feels not to be able to complete something.” She has an impressive bucket list and one of the items she wants to achieve next is to go diving with sharks. But her biggest dream is to be able to walk on stage when she receives her degree. “I have not got to the details of how I will do that, but I have no doubt that it can be accomplished,” she states confidently. One of the reasons of her confidence is her mom Sharon. “I’m in awe of my mom every day. She is my angel, without her I’m lost.” *To learn more about Brenda and her projects, join her on Facebook at www. facebook.com/brenda.klopper.33 Brenda Klopper does not believe in living a small life. “I will live with purpose. In many ways living with cerebral palsy, trying to make sense of life, finding meaning, and trying to make a difference, is just like walking on fire.” Brenda loves to be outdoors and enjoys horse riding.
