Edition / Uitgawe 6 12 July 2013

The guiding voicefrom the dash – 14

Goodbye,old giant – 11

Annipraat oorInnibos – 10

Pimp yourpavement –12

CChhuurrcchh cceelleebbrraatteess bbootthh oolldd aanndd nneeww

Photo: Chris Colverd

22 GGPPSS NNeewwss

From the editorWhy is it that our human naturealways tends to pull to the negativeside? We will rather speculate ontopics like: what will happen ifMadiba dies, the petrol price hittingnew heights, the Egypt uprising andworld collapse. When we gather tosocialise, take time to listen to thegeneral conversation – hardly ever isthe news positive.

When you turn on the television,or read a newspaper, it is violence,murder, rape and corruption thatmake the headlines.

Don’t you think it is time to make

a cognitive decision to start speakingpositively, to focus on the goodthings, and instead of complaining,rather compliment someone, or justhug someone that needs it?

I am not blind to reality, buthappiness is a choice... you can bebitter or better.

We all go through the mill of life,but how you stand up and go on, isyour choice. You can allowcircumstances to drag you down, oryou can ask for help. Where doesyour help come from? I know wheremine comes from!

Briewe / Letters

GPS News

22 Main Road, Sabie

Tel: 01 3 764 31 27

Fax: 086 57 43454

Facebook: gpsnews

Twitter: @editorKemp

Editorial/Advertising:

Valerie Kemp, tel: 083 565 9458

E-mail: editor@gpsnews.co.za

Reporters:

Christine Roussouw (Sabie,

Pilgrims): 079 233 4801

Gerda van den Bos (Graskop): 083

324 7254

Graphic design: Sydney Mashele

Editing and layout: Pedrie Roberts

1 -31 July

Available the whole month:

Canimambo Restaurant

Portugués & Moçambicano

cuisine.

1 3 July

Mankele Avalanche –

Sudwala Trail Riding.

ride@mankele.co.za.

1 5 July

Public schools reopen.

26 July

GPS News’ next edition.

27 July

Spur Schools MTB 2 –

Uplands College. Contact

Mark Meyer: 082 338 9532.

27 Julie

NG kerk Sabie se basaar

voor die stadsaal.

7 August

LEFPA general meeting.

09:00. Contact Annalize:

082 902 5854.

9 August

National Women’s Day.

1 4 August

Blood donation:

Sabie Country Club – 1 5:00-

1 8:00

Graskop Dorpsaal – 1 5:00-

1 7:00

Pilgrim’s Rest Information

Centre – 1 0:00-1 4:00

Bowls @ Sabie Country Club

Every Wednesday and

Saturday @ 1 3:30

Let us know about any

events for placement in the

Social Calendar. It is free!

Vriende het my gedraHiermee wil ek dankie sê vir al onsvriende in Sabie vir jul ondersteuning,hulp, die kos wat julle aangedra het,blomme, oproepe en SMS’e voor en náJohan se dood.

In die besonder aan Lynn, Ray­mond, Riekie, Dalene, Hildegard,Rethea, tannie An en oom Basie, watmy gedra het in die tyd toe ek nie opmy eie voete kon staan nie. Kathleen,dankie vir die ondersteuning wat jydie laaste paar maande aan Anelgegee het.

– Christa en Anel van Niekerk

You choose…God is sovereign and in control ofeverything on earth… Really? Howcan something that is not good, beGod?

Would a “good” God cause pain,loss and death – just because He issupposedly in control and just be­cause He supposedly can? No. If Hewas in control of everything andeveryone, then this world would stillbe paradise and we would not bereading this.

Tradition has misinformed us –for generations – that we can neverunderstand God because his waysare so far above our ways – the

Scripture says so – but it continuesto say that we can learn the ways ofGod by coming up to His thoughtpatterns. The only way one canknow the thoughts and ways of an­other is by relationship. God invitesevery man to receive his Spirit,thereby opening the spiritual portalto knowing his thoughts and hisways. You choose to accept this in­vitation.

The recorded life of every personin Scripture is a blueprint for ustoday. You do what they did and youwill receive what they received –good, bad or indifferent. God doesnot respect one person above anoth­er; He respects faith, humility anddependence on Him. He particularly

respects choice!The words He spoke to Joshua:

“Be strong and very courageous...meditate on my words day andnight, for then shall you deal wiselyand then shall you make your wayprosperous” (Joshua 1:5­9) are re­corded for us to enforce in our livestoday – should you choose to do so.

This is not a sovereign directivewith no choice to obey it. They areput before any man, in any time,and the words “for then” indicatethat the success or failure of a per­son’s life lies in his choice to obeyGod’s instruction. Success and fail­ure are not in the hands of God –they are in yours... Choose well.

– Rezne, Graskop

Dankie, J&MOns wil die geleentheid gebruik omJ&M vir hul flink optrede die oggendvan 4 Julie te bedank, veral vir RudolfMatshabe en sy kollega, wat so viningopgetree het.

Ons aanvaar dit as vanselfsprekendom elke aand rustig in ons bed te klimterwyl hulle oor ons en ons besittingswaak.

Baie, baie dankie vir jul hulp en

mag ons liewe Vader sy hand van be­skerming elke dag en nag oor julle injul taak hou.

– Steve en Ananda BoschSurprise of her lifeNo names will be mentioned, but thishas to be told.

With the recent Springboks againstScotland game held at Mbombela Sta­dium, a Sabie lady got the surprise ofher life. Whilst sitting patiently wait­ing for the game to begin, all of a sud­den a man walked up to greet her. Hebent over, and kissed and kissed andkissed her. She tried to move back,but the concrete steps were prohibit­ing her from doing anything.

The surrounding people laughedthemselves silly for this poor womantrying to get away from the kissinglips. She was about to drink some wa­ter and the water from the openedbottle went all over her.

Well done, kissing lips, you madeour day!

Tribute to a wonderfulwoman from Sabie

For the last 20 odd years, BerenziaJoubert has been working for doctorsin Sabie, most recently as the recep­tionist of Dr Wynne Lieberthal.

A special thanks to you, Berenzia,for always being kind and never get­ting impatient with anyone. You al­ways have words of encouragement foreverybody and nothing is ever toomuch for you. When thanking you,you just shrug and say: “But it is myjob.” You always have a demeanour ofcalmness and professionalism. Youare an example to employees for goingthe extra mile.

We have permission from Dr Wynneto write this letter, and he added thefollowing: “Berenzia is the glue thatkeeps this practice going. She is wortha lot and is highly appreciated.” We as

the community would like to say: Youare very precious to us, and we appre­ciate you!

Never look down onanybody unless you are

helping them up!

SSoossiiaallee KKaalleennddeerrSSoocciiaall CCaalleennddaarr

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NNeeww ttoowwnn mmaannaaggeerr wwaannttssttoo rreevviivvee PPiillggrriimm’’ss RReessttChristine Rossouw

A new town manager has beenappointed to Pilgrim’s Rest.Thirty­five year old Pretty

Makhubedu was born in the rural vil­lage of Madjembeni, Bushbuckridge.The fifth child of seven siblings,Pretty didn’t let her humble begin­nings define her prospects, and facedher future with ambition and determ­ination.

After matriculating from CefupsAcademy School in Nelspruit, shepursued a Bachelor of Administrationdegree at the then Vista University inMamelodi, majoring in public andmunicipal administration. She wenton to attain her BAdmin Honours.

Her formal employment commencedin 2003 as a clerk at the then Depart­ment of Finance and Economic Devel­opment in Limpopo. Within threeyears she was appointed as state ac­countant, but moved over toMpumalanga after Bushbuckridgewas incorporated into the province.

In 2008 she joined the Departmentof Education as a senior state ac­countant and in 2011 was appointedas an assistant manager in theMpumalanga Department of Finance.

And on 1 June this year she took upthe position of town manager of Pil­grim’s Rest.

An avid traveller herself Pretty saysshe loves the rich history that Pil­grim’s Rest possesses. “It’s a smalltown with a huge history, whichmakes it one of Mpumalanga’s primetourist destinations. But recently thetourism in this area has declined, soone of my goals is to ensure that werevive tourism to Pilgrim’s Rest,” shesays.

The ambitious new town managerhas many plans for the revitalizationof Pilgrim’s Rest and is of the opinionthat it will take the co­operation of allstakeholders to deal with the town’schallenges successfully.

“There are many challenges facedby this town and I don’t regard any ofthem as small, but they are all of theutmost importance.”

GPS News would like to welcomePretty to Pilgrim’s Rest and wishesher well during her term as townmanager, as well as congratulates heron her birthday, which was on 22June. May the God of all hope and allpeace bless you in this coming yearand bless your contribution in Pil­grim’s Rest.

PPrreettttyy MMaa­­kkhhuubbeedduuiinn hheerr nneewwooffffiiccee iinnPPiillggrriimm’’ssRReesstt..

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Shirly Mathebula

The Sabie Cares WinterDrive project, initiated bythe Sabie Chamber of

Commerce and Tourism, made agreat difference to the communityof Sabie.

With the winter chill starting tobite in many parts of the country,the Sabie Cares Winter Drive pro­ject appealed to the public for as­sistance and managed to raise 250blankets that were donated toneedy people in various locationsin Harmony Hill and Simile, Sa­bie, on Saturday 22 June.

The organisation received as­sistance from residents, smallbusinesses and a few churches inraising R17 615. Alcoholics An­onymous, Child Welfare, Mountainof the Lord (feeding scheme pro­ject), Siyanakekela Home BasedCare, Victim Empowerment

Centre and Ubuntu CommunityCare Centre played their part inidentifying the vulnerable chil­dren, orphans and needy familiesto receive blankets. 34 blanketswere also dropped off at ChildWelfare’s Sabie office.

According to Sabie Chamber ofCommerce and Tourism’s PhilRobson, “winter is a time whenpeople are having trouble warmingup. Together with charity organ­isations we identified this projectas a way of inviting those whohave sufficient warmth to assistpeople within the community whoare finding it difficult to keep theirfamilies warm.

“Every year, we are amazed atthe generosity of the sharing pub­lic within the community in con­tributing to the needy. We feelthat God has blessed the town tobe announced as Town of the Year;therefore we must open our hearts

and take care of others,” said Rob­son.

Receiving the blankets broughtjoy to a number of recipients atMountain of the Lord Church inHarmony Hill. General Gumede(34), a father and husband, said:“It is a blessing for us to receiveblankets. It’s unusual to havepeople in our community who arewilling to assist people who are inneedy situations.”

Nokuthula Ntshangase (19), ahigh school pupil, gave her gratit­ude: “I am so happy and excited.My siblings and I are now securedthis winter.”

The project set a target of col­

lecting 1 000 blankets. In winter,people need more than oneblanket; the need to donate moreblankets is far too great and it farexceeds what was donated. Thereis still a demand for moreblankets. Local businesses are in­vited to contribute to the winterdrive. The public, businesses andorganisations can help by donatingblankets at Child Welfare’s officeopposite Caltex or by depositing adonation into the chamber’s ac­count: First National Bank, Sabiebranch, account number 6206 2364733, branch code 270 752. Pleaseuse your name and Winter Driveas the reference.

Chrystal Hector hands out a blanket to a happy recipient.

WWaarrmm hheeaarrttss,,wwaarrmm nniigghhttss

66 GGPPSS NNeewwss

Info booklet supports tourismSabie Chamber of Commerce andTourism does it again. Another won­derful initiative from the tourism sec­tor of the chamber is the publicationof a handy little A6 info booklet fortourists visiting the town.

This was the brainchild of JanetWills and she took the idea and ranwith it. She formed a committee of six.Serious work started on the booklet inJanuary and the committee metweekly to ensure that the deadlinesthat they had set were kept and tokeep the momentum.

The booklet comprises of a townmap in the centre, with useful inform­ation for a tourist visiting Sabie. Theinformation ranges from day trips to

cycling info and scenic spots to visit tothe history of the town etc.

It was important to the committeethat it would not be a booklet full ofadvertisements; however, they neededto sell space to fund the project asthey wanted the booklet to be for free.Janet made sure that no more than50% was made up of adverts. The ad­verts were chosen carefully as theyhad to be tourist related.

So look out for the booklet and ifyou are a tourist­related establish­ment, ensure you have some of theseon hand for the next tourist that popsin.

For details email Lesley Turner:lesleyjturner@gmail.com.

The info booklet committee. Back (from left): Jackie Breckle, Kate Thur­ley and Lesley Turner. Front: Anne Coetzee, Janet Wills and Joy Comley.

Locals help with classic car rallyAdele Janse van Rensburg and ArnoIsemann, owners of the PPE supplierNsemani in Sabie, are committed tomotorsport. Both are qualified rallymarshals and they have been involvedwith many races, most recently withthe Polana Classic Car Rally.

The Polana Rally is a popular mo­torsport event that was started 60years ago, and this year the winnerswere Kevin Bolon and Manfred Hertz,with Chris Andrew and Mike Altonain second place.

On 15 June, 26 teams departedfrom Centurion and embarked on athree­day adventure journey over1 100 km around South Africa, Swazi­land and into Mozambique to the fin­ish line at Maputo’s “Grand Dame”,the Polana Serena Hotel.

In Monte Carlo­style rallies such asthis, the accepted chain of commandsees the navigator as the person whoguides the driver, telling them whereto go and what speed limit to travel.

Once the teams and marshalsreached the end of the race, theypulled up to the Polana Serena Hotelfor some much­needed rest and relax­ation. The property was built in 1922and has a long history as a stop­overfor travellers and destination forbusiness and leisure tourists.

Adele says: “There was such a panicto get the passports and to geteverything in order, but once the racestarted, it was awesome. We reallyenjoyed it. Although it kept a very fastpace, the exhilaration and excitementcompensated for the exhaustion.”

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The joy of living

comes from a heart

of thanksgiving.

When life hands you a really, really big lemon...Manie Pelser (70) of Sabie brought something very interesting toGPS News’ offices: a lemon weighing 1,4 kg, with a circumferenceof 40 cm. This strange phenomenon was growing on the same treeas other, normal­sized lemons. Manie said: “There are other lem­ons that are showing potential to grow so abnormally big. The onlylogical reason for this humongous lemon could be the fact that itgets afternoon sun.” Is there a GPS News reader with knowledge ofcitrus trees that could contact us with some explanation?

J&M makes sure Innibos is secureIn recent years, J&M positioned itselfas the preferred security service pro­vider for major special events on theLowveld social calendar with the suc­cessful rendering security manage­ment and protection services. Thisyear it was not different at the InnibosNational Arts Festival held inNelspruit from 26­30 June.

J&M personnel worked a total of1 000 shifts at Innibos. The eventplanning in conjunction with all levelsof command and operations of theSAPS, traffic, ER24 and other serviceproviders already started in February.The logistics and infrastructure inplanning an event of Innibos’ mag­nitude – that drew a record crowd inexcess of 40 000 on Saturday alone –

requires dedication and skilled man­agement.

Werner Terblanche, General Man­ager of J&M, received specialisedtraining in Base Special Event Secur­ity, such as the Fifa World Cup Tour­nament, and has been in control ofspecial events for 17 years.

Werner says: “This is the tenth yearwe were the security service providerfor Innibos and besides a few minorincidents, all went smoothly. It takesa lot of planning and we had meetingsin the morning and evening to ensureall went well.”

Other clients on their list are theannual Lowveld Show, the annualBrondal Avo Festival and the SabieBosfees, to name but a few.

Midas Sabie het onlangs ’n kompetisie gehou waar klante watitems ter waarde van meer as R250 gekoop het, hul strokie konindien met die hoop om ’n Weber­braaier te wen. Charles was diegelukkige wenner. Hier is Julia, Charles, Jessica en Lulu.

88 GGPPSS NNeewwss

Christine Rossouw

Winter may have fallen andour slithery friends re­treated into hibernation,

but residents should remember thatas the air temperature cools, snakeslook for warmer places to spend thewinter, and these are very often ourhouses, sheds and garages.

GPS News spoke to local snake ex­pert and catcher Denzil Lawrie aboutthe snakes in our area and what to doshould you discover that one hascurled up in your house for hiberna­tion.

“There is really a big variety of spe­cies in the area, but most commonvenomous snakes are boom slang,night adder, puff adder, black mamba,snouted cobra and Mozambican spit­ting cobra,” Denzil says.

He explains that most people mis­takenly identify non­venomous

snakes, like the brown house andgreen spotted bush snake, as venom­ous and kill them before seeking theassistance of professionals.

Denzil’s relationship with snakesbegan in 2007, when he started keep­ing exotic snakes like Taiwanese ratsnakes, ball pythons and Burmese py­thons as a hobby. Some may remem­ber Cindy, the 2,5 m Burmese pythonthat went all over town with Denzil.

Having become considerably experi­enced in the handling of snakes, Den­zil then started capturing troublesomesnakes and went on a course withreptile expert Chris Hobkirk from theMpumalanga Tourism and ParksAgency to become qualified in reptilerecovery. Not only was Denzil trainedin the fine art of snake catching andrelease, but he built up an extensiveknowledge of the different species.

The Sabie snake catcher, who hasspent his whole life in the town since

his birth in Sabie Hospital 31 yearsago, has captured more than 40snakes, only 8% of which werevenomous.

According to Denzil, all snakes arescared of humans and won’t strike ata person unless they are feelingthreatened. “The first thing to do ifyou discover a snake in your house orgarden is to keep calm and not makeany sudden movements or noises. Re­member that the snake is usuallymore scared of you than you are of it,”Denzil says.

“Do not attempt to catch or kill thesnake, but, keeping your eye on itfrom a safe distance, phone me, and Iwill come out to catch it.”

It is important to keep your eye onthe snake the whole time while youwait for the catcher to arrive. Denzilcan be contacted on 082 455 7153.

TThheerree’’ss aa ssnnaakkee oonn mmyy ssttooeepp

Denzil Lawrie at work catchinga troublesome snake.

A ballpython.

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St Peter’s Anglican Churchhas a double celebration

Chris Colverd

St Peter’s Anglican Church in Sabie was the placeto be on a beautifully warm winter’s morning atthe end of June – for more than one reason.

Firstly the Sir Herbert Baker­designed church wascelebrating its 100th birthday (although there was nosign of a telegram from the queen!), and secondly youngChristopher John Luyt was ordained to the priesthood.

By 08:30, when the service got underway, the famousold church was “packed to the gunwales” with standingroom only at the back.

Resplendent in their red robes, the altar was simplycrammed with dignitaries from the various churches inthe diocese of Mpumalanga, whilst family members andlocal residents of all races and ages filled the pews.

Leading the way was the Right Reverend Dr. DanielKgomosotho, Bishop of Mpumalanga, who was accom­panied by Archdeacon Mark Spratt, Reverend LionelBarnabas from St Antony’s Church in Graskop, CanonRoland Carle and Canon Emeritus Norton Taylor, whokept the congregation spellbound with his amazing ser­mon. The congregation was represented by retiringminister Rev. Lawrence Burton, and recently­ordainedKathy Whiteley, with a full supporting cast.

It was a long, but often light­hearted service, withmany emotional moments as Chris Luyt was ordained.It was the young adults group of the parish of Sabie whoentertained all present halfway through the event withthree rousing melodies.

Chris, who has been attending The Fellowship of Vo­cation, has been mentored since December 2012 by out­going minister Lawrence Burton.

After the service was over, refreshments, including avariety of soups, were served in the hall, whilst Chrisand Lyndell Luyt made the most of the moment to havenumerous family photographs taken with St Peters asthe backdrop.

New minister Chris Luyt and outgoing ministerLawrence Burton. Photo: Chris Colverd

Siyanakekela home based care receives an officeShirly Mathebula

After few years of renting in differentareas, Siyanakekela Home BasedCare, a non­profit organisation thatwas started in 1997, has finally founda place from where to operate – an oldbuilding at Simile, Sabie, called theOld Beer Hall. Thaba Chweu muni­cipality made the building available inFebruary. However, the organisationpleads with the public to assist withthe renovation of the building to turnit into proper working space.

Siyanakekela Home Based Care is anon­profit organisation of 21 dedicatedwomen who voluntarily take care ofchronically and terminally ill people,vulnerable families and orphans inSimile and Harmony Hill.

Tshepiso Mashaba, a volunteer for11 years, said: “The organisationserves as a helping hand to the com­munity; we have identified that thereare people in our communities whodon’t receive optimal palliative care intheir homes and as volunteers we arewilling to offer our services and as­sistance.”

The volunteers have touched thelives of many community members byvisiting patients to help restore and

maintain people’s health standardsand way of living by providing careand education at their homes.

The volunteers have shown appre­ciation to the municipality for makingthe building available where theygather every morning for meetingsand work.

Unfortunately the building is in aterrible state. The rusted metal roof

needs to be painted; the cracked walland concrete floor need to be repaired.There are no electricity connectionsand no fencing. The volunteers arepleading for assistance from the publicfor the building or other donations inthe form of office items, like curtains,tables or chairs, that will make theoffice look pleasant, safe and profes­sional.

Home based care volunteers at the new office (insert).

1100 GGPPSS NNeewwss

Annipraatoor

InnibosInnibos 2013 het gekom en gegaan. GPS Nuus het ’npaar plaaslike inwoners gevra hoe hulle dit beleef het.

Corné Lubbe: Hy het Donderdagaand baie geniet en vir hom het diegroep Adam uitgestaan en ook Juanita. Daar was net te veel stof, maarverder was die eetgoed, soos pap en kaiings, baie lekker. Hy het die fotosaam met Petrus, Wouter en Sussie van Villa Rosa laat neem.

Ezelle Visser en Shaun Cogill:Innibos 2013 was groot pret!Ezelle het Donderdag saam met’n vriendin na ’n opvoering byHoërskool Nelspruit gaan kyk enVrydag was hulle op die feester­rein. Robbie Wessels Vrydagaandop die kykNet­verhoog – “dieman is skreeusnaaks en lyk tekomieklik as hy eers sy danspas­sies begin uitvoer. Die pizza coneis ’n wenner en dan was daar dieheerlikste skemerkelkies in langglase. Ons sal beslis weer In­nibos toe gaan. Kom Innibos2014!”

Marika Wei­denmann: “DieCoca­Cola­hoofverhoogDonderdag­aand was diehoogtepuntvan Innibos.Dit was diebeste in dieWeste! Ek salbeslis weergaan.”

Chandré Grobler en Lidia vanWyk: Hulle was Saterdag by

Innibos en het dit baie geniet.Chandré dink die stal­

letjies en ritte wasasemrowend en sy

sal beslis weergaan.

Van links... Anne­Marié De La Rey: Sy was Donderdag en Saterdag by In­nibos. Hoogtepunte was Juanita du Plessis en Steve Hofmeyr se verto­ning. Daar was die lekkerste kaasboerewors. Haar gunstelingrit was diecrazy wave en sy is vol blou kolle. Wesley Davies en Yolanda Klopper:Die hoogtepunt van Innibos was beslis Bok van Blerk se vertoning hy hetdie mense “lekker aan die gang gehou. Die ritte was ook ’n hoogtepunt,al was my oë 90% van die tyd toe. Sal ons weer gaan? Vir seker – dit wasbaie lekker.” Elzane Strydom: Sy was Donderdag by Innibos. Al dievertonings was fantasties, maar veral Pieter Koen. Sy het die pretparkook geniet en sê sy sal beslis weer gaan. “Ek meen dit is die beste fees indie land. Daar is iets vir almal – die beste kunstenaars, en sommer netdie gees is absoluut fantasties.”

Tuané De La Rey: Sy wasDonderdag, Vrydag enSaterdag daar. Hoogte­punte was Arno Jordaan,Juanita du Plessis, StefanLudik, Bok van Blerk,Robbie Wessels, DJ Osse­wa en Theuns Jordaan.Die foto is saam met dieBinneland­akteur RameyShort geneem. Sy “genietInnibos elke jaar en menssien so baie bekende sterreop die fees”.

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CCaappttiioonn ccoommppeettiittiioonn –– yyoouu ccaann wwiinn RR220000!!The winner of the competition with a captionfor the baboon picture (right) was PatriciaDu Casse (61) with the phrase “Scratch outfruit and scorpions? Not with my freshmanicure!” She is a new Sabie resident whorecently moved from Gauteng. Her husband,Anthony, is the owner of Duke Systems (seethe advert on p. 10). You also stand a chanceto win the next R200! Send us your captionfor the photo of the lion below. SMS yourname and caption to 079 529 0256 or emaileditor@gpsnews.co.za. The competition closeson Thursday 18 July. The winner will beannounced in the issue of 26 July.

Shirly Mathebula

The beauty of trees in theLowveld cannot be debated –and they form a special part of

our lives. They grow and blossombetween buildings, in the streets, inparks and in private gardens. And totop it all, Sabie has one of the oldestblue gum trees (a Sydney blue gum, orEucalyptus saligna) in the area – agiant that has grown with the townfor the past 110 years on what is nowSybrand van Niekerk High School’sgrounds.

GPS News examined the tree withforestry professionals Hennie vanWyk and Annalize Nieuwoudt. VanWyk has a deep passion for forestryand professional experience of the in­dustry of 32 years, while Nieuwoudthas been involved in the forestry in­dustry for 15 years. Van Wyk said hecan remember how, in 1974, everymorning he walked passed the tree onhis way to school.

This blue gum’s trunk is smoothand grey­white in the upper part, withlance­shaped, aromatic leaves. The

tree is 47 m tall and casts a massiveshadow.

A few months ago, the tree was

struck by lightning and now half ofthe old giant is dying while the otherhalf continues to grow.

Van Wyk said that “when a tree ishit by lightning, the water inside thewood cells, which transport the waterthrough the tree system, boils andcauses the wood cells to die. The treeis dying from the top to the bottomand could turn into putrefied wood, a

kind of wood that is non­flammable.The dead branches can fall anytime orthe tree can stand like this for manyyears.”

Nieuwoudt said: “Most of the treesgrowing in our towns are valuable andthey form part of our lives. Thereforeit is important to nurture them, andwe should not let an opportunity go byto protect and take care of a tree.”

Hennie van Wyk and Annalize Nieuwoudt at the giant blue gum.

SSaabbiiee’’ss ggrreeeennggiiaanntt ssuuffffeerrss

1122 GGPPSS NNeewwss

Op Sondag 16Junie is ’n potjie­koskompetisie ty­dens die GraskopConcervancy seBlue Swallow Fes­tival gehou. Diebeoordelaars wasSarel Loots, BrianGuest en MichaelMurphy. Hier isdie wenners,Charles Loyd enMichelle van denBerg, by Sarel vanSabie.

Foto: Diggers Hut

Pimp yourpavement

Linda van Wyk of Van WykPlumbing in Sabie woke upone night with an idea. She

dreamed about a pavement com­munity feeding project.

Lo and behold, the pavement oftheir home in Ford Street was conver­ted into a veggie patch with lush,healthy­looking plants – basicallyovernight.

In Europe, some people do pave­ment projects where they spring­cleanand put white elephants on the pave­ment, either for yard sales or to blessthe less fortunate. The whole aim is tocreate an organic garden on the pave­ment where anyone that has the needcan pick some veggies, with the condi­tion that they take some and leavesome for their neighbour. Lindalearned about these gardens in Pot­chefstroom.

She is challenging other residents inGPS News’ distribution area to catchonto the idea and start their own veg­gie patches to help others.

“It is actually quite funny – peoplestop me or call to say that all the veg­gies will be stolen,” says Linda, “but Ido want needy people to help them­selves. A wheelbarrow will be placedoutside with various unwanted items,like books, clothes, toys, householditems etc. People can bring all theirunwanted goods and deposit it in thewheelbarrow.”

Linda is of the opinion that changestarts with you, and by doing this“pay­it­forward” project, she aims tomake a small difference in people’slives.

A similar project, called StreetPantry, of which the CEO is King Je­sus, has also been initiated by a Face­book group called Tiaan’s Tuine,Kruie en Groente just weeks afterLinda started her project. Their aim isto continue promoting pavement veg­

gie gardens and other pavement pro­jects, for example making cuttings ofexisting plants and distributing itoutside for the taking, and donatingtrees to schools for Arbour Day.

Her right hand in the project andthe one with the green fingers is Giv­en Lekhuleni.

Seeds for veggies will gladly be giv­

en away if available to replant in owngardens.

A special thank you is extended toSarita Erasmus, as well as to Jan ofGraphica Signs, for making the signson such short notice and their contri­bution to the project.

Anyone needing assistance and ad­vice on how to start pimping their

pavements is welcome to contactLinda. Advice from professionalgardeners will also be welcome.

GPS News would like to challengeour readers to participate in thisworthy, ongoing project. “After all, itis so much more satisfying and re­warding to give than to receive,” saysLinda.

Given Lekhuleni, the wheelbarrow with unwanted items, and Linda van Wyk’s “street pantry”.

1133GGPPSS NNeewwss

Make a difference on Mandela DayShirly Mathebula

Mandela Day is a call to action forevery person to take responsibilityto change the world into a betterplace.

On Thursday 18 July, ThabaChweu municipality will host aMandela Day celebration, targetedat making a difference in the lives oforphans and vulnerable children inSabie. The municipality thereforewould like to request every indi­vidual to take part by donating anyform of item to the campaign; it canbe food parcels, clothing items,blankets, toys and other items.Donations can be dropped off at the

Public Participation office next tothe clinic or at reception at the mu­nicipal office. Donors can also sub­mit the items on the day of theevent at Ekuthuleni Hall, Simile,from 10:00.

The event is set to touch the livesof 100 children identified by localwelfare organisations. Activities atthe event will include motivationalspeaking from professionals in thegovernment sectors touching onchild abuse, HIV/aids and other is­sues. Individuals and organisationsaround Sabie are challenged tospend at least 67 minutes givingback to vulnerable children andorphans in the community in hon­

our of the 67 years that Mandelagave in service and sacrifice.

Municipal HIV/aids co­coordinat­or Fikile Ndlovu said: “Mandela Daymarks a very important day forSouth Africans to commemorate thelife of Madiba; therefore we mustshow love to every child and try tomake a difference and follow inMadiba’s footsteps.

“We request and invite all gov­ernment departments, churches,businesses and community mem­bers to take initiative for this eventas we celebrate Madiba’s birthdayand the life of every needy child.”

• For more information contactNdlovu at 083 267 3466.

DDiiee kkuunnsstteennaaaarr wwaatt kkiinnddeerrss hheellppGerda van den Bos

Graskop het besonderse mensewat groot droom en anders oordie lewe dink. ’n Goeie voor­

beeld hiervan is Casper Visser, ’nkunstenaar van die dorp. Die dag toehy opdrag gekry het om PanoramaSecondary School met diefwering tebeveilig, het hy besluit gewone dief­wering is nie goed genoeg nie.

“Ek glo wat jy sien terwyl jy werk,het ’n groot invloed op jou. Ek wou niegehad het dat die kinders en perso­neellede voel hulle is in ’n tronk nie;toe maak ek die diefwering kinder­vriendelik.”

Casper en Rachel Jacobs, Panoramase hoof, het koppe bymekaargesit endie gevolg is dat die diefwering in diepersoneelkamer die skool se geskie­denis uitbeeld.

“Daardie prentjies is met staal enplaat aanmekaargesit – geen diefgaan dit breek nie,” sê hy.

Kinders, veral tieners en hul dinge,lê hom na aan die hart. “Hier is nieveel vir die tieners om te doen as hullenie in die skool is nie, dan dink hullenonsens uit en raak met dwelms endrank deurmekaar. Ek probeer hullevan die straat af kry.”

Casper het begin deur karoakeaan­de vir die tieners te hou.

“Dit gaan ’n gereelde instelling wordsodra my galery oop is. Hier is genoegplek om sommer danskompetisies ookte hou. Ek laat geen drank of dwelmstoe nie. Ek haat dit – en die kindersweet dit.”

Die kinders weet ook hy ken sy mu­siek, want dié kunstenaar en sakemanis ook ’n DJ (platejoggie) van formaat.“Ek is eintlik ’n entertainer at heart,”lag hy. “Ek glo daar is vir ons almal ’nplek in die son en musiek bring mensebymekaar.”

Casper se eerste passie in die lewebly egter die kunswerke wat hy uitstaal skep. Die bouwerk aan sy nuwe

kunsgalery vorder. “Die galery gaanvan vroeg tot laataand oop wees. Ekwil hê dit moet ’n kuierplek wordwaar mense sommer net kan kom siten koffie drink. Dit moet ook ’n plekvan veiligheid vir kinders wees.”

As alles volgens plan verloop, salVisser Metal Arts se nuwe galery vol­gende maand open. Tot dan gee Cas­per nie om as mense by sy ateljee ag­ter in die erf vir ’n kuiertjie kom in­loer nie.

1144 GGPPSS NNeewwss

Sharon Mandy

I have a confession to make: I lovemy GPS. Her name is Flossie andwe have a special relationship.

Now I know most people look downat people like me (for example myhusband), but that is because they donot understand. When I walk out ofanother entrance to the one that Iwent into at the mall, I have to standstill a little to get my bearings before Ifind my way. When I drive alone and Ihave to concentrate, I do somehowfind my way, but I do not enjoy doingit, and so when anyone joins me in thecar, my brain sort of goes into a powersaving mode, and I have to be toldwhere to go. People do not believe mewhen I tell them this, until they drivewith me, and then my very close

friends call me weird and other peoplecall me other things. Flossie is likehaving a best friend in the car.

When I first start a journey, I lookat Flossie and allow myself a smallsmile. I listen to every word she saysand when the road is particularlylong, I push the screen in the cornerso she can tell me to “follow the direc­tion of the road”. She unerringly takesme to the correct destination, and onlyonce, when I was being particularlyargumentative, did she take me to aremote railroad and told me to drivealong it, but that is another story.

My husband, on the other hand hasa very poor relationship with Flossie.He glowers at her when he bombardshis way into the car and begins an ar­gument straight away.

“After five hundred meters, turn

left,” says Flossie.“I have never heard anything so ab­

surd”, says Michael and turns right.Flossie recalculates, “After 800

meters, keep left,” says Flossie.“Keep left! What nonsense, I shall

go straight!” says Michael, and hedoes.

Eventually, we realise we are in alittle suburb in Hotazel, when wewere supposed to be somewhere in Jo­hannesburg. Michael turns to me andsays, “Do you see now how useless thisGPS is – it always gets us totally lost!”

“I never seem to have that problem,”I say mildly.

“It has a soul,” he says, “and ithates me!”

“Perhaps, you must start calling her‘she’ instead of ‘it’,” I reply. “You arehurting her feelings, and you could try

TThhee gguuiiddiinnggvvooiiccee ffrroommtthhee ddaasshh

listening to her once in a while.”“I am going to pull over in the

nearest parking bay and jump on her,”he says.

“I will not allow you to abuse herphysically as well as mentally,” I replyloyally. We women have to stand to­gether.

There are many diverse views onGPS’s, but I have noticed there is analarming number of people that seemto use GPS’s regularly while claimingthat they are the worst invention un­der the sun and that they alwaysseem to take one slightly off course, orworse still, to take one to the wrongplace completely. I always smile be­cause I know from experience thatthere is no reasoning with people likethat; they simply are the kind that donot listen anyway!

Robert Ndebele, Wimpie Smit en Lukas Setan­ga bring die nuwe straatnaambord aan.

En toe gaan maak hy ’n plan...Gerda van den Bos

Almal ken die frustrasie van ’n straat sonder ’nnaambord of die ewige uitswaai vir ’n slaggat in diepad. Min van ons kom so ver om iets daaraan tedoen, maar Wimpie Smit het besluit om self ’n plante maak.

Wimpie is ’n huiseienaar in Graskop, maar sysakeonderneming is nog in Kroonstad in die Vry­staat. Wanneer hy die geleentheid kry, vat hy diepad Graskop toe.

Hy het agtergekom dat Oorwinningstraat ’n gat indie pad het, net so op ’n effense bult waar die teer­straat ophou en die sementpaadjie begin. Hy het ookgesien besoekers verdwaal maklik op daardie punt,want die straat was nie gemerk nie. Boonop loop diestraat dood en menige besoeker ry vergeefs daar opnet om omdraaiplek tussen die huise heel bo in diestraat te soek.

So met die aanbreek van die skole se winter­

vakansie het hy en twee van sy werkers die saakreggestel. Hy het ’n naambord met ’n waarskuwingoor ’n doodloopstraat op eie koste laat maak en ’npaal daarvoor op die hoek staangemaak. Daarby hethulle sonder seremonie die gat in die pad gevul.

“Die gat gaan die mense se karre seermaak,” sê hytoe GPS Nuus hom vra hoekom hy dit doen. “Noumaak ek dit maar gou reg.”

Dié man het duidelik ’n goeie hart en ’n sagteplekkie vir Graskop. “Ons gaan nog permanent hierkom woon. Gee my nog net so ’n paar jaar kans datdie kinders die onderneming in Kroonstad kanoorneem. Dan wil ons kyk waar ons die skole kanhelp.”

Ek wou nog verder gesels, toe is die man weervort... daar is nog ’n gat in die pad wat hy gou gaanregmaak... terwyl hy nou hier is.

Baie dankie, Wimpie – my ou blou karretjie hetelke dag om daardie gat gesukkel. Dankie vir dieregmaak en vir die inisiatief.

1155GGPPSS NNeewwss

Sabie resident Juanta Barnard (34, left) has again been chosen forthe Mpumalanga A ladies hockey team to compete on nationallevel. She has a passion for sport, and is also a professional spin­ning instructor in Sabie. It takes dedication and perseverance tocontinue doing what she loves. They practise on Saturdays ineither White River (Uplands Astro) or in Witbank (Hockey Farm),besides playing for her own club, White River Hockey Club. Theleague games usually are on a Sunday. The national competitionwill take place in Port Elizabeth from 17­26 August. The tourna­ment fee is R5 500 and Juanta would appreciate any assistance –financially or by way of sponsorship. Anyone who is interested cancall GPS News on 013 764 3127 for more information.

Sasol delivers a worldof wonders on wheelsGerda van den Bos

Just before the school holidays com­menced in June, Sasol delivered aspecial package at Glory Hill Primaryschool in Graskop. From the outside itlooks just like any ordinary whitecabinet on wheels, but it holds a worldof wonders.

This white cabinet contains storybooks that will take any reader to awonderland of fantasy and adventure,as well as books on science. Thesebooks explain difficult terms like mo­lecules and atoms with brightly­col­oured pictures and in easyterminology. The cabinet also has achild­friendly poster displaying theperiodic table.

The best part of this cabinet is thescience box filled with enough materi­al to do all the science experiments forgr. 4, 5 and 6. Each one of the smallercontainers also has an instructionmanual.

Sasol Secunda provided training onoptimal usage of the science box in theform of a workshop held at the school

for all the teachers involved. Theworkshop was hosted by a lecturer ofthe Osizweni Education and Develop­ment Centre. Osizweni is one of thebest centres in the country that sup­port learners and educators in thefield of mathematics, science andtechnology.

Mariette van der Merwe, CorporateMarketing Manager at Sasol Secunda,presented the science box to Glory HillPrincipal Daan Rossouw. She saidSasol is committed to hand out 20 ofthese boxes to schools throughoutMpumalanga.

“Education is one of the pillars inwhich Sasol commits to give supportin enhancing and advancing thegrowth of our country. Learners arethe leaders of our tomorrow,” Van derMerwe said.

She also said the learners at theschool took her by surprise as theywere all “well­dressed, well­behavedand disciplined”.

The learners thanked Sasol by ex­plaining photosynthesis in a visualand dramatic way.

Gathered around the Sasol science box are (from left): Dean Cook (gr. 7),Shawn Sishongwe (gr. 7), Michelle Mthombothi (gr. 7), Nazmirah Da­wood (Corporate Marketing, Sasol Secunda), Lerato Kgomo (gr. 7), Prin­cipal Daan Rossouw and Mariette van der Merwe (Corporate MarketingManager at Sasol Secunda). Standing in front are two gr. 2 learners:Thabang Mogane and Lthabo Maile.

We at SmileyKids wouldlike to thankThe Sabie Ex­perience fortheir donation.Now our chil­dren can workon tables andnot on the car­pet. The littleones will enjoylearning howto use scissorsand play witheducationaltoys. Thankyou!

Kidscansmile

Wolf, sy vrou en vriende het vanJohannesburg gery om die dagmee te maak – dankie vir julle.

1166 GGPPSS NNeewwss

SPORTCALENDAR

GOLF

@ SABIE COUNTRY CLUB (01 3

764 2282)

• 1 3 July – IPS

• 20 Jul ie – Goggabos Gholfdag

• 29 July – Flag Competition

@ PILGRIMS GOLF CLUB (01 3

768 1 434)

• 1 3 July - Graskop Spar IPS

• 20 July - Bonus Bogey

• 27 July - Men & Women Day –

better ball

• 3 August – Monthly mug

PPiillggrriimmss ssllaaaann hhoouu tteeeenn kkaannkkeerrNog ’n suksesvolle Sanlam CANSA­gholfdag is op 22 Junie op die mooibaan van Pilgrim’s Rest voltooi. ’n Dagvan pragtige weer en met Nico Cross(Sanlam­makelaar) se opregte envriendelike aanbieding, musiek watpas, kan dit net ’n plesier wees om diegeleentheid by te woon. Jy hoef nieeens gholf te speel om die samehorig­heid onder die mense te ervaar van“dit is nie vir gholf nie, maar eerder ’ngroter saak – hulp vir kankerlyers”.Die besef van die seëning om gesondte wees.

CANSA se vriendelike Jacqueline

Weideman was ook getrou op haar posmet die mooi Sanlam­baniere wat lui:“Men’s health – Health is wealth”.

Die dag is goed afgesluit met prysevir elkeen (van goeie Sanlam­eetgereien skaapboude tot ’n sakkie boontjies).Die veiling deur Nico was ’n belewenisen heelwat geld is vir die stryd teenkanker ingesamel.

Die wenners was: Mansdivisie A –Obed Mashego (dié keer sonder sy geelpruik), B – Jerry Steyn en C – AlexMokoena. Vrouedivisie C – Ann Beet­ge (ons sterk, trotse, jong Pilgrims­gholfma en ouma van Ohrigstad).

Die wennerssaam metNico Cross(van links):A. Beetge,Nico, A. Mo­

koena, J.Steyn en

O. Ma­shego.

Enoughsaid, oumanne –maybe an­other day...

’n Kuiertjie in Nederland, Frankryk en EngelandGerda van den Bos

Europa in die lente is grasgroen en met blommebesaai. Vra maar vir Pierre en Bertha Jacobs vanBlyde Lodge in Graskop. Hulle het einde Mei virhul seun, Pierre, en sy vrou, Michelle, in Enge­land gaan kuier en deur Nederland en Frankrykgetoer.

Die Jacobse se kinders het hulle op Skippol­lughawe ontmoet en van daar is hulle vir drienagte na Uddel, ’n dorpie naby Appeldoorn. Uddelhet baie wandelpaaie en fietsbane, maar is niebesonder motorvriendelik nie. Die paaie is netbreed genoeg vir een motor op ’n slag en fietse kryvoorkeur. In Amsterdam het hulle in een van dieberoemde rooi busse deur die stad gery en op die

kanaalbote gevaar.Een van die hoogtepunte was ’n besoek aan

Brugge in België. Bertha sê die stad is pren­tjiemooi met sy ou geboue en gragte.

Van Brugge is hulle na Frankryk, waar hulle inChantilly, ’n dorpie sowat 20 km buite Parys, oor­nag het. Teen die einde van die week het hulledeur die Franse platteland Calais toe gery om dieveerboot te haal Engeland toe.

In Engeland het hulle by Pierre en Michelle inNewmarket in East Anglia tuisgegaan.

Pierre sê elkeen moet darem een keer in hullewe in Europa gaan draai – en natuurlik was ditlekker om die kinders weer te sien.

GPS Nuus nooi ons lesers uit om hul vakansie­ervaringe en foto’s met ons te deel.

Bertha en Pierre Jacobs voor een van diewindmeulens in Nederland.

Pierre beduie na die algemeenste vervoer­middels in Nederland: die kanaalbote endie fietse.

Foto’s verskaf deur Pierre Jacobs