Edition / Uitgawe 4

14 June 2013

Teddy to the rescue

To help you bear with us, we have a bear with us... Teddy creator Barbara Bredenkamp and her quality controller Dion Marais, who are mending broken children hearts with their teddies. Read page 6.

Experienced reporters join the team 4

Sarel van Sabie talks cooking 5

St Peters centenary celebrations 8

What is your talent? 1 4

GPS News

From the editor

Sitting at the office late at night working, hearing my all ladies team singing happily and chatting while they are working, touched something in my heart tonight. When one of my staff members asked if she could come in volun tarily on a Saturday to work, I was humbled. I realized I am privileged to have staff like that. To Pedrie Roberts that is responsible for the page layout and putting the newspaper together, without you it would not be possible... thank you! To my graphic designer, printer, receptionist and freelance reporters, a hearty thank you! God really put all you people on my path! In diffi cult times of strikes and turmoil in our country, I am privileged to have staff that offer to work overtime without expecting anything back. In words I cannot say thank you, but know my heart, you are worthy and valued. It made me realize that in this country you can be happy in your work, but change needs to start with you! You must set the example, not you as an owner or manager, but as an employee as well. When we can start working to gether in our every walk of life, I

GPS News 22 Main Road PO Box 385, Sabie 1 260 Tel: 01 3 764 31 27 Fax: 086 57 43454 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 Printed by Paarl Coldset
know our country will be changed to the better. Let us ask ourselves, am I prepared to be the change? Anne always explains clearly and re petitively how the particular exercise should be done, in order for us to get the best results. She is friendly and focused at the same time, and I truly feel that we get the most out of our onehour exercise sessions. We have fun at the same time as we firm up muscles and strengthen our cores. Kate

Let us know about any coming events for placement in the Social Calendar. It is free!
Laerskool Sabie Wen n rooibok-kompetisie. Van 1 3 Junie tot 1 9 Augustus. Baie pryse te wen. Kontak Mariaan: 01 3 764 1 328. Methodist Church 50 Years old. Date: 1 6th June 201 3 Service at 09:30 AM Afterwards we will be serving a finger lunch. All are welcome 1 6 June Youth Day & Fathers Day celebration Soccer event Venue: Simile Stadium Time: 1 2h00 Battle of the Legends: Arsenal FC vs Shepherd 1 5 & 1 6 June Blue Swallows Festival Graskop 9h00 1 7h00 Contact Merle Whyte : 0824652827 21 & 22 June Krugers Gold Adrenalin Festival Graskop - See ad for more details 23 Junie 201 3 9h00 Laat die FEES begin! Francois en Elizabeth Fourie, NG Kerk Sabie Toegang gratis 6 July at Canimambo Graskop - 6pm moonlight market and live music by Courtney and Neil and St Dog and a day. Bowls @ Sabie Country Club Every Wednesday and Saturday @ 1 3h30.

Briewe / Letters
Dedication appreciated
I would like to commend Willie Nkosi, our plumber of the local municipality in Sabie, for his dedication against all odds, together with very limited re sources available, to strive to get the job done. With the problem in Mount Ander son last week regarding the water pump he worked tirelessly throughout the night to do repairs, and then well into the following day too. The pro blem proved to be bigger than expec ted, but he continued none the less until the job was done. Well done, Willie and team. Youre a star! Thank you. Hulley Booth

Fun while firming up

I have lived in Sabie for just over a year, and have enjoyed going to my Callanetics classes for exactly a year too! Anne is a very professional, experi enced and thorough teacher. She is always aware of each student and their needs, as well as their weak areas. Throughout the Callanetcics class,

In memory: Eliah Mnisi

29/10/1913 25/5/2013 It is with great sadness that we have to report that one of the two sis ters over 100 (GPS News issue 3 dated 25 May 2013 Pilgrims special gogos) died due to pneumonia. Our condol ences to her family!

Message from God to you

You + Me Let us agree, you and Me You will be you And I will be Me Strange as it may be The more you are you The more you will understand about Me
Past. Joe van den Berg

Happy Fathers Day! 1 6 June From GPS News

G PS N ew s

Every child deserves a birthday party

Shirly Mathebula
Birthdays are supposed to be spe cial, especially for children. Unfor tunately, there are lots of children who are not able to have a special birthday party with family and friends. Miracle Care, a new division founded by the Sabie Miracle Foundation, decided to create a special day for every child cele brating a birthday at the Smiley Kids Preprimary School in Har mony Hill. Shannaaz Hassenjee from Miracle Care said, we be lieve that every child deserves a birthday party. They had their first chance on 30 May when Princess Tshwana celebrated her third birthday. Shannaaz Hassenjee, Yusuf Hassenjee and Ivey van den Berg from Miracle Care hosted a special party for her as part of the new charity birthday programme. Princess and her friends enjoyed some cake and sweets and she loved her birthday present! Shannaaz, Yusuf and Ivey re cently joined the Miracle Founda tion. Smiley Kids in Harmony Hill

Adrenalin festival rushing to Graskop

Gerda van den Bos
A special treat is in store for the people of Graskop and the surrounding areas. From 21 to 22 June 2013 the first Kruger's Gold Adrenalin Festival will take place at the airfield just outside Graskop. It will be hosted by the Kruger's Gold Restaurant. Rogue Rally, the internationally ac claimed motor sport show, will be the main attraction and DStv Ignition will be there to film the action for a TV series scheduled to be broadcast in September. For the adrenalin junkies there will be helicopter flips, drag racing and even sky diving if the weather permits. Vintage cars, aircraft, motorbikes and vehicles from Ferrari, McClaren, Lamborghini and other major car dealers will be on display. There will be lots to eat and drink, in cluding a beer tent and an entertainment area with live music. A big screen televi sion will ensure that you will not miss the major rugby games of the day. The festival promises to cater for young and old with an adventure section espe cially for the children. Gates open at 09:00 and entrance fees are R35 per adult, R10 for teenagers between 12 and 18 years, and free en trance for children under 12. All tickets purchased will be valid for both event days simply display the ticket to enter.

Members of the Miracle care division, school teachers and the birthday girl. are their special project. Apart from the birthday celebrations, they are also running a weekly feeding scheme at the school. The school's owner and teacher, Maureen Snell, said: We are grateful for Miracle Care's help and sponsorship. May God bless the division to grow. It is amazing to see that they voluntarily assist our children. They make sure that every child feels special.

GPS News

Christine brings her expertise

Christine Rossouw joins Christine our team as the Sabie Rossouw and Pilgrims Rest cor and Ceylon. respondent. An experi enced and award winning journalist, Christine grew up in Sa bie and was the first English Head Girl of Sa bie Primary School in 1997. With an inherent wanderlust, Christine spent 18 months travel ling after receiving her degree from the Uni versity of Cape Town in 2006. In 2008 she was offered a position at Lowvelder, where she excelled as both an in vestigative and feature journalist. In six short months she was commended as one of Caxtons most promising newspaper journalists. In 2010 she relocated to Australia where she wrote for two metro papers in Brisbane The Satellite and The Reporter. She moved back to the Lowveld in 2011, where she once again took up a position on Lowvelders editorial team, spending three months as the editor of The Barberton Times. Last year she was announced as a newspaper journ alist of the year finalist for Caxtons annual Excellence Awards and re

ceived national recognition for her work as an environmental reporter through being the recipient of the Merit Award at the prestigious SAB Environmental Media Awards. She loves music, film, art and liter ature, travelling, second hand and antique stores, the outdoors and spending time with her friends and family. She recently became a mother and named here daughter after the Ceylon Forestry settlement outside Sabie where she grew up. She dislikes malls and traffic, pop music and social injustice.

Graskop's new journalist

GPS News/Nuus het nou amptelik 'n verslaggewer/joernalis/fotograaf in Graskop. My naam is Gerda van den Bos en ek woon in die dorp. Ons het in 2012 Graskop toe getrek na 16 jaar in Pretoria. Graskop was vir my 'n natuurlike keuse. Ek het my hart op die omge wing verloor in 1984 toe ek vir die eerste keer God's Window aanskou het. Van daardie besonderse dag het ek ges, ek gaan nog in Graskop bly en stories skryf. Dit het my dalk 28 jaar gevat voor ek in Graskop kon bly, maar ek het darem heelwat vroer begin skryf. My eerste amptelike publikasie was 'n nuusbrief vir die destydse Diensjaar vir Christusspan van 1994 in Pot chefstroom. WesNuus het maandeliks na al ons borge, vriende en familie uitgegaan met al die span se doen en late. My official career commenced in the National Department of Public Works where I became the editor of Worx News. Editor sounds very grand, but I was the journalist, photographer, dis tributor and eventually even the graphic designer of this publication. Years later I moved on to become the Executive Editor of Agri, the mouth piece of Agri SA, before I joined the South African Police Service as the Editor of the SAPS Journal in 2004. Now I am in Graskop and I am

Gerda van den Bos bursting with excitement to write again. It's my mission to ensure that all the interesting people, activities and happenings of Graskop are known throughout the rest of our beautiful valley through the GPS News/Nuus. To fulfill my mission, I require as sistance from the people of Graskop. Please contact me and tell me your stories, introduce me to interesting tourists, let me know if you see some thing weird and wonderful around town and if you are selling wors broodjies on a Saturday morning on the street corner just call me, and I'll be there. You can call me on 083 324 7254 or send an email to gerda.bruinette@gmail.com. As dit moet, keer my sommer in die straat voor ek het altyd 'n kamera, notaboek en pen byderhand.

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Delicious chicken soup for the winter

Ingredients:

Leftover chicken bones of 1 chicken, skin and meat scraps 2 chicken breasts cooked and flaked 4 cups of water 12 ml chicken extract in powder or chicken stock block 2 carrots - diced All these products are 2 potatoes diced available at 1 tablespoon Chopped parsley Greenview Spar 1 laurel leaf 1 tablespoon mezina mixed in a little milk 150ml cream
Method:

1. Start by flaking the white meat of the chicken and put it aside. 2. Cook the remaining chicken bones, half the carrots, laurel leaf and chicken extract together for about 30 minutes. 3. Strain through a sieve and rub through. Discard all the bones and skin. 4. Pour back into saucepan and add flaked chicken breasts and the rest of the potatoes and carrots. 5. Bring to the boil and stir the mezina in. Cook for a further 10 minutes or until the soup thickens. 6. Just before serving add the cream and parsley, stir lightly and voila.

GPS News

Because a bear cant go bare!

arbara Bredenkamp (71), is not your average lady sitting at home knitting for the grandchildren. After losing her daughter to a tragic car ac cident, and her husband to cancer, she de cided to make a difference, to channel her heartache into creativity. GPS News is proud to announce that Barbara has completed and delivered over a period of time, 500 knitted teddies to Greater Nelspruit Rape Intervention Pro gramme (GRIP). Her creative journey began in 1999, when she started to assist Lynne Doyle with knitting teddies for various orphanages. In a Lowvelder article, Barbara read about GRIP and their need for public support. She contacted Barbara Kenyon from the project who enlightened Barbara about their work. GRIP is a nonprofit, communitybased rape intervention organization that provides support to rape victims in the form of counseling and crisis care facilities throughout South Africa. GRIP aims to give life and hope to women and children who have been raped, and to educate local com munities about preventing rape and the consequences thereof. Each of Barbaras teddies has their own charac ter and colors. Her sister Margret Hoysted, who

bear cannot go bare, says Barbara play fully. Double knit wool and hollow fiber stuffing is used to create these teddies. At GRIP each victim receives a care pack consisting of soap, toothbrush and other necessities, as well as a teddy. Barbara explains that the teddies have friendly smiles and soft eyes, and are fin ished off with bright flowers, to give trau matized children and women something safe and comforting to hold onto. Her life partner Dion Marais (79) is the QC (quality controller) of the teddies, and it was his notion the teddies should have big smiles with eyes not too close together. Upon ap proval by the QC, the teddies are sealed with a hug before being placed into the container for shipment.

resides in New Zealand, knits some of the bodies which Barbara then completes in Sabie. The girly teddies have dresses with panties on, because a

Barbara would like to appeal to all GPS readers to support her endeavour by donating wool so that this project can continue. She explains that with the cost of wool, it is becoming increasingly difficult to fund the project herself. Come on readers, let us make a difference in a traumatised childs life and assist Barbara. For any enquiries, please contact our office: tel. 01 3 764 31 27 or e-mail editor@gpsnews.co.za.

GPS News

Sabie Town House receives accolade

The Sabie Town House Guest Lodge Bed and Breakfast Guest House an nounced that it has received a Trip Advisor Winner Certificate of Ex cellence 2013 award. The accolade, which honours hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveller reviews on TripAdvisor, and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Only the topperforming 10 per cent of businesses listed on TripAdvisor receive this prestigious award. To qualify for a Certificate of Excel lence, businesses must maintain an overall rating of four or higher, out of a possible five, as reviewed by travel lers on TripAdvisor, and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months. Additional criteria include the volume of reviews received within the last 12 months. The Sabie Town House Guest Lodge is pleased to receive a TripAd visor Certificate of Excellence, said Greg HallJones, Owner and Manager at The Sabie Town House Guest Lodge. We strive to offer our custom ers a memorable experience, and this accolade is evidence that our hard work is translating into positive re views on TripAdvisor. TripAdvisor is delighted to cele brate the success of businesses around the globe, from Sydney to Chicago, Sao Paulo to Rome, which are consist ently offering TripAdvisor travellers a great customer experience, said Alis on Copus, Vice President of Marketing for TripAdvisor for Business. The Certificate of Excellence award provides top performing establish ments around the world the recogni tion they deserve, based on feedback from those who matter most their customers.

Sponsorship to RCL leaders

The Representative Council of Learners (RCL) of the Pilgrims Rest City Secondary School, recently received name badges for the first time from Isabel Jacobs, who sponsored it. They were already nom inated in the beginning of 2013 as representatives of their schools learners, but can now properly be identified as RCL members. We trust they will lead by example. Thank you, Isabel!

Beyond the call of duty... with a smile

Gerda van den Bos

n a time when most people are complaining about their work or are striking for pay in creases, Helen Makhubedu, a cleaner at Panorama Secondary School, is like a breath of fresh air. This lady takes pride in her work, showing a loyalty towards the school that is almost beyond belief. They say you should walk the ex tra mile, but in Helen's case it was more than that. In 2003 the school was build on a barren piece of land in Graskop. During the school holi days, Helen took it onto herself to plant the whole terrain with grass. She walked more than five kilo meters to a site where she dug out the grass. With the grass in a bag, balanced on her head, she walked all the way back to the school where she did all the planting of the grass as well. In those early days, the school did not have a copier machine, and Helen used to walk from the school to the other side of town to do copies at the Circuit Office. She said those days were tough, but she helped to build the school to what it is today, and she is proud of it. She fully supports Principal Rachel Jacob's motto that saving is of the utmost importance. Therefore she makes her own polish from

Helen Makhubedu at the school she serves so passionately. melted candle wax and paraffin. Al though she is the only cleaner at the school, the whole place shines from top to bottom. At Panorama Secondary School innovation is the name of the game. As most of the children cannot af ford luxuries such as sport uni forms, the school has designed and made outfits for the various sport ing codes. These uniforms are kept at the school. After each match, Helen hand washes and irons all the uniforms to ensure that they are in order for the next match. She is also responsible for the preparation of the sandwiches for children who cannot afford to bring food to school. She does all this without com plaints, with a welcoming smile for young and old alike. Helen Makhubedu is an inspira tion and it was indeed a privilege to meet her.

GPS News

St Peters Church turns 100

Joy Comley
ne of the big events coming up in Sabie will be the centenary celebrations of the old stone Anglican Church St Peters. St Peters stands proudly in the centre of this beautiful Dorp van die Jaar Sabie. This church is made fam ous by the fact that it was designed by the famous architect Sir Herbert Baker known for his many magnifi cent architectural designs around South Africa including the Union Buildings in Pretoria and Groot Schuur Hospital in Cape Town to name a few. We are so privileged to have an example of such old tradi tional architecture right in the middle of our town Reverend Lawrence Burton, the present rector of St Peters, gave us a brief history of this lovely quaint stone church. The history of St Peters Church in Sabie dates back to a visit from Rev A Roberts to the Sabie district in 1886, who while on his way from Pilgrims Rest to Lydenburg, called at the home of MrHenry Glynn, where he spent the night. Rev Roberts was one of the few Anglican priests in the Transvaal. In the early days services were held every three or four months on the ver anda of Huntingdon Hall, H.T Glynns home. On a visit by Bishop Furze it was discussed with Mr and Mrs Glynn ways and means of raising money to build a church. The first Church re cords date from 1912. A piece of ground was donated by Glynns Ly denburg Ltd., the largest goldmine in the district. Funds were raised through dances, plays and tennis parties. Sir Herbert Baker was ap proached to draw up plans for the church and when these were avail able, tenders for the construction were called for. The stone was quarried from the local mountains, by a team of Italian stonemasons, who had been brought to the area to build a railway bridge

over the Sabie River. This is still the bridge standing over the road to Merry Pebbles. Because the local stone was considered unsuitable for the bridge these men were without work while suitable stone was trans ported in. The stonemasons were con tracted for the building of the church

using the local stone. Work started early in 1913 and in March the foundation stone was laid. The building was completed and St Peters Church was dedicated on June 29th 1913. Electricity was installed in January 1914 for the sum of 12, and was supplied free by Glynns Lyden

burg, Ltd., until the mine was closed in 1958.The overall cost of the Church was 1,024. The original windows of the church were replaced in 1982 by stained glass windows, which were designed and installed by Mr Leo Theron. During the same period the Anglican Wo mens Fellowship ladies embroidered the kneelers. In 1998 and 1999 anoth er 27 kneelers with pictures of local themes and scenes were created. These pictures are all originals and were painted onto the canvasses. There have been 25 clergymen in the Sabie parish since the churchs in ception. Services to the glory of God have been held every Sunday in St Peters church for 100 years! On 30th June as part of the Cen tenary the new rector, Chris Luyt, will be ordained. This will be a lovely cel ebration for this rustic old church. For details of the celebrations con tact Rev Lawrence Burton on email: joylaw242@gmail.com.

GPS News

Die DAISY wat blindes laat lees

Gerda van den Bos
annie Patty Stoltz praat graag oor haar gun steling skrywers soos Sydney Sheldon, Wil bur Smith, Pieter Pieterse en PG du Plessis. Lees was nog altyd haar gunsteling tydverdryf. 'n Paar jaar terug het sy die sig in haar regteroog ver loor en die afgelope drie maande het die sig in haar linkeroog skielik drasties versleg. Die dokters s die skade is onomkeerbaar. Dit was vir haar 'n groot skok toe sy besef sy kan nie meer lees nie. Dit was veral vir my erg omdat ek nie meer die Bybel kon lees nie. Ek het vir almal gevra of hulle nie vir my 'n oudioBybel het nie. Michelle Kruger, Graskop se bibliotekaresse, het van tannie Patty se nood gehoor en 'n plan gemaak. Heel eerste het sy gesorg dat tannie Patty die Bybel op klankCDs bekom. Sy het ook die South African Library for the Blind genader. Dit is 'n niewinsge wende organisasie wat oudio en brailleboeke en tydskrifte gratis aan gestremde lesers verskaf. Die boeke is beskikbaar in sewe tale Afrikaans, Engels, Xhosa, Zulu, Tswana en Noord en SuidSotho. Die Library for the Blind het vier van hul CDspe lers aan die Graskop Biblioteek geskenk. Die spe lers, bekend as DAISY (Digital Accessible Informa

Tannie Patty Stolz en Michelle Kruger met die DAISY wat blindes laat lees. tion Systems), laat die leser toe om na willekeur deur 'n boek te blaai en na 'n spesifieke hoofstuk, paragraaf of bladsy in die boek te gaan. Die CDs word van die Library for the Blind bestel en kan weekliks omgeruil word. Bykans enige onderwerp en genre is op die CDs beskikbaar. Daar word vir elke voornemende DAISY gebruiker 'n profiel ingevul om seker te maak hulle kry die soort boeke waarvan hulle hou. Tannie Patty s die DAISY wat sy gekry het, het haar lewe verander. Ek kan nou weer lees, selfs in die nag, en daar is nie ligte of bladsye wat ritsel wat oom Kobus pla as hy slaap nie. Volgens Michelle is daar al vier gesiggestremde mense in Graskop wat van die toestelle gebruik maak. Sy nooi enige gesiggestremde GPS leser wat sou belangstel om ook 'n DAISY te bekom, om haar by die Graskop Biblioteek te kontak.

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Fill your mind with truth Fill your heart with love Fill your life with service." Florence Nightingale

GPS News

A special day for nurses

M
Shirly Mathebula
ay is a special month for nurses internation ally. International Nurses day is celebrated in remembrance of Florence Nightingales birth day on 12th May. On 28th May, Sabie Hospital joined in this celebration to pay tribute to nurses all over the world. Nightingale, also known as The Lady with the Lamp, introduced modern nursing methods while working as a nurse during the Crimean War fought in October 1853 February 1856. Sabies nursing fratern ity, student nurses, professional retired nurses and hos pital staff members dressed in uniform, marched from the hospital to Sabie town hall where the official event was held. The CEO of Sabie Hospital, Daisy Makofane said with regards to the celebration: Sabie Hospital made the impossible possible by providing 92 years of quality health service and 14 years of nursing training. The hospital honours the nurses for their knowledge, skills and experience demonstrated to promote optimal health care for patients. The event was held under the subject of closing the gap and meeting the 2015 deadline of the healthrelated MDGs (Millennium Development Goals). During her address Makofane added the nurses effort is to unite and work harder towards meeting the MDGs goals to reduce child mortality, improve health by com bating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, and the improvement of conducting male circumcision in the hospital. Event guest speaker, Enhlanzeni District Director, Thalitha Madonsela, encouraged professional nurses and student nurses to have pride in what they do, and

District Manager Thabitha Madonsela (left) and hospital CEO Daisy Makofane leading the march. to enhance service delivery, as well as to improve on the quality of health care that is rendered to the patients. She said Sabies hospital is recognised as one of the best hospitals in the Enhlanzeni District. Despite all odds, the hospital is clean and management is cooper ative and supportive. Therefore we applaud and recog nise the good work that nurses are doing. The event included a play drama presented by the student nurses and various other activities as the nurses gathered to celebrate their day and renew their pledge to do their best. Retired professional nurses from the hospital were also acknowledged on the day.

GPS News

11

Gooi Mielies goes Affipad

T
Christine Rossouw
wenty years ago a tall, dark stranger with a charismatic smile swaggered into Sabie. He fell in love and never left. Shane Sam is the son of a Le banese father and Afrikaans mother. Its to his father that he can attrib ute his long, thick dark hair and to his mother, his unique flair and pal ate for food. Fifteen years ago the long time Sabie resident launched a brand of Tshirts which would sweep across South Africa and revolutionise the pop fashion culture. The name? Gooi Mielies. And no doubt you have passed someone on some street don ning a Tshirt that reads Praat Afrikaans of hou jou bek. Well, that is one of Shanes. On March 7 this year, the vision ary entrepreneur opened a restaur ant as unique, and steeped in South African culture as Gooi Mielies. Loc ated on the R40 a few metres from the White River turnoff, Affipad Boskombuis is well worth a visit. Having an establishment of his own has long been a dream of Shanes, who has spent the last fif teen years on the road, making his way from festival to festival with his Gooi Mielies clothing. But it was only two years ago that Shane sought the realisation of this dream in earnest. The catalyst moment he says, happened when his father passed away. After sighting the location he wanted, Shanes dream slowly but steadily took shape. Its been a lot of hard work, but it has definitely paid of, he says. Its difficult to sum up in a word the rustic, homey atmosphere Shane has created, but gesellig is possibly the most fitting. Amid the smell of wood fires, wooden tables and benches and chairs constructed from crates and pallets are arranged in a leafy garden made eclectic by cactus plants, hanging lanterns, fishing nets and buoys, fireplaces and metal artefacts among others. Affipad Boskombuis is definitely one of a kind. Shanes definition for it is traditional South African. Here all the food is prepared on open fires and coals, not gas stoves, as conven tionally used in restaurants. There Shane Sam in the rustic, homey atmosphere of Affipad Boskombuis.

is also a pizza oven which Shane constructed in the traditional boe re way, using the soil of termite heaps, lime and water wherein cac tus plants have been left to rot. The menu offers quintessential South African dishes like skilpaad jies, roosterkoek, sosaties, afval, chocolatechilli koeksisters, kerrie and a variety of wors to name but a few. On Sundays patrons can enjoy a spitbraai and on Monday nights the restaurant offers an eatas muchsnoekasyoulike evening. Shane explains that as far as pos sible he sources ingredients from local farmers as a means of giving

back and involving the local com munity. There is also live music on Wednesday and Friday evenings, with the musicians and bands also sourced locally. He says his inspiration for the es tablishment has come from his years of extensive travelling in South Africa. There is not a single town or festival I have not been to, he says. Yet despite all this travelling he says he has never felt the desire to set down his roots anywhere else other than Sabie. Its such a beauti ful place, he explains. To make a booking contact Affipad Boskombuis on 0846214087.

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GPS News

Youngster turns dream into reality

B
Shirly Mathebula
uilding a park from scratch might seem illfated in a township location but Ter rence Shibambo, a young man without fulltime employment who resides in Sabie, is determined to make his dream a reality. The 23 year old constructed a recreational park at his home. It stands out as a striking landmark when entering the township of Simile. The park consists of a beautiful garden, wooden bridges and other artefacts. There is a playground that has kids swings, jumping castles and mobile swimming pools. GPS News conducted an interview with Shibambo, to find out what mo tivated him to start the project and his vision for the project. Shibambo said he was inspired by the government program that says Vukuzenzele (wake up and do it yourself), as he believes that young people should be productive and in spired to take part in developing their own communities. In 2010, the area next to his home was turned into an illegal dumping site. Shibambo felt the need to clean up the area with the help of his

Terrence Shibambo, dreaming big for his Simile park (right). brother Tshepo Shibambo. After the cleanup, he started building the park. The park is named Sarah Me morial Park after his mother, Sarah Shibambo, in honour of the role that she plays as a single parent raising him and his siblings. He said that he has no limit to his future plans for the park, and his dreams are big. The park is an impressive innov ation designed to be utilized for re creation and business use, he said. He hopes to achieve more to develop a business plan and create some thing that will benefit the com munity. However, the only thing thats stopping him from proceeding with the project is timber and fund ing. Anyone who will like to assist with donating timber to the project can contact Shibambo at 078 766 7559. He would like to invite people to come and see what has been done. He believes that together we can make a beautiful South Africa change starts with you.

Caption competition you can win R200!

The winner of our second caption competition was Lesley Dhne, a teacher at Sybrand van Niekerk High School in Sabie. Her answer caption for the photo (above right) was: Who needs Shell, when I have a tiger in my tank? Come on, readers, look at this picture below and send us your caption. You just might be the winner! SMS your caption thoughts and your name to: 079 529 0256. Competition closes on 20 June the winner will be announced in the issue of 29 June.

GPS News

13

The best firefighters awarded

Annalize Nieuwoudt
e are entering the 2013 fire season with the official starting date 1 June. To be able to get everyone into a positive spirit and geared up for the fire sea son, it was decided by the Escarpment Ward FPA (Sabie, Pilgrims & Gras kop) to host a Fire Fighting Competi tion for all land owners. A committee was formed consisting of various landowners. A daunting task to or ganise and the committee started with arrangements. To make it lucrative and enticing for the entrees it was decided to seek cash sponsors for the winning teams as well as the individual categories. Various companies rose to the occa sion and contributed towards spon soring cash prizes. York Timbers made their sports grounds available to the Escarpment ward to host the com petition. Judges were from local forestry companies as well as private timber farmers. The committee decided that 4 cat egories will be opened for all landowners to send teams or enter themselves to participate: Fire Tenders with 3000L+ (1 Driver and 7 crew) Strike Vehicles with 3000L and less (1 Driver and 7 Crew) BakkieSakkies (1 Driver & 1 crew) Rake hoeing (1 Supervisor and 10 crew) The entries came in very slow and lots of phone calls and emails had to be made and the last entry were re ceived on Thursday 16 May at 9 oclock in the evening. 9 Fire Trucks, 3 Strike vehicles, 7 Rake hoeing teams and 8 Bakkie Sakkies entered the competition. It was heartwarming to see that the firefighters were exited and eager to participate. The ward chairman Ber rie Linde opened the competition. By 09h00 the Rake Hoeing competition started off in a compartment that

York Timbers agreed on using. Ar mand Cronje from York was the main judge and with the assistance of his judging team they had a very good competition. Strike Force and WOF teams worked extremely hard for the winning spot. All returned to the sports grounds and the Strike Vehicles and Fire Truck competition started, all fire fighting equipment were checked and then the actual filling action started. The judges had to keep their eyes open as they also had to look for the best driver of the fire truck division. Fire Trucks moved very fast and efficient, the competition were very strong at this stage. Lastly it was the BakkieSakkies turn and what a performance, this I might add is the most important attack of a fire, first attack, if a Bakkiesakkie can get

to a fire as soon as possible, the said company can save a lot of extinguish ing money. Therefore it is of utmost importance for the Driver to obtain the correct information on where the specific fire is and to drive safely to be able to get to the fire first to extin guish the fire whilst it is still small. The competition ended positively as the fire fighters were all geared up and ready for the 2013 fire season. COMPETITION RESULTS: Fire Trucks: Komatiland Forests Wilgeboom Plantation 533KLFMP (Driver Lauderick) Strike Vehicles: Komatiland Forests Tweefontein Plantation 649KLFMP (Driver Brown) BakkieSakkies: Strike Force Steven Muller and his crewman Rake Hoeing: Strike Force Tsepo

and his crew Best Fire Truck Driver: York Tim bers Patrick Masuku Best Rake Hoe Supervisor: WOF Wilgeboom Sydney Gininda Best BakkieSakkie Driver: Makhasonke Mpopane Best Fire Truck Nozzle Operator: Komatiland Forests Blyde Plantation Johannes Malatje Each winners of the different cat egories received a R200 cash prize. We would like to thank the follow ing sponsors: Komatiland Forests, York Timbers, Hlatini, Graskop Pale, Middelburg Sawmill, Conway Nelspruit, Msimane Sabie. Thank you to chairman Berrie Linde and the whole team who worked so hard to make this competition a success.

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Sabie River... More than a thing of beauty.

GPS News

What is your
ing river in the park that doesnt dry up. There are also no major dams along the river in South Africa and it is used for agricul ture. The headwaters of the Sabie River are important wetland areas that regulate water flow and qual ity. These areas provide a habitat for many species of animals and plant. It is for this reason that a natural health state should ideally be maintained. However, alien vegetation indi vidual and industrial pollution and sewage spills remain a primary threat to the health of our priceless Sabie River. A recent study of the river health undertaken by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), Incomati Catch ment Management Agency (ICMA) and the Department of Water Af fairs research quality services, showed a 50 per cent breakdown of biodiversity in the river health be low Sabie. Residents and readers are urged to report any activity which un dermines the health of the Sabie River to the Department of Water Affairs which can be reached on 0137524183, Working for Water, reachable on 0123367500 or the Green Scorpions at info@greenscorpions.com Lets all make an effort to ensure the health and protection of our precious resource.

MISSING

Our priceless Sabie River

Christine Rossouw
Its one of Sabies most beautiful features and is almost single handedly responsible for the towns great tourist allure. It is the Sabie River. Not only does it attract hundreds of tuberacers and water sport enthusiasts annually, among fishing circles it is widely acknow ledged to offer amongst the finest flyfishing in the country. The headwaters of the Sabie River and its tributaries (the Sand, Marite, Mutlumuvi, Motitsi and Mac Mac Rivers) arise in the upper parts of the escarpment. These rivers are cold mountain streams, narrow with moderate to steep gradients, and hence fast flowing. It is due to these factors that our entire Panorama has been be stowed with numerous waterfalls, rocky pools and rapids the natural splendor that characterizes this corner of Mpumalanga and gives it its claim to fame. But the Sabie River is much more than just a picturesque fea ture of the Panorama, it is one of South Africas most important and valuable watercourses. The Sabie River catchment falls within the Incomati River Basin, which is an international drainage basin occupied by South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique. The river is vital to the Kruger Nation al Park, as it is the only freeflow

talent?
E
Sharon Mandy
verybody is born with a talent it is finding it that is usually the problem. Take me for instance. When I was in standard 9, as it was called then, we all had to write an essay. I was bored and not in the mood so eventu ally I scribbled a childrens story about an elephants tea party. The teacher was impressed beyond all ex pectations and congratulated me on my use of symbolism and accredited me with a depth of perception I didnt realize I had. I managed to rearrange my facial features from wild surprise to a mys terious Mona Lisa smile in seconds, and when I was asked if my story had political connotations, I sagely replied that I was surprised at the teachers astuteness (even now I am hard pressed to remember the presidents name I always sayer, its the guy with twenty odd children and count ing). Some people are born with talent, some strive to have talent, and some have it thrust upon them. All of a sudden when I was confused and thought I had algebra class instead of art class (because I had simply writ ten a capital A on my timetable), and arrived at the correct class half way through, it was accredited to my creativity and my distinctive intelli gence. I was usually met with an in

Last seen in my hand

dulgent smile. Meanwhile I continued wondering what my real talent was, because everyone has one, right? So here I am, a good thirty odd years later, still pondering, when sud denly it came to me! I know what my talent is! It has been staring me in the face for years! I and do you hear the drum roll here? make pens disappear! I do it effortlessly and without even trying. Stand aside, Gavin Marshall, who bends forks with his mind. Have you ever watched him? He has to use utter concentration, whereas I dont even know I am making pens disappear. There I am innocently writing at my desk, stop to type something and look for my pen again, only to realize I have done it again. I have not gone anywhere, folks, no one else has entered my office, but there you have it, my pen has just disappeared into thin air. Some people find a talent to be a blessing, and others mention that they are quite worn out after practicing theirs, but I must confess that my gift usually leaves me in a state of acute irritation. Now you may say a talent has to be of good benefit to someone for it to be called a talent. I told a couple of people recently about my gift and they remain singularly unimpressed, but there is a use for every talent in this world. Someone, somewhere benefits, just ask Mr Parker and Mr Bic!

GPS News

15

Student teachers come to make a positive impact

Shirly Mathebula
Most undergraduate educators prefer to do their practical teaching in the city, but Tammarin Hacking, Michelle dHotman de Villiers and Adam Hacen did theirs at the Lindani Primary School in Sabie. All three of them are third year students at Wits University in Johannesburg. The practical teaching is an essential part of their fouryear Bachelor of Education training. The student teachers presented classes for the learners in Grades 4 to 7 in English, Arts and Culture and Social Science. According to Adam it has been an innovative experience to teach at a nonfee school. Its a new environ ment for us because the school has limited resources, but the teachers were very accommodating. It was also amazing to see how the learners share what little they have in the school he said. Tammarin said they chose Lindani Primary School because they wanted to be exposed to a new environment. Michelle expressed her gratitude to the principal and the teachers for the opportunity to share their passion for teaching at Lindani. She also thanked the Ubuntu Care Centre representat ives for arranging the placement at the school. We managed to bond well with the learners and they were al ways willing to work hard in the studies, she said. Principal Fistos Mashego believes that the undergraduates have im pacted the learners way of learning. We were privileged to have the stu dents do their practical teaching at our school. They have made a positive impact on the learners, and I believe that this experience has fulfilled their expectations.

A new way of learning

Gerda van den Bos
Advanced English and mathematics skills are now only a click away for the learners of Graskop Primary School. The school has an Interactive Center where L. Matthee gives extra classes in English and math

Learners of Graskop Primary School with the clickers that they use in the Interactive Centre. Photo: Mark Matthee ematics during school hours. During such a lesson the learners make use of clickers to answer the questions that are displayed on a white screen. These answers are then monitored by the facilitator, who is able to see immediately who has answered and if the answer is correct or not. The learners enjoy these classes immensely. Principal Mark Matthee said he believes the Interactive Center will not only help the children in English and mathematics, but will also improve their class participation and self confidence in general.

People of quality bless children with school shoes

Shirly Mathebula
More than 85 learners of the Lindani and Harmony Hill Primary Schools in Sabie had reason to smile at the end of May when they received new school shoes. Employees of the local Magistrate's Court initiated this project. Herman Serfontein, Annelize Serfontein, Angy Serote, Mary Maboa and Simon Fankomo decided it was time to help the children before the real cold set in this winter. They managed to get Floreat Riverside Lodge, Budget Inn, Sabie Pep Stores and LT Group from White River involved in the project as well. When the project started last year, they could only buy shoes for a hand ful of children. This year we ap proached various companies to take part in the project and the turn out was massive, Mary said. Principal Fistos Mashego of Lin dani Primary School was very grate ful. We are pleased and honoured that there are people of such quality who are willing to assist our children with school uniforms. This initiative

Smalls
Bathroom fittings for sale Brand new and packaged 1 Double towel rail 700 mm long R80 1 Toilet brush holder R90 2 Designer toothbrush tumblers R40 each 1 Toilet roll holder R80 1 Glass shelf 520 mm R70 1 Shower caddy R30 All items in original packaging, and finished in silver. Second hand. Or take the lot for R400. Phone Chris on 076 61 4 4027.
excited children by Mary Maboa, Angy Serote, Barbara Kazandjie and Hazel Moagi.

Excited children receive their new school shoes at Lindani Primary (above) and Harmony Hill Primary (right). has given our learners a sense of be longing. The shoes were handed out to the

Overlocker 4 Td Empisal S4D Overlocker te koop. Kontak: 079 631 7634.

16

GPS News

Gholfnuus
SABIE vir CANSA Sabie se jaarlikse Sanlam kanker gholfdag het op 25 Mei plaas gevind. Die tema hierdie jaar was Mens Health Health is wealth. Die ryk dom van n gesonde liggaam sonder kanker is n sen waaraan n mens nie altyd op die gholfbaan dink nie. Dankie aan Sanlam vir so slag spreuk wat jou weer twee keer laat dink aan jou voorreg van gesondheid sonder kanker. Die dag is goed ondersteun en al mal het die goeie toestand van die baan en die mooi weer geniet. Dan kie aan Johan Aucamp (ons plaas like Sanlam verteenwoordiger), sy dogter LidaLouise Wiid en Jac queline Weideman van CANSA vir julle pragtige relings en die pryse om die dag n sukses te maak. Die divisiewenners wat deurgaan na die semifinale is: Weber de Klerk (A div), Jannie Pieterse (B div) en Arthur Knoesen (C div). Die Laeveld wenners van die semis gaan uitein delik op Sun City aan die nasionale Sanlam kankerdag deelneem. Sabie Liga Sabie se Aligaspan het ook op die selfde kankerdag teen Nelspruit ge speel en het pragtig gewen met 71. Hulle is steeds boaan die liga se puntelys en speel binnekort in die semifinaal weer teen Nelspruit. Ons wens hulle alle sterkte toe om deur te dring na die finaal en ook daar te wen. Mooi so, manne. Pilgrims Gholf Pilgrims Gholfklub het onlangs n verandering in die bestuurspan ge had en dinge daar het verander. Die baanfooie is terug na normaal en seniors kan ook Sondae teen n baie goeie tarief daar speel. Spesiale aandag word gewy aan junior gholfers en hul baanfooie is ook drasties verlaag. Daar is on langs met n junior gholfakademie begin en daar is alreeds 26 studente betrokke. Baie geluk aan Pilgrims met die positiewe projek. Ons glo dat dit net waarde gaan toevoeg tot die jong mense se toekoms en lewens.

Lesley Friedenthal en Weber de Klerk. Inlas: Arthur Knoesen (links) en Jannie Pieterse.

SPORT CALENDAR
@ SABIE COUNTRY CLUB (01 3 764 2282) Every Wednesday and Saturday at 1 3:30. LOWVELD AREA 1 5 June - Loskop, Marathon 22 June - SA XC Nationals, Mankele, Mark Meyer, 082 338 9532 29 June - Indabusche MTB 6 July - Das Auto MTB Series 2, White River, George Bell, 072 500 01 97 6 July - Ngwenya Glass MTB Challenge, Swaziland, Gary, +26 82 442 4053 @ SABIE COUNTRY CLUB (01 3 764 2282) 1 5 June - IPS 22 June - Betterball 29 June - American Scramble 6 July - Mug @ PILGRIMS GOLF CLUB (01 3 768 1 434) 1 5 June - IPS 22 June - Sanlam Cancer Day IPS 29 June - IPS 6 July - Monthly Mug - Medal 1 3 July - SPAR Graskop 20 July - Bonus Bogey 27 July - Medal Stableford

BOWLS

MOUNTAIN BIKE

GOLF

Foto: Mark Matthee

Wedstryd in die wildtuin

Gerda van den Bos
Dis altyd lekker om 'n sokkerwedstryd vir jou skool te speel, maar as dit in die hartjie van die Krugerwildtuin geskied, is dit nog soveel beter.

Vra maar die o.11 en o.13 sokkerspanne van Laerskool Graskop. Hulle het onlangs die voorreg gehad om vriendskaplike wedstryde teen die laerskool in Skukuza te speel. Die o.11span het gelykop gespeel met 2 doele elk, terwyl die o.13's met 7 doele teenoor 0 gewen het. Die seuns was trots op hul prestasie, maar die opgewondenheid oor die rooibokke, olifante en ander

wild wat hulle die dag gesien het was nog groter. Volgens Laerskool Graskop se hoof, Mark Matthee, is die skool se netbalspanne ook goed aan die gang. Die meisies geniet die sport terde en het hierdie seisoen al teen Hazyview Primary School, Bushbuckridge Primary School en Laerskool Skukuza gespeel en die meeste wedstryde gewen.