Platinum The R36 road from Ohrigstad to Hoedspruit was

blocked for some time on Wednesday because a

truck loaded with citrus did something it should not
have done in the pass near Strydom Tunnel. Looks

Gazette
like a trip turned sour ...

Oops!
In memoriam
Aron “Amon” Benzele Sikhosana

Well known as “AB” Sikhosana, joined Sekhukhune District Municipality in the Community Servic-
es Department, under Emergency Management Services division as a Chief Fire Officer in Septem-
ber 2004 at the age of 36. He passed away on 29 January 2018 from chronic illness.
He came to Sekhukhune District Municipality from the Limpopo Provincial Department of

Steelpoort’s turn Health and Social Development as an Advanced Life Support (Paramedic).
He championed the establishment of the Fire Services in the district with 7 officers and to date
the service has 84 officers and 10 EPWP Fire-fighters spread in all the 4 fire stations of the district.
He also facilitated Disaster Management services unit of the district.

for better roads! “AB Sikhosana will be severely missed for his contribution and commitment to uplift the
standard of living condition of the previously marginalized and poor people of Sekhukhune District.
And it is therefore befitting that we dip our banners in honour of this gallant revolutionary, who
was not only a committed Chief Fire Fighter, but also a leader of the ANCYL and a member of the
African National Congress in his village of Mathulastand in the Elias Motsoaledi Municipality of
Sekhukhune District. We bid him farewell and send our deepest condolences to his family, relatives,
friends and colleagues. May his soul rest in peace” said Cllr Keamotseng Stanley Ramaila, Executive
Mayor Sekhukhune District Municipality.
See how The memorial service for the late AB Sikhosana was scheduled for Thursday, 1st February 2018,
Groblersdal Fire Station, 14:00 and the funeral service is on the 3rd February 2018, Mathulastand
they run village, Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality.

Information and photograph: Sekhukhune District Municipality.

p 4, 5, 6

Fetakgomo Tubatse Tel 0832719151 (Editorial) 0835431676 (Advertisements) email: adverts@platinumgazette.com

Burgersfort, Steelpoort, Ohrigstad, Apel 2 Februarie 2018 Fax 0865549031 editorial@platinumgazette.com
2 NEWS
Seven escape
from custody
On Wednesday, 31 January 2018, seven
prisoners awaiting trail escaped from police
custody in Lebowakgomo. They escaped in
the early hours of Wednesday morning after
cutting the roof of one of the cell blocks.
The following escapees are being sought:
Thabiso Maleka (30) - he was arrested for
robbery. Lucas Chuene (30) - arrested for
murder. Motswiri Mohahlele (25) - arrest-
ed for robbery. Tshepo Maja (39) - arrest-
ed for rape and robbery. Mpho Ledwaba
(33) - arrested for rape and robbery. Frans
Maponya (19)- arrested for rape and robbery.
Piet Mashaba (19) - arrested for rape and
robbery.
Mashaba, Ledwaba, Maponya and Maja
were arrested following an incident that took
place in June 2017 where a man and his
girlfriend were accosted walking in the street
at Mamaolo next to Lebowakgomo. They
were robbed of cell phones and clothes at
gun point. The suspects took turns in raping
the woman.
Anyone with information is requested to
contact the Station Commander Colonel
Margarett Kgwedi at 082 451 7229.
Platinum Gazette contact details:
Editorial: William Zwart
Tel: 083 271 9151
E-mail: editorial@platinumgazette.com
Advertising: Beánnla Celliers
Tel: 083 543 1676
E-mail: adverts@platinumgazette.com
Fax: 086 554 9031/013 231 7147
Postal address: P O Box 2208, Burgersfort, 1150
Website: www.platinumgazette.com
Printers:
Printed by Lowveld Media, 12 Stinkhout Crescent, Nelspruit.
Copyright: All rights concerning any advertisement and /
or other material contained in the Platinum Gazette are
expressly reserved in terms of Section 12 (7) of the Copyright
Act (98 of 1978).
Water
problems in
Aloe Ridge
West
The following letter was received from a
reader living in Aloe Ridge West. Water
problems is still a common frustration in
that neighbourhood. Platinum Gazette
forwarded the letter to the relevant
authorities but by the time of going to
press had not yet received an answer.
Should a response be given it will be
published in a future addition.
“Dear Editor
I know you are busy but can only think
of you that may be able to give some
info on the reason why the water is off
every day (sometimes for 2 days) in the
area where I stay which is Aloe Ridge
West.
This issue is becoming a huge prob-
lem, and with living slightly higher than
the rest of Burgersfort, when the water
comes back there is not enough pres-
sure to reach the upstairs of my double
story home.
I am sure I am not the only one affect-
ed and I feel greatly for those whose
partners are at work during the day and
have no water when they return home
to flush toilets, bathe and wash clothes
etc.
I have tried several times to call the
municipality but they either don’t answer
or they put you on hold and then cut you
off.
Do you maybe have any info on this as
to why and for how long can we expect
this to continue?
Many thanks.”
137 Learners from
Bosele School for the
Blind hospitalised
137 learners from Bosele School for the
Blind were admitted to St. Ritas Hospital
and Jane Furse Hospital for observation
this week.
The learners started complaining of stom-
ach cramps and diarrhoea and it is suspect-
ed that they might have consumed contam-
inated water.
The Department of Health and Education
worked closely to provide the learners the
best possible treatment to ensure their
quick return to school.
2 FEBRUARY 2018
Twee gewrigte
gebreek na meer
as 4 meter val
Duncan Crause (14) van Ohrigstad was
verlede naweek baie bly om Laerskool
Ohrigstad se atletiekbyeenkoms te kon
bywoon. Vir hom kon dinge maklik baie
slegter gelyk het na hy Donderdag middag
meer as 4,5 meter uit ‘n boom geval het.
“Ek en my vriende het met ‘n tennis-
bal gespeel wat toe in ‘n tak in ‘n boom
vasgesit het,” het hy vertel. Duncan is nie
bang vir hoogtes nie en het vinnig tot bo in
die boom geklim om by die tennisbal uit te
kom. Een van die takke waarop hy gestaan
het, het egter gebreek en hy het met ‘n
groot slag grond toe getuimel. Sy familie is
dankbaar dat hy relatief lig daarvan afge-
kom het met twee gebreekte gewrigte. “Hy
kon hom dood geval het!”. Duncan gaan
skool by Impak en sal vir ‘n paar weke
maar mondelings sy skoolwerk doen. Hy
is die afgelope week weer terug hospitaal
toe sodat penne ingeplant kan word om te
verseker die gewrigte sal reg herstel.
By the time of going to press 76 of the
learners had been discharged and it was
expected that the rest would be discharged
very soon.
The Departments of Health and Education
called on the parents of these learners not
to panic. They gave the assurance that the
situation is under control.
The MECs for these departments were also
due to visit the learners in hospital and at
school to wish them well and make sure all
this fine.
2 FEBRUARIE 2018
Grade 1 learners benefit
Samancor, Eastern Chrome Mines takes pride in the
relationship that has been established with various
institutions and especially schools that fall within
its footprint. This relationship is built on trust and a
strong bond to improve the circumstances to which
children are exposed. The vision of ECM is to collec-
tively make a difference.
This year was no exception. Various initiatives were
launched during 2017 and with the support of spon-
sors (Samancor Chrome, Macdonalds Transport,
Ngululu Transport, Atlas Copco, Tyre Corporation,
Remax, Zizwe, Nomakanjani, Sylvania, Thorburn,
Cranbrook and AQS) more than 300 ‘back-to-
NUUS 3
school’ parcels were distributed to Grade 1
pupils attending schools in the area during Jan-
uary 2018. The ‘back-to-school’ parcel include
a school bag, lunchbox and juice bottle. Some
of these schools include Mangabane Primary,
Makgakantshe Primary, Boerboomkraal and
Laerskool Steelpoort.
Samancor ECM would like to express their sin-
cere gratitude to all the sponsors that support-
ed their initiatives during the year. It assisted
greatly in making these projects possible and
successful.
(Information & Photographs: ECM)
Psalm 127:1 NIV
A song of ascents. Of Solomon.
1
Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the
LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.
Sluit aan by die Voortrekkers
Die afgelope week is ‘n Voortrekker is as kommandoleier verkies.
kommando vir die Burgersfort omgewing Indien daar mense is wat die stigtings-
gestig. Die naam Waterval Kommando is vergadering misgeloop het, en belangstel
gekies. om deel te word van hierdie vinnig
‘n Groot groep belangstellendes het die groeiende moderne jeugbeweging, is hulle
stigtingsvergadering, wat waargeneem is welkom om vir Steffi te epos by
deur Me. Mellanie Wright van Panorama watervalvoortrekkers@gmail.com. Die
Oord, bygewoon. Die Voortrekkers beplan publiek is ook welkom die Waterval
om voortaan een keer per maand te vergader. Kommando te gaan like op Facebook.
Die sowat 30 kinders wat by die stigting Enige persoon wat homself vereenselwig
reeds aangesluit het, is vol entoesiasme en met die kode en doelstelling van hierdie
sien met blink oë uit na ʼn kommandokamp Christelike Afrikaner
wat deel is van die avontuurlike aktiwiteite organisasie is
wat op die jaarprogram is. Die offisierskorps welkom om meer te
bestaan uit Judy Winterbach, Chantelle kom uit vind oor die
Weber, Steffi Pretorius en Lieze Heystek wat doen en late van die
verant-woordelik sal wees vir die uitvoering beweging.
van die jaarprogram. Hulle sal ook sorg dat die Enige bereidwillige
aktiwiteite aansluit by die doelstellings van Die wat belangstel om
Voortrekkers as Afrikaner kultuurorganisasie deel te word van die
wat gebaseer is op ʼn Bybels-Christelike offisiërspan moet
lewens- en wêreldbeskouing, gerig op ʼn asseblief sou gou as
lewenswyse van eer aan God en diens aan moontlik met Steffi
volk, land en medemens. Diana van Jaarsveld kontak maak.
4 NEWS 2 FEBRUARY 2018

At full speed at
Steelpoort Academy
Steelpoort Academy hosted it inter-house
athletics on Thursday last week. The blue,
yellow and red teams competed against each
other, but in the end the yellow team came
out tops with 487 points (13 gold medals,
30 silver medals and 27 bronze medals).
Bea du Toit had the best achievement of the
day. Massechaba Muntsoane was the Junior
Victrix Laudorum, Ashley Morwasi was the
Junior Victor Laudorum. Rati Mogadiri was
the Senior Victrix Laudorum and Lesedi
Ramakau the Senior Victor Laudorum.

Teams participated in different track and field events. Athletes were cheered on by their
team mates and parents from the pavillion.

The day was filled with good team spirit and fun.

Medals were given for the first

three positions.
2 FEBRUARIE 2018 NUUS 5

Skillies and Hasies compete in house athletics

Laerskool Burgersfort held their annual
house athletics meeting on Friday last week.
The school is split into two teams - the
Hasies (Rabbits) and the Skillies (Tortoise).
The Hasies out performed the Skillies this
year and took both the trophies for the best
athletics performance and the best team
spirit and singing.
This year a few records were also broken.
The school is proud of Khumu Mojalefa (O/8)
who ran the 60m race in 9,90 seconds. He
also broke the record for the 80m race and
the new record now stands at 13,31 sec-
onds. Dimpho Makgamatha (O/13) broke the
200m record. The new race record is 28,97
seconds. Makgotso Makola (O/10) broke the
100m race record. The new record is now
15,91 seconds. Khensani Langa (O/10) broke
the record in high jump. The new record
height is 1,09m. Ben Fouché (O/10) im- Athletes participat-
proved the shot put record. The new record ed in track and field
is 7,73m. Reabetsoe Morowane (O/11) broke items.
the high jump record. The new record height
is 1,10m. Fatima Ali (O/12) broke the long
jump record. The new record now stands at
3,68m. Dylan Blignaut (O/13) broke the high
jump record. The new record is at 1,45m
and Onkabetse Nare (O/12) broke the 200m
hurdles record. The new time for this item is
now 14,66s.
(Information: Laerskool Burgersfort).

The ath-
letes who
performed
well in
the event
will be
heading
towards
upcoming
athletics
meetings
in the
district to Many records were broken on the day and although there could be only
participate one winner in each item, learners were encouraged to participate in good
further. sportsmanship spirit.
6 NEWS 2 FEBRUARY 2018

Houtsport by Laerskool Ohrigstad

Laerskool Ohrigstad het verlede
Saterdag hul huissport, bekend as die
houtsport, gehou. Die spanne Olien en
Kiaat ding teen mekaar mee in verskil-
lende baan en velditems.
Hierdie jaar het Olien die sangbeker
gewen en Kiaat die sport.
‘n Paar rekords het gedurende die dag
gespat en die Senior Victrix Laudorum
was Nandi Masilela. Die Senior Victor
Laudorum was Thapelo Morowane. Die
Junior Victrix Laudorum was Renolder
Mnisi. Die Junior Victor Laudorum was
Brian Magaba.

Terwyl die atlete in die son gesweet het vir ‘n plek onder die
eerste drie deelnemers het van die onderwysers en ouers
gesorg vir heerlike verversings. Ouers het ook uitgehelp as
baanbeamptes by die verskillende items. Daar is goud,
silwer en brons medaljes toegeken vir die eerste drie plekke.

Die voorskoolse
kinders wat die dag
bygewoon het, het ook
‘n pretloop gehard-
loop.
Elke deelnemertjie
het ‘n ‘medalje’ gekry.
‘n Koekie versier met
‘n sterretjie wat aan
‘n lint om hul nekke
gehang is.
2 FEBRUARIE 2018 Platinum Gazette 7

Klein
Advertensies
• Smalls
Place your small adver-
tisement via e-mail or
fax or contact Beánnla
Celliers on 083 543 1676
or 083 271 9151. E-mail:
adverts@platinumgazette.
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1. Sport Klubs/Sport Clubs

2. Betrekking/Vacancy
3. Dienste/Services
4. Oornag Akkommoda-
sie/Overnight
accommodation
5. Troeteldiere/Pets
6. Persoonlik/Personal
7. Allerlei/Miscellaneous
8. Finansies/Financial
9. Te Huur/To Rent
10. Te Koop/For sale
11. Birthdays/Verjaarsdae

3. Dienste/
Services
Visit your local profes-
sional art and décor
framer in Steelpoort.
23 Years experience in
framing.
Visit Esmé Framers in
Steelpoort next to Wimpy
or contact Esmé on 079
100 9643.

9. Te Huur/
To Rent
TE HUUR
2 Slaapkamer woonstel in
klein sekuriteitskompleks
naby Tubatse Crossing
Mall in Burgersfort. Beskik-
baar 1 Februarie 2018.
Billike huur sluit water en
elektrisiteit in. Skadunet
afdak vir voertuig.
Kontak Mike by
082 357 1954

TO RENT
3 bedroom House with
Large garden available
for rental at an upmarket
security estate in
Burgersfort, R10 000
available immediately
Contact Linda @
076 834 3457

TE HUUR
3 slaapkamer huis met
groot tuin beskikbaar vir
verhuring in ‘n sekuriteits-
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Kontak Linda @
076 834 3457
Platinum Gazette
Beánnla Celliers will see
to it that your advertise-
ment in the Platinum
Gazette meets the
highest standards with
regard to design and
reproduction.

Contact her on
013 231 7147 /
083 543 1676 or
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com
8 2 FEBRUARY 2018

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Hole-in-one for André

On 16 December 2017 André Botha players only dream about
Golfers support Steelpoort
achieved something many golf - hitting that hole-in-one. It
happened at
the 9th hole
at Tubatse
Academy
Chrome On 27 January 2018 the Steelpoort Acade-
Golf course my Grade 1 Golf Day took place at Tubatse
and the Chrome Golf Club.
official A well supported day with a full field of players
process for ensured much fun on the course. A team of
recognising Steelpoort Academy Grade 1 parents and sup-
this achieve- porters made sure that the players were well
ment will fed and hydrated at the halfway house.
be done by The day’s winners were Eliajah, Quintin, Ber-
the Club. tus and George.
He also Tim Marobane was the player who played
received nearest to the pin at 9/18 and David Digoro
a R2000 was the player with the longest drive.
prize from The players also participated in an auction
Filterman and some managed to pick very good bar-
Steelpoort. gains.
Johan Drey- Mr Anton Alberts, Steelpoort Academy princi-
er handed pal thanked all the players and sponsors for
him the their support towards the school. A special
prize. thank you also went towards Maureen van der
Merwe and Jan Groblem from Samancor for
organising the day.

Running in Benoni (Information: Willem Mont-

gomery).
Modikwa Marathon
Club runners partic-
ipated in the John-
son’s Crane Hire
Marathon in Benoni
last weekend.
Jeffrey Nkuna
kompleted the 42,2
km race in 03:04
and Albert Thusago
the 21,1 km race
in 01:45. Herman
Mogale ran a time
of 03:55:34 in the
42,2km race.

(Information and
photograph: Willem
Montgomery)