Die Kwêvoël, Thabazimbi

In spite of a falling life expectancy – due mainly to the HIV/Aids pandemic – South Africa is in the early stages of the global ageing population trend. Demographics from IHSGlobalinsight show that the age band 0-4 years is less than the bands just above it. The 20-29 year-old age bands grew by 17,2% over the 10 years 199-2008 while by comparison the 65+ age group grew by a much more rapid 28% over the period.

The trend has far-reaching implications for the housing market where current focus tends to be on the young first-time buyer segment. More research is needed into the housing pattern of retirees. Do they sell their homes and downscale, or retain them for their children to inherit? Can they afford to remain in the family home? Consider that living on a fixed income can be a one-way ticket. With inflation at 6% the cost of living doubles in 12 years.
Some countries have “equity release” programmes through which financial institutions “purchase” homes owned by elderly couples, paying them lump sums to help with living expenses, but allowing them to remain in occupation, rolling over the interest until such time as one or both pass on. The problem is that “equity release” only works well when property prices are rising and interest rates are low. In South Africa, Nedbank introduced a similar scheme without any real success.

In the UK, where there is a national old age pension, the ageing population syndrome has forced the government to increase the pensionable age for men from 65 to 70 years and for women from 55 to 60 years.
FNB’s property strategist John Loos says that such demographic changes, along with affordability issues, have led to an increasing need for more smaller sized residential units.

While there were no real surprises in the National Budget 2010 presented by the Minister of Finance on Tuesday 17 February 2010, given the economic climate and considerable challenges faced, the Minister is commended on focusing on key areas such as education, job creation, infrastructural improvements and providing relief – mainly to lower income earners, says Dr Andrew Golding, CE of the Pam Golding Property group.  It is however regretted that fuel tax is to increase by 25.5 cents per litre, a factor which is inflationary in itself.

Furthermore, from a property perspective it was disappointing that consideration was not given to the reduction in transfer duty as a means of assisting aspiring homeowners.  It is regretted that an increase in the transfer duty threshold – which currently stands at R500 000 – did not materialise, as this would have had the effect of considerably contributing towards making home ownership more affordable and within the reach of consumers, particularly first time buyers.

However the increase of 11.6 percent over the next three years allocated to the housing department is welcomed, as this will provide assistance to the lower end of the market.

The reduction in personal income tax was also a positive note, although it is of concern that the minister indicated this may increase next year, given that South Africans already pay a relatively high rate of income tax.

On the back of a recovering economy and given the anticipated reduction in job losses, we remain optimistic in terms of South Africa’s economy and potential for growth, and the positive impact this will have on the country’s housing market.

For further information contact Dr Andrew Golding on 021 7101700.
- Pam Golding Press Office

KOEDOESKOP – A group of boys aged 13 – 19 from Neos Christian School received a sponsorship by the North West Cricket Union (Highveld Lions) on 6 February 2010.

A full cricket set worth R10 000 was handed to these cricket players who are now hard at work, proudly useing their new kit with the new skills coach, Ma’am Marischa Fourie. They are to compete in a cricket tournament on 27 February in Klerksdorp.

These grateful players would like to thank the sponsors of their cricket equipment, promising to put it to good use in the hopes of improving their skills.

KOEDOESKOP – Laerskool Koedoeskop se Kaskar Grandprix vind plaas op Vrydag 5 Maart en is ongelooflike pret vir groot en klein. Dinge skop af op die rugbyveld omstreeks 9:30 en daar is stalletjies wat onder andere pannekoek, hotdog, kerrie en rys en jaffels gaan verkoop, speletjies, Mnr en Mej Kaskar, die Kaskarwedren en of dit nie genoeg is nie is daar ook ‘n  Potjiekoskompetisie. Groot pryse is op die spel met die bord-kompetisie, al wat ‘n deelnemer hoef te doen is om ‘n bord strategies op die rugbyveld te plaas, wanneer die vliegtuig sy sak meel laat val sal die persoon op wie se bord dit val of naaste daaraan, wegstap met ‘n prys.

Die aand is daar ‘n Mandjiedans waar die skool die musiek, pap, sous en vure verskaf.  Daar is 9 potjies in totaal onder andere Biltong-, Skaapskenkel-, Skaap-, Beesstert-, Tong-, Kerriehoender-, Pasta-, Bees- met vetkoek en ‘n Wilde Wildspotjie wat deur bo-baas-kokke gemaak word. Daar is 30 ete kaartjies per pot, en dit verkoop baie vinnig uit. Kaartjies is beskikbaar by die skool, betaling met bespreking, geen uitsonderings. Skakel Laerskool Koedoeskop by 0147850607.

THABAZIMBI – The logstandings on 25 February for the 13 football teams are as follows: Shoprite – 22 points, Municipality – 21 points, Marakele – 21 points, Pick n Pay – 13 points, Kumba Resources – 9 points, Working On Fire – 9 points, Roads And Transport – 7 points, Spar – 6 points, Wes Enterprises – 6 points, Transnet – 4 points, Bearings International – 3 points, SAPS – 2 points. The Health football team haven’t played a game yet. Last week’s results:
Bearings International earned 3 points in their first game on Thursday 18 February at Thaba Park after beating Kumba 3-2. Spar earned 3 points after beating Wes Enterprises 2-0. On Saturday 20 February at Marakele, Marakele earned 3 points after beating Bearings International by 1-0.

Fixture: Two football games were scheduled for Wednesday 24 February 2010 and four games for Thursday 25 February 2010 at Thaba Park, the results will be published in the next issue of Die Kwêvoël.

THABAZIMBI – A group of five police trainees took to the road on Wednesday 24 February as part of their fitness assessment.

This group of police trainees are from Pretoria West College. Their Field training programme of 6 months commenced on 4 January and they’re now in stage 1. Their passing out will be in June 2011. The distance of 4km had to be covered along the Marakele road. Trainee police officers have to complete three stages of training over a period of two years. These stages are Basic Training (6 months), Field Training (6 months) and Probation (12 months) before they are appointed permanently.

Other than fitness there is also a learning programme, for which trainees have to complete assignments. Therefore, police trainees receive training on both a practical and a theoretical level.

Inspector Steven Papo, field training officer of the Thabazimbi Cluster, urges locals in possession of a driver’s licence, a matric certificate and a barcode ID who are interested in a career in the police to submit applications to him. The police is also recruiting reservists, for which different categories exist. A reservist applicant only has to be in possession of a matric certificate and barcode ID.

Die onmiddellike verhoging van 24,8% wat Nersa goedgekeur het vir die verhoging van elektrisiteit, word betreur, en dit is duidelik dat slegs na die belange van Eskom gekyk is, maar nie na die belange van die verbruiker en ook die boer nie.

Mnr Ben Marais, President van TLU SA, sê dat dit van die begin af duidelik was dat Eskom sy sin sou kry. Die feit dat daar nie ‘n 35% verhoging goedgekeur is nie, maar “slegs” ‘n verhoging van 24,8%, is sielkundige bedrog en geensins ‘n verligting nie. “Tydens die sogenaamde openbare voorleggings oor die verhoging, het NERSA sy bes gedoen om belanghebbendes met geldige besware, te weerhou om hulle voorleggings te maak, en hulle het geskuil agter kleinlike administratiewe reëlings, ondersteun deur patetiese kommunikasie, om mondelingse getuies te weer. TLU SA het by herhaling aangedui dat hy voorleggings wil maak, maar in meerdere gevalle het hierdie swak prosesse verhinder dat TLU SA sy standpunt kon stel. Vir alle praktiese doeleindes is boerdery se standpunt dus nie aangehoor nie. Ons het rede om te vermoed dat ander bedrywe met dieselfde frustrasie te make gehad het,” sê Marais.

Marais wys verder daarop dat die verhoging bo die inflasiekoers is, en dat dit verdere inflasie gaan stimuleer. “Vir die boere is hierdie verhoging deel van ‘n byna ondraaglike pakkie verhogings: 24,8% vir elektrisiteit, 25,5 sent per liter bykomende brandstofheffing, en ook ‘n verhoging van tolgelde vanaf 1 Maart, wat boere swaar raak as hulle produkte na die markte wil neem, want alternatiewe paaie is as gevolg van verval onbegaanbaar. Dit was uit die begrotingsrede reeds duidelik dat die regering bewus was van NERSA se verhoging, en die feit dat die minister nog voor die bekendmaking aangedui het dat die regering mense sal help om die verhoging te hanteer, dui daarop dat, ten spyte van wat gesë word, die regering bewus was van die verhoging en dit aanvaar het, ongeag die rampspoedige ekonomiese gevolge. Trouens, dit wil voorkom of die bedrag wat in die begroting vir Eskom bewillig is, nie by hierdie besluit in berekening gebring is nie.”

Marais het ‘n beroep op die regering gedoen om NERSA te ontbind.  “Dié instansie is heel duidelik net ‘n rubberstempel van Eskom se belange. Die openbare verhore oor die tariefverhogings was ‘n klug, en daar kan waarskynlik baie kosbare geld gespaar word deur NERSA eenvoudig te ontbind, omdat hy geensins aan enige verwagtings voldoen nie.”

THABAZIMBI – Die Gr 1 leerders van Laerskool Thabazimbi het op Dinsdag 16 Februarie hul klein vingerafdrukkies op ‘n sertikaat verewig met die ERA Suid-Afrika se “Kinderprinting” projek.

Hierdie projek is geloods as ‘n diens aan die gemeenskap. Elke kind ontvang ‘n spesiaal ontwerpte sertifikaat met hul vingerafdruk, ‘n foto en selfs ‘n haarlok daarop, wat dan deur die kind se ouers veilig bewaar vir noodgevalle. Indien ‘n kind dan ooit vermis sou raak kan dié inligting help in die identifikasie en effektiewe opsporing van die kind. Die rede waarom vingerafdrukke gebruik word, is omdat foto’s dikwels onduidelik is, en kinders verander so vinnig dat die foto dikwels onbruikbaar word wanneer kinders opgespoor moet word.

Met dié jaarlikse instelling wil die personeel van ERA Thabazimbi graag ‘n positiewe bydrae in die omgewing maak. Belangstellendes is welkom om hul te kontak vir enige verdere navrae, 014 772 2628 of besoek hulle by die ERA Eiendomme kantoor in die Spur sentrum.

KOEDOESKOP – Laerskool Koedoeskop het groot planne vir die 2010 rugbyseisoen.

‘n Toer na Nyati Sportskool waar die seuns onderrig gaan ontvang in die basiese beginsels van rugby, word beplan vir die seisoen. Weens die groeiende getalle van die skool is daar vanjaar ook ‘n O/10 spannetjie wat aan die wedstryde gaan deelneem.

Pre Crete, onder leiding van mnr Deon Azar het hul ondersteuning aan hierdie skool vasgesement in die vorm van die borgskap van die O/11 en Eerstespan se rugbytruie. Volgens mnr Gustav Grobler, skoolhoof van Laerskool Koedoeskop is dit duidelik dat die “kampioene van die betonwêreld die kampioene van die rugbywêreld ken.”

Die skool bedank Pre Crete vir hul ruimhartigheid in dié groot skenking.

Die seisoen skop vandag, Vrydag 26 Februarie af met wedstryde teen Laerskool Sanddrif en daar heers ‘n groot opgewondenheid onder seuns, afrigters en ouers. Lees volgende week die uitslae van hul eerste wedstryde.

THABAZIMBI – Thabazimbi as dorp kan nie kla dat daar ‘n kultuurdroogte in die gemeenskap is nie. Daar is darem net te veel kunstenaars wat die dorp besoek en toneel optredes word nie agterweë gelaat nie. Dit spreek vanself dat die gemeenskap die gereelde kultuur inspuitings terdeë geniet.

Die Leeupoort-tak van die Boeremusiekgilde van SA wat Northam, Swartklip, Leeupoort, Ellisras, Vaalwater en Alma insluit, kom vanjaar op Saterdag 6 Maart met ‘n eerste. Die gilde bied ‘n groot Gesinsdag op die skougronde aan.

Verrigtinge skop om 7vm reeds af met die uitstallers wat dan geleentheid het om hulle stalletjies in orde te bring.

Vanaf 9vm word die hekke oopgemaak vir Jan Alleman, sy vrou en kinders. Die streek se plaaslike gemeenskapsradio, Thaba Stereo 104.9FM, saai die dag direk uit vanaf die skougronde. Uitsending sal duur van 9.00 tot om ongeveer 20.00 wanneer daar teruggeskakel word na die ateljee.

Talle kunstenaars se dienste is gratis bekom om die dag op te tree aangesien die dag se opbrengs ten bate van Thaba Stereo 104.9FM se fondsinsameling projek is. Die baie gewilde potjiekos kompetisie se deelnemende spanne begin om 9.10 hulle potjies om die vuur te plaas. Die beoordelaars vir vanjaar is Marie Steenekamp (sameroepster), Deon Geber (Northam), Bakkies Eayres, Mauri Lombard en Ella van Vuuren.

In die rigting van 10.00 begin die kunstenaars optree met Jesse Lang van Thaba Stereo 104.9 wat die dag se sang inlei. Tegelykertyd begin die boeresport en perde program. Nie minder as sewe items is vir die distrik se ruiters aangelê.

Kunstenaars wat te siene sal wees is Sekelbos Dansorkes, Jesse Lang, Cinda de Klerk, Charl van Zyl (die Gé Korsten van die Weskus), Gert Schoeman, Rudi Meiring (top 10 Idol van 2004), David J, Rainier le Roux (opwindende sanger van Thabazimbi), Hekkie de le Guerre, Wikkel Fanie du Plessis, Kobus Kloppers & Neels Ackerman, Pieter Naudé en Jerome Alden en sy perd Trigger. Dan het die kunstenaar Doppie ‘n ding of twee in sy mou wat nie gemis mag word nie.

Die middag is daar ‘n talentkompetisie vir oud en jonk. Toegang vir die dag se vermaak is spotgoedkoop teen slegs R20 per kop, oud en jonk. Saterdagaand is daar ‘n dans met Sekelbos in John van Deventersaal (Oop Saal). Lesers wat net die aand wil dans se toegang is R40 per kop en elk is meer dan welkom om ‘n eie mandjie verversings saam te neem.

Lede van die Boeremusiekgilde van SA kry ‘n stewige afslag op 6 Maart. Ledekaartjies moet net getoon word. Daar is heelwat plek vir stalletjies beskikbaar. In 2009 het sowat 2000 mense die potjiekos kompetisie bygewoon en vanjaar word heelwat meer mense verwag.

Belangstellendes kan die sekretaris van Leeupoort-tak van die Boeremusiekgilde van SA-tak, Tobie Lombard, skakel by 078 775 3975 of 1949@lantic.net. U kan ook vanaand en moreaand asook volgende Vrydagaand inskakel op 104.9FM waar finale aankondigings gemaak sal word rakende die grootste Bosveld Gesinsdag ooit!

Tobie Lombard