Edition / Uitgawe 5

28 June 2013

The fast and the curious

The Rogue Rally visits Graskop and draws spectators from far and wide read p. 8

Photo: Chris Colverd

Faithful Angels step down 6

Sarel van Sabie talks cooking 5

International acclaimed artist in Graskop 8

English, as she should be spoken 1 4

GPS News

From the editor

Sitting here freezing with hands like blocks of ice, I suddenly had this idea. Having matriculated way yon der, we learned how to type on manual typewriters. All these new social media and the virtual elec tronic world remind me of something. It feels like I have been frozen and just woke up, like Rip van Winkle. All these strange names, like Facebook, blog, Twitter, YouTube, Diigo and many more, are common language for the youngsters because they grew up with it. It is our older generation who now has to get with the programme. We are proud to announce that GPS News now also is on Facebook, as well as Twitter... and in the near future our newspaper will be avail able electronically from the very first edition. I must admit that I was very much intimidated initially by this new venture that I had to learn, but thanks to excellent and very patient teacher and web designer Denise van Wyk there is hope for me. So please, those that know how, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twit ter. For those that dont use the electronic media, enjoy our com munity newspaper.

GPS News 22 Main Road PO Box 385, Sabie 1 260 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 Printed by Paarl Coldset

Let us know about any coming events for placement in the Social Calendar. It is free!

6 July at Canimambo Restaurant Graskop 1 8:00 moonlight market and live music by Courtney and Neil and St Dog and a Day. Come and enjoy extraordinary food at affordable prices. 1 0 July Monthly LEFPA Escarpment meeting Anyone in the wood industry, sawmill etc. please attend this meeting. Fire safety is our first priority. For more info: Annalize Nieuwoudt 078 801 0487. 11 July World Population Day World Population Day aims to increase peoples awareness of various population issues, such as the importance of family planning, gender equality, poverty, maternal health and human rights. The day is celebrated worldwide. 1 2 July The next issue of GPS News! 1 5 July Public schools reopen 1 4 August Blood donation: Sabie Country Club 1 5:001 8:00 Graskop Town Hall 1 5:001 7:00 Pilgrims Rest Information Centre 1 0:00-1 4:00 Bowls @ Sabie Country Club Every Wednesday and Saturday @ 1 3:30

Briewe / Letters
Who cares?
The cares (worries, stress, anxieties, fears) of this world will strangle the Word of God in your heart and kill you. The Ididitmyway philosophy causes depression, suicide and un timely death in millions of lives. Does your life reflect success and peace due to this very philosophy? Should you try, once again, to resolve the problem (because you care) marriage, sexual prowess, children, finances, business using your own intellect, knowledge and Prozac, you will end up recreating the wheel with the same results as before. Einstein called this insanity. Make a change! Purposefully or ignorantly ignoring God is called pride. This attitude screams Ive got this! You havent got this none of us have. You may insanely choose to attempt to fix the mess, or you may wisely humble yourself and pray Help! God is good. He is waiting for you.

He will never override your choice to ignore Him. He is highly receptive to humility, but arrays Himself in battle against pride (not against man). Man must make the first move. God will overwhelmingly respond, be cause He cares! Do you wonder whether God will hear you? He will hear the prayer of a humble man.

The customer is always right

Caller: Eish! The printer is not working! Customer service: What is wrong with it? Caller: The mouse is jammed! Customer service: Mouse? Are you sure its a printer, as they dont come with a mouse? Caller: Eish! I know the mouse and also I know the printer. I tell you: the mouse is jammed. Thats why the printer is not working! Customer service: Im telling you, it cant be the printer! They dont have a mouse! Caller: Ookaaay! I send picture for you! Moral of the story: The customer is always right. Listen to him/her and believe what he/she says. Dont jump to conclusions!

Smalls
Woonstel te huur
Gedeeltelik gemeubileer. Stil omgewing. R2 000 pm. Water en ligte ingesluit. Skakel 082 940 3560.

GPS News

Graskop bids farewell to Elva

Christine Rossouw
An air of mourning has gripped Graskop in recent weeks after the passing of Elva van der Meulen on 3 June. The amazing woman had been an integral part of the community for 58 years, and her legacy lives on in the numerous gardens she beautified in the town she made her home and raised her family in. Mrs Van der Meulen grew up in the Lydenburg dis trict. After working in Johannesburg for a while, she moved back to the Lowveld, where she met her hus band, Anno. The pair were married and immediately moved to Graskop, where Mrs Van der Meulen would spend the rest of her life. Her footprint in Graskop was vast. In addition to being a mother of three, she was a business woman, who ran a nursery and Kloofsig Chalets and was part owner of the hotel. Mrs Van der Meulen had a deep passion for people and flowers. Residents will remem ber Mrs Van der Meulen as being a woman who was full of life, generous and friendly and who never went anywhere without her gardening gloves. According to her daughter Griet, the week before Mrs Van der Meulen was admitted to hospital, she was painting and tiling a womans room in the retire ment village. She was laid to rest with her beloved husband on 8 June in the Graskop cemetery.

Her spark and love for life will be deeply missed, and her legacy remembered forever in the beautiful gardens she has left behind. GPS News extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends.

New manager
Gawie Rautenbach, a resident of Graskop for seven years, is the new manager of Build it in the town. He took over the management of the store a couple of months ago. I love Graskop and I dont ever want to leave this town, Gawie says.

Were not always right, but its not always because were wrong.

G PS N ew s

Open mic draws the talent out

Christine Rossouw
No doubt it was the place to be, when on the night of 31 May, Canimambo in Graskop hosted its first ever Open Mic Night. The familyrun Portuguese restaurant was packed to the rafters with supporters eager to hear the singers and musicians, many of whom were braving a public performance for the first time. Open mic nights give bands and musicians, whether established or still con fined to the safety of private performances, a platform to perform in front of an audience. And the talent that reverberated from Canimambo was astonishing. The appreciative response from supporters also left little doubt that there is some real talent in our towns that, thanks to Canimambo, is no longer hidden. Manager Nicole Fraser said the night was an enorm ous success. Music brings people together, and that it did. We cant wait for the next one, she said. The evening was concluded by a special performance by Johannesburgbased acoustic musician David Gill ham, who said it was an amazing event. To all the folks in Graskop, I cannot thank you enough for your hospitality and support. You are wonderful. The restaurant has long since shaken its image as merely an establishment for dining. It is rapidly be coming one of the most happening venues in the Panor ama. Keep your eye on our Social Calendar, which will keep you up to date on local events and, of course, the date of Canimambos next Open Mic Night.

Michael Murphy wows the audience with stunning original songs.

Birds-eye view for a birthday

When Arthur Knoessen (57), owner of Sabie Stationers, received an en velope as his birthday gift, he was very pleased to see the content, see ing that it was something he had wanted to do for a while. His wife, Kerry, spoiled him with a scenic flight over Sabie River Valley and waterfalls in a Bantam microlight. At first he was skeptic, or hesit ant, but not scared. Although Har mony Hill, where the airfield is situated, was covered with mist, the sky above was beautiful and clear. He had confidence in the pilot, who went through all the controls of the microlight, explaining how they work, while going through all the safety measures. Arthur said: I had such a feeling of detachment from everyday life, having an aerial view, being above all the beautiful scenery. It was an awesome gift from my wife. If I have to describe it in one word, it would be euphoria. Asked if he would do it again, he replied without hesitation: Without a doubt. Everyone should try it out at least once.

Arthur Knoessen at the Bantam microlight.

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GPS News

Tannie Kobie by haar oudbure en goeie vriende Bertus en Lorraine Swanepoel.

Tannie Kobie word 90

Tannie Babs and Oom Ben Mulder at the farewell function held in their honour at the Sabie Retirement Village.

Faithful Angels step down

Christine Rossouw
Broad smiles and warm greetings ac companied Oom Ben and Tannie Babs Mulders entrance into the Sabie Re tirement Villages hall on 11 June. It was the couples final visit to the establishment as representatives of the Guardian Angels. The wellknown and muchloved couple got on board in February 2011 with a desire to assist and support the elderly citizens of their community. Retirement village manager John Calmeyer thanked the couple for their dedication, hard work and time, which has made a tangible difference in the lives of the residents. We are very grateful for all the time and joy you have given to Sabies elderly citizens over the years, he said. While 11 June marked the final bingo event that the couple would host at the village, Oom Ben reassured residents that they would be seeing them again next month, but this time as coplayers. We have made terrific friends at the retirement village and will defin itely maintain the friendships we have made and stay involved with the people, Tannie Babs said. As Guardian Angels rely heavily on fundraising to conduct their outreach to the elderly, it requires commitment and hard work from its representat ives. Tannie Babs said that there is definitely a need for Guardian Angels to operate in Sabie, and she would love to see the outreach grow in scope. Deidre du Plessis, who Tannie Babs says is a pillar of strength, will be continuing with the monthly bingo events at the retirement village. Guardian Angels are a group of eager volunteers that have got togeth er to help the elderly and sick in their communities. If you would like to become a volun teer for this worthy cause, you can send an email to marcel@guardianan gels.co.za.

Tannie Kobie de Villiers het on langs n dubbele rede gehad om vriende te onthaal. In die eerste plek het sy op 27 April 90 jaar oud geword, en tweedens moes sy af skeid neem van haar geliefde dorp en sy inwoners omdat sy na die versorgingseenheid van n aftree oord in Pretoria verhuis. Die afgelope 14 jaar het inwo ners van Sabie aan die figuurtjie van tannie Kobie met haar stoot karretjie (wat sy haar 4x4 noem) in die dorp gewoond geraak. Sy was jare lank n inwoner van Sabie Af treeoord, maar het die afgelope vier jaar by haar dogter, Stephanie Turner, gewoon. Al is sy nog baie gesond, het die jare haar ook maar begin inhaal, veral op liggaamlike gebied, en is sy nou al baie gemak lik in die Vergenoeg Huis in Vil leria, Pretoria, waar sy naby talle van haar familielede woon en heerlik deur die vriendelike en be hulpsame personeellede bederf word. Greenview Spar het n reusekoek geskenk om haar met die mylpaal geluk te wens, en inwoners en an der vriende het in Mei die feeste like geleentheid in Sabie Aftree oord se saal saam met tannie Ko bie gevier. Tussen die tee en koek

is daar gesels oor die heerlike tye wat sy in Sabie belewe het. Sy was deur die jare bekend om haar skerp sin vir humor en is by talle geleenthede gevra om n paar van haar ondeunde grappies te vertel selfs tydens Bybelstudie op Woensdae moes ds. Erik haar maar toelaat om skerpsinnige staaltjies te vertel, tot groot ver maak van almal teenwoordig. Tannie Kobie het in haar toe sprakie almal vir hul liefde en on dersteuning deur die jare bedank. Sy het vertel dat sy haar berg gaan mis, maar dat sy ook na die volgende stap in haar lewe uitsien. Stephanie, haar dogter, wil ook hiermee die wonderlike vriende van die aftreeoord bedank vir al die moeite met die saal, en ook vir die liefde wat almal haar en haar ma so in oorgawe in Sabie gegee het. Ook n groot dankie aan Greenview Spar vir die heerlike verjaardagkoek. Stephanie het GPS Nuus gevra om n spesiale woord van dank aan tannie Kobie se oudbure en goeie vriende Bertus en Lorraine Swane poel te gee vir alles wat hulle die laaste jare vir haar gedoen het. Julle weet nie wat dit werklik vir ons beteken nie, het sy ges.

GPS News

Visitors enjoy street festival

Gerda van den Bos
Graskop Conservancy hosted the annual Blue Swallow Festival on 15 and 16 June. Exhibitors turned the area in front of the municipal offices into a beehive of ac tivity on Saturday morning. By 09:00, the smell of pancakes, vetkoek and boere wors filled the air. The exhibitors came from as far as Hoed spruit. Visitors to the street market could pick and choose among stalls with ori ginal artwork, pottery, jewellery and second hand books. Children enjoyed having their faces painted, catching a fish for a prize, or getting rid of their ex tra energy on the jumping castle. Glory Hill Primary girls performed traditional Between all the dances. hustle and bustle, the choir and dancers of Glory Hill The festival was held to raise funds Primary in Graskop entertained the for the conservancys conservation and people with song and dance numbers. social upliftment activities.

Jordan triumphs at Bible quiz

Gerda van den Bos
He is only ten years old, but Jordan Mpho kane knows his Bible. He recently won first prize at the Graskop Christian Outreach churchs Bible quiz on the book of Esther. Jordan received a cer tificate of excellence, a Words of Jesus for Guys Bible, a special coffee mug and vouchers from Bil tongland and Gods Window Restaurant in Graskop. Jordan says the quiz was difficult, but he managed to answer the most questions. His best friend, Nata sha Mitchel, came second. He loves going to church and makes sure that he attends praise and worship on Wednesdays, the youth gatherings on Jordan Mphokane with the certificate and some of Fridays and the ser the other prizes he won at the Bible quiz. vices on Sundays. ite subjects are Afrikaans and English This bright youngster is a gr. 5 pu and when he grows up, he wants to pil at Glory Hill Primary. His favour become an actor in the movies.

GPS News

Rogue Rallys super cars ride through

I
Chris Colverd
ts a wellknown fact that Gods Window is closed for about 300 days per annum! But that is usually because of the mist that rolls down the Blyde River Canyon, and renders sightseeing impossible. But on Friday and Saturday, on beauti ful, clear midwinters days, Gods Window was closed for a totally dif ferent reason: the Rogue Rally was passing through. Based on the Cannonball Run, this rally, with about 50 super car entrants, started in Sandton on Monday 17 June, and after covering some 2 700 km, will finish on 22 June at KwaMaritane in the Pil anesberg. The Gods Window loop was closed to traffic so that the awesome vehicles undertaking the Rogue Rally could compete in a 2,3 km timed stage against the clock. All the cars taking part are privately and locally owned the only imported vehicle was a rather strangelooking RollsRoyce belonging to one of the sponsors. So, one after another, the mouth watering array of super cars took their turn to set the fastest time. There were, amongst others, a num ber of Ferraris (red of course), Porsches, Aston Martins, Lam borghinis, Audis and, most impress ively, some McLarens. A McLaren in South Africa would set you back about R4,2 million! Taking part in the Rogue Rally costs each participant the princely sum of R50 000, but this does cover all the costs, with the exception of petrol and tyres. Everything seemed to be ex tremely well organized, the PR was good, and organiser Mark Castel, CEO of BAM, spent plenty of time to

impart information about the event. The only odd thing was that cer tain local drivers, not part of the

rally, were allowed to interlope into this special stage and delay the event from being completed so that

the police could once again open Gods Window to the tourists on one of our precious clear days.

Probus Club enjoys the best

Chris Colverd
The Probus Club of Sabie was founded on 13 Octo ber 1997. It is part of a major international associ ation of Probus Clubs and affiliated to The Probus Council of Southern Africa. Probus is an acronym for PROfessional BUSi nessman. There are more than100 Probus Clubs in Southern Africa, including one in Zimbabwe. Probus Clubs exist in at least 21 countries overseas, with Britain boasting more than 1 800 clubs, whilst Chile and Cyprus have just one club each. The Sabie Club enjoys the best of all worlds, in that we are a mixed club, which meets in a variety of restaurants on the first Thursday of each month, unless it is a public holiday. Sometimes, in summer, the lunch is held outdoors in the form of a picnic. In June, we met at Knights Pub and Grill on a cool cloudy winters day. A log fire crackled in the hearth, and the 30 members present were richly en tertained, as usual, by Ian Whyte, who enlightened us on the family life and customs of elephants. A hot, spicy soup was served as an appropriate starter, and this was followed by a choice of roast chicken or roast beef, with vegetables, rice and gravy. The dessert, which topped things off, was vinegar pudding. Everyone asked thoroughly en joyed the food, which was great value for money. Despite being one of the largest clubs in southern Africa, we are always looking for new members. Anyone who would like to join The Probus Club of Sabie can contact a committee member: President: Barbara Petley 082 736 8253 Secretary: Kathe Rohrs 082 410 4408 Treasurer: Anne Coetzee 082 562 4609 Speaker liaison: Roger Cropper 013 764 3561 Restaurant liaison: Alfred Mielacher 076 901 9858

Van Heerden Pharmacys Fathers Day competition has a winner! The prize was a voucher for Body Stress Release by Ja nine Knox. Sheugnet van Heerden of Sa bie won the prize and received it here from Van Heerdens Denise Rees.

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Fanie Botha binne net drie dae kafgedraf

Mari Botha
k is n inwoner van Graskop en ek en my seun Rikus het by n groe pie mense aangehaak om die Fanie Bothastaproete van 72 km oor vyf dae op n drafpas af te l. Die plan was om dit van 24 tot 26 Mei binne drie dae te voltooi. Die doel was om te kyk of dit moontlik is en hoe dit gedoen kan word. In 2009 het ek en n vriendin kuslangs van Port Nolloth tot in Kosibaai gestap... met rugsak, stok en hoed, vol van moed. Sedert di staptog wat vier maande ge duur het was my volgende droom om die Fanie Botha in Mei 2010 in die kort ste tyd moontlik af te l. Op 27 Mei 2010 het ek n dagstap op die Fanie Botha in Maritzbos gedoen en my enkel gebreek. 27 uur later is ek eers uit die bos gered. Toe volg n paar maan de van algehele frustrasie met gips en krukke, asook die dokter se uitdruklike bevel dat ek minstens agt maande glad nie op berge of in bosse mag stap nie. En vir iemand wat met stapkoors gebore is, was dit aaklig. My droom wat ek vir 2010 beplan het, het n droom gebly. Ek kon nie toestem ming kry om dit alleen te doen nie ons moes minstens drie mense wees. Dit was nie maklik om mense te kry wat saam wou gaan nie. En daarom het ek besluit om aan te haak. Om die Fanie Botha oor berge en deur dale te hardloop, te klim en te klouter, was eerstens om dankie te s dat ek dit kan doen, dat ek dit mag doen, dat ek in staat is om te doen... en om te weet God is my krag. Ek wil voluit lewe ek wil my gesondheid tot sy eer gebruik ek wil die skepping waarvan ek deel is, ervaar en geniet. Maar ook het ek die behoefte ge had om iets tasbaarders te gee. Uitendelik het ek en Rikus dit gedoen. Die oggend van Vrydag 24 Mei het ons met ds. Erik Brik se senwense die tog aangedurf, en al het ons drie dae tussen die berge deurgebring, was ons werklike staptyd 12:49:44 oor 72 km. Die besluit was maklik om dit as n geldinsamelingsprojek vir die kerk te doen. Sal ek dit weer doen? Ja, weer en weer. Hy maak my voete soos di van n rib bok op ho plekke laat Hy my veilig loop!

Op ho plekke: Mari Botha tydens haar Fanie Bothadraftog.

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GPS News

Magnificent Seven ride into town

Chris Colverd
ilently, stealthily and almost surreptitiously seven stunning sports cars slipped into Sabie on Saturday 25 May and stopped at Smokey Restaurant. So entered the magnificent new Jaguar F Type into the lives of the few who even noticed its presence. Launched very recently by Jaguar South Africa, the F Type is the next in line after the Jaguar C Type and D Type from the 1950s and bestloved of all, the most iconic car ever manufac tured, the Jaguar E Type, which was launched as a fixedhead coupe and roadster in 1961 at the Geneva and New York motor shows. So the F Type has been a long time coming. It is 39 years since the final Series 3 V12powered E Type Road ster came off the production line. The new F Type, which was spotted in Sa bie, came in a V6 version, identifiable by its twin tail pipes, and the V8, with two twin sets of exhaust pipes. Col ours ranged from black and white, through shades of grey, to the most stunning example in red. The reason for the visit was that the cars were being run in and were get ting some miles on the clock prior to Photos: Chris Colverd

being borrowed by the motoring press so that road tests could be written for magazines and newspapers in south ern Africa. The top speed was quoted to be 310 km/h, which is about as fast as a Formula One car! The Jaguar FType has already

been declared the winner of the 2013 World Car Design of the Year Award ahead of 43 other cars. In March, in Belgium, a new FType V8S achieved almost 180 mph (280 km/h) and reached 62 mph in 4,2 seconds during a 2mile sprint on the track.

If you have just won the lottery and do not know what to do with the money, the Jaguar F Type V6 starts at R820 000, while you can have a V8 for a mere R1345 000. If you havent won the lottery, do not despair it is only seven months until Christmas!

Caption competition you can win R200!

The winner of GPS News fourth caption competition was Richard Allingham of Sabie Retirement Village. His winning caption for the photo of the two lions here was: Eating your hairdresser was rather shortsighted, Your Majesty! Richards wife, Tina, said they both entered and she had a feeling that one of them would win. Richard was amazed when GPS News called him with the good news. You also stand a chance to win the next R200! Come on, readers, send us your caption for the photo below. SMS your name and caption to 079529 0256 or email editor@gpsnews.co.za. The competition closes on Wednesday 3 July. The winner will be an nounced in the issue of 12 July. All the com petition photos were taken by Chris Colverd, who is also the sole judge of the winners.

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Prolific artist settles in Graskop

H
Christine Rossouw
e walks slowly into Wimpy in Sabie where I am to interview this great South African artist. Hes got a banana in his jacket pocket and eyes that twinkle with mis chief and delight. On his 77year old face is etched a lifetime of joy and suffering, discoveries and dis appointments, but theres something deeper and profound about this great man. Is it the sensitive perception and insight with which he sees the world, reflected in the ethereal translations of the landscapes he paints? Is it the expanse of his lifetime in our turbulent country that makes me feel like an infant? I am about to find out. Louis Audie was born in 1935. He taught himself to paint using whatever materials he could lay his hands on. Through constant practice and application, Louis developed and refined his tech nique to the point where he is the flowers bloom, it is like a great book or cinemascope opening up before you, he says. With exhibitions all over the world and South Africa under his belt, Louis in January bade his Johannesburg home farewell and moved to Graskop with his wife, Sandra. I told my wife I couldnt live in Joburg one more day. It has be come far too busy. So we packed up and came to Graskop. And what a lovely little town it is. Its absolutely magic, Louis says. The ambidextrous artist also had nothing but praises to sing for Sabie Hospital, which treated him for E. coli two weeks after he had arrived in Graskop. It is later in the interview that I can put my finger on what it is about this man that gives him such a profound presence. He is filled with the spirit of God. In ad dition to his painting, Louis spent many years as a pastor and has established a small Bible study group in Graskop. Louis continues to paint and ex hibit his work. He has just re cently returned from Art in the Park in Pietermaritzburg and hopes to exhibit at InniBos next year. And with Louis relocation to Graskop, residents of the town and surrounds have a onceinalife time opportunity to take art les sons from this prolific artist, or purchase one of the DVDs Louis has produced on his technique and his revolutionary interpretation (and perfection) of the colour spec trum. To get in touch with the artist for lessons or to purchase a DVD contact Louis on 0832971629 or by email at audielu@absamail. co.za.

Louis favourite subject matter the Karoo. today known as the contemporary father of modern landscape oil painting in South Africa. The depth and mood of Louis landscapes are breathtaking. He Louis Audie explains it is the secrecy of nature locked into its unique globe and the magic atmosphere of it that inspires him so. His special passion is painting landscapes in the Karoo. When

Whiteonwhite: The first painting Louis did after he had arrived in Graskop.

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GPS News

Public library holds FUN

S
Shirly Mathebula
abie public library celebrated the long weekend in an educa tional and fun manner by host ing a funday event with pupils from different local schools on Saturday 15 June. The day was filled with entertaining educational activities as they paid tribute to this years theme, Educate yourself at your library. The funday event was conducted by library per sonnel, amongst them Emmerancia Nonyane, Lindiwe Thabethe, Lorraine Besterbier and Lerato Mashego. The library staff invited the pupils to participate in games and various activities. The learners competed in chess, Scrabble, computer speed typ ing, book searching and the presenta tion of poems and drawings. According to Nonyane, library su pervisor, the purpose of the event was to bring fun to the library and to inspire learners to visit the library daily so that they can have access to the services that are offered. The learners expressed great in terest in all the activities and parti cipated actively. The winners were recognised and awarded. The library staff showed appreci ation to the sponsors: Chantelle Seil ing from Komatiland Forests, Sabie Stationers, the Department of Cul ture, Sport and Recreation, Sabie Primary and Memezile Secondary

DAY

Competition winners:
Chess: Ndabenhle Masina (boy), Tshepiso Mndawe (girl), Ronaldo Marobe and Kgahliso Mogane (best performance). Scrabble: Dankwa Yamoah (first), Jaqueline Mkhabela (second), Patience Mthethwa (third). Computer speed typing: Andile Mashile (9 12 years), Lorraine Ngwenyane (1316 years), Raymond Mashego (1720 years). Drawing: Simiso Mthombothi, Menochka Barton. Written and presented poetry: Langelihle Zulu. and board games practice sessions Mondays to Fridays from 15:0017:00. Residents and learners are urged to register at the library for the free computer lessons.

School. They also had a special thank you to local resident Gustine Bernard Ntimeng for donating a painting to the library, to Thato Mathebula and Themba Buthelezi for of fering chess lessons, and to Grayton Nkosi from loveLife for assisting at the event. The library invites learners and residents to make use of its services: there is free internet service, free computer classes offered to the public

Creating something out of nothing

Gerda van den Bos
What do you do if you have to start a garden for a school but you do not have enough funds to buy plants? Well, if your name is Thabo Mashego you know how to make a plan. He grabbed his wheelbarrow and hit the streets asking for plants at houses and businesses in town. Thabos walkabouts with the wheelbarrow paid off as Panorama Secondary School in Graskop now has a very attractive garden. Thabo says when he sees someone throwing out plants, he always asks them if he could rather have it for the school grounds. In the process he has saved many plants and has turned barren ground into a garden with ample trees. This innovative gardener has also started a vegetable garden. Currently he only has onions in the ground, but he hopes to be able to plant some more vegetables soon. This will help with the schools feeding scheme. Although the garden keeps him busy, he is always at hand when there is maintenance work to be done, be that to unblock a toilet or to repaint a wall. I pick up all the rubbish every day as well as I like the grounds to be clean. Another of his special projects was the construction of the footpaths at the school. Thabo used broken bricks from building rubble to build the paths. As the school was built on a hill, he also had to create trenches to en sure that the buildings are not flooded during heavy rains. Thabos innovative thinking and willingness to work

Thabo Mashego of Panorama Secondary School is proud of his garden. Behind him are the footpaths that he has laid out using broken bricks. hard has saved the school lots of money over the years. His garden is proof that you can create something out of nothing if you set your heart and mind to it.

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Investment in knowledge pays best interest

Christine Rossouw
abie may be small, but the town and its schools consist ently give rise to great people who go out and do big things. This has again been proven with the achieve ments of an exSybrand pupil who is making waves in Australian academic circles. Jessica Rossouw matriculated from Sybrand van Niekerk High School in 2009 with four distinctions and the prestigious Sabie Circuit Special Awards Certificate from the Mpumalanga Department of Educa tion for best learner in mathematics. After spending two years gaining invaluable work experience in the fin ance department of a multibillion dollar international company in Aus tralia, she decided it was time to get back to the books and enrolled at Griffith University in Brisbane for a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Within her first year of study, Jes sica was granted membership of the Griffith Honours College. Only 2% of undergraduates across Australia who demonstrate leadership and com munity engagement are invited to join each year. She was awarded the Sir Samuel Griffith Scholarship and won the 2012 Griffith award for Academic Excel award. Who could have predicted that Jessica, with her thirdworld, gov ernment school education would snatch it from under all the thousands of other students in Australia? Jessica attributes her tertiary suc cess to discipline, hard work and com mitment. At my university orientation a year and a half ago, a guest speaker delivered the words Consistency trumps rare moments of greatness. My whole work ethic is centred on this and it seems to work! Jessica says. She urges all pupils of Sybrand van Niekerk and other high schools in the region to make the most of their op portunity to gain an education, and to remember that an investment in knowledge pays the best interest. She says it doesnt matter where youre from or what youve got the thing that matters is what you do with what youve got, and hard work and com mitment will always pay off. She was recently invited to be a member of the Golden Key Interna tional Honour Society for academic excellence and thoroughly enjoys her tertiary studies. Jessica says she misses Sabie tre mendously, but is grateful for the many opportunities available to her in Australia, and is determined to make the most of them.

Jessica Rossouw with her proud parents, Pierre Rossouw, Corn Ros souw and Pauline Duffett,at the Griffith University Awards evening. lence (Bachelor of Commerce). But the finest achievement of this Sabie girl was her reception of the CPA Australia first year accounting award. CPA (Certified Public Ac countants) is Australias largest ac counting body and every year it seeks out the most promising young ac countancy student from all the coun trys universities to honour with this

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GPS News

En g l i s h
a s s he s ho u l d b e s pok e n
I
Susan van Zyl and Annelize Cloete at ProLife Pet Rescues new shelter premises at Mac Mac.

Sharon Mandy
once had an area manager that said there were four types of people: those that were energetic but stupid, those that were lazy and stupid, those that were energetic and clever, and finally those that were lazy and clever. He said that in his experience those that were lazy and clever were the most successful, but, he said, the most dangerous and he shuddered when he said it were those that are most energetic and stu pid. He said that if one ever wanted to bring any business to utter ruin, it would be a wellmeaning energetic, stupid person. Of course nowadays it is so politic ally incorrect to call someone stupid that any article bearing the word is almost certain to be censured, but I am of the old school so that when anyone mentions that something happened ten years ago, I automatic ally think of the eighties. I believe the term nowadays for the obtuse beings amongst us is differ ently brained, and sometimes when I hear the new linguistic wrangling of the politically correct, I do not have the foggiest idea of what is being said so that I begin to strongly suspect that I myself am somewhat differently brained. I do try, however, and pride myself in keeping attuned to the new phrases so that I can understand a reasonable amount of what is said. Just the other day I had someone that was involuntarily leisured (un employed) that came to ask me for a plastic. I replied that I did not have a plastic, but would he be happy with

Animals will find safety at shelter

Christine Rossouw
ProLife Pet Rescue, Rehabilitation and Adoption Agencys sixmonth search for premises in the Sabie area where an animal shelter can be established is finally over. The nonprofit organisation, which aims to find safe, loving homes for abandoned, homeless or abused pets, was established by Karin Erasmus in Nelspruit in Oc tober 2011. ProLife has a noeu thanasia policy and focuses its efforts on looking for foster and permanent homes for the pets they rescue and rehabilitate at the Nelspruit shelter. Sabie animal lovers Annelize Cloete and Susan van Zyl joined forces with Karin in July last year. The two women respond to the needs of abandoned, abused and homeless pets in the Sabie area, but to date have had to take the animals they rescue to Karins Nelspruit shelter, which is already filled way past its capacity. Annelize explains that in Janu ary this year, their search for premises that could be utilised as a shelter began in earnest. We searched every plot, farm and piece of open land in and around Sabie, but just didnt find anything suit able, she said. But with the assistance of local resident Debbie Mller, the months of dedicated searching eventually paid off when Komatiland Forests offered the organisation one of their houses near Mac Mac. We are truly indebted to Debbie, who really put her weight behind the cause and helped us find this shel ter, Annelize says. According to the women, it will take approximately four to five months before the shelter will be up and running as a lot of work is needed to prepare and ready the premises. As ProLife relies en tirely on donations from the public, they are appealing to residents to assist and support them with blankets, carpets, dog food and bowls, shampoos, flea and tick powder and kennels. In addition to these necessary items, the premises needs to be fenced and the garden cleared of overgrown vegetation. The house itself also needs a fresh coat of paint and some other maintenance. There is a ProLife donation bin at Greenview Spar in Sabie where members of the community can drop off items to donate. And any one able to assist with the fencing and maintenance needs of the shelter can contact Annelize on 084764 9066. Additionally, there exists a need in Sabie for foster homes for Pro Lifes rescued pets. Annelize ex plains that ProLife provides all the food and medicine (where ne cessary) to fosters, so there is no added financial strain on these in dividuals. To learn more about the organ isation and meet some of the furry friends in need of homes, connect with them on their Facebook page ProLife Pet Rescue, Rehabilita tion and Adoption Agency.

a processed tree carcass (paper bag). He replied that he had just been a cli ent of the correctional system, for be ing a cost of living adjustment specialist (shoplifter), and he did not fancy going about with carcasses of any kind. He then told me that his wife was hugely parasitically op pressed (pregnant) in every sense of the word, and as he was economically unprepared, unless he received help from somewhere, he was henceforth going to be residentially flexible. I suggested that he find a job but he replied that he was factually unen cumbered. I suggested he became a sanitation engineer, as in that posi tion it does not matter too much if one is a knowledgebased nonpossessor, or that he could perhaps ask for a place in the government. Take someone with a large nose for example. I do not know if he would prefer to be called nasally gifted. It is all very well to be considerate and to spare peoples feelings, but in so doing we sometimes go overboard. It is supposedly offensive to use the term manhole and one is supposed to say maintenance hole one is not allowed to use chairman if a woman fills this role and I believe the world has be come unnecessarily super sensitive. I do have some personal favourites, however: Dead Terminally incon venienced, Bald Comb free, Clumsy Uniquely coordinated, White Melanin impoverished, and last but not least, Drunk Spatially per plexed. I do believe politically correct phrases are here to stay, so let us all relax and enjoy them!

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Young skaters show their skills at a training session. Form left: Lucky Mashele, Nhlanhla Gorden, July Mnisi and Casey Tapfira.

Meet the top roller skaters

T
Shirly Mathebula
he Sabie Roller Skating Club (SRSC) is a group of young sters from Sabie on wheels, ready to take their roller skating skills to higher levels. The team consists of trained skaters, like Lucky Mashele (20), July Mnisi (18), Nhlanhla Gorden (18), Karen Tapfira (16) and Casey Tapfira (13), as well as 12 beginners between the ages of 6 and 15 years. The club was started in 2010 by local resident Juliana Tapfira, a mother of three children and a teacher at Sabie Primary. She re cognised that skating is a sport that can provide an enjoyable time to people of all ages and serve as an opportunity for locals to participate in skating competitions. The skaters clubs slogan says it all: Just do it go for it no guts, no glory. As a reporter, I took the oppor tunity to experience what the young skaters are exposed to in this fas cinating sport. It was the first time that I put on roller skates. The fun began... as I was holding on to one of the skaters, trying to stand up. One of the young skaters told me to relax and started to give me guid ance. It was an exciting feeling, though difficult because I first had to lose my fear of falling. The youngsters are experienced and are doing it flawlessly. Although they come from different backgrounds, they all posses a gift for roller skating. They train at the Sabie netball courts op posite Sabie Clinic. SRSC coach Derrick Sebothoma was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident in 2006 and was left disabled, having to walk with crutches. He has a passion to help youngsters to skate and to assist by teaching them discipline and per severance. Sebothoma said: It requires practice and skill to become a pro fessional. However, the young skaters have shown so much poten tial. Over the past two years, the team has participated in a couple of in tense competitions. In 2011 and 2012, they took part in the annual South African Roller Skating Championships. In 2011, the skaters were awarded certificates of participation at the championship held in Pretoria. Last year, Casey scored two medals for the team in the beginners and professional cat egory in Sandton. The team needs sponsorships from businesses or individuals so that they can afford to participate in more competitive events, hoping to achieve their dream of wining com petitions. The SRSC would like to thank Adele Janse van Rensburg of the local business Nsemani, which spe cialises in personal protective equipment, for donating reflector vests to the club to be clearly visible when practicing. Sabie residents between the ages of 9 and 50 years are welcome to join the club. The joining fee is R50 and the monthly fee R30. Training sessions are held on Wednesdays (16:1517:30), Fridays (15:0017:30) and Saturdays (12:0015:00). A skater has to attend at least two training sessions per week. For membership requests or sponsorship opportunities contact club representative Derrick Se bothoma on 072619 0787 or com mittee member Juliana Tapfira on 071879 4802.

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GPS News

Local comrades celebrate the human spirit

E
Gerda van den Bos
very year thousands of ath letes gather in KwaZulu Natal for the Comrades Marathon. This year, more than 14 000 athletes got together on the morning of 2 June for this magnifi cent race. Among them were 16 ath letes of the local road running club York Sabie Shufflers. Grant Bos man, the only participant from Graskop, ran his 16th Comrades. Usually its rather chilly in the morning and everybody would have layers of clothes on, but this year it was extremely hot. We were sweat ing at the starting point at 05:30 in the morning. We thought that it would be cooler towards Pietermar itzburg, but it just got hotter, and to make things worse the wind was really hectic towards the end of the race. Sometimes the dust and wind got so bad that it was more product ive to walk than run. Despite the weather conditions, Grant managed to complete the race in 9 hours 58 minutes. And he will definitely be back next year. Im looking forward to run my York Sabie Shufflers, has been Grants inspiration through the years. Gerhard is 65 years old and he has completed his 25th race this year. To run the Comrades you have to be prepared. Grant says he did 1 600 km in the five months prior to this years race. He trains mostly in the afternoons, and he wants to encour age the rest of Graskop to join him in preparing for next years race. If you want to run in the Comrades 2014 race, you have to register in November and then you have until the beginning of May to qualify for this ultramarathon. To qualify, you have to complete at least one 42 km marathon within five hours. Grant says Fana Masinga did the best among the local athletes. Fana received a silver medal for his time of 07:27:32. Although it was a tough day for all of us, we were once more humbled by the Comrades and re main in awe of its ability to bring so many people from different back grounds together. It is a true ex ample of how the human spirit can prevail with the support of others.

Roelof Coertze, Barbara Hare and Grant Bosman enter the stadium at the finish line. Grant said: We met Roelof around the halfway mark, and by the time we have finished, we were best buddies. 20th race then I will receive my double green permanent number. My sons promised to run that race with me I hope they will keep their promise, he said. Grant keeps running the Com rades because he enjoys the vibe at the race. The Comrades gives me faith in humanity again. When you are running this race, it doesnt matter who you are, what you look like or where you come from everybody is the same. Gerhard Nortje, who also runs for

Soccer team uplifts itself

Shirly Mathebula
The local Arsenal Foot ball Club, founded in 2009 by a group of people who wanted to keep themselves out of the streets, contin ues to inspire the youngsters in Harmony Hill, Sabie. Almost 20 players between the ages of 14 and 22 are now rising soccer stars at the club. One of the players, Kgaugelo Nonyane (21), said: Our mission is to develop a team that will allow youngsters on all skill levels the opportunity to come together to learn and to enhance our abilities. The idea behind the club is to keep ourselves away from sub stance abuse and unlawful activities. We would like to see the team grow, hence we aim to prepare ourselves for competitive level play. Over the past few years, the club participated in various tournaments and promotional leagues. One of the highlights was when they won a tour nament against the local teams Manchester United (Simile), York United (New Village) and Brazil (Tweefontein Village) and took the title of the Safety and Security cup championship in 2012. They particip ated in the 201112 Mayoral Cup, but lost in the semifinals.

Sabie Karate graded successfully

Back (from left): Pieter Oosthuizen (yellow 2), Joshua Mitchell (green), Jacques Lombaard (purple 1), Sensei Anthony Tope (in ternational 2nd Dan black belt), Judith Kok (orange) and Marko Jansen van Rensburg (orange). Front (from left): Zander Coetzee (red), Carla Coetzee (white), Dewald Oosthuizen (white), Teagon Meyer (red), Logan Meyer (red), Rebecca Mitchell (red 2) and Ane Tope (red).

Arsenal FC rising stars. Through the efforts of the dedicated players and their volunteer coach, loc al resident Brian Ryan, the team con tinues to bring the club to the front of the soccer community. The club is an independent club that is sustained by the players and its mentors. However, sponsoring a soccer team can be a great way for companies to connect their brand with their target market. Businesses or in dividuals are invited to gain valuable exposure by assisting the team with sponsorships. The club has opened its doors to all inspiring soccer players who have a love and desire for playing the game. For information on becoming a spon sor of Arsenal FC or offering volunteer assistance in mentoring the team, contact Ryan on 082 3247 890 or Nonyane on 076 251 8804.

SPORT CALENDAR
LOWVELD AREA 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, +26 82 442 4053 @ SABIE COUNTRY CLUB (01 3 764 2282) 29 June - American Scramble 6 July - Mug @ PILGRIMS GOLF CLUB (01 3 768 1 434) 29 June - IPS 20 July - Bonus Bogey 6 July - Monthly Mug - Medal 27 July - Medal Stableford 1 3 July - SPAR Graskop

MOUNTAIN BIKE

GOLF