Pretoria Central

2 OCOCTOBER,TOBER, 220200220 • 001012-842-030012-2-848422--03030000

Living conditions at the homeless shelter in the CBD. Left: Gauteng Department of Social Development MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi. R10m facelift for homeless shelter ‘Of all the shelters that I have visited today, this one is the worst,’ says MEC.

Reitumetse Mahope documents) and the Department of shelter would be decommissioned. Health to assist with medical needs “I am strongly looking into The Struben Street shelter for the as well as non-profi t organisations decommissioning it because of the homeless in the Pretoria CBD would to provide skills and job readiness [poor] conditions [here].” Nomathemba be shut down temporarily and its programmes. “The homeless here will be placed Mokgethi during her residents moved to other shelters The campaign has already been in other shelters. There are other visit to the Struben while it is refurbished to the tune of rolled out in Johannesburg, the West beautiful shelters throughout the Sreet shelter in the R10-million, a provincial government Rand, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng and metro.” Pretoria CBD. MEC has revealed. Tshwane. She described the Akasia shelter, This follows a visit to the facility She said the Tshwane social for instance, as “excellent”. by Gauteng Department of Social development and community “As you can see, the Strubenen Development MEC Nomathemba department has been using a model Street shelter is not safe. Thus,s, the Mokgethi earlier this week. diff erent to the strategies and models department and metro must mmoveove “Out of all the shelters that I have implemented by other shelters in the quickly to move the occupantsts and visited today, this one is the worst,” province. restore their dignity.” she said. Mokgethi said, however, that her She said it was thanks to Covid-19ovid-19 The No.2 Struben Street shelter department would begin a partnership that national and local governmentnment is the only shelter for the homeless with the Tshwane metro in creating could partner in achieving goals.als. in the city owned by the Tshwane permanent habitable shelters for the She said from this week municipality. homeless. onwards, the elderly and drugg Mokgethi visited the overcrowded “We are going to work with them. users at the shelter would be and “unsafe” shelter on Monday as They have a plan, a budget and a transferred to more suitable part of a campaign aimed at ensuring specialised unit that will deal with ones elsewhere. homeless people are placed in issues of the homeless.” Mokgethi said her visit wass permanent shelters. Mokgethi said the homeless she not only to gain information oonn She said as part of the campaign she spoke with pleaded to be consulted on how the homeless lived at thee would visit three homeless shelters various decisions that would impact shelters she visited, but also too in the Tshwane region to ensure their lives. fi nd out how they felt and whathat that homeless benefi ciaries received She said many of them complained their needs were. sustainable options to survive beyond about not being able to communicate Another aim was to try andd the national lockdown. their needs to the metro. re-unify some of the homelesss Mokgethi was acting in partnership “Many of them told me they want people at the shelters with theireir with various government departments. to be consulted and I fully agree with families. MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi talking to These included the Department them. They may be homeless, but No date was supplied as to residents about their grievances about of Home Aff airs (for those who they should also have a voice.” by when residents would be living conditions at the shelter. required birth certifi cates and identity Mokgethi said it was “likely” the moved from the shelter. 2 NEWS PRETORIA CENTRAL REKORD 2 OCTOBER, 2020 Salvokop kids celebrate Heritage Day with a fun walk and plants Ron Sibiya

More than 130 local children had a rare opportunity to celebrate Heritage Day, thanks to Salvokop Youth. “We targeted the children because the area lacks activities that accommodate the young ones,” said Sabatha Matlou, one Photo for illustration purposes only. of the interim leaders of Salvokop Youth. Heritage Day, celebrated annually on 24 September in South Africa, saw children accompanied More suspects by Salvokop Youth fi rst embarking on a Freedom Park fun walk before going to a house on the corner of First Street and Second Avenue, where they were treated probed in SAPS to traditional dances as well as Thapelo Tsotetsi (11) participates in the planting lesson at the Heritage artwork and planting lessons. Day celebration in Salvokop. During the fun walk, children had an opportunity to learn about “We walked a long distance, but He said it was heartwarming to R85m looting Freedom Park and its signifi cance. we had fun.” Tsotetsi also shared see the youth doing the right thing. “Most children in this area did her passion of planting. “I am proud of them. Not so long not know much about the Freedom “Planting is my favourite thing ago, they conducted a clean-up ‘This is a build-up case. South Africans Park despite it being at Salvokop’s because my father is a farmer and drive here in Salvokop and now should expect that more heads will doorstep,” Matlou said. one of the biggest achievers in the they have successfully organised a She said the walk also Free State. Planting is something Heritage Day celebration.” roll in the next few days.’ encouraged the children as well as exciting and it is in my blood.” The interim leadership of the youth to exercise regularly to The children were also treated to Salvokop Youth wants the youth to Reitumetse Mahope the supply chain management live a healthy life. a balanced meal, which had been be united and play a crucial role in division in Silverton who One of the participants, Thapelo prepared by Salvokop youth. solving their problems and those of At least 42 individuals who are appeared in court on Monday. Tsotetsi (11), said he and his Community worker Pastor Joel children in that area. suspected of looting “Each of the accused are out friends enjoyed the walk. Mayephu commended the youth Matlou thanked everyone who R85-million have had their case on R5 000 bail.” “I feel excited because it is for taking the lead in serving the helped them succeed in organising postponed to 25 March 2021 for She said the initial my fi rst such event in this area,” community of Salvokop and taking and hosting the Heritage Day further investigations. investigations pertaining to Tsotetsi said. care of children. event. Investigating directorate the marking and de-marking spokesperson Sindisiwe Twala of SAPS vehicles uncovered said the 42 suspects appeared massive looting of state before the Pretoria magistrate’s funds through procurement Protest march at foreign embassy court on Tuesday, to answer irregularities, cover quoting to charges related to tender and fraudulent processing of irregularities in the Supply contracts to unlawfully award The various groups demanded that human traffi cking in SA to end. Chain Management (SCM) the same supplier, having division of the South African numerous companies registered Lunga Mzangwe and He said human traffi cking was of fake news relating to human Police Service (SAPS). on the supplier data base. Reitumetse Mahope the third largest international traffi cking or kidnapping of “The irregularities pertain to “This is a build-up case. crime, following illegal drugs and women and children,” said police the awarding of the marking South Africans should expect Various activists, civil society arms traffi cking. spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo and de-marking of SAPS that more heads will roll groups and individuals marched to “Human traffi cking is believed Peters. vehicles valued at R56-million in the next few days,’’ said the Nigerian embassy in Pretoria to be worth billions. It is estimated “We are cautioning the public and cover quoting related investigating directorate head to protest the “scourge” of human that there are millions of victims, against sharing such malicious procurement to favour specifi c Hermione Cronje. traffi cking. though only around 100 000 cases untruths. companies, valued at Mathe said the tender case The protest comes shortly are found each year.” “This practice continues to R29-million.” dated back to 2018, when the after police have warned against In their memorandum, the spread even after the offi ce of the Of the 42 suspects, 22 are police commissioner General the spreading of fake human various groups demanded that national commissioner issued a serving members of the SAPS, Khehla Sitole established a traffi cking “news” and rumours on human traffi cking in South Africa similar warning two weeks ago,” six are either retired or have team to look into allegations social media. be ended. said Peters. resigned from the service and of tender irregularities in the The Agents of Change NPO They also demanded thehe the rest are service providers. awarding of the marking and and its affi liates handed over a prosecution of law enforcementcement Police spokesperson de-marking of SAPS vehicles memorandum to the embassy on offi cials aiding human traffiaffi ckingcking Colonel Athlenda Mathe said after complaints and allegations Wednesday. rings, for corruption to endnd at all accused faced a range of of corruption were brought to The group claimed that the home aff airs offi ces and thehe charges including corruption, his attention. Sunnyside precinct was “the shutting down of all foreign-ign- fraud, money laundering, theft Sitole has commended the epicentre of all human traffi cking owned businesses in the iinnernner city, and perjury. relentless eff orts of the special operations”. among others. Mathe said the 42nd suspect national anti-corruption team in A representative of the Protesters claimed that handed himself over at the working towards uprooting all organisation, Mario Khumalo syndicates were behind humanuman Silverton police station, while forms of criminality within the said this exploitation was driven traffi cking and the sellingg of fi ve suspects appeared in the ranks of the service. by poverty, uneven development, drugs, claiming “most of Pretoria magistrate’s court on “We are pleased in the corruption, gender discrimination the syndicate members arere Monday. manner in which this case has and harmful traditional and Nigerians”. “Those arrested on reached an advanced stage. cultural practices. “We all have children anandd Friday, include a colonel, Over a two-year period, we He said government had to it aff ects everyone, black and an administrative employee are now standing at 42 arrests counter the human traffi cking issue white.” within the SAPS supply chain including our own members. by creating economic freedom for Nigerian high commissionersioner management division and three We hope this will serve as the youth. Kabiru Bala said he was civilians.” a deterrence to those who “Human traffi cking is a complex sad that his country was She said two of the suspects continue to collude in looting phenomenon fuelled by the singled out of all the were initially arrested in June, state coff ers,” said Sitole. tremendous growth in the global countries represented in and were released on R5 000 Investigating directorate sex market,” he said. South Africa. bail each, along with the fi rst spokesperson Sindisiwe Twala Khumalo said many scams were “It is very concerning thathat batch of accused arrested in the said the alleged criminal on the rise to take advantage of Nigeria is the target. We ddoo same month. incidents had happened more unsuspecting people, including not accept the profi ling off Mathe said the pair had been than 200 times between the student accommodation, tutoring Nigerians in this country.”” re-arrested by the investigating period of between April 2016 services, book selling services, job Meanwhile, police this week directorate who uncovered and 2019. opportunities and cellphone and warned residents to stop that the pair lied under oath “The quotation allegations laptop repair services businesses sharing fake news about about not having previous relate to contracts for the used as fronts. human traffi cking and thee convictions. installation of palisade fencing, “The number of child victims kidnapping of women andd She said the suspect who repair of state motor vehicles, traffi cked worldwide for sexual children. A Khoisan representative handed himself over was a gardening services, servicing of exploitation or cheap labour on an “We have noted with at the march. lieutenant-colonel attached to forklifts and painting services.” annual basis is 1.2 million.” concern the continued peddlingddling PRETORIA CENTRAL REKORD 2 OCTOBER, 2020 NEWS 3 Tshwane part of 6% Covid-19 spike Reitumetse Mahope

The Gauteng Department of Health has noted with concern a 6% increase in the number of active Covid-19 cases in various areas in Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni. This as the country moved into lockdown level 1 last week Monday. “The rise in infections has been attributed to, among other factors, non-adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions by some members of the public,” the department said. The following Tshwane sub-districts were notable for their increases since the move to level 1. The statistics are according to the last seven days from last week Monday, Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize. 21 September to this week Monday, Photo: File. 28 September): - Subdistrict 1 (Ga-Rankuwa, Mabopane Winterveldt, Soshanguve, Rosslyn, Karenpark, Wonderboom, Akasia, Nina Park, Orchids, Amandasig, Theresa Park and Pretoria North) has reported 182 new cases. The total recoveries for subdistrict 1 To date there is no cure for Covid-19. are 9 547 out of 10 778 reported. - Subdistrict 3 (Atteridgeville, Laudium, public that the fi ght against Covid-19 is fortunate position of achieving eff ective The newly reinforced ministerial Pretoria CBD, Hercules, Danville, far from over,” said Gauteng health MEC transmission control, the true test lies in advisory committee on Covid-19 consists Saulsville, Lotus, Pretoria West) has 206 Jacob Mamobolo. our ability to maintain low transmission of bio-medical practitioners; clinical new cases. The total recoveries for “We want to caution communities that rates. experts; specialists in ethics; the nursing subdistrict 3 stand at 14 999 out of 15 040 we need to continue adhering to non- “This requires a more holistic approach profession; social scientists; researchers; cases reported. pharmaceutical interventions.” to case management, preventive measures and community leaders. - Subdistrict 6 (Eersterust, Lethabong, Mamobolo reminded citizens there and public policy. They advise on interventions that Mamelodi, Silverlakes, Garsfontein, was no cure for Covid-19 and that social “It is important that we remain relevant should be considered in responding to the Lynnwood, Queenswood, Wilgers, Waltloo, distancing, sanitising and mask wearing as we endeavour to bring on board and epidemic and to infl uence the behavioural Equestria, Mooikloof, Brummeria) has were still necessary. educate communities on averting the risk of change that is required to mitigate against 129 new cases. The total recoveries for Earlier, the ministerial advisory a second wave. the spread of Covid-19. subdistrict 6 are 7 377 out of 9 260 cases committees in health said that “we are now “This requires experts who are well Mkhize has since required experts reported. past the surge”. versed in human behaviour.” who are specialised in containment The department reported 116 unallocated “Our epidemiological curve has It said containment measures in work measures in work and social spaces to cases for the Tshwane region. demonstrated a plateau for several weeks. and social spaces had now become the key advise government on the continued “It is important that we emphasise to the “But as we fi nd ourselves in an extremely focus under the “new normal”. response. 4 PRETORIA CENTRAL REKORD 1 OCTOBER, 2020 PRETORIA CENTRAL REKORD 2 OCTOBER, 2020 NEWS 5 New plan to reshape the EPWP for a ‘new world of work’ future Reitumetse Mahope health pandemic, but also an economic pandemic as well. The government should use Despite this, she believed its expanded public works the pandemic presented new programme (EPWP) to fi ght opportunities for South Africa. unemployment by training “We have an opportunity to workers to gain “digitised” transform the economy now. skills, keynote speakers at a Digitisation is make or break recent webinar said. now in any job.” “We as the EPWP have She said people could not been focused solely on depend on one skill or job since work opportunities but it many of the skills people have is vital to include elements are now obsolete. such as training and Eksteen said government TLF CEO Wilna de Beer and Gauteng social development MEC Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi witness as the head enterprise development,” must look at providing people of The INN elderly home project’s Petra Barkhuizen cuts the ribbon. said development economist with a combination of skill sets consultant Liesel Eksteen. in preparing them for a new Eksteen made the remarks digitised world of work. during a webinar titled These included emotional ‘Re-skilling and enterprise intelligence, use of technology New home for homeless development for PEPs in the era in performing tasks and even of Covid-19 and beyond’. advanced cognitive skills. The Zoom webinar session Another speaker, Lungisani was held between the public Dladla, said government must pensioners on the street works and infrastructure look at using the EPWP to drive department and the International township entrepreneurship. Ron Sibiya homeless people who are getting Mokgethi who vowed that her Labour Organisation (ILO). Dladla is a senior offi cial at Sassa grants,” TLF representative department would throw in their It was aimed at fi nding ways the department. Elderly homeless people from Wayne Renkin said at the offi cial support to the newly opened home to drive employment and tackle “Government would have to Wednesday on has a new place opening of The INN, a facility for of elders. poverty through the EPWP in provide development fi nance to stay in the city centre, all elders. “I commit that we will support the wake of the coronavirus and support to small businesses thanks to the Tshwane Leadership He said the facility would assist the facility,” MEC Mokgethi said. pandemic. in the townships to create much- Foundation (TLF). pensioners who have no families She decided to attend the Eksteen, one of the keynote needed economic opportunities “We are opening up a subsidised and fi nd it hard to survive with opening of The INN facility speakers, said the EPWP should and jobs for the poor,” he said. housing facility for older people, only Sassa grants. after she previously witnessed look at using both human and Lesego Moretlwe, a specifi cally focusing on all the “The problem is that R1 800 vulnerable elderly people and artifi cial intelligence to drive Department of Public Works Sassa pension is not enough for those living with disabilities the development and upliftment and Infrastructure spokesperson, an elderly that has no family and living in terrible conditions during of South Africa in the post said the government was nowhere to go.” her visit to one of the shelters in Covid-19 world. looking at redesigning some He said the facility was part of Pretoria. She said the webinar was held of its EPWP programmes and the TLF broader programme to TLF CEO Wilna de Beer said since Covid-19 was not just a projects thanks to the webinar. fi nd homes for homeless elderly homeless elderly people need care people. and love. “The focus is that we want to She believed that most homeless end the homelessness of elderly people in the city of Pretoria people. were economic migrants, who “We don’t want to see any desperately come to the city to old people on the streets look for work. anymore.” “During lockdown homes for At the event, it was homeless people face a situation of revealed that The severe suff ering and struggle. INN, spearheaded “Those who were left in the city, by the TLF and were those who have nowhere to Yeast City go, have no family support and no Housing, has place to sustain themselves.” a capacity of One of the benefi ciaries Tente accommodating Sedunedi (65) said he was excited more than 55 to receive a newly . Gauteng social development people. “I feel alright. I now have a MEC Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi In attendance place to stay. was Gauteng The TLF said the pensioners addresses the gathering at the For illustration purposes. Photo: Reitumetse Mahope offi cial opening of The INN. Social Development would began occupying the facility MEC Dr Nomathemba from Thursday. 6 NEWS PRETORIA CENTRAL REKORD 2 OCTOBER, 2020

Former Bulls prop, Pierre Schoeman. Photo: simondp@actionimage Two former Pretoria rugby players get prestigious awards Two former rugby stars from Pretoria, Van der Merwe and Schoeman, are among the players honoured by the PRO14 rugby competition in Europe last week.

Former Tuks Varsity Cup star winger, is starting to pay off . I genuinely couldn’t Duhan van der Merwe, has been honoured have won this without the help of everyone with the prestigious PRO14 Players’ Player at Edinburgh Rugby and I can’t wait to of the Year award for the 2019/20 season. push the club further next season.” At the same time, former Bulls loose Both Van der Merwe and Schoeman has head prop Pierre Schoeman was selected set their sights on playing for Scotland. along with Van der Merwe as part of the past season’s PRO14 dream team. Van der Merwe – the brother of Springbok hooker Akker – has been a sensation for Edinburgh in the PRO14, and tops several of their stats after a disrupted season. The 25-year-old has impressed all season topping out the Opta stats charts for Defenders Beaten (76), Metres Made (906) and Clean Breaks (31) while scoring seven tries and setting up two. Additionally, Van der Merwe’s average of 5.6 Defenders Beaten per game set a new record for the Guinness PRO14 as he broke his own existing record of 5.3 that he set in 2017/18. Van der Merwe also ensures the award stays in the Scottish capital with teammate Bill Mata earning the accolade last season. “I feel hugely privileged to win this award. Never in my wildest dreams did I believe that I could achieve something this big and it’s a brilliant feeling knowing that it was voted by the guys I face in the Guinness PRO14 week in, week out,” Van der Merwe said. “Getting an award like this is massive for me and hopefully highlights that the Former Tuks Varsity Cup star winger, Duhan hard work I’ve put in throughout my career van der Merwe in action. Photo: GB Jordaan PRETORIA CENTRAL REKORD 2 OCTOBER, 2020 7 Golfer claims Waterkloof victory A young rising star from the Silver Lakes Golf Club achieved his fi rst victory of the season earlier this week during an IG Tour competition at Waterkloof Golf Club.

Albert Venter, a 24-year-old pro golfer from the Silver Lakes Country Club, entered the fi nal round of the IG Tour #5 Chase to Waterkloof tied for the lead and carded a fi nal-round three- under-par 69 to claim a one-stroke victory on 11-under-par 205 last week. Having signed for a respectable 69 in round two to force himself into a fi ve-way share of the lead on Tuesday, Venter knew what lay ahead for him to claim this title. A steady start to the round saw him making three straight pars before picking up an important birdie on the par-four fourth hole. Two more pars later and an eagle found its way onto his card as he mounted his challenge. That joy was short-lived, however, because immediately after that eagle, back-to-back bogeys followed as he turned in 35. Pars on the 10th and 11th holes were followed by gutting drop on the 12th but Venter recovered swiftly making an eagle on the par-fi ve 14th before making a birdie on the fi nal hole to sign for Stedman Gans, former head boy of Hoërskool Waterkloof and a second successive 69 and claim Albert Venter boasts his winning trophy after his victory during an IG Tour Blitzbok star, was one of the Bulls’ standout players on Saturday. his third IGT title. tournament at Waterkloof Golf Club. He looked at home in the diffi cult outside centre position and was “I set myself a target to try and particularly impressive with his ball distribution. get to -12 for the event starting shot,” said Venter. Rama, round one leader Vaughn today. Was well on track until I hit He said his victory at van Deventer and amateur a 3 putt on 8 and then dropped on Waterkloof will obviously have a Christiaan Burke fi nished the 9, but I managed to keep my head good infl uence on his confi dence tournament in a tie for the second in the game and not get ahead of going onto the next Sunshine Tour spot just a shot behind Venter, at Bulls’ play level myself. That got me over the line. event. 10-under for the week. “The fairways played pretty “But I think it’ll probably be Among the top fi nishers this fi rm and the whole golf course in the same game plan with trying week were Sunshine Tour winners general, so if you could manage to keep it in play and just trusting Toto Thimba Jr and Heinrich gives fans hope to keep it in play you would have the short game to make a low Bruiners who shared the eighth a short-ish shot to the greens so I number! So if I can keep it in play spot with amateurs Gregg Gilson Koos Venter The second half played out would say if you pitched and putted I’ll always have a shot.” and number-one ranked amateur, vastly diff erently with the well this week, you were in with a Sunshine Tour rookie Nikhil Casey Jarvis, at seven-under. “Where does this Bulls team visitors outscoring the home come from?” side three tries to two, but This was the general and the Bulls’ dominant fi rst-half surprised outcry of thousands of display was enough to secure Athlete runs 239km to create autism rugby fans when social media their fi rst victory under new started buzzing shortly after coach Jake White. Saturday’s match between the It should also be mentioned awareness and get funds for charity Bulls and the Sharks during the that the Bulls have largely Vodacom Super Fan Saturday played with their reserves in the After 48 murderous hours of running around the track of the Tuks rugby festival in Pretoria. last half hour and that many of On the other hand, there the players who came on later Athletics Club, a local athlete covered more than 230km to raise money. were the more positive Bulls were clearly still rusty. fans who excitedly announced They defi nitely need more Blistered and bruised but happy already contemplating a run from that they knew Jake White was time with the larger group to is what Niel Thiart from the Pretoria to Durban or from Pretoria going to make a diff erence. build proper cohesion. Bestmed Athletics Club was a few to Cape Town. However, after the Bulls’ On the Sharks’ side, their fans weeks ago when, after 48 hours, “I am prepared to do anything performance against the Sharks will soon let it be known that he got to stop running around the if it means I can create awareness – and especially the clinical they are missing several key TuksAthletics track. for autism. But my run was about manner in which the Natal players due to injuries and other He had reason to feel it is more than that. All of us have boys were destroyed in the fi rst reasons. mission accomplished. After all, particular talents. I believe it is half by the Bulls’ preferred Yet it will be hard to deny he did run 239km in 48 hours all essential to use one’s skills for the 15 – Bulls fans can rightly be they dominated in almost every for a good cause. The aim was to betterment of society. I can only excited. The new-look Bulls important aspect of the game create awareness for autism and to hope that my eff ort has inspired a scored a morale-boosting post – even where their fi rst-choice raise funds for the charity, Els for few people,” Thiart explained. Covid-19 victory of 49-28 over players were available. Autism SA. According to Thiart, what he the Sharks. Even the biggest sceptics will It could be argued that there are found the most challenging during In that fi rst half, in which the look at White with new eyes certainly easier ways to make a the 48 hours was running hour home team scored fi ve brilliant and have to admit that, so far, diff erence in people’s lives. Thiart, after hour on a track. tries, it certainly did not look he has apparently been spot-on however, is not one to go for the “I last ran on a track when I was like White’s team was out of with several of his choices of soft options. He loves a challenge, Niel Thiart in action during his 16, which are 33 years ago. What action for six months. more experienced men, as well especially if it entails running and 48-hour marathon. Photo: Reg makes track running challenging The reshaped Bulls’ pack as young rising stars. pushing the boundaries. Caldecott is that there is never any respite. of forwards were impressive If White and his management The Bestmed-athlete started When on the road you get a slight and their power upfront and can fi nally turn this group of running at 09:00 on the Friday being frozen on the TuksAthletics breather when going downhill. On impressive pace at the back men, as well as those who have and only stopped at 09:00 on the track. the track, the same muscles get to made life very diffi cult for the yet to join, into a happy team, Sunday. During the 48 hours, he Like the bunny in the battery work for every step of the way,” he Sharks. there is no doubt that they barely slept 90 minutes. On the advertisements, he kept going and remarked. Duane Vermeulen and his should be champion material. Saturday after about running 150 going. What certainly helped him The well-known sports fellow forwards experienced After Saturday’s kilometres, his left foot was so to stay motivated and focused psychologist, Henning Gericke, an almost fl awless 40 minutes. performance, White and Bulls badly swollen that he needed a was true friendship. Quite a few also took some time off to run with They dominated the Sharks in president Willem Strauss’ good massage. Afterwards, he had friends braved the cold at night to Thiart. He admitted afterwards the scrums, they were clinical insistence that the men in Light to hobble shoeless for some time. run along while entertaining Thiart being inspired by the Bestmed- and very eff ective at the Blue simply have to win the The weather did not make things with jokes and their philosophical athlete’ courage and determination. breakdown points and when Currie Cup this year, will also any easier. During the day, the sun wisdom. “I don’t think many realise what they went on the drive it was spark fans’ dreams after 10 dry sapped his energy. While at night, It is not the last time Thiart an achievement it is to run 48 equally impressive. years. it felt like as if he was slowly plans to push the boundaries. He is hours nonstop,” said Gericke. REKORD I N Bulls surprise with S level of play and I give fans hope again D

PRETORIA CENTRAL REKORD 2 OCTOBER, 2020 E

Cazle Hendricks (far right) of the Oppie Bol Foundation and a group of disabled athletes participated in Saturday’s SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge. Photo: Reg Caldecott SPAR’s first virtual challenge successful Social media posts of women and their was a huge success and we could not have what their fellow participants were doing in The Oppie Bol Foundation joined them to families dressed up in offi cial event T-shirts done it without you or our generous sponsors. their regions. prove to the nation that disabilities should not and bright yellow buff s dominated timelines For every entry that was received, we will In Soweto, Warrior Ric rallied the women be a reason to cancel happiness or sunshine! this weekend as 30 000 women shared their be able to send 30 000 food parcels to the of Soweto to remember they are worthwhile. In Limpopo, the communities in SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge experience survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) At the SPAR distribution centre in Thembisa, Thabazimbi and Modimole showed their online. and their families. SPAR employees showed their support to support with immense excitement. The hashtags #BeSunshine and “SPAR is proud to have created a platform the challenge by taking up the President’s In Mpumalanga the Mpumalanga Sunbirds #SPARVirtualChallenge trended throughout that gave us all an opportunity to show up message and doing the Jerusalema dance. netball team did their challenge in the the weekend as support for this innovative for the extraordinary women of South Africa Donald Mathipa from the SPAR Thembisa Lowveld Botanical Gardens in Mbombela. virtual event poured in. and celebrate their relentless sunshine,” Mile, also showed up to show his support and “To our phenomenal brand ambassadors The SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge, said Jerome Jacobs, Divisional Marketing thanked SPAR for backing his race over the and to everybody who took part and tagged which was launched in July, sold out its Director, SPAR South Rand. years. At Hannah Charity Wolmer, one of the us on social media using the hashtag 30 000 tickets ahead of the event which took A live broadcast from a studio in virtual challenge benefi ciaries, the residents #BeSunshine, thank you. We loved seeing all place on Saturday. As a virtual event, there Johannesburg, hosted by virtual challenge turned out to show their support to victims of your photos and videos. were no geographic boundaries to the race. ambassadors Warrior Ric, Lucille Slade GBV. “Not only did we want our participants to Women across the country and in some and Tuané Block, tied the event together in Further north, at the Maslow hotel in enjoy themselves and know that community parts of the world in any location could a social media live stream, crossing live to Pretoria, the Jaguars netball team showed and sunshine are not cancelled, but we also choose their own route and their own distance their fellow ambassadors in various locations up to throw their weight behind this worthy wanted to send out a very important message; to walk or run. across Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. cause and they were joined by 2016 GBV in South Africa needs to END and we “Thank you to all 30 000 racers who The live stream brought the SPAR Comrades winner, Charné Bosman, and long- can achieve this when we all stand together,” participated in the SPAR Women’s Virtual Women’s Virtual Challenge community time SPAR Women’s Challenge ambassador commented Charlene Goschen, Divisional Challenge. Our fi rst-ever virtual challenge together, allowing everyone taking part to see and Pretoria favourite Lindie Strydom. Marketing Director, SPAR North Rand. Hockey helped local star to set life goals Don’t go through life without goals. This appreciate what our Tuks head coach, Inky the 2016 Summer Series in Cape Town. The is the motto Carmen Smith abides by when Zondi, is continuously emphasising: ‘to moment she saw her name on the team list, playing hockey and the same goes for her have a balance in life’. Our coach expects knowing she was going to play for South studies. us to give 100% whether it is studying Africa was something she will never forget. “Just like you can’t win in hockey without or playing. The lockdown also gave me “My fi rst reaction was to take a deep goals, you can’t win in life without goals,” is time to rediscover the things in life that is breath to calm down. I then reminded how the former Proteas player and now Tuks important,” she commented. myself, although I will be playing hockey player, explained during a recent Smith’s passion to be a better player after internationally, nothing has changed. Once interview. each training session is rekindled. She has I step onto the Astroturf, the only thing that For the fi nal-year Sports Science student it even set her sights on trying to be re-selected will matter is to stick to the basics. The rules is, however, not really about scoring goals. for the Proteas. To her, it is a realistic goal as remain the same,” she said. On the Astroturf, her role is going all out to she hopes to fi nish her sports science studies When asked as to what she considers prevent the ball from being netted. Playing at the end of the year. With a degree in the the highlights of her playing career, Smith as a centre back, it sort of boils down to her bag, there ought to be slightly more time to surprises by saying it was part of the goal to stop her opponents. play hockey. She has, however, applied to do Tuks women’s team that won the USSA It is no surprise with such passion that her honours in biokinetics. Tournament in 2018 and 2019. Smith was at fi rst frustrated when the The Tuks player has always been sporty. “Many thought it could not be Covid-19 lockdown was implemented. She It was watching her elder sister play that done. But as a team, we were out could not help but wonder why she should inspired her to also take up a stick to chase to prove nothing is impossible continue to train if there are no opportunities after a ball. It did not take long before her if everyone strives towards the to play. on-fi eld heroics got noticed. From u.16 level same goal. Deciding to come to “After I thought things through, I realised she was selected to play for the diff erent TuksHockey is possibly one of taking a break from playing hockey is kind national junior sides. the best decisions I ever made,” Carmen Smith in action on the hockey of a blessing in disguise. It enabled me to She made her debut for the Proteas during she concluded. fi eld. Photo: Reg Caldecott