“In 60% van gevalle waar bouwerk aan ’n huis gedoen word en ’n rooftog later daar plaasvind, is dit dié werkers wat by die rooftog betrokke is.”
So het mnr. Allan Stott, besturende direkteur van Piranha Security, gesê na aanleiding van die wrede aanranding verlede week op die jaar oue Marzaan Kruger en haar oppasser, me. Francina Se-khu, in Robindale, Randburg.
Mnre. Nelson Maphosa (28) en Geraldt Nyantumbo (25), hul beweerde aanvallers, was glo deel van ’n span bouers wat vroeër vanjaar by mnr. Bertus en mev. Madelein Kruger se huis gewerk het.
Sowel Maphosa as Nyantumbo is van Mosambiek.
Stott het by navraag aan Beeld gesê sulke voorvalle waar “bouers” huiseienaars later beroof, is al jare lank ’n probleem.
Dit gebeur veral wanneer kontrakteurs ongeregistreerde stukwerkers langs die pad oplaai.
“Sulke werkers is dan ’n paar dae lank op die bouperseel, waar hulle genoeg tyd het om die inwoners se bewegings dop te hou, asook die inhoud van die huis na te gaan.”
Mnr. Roy Rawlins, besturende direkteur van ADT Security in Johannesburg, meen ook daar is ’n geneigdheid tot misdaad in enige gebied waar bouwerk plaasvind, hetsy dit ’n kompleks of straat is.
“Huiseienaars wat bou- of opknappingswerk oorweeg, moet altyd bevestig dat die onderneming wat hulle gebruik ’n goeie naam het en dat al die werknemers Suid-Afrikaanse burgers en geregistreer is.
“Ons beveel ook aan dat huiseienaars nie stukwerkers op straathoeke oplaai nie, aangesien dit huisveiligheid ernstig in die gedrang bring.”
Stott raai huiseienaars ook aan om aan te dring op afskrifte van die ID’s van ’n boukontrakteur se werknemers en om selfs foto’s van die werkers te neem.
Dit is ook belangrik om die laaste vyf of ses huiseienaars vir wie ’n werker werk gedoen het, as verwysings te kontak, het hy gesê.
“Hou ook tydens bouwerk sover moontlik die gordyne in die betrokke huis toe.”
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
A call to activism
In his highly readable narrative history, The Afrikaner; biography of a people, Professor Hermann Giliomee writes as follows:
“The bargain that was seemingly struck in 1993 – 1996 turned out to be quite different what Afrikaners [and other minorities] had assumed it to be. They had thought that the minorities would largely be left in peace by the government. Now it appeared that, while they would not be subjected to any persecution for their political views, their opinion did not count for much. They had assumed that as the main ratepayers they would retain a reasonable measure of control at municipal level, but they were soon confronted with a growing loss in the capacity of the state to deliver services.
"In 2007 the ANC’s Gwede Mantashe stated that at any one time more than 40 percent of the technical positions at municipalities were vacant. Solidarity’s Dirk Hermann pointed out that the authorities kept these posts vacant if no suitable black person was available, preferring affirmative action to service delivery.” (2003: 702)
Former President Mbeki [indirectly] justified this state of affairs by quoting chapter 2 article 9 (2) of the Constitution, which states: “To promote the achievement of equality, legislative and other, measures designed to protect or advance persons or categories of persons, disadvantaged by unfair discrimination, may be taken.” (2003: 706). In effect “representivity coupled with the ANC doctrine of African leadership, meant that the members of minority groups were prevented [in perpetuity] from reaching the top no matter how competent they were.” (2003: 705)
“The bargain that was seemingly struck in 1993 – 1996 turned out to be quite different what Afrikaners [and other minorities] had assumed it to be. They had thought that the minorities would largely be left in peace by the government. Now it appeared that, while they would not be subjected to any persecution for their political views, their opinion did not count for much. They had assumed that as the main ratepayers they would retain a reasonable measure of control at municipal level, but they were soon confronted with a growing loss in the capacity of the state to deliver services.
"In 2007 the ANC’s Gwede Mantashe stated that at any one time more than 40 percent of the technical positions at municipalities were vacant. Solidarity’s Dirk Hermann pointed out that the authorities kept these posts vacant if no suitable black person was available, preferring affirmative action to service delivery.” (2003: 702)
Former President Mbeki [indirectly] justified this state of affairs by quoting chapter 2 article 9 (2) of the Constitution, which states: “To promote the achievement of equality, legislative and other, measures designed to protect or advance persons or categories of persons, disadvantaged by unfair discrimination, may be taken.” (2003: 706). In effect “representivity coupled with the ANC doctrine of African leadership, meant that the members of minority groups were prevented [in perpetuity] from reaching the top no matter how competent they were.” (2003: 705)
- As long as most members and supporters of the Jeffreys Bay Ratepayers’ Association remain trapped in a mindset of passive acquiescence rather than becoming activists for good governance, matters are unlikely to improve. -- Barry Vosloo.
Sunday, 25 April 2010
It takes too long. Fire them on the spot!
Question: Guess who said the following:
Read the full report in the Sunday Times here.
- "An official does something wrong, gets a verbal warning, then a written warning and finally the person is suspended with pay while waiting to appear before the disciplinary hearing. I think the process is too democratic, is too long. It is as good as being on vacation." (What do you think, Mayor Robbie Dennis?)
- Those who failed to perform or were corrupt should be fired on the spot. (What do you think, Mayor Robbie Dennis?)
- "After two decades, we will not be able to make excuses. If there will be some village without water, roads, electricity ... we will not blame anyone but ourselves. (What do you think, Mayor Robbie Dennis?)
- "We can change the structure of government, but unless we change the attitudes in the public service and improve the work ethic, we are not going to see faster change. (What do you think, Mayor Robbie Dennis?)
- "We all know that the failures in our government are not mainly caused by any significant lack of capacity. Nor are they caused by poor pay or poor education. (What do you think, Mayor Robbie Dennis?)
- "It is not because the administrative systems that exist in government are worse than any other in the world. The simple truth is that we face a crisis of accountability. (What do you think, Mayor Robbie Dennis? Especially this one?)"
Read the full report in the Sunday Times here.
Saturday, 24 April 2010
Why does this sound like our beloved country?
The following is not exactly municipal related ... or is it?
Below there are a few excerpts from an article by Robert A Hall, a Marine Vietnam veteran who served five terms in the Massachusetts State Senate.
I’m 63 and I’m tired. Except for one semester in college when jobs were scarce and a six-month period when I was between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I’ve worked hard since I was 18. Despite some health challenges, I still put in 50-hour weeks, and haven’t called in sick in seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but I didn’t inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, there’s no retirement in sight, and I’m tired. Very tired.
Below there are a few excerpts from an article by Robert A Hall, a Marine Vietnam veteran who served five terms in the Massachusetts State Senate.
I’m 63 and I’m tired. Except for one semester in college when jobs were scarce and a six-month period when I was between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I’ve worked hard since I was 18. Despite some health challenges, I still put in 50-hour weeks, and haven’t called in sick in seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but I didn’t inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, there’s no retirement in sight, and I’m tired. Very tired.
- I’m tired of being told that I have to “spread the wealth” to people who don’t have my work ethic. I’m tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy to earn it. I’m tired of being told that I have to pay more taxes to “keep people in their homes.”
- I’m tired of being told how bad our country is by left-wing millionaires who live in luxury because of the opportunities America offers. In thirty years, if they get their way, the United States will have the economy of Zimbabwe, the freedom of the press of China, the crime and violence of Mexico, and the freedom of speech of Venezuela.” Ouch!
- I’m tired of being told that “race doesn’t matter” when it’s all that matters in affirmative action jobs, lower college admission and graduation standards, government contract set-asides, tolerance for the ghetto culture of violence and fatherless children.” Ouch, again!
- I’m tired of illegal aliens being called “undocumented workers,” especially the ones who aren’t working, but are living on welfare or crime. What’s next? Calling drug dealers, “Undocumented Pharmacists”? I’m tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. I’m tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.” Eina!
- I’m tired of people who don’t take responsibility for their lives and actions. I’m tired of hearing them blame the government, or discrimination or whatever for their problems. Yes I’m damn tired. But I’m also glad to be 63. Because, mostly, I’m not going to have to see the world these people are making. I’m just sorry for my granddaughter.”
Friday, 16 April 2010
Rondloperhonde
Die vereniging het aan die munisipale bestuurder geskryf en verneem wat die munisipaliteit omtrent die saak kan doen.
Die munisipale bestuurder het gou reageer en bevestig dat die munisipaliteit die bewaring van Noorsekloof en sy dierelewe met groot erns bejeën. Hoewel hy toegegee het dat die munisipaliteit moeite ondervind om sy verordening wat inwoners verbied om toe te laat dat hulle troeteldiere los rondloop, af te dwing, het hy die munisipaliteit daartoe verbind om ‘n oplossing vir die probleem te vind. Hy het ‘n beroep op die vereniging gedoen om daarmee te help.
Intussen kan inwoners gerus met die munisipale wetstoepassingsbeampte (law enforcement officer) in verbinding tree indien hulle las het van troeteldiere wat nie deur hulle onbedagsame eienaars beheer word nie.
Presbyterian church land purchase
On 16 March 2010 the association took the municipal manager to task for failing to respond to enquiries by the Presbyterian Church with regard to the purchase of a particular stand in Jeffreys Bay.
A few days later the municipal manager replied that the sub-division of the piece of land in question was being finalised by land surveyors. Once this has been completed and council gives its approval, tenders will be invited through an open process from churches for the purchase of the land. He further advised that the Presbyterian Church should contact the municipal Directorate of Corporate Services for further information.
A few days later the municipal manager replied that the sub-division of the piece of land in question was being finalised by land surveyors. Once this has been completed and council gives its approval, tenders will be invited through an open process from churches for the purchase of the land. He further advised that the Presbyterian Church should contact the municipal Directorate of Corporate Services for further information.
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Colour-coded crime
At a recent meeting of the Wavecrest Neighbourhood Watch a document was handed out containing hints to enable residents to identify markers placed by criminals when preparing to break into a house. Below are a few – for what they’re worth.
A red marker placed near a house that is targeted, may be an indication that the criminals are expecting opposition when carrying out a burglary. Be on the lookout for Coke tins. Placed with the open side facing the house, it signifies that there is someone at home. When it is left in an upright position, criminals know that there is no-one at home.
A white plastic bag or sorghum container placed in the vicinity of the target, may mean that the house is considered an easy target.
A sequence of green bottles is often placed in such a way that it shows the criminal the way to his target.
A blue item, e.g. a Clicks shopping bag, placed near a house may indicate there is some-one inside who is prepared to collaborate with the criminal.
A neatly folded yellow Simba chips packet near a house may also have sinister connotations. If the illustration of the lion faces the house, the owner is home. The converse is true if the lion faces away from the residence.
Take care and keep your eyes peeled!
On 8 July 2008 The Star of Johannesburg published the following article:
Domestic Watch co-ordinator Penny Steyn and Inspector Lucky Khumela have identified methods criminals use to get into our homes, and things to be on the lookout for:
A white plastic bag or sorghum container placed in the vicinity of the target, may mean that the house is considered an easy target.
A sequence of green bottles is often placed in such a way that it shows the criminal the way to his target.
A blue item, e.g. a Clicks shopping bag, placed near a house may indicate there is some-one inside who is prepared to collaborate with the criminal.
A neatly folded yellow Simba chips packet near a house may also have sinister connotations. If the illustration of the lion faces the house, the owner is home. The converse is true if the lion faces away from the residence.
Take care and keep your eyes peeled!
On 8 July 2008 The Star of Johannesburg published the following article:
Domestic Watch co-ordinator Penny Steyn and Inspector Lucky Khumela have identified methods criminals use to get into our homes, and things to be on the lookout for:
- Criminals in organised crime recruit and pay lower level people in the syndicate to get information, such as those who work on a property, eg. carpet and pool cleaners, casual labourers on building sites and garden services or gardeners.
- Signs are left outside properties to inform criminals who commit the crime about the status of the property, and what they can expect when they enter. Watch out for any kind of markers outside the property; they are usually colour-coded with a piece of coloured string, writing on the post box with a Koki pen, a milk, coke, Fanta, lemonade bottle or something similar.
- Criminals sometimes get into a property and wait in the garden for the residents to return before attacking. They choose to wait because it is easier for them to get what they want out of the house. If someone is in the house when they attack, they can get a guided tour to what they want to steal quicker, eg. jewellery, the safe and guns.
- Criminals offer to pay domestics for information and work with the domestics to do crime. They are now targeting domestics by offering R1 000 to leave the gate open. They still tie them up, but this is pre-arranged, and signs are given when it is appropriate to victimise them.
- Criminals pretend to be a relative of the domestic, and get employers to open the gate. They gather information through domestics sitting on the curb of the road during their lunch breaks, and listen to their conversations to get the names of the domestics, then follow them to their properties.
- Criminals get into a property next door and climb over and under fences, remove prefab pieces of a wall, climb trees to jump over electric fences, cut the barbed wire to enter, throw a blanket over barbed wire and disconnect electric fences. If they enter from a next-door property they have less of a chance of being seen entering from the street by a motorist, or another domestic in the suburb.
- Criminals switch taps onto full so that someone will go and investigate, and then attack.
- Criminals pretend to be from the UIF, or something similar, to speak to domestics and make appointments to visit them to gain access.
- Criminals use children to get into a property. They also sometimes get a white person or a woman or child to act as the "front person" to fool the residents or domestics.
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
Die beleid oor tuinvullis
Belastingbetalers is onseker oor die verwydering van tuinvullis deur die munisipaliteit. Die vereniging het gevolglik die munisipale bestuurder versoek om die munisipaliteit se beleid hieromtrent te verduidelik.
Hy het soos volg reageer:
Seg hy verder: “Should residents wish to club together and use one vehicle to dispose of various households’ refuse (bringing the total to more than five bags), kindly contact the parks and cleansing manager at 042/295-1155 to make the necessary arrangements.”
Hy het soos volg reageer:
- “The municipality does collect garden refuse.
- "It is a separate service from the regular collection of household refuse.
- "Garden refuse is an income item on the annual budget and residents are charged an additional tariff if the municipality collects their garden refuse.
- "Should residents wish to have garden refuse collected by the municipality, they can contact the municipality’s treasury section to make arrangements.”
Seg hy verder: “Should residents wish to club together and use one vehicle to dispose of various households’ refuse (bringing the total to more than five bags), kindly contact the parks and cleansing manager at 042/295-1155 to make the necessary arrangements.”
Monday, 12 April 2010
Newsletter, April 2010
Hiermee ons eerste nuusbrief van 2010. Ons het die sake wat by die jaarvergadering aangespreek is, opgevolg. Die volgende antwoorde is ontvang:
1. Electricity: availabilty charges versus basic fees
Consumers sometimes confuse the availability charges and the basic fee. The purpose of the availability charges is to cover the cost of capital outlay, e.g. the supply of the cables and pipes for new connections. The basic fee must be paid by all consumers – even holiday homes where no electricity or water is used while the owners are absent. Incidentally, the basic fee was increased by 31%.
2. Draft budget
The draft budget was approved by Council on 30 March. Our Association was provided with a copy of the budget and the I D P (capital budget) for our input. Public meetings will be held as advertised. Please attend. Note that the rates are to be increased by 5.7%.
3. Council study grants award criteria
Should residents wish to have garden refuse collected by the municipality, they can contact the Municipality’s Treasury section to make arrangements. Garden refuse is a separate service and residents are charged an additional tariff. Should residents wish to club together and use one vehicle to dispose of garden refuse at Paradise Beach mini-tip, bringing the total to more than five bags, kindly contact Parks and Cleansing Manager, Eksteen de Lange, at 042-2951155 or edelange@ec108.org.za to make the necessary arrangements.
5. Kabeljouws caravan park
The Municipality is currently attending to this matter. Feedback will be given once the details have been finalized.
6. Sewerage tanks versus waterborne systems
The Municipality charges separate connection fees for sewerage tanks and the waterborne system because different connections are needed to enable the municipality to deliver the required services.
7. Stray dogs in Noorsekloof
The Municipality views the preservation of Noorsekloof and its animals in a serious light. Bylaws forbid dog owners from allowing the dogs to roam free. The Municipality is determined to find a solution and would like to meet with our association, as well as other role-players to discuss the way forward. The Community Services Directorate will, in conjunction with the Ward Councillor, establish contact in this regard.
8. Range fencing at Super Tubes
After two years of correspondence this matter was at last attended to. We will have to wait and see when the fence will be painted.
9. Reading of water meters
The Municipality has informed us that they are aware of the varying intervals between the reading of the water meters and are attending to the matter. Their current target is a variation of five days or less. They say that they are doing their utmost to achieve and improve on the target.
10. Telkom-mas
‘n Brief is aan Telkom gerig insake die mas van 37 meter wat hy beoog om te bou op hulle erf tussen Noorsekloof- en Snowdropstraat. Belastingbetalers is bekommerd oor die impak wat die mas op die woongebied sal hê en die invloed daarvan op eiendomspryse in die omgewing.
11. Winde van verandering
Die bestuurskomitee oorweeg sekere veranderinge. U sal mettertyd daarvan in kennis gestel word. Ons vertrou dat die veranderinge tot voordeel van die belastingbetalers van Jeffreysbaai sal wees.
12. Ledegeld
Het u al u jaarlikse ledegeld van R40 betaal?
Henda Thiart, Voorsitter
1. Electricity: availabilty charges versus basic fees
Consumers sometimes confuse the availability charges and the basic fee. The purpose of the availability charges is to cover the cost of capital outlay, e.g. the supply of the cables and pipes for new connections. The basic fee must be paid by all consumers – even holiday homes where no electricity or water is used while the owners are absent. Incidentally, the basic fee was increased by 31%.
2. Draft budget
The draft budget was approved by Council on 30 March. Our Association was provided with a copy of the budget and the I D P (capital budget) for our input. Public meetings will be held as advertised. Please attend. Note that the rates are to be increased by 5.7%.
3. Council study grants award criteria
- Applicants must be studying towards a “scarce skill”, i.e. Engineering, Information Technology, Project Management or Town Planning (including Draughtsmanship and Architecture) with a view to an appointment to a municipal post.
- Applicants must have been accepted by a recognised tertiary institution.
- Preference is given to applicants whose parents/caregivers have the lowest income.
- Larger bursaries are awarded to applicants who will be studying at state-funded institutions as opposed to private institutions. This is because applicants are more likely to qualify for further bursaries, enabling them to complete their studies at state-funded institutions.
- The size of the bursary depends on the monies available for bursaries and the number of qualifying applicants.
Should residents wish to have garden refuse collected by the municipality, they can contact the Municipality’s Treasury section to make arrangements. Garden refuse is a separate service and residents are charged an additional tariff. Should residents wish to club together and use one vehicle to dispose of garden refuse at Paradise Beach mini-tip, bringing the total to more than five bags, kindly contact Parks and Cleansing Manager, Eksteen de Lange, at 042-2951155 or edelange@ec108.org.za to make the necessary arrangements.
5. Kabeljouws caravan park
The Municipality is currently attending to this matter. Feedback will be given once the details have been finalized.
6. Sewerage tanks versus waterborne systems
The Municipality charges separate connection fees for sewerage tanks and the waterborne system because different connections are needed to enable the municipality to deliver the required services.
7. Stray dogs in Noorsekloof
The Municipality views the preservation of Noorsekloof and its animals in a serious light. Bylaws forbid dog owners from allowing the dogs to roam free. The Municipality is determined to find a solution and would like to meet with our association, as well as other role-players to discuss the way forward. The Community Services Directorate will, in conjunction with the Ward Councillor, establish contact in this regard.
8. Range fencing at Super Tubes
After two years of correspondence this matter was at last attended to. We will have to wait and see when the fence will be painted.
9. Reading of water meters
The Municipality has informed us that they are aware of the varying intervals between the reading of the water meters and are attending to the matter. Their current target is a variation of five days or less. They say that they are doing their utmost to achieve and improve on the target.
10. Telkom-mas
‘n Brief is aan Telkom gerig insake die mas van 37 meter wat hy beoog om te bou op hulle erf tussen Noorsekloof- en Snowdropstraat. Belastingbetalers is bekommerd oor die impak wat die mas op die woongebied sal hê en die invloed daarvan op eiendomspryse in die omgewing.
11. Winde van verandering
Die bestuurskomitee oorweeg sekere veranderinge. U sal mettertyd daarvan in kennis gestel word. Ons vertrou dat die veranderinge tot voordeel van die belastingbetalers van Jeffreysbaai sal wees.
12. Ledegeld
Het u al u jaarlikse ledegeld van R40 betaal?
Henda Thiart, Voorsitter
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Phone tower making waves in Wavecrest
RESIDENTS of Wavecrest are in a froth after learning of plans to erect a massive telecommunications structure in the middle of their “unspoilt” piece of town.
They are concerned the structure will ruin their stunning ocean views, and be an eyesore for people in the area, writes Yolandé Stander, WEEKEND POST reporter.
Some residents have also expressed health concerns over the 37.5-metre mast which Telkom is planning to build in Wavecrest’s Noorsekloof Road.
According to correspondence from Telkom, the project involves the construction of a “four-legged” lattice mast on an 8m² cement foundation. The mast will house a receiver or transmitter antenna to improve information communication technology and cellphone communication services.
Although residents have been asked to submit comments or objections regarding the project, some fear the structure will go ahead without their concerns being taken into account.
Hannie Ridder, who lives only a few metres from the proposed site, said she and her husband had bought their property in 1996 because of its beautiful view and serene surroundings.
The mast would spoil all that, she said. “It’s definitely going to be an eyesore. This is a residential area and no place for something like that,” she said.
Ridder had initial concerns about the possible health implications of radio waves emitted by such a structure, but a neurologist in the town had since put her fears to rest.
Ridder has lodged an official objection to the structure through the Jeffreys Bay Ratepayers Association.
Resident Alison Sakko was most concerned by the noise and the discomfort the construction process could cause, but Janus Kotze, whose property will directly overlook the proposed structure, said she had heard the mast would not be as “intrusive” as initially believed.
However, not all were convinced that the tower would be without its dangers.
A resident who did not want to be named said he had heard from a former Telkom technician there were indeed potential health risks involved when living in close proximity to such telecommunication towers.
Currently there is division in medical research circles about the health effects of these towers.
While some say it is nothing more than scare-mongering, others say those living near such structures are prone to everything from headaches to reduction in testicle size and weight, and even sperm count.
The resident added the structure could negatively impact on residents’ property values.
He feared attempts to involve the community in a consultation process were little more than “a formality” and that the plan would continue despite objections.
Project applicant Sipho Sithole could not be reached for comment, but Weekend Post confirmed with the local Telkom branch that the project was still in its beginning stages.
The environmental impact assessment (EIA) had not been completed, and it could not be confirmed how many objections had been received.
Kouga municipal spokesman Laura-Leigh Randall confirmed Telkom’s plans, but said they could only start building the tower once building plans for the structure were submitted to the municipality, which had not yet happened.
“Usually, they first complete the EIA before submitting these plans,” Randall said this week..
She added that the land – which belonged to Telkom – was correctly zoned for such a structure.
They are concerned the structure will ruin their stunning ocean views, and be an eyesore for people in the area, writes Yolandé Stander, WEEKEND POST reporter.
Some residents have also expressed health concerns over the 37.5-metre mast which Telkom is planning to build in Wavecrest’s Noorsekloof Road.
According to correspondence from Telkom, the project involves the construction of a “four-legged” lattice mast on an 8m² cement foundation. The mast will house a receiver or transmitter antenna to improve information communication technology and cellphone communication services.
Although residents have been asked to submit comments or objections regarding the project, some fear the structure will go ahead without their concerns being taken into account.
Hannie Ridder, who lives only a few metres from the proposed site, said she and her husband had bought their property in 1996 because of its beautiful view and serene surroundings.
The mast would spoil all that, she said. “It’s definitely going to be an eyesore. This is a residential area and no place for something like that,” she said.
Ridder had initial concerns about the possible health implications of radio waves emitted by such a structure, but a neurologist in the town had since put her fears to rest.
Ridder has lodged an official objection to the structure through the Jeffreys Bay Ratepayers Association.
Resident Alison Sakko was most concerned by the noise and the discomfort the construction process could cause, but Janus Kotze, whose property will directly overlook the proposed structure, said she had heard the mast would not be as “intrusive” as initially believed.
However, not all were convinced that the tower would be without its dangers.
A resident who did not want to be named said he had heard from a former Telkom technician there were indeed potential health risks involved when living in close proximity to such telecommunication towers.
Currently there is division in medical research circles about the health effects of these towers.
While some say it is nothing more than scare-mongering, others say those living near such structures are prone to everything from headaches to reduction in testicle size and weight, and even sperm count.
The resident added the structure could negatively impact on residents’ property values.
He feared attempts to involve the community in a consultation process were little more than “a formality” and that the plan would continue despite objections.
Project applicant Sipho Sithole could not be reached for comment, but Weekend Post confirmed with the local Telkom branch that the project was still in its beginning stages.
The environmental impact assessment (EIA) had not been completed, and it could not be confirmed how many objections had been received.
Kouga municipal spokesman Laura-Leigh Randall confirmed Telkom’s plans, but said they could only start building the tower once building plans for the structure were submitted to the municipality, which had not yet happened.
“Usually, they first complete the EIA before submitting these plans,” Randall said this week..
She added that the land – which belonged to Telkom – was correctly zoned for such a structure.
Municipal budget, 2010/2011
At a two day workshop held between FEKRRA (Federation of Kouga Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Associations) and the Municipality it was agreed that a draft of the above will be made available to the different Ratepayers’ Associations for their input before going to public meetings.
Our association has since received a copy of the draft budget and is in the process of scrutinizing it before making recommendations.
Our association has since received a copy of the draft budget and is in the process of scrutinizing it before making recommendations.
Friday, 9 April 2010
Watervoorsiening uit boorgate
Voorsitter Henda Thiart het die munisipale bestuurder onlangs per brief meegedeel dat sy inligting ontvang het dat ten minste twee van die boorgate wat water aan ‘n gedeelte van Jeffreysbaai voorsien, tans nie werk nie. Die voerings is glo opgetrek en lê bogronds. Sy wou weet waarom dit so is.
Sy het ook gevra wanneer die munisipaliteit sal begin om addisionele boorgate te boor soos die burgemeester in sy jaarlikse rede vermeld het.
Die munisipale bestuurder het soos volg geantwoord: “A third of Jeffreys Bay’s water is supplied by boreholes. When a pump or pipe breaks, it is pulled up to be repaired. While Kouga has underground water, the supply is not limitless and it would be unwise to drill extra boreholes haphazardly. We will, therefore, first be conducting a study of our underground water before we start drilling extra boreholes.”
Sy het ook gevra wanneer die munisipaliteit sal begin om addisionele boorgate te boor soos die burgemeester in sy jaarlikse rede vermeld het.
Die munisipale bestuurder het soos volg geantwoord: “A third of Jeffreys Bay’s water is supplied by boreholes. When a pump or pipe breaks, it is pulled up to be repaired. While Kouga has underground water, the supply is not limitless and it would be unwise to drill extra boreholes haphazardly. We will, therefore, first be conducting a study of our underground water before we start drilling extra boreholes.”
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Die geskiedenis van Jeffreysbaai
Bert Behrens, 'n inwoner van Jeffreysbaai en die outeur van Old Jeffreys Bay – Lest We Forget, het ‘n bondige oorsig van die geskiedenis van Jeffreysbaai sedert die jaar 1487 in die vorm van ‘n geskiedkundige kalender geskryf en goedgunstig vir plasing op hierdie blog beskikbaar gestel.
Het u byvoorbeeld geweet dat die eerste sake-ondereming in 1849 deur Joseph Avent Jeffrey op Jeffreysbaai tot stand gebring is? Of dat die eerste dorpsraad op 1 Oktober 1930 in die lewe geroep is? Of dat Jeffreysbaai eers op 3 Januarie 1968 ‘n munisipaliteit geword het?
Lees meer hieroor en ander betekenisvolle gebeurtenisse wat vorm gee aan die wordingsgeskiedenis van Jeffreysbaai. Klik op die Jbay History-skakel hierbo en siedaar!
Het u byvoorbeeld geweet dat die eerste sake-ondereming in 1849 deur Joseph Avent Jeffrey op Jeffreysbaai tot stand gebring is? Of dat die eerste dorpsraad op 1 Oktober 1930 in die lewe geroep is? Of dat Jeffreysbaai eers op 3 Januarie 1968 ‘n munisipaliteit geword het?
Lees meer hieroor en ander betekenisvolle gebeurtenisse wat vorm gee aan die wordingsgeskiedenis van Jeffreysbaai. Klik op die Jbay History-skakel hierbo en siedaar!
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