4 Tel: (045) 839-4040 Emergency: (A/H) 083-272-0955 ° Editorial: sonjar@timesmedia.co.za - advertising: charodinev@timesmedia.co.za THE REPRESENTATIVE 5 <strong>May</strong> 2017 LOCAL IS LEKKER Do you live in Dordrecht – or call Cacadu home? Is Cofimvaba your place of residence or does Stutterheim have a special place in your heart? Send us your news C O U N T RYWAT C H KOMANI NEWS SEND YOUR NEWS Our country correspondents are active in their respective areas and will gather your news. Contact sonjar@timesmedia.co.za for details of the correspondent in your area. Country news deadline: 10am on a Tuesday. Centre helps woman to become mobile ABONGILE S O LU N D WA N A FUN ON THE COURT: <strong>The</strong> U13 soccer and netball teams of Cathcart Primary School played round robin matches against DG Cossie Roman Catholic School on Tuesday Picture: REO VAN SCHALKWYK HAPPY 160TH BIR THDAY A CACADU woman is finally mobile after being virtually bedridden for 20 years, thanks to the donation of a wheelchair by Sikhulile Service Centre founders Mpothulo and Nolufefe Maxhegwana from Tshatshu village. Nondenzeni Mgeyiya, who was left crippled by polio two decades ago, received the wheelchair on Freedom D ay. Maxhegwana said the centre, which focused mainly on the elderly, was started in 2011. “We also assist the disabled, orphans and vulnerable children. We have our own garden and we run a chicken cooperative to help boost community members.” <strong>The</strong> couple said they met Mgeyiya during a house visit. “Mgeyiya said she had never received a visit from a social w o r ke r. ” She lives in a hut with the ceiling made of plastic bags. “M g e y i ya ’s sister, who takes care of her, has to carry her out of the house when she needs to go to the GOOD DEED: Nondenzeni Mgeyiya received a wheelchair from M p h ot h u l o Maxhegwana, left, and Nolufefe Maxhegwana toilet. She had no idea that she was eligible to receive a grant from the Social Development Depar tment.” Nolufefe said Mgeyiya begged them to get her out of the miserable situation where she was forced to ask public transport to pick her up from her house when she needed to go to town. “She said whenever she needed to go to town, passengers cursed her for wasting their time. <strong>The</strong> second problem was that there was no wheelchair ramp at the door of the house which meant she would not be able to use it to go outside.” <strong>The</strong> couple was able to approach a local contractor to build a ramp, which was done free of charge. Nolufefe said they started the centre after bearing witness to the suffering of the aged. “Old people were being mistreated, raped, abused and their children were taking advantage of their grant money. <strong>The</strong>y had no voice in the community and no one fought for their wellbeing.” Many were also being left to care for orphaned grandchildren whose parents had died from HIV/Aids. “<strong>The</strong>y look after their grandchildren with their grants which causes a lot of strain. In such cases, we contact social workers to assist.” TIME TO CELEBRATE: <strong>The</strong> NG Church in Dordrecht recently marked 160 years of existence with <strong>The</strong> <strong>Rep</strong> correspondent, Charlotte van der Berg, cutting the Jubilee cake TARKASTAD – <strong>The</strong> Tarkastad Youth United in Development, an organisation formed in 2014, held a public debate for the community to commemorate Freedom Day. <strong>The</strong> debate, contested around the question, “Are we free or not?” was held on the last day of the long w e e ke n d . <strong>The</strong> panel had a range of figures representing the community from churches, young people and the municipality. Similo Dayi, the former Tsolwana municipal manager, was the appointed moderator for the day. <strong>The</strong> heated debate centred on questions of the legitimacy of gay rights and the fostering of black youth consciousness more than the quality or validity of freedom. <strong>The</strong> majority of the questions were directed towards the religious representatives on gay rights in relation to the church, and how that was a measure of freedom. <strong>The</strong>re were no winners from the opposing panels as the objective for the debate was for community leaders to get insight from the people of the town, especially from the youth. <strong>The</strong> group is now planning a second round of debates with the aim of formulating a strategic plan. Tarkastad Youth United in Development are also requesting donations and assistance from the public to get 80 competition medals for an event to be held on Youth Day. GUEST SPEAKER: Similo Dayi at the Freedom Day debate in Tarkastad Picture: SUPPLIED A GROUP of 24 from Orange Grove Schools left for Bloemfontein at 3.30am on April 22 to attend the prayer meeting, writes principal Jakes du Toit. It was called in response to a farmer who called on the nation to ask God for solutions and transformation in South Africa. He asked pastor Angus Buchan if he would call South Africa together to pray. <strong>The</strong> venue was well organised and the group had to walk only one kilometer to the venue. A worship team started leading in Afrikaans, English and Zulu worship songs from 11am with Buchan taking to the stage shortly thereafter. He thanked God for bringing masses of His people together to call on Him to act on behalf of His children in South Africa. He called on everyone to kneel down in the dirt, which everyone did. He led the group in prayer with a commitment from those in attendance to seek His Kingdom in their lives and country and loving people of every colour, creed and nationality. M OT H E R S ’ Day is around the corner on <strong>May</strong> 14 and as usual there will be a lunch at the sports club which will start at noon. Contact Sharon Lucas on 07 9 - 8 9 6 - 3 8 0 8 . THE Dutch Reformed Church bazaar will be held on Saturday starting at 10am. Lunch will be ready from 12pm with various treats on sale throughout the day. One of the highlights will be an auction for hunters. STERKSTROOM – At the recent Women’s Agricultural Association meeting, Megan Moorcroft gave a demonstration on how to make pasta. She demonstrated different types of pasta and members enjoyed tasting the delicious homemade dish. <strong>The</strong>re was also a "bring and brag" table, where members brought any handwork they had made to display. <strong>The</strong> handwork was of a very high st a n d a r d . <strong>The</strong> next meeting will be on <strong>May</strong> 10, All community members are invited at at tend.
THE REPRESENTATIVE 5 <strong>May</strong> 2017 Tel: (045) 839-4040 Emergency: (A/H) 083-272-0955 ° Editorial: sonjar@timesmedia.co.za - advertising: charodinev@timesmedia.co.za 5