2019 in review: Looking back at what made news locally
The Advertiser was inundated with calls throughout the year regarding service delivery issues. Throughout 2019, Boksburg experienced constant power outages, due to cable theft or cable faults. There were also numerous water interruptions and leaks, while refuse often piled up.
There was plenty happening in Boksburg in 2019 and the Advertiser was on hand to share the news as it impacted the community.
It was a year of good news as the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup, and the Advertiser was at the airport to welcome back the heroes.
It was also the year of #IMadeMyMark as people across South Africa streamed to the polling stations for the national elections.
On the community front, Boksburg showed plenty of goodwill, supporting NPOs and individuals in need.
This include the constant support for the SPCA which has again shown the willingness of the community to lend a helping hand. This was also evident judging by the wonderful donation of water from many sources when a dam in the south of the city dried up, leaving the ducks and geese in serious trouble.
Boksburg also celebrated annual community empowerment occasions such as the Mandela Day, the Shavathon, Cupcakes of Hope and the Cansa Relay for Life.
It was, however, also a year of negative reports, as Boksburg continued to be rocked by poor service delivery, constant crime, be it murder, house break-ins, robberies or theft.
It was the year that Eskom truly failed to keep the lights on, escalating the crisis to stage 6 loadshedding for the first time in December, sparking fears of a South African recession.
In December, the Advertiser ran a feature on the filthy state of the city’s CBD.
Locally, and nationally, violence against women and children continued. The Advertise ran a number of stories throughout 2019 of abuse against women and children, including sexual crimes and murder.
In one such incident, during November a woman from Mapleton became the latest victim of the rising cases of violence against women after she was stabbed to death by her lover at their rented home.
Boksburg also bore witness to a number of incidents of mob violence. A Villa Liza man for example died after he was brutally assaulted by the community on November 17.
Then there was the lynching of three young men suspected of being involved in the violent crime spree in Boksburg.
In another case of mob justice, an alleged thief was stoned to death in the recently constructed informal settlement called Brown Valley on Commissioner Street.
Scandals and vandals
• The newly constructed multi million-rand state-of-the-art recreational facility at the Boksburg Lake was left ruined by vandals and thieves.
Despite recommendations put forward by Ward 32 Clr Marius de Vos that a security company be appointed to safeguard the public facility, the metro resolved to leave the property at the mercy of vandals and thieves since last 2018 after construction work was completed and officially launched.
Part of the fence has been vandalised and water taps have been stolen.
This despite the councillor voicing concern over the safety of the newly installed fitness equipment and children’s equipment, saying the costly municipal assets have been left vulnerable to thieves and vandals.
• A continuing story of scandalous service delivery is that of Scribante Haven in Cason.
All indications are that the elderly will be battling to use the flights of stairs at Scribante for the early part of 2020.
The Advertiser has on several times throughout 2018 and 2019 reported of the broken lifts at Scribante. Along the way, the metro promised, many times, that new lifts would be installed, with the set time being constantly extended.
Eventually, it was revealed that the contract to install the lifts expired on June 30. There was, however, no indication of the lapsing of the contract during September when the Advertiser reported it was promised the lifts would be available at the end of October, and installations would be finalised by mid-December.
• It is also scandalous how the metro took almost a year to start fixing the roof at the Boksburg Library’s adult section following damages caused by heavy rains.
• The Ekurhuleni municipality has also remained tight-lipped about the supposed failed project to construct a new EPMD precinct in Boksburg.
In May, the Advertiser reported how the Ekurhuleni mayor Mzwandile Masina in his State of the City Address said the metro would construct a specialised EMPD services precinct in Boksburg.
He, however, did little to inform the public that the construction of the precinct in question had already proven to be a failed project, as the company appointed to carry out the job left the site almost a year ago.
The Advertiser learned that more than R6-million in taxpayers’ money had allegedly already been wasted by the metro on the unfinished project in Boksburg.
In August it was reported that the metro was looking for a new contractor to resume construction work of the R34-m project near the Boksburg City Stadium in Boksburg South.
Caxton projects and support
• The Boksburg Advertiser, as part of a Caxton Local Media initiative, supported the National Book Week in September, culminating in the Book Fair.
As part of Caxton’s #WeRead campaign, under the banner of Caxton Cares, the Advertiser subsequently recently made a plea for second-hands books to be donated.
The Advertise received a wonderful response from the public with all books collected to be donated to a good cause.
• In 2019, the Advertiser launched its car boot sale at the Bokkie Park, taking place on the first Saturday of every month in conjunction with the craft market.
The boot sale proved to be a huge success, and will continue in 2020, at the start of February.
• For a bit of fun and community spirit, the Advertiser hosted for the first time a competition for those men who like thinking they’ve got the ‘bestest’ and most beautiful looking beard.
The Advertiser’s King of Beards competition proved to be a huge success, thanks to prizes to the value of R18 000 for the winners and runner-ups which were sponsored by Plato’s Beard and Barber Shop, George’s Bread and Co and the K90 Centre.
• The Advertiser also supported Urban Ruins’ 2019 Mandela Day writing competition.
This competition served as a fund-raising project while promoting literacy skills throughout the community. Learners were invited to compose and submit short stories, poetry or prose. Some of the younger entrants had to draw their entries.
The competition proved to be a wonderful success, enjoying airtime on Caxton Radio, and the Advertiser will continue to support such initiatives in 2020.
• The Cansa Relay for Life, held annually, was held at the Boksburg Stadium, and the Advertiser backed this project, just as we continue to back every group and organisation that takes a stand against cancer.
Hospital development
• Dr Arthur Manning was appointed as the newly acting CEO for Tambo Memorial Hospital. He has undertaken to bring a fresh perspective and ways necessary to improve quality of care at the more than a century old health facility.
Manning said the main purpose of him coming to Tambo Memorial is to implement a quality improvement plan and to support the management team.
• While the hospital has been known for poor service delivery over the years, good news is that the Orthotics and Prosthetics Department continues to thrive among challenges to provide high quality care for the swelling numbers of patients suffering from various orthopaedic conditions.
The department rendered service to about 4 800 patients in 2018. In 2019 the department issued about 70 prostheses.
• Health minister Zweli Mkhize visited the hospital as part of his national roadshow to commemorate Civil Service Month and to engage with public health workers and civil society.
Mkhize used his visit to the hospital to also communicate the National Health Insurance Bill (NHI), which was submitted to Parliament in 2019. The jury is still out when and if this fund will go ahead.
Authors and performers
• The Advertiser conducted numerous interesting interviews with those in the artistic field, such as local talent Morgan Pienaar who is still setting the stage alight with his beatboxing mastery.
Since he first picked up a mic at the East Rand Trader’s Square during his school days, his life has all been about entertainment, travelling the world and entertaining by using his mouth.
• Morena Tsotetsi, famously known as DJ Roto, is still going from strength to strength despite being born with one finger on each hand. Today he is an artist, producer, dancer and has his own clothing line.
• The Advertiser caught up with award-winning radio presenter from Parkrand, Mike Venter, who also starred on Survivor SA: Island of Secrets.
• We spoke to Klippoortjie resident Motsumi oa Mphirime, the author of the book, A Prayer of a Black Man, who is in the process of finishing his second book aimed at teaching children African languages.
The book aims to create a discussion among South Africans, as he believes that a nation that is not having a conversation with itself is a lost nation.
• The Advertiser chatted with former Boksburg Correctional Services inmate, Tshepo Seakamela, from Dawn Park, who has written a riveting book titled, Go and Motivate Them.
The handbook equips aspiring motivational speakers with knowledge of how to enhance their public speaking career, as well as building a strong sense of purpose.
Success stories
• 2018 was not all doom and gloom. Just ask Luvo Sandile, a local model on the rise. The youngster from Boksburg East has been invited to compete in the International Modelling and Talent Association (IMTA) competition in New York in July, 2020.
This opportunity came knocking after he was scouted by international agents at the International Arts Talent Showcase at the Silverstar Casino.
• Student counsellor at Unisa and Boksburg North resident Mamashu Mabowa was crowned Miss Inspire Woman 2019.
The aim of the pageant was to inspire and encourage young women of South Africa to advance and empower themselves to be the best. It also aimed to inspire young women to be part of positive solutions on issues affecting them and their communities and be positive role models.
• Blind model Carina James (24) from Boksburg was left overwhelmed after winning the Miss Universal South Africa title of Pageants SA.
• Simoné Botha held Boksburg’s name high as she was crowned Mrs Johannesburg 2020 at Serengeti Estates.
