Looking back at 2018: January to June

January:

• City of Johannesburg (CoJ) executive mayor Clr Herman Mashaba announced the appointment of David Tembe as the new police chief for the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD).

• Recovered addict Desiree Francisco from Forest Hill started an initiative to help needy children who were born into families with addiction problems.

• Areyeng Residence Home for the mentally ill in Tedderfield, Eikenhof, appealed for assistance for its residents and the premises.

• West Pack Lifestyle Alberton customer Afeefah Mulla Choonara won R50 000 in cash and nominated Al-Imdaad Foundation from Ormonde as her favourite charity to receive a matching R50 000 donation.

• Fifteen-year-old Ntando Makwela from Nova Pioneer released his first book, The Dynamic Kid – 9 Keys to Unlock Your Future.

• Kaizer Chiefs announced four new signings in their squad: Siphelele Ntshangase, Kabelo Mahlasela, Leonardo Castro and Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya.

• Regents Park lad Luyolo Mphithi came third in the Avance Media Africa poll for 2017 Most Influential Young South African in Law and Governance.

• Jazz legend Hugh Masekela dies.

February

• Recovery Life Institute in Robertsham helps Gugu Kubheka (19) who was a drug addict to reunite with her parents.

• The director of film Meerkat Maantuig, Hanneke Schutte, and some cast members, including Themba Ntuli, visited St Martin’s Preparatory School at The Hill.

• One of many housing project protests which was characterised by violence and vandalism started in South Hills.

• A reward of R10 000 was offered following a brutal killing of a JMPD officer during a hijacking in Booysens.

• Shacks in Jackson Informal Settlement were demolished by JMPD.

• D&D Tactical security officer Lucky Masomela is killed while on duty.

March

• Joburg Water team held their water conservation tips meeting with residents of South Hills at the South Rand Recreation Centre.

• Dignitaries, including minister for arts and culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa, gathered at the Apartheid Museum for the launch of Anti-Racism Week.

• An honourable send-off was given to some of the city’s fallen heroes – soldiers, police officers and emergency personnel – who were killed in the line of duty.

• Social media law expert Emma Sadleir had an interesting talk with teachers, learners and parents at Calvary Christian College about the pros and cons of owning smartphones.

• Laerskool Theo Wassenaar learners and staff collect water for Cape Town.

• A joint awareness campaign was held in Rosettenville where the police, CoJ departments, community organisations and businesses came together to raise awareness of the community and their surroundings.

• JMPD impounded 26 unroadworthy taxis on Main Road in Rosettenville.

April

• A 44-year-old is murdered at Fever Tree Complex in South Hills.

• Mpact Recycling Thulisa Park donated R76 320 to Alberton and JSPCA.

• The Rand Show returned to indulge Gauteng residents in a 10-day long series of fun, exciting games and exhibitions for the whole family.

• A family mourned the death of Jordan Lombard (21), a motorcyclist who died after he allegedly hit a skip on Klipriviersberg Road.

• Blommekind Charity Organisation turned one.

• Scores of residents from Jackson Informal Settlement in Eikenhof barricaded roads and burnt tyres in a protest for the installation of electricity.

• The Gauteng Department of Education officially opened the online application.

• Tamarisk Special School for Autism in South Hills had an autism awareness day.

May

• Thousands participated in the 33rd Gandhi Walk.

• JMPD officers Naseem Sathar and Busi Makhoba trained scholar patrollers at Ormonde Primary School.

• Johannesburg Association for the Aged (Jafta) celebrated their 64th anniversary.

• Evans Park Mosque (Masjid Siratul Jannah) had their open day in conjunction with Islam4you.org

• Taxi serial rapist Nothile Dlamini, who was accused of rape, kidnapping, robbing and terrorising passengers in the Booysens, Soweto and Roodepoort policing precinct, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.

• Visual artist Joseph Somwe from Regents Park celebrated Africa Month by telling African stories through a canvas.

• Nicole Smart, a former head girl of Mondeor High School, was one of the 10 international speakers invited to share their stories at TEDx Muscat Live.

June

• Ntando Makwela and Megan Werner spearheaded the building of an aircraft from scratch with 20 peers at The Airplane Factory in Tedderfield Airpark.

• A baby of about three months old was dumped next to the ditch in Violet Street, Rosettenville. Look Forward Creativity Centre took care of the baby.

• Chrisville father Joe Anthony was brutally stabbed in a robbery while closing the business he worked for.

• Spate of burglaries hit Nkosi’s Haven.

• Thato Mhaula (4) from South Hills succumbed to his injury at the hospital after he was shot in the head during an armed robbery at a spaza shop.

For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.

Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za

Get regular news updates sent directly to your inbox: Newsletter-Signup