2017: The year that was: October – December

October 5

• Victim emerges from coma – A young Selection Park woman who sustained serious injuries to her head, shoulder and pelvis after an accident says she is well on the road to recovery.

• Young leader aims to motivate entrepreneurs – Former Interact Club president Thapelo Mahlangu recently started a local entrepreneur’s network where existing business owners, entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs share daily motivation, news, ideas, events, workshops and tips.

• Child Welfare spreads hope – The Springs and KwaThema Child Welfare Society held its annual general meeting at SpringsCare Community Centre.

October 12

• Cemetery clean-up – Bob Gillies, a businessman in Geduld, employed two volunteers to clean up the Geduld Cemetery after he found it in a poor state on a visit to the cemetery.

• Burn victim (3) will receive pressure garment – A year after Zaden Green suffered severe burns when his home in Casseldale caught fire, discomfort is still an unfortunate part of his life.

• Residents battle sewage problems – The manholes situated in front of Olympia Palms in Geduld have been problematic for residents for almost two months.

October 19

• Wright Park residents do not approve of new RDP project – The community of Wright Park raised their grievances about the new RDP development in Reedville during a community meeting held at Indaba Park.

• Inaugural Christmas love box project a roaring success – Gearing up for Christmas, the Children’s Outreach Ministry at Trinity Methodist Church in Springs has packed and distributed 100 Christmas love boxes to Potters Haven, Geduld Feeding Scheme and Mercyland International Church.

• Deadline extended for work on Payneville Extension Three – Phase one of the Payneville Extension Three construction will not be completed by the end of the moth as planned.

October 26

• Man has 54 stitches to head after brick attack – Raymond Rakow is still traumatised and cannot sleep after he was attacked in his bedroom in Fourth Avenue, Geduld on October 6.

• Ex-JJ learner Top Youth Executive of the Year finalist – Frans Niebuhr, a former Dr Johan Jurgens High School learner, was recently chosen as a finalist in the National Business Awards 2017. This 28-year-old Nigel resident was nominated by management of a Nigel-based stainless steel company for his exemplary performance, financial structures and prudent policies.

• Metro’s delayed reaction adds to water wasted – After almost four weeks of constant communication between a Selection Park resident and the metro, a water leak issue has finally been resolved.

November 3

• Woman stable after crash involving a truck – Tragedy struck when Anzel Bouwer’s vehicle and a truck collided in Zig Zag Road, CBD last Tuesday. She was airlifted to the Netcare Union Hospital, Alberton to receive emergency care at the specialised trauma unit.

• Springs ondersteun ‘Black Monday’ teen plaasmoorde – Soos die son sak in die laatmiddag oor Springs, het talle lede van die gemeenskap Maandagaand bymekaargekom in Vierde Laan, Geduld ter ondersteuning van ‘Black Monday’.

• Picnic on the banks of the Blesbokspruit – Rhythm by the River, hosted by the Rotary Club of Springs Park, was held in Grootvaly on Sunday afternoon.

November 10

• Bak pannekoek in ‘n japtrap – Jan Nieuwenhuis se Japtrap pannekoekmasjien is meer as net bekend in Springs. Die monster en sy operateurs het al sover as Oos London en Mpumalanga getrek om aan vele mense pannekoek te verskaf.

• Artworks talk about reality and represent history – The Slice of Life exhibition opened at the Springs Art Gallery. Pat Sithole, the man of the hour, is the creator of the wondrous artworks on display at the gallery.

• Indoor go-karting now at Springs Mall – A 500m go-kart racing track has attracted many people at the undercover parking section of Springs Mall since October 30.

November 17

• Obtaining official disabled parking disc a nightmare – When Dersley resident Wynand Botes’ left leg was amputated in October, he never thought of the implications and frustrations attached to being a disabled person.

• Bitcoin: currency of the future? – Financial adviser Derek Fox held a bitcoin presentation for Rotary Club of Springs members at a restaurant in Nigel Road last Tuesday evening.

• Hoop op die horison vir Henrico – Henrico Smith (18) is weer eens sy Suid-Afrikaanse Agentskap vir Maatskaplike Sekerheid (Sassa) toelaag kwyt.

November 24

• Construction delayed again – Payneville Extension Two contractors have asked for an extension for Phase One of the new development.

• Local beauty wants to win Miss Commonwealth SA – Mpho Thahale from Wright Park has been selected as one of the finalists in this year’s Miss Commonwealth South Africa pageant.

• Duck pond birds are well fed – The ducks and geese of the George Sutter Park duck pond are kept well fed all year round, thanks to the kindness and dedication of four local bird lovers.

December 1

• Caylum doing well after op – Despite often facing difficult odds, Springs-born Caylum Willemse (1) can now run around and play without any eating or breathing difficulties.

• Pensioner denied smart ID – All Joseph Eksteen (64) wanted when he visited the Springs Home Affairs office recently was to obtain a new smart ID card. Instead he claims he was insulted and turned away.

• Addie fountain needs a revamp – Springs businessman José Celestino has a passion for the town and the Addie fountain situated on the corner of Zig Zag and Nigel roads.

December 8

• World Aids Day seeks to support all sufferers – The staff of Life Springs Parkland Hospital were invited to an information session at the hospital with regards to the spread of HIV infections.

• Scout gets Springbok status – The Springs Central Scouts hosted a prize-giving where Thembinkosi ‘Themba’ Machaba achieved his Springbok Badge on November 26.

• Springs policemen receive awards – Springs police officers have been recognised by their station commander for their work during 2017.

December 15

• Pressure garment gives Zaden (3) little relief – Burn victim Zaden Green (3) recently received his pressure garment, which his parents, Caren and Henna, were told would relieve some of their son’s discomfort after he suffered burns to almost 35 per cent of his body last year.

• Christmas drive helps the less fortunate – Kamogelo Maine and friends are calling on the community to help them collect sanitary towels, food and clothes for the homeless.

• HIV survivor leads a full life – Springs resident Gary Allpass (55), a long-term HIV survivor, wants people who are infected with the virus to know there is life after infection.