Edition / Uitgawe 10

13 September 2013

Graskop Idol 1 of 16 3

GPS needs

your help 14

Me and my phone 15

Town of the Year upswing 6

GPS News

From the editor

Sometimes... things happen in our lives that we dont understand. Maybe you lost someone to death you were the victim of an armed robbery people that you trusted stole from you whatever the reason and you have hurt and anger in your life. Usually the first question we ask is: Where was God when this happened? When you are in the situation, all seems lost and all the different emotions run rampant. Your response is determined by how you feel at that moment. At the time of our sons death due to cancer years ago, my mother said the following: Time heals everything. How much time it takes for your situation to be better, depends on circumstances, but also on your attitude. Life is full of choices you can choose to be bitter or better. It is not easy, but it is possible. If you are battling to let go and have unforgiveness in your life, just know that He is right there with you you are not alone, but you will come to a choice one day... to forgive or not. Only you can make the choice, but whatever your choice is, it has consequences. On a more positive note: wow can you believe? This is our 10th edition! It is with a humble heart that I would like to thank my staff and the advertisers for making this possible. A hearty thanks also to you as our readers for giving us news and contributions. Without you we would not have had such a successful

GPS News 22 Main Road, Sabie Tel: 01 3 764 31 27 Fax: 086 57 43454 Facebook: gpsnews Twitter: @editorKemp Editorial/Advertising: Valerie Kemp, tel: 083 565 9458 E-mail: editor@gpsnews.co.za Reporters: Christine Roussouw (Sabie, Pilgrims): 079 233 4801 Gerda van den Bos (Graskop): 083 324 7254 Graphic design: Sydney Mashele Editing and layout: Pedrie Roberts
newspaper, staying true to our cause. It is not always easy the long hours, the deadlines and stress but in the end it is worthwhile. May you have an awesome week!

Social Calendar Sosiale Kalender

Let us know about any events for placement in the Social Calendar. It is free! Every Friday at 20:00 @
Canimambo: drumming circle and drinks special.

For special occasions : Fine Portuguese cuisine @ Canimambo best seafood!

1 4 September

Spur Schools MTB 4. Contact: Mark Meyer on 082 338 9532.

1 3 & 1 4 September

Graskop business strategy seminar in cooperation with the AHI. Contact: Babsie on 082 888 4261 .

www.gpsnews.co.za

gpsnews

@editorKemp

gpsnewsblog. wordpress.com

1 9 September

Feeling suicidal, depressed, down?

Do not waste your money on pills at a pharmacy, or buy a length of rope from the hardware shop. Just go and try to cross the road on the zebra crossing opposite Sabie Post Office, and some visiting motorist, most probably with GP or L on the number plates, will do the job for you! Recently three school girls were knocked down in town. Its time that visitors to Sabie showed some respect for the 60 km/h speed limit, and also stopped to let people cross on the zebras. Maybe another initiative for the Sabie Chamber of Commerce? Some signs asking bikers and motorists to drive carefully through our town. Chris Colverd

Wat net Tyd kan doen

Will Hugo

Eendag, lank, lank gelede, was daar n eiland waar gevoelens gebly het: Blydskap, Hartseer, Kennis, Liefde ensovoorts. Op n dag word aangekondig dat die eiland gaan sink. Inderhaas kry almal bote reg om te vlug almal behalwe Liefde. Sy bly daar tot op die einde. Toe sy sien die eiland sink regtig, besluit sy sy kort hulp.

Sy vra vir Rykdom om haar op te laai, maar Rykdom antwoord: Nee, jammer, ek het te veel goud en silwer ek het nie vir jou plek nie. Liefde vra toe vir Ydelheid en di antwoord: Jammer, jys al sopnat en gaan my boot beskadig. Liefde vra toe vir Hartseer, maar Hartseer antwoord: Ag, Liefde, eks so hartseer en wil net alleen wees. Jammer. Blydskap kom verby, maar is so vrolik dat hy nie eens Liefde se krete hoor nie! Skielik is daar n sagte stem agter Liefde wat s hy sal haar help. Liefde is so bly dat sy vergeet om sy naam te vra, en toe hulle aan wal stap, het die pragtige, kalm stem verdwyn. Liefde vra vir Kennis wie haar gehelp het. En Kennis antwoord: Dit was Tyd. Liefde vra verbaas: Tyd? Hoekom het Tyd my gehelp? Omdat slegs Tyd in staat is om ons te laat besef hoe belangrik Liefde werklik is.

Jews for Jesus presentation on Feast of Tabernacles. St Peters Church, Sabie. 1 8:00. Entrance fee is fruit and veggies that will be distributed to the needy, but if you dont have, just come!

21 -23 September

Free art exhibition at Boskombuis in Graskop. Contact: Louis Audie on 083 297 1 629.

21 September

York Sabie Shufflers Forest Run. Contact: Odette van Staden forestrun@york.co.za.

21 September 24 September 28 September

Spur Schools MTB Finals. Contact: Mark Meyer on 082 338 9532. Public holiday: Heritage Day. Danie Botha-konsert by Panorama Secondary School in Graskop ten bate van Fanie Stoltz-aftreeoord en Panorama-skool. Kontak: Maria by 01 3 767 1 093.

4 & 5 October

CELEBRATION
14 September on the Long Tom Pass, 20 km outside Lydenburg, from 12:00-16:00, with the Louis Brittz band and Elza Meyer as guests. Pack your picnic basket and come and celebrate! Tickets are R30 per person. Buy at www.itickets.co.za.

Annual flower festival. St Peters Church, Sabie. Entrance is R1 0 per person and includes tea and cake.

4 November

Specialist speaker on Alzheimer, causes and facts. Sabie Methodist Church. 1 8:30. All welcome.

Not to be missed!

GPS News

Brenden performing at SA Idols at Sun City. Photo supplied by Pastor Phineas Ledwaba

The Oracle has spoken

Gerda van den Bos
young girls now feel like women and the older women feel like young ones again. Cliff also said: You came to live on the stage. You are a very talented guy. Brenden certainly ended the episode on a high note. It was the final auditions of the Theatre Week at Sun City. Up until 24 hours before their first appearance before an audience, the 33 contestants still didnt know which songs they would be singing. The songs literally fell from the sky when a cloud of song titles rained on them. There was a frantic scramble for the little pieces of paper and then they had 20 minutes to swop songs. The one person who held on tight to his song was Brenden. It fell right on my shoe, so I thought it must be a sign, he said. After his performance he was all smiles. That was some good stuff, he told the viewers. I was nervous before the time, but when I was on the stage, I knew this was where I belong.

n spring day, 1 September, the audience went ballistic, making so much noise that the judges in the SA Idols competition had to wait quite some time before they could get a word in. All that Gareth Cliff, one of the judges, could manage was: Look what you have done. He was talking to the last contestant of the night 19-year-old Brenden Ledwaba from Graskop. Brenden did an outstanding performance of John Legends Best You Ever Had. The song was perfect for Brendens voice and he had the girls in the audience screaming and judge Unathi Msengana breathless. That was my performance of the night, she acknowledged. Even stone-faced judge Randall Abrahams smiled and said: It was very good. He continued to say: The Oracle has spoken. You have transformed the audience tonight. The

On Sunday 8 September, local Idol Brenden Ledwaba from Graskop was, after a nerve-wrecking session, selected by the judges as one of 16 finalists in the SA Idols competition at Sun City. This was the last week that the judges decided the entrants fate, and it was appropriately called Judgment Day. Next week, the eight male contestants will compete against each other, and then

the publics votes will determine who proceed to the next round. Watch SA Idols on 15 September and vote for our local hero. The lines will only be opened up and Brendens number be given after the show. Come one readers, line up all your friends and family on Facebook, Twitter, Blog and any other electronic media to help this talented young man to reach his dream by voting for him.

GPS News

GPS News

Skool kry n nuwe baadjie

Gerda van den Bos
Gevolglik kon die saal, klaskamers en toilette getel word. Die administrasieblok het ook n gedaanteverwisseling ondergaan. Die hoof en sy personeellede het self ingespring en gehelp waar hulle kon. Selfs die skooltafels het onder hul hande deurgeloop en blink weer soos pasgekooptes. Matthee s hulle is nog lank nie klaar met alles wat gedoen moet word nie. Die volgende groot projek is die oprigting van n rekenaarsentrum. Toyota Suid-Afrika het 40 rekenaars vir die skool geborg en hulle installeer dit nou. Eersdaags sal daar met rekenaarklasse begin word. So stukkie vir stukkie, met baie geduld, genade en harde werk word die skool omgeskep om by die veranderde en gemoderniseerde klimaat van die 21ste eeu te pas.

aerskool Graskop bestaan al baie jare lank en veral die binnekant het vroer sterk herinner aan die skole wat in die 1970s en 1980s gebou is. Die verouderde tels het begin kraak, die verf het afgedop en die badkamers was klein en donker. Dis toe dat die skool operasie Terreinopknapping aangepak het, en vanjaar het hy flink gevorder. Die gras is weer groen en gesny en die geboue het nuwe baadjies en afwerkings. Verlede jaar moes die kinders nog so tussen plasse water in die klaskamers skoolgaan, want die skooldak het gelek. Danksy skenkings van Plascon is die dakke nou gesel en geverf. Mark Matthee, skoolhoof, s hulle is baie dankbaar teenoor York Timbers, wat gehelp het om n borgskap van Sasol te kry.

Links: Een van die toilette voor die opknappingswerk. Bo: Die badkamers is nou skoon, met baie meer ruimte en kleur. Fotos: Mark Matthee

GPS News

Town of the Year attracted more tourists

A
Christine Rossouw
s Sabies reign as South Africas 2012 Town of the Year comes to a close, GPS News took to the street to determine what impact the esteemed title had on the town. In winning this prize, Sabie received R2 million worth of marketing on Kwla and in Rapport, keeping the town firmly in the national media for 12 months. A dedicated team of locals compiled the content that millions of South Africans were exposed to weekly. While it is difficult to determine whether Sabies winning of the Town of the Year title was directly responsible for an influx of tourists into the town, there is no doubt that Sabie definitely did experience a noticeable increase in visitors during the last 12 months. According to Willie Jacobs of Trips SA, their Sabie website received 255 050 visits during the 12 months of the towns reign, while in the previous 12 months prior to Sabie winning this title, the website received only 107 931 visits. Christopher Georghiades of The Woodsman said that he experienced a notable increase in business. A lot of people that have never been to Sabie and who would never have even thought of visiting the town came to see what we have to offer, he said. Across the road, Gavin Uren of The Wild Fig Tree says the restaurant also had a definite increase in customers. We had a lot of newcomers coming to Sabie to see for themselves why we had won town of the year, he said. Joy Comley of Merry Pebbles said the establishment definitely got busier after winning Town of the Year. To celebrate Sabie winning Dorp van die jaar we erected a sign at the entrance to Merry Pebbles, and you cannot believe how many crease of bookings. While she said the town was kept nice and clean, she believes ongoing, unaddressed sewage spills near Sabie River Camp had a detrimental effect on the establishment and discouraged many potential guests from booking in. The retail sector didnt do quite as well as the local hospitality industry. Judy Rademeyer of Potpourri says that while they definitely had more feet in the shop after winning the title, there was not an increase in sales, and their takings were exactly the same as the year before. While our restaurants and hotels definitely saw an impact, we didnt really reap the rewards. The increased number of visitors to Sabie spent their money on accommodation and food, Judy said. Chris Colverd of Wayfarers Guest House said there was a definite increase in the bookings over Sabies 12-months reign as Town of the Year. Tiger Goss of the Bookmans Corner echoed Judys observations. Next door, Helena Kazandjis of Mphozeni said there was a definite increase in tourists to Sabie after winning the title. It was great seeing all the local South Africans spending their weekends and holidays in Sabie instead of Durban and such other established vacation destinations. The comment and feedback from tourists was also very positive and in December the town was really buzzing, she said. GPS News wishes to congratulate the Sabie Chamber of Business and Tourism for their efforts at making Sabie the 2012 Town of the Year as well as the individuals and local businesses who offered exceptional hospitality and service during Sabies reign. May the good impression we made on tourists from far and wide continue to benefit Sabie in years to come and may we continue our legacy as a great South African town long after the crown has passed on.

people stop and take photos at this sign, said Joy. While the majority of establishments offering accommodation

seems to have benefitted from Sabie winning Town of the Year, Heila Terblanche of Sabie River Camp, says they did not experience an in-

GPS News
VLU-lede van die toekoms by die een wentafel.

HIGH TEA
Die Phantom op soek na sy liefde by die medewentafel. gevorm en as n vrou se hart gesond is, is die gesin gewoonlik ook gesond. Vroue moet leer om hulself te aanvaar en te weet dat God hulle geskep het. Amanda het klem gel op die feit dat Jesus tussen die stukkende mense ingegaan het, die prostitute en dronkaards, en hulle gehelp het. Sabie is so klein tog is daar soveel seerkry in ons omgewing siekte, armoede, emosionele pyn dis nie nodig om na n vergele plek te gaan om sendingwerk te gaan doen nie daar is soveel behoefte hier in ons dorp. Rina Potgieter, VLU-president van Mpumalanga, en Titia Engelbrecht, Suikerbosstreek (waarvan die Visarendtak deel is) se voorsitter, was die twee eregaste. Van die projekte waaraan die plaaslike VLU-lede werk, is om vir twee kleuterskole vir Kersfees 70 geskenkpakkies te maak, met items soos seep, tandepasta en -borsel, lekkers, koeldrank, room en so meer daarin. Vir die nuwe jaar word daar beoog om 70 skoolsakkies te maak met onder meer vetkryt, boekies om in te skryf, potlode en ander skoolbenodigdhede in, en dit dan ook te skenk. Die VLU is n organisasie wat haar beywer om aan vroue die geleentheid te gee om hulle op alle terreine van vrouwees te verryk sodat sy n bydrae tot haar gesin en die gemeenskap kan lewer. Die organisasie is niepolities, niesektaries, tweetalig en oop vir alle vroue tussen 16 en 116 jaar. Daar word gereeld werksessies aangebied, soos mosaiek, kunsmedia soos sketse, teddiebeer maak, kralewerk en so meer. Daar word gekekkel en geklets, maar hard gewerk. Dis n heerlike uitstappie om saam met vriendinne te kuier, maar om steeds iets produktiefs vir die gemeenskap te beteken. Enige belangstellendes kan kom inloer, of vir Elize op 013 764 2296 of 079573 6039 kontak.

VLU verjaar met

ie VLU (Vroue Landbou Unie) se Visarendtak in Sabie is amptelik twee jaar oud. Op Saterdag 7 September is daar behoorlik feesgevier. Die verrigtinge is geopen met gebed deur Elize Potgieter, voorsitter van Sabie se tak. Die tema was n high tea en die dames het hul mooi moois uitgehaal en daar is behoorlik gepronk. Elke gasvrou moes verantwoordelikheid vir haar tafel aanvaar, dit versier en haar gaste onthaal. Daar is beoordeel en beraadslaag, en n baie oorweging is besluit dat twee gasvroutafels die eerste plek sou deel. Die tafel van Annette Bester en Lorinda Jordaan, asook die tafel van Rita Burger is saam as die wenners aangewys. Die een tafel se tema was feetjies en die ander een was phantom, met n regte, sjarmante phantom met sy masker wat rooi rose uitgedeel en na sy liefde gesoek het. Die tafel van Uanita Linington het die prys gewen vir die tafel met die meeste spangees. Sharon Mandy is as die besgeklede dame aangewys. Daar was verskeie uitstallers van parfuum en juwele, terwyl items wat taklede deur die loop van die jaar gemaak het, ook tentoongestel is.

Die sangoptrede deur die gaskunstenaars Annemarie De La Rey en Samantha Burger het die gaste in vervoering gehad. Daar is geklap, gedans en saamgesing. Die atmosfeer was soms ernstig toe Amanda Bushney oor die vrou se rol in die huwelik en gesin gepraat het. n Vrou is spesiaal deur God geskep en

Die bestuurspan van die VLU se Visarendtak saam met hul eregaste. Van links: Annette Bester (sekretaresse), Rina Potgieter (VLU-president van Mpumalanga), Titia Engelbrecht (voorsitter van Suikerbosstreek), Elize Potgieter (voorsitter van Visarendtak), Lorinda Jordaan (waarnemende skakelbeampte), Susan Stenekamp (tesourier) en Uanita Linington (sameroepster).

GPS News

Home needs assistance

Gerda van den Bos
please contact Pastor Ken. The home is housed in a solid brick building with spacious rooms and separate bathrooms for the girls and boys. Melinda Carr and her team have decided to embark on the Home Makeover Community Project. They want to involve the children in decorating and refurbishing the house into a place that the children could really call home. Obviously to put all this dreams into action, they require help. If you would like to help with the makeover project, either by donating your time or money, please contact Melinda at 082254 2904 or 013767 1112. The home is urgently looking for volunteers to assist the children in the afternoons with homework, storytelling and reading skills, as well as to spend some time with the children over weekends and school holidays. This is your opportunity to get involved to assist with children that are yearning for some undivided love and attention. A volunteer supervisor with experience in housekeeping for a larger family would also be much appreciated. What is an hour or two of your time each week if you could make a child happy, and maybe help shape their future?

y Pennington of Extreme Makeover Home edition, eat your heart out. We are going to do a home makeover Graskop style. The Emmanuel Family Home in Graskop houses ten children and two housemothers. The home was established in 2006 when Pastor Ron Gull, a missionary from Graskop, had a vision that the Emmanuel Assemblies of God should give something back to the community. Taking care of orphans and other vulnerable children was the obvious choice. They were blessed with a stunning house next to the church. The home is not state-funded and currently they only receive grants for four of the children. For the rest of the expenses they are totally dependent on donations. The lack of funds does not deter the manager, Pastor Ken Scrimnger, and the board members in providing the children with good education. Two of the children are currently in boarding schools in Lydenburg and Bethal to provide for their special needs. Getting these two back home every school holiday is a bit of a challenge. Anyone who travels frequently to and from these two towns and who will be able to assist in giving the children a ride,

Housemother Anna Siwele in front of the Emmanuel Family Home. Please contact Pastor Ken if you want to become a volunteer, or if you want to financially assist the home with a monthly donation. His contact number is 082838 5330.

GPS News

Win our baby doll

Our baby doll needs a new home. She was donated by a generous lady from Gauteng who hand-knitted her clothes with loving care. If you are under ten years of age, you stand a chance to win. Just count how many butterflies are there in total on the pages of this issue of the newspaper. SMS the answer with your name, number and age to 083565 9458 or ask your mom to email the information to editor@gpsnews.co.za. The winner will be announced in the next edition. The closing date is 20 September.

Spring flower fair will celebrate creation

Christine Rossouw

Spring has sprung and all around us flowers are blooming in homage to creation. St Peters Anglican Church in Sabie will be celebrating the season and the love of Christ with a flower fair on 4 and 5 October. Every year, the beautiful church and gardens host this celebration, which Joy Burton explains is a way to glorify Gods creation and unite the community in their enjoyment thereof. But with the church celebrating its centenary this year, Joy says the flower fair has taken on a special significance and a lot of effort has been put into making this years fair extra special. The fair will take place from 09:00 to 16:00 on both days. Entrance is R10, which gets you a cup of tea and a piece of cake to enjoy as you amble through the stalls and flowers in the garden. Inside the church will be an exhibition of gorgeous flower arrangements, put together by members of the community. Barbara Scrooby explains that each year participants are given a theme, with biblical scriptures as reference to inspire and guide them

in their flower arrangements. As such, the flower arranging component of the fair is not a competition, but an exhibition. This year, the theme is Peter, one of Christs disciples. They are to choose a scripture relating to Peter and depict it through their arrangement. People who wish to have a stall at the fair can contact Joy on 072 820 6011 or Barbara on 072 141 8108. This is going to be a beautiful event and all members of the community are invited, so make sure to pay a visit to St Peters Anglican Church on 4 or 5 October.

Sudoku: The objective is to fill the 9x9 grid with digits so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 33 sub-grids that compose the grid contains all of the digits from 1 to 9.

Every little action of the common day makes or unmakes character. Oscar Wilde

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GPS News

A call for Guardian Angels

Residents of Sabie Retirement Village enjoy a bingo event organised by Guardian Angels.

uardian Angels Sabie has been going for the last three years, but has now hit rock bottom with only one volunteer in Sabie and one in Harmony Hill. This is an appeal to the Sabie community to once again become involved in this rewarding programme. Guardian Angels main objective is to provide companionship to all senior citizens, irrespective of race or religion. Volunteers in most towns are allocated to a specific elderly person to visit once a week. Part of NPO requirements is to have a monthly meeting, chaired by a committee consisting of a coordinator, treasurer and secretary. A new committee now needs to be formed to take over the reins. Bingo is played the second Tuesday of every month at the Sabie Retirement Village. Members of the retirement village thoroughly enjoy and appreciate these bingo events. We really enjoy it and look forward to the monthly bingo, says retirement village resident Peggy Harris. Another resident, Corney Olivier, says: We always have such a pleasant time when the Guardian Angels come to visit. They take great pains with us

Smalls
For sale

Record player plus about 80 records. Phone: 01 3 767 1 667 or 082 660 331 5.

and its good to know that there are people who still offer their time and think of us old folks. Its really a big thing they do for us. Resident Ina Olivier says: We appreciate it and enjoy it so very much. Guardian Angels are also appealing for assistance with a venue for the yearly Christmas function they host in Sabie for an estimated 60 elderly, prizes and eats for the monthly bingo

and birthday gifts. We all really love the events hosted for us by the Guardian Angels and we sincerely hope that they will keep on doing it, says retirement village resident Betsie Sandilands. Contact Marcel at 082 452 0940 or email info@guardianangels.co.za if you can offer anything towards Guardian Angels and want to get involved.

Sybrand skitter op die skaakbord

Twee van Horskool Sybrand van Niekerk se skaakspanne is op 19 Augustus in Nelspruit as die Mpumalangakampioen gekroon. Sowel die o.15- as die o.17-span het na die eindronde deurgedring deur skole in die Ehlanzeni-omgewing te klop. In Nelspruit het hulle teen spanne van die Hoveld gespeel. Die o.15-span het nou gekwalifiseer om in Desember aan die Suid-Afrikaanse skolekompetisie in Pretoria deel te neem. Die o.17-liga het egter verval en daarom is daar nie verdere kompetisies wat wag nie. Wat di spelers se prestasie egter merkwaardig maak, is dat hulle al byna nege jaar lank saamspeel en elke jaar onder die topskole geindig het. Sybrand het ook n meisiespan gehad wat deelgeneem en vyfde in die Mpumamlanga-kompetisie geindig het. Verder is 12 van die skool se spelers na die Ehlanzeni-skaakunie se toptien-toernooi genooi wat op 7 September plaasgevind het. Daar is spanne gekies vir die skaakunie se Suid-Afrikaanse kampioenskappe in Desember. Di leerlinge is Austin Pilane, Ashwin Wallace, Thabo Ngwenya, Sandile Ngwenya, Natasch du Plessis, Julia Visser, Dumisani Sibuyi, Nkosinathi Masina, Evah Mathebula, Nobuhle Mpofu, Christopher Maartens en Mpho Mashego.

Sybrand se o.15-skaakspan is Dumisani Sibuyi, Julia Visser, Gideon Lewies, Ashwin Wallace, Bongani Nyathi en Jacques Lombaard.

Sybrand se o.17-skaakspan is Mpho Mashego, Christopher Maartens, Nkosinathi Masina, Austin Pilane, Thabo Ngwenya en Sandile Ngwenya.

GPS News

11

Capture the moment at Kodak

With empty shops filling up one by one, it is encouraging to see Sabie rising out of the ashes left after the catastrophic fires of 2007. A shop that is ready and prepared to offer a unique service under its new management, is Kodak 1 Hour Photo shop situated at the entrance of Greenview Spar, opposite Tops. Kodak Sabie is now a joint venture between Rika and Gerrie Knoetze, and Stephen and Judith Watson. Rika is the office manager, assisted by husband Gerrie, a SAPS criminality expert. Stephen and Judith are well-known in Sabie as the owners of Watson Tours as well as U Care, We Care Aftercare. Rika is geared for this challenge and says: To me, photography is an art of observation. Its about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... It has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them. The aim should not be to capture a picture but to capture the moment. I really believe there are moments nobody would see if they were not photographed. Photo-

graphs capture moments that are gone forever, impossible to reproduce it is a lifetime of yesterdays preserved for all the tomorrows. The shop will be offering an array of services, including the printing of photos from any medium, specialising in passport and ID photos, and the sale of memory cards, frames, as well as any photographic and camera accessories. Rika and Judith have been best friends for 23 years and are confident that with their expertise and hard work, Kodak Sabie will be able to offer a professional service that compares well with the services found in the city.

WORD SEARCH
KARBONKELBERG NJESUTHI CHAMPAGNE CASTLE EMLEMBE MAFADI CATHEDRAL PEAK SIMONSBERG DU TOIT PASS ISANDLWANA LIONSHEAD DEVILS PEAK CEDERBERG HANGLIP GIANTS CASTLE DRAKENSBERG

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GPS News

are you experienced?

the altitude as well. An exciting new addition to the weekends events is the Valencia 60 km Xmas Xlassic and 33 km Xanadu one-day races on similar routes. These new additions are for mountain bike enthusiast that want a taste of the fun, but are unable to participate in full multi-day events. The race venue has changed. All stages and races will start and finish at the brand new conference facilities presently being completed at Floreat Riverside Lodge beautifully designed with everything at hand and easily accessible from town. Entries are filling up fast! Dont lose out. Check out and enter on www.sabiexperience.co.za for more details on the stage race and November pre-rides, while you keep an eye open for breaking news on the Valencia races from 15 September onwards. For added excitement and for the second year running, the Sabie X trail run will be held again this December. The run will take place on 15 and 16 December. There are three stages, making sure the runners get to see and experience Sabies magnificent forests and scenery, including a spectacular waterfall. Enter online at www.sabiextrailrun.co.za.

Joy Comley

he tenth My Spar Sabie Xperience mountain bike stage race will take place from Friday 13 to Monday 16 December. One of the really great advantages of the Sabie Xperience is it starts and finishes everyday in Sabie. This year, the Sabie Xperience team is offering a bigger choice in event format. To please the whole family, the event organisers have provided options for all levels of fitness and skills, from the two-day (80 km) Team Lite, the three-day (140 km) Team Wannabe, through to the demanding four-day (200 km) Solo Xperience. Race and route director Dennis Lawrie will again design the most amazing routes with technical single track and intense climbs. Dennis is renowned for his awesome routes, which are what keeps bringing the mountain bikers back to Sabie year after year. To add to the great routes the riders are spoilt with refreshment stations every 15 to 20 km. For the solo riders there is the ultimate challenge a whopping 200 km of pristine mountain biking paradise over four days. These riders will go to places on their bicycles where you will feel like you are in heaven, not only because of the view but

GPS News

13
saliva (spit) and is spread by the bite of an infected animal. All household animals all cats and dogs included must be vaccinated. This can be done for FREE on 26 and 27 September from 09:00 to 15:00 in the parking area at Attilios and Petena Pancakes in Sabie. At the same dates and times, the service will be offered in Harmony Hill at the clinic. It is for free, so do the right thing and have your animal vaccinated. It just might save your own life!

Free rabies immunisation a must

28 September is world Rabies Day. Confirmed cases of this very dangerous disease were recently reported in the vicinity of Graskop in a dog as well as in a jackal near Modderspruit (on the road from Graskop to Bushbuckridge). Rabies is a disease that people can get from animals, and it knows no discrimination. Tame household animals as well as wild animals can get the virus, which affects the brain and may cause death. The virus is shed in

To NOT advertise is like kissing a girl in the dark nobody else knows what youre doing.

Bizarre, fun spring day

Memezile High School in Simile, Sabie, hosted its annual fun day on Friday 30 August to celebrate spring day. Pupils dressed in wacky and funny outfits. The event was humorous and encouraged pupils to share a laugh. On the photo are Jan Mabuza and Happy Mahuku, both in gr. 9, showing off their hilarious outfits.

Greg Tope, n oudinwoner van Sabie, is onverwags op 2 September 2013 oorlede. Hy word deur sy eggenote, Tony, kinders, Shaun, Anthony, Kiewiet, Elmarie en Christine, asook kleinkinders oorleef. Die familie wil almal bedank vir al die bystand, blomme, kos en kaartjies. Dit word opreg gewaardeer.

Ter nagedagtenis aan Greg

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GPS News

Sabie Primary excels in various fields

Christine Rossouw
and Jean-Mari Loots, participated in the sub-region science expo in Lydenburg on 17 August. Both pupils won a gold medal. Sabie Primary School congratulates these two, as well as teacher Lizelle Hinds. The school also once again demonstrated its outstanding execution in the dramatic arts, with pupils attaining exceptional results at the eisteddfod in Nelspruit. This year, the school came home with 17 A, 15 A+, and 8 A++ (prestige) awards, handed out to Braham van der Walt in the Afrikaans Dramatised Poetry category, Ane Davey for her Afrikaans Dramatised Prose performance and Leandi Viljoen in both categories of Afrikaans Undramatised Poetry and Afrikaans Dramatised Prose. Engela van der Walt took three prestige awards for each of her performances in the Afrikaans Dramatised Poetry, Afrikaans Undramatised Poetry and English Dramatised Poetry categories, while Taegan Rossouw attained hers in the English Dramatised Poetry category. The schools choir also achieved an A symbol for their performance. Sabie Primary School congratulates all these pupils and also teacher Karla Grobbelaar for her dedication and assistance to these learners.

GPS News needs your help!

Sabie Primary is turning 1 00 years old! The weekend of 25 October, GPS News will publish a special centenary edition in addition to our normal newspaper. This will present the schools history with photos and will appropriately be titled Van toeka tot nou. We please need your input. If you have any photos or interesting facts about the school, forward it to us. Within the next couple of weeks we will visit various companies for space to congratulate the school in the form of an ad. Feel free to contact us if you would like to reserve your space in this special edition. This is going to be a special for keeps issue that can be saved for the generations to come. Find our contact information on page 2.

Sabie Primary excelled in a number of arenas recently, showing off the schools accomplishments in a number of diverse fields. On 14 August, its athletes participated in the sub-regional cross country event at Lydenburg High School, where seven of the schools athletes went through to the district event. Luthendo Modau took first place in the u/9 race, with Danielle Gouws finishing fourth and Anika Theart in ninth position. Tshepang Mashigo finished twelfth in the u/12 race. In the u/13 event Chantelle Willis took the silver, with Casey Tapfira finishing in seventh position Fortunate Maseko came in ninth and Estian Schroeder finished in the thirteenth position. Kees-Piet Barnhoorn participated in the nationwide ATKV debate competition on 15 August in Hartenbos. Taking on 20 excellent debaters from all over South Africa, Kees-Piet took third position in the country. This is a remarkable accomplishment and Sabie Primary applauds both Kees-Piet and his coach, Marietjie Brits. In the science arena Sabie Primary also took home top honours, when two of its pupils, Calista van den Heever

Top debater Kees-Piet Barnhoorn and Marietjie Brits.

Science expo achievers Calista van den Heever and JeanMari Loots.

Cross-country athletes... Back: Suzanne Pieterse, Fortunate Maseko, Casey Tapfira, Estian Schroeder and Eljo Neethling. Front: Tshepang Mashigo, Lutendo Modau, Anika Theart, Chantelle Willis (middle) and Danielle Gouws.

Eisteddfod prestige performers. Back: Leandi Viljoen, Braham van der Walt, Liz Davies and Ane Davey. Front: Taegan Rossouw and Engela van der Walt.

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15

Police search schools for drugs

Shirly Mathebula
the police said they will continue to conduct awareness campaigns to try to eradicate substance abuse in the community. A special concern is the drug called yaope or whoonga, which contains heroin popularly known as hitch in Mpumalanga. It has allegedly come into widespread use. Mashego said: It is the type of a drug that can destroy the future of youngsters and ruin the lives of the people around them. Drug dealers are mostly targeting school children. People are urged to report any information related to these and other drugs. Liquor outlets are advised not to break the law by selling alcohol to persons under the age of 18. If you sell alcohol to someone who is under 18 you could be prosecuted and fined and your license to sell alcohol could be at risk. Some underage people attempt to make themselves look older so they can buy alcohol. If a person doesnt look old enough to buy alcohol, outlets are advised to request an identification document, said Mashego. To eradicate substance abuse the police emphasised that they need the assistance of everyone in the community. screen, but just went on singing louder and louder until I felt I could rival a South African taxi. It was after the third person rang me that I learned that one has to slide ones finger gently across the receiver. I was triumphant and thought I was gaining ground, and I would smile and slide my finger across, but as soon as she realised that I was comfortable doing it, she began cutting the other person off and sending little messages like I am busy right now I will phone you later, and as it was nine at night, the other person would think: What a liar she clearly does not want to speak to me! I sound like a record player already telling people I have this new phone, otherwise I would not have anyone I know on speaking terms with me. SMSs are ten times worse my fingers seem too big and I keep pressing the wrong keys and sending the SMS by mistake before I have time to correct it. My boss was in Pretoria and received an SMS from me that said: Pleas authorode thia as it had yo br paid todsu. I looked at Beelzie (yes, I have named her Beelzie short for Beelzebub) in disgust, and she beamed up at me. Oh well, Beelzie, I said, I will always love you, but I think that I will never understand you!

A police intervention team that included both Sabie members and members of the SAPS K9 dog unit was dispatched to various parts of Sabie to conduct a drug search as part of the drug awareness campaign on Wednesday 14 August. The operations included vehicle checkpoints, stop and search action at Sabie Market Square and taverns in Simile, and body searches of pupils at Sybrand van Niekerk High School, Memezile High School and vendors outside and inside the school premises. No drugs were found during the search. On Wednesday 28 August another search was carried out at Lindani Primary and Angels Park Academy. This also did not turn op any drugs. However, a message of awareness of substance abuse was sent out. According to SAPS community policing officer Const. Moshe Mashego the operation came just after having received numerous complaints from concerned pupils and community members about the visibility of drug abuse in the community, especially in the schools. However, even though no drugs were found,

Me and my phone
M
Sharon Mandy
y mother once said to me that she would always love me, but that she would never understand me. This has been true throughout my life, and although we dont really understand each other we have come to an understanding and then there is always the love as a backup. I digress, however, because what I really want to talk about is my new phone. (This is where I will always love it, but I will never understand it, ties in.) It is pink and cute and absolutely me to look at, but there is where it ends. Other than that it is an evil phone that is out to frustrate me beyond all other frustrations. It began with the man who gave her to me one could tell he was tired and really just trying to get rid of her (and yes she is her because she is pink), and me, as soon as he possibly could. He had a square face, with a hairstyle like a welcome mat on top of his head, and eyes that were too close together how on earth was I supposed to trust him? but sometimes life does not give one choices and so trust him I did to my utter detriment! He explained nothing, just grimly took my cash and hustled me out of the shop. It was only later when I arrived home and took her out of the box with great excitement that I realised that I knew nothing about her. I tried to bond, but she was unyielding she refused to let me open her back, and I had to take her to a friend for assistance. He managed to do all he had to do to get her going, and then she demanded to be charged. I took the charger out and looked all over her to find her plug (or whatever one calls it) and after half an hour, when she was screaming and threatening to die on me, I found it hidden under a flap. There, there, I said, plugging her in, perhaps you will be content now. It was then that someone tried to phone me. She has a touch screen and I touched the green receiver nothing happened and she continued to jangle madly. I touched it again to no avail and afterwards began touching it really hard and fast. She made little rings around the receiver on the

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GPS News

Lots to see at first

he inaugural York Enduro Mountain Bike Rally runs from Friday 13 September to Sunday 15 September and offers riders a testing three days through the Sabie countryside. Hosted by York Timbers, the weekends activities also include a trail run, live music and a thrilling Top Gear style race between a mountain

bike and a rally car. The top-class field will include 20 of South Africas leading pro cyclists, including Ariane Kleinhans, Lourens Luus, Erik Kleinhans, Max Knox, Waylon Woolcock and Samantha Sanders, with the steep Mpumalanga terrain testing their skills in one of the finest mountain biking regions in the world. The mountain biking gets underway

The serious riding reaches a peak at on Friday 13 September when the pro 11:00 on Sunday when the pro riders riders and corporate teams ride the thrill spectators during an exhibition spectator friendly 3,2 km Downhill XCO (cross country Olympic) lap race and 3 km XC (cross country) course, on Sabie Golf Course. while the DHI (down hill) seeding The entertainment also includes an runs from 13:00 and the finals from invite-only gala dinner on Friday 15:45. night, with sports commentator Max As the evening sets in, mountain Cluer hosting an auction during which biker Justin Victor will take on rally corporate teams will bid for a pro cyccar driver Shaun Tope in a Top Gear list to join their team for Saturdays style race-off at Klein Spitzkop at Enduro. All funds raised 17:15. will be donated to charIts an early start on Members of the ities that will be anSaturday 14 September when the pro riders and public can sup- nounced during the course of the event. corporate teams partiport the cycMembers of the public cipate in the grueling 58 are encouraged to supkm Enduro, with teams lists and enjoy port the cyclists on the setting off at different various stages of the times, starting from activities in race, and can also enjoy 07:00 and only being the area, insome of the activities on timed on the downhill in the area, instretches of the course. cluding live en- offer cluding horse-riding and But its not all about the bike. Runners can tertainment by fishing or walks through the rolling hills. Sunday sign up for the York Adis an ideal day for a venture 12 km Trail Run, Die Campbells. family visit to Sabie, which starts and finishes with food stalls, a kids entertainment at Sabie Country Club. The run starts area and live entertainment by Die at 08:00 and the entry fee is R50. Campbells. Sunday 15 September offers an opFor further information and entry portunity for all MTB enthusiasts to forms for all activities, visit enter the York Adventure Challenge, www.york.co.za or the Facebook page which starts at 07:30, with a choice of www.facebook.com/YorkAdventure40 km (entry fee R120) or 19 km Club and connect on Twitter: @York(entry fee R80) routes. Both races Adventure. You can also call York start and finish at Sabie Country Timbers on 031 764 9200. Club.

YORK E N DU RO M OU N TAI N BI KE RALLY 201 3 PROG RAM M E

DHI = Downhill Course - Spitskop XC = Cross Country Course Sabie Country Club 08:30 09:00 Pro Riders: Registration Floreat Riverside Lodge 08:30 10:00 Corporate Teams: Registration Floreat Riverside Lodge 09:00 12:00 DHI Course open to early arrival. Corporate Teams and Pros for practice runs. York Corporate Team & Pro Riders participate in DHI and XC Course 09:00 12:00 Corporate Teams: XC Course open for those who has completed DHI practice run 12:00 13:00 Lunch for Pros, Corporate Teams and VIPs at Forestry Hospitality Tent 13:00 14:30 Corporate Teams: DHI Course open for late arrivals practice run 13:00 15:00 Corporate Teams: XC Course open for practice and seeding runs 13:00 15:15 Pro Riders: DHI Course open for seeding runs 15:15 15:45 Pro Riders to make their way up to DHI start 15:45 17:00 Pro Riders DHI Finals 17:15 17:30 Top Gear Style Rally Car vs Mountain Bike Race. (Prize giving at the Gala Dinner) 17:30 18:30 Leisure Time. Massage & Bike Wash services at Floreat 18:30 for 19:00 Gala Dinner and Prize giving at Floreat for VIP Guests, Pros and Corporate Teams 06:00 07:15 Breakfast at Floreat for VIP Guests, Pros and Corporate Teams 07:00 07:30 Race Briefing @ Breakfast for Pro Riders and Corporate Teams 07:45 Enduro Race Sstarts from Floreat. 5 x transition stages (TS), not timed. 5 x special stages (SS), timed. Lunch available Cuddle Puddle between SS3 and TS4 spectator point. Race ends at Sabie Country Club at 16:00 08:00 10:00 Public 12km Trail Fun Run Start and finish at Sabie Country Club 08:30 11:30 York Informal Ride - Start Floreat 11:00 13:00 VIP Guests Sabie & Plywood Mill Tour 13:00 14:00 VIP Guests Lunch at Cuddle Puddle Hospitality Tent 13:30 15:00 VIP Guests Waterfall Tour 14:00 18:00 Massage facilities and refreshments, bike wash and service facilities will be available from when first teams finish at Floreat. 16:00 18:00 Leisure time 18:00 21:00 Outdoor Dinner (Braai), Prize giving and entertainment at Floreat Tommys Bar. Entertainment Die Campbells. 06:00 07:00 Breakfast at Floreat for VIP Guests, Pros and Corporate Teams 07:30 11:30 Public, Pros and Corporate Teams York Adventure Challenge 40km. Start & Finish Sabie Country Club Cut-off at 11:30 08:00 11:30 Public York Adventure Ride 19km. Start & Finish Sabie Country Club Cut-off: 11:30 10:00 Die Campbells outside concert entertainment 11:30 12:45 Pro Riders only: Short course XCO lap race on Golf Course 13:00 13:30 Prize Giving 13:30 13:40 Event Closing Please come and enjoy our mountain bike trails, with rolling hills and flowing single tracks. Non Enduro participants are welcome to bring their bikes, as we will cater for all. There will be enough opportunity to ride them and worth watching the Pro Riders in action.

FRIDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2013

SATURDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2013

SUNDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2013