VOORTREKKER MONUMENT

The Voortrekker Monument is situated in the northern part of South Africa in the Pretoria (Tshwane) region in a nature reserve. It is a unique Monument which commemorates the Pioneer history of Southern Africa and the history of the Afrikaner and is situated in a beautiful setting. Today it is the most visited heritage site of its kind in Gauteng and one of the top ten cultural historical visitor attractions in the country.

Physically, the Voortrekker Monument is 40 metres high, with a base of 40 metres by 40 metres.[citation needed] The building shares architectural resemblance with European monuments such the Dôme des Invalides in France and the Völkerschlachtdenkmal in Germany but also contain African influences. The two main points of interest inside the building are the Historical Frieze and the Cenotaph.

The idea to build a monument in honour of the Voortrekkers was first discussed on 16 December 1888, when President Paul Kruger of the South African Republic attended the Day of the Covenant celebrations at Blood River in Natal. However, the movement to actually build such a monument only started in 1931 when the Sentrale Volksmonumentekomitee (SVK) (Central People's Monuments Committee) was formed to bring this idea to fruition.

Construction started on 13 July 1937 with a sod turning ceremony performed by chairman of the SVK, Advocate Ernest George Jansen, on what later became known as Monument Hill. On 16 December 1938 the cornerstone was laid by three descendants of some of the Voortrekker leaders: Mrs. J.C. Muller (granddaughter of Andries Pretorius), Mrs. K.F. Ackerman (great-granddaughter of Hendrik Potgieter) and Mrs. J.C. Preller (great-granddaughter of Piet Retief).

The Monument was inaugurated on 16 December 1949 by the then-prime minister D. F. Malan.[citation needed] The total construction cost of the Monument was about £ 360,000, most of which was contributed by the South African government.

A large amphitheatre, which seats approximately 20,000 people, was erected to the north-east of the Monument in 1949.

The main entrance of the building leads into the domed Hall of Heroes. This massive space, flanked by four huge arched windows made from yellow Belgian glass, contains the unique marble Historical Frieze which is an intrinsic part of the design of the monument. It is the biggest marble frieze in the world

DINOKENG GAME RESERVE

The Dinokeng Game Reserve is the first free-roaming Big 5 residential game reserve in Gauteng – and probably in the world – next to an urbanized area. It is a private/public initiative for which planning and development started in the early 2000’s. It was officially opened on 22 September 2011 after the introduction of four of the Big 5. The last of the Big 5 to be introduced in late 2012 were the Buffalo and they have settled in well.

The sunrises and sunsets are spectacular and the game viewing – either from a game viewer or from your restaurant table overlooking one of the dams – is diverse.

Close to Pretoria North, just over an hour from Oliver Tambo International and Lanseria airport, and approximately 25 minutes from Wonderboom airport the DGR is accessible for a weekend stay without having to travel too far.

The Wildlife at Dinokeng Nature Reserve is something to experience, and what better way than going on a Game Drive. This is where the appreciation for the bushveld and nature starts, and where breathtaking experiences are captured with photographs.

Animals include

• Elephants
• Lions
• Zebra
• Rhinos
• Giraffes
• Various buck species

MINING THE FOUNDATION OF ECONOMY

The impact of a mine’s activities spans decades if not centuries. South Africa is a very good example of how mines have influenced the economic, environmental and social aspects of our country. Even though mining has placed South Africa on the global economic map, the reality is that often the profits are kept in the hands of a few (first with families like the Oppenheimers and now with junior BEE players), the environmental damage is hidden or the responsibility denied, and the fabric of society

destroyed as communities are uprooted, workers poorly paid, and health and safety risks to the workers and communities increased.

South Africa has a comparative advantage in the production of agriculture, mining and manufacturing products relating to these sectors.] South Africa has shifted from a primary and secondary economy in the mid-twentieth century to an economy driven primarily by the tertiary sector in the present day which accounts for an estimated 65% of GDP or $230 billion in nominal GDP terms. The country's economy is reasonably diversified with key economic sectors including mining, agriculture and fisheries, vehicle manufacturing and assembly, food processing, clothing and textiles, telecommunication, energy, financial and business services, real estate, tourism, transportation, and wholesale and retail trade

It is clear that the impacts (both good and bad) of mining begin before a mine is even established and does not disappear with the closure of a mine. The Bench Marks Foundation believes that the mining sector must engage with the communities in which they operate from the inception of a mine to the closure of a mine. It is no longer sufficient to have contact with communities, in close proximity to the mine, only during the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) stag

Once again, these facts are hardly new in the world of South African mining. Behind the squalid settlements that surround the mineshafts there are immense profits to be made. In recent years the platinum mining industry has prospered like no other thanks to the increased popularity of platinum jewellery and the use of the metal in vehicle exhaust systems in the United State and European countries. Production increased by 60 per cent between 1980 and 1994, while the price soared almost fivefold. The value of sales, almost all exported, thus increased to almost 12 per cent of total sales by the mining industry.

TYPING SERVICES

INTERNET CAFE

COMMUNITY MARCH

The community of Mamelodi held an annual Sports Against Crime and Drug abuse soccer tournament on Monday. The event commenced with a march from Reneilwe Adult Centre to identified hotspots where addicts usually use drugs.

Joined by the police, CPF, pastors and traditional healers, they prayed at the hotspots while the traditional healers performed rituals to help the drug addicts overcome their addiction.

The Sports Against Drugs event was held at the Reneilwe sports ground

The drug addicts participated in the awareness campaign by playing soccer and other games with the community members 

GIFT OF GIVING

Mamelodi Putco Bus donated electrical appliances and blankets to SOS on Thursday.

The donations were handed to an SOS house that Putco has adopted as part of their Corporate Social Investment within the community. They donated a washing machine, stove, blankets and some linen to the house.

According to the spokesman for Putco North Norma Maswaganye, this was part of their business plan to give back to the community under the Mamelodi Community Trust.  

EMPTY PROMISES

Hundreds of pupils took to the streets of Pretoria on Monday to demand that Basic Education Minister publish a quality minimum norms and Standards for school infrastructure. The peaceful march started at the City Hall and ended at the Department of Basic Education in the city Centre where equal education (EE) members handed over their memorandum.

According to the EE, they initiated legal action against the minister to force her to publish the Norms and Standard last year.

They accused the minister of failing to stick to her promise by not meeting the dead-line. The EE believed the country couldn’t achieve high quality education while some schools still faced challenges of overcrowding and lack of proper infrastructure

Addressing the gathering outside the department, EE General Secretary said they had had enough of the poor condition of their schools 

HOW TO IMPROVE LIFE

You can start by a Little donation 

Members of the JabJabu 7 soccer challenges donated netball and soccer jerseys to Rephagogiel Secondary School in Pretoria. 

The tournament was held at Mamelodi West Central sports ground on 1 May the organiser Jabulani Hlalethoa said they had chosen the school as one of their beneficiaries of the tournament and today he was happy to donate the sports equipment.

The school is classified in the category of the poorest of the poor and the kit will be used proudly during the games and tournaments around Mamelodi and wherever else we are invited”  

UNION BUILDING

The Union Buildings are located in Pretoria, known as the offices of the president of South Africa, The Buildings are one of the centres of political life in South Africa, It has become an iconic landmark of Pretoria and South Africa in general, and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city and an emblem of democracy.

The design consisted of two identical wings, joined by a semicircular colonnade forming the backdrop of the amphitheatre. The colonnade was terminated on either side by a tower.

The lawn in front of the Union Buildings are often the location for public gatherings, whether they be protest or celebration, such as the presidential inauguration.

These buildings, built from light sandstone, were designed by the architect Sir Herbert Baker.  In the English monumental style and are 285 m long. They have a semi-circular shape, with the two wings at the sides, this serves to represent the union of a formerly divided people.

MISS SOUTH AFRICA

Previous Five  Miss SA

Marilyn Ramos  2012

Marilyn Ramos  was born on 16^th of February 1991 she is South African beauty pageant titleholder  for  Miss South Africa 2012

Melinda Bam 2011

Melinda Bam was born on 14^th May 1989 is a South African beauty pageant titleholder for Miss South African 2011

Bokang Montjane 2010

Bokang Montjane was born year 1986 is a South African beauty pageant titleholder for Miss South Africa 2010

Nicole Flint  2009

Nicole Flint was born 15 May 1988 is a South African beauty pageant title holder for Miss South Africa 2009 

Tatum Keshwar 2008

Tatum Keshwar  was born 14 December  1983 is a South African beauty pageant holder for Miss South Africa 2008

Miss South Africa is an annual beauty pageant in South Africa that began in 1956. The winner of the pageant represents her country at the Miss Universe and Miss World pageants.

Miss South Africa has always competed at Miss World. Prior to 1998, South Africa's representatives at Miss Universe qualified via other national pageants, but they were not the winners of the Miss South Africa pageant. 

THABO MBEKI

Thabo Mbeki was born 18 June 1942 in South Africa. He is the former South African President

He was born and raised in Mbewuleni  Cape Province, Mbeki is one of four children of and Govan Mbeki

In December 1961, Mbeki was elected secretary of the African Students' Association. In the following year, he left South Africa on instructions of the ANC.

During his time in office the economy grew at an average rate of 4.5% per year. He attracted the bulk of Africa's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and made South Africa the focal point of African growth. He was the architect of NEPAD whose aim is to develop an integrated socio-economic development framework for Africa.

Thabo Mbeki was the executive face of government in South Africa from 1994. Mbeki created employment in the middle sectors of the economy and oversaw a fast-growing black middle class with the implementation of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE). This growth exacerbated the demand for trained professionals strained by emigration due to violent crime, but failed to address unemployment amongst the unskilled bulk of the population. 

KGALEMA MOTLANTHE BIOGRAPHY

Kgalema Motlanthe  was born 19 July 1949 is a South African politician who served as President of South Africa between 25 September 2008 and 9 May 2009, following the resignation of Thabo Mbeki.

In the 1970s, while working for the Johannesburg City Council, he was recruited into Umkhonto we Sizwe. He formed part of a unit tasked with recruiting comrades for military training.

Motlanthe, who had maintained a low public profile, was elected to the presidency of South Africa by the South African National Assembly following the resignation of Mbeki, and was widely considered to be acting as a "caretaker president" on behalf of Zuma.  Zuma succeeded Motlanthe on 9 May 2009 in a presidential election held by the South African National Assembly, following the 2009 general election which had been won by the ANC.

JULIUS MALEMA

Julius Malema is the former the ANC youth league president, was born on 3^rd of march 1981 place of birth Seshego in South Africa. Malema went to Mohlakaneng High School in Seshego

Malema was elected a chairman of the Youth League branch in Seshego and the regional chairman in 1995. In 1997 he became the chairman of the Congress of South African Students (Cosas) for the Limpopo province, and was elected as the national president of that organisation in 2001

Malema was elected as the president of the ANC Youth League in April 2008

He was convicted of hate speech in March 2010 and again in September 2011.In November 2011 he was found guilty of sowing divisions within the ANC and, in conjunction with his two-year suspended sentence in May 2010, was suspended from the ANC for five years.

He called on South Africans to "stand up and be counted" and announced his intention to hold consultative forums and platforms across the country to discuss "what is to be done".

Who knows he could be our future president. 

JOHANNESBURG TOWNSHIPS

Townships were usually built on the periphery of towns and cities,During the Apartheid Era blacks were evicted from properties that were in areas designated as "white only" and forced to move into segregated townships.

In 1985 the government introduced Black local Authorities and Township councils as an extension of the apartheid administration. Alexandra residents responded by establishing their own alternative to this. This counter-council was called the Alexandra Action Committee. The committee organised Alexandra into yard, block, and street committees to take over the day to day running of Alexandra Township.

Townships

• Soweto
• Alexandra
• Orange Farm
• Diepkloof
• Tembisa

THE GUMBOOT DANCE

The gumboot dance is an African dance that is performed by dancers wearing wellington boots. This is called the Gumboots dance, the dance began in the gold mine South Africa.

The mine workers were not free to move around at will and were separated from their families for long periods of time. At best, working in the mines was a long, hard, repetitive toil,\. At worst, the men would be taken chained into the mines and shackled at their work stations in almost total darkness.

The workers were forbidden to speak, and as a result create a means of communication, essentially their own unique form of Morse code

Gumboot dancing has developed into a working class. South African art form with a Universal appeal. The dancers expand upon traditional steps. With the addition of contemporary movement. Music and song. Extremely physical, the dancing serves as a cathartic release, celebrating the body as an instrument, and the richness and complexities of South African culture. 

FACTS ABOUT AGRICULTURE

Agriculture plays an important role for South African economy.
Cereals and grains are South African's most important crops, occupying more than 60 percent of hectare under cultivation in the 1990's. Maize, the country's most important crop, is a dietary staple, a source of livestock feed, and an export crop. 

The largest export groups are wine, citrus, maize, grapes, sugar, apples, pears and quinces. Other important export products are undermatured ethyl alcohol, avocados, pineapples  date preserved fruit and nuts, as well as hides and skins.

Primary agriculture contributes about 3% to South African's gross domestic product (GDP) and about 7% to formal employment. 
However, there are strong linkages into the economy, so that the agro-industrial sector comprises about 12% of GDP. 

For the past five years, agricultural exports have contributed on average about 6,5 % of total South African exports increased from 5 % (1988) to 46% (2009) of agricultural 

CLEAN COUNTRY

THE NAME IS :    THANDANANI CLEANING PROJECT IS

A clean up campaign is getting bigger and bigger the motive is clean up our environment, but they will need all the help they can get. They need more people volunteering and more donations. They need trucks, garbage removal equipment 

for the project to be successful.

HOW TO KEEP CLEAN THE ENVIRONMENT

The Thandanani cleaning project mission: s Pretoria residents living in a healthy environment, but the community members do not want to work together and they continue creating illegal dumping sites” said the leader of the Thandanani cleaning project 

They are no planning to start a door to door campaign whereby they will educate households about the hazards of illegal dumping sites within our community. The problem is that residents do not want to wait for the municipality to come and collect the waste.

Member of the community are making their job difficult and it seems that they forget     

SHAKA OF THE ZULU

Shaka was the first son of  Senzangakhona and Nandi he grew up at his mother’s place
also known as Shaka zulu was in the year 1787 in Kwazulu-Natal, 
assassinated: 1828 September 22
Dingane and Mhlangana, Shaka's half-brothers, appear to have made at least two attempts to assassinate Shaka before they succeeded, He was the most influential leader of the Zulu Kingdom

Dingiswayo's death

According to the diary of Henry Francis Fynn, Dingiswayo's death (c.1818) was the result of Shaka's treachery, though firm testimony of this is lacking. However, it is known that when Dingiswayo fought his last battle, Shaka did not arrive at the scene until after his overlord's capture. He thus retained his forces intact. Zwide later murdered Dingiswayo, and, when the leaderless Mthethwa state collapsed, Shaka immediately assumed leadership and began conquering surrounding chiefdoms himself, adding their forces to his own and building up a new kingdom.

WHAT RIGHTS DO CHILDREN HAVE

Child has the right to a safe place to live, food, clean water, clothes, time to play, the right to not be abused or mistreated
A child is any human being below the age of eighteen years, unless under the law applicable to the child..

Economic, social and cultural rights, related to the conditions necessary to meet basic human needs such as food, shelter, education, health care, and gainful employment. Included are rights to education, adequate housing, food, water, the highest attainable standard of health, the right to work and rights at work, as well as the cultural rights of minorities and indigenous peoples.


Environmental, cultural and developmental rights, which are sometimes called "third generation rights," and including the right to live in safe and healthy environments and that groups of people have the right to cultural, political, and economic development.


Protection: Children have the right to protection from abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination.

Provision: Children have the right to an adequate standard of living, health care, education and services, and to play and recreation.

Participation: Children have the right to participate in communities and have programs and services for themselves.

JACARANDAS IN PRETORIA

The Jacaranda tree is originally from South America.
Pretoria is one of the places that has a lot of Jacaranda trees. All the main streets of Pretoria especially the Central Business District has got Jacaranda trees  
In the older sections of town, such as Brooklyn, Jacarandas line the streets of entire neighborhoods, They usually blossom around August, September and October, the flowers of the trees will turn purple during this time, almost the whole city turns purple, You will Pretoria during this time.

In History 

The word jacaranda was described in A supplement to Mr. Chambers’s Cyclopaedia, 1st edition (1753) as “a name given by some authors to the tree the wood of which is the log-wood, used in dying and in medicine” and as being of Tupi-Guarani origin, by way of Portuguese. 

SOCIAL GRAND IN SOUTH AFRICA

SERVICE DELIVERY SOUTH AFRICA 

Hundreds of people queue up to re-register for social grants in Pretoria as the closing date is drawing near 
Not knowing what they are going to eat or feed their children as the closing date to re-register for social grants is around the corner, the people are walking up as early as 02:00 to be first in the queue to re-register is 31 March and they are afraid they could lose their grants forever. 

They complain that they were given appointment, but when they came on the appointment date, they told them the appointment has been cancelled

WORDS FROM MOTHER

BE WISE / HUMBLE 

“If you can dream - and not make dreams your master”. 

If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim. 

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and 

treat those two imposters just the same... 

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue. 

Or walk with kings. Nor lose the common touch. 

If neither foes not loving friends can hurt you. 

If all men count with you. But none too much. 

If you can fill the unforgiving minute -

with sixty seconds worth of distance run, 

Yours is the earth and everything that’s in it. 

And - which is more - 

You’ll be a MAN, my son”.

“My destiny was set out for me..........All I’m

doing is living it out.....

CAUSES OF EAR INFECTION

Did you know over 800 000 South African people  suffer from ear infection caused by using a stick of matches. To be on the safe side let us use Earbuds for cleaning our ears.
  

YOUTH DAY

JUNE 16

The Soweto uprising, also know as June 16, is a series of protests led by high school students in South Africa that began on the morning of 16 June 1976. Students from numerous Sowetan schools began to protest in the streets of Soweto in response to the introduction of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in local schools. An estimated 20,000 students took part in the protests. The number of people who died is usually given as 176. With estimates of up to 700. June 16 is now a public holiday, Youth Day, in South African, in remembrance of the events of 1976.