MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A new chief financial officer (CFO) has been appointed at Mossel Bay Municipality who has had roles in financial leadership at Kouga and Nelson Mandela Bay municipalities who left the municipality in September last year Fredericks had been at the municipality since March 2021 Mayor Dirk Kotzé announced the news of Thys’ appointment today He said Thys had “an impressive academic background including a Master of Business Leadership Degree and a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Financial Accounting” together with Thys' wealth of experience at Kouga and Nelson Mandela Bay “he is exceptionally prepared to steer the municipality’s financial affairs with skill and dedication” ‘We bring you the latest Garden Route Media Release by Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure  The Western Cape Government’s Department of Infrastructure (DOI) and its appointed professional team are making good progress on Contract C0964.02 the upgrading of Louis Fourie Road in Mossel Bay This R520 million project over the anticipated 44 months is the largest provincial government investment in road infrastructure in the Garden Route District Municipality.  “In road construction projects the work behind the scenes and which may not be visible to a member of the travelling public is what takes time This project has now reached the phase in the project lifecycle where the road user would see the progress” The project recently achieved a milestone goal when traffic was diverted onto the newly constructed carriageway between The Lofts and Vredebest on Wednesday Road users should also take note of the upcoming milestones in the coming months:    The opening of the new On-ramp from Vyfbrakkefontein Road to the N2 – 9 May 2025 The opening of the new Off-ramp from the N2 to Vyfbrakkefontein – end May 2025 The temporary ramp past the Shell Garage will remain in place for now until the traffic circle at Vyfbrakkefontein Road is fully completed Extensive works on the entrance to the Langeberg Mall to establish the alignment of the new road Bakker went on to alert road users of changes from 30 April: “There are two points that may cause inconvenience to road users and requires them to consider alternative travel routes and plan for additional travel time: The closure of the slip-lane from the Langeberg Mall onto Louis Fourie Road in the direction of Mossel Bay: This slip lane will remain closed until the new alignment is completed This is currently anticipated for late June 2025 The closure of the Garret Street Intersection with Louis Fourie Road from 30 April 2025 to 17 May 2025 for the construction of the permanent layer works at the new intersection to be completed Road users will not be able to access Garrett Street directly from Louis Fourie Road – access for local businesses will remain in place from Bayview or Gericke Street.  Road users may have noted the difference in level between the road surface and kerb-and-channel along Louis Fourie Road and Garrett Street Road users are reminded that works on this section are not complete as the final asphalt surface must still be constructed.  We have received complaints of ponding along the new carriageway which will be addressed once the final asphalt surfacing is in place All indications are that the drainage structures performed according to plan during recent rains.  Road users are reminded that the roadway and full road reserve is an active construction site Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers expressed his satisfaction with progress to date: “The most recent figures up to end-March 2025 shows that R40 million of the targeted R85 million has been spent on targeted enterprises The target of 58 000 person days of work is also well on its way to being reached with the most recent verified figure standing at 32 600 person-days of work created This means 238 work opportunities have already been achieved of the target of 250 the project is also making good progress in terms of its local subcontractor development programmes the project has seen the appointment of 29 subcontract work packages at the total estimated amount of over R9.4 million thus far The number of dedicated subcontract work packages will increase as the project works progresses towards the completion of the major structures and layer works “The latest project progress report indicates that the project is currently at 60% complete This project is still on track to be completed by the end of the second quarter of the 2026/27 financial year,” Minister Simmers added.  The DOI is aware of the inconvenience the roadworks is causing and thanks residents for their patience during this short-term pain Louis Fourie Road was already under significant strain due to heavy traffic volumes (one of the main reasons for the upgrade) and there is a marked increase in traffic every month Driving through an active construction site is challenging apart from the loss of some traffic flow capacity at certain intersections two-directional roadway for traffic throughout the construction period.  The DOI wishes to thank road users for their patience during the construction period “We remain confident that the long-term benefit will out-perform the short-term inconvenience of road users and that the investment in infrastructure will unlock more economic opportunities,” Minister Simmers concluded Media Enquries:Melt BotesSpokesperson for Provincial Minister Tertuis SimmersTel: 021 483 8067Cell: 082 431 0068Email: Melchior.Botes@westerncape.gov.za Jandré BakkerActing Director: Operational Support Department of InfrastructureEmail: Jandre.Bakker@westerncape.gov.za NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a local 21 foot fishing ski-boat overdue at Gouritsmond The fishing vessel had launched at Gouritsmond both experienced skippers and experienced fishermen but failing to return the alarm was raised The NSRI Mossel Bay rescue craft Spirit of Safmarine III and St Blaise Rescuer were launched while NSRI Still Bay launched the NSRI Still Bay rescue craft Breede Rescuer NSRI Operations headquarters and NSRI Mossel Bay plotted search grids while Telkom Maritime Radio Services broadcast an all ships alert on the marine VHF radio emergency frequency A number of local craft and local fishing vessels private aircraft (private fixed wing aircraft remote drone aircraft and private helicopters) Police WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services) and WC Government Health EMS rescue squad joined NSRI in the extensive search and rescue operation air and shoreline search efforts the casualty boat was found appearing to be washed ashore East of Gouritsmond where during the ongoing search the body of one of the men was located and recovered at the scene on the shoreline The body of the deceased man has been taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services and Police Condolences are conveyed to the family and friends of the deceased man An extensive search continued for the missing man and Police divers are tasked to continue in ongoing search efforts Thoughts are with the family and friends of the missing man are extended to everyone involved in this tragic incident - the causes of the vessel being found (appearing to be) washed ashore remain unknown Families of the 2 men have respectfully requested privacy in this difficult time the local maritime community and vessels at sea in the area of Gouritsmond to keep a sharp look-out for the missing man Good samaritan sadly deceased after assisting struggling paddler off Kalk Bay We’re proud to announce that our newly rebuilt NSRI Station 21 in St Francis Bay is now officially open we held a blessing ceremony for two new state-of-the-art rescue vessels: the Spirit of St Francis III .. Gqeberha — The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) today officially celebrated the blessing of its latest state-of-the-art Offshore Rescue Craft (ORC) at a ceremony held at the PE Deep Sea Angling Club building Subscribe today for information about NSRI rescues SCHOOL NEWS - The Department of Basic Education has revealed that 464 schools in South Africa do not offer Mathematics as a subject In a written parliamentary reply posed by MP Mandla Shikwambana Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube noted that KwaZulu-Natal has the largest number of schools without Mathematics These schools still offer Mathematical Literacy Number of public schools not offering Mathematics the department advises pupils to select their desired subject streams alongside parents and schools.  “While Mathematics remains a high-priority subject schools — particularly smaller ones — may not have sufficient resources or demand to offer both Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy,” she said Gwarube further highlighted the following challenges as the main reasons for having no Mathematics Gwarube said that the DBE actively promotes the offering of Mathematics in all schools with key interventions in place “Schools and learners are consistently encouraged to choose Mathematics over Mathematical Literacy where appropriate Provinces are also supported in strengthening teacher capacity and learner performance in Mathematics “Ongoing professional development includes a focus on methodology with the aim of enhancing learner understanding and retention in Mathematics,” she added several strategic interventions have been put in place many of which align with the findings from recent global and regional assessments “These measures are part of our broader strategy to improve learner participation and performance in Mathematics and ensure that more schools are equipped and encouraged to offer the subject,” Gwarube concluded MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A mass patrol through the streets of Mossel Bay was held in the misty conditions of last Friday evening The patrol was initiated by M Sec Security help and participation of members of the Lower Town Neighbourhood Watch and Mossel Bay Police Station Patrollers gathered at the entrance to the police station at about 19:30 Patrollers also included members of the security companies the chair of the Lower Town Neighbourhood Watch She said the mass patrol was held to make residents aware of the functions of the neighbourhood watch and encourage people to become involved work with the police and other important role players and do not replace them," she said To join the Lower Town Neighbourhood Watch NATIONAL NEWS - Eskom is planning to avoid load shedding during the winter period as its operational performance has improved and it expects additional capacity to come online unplanned outages must remain below 13 gigawatts (GW) load shedding would be limited to a maximum of 21 days out of 153 days at stage 2 - an improvement over the prior winter’s worst-case prediction of stage 5 load shedding,” Eskom Group Chief Executive Addressing a media briefing on Eskom’s State of the System for the 2024/2025 financial year Marokane said the improved winter outlook is due to a 3.1GW decrease in unplanned outages compared to the previous year.  the forecast range has been lowered to 13-15GW with average unplanned outages at 12.3GW - significantly below the winter 2024 base-case projection of 14GW “This year’s winter outlook prediction is built on an improvement in operational performance and overall efficiency Load shedding was the lowest in Eskom’s last financial year (FY) 2025 than in the previous two years.  Our diesel open cycle gas turbines (OCGTs) were utilised approximately 50% less in FY 2025 compared to the two previous financial years saving around R16 billion,” the CEO said Eskom has seen some setbacks in operational excellence as evidenced by the recent load shedding requirements between January to April 2025.  “A targeted plan has been put in place to reinforce operational discipline and accelerate recovery initiatives to address the root causes related to the recent load shedding events,” Marokane said said Koeberg unit 1 has received the long-term operating go-ahead from the regulator to ensure 20 years of additional life.  “We have been able to restore Kusile unit 2 and 3 Kusile unit 1 will be placed back in its original form before the end of May The three units at Kusile will give us [additional] megawatts (MW) during the winter period “Kusile unit 6 has been synchronised to the grid It is [providing electricity] and at times we will get the long-term benefits of the unit “We plan to bring back Medupi unit 4 back to service during winter It has been out of service for about four years We are expecting to get about 800MW in the middle of winter,” Ramokgopa said The Minister said load reduction will remain in place to protect the equipment and as a safety precaution to protect the lives of those who are close to the infrastructure when it gets overloaded due to rampant illegal connections Eskom implemented load shedding for 13 days compared to 329 and 208 in the two previous years Marokane said Eskom supplied South Africa with more electricity and reduced load shedding without the extensive use of diesel during the period under review “We had a 45% reduction in diesel consumption against the backdrop of the highest send out in the last three years and the lowest load shedding days “We used the OCGTs very tactically to support the high vulnerability and once we have our capacity you will see the diesel expenditure going down significantly,” he said According to Eskom Group Executive for Generation Eskom has continued to maintain high levels of planned maintenance as part of efforts to improve fleet reliability in preparation for the high winter demand while also meeting environmental licence conditions and regulatory requirements “We have evolved our Generation Recovery Plan to ensure our data-led analysis into the delays in returning units from outages on time which has caused our fleet to be constrained and not able to accommodate a sudden loss of units high support' culture to support our teams to rectify this situation,” Nxumalo said NATIONAL NEWS - A gruesome double murder shocked the quiet suburb of Henley on Klip near Meyerton Vaalweekblad reports that according to Constable Nompumelelo Zazini police responded to a distress call at approximately 19:15 and arrived at a house in Shiplake Street where the bodies of a 54-year-old woman and her 16-year-old son were found near the property’s gate The Henley on Klip CPF was first to respond and secured the scene so that the police could conduct a proper investigation without contaminating evidence Both victims had sustained multiple stab wounds to the neck Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Taunyana confirmed that the prime suspect is the victims’ older son (25) He allegedly fled the scene but later handed himself over at Meyerton Police Station He is in custody and faces two counts of murder The man is expected to appear in court soon The motive for the attack is unknown at this stage Local crime scene experts and SAPS members including a sergeant from the Local Criminal Record Centre and police have confirmed that a formal case number will be issued soon The community has been left reeling from the tragedy with many residents expressing disbelief over the family violence has assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway Anyone with information that could assist the police in the investigation can contact the Meyerton police on 016 360 4700 or use the MySAPS App to provide the police with information confidentially Article: Caxton Network News NATIONAL NEWS - With a stable power system Eskom is set host a state of the system media briefing on Monday as the winter period sets in supported by adequate emergency reserves that are strategically deployed when necessary to manage periods of peak demand This proactive management contributes to the overall reliability and resilience of the electricity supply,” the power utility said on Friday the power utility said planned maintenance activities are ongoing as part of efforts to prepare for the anticipated winter peak demand while also ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and environmental requirements “For year-to-date (1 April to 1 May) an average of 6 928MW — equivalent to 14.82% of total generation capacity—has been under planned maintenance This reflects a 3.4 percentage point increase compared to the same period last year stands at 28.26% for the financial year-to-date (1 April to 1 May) This reflects an improvement of approximately 1.6 percentage points compared to 29.82% recorded during the same period last year,” it said reliance on diesel usage is expected to decline as maintenance activities wind down and additional units return from long-term repairs during the winter months “A total of 2 850MW will be returned to service before the evening peak on Monday to further stabilise the grid,” it said The power utility added that while load shedding remains suspended and electricity demand continues to rise the public should help to prevent transformer overloads and related equipment failures which can result in explosions and prolonged outages “This can be achieved by avoiding illegal connections purchasing electricity only from Eskom-accredited vendors and ensuring that customers take responsibility for regularising their electricity usage.” Eligible households are encouraged to register for free basic electricity with their local municipalities Any illegal activity impacting Eskom’s infrastructure should be reported to the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 112 722 or via WhatsApp on 081 333 3323 Eskom requests the public to continue to use electricity efficiently,” it said Monday’s briefing is set to take place at Eskom’s Megawatt Park offices in Johannesburg NATIONAL NEWS - Rapper K.O finally won a Metro FM award in his home province of Mpumalanga after being named the Best Hip-Hop artist “The fact that it’s in my province and apparently this is the last Metro FM awards in Mpumalanga is a beautiful moment,” K.O told The Citizen after accepting his award K.O was the most nominated artist at the Metro FM awards with seven nods but walked away empty-handed on the third and final year of the Metro FM awards being held in his home province the rap artist hails from Mpumalanga and said winning the award in his home province means more My family is from the far east of the province The fact that they drove all the way up here to witness the moment is quite encouraging for me.” the Metro FM awards were held at Mpumalanga’s Mbombela stadium for the final year after being hosted in the province for three years Some of the night’s biggest winners were Makhadzi who walked away with the Artist of the Year award Amapiano boy band Woodblock DJs won the Best Viral Challenge for Skuta Baba this year’s Best Jazz Album winner Linda Sikhakhane won an award that he missed out on two years ago “First of all I wasn’t expecting to win as I said we never prepare for these moments because I understand the stature of the category and the people that were part of [it] To be given this opportunity is very humbling,” Sikhakhane told The Citizen on the night The category was one of the most competitive on the night with artists such as Thandiswa Mazwai ( Sankofa) Nomfundo Xaluva (Ndilapha) and Sydney Mavundla (Dirge for our Fathers) were all nominated Article: Caxton publication, The Citizen MOTORING NEWS - Motorists will breathe a sigh of relief from Wednesday as the cost of all grades of petrol are set to come down This as the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe announced the adjustment of fuel prices based on current local and international factors with effect from Wednesday The price of petrol 93 (ULP and LRP) will decrease by 22 cents a litre while the price of 95 (ULP and LRP) will also come down by 22 cents a litre a litre of petrol 95 costs R21.62 in Gauteng Meanwhile the price of Diesel (0.05% sulphur) will decrease by 42 cents a litre and that of Diesel (0.005% sulphur) will come down by 41 cents a litre The price of Illuminating Paraffin (wholesale) will decrease by 31 cents per litre The Single Maximum National Retail Price (SMNRP) for illuminating paraffin will see a 41 cent decrease and the maximum LPGas Retail Price will increase by 46 cents per kilogram “The average Brent Crude oil price decreased from 71.04 US Dollars (USD) to 66.40 USD during the period under review,” said the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources It added that the tariff and trade war initiated by the United States which has raised global economic recession concerns and oversupply of oil from non-OPEC countries and the anticipated increase in oil production by OPEC+ members were the main contributing factors for the fuel price adjustments “The average international petroleum product prices of petrol and diesel followed the decreasing trend of crude oil prices while the price of LPG increased due to higher freight (shipping costs) during the period under review,” said the department NATIONAL NEWS - The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has announced the introduction of a mandatory biometric enrolment and identity verification process for grant recipients who use alternative forms of identification other than the standard 13-digit South African ID number Springs Advertiser reports that this move forms part of Sassa’s efforts to enhance the security and to protect the integrity of the country’s social grant system All new applicants who do not use the standard South African ID as well as existing clients undergoing personal information reviews or changes will be required to complete the biometric enrolment process which aligns with Regulation 13(1) of the Social Assistance Act [13 of 2004] is a proactive measure aimed at enhancing security and preventing potentially fraudulent activities related to identity misrepresentation,” says Sassa spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi To ensure a smooth implementation across all regions Sassa’s information and communication technology team in collaboration with the State Information Technology Agency has trained a group of designated ‘super-users’ These people will now facilitate regional training under the ‘Train-the-Trainer’ programme equipping staff at every Sassa office to manage biometric enrolments efficiently Sassa has also committed to ensuring that all offices are adequately staffed to assist clients and avoid delays during the rollout “Sassa is pulling out all the stops in tightening its systems and implementing measures meant to safeguard social grants – ensuring that we pay the right grant to the right person at the right time and place Njalo!” the agency said in a statement For enquiries about social grants, beneficiaries are encouraged to contact Sassa’s toll-free number at 0800 60 10 11 or email grantenquiries@sassa.gov.za MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A brand-new electric wheelchair was donated to the Garden Route SPCA Mossel Bay branch and is being sold by the branch to raise much-needed funds for the organisation The chair comes with a battery and a charger as well as interchangeable bumper colours To find out more about the chair and make an offer on it contact the SPCA Mossel Bay branch on 044 693 0824 NATIONAL NEWS - While all three accused in the Joshlin Smith trial have been convicted uncertainty continues to cloud the case as the child’s whereabouts remain unknown Western Cape High Court Judge Nathan Erasmus found Racquel “Kelly” Smith Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking Erasmus delivered the verdict in Saldanha Bay ruling that the state had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt regarding Joshlin’s disappearance from Middelpos on 19 February 2024 The convicted trio now face life imprisonment the prescribed minimum sentence for human trafficking Speaking to the media at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville “She must tell me where my grandchild is “Nobody knows if Joshlin is still alive so I am angry and I don’t want to see her… I believe she knows where the child is,” Smith Daniels added Joshlin’s paternal grandmother, Louretta Yon, welcomed the court’s ruling but echoed the urgent need to find the missing child “I am very tired,” Yon told reporters The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) lauded the conviction and acknowledged the wide-ranging efforts that went into the investigation “This case saw the largest number of resources put together from the police the Navy and the community of Saldanha in the search for Joshlin Smith “The National Prosecuting Authority salutes those who were involved in these efforts and I want to appeal to them that our responsibility is not over as long as Joshlin Smith remains missing,” Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Nicolette Bell said in a statement Western Cape police commissioner Thembisile Patekile also praised the prosecution and investigative teams for their perseverance “I’m happy about the judgment. We were at some stage reluctant [and] hesitant, but we knew that our investigation team and the process team had put up a case and it was up to the judge to make a determination,” he told eNCA Patekile emphasised that the missing person investigation remains open “We’re still looking for Joshlin and we’re still appealing to every person “At one stage you could recall that we even stopped a vessel in Great Britain we were searching that vessel up to nothing But we still hope that we will get closer to [finding] Joshlin,” he said “We were hoping that Kelly Smith would take the [witness] stand so that we would find where is Joshlin “Unfortunately we could not get that opportunity because she was exercising in the right to remain silent The investigation is not closed,” the commissioner remarked PROPERTY NEWS - Selling a home quickly can feel daunting There are many reasons for needing a fast sale whether to avoid missing out on a home you’ve just put in an offer for or simply wanting to avoid the extended stress of a lengthy selling process.  the right approach can expedite the sale significantly explains that property remains a great investment due to its potential to appreciate in value you should always be able to sell it to recoup your initial investment.  “If you have purchased a property in desirable enough location you should have little trouble selling quickly when the time comes,” he states When pushed into a situation where you want to close a deal fast Goslett suggests taking a flexible approach to pricing.  competitive asking price is essential when aiming for a speedy sale Ask your real estate agent for insights into local real estate trends and comparable properties then price your home somewhere within your market's range.  "Avoid aiming for the highest possible price as this can significantly limit buyer interest and prolong the selling process competitive price can spark interest quickly and encourage multiple offers potentially driving the final price higher through competition,” Goslett explains Goslett stresses the importance of first impressions.  “Homes gain maximum exposure with the first 24 hours of being listed on property portals This is because most portals share alerts with users when there are new listings that meet the users’ search criteria.  it is not a wise idea to take short cuts and avoid the use of a professional photographer and possibly even a home staging service You need to do all you can to ensure those listing photos draw buyers in immediately,” he stresses “It goes without saying that the better condition the home is in the broader the appeal it will have among buyers and the quicker it is likely to sell If you don’t have the time to get the home in top condition then you may need to compromise on price to attract a quicker sale,” he notes There are other more aggressive strategies that could also be considered if you are in a true rush to sell.  If you are up for trying something different speak to your real estate agent and find out if it would be worthwhile to boost your listing on the agent’s social media platforms or to try an out-of-the box marketing stunt like leveraging a local influencer or hosting a themed open house party my advice is to rely on the guidance of your chosen real estate professional Experienced agents understand local markets intimately and possess negotiation skills that can significantly streamline and expedite the selling process Trusting their advice can save you valuable time and increase your chances of a swift and successful sale,” Goslett concludes LIFESTYLE NEWS - When you order water in a restaurant the choice often comes down to “still or sparkling?” yet behind that simple question lies a much bigger story.  Understanding what goes into a truly safe and responsibly bottled water brand is important With South Africa facing growing water challenges from deteriorating municipal infrastructure to localised contamination more people are turning to bottled water as a trusted alternative.  But here’s the catch: not all bottled water meets the same standards That’s where SANBWA accreditation makes a critical difference The South African National Bottled Water Association (SANBWA) sets some of the most stringent quality and sustainability standards in the world.  Members must adhere to strict protocols that go far beyond basic hygiene aligning with both local Department of Health regulations and international best practice It’s easy to think bottled water is just water in a sealed container but SANBWA-accredited brands go through rigorous checks before reaching your hands.  not all so-called “green” options are what they seem Take “biodegradable bottles” for example.  they’re not recyclable in South Africa and often end up as contamination in the recycling system Another trend to be cautious about is in-house refilled water If water is bottled and served (even in a café or wellness studio) it’s legally considered packaged water and must comply with strict safety regulations.  These are impossible to meet outside of a certified bottling facility jugs of tap water that can be cleaned thoroughly are fine make sure it’s from a SANBWA-accredited source Why this matters for your health and the planet Choosing a SANBWA-accredited brand means you’re making a conscious choice transparency and environmental responsibility Whether you’re hydrating after a yoga class packing school lunches or setting your dinner table knowing what’s in your bottle and where it comes from matters “When you choose a SANBWA-accredited brand you’re choosing peace of mind for your family and the environment.” So next time you're shopping for water Don’t miss out on all the fun the last day of the Garden Route Family Experiences has to offer you today With an exciting programme for the day ahead including a car show with vintage classics on display and exhilarating rally sprints on a 15km track there is no better way to spend your Saturday with family and friends BUSINESS NEWS - Acts of kindness go beyond a single day - they are a daily reminder of the transformative power of generosity Simple acts of goodwill can nurture happiness creating a ripple effect that strengthens both individuals and communities.  When kindness is woven into the fabric of organisations dedicated to uplifting others which has made it a core part of its mission to empower communities through meaningful work and financial support Relate Bracelets has demonstrated how empowering individuals promotes personal happiness and sets in motion a cycle of generosity This cycle spreads from one person to another catalysing further acts of kindness and creating an ever-expanding ripple effect capable of transforming entire communities The psychology and emotional benefits of kindnessThe act of kindness has a profound psychological and emotional impact.  A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology shows that engaging in acts of kindness can lead to improved mood and heightened well-being for both the giver and the recipient Kindness releases chemicals like oxytocin and dopamine often referred to as “feel-good” hormones.  These chemicals are linked to feelings of connection which is why acts of kindness often result in a sense of satisfaction for both parties involved says: "Random acts of kindness are not just gestures of goodwill they are powerful tools for healing and connection not only uplifting the recipient but also enriching the giver."  and creates a ripple effect of compassion that transforms lives." Studies also suggest that kindness significantly reduces stress levels which is essential in today’s fast-paced Stress is a leading contributor to mental health issues like anxiety and depression.  individuals not only alleviate stress in their own lives but also contribute to creating a supportive environment for others it strengthens social bonds and cultivates a sense of belonging; critical for emotional well-being The cycle of joy and purposeRelate Bracelet’s initiatives reveal a simple truth: when individuals are empowered they gain a sense of purpose that drives them to give back Empowerment can take many forms; whether through financial support they gain a greater sense of control over their lives which fuels their drive to help others in similar situations Relate Bracelet’s support of local education initiatives has helped provide underprivileged youth with scholarships and access to career development resources who otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to pursue higher education creating a cycle of giving that strengthens communities from within.” This phenomenon aligns with the concept of positive contagion where positive emotions and behaviours spread from one person to another Acts of kindness often create a “snowball effect,” with recipients passing it on to others leading to a wider culture of compassion.  creating a sense of collective purpose and connection Building a culture of compassionKindness should not be limited to just one day a year - it can be embedded in the everyday culture of a workplace which integrates kindness into its mission to empower communities serves as an inspiring example of how organisations can implement compassion-driven solutions to address societal challenges Embedding kindness into the core values of an organisation requires a commitment to creating an environment where empathy This can be achieved by strategic partnerships that align with an organisation’s values and creating opportunities for individuals to contribute to causes they care about.  it encourages people to act with integrity and consideration toward others creating lasting bonds that ripple through communities Let us remember that every small act has the power to create lasting change creating a ripple effect that transforms lives for the better MOTORING NEWS - Motorists have been warned about delays when applying for new and renewed driver’s licences, as the country’s only card printer is still broken, Pretoria Rekord reports According to the National Department of Transport the machine used to print the cards has been broken since February Tshwane spokesperson Selby Bokaba said it could take several weeks before the machine is fully operational a licence card application takes between six to eight weeks to be issued Drivers are advised to apply for their driving licence renewal before they expire to enable them to qualify for a three-month grace period,” he said He said those who have already applied for licence cards can present proof of the renewal application to law enforcement officers if they are pulled over while driving “The other option is to apply for a temporary driving licence which is valid for six months,” Bokaba said According to The Citizen the licence card printing machine is 26 years old and has had almost 160 breakdowns Transport Minister Barbara Creecy’s spokesperson Collen Msibi told the publication that the department is working on repairing the machine should be running again by mid-May requesting urgent feedback on the ongoing breakdown of the licence card printing machine “Motorists are once again being subjected to delays and inconvenience due to the ongoing failures of this outdated system The Department must explain why the machine is not operational despite previous repairs and maintenance contracts,” Outa’s CEO Wayne Duvenage said MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The highly-anticipated 45th Buffalo Rally began in Mossel Bay at 20:00 yesterday which draws motorcyclists from across the country According to event organiser Luderick Jacoby at this stage 1 194 people are attending the Buffalo Rally The event is taking place at the ATKV Resort in Hartenbos until Sunday This weekend's Buffalo Rally is the 17th hosted in Mossel Bay Listed on the programme of events is a Miss Buff pageant competition at 20:00 tonight live music throughout the weekend and more Programme of events for the 2025 Buffalo Rally.  MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) released a statement following protest action at Benevolent Park senior citizens' complex on Wednesday reiterates the ACDP's solidarity with residents demonstrating due to dissatisfaction with the current management and board of directors of Benevolent Park The party also opposed the possible eviction of seven residents of the senior citizens' complex ConcernThe ACDP voiced its concern regarding Mossel Bay Municipality's alleged inability to provide the original agreement or contract it held with Benevolent Park the municipality stated that it no longer has this document on record "We strongly support calls for a formal and urgent investigation into the facility's change from a non-profit organisation (NPO) to a non-profit company (NPC) - a move that raises serious questions about legality ethics and governance," reads the statement The conversion was made by the municipality in 2024 apparently in a bid to save Benevolent Park which was facing financial challenges.  the decision was reportedly opposed by some residents and the broader community The ACDP voiced opposition to deregistering Benevolent Park as an NPO at the time the decision was made openly questioning the motive behind the conversion to an NPC Mossel Bay Advertiser contacted the municipality for comment regarding the ACDP's statement It responded: "In terms of a council resolution the property was leased to the Mosselbaai Benevolent Vereeniging vir Bejaardesorg being an NPO for a period of nine years and 11 months as from 1 November 2013 council resolved to lease the property to a newly-established NPC namely the Benevolent Park Non-Profit Company (NPC)." 'Equally alarming'Speaking on the ongoing eviction order the ACDP called the situation "equally alarming" According to the ACDP and the residents facing possible eviction the reason is allegedly because those residents "raised concerns about the legality of the NPC registration or questioned the increasingly authoritarian approach to management" noted the ACDP in its statement The ACDP has called for full transparency from the municipality as well as a pause on all eviction proceedings The seven residents appeared in the Mossel Bay Magistrate's Court in February and are awaiting a new court date.  GOURITSMOND NEWS - The hull and bits of wreckage among rocks at Gouritsmond are all that remain of the Zindago The two had gone out to sea on 26 April.  The wreckage of the boat washed ashore at Gouritsmond the following day Bester was a Mossel Bay resident and Hemphill lives in George Mossel Bay Advertiser went to the scene of the wreckage It was accessed by parking at a spot past the Kanon Private Nature Reserve and then walking to Gouritsmond for about two kilometres on a path on the rocky shoreline The name of the boat can be seen on a piece of wreckage which appears to have been placed with other pieces of the boat From about 50 metres further down the path People are urged not to go to the site of the wreckage as the search is still ongoing The hull on a rock and pieces of the boat in a pool.  Some of the debris in a rock pool near the underside of the hull global markets have delivered strong annual returns — around 8% to 10% per year Any investor would be happy with that result But those returns didn’t come in a straight line There were multiple points where it felt like the market was on the verge of collapse — Brexit they recovered — often faster than expected Every little red ‘X’ in the chart above felt like the world was ending This is the reality of investing: the path is messy That’s why we design portfolios with this in mind.  For clients who may need access to funds in the next year or two we set aside enough in cash or low-risk assets so they’re not forced to sell growth investments during a downturn.  It’s not about avoiding volatility — it’s about being prepared for it Because here’s the key point: drawdowns are normal But holding a diversified portfolio — and staying invested — continues to beat cash over time You don’t need to predict the next crash You just need a plan that makes it easier to hold on when it comes Matthew Matthee has a wealth management business that specialises in retirement planning and investments. He writes about financial markets, investments, and investor psychology. He holds a Masters Degree in Economics from Stellenbosch University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning from UFS. MatthewM@gravitonwm.com  MOSSEL BAY NEWS AND VIDEO - Shannon Kiewiet of Civic Park is pleased to have had a small role in the television series Kiewiet is signed with Gemini Model and Talent Agency broadcasts every Sunday at 18:00 on eExtra It is currently in its first season.  The Aunt Sylvie Show sitcom was born out of the Ouma Sarie television series.  Aunty Sylvia was a friend of the character Ouma Sarie in the series Aunty Sylvia now has her own show and Ouma Sarie appears on it every now and then.  whose funny scene took place in the first episode of the series on 13 April He fell and was injured while busy with the job and returned to fetch his cellphone Kiewiet says: "I was really excited to get the role It was always my dream to be an actor."  I used to work on the PetroSA platform - the Orca "I made food and did cleaning work.”  The role of Aunty Sylvia is played by Oudtshoorn actress Mirinda Ntantiso Shannon KiewietBELOW: A VIDEO OF THE SCENE GOURITSMOND NEWS - The body of one man has been recovered and one man remains missing after the fishing boat that the two men had been on was located washed ashore east of Gouritsmond on Sunday.The NSRI noted in a statement that police divers (Water Policing and Diving Services) are continuing to search for the man NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a local 21-foot fishing ski-boat overdue in returning to Gouritsmond with the two men - both experienced skippers and experienced fishermen - on board.  but when it did not return the alarm was raised NSRI Operations headquarters and NSRI Mossel Bay plotted search grids while Telkom Maritime Radio Services broadcast an all-ships alert on the marine VHF radio emergency frequency Police WPDS and WC Government Health EMS rescue squad joined the NSRI in the extensive search and rescue operation The boat was found and the body of one of the men on the shoreline Family of the men are being supported by the NSRI the NSRI notes.It appealed to the local community maritime community and vessels at sea to keep a sharp look-out for the missing man the Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (S.M.A.R.T.) was called to Little Brak River Beach to assist a subantarctic fur seal in distress posted on its Facebook page that when its volunteers arrived they found the seal was not in the best condition "After careful assessment by our vet and consultation with the relevant authorities we decided the safest option was to capture it and transport him to Hartenbos Animal Hospital for monitoring and care," stated the post It further stated that since the seal was taken to the vet he was doing well and it was hoped he would be released into the wild soon volunteer Michael de Nobrega took several photographs of the seal resting on the beach before it was taken to Hartenbos Animal Hospital This subantarctic fur seal was found at the Little Brak River Beach last Wednesday According to the Gqeberha-based Bayworld complex website subantarctic fur seals "are great travellers" The site states that "individuals often come ashore on the South African coast in winter where they are easy to identify by their colouration" They have an orange or creamy white chest and face and a brown back and head OPINION - Mossel Bay Advertiser asked Dr Dennis Farrell the managing adviser at the Business Café in George In its simplest terms a VAT increase from 15% to 15.5% - a 0.5% percentage point increase on non-zero-rated products - would have cost the consumer an additional R5 per thousand rand spent on these products not have been any change on VAT zero-rated-products which include amongst others 19 basic food items and illuminating paraffin used primarily for cooking and lighting during the process of debilitating decision making by the government on whether the increase is going ahead or not had to carry the related cost to change their systems to accommodate the increase Due to the increase being repealed it means businesses have had a double cost impact on operational readiness for VAT changes The question now is whether businesses are going to recoup these costs from customers through increased product costs It is reported that the government is projected to lose R75 billion in revenue over the medium term due to not increasing the VAT rate by 0.5% The impact of this on the provision of services is not clear As taxpayers we must insist on real and tangible cutting of costs and an increase in efficiency.  There are two no-brainer areas where the government needs to cut costs - reduction in staff and the associated salary bill inclusive of cutting back on cabinet roles with associated benefits and secondly increased efficiency in service delivery through technology and partnering with the private sector to the level of SMMEs As the public we must not be fooled by the political "brownie badge" mentality of the politicians of most parties now trying to claim victory would have been the number one contender for the Sunday Times' "Mampara" award As the 2025/26 municipal budget process is current it will be interesting to see how the political parties who "fought for the alleviation of cost pressures on the public" during the VAT saga are going to apply these same principals at local level as ratepayers could be facing a minimum eight to 10% increase on their cumulative account from their municipalities.  This means an increase of around 270% above the current March 2025 reported inflation rate (CPI) of 2.7% To put this into perspective: for every R1 000 spent on a municipal account a 10% increase is going to cost the ratepayer R100 more." Read more opinion pieces here.  Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Group Editors and its publications that seasoned competitor Pieter Joubert passed away in an accident this morning The organisers released a statement saying that Joubert was on his first run of the day at King of the Hill when he lost control of his Lotus on the fast uphill straight and veered off the course the event will continue today once the authorities have cleared the scene fans in Knysna are waking up to the sights and sounds of the 2025 Simola Hillclimb commences Let’s see what the weather has in store for the spectators BUSINESS NEWS - Passwords aren’t going anywhere Even with biometrics and multi-factor authentication gaining ground organisations still rely on passwords as a frontline defence – and for good reason But they’re only as strong as the understanding of the people creating them With cybercrime costing the local economy billions each year World Password Day is a good time to get back to basics or shared passwords remain a key vulnerability – and attackers know it South Africa ranked among the top three most-targeted countries in Africa for cyberattacks in 2023 with estimated annual losses exceeding R2.2 billion according to Interpol’s African Cyberthreat Assessment Report (2021) and supported by follow-up data from SABRIC and local infosec consultancies Passwords aren’t a compliance checkbox too many employees are still using Welcome123 or reusing the same login across platforms That’s like locking your front door and leaving the key under the mat Facilitating understanding for employees on this subject is what will culturally shift the strength of this vital frontline defence – just think about how many people currently roll their eyes when companies require frequent password changes whose cybersecurity platform is used by over 70 000 organisations worldwide to address human risk management recommends three essential but simple steps that can quickly facilitate meaningful change while other initiatives form: KnowBe4’s free password strength test is a great way to evaluate how well you think you can create strong passwords Password hygiene isn’t just a technical issue – it’s part of a company’s security culture Small changes in behaviour can shut down big risks before they ever reach your systems MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Miss Buff 2025 has been crowned.  a Mossel Bay visitor who came all the way from Pretoria has taken the crown at this year's Buffalo Rally.  Out of the seven contestants participating in the pageant The highly-anticipated 45th Buffalo Rally began in Mossel Bay at 20:00 yesterday This is the 17th Buffalo Rally hosted in Mossel Bay and has attracted over 1 000 people from far and wide Aside from the Miss Buff pageant competition other attractions include the famous Mass Ride at 11:00 tomorrow as well as live music throughout the weekend Road users were advised that traffic flow may be impacted due to the Buffalo Rally taking place this weekend ‘Ons bring jou die nuutste Tuinroete GARDEN ROUTE | KAROO NEWS - According to Severe Weather and Information Centre SA (Swaicsa) The wintry chill can be felt over the western southern and central parts of the country (very cold over the southern parts of the Northern Cape) but it is warm to hot over the eastern parts of South Africa very light snowfall is possible from Thursday for South Africa and Lesotho The snowfall is mainly in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape high ground It will be cool to cold over most parts of South Africa on Friday except in the far north-eastern parts.  You can expect cold to very cold weather over the southern parts of the Northern Cape interior of the Eastern Cape and south-eastern parts of the Eastern Cape.  Isolated to scattered frost can develop over the southern and south-eastern interior of SA Friday Swaicsa offer the following strategies during cold weather conditions: livestock producers need to give extra attention to their animals Prevention is the key to dealing with hypothermia and other cold weather injuries in livestock What to do when cold conditions are forecast: Subscribe to daily business and company news across 19 industries marks the largest provincial government investment in road infrastructure within the Garden Route District Municipality the project underscores the government’s commitment to modernizing critical transport networks The project is approximately 57% complete after concerted efforts to make up for time lost due to delays outside the control of the contractor The project is on track to be completed by the end of the second quarter of the 2026/27 financial year “A key challenge of this project is its location in an area with numerous underground services and ageing infrastructure including asbestos cement sewer and water mains Delays have occurred because these ageing services must be replaced due to their susceptibility to failure It would be impractical to complete the road upgrade only to dig it up months later for service replacements,” said Tertuis Simmers “Other delays were caused by excavations revealing the presence of services that had been installed but had not been included in officially approved site plans This required the professional team to find solutions to problems that could not have been anticipated when the project plan was developed We had to work around critical infrastructure such as PetroSA Telkom and Transnet Freight Rail infrastructure "We also had to work with public entities to secure their approval and co-operation during construction including Transnet and the National Department of Forestry The works around Garret Street were particularly challenging Relocating Telkom cables to the outside of the new road prism was another significant issue but was completed on Friday Garret Street is as an important link to the industrial and commercial area of Mossel Bay as well as between the residential suburbs of Bayview and Voorbaai Currently there is restricted access to Bayview residents via Garret Street due to the lack of vehicle stacking distance as a result of the short distance between the Garret Street Railway Bridge construction zone and the Louis Fourie Road intersection The volume of traffic could not be accommodated through Garret Street during construction without causing severe delays on Louis Fourie Road the construction team had no other choice but to consider the ‘needs of the many over the needs of the few’ Excavations here also revealed the presence of unknown services that were not on official plans and which therefore required the quick development of in situ engineering solutions The impact of this was that this road had to be closed again after it had been opened during the festive season The only access that could be allowed was access for owners of local businesses The DOI and its professional team remain steadfast in their commitment to have Garret Street to allow access to Bayview by Thursday “We remind road users that keeping this route open during construction is fully in their hands If we find that road users speed through the construction zone we will have no choice but to close it again until works are fully completed,” warned Minister Simmers show R35m of the target of R85m had been spent on this project The target of 58,000 person days of work is also well on its way to being reached with the most recent verified figure standing at 31,000 person days of work created This means 218 work opportunities have already been achieved of a target of 250 the project has seen the appointment of 29 subcontract work packages to the total estimated value of more than R8m so far These specifically designed and dedicated subcontract work packages will increase as the project works progresses The key project milestone for this week includes reopening Garret Street for through traffic to Bayview Work has already started on the re-alignment of the Langeberg Mall entrance the new on- and off-ramps from the N2 to the mall will be completed towards the end of April 2025 This means that the temporary on- and off-ramps adjacent to the Shell Service Station will no longer be required Good progress is expected in May 2025 on the new traffic circle towards Aalwyndal for the on- and off-ramps to the N2 The preparatory work on the traffic circle was an innovative way of helping to ensure that the project stays on track The project team optimised time and resources by advancing work on this section ahead of schedule while delays affected other areas This proactive approach will allow for faster progress on the remaining sections once operations resume Another innovative use of time was to close the intersections at Beach Boulevard East and West and Industrie Road during construction This allowed the team to complete works on the intersection quicker enabling works to be completed within weeks We appreciate the co-operation of local businesses during this process The initial plan indicates the project should have been 63% complete This is a marked improvement over projections at the end of 2024 showing how every role player is actively working towards regaining lost time This 44-month project is still on track to be completed by the end of the second quarter of the 2026/27 financial year The DOI is aware of the inconvenience the roadworks is causing Louis Fourie Road was already under significant strain due to heavy traffic volumes (one of the main reasons for the upgrade) and there is a marked increase in traffic on a monthly basis which could be attributed to more people moving to the area two-directional roadway for traffic throughout the construction period Petition on pedestrian footpath from Sonskynvallei “I have noted that some residents have started a petition against the construction of the new pedestrian footpath which connects Sonskynvallei to Hartenbos It is disappointing that some are opposed to this.” and it has been found that a footpath was on the approved plans which had been through a public participation process The footpath falls within the proclaimed road reserve and is at an advanced construction stage it will improve road safety for pedestrians and connect the community of Sonskynvallei to economic opportunities in Voorbaai It is located within the road reserve but as far away from the roadway as possible The DOI wishes to thank road users for their patience "We are confident that the long-term benefits will outweigh the short-term inconvenience and that this investment in infrastructure will unlock more economic opportunities," Minister Simmers concluded Choose a topic below and thereafter view all articles on the topic using the "Next >" button or swiping left Choose a topic below and thereafter view all articles on the topic using the "Next >" button or the keyboard right arrow key NATIONAL NEWS - Great news for millions of South African grant beneficiaries is that SASSA Gold Cards will remain operational beyond 31 May ensuring uninterrupted access to social grants comes as a relief for beneficiaries who have not yet migrated to the new Postbank Black Cards putting an end to any uncertainty about payment disruptions Postbank reassured users that Gold Cards will continue to function across all payment platforms This means beneficiaries can still withdraw cash and access their funds as usual - no immediate switch is required "We remain committed to ensuring no beneficiary is left without access to their grants," said Postbank CEO Nikki Mbengashe “In keeping with our commitment that we made that Postbank will ensure that no beneficiary will be left with no access to their grants and that there will be no disruptions in payments of grants Gold Cards will continue to work until every beneficiary is transitioned to the new black card “We are therefore hopeful and confident that this announcement addresses any concern relating to the payments of any beneficiaries that may not have yet obtained their Black Cards,” Mbengashe The CEO advised social grant beneficiaries to ignore any call that they must change banks “We plead with them to be wary of misleading information that their Gold Cards will not work and that they need to change banks because of this,” she said Beneficiaries are also asked to always only respond to Postbank published communication when it comes to their SASSA Gold Cards and the Black Cards as the only authorised entity that is responsible for the issuing of these cards Beneficiaries are further advised that whenever they come across any information regarding their cards that has not been communicated by Postbank they should not believe what is being said Postbank said this will prevent beneficiaries from being misled as the entity observes increased amounts of incorrect information being communicated about the SASSA cards recently “As the Gold Cards will continue to work and all beneficiaries can continue to use those cards and their Black Cards to access payments Postbank notifies the beneficiaries that it has put a temporary suspension of the distribution of new Black Cards in its sites until further notice has no impact on anyone who currently has a Postbank Black Card as that card will continue to work as per normal,” the entity said will remain open and available to beneficiaries to access the following services: LIFESTYLE NEWS - With Mother’s Day fast approaching on Sunday several successful Capsicum Culinary Studio alumni – many of whom attribute their passion for cooking to their mothers – shared a recipe for something they’d make their mom on her special day who is currently working as a Senior Chef de Partie at the Angus Hotel in Blairgowrie Scotland says she will be celebrating Mother’s Day with a phone call to her mom and then “either organise her a massage or book a table for her and a friend to have lunch at her favourite restaurant.” Lehabe says her favourite dish her mom made when she was growing up was Ting (fermented sorghum) “It will always be something I crave and I get her to make it for me when I’m home.” what would she dish up for her mother on Mother’s Day “I would definitely make her breakfast it was the only way I could surprise and spoil her She really loves my Orange & Elderflower Panna Cotta so here’s the recipe for anyone else who wants to give it a go for their mom.” let the gelatin bloom by sprinkling it over water and let it sit for 5 min Add the gelatin mixture and stir with a whisk until dissolved Pour mix into tumbler glasses and leave to set (about six hours) before decorating with edible flowers Isla Rechner returned to South Africa in late 2020 after spending several years working for the late chef Bill Granger in London Rechner is busy with her private cheffing services including developing freezer meals and desserts we’ll most likely head to one of the local wine estates for a family-friendly breakfast or a relaxed picnic on Mother’s Day,” she says What was her favourite dish her Mom made when she was growing up “I think there’s always something wonderfully nostalgic about a mom’s cooking My mom was never particularly enthusiastic about spending time in the kitchen but her roast chicken was always beautifully comforting It still brings back warm memories and is a dish I ask her to make when she visits.” And what would she make for her Mom on this special day I’d definitely want to create a showstopper dessert for her and strawberry tart is bursting with both flavour and colour It’s also deceptively simple to make — which is always a win in my book.” Rub in the butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs Wrap the dough in cling film and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.  Roll out the chilled pastry to 3mm thickness Chill the lined tart tin in the fridge for 1 hour to prevent shrinkage during baking.  Blind bake the tart case: line the pastry with baking paper and fill it with baking beans or rice Bake for 20 minutes or until the pastry is golden and fully cooked (Note: Any leftover pastry can be wrapped tightly in cling film and refrigerated for up to 4 days.) For the white chocolate & basil ganache gently heat the Greek yoghurt with the basil until warm Remove from heat and allow to infuse for 10 minutes Strain the yoghurt to remove the basil leaves combine the infused yoghurt and white chocolate.  Set the bowl over a pot of gently simmering water (double boiler) and stir until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy Pour the ganache into the cooled tart shell Place the sliced strawberries in a small bowl Sift over the icing sugar and toss gently to coat Arrange the macerated strawberries around the edge of the chilled ganache tart in an overlapping pattern Garnish with baby basil leaves and a scattering of white chocolate curls Serve chilled for a beautifully balanced tart that's as eye-catching as it is delicious Pretorius worked at several top hotels and restaurants in Dubai after graduating He has also written a cookbook called The Sweet Side of Life which is due to be published this year “Although my mom passed away many years ago I’ll be honouring her memory by cooking something she was well known for amongst friends and family - her Sout Tert (Savoury Tart) It was also my favourite dish when growing up and to this day it holds so many warm memories so I thought it would be a good recipe to share.” “If I could get to spend a Mother’s day with her I’d bake her a carrot cake and I know it would make her smile.” ½ tsp cream of tartar and 1½ tsp salt 60ml white vinegar and ¾ cup ice water Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and knead for a few minutes Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours.  roll out and cut into circles that can be placed in a muffin pan Beat the eggs then stir them into the sauce Spoon the filling into the pastry shells in the muffin pan Bake at 180°C until light golden brown Tinotenda Sadziwa was the Pastry Chef at Winslow’s Tavern in Cape Cod Massachusetts in the US but she’s now back home in Zimbabwe working as a full-time home baker She is currently being kept busy offering personalised Mother’s Day cake designs with heartfelt messages “I already have orders for classic vanilla and rich chocolate cakes which I will adorn with fresh flowers to make the day extra special and I’m also creating gift boxes filled with an assortment of baked goods that will include a handwritten note and a mini bouquet with each order “I am also going to donate a cake to a local old people’s shelter to the grannies there; they also deserve to be celebrated.” Sadziwa says her favourite dish that her mother used to make when she was growing up was lasagna and stuffed chicken “Each layer was a statement to her love Eating her lasagna was more than just a meal it was a cherished memory filled with warmth and love the thought of it brings back fond memories of family gatherings and cozy Sunday evenings reminding me of the joy that good food can bring.” Sadziwa is going to make her mom’s all-time favourite - Grilled Chicken with Ratatouille Heat half of the oil in a large oven proof skillet over medium heat Add the eggplant and fry until golden brown (2-3 minutes) Add the remaining oil to the skillet and fry the zucchini just until golden and slightly softened.  Season with a pinch of salt and pepper and set aside to the same bowl with the eggplant.  onion and garlic and sauté for about 5 minutes Add the plum tomatoes and balsamic vinegar bring to a simmer and break the tomatoes with the back of a wooden spoon.  Allow the sauce to simmer until it starts to thicken Partially cover the pan and cook over low heat for about 30 minutes or until sauce is thick and veggies are tender.  you can bake it uncovered in the preheated oven at 180°C for 30-35 minutes oregano and thyme; generously season with salt and pepper Cover bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour (overnight is even better).  Prepare a grill for medium-high heat; preheat 5 minutes basting with reserved marinade and turning halfway through Serve with ratatouille and fresh ciabatta bread NATIONAL NEWS AND VIDEO - A group of people were lucky to escape unscathed after being charged by a hippo in St Lucia on Tuesday night Video footage shared widely on social media shows a hippo grazing on a piece of ground in the town when three people ventured too close the hippo reacted defensively and charged them While the people appear to have got away unscathed it is hoped they developed a newfound respect for wildlife VIDEO: A group of people escaped unscathed after being charged by a hippo MOSSEL BAY NEWS - An Easter Rugby Tournament is taking place at D'Almeida Park It is a fundraiser for the community of Buisplaas organised by the EPC Buis Children Fund Academy NPO is coming to Mossel Bay from England to attend the tournament The prize money for the winning teams totals R15 000 and there will be a raffle sponsored by Connie Buis and fattened up by a farmer The gates open at 08:00 and the tournament starts at 09:00 The draw to decide which teams play each one another was done on 28 March See a gallery of photos here: Easter Rugby Tournament draw Titans play Black Warriors and Barbarians play Multisure Evergreens The entry fees at the gate are: adults - R 30 vehicles - R10 and bringing a cooler box - R50 each There will be food stalls and children's entertainment The organisers thank Dr Kosie Haarhoff (George Municipality) Alderman Niklaas Booisen (Mossel Bay Municipality) all the teams taking part in the tournament and senior pastor Leon Prinsloo for their support Two DJs have been booked for the tournament contact Senobia (079 676 2436) or Bert (064 556 2424) NATIONAL NEWS - Two Correctional Services officials attached to the Goodwood Correctional Centre have been suspended following the death of an inmate Two other officials have already been suspended in this regard This was revealed by National Commissioner Fortuin died following a clash with officials which left one with serious injuries and led to an investigation into the matter “After reviewing the investigation report and considering its findings I have decided that the Western Cape Region will reimpose the suspension of two officials who were previously suspended but later reassigned.  “They will now join Qhama Kweleta and Thembisa Mninzi Other officials confirmed to have been involved will also be considered for possible disciplinary action,” he said The commissioner revealed that a post-mortem examination on Fortuin found that he had died resulting from “multiple blunt force injuries” and the matter is currently under investigation by police He added that the internal investigation has pointed to a need for an evaluation of management practices at the correctional centre we are committed to taking corrective steps where necessary and will continue to support and encourage our officials through wellness and support programmes to boost morale and safety “We reaffirm our commitment to upholding the rule of law and maintaining institutional accountability I assure the public that this matter is being treated with the utmost seriousness and any misconduct uncovered will be met with appropriate disciplinary action “Correctional Services remains committed to supporting the SAPS investigation We commend the many dedicated officials who continue to serve with integrity upholding the Constitution and the human rights of all individuals in our care,” Thobakgale said A Finnish couple have been assisted after their sailing yacht drifted ashore in the early hours of Tuesday morning at Santos Beach NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew were activated by TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Mossel Bay Port Control reporting a sailing yacht that had drifted ashore at Santos Beach high tide in Mossel Bay on Tuesday was 08h02.The NSRI Mossel Bay rescue craft Spirit of Safmarine III was launched while NSRI rescue swimmers responded to the shore side in an NSRI rescue vehicle.Mossel Bay Fire and Rescue Services Police Sea Borderline Control and TNPA members responded.The TNPA harbour tug boat Arctic Tern was placed on alert by Mossel Bay Port Control.On arrival on the scene we joined an inflatable boat from The Skippers Foundation of Mossel Bay that was in attendance - that assisted NSRI during the operation.NSRI rescue swimmers boarded the craft to assist the yacht crew from Finland.It appears that the couple are sailing around South Africa we believe that their previous Port of call was Richards Bay and they were at moorings (at the swing moorings) offshore of Santos beach where their sailing yacht may have broken her moorings and had drifted onto the beach.The Skippers Foundation of Mossel Bay inflatable boat assisted to transfer a towline from our rescue craft Spirit of Safmarine III where NSRI rescue swimmers established a towline.Timing the sea swells that were washing ashore in the outgoing tide we were able to pull and turn the casualty sailing yacht that was initially lying side on - abeam - on the beach and then attempts were made to pull her (the sailing yacht) gently off the beach in the shallow water we were joined by the TNPA harbour tug Arctic Tern - the towline was transferred to the Arctic Tern and they were able to pull (tow) the sailing yacht out to sea.NSRI Mossel Bay rescue crew remained onboard that was dragging - while being towed further out to sea - was recovered manually once they reached deeper waters.Arctic Tern towed the casualty sailing yacht into Mossel Bay harbour where we rafted our NSRI rescue craft alongside the casualty sailing yacht and then safely moored her at the Vincent Jetty are ongoing in 2 cases of missing persons: MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A Cape cobra was safely rescued from a swimming pool of an elderly couple living in Island View by the Slangboere team earlier today who catches snakes across the greater Mossel Bay area said he had received a call from the couple at 12:30 today.  He said they only said there was a snake in their swimming pool "They sent me photos of it and I immediately recognised it as a Cape cobra and I told them it was," said De Villiers He said he and a team member of Slangboere had raced out to the property and found the cobra was still in the pool "The cobra even displayed its hood while it was in the water We then spent some time educating the couple on Cape cobras." The Cape cobra in the swimming pool in Island View De Villiers said during his many years of experience in handling and catching snakes he has noticed that Cape cobras do sometimes find themselves in strange places just before the winter starts He said he thinks the cobra was perhaps searching for a place to start the brumation state and unfortunately ended up in the pool which is what reptiles do during cold periods but their metabolic system does not shut down in order to conserve energy "I have never seen a Cape cobra in a pool before It is not a common sighting at all," he said He said the snake will be safely released in the greater Mossel Bay area once a suitable location has been identified If you do spot any snakes, or to find out more about Slangboere, contact De Villiers (076 781 0528) or visit their Facebook page: Slangboere MOSSEL BAY NEWS - There is a leak on a PetroSA pipeline opposite the entrance to Hartland housing estate and near Monte Christo housing estate which are on the R102 road on the George side of Mossel Bay.  Two members of the public contacted Mossel Bay Advertiser about the leak today The leak is about 300 metres from the road One of the people who contacted the Advertiser took a photograph of the leak with a zoom lens from Hartenbos Heuwels The Advertiser called the PetroSA spokesperson at 11:30 today to ask when the leak would be repaired and is awaiting an answer.  Mossel Bay Municipality confirmed on enquiry from the Advertiser that its Water and Sanitation department reported the leak to PetroSA yesterday afternoon Photo: Supplied‘We bring you the latest Garden Route OPINION - As South Africa marks Workers’ Day on 1 May Free SA stands not with the elites in regalia or the podiums heavy with empty slogans but with the 12.2 million South Africans who want to work but because they have been shut out of an economy that has stopped growing meant to honour the dignity of labour and the rights of workers Behind every brass band performance and union speech lies a deeper truth namely the promise that hard work can secure a life of dignity has been broken South Africa’s economy has been in decline since the Zuma-era collapse in governance and the global financial crisis state bureaucracy is bloated yet ineffective and investor sentiment continues to deteriorate “While politicians celebrate Workers’ Day with slogans we at Free SA are asking a more serious question: where are the jobs?” said Free SA spokesperson Reuben Coetzer.  “The government pretends that jobs can be legislated into existence yet continues to pass policies that undermine job creation is too often shaped by ideology rather than reality but they frequently achieve the opposite of what they promise: exclusion Free SA is calling for a bold shift away from symbolic gestures towards real reform.  Free SA advocates for these four simple and quick solutions all of which would go a long way towards creating above population growth economic growth to create jobs: It is time to free our economy from the chains of failed policy and elite complacency “This is not a time for celebration,” Coetzer concluded South Africa must choose policies that work for the people Only then will Workers’ Day be worthy of its name.” MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The streets of Mossel Bay quickly filled up with massive motorcycles for the 45th Buffalo Rally A highlight of the weekend is always the mass ride Bikers attending the Buffalo Rally drove together as a group this morning before eventually joining the N2 on their way back to Hartenbos The smell of petrol and deafening sounds of revving engines filled the air as bikers drove past The Point waving to the crowd watching from the sidelines Many bikers were dressed in their signature leather jackets and customised helmets pink braids and even one resembling the dragon Toothless from the film How To Train Your Dragon The bikers were also joined by a Checkers Sixty60 driver on a motorcycle of his own the Buffalo Rally is an annual event they look forward to each year coming from far and wide to enjoy their passion for motorcycling and meet up with friends told Mossel Bay Advertiser that they use their bikes more than their car.  Elise and Johan Visagie with their dog Bandy taking place at the ATKV Resort in Hartenbos until Sunday Over 1 500 people are in attendance.  Click here to see more photos from the Buffalo Rally AGRICULTURE NEWS - South African Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOOs) continue to match up to the international industry giants and to score highly in international competitions.  SA Olive has reported that one of its members De Rustica in the Klein Karoo near De Rust has again been awarded top honours by the premier global industry international competition Out of approximately 1 000 entries from 26 countries De Rustica Estate Collection CORATINA was placed second and was again the only olive oil outside of Spain and Italy in the Top 10.  What makes this award even more extraordinary is that De Rustica won the overall top global olive oil in the EVOOLEUM 2023 international competition making this the second time that De Rustica has earned top awards two Spanish and one Italian - have managed to reach the top 10 ranking more than once in the last three years which further attests to the quality and consistency of De Rustica For over a decade De Rustica has been recognised for its high premium extra virgin olive oil winning no less than 29 gold awards at the annual SA Olive competition - including 10 gold from 10 entries over the last two years - as well as multiple international awards.  This second award from the industry-standard EVOOLEUM international competition puts South Africa’s De Rustica into the world’s top premier league of EVOOs “To have a South Africa olive oil again in the global Top 10 ranking says volumes about our industry and its future.  "What this award signals is that South African EVOO producers are again being recognised internationally for their quality and  De Rustica is indeed a standard bearer and awards like this not only help to reflect the work of SA Olive in promoting our local EVOOs - both locally and internationally - but they are also testament to the high professional standards upheld by our members "South Africa may be a small producer in global terms but it punches way above its weight in the quality of its extra virgin olive oils.” owner Rob Still set out on a journey to create a farm that could be an inspiration and beacon of hope for the local community De Rustica was founded in 2006 by Rob Still felt a calling to give back to the country of his birth Inspired by his landscape-gardening mother and his interest in olive oil Still set out on a journey to create a farm that could be an inspiration and beacon of hope for the local community.Drawn back to the Swartberg mountains from connections made in his youth Still investigated the topography and climatic conditions of the area for suitability to olive trees before settling on the Oudemuragie valley near De Rust The demise of the Ostrich industry at the time put many of the farmers in the valley out of business Still bought his first farm at the bottom of the valley and was soon able to expand the lands of De Rustica 11 kms up the valley.Today De Rustica covers 3 300 hectares with 550 hectares under permanent irrigation of which 135 ha are olive groves producing award-winning world class extra virgin olive oil.  Nestled in the foothills of the Swartberg mountains the name “De Rustica” pays homage to the nearby town of De Rust and the ancient agricultural text “De Re Rustica” or “On Agriculture” published by Roman Senator Columella (Lucius Iunius Moderatus) in CE4.  The manuscript served as the bible of agricultural best practice for over 1 000 years and a ‘How-To” of growing olives and making Olive Oil.Rob Still chose a feather as the logo for De Rustica as a tribute to the community who worked the valley during the Ostrich farm era MOSSEL BAY NEWS - In an effort to combat period poverty and ensure girls have uninterrupted access to education the St Blaize Leos Club has launched "No Girl Left Behind - The Pad Project" According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNPFA) period poverty can be defined as women and girls lacking access to menstrual products waste management or a combination of these Spearheaded by newly-appointed district vice-president for District 410-W Leos the initiative aims to install pad dispensers in public toilets The District 410-W Leos represents 58 Lions Clubs and four Leo Clubs in the Western Cape "Our mission is simple: no girl should have to miss school or forego opportunities because she lacks access to basic menstrual hygiene we want to ensure dignity and opportunity for all young women," said Vorster The St Blaize Leos Club is seeking collaboration with Mossel Bay Municipality to amplify the reach and impact of the project further discussions are planned to explore how the municipality can actively support this vital cause are working towards using their clubhouse for community and club activities Mossel Bay Municipality's director of Community Services Elize Nel attended a meeting with the St Blaize Lions and St Blaize Leos to discuss how best to work together to promote this initiative Community members and organisations interested in supporting the initiative can reach out to Vorster (062 417 6796).  MOSSEL BAY NEWS - It's time for the inaugural Best of Mossel Bay Readers' Choice Awards an exciting celebration of excellence in our community From top-notch services and impressive DIY endeavours to outstanding accommodation delectable dining experiences and rejuvenating health and beauty havens we're on a quest to uncover and honour the fine establishments that make Mossel Bay shine who could be better to serve as judges of the award nominees than you nominations can be made for all categories We're seeking nominations of businesses that not only excel in their respective fields but also embody the spirit of Mossel Bay going above and beyond to elevate our community the nomination and voting process is entirely free ensuring all have a voice in recognising their favourite companies don't miss your chance to champion deserving companies in Mossel Bay you stand a chance to win special prizes yourself Nominations are now open! Click here to nominate your favorite businesses today! Join us in making history as we crown the champions of our community NATIONAL NEWS - Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has directed his department to urgently focus on a much-needed action plan and concrete steps to curb the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in KZN Zululand Observer reports that during his recent visit to the province many farmers and community leaders sought clarification on the current situation expressing concern that the department is not effectively addressing the outbreak “This lack of sufficient action is jeopardising farmers’ livelihoods This needs to stop immediately,” said Steenhuisen KZN has been grappling with 147 active FMD cases and despite ongoing efforts by the Department of Agriculture new infections have emerged outside designated Disease Management Areas (DMAs) These areas were declared in 2021 when an outbreak of the South African Territories 2 (SAT2) FMD strain first surfaced in the province Steenhuisen extended the boundaries of the DMA in an effort to curb the virus’s further spread “The reports we continue to receive from KZN regarding the persistent expanding foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks are of great concern with the slow progress in strengthening our national biosecurity and acquiring vital vaccines presents significant risks that this government views with serious concern “I have directed the department to identify and lift every single impediment standing in the way of vaccines being delivered promptly,” he explained Steenhuisen also instructed the department to contact law enforcement agencies to prioritise and assist with roadblocks and management of animal movement “We need to focus on the prioritisation of alternative sites for the sale of livestock as well as the identification of abattoirs within the DMA to provide an alternative for farmers within the DMA “Procurement and provision of enough vaccines to meet the demand for a comprehensive vaccine roll-out; to explore mechanisms to declare a state of disaster within the province and to monitor the implementation of the permit system,” said Steenhuisen Article: Caxton Network News MOSSEL BAY NEWS - "What you put in is what you get out." These are the words of Mossel Bay's Una Saayman (64) who completed her 20th Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town on 5 April who only started running when she was 40 years old She could not even finish the 800m when she was in high school With 20 Two Oceans under her belt and scores of other marathons run over the years Saayman said she felt blessed to have run and completed her latest Two Oceans She ran her first Two Oceans marathon in 2001 which she completed in five hours and seven minutes She said this Two Oceans was one of the easiest she has run She was fully prepared and so she was extremely relaxed while running the route I had time to look around and embrace my surroundings," she said "I had lots of friends and my family praying for me too." said it had taken her three years to realise she had her own time to do whatever she wanted and that included running Una Saayman during her 20th Two Oceans Marathon I wanted to take my time back and do what I enjoy most She said she drove to Cape Town by herself to compete and after the race she drove straight to Grabouw to visit a few friends before heading back to Mossel Bay on Sunday I think what helped was my walking around for almost an hour so my legs had some time to stretch and recover," she said with a laugh she had already run the Knysna Heads Marathon the Pie Run in Little Brak River and the Tortoise Tuff in Sedgefield where she also came first in her age category she hopes to complete her 20th "Ultimate Human Race" This will mark the end of her running ultramarathons but she will continue to compete in other races Four of these were spent serving as the Da Gamaskop cluster deputy commander she spends her time giving Holy Communion for the sick and elderly of her church and teaching and preparing the confirmation candidates Her favourite Bible verse is Psalms 128: "You will eat the fruit of your labour; blessings and prosperity will be yours." BUSINESS NEWS - Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has confirmed that a new national budget will be presented in Parliament on 21 May The decision to introduce a revised budget comes in the wake of government’s move to abandon the plan by the National Treasury to increase the value-added tax (VAT) The original proposal aimed to raise VAT by 0.5% starting on 1 May 2025 followed by an additional 0.5% hike in the 2026/2027 financial year The plan was intended to bolster government revenue but it faced significant public and political resistance due to concerns over the potential impact on the cost of living and economic inequality attention has turned to how the government will address its revenue shortfalls and fund key public services Article: Caxton publication, The Citizen