I greet you all on the Day of Reconciliation It is an occasion where we remember and celebrate our journey as a country towards nation-building This Day of Reconciliation is dedicated to ‘healing historical wounds and forging new futures’ this day – the 16th of December – stood as a symbol of the wounds of our history it was a painful reminder of conquest and dispossession we have sought to do away with symbols that are divisive We chose to mark the 16th of December as a day of reconciliation It gives me great pleasure to commemorate this year’s Reconciliation Day here in Vredendal This Valley of Peace is blessed with fertile land we see the value of agriculture and land reform in growing our economy and creating jobs for our people Under the inhumane apartheid system farmworkers bore the brunt of exploitation White commercial farms were built on the labour of slaves and South Africa’s indigenous people Since the advent of democracy 30 years ago we have driven a series of legislative changes to advance the rights of farmworkers We have passed a law to prevent the arbitrary eviction of families living on farms And yet we know that farmworkers and labour tenants are still being evicted in a number of places without being afforded alternate accommodation We call on all employers to treat people humanely and ensure that they have decent accommodation We insist that all should ensure that the law is uphold and the rights of all people are protected The working conditions of farmworkers are regulated by the Labour Relations Act no farmworkers may be paid below the National Minimum Wage we have encouraged employment share schemes This is where workers in agriculture and other sectors can have shares in the companies that they work for There have been initiatives in the Matzikama area to implement this approach  We must look at how to expand this so that the people in this area have a greater share of the local economy Reconciliation Day is about advancing reconciliation The past may be behind us but we are left with its wounds We have deep scars as a reminder of our painful experiences We cannot heal these historical wounds by forgetting our past There are things that should be done to heal the wounds of the past We have come a long way as a country of diverse cultures we have a beautiful and diverse community that is an integral part of our rainbow nation a person can be as proud of their coloured heritage or their Afrikaans language as they are of their South African identity speak English or Xhosa or any other language while being a full and equal member of the South African nation History records the great acts of political activism by the people of this province Coloured people were not spared the brutality of slavery The apartheid regime tried to divide us and turn us against one another Through democracy we have worked to restore the dignity of all who suffered under apartheid Our national Coat of Arms pays tribute to the Khoi and San The human figures are depicted in an attitude of greeting This represents a sense of belonging to the nation and to a collective humanity The motto is written in the language of the /Xam people we signed the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act into law This gave formal recognition of Khoi-San institutions of traditional leadership With the support of the Pan South African Language Board Nama and San languages are offered as part of the school curriculum the only radio station in the country that supports the !Xun and Khwe languages of the indigenous San people we are supporting community and civic organisations dedicated to preserving the distinct cultural identity and heritage of the Khoi and San people Since the advent of democracy we have done much to advance reconciliation and redress The cornerstone of South Africa’s journey is our progressive Constitution It enshrines human rights and promotes equality for all citizens It protects the rights of previously marginalised groups This is a stark departure from the exclusionary policies of apartheid we established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission chaired by the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu The Commission was tasked with uncovering human rights abuses committed during apartheid and providing a platform for victims and perpetrators to share their stories This was part of the process of restorative justice The TRC succeeded in creating a collective historical memory It helped to ensure that the horrors of apartheid would never be forgotten – and that they would never be repeated Our task is now to complete the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission To take forward the work of nation-building We have learnt from the past 30 years that reconciliation means fostering cultural understanding and promoting social cohesion and social justice initiatives to promote unity in diversity have been pursued through various platforms the arts and recognising the important role of families has invested in education programmes that emphasise human rights This spirit of inclusivity is to be found in the Government of National Unity that was formed following the general election in May The Government of National Unity brings together diverse parties we are united by a commitment to build a better South Africa for all its people We are determined that we leave no-one behind This rich diversity is our nation’s greatest strength We are all bound together by the spirit of Ubuntu The word Ubuntu has its roots in the IsiZulu phrase “umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu” reconciliation involves both the healing of historical wounds and the bridging of social Our goal is to foster unity and social cohesion amongst the country’s diverse communities and encourage mutual respect and understanding Reconciliation means we have to end inequality Reconciliation means we can no longer live in a country where some people live in privilege and comfort while others are deprived and face great hardship Despite the achievements of the past 30 years South Africa continues to face significant challenges on its journey towards reconciliation Our country is still divided by poverty and unemployment We are therefore taking action as the Government of National Unity to build an inclusive economy and create jobs We are investing in social and economic infrastructure We are making our economy more competitive through reforms in electricity We are expanding programmes that have successfully created work and training opportunities for young people we continue to support poor households through free basic services subsidised housing opportunities and financial aid to tertiary students from poor and working class families we are strengthening the institutions that must fight corruption and crime Corruption undermines the trust between the people and the public representatives that have been elected to serve them gender-based violence and instability cause great misery and hardship They worsen tensions in an already divided society we have seen progress in the fight against corruption and serious crime to work with the authorities to end crime and corruption in our society It requires a fundamental transformation of society to create a fair and just nation The programme of the Government of National Unity has therefore prioritised inclusive growth It has prioritised the fight against poverty and building a capable developmental state that meets the needs of all South Africans we reaffirm our commitment to forge a new future for our country We reaffirm our commitment to work together through a National Dialogue to define the path that our nation will take Through our various actions we are reigniting our collective vision and shared passion to create a South Africa that works for all its people We are confronting our challenges with the courage and determination displayed during the darkest days of the struggle against apartheid South Africa has a rich history of inclusive solutions to problems I hereby announce that we will hold a National Dialogue next year to enable a conversation among citizens on shaping our country’s future developmental path The National Dialogue will seek to build on the achievements of 30 years of democracy The National Dialogue will give us an opportunity to address the challenges we have been facing for the past 15 years of low growth and unemployment We will also want the National Dialogue to address pressing challenges such as gender-based violence and femicide The National Dialogue will strengthen and consolidate the process of social compacting where we come together as different sectors and communities to find common solutions It is envisaged that the National Dialogue will be informed by an extensive public consultation process in local areas organised by various sectors of society Since the announcement I made on the National Dialogue during my inauguration in June we have received many representations from civil society including foundations established by stalwarts of our struggle for freedom Further consultation is underway with other formations within society on the form and content of the National Dialogue I will appoint an Advisory Panel of Eminent Persons to provide guidance and advice through the National Dialogue Process The Advisory Panel will include men and women of stature who have played prominent roles in nation building and advancing social cohesion I will also appoint a National Dialogue Steering Committee to coordinate the National Dialogue process This Steering Committee will include representation from the Foundations that have played a leading role in championing the idea of the National Dialogue process All the necessary structures and processes of the National Dialogue will be in place early in the new year so that the preparations can commence in earnest We expect that the National Dialogue will reach agreement on the critical challenges facing the nation It is expected to develop a shared vision of what it means to be a South African and of a common value system that will guide current and future generations With a renewed commitment to social justice our country can continue to build on its achievements We can fulfil our destiny to be a truly reconciled South Africa will become the first African country to lead the influential group of the world’s largest economies We have outlined an ambitious agenda for our G20 Presidency under the theme ‘Solidarity I call on all South Africans to be part of making South Africa's Presidency a success And yet even as we may sometimes think our challenges are insurmountable We must reflect on our achievements and remember that let us make a concerted effort to also reconcile as families and friends Healthy families produce a healthy society As one of the famous amapiano artists Kabza de Small sings in his hit Imithandazo a song with an appealing prayer in both isiZulu and Xitsonga languages:  May God bless South Africa and protect her people AVBOB celebrates a milestone by rewarding its members on a large scale Christoffel Stoman faces two counts of attempted murder VREDENDAL - The Vredendal magistrate’s court will hear final arguments in the bail application of Christoffel Stoman The 70-year-old farmer has been charged with two counts of attempted murder and reckless driving WATCH: Wife says farmer did not intend to run over boy He allegedly ran over six-year-old Khwezi Jantjies for stealing oranges from his farm Over a thousand Lutzville residents have signed a petition urging the court not to grant him bail Home | South Africa Residents of Vredendal in the Matzikama municipality in the Western Cape say they’re honoured to play host to President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday for the official Reconciliation Day event taking place in the town on Monday Reconciliation Day was established to promote peace reconciliation and nation-building in South Africa and was first celebrated in 1995 Vredendal is one of several towns located in the Matzikama municipality in the northernmost part of the Western Cape mining and tourism are among the biggest economic drivers in the municipality It’s been a challenging few years for local farmers who had to bear the brunt of adverse weather conditions The 2018 drought saw them losing about 60% of their grape harvest Two good years followed before another challenge hit Gideon van Zyl speaks for Agri Western Cape “Then suddenly we got summer mud out of the Tankwa Karoo and we lost about 30% again due to mud that was on the flowering times of the grapes and the flowers were suppressed and we had an abnormal harvest we lost 30% Then the next year last year we had mud again and this year October mud again but not a lot because the water came mostly from the Ceres area and it was not so high up because it was only for 24 hours so we predict very y fewer losses than the previous two years.”  business and industry say they’re grateful that Vredendal will host the Reconciliation Day event Koos Lombard is from the Vredendal Chamber of Commerce especially for the Matzikama region we appreciate that and we honour that teach one so perhaps they can learn something from our region taking back to national and we are open to learn something from national taking back to our region and implement it.”  President @CyrilRamaphosa will on Monday, 16 December 2024, deliver the keynote address marking the National Day of Reconciliation to be held at Vredendal, Matzikama Local Municipality in Western Cape Province. https://t.co/zJi2Z5Ag7t — The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) December 14, 2024 Patrick Kriel says there have been many positive developments over the past 30 years “There has been a change because after everything I could see we got a lot of rights You aren’t told anymore you can’t come in here so it’s a change which came into our lives and I really appreciate it.”  But others say that more must be done to achieve social cohesion and unity “When it comes to truly truly reconciliation I think we are not yet there We can’t have only reconciliation on the day when the Springboks are playing and everyone is shouting but whenever that game is finished the Monday morning that farmworker goes to his house on a Saturday evening he is still in the same conditions that he was ten or fifteen years back,” says community leader Brandon Owies poverty still affects a large part of the population Residents here hope that strides at reconciliation are matched by progress on the economic front President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address at the 2024 National Day of Reconciliation commemoration on Monday 16 December.The commemoration will take place at the Vredendal North Sports Ground Vredendal in the Western Cape.The theme for the 2024 National Day of Reconciliation is: "Healing Historical Wounds and Forging New Futures".Observed annually on 16 December the National Day of Reconciliation was established in 1995 after the end of apartheid The public holiday aims to promote national unity and bridge historical divides.The date holds deep cultural and historical importance chosen to honour both Afrikaner and indigenous South African histories The commemoration seeks to remember the past while fostering healing and understanding among all South Africans “The commemoration of the National Day of Reconciliation takes the form of remembering history and other festivities. “It will focus on the South African government and its people in advancing reconciliation and forgiveness since the dawn of democracy and the nation’s quest to forge a new path for South Africa,” the Presidency said in a statement General Enquiries newsfiles@gcis.gov.za Tel: 012 473 0213Editor Roze Britz roze@gcis.gov.za News Editor Janine Arcangeli janine@gcis.gov.zaEditor-in-Chief Zanele Mngadizanelemngadi@gcis.gov.za  WARNING: THE FOLLOWING STORY CONTAINS GRAPHIC DETAILS VREDENDAL - The Western Cape High Court sitting in Vredendal has convicted 58-year-old Daniel Smit of the murder of Klawer teenager, Jerobejin van Wyk, in February 2022. The court has also found that Jerobejin’s murder was in fact premeditated. Van Wyk was killed after he and a friend were accused of stealing mangoes. The prosecution alleged the accused drove into the deceased with his bakkie, stabbed the child, dismembered his body and burnt parts in an attempt to hide the crime. Parts of Jerobejin van Wyk's body were found in a drain on Smit's property two days after the child was reported missing. Months later, more human remains were found in an oil drum, by the new homeowner while he was cleaning the property. Smit has been convicted of attempted murder, kidnapping, premeditated murder, violating a corpse and defeating the ends of justice. Sections President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Monday, 16 December 2024, deliver the keynote address marking the National Day of Reconciliation to be held at Vredendal, Matzikama Local Municipality in Western Cape Province.  The theme for the 2024 National Day of Reconciliation is Healing Historical Wounds and Forging New Futures.  The National Day of Reconciliation is a public holiday in South Africa held annually on 16 December. The holiday came into effect in 1995 after the end of apartheid, intending to foster reconciliation and national unity for the country.  Recognising the need for racial harmony, the government chose the date for its significance to both Afrikaner and indigenous South African cultures.  The commemoration of the National Day of Reconciliation takes the form of remembering history, recognising veterans' contributions, marching, healing wounds of past injustices, and other festivities.  It will focus on the South African government and its people in advancing reconciliation, nation-building, social cohesion, healing, and forgiveness since the dawn of democracy and the nation’s quest to forge a new path for South Africa.  Details of the event are as follows:Date: Monday,16 December 2024Time: 11h00amVenue: Vredendal North Sports Ground,Matzikama Local Municipality, Vredendal Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@presidency.gov.za File: The South African flag waving in the wind. JOHANNESBURG - Today is National Reconciliation Day. Held annually on the 16th of December, it aims to promote national unity and healing. President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address at the official event in Vredendal, Western Cape.  The theme for this year’s commemoration is ‘Healing Historical Wounds and Forging New Futures’. JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africans to refuse to let their unity be broken Ramaphosa delivered his address at the Reconciliation Day celebrations in Vredendal in the Western Cape Reflecting on the country’s apartheid past – the president emphasised that it’s every citizen’s role to build the nation He explained that South Africans must protect the nation from those who attempt to tarnish its unity on public platforms "Reconciliation Day is about advancing reconciliation; it is also about advancing justice and nation-building It promotes social cohesion as well as healing The past may be behind us but we are left with wounds that are inflicted by the past." NATIONAL DAY OF RECONCILIATIONPresident @CyrilRamaphosa spent the day at the Vredendal North Sports Ground in the Western Cape for the National Day of Reconciliation celebrations umder the theme: “Healing Historical Wounds and Forging New Futures.” pic.twitter.com/4QnG43lyhl President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the Reconciliation Day keynote address at a sports stadium in Vredendal, Western Cape. CAPE TOWN - The man accused of the murder of 13-year-old Jerobejin van Wyk in Klawer in February 2022, intends pleading guilty. Daniel Smit made a brief court appearance in Vredendal on Monday where the matter was postponed to later in October. The teenager was killed after he and a friend were accused of stealing mangoes. Smit had previously undergone mental observation at Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital and was declared fit to stand trial. Daniel Smit's trial was set to begin this week more than two years after tragedy struck the sleepy West Coast town of Klawer but the court heard the 58-year-old intends on pleading guilty. The matter was postponed to 21 October for the State to consider his plea. The prosecution alleges that the accused drove into the deceased with his bakkie, stabbed the child, dismembered his body and burnt parts in an attempt to hide the crime. CAPE TOWN - Arguments in aggravation and mitigation of sentence wrapped up in the High Court sitting in Vredendal in the case against Klawer child killer The 58-year-old man killed 13-year-old Jerobejin Van Wyk in Klawer in February 2022 after accusing him and a friend of stealing fruit from his property The court on Monday found him guilty on charges of premeditated murder violating a corpse and defeating the ends of justice ALSO READ: Daniel Smit convicted of the murder of Jerobejin van Wyk The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) 's Eric Ntabazalila explained the NPA's request to the court. "Basically, the defence is asking for the accused to be sentenced to 30 years. We have opposed what they have asked for, and argued that there is no other sentence that fits this crime other than life imprisonment because if you impose 30 years, it means after serving, he will be eligible for parole which means he will be out in 22 years." Smit submitted two letters to the court on Tuesday, where he apologises to Jerobejin's loved ones and asks for forgiveness. The court also heard he wanted to give his bakkie - the same vehicle he had used to knock the child down with before killing him - to Jerobejin's mother, to sell or to use.  The bakkie is still in the possession of Klawer police. President Cyril Ramaphosa says land reform will be instrumental in growing the economy The President was speaking at the official Reconciliation Day event taking place at a sports ground in Vredendal in the Western Cape. He says this year’s Day of Reconciliation is dedicated to “healing historical wounds and forging new futures”. Vredendal is an area where many of the residents are farmworkers. President Ramaphosa says the democratic dispensation has worked to ensure that farmworkers are treated humanely. “As we work to reduce unemployment, we see the value of agriculture and land reform in growing our economy and creating jobs for our people. Under the inhumane apartheid system farmworkers bore the brunt of exploitation.” “White commercial farms were built on the labour of slaves and South Africa’s indigenous people. Since the advent of democracy, we have driven a series of legislative changes to advance the rights of farmworkers. We have passed a law to prevent the arbitrary eviction of families living on farms,” he added. CAPE TOWN - A child killer from Klawer will carry out a life sentence behind bars, while the boy's mother remains heartbroken and unforgiving. Fifty-eight-year-old Daniel Smit, who was taught how to kill as a member of an occult group during his youth, admitted to breaking 13-year-old Jerobejin van Wyk's neck after knocking him over with his bakkie and then offering him food. The murder took place on Smit's home in February 2022, after he had accused the boy and a friend of stealing fruit off his property. In a letter to the court, Smit apologised and asked for forgiveness, but following Monday's sentencing, Triesa van Wyk  again spoken of her heartbreak and her inability to forgive her child's killer. However, she feels she can now finally start picking up the pieces. The high court, sitting in Vredendal, sentenced Smit to life imprisonment for murder, 10 years for kidnapping, 15 years for attempted murder, three years for defeating the ends of justice, and five years for violating a corpse. The sentences will run concurrently and Smit will not be eligible for parole until he's served two-thirds of his sentence. Disclaimer : The following story contains details of a child murder that may be upsetting to some readers CAPE TOWN - The man accused of the murder of 13-year-old Jerobejin van Wyk in Klawer in February 2022 is due back in the dock in Vredendal on Monday During a previous appearance earlier in October the court heard that Daniel Smit intended to plead guilty The matter was postponed for the State to consider his plea Smit's trial was set to begin earlier this month more than two years after tragedy struck the West Coast town of Klawer But the court heard the 58-year-old intended to plead guilty Smit had previously undergone mental observation at Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital and was declared fit to stand trial READ: Jerobejin van Wyk murder: Accused Daniel Smit intends to plead guilty Parts of Jerobejin's body were found in a drain on Smit's property two days after the child was reported missing. Months later, more human remains were found in an oil drum by the new homeowner while he was cleaning the property. CAPE TOWN - A 70-year-old man implicated in the attempted murder of a six-year-old boy and his mother in Lutzville has been denied bail. Christoffel Stoman appeared in the Vredendal Magistrates Court on Tuesday. The pensioner allegedly drove into little Khwezi and Magdalene Jantjies in the West Coast town on 20 September after apparently accusing the child of stealing an orange. The child sustained severe injuries in the incident. Stoman will remain behind bars following an unsuccessful bail bid. The matter has been postponed to 4 November for further investigation. Little Khwezi Jantjies had both legs fractured in the incident. He's recovering at home after undergoing surgery at Paarl Hospital. His mother said that they were focusing on getting counselling and healing to ensure that the grade R learner, who loves playing soccer with his friends, could return to the playground. CAPE TOWN - Justice has finally been served in the case against convicted Klawer killer Last week, the High Court sitting in Vredendal sentenced the 58-year-old man to life imprisonment for the murder of 13-year-old Jerobejin van Wyk. Smit, who was taught how to kill as a member of an occult group during his youth, admitted to breaking the 13-year-old's neck after knocking him over with his bakkie and then offering him food. The murder took place in Smit's home in February 2022, after he had accused the boy and a friend of stealing fruit off his property. The former train driver was also sentenced to 10 years for kidnapping, 15 years for attempted murder, three years for defeating the ends of justice, and five years for violating a corpse. The sentences will run concurrently, and Smit will not be eligible for parole until he's served two-thirds of his sentence. In a letter to the court, Smit apologised and asked for forgiveness. But Van Wyk’s mother, Triesa, says she carries the pain of her son's brutal murder every single day, and she will never be able to forgive Smit. The courtroom was packed with Jerobejin's loved ones and members of the sleepy West Coast town as sentencing was handed down. One of them, Mathilda Bains, who is also the Van Wyk family's spokesperson, said she too doubted the Klawer community could ever really heal – at least, not until two cold cases are solved. "This is not an isolated case, because two of our children vanished and up to now, there is no trace of them. So, up to now, the community, I don't think they are completely healed, they are still waiting and there are a few unanswered questions," Bains told EWN. Jeneva Diergal was last seen on the 25 January 2019, when her mother left her with her aunt in Donkerhoek, in Klawer. The girl, who was 8 years old at the time, was wearing a pink top and black tights. Nine months later, on the 28 October, 28-year-old Janine Bottom disappeared without a trace. "Now, for us in that community, children are vanishing and nothing happens. There is no trace! How can we heal?", asked Bains. Some parts of Jerobejin's body were found in a drain on Smit's property two days after the child was reported missing. Other parts were found burnt in the fireplace, and months later, more human remains were found in an oil drum by the new homeowner while he was cleaning the property. Gutted by that tragic killing, speculation and rumours began swirling, and angry residents demanded that police investigate a link between Smit and the disappearances of Janine and little Jeneva. The Rural and Farmworkers Organisation's Billy Claasen: "The police must do their work; they must investigate this thing of Jeneva Diergal and Janine Bottom very thoroughly." Jeneva Diergal and Janine Bottom, who have been missing since 2019. Pictures: Pink Ladies Organisation The National Prosecuting Authority's Eric Ntabazalila weighed in on this aspect while speaking to the media after sentencing last week. "There are no pending cases against him [Smit]. He has got some old cases of assault that happened more than 10 years ago... The court has considered him a first offender in this case; there are no cases against him now. We have heard these rumours from the community, but I think people need to take them up with police and ask for more investigations to be done." In response to a recent media enquiry, police confirmed both missing persons cases were still under investigation, with no new developments to report. They're appealing to anyone with information to come forward. CAPE TOWN - A 70-year-old man implicated in the attempted murder of a six-year-old boy and his mother in Lutzville is due back in the dock at the Vredendal Magistrates Court on Friday. Christoffel Stoman made his second court appearance on Monday and the matter was postponed for further evidence in his bail application. He allegedly drove into little Khwezi and Magdalene Jantjies in the West Coast town two Fridays ago, after apparently accusing the child of stealing an orange. The boy's legs were fractured and he's recovering at a Vredendal hospital, following an operation at Paarl Hospital last week. The accused's wife, Magdalene Stoman, testified that she was in the vehicle with her husband and their grandchild on the day of the incident. Christoffel Stoman was driving and they were making their way back from a doctor when they noticed Khwezi Jantjies and his mother next to their property. She told the court the child had his hand through the fence and she asked her husband to stop so that they could see what they were doing. Stoman said that the boy and his mother were standing on opposite sides of their vehicle but she then heard the woman shout that Khwezi was trapped under the vehicle. Stoman testified that her husband called the police and that she asked Jantjies if they could get their doctor to take a look at Khwezi but his mother refused help. She confirmed that her husband was angry when he asked why they were taking their oranges. VREDENDAL - Klawer train driver Daniel Smit accused of murdering 13-year-old Jerobejin van Wyk in February 2022 has pleaded guilty to all charges against him.  violating a corpse and defeating the ends of justice.   Smit said he was angry because he'd found the boy and his friend in his yard allegedly stealing fruit.    READ: Klawer train driver intends pleading guilty to killing boy (13) He says he then chased after the boys in his bakkie and claims to have knocked Jerobejin unintentionally. CAPE TOWN - A journey for justice in a child murder that touches on the influence of the occult, reaches a conclusion on Monday.  Fifty-eight-year-old Daniel Smit, who was taught how to kill as a member of an occult group during his youth, has admitted to snapping the neck of 13-year-old Jerobejin van Wyk in February 2022 after knocking him over with his bakkie and then offering him food.  The murder took place in Smit's home, in the town of Klawer, on the West Coast, after he had accused the boy and a friend of stealing fruit off his property.  The self-confessed killer will be sentenced in Vredendal on Monday. At the age of 13, Smit became involved with a Chinese occult group that taught him black magic and how to cast spells. Over time, he got involved in Satanism, before converting to Christianity when his son was born in 2000. Smit has submitted two letters in which he apologises and asks for forgiveness, while also offering his bakkie to the grieving mother. However, in her submission, Triesa van Wyk stated she was unsure her heart would ever heal and she'd never forgive her son's killer. Having secured a conviction of premeditated murder, the State, is opposing a defence request for a 30-year sentence, arguing only life imprisonment would deliver justice. A STATE witness has detailed experiencing sleepless nights after discovering body parts of 13-year-old Jerobejin van Wyk in a drain at accused killer Daniel Smit’s home. Smit’s plea was rejected by the State on Monday at the Western Cape Circuit High Court sitting at Vredendal. The trial against Smit finally got underway after being delayed due to Smit’s admission to Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital for assessment to determine whether he was fit to stand trial. Smit faces charges of attempted murder by reckless and negligent driving, kidnapping, murder, violating a corpse and defeating the ends of justice, related to the murder of 13-year-old Jerobejin in Klawer. Smit’s biological daughter, Carolina Smit on Monday appeared as a state witness when she detailed to the court how she was at home when her father brought barefooted Jerobejin to their home. Carolina told the court when she saw the “coloured boy”, she told her father “do not hit”. She said she had done so, due to “previous incidents”. Smit pleaded guilty to all charges against him and made a number of submissions in respect of the charges he faced. Another state witness, Marius Cyster, who works at the local municipality said he had seen Jerobejin and his friend the day they had fled from Smit who was chasing them with the bakkie. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cape Times (@capetimesrsa) According to Cyster, when he saw the bakkie approaching at high speed, he told the boys “maak dat julle weg kom” (make sure that you get away) and the boys then ran across the road in the direction of a garage. Cyster was then probed about two days later when the municipality manager called his foreman, who instructed them to go to an address in Klawer. “We were told to urgently go drain at a home. When we got to the home, I jumped over a wall, and we then put a pipe in to have it drained. (My colleague) inserted a 3-forked rake where he searched for items at the bottom of the drain that may have been lodged at the bottom. This is where human parts had come out,” said Cyster. Having been shown a series of pictures taken of the human remains, Cyster had to compose himself and informed the court he was “not feeling well”. He was directed to a set of pictures which included images showing remains of a skull. Cyster told the court the case had impacted him and he still has sleepless nights about the discovery made at Smit’s home. In his plea, Smit admitted that he was the driver of the Ford Bantam bakkie and that he had driven recklessly and negligently on February 2, 2022. “I admit I was angry at the time because he (Jerobejin) and a friend were in my yard stealing fruit and when I spoke to them, he mocked me and that angered me. “In my attempt to catch him, I followed him into the yard he was running into with the bakkie. I had to turn the bakkie sharply in order to catch him. “At the time I did not know that I hit him with the bakkie. However after my attorney showed me the video footage, I do accept and admit that I have hit him with the bakkie at the time,” Smit’s admissions read. Smit admitted that he then loaded Jerobejin onto his bakkie and when he arrived back at his home with the teenager, he told the boy to go inside his kitchen. “I was still very angry and wanted to punish him but I saw he was scared and decided to give him a sandwich and a cold drink,” said Smit. Further in his admissions, Smit said he had been part of a Chinese occult and joined the cult group when he was 13-years-old, where he was “taught how to do black magic and to cast spells on people” and over time he got involved in Satanism. “As I saw (Jerobejin) standing there eating the sandwich and drinking the cold drink I gave him, it suddenly came over me. I walked to the boy and in a swift movement, with my hands, as I was taught in the occult, I broke his neck,” Smit admitted. Smit denied that his actions were premeditated. VREDENDAL - The Western Cape High Court, sitting in Vredendal, has sentenced 58-year-old train driver Daniel Smit to life in prison. In 2022, Smit kidnapped, murdered, and dismembered 13-year-old Jerobejin van Wyk after accusing him of stealing a mango from his property. During the sentencing, Judge Haley Slingers told the court that Smit meant to kill the teen, offering him food before breaking his neck and dismembering the body. He was taught how to do black magic and cast spells and also, over time, got involved in Satanism but became a reborn Christian when his son was born in 2000. This may be the best way to describe Brand Nissan Vredendal which scooped up the overall Nissan Dealer of the Year award recently And this difficult-to-achieve accolade is made even more noteworthy by the fact that Brand Nissan also received this best-in-the-business title ten years ago Certainly no small feat to achieve for a dealership categorised by Nissan in the Very Small division which moved into their new purpose-built dealership in the beginning of May has a rich history as part of the Brand family’s automotive portfolio in the northern part of the Western Cape along the Atlantic seaboard took over the reins from him and continued to establish the dealership and its solid reputation in our region,” says Quinton the third generation Brand in the family business The family then bought the Nissan franchise in Vredendal 18 years ago and soon afterwards my dad became seriously ill,” Quinton tells Dealerfloor “On my first day at my new job at a law firm I had to resign to assist with the family business and I were the driving forces in the two dealerships I had built up a good knowledge of the business since a young age working for pocket money on the forecourt and the dealership not grow up thinking my career will be in the automotive retail world,” he tells us “I was fortunate to have my dad with us for a couple of years during his illness as well as my mom until last year when she passed away my dad taught me the value of money and a simple principle not to spend what you do not have The lessons I have learned from them played a huge part in how we operate and this contributed to the success like the recent overall Nissan Dealer of the Year award but this time the big title as the best was bestowed on us for the second time in our 18 years’ existence Although we knew what the goals were to be on top it was a very big surprise to win the top accolade from Nissan,” he tells Dealerfloor Quinton says they have since decided to relocate the Nissan dealership closer to their other dealership and although our Nissan and Ford dealers are separate they are in close proximity which makes managing them a lot easier “Our Nissan dealership is a brand-new state-of-the-art facility And the customer base we built up over 18 years has been good to us Our team members must also get credit for their part in our success story “I am proud of what we achieved with both our dealerships over many years and the recognition we have received from Nissan It is a feather in our cap for a job well done Our staff took responsibility and ownership of the different departments and excelled across all spectrums of the business awards like these will not be possible,” says Quinton Isuzu introduced the latest evolution of the MU-X locally with the latest model line-up raising the bar with improved styling The range is also being bolstered with the addition of a new flagship model The 15th edition of the Simola Hillclimb was characterised by difficult emotions mixed with brave competition at the highest level during the King of the Hill challenge but the latest generation of Chinese bakkies is here to stay The dubious first generation bakkies from China did not draw a lot of attention from the South African car-buying consumer either as a leisure or commercial alternative I always do like seeing other people dance in their cars It's one of the things that makes me happy The transition from a career in the OEM environment to the business at dealership level was like chalk and cheese Audi Centre Sandton was named 2024 Dealer of the Year while Hatfield Motor Group walked away with the coveted 2024 Dealer Group of the Year prize during Audi South Africa’s annual Vorsprung Awards For a dealership to make an 180-degree U-turn within two years and then went on to win the overall Volkswagen Dealer of the Year award This dealer-focussed innovation is made possible with the support and endorsement of Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance All content copyright of Panthera Media Pty Ltd 2020 We use cookies to personalise content and ads and to analyse our traffic and improve our service You consent to cookies if you continue to use our website VREDENDAL – President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the keynote address at the 2024 National Day of Reconciliation commemoration on Monday themed “Healing Historical Wounds and Forging New Futures,” will take place at the Vredendal North Sports Ground a significant annual event on South Africa’s calendar underscores the country’s ongoing journey towards national unity This year’s commemoration focuses on addressing the lingering wounds of apartheid and fostering new paths for future generations the public holiday has become a platform for recognising historical injustices and building bridges across racial and cultural divides described the event as a symbol of “remembering history The date of 16 December carries deep historical and cultural meaning for South Africans It is a day that reflects the country’s complex and divided past but also stands as a testament to resilience and the potential for unity.1 16 December was traditionally commemorated as the Day of the Vow a victory they attributed to divine intervention.2 the African National Congress (ANC) launched its military wing marking the beginning of the armed struggle against apartheid This day symbolised a turning point in the resistance against racial oppression When South Africa became a democratic nation in 1994 the government united these opposing historical narratives under one banner: the National Day of Reconciliation The intention was to transform a divisive day into one that promotes healing 🔴Central News Weekly Edition 086🔴 Download the Latest Edition | Top Story: “Hung Council Persists in Thabazimbi as ANC Falls Short of Majority in By-Elections” https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content, Podcasts , Radio / Social Media Simulcast, Video Production , Live Streaming Services, Press Conferences, and Paid Interviews (Video/Audio) etc. We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment. To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za For Business Related:business@centralnews.co.za Newsroom:Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za Office Administrator:admin@centralnews.co.za Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Vredendal’s Brand Nissan dealership walked off with the coveted title of Nissan Dealer of the Year for South Africa at a gala function held in the Sandton City Convention Centre. Drawing together the global Japanese carmaker’s partners from across its Independent Markets Africa and South African networks for the first ever continental awards ceremony in South Africa, the event was a true celebration of the company’s African legacy and continental presence said Nissan Africa Managing Director, Sherief Eldessouky. South Africa’s other finalists for Dealer of the Year, included: Morgan Nissan Lydenburg, which won the Small Dealer of the Year category; BB Mount Fuji (Medium Dealer); NTT Nissan Klerksdorp (Large Dealer), and NTT Nissan Bloemfontein as Mega Dealer of the Year. Brand Nissan Vredendal won the Very Small Dealer of the Year category and was crowned the overall winner for South Africa. The gala event, which was the culmination of the annual Nissan Africa Conference, recognised a whole range of Nissan top performers from best Nissan Finance Dealer to Best Nissan Customer Satisfaction in Sales and Service won by Algoa Nissan. Other awards included Best Customer Satisfaction in New Vehicle Sales, Best Fleet Sales, After-sales and Service and granular recognition awards for the best salespeople in the various categories of Nissan’s key models. Nissan’s success was a combination of having the right vehicles for the right market backed up by the right people. The gala event was a wonderful opportunity to recognise these individuals and organisation, says Nissan South Africa and Independent Markets Africa’s managing director, Maciej Klenkiewicz. “It is a true pleasure and privilege to be able to recognise those people from across Africa and here in South Africa and properly honour them in this way,” he says. Isuzu introduced the latest evolution of the MU-X locally with the latest model line-up raising the bar with improved styling, upgraded technology and safety, and refined driving dynamics. The range is also being bolstered with the addition of a new flagship model, the 3.0-litre 4x4 ONYX XT. The 15th edition of the Simola Hillclimb was characterised by difficult emotions mixed with brave competition at the highest level during the King of the Hill challenge. In bygone days, they used to come and go, but the latest generation of Chinese bakkies is here to stay. The dubious first generation bakkies from China did not draw a lot of attention from the South African car-buying consumer, either as a leisure or commercial alternative. I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys The transition from a career in the OEM environment to the business at dealership level was like chalk and cheese. Audi Centre Sandton was named 2024 Dealer of the Year, while Hatfield Motor Group walked away with the coveted 2024 Dealer Group of the Year prize during Audi South Africa’s annual Vorsprung Awards. For a dealership to make an 180-degree U-turn within two years and then went on to win the overall Volkswagen Dealer of the Year award, is no small feat. This dealer-focussed innovation is made possible with the support and endorsement of Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance. All content copyright of Panthera Media Pty Ltd 2020. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, and to analyse our traffic and improve our service. You consent to cookies if you continue to use our website. Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Watch a feed from a court in South Africa on Monday, 30 September, where a white farmer appeared on charges of attempted murder after allegedly running over a six-year-old Black boy. Christoffel Stoman, 70, from Lutzville, is accused of running down the child who had allegedly stolen oranges from trees. The six-year-old suffered two broken legs after allegedly being run over by a truck. Rural and Farmworkers Development Organisation spokesperson Billy Claasen told local media that the child was walking with his mother, who was not injured, when the incident occurred. Claasen told the Daily Voice: "The farmer drove over the child. It is claimed that he saw the child and his mother next to the road near his farm and then drove over the child. “The child and his mother were taken to Vredendal Hospital and has been transferred to Paarl Hospital. It is confirmed that both legs of the child are broken.” Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies James O'Brien is Leading Britain's Conversation A farmer mowed down a six-year-old boy for stealing an orange breaking both his legs in front of his screaming mother appeared at the Vredendal Magistrate's Court on Monday where he stands trial on two charges of attempted murder and a further charge of reckless and negligent driving had been walking with his mother at midday on Friday when he reportedly stopped to pick up an orange that was on the ground before attempting to reach through a fence and grab another one that had also fallen A vehicle with a trailer attached then ploughed into them and ran over the six-year-old His mother Magdalene Jantijies screamed as the vehicle crushed her son's legs The farmer accused Beukes of stealing the oranges and ran him over as punishment causing horrific injuries including two broken legs Read More: Strictly bosses apologise to Amanda Abbington but clear dance partner Giovanni Pernice of most serious allegations Read More: Wheelchair-bound driver, 96, becomes oldest woman in Britain to be convicted for death by dangerous driving Stoman was accused of showing no repose over the incident and told police he "would do it again" were rushed to the local Vredendal Hospital before being transferred to Paarl Hospital The six-year-old is still undergoing treatment to save his legs and is expected to have surgery on Wednesday Jantijies told police that she and her son had been walking to the town to shop for food when they passed the farmer's small holding and the boy picked up and reached for the two oranges The broken mother said he heard Stoman shout at them before hitting her and her son with his vehicle Jantijies told eCNA: "He came from around the corner and he was driving at a speed stand there,' I thought he was going to stop 'I'm going to kill you by driving into you'." Locals have since accused Stoman of wrongdoing over previous incidents Billy Claasen of South Africa's Rural and Farmworkers Development Organisation called for lawmakers to toughen the consequences on farmers committing crimes National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the State would oppose Stoman's release "He will stay in custody and will appear on Monday in the Vredendal Magistrate's Court,' he said ahead of today's trial "The State has indicated that it will oppose bail in this case and there is no way that this boy could have gained access to the orchard over that fence "The suspect should answer in a court of law for this reckless behaviour." The mother said she and her son were focusing on his recovery and would seek counselling after the incident as long as I can stand here," she said See more More Latest News See more Latest News See more The News Explained See more Royals See more Highlights & Opinion See more More Topics