Dis winter en die Swartland het sy geel en groen baadjie aangetrek. Swartlanders weet dis sulke tyd van die jaar as talle begin nies en hoes en proes en die allergie-seisoen sy verskyning maak. Die kanola is besig om te blom en die lande word gespuit. Die geel spuitvliegtuie is nou ‘n algemene gesig en geluid oor die Swartlandse dorpe.

Velddrif – Andy Birkett prevailed to win the 60th edition of the Berg River canoe marathon while his wife Nikki Birkett won the women’s race but in sharply contrasting fashion.
Andy Birkett grabbed a two minute lead on the second stage when McGregor made an error in a tree-block and managed to retain that advantage for the remainder of the race, despite McGregor continually trying to claw back into the contest.
After three days of racing in sublime weather and river conditions, the arrival of a cold front on Sunday, combined with a strong incoming tide made the last 60km kilometre stage brutally tough for all the paddlers.
McGregor won the stage honours, bring his total number of stage wins to three, but the tenacious Burkett was right on his wave as they raced into Velddrif, and he claimed a second Berg title to go with his 2014 victory.
“It was such a tough race. Racing against Hank and Hamish was really hard. Hank is always trying to get the better of you but what I really enjoy about these guys is that the racing is hard but always very fair,” said Birkett.
“Congratulations to Andy (Birkett). I threw everything and the kitchen sink at him and he kept coming back. I am stoked to get three stage wins but it wasn’t enough,” said a gracious McGregor.
Hamish Lovemore wrapped up the men’s podium, the 2019 champion getting just reward for his consistent form during the race.
Source: www.berg.org.za

West Coast TVET College, one of the 8 Technical Vocational Education and Training Colleges in the Western and Northern Cape Region, celebrated their students’ academic success virtually in July 2021 for the class of 2019 and 2020 respectfully.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the class of 2019 could not have had their graduation. The various alert levels that was in place also did not allow for any gatherings and this indeed had an effect on the planning and execution of the event.
This then along with some great Information Communication Technology advancements of the college, thrusted the planning for this year to be a virtual celebration of academic achievements for 2019 as well as the 2020 groups.
“The developments such as the increase in the areas fiber connectivity along with the upgrade of the internet speed allowed the college to bring in a live streaming production team to stream the event to the West Coast College Facebook Page, YouTube Channel and West Coast College website,” says Rhazia Hamza, Deputy Principal, Innovation and Development.
Students from any part of the country could link up with the college through these mentioned platforms and enjoy their moment together with loved ones.
The college was honoured to have its past Marketing Manager, now Master’s Degree Achiever: Morne Meyer, giving the keynote address from this now home in America.
Reverend Meyer is also a product of the TVET College sector and therefore it was indeed fitting to include him in the history making and ground breaking event. He spoke to the graduation groups of 2021 and reminded that they have a purpose and that they should NEVER GIVE UP.
Thursday, 29 July saw the 2019 class digitally walking on the screen while 30 July was the opportunity for our 2020 group. A total of 1000 students were celebrated on these nights.
“We wanted to make the evening more real, the most authentic and life-like as we possibly could in these times of covid-19 alert levels and therefore we opted for the virtual event rather than the recorded event that lead to more interaction and more comments by those who were watching the event live on their screens,” added Hamza.
This year again also saw sets of top achievers for both years but this was then broken down to Top Achiever for Business Studies, Top Achiever Utility Studies and Top Achiever Engineering Studies. These along with the Principal’s and Chairperson’s Award was as always the highlight and saw our sponsors: Absa Bank, Vodacom and Cape Book Supplies sponsoring monetary prizes, gift hampers, devices and laptops for these awards.

The top achievers for class of 2019 were:

Carin Perle Arendse from Atlantis Campus – Top Business Studies Student for 2019 with 13 distinctions over her 3 years of study at the college.
Lindisipho Ntsompo from Malmesbury Campus – Top Utility Studies student for 2019 with 10 distinctions over the past 3 years of study
Tsekiso Kheswa from Citrusdal Campus – Top Engineering Studies Student for 2019 with 5 distinctions over the past 3 years of study
The Principal’s Award for 2019 went to: Carin Perle Arendse with an average of 81.33% from Atlantis Campus
The Chairperson’s Award for 2019 went to: Carlin Bronwyn Brandt with an average of 85.76% from the Vredenburg Campus
The top achievers for class of 2020 were:
Zanele Matebese from Vredendal Campus – Top Business Studies Student for 2020 with 11 distinctions over her 3 years of study at the college.
Lulutho Maseme from Vredendal Campus – Top Utility Studies student for 2020 with 12 distinctions over the past 3 years of study
Sinethemba July from Atlantis Campus – Top Engineering Studies Student for 2020 with 4 distinctions over the past 3 years of study
The Principal’s Award for 2020 went to: Zanele Matebese with an average of 81.14% from the Vredendal Campus.
The Chairperson’s Award for 2020 went to: Rozanne Gaylee Davids with an average of 76.92% from the Malmesbury Campus.
“We would like to congratulate all our students and although we could not celebrate together under one roof, we are glad that we could have celebrated your achievements and your commitment even in these trying times,” says Rhazia Hamza.

The 2021 Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College Month was launched at West Coast TVET College, Malmesbury Campus on Tuesday, 3 August.
Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Mr Buti Manamela, MP, did the honors and delivered a keynote address to members of the public and high school learners from grade 9 to 12 from the Malmesbury Local Municipality.
TVET Month is an annual event which was launched in 2014 by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
The aim is to introduce and encourage high school learners and those that are not currently studying, employed or in training, to enroll in vocational education and training and take up careers available in TVET Colleges.
Deputy Minister Manamela stressed the importance of higher education and how essential it is that our young adults as well as our youth should be equipped for the future.
Since TVET Colleges focus on skills development and offer shorter studying programmes, it should be one of the top contenders when young people consider furthering their education or vocational training.
The fact that students do not need a matric certificate to empower themselves and can enroll at a TVET College directly after grade 9 is another plus that should be taken into consideration.
This could save young adults a tremendous amount of time, especially when there is certainty about which vocation they would like to focus on.
The goal should however always be that students finish their matric certificate, but parents should also be aware that there are other options to choose from.
It is key at TVET Colleges to implement the best possible environment for young people to excel and there are various social spaces available that allow them to grow on all levels.
Government’s aim is to invest and implement all the necessary stepping stones at TVET Colleges, bringing it to its full potential.
Currently there are 250 TVET College campuses nationwide with 43 of them located in the Western Cape.
Offering a wide variety of programmes that include hairdressing, plumbing and motor mechanics.
During the month of August all public TVET Colleges will conduct various activities, including but not limited to, having direct and online engagements with the youth.
There will also be open days under strict lockdown regulations for the 2021 TVET Month under the theme: “Youth united for access to quality education, improved student health services and employability”.

On the eve of the celebration of Women’s Day 2021, Minister Ivan Meyer wish to pay tribute to the Cape Women Agricultural Association.
Commonly known as the VLV (Vroue-Landbouvereniging), this women’s organization offers its members opportunities for personal growth, personal advancement, and community service.
Women empowering themselves, other women and agri-workers over decades bear testimony to the VLV’s commitment to building healthy relationships in the agricultural sector in South Africa.
“The charitable work done during the drought and the current pandemic has gone largely unnoticed.
The distribution of pampering boxes which has been a source of support and inspiration to women living in drought-stricken parts of the Western Cape has been extended to health workers fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.
Several members are also involved in various farming activities where they assist with administration, bookkeeping, marketing, transportation, supervision and payment of salaries to workers.
The VLV’s latest initiative to actively plant indigenous plants is welcomed as the restoration of our ecological infrastructure supports agriculture’s initiatives to mitigate the impact of climate change by introducing climate-proof practices in farming operations.”

Swartland Fire Services, met sy hoofkantoor op Malmesbury, voorsien nie net hierdie dorp van vuur-veiligheidstoerusting nie, maar bedien ook die groter Swartland.
Dawid Maarman, eienaar van Swartland Fire Services, het die onderneming aan die einde van 2018 oorgeneem.
Alle akkreditasie en standaarde is in orde en in plek. Die onderneming is ook BSI en SAQCC geregistreerd en geakkrediteerd.
Maarman spreek sy dank uit teenoor sy kliënte en lede van die publiek vir hul getroue ondersteuning.
Maarman is nou besig om te kyk na maniere hoe hy plaaslike speelskole met hul vuur-veiligheid gratis kan ondersteun met die diens van hul brandtoerusting.
Swartland Fire Services se werkswinkel is op Moorreesburg gestasioneer en is ook binnekort op die sentrale databasis geregistreer, om sodoende met entiteite soos munisipaliteite besigheid te kan doen. Kontak hulle by 0788716548/0632247080/0748362326.

Springbok Lodge & Restaurant is ‘n familie besigheid wat reeds sedert 1947 deur die Kotzé-familie bestuur word. Die hoofgebou van die lodge in Voortrekkerstraat huisves die ontvangs, kafee, restaurant, boek- en curiowinkel en foto’s oor die geskiedenis van Namakwaland.
Jopie se bekende klipversameling is reeds ouer as 50 jaar en word ook in die hoofgebou ten toongestel.
Akkommodasie is beskikbaar in die bekende geel en wit huisies binne loopafstand van die hoofgebou. Die interessante name van die huise reflekteer die geskiedenis van die geboue. Huise soos Die Ankerhuis en Huis Kallie Fischer is ingerig as en suite dubbelkamers. Die Stoor en Ou Sendingpastorie kan groot groepe akkommodeer. Selfsorg eenhede soos Bergmanns Hof en Ou Dokters is gewilde keuses vir dié gaste wat graag vir hulself wil sorg tydens hul kuier.
Die restaurant voorsien lekker etes soos ons gewilde melkskommels, heerlike omelette en immergewilde ete van die dag. Hier kry jy nog régte boerekos soos tamatiebredie en kerrie-afval. Die restaurant is gelisensieerd en ons spyskaart spog met gewilde streekswyne.
Die boekwinkel beskik oor ‘n wonderlike versameling boeke oor ‘n wye reeks onderwerpe.
Ons doen moeite om die beste boeke oor blomme, plante, geskiedenis en plaaslike stories in voorraad te hou. Afrikaanse boeke lê ons na aan die hart en hiervan kry jy genoeg in die boekwinkel vir oud en jonk.
Ons boekwinkel het ook ‘n interessante curio-afdeling met klein geskenkies, aandenkings, handgemaakte items en die beste produkte, van koffie en konfyt tot seep en die bekende vet skapies uit die Karoo.
Die nuutste toevoeging tot die lodge is ‘n kunsgalery op die boonste verdieping met kunswerke deur Namakwalandse kunstenaars. Kom loer gerus in om te kyk hoe talentvol Namakwalanders ook met kwas en verf is.

Uitslae/Results
Wedvlugduiwe

OMEGA RACING PIGEON CLUB
Victoria West – 7 Augustus
1 Manuel Lofts 13:31:30; 2 Shane Arendse 13:41:59; 3 Stan The Man 13:43:31; 4 Hok Smith & Edas 13:45:21; 5 Shane Arendse 13:45:56; 6 Hok Smith & Edas 13:46:47; 7 Kasu Family 13:47:09; 8 Hok Smith & Edas 13:48:03; 9 Stan The Man 13:50:46; 10 Kasu Family 13:51:22; 11 Team Neo Vision 13:54:01; 12 Stan The Man 13:54:32; 13 Kasu Family 14:01:15; 14 Manuel Lofts 14:02:39; 15 Leukes & Garth Loft 14:05:31

MALMESBURY POSDUIF VERENIGING
Britstown JO2 – 7 Augustus
1 Limbardi 1373.4198; 2 J.A. Lombaard Jnr 1373.3088; 3 Team Neo Vision 1373.2829; 4 D De Villiers 1371.7331; 5 LF van Dalen 1367.9792; 6 Lewisham Lofts 1361.5917; 7 Limbardi 1349.1593; 8 Limbardi 1342.0209; 9 Lewisham Lofts 1322.5403; 10 Lewisham Lofts 1320.5307; 11 J.A. Lombaard Jnr 1309.9017; 12 Kotze Familie Hokke 1309.7265; 13 Bordeaux A 1303.6851; 14 Kotze Familie Hokke 1299.0829; 15 Lewisham Lofts 1297.6278; 16 D De Villiers 1296.6647; 17 J.A. Lombaard Jnr 1295.9172; 18 J.A. Lombaard Jnr 1295.8184; 19 Limbardi 1295.0777; 20 Marais Hokke (Ksd) 1284.7849

Britstown Ope 2
1 J.A. Lombaard Jnr 1367.3420; 2 Lewisham Lofts 1364.4970; 3 Limbardi 1360.9907; 4 D De Villiers 1358.0377; 5 Kotze Familie Hokke 1357.9383; 6 Kotze Familie Hokke 1354.9357; 7 Bordeaux A 1351.4839; 8 Kotze Familie Hokke 1339.0895; 9 Limbardi 1338.0057; 10 D De Villiers 1336.9446; 11 G Williams 1334.8644; 12 J.A. Lombaard Jnr 1321.5654; 13 G Williams 1320.1604; 14 D De Villiers 1316.8113; 15 Limbardi 1310.5078; 16 G Williams 1309.8618; 17 Kotze Familie Hokke 1305.7985; 18 Limbardi 1301.5747; 19 Bordeaux A 1290.5580; 20 Team Neo Vision 1285.4706

RIEBEEK VALLEI
Prieska – 31 Julie

1 MJ Hokke 15.00.56; 2 Kuiler Hokke 15.05.29; 3 Dawid Loft 15.18.25; 4 Abrahams Hokke 1515.16.11; 5 Alex Family Loft 15.11.25; 6 Mentoor Hokke 15.24.19; 7 Mentoor Hokke 15.40.41; 8 Amen Hokke 15.43.34; 9 Abrahams Hokke 15.45.269; 10 Mentoor Hokke 15.47.03; 11 Alex Family Loft 15.46.30; 12 Mentoor Hokke; 13 Mentoor Hokke 16.27.40; 14 Daniels Hokke 16.28.38; 15 Alex Family Loft 16.31.31; 16 Amen Hokke 16.57.29; 17 Pigeons Nest 42 16.58.13; 18 Alex Family Loft 17.00.04; 19 Alex Family Loft 17.07.03; 20 Mentoor Hokke 17.15.50

Lt. Col Johan Scott, commander: Stock Theft Unit Vereeniging, gives producers the following safety hints on how to prevent livestock theft:
Livestock owners should keep all fences and gates in proper condition to protect their livestock. The employment of a specially-trained employee can be considered for daily fence patrolling. This person can see to it that holes in and under fences are repaired at once. Inspect these reparations yourself.
Loading ramps in paddocks or on farms away from direct supervision should be kept locked or obstructed at all times.
If you consider buying an additional farm, remember: “absentee landlords gather no crops”. Rather try and buy close to your residential farm.
Prevent stolen animals from being hidden on your property. Stock posts serve as ideal overnight stopovers to hide stolen livestock. Unknown livestock found at such posts should immediately be reported to the SAPS.
Livestock at stock posts should be counted by the livestock owner him/herself, at least once a week.
If employees at stock posts possess their own animals, a good preventative measure against stock theft (if involvement of employees is suspected) is to allow the animals to mix and graze together.
Many court cases are lost because of disputes regarding the proper identification of animals. If an animal is marked with a registered brandmark or tattoo, disputes will be avoided. Employees should mark their livestock properly, according to the Animal Identification Act, 2002 (Act No. 6 of 2002), preferably by branding them.
Be particularly watchful during full moon, weekends and at the end or beginning of a month or during periods that you know from your own experience, when stock thefts (slaughtering for the pot) occur. Report unknown animals among your animals immediately to the SAPS and your neighbours. Livestock owners should at all times report al livestock theft cases on their property immediately. The longer the delay, the less the possibility of achieving success in an investigation.
The regular herding and counting of animals are of obvious importance. Also check up upon your employees’ livestock. If it is not possible to count your livestock everyday, try counting your animals at least twice a week on irregular days. Avoid any routine, especially at stock posts, as your employees may be informers to stock thieves. Shortages and signs indicating possible thefts should immediately be reported. The livestock owner must count the animals him/herself and cannot leave it to his/her employees to do the counting or to lodge any complaints.
When considering applicants for employment, enquiries should be made at previous employers to establish the real reason why an employee had left his previous job. Enquiries should also be lodged at the SAPS to determine whether the applicant has a criminal record. Establish what kind of criminal record the applicant has. Employees should be trained to pay attention to irregularities. Ask your employees to be careful about what they say in the presence of strangers regarding activities on the farm. Careless talk can lead to livestock losses.
Report immediately to your stock theft unit when animal speculators and hide bone buyers or livestock dealers from neighbouring countries are active in your area. Keep proper record of all prospective livestock buyers as soon as you enter negotiations.
The necessity of a thorough stock register cannot be emphasised enough. Commit to paper as much details as possible and keep the register up to date yourself.
Do not allow loitering on the farm or any idle and unemployed people to settle on your property. Strangers entering the farm or visiting labourers should first obtain your permission – implement a visitors control system, wherein all particulars of visitors to the farm are noted, whom they’re visiting and when they’re leaving.
It often happens that stock theft cases have to be withdrawn due to a lack of interest or reluctance shown by some complainants to attend court proceedings. Show interest and attend all court cases.
Cooperate with the local SAPS and stock theft unit and do not work against them. Support them in their efforts to help you.