Latest news with #Grobler
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Sekhukhune United in advanced talks with veteran PSL striker
Sekhukhune United are reportedly in advanced talks to sign veteran PSL striker Bradley Grobler from SuperSport United. Grobler's contract with Matsatsantsa expires on 30 June, and while he waited for them, they delayed offering him a new deal. And he subsequently looked elsewhere with Sekhukhune United showing huge interest in his services. Sekhukhune United have relied on Chibuike Ohizu and Andy Boyeli for goals, but with Grobler on board, they could be stronger upfront. The 37-year-old marksman is one of the most prolific strikers in the history of the PSL with 115 goals across all competitions. Grobler will reunite with coach Eric Tinkler whom he worked with at SupersSport United eight years ago. SuperSport United striker Bradley Grobler kicks the ball: Image via Facebook @SuperSport United FC 'SABC Sport can confirm Sekhukhune United have made progress in talks with forward Bradley Grobler, who is a priority target for coach Eric Tinkler ahead of next season,' reports SABC Sport . 'It's understood the finer details are still being ironed out, however, Sekhukhune have tabled an offer that Grobler has already accepted in principle, subject to all paperwork being signed and approved.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
06-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Staff shortage leaves 122 ambulances unused
Only 72 out of 194 Mpumalanga ambulances are operational as the province faces a dire emergency personnel shortage crisis. The Mpumalanga department of health has come under fire for not using 122 ambulances due to a shortage of staff. The unions and political parties have slammed the department after the portfolio committee on health recently revealed the department has 194 ambulances, but only 72 are in service. Flip van der Walt, provincial leader of the Public Servants Association of South Africa, slated health MEC Sasekani Manzini. Only 72 ambulances in service 'The officials seem unable to manage the department in line with the Public Finance Management Act,' said Van der Walt. 'Why do you procure 194 ambulances while you know that you only have 72 possible drivers? We all know when vehicles are not operational and standing, it is then that vehicles get damaged.' According to the emergency medical norms and standards, there must be one ambulance per 10 000 people, which means that ideally, Mpumalanga should have at least 480 fully operational ambulances. ALSO READ: Thief who stole ambulance with patient inside granted bail 'At 72 ambulances for a population of five million, it means Mpumalanga has one ambulance for 69 000 people,' said Bosman Grobler, DA spokesperson on health in the Mpumalanga. 'This cannot be acceptable and it is against the emergency medical norms and standards. It is concerning that the shortage and late arrival of ambulances when summoned has become a normality,' said Grobler. 'This is especially true when taking into consideration that the South African national norms and standards recommend EMS [Emergency Medical Services] response time of 15 minutes in urban areas and 40 minutes for rural areas.' Prioritise employing more EMS He urged Manzini to rather prioritise employing more EMS personnel to operate the 122 ambulances standing idle, instead of relaunching the 2021-22 Impilo citizen engagement platform application. He said the app, which has 'failed dismally', was procured in 2021-22 with Vodacom on a twoyear contract worth R33.4 million. 'It was initially aimed at helping the department address the effective management of their EMS resources in terms of call taking and call dispatching,' said Grobler. ALSO READ: Department of Health confirms 24 ambulances allegedly sabotaged by staff 'The app was also meant to help communities register their concerns and complaints experienced during emergencies. 'But the department abandoned the app in 2023 when the contract with Vodacom lapsed – partly because they realised the majority of residents who rely on public health did not have access to the app as it required a smartphone and data to even access it.' He said they were concerned that the department was on the verge of relaunching the app in September at a cost of R750 000, a monthly operational cost of between R50 000 and R100 000. Concern about app relaunch He added the DA would engage Manzini to propose she consider employing more EMS personnel to operate ambulances, instead of spending millions more on an app that did not serve its purpose in the past. Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa) provincial secretary Cyril Mdluli has also expressed concern. 'We are concerned about the severe and chronic shortage that the department has on EMS personnel, especially since this shortage on EMS relates directly to nursing,' said Mdluli. ALSO READ: EC hijacking horror: Ambulance transporting eight-year-old patient hijacked 'This shortage has resulted in many incidents where patients will wait for long at primary health care after being referred to hospital for further management, which might result in some complications.' He also called on the department to employ more EMS personnel not only with basic qualifications, but also with advanced qualifications that can be able to manage patients' conditions inside ambulances. 'As Denosa we have advised our members to stop escorting patients as their work is in the clinic or hospital and not in an ambulance,' he said. Dept must speed up EMS college Mdluli said the department must speed up an EMS college in the province that will accommodate the current staff members to upskill them on advanced courses as per the Skills Development Act. He said the province currently has few of them and the majority of personnel have basic life support. Mpumalanga department of health spokesperson Dumisani Malamule had not responded to questions by the time of publication. In a recent article by IOL, South African Emergency Personnel's Union president Mpho Mpogeng said Mpumalanga is one of the provinces facing a huge shortage of ambulances. ALSO READ: Ambulance stoning incident condemned Meanwhile, it is also alleged that in Limpopo there is a shortage of qualified ambulance crew, but health department spokesperson Neil Shikwana dismissed the claim. Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi conceded in parliament that there was a shortage of ambulance personnel. He said the government was addressing the matter.
The Citizen
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Tshwane NGOs face bureaucratic hurdles in funding crisis
As of June, numerous NGOs in Gauteng are entering their third consecutive month without payment from the provincial department of Social Development (DSD), jeopardising essential services for thousands of vulnerable individuals. A snapshot of 11 affected organisations reveals that services to 2 834 individuals are at risk. The Gauteng Care Crisis Committee already raised alarm over these delays last month, highlighting that at least 40 NGOs will remain unpaid by the end of May. Aileen Langley, spokesperson for the committee and EpilepsySA, said among these, 14 organisations were still awaiting their Service Level Agreements (SLAs) from the department. These NGOs provide critical services, including support for victims of domestic violence, child and youth care centres, substance abuse treatment facilities, and residential care for individuals with disabilities. Staff members are also bearing the brunt of the delays, with some receiving only partial salaries or going entirely unpaid. According to the national DSD's sector funding policy, SLAs should have been finalised by the end of March. According to committee member Charlene Grobler, CEO of Jakaranda and Louis Botha Children's Homes, while some NGOs in regions like Sedibeng, Ekurhuleni, City of Johannesburg, and West Rand have received award letters, organisations in Tshwane have reported additional bureaucratic hurdles. 'These include demands for occupancy certificates, despite this not being listed as a mandatory requirement in funding proposals and the insistence on additional documentation not required by the original business plans,' said Grobler. According to another committee member, Sam Mokgopha from Kids Haven, the impact on vulnerable communities is profound. Several child and youth care centres in Tshwane are at risk due to funding uncertainty, including AFM Welfare (37 children), and Paul Kruger (59), Jakaranda (166) and Louis Botha (89) children's homes. Additionally, more than 200 individuals in residential care facilities now face disruption due to non-payment: Epilepsy SA Gauteng (disability care facility – 175 people) and an anonymous homeless shelter (57 people). Beyond these figures, CMR North in Pretoria North provides child protection services to 1 900 children and families, while Epilepsy SA Gauteng runs a protective workshop for 112 individuals. Both organisations are also impacted by non-payment. These organisations' financial sustainability remains uncertain due to stalled payments. This is not the first time NGOs have faced a funding crisis. In May 2023, Premier Panyaza Lesufi was forced to reverse budget cuts following mass NGO protests, ensuring payments by the end of May. In May 2024, the premier intervened again over late payments, while the crisis committee secured a court order, compelling the department to finalise agreements and issue payments. Funding was only initiated in June. Grobler said this year's delays fall squarely within the same time frames. She said the crisis committee is calling for immediate government intervention to address the ongoing delays and ensure NGOs receive the funding necessary to continue their vital work. 'The department is also urged to provide an update on the number of payments made to NGOs to date and to explain the reasons behind the persistent delays. 'As the situation continues to unfold, our committee remains committed to advocating for the timely and fair treatment of NGOs, ensuring they can continue to serve the vulnerable populations that rely on their services,' concluded Grobler. Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Developmen, Lebogang Maile announced during retabling of the 2025/26 budget of the provincial government on June 3 that the DSD will be receiving R5.4-billion for the financial year and R16.9-billion over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework. 'This is to secure social compacts and partnerships to build a skilled and capable workforce, implement a 'single window' urban poverty and hunger elimination approach and strengthen support for homeless and vulnerable persons. Furthermore, the department will be offering comprehensive skills development through the integration of skills development initiatives within its various service offerings,' said Maile. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Urgent appeal to prevent financial collapse of Moot children's homes
Urgent appeal to prevent financial collapse of Moot children's homes The Jakaranda and Louis Botha Children's Homes in the Moot are facing an unprecedented financial crisis, operating without state funding for more than 60 days. CEO Charlene Grobler described the situation as the most stressful in her nearly 20-year tenure, highlighting the severe impact on both staff and children. During a recent fundraiser at the Atterbury Theatre, Grobler posed a poignant question to the audience: 'How long does it take to bleed out?' This metaphor underscored the urgency of the homes' financial distress. Despite fulfilling all compliance requirements and undergoing successful audits by the Auditor-General and the Gauteng Department of Social Development (DSD), the management of the homes has not received any feedback or funding, leaving it unable to meet basic operational costs. The institution cares for nearly 300 children aged 3 to 18 and employs 122 staff members. Daily operations, including transporting children to 28 schools and maintaining 30 houses, two clinics, and two administrative buildings, require immediate financial support. With the second school quarter concluding and examinations approaching, Grobler emphasised the critical need for electricity and resources to ensure the children's well-being and academic success. Grobler made a direct appeal to the community, urging them to put pressure on the DSD to honour its commitments to the children who are all placed under the care of the homes by court order. 'Help is needed now to care for these children to prevent a total breakdown,' she stated. The situation reflects broader systemic issues within the Gauteng department. In 2023, the department rejected funding for 171 non-profit organisations (NPOs) due to non-compliance, citing reasons such as lack of occupational certificates and building plans. The DA's Refiloe Nt'sekhe MPL and DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Social Development, said investigations revealed that many state-run facilities continued to receive funding despite similar non-compliance, raising concerns about double standards in the department's funding practices. Furthermore, the department has been criticised by the DA for its handling of funds. In the 2024/25 financial year, it was reported that R1.7-billion allocated for social development purposes remained unspent, while R102-million was returned to the Treasury due to NPOs' non-compliance. Nt'sekhe argues that instead of penalising NPOs, the department should assist them in meeting compliance standards to continue providing essential services. AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit is also taking up the cudgels for the NPOs. Despite repeated requests for clarification and action, Premier Panayaza Lesufi has yet to respond to concerns raised by the civil organisation about the provincial DSD. Lesufi is now also facing serious allegations of orchestrating a cover-up involving widespread corruption, money laundering, and fraud within the department. The AfriForum unit has now approached the Gauteng Legislature with a letter, urging the Speaker to fulfil the constitutional duty to exercise oversight of the provincial executive authority, which includes the premier. The legislature's Speaker and the Deputy Speaker have confirmed receipt of the letter. The accusations, which have been ongoing for several months, claim that Lesufi failed to act on forensic reports detailing misconduct by senior officials. The unit asserts that the implicated officials were suspended between September 2023 and January 2024 but have since been reinstated. Advocate Gerrie Nel, head of the unit, criticised Lesufi's response to the allegations, stating that the premier's actions appear to be an effort to conceal the alleged crimes and protect the implicated officials. Questions were forwarded to the premier's office, but no answers have been received by publication date. ALSO READ: What's happening in Pretoria this weekend? Here is the ultimate guide Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
White Afrikaners Trash Trump's Reason for Offering 'Refugee' Status
Donald Trump is paving the way for white South African 'refugees' to come to the United States, but they're not all that interested in taking him up on his offer, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday. The U.S. president falsely claimed Monday that Afrikaners, the white descendants of mainly Dutch colonizers in South Africa, are facing a 'genocide' in their home country. So then why don't they actually want to leave? Maritz Grobler, a tenth-generation South African on his father's side who owns a sprawling 1,000-acre farm in Settlers, wasn't interested in the offer to relocate. 'This is my country,' Grobler told the Journal. 'But it's good to know that [Trump] will back us … if shit happens,' he added. While white South Africans are the target of horrific crimes, they are killed in significantly lower numbers than Black South Africans, according to the Journal. White people account for roughly 7 percent of South Africa's population of 63 million people, and of that number, Afrikaners make up about two-thirds, so roughly three million people in total. Despite having a vastly smaller population, white commercial farmers—the majority of whom are Afrikaners—still possess about half of the country's land and produce a whopping 90 percent of its agricultural products. In 2024, South Africa's agricultural exports were worth a record $13.7 billion. Afrikaners have therefore maintained a hefty chunk of the nation's wealth. Only 1 percent of white South Africans live in poverty, compared to nearly two-thirds of Black South Africans. This accumulated land and wealth is the direct result of systemic historical racial oppression under South African apartheid. Despite one Trump official's claim that white South Africans have been given an exception to Trump's refugee ban because they would be supposedly easier to assimilate into the majority-white U.S. population than refugees from other countries, Grobler said that the cultural difference was still too great. 'I don't want to speak English for the rest of my life,' Grobler said. White South Africans typically speak Afrikaans, not English. But it seems that language barrier likely won't incense Vice President JD Vance the way it did when the hypothetical immigrant children he was mad at were brown. Grobler told the Journal that politicians 'seek power and money and get it through playing the race card and hammering on historic events.
