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Beloved WA doctor retires after 45 years
Beloved WA doctor retires after 45 years

Perth Now

time2 days ago

  • Health
  • Perth Now

Beloved WA doctor retires after 45 years

From hanging out of helicopters in African war zones to performing general practice in Bunbury, Frederik Pretorius has had a life full of twists and turns. Arriving in Australia 45 years ago, Dr Pretorius left the unrest of apartheid South Africa with his family, looking for a better life. Being a passionate diver, Australia was a natural choice for him and he arrived in Brisbane with two toddlers, a few suitcases of clothes and $400 in travellers' cheques. After staying in Cairns for one year and then another year at Pinjarra, Dr Pretorius and his family eventually decided to settle in Bunbury. 'It was close enough to Perth, but close enough to the southern places, not too big, like Perth, but not too small, like a country town where everybody knows what's in your shopping basket at the supermarket,' he said. Dr Fred Pretorius with his best friend Mapula. Credit: Yousuf Shameel Soon after settling in Bunbury, he set up a clinic in the Plaza Shopping Centre with a chemist shop close by. Dr Pretorius said his most proud moment he would pick of his career would be when he was able to detect 50 melanomas in their early stages when he started to do community skin checks after losing a dear friend and partner Dr Rex Chidgzey to melanoma. 'I was already doing quite a lot of skin work, and that reinforced it,' he said. 'His portrait still hangs in our surgery in the skin cancer clinic as a memory to him and passing away from melanoma. 'He was in his 40s, which is very sad. A good doctor and good friend.' While in Bunbury, Dr Pretorius made the headlines, not for his services to the community, but for his diving expeditions. 'I was diving with a buddy a few kilometres from the Ningaloo shoreline and our boat anchor rope got severed by sharp coral whilst we were in the water,' he said. 'The boat took off in a stiff easterly breeze and was eventually found by a passing Greek freighter somewhere between India and Cocos Islands and taken as salvage. 'My buddy and I got separated but both reached the shore in the dark after a very long swim after having to dump our heavy scuba gear and I drove home to Bunbury with an empty boat trailer, wearing diving goggles with prescription lenses as my proper glasses went with the boat.' After selling his GP clinic, Dr Pretorius set out to start the Bunbury Skin Cancer Clinic with Dr Gavin Matten from Donnybrook at Forrest Avenue next to Mainline Plumbing. Soon, they realised they were running out of space, and decided to move into the current skin cancer clinic at South Bunbury. Now, at the age of 75, Dr Pretorius has decided its time for him to consider retirement and wishes to thank his staff, colleagues, friends and most of all, his patients and Bunbury itself. 'Thank you for your friendship, patience, laughter, compassion and trust over the past four and a half decades and for putting up with my choice of music in the operating theatre,' he said. As for a piece of wisdom, he said people should 'appreciate your GPs, because they have to deal with everything and be fairly good at many things.'

Teksa Alarms sets up CCTV cameras in Evander to curb crime
Teksa Alarms sets up CCTV cameras in Evander to curb crime

The Citizen

time3 days ago

  • Business
  • The Citizen

Teksa Alarms sets up CCTV cameras in Evander to curb crime

Over the past two years, residents may have noticed CCTV cameras being installed in and around Evander. This is Teksa Alarms' initiative to improve safety and curb crime in the area. However, Teksa Alarms needs the support of residents and local businesses to make this initiative bigger and better for everyone. Teksa Alarms aims to put up 264 cameras in total and so far, 34 cameras have been installed. The cameras are linked to a server, which is continuously monitored. According to Willem Pretorius of Teksa Alarms, there has been a decline in crime in areas where these cameras have been installed. The cameras are placed strategically at intersections to get a wider angle. These cameras can reach a distance of up to 30m. They are motion-sensored and can detect any form of movement or tampering. The cameras are placed inside businesses and residents' premises. 'We have approached our clients with this initiative. All that is required from the client is approval to install a pole with the camera equipment on their premises. It will also require the client's electricity and WiFi connection to keep the cameras running and connected to our server,' said Pretorius. Residents are urged to join the Teksa Alarms neighbourhood watch for as little as R120 a month. 'The more people who join the neighbourhood watch, the faster we can install more cameras. It will also create job opportunities by employing additional armed response personnel. 'Teksa Alarms welcomes any businesses or residents who want to purchase cameras and/or poles. All the cameras currently in use have been funded at Teksa Alarms' own expense. 'When we started this initiative, we focused on the areas with the highest crime rates,' said Pretorius. He said this initiative is part of Teksa Alarms' commitment to giving back to the community, reclaiming Evander, and making it a safer, crime-free area. There is also an app available for those who join the neighbourhood watch. The neighbourhood watch app includes a panic button for quick armed response, medical assistance, vehicle support, and technical services. 'We have a passion and a clear vision for this community project, and we need your support by joining our neighbourhood watch,' said Pretorius. For more information on the CCTV camera set up or joining the neighbourhood watch, contact Jan Grobler on 072 119 7793, or Yvette Pretorius on 060 933 9582 or Willem Pretorius on 071 460 9617. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

Lhuan-dre Pretorius ready to rebound against New Zealand after debut duck
Lhuan-dre Pretorius ready to rebound against New Zealand after debut duck

IOL News

time7 days ago

  • Sport
  • IOL News

Lhuan-dre Pretorius ready to rebound against New Zealand after debut duck

Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who made history with a record-breaking 153 on Test debut, aims to rebound from a T20 debut duck against New Zealand in the Tri-Series. Picture: Nokwanda Zondi / BackpagePix Seldom has there been a player who has experienced a more contrasting couple of debuts in different formats of cricket than Lhuan-dre Pretorius. The teenager announced his arrival on the international stage with a swashbuckling, record-breaking 153 on debut in the first Test against hosts Zimbabwe in Bulawayo last month. At 19 years and 93 days, Pretorius became the youngest to ever achieve the feat for South Africa, beating out the legendary Graeme Pollock, who held the previous record when he achieved it at 19 years and 317 days in 1964. The big-hitting left-hander was not yet, though, as he went on to become the youngest-ever Test player to score 150 or over, beating another legend - Sachin Tendulkar. When he was finally out for 153, Pretorius had faced just 160 ball as he struck 11 fours and six maximums.

TOSS: Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Corbin Bosch and Rubin Hermann to make Proteas T20I debuts
TOSS: Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Corbin Bosch and Rubin Hermann to make Proteas T20I debuts

IOL News

time14-07-2025

  • Sport
  • IOL News

TOSS: Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Corbin Bosch and Rubin Hermann to make Proteas T20I debuts

Paarl Royals top-order batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius is set to make his Proteas T2OI debut against Zimbabwe today. Picture: Sportzpics Image: Sportzpics The Proteas will field a trio of debutants in today's T20I Tri-Series opener against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club after stand-in captain Rassie van der Dussen won the toss and elected to bowl first. Paarl Royals duo Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Rubin Hermann will make the T20I bow along with MI Cape Town allrounder Corbin Bosch. Both Pretorius and Hermann excelled in last year's SA20 with Pretorius finishing as the competition's leading run-scorer. Hermann finished fifth. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ There is also a recall for Bosch's MI Cape Town teammate Dewald Brevis after the 22-year-old enjoyed outstanding IPL and SA20 seasons. "Preparation has been great, we have been enjoying it here (in Harare). The team is fresh, lot of new guys here and they have brought in a lot of energy," Brevis said. "It remains the same - just keep it simple and not worrying about hitting in the air. It (Test cricket) made your base even stronger, power and everything comes from there, so just to watch it (the ball) and see where it goes from there. "Very close to my heart to represent South Africa here, so it is really special. Nice to know that we are going to play NZ as well, makes it more competitive, like a little tournament and super excited." Proteas coach Shukri Conrad, who will be overseeing the T20I side for the first time since being appointed all-format coach back in May, will also be keeping a close eye on the return of fast bowler Nandre Burger after injury. Burger has only returned to fitness by playing Major League Cricket in the United States of America. PROTEAS STARTING XI Lhuan-dre Pretorius*, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen (captain), Rubin Hermann*, Dewald Brevis, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Andile Simelane, Nqaba Peter, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi.

SAPS crisis: Religious organisation calls for urgent action from Ramaphosa
SAPS crisis: Religious organisation calls for urgent action from Ramaphosa

The Star

time11-07-2025

  • Politics
  • The Star

SAPS crisis: Religious organisation calls for urgent action from Ramaphosa

With all eyes on President Cyril Ramaphosa as South Africans countdown to his address to the nation on Sunday evening, the South African Community of Faith-Based Fraternals (SACOFF) has joined the growing calls for immediate action by the president. SACOFF President, Pastor Bert Pretorius, issued a statement saying the umbrella body of faith-based organisations headquartered in Centurion was 'deeply disturbed' by the recent public allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, implicating Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu in serious acts of interference, political intimidation, and unlawful action. 'These claims, made by a senior and respected law enforcement officer raise grave concerns about the independence of the police service, the rule of law, and the political will to uphold constitutional accountability,' Pretorius said in the statement. He said the allegations must not be dismissed as they speak to political pressure to manipulate police operations, a culture of intimidation and 'backroom coercion', and systemic risk to public confidence in the criminal justice system. 'These are not matters of internal dispute; they represent a crisis of governance and trust, particularly in a country already overwhelmed by rising crime, corruption, and public disillusionment.' Pretorius said SACOFF's position was that it strongly condemns any form of political interference in law enforcement and believes that the rule of law must remain 'sacred' and independent of political manipulation. It calls on Ramaphosa to 'act decisively and transparently' – which includes temporary leave for implicated parties, appointing a judicial commission of inquiry and 'designating' the Public Protector to handle the matter with urgency, and ensuring parliamentary oversight and public updates throughout the investigative process. Additionally, SACOFF urges all faith communities and civil society organisations to 'remain alert, prayerful, and vocal in demanding justice, truth, and integrity in public office'. 'The Church will not remain silent while the integrity of our justice system is threatened. We stand with every courageous voice that speaks out against wrongdoing. We are calling on President Ramaphosa to take bold, visible action — not for political survival, but for the sake of our nation's soul,' he said. Since his return from Brazil in the past couple of days, Ramaphosa has remained guarded about Mkhwanazi's bombshell media briefing over the weekend. His televised address to the nation, where some light is expected to be shed about action to be taken to address the crisis in the South African Police Service, is scheduled for 7pm on Sunday, July 13.

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