Latest news with #R300
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- General
- The Citizen
Thuthukani Special School receives wheelchair donation to support disabled pupils
Thuthukani Special School on Friday received a generous gift of nine wheelchairs for its pupils, thanks to the Rotary Club of Richards Bay. The wheelchairs were donated to the club by an American foundation, Chair the Hope, and each wheelchair is valued at R3 500. ALSO READ: WATCH: Thuthukani Special School puts on spectacular show This support helps children who need one wheelchair at home and one at school, as public transport does not accommodate wheelchairs and charges for an extra passenger. 'Some children are also outgrowing their wheelchairs, or theirs are broken, while there are others on our waiting list [of 300] who we can also assist,' said Thuthukani principal Marthie Combrinck. 'They lie in bed the whole day. They can't get out or play over the weekend with their friends, so this gives them that freedom,' she said. The school's occupational therapists will also make waterproof cushions tailored to each child's posture. Appeal for sponsors Corporates are encouraged to join Thuthukani's Sponsor-a-Child programme, where donations help cover school fees of R300 per child per month for 11 months. In 2024, only 36% of parents were able to pay school fees, with most pupils from poor socio-economic backgrounds. They also have a Sponsor-a-Volunteer programme of R1 200 per month for the amazing volunteers who assist the children. To assist Thuthukani with donations, their bank details are: Thuthukani Special School ABSA – Empangeni Cheque Account Branch Code: 334 130 EFT Code 632 005 Account Number: 4044 335 087 SWIFT Code: ABSAZAJJ Use 'Sponsor' and your surname/company name as a reference. The school is a registered PBO, therefore any donation receives a Section 18A certificate and can be added to BBBEE audit requirements. Contact principal@ or call 035 7920080. Don't have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here: HAVE YOUR SAY Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. For news straight to your phone invite us: WhatsApp – 060 784 2695 Instagram – zululand_observer At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Time Out
a day ago
- Business
- Time Out
SA's Red Gold: Why this saffron farmer is staying put
On a quaint patch of land just outside the Western Cape dorpie of Piketberg, a bold agricultural experiment is blooming. It's not wine, olives or citrus - but saffron, the world's most expensive spice, harvested delicately by hand from tiny purple crocus flowers. At the helm of this fragrant venture is Saffricon, a family-run business that's not just rewriting farming norms in the Western Cape but stitching social impact into every delicate petal. Founded by Bennie Engelbrecht, a former SuperSport backend producer turned saffron pioneer, Saffricon took root in 2013 after years of research and one big, hopeful question: 'Why can't we grow saffron here?' At around R250,000 to R300,000 per kilogram of saffron. Better known as 'red gold' - it takes roughly 150,000 flowers to produce a single kilogram of dried saffron threads, all harvested by hand, Bennie's son, Tiaan joined Time Out for an interview to share exactly how this fascinating business model has been taking off locally - this, as Bennie himself was deep into harvest season, sleeves rolled up and hands in the soil at the time. 'My dad grew up on a farm, and in his words, 'once the soil's under your skin, it doesn't leave you,' says the younger Engelbrecht with a shrug and a smile. 'He always wanted to farm again.' Cultivating Community, Not Just Crocus Saffricon's model is as rare as the spice they grow. Tiaan and his dad understand they're not about to dethrone the traditional saffron giants in Iran or Spain in terms of production volume - but they're not trying to. What they are doing is far more rooted: growing a hyper-local, high-impact industry in a country where sustainable agricultural opportunities are desperately needed. In a blind test conducted by a top multinational retaile r, Saffricon's saffron beat global benchmarks on flavour, colour, and aroma - earning ISO certification and international praise. As Tiaan puts it, 'We're not here to compete. We're here to build something sustainable, seasonal, and South African.' The magic lies in its timing. Saffron's peak harvest happens in winter—filling the employment gap left by the end of the Western Cape's summer citrus and grape seasons. 'We're able to come in and say, 'Here's work—right when you need it most.'' But jobs are just the start. Through their Saffron Incubation Program (SIPS), the team works closely with under-resourced communities - offering hands-on training, materials, soil testing, and mentorship. It's a measured, long-term approach - worlds away from the one-size-fits-all co-op models that often leave farmers stranded. 'Don't spend your pension on saffron,' Tiaan cautions. 'It's not a get-rich-quick scheme. It's a long game. But it can be life-changing.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tiaan Engelbrecht (@ Homegrown, By Choice While the global opportunities might be on the table, Tiaan is clear, 'We love South Africa too much to leave.' Relocating from their initial location in Karoo to the Western Cape wasn't just about terroir, he adds, it was about viability. Saffron needs wet winters, dry summers, and sandy soil with good drainage. And it needs people. 'In citrus and table grape regions, things slow down in winter,' Tiaan explains. 'With saffron, we're able to come in during the off-season and say, 'Here's work - right when you need it most.'' The planting season starts in March or April, and harvest kicks off about 40 days later. You have just 24 hours from the flower's bloom to collect the delicate red stigmas before quality drops off. It's a process that's part science, part sprint, and entirely by hand. 'There's no machine that can harvest saffron the way a person can. It's intimate. You have to know what you're picking,' states Tiaan. In a world of extractive farming, Saffricon is cultivating something different: a model that's small-scale, community-first, and proudly rooted in South African soil. Your Slice of Saffron Starts at Home If you're a budding spice grower yourself, Saffricon has an offering for you. Their Gardener Pack i ncludes 10 starter corms (bulb-like roots) retails at R250, ideal for windowsills and small gardens. Perfect for Cape Town's artisanal growers or curious foodies, it's a bite-sized way to get involved. For more serious growers, the Trial Pack priced at R17,250 includes enough corms for a 20-square-metre plot, along with fertilizers, soil and leaf analysis, a grower's manual, and access to Saffricon's advisory support. It's designed to be the first step in building a small-scale farming business with high-value output and minimal land requirements. 'Our advice? Start small. See what works. Then build,' states Tiann, 'We've seen people go from 10 corms to 80 in a few years. It's quite incredible.' Where to Find Saffron in Cape Town While the farm itself isn't open for day visits just yet (they're working on it!), you can find Saffricon saffron and other artisanal saffron-infused products at Cape Town's beloved weekend spots: These are your best bet for taking home a vial of the prized golden threads or your own starter kit. The Bottom Line Cape Town may not have saffron in its culinary DNA just yet, but thanks to Saffricon, that's changing one corm at a time. What started as a retirement project has become a generational mission: to reimagine farming, empower communities, and prove that even the world's most luxurious spice can have humble, hopeful beginnings. As Tiaan puts it, 'It's not easy. But it's worth it.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Saffricon South Africa (@saffricon)
IOL News
6 days ago
- General
- IOL News
TEARS Animal Rescue faces crisis as heavy rains cause severe flooding
Nothing feels as good as a 'fleece hug'. Tears Animal Rescue is asking the public for donations to withstand the winter cold and floods Image: Supplied TEARS Animal Rescue found itself battling an unexpected crisis as heavy rains caused severe flooding at their premises on Lekkerwater Road in Sunnydale recently. The impact was devastating, with the animal shelter's offices and kennels submerged as the drainage infrastructure failed under the torrential downpour. Tinka Shapiro, the spokesperson for TEARS, expressed profound gratitude for the swift intervention from the local community and emergency services. 'Thanks to the fast action and support of our community, we were able to prevent a disaster. Our priority is always to take care of our animals and we managed to do that,' she said, highlighting the urgent need for resources to keep the animals safe and warm. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) teams from Simon's Town, Hout Bay, and Kommetjie stepped in to support the rescue operation, pumping floodwaters out of the affected kennels. "They made all the difference and we cannot thank them enough," Shapiro said. However, the challenges are far from over. The shelter now faces a major reconstruction hurdle as they work towards connecting to the municipal sewer line to prevent such calamities in the future. The projected cost of this vital infrastructure upgrade is R300, 000. 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 ✕ In a heartfelt appeal, Shapiro emphasised the need for fleece blankets and fleece fabric to keep the shelter's animals warm and comfortable during this distressing period. "Fleece blankets are crucial for animal welfare as they provide warmth and comfort, even when wet, and they dry quickly," she said. Shapiro further stressed the seriousness of the situation: 'This was not just a rainy day; it was a crisis for our animals, staff, and shelter. Caring for our animals is always our main focus, and we are doing everything we can to keep them warm. Donations of fleece blankets or fabric will really help us achieve this. Please help us.'
Eyewitness News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Eyewitness News
Too many chefs, one big prize: Die Drukkoker-kombuis turns up the heat
You've heard the saying, 'too many cooks spoil the broth'. Well, what about too many chefs on a reality TV show, cooking for a R300 000 prize? That's the premise of Die Drukkoker-kombuis (The Pressure Cooker Kitchen) on VIA TV. Morne Carelse of Farm Boy Cuisine is one of the chefs, battling to stay in the game, but can he handle the heat?
The Star
26-05-2025
- The Star
Hawks arrest man after kidnapping of R300,000 RAF payout recipient
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, arrested a 25-year-old man in connection with the kidnapping of a man who received a R300,000 Road Accident Fund (RAF) payout. The incident took place in Tsolo, on November 3, 2023, according to Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba. Fumba said the victim was approached by two unidentified men in Tsolo, who allegedly posed as RAF-affiliated doctors offering medical assistance. 'Under this false pretense, the victim was reportedly kidnapped and transported over 800 kilometers to Klerksdorp in the North West province,' Fumba said. 'While held against his will, the victim's bank account was allegedly drained, with funds transferred to accounts linked to the suspects.' Fumba said the victim was later located and safely reunited with his family. He said a breakthrough came when the Hawks' Eastern Cape-based Kidnapping Task Team, working with their North West counterparts, tracked one of the suspects to Klerksdorp. 'The 25-year-old was apprehended and is currently being transported to the Eastern Cape, where he is expected to appear before the Tsolo Magistrate's Court on Monday, May 26, 2025,' Fumba said.
