Latest news with #Vermaak
Buzz Feed
4 days ago
- Buzz Feed
Texas Millionaire Rancher Fatally Gored By Buffalo During South African Hunting Safari
A millionaire Texas rancher and big-game hunter was killed after a Cape buffalo he was tracking attacked him during a hunting trip in South Africa, according to multiple reports Asher Watkins, 52, was on a guided safari hosted by Coenraad Vermaak Safaris in South Africa's Limpopo Province on Aug. 3 when the animal fatally gored him, the safari company said Thursday in a statement obtained by multiple outlets. Hans Vermaak, the head of Coenraad Vermaak Safaris, confirmed Watkins' death on behalf of the company in the statement. 'It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the USA,' Vermaak said. Vermaak called the deadly attack by the unwounded buffalo 'sudden and unprovoked.' The buffalo reportedly weighed 1.3-ton. 'He was tracking it together with one of our professional hunters and one of our trackers. This is a devastating incident, and our hearts go out to his loved ones,' Vermaak continued. 'We are doing everything we can to support the family members who are here with us and those back in the United States as they navigate this tragic loss.' Vermaak noted that 'the family and our team members who were present at the time are understandably shaken' by the 'deeply traumatic incident.' The Cape buffalo is considered 'the most dangerous animal to pursue in Africa, let alone the world,' and the animal causes 'several deaths and many injuries to hunters each year,' according to the safari company's website. The website also noted that Cape buffalos are 'known to charge unprovoked.' Watkins founded and managed the Watkins Ranch Group, a Dallas-based firm trading that specializes in luxury ranch properties across Texas and other states. South African authorities are investigating Watkins' death.
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Irish Independent
Texan millionaire in Africa on hunting trip gored to death by buffalo
Asher Watkins (52) was stalking a 1.3-tonne Cape buffalo in the northernmost province of Limpopo on Sunday when the animal charged aggressively toward him at 35 mph, Hunter Hans Vermaak, a spokesman for Coenraad and Vermaak Safaris, told several media outlets. The unwounded buffalo struck and killed him instantly, according to Mr Vermaak. It is not known whether the safari team, who were guiding their client on the hunt, shot the buffalo dead, or if it escaped back to its nearby herd. Cape buffaloes are large, heavy cow-like animals that can weigh between 660 to 1,840 pounds and are around 4-5ft tall. Their horns are joined by a solid lump of bone across the forehead. Lions and humans are their only predators. Mr Vermaak issued a statement on behalf of CV Safaris, saying: 'It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the USA. 'On Sunday, while on a hunting safari with us in South Africa's Limpopo Province, Asher was fatally injured in a sudden and unprovoked attack by an unwounded buffalo. 'He was tracking it together with one of our professional hunters and one of our trackers. This is a devastating incident, and our hearts go out to his loved ones.' Mr Watkins' social media pages are littered with images of game catches, from slain desert mule deer to hundreds of dead snow geese. According to reports, CV Safaris has notified Watkins' ex-wife, Courtney, and their teenage daughter, Savannah, who is believed to be 16 years old. Watkins and his ex were reportedly still close and shared custody of their daughter following their split in 2013. His business, Watkins Ranch Group, sells luxury ranches, farms, and land priced in the millions across Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma and Arkansas. A close friend of the realtor said: 'He spent every spare moment he could with Savannah and shared his life with her, and nobody could love a daughter more than he did. She will be broken to lose Asher, who was her best friend as well as her dad,' the Daily Mail reported. Watkin's immediate family, including his mother Gwen, brother Amon, and stepfather Tony, were all at the upmarket safari lodge when they were told the tragic news. His daughter is said to be 'in bits' following the news. (© The Independent)
The Citizen
25-06-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Public ambulance delays threaten lives in Pretoria
People's lives are at risk as communities across South Africa have to wait dangerously long for public ambulances to respond. Reports highlight that public ambulance services in South Africa, including Pretoria, may experience delays ranging from 30 minutes to over two hours, particularly during peak hours or in areas with resource constraints. Spokesperson for CrisisOnCall, Ruan Vermaak, underscored the crisis: 'Ambulance shortages and a lack of advanced life support paramedics contribute to slower response times, potentially delaying or even compromising patient outcomes.' Internal call data from his company underscores this grim reality, revealing frequent delays even in critical cases like strokes and heart attacks. 'Our data clearly shows that people in certain regions simply do not get timely access to help,' said Vermaak. 'Especially in rural areas, the situation is reaching crisis proportions.' A stark contrast exists between state and private emergency services. Public ambulances suffer from vehicle shortages and staffing gaps, while well-equipped private and community-based teams are only accessible to those who can prearrange them. Vermaak observed that this is not just a logistical problem but a systemic one: inadequate resources, staffing shortages, and poor co-ordination place patients' lives at risk. Recent tragedies highlighted this plight, like the incident when a 26-year-old in Kimberley died in October 2024 after waiting 30 minutes for a public ambulance. 'These are not unique incidents,' Vermaak warned. 'We cannot wait until someone dies before we acknowledge the problem.' He said public-private partnerships that let services and well-trained volunteers work together to provide ambulance services are an option to overcome the problem, as well as community-led emergency preparations, including private subscriptions, safety apps, and volunteer networks. Vermaak believes that effective, privately facilitated emergency assistance at a scene is possible when partners mobilise their resources to save lives. 'In our case, a vehicle manned by experienced paramedics with the necessary emergency equipment provides free assistance to communities in need. We fully support such community initiatives,' he said. 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!
IOL News
06-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
STADIO's ambitious engineering vision gets a boost with experienced new Head of School
JSE-listed higher education provider STADIO has announced the appointment of Prof Herman Vermaak as its new Head of School for the STADIO School of Engineering & Architecture, where creativity and technical expertise converge to shape the future of the physical and virtual built environments. 'We've long voiced our ambition to offer engineering and architectural qualifications to help serve the growing need for professionals in these fields in South Africa and beyond,' says Chris Vorster, STADIO CEO. 'While our School of Engineering & Architecture currently offers the Higher Certificate in Architectural Practice, we have plans to expand our offering significantly, with the launch of the Higher Certificate in Mechatronic Engineering and the Higher Certificate in Renewable Energy Engineering launching in 2026, and more qualifications to come in 2027. Prof Vermaak is the ideal person to help us realise our goals, having been the Dean of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology at the Central University of Technology, Free State for 18 years, and having worked as a project engineer before that.' Prof Vermaak holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Twente in the Netherlands, a Master's Diploma in Electrical Engineering from Nelson Mandela University (PE Technikon), and is a Professional Registered Engineer and Technologist with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). He also serves as a senior member of the International Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and has been a National Research Foundation-rated researcher since 2018. In 2018, he was awarded the DAAD Visiting Professor Scholarship at Ulm, University of Applied Sciences, Germany. 'STADIO wants to prepare engineering technologists who are capable of functioning within the contemporary technology environment and contribute to the socio-economic development in the country,' he says. 'The School of Engineering & Architecture aims to facilitate career-focused expertise with students through the provision of knowledge and skills and the development of the appropriate attitudes in mechatronic engineering. This development will address the needs of the community to ensure upliftment through education and skills development and to maintain collaboration with stakeholders in the engineering environment.' Engineers for a new era Prof Vermaak says STADIO's engineering programmes have been developed through considering the national and international trends in engineering education that include practical, project-based, problem-based and work-simulated components within an environment of leading technologies. 'In the engineering disciplines, the continuous and rapid development of complex technology necessitates higher levels of conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills,' he says. 'Adaptability to new technologies relies heavily on the ability to apply fundamental conceptual knowledge to address modern engineering challenges. STADIO is committed to offering programmes that are relevant, flexible, aligned to the world of work and aimed at contributing to the mitigation of the national skills gaps in South Africa.' He says that in addition to the Higher Certificates currently offered, STADIO will launch three Bachelor of Engineering Technology degrees (Electrical, Mechatronic and Computer Engineering) in 2027. 'We are also already offering a Higher Certificate in Architectural Practice, and the Bachelor of Architecture will also follow from 2027.' The programmes will all be endorsed and accredited by the relevant professional bodies. 'This is particularly important for our graduates to ensure they can register professionals after graduating with a STADIO qualification in engineering or architecture,' says Prof Vermaak. For more information, visit the STADIO website.
IOL News
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Cruz Vodka's quiet luxury party launches SA Fashion Week SS25
Metro FM presenter and DJ Lamiez Holworthy had guests dancing and singing along during her set at the Cruz SAFW opening party. Picture: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers The South African Fashion Week SS25 kicks off, this Thursday in Johannesburg and before the stunning collections being revealed Cruz Vodka kicked things off with a little razzle. Quiet luxury was the theme for the Cruz Vodka fashion week opening party, allowing guests to tap into their inner creativity. Newlywed former Miss South Africa Natasha Vermaak (née Joubert) was glowing, looking radiant from her travels Mauritius and Cape Town. Vermaak wore a playful gold dress, with a shirt and tie and the top by RethaN. 'They say high fashion, you can wear anything,' joked Vermaak. The TV presenter explained that she put together her outfit last minute after mixing up the dates but loved the entire outcome and confidently wore it. Vermaak was not the only person who slayed in RethaN, digital creator K Naomi wore a black and white playful dress. Both ladies, elegantly pulled off their looks.
