Latest news with #VryheidHerald
The Citizen
3 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Mall honours women making a difference in Vryheid
Marketing manager Maruschka Scholtz and the CMO team at Princess Mkabayi Mall honoured five strong, resilient women to mark Women's Day. The event, called 'She Leads Freedom', focused on recognising everyday women who quietly make a big difference in their communities – ordinary women who are doing extraordinary things. Scholtz said, 'We are here to celebrate phenomenal women – those who lead, inspire and uplift through their actions and stories.' Nosipho Gcabashe, the mall's general manager, added, 'Leadership doesn't always mean a fancy title or office. Sometimes it's the woman wearing an apron, carrying a baby on her back, or running a stall at the taxi rank. That kind of leadership matters just as much and it deserves to be celebrated.' Mayor Mkhwanazi also spoke about the role of women in the community. He acknowledged the challenges women face, including gender-based violence and unemployment, but stressed their strength. 'Women are the backbone of our communities,' he said. 'Many households in AbaQulusi are led by women because men have left to find work and never returned. Our mothers hold these families together, and they deserve our respect and thanks.' Five women from the community – Chantel Barnard, Sue Coetzee, Cindy Mossop, Ayanda Mncube and Samantha Hayes – were nominated and shared their extraordinary and inspiring stories on The Vryheid Plug Podcast, hosted by Nonjabulo Nkosi. Two of the women who spoke were Chantel Barnard and Sue Coetzee. Barnard shared her experience battling cancer for almost seven months while raising four teenage daughters. 'It was tough from the moment I was diagnosed until my surgery and chemotherapy,' she said. 'The kids had to grow up fast, but cancer won't define me.' She hopes more women will support each other in the community. Coetzee, an audiologist at Vryheid Hearing Centre, spoke about her work helping people with hearing loss. She quoted Helen Keller, saying, 'Being blind removes you from things, but being deaf removes you from people.' Coetzee said it's rewarding to help patients reconnect with their loved ones through hearing aids. She encouraged anyone struggling with a disability to ask for help and not suffer in silence. 'Grace always finds those who need it most,' she said. The 'She Leads Freedom' event celebrated the courage and strength of women in the community, and is set to become an ongoing tradition. ALSO READ: ANC Women's League pickets as mayor appears in court The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Public Safety impounds trucks parked illegally in Vryheid CBD
Trucks parking overnight in Kerk Street have been a major source of frustration for local residents. Public Safety officers, along with local police, launched a week-long operation aimed at addressing this issue. The crackdown was led by Acting Superintendent Ms TP Msimango and Mr K Naicker. A total of 31 trucks were impounded and later released during the operation, which Naicker described as 'long overdue'. He said the aim was to remove and impound vehicles, and prosecute drivers who were not following town regulations. According to Naicker, the operation was prompted by ongoing complaints from the public. 'The community has been complaining for a while now. This was about responding to those concerns and enforcing the law,' he said. There is currently no formal truck stop in town, which has exacerbated the problem. Naicker confirmed that steps are being taken to get an official truck impound approved, along with a system of fines and tariffs. 'We're checking for both driver and vehicle fitness, and we're making sure trucks follow the signage in town,' he explained. Heavy vehicles over five or 10 tons are not allowed in residential areas or the CBD unless they have a valid delivery note. To catch offenders, a team is on patrol between midnight and 02:00 daily. Still, many truck drivers have found ways to avoid enforcement by warning one another once the patrols end. 'They're strategic,' said Naicker. 'They communicate and know when the checks stop.' The impounded trucks were taken to regular vehicle pounds – facilities not ideal for heavy-duty vehicles – and the drivers were charged according to the National Road Traffic Act. The drivers were also informed about the correct routes they need to take and told they are not allowed to sleep in town. 'Truckers can't sleep in the CBD or residential areas,' Naicker said. 'They're allowed to stop at Engen Junction. It was supposed to serve as a truck stop, but there's also municipal land that could be developed into a proper facility.' He said the operation was a success and confirmed that further steps are being taken to create long-term solutions. For now, Public Safety plans to continue regular enforcement while working with other departments to address the root of the problem. ALSO READ: Zero tolerance as roadblock launched at Lakeside Crossing The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.
The Citizen
03-08-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Vryheid residents outraged over inflated municipal utility bills
'This is outrageous!' That's the overwhelming reaction from residents upon receiving their latest municipal utility bills. Many have raised concerns about unexplained and seemingly incorrect charges added to their accounts. Among the most common complaints is a charge for 'added sewage', with units exactly matching water consumption figures. Some residents were stunned to find a R113 charge for a borehole on their bill, even though they do not have one. However, the most frustration has been directed at the exorbitant increase in domestic electricity tariffs and the widespread confusion over the extra charges appearing on bills. One resident told the Herald that the bill was the highest she had received in over 30 years of living in the same house. 'The account shot up almost R2000 compared to my June bill – how is this even possible?' The Vryheid Herald reached out to the municipality for clarification on the new tariffs and additional charges, but at the time of going to press, there had been no response. In an interview with the Herald, Marlaine Nair, Chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Portfolio Committee, urged residents to make use of the municipality's dispute resolution mechanism if they believe their utility bills are incorrect. 'Residents should first raise concerns formally with the municipality or contact their ward councillor, who can escalate the matter on their behalf,' she advised. 'Should those avenues fail, residents can start a petition and hand it to the mayor. If no action is taken, the next step is to submit the petition to the legislature speaker for consideration by the Petition Committee.' She added that residents and councillors can also write directly to the MEC of Cogta to request an investigation into possible malpractice or corruption. 'Stakeholders can even write to me directly,' said Nair. 'My only request is that residents first exhaust all internal channels within the municipality before escalating the matter to the provincial level.' Meanwhile, representatives of the Ratepayers Association have tried to schedule a meeting with the municipality to demand clarity and accountability. Unfortunately, by the time of going to print, no further information was available. There are also moves afoot to mobilise residents into formal disputes over their utility accounts. Residents have been advised by the organisers to complete dispute letters and email them directly to the email address below. Following the steep increase in tariffs, prepaid electricity users are also urged to file disputes. A sample dispute letter—based on an article titled 'How to effectively dispute and rectify municipal billing discrepancies' (Daily Maverick, February 1, 2024)—is available on the AbaQulusi Ratepayers WhatsApp group. For those needing assistance, Chantell Els of Pixelation Photo Lab & Studio has offered to print, scan and email documents free of charge. Donations as a token of appreciation are welcome. Responding to the outcry, Eugene van Aswegen, AfriForum's Provincial Coordinator for KwaZulu-Natal, confirmed that the organisation is actively addressing the matter. 'AfriForum is currently busy with the issue,' Van Aswegen said. 'We will take the necessary steps to ensure the municipality is held accountable and transparent about the processes that were followed.' How to lodge a dispute: Residents who wish to challenge the charges on their municipal accounts can do so by submitting a formal dispute letter. Here's how: Prepaid electricity users: Use your prepaid account number, not the card number. This number is 11 digits long, typically starting with 04 and ending with 81.' Find it on your prepaid electricity slip after a purchase. Alternatively, retrieve it by entering '00' or '100' on your prepaid device. (Note: Methods may vary depending on meter type.) Conventional account holders (water, refuse, sewer, rates, etc.): Use the account number as shown on your AbaQulusi Municipality statement. Conventional account holders with prepaid electricity: Include both your prepaid meter account number and your AbaQulusi municipal account number in the dispute letter. Completed letters must be submitted via email to: [email protected] ALSO READ: 967 homes to be electrified in AbaQulusi Municipality rollout The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.
The Citizen
30-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Wellness and sport unite AbaQulusi, uMzinyathi staff
In the spirit of evoking and building solidarity, AbaQulusi Local Municipality organised a Wellness & Sport Day on Friday at the Cecil Emmet grounds. AbaQulusi hosted uMzinyathi District Municipality, with different games and sporting codes being played. Teams from the two municipalities challenged one other as the various departments competed for different titles. While the competition was indeed fierce, it was really all about promoting team spirit and enhancing healthy working relationships. A day of fun, fitness and community spirit was enjoyed by everyone who took part. (Image supplied) ALSO READ: Health professionals work up a sweat in honour of wellness day The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.
The Citizen
06-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Local church celebrates dads, raises brain tumour awareness
This year, the convergence of Father's Day and Trinity Sunday saw a meaningful celebration taking place at the Mondlo Methodist Church. The congregation paid tribute to 'earthly fathers' (still alive) for their love and guidance; while also honouring 'heavenly fathers' (passed on) who are with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in Heaven. The service opened with a short sermon by local preacher Snakho Mbatha, who read from Psalm 8:4: 'What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?' His message reflected on the value of fatherhood, both spiritual and earthly. As part of the day's commemorations, the congregation also observed World Brain Tumour Awareness Day. Dr Simphiwe Khumalo, a specialist in neurology and cardiology, delivered an informative presentation to raise awareness and promote education about brain tumours. Dr Khumalo emphasised the critical role the brain plays in controlling essential functions such as speech, sight, hearing, memory and mobility. He explained that a brain tumour is an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells within brain tissue. Tumours are classified into two categories: • Primary tumours, which originate in the brain; and • Secondary tumours, which occur when cancer cells spread from other parts of the body. He highlighted that brain tumours can be cancerous or non-cancerous, and that early diagnosis and treatment can greatly improve a patient's quality of life. Symptoms may include persistent headaches (especially in the morning or at night), seizures, difficulty speaking or thinking clearly, loss of balance, numbness or tingling on one side of the body, hearing loss, blurred vision, or abnormal eye movement. Dr Khumalo noted that while the exact cause of most brain tumours remains unknown, fewer than 5% are inherited. In some cases, there may be a link to family history or environmental factors such as radiation exposure. Treatment options depend on the tumour's type, size and location, with surgery being the primary form of treatment. He also encouraged preventative measures to reduce risk, including limiting radiation exposure, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly, and managing stress effectively. Following the presentation, all fathers in attendance were treated to thoughtful gifts, and lunch was served to everyone present. ALSO READ: Happy Father's Day The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
