This is what Gilbert’s year was like
2019 has come and gone. Weekly the Steelburger/Lydenburg News has been ensuring the community is updated with local news in and around our shores. Being one of the reporters who ensured a copy is dropped at your favourite filling station or anywhere where you receive your newspaper.
I Gilbert Motseo has seen a year of success, happiness, pain and sorrows.
Being a sporting person I enjoyed the Springboks triumph in the 2019 IRB World Cup. Only a few believed the boys will bring the Web Ellis trophy home, but against all odds they proved the doubters wrong.
Bafana Bafana also did the unthinkable, they defeated the star-studded Egyption side which boosted stars like Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. Bafana Bafana were unconvincing before they shocked the world by defeating the Pharaohs in the last 16 of the AFCON tournament . It was a sad moment when Bafana were eliminated from the tournament by their nemesis, Nigeria’s Super Eagles. The South African national cricket side the Proteas also had a year to forget. The boys choked again as the failed to qualify for the semifinals in the ICC cricket World Cup.
Still on sport, how can I not mention my beloved Liverpool. They won the UEFA champions league and they are current favourites to win the EPL for the first time in a period of 30 years.
Away from sports I spent most of my year covering court cases and protests on both the R37 and R555. Tubatse also seem to be a dangerous place to live in this days. It’s a haven for criminals. The Operation Swara Tsotsi launched by Limpopo’s Community Safety MEC Dickosn Masemola ensured more than 200 criminals were arrested in a day. But still we got reports of a series of robberies happening in our town and villages weekly. There are numerous reports of criminals robbing people at ATMs nowadays . Speaking of ATMs. there is a trend by the criminals to target ATMs in Tubatse. Six machines were bombed in a period on less than 10 days. This occurred towards the festive season.
A positive thing to take from our crime ridden Tubatse is that the murderers of former Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality councillor Thabang Maupa are finally behind bars. The case is still continuing and we are hoping that those behind the murder be arrested and face prosecution . This has been Jackson Pay Tjatji’s remarks for 2019. “We
want the mastermind and the politicians behind Maupa’s death to be arrested.” Those who don’t know Tjatji, he is SANCO’s leader in Tubatse and has been vocal on the Maupa case.
With most of us spending Christmas and New Year with our families and loved ones . It won’t be so for the family of Magabane at Mahlokwane village. Precious Magabane’s
dismembered body was found early this year next to Tswelopelo sports grounds. Her alleged killers have been in and out of court. The sad part is that the family is still yet to bury their beloved daughter. This is because some of her body parts are still missing to date. Lets keep the family in our prayers, and hope justice is reached in this case.
Lastly, the 2019 year has seen many lives lost on the R37 and R555 roads . I have witnessed and covered numerous accidents on this two routes. Friends, lets drive safe and
abide by the road rules. Speed kills. A re tlogeleng go otlela re nwele madila bagesu hle
From me Gill and the rest of the Steelburger/Lydenburg News team, we are wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Till we meet again in 2020 Moshate!
