Saiba Industries serves with pride

Did you know that your garage is possibly the biggest moving part of your home? This is why, at Saiba Industries, we offer you a wide range of good quality doors and motors. We are agents for Absolute Doors and Hydro Doors, which only specialise in wooden, steel sectional doors and roll up doors. We supply and install doors and motors as per the customers’ requirements.
We supply and fit ET (500kg gate motor, roll up and sectional motors), Centurion (gate motors) and Digidor (garage motors). The installation of a garage door and motor is very technical, particularly when it comes to setting up, tensioning of the spring and programming of the motor.
This aspect of the work can be very dangerous and if not professionally done, can affect the performance and lifespan of your door/s and motor/s.
We at Saiba Industries pride ourselves with our workmanship and the quality of our work. All our products, as well as our workmanship, are guaranteed.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for a free quotation.

Why Newcastle must be a tourism hub

Tourism is an important sector of our town’s economy.
Chairman of the Community Tourism Organisation in Newcastle, Johan Pieters answered questions for the Newcastle Today magazine relating to this sector and what he saw in the future.
Q – Why is it important for Newcastle to become a tourism hub?
A – “Tourism contributes to the town’s economy. The tourist who visits Newcastle stays at bed and breakfasts, hotels, resorts or with families. They spend money in our shops and fill their vehicles up at local fuelling stations. It is not only one person who benefits from tourism, but a chain of companies and indirectly Newcastle as a whole. Companies employ staff who in return spend their money again at businesses.”
Q – What does Newcastle bring to the table in terms of tourism offerings?
A – “Do we need to define what a tourist is? People will try to explain to us that a tourist is only somebody who visits your town for pleasure or interest. We would like to redefine that – a tourist is someone who visits our city from out of town not only for the pleasure or interest, but also for shopping and work.
“Newcastle offers a regional mall to do all your shopping and another four strip malls to ensure you can enjoy your spree. The town offers three golf courses to choose from for golf fanatics. We provide a national casino for the person who wishes to try their luck. Newcastle has sports grounds and exhibition grounds for big sporting and other events to be hosted.
“The Fort Amiel Museum and Carnegie Art Gallery are open for tourists who are interested in the history of Newcastle and surrounds. Chelmsford [Ntshingwayo] Dam is suited at the third largest dam in KwaZulu-Natal where swimming and fishing events also take place. Other attractions like the Ncandu Falls also attract people who like to relax for a weekend.
Q – Since our town is ideally situated between Durban and Johannesburg, how can we take advantage of this?
A – “We need to market our town to sports institutes to host more national sporting events here. National companies can host conferences in Newcastle and employees from Johannesburg, Durban and surrounds can meet up halfway in Newcastle. Newcastle has adequate conferencing facilities and accommodation. Events bring people to Newcastle; we need to invest in more national or unique events.”
Q – How does Newcastle compete against other towns in Northern KZN regarding tourism opportunities?
A – “Newcastle is the hub of NKZN. The city offers some of the best venues to host sporting and commercial events. Newcastle can be used as a base for people to stay over while they visit the surrounding towns daily.
Q – What do you predict regarding local tourism in the next 5 to 10 years?
A – “We can grow tourism to be one of the top three contributors to the local economy, but we need the assistance of local and provincial government.”

Marketing gurus introduce a new brand

The Champ-ion team continues to expand its portfolio.
Over the past 23 years, residents have come to associate the word Champ with the iconic duo of Christo van der Vyver and Johan Pieters. Now the team is taking another step forward.
Johan and Christo have since introduced the Champ Group, an umbrella company beneath which Champ Marketing, The Pines Wedding and Conference Village, Needles Bar, Tree Tops and their other ventures will rest.
“We have a few businesses and needed them to be combined,” explained Christo. “We used to have one name to represent all our interests, the Champ Group is our new mother brand.”
The Champ Group brings together the separate parts into one.
Speaking about the current state of the business, Johan explained the purchase of The Pines marked a new direction for the team.
He described it as a great move. The premises provided Champ Group its own platform to host events, instead of hiring out venues. In addition, Johan said Needles Bar had been recently upgraded and is open seven days a week, serving fantastic lunches. The Pines has also received a three star tourism grading for conferencing. “There is also future development coming but we aren’t letting the cat out of the bag just yet,” Pieters added.
The group’s new tag line is ‘Connecting with people to share experiences and inspire greatness’, a concept given life during what Christo described as a business discovery session with an external company. During this, Christo and Johan mapped out what the group stands for. The words ‘connecting people’ signifies the company’s people-oriented approach, while the words ‘sharing experience’ shows the Champ Group’s decades of experience and how it gives staff the chance to grow and build their own experiences.
‘Inspire greatness’ talks to personal achievement but is open to interpretation.
For Johan and Christo, they continue to inspire greatness in clients and staff and always give them the best options.

 

How to stimulate local investment

ohan Pieters has his finger on the pulse of Newcastle’s economy.
As Chairman of the Growth Coalition’s Newcastle Chapter, he possesses unique insight into what looms over the horizon for the town.
He answered questions for an exclusive interview with Newcastle Today, but explained information used to compile his responses was the result of discussion with Newcastle Municipality.
Q – What are the main reasons to invest in Newcastle?
A – In line with the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Provincial Growth and Development Strategy, Newcastle has been identified as a secondary city with the likes of Richards Bay, Msunduzi and Port Shepstone. These urban centres are considered to have good existing economic development and contribute massively towards their regional economies. Newcastle serves as a provincial gateway from the two adjacent provinces, namely Free State and Mpumalanga, with the N11 national route – being an alternative to the N3 – traversing the city, allowing Newcastle to form part of the N11 corridor.
The location of Newcastle is strategic as it is equidistant between three major urban centres (Durban, Johannesburg and Richards Bay) and has access to good transportation connectivity in terms of road and rail, with a consideration of air that will commence soon. Newcastle has a massive overall local population of 389 117 according to the 2016 Statistics Community Survey to support the economy of Newcastle in various forms. The municipality prides itself for the diverse economic opportunities it possesses and it serves a number of towns within the northern region of KZN. Furthermore, it works tirelessly to expand and maintain the available infrastructure in order to always maintain the readiness for development at a high level.
Q – How has the local economy grown over the past year?
A – We had certain sectors that have experienced economic problems with the chemical sector being at the forefront. Industries like SA Calcium Carbide and Karbochem which are within the chemical sector have recently retrenched staff. Despite these challenges, the clothing sector is thriving and has managed to introduce an additional 2 000 jobs in the past year. In terms of economic growth in Newcastle and looking at all economic sectors, on average the local economy has grown by 1.5 per cent, which is higher than the national average.
Q – What opportunities do investors have?
A – Newcastle possesses a number of sectors which have mostly been thriving for the past decades, such as mining and minerals, clothing and textile, high tech industries, transport and warehousing.
Q – How does the Growth Coalition encourage investment?
A – The abovementioned points clearly state Newcastle is a hub of business in respect of the surrounding towns. We are also at the centre of Johannesburg and Durban and that itself presents a great many opportunities. Newcastle has many tourism activities and events happening in the area, which attract people from all over South Africa. The Growth Coalition’s Newcastle Chapter will assist via the Provincial Growth Coalition to attract members to invest in Newcastle.

Local street barber’s success story

Thoughts of a barber probably bring to mind an image of the stereotypical blue, white and red striped sign, a comfortable vintage chair and shiny mirrors… But on the streets of Newcastle this business looks very different. Munga Endongwa is a street barber who runs his business from a small cloth structure. He has to rely on a car battery and an old shopping trolley to hold his tools.
In 2015 Munga left the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with some loose change in his pocket and a dream to make more of his life, he has established as one of the successful street barbers on the corner of Scott and Montague Streets. A closer look at his precision and attention to detail makes it hard to imagine that he has only been in this business for a few years.
“I took over the business from one of my friends about two years ago and I am really proud of what I have achieved,” he said proudly.
Like many businesses, Munga and the rest of the Scott Street barbers have their slow business days, but his friendly personality and efficient service have been a recipe for success. Nowadays he boasts a large clientele base who regularly come back to him to have their hair cut.
“I do not think there is anything special to what I do. When you make sure you deliver good service and you are always friendly, you will definitely have a successful business.”
Munga Endongwa is a successful business owner who built a career on friendly service, respect for his clients and a compassion for people.
Even though he came from humble beginnings, his determination is sure to take him further.

Lettie breaks the mould with boerewors and a brain

Every Friday and Saturday when Newcastillians drive on Ayliff street, one cannot help but to be drawn in by the smell of boerewors on the braai and the friendly face of Lettie Vorster.
The vibrant and young-at-heart Zimbabwean native moved to Newcastle with her family in 1981, and today she is well known and adored as one of the friendliest street venders in town. For the past few years Lettie has spent her weekdays making baked goods for a few butcheries in town. Nowadays you can find her on the streets of Newcastle selling delicious boerewors rolls and home made sauce. Even with her busy schedule, Lettie shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. “I started baking koeksisters a few years ago and I was very fortunate to be able to go into business with a local butchery who has been selling them for a while now. After my son opened a new butchery in town about a year ago I decided to take on a new challenge so I spend my weekends making and selling boerewors rolls to people who visit the centre,” she said.
As a small business owner, Lettie has partnered with many great business people in Newcastle over the years, and when you visit her boerewors stall on weekends it becomes evident her business is built on friendship, love and respect. “I love spending my mornings here on weekends because it gives me a chance to meet new people. I have learned over the years that you can get far if you treat everyone with kindness. Business is after all about relationships and that is also a big part of my success so far.” Her friendly demeanor and passion for people not only made her one of the most popular small business owners in town but also helped her to grow her business by partnering with already well-established enterprises in town, ensuring her products are not only some of the tastiest available, but also the best quality money can buy.
With year of experience under her belt, Lettie Vorster has found the secret ingredient to success. Breaking the mould for business women daily, she is living proof that compassion, respect and morals can bring you far in life and in business.

 

 

All you need at the local ‘Corner Store’

Being successful doesn’t necessarily mean you need to own an empire; it simply means you take what you have and make the best of it.
This is the case for 29-year-old Abbes Dar from Pakistan, who helps run a tuck-shop on Drakensberg Avenue in Barry Hertzog Park.
“I moved to South Africa in 2012 to help look after my sick uncle. I was soon employed at a Shisa-Nyama in town before I went and worked for my brother, Muhammed Zikria at his upholstery store,” he said. About a month ago, Muhammed decided to open a tuck-shop, as they both had experience in the retail industry. Before long they found the perfect spot in BHP and soon their vision for a mini convenience store quickly came to life. “The area was perfect, the building was perfect and what made it even better was the parking space allowing motorists to stop with ease when purchasing something.”
Abbes recalled since opening the tuck-shop, they have been privileged to receive the amount of support they have from the community at large.
“They have welcomed us. The students in the area seem to like us.”
Abbes admitted that although they were doing well, as a new company they were still trying to find their feet. For now, all profits go straight back into the shop, making sure they are fully stocked to keep their clientele happy. They are still figuring out what clients liked and don’t like. “I believe clients must be happy at all times. If they come to your shop and you do not have what they want then they will go somewhere else. Making it a priority to get to know customers and trying to keep them satisfied when they are here is key. Commenting on their success, Abbes said it was because their prices were compettive, they hav flexible operating hours and they go out of their way to get to know his customers. “I open my doors at 6am and we only close at around 8.30pm, so our customers do not feel rushed,” he said.
Abbes said he and Muhammed have big plans for the future which included expanding the tuck-shop and hopefully opening a take-away on the premises. Many of their clients have requested food. “We like the idea of a mini take-away store as so many people work long hours and don’t always feel like cooking, so we want to help make their lives easier by providing them with delicious food. This will only happen sometime in the future.”
Abbes thanked the community for their support and said he looked forward to serving the community of BHP for many more years to come. Abbes’ advice to aspiring businessmen and women is to think carefully about what they want to do. “Once you know what you want then work hard to achieve it. Once you have started your business, the key is then to be patient because it takes time for people to get to know you, and when you are up and running, make sure you build strong relationships with your customers because it’s important they feel comfortable and trust you,” he concluded.

Where to go in Newcastle

Paul Mbele’s business plan for Newcastle

Paul Mbele recently took on the role of President of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce (NCC) and with a brain for business he is well on his way to changing the financial face of the town.  Born and raised in Newcastle, Mbele qualified as a pharmacist and later established himself as a prominent businessman in town. His business ethics and respect for people made him a standout figure in the local business landscape and today he uses his expertise to drive Newcastle commerce forward. “I have been very busy over the past year working on the NCC and I have realised people have been losing hope in business. For me that is the most important issue we as a business structure is faced with today and that is what we as the NCC is trying to change,” Mbele explained. Whether you own a small enterprise or a large corporation, Mbele stressed the importance of working together toward a greater goal.
“We as businessmen and women have to motivate each other. If we work hard and stand together we have the potential to inspire great change and hope, and finally we can work together to improve the financial situations of not only our individual businesses, but Newcastle’s industries as a whole.”
For Mbele, business is not simply profits or losses but an important structure built on the foundations of mutual respect and family values.
He is the proud father of three and for him it is important, as a businessman and a father, to leave behind a legacy of respect, hard work and dedication.
“We are not the future of business; we are simply the present. Our future is dependent on our children, which is why I think it is very wise to involve your family in your business ventures. It gives us the opportunity to inspire and develop young minds to become business-centered. We should inspire our children to stay in Newcastle and ‘buy local,’ so that we as a town can develop,” Mbele said. With the whole country recently surviving a technical recession, and business enterprises suffering, Mbele explained that business in Newcastle is not doing well.  Many businesses have closed their doors during the past year and there are many enterprises which scaled down or even moved out of town, but even so he believes we have the power to turn the situation around.
“I personally believe there are many things we can do to stay resilient as businessmen and women.
We need to start creating environments where people and businesses can grow. We need to join hands and help each other grow, which is why I feel very passionate about the work the NCC does.” Business Chambers all over South Africa open up various doors for small and large businesses by providing them with a platform to be seen and heard.  “The NCC is the link between businesses and our municipality and other local authorities. By introducing businesses to a broader audience we inspire and develop business ethics and culture. If we respect our businesses and our consumers, we can inspire people to invest in our town,” Mbele explained.  As one of the only multi-cultural chambers in the country the NCC is well on its way to making Newcastle a place where business and family can work together to bring about positive change
and give people hope
gain.

Event calendar for 2019

February:
Annual Chelmsford Challenge:
Avid swimmers can look forward to the annual Chelmsford Challenge which takes place at Ntshingwayo (Chelmsford Dam), Newcastle.

March:
The historic Battlefields Marathon returns in March this year:
The Battlefields Marathon was first run in 1977.
The race is divided into three distances: the main 42.2 kilometre race begins at 6am, followed by both the 10km and 21.1km events

April:
Newcastle Winter Festival:
This annual three or four day event is a must for all. Carnival rides, delicious food, entertainment by local and national stars a wide range of market stalls; the Newcastle Winter Festival has it all.

June:
Newcastle Air Show:
The highly anticipated Newcastle Airshow will take place at the Newcastle Airport and guests can look forward to crowd favourites who will take to the skies to show the community what they can offer.

August:
Show off your Ride:
One of the largest and grandest motor shows in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, will be making its 13th appearance in Newcastle.
Hosted by Autobarn Parts People and Team Supersonic, the Show Off Your Ride Car Show is guaranteed to provide top-notch entertainment.

Vlam Panelbeaters Blood Buddy Memel to Newcastle Walk:
The Vlam Panelbeaters Blood Buddy Memel to Newcastle Event is on its way, and Newcastle is waiting in anticipation.
This year will mark the 25th time the event takes place, which sees around 1 000 walkers from across South Africa participate.

Drakensberg Buiteligfees:
Guests in attendance can look forward to a Flea market, a 4×4 adventure track, a Potjiekos competition, giant inflatables and a night cycle race.

September:
Newcastle Mall Rainbow Run:
It’s time to say goodbye to the winter weight as you gear up for the ultimate challenge – could you walk an eight kilometre trail with a blast of colour and without effort?

CANSA Jail and Bail:
CANSA will be hosting its annual Jail and Bail and the community is urged to show up and show their support on the day as some of Newcastle’s most prominent business guru’s are locked away in order to raise funds.

October:
CANSA Relay For Life:
Join the CANSA Relay for Life organising committee and be a part of one of the biggest movements fighting cancer in the world.

Blackrock Casino Motorshow:
Motor heads are in for a memorable treat on the day, with various family fun activities on offer such as spinning, sound offs, show and shine exhibitions and suicide rides. Spectators can also enjoy a mobile dyno for dyno runs.

Ferrum Mud Challenge:
The Ferrum School Sports Grounds are transformed into a boot camp-like atmosphere as teams mount mud heaps, flip truck tyres and crawl through mud trenches all while dressed up in matching team outfits for this thrilling annual event.

December:
German Christmas market:
The Lutheran Church is once again planning to host its annual and unique Christmas Market.
Amcor Dam Festival:
Newcastillians can look forward to great music and a weekend of fun at the annual Amcor Festival.

Asingene Siphila Gospel Music
Campaign: Hundreds of Gospel
lovers gather at the Farmers Hall for
this spectacular worship weekend
event.

The woman with a heart for success

A welcoming smile, the sweetest voice and a personality that can brighten up any room she enters; this is the stalwart that is Siephan Atterbury.
For the past 12 years Siephan has successfully owned one of Newcastle’s most prestigious Guest Manors along with her daughter and her son.
She said she bought Avalon back in 2005 with the idea of living there.
“I remember I was looking at properties and there was just something about the property that stood out for me. The estate agent didn’t really want to show me the house as she thought it was not very well maintained, but I was persistent and by the end of that night I signed the documents and bought the property.” Siephan recalled that while drawing up renovation plans to create her dream home, a vision came to her which ultimately changed her life forever. “Divine intervention made it clear to me one day to stop what I was doing and rather turn the property into a guest house.”
She changed the plans, applied for a business permit and had the property rezoned in order to make her dream a reality. She explained she immediately envisioned an extravagant home away from home with a sense of tranquillity and only the best would be good enough. In 2006 her daughter, Geraldine relocated from Pretoria to town to help her with the final touches to the guesthouse and to start up the company.  Siephan is actively involved in the community, making sure she gets to know everyone she meets on a personal level, eventually calling them family. “Your business is only as successful as your involvement and I believe those on top should not sit in glass cages, they should be seen working on the floor,” she said. Aside from building her empire, Siephan also successfully raised two children with whom she has always a close relationship. “My greatest achievement in life however is the strong family bond I have created with my family and my extanded family. We have never had a Christmas when we are not all together. That is truly something amazing.” Siephan advises aspiring businesswomen to always work hard and to never feel undermined in a male dominated world.
“With a humble attitude you can achieve anything. Make sure you do it well.” Furthermore, she thanks the community for always supporting her and for allowing her to sustain her business venture right here in the town she loves.

Meet the man behind our safety

Behind every successful business is one person calling the shots; ensuring things goes down without a glitch. For Newcastle SAPS, that man is Colonel Michael (Mike) Nkosi. Born and raised on the outskirts of Normandien Farms, 53-year-old Mike Nkosi always knew his life’s calling was to help others. “I never actually considered the SAPS as a career, but it was the only job available at that time and I couldn’t afford to go to university. Once I had joined I realised I actually loved the job and I have never looked back,” he said smiling.
In the year 1987, Mike took the initiative to enrol at the Newcastle SAPS, and in 1988 he was sent for his police training at Hammanskraal Police Training College in Gauteng.
“Upon completing my training, I was placed at Unit 19, which was based in Rosslyn in Pretoria. I was a member of the Riot Unit and I completed missions all across South Africa wherever needed.” In 1991 Mike transferred back to Newcastle. He worked in the Charge Office as well as at the Newcastle Magistrate’s Court before he completed his Diploma in Police Administration. He was promoted to Sergeant, and a year later he was promoted to Warrant Officer. In 1996 he was promoted to Captain and transferred to Madadeni SAPS, where he took charge of the crime prevention before transferring to Utrecht as the Utrecht SAPS Station Commander. In his mission to continue learning, Nkosi obtained his Bachelor of Law Degree (BIURIS) in 2000, and his Bachelor of Law Degree (LLB) in 2005. In 2010, Colonel Nkosi made his way back to Newcastle once again, where he commanded the Vispol Team before being appointed as the Acting Station Commander in July of this year. Since his appointment as ASC, Col. Nkosi says his main vision has been to set a standard within the SAPS, which ensures the community of Newcastle is served as best as possible. “Our community needs to feel safe and they need to feel that they can depend on us. I want to see our officers treat community members with respect and dignity,” he said. When Nkosi is not running the station, he spends time with his wife of 27 years, Roselyn Ntombi and his five children. “We are a tight-knit family and we try to spend as much time together as possible. I am also a grandfather to three beautiful grandchildren whom I adore very much,” he said. Aside from being a family orientated man, Nkosi is also an avid sportsman and tries to remain as fit as possible at all times. He spent his formative years on a soccer field and is also a dedicated roadrunner with seven completed Comrades Marathons to his name. Col Nkosi wants the community of Newcastle to know they are in great hands under his watch.

The Sakekamer: The voice of business

Business is rooted in relationships. No one understands thís better than your local business chambers. The Newcastle Sakekamer (Business Chambers) has been serving Newcastle for many years as ‘the big voice for small businesses’ all over town.  As the largest and most successful business chamber in KwaZulu-Natal according to the SBI, the Newcastle Sakekamer has perfected the art of business and after 51 years they are continually growing toward greatness, with more than 90 local businesses as members.
“For the past 50 years we have been hard at work, trying to improve the position of not only small businesses, but also more established companies all over town. For us it is important to bring the concerns of businessmen and –women to the attention of our local authorities, bringing the proverbial upstairs and downstairs together,” explained Henry van der Linde, Chairperson of the Newcastle Sakekamer.  For the past two years the organisation has been awarded with the prestigious ‘business chamber of the year’ award and for them the secret to success is clear: keep it simple.
“Our main concern is to make business easier for our members, and I think that is where our success lies,” said Morné Seaman, Chairman of the SBI and previous Chairman of the Newcastle Sakekamer.
The organisation enables its members to establish relationships with many businesses, locally and nationally, which plays a huge role in the success of any business. The Sakekamer’s message is clear: building relationships in business is not just about networking, it is about gaining friends, associates and even advocates. The social and emotional return in building meaningful relationships can be more rewarding than the financial gains.
The Newcastle Sakekamer has also become the spearhead of local charitable programmes, as many of their projects are aimed at giving back to the community with the help of its members.  The Newcastle Winter Festival, one of the organisation’s biggest projects, is held annually and last year the Sakekamer and Winter Festival Committee managed to raise a total of R200 000 which was donated to 28 charitable organisastions from all over town.
The organisastion also hosts a yearly ‘Young Entrepreneurs Competition,’ centered on inspiring young boys and girls to become successful business owners. ‘Nothing sells a business better than being in front of people, face-to-face,’ is one of the most important lessons the competition installs in the minds of the young entrepreneurs, making it clear that the future of Newcastle’ business sector looks promising.  The Newcastle Sakekamer is a group of free thinkers, passionate about people and business and with your help they can make a big difference in the future of our town. Contact the Sakekamer on 034 312 2959 to find out more about becoming a member and become part of the change.

Sharon Rose, Yvonne Combrinck, Sanet Bezuidenhoudt, Geraldeen Singh and Nafeesa Lehree.

First private Day Clinic unveiled in NKZN

Residents of Newcastle and Northern KwaZulu-Natal can now enjoy state of the art medical services as Mediclinic Newcastle unveiled its Day Clinic.
Now being an acute care facility, a mental wellness centre and a Day Clinic all on one premises, the centre has been dubbed a “medical campus”.
Chief Executive Officer for Mediclinic Southern Africa, Koert Pretorius said the centre is a one-stop medical service offering convenience to its patients with the performing of same-day procedures, which in turn avails space to acute care patients who require surgery.  The Day Clinic currently has 30 beds with three functional theatres.  “We are proud of Mediclinic Newcastle, its achievements and what it stands for. Congratulations!” said Pretorius.
Pretorius also emphasised the role of active board members and stakeholders which attests to the success of Mediclinic Newcastle. He further elaborated on Mediclinic’s other Day Clinics in Polokwane, Durbanville, Nelspruit, Welkom and Stellenbosch.  “Various disciplines can utilise Day Clinics and we see a bright future for Day Clinics in South Africa. Patients will rely on your expertise for many years to come,” he said addressing hospital staff.
Pretorius’ vision was to join hands with medical doctors and align its interest with innovative ideas. “We need to work together in an integrated way.”
Doctor Mahesh Dhanjee a member of the hospital board for 10 years, elaborated on the future of Mediclnic Newcastle.
“A paediatric facility where parents will be accommodated as well as a play area for the children is planned. We are also in talks about building an oncology unit,” he revealed.  A longstanding member of Mediclinic Newcastle, District Mayor, Doctor Musa Ngubane officiated the ceremony and saying it has beng a privilege to be part of the group from its inception.
“We need to work together to add value to society and find solutions in health care services,” he said. Japie Greyling, newly appointed hospital general manager concurred with the rest of the board and thanked dedicated professional teams from contractors, engineers and architects to the staff of the Day Clinic.  “In upholding the hospitals’ motto we look forward to delivering expertise you can trust,” he concluded.

Chief Executive Officer for Mediclinic Southern Africa, Koert Pretorius with District Mayor, Doctor Musa Ngubane officiate the Mediclinic Newcastle Day Clinic.

District Mayor, Doctor Musa Ngubane.

New general manager has a firm hold on hospital’s health and wellbeing

Focusing on prioritising patient care and valuing employees in the medical fraternity is what sets Japie Greyling apart. It was clear why he was chosen to head Mediclinic Newcastle as its general manager. Six months ago, Greyling took over the reins from former hospital manager, Freddie Meiring and with almost 23 years of experience in the health care industry, he hit the ground running. In Witbank, he matriculated and then completed his tertiary education at the University of Johannesburg. He found love in both the medical field when he met his wife while working. “I’m married to a nurse: I’ve seen the highs and lows – we share a passion which comes with the territory. You fall in love with this industry,” he said. Raised by a single mom, Greyling mentioned the core values and morals instilled in him, which he cherished throughout his life. “My mom, who I love dearly, taught me to treat my fellow man with respect and dignity.” This is the same principle which he uses to form a bond with patients and staff at the hospital. Together with the strategic measures in place at Mediclinic Newcastle, Greyling said his duty was to ensure these policies were carried out. “Mediclinic Newcastle promotes the importance of the prevention of infections through a strict hand hygiene policy. Hand hygiene audits are conducted regularly.” The emphasis on hand hygiene was implemented when it was revealed there would not be another antibiotic created for the next 15 years. “If people become resistant to top level antibiotics they won’t be able to heal,” said Greyling. According to Greyling, caring for patients worked hand-in-hand with caring for staff members. “As a leader, my priority is transparency and trust among team members,” he said. He believes positive reinforcement and an open communication policy is the key to a successful relationship between management and staff. “We communicate in various ways. A meeting conducted every second month called the ‘townhall meeting’ is held with all staff members, during which important issues are raised and addressed immediately.” When it came to employee recognition, Greyling said every staff room had a display screen so the staff are able to view achievements and monitor the hospitals goals and targets. “If you care for your staff, they will care for your patients,” stated Greyling. He compared heading a hospital to being a big family in a home. “We apply the same principles. You need to be honest and foster relationships with staff as you do with your children and spouse.” Being a hospital manager is not about the title but rather about staff, management and doctors working in unison. “Everyone needs to buy into the vision of putting the patient first. It’s about training sessions and regular feedback to the staff,” he continued. With healthy inter-hospital competition Greyling plans to take Mediclinic to new heights while uplifting the ethos of the hospital. “We want to strive to be the best in Mediclinic Southern Africa,” he asserted. Greyling said since his move to Newcastle, he has enjoyed only kindness and hospitality from Newcastillians. “The community of Newcastle is really awesome. Myself and my family immediately felt welcome.” He hopes to continue fostering relationships both professionally and socially as he adjusts to his new home and new found family in Newcastle.

 

Mrs Charters chalks it up after 30 years

“Apart from parents, teachers are the only people who are never jealous of ones success.” For Grade One teacher of 16 years, Sharon or Mrs Charters, as she is affectionately known by her learners, her passion for teaching extends far beyond the classroom. Her dedication to the industry is understated as she literally goes the extra mile to assist her learners. “Teaching for me is about making a difference in someone’s life,” she said. Sharon is now teaching the second generation of children whose parents she taught.
“I have two children in my class this year, whose parents I’ve taught before,” she laughed. Sharon and her family relocated to Newcastle from the Eastern Cape in 1983, after she matriculated.  Teaching was an obvious choice for her, as it was in the family genes. “My mom was also a teacher. She home-schooled us for Grades One and Two.” Mrs Charters attended a Teaching Training College from 1985 to 1988.  “I was fortunate to attend a college that taught us to teach children. We did a lot of practical work and learned basic things such as how to write on a blackboard.” She subsequently began her teaching career in 1989. “I taught for 4 years and after my first child was born i ran a playschool from home for 11 years”. “Play school is a stepping stone to pre-school. It is important to start teaching children as young as 2 and 3 years old how to old a spoon and to be properly potty trained.”
“In 2003 i went back to teaching full time”. Sharon has almost three decades of teaching experience under her belt and shows no signs of slowing down.
When asked if it was difficult to differentiate between the teacher and mother side of her, she said the mother side always won.
“The children I teach become my children during the year and I treat them like I would my own. I care a lot and I want the best for them,” she said.
With a natural instinct to care for children, Sharon becomes involved in her learners’ lives and looks at it as an investment, moulding them into the adults they will become. Sharon believes she is a strict teacher and one of the key problems for this generation is the lack of discipline.
“Discipline starts at home and teachers are there to build on that discipline, not to enforce it.” She also pointed out that children’s listening skills have deteriorated over the years because parents have stopped spending time reading to their children. “Parents need to talk to them about their day at school. This will help them be better story-tellers and recall events,” she advised. According to Sharon, when you read to a child they learn to listen. She explained that although watching TV is an easier option, children don’t grasp what is said but rather watch TV with no purpose.
Being the meticulous teacher she is, Sharon custom makes her worksheets, homework books and other learning aids to suit the children’s needs.
“The children of today need to have extra stimulation, so I try to create new ideas every year. Teachers should attempt to make learning fun again.”
She said Grade One learners need to be taught how to read, write correctly and do their sums. “We also teach them how to rule a line with a ruler and show them what a margin is,” she said. When she’s not teaching, Sharon coaches tennis three afternoons a week, hosts aftercare homework two days a week and still finds time to be a loving wife to husband Rob Charters and mom to her two sons. “I also love knitting, it is a stress reliever for me – I lose myself there; I don’t have to think when I’m knitting,” she said.
“I am fortunate that both my parents are still alive. We try to do the parkruns as often as possible.” Sharon is proud to say she has taught close to 500 learners during her tenure as a teacher.
“When you see the children’s progress from the beginning of the year, and they can write stories at the end of the year, it is so rewarding to see how they have grown in the classroom,” she concluded.

Interesting facts about Newcastle

Newcastle is situated in the Amajuba district of Northern KwaZulu Natal and is one of the biggest and fastest growing towns in the district.
Some historians argue that Newcastle might even be millions of years old, with many hidden historical gems such as San Rock paintings and many fossils which were discovered years ago.  “Our area is rich in spectacular fossil tree forests of petrified wood sites of the Glossopteris flora species. They became extinct during the end-Permian era about 252 million years ago. These were found in the Drakensberg Mountains areas along with San Rock Paintings. It can be found mainly in the Normandien area, Botha’s Pass right up to the Balele Mountains towards the North-East past Utrecht and Wakkerstroom,” explained Louis Eksteen, curator of the fort Amiel Museum.  The area was populated about 700 years ago in the late 13th to early 14th century by the AmaHlubi Nguni speaking people, who still reside here today.
Newcastle was founded in 1864 as the fourth settlement to be established in Natal after Durban, Weenen and Pietermaritzburg and has changed names a couple of times throughout history. During the 1800s the town was established and named Post Halt Number 2 on military map, because many postal coaches stopped here to obtain fresh resources.

It was later renamed the Waterfall River Township as the Ncandu River flowed through the town.

During the Anglo-Boer War the town was incorporated into the old Transvaal and was renamed Viljoensdorp. The town was reclaimed by British forces years later and was re-established as what we know today as Newcastle.

Here are some more interesting facts about our town:

-The Langsnek Tunnel which was opened in 1891 was the longest in South Africa at the time and the railway reverses at Boscabello, which was also a first at the time.
-Newcastle is known for its rich cultural history. The Battlefield Route of Majuba, Langsnek and Schuinshoogte (in Ingogo) is one of the main tourism routes in our area and revolves around the First Anglo Boer War of 1881. There are also many other monuments which can be linked to the First Boer War and the Anglo Boer War such as Fort Amiel, Haggard’s House and O’Neils cottage.

Photos submitted by Louis Eksteen

– The first shop was opened by Edward Dixon. At the time it was a general dealers shop with a table which served as “post office” in the one corner. The shop was situated on Murchison Street where you can find Sergio’s Pawn Shop today.

During the Apartheid Era our own “Sophia Town,” the so-called White Location in Fairleigh was established after forced removals to Madadeni and oSizweni in 1864.
– One of the first Olympic standard swimming pools in South Africa is situated in Newcastle. The Newcastle Swimming Pool in Sunnyridge (widely known as the Ferrum Swimming Pool) has even hosted the All-Africa Development Gala.
– The Blaauwbosch School and Church where Chief Albert Luthuli, first recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1960, was a teacher from 1917-18 are some of the most significant historical attractions in town.
-In 2008 Newcastle was announced as one of the cleanest cities in South Africa and the cleanest in KwaZulu-Natal. The anouncement was made by then Minister of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs Mtholepi Mthimkuluting, that Newcastle beat out 26 KwaZulu-Natal municipalities for the title. The municipality won R250 000 in the Cleanest Town Competition, sponsored by the Department that year.

– In 2015 Newcastle was one of the finalists in the ‘Kwêla Dorp van die Jaar’ competition. The competition has been held for the past few years, where the popular channel KykNet and Kwêla search for the best towns in South Africa. Middelburg ultimately walked away with the top honour that year.

Newcastle’s very own ‘Superman’

Born and raised in Newcastle, Mornè Potgieter (23) is adamant to keep his hometown as safe as possible.
Leader of the Newcastle 911 Community Policing Forum for two years, Potgieter said he is extremely proud to have witnessed the dedicated team grow and evolve.  “We have improved drastically over the past two years. Eventhough we are a much smaller group of responders now, it makes us far more efficient and the arrest statistics speak for themselves,” he said with a cheecky grin.  Potgieter mentioned 911 also patrolls during the day as opposed to only patrolling at night. They have become more actively involved with the SAPS and other local law enforcement agencies.
“The CPF often joins SAPS on awareness campaigns at schools and has spent time among the homeless, urging them not to get involved in criminal activities,” he said. Over time residents have come to know the CPF and seem to feel a lot more comfortable placing their safety in the hands of the select few silent heroes. Potgieter said CPF members’ training is more intensive and they have already completed Crime Scene Management training.
In the future, they will also be educated on response to collision scenes and what action must be taken on arrival.
He stays motivated to the organisation by the dedication displayed by CPF members. “They are always there when I need them. Each and every member has contributed to the success of our team. I will never leave. I believe we are a winning team which contributes to the decrease in crimes in and around Newcastle. As long as we can keep going, we will be out there making sure others don’t have to live in fear.”  Apart from leading Newcastle 911, Potgieter is also actively involved in other crime fighting forums for example the Farmers Safety Forum, SAPS Intelligence Units and other CPF groups operating all around KZN, Mpumalanga and even as far as in Gauteng.
He is also the operational director of his family’s well-established security firm. He leads tactical units dedicated to fighting crime on a daily basis.
During his time in the tactical crime-fighting industry, Potgieter has helped secure more than 100 arrests of perpetrators in rape, armed robbery, CIT heists and even rhino poaching cases. “I feel a sense of pride knowing I contribute to my community’s safety. I am very determined and will continue to work non-stop until I have helped bring a suspect to book.”
Potgieter admitted to being an adrenaline junkie and what better way to feel alive than risking it all just to save the life of another human being.
“This is in my blood and is my passion. I might ultimatly scale down but only if it’s for medical reasons. Other than that, this is what I was born to do and I will do it for as long as I can.” However, playing the role of ‘Superman’ is not always as fun as Potgieter has found himself in crossfires several times and has been shot at at least four times this year alone. “The type of criminals we have encountered are highly skilled and they do not think twice before shooting at us to escape the long arm of the law. You can never ever really be prepared for situations like that. Each scenario differs but mentally we are prepared and we know everyday that there is the possibility we might not make it home. We try our best to fight back and that is enough for me.”  That he has not been injured yet, he says was through the Grace of God as and the extensive training he and his tactical teams undergo weekly. He is appreciative to his teams at his security firm, his 911 family and all law enforcement who work hard whose and sheer determination ensures crime fighting is made a priority. “I couldn’t do this without them. If it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t be where we are today.”
He cautioned criminals that strong teams are operating in Newcastle making sure their devious deeds are not successfully carried out.  “If you’re contemplating committing crime in our town, then I suggest you rather move along because you will be caught and you will meet the long arm of the law!”