Looking back to 2018

LAST year had it’s fair share of good and bad news. With this we bring you the main stories in your area for 2018.

January:

• The year started off on a high note when it was announced that Glenvista couple, Taryn and Franco Habib, won M-Net’s The Wedding Bashsers. They tied the knot in the Our Lady of Lebanon Catholic Church.

• On January 18, a trio using blue lights where arrested in Haddon. The suspect where impersonating police officials pulling people over on the N12.

February:

• Alta McMaster, who is no stranger to the South, and founder of the Epic Foundation (Empowering People in Crisis), was selected as nominee for the Woman of the Year Awards 2018. She did not apply as a nominee for the awards but was nominated by other woman living and working in the South.

March:

•Three weekend accidents claimed two lives on Columbine Avenue and a woman was robbed of diamonds worth R55 000 at a garage.

• Residents demand precautions to be taken on Impala Road and at the intersection of Kliprivier and Swartkoppies due to the many accidents on these roads.

• The Hawks swooped down on a Mulbarton house and recovered alleged hijacked and stolen vehicles. Four suspects were arrested.

April

• With heavy rains in April, residents were up in arms because of services being neglected resulting in blocked storm water drains. This caused roads to flood – especially in Domington Road and Glenvista extension 4.

• Chris Nothnagel from Mulbarton was a contestant on the Come Dine with Me South Africa show. He said that even though he did not win, but took a third place, it was a fantastic experience.

• Paul Fox of Paul James Hairdressing made it to the eighth position of the Top 10 Best Hairdressing Salons in Johannesburg. This accolade also came in the same month in which Paul celebrated his 50th birthday.

May:

Catherine Constantinedes was recognised by the Saharawi National Commission for Human Rights as on honorary member and was awarded the membership at the Saharawi refugee camps of Algeria. At the time of receiving the membership she has been actively involved in the camps for four years.

• Hekkie Budler scooped himself two world titles in boxing. He won the WBA and IBF junior flyweight championships.

June:

• The CHRONICLE featured the lives of Pippa Jarvis and partner, Mark Kaplin, who enjoyed family life with her 14 adoptive children. At that stage Pippa was the managing director of The Love of Christ Ministries (TLC) Children’s Home. Sadly towards the end of the year the CHRONICLE reported that the home had to shut it’s doors.

• A new library opened at Glenvista Primary. Sheldon Spear, the founder of Need2Read indentified schools with needs. With the assistance of local councillor, Sarah Wissler, he made the school’s dream come true when the library opened on May 30.

• Owlets made their way to freedom at the Kliprivier Nature Reserve when two barn owls were released and Meyersfarm welcomed Verreax’s Eagles when the first egg hatched on June 3.

July:

• Glenvista Resident, Colin Maule, donated 475 medals and badges he collected over many years of running to Dr Leonel Paulo De Caires who work with children. The medico who specialises in emergency medicine in Cape Town, came up with the great initiative to reward children for their bravery when they undergo major surgeries.

• Jackson Drift’s Lerato Education Centre’s playground got a much needed facelift with the assistance of Kerry-Anne Baigent, a University of Johannesburg student. The playground was equipped with user friendly playground equipment made from tyres.

• Lili Hart celebrated her 102nd birthday at the Lala Panzi tea room at Queenshaven with close friends and family.

August:

• Pink Ladies, in partnership with Glenvista and New South Residents Association, held an awareness day in Glenanda to assist Johannesburg South’s community to fingerprint and profile children of all age groups for safety.

• Morgan Ziervogel competed in Hungary at the 2018 International Canoe Federation junior and u-23 Sprint World Championships and held her own against experienced paddlers.

• A fire, that had been contained at a home in Alan Manor, flared up again after the fire department left the premises, destroying the home. All the bedrooms were destroyed and the fire left the house totally unliveable.

September:

• G-Bets came on board as the new sponsor for the popular Summer Cup hosted at Turffontein Racecourse annually.

• Mondeor SAPS honoured Strong Women of the South – these awards go to women in the community going the extra mile. Women who received certificates include Gail Johnson from Nkosi’s Haven, René Parker for her charity work at Jackson Drift, Nadene Gragham from Door of Hope, Rosie Viljoen from Southgate Mall, Joy Boswell for her assistance in community projects and Julie Maule, news editor of the Comora CHRONICLE.

• Three owlets made a surprise appearance in an owl box put up six years ago at an Oakdene residence. For years the box was used by doves and other birds, but when the gardener went up to clean the box, surprise, surprise – a big spotted owl finale made the box her home and also became the birthplace for three owlets.

October:

• Karen Landi, well known for her work in the community working with teen to promote active citizenship, was brutally attacked by three men in Walkerville who pulled her over, flashing a blue light with a siren blaring. They beat her up left her and she finally managed to get to the camp, barefoot. Karen was admitted to ICU where she spent two nights before being allowed home to carry on her recovery.

• Once again the plight of St Mary’s Children’s Home was highlighted during the annual general meeting where it was made clear that the home’s existence is under threat should they not get more community members involved since contributions they receive from the department covers about a third of the running cost of the home, excluding the upkeep of the facility.

• Benny Booysen, was shot four times in his home on Rietvlei Zoo Farm. He had four operations. At the end of October he was recovering at home.

*Residents demanded action to be taken as a result of the increase in crime inside the Kliprivier Nature Reserve. Broken fences and loiterers constitute a big problem. The sewerage pipe running through the reserve is also leaking.

• Owner of Lusitano Restaurant was shot and killed during a business robbery. On December 5 a suspect in the murder and business robbery was arrested.

November:

• The community gave back to the Johannesburg Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) by supporting a special sleepover at the SPCA where you could spend time with a dog, cat and spending time caring for the pets and farm animals.

• Karli van Wyk, teacher at the Hoërskool President High, was selected as the vice-captain for the Woman’s Action Netball World Cup to be played in Cape Town in 2019.

• Officials of Mondeor SAPS, City of Joburg, local councillors and CPF, among others, have embarked on a special operation in Kliprivier Nature Reserve. However, Col Janet Madary from Mondeor SAPS said she will not send her members into the reserve at night because ‘people can hide and if armed, my members won’t stand a chance against them.’ There is still no solution to curb the increase in crime in the reserve.

December:

• After 25 years in existence The Love of Christ (TLC) Ministries Children’s Home is considering closing its doors for good due to the financial state. This home has been home to more than 900 children. The home’s management is still praying for a miracle to keep their doors open.

• Young Matthew Booysen (14), son of Bennie Booysen the manager of Rietvlei Zoo Farm who was shot on the farm, was honoured with a Netcare 911 Certificate of Bravery for his actions on the night of the attack. Matthew dragged his dad to the car, tried to drive it but later got help from another manager who took them to the hospital.

• Taric van der Merwe (14) was placed second in the European racing championships. In 2017 he placed second in the SA championships.

• Bidvest McArthy Ford The Glen donated a brand new Ford Ranger to Jerry Selwane. Jerry is the founder of Soweto Animal Rescue and Advisory Centre (SARAC). He is a man on a mission to save pets in Soweto and to educate the community of Soweto about pet care.

For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.

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