Delving into the past
He said that commercial rivalry also lay at the core of the problem.
This week we look back at the Advertiser’s January 8, 1993, edition.
• Goldstone may probe taxi war
The Goldstone Commission has been unaware of the taxi war violence in Springs, and was aghast when informed of the extent of it by the Springs and Brakpan Advertiser this week.
Now the commission’s Committee on Taxi Violence might soon visit Springs in order to lend its weight to the fragile peace accord that has been reached between rival taxi groups.
This follows 18 months of public violence that has left more than 80 people dead and scores injured.
But with not a single taxi-related killing during December, commuters are breathing a tentative sigh of relieve in the hopes that the latest moves toward peace will be permanent.
Chairperson of the Committee on Taxi Violence Niel Rossouw told the Advertiser the commission had been shocked and horrified at the extent of the violence in Springs and would discuss assisting in the local peace process at the next meeting of the commission.
“The only way to permanently broker peace is to have the parties involved commit themselves and trust one another.”
Rossouw said that from the information he had received about the situation in Springs, it would appear as if an ‘outside agent’ is intent on having every attempt at peace fail, and that the unmasking of this agent would be a priority of the committee, should the Goldstone Commission assign in it to investigate.
He said commercial rivalry also lay at the core of the problem.
Also read: Delving into the past
“The inability to cope with and lack of experience to deal with this rivalry often leads to the only other known solution: violence,” he said.
Rossouw said even if the committee became involved in the process, it would take two to three months before they could start their activities, and that the Goldstone Commission should not be seen as a ‘magic wand’ that would instantaneously solve all the problems.
“People have to learn to negotiate and solve their problems themselves,” he added.
The rival Springs Taxi Association and Springs Long Distance Taxi Association have reformed an interim committee, that will have it’s first meeting next week.
• Stage will miss Joli Gough touch
Joli Gough, grand Dame of theatre in Springs and ‘well known’ in the true sense of the word, died on December 26.
It is not often that the phrase ‘well-known’, when applied to a personality, has bearing on every sector of the community; Gough was a notable exception.
Best known for her sterling contribution to theatre, her name will always be synonymous with the One-Act Play Festival, which went a long way toward putting Springs on the map in the cultural community.
Her enthusiasm for the theatre was such that she enthused those who least believe in their acting abilities, eliciting performances that often surprised and delighted audience and cast alike.
Gough’s praises weren’t only sung within the confines of Springs’ borders either.
Her adaption of Neil Simon’s Plaza Suite was adjudged best play at the AMFEST Play Festival.
Her leading role in Agnes of God also came in for critical acclaim, winning her the Best Actress award.
Although she enjoyed acting immensely, her accent precluded her from setting foot on stage as often as she might have liked, but by means of her considerable directing skills, her talent was not lost.
Community involvement was also a high priority involving Cripple’s Care, where she served as chairperson.
Gough is survived by three daughters, Nicki and Tina Gough and Karen Lee, as well as two grandchildren: Claudie (21) and Jason (18) Lee.
Also read: Delving into the past
• Evette will be back
‘Fight’ is the keyword in all international sport. Little has been said of Evette de Klerk and her tough qualities.
But she has battled against all odds.
She fought back after severe injuries to clock a highly credible time of 63.67 seconds on the 400m sprint and immediately set her sights for the World Championships in Stutgart, Germany.
That time in the 400m is not really her best distance.
After all, the light and trim sprinting marvel crashed out of the 200m final championship in Bloemfontein. That disaster happened seven months ago.
But she put all that behind her in the 400m when she stormed over the last 80m to bear Junior Springbok Narunda Fourie.
Now she is practically forgotten, but will not be for long.
This gutsy little lass will be back in the firing line in Stutgart soon.
She has already posted warning signs.
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