Archives for June 2011

Ward Councillor Update on Baakens River Valley Sewage

Just to put everybody's mind at ease. I (Heinrich Muller) reported the spillage in the Baakens River to the Metro on 18 June 2011 when it was reported to me the first time and again on 20 and 21 June 2011 and have been following up ever since. I have since given feedback to the people who reported it to me on a regular basis and have also given information to The Herald and hope that they will convey the message to all via the newspaper (Don't worry Heinrich - MyPE will also do it's bit!). I received the following information from the Assistant Director: Wastewater Conveyance today: "... …

Ward Councillor Update on Baakens River Valley SewageRead More

Gariep Municipality Bounces Cheque Unable to Pay Staff

The Gariep municipality in the Eastern Cape is unable to pay staff and councillors this month. This is symptomatic of the collapse of local government in the rural areas. There are other municipalities in the province experiencing the same problems. On Wednesday 29 June an amount of R121 000 was paid to the Sheriff to avoid having municipal assets attached for debt owed. The money was owed to Umnga Farmers as a grant. This again is an indictment of the collapse of rural municipalities in our province. Two years ago the same municipality was summonsed for R170 000 for debt …

Gariep Municipality Bounces Cheque Unable to Pay StaffRead More

Electricity Rate Increase Must be Accompanied by an Improvement in Service

Kevin Hustler, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, had the following to say about the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality electricity rates increase; "The Chamber raises a concern regarding the excessive electricity tariff increase, which is well over the Eskom tariff increase. At the same time, the effects of the city's aging electricity infrastructure are felt regularly - often on a weekly basis - by industry in the form of power failures. These are often caused by failing and faulty, aging equipment. We emphatically insist that the income from the increased tariffs be applied to …

Electricity Rate Increase Must be Accompanied by an Improvement in ServiceRead More

Kirkwood se Weer IS Anders

Weather reports for the Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees this weekend mainly point to clear skies, with a minimal chance of rain. "Kirkwood weather is very different that in Nelson Mandela Bay, and it usually dry here when it is raining in the Bay," says Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees director Jenni Honsbein. "Kirkwood offers a wild escape from the windy and rainy weather. Don't just assume that if it is wet along the coast it is raining in the Karoo," she says. Crews have been hard at work since Saturday putting up tents and marquees in preparation for the more than 38 000 people expected to shop at …

Kirkwood se Weer IS AndersRead More

Time out for Transfer

This week our experts shed light on the transfer process and how long it typically should take. A reader made an offer to purchase a property - subject to obtaining a bond to finance it and selling her existing property within three months. However, the property that she purchased is one of two houses on a piece of land that was to be subdivided into various stands for a cluster housing development. The Section 21 company, which will form the basis of the homeowners' association, has not yet been established. The reader was told that this would take about four months and the …

Time out for TransferRead More

Today is a Sad Day in the House of Straton

In the early hours of this morning the Longhair's father passed away. Dr Daniel De Gouret Villet was an exemplary example of manhood, my father and friend. He leaves behind his wife - Joan, children - Mornet, Bronwyn, Glynnis and Carys and grandchildren - Philip, Nicholas, Brittany, Georgia and Holly. …

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DJ Spectrum’s R100 000 Recording Deal

One of South Africa's favourite brandies has successfully zoned in on the country's hottest new mixing talent with its debut Viceroy Makoya Mix competition identifying Port Elizabeth's DJ Spectrum (aka Chad Smith) as the best of best. The smart spin doctor was voted the winner amongst 12 finalists in the hotly contested national DJ championships, sponsored by Viceroy 5 Year Old Brandy. He now has a R100 000 recording deal that will see him launch his first album in spring. So cool was DJ Spectrum in the finals, at Isolomzi Place in Katlahong, Gauteng, earlier this month, that not even the …

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Albert Frost Chills in PE

Albert Frost has been rocking the Blues for nearly two decades and is currently touring with the Blues Broers. He has performed with well known musicians such as Vusi Mahlasela, Koos Kombuis and Arno Carstens with whom he performed alongside Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen. He has also shared the stage with The Rolling Stones, R.E.M. and Simple Minds. Join this all round master guitarist for one of his solo shows at Toni's Place on Sunday 10th June 2011 at 7:00 pm and enjoy a showcase of his vocal and musical ability, jam packed with loops, riffs and multi-instrumental genius. For …

Albert Frost Chills in PERead More

The illegal “ratepayers” protest that never happened

(Below is the verbatim press release from the Nelson Mandela Bay Communications Department - upon first read words failed me, my heart beat a bit faster, a smile came to my face and I clapped my hand over my mouth to stifle chuckles!) Although the Nelson Mandela Bay Ratepayers Association never even bothered to follow the laws of our democratic South Africa by notifying authorities of an upcoming protest, word of their intention to bring 20 bus loads of protestors to disrupt the passing of the city's R8 billion budgets was not the best kept secret. Known for its ability to prepare for …

The illegal “ratepayers” protest that never happenedRead More

Nelson Mandela Bay Memorial Service for Prof Kader Asmal

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality will be commemorating ANC veteran and University Professor, Prof Kader Asmal, on Thursday afternoon as the country still mourns the passing of this sharp and motivated intellectual. This service is in line with the institution's memorial services for other inspirational leaders such as Mama Albertina Sisulu that was recently held in the city. Professor Kader Asmal died at age 76 in the Constantia Hospital following a heart attack. He was the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry from 1994 and the Education Minister from 1999. Details are as …

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R8 billion Budget and IDP Approved by Council Today

The five year Integrated Development Plan and 2011/12 Budget for the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality was approved at a full meeting of council today. Savings worth R45 million were identified resulting in proposed tariff increases being reduced significantly to 11.5% across the board from 15% for water, 14% - property, and 14 % - Sanitation and refuse collection. The increases for electricity have been determined per customer category with 16% for beneficiaries of the Assistance to the Poor Programme, 22% for other domestic consumers, 24% for small businesses and 28% for Medium and large …

R8 billion Budget and IDP Approved by Council TodayRead More

Baakens River Full of Sewage

We have had a major environmental disaster in the Baakens Valley. Thanks to copious amounts of rainwater falling in the Metro in the last few weeks, and a lot of this ending in the sewer system, (that is a whole separate story) Deficiencies and weaknesses in our sewage system are coming to the fore. On Saturday morning 18 May 2011, while leading a group of Volunteers on an Alien vegetation clearing exercise, We came upon the sewer in the picture. It is below Gazania Ave in Sunridge Park. Copious amounts of raw sewerage flowing swiftly into the Baakens River. I immediately …

Baakens River Full of SewageRead More

Would You Swim From Noordhoek to Kings Beach in Winter?

Long distance swimming sensation Kyle Main will take on Algoa Bay's "wild side" in mid-winter (on 9 July) in another epic training swim ahead of his record-breaking English Channel attempt in September. Main will attempt to swim, a turbulent stretch of 18km from Noordhoek to King's Beach in Port Elizabeth, as one of his final big training sea swims in preparation for the crossing, in nothing more than a speedo. This promises to be a very challenging attempt with Port Elizabeth's recent, extremely cold weather and dangerous currents. In order to acclimatise himself to the low …

Would You Swim From Noordhoek to Kings Beach in Winter?Read More

Local Engine Plant a Global Hub for Diesel Engines

Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa's (FMCSA) Struandale, Port Elizabeth engine plant began production of a new engine on 27 June 2011, heralding its role as a global hub for diesel engines. The production of the Ford Duratorq TDCi engine in South Africa is part of a Rand 3.4 billion (US$ 500 million) export investment programme that includes the upgrade and expansion of production facilities at FMCSA's engine plant and Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria. Utilizing Ford's global manufacturing processes and quality standards, the Struandale engine plant has upgraded and expanded its …

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Spring Tides and Scholars on Vacation Don’t Mix Well

The New Moon on 1 July 2011, brings with it the Spring Tide and in the middle of school holidays the concern is raised that school learners on vacation angling from rocks, boating or bathing, along the coast are at great risk. Spring Tide occurs twice a month, every month of the year, everywhere in the world, at new moon and again at full moon, and affects the sea tides, causing a higher than normal high tide and a lower than normal low tide. Spring Tide peaks on the day of the full moon and again on the day of the new moon and the Spring Tide effects can be felt from a few days leading …

Spring Tides and Scholars on Vacation Don’t Mix WellRead More

Over 80% Total Capacity for PE Dam Levels

The municipality remains concerned about the capacity of the Impofu Dam which supplies a majority of the city. Water restrictions remain in place. Major Storage Dam Levels as at 27 June 2011: Kouga: 100% - 125 910 Ml Churchill: 79% - 27 834 Impofu: 54.9% - 58 052 Loerie: 100% - 3 026 Groendal: 100% - 11 640 Average All: 80.4% - 226 462 Ml Rainfall recorded at dam walls (24 to 27 June 2011): Churchill 43,6 mm Impofu 80,2 mm Images of the Kouga and Loerie Dams Overflowing on 18 June 2011: [nggallery id=13] Report Water Leaks to: 041 505 2258 or 0800 20 …

Over 80% Total Capacity for PE Dam LevelsRead More

Parliament Street’s LOSS is Stanley Street’s Gain

One of the things that we as a family do on the Longhair and other family member birthday's (27 June) is break bread - lots of it. Invariably we have, for the last three years, ended up in Parliament Street for brunch and then a walk through historical Central - and this as a result of the amazing work done by the Nelson Mandela Bay Development Agency in the area. This morning we were shocked to see the rapid degeneration of Parliament Street in the space of a few short months - smiling sidewalk restaurant patrons have been replaced by smiling bejeweled drug dealers openly plying their …

Parliament Street’s LOSS is Stanley Street’s GainRead More

Are You in the Market for Buffalo, Kudu, an Aeroplane and a Tractor?

"Kirkwood is the only place in the world where you will be able to buy a herd of disease-free buffalo, a prize kudu breeding bull, an aircraft and a tractor all on the same day – and then celebrate with the world's top selling rock band in the evening," says Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees director Jenni Honsbein. Crews have been hard at work since Saturday putting up tents and marquees in preparation for the more than 38 000 people expected to shop at the 300 specially chosen stalls, experience a Walk on the Wildside, pat prize boerboels and cats, sip vintage wines and enjoy the tastes of gourmet …

Are You in the Market for Buffalo, Kudu, an Aeroplane and a Tractor?Read More

June 2011
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