All of Alan's Musings and Other Sea, R, A, P.

About Alan Straton

Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth.
Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."

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1 Winner and 1 Loser in SA’s Guinness PRO14 camps

There were contrasting emotions in the Toyota Cheetahs and Isuzu Southern Kings camps following the dramatic Guinness PRO14 derby between the sides at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday in which a brave comeback allowed the Free Staters to edge through 31-30. (SEE report here) While Isuzu Southern Kings coach Robbie Kempson was angry at his team’s last-minute defeat, Toyota Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie praised his side’s fighting spirit and veteran scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar’s influence as they bounced back from 30-12 down to earn the win. Pienaar, who took the …

1 Winner and 1 Loser in SA’s Guinness PRO14 campsRead More

Toyota Cheetahs will enter match as favourites

The Isuzu Southern Kings and Toyota Cheetahs will be bracing themselves for an action-packed Guinness PRO14 derby on Saturday at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth in what will mark the first encounter between the sides this season and the only match of the weekend. Pride will be a big factor for both sides, but a good result will be of utmost importance too. The Free Staters are determined to win to remain close to the top of the log in their conference to stay in contention for a playoff spot later in the season, while a victory for the hosts would serve as proof that their …

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Municipal boundary determination process gets underway

The Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) will soon embark on nationwide public consultations on the draft sets of electoral wards in preparation for next year’s local government elections. Addressing the media in Pretoria on Thursday, MDB board chairperson Thabo Manyoni said the consultative process -- which will be held between February and April this year -- reflects the board’s commitment to improve public participation in democratic processes. “We therefore call on all members of the public to actively participate and express their views on how their wards should be configured,” said …

Municipal boundary determination process gets underwayRead More

Road fatalities down by 10%

The number of people who died on South African roads during the festive season has decreased by 10% when compared to the previous period. Releasing the 2019/20 Festive Season Road Safety Report, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said the total number of fatal crashes were down by 3% from 1 438 in 2018/19 to 1 390 in 2019/2020. “This resulted in a 10% reduction in the number of fatalities, from in 1 789 fatalities in 2018/19 to 1 617 fatalities in the 2019/2020 festive season,” Mbalula said on Thursday. According to the Minister, 111 people died on the roads in the Free State, 144 in …

Road fatalities down by 10%Read More

Shawn Govender – New Plant Manager of the Ford Struandale Engine Plant

Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) has appointed Shawn Govender as the new Plant Manager of the Struandale Engine Plant in Port Elizabeth. Govender took over the reins in November 2019 from John Cameron, who was appointed to the position in 2014 and is currently on a sabbatical. Govender has an established track record with Ford, having joined the company in 1996 as an Industrial Engineering Supervisor before being appointed as Production Manager a year later. Following extensive local and international training at Ford in the US, Germany and Thailand, he became the first …

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Water From Air Project Receives Stars of Africa Award

The American Chamber of Commerce in South Africa (AmCham) has presented a Silver 'Stars of Africa' award in the Health and Wellness category to Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) for its innovative mobile water generation project launched in conjunction with World Vision SA. With the innovative Watergen water-from-air mobile unit the team from World Vision South Africa is able to provide clean and safe drinking water to communities affected by drought. The primary focus for this Ford Motor Company Fund-supported project are communities in Uitenhage and KwaNobuhle in Nelson …

Water From Air Project Receives Stars of Africa AwardRead More

Two appear in court for attempted extortion

Two suspects this week appeared before the Port Elizabeth Regional Court to face charges of extortion. National police spokesperson Vishnu Naidoo said Luvuyo Chippa Baadjies (39) and Simphiwe Bans Waka (45) were arrested by members of the National Cold Case Investigation Team for allegedly threatening and demanding R100 000 from a building contractor. The developer was building a satellite police station in Chatty, Bethelsdorp, just outside Port Elizabeth. “This matter was brought to the attention of the National Cold Case Investigation Team on 15 January 2020. The developer was …

Two appear in court for attempted extortionRead More

SARS targets illicit traders

SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter has committed the revenue collector to work closely with other government agencies to stamp out illicit trading plaguing various sectors. “The losses in tax revenue and the negative impact on our domestic economy affects industries, erodes employment opportunities and generally denies the most vulnerable in society the social and economic wellbeing they deserve,” said Kieswetter on Thursday. SARS, he said, has found that importers and exporters in these sectors are using various ways to avoid paying the import/export duties. The traders are also …

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EP Cricket Board to focus on cricket development

With the successful hosting of the test between South Africa and England behind them, the Eastern Province Cricket Board (EPC) is focusing on the future of cricket in the province, says EPC chief executive, Mark Williams. “Misunderstandings and differences between board members which went public late last year have been cleared up,” he adds. EPC president Donovan May has confirmed that he has apologised to the EPC board for comments on the Cricket South Africa Board made in response to questions from a TimesLIVE journalist, which could be interpreted as the Eastern Cape supporting the …

EP Cricket Board to focus on cricket developmentRead More

Kirsty Iversen at Work

How the tattoo was made: https://youtu.be/Jclq_Fyqj6U My Butterfly Tattoo was created by Kirsty Iversen from kirsty iversen tattooart in Wlamer, Port Elizabeth. See More: Why a Butterfly Tattoo? #alanusesbutterfliestopredictthewind …

Kirsty Iversen at WorkRead More

The Market Leader in Medium and Heavy Commercial Segments

Port Elizabeth - Isuzu continues to hold the number one position for seven consecutive years in the medium commercial truck segment of the South African market and retained its leadership position for six years in a row in the heavy commercial market. According to Craig Uren, Sales Service and Marketing Executive, Isuzu offers the widest range of truck models in these market segments and is the leading brand for chassis cab trucks and for the application of a cargo bodies suited to the payload and task. Uren said the success in these two segments can further be attributed to the option …

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Oversight inspection at Jubilee Park Primary, Uitenhage

Today, Wednesday 22 January 2020, DA Eastern Cape Shadow MEC for Education, Yusuf Cassim, MPL, will be conducting an oversight inspection at Jubilee Park Primary School in Uitenhage. He will be joined by DA EC Shadow MEC for Public Works, Vicky Knoetze, MPL, and Winterhoek Constituency Leader, Marshall von Buchenroder, MPL. New school buildings are being constructed at Jubilee Park to the tune of R77 million but it has taken years to complete, due to constant issues with contractors. Learners are being taught in temporary classrooms and receive teaching in shifts. This has resulted in …

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How to choose the the correct legal status for your business

Entrepreneurs who are starting new businesses are urged to carefully consider the legal status and type of business being registered, as it can have both cost, tax and legal implications in the long-term. Daniel Kaan, Business Core Banking CEO says all companies might be businesses, but not all businesses are, in the legal sense, companies. It's an important distinction, with several implications for business owners, implications that can affect how you optimise revenues and ensure longevity. He unpacks the importance of having the right legal status for a business: Sole …

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Tell That to the Victims!

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has made significant inroads in reducing crime during the festive season period, says Police Minister Bheki Cele. The Minister, addressing reporters at the release of the SAPS Safer Festive Season Report on Tuesday, said the men and women in blue worked tirelessly over the holidays to ensure that all festivities were carried out within the parameters of the law. “The festive season period, according to the SAPS calendar which started from October 15 to the 11th of January, has been the safest,” Cele said. During this period, he said, there was a …

Tell That to the Victims!Read More

Caution – Rift Valley Fever Often Follows Good Rains

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has reminded owners of cattle, sheep and goats to vaccinate their animals against Rift Valley Fever (RVF). The department warned that the recent good rainfall in certain areas of the country will result in an increase in the numbers of mosquitoes that transmit this disease. RVF is a serious viral disease that is spread through mosquitoes. It causes abortions and death in young cattle, sheep and goats. People coming into contact with the blood and other body fluids of infected animals can also develop RVF. “Farmers are …

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Voice your opinion on the 2020 Budget

Finance Minister Tito Mboweni has invited members of the public to share their views about economic conditions and other issues they would like government to highlight in the 2020 National Budget. The Minister will deliver the budget on 26 February 2020 in the National Assembly. “As usual, the budget allocation always aims to strike a balance amongst competing national spending priorities. It is in this context that Minister Mboweni invites South Africans to share their views about economic conditions and other issues they would like government to highlight in the Budget on 26 February …

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Clyde Smithers Comments on the Most Beautiful Road Race

https://youtu.be/a-PcDfWLkWQ What would a Port Elizabeth SPAR Women's Challenge Road Running Race be without he irrepressible Gino Fabbri? BORING! Here Gino tells us a bit about what to expect from him on the 21st of March 2020 ...... …

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Most Beautiful Road Race UNBOXING Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWlgVIP4eNY Let's just call them PRESENTS and NOT 'subtle bribes'. My first UNBOXING video of a goodie box from SPAR on the occasion of the media launch of the Women's Race taking place in Port Elizabeth on 21 March 2020. …

Most Beautiful Road Race UNBOXING VideoRead More

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