AfriForum successes: September 2018

NORTHERN REGION

GAUTENG

• AfriForum planted trees during a Wildlife Festival in Kleinfontein.
• AfriForum submitted commentary to Chand Environmental Consultants regarding the CSIR’s planned biogas plant in Pretoria East. The CSIR wants to build the biogas plant extremely close to residential areas around Lynnwood Road.
• AfriForum launched a big clean-up action in Kloofsig on the corner of Cradock and Trichardt Streets.
• AfriForum welcomed the funds which the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) granted the Emfuleni Local Municipality. R20 million was allocated for repairs and the upgrading of pump stations in the Vaal River.

Heidelberg

• Jordaan Park in Heidelberg is ten white stinkwood trees richer after the branch in Heidelberg planted it as part of the civil rights organisation’s arbour month project.

Meyerton

• Riversdale’s park in Ward 13 is five trees richer after the branch in Meyerton planted it as part of the civil rights organisation’s arbour month project.

 Roodepoort

• The neighbourhood watch in Roodepoort launched a mass patrol to combat crime. The patrol kicked off at the Fairlands Police Station.
• Fanie Naude, Chairperson of AfriForum’s Roodepoort branch, received a call about a suspected land grabber, after which he summoned a neighbourhood watch member to investigate.

Westonaria

• The branch in Westonaria planted six trees at the Hoërskool Westonaria as part of the civil rights organisation’s arbour month project.
• The branch in Westonaria launched its Drom jou Rommel project in reply to the recent poor decision-making by the Westonaria Local Municipality.

Bronkhorstspruit

• The Bronkhorstspruit branch held a reorganisation meeting during which a new branch management was elected.
• The branch in Bronkhorstspruit held a clean-up action at a park between the Erasmus neighbourhood and the N4 highway. It also formed part of AfriForum’s arbour month project which focuses on removing intruder plants and trees. Intruder trees that were removed were also treated to prevent them from blooming again.

Kempton Park

• The Kempton Park neighbourhood watch held a visibility patrol with the SAPS and MML Security in Norkem Park during which an international media team from Sweden accompanied them to report on the state of South African communities.

Alberton

• The Alberton branch received new bulletproof vests, reflector vests and flashlights.

Edenvale

• As part of AfriForum’s #YourTown campaign, the organisation’s Edenvale branch held the first of many mass clean-up actions in the city centre.

Springs

• The branch in Springs planted five trees at the Hoërskool Dr. Johan Jurgens as part of the civil rights organisation’s arbour month project.
• The neighbourhood watch in Springs was in charge of the safety during the Laerskool Selectionpark’s revue evening in cooperation with the SAPS and the Casseldale CPF.

Brakpan

• The Brakpan branch repaired various tombstones in cooperation with the CPF, Spotted Owls and community members after the tombstones were vandalised by criminal activities.
• The branch in Brakpan planted 20 trees at the Laerskool Môrewag and 10 trees at the Apostolic Congregation in Minnebron.

Germiston

• The newly established neighbourhood watch in Germiston received bulletproof vests, reflector vests, vehicle magnets and radios.
• The branch in Germiston planted five trees at the Afrikaanse Hoërskool Germiston and two trees at the Laerskool Elspark in Germiston as part of the civil rights organisation’s arbour month project.

Zambesi

• The Zambesi branch this past month cleaned up the Chapel of God’s Grace Church in Dr Swanepoel Road and also removed garden refuse from the site.
• The Zambesi branch planted trees at the Hoërskool Montana.

 Moot

• The Moot branch planted trees at the Laerskool Wonderboom-Suid on behalf of national arbour month.

 West Moot

• The branch in West Moot planted trees at Villa Ciatste in the west of Pretoria.

 Meyerspark

• The Meyerspark branch filled up potholes in Sholto Douglas Street at a cost of approximately R22 000.
• The Meyerspark branch painted the lines of Sholto Douglas Street. The branch recently filled up potholes in the same street.
• The Meyerspark branch planted trees in the community during arbour month.

 Rayton-Cullinan

• The branch in Rayton-Cullinan planted trees at the Wetnose Animal Rescue Unit.

 Waverley

• The branch in Waverley planted trees at the Laerskool Totiusdal during arbour month.

 Apies River

• The branch in Apies River has been reorganised.

 Fochville

• The Fochville branch donated 16 trees to four schools in Fochville as part of AfriForum’s arbour month project.

 MPUMALANGA

Bethal

• The Bethal branch completed two successful pothole actions. More than R100 000 was spent in 2018 to fill up potholes in the town.

 Leandra

• The Leandra branch planted trees at the Laerskool Leandra in aid of arbour month.

Middelburg

• The Middelburg branch completed two phases of the Helipad project. Part of the project involved repairing an emergency landing pad for helicopters.
• The Middelburg branch held a successful stand during Helping Hand’s golf day.

 Lydenburg

• The Lydenburg branch helped repair potholes in the town in cooperation with the Lydenburg chamber of commerce.

 White River

• The branch and neighbourhood watch in White River helped fight large-scale fires.

 LIMPOPO

• The AfriForum branches in Warmbaths, Nylstroom and Naboomspruit planted more than 250 trees in these three towns as part of the civil rights organisation’s arbour month project. The trees were planted at various schools, churches and other institutions in the towns.

Ellisras

• The AfriForum neighbourhood watch in Ellisras cooperated to help extinguish a burning truck that caught fire near Ellisras. The neighbourhood watch was deployed after a call was received on the emergency channel that the truck was burning and help was needed to extinguish the fire.
• The AfriForum branch in Ellisras planted 13 trees at the SPCA as part of the civil rights organisation’s arbour month project.
• The AfriForum neighbourhood watch in Ellisras handled all the safety related arrangements during a big cycling day at the Hoërskool Ellisras. The neighbourhood watch was in charge of the safety and made sure that no serious incidents occurred.
• AfriForum established its Matlabas farm watch in the Ellisras region to help combat crime in this area. AfriForum will also shortly hand over safety equipment to the farm watch.

Naboomspruit

• The AfriForum branch in Naboomspruit repaired a water leak on the main supply water pipe – which connects the Geyser Dam and the reservoir – in cooperation with the municipality. The pipe is used to pump water from the Geyser Dam to the reservoir for drinking water purposes.
• The AfriForum branch in Naboomspruit repaired a pressure pump and borehole pump that were out of order for quite some time. The pressure pump is used to pump water from the Nyl station to the main reservoir and had to be fitted with a new electronic protection mechanism to function correctly once again. The borehole pump had to be replaced altogether.
• The Lim 368 Local Municipality recently started repairing the sewage plant in Naboomspruit after continuous pressure by the local AfriForum branch. Reparations started after AfriForum sent a letter to Mapule Mokoko, Municipal Manager, to bring the problem to her attention.

Nylstroom

• The AfriForum neighbourhood watch in Nylstroom helped with safety during the Nylie Festival. The safety was managed by Jumas Security Company in cooperation with the AfriForum neighbourhood watch.

Phalaborwa

• The AfriForum branch in Phalaborwa planted two trees at the entrance of the cemetery as part of the civil rights organisation’s arbour month project.

Tzaneen

• AfriForum’s Tzaneen branch cleaned up the Tzaneen Dam with the aim of preserving fish and animal life in the environment. The action took place in cooperation with Letaba Bassmasters, Wolkberg Academy, Rhino Chemicals, Sosal Tzaneen, Drone Tronix and Nature Conservation – everyone helped tackle the action successfully.

 

CENTRAL REGION

NORTH WEST

 The following branches in North West planted trees during arbour month: Hertzogville, Bloemhof, Delareyville, Sannieshof, Biesiesvlei, Schweizer-Reneke and Vryburg.

• The following branches in North West planted trees as part of the arbour month project: Coligny, Hartbeespoort, Rustenburg, Koster, Mooinooi and Lichtenburg.

Vryburg

• The branch in Vryburg cleaned up a park and planted 14 trees in aid of arbour month.
• The proto team of the AfriForum neighbourhood watch in Vryburg was announced as the best in the country.

 Christiana

• The neighbourhood watch in Christiana held a mass patrol for the combating of crime and also assisted the police during break-ins. They were also helpful with firefighting.

 Bloemhof

• The Bloemhof neighbourhood watch helped with the search for two lost children and assisted in finding them.

 Potchefstroom

• The Potchefstroom branch performed reparations to an important intersection next to the N12. Repair work include the painting of stripes, as well as the replacement of stop signs and the filling up of potholes.

Stilfontein

• The Stilfontein neighbourhood watch received new equipment, including reflector vests, magnet boards and flashlights.

 Wolmaransstad

• The Potchefstroom branch performed repairs at an important intersection next to the N12. Repairs include the painting of stripes, as well as the replacement of stop signs and the filling up of potholes.

FREE STATE

 Uitsig

• The Uitsig branch saved the life of a member of the public who overdosed on pills. The branch also came upon various unlicensed firearms and handed it over to the SAPS.

 Rayton-Heuwelsig

• AfriForum’s Rayton-Heuwelsig neighbourhood watch assisted in tracing a hijacked Toyota Fortuner within 30 minutes of the incident being reported.

Hospital Park

• The Hospital Park neighbourhood watch brought a burglar to book and handed him over to the SAPS after he attempted to stab some of the patrollers with a knife.

 Sasolburg

• The Sasolburg branch repaired a dangerous road. Some of the repairs include painting signs on the road, as well as the replacement of road signs and the erection of reflector lights in the road.
• The Sasolburg branch planted 35 trees next to the R59 as part of AfriForum’s arbour month project.

Senekal

• The Senekal branch held a meeting with the municipality to find solutions with regard to the sewage related procession.

Frankfort

• The Frankfort branch visited nine schools in the Frankfort area to hand over trees for the arbour month project.

 Bethlehem

• The Bethlehem branch rented a bulldozer to scratch open heaped up refuse at the landfill site to subsequently help the fire brigade extinguish a fire.
• The Bethlehem branch cooperated with AfriForum Youth to have 30 tonnes of fodder delivered at 17 farms that suffered destructive veldt fires.

 Welkom

• The Welkom branch has once again been established and will be managed by new management.

 Harrismith

• The Harrismith neighbourhood watch held a mass roadblock with the SAPS in Harrismith to combat crime.

 Reitz

• The Reitz branch painted stop signs on the corners of the roads surrounding the school to subsequently safeguard the area in which the school is located.

 KWAZULU-NATAL

• In KwaZulu-Natal, AfriForum members formed part of the Provincial SAPS Rural Safety Committee.
• AfriForum branches in KwaZulu-Natal met up with traditional Zulu leaders in order to ensure better cooperation between the organisations.

Newcastle

• The Newcastle branch planted 45 trees as part of the organisation’s arbour month project.

 Vryheid

• The Vryheid branch safeguarded its community by means of daily patrols.
• The Vryheid branch formed part of the monthly joint SAPS safety meetings in Ulundi.

 Margate

• The AfriForum Youth branch in Margate cleaned up the beaches in Margate.
• The Margate branch established a neighbourhood watch to safeguard the local community.
• The Margate branch planted trees at the local schools in aid of arbour month.

 Pongola

• The Pongola branch planted various trees in Pongola, among other places at the Pongola Retirement Village.
• The Pongola branch safeguarded the local community thanks to various proactive patrols.

 Paulpietersburg

• The safety structures of the Paulpietersburg branch achieved great success with game poachers.
• The Paulpietersburg branch planted trees at the Paulpietersburg Retirement Village.

 Utrecht

• The Utrecht branch participated in the arbour month project and planted various trees in the town.

 Hluluwe

• The Hluluwe branch held a community safety meeting with the Mbazwane Police Station.

 

SOUTHERN REGION

NORTHERN CAPE

Kuruman

• The AfriForum Youth branch in Kuruman cleaned up the area surrounding the local old-age home and also painted the parking area at the police station.
• The Kuruman neighbourhood watch battled veldt fires.

Kathu

• The Kathu neighbourhood watch prevented house fires.
• The Kathu branch planted trees at the local school as part of the arbour month project.

Vaalharts

• The youth portfolio of the Vaalharts branch planted flowers at two old-age homes to celebrate the arrival of spring.
• The youth portfolio of the Vaalharts branch planted trees at the Women’s Monument Church.

 

EASTERN CAPE

Aliwal North

• The Aliwal North branch planted trees at the Nkosi Private School for arbour month and also taught the children more about the importance of trees.
• The Aliwal North branch planted trees at Huis van der Horst for arbour month.

 Jeffreys Bay

• The Jeffreys Bay branch finalised all preparation and permission processes to improve an entrance route to the town to tackle traffic flow problems. These are massive projects of approximately R300 000, of which 50% will be funded by the municipality. The relationship between branch and municipality has been established so well that the municipality’s contribution has already been paid to AfriForum.

 WESTERN CAPE

 Cape Town North

• The Bellville neighbourhood watch and Oakdale Watch held a joint patrol.
• Good cooperation between AfriForum’s Bellville neighbourhood watch and the SAPS led to the successful arrest of a suspected burglar.

Vredendal

• The Vredendal branch established two new safety structures: the Trawal farm watch and Lutzville neighbourhood watch.
• The Nuwerus farm watch received safety equipment.
• The Vredendal branch planted 30 indigenous trees at primary schools in the Matzikama region.

 Overstrand

• The Overstrand branch established three new neighbourhood watches and is in the process of establishing two others as well. The GVE is making good headway and is already delivering results in riot situations. Municipal land grabs are being tackled up to ministerial level.

 Oudtshoorn

• The Oudtshoorn branch participated in actions and assisted in organising actions to clean up the Grobbelaars River. The branch also led the way with regard to establishing sustainable clean-up actions.

 Hessequa

• AfriForum’s Goukou farm watch, which forms part of the civil rights organisation’s Hessequa branch structure, received training regarding legal aspects that are relevant during patrols.

 Worcester

• The Worcester branch planted five indigenous trees and eight porkbushes at the Nuwerus old-age home, as well as at the De Tuinen Primary School and the Esselen Primary School.

 Velddrif

• The Velddrif branch planted 15 indigenous trees for arbour month.
• The Velddrif neighbourhood watch helped trace a stolen vehicle and also assisted in arresting the suspects.

 

PORTFOLIOS

Environmental Affairs

• AfriForum kicked off its arbour month project and already donated 500 karee trees (Searsia lancea, formerly the Rhus genus) to AfriForum branch structures.
• AfriForum concluded its arbour month project in Knysna by planting 50 trees at the Pledge Nature Reserve, donating a water tank to the reserve with which to catch rain water, while 800 fynbos species were also planted in the Brenton area. It was planted for the rehabilitation of the endemic fynbos species, as well as for the protection of the Brenton Blue Butterfly. (This species can only reproduce with a specific fynbos plant.)
• AfriForum and the Go Green Knysna group offered their assistance with the removal of exotic plants in the Knysna region as part of the Knysna project.
• AfriForum planted more than 3 000 trees across South Africa during its arbour month project.

 Local Government Affairs (strategic advisor)

• The NHI has gained momentum before the commentary period closed on 20 September. I held 12 promotional talks about it and also released many successful media statements and information papers about it. We also submitted lengthy commentary about this. It helped to establish AfriForum and Community Affairs as a safety role-player.
• Our Eskom media coverage was extremely successful over the last couple of months. One of our media statements about this was one of AfriForum’s most successful media statements in September. This shows that power for our niche market and the media is very important and that they are looking for a watchdog and advocate on this terrain.
• The survey regarding the NHI has been completed and the results were also used as part of the campaign and future research and planning.
• A number of successful blogs and articles also appeared in the media.

 Community Safety

• AfriForum’s Goukou farm watch received safety training regarding legal aspects applicable to patrols.
• AfriForum’s Bellville neighbourhood watch and Oakdale Watch held a joint safety patrol to improve visibility.
• AfriForum’s Goukou farm watch rendered assistance which led to arrests.
• AfriForum’s Kathu neighbourhood watch assisted in preventing a house from burning down.
• AfriForum’s Kathu neighbourhood watch received a new control room.
• AfriForum’s Kuruman neighbourhood watch assisted in extinguishing fires at a wildlife camp.
• AfriForum’s Kuruman neighbourhood watch traced a stolen vehicle.
• AfriForum’s Nuwerus farm watch received safety equipment.
• AfriForum’s Velddrif neighbourhood watch assisted in tracing a stolen vehicle and arresting the suspects.
• AfriForum’s Voëlklip neighbourhood watch has been honoured.
• AfriForum established two new safety structures in the Matzikama region.
• Cooperation between AfriForum and the SAPS led to successful arrests.
• Ten police stations in the Western Cape have been listed among the top 30 in SA where the most murder related cases were reported.
• AfriForum’s Springs neighbourhood watch safeguarded a school’s revue shows.
• AfriForum’s Alberton neighbourhood watch brags with new safety equipment.
• AfriForum’s White River neighbourhood watch assisted in fighting runaway veldt fires.
• AfriForum’s Roodepoort neighbourhood watch held a mass patrol.
• AfriForum’s Roodepoort neighbourhood watch assisted in bringing a suspect to book.
• The AfriForum neighbourhood watch in Nylstroom helped with the safety arrangements at the Nylie Festival.
• AfriForum’s Ellisras neighbourhood watch handled the safety during a cycling race.
• The Standerton neighbourhood watch traced a missing child in the town and immediately became involved to help gather more information about the case.
• AfriForum’s Standerton neighbourhood watch assisted the police with five arrests. Four of the five suspects were in possession of drugs and one was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol.
• Maserumule farm: Illegal trespassers and structures were removed with the assistance of the Red Ants.
• AfriForum’s Germiston neighbourhood watch received new safety equipment.
• AfriForum’s Middelburg neighbourhood watch stopped land grabbers. Community members informed AfriForum of the land grabs, after which the branch acted immediately.
• AfriForum’s Kempton Park neighbourhood watch was accompanied by Swedish media during a patrol.
• AfriForum’s Ellisras branch is one farm watch stronger.
• AfriForum’s Standerton branch assisted in tracing a hijacked vehicle after the vehicle was hijacked in Honeydew, Johannesburg. Two suspects were arrested at the Elmtree offramp on the R23.