2013: The highs and lows of the year that was

September

• William Nicol update: Trucks banned

As of 2 September truck drivers on William Nicol Road were subject to a fine should they break the law by driving on the road, after the tragic 26-vehicle pile-up. Signs were erected and a R500 fine will be issued to anyone disobeying them.

• Shop in aid of the elderly

A new charity shop in Ridgevale Shopping Centre in Roodekrans gives residents the opportunity to shop in order to benefit elderly residents. The Roodepoort Care for the Aged, that takes many retirement villages under its wing, later distributes the profits made amongst their beneficiaries.

• Taxi war

An innocent passenger got shot in the stomach while trying to escape a moving taxi as gunmen opened fire on it at the intersection of Ontdekkers and CR Swart Road. Two other Dorljota drivers were gunned down at the Leratong Hospital the previous day, but spokesperson Zeblom Simelane refused to confirm or deny the allegations of a taxi war.

• Update: Roodepoort under siege

Police take earlier taxi violence seriously by patrolling Ontdekkers Road and searching taxis randomly. Chaos continued as striking Numsa members started terrorising local businesss and members of the public on the second day of their strike action. Many businesses had to close shop to protect their employees and property.

• Body of seven-month-old fetus shocks Witpoortjie

Shoppers and residents were disgusted after a fetus with its umbilical cord still attached was found in a rubbish bin near Wipoortjie’s Pick n Pay. It later came to light that charges can be laid against the mother for concealing the birth of a baby.

• Hogging the limelight for Cansa

The Harley Owner’s Group (Hog) drove from Broadacres Shopping Centre near Fourways to Harley Davidson Clearwater to raise awareness about cancer. Besides the fact that a portion of the sales on 1 September also was donated, the gathering alone raised more than R20 000 towards cancer research.

• Roodepoort mourns former mayoress (93)

The former mayoress of Roodepoort, Veronica (Rona) Turner passed away on 3 September at the ripe age of 93. She was a beautiful, strog-willed and passionate woman and served as the mayoress of Roodepoort from 1950 to 1952, told her proud goddaughter.

• Groot gedoente by Rugbyklub

Terwyl almal anders erfenis vier op 24 September word die Roodepoort Rugbyklub 70 jaar oud en is daar groot makietie gehou met biertente, springkastele en stalletjies. ‘n Spesiale raakrugbytoernooi is ook gehou.

October

• Bikers pay their last respects to Klein Koos

After yet another tragic bike accident, bikers met in the parking lot of the Village@Horizon for a mass ride before the funeral service of the late AJ Klein Koos/ Kobus Coetzee (22). The service was held at the West Rand Bikers Church in the Roodepoort Moth Hall, after which he was laid to rest in the Sterkfontein Cemetery.

• Fire destroys single mother’s flat

A fire that broke out at Mercia Court on 1 October left single mother Lizette Delport in dire straights. The cause of the fire remains uncertain, however, large donations of clothes and other necessities had the Delport family feeling like Witpoortjie is a loving community and home to them.

• Smokie gives their fans Needles and Pins

Smokie fans gathered at Marshall Music in Allen’s Nek on 3 October for the rare opportunity to meet and greet their idols. Smokie has been coming back to South Africa over a span of 10 years, saying it is “like home”. Resident Nicky Myburgh had a big smile on his face as his favourite album was signed by all the members.

• Gunman attacks Caxton West Rand employee

Media staff face their fair amount of crime and intimidation when Caxton employee Christine van Tonder faces the cold steel barrel of her robber’s gun. Luckily unharmed, Van Tonder lost only her handbag in the dangerous situation.

• Roodies skenk speelgoed aan kerk in Polokwane

Roodies dink selfs buite hul eie gemeenskap en samel honderde sagte speelgoed in vir liefdadigheid en ‘n kerk in Polokwane. Hierdie ma-en-dogter dag by die Walter Sisulu Botaniese Tuine was een om te onthou.

• Ebenezer House reaps the benefits

Witpoortjie’s own Ebenezer House reaps the benefits of a previous Record profile on the organisation when two donated washing machines were delivered to them. Bergen’s Krugersdorp also volunteered to install and service the machines in future and promised to assess their other broken appliances.

• Major success for Florida at Fish

Archie Moncho and Karima Hare finished the Double Trouble chute build over the first weir on the Fish River. They finished 356th as a double and 66th as a mixed double and were one of seven entries from FLCC to have completed the race successfully.

November

• Two Roodepoorters in bizarre PE hostage drama

A father (Ernest H Lottering) and his son from Roodepoort ordered a pharmacist in Seaview Pharmacy, Port Elizabeth, to prepare lethal injections for them. The men were using a toy gun and threatened that they had a bomb. A case of pointing a firearm was opened with more charges added on 25 October.

• Drugs and sex in the city

In a series of articles that tackles risque issues illuminating the ongoing decay of Roodepoort CBD, Record journalist Riaan van Zyl realised that Stokoe Street in Roodepoort CBD is still the preferred spot for picking up a sex worker. A serious of sexual favours and drugs could be purchased for between R50 and R300.

• Thirty-year flashback

A new series of articles that glance back at the Record editions of yesteryear was launched by journalists Riaan van Zyl and Mathilde Myburgh. The first article, the thirty-year flashback, jumped back to 28 October 1983 to look at community concerns at the time – horror crashes, weddings and the fear of die rooi gevaar (communism).

• Duisende woon Kruiners se Oppikruinfees by

Duisende het vir die Laerskool Helderkruin Oppikruinfees op hul skoolgronde opgedaag. ‘n Flashmob, optrede deur Izak Davel en bekende gesigte soos dié van Hildegardt Whites en Corné Crous (Bonita Meintjies en Kim Conradie van 7de Laan-faam) was maar net van die hoogtepunte.

• Ouklip Road revamped

After numerous and mostly tragic accidents on the infamous Ouklip Road, journalist Clinton Botha was there to take the first pictures of newly installed stop signs that were implemented to make the road safer. A three-way stop was implemented at the corner of Sonderend Street and Ouklip Road, a four-way stop was implemented at the corner of Graphite and Ouklip Roads and signs indicating the hidden entrances to the road were upgraded.

• Update: Murdered for R10

A young man (19) was stabbed to death at a bus stop on the premises of Westgate Shopping Centre, supposedly following a gambling game. Marketing Manager Nick Scott said that Westgate cares for the safety of their patrons and will be looking to installing surveillance cameras around the bus terminals in the near future.

• What happens on the web …

Web articles and interactions get shared with the Record’s print copy readers in the edition of 8 November. Our special events calender, video of the day and exciting comment interactions are boasted with. The fairly new website, www.roodepoortrecord.co.za, boasts more than 1 160 articles and galleries as of 25 November 2013.

• Rocci rewards local businesses

What probably is deemed as the most exciting business event of the year, the Rocci Business of the Year Awards took place on 26 October. Local emergency services branch ER24 Joburg West and community organisation Cansa West Rand walks away as the winners of their respective categories. Congratulations to all the businesses that qualified as nominees and finally were elected winners!

• Bloed, sweet en trane by Cedar Lodge

Die Wes-Rand het behoorlik gerock by die vrystelling van Van Coke Kartel se nuutste album, Bloed, Sweet en Trane, by Cedar Lodge in Krugersdorp. Die Record voer ‘n relatief kontroversiële onderhoud met Francois van Coke, wat nie kon verstaan waarom hy as ‘n god deur die gehoor beskryf is nie.

• Brickz allegedly threatened to kill victim

Kwaito star Sipho Brickz Ndlovu appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court after allegations that he raped a 16-year-old relative. After supposedly contradicting his initial statement in court and the case that being postponed time and again, Brickz is denied his bail application. The case continues in December.

• Keg hosts country legends

Country legends Lance James and Buddy and Sally Vaughn entertained residents at the Keg & Legend at Village@Horizon on a lazy Sunday afternoon. While enjoying lunch, residents could listen to classic country songs and relax with their family and friends.

• Florida Primary School older than bikinis?

Florida Primary School turned 125 and journalist Clinton Botha helped Roodepoort remember their history. The school existed before Elvis Presley was born, before television existed and before girls tanned on beaches in bikinis.

• JMPD sergeant gets four years for bribery

A JMPD sergeant allegedly was arrested and sentenced to four years’ imprisonment after trying to solicit a bribe from a motorist, journalist Riaan van Zyl reported. The sergeant was prosecuted swiftly and is serving his sentence.