Highlights Jan-April

January

• GP pupils best in the country

Matrics deliver best results not only in the country but the best Gauteng has seen since 1994, according to Gauteng Education MEC Barbra Creecy. This is a repeat and improvement of the 2009 results.

•New (Age) kids on the block

Controversial New Age influenced Ubunthu Freedom Party introduces itself to the public with their vision of introducing a utopian cashless society through a system called ‘contributionism’.

• Parlotones say their goodbyes

After more than a decade in the South African Music scene, Roodepoort rock sensations the Parlotones announce that they are moving to the United States to further they carreers. As part of a treat to their fans, fance are invited to a giant parade through Johannesburg that get’s filmed for their final South African release.

• Sonja runs the bodybuilding show

Dedicated bodybuilder Sonja Kilbourn (40) from Roodepoort wins the Womans Figureb Division at the World Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation’s Europen Championship in Reykjavik, Iceland. The mother of three attrobutes her success to her husband, Quintes, and trainer Beulah Strydom.

February

• Please dial “P” for patience

The Roodepoort Licensing station is once agin on the front page for the wrong reasons. In the midsts of allegations of corruption and unfair testing the public can not reach their offices due to incorrect and old numbers. This is soon followed by a Record video exposé

• Taxi drivers’ territory war

Commuters become the victims in taxi drivers’ greedy territorial dog fights as ‘marshals’ with sjamboks intimidate passengers in broad daylight in the CBD and also erect illegal ‘roadblocks’. Later in the year the tension culminates in a shootout on Ontdekkers Road in peak morning traffic.

• Florries treur saam met Elton na pa se dood

Die gemeenskap en rughbyliefhebbers treur saam met oud-Florrie en Springbok losskakel Elton Jantjies toe sy pa skielik sterf. Jantjies en sy broer Tony neem hulle voor om voorts hulle rugby aan hulle pa op te dra.

• Buses run dry

Service entity Metrobus is exposed as another municipal service deliverer that is suffering ailments ranging from bad service, corruption to financial mismanagement. The DA calls for replacement of acting Managing Director Lawrence Maqekoane.

• 220 Minutes of agony

The Record’s investigative team does the first of it’s video exposés after the public complains about Roodepoort Licencing Station by capturing a journalists ordeal on video. It takes the journalist a staggering 220 minutes just to make an appointment. These videos soon become a favourite on the looklocal website.

• School feels for Oscar

As the whole country reels from the shock of paralympian Oscar Pistorius urdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Valentines day the Record speaks to his old primary school Constantia Kloof Primary School. The school describes him as a’humble and fantastic kid’. The murder becomes one of the ‘news makers’ of the year.

March

• Principal clears desk

After the Record exposes the fraudelent antics of Westridge High School Principal, Sidney Mashige in 2012, he is finally suspended in March 2013. Mashige used school funds to pay for an entourage to visit a wedding in Zimbabwe.

• 26-vehicle accident claims a life

A tragic horror accident occurs when a truck traveling down Wiliam Nichol Road loses control and involves 26 cars. Although one is initially reported dead, the deat toll climbs to 4. The truckdriver faces several manslaughter charges. This leads to a truck ban on the road.

• Havies vier 60ste bestaansjaar

Op 26 Februarie vier die skool sy 60ste verjaarsdag. Daar word ‘n week lank vieringe gehou en huldeblyk gebring aan die stigter Dr Johannes Frederik Eloff Havinga. ‘n Drom met met memorabilia word ook geseel en in ‘n monument ingesement.

• Petrolprys: Waar gaan die geld een

In ‘n jaar waar binne die eerste drie maande die petrolprys met ‘n volle R1,37 styg begin inwoners vra waar die geld heen gaan. Die tendens duur voort maar steeds word e-tol ook in motoriste se kele afgeforseer.

• Parrow celebrates with Silverstar

On 22 March the hugely popular Afrikaans Zef rapper, Jack Parrow once again visits the West Rand to celebrate Silverstar Casino’s fifth birthday. As per usual fans flog to see the Belville musician and leave the gig with only praise.

April

Public feels undermined over quarry

Residents are shocked to discover that a major sand and aggregate quarry is being developed right under their noses in the Ruimsig neighbourhood where properties can cost up to R12 million. Varrious inconsistancies is discovered during the investigation.

Mark wins his first CMR Easter Open title

Local Golfer Mark van As en his brother Merrick both compete for the CMR Easter Open Amateur Championships title. On the day Merrick looks good initially leading the pack of 90 but his older brother Mark handles the pressure better and goes on to win the coveted title.

• JMPD hero’s killer: bail denied

Lindelany Majola, charged with the murder of JMPD officer Gabri Fouché appears in Roodepoort Magistrates Court on 5 April but bail is denied. This comes after on 3 October 2012 Majola shot Fouché multiple times while trying to apprehend post office robbers. The whole of Roodepoort is shocked by the sad waste of the young officer’s life.

• Settlers under fire?

After the Marikana massacre more and more reports of law enforcement’s reckless attitude towards especially crowds reach the media and Roodpoort is no exception. In the early morning JMPD officers move into the Roodepoort Rugby Club informal settlement and allegedly shoots at settlers. Residents of the settlement lay charges against the JMPD.

•Unisa’s laxity protested

On 16 April National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union goes on strike against the inner workings of the Unisa governing body. Students join the demonstrations, especially upset about the fact that study programmes will be available on-line and they feel that the internet is not affordable to everyone.