JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2003
It is common knowledge that Dullstroom is mainly a tourist town. There are currently between 200 and 300 regular visitors coming to Dullstroom per week. This is an indication that Dullstroom is enjoying tremendous growth. It is one of my priorities to ensure that this growth continues in leaps and bounds through continued and unwavering support.
Simultaneously much effort will be put into deliberate action to ensure that the township begins to enjoy benefits of this growth. I have no illusion about the complexity of the task. However with the right attitude, dedication and co-operation among all relevant role players, a lot can be achieved in this regard.
Save for a few isolated incidents of crime, Sakhelwe and the greater Dullstroom is still one of the safest villages in South Africa. Therefore the safety of tourists will not be a difficult task to accomplish. Continued co-operation between the community and SAP is crucial if crime is to be reduced considerably. We must remember that perceptions can shape people's opinion about a particular matter.
Tourists help us sustain our economy. If there is a perception that tourists are not safe in our environment, they will stop visiting our area and consequently a lot of business will be lost. There is a saying that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Let us take care of what we have and the rest will follow.
It is my intention to encourage a culture of entrepreneurship among members of our community. A concept that was coined by President Thabo Mbeki that people must do for self (Vuk' uzensele) will be operationalised.
In fact the community of Sakhelwe in conjunction with some business people have joined forces to ensure the completion of 'The Green Elephant" by no later then April 2003. About 13 youths and women will be trained to produce art effects to be sold to tourists and/or other persons interested in the products produced.
Plans are afoot to drastically reduce the number of squatter camps in Sakhelwe. There is an indication from the housing department that five hundred RDP houses might be build during the course of this year.
Improved service delivery can be accepted from the staff of Dullstroom. Just a reminder that Dullstroom is part of the Highlands Municipality and abides by Council resolutions and policies that govern the entire Municipality.
I am confident that problems with regard to water will be drastically reduced. The water purification plant should be operational by no later than February 2003. The tendering process with regard to Sakhelwe's bulk water supply line has been completed. An environmental impact study is currently underway, and we hope it will be completed soon.
Let me end by quoting some wise words from Otto Brodtrick "The distinction between an adoptive and learning organisation is subtle yet profound. Both organisations operate in the present. However the adoptive organisation is slightly behind, it is just arriving from the past. The learning organisation is slightly ahead, it is just learning for the future" - I choose to believe that we are a learning organisation.
From: Oscar Nkosi, Unit Manager, Dullstroom
WEG VAN DIE STRAAT - WEG VAN DIE KWAAD
Tydens die skoolvakansie en tesame met die Dullstroom Arts Festival het Ingrid Scheepers van die Dullstroom Inn, kinders uit Sakhelwe besig gehou met verfkwaste en klei.
Vir 10 dae het hulle geverf en klei gespeel en sodoende het hulle ouers geweet waar hulle is en hulle is terselfdertyd weggehou van die strate.
Tydens die skoolvakansie en tesame met die Dullstroom Arts Festival het Ingrid Scheepers van die Dullstroom Inn, kinders uit Sakhelwe besig gehou met verfkwaste en klei.
Vir 10 dae het hulle geverf en klei gespeel en sodoende het hulle ouers geweet waar hulle is en hulle is terselfdertyd weggehou van die strate.
PROUDLY DULLSTRROM BEST WAITRESS
Shannon Taylor (centre) with Joe and Sylvia Wapenaar of The Poacher
who won the Proudly Dullstroom prize for the best waitress.
Shannon grew up in this area and waitered at various venues in Dullstroom
before she was employed by The Poacher where she commenced work during
February 2002.
This was the message delivered by the Governor of the Reserve Bank, Mr Tito Mboweni at the launch of the 4th Edition of the Nedbank Guide to Flyfishing in Southern Africa recently. He stated that some 300 000 people fly-fished in the 2001.
In his address he said, Fly fishers must find creative methods to promote flyfishing in the black communities, for many reasons. The first step is to remove the impression that this sport and recreation avenue is for whites only.
Because of fly-fishing's close relationship with domestic tourism, participation of black people will help them contribute to this type of tourism. The notion that black people spend their weekends at parties, soccer matches and hanging around the house needs to be buried. A culture of getting to know South Africa's vast and varied countryside, which is full of beauty and is highly resourced.
All South Africans can now move about the country freely and the Flyfishing community must mobilise many people to join the fraternity. A start can be made by recruiting leading figures among the black middle class in the same way or even better than the golfing fraternity has been able to do.
By bringing a large number of black people into the fraternity, Flyfishers will contribute to creating a non-racial South African society.
Mr Mboweni congratulated the Federation of South African Flyfishers (FOSAF) for the work the organisation has been doing to promote Flyfishing in South Africa. Amongst its projects is the Yellow fish-working group that aims at establishing a sustainable fisheries management plan for this species.
The 4th Nedbank Guide to Flyfishing in Southern Africa was launched recently.
Some 300 guests attended the function at Exclusive Books in Hyde Park,
Johannesburg.
Seen here with the President of Fosaf, Mr Bill Mincher (left) is the Governor
of the Reserve Bank, Mr Tito Mboweni, Nedbank CEO, Mr Richard Laubscher,
and Gary Mokler, Chairman of the Northvaal chapter of Fosaf.
Hengel op Dullstroom lewer goeie resultate
Vir klein Tijan Oberholzer van Gauteng was die afgelope vakansie nie sonder opwinding nie. Hierdie ou grote het hy by Dunkeld Country Estate gevang.
November Edition
