NicP BLOOD GROUPING AT ABSA BLOOD DONATION CLINIC · read more »

Do you know your blood type?

On Wednesday 10 March 2010 ABSA will be hosting another blood donation clinic at ABSA Hans van Rensburg Street. If you would like to know what your blood type is, you can visit the blood donation clinic and we’ll tell you what it is.

Blood group basics

There are four main blood groups, O, A, B and AB, known as the ABO system.

After the ABO system, the Rhesus (Rh) blood group system was discovered and donors are either classified as Rh positive, or Rh negative, in addition to their ABO group.
It is interesting to see the distribution of blood groups amongst current donors in South Africa:

Type % How many have it?
O+ 39% one in 3
O- 7% one in 17
A+ 32% one in 3
A- 5% one in 20
B+ 12% one in 8
B- 2% one in 50
AB+ 3% one in 33
AB- 1% one in 100

It can be seen therefore that the most common blood type is O-positive and the rarest AB- negative.

There is the myth that there is no great need for O type blood as it is the most common blood type. The fact is that more patients require group O blood than any other blood type, for the simple reason that most of them have type O blood! In an emergency, group O blood can be transfused to any patient.

O donors are known as Universal Donors as the red cells in type O blood have neither antigen A nor antigen B. Antigens are substances on the red blood cells that induce the formation of antibodies which are recognised by the immune system as a threat. Except for identical twins, no person will ever possess all the same antigens.
Conversely, AB-positive patients are known as the Universal Recipients and can receive all blood groups.

When it comes to blood transfusions, there are two important systems of antigens that have to be matched to avoid complications.

For instance, if you are blood group A, then you have A antigens covering your red cells. Blood group B means you have B antigens. Group O has neither and group AB has some of both.

The other antigen to be considered is the rhesus (Rh) antigen. If this antigen is present then the person is RhD positive and if it is not there, the person is RhD negative. These two systems are vitally important as a mismatch between donor and patient is a major cause of severe transfusion reactions and can even be fatal.

Your blood saves lives.

Call toll Free: 0800 11 9031 or visit the SANBS website

Please login or register to comment.
NicP PASSER EN DRAAIER GESOEK · read more »

As julle van iemand weet wat werk soek as 'n passer en draaier in 'n ingenieurs besigheid, stuur asseblief CV's vir my of skakel Anton by 015 2971617 vir meer inligting oor die pos.

Salaris is onderhandelbaar- hang af van ondervinding en geleerdheid. 13de tjek asook pensioenfonds. Persoon moet onafhanklik kan werk en werk kan uitdeel aan die vakleerlinge onder hom.

Ashleigh Grobler
NILAND & PRETORIUS INC
Standard Bank Bonds & Litigation Department
2 Albatross centre
21 Market Street
POLOKWANE
0699

Please login or register to comment.
NicP SAVANNAH MALL MATRIC FAIR PHOTOS · read more »

Photos of Savannah Mall Matric Fair participants.

More photos at Savannah Mall's website

The winner is Prisca Mhlongo of Capricorn High and her photo will appear in the Polokwane Observer on Thursday

The winner won her matric dress designed by Erica Mengouchi of Mengouchi Haute Couture

Images:
Model at Savannah Mall Polokwane Matric Fair 2010
Model at Savannah Mall Polokwane Matric Fair 2010
Please login or register to comment.
NicP YS IN 'N VLAMKOMBERS · read more »

NG-Noord Pietersburg vier vanjaar hul sestigste feesjaar met verskeie aktiwiteite tydens hul Borreltyd program.

Gisela de Villiers se uitvoering op Saterdag 6 Maart om 09:30 by NG-Noord se kerksaal, is 'n reis na binne. Sy het in skrywes en musieke wat van lank gelede tot in die hede strek, gaan delf. Gisela glo onwrikbaar dat die lewe goed is, en dat humor oral uitloer, selfs onder baie moeilike omstandighede.

Die uitvoering met die titel "Ys in ‘n Vlamkombers" nooi die gehoor uit om hierdie reis mee te maak. Waar mens ookal deur die lewe beweeg, word mense en situasies met 'n doel op jou pad geplaas.

Gisela hoop om saam met jou by daardie doel uit te kom. Sy het ook nuwe musiek vir die uitvoering geskryf, wat 'n sagte lig werp op kwessies wat soms té ernstig opgeneem word.

So kom. Ry saam!

Kaartjies beloop R100 per persoon en is by die NG-Noord se kerkkantoor beskikbaar of by 015-287 9700 of bel Dia by 083 726 1180 vir meer inligting.

Images:
Gisela de Villiers
Please login or register to comment.
NicP WHERE ARE THE WAR GUN'S WHEELS? · read more »

These photos show the old war gun (cannon) at the municipal offices next to the KFC in a state of neglect.

We believe it is the responsibility of the Municipality to keep this part of our heritage in good order so that we can show 2010 visitors our heritage.

What is going on here?

Photos: Robby Sandrock, LensFlaire

Images:
War gun in disrepair in Polokwane
War gun in disrepair in Polokwane
War gun in disrepair in Polokwane
Bare axle of war gun in disrepair in Polokwane
Please login or register to comment.
NicP DAWIE BOTES POLOKWANE BUSINESSPERSON OF 2009 · read more »

Dawie Botes, co-owner of Bolivia Lodge is the Polokwane Chamber of Business' Businessperson of the Year.

Botes was announced as the winner of the coveted award at the annual banquet of the PCOB that was held at Bolivia Lodge on Thursday night.

FNB was the main sponsor of the event that was attended by nearly 500 guests.

The Entrepreneur of the Year is Johan le Roux of Ghiordes and the Corporate Manager of the Year is Andrew Cox of Enterprise.

Tim Bourdillon of KFC and Jacques Nell of Xerox Datamaster shared the award of Local Business of the Year while Dr Hercules Malan is the Newsmaker of the Year for his involvement in the building of the first Oncology Unit in Limpopo.

Three President's Awards went to Calvin Sengani, Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Schalk van der Merwe of Prism Architects, designer of the Peter Mokaba Stadium and Morne Thesner, Business Development Manager of the PCOB.

Mrs Happy Ralemala, provincial manager of FNB, also announced that FNB was appointed the preferred banker of the Limpopo Government this morning.

Please login or register to comment.
NicP CABLE THIEVES BLAMED FOR POOR SUPPLY OF POLOKWANE ELECTRICITY · read more »

The Polokwane municipality has attributed its lack of effective electricity supply to ratepayers to rampant cable theft in the past few weeks.

Read more

Please login or register to comment.
NicP WARNING: MOLEPO DAM NOT SAFE · read more »

On Sunday 21 Feb 2010 a friend and I went to Molepo Dam near Moria to fish.

We met up with other friends and around 11:45 went fishing from their boat for around 1/2 hour. On our return we found my friend's vehicle, which was locked, being broken into and 3 cell phones stolen. The suspects broke both front door windows to get access to the vehicle. A gentleman who was fishing about 30 meters away told us he saw the suspects running away.

An hour earlier we met a local black gentleman who actually warned us about the sudden crime spate and reported that the "tsotsis" stole some of his fishing gear as well a while ago.

I believe this dam is becoming a crime risk and that anglers and boaters should be warned about it.

Robbie Nelson

Please login or register to comment.
NicP POLOKWANE UPGRADES MAIN WATER RESERVOIR · read more »

The Polokwane Municipality is upgrading its main water reservoir to keep up with the rapidly growing population.

The reservoir will increase the water supply to the city and Seshego residents.

The R54-million, 50 mega litre reservoir is being constructed at the Krugersberg Dam in addition to the two 30 mega litre reservoirs that are currently supplying water to Polokwane and Seshego.

Read more

Please login or register to comment.
NicP TOLL FEES INCREASE FROM 1 MARCH · read more »

Toll tariffs are set to increase from 1 March, the SA National Roads Agency (SANRAL) said on Friday.

A trip from Pretoria to Polokwane in a light vehicle will cost R7, 30 more in toll fees, taking the toll cost for a return trip to R213.

More info about increases

Please login or register to comment.
marthina FIREARMS AMNESTY - 11 January - 11 April 2010. · read more »

Together we can do more about crime!

Amnesty has been declared by the Minister of Police for a period of 90 days in order to allow any person who is in unlawful possession of firearms, ammunition and/or firearm parts the opportunity to surrender such without fear of being prosecuted for the unlawful possession thereof.

Any person in possession of a firearm, firearm parts and/or ammunition without a legal licence, permit or authorisation is regarded to be in illegal possession of arms. This serious offence can lead to imprisonment of up to twenty-five years.

The illegal firearms, ammunition and/or firearm parts must be surrendered at any police station. A receipt will be issued.

Persons who failed to re-license their firearm during the period relating to their birth date may now apply for such a license. You are also urged to voluntarily surrender your legal firearms if you no longer wish to posess them.

Act now and report the whereabouts of illegal firearms. National Firearms Call centre : 012 353 6111.

Please login or register to comment.
NicP ABSA PHISHING SCAM WARNING · read more »

An increasing number of people in Polokwane report that they receive emails purported to be from Absa and asking them to update their info by clicking on a link.

No bank will ask you to update your info by clicking on a link in an email.

Ignore these mails.

The following internal communication was sent to Absa employees and we repeat it here as it gives sound advice as to what you should do when communicating via the Inetrnet with your bank:

"As previously communicated there is a sharp increase of phishing scam emails that appear to have been sent by the bank, and contain a link to a fake version of Absa’s website and instructions to log on to the site to verify their credentials with the bank.

As an employee you play an important role in fighting Internet Banking crime. Please convey this message to all your friends and family members in order to protect them from losing their money.

These emails are sent out as spam to numerous recipients and a variety of tricks are used to make the phishing scam look like a legitimate process, such as duplicating Absa’s legitimate logos and other identifying information taken directly from the legitimate website to fool victims into divulging their logon details.

Most messages imply a sense of urgency or an immediate risk to bank accounts or credit cards if you fail to answer, in order to increase the chances of a response. Sometimes special offers and prizes may also be promoted as incentives.

The scammers have become better impostors, incorporating phrasing and wording into the email that the bank's customers would be familiar with from previous authentic advisories. These are hoax emails in which every single psychological ploy, right from shocking, luring, scaring and threatening are used by scam artists to get their potential victims to fall in line.

Under no circumstances should you click on the link provided in the email as you will be taken to a phony scam site or possibly a pop-up window that resembles the official Absa website.

Ensure that you only log on to Absa Internet Banking by typing the official website http://www.absa.co.za into the address bar, rather than following links to the Absa website. Disregard any emails that advise otherwise.

Con artists also use URLs that resemble the name of the bank but are slightly altered by adding, omitting or transposing letters.

Always remember that Absa will never send you unsolicited emails asking for confidential information, such as your Password, PIN, Access Code, credit card and account numbers.

We will never ask you to validate or restore your account access through email or pop-up windows.

Absa is continuously working to ensure your security against phishing schemes and we suggest that you use this short checklist to protect yourself against phishing attacks:

● Begin your Internet Banking session by manually typing the web address into your browser.

The official URL of Absa is http://www.absa.co.za

● Keep your access information secure (account number, user number, and all PIN numbers and passwords)

● Ensure you see a lock icon either at the top of the Internet browser window or at the bottom – depending on your browser

● Install and regularly update the latest anti-virus software (Absa Internet Banking and Cellphone Banking clients qualify for free first class commercial anti-virus software for their PC or Cellphone)

● Refrain from banking at public terminals like Internet Cafes

● Only provide credit card details to reputable companies; look for the lock and key icon and security certificates when shopping online

● Change your PIN number and Password regularly

Regards,

Carl Louw

Head: Internet Channel"

Absa

Please login or register to comment.
NicP MALL OF THE NORTH SAVES ALOES · read more »

Limpopo’s single largest commercial real estate investment, Mall of the North, will also be an investment in the region’s natural environment.

A strong conservation ethos is being applied throughout the development of this regional shopping centre, integrating natural vegetation and elements into its actual design.

Limpopo’s R1.2 billion, 75,000sqm regional shopping centre is owned and developed by JSE-listed property company Resilient Property Income Fund, Flanagan & Gerard Property Development and Investment and Moolman Group. While it is set to open a year from now in the first quarter of 2011, it is already having a positive impact on its surrounds.

“Polokwane is characterised by its wildlife, bush environment and natural vegetation with strong elements of natural beauty.” says Patrick Flanagan of Flanagan & Gerard. “It was essential for us to be respectful of the environment which hosts the development and we actively pursued numerous opportunities to conserve the natural elements of the site.”

One of the main conservation focuses of Mall of the North is to preserve the natural vegetation occurring on the site by removing it during construction and replacing it back onto the site on completion of construction, where it will be rehabilitated.

Already over 200 aloes have been safely removed from the land, and are now being cared for in close proximity to the iconic development. These aloes will be replanted at the centre, once the development is complete.

This has been a painstaking task. Some of the rescued aloes are exceptionally tall, and there was a risk of the heads of the plants breaking off during the conservation process. Polokwane has also received a large amount of rain in the past season, and there was also a risk that the aloes would rot.

Jannie Moolman of Moolman Group reports that despite these complications, almost all of the aloes rescued will be rehabilitated back into their natural environment. “The aloes are currently being monitored. They are watered and cared for, and are checked regularly for any fungus or disease.

The aloe relocation and rehabilitation programme is one of a number of conservation initiatives undertaken in the development of Mall of the North.

“We wanted natural vegetation to be incorporated throughout Mall of the North, with trees used densely in the open parking area that surrounds the centre.” says Moolman.

Wherever possible the earth, stone and vegetation from the site has been re-incorporated into the development. Natural crushed stone from the site has been used to create the gabions (wire-covered blocks filled with stone) that will be found in and around the centre. The rock has also been incorporated in the road upgrades taking place around the development.

The benefits of this initiative go beyond ensuring that Mall of the North is truly a symbol of its location. By retaining and re-using as much earth and stone as possible on site, fuel emissions are also decreased by eliminating the need to cart this material to landfill sites, it also avoids increasing landfills.

“The movement towards environmental sustainability will extend beyond the development phase of Mall of the North.” states Flanagan. “We will incorporate green initiatives into the daily running of Mall of the North.”

Mall of the North’s reception from prospective retailers has been overwhelming, with in some 700 tenant applications received for retail space. The mall is already 95% let with applications coming in rapidly.

Please login or register to comment.
NicP EMAIL ABOUT MISSING CHILDREN · read more »

Savannah Mall Group Marketing Manager, Karen Botha, is up in arms about an email that is circulating about children that is rumoured to have been snatched from their parents at Malls in Polokwane.

She says that she checked with the police who denied such incidents have occurred.

Botha wants to put the reccord straight that no child has ever been snatched from Savannah Mall.

MyPolokwane.com has asked people who mentioned this on Facebook to please provide us with the contact details of any person who was a victim so we can communicate with them.

All we have received so far is people who has a friend to who it happened but we are unable to get contact details of the friend.

Well-meaning Polokwaneans who spread this rumour probably mean it well and want to warn other people, but it should be kept in mind that "warning" other people of a rumour contributes to panic and does not serve the community.

It is exciting to be a citizen journalist and spread news, but it comes with the responsibility of checking the truth of your story and the trustworthiness of your sources.

Otherwise it should be left to professional journalists and newspapers.

UPDATE:
We just received this email from the Online Editor of Observer:
Die jongste kettingbrief waarin mense gewaarsku word oor kinders wat klaarblyklik “gesteel” word in die stad is onwaar en veroorsaak massahisterie.

Ons het vasgestel dat geen voorval soos beweer Woensdagoggend in ‘n kettingwinkel plaasgevind het nie. Ook is daar nie ‘n kind uit sy motorstoeltjie gesteel nie.

Geen saak van ontvoering is by die Polisie aanhangig gemaak die afgelope twee weke nie en geen ouer het so geval bevestig nie. ‘n Betroubare bron in die polisie het bevestig dat die epos en soortgelyke sms’e vals is.

Ek en Mariette het vasgestel dat die oorspronklike skrywer van die email, ‘n ene tandjies@webmail.co.za is wat al talle kere probeer kontak is, maar steeds nie bereik kon word nie. Almal praat oor die kinders, maar niemand het al tevore gekom nie.

Alhoewel kinders geteiken word voor die Fifa Wêreldbeker is die gerugte ongegrond, maar julle almal kan maar versigtig wees vir in geval iemand die arme kindertjies sou wou bekruip.

Groete Danél

view all 4 comments
NicP

I just spoke to the mother of the child who was involved in the event that apparently led to all the rumours.

The facts are: On Monday morning at about 08:30 she was in Edgars in Landdros Marais Street when a woman approached her and asked her for money. When she said she did not carry any money, the woman reached out for the 2-month old baby who was on a bench holding hands with the mother. The woman then picked the baby up and turned away from the mother. It was then that the mother raised the alarm.

The police are investigating. The mother says it is possible that the woman only wanted to greet the baby. It appears that the woman may be mentally unstable. The woman claims to be a trolley pusher at Checkers Polokwane.

The mother extended her gratitude to the manager of Edgars who immediately reviewed the security tapes and gave all possible assistance. The mother reiterates that it is not due to a mistake on the part of Edgars. The mother was also told by the police that this is the only event of its kind that has been reported. The mother also says that she did not send out any SMS messages and that any messages cleimed to have been sent by her is false.

Thank you to Frikkie van der Merwe of AGS Taberna Dei who went to great lengths to help us get behind the truth. We believe an interview with the mother will be published in Observer next week.

Let us do our part to stop rumours that can create panic. Rather help us to get behind the truth so that we as a community can fight our real enemies rather than figments of our imagination.

  • 3 weeks 4 days ago
  • ·
  • ·
1 person likes this.
Danél Esterhuysen I did some more research and it seems like this whole kidnapping thing is a hoax. For more information check out www.observer.co.za Thanks for your input Nico. I also referred to your findings in the article.
  • 3 weeks 4 days ago
  • ·
  • ·
1 person likes this.
Please login or register to comment.
NicP Basset lost, please help! · read more »

Basset, 2 months old lost in Plein Street, Polokwane between the Polokwane Hospital and Devenish Street.

Two months old bitch. White with brown and black spots and brown ears. Name: Daisy.

Lost between 17:00 + 18:00 Wednesday 10 March 2010.

Children miss her very much.

Please call Robert 073 617 4010 if you can help.

Images:
Lost Basset in Polokwane
NicP Saw the owner last night and she confirmed that the Basset was found with the SPCA where a caring neighbour took her.
  • 2 weeks 4 days ago
  • ·
  • ·
Please login or register to comment.
Syndicate content