Issuu

Duurder brandstof knou landbou

Stygende oliepryse word op grondvlak duskant planttyd in die Wes-Kaap gevoel.

Só bevestig dieekonoom

Tracey-Lee Solomon van die Buro vir Ekonomiese Navorsing (BER) aan die Universiteit Stellenbosch. Hoër dieselkostes sal volgens haar landbou-insetkoste verhoog, vererger deur stygende kunsmispryseweens ontwrigte uitvoer van sleutel-insette soos ureum en swael deur dieStraat van Hormuz –’nroetewaardeur sowat 20% van wêreldwye olie-uitvoer beweeg.

Solomon brei uit en verduidelik die tydsberekening is kritiek, aangesien prysstygingsgedurende plantseisoen produksieoftoegang totfinansiering kan beperk. “Die konfliktussendie Verenigde State, Israel en Iran het wêreldwye olievoorsiening ontwrig en pryse skerp laatstyg.”

Iran se sluiting van die Straat, tesame met aanvalle op olie-infrastruktuur, het produksie in dele van die Midde-Ooste verminder. Gevolglik het oliepryse bo $100 per vat gebly, wat wêreldwyd brandstof-enverfyndeprodukpryse opstoot.

Sy meen die uitwerkingop verfynde produkte kom uit verskeie rigtings. “Die Midde-Ooste is ’n sleutelprodusentvan hierdie produkte, en hoëroliepryse –waaruitverfynde produkte vervaardig word– dryf pryse outomaties op. Intussenbeteken laer olie-uitvoer datdie beskikbaarheid van grondstowwe vir verfyning afneem,wat verdere opwaartse drukoppryse plaas.

DIESELR10+DUURDER;PETROLR6+

Die rand het ookonlangs verswak,inlyn met baie ander geldeenhede, aangesienbeleggers na sogenaamde veiligehawebates –veraldie Amerikaanse dollar –stroom.

Solomon sê Suid-Afrika is besonders kwesbaarweens sy afhanklikheid van ingevoerde verfynde brandstof. “Namate wêreldwye aanbod verskerp en die rand verswak,word beduidendeplaaslikebrandstofprysstygings in April verwag. Die Sentrale Energiefonds skat Maart se onderverhalings–wat die April-prysaanpassings bepaal –op R10,13/liter vir diesel 0,05% en R10,27/liter vir diesel 0,005%, met ’nbykomende 21c/liter-brandstofheffing, watindie Februarie-begroting aangekondig is.

ULPsal na verwagting met sowat R6,03/liter styg.

Die departement van minerale en petroleumhulpbronne (DMPR) en die brandstofbedryfsvereniging (FIASA) dui aan gerugte oor brandstofrantsoenering of opsetlike terughouding is waarskynlik die gevolg van logistieke druk weens paniekaankope eerder as werklike plaaslike tekorte.

“Die regering het aangeduidat brandstofvoorsiening na verwagting tot minstens middel April stabiel behoort te bly. Dit bly egter moeilik om te bepaal of en wanneer voorsiening ’n probleem kan word, gegewe beperkte deursigtigheid oor reserwes en die onvoorspelbare duur van die konflik,”het Solomon op navraag aan die Gazette gereageer.

sy ernstige kommer uit te spreek oor wat lyk na verhoogde opgaring van brandstofvoorraad deur sommige verskaffers.

“Dit is oneties. Ek doen ’n beroep op verskaffers om voort te gaan om brandstof aan hul klante te voorsien. Die terughouding van voorraad stel die ekonomie en lewensbestaan, veral in die provinsie se landbousektor–wat meer as 50% van die land se uitvoer verteenwoordig –aan groot risiko bloot.”

DRINGENDEINGRYPINGGEVRA

Winde het die president en die minister versoek om dringend in te gryp om bestendigheid te verseker en vermybare ontwrigtings in primêre sektore van die ekonomie te voorkom. Inwoners word versoek om tekorte by die DMPR by fuel.complaints@dmpr.gov.za aan te meld. Dieselvoorraad blyk die swaarste geraak te word weens die hoëaanvraag –veral in die landbousektor.

sende optredeteen gewetenlose verskaffers neem. Hul optrede kandie land se ekonomiese herstel ernstig ontspoor.”

Intussen is opnames deur Agri Wes-Kaap, Agri SA en Agbiz onder lede in die landbousektor en vulstasies uitgestuur om die omvang van die uitdagings op grondvlak te identifiseer.

“Die betrokke partye het onmiddellik die behoefte aan bewysgebaseerdedatageïdentifiseer en AgriSA en Agbiz is tans besig met ’n dringendegesamentlike opname onder boere en vulstasieeienaars/-operateurs om toestande op grondvlak te evalueer.

Dit impliseer dieselprysstygings van ongeveer R10,34enR10,48 per liter onderskeidelik. Vir verbruikers is die onmiddellike gevolg hoër brandstofpryse, met moontlike(nognie bevestigde) kettingreaksies indien kleinhandelaars verhoogde vervoer- en bedryfskoste deurgee. Petrol95

“Die Suid-Afrikaanse regering het Vrydag weer beklemtoon gerugte oor brandstoftekorte is ongegrond,”voegsyby.

Premier Alan Winde het Sondag(29 Maart)insynuutste verklaring bevestig hy het aan die Presidensie en die kantoor van die minister van minerale en petroleumhulpbronne geskryf om

Die Provinsiale Rampbestuursentrum (PDMC) monitor die situasie saam met FIASA en ander sleutelrolspelers, het diepremier se kantoor bevestig. FIASA het die provinsiale regering dié week verseker datvoldoende brandstof landwyd beskikbaar is om aan die vraag te voldoen. Enige tekorte by eindgebruikers is dus heel waarskynlik die gevolg van markmanipulasie.

Diepremier het bygevoeg: “Provinsies het geen mandaat oor brandstofvoorsiening nie. Dit is daarom noodsaaklikdat dienasionale regering ingryp en beslis-

VULSTASIESONDERVERGROOTGLAS “Hierdie proses is daarop gemik om enige opkomende gelokaliseerde beperkings of prysdruk te identifiseer. Die inligting sal aan FIASA oorgedra word sodat hulle voorsieningsbeperkings kan verifieer en uitdagings binne die gesamentlikegesprekke met die regering kanaandurf,” het Agri SA en Agbiz in ’n verklaring verduidelik

Teen druktyd is nog geen terugvoer oor dieuitkoms vandie opnames ontvang nie.

Navrae deur inwoners van Malmesbury doen tans dieronde op sosiale media oor watter vulstasies in die dorp diesel het Een anonieme inwoner het onder meer gesê dat geen diesel Sondag (29 Maart) in die dorp beskikbaar was nie. Inwoners het vinnig op die plasing gereageer deur vulstasies te noem wat steedsdieselvoorraad beskikbaar het. Hoërdieselprysekanlandbou-insetkosteverhoog.

Meer as 400daagopvir

Yzerfonteinseheeleersteparkrun

’n Ongelooﬂike400 deelnemershet dieafgelope Saterdag (28 Maart)vir Yzerfontein se heel eersteparkrun opgedaag,sêJohan Ackerman,’ninwoner vandié Swartlandse kusdorp,wat reeds

Parkrun na Yzerfonteintebring.“Die eersteYzerfontein-strand-parkrun was’nreusesukses,”vertelhyopgewonde. Inwoners, vakansiegangers en besoekers hetSaterdagoggendvroeg metgroot opgewondenheid by

hoofstrand weggetrek. VolgensAckermanishydaarvanoortuig dat meer mensekomendeSaterdagaan die parkrun saldeelneem. Foto:Wendy Tait

Die laasteavondmaal. Foto’s:EstienneJanse vanRensburg

Maggie Laubser‘herleef’

SarieNell

Presies 140jaar ná die geboorte van die Swartlandse kunstenaar MaggieLaubser, word haar prestasies vanjaar op 14 Aprilin Malmesbury gevier. Hierdie vieringe beoog om hierdie gerekende skilder as’t ware terug te bring huis toe.

Maria Magdalena (Maggie) Laubser (1886-1973) is op 14 April as oudste van ses kinders op die plaas Bloublommetjieskloof in die Klipheuwel-omgewing gebore. Toe sy ná haar Europese studies na Suid-Afrika terugkeer, het dit baie lank geduurvoordat die waarde van haar kuns plaaslik ingesien en waardeer is.

Maggie Laubserwordaseen vandie leidende ﬁgurevan Ekspressionistiesekuns in Suid-Afrikabeskou.

Deon Oliviervan Malmesbury en die voorsitter van die stigting vertelmeer: “Verlede jaar het’nklompie eendersdenkende kunsliefhebbers die amptelike Maggie Laubser-stigtingopdie been gebring. Die idee hiermee is om haar werk te bevorder en haar as ’n ikoonindie Suid-Afrikaanse kunsgeskiedenis te eer. “Die stigting het besluitomhaar verjaarsdag op 14April ’n jaarlikse Maggie Laubser-dag te maak. Ons het alle galerye en kunsmuseums wat van haar skilderye besit, gevra om dit op haar verjaarsdagdatum en die week waarbinne dit val, prominent te vertoon.”

Die tweede been van die reëlings behels ’n Maggie- kom-huis-toe-viering op 14April in Malmesbury, haar geboortedorp “Om die jonger geslag te betrek, hetons ’n MaggieLaubser-geïnspireerde teken- en skilderinisiatief by etlike Swartland-skole gehou. Skolehet ook op 15 en22April die geleentheid om ’n begeleide Maggie Laubser-toer by die Malmesbury-museum by te woon, gelei deurSanlam se kunskurator

Stefan Hundt.

Die Sanlam- Maggie Laubser-uitstalling by die museum duur tot 27 April en ons moedig Swartlanders aan om dit te besigtig.Ons beplan ’n kaas- en wynaand op 23 April met’nbegeleide toer deur Stefan Hundt. Ons is baie dank verskuldig aan Sanlam en hul kunskurator vir hul insette om een van ons kuns-ikone só te eer.” ’n Lekker byvoeging op die program is ’n optrede deur RAAF;hulle het ’n gedig oor Maggie getoonset en sing dit op haar verjaarsdag in Malmesbury. Hierdie gedig is deur die bekende kunstenaar en skrywer Louis Jansen vanVuuren geskryf. Omdat Louis sy finalejaartesis in Stellenbosch oor MaggieLaubsergeskryf het,het hy ’n persoonlike onderhoud met haargevoer. Louis lees self sy gedig vir Maggie voor.

Stuur ’n WhatsApp- of SMS-boodskap na 082 8262473 vir kaartjiesteen R350 per persoon. Slegs 100 gaste kan weens beperkteruimte gehuisves word.

Die program vir die MaggieLaubser-dag op 14 April:

•10:00: Opening van MaggieLaubserkunsuitstalling deur Sanlam onder leiding van die kunskurator Stefan Hundt; en die Maggie Laubser Corner by die Malmesbury-museum.

•11:30:Besprekingsgroepoor Maggie Laubsersekuns; haar lewe en haar invloed opSAArt, deur dr. Lydia de Waal en Amanda Botha by Café Myrtledene.

•13:00: Oesmiddagete deur die sjef LawrenceSmit van Café Myrtledene

•15:00: Begeleide toer by die museum deur Stefan Hundt, die kurator van Sanlam se kunsversameling.

Hospital fasttracksrepairs, strengthening

Chantélle Hartebeest

AR67 million injection into Paarl Hospitalisset to fast-track repairs andstrengthenthe facilityfollowing afirealmost twomonthsago.

Thehospital building suffered extensivedamage when it caughtfireduring the afternoon of 27 January this year Staff quickly rallied andevacuated some parts of the building,bringing them to safety at anearby parkinglot across the street. TheFire andRescueServices of Drakenstein-municipality were quickly on scene andcould containthe fire before it gotthe chance to wreak further havoc. However, the OutpatientDepartment (OPD)suffered significant damage

The Western Cape Government has confirmed the funding,announced during the ProvincialBudget, to rebuild damaged infrastructure andimprove the hospital's capacity to serve the growing Drakenstein community. Theinvestment willsee key areassuchasthe OPD restored, whilealso upgrading facilities andreplacing equipment ensuring continued access to healthcarefor thousands of residents who rely on the hospital.

BUILDINGBACKSTRONGER

Despite the firedamage,all services at Paarl Hospital remain operational, although some have been temporarily relocatedwithin the facility to maintain continuity of care.Services thatwere briefly disrupted including audiology, the kioskand the DepartmentofHome Affairshavesince been fully restored

Patientsvisiting the OPD are currentlyreceived in atemporarygroundfloor waiting area,where staff assist in directingthemtothe appropriate service points.Additionalmeasureshavebeen implemented to support patient flowand minimise confusion

ENSURINGUNINTERRUPTED CARE

Special arrangements arealsoinplace for patients with mobility challenges. Wherestairaccess is notpossible,alternative routes- includingvia the radiology department- arebeing used to ensure access to care

Whilelimitedliftavailability remains achallenge, hospital teams areactively managing the situation to reduce inconvenienceand maintain service delivery. In the meantime Dr KeithCloete,Head of Departmentfor Health andWellness, said the focus hasremained on ensuring uninterrupted care while recoveryefforts continue.

WESKUS DISTRIKSMUNISIPALITEIT

USDISTRIKSMUN

WEST COASTDISTRICTMUNICIPALITY

NOTICES 1.DRAFT INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN (IDP) AMENDMENT 2022-2027

2. DRAFTTHREE-YEAR BUDGET/MEDIUM-TERM REVENUE &EXPENDITURE FRAMEWORK (MTREF) FOR 2025/2026, 2026/2027& 2027/2028

3. DRAFTTOP LAYER SERVICE DELIVERY AND BUDGET IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (SDBIP)[PERFORMANCE TARGETS] 2025-26

Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness Mireille Wenger says:"While the firecaused real disruption,whatwe have seen in the weeks sinceisasystem that hasadapted quickly to continue delivering care. Our teams have worked around the clock to restore services, support patients, andrebuildcritical infrastructure. This R67 million investment is not only aboutrepairing what wasdamaged.Itisabout building back stronger, ensuring thatPaarlHospital cancontinue to serve its community safely andreliablyfor yearstocome."

Work to restore the OPD hasprogressed rapidly in the weeks following the fire. Thedamaged roof structure was removed soonafter the incident, and afull reconstructionhas already been completed.Interiorrepairs are currently underway, alongside upgradestothe waiting and reception areas.

"At thesame time, we have moved quickly to stabilise the facility andbegan rebuilding.The rapid progressisatestament to the dedication of ourteams and the resilience of oursystems to respond under pressure."

TheWestern CapeGovernment has thankedhealthcareworkers,support staff andpatients for their patience during the recoveryperiod, with restoration workexpected to continue in the coming months

Sincethe incident a35yearold man, MornéDampies,has been arrestedand charged with arson. Theprosecutor said Dampies'family informedthe state about the accused's mental state andthathe was allegedly receivingtreatment at Paarl-hospital'spsychiatry wardatthe time of the incident. Two vehicles,that were parked close to the building, were alsodestroyedduring the fire

Blood stocks arecritically low, especially O-negative

Blood stocks in theWestern Cape are running dangerously lowahead of theEaster weekend, atraditionally critical period markedby increased emergencies,prompting an urgent call for donors to step forward.

The Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) is appealingtoall eligible individualstodonateblood, as supplies continue to decline acrossall blood groups.

Theservice currently hasonlya two-daysupply of O-negative blood, far belowthe minimum five daysneeded to maintaina stableand sustainable supply for communitiesacrossthe province.

Forthe past two weeks,O-negative stock has been under severe pressure, with worryingdrops now seen in other bloodgroups as well

"O-negativeblood is oftenusedin life-threatening emergencies when there is no timetodetermine apa-

tient'sblood type"said Marike Carli, Public RelationsManager at WCBS

"Weare calling on all blood donorsto donate blood thisweektohelprestore ourblood stocks to ahealthylevel."

If you arebetween16and 75 years old,weigh at least 50kg, are in good general health,and follow asafe sexual lifestyle,you areencouraged to donate. Ablood donation takesjust30minutes, andeachunitcollected plays a vital role in sustaining the province's blood supply

"Ifyou have been thinking about becoming ablood donor,now would be agreat time to start donating,"added Carli

"Whether you areanexisting donor or donating for the first time, your donation could save alife when it mattersmost."

To find yourclosest blood donation clinic,visit www.wcbs.org.za or contactWCBSvia WhatsApp at 060 549 7244.

RiebeekKasteelvalleyreadyforyou

TheEaster Weekend is around the corner which is theperfect time toescape thehustle and bustleofcity lifewith a road tripout into the country, to enjoy an authenticvillage experience inthe Swartland.

Just overanhour’s drive from Cape Town, the Riebeek Kasteel valley, known forits olive groves, vineyards, and artistic community, offers magical experiences for the whole family and achance to getto know the people of the ‘dorpie’ and gain aglimpse into the heritage of this special town and its vibrant culture. One of the town’s best kept secrets is itsstylish retail experiences and there is even an Easter Hat Hunt on the Village Square on Easter Saturday.

These are 5reasons why you should spend your Easter Weekend mini-break in this charming village-

THESETTING:AFEASTFORTHESENSES

April in Riebeek Kasteelisafeast for the senses. With autumn in full swing, the vineyards of the surrounding Swartland turngolden, the days are warm, while the eveningsare coolerand the soft autumn lightcreates aspectacular backdrop set against the dramatic Kasteelberg mountain range.

BESTKEPTSECRET

The village is home to stylish shopping experiences for gents and ladies –one of itsbest kept secrets. Sir Winston Men's Brutique, aproper Man’s Cave where dapperchaps can finda range of linen shirts, striking t- and golfstyle-shirts, chinos, shorts, jeans, shoes, hats, belts, books, walletsand more–and bespokeladies boutique UPmarket on the Square where the gals can popintoshop at theirleisure for high-quality new &sourced garments and quirky hats andhandbags. The warm

TheEasterWeekend is aroundthe cornerand the Riebeek Kasteel village will be bustling with visitors andlocals–especially on Saturday4th

once

THESQUAREEASTERHATHUNT

Jointhe Upmarket on the Square Easter Hat Hunt onSaturday, 4th April at their market stand on the Square on Main Street from 09:00 onwards, where you canbring, buy or make your most fabulous, funny, or funky Easter hat andwin afabulous prize. Whether it’scovered in flowers, eggs, bunnies, or something totally unique—we can’t wait to see howyourunique creation turns out!

Stand achance to win aR600 prize from UPmarket on the Square /Sir Winston boutiques for the best made hat. The prize-givingfor the best hatcreation

the RK Contemporary (formerly Gallery Riebeek Kasteel), located at 32 Main Street, apremier art hub in Riebeek Kasteel featuring curated contemporary works, sculpture, andceramicsfrom local and nationalartists. The valley is ahub for artists, featuring spots like Fani Ceramics andGallery 7, while prominent artists like Solly Smook, Emma Willemse, André François van Vuuren, Riaan van Zyl, Jenny Parsons, andCathy Layzell callithome.

DININGWITHVIEWS

Enjoy cocktails and gorgeous valley views from thehistoric ‘stoep’ofThe Royal Hotel aleisurely Mediterranean-inspired meal at The Barn, or acountry-stylebreakfast in theleafy courtyard at popular Cafè Felix. Make aweekend of it or drive through for theday just to soak up thevibeand local culture. The rustic charm and warm hospitality of this town and its people are sure to leave an imprint on your heart.For more information, visit https://riebeekkasteel.co.za/