Kouga Express - E-Edition - 18 September 2025

AllegedcriticalstaffshortagescrippleHumansdorpHospital

RAZAAN PLAATJIES

IN just one week, Humansdorp Hospital has come under fire yet again with allegations of patients sleeping on floors and waiting days for medical attention due to critical staff shortages and overcrowding

As previously reported on 11 September, a seriously ill patient from Jeffreys Bay outlined her harrowing ordeal at Humansdorp Hospital, where patients were allegedly left unattended for hours after medical staff fled from a violent, mentally ill patient

More recently, Xolani Woni, a Humansdorp resident who visited his critically ill uncle at the hospital earlier this month, described shocking conditions that high-

light the facility's struggles to serve the broader Kouga region

He said that during his visits, he noticed that the hospital was filled with sick people in the waiting area, with some allegedly waiting for an entire week to receive assistance

Additionally, Woni said that he saw patients sleeping in chairs and on the floor while they waited

He said that his uncle was transferred from Livingston Hospital in Gqeberha to Humansdorp Hospital on 1 September, but waited until 3 September to secure a bed

"After waiting for two days for a bed, my uncle finally received a bed, which was positioned in a passage in the casualty department because the wards were

full," said Woni

"The room that he was placed in a few days later was small and cold with no ceiling "

Woni said that during his visits, he witnessed an elderly woman who had been sitting in pain in the waiting area for three days

He also observed alleged security lapses, including a patient wandering in the grounds with a drip, with the patient indicating that they were returning from the nearby store

Woni said that the alleged shortage of staff extends beyond medical staff to support personnel

"When I visited the hospital on 4 September, I had to help a nurse put a patient in a wheelchair, who was going

to the bathroom I believe that is a job meant for a porter, but the porter was apparently assisting elsewhere," said Woni

Woni expressed sympathy for the hospital staff working under impossible conditions, with allegations of only two doctors working per shift

He further directed his criticism towards the Department of Health

"How is it possible for two doctors to help all the people from the entire Kouga region?" said Woni

"I don't blame the staff, I blame the Department of Health for all that is happening in our hospital "

The Eastern Cape Department of Health was approached for comment on 10 September, but no response was received by the time of publication

PellsrusPrimaryfacessanitationcrisisastoiletprojectstalls

RAZAAN PLAATJIES

LEARNERS at Pellsrus Primary School in Jeffreys Bay are enduring a sanitation nightmare, with 1,200 learners forced to share just six toilets after a R2 million bathroom renovation project was brought to a halt when contractors allegedly disappeared from the site

According to Vivian Van Eyck, Chairperson of the School Governing Body, the renovation contract, which began in 2024, was originally scheduled for completion in February this year after Pellsrus Primary was identified as one of several schools requiring urgent bathroom renovations

However, Van Eyck revealed that contractors appointed by The Mvula Trust have allegedly abandoned the project despite having R700,000 remaining

from the original R2 million contract

"They have not even completed half of the work," said Van Eyck

"Some of the work that still needs to be completed includes the installation of new tiles, ceilings, toilets, urinals and sinks "

Before construction began, the school had adequate facilities with 17 toilets for boys and 19 for girls

Once work commenced, Van Eyck said that learners were left with a drastically reduced number, just three portable toilets each for boys and girls

The school's frustration reached a breaking point when a young female learner developed a bladder infection, highlighting the serious health implications of the inadequate facilities

Van Eyck further said that since learners stand in long queues waiting,

many have urinated on themselves

"The learners often tease each other when someone urinates on themselves," said Van Eyck

Van Eyck emphasised the need for local involvement in the project's completion, advocating for contractors from the Pellsrus community

"We want the head contractor and the workers to be from the Pellsrus community so that we can easily approach these individuals when there is trouble during the construction process," said Van Eyck

Following a meeting on September 5 among the school, the Department of Education, and The Mvula Trust, some improvements have been made

Van Eyck said that the rubbish surrounding the construction site has been removed, water tanks have been

secured, and The Mvula Trust has provided six additional portable toilets with flushing systems

The Kouga Municipality has also recently supplied portable toilets to help alleviate the crisis

Van Eyck further said that the department indicated that construction is expected to resume on 22 September, and he hopes that the project will be completed in time for the new school year

"We want the school to start on a good foot in the new year," explained Van Eyck

When approached for comment, The Mvula Trust referred all questions to the Department of Education

The Eastern Cape Department of Education was approached for comment on 11 September, but no response was received by the time of publication

CommunitypartnershiptransformsgardenatLungisoHigh

RAZAAN PLAATJIES

A COLLABORATIVE effort between Jeffreys Bay's Dorp van Drome organisation and the Co-Op Community Trust in Humansdorp has successfully transformed a neglected garden area at Lungiso Public High School into an attractive indigenous plant display that organisers hope will inspire lasting change in the school community

Sipho Miggels serves as the convener of the Lungiso High Task Team, an initiative established to intervene and support efforts aimed at improving the learning and teaching situation at Lungiso Public High School

Additional task team members include Dr Nontsikelelo Majola, Thobeka Mtuyedwa, Thanduxolo Spire, Noxolo Thomas and Lindile Matsobongwana (School Principal)

Approximately one month ago, Miggels approached Loulita Vosloo, a long-standing member of Dorp van Drome, to advance the project's objectives

Miggels said that he previously saw Vosloo and her team creating and maintaining gardens in various places and institutions

"I would sometimes just stand and marvel at them making an immediate difference," said Miggels

"They would instantly transform an ugly garden into a beautiful and attractive paradise with beautifully arranged flowering plants "

Miggels said that Lungiso Public High School previously had a thriving garden, but since it was terribly neglected, it fell into disrepair over the years

"There was a garden, but it was not well maintained," said Miggels

"The animals, like goats, also ate all the

beautiful succulent plants when the gates of the school were left open "

Miggels emphasised that improving the school's appearance was a priority for the task team

"The first task was to improve the appearance of the school and ensure that the entrance is appealing and attractive," said Miggels

Through the project, he said that he hopes the staff, learners and parents would develop a sense of pride in the school

"The garden would hopefully affect their attitude towards maintaining the school

grounds We hope they will take turns to maintain the garden and stop littering all over the school grounds," said Miggels

He further said that they are also planning to join hands with a group of women who have started a vegetable garden at the school

"Through this initiative, they intend to grow vegetables to put food on the table for their families and also sell the surplus to the community They would also supply the school nutrition programme with fresh, nutritious and organic vegetables for the learners to enjoy," said Miggels

He said that the school is also apprecia-

tive of the assistance received from the Kouga Windfarm (KWF) and Kouga Windfarm Community Development Trust (KWFCDT), who have supported various school projects

Meanwhile, the garden transformation involved several key partners working together

Lunga Mlangeni from the Humansdorp Co-Op provided plant donations, while Andile Ngcingolo from the Panorama Nursery contributed his expertise and labour

Ngcingolo explained that the Co-Op Community Trust, in partnership with the Kouga Municipality Environment Department and Dorp van Drome, have joined hands in the propagation of indigenous trees and plants

"As part of the project, we spent a week removing dead plants and working on fertilising the soil Dorp van Drome and CoOp provided plants and inputs needed for the project," said Ngcingolo

He further said that his vision for the garden is that it will contribute to the community, boost academic performance and encourage healthy eating habits

To support the garden's water needs, infrastructure improvements are being made

Vosloo said that she plans to purchase a PVC pipe to extend the gutter to the water tank so that the water tank can fill up

While the transformation has been successful, Vosloo emphasised that continued support depends on the school community's commitment to maintenance

"We will follow up to see how the school maintains the garden, and then in the near future, we can always help them again," said Vosloo

Though they were happy to assist the school, she said that they do not have the capacity to get involved with other projects in Humansdorp on a regular basis

Decade-longprojecthonourssurfinglegendreleased

for an hour in the morning before my day job and a couple of hours each weekend to get there," said Masterson

He said that the effort involved interviewing over 120 people, including legendary filmmaker, Bruce Brown, and world champion surfer, Shaun Tomson

While surfing forms the core of Whitmore's legacy, Masterson discovered his influence extended far beyond just riding waves

"To call John a major South African water or ocean sports pioneer is really a bit of an understatement In one way or another, he had a profound effect on the foundation of six water sports in the country: skin diving, spearfishing, open ocean swimming, surfing, Hobie Cat sailing and bodyboarding," said Masterson

Further elaborating on the book, he said that it serves a crucial purpose in preserving South African surfing heritage

"Another big part of my motivation to write this book was to document surfing history for posterity as accurately as possible," said Masterson

"Several of the approximately 120 people whom I eventually interviewed for the book have passed away since, but fortunately, their stories have not been lost "

Masterson said that he hopes the book will appeal not only to the surfing community but also to general readers

When asked about Whitmore's most important legacy, Masterson emphasised the pioneer's adventurous spirit and quoted one of his favourite phrases, "What you put in is what you get out "

The Oom is available online at www johnwhitmorebook com, at select surf shops in the Western and Eastern Cape, Exclusive Books Cavendish, and Bargain Books Jeffreys Bay

An eBook version is expected by the end of September, and work is underway to expand distribution to major book chains in time for Christmas

nMusic omdiedraai!

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toets teen Argentinië regstreeks op die groot skerms wys! Kom vier saam elke drie, elke skop en elke oorwinning - saam met vriende, familie en jou gemeenskap Met goeie kos koel verversings groot musiek, én die Bokke op die skerm, is daar regtig iets vir almal Bring jou mense, bring jou gees en kom beleef die feesatmosfeer soos net die Klein Karoo dit kan bied

Kaartjies van R60 tot R250 is beskikbaar by www safaritown co za of die KKNK Feeskantoor

Hierdie is almal se fees - en jy wil dit nie misloop nie hout, Jeremy Loops, Karen Zoid

‘DieSpoegvanger’uitdie penvanJeffreysbaaier

VERONICA FOURIE

UIT die dae van Dingaan, mag 'n koning se spoeg nooit op die grond geval het die.

Hy het 'n spoegvanger gehad wat die spoeg moes vang voordat dit op die grond kon val, en dit dan as 'n eerbetoon oor sy lyf moes smeer.

So word vertel in die boek Die Spoegvanger, geskryf deur Stefanus Vivier Die titel is eintlik 'n metafoor. Die boek handel

oor 'n spesiale vriendskap van 'n wit seun met 'n Xhosa seun. Die seun se lewe word gevorm deur 'n diep kentering, politiek, die kerk en godsdiens. Hy het na die vertellings van grootmense geluister en sy eie afleidings gemaak.

Die seun het 'n fyn waarnemingsvermoë, en is vasgevang in 'n wêreld van stilte, geheime en harde waarhede. Sy pa is 'n onderwyser, 'n politikus-in-wording, en die draer van 'n ideologie wat sy wêreld inkleur. Maar dit is deur sy vriendskap met sy Xhosa maat dat hy iets van 'n ander waarheid raaksien. Die boek lees maklik en mens is bewus daarvan dat die skrywer met jóú praat.

"Die boek is biografies, effens outobiografies," sê Vivier. "Die storie speel af op 'n plaas in die Vredefort distrik in die jare van 1958-1976. Dis geskryf uit 'n kind se perspektief wat grootmens afleidings maak. Dis 'n naïewe evaluering van die waarheid. Dis bedoel vir lesers oor 'n breë spektrum – jonk tot oud. Dis nie diep of tegnies nie, maar lighartig – om die wêreld met ander oë te sien," verduidelik hy.

Skrywer

Vivier (77) het aan drie universiteite studeer, en 13 jaar in Skotland gewoon en werk, waar hy hom toegespits het op leierskapsontwikkeling en publikasies. Hy skryf ook gedigte. Van sy werk is opgeneem in Ten of the Best Nog 'n publikasie is The Cave – a Journey into Freedom.Die Spoegvanger word uitgegee deur Naledi, en kan by Viviers bestel word by fanus. viviers@gmail.com, of op WhattsApp by 072 495 9220. Dit kan ook by Bargain Books bestel word.

‘Reünie’op Jeffreysbaai

Enigeen wat al ‘n reünie bygewoon het, sal weet dis ‘n geleentheid waar ou kennisse weer paaie kruis en stories uitgeruil word uit die skoolbanke Party is jy bly om weer te sien, en ander maar so-so Die veteraan akteur Frank Opperman vertolk vyftien verskillende karakters by die 1980 reünie Met die minimum rekwisiete, en sy stem bring hy elke karakter tot lewe in ‘Reünie’. Dis ‘n voortreflike eenmanstuk, geskryf deur Dana Snyman Jeffreysbaai is bevoorreg om hierdie produksie, aangebied deur Jeffreysbaai Toerisme en “Teater by die See”, hier te kan beleef. Dit sal op 21 Maart 2026 opgevoer word by die NG gemeente Jeffreysbaai–kompleks Kaartjies is reeds te koop op Quicket teen R250 vir die eerste agt rye, en R200 vir die res Navrae kan by die Jeffreysbaai Toerisme-kantoor gedoen word deur 042 293 2923 of 064 966 9933 te skakel

EvangeliesGereformeerdeKerk

houspesialemarkdag

DIE Evangelies Gereformeerde Kerk in Jeffreysbaai nooi almal hartlik uit na hul jaarlikse markdag op Saterdag, 27 September, vanaf 08:30 Hierdie jaar is egter spesiaal, want vir die eerste keer vind die markdag plaas in hul eie kerkgebou, geleë by 23 AD Keetstraat, Jeffreysbaai

Pretenaktiwiteitevirdiehelegesin

Die dag beloof hope vermaak vir oud en jonk Luister FM sal vanaf 09:00 'n lewendige uitsending doen, waar besoekers boodskappe kan stuur Vir lekker samehorigheid en gesinsgenot sal Karoolus en Lente, geliefd by jonk en oud, ook optree om 12:00, met vrolike liedjies en stories propvol humor en inspirasie

Verder sluit die markdag heerlike kos in, met pap en wors, ander smaaklike geregte, en 'n teetuin om in te ontspan Vir die kinders is daar 'n springkasteel en verskeie speletjies, terwyl diegene wat hou van inkopies kan uitsien na naaldwerk, snuisterye, en die gewilde “wit olifant” tafel vol verrassings

KaroolusenLentebringboodskapvangoeienuus

Cor en Letitia Uys, die dinamiese man-envrou span agter Oom Karoolus en Lente, is al 38 jaar bekend daarvoor dat hulle die Goeie Nuus met kinders en volwassenes deel

Of dit by kinderdienste, kunstefeeste of deur radioprogramme is, hulle bly ‘n bron van inspirasie Met 'n spesiale optrede op 27 September, beloof hulle wyse grappies, pragtige stories en gesellige saamsingaktiwiteite wat die hele ge-

sin gaan vermaak Lente bly, soos altyd, die sprankelende vyfjarige karakter wat generasies bekoor

'nDagomnietemisnie

Die Evangelies Gereformeerde Kerk nooi met ope arms almal uit om saam te kom kuier en herinneringe te skep Van heerlike proe tot vrolike lag, hierdie markdag is geskik vir gesinne, kinders en diegene jonk van gees

Margie Saunders, who missed the SPAR Women’s Challenge in 2024 due to injury, has an outside chance of adding the 10km world record to her list of global benchmarks this year. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Locallearnerto representatnational surfingevent

JBAY Academy is celebrating the achievement of one of its learners, Judah Levendal, who has been selected to represent the Nelson Mandela Bay Surfriders (Eastern Province) at the upcoming 2025 Sea Harvest SA Junior Championships

The national event will take place in October at Lower Point, Jeffreys Bay, a world-renowned surfing destination

Levendal's selection is a proud moment for both his school and the Jeffreys Bay community

The Junior Championships bring together the countrys most promising young surfers, offering them the chance to showcase their skills on a national stage

JBay Academy Deputy Principal, Roger Hendricks, said, "We are extremely proud of Judah's hard work and dedication "

"He is not only an outstanding surfer but also a fine ambassador for our school We know he will make both JBay Academy and Nelson Mandela Bay proud " The school community has rallied behind Levendal, wishing him success as he prepares to compete among South Africas best His achievement highlights the talent and determination of local young athletes, and further cements Jeffreys Bay's reputation as the surfing capital of South Africa

WorldchampionSaunders(72)chases SPARWomen’sChallenge10kmrecord

THE world's fastest-ever time over 15km was also the reason veteran Eastern Cape runner, Margie Saunders (72), from Cape St Francis, was missing from the start line of the SPAR Womens Challenge in Gqeberha last year

Her world record in the 70-plus age category, a week prior to the popular 10km, unfortunately, came at the price of a pulled hamstring

"I must have run too fast!" said Saunders, who is a Nedbank Running Club athlete "So, I came to watch and support [the 2024 race] but didn't actually run "

You cannot keep a good woman down, and it didn't take long for Saunders to hit her world-beating stride again Over the past 12 months, she has broken her own SA record over 10km at the Freedom Run (44:38) and her world record over 15km at the Forest Run (1:08:49), both in the Bay She also came within five seconds of setting a new global benchmark for the 21 1km in the great-grandmaster class at the Madibaz half-marathon

Incidentally, Saunders' 2:12:45 is also the world's fastest over 25km If her recent form

is anything to go by, adding the 10km world mark to her resume on 27 September is not farfetched at all

Although she is "a little way off", 29 seconds to be precise, of breaching Australian Lavinia Petrie's 44:09, she believes there is every chance if the weather plays ball A factor in her favour is the flatter 10km loop introduced last year Saunders calls it "lovely"

"It's one of the nicest 10km races in Gqeberha I think if the wind plays along, it's going to be fast The course has improved a lot [compared to previous years]," said Saunders

"It's virtually flat It's an out-and-back, and you have a bit of shelter in Brighton Drive "

Those who have tackled the old course in the past but missed out last year will immediately notice the changes

After the gun, entrants head from Pollok Beach along Marine Drive, but instead of turning right into Admiralty Way as they used to, they continue straight until reaching the turnaround point

From there, they retrace their steps along the oceanside road, which means they approach

Admiralty from the opposite side, and therefore a left turn brings them onto the road that leads towards the university Runners then turn right, meandering along Brighton Drive through suburban Summerstrand to exit onto Marine via 4th Avenue Here, a left turn takes them past The Boardwalk precinct towards the next turning point on Beach Road, which brings them all the way back to the race village

The Women's Challenge, which includes the ever-popular 5km fun run, is known for its community-spirited atmosphere It presents the ideal opportunity for social and club runners, as well as walkers, to gather for a fun day out

The event also boasts the next leg of the 10km Grand Prix Series for elite runners Participants in the feature event will head off at 07:00, with those taking part in the shorter distance coming under starter's orders 30 minutes later Enter at www.sparwomenschallenge.co.za/gqeberha/ or ask someone to do so on your behalf and collect your entry at a till point in any SPAR store

JongvoorspelerswordbyNicoMalangeslyp

TWEE ervare oud-rugbyspelers op Humansdorp het met ’n akademie begin om jong spelers die fynere kunsies van voorspelerspel te leer

Jaco Nepgen, oud-staatmaker van Griekwas wat ook vir die SA Universiteite en ’n Maties-wenspan gespeel het, en twee Varsitybeker-titels agter sy naam het, en Alandré van Rooyen, wat vir die Blou Bulle, Griekwas, London Irish en die EP Kings gespeel het, het saam besluit om met die akademie

Fourspecialdogs seekingforeverhomes

JBAY Animal Rescue Sanctuary, which sterilises at least 80 animals every month in the Kouga region, is located in Ocean View Township in Jeffreys Bay

The organisation is looking for forever homes for these four dogs

Katy has a heart of gold She did not have a great start to her life but hopefully will have the happiest future She is around one year old and she is sterilised

Panther is the most handsome young puppy

He is around three to four months old He will make the perfect family dog

Jemma has been looking for her very own special home for so long now She has appeared in the Kouga Express so many times and still no home to call her own

Pepper is around six weeks old and he is a border collie mix

For more info, or to visit the clinic, contact Cindy Muller at 083 320 4173, email jbayanimals@gmail com, or visit JBay Animal Rescue Sanctuary at www Jbayanimalsanctuaryco za

te begin

Hulle het gesamentlik in meer as 150 eersterangse wedstryde gespeel

Nepgen se akademie het o 11- tot 14-spelers om die basiese vaardighede van voorspelerspel vroeg in hulle loopbane onder die knie te kry Dit sluit in om in ’n lynstaan te spring, hoe om die bal in te gooi, hoe om die springer te ondersteun en hoe om te skrum

“Die seuns is baie gretig om te leer en snap vinnig Dis duidelik dat hulle elke oomblik geniet,” sê hy

Met een sessie reeds agter die rug, word die

voorlaaste oefensessie môre, 19 September, en die derde en laaste aanstaande Vrydag, 26 September, op die veld van die Hoërskool Nico Malan gehou Nepgen sê hulle kan net 20 spelers akkommodeer teen 'n klein fooi per sessie Hy sê dié akademie was ’n eerste en eintlik ’n steekproef om te kyk hoe gewild dit is “Tot dusver is ons baie tevrede met die opkoms en uiteraard sal ons dit jaarliks wil aanbied in die afseisoen,” sê hy Vir meer inligting skakel 083 297 7167 of 079 504 1709

Beautifuldogsseekingforeverfamilies

SPCA Assisi is a non-profit organisation in the Kouga region and is situated in Humansdorp.

The organisation is looking for forever homes for the following dogs, that are all worthy of wonderful loving homes

They are seeking homes where they will become part of the family.

Monty is five months old. He joined the SPCA as a stray and turned into a character of note. He is playful, and he loves to run around with his friends and play with toys.

Toby is the brother of Rusty and is one year old. He has been at the kennels the longest. He is socialised and loves his friends and playing with his toys

Whisky is seven months old He is socialised, friendly, and loves to play and be with people He also loves his daily walks

Rusty, brother to Toby, needs a home He

is one year old He has been in the kennels for a long time. All he wants is love. He is so affectionate and loving.

Trix is four years old, and she is a darling. She is very friendly and just wants to please everyone. She has a ball playing with Rusty, and she is socialised

Brenda is two years old She is beautiful, socialised, friendly and just wants to find her forever home

Anthena is two years old She was rescued, and she needs to find her forever home She is loving and friendly and mother to all the puppies

Adoption fees include sterilisation, microchipping, deworming and vaccinations.

For more information contact Jayne Wright on 082 894 8521, or visit the SPCA in St Francis Street, Humansdorp to personally meet their beautiful animals