Caitlin Douman Foundation making a difference

Photo: Supplied

The Caitlin Douman Foundation in partnership with the Premier officer initiated a successful Youth Day Activation. The event was held on 17 June at the foundation on Krematart Street, Ext 3. The partnership included services from Trinity Pharmacy and Wits Health Services, who were responsible for administering Flu vaccines and BP, Cholesterol and HBA1C screening 

“These services were geared towards the elderly and people with disabilities.These are people who do not receive the necessary and timely services when expected or needed,” said Marcell Daniels, founder of Caitlin Douman Foundation.

 

She added that during this activation we managed to administer 220 Flu vaccines and also managed to test 12 people for Covid-19. From those tests 50% tested positive for Covid 19 and that in itself assisted 6 families and schools in curbing the spread of Covid 19.

 

“We regard this day as being effective and successful because of the positive impact that was made,” Daniels ended.

Man arrested for alleged dealing in drugs

The Johannesburg K-9 SAPS Unit arrested a 26-year-old male at 9:30 pm, on 20 June on Graniet Street, Eldorado Park. The suspect believed to be dealing in drugs. 

It is alleged that the suspect tried evade arrest, however, police responded swiftly and managed to arrest him.  The police seized crystal meth pipes, substances suspected to be Chrystal meth(tik) drugs in big and small Ziplock bags, dagga, empty Ziplock bags and cash.

 

“The exhibits were handed in for safekeeping and will be used for further investigation purposes. The 26 year old suspect was detained at Eldorado Park SAPS and will appear before the respective court during the course of the week,” said Constable Roxanne Gibb, Eldorado SAPS spokesperson.

 

She added that the stance of a zero tolerance towards a drug inhibited community is that of a strong one. However, the partnership that the community and SAPS have is of utmost importance and a top priority, as it has once again proved that when working together we can have a positive impact and bring those who are in conflict with the law to justice, one day at a time.

Principal shot dead in Finetown

The vehicle the principal was in at the time he was ambushed

Buyani Primary School teachers, workers, parents, and learners were left in shock after learning about the sudden death of the school principal, Lazarous Baloyi (53). Mr Baloyi was fatally shot on 18 June on the school premises in an apparent hit in Finetown.

 

The Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi expressed his utter shock and disappointed when he heard about the fatal shooting of the principal

 

While addressing the media at the school, Lesufi, expressed his sincere condolences to the family, the school leadership, the District – and most importantly, the teacher's union, because the late principal was the chairperson of the branch of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) in the area. He also condemned the incident in the strongest term. He explained that the law enforcement agencies would leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of justice. 

 

Lesufi said: “The killing of his members is becoming a norm in the area. Two other members were killed in the sector. This is barbaric behave would not be tolerated in schools.”

 

He added: “We call on our law enforcement agencies to pull all the halts to ensure the perpetrators of this senseless crime are brought to book,” Lesufi stated.

 

Lesufi took the opportunity to view the footage of the crime.

 

“It is becoming the norm to visit families and tell them that somebody who left (them) to come to our schools has been permanently removed. This is the third case that I am attending to - in this area alone - where our principals are targeted,” Lesufi said, calling for more help from the police in making schools safer.

 

“We urge the police to, when doing their normal patrols, pay more attention to schools,” the MEC said.

 

Budgetary constraints have meant that most schools could not afford armed guards and relied mainly on volunteers for security; something which was not ideal, Lesufi said.

MEC Panyaza Lesufi with SAPS police official

Photos: Supplied

  

More than 1200 people arrested

The Operation O Kae Molao which was held on Saturday evening, 26 June in Eldorado Park and surrounding areas and other parts of Gauteng was a success.

An intense operation lead by Gauteng’s acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Tommy Mthombeni and Johannesburg District Commissioner Major General Max Masha together with the MEC for Community Safety Faith Maziboko.

 

During the operation a total of 59 suspects were arrested for various offences which included failure to adhere to the Disaster Management Act. The police also shut down two liquor outlets and arrested the owners for dealing in liquor without a license and for also contravening the Disaster Management Act. Some suspects were arrested for offences that include driving while under the influence of alcohol, possession of dangerous weapons.

 

"These operations will continue until our communities understand the danger of this pandemic and respect the lockdown restrictions that accompany it" said the acting Provincial Commissioner Major Tommy Mthombeni. 

 

“A total of 125 suspects were traced for various crimes and arrested by Detectives prior to the operation,” said Captain Jeff Phora, district spokesperson for SAPS. 

 

He added that parallel operations were conducted in other four districts where 533 people were arrested in Ekurhuleni, 300 in Tshwane, 105 in West Rand and 121 in Sedibeng.

 

All suspects appeared at various courts on 28 June, and will soon appear in court for bail application

 

Teygon 4th birthday a successful soup drive

Teygon Scholtz (4) from Eldorado Park was born with a rare disease called Cerebral Palsy. She turned four on the 18 June and The Lady in Pink Foundation based in Eldorado Park decided that for the second time on gorgeous Teygon Scholtz birthday her family and God parents the founders of Lady in Pink Christopher and Shoneez Booysens choose not to have a birthday but to give back by feeding children and adults a scrumptious meal who do not eat a hot meal daily and struggle to buy food to feed their families. 

 The tasty soup, bread, oranges and kiddies lucky packs was handed out in Ext 4 at the David Flats in Eldorado Park on 19 June.

 

Donors for the function was Spiritual Chords Foundation, Lady's in Pink and myself in my late granny Pani Rowji who passed away on 30 May. 

 

Teygon’s birthday will be celebrated annually by a giving back and feeding those who do not eat a hot meal daily. 

 

The Lady in Pink Foundation is based in Eldorado Park and they aim to making a difference and supporting their community.

 

Teygon attends therapy and is blessed to have both her parents who take care of her and especially a stay at home dad who sees to her all the time and understand his daughter and her needs. Marcell Daniels of Caitlin Douman Foundation said: “Not many men would take on the responsibility of being a stay at home dad to take care of his disabled child, I Salute Teygon's dad for doing this and for doing a remarkable job.” 

 

Louisa, CEO of Youngage celebrates her birthday by giving back

Youngage Foundation founder Louisa Molisa celebrated her birthday on 3 June by donating 100 new pairs of school shoes to learners, Hungry Lion donated 134 lunch meals, books, face cloth masks and food parcels to the learners from Tholohelo Lower Primary School in Molestnae Township, Soweto.

Learners were overjoyed and thanked Molise for changing their lives and giving them the encouragement to get up every morning and go to school to learn and have an education.

 

Molise’s aim of the project was to assist learners in the township who either wear torn shoes or no shoes walking barefoot to school daily.

 

“Learners are being bullied at schools, because they don't have shoes, laughed at and that lowers or kills the self-esteem of another child, therefore high absenteeism or lack of school interests arises. Youngage Foundation’s aim is to keep a learner in school, increase motivation and build confidence and self-esteem,” said Molise,

 

She thanked all partners Mutualisim SA, Hungry Lion, The 100 Percent Foundation, Vumatel and Teddy bear Foundation that played a huge part in ensuring the event was a success, our visions together with our partners is to support another learner in need, especially in times like this with the pandemic affecting us. Mashudu from Teddy bear Foundation, gave a child abuse awareness talk and empathised to parents and school children to report all kinds of abuse immediately. 

 

Ward 21 Councillor, Mpho Sesediyane, was over excited and impressed and thanked Youngage Foundation and all partners for the amazing work done in the community. He explained that that this was not the first time that the foundation reached out to communities in the township. 

 The school's IDSO and the principal, Mrs Mavuso were also grateful to the organisation and partners. 

 

“Working together with partners like the Youngage Foundation is so important for creating opportunities and providing much needed resources for our country’s youth, and that’s why we’re so excited to work on such a special event with Thlolohelo Lower Primary School. Our goal is to build stronger and more inclusive communities not only through high-speed fibre connectivity but through youth-oriented initiatives like this, empowering children from our communities to believe in their dreams and reach for the extraordinary,” said Taylor Kwong, Vuma CSI Manager

SAPS officially launch the Vaccine drive

Police Minister General Bheki Cele vaccinated 

The much anticipated SAPS vaccine was finally launched on 5 July at the Orlando Stadium  The initiative was led by the Minister of Policing General Bheki Cele, together with National Police Commisioner General Khehla Sithole and Acting Minister of Health Mamoloko Kubayi.

 

National Police Commisioner General Khehla Sithole 

General Cele first did a walkabout speaking to different police officers who eagerly waited to be vaccinated. Thereafter the minister briefed the media before pulling his sleeve up and getting the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, followed by General Sithole. The duo were then followed by two members a female and male, Sergeant Natasha Govender, of Social Crime Prevention Coordinator at Eldorado Park SAPS and Constable Tebogo Refapa from the Social Crime Prevention Department, Diesploot SAPS showed complete encouragement for the balance of the police members to take their vaccine.

A total of 900 police officers were vaccinated between Orlando and SAPS Tshwane Academy where it will be also a vaccine site for them.

 

“The management of the South African Police Service (SAPS) has expressed its satisfaction in the number of police officers that have come out in their numbers to get vaccinated at the launch of the SAPS Vaccination Drive held at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Gauteng.” said Major General Mathapelo Peters, SAPS Head of Corporate Communications and Liaison.. 

 

The Minister emphasised about the importance of having a healthy workforce.

 

“We don’t have any other scientifically proven way of preventing the severe effects of this virus other than getting vaccinated, so we are thrilled as the Police Ministry that this day has finally arrived and believe a healthy  SAPS is crucial in the fight against crime and maintaining the rule of law in the country. Our members can rest assured that they are now more protected from this vicious virus while they continue to serve and protect the people of South Africa,” said Cele. 

Sgt Natash Govender

The National Commissioner of the Police Service explained that the health, wellbeing and safety of the members remains as an utmost priority for management. 

 

"Today's turnout at our vaccination sites is indeed encouraging. We remain confident and optimistic  that more of our members will heed the call to get vaccinated. We will also continue to empower our members with information around the vaccine and our nationwide rollout program. While the rollout program continues, we will continue to ensure that non-pharmaceutical interventions are adhered to,” said General Sithole.

 

SAPS along with their stakeholders and medical aid partners POLMED and GEMS have managed to secure a total of 108 sites across the country for officials to be vaccinated and they all are registered with the National Department of Health.

Cst Tebogo Reface

“To date, 32 525 members have tested positive for the Covid-19 virus . 30 955 of these members have recovered but sadly, 672 members have succumbed to the virus.  By heeding to the call by SAPS management for all members to get vaccinated, the Service aims to reduce infections, transmissions and the mortality rate within the organisation,” explained General Peters.

 

She conclude by saying that the nationwide rollout of the SAPS Vaccination Programme will commence on Thursday, 8 July 2021 in all 9 provinces.