FNB Classic Clash Valia vs HTS Vereeniging

(daar was fout met die oplaai van die fotos, hou die blog dop - sodra dit reg is gaan die fotos verskyn)
Deur Elsje Vermeulen

Die eerste rugbyspanne van HTS Vereeniging en HS Transvalia het op 17 Mei in 'n nuwe vyf-jaar FNB Classic Clash-reeks afgeskop.

Die vorige reeks is deur HS Transvalia gewen. Met die afskop van die nuwe reeks het dit gelyk of HTS Vereeniging goed op dreef was op dié nuwe reeks met 'n oorwinning te begin. Die Tekkies het met halftyd 'n gesonde 15-5 voorsprong geniet. Valia is kwaai onder druk geplaas op sy tuisveld, maar met die begin van die tweede helfde het hulle na 'n nuwe rat oorgeslaan.

Die Valia-manne het die agterstand laat krim en uiteindelik met 20-15 gewen. Die Tekkies het versuim om enige punte in die tweede helfde aan te teken.

Hopelik sal HTS Vereeniging volgende jaar op sy tuisveld sake gelyk maak. Vir meer aksie fotos besoek www.flickr.com/photos/snapattack2

HTS Vereeniging Sportdinee

Elsje Vermeulen

Die Hoër Tegniese Skool Vereeniging het op 13 Mei sy sesde jaarlikse sportdinee in die Vereeniging Stadsaal gehou en tien prag-sportgedenkwaardighede is opgeveil.

Sowat 500 mense het die geleentheid bygewoon. Niekie van den Berg, bekende radio-persoonlikheid was die gasspreker en Ray Dylan, een van SA se gewildste sangers, het vir die musiek gesorg.

"Ons is baie tevrede hoe die aand verloop het. Nogmaals 'n groot dank aan almal wat die skool ondersteun het," sê mev. Ilze van Heerden (organiseerder).

Hoewel die sportgedenkwaardighede nie sulke hoë pryse soos in die verlede behaal het nie, was die aand 'n groot sukses vir die skool.

Een van die items ('n Super 14 Bulls-trui), is vir R10 000 verkoop. Dié geld sal aangewend word om kinders van plaaslike kinderhuise op 'n see-vakansie te neem.

Twee ander items is elk vir R9 000 elk verkoop.

Oppiewal Music Festival

By Elsje Vermeulen
The popular Oppiewal Music Festival, hosted by the Emerald Casino Resort in Vanderbijlpark (Gauteng, South Africa) on Saturday, May 3 saw almost a thousand die-hard spectators taking on the cold and wet weather.
What was supposed to be a sunny day, turned out to be a wet winter's day and caused approximately 4 000 people to rather stay at home. Those who attended the show still had a ball. Some of South Africa's hottest acts turned on the heat. The likes of Nadine, Jak de Priester, Lianie May, Hugo, Bok van Blerk, Robbie Wessels and SA Idols finalist Munro and Andriëtte did not disappoint.
Hopefully the weather will play along better next year!

Miss Paparazzi

By Elsje Vermeulen
What a great event! The 2008 Miss Paparazzi pageant was hosted in a huge tent outside Cafe Paparazzi at River Square (Three Rivers, Vereeniging, Gautent, SA) on Saturday April 5.
To top off a very well organized event, beautiful girls entered in the junior and senior category - fourteen juniors and eighteen seniors.
At the end of the night the junior title was awarded to the gorgeous Monique Sutherland. Nxolo Mhlonilo was crowned first princess and Clarissa Muller second princess.
In the senior category judges had a tough time as the seniors went all out. But at the end of the night the beautiful Qeunesza du Plessis walked away with the senior title. The long legged Tsholofelo Diphoko was crowned first princess and Jezelle Kruger second princess.
Owner of Cafe Paparzzi, Kyri Ionnides also showed his generous side, donating money to the Trentico Childrens Home in Three Rivers.
Photos of the event are available for free on this site, but please note this only applies for personal use and not to the media.
To view more photos visit www.flickr.com/photos/shapattack2

Fox Rally 2008

By Elsje Vermeulen
The 14th annual motorcycle Fox Rally was hosted at the Abrahamsrust Resort (Sasolburg, Northern Free State, SA) on March March 28 - 30 and more than 3 250 bikers rocked up to join in the fun.
With special permission from the local authorities to take over the the two lane road in front of the venue, the guys had no problem turning it into a strip of a different kind. Those who can, showed others and hundreds of spectators how to handle a motorcycle. Dangerous tricks had spectators buzzing with excitement. One of the participants travelled form as far as East Londen (almost 1 000km) to be part of the action. One can just wonder what kind of money all the participating iron horses would ad up to. If you work on an amount of an average of R50 000 (and believe me I think it can be way more) it amounts to approximately R160 000 000. Not too bad!
More photos at www.flickr.com/photos/snapattack2

Dana Winner SA Tour

By Elsje Vermeulen

Dana Winner, the world acclaimed Belgium song bird, is mesmerising her South African fans during her World Platinum Tour taking place during March across the country.
She kicked of her SA tour in Mpumalanga and visited the Vaal Triangle (Gauteng) in Vanderbijlpark at the Emerald Casino Resort last Friday (March 7).
The casino's events hall was packed with eager fans, who weren't disappointed. The show started off with local singer Gerrie Pretorius, who sang songs from his latest CD release, in tribute of the late SA singing sensation, Bless Bridges.
After a short break Dana took to the stage and boy, did she give a performance. Not being familiar with her music, I was taken by surprise with her powerful voice. The live band added to a very professional performance, making the night a huge success and something to remember.

Prestige Ultra Triathlon 2008

Elsje Vermeulen
There was no stopping the Storm brothers on Sunday during the twelve annual Prestige Ultra Triathlon held at the Vaal Triangle Campus of the North West University in Vanderbijlpark. (More than 400 athletes competed in this testing event).
Elder brother Brad (29) and Anton (24) emerged first from the 1,9km swim and stretched their lead even further in the 90km cycling. They took to the road in the final event (21,1km running) together, but with the finish line is sight, Brad had that little extra to give him the gold medal only eleven seconds ahead of Anton. Brad's winning time was 04:11:58, Anton's time was 04:12:09 and third place winner, Brand du Plessis' time was 04:14:17.
Kathryn Cronje was the first woman home in a time of 04:32:32, which also saw her take the overall 13th position. She had no competition from the rest of the ladies. Second place went to Natasha Gorrie almost 18 minutes later.
In the sprint division (750m swimming, 90km cycling and 5km run), youngster Jason de Jager (15) impressed friend and foe, taking first place in a time of 01:15:02, outclassing even the senior athletes. Second place went to Dieter Stricht in a time of 01:15:52 and third place to Michael Gibson in a time of 01:19:37. (See more photos on www.flickr.com/photos/snapattack2