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

Vaal Marathon

The annual Cape Gate Vaal Marathon (42 and 21 km) took place on Sunday (March 2) at Dick Fourie Stadium in Vereeniging (Gauteng, South Africa) and once again attracted hundreds of runners.
In the main event, the 42km race, Joseph Mhuthi (Nedbank) dominated the men's division to take top honours in a time of 2:21:04, followed by Moses Rachaka (ADT) in a time of 2:24:56 and Michael Msini (GRRR) third in a time of 2:28:29.
In the women's division first place went to Maritiza van der Westhuizen (Benoni Harriers).
In the 21km race, Sampie Mokgatla (Nedbank) who came fourth last year, clinched victory this time around in a winning time of 67:59. Second place went to William Mkwalakala (Mr Price) and third place to Peter Muthubi (Nedbank).
In the women's division Moipone Mokoena (Rand Water) took first place in a time of 93:39, followed by Phina Tsepetsi (Rand Water) and Madrie Marx (Nedbank) respectively.

Rugby: Cheetahs vs Falcons

Cheetahs rugby fans in die Sedibeng (Gauteng, South Africa) and Sasolburg (Northern Free State) were treated with top Vodacom rugby action when the Cheetahs and the Falcons took each other on in an official league game in Sasolburg on Saturday (March 1).
The day started early with school and club teams playing before the main game. But a heavy thunderstorm shortly before the start of the main game, almost ruined everything. It sent spectators running for cover and approximately 30mm of rain was measured in the thunderstorm that lasted for almost half and hour..
But the skies dried up and the game started right on schedule. Almost 1 500 spectators hurried back to the pavilions. It turned out to be a day to remember as the Falcons put up quite a display of skill and character, taking on the much loved Cheetahs.
The Cheetahs recorded their second consecutive Vodacom 14 victory (36-33).

Northern Free State Swimming

The Penny Heyns Swimming Pool in Sasolburg (Northern Free State, South Africa) has played host to many top swimming championships over the years and in February 2008 once again hosted the Free State Swimming Championships for junior swimmers.
Swimmer from as far as Bloemfontein were in action and top performances were recored. Many local swimmers competed, but at the end of the championship only four were recruited into the Free State junior swimming team: Tjaart du Toit from Fonteine Primary School in Sasolburg, Suné Storme from Lumier Primary School, Alta Pellisier from Fonteine Primary School and Rohan Muller from Heilbron Primary School.

Regional Karting in Vereeniging

The first round of the regional karting championships took place at the Adrenalin Raceway in Vereeniging on Saturday (February 23).
The popular GP class was once again closely contested, with Len Talken clinching overall victory with 97 points. Second place belonged to Tony Baartman (96 points) and third was Laurance Jones (93 points).
The other class winners are:
Mini max - 1. Kelvin van der Linde, 2. Dewald Brummer, 3. Liam Venter.
GP junior - 1. Michael Taylor, 2. Sheldon van der Linde, 3. Nathan Parkins.
ROK junior - 1. Sean Frost, 2. Charl Smalberger, 3. Jordan Pepper.
DD2 - 1. Trent Williams, 2. Justin Allison, 3. George Dos Ramos.
Cadets - 1. Daygin Preston, 2. Clinton Bezuidenhout, 3. Liam Pienaar.
Max Challenge - 1. Devin Robertson, 2. Chad van Beurden, 3. Richard Napier.
Super ROK - 1. Robert Briggs, 2. Fabienne Lanz, 3. Rory Atkinson.
Max 175 - 1. Kenneth Maciver, 2. John van Wyk, 3. Bruce Clark.

Bride of the Year

By Elsje Vermeulen

Vaalweekblad, a very popular community newspaper in the Vaal Triangle (Gauteng, South Africa) crowned the 2007 Bride of the Year at a glamorous event held at Quest Conference Centre last Friday evening (February 23). More photos available at www.flickr.com/photos/snapattack2
After three of the twelve finalists withdrew from the competition, nine beauties strutted their stuff on the runway in front of the judges and spectators.
But as soon as Bernadine Bender made her first appearance, it was basically game, set and match. This stunning blond, with a down to earthy outlook on life and bubbly personality was well deservedly crowned as the 2007 Vaalweekblad Bride of the Year.
Two very striking brunettes took second and third spot: Rochelle de Beer was crowned first princess and Suzaan Nell as second princess.
During the evening even the grooms has a chance on the runway. Without knowing it, they were also secretly judged. Jeffrey van Staden was the man of the moment.