Vaal Triangle Business Directory | VaalFindit

Are over ripe fruits better for you

fcoetsee — Fri, 18 May 2012 06:00:09 +0000

It seems that older varieties of fruit and veg may be considerably healthier than their modern supermarket equivalents.

A pilot study found that an unfashionable dessert apple which dates back to Victorian times had ten times more of a disease-preventing chemical than its newer, shiny-skinned equivalents.
A team of scientists from Unilever in England will now undertake a three-year study, examining older varieties of apples, bananas, onions, mangos and teas.

They have already found that the Egremont Russet apple, which is often used to make cider, contains considerably more phloridzin than modern glossy fruits.

The chemical increases the absorption of sugar from the digestive system into the blood, and can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

The scientists believe ‘pre-domesticated’ fruit and veg eaten in years gone by had higher levels of hundreds of chemicals that help prevent disease. These include salicylates, which are used to make aspirin and play a key role in fighting cancer.

Today, some mass-produced fruits and vegetables are stored for months at a time in cold conditions to slow the ripening process. This process depletes the vitamins in the skin.
In addition, supermarkets select the best-looking stock when, in fact, plants produce more nutritious chemicals if they have bruises, as these are produced as a defence mechanism against threats.

Professor Leon Terry from Cranfield University said a ‘paradigm shift’ was required to promote foods based on their health-boosting properties, not their appearance.

Source: vaalweekblad.com

Die snorker in jou lewe

fcoetsee — Thu, 17 May 2012 06:00:49 +0000

VANDERBIJLPARK. – Daar word geglo dat ongeveer een uit elke drie niksvermoedende paartjies met iemand trou wat snork.

Om langs ‘n snorker te lê ontneem nie slegs die slaapkamer van stilte nie, maar veroorsaak probleme tussen die eens liefdevolle paartjie.

Baie pasgetroudes sien snork as ‘n feit van die lewe, en doen nie stappe om die probleem te beheer nie. Slegs ‘n klein aantal maak hul bedmaat wakker. Sommige gaan slaap selfs in ‘n ander kamer.
Deur saam met ‘n snorker te slaap, kan die manier waarop jy wakker word en teenoor jou maat optree, verander.

Versteurde slaap vir ‘n enkele dag verhoog jou brein se reaksie op emosionele stimulasie. Dit verklaar waarom jy hoogs geïrriteerd, depressief en selfs romanties afstomp teenoor jou snorkende maat na ‘n rustelose nag.

Dit word beraam dat dié wat dit waag om naby ‘n snorker te slaap, tot ‘n uur se slaap elke nag kan verloor en selfs hoë bloeddruk kan kry. Dit het ook ‘n negatiewe uitwerking op jou gesondheid. Hoë vlakke van moegheid en slaperigheid is ook reeds gerapporteer en selfs die risiko om gehoorverlies te ontwikkel.

Tweedehandse snork mag selfs sy tol op gehoor neem. ‘n Lewensmaat wat langs ‘n snorker slaap, het erge gehoorverlies oor ‘n tydperk ontwikkel in die oor wat die meeste aan die snork blootgestel is. Die menslike brein is in staat om aan te pas in verskeie toestande. Dit is juis waarom baie getroudes na tien jaar se huwelik langs mekaar kan slaap sonder steurnis, selfs al snork hulle maat hewig.

Die nie-snorkende slaapmaat pas aan by die luide gesnork, deur die oor se gehoor-sensitiwiteit te verminder. Indien ons die hele wêreld se snorkers kon kombineer, sou dit waarskynlik ‘n massiewe aardbewing veroorsaak, veral as mens in ag neem dat elke snork so hard soos 60 tot 90 desibels is.

Die oorsaak van die euwel

Snork kan dikwels geblameer word op obstruksie in die neus of keel. Geblokte neuse as gevolg van allergieë, verkoue, mangels en selfs oorgewig kan almal tot snork lei. Oorgewig, spiere van die tong en keel wat swak is en selfs gene kan ook daarvoor verantwoordelik wees.

Oplossings kan moeilik wees. Vir ligte snorkers kan die oplossing so eenvoudig wees as om sy of haar slaapposisie te verander.

Oorpluisies kan ‘n eenvoudige oplossing wees, maar is nie effektief vir almal nie.

Snork gaan dikwels hand aan hand met meer ernstige obstruktiewe slaap-apnee wat uitgeken kan word deur episodes van onderbrekende asemhaling van meer as 10 sekondes wat tot gereelde wakker episodes en tot ‘n groot aantal gesondheidsprobleme kan lei.

Obstruktiewe slaap-apnee word geassosieer met erge slaperigheid en is ‘n risiko vir ongelukke, hoë bloeddruk, hartsiektes, depressie, swak konsentrasie, hartaanval en beroerte.
Deur slaap-apnee te behandel, kan snork merkwaardig verminder. Vir al die lewensmaats daar buite, kry jou snorker om te gaan vir ‘n slaapstudie. Nie alle snorkers ly aan slaap-apnee nie. As jou halsstarrige bedmaat weier om samewerking te gee, lig hom in dat jy nie terugkom slaapkamer toe totdat hy iets daaraan gedoen het nie.

Indien jy meer inligting oor hierdie sensitiewe kwessie wil hê, kontak Adele by 081 245 6151, of besoek www.snoresister.co.za.

Bron: vaalweekblad.com

Precaution is better than cure

fcoetsee — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:00:11 +0000

With winter just around the corner, people need to start thinking about protecting themselves against dangerous influenza strains. A trip to your pharmacy, GP, hospital or clinic for your annual flu shot might just be the smartest thing you can do this season.

According to the World Health Organisation, influenza epidemics affect up to 15% of the global population every year, which leads to between 250 000 to 500 000 deaths. Flu vaccines are therefore highly recommended by healthcare practitioners as a precautionary step to protect against the dangerous virus strains, which have the ability to cause a pandemic if not controlled and treated correctly.

The Independent Community Pharmacy Association (ICPA) has joined the National Department of Health in driving an awareness campaign which highlights the risks of influenza and the benefits of having the flu vaccine. The Influenza Vaccination Campaign is endorsed and supported by the National Department of Health and the two pharmaceutical companies supplying influenza vaccines to the South African healthcare market, Abbott and Sanofi Pasteur. “Last year more than a million flu vaccinations were administered in South Africa, and this year we’d like to see these numbers increased significantly,” says Sham Moodley, ICPA Chairperson.

People considered to be in high risk groups can get their flu vaccinations for free from government clinics or hospitals. The high risk groups are pregnant women, people over 65 years old, those with chronic heart disease, diabetes or chronic lung disease, especially asthmatics, people living with HIV/Aids or other reduced immune system-related conditions.

However, getting vaccinated before winter is something even the healthiest person should consider, and they can get their flu shot for a nominal fee at any private healthcare organisation, such as a local pharmacy.

Some general facts about flu vaccination:
- Flu vaccines protect against the three influenza viruses that research by global and national healthcare organisations indicate will be most common during the upcoming season
- Influenza vaccines will not give you flu. It only contains non-infectious particles of the virus, which merely alert the body to the threat of the virus
- Regarding side effects, flu vaccines are considered to be very safe with the most common associated reaction being only a mild soreness at the site of the injection

Source: vaalweekblad.com

Avoiding Lifestyle Diseases

fcoetsee — Tue, 15 May 2012 06:00:12 +0000

It is possible to significantly reduce the risk of contracting a number of diseases by changing the way we live our lives. Our modern lifestyles have an impact on our health – we’re more stressed, we have easy access to sugars and fats, many of us smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol, and many of us don’t exercise as part of our daily routines.

All of this contributes to an increased risk to our health, taking the form of very specific lifestyle diseases.
Type 2 Diabetes

This form of diabetes is characterised by high blood glucose and lower insulin, which, if not properly managed can result in varying complications like kidney failure, blindness and even death. Early type 2 diabetes can be managed with exercise and dietary modification, but once advanced, insulin is usually prescribed.

Early warning signs: Frequent urination, increased thirst, increased appetite, fatigue and weight loss.

Heart disease

This is a blanket term for a variety of diseases affecting the heart, involving both the muscles and the vascular system, which can ultimately result in heart failure. Before surgical intervention, treatment commonly consists of giving up smoking, light exercise, low-sodium diet and other dietary changes and medication.

Early warning signs: Shortness of breath, leg swelling and exercise intolerance

Metabolic syndrome

This is a combination of conditions that together increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Early warning signs: There are various differing indicators of the syndrome, but generally, raised blood fat levels, hypertension, obesity and high blood sugar, high insulin levels or insulin resistance must be present.

A central factor in this syndrome is the accumulation of fat around the abdomen.

Cancer

Cancer is arguably the most frightening of the dread diseases, and while genetics contribute to this unregulated cell growth, there are many lifestyle contributors as well – the most significant of which is smoking.

Early warning signs: Cancer symptoms start at the site of the primary cancer and include swelling or bleeding, ulceration and ultimately pain (the initial swelling is often painless). Thereafter, when the cancer has spread, the lymph nodes enlarge, as can the liver and spleen.

Stroke

This is a disturbance in the blood supply to the brain, resulting in a rapid loss of brain function and limited mobility or facial sagging often but not always restricted to one side of the body.
Early warning signs: The sudden onset of numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side, confusion or problems understanding, difficulty speaking, vision difficulty, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination or difficulty walking or a severe headache.

Step 2 – try to stay healthy by making sure that you:

* Exercise moderately at least: Even a half hour’s brisk walk a day is enough to improve your health and reduce your risks.
* Eat the right foods: Avoid fatty foods and too many carbs, eat good proteins – preferably grilled rather than fried – and not too much red meat, eat plenty fresh vegetables and a fair deal of fruit, and avoid overly processed or sugary foods.
* Get enough sleep: Sleep reduces stress and inflammation, helps regulate your appetite and reduces your risk for depression and heart conditions. Try to get around eight hours of sleep a night.
* Drink enough water: Most people don’t drink as much water as they should. Although other beverages are hydrating, they introduce other substances into your body as well. Try for around eight glasses of water a day.
* Reduce stress: Stress is one of the biggest risk factors in many lifestyle diseases. While worrying about stress can generally only make you more stressed, it’s a good idea to try and manage your life if you find that you are feeling overwhelmed. Speak to a therapist or a life coach if you really can’t find a way to make the changes you know you need.
* Give up smoking: There is no debate about the link between cancer and smoking.
* Drink alcohol only in moderation: Although there are varying definitions of “moderation” when it comes to alcohol, it is a good idea to drink no more than one or two drinks a day – and these daily drinks can’t be rolled over to the weekend.
* Treat existing conditions: So many lifestyle diseases create greater risks for others – for instance there is a clear link between diabetes, heart disease and strokes. If you have one condition, take it seriously, and if you are in a high-risk group – for instance, have high blood pressure – make sure that you manage your condition.
By Graham Anderson, principal officer of Profmed.

Source: vaalweekblad.com

Vaal Emergency care vier sesde bestaansjaar

fcoetsee — Mon, 14 May 2012 06:00:42 +0000

SASOLBURG. – Vaalridge Auto is die trotse borg van Vaal Emergency Care se nuwe BMW 320 diesel. Vaalridge Auto is deel van die Imperial-groep van maatskappye en hierdie is ‘n inisiatief wat gedryf word deur die ‘Imperial I-Pledge’-veldtog wat landwyd van stapel gestuur is.

Vaal Emergency Care bedien die nasionale paaie in ons gebied en Vaalridge Auto is trots daarop dat twee van hulle tegnici, Frikkie de Beer en Emanuel Gomes, hierby betrokke is. Dit is deel van die Imperial-groep se inisiatief om die gemeenskap en padgebruikers in ons gebied te dien.

Die BMW is ten volle toegerus met alle noodhulp-toerusting denkbaar tot op gevorderde lewensonder-steuningsvlak. Dit word op ‘n daaglikse basis deur VEC gebruik om ‘n verskil in die plaaslike gemeenskap te maak. Hulle gebruik ook die BMW tydens vakansietye om die groot paaie en snelweë in die omgewing te patrolleer en mediese bystand te verleen. Hulle dek dele van die N1, N3, R59 en R57.

Vaal Emergency Care vier vanjaar hulle 6de bestaans-jaar en groei van krag tot krag. Hulle bied nie net privaat ambulansdienste nie, maar ook noodhulpopleiding, mediese bystand by enige hoedanigheid (van sportbyeenkomste tot feeste en ‘biker rally’s’), die verskaffing van mediese personeel by o.a. fabrieke se ‘shutdowns’ en ook die verkoop en instandhouding van noodhulpkaste.

Privaat ambulansdienste sluit nie net die vervoer van pasiënte van huis tot hospitaal in nie, maar ook enige mediese noodgeval soos motorongelukke, hartaanvalle, asma-aanvalle ens.
Dit is nie net vir mense met ‘n mediese fonds nie. Privaat kliënte kan ook van hulle dienste gebruik maak teen ‘n minimale fooi.

Daar is ook ‘n groot miskonsepsie as dit kom by mediese fondse en vir watter ambulansdiens hulle betaal. Die feit van die saak is, dat in ‘n mediese noodgeval, maak nie saak op watter mediese skema jy is nie, enige ambulansdiens mag jou vervoer en jou fonds betaal daarvoor.

Vaal Emergency Care bedien die hele Vaaldriehoek, van Oranjeville tot in Henley-on-Klip en het persele en voertuie in Sasolburg asook Vanderbijlpark. Hulle is altyd blitsvinnig op die toneel en afgesien van uiters hoë gekwalifiseerde personeel, het hulle ook ‘n mediese dokter wat in trauma spesialiseer en bystand verleen op tonele. Indien jy enige mediese bystand nodig het, of in ‘n mediese noodgeval verkeer, skakel Vaal Emergency Care by (016) 976 7887 of op 073 370 6995 . Hulle is altyd beskikbaar, 24 uur ‘n dag, 365 dae ‘n jaar.

Bron: vaalweekblad.com

Seminaar oor afwykende gedrag

fcoetsee — Fri, 11 May 2012 06:00:48 +0000

VANDERBIJLPARK. – Omdat kerk-, jeugleiers, maatskaplike werkers en beraders se werks-lading oorweldigend raak, word meer hande benodig, en daarom gaan ‘n seminaar vir leke-persone oor seksueel afwykende gedrag by die Fakulteit Teologie, NWU Potchefstroomkampus aangebied word.

Enigiemand met ‘n belangstelling in die gebied asook die motivering om ‘n gesonde samelewing te skep, is welkom om die seminaar by te woon.

Onderwerpe wat gedek word, sluit in:
* Wat behels seksuele molestering,
* Wie is die persoon wat kinders molesteer,
* Tekens dat ‘n volwassene ‘n kind mag skade aandoen,
* Gedrag om na op te let wanneer kinders by volwassenes is,
* Tekens dat ‘n kind of tiener ‘n ander skade aandoen.

Die seminaar word op Saterdag 5 Mei vanaf 9:00 tot 13:00 gehou en die koste is R200 per persoon.

‘n Spesialiskursus gemik op leraars, jeugwerkers van kerke en skole, pastorale bera-ders, maatskaplike en sosiale werkers wat die probleem pastoraal wil benader, word ook beplan vir 14 tot 18 Mei. Om hierdie kursus by te woon moet jy matriek en twee jaar tersiêre opleiding hê.

‘n NWU-sertifikaat sal uitgereik word. Vir meer inligting kontak Thercia van der Merwe by (018) 299 1841 of e-pos Thercia.VanDerMerwe@nwu.ac.za, of kontak dr. Stella Potgieter by 072 971 9607 of e-pos stellapotgieter@gmail.com.
Bron: vaalweekblad.com

Kopono Pre School receives help

fcoetsee — Thu, 10 May 2012 06:00:14 +0000

VEREENIGING. – When Bill and Gloria Nobile and Alan Pittendrigh, as representatives of the South African Confederation of Seniors Organisations (SACSO), in partnership with Vaalweekblad and Ster newspapers, embarked on a project to organise the Heritage Day Oktoberfest in September 2011, the main objective was in some small measure to assist in the plight of underprivileged and abused children.

In the run-up to the festival the support of Rotary clubs in Sedibeng was also obtained. Having wound up the Oktoberfest it was possible to make a donation to both the Sedibeng Childrens’ Haven and the Vereeniging Alliance for Street Children.

As an extension of these activities and with the help of social worker Nana Maja, for the Vaal Elderly Forum, the Kopano Pre-School in Evaton was identified as an organisation worthy of assistance and in need of help and facilities.

Kopano Pre-School is an excellent example of a community doing its best to help itself with very limited resources. What strikes one on visiting the school is the cleanliness of the grounds and the classrooms. It consists of two large classrooms, a free-standing small sick-bay, an even smaller kitchen and primitive toilet facilities, yet it caters for 58 little ones who are neat, obviously well looked after and attentive.

The structures are absolutely basic, constructed totally from corrugated iron. They must be freezing cold in winter and unbearably hot in the summer months.
Arrangements were made to present the centre with a number of toys, which were donated by Richard and Annie Coetzer, owners of Hobbies and Toys. They are a public-spirited couple, members of the Community Chest, and have participated in the Reach for a Dream action.

While finalising arrangements to donate the toys the organisers were fortunate to be contacted by the Mothwas of the MOTHS‘s Jannie Smuts Shellhole.

The Mothwas are a charitable organisation affiliated to the MOTHS, whose main focus is maintaining old age homes for sub-economic pensioners.

The Mothwas in the Vaal Triangle decided to make sleeping mats to help some needy cause and donated 18 sleeping mats to the school. These colourful and attractive mats are made of polarfleece off-cuts padded with batting.

Our thanks go to Faith Arnold, Caroline Eyberg and Veronica Ludick, who made the mats and also to Gwen de Klerk, Ron and Lyn David, and Bobby and Rhoda Heyns, who donated the materials.

The Kopano School Project has the support of Child Welfare workers from Evaton. Mokgadi Popela, social worker, Buyi Masebuko and Meriam Makgotlane, social auxiliary workers, and Nana Maja, social worker from the Vaal Elderly Forum, were present at the presentation. The project is really deserving of help and a strong appeal is made to other organisations to help this group who are doing their best to serve their community with the very limited means at their disposal.

Source: vaalweekblad.com

Hoekies gedy, geel bulle gly

fcoetsee — Wed, 09 May 2012 06:00:39 +0000

VEREENIGING. – Daar is die naweek tydens die NWU Puk Prestige-reeks agterstewes geskop en name gevat.

Die Hoër Tegniese Skool Vereeniging het Saterdag op sy tuisveld, en met hulp van ‘n handvol omliggende skole (Drie Riviere, Vereeniging en Driehoek) en die Isak Steyl-stadion, die halfeindronde van dié reeks met onderskeiding aangebied.

Dit is die eerste keer dat daar van skolegeriewe gebruik gemaak is om die 16 skole se wintersport-spanne te akkommodeer. Daar was natuurlik ongelowige Thomasse, maar na dese kan niemand ‘n vinger wys nie.

Die Geel Bulle se eerste rugby-span het voorts nuwe betekenis aan die woorde veggees en deursettingsvermoë gegee, toe hy net-net met 22-17 deur Noordheuwel geklop is.

Die Tekkies was stadig uit die wegspringblokke en het met rustyd met 17-0 agtergeloop, maar het in die tweede helfte karakter gewys en strate beter gespeel. Om sake te vererger was die drieë wat die besoekers gedruk het sagte drieë.

Tekkies se JP Campher het in die tweede helfte twee gaan druk en die woelige losvoorspeler, Junius Deysel, se harde werk is ook met ‘n vyfpunter beloon. Dwayne Engelbrecht het met een doelskop geslaag om die tuisspan binne trefafstand te hou.Volgens Hannes Grobbelaar, afrigter van die HTS Vereeniging se eerste rugbyspan, was dit van begin tot einde ‘n klipharde kragmeting. “Ons het net nie “opgedaag” in die eerste helfte nie.

Hulle (Noordheuewel) het al die speelwerk in die eerste helfte gedoen en besit beheer. Hulle het ons met hoë tempo rugby in die eerste helfte geslaan. In die tweede helfte was dit egter ons beurt,” het Grobbelaar gesê. Benewens die Tekkies se eerste en derde spanne wat verloor het, het al sewe sy ander rugbyspanne koning gekraai.Die Hoërskool Driehoek se eerste rugbyspan het behoorlik gepronk toe hy sy eweknie, die Hoërskool Bastion, met 26-0 geklop het.

Die telling kon selfs hoër gewees het, indien die Hoekies hulle geleenthede benut en beter afgerond het. Die eerste rugbyspanne van die Hoërskool Garsfontein en Middelburg kom op 5 Mei in Potchefstroom teen mekaar in die eindstryd te staan.

Garsfontein het Hugenote met 54-0 verniel en is die gunsteling om die titel te wen. Met Johan Ackerman, voorspeler-afrigter van die Lions Super-rugbyspan, wat Garsfontein help brei, is dit geen verrassing dat dié span so goed presteer nie.

*Die Hoërskool Transvalia het Saterdag in Pretoria in die NuPower/Tuks-reeks vir Pietersburg met 28-3 geklop. In die Puk 16-reeks het Overvaal net-net met 22-18 teen Pretoria-Noord vasgeval. Die uitslae van die Super12-reeks wat by die Hoërskool Dr. Malan plaasgevind het, is teen druktyd nie ontvang nie. Die onus berus by skole om die uitslae aan Vaalweekblad te stuur.

Bron: vaalweekblad.com

Emmanuel school dine at medal feast

fcoetsee — Tue, 08 May 2012 06:00:10 +0000

VANDERBIJLPARK. – The swimmers of Emmanuel Private School recently made their school and the Vaal Triangle very proud.

They earned an outstanding total of 34 medals (eight gold, nine silver and 17 bronze medals) at the South African Christian School Sports Association Swimming Championships in Pretoria.

Stean Kotze earned 10 medals, Thea-Marie Kotze seven medals, Daniel Webber nine medals, Alexandra Davies and Corijn Van De Loosdrecht four medals each.

Stean Kotze also broke two SACSSA records in the 100 m freestyle and 100 m backstroke. He was also selected as the top swimmer in an individual event (100 m freestyle).

Stean Kotze, Daniel Webber, Thea-Marie Kotze and Alexandra Davies also earned South African Christian Schools Swimming Colours for their achievements.

Keirah Van De Loosdrecht, Conny Kruger and Jayden Mopp also did very well in the 50m freestyle.

Source: vaalweekblad.com

Free Schoolfees for a year

fcoetsee — Mon, 07 May 2012 06:00:25 +0000

MEYERTON. – The Shoprite Class of the Year Competition, one of Shoprite’s many community initiatives, sponsors school fees for hundreds of learners in South Africa each year.

One of the Class of 2012 lucky winners in Gauteng is 12-year-old Derrick Pruis, a Grade 6 pupil of Laerskool Dr. Verwoerd in Meyerton.

Derrick’s enthusiastic account of his dreams to become a veterinarian really impressed the judges and won him free school fees for a year. Learners across the country were invited to dream big and enter at their local Shoprite by writing a short essay, or drawing a picture about what they want to be after they have finished school.

Shoprite believes that the country’s children should be provided with opportunities that support them and therefore each year urges communities to motivate learners in their area to enter this competition.

Source: vaalweekblad.com