Volume 02, 13 February 2015 Week 7 Tel: 011 862 8500 Fax: 011 869 7335www.tametimes.co.za Find us on Facebook & Twitter!

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In his keynote address, at the launch of the Reiger Park True Men’s Forum, Sebastian de Villiers called upon the men to stand together in unity against the social ills plaguing this community. The mostly male audience applauded as he quoted from scripture and challenged the men to take their rightful place in the fi ght against drugs and alcohol abuse, and the overall moral decline in our communities. He called upon the men to take ownership of their community as shining examples and good role models. Social cohesion requires economic development to strengthen and empower our communities, however, there are many positive ways that men can make a contribution as good role models; for example ‘walk a boy child to school and back again safely’ instead of loitering around shebeens and lolly lounges all day.

The Reiger Park True Men’s Forum was called upon to pioneer this initiative in other areas around the community, because there is a dire need among children for fathers who they can be proud of.Speaker after speaker highlighted the effects of substance abuse on the decline of the moral fi bre of society. Julie Phyllis, from the New Life Recovery Centre, noted that their experience of working in many schools around Ekurhuleni indicates that the community is losing a generation of young men and women to the scourge of drugs.Luckmore Takachicha from the Centre for People with Disabilities urged the RPTMF to include men with disabilities in all the forum’s programmes because they are very much a part of the socio-economic challenges of Reiger Park. Disabled men are not only limited in their functional abilities, but they are often also exposed to greater levels of unemployment and therefore economic incapacitation.

The launch was supported by the Ekurhuleni Department of Social Development and the Department of Correctional Services. Bongane from DSD pledged government’s support for the RPTMF in the form of capacity building for the forum and Sello Modise from DCS, who is already actively involved with the community, urged families to fulfi l their duty as the fi rst level of discipline and corrective action before deferring this responsibility to the authorities that should be the last resort and point of intervention to corrective discipline.Some statistics highlighted at the launch;67% of all the men who are in prison serving long sentences are between the ages of 14 – 30.50% of people with disabilities cannot have a normal sex life, which exposes them to transactional and therefore unsafe sex.So what can you do as a man of integrity in Reiger Park? First and foremost take full responsibility

in your role as caregiver, provider and protector of your family. You can reach out to volunteer your services to the many outreach programmes in the community and join hands with the Reiger Park True Men’s Forum in standing up to make a difference in this ‘avalanche of change’.Contact any of the RPTMF committee members to pledge your support and fi nd out how you can become actively involved.The RPTMF Executive Committee is;Mike Canham(Chairman), Domonique Williams(Deputy Chairman), Brian Williams(Public Relations), Shawn Jantjies(Treasurer), Llewellyn Bell(Secretary and Communications), Rodney Matthews(Director).

Additional committee members;James Crayven, Conrad Jantjies, Basil Reiners, Wilfred van Belling, Clive Steenkamp, Andre Bezuidenhout, Winston Fray and Russell Lance.

TRUE MEN of Reiger Park stand up

By Vanessa Pillay

Page 2 13 February 2015tame TIMES

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EDITOR

Amalgamated Beverage Industries (ABI) is the soft drinks division of SABMiller in South Africa with the greatest market share of all Coca-Cola’s bottlers in the country. CorpsGiving SA was commissioned with implementing ABI’s Employee Volunteerism Programme. The aim: create inspiring Community Project Days where employees get the opportunity to give back to the community through their hard work, one day a year. The target was set at a 70% attendance rate across the business. The CorpsGiving SA team got straight to work and since June has implemented 14 of the 20 projects for this fi nancial year. ABI serves some of the most disadvantaged communities across four of South Africa’s nine provinces (Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Free State, and the North West). From urban, informal settlements in the heart of Johannesburg, the country’s economic hub, to far-fl ung rural settlements, ABI is making an impact. Building relationships with these communities is paramount to ABI.With the guidance of their dynamic Corporate Affairs team, CorpsGiving SA has visited countless

organisations and schools to fi nd the right benefi ciary for every project. All projects to date have been an enormous success.The Reiger Park Centre for People with Disabilities (CPD) was the recent benefi ciary of ABI’s community outreach initiative.The CPD is a None Profi t Organisation in Reiger Park that assists the people with disabilities to live a dignifi ed life by becoming more integrated into society. This they do, by assisting their clients with skills development and other training, helping them to fi nd employment, but also provide a venue where people with disabilities can feel valued and appreciated. The building where the CPD is housed was in desperate need of repairs and the “patch jobs” was not good enough anymore. It is for this reason that the R 55 000 allocated to repair the roof at the Centre is such a welcome relief. ABI also renovated the Centre’s interior, including painting all the interior walls. The CPD staff and Centre Manager, Luckmore Taikchachicha, expressed their gratitude towards ABI for the transformation that will go a long way to motivate them to continue their good work in the community.

ABI MAKE-OVER AT REIGER PARK CPD

By Anver Jansen

After publishing the “snakes in the grass” article in the tame Times Reiger Park Bulletin of 30 January, we received a phone call, on Wednesday 4 February, from Raylene Simmers. She informed us that residents on Leeubekkie Street are faced with a similar problem of snakes around their section.According to Ms Simmers, the Council does not ensure that the grass on the open fi eld next to Leeubekkie Street is kept short at all times. This she blames, in part, for their problems with snakes infesting the area. On the day that we received the call, the residents had decided to burn down the tall grass and they hoped that the snakes would be killed in the fi re too. This was all done out of desperation, a lack of knowledge on what else to do in this situation and being at their wits end in fi nding help from the local council.Ms Simmons pointed out that the residents decided that they had no other alternative. Hence they decided on this action out of fear for the possibility that the snakes could bite a child or even one of the adults. But it was also an act of desperation and frustration, because all calls for help fell on deaf ears.Ms Simmons said that she visited Clr Charles Crawford’s

(Ward 34) offi ce twice to report the matter and to ask him for assistance, but did not fi nd him at his offi ce. She eventually met him at a shopping complex and brought the problem to his attention. According to her, even after informing him no action was taken to resolve the matter, nor did he provide them w ith feedback as to his actions taken try to assist or propose a possible solution to the problem.When we contacted the councillor for a response on the matter, he fi rstly denied the allegations of him being informed of the problem and then went on to blame Ekurhuleni Parks Department for not acting on his telephonic complaint on the matter. He also asked: “hoor hier, gaan julle nou agter straat praaitjies”?In the meantime all calls for assistance from the local municipality have yielded no results; whilst the snake problem is becoming a growing concern within Reiger Park.Maybe it is time for the residents of this community to insist that a public meeting be held to address this and other problems with the relevant departments and community leaders. This way none of the leaders can claim not to have been informed about the problems and can be jointly held accountable for solving the problems.

Snake infestation! Plight continues…By Anver Jansen

I often think that people take the saying ‘good things comes to those who wait’ too literally.I look at young men sitting at the corner and waiting for their dream job to come to them. I hear awoman screaming in pain at least once a week as she waits for her husband to stop being abusive. I hear a mother praying for her sons and daughters to stop stealing from her while she waits for them to voluntarily hand themselves over to the police and move out of her house.I hear communities complaining about criminals stealing from them and killing their children while they wait for these criminals to voluntarily stop being criminals. I see them waiting for community leaders to wake up one morning and realise that they’ve not been performing their duties as leaders, or have stolen too much from those they should represent and suddenly become honest and serving leaders.The ‘wait’ referred to in the above saying is not that of defeatist complacency, or laziness. NO. It is the wait that speaks of the knowledge that if you perform to the best of your abilities, good will eventually come from it.The only good that will come from sitting at that corner and not taking any action to achieve your goals, is sitting there as a beggar, playing on people’s emotions to receive a hand-out while actually begging to buy your next fi x – drugs or alcohol.Your wait should be a wait in action; i.e. don’t wait for your dreams to come looking for you, it will never happen because it is not a reality yet, do research and fi nd ways on how to move closer to achieving your dream.Keep your dream in motion…

Page 6 Page 3tame TIMES13 February 2015

The Reiger Park Library’s ATKV branch recently donated the funds raised through the Pink Trees for Pauline’s Breast Cancer awareness project to the Reiger Park Cancer Support Group (RPCSG). This donation came in handy for the RPCSG launch on 31 January 2015. We as the Reiger Park ATKV share in the struggle against breast cancer and other types of cancers, and commit to work closely with RPCSG in the fi ght against cancer because it affects many families in Reiger Park. We also commend those who deemed it necessary to start the support group and congratulate them on their successful launch. A big thank you to all the Reiger Park schools, the clinic, churches and community members who supported our Pink Trees for Pauline drive.We are confi dent that we will have the full support of the community this year and be able to cover all the trees in Reiger Park in Pink.

ATKV Pink tree DONATIONBy Lydia Simon

Reiger Park Cancer Support Group launchBy Ulita Billings

The launch of the Reiger Park Cancer Support Group (RPCSG) on 31 January 2015 was a resounding success. This would not have been possible without God and we give Him all the praise, glory and honour.The launch event was well supported by representatives from CANSA, Geluksdal and Delmore breast cancer support groups, cancer survivors, cancer patients and supporters from Reiger Park and the surrounding areas.This is what some of the people who attended the support group launch had to say;A sister of a cancer patient said that to her this was a very good initiative because although the family supported their sister, they can never have enough support. She said that her sister’s suffering also affects the family emotionally and this is how such a group is not only benefi cial to the cancer patient but also to those

family members who support the patient as the main caregivers.A cancer survivor, who was previously a member of the Sunward Park support group because no group existed in Reiger Park, believes that this initiative is a must for the community. She said that it is at these sessions of this group where the survivors can share their experiences and not only encourage others to keep up the fi ght, but heal from their own emotional scars left by their battle. On why people are afraid of stepping out and seeking outside support, she said that some people fi nd it diffi cult to accept that they or a member of their family have cancer and they isolate themselves and keep it a secret. She said that people should seek the support so it can be easier to deal with what they are going through.We thank those who came out in

support of the establishment of this important initiative within Reiger Park, and hope that you will continue to give us your full support. We also want to express our gratitude towards those who assisted with the funding, organizing, decorating, preparation and serving of the refreshments, cleaning and every small detail that led to the successful launch – may you be blessed.Anyone interested to be part of the committee are welcome to attend our next meeting on 17 February 2015 at 19:00, at the Christian Reformed Church in Reiger Park.On 21 February 2015 at 14:00, we invite all survivors, cancer patients and family members of those affected to attend the fi rst support group meeting at the Christian Reformed Church. For more information contact Ulita Billings on 0732146692 or Annita Cochrane on 0843769627.

On Sunday 1 February, at around 04:00am, offi cers were busy patrolling the grounds at the Reiger Park police station when they caught a man carrying a crate of beers from the store room.It is alleged that he gained entry to the station grounds by cutting the fence at the back of the police station, jumped over the palisade fence and gained access to the store room. The suspect, a 24 year old male, was charged with malicious damage to property, burglary and trespassing. He appeared in Boksburg Magistrates court on Monday 2 February 2015. Bail was denied and he was remanded in custody. The matter was postponed to Monday 16 February 2015.

Man caught stealing from Police StationBy Sgt Phathela

Page 4 13 February 2015tame TIMES

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CCC Family Fun Day fund raiserBy Wayne Newton

The Community Crisis Centre (CCC) will be hosting a Family Fun Day at the Reiger Park Secondary School, on Saturday 7 March 2015, from 07:00am to 15:00pm, in an effort to raise much needed funds.Since the CCC was established in 1998, it has primarily been dependant on donor funding, sponsorships, grant-in-aid funding, individual donations, goodwill gestures, material partners, and Corporate Social Investment, to sustain its daily operations.This is the fi rst time the CCC embarks on such an elaborate fund raising drive, in an effort to not only raise funds, but celebrate the uniqueness of the Reiger Park Community, who has been plagued with life altering challenges in recent times.We further endeavour to display the talents of our Youth, through modelling and dance competitions, where professionals and amateurs will be showcased on the same stage - their every step measured, every stride rehearsed, every twist precise, and every dance move synchronized and choreographed.Various food stalls will ensure attendees to the Family Fun Day is be well nourished and hydrated, whilst budding emerging entrepreneurs, will trade their wares, products and services to the general public.The operative word for this Family Day is FUN, which is expressed in its purist sense by our Kiddies, who will be treated to face painting, jumping castles and its twin, the slippery slides.We thank the Reiger Park community for their years of support and goodwill towards the CCC, but we call on your participation once more, in order for this day to be a resounding success.

Every welfare and non-profi t organization will empathise with us about the fact that fund-raising is the life-blood of the organizati on.Reiger Park Meals on Wheels was excited to be involved with the Tekkie Tax fund-raiser in May of 2014, to raise funds for the numerous programmes that we offer to the community. And to be honest, without the help of virtually all of the schools in Reiger Park, we would have had no success.The project called on learners and adults to support us by either buying a R10 sticker, tekkie tag shoelaces, or a golf shirt, and to wear these on the 29th May. Reiger Park Primary, Goede Hoop Primary, Lakeside Primary, Drommedaris Primary, Oosrand Hoër and Reiger Park High School came to our aid in selling these items. The “Golden Oldies” and the “Meals on Wheel Luncheon Club” also assisted with this fundraiser.The end result was that we raised over R10 000, which goes some way to assisting us as we continue our Meals on Wheels service to our six feeding schemes, the clinic, Meals on Wheels recipients, and the Luncheon Club in Reiger Park. A very BIG

Tekkie Tax drive assists Meals on Wheels

thank-you to all who participated and supported us.Please diarise 29 May 2015, to get involved, either by selling stickers etc for us, or supporting by purchasing yourself.

Meals On Wheels during the Tekkie Tax drive

The 2015 school year started off on a very hectic note. The institution had to deal with the grade 8’s that started their first year at high school. The principal, Mr Fisch, and the staff made the grade 8 learners and their parents feel welcome. The orientation was done a day before the rest of the learners came back to school.The institution also had other challenges, like the placement of learners who did not have space and others coming from other provinces. Some learners came looking for transfers to other schools. The principal had to deal with all these issues, but still made time to congratulate the staff on the outstanding 2014 matric results. The matric class of 2014 achieved a 92, 7% pass rate.The educators attended the District Information Forum meeting in January. The Department of Education uses this platform to inform educators of the

changes and challenges in curricula for 2015, as well as the assessments and topics that shall be covered. The parents will also be informed of these assessments for each and every learning area (subject) in due time. The idea is to make the information available to parents during the parent meetings. The first official meetings with parents shall take place on the following dates:Thursday, 12 February 2015 – Grade 12 Wednesday, 18 February 2015 – Grade 10 &11 Thursday, 19 February 2015 – Grade 8 & 9 The meetings shall be at 18:00, commencing at 18:30.Parents should make use of this opportunity to meet with all the educators and to engage with the register class educators. The principal will also be addressing the parents and making announcements about the 2015 school calendar. The

compulsory extra classes for the matric learners are imminent. The parents shall receive correspondence in this regard. The classes, however, shall run from 14:30 to 16:30.BITS AND PIECESThe feeding scheme that provides daily meals to the learners is fully operational again for the current school year. Learners are encouraged to enjoy the meals that the food handlers prepare daily.Food parcels are also still available for the learners that need it. Learners should report to Mr Liebenberg for assistance in this regard.The School Governing Body is taking charge of the tuck shop from the beginning of the year. Learners are requested to support the tuck shop. This is a commendable effort of the SGB to raise funds for the institution.

REIGER PARK SECONDARY NEWS By Rodney Liebenberg

THE OPERATIVE WORD FOR THIS FAMILY DAY IS FUN, WHICH IS EXPRESSED IN ITS

PURIST SENSE BY OUR KIDDIES

Page 6 13 February 2015tame TIMES

We should be proud of our Elderly By George Kendrick du Plessis

We should honour and be proud to have our senior citizens among us.I remember during the early 1970’s our Anglican priest used to encourage us to invite elderly people living alone to have Sunday lunch with the parishioners, but we no longer visit each other, or come together for an occasional ‘chat’ or just a social gathering.By not being positively involved in each other’s lives we often become blind to the fact that what many of us take for granted, like food, clothes and a warm place to sleep, are just not in many people’s reach. We become unaware of massive starvation, untold poverty, hunger and unemployment still existing not only in Reiger Park but in our country.It is true that we are living in a complex and fast changing world. Change in social patterns, scientific and global change, it is happening all around us. But we must not allow these changes to make us forget our basic foundations.We must never forget that the senior citizens played a vital role in keeping our moral values and communities together.We must never forget that the previous government set out to uprooting communities from land they have occupied for many generations, and willy-nilly moved them elsewhere to designated areas.The forced removals system led to the breakdown of many families. It meant the loss of their houses, loss of jobs, friends, the disruption of schooling for their children and the loss of serenity and dignity.Although they cloaked themselves in pain their spirit was not broken. They emerged stronger and more determined to overcome and make this a better place for all.Our elderly have a long tradition of struggle, a strong spirit of defiance. They could have easily given up hope or fighting, and let our country and our people become dysfunctional.We must honour and admire our elderly

citizens, who came through all these discriminatory laws, but did not give up, and their spirit was not broken. Nothing could stop them to believe in themselves, their capabilities and their unfailing determination to see the brighter side of life, and not be negative.Our senior citizens need a loving and caring hand.One of the problems with poverty is that the poor and the elderly are usually abandoned and not listened to.Many people, now old and frail, did not live recklessly throughout their working years. They saved for their old age. Unfortunately, they never reckoned on inflation diminishing the value of their savings the way it has over the past thirty or so years. But with their diminished income, many grandparents are the only breadwinners in the family and do not even get to enjoy their pensions and/or savings.Many of them must also take care of their

grandchildren even if they themselves are sick and in constant need of care.We also have the evil of heartless loan-sharks in our midst, who are trapping our elderly people into loans that they can never get out of.Many of our elderly citizens are scolded, beaten and treated with disrespect. They are also soft targets for ruthless criminals.“Age is nothing but a number” and the old people are people too. They also have feelings and can easily be hurt. It is wrong to discard of our elderly like used tissues or crumpled paper cups.For far too many of our pensioners, tomorrow brings only misery and despair. I’ll end my plea for love and respect for our honourable senior citizens with a verse from the bible:In Matthew 25 verse 45 the Lord says, “Truly I say unto you, what you do unto the least of these – that is the poor, the destitute, the elderly – you do unto me.”

Thank you MaWe, the children and grandchildren of Marta “Aunt Baby” Billings want to thank our mother for being such a wonderful mother for us over the years.On Sunday 8 February we were blessed to celebrate your 84th birthday with you. God has carried you for all these years and we thank Him for giving you the strength to not only raise your own children, but that you could play a major role in the upbringing of your grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.Aunt Baby raised 4 children, and helped raise 11 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 2 great great-grandchildren.We hope to have you around for many years more.To the community we want to say: appreciate each other and especially the elders within our society, they are the foundation this community was built upon, and still continue to be the support structure without which everything will collapse.

By Gilda

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The death rate on South Africa’s roads is twice the world average, and, according to the Medical Research Council, 44% of road deaths are caused by pedestrian injury. Without the protection of airbags, the visibility of a car or the speed of an accelerator, a person on foot is extremely vulnerable in traffi c – yet people still insist on running across highways. According to SANRAL, a pedestrian or cyclist hit by a vehicle going 60km/h or faster is almost certain to die and impact at any speed over 30km/h could cause “life-threatening injuries.”

Are pedestrians allowed on freeways?NO, pedestrians are not allowed on freeways and will be arrested if spotted by law enforcers. They will also be fi ned R300.

How prevalent are pedestrian deaths on our freeways?Of the 18 000 people who die on South Africa’s roads every year, 7 920 are pedestrians. In other words, 49 people die every day on South African roads, of whom 21 are pedestrians.

What must a motorist do if he/she cannot swerve to avoid a pedestrian?In order to obtain answers to this diffi cult question, tame TIMES visited Mr B.A. Gama, a prosecutor at the Boksburg Traffi c Court. When a pedestrian is in front of your car and there are cars all around you, he said, “you have no escape route. It’s not your choice. Apply your brakes.”Gama also explained what motorists should do in the extremely unfortunate event of hitting a pedestrian. After an accident, he said, you must “protect the victim, who may still be alive. Put hazards on to warn other motorists to slow down. Take out your refl ective red chevron and place it 5 to 15 metres from your car. Ascertain the extent of the injuries. Call 10111 and ask them to send paramedics. Tell them you have been involved in an accident and give your location. You can also load the victim in your car and go to the nearest hospital.”

Will the motorist be charged?According to Boksburg prosecutor Gama, “Culpable homicide is the main charge because you hit a pedestrian with your vehicle. The court will, however, take all the relevant factors into account: the fact that no pedestrians are allowed on the freeway, that it was dark, that the pedestrian misjudged distances.”He explained that the court would ask various questions of the accused, like, “Did you

apply brakes?” and consider “extenuating circumstances like whether the victim was wearing dark clothes.” The verdict would depend on consideration of what a reasonable person would do in the shoes of the accused, he said.

Why do pedestrians run across highways?One of the reasons given on the SANRAL website for the high prevalence of pedestrian deaths in South Africa is: “We are one of the few countries in the world where fi rst class roads run across ‘third world’ settlements.” This is probably the crux of the matter. Only one-fi fth of South Africans over 18 have a driver’s license and only about a quarter of our households have access to a car, according to Arrive Alive. At least three-quarters of us rely on either public transport or our feet to get to work, school or the shops and, because of apartheid spatial planning, the poorest often have the furthest to travel. It is not surprising, then, that pedestrians take short cuts across freeways. According to Boksburg traffi c prosecutor Gama, overhead pedestrian bridges are not always available and alcohol is also a factor. Drunk pedestrians, obviously, look for the quickest route home and are unable to judge the speed of oncoming traffi c. EMPD spokesperson Wilfred Kgasago told tame TIMES, “The informal settlements that have been mushrooming alongside and near our freeways have exacerbated the problem of pedestrians on our freeways. Furthermore, we have taxis and private vehicles that pick up and drop off people on the freeways. People, mostly from the informal settlements

(which includes learners) pose a big problem - not forgetting the hitch-hikers and those who are on the freeway to do smash-and-grabs, as well as hijackings.”

What should pedestrians do?Boksburg prosecutor Gama’s advice to pedestrians is: “Stay off the highway. When walking in the street before or after dark, wear light clothes and something refl ective.”

What are our Metro Cops doing?On the subject of pedestrians on highways, EMPD spokesperson Wilfred Kgasago told tame TIMES: “The interventions that we have and are still employing are as follows:

We have education campaigns targeting those we have identifi ed as the most vulnerable:• Not to drink and walk• Not to be on the freeways at all• Enforcement at places frequented by the pedestrians on our freeways – those avoiding to take roundabout way but forgetting that the short cuts could prove fatal to them.

We have to understand that law enforcement on our freeways alone will not resolve the problem – it is a short-term and a partially effective way of trying to solve the problem.

An integrated approach is what is needed in order to make any headway in reducing pedestrian fatalities on our freeways – all affected parties have to come on board:• the community • law enforcement• Roads Agencies • justice system

Effective education, engineering, increased capacity for law enforcement to prevent this dangerous practice and more stringent fi nes and sentences would probably go a long way in contributing towards a long-term solution.

We once more would wish to urge: • pedestrians not to be on the freeways

and to use pedestrian bridges where available,

• community leaders to help us by reminding their constituencies to do the right thing

• private vehicles to stop arranging to pick up their employees on freeways;

• and taxis not to drop off passengers on our freeways.”

Pedestrians on freeways- A danger to themselves and others -

SPORTTime To Play

13 FEBRUARY 2015 - PAGE 8

Gauteng poolchampionship

The Reiger Park youngsters mustered up great performances at the Gauteng Blackpool singles and doubles under 18 championship that was held at Dejavu pool club in Mondeor, on Saturday 7 February. Rick Fillis and Vernon Joba went through to the semi-fi nals of the singles events, but were unfortunate to lose in their respective matches. Erick Fillis and Renaldo Peacock lost their quarter fi nal matches.In the doubles competition, Renaldo Peacock and his partner lost in the semi-fi nals. Rick Fillis and Devan

Rigney also went as far as the semi-fi nals. The team of Rico Appolis and Elrico Ruiters took the runners-up trophy in the doubles event when they lost to formidable opponents in the fi nals.Congratulations is in order for the outstanding performances of these youngsters, of whom most played for the fi rst time at this level of competition and still delivered great results.They showed that fear and pride will not get you to your goals, it is in stepping out and facing your challenges and challengers that you can achieve great things.

Reiger Park couple selected for National Darts ChampionshipsBy Bianca Mare’

Winston Steenkamp and his wife Marilyn (Maud) have been selected every year for the past four years to represent their district in the South African National Darts Championships hosted by Darts South Africa in Pinetown (KZN), Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Gauteng.This dynamic duo from Reiger Park represented Ekurhuleni East Darts Association(ESDA) and participated in many tournaments this past year which included; the Gauteng Open Tournaments, the Currie Cup championships, the summer and winter leagues, the over 50’s SAMSA league and the singles and doubles tournaments, where they have won many trophies and medals.Not only did Winston Steenkamp reach national level four times, but he also received national colours in the Masters tournament last year. Marilyn was also awarded at the Gauteng prize giving ceremony for her achievements throughout the year.The fi rst Gauteng open tournament for the year was held on Saturday 31 January 2015. Winston placed 8th in the singles matches and reached the quarter fi nals in the doubles. Winston says that he is looking forward to be invited to the Gauteng trials this year to compete for a place in the provincial team and then to participate in the nationals and to hopefully represent his country at international level.