Kutloano Mankoane

Tuesday, 28 July 2015

South African Reserve Bank Fire Scare

SA Reserve Bank employees evacuated outside the building after a fire alarm went off on Tuesday morning in Pretoria Central.
Photo by @CityTshwane

One of the Tshwane Emergency Services trucks outside the Reserve bank building.
Photo by @CityTshwane

KUTLOANO MANKOANE

@Ceendeey

Moments after the fire alarm went off, the South African Reserve Bank was caught in a tale of where there’s smoke there’s a fire. Employees were evacuated yesterday after a suspicion of there was smoke in the building’s 32nd floor. Tshwane Emergency Services hurried to the scene where employees were evacuated so that the fire fighters could extinguish what was suspected to be a fire. To their discovery no flames of fire were present. According to Johan Pieterse, Tshwane Emergency Services Spokesperson they could not find anything.

“We received an alarm that there was smoke at the Reserve Bank but upon our arrival of searching there was nothing. We went floor to floor but we still found nothing,” Pieterse said.

After raiding each floor the Tshwane Emergency Servers declared the building safe and sound and that is when employees were allowed back in the building. Up to this point no one knows what could have possibly caused the smell of smoke but Pieterse says the owners of the building will further investigate what may have triggered the alarm to go off.

Monday, 27 July 2015

SPOTTED!

Arts and Culture Deputy Minister, Rejoice Mabudafhasi interacting with school pupils at the National Library of South Africa in Pretoria as part of her 67 minutes contributions.
Photo by: Kutloano Mankoane

KUTLOANO MANKOANE
@Ceendeey

The Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture was spotted at the National Library in Pretoria on Monday. During her visit she was given a tour around the library. She was fascinated by how books at the library were preserved at the de-acidification process plant room. But the highlight of her visit was when she was a librarian assisting some of the people who were at the library.
Baptin Ribombo, 20, said that the deputy minister's visit was a beautiful surprise that he will never forget.
"This was an experience that motivated me to work harder on my studies so that I can do well in life," said Ribombo.
The people who were helped by Miss Mabudafhasi also received words of encouragement by the deputy minister.
"The deputy minister encouraged me to read more and she also told me to encourage my friends as well," Ribombo said.
Pleased by the overall well-maintained library, Mabudafhasi said that the library has grown and is now modernised. According to Mabudafhasi, the library shows that people are aware that it is important to read.
With her contributions tallying over 67 minutes she concluded her day by saying that "books are the centre of our lives".

Wednesday, 22 July 2015

Archery Champ In The Making

KUTLOANO MANKOANE

@Ceendeey

TWELVE-year old Wian de Klerk made history at the weekend when he became the first archer in South

Africa to shoot a full score of 300 out of a possible 300 with an Olympic recurve bow at a South African

National Archery Association sanctioned event held in the Free State.

“Wian seems to be mentally strong, with lots of talent because each player had 60 arrows to shoot. With each shot made five points were given,” said Heather Mallory, recurve archery coach.

With 60 arrows given, the record set by Wian means he scored five points for each shot he made during the championships.

“It was not easy having to concentrate so much, but I was glad when I later realised that I had shot them all.

“When I went out of the field, I ran to my mom to take my stuff and I was really excited,” said Wian. The Grade 6 Laerskool Lynnwood pupil said his dad helped him to remain calm so that he could concentrate while shooting.

“My daddy kept telling me to calm down, breathe and remember what my coach had taught me.”

Wian’s father, Vivien de Klerk’s support comes a long way because Wian was inspired by him to take up recurve archery as a sport last year.

“Before I played the sport, it was just a hobby because my dad also shoots on a regular basis. But then towards the end of last year he told me that I should take it up as a sport, more than just a hobby,” said Wian. Wian’s mother, Nelia de Klerk describes the champion in the making as a busy and energetic boy.

Wian plays hockey and cricket at school which forms a good balance, according to his coach.

“It is good that Wian plays other sports at school because it gives balance. The cardiovascular activity makes him fit to shoot well. The sport requires good composure and constant mental training,” said Mallory.

The dedicated Wian practises his arching skills two to three times a week. He practises with his dad for two

days, and one day with his coach. Even though the rare South African record is one point higher than the current World Indoor International Field Archery Association for boys under 13, it wasn’t recognised by the International Field Archery Association (IFAA). The IFAA only recognises scores shot at international IFAA-certified tournaments for the purpose of world records. Wian says if he practises enough he thinks he will break the record again in future.

“Even though it was not recorded or recognised, as a family we are proud of Wian and very happy,” said his proud mom.

Get your daily dose in the Pretoria News for stories like these and more.