‘Supersterre’ hits Newcastle

Patricia Lewis entertained Newcastle on Tuesday evening, 21 October, bringing a night of musical entertainment and giving promising musicians the chance to make a name for themselves in the music industry by taking part in the ever-popular Supersterre auditions.

This was the fifth year that Patricia made her way to Newcastle, looking for South Africa's next big singing sensation. Last year the Newcastle community witnessed two Newcastle residents making it through the auditions but this time round, a total of eight finalists were chosen to compete in the Supersterre competition. Kobus Muller, last year's Supersterre winner, kicked the evening's proceedings with a musical performance that had the crowds ecstatic for more. With his friendly stage manner and strong musical voice, the crowd were eating out of the palm of his hands.

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Teacher beat my children - claims father

Surryaville Primary School has found itself under the spotlight, after allegations of child abuse have been brought against one of the educators that work for the local primary school.

Sasha Naidoo, an outraged father approached the Newcastle Express, wanting his story highlighted so that other parents are aware of what is going on. According to Naidoo, his oldest son Caleb (12) was hit on the face with a stick by a teacher on Monday, 20 October, because the teacher thought that he was being noisy. The youngster still bears the mark of the teacher's blow. This is allegedly not the first time that Caleb has endured the teacher's need to "discipline" her students. Naidoo claims that the teacher flung a chalkboard duster, which hit him on the head, a few weeks ago.

Derlon Naidoo (7), Naidoo's youngest son, found himself at the short end of the very same teacher's stick on Tuesday, 21 October, during break. "I went to the front of the line for my lunch, and the teacher said that I must go to the back. She then took me to the back of the line and hit me," explained Derlon.

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Why did the chicken cross the road?

Well it seems that the answer is rather simple considering that the annual Hattingspruit Chicken Festival took place recently at the Hattingspruit Yacht Club and as luck would have it, just happens to be across the street from a store that sells chickens. The festival was well attended by the Hattingspruit community, as well as by all the neighbouring communities.

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World’s Biggest Kebab

On Friday morning Newcastle residents flocked to Acelor Mittal, to witness the creation of the world’s biggest kebab. At 2000 meters, this is one kebab that might just find its spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Although many hearts dropped when rain promised to wash away all hope of breaking the record on Friday afternoon, Rob Molloy of Guinness World Records gave Acelor Mittal one more day to break the record. So once again Newcastle residents made their way to Acelor Mittal on Saturday to give their support.

The two day event was filled with fun as Newcastle residents pulled together and gave Acelor Mittal their support. Be sure to read the Newcastle Express next Tuesday, as Newcastle residents will only know in ten days whether the record for the world’s biggest kebab was broken.

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Britney Makes Donation To School

Pop star Britney Spears made a surprise visit to a local middle school in NYC recently and she didn’t come empty handed. Britney stopped by John Philip Sousa M.S. 142 in The Bronx and forked over a check for $10,000 to be applied towards the growing music program. Elizabeth Arden, the maker of Britney’s many perfume lines, gave the generous gift to the kids in Britney’s name."I really enjoyed the time I spent at the John Philip Souza Middle School. I’ve been working with the people at Elizabeth Arden for the last five years, and I know how passionate everyone is about the school. The fact that Elizabeth Arden made such a large donation for the school music studio in my name was so generous," she told People magazine. For all the abuse that Britney has received in the media over the last few years, I have to say that she really is trying her best to make things right again. Having her dad take over as the official guardian was one of the smartest moves that judge ever made.

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The Saga Continues... Allegation of R1-million Fraud

A dark cloud hangs over the head of Pierre van Loggerenberg, the owner of Newcastle Scrap Metals, as he faces fraud charges that were brought against him by the Reclamation Group.

It is alleged that van Loggerenberg swindled The Reclamation Group of R1-million, during his employment with them. But despite the recent media coverage, van Loggerenberg claims that the case is more than a year old.

"I have appeared in court a total of six times in the past 16 months, and although it has been said that all my assets have been frozen, I am still running my business as normal," said van Loggerenberg. With the court case still pending, van Loggerenberg is clearly frustrated with the proceedings of the entire situation.

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An end to an era

Traffic officials George Boucher has retired after dedicating 25 years of his life to the Newcastle Traffic Department on Wednesday,1 October.

George, or as he is fondly known by friends and colleagues, Bassie Boucher came to Newcastle in 1983 and quickly achieved the respect of his co-workers.Even winning the traffic officer of the year three times in a row during the course of his career.

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Ladies step out in style at fashion show bonanza

He is a friend listener, shoulder to cry on.

But he is also a therapist, skincare expert and designer of note. The Newcastle Express took a bit of time to find out what makes Anwar Hoosen so interesting.

Anwar interest in a fashion sparked when he worked for two different clothing Compainies sold fashion garments for women. This was in golorious 80s. He then moved to newcastle where he worked at another clothing company as a buyer.

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Heritage Day

Heritage Day, 24 September, is a day when South Africans are encouraged to celebrate their cultural heritage and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions and to commemorate the past struggles of the apartheid era.

Educators and students at Chelmsford School, situated in Fairleigh, started celebrating Heritage Day on 23rd September where students and teachers dressed according to their cultural backgrounds.

The day was enjoyed by all the students, as it was a chance for them to remember why Heritage day was created and to help them become more involved with their different cultur

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Nation in shock over Mbeki’s resignation

The nation is still in shock after hearing President Thabo Mbeki’s resignation of as a result of a decision taken by the ANC’s National Executive Comittee (NEC) at the weekend.

On Sunday night, Mbeki defended his legacy in his state of the nation address and stressed "categorically" that he had not been involved with the decision by the National Prosecuting Authority to charge the ruling party president, Jacob Zuma.
In announcing his resignation, Mbeki disputed a ruling by Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Chris Nicholson that he (Mbeki) may have been involved in a political conspiracy against Zuma.

"I would like to state this categorically that we have never done this and never compromised the right of the National Prosecuting Authority to decide whom it should prosecute and not prosecute," he said. The ANC announced on Saturday that Mbeki had been asked to step down and the party’s secretary general Gwede Mantashe said the decision was taken "as an effort to heal and unite the African National Congress.

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