mr ples

It is with sadness that we have just learnt from the patient's brother-in-law, an accompanying cyclist on the scene, that George has just passed away. A Muldersdrift resident. Our condolences to his family and all who new him. From All the Residents of the Cradle Community, and the Cycling fraternity. Yours sincerely Trevor.

Please refer to CODE RED - Cradle Area, under new topics for info on a very unfortunate incident. Can we take my advise and put issues to bed and move on!

CODE RED MEDICAL: At approx 08h30 this morning a Cyclist (whom at this stage we will not name) had a heart attack whilst cycling. Emergency services are on the scene at this moment, trying desparately to revive the patient. The incident happened near the T-Junction of the N14 / Kromdraai road, Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng. The Cradle Community's thoughts are with you, and if we can be of any further assistance please advice. A Big 'Thank You' to those Community Members who responded to help. Will keep all informed. Regards Trevormr ples2010-01-16 09:20:19

In the Interim, The law enforcement agencies patrol the Cradle area to stop all mis conduct of all road users.

The wisest, most long standing resident on the African continent will now speak! No cyclists enter the Cradle Area, until RESPECT AND DECENCY (this is applicable to all folk) returns to this process, until points tabled from the previous Teak meeting are actioned, and until the surface for the cycle lane is sorted. In this way I am sure we will all be on the same page, and put pressure in the right places (at governments door), no need for 'talk shops', no need to send nerd emails to and fro, no need to waste the law enforcement agency's time, have a happy local community, and cyclist will not be in any danger. This will not be too painful, as many opinions expressed in this forum, don't like the area and it's residents, residents are prepared to take the financial set back, farmers just want to farm, police can chase murderers, and whilst we all lay-off for a while, the wise men will meet and build bridges to the benefit of all. Once the bridges have been repaired and built (including the cycle lane), and the middle road is found (cyclist keep left please) we all get together, celebrate and open the Cradle Route officially. Alternative Route: Cyclists should use the Northern farm facility. In the Interim, The law enforcement agencies patrol the Cradle area to stop all mis conduct of all road users. "I have a dream, that every Cradle Resident becomes a Cyclist, and that every tourist and Cradle Resident become friends!" Ples has spoken!

I think you need to come up to speed. I have never tried to rid anyone from the area (except criminals and those intent on destroying our rural lifestyle), quiet the opposite, I am in favour of tourist/cyclists etc. I am also in favour of agriculture for, and conserving the area. Please advise if you could concur with these principles. It was the Cradle Community that requested the authorities to put in cycle lanes, long before the area was declared a world heritage site. Creating safe environments and saving a life is top priority. Preventing Farm murders is at the top of the agenda. Please, lets get to solving the road user issues, so not to drag everyone down, and I can spend all my time and positive energy on preventing 'farm murders and rhino poaching'. On the lighter side, seeing I (Mr Ples) am the oldest resident in the area, I have seen much come and go, have some respect for my advice as I have a vast and intimate knowledge of the humanity in general. Regards Trevor

Not sure what Adolf has to do with this, the same could be said for Nelson whilst in jail his organisation put tyres over 600 of his own peoples heads and burnt them alive! whilst we have the highest crime rate in the world and since a democratic SA over 3000 farmers have been murdered. Farmers - those guys who live in rural areas and produce food, which all consume. It is a special breed that live out on farms, now due to farm murders the UN has declared farming in SA the most dangerous profession in the world. Look north at Zim, when the farmer goes - you pretty much stuffed! I work hard every day to keep the farmer on his land, which you benefit directly from. I added this little paragraph above just to proof how quick we can get side tracked. If we all want to enjoy the rural experience, common decency and respect is required. Lets stay focussed and work at resolving the issues.Regards

I remember an incident where a lady was involved in knocking over an intoxicated pedrestrain. Shortly there after another 10 or so drunken by standers appeared out of the bush, she was women alone. One call to our office saw many residents arrive (very quickly) and bring the situation under control, including helping the patient. Yes we will help anyone where possibly.

Our Commando is very strong and well organised. I look forward to you joining forces with us!

Thank you for your pledge of R1000, thats the spirit! Your email address please.

It would be good to receive the 'accused's' version of the story. I can see this is going to be a case of your story, his and the truth.

I have yet to see any comments posted that make sense, that are part of the solution rather than part of the problem. It would be good to receive the 'accused' version of the story. I can see this is going to be a case of your story, his and the truth. Now we want to make lawyers wealthier, overload the SAPS etc etc, none of it will result in any real solution-period. Please send me a list of all the marches you have organised to the Union Buildings insisting the government protect you against criminals, irresponsible taxi drivers, and bringing the cycle lane in the Cradle upto acceptable standards. Over the last 22 years I was part of Civil Protection/ Disaster Management. We used to be funded by council, such funds were used to assist in emergencies by means of medical equipment etc, mostly which has and will be used on road related accidents which includes cyclists. I am a volunteer. The funding has dried up, and now our Community is carrying the costs. We have set up a fund to replenish such medical supplies, and I can prove most of the equipment is used on road users from outside the Cradle. However, we are human and are proud to help all in the time of need. Our mission, 'to create safe enviroments', main objective 'to save a life'. The accused is part of this team. Now before you make comment, please consider that you may be the next victim of crime or an accident in the Cradle, and our Community may be the first responder to assist you. In this 3rd world country and in a rural area, you may be very pleased to be helped and assisted by one of us, and I hope you would do the same for me if I were in your neck of the woods. Please consider on donating finacially toward the expenses incurred, as you never know when you may reap the benefits. Please engage in a positive way, as anything else is going to create animosity and harden attitudes - to what end? Any willing donors are welcome to forward your email address to info@valleyofancestors.com, I will copy you our latest newsletter. There after you can call on our 24hr control room if you require assistance whilst in the Cradle area. Regards. Trevor

It is very wrong and irresposible to name a person, and from where they originate. If I was the 'accused', I would consider taking this matter further, and I would request that the writer be banned from this forum, please refer to the rules and regs when you click on the 'accept' button when registering. If this is the same person I know, a better man you can't wish to meet. Thank you for your time and effort you put into safe guarding our Community including visitors to the Cradle area. (riding patrols, walking foot patrols, going the extra mile in preventing crime, and doing your bit to prevent farm attacks - given 50 citizens are mudered everyday in RSA, and assisting in chasing the attackers who attacked a cyclist last year at the Kromdraai circle) Mark, we do need to keep some decency in this process and refrain from exaggerating and using phrases like 'ball hair'. Regards