Dumpsite now play area for kids

Community to benefit, thanks to day care owner’s efforts

SARAH KINGON

A FILTHY, illegal dumpsite in Woodstock Road, Parkside, has been transformed into a mini- astro turf benefitting the young children of the area.

After many phone calls to the Department of Solid Waste and the setting up of fundraisers, the owner of All Saints Daycare, Patricia Smith, adopted the land alongside her creche and created a sports area for children in the community. GO! & Express visited the site on Saturday, when All Saints Daycare was buzzing with families watching their young children graduate.

The day also marked the opening of the astro turf and a Christmas party for the children.

Enough of high tariffs

Residents march to City Hall over water and lights fees

SARAH KINGON and QHAMANI LINGANI

DESPITE rainy weather, a number of East London residents turned out to protest against  high   electricity  costs and a number of other issues on Saturday.

The protest march set off from the War Memorial to the city hall in Oxford Street.

After complaining about  high   electricity  tariffs in Buffalo City Metro (BCM), a petition was drawn up against the municipality, followed by a memorandum.

Diabetes SA says disease on the rise

Beachfront awareness walk on Saturday

SARAH KINGON

DIABETES is a growing burden for 415 million adults worldwide and numbers are rising at an alarming rate.

This month is Diabetes Month and November 14 is World Diabetes Day, with this year’s theme: “Eyes on Diabetes”. According to chairman of the East London branch of Diabetes South Africa Dinesh Vallabh, “The theme responds to the growing concerns about escalating health threats posed by diabetes, such as cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney failure and lower limb amputations.”

Vallabh said that screening for type 2 diabetes is important to modify its course and reduce the risk of complications, and screening for diabetes complications are an essential part of managing type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

“According to Statistics SA, diabetes is still a major cause of death in South Africa. A whopping 415 million people have diabetes in the world and by the year 2040, this figure will more than double. This year, approximately three million people in South Africa suffer from diabetes,” Vallabh said.

Chasing a dream

Chace Collett adds SA Miss Teen title to long list of achievements

ACCOMPLISHED dancer Chace Collett has proven she is no ‘one-trick pony’ by adding the title of Miss Teen South Africa to her list of achievements.

Only doing a bit of modelling on the side, Collett entered the Miss Teen SA competition not expecting much. “My mom found out about the competition and I thought I’d give it a try. I submitted photos including a head shot, swimwear and a full body photo and was surprised when I was called to the finals in Pretoria,” Collett said.

With a few tips from Deryn Vogel, Chace headed to the finals over the weekend, where she was assessed in a private interview, answered questions on stage and modelled a number of outfits.

EL’s Fritz to head SA body

New  Swimming  SA head seeks financial support to grow sport

SARAH KINGON

FOUNDER of the Piranhas Aquatic Club,  Alan   Fritz , has been announced as the new president of  Swimming   South   Africa (SSA).

The East London-born and raised administrator, who played a pivotal role in the development of  swimming  in our city, spoke to GO! & Express about his recent appointment and goals for the next four years.

“I am deeply touched by the level of confidence that the  swimming  fraternity has in my capability to lead our strong leadership team,” Fritz  said.