The best local stories of 2024: triumphs, tragedies and unforgettable moments – LNN

A snake catcher who miraculously survives a black mamba bite, a huge mayonnaise spill on a major highway and criminal syndicates using steel ramps to get stolen vehicles out of South Africa.

These are some of the news headlines that caught the attention of Caxton Local Media readers in 2024.

As we close out the year, we’re revisiting trending stories from some of the nation’s leading community newspapers—celebrating impressive accomplishments, highlighting unexpected challenges, and sharing the lighter moments that brought us together.

Take a look at some of the trending stories of 2024:

The George Building collapsed, killing 34 people – George Herald

Rescuers had to work through layers of concrete in search of survivors and bodies. Photo: Alida de Beer

On May 6, tragedy struck when a newly built four-storey block of flats in Victoria Street, George, collapsed, leaving 62 workers buried under tonnes of steel and crumpled concrete.

Of the 62 victims removed from the wreckage, 34 lost their lives. The other 28 survivors were left severely traumatized, many suffering acute physical injuries as well as the loss of limbs.

According to Garden Route Disaster Management, 19 of the victims were from Mozambique, 15 from South Africa, 13 from Malawi, nine from Zimbabwe, four from Lesotho and two remain “unknown”.

George Herald recently interviewed some of the survivors and heard stories of horror and pain.

Watch the video here:

Snake catcher lucky to survive mamba bite from behind – Pretoria Rekord

The black mamba that bit a Centurion snake catcher. Image: Facebook

A Pretoria snake catcher is lucky to be alive after being bitten by a black mamba in February.

Hermien Grobler, a member of the Centurion Snake Catchers, was called to remove a black mamba from a vehicle.

She was bitten by the mamba and given the quick action of its venom, she didn’t have time to wait for an ambulance, so she drove herself to the nearest hospital. Grobler got there just in time – collapsing on arrival.

Read the full story here.

The twin brothers graduated as doctors in UKZN – witness

Velenkosini and Ziphozonke Lamula on graduation day. Photo: Provided

Our readers loved the story of twin brothers from KZN who graduated with PhDs from UKZN in May.

Ziphozonke and Velenkosini Lamula said their ceremony was surreal as the day resulted from six years of “hard work and sleepless nights”.

While admitting the journey has been difficult, the brothers said it has also been rewarding and they feel “the hard work is finally paying off”.

Mayonnaise spill on R21 creates chaos – Kempton Express

Mayonnaise ran on R21. Photo: Screenshot/X

In March, a truck carrying mayonnaise lost its load on the R21 near Pomona Road in Gauteng.

Chaos ensued. The road was slippery and had to be closed – creating heavy traffic congestion. The situation worsened when bystanders started looting the spice containers.

Middelburg business targeted by ‘mafia-style’ security company – Middelburg Observatory

The man on the left has been identified as one of the two men who first made contact with a businessman from Middelburg. The men’s faces have been blurred out because they may be suspects in a criminal complaint and have not yet been charged. Photo: Provided

In a story that seems straight out of a movie, a security company offering debt collection services has been accused of trying to intimidate a Middelburg businessman into paying a “cancellation fee”.

When two muscular men walked into his office in early July, he didn’t find it strange and had no idea what would happen in the coming weeks.

Read the full story here.

Kwaito star fails to stop seizure of his luxury guesthouse in Midrand – Reporter Midrand

South African kwaito musician and producer Arthur Mafokate.

Readers were delighted when the High Court in Pretoria rejected an application by kwaito musician and producer Arthur Mafokate to free his property from a preservation order.

In December 2022, the National Prosecuting Authority obtained a preservation order for a property in Midrand belonging to Mafokate, described as a lavish guesthouse.

An NPA spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, said as investigations revealed that the South African Arts and Development Organization (SAADA) received R9.3 million to help unemployed youth in poor and rural areas of the country to impact skills in music, business videos. , dance film production and the general radio business.

“Instead, SAADA only used R1.8 million of these funds for the project and used the remaining funds of R7.5 million to buy a guest house known as La Villa Rosa in Midrand,” Mahanjana said .

Crime syndicates using steel ramps to get stolen cars out of SA – witness

A burnt SUV seen at the border of Kosi Bay. Photo: Provided

Despite the construction of a solid concrete fence on the border between South Africa and Mozambique, criminal syndicates have found new ways to get their stolen goods out of South Africa, witness reported in March.

They resorted to building makeshift steel bridges which they used to move the stolen vehicles over the fence.

Viral video: Middelburg student shows off his dancing skills – and South Africa loves it! – Middelburg Observatory

Daniel Cronjé’s dance moves have gone viral. Image: Screenshot

Social networks have been set on fire by a video of Hoërskool Middelburg teacher Daniël Cronjé dancing.

The video, which was published on Daniel Shabalala’s TikTok account, has garnered over one million views on the platform.

Watch the video and read more Middelburg Observatory.

Durban North businessman capitalizes on strike – The Northglen News

Garbage dumped at the Riverside Dump in Durban North during a strike.

When eThekwini Municipality’s cleaning and solid waste services came to a sudden halt due to staff protests in March, the strike woke up the “businessman” of several locals who provided a refuse collection service to residents in various areas of Durban .

Popular uMhlanga beachfront restaurant to close – The Northglen News

La Spiaggia in uMhlanga has closed its doors.

July marked the end of a 28-year era for popular Umhlanga Beach restaurant La Spiaggia.

Heartwarming messages from the community came after the restaurant announced its closure.

Nicole Olivier, who was a partner in the family business, said the eThekwini municipality put the restaurant up for auction, prompting their decision to close their doors.

Read the full story here.

Tintswalo Safari Lodge manager left paralyzed after shot in spine – Letaba Herald

Emily Leuner (38 years old). Photo: Provided

In a tragic incident in July, news emerged that Emily Leuner (38), the general manager of Tintswalo Safari Lodge in Manyeleti Nature Reserve, will not be able to walk again after she was shot in the spine, allegedly by a disgruntled employee fired. after a disciplinary hearing.