Friday, August 31, 2007

DIE VERLEDE SLYP DIE TOEKOMS



- Colin Bower en Denise Ohlson -

Tagtig kultuurmense uit die Klein en Groot Karoo, uit Kaapstad, selfs uit Potchefstroom, het die naweek van 10 en 11 Augustus in Prince Albert saamgetrek om die jaarlikse Erfenissimposium te kom ondersteun wat aangebied is onder die vaandel van die Prince Albert Kultuurstigting.

Sprekers, almal kenners op hul gebied, het die erfenistema kundig deurtrap. Raadslid Letitia Solomons het die simposiumgangers in pragtige, poëtiese Afrikaans ‘n oorsig gegee van ons besonderse dorp en klem gelê op die intrinsieke waardes wat hier verteenwoordig word.

Poem Mooney het lig gewerp op die mite van die Karoo-meermin – gekoppel aan die feit dat die hele Karoo eens oorspoel was deur die see... Sy insigte in die meermin- en ander legendes wat ons kultuur verryk, was verfrissend. ‘n Wetenskaplike opinie oor die meerminagtige tekeninge wat uniek is aan die rotskuns van die Klein Karoo, was die bydrae van Jeremy Hollman. Sonder om afbreuk te doen aan die sjarme van Poem se voorlegging, is bewyse voorgelê dat die enigmatiese tekeninge windswaeltjies verbeeld…

Annalize Mouton, redakteur van die tydskrif Village Life het vertel hoe verrykend dit is om die spoor te vat en die geskiedenis van dorpskarakters op te teken vir publikasie. Haar beroep is nie net interessant nie, sy vind dit ook helend en haar stories spreek van groot waardering vir die mense van die platteland.

Argitek Derek Thomas was volgende aan die beurt met ‘n informele gesprek rondom foto’s van plaaslike geboue wat Prince Albert se kultuurhistoriese erfenisskat uitlig. Hy het in dieselfde asem gewaarsku teen onsensitiewe herstel- en bouwerk wat die waarde van eiendom negatief beïnvloed en die karakter en atmosfeer van ons dorp skend. Christine Thomas, skepper van Die Verlede en Hede en Gamkaskloof-raaisels, twee uitstallings wat ons ontasbare erfenis op 38 skilderdoeke tasbaar maak, het die prosesse van denke, besinning en bespreking verduidelik wat haar reuse-taak voorafgegaan het.

Van die simposiumgangers het die middag Christine se uitstalling by die museum besoek, ander het saam met Baba Lekay deur die destydse “Rooikamp” gestap terwyl sy haar nostalgiese grootwordverhaal vertel het - tot en met die uitsettingsbevele van die apartheidsregering.

Die dag is afgesluit met ‘n vrolike Karoo-ete op die plaas Drie Riviere, waar Ailsa Tudhope streekstories opgedis het vir ‘n waarderende gehoor.
Akademici Mathilda Burden en Crain Soudien hul Saterdag bydraes gemaak saam met die energieke, dinamiese Cheryl Carolus en die welsprekende Brett Pyper, pas aangestelde uitvoerende hoof van die KKNK. Hul oorkoepelende tema was: Is ons eenders/anders; beleef ons ‘n kultuurkrisis; is ons identiteit vanselfsprekend of moet ons dit opeis?

Dr. Taffy Schearing het belangstellendes die middag vergesel na Klaarstroom waar hulle plekke besoek het wat met die Boere-oorlog verband hou, afgerond met ‘n heerlike tee by die gastehuis van die Witts-Hewitsons.

Die simposium is afgesluit met ‘n glansryke gala-ete by die Swartberg Hotel waar Len Raymond, voorsitter van Erfenis SA, die gasspreker was en waar verskeie toekennings aan Prince Alberters gemaak is. Hy het ‘n gedenkplaat ter ere van wyle Helena Marincowitz se onskatbare bydrae tot Prince Albert se kultuurerfenis oorhandig aan haar man Pat - wat aangedaan gesê het dit is ook ‘n blyk van 54 jaar se samesyn.

Drie huiseienaars is terselfdertyd beloon met geraamde sertifikate vir hul argitektoniese bewaring van ons historiese geboue en Christine Thomas is vereer vir haar kleurryke optekening van ons ontasbare geskiedenis.

Danksy dr. Judy Maguire en haar span vrywillige helpers, was die symposium nie net suksesvol nie, maar ook inspirerend en insiggewend: Ons verlede is agter ons, maar as ons daaruit kan leer, sal dit ons help om ons toekoms blink en glad te slyp.

(Foto: Me Cheryl Carolus, politieke aktivis en sakevrou, en prof Crain Soudien, historikus, sosioloog en hoof van die Fakulteit Onderwys by die Universiteit van Kaapstad, het die Erfenissimposiumgangers geïnspireer met hul insigte oor gemeenskap, identiteit en kultuur.)

Christian Perspective

- Keith Goudie -

Jesus saw himself not as one who came to be served but as someone who came to serve. Everyone who is a Christian and seeks to enter into their new identity will find they have the same energy and drive to serve others. It is part of a Christian’s new make up. If we are not involved in serving others then we are not acting as we should - you’ve got to serve somebody.

A great danger we face, however, when we set out to serve others is that we do the right thing for the wrong reason. There is a big difference between feeling good because we have served others, and serving others in order to feel good.

People who fall into the latter category are termed ‘rescuers’. One pastor tells of a woman in his church who was always seeking to rescue others in the congregation from their troubles because of the buzz she go out of it. She would look around the church for someone to help and latch on to them. “You could always tell her victims,” he said, “by their hunted look.”

It is also possible to be drawn to serving others in order to be distracted from unhealthy issues in our own lives that we are unwilling to face. Such motivation is unworthy of any disciple of Christ.

We should always be willing to look into our hearts and ask ourselves this question: “Is my desire to serve others a veiled attempt to serve myself and meet my own needs, or, like the apostle Paul, am I compelled by the love of Christ?” We must make sure that we serve others with the love that flows from Christ to us, and not the love of self.

Letters - Briewe

Tribute to Helena

About two years ago when I wanted to visit Prince Albert I looked at the available self-catering accommodation and was astonished to see one of the homes under the name "Helena Marincowitz", because I had read so many of her books but never realised that she lived in Prince Albert.

When I then phoned her to 'book' accommodation I joked with her that I was so surprised to speak to the author of the many books I had read about the area, and that I had thought that the author was 'a legend'. Upon arrival at her home, and hardly unpacked, she suggested strongly that I quickly go into the garden because Pat was busy there and may tell me about his landscaping and the details of the plants. That turned out to be an unforgettable experience. There were many more experiences with Helena subsequently, as she told me about Robert Gordon and his visit and the author Cullinan and numerous other delights in and around and about Prince Albert.

Helena greatly enriched my life and touched me deeply.

Alan Woodman

Farewell, Helena

Although I didn't know Mrs Marincowitz I have a few of her booklets and have always admired her for her sincere interest in the heritage of our beautiful country. She wrote with such feeling and must have spent many, many hours in research. I spent a few days in Prince Albert in January to get to know the town and I felt her presence then as I wandered the streets and absorbed the atmosphere. I heard, through sad residents at the time, that she was not well. I know that when I visit PA again I will still feel her presence as I browse in the museum, watch the leiwater rushing past and feel the hot dry wind as it blows memories over the koppie.

There is no doubt that she will rest in peace - although I don't think she will stop working. I'm sure she will continue to inspire many and she will comfort her family and friends who mourn her.

Marilyn Scott
George

Building Regulations

We all know that Prince Albert has had a number of tragic and traumatic events recently. Reading the last issue of The Friend evoked many emotions.
I was struck by the fine obituaries to Helena and Jonathan. In the same issue, the property where Jonathan had his accident is advertised for sale ("The address rural charm meets urban chic"). One cannot avoid noticing in the photograph of the house that there are no railings on the building.

It is now well-known that an accident occurred, but there does not appear to have been an inquiry into the circumstances of the accident. Is the municipality intending investigating whether or not building regulations were followed? Was the building 'passed ' in its present form? What can be learned to make building in the town better regulated and safer?

I need hardly mention that industrial and workplace accidents have to be investigated in the public interest.

Bokkie Botha


PA Munisipaliteit lewer kommentaar


  1. Die adres “Rural charm meets urban chic” het nooit enige bouinspeksies aangevra nie. Die onus berus op die eienaar/bouer om inspeksies aan te vra.
  2. Daar is wel ’n ondersoek na die omstandighede rondom die ongeluk uitgevoer op die terrein.
  3. Die Munisipaliteit het wel die planne vir die gebou goedgekeur, maar daar is beduidende afwykings waarvan die weglatings van handrelings nie die enigste is nie.
  4. Daar is nooit ’n voltooiingsertifikaat uitgereik nie en die gebou is nooit deur die Munisipaliteit goedgekeur nie. Die bouer/eienaar het nooit ‘n finale inspeksie aangevra nie.
  5. Daar is nou ’n bouinspekteur vir die afgelope 3 maande by die Munisipaliteit aangestel om alle bouwerk, volgens Wet 103 van 1977 in die toekoms te monitor.

E G SEPTEMBER
Wnde MUNISIPALE BESTUURDER

Sterreprag oor Prince Albert

-Hans Daehne-

In September kan ons volgens die kalender sien dat dit Lente geword het en in die naghemel word dit bevestig deur die prominente verskyning van die sterrebeeld Pegasus bokant ons koppe. Op die aarde verklap die ryk blommeprag en al die bloeisels op ooghoogte dat die dae merkbaar langer geword het.

Pegasus, die Vlieënde Perd, (wat ons daaraan herinner hoe vinnig die tyd vlieg) is die dominante noordelike sterrebeeld in September en Oktober en met die Lente dag-en-nag-ewening op die 23ste September word dit met reg die Lentesterrebeeld genoem wat ook aandui dat die dae nou langer word as die nagte in die Suidelike Halfrond.

Die yslike Vierkant van Pegasus is maklik om uit te ken aan vier helder sterre wat die romp van die perd voorstel met sy nek uitgestrek na links, na wes. Dit is een van die min noordelike sterrebeelde wat in die regop posisie is vir ons hier in die suidelike halfrond.

Dit is nou die vinnige planeet Mercurius se beurt om in die aand sigbaar te wees en nogal taamlik helder maar net vanaf die Gordonkoppie omdat hy so naby aan die Son is. Jupiter is op die oomblik die helderste objek in die aandhemel en het sy terugwaartse beweging beeïndig (hy het na die drie knypersterre van die Skerpioen beweeg [weswaarts]) en is nou op pad na die Boogskutter .

Nuus van buite die Aarde :
Op Mars heers daar al `n hele rukkie lank sulke geweldige stofstorms dat die twee marskarretjies Spirit en Opportunity en drie ruimtetuie wat om mars wentel, buite aksie gestel is en moet gewag word totdat die stof gaan lê het om met be-drywighede te kan voortgaan. Mars is ook om ander redes in die nuus: onlangs is `n nuwe ruimtetuig Phoenix gelanseer om oor tien maande op Mars te land met die doel om diepgaande ondersoeke in te stel na ys en water.

Nuwe Maan is op 11 September terwyl Volmaan op 26 September weer met perigeum saamval wat die moonlikheid vir reën in die Wes-Kaap vergroot met die Maan so naby aan die Aarde.

Van vlieënde tyd gepraat, dit is net vir ons aardlinge dat tyd so vinnig verbyvlieg. In die heelal speel tyd glad nie so `n belangrike rol nie, die univers het baie tyd en gebeurtenisse in die univers neem hulle tyd. Ons meting van tyd word deur die aarde se rotasie en die Son bepaal. Wanneer die Son presies bokant ons is, is dit 12:00 middag Sontyd, maar wanneer byvoorbeeld Orion bokant ons is, is dit 6:00 Sterretyd en met Pegasus bokant ons, is dit 24:00 sterretyd.

As jy met die 24 ure van `n dag op aarde nie uitkom nie sal jy op Jupiter en Saturnus met dae van omtrent net 10 ure werklik in tydnood raak en sou die enigste oplos-sing wees om na Venus te trek waar `n Venusdag langer is as `n Venusjaar.

Die arme bewoners van die Internasionale Ruimtestasie (IRS) se dae is net 90 minute lank (= die omwentelingstyd om die aarde) maar daarvoor kan hulle ook soveel meer sonopkomste en -ondergange oor `n ronde aarde waarneem.

Inligting oor die Internasionale Ruimte-stasie, wanneer dit sigbaar is en in welke rigting en vir hoe lank dit oor die aand-hemel beweeg, is verkrygbaar op die webwerf : www.heavens-above.com

Hou die sterre (en IRS) in u oë!

Uiters suksesvolle 30x40 Uitstalling



-Denise Ohlson-

Augustus, wat tradisioneel maar ‘n stil maand is vir die Prince Albert Galery, het groot opwinding en ‘n imponerende omset opgelewer tydens die vierde 30x40 Uitstalling wat besonder goed ondersteun is deur kunstenaars sowel as kopers.

Van die 66 doeke, almal in dieselfde 30x40 cm formaat, is 60 verkoop tydens die “stille veiling” - wat mettertyd taamlik rumoerig geraak het! Alf Gundersen se Sunlit Barn het die hoogste bod gehaal toe afslaer Clive van Hasselt R11,000 daarop toegeslaan het. Die tweede hoogste bod van R9,500 is behaal deur Philip W. Badenhorst se Girl at an Exhibition.
Johanna Luttig se spyseniering, Bergwater se wyne en Dick Painter in sy Victoriaanse hofdrag het bygedra tot die feestelikheid.

Galery-eienaars Brent Phillips-White en Mary-Anne Botha het groot waardering uitgespreek vir almal se ondersteuning en het onderneem om vyf persent van hul kommissie te skenk aan die Kuns-departement van Hoërskool Zwartberg.

Hulle begin al klaar idees uitruil oor hoe hulle die volgende veiling gaan aanbied. Allerhande vernuwende gedagtes en planne is in plek om hul galery se nou reeds gewilde 30x40 Uitstalling uit te bou tot een van die hoogtepunte op Prince Albert se jaarkalender.

(Image: Jan Bitterbos - Anya Adendorf)

A Common Sense Approach

Die Fransie Pienaar Museum het so ‘n klein winkeltjie waar allerlei produkte verkoop word. Daar is ook ‘n ongelooflike verskeidenheid van boeke en poskaarte wat te koop aangebied word.

Die boeke is hoofsaaklik deur inwoners van ons dorp en omgewing, geskryf. Met trots wil ons die nuutste boekie aan u bekend stel: Common Sense Guidelines for Building in the Karoo (and most other Places for that Matter!) deur John Whitton.

John Whitton qualified in England, worked there and in Cape Town for forty years and in 1997 'retired' from his “big city” partnership to come and live in Prince Albert. As the only (and very busy!) resident practising architect for the last ten years, John has played a significant part in the renewal of the town as well as the steadily re-valuing property prices! He is responsible for many successful renovations and an equal number of charming new residences. Whether you are building a home from scratch or restoring an old house, you should study a copy this hot-off-the-press guide.

Sy boekie neem jou, stap vir stap, deur al die fases van grond koop, die kies van die régte bouplan, tot by die laaste fase van huis bou, asook die toegelate tyd vir elke fase. Hy doen aanbevelings oor die restourasie van bestaande geboue en moedig nuwe eienaars aan om nie te skroom om vrae te vra en kritiek te lewer nie - wees betrokke by jou groot projek.

John offers good advice on designing for this climate and using energy efficiently, and lots of practical information – the 'nuts and bolts' of what you need to know - regarding the builder, obtaining tenders, the contracts and the program of work. Changes will always be made and delays are inevitable – so take these into consideration. Murphy's Law prevails when building, so John even has a section entitled: 'What to do when things go horribly wrong!'
The author has this to say on building style: “This can be an emotive subject. ... examine what attracted you to the town in the first place. The chances are that - as well as factors such as lifestyle and tranquillity – you have been quietly seduced by the architectural ambience, by the charm and beauty of the local built environment.”

“No man is an island and our designs should win the acceptance and approval of the community as a whole. One should consider what the building will look like in relation to its neighbours: this is particularly important when building in an historic area of town.

“It is not necessary to slavishly copy outdated building styles, but I firmly believe it is valid to use building elements that have been a delight to the eye for generations. The proportions, scale and visual attraction are as valid today as they were a hundred years ago. Conversely, I believe it is fundamentally wrong to try to disguise a new home as one that was built a century ago. Don't try to make the baby look like the grandfather – it really won't work!”

Selfs diegene wat glo dat hulle niks nuuts oor dié onderwerp kan leer nie, sal nog steeds die boekie geniet. John se lekker geselstrant, asook die praktiese wenke wat hy gee, deurspek met ‘n goeie skoot humor, maak van dié boekie lekker leesstof.

John's amazing little book is widely available and is for sale, with pride, at the Fransie Pienaar Museum – (John served on the museum board for 7 years) at R25 per copy.

Museum greetings
Mary-Anne Botha and Debbie Badenhorst

Wat is ‘n Arbeidsterapeut?

- Erina Groenewald, Arbeidsterapeut –

Erina is in Bethelehem gebore, maar kom woon van haar sesde maand af net ‘n paar kilometer buite Prince Albert op die plaas Swartrivier saam met haar ouers Miems en Pieter Theron. Na matriek studeer sy arbeidsterapeut aan die Universiteit van die Vrystaat. Sy is tans in praktyk in Ladismith en die Vriend sal in die toekoms nog van haar leersame artikels plaas.

‘n Arbeidsterapeut behandel pasiente - volwassenes en kinders - wat, a.g.v siekte, ‘n fisiese besering of ontwikkelingsagterstande nie optimaal funksioneer nie. Hierdie gespesialiseerde dienste kan aangebied word in hospitale, skole, klinieke, ouetehuise, myne en privaatpraktyke.

Wanneer ‘n Arbeidsterapeut met kinders werk, gebruik sy veral spel, omdat kinders leer deur te speel. ‘n Verskeidenheid terapeutiese apparaat en aktiwiteite word ingespan om die kind te help om sy volle potensiaal te bereik. Kinders van alle ouderdomme kan by Arbeidsterapie baat.

‘n Arbeidsterapeut kan van hulp wees wanneer een of meer van die volgende by ‘n kind opgelet word:

  • ‘n Baba wat nie wil kruip of loop nie
  • Lomp en skrikkering is vir beweging
  • Skryf stadig, wil nie teken of uitknip nie
  • Swak balans, sukkel bv om ‘n bal te vang
  • Hipersensitief vir aanraking, klank of die tekstuur van kos
  • Ooraktief of te passief
  • Kan nie goed regop sit nie, swak postuur en lae uithouvermoë m.a.w. altyd lêerig
  • Ruil linker- en regterhande om wanneer hy skryf
  • Kan nie opdragte volg nie
  • Sukkel om legkaarte te bou en om kleure te identifiseer
  • Probleme met lees, wiskunde en spelling
  • Probleme met onthou en met konsentrasie
  • Skoolgereedheid.
Alle Arbeidsterapeute moet geregistreer wees by die Mediese Gesondheidsraad van Suid-Afrika (HPSCA). Arbeids-terapie fooie kan teruggeeïs word van die mediese fondse.

Wind Ruk Matriekafskeid-kykers

- Deolan van Schalkwyk -

Dis Vrydag 20 Julie, 16:00 en mense begin saamdrom oorkant en voor die hotel. Ek begin wonder hoekom die strate so besig is vandag? Oeps, val ek my by, dis mos vandag matriekafskeid.

Ja, glo dit of nie, die matriekafskeid wat oppad was, het toe gekom en is toe ook in ‘n oogwenk verby. Vir dié wat daar was, was dit soos ‘n Habana-wind wat verby hulle is. Al wat Jan Rap en Skrap is, het gekom om die matrieks te kom sien en te ondersteun.

Vir al die inwoners van Prince Albert is die matriekafskeid elke jaar ‘n oomblik van genot, bewondering en trots. Vir die matrieks is dit egter ‘n dag van passie, plesier en herinneringe. Hordes mense het voor die hotel saamgedrom en is later ook na Huis Kweekvallei toe om net vir oulaas weer te sien.

Die matriekafskeid wat vanjaar gereël is deur die Luttigs, het gaan eindig in die plaaslike skousaal, wat pragtig deur Kevin Hough versier was. Hier het die matrieks gaan eet, dans en foto’s neem.

Een van die matrieks het agterna gesê hy weet nie wat die tema was nie, maar hy weet net die saal was asemrowend opgemaak!

Nou sien die inwoners uit na volgende jaar se matriekafskeid. En as die meisies maar net elke dag so mooi kan lyk!

Another Well-Deserved Honour for Dr Sue Milton

Prince Albert’s Dr Sue Milton was a finalist in this year’s prestigious Shoprite Checkers/SABC 2 Woman of the Year Award, having been nominated in the Science and Technology category. Sue, in her typical unassuming way, told the Friend that the fact that she had been nominated by a former student had been particularly pleasing.

Rose Willis in her popular newsletter about the Karoo, Rose’s Round-Up, noted that Sue’s nomination honoured her immense contribution to the ecology of the Karoo, as well as her role as a conservationist and researcher into the plants and animals of the region. The Award citation described Sue as “an outstanding researcher, teacher and outreach contributor over many years [in a field that] for long has been male-dominated.”

Sue has done a great deal, Rose Willis wrote, to promote the Karoo through many papers and books written on this area. She works unstintingly, sharing her knowledge of the region with everyone from major role-players to her students and to school-children. Anyone who has joined Sue on her walks on the Robert Gordon koppie or at Wolwekraal can attest to this, as can the science and biology classes at Prince Albert Primêr and the young people, who have attended the local Land Care Bush Camps. She firmly believes that there are many ways to use the plants and animals without destroying the resources. She has great plans for the future and these include setting up a conservation area for tourism and education at Wolwekraal on the outskirts of Prince Albert, as well as an indigenous seed nursery. Sue has also been instrumental in the recent establishment of the Prince Albert People’s Skills Trust.

Congratulations, Sue. Prince Albert is indeed fortunate to be able to benefit from your generous and enthusiastic sharing of your know-how, as well as your determination that our special town and its surrounds provide a long-term sustainable livelihood for all who make a living here, without harming the resources on which we are so dependent.

The glittering Woman of the Year Award ceremony was broadcast on SABC 2 on 8 August 2007. The Woman of the Year was Ms Linda Olga Nghatsane, a health practitioner turned farmer from Mpumalanga, while Allyson Lawless, a civil engineer, won the Science and Technology category.

With thanks to Rose’s Round-Up,
July 2007.

Brett The Vet - Local is lekker

EPISODE 12: Local is Lekker

Outbreaks of contagious disease in livestock both here and abroad have drawn attention to problems associated with the global meat industry. Animals transported over great distances can effectively spread infections like foot and mouth disease, swine fever and avian flu. As consumers, the choices we make have far reaching effects on the way animals are raised, transported and slaughtered. In Prince Albert particularly, traceability is not only possible, but desirable for farmers, the community, local economy, animal wellbeing, and the environment.

Importations of animal products from other parts of the world or further afield in South Africa, that are also available locally not only facilitate the spread of disease but also highlight other issues. There is often a lack of traceability to the specific origins and the farming conditions. Energy requirements and carbon footprint are important factors affecting global warming where extensive transport is involved. Consider the effort it takes to get a block of Irish butter from a farm in County Cork to our local supermarket, when the same product can be purchased directly from a farm in our town. The stress and deaths that occur when transporting live animals over long distances can be avoided if they are slaughtered closer to home.

Most consumers are now aware that meat and products from factory farmed animals may contain harmful hormones and antibiotics. New evidence shows nutritional deficiencies occur in products from animals eating unnatural diets. For example, feedlot cattle that are deprived grass and fed mostly concentrates have a deficiency in omega three fatty acids which affects cholesterol metabolism in humans. So knowledge about how animals are raised and what they are fed becomes not only important for the welfare of the animals, but also for consumer health and wellbeing. It is not surprising that free range animals eating a natural diet provide healthier and tastier meat, eggs and dairy products.

Choosing locally produced animal products encourages good animal husbandry because farmers are accountable. One would like to think farmers care about the welfare of animals they raise, and usually they do. Nobody would want to support a farmer who treats his animals badly and yet cruelty to all species of domestic animals remains a fact of life. Understandably farming also needs to be a profitable business. When the approach to farming with livestock is animal-centred, the factors of economics and convenience don't override good farming practice. Automatically selecting an arbitrary frozen chicken mass produced from a well known, cheerily branded factory that does not allow closer inspection by visitors just reinforces our ignorance. We all have the power to select from and support local, more sustainable systems that respect life.

The extent of the daily sacrifices made on our behalf affecting the lives of animals is determined by our willingness to be informed and the strength of our desire for harmony in a world where it's easy not to care.

Donald and Neill bid Farewell to Prince Albert

After almost three years at the helm of the grand Swartberg Hotel, Neill and Donald have made a difficult decision to emigrate to New Zealand.

Neill, who hails from Dunedin, South Island, has lived in South Africa for 20 years having qualified as a horticulturist and working at Kirstenbosch Gardens on arriving in South Africa. Through circumstances, he found his way into the hospitality game and has been Food and Beverage Manager for various hotels.

Donald’s career spans many years in the hotel business. Gregarious by nature, he has always enjoyed the company of people and interacting with them. “Leaving this beautiful hotel, the staff and Prince Albert has not been taken lightly”, he said. “However we’re both finding that we miss our families and by emigrating, we’re closer to many of them.”

They both take the opportunity to thank all those who supported them during their time at the ‘grand old lady’, wish the wonderful team they have worked with growth and strength and to the villagers a huge thank-you for their support.

Landbounuus

Die afgelope maand het Agri-Weskaap sy Jaarkongres te Goudini gehou. In georganiseerde landbou is hierdie die jaarlikse hoogtepunt. Almal wie iemand is, is daar... Vier van die P.A.Lbv se bestuurslede het hierdie geleentheid bygewoon. By hierdie kongres word landbousake in streeks- en landsbelang bespreek. Besprekings word onder vier katagorieë behandel, nl: (1) Sosiale en maatskaplike ontwikkeling onderbou tot suksesvolle deelname van die landbousektor aan groei en ontwikkeling; (2) Bemagtigingsgeleenthede in die Landbousektor; (3) Loopbaan-geleenthede in die Landbou en (4) Beeldbou geleenthede.

Vervolgens ‘n kort bespreking van elk. (1) Die landbousektor bestaan uit landelike gemeenskappe en dorpe. Elkeen bestaan uit gesinne wat ‘n geborge omgewing moet skep waarvan gesonde gesinswaardes die basis vorm. Almal is bekommerd oor die jeug, maar watter soort voorbeeld stel bakleiende, dronk ouers aan ons kinders? En as daardie klein mensie in die kas kom krap vir kos en daar is niks omdat alles vir drank gebruik is? Wie moet die voorbeeld stel? ‘n Ware voorbeeld: op ‘n plaas in die distrik werk ‘n goeie arbeider, maar hy het ‘n drankprobleem. Sy werkgewer wil hom na ‘n reabilitasiesentrum stuur, maar hy weier om te gaan. As gevolg van sy probleem het hy sy werk bedank eerder as om hulp te aanvaar. Dit moes glad nie gebeur het nie.

(2) Alles dui daarop dat die gesloer met grondhervorming voor die deur van die regering gelê moet word. ‘n Man het opgestaan en gesê: Die regering moet die landbou uitlos en hierdie saak sal vinniger en met groter sukses bygelê word. Die geleenthede is daar - vir die wat kan en wil!

(3) In hierdie verband is drie dinge belangrik, nl. opvoeding, opleiding en vaardigheidsontwikkeling. Nou, al hierdie dinge word reeds gedoen, maar sodra iemand op ‘n kursus was, verlaat hy/sy die plaas/landbou om iewers elders sy nuutgevonde kennis te gebruik, in plaas daarvan dat hy/sy hulle kennis terugploeg in die boerdery waar hulle betrokke is. Hierdie is die mense wat aangewys kan word as kandidate vir grondhervorming en AgriSEB. Ongelukkig sal hulle dit nooit beskore wees as hulle “die hand byt wat hulle voer nie.” Lojaliteit teenoor diegene wat vir jou ‘n geleentheid bied, word vergoed op maniere wat geld nie kan koop nie.

(4) Wit, bruin en swart se intensies is ons beeld. Mense vorm ‘n opinie oor jou voor jy nog jou mond oopgemaak het. Dis in jou houding.

‘n Ryk en welvarende landbou kan meer bydra as ‘n sukkelende een.
(Corwyn Botha).

Almal verwag die boere moet net gee en gee. Wanneer kry hulle iets terug? Het dit nie tyd geword dat die boer erkenning kry vir wat hy probeer doen en elke dag steeds doen nie? Na ‘n radiogesprek van ‘n landbouekonoom is tot die slotsom gekom: beskerm en ondersteun die Suid-Afrikaanse boer en sy produk en hou hom op sy plaas of die huisvrou gaan binnekort langs die straat staan en wag dat ‘n sak meel van ‘n vragmotor afgegooi word.

Dit is inderdaad soos een van die sprekers gesê het: “ons het nie ‘n minister van landbou nie.”

Al die bogenoemde in ag geneem kan ‘n boer vandag nie anders as om deel te wees van georganiseerde landbou nie. (Ek gee nie om wat jou verskoning is nie, jy maak net die lewe vir jouself en jou medeboere ondraaglik.) En dan is daar steeds nog boere wat vra: “Nou wat doen georganiseerde landbou vir my?” Meneer, jy ding mee in ‘n omgewing wat veel wyer strek as jou plaas se grense.

Kom sluit aan by die Beste Landbouvereniging in die Wes-Kaap, los die nietige verskille en staan saam. Kollektief het ons ‘n sê, alleen sit jy sonder ‘n plaas.

Landbougroete
Jacques du Plessis
082 3313 961

Helena Olivier 1908 - 2007

- Kevin Reynolds -

Helena Olivier passed away at Huis Kweekvallei in her 100th year on 29 May 2007.

She was born in Williston on 4 February 1908. After her schooling in Tulbagh, Lenie, as she was affectionately known, qualified as a nursing sister in Cape Town. She married Louis Olivier in 1944 in Pietersburg where she served as matron of the Martha Hofmeyer nursing home for approximately ten years and worked for many years in the Department of Health as the district surgeon’s nursing sister.

In 1977, three years following the death of her husband she moved to Oudtshoorn to marry Pieter, also surnamed Olivier. A couple of years later they settled in Prince Albert where Piet and his son, Herman, purchased the farm Vrisgewaagd.

Piet and Lenie lived in Klip Street until 1998 when failing health forced them to move to Huis Kweekvallei. Piet passed away there in 2003 after being confined to bed for five years.

As the accompanying photograph indicates, taken but two months before her death, Lenie always took pride in her appearance, which the caring staff of Kweekvallei aided in her twilight years.

Lenie leaves an only daughter, Louise, of her first marriage and a stepdaughter, Christa Lategan, and a stepson, Herman Olivier, of her second marriage.

“Ta Bêkie” 1906 - 2007

- Samie Luttig en Ailsa Tudhope -

Op Woendag 8 Augustus het familelede en vriende afskeid geneem van Anna Elizabeth Weatherhead, gebore Luttig, ons geliefde Ouma, Moeder, Tante en vriendin - Ta Bêkie soos sy alom bekend was onder familie en vriende.

Sy was die dogter van Samie en Bessie Luttig, gebore op 26 November 1906. Sy het in ’n Christelike ouerhuis groot geword en het ook daardie beginsels in haar lewe uitgeleef. Haar laaste skooljare was sy in Gill Kollege, Somerset Oos en vandaar is sy na die destydse Rhodesië, waar sy met Tim Weatherhead getroud is.

Sy was ’n omgeemens wat geleef het vir haar gesin, familie en medemens. Wat ons van Ta Bêkie geleer het en sal onthou, is om altyd positief vorentoe te leef. Sy het altyd gesê “Bêkie, you can do it!” Sy laat agter haar drie seuns John, Geoff en Andy en kleinkinders. Ons sal jou mis Ta Bêkie en jou plek sal leeg wees. Rus in Vrede.

Betty’s youngest son, Andy and his family had spent the previous ten days in Prince Albert, during which time Betty had rallied a little. Andy was able to delay his flight home to Australia to be present at her memorial service, where he spoke with deep emotion. Betty’s grandson’s Paul and great-grandson Matthew had driven up from Cape Town, so all three generations of her immediate family were represented at the service, conducted by Dr Chris Briers. Her godson, Carl Luttig had flown in from Melbourne and with Maralize, Samie, Johanna and their children, bade farewell to the oldest, and dearest, member of the Luttig family.

Betty returned to Prince Albert from Zimbabwe in 1999, taking up residence at Huis Kweekvallei. She was soon attending Thursday Group meetings and the Anglican Fellowship group, where her straightforward, intimate chats with God enhanced their time of prayer. Reinie made sure she received stimulating reading matter on Library days. At the age of 95 Betty asked Reinie to bring her a Harry Potter book, since everyone seemed to be talking about them. Harry didn’t really suit her though, a good mystery story or a biography were more her style. Her own stories were fascinating and she was more than happy to share memories of her younger days in Prince Albert, with many a laugh and a naughty twinkle.

At her hundredth birthday in November last year Betty was in fine form and relished the grand family gathering in her honour. We give thanks for Betty, who enriched our lives and we will remember her with joy.

Hoe om Volstruisvere te laat Groei

- Daddi -

My oom Krisjan le Roux was versot op jag. Gewoonlik was dit die verlore bokkies wat hy skelm geskiet het. Toe stuur Oom Piet de Wit (beter bekend as Oom Piet Bril) van Vrischgewaag vir my oom ‘n boodskap om te sê hy kan vir hom ‘n wilde volstruismannetjie kom skiet.

My oom laat hom nie tweemaal nooi nie en skiet toe ‘n pragtige groot mannetjie met baie mooi vere. Hy bring ‘n hele paar van die mooi vere vir my ma. Ek vergaap my behoorlik aan die pragtige, sagte krullerige vere.

My oom sien hoe ek dit bekyk en ook begeer. Hy trek een baie mooi veer uit die bossie en gee dit vir my met die volgende woorde: “Hier is vir jou ook ‘n veer, maar luister nou mooi. Neem ‘n pierinkie water, gooi daar een teelepel vol sout in en lê die veer met sy skag kant in die sout water. Na ‘n paar dae sal jy sien, daar kom worteltjies uit, dan kan jy die veer gaan plant en dit sal groei.”

Ek was in die wolke oor die pragtige veer en voer sy instruksies tot die letter uit. Nadat hy klaar met my ma gesels het, kom hy kyk wat ek doen.

Hy begin lag en hou aan lag en dadelik besef ek, ek het ‘n vreeslike gek van myself gemaak. Ek was so ongeveer 5 jaar oud en so kwaad soos net ‘n kind kan word. Ek skel hom uit, en dit was: “ Jou vark, jou vark.” Ek wou huil van skaamte, maar hoe meer ek skel, hoe meer lag my oom.

Ek was baie lank nog kwaad, want elke keer as hy my sien, vra hy of die veer al worteltjies het.

Ek blaai deur ou Poskaarte en Foto’s

Vreemd wat skerp muistandjies aan papier en materiaal kan doen. Moderne tegnologie help om inligting, foto’s en wat ook al op dis-kette en geheuestiffies te bewaar. Maar hou dit dieselfde nostalgie en weemoed vasgevang, as vergeelde handgeskrewe poskaarte en foto’s van vreemdelinge uit die vorige eeu se beginjare?

Daar is n foto van “Chinese coolies at work in the boiler house” en die poskaart dateer 10 / 10 / 1908. ‘n Ene Willem de Wit het die poskaart in Krugersdorp in die ou Transvaal gepos aan Johanna de Wit, destyds woonagtig op die plaas Stinkfontein, Fraseburgweg, Kaapkolonie. Die posstempel op die posseël is 11 Oktober 1908. Wat het van Johanna en Willem de Wit se nageslag geword? Waar woon hulle nou?

‘n Kaartjie in blou letters het oor die jare behoue gebly. Dit is gedateer Krismis 1930, Nuwejaar 1931. Die inhoud, Met die hartlike wense vir n Geseënde Kersfees en ‘n baie Voorspoedige Nuwejaar. Die afsender was Gerty Lotz, Prince Albert. Bly haar familie nog op Prince Albert? Wat het van haar geword? Leef sy nog?

Nog ‘n kaartjie in blou is ‘n huweliks-uitnodiging van Ds en Mev EG Malherbe van Somerset Wes vir die huwelik van hul dogter, Bettie met Samie, seun van Dr en Mev PC Luttig van Prince Albert.

Die troue sou op 4 April 1944 plaasgevind het. Was dit Pa of Oupa van die Luttigs op Drie Riviere? Hoeveel van die nasate het nog van hierdie poskaarte en kaartjies in hul besit? Ek wonder en vra maar net!

Letitia Solomons
Leeu-Gamka
083 670 8704

Pedals Empower Hoërskool Zwartberg Learners



- Linda Jaquet -

By now you’ll have noticed an increase in bicycles on our streets (not just rusty ones) and the whoops of delight of their Hoërskool Zwartberg riders as they whiz by.

This is thanks to the combined efforts of National Government’s “Shova Kalula” programme and a Cape Town-based non-profit organisation, the “Bicycling Empowerment Network” (BEN).
“Shova Kalula”, which means “Pedal Easy” in isiZulu, hopes to increase the mobility of particularly rural South Africans through non-motorised transport and aims to provide bicycles to 1 million people by 2015. BEN was founded in 2002 by retired engineer Louis de Waal to promote the use of low-cost, environmentally-friendly transport and at the same time, to encourage a healthy lifestyle. Louis pointed out to the Friend that “the bicycle is mankind’s most affordable form of transport.”

On 30 July 2007, Louis handed over 60 spanking new bicycles to Hoërskool Zwartberg. Learners lease the cycles from the school at R10 a month – this includes a lock and a helmet - and sign a rental contract for a year, undertaking to keep their bikes in good condition. They also need to pay R50 a year for insurance and have to return the bikes to the school during school holidays. Louis and his two assistants also spent some time training Hoërskool Zwartberg’s janitors, Hennie Ceylon and Koos Jacobus, in the basics of bicycle mechanics and repairs.

At the time of writing, half the bicycles had been leased from the school. Several learners, who had never owned bicycles before, set off one afternoon to ride to Prince Albert Road and upon their return, declared that it “was the most fantastic thing they’d ever done!” As a result, some of their school mates are looking for part-time jobs to raise the funds they too need to “shova kalula.” The Friend has also learned that a number of teachers are casting covetous eyes over the remaining cycles!

On the same day, BEN presented 30 bicycles to the Prince Albert Land Care Bush Camp run by André Gouws in the Prince Albert Valley. The camps, held throughout the year, encourage young people to be more caring of the environment and to live in harmony with Nature.

Albert College goes skiing

- Joshua Swanepoel and Matthew van Heerden -

Albert College worked through the June school holidays and our reward was our first ever skiing holiday. We left Prince Albert, heading for the Tiffendale Ski Resort, near Rhodes, in the Eastern Cape. We stopped at the Molteno Guest House for the night and left the next morning, after a good breakfast. We knew that we were getting near to the resort because the road was getting steeper and the temperature was dropping. We ascended the final pass in first gear, passing lots of bags of salt, which can be spread on the road when it is icy.

Tiffendale is situated in the Southern Drakensberg Mountains. During the winter it is a ski resort and during the summer, when there is not enough snow, they offer hunting and trout fishing. It was a very well organized resort, with chalets with underfloor heating. The chalets are just three minutes walk from the ski slopes. We hired ski suits and bought goggles and gloves (you need special goggles to protect your eyes from snow and to act as sun glasses) and went out skiing as soon as possible.

Our first lesson was great. Joshua learnt how to ski down the slope in snow plough position while Matthew stood at the top of the slope, skis parallel and proceeded to make a daring decent, breaking the record for the shortest distance ever travelled at the highest speed on skis and eventually, running out of slope, valiantly colliding with a post.

Sandy, Joshua, Rebekah and Caleb were the first of the Albert College skiers to qualify. They moved straight from the Nursery slope to the more advanced slope and this brought them the honour of an award - a bone ski - as the quickest learners at Tiffendale for that week.

Robin, the smallest member of the College, should not be underestimated for her skiing ability. She would be towed (by one of the older members) on skis to the top of the slope to ski down expertly. She did give more attention to bum-boarding though – she is terrific on a toboggan and went down “bum-board alley” with great aplomb.

Sandy was the jumper of the week, by the second day he had hired himself a helmet and was practicing his jumps. None of us saw much of Caleb because he was always on the slopes.

After the second day Matthew obtained a new ski instructor, none other than Luke Swanepoel and under his instruction graduated like everyone else, achieving a grade one skiing certificate. At the end of that day we all went up the big slope to drink glühwein at the highest bar in South Africa, called Ice station 2720. Overall it was a wonderful holiday and everyone really enjoyed it.

Prince Albert leerder verteenwoordig Wes-Kaap by Internasionale Jeugkongres

- S C Delport -

Gedurende die naweek van 15 tot 17 Junie 2007 is 5 meisies en 5 seuns van Prince Albert Primêre Skool gekies om aan ‘n jeug Indaba te Beaufort – Wes te gaan deelneem. Die naweek is onder andere deur Molo Songololo, wat hulle beywer vir die regte van kinders, gereël.

Mnr. Granville Griebelaar het die kinders vergesel. Daar was tussen 200 – 250 kinders van oor die Wes-Kaap bymekaar en kon hulle lekker koppe bymekaar sit oor die jeug en meer spesifiek die uitdagings wat die jeug in die gesig staar.

Dié Sondag het Mnr. Griebelaar met trots aangekondig dat een van die jongelinge uit Prince Albert, Stuart Delport, gekies is om saam met nog sewentien ander leerders uit die Wes-Kaap se skole, ‘n jeugkongres in Orkney, in die Noord-Wes Provinsie te gaan bywoon. Saam met leerders uit al die ander provinsies en ook leerders uit Afrika lande was die afgevaardigdes sowat 2000 leerders.

Die tema van die kongres was “Day of the African Child “ en die onderwerp waaroor gedebateer is, was “Child Trafficking.” Stuart se trotse ouers het hom die Vrydag op Kaapstad Internasionaal gaan afsien, waar hy en die ander jongmense deur die organiseer-ders uit die Premier se kantoor ontmoet is.

Nadat die Direkteur – Generaal in die Premier se kantoor hulle afgsien het, het hulle op die vliegtuig geklim, hul bestemming, O. R. Tambo Internasionaal. Die vliegtuigrit na Johannesburg was ook ‘n eerste vir Stuart en wat ‘n belewenis was dit nie.

Vanaf O.R. Tambo is hulle per bus na Klerksdorp en uiteindelik, Orkney. Stuart is vir die Wes-Kaap gekies om saam met sewe leerders van die ander provinsies die mediakonferensie te behartig. Hulle kon na ‘n strawwe werksessie, hul vrae stel aan Ministers en die Premier van die Noord-Wes. Na afloop van die verrigtinge is hulle haastig na die lughawe vir hul vlug terug Kaap toe.

Stuart kan nie uitgepraat raak oor sy ervaring nie, en sê hy het baie geleer. Sy ouers wil baie dankie sê aan Granville Griebelaar, Mnr. Dala van Molo Songololo, Premier Ebrahim Rasool, Mnr. Derrick Schroeder en Me. Faslin Pedro, van die Premier se kantoor, vir die puik reëlings en hul opofferings.

Dankie ook aan Stuart se Ouma en Oupa en huisvriende vir hul onderskeie bydrae tot hierdie ervaring.

Stuart, wie op verskeie gebiede in sy daaglikse handel en wandel uitstyg, het nou weer eens daarvoor gesorg dat sy mede-leerders en onderwysers by Prince Albert Primêr met reg uiters trots is op hom.

Prince Albert Primêr se Skaakspan Skitter

- Neville Claassen -

Prince Albert Primêr se skaak-spelers het weer eens bewys dat hulle ‘n groep is om mee rekening te hou. Op 4 Augustus 2007 het twee spanne (ses spelers per span) aan die SWDUSSA TOPSKOLE Toernooi deel-geneem.

Die Dogterspan het tweede geëindig en silwer medaljes ontvang. Ons het ook ‘n gemengde groepie by die Hoërskool afdeling ingeskryf en alhoewel hulle teen gesoute o/19 spelers van sewe Hoërskole gespeel het, het hulle hul vasgestaan en vierde gekom.

Twee maande gelede het daar 12 spelers deelgeneem aan ‘n Wes-Kaap Toernooi in Paarl en is Nadine Kroon in die 0/17 opgeneem om aan ‘n Nasionale “All Ages” Toernooi in Durban te gaan deelneem.

As u hierdie spelers in aksie wil sien, kan u gerus ‘n draai kom maak op 1 September 2007 by die VGK Saal of die saal van Hoërskool Zwartberg, wanneer die 3de SWDUSSA-proewe hier sal plaasvind.