NEIGHBOURLY NOTES

JUST looking at the date, it’s already the last edition of TotT for January 2018. George Bernard Shaw is attributed with having said, “youth is wasted on the young”, and it’s only as you approach the long dark teatime of the soul (as Douglas Adams said) that you begin to realise just how sad that saying actually is. TOWN has been quiet since our visitors returned home after the festive season holiday. Now, however, we can get ourselves set up for the Easter holidays beginning with Good Friday on March 30. In fact, over the Easter weekend we have a lot of things to get you excited and out of the house. ONE of the major upcoming events is the Royal St Andrews Hotel Amanzi Challenge that will be taking place at the end of March and run through the first two weekends of April this year. As the media sponsor of the event, TotT is currently working with the organisers to bring you the latest news and, from next week, will be featuring one of the many exciting sports included in this festival. The challenge will begin on Friday March 30 with the opening ceremony at the Royal St Andrews Hotel and end on April 8. Events include the Royal Alfred Marina Mile Swim, a trail run from Royal St Andrews Hotel around Port Alfred and its beaches, rubber duck racing in the Kowie River and off East Beach, bodyboarding championships at West Beach (an international event with teams from Australia and more, a world-class surfing championship at East Beach and much more. There will also be many more activities for spectators and some more exciting events. Keep your eyes on TotT to find out more over the coming weeks. AND let’s not forget the Bathurst Agricultural Show, the largest of its kind in the Eastern Cape, also taking place over the Easter weekend, from March 31 to April 2. This is another world-class event jam-packed with animal shows, equestrian events, farm produce, a kiddies fun-fair and much more. EVEN those who like neighbourly notes to remain local cannot ignore the fact that the sudden spate of prosecutions, inquiries and allegations of corruption that have occurred over the last few weeks is nothing less than what was required, and far later than was healthy for the country. The rush to prosecute seems to strengthen the view there are now two centres of power in South Africa – parliament and the ANC – and two different leaders with different priorities. How long the ANC can refrain from recalling President Jacob Zuma is the question on everyone’s lips, but the actions of ministers, MECs, the Gupta brothers, Eskom, Prasa and Transnet board members may be taking the limelight from Zuma’s situation. HAPPY birthday and all the best for the year ahead to everyone celebrating a birthday this week, especially Sylvia Avery, Cheryl Cock, Robin Collett, Anthony de Bruin, Daphne Stott, Raymond Pearson, Shirley Oliver, Adrian Mouton, Daniel Hilpert, Logan Strydom, Ros Clayton, Nerissa von Pletzen, Warrick Beetge, Bella Metcalf, Eric Garner, Anthony Katz, Gary du Randt, Bruce Coates, Mike Brown, Kate Bendeman, Emma Thorp, Merna McCabe, Merryl Uys, Michael Tarrant, Alex Harris, Kirsty Jooste, Heston Botha, Fransje Spieker, Denis Brummer, Mike Beaumont, Brendan Wicks, Mya Schultz, Brigette Muller, Louise Wiggett, Helene Taylor, Karen Elliott, Mansard Wienand, Belinda Botha, Lindy Heny, Tracy Painting, Clair Wepener, Sas Pringle, Leon du Plessis, Lorraine Mitchell, Beryl Goddard. FURTHER success and good luck for the future to all businesses and organisations celebrating an anniversary – congratulations to Salon Florence, Hi-Tec (Coastal) Security, Gary Grapentin’s East Cape Shotokan-Ryu Karate, First PA Sea Scouts / Cubs, Albany Vintage Car Museum. Other important dates to remember this week are the 40th annual Sun Met (previously known as the J&B Met) Horse Racing Day, which is on this Saturday January 27. The theme for this year's illustrious event is ‘Style Ahead of the Field’, encourages all Sun Met racegoers to come dressed in colours, prints and textures inspired by Africa. “Don your Afro-chic attire and get ready to celebrate Africa’s Richest Race Day in true style.” DEPUTY President Cyril Ramaphosa and a delegation (including Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba) are in Davos attempting to drum up support for further investment in the country. Their actions this week will determine the future direction of the rand. Let’s hope that the inquests and prosecutions of corrupt and/or incompetent politicians and SOE (State-owned enterprises) board members is enough to convince the investors that the worse of the corrupt practices is over and that their money will be well-invested here. With last year’s figures in brackets to compare against the Rand was trading at R11.97 (R13.29) to the dollar, R16.83 (R16.72) to the Pound and R14.77 (R14.27) to the Euro. Gold was trading at $1 347.52 ($1 203.21), Platinum trading at $1 011.35 ($998.10) and Brent Crude was $69.22 ($55.14). SPECIAL thoughts and prayers are with all those folk who are not well, who are having or have already had tests, operations and treatments. "Sterkte" to Roy Potter, Andrew de Vries, Dot Fetherstonhaugh. SINCERE condolences to the Krouse family and friends on the loss of your beloved daughters Natalie and Judith. May cherished memories of good times spent together in the past comfort all those who will miss them greatly through all the sad times in the future. CONDOLENCES to the family and friends of David Nel who passed away Sunday January 21. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Anita, children Tere-Anne and Derrick and their families. A funeral service will be held on Saturday January 27 at 11am at Clumber Methodist Church. CONGRATULATIONS and best wishes and many more happy years ahead to everyone celebrating an anniversary, especially Brian and Megan Wright. AT the time of writing, India was struggling on the first day of the third test at the Wanderer’s Stadium in Johannesburg on 17/2 and not faring well under an onslaught from Vernon Philander and our new world-leading bowler KG (Kagiso Rabada). But I don’t see many South Africans weeping over India’s apparent demise as the number one cricketing nation, as South Africa and the Proteas get set to take up that position. However, cricket is a funny game, and anything could happen as it’s still early days. THOUGHT for the week: “The thing that is really hard, and really amazing is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself”. BEST regards as always, The Team.