NEIGHBOURLY NOTES
NDLAMBE is certainly fortunate to host two nationally important events in April, bringing much-needed revenue to our area and putting the Sunshine Coast on the map. The 111th Bathurst Agricultural Show, one of the biggest events of its kind in the country, took place last weekend and, according to reports received, was an unmitigated success.
Thanks to Danny Wepener and his team at the Bathurst Agricultural Society for all their hard work in putting the show together as well as for all their preparation work that saw animal stalls repaired and painted, new paving laid and even a new borehole dug.
EVERYONE seems excited about the upcoming Royal St Andrews Hotel Amanzi Challenge that will take place over 10 days from Good Friday (April 19) to April 28. Zwelinzima (Sxeaks) Nkwinti, owner of BS Sports who is the overall organiser of the challenge, has managed to put on a fantastic variety of water sports – from international surfing to bodyboarding and beach handball – that can rival some of the other competitions held at the major centres in SA. The event that a lot of people are looking forward to most (see our Vox Pop question on page 5), is the inflatable boat races on the Kowie River, at East and West beaches and out to sea.
See our article on page 18 for all the events and when and where they will take place.
IT seems like it has always been there to many, but the Royal Alfred Marina celebrates its 30-year anniversary in April and will be hosting a party for invited guests at the Marina Clubhouse on Tuesday April 16. Although some might say the ecology and natural beauty of the area suffered because of the development, there is no doubt that the marina has generated funds for the town, and we would like to take his opportunity to congratulate the residents of the marina on reaching this important milestone.
THE Keiskamma Music Academy will hold a concert at St Paul’s Anglican Church on Saturday evening, and the Keiskamma Art Project will also be selling artworks made by previously unemployed women in the Hamburg area. Refreshments wil be on sale. For details of these and other events taking place in the area, see our Diarise This section below.
OUR copper pipe theft story on the front page of last week’s edition highlighted a possible organised crime syndicate operating in the area.
Although police are investigating and say they have no evidence of any syndicate, the fact that copper pipes have been targeted by criminals over such a short period of time is certainly evidence that some scrap dealers are ready to purchase the stolen pipes. However, since the article we have discovered at least one scrap dealer that is legitimate in the area. It would be interesting to know if there are any others.
HAPPY birthday greetings and all good wishes to everyone enjoying a birthday in the week ahead, especially Barbara Morgan, Charleen Foster, Abenathi Stuurman, Melissa Bowles, Karl Badenhorst, Bianca Steenkamp, Irene Tawse, Trevor Langley, Brent Thorp, Valerie Chalker, Kudu Pancoust, Debbie Ford, Karen Wilson, Kian Swanepoel, Arthur Beresford, Odette Gailey, Eleanor Taai, Lesley Stevenson, Cecile Welgemoed, Barry Rudman, Nicholas McCreath, Jaida Ball, Leanne Swart, Gerhild Scholz, Julia Jamieson, Bruce Findlay, Alexandra Albers, Colwyn Holshausen, Laela Cannon, Di Gruneberg, Sonai Owsley, Chene Vosloo, Emma Alberts, Kyra Colyvas, Jillian Tyson, Clair Meiring, Rory Gardner, Steven Minaar, Christo Kok, Inke Sap, Angelique Timm, Herman Purdon, Bernard du Plessis, Lesley Futter, Gillian Rautenbach, Buddy Brownlee, Peggy Mager, Erin Brits, Caitlin Bessinger, Joyce Webb, Tracy Mills Willemse, Sue Bradfield, Maartje Verhaak, Dina Pusilewicz, Sonia Nginase, Fanie Behrens, Phillip Swanepoel, Kelly van der Merwe, Terry Lansdell.
A SPECIAL shout out to Talk of the Town news editor Jon Houzet, who will pass his 50th milestone on Sunday 14.
FURTHER success and congratulations to the following businesses celebrating another anniversary and may these lead to many more, especially Independent Property Consultants (Van der Riet Street), L.P Gaz (Bathurst Street), Petticoat Lane (at their new premises in Pascoe Crescent) and the Presbyterian Church which is celebrating its 31st anniversary in Port Alfred.
THE South African economy is almost in a holding pattern, but it’s not just the national elections that investors are waiting for. The trade deal between the US and China is causing nervousness and things will only return to “normal” once the deal is signed. Yet our elections and problems arising as a consequence are certainly not helping inspire confidence in the future of the country. Aside from marches and road closures, the latest book burning of the Gangster State book by journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh advocated by ANC Youth League provincial secretary for the Free State, Reagan Booysen, has investors nervous as to the future of free speech in our country.
Booysen’s defiance of the ANC’s condemnation of the act is ample proof that certain so-called leaders have their own agenda and will not listen to authority.
The ruling party must impose tougher sanctions on anyone who disrespects the constitutional rights of all citizens and quickly act against the guilty or else lose votes in the upcoming elections. Failure will not only mean a loss of votes, but is also a red flag to investors.
With 2018’s figures in brackets to compare at the time of going to press, the rand was trading at R13.97/$ (R12.07), R18.29/£ (R17.12) and R15.75/ (R14.94). Gold is $1,303.05 per fine ounce ($1,354.09) with platinum at $820.77 per ounce ($935.05). Brent Crude Oil is trading at $71 per barrel ($71.74). SPECIAL thoughts and prayers are with all those folk who are not well, having or have already had tests, operations and treatments. “Sterkte” to Roy Potter, Andrew de Vries, Jenny Groenewald, Malcolm Cock, Chris de Wet Steyn, Marian Eaten, Martin Bekker, Trish Solz, Brenda Shelton and Theo Snyman.
WEDDING anniversary congratulations and good wishes for many more great years ahead to all couples celebrating such an occasion, especially Dave and Arleen Young, Graham and Joan Norman, Olly and Bianca Kirby, Kevyn and Lindsay Letley, Terry and Gisella Brickhill, Colin and Louise Wiggett, Robert and Marjorie Sparks, Peter and Doffie van der Byl, Hendrik and Margarite Smit, Stuart and Shannon Hawkes, Helgard and Erica Janse van Rensburg, Colin and Sandy Maclachlan, Stephan and Angela Drennan, John and Lodene Pohl, Thomas and Bonny Blaine and Hettie and Chris Fourie.
THOUGHT for the week: “Happiness is having dreams; success is making those dreams come true”.
BEST regards as always, The Team