TOTT 7 February 2019

February 7, 2019 ADVERTISING / NEWSDESK: (046) 624 4356 Find us on Facebook
Talk of the Town 9
N E I G H B O U R LY NOTES
“M AY you live in interesting times,” the
ancient Chinese curse certainly holds true in
Ndlambe at the moment with “i n t e r e st i n g ”
things happening all the time. It is
important to understand that interesting
does not mean good, just something we
need to think about.
Take for example the recent Bathurst
protests where residents were told not to
attempt to go to work for fear of being
beaten or worse. A similar threat on
residents was made in Nemato early on
Wednesday although that only lasted for a
few hours before the curfew was lifted.
Perhaps the bigger problem with these
interesting events is that they prevent
people from using the roads to and from
Port Alfred, thus causing businesses to lose
money and the possibility that employees
will lose their jobs.
Another major problem is the destruction
that accompanies these protests with
burning tyres, destroying road surfaces and
potentially causing brush fires (particularly
at this time of severe drought), buildings
burnt, telephone poles knocked down and
burnt and more.
Similar protests have occurred in
Kenton/Ekuphumleni, as well as Alexandria
over the last few years with similar
outcomes. In the previous Bathurst protest,
residents were complaining about ward 5
councillor Andile Marasi while, on
Wednesday in Nemato, it was apparently
regarding pre-election promises made by
councillors during election time that are
never implemented once the councillor is
elected.
But, who do these protests really harm?
How much money needs to be found to
repair the damage caused before any can
be found to rectify the problem? How does
it assist the cause by preventing (and, in
many cases, threatening) ordinary people
from earning a living? We have a
constitutional right to protest, but there
must be a better way to air grievances. It’s
time to rethink “p r ot e st ” action.
XOLISA Runeli was sworn in as a PR
(proportional representation) councillor at
the council chambers on Tuesday afternoon
with Ndlambe speaker Vivian Maphaphu
and a few municipal officials present.
The EFF, the party for which Runeli stands,
has been responsible for several clashes
with police over the past year or so, some of
DIARISE THIS
Albany Vintage and Classic Motor Club Museum
opens on the last Saturday of each month – 9am-12
noon – Hawkins Industrial Park, Alfred Road, Port
Alfred.
Alzheimer SA East Cape Support Group meets the last
Thursday of each month at 3pm at Brookshaw Home at
9 Donkin Street, Grahamstown. The Support Group is for
family, friends and caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s
Disease or any form of Dementia. There is usually a
speaker followed by discussion and tea. Contact Dr
Heather Rauch 081-350-8079 for information and to get
on to our mailing list.
Bathurst Farmers Market – Every Sunday rain or shine
at Yesterday Today and Tomorrow Nursery, Kowie Road
from 9am-12.30pm.
Birdwatching Tours and Three Sisters Saunter. Book
with Anne 046-675-1976 or 083-719-4950.
w w w. a n n e s b i r d i n g . c o . z a
Bonsai Club meets once a month on a Saturday. For
more information please contact David Brewis on
076-457-3218. Or e-mail d a v i d b re w i s 7 7 @ g m a i l . c o m
Cricket Club – Practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays at
the Port Alfred Country Club, French Street from 5pm.
Contact Rob Nel on 076-394-4067.
East Cape Shotokan-Ryu Karate, Port Alfred –
Mondays and Thursdays: 4.30pm for beginners. 5.15 for
intermediate class and 6pm for the advanced cl;ass.
Contact Gary Grapentin on 073-346-0059 for more
i n fo r m at i o n .
Healing Horses Therapeutic Riding Centre –
Therapeutic and recreational horse riding activities for
people living with disabilities. Mondays at 09.30am and
10h30, Wednesdays at 10am and 11am, To book a ride, or
find out about volunteering, call Jann on 078-346-5412.
Hockey Club – Practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays
from 5pm at the Port Alfred Country Club, French Street.
Contact Chris Pike on 082-350-0900.
Kenton Garden Club meeting second Wednesday of the
month at 9.30am. For info visit w w w. k e n t o n g a r d e n c l u b . c o . z a
Kenton Pub Quiz – 6.30pm – first Sunday of each
month at Kenton Bowls Club. Cash bar available. Cash
and other prizes. Teams of four to six. All welcome.
Kleinemonde Morning Market on the first Saturday of
every month, from 8.30 to 10am. Kleinemonde
Community Hall. Enjoy breakfast and browse the stalls
selling wholesome farm chickens and home produce,
including quality meats, vegetables, pancakes, frozen
meals, quiches, bread, rusks, gingerbread houses, home
baked cakes, doggy treats, candles, gifts and more.
Knit and Knatter Crafters clubat Holly House, every
Wednesday at 9am. All welcome. Contact Kathy on
046-624-4452 for further information.
Kowie Auctioneers – monthly auction every last
Thursday of the month at 35 North Street. Entries for the
auction need to be in on the Tuesday before the auction.
Viewing day prior from 2pm. For more information call
E-mail Rob Knowles at knowlesr@tisoblackstar.co.za or fax (046) 624-2293
or drop in at 29 Miles Street from 8am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
KEEP CALM AND FLIP PANCAKES: Full Gospel Church ladies made and sold pancakes as part of the church’s
fundraising efforts. They are, from left, Petro Nel, Estelle van der Merwe, Eileen Lynch, Debbie Olivier, Fanna Vogel,
and Marie Britz
Picture: NTOMBI MSUTU
them ending in violence from both sides.
We wish him well in his appointment and
trust that he will have the character and
strength to ensure no one is hurt on either
side during protest action. May I suggest
that he gets to know how the municipality
operates as several of the existing
councillors seem to have a problem
understanding that taking money from one
or more items on the council vote register
means that service delivery in another area
will be adversely affected.
THE water crisis that plagued greater Port
Alfred over the last week, seems to be over
and, with luck, we can rely on a constant
flow of potable water from here on. That is,
unless we experience most failures in
infrastructure or load-shedding from Eskom.
THE initial euphoria of the new year has now
passed and we can look forward to some
great events coming up in April, the next
period when the area receives thousands of
OUR ENTRIES ARE OPEN FOR FEBRUARY, MARCH and APRIL
E-mail houzetj@tisoblackstar.co.za or fax (046) 624-2293 or drop in at 29 Miles Street from 8am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
Colin Maclachlan 083-521-3623 or Peter Charter on
0 8 2 - 5 6 9 - 3 478 .
The Kowie Camera Club monthly meeting, the last
Monday of every month (except December) at 7pm in
the Settlers Park Retirement Village hall. Contact
Herman Groenewald 078- 428-9551.
Kowie History Museum, at The Old Railway Station,
Pascoe Crescent. Open 9.30am-12.30pm
Tuesday-Saturday. Closed Sunday/Monday and public
h o l i d ay s .
Kowie Striders time trial – every Tuesday at 5.30pm at
the Port Alfred Country Club. Distances of 3.5 or 8km.
Runners and walkers welcome. Contact Sticks Stiglingh
on 071-612-7339 or Alan Robb on 082-495-6842
Kowie Striders casual long run from the Duck Pond -
every Sunday at 7am . Runners and walkers welcome.
The route will be determined on the morning of the run.
Lower Albany Historical Society meets third Thursday
of the month – some meetings in Don Powis Hall,
Settlers Park, others, outside trips. Call Avonne on
083-473-6823 for details.
Lower Albany Woodworkers’ Guild, meets first Tuesday
of each month. Call Brian Edwards on 046-624-2945 for
more information.
Memory Book Scrapbook Club meets twice a month
on a Thursday afternoon. All welcome. Contact Cheryl
046-624-2733 / 083-556-7562.
MOTHS – Old soldiers never die – Calling all
ex-servicemen “Ou Manne” and their ladies for a
get-together on the first Sunday of every month at 12
noon and the MOTH Hall (next to the Ski-boat Club) for
a light lunch and some memories. RSVP MOTHS at
082-537-9033 for catering purposes.
National Sea Rescue Institute practices every
Wednesday at 5pm. To join the NSRI visit the base in
person to undergo an evaluation.
Port Alfred Art Club welcomes new members, both
experienced or wanting to learn. We meet weekly
offering a monthly DVD from leading artists, giving
excellent tips and guidance on how to draw and paint.
Contact Jenny (083-292-2650) or Paddy
(083-226-5254).
Port Alfred Bowling and Croquet Club invites you to
try your hand at lawn bowls and Croquet,free coaching
and equipment available. Situated next to the Nico
Malan Bridge. Enquiries: Rod Wilson at: 082-375-2968
or (046) 624-5671. Croquet enquiries: Rodger Darkes at
082-373-8181 See our website at: w w w. p a b c c . c o . z a and our
Facebook page.
Port Alfred Bridge Club – Now meets at the Eddie
Grant MOTH Hall (next to the Ski-boat Club) every
Monday and Thursday – 1pm for 1.30pm start. All bridge
enthusiasts and persons wishing to learn to play bridge
are most welcome.
Port Alfred Community Police Forum meets on the
third Tuesday of each month at the Port Alfred Police
visitors. First it is the Bathurst Agricultural
Show on April 5 to 7, the Eastern Cape’s
oldest and most prestigious show of its
kind. This will be followed by the Amanzi
Challenge over the Easter weekend and for
a week beyond.
The organisers of both events are currently
organising their pre-event meetings, dotting
“i’s” and crossing “t’s” in preparation. Talk
of the Town will keep our readers informed
of all the exciting news as we learn about it.
These two events represent some of the
best opportunities for local businesses to
increase their market exposure before the
host of visitors to the area during this
period, so savvy businessmen and women
should get in contact with the organisers of
both events to see how they can assist and,
in turn, benefit in making 2019 their best
year yet.
CONGRATULATIONS and greetings to
everyone celebrating a special day in the
week ahead. Happy birthday, especially to
Keenen Hendricks, Kris van Zyl, Tertia
Hockin, Phumela Pase, Norman
Wedderburn, Rob Knowles, Nonyameko
Siyolo, Juan Bessinger, Rocky Rowe, Jessie
Bohnen, Hillary Bryant, Graham Pearce, Des
Wright, Suzanne Fitchet, Fay Smith, Rowen
Loretz, Roy Bowles, Jack Malan, Blessing
Nkosi, Melanie Noel, Jenny le Roux,
Michelle Swanepoel, Leonie Fourie, Brandon
Wicks, Jeremy Elliott, Megan Sharrock,
John-Luke Collyer, Frikkie Coetzee, Marlene
Wiese, Eben Groenewald, Jenny Waters,
John Forster, Greg Timm, Wendy Pieterse,
Gloria Kamkam, Hendrik Koekemoer, Sandy
Thomas, Mike Neave, Magda Loubser,
Edmund Hall, Marilyn Michau, Linda Smuts,
Russell Kearney.
BUSINESS and service organisation
anniversary congratulations with wishes for
further success for the future to Jumbo
Store, The Jewellery Shop, 2nd Time
Station at 2.30pm.
Port Alfred Floral Art Group (PAFAG) meets on the 3rd
Saturday of the month at Settlers Park hall at 2.30pm.
For more information please phone 082-464-4606
(Hennie de Bruin). All welcome.
Port Alfred Park Run, Civic Centre. Every Saturday
8am-9am.
Probus Club of the Kowie meets on the second
Tuesday of each month at 10am at the Port Alfred River
and Ski-boat Club.
Rocky Ridge Farm Market opens every Saturday and
Sunday from 9am with a variety of home made delights,
“egg-cellent” free-range eggs, honey, biltong, droewors
as well as its very popular morning breakfast. Contact
Desia Holmes on 083-589-0765 for more information.
Rosehill Mall Art and Crafters Market, the first
Saturday of every month, from 9am-4pm. A true art and
craft market. Only handmade items available by our
local crafters. Large selection of goods. Craft market for
December only on December 1, 14 and 15.
Scrapbook workshops and classes: Bcreative offers
monthly workshops, night classes, social classes and a
whole lot more. Call 046-624-3096 to book or for more
i n fo r m at i o n .
Self Drive Heritage Map: All the historical sites in Port
Alfred, Bathurst and surrounding areas. Available at the
tourism office.
Sunshine Coast Women’s Forum meets every fourth
Tuesday in the Don Powis Hall, Settlers Park at 2.30pm.
Come and join us. Visitors welcome. For more
information contact Tosca Spenceley 046-624-4339.
U3A – Port Alfred Branch meets on the fourth Thursday
of every month at 9.30 for 10am at the Don Powis Hall,
Settlers Park village. All welcome.
Thursday February 7
PA Art Club – 9.30am – DVD at Settlers Park Hall.
Simplifying the Nude by Paul Schmidt using oils.
Port Alfred Scrapbook Club – 2pm to 5pm –
Presbyterian Church Port Alfred. All welcome. Contact
Cheryl 046-624-2733 / 083-556-7562.
Friday February 8
Prayer for rain at the Settlers Monument in Makhanda
(Grahamstown) – 2.30 for 3pm in the main auditorium.
Across all denominational and racial divides. A senior
pastor from Bhisho, Mangaliso Matshobane, will direct
the prayer service. Farmers are encouraged to bring
some of their staff.
Saturday February 9
PAHS U9, U13 and U15 cricket vs St Andrew’s Prep on
the school fields.
Monday February 11
Port Alfred Tennis Club AGM at 6pm.
PAHS U13 cricket vs Shaw Park and U15 cricket vs El
Shaddai Christian Academy on the school fields.
Around, The Port Alfred Hospital and
Woollgar Attorneys.
THE US, UK, France, Germany and
Switzerland passed a message to President
Cyril Ramaphosa recently to warn him of the
possible consequences of not dealing with
corruption in the country. They, as we, have
endured months and even years listening to
testimony of witnesses exposing state
capture but have seen few if any real
results. The government replied with
diplomacy but the ANC wrote a rather
disturbing reply calling the signatories
“colonisers” and “i m p e r i a l i st s ”. The art of
diplomacy seems lost on the ruling party.
And from a finance perspective, insulting
the countries that are going to offer
investment in our country is almost
certainly not the right thing to do, yet it is a
typical “developing nation” response. When
will these demagogues learn?
With 2018’s figures in brackets to compare
against, the rand was trading at R13.48
(R11.97)/$; R17.46 (R16.62)/£ and R15.35
( R 1 4 . 78 ) / ß.
Gold was trading at $1,312.13 ($1,327.12) per
fine ounce and platinum was trading at a
$819.95 ($999.10), Brent crude was $61.44
($66.90).
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, Rowena Collin,
Marian Eaton, Malcolm Cock and Brenda
Shelton.
OUR condolences to the family and friends
of Dawn Millar (Pascoe), who passed away
in December. A memorial service will be
held at the Port Alfred Presbyterian Church
on February 9 starting at 3pm.
CONGRATUL ATIONS to all couples on their
anniversaries. Best wishes for many more
great years ahead to Lance and Rose Parker,
Warren and Kate Venter, Andre and Meryl
Uys, Vaughn and Carla de la Mare, Terry and
Helen Lansdell, Johny and Astrid Sacks,
Warren and Lisa Tarr, Allen and Helen
Thompson.
THOUGHT for the week: “The greatest
healing therapy in life is friendship and
love”.
BEST regards as always,
The Team
Tuesday February 12
Probus Club – This month’s club meeting will be held
at the Ski-boat Club, 9am for 10am with guest speaker
Andrew Witte who will talk about “Abalone Farming and
Associated Threats”.
Wednesday February 13
PAHS U9A, U11A and U13A vs Graeme College on the
school fields.
PAHS U15 girls’ tennis vs VGHS and U11 girls’ tennis vs
Kingswood College on town and school courts.
Thursday February 14
PA Art Club – 9.30am – Painting at Paddy Beeby’s
home, 24 Vroom Road. Phone 046-624-1065/
083-226-5254 for details.
Port Alfred Country Club Cheese and Wine Valentine’s
Event – 6.30 for 7pm – at the Club. R60 per person,
tickets for sale at club. Contact Foxy 076-992-7660 or
Sonai Owsley 081-211-0901.
Saturday February 16
Port Alfred Floral Art Group monthly meeting –
2.30pm – Settlers Park Hall. Demonstration: Teaching
demo by ECFAA judges – Elements and Principles of
Design in Floral Art. Homework: Any design of your
choice - “Fun with Foliage” as demonstrated by Carol
Taggert. Inquiries: Hennie de Bruin 082-464-4606. All
welcome.
Va l e n t i n e ’s Summertime Bash in the PAHS Hall
organised by the Friends of the School as a fundraiser.
Tickets available from committee members /
cbotha@pahs.co.za / 046-624-2440.
Sunday February 17
Classics at the Castle – Flautist Malane
Hofmeyr-Burger and marimba-player Magdalena de
Vries will be entertaining the audience at the first
Classics at the Castle performance of the year. Starts at
3pm sharp. Tickets available from KNA at R90 each.
Wednesday February 20
Diaz Cross Bird Club talk at the Port Alfred
Presbyterian Church at 7pm for 7.30pm. The talk will be
about the trip to Hwange in Zimbabwe undertaken by
the Arnotts, Hodkinsons and Lardner-Burkes.
Thursday February 21
PA Art Club – 9am – Catholic Hall. A change in format
as month-end meeting will be the AGM. Enjoy a social
time. DVD and book exchanges, tea, coffee and snacks.
Bring paintings for review.
Friends with Compassion – Caring for those who are
mourning a loved one. Presbyterian Church Port Alfred,
at 3.30pm. All welcome- Join us for a cup of tea and a
chat. Contact Cheryl 046-624-2733 / 083-556-7562.
Sunday February 24
Diaz Cross Bird Club outing to the Webb's farm,
Tharfield. We will meet at Robbies at 6am and Heritage
Mall at 6.30am. Visitors welcome (R10 per person to
DCBC). Bring a picnic brunch. For more details contact
Tim Cockbain 046-624-8483.