Talk 19 November 2020

10 Advertising & Newsdesk: (046) 624-4356 Find us on Facebook 19 November 2020 TALK OF THE TOW N
N E I G H B O U R LY NOTES
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
IT has been 238 days since the national
lockdown was imposed and, in an
attempt to avoid a forecasted second
wave, Eastern Cape premier Oscar
Mabuyane recently posted the new rules
with respect to Covid-19 restrictions.
Mabuyane, who was diagnosed with
Covid-19 last week, is currently selfisolating
at his home.
The press release from his office stated,
“The Eastern Cape provincial government
will embark on mass testing, screening,
tracking, tracing of people who are
contacts of people infected by
coronavirus, enforce mandatory wearing
of cloth masks in public places, public
transport and other regulations put in
place to prevent the spread of Covid-19
infections in the province.”
WAT E R , or the lack of it, is one of the
major problems in the area. At the time of
writing the Sarel Hayward Dam, that
supplies Port Alfred, is running below
minimum capacity. Without sufficient
rains, the dam will inevitably run dry.
As we cannot control the weather, it is up
to residents to cut down on their water
usage. This obviously means there can be
no washing of cars or watering of gardens,
but it also needs more subtle precautions
to prevent Day Zero from happening.
For example, leaving the tap running
when brushing your teeth and excessive
flushing of toilets are strict no-no’s in our
water-scarce area. More of a problem will
be encountered when our visitors arrive
who come from areas where there are no
restrictions on water usage and they can
even drink water straight from the
municipal supply.
Remember that many of our local
businesses are dependent on the arrival of
visitors and, following a year of lockdown
and restrictions, they will be arriving with
the sole idea of relaxing and having a
good time. We have to make our visitors
aware of the problem and, without
spoiling their well-earned holiday, ensure
that there is enough water when the
holidays are over. Yet, primarily, locals
must also be aware of the problem.
All leaks must be reported to Ndlambe
Municipality for their immediate action.
We probably need Ndlambe to begin an
education/marketing campaign to
highlight the problem of water shortages
and the things to do, or avoid doing, to
ensure water security for the area.
C R I M I NA L S are out and about around
town, looking for opportunities to steal.
Gangs sometimes use “spotters” to do
reconnaissance on properties to
determine which are empty during the
day, noting dogs or other security
measures. Although it appears that few
crimes have been reported in the area, a
number of “suspicious” people have been
observed jumping fences and trespassing
on properties. Our local security
companies are doing a good job, but
neighbourhood safety requires a
concerted effort of the residents to keep
an eye-out for their neighbours and report
all suspicious activity in their area.
Also, if you have had trespassers on your
property, even if nothing was stolen,
please report this to the police so they are
warned about potential crimes as well as
criminal hot spots.
ARE you looking forward to Black Friday?
It is scheduled for November 27, next
Friday. It is a time when consumers can
pick up bargains and price-discounted
items and is also an opportunity for
retailers and suppliers to offload slowmoving
stock in preparation for the
Christmas season.
Originating in the United States, Black
Friday is always scheduled for the day
after the American Thanksgiving. Because
of all the restrictions we have faced over
the last several months (it feels more like
years) shoppers might be tempted to
spend money they do not have on items
they do not need. Just be careful with your
money as there are always criminal
elements at work, particularly at
vulnerable spots such as ATMs. Moreover,
remember that you need your money to
last, not just over the upcoming Christmas
period but into January 2021 and beyond.
WE send bright thoughts and warmest
birthday wishes to everyone celebrating a
birthday and hopefully may it be the best
ever. Congratulations, especially to Fiona
Timm, Ruan Cannon, Rudolf van der
Heever, Kathleen Hill, Cordelia Quma,
Jovan Alexander, Mike Millard, Buks de
Kock, Kayleigh Parsons, Graham
Strachan, Cindy Charter, Olivia Charter,
Duncan Minott, Jill Bax, Colette Reid,
Hilpert twin sisters Michaela and
Monique, Lydia Atteridge, Lisa Tarr, Julia
Stevens, Ann McCann, Bella Metcalf,
Lynette Keeton, Jacquiline du Preez,
Gladman Sontsonga, Taryn Hickman,
Lettie Plaatjie, Geofrey Duruwe, Richard
Rudman, Barry Allen, Peter Reed, Barbara
Carolan, Mo Goff, Shalmedine Brooks,
Gavin Keeton, Tyrone Dixon, Lindi
Garner, Cecilia Paul, Anthony Stevenson,
Mikayla Patterson, Omica Ngqowana, Ilse
Wicks, Anita Thompson, Toni Metcalf,
Sylvia Strydom, Brandon Handley.
C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S and continued
success to the following businesses
celebrating another anniversary,
especially to Cherrywood Nursery
(Kenton-on-Sea), Kekkel en Kraai, Try Me
for Tours, The Corner Gallery (Bathurst).
B E CAU S E of the coronavirus pandemic
the markets have been slow and
ponderous as the entire global economy
attempts to recover. Added to this are the
current Brexit negotiations (the UK leaves
Europe on January 1 whether there is a
deal with the EEU or not).
Also, with American politics currently in
turmoil the markets remain cautious. With
the announcements of a highly effective
(from 90% and above), vaccine, first from
Pfizer last week and by Moderna this
week, the markets have recovered a little
of earlier losses.
However, creating a suitable vaccine is
only half the battle as now it must be
manufactured in bulk and distributed to
those who want it, like the elderly and
those with comorbidities. Others will go
the route of natural herd immunity.
With 2019’s figures in brackets to
compare against, the rand was trading at
R15.37 to the dollar (R14.74), R20.40 to
the pound (R19.06), and R18.26 to the
euro (R16.32). Commodities were trading
with gold at R1,888.54 per fine ounce
($1,465.70), platinum at R931.80 per
ounce ($893.42) and Brent crude oil at
R44.08 per barrel ($61.96).
SPECIAL thoughts and prayers are with all
who are not well, having or have already
had tests, operations and treatments.
Sterkte Roy Potter, Andrew de Vries, Jenny
Groenewald, Jan Haig, Bev Young, Fred
Golombick, Graeme Sunny Hill and
Jenna Coetzee.
WEDDING anniversary congratulations,
and may there be many more years of
continued happiness to Jaco and Cheryl
Delport, Malcolm and Carole Christie,
Matthew and Casey van Niekerk, Vic and
Beryl Goddard.
THOUGHT for the week: “G ra t i t u d e
unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what
we have into enough, and more.”
BEST regards as always,
The Team
FUN AND GAMES:
In third place at the
Talk of the
Town/Stenden South
Africa Quiz for the
Port Alfred Soup
Kitchen last week
were the veterans,
Wishful Thinkers,
comprising, from left,
Dave and Mandy
Purdon, and Marius
and Terri Goosen
Picture: JON HOUZET
SUDOKU - WHARF STREET FRUIT & VEG
Complete this Sudoku and be in line to win a R50 voucher
from Wharf Street Fruit & Veg in Wharf Street.Entries must
be in by 3:30pm on Tuesday at the TotT office - 29 Miles St.
Winner to please collect voucher (must show ID) from TotT
offices before attempting to redeem prize. Last week’s winner
is Ruth Jackson.
Wharf Street
Name:...................................................................................................
Tel No:...................................................................................................
WIN A VOUCHER FROM PAPER NAUTILUS RESTAURANT
SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S SUDOKU
Name:.........................................................................................................................
Winner of
last week’s
crossword:
Highlander Pub
Voucher -
Lindsay Walker
– Winners to
please collect
voucher
(must show
ID) from TotT
offices before
attempting to
redeem prize.
Address:....................................................Tel No:......................................................