Talk 30 December 2021

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6 Advertising & Newsdesk: (046) 624-4356 Find us on Facebook 30 December 2021 TALK OF THE TOW NEDITORIALOPINIONHoping fora betteryearCHEERSAyear ago, I wrote in this columnabout what an exceptionally difficultyear 2020 had been.Well, the same goes for this year.We often feel we are stuck in our ownGroundhog Day at Talk of the Town, as weencounter the same problems year afteryear. Sewage spills, water shortages, illegaldumping and misspent funds are just a fewof the issues that come up again and again.On top of this was the global Covid-19pandemic and the devastating economiceffects of the lockdown.It is hard to keep a positive outlookwhen bad things keep happening.It is not like we go out of our way to findthe negative – it is all around us.Often when someone walks in with acomplaint about something going on intheir street or neighbourhood, we groaninwardly and think, here we go again.But we do not stop caring. We continueto listen to the concerns of residents andtake up these issues with the powers-thatbe.We press for answers and hold our localgovernment accountable.That is not to say we always get thedesired outcome.Sometimes TotT’s probing sees resultsand people are happy. But often nothing isresolved and the problem keeps repeating.At times like this, we have to be contentthat our duty is accomplished in the asking,and that we have informed the community.If we stopped caring, we’d just pack it inand bury our heads in the sand and pretendeverything is wonderful.Good things are also happening, and wereport on those too. We reflect the wholescope of what is happening in ourc o m m u n i t y.Often the good is everyday andexpected, while the bad is magnified inpeople’s perceptions because it is unsettlingand contravenes the norms of a civilised,functional society.If the municipality or the police aredoing their jobs, for example, is it a “goodthing” or is it just to be expected?Why should we wonder and marvelwhen speed bumps are painted or parks arekept neat, or when criminals are arrestedand justice is served?We want to live in a society where orderand justice are normal and any deviancesare uncommon aberrations.So we enter another new year hopingfor an end to the pandemic, an end to thenever-ending lockdown and a return ton o r m a l i t y.And we hope our government at alllevels will be driven by a will to serve withall the resources at its disposal, and not bythe self-interest of party politics.We hope 2022 is a better year fore ve r yo n e .Jon Houzet❝We want to live in asociety where orderand justice are normalMan turns tragedy into triumphANDY HOFMEYRNew Port Alfred residentBrendan O’Sullivan has astory to tell – and a gift to give.In November last year, O’S u l l iva n ’slife changed in a moment, when hebroke his back in a freak accident inGqeberha.His career as a film productionmanager and adventure safari guideended abruptly. After a series ofcomplicated surgeries at LivingstoneHospital, doctors told him thatrecovery would be slow and he maynever have the use of one of his legsagain. O’Sullivan set out to provethem wrong, motivated in part by thehuge number of Covid patientsaround him.Six days later, O’Sullivan checkedhimself out of hospital in a wheelchairand got a lift to a friend’s home, wherehe mastered driving with his“wo r k i n g ” foot and recovered to thepoint where he felt it was time tomove on.Unable to find pet-friendlyaccommodation he drove off in hisunreliable Peugeot, in which he livedfor the next four months.“Sleeping in a car with a brokenback isn’t really possible so I slept on athin mattress next to the car with mydog Einstein keeping guard at mys i d e ,” he said.The “friendly city” proved lessfriendly than he’d hoped so he headedeast, arriving in Port Alfred inSeptember this year, checking in as a“c a r- c a m p e r ” at Medolino. Newowners, Susan and Johnny,immediately set up a tent for him tolive in, a stretcher to sleep on andother camping equipment.In Port Alfred O’Sullivan realisedthat he had finally discovered the“friendly city”!Disabled as he now was,O’Sullivan turned to the other field inwhich he was qualified; as a massaget h e ra p i s t .“I’d done massage therapy in thepast, dealing with stress, musclespasms, etc but, given my ownexperience, I was driven to specialisein injury-related therapy,” he said.“I’d experienced a tragic accident,felt the pain and experienced thevalue of injury-specific massage. Isimply had to return the gift, so Ienrolled in a course on manuallymphatic drainage massage,specifically for its technique whichhelps so many different ailments,anything from migraines to cancerp a t i e n t s .”Embracing his disability,O’Sullivan pivoted his existing skillsinto a new career, helping people withsevere injuries and post-surgery and,once he can afford it, plans to study anintense course in lymphedemamassage, so he can also work in ahospital alongside doctors treatingpatients undergoing chemo orra d i a t i o n .O’S u l l iva n ’s philosophy is to givewherever he can.While he needs to make a living,where injured patients cannot affordit, his healing hands work for free –and, slowly but surely, O’Sullivan iscreating a new career in his newhome; a garden cottage with disabilityaccess where he is treating severalpatients, including a car accidentpatient, a patient with a neck injuryand cluster headaches, two patientswith sciatica, others with migraines aswell as those simply in need of stressrelief.“I know it sounds crazy but in away I’m grateful for my accidentinasmuch as it has given me newinsights, a new career and a new,friendly home.“In addition to my massageservices, I can also help anyoneneeding general management orbook-keeping assistance,” he said.● O’Sullivan can be contacted on061-417-2255 or search “Br endanO’Sullivan Chirapsia Massage” onFa c e b o o k .FOR A FRIEND: Friends of VictorCoetzee recently held a poolcompetition and raffle fundraiser forthe young biker who was badly injuredin an accident on Southwell Road hillmonth. Corne Odendaal, left, camefirst in the pool competition andreceived his prize from Nicole Enslin.The fundraiser was hailed a success.The majority of the raffle winners wishto remain anonymous as some redonatedtheir prizes to others and oneof the food vouchers will be presentedto Coetzee’s family. Sponsors includedOutdoor Focus, Kowie Bunga, RoyalSt Andrews Hotel, Robin Hyde, Craigand Lesley Theunissen, Guido’s andGuido’s Beach BarINSPIRED TO HELP OTHERS: After an accident which left himdisabled, Brendan O’Sullivan found a new life and vocation in PortA l f re dEm e rge n cy N u m b e rsTideGuide courtesy of the South African NavyDa t e High Lo w Da t e High Lo wPort Alfred hospital........... (046) 604-4000Police station..................... (046) 604-2001/2De c 30 13 : 04 01:35 06:36 01:353 04 : 03 16 : 17 10 : 06 22:31 Multi-Security ................... (046) 624-250831 13 : 59 02 : 00 07: 37 20 : 184 04:46 16 : 58 10 : 50 23:12 Chubb Security ................. (046) 624-4810Jan 1 ---- ---- ---- ----5 05:29 17: 39 11:33 23:51 Sky Alarms ........................ (046) 624-28062 03 : 17 15:34 09 : 20 21:496 06 : 10 18:19 12:15 00:31 NSRI ................................... 082 - 990 - 5971Electricity .......................... (046) 624-1111 (a / h )Gardmed ............................ 0 8 2 -759 - 2 13 4EMS (EmergencyMedical Services) ........... 10 17 7Holistic EMS ...................... 063-460-0042Fire Department................ (046) 624-1111
TALK OF THE TOWN 30 December 2021 Advertising & Newsdesk: (046) 624-4356 Find us on Facebook 7YEAR IN REVIEW — c u l t u reJA N UA RY● In our first edition of the year, Talk ofthe Town featured photographs from anexhibition by local artist BobMcKenzie, celebrating 60 years of hiswo r k .● One of Port Alfred’s most wellknown,loved and eccentric residents,Beverly Young, passed away on January11, at the age of 74. Young was an avidhistory buff, a raconteur who couldspin a story from her vast knowledge ofthe area and its history, even if shecould on occasion blend in a little ofher own imagination to make the storyb e t t e r.● Responses, comments and feedbackfrom readers of her poems motivatedNompumelelo Sandlana, also knownas Mary-Anne, to share her poetry withthe broader audience through Talk ofthe Town.Discussing the motives behind eachpoem, Sandlana said she liked writingwhen the mood was right, adding thatshe was writing based on her personalexperience and observations.● Despite the lockdown, BathurstFarmers Market continued to flourishwith lots of stallholders and supportivecustomers. We featured photos of themin the newspaper.F E B R UA RY● Locals enjoyed their regainedfreedom when the booze and beachbans were lifted by government,enjoying a cold one at the pub, or walkon the beach.● Dealing in the field of visual art oncanvas and cloth, matriculantSiphenathi Dike began designing T-shirt decals but was having problemskeeping up with demand, until theNemato Foundation procured a hotpress for him.YOUNG AT HEART: Beverly Young, whopassed away in early January, will always beremembered by her friends and associates asa caring and generous person and a greatstoryteller. As tourism director she marketedthe area endlessly and did a great job inplacing Port Alfred on the mapMARCH● With level 1 lockdown restrictions inplace, the Kowie Museum trusteeslooked forward to re-opening themuseum at the station in March, onFridays and Saturdays.The museum is completely fundedby entrance fees and donations, and thepast year had been a hard one withoutany income since March 2020.● Members of the Khoi-Sancommunity filled the Station Hillcommunity hall to permitted capacityto welcome news of the Traditional andKhoi-San Leadership Act, 2019, whichwould become effective on April 1.The legislation recognises Khoi-Sanleaders and communities.● The Great Kenton Wine Festival wasa highlight on the calendar, with ticketsselling like hotcakes to attend tastings atthe Kenton Bowls and Diaz Anglingclubs. Eleven wine producersparticipated with more than 70 of SA’sfinest wines available to taste andpurchase at cellar prices.APRIL● With hope and anticipation thatthings would go back to normality laterin the year, Upperego Experience madeplans far in advance for the Kenton-on-Sea Spring Picnic Festival from October1 to 3. The three-day weekend eventTurn to PAGE 8A RT I S T I CEXPRESSION: Localartist, SiphenathiDike, right, had a planto get his artworkavailable to the publicon printed t-shirts,and with theassistance of theNemato Foundationand its treasurerGunther Johannsen,is leaving his mark inthe areaTHE KLEINEMONDEPROPERTY SPECIALISTSCell: 082 923 4973 E-mail: owsley@imaginet.co.zaKLEINEMONDERIVERSIDE PROPERTYPANORAMIC VIEWSWonderful views over the Kleinemonde river from Beautiful view over the Kleinemonde rivers andthis upmarket 3/4 bedroom home with direct access the sea. Immaculate low maintenance 3 bedroomto the river. Many extras. Generator, good security, home. Delightful covered entertainment patio.Jacuzzi, games room, rain water tanks. R 2 690 000 Extra large double garage. R 1 850 000Terms & Conditions:Reservations are recommended, but not essential. We regret that no under 10’s are permitted.Dress code is smart casual.The Thistle Restaurant is open from Monday to Saturday Evenings.T’s & C’sHighlander Pub open from 10 am until late. Highlander Kitchen open from12h00 until 21h30 from 01 – 15 December 2021. Highlander Kitchen open from12h00 – 22h00 from 16 December – 03 January 2022.
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